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HISTORY
OF
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
coiymLEr) tjitdee, the su feij-visioit oe
D. HAMILTON HURD.
ILLUSTRATED.
I'll I I, A hi: I. I'll lA :
J. W. LKWIS & CO.
i.ssn.
CorYKloiTT, lS8r., i!Y .1. W. Lewis & Co.
PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.
Nearly three years ago the attention ot the publishers, wlio liave long niade a specialty
of this class of work, was called to the fact that a iiistory of Hillsborough County was needed.
After mature deliberation the work was planned and its compilation commenced. The best
literary talent in this section of the State for this especial work was engaged, whose
names appejir at the hesid of tlunr respective articles, besides many other local writers on
special topics. These gentlemen a2)proached the work in a spirit of impartiality and
thoroughness, and we believe it has been tlieir honest endeavor to trace the history of the
development of the territoiy embodied herein from that period when it was in tiie undis-
puted possession of the red man to the present, and to place before the reader an authentic
narrative of its rise and progress. The work has been comj)iled from autiientieated and
. original sources, and no effort spared to produce a history which should ])rove in every
respect wortliy of the county represented.
The Publishers.
Philadelphia, August, 1885.
■* r A' -•<-) -'O
tt
CONTENTS.
GEIS'EEAI. HISTORY-
CHAPTER I.
Early History and Organization of Courts .
PAOt
1
CHAPTER II.
The Bench and Bar
TOWN HISTORIES.
Manchester 40
Nashua 139
Amher.st 219
Antrim 252
Bedford 265
Bennington 284
Brookline 289
france.stown 297
Goffstow.v 303
Greenfield 331
Hancock 350
Deerino 366
Hillsborough 391
HoLLis 435
Hudson 457
Litchfield 486
Lyndeborough 498
Mason 513
Greenville 618
Merrimack 527
MiLFORD 551
New Boston 585
New Ii'SWich 610
Peliia.m 631
Peterborough (550
Sharon i>7()
Temple 672
Weare 678
Wilton 695
Windsor 727
Mont Vernon 7;it>
Appendix 745
V
BIOGRAPHICAL,
PACE
Adams, rlilnoliM 123
Athcnoii, Cliarlw G 12
Atherlon, ClmrlM H 10
Atberton, Jut(hua — 9
ATerill, Clinton S 579
Aj'er, Ik'rOaniin F 34
Ajcr, Samuel H 13
B«lch, CharlM E 133
Balch, Mark 300
Baldwin, Samuel 288
Bartlill, CharlM H 32
Boll, !<aniucl D 17
Berry, Augui^tmt 647
Blood, Aretas 75
Bnxlford, Kphniini P 606
Bradloy, Denis M 104
BriggB, Jamiys F 29
Brookft, Ifioac 249
Buck, William D 120
Burnham, Alwl C 426
Burnham, llenr)' E 32
Burna, l.'liarli'a H 39
CamplM-ll, riiarleo n 250
CamplKll, iJaniel 250
Camplxjll, Daniel, Jr 251
Clianilterlain, James L 526
Cbampney, Kbenezer 9
Cheney, Penwn C 83
Chriatic, Miirrif! 202
Clagitefl, Clifton 10
Claggett, Wiseman 8
Clapp, Allen N 132
Clark, Daniel 17
Clark, Lewis W 26
Clarke, John B 55
Clarke, Joseph B .33
Clarke, William C 20
ClouKh, Luclen B 32
Cragin, Daniel 725
Crombie, Ninian C 609
Cro«bj', Joalah 126
Cro», David ,31
Curanor, Nathaniel W 129
Currier, Moody 01'.
Cutler, John H 005
Dana, Samuel 10
Darls, .loaoph 304
Doarhorn, Cornelius Van M 207
Doarl).>ru, SAninol G 201
DfMlge, I'erley 35
Dulihip, Archibald H 211
Katun, Harrison 547
Kdwards, Supply W 67fi
Farley, Benjamin M .39
Fellows, Joseph W 3JI
Ferguson, John 128
I'AUK
Fltib, Charles D .348
Forsailh, Samuel C 84
Foster, Herman 26
French, John C 133
Fuller, John G 425
Fulton, James 389
Gilbert, John 431
Gilnian, Horace W 209
Gilmau, Virgil C 210
Goodale, John H 379
Goodalo, Levi 429
Goodale, T. N 429
Goodell, David H 200
Goodale Familj* 428
Godfrey, Reuben 214
Goffc, John 47
Gove, Charles F 12
Graves, Josiah G 199
Gray, U. S 726
Greeley, Horace 250a
Gregg, James 389
Griffln, George 496
Grimes, Francis 422
Grimes, James F 423
Hall, James H 216
Hiill, James Harvey 296
Hamblet. Kli 484
Heald, David 580
Hildreth, .lotham 512
Holman, Charles 201
Hosley, John 136
Howard Family, The 213
Hutchinson, John W 581
Jones Family, The 427
Kimball, Gilman 203
Kingr^bury, Cleorge 300
Lincoln, Leavltt 030
Livermore, Solomon K 573
Lund, Charles 216
Maynard, John H 136
Morrill, James B 483
3[oorc, Joseph C 60
Moore, Xonnan J. M 202
Murrlsjin, Georgo \V 13
Murray, Orlando D 203
Xowell, Joseph 722
Parsons, William M 137
PartridKo, S. II 347
Parker, John M 326
Parker, William T 649
Pattee, L. N 330
Pevoy, Peter 349
Povey, /ebcdiah 344
Pierce, Franklin 10
Potter, Chandler E 136
Preston, John 028
vii
BIOGKAPHIES.
PAGE
Bauise.v. Juhii 347
Sawyer, Auroii F 3C
Sawder, Aarun W 36
Sawyer, Moat's 694
Seconib, John 250a
Shirley Kainily, The 327
Simuua, Hiraui COi
SimuDS, Lewis C92
Smith, George L 608
Smith, Isaac \V 27
Smith, John B 429
Smith, Luke C07
Smyth, Frederick 67
Spalding, Isaac 199
Stanley, Cliutou W 22
Stark, John 46
Stevens, Aaron F 37
Stevens, William 743
Stimton, Charles 327
PAGE
Straw, Ezekiel A tjQ
Sulloway, Cyrus A 32
Swallow, Stillman 217
Tarbell, Joel H 511
Tuttle, Jacob 261
Upton, Samuel 34
Wallace, Alonzo S 294
Wasou, Elbildge 605
Webster, Kimliall 432
W^ells, Charles 127
Weston, James A 12I
White, Jeremiah \V 205
Whitford, Elliott 216
Whiting, David 723
Wilkins, Alexander M 550
Woodbury, John 045
Worcester, Joseph E 455
Worcester, Samuel T 39
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Adanu, Pbinehas 124
Av«rill, Clinlon 8 578
Balch, Charles E 134
Balch, Mark 300
Baldwiu, Siuuuel 288
Berr>', Augustus 647
Blood, Arelos 75
BraiUev, Uunis M 104
Bruilfoni, Epbraim P 600
BriMiks Iijuac 249
Buck, Wlllliiiu D 10(i
Burnliam, Alwl C 422
Burns, Charles H 40
Cani|ihi'll, Charles H 260
Caiii|i)>fll, Daniel, Jr 2o0a
Chaniberlain, .lamoB L ;V2G
Chentj-, I'ersiin C 83
Cliristie, Slorris 202
Clai.p, Allen X 132
Clark, Daniel 18
Clarke, John It 55
Clark, Lewis W 27
Cloughr Lucicn B 32
Crosby, Joslah 125
Cn««, Daviil 31
Crouible, Ninian C 609
Cnniner, Nathaniel W 120
Currier, Moody 66
Culler, .lohu H 060
Davis, Joseph 364
Dearborn, Cornelius Van M 200
Dearlj..rn, Samuel G 200
Dodge, Perloy 35
Doe, <ieo. I. Rraof. 704
Dunlap, Archibald II 211
Rlwards, Supply \V 576
Ferguson, John 128
Fil.li, Charles D 348
Forwiilh, Samuel C 84
Ko-ler, Herman 20
French, John C 1:)3
Fuller, John G 424
Fulton, .hinies 390
(;illK!i1, John 431
Oilman, lloniru W 208
Cllnian, Virgil C 210
Godfrey, Itonben 214
Go.»liih-, Levi 428
G.H,dale. Tli.>maii N 429
G.K)dell, David H 200
Graves, JoslaliG 199
Gray, H.N 726
Gregg, James 389
GritBn, liuorgc 490
Grimes Francis 422
GrinieH. .lames K 42.3
Hall, Jiinie-* Harvey 296
Ilaml.let, Kli.
484
lleald, Davl.l 580
Hlldrelh, Jotlmui 512
PAGE
Holnmn, Charles 201
Ilosley, John 136
Howard, Ezra P 212
Hutchinson, John W 582
.lunes, Parker 427
Kimball, Gilman 263
Kingsbury, George 301
Lincoln, Leavitt 030
Liverniorc, Solomon K 574
Lund, Charles 216
Map *jf Hillsborough County 1
Mayniird, John H 135
Jlerrill, James B 483
Moore, Joseph C 60
Moore, Xornian J. M 202
Murray, Orlando D 203
Newell, Joseph 722
Parker, John M 326
Parker, William T. 549
Parsons, William M 137
Partridge, S. U 347
Pattce, L. N 330
Pevey, Peter 349
Pevey, Zehedlah..... 344
Pierce, »unklin 10
I'otter, Chandler E 136
Preston, John 61i8
Ilamsoy, John 346
Sawyer, .\arou W 36
Sawyer, Moses 694
Shirley, E. 328
Simons, Himm 691
Simons, Lewis 692
Smith, George L 608
Smith, Isaac W 28
Smith, John B 430
Smith, Luke 608
.Smyth, Friilorick 68
Spalding, Isaac 198
l*t<inley, Clinton W 22
Stark, John 46
Stevens, Aaron F 38
Stevens, William 743
Sllnsiin, Charles 327
Straw, Ezokiol A SO
Snlloway, Cyrus A 33
Swallow, Sllllman 217
'I'arbell, .loel H 611
Tuttle, .Jacob 261
I'pton, .Samuel 34
Wallace, Alon/.o S 249
Wason, Elbridgo 605
Webster, Kimball 482
Wells, Charles 127
Weston, James A 121
White, Jeremiah W 2(M
Whilfonl, ICIIIott 215
Wblliiig, David 724
Wllkins, AlexamlerM 650
Woodbury, Job 648
ix
HISTORY
OF
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
CHAPTER I.
EAKLY IIISTOKY AND OKGANIZ ATK IN OF COURTS.
BY GEORGE A. RAMSDELI,
For many years previous to 1740 the boundary lines
of the province of New llara|ishire were in dispute.
Massachusetts claimed that the division boundary
between that State and New Hampshire was defined
by a line drawn from a point on the Atlantic coast
three miles nortli of the mouth of the Merrimack
River, and running on the northerly and easterly side
of the river, and at a distance of three miles from it, to
a point three miles beyond the parallel of the junction
of the Winnipiseogce and the Pemigewasset; thence
due west to the Connecticut. This covered all the
territory included in the present limits of the county
of Hillsborough, excepting the town of Pelliam and
such portion of the town of Hudson as lies more than
three miles from the Merrimack River. Ft also in-
cluded the whole of Cheshire County and the larger
part of the present limits of Merrimack and Sullivan
Counties.
New Hampshire claimed for her southern boundary
a line produced due west from the same jioitit on the
ocean. Hy this claim the towns of Pelham, Hudson,
Litchfield, Nashua, Merrimack, Hollis, .Vniherst and
other towns lying within some fourteen miles of
latitude were conceded to be in Massachusetts. The
aiicifint town of Dunstable, containing more than two
hundr 'd sipiarc miles, and including all of the towns
above named and portions of other towns within the
present limits of New Hampshire, made a part of the
county of Miildlesex, in Massachusetts, and had not
bctbre 7W been regarded by any party as in part the
territory of the province of New Hampshire.
Previors to 1740 a board of commissioners, acting
UMiler the royal authority, had established the eastern
1
boundary, but failing to agree upon the southern line
the King himself terminated the controversy in favor
of New Hampshire, fixing the present boundary and
granting the State a much larger territory than had
been claimed. The decision, though somewhat arbi-
trary and not in accordance with the prayer of either
party, was founded upon sound suggestions. By the
letter of the grant to Massachusetts it would seem that
her claim was good, but it was urged by the King's
Council that when the AFassaehusetts grant was made
the country was unexplored, and the course of the
Merrimack was supposed to be substantially at right
angles with the ocean its entire length, and that it
would bo just and efpiitable between the parties to
follow the river so far as its general course was from
the west to the eiUit and no farther.
This act of the King annexing so much territory,
before that time under the government of Massachu-
setts, to the province of New Hampshire was not
satisfactory to the people of Massachusetts, or to the
inhabitants of the lands so virtually annexed. It was
very naturally urged by the people, who were thus
made to attorn to New Hampshire, that it was unfair
to sever them from a more powerful province against
their remonstrance and annex them to a weaker at a
time when it seemed there would be no enil of Indian
wars and dei)redations An attempt was made to have
the matter reheard, which failed, as well as a |)roposi-
tion to re-annex the entire |>rovince to Massachusetts.
Upon the settlement of a (piestion which had
troul)lcd the province for half a century, the towns
which had had a corporate existence under Massa-
chusetts were rechartered by the province of New
Hampshire, and new towns were formed from those
jiortions of existing towns cut off from Massachusetts.
The i)olitical history of New Hampshire to the
middle of the eighteenth century is simply the history
of the southeastern portion of the State, Portsmouth,
Exeter and Dover being the towns of consequence at
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
that time. Previous to the year 1770 the entire State,
for all finanrial and judicial purposes, was a single
count. All business of a public nature was transacted
at one of the three towus named, and most of it at
Portsmouth. All the royal executive officers resided
there. Portsmouth then had a population of more than
four thousand, and was practically the capital of the
province.
As the province increased in jioimiation the peo))le
demanded other and smaller ])olitical divisions, in
which ordinary business could be transacted.
In 1707, John Wentworth, the second of that name,
was appointed Governor of New Hampshire, and one
of the measures brought forward at the opening of
his administration comprehended the division of the
province into counties, and the erection of a judicial
system to meet the wants of the entire State. It was
opposed by the residents of what is now Rockingham
County, on the ground that it would increase the ex-
penses of the province without corresponding advan-
tages. The Governor favored the measure as one likely
to develop the province, an end to which he devoted
his entire energies, iienetrating the wilderness so far
as to lay out an estate and erect an elegant mansion
at WoUTjorough, upon the Winnipiscogee.
The matter was debated in several sessions of the
Assembly before all points of difference could be rec-
oncded. The number of counties, and lines of divi-
sion were not easily agreed upon. It was finally
settled that the province should be divided into five
counties, with an ample judiciary system. The act was
finally passed, suspending its operation until such
time as the King's pleasure should be known. The
act took effect in the spring of 1771.
(Jovcrnor Wentworth named the counties (after his
friends in England) Rockingham, Strallord, Hills-
borough, Cheshire and Grafton. It may be remarked
that by the efforts of parties opposed to any division,
the counties of Strafford and Grafton, by an amend-
ment to the act, remained connected to the county of
Rockingham until 1773. Sullivan has since been
taken ofl' Cheshire, Coos from Grafton, Merrimack
from Rockingham and Hillsborough, Carroll and
Belknap from Strafford,
Hillsborough County upon its organization in-
cluded all the territory of the present county, except-
ing the town of Pelham, which for a time formed part
of Rockingham County, It also included all of the
present county of Merrimack west of the Merrimack
Eiver, excepting the town of Bow, the city of Concord
and portions of other towns whose lines have been
changed within a few years. The territory thus set
off for the county of Hillsborough was not all incor-
porated into towns. Some of it was not even settled,
and some lands then settled remained unincorpor.ated
for several years. The population of the county at
the time of its organization was not far fnmi fifteen
thousand. There were eighteen incorporated towns
within the i)resent limits of the county, ranking as
follows in j)oint of population and valuation : Am-
herst, Hollis, New Ipswich, Dunstable, Merrimack,
Nottingham West (now Hudson), Peterborough,
Litciifield, Bedford, Goffstown, Derryfield (now Man-
chester), Wilton, New Boston, Ma.son, Wcare, Lynde-
borough. Temple and Hillsborough. More than half
the population of the county at this time resided in
the six towns Amherst, Hollis, New Ipswich, Dun-
stable, Merrimack and Nottingham West.
New Hampshire was settled by immigration coming
in through four different channels, the Portsmouth
.md Piscataqua colonies, the Londonderry colony,
the settlers coming into the State by way of Dunstable,
and the line of immigration coming up the valley of
the Connecticut Eiver. The county of Hillsborough
was peopled from the second and third of these sources)
and very largely from the Londonderry settlement.
No sooner was the demand for the division of the
State into counties in a fair way to be answered affir-
matively than the question of the selection of the shire-
town began to be agitated. Three towns were named
in this connection, — Amherst, Hollis and Merrimack.
The attention of the Governor of the province was
called to this matter as early as October, 1767, by the
Rev. Daniel Wilkins, the first minister of the town of
Amherst, in the following letter :
"i/oii. and hear Sir:
'* After duo tsuhitfitioiis I beg leave to iilform your Hon' lliat the pro-
posal of the geucVal Court, that Merriiiuick be the sbire-towu of the
county ou the west side of Ulerriinack river, has caused a general un-
easiness throughout the county, and many thinking men in i^lerriniack
itself (as I have been credibly iuforiued) are well satisfied that if the pro-
posal be established, it will bo greatly to the town damage in general, as
they are small in numbers, consisting of seventy odd families, no more,
and tliose much scattered, and many of that number are new places and
no ways accommodated to entertain a Court, especially with hay and paa-
turago ; neither do they ever expect to be accommodated witliin the pre-
mises, as a great part of their land is poor and ch»thed with shrub. The
uneasiness of the people arisen from the said proposal not being for Am-
herst rather than Merrimack, not only as.\mhen(t has been talked aa for
a shii-e-town ever from it» infancy, thereby fixing the mind of the
people upon it, being from its situation nearer to the Heart of the county,
80 that many towns can come from homo in the morning and return
home in the evening. They could not possibly do the like if the Court
beat ]VIerrimack, and thereby save a great deal of charge to poor people.
"And now, honored sir, I beg leave to give a ilescription of .\ndierBt
in a few words : ' Tt is situated about eight miles from Mr. Lnlwickes'
Ferry, on Merrimack river, the contents of wliicli is about six miles
square, containing about one hundred and sixty families and accommo-
dated, acconling to men of the bust judgment, to settle one hundred fami-
lies more than is already settled, and near a hundred of them are good
country farms, well accommo<1ated with fields and pastures, and chictly
all good Husbands.'
"The middle of the town is pleasantly situated, a good coach road
from tlie eastern and southern imrts of the province, and all roads center
there. The peo)de in general, knowing the situation and accommodations
of .-VinberBt to entertain the Court, suppose that the General Court's
proposal for Merrimack springs from a misrepresentation. The occa-
sion of these lines to your Hon' wafi the cries of the people, and I beg
leave to subscribe your humble servant.
" Amheral, Oct. yo 1, 17C7.
" To thr. Hon. Gtorge J^ftey, E»q., in Portsmouth"
The arguments of this divine, reinforced by other
expressions of the voice of the people of the county,
prevailed, and Amherst was made the shire-town. It
'DaNIP.I. Wir.KINS.
EARLY HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION OF COURTS.
was a just decision, it being the most populous town,
and located near what was then the centre of popula-
tion anil near the present geographical centre of the
county. Amherst then had as large a population as
to-day, but it must be remembered that its territorial
limits have been contracted, the towns of Milford and
.Mount Vernon having been taken from it. For a long
lime it was a place of business and social consequence;
many people of culture and distinction have there re-
sided. X lack of water-power and railroad facilities
luive co.st the town the prominence it once had, and it
has receded from the first to the ninth place in rank
among tlie towns of the county in the matter of popu-
lation and valuation. It was sole shire-town for the
present county limits until 1846, when a term of court
was estal)lishid at Manchester, and another term at
Xivshua in 1807. In ISlJoajail was legally established
at Manchester, and the old stone building at Amherst
was discontinued. In 1866 the records, for so long a
time at .Vmherst, by vote of the county, were removed
to Nashua, where they are now kci)t in substantial
liuildings and vaults. In 1879 the only term of court
then held at .Vndierst was abolished, and the town,
after an honorable record of one hundred and eight
years, ceased, in the language of Parson Wilkins, to
entertaia the courts.
It is not generally knf>wn that a town of consider-
able importance, called Monson, had a chartered
existence in this county previous to the year 1770,
tt lay upon the south of the Souhegan River and
measured upon the river about six miles, extending
from a little above Jones' Corner, in Milford, to a point
a little below Danforth's Corner, in Amherst. The
breadth of the town from the river south was some-
thing more than four miles. The inhabitants of this
town made several attempts to be annexed to Am-
herst. The principal reason given in their petition
to the Assemlily was the lack of any central place in
the town suitable for a meeting-house, .\inherst at
tirst opposed the annexation, but afterwards voted to
take a part of the town if Monson would be at the
expense of the annexation. .Vccordingly, an act was
passed annexing to Amherst that part of Monson in-
cduded in these limits: "From Souhegan River,
southerly by the town of Merrimack, two miles; from
llien<o west to the west line of Monson ; from thence
northerly to the river, and from this point down
the river to the first jjlace mentioned." The
remainder of the town was annexed to Hollis.
Thus was dismembered a town of the best natural
facilities for no better rea-sou than that thegeographical
centre was not smooth and level enough for a meeting-
house common. Amherst held these rich Jlonson
intervales until 17".H, when, on the incorporation of
Milford, shesurrendcred them, with other choice lands
upon the north side of the rivar, giving up in 1794
more than she had received in 1770.
The act of the .\ssembly by which tlie cniinties were
organized was entitled '' .\i\ .Vet for clividing the
Province into Counties and lor tlie more ea.sy admin-
istration of Justice."
It provided for the erection of three courts of justice
and for necessary county buildings.
The courts were named, — First, the Superior Court
of Judicature, which was to be the supreme tribunal
of the province; this court existed until 181.3, when
the Federalists, having the political power in the State,
abolishedit forthepurijose of getlingrid of politically
obnoxious judges and erected the Superior Judicial
Court, which, in turn, was overturned in 1S16 by the
Democratic Republicans, aud the Superior Court of
Judicature re-erected. The last-named court con-
tiniied to be the court of last resort until the year
185.5, when the American or Know-Nothing jiarty, com-
ing into power, abolished it and re-established the
Su)>reme Judicial Court, which, in turn, in 1874, was
abolished and the Superior Court of Judicature estab-
lished. This court existed until 1876, when it was
succeeded by the Supreme Court, now in existence.
In 1813 it was claimed that the Legislature could
not, l)y changing the name and, in some minor partic-
ulars, the functions of a court, get rid of its judges in a
summary manner ; that the only way was by address for
cause shown or by impeachment. But however much
politicians and jurists may differ as to the soundness
of the ])olicy of such radical legislation, it seems now
to be well settled that this method of procedure has
been and is constitutional, else the first court erected
under any fundamental law could never be changed,
though time and experience should show it to have
grave defects.
The chief justices of the Supreme Court of the State,
under its various names, have been as follows : Before
the Revolution, Theodore Atkinson and Mesheck
AVeare ; since the Revolution, Mesheck Weare,
Samuel Livermore, Josiah Bartlett, John Pickering,
John Dudley, Simeon Olcott, Jeremiah Smith, Arthur
Livermore, William M. Richardson, Joel Parker,
John J. Gilchrist, .\ndrew S. Woods, Ira Pcrley,
Samuel D. Bell, Henry A. Bellows, Jonathan E. Sar-
gent, Edmund L. Cushing and Charles Doe. But two
of these distinguished men were born in Hillsborough
County, — Jeremiah Smith, at Peterborough, and
Samuel D. Bell, at Francestown.
But one judge has been removed by address of the
Legislature (an<l in this case nothing worse was
charged than inability to discharge the duties of the
office by reason of old age), and no judge of our State
courts has been impeached; a judge of the United
States District Court for the district of New Hamp
shire was charged with drunkenness and conduct
unbecoming a judge, ami was tried by the Senate of
the I'liited States; he admitted his irregularities, but
defended upon the ground that he was not intoxicated
as ajustice, but as j)lain Mr. ; theSenate, however,
were of opinion that when Mr. was intoxicated
the court was drunk, and he was removed from oflice.
The next court in order of jurisdiction was the
HISTOKY OF HlLLSBOflOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Inferior Court of Common Pleas. While tlie Superior
Court of Judicature hadcoj,'uizanoe of all (luestioiis of
law and divorce, and ultimately was clothed with
equity powers, the Inferior Court of Common Pleas
was the tribunal in which all ordinary controversies
were settled; this court, established in 1771, continued
under the name of the Inferior Court of Common
Pleas and the Court of Common Pleas (excepting that
it was discontinued from 1820 to 1825) until 1859,
when it was abolished and all the business of the
court transferred to the Supreme Judicial Court. In
1874 it was revived and continued to exist until 1876
when its business was transferred to the Supreme Court'
The third and last court i)rovided for by the bill to
organize the counties was entitled the Court of Gene-
ral Sessions of the Peace ; this court had for judges or
justices all the justices of the peace in commission for
the county of Hillsborough ; it had a limited juris-
diction in criminal complaints, and was attended by
a grand and petit jury ; it had also the entire control
of all financial art'airs of the county ; the number of
justices attending the earlier terms of this court rarely
exceeded ten ; some later terms were attended by forty
or more justices, depending upon the number in com-
mission from time to time ; the law did not require
the justice to reside in the county for which he was
commissioned, and some of the most distinguished
men of the State, residing in other counties, were
commissioned for this county and had the right to sit
in this court.
This court continued as at first organized until 1794
it was a cumbersome piece of judicial machinery; it
was a matter of choice with the justices how nniuy
should sit at any particular terra, and it was claimed
by Samuel Dana, in the Legislature of the State, at
the time the court was abolished, that parties having
causes to be heard at any particular term were accus-
tomed to stir up the justices and obtain the personal
attendance of their friends at court.
In 1794 the functionsof this court were incorporated
into the Court of Common Pleas, some of the judges
of the last court (side judges, as they were called)
attending to financial matters, and special committees
appointed for that i)urposc laying out highways. The
sessions docket, which we now have as a branch of the
business of our general term in the Supreme Court,
but formerly in the Common Pleas, is the remnant of
this Court of General Sessions of the Peace.
In 1855 a board of county commissioners was insti-
tuted to act in conjunction with the court in adminis-
tering the financial all'airs of the county and in laying
out highways. With the addition of this auxiliary
tribunal, the services of side judges, men generally of
sound practical sense, but of no legal learning, were
dispensed with. It is generally supposed that these
judges were but ornamental appendages to the learned
judge who actively presided in the court; but, in addi-
tion to the discharge of the duties now substantially
performed by the county commissioners, they often
aided the court by their sterling common sense in
matters requiring not legal learning merely, but an
acquaintance with men and the ordinary concerns of
life, which is not always possessed by learned law-
yers.
There were but three lawyers resident in the county
before the Revolution, — Atherton, at Amherst ;Champ-
ney, at New Ipswich ; and Claggelt, at Litchfield, —
but prominent attorneys from other parts of the State
attended all the sessions of the court.
It would be useful, and perhaps not uninteresting,
to examine into the condition of the statute and com-
mon law at the time of the organization of the county.
The limit of this paper will not permit anything like
an exhaustive enumeration of the laws then in force,
and allusion only will be made to some most at
variance with the present code.
In 1771, Lord Mansfield was chief justice of the
Court of King's Bench in England, and for nearly
half a century had devoted his entire energies to per-
fecting the common law of that realm; neither before
nor since has any one man done so much towards
making secure the reciprocal rights of the govern-
ment and the governed, judged by the standard of the
civilization of that day. The common law of Eng-
land was l)rought over and became a part of the law
of the colonies by the settlers of this continent ; vari-
ous modifications were made in the statutes to conform
to the necessities of a new country, but in the main
the inhabitants of the State were amenable to the
same legal conditions as the inhabitants of England
one hundred and fourteen years ago. There were
eight capital crimes in the province at that time, now
but one ; severe penalties were meted out for small
offenses; matters which are now left to the tribunal of
the individual conscience were then made subjects of
statute law, the violations of which were punishable
in courts; the whipping-post, the pillory and the
stocks were recognized as suitable api)liances to have
a place in the machinery of a Christian government,
and all existed in connection with the jail and court-
house until the commencement of the present century.
In punishment of crime, distinctions were made
founded upon the color or condition of the party to
suffer the penalty.
IJenefit of clergy, or the exemption of the clergy
from penalties imposed by the law for certain crimes
was in existence in England and not abolished
until the reign of George IV. The history of this
exemption is long, and was thoroughly woven into
the texture of English criminal law ; its practical
working was to exempt the clergy from the punish-
ment affixed to most crimes ; it was no inconvenient
thing to be able to plead benefit of clergy, and at one
time not only those regularly in orders, but all retainers
ofthe church and someothers claimed the i)rivilcgc. To
make certain who were entitled to this pleH, before the
time of Henry VII. a statute was passed extending
the exemption to only such as could read.
EARLY HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION OF COURTS.
A single instance is found where this plea was
made in this county in colonial times. Israel Wil-
kin.s, of HoUis, w:ts indicted at the September term,
1773, of the Supreme Court, for the murder of his
father; he was found guilty of manslaughter; he then
prayed the benefit of clergy, which was granted; the
court branded the brawny part of his thumb with the
letter T, confiscated his personal estate and let him
go-
A creditor, until the passage of the revised statutes
in 1842, upon any debt, could seize his debtor, and, in
default of payment, throw the victim into prison and
keep him there until he had paid the la.st farthing.
One of the chief justices of the Court of King's
Bench was imjirisoned early in life for debt, and dur-
ing his confinement of five years entered upon and
completed his legal studies and became one of the
best of English pleaders.
Defendants held for this purpose at first were con-
fined as closely as prisoners awaiting trial or serving
out a sentence, but as tlie minds of men became lib-
eralized they were allowed some privileges not com-
mon to the average criminal. .Jail limits were estab-
lished in time, and the del)tor allowed the privilege
of going a certain number of rods from the jail.
Within the present century men have been confined
at Amherst for debt, one, two, three and even four
years, and in several instances carried on extensive
mercantile business while i>risoners at the suits of
creditors.
A lawyer by the name of Shattuck, held for debt,
established his family within the jail limits, built a
house and practiced law with considerable success for
several years.
The law is now so lenient that it has become
difficult U) collect lion&st debts. It is not an
uncommon thing to find the wife owning the home-
stead — and a jjretty large one sometimes — and the hus-
band owing all the debts.
The organization of tlie Court of (ieneral Sessions
of the Peace was first perfected and was really the act
by whidi the county was organized.
Its first book of records contains twenty pages, six
indies l)y nine, and covered with common brown
paper.
The first entry is iis follows :
"TItK I'ROVISCK Of NKW II AM I'SII 1 RR."
" At a Court of General S(!80tuii8 of thi- Pence, l)ol<l for t)io purpoflo of
preparing a [trltton, ralpiinK money, et>'., pnrHuant to an uet of said proT<
ince, entitled an art for divliiliif; tlie wiine intoConntiCH and for the more
easy ailniinistnition of .TuHtice, hold in the ptlhlic meeting-house in Am-
hentt, within anil fur the ronnty of Ilillitliorongli, in said provlnce,'on the
sixth day of May, in Ilie idi'Veiitli year of his MujeHty'n reign. A.n. 1771,
held by adjonriinu-nt frum tile lirst Tliniudny afl'-i- tlit- lirst TiK-sday of
April last.
Pri'dent,-
*' John Oofi'k,
** K. <J. LKOrWYCHE,
"John IIai.k,
** John Siiki'Iiktip, Jn.,
*' Samibi. Hohabt,
" Samiki, ltl.oi>oi:T.
fJiK/r'n,
".\ppointed .lohn Shepherd, Jr., Clerk, ;>ro l^tiijtore. Then adjourned
to the liouw of Jonathan Smith, lau-holder in said Amlienit. Instantly
met at th<> house of said Smith.
" .\ppointed Samuel llobart, John Sliepherd, Jr., and neiijamin Wliit-
ing, I-^i'r, a committee to cause said pri(*on to be built.
" .Vjiiioiiited Sanil. Hobart, Esq., Treasurer.
*' OrtUred, That the committee aforesaid provide a suitable house in
said .Xiuhorst and make it tit to keep 'i>nsouers in uutil a prison can be
built."
In accordance with this vote, temporary accommo-
dations were provided.
John Gofi'e, whose name is at the head of the jus-
tices of this court and who seems to have taken the
lead in the organization of the county, was one of the
early settlers atGotle's Falls, on the Merrimack River,
living at dillcrent times on both sides of the stream.
He conniianded the regiment raised in this vicinity in
1760, and was present at the capture of St. John's,
Montreal and Quebec. His regiment mustered at
Litchfield, and on the 2oth of May he issued the fol-
lowing uniipie order:
**(_'olonel CiulTe requires the oflicers to V»e answerable that the men's
shirts are changed twice every week at least ; that such .is have hair that
will atlmit of it, must have it constantly lyod ; they must bo obliged to
coinli llioir heads and wash their hands every morning ; and as it is ob-
served that uumbei-8 of men accustom themselves to wear woolen night-
caps in the day-time, he allows them hats ; they arc ordered for tho fu-
ture not to be seen in the day-time with anything besides their hats on
their hi-ada, as the above-mentioned cust<^m of wearing night-caps must
be detrimental to their health and cleanliuw". The men's hats to be all
cocked or uniform, as Colonel GoUe pleases to direct."
Colonel Goffe marched his regiment across the ferry
at Thornton's, (then I>utwyche's) Ferry, and thence up
the Souhegan River to Amherst ; thence to the ford-
way at Monsou (now Milford village) ; thence on the
south side of the river for the larger jiart of the way
to Wilton, and thence to Peterborough by way of the
notch in the mountains to the ea.st of Peterborough ;
thence by way of Dublin to Keene; thence up the
valley of the Connecticut to Charleston. From Ilonton
to Keene hia rtmte lay mostly through a wilderness,
and this distance the regiment cut a road for the
tran>i|)ortati<in of their baggage and provisions.
Amherst and Peterliorongh were incorporated the
year of Colonel Gofie's march through the county ;
but there was no sutticieiit highway from Peterbor-
ough to Amherst, the principal route of travel from
Peterborough to the sea-coast being through the
towns of Ma.son, and Townsend in JIassachusetts.
Wilton was not incorporated until two years later,
and .Milford not until the year 17!>4.
Colonel Goffe, though a man of war, was a thor-
oughly religious man. He often otiiciated as chaplain
in his regiment, and after his military career was
endetl.and he was a resident of Bedford, he someliincs
officiated in the pulpit in the absence of the clergy-
man of the town. He was the first judge of Proliate
for this county, and may justly be ranked with the
prominent men of ante-Ilevolutiouary times.
Edward Goldstone Lutwyche, whose name appears
as the second justice upon the roll, was an English
g.'ntleiiiiui not long in the country, at this time resid-
G
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW IIAMPSIIIUfc:.
ing at Thornton's Ferry, then called, from the name of
its owner, Lutwyche Ferry. He was colonel of the
regiment at tlie breakinu; out of the War of the Revo-
lution, but on the Declaration of Independence joined
the English and left the country. His name appears
among tlie twenty -four whose estate* were confiscated
at the close of the war.
Captain John Hale, another of the justices, was a
prominent citizen of HoUis. He held a military
commission ami represented his town in the General
Court in 1775; wa.s a successful physician, having
practiced his profession many years in Hollis ; was
surgeon in the army during the French and Indian
and also the Revolutionary War. After serving his
generation in two wais and in many years of peice,
he died in the summer of 1791.
Samuel Hobart, a colleague of Hale, was a resident
of Hollis; was register of deeds for this county I'rom
its organization to 177(), and its first treasurer. He
frequently served the courts in the capacity of auditor
and upon financial committees, and was the most
practical business member of the court. While regis-
ter of deeds he resided in Hollis, and during a por-
tion of the time kept the registry at that place.
He was also a member of the New Hampshire Com-
mittee of Safety.
Samuel Blodgett, another justice, was a resident
of what is now Manchester, at that time Gofi'stown ;
was for many years at work upon a plan to put a
canal around Amoskeag Falls. Having spent his
own large fortune in the enterprise and failed, he
subsequently obtained autliority from the State to
raise large sums of money by lottery to aid in the
building of his locks and canal, and afterwards
authority for a second lottery was granted, the pro-
ceeds of which were to go towards the same object.
Massachusetts afterwards gave him the same privilege
and repeated the grant in 180G. After a i>rolonged
struggle bis enterprise was completed, and he had
the satisfaction of seeing his work an acknowledged
success. He was an active and useful member of
this court, and a most striking example of untiring
perseveranic.
John Shepherd, Jr., was a resident of Amherst at
this time. In addition to many places of trust which
he worthily filled, he is found in the year 1766 pre-
siding at a town-meeting in Derryfield (now Manches-
ter). It happened on this wise: a small niin<irity of
the legal voters had irregularly called a town-meeting
and chosen a full complement of officers for the year
in the ab.sencc of a large majority of the voters. The
Governor and General Assembly, on petition, annulled
the proceedings of this meeting, and ordered a new
election, and by special act autliori/.ed John Shep-
herd, Jr., of Amherst, to call a n)ccling of the lega'
voters of Derryfiebl, and to preside in the meeting
until a full list of town officers was chosen.
Reuben Kidder, another justice of this court, was
distinguished citizen of tlic town ,,r X^w Ipswich,
a large farmer and one of the most influential men of
his neighborhood. He was the only justice in his
town beforethe Revolution, having settled near the hill
or mountain in New Ipswich which bears his name.
He maintained a style of living superior to most of
his neighbors; having lield two offices under the
King, the War of the Revolution found liim a mod-
erate Tory; but the respectability of his character and
the rectitude of his intentions saved him fnmi arrest
and imprisonment.
JIatthew Thornton was a justice of this court five
years before ho signed the Declaration of Indepen-
dence and before he became a resident of the county,
(the law then not requiring a justice to reside in
the county for which he was commissioned). In
1780 he came to Merrimack ; was a physician in
good standing, and visited professionally most of the
towns in the county. In addition to the many promi-
nent positions he occupied in the province and State,
he was at one time chief justice of the Court of
Common Pleas, and afterwards one of the judges of
the Superior Court of Judicature. He died in the
year 1803, at the age of eighty-eight, having written
political essays for the press after he had completed
his fourscore years.
William Clark, of New Boston, engaged as sur-
veyor of land, and the only nian in town commis-
sioned as justice of the peace by royal authority,
was a member of this court. His sympathies at first
were not with the jiatriots, but after the Revolution
he served his constituents in every position within
their gift.
Moses Nichols, one of the justices, was a native of ,
Reading, Mass. He was a physician by pro- I
fession, and jiracticed many years at Amhei'st ;
was appointed colonel of the Si.Kth Regiment in
December, 1771); was at Bennington under Starke.
He was register of deeds for this county from 1776
until his death. I
Wiseman Claggett, one of the justices, had been '
the King's solicitor-general, and left the office on ac-
count of dissatisfaction witli the home government.
He came to Litchfiehl to reside in December, 1771;
was an efficient prosecuting officer, attaching great
consequence to his position ; was active in the Revo-
lution, ranking among the foremost in zeal for the
success of the colonists. He was made attorney-gene-
ral of the State in 1776, and held the position until
1783.
Joshua .Vtherton, of Amherst, Mathcw Patten, of
Bedford, James Underwood, of Litchfield, Robert
Fletcher, of Dunstable, Noah Worcester, of Hollis,
Francis Blood, of Temjjle, Zacheas Cutler, of New
Boston, and other prominent citizens of the county
were from time to time justices of this court.
The course of business must have been ditferent
from the order pursued in most judicial tribunals,
lor among the rules promulgated tor the government
of the court were the following :
EARLY HISTOIIV AND ORGANIZATION OF COURTS.
"I. No iwnMili sliiiU BiH'«k w'it)iitiu fitvt tiiiviii-; ubtitiiifd U'livc fiMin
the iirf«iil<*ut.
"II. Tliat all spvecbes inteiuleil for thi- court be a<ltlre»^;(l to tliu
president.
**III. That every member speaking to the president shall do it stand-
ing.
'* IV. That no member speak twice upon any motion until every mem-
ber has liati un opportunity of speaking once."
At tlie October term, 1771, the first ltiiiuI jury ever
empaneled in the eouritv \Vii.< ealkHl. General John
Stiirk was one of tlic jury. One indietmont made up
the sum total of the findings of the grand jury. The
unfortunate individual by them presented answered
to the name of .Jonas Stepleton. He wa.-i brought
to the bar, and being arraigned, pleaded guilty :iii,l
threw himself upon the mercy of the court. The
mercy of the court was dealt out as follows :
** It is onleixHl that tlio lijtid .Stepleton Ite wliipi>ed twenty stripes on the
naked back at the public whipping-post, between the hours of one and
two of the afternoon of this :id day of October, and that he pay Nalnun
Baldwin, the owner of the goodsstolen, forty-four [Kjunds lawful money,
beint; tenfold the value of the goo<ls stolen (the goods stolen being re"
turnt-tl) anil that in default of the payment of said tenfold damages and
costs of prosecution, the sjtid Xahnm U;tMwin be authorized to dispo^' of
the i^aid Jonas inser^-itudo to any of His Ma^jesties' subje<-ts for the space
of seven years, to commence from this day.''
In the Superior Court, a little later, one Keef was
convicted of arson, and received the following sen-
tence :
" It is therefore considered by the Court that the sjiid Michael Keef
is guilty, an«l it is ord'-red and ut\judged that he sit one hour on the gal-
lows with a rojH' round his neck nn<l be whipped thirl.v stripes on liis
naked back, on Thursday, the tentli day of June next, between the hours
of ten jind twelve oVIock in the forenoon ; that ho be imprisoned .'^ix
months from the said tenth day of .luite, and give bonds for his good be-
haviour in the sum of one hiindretl l>ounds, with two sureties in the sunt
of fifty jsiundH each, for the space of two yeai"s from the c-xpiration of
said six months, and pay the costs of prosecution, taxed at nine pounds,
■even shillings and ten pence, and sliind conunittr'd till nentence be per
formed."
Benjamin Whiting, one of the committee api>ointed
to look out the place for a jail, was a resident of JIol-
lis, and sheriff of the county at the time of its organi-
zation. He adhered to the King, (piitted the country
on the breaking out of hostilities, was proscribed ami
forbidden to return and his estate was confiscated.
He was a zealous oliicer of the King, as will apjiear
by an account of some of his oflicial doings, and was
a representative man among the Tories of his time.
Most of them were men appointed to office by the
royal authority, and of course were in .sympathy wilh
the general purposes tind objects of the government.
In a word, like all honcft ollice-lioldcrs, they believetl
in the administration, and had taken an oath to .sup-
port the laws of their country. May it not be said
that the Tories of the Revolution, with few exceptions,
were right-miiiilcd men, fearful of change and consti-
tutionally opposeti to innovations? It seemed to
them like desertion of a paternal government to
make common cause with those who stood to them as
rel)cls ; they also doiibteil the ability of the colonists
to achieve their independence, and were unwilling to
put in jeopardy their forttines in so hazardous nn un-
dertaking. The lapse of a century leaves them in a
somewhat improved condition so far as the morality
of their action is concerned.
Sherifl' Whiting had many obnoxious laws to
execute, among others the statute giving every white
pine tree from fifteen to thirty-six inches in diameter
to the King, for the use of his royal navy ; every man
in the province held his land subject to this incum-
brance, and severe penalties were inflicted upon indi-
viduaLs who might use a stick of white pine within
the proscribed diameter.
There was a surveyor of the King's woods, with
many dejiuties, who were naturally obnoxious to the
people. The owner of land, before he commenced
cutting, was by law compelled to employ the surveyor
or deputy to mark the trees upon the premises fit for
masts for the navy, and neglecting to do this, or t)cing
too poor to pay the surveyor his fees, the whole was
forfeited to the King.
Seizures and forfeitures were common wherever the
pine-tree grew and mills had been erected. The
greatest hostility prevailed again.st the officers execut-
ing the law, and soon extended to the government.
The execution of this law in the interior of the prov-
ince was with the inhabitants of this county nn ex-
citing cause of the Revolution.
In the winter of 1771 and 1772 an extensive seizure
was made in the northern portion of the county.
Although the pine is found in most towns in the
southern i)art of the State, it was more aluindant uj>on
the Piscatatjuog River than in other places in this
vicinity The great road from Manchester to East
Weare, known even now as the Mast road, was origi-
nally built to facilitate the transportation of masts
from (ioflstown, Weare, New Boston, Dunbarton and
other towns to the Merrimack, to be floateil down
that stream to the ocean at Newl)uryport.
A deputy visited this locality in 1771 and 1772 and
condemned a large amount of lumber in the mill-
yards on the Piscataquog. They were libeled in the
.Vdmiralty Court at Portsmouth, and the owners cited
to appear ami show cause why they should not be
forfeited. The citation was publisheil in the Nevj
IJampshire Gazette of February 7, 1772, and called
U|)on all i)ersons claiming property in certain enu-
merated white pine logs seized by order of the sur-
veyor-general in Gofl'stown and Weare, in the prov-
ince of New Hampshire, to appear at a Ctmrt of Vice-
Ailmiralty to be held at Porlsnioiith, February 27,
1772, and show cause why the logs should not be
forfeited. The |)artics interested in the lumber seiz-
ure sent .Smiiuel Blodgett, before s|)oken of as one of
the justices of the Court of Sessions, to Portsmouth
to effect a compromise. He made an iiriangement by
which the inlorniations were to be wilbdrawn upon
the payment of certain sums of money in each case.
Blodgettwiis appointed agent to make this settleincnt,
and was also made a dejiuty by the surveyor-general.
Bhulgctt, upon bis return, sent the offenders a note
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
saying that at the request of many of their number
be had niaJe a journey to Portsmoutli and obtained
leave to settle the complaints in a manner easy to the
trespassers, informing them he was appointed a dep- '
uty of the surveyor, and calling ui)on them to settle
with the King.
A settlement was efl'eeted with all the owuera of
logs excepting those at Clement's Mills, in Weare;
they would make no comi)roniise. Accordingly, com-
plaint.-! were made out against them and put into the
hands of Rcnjarain Whiting, of Mollis, the sheriff of
the county, for service.
On the 13th of April, 1772, Mr. Whiting and his
deputy, Mr. Quigley, proceeded to serve their warrants.
One of the defendants was a Mr. Mudget, residing in
Weare. Whiting arrested Mudget, who agreed to give
bail nc.Kt morning. Mudget, in.steadofgetting bail in the
usual way, collected a company of his friends during
the night, and very early in the morning called ujjon
the sheritt'and told him his bail was ready. Mudget 's
friends were disguised. The officer had not dressed
himself for the day when they rushed upon him in
his bed-chamber. He attempted to fire upon them,
but was seized, disarmed and severely beaten.
A more desperate encounter preceded the capture
of (Juigley. The horses of both were disfigured by
the cropping of their ears, manes and tails. For a
time the officers retiised to mount these sorry-looking
animals, and were helped into their saddles in no
ceremonious way.
Whiting and Quigley repaired at once to Colonels
Gotfe and Lutwyce, who at their request ordered out
the pnsse comilatm, aiul the force thus raised
maiched back to Clement's Mills. The rioters had
taken to the woods and not a man of them could be
found. One was afterwards arrested and lodged in
jail; others gave bail for their appearcnce at court.
Mudget and seven others, all citizens of Weare, were
indicted, pleaded 7iolo confindere, and were fined by
the court for this assault on Whiting. It was an un-
justifiable resistance to an officer in the discharge of
his duty, and although the action of the government
wa.s ()i)pre.ssive, it was not the proper way in which to
inaugurate a revolution.
From this tinu- forth the county was in a state of
continual political excitement until the oj)ening of
the Revolutionary War. The last court record, made
upon a half-sheet of crown foolscap, is as follows:
" Amio Kc'giii IlcRi^ Gt-orgii Tertii.
*'Jiily sottsion, 177'>. JusticvH prt'^iit, Jotiii 8lK'])an], Jr., Muactf
**Grui)<l .Titronncn prosi-nt, William IlnidfunI, Samuel Ituliey, Willjiim
McQiiUllii.
" At his Miuc^ty'li Court of Qenoral Sewioiii* of tbo Peace, hold at Am-
lientl, in »iid fur the cminty of Ilitlfltjorougti and Province of New
IIainii**iiire, on the tirst Tlmi-wliiy next following the Hrat Tnesilay in
July, 177'>, sail! Court electi'd Most'f* NichnU, Ksq., Clerk pro tem, and
ai^ourui-d :*aiti t^^ourt of Gonerul Setwions of the Peace to the first Thurs-
day next following the first Tuesday of October next.
"3IosE»t Nlellol'S, Cltn-k pro Um."
Only two justices present, — one presides, the other
is c\cTk pro tempore. The court is adjourned to meet
upon a certain day in his Majesty's name, but the
coming of that day found the patriotic justices with
business to their hands more congenial than holding
court in the name of George III.
CHAPTER II.
THE BENCH AKI) B.\R.
I'liioR to the War of the Revolution there were
but three members of the legal profession residing
within the present limits of Hillsborough County.
These were Hon. Wiseman Claggett, of Litchfield ;
Hon. Ebenezer Champney, of New Ipswich; and
Hon. Joshua Atherton, of Amherst.
Hon. Wiseman Claggett was born at Bristol,
England, in the month of August, 1721, and received
an early and liberal education in that country. Hav-
ing finished his academical studies, he became a stu-
dent at the Inns of Court, (|ualifieil himself for the
profession of the law, and after going through a regu-
lar course of preparatory studies, was admitted ti bar-
rister in the Court of King's Bench.
A few years after his admission to the bar he
ci'ossed the Atlantic to the West Indies, settled in
Antigua under very flattering circumstances, and was
cordially received by the principal inhabitants of the
island, particularly by a gentleman of fortuue, who,
as an inducement for him to remain there, settled on
him a handsome annuity for life. He was api)ointed
a notary ])ublic and secretary of the island. He dis-
charged the duties of these offices with fidelity, and
pursued his professional business there with success
for several years, until the decease of his particular
i'riend and patron. He then embarked for this coun-
try, and settled in Portsmouth. He was admitted an
;ittorney of the Su|)crior Court at the next session
after his arrival, and was soon after appointed a jus-
tice of the peace. In the exercise of this office he
was strict, severe and overbearing. For many years
he was the principal acting magistrate in Portsmouth,
and his name became proverbial. When one person
threatened another with a prosecution, it was usual to
say, "1 will Claggett you."
He received the appointment of King's attorney-
general for the province in the year 1767. He took
an early and decided [lart in opposition to the opjjress-
ive acts of the British Parliament at a time when a
considerable ])ortion of his property was in the con-
trol of the government. Previous to the Revolution
he removed to Litchfield, where he possessed a large
and valuable estate on the banks of the Merrimack.
He represented that town and Derryfield, classed
THE BENCH AND BAK.
9
with it, several years in the General Court. Being
omitted one year, the towns of Merrimack ami Bedford
elected him for their representative, although not an
inhabitant of cither of those places. He always re-
tained a grateful remembrance of this mark of conli-
dence and respect, and frequently .spoke of it with
jileasure. He was for some time a member of the
Committee of Safety, and was active, attentive and
useful. He was influential in framing and carrying
into effect the temporary form of government which
was first adopted in New Hampshire, under which
the office of solicitor-irenenil was created, and Mr.
Claggett was the only i)erson who ever had that
appointment; the office ceased at the adoption
of the constitution, in 17S4, a little previous to his
death.
He possessed a great flow of wit, which, accompa-
nied by his social talents and learninfi, made him an
agreeable companion. He was also distinguished for
his classical knowledge. He wrote the Latin language
with ease and elegance and spoke it with fluency.
He had a fine taste for poetry, and many jeu.v d'esprit,
the productions of his pen, have been preserved by
his friends. He did not i)ossess a perfect o(|uanimity
of temper, but was subject at times to great depres-
sion of spirits. He died at Utchfield the 4th of De-
cember, 1784, in the si.Kty-fourth year of his age,
Ebexkzer Chami'XKy' was born at Cambridge in
1743, and was educated at Harvard University, re-
ceiving the degree of Bachelor of .\rts in 1702, He
was at first designed for the ministry, and to that end
studied divinity and i)reachcd two years. He re-
ceived a call to settle in Township No, 1 (now Mason);
tliis was declined, and soon after, he left this profes-
sion for that of the law. He prepared himself for
this vocation in the ofiice of Hon, Samuel Livermore,
and was admitted to the bar at Portsmouth, N, H,, in
17118. In June of the ,same year he removed to New
Ipswich, and entered u]ion the duties of his profes-
sion. In the spring of 1783, Mr, Champney went to
Groton, where he remained until 1789, was represent-
ative in 1784, when he returned to New Ipswich,
His first commission as justice of the peace was re-
ceivcil from the celebrated Governor John Hancock,
of Massachusetts,
In 1795 he was appointed judge of Probate for the
county of Hillsborough, The duties of this oflice
were appropriately discharged until his resignation,
a few ni'inths before bis death.
Judge ('ham|iney married, first, n daughter of Uev.
Calel) Trowbridge, of (Sroton, in 1704, which con-
nected him with the distinguished families of Cottons
and Mathers, By this marriage he had seven chil-
dri'u, three of whom died in infancy. He became a
widiiwi'r in 177'), and was marrie<l again, in 1778, to
vVliigiiil Parker, by whom he had four chiblren. She
died in 1790, and he was again married, in March,
1 From " lIJBlory of Now Iiiswlcti."
179G, to Susan Wyman, who died the September fol-
lowing,
.ludge Champney was a man of very respectable
talents, and exercised no inconsiderable influence in
the vicinity. During the earlier years of his practice
he was the only lawyer between Kcene and Groton,
and had offices both at New Ipswich and the latter
place, in conjunction with his son. The labor of at-
tending the courts at that period was very great, the
circuit being extensive, and all journeys were neces-
sarily ))erformcd on horseback.
During the controversy between the colonics and
the mother-country the sentiments of Mr. Champney
were adverse to those extreme measures that led to
the Revolution. He was a moderate Tory, and dep-
recating a resort to arms, believed that with prudent
and moderate counsels all causes of disatt'ection might
be satisfactorily adjusted. He wished to preserve
his loyalty and the peace of the country; but, like
many others who forebore to take part in the contest,
he lived to acknowledge the beneficent efl'ects of that
struggle which gave us our liberties and free institu-
tions.
He died on the lOtli of September, 1810, at the age
of sixty -seven.
Hon. JosHiw Atheutox- was born in Harvard,
Mass., June 20, 1737. He numbered among his class-
mates at Harvard, Elbridge Gerry, Jeremy Belknap
and other distinguished men. While resi<ling in
Litchfield and Merrimack he was intimate with Colo-
mi Liilwyche, a retired colouel of the British army, a
man of means, of refined tastes, aciiuaintcd with the
world and used to good society.
Having received the appointment of register of
Probate for Hillsborough County, Mr. Atherton re-
moved from IMerrimack to Amherst in the summer of
1773, iuid was soon busily engaged in the practice of
bis profession. In a short time, however, as the dis-
l)ute between the mother-country and her American
ciilonies increased in bitterness, as he was an open
and avowed Loyalist, he fell under the popular dis-
pleasure.
In common willi many other well-infornicil men of
his time, he was not insensible of the wrongs inflicted
upon the colonies by the liritisii government, but
saw no prospect of their redress by an appeal to arms.
His profession, too, was an unpojmlar one, and it was
an easy matter for the leaders in the new movement
to excite the jicople against him. It is also notice-
able that much of the persecution to which he was
subjected had its origin in towns adjoining .\mlicrst,
rather than among his townsmen.
In 1788 he was chosen a delegate to the convention
to ratify or reject the proposed constitution of the
I'liited States. Acting upon his own convictions of
right and the instructions of his loMslituciils, he op-
posed its ratification.
>Can<lonM!d ttom iiocoink'a " lllslory ol Amlmnl."
10
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
In 1702 he was apiwiiitcd a delttrate to tlie convcii-
tiou called to revise the State constitution adopted in
1783. After several sessions the work of this con-
vention resulted in the amended constitution adopted
by the people in 1792, which remained unchanged for
nearly sixty years.
In 1798 and 1794 he served as Senator in the State
Legislature, and in the latter year received the ap-
pointment of attorney-general of the State. At this
time many young men resorted to his office for in-
struction in their chosen profession, AVilliam Plumer,
William Coleman (afterward of the New York Even-
ing Post)n\\>\ \Villiani Gordon being among the num-
ber.
After the new administration of the affairs of the
country under the Federal government had gone into
operation, and had exhibited proofs of a steady, wise
and firm rule over the whole country, he became one
of its firmest supporters.
In 179S he was appointed a Commissioner for the
county of Hillsborough, under the act passed by Con-
gress i)th July of that year, providing for the valua-
tion of lands, dwelling-houses, etc., in the L'nitod
States, with a view to levying and collecting direct
taxes for the support of government. This act wiis
an exceedingly unpopular one, and his accei^tance of
office un<ler it revived all the old ill-will against him.
He, however, discharged the duties of the olhce, and
had the honor of being hung in effigy at Ueering.
His health and mental vigor becoming impaired, he
resigned the office of attornej'-general in 1800, and
thenceforth devoted himself to the pursuits of a pri-
vate citizen.
Hux. Cliftox CL.VKiETT ' studied law under the
direction of his father and commenced practice in
Litchfield in 1787, whence he removed to Amherst in
1811. While residing in Litchfield he represented
the town in the lieneral Court several years. In 1802,
1816 and 1818 lie was elected a Keprcsentalive to
Congress. In 1810 he was appointed judge of Probate
for Hillsborough County, and held the office until
September, 1812, when, having been appointed one of
the judges of the Superior Court, he resigned. From
this last office he was removed, upon the reorganiza-
tion of the court, by the Federal party the following
year.
In 1823 he was appointed judge of Probate for the
county of Hillsborough, and held the office until his
death.
Dr. John Farmer wrote of him : " Without any com-
manding powers, but with the [xissession of respecta-
ble attainments, .ludge I'laggett gave his constituents,
and the public generally, that satisfaction which has
not always been imparted by those of higher acquisi-
tions, or by those of the most popular and splendid
talents."
lIo.N. SA.MfKl. Dana was burn in what is now
Brighton, Mass., January 14, 1739. He graduated
from Harvard, and in 1781 was admitted to the Hills-
borough bar. He resided in Amherst.
■ In November, 1782, he was chosen a delegate to the
convention which framed the constitution of the
State. Shortly after the adoption of the constitution i
he was appointed a justice of the Inferior Court of I
Common Pleas, but declined to accept the office. In
1785 he was appointed register of Probate for Hills-
borough County, and held the office until January 9,
1789, when he was appointed judge of Probate. This
office he resigned December 21, 1792, saying, in the
letter conveying his resignation, that " for the sup-
port of my family 1 am obliged to practice as an
attorney, and there is danger that I may not always
be able to distinguish between a fee to the attorney
and a bribe to the judge."
In 1793 he was chosen to the State Senate to fill a
vacancy caused by the resignation of Hon. Joshua
Atherton. He died April 2, 1798.
Charles Humphrey Athertox, son of Joshua
Atherton, born in Amherst, graduated at Harvard
College in 1794; read law with Joshua Atherton and
William Gordon ; commenced practice in 1797 ; Re-
presentative in Congress 181.5-17 ; register of Probate
1798-1837 ; died January 8, 1853.
He occupied a prominent place in the Hillsborough
County bar for nearly fifty years. He was a prudent
and judicious counselor and a faithful advocate. As
a Probate lawyer he had few equals and no superiors
in the State.
He represented the town of Amherst in the General
Court in 1823, 1838 and 1839, and served many years
on the superintending school committee of the town,
ever manifesting a deep interest in the prosperity of
its common schools.
Fraxki.ix Pierce- was born at Hillsborough,
N. H., November 23, 1804. His father. General Ben-
jamin Pierce, served throughout the Revolutionary
War, and in 1827 and 1829 was (Jovernor of New
Hampshire. The early youth of Franklin Pierce ex-
hibited great mental promise, and it was the aim of
his family that his education should be thorough.
His initiatory and academical courses took place at
Hancock, Franecstown and Exeter, and in 1820 he
entered college at Bowdoin, 5Ie.. where Rev. Dr.
ytone, Nathaniel Hawthorne, John P. Hall. James
Bell and others no less celebrated subsequently, were
his classmates. He took his degree in 1824 and
spent the three following years in the study of law,
at North Hampton, Mass., and Amherst. In 1827
he was admitted to the bar, and opened his office in
his native town, where his success was speedy and
great, largely because his application was equal to his
ability. It was early seen in his career that he
would attain the very highest local celebrity, — a con-
viction that was ultimatelv fullv realized. While so
I By Daniel F. Secomlt.
- B.v **(.|uiifl Kniiik n. mid Kirii I>. fierce.
^:^^^/^/C^^^
Tlir. I'.KNCIl AM* I?A1{.
11
raniestly applying himself to his duties as a lawyer
lif I'sjioused himself with •ritat zeal to the cause ol'
I'omocratic principles, and during the second year of
his legal practice, and for two subsequent years, he
ua.s chosen to re[>rcsent Hillsborough in the State
L.gisUiture. In 1832 and 1833 he wasalso Representa-
tive and Speaker of the House. This and associate
lionors were not won by any underhand action, but
by a firm adherence to political principle, eloquence
in debate, untiuestioued capacity for public business,
uniform courtesy and an exhibition of frankness and
manliness of character. In the second year of his
incumbency as speaker, lieing then in his twenty-
ninth year, he was elected to represent his native
district in the United States Congress, which he did
in that and the succeeding Congress with nuich
aliility and credit.
In 1837 he was chosen by the Legislature to ropre-
• lit New Ilami)shire in the United States Senate,
Mil ids statesmanship was such as to be the subject
of universal encomiums among men of all parties.
Though one of the youngest, he was one of the most
influential of that then most distinguished body.
Few public men had such power as he iu making
friends, and very few had a wider circle of admirere.
I'rom causes of a purely personal and domestic nature.
Senator Pierce resigned his oftice in 1842, and came
liome to Concord, where he had removed his family
some years previously, and resumed his profession as
ic lawyer. In 184;'), owing to the vacancy in the
I'nited States Senate caused by the appointment
lif Hon. Levi Woodbury to the Su]n'rior l)ench,
the successorship was offered by (iovernor .Tcdin
Steele to Mr. Pierce, but was gratefully declined. He
lUo declined the nomination for Governor of the
State and a seat in the Cabinet of President Polk.
In his declinatory letter to the President he said that
when he left the Senate he did so with the fixed pur-
pose never again to be voluntarily separated from his
I'amily for any considerable time, except at the call-of
his country in time of war. When the Mexican War
broke out, in 1847, a l)attalion of soldiers was called
tor from Xew Hampshire, and Mr. Pierce was among
the very first to enlist as a private soldier, and one of
the most earnest in the ranks at ilrill. He was coni-
inissioned March 3, 1847, as brigadier-general, and
mailed with a dctaciiinent from Newport, R. L, and
l;indeil at Vera Cru/ on the I()llowing 28th of June.
He left Vera Cruz with his brigade for the Mexican
interior the succeeding month to reinforce (icneral
Scott. On the way, with his two thousand four hun-
dred men, several severe skirmishes with guerrillas
took place, in all of which the enemy was defeated.
He carried liis force, losing very few men, to Pu-
ebla, where they Joined the army of the comnnind-
ing general. Conlreras, Cherubusco, Molino and
Ohapiiltepec were hard-fought fields, on which
he lilierally shared the honors of victory, as the
official reports of these actions abundantly and
creditably show. An eminent military oflicer, in re-
viewing the history of these struggles and the merits
of the leaders therein, says: "I have reason to believe
that every old officer in the army will sustain me
when I say of General Pierce that in his service in
Mexico he did his duty as a son of the republic, that
he was eminently patriotic and gallant, and that it
has added a laurel to his beautiful civic wreath." It
would be unjust to his memory to neglect mentioning
his remarkable regard for the comfort and health of
the men under his command; witii untiring vigi-
lance and open hand he administered without stint
or measure to the alleviation of their privations and
their sufferings. In 1847, when peace with Mexico
was assured, General Pierce returned home to meet
the welcome of his many friends and to realize the
highest honors they could bestow upon him. .\mong
them was the presentation of a splendid sword by
the State Legislature, as a token of esteem for him as
a man and of his gallantry as a soldier. From the
period of his return from Mexico up to 1852 he de-
voted himself to his profession, his principal j>olitical
action being his presiding at the Constitutional Con-
vention of the State, which met at Concord in 1850.
Some that are now alive, and were present in court at
Manchester, in May, 1850, will never forget the won-
derful eloquence, the powerful logic and the amazing
legal skill which he exercised preceding the acquittal
of both the Wentworths, of Saco, Me., charged with
the murder of Jonas Parker, in Manchester, in 1845.
As an orator, he presented his thoughts in a style that
would do credit to any age or nation. His rcnnirks
on the death of Daniel Webster are unexcelled in the
English language. In 1852 the Xew Hampshire
State Democratic Convention recommended him as a
candidate for the Presidency ; but he declined, for
reasons modestly assigned liy himself, to allow his
name to be used in that relation. However, the Na-
tional Democratic Convention, which met in Haiti-
more in .Juiu' of 1852, after forty-nine ballots, gave
him the nomination by a vote of two hundred and
eighty-two against eleven. The enthusiasm demon-
strated all over the nation in favor of tieneral Pierce
was uniirecedented, and the result of the campaign
was his election over General Scott, the Whig candi-
date, the Pierce electoral vote being two hundred
and fifty-four and that for Scott forty-two.
President Pierce was inaugurated at Washington
March 4, 1853. he being then in his forty-ninth year.
He had called to aid him a ( 'abinet contii(ise<l i>l' men
of rare ability. A member of that cabinet has truth-
fully said, —
*' Tlio nilnitnti^Iratiori uf FmiiUIiii TiiTcc prfKonts ttio onI.v IliKtunci- tli
our Iifltory uftlK' culltllntliliceitf nCnIiiliel foi- four yi>apfl wlllioiit r flillKli'
cliaiiKo ilt ItH pfrsnmir-L Wlu'ii it In rcluelitl>fn->il tliiit tllero wilB liiucll
cllmlniiliirlt.v, if nut InooDgrully, uf cluinii lir iiiiiunK llif mctiilMTs of Hint
I'lililiict, some iili-a nuiy ho foriin-*! of tlic [mimit over irn-n im»wphmI unj
oxcn-iwil Uy Mr. I'ivrci'. Cliivalroun, Keni'roiiH, iinii(tl>Ii>, tnii' to lil«
friuiKl)! onil lo lili fulUi, Crank anil IhjIiI in lila ili-clnnitlon of liiaoplnionK,
lio nfvtT ilcccivi'd nnv om\ Anil if trcacluTy bail t-vt-r i-oiiif iirar liliii,
12
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
U would have stood abashed in the presence of his truth, his mauiiness
and his confiding simplicity."
Among the more important events of his adminis-
tration were the dispute respecting tlie boundary be-
tween the United States and Mexico, resulting in the
aeijuisition of Arizona; the exi>loration of tlte routes
projtosed for a railroad from the Mississippi to the
Pacific ; the amicable settlement of a serious dispute
with Great Britain about the fisheries ; the affair of
Martin Kozta; the repeal of the Missouri Compro-
mise; the organization of the Territories of Kansas
and Nebraska; the Ostend conference; the treaty
negotiated at Wasltiugton providing for commercial
reciprocity between this country and the Canadian
provinces; the treaty with Japan negotiated in 1854
by Commodore Perry ; the dismissal of the British
minister at Washington and the British consuls at
Kew York, Philadelphia and Cincinnati. While
much political agitation marked the term of bis of-
fice, still it was a period of remarkable prosperity to
the nation. President Pierce's devotion to his coun-
try and flag was never shaken or im)iaired by any
misrepresentation or abuse on the part of his politi-
cal enemies. In public and in private life his speeches
and correspondence evince a sincere sympathy with
the Union and a devotion to the priuci])les of the
L^uion, to which he had been from childhood a most
earnest and sincere advocate.
On retiring from the Presidential chair, and after a
brief sojourn at home, he visited Eurojie and trav-
eled extensively over Great Britain and the continent.
Everywhere he was received with marked attention
and respect, although he eschewed all ostentation.
He returned after an absence of about three years and
devoted himself almost entirely to the duties of a
couini )n citizen. Socially, no man had more or
deeper respect than he, during the period spent bj'
him in political retirement. He was beloved by
young and old, and there was no ]]artisan limit to that
affect ion.
President Pierce died childless. His wife was
Mary A. Api)leton, who gave him two sons, Benjamin
and Frank; tiie latter died when but a child, and Ben-
jamin was killed in a railroad accident near Andover,
Mass., soon after his father's election as President.
Mrs. Pierce died in 1803, and President Pierce passed
away <)ctol)er 9, 1809. The event was a universal
cause for mourning ; higli honors, local and national,
were i)aid to his memory. The family lie buried in
the beautiful new cemetery at Concord, N. H.
Hon. Cn.\KLE.s GoKDOx Atherton' was born at
Amherst, in Hillsborough County, N. H., July 4,
1804. He graduated at Cambridge University, in
1818, with unusual re])utation for ability and scliolar-
shij) at an early age. He studied law in the ollice of
his distinguished father, Hon. Charles H. .Mherton,
was admitted to the bar at the age of twenly-one and
■ By Hon. L. B. Clongh.
established himself in business in the town of Dun-
stable (now Nashua), in his native county. In his
profession his success was decided and his rise rapid.
His mind, clear, logical and strong, with the balla.st of
exrellent common sense, the adornments of a quick,
fancy and a cultivated taste, was admirably adapted
to the studies and the labors of the law. So far as
was permitted by the interruptions of political life,
he continued to the la.st in the active practice of his
chosen profession. As a lawyer, it is not too much to
say of him that he .stood in the front rank of a bar
which has always been fruitful of legal strength and
acumen ; his jjlace was side by side with such com-
peers as Pierce, Woodbury, Parker, Bartlett and Bell
— following, but not unworthily, in the path of those
earlier "giants of the law," Webster, Mason and
Jeremiah Smith.
In 1830 he commenced his j)ublic career as a Repre-
sentative from Nashua in the New Hampshire Legis-
lature, and continued in this otfice for a period of
several years. He was Speaker of the House of Rep-
resentatives for the last three of those years. In
March, 1837, he was chosen one of the Rei)reseutative8
of New Hampshire in the national Congress, where
he remained for three successive terms, At the ex-
piration of that period he was transferred to the
Senate of the United States for the term of six yeai-s;
successor to John P. Hale at being re-elected to the
Senate in JIarcli, 1853, occupying a seat in that body
during the executive session succeeding the inaugura-
tion of President Pieice. He was also a member of
the Baltimore Convention which nominated General
Pierce for the Presidency. Mr. Atherton died Novem-
ber 15, 1853.
Hon. Ch.\kle)< Fkedekuk Gove, A.;M.,- tiie son
of Dr. Jonathan and Polly (Dow) (fove, was born at
Golistown, May 13, 1793. He graduated at Dartmouth
College in 1817; read law at Harvard Law School,
graduating LL.B. in 1820; began i)ractice in Gofts-
towii ; was assistant clerk of the New Hamijshire
House of Representatives in 1829; njiresented Goffs-
towu there in 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833 and 1834 ; was in
the New Hampshire Senate, and elected its president
in June, 1835 ; solicitor of Hillsborough County from
1834 to 1835, when he was appointed attorney-general
and served until 1842, and circuit judge of the Court
of Common Plca.s from 1S42 to 1848 ; then became
superintendent of the Nashua and Ijowell Railroad.
He removed from Gortstown to Nashua in 1839; mar-
ried Mary Kennedy, daughter of Ziba Gay, of Nashua,
September 22, 1844. He died at Nashua, October 21,
1850, aged sixty-three years. He was a man of great
energy of mind and character, but unfortunately jios-
scssed of a feeble constitution. John (iove, D.C., was
his half-brother.
Judge Gove, in private and public life, sustained
the character of an upright, honorable man. Ever of
2B>'Hon. L. B. Clough.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
13
a slender constitution, yet his industry and energy led
him to fill the various ])ublic offices with which he
was honored with credit to himself and to the general
acceptation of the public. He was equally firm in
his friendship and in his einnity.
Hox. S.^.MiEL H. Ayer,' son of Dr. Aver, was
born in Eastport, Me., in the year 1819. He gradu-
ated at Bowdoin College in 18.'{9, and afterwards com-
I iienced the study of law in the office of Messrs. Pierce
.v Fowler, at Concord. He was admitted to prac-
i'C in Ilillsborou^'h County, and opened an office
It Hillsborough in 1842. For five successive years he
r. presented the town of Hillsborough, from 1845 to
1<4'J, the last two years of this time being Speaker of
the House of Representatives. In 1847 he was ap-
pointed solicitor of the county of Hillsborough, and
siiccessfiilly performed the duties of said office until
liisdeath.
He removed to MaiK-hcstcr in 1850, and opened an
"tlice in connection with R. F. Ayer. Although of the
-ame name, he was not related by blood to B. F. Ayer.
In 1852 he was one of the commission for revising the
statutes of the State, and in connection with the late
Governor .Metcalf and Calvin Ainsworth, in June,
1853, submitted their compilation to the Legislature,
known as tlie " Compiled Statutes." He was a pleas-
ing and effective speaker, frank, generous and just,
and won the esteem of all who knew him. Hon. S.
H. Ayer died October 4, 1853, aged thirty-four years.
Hqx. George W. Morrison.-— The family of
Morrison was originally of Scotland, a branch of
which emigrated to the north of Ireland about the
middle of the fifteenth century, ami settled in Lon-
donderry.
" Charter " Samuel, so called because he was one of
the grantees of Limdouderry, N. H., was among the
first settlers of that town. He was there as early as
1721, and signed the jjctition for a ciiarter.
James Morrison, father of (ieorge W., was born in
Londonderry, N. H., in 1781, and removed with his
father, Samuel, grandson of Charter Samuel, to Fair-
lee, Vt., about the year 17!'l. Wlieri quite young he
was apprenticed to a carpenter and joiner, served his
tinie faithfully, learned his trade and learned it well,
and after his emancipation, followed the business in-
diLstriously for many years.
With the proceeds of his labor he purchased a farm
at Fairlce, to which, during the latter years of liis
life, he devoted his |)rincipal attention. Physically.
he was a noble specimen of a man ; liad a gixid figure,
very strongly built, and weighed more than two hun-
dred pounds. He possessed a well-balanced mind,
sound judgment and a vigorous understanding. He
died in full strength at sixty, without an infirmity or
even a grey hair upnu him. In 1802 he nnirried
Martha Pdton, daughter of John Pelton, of Lyme,
N. H. She was a lady of excellent understanding,
• lly Hon. I.. II. Clough.
5 By David V. IVrklns.
modest and retiring in her manners, managed her
household with great discretion and good sense, and
bestowed upon her family of nine children all the
wealth of a mother's love. She died at Fairlee, July
14, 1870, aged eighty-seven years.
Hon. (teorge W. Morrison, the second son of James
and Martha, was born in Fairlee, Vt., October 16,
1809, lived with his parents and worked on their
home farm until the fall of 1830, when he entered the
Academy of Thctford, and continued there a little
more than four uKmths, thus completing his academic
course of study. He then entered the oflice of Judge
Simeon Short, of Thetford, as a student-at-law, and
read with him and Presburg West, Jr., in all about
four years. But while he was pursuing his legal
studies in the offices of Judge Short and Mr. West, he
was accustomed to return to the farm and assist his
father in haying and harvesting. Reaping was his
special delight. Xo man within the circle of his
acquaintance, either in Vermont or New Hampshire,
could excel him in the use of the sickle. His father
was a man of small means ; he had a large family to
support ; money was scarce, and George, who was his
chief dependence in carrying forward his farm-work,
from a sense of filial duty, rendered him all the assist-
ance in his power. At the same time he supported
himself by teaching school during the winter months,
and by hard labor at night in a saw-mill, in the
sjjring of the year. Sawing logs commanded better
wages than teaching in the village school.
Mr. Morrison was an ambitious young man, am-
bitious for success in all his laudable' undertakings,
and always took the advantage of every means in his
power for improvement. By the laws of Vermont,
when he was a student, a justice court was entitled to
a jury panel of six. Before such a tribunal he often
successfully appeared, even while he was a teacher iu
the common schools, in the defense of some unlucky
yeoman. And so, while he was a teacher one winter
in Western New York, he gained quite a reputation
na a successful practitioner in the justice courts.
Such were his |)reparations for the great duties and
re8i)onsibiIitie3 of his professional and political life.
His mental endowments were of a high onler, among
the most ajjparent of which were his keen perceptions
and his self-reliance. As a studcnt-at-law, in the
practice of his profession, in his addresses to the jury
or the court, on the hustings, in the State Legislature
I and in the halls of Congress his self reliance never
I forsook him.
At the June session of 1835 the Orange County
Court was holden at Chelsea, and Mr. Morrison had
the sole charge of Mr. West's extensive business, and
tried without assistance every case, with one excep-
tion. It was at this term he made application for
examination, pursuant to admission. He had Matter-
ing certificates from both gentlemen with whom he
had read, but on their [iresentation objections were
nnide by some of the young gentlemen of the bar, on
14
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
the ground that the applicant liad not complied with
the rules, having read less than five years. Judge
Nutting-, author of Nutting's Grammar, used exten-
sively in the schools, an accomplished scholar and
distinguished lawyer, replie<l that the young man had
not asked Cor admission to the bar, but for examina-
tion ; Jtnd as Jlr. Jlorrison believed he possessed a
suflicient knowledge of the law to justify him in sub-
mitting to an examination as to his qualifications, he
thiMiL'ht that so reasonable a request ought to be
granted.
Judge Parker, of Uradford, tlieriujton moved that a
committee of three be appointed for such examina-
tion. The motion prevailed, and Judge Nutting,
Judge Parker and Jlr. Ordway were chosen.
The committee held three sessions, of two hours
each, and gave Mr. Morrison a most thorough and
searching examination, which he passed triumph-
antly, and on sulimitting their report to the bar, he
was unanimously admitted.
Before entering upon the practice of his profession
he traveled somewhat extensively in New York,
Pennsylvania, New Hami)shire and Maine, and on
his way home from the latter State to Vermimt, he
stopi>cd awhile at Amoskeag Falls, in Manchester.
Its immense water-power attracted his attention. In
conversation with some of the leading citizens, he
was informed that a company of Boston capitalists
had recently purchased large tracts of land upon both
sides of the river, with the view of building up ex-
tensive manufacturing interests. He saw clearly a
flourishing manufacturing town S])ringing up in the
immediate future, as by magic, holding out singular
attractions to a young and ambitious lawyer. Acting
upon his own judgment, with reference to its capacity
and business prospects, he decided to make Man-
chester his permanent residence and grow up with
the town. It was in the .summer of 1836 that he took
up his residence at Amoskeag, and opened an office
in an old school-house, near the west end of McGreg-
gor's bridge, the only bridge at that time across the
Merrimack Kiver within the present limits of Man-
chester and about half-way between the two villages
of Amoskeag and Piscataijuog. At that time there
were four lawyers at Squog(so called) of some distinc-
tion, and two at Gotfstown. One of these old lawyers,
who had been in constant practice thirty years, often
met Mr. Morrison in the justice courts, and at first
treated him with contumely and reproach, called him
a beardless boy, who had received liis education in
the pastures of Vermont, and now presumed to prac-
tice law in the courts of New Hampshire; but a few
lessons of sarcasm, a weapon Mr. Morrison knew well
how to use with terrible eflect, silenced his antagonist,
and ever after inspired him with the most profound
respect.
Mr. Morrison did what little business came in his
way during the summer and fall, and in the winter
taught the village school. The next spring people
flocked in from all the surrounding country, the town
WMs raj)idly built up, and he removed his office from
the old school-house to the east side of the river, and
has continued to reside in aud make Manchester his
home till the present time. He was a constant at-
tendant when the court was in session, whether he
had business or otherwise ; this particularly attracted
the attention of Hon. Mark Farley, who asked, " Why
he was always in court?" "To cure the evils of a
defective education," responded Mr. Morri.son.
On the 5th of November, 1838, he married Miss
Maria L. Fitch, of Thetford, Vt., a lady of culture
and refinement, daughter of the Hon. Lyman Fitch,
ftu- many years a county judge in Orange County,
afterwards, and until his death, a prominent citizen
of Lyme, N. H.
Business now poured into his office, and he at once
took a front rank among the ablest lawyers of the
State at the New Hampshire bar. Early in the
practice of his profession he was accustomed to meet
as antagonists .such men as Franklin Pierce, Charles
G. Atherton, Samuel D. Bell, James U. Parker, Mark
Farley, Daniel Clark and many others distinguished
for their character and ability, and it can safely be
said, "It is no disparagement to any of the eminent
men whom he met at the bar in the different counties
of the State, that, as a jury lawyer, he was one of the
most successful practitioners in his time in the courts
of New Hampshire."
Among the distinguished men of New Hampshire,
Charles G. Atherton stood high, both as a lawyer and
statesman. In 1850, at a term of the court for Hillsbor-
ough County, holden at Manchester, an important case
was tried before the jury, in which Mr. Morrison and
Mr. Atherton were engaged as opjjosing counsel. The
trial lasted several days. At last it was concluded ;
the arguments were made and the case was submitteil
to the jury, after which Mr. Atherton invited the
writer of this sketch to accompany him to his rooms.
Now, Mr. Atherton was an exceedingly gifted con-
versationalist. On reaching his chambers at the ho-
tel, he asked, "What will be the verdict in this
case? Which i)arty, in your judgment, will be likely
to win?" The resjjonse was, "I think the chances
are in favor of Mr. Morrison." " I am inclined to the
same opinion," was Mr. Atherton's reply, and then
continued: "When Mr. Morrison commenced prac-
tice at the Hillsborough bar I watched him closely,
and at first entertained strong doubts as to his success
in his profession. He commenced the practice of the
law under three great disadvantages, — ill health, a de-
fective education and poverty ; but on my first ac-
quaintance with him I particularly noticed his self-
reliance. Nothing that occurred at the bar escaj)ed
his attention, for he nas uniformly in attendani e.
Soon he commenced the trial of cases • his examina-
tion of witnesses was thorough and exhaustive, his
perceptions were clear, his arguments logical and
condensed, and he had the wonderful faculty to seize
THE BENCH AND I?AK.
15
the .strung points of his case, and so present them to
the jury that he seldom failed to win the verdict. If
he happened to make a mistake as to the rules of evi-
dence, the law or its application, he was sure not to
repeat it. I soon made up my niiud tliat he was no
comnion man, that he was bound to rise, and he did
rise rapidly, not alone in mi/ estimation, but in the
estimation of the people of the county and of the
State. And now he stands at the head of the bar.
And I tell you in all sincerity that I have never met
theman in our courts, in the Ilouseof Rejiresentatives,
or in the Senate of the United States I more fear, or
have frreater cause to fear as an antagonist, tlian as
such I fear to meet Gecjrge W. Morrison."
In the practice of his profession he was true to his
client ; especially was he the friend of the poor man,
and, apparently, would work harder to win the case
for his client when ho had no reason to expect ade-
quate compensation than for the rich client who was
alnindantly able and willing to pay lil)erally. Mr.
Morrison, in the best sense, was a man of the people, —
easy in his manners and simple in his tastes; unos-
tentatious in his intercourse with all, looked down
upon no man, but treated every one on terms of equal-
ity ; generous to a fault, ever ready to extend the
helping haml to those who needed help. It is no
wonder that such a man should at once build up and
maintain a lucrative business, and become one of the
most popular men in his profession. He had been
accustomed to athletic sports from his boyhood, and
when a young man took peculiar pleasure in a wrest-
ling match, in which he often participated. To lay
him upon his back requiretl not only well-developed
muscle, but generous practice and scientific knowledge.
Hon. Moses Norris was a man of|)Owerful physiiiue, and
in his prime weighed two hundred and twenty-five
pounds, while Mr. ^lorrison scarcely ever exceeded one
hundred and fifty. Though comparatively of slight
figure, he waa wiry and very elastic. They were warm
personal and political friends, and in familiar conver-
sation often addressed each other respectively by their
given names.
On the -Ith of .July, lSo4, lioth gentlemen were at
Wa.shington, D. C, — Mr. Norris a United States Sen-
ator and Mr. Morrison a member of the House of
Representatives. The Fourth was a holiday, and
Congress was not in session. The writer was with
them at his rooms on Capitol Hill ; nootherperson was
present. The Senator, in course of conversation, hap-
pened to speak of a certain occasion upon which he
had exhibited his great strength, to the surprise of
the bystanders. Mr. Morrison playfully replied,
" Mose.", I could lay you out so easily that you
wouldn't know how it was dime." "Nonsense!"
resjionded the Senator; " why, George, I could throw
you over my head without an eH'ort." "More easily
said than done," replied Mr. Jlorrison. Then, like
two grown-up boys, they took each other at arms-
length, and soon commenced to wre.stle in good earn-
est. Mr. -Morrison, fully ou his guard, waited and
watched the chances for a certain inside lock, the
advantages of which he well understood. Ky-and-by
he had the Senator in the desired position, and in-
stantly droi)ping upon the right knee, he laid Mr.
Norris upon his back without any apparent exertion.
The Senator sprang to his feet, and said, " That was
handsomely done, George. How in the world did
you do it ? I did not believe there was a man in
Washington who could throw me."
Mr. Morrison was elected to the State Legislature,
and served during the years of 1840, 1841, 1844, 1849
and 1850. He was one of the most active, useful and
edicient members, and his influence was such the last
years of his service that he usually carried the House
with him on all the more important measures. He
served one year as chairman of the committee on
incorporations, and four years on the judiciary com-
mittee, two of which he was chairman. In 1849 a
bill was pending in the House for the incorporation
of the city of Portsmouth. That provision in the
charter which constituted each ward a town, for the
]>urpose of elections, excited a good degree of interest
and vigorous opposition, on the ground of its sup-
posed unconstitutionality. It was well understood that
this particular and unique clause in the charter was
drafted at the suggestion of Mr. Morrison, and that
he would give it all the support in his power. The
day when he was to speak upon the question was
known beforehand, so that all who might take an in-
terest in the meitsnre and desired to hear the discus-
sion could do so. The result was that many of the
leading politicians of the State repaired to the capital.
A full delegation from Manchester, including agents
of the cori)orations and other distinguished citizens,
were present. The galleries were crowded, and many
of the more favored found scats on the Hoor of the
House.
Mr. Christie, of Dover, one of the ablest lawyers in
the State, having been selected by the opponents of
the measure to reply to Mr. Jlorrison, took his seat,
pen and paper in hand, near, and at the right of the
Sjieakcr's desk. .\t lengtli Mr. Morrison arose, look-
ing pale and feeble, for he had been ([Uite ill all the
session, but his mind was never clearer. As he went
on with his argument with reference to the constitu-
tionality of the bill, Mr. Christie at first took a few
notes, then dro])ped his pen and listened attentively
to the close of the argument. Mi. Morrison sat down;
the House was perfectly still ; not a sound was
heard ; all eyes were turned expectantly towards Mr.
Christie. He did not arise. He declined to speak.
The writer was assistant clerk of the House at that
time, and a.sked another distinguished lawyer, a
l)ersonal and political friend of Mr. Christie, why
he declined to answer Mr. Morrison. His reply was,
"Mr. Morrison's argument was unanswerable — ho
was clearly right. And Mr. Christie, upon being con-
vinced that he was right as to the constitutional
16
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
question, declined to reply." Though the charters of
the cities of the State have frequently been amended,
particularly tlie charter of the city of Jlanchcster,
that provision, constituting each ward a town for the
purpose of elcctious, still remains.
In 1845, Mr. Morrison was appointed solicitor
of Hillsborough County, discharged the duties of
the office nearly four years and resigned. He
was a member of the House of Representative in the
Thirty-tirst, and was re-elected and served in the
Tliirty-third Congress. Mr. Morrison's personal and
political relations with President Pierce had been for
many years of the most intimate and confidential
character, and as he was regarded as one of the ablest
members of the Xew Hampshire delegation, the Pres-
ident, whose Congressional district he represented,
expressed the desire that he support the Kansas-Xe-
braska Bill, which he had made one of the leading
measures of his administration. He knew very well
he could rely upon Mr. Jlorrison to support every
measure of his administration which he deemed would
be consistent with his constitutional obligations and
for the promotion of the best interests of his country.
In a personal interview with the President, Mr. Mor-
rison told him his present convictions were against
the bill, particularly that clause in it repealing the
Missouri Compromise ; that lie would make a careful
examination of the measure, and would support it if,
in his judgment, the interests of the country would
demand its becoming a law. He did examine the
bill, and examined it thoroughly, after which he in-
formed the President that he regarded it as a most
dangerous measure, frauglit with evils, which, should
it become a law, would lead to the most disastrous re-
sults, and, painful as it was to him to dirter with the
administration upon one of its leading measures, still
he must oppose it with all the energies of his mind.
Among the reasons assigned at this interview as the
ground of his opposition to the measure were that
the slavery question had but recently been settled by
the compromise measures of ISSO, and to reopen the
subject now, would, in liis judgment, be a most dan-
gerous experiment, would be disastrous to the Demo-
cratic party and to the best interests of the North,
and, in his belief, would endanger the perpetuity of
the republic itself.
In his speech, made a few weeks after this inter-
view with the President, Mr. Morrison said, —
"On a greftt question like tliiu— one wliich will seriunsly Hffect the
free lalKirere of tlie Nortli, will dutt'i-niine the inHtitutiona of u vast ter-
ritory; one fmuglil with fearful clonienta of ilisfoiil, which ultimately
may endanger the iRTpetuily of the I'nion itself— I can follow hut one
guide : the convictions of my own Judgment. I n-Kret lluit the friends of
this hill hivl not reail anil wall considered the patriotic denunciation by
Jefferson, with reference to sectional parties, before they sprang this
quei^tion upon Confjress ami the country. This is the first attempt in
our political history to rep^-ul a (freat coniproniiHe of contlictinn interests
and opinions between the different sections of the country. This meas-
ure contains more elements of danger ami sectional diword than any po-
litical question of the age. If this bill should become a law, I fear the
spirit of concession and compromise will have passed away forever. The
Union has, in the judgment of intelligent and patriotic statesmen, been
twice preserved from dissolution by concession and compromise. Wheu
similar questions again arise, as come they may and will, I ask, Can
other compromises bo made if tiiis is stricken down ? if this shall not be
sacredly kept and faithfully abided by? Sir, any man conversant with
the prejudices which are enlisted and the obstacles to be overcome in the
accomplishment of such compromises must feel and know the danger ;
and here let me siiy, if this I'uion shall ever be dissolved, history will
surely point to tliis as the lii^-t stride, tlie entering wedge wliicli led to
dissolution and all its fearful consequences. I have neither time nor in-
clination to pursue this thought further. .^11 can see the danger, all
must feel it."
In this great speech betook the ground distinctly
that slavery could not for any considerable length of
time be forced upon the jjeople of that Territory ; and
from the above extrticts copied from that speech it
appears that he clearly foresaw, should that bill
become a law, all harmony between the different sec-
tions of the Union would be destroyed, and ultimately
result in civil war.
Colonel Thomas H. Benton, of Missouri, who had
served thirty cori.seeutive years in the Senate of the
United States, and had been elected to the House
from the St. Louis District to serve as their Repre-
sentative in the Thirty-third Congress, was an atten-
tive listener during the delivery of this speecli, and
after its close, remarked to a gentleman who sat near
him, "That is a true man sir; n smart man ; a man
of brains, sir." He then went forward, took Mr.
Morrison cordially by the hand, and congratulated
him in the most sincere and friendly manner. Sev-
eral days after, the writer of this sketch, called on
Colonel Benton at his house, and listened to his con-
versation witli reference to the excitement over this
question whicli prevailed throughout the North, when
hesaidtliat "Mr. Morrison's speech on the Kansas-
Nebraska Bill was the ablest speech delivered on that
question during this excited and protracted debate."
Years afterwards, when the whole country was con-
vulsed by the great civil war, the Hon. Salmon
P. Chase, Secretary of the United States Treasury
under the lamented President Lincoln, and subse-
quently chief justice of the United States Supreme
Court, speaking of Mr. Morrison, said, "He was a
man of ability and incorruptil)le honesty. That his
course in Congress on the Kansas-Nel)raska Bill had
made a most favorable and lasting impression upon
his mind."
But his crowning success in life was that of an ad-
vocate, and as such he will be chiefly remembered.
In this respect he was endowed witli rare gifts, and
has had but few equals and no superiors at the Xew
Hampshire bar. He pre|iaied his cases with great
care, fretiuently after the adjournment of the court;
would study the evidence far into the night, prepara-
tory to his argument in the morning, when men of
less nerve would have considered themselves tit sub-
jects for medical treatment. He studied the panel
as though it had been an open book, and acquainted
himself with the peculiarities of each juror. He
was apt to seize the salient points in his cause as they
THE BENCH AND BAR.
17
presenteil themselves to the jury, and to study the
eticct of the evidence as the cause progressed. He
watched the effect upon each juror with great care as
the argument proceeded, and could tell with singular
accuracy whether he carried his hearer along with
him. When he discovered a leaning against him on
the part of any doubling juror, he adapted himself
to the views of that juror, with arguments so con-
vincing, in a manner of such candor, sincerity and
truthfulness, and with an influence .so mesmeric that
he was quite sure to win him over before he closed.
Hon. Lewis W. Clark, associate justice of the
Supreme Court, formerly a law-partner with Mr.
Morrison, said of him, in a recent convei'sation, —
" He was the coolest man under fire I have ever
seen in court. The most damaging piece of evidence,
so far as the jury could observe, produced no im-
pression on his mind ; and he exercised wonderful
judgment in handling a dangerous witness. He
knew when and where to leave a witness better than
any man I ever saw in the trial of causes before a
jury."
Saml'EIj JJaxa Bell was born in Francestown,
N. H., October 9, 1798. His father was the Hon.
Samuel Bell, LL.D., a judge of the Supreme Court,
four years Governor of New Hampshire, and twelve
years a Senator of the United States. His mfrther
was a daughter of the Hon. Samuel Dana, of Antrim,
N. H. He manifested at an early age the love of
study which distinguished him through life. He
entered Harvard College in his fourteenth year, and
was graduated in the class of 1816. He then com-
menced the study of the law in the office of the
Hon. George Sullvan, of Exeter, and was admitted
to the bar of the county of Rockingham early
in the year 1820. He commenced practice in Mer-
edith, where he remained a few months, and then
estaljlishod himself at Chester, then a town of some
note and the home of several gentlemen of cultiva-
tion, taste and distinction. Entering into practice
there, he soon acquired the reputation of being a
sagacious, learned and trustworthy lawyer. In 1823
he was appointed solicitor of Rockingham County;
in 1825 and 1826 was a member of the Legislature;
in 1827 and 1828 was clerk of the House of Repre-
sentatives. Mr. Bell remained in Chester ten years,
and then removed to Exeter, and for some years was
cashier of the Exeter Bank. In 1836 he removed to
Concord, and in 1839 to Manchester. In 1846 he
was police judge of Manchester, and two years later
was appointed circuit judge of the Court of Common
Pleas. In 1849 he was appointed a judge of the
Superior Court, and in 1859 was chosen chief justice,
which position he occupied until his resignation, in
1864.
Judge Bell iiosHCSsed rare personal qualifications for
a position upon the bench. Dignified in appearance
and bearing, he was distinguished for i)atieni'e and
courtesy. He had all an honorable man's aversion
2
to meanness and the lower arts of the profession. He
used his position and authority to promote no par-
tisan or partial purjioscs. The duties of his position
were always properly discharged. He was a man of
very decided opinions.
The purity of Judge Bell's public and private life
deserves to be mentioned to his honor. The ermine
which he wore was unsullied indeed; no shade of
wrong or dishonor ever fell upon his name. When he
came to Manchester, the present metropolisof theState
was a mere village, with its future all undetermined.
Judge Bell entered with interest into every movement
for the prospective welfare of the town. Among the
public enterj^'ises which he was greatly instrumental
in establishing was that of the City Library, which, in
spite of all drawbacks, is to-day extensive, valuable
and incalculably useful to the people. He was also
an early member of the New Hampshire Historical
Society, and for years held its principal offices. He
dictl in Manchester July 21, 18G8.
Daniel Claiik,' the third child of Benjamin and
Elizabeth (Wiggin) Clark, was born in Stratham,
Rockingham County, N. H., October 24, 1809. His
father was both farmer and blacksmith. He was re-
spected by all who knew him for his integrity. He
was industrious, frugal, temperate, kind and obliging.
His mother was strong-minded, devoted to her family
and very religious. She was not indifferent to the
good opinion of others, and was ambitious for the
success of her family, and especially of her children.
They lived upon a beautiful farm, in the upper |)art
of the town, near the historic town of Exeter. The
subject of this sketch remained at home under the
care and nurture of his excellent parents until he was
thirteen years of age, going to the common district
school in summer and winter, or so much of the time
as it was kept, and assisting about the ordinary farm-
work in vacation. He learned at school easily, ami
was more fond of his books than of work ui)on the
farm. At the age of thirteen he was sent with his
older brother to the academy in Hampton, N. H., and
put upon the common English studies. He did not
then expect to acquire a more liberal education, al-
though his mother had some undefined notions of a
higher course of studies for her son. He continued
at Hampton at intervals, there a term and at home a
term, helping upon the farm, some four years or more,
when he determined to go to college. He pursued
his preparatory studies at Hampton, teaching school
two winters, and at twenty was prejiared for college.
He entered Dartmouth College, graduating, in 1834,
with the fii-st honors of the institution. Rev. Dr.
Lord, the president of the college, was then in the
prime of his life. Although he had presided over the
college but a few years, he had already secured the
confidence of its friends, so justly merited, as subse-
quently shown by iiis successful adniinistration of the
I By Hod. Imao W. Smith.
18
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
aflkirs of the college tor more Ihau a third of a century.
AiuDiig Mr. Clark's classmates were Albert Baker, who
entered upon the practice of the law at Hillsborough,
N. II., and died at tlie age of thirty-one, his untimely
death extinguishing hopes which his short but bril-
liant career had caused his many friends to entertain
of his future usefulness; Hon. Moody Currier, LL.D.,
of Manchester, Governor of New Hampshire; Hon.
Richard B. Kimball, LL.D., of New York City, lawyer,
scholar and author; Rev. Edward A. Lawrence, D.I).,
Marblehead, Mass.; Rev. Newton E. Marble, D.D.,
Newton, Conn. ; and Professor Alphonso Wood, presi-
dent of Ohio Female College. Mr. Clark taught school
winters during his college course and while pursuing
his professional studies, eight winters in all, including
the two years before entering college, defraying, in
part, the expenses of his education with the funds re-
ceived from teaching. Immediately after graduation
he entered the office of Hon. George Sullivan, then
the attorney-general of the State, son of General John
Sullivan, of Revolutionary fame, at Exeter, and com-
menced the study of the law, remaining with Mr.
Sullivan a year and a half. He completed his legal
studies in the office of Hon. James Bell, afterwards
United States Senator, at Exeter, and was admitted
to the bar of Rockingham County in 1837. In the
same year he opened an office at Epping, where he
remained some eighteen months, and then, in 1839,
removed to Manchester, N. H. This thriving city
was then just rising from the ground. Not a mill was
running, the canal even being unfini.shed. The only
railroad then constructed in the State was the Nashua
and Lowell. The telegraph and the telephone had
not then been invented. The lumbering stage was
the only means of jiublic travel. The rates of postage
were high and the mails slow and few. The embryo
city was hardly more than a desolate sand-bank, where
a few hundred people had gathered, allured by the
prospect of business about to spring up with the im-
provement of the water-power at Amoskeag Falls.
Mr. Clark was among the first to open a law-office
here. He soon acquired an active practice, which
afterwards grew to large proportions, and for twenty
years he was employed upon one side or the other of
nearly every important trial in the county, attending
the courts also in Merrimack and Rockingham Coun-
ties. He was employed on behalf of the State in
the preliminary examination in the "Parker murder
trial," being occupied almost continuously for a period
of nearly two months. He succeeded in procuring
the extradition from Maine of the supposed murderers
after a lengthy trial in that State, and after a hearing,
lasting nearly a month, before the Police Court of
Manchester, procured their commitment to answer for
the crime of murder. Opposed to him as counsel were
General Franklin Pierce (afterwards President of the
United States), General B. F. Butler, Hon. Josiah G.
Abbott and the late Charles G. Atherton, — an array of
legal talent seldom seen in this State. Mr. Clark was
employed for the defense in two capital trials in the
fall of 1854, — Curtis' and Marshall's. Marshall was
acquitted, and in the case of Curtis the jury disagreed.
During the period of his active )iractice the bar of
Hillsborough County was unusually strong. Among
its prominent members were Benjamin M. Farley, of
Hollis; James U. Parker, of Merrimack; George Y.
Sawyer and Charles G. Atherton, of Nashua; Samuel
II. Ayer, of Hillsborough; and Samuel D. Bell and
George W. Morrison, of Manchester. General Pierce,
of the Merrimack bar, also generally attended the
courts in Hillsborough County. Of these eminent
lawyers, Mr. Morrison is the only survivor. General
Pierce, as a jury lawyer, had no superior in the State.
He had a very pleasing address, was dignified without
being reserved, and possessed a magnetic influence
over men, which rendered him a formidable antagonist
before jurors. But, in many respects, Mr. Atherton
stood at the head of the Hillsborough bar as a lawyer
and advocate. He was a man of scholarly attainments,
possessed a graceful diction, had a good command ot
language, knew how and when to use sarcasm, could
appeal effectively to the passions and prejudices, was
thoroughly read in the law and was perfectly at home
in the court-room. With these and other able lawyers
Mr. Clark spent the most of his active professional
life, and he was recognized as their peer. His prac-
tice was as varied as it was extensive. Whatever he
undertook was thoroughly done. He was loyal to the
court, faithful to his clients, courteous to opposing
counsel and kind and magnanimous to the younger
members of the profession. In his arguments to the
jury he was never wearisome. He seized upon the
weak points of the other side and the strong points of
his own side and made them i>romincnt to the jury.
He wasted no time on imnuitcrial matters. While he
did not possess the personal magnetism of Pierce or
Atherton's power of sarcasm, he could put before a
court or jury his case with convincing power and in
its strongest light, and if .success did not always attend
his efforts, it was not because he failed to present all
the favorable views of his case. Legal ])apers drafted
by him were models of accuracy and clearness. They
were also remarkable for their brevity, all useless
verbiage being avoided. In his writs the cause of
action was briefly and clearly set out, and it was rare
that he had occasion to ajiply for an amendment. His
clients became his fast friends. His charges were
moderate, and no client went away feeling that undue
advantage had been taken of his position or that his
interests had not been fully protected.
It is unfortunate, jierbaps, for his legal reputation
that Mr. Clark was drawn into politics. But it was
his fortune to live in times when questions of great
public interest were being discussed and settled, and
it was inevitable that a person of his ability, education
and temperament should not entertain pronounced
views on public questions. In the early part of his
professional life there was a difference of opinion as
^
THE BENCH AND BAR.
19
to the wisdom of encouraging the extension of manu-
facturing ami railroad operations in the State, and
unfortunately the iiuestion got into ])olitics, and the
two parties took oi)posite sides. With the ac(piisition
ol' California came the question of the extension or
restriction of slavery, the repeal of the Missouri Com-
promise, the civil war, the abolition of slavery and
the reconstruction measures after the close of the war.
As a rule, the lawyers of New Hampshire have very
generally taken an active interest in political ques-
tions. Thus circumstanced, it was hardly possible for
Mr. Chirk not to have some inclination towards politi
cal life. In 1842 he was elected one of the repre-
sentatives from the town of Manchester to the Legis-
lature, and was re-elected in 1.S43, and again elected
in 184G. In 1854, after the adoption of the city
charter, he was elected representative from his ward,
and re-elected in 1855. In 1849, 1850 and 1851 he
was a candidate for the State Senate, but his party
being in the minority in the district, he failed of an
election. He acted with the Whig |)arty until its
dissolution, when he helped to form the Kepublican
party, with which he has since been identified. He
■was often upon the stump during the campaigns pre-
ceding the elections in 1854 and 1855, speaking in
every portion of the State, from the sea to the moun-
tains. He also took part in the election contests during
the decade which immediately followed. Party feel-
ing ran high, the contests often being exceedingly
bitter. No speaker was received with greater enthu-
siasm or addressed larger audiences. It was largely
owing to his labors at the hustings that a change in
the iiolilical sentiment of the State was brought about.
In 1S.")I) hu was a member of the National Rej)ublican
Convention, and in November of that year was elected
one of the Presidential electors in New Hampshire,
and voted for Fremont and Dayton for President and
Vice-President.
In 1855 the Legislature was called iipcpii to elect
two United States Senators. For the first time in a
quarter of a century, with a single exception, the
Democratic party was in a minority. The oi)position
was composed of the Whig party, then on the point
ofdissolving, the American party, commonly known as
the Know-Nothing party, and the Free-Soil party.
These elements, a year later, were fused in the Ile])ub-
lican party. By common consent, Hon..Iohn P. Hale
wius nominated for the short term, and the contest
for the long term wa.s between Mr. Clark and the
Hon. .lames Bell. In the Senatorial caucus the latter
was nominated and subseiiuently elected by the Legis-
lature. The contest, although warm, was a friendly
one, so that when, two years later, in 1857, the Legis-
lature was called to fill the vacancy in the ofiice occa-
sioned by the death of Senator Bell, in obedience to
the common wishes of their constituents, the Repub-
lican nuiubers nominated and the Legislature elected
Mr. Clark. Upon the expiration of his term he was
re-elected in 1800 with little op|)osition. The ten
years spent by Senator Clark in Congress constituted
the most eventful period in the history of the repub-
lic. He witnessed the rise, progress and overthrow
of the Rebellion. This is not the time nor place to
review his Congressional life. One will get a glimpse
of his position ujjon the slavery question on page
268, volume i., of Mr. Blaine's "Twenty Years of
Congress." He served u])on some of the most import-
ant committees, and was chairman of the committee
on claims, and, during portions of two sessions, presi-
dent pro tempore of the Senate in the absence of Vice-
President Hamlin. He was a firm supporter of the
various war measures adopted for the sujipression of
the Rebellion, and had the confidence of President
Lincoln and Secretary Stanton. He failed of a re-
election in 1866, as his colleague. Senator Hale, had
done two years before, not from any lack of ap]>recia-
tion of the invaluable services they had rendered the
country, nor of the honor they had conferred upon
the State by their course in Congress, but because the
rule of rotation in office had become so thoroughly
ingrafted in the practice of the Republican i)arty in
the State that a departure from it was not deemed
wi.se, even in the persons of these eminent states-
men.
In the summer of 1866 a vacancy occurred in the
office of district judge of the United States District
Court tor the district of New llaiiipsliire, and Senator
Clark was nominated forthe position by President John-
son, and unanimously confirmed by the Senate. He
thereupon resigned his seat in the Senate and entered
ujwn the discharge of his judicial duties. The wisdom
of bis selection has been justified by his career upon
the bench. The ofiice of the district judge iloes not
afford such opportunity tor public distinction as the
bench of some other courts, thejurisdiction of the court
being limited principally to cases arising under the
constitution and laws of the United States. New
Hampshire, from its size, location and business rela-
tions, furnishes only a small amount of business for
the Federal courts, and not much of that generally of
public interest. In addition to holding his own court,
Judge Clark has frequently been called to hold the
Federal courts in other States in the First Circuit.
He has brought to the discharge of his judicial duties
the same learning, industry and inlercsl that charac-
terized his labors at the bar and in the Senate. His
decisions have commended themselves to the profes-
sion for their soundness and tiiirness. Judge Clark,
apparently indift'erent to the preservation of his
opinions, has neglected to jiut them in shape for
publication in the reports of the First Circuit, to the
regret of his professional friends and admirers. Ho
has now (1885) been upon tiie bench nineteen years.
He was entitled, under a law of Congress, to retire in
1870, upon the salary lor the rest of his life. But he
has preferred to earn his salary, and "to wear out
rather than rust out." Willi liis physical strength
but slightly impaired, his mind as vigorous as in the
20
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
years of his full manhood, he, at the age of seventy-five,
gives promise of many years of future usefulness.
In 187G he was a member and president of the con-
vention called to revise the constitution of New
Hampshire.
Judge Clark, in 1850, formed a copartnership with
his brother David in the practice of the law, which
was dissolved by reason of the ill health of the latter, in
1856. In December, 1856, he entered into copartner-
ship with Isaac W. Smith, now upon the Supreme
bench of New Hampshire, who read law with him in
1848-50. Their firm was dissolved in December, 1861,
at which time his practice of the law may be said to
have substantially ceased. So much of his time was
absorbed with Congressional duties, and other public
duties between sessions, growing out of the disturb-
ances caused by the civil war, that he had but little
time or inclination to follow the courts or attend to
the calls of clients in the office.
Judge Clark has been fully identified with the
growth and history of Manchester. He has taken
great interest in its material prosjierity, and has
merited and received the confidence of its inhabitants.
Besides representing the town and city five years in
the Legislature, he has held various offices of trust,
viz.: member of the School Board, chief engineer of
the Fire Department, trustee of the City Library, city
solicitor, trustee and president of the Manchester
Savings-Bank, director of the Amoskeag Manufac-
turing Company and trustee of the State Industrial
School. No citizen of Manchester, with possibly the
exception of the late Governor Straw, has exerted so
much influence for its growth and prosperity as he.
As he looks to-day upon this beautiful city of forty
thousand people, and their busy mills, well-paved
streets, shady sidewalks, fruitful gardens and peace-
ful homes, he, if any one, may repeat the words of the
Roman poet, " Quorum magna parsfui."
Judge Cl^rk has not failed to take a deep interest
in his Alma Mater, which, in 1866, honored herself, as
well as him, by conferring upon him the degree of
LL.D. In 1861, upon the invitation of the City
Councils of Manchester, he delivered a eulogy upon
the life of President liinciiln, and in 1880, upon the
iuvitatinn of the alumni of Dartmouth College, a
eulogy ujion the life of Judge George F. Sheplcy,
before that association, both of which were subse-
quently published. In 1869, on the occasion of the
centennial anniversary of the founding of the college,
he delivered an address before the alumni at the
invitation of the trustees. A copy was requested for
publication, which, unfortunately, was withheld too
late for it to appear witii the other published pro-
ceedings of that occasion.
Judge Clark has contributed liberally to the sup-
port of preaching, worshiping with the Unitarians.
His views correspond witli tliose of llev. Dr. A. P. Pea-
body, of Cambridge, Mass., or with the views of what
may be called the Orthodox Unitarians. He has no
sympathy with the doctrines of the ultra portion of
that denomination. In more recent years he has
worshiped at the Franklin Street Congregational
Church (Orthodox), Rev. Dr. George B. Spaulding,
pastor.
Judge Clark has been twice married, — the first time,
in 1840, to Hannah W. Robbins, who died in October,
1844, leaving no children ; the second time, to Anne
W. Salter, in 1846, who is still living. He has had
four children, — three sons and one daughter. The two
oldest are living, engaged in the practice of the law
in Manchester. One son died in infancy, and the
daughter when between two and three years of age.
Hox. William C. Clarke.' — Among the public
men of New Hampshire who have lately passed away,
none was more widely known in the State, or more
sincerely respected, than Hon. William Cogswell
Clarke, of Manchester. He was born in Atkinson,
N. H., December 10, 1810, being the eldest sou of
Greenleaf and Julia (Cogswell) Clarke. His father
was a farmer and master-mason, the constructor of
many fine business buildings in the neighboring town
of Haverhill, Mass., and a highly-esteemed citizen of
Atkinson, where he served as selectman andjusticeof
the peace. He was descended from Nathaniel Clarke,
a merchant of Newbury, Mass., who died in 1690, and
from Captain Edmund Greenleaf, of that place, an
officer of repute in the wars of the early colonists
with the Indians. The wife of Greenleaf Clarke was
a daughter of Dr. William Cogswell, of Atkinson,
who was a surgeon in the Revolutionary army, and at
one time chief of the Military Hospital at West
Point.
William C. Clarke pursued his early studies at At-
kinson Academy, of which his maternal grandfather
was one of the founders, and then entered Dart-
mouth College at the age of eighteen years. He was
graduated with high honors in the class of 1832,
which included Professors Noyes and Sanborn, of
Dartmouth, and the late Samuel H. Taylor, LL.D.,
the noted instructor at Andover, Mass. Immediately
becoming principal of Gilmanton Academy, he held
the position for one year, while beginning the study
of law. He continued his legal studies in the Har-
vard Law School, in the office of Stephen Moody, at
Gilmanton, and in that of Stephen C. Lyford, at
Meredith Bridge (now Laconia), N. H. On his ad-
mission to the bar, in 1836, he began practice in the
latter town, and on the creation of Belknap County,
at the close of 1S40, he was appointed county solici-
tor. He held this position until the spring of 1844,
when he removed to Manchester, and continued the
practice of his profession. Two years later he was
one of a committee of seven chosen by the town to
petition the Legislature for a city charter, and at the
first city election, in August, 1846, was the Democratic
candidate for mayor. There being two other candi-
I From Clarke'u " Successful New nampshire Men.'*
THE BENCH AND BAR.
21
date3, there was no choice, and he withdrew his name
before the second ballot, in September. In the same
year, however, he consented to act as chief engineer
of the Fire Department of the young city, and he re-
tained this position till the close of 1848, having a
number of leading citizens as his assistants.
In 1849 he was elected to the office of city solicitor,
which he held for two years, and in 1850 he served
as a member of the State Constitutional Convention.
Appointed the juilge of Probate for Hillsborough
County in ISol, ho ol)tained the judicial title which
clung to him thereafter. In 1854 he was again the
Democratic candidate for mayor, but the Whig ticket
was successful. A year later Judge Clarke was ten-
dered, by Governor Metcalf, an appointment to the
bench of the Supreme Court, but he declined the posi-
tion. As judge of Probate he discharged his duties
with high public approval, but his removal from this
office, in 1856, was included in the sweeping political
changes which began in 1855. In 1858 he served as
a member of the Manchester Board of Aldermen.
Soon after the death of the Hon. John Sullivan he
was appointed, in 1863, to succeed him as attorney-
general of the State, and, receiving a reappointment
in 1868, he continued to fill the office until his death,
in 1872.
From the time of his admission to the bar until he
became the chief prosecuting officer of the State,
Judge Clarke was actively engaged in private legal
practice. He early acquired the reputation of a sound
and able lawyer, and obtained an extensive clientage.
As attorney-general he was highly successful in the
performance of his duties, to which he devoted him-
self with conscientious faithfulness. Recognizing the
semi-judicial character of his office, he did not allow
the zeal of the advocate to outweigh more important
considerations, and, in cases where a minor oOense had
been committed for the first time, he frequently caused
indictments to be suspended so as to give the culprit
both a chance and a stimulus to reform. Hardened
or flagrant criminals he imrsuccl with the rigor de-
manded liy the interests of justice, leaving no stone
unturned in his ctlorts to secure their conviction. He
drew all his indictments with the greatest care, and
it is said that no one of the number was ever set aside.
He took equal pains with the jjreparation of evidence
and of his arguments in all important causes. The.se
cases include a number of murder trials, which at-
tracted wide attention when in ])rogress, and which
affi)rded marked proof of his legal skill. Ilissenseof
duty being above all other considerations, he was un-
moved by all attempts to aflect his official course by
private a])peals or by any species of ])ersonal influ-
ence.
Judge Clarke bad a marked distaste for ordinary
politics and the arts of the politician. On the few
occasions when he consented to be a candidate for an
elective office he did not seek the nomin:ition,luit ac-
cepted it at till' re]U<st of his friends, riiinly believ-
ing, however, in the original principles of the Demo-
cratic party, he often gave his voice and pen to their
support, and was long a prominent member of that
party in New Hampshire. When theKebellion broke
out he did not hesitate a moment in regard to his po-
litical course, but was among the foremost of those
who urged all citizens to sink minor party differences
and rally to sustain the imjicriled government. Dur-
ing this crisis he was active in calling and addressing
many public meetings, which i)ledged aid to the most
vigorous measures for the defense of the Union. At
the great war ma.ss-meeting held in Concord, N. H.,
on the 17th of June, 1863, — which was attended by
thirty thousand people, from all parts of the State,
and was addressed by men of national eminence, in-
cluding a member of President Lincoln's Calnnet, —
.ludge Clarke called the assembly to order, and read
the call, after which he was chosen first vice-president.
Being dissatisfied with the attitude toward the war
assumed by many of the leaders of the Democratic
party, he was largely instrumental in organizing the
zealous War Democrats of the State into a third, or
" Union," party, which nominated a separate ticket
for State officers in 18G2 and 1863. This organization
was not maintained after the latter year, and Judge
Clarke thenceforward voted with the Republican
]iarty; but after the early years of the war he re-
frained from any active participation in politics, which
he regarded as inconsistent with the nature of his du-
ties as attorney-general.
lie was one of the original directors of the Man-
chester Bank, serving from 1845 till 1849, and of the
City Bank, with which he was connected from 1853
till 1863. He was also a trustee of the Manchester
S ivings-Bank from 1852 until his death. For many
years he was a trustee of the Manchester Athenieum,
and when this was succeeded by the City Library, in
lS.'i4,he was chosen a member and clerk of the board
of trustees of the latter institution, retaining both
positions during the rest of his life. He was the first
treasurer of the Manchester and Lawrence Railroad
Company, holding that office from .July 31, 1.S47, till
his resignation took eti'ect, February 8, 1849; and he
was the clerk of that company from February 28,
1854, until he died, being also its attorney when en-
gaged in private legal iiractice. He was a trustee of
(iilmanton Academy, and in 1854 was a member of
the national board of visitors to the United States
Military Academy at West Point.
Judge Clarke was one of the earliest mendiers of the
Franklin Street Congrogational Church in Manches-
ter, and one of the original officers of the society, to
lioth of which he rendered valuable service.
S)me mention of his personal appearance should
not be omitted, as he was a nnm of unusually distin-
guished presence, having a large, finely-pro))ortioned
figure, with a handsome, dignified head and face.
Witlioul undue formality, his manners were invaria-
Idv conrleiMi- .and refund. Willi excellent literary
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
tastes, he possessed much general inlbrmcition, :ind
was very attractive in conversation. Though rigid in
his sense of right and wrong, he wiis eminently chari-
table in his views of others, having a broad tolerance
of oi)inions which ditlered from his own. His dispo-
sition wa.-< genial and his kindness of heart unfailing.
He was married, in 1834, to Anna Maria Greeley,
only daughter of the late Stephen L. Greeley, Esq., of
Gilmanton, X. H. His wife survives him, with four
children, — Stephen Greeley, Anna Norton, Julia
Cogswell and Greenleaf.
The death of Judge Clarice occurred at his home in
Manchester on Ai)ril 25, 1872, and was the cause of
widespread sorrow. At his funeral there was a large
attendance of prominent citizens from many parts of
the State. Resolutions of regret and eulogy were
adopted by the city bar, the Hillslxirough County bar.
the Manchester Common Council and various other
bodies with which he had been connected. In the
resolutions of the Common Council he was spoken of
as " one who, as a former member of the city govern-
ment, and its legal public adviser, served it with
marked fidelity and ability, and who, by his many
virtues, had won the coutidence and esteem of his
fellow-citizens." His associates of the Manchester
bar declared that "he was a faithful officer, a wise
counselor, a respected citizen and a Christian gentle-
man. He wa.s courteous in manner, efficient in duty,
upright in character and an ornament to his profes-
sion." In the resolutions adopted by the bar of Hills-
borough County, and entered upon the records of the
Supreme Court, Judge Clarke was described as "a pub-
lic officer faithful and upright, discharging his official
duties with signal ability ; a lawyer of large exjic-
rience in his profession, of well-balanced judgment
and discretion, well read in the principles of the law,
and faithful alike to the court and his client ; a citi-
zen patriotic and public-spirited; in his private rela-
tions, a gentleman of unblemished reputation, distin-
guished for his high-toned character, affable manners
and uniform courtesy; and illustrating in his public
and private life the character of a Christian gentleman,
governed by the principles which he was not ashamed
to profess."
Clistox Warrixgtok Stanley.' — The subject
of this sketch was born in Hopkinton, N. H., Decem-
ber 5, 1830. He was the eldest of four children,
having one sister, Helen Isabel Scribner (deceased
March, ISfiS), and two brothers, Edward W. Stanley,
of Hopkinton, and Hen ton M. Stanley, of New London.
His father, Horace C. Stanley, still living at Hoj)-
kinton, is a farmer of moderate means, but of frugal
and industrious haliits, which are often a surer guar-
anty of the comforts of life than greater riches. He
is a sturdy, honest man, of well-balanced character,
and has always enjoyed the respect and confidence of
his communitv.
> Uy lluu. Jo8c|>!i W. Fuilowa.
His niothir, Mary Ann (Kimball) Stanley, was a
noble and intelligent woman, highly appreciative of
the value of learning, earnestly and devotedly at-
tached to the interests of her family and friends, and
an ardent worker for the good of society. It was
largely due to her energy and encouragement that
her son was enabled to acquire his collegiate and ■
professional education. '
She commenced his instruction at home, and at the
age of three years jilaced him in the district school,
where he made good jirogrtss and showed signs of
those properties of mind which marked his course in
later life.
When about eleven years old he entered Hopkin-
ton Academy, where he remained until his prepara-
tory education was completed, and at the age of
fourteen was admitted to Dartmouth College.
He was the youngest member of his class, and one
of the youngest who ever completed the course of
study in that institution. He graduated in 1849, and
immediately began the study of law in the office of
Hon. H. E. Perkins, in Ho|ikinton. During the fol-
lowing winter he taught school in that town; and,
although it was a difficult school to manage, and he
young and without experience, still he completed the
term with remarkable success and gave entire satis-
faction.
He continued to study with Judge Perkins until
April, ISol, during which time he had the entire
charge of the post-office at Contoocook and conducted
its bu.-iiness in the name of his instructor, who was
postmaster during the administration of President
Pierce. He then came to Manchester, and entered
the office of Hon. George W. Morrison, where he
continued the study of law until his admission to the
bar in the Supreme Court in Hillsborough County,
August 12, 1852. During this time he taught school
in Acton, Mass., two terms (winter of 1850-51 and
1851-52), where he met with good success.
One of his pupils, now a prominent business man
in that vicinity, says: "Mr. Stanley was the most
successful teacher we ever had during my school-days.
Ho was able to im|)art knowledge in a [dain, intelli-
gent manner, which even the dullest could under-
stand ; and his instruction was impressed upon the
minds of his scholars in a forcible way which enabled
them to remember it with great distinctness. He is
still remembered by the people here with much re-
spect."
While pursuing his legal studies he displayed the
practical ability and industry of his character. Judge
Perkins says: "He was quick to see just what should
be done, and always did it witliout being told."
Mr. Morrison says: "He was one of the best stu-
dents I ever had. Without interfering with his stu-
dies, he very soon became familiar with the practice
sufficiently to do the ordiiniry business of our office
with remarkable facility and accuracy."
The office of Mr. Morrison afforded a rare oppor-
THE BENCH AND BAU.
23
tunity for law-students. A great volume of business
was being transacted, and probably do other place in
the State had siiidi advantages for learning the prac-
tice, and (ew lawyers Cduid have been found as well
quali(ic<l to impart instruction or convey to the stu-
dent the subtle and intricate lessons of the advocate
and jurist, and it is easy to see how a man possessed
of the ability and genius of Judge Stanley became so
thorough a practitioner even while a student.
Ininiediatcly after being admitted to the bar he
returned to Ilopkinton, and remained at his home
until April, 185;i It was during this time that the
decease of his mother occurred. He returned to
Manchester, and became associated with Mr. Morri-
son and John L. Fitch, Esq., under the firm-name
of Morrison, Fitch & Stanley. That copartnership
continueil until November, 18r)7. During its exist-
ence the health nf Mr. Fitch gradually became im-
paired. In those days the Hillsborough bar con-
tained some of the ablest lawyers in the State. It
Wiis a period of extensive litigation. Morrison, Fitch
& Stanley were engaged in most of the important
cases, and their practice extended largely into utlur
counties. The preparation of causes for trial and the
care and burden of the office-work devolved ujion the
junior member.
It was a kind of labor which he enjoyi'd uml for
which he was well fitted, and he pursued it with zeal
and assiduity. JIu was faithful and painstaking in
the extreme in the investigation of complicated mat-
ters of fact, and his judgment in the application of
legal principles was sound and comprehensive. The
close scrutiny with which he examined every cir-
cumstance, and watchful care with which he gathered
U|> all the details of business, gave him uncommon
readiness and great advantages of an executive char-
acter, and combined to make him one of the most
successful practitioners of his time.
In February, 185G, Patten's Block, where their
office was located, w;ls burned, and nearly all of the
lilirary and other books, together witli matiy valuable
papers of the lirni, were destroyed. In Novenilier,
1S'>7, Mr. Fitch withdrew from the firm and the
business was conlinued in the name of Morrison &
Stanley, but with no material change in its character.
In 18">8, Ju<lge Stanley was appointed by the United
States Circuit Court a commissioner of that court,
which position he held until he was made a member
of the Circuit Court of New llaiiipshire. In .Vpril,
1800, Hon. Lewis W. Clark became associated with
them, under the style of Morrison, Stanley & Clark,
which continued over six years. The prominence of
this firm is widely known. Mr. Clark brought
to it his rare combination of aliility as an advocate
and a lawyer, and, although llie junior, he fairly
divided the honors with the other members of the [
firm. They had the largest docket in the State and
were justly entitled to a front rank in the profession.
The natural result of their situation, however, was to
more than proportionally increase the responsibility
and the labor of Judge Stanley. He carried more
burden of solid professional work during those years
than any other man in the State, and, in the belief
of many of his brethren, his work would have com-
pared favorably with that of any member of the
profession in the country.
In December, 1866, Mr. Clark retired, and the
former style of Morrison & Stanley was adopteil, which
continued until 1872. Early in that year Mr. Frank
Hiland w.as associated with them, and they continued
their business in the name of Morrison, Stanley
& Hiland. The firm of Morrison & Stanley was the
oldest law partnership in the State at the time Mr.
Hiland became a member.
They continued together until the Sujierior and
Circuit Courts were established, and .ludge Stanley
was appointed one of the associate justices of the
Circuit Court in September, 1874, a position he held
until that system of judiciary was abolished, in 1876.
When the Supreme Court was established by the
Republican party, the selection of suitable persons to
constitute the court was not entirely without embar-
rassment, but it was universally conceded that .Judge
Stanley should be one of the appointees. In the two
years which he had been upon the bench he had
demonstrated his entire fitness and ability for a higher
position, and his selection as one of the associate
justices of the Supreme Court w:is commended by
the bar an<l the peo))le of the State with one accord.
This position he held until his decejise. Indeed, he
was in the midst of a jury trial when the " poisoned
arrow " fell at his feet.
Notwithstanding the many duties and responsibil-
ities of his professional and official life, he still had
time and strength for other labors.
In 18(55 he was elected president of the City
National Bank, which position he held until 1879,
when the bank wjis changed and became the Mer-
chants' National Hank. He was elected a trustee
of the Mancliester Savings-Hank in 188;?, which
position he held at his decease. He was a good
financier, aiul being familiar with the law concern-
ing commercial paper and securities and possessing
superior business ability in a general sen.se, he was
qualified to discharge the duties of those places of
trust to which he was elected with remarkable ease
and facility.
.Judge Staidey was earnestly interested in educa-
tional matters. He was one of the trustees of Dart-
mouth College from 1881 to the time of his dcAth,
and was one of the most efficient and active managers
of that institution. He was not wholly in sym-
pathy with the long established course of study, but
favored the " optional " principle and the introduc-
tion of the modern languages and scientific studies,
to .some extent, in place of the classic c(Uirse of the
early days of the college. But high above all prefer-
ences of this nature with him was the deliTmination
24
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
of his character to do well and thoroughly whatever
was being done, and if it were not the wisest way,
then to change for that which was such speedily. He
realized also that institutions of learning like Dart-
mouth College couhl not be successfully managed
unless upon the same business principles which in-
sured success elsewhere, and he applied himself to
the duties of the college trustee with the same thor-
oughness and fidelity that characterized his eftbrts in
other places of public trust. That venerable institu-
tion lost one of its stanchest friemls and safest
advisers in the decease of Judge Stanley.
He was one of the most earnest promoters of the
undertaking to establish a school under the auspices
of the Unitarian denomination, and was one of the
committee of the Unitarian Educational Society to
procure, as a Unitarian institution, the Proctor .\cad-
€my at Andover, N. H. He was one of the trustees
from the time when the society took control of the
school, and was one of its warmest and most efficient
friends. He was an earnest advocate of the " country
• academy," believing it to be one of those institutions
in our educational system which afforded the i)riv-
ileges of school to certain classes that would otherwise
be deprived of them, and that it shoul<l be fostered
and multiplied until evc;y village and hamlet in the
country had received its advantages.
Judge Stanley attended the Unitarian Church
during most of his life in Manchester. He was for
many years a trustee, and at the time of his decease
the president of the first Unitarian Society. His
connection with that society and his discharge of the
duties of chief executive officer were characterized by
the same earnest desire to do his whole duty that dis-
tinguished him everywhere.
Politically, .Judge Stanley was a life-long Democrat,
although he was in no sense a [)olitician. He had
strong, clear convictions upon the matters of admin-
istering the government, both in the State and the
nation, and was in sympathy with the principles and
theories of the Democratic party, and never hesitated
to express them whenever occasion required.
His connection with the Masonic fraternity was
somewhat prominent, and his resjicct and regard for
that institution were pronounced and sincere. He
became a member of the fraternity in January, 1862,
receiving all the degrees of the American system, in-
cluding the orders of knighthood, during the following
year. HewasWorsliiptul Master of Washington Lodge
in 18(37 and subsequently held important offices in the
Grand Lodge of the Slate. He was a good Mason. We
can express no higher eonnnendation. As a citizen.
Judge Stanley was a model. He was quick to respond
with his means and counsel in all worthy enterprises,
while he was prudent and sensible in the expend-
iture of public funds or private contributions. As a
friend and companion, he was dear to his chosen circle,
highly resi)ected for his wise admonitions and cherished
for his pleasant cordiality and entertaining maiuurs.
He married Miss Lydia A. Woodbury, only daughter
of William Woodbury, Esq., of Weare, N. H., Decem-
ber 24, 1857. He resided about two years in the north-
erly part of the city, on Beach Street, but in 1859 he
purchased and remodeled the place on the corner of
Concord and Pine Streets, which he made his resi-
dence, and where he lived until his decease. There,
in one of the happiest of homes, he gathered his law
and miscellaneous libraries and pursued his official
labors and studies in the most agreeable manner
possible, and no matter how humble the petition, how
unreasonable the hour or how unnecessary the intru-
sion, his frank and genial welcome was always ex-
tended to the visitor and his patient and kindly
audience given. His easy and social manner relieved
those with whom he had official relations of every
restraint, and the performance of his duty was always
free from harshness or useless formality. Those who
met Judge Stanley, either officially or socially, will
always rembember such occasions with feelings of
respect and gratitude.
While Judge Stanley was able to do everything
which came within his sphere of life well, and seemed
to lack for no faculty, he was nevertheless distin-
guished by certain jirominent traits of character and
endowed with certain mental qualities in a remark-
able degree. He had great tenacity of purpose — not
the sentiment which springs from personal conflict,
but a strong and abiding principle running through
every fibre of his being and steadily a.sserting itself
in every action. He was a man of strong, clear con-
victions and was as faithful to the course which they
marked out as the needle to the pole. He disregarded
abstractions in reasoning and despised methods of
so])histry. His logic was remarkable for its directness
and brought him to conclusions with the rapidity
almost of intuition ; and it is not too much to say,
generally with unerring precision. He was possessed
of a wonderfully strong and comprehensive memory, of
very great industry and remarkable powers of endur-
ance, and, what seemed to be made up from many facul-
ties, a grand general business ability which rendered
him so valuable and efficient in every place where he
w;is called to act. He loved the practice of the law,
because it afforded a wide field for his intensely active
nature, and an O])portunity for the protection of in-
dividual rights.
But it was upon the bench that Judge Stanley was
able to do the best work of his life. He knew well
the value of a fearless and conscientious court. His
discriminating mind, accurate memory, great love for
justice and equity, and quick energetic decision of
character fitted him in a remarkable degree for the
duties of that position. Few men have been able to
transfer their labors from the "heated conflict of active
jiractice to the unimpassioned and exalted duties of
the bench" with more perfect adaptation or complete
fitness. The universal commendation of his official
life and the jirofound resi)ect in which he was held
THE BENCH AND BAR.
25
by the members of the bar are evidence of his great
merit as a judge.
Judge Stanley died December 1, 1884, after a very
brief illiu':?s. He was holding llie September term at
Nashua, and sus|>ende<l for a few days on account of
slight indisjiosition, as was generally understood,
when, suddenly and without warning, the fatal change
came. His death was a painful shock to the whole
Slatr, causing deep and widespread sorrow. The
whole community mourned liis decease as a public
loss, and the distinjruished concourse which assembled
to pay the last sad rites and show their respect for
him was a more eloquent tril)ute to his worth than
tlu' ]»rofoundest eulogy.
We cann(tt conclude this imperfect sketch of our
esteemed I'riend more iittinjrly than by subjoining the
proceedings of the Supreme Court at tlie law term
in March, 188o, concerning liis decease.
Tlie attorney-general, Hon, Mason W. Tappan,
addressed the court and said, —
•'^Va// U ph'iue your houorg:
" I rise to tilt" iMjrfomiiincc of a im-Innrhnly duty, — that of presenting
reflolutions id rcterenco to tlio death i>f your hite ossuc-iate, Judge Stan-
ley. 1 had inteiidt'd to have pi-escnted these rosulutions at the session
of this court in Dei'ember, but it wtut thought hewt tn postpone it till the
present time, when there would be u more general attendance of the
nienibere of the bar fruru the various rounttes in tlie Slate.
"The announcement i»f the deatli of .Judge Stanley in the early daya
of winter foil with startling suddenness upon the uicniheni of tho bar
and the people of tho State, and very few knew of liis serioue illness until
the intelligence was Hashed over the State that he wan dead.
".\nd it is veri" hanl to realize even now that lie, who, but a few
weeks ago, seemed in tho enjoyment of such jierfoct health and who gave
promiBe of HO nuiny yeare of future urt«-futne5d in the position which ho
adorned on the IkmicIi of this court, has pa*i*ed from anu^ng us forever.
*"nie suddenness of .Judge Stanley's ileath cannot help reminding us
of tlie wordu of Mr. Burke i>n a soliiewhat sitnilar occasion, which are
frequently ipioted, but att little heeded : 'Snatehed from us, as he was, in
the midst of his usefulnew, while his desires were as warm and his hopes
M oftg'T AS any of oun, has feelingly told us what shadows we are and
what shadows we pursue.'
" His funeral was attended by a largo concourse tjf people, not only
from the city whore he <iwelt, but by the members of the bar and others,
coming, I believe, from every county in tho State, showing the high
c»teem in which he waa held by all raidis and clus^es in tin* community.
"The friendly and genial relatiuiiH which e.\i»ted ht-twi-en Judge
Stanli'y and the nienil>ei*s of the bar genemlly, and, I may add, uf tho
bench ob well, will cause him to be sincen'ly mourned and his naino and
character to bo held in kiutlly remembrance as long as any of tho(«c who
knew )iim Hhall live. I move, your hoixtrs, the adoption of tho following
renolutlons :
'* It'toh-eil, That in the death of tho Hon. ''linton Warrington Stanley,
one of the aiUM>cia(<' just i'-ef* of tin- Supreme Court of New Hampshire, on
the iHt day uf D.-cmlH-r, 1x84, we rccngui/e tho b.-w-.f one i.l the most
untiring members of ih<- bench, who, by his ability, integrity and faithful
devdtiun to the duties of his otllce, had deservedly earned and jiossessod
the enieoni, confldoiico and respect of Ills fuisuctates and of the bar and
people of the State.
" We recogni/e, also, Ills sterling ipialities as a man and n cttlxon,
which made him honored and res)>ected in all (he relations of private
life.
"And wo n-spectfully request the court to direct that these pmcoedlnga
be entered upon its reconls, and thai a copy thereof be presented to his
widow, with the assurance of tair deep and heartfelt sympathy tn hor
ben-avi'inonl."
Mr. .lustice lilodget then spoke as tbllnws:
"The estimation in which Judge Stanley was held by the profession
ha» been so Ittly fxpreivod in the resolulions which have been |)i«*sented,
ami in the remarks »}iii'h have bfcu inadr, that nothing seems to remniti
for the court to add but to express brietly it* high appreciation of his
worth and the <leep sense of its heartfelt loss.
"To say that our brother was invaluable to liis aseociatt^s upon the
bench is but tho feeble utterance of a self-evident truth, well-known to
the bar of the State and to all others having business in her courts during
tlio last deaulo. And from his very nature it could not be otherwise, for
it was OB natunil for lilni to work as to breathe, and he ceased from his
laboi's only ;ls he yieltled up his life. But be was far more than a mere
worker; he was an able, {uiinstaking and an upright judge. His com*
preheusive mind, sound judgment, retentive memory and unexcelled ex-
ecutive capacity, added to his untiring industry and the ability practically
to apply legal pnnciples, gave him eiuitjent qualifications fur the rapid
discharge of his judicial duties, and commended him alike to his associ*
iitfei, to the bar and to the general public. To say this is not eulogy, but
only the repetition of what has been said by all who knew him upon the
bench, mistakes he undoubtedly made, and failings he undoubtedly had,
fur he was huinaii, but they may be all covere<l by a mantle of charity
less broad than ho Wius ever willing to extend over tlie erroi-s of othere ;
and if men are to be judged by the aggregate of giwd and of evil in their
lives, by the balancing of their virtues and their faults, few, indeed, will
be found to stand better than he, either in the estimation of their fellows
or in the judgment of their God.
" But it is not for his judicial life alone that Judge Stanley will long
bo affectionately remembered. As a companion and as a friend, as a
man and a citizen, — in short. In all the relations of life, — ho nuMited and
ii'ceived tho confidence and regard of all cbisses of our people. And as
We recall his simple habits, his cheerful presence, his delightful social
ipialities, his true heart, liis loyalty to duty, his nice sense of honor, his
love of justice and hatred of wrong, it is not surprising that in this gen-
eration, at least, the death of no other citizen of New Hami>shiro has
carried moi"o widespread sorrow to the hearts of her people or called
forth more notable tributes of their respect.
"But while, humanly speaking, we mourn his untimely rcmoval in
the prime of his niaulio(.>d and in tho midst of his usefulness, we cannot
but be grateful that his busy, laborious and faithful life was crowned
with a most fitting close ; for with only u brief illness, and with all his
faculties unimpaired, ho was mercifully called away without a struggle,
by a touch as gentle as that which loosens tho ripe fruit from its bough.
'tJod's finger touched him and he sle])t.' His work was done,— his mis-
sion was accomplished."
Chief Justice Doe spoke as follows :
"Brother Blodget sjieaks for ns all, but my personal relations with
brother Stanley were of such a cluiracter and duration that I bog to bo
excused for adding a word. As school-males, brother Clark and I be-
came acquainted with hitii Ibirty-i-ight yeai-s ago last .\ugust, an<I wo
remained on intiinali- terms, with some separation of time and siMice, till
the sudden end last December. For us and many others no death, out-
side the immediate family circle, could come so near home. Tho melan-
choly feeling of personal loss is witness of the social and nioml side of
the man. So many friendly acts without ostentation of favor; so many
sri'Ties of harmonious counsel ; so long a j)oriod of united labor, with some
inevitable and highly useful diversity of view and opinion, but without
a single unideasani jar or discord left in recollection; so much constant
attention to the wants of others ; so much assistance rendered so habitu-
ally as to be exptrcted ami received as a matter of coui'se ; so nuich sjicri-
fic e of his own time, Ial>or and convenieiico for our own benefit ; so many
hours and days and years lighted up by his tolerant and cheerful spirit, —
all this and all the pleiuiures of life that this suggests bring a sense of
poi-sonal bereavement sehloni exjierioncod by those who are not of neor
kindred.
"Tho untiring energy that rendered tho most valuable judicial servico
was enllsteil in helping his asw^clates, im well as In various eiiterpiisi'B,
public and private. His capacity for continuous labor, for details and
for everything comprised in the successful conduct of business, combined
with equanimity and profound and enthusiastic interest In everything ho
nnth'i'took, made him an invaluable memlK<rof the court and would have
carrierl him lo the highest dlotincllon ami succem in an.v d<>|)artnu<nt of
active life.
"One instance of his Incessant usefulness illustrates the productive
nature of his talents. The present system of examining candidates for
ndmlsslon to (he bar Is entirely his work, and the great advantages
ilerived from ll by the profc-vion and the communitv are a result of Iho
mis-'ion of iirogni* ami improvement in which he was always engaged.
Should thisMystom be long continued, it will go far topn>tluce such a bar
and bench as the lnter>»»tii and the cnnlit of the State demand. This one
movement bus already ilonc enough for the cuuse of b>gnl eduaitlon In
26
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. NEW HAMPSHIRE.
New llamiwhire to be a lasting monument to his memory. On every
siiie we have in improveil ii ethods of adininistnition abtinditnt evidence
of his practical genius.
'*Whrtt made him specially pleasing as an associate, and his life the
happiest and most sttisfactory, was his imiierturbable serenity. I have
seen liini in circnnistanren of annnyiince wljen he Tuost luive thouglit
himself iil-ntre*!, and when others in iiis i)lace woiiltl have iiiaile mure or
less exhibition of anger, but from all these thirty-eight and a half years
I cannot recall a single occasion when he showed any sign of irritation.
If this extraordinary fact is due to a memory that failed to record some
expressive change of voice or color, it is, nevertheless, true that in kind-
ness of nature and freeiloni from fretfulness aiul resentment — qualities
the most desirable in a friend and of prime necessity in a judge — he was
unsurpassed.
"The resolutions of the bar will be entered on the records of the
court and a copy sent to Mrs. Stanley."
Hon. Herman Foster was born at Andover,
Mass., October 31, 1800. He removed to Hudson,
N. H., with his father's family in 1810. He
prepared for college, but was jjrevented from pur-
suing a college course by a disease of his eyes. He
first engaged in mercantile business in Bo.ston, and
was married to Harriet M. A. Whittemore, of West
Cambridge, Mass., in November, 1826. He removed
to Warner in March, 1830. He studied law with the
Hon. Henry B. Chase, of Warner, and was admitted
to practice in December, 1839. He commenced prac-
tice in Manchester, N. H., in 1840.
He was town treasurer before the city was char-
tered. He was a member of the State Legislature in
1845-46 and in 1868-69; member of the State Senate in
1860 and 1861, of which body he was president the
latter year. He was one of the first directors and
clerk of the Jlanchester and Lawrence Railroad, a
director of the old Amoskeag Bank lor many years,
a director of the Amoskeag National Bank, and a
trustee and one of the investigating committee of the
Manchester Savings- Bank from its organization to his
death. He also wtis one of the founders of the City
Library, tresisurer and clerk of the JIanchester Gas-
Light Company from its organization to his death.
In his profession, Mr. Foster was a safe and valu-
able counselor. He formed his opinions upon careful
study and examination, and they were generally cor-
rect and reliable. In the preparation of a cause he
was thorough. He neglected nothing and was seldom
caught unprepared. It may safely be said the afiixirs
of no client suffered in his hands. Mr. Foster died
February 17, 1875.
Li:wi.sW.Ci..\RK.'— Judge Lewis Whitemore Clark,
son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Whitemore) Clark, was
born in Barnstead, N. H., August 19, 1828.
With most excellent natural mental capacity, he
early showed a hunger for knowledge. His education
began in the common schools of his native town, was
pursued through Pittsfield and Atkinson Academies,
in which institutions he prejiared for college, and
Dartmouth College, where he was graduated with ex-
cellent standing in 1S.')0.
He immediately began the special preparation for '
By Rev. (larimi II. Kimbiil
his chosen profession and at the same time was prin-
cipal of Pittsfield Academy. His principalship of
this school continued from August, 1850, to December,
1852, with eminent success. He began his law studies
with Hon. Moses Norris, continued them under the
direction of Hon. A. F. L. Norris, and on Sei)teml)er
3, 1852, was admitted to the bar of New Hampshire,
to commence a career of i>rofessional service that has
been alike honorable to himself and creditable to the
commonwealth of which he is a citizen.
He practiced law for a time in Pittsfield, N. H., but
his abilities were such as to soon call him to the me-
tropolis of the State, where he has since resided, one
of its best-beloved citizens.
He was associated in the practice of his profes.sion
with Hon. George W. Morrison and Hon. Clinton W.
Stanley, late associate justice of the Supreme Court,
and remained in this law firm for six years. After a
time he formed a law partnership with Hon. Henry
H. Huse, under the firm-name of Clark & Huse, and
continued thus until May 24, 1872, when he was ap-
pointed attorney-general of the State by Governor
Weston, an appointment which his learning and ability
justly merited. This position he held, with great credit
to himself and benefit to the State, until August,
1876.
His ability and great learning as a lawyer, his faith-
ful and eminent discharge of the duties of attorney-
general of the State, and his already marked judicial
ability pointed to him as the man to fill the vacancy
which had occurred on the Supreme Bench, and on
August 13, 1877, he was appointed judge of the Su-
preme Court of New Hampshire, an appointment
highly satisfactory to the able bar of the State.
This position he has filled to the present time with
highest honor to himself and in a manner worthy the
great lawyers who have occupied the Sui)reme Bench
of New Hampshire.
In December, 1852, he united in marriage with Miss
Helen M., daughter of Captain William Knowlton, of
Pittsfield, a lady every way i|uali6cd for the com|ian-
ionship other eminent husl)anil. Two children have
been born to them, — Mary Helen and John Lewis.
Politically, Judge Clark is a Democrat, and while
not a partisan, has been a wise and honored leader in
the Democratic party. In 1855 he was the nominee
of his party for Congress in the Second Congressional
District and served as a member of the New Hamp-
shire Legislature from Pittsfield in the years 1855,
1856, 1857.
Since his elevation to the Supreme Bench, in ac-
cordance with his high sense of honor, he has with-
drawn from active participation in politics, while still
profoundly concerned in all rpiestions relating to his
country's weal.
The private chanicter of .Tudge Clark is one of
stainless integrity. His mind is eminently <me of
great self-poise and unusually perfect adjustment.
He possesses in an unusual degree the [lOwer to grasp
r^-
ct^///^c^^ i^^c^ZeA^ ^^
Os<^Sz-<:i,irTr^--^^>^"'~nx:?'
THE BENCH AND BAR.
27
all sides of questions that come uiicKt his noti(.e, and
with impertiirliiible i-almness <leal witli tlioni.
He is pre-eminently a lawyer. He loves his profes-
sion, and whether at the bar pleading, or on the
beneli deciding, he is always the searching, candid,
judicial-minded lawyer. This word is ennobled and
and dignified iiy Judge Clark as it is and has been by
the thousands of otlier great names who have so much
to do in niaicing the great in American history.
Socially, Judge Clark is genial, cordial, of great
amiability, direct, and in all his bearing towards all
marked by a large-hearted kindliness and perfect
simplicity.
His whole character is permeated l)y profound reli-
gious conviction. Personally he is a Baptist, in regular
communion and active fellowship witii the First Bap-
tist Ciiurcli of Manchester, but his great catholicity of
character and mind put him in warm fellowship with
all noble lives of every faith.
In the Confraternity of his profession he stands
envial)ly high. In the circle of society in which he
moves he is sincerely respected and loved. In the
community of his residence lie is esteemed and
honored ; and as a citizen, his large influence can be
uniformly depended upon in behalf of the public
well-being.
Isaac W. B.mith.' — The oi>portunity to attain the
posts of high honor and extensive influence, which
under our free institutions is put within the reach of
all who feel stirring within them the requisite latent
ability, and are willing to submit to the requisite
labor, is illustrated in the life of the subject of the fol-
owing sketch, the Hon. Isaac W. Smith, associate
justice of the Sujireme Court of New Hampshire.
Paternal Anceatrtj. — I. Samuel Smith, supposed to
have emigrated from England and to have been
among the early settlers of Haverhill, Mass.
II. Samuel Sniilb, <licd .Tune 2, 17S1, in the eighty-
sixth year of his age. Sarah, his wife, died April .i,
1801, aged ninety-two years.
III. Joseph Smith, born January 22, 1740 (t). S.),
died January 28, 1816 ; moved from Plaistow, N. H.,
to Hampstead, N. IT., March 4, 1800. He was a sol-
dier in the War of the Rev(dution. His grandmother
(whether iiaternal or maternal is not known, nor her
name) <lied .March ."), ITSir), at the age of one hundreil
and two years. He married (1) Hannah Harriman,
May 6, 17()2, who was born March 25, 1744, died
May 6, 1782, and by whom he had eleven children ;
(2) Mary Sawyer, December 2, 1784, daughter of .Ton-
athaii Sawyer, born (October 10, nri.S, at .\tkinson,
X. II.. died December 2, 1X02, and by whom he had
live children; {'.i) .Mrs. Phebe Runnels, September 5,
lSo.'{, who died in July, 1821, aged seventy-nine years.
IV. Isaac Smith, fourth child of Joseph and Mary
(Sawyer) Smith, born at Plaistow, X. H., May
:?I, 17'.i:!, died ;,( Hampstead, N. H., June 11, 186ii;
'By Rev. K.lwiirl II.
,k-y.
married (1) Mary Clarke, daughter of Kathaniel
and Abigail (Woodman) Clarke, July 18, 1822, who
was born January 21, 1800, died June (!, 1S.'{3, and by
whom he had three children ; (2) Sarah Clement, Oc-
tober 23, 1834, daughter of Moses and Mary
Clement, of Salisbury, N. H., who was born December
9, 1795, died May 2, ISGC, and by whom he had two
children ; (3) Abigail Clarke, March 20, 1807, daugh-
ter of Nathaniel and Abigail (Woodman) Clarke,
who was born April 5, 1795, and died .Vugust 27, 1879.
She was the widow of David Clarke, of Sandown,
N. H., who died November 24, 1834, at Lowell, Mass
Isaac Smith was a country merchant, who carried on
an extensive business for nearly half a century in
Hampstead, and was widely and favorably known as
a public-spirited citizen, strongly identified with the
religious, educational and political interests of the
town. He was charitable in his views and liberal
with his means, and was often called to positions of
public trust and responsibility. His character was
above reproach, and he died honored and lamented
by all who knew him.
Maternal Ancestry. — I. Nathaniel Clarke, born in
1044 and died August 25, 1690; married, November 2.3,
1663, Elizabeth, born November 1, 1646, daughter of
Henry and Judith Somerly, and died March 15, 1716.
X^alhaniel (.'larke's namea])pears among the early set-
tlers of Newbury, Mass., where he resided. He
appears to have been a man of unusually strong qual-
ities, mental, moral and physical, and these qualities
have been transmitted from generation to generation
among his descendants to a (|uite remarkable extent.
II. Nathaniel Clarke, Newbury, Mass., born March
13, 1666; died October, 1690; marrie<l Klizal)eth, born
October 16, 1665, daughter of Dr. Peter and Jane
Toppan.and sister of Rev. Christopher Toppan, D.D.
Her father wassixth in descent from Robert, of Linton,
near Pately Bridge, in the West Riding of York,
where his descendants continue to the present day
among the most respectable families of that country.
Nathaniel went with the expedition to Canada in
1690, and was mortally wounded there on board the
ship "Six Friends," in October of the same year.
III. Xathaniel Clarke, Xewbury, Mass., born July
29, 16S!I; died in 1754; married, March 7, 1700, Sarah,
liorn Xovendier 3, 1602. daughter of Samuel and Sarah
Kent Greenleaf.
IV. Nathaniel Clarke, Haverhill, Ma.-is., born in
1728; died November 7, 1805; married, February 18,
1753, Mary Hardy, of Bradford, Mass., born October
8, 1733, died .lune 13, 1817. He was a member of
Captain Richard Saltonstall's (2d) company of foot ;
served in 1780 on the committee to collect clothing
for the army, and wa.s active in furthering the cause
of the Revolution.
V. Nathaniel Clarke, Plaistow, X. H.,born in 1766,
died March 19, 184(i ; married .\bigail Woodman,
born August. 1765, died April 3, 1844. When fifteen
years old be enlisted for three years as fifcrinCni-
28
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
tain Nehemiah Emerson's Company, Tenth Massa-
chusetts Regiment, and remained till the close of the j
war. He w;w wounded at the battle of White
Plains.
VI. Mary Clarke, born at Plaistow, N. H., January
21, 18U0; died June 6, 1833, at Hampstead, N. U. ;
married Isaac Smith, July 18, 1822. She was a woman
of great personal beauty and rare sweetness of char-
acter, po.ssessed of gentle ways, dignified manners
and fine womanly sense. She lived an exemplary
Christian life, and her early death was dei)lored by a
large circle of friends.
Isaac William Smith, the second child of Lsaacand
Mary (Clarke) Smith, was born in Hampstead, N. H.,
May 18, 1825. His parents shared fully the honor-
able ambition which lias from the beginning charac-
terized our old New England families, and which goes
so tar to account for the moulding and controlling
force of the New England element in the country at
large, — the ambition to secure the best possible advan-
tages of education for their clildren. For an end so
important in their estimation they were willing to toil
and to make large sacritices, and for this, in his case
as in so many others, a debt of gratitude not easily to
be repaid is felt to be most justly due.
His early years were passed in the quiet atmosphere
of a country village, under the influences of a pure and
hap])y home, and in attendance for brief periods at
the academies in Salisbury, Atkinson, Derry and San-
borntcm. At the age of fifteen years he was sent to
pursue his studies preparatory for college at Phillips
Academy, Andover, Mass., then under the care of
Samuel H. Taylor, LL.D., one of the most distin-
guished educators that this country has as yet pro-
duced. Having com|)leted these studies, he entered
Dartmouth College in 1S12. The president of the
college, Rev. Nathan Lord, D.D., was then in the
full meridian of that remarkable career which secured
for him a place am(mg the foremost college presidents
of the country. The class with which Judge Smith
graduated in 1841) was small in number, but is re-
markable for the proportion who have become distin-
guished in professional life, including Rev. Charles A.
Aiken, D.D., president of Union College and pro-
fessor in Princeton Theological Seminary ; Hon. Ben-
jamin F. Ayer, LL.D., lawyer, Chicago, 111. ; Dr.
Josiah W. Barstow, sujjcrintendent of Flushing (N.Y.)
Insane Asylum ; Rev. James J. B'aisdell, D.D.,
professor in Beloit College; Hon. Joseph JI. Cavis,
judge of Fifth District Court, California ; Dr. Edward
H. Parker, professor in New Y'ork Medical College;
Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, D.D., trustee of Dartmouth
College; Hon. Edward J. Warren, judge of Superior
Court, North Carolina; and Rev. Joshua W. Well-
man, D.D., trustee of Andover Theological Sem-
inary.
Soon after his graduation Judge Smith commenced
his legal studies in the office of William Smith, Esq.,
at Lowell, Mass. After spending nearly a year in
this office, he removed to Manchester, and completed
his studies in the office of Hon. Daniel Clark. He
was admitted to the bar July 9, 1850, and soon after
entered into a partnership in legal jiractice with Hon.
Herman Foster, which continued nearly two years.
Subsequently he was for five years the partner of
Hon. Daniel Clark.
He was early recognized by his fellow-citizens as
taking a lively interest in the welfare of his adopted
city and as qualified to fill j)Ositions of trust and re-
sponsibility in its affairs. He was president of its
Common Council in 1851 and 1852, city solicitor in
1 854 and 1855, and mayor of the city in 1869. In 1855
he was appointed judge of the Police Court of Man-
chester, but resigned the office in 1857 to engage more
fully in tlie practice of his profession. He was
elected in 1859 to represent his ward in the Legislature
of the State, and was re-elected in the following year,
and in the latter year was chairman of the judiciary
committee of the House of Representatives. In 1862
and 1863 he was a member of the State Senate and
chairman of its judiciary committee. In 1863 he was
a])i)ointed by President Lincoln assessor of the Second
Internal Revenue District of New Hampshire, and
held the office until 1870. He was appointed associ-
ate justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, February
10. 1874, by Governor Straw. In August of th.it year
the court was reorganized, and he was appointed by
Governor Weston associate justice of the new court.and
held the office until the court was again reorganized, in
1876. After leaving the bench he resumed the prac-
tice of his profession, and continued it until July,
1877, when a vacancy occurred in the Supreme Court,
and he was, upon the recommendation of almost the
entire bar of the State, appointed by (Tovernor Pres-
cott to fill it, a position which he still occupies.
As a lawyer, Judge Smith has throughout all his
practice been characterized by a clear, penetrating
judgment, unsparing industry, unbending integrity
and fidelity to all trusts. The high re|)Utation which
he early acquired, built on solid tbundatidns, has
never been shaken. Upon the bench his well-known
ability as a lawyer, the conscientious care and thor-
oughness with wdiich every case upon which he is
called to express an opinion is examined, and the
judicial poise and impartiality which he always main-
tains, secure for his rulings and decisions a high
degree of confidence and respect.
.Judge Smith's personal interest in the affairs of his
A/ma Afater has suffered no abatement as other cares
and interests have multiplied. He was president of
the Dartmouth Alumni Association in 1881-83, and of
the Phi Beta Kai)pa Society in 1882-84. In college he
was one of the charter members of the Dartmouth
Chapter of the Alpha Delta Phi Society. In 1880 he
delivered before the Alumni Association a eulogy
u|)on the life and character of Hon. AVilliam H.
Rartlett, late associate justice of the Supreme Court
of New Hampshire. In March, 1885, he was elected
/^,_^ A-.^
THE BENOH AND BAR.
one of the trustees of the college. He has found
time amid the press of professional duties to indulge
his taste for historical investigation, contributing his
share to the researches of the New Hampshire Histor-
ical Society, of which he has been a member since
18C1. As early as 184!) he delivered an address,
which was subsequently published, at the centennial
celebration of the incorporation of his native town.
His tastes in this direction gave a special zest and
value to a visit which he made, in the summer of
1878, to several of the scenes of special historical in-
terest in the Old World.
Politically, the sympathies of Judge Smith have
been with the Republican party since its first organi-
zation. He was an earnest advocate of the great
principles which that party bore inscribed upon its
banners in our terrible civil stri'c and in the period of
reconstruction which followed it, and which are des-
tined to go down to the future as the inspiring and
plastic force in one of the great epochs in human his-
tory. He was, in 1856, a delegate to the National Con-
vention which nominated Fremont and Dayton as
candidates for President and Vice-President.
Religiously, by education and by conviction, his
sympathies are with the Orthodox Congregationalists.
He early identilied himself with the Franklin Street
Congregational Society in Manchester, assuming his
full share of its burdens and responsibilities, being
called at did'erent times to fill the oflices of president,
treasurer and director in it. In liSTO he became a
member in full communion of the church with which
that society is connected, and has always taken a
warm and lively interest in its prosperity and in the
advancement of the cause which it represents.
Judge Smith was united in marriage, August 1(1,
18.34, with Amanda W., daughter of Hon. Hiram
Brown, the first mayor of Manchester. Their chil-
dren, eight in number, are Mary Anumda, born June
5, 1855; William Isaac, born February 22, 1857;
Arthur Whitney, born March 9, 18G0 ; Julia Brown,
born January 17, 1802 ; Edward Clark, born October
24, 18()4; Daniel Clark, born April 5, 18G(); Jennie
Patterson, born Septendjcr 2it, IStiS; and Grace Lee,
born September 10, 1870.
Jamk-s F. BltuniS.'- — John and Nancy (Franklin)
Briggs were of that class of working Englishmen who
had the courage to flee from hard surroundings which
no strength could overcome, and seek in a new world,
among .strangers, a chance to improve their condition.
They were factory o[jeratives at Bury, Ijanca.shire
County, England, where their son James F. wjis born,
October 23, 1827. When ho was lourtcen months old
they took passage on an emigrant ship for America,
and after a rough voyage of more than seven weeks
landed in Boston, Marcli 4, 1829. (Joing direct to
Andover, Mass., the father found employment in a
'Bjr Honry M. Putney, from Clark'i "Snccemful New Hampiblro
Men."
woolen-factory there. From that place he removed
to Saugus, where he worked a short time, and from
thence to Amesbury, which was the family home
until 183G. In the fall of that year the father, in
company with two brothers, bought a small woolen-
factory at Holderness (now Ashland), N. H., and,
having established his home near by, commenced
business on his own account, in manufacturing
woolen cloths. But few operatives were needed to
run this mill, and they were mainly the three pro-
prietors and their children, among whom was the boy
j James, then a lad nine years old, who had begun to
earn his living in a factory before the removal from
Massachusetts, the liimily circumstances being such
that all had to contribute to its support as soon as
they were able. He was continuously em]>loyed in
the mill for the next five years; but during this time
he had learned enough of books to make him ambi-
tious to know more; and, as the affairs of the family
were fairly prosperous, at the age of fourteen he was
sent to the academy at Newbury, Vt., and afterwards
to the one at Tilton. Being an expert operative, able
to take the wool I'rom the fleece and convert it into
cloth, by working in the factory a part of each year
he earned the money to pay his expenses at these
institutions one or more terms every year until 1848,
when he arranged to commence the study of law with
Hon. William C. Thompson, at Plymouth; but in
February of that year his lather died, leaving a family
of eight children, six of whom were younger than
James, in destitute circumstances. This aflliction,
which threw the care of the family largely upon the
young man, compelled him to change somewhat his
plans; but he did not for a moment lose sight of the
object he had in view, and, as he could not enter the
law-oflicc at Plymoutli, lie liorrowed books from it
and pursued his studies during such time as he could
get at home, for a year, when he entered the ottice of
Hon. Joseph Burrows, then a practicing lawyer at
Holderness.
In 1849 the family removed to Fisherville, in order
that the younger children might obtain employment
in the factory there, and he completed his studies in
the oflice of Judge Butler, from which he was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1851. A few months later he
commenced the practice of law at Hillsborough
Bridge, whither he went a jicrfcct stranger, without
money or reputation. But he had ability and energy,
was willing to work, knew how to live within a snnill
income until lie could make it larger, and little by
little lie gained clients and friends, who gave him a
lucrative practice, accepted his counsel, followed his
leadership and established his reputation as the most
popular and influential man of the town. In 185)),
1857 and 18.'')8 he was sent by a nearly unanini'Uis
vote to represent Hillshorougli in the Legislature,
where he was at once accorded a prominent position
aa a member of the judiciary committee, and the
third year was honored by the nomination of his
30
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
party for the Speakership. At this time lie acted
witli the Democratic party, ami cuiitiiiucd to tlo so
until the War of the Rebellion, when he felt that all
loyal men should unite to save the Union and main-
tain the national authority, and, having been nomi-
nated by the Democracy of his district for councilor
upon a platform which enunciated peace-at-any-price
doctrines, to which he could not assent, he declined
the nomination, and from that day has been an
ardent, active and enthusiastic Republican.
While the Eleventh Regiment was being recruited
he tendered his services to the Governor of the State,
and was appointed quartermaster on the staff of Col-
onel Harriman. In this capacity he served through
the battles of Fredericksburg, the military operations
in Kentucky, and the Mississippi River expeditions
which resulted in the capture of Vicksburg and
Jackson, for about a year, when he was prostrated by
the malaria of the southern swamps, and compelled
to resign and return to his home in Hillsborough.
During his absence in the field aud the illness
which succeeded his return his legal business had
become somewhat demoralized, and on the recovery
of his health he concluded to start anew in a wider
field of action in Manchester, to which city he re-
moved in 1871, forming a partnership with Hon.
Henry H. Huse, which still exists. Manchester gave
him a cordial welcome. Her mill operatives and
other mechanics greeted him as an honored graduate
of their school, who in his after triumphs had never
forgotten the hard road by which he had journeyed
to success; her lawyers and clients were already well
acquainted with his professional abilities; her sol-
diers recognized him as an old companion-in-arms,
and her politicians a.s an earnest Rei)ublican who
could and would be a tower of strength in every
campaign. Under these circumstances he did not
have to wait for business or political preferment.
Soon after opening his office he was appointed city
solicitor, an<l in 1874 he was elected to the Legislature
from Ward Three. Two years later he was chosen
Senator from the Manchester District, and in the same
year wiis sent to the Constitutional Convention.
In all these positions he won reputation and friends
to such an extent that in 1877 he was nominated for
Congress without substantial opposition, and elected
by a large majority. At the expiration of his first
term he was unanimously renominated, and after an
exciting campaign was re-elected by a majority of
eight hundred and forty-nine over the combined
Democratic and Greenback vote. Two years after-
wards it became a (piestion whether he should be
returned. The traditions and jirejudices of the dis-
trict were strongly against a third term. Four other
able and deserving men were ambitious to succeed
him, and he declined to push for the nomination, but
accepted a call to take the stumj) in Maine, leaving it
for his friends to determine whether his name should
be used in the convention. To one of these, who
wrote him that he ought to return from Maine and
attend to his canvass, he replied; "'I am assured that
I can be of considerable service here, and, as it is of
vastly more im))ortauce that the cause shall triumph
in this State next Monday than that I shall be re-
nominated, I must remain and trust to you and others
to decide whether it is best to send me back to Wash-
ington. Whatever that decision may be, I shall be
satisfied." The convention met just after the disas-
trous defeat of the party in Maine, and when it
ajipeared that there was only a desperate chance for
its nominee to be elected. It decided that if any
man could succeed he could, and a few days after he
took the stump. Manchester, which was counted a
doubtful city when the convention assembled, gave
him more than eight hundred majority, and the rest
of the district swelled this to fourteen hundred and
eighty.
In Congress, Mr. Briggs was from the first a faithful,
hard-working member, always in his seat, tireless in
serving his constituents, especially the veteran sol-
diers, and conscientiously devoted to the discharge of
all his duties. In the Forty-fifth Congress he was a
member of the committee on patents; in the Forty-
sixth, of the committee on naval affairs; and in the
Forty-seventh, chairman of the committee on expen-
ditures iu the War Department, and a member of the
judiciary and reform in the civil service. No
member of the House commanded a more perfect
confidence in his associates, and few, if any, were
able to accomplish so much. He succeeded at Wash-
ington as he did at home, by quiet, patient, persistent
work, and was satisfied with results rather than with
Ijrilliant outbursts and noisy exhibitions of his rhet-
orical [lowers.
Mr. Briggs married Roxana Smith, the daughter of
Obadiah and Eliza M. Smith, of New Hampton, and
has had three children, all of whom are living. The
oldest, a son, was educated at West Point, and served
four years in the army, when he resigned, and is now
engaged in the manufacturing business iu Trenton,
N. J. Two daughters reside with their parents in
Manchester.
In concluding this brief sketch, written without the
knowledge of its subject, the author feels that it will
fail to satisfy those who have known Mr. Briggs inti-
mately without some direct reference to the (pialities
which characterize him in all positions in life. Prom-
inent among these are his perfect fidelity, industry,
steady courage and thoroughness. It is natural for
him to be true, impossible for him to be false. He is
ambitious, and few prize more highly the honors they
win; liut he is incapal)le of the duplicity, demagogy
and all the clieaj) artifices by which some men suc-
ceed. His faithfulness to his convictions does not
count cost or query about consequences to himself.
He is as stanch and true a friend as ever lived, and
he never cheats those whom he dislikes or despises.
His generosity and devotion to his family are far-
t^^^-^>^ LO^i^^(>^
THE BENCH AND BAR.
31
reaching and untiring. He is a public-spirited citi-
zen, a kind neijrlibor and a pleasant companion. He
is always approachable, i)atient and considerate. In
every cause in which he enlists he is a hard worker
and a free giver. He knows how to wait and how to
look beyond temporary reverses to the complete tri-
umph which he always believes will crown and estab-
lish the right. He never frets and never rests until
the result is secure. His private life is without a
stain, and the fierce light of the hottest campaign has
disclosed no shadow of a blot upon his public record.
His symi)atliies are with the people, and his head and
hands are controlled by his heart. These qualities
have made .lames F. lirijr]Lrs what he is. They have
supplied the place of early advantaj^es, inllucntial
friends and fortune. They have carried him from
the woolen-mill, working for a few cents a day, to
the national House of Kepresentatives, commissioned
to speak and act for the largest and richest district in
New Hampshire. They made him strong at the bar,
popular at the polls and influential in Congress.
Davjd Cross, one of the loading lawyers at the
Hillsborough County bar, was born in Weare, N. H.,
July 5, 1817. His father, David Cross, son of Abial
Cross, was born in Salem, N. H., June 19, 1772, and
died in Weare, March 7, 1856. His father w-as a
farmer, a man of great energy, remarkably indus-
trious and upright, kind and hospitable, and held in
high esteem by all who knew him.
His mother was Olive Kimball, daughter of Thomas
Kimball and Olive Lovejoy Kimball, ofPembroke; was
born Junel9,1782,and died April .3, 1871. Hefittedfor
college at Hopkinton and Phillips Academy, A ndover,
Mass., and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1841.
He read law in the ofHcc of Willard Raymond, in
Troy, N. Y., at the Harvard Law iSchool, and office of
Hon. Daniel Clark, in Manchester, and was admitted
to the bar in December, 1844, and has continued in
active practice to the present time.
In IS.'iO he married Anna Quackenbush Eastman,
a daughter of Hon. Ira Allen Eastman, who was
a member of Congress frpm this State for four
years and one of the judges of the Supreme Court
for fifteen years, and one of the most distinguished
lawyers of the State. He died in Manchester in 1881.
Her mother, a daughter of .lohn N. Quackenbush, of
Albany, N. Y., is living in Manchester.
Of the five children of Mr. and Mrs. Cross, two
died in infancy. Clarence Eastman Cross died Janu-
ary 11, 1881, he being withineleven days of twenty-one
years of age. He was a member of the junior class
in Dartmouth College. The death of Clarence was a
terrible griff to his parents and a disappointment of
many cherished plans. He seemed to have inherited
from his father and grandfather a taste and an aliility
for the law, and his character and talent gave high
hopes of success. He seems abun<lantly qualifu'd to
a.ssist his father in professional labor and to achieve
for himself an honorable position. Of the two sur-
viving children, Allen Eastman Cross, born Decem-
ber 30, 1864, is now a member of the senior class iu
I Amherst College; Edward Winslow Cross was born
July 21, 1875.
Judge Cross has always manifested an interest in
all matters tending to advance the moral and mate-
rial interests of his city and the State.
In 1852 and 1853 he was city solicitor. In 1848,
1849, 1856, 1876 and 1877 he was a member of the
Legislature from Manchester.
In 1856 he was appointed judge of Probate for
Hillsborough County, which office he held until 1874.
He was United States pension agent from 1865 to
1872. During all the time he was judge of Probate
and pension agent he continued in the active practice
of law at Manchester, — the business of the pension
agency being done by clerks under his supervision
and direction. The labor in his profession from 1865
to 1872, with his other business, was severe ; he, how-
ever, always worked with great cheerfulness, and
filled every position creditably and honorably.
Judge Cross was one of the directors, from 1855 to
1865, of the Merrimack Kiver State Bank, and has
been one of the directors and vice-president of the
First National Bank since its organization, in 1865.
He has also, since 1861, been one of the trustees of
the Merrimack River Savings-Bank. He is an active
memberofthe Franklin Street Congregational Church.
He has been associated as partner in the practice of
law with Elijah Miller Toplifl" Henry E. Burnham,
Ira A. Eastnuin, and at the present time with D.
Arthur Taggart. No office in the State |)rohably for
the last thirty-five years has had so many law students
as that of Judge Cross.
That Judge Cross has been eminently successful in
his chosen profession the records of the courts of New
Hampshire and the testimony of his cotemporaries in
])ractice abundantly prove. He came to the bar of
Hillsborough County at a time when such men as
Pierce, Perlcy, Daniel Clark, George Y. Sawyer and
George W.Morrison were in the full tide of successful
practice, constituting a gala.xy that for ability and bril-
liancy has seldom been seen at the .same time in prac-
tice before the courts of a single county or State.
While not so richly gifted with oratorical powers as
some of these men, he at once took a jxisition, and
has since maintained a re])Utation not inferior to
theirs as a sound lawyer and a safe ami prudent
counselor.
The secret of Judge Cross' success seems to be
largely due to causes over wdiich he had no control ;
he had the rare good fortune to be endowed naturally
with strong and active mental powers, keen moral
l)crception and a sound constitution. Careful disci-
pline of these gifts and faculties has produced in him
a broad and well-balanced mind,|>ractical good sense
and judgment, an even and cheerful temper, warm
and deep sympathies, a cordial and engaging manner,
a modest and unselfish disposition, a sturdy honesty
32
HISTORY UF HILLSBOROUGH COUiNTl', iNEW HAMPSHIRE.
that temptatiuii assails in vain, ami a capai'ity aud
love for the often laborious work and duties of his
profession which make all burdens light and labor
pleasant.
Judge Cross enters into the cause of his client with
zeal and jirosecutes it with energy, but never forgets
the principles of justice, and is never unmindful of j
the rights of others, seeking in all his acts to aid the !
court and jury to reach just conclusions upon the law
and evidence. By his candor and fairness in con-
ducting the numerous causes before the courts he has
won the confidence alike of court and jury, which
fact has deservedly contributed largely to his success,
and at the same time gained for him the warmest
personal regard of his brethren at the bar. To the
large number of younger men who in forty years have
made Judge Cross's office a school in which to pre-
pare themselves for the duties of profcs.sional life
he has been more than an instructor. By his uniform
courtesy, his upright, honorable conduct, fairness and
unswerving rectitude, he has taught them not only the
principles of law, but the principles that underlie high
and manly character as well.
In the full vigor of his professional life, with a large
and successful business, rich in the confidence and
regard of his [)rofcssi()nal brethren and fellow-citizens
in every walk of life, he seems to have reached the
full fruition of his labors, and to be in the enjoyment
of the pleasure that an honorable and unselfish career
confers upon any man.
LrciEN B. Clouoh was graduated at Dartmouth
College with the class of 1850.
He commenced his legal study with Messrs. Morri-
son & Fitch, of Manchester, in 1850, and afterwards
pursued it with Raymond & King, of Troy, N. Y.,
and was admitted to the bar in Albany, N. Y.,
upon examination, in 1851.
In 1853 he returned to New Hampshire and, after
being admitted in this State, opened an ollice in
Manchester.
In 187-t he was api)ointed judge of Probate for the
county of Hillsborough, which office he held about
two years.
In 1878, David F. Clark, Esq., who studied his
profession with Mr. Clough, became associated with
him as junior jiartncr, under the style of Clough &
Clark, which firm is still in practice.
Cyrt's a. Sulloway, son of Greeley and Betsey
L. SuUoway, was born in Grafton, N. H., June 8,
1839. His boyhood was passed in his native town,
where his opportunities for securing an education
were very limited. He, however, improved such ad-
vantages as were afforded by the common schools, and
subsequently attended the academics at Canaan, An-
dover, Franklin, and Colby Academy, at New Lon-
don, N. H.
Having decided upon the legal profession as his life-
work, he began the study of the law, in 18(il, in the
office of Pike & Barnard, at Franklin, N. H. He
was admitted to the bar at Plymouth, in November,
1863, and soon after located in Manchester, forming a
coi>artnership for the practice of law with Samuel 1).
Lord, under the firm-name of Lord & Sulloway. This
partnership continued until September, 1873, when
Mr. Sulloway associated with him Elijah M. Topliff,
the firm being Sulloway & To|)liff. Dennis F. O'Con-
nor subsequently became a member of the firm, it
now being Sulloway, Topliff & O'Connor.
Mr. Sulloway was a member of the Legislature in
1872 and 1873, in the former year being chairman of
the committee on elections, and in the latter chair-
man of the judiciary committee of the House. He
was also deputy collector of internal revenue from
1873 to 1878. In 1878 he was opposed to the con-
traction of the currency, and in that year was the
Greenback candidate for Congress. He was a mem-
ber of the Republican party down to 1880. In that
year he cast his vote for Hancock, and in 1884 for
President Cleveland.
May 31, 1864, he united in marriage with Helen M.,
daughter of Jonathan W. Fifield and Theodorah
(Dickinson) Fifield, of Franklin, and their family
consists of one daughter, — Belle H., born July 31,
1868.
Mr. Sulloway, upon his admission to the bar, at once
displayed such energy, ability and adaptation to his
profession that he soon surrounded himself with a
large clientage, and rapidly rose to prominence.
To great keenness, penetration and power of ana-
lysis he adds fluency, pungency and force in the pres-
entation of a cause to a jury, and as an advocate,
he espouses his causes fearlessly and leaves nothing
undone, in the line of honorable warfare, to win suc-
cess.
His prominence in the trial of the most important
causes in his own county, and his constantly widening
field of practice, now embracing a majority of the
counties in the State, are conclusive proofs that his
legal fame rests upon a solid aud enduring basis.
Hon. Henry E. Burxuam, son of Henry L. and
Maria A. Burnham, was born in Dunbarton, N. H.,
November 8, 1844. He graduated at Dartmouth Col-
lege in 1865, and was admitted to the Merrimack
County bar in 1868. He began the practice of the
law in Manchester, N. II., in Septemberof same year.
He was appointed judge of Probate for Hillsborough
County July 25, 1876, and resigned June 3, 1879.
Charles Henry Bartlett was born in Sunapee,
N. H., October 15, 1833. He is the fourth son of
John and Sarah J. (Sanborn) Bartlett, and is a lineal
descendant, in the eighth generation, of Richard Bar-
tlett, who came from England to Newbury, Mass., in
the ship "Mary and John," in 1634.
The original orthography of the name was Bartte-
lot, which is still preserved by the family in Eng-
land, whose ancestral home in Stopham, Sussex
County, has remained in possession of the family for
nearly a thousand years, and the present occupant,
I
I
I
I
I
it
THE BENCH AND BAR.
33
Hon. Walter B. Barttelot, is the member of Parlia-
nieiit from that county.
In the same ancestral line is found the name of
Hon. Josiah Bartlett, who, as a delegate in the Con-
tinental Congress from New Hampshire, was the first
man to vote " yes " on tlie passage of the Declaration
of Independence, July 4, 177(), and the second to afii.\
his signature theret<j. All the liartktts wliosc names
appear in tlie annals of New Hampshire trace their
lineage to the same ancestry.
Mr. Bartlett has four brothers — Joseph S., who re-
sides in Claremont, and Solomon, John Z. and George
H., wiio reside in .Sunapec — and two sisters, — Mrs.
Tlioraas P. Smitli and Mrs. John Felch. His parents
passed away at the advanced age of eighty-two years,
in the enjoyment of an ample competency, the fruits
of a long life of earnest and cheerful labor, and the
practice of astern, self-denying economy, a character-
istic of tlie best type of our New England husbandry.
Mr. Bartlett's early life was mainly .spent upon liis
father's farm, laboring through the summer season
and attending school during the winter. He early de-
veloped a decided taste for literary pursuits, and from
childhood devoted a liberal share of his leisure mo-
ments to tlie perusal of such books as were accessible
to him. He also contributed liberally to the current
literature of the day, and showed remarkal)le facility
in both prose and poetic composition. He received
his education at the academies at Washington and
New London, after which he commenced the study of
law in the office of Jletcalf & Barton, at Newport.
He studied subsequently witli (leorge & Foster, at
Concord, and witli Morrisson it Stanley, at Manches-
ter, beingadmitted to thebar of Hillsborougli County,
from the office of tlie latter, in 1858. In that year he
began the practice of his jirofcssion at Wentvvorth,
N. H., and in 1803 removed to JIanehester, where lie
has since resided. For some two years he was law-
partner witli the late Hon. James U. Parker, the
partnership termin.ating with the retirement of the
latter from active business. In June, 18(i7, he was
appointed, by Judge Clark, clerk of the United States
District Court for tiio New Hampshire district, since
which time he has not actively practiced his ]>rofes-
sion, but ha.s devoted himself to tlie duties of liis
office, which became very onerous and responsible
upon the passage of the Bankrupt Law, about the time
of his appointment. The holding of this office under
the government of the LTnitcd States has discpialifieil
him from accepting any olfice under the State gov-
ernment. He was clerk of tlie New Hampshire Sen-
ate from ISfil to l.SGo, Governor Sniytli's private secre-
tary in 1865 and 18G6, treasurer of the State Reform
School in 1866 and 1867. In the same year he was
unanimously chosen city solicitor, but declined a re-
election, owing to liisappointnientas clerk of the Dis-
trict Court. In 1872 he was elected, as the nominee
of tiie Republican party, mayor of the city, and serveil
till February is, 1,S7:!, when he resigned in accord-
.S
ance with the policy of the national government at
tliat time, which forbade United States officials from
holding State or municipal offices. His cheerful co-
operation with the administration in this matter,
though at a sacrifice of a most conspicuous public
position, was handsomely recognized by President
Grant, through Attorney-General Williams. His hist
official act as mayor was to order the city treasurer to
pay the amount due him for salary to the Firemen's
Relief Association. Mr. Bartlett has been a trustee
of the Merrimack River Savings-Bank from 1865 to
the present time, and a trustee of the People's Sav-
ings-Bank from its organization, in 1874. He is also
a director in the Merchants' National Bank. He was
the Master of Washington Lodge of Freemasons from
April, 1872, to April, 1874, and now holds the position
of United States commissioner, to which he was ap-
pointed in 1872. The only positions of trust he has
held since his appointment as clerk of the United
States Court are as a member of the last Constitutional
(convention and chairman of the commission ap-
pointed by the Governor and Council to investigate
the affiiirs of the New Hampshire Asylum for the In-
sane.
Mr. Bartlett married, December 8, 1858, Miss Han-
nah M. Eastman, of Ooydon, N. H., by whom he had
one son, Charles Leslie, wlio died at the age of four
years, and one daughter, Carrie Bell.
Clarke's " History of Manchester," from which the
foregoing facts are gathered, closes its biograjihical
sketch of Mr. Bartlett as follows: "Mr. Bartlett has a
keen, well-balanced mind, whose faculties are always
athis command. He thinks readily, but acts cautiously,
and seldom makes a mistake. Hence he has been
financially successful in almost everything he has un-
dertaken. He is one of the most practical lawyers in
the State, and was for several years in charge of the
law department of the Mirror, giving general satis-
faction, and his withdrawiil, wlien his business com-
pelled it, was a source of much regret to the readers
of that paper."
In 1881 Dartmouth College conferred ujion him
the honorary degree of JIaster of Arts.
In 1882, Mr Bartlett was elected to the New Hamp-
shire State Senate, resigning his office as clerk of the
United States District Court. .\t the assembling of
the Legislature, on account of his eminent fitness, he
was chosen president of the Senate, an office second
in rank to that of Governor of the State.
JosKiMi B. Cl.AKKi-: was born in Gilford, N. H.,.
June 21, 1823. He graduated from Brown Univer-
sity, 1848. He commenced the study of tlie law
with the late Judge Asa Fowler, of Concord, and
subsequently entered the office of 8. C. Lyford,
at Laconia, and was admitted to the bar in 1853.
He eommenced the ])ractice of his profession,
in Manciicster, in 1855; was city solicitor in 185S
and 1859; representative in the Legislature in
1850; was mayor of the city in 1807; was appointed
34
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
county solititurin ISGl, ;iiiil licM ilio oflice ten years.
He is identified willi the bankiiii; and otiier leading
interests of the city, and ''has taken part in whatever
miglit be prominent in society at any time, interest-
ing himself in politics, military affairs, hanking, rail-
ways, etc., and his election to the mayoralty of the
city testifies to the confidence with which he has been
regarded as a public man. Cautious, prudent and
thoughtful, a hard worker and a true friend, he has
made a good name in the city, and is favorably
known throughout the State. He is a good citizen
and was one of the foremost men and most liberal
givers in the construction of the First Baptist Church."
Hon. Bexjamix Fkaxklin Ayer,' the son of
Robert and Louisa (Sanborn) Ayer, was born at
Kingston, April 22, 1825. He graduated at Dart-
mouth College in 1846, and read law with George W.
Morrison, Esq., and at Harvard LTniversity Law
School. Went into practice in Manchester in July,
1849 ; was elected clerk of Common Council in the
same year and again in 1850. He was a partner in
the practice of the law with Samuel H. Ayer, Esq.,
from about IS.")!) until the decease of the latter, then
continued in bu.siness alone until June 1, 1854, at
which time he became the law-partner of Herman
Foster, which partnership continued until April 10,
1857. He represented Manchester in the New
Hampshire Legislature in 1853 and was attorney for
Hillsborough County from 1853 to 1856. One year
later he removed to Chicago, 111. He succeeded Sam-
uel H. Ayer, Esq., as solicitor for Hillsborough
County and held the office several years. He has
held the office of city solicitor in Chicago and is the
present attorney of the Illinois Central Railroad.
Hon. S.\mui;l Urrox, who has spent most of his
active life in the city of Manchester, in this State, has
been long known as an earnest and aggressive worker
in politics and a sincere advocate of the cause of
temperance and of religion. His father, Daniel Up-
ton, a descendant of John Upton, an Englishman of
considerable means, who settled very early in what is
now the town of Danvers, Mass., came to Wilmot,
this State, in 1816, where he lived until his death,
which occurred in 1856. He married, for his second
wife, Asenath Teel, of Goffstown, N. H., in 1822, and
had a large family of children. Of him it has been
said that he jwssessed little of worldly wealth, but
was rich in Christian faith and good works ; that he
possessed sound intelligence and made his influence
felt in moulding into form the crude elements which
at best enter largely into the composition of all new
settlements.
His eldest son by this marriage, Samuel, thesubject
of this sketch, was born September 12, 1824. The
story of his early life differs little from that of many
others who have, unaided by fortune, successfully
Struggled against hardships and privations. Cour-
' By Ili.ii. h. n. Clougli.
ageously, however, he entered the contest, thcmgh his
delicate health counted against his success. Exhaust-
ing at an early age the resources of the public schools,
at that time indifl'erent in quality, and limited in
quantity, he .sought, by such labor in the fiehl and
the workshop as his health would permit, to obtain
means for further education in the academies of
the State. In time he was enabled to attend one
term at the New London Academy, and subse-
quently completed a course at Kimball Union Acad-
emy, Meriden, N. H., in the fall of 1841), defray-
ing, by manual labor during vacations and by teach-
ing winters, the entire expense of his course. He
loved books, and the pleasure derived from their study
was to him ample compensation for the many depri-
vations through which their companionship was pur-
chased. While j)ursuing his studies and subsecjuently he
taught in the public schools, — one term in Danbury,
X. H., three in Wilmot, two of which were in his
own district, into which school he introduced modern
methods of teaching, and raised its standard a marked
degree, infusing an ambition and pride among the
pupils which is still felt.
He also taught one term at Meriden immediately
after his graduation and finished one term at Cornish
Flatt, from which school the unruly boys had driven
the former teacher ; then taught four terms in Ash-
land, Mass., five in Manchester, N. H., four of which
were in connection with the High School as assistant
or principal. He also taught in academies one term
each at Ashby, Mass., Corinth, Vt., and Deeriug,
N. H. As a teacher he was eminently successful, and
though fond of the work, he was looking forward to
the law as a profession. For this purpose he eom-
naenced reading law in the office of Butterfield &
Hamlin, Andover, X. H., in the spring of 1851 ; re-
mained in that office one year, then completed his
studies in the office of D. & D. J. Clark, in Manches-
ter, N. H., in the fall of 1854. Upon admission to
the bar he opened an office in that city, and soon was
a<lmitted to practice in the United States Circuit
Court. In 1857 he was appointed justice of the Po-
lice Court in Manchester, which office he held for
seventeen years. During his occupancy of this posi-
tion the powers of the court were extended, and his
administration of the duties of justice received gen-
eral commendation from all parties.
From his boyhood he was active in i)olitics, an<l in
his school-days showed an a|)titude for political dis-
cussion much in advance of his years. On the sla-
very question he had but one opinion, — that if human
slavery was not wrong, nothing was wrong, and he
lost no opi)ortunity to wage warfare U)ion that
institution. He cast his political fortunes with the
Liljcrty ]>arty, and his first vote wasjirobably counted
as scattering. In the organization and success of
the Republican party he took an active interest, and
was prominent as a public speaker, making many
canvasses of the State. He represented Manchester
Oiyut i / ^ lyOk/l (^^
f
i
I
THE BENCH AND BAK.
35
iu tlie State Legislature in 1855 and 185tj, and in
December, 18G3, waa appointed, by President Lincoln,
commissioner of Hoard of Enrollment for the Second
Congressional District, which position he held until
the close of the war, in 1SG5. He was also appointed
visitor to the West Point Academy in 1861, but owing
to sickness in his family, w'as unable to attend the
examination. He also served three years on the
Public School Board in Manchester, taking an active
interest in the schools, esjjccially in tliu Hijrh School,
the Lincoln Street Grammar School and the Training-
School, the care of which was especially assigned to
him as a sub-committee.
As a temperance worker he was connected with
several organizations and delivered an address before
the State Temperance Convention on "The History
and Workings of the Prohibitory Law," which at-
tracted much attention, and was i)ublished by the
convention iu pamphlet form for circulation. Early
in life he united with the Congregational Church, and
in some capacity has ever since been connected with
its Sabbath-schools. For eight years he was superin-
tendent of the Franklin Street Salibath-School, in
Manchester, to the interest of which he devoted much
time and labor, and he now looks upon the time thus
spent as the most pleasant and profitable of his life.
In 1875 he removed to Western Iowa, hoping the
ehange might benefit the health of his wife, and free-
ing liimself from political work, be enabled to de-
vote a few years to a more remunerative occupation.
There he engaged in mercantile business with his
brother-in-law, under the firm-name of Prescott &
L^pton, and the firm soon became well known in the
business community for its enterprise and success.
As individuals, they did much to build up the new
town and to establish for it a good reputation. It
was said to be the only town between Dubuque and
Sioux City free from the curse of beer-saloons. To
this new field of labor Mr. Upton carried with him
not only bis zeal for temperance, but also his love for
Sabbat li-scboiil work, uniting with the school the first
Sabbath after his arrival, and laboring as teaciier of
the class of adult scholars and sis superintendent
during his residence there. He also served as a mem-
ber of the Public School Board, and on the incorpora-
tion of the town, refusing to allow his name to be
used for mayor, he served as one of the Council.
In 188:5 he returned to New Hampshire, settling in
Golfstown, opening a law-oHice there and in Man-
chester, and also engaging in trade. He is at present
superintendent of the Sabbath-school in the village
where he resides, and a member of the Board of Edu-
cation. In 1857 he marrieil Jennie L. Merriman,
one of the teachers in the High School at Manches-
ter. Their only child died in infancy. Measured by
results, Mr. Upton can look back upon a most suc-
cessful life. Engaging in the liberty cause when to
befriend the negro, even in New England, subjected
one til vile taunts and social ostracism, he has seen i
the cause he knew to be right spread until slavery is
forever dead and a President, elected by its former
supporters, escorted to the Capitol by a battalion of
negro soldiers without exciting comment. Advocating
a prohibitory liquor law when liquor was openly sold
in every town in the State, he has lived to see the
liquor traffic suppressed in all but one or two cities in
the State, and the measures he advocated received
almost the unanimous approval of both political
parties. As a public si)eaker he possesses in a marked
ilegree a capacity for marshaling facts and for pre-
senting them to the public in a manner which both
pleases and instructs. For his efforts in jiolitics and
the cause of temperance he has been both censured
and jiraised, but no one has doubted for a moment the
integrity of his purpose or the unselfish motives
which have ever prompted him. He is yet in vigor-
ous health, and likely to enjoy for many years the
proud satisfaction of having been an active worker
on the successful side in the two great struggles, one
of which has relieved the country of human slavery,
while the other has well-nigh driven from his native
State the liquor saloons with their train of evils.
The present members of the Manchester bar are as
follows :
JolinH. .\ndrews, Qiarlcs H. Bartlett, John P. Bartlctt, Samuel N.
Bell, John C. Bickforil, Henry W. Blair, James F. Brigjre, .\lbert 0.
Brown, Henry K. Burnliani, Charles A. Carpenter, Bradbury P. Cilley,
Benjamin F. Clark, Daniel Clark, David F. Clark. B. F. Clark, Henry S.
Clark, Joseph B. Clark, Lewis W. Clark, Luciuu B. Clough, Charles E.
Cochran, David Cross, Josiah tJ. Dearborn, .Tames E. Dodge, Joseph W.
Fellows, John Foster, Christopher \. Gallagher, Alichael J. Healy, Isaac
I,. Heath, Nathan I'. Hunt, Henry H. Huse, Kdwin F. Jones, Joseph L
IJoeuf, William Little, Geoige A. Little, Frank C. I^ivingston, Sanniel D.
lA*rd, Thomas D. Luce, George I. McAllister, John T. Moore, (Charles It.
Morrison, George W. Morrison, Herbert F. Norris, Charles .\. O'Connor,
Dennis F. O'Connor, Alpheus C. Osgood, Joswo B. Patten, William R.
Patten, David L. Perkins, David P. Perkins, George W. Prescott, Albion
K. Simmons, Isaac W'. Smith, James B. Straw, Cyrus \. Sulloway, Ar-
thur D. Taggart. Klijali M. ToplilT, Newton H. Wilson.
Pi;kley Dodge was l)oni in New Biistcin, N. H.,
.May 17, 17!t'.l. He is the son of William and Rachel
(Poland) Doilgc. His father was a farmer, and the
boyhood of Mr. Dodge was spent on the farm until
his sixteenth year. He then fitted for college, and
finally graduated at Union College, Schenectady,
N. Y., in the class of 1824. He chose the law as his
profession, and studied with Titus Brown, of Frances-
town, and Xehemiah Eastman, of Farringlon, N. H.
( )ctober, 1827, he was admitted to the bar, and began
])ractice with bis I'ormer instructor, Titus Brown, at
Francestown and New Boston. This co|iartnership
was continued until 1832, in March of which year Mr.
Doilge removed to Amherst, N. II., wliere he now re-
sides at the advanced age of eighty -six years. He
conliiiued the practice of law at .\niherst until IS.'ii),
when, in October of that year, he was appointed clerk
of the courts of Hillsborough County, the mulliform
iluties of which position he faithfully dischargeil until
March, 1857. He then returned to the |)i'actice of
his profession, which he has conliiiued to the present
36
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
time, though for the past few years he has practically
retired from the active duties of the profession. Mr.
Dodge has been a wise and safe counselor and a suc-
cessful practitioner, and is regarded as one of the old-
est and most honored members of the New Hampshire
bar.
In 1837 he was elected as representative from Am-
herst to the General Court, and again in 1853 and 1854
he was re-elected to the same position. Was chairman
of the committee on banks in 1853, and of railroads
in 1854.
It may be stated, as a remarkable fact, that Mr.
Dodge has attended every court of record in Hills-
borough County since his admission to the bar, and
during all the years he was clerk of the court, he took
every verdict from the jury except one (and that
omission was occasioned by his illness). Mr. Dodge
is a calm, dignified, plain-spoken man, of clear judg-
ment and comprehensive intelligence ; conservative
in his views, yet in hearty sympathy with whatever in
his judgment tends to the elevation of the mental or
moral tone of the community in which he lives, or of
mankind in general. In politics he has always been
a Democrat.
He married. May 31, 1831, Harriet, daughter of Hon.
Peter Woodbury, of Francestown, and sister of the
Hon. Levi Woodbury. Their children were, —
Perley Woodbury, born March 28, 1839, married
Sophia E. Phelps, August 13, 1863, and resides in
Amherst. They have one child, Charles Perley, born
September 3, 1864, now a *udent at Sherburn Falls,
Mass.
Charles William, born September 4, 1842, married,
first, Rebecca C. Christy, of New Boston, September
4, 1869. She died January 2, 1873. He married,
second, Lelia J. Small, March 11, 1878. She died
April 4, 1885, in Amherst. They have one child liv-
ing, Martha Belle, born July 10, 1882. Maurice
Whipple, born July 31, 1881, died June 25, 1883.
JIartha W., born June 25, 1846, married James B.
Whipple, of New Boston, June 25, 1877, and died July
21. 1881.
Hon. Aaron Flint Sawyer was born April
24, 1780, at Westminster, Mass. He was educated at
Dartmouth, from which college he was graduated in
1804. He practiced law for many years at Mont
Vernon, N. H., and removed to Nashua about 1828,
and there followed his profession until his death, Jan-
uary 4, 1847. An able lawyer, he was longa conspic-
uous man in the community, and represented Na.shua
in the Lower House of the State Legislature in 1847,
the year of his death. He was a gentleman of the old
school, with some not uni)leasant eccentricities arising
from the strong positivenesa of his nature ; a kind-
hearted and cheerful individual, he was a good citizen,
an excellent neighbor and a strong friend. He was an
eminent Christian, and for years a zealous worker and
teacher in the Congregational Sabbath-school. He
married, August 20, 1811, Hannah Locke, grand-
daughter of Rev. Samuel Locke, D.D., president .of
Harvard College from 1770 to 1773. Of their children,
two have attained eminence in the legal profession ;
the oldest, Samuel L., now of Independence, Mo., has
been for a long time a leading member of the bar of
that State and a circuit judge for many years. He
has also been a member of Congress. Aaron W., his
third child, occupied an equally honorable and dis-
tinguished place at the New Hampshire bar.
Hon. Aaron Worcester Sawyer ' w;is born in
Mont Vernon, Hillsborough County, N. H., October
11, 1818, and died in Nashua, N. H., August 23, 1882.
He was the sou of H(m. Aaron F. and Hannah (Locke)
Sawj-er. His father was a man of liberal education,
a lawyer by profession, a gentleman of the old school,
a man of warm and generous impulses, a devoted and
active Christian. His mother was Hannah Locke, a
granddaughter of Rev. Samuel Locke, D.D., the
president of Harvard College from 1770 to 1773. Mrs.
Sawyer was a woman of strong and marked character,
of much refinement and excellent judgment, and the
moral and intellectual qualities of Judge Sa^^'J'er bore
the strong impress of his mother's character and
training. The first few years of Judge Sawyer's life
were passed in Mont Vernon, from which place his
father removed, about 1828, to Nashua. He was
educated at the public schools of Nashua, and the
academies of Hancock, Derry and Nashua. During
the years which he devoted to the study of the law,
and, in fact, before he entered upon its study, com-
meucing at an early age, he taught the winter terms
of the district schools in neighboring towns. This was
an occupation in which he took great enjoyment and
in which, pursued for eight or ten years, he acquired
an exceptional and deserved popularity. In this pur-
suit he exhibited a diligence, patience and thorough-
ness which marked the character of the man, while
he drew to himself the friendship of his pupils and
their patrons with a strength and warmth which
remained through life.
He was admitted to the bar in 1844, and in 1846
began the practice of the law in Nashua. From that
time until 1872 his professional career was continuous,
uninterrupted and successful. Ciminiencing with a
love of business and fondness for legal lore, his practice
was marked by a wonderful patience of research in its
profound depths, an unflinching courage in the ad-
vancement and presentation of his views, and an un-
swerving fidelity to his client and his cause. He was
no machine lawyer, ready at all times to try, but
inditferent to results; nor did he prostitute his profes-
sion to speculative purposes, unprofessional in char-
acter. His presentation to court and jury was earnest,
vigorous, persuasive and convincing, and, on occasions,
eloquent. The natural tendency of his mind was at
once mathematical and logical. His memory was
' Chiefly condensed from a memorial addren by General Aaron F.
Stevens before BilUborough County bar.
./
(^C^u-t^^^
\
I
THE BENCH AND BAR.
37
fresh and retentive, his knowledge of human nature
accurate and profound, and in his appreciation of the
individual man, he was seldom, if ever, deceived.
Those who have been a.ssociated with or opposed to
him will agree that when putting forth liis whole
strength, — bringing all his resources to bear upon the
contention of the hour, — his power was wonderliil, and
his success alnmst certain.
In 1848, Mr. Sawvor formed a copartnei-sliip with
Hon. Charles U. Atherton, one of the most eminent
men of New Hampshire, a connection which continued
till the death of the latter, in November, 1S53. From
that time he pursued the practice of his profession
alone until April, 18-)8, when he formed a professional
connection with (ieneral Aaron F. Stevens, which
continued for more than a quarter of a century.
Mr. Sawyer was a positive man, with fixed and
distinct idea.s and opinions. He had, withal, a spirit
of independence, which led him sometimes to grow
im])atient of the restraints of organizations and the
behests of party discipline; but in his loyalty of con-
victiiin of what wa.s demanded for the welfare of his
country he was never known to fail. He was a warm
and ardent patriot, and met with alacrity the call ol
the Governor for financial aid, when the first warlike
note of tiie Rebellion fell upon the ear of New Hamp-
shire. Eminently fitted as he was for public station,
the allurements of ambition neverdrcw him from the
more congenial comforts and joys of home or the ardent
pursuit of professional duty and success. A small
measure of public fame satisfied a mind well fitted to
correct the vagaries of politics, and to te.st the genu-
ineness and value of human pretension. I
Mr. Sawyer held all imi)ortant bjcal offices of his '
town and city, served as Representative and Senator 1
in the State Legislature, and from 1867 until July,
1876, he held tiie office of register in bankruptcy.
On the 22d of July, 1876, he received from Governor
Cheney his commission as associate justice of the
Supreme Court, but failing health obliged him to
resign iiis office within two years. In all tlie public
trusts to which he waa called, strength of character 1
and fidelity of purpose marked his administration. I
Mr. Sawyer married, first, Mary Frances Ingalls, of
New York City ; second, Fanny, daughter of Francis
and Almira (Stetson) Winch, of Nashua, Septeml)er
12, 18')0. Tlicir children were Fanny Ingalls (<le-
feased), Fanny Locke, Aaron Frank (deceased) and
William Merriam. i
.ludge Sawyer was not only an eminent lawyer and
jurist, 1)ut also a devoted lalxiror in the vineyard of
Christ. For many years lie was a member of the Fii'st
Congregational Cliurch of Nashua, a teacher in the
Sabbath-school, active in tlie |irayer-nieetiiig and
useful in all Christian work. About eight years be-
fore his deatli he received from the Hollis Aasociation
a license to preach the gospel. In his discourses,
which be ])repared with great care, he possessed rare
power. His subjects were ]inti(ntly studied in the
light of Scripture, and, with the aid of the best ex-
positors, thoroughly digested and a.ssimilated in his
own thoughts ; his sermons pa.sscd through the glow-
ing furnace of his own experience and came before
the listener rich, full and warm with religious fervor.
Their delivery was marked by a certain tenderness of
tone and manner which led each auditor to feel that
the speaker Wiis seeking the individual good of his
hearers.
*' If to have won for hims-'lf n proud position in the ranks of his profee-
sion, tho suffmgos anii npproliulion uf liis fellow-citizens to the full meas-
ure of his opportunities and a-spirations ; to have utilized snpcrior intel-
lectual power and endowiuents to the constant and wise solution of the
abstruse problems and varied alfairs of his profession ; to liave gained, with"
out pretension or ostentation, by the strength and force of character, the
abiding; confidence of his clienta, and to have held that contidence through
all tests and trials to tho end ; to have become the favorite adviser of his
younger and trustful brethren of the bar ; if to have constantly clothed
his daily walk with the example of a pure life, whose morality, though
Ann and constant, never taught him to be morose or austere ; to have
elevated that life of undeviating morality to its twinship with a Christian
faith ; if to have adorned his domestic life witKthe enduring fidelity of
the husband, the deep and constant affection of the father; to have
so cherished industry, frugality, temperance, that these virtues won for
him, and for those who were his by the sweet and holy ties of naturv and
kindred, the boon of indep«?ndence and fortune, and then to have mot
death without fear, and in the calm, triumphant hope of a glory beyond,
— if these, and such as these, are the true and justly coveted fruits of
htiman life and human exertion, we have their illuslratton and example
in the life and death of Aaron W. Sawyer."
Genee.\l Aakox F. Stevens. — Aaron Fletcher
Stevens was born in Londonderry (now Derry), N. H.,
August 9, 1819. He was the only son of Captain
John F. and Martha Stevens, both of whom were na-
tives of Massachusetts. His father, who for many
years had followed the sea, went to Londonderry a
short time before the birth of his son, where the
family lived till 1828, when they removed to Man-
chester, then a small town in Hillsborough County,
now the largest and most prosperous city in the
State. Here the father, then in the prime of man-
hood, tried the ex])erinient of farming, but at the end
of three years abandoned the pursuit, and took up his
residence in Peterborough, the oldest manufacturing
town in the State, attracted thither by the superior
facilities presented for the education and employment
of his children.
At Peterborough young Stevens found work in a fac-
tory umler the charge of Governor Steele, and for about
four years alternateil between tliat employment and
attendance upon the district school. In the mean
time, however, the united savings of the family en-
abled him to return to his native town and attenil,
lor a short time, the Pinkerton Academy. Tho
means to defray the expenses of this schooling were
furnished in jiart from the earnings of elder sisters,
who still live to witness the fruits of their i^ounsels
and sacrifices for a brother. The jiarcnls, careful an<l
fond of their children, sympathized with their aspira-
tions for improvement, yet the limited means at their
coininanil enabled thoin to furnish little more
than the fiicilities of a common-school education.
The early aspirations of the son for liberal education
38
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1
and professional life were thus held in check, but he
accepted with alacrity the alternative before him, and
at the age of sixteen was apprenticed to the trade of
a machinist. He worked at his trade several years
as a journeyman, varying his employment, however,
by attendance at the academy at Nashua, as well as
by school-teaching, which occupied his time for
several winters.
In August, 1842, Mr. Stevens, at the invitation of
Hon. George Y. Sawyer, then a distinguished lawyer,
entered upon the study of the law at Nashua, and in
August, 184.5, was admitted to the bar. The same
kind interest led Mr. Sawyer to propose a partner-
ship with Mr. Stevens, who, in that relation, entered
at once into a prominent practice before the courts.
At that period Hillsborough County was greatly di.-s-
tinguished for the ability of its bar, numbering on
its roll, besides Mr. Sawyer, Benjamin M. Farley,
Charles G. Atberton, George AV. Morrison, Daniel
Clark, Samuel IT. Ayer and others, all of eminence
in the State, and some of wider legal reputation. It
was into such a professional school that Mr. Stevens,
sensible of his deficient early culture, and peculiarly
averse to all presumption, was thus early thrown. The
courage and the thorough preparation with which he
entered upon his work, together with his power in
grasi>ing the substance of a case, and presenting it in
a clear, logical manner, commanded the respect ol'
both court and bar, and gave him a high professional
rejiutation.
In the early part of his jjrofessional career Mr.
Stevens was for five years solicitor of Hillsborough
County. The absence of the attorney-general ordi-
narily imposed upon Mr. Stevens the duties of prose-
cuting officer for that large county, thus bringing him
into professional conflict with the most adroit and
experienced practitioners, furnishing a rigorous test
of his resources, and contributing essentially to his
early distinction as a lawyer. He subsecjuently en-
tered into a professional i>artnerslii|i with Hon. Aaron
W. Sawyer, an old schoolmate and townsman.
Mr. Stevens entered ui)on active political life as a
Whig, and followed the fortunes of that party with
unswerving fidelity as long as it had an existence.
His first effort in the political arena was in the mem-
orable campaign of 1840. He was a member of the
last Whig Convention in Baltimore in 1852. In 1849
he was a member of the State Legislature, represent-
ing Nashua, and again in 1854, when the Democracy,
after an unparalleled contest, was defeated in the
Legislature and overthrown in the State. He was
again a member of the Legislature in 1850 and 1857.
His candor, judgment and forecast, united with dig-
nity, clearness and condensation as a debater, gave
him a commanding infiuence in the House, and
justly made him one of the most popular speakers in
the State. In the Whig party he belonged to that
portion who were strong in their anti-slavery convic-
tions, and he carried those ideas with him into the
Republican organization, of which he was an early
and leading member in New Hampshire.
When, at the outbreak of the Rebellion, a call was
made for men to defend the capital, Mr. Stevens was.
oue of the first to ofi'er his services, and on April 29th
was commissioned by the Governor as major of the First
New Hampshire (three months') Regiment of Infan-
try. The regiment reached Washington, took jiart in
the movement to Harper's Ferry, but was engaged in
no battle.
Returning home with his regiment, he resumed the
practice of his profession ; but the next year was, by
the unsolicited tender of the Governor, commissioned
as colonel of the Thirteenth Regiment of New-
Hampshire Volunteers. He i)romptly organized hi&
command and led to the field a superb regiment^
made up of men from seven of the ten counties of the
State. There was probably no regiment in the war of
greater intelligence and high soldierly qualities.
Among the names inscribed on the standard of this
gallant regiment are : Fredericksburg (its first battle),
Suffolk, Swift Creek, Drury's Bluti; Cold Harbor,
Battery Five, Petersburg and Battery Harrison, in all
of which battles their colonel shared the conflict with
them. During the siege of Petersburg, in 1864, Col-
onel Stevens commanded a brigade. In the assault
on Fort Harrison, September 29th, he fell severely
wounded at the head of his regiment and brigade.
He remained upon the spot, close to the fort, till the
colors of his command were planted upon the cap-
tured parapet and the victory won. In December
following he was breveted brigadier-general. The
official records of the war, as well as his companions-
in-arms, bear witness to his courage as a soldier and
his coolness and skill as a commander.
Having closed his military career and resumed the
practice of his profession, General Stevens was, in
December, 1866, unanimously nominated for Congress.
In March, 1867, he took his seat as a Representative
in the Fortieth Congress. He served in that Con-
gress on the naval committee, and the "Treatment
of Union Prisoners." Having been re-elected to the
Forty-first Congress, he again served on the naval
committee, and the committee on patents. During
his Congressional service (ieneral Stevens did not
often address the House in formal sjieeches. Hia
chief efforts were given to the Investigations of the
committee room. But he occasionally spoke on na-
tional subjects. The vital national interests which
were identified with the |)olitical struggle in 1868
called forth from him a well-considered speech in the
House in February of that year, in which he pre-
sented the subject of reconstruction in its essential
features. He also made a short but terse argument
in favor of the impeachment of Andrew .Johnson, in
which he paid a merited tribute to the great war
minister, Edwin M. Stanton. In February, 1870, he
addressed the House on "Grant and the Administra-
tion," in which he fully sustained the policy nf the
THE BENCH AND BAR.
39
President and denounced repudiation and the expan-
sion of the currency.
After the close of the Forty-first Congress, General
Stevens again gave his attention to professional busi-
ness. In June, lS7ii, ho lacked but two votes of being
the Republican candidate for United States Senator
— the nomination being equivalent to an election.
In 18G1 he married Miss Adelaide M. Johnson, of
Lynn, Mass., an educated and accomplished woman.
For several years they have passed their winters in
Florida, having an orange grove on the River St.
Johns, three miles north of Palatka. General Stevens'
home, however, is at Xiushua.
Aside from his well-known ability as a lawyer, his
graceful manner and fluency of utterance make him
welcome on all public occiisions in New Hampshire.
Besj.\.mix M. Farley, .son of Benjamin and Lucy
(Fletcher) Farley, and grandson of Lieutenant Sam-
uel Farley, one of the first settlers of Hollis, was born
April 8, 1783, in that part of Hollis afterwards set oft'
to Brookline. Mr. Farley prepared for college at the
academy in New Ipswich ; graduated at Harvard Col-
lege in 1804; read law with Hon. Abijah Bigelow in
Leominster, JIass. ; admitted to the bar and settled in
his profession in Hollis in 1808, and continued to re-
side in Hollis till 18o.5, when he removed to Boston.
Upon being established in his profession he soon rose
to a high rank in it, and for many years he had no
superior at the Hillsborough bar, of which he was for
several years president. He died September IG, 1S65«
Samuel T. Wokcester, son of Jesse and Sarah
(Parker) Worcester, born August 30, 1804, prepared
for college at the academies in Pembroke, N. H., and
Andover, Mass., and graduated at Harvard College in
1830. After leaving college, taught an academy for
one year at Weymouth, Mass., and also for one year
at Cambridge. Read law in the office of Hon. B. M.
Farley, in Hollis, and also at the Law School in Cam-
bridge ; settled in his profession in Norwalk, Ohio, in
1835, and continued in the practice of the law in that
place till the summer of 1867, when he removed to
Nashua, N. H., where he still resides (1879). May
13, 1835, married Mary F. C. Wales, daughter of
Samuel Wales, Esq., of Stoughton, Mass., who de-
ceased at Na.shua, April 29, 1874. Was a member of
the Ohio Senate in the years 1849 and 1850; elected
district judge of the Tenth Ohio Judicial District in
October, 1859, and while ludding that office was
elected a member of the United States Congress in
the spring of 18(11. Publications: 1831, "Sequel to
the Spelling-Book ;" 1833, "American Primary Spell-
ing-Book ;" 1871, revised editions of " Worcester's
Comprehensive and Primary Dictionaries;" 1871,
'• Old and Now ; or, the School Systems of Ohio and
New Ham])shir(! compared." He died Dec. 5, 1882.
Joseph W. Fellows, son of John and P(dly
Hilton Fellows, was born at Andover, N. II., January
15, 1835.
He was educated in the district schools of his na-
tive town and at the Andover Academy. He entered
Dartmouth College in July, 1854, and graduated in
1858.
He taught school in Bradford and Concord, N. H.,
and in Upton, Mass., during his college term. He
was also a teacher in the Brownwood Institute, in La
Grange; also, the Marietta Academy, in Marietta,
Ga., in 1859-(50.
He studied law in the office of Hon. John M.
Shirley, of Andover, and of Pike & Barnard, of
Franklin, N. H., and subsequently graduated from
the Albany (X. Y.) L'niversity Law Department, class
of 1801.
He was admitted to the l)ar in August, 1801, and
commenced the practice of the law in Manchester in
1862, where he has since resided.
He was appointed judge of the Police Court of
Manchester in 1874, and resigned the i)osition in
1875. Judge Fellows was elected clerk of the Con-
cord Railroad corporation in 1873, and was re-elected
each year until 1884. He hits been one of the trus-
tees of Proctor Academy, at Andover, and of the
Unitarian Educational Society of New Hampshire
since its organization.
Politically, Judge Fellows is a Democrat and an
able and fearless exponent of the principles of that
party.
In religious matters he is a Unitarian of the liberal
class.
Although in the active practice of an arduous pro-
fession. Judge Fellows has found time to indulge his
i taste in literary pursuits and has prei>ared many life
sketches of his neighbors and friends, and in this
branch of literary labor is not easily surpassed. He
has also given much attention to the Masonic history
of Manchester, and the able article which appears in
this work is from his pen. Judge Fellows is a i>romi-
nent and active member of the Masonic fraternity
and has been through all grades and held nniny posi-
tions. Judge Fellows has been twice married — first,
to Miss Frances Moore, who died in 1874, and second,
to Mrs. Lizzie B. Davis, October 8, 1878.
JiiMiEs oi" Probate. — The Ibllowing is a list of
the judges of Probate for the county of Hillsborough
from 1784 to the ])resent time:
Jonjitlmn Dlanchttnl, trom IIM to 178!i ; Siuiiiicl Dniin, from 1789 lu
IT'.lS; KIwMi'Zer Clmmpncy, from Folirimr)' V.i, I'm, to Miiy, ISlll; Tllf-
toii Clnggolt, fn)in lull to IS12 ; .loljn llnrrla, fixim AiikiisI 111, ISI'2, to
ixi); Clifton CliigK<-tl, Aiigmt 5, I8il, to Jiimiar.v Jii, 1829; Kilwnnl
l>iirkiT, from 1820 to 183,'); Liiko WoiHlliiiry, from 18:t;i to 18.M ;
Wlllliim 0. Cliirko, from Soptombcr 8, 18fil, to July III, IK-'iO ; Diivlil
Cnws from July 14, 18.'.6, to Juno Itn, 1874; Luclon B, flough,
from July 14, 1874, to July 'ii, I87ii ; Ui'iiry K. Uiiriiliiin, from
July i'l, 1871., to Jiim> :i, 18"'.l ; Eiliviinl E. PurkiT, Jun.j :l, 187!i, prm-
unt ilirllll)lK!llt,
Charles Henry BfitN.s' was liorn in Mill'md,
N. H., January 19, 1835, of good old New Englaml
stock, which on both sides had been prominent in
that town from its earliest settlement.
1 By B. M. Wn'luco.
40
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
On his father's side he descended from that Scotch-
Irish race which has given to New Hampshire and
New England so many able men.
His ancestry on his father's side is as follows :
1. John Burns, of Scotch origin, born in 1700;
came to America from north of Ireland in 1736; set-
tled in Milford, N. H., in 1746; died in Jlilford,
N. H., in 1782.
2. Thomas, seventh child and third son of John.
It is not yet known where or when he was born, but
he was probably born in Milford. The date of his
death, which occurred at Milford, is also unknown to
the writer. He was, however, not far from eighty
years of age when he died. He married Elizabeth
Hartness, of Lunenburg, Mass.
3. Samuel, si.xth child and third son of Thomas
and Elizabeth, born at Milford, September 17, 1779,
died at Milford, September 20, 1817. He was select-
man in Milford from the age of twenty-one for
ten years. He was a strong man and died of
brain fever. His funeral was the largest ever held in
Milford. He married Abigail Jones, February 12,
ISOl. She was a woman of great strength of mind
and of most excellent character.
4. Charles A., fourth child and second son of Sam-
uel and Abigail Burns, was born at Milford, January
19, 1809, and died of fever at Milford, January 25,
18.i7. He married, December 31, 1833, Elizabeth
Hutchinson, of Milford. They were both people of
the highest character and well known for their intel-
ligence and worth.
5. Charles H., son of Charles A. and Elizabeth,
born at Milford, January 19, 1835; married Sarah N.
Mills, January 19, 1856, at Milford. They have four
living children, — Charles A. Burns, Bessie Burns
tiregg, Blanch Burns and Ben. E. Burns. Tlicy have
buried one son, Arthur H. Burns, aged twenty years,
and three infant children. On his mother's side, who
wa.s a Hutchinson, he is of English de-scent, and we
here give a somewhat extended record of that old
family. The antiquity of the Hutchinson family in
England is very great, and was represented by Barnard
Hutchinson, of Cowlan, in the county of York, in
1282. He was denominated esijuire, and his wife was
the daughter of John Bagville, one of the oldest fam-
ilies of Yorkshire. They had children, — John, Rob-
ert and Mary.
1. Richard was a direct descendant from John, the
heir of Cowlan ; was born in England, and married,
December 7, 1627, Alice Bosworth. He resided at
North Markham, and about the year 1635 emigrated,
with liis family, to New England. The earliest men-
tion made of him in this country is found in the town
records of Salem, Mass., in 1636, when the town
made him a grant of land. In 1637 the town made
hiin an additional grant of twenty acres, "provided he
would set up a plough." In 1654 and 1660 further
grants were made. The land was situated in the
vicinity of Hathorn's Hill and Beaver Brook, which
now runs through the town of Middlesex into the
Ipswich River. He died about 1662.
2. Joseph, son of Richard, was born in England in
1633, and came with his father to New England and
settled u|)on a portion of his father's estate, which
was conveyed to him in 1666.
3. Benjamin, .son of Joseph, died 'Ji 1733. He mar-
ried Jane, daughter of Walter and Margaret Phillips.
He married, second, January 26, 1714, Abigail Foster.
Eleven children by Jane.
4. Benjamin, son of Benjamin, born at Salem, Janu-
ary 27, 1693. He wa."* a man of large wealth. He
married, February 7, 1715, Sarah, daughter of John
and Mary (Nurse) Tarbell. Seven children.
5. Nathan, son of Benjamin, baptized February 10,
1717. He was a farmer, and remained with his
father at Bedford, Mass., until 1734, thence to Amherst
(now Milford), where he died January 12, 1795 ; mar-
ried Rachel Stearns ; si.x^ children. He was one of
the first settlers in the territory of Milford.
6. Nathan, son of Nathan, born in Amherst (now
Milford), February, 1752, died December 26, 1831.
He was a farmer. Married, 1778, Rebecca Peabody,
daughter of William and Rebecca (Smith) Peabody.
She was born January 2, 1752, died February 25,
1826; seven children.
7. Abel, son of Nathan and Rebecca, born at Milford,
August 8, 1795, died February 19, 1846 ; married, Janu-
ary 22, 1816, Betsey, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth
Bartlett. She was born in Amherst (now Milford),
October 26, 1796, died at Milford, August 23, 1873;
nine children.
8. Elizabeth, daughter of Abel and Betsey, born at
Milford, June 18, 1816, now living; married, Decem-
ber 31, 1833, Charles A. Burns; nine children.
9. Charles H., son of Elizabeth and Charles A., etc.
Betsey Bartlett, wife of Abel, was also a descendant
of the first Richard, througii Joseph, third son of
Joseph (first). The three races above named — Burns,
Bartlett and Hutchinson — are of the highest character
and respectability. This is also true of the Peabodys.
Mr. Burns spent his early years upon his father's
farm, and there developed that strength and good
constitution with which he is so admirably e<iuipped
for the battle of life. He early evinced a desire for an
education, and after getting what assistance he coul<l
from the common schools of Milford, which were
always of a high order, he entered the .Vppleton Acad-
emy, at New Ipswich, N. H., at that time under the
management of Professor Quimby, from which insti-
tute he graduated in 1854.
For some time he had entertained the purpose of
entering the legal profession, for which he had
already exhibited an aptitude. He read law in the
oflice of Colonel O. W. Lull, in Milford, and subse-
quently attended the Harvard Law School, where he
graduated in the class of 1858. In May of the same
year he was admitted to the Suffolk bar, in Massachu-
setts, and in October following he was admitted to the
■'W -'/J- .4 H .-'ui'--
^X«^>^.A^,
lA-yV^^i^
II
THE BENCH AND BAIL
4Ua
New Hampshire bar. In January, IS")!), Mr. Burns
fommenceil the practice' of the law at Wilton, N. H.,
where he ha.s since resided, although of late years his
extended practice through Hillsborough County and
the State luis necessitated the removal of his office to
Nashua. He commenced his professional labors, as
every young man must who has no one to rely upon but
himself, with the smaller and more ordinary kinds of
legal work; but by slow degrees he has risen, until to-
day he is one of the most successful lawyers in New
Hami)shire, and his practice includes the highest order
of eases. Mr. Burns, although a good lawyer in all
the brauches of his profession, especially excels as an
advocate. His advocacy is of a high order. He is
what most of our lawyers, and public speakers even,
are not, a natural orator. The whole bent and incli-
natiou of his mind has, from his earliest years, always
been in this direction. He has given himself a thor-
ough training and practice at the bar, on the stump
and on all those varied occasions when a public
speaker is called upon to address the people. This
natural talent, thus trained, has made him a clear-cut,
incisive and polished orator, who never fails to hold
and impress his audience.
It can be said of him, what can be said of very few
men, he excels in advocacy and general oratory.
His arguments before juries best illustrate his power
as a speaker, while his public addresses exhibit his
peculiar charm its an orator. As an advocate he ranks
among the first in the New Hampshire bar. As an ora-
tor he compares favorably with our best pul)lic speak-
ers. He has held various important oflices in the line of
his profession. In I87<) he was appointed by Governor
Cheney county solicitor for Hillsborough County, and
W!Ls subseiiueiiliy re-elected twice t<i that otfice by the
people, the constitution in the mean time having been
changed so as to make the office elective instead of ap-
pointive. He held this office in all seven years, and dis-
charged the difficult and delicate duties of a prosecu-
ting officer in a large county ably and satisfactorily.
In Febru.iry, 18H1, he wius appointed Ignited States
district attorney for New Hampshire, and in Febru-
ary, iH.S.'i, was reappointed to that office, which he
still holds, bringing to the performance of its duties
the same zeal and fidelity which he does to all his
profe-ssioruil labors.
.Mr. Burns has been a life-long Iiei>ublican. His
father, Charles A. Burns, was an active and prominent
anti-slavery worker in that little hand of anti-slavery
agitators which existed in Milford. Young Burns
when a boy was brought in contact with such men as
Parker Pi'll.sbury, Wendell Phillips, William Lh.yd
(iarrisiin and Fred Douglass, and imbibed the senti-
ments with which they were animatc<l,sothat by force
of these iiilluciices he was naturally a Kc puldiian,
welcoming this party iis the means to carry out the
principles of emancipation and freedom.
When i|uitc young his interest in the Republican
cause, together with his aptitude for public speaking,
led him to take the stump for bis party. For years
he has ])erformed in this way the most efficient ser-
vice for the Republican party, and to-day is one of its
ablest and most elo(|uent stHtn])-speakers. .Mr. Burns
was elected county treasurer of Hillsborough County
in 1864 and I860. He was also a member of the New
Hampshire State Senate in 1873 and again in 1879, aud
in both years was chairman of the judiciary eonnnittee
took a prominent part in directing and shaping the
and legislation of those years. He was appointed by
Governor Head, in 1879, on his staff, judge advocate-
general, with the rank of brigadier-general.
He was a delegate-at-large to the National Repub-
lican Convention at Cincinnati in 1876, and repre-
sented the New Hampshire delegation on the com-
mittee on resolutions. He was one of the three New
Hampshire delegates who strenuously opposed Mr.
Blaine's nomination for President, at first voting for
Mr. Bristow and finally for Mr. Hayes.
He was selected to preside at the Republican State
Convention, held at Concord September 10, 1878, and
upon assuming the chair made one of his character-
istic speeches. The speech was delivered just after
the Greenback party had wou a victory in Maine,
and the public mind was full of false theories, and
the high ground taken by the si)eaker in favor of
honest money and national faith created a deep im-
pression throughout the State. It was everywhere
commended as a strong, forcible presentation of the
issues of the hour. Mr. Burns is a man of scholarly
ta.stes and habits; he has a fine law library, one of
the best in the State, and a choice and valuable col-
lection of miscellaneous books. He is an honorary
member of the New Hampshire Historical Society,
and also of the New ICngland Historical and Geneal-
ogical Society. In 1874, Dartmouth College con-
ferred upon Mr. Burns the honorary degree of A.M.
He is a life-long and prominent Mason, having taken
thirty-two degrees in that order, lie hiis also been
master of the lodge with which he is connected.
Mr. Burns was united in marriage with Sarali N.
Mills, of Jlilford, N. H., upon his twenty-first birth-
day, January 19, 1856, by whom he has had eight chil-
dren, four of whom are now living, — two sons and two
daughters. His oldest son, Arthur H., a high-minded
young man of line character and great promise, died
in 1877, when only twenty years of age, a great loss
to his parents and to the community in which he
lived, by whom he was universally loved and respected.
Mr. Burns Inis a tine homestead in Wilton, in which
and all its surroundings he very properly takes great
pride and pleasure. To his wife, his family and his
home lie has ever been loyally and devotedly attached.
On the twenty-fifth annivereary of his wedding his
friends to a large number met at his house to celebrate
with him that occasion. It was a notable gatheriiig.
Governor Heail and numy other prominent persons
were present and celebrated with bis frieiuls that event
with good cheer, with the giving of many valuable
l)re.scnts ami by appropriate speeches, expressive of
their regard and appreciation of the lives and char-
acter of Mr. Burns and his wife, and by other appro-
priate literary exercises.
The engraving in this " History of Hillsborough
County," which accompanies this sketch of his life,
is from a |)hotograph taken January 19, 1885, the day
be was fifty years of age.
HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
CHAPTEE I.
Geographical— Indian Occupancy— The First Scttlemeute— Names of
Pioneers— Tlie Fisheries— Biographical Notices of Early Settlers.
Manchester lies in the eastern part of the county,
and is bounded as follows : On the north by Merrimack
County, on the east and south by Rockingham
County, and on the west by Bedford and Goffstown.
This territory was originally occupied by the Am-
oskeag Indians, a tribe subject to the Penacooks,
who dwelt around Amoskeag Falls. The Indians,
however, did not remain here until the advent of the
white settlers. Probably forty years elapsed after the
red man left his much-loved fisheries at the falls be-
fore the white man became a permanent resident.
The First Settlement.— To John Goile, Jr., Ed-
ward Liiigfield and Benjamin Kidder is ascribed the
honor of having been the first white settlers within
the limits of the present town of Mancliester. They
located in 1722 and erected habitations on Cohas
Brook.
The excellent fisheries at this point soon attracted
the attention of other enterprising pioneers, and not
many years elapsed ere the locality witnessed a large
(for that early day) influx of settlers, anxious to rear
their homes at the " fishing at Ammosceeg." Among
these were John McNeil, Archibald Stark, Benjamin
Hadley, Benjamin Stevens, Nathaniel Martin, Kph-
raim Hildreth, Charles Emerson, 'William Perham,
Benjamin Kidder, Benjamin Blodgett, John Ridell,
Alexander McMurphy, Jr., John Hall, Thom:is Hall,
Michael McClintock, David Dickey, William Gam-
ble, Robert Anderson, Barber Leslie, William Nutt.
Of these early settlers nearly all were active, en-
terprising men, while some were possessed of marked
ability, and subsequently became thoroughly identi-
fied with the public enterprises of their day in this
section of the Merrimack Valley. Many of these
early settlers were from Londonderry, and were of
Scotch-Irish extraction.
John Goffe was an influential man in the new
settlement, and had a son John, who became a distin-
guished oflicer in the French and Indian AV'ar.
Benjamin Kihher doubtless came here about
40 b
1722 with his father-in-law, John Goffe, as he was a
grantee of Londonderry in that year. He probably
was originally of Billerica. He entered in the com-
pany under the famous Captain Lovewell, in the ex-
pedition against Pequauquauke, and while on the
march, and in the neighborhood of Ossipee Lake, was
taken sick. It is probable that he did not long sur-
vive the hardships and exposures of this expedition.
His son, John Kidder, was named as a legatee in
the will of his grandfather, John Goffe, Esq., made
in 1748.
Edwabd Lingfield. — Of Edward Lingfield very
little is known. He married a daughter of John
Gofte, Esq., and settled here about 1722. He was
a corporal in Lovewell's expedition, was one of the
thirty-four men who marched from Ossipee Lake to
Pequauquauke, and took part in that famous battle,
where he fought with great bravery. He was one of
the nine men in that battle "who received no consid-
erable wounds." After his return from that expedi-
tion he received an ensign's commission as a reward
of his heroic conduct in the battle of Pequauquauke.
Archibald Stark was born at Glasgow, in Scotland,
in 1693. Soon after graduating at the university he
moved to Londonderry, in the north of Ireland, be-
coming what was usually denoted a "Scotch-Irish-
man." Tiicre he was married to a pour, but beautiful
Scotch girl, by the name of Eleanor Nichols, and emi-
grated to America. He at first settled in Londonderry,
where he remained until some time in 1736, when, hav-
ing his house burned, he removed to that portion of
land upon the Merrimack tlien known as Harrytown,
upon a lot that had been granted to Samuel Thaxter
by the government of Massachusetts, and which wjis
situated upon the hill upon tlie cast bank of the
Merrimack, a short distance above the falls of Na-
maoskeag. Here he resided until his death. An
educated man. Stark must have had a strong desire
that his children should enjoy the advantages of an
education ; but in a wilderness surrounded by sav-
ages, and upon a soil not the most inviting, the suste-
nance and protection of his family demanded his
attention rather more than their education. His
children, however, were instructed at the fireside in
MANCHESTER.
41
the rudiments of an English education, and such
principles were instilled into them as, accompanied
with energy, courage and decision of character, made
them fit actors in the stirring events of that period.
His education fitted him rather for the walks of
civil life; but yet we find him a volunteer for the
protection of the frontier against the ravages of the
Indians in 1745 ; and for the protection of the people
in this immediate neighborhood, a fort was built at
the outlet of Swager's or Fort Pond, which, out of
compliment to Mr. Stark's enterprise in building
and garrisoning the same, was called Stark's Fort.
Mr. Stark had seven children, — four sons and three
daughters. His four sons — William, John, Archi-
bald and Samuel — were noted soldiers in tlie Indian
and French wars, and the three oldest had distin-
guished themselves iis officers in the notable corps
of Rangers prior to their father's death. The
second son, John, became the famous partisan officer
in the Revolution, and as a brigadiei won unfading
laurels at the battle of Bennington. Jlr. Stark died
the 2.jth day of June, 1758, aged sixty-one years.
John Hall came to this country probably after
1730. He tarried some time in Londonderry, and
then moved upon a lot of land near the west line of
Chester, and in that part of the town afterwards set |
off" to form the town of Derryfield. He was an en-
ergetic business man, and for a series of years trans-
acted much of the public business of this neighbor-
hood and town. He kept a public-house until his
death. The original frame house built by him, but
added to according to business and fashion, until
little of the original could be recognized, was stand-
ing until 1852, when it was destroyed by fire. It had
always been kept as a public-house, and generally
by some one of the name.
Mr. Hall was the agent of the inhabitants for
obtaining the charier of Derrytield in 1751, and was
the first town clerk under that charter. He wiis
elected to that office fifteen years, and in one and
the same year was moderator, first selectman and
town clerk.
Wir.i.i.\M Gamble axd MiriiAEL MrCuxTOCK.
— William (iambic came to this country in 1722, aged
fourteen years. He and two elder brothers, Archi-
bal<l and Thomas, and a sister, Mary, started to-
gether for America, but the elder brothers were
pressed into the British service upon the point of
sailing, leaving the boy William and his sister to
make the voyage alone. William was saved from
the ]ires9-gang alone by the ready exercise of
"wnman's wit." Tlie (Jambles had startoil nn<ler the
protection of Mr. and Mrs. Jlichael .AlcClintock,
who resided in the same neighborhood, and were about
to emigrate to New England. Upon witnessing the
seizure of the elder brothers, Mrs. McClintock called
to William (iambic, "Come here, Billy, (|uickly,"
and u[)on Billy approaching her, she continued,
"Snuggle down here, Billy," and she hid liini under
the folds of her capacious dress [ There he re-
mained safely until the gang had searched the house
for the boy in vain, and retired in high dudgeon at
their ill success.
Upon coming to this country the McClintocks
came to Londonderry. They were industrious, thriv-
ing people, and Jlichael and William, his son, built
the first bridge across the Cohoes, and also another
across the Little Cohoes, on the road from Amos-
keag to Derry. These bridges were built in 1738,
and were probably near where bridges are now main-
tained across the same streams on the "old road to
Derry." The McClintocks were voted twenty shil-
lings a year for ten years for the use of these bridges.
William Gamble, upon his arrival in Boston, went
to work on the ferry from Charleston to Boston. Here
he remained two years. During the Indian War of
1745 he joined several "scouts," and upon the com-
mencement of the "Old French War," in 1755, hav-
ing lost his wife, he enlisted in the regular service,
and was in most of the war, being under Wolfe on
the " Plains of Abraham."
John McNeil came to Londonderry with the first
emigrants in 1719. The McNeils of Scotland and in
the north of Ireland were men of known reputation for
braverj', and Daniel JIcNeil was one of the Council
of the city of Londonderry, and has the honor, with
twenty-one others of that body, of withstanding the
duplicity and treachery of Lundy, the traitorous
Governor, and affixing their signatures to a resolu-
tion to stand by each other in defense of the city, which
resolution, placarded U])on the market-house and
read at the head of the battalions in the garrison,
led to the successful defense of the city.
John McNeil was a lineal descendant of this
councilor. Becoming involved in a quarrel with a
person of distinction in his neighborhood, who at-
tacked him in the highway, McNeil knocked him from
his horse, and left him to be cared for by his re-
tainers. This encounter, though perfectly justifi-
able on the part of Mr. McNeil, as his antagonist
was the attacking party, made his tarry in Ireland
unpleasant, if not unsafe, and he emigrated to
,\merica, and settled in Londonderry. Here he es-
tablished a reputation not only as a man of cournpe
1)Ut one of great strength, anil neither white nr red
man upon the borders dared to risk a hand-to-hand
encounter with him. Measuring six feet and a half
in height, with a corrcspcmding frame, and stern, un-
bending will, he was a fit outpost, lui it were, of
civilization, and numy are the traditions of his per-
sonal encounters during a long and eventful border
life. His wife, Christian, was well mated with him
of strong frame and great energy and courage. It
is related that upon one occasion a stranger came to
the door and iiu|uired for McNeil. Christiana told
him that her '" glide nioii " was not at home. Upon
which the stranger cxpri-ssed much regret. Christiana
inc|uircd a.s to the business upon which he came.
42
HISTORY OF IIILLSROROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
a:id the stranger told her he had heard a great deal
(if the strenirth of McNeil and his skill in wrestling,
and he had come some considerable distance to throir
him. "And troth, mon," said Christiana McNeil.
" Johnny is gone, but I'm not the woman to see ye
disapiiointed, an' I think if ye '11 try mon, I'll throw
ye meself." The stranger, not liking to be thus ban-
tered by a woman, accei)ted the challenge, and, sure
enough. Christian tripped his heels and threw him
upon the ground. The stranger, upon getting up,
thought he would not wait for " Johnny," but left
without deiirninj: to leave his name.
The Fisheries at Amoskeag.— At the time the
white settlers located along the Merrimack the fish-
eries at Amoskeag Falls had became famous through
the adjacent country. Here salmon, shad, the alewife
and lamprey eel ' were found in great abundance.
In a journal kept by Hon. Matthew Patten, of Bed-
ford, is the following entry :
"1759, June K-9.— Fislu-d at Niinioskejig FaUs aud got 120 ehad and I
guve Robert Mc^Inrphy 10 of them, and I got 4sbad and I small suluion
for my part from the setting-place. Wui. Peters fished for me by the
halves."
Says Judge Potter, in his "History of Manches-
ter,"—
'* The fishing at Amoskeag was of the greatest importance to the peo-
ple. Tnwiition has it that the lU-v. Mr. McGregore was the first person
of tlie Londonderry settlement to visit the Kails, led thither by curiosity.
and prompted by information obtained at Andover i^ to their grandeur
and the abundance of fish to be found near them at certain seasons of
the year. From this fact originated the cnstom of presenting Mr. Mc-
Gregore and his successors the first fruits of the fishing season. The
first fish caught by any man of Londonderry, salmon, shad, alewife or
eel, was reserved as n gift to * the minister.'
" As early as 1720 a road was laid out and built from Ninian Cochran's
house (in Lonrlonderry), ' then keeping by or near the old ]>ath to Am-
moscceg Falls.' And another road wiis )uid out at the sanu- time inter-
secting tbo ' Ammosceeg road,' for the accommodation of other sections
of the town. This undertaking of building u road some ten miles
through tlie wilderness, in the infancy of tlnit colony, shows of how
1 " Our fathers treasured the slimy prize :
They loved the eel a* their vcrj' eyes :
And of one 'tia said, with a tilander rife,
Fur a string of eels ho sold his iri/« /
'* From the eels they formed thoir food in chief,
And eels wore called ^ berryjiclil bet/! '
And llie marks of eels were so plain to tnice,
That the children looked like eels in the ftice ;
And before thoy walked, it is well confirmed,
Thnt the children never crept, but $qHinnetL
*' Such a mighty power did the sijuirmers wield
O'er the gowUy men of old l>«'rryfield,
It was often wiitl that their only ran*.
And their tinly wish, and their only prayer,
For the prcwnt world and the world to come,
Was a ttrimj of etU and ajtnj of ttnn .'"
—-Ertrac'/'Om ponn by WiUiun Stark, re.nl ut the centeiiuia' cr!,l,niii:,t o/
Manchetter m 1851.
great importance the 'fishing at Ammosceeg' was considered by the
people of Londonderrj' ; ami it was natural that they should be strenu-
ous in niaintjiining their claim tu th<- lands adjacent. Accordiuijly, we-
find their claim to the lands and the subject of the fisheries connected
with them matters acted upon in their town -meetings at an eaily date.
As early OS 1720 people had moved upon these hinds probably for tlie
purpose of holding them for ?Iiiss;ichnsetts she claiming to a hue three
miles east of the Merrimack by her charter. This was a serious matter
fur the people of Londonderry, and in the warrant for a town-meeting
beariup date January S, 17;iU-31, there was the following article :
"'lltbly. To ;*ee whether tbey will allow a Lawyer to be consulted
almut those persons that are settling at Ammosceeg.' And at the meet-
ing this article was thus disposed of, —
*' 'lltbly. Voted that they are willing to leave the consulting of a law-
yer about the settlement that is carried on at Ammosceeg to thf select-
men and committee that is appointed for the defence of the propriety.'
"It is not known what action was taken by theseleetmen and committee
\ipon the matter ; but it is to l>e inferred, as the records are silent ufKin
the subject, that no legal action was taken at that time. The peojile from
Massachusetts continued to occupy the lands in this neighbuihood at in-
tervals, and it is probable that wnne of them IkkI a continuous occupa-
tion from this time under the authority of their government. Under
such circumstances it is probable that after 'consulting a lawyer,' the
people of Londonderry concluded to take quiet possession of the laud and
wait the result of the hearing about to be bad in Kngland as to the
claims of Massacbusetts. That the people of Londonderry continued in
control of the business here is shown by the records of the following
year, wherein is found the warmnt, one article of wliich reads thus, —
" ' 4thly. To see whether they will beat the expense of twn canoos to
be kept at Ammosceeg for the safety of the people at the fishing.'
"On the day of the meeting, April 22, 1731, the following action was
had on the 4th article :
'* '4ihly. That in ordor to the safety of our town's people at the fishing
at Ammosceeg tbo selectmen is empowered to allow and jwy out of the
public charge or rates of the town three pounds in Bills of credit tosuch
pereou or jiersons as shall be obliged to make two good sutficient canoos^
the selectmen obliging the aforesaid undertakers to serve the Inhabi-
tants of the town the whole tirue fishing before any out town's ]>eople,
and shall not exceed one sliill pr hundred for all the fish that they shall
ferry over from the Islands and the owner of the tish and his attendants
is to be ferried backwards and forwards at free cost."
The whites took the fish with spears, scoop-nets
and seines, and in large quantities; so that people
coming from the surrounding country with tlieir
wagons and carts could get them tilled sometimes for
the carting the shad away, to make room for the sal-
mon, and always for a mere trifling price. Immense
quantities of shad were taken at one haul or drag of
the seine. The Xeiv Hampshire Gazette of ^lay 23,
1760, has the following item under its editorial head :
" One day last week, was drawn by a net at one Draught, Two Thou-
sand Five hundred odd Shad Fish, out of the River Merrimack near Bed-
ford, in this Province. Thought remarkable by some people."
Among the namesgiven to the various fishing-places
were the following: Eel Falls, Fire Mill, Todd Gut,
Russ Kay's Hnokinjr-Flace, S(»uth Gut, Thompson
Place, Watching Falls, Little Fulpit, Mudget Place,
Slash Hole, Point Rock, Black Rock, Swine's Back,
Snapping-Place, Pulpit, Racket's Stand, Sullivan's
Point, Crack in the Rock, Bat Place, Dalton Place,
Pupi)y Trap, Pot Place, Patten Rock, Setting Place,
MapU* Stump. The (_'olt, Salmon Rock, Eel Trap,
Salmon (iut, Mast Rock.
MANCHESTER.
4a
CHAPTER II.
MANCHESTER. {Continued,)
The JVenc-h ami Imlian War — A Fort Built — Xuines of Soldiers from
Derrjfield — Captain GufTe and Others— DerrjlU-lii Men at Crown I'oint ;
also at Fort Williuin Henry— War uf the Kwolutioii — First Action
of tho Town— Derryftpld Men at Lexinjjion — Names of Kovolutionary
Soldiers — M^jor-General John Stark— Sketch of His Life — Buri;il-
Place.
DuRiXG the French and Indian War, which began
in 1746, the settlers of Amoskeag took an active part
and a fort was erected at the outlet of wliat is now
Nutl's Pond. Tlicre were soldiers from this town also
in the French war in 1755. this locality sending three
companies. These were commanded by Captains
Goffe and Moor, of Derryfield, and the other by Cap-
tain Rogers, of what is now Dunbarton.
The roll of Captain Gofie was as follows :
John Gofle, captain ; Samuel Moor, lieuteiiaut ; Nathiiiiio] Martain,
^nrign ; Jonathan C<^rliti, sergeant; Jonas H;LStin^, i^er^ea lit ; John
Goffe, Jr., sergeant ; Thomas Merrill, clerk ; Samuel Martuin, corporal :
John Ttluor, corponil ; Joshua Martjtiii. corjH^nil ; Benjamin Eastman,
corporal; Benjamin Kidder, dnimmer; Joseph (ieorgc, John Bedell,
Benjamin Iliulley, Thomas George, Israel Young, Josiah Ituwell, Wil-
liam Kelloy, Jo8eph Merrill, Daniel Corlis, ElienezerCoston, Paniel Mar-
tain, .Tacoh Silliway, Stephen Georgo, David Xutt, Robert Xntt, Ohadiah
Hawe«, Pavid WiHson, William Ford, Aaron Quinby, Nathan Howard,
Thomas McLaughlin, John Littell, William McDugal, Itobert Holmes,
John Wortly, Benjamin Vickery, William B:irr<>n, Nutlianiel Smith,
WiBiam Wnlker, David Welch, Caleb Daultuu, Jamew Potters, Aaron
CoppH, Jacob Jewell, Ebpiiezer Martuin, John Harwood, Atrmziah liil-
dreth, John Kidder, John Itowell and Thomna Wortly.
Captain Moor's roll was as follows :
Jolin Moor, captain ; Antony Knuiry, lieutenant ; Alexander Todd,
ensign : Matthew Rend, nergoant ; Thomas Read, serfioant ; James
SIiMir, sergeant ; William Spear, sergeant ; E/ekiel St«ol, corporal ; Sam-
«el McDnffy, cori>i)niI ; J'dm Rickey, corporal ; John Spear, corporal ;
Ro)>erl Cochran, Thouphalas Harvey, Barber Lcsly, William Cumpble,
JamcH Onail, Robert Tawddlo, John McConly, Tlmmns Gregg, Joshua
BowlingH, Thomas Ilutchings, Rnbert Edwards, Edward Cariis, Alexan-
der McClarj, Roliert Smith, David Vance, Robert Kennade, Robert -Mc-
Keen, James Bean, .Tohn Cunningham, Samuel Boyde, John Crage,
James Oughtcn>on, Micliatd Johnsi*n, John Logan, Robert Morrel, .Tohn
McXight, John Welcli, Jumeis Ligget, John Mitchel, Daniel Toword,
Esa Stevens, I^Iark Care (or Kary,) Samuel Miller, Edward Bean, Wil-
liam Konniston, James Bah-y, Natliani*>l McKary.
The following, mostly from this neighborhood, were
at the battle of Lake George, and were subsequently
ktiown as the " Riingers:*'
Robert Rogei>, captJiin ; Richard Rogci-s, llcutonnnt ; Noah Jotinson,
onnign ; James ArcliDraM, sergeant; John McCiinly, sorgeanl ; James
McNeal, cori)oral ; Nathaniel Johnsi^m, corporal ; John SUchol, Isaac
Cotton, Jamext Henr>-, James Clark, Timothy Hodsdasc, John Wtullelgh,
Steplittn Voiing, Jonhna TKwoikI, James Adlson, Jonathan Silaway,
John Brown, Klisha Bennett, Rowling Foster, James Grim*, James 3Irir-
gan, Jiiines Welch, 3Iat!how Christopher, .lames Simonds, Charles Dud-
ley, John KiM-r, Juhn llartmun, John Frost, James Mars, Samuel Letch,
David Nult, William McKeon, Nathaniel Smith, I'lillip Wills, William
Cunnlngliam, William Aker. Ji)lin l.'ilon, Wi Ilium Whetder, Simon
Toby, Beiijiimin Sipiunlon, I'ileh Simimm, I'iller Mabatilon.
A regitnpMt of New Hampshire men was raised for
the oxjx'diti "ii to Crown Point in 175fi, of whirh John
Goffe was ma or. The company from this hicality
\\as as foil iws :
Nat)iaui<-I Martim. tieutemuit ; Thomas Morrel. second lieutenant ;John
GofTo, Jr., ensign; Siunuel Murrain, sergeant; Joseph Eiir<truan, ser-
geant ; Ebeuezer Martain, sergeant ; Thomas SIcLaughlin, aergcaDt ;
John Worlly, corporal ; John Straw, corporal ; Jacob Jcwoll, corpora! ;
j Josiah Canfield, corporal; Benjamin Kidder, drummer ; Joseph Ordway,,
Joseph George, Benjamin Badly, Thomas George, William Keueston,
I Ebenezer Coaston, John McClellen, Jonathan Filleld, James Blanchard,
' Paul Fowler, Plumer Hadley, John Fowler, Peter Moose, Joel Mannnel,
George Shepimrd, Samuel Shepi>ard, James SlcCuuglilin, Ebenezer Ord-
way, Isajic Walker, James Peters, Jacob Sawyer, Daniel Flanders, Daniel
Emerson, William Barron. Timothy Barron, Andrew Stone, Caleb Emury„
/ebediuh Karuuiti, Luther Morpin, Joseph Pudney, John ^IcLaughtiD,.
' John Redder, Caleb Daulton.
The following company of Derryfiold men were at
the siege of Fort William Henry :
Richard Emnr>', captain; Nathaniel Martain, tii-st Ijenteiiant ; i'al-
lata Russell, second lieutenant ; Jnhn Mome, ensign ; l>arby Kelley,
sergeant ; Joseph Pearsons, sergeant; Benjamin Kidder, Sr., sergeant ;
John Little, sergeant; Caleb Emary, Sr., coriwral ; Robert Munlock,
corporal; Micajah Wynn, corporal ; John Hutchenson, corporal ; George
Borrj', drummer; Josiah Bean, Jonatlian Prescutt, Benjamin Roberts,
John Moore, Joseph Whicherwued, James Dunhip, Edward Bean, Wil-
liam Batchelder, Edward Critchet, Joseph Hllhiyerd, Ebenezer Hutchen-
son, Samuel Hardie, Heniy Hutchenson, Joseph Ekerson, Jouathaa
Melcher, Samuel Ring. Elijah Ring, Hezekiah Swaine, William Towle,
Joseph Web:^ter, Juhn Burnes, Jonathan Corlis, Jr., Asa Corlis, James
Clougti, Caleb Daulton, Caleb Emary, Jr., Daniel Emei-sun, John Grif-
fin, John CJordeu, Thonms George, Thomas Kennady, Robert Kennndy»
Benjamin Kiddor, Jr., John Kidder, William McDugall, (for B. Linkfield),
John Merrill, James I'atterson, Benjamin Pettingai, Ezekiol Stevens,.
James Titconib, Leonard Blanchard, Timothy Barron, M'ilHam Butter-
field, James BIcCalley. Samuel Gilison, Thomas Lancey, Josiah Parker,
Sinmn McQuestin, Peter Bussell, Samuel Chase, John Davis, Benjamin
Davia.'William Hutchenson, David Parker, Henry Parker, William Sil-
laway, .lolin Webster, (for 1). Allen), William I'roiij^lit, La/arus Rowe,
Daniel Darling, Stejihen Gilman, Tristram Ouimby, John Sandburnc,
Gideon Young, Samuel Young, Stephen Webster, Solomon Prescutt,
Thomas Parker, Ceasar Nero, John Corlis, David Nuti, Ebenezer Coar-
ston, Moses Chase, John Slell, Jacob Bridgham, Patrick Clark.
The first vote of the town in relation to the War ol
the Revolution wiis under date of January 2, 1775,
when it was voted to call a meeting on the 10th of
the same month, —
'*21y. To see if the town will chose a man or men as Deputies to go to
Exeter the 2oth Day of January Instant, in Behalf of Siiid town in or-
der to meet with the Deputies from the Neighboring Towns in said
Province."
At this meeting it was
"Voted on the second article, not to send a man to Exeter, but that the
Selectmen sond a Lctler to said Exeter, an<l int^ort in siud T>etterthat
the siiid town will bear their Eiiual piMportion of money that i-hall here-
after arise towards paying the cost of the General Congress, as any
other town in the Pn)vince,"
There were thirty-four men from Derryfield in the
battle of Lexington, and there were but thirty-six
men in the entire town ra|)able of bearin-r arms. The
names of the soldiers have not been jirocurcd, but
the subjoined tax-list of Oerryfield lor I77o sliows
that a large majority of the tax-i)ayers wcivof the
volunteers:
£ ». d. q.
"Conl. John Goffo 19 4
John Rand, Va(\t 13 H
31iu. John Moors 3 13 6 *2
Ensin. Samuel Moors 10 It 2
James mc Night ft
Capt. Nalhanii-l Morton 3 6
William Nult 9 9 2
Timothy Mcrtiou 3
Jidin Griffen 10 6 6
John GrilTen, Junr 3
Bxiitamlti Rp.k. I, .0802
44
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
£ 8. d, q.
Benjamin liaker, Junr 3
Johaurttlmii Merrcll U 5 2
Ji'iwe Bakor 3 (»
Joseph Gorge 10 2
Abrhiim Merrell 10 'J 2
Abrhaiii Merrell, Junr C 2
David Merrell 3 8
Joseph (iriffen
Ezekiel Stavens 11 8 2
Joi^eph fanner 3
Isaac farmer 3
Widow Samh Riis3 4 11
Hubert Clark G 2
John Keay 4
Coal. John Stark 15
David farmer 3
Levt. James mc Galley 7 G
Eain. Samuel Stark G 10 2
Robert me- Night 3
David nic Night 3 G
DaiQel Blodget, Litchfield 1
Joshua liloilget, Litchtield 4 4 2
Capt. William Parhaui 10 9
John Parham 10 3
Ebenezer Coster 5 G
Charls Eamerson 10 5
CbarlsEamersou, Junr 3 6
Gorge Eamerson 4 G
John Har%'ey 19 2 2
William Parham, Junr 10 3
Micheal mc Clintock 4 4 2
James Pairces 8 11
Capt. Alexander mc Murphey 12 4
Benjmen Crombie ... 7 o
Moses Crombio 3 G
Esin. Samuel Boyd 8 3 2
E«in. Natheniel Boyd C 3
Widow Margaret Boyd 5 1 2
John Dickey 8 2
William Gemblo 11 2 2
Robert Cuuingham O 4 2
David Starret ii 11 4
John Hall 7 3 2
Daniel Hall 8 2
Sergl. Ebnezer Stivne 9 7 2
Hugh thompson 3 10
Benjmen Pilslmry 3 6
Ihouuw Xunian ... 3 I
Josep Masten, Bakerstown 8
Jamea Lagon, Londonderry 8
Rubrt mc Clouer, Londonderry- 4
Alexander Irving 3 G
Ceaaer Griffon. 4
*' Joseph George,) „,
•'Samtel Stahk, j
*' Recorded this 24th day of December, 1775.
"John Hall, Tomi Clark.'"
Stark was at work in his saw-mill, at the head of
the Amoskeag Falls, when he heard this news, and
without a moment*8 delay he shut down the gate of
his mill, repaired to his house, took his gun and am-
munition, niouuteil his Ixorse in his shirt-sleeves, as
he came from the mill and rode on to meet the enemy.
Ashe journeyed on lie left word for volunteers to
meet him at Medford, and without delay made the
best of his way to Lexington. On his entire route his
force continually increased, so that on the following
morniiiir, when he arrived at Lexinjrton, he had at his
command a large force of "backwoodsmen."
The town Committee of Safety, in 1775, consisted of
John Harve, Lieutenant James McCalley, Samuel
Boyd, Ensign Samuel Moors and John Hall.
'Colony of New Hampshire, etc-
-COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
"April 12, 1776.
" To the Saleclmen of Derryfield : In order to carry the underwritten re-
solve of the Honorable Continental Congress into execution, you are re-
quested to deeire all Males, above twenty-one years of age (luuatice, idiots
and negroes excepted), to sign the declaration on this paper, and when
so done, to make return thereof, together with the name or names of all
who shall refuse to sign the same, to the General assembly or Committee
of Siifety of this Colony.
"31. Weare, Chairman.
"In Congress, March 14, 177G.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Conven-
tions and Councils or Committees of Safety of the United States imme-
diately to cause all persons to be disarmed, within their respective Colo-
nies, who are notoriously disaffected to tho caut^e of America, or who
have not associated and refuse to associate to defend by Arms the United
ColoDies against the hostile attempts of the British Fleets and Armies.
" Extract from the minutes,
" Charles Thompson, Secretary.
" In consequence of the above Resolution of the Continental Congress,
and to show our determination in Joining our American bretliren in de-
feuding the lives, liberties and properties of the inhabitants of the United
Colonies, We, the Subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage and promise
that we will, to the utmost of our power, at the risk of our lives and for-
tunes, with arms, oppose the hostile proceedings of the British Fleets
and Armies against the United American Colonies."
This was signed by the following persons, and duly
returned by the selectmen :
" John Hall.
Thomas Newman.
David Merrill.
William JlcClintock.
John Gofle.
Robert Cunningham.
Samuel Boyd.
Michael McCIintock.
David Starret.
John I'erham.
Benja. Baker.
M'illiam Perham.
Simon Lull.
Jamea Peirse.
Abraham MerrilL
John Ray.
Nathaniol Boyd.
Robert Clark.
Joseph George.
James Gorman.
John Grifen.
Moses Crombey.
Joseph Farmer.
John Sloor.
William Perham.
Ebenezer Stevens.
Daniel Hall.
John Dickey.
John Rand.
Alcxr. McJIurphy.
Charles Emerson.
Benjamin (-'rombie.
Ezekiel Stevens.
William Nutt.
John Harvey.
George Greaham.
William Gambell.
Abraham Merrill.
Jonathan Jlerrill.
Moses Merrill,
.lohn UuBs.
Sanuiel Stark.
Jesse Baker.
James AIcNight,
TheotHas Grifin.
Joseph Grifin.
Hugh Thompson.
"Colony of New Hampshire, June Ist, Day, 1770. To tho Hon. Mr,
Weare, Cheannan, this is to certify that we the subscribers has I'resented
till' Within Declaration to tho Inhabitants of said Town and they Have
alle Signed Said Declaration, which we in our Judgment thought had a
right to Sign the Same.
" Certified by ub,
" David Starret, "1
" Ezekiel Stevens, {. Selectmen.'*
"John I'erham, ]
June 1, 177G, the following persons were in the
army from Derryfield : Colonel John Stark, Captain
John Moor, Captain James McCalley, Captain Alex-
ander McMurphy, Captain Nathaniel Martin, Beii-
janiin Baker, Nathaniel Baker, Ebenezer Costor,
'i'iniothy Dow, Samuel Harvey, — more than one fourth
of the inhabitants of the town " fit to Bare arms."
MANCHESTER.
45
In 1777 a bounty of eight dollars was voted to each
man wlio should enlist for a term of three years.
The tax-list was as follows :
£ >. d.
•• Michael McClintock 1 2 10
Mooi-s Merrill 1 2 2
jHnies IVirce 2 19 2
Barber Lesely 1 8
Williaoi Parliam Juuior 2 14
John Hervey 4 9 1
Charles Kmerson 2 I" 4
C'apt. William I'urham 2 IS 6
Levt. John rarhiUM 3 2
Kbenezer Coster 1 1.1 2
Benjamin I'ilsburey 19 6
£nt(iu. Samuel Boyd 2 3 7
Ensin. Katlianicl Boyd 18 2
Widow and William Boyd 1 8
Capt. .\Iexallder McMurphy 3 9 7
Benjamin Crombie 2 2 3
John Dickey 2 8 2
William Gamljoll 3 14 2
Thomas N'ewnmn 1 2
Timothy bow 15 8
James Gorm:in 2 9 7
George Gnliam 18 2
Coazer Griffcn 1 11 1
Alexander Irwing 16 o
Jamee Lyon of Londonderry 5 2
William McClintock 3 a
John Goffe Junior 1 6
Nathaniel Martain (I 18 2
Ho«eit Crombie 1 4 8
Samuel Morrson 1 10
William Page of Londonderry 2 8
David P'armer 18 2
Hugh Thompson 1 12 6
John Hughs 2 8 2
Joseph Sarirlers 1 3 4
Nathaniel Merrill Ifi 8
Daniel Blodgot, Litchfield 7 10
Colli. John Goffo 3 3 4
John Band, Kinir 1 f.
Maj, John 3Iwirc 4 4 C
Capt. Samuel Moor 4 7 2
James Mcnight 15 8
William .Nutt 2 13 4
Joseph Griffen 2 14 8
John Griffin 2 4
Benjamin Baker 2 17 2
Joseph George 2 1
Abniham MeiTill 3 1.5 4
Ensin. Abraham Merrill 1 13 2
Ezeklel Staveni 3 12 2
Joseph Farmer 3 10 2
Widow and John Buss 1 13 10
John Bay 9 2
Conl. John Stark 4 19 8
Capt. James Mealley 1 15 2
Eusin. SHHiuel Stark 2 9 4
Joimtluin Merrill 1 7 4
Jeswe Baker Ifi 8
Benjamin Bilker, .lunr 18 2
Nathaniel Baker 15 8
Thoofllas Griftii 18 2
I.«vt. Elwne/er .Stavens 2 17 5
John tJriffen, Jnnr 1 2 1
Levt. John Hall 3 17 8
Daniel Mall 2 4
David Stnrrcl 3 15 7
£132 13 I •'
A few months after, the town voted Colonel John
Goffe a committee to furnish Robert McNight's fam-
ily with proper provisions during his absence in the
Continental army, or the family of any other soldier
who should need assistance.
And the people were equally liberal on other occa-
sions when acting individually. Thus, this same year
they subscribed most liberally in aid of volunteers,
although they had already submitted to a double tax.
When the retreat from Ticonderoga was first heard
of in this town. Captain Nathaniel Martin, Theophi-
lus Griffin, Nathaniel Baker, John Nutt, Enoch
Harvey and David Fanner immediately volunteered
and marched to Number Four. A contribution was
made among the inhabitants for Martin, Griffin and
Baker, and £4 10«. were raised. Soon after, when it
was seen that an encounter with the British was
inevitable in that quarter, and Stark was in need of
troops, another contribution was made " to hold on
John Nutt, Enoch Harvey, Theophilus Grillin and
David Farmer," and £44 10«. were raised, and they
" held on " and participated with their neighbors in
the glorious battle of Bennington.
Tlie following is a list of those subscribing:
"The account hereafter Sat Down is money jiayd by liidividiml In-
habitants of the Town of Dcrryfield to the Soldiers Raised at Sundry
times for Carrin on this unuateral ware from the first of September,
1776, and upwards is as follows :
£ s. d.
'* Ezekiel Stavins paid to Enoch harvey for going
to New York 3 o
Capt. Samuel moor & David Starret paid to Na-
thaniel Baker do 4 10
Levt. John Parhaiu paid to Timothy martin
for ditto 3
£10
* paid by the Sundroy persons hereafter Named to
Nathaniel martain, Theophilus Grifnn ic Na-
thaniel Baker as volunters wen they went to
Noumber four about the retreat from Ty are as
followeth :
£
William Gamble
Eiisn. Samuel Boyd
Samuel morreson
E/.ekiel Stavins
James German
Abmliam luerritl .lunior
Capt. Samuel mooro
Villiam Parham Junior
■James mc Night
f.cvl. .lohn Hall
James Pairro
Abrhani Mi-rrill
Jonutbau .Merrill
Ebene/r Stavens
Joseph Sanders
John IMckey
John Hall Junior
W llllaiu Nntt
Daniel Hall
Col. John Stark
Capt. William Parham u
William Mct'linlock
Col. John Goffe n
and John harvoy
10
£4 10
' paid by Individuals to hoUl on John Niitl,
Enoch harvey, Theophilus Griffin * I'livid far-
mer, wen they went Willi Genenil Stark to the
Battel ut Betienlou, are as followeth, (viz.) ;
46
HISTORY OF HILLSBOKOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1. .. <i.
Jaiiifs SlcXiglit 1 4
Col. John Goffe 2 8 U
Majr. John Moore - 2
William Nutt i; 4
John Griffin U 12
Benjamin Biikcr 1 In n
Joeepli George i> 18 '*
Thonina Newman 'J 9
Abralinm Merroll 2 2
Joseph Farmer .0 10
Ensn. Samuel Stark "12
Levi. John Hall 1 Hi
William Gamble 1 4
John Dickey IS
Ca|it. Alexr. nir murphy 1 In
Ensn. Samuel Boyd 1 10
Michael McClintock 12
William mcClintock 1 4 U
Capt. AVm. I'arham 2 8
Cliarles Emerson 18
John Hervey ^
John Hughs 1 10
James Pairce 18 U
David Starret 18
Zacelieus Uirhison 2 G
Moses Merrill
Capt. Samuel Moor. ... 10 o
Ensn. Ahraham Merrill 12 "
Ezekiel Stavins 2 8
Daniel hall U IS
Levt. John Parliam 1 10
James Garman 12
William Parham, .lunr 1 4
Joseph Sander* 12
Jonathan Jlerrill U 12
Moses Cronibie 12
Nathaniel Merrill
Levt. Eljenezer Stavins tl 12
£ 14 l;i i: "
The following sketches of Revolutionary jiatriots
are taken from Judge Potter's "History of Man-
chester."
Majok-General John Stark was the third
son of Archibald Stark, Esq., one of the early settlers
of Derryfield. His father was a man of education,
and imparted to his children such instruction, and
such principles at the fireside as few others upon the
frontier were able to confer upon their children. Dur-
ing Stark's boyhood the remnants of the Pennacook
Indians were .still in the Merrimack Valley, and ;nade
Anioskcag their annual rendezvous during the fishing
season, and, in fact, in the earlier Indian wars, some
of them were employed as soldiers by our govern-
ment, and were enrolled with other .soldiers. In this
manner, young Stark, a hunter from position and
necessity, became well ac(|Uaintcd with the habits of
the Indians. This knowledge gave him a superiority
over most of his brother soldiers in the war with the
Indians and French that followed. However, this
knowledge would have been to no great purpose had
it not been united in him with other qualities pecu-
liarly befitting a soldier of those times. He was re-
markable for the vigor and activity of the jihysical
man, and hence for his ca|)ability in sustaining fa-
tigue. Adding to these, quick perception, indomit-
able energy and remarkable decision of character, he
was the ^()lclier lor the limes in which he lived, and,
in fact, .such(iualities are the elements of success at any
and all times. His success as an officer in the noted
Rangers of the Seven Years' War gave him a popu-
larity among the people at large, and the soldiers in
particular, that placed him in the front rank as a suc-
cessful soldier upon the breaking outof the Revolution.
It was this popularity among the soldiers that gained
his services to the country, for if his appointment or
promotion had been left to the politicians of the day,
it is doubtful, from the way in which he was treated by
them, whether he could have succeeded to any com-
mand. Once at the head of a regiment, and in ser-
vice, the battle-field told the story of his bravery.
His brilliant achievements at Bunker Hill, Trenton,
Princeton and Bennington are well known.
Early in 1778 he repaired to Albany and a.«sumed
the command of the Northern Department, and re-
mained there until ordered to join General Gates at
Providence.
He passed the winter in NewHamjishire, in urging
forward recruits and supplies, but in the spring joined
General Gates at Providence.
In November, by General Washington's orders, he
joined him in New Jersey, and after a short time was
sent by Washington to New England to make requi-
sition for men and provisions.
In 1780 he was with Washington atMorristown, and
took part in the battle of Si)ringfield.
Soon after, he was ordered to New England, col-
lected a body of militia, and marched them to West
Point.
1 General Stark was one of the court martial who
I decided the fate of Major Andre, and reluctantly,
though in obedience to his duty, and for his country's
advantage, favored the sentence of death upon that
brave but unfortunate officer.
In 1781 he again took charge of the Northern De-
I partment. The country was overrun with robbers
and Tories, and he had but a weak and inefficient
force, but his strict discipline and stern justice dealt
i out to spies andTories soon brought things into better
order.
The capture of Lord Cornwallis brought the war to
a close, but General Stark was ordered to New- Hamp-
shire for men and supplies.
j The most of 1782 he was afflicted with a rheumatic
j comiilaint, brought on by long exposure, and was not
able to join his command.
In 178.'5, how'ever, he joined Washington, and soon
afler aided by his counsels in allaying those feelings
of disquiet excited by the treacherous Newburg letters
among the officers and soldiers of the army. I'pon
news of peace. Stark bore the happy intelligence
to New Hampshire, and forthwith retired to his
farm at Derryfield to enjoy that rejiose he so much
needed.
But his active mind cmild not lie at rest, and he en-
gaged in all of those plans for the advantage of the
MANCHESTEK.
47
town and Stiitf which were so necessary to be matured
and carrit'd out liy clear heads and strong nerves.
The unjust claim ot'thc Masonian proprietors to the
lands betwixt a straight and a curve line, between the
northeast and the northwest corner bounds of the
.Masonian grant was first suecessl'ully opposed by Mm, '
and to his exertions it was mainly owing that the
Legislature took the matter in hand, and established
the claim of the State to the lands in ([uestion, thus
<iuieting hundreds of small farmers in the possession
of their lands, and in the end adding largely to the
funds of the State.
He was ever found upon the side of his country,
and when, in 1780, discontent had ripened into open
rebellion, and the Legislature had been surrounded
by armed malcontents, the veteran Stark stood ready
for the occasion, and would have volunteered his ser-
vices had not the insurrection been repressed by the
judicious councils and determined action of the gal- '
lant Sullivan, who was at that time, most opportunely,
at the head of our State government.
He refused all civil office that would takeliini from
his home, but in his native town he was ready to \
serve his townsmen in any capacity where he could
be of advantage, and that did not trespa.ss too much
upon his valuable time.
Thus living not for himself alone, but for his country,
the veteran Stark passed into the wane of life, ever j
taking, as long as life lasted, a lively interest in every
incident in our country's history. At length, suffering
from the effects of a paralytic shock, at the extreme
agi- of ninety-three years, eight months and twenty-
two days, the old hero departed this life on Wednes-
day, the 8th day of May, 1822.
The Friday following his death his remains were
interred, with military honors, in a cemetery he had
inclosed upon his own farm, a large concourse of
people being in attendance to witness the imposing
ceremony, and pay their last res])ects over the body
of the man who had contributed so largely in filling
■" the measure of his country's glory."
The cemetery is situated upon a commanding bluff
upon the east bank of the Merrimack, and over his
remains his family have placed a plain shaft of
granite, indicative alike of his simplicity and hardi-
hood, U|)on which is inscribeil " Maj.-< ieneral Stark."
This 8im|ilc stone i)oints to his ashes alone, but his
■deeds are traced in deep-lined characters upon the
pages of our country's history, while his memory is
engraven upon the Ik arts of his countrymen.
Such a name needs no other monument.
M.v.lOK .lollX MouKiv. — He hail been an officer in
the preceding French war, in which he had won the
reputation of a man of courage andenergy. After the
coni|Ue.st of Canada he ipiietly settled down ujion his
farm at ('oboes lirook. Upon the news of the battle of
Lexington he Icil his neighbors of .Vmoskeag to the
scene ofaction, and on the ■J4th of Ajiril was conimis-
sioneil liv the Committee ofSafetv of Massachusetts
as a captain in Stark's regimen t. Thomas McLaughlin,
of iiedford, was commissioned as his lieutenant at the
same time. He forthwith enlisted a company of fifty-
seven men, mainly of Derrylield, Bedford and Gotls-
town. His roll was as follows :
Jolin Moore, captain ; ThoinRS McLaughlin, lieutenant ; Nathaniel
Boyd, eurgeaut ; Juhn O'Xeil, sergeant ; David McQuig, (tergeant ; John
Junlan, sergeunt ; William Patterson, corporal ; Abraliani Juliusuu, cor-
IHii-al ; Joshua Page, corporal ; Satuuel Patten, corponU ; Jiurry Glovor
Iruniiiier ; Jainea ISuttorlield, lifer ; Jolin Allil, Kdwnrd Bickshey, Samuel
Barron, Benjamin Baker, Jolin Callohau, John Cyplicrs, Samuel Cald-
well, Jonas {'uttiup. Edniond Davis, Charles Emerson, George Enieraon,
Luke Egan, John Goffe, John Gregg, Benjamin George, James Gledder,
James Gibson, James Hogg, .\rthur lloit, Thomas Huse, Solomon tlutcb-
inson, John Hunter, James Houston, iJeorge Hogg, Lemuel Harvey, Cal-
vin Johnson, Samuel Martin, Timotliy Martin, David McKnight, James
Mcl'herson, John Caldwell MiXeil, John .Mills. Joseph .Matthews, John
McPlierson, GotTe Moore, Thonuxs McClary, Samuel Moore. David >loore,
John McMurphy, William Newman, James Orr, .Vrchihald Stark, t'aleb
Stark, John Turner, John Wyer, Hugh Campbell, .Vlexander Hutchin-
son, William McGilway, James Sloore.
Three of the men joined the company at a subse-
quent date, viz.: Samuel Patten, of Bedford, June
17th; James Gibson, probably of Londonderry and
John McMurphy of Dcrryfield, July 16th. Samuel
Patten enlisted on the 17th, and, with the fifty-seven
others enlisted on the 24th of April, participated in
the battle of Bunker Hill. In that battle none did
liCtter service than Captain John Moore and his
company of Amoskeag, as related elsewhere.
j On the 18th of June, the day following the battle,
Captain Moore was complimented with a major's
commission, to take the place in Stark's regiment of
Major McClary, who had been killed in the battle of
the day preceding. Lieutenant !MeLaughlin was
]iromoted to the caiitaincy thus made vacant, and
I Sergeant Nathaniel Boyd, of Dcrryfield, was made
j lieutenant in his place. Major Moore remained with
i the army but a few months, when the state of his
health obliged him to retire to his farm. He con-
tinued, however, his active participation in all matters
on foot in the town, county and State, to forward
the patriot cause, until his removal from the State,
in 1778. In that year he moved to Norridgewock, in
Maine, where he ever maintained a most respect-
able position in life. He died in January, 1809.
Majou John Goffe was a son of the noted Colo-
nel Jtdin GotVe, of Derryfielil. He resided in Bedford,
just across the Merrimack from his father. In the
Seven Years' War be was a lieutenant in Caiitain
Martin's company, in Goffe's regiment. At the
close of the French war he returned to Bedford and
resumed his occupation as a farmer and miller.
He received a captain's commission from Gov-
ernor Wentworth in 17(i4, and 1708 wsis |iro-
moted to a majorily. At the commencement of
hostilities he volunteereil, went to Cambridge, en-
listed in Captain Moore's company as a private, and
was in the battle of Bunker Hill. In the summer
jifter, he left the army anil returned home, his business
rci|niriug his presence. Several of his sons scrveil in
the War of the Revolution, ami two of them lost their
48
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
lives in that struggle — Stephen being lost at sea, and
William killed in an engagement. But in civil life
Major God'e was active in the patriot cause, and was
successful in furnishing recruits for the army. When
General Stark called for more troops to assist in con-
quering Burgoyne, Major Goti'e at once volunteered
his services as a private, and marched to th^ conflict,
thus favoring the great cause by precept and exam-
ple. Of a truth, the good that such men do lives after
them. He died at Bedford, aged eighty-five years.
Lieutenant John Okr was of Bedford, where, at
the commencement of the Revolution, he was a suc-
cessful farmer. He volunteered under Stark in his ex-
pedition to Bennington, and was appointed a lieu-
tenant in Captain McConnell's company, in Colonel
Stickney's regiment. This regiment was one of the
two that were sent against the Tory breast-work on
the right of the enemy's works, south of the Hoosac.
Early in the tight Lieutenant Orr was wounded in the
knee by a musket-ball. Unable to stand, he lay upon
the ground some time before any one came to his
assistance. Sergeant Griffin then came to him, and
with the assistance of another soldier carried him to
a place of safety, forced to drag him upon his back
through a corn and flax-field to shun the sharpshoot-
ers of the enemy. From want of skill the fracture was
not properly reduced; but employing a private sur-
geon he began to mend, but was unable to be removed
until February. On the 4th of that month he started
for home, riding upon a bed in a sleigh, and reached
home in ten days, after much suffering. He was una-
ble to step till the October following, with crutches
even. In the end he recovered his health, and though
ever lame, was able to resume the active duties of
life. He was much in public business, and filled the
offices of selectman. Representative and Senator in
the State Legislature with credit to himself in town
and district. J^ieutenaut Orr died in Bedford in Jan-
uary, 1823, aged sixty-five years.
Sergeant Epiiraim Steven.s was another true
soldier of Derryfield. He never knew fear. Whether
driving the Hessians from their ([uarters, or attacking
them without regard to disparity of numbers, as at
Trenton, he was the same dauntless man. He was
one who "snufled the battle from afar," and w^as
ready to engage in it. When relating his afltiir
at Trenton, in beating up the quarters of the Hessians,
he was wont to say that the bayoneted Hessians, as
they lay upon the floor, was tlie prettiest sight he ever
saw. He was of powerful make, and had the reputation
of being the " strongest man in the army." In the
camp at Valley Forge, when, by the recommendation
of the officers, the soldiers engaged in all manner of
athletic sports, Sergeant Stevens was wont to "beat
the ring " wrestling and lifting. The trial of strength
was in shouldering and carrying of "oak buts;" he
could shoulder and carry the biggest " oak but of any
man in the army." Such a man was invaluable as a
soldier. Want of education prevented his promotion.
After the close of the war Sergeant Stevens returned
to Derryfield and became a successful farmer. He
died in 1845, aged eighty-seven years.
Sergeant Theophilus Griffin. — lie was an-
other brave soldier of Derryfield. He was with Stark
at the battle of Trenton, and was one of the men
who assisted Stevens in adventure with the Hessians,
before related. The most of the day he went bare-
footed through the snow, throwing ott' his worthless
shoes soon after commencing the pursuit of the re-
treating Hessians, and this without a murmur. No
man fought better than Theophilus Griffin ; but he
must have a leader. He could execute, not direct.
When the news came of the retreat from Ticonderoga
he was one of the first to volunteer his services to meet
the enemy, and was with Stark at Bennington, where,
in addition to fighting bravely, he assisted with the
greatest hazard in carrying Lieutenant Orr from the
field when disabled by a severe wound. After the
close of the war he settled down upon a small farm,
but with indiflerent success as a farmer. Habits fos-
tered, if not contracted in the service unfitted him for
steady employment. He preferred the exciting scenes
of the camp to quiet labor, and, used to those, in the
time of peace he sought excitement where it could be
found, and, as was often the case with other soldiers,
l)a.s*ed the last years of his life with little advantage
to himself or society. He, however, fought nobly tor
his countrj', and his name deserves a place among the
patriots of Derryfield. He died at Derryfield at an
advanced age.
Samuel Kemick. — He was an apprentice in Bed-
ford at the time of Burgoyne's ai>iiroach from the
north. He volunteered under Stark and was at the
battle of Bennington. He stood by Lieutenant Orr,
saw him fall and carried from the field. As he
emerged from the corn-field he took a position behind
an oak and commenced firing upon the enemy. He
fired some eight or ten times, when, as he was loading
his gun, an unlucky bullet from the enemy's works
brought him to the ground. In this position he
loaded and fired several times upon the enemy. At
length, giving his gun to a man, the lock of whose
gun had been broken by a ball, he dragged himself to
a fence near by, where he was taken upon a blanket
and carried to the surgeon's quarters, an open field on
the banks of the Hoosac. He soon recovered, and
lived to a good old age, receiving the bounties of his
country for his sufferings in the cause of lihertj-.
The following were also in the war from this town :
Ephraim Stevens, David Merrill, James Thomjison,
Benjamin George, Isaac George, Ichabod Martin and
Robert McNight.
MANCHESTER.
49
CHAPTER 111.
MANCHESTER— (Conirnnerf).
CIVIL HISTORY.
The Charter of I)orr)fleld— Original Bounds— The First Town-Mooting—
Officers Elected— Portion of Iliirrytown Anne.\o<! in 17U.'>— Town
Named Maucliester in 18111 — List of Solectnien, Moderutors iind Town
Clerks— Tho Town-Meetiug of 1840 — Much Kxcitement Prevails —
Thirty Constables Chosen to Keep Onlor— The Waning Power of the
Town— Strength of tho *' New Village " — First Town-BIeeting in the
"Now Village" — Town House Erected — Incoriiuralion of tho City
First City Election— Otlicers (lioson- Organization of Firet City Gov-
orniiieut — List of Mayors and Clerks from Organi/.ation to ISSo.
The town of Manchester, embracing portions of
the towns of Loinloiulerry and Chester, and a tract ol
hind lying on the Mcrriinacic River, belonging to the
Masonian proprietors, called " Ilarrytown," was char-
tered September 3, 1701, under the name of " Derry-
field." This name is said to have been derived from
the fact that the people of Londonderry had been ac-
customed to pasture their cattle within its limits.
The charter was as follows :
"PlloVINCE OF New IlASd-SIIIUK.
••ILS.]
"Gt'orge the second by the grace of God, of Grunt Uritiiiii, France and
Ireland King, Defender of the Fuitb, Ac, and toiill whom these preaentd
Bhull come.
"Grketiso ;
*' mtercas, OUT loyal subjects, inhulpitnntii of a tmct of land witliin our
provincoof New Hamiwhire aforesaid, lying partly within that part of our
province of New Hunipshire called LcndouiliTry in i>art, and in part in
Chettter, and in part of land not heretufure grunted to any town within our
province aforesaid, liavi- hiirnbly ptititioned and reqnested to us that they
ni»y bo erected and incorporated into a township, and infrauchise*! with
the same powers and privileges wjiichiillu-r towns within our said prov-
ince by law have and enjoy ; and it appearing to us to bo conducive to the
general good of our said province, as well us of said inhabitants in jiartlc-
iilar, by maintaining good order, and enconntging the cnltivaiion of the
land, that the same shonld bo done ; Know Ve, therefore, that we, of our
especial grace, certain knowledge and for the encounigtmient and pi-o-
moting the good purposesand t.-iuin afuresaid, by antl with tin- advice of
our trusty and well-beloved liennington Wi-nlwortb, Ksq., our Governor
and Commander in Chief, and of our Council of our Province of New
Ilanipshire aforesaid, have erected and ordaint^d, and by these pres*}nts,
for ourselves and succt^sors, do will and ordain, that tho inhabilanftof a
(the) tmct of land aforcsa'ld, shall inhabit and improve thereon hereafter
bulled and tK)unde<l as folbfWB, viz.: Degioning at a pitch i>ine tree
standing upon the town line, betwoon Chester and Londonderry, marked
one hiindreil and thirty-four, being the bounds of one of the sixty-acn-
lots in naid Chester, being the Sniilh \V«-st curni-r of said lot ; theneo run-
ning south into the township of Londonderry one hundn-d ami sixty
rods to a stake and stones ; thence running west to Londonderry North
and South line ; thence runnliig South upon Londonilerry line to tho Head
line of Litchfield to a stake and stones ; thenru running upon the head
line of Litchflehl to the Hank of the Merrlnnick river ; tbenco running
up said river, as the rivt^T runs, eight miles to aslakeand sloiiesstunding
upon the liank of sairl river ; theno? running Kast South ICast one mile
and three (jnarterf, thnmgh land not gninted to any town, until it comes
to CbfNtrr line ; tbenci- running two miles and a half an*! Ilfty-two rods
on the sjime couive into tln' townshiit of Cln"*ter, to a slake aiifl sl<»no« ;
tbenrL' running south four mites and a half to the boumls fli-st mentioned,
all which lands within stud bounds which lies within the townships of
Londonderry and Ctiester aforesaid, are not to lu> liable to pay any taxoii
or rates, but as they shall be settletl, and by these presents are iloclared
and ordained to be a town ctirporateil, and are hereby erected untl Incor-
porated into alKHly poUtlrk, and aeorponitlon to have continuance for-
ever by tho name of Dcrryfleld, with all the iM>wont, authorities, pHvl-
loges. immunities and infranrhises to them tin- said inhabitants and their
■nccessors forever, always reserving to us, our In-irs, and nucressiu-n, all
white pine tr«ee growing and bring, or that shall herraftergrow and Iw
on tho said tract of land, fit for tho uae of our Royal Navy, reserving
also the power of dividing gaid town to us, our hoire and succoaBoni, when
it bliiiti appear uecesei^iry and convenient for the benefit of the inhabitants
thereof, and as the several towns within our niaid province of New nanti>-
shire, are by law (hereof entitled and autbori/.cd to assemble, and by
the majority of vot«s to choose all said oflicersas are mentioned in tlio
said laws.
"We do by these presents nominate and appoint John McMurphy to
call the fli-st meeting of the inhabitants to be held within tho said town
at any time within twenty days from the day hereof, giving legal notice
of the time, place and design of holding sjiid meeting in said town, after
which the annual meeting in oaid town shall be lu-ld for the choice of
town ofHcers,and forever on tlio first Monday in J^Iarch annually. In
testimony whereof we have caused the seal of our said I'rovinco to be
hereto affixed.
•' Witnesis Benning Wentwortb, Ksq., our Governor and Connnander
in Chief of our said Province, the third day of Septembt-r, in the year of
our Lord Chiist, one thousand seven hundred and hflyHine, and in the
twenty-tifth year of our Keign.
" By His E,\celleucy'8 Command
with advice of Council,
*' B. Wkntwohth.
"TiiKonoRR Atkinson, Sec^y.
"Province op New IIami'suire.
" Entered and recorded in tho Book of Charter, this third day of Sep-
tember 175G, pages 79 & 80.
" I'cr TiiEonoKE Atkinson, Src'y."'
This charter covered about eighteen square miles of
the southwest part of Chester, about nine square miles
of the northwest part of Londonderry, inchidiiijr The
Peak, and the strip of hind between Londonderry,
Chester and the Merrimaek River, called Ilarrytown,
containing about eight square miles.
This charter did not embrace the wholeof what was
known as Harrytown, a nook at the north part, be-
twixt Chester and the Merrimack being left ungranted.
This contained about two square miles, wan called
Harrysborough, and was added to Derryfield in ITU'J.
The act of incorporation empowered John McMur-
phy to call the first town-meeting, which was held at
the house of John Hall, inn-holder, September 23,
1751, as follows :
'*l*RoviNcE OF New Hami'SMIke.
"At a meeting of tho proprietors, fi-eeholders and inhabitants of
Derryfield, assembled at the house of Jtphn Hall, In said town. At this
first meeting upon Monday, the twenty-third day of September, Ann»
l>om'o, 17r>l, by His Kxcellency's direction in tho charter for said town-
ship, dated September tho thini, 1761, according to the direction In Mid
charter, by His Excellency's command, 1, tho sulwcrilK-r Issued a notifica-
tion for choice of town otlicers upon the affonwiid day. and the atToresaid
bouse, and the people being iwst>mbled,
" Vol&J, John Golfe, first Selectman.
William Perham, Ditto Selectman.
Nathaniel Boyd, " "
Daniel McNeil,
Elie74i Wells,
"3dly, for town clerk, John Hall.
"4thly, Commisslonei-s for assowment, to examine the Selectmen's ac*
eounl. William McCllntock, William Stark.
"Sthly, for countable, UolM'rt Andei-s«tii.
"C.lhly, for (ylbing men, John Harvey, William Elliott.
"7thly, for surveyors of highways, Abraham Merrill, John lUddlo'
John Hall.
*'8thly, for Invoice men, Oiarh-s Eniemm, Samuel Martin.
"Othly, for Haywaitls, Mosi-s Wells, Wlllliim (iurubln.
" lothly, Peer-keojM'm, Charles Ememm, William Stark.
" nth, for culler of staves, Benjamin Stevens.
"I2thly, for surveyor of boanls, planks, Joists and timlMT, Abraham
Merrill.
" Reconled by me,
[ 'MituN Ham, 1\nen CXrrk.'*
50
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIllE.
Thus the tosvn was organized under the charter. ' that the phxce some day would l.e the Manchester of
The next town-meeting was holden the 16th of ^ America."
November following, and mainly for the purpose of |
raising money to defray the expenses of obtaining '
the cliarter. On the 4th of November the meeting
was called by warrant of the Selectmen, the second
article of which was
••■>. To raao money to defray the clmrges that Mr. John Hall has been
at ill obtaining a corporation for said town ami to cliuso a committee for
examining and allowing his accounts."
At the meeting held November 26, 1751, upon the
second article of the warrant, it was :
" VoUd, that .Mr. .lohn Hall be piid all the money that a committee
uiwn the examination of his accounts shall allow to be his just due for
obtaining an incorporation for this town, and the committee's names are i
as lolloweth : John GotTe, William SIcrlinto, William Pcrham." 1
This committee made their report to the selectmen
DeceiiiluT 21, ITol, as follows:
" DF.ltltYFlELn, December ye 21, IT.'M.
"To the selectmen of Derryfield, Gents, We, the subscribers, being a
coiiiraittec chosen by the town of Derryfield to examine and allow the
ac^iounts of .Mr. John Hall, that we should find justly due to him for his
obtaining a corporation for said town, we have set upon that affair, and
upon a critical examination of the accounts of ssiid John we find that he
has o.vponded iu money and time, at a reasonable, or rather moderate al-
lowance, amounts to the sum of two hundred and litty-one pounds old
tenor, and accordingly we judge it highly reasonable that he should
have the sum with all po^ible expedition.
" Certified by us the day and year above.
" Wm.i.hm McClinto,
"John GoFrE,
*' Wli.i.i.vM Perha.m,
" Crtwiniittee .Ifea."
.\t the same meeting the following votes were
p;isRed :
"3dly, VoUii, to Ease 24 pounds old tenor, to be rased to paye fore
Priching for this present year.
" 4lhly, ViiUit, to Ease 12 pounds old tenor to ihifray the charges that
may arise the present year.''
As originally incorpuratcd, tlir town was wholly on
the east side of the Merrimack. In 1795, by an act
of the Legislature, a gore of land was annexed to the
north side of the town, being a portion of " Harry-
town,'" and was intended to be included in the original
incorporation. June 13, 1810, the name of the town
was changed to Manchester, it is said, as a compliment
to Hon. Samuel Blodgett, who constructed a canal
around Anioskeag Falls and who had often asserted
1 " It «cema that a portion of this city, noxt to tho Merrimack, consist-
ing of a strip of land three miles in width, extending through its entire
length, was granted, in 1635, to Ephraim Hililreth, John Shcpley and
others, by the Province of Maesjichuselts, that province claiming that
their north line extended three miles north and east of tlie Merri-
mack. Hildreth and Shepley. for themselves and other soldiers under
Captain William Tyiig, iH?lilioned the Ceiicral Court of Massachusetts
province for the grant of a tract of land six miles sriuaro lying on both
sides of Merrimack Eiver at .\mo«Ueag Falls. The petition was pres<!nted
on the ground of services rendered in an expedition against tho Indians
on snow-shoes, in the winter of 1703.
"This petition was granted and the tract of land included within It
was known by the name of Tyngstown. Tyngstown extended from
"Suncook or Lovewell's town" (now INuiibrokei to Lilchfield, and was
bounded on the west by the Jlerrimack, and 4in the oast by a line paral-
lel III tho Merrimack, and al the distance of Ihive miles from the same.
Thus the town was about twelve miles in length and three miles in
length."— W«e. C. W. Waltacr, D.ll.
The following is a list of the selectmen and town
clerks from the organization of Derryfield, in 1751, to
the incorporation of the city in 1846 :
SELECTMEN.
1751, John Goffe, William I'erhani, Satlianiel Boyd, Daniel McNiel,
Eleozer Wells ; 1752, John Golfe, Archibald Stark, .Alexander McMur-
phy; 1753, William Perhaui, .\lexander 5IcMiir])hy, John Kiddell ;
1754, William McClintock, .Alexander McMurphy, John Hall ; 17.55,
Daniel MeJJiel, Kobert Andel-son, John Harvey ; 1756, Daniel MeNiel,
liobcrl Anderaon, John Harvey ; 1757, Eleazer liubbins, Koliert Ander-
son, Daniel McNiel : 17.'iS, William Perham, William McClintock, .\bra-
ham Jlerrill ; 1739, William Perham, William McClintock, Abraham
Merrill ; 17G0, William McClintock, Hugh Sterling, Abraham Merrill ;
1761, William Perhaui, John Hall, Thomas Euss ; 1762, William Per-
ham, John Stark, John Moors ; 17C3, John Stark, William McClintock,
John floors ; 1764, William JlcClintock, John Stark, John Moore; 1765,
William Perham, William JlcClintock, .\liraham Merrill ; 1766, Alex-
ander McMui-phy,l Ebenezcr Stevens, John Hall, David MeKiiight; =
1767, Eleazer Robbins, Alexander McClintock, Nathaniel Bovd; 170li,
John Hall. John lioflb, John Harvey ; 176'.l, William McClintock, Alex-
ander McMurphy, John Moor; 177ii, William McClintock, Alexander
McMuiphy, John Moor ; 1771, William SIcClintock, Alexander Mc-
Murphy ; 1772, Alexander McMurphy, John Sloor, William Mc-
Clintock ; 1773, John Stark, Samuel Boyd, .lames McCalley ; 1774,
James McCalley, Samuel Boyd, John Perham ; 1776, John Stark,
John Sloor, Joseph George ; 1776, David Stjirrett, Ezekiel Stevens, John
Perham ; 1777, John Goffe, Ebenezer Stevens. Benjamin Crouibie ; 1778,
John Hall, Benjamin Baker, Samuel Boyd ; 17711, David Starrett,^ John
Perham, Samuel 5Ioor, Jonathan Kuss;< 17S0, Jonathan Kuss, John
Sheldon, Samuel Moor ; 1781 John Hall, Samuel Jloor, Jonathan Buss ;
1782, Samuel Moor, Jonathan Kuss, Joseph Sandei-s ; 1783, Samuel Moor,
Joseph Sanders, Jonathan Kuss ; 1784, Joseiih Sanders, John (ioffe, John
Hall ; 1785, John Goffe, Jr., William Perham, Samuel Stark ; 1786, Jo-
seph Femior, John Goffe, Jr., Isaac Unse ; 1787, James Thompson, Isaac
I Huse, John (ireene ; 178S, .lohn Hall. .lohn Webster, John Perham ;
1789, James Thompson, John (ireen, John Hay ; 1700, Isaac Huse, SiUii-
uel Moor, John Stark, Jr.; 1"'.I2, Daniel Davis, Samuel Moor, John
Stark, Jr.; 17113, John Goffe, Isaac Huse, John Webster; 17',>4, John
Stark, Jr., Daniel Davis, .Samuel Moor, Jr.; 17'.l5, Daniel Davis, John
Stark, Jr., Samuel Moor, Jr., John Kay, John Perham; 1796, Isaac
Huse, John Tufts, John Stark, Jr.; 1797, John Goffe, Samuel Moor, Jr.,
Samuel Blodget ; 1798, John Goffe, Daniel Davis, John Stark ; 1"
John Kay, Josejih Moore, Daniel Davis ; lSi»i, Samuel Moor. Jr
Ray, Israel Webster ; 18cil, Samuel .Moor, Jr., John Kay,
ster ; 18112, Samuel Moore, Jr., Israel Webster, John Kay ;
Moor, Jr., Israel Webster, John Stark (3d)
Isaac Huse, .lohn Stark (.Id) ; 18ii5, Samuel
Archibald Gamble ; ISlH'i, Samuel Jloor, Jr.
ton; 18(17, Samuel Moor, Jr., Amos Weston,
uel Moor, Jr., Amos Weston, Samuel Ilall
Isiwc Huse, John Stark ; 181n, .Samuel Moor, Jr., Thomas Stickney,
Isaac Huse ; 1811, John Stark, Jr., Amos Weston, Israel Webster; 1812,
Samuel Moor, Jr., John Stark, Jr., John Dickey ; 1813, Samuel Moor,
Joli Kowell, John Dickey ; 1814, Isaac Ihise, Israel Webster. John G.
Jloor; 1815, IsiUic Huse, Israel Web^Ier, Ephraim Stevens, .Ir. ; 1816,
Isaac Huse, John Frye. John Stark (4tli) ; 1817, Isaac Huse, John Stark
(4th), John Dickey; 1818, Isaac Huse, John Dickey, Nathaniel Moor;
1819, Samuel Moor, Ephraim Stevens, Jr., John Stark (4th) ; 1820, Joseph
Moor, Ephraim Stevens, Jr., Amos Weston, Jr.; 1821, Amos Weston,
Jr., Ephraim Stevens, Jr., John Proctor; 1822, Amos Weston, Jr.,
John PuKtor, Nathaniel .Moor; 18'2:!, Amos Weston, Jr.. Nathaniel
Moor, John Proctor; 1824, Amos Weston, Jr., Nathaniel .Moore, leaar
Huse; 18'2.5, Amos Weston, Jr., Isaac Huse, Nathaniel Moore; 1826,
Frederick G. Stark, Israel Merrill, James Mcyueston ; 1827, Frederick
G. Stark, Amos Weston, Jr., Franklin Moor; 1828, John Gamble, .lohn
Hay, Nathaniel Moore; 1829, Frederick G. Stark, Archibald Stjyk,
James Mctjiieston ; 183(1, Amos Weston, Jr., John Proctor, Natlianiil
Conant; 1831, Frederick G. Stark, John Proctor, George Clark; 1832.
Amos Weston, Jr., FreOerick U. Stark, licorge Clark ; 18:i3, Amos Wes-
I ton, Jr., John Proctor, James Mcljueston ; 1834, James Mc(;ue8ton, Gil-
lolin
Israel Web-
18(13, Samuel
18114. Samuel Moor, Jr.,
Moor, Jr., Edward Kay,
Edward Kay, Amos M"es-
Edward Ray ; 1808, Sani-
18U9, Samuel Moor, Jr.,
> Until August nth.
»To Julv 16, 1779.
s From Angnst 1.1th.
« Fiom July I6th.
MANCHESTER.
51
l>ert Grffley, KreJerick O. Stark ; Ha'», KroJorick C. Stark, Amus Wes-
ton, Jr.. iNoac liuse; 1836, Frederick tj. Stark, Amus Weston, Jr., Gil-
twrt (Jreeley ; 1837, Auios Weston, Jr.. Gilbert tJreeloy, Joseph BI. Row-
*ll : 183», Josepll M. Kowoll, .\rcliibuld Uanible, Jr., Inaac Huse; l&W
Joseph M. Ilowell, Archibald Caiiible, Jr., Ifiiiac Uuse ; 1840, .\ino3
We-ston, Jr., J. T. P. Hunt, Iliniiii Hrown ; 18-11, Amos Weston, Jr.
Isaac C. Flanders, Isaac Huso ; ls42, Jloses Fellows, .\ndrew Bunton,
Jr., .\bniin Hrighaiu ; 1843, Moses Fellows, Andrew Ihinton, Jr., David
C'liild : 1S44, Xatlmn Parker, Warren L. Lane, George Clark ; 1845, Na-
than Parker, (ieorge Clark, Charles Chase; 184t>, Sloses Fellows, An-
tlrew llunton, Jr., Kdward Mc^uesten.
MODEIlATllUS.
IT.'.l, John (ioffe; 1752-,'^, William I'erham ; 17.'>5-oO, John Goffe ;
17.57, ArihibaldStark ; 17.''8-ljli, William McClintock ; 1701, William I'or-
liani ; 1 7f.2-<i;i, John t: (Te ; I7tl4. .lolin Stark ; 17C.5, .Vlexander McMur-
lihv ; KOl'i, .lohn Hall ; 1707, Havid Starrett ; 1708, Thoiuus Russ ; 17C'.l,
William JlcClintock ; 177U-73, John Stiirk ; 1774, John (Joffe ; 177.'», John
Stark; 1776-77, John (ioffe : 1778, John Hall ; 1773, John Goffe; 1780,
John Harvey ; 1781, John Hall ; 1782, John Little; 1783, John Stark ;
1784, John Hall ; 178.0, John Stark ; 1780, John Hall ; 1787, John Lit-
tle ; 1788, Jamcstiorman ; 17811. John Stark ; 179(', Samuel Moor ; 1791-92,
John Stark; 1"!P3, John Webster; 1794, John Stark; 1795-90, Daniel
Davis ; 17'.I7, John Goffe ; 1798, Sajuuel lilodget ; 1799, Satiiel Davis ;
18"", Samuel P. Kidder; 18"1, John Stark; 1S"2, Joseph Moor; 1803_
John .Stark ; 1804, Joseph Moor; 181.'., Samuel P. Kidder; 18U0, John
Stark ; 1807-8, David Flint ; 1809-11, John G. .^loor ; 1812, David Klint ;
1813, William Hall ; 1814, John 0. >Ioor ; 1815-16, John Dwiunells ;
1817-18, John Stark; 1819, Samuel Moor; 1820, Nathaniel Moor ; 1821,
John G. Moor; 1822, John Stark ; 182;t-25, Nathaniel Moor; 1820,
Kphniini Stevens, Jr.; 1827, John Stark (3d); 1828, Nathaniel Moor;
1>^29, Kphraini Stevens, Jr.; 18;}0-32, Frederick G. Stark ; 18:13, Ephraim
Stevens, Jr.; 18:14. Gilbert Greeley; 1835, Kpliraim Stevens, Jr.;
18:)0, Gilbert Grtjeley ; 1837, Frederick G. Stark ; 1S38, Kphraim Stevens,
Jr.; 18:)9-l", Charles Stark ; 1841, James McK. Wilkins ; 18I2-'13. Joseph
OKhniii, Jr.; 1844, tieorge W. Morrison ; 184."i-'16, Herman Foster.
TOWN CLKHKS.
17al-53, John Hall ; 17.'J4, Alexander Mc3Iuri)hy ; 1755^"»6, John
<>afrc; 1757-00, John Hall; 1767-74, David Starrett; 1775, John Hall;
1770-79, David Starrett;' 1779-80, Asael Smith ;- 1787, John Ituss ;
1788, John Hall; 1789-9:1, John Goffe; 1794, John Stark, Jr.; 1795,
Isaac Husi-; 1796, Samuel P. Kidder; 1797-98; John Tufts; 1799-1810,
Samuel Moor, Jr.; 1811, John Sunk, Jr.; 1812-13, Isiuic Huse; 1814,
Samuel Moor; 181.5-18, John G. Moor; 1819-23, Frederick G. Stark;
1824-25, Amos Weston, Jr.; 1820-28, Franklhi Moor: 1829-:!", Samuel
Jackson; 18:iI-;«, Amos Weston, Jr.; 18:)4-:i7, John R. Hall; 1838-4",
^muol Jackson ; 1841, Walter French ; 1842-46, John M. Noyes.
The town-meetings were held in the town until
1840. The increasing power of tlie "New Village"
wius not looked upon with favor by the old inhal)itants,
who regarded these new-comers a.s interlopers.
Mutual jealousies soon arose, which finally resulted in
a stormy town-meeting in March, 1840, which re-
quired the selection of thirty constables to keep order
before the other town oflicers were elected.
It had become apparent (said Judge Potter, in re-
ferring to this meeting) tlnit the inlGibilaiits of the
" New Village " would soon outnumber those of the
town, if they ilid not at that time. The people of the
village ilid not talk or act with much moderation.
They openly told their intention of controlling the
affairs of the town, and the nomiiiiitions for town
officers by the two jmrtics seem to have been made
with this idea, as all tlie candidates for the important
offices in the town lived at the " New Village," or in
its immediate vicinity. At llie annual meeting,
the votes of the first day showed conelusively tliat
iTo.luh II.. 1779. "Fr. lulv 16lh.
the people of the " New Village " predominated.
Accordingly, when about to adjourn on the eveuiug of
that day, a motion was made to adjtjurn to meet at
Washington Hall, on Amherst Street, at»ten o'clock
A.M. of the next day. This motion at once produced
a most stormy discussion. Upon putting the question,
the utmost confusion prevailed and a poll of the house
was demanded. Finally it was |)roposed that the two
parties to the question should Ibrm in lines upon the
common, in front of the town-h<iuse, and should be
counted by the selectmen, thus taking the vote surely
and in order. This suggestion met the views of all
parties ; the question was put by the moderator and a
l.irge portion of the voters went out and formed lines
as suggested. While most of tlie voters liad thus left
tiie house, some one made a motion to adjourn the
meeting to the next day, then to meet at the town-
house; the moderator put the vote, it was carried, and
the meeting was declared adjourned. When the
"outsiders" heard of the vote, they rushed into the
house ; but to no purpose, the meeting was adjourned,
and the moderator would bear no motion. After
much confusion the people left the house and went
home ; but on both sides it was only to rally their
forces for the contest the next day. The voters of the
"New Village" met the same night in Washington
Hall, and laying aside their i)olitical preferences,
nominated a union ticket for town officers. The next
day the parties were at the polls at an early hour, all
under much excitement ; so much so, that it soon be-
came apparent that they could not proceed with the
meeting without an increase of the constabulary
force ; it was accordingly " Voted to postpone the choice
of selectmen until constables be chosen."
They then made choice of thirty constables, as fol-
lows, viz.: James McQuesten, J. L. IJradfbrd, David
Young, William P. Fanner, Mace Moulton, Matthew
Kennedy, Walter French, John IT. Copp, Levi Sar-
gent, Adam Gilmore, .Fonathan H. Cochran, Isaac C.
Flanders, Joseph B. Hall, ,lr., Alonzo IJoyce, Nehe-
niiah Chase, Taylor L. Southwick, IJarton Mousey,
(ieorge W. Tilden, Josiah Stowell, Thomas Gamble,
Jonathan C. Furbish, E. W. Harrington, Hiram
lirown, Alonzo Smith, Reuben Kiml);ill, .Tohn H.
JIayiiard, Henry S. Whitney, .racob ( i. Cilley, .Joseph
M. Ilowcll ;m(l Klienezer 1'. Swain.
They then jiroceeded to elect the Hoard of Select-
men, and made choiceof the gentlemen nominated in
the caucus at the " New Village," viz. : Amos Weston,
Jr., Jona. T. P. Hunt, Hiram Brown.
After this ballot the business of the meeting pn.ssed
off quietly, the village party having things their own
way. After choosing the usual town officers tliey
raised a committee, consisting of the selectmen,
(ieorge Clark and James Hall, to purchase a " Paujjer
Farm," without limitation as to the price, and author-
izeil the selectmen to hire .such a sum of money as
might be iieces.sary to pay for saiil farm. They also
constituted the selectmen a conimittee to take into
54
HISTORY (IF HILLSBOROUGH COUiNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
and American and Messenger, continued the publica-
tion of the former and united the latter with the
ZVemoera/, under the name of the Democrat and Ameri-
can. Soon afterwards Simeon D. Farnsworth, then a
school- teacher of Concord, came to this city and
entered into partnei-ship with Goodale, and the
firm became Oondale & Farnsworlh. In the fall of
18G1 the latter bought out his partner and continued
the sole proprietor till April, 18G3, when, having be-
come a paymaster in the army, he leased the daily and
weekly to Gage, Moore & Co. (Henry A. Gage, Orren
C. Moore, James O. Adams), and the name Democrat
was dropped from the title. In August, IStiS, O. C.
Moore sold iiis interest to Sylvester C. Gould. In
December, 1803, Mr. Farnsworth bought back the lease
and sold both papers to John B. Clarke, who united
them with the Mirror. The last issue of the Daily
Amirican was dated December. 26, 1863.
The Gleaner was issued November 12, 1842, its pub-
lisher being William A. Hall and its editor John Cald-
well. It was suspended in the latter part of 1845.
The Manchester Palladium, another of Mr. Cald-
well's enterprises, was begun May 21, 1846, and
continued about six months.
The White Mountain Torrent was published here
a few months in 1843.
The Manchester Operative was begun Saturday,
December 30, 1843, by Willard N. Haradon, and
discontinued November 16, 1844.
The Independent Democrat was begun in tliis city
May 1, 1845, by Robert C. Wetmore. It was re-
moved after a few weeks to Concord, and was subse-
quently united with the Independent Statesman.
July 3, 1845, was issued the first number of the
Manchester Mercantile Advertiser, published by
Charles H. Chase. It was suspended after an ex-
istence of nearly five months, and then Mr. Chase
began the publication of the Manchester Saturday
Messeiif/er, November 21), 1845. The Messenger ap-
peared March 28, 1846, with J. E. Davis, Jr., and
Israel P. Chase as publishers. E. D. Davis took
Mr. Chase's place in the firm on the 15th of August
of the same year. They continued its publication
till March 20, 1847, when they disposed of the es-
tablishment to William II. Gilmore and Israel P.
Chase. Joseph Kidder, who had been its editor from
the start, resigned his charge at the close of the
second volume, November 20, 1847. Mr. Chase was
thereafter the principal editor till he retired from the
paper, June 24, 1848. Subsequently, Henry A. Gage
bought Mr. Gilmore's interest, and May 26, 1849,
associated with him Francis F. Forsaitli, who then
became the editor. He withdrew January 25, 1851,
and was succeeded by Benjamin F. Wallace, who
had been for several years the principal of Piscata-
quog Village Academy. In 1852 it was sold to
Abbott, Jenks & Co. (Joseph C. Abbott, Edward
A. Jenks and Henry A. Gage), the owners of the
American, and united with that paper.
The New Hampshire Temperance Banner was es-
tablished in 1847, and in about three years removed
to Concord.
The Old Hero, a short-lived campaign paper, wa»
issued in 1848 from the oflice of the Manchester
American, in advocacy of the claims of General
Zachary Taylor for the Presidency.
September 9, 1848, the first number of the ^fan-
chester Telescope was issued by Haradon & Kiely.
After an existence of about two years its name was
changed by Mr. Haradon, who had become its sole
proprietor February 19, 1849, to that of Haradon's
Weekly Spy. A .subsequent change made it the Man-
chester Spy, and under this title it was published till
the beginning of 1852, when it was sold to the \>\\h-
lishers of the Farmers' Monthly Visitor, and incor-
porated with that paper.
The Merchants' Own Journal was begun in No-
vember, 1S4S, by Haradon & Storer, and was issued
for a short time.
About 1849 the late Dr. Thcmias K. Crosby, then
a practicing physician in Manchester, conceived the
idea of publishing an agricultural paper in the city,,
and at length having associated with himself James
O. Adams as publisher, issued the first number of
the Granite Farmer February 26, 1850. It was a
weekly of eight pages, and, according to the an-
nouncement on its first page, was "published under
the patronage of the New Hamphire State Agricul-
tural Society." At the beginning of the fourtli
volume, in January, 1853, the Rev. A. G. Comings, o*'
Mason, became associate editor, but he removed from
the State about March, 1853, and the twelfth number
was the last which bore his name. The paper was
sold, October 5, 1§53, to the Hon. Chandler E. Potter,
and was united not long afterwards with the Farmers*
Monthli/ Visitor.
The Manchester Daily Mirror was started i»s a.
mdniiiit;- paper, :\Icinday,t)ct()lKT liS, 1850, by Joseph C.
Emerson. With the seventh number appeared the
name of F. A. Moore as that of the editor. He was.
succeeded as editor, December 16, 1850, by Edward
N. Fuller. Monday, June 23, 1851, it was changed
from a morning to an evening pajier. Mr. Emerson
began, Saturday, February 22, 1851, under the UMme
of the Dollar Weekly Mirror, a weekly paper, made
up from the columns of the daily, of which also Mr.
Fuller was the editor. In February, 1852, he retired
from the editorship, and his i)lace was filled by
John B. Clarke. He held the position till Sejitember
1st, when Mr. Emerson, who had been engaged in the
manufacture of fireworks, lost heavily by fire, and
became financially embarrassed. He struggled along
till October 20th, when he sold at auction the daily
and weekly, which were bought by John B. Clarke^
who has owned and edited them ever since. He
bought, in 1863, of S. D. Farnsworth, the Daily and
Weekly American, in which the Manchester Democrat
had been swallowed up, and united the latter with
y^/b^M-z/et
k (■CI'fLt-^.
MANCHESTER.
55
the Dollar Weekly Mirror and the former with the
yA(i7;/-l/iV)o;-, which has since been known as the Daily
Mirror and American. In 18t)3 lie bouglit of Francis
B. Eaton the iVcic Hampshire Journal of Agriculture,
which had already absorl)ed the Granite Fanner and
the I-arnier"' Monthly Visitor, and united it witli the
wecicly, under tlio name of the Dnllar Weekly Mirror
and New ]{amj/«hirc Journal of Agriculture. July
8, 18G5, its name was changed to tliat of Mirror
and Farmer, and under tliis it has since been pub-
lished.
CoLON'EL JoHX 15. Cl.\kke,' editor and proprietor
of the Manchester Mirror. — .\moug the business en-
teriirises in which the men of to-day seek fortune anil
reputation, there is scarcely another which, when
firmly established upon a sound basis, sends its roots
so deep and wide, and is so certain to endure and pros-
per, bearing testimony to the ability of its creators, as
the family newsiiaper. Indeed, a daily or weekly
paper which has gained by legitimate methods an im-
mense circulation and a profitalile advertising patron-
age is immortal. It may change owners and names,
and character even, but it never dies, and it^ as is
usually the case, it owes its early reputation and suc-
cess to one man, it not only reflects him while he is
as.sociated with it, liut pays a constant tribute to his
memory after he has ]iassed away.
But, while the rewards of eminent success in the
newspaper profession are great and substantial, the
road to them is one which only the strong, sagacious
and active can travel, and this is especially true when
he who strives for them assumes the duties of both
pul)lisher and editor. It requires great ability to
make a great pajier every day, and even greater to sell
it extensively and profitably, and to do both is not a
possible task for the weak. To do both in* an inland
city, where the competition of metropolitan journals
must be met and discounted, without any of their ad-
vantiiges, requires a man of grip, grit ami genius.
In 1852 the Manchester Mirror was one of the
smallest and weakest papers in the country. Its
weekly edition had a circulation of about six hundred,
that of its daily was le.ss than five hundred, and its
advertising receipts were extremely small. Alto-
gether, it was a load which its owner could not carry,
and the whole establishment, including subscription
lists, good-will, i)re8s, type and material was sold at
auction for less than one thou.sand dollars.
In 188;) the Weekly Minor and Farmer has a cir-
culation of more than twenty-three thousand and
every subsi-riber on its books has paid for it in advance.
The Jtaily Mirror and Amerirnii has a eorrespon<I-
ingly large and reliable constituency, and neither
paper lacks advertising patronage. The office in which
they are printed is one of the most extensive and best
equipped in the Kastern States out of Boston. In
' From the /f<iy Slate Moiillilii.
every sense of the word the Mirror is successful, strong
and solid.
The building up of this great and substantial enter-
prise from so small a beginning has been the work of
John B. Clarke, who bought the papers, as stated
above, in 18u2, has ever since been their owner, man-
ager and controlling spirit, and in spite of sharp ri-
valry at home and from abroad and the lack of oppor-
tunities which such an undertaking must contend
with in a small city, has kept the Mirror, in hard
times as in good times, steadily growing, enlarg-
ing its scope and influence, and gaining strength
with which to make and maintain new advance.^ ;
and at the same time lia.s made it yield every
year a handsome income. Only a man of
pluck, push and perseverance, of courage, sagacity
and industry could have done this ; and he who has
accomplished it need point to no other achievement
to establish his title to a place among the strong men
of his time.
3Ir. Clarke is a native of Atkinson, where he w:;s
born January 30, 1820. His parents were intelligent
and successful farmers, and from them he inherited
the robust constitution, the genial disposition and the
capacity for brain-work which have carried him to the
head of his profession inXew Hampshire. They al>o
furnished iiini with the small amount of money neces-
sary to give a boy an education in those days, ami in
due course he graduated with high honors at Dart-
mouth College, in the class of 1843. Then he became
principal of the Meredith Bridge Academy, which
position he held for three years, reading law mean-
while in an ollice near by. In 1848 he was admitted
to the Hillsborough County bar, from the office of bis
brother, at Manchester, the late Hon. William
C. Clarke, attorney-general of New Hampshire, and
the next year went to California. From 1849 until
1851 he was practicing his profession, roughing it in the
mines, and prosi)eeting for a permanent business and
location in California, Central .\nierica and Mexico.
In 1851 he returned to JIancheslcrand established
himself as a lawyer, gaining in a few months a prac-
tice which gave him a living, but in October of the
next year the sale of the Mirmr afforded an opening
more suited to his talents and ambition, ami having
bought the property, he thenceforth devoted hinisi'lf
to its development.
He had no experience, no capital, but he had con-
fidence in himself, energy, good Judgment and a wil-
lingness to work for the success he was determined to
gain. For months and years he was editor, reporter,
business manager, accountant and collector. In liiese
ea|iacities he (lid an amount of work that would h.'ive
killed an ordinary nutn, ami did it in a way that told ;
for every month added to the number of his patrons,
and slowly but steadily his business increased in
volume and his papers in influeMce,
He early nmde it a rule to condense everything that
appeared in the eolumsofthe Mirror into the smallest
56
HISTORY OP HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
possible space, to make what ho iiriuted readable as
■vvfll as reliable, to make the paper better every year
than it was the 2>recerling year, and to furnish the
weekly edition at a ptUe which would give it an im-
mense circulation without the help of traveling
agents or the credit system ; and to this policy he has
adhered. Besides this, he spared no expense which
he judged would add to the value of his publications,
and his judgment has always set the bonds for off on
the very verge of extravagance. Whatever machine
promised to keep his office abreast of tlie times, and in-
crease the capacity for good work, he has dared buy.
Whatever man he has thought would brighten and
strengthen hisstaff of assistants he hiw gone for, and,
if I)()ssible, got, and whatever new departure has seemed
to iiim likely to win new friends for the Mirror he has
made.
In this way he has gone from the bottom of the ladder
to the top. From time to time rival sheets have sprung
up beside him, but only to maintain an existence for
a brief i)eriod or to be consolidated with the Mirror.
All the time there has been shar|) competition from
publishers elsewhere, but this has only stimulated him
to make a better paper and push it successfully in
fields which they have regarded as their own.
In connection with the Mirror, a great job-printing
establishment has grown up, which turns out a large
amount of work in all departments, and where the
State printing has been done six years. Mr. Clarke
has also published several books, including "Sanborn's
History of New Hampshire," ''Clarke's History of Man-
chester," " Successful New Hampshire Men," " Man-
chester Directory" and other works. AVithin a few-
years a book-bindery has been added to tile establish-
ment.
Mr. Clarkestill devotes himself closely to his business
six hours each day, but limits himself to this period,
having been warned by an enforced rest and voyage to
Europe, in 1872, to recover from the strain of over-
work, that even his magnificent i)hysiquc could not
sustain too great a. burden, and he now maintains
robust and vigorous health by a systematic and regular
mode of life, by long rides of from fifteen to twenty-
five miles daily and an annual summer vacation.
In making the Mirror its owner has made a great
deal of money. If he had saved it iis some others have
done, he would have more to-day than any other in
Manchester who has done business the same length of
time on the same capital. But if he has gathered
like a man born to be a millionaire, he has scattered
like one who would spend a millionaire's fortune. He
has been a good liver and a free giver. All his tastes
incline him to large expenditures. His home abounds
in all the comforts that nmney will buy. His farm is
a phu-ewliere costly experiments are tried. He is pas-
sionately fond of tine horses, aud his stables are always
full of those that are higldy bred, fleet and valuable.
He loves an intelligent dog and a good gun, and is
known far and near a* an enthusiastic sportsman.
He believes in being good to himself and generous
to others, values money only for what it will buy, and
every day illustrates the fact that it is easier for him
to earn ten dollars than to save one by being "close."
A business that will enable a man of such tastes and
impulses to gratify all his wants and still accumulate
a competency for his children is a good one, and that is
wiiat the business of the Mirror counting-room hiis
done.
Nor is this all, n(«' the most, for the Mirrorhns made
the name of John B.Clarke a household word in nearly
every school district in Northern New England and
in thousands of families in other sections. It has given
him a great influence in the politics, the agriculture
and the social life of his time, has made him a power
in shapingthe jiolicy of his city and State, and one of
the forces that have kept the wlieels of progress mov-
ing in both for more than thirty years.
In a word, what one man can do for and with a
newspaper in New Hampshire John B. Clarke has
done for and with the Mirror, and what a great news-
paper can do for a man the Miiror has done for J(din
B. Clarke.
The Manchester Union. — The first Democratic
newspaper in Manchester was the Amoskeag Jiepre-
sentatii-e, started in October, 1839, by John Caldwell.
.V few mouths later its name was changed to Mnii-
c/iester Representative. In 1842 the course of the
Repre-teniative on important party issues became so dis-
tasteful to a majority of the Democrats in the town
that measures were taken to establish a new organ,
and in April of that year William H. Kimball and
Joseph Kidder started the Manchester Democrat. A
few months later Mr. Kidder sold his interest to
George W. Morrison and Moody Currier, Mr. Mor-
rison subsequently disposing of his share to Mr. Cur-
rier, who became associate editor with Mr. Kimball .
In October, 1843, Mr. Currier's interest was pur-
chased by E. B. Davis, and in the spring of 1844 the
pai)er passed by purchase into the hands of Chand-
ler E. Potter, a graduate of Dartmouth, and at that
time a practicing attorney, tha Representative was
discontinued soon after the Democrat was started, and
Mr. Caldwell established the Gleaner, a scurrilous
sheet, the conduct of which involved the proprietor
in numberless difficulties and lawsuits, and finally
drove him from the town.
In 1848, Judge Potter, who was a forcible writer
and an earnest advocate of Democratic principles,
sold the Democrat to John H. (xoodale, a native of
Deering and a graduate of Wesleyan University, at
Middlctown, Conn. Mr. Goodale conducted the
paper in full accord with the principles of the Dem-
ocratic i)arty until 1850, when he evinced a decided
tenilency to espouse the doctrines of the Free-Soil
party, then becoming a prominent factor in national
politics.
At the Democratic State Convention in De;eml)er,
1850, .lohn .Vtwood, of New Bosti ii, \\\\« had been a
MANCHESTER.
67
liaptist miuister and for several yearsState treasurer,
wa-^ nominated as candidate for Oovernor. In the
platforin adopted by the convention the question of
slavery was not specifically mentioned, but the com-
promise measures which had just been passed by Con-
■j-rcss were fully indorsed. Soon after the convention
Mr. Atwood, in answer to a letter addressed to him
l>y John H. White and other Frec-Soilers, expressed
-I'Mtiments similar to those held by the leaders of the
Free-Soil party. This letter was not immediately
published, but when its contents became known to
- )nie of the Democratic leaders there wa.s great ex-
ritement. (icneral Pierce, who believed that Mr. At-
wood had written the White letter without due con-
sideration, endeavored to persuade him to retrace his
-teps, if he could conscientiously do so. Thereupon
Mr. Atwood signed a letter in which he substantially
revoked the sentiments contained in his letter to
White. U|)on tliei)ul)lication of this letter the Frec-
Soilers printed his eommunieation to White, though
Atwood declared he never gave his consent to its
piiljlication. Naturally, Mr. Atwood soon found
liimself in a most melancholy predicament through
hi.i attempt to please both parties. The Democracy,
linding there was no way of escaping from the di-
li'Mima in which Atwood had placed them, except by
llirowiiig him overboard altogether, immediately
called a new convention, repudiated their former can-
didate and renominated Samuel Dinsmore, who was
then serving his second term as Governor.
Mr. fioodale, as editor of the Democrat, had be-
come thoroughly imbued with Free-Soil |)rinci])les,
and sustained Jlr. Atwood in the controversy. In
this state of afi'airs the leaders of the Democratic
party in Manchester held a meeting on the 28th of
D.'ccmber, 1860, to consider the question of starting
a new paper which should correctly reflect the prin-
ciples of the party. .Tames MeK. Wilkins presided,
and .Joseph Kidder was chosen secretary. On motion
<if William C. Claiki', it wasvoted that a committee be
appointed to establish a paper which should advocate
sentiments in harmony with those of the Democratic
party, and the following gentlemen were chosen such
committee : Riclianl H. Aver, Walter French, Mace
MoultoM, .lohn S. ICidder. Warren L. I.,ane, William
C. Clarke, A. G. Gale, Isaac (.'. Flanders, Charles
Stark, William ,V. I'utney, S. H. Ayer, I. N. Hays,
Sihia Teiiney, (i. 1'. I'rescott, Samuel Dame, James
McQneston, William Boyd, E. W. Harrington, S. W.
Parsons, D. P. Perkins, .Fohn Iv. Fitch, J. D. Emer-
son, Leonard Lyon, Thomas Rniidlett, AVilliam 15,
Johnson, Edward Hall, Lnren/.o Dow, S. W. Jones,
Charles Uundlett, W. S. Morey, James S. Cheeney,
Charles li. Gleason. Shrilnirne Fogg, Thomas P.
Pierce, Isaac Marshall, .1. L. Keniston, C. E. Potter,
J. .McK, Wilkins, Moody Currier, Joseph M. Rowell,
Li'onard Riindlett, Samuel N. Hell, Robert Ayer,
John Stark, Isaac Currier, Franklin Tenney, Nehc-
miah Chase, A. JIatcli, S. P. (Srceley. D. F. Straw,
.loseph Kidder, J. S. Elliott, R. D. Moocrs, Walter
P. Fogg, Dustin Marshall, W. W. Baker, A. G.Tucker,
John Sargent, S. S. Coffin, A. Kimball.
The committee immediately purchased the neces-
sary material and fitted up an office, and January 24,
18-51, the first number of The Union Democrat was
issued. For a few weeks the editorial work was per-
formed by a number of gentlemen who were able and
experienced writers ; but finally the committee made
an engagement with James M. Campbell, by which
he was to assume the entire editorial management of
the paper, and he entered upon his new duties with
great zeal and enthusiasm.
In the spring of 1852 it seemed unlikely that any
of the very distinguished Democratic statesmen who
had been named for the Presidency would receive the
nomination at the next national convention of that
party. Under these circumstances Mr. Campbell be
lieved it jiossible to bring about the nomination of
General Franklin Pierce. With this view, he wrote
a letter in Mr. Pierce's behalf to his friend. General
Conway, a leading Democrat at Frederiek.sburg. The
convention met and fitiled to agree upon a candidate
during twenty-five ballots. After the twenty-fifth ballot
the Virginia delegation retired for consultation, when
Mr. Campbell's letter to Conway was read, and it was
decided that at the ne.xt ballot the vote of Virginia
should be cast for General Pierce. This was done,
and on a subsequent ballot he was nominated. The
letter of Mr. Campbell was afterwards published in
the Jiichmond Enquirer and in most of the other
Democratic papers of the South,
In his conduct of the I'nion Deiiwcrat through the
trying times that followed the election of General
Pierce, and continued through his administration and
that of Buchanan, Mr, Campbell displayed the high-
est qualities of statesmanship, maintaining throughout
a steadfast allegiance to the constitntifin. In State
and local all'airs he ])Ursued a wise and conservative
course, buihliiig his pa|ier upon a solid foundation.
In February, ISoG, the office was destroyed by tire,
but was immediately re-established in Union liuild-
ing, corner Elm and Market Streets,
In 18G1, Walter Harriman, of WanuT, became
joint owner with Jlr, Campbell, and assumed charge
ol' its eilitorial columns, the name of the paper
being changed to the Manchenter Union. Colonel
Harriman retained his interest in the ]iaper until
January, 18G3, when he disposed of it to Colonel
Thomas P, Pierce, and the old name, Union Drmocrnt,
was restored. The same month (.olonel Pierce sold
his interest to Charles Lamson. of Nashua.
March 1, 18(;3, the first number of the Manchenltr
Daihj Union was issued from the office of the Union
Democrat, and in .\ngust following, Mr. Lamson sold
his interest in both papers to .Vlplieus A. Hanscnm,
(»f Eliot, }Ie,,and the firm became Campbell & Hans-
com, the latter clevoting his time chiefly to the busi-
ness management of the otiice, though a fre<)uent
58
HISTORY OP HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
contributor to the eiliturial colums. Early in 1864
the office was removeil to Merchants' Exchange.
In September, 1872, George A. Hanscom, a brother
of the junior partner, and James L., tlic second son
of Mr. Campbell, were admitted as partners in the
business of printing and publishing, the firm still re-
taining the style of Campbell & Hanscom. Mr.
Campbell, Sr., retained control of the editorial col-
unis, George A. Hanscom took charge of the local
department and Jame4 L. Campbell attended to the
mechanical part of the business. In the winter of
1873-74 the firm erected a brick block on Manchester
Street, near Elm, twenty feet wide and fifty feet deep,
four stories high, with ba.sement, the ofBce occupying
the greater part of the block. The first paper printed
in the new building bears date February 'J, 1874.
Mr. Campbell continued to edit the paper until the
fall of 1876, when, finding his health greatly impaired
by his long-continued and confining labors, he severed
his active connection with the Union Democrat and
Daily Union, and went to Florida, where he purchased
a tract of land and engaged in the occupation of
orange culture. He was succeeded in the editorial
chair by A. A. Hanscom. Mr. Campbell maintained
a lively interest in the paper, and sent an occasional
contribution to its columns from his Southern home.
He died quite suddenly at Sorento, Florida, on the
last day of April, 1883.
November 10, 1879, marked a new era in the history
of the Manchester Union. On that date the paper and
material passed by purchase into the liands of Stilson
Hutchins, of Laconia, John H. Riedell, of Boston, and
Joseph C. Moore, of Lake Village. July 27, 1880, a
s'.ock company was formed, of which Mr. Jloore
became president, Mr. Hutchins treasurer and Mr.
Riedell secretary. June 26, 1881, Messrs. Hutchins
and Moore purchased Mr. Riedell's interest, and later,
on the 5th of December, 1882, Mr. Hutchins dis-
posed of his interest in the office to Mr. Moore,
since when no further change in proprietorship has
been made. From the inception of the enterprise, in
July, 1880, Mr. Moore was the leading and active
spirit in the management of the paper, and his addi-
tional interest acquired in December, 1882, was a
natural and eminently proper sequence.
The new proprietors, realizing fully the task to
which they had put their hands, brought to it the
same enterprise, energy and sagacity that would have
been found essential to success in any otlier business.
It was their purpose to publisli the best newsiiaper in
the State, and not only that, but one wliich could
compete successfully with the larger nietroi)olitan
dailies in the publieation of news. And they suc-
ceeded. When the paper i)assed into their hands,
November, 1879, an evening edition only was issued,
and comparatively little attention was paid to tele-
graphic news. On the morning of the 20th of
November the first issue of the morning edition
appeared. The change from an evening to a morning
paper was looked upon with disfavor by many of the
strongest supporters of the paper, who could see no
possible chance of success in a business rivalry with
the Boston dailies. Time, however, vindicated the
wisdom of the enterprise. Full telegraphic service
was obtained through the National Press Association,
the editorial and reporlorial force was increased and
special arriingements made for early transportation
over the lines of railmad to the north, and as a result
the circulation of the paper throughout the State in-
creased with phenomenal rapidity. In January, 1882,
; the national telegraphic service was exchanged for
I that of the Associated Press, with its extended facili-
ties for securing news from all parts of the civilized
world. With the increase of circulation naturally
came increased advertising patronage. To meet the
demand for additional space, the paper was increased
in size at various times, until it had grown from a
' twenty-four column to a thirty -six column sheet, and
even then a double edition on Saturdays has been
! found necessary to meet the wants of advertisers since
! November 10, 1883.
I For nearly twenty years after the establishment of
i the IVeekfy Union, and about seven years after the
daily was started, the press-work was done outside of
the office. Until 1856, when Patten's building was
destroyed by fire, the presses upon which all papers
in the city were printed were located in the basement
of that building. These presses consisted of two Adams
bed and platen presses and a Guernsey press, the
latter of a pattern that would scarcely be accepted a&
a gift by any live establishment to-day. They were
' destroyed in the conflagration that swept away the
offices of The Union, the Mirror and the American,
After the fire S. C. Merrill, who carried on the cotl'ee
' and spice business in a building located on Elm Back
Street, in the rear of Merchants' Exchange, and had
surplus steam-power which he wished to utilize,,
bought and put in ojieration two Adams pressis,,
on one of which was |)rinted The Union and
on the other the Mirror. The forms of type were
taken fnmi The Union office, then in Union Building,
at the corner of Market and Elm Streets, and carried
on a hand-bier to the press-room, a task tliat was any-
thing but coveted by those U])on whom it devolved.
Merrill subseiiuently built a brick block on the curner
of Manchester Street and Elm Back Street, to which
the press-room was removed. This block, with its
contents, was destroyed by the fire of July, 1870, again
leaving The Union office without press facilities. The
press-work of the daily edition was then for a time
printed on the press of C. F. Living.<ti)n, and the
weekly forms were sent to Concord and printed on
the Patriot press until the proiirietors purchased a
CottrcU cylinder press and placed it in Merchants'
Exchange, to which the office had been removed, ob-
taining power from the Mirror engine in the basement.
This press was rated at a speed of fifteen hundred
impressions per hour, though it was seldom s|ieeded
MANCHESTER.
5i>
liiater thau one thousand or eleven hundred. The Cot-
trell w;ui moved into the new buildiu<!: erected by tlie
proprietors ol' Tlie Union, iu 1874, on Manchester Street,
where it met the requirements of the paper until it
passed into the hands of the new proprietors, in 1879,
when a Hoe two-cylinder replaced it.
Up to this tinxc the old style presses had proved of
uin|)le capacity to print the editions of the daily and
weekly. But with the establishment of a morning
i-dition of the daily, and the journalistic enterprise
(li8i)layed in other directions by the new firm, the cir-
culation of both papers increased so rapidly that Ite-
fore a year ha<l passed, the capacity of the two-cylinder
press was severely taxed to meet the demands made
iipcin it. From 1879 to this date the growth in cir-
lulation had been steady, far exceeding the most
-anguine expectations of the proprietors, until the two-
cylinder press, printing four thousand i)apers per hour,
was utterly inade(|uate. There was no alternative but to
again increase the printing capacity, both in size and
speed, and it was determined not only to meet pres-
ent demands, but be prepared for still further increase
in circulation. An order was placed in the spring of
1883 with R. Hoe & Co., New York, the greatest
press-builders in the world, for a type-revolving, web-
perfccting press, capable of printing thirty-two thou-
sand impressions an hour, or sixteen thousand com-
plete papers, i)rinted on both sides. At the same
time, a new folding-machine was purchased, which
cuts, pastes and fcdds the eight-page editions of the
daily and the weekly edition. With this new
machinery and an entire outfit of type. The Union
otlice is as finely eijulpped as any newspaper office in
New England.
These improvements, however, necessitated more
commodious quarters, and in February, 1884, a ten-
years' lease of the east half of the (Jpcra-House Block
on Hanover Street, with privilege of purchase, was
obtained. A three-story brick building, thirty-two by
thirty-four, was built in the rear of the opera-house,
in which is located the press-room and composing-
rooms, a new engine and boiler being placed in the
basement. This building having been erected es-
pecially for the purpose to which it has been devoted,
is admirably adapted for the dillerciit mechanical de-
partments of the pai>er. The business oflice and
editorial rooms are on the ground-Hoor of the Opera
Block, and, taken all in all, it is one of the
most complete newspaper establishments in New
England.
The lii-st eilitor or editorial writer of Tlf Union aa
a morning daily was Henry II. Metcalf, who began
his labors with the first number and closed them Oc-
tober 22, 1881. He was followed by B. F. Saurman,
who remained till .Vpril 22, 1882. On May 4tii, of
the same year, George F. Parker as-iunied the |)osltion,
filling it till l)eccnd)er 9th of the same year. The
editorial work was provided for from several sources
till the first we.k in January, 1882, at which time the
arrangement now in force went into operation. Im-
portant changes were made. The scope of the edi-
torial work wiis enlarged, and the labors divided.
John T. Hulme and Edward .J. Burnham were as-
signed to duty in this department. On December 22,
1884, Mr. Burnham was transferred to the subscrip-
tion and collection department, filling also the duties
of stafi' correspondent.
The first city editor was Edgar J. Knowlton, who
remained in the position till June 5, 1880, and was
succeeded by Herbert F. Eastman. Mr. Eastman
fulfilled the" duties till January 22, 1881, at which
time John T. Hulme came to the position, holding it
continuously till he was promoted to his present
position. On his promotion, Henry H. Everett came
to the duties of the position. Edgar J. Knowlton re-
turned to the staff as a local reporter October 20,
1884, and December 29th of the same year succeeded
to his old position as city editor.
Walter E. West was first telegraph editor of the
paper, filling the position till October (?, 1883, when
he retired, and was followed by the present occupant
of that chair, Willis T. Dodge.
John B. Mills and Herbert N. Davison at present
comprise the staff of local reporters. John B. Mills
was in a similar capacity in the first two years of the
morning paper, but retired and returned in February,
1884. True M. Thompson followed him, and was
succeeded by George F. Richards. C. Fred. Crosby
was also a local reporter for some two years.
John H. Rcidell atteniled the State news and several
other <lepartmcnts of the papier up to January 6, 1883.
On the formation of the new arrangenurit that went
into force at that time, Edward J. Burnham assumed
special charge of the State news and agricultural de-
partments, and also took the editorial management of
the weekly edition of the paper. On the retirement
of Mr. Burnham, Henry H. Everett assumed the du-
ties of the position.
John T. Ilulme undertook to provide for the " ex-
change " work, both in the line of general and politi-
cal miscellany. He also retained the musical and
dramatical assignment.
Seven gentlemen have sat at the proof-reader's
desk in the following order: E. D. Houston, F. L.
Rowe, E. J. Burnham, David W. Cobb, Henry H.
Everett, W. H. H. H. Snow and Alvin T. Thoits.
The last-named gentlentan still fills the position.
The longest incumbent was E. J. Burnham, who
filled the position sixteen months, retiring from it to
his present place.
April 3, 1883, a special department, "The Vets'
Budget," was added to the paper under tin' charge of
Henry H. Everett, who still continues the work. A
Grange department was also added in 1884, and came
under the direction of E. J. Burtdiam. "The Fireside"
was a feature of The Union when the nii>rning daily
was started. It was under the si)ecial charge of Mrs.
L. A. Scott, who continued till December 29, 1884,
60
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
wlu'ii Mrs. Etta F. Shepard assumed the toiidiict of
the departiut'iit.
The agricultural (loi)artinent iiuiiibers among its
special contributors the following gentlemen : James
0. Adams, secretary of the State Board of Agriculture ;
James M. Connor, of Hopkinton ; George R. Drake, of
Pittsfield ; G. A. Simons, of Wearc, and others. The
session of the State J^egislature in 18.S1 was specially
reported for The Union by John T. Hulme. In 1883
and 1885 the same gentleman took charge of the
work.
Regular staft' correspondents of Tlw Union are
located at Concord, Nashua and Portsmouth. At
Concord the duty is performed by True L. Xorris, at
Nashua by Charles S. Bussell, and at Portsmouth by
Samuel W. Emery. A large force of correspondents
furnish local news from all the prominent points in
the State. The Granges of the State have by vote ap-
pointed special correspondents to furnish the news
pertaining to that order.
Since the inauguration of the morning daily, Dana
1. Ea.stman has taken the press rei)orts and furnished
by ftir more " copy " than any other single individual.
The mechanical departments of the paper are in
charge of the following gentlemen : Foreman of the
composing-room, Frank T. Parsons ; day foreman, J.
AV'ilbur Fife; foreman of the press-room, Edward H.
Murjihy ; engineer, James Barry ; mailing and deliv-
ery clerk, John N. Pearsons.
The counting-room is presided over by Howard L.
Kelley, who, since 1880, has attended to the manifold
duties of the business office.
The growth of the MancheMer Union has been mar-
velous. In 1851 an unpretentious weekly sheet,
started for the purpose of educating the people in the
principles of true Democracy, a work in which its
founderspent the best and most fruitful yearsof his busy
life; struggling against the apathy and indifference
of men who had yet to learn the value of a newspaper
and to estimate its real worth; slowly thrusting its
roots down deeper and deeper into tlie pulilic mind,
and getting a firmer grasp upon the public confidence,
from which it drew nourishment, while giving in return
the best results of the facile pens and fertile brains of
its editors, until to-day, grown strong and self-reliant,
it takes its place among the solid and substantial
institutions of the Granite State. The Union is an
able exponent of the i)rinciples of the Democratic
party, fearless and outspoken in its views, and
takes front rank among the leading dailies of New
England.
Joseph Clii roiti) Moore.— Hon. Josejih Clifl'ord
Moore, editor of the Munchenter Union and the finan-
cial head of the Union I'ulilishing Company, is a
thorough representative of that valuable class known
as self-made men. He is the second son of Dr. D. F.
and Frances S. Moore, and was born in Loudon. N. H.,
August 22, 1845. His early education was limited
to th 3 common schools, and more or les« shared with
labor. Later in life, having made the best of such
advantages as came within his reach, he pursued witli
success a course of medical training at New York ,
Medical College. From this training he returned to
Lake Village, the business centre of the town of Gil-
ford, which has been his home since he was ten years
of age, and entered upon the practice of medicine in
partnership with his father. Dr. D. F. Moore. This
was in 1866, and from that time up to his joining in
the newspaper enterprise at JIanchester, in November,
1879, he followed his profession with untiring industry
and gratifying success. His practice extended over a
wide section, and involved long hours and much
arduous travel. During this time he was also active
in general business enterprises.
Mr. Moore began his journalistic career without
the benefit of any special training whatever, but
brought to the work a clear, cool head, ripe judg-
ment and honest purpose; but it was early apparent
that he possessed that rare quality, " the newspaper
faculty." Careful, prudent, cautious and conserva-
tive by nature, he applied that faculty with con-
stantly increasing shrewdness and wisdom; so that
the enterprise not only developed a remarkably rapid ,
butasoundand healthy, growth. Exercising good busi-
ness judgment and methods, he successfully main-
tained the financial standing of the paper, notwith-
standing the excessive demands of a rapidly-growing
jilant. In shaping the tone and conduct of T/m Union.
he has uniformly aimed to give it a character fm
independence, integrity and respectability, advancini;
it on the true line of progressive modern journalism.
He is a ready editorial writer on political and gene-
ral topics, eschews the ornamental and descriptive,
and goes straight at the meat of a matter in a plain
and direct style. His methods are convincing as well
as terse and vigorous.
Mr. Moore has always taken a warm and active
interest in politics, not from the selfish motives of the
ollice-seeker, but as an ardent believer in and stanch
sup|)orter of a sound, sterling and progressive De-
mocracy. At the State election of 1880 he was
elected a member of the State Senate from the Sixth
Senatorial District, and filled the seat with credit to
himself and his con.stituency. He introduced and
was chiefiy instrumental in securing the passage of
the measure which created the present State Board of
Health. Always under self-command, easy and
agreeable in manner, he proved to be valuable in
legislative work, and was invariably relied upon to
release the Senatorial body when sharp conflict of
opinion led it into a jangle. Since the ex])iration of
I tills official trust his time has been given exclusively
to business matters and the conduct of the Union.
In .Tatuiary, 1885, he was unanimously chosen
president of the New Hampshire Club, an organiza-
tion comprising the leading business and professional
men of the State, and shortly after accompanied it on
a successful excursion S)utli. As president of this
y-
.A C ^^->
i
MANCHESTER.
61
body he is broad and liberal, seeking only to develop
its intorests and extend its influence.
Dartmoutli College, at the June comnienceaient,
18.S4, conferred upon him the degree of A.M.
Mr. Moore retains his residence at Lake Village,
with his aged parents. He is married, but has no
children. In manner he is esisy and agreeable, and is
I'avored with an excellent address and attractive per-
siinal presence. In business affairs he is careful and
conservative, and at the same time enterprising.
Honorable and just in his transactions, he enjoys tlie
confidence and respect of business men. At this
writing he is in the full vigor of his powers, with the
promise of a useful and successful future before him.
The Farmers' Alonthlt/ Visitor, which liad been pub-
lisiied at Concord by (xovernor Isaac Hill since 1838,
was suspended in 1841t, but revived in this city in
1852, when Rowell, Prescott & Co. (Joseph M.
Howell, George P. Prescott, Chandler E. Potter) be-
came its proprietors, and Judge Potter its editor. It
was publislied its an octavo of thirty-two pages, and
its first number was issued in Mancliestcr, as the first
number of ita twelfth volume, in January, 1852.
Judge Potter bought the Granite Farmer of Mr.
Adams, October 5, 1853, and Dr. Crosby retired from
the editorship two weeks later. In 1854 the latter
was united with the Visitor, and published in folio
form under the name of the Granite Farmir and Visi-
tor. Judge Potter, having bought out his partners,
was then the sole proprietor and editor. About a
year later Lewis H. Hildrcth, of Westford, Mass., a
writer upon agriculture, came to Manchester and
entered into negotations in reference to a i)aper. As
a result, he and James (J. Adams each bought a third
of the Farmer and 17»(7or, Judge Potter retaining a
third and Mr. .\dams' name apjieariiig as that of the
editor. Hildrcth, however, remained but a few
months, and about .Vpril, 18.57, the paper was sold at
auction to John C. Merriam & Co. (Henry C. Adams),
and it was issued, July 18, 1857, as a new paper
under the name of the Granite State Farmer. Subse-
quently Merriam retired, and Henry C. Adams owned
it for a while and then sold it to S. A. Hurlburt, who
was the sole proprietor and editor — James O. Adams
then leaving the editor's chair — till the latter part of
1859, when Gilniore & Martin (William H. Gil-
more. Warren Martin) bought the paper and issued it
in folio form as the Xew Hampshire Journalof Agri-
culture. Ze|>haniah Breed and Moses A. Cortland,
both of Weare, became the editors. In 1801 the
paper was sold to Francis B. Eaton, who published it
till January, 1863, when he sold it to John B. Clarke,
who united it with the Dolliir Wcekhj .Mirror, of
which he was then the owner, under the name of the
Dollar Weekly Mirror and New JIainpahire Journal of
Agriculture.
The Crusader was l)egun in Concord about 1850. In
December, 1851, it was published simultaneously in
Concord and Mancliestcr, and in February, 1852, was
published altogether in this city. It was not long
afterwards moved to Concord, united with the Phanix
of that city and afterwards absorbed by the Xeio
Hampshire Gazette at Portsmouth.
In 1853, Benjamin F.Stanton and William B. Burn-
ham issued, lor a short time, a small sheet devoted to
phonography, called the Junto Organ.
A pajjer called the Ladies' Enterprise was begun
January 1, 1854, and published for a time.
In 1854 the Utars and Stripes, a " Know-Nothing "
paper, was established, and was removed soon after-
wards to Laconia and absorbed iu the Winnipesauiee
Gazette.
The New Hampshire Journal of Medicine was first
issued at Concord in August, 1850, and was removed
to Manchester in July, 1850, and continued till De-
cember, 1850, when it was suspended.
The New Hampshire Journal of Education was es-
tablished in January, 1857, and soon after removed
to Concord.
The Literary Visitor, begun .January 1, 1850, by
George W. Batchelder and Martin A. Haynes, was
short-lived.
The True Republican was started February 4, 1859,
by Benjamin F. Stanton. With him were afterwards
associated Hector Caufield and Orren C. Moore. The
paper was continued about a year under the titles of
TVue Republican, City Messenger and Republican and
Manchester Republican,
Moore's Musical Record, .John W. Moore, editor, was
begun in January, 1857, and published monthly, by
John W. Moore & Co., for two years. In Jan-
uary, 18f>9, John W. Moore, Samuel C. Merrill, Charles
Clough and Sylvester C. Gould began the publication
o{ tha Manchester Daily News. It was soon discon-
tinued.
La Voix du Petiple, was begun in 18()0, but was
short-lived.
The Labor Journal was started March 24, 1870, by
Daniel S. Holt, and soon after suspended.
The Public Forum, a weekly paper, was started Sep-
tember 30, 1871, as a Denuicratic journal, by George
J. Foster & Co., Joshua L. Foster being its edi-
tor. It was soon after removed to Dover, its name
changed to that of Foster's Democrat, and is still jiuli-
lishcd there.
The A'eiu Hampshire Journal of Music was begun
January 1, 1872, by Imri S.Whitney. .John W. Moore
was its editor till the close of 1874. DisconfiniU'd.
The Saturday Night Dispatch was begun Saturday,
January 24, 1874, by Merritt S. Hunt. James O.
Adams was associated with Mr. Hunt as editor and
proprietor from Se[)tember 1, to December 1, 1874. It
was subsei|Ucntly changed to Manchester Times, and
conducted by Henry II. Everett until late in the win-
ter of 1883, when it was discontinued.
The New Hampshire Sunday Globe was begun Feb-
ruary 7, 1875, by Rollins & Kingdon. Discontinued.
The Manchester MWkly liudget was estnbllshed
62
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
June Ifi, 1883, by William M. Koiulall, Jr., and David
M. Ladd, by whom it is still published. The success
of the Budget has beeu phenomenal, the eirculation
having reached seven thousand five hundred copies
weekly. The size of the paper is twelve pages, seventy-
two columns; subscription price, two dollars a year.
The circulation of the Budget now penetrates nearly
every village and school district in the State.
The American Young Folks was establislied in 1875,
and consolidated with the Boys and Girls of New
Hampshire in March, 1S82. Editor, George W. Browne.
Issued semi-monthly by the American Young Folk.s
Company. j
The Evho des Canadiens was established July 2, 1880, j
with Leander Boudreau editor and Charles L. Fitz-
patrick and Leandre Boudreau proprietors. Discon- |
tiuued.
Le Ratrau wa.s established November ."5, 1881. P.
C. Chatel, editor and proprietor. Discontinued. i
Manchester Guardian was established July 14, 1883.
Charles A. O'Connor, editor-in-chief. Discontinued.
The Semi-Weekly Record was started December 1, j
1883, Frank H. Challis, editor and publisher. "A
penny newspaper," published on Wednesdays and
Saturdays. Discontinued.
Xotei and Queries, a magazine containing miscella-
neous notes and queries, with answers, for professors
and students, teachers and pupils, is published monthly
by S. C. &L. M. (iould.
Mr. S. C. Gould manifests a deep interest in his-
torical matters, and has a collection of books, pam-
phlets and magazines relating to Manchester, number-
ing over sixteen hundred, from 1743-188.5.
This collection comprises book and pamphlet lit-
erature, including some of the leading magazine
literature published serially. It contains the published
literary etfortsof former and present residents, whether
native or temporary, and whether published prior to
their residence here or subsequent to their departure;
also, all works relating to or published by the city.
The collection also includes more or less of literature
relating to Bedford, together with some relating to
Londonderry and Dcrry, of which towns Manchester
was formerly a part.
The first published pamjihlet in reference to Man-
chester, now known, is the (Rev. Joseph Secombe)
" Discourse uttered in part at Ammauskeeg-Falls, in
the Fishing Season, 173',l; ' Business and Diversion in-
oflensive to God, and necessary for the comfort and
support of human .society;' " from the text, "Simon
Peter saith unto them, ' I go a fishing.' " This dis-
course was printed in Boston, in 1743, — one hundred
and forty-two years ago, — and only five copies are now
known to be extant. The first pamphlets to be im-
printed in Manchester, now known, were " An Address
delivered at Pembroke, N. H., May i;i, 1841," and "A
Historical Sketch of Bedford, N. H., a discourse deliv-
ered July 4, 1841," both by Rev. Thomas Savage,
A. M., and printed at the office of Emerson & Mur-
ray, iu 1841, octavos of sixteen pages each. The first
book now known to have been imprinted in Manches-
ter was "The Life and Adventures of Seth Wyman ;
Written by Himself," and printed by J. H. Cate, iu
1843, a duodecimo of three hundred and ten pages,
bound in cloth. This book was suppressed by rela-
tives of the autobiographer, before a hundred copies
were sold, and is now a scarce book.
EducationaL — In 1784 the town voted a liberal
expenditure for educational purposes, and in that
year also the town was divided into four school dis-
tricts ; but it was not until 1795 that a school-house was
erected in "I>erryfield." This primitive educational
institution was built by private subscription and was
located upon what was then known as the Falls road,
in the rear of the present residence of Hon. David Crosg.
This house was purchased by the town in 1798, and it
was also voted that year to erect two additional ones.
In 1809 the town was redistricted and a school-house
built at the Centre.
The school district system, which was originated in
1773, continued until 1868, when the city assumed
control of the schools. The first teachers were, —
1791, Jonathan Rand; 1792, Edward Blodget, Ste-
phen Potter and Frederick Hastings; 1793, William
White and Peter Severens ; 1794, John Tufts and
Peter Severens ; 1795, John M. Laughlin ; 1796, 1797
and 1798, Samuel Moor, Jr. ; 1799, Samuel Moor,
Jr., and Mathew Reed.
Mr. Rand was the first teacher in town of whom
any record can be found. The wages paid were from
eight to twelve dollars a month. The highest sum
; paid per month from 1791 to 1801, as appears from
the selectmen's book, was " to Samuel Moor, Jr.,
; twelve dollars for keeping school in the lower district
one mouth."
The school property now owned by the city is val-
ued at over three hundred thousand dollars, and con-
' sits of a High School building, on Beech Street,
valued at forty-five thousand dollars, and numerous
others.
HioH ScHooi,. — The High School was first kept in
the old building now standing on the corner i>f Low-
ell and Chestnut Streets. The house was erected in
1841 at a cost of three thousand dollars, and was used
for a district school, with David P. Perkins as the
first master. Some five or six years later it was
changed to a High School, and in 1867 it was moved
to its present locati(m, on Beech Street, the new
building having been erected to meet the demand for
better accommodations for the school.
Fraxki.ix Stkkkt Schools. — The school formerly
I called the South Grammar School was originally kept
in a chapel on Concord Street, from which it was
moved, in 1847, to the brick building on Park Street,
built for its use. Ten years later it was transferred to
its jiresent location, on the corner of Franklin and
' Pleasant Streets. This building and lot are valued
at eighteen thousand dollars.
i,
MANCHESTER.
C3
Si'Klxti tJTKEET ScHOOl>s. — A sc'hool was begun in
1848 in tiie brick building on Spring Street, and then
called the North Uranimar. Jloses T. Brown was its
hrst principal.
Lincoln Street Schools. — Under the name of
the Kast Grammar, a school was begun in 1867, in the
new High School house, with two divisions, gathered
from the North and South Grammar Schools. In the
fall of 1868 another division was added, and in the
spring of 1869 it was moved to the old High School
building, where a first division was added and a
master was appointed. In 1871 a new house was
built for its accommodation on the corner of Lincoln
and Merrimack Streets, worth fitU- thousand dollars,
where it is now located.
.\sii Street Orammau Schools. — In 1874 a tine
building was erected on the corner of Ash and Bridge
•Streets to meet the growing demand for school facili-
ties, and a grammar school was established, composed
of pupils residing in the northeiistern section of the
city. The building is a fine sjiecimen of school arch-
itecture, and is valued at fifty-eight thousand dollars.
Mais Street Schools, West Maxchkster. —
With the annexation of Piscataipiog village, in 1853,
the grammar school came under the care of the city.
It was kept in the Centre Street building until 1874|
when it was removed to its present location, on Main
•Street. An addition was made to the building in
1882 for the accommodation of the considerable in-
crease in pupils.
Werster Street Sc;hools, West Manchester.
. — During the year 1882 a handsome school building
was erected on Webster Street, between Elm and
Chestnut, at a cost of seventeen thousand dollars. It
is designed for scholars residing at the north end of
the city. Two schools are already located there.
There are other schools located on Blodgctt, Bridge,
Lowell, Manchester, Merrimack and Beech Streets ;
also on South Main Street and School Street, West
Manchester. There are a number of suburban
schools. The largest of these is located at Bakers-
ville. The school building was erected in 1883 at a
cost of twelve thousand dollars. Others arc: No. 1,
Stark District; No. 2, Amoskeag ; No. 3, Bakcrs-
ville ; No. 4, (loffc's Falls ; No. 5, Harvey District ;
No. 6, Webster's Mills; No. 7, Hallsville; No. 8,
Youngsville; No. 9, Mosquito Pond.
Catholic KnrcArioNAi. Estarlishments. —
Miiiint Si. Mary's .-Vcademy, corner Union and Laurel
Streets, is under the control of the Sisters of Mercy.
This is a boarding-school for young ladies. It has
been in existence for twenty-five years, and has an
average attendance of sixty jnipils. The course of
studies, euibracing five years, includes all the branches
of a useful ami ('hristiau education. Young ladies of
all religious denominations are received, and inter-
ference with their religious convictions is scrupulously
avoided. The present superior is Rev. Mother Fran-
ces Leeson.
The school for boys in Park Street, taught by
twelve Sisters of Mercy; Rev. Thos. Corcoran, princi-
l>al. Number of scholars, about four hundred.
St. Joseph's School for boys, corner of Lowell and
Beach Streets, taught by six Sisters of Mercy. Num-
ber of pupils, two hundred and fifty.
St. Joseph's School for girls, corner Lowell and Pine
Streets, taught by six Sisters of Mercy. Number of
pupils, two hundred and fifty. The schools of St.
.rosejjh's parish are undi-r the immediate su]>ervision
of the right reverend bishop.
St. Agnes' School for girls, corner Union and Spruce
Streets, taught by seven Sisters of Mercy. Number of
scholars, three hundred.
St. Augustine's School for boys and girls. East
Spruce Street, taught by Sisters of Jesus and Mary.
Number of pu|)ils, five hundred.
St. Mary's School for boys and girls, connected with
St. Mary's Church, West Manchester. This school
has just been erected, and will be under the control
of the Sisters of Providence. It will accomodate four
hundred |iuiiils.
i'/inrifiib/e Institutions. — St. Patrick's Home and
Hospital, Hanover Street, conducted by the Sisters
of Mercy. Number of orphans, sixty ; patients
in hospital, fifteen.
St. Patrick's Home for Aged Women, Hanover
Street, managed by the Sisters of Mercy. Number of
inmates, fifteen.
(lERMAN School. — The first German School-house
in the State of New Hampshire was dedicated here in
1884. It is located at the corner of Third and Ferry
Streets, and is of brick, thirty-two by forty-eight in
size, and two stories in height, with a flat roof. Over
the main entrance, on Third Street, are two tablets of
polishecl granite, bearing in gilt letters of (icrnian
text the words, " Deutsch Schule " and the year of
erection, " 1884." The German School Society, to
which this convenient and comfortable little edifice
owes its existence, was organized August 22, 1875,
nuiinly through the cfl'orts of members of theTurn-
verein.
The State Iniu'strial School. — The movement
which resulted in the establishment of this institution
was started in 1855, when the Legislature passed an
act authorizing the Governor and Council to appoint
a board of three commissioners, empowered to buy a
tract of land and erect buildings thereon, to provide a
"house of rcformatiiin for juvenile and female oll'end-
ers against the laws." The connuissioners— the Hon.
Frederick Smyth, of Manchester, the Hon. Matthew
Harvey, of Concord, and Hosea Eaton, of New Ips-
wich — were appointed that year, and selected, as the
site for the house projiosed, the fiirni which was c»nee
the home of General John Stark, two miles north of
the city hall, on the east bank of the Merrimack
River, containing about one hundred acres. The
price paid was ten thousand dollars, and another
piece of ten acres was bought soon after for a thou-
64
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIKE.
sand dollars more. The building was eorameneed in
the spring of 1856, finished in the autumn of 1857
and furnished in the spring of 1858. Its cost was
thirty-four thousand dollars; the total cost of build-
ing and land was forty-live thousand dollars. The
house was dedicated on the 12lh of May, 1858, and
occupied at that time, when the first superintendent.
Brooks Shattuck, was appointed. He was succeeded,
on the 20th of April, 1S6G, by Isaac H. Jones. Upon
his departure Edward Ingham was elected, the 17tii
of May, 1870. The present superintendent, John C.
Ray, was appointed on the 2d of July, 1874. The
institution is now known as the tetate Industrial
School, and is under the management of a board of
seven trustees, by whom the superintendent is chosen,
and who are appointed by the Governor and Council.
A fire, on the 20th of December, 18(55, nearly destroyed
the building, and the children were temporarily kept
in the buildings known as the "Stark house" and
"Gamble house," which had stood near by since the
early settlement of the town. During their residence
in it the "Stark house" was set on fire and consumed.
As soon as possible after the fire the old school build-
ing wiis repaired and the inmates returned to it. The
institution is in annual receijit of interest from the
legacies of .lames McKeen Wilkins, of Manchester,
and Moody Kent, of Pembroke, which amount to eight
thousand and three thousand dollars respectively;
also the income from Miss Louise Penhallow's bequest
of one thousand dollars, to be expended for a library.
The Manchester City Library' was established
in September, 1854, under the terms of a contract
between the Manchester Athenajum and the city of
Manchester, whereby the library of the Athenaeum
was transferred to the city, to be the foundation of a
free public library.
The Jlanche.ster Athena-uni was established in Feb-
ruary, 1844, mainly through the etibrts of Hon. Samuel
D. Bell, Hon. Daniel Clark, Hon. Herman Foster,
Hon. Moody Currier, David Gillit, Esq., John A.
Burnham, Esq., William A. Burke, Esq., and others,
with the design of founding a library, reading-room
and museum. In accordance with the liberal policy
pursued by the manufacturing corporations towards
the iiublic institutions in the city, the Amoskeag
Manufacturing Company presented to the AtheniBum
the sum of one thousand dollars, and the Stark Mills
and the Manchester Print-Works the sum of five
hundred dollars each, for the purchiise of books for
its library. Donations and loans of books were also
made to the library by many of the members of the
association, and accessions w'ere made by purchase
from time to time from the money derived from mem-
bership and the annual tax. For the following ten
years the library of the Athenanim continued to in-
crease in size and value till, in 1854, it numbered
nearly three thousand volumes.
By Hon. Natban P. Hiiut.
In 1854 the subject of the establishment of a free
public library having been brought to the attention
of the City Council by the mayor, Hon. Frederick
Smyth, in his inaugural address, a committee was ap-
pointed to confer with the managers of the Atheuieum
in relation to the transfer of the library of the Athen-
anim to the city lor that i)urpose. The matter was
favorably considered by the managers of the Athen-
ieum, and a proposition made by them to transfer
gratuitously to the city their library and other prop-
erty, to form the basis of a public library. This propo-
sition was accepted by the city, and authority for the
purpose having been obtained Irom the Legislature,
the transfer of the library was made to the city in
accordance with a contract, dated September 6, 1854,.
executed by the Athenaeum and the city, and the City
Library established on a permanent basis.
The ct)ntract provides that the city shall annually
appropriate and pay to the trustees of the library a
sum not less than one thousand dollars, to be expended
in the purchase of books and periodicals, and shall,
by suitable appropriations, provide for the expense of
maintaining the library. The control and manage-
ment of the afl'airs of the library is vested in a board
of nine trustees, of whom the mayor of the city and
president of the Common Council are members ex
qffieiis. One trustee is elected annually, by joint ballot
of the board of trustees and of the aldermen of the
city, for the term of seven years.
Thus established, the library progressed successfully
until February 5, 1856, when, by the burning of Pat-
ten's Block, in which the library was located, the
whole library, with the exception of about six hundred
volumes, — the greater part of which were odd vol-
umes, — was destroyed. Immediate measures were
tiiken by the trustees to reorganize the library and
replace the books destroyed, and it was reopened to
the imblic July 22, 1856, in rooms obtained in Mer-
chants' Exchange, but subsequently was again located
in Patten's Block, when it was rebuilt in 1857. In
1871 the city erected a brick building for the use of
the library, upon a lot on Franklin Street, which was
given to the city for this purpose by the Amoskeag
Jlanufacturing Company, the cost of which was about
thirty thousand dollars. In 1881 the increase of the
library requiring larger aceonmiodation, an addition
was made to the library building, at a cost of nine
thousand dollars. The addition nearly doubled the
cai)acity of the library building and [)ri)vidcd for the
regular increase of the library for many years. At
the date of the last report of the trustees, December
31, 1884, there were in the library about twenty-eight
thousand volumes, including pamphlets, of which
there are about nineteen hundred. Connected with
the library is a reading-room, which is sui)plied with
sixty-seven periodicals and newspapers, and the library
and reading-room are both open to the 2>ublic eight
hours each day and evening, except Sundays, through-
out the vear.
!
MANCUESTEll.
65
The liito Oliver Doau, who was prominently con-
iiecteil with the niiinufucturing interests of the city,
bequeathed to the library a legacy of five thousand
dollars, the income of which is expended by the
trustees in the purchase of scientific, mechanical and
technical works, and designated as the "Dean Fund
Purchase." |
In 1872 the Hon. Gardner IJrewcr, of Boston,
Mass., presented to the library a collection of six
hundred and eighty-three volumes of the Tauchnitz
edition, uniformly and handsomely bound, which is
known as the "Brewer Donation." In 1876 Hon.
Moody Currier presented the libraiy with Bohn's
Standard, C'la.ssical, Illustrated, Ecclesiastical, Scien-
tific and Anti(iuariaii Libraries, and Harper's Select
Family Library. To these lie subsequently added a
number of valuable works on ecclesiastical history,
and a collection of Greek, Latin and foreign authors
in the original text. The number of volumes in this
collection now amounts to eleven hundred and forty-
seven volumes, which are known as the " Currier Dona-
tion."
Under the will of Mary E. Elliot, late of this city,
the sum of two thousand dollars was bequeatlied to
the city of Manchester, to be securely invested, and
the annual income thereof to be spent in the purchase
of medical books and periodicals. This amount
became available in the early part of the year 188-^,
and the income when sufficient will be devoted to
the class of books indicated, which will be placed in
alcoves by them.sclvcs and designated as the "Elliot
Fund Purchase." A large number of other citizens ;
have also, from time to time, generously aided in the
increase and usefulness of the library by donations of
valuable books and fdes of news|)a[)ers.
The volumes in the library arc well selected as to
use and value, and the whole collection contains a
fair representation of every department of English
literature, as well as the sciences and arts. In the
selection of books for the increase of the library it
has always been the policy of the trustees, while pro-
viding a reasonal)le number of books of a more tem-
porary character as the demand from the patrons of
the library for the same seemed to require, to eSpeiid
by far the larger part of the amount appropriated by
the City Council in the purchase of works of ])crma-
nent value. This course, pursued for so many years,
has made the library one of the most valuable in the
State. The library is i)articularly valuable in the
number of volumes relating to local history and in its
files of newspapers, many of which, if destroyed,
could not bo replaced.
The first Hoard of Trustees consisted of Samuel D.
Bell, Daniel Clark, Ezckicl A. Straw, Saiiiuel X.
Bell, William C. Clarke, David Gillis and William
P. Newell. In 1862 David Gillis removed from the
city and was succeeded by Samuel Webber. Mr.
Webber served as trustee till September, 1864, when
he resigned, he also having removed from the city.
6
The vacancy thus occasioned was filled by the elec-
tion of Phinehas Adams, who continued in office till
1876, when he was succeeded by Moody Currier.
Upon the death of Samuel D. Bell in 1868, Water-
man Smith was chosen to fill the unexpired terra,
and was succeeded in 1873 by Nathan P. Hunt.
Upon the death of William C. Clarke in 1872, Isaac
W. Smith was elected a member of the board. Sam-
uel N. Bell resigned in September, 1879, and Luciau
B. Clough was elected to fill the vacancy. Ezekiel
A. Straw died in 1882 and was succeeded by Thomas
L. Livermore. The present board therefore consists
of Daniel Clark, William P. Newell, Nathan P.
Hunt, Lucian B. Clough, Thomas L. Livermore,
Moody Currier and Isaac W. Smith, and the mayor
and president of the common council. The first
treasurer of the trustees was Samuel N. Bell, who
held the office till he resigned in September, 1879,
when he was succeeded by Nathan P. Hunt. William
C. Clarke was clerk of the board from its organization
till his death in April, 1872. Isaac W. Smith was
chosen to fill the vacancy in .lanuary, 1873. Mr.
Smith served as clerk till January, 1876, when he
resigned and Nathan P. Hunt was elected in his
place. At the organization of the library Francis B.
Eaton was chosen librarian and served in that ca-
pacity till September 30, 1863, when he resigned and
Marshall P. Hall was elected to succeed him. 51r.
Hall served till June, 1865, when he also resigned
and Benjamin F. Stanton was appointed to fill the
position. The latter resigned in April, 1866, when
Charles H. Marshall was elected. Mr. Marshall held
the office till July 1, 1877, when Mrs. Lizzie B. Davis
wiis elected, and resigning July 1, 1878, was suc-
ceeded by Mrs. M. .T. Buncher, the present incum-
bent.
CHAPTER V.
MANCHESTER— ((7oii<iriu«rf).
The AmoitkeAg Nntioiml Bank — Tlie Slanclicetor Nutiuiml Biink — Tha
Merchants' Natiurinl liunk— Tlio Vint Nutioiiiil Dunk— Socund Nntiunnl
Bank— Tlio Mnnchestor SavingH-Uank— Merrinmck Uivor Savlnp*.
Bank — C.ilaranty Savings-Itank — Tlie .\iiiuf«kva^ SavingM-Hunk— Tlio
Pc'ople't* SaviiiKH-ltank. Tho MantirHcdirinK IntcnwtH: Tlio Aniofl-
koag Manufacturing runipany — Stark Mills — Mani-hiwtur ^lllln—
Langdon Mllla— Aniory Slanufiictnrliig Coniimny— Naniattko MilU—
Pi-ary MlIIii — P. C. Clienoy Tapor Cuinpany— AiuO((k«'aK rajM^r-Mill-
Manclu'nter I.ticoniotivo-\Vorka— Manclnwtvr Gaa-I.lght (.'oni|Miny —
Furxaitli Mniiufactnring Conipany — Oilier >Ianuractun-«,
The Amoskeag National Bank. — The Amoskcag
Bank was incorporated June 21, 1S48, and commenced
business, in October of the same year, with a capital
of SilOO,(X)0. This was increased, .Vugust 5, 1860, to
$iri(),00n, and, August 7, isr)4, to $200,(100.
The first board of directors were elected October 2,
1848, as follows: Richard H. Ayer, Samuel D. Bell,
Mace Moulton, Stephen D. Green, John S. Kidiler,
Sle|>hcii Maiiahaii and Eilson Hill. Richard H. Ayer
61)
HISTORY OP HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
was chosen president and Moody Currier cashier.
February 14, 1853, Walter French succeeded Mr.
Aver as president and officiated until his death, which
occurred in a railway accident, at Norwalk, Conn.,
the same year. May 9, 1853, John S. Kidder was
ciiosen president and officiated until the bank was
discontinued.
The first and only cashier was Moody Currier.
The Amoskeag National Bank was organized No-
vember 1, 1S64, with a capital of $100,000, which was
increased, June 12, 1865, to $200,000. The first
board of directors was as follows: Moody Currier,
John S. Kidder, Stephen D. Green, Edson Hill,
ITenry Putney, Adam Chandler, Daniel Clark, Dar-
win J. Daniels and Horace Johnson. Moody Cur-
rier was chosen president and G. Byron Chandler
cashier, both of whom still hold their respective
offices.
Hon. Moody Currier, LL.D., the present Gover-
nor of New Hampshire and one of the leading bankers
and capitalists of the State, has been the architect of
his own fortune, and by his energy, clear business fore-
sight and indomitable will, has risen from a penniless
laborer on the rocky farms of Merrimack County to
the present exalted and honorable position he oc-
cupies among the citizens of his native State.
The rudiments of his education were acquired at
home, in the evening, after the day's work was
done, and in this manner he fitted himself to enter
Hopkinton Academy. From thence he went to
Dartmouth College, where he graduated with high
honors in the class of 1834. Hon. Daniel Clark, of
this city, also graduated in this class. After leaving
college he taught school one term at Concord and
one year at Hopkinton Academy, and then became
principal of the High School at JjOwell.Mass., where
he remained until 1841. In the spring of that yfear,
having, in the mean time, read law, he came to Man-
cht'ster, was admitted to tlie bar and formed a part-
nership with Hon. George W. Morrison for the practice
of his profession. This partnership continued about
two years when it was dissolved, and Mr. Currier
pursued his profession alone until 1848, acquiring
a large and lucrative practice.
During this time he had developed rare skill as a
financier, and upon the organization of the .\moskeag
Bank, in 1848, was elected its cashier, a position which
he retained until its reorganization as a National
Bank, in 1864, when he was chosen president of the
bank, and is the present incumbent. Mr. Currier
has led an active life and has been prominently iden-
tified with many of the largest and most successful
Dioiiied institutions in the city and State. He has
been trciisurer of the Amoskeag Savings-Bank since its
incorporation in 1852, a director of the People's Savings
Bank and of the Manchester Mills since their organ-
ization. He was a director of the Blodgett Edge Tool
Company and a director and treasurer of the Amoskeag
Axe Company. He was also treasurer of the Concord
Railroad in 1871 and 1872 ; has been treasurer of the
Concord and Portsmouth Railroad since 1856; pres-
ident of the Ea.stern Railroad in New Hamjishire
since 1877 ; treasurer of the N ew England Loan Com-
pany since 1874; director of the Manchester Gas-
Light Company since 1862, besides holding various
other positions of trust and responsibility, in all of
which he has been eminently successful.
Notwithstanding he has been actively engaged in
the management of large financial operations, he has
found time to indulge his taste for literary pursuits,
and is one of the most accomplished scholars in the
State. While a teacher in Concord, he edited a lit-
erary journal and later edited and published a weekly
paper in this city. His tastes have led him into the
realm of poetry, and in 1879 a volume of his poems
was published for private circulation.
Politically, Mr. Currier is a Republican. Prior to
1852, however, he affiliated with the Democratic
party, which elected him clerk of the State Senate
in 1843 and 1844. He subsecjuently became a Free-
soiler and has been a member of the Republican party
since its organization.
He was a member of the Senate in 1856 and 1857,
and in the latter year president of that body. In
1860 and 1861 he was a member of the Governor's
Council and chairman of the committee for raising
and equiping troops to fill New Hampshire's quota
of men in the War of the Rebellion. In 1876, Mr.
Currier was one of the Presi<lential electors who cast
the vote of New Hampshire for Hayes and Wheeler.
In 1884 he received the nomination of his party for
the gubernatorial office, and was elected by a majority
vote. There were three candidates in the field. He
has been married three times, but has no children
living.
Mr. Currier is one of Manchester's leading and
most honored citizens, and all measures tending to
advance the welfare of the city have found in him an
earnest supporter.
The Manchester National Bank. — The Man-
chester National Bank was chartered in December,
1844, and organized in 1845 with the following
directors : Samuel D. Bell, Hiram Brown, Jacob G.
Cilley, Isaac C. Flanders, Walter French, William C.
Clarke and Nathan Parker. At the annual meeting
in .Inly, 1845, the following board of directors was
chosen : James U. Parker, Samuel D. Bell, David A.
Bunton, Hiram Brown, Jonathan T. P. Hunt, Wil-
liam C. Clarke and Isaac Riddle. The bank began
operations September 2, 1845, with a capital of $50,
000, which was subsequently increased to i*l 25,000.
The first officers were .Tames U. Parker, president,
and Nathan Parker, cashier, both of whom officiated
during the existence of the bank.
It was organized as a national bank in April, 1865,
under the style of the Manchester National Bank,
with the following officers; Nathan Parker, presi-
dent; Charles E. Batch, cashier; Nathan Parker,
^,
I
m
MANCHESTKR.
i'<;
Benjamin F. Martin, Phinehas Adams, Oilman H.
Kiinbiill, .lolin H. Maynanl. Duviii A. Muiiton and
Horact- 1'. Watt.-i, directors.
The original capital of the bank was $100,000,
which was increased, April 2, 1872, to $150,000.
Natlian Parker, the first president, has continued as
such to the present time, and Charles K. Halch, the
first cashier, remained in that position until his
death, October 18, 1884. He was succeeded by Wal-
ter M. Parker. The present board of directors is as
follows: Nathan Parker, Horace P. Watts, Phinehas
A<lam9, B. F. Martin, .T.din H. Maynard, N. S. f'lark,
William J. Hoyt, Waller M. Parker.
The Merchants' National Bank. -This bank was
cirj;anizcrl as a Slate li.Liik under the name of City
Bank in 18.W with the followin-j; directors : Isaac C.
Flanders, William C. Clarke, Oliver W. Bailey,
Samuel W. Parsons, Andrew G. Tucker and William
n. Hill; I'resident, Isaac C. Flanders; Cashier,
Ivlward \\\ Harriii-rton.
In 18i;i the bank was converted into a national
bank under the name of the City National Bank,
when Hon. Clinton W. Stanley was elected president
to succeed Mr. Flanders, resigned.
In 1876, Daniel W. Lane was elected cashier, to
succeed E. W. Harrington, deceaseil.
The original capital was $1(10,11(11), wliieb has
been increased to $100,0(10.
Jaiuiary, 187!>, Hon. James A. Weston was elected
president, to succeed Hon. Clinton W. Stanley.
In 1880 the name of the bank was changed to the
Merchants' National Bank.
The present board of directors are Hon. .lames A.
Weston, John C. French, Hon. Nathan P. Hunt,
Bushrod W. Hill, Hon. John M. Parker, Hon.
Charles H. Bartlett and William C. Rogers. OHicers :
President, Hon. James ,\. We.ston ; Cashier, Daniel
W. I,ane.
The First National Bank was Ineorporaticl under
the name of the Merrima<k Hiv<'r Bank, .Inly 14,
IS.").!, Ralph Metcalf being (iovernor of the Slate. The
idiarter was granted for the term of twenty years from
.Tuly l.">th, anil was accepted .\iignst 1st by the fol-
lowing board of grantees: William Whittle,' William
O. Means, John II. Moore,' Peter I'. Woodbnry,'
Frederick Smyth. WilliaTii I', .Newell, 'l'iin<illiy W.
Little,' William Patten,' Isaac Tompkins,' Isaai- W-
Smith, Frederick (i. Stark,' .lohn Ordway,' George
W. Converse,' .fosiah V. Eastman, William Shep-
herd,' D. J. Daniels,' C. W. Baldwin.' .laeob G.
Cilley," Alonzo Smith,' David Cross, I'binehas
.\dams.' I'Vancis II. Lylbrd, B. F. Martin, William
Richardson,' Waterman Smith, I''rank .\. Brown,'
.\l|)heus Gay, Jr., Joseph B. Clark, John M. Parker,
Henry T. Mowatt,' George W. Bailey, William Per-
kins and their associates.
The first meeting of the grantees took place at the
1 DoCPlu>e(l.
office of Frederick Smyth, No. 4 Smyth's Block.
Suitable by-laws were adoi)ted, the capital stock,
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, divided into
fifteen hundred shares, and the requisite machinery
for the successful working of the new institution was
provided.
The first organization was as follows: Directors,
William G. Jlcans, William V. Newell, William
Whittle, Waterman Smith, .lohn H. Moore, B. F.
Martin, David Cross ; President, Willi;im G. Means;
(^iushier, Frederick Smith ; Clerk, John D. Irving.
The Bank of Commerce, in Boston, was selected as
a place of deposit. The discount of notes was author-
ized November 1, 18.55, and the first loan was made
to the agent of the Manchester Mills. By November
7lh the capital stock had all been subscril>ed and
paid in. In 1856 the board of directors was re-elected
and in November of that year William Whittle re-
signed and Phinehas Adams was chosen in his place,
and there was no further change until 1850, when
Mr. Means resigned as president, and was succeeded
by B. F. Martin, who served one year, and w.is suc-
ceeded by Waterman Smith, who continued until
1884, when he was succeeded by .lolin Frederick
Smyth, the present incumbent, .lohn Frederick
Smyth was cashier of the bank from its incorporation,
in I.S55, to 1884, when he was succeeded by the |«res-
scnt cashier, Jlr. Charles F. Morrill.
Onthe22dof March, 18(15, the stockholders voted
to reorganize, under United States laws, ius the First
National B.auk of Manchester, and the old board of
officers continued until the annual meeting in the
following .lanuary, when they were re-elected.
The present olficers and directors are as follows:
Hon. Frederick Smyth, pri'sident ; Hon. David
Cross, vice-president ; Charles F. .Morrill, cashier ;
John P. Goggin, clerk ; DirecUirs, David Cross,
Joseph B. Clark, Thomas Wheat, Frederick Smyth,
F. B. Eaton. Frank Dowst, .loseph F. Kennard.
The clerks in employ, in the order ol time in which
they are name<l,are as follows:
John l>. Irving, now insurance commissioner,
Toledo, Ohio; Samuel T. Foster, died in Washington,
I ). C. ; H. A. Viarly, banker in Boston, Mass. ; George
(iage, now bank commissioner for New Ham|ishire ;
George I!. Lord, now at St. Louis, Mo.; W. R.
WalkiT, in savings-bank at C 'ord, N. 11.: .losiali
Morrill, died while in the employ of the bank; .bdin
Porter, resigned on account of ill-health. The charter
was obtained against the most strenuous opposition
on the part of other resident bankers, and was re-
garded as a personal triumph of Mr. Smyth. The
fact (line accomplished, however, all opposition sub-
sided, and till' business rehitioUH have ever been har-
monious with his fellows. His Ibrtunale investments
and always ciHisorvative management have gained for
the bank an enviable reputation, secoixi to none in
the State.
l"i!i:i)i;iti<K Smyth.— The subject of this sketch was
68
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
liorn Marcli 9, l.Sl'.i, in Caiifiia, Rockingham County.
Hisance.-^tors, as tar as wo liaveany record, were thrifty
t'armers, ami lie was early iiiiuvrl to the toils of farm-
life on the homestead, in the northwest jiart of that
picturesiiiie town.
The common school and the High School gave him
all they had to give; a single term at the Phillips
Academy, in .\ndover, JIass., completed his brief
study of text-books, and his education thenceforth
continued in the larger school of men an<l all'airs. For
a short time he was a partner in trade at Candia with
Thomas Wheat, now a distinguished physician of
Afanchester. The field, however, was too limited to
satisfy his ambition, and in 18o!) he sought and found
employment in the establishment of (ieorge Porter,
Ki>i\., who did a large business in the sale of general
merchandise in Manchester. During the days of his
clerkship he was librarian of a reading club, of which
Samuel I). Bell, John A. Burnham, John Porter and
others were members, when the Xorth American
Sepieu; the Southern IJternry Meniienger, the Knicker-
bocker Marjazine, etc., were placed .within his reach.
This appears to have been the germ of the Manches-
ter Athena'um.
After about two years he entered into company with
John Porter, Esq., and bought out his employer. This
was the beginning of a brief but successful mercantile
career, which terminated with liis election as city
clerk in 1849. While in trade he was very scrupu-
hms in regard to his financial obligations. In the
panic of 1847 every firm doing business on the street
went under, except two, and one of those was that
with which Mr. Smyth was connected. I, ike others,
he was compelled to trust out large ipiantities of
goods, and was unable to cummand much ca|>ital. He
went to his Boston creditors, frankly told them his
situation, said he did not want to fail, and so impressed
them with his evident sincerity of purpose that they
promised him all the gooils and time he wanted. The
event justilied their confidence, and to-day no man
H ho knows him needs to be told that his word is as
good as his bon<l.
He was elected city clerk by the usual party major-
ity, and did his work so acceptably that he was re-
elected by a City Council two-thirds of whose mem-
bers were politically opposed to him. The American
mill Mcssenr/er of that date said: "This is a com-
pliment to Mr. Smyth, which has been well merited
by his faithfulness and e<mrte8y during the last year."
His manifi'st efficiency in city affairs, and the thor-
oughness with which he mastered every detail, sug-
gested his fitness for mayor, and he was accordingly
nominated and elected to that office in March, 1852.
He was re-elected for two successive years thereafter,
and again at a time of peculiar importance in munic-
ipal affairs, in 1864. A distinguishing mark of his
first year's administration will ever remain in the
trees which adorn our [larks and street.s. He advo-
cated an act of the City Council, which passed in spite
of considerable opposition, aullmrizing trees to be set
on all the public streets, parks and lands, and every
year since, with but few exceptions, be has personally
inspected the trees, and notified the proper authori-
j ties when any of them needed replacing. With this
1 good work some, but not all, his successors in office,
! have sympathi/.ed. In July and October of Mayor
I Smyth's first year the Whig ])arty lost its two great
leaders, — Henry Clay and Daniel Wel)ster, — and the
attention of the citizens was called to some fitting
expression of feeling in both cases by a brief message
from the mayor. His first election w-as by Whig votes
over the opposition of Democrats and Free-Soilers ;
his second by Whig and Free-Soil votes, and an in-
creased majority ; his third with very little i>pposition,
and his fourth with virtually none at all. iJuriiigliis
second year the Amoskcag Falls bridge was rebuilt,
and parts of Goffstown and Bedford were annexed to
the city. The most honorable monument, however,
which will stand to his name is the part he took in
the foundation of a free public library. In the first
instance, the conception belcjugs to the late Hon.
Samuel D. Bell, but it is very doulitful if that idea
would ever have been realized without the active and
persistent efforts of the mayor. The city government
of that day was composed of men mostly practical
in their ideas, with Init little faith in the value or
necessity of literary culture. Workingmen were op-
posed to all needless expenditures in city afliiirs, and
it required tact and wi.se handling to get a measure
which called tor an annual expenditure of two thou-
sand dollai-s, with a certainty of future increase, framed
into a law, and it was largely d\ie to the confidence
they had in their chief executive officer that they
supported the mcasu.'-c. When Mayor Smyth was
about retiring, as he supposed finally, at the end of his
third year, the following resolution, offered by the
Hon. S. D. I'cll, Alarch 7, 1854, was unanimously
voted :
" Rcnolred, That the thanks of the trustce.s of the
City Library beprescntcd to the Hon. Frederick Smyth
for the early, decided and succes.sful exertions made
by him, as chief magistrate of the city, for the estab-
lishment of a free public library."
In 1855 he was appointed by (iovernor Metcalf .ind
Council chairman of commissioners to locate and builil
a House of Kefbrmalion for juvenile oH'cnders, the
late ex-Governor i larvey, of the United Stales ( 'ircuit
Court, and the late Hon. Hosea Eaton, being his asso-
ciates. The signal success of this institution Is well
known to every intelligent citi/.en, but many have
doubtless forgotten the storm of parti.san obl(M|uy
through which it was piloted to popular favor. From
the first Mr. Smyth thoroughly believed in it, and in
his remarks at the dedication, in 1858, he .said :
"This institution to-day dedicated .supjdies a need
of the State, that incipient crime may not become
confirmed wickedness; that the jail and tlic priso/i may
not forever harden ami fix what they were designeil
"t^fLey'Z^t^!//^
L
MANCHESTER.
69
to prevent." The importance of this occasion can
hardly l)e over-estimated, if we look at the sad pro-
portion of young persons on the criminal li.st in our own
and othcrStates. If \vc investigate the results of means
which it is now proposed to use, that society may be
saved from the curse of their vicious lives, and them-
selves from the greater curse of mental and moral de-
struction, we shall find that the cost in dollars and
cents dwindles in comparison into utter insignificance.
He was able, also, to announce that " the building
had been completed within the amount appropriated,
that no contractor had failed to perfoim his work, that
not one cent of the amount had been expended except
through legitimate channels and for duly authorized
purposes." Governor liaile, in the course of his re-
ply, complimented the commission upon the fidelity
■with which their work was done.
In the years 1857-58, Mr. Smyth was a member of
the House of Representatives in the State Legislature,
and was also made treasurer of the Reform School, in
the good management of which he took great interest.
His executive ability and reputation as a good linan-
cier caused him to be selected as the treasurer of the
New Hampshire Agricultural Society, and the ten
years during which he held that place were years of
the society's greatest usefulness. He was also a di-
rector in the United States Agricultural Society, and
manager of the tliree great fairs hehl at Kichmond,
■Chicago and St. Louis by the National Association,
and also vice-president of the American Pomological
Society, which, under the lead of the venerable Mar-
shal P. Wilder, has done so much to improve Ameri-
can fruits.
Jleantime, men were ncjt wanting who believed in
our mayor's fitness for the highest otfice in the State,
and in the convention which nominated Ichabod
■Goodwin, in 1859, he stood fourth on the list of candi-
dates. In 18(;0 he was president of the State Repub-
lican Convention, ami was soon after appointed by
Secretary Ch;ise one of the agents to obtain subscrip-
tions to the national loan. In 181)1 he was appointed
as one of the agents on the part of the United States
to the International Exhibition at London, where
Her Majesty's commissioners made him a juror; by
the Jury he was made reporter, a position which gave
him some advantages not easily obtaine<l in knowl-
edge of the exhibition. He wrote some private letters
home, and his impressions of matters and things
abroad were published in the New Hnmpshire
■Journal of Agriculture, then under the editorial man-
agement of the writer of this sketch.
It was war-time, iis we all know, and he wrote: " In
regard to American all'airs, I do not think there is a
particle of danger of any interference from l^ngland,
■or has ever been ; most people sympathize with
Americans and the North, when they understand the
issue." It was fouml on Mr. Smyth's arrival that only
three of our commissioners were present, and ncithiiig
had brrn ilniii' 1(1 plai'i' <iiir (IcpMrtiiii'iit in readiness.
Patriotic resident Americans contributed about three
thousand dollars, and work began in earnest. Very
much of the favorable exhibit we made on that occa-
sion is fairly due to a few men who, with Mr. Smyth,
did double duty. His position as juror enaliled him
to do much towardsecuringarecognition of the merits
of goods exhibited by the Langdon Mills, and by the
Manchester Print Works, both of which took a medal.
He was also, by virtue of his place, admitted to many
social entertainments, one of the most interesting of
which was that given by Lord and Lady Salisbury, at
Hatfields, where he met Gladstone aud Disraeli, the
two foremost men of England.
In company with C. L. Flint, Esq., secretary of the
Massachusetts Board of Agriculture, he visited France,
Germany, Switzerland and Italy, and managed to
compjiss a great deal of sight-seeing into a brief space
of time. While at Rome, tidings from home were far
I'roni assuring, and Mr. Smyth deemed it his duty not
to prolong his tour. He landed at New York in Sep-
tember, when mattei-s had already begun to take on
a more favorable look for the Union. He was then
cashier and principal tinancial manager of the Merri-
mack River Bank, of which he is now president, and
also of the Merrimack River Savings- Bank. His faith
in the government led him to invest largely in bonds
and to accept the charter for the bank of discount,
which thenceforth became the First National Bank of
Manchester. At that time few monied men or banks
in town cared to follow his example, but the event
justified his sagacity. Mr. Smyth's course in finance
has been strictly conservative ; he has never dabbled
in fancy stocks or in merely speculative matters for
himself or for his bank, and the reputation thus ac-
(|uired enabled him, as will be seen, to lift the State
from a condition in which it was compelled to ])ay
exorbitant interest to one not inferior to that of any
in I he Union.
In May, 1S()3, a fair was held at Manchester in aid
of the Sanitary Commission. Mr. Smyth was chair-
man of the committee, and gave the use of his hall
and his zealous personal etlbrts to promote its success.
The sum raised was about four thousand dollars. In
the years that followed he did his best to keep up the
spirit and courage of the people. With others, he
went down to the battle-field of (iettysburg, and
labored among wounded and dying soldiers, and, in
conseipience of exposure at the time, was confined to
a sick-room all the ensuing fall. In May of the next
vcar, however, he again went to the front, and after
the battle of the Wilderness rendered efficient aid as
before. He has since received many testimonials of
gratitude I'mm men who oweil, under (iod, their lives
t'l him on that occasion.
In this year (1S(>:{) he was again elected mayor of
Manchester, under what circumstances and to what
end, let another say. The Dnili/ Mirror and Ameri-
can, of November 2S, lSi;4, in it« leading editorial,
said, —
70
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
"A year ago this month the (.iovernor and Council'
of New Hampshire wisely recommeudcd the towns
and cities of this State to cash the Government bounty
of $302, payable in installments, and fill up their
quotas. The advice was taken. It took between
three and four railliims of dollars of ready money to
carry out the idea. It drained every bank, and made,
lor the time being, the best securities seem of no
account in raising money. Manchester was in trou-
ble; she needed more funds than could be had, and,
with all her wealth, seemed like a beggar. ... In
this critical condition of financial affairs the question
of mayor of tliis city came up. The field was can-
vassed again and again, and each time the report
would be ' Hon. Frederick Smyth is the man, but he
won't take it.' It was a necessity that the chief
executive of the city should have the confidence of
business men and be familiar with financial matters.
Finally, the pressure was so great that some of our
leading citizens went to him and convinced him that
it was his duty to accept of the onerous position one
year. He reluctantly assented, with a distinct under-
standing that he should not again be called upon for
that place. Some ten years ago he was three times
elected to fill the office of mayor, each year with
increased majorities, and time had shown that his
municipal record grew higher and brighter as new
opportunities to judge of its merits presented them-
selves, and a year ago he was elected for a fourth term
without show of opposition, an event unprecedented
in our municipal history, or in that of any city in the
State. It was a wise choice. From the moment he
took the mayor's chair harmony prevailed in every
department of the city government. He is a peace-
maker. He believes that a ' house divided against
itself cannot stand,' and has the power of discerning
almost intuitively the average sense of mankind, what
is generally called common sense, and hence is a
natural leader of the people."
Such was the opinion and the feeling concerning
Mayor Smyth at home, where he was best known.
Butthis feeling, also, had obtained toa considerable ex-
tent throughout the State, and his friends had forsome
time determined to present his name as a candidate
for the highest office in their immediate gift. In the
Republican Convention, therefore, of January, 1865,
he received two-thirds of an informal ballot, which
was then made unanimous by acclamation. He was
elected by a majority of over six thousand, the largest
majority given to any Governor for twenty-four years.
He entered upon no easy task. The State was begin-
ning to feel severely the stress of the time. Gradually a
great debt had accumulated, regiment after regiment
had been promptly equipped and sent into the field,
the banks had advanced money quite to the extent of
their courage, and nearly to that of their ability. In
the open market we met the gold bonds of thegovern-
ment, free from taxes; thcsame trouble pulsed through
all the arteries of the body politic, and the people of a
State always careful and conservative in all its.
expenditures beheld with something like dismay
this mountain of obligation, swollen into millions. It
was almost impossible to get money for current ex-
penses. A previous Legislature had authorized the
issue of three and one-half millions of six per cent.
State bonds, payable in currency; only four hundred
and twenty-four thousand dollars had been taken.
Governor Smyth, in his first message, recommended
the issue of bonds better calculated to meet the exi-
gencies of the case, and that current expenses be pro-
vided for by taxation. As a matter of interest to
capitalists, he took care to set forth the res(mrces of
the State, its prudent habit in expenditures and the
hostility to repudiation in every form, which our
people had inherited from a frugal, patriotic and God-
fearing ancestry. " We must," he said, " now observe
the most rigid economy in expenditure, and bring
the expenses to a peace basis as soon as possible. Our
people are naturally economical, and hold sacred all
pecuniary obligations." He compared, in a very
effective manner, the agricultural products of a State
which had hitherto borne the reputation of producing
only men with those of some of the more fertile mem-
bers of the Union, to our decided advantage. He
called to mind the unrivaled water-power, with its
present and prospective improvement, and urged that
attention to the latent wealth of the State which due
regard to our prosperity demanded.
Resides these matters which had to do with the imme-
diate restoration of State credit, he took advanced Re-
publican ground in regard to our obligations to the
freedmeuand to the maintenance of the authority of the
national government. He indicated in a few words^
the factthatour indebtedness had its full compensation.
"From the outbreak of the Rebellion New Hamp-
shire has stood firmly by the flag: and knowing what
we do to-day of the scope and aim of the great con-
spiracy and of the infamous means which brought,
about its inception and urged on its progress, can any
one regret that the State was so far true to her hon-
ored name and her noble memories as to offer without
stint of her name and means for the re-establishment
of national authority?"
In the first three months of his administration he
raised over one million of dollars on favorable terms,,
a large amount of which was obtained in Manchester.
From that time forward the financial affairs of the-
State received the most scrupulous attention. In the
haste and waste of war unavoidable contusion at
times arose in accounts between the several States
and the general government, and it was not only then
impossible to pay our debts, but equally so to get our
dues. Governor Smyth's large acquaintance with
men gave him infiuencc at headquarters, and he suf-
fered no opportunity to pass to advocate the claims
of his State. As will appear from the following
extract from the 1-Yovidence Journal, all States haj
not been so fortunate:
MANCHESTER.
il
"At the close of the war lie (Governor Smyth)
tbuiid the suspended and disalluwed aceounts of the
State against the jreneral iiovernnient of over one
million of dollars. These disallowances and suspen-
sions were mainly in the e.xpeiiditures growing out of
earlier military operations previous to his accession
to office. Governor Smyth did not busy himself to
fix charges of petty larceny against one officer, or ol
wholesale robbery against others. He did not assume
that every man who was charged with fitting out the
first regiment sent from the State had stolen all that
he could n't duplicate vouchers for on official paper.
On the contrary, he urged upon the accounting offi-
cers at Washington the impetuous zeal with which
the State had responded to the call of the govern-
ment ; he represented the impossibility of complete
exactness in the accounts. Under such circumstances
he exerted himself to obtain vouchers where his
predecessor had omitted to secure them, and to ex-
plain their absence when they could not be procured-
... In this way he saved hundreds of thousands of
dollars to the treasury of the State, and put no stain
on its fair fame."
Among other things relating to the prosperity of
the State, the Governor took up and advocated with
zeal the restoration of the fisheries. He quoted the
opinion of Agassi/, and otliers, that our waters could
he restocked at no great expense. In his second
annual message he was able to state that the Legisla-
ture of Massachusetts had been induced to move in
the matter. On our own part, it was provided by law
of June, 1865, that no dam or weir should be erected
on the Connecticut or Jlcrrimack Rivers, or upon the
Pemigewasset, Ammonoosuc,Winnipiseogceor Baker's
Rivers, without suitable fishways below the bounda-
ries of the State. In the Ibllowing October the Gov-
ernor announced, by proclamation, that the law, by
its terms, was to be enforced. The attorneys of the
several corporations concerned, however, on one pre-
text or anotlier, managed to delay the consummation
of this useful act until a very recent period.
This first year of Governor Smyth's administration
was a busy one. Our soldiers were returning from
the war; it was the Governor's i)ride to receive them
with something of the enthusiasm and warmth which
he felt was their due. lie urgeil that Slate aid sliould
be exten<led to sick or disalilcd .soldiers, and on this
ground protested against the removal of tiie Webster
Hospital, then maintained l>y the general govern-
ment, at Manchester. Something of this efl'ectivc
service in behalf of the volunteers, no doubt, pointed
him out as one peculiarly fitted to .serve on the board
of managers of the National Home for disabled vol-
unteer soldiers, the establishment of which, on so
grand a scale, rendered State aid unnecessary. To
this important place he was appointed by vote of
Congress in 18GC. His associates were the President,
Chief.Iiistice and Secretary of War, ex-ajl'icin; Major-
(ieiicral B. F. Butler; Major-tietural .loliii II. Mar-
tindalc, Rochester, N. Y.; Hon. Louis B. Gunckel,
Dayton, Ohio; General Thomas O. Osborn, Chicago,
111.; Hon. Hugh L. Bond, Baltimore, Md.; Dr. Eras-
tus B. Wolcott, Jlilwaukee, Wis.; Major-General
John S. Caveuder, St. Louis, Mo.; Major-General
James S. Negley, Pittsburgh, Pa. Governor Smyth
was one of the vice-presidents of the board. He was
reappointed in 1872 tor a second terra of six years.
Acting on his often-expressed idea that no man ought
to take an office of the kind unless he was willing to
devote to the discharge of his duties all the time and
effort required, he has been a very efficient manager,
traveling many hundred miles annually on visits of
inspection at Dayton, Milwaukee, Hampton and Au-
gusta, and to be present at meetings of the board in
Washington, besides giving his personal attention to
the admission of soldiers to the Eastern Branch, all
this without other compensation than that which
arises from a consciousness of duty done.
General B. F. Butler, in a letter written from Boston,
said, not long since: "I know I shall echo the opinion
of all his associates when I say Governor Smyth was
one of the most valuable members of the board. His
accurate business knowledge, the skill and ability
displayed by him in adjusting complicated accounts,
caused the board to |)Ut upon him more by far than
his share of such work.
General Gunckel, of Dayton, Ohio, said: "Every
one who visits these Homes recogni/.es the peculiar
fitness of the selections made, especially for the Cen-
tral and Northwestern Branches ; but few people even
in Ohio and Wisconsin knew how largely this result,
as well as the saving of thousands of dollars in the
purchase, was due to the taste and judgment, the
Yankee tact and shrewdness, of New Hampshire's ex-
Governor. In the management and control of an
institution caring for eight hundred disabled soldiers,
and expending a million and a quarter annually,
there wiu enpecml need of junt such a man as Governor
Sni;/l/i, and I do not exaggerate when I say that
through the watchfulness and care, the courage and
determination, of (Jovernor Smyth, thousands, yes,
tens of thousands, of dollars were saved to the govern-
ment and people."
An extract from an a<ldre.ss of Governor Smyth, at
the Dayton Home, In 18G8, .shows somewhat of the
s|)irit he brought to the discharge of his duties. It
was on the occasion of laying the corner-stone of the
Veteran Soldiers' Chapel, —
'"This little church which we quarry from this
beautiful stone, and begin to build here to-day, is a
token of allegiance, a signet of loyally, both to the
rightful authorities of the land and to the Supreme
Ruler over all. The best and truest citizen, the world
over, is he who first discharges his duty to his God,
and under Him to the laws of the land.
A memorial like this holds out no threat and con-
veys no taunt to a van(|ui>hed foe; it says as it means,
— pence to all who will have peace, — but as a symb'd
Y2
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
of the highest authority, it also proclaims a law to
be obeyed. Liberty without law is worse than worth-
less, for it means the liberty of the mob and of riot,
and by it the weak are ojipressed and the poor made
poorer yet. . . . But I hope that this building
also will convey to you the idea that the four cold
bare walls of an asylum is not all that the country
owes or will give to its defenders. She recognizes,
let us all hope and believe, the hand of an all-wise
God in every act of this great drama, while com-
pelled to take the sword to preserve a liberty unsul-
lied by violence and law made with regard to the
rights of every man, she offers to her citizens, every-
where, a fireside safe from intruding wrong, and a
worship and a Bible free to the humblest."
In September, 186-i, the New England Agricultu-
ral Society held its annual session in Concord. Gov-
ernor Smyth delivered the address, and among other
distinguished gentlemen present upon the platform
were the late Governors Andrew, of Massachusetts,
and Buckingham, of Connecticut. In his introductory
remarks, Governor Smyth said : " I cannot claim to
teach you as a practical farmer, but I can claim to
have made a constant endeavor, in my humble way,
to keep alive agricultural enterprise and to stimulate
agricultural investigation. It has always been my
firm conviction that the safety of the State and the
l)r<>»perity of the jicople require as a foundation an
intelligent knowledge of agriculture ; and while I
have been oldiged to admire the practical operations
of others, and to search in fields not of my own for
the results of well-managed experiments, I have
learned to respect the great art which feeds and
clothes us, and secures for us all the comfort and
beauty of adorned and civilized life u])on a subdued
and cultivated earth." The address, as a whole, was
received with very marked favor, and the volume of
the "Society's Transactions" in which it was pub-
lished met with a large sale.
In some remarks following. Governor Andrew
took occasion to thank the speaker for his eloquent
words, and called for cheers, first for " His E.\cel-
lency. Governor Smyth, and ne.xt for Governor
Smith's address." During this and the succeeding
year he gave many brief talks at county and other
fairs, always evincing the liveliest interest in the
welfare of the State. At Milford, in the course of his
remarks, he said: " I know it is often said that ' New
Hampshire is a good State to emigrate from,' and
perhaps it is generally believed that our young
men can better their fortunes by turning their backs
upon their mother State and seeking elsewhere for
larger returns and richer rewards for their labors and
enterprise. For one, I do not share In this feeling.
I believe that ours is not only agoo<l State to be born
in, but a good State to live in, an<l to die in, and that
one great concern of the fathers and mothers should
be to awaken in the hearts of their sons and daugh-
ters a feeling of attachment and affection for, an<l
of pride and interest in, the homes of their childhood
and the State of their fathers." In 1876 he deliv-
ered the annual address at the Vermont State Fair,
in St. Albans.
At the end of his first year his nomination for a
second term followed as a matter of course. A Con-
necticut paper, in advocating the election of General
Hawley, said : " New Hampshire, in her State elec-
tion of the 13th inst., has nobly led the way in re-
electing her patriotic chief magistrate by so hand-
some a majority, considerably larger than was given
Mr. Lincoln in ISG-l;" and it also<iuoted, with marked
approval, that passage in his message beginning
" The question of negro suffrage is one of those de-
fenses behind which slavery will yet entrench itself,
and by which it will seek to regain some fragment
of the power it has justly lost. "
The second year of Governor Smyth's administra-
tration was in all respects as satisfactory as the
first. The State debt was funded at a lower rate of
interest than was offered by the general government.
The revision of the statutes, the reorganization of
the militia, measures looking to the restoration of
fish to our waters, and the publication of ancient State
papers are among some of the matters of general
interest. I have before me an autograph letter from
the late Rev. Dr. Bouton, thanking the Governor in
the most complimentary manner for the interest he
had manifested in the preservation of these important
])apers.
One very pleasant incident of the year was the
visit of scholars and teachers of the public schools
of Manchester, on the Governor's invitation, to the
State institutions at Concord. On two occasions dur-
ing his occupancy of the Governor's chair he spoke at
the dinner of the New England Society in New York,
in brief but effective efforts, which were received with
emphatic demonstrations of applause.
So successful was the administration that, contrary
to precedent, many of the most influential and re-
spectable journals of the State, among which were
the Xatinnal Eagle, the Concord l^tate^uuin, the Dover
Enquirer, the Portsmouth Journal and the Keene Senti-
nel, advocated his nomination for a third term. The
Governor, however, declined to be considered a
candidate, and his letter to that effect was published
in the Statesman in January, 1867. A brief extract
or two from some of the jiapers of the day will serve
lo show the assumptions of this sketch, not unwar-
ranted by public opinion :
Said the Boston Journal: " Governor Smyth's ad-
ministration has been highly successful, not only in a
financial point of view, which is demonstrated by
statistics, but in all other respects." The Commerrial
Hiillctin : " He has been as vigorous and careful of
the interests of the people, as if those concerns were
personal to himself, and successftilly sought so to
manage the financial affairs of the State that its
credit stands as well as anv other commonwealth."
MANCHESTER.
73
The Daily Monitor : "To-day Governor Smyth resigns
his trust with the j)roud consciousness of leaving
mithing uncertain or unsettled which diligence, busi-
nea- tact and untiring zeal could close up and ar-
range, nor has Governor Smyth's administration been
merely a financial success ; he has neglected no single
jmblic interest ; himself a practical example of all
the virtue? which constitute a good citizen, he has
interested himself in every movement which looked
to the welfare of the community and the promotion
of industry, temperance and good morals among the
people."
It is a signiticant fact that in a time of much party
feeling the Governor was able to say, in his vale-
dictory : " Wliatever may have been the ditlerence of
opinion among us, there lia.s been no factious opposi-
tion from any source to measures necessary for the
public good, but I have uniformly received the
hearty co-operation of all parties in this difficult
work." Only once during his two years' administra-
tion did he consider it necessary to interpose his veto,
an<l the Hou.se sustained him, one hundred and thirty-
two to six. Another fact indicative of confidence in
the executive was the appropriation, on motion of a
distinguished political ojjponent, of fifteen hundred
dollars to defray expenses incurred while on business
for the State, and for which he had refused to take
anything from the contingent fund. The apjjropria-
tion Wiis advocated l)y leading men of the opposition
and unanimously voted. It was also declared by one
of the journals "that no hostile criticism had been
made from any source upon the conduct of affairs."
It wiis extensively fiuot«d, and, as far as I am aware,
has never been contradicted.
>Ir. Smyth now found it expedient to devote his
time to the interest of the banking institutions of
which mention has been made, and to his personal
business affairs.
In 1876 he was an active member of the Constitu-
tional Convention, when several important amend-
ments were made to the State constitution, including
the removal of the Religious Test Act.
One of his marked characteristics is an unwearied
industry, and it seems to be the opinion that one who
<loes muih can always find time to do more. Among
thi- :ippointments he still holds are the following:
president and director of the Concoril Railroad,
trustee and treasurer of the New Hampshire College
of .Vgriculture and Mechanic Arts, director and
treasurer of the Manchester Horse Railroad, direc-
tor of the National Agricultural Society, vice-presi-
dent of the American Pomological Society, president
of the Northern Telegraph Company, president of
the Franklin Street ('ongri'irational Society, trustee
and treasurer of the Northern Telegraph Company,
president and manager of the First National Bank
of Manchester, trustee and treasurer of the Merrimack
River Savings-Hank. In 18G6 the faculty of Dart-
mouth College conferred n|ion him the degree of A. B.
In the spring of 1878 he was appointed by Presi-
dent Hayes one of the commissioners on the part of
the United States for New Hampshire to the Inter-
national Exhibition at Paris. He left home, accom-
panied by his wife, in April, and reached Paris, after
a few days in London, early in May. On the 14th of
that month they left Paris for an extended tour,
visiting the principal points of interest in Egypt, the
Holy Land, Turkey and Greece, returning, by way of
Italy, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Austria and
Germany, to Paris in September. Some interesting
extracts from private corresjiondence were published
in the Mirror and Farmer, in the course of which the
condition and work of the American Missions was
spoken of. He was much impresscil with the value
of this work to the growing civilization of Eastern
nations, and has freijuently expressed his opinion to
that effect in various addresses since his return.
Ex-Governor and Jlrs. Smyth were the recij)ients
of many attentions from ministers and consuls res-
ident al)road, particularly at Constantinople and
Athens. At Paris they were among the few invited
guests at the dinner of the Stanley Club to General
Grant, and were also present at the reception given
by the American Legation to " General and Madam
Grant." With a trio of other ex-Governors, — Haw-
ley, Hoflniau and Fenton, — he was made an lionorary
member of the Stanley Club.
Soon after the return of Mr. and Mrs. Smyth from
this foreign tour they visited Cuba and Mexico. The
Mexican trip was exceptionally agreeable from the
fact they were invited to join the party of Major-
General Ord, and so were made guests of the repub-
lic. A baiKiuet was given '.heir party at Vera Cruz,
at which General frevino, son-in-law of General Ord,
and many distinguished officials were |)re8cnt. The
trip to the city of Mexico by rail was accompanied by
a guard of honor, and they had every facility for see-
ing all that was most desirable in the ancient capital
of the Aztecs. Mrs. Smytli, particularly, wa.s the re-
lipient of many attentions from the courtly Mexican
officers.
As souvenirs of this journey they brought home
quaint specimens of Mexican manufacture, — onyx
tables, feather-work, images of street occu|)ations, etc.,
— to add to the interesting collection at the Willows.
In December, 1882, ex-Governor and Mrs. Smyth
sailed again for Europe in the royal mail steamship
"Servia," spent Christmas near Lomlon and the New
Year's day in Paris. From Paris they journeyed
leisurely thrmgh Switzerland in a season meino'rablo
for destructive Hoods in the valley of the Rhone, and
went by the Mt. I'enis Tunnel to Turin anil (ienoa.
From thence to Nice, Marseilles, and by the (inlf of
Lyons .across tiie Pyrenees to Barcelona, in Spain.
In that country they spent some time, visiting Sar:i-
gossa, Madrid, Toledo, Cordova, Grenada, Malaga,
Seville and (iiliraltar. From Gil)rallar they crossed
over to Tanirlers. on the .\frican coast, and returning.
74
HISTORV OF HILLSBOKOUGH COUxNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
took ship lor Malta ami Alexandria. This latter ciiy
was half in ruins from the recent British bombard-
ment. From Cairo they ascended the Nile to the
first cataract, passinj; throu-ih Lower, Middle and
Upper Ejry|it to Nubia, visiting on the way the old
temples and tombs of Uenderah, Luxor, Karnac,
Thebes, Assouan and other famous places. Then,
after visiting the battle-field at Tel-el-keber, they
passed through the Suez Canal and landed at Jaffa,
the ancient Joppa. After visiting the principal points
of interest in the Holy Land, — Jerusalem, Jericho,
the Jordan and the Dead Sea, etc., — they went on, via
Tyre and Sidon, to Beirut, Damascus and the
ruins of Baalbec, Cyprus and Antioch. From thence
by steamer along the coast of Asia Minor, touching
at Troas, Smyrna, Ephesus and other places, they
reached Constantinople. After an interesting stay
of some days they crossed the Black Sea to Varna, and
went through Bulgaria and Eoumania to Bucharest.
From thence, through Hungary, Austria, Bavaria and
Germany, returning to Paris.
During this trip, as on other occasions, they re-
ceived numerous attentions, and Governor Smyth
had an interesting interview with the Khedive.
They brought home many articles of value, curiosi-
ties and special manufactures of the countries visited.
On this occasion, also, the Governor made a successful
ascent of the great pyramid and explored the labyrinth
within. This occurred on the last day of his sixty-
third year.
In February, after their return. Governor Smyth
presided at a very large meeting in Smyth's Hall
which was addressed by Hon. John E. Redmond,
M. P. for Wexford, Ireland. He introduced the elo-
quent "Home Ruler" in a brief si)eech, saying that he
believed in " Your purpose to raise up the lowly and
oppressed and weaken the bonds of the oppressor,"
and sharply arraigned England for her course in
Ireland as well as in other lands, as he had observed
it when abroad.
In September of the same year Mr. Smyth tend-
ered a reception to the Hon. James G. Blaine, the
Republican candidate for the Presidency. A dinner
was given at the Willows, on Thursday, September
4th, when Mr. Blaine met some of the most distin-
guished citizens of New Hampshire, and in the even-
ing the house and spacious grounds were brilliantly
illuminated and thrown open to visitors. A fine mil-
itary band occupied a jmsition on the lawn, and il was
e8timate<l that fully ten thousand people passed in to
see the candidate.
At this very time, and in the midst of all this joy
and popular acclaim, a shadow was settling over the
two lives which for forty years had been as one. The
beautiful lady of the house, who that night and day
had entertained her guests with all her old-time in-
terest and vivacity, was within a few days stricken
with a fatal illness. To so large a degree had Mrs.
Smyth been identified with her husband's public
career and success that no sketch of the life of one
of the most eminent citizens of New Hampshire
would be complete without mention of her.
Emily (Lane) Smyth was born in Candia, July 22,.
1822, and was the daughter of John Lane and Nabliy
(Emerson) Lane and the granddaughter of Colonel
Nathaniel Emerson, who fought under Stark at
Bennington. Her father was a man of prominence
in town. She was a near neighbor to her future
husband, and was a bright and ready scholar in the
schools of the district and in the town High Schonl.
Her school-days were completed at a young ladies'
seminary in Charlestown, Miiss., and she taught
school for several terms thereafter in Candia, Chester
and Manchester with marked success. She was mar-
ried December 11, 1844, and brought to her new-
position some most admirable qualities. Her excel-
lent good sense, intelligent comprehension of public
affairs, vivacious manner, rare personal beauty and
entire freedom from any afl'ectation of pride gave her
at once a popularity which, widened and extended
as her husband's success introduced her into other
circles. Receptions given by Governor Smyth .-it
Concord, in which she was so conspicuously charm-
ing, are still remembered as among the leading social
events of the State, and she has entertained at her
hospitable board some of the most distinguished [peo-
ple in the United States, including Chief Justice
Chase, Chief Justice Waite and his family. President
Hayes and wife, the wife and daughter of General and
President Grant, Vice-Presidents Colfax and Ham-
lin, General Chamberlain, of Maine; Henry Ward
Beecher and wife, and General Butler has been a fre-
quent guest. At home and at ease in the highest
circles she was nowhere more delightful and more
engaging than in the houses of her old neighbors, to
whom she was a perpetual joy. Industrious and
possessing great ability, she has accomplished much
during her life-time that counts for truth and good-
ness. Her ear was ever open to the call of distres.%
and she was one of the most eflicient workers in the
various benevolent organizations of our city and State.
That the impression Mrs. Smyth made upon ])er-
sons of both sexes and of all stations in life was no
passing and ephemeral eBect, is shown by the letters
of a memorial volume printed for private circulation
only, but which contains most remarkable testimony
to her character and worth. Governor Smyth fully
a|>preciated the worth of his helpful companion, and
for nearly forty years their mutual devotion was a
noble example of the beauty and sacredness of the
marital relation. Her health had for the most part been
so good, and her manner was always so hopeful and
cheery that no immediate alarm was felt at her con-
dition. A few weeks, however, devclo|)ed fatal
symptoms, and in spite of all that the best medical
science of the country and the care of skillful nurses
could do, Mrs. Smyth died 'January 14, 1885. The
obsequies at the Franklin Street Church called out
i
^
MANfllESTKR.
!•>
ail iiiiiucii:ie concourse of peojde eiiger to liriug
tributes of iillection anil to dn honor to the lovely
character of the departed.
For many years Mr. Smyth luus had an extensive
acquaintance with the |inl)lic men of the time. It
will lie remeiiiliored that six numths prior to Mr.
Lincoln's iKiinination for the I'residcncv lie intro-
duced him from the platform in Smyth's Hall as the
next President, and with Mr. Lincoln, and in after-
days with his great war minister, Stanton, he was on
most friendly terms.
His conservative course in finance, his reputation
as a safe adviser and his freneral sood judgiiient on
|iublic all'airs has caused liis (uiiiisel to be often
.sought in high quarter.s.
A truth which forms a large part of every man's
experience ought never to lose its freshness. There
is no royal road to succe-ss. Ex-Governor Smyth luis
had the advantage of good health, a sound constitu-
tion and great power of endurance; but he is one of
the most industrious men in the State, and the means
by which he has achieved his position are open to
every young man of equal energy, self-denial, high
aim and conscious rectitude of purpose. Some of
the results which he set himself to attain were beset
with dillicuhies ; but he was not di.scouraged by oji-
positioM or disheartened by delay.
The Second National Bank was chartered in 1877.
'I'he lirsl board of directors, which has not changed
since, was ius follows : Aretas Blood, .losiah t'ari)enter,
Frank V. t'arpeiiter, .lohii Hoyt and X. S. Bean. Mr.
Blood was elected president and .losiah t'arpenter
ciLshier, positions which they still occupy. The bank
has u capital of one hundred thousand dollars.
Aretas Bi-ooD, son of Nathaniel and ]{oxellaiia
(Proctor) Blood, was born in Weatherslield,Vt., October
S, 18U!. When he was but three years of age his parents
removed to Windsor, Vt,, where he remained until sev-
enlecn years of age, improving the meagre advantage-s
alforded by the common schools of those days. He
was then apprenticed to the trade of blacksmith,
which he worki'd al about two years and a half and
then became a machinist. In IMO he journeyed to
Kvaiisville, Ind., where he worked at his trade until
.lunc 17, 1.S41, when he started eastwaril in .search of
employment. He stopped at city after city, but each
time was disappointed in his hopes. He traveled on,
however, still in quest of work, and it was not until
he reached North ( 'hclmsford, Ma.ss., that he found
empliiynieiil for his ready and willing hands. Alter
remaining here a short time he subsei|Uently went to
Lowell as a machinist in the Lowell Machiiie-Shop.
Here he remained seven ycai's and then went to Law-
rence, where he commenced the nianufucture of mii-
chiiiist.s' tools for the large machine-shop then in pro-
cess of erection at that place. Here the eliaracter of
the man asserted itself. His ability demanded greater
scope, and soon after be assiinii il the management of
the establishment there and began the miiiinfacture,
by contract, of tools, turbine-wheels, locomotives,
stationary engines, etc. His untiring energy had at
last found its reward. He was master of the busiiu>ss.
September 7, 1853, he came to Manchester and estab-
lished the Vulcan Works, under the name of Bailey,
Blood & Co., for the manufacture of locomotives.
Business was first commenced in Mechanics' Row, but
in the .sjiring of 18o4 buildings were erected on the
present location and in the same year tlie company
was incorporated as the Manchester Locomotive-
Works, with Oliver W. Bailey as agent. He was
succeeded in 1857 by Afr. Blood, who has since
resided in Manchester and has given his personal
supervision to the business.
The l(K'oniotivc-works are located on Canal Street
and cover about six acres. The machine-shop is a
substantial building, parallel with Canal Street, two
stories in height, four hundred and thirty feet in
length and eighty-lbiir in width. The wood-slio|i is
also a two-story building, one hundred feet long and
tbrty feet wide; the blacksmith-sho]) is three hundred
and sixty-five feet long and fifty feet wide; the boiler-
shop, two hundred and five feet long and fifty-two
feet wide.
There is also a large brick building, two hundred
and thirty by thirty-si.x feet, for making bra.ss cast-
ings and building steam fire-engines. In the spring
of 1872, Mr. Blood purchased the steam fire-engine
business of the Amoskeag Company, good-will, pat-
ents, etc., and now manufactures the "Amoskeag
Engine," which is the old engine in name only, as it
has been entirely remodeled and is now one of the
iiio.st com]dete, perfect and etticient engines manut'ac-
tured. There are now over six hundred and fifty of
these engines in use. Here are also built all kinds of
hose-carriages, fire apparatus, etc.
Mr, Blood has proved one of the most successful
locomotive-builders in the country, twelve hundriil
and twenty-three having been turned out at these
works. .V thorough machinist and a man capable of
handling a large force of men and conducting large
business operations, he has commanded success, and
the MaiK'heslcr Locomotive- Works are one of the repre-
sentative institutions of manufacturing New Kngl.ind,
Mr, Blood is also a director in the .\nies .Manufac-
turing Company, of Chicopee, Ma,ss, ; president of the
Globe Nail Company, of Bo,ston ; and treiusurer of the
Niushua Iron and Steel t'ompany, which is doing the
largest business of its kind in New Kngland, llewas
a director in the Merrimack Kiver Bank from 18ii0till
its name was changed to Fimt .National Bank, in bsil.'i,
and iinlil I8t;8 a clirector of the latter ; was a direct<»r
in the .Ahinchester National Bank from IH74 till 1877,
and fnmi 1877 to present time has been president of
the Second National Bank,
September -I, 184.'), he united in marriage with
.Miss L. K. Kendall, and Ihi'ir family coiisisls of (no
children, -Nora, wife of Frank P. Carpenter, of this
city, and Emma, who resides with her parents.
76
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Politically, Mr. Blood is a Republican. His first
vote was cast for (toncral Harrison, but he has been a
member of the Republican party since its organiza-
tion, although never an active politician. He has
been twice elected aldernnin,and was chairman of the
electors who cast New Hampshire's vote for Garfield
and Artlnir.
The Manchester Savings-Bank was chartered
July 8, 184ti, and organized with Samuel D. Hell
president and the following board of trustees : John
A. Burnham, Daniel Clark, Herman Foster, Nahum
Baldwin, George Porter, David Gillis, William P.
Newell, Hiram Brown. Nathan Parker was cho.sen
treasurer and has lield the otiice to the present time.
Mr. Bell resigned in 1847, and the succeeding presi-
dents have been as follows: Hiram Brown, William
P. Newell and Hon. Daniel Clark. The present trus-
tees are as follows : Nathan Parker, Charles F. War-
ren, B. F. Martin, Charles Wells, W. M. Parker,
Charles D. McDuffee and Stephen N. Bourne. Present
amount of deposits, four million five hundred tlnm-
sand dollars.
The Merrimack River Savings-Bank was incor-
porated June, l.S.')8, under the name of the Manches-
ter Five-Cent Savings Institution, and the charter
was issued to the followingboard of grantees : Phineas
Adams, .Joseph B. Clark, .John (jidway, Warren
Paige,' Waterman Smith, John L. Kellev, George
Porter, B. F. Martin, Daniel Clark, Harry Leeds,
Frank A. Brown,' Samuel Upton, John B. Cha.se, C.
Sackrider,' Daniel \V. Fling, Brooks Shattuck,' David
Gillis, John H. Goodale, William Crane, Henry T.
Mowatt,' Stephen Palmer, Kzra Huntington, Calvin
Boyd, JosiahS. Shannon, John B. Clarke, David Cross,
John M. Parker, George ThomjKson, Frederick Smith,
Charles H. Cam])bell,' George W. Thayer, Charles C.
Parker, F. B. lOaton, James M. Varnuni, Thomas G.
Holbrook,' n. N. Batchelder, .lames S. Cheney,'
Israel Dow, Kbenezer Ferren, Isaac Riddle,' M. O.
Pearson, W. W. Li-ightou, Thomas Wheat, E. W.
Harrington,' Varnum H. Hill,' AlonzoSnuth,' William
Richardson ' and their a.ssociates and .successors.
In 180') the mime Wiis changed by act of Legisla-
ture to that which it now bears. The first meeting
for theadi)ption of by-laws, clioiccof ollicers, etc., was
held .luly 14, 18r)8, and the following board of ollicers
chosen : President, Waterman Smith ; Vice-Presi-
dents, E. W. Harrington, George Porter; Trea-surer
and Clerk, Frederick Smyth ; Trustees, B. F. Martin,
.loseph B. Clark, Isaac W. Smith, William B. Web-
ster, F. .V. Urown, (ieorge Thompson, Peter S. Brown,
Frederick Smith, Josiah S. Shannon, John L. Kelley,
James M. ^'arnum, Alonzo Smith, Thomas Wheat,
Warren Paige, Albe C. Heath, E. S. Peabody, John
B.Clarke, Joseph \. Haines.
The first deposit was made August 2, 1858.
The business has been transacted in the rooms oc-
1 Deceased.
cupied by the First National Bank, and its details at-
tended to by the clerks employed in that institution.
Waterman Smith remained president until 1884,
when he was succeeded by Hon. Frederick Smith, the
present incumbent. Hon. Frederick Smyth continued
as treasurer until 1884, when, upon a.ssuming the presi-
dency of the bank, he was succeeded by C. F. Morrill.
The present members of the corporation are as fol-
lows: Jos. B. Clark, Waterman Smith, Jno. L. Kelly,
George Porter, B. F. Martin, Daniel Clark, Henry
Leeds, Samuel Upton, John B. Clarke, Daniel W.
Fling, David Gillis, John H. Goodale, William Crane,
Stephen Palmer, Ezra Huntington, J. S. Shannon,
David Cross, John M. Parker, George Thompson.
Frederick Smyth, F. B. Eaton, James M. Varnum,
Ebenezer Ferren M.O.Pearson, W.W.Leighton,Thos.
Wheat, Joseph Kennard, Joseph L. Stephens, E. M.
Topliff, A. J. Lane, Charles Williams, John Porter,
C. F. Morrill, T. L. Livermore, G. P. Whitman, John
H. Andrews, A. W. Quint, John P. Goggin.
President, Frederick Smyth ; Vice-Presidents,
Joseph B. Clark, F. B. Eaton ; Treasurer and Clerk
C. F. Morrill.
The amount of deposits, January 1, 1885, were
$l,882,82f).38.
Guaranty Savings-Bank was ineorporated in 1879,
with the fiilluwing iiiccirporators: Nathan P. Hunt,
Robert M. Shirley, William R. Patten, H. K. Slay-
ton, Alonzo Elliott, James A. Weston, Jesse Gault,
J. W. Hildreth, Horace Pettee, George W. Weeks,
James F. Briggs, George A. Bailey, John C. Ray,
Patrick A. Divine and Rufus H. Pike. The first ofli-
cers were as follows: President, John M. Parker;
Treasurer and Clerk, James A. Weston. The present
amount of deposit is six hundred and tweuty-five
thousand dollars. The first board of trustees were
James A. Weston, Alonzo Elliott, Nathan P. Hunt,
.lohn P. Moore, David A. Parker, Patrick A. Devine,
Hiram K. Slayton, .I(din Kennard, Busbiod W. Hill.
Present board of trustees are .lolm M. Parker,
Alonzo Elliott, Nathan P. Hunt, John P. Moore,
David A. Parker, John Kennard, Hiram K. Slayton,
Bu.shrod W. Hill, James A. Weston.
The Mechanics' Savings-Bank was organized in
1>»77. with the following trustees: Aretas Blood,
.lo.siah Cari>enter, Frank P. Carpenter, N. S. Bean
and (ieorge Dodge. Mr. Blood was the first presi-
dent, and was succeeded by Henry E. Burnham on
October 1, 1880. Mr. .Josiah Carpenter has been
treasurer from the beginning.
There are al.so two saving-banks — the People's
and the Amoskeag — located in the .\moskeag Bank
building.
The Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, one of
the largest eori>oralions in New England, was incorpo-
rated under its present name in 1831. Manufactur-
ing, however, had been carried on at this point with
inditierent success since 180!t. In that year Benja-
min Pritchard, who had built the first cotton-mill in
MANCHESTER.
77
New Hampshiro, in New Ipswich, in 1803, came to
.Vraoskeag Falls, and, in company with Ephraim,
David and Robert Stevens, built a small mill at
Anioskeaj; village. In the following year these en-
;irprising men organized a stock company under the
name of the Amoskeag Cotton and Wool-Factory.
I'he first move in this direction was as follows:
**We, the SHbecril)«r8, Owners & proprietors of a large Tract of Land
1 ri GofTstown, iu the cuuuty of I]illst>urough, Joining on Amoskeag falii^,
;ii the Morriiuack river, witli the water privilege Sufficient for carrying
ri the Manufacturing of cotton A wool at all Seasons of the year, and
ti.iving hegan the works by cutting a Canal for Carrying the water,
' rt-cting Buildings Convenient for Said Factory, & preparing a consider-
ilile part of the 5Iachinon', have agreed to form a Company for improv-
ti;; .Said privilege, by dividing the Same into one hundred Shares, by
'. ■oeiving from Said Company a fair price for the privilege, and the La-
^ 'Ur Expended, which, if not agreed upon by Said Siibscriben* & the
< oinpuny, to be apprised by men appointed by Said iwirties, and a Good
i itle by the Subsi-ribers.
" Si'-m.-d by " KpHRAIM StEVENS,
" BeSJN. PRICHARn,
" KoBERT & David Stevens.
" Goffstown, .lanuary 18th, 1810."
To this paper was attached a caption of a subscrip-
tion and signatures as follows :
"We, the Subscribera, .\gree to takeiho Several Shares iu the above
mentioned privilege & factory annexed to our names, res|)ectivoly, agree-
able to the above proposals.
Shares.
" Itenj*n Prichard, Goffstown 25
James Parker, Bedford 2
William Parker, Bedford 3
Jotham liillis, (Joffstown 1
William Parker, Jr., Bedford 1
William Walker, CofTstown 1
Kphniini Harvill, Bedfonl 1
Sitmuol P. Kidder, GoflTslown 1
Robt. McGregore, Gofifstuwn 5
Joseph Kichards, Goffstown . . 1
Seth Hartlelt, Goffstown 1
Kphraim Stevens, GolTstowu 1
David L. JIurrill, GolTstown '1
Isaac Hartly, Goffstown 1
Moses Hall, Goffstown 1
Benjamin Allcock, Ite<lfonJ I
Alcnson Prichard, Goffstown 3
Kliiathan Whitney, Goffstown 2
David Strgent, Goffstown 1
John G. Moor, Manchester 1"
The following notice was then issued:
'* Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the proprietors of the
Amoskeag Cotton A wool Factory will be holden at Col. IU>bert Mc-
Gregore's, on Wednesday, the 31 dav of January instant, at one of the
clock, P. M.. for the puriioee of tjiking into considomtion the regulation
of Said Factory, A dis|)ose of shares not s<»ld. All i>erBons who wish to
become proprietors are re*iue«ted to attend, when and whore they uuiy
bo accommodated with Shares.
'* BeNJ'X PlUCIIARb.
"Goffstown, January 2.'ith, 1810."
January 31, 1810, the company organized with
Joseph Richards, of Goffstown, as president, and
Jothani Gillis, of Goffstown, as clerk.
March 2. 1810, Messrs. Ephraim and Robert Ste-
vens excciiteil a bond to tliis company, agreeing to
keep their dam ill repair, and to furnish the " Wool
and Cotton Manufactory" a certain quantity of water
at all seasons of the year.
The first mill was put in operation in 1810, but it
was without pickers or looms. The cotton was picked
and the yarn woven iu the ueighborhtwd. It is said
that a smart weaver might earn thirty-six cents per
day ! This company was not successful, an<l after
1815 little was done until 1S2.'>, when the majority of
the stock was purchased liy Dr. Oliver Dean, Lyman
Tiffany and Willard Sayles. Dr. Dean was made
agent and from this time forward manufacturing at
this point has been a continued success.
July, 1831, tlie present company was incorporated,
it having up to this time been a private enterjfrise.
July l.Sth, the ait was accepted, which allowed a capital
of one million dollars, and on the following day the
first officers of the new corporation were chosen :
Lyman Tiffany, president ; Lyman Tiffany, Ira Gray
and Willard Sayles, directors; Ira Gray, clerk ; Oliver
Dean, agent and treasurer. With Lamed Pitcher,
these were the five men who accepted the charter on
the evening of .July 13, 1831.
The property of the old firm (says Mr. Clarke, in
his excellent "History of Manchester") was ex-
changed for stock in the new company, and the latter
acquired by purchase a title to land on both sides of
the river, mostly, however, on the east side, where
engineers had decided were the best sites for mills
and the best tracks for canals. In 1835 the new
organization bought the property and interest of the
Bow Canal Company, the Isle of Hooksett Canal
Com|)aiiy, the Amoskeag Locks and Canal Com))any
and the Union Locks and Canal, all of which, as their
names inii)ly, had built canals at different points on
the river. The Hooksett Manufacturing Company-
was merged with the Amoskeag in 1836 and the Con-
cord Manufacturing Company shared the same fate
the next year. The .Vmoskeag Company thus had
obtained a full title to all the water-power on the
river from Manchester to C(mcord and all the land
in Manchester on the Merrimack available for mill-
sites. It Wits also in possession of large tracts of land
adjacent to the river and extending for some distance
from it.
Having thus cleared the way, they soon began
operations in earnest. In 1836 the wooden dam
which had hitherto checked the river's flow at Amos-
keag Falls was thoroughly rei»aired in order to answer
the purposes of a coffer-dam, and the next year was
begun the construction of a wing-dam of stone, with
guard-locks on the east side, which was completed in
1840. At the same time the farther from the river of
the two ]«resent canals was built by Lobdell A Rus-
sell. In 1838 a contract was made with Russell, 15ar»
& Co., (of which firm Isaac C. Flanders, after-
wards president of the City Bank, now Merchants*
Bank, was a member), to construct the " lower canal,"
and the contract was fulfilled. The first building put
upon the east side of the river was what was then
the Stark Mills counting-room, at the foot of Shirk
Street, jiart of which was temporarily used for a
counting-room by the land and water-power depart-
ment of the .Vmoskeag Company. The next was the
78
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
■one designated as "No. 1, Stark Block," where the
agents and clerks of the mills boarded with S. S.
Moulton till November, 1839, when the Manchester
House was finished. The first mills built on the east
side were what were then No. 1 and No. 2 Mills of
the Stark corporation, which were erected for that
company in 1838 and 183'J.
At that time a number of men who have since been
well known in Manchester were in the pay of the
Amoskeag Company. Hiram Brown, afterwards mayor
of the city, was employed to oversee the stone-work;
Pluiiehas Stevens, was its millwright and wheelwright;
John D. Kimball was an overseer of carpenter-work ; ;
T. J. Carter was the resident engineer; Henry S.
Whitney was an overseer of general out-door work ;
AVarren Paige had charge of the lumber-yard ; Nahum
Baldwin, Daniel L. Stevens and Charles Hutchinson,
were employed in the planing-mill ; George F. Jud-
kius managed the saw-mill, and Samuel Boice was
€mployed in it ; Samuel B. Kidder had charge of the
locks and canals; Andrew Bunton and Levi Sargent
were contractors for stone ; John H. Maynard was the
head carpenter ; Jonathan T. P. Hunt and Joseph E.
Bennett were employed as masons in the building
of the mills.
The company laid out the site of a town with a
main street running north and south, parallel with
the river, with other streets running parallel with this
and across it, reserving land for public squares, and
in 1838, having divided part of its lands into lots
suitable for stores and dwellings, sold it, bringing
into the market by this and subsequent sales a large
part of the land on which the city of to-day stands-
In 1838 they sold a site and privileges for mills to a
new comjiany which had been incorporated as the
Stark Mills, and built for them, in this and subse-
quent years, the factories they now occupy. After
the burning of their old mills at Amoskeag they
finished, in 1841, two new ones just below the Stark
Mills for their own use, and added to them in subse-
quent years as their needs required. In 1845 they
sold land and built mills and a printery for a new
corporation which had been organized as the Man-
chester Mills. To meet a demand for machinery for
their own mills and those they erected for others, they
built in 1840 a machine-shop, in 1842 a foundry, and
in 1848 replaced both these by new and larger ones,
beginning at that time the manufacture of locomo-
tives, building new shops for mechanical ]>urpose8
when needed. In 1859 wiis begun the manufacture of
the famous Amoskeag steam fire-engines. Some time
after they had finished mills for the larger corpora-
tions already mentioned they built, for the convenience
of individual enterprises, a building known as " Me-
chanics' Row," at the northern end of the canals, and
also sold land and erected shops for small corjjora-
tions which were subsequently organized. They
carried out meanwhile their original idea of the city,
building boarding-houses and tenements for theirown
operatives and those of the other corporations, giving
away land for churches andpublicbuildings, selling it
to manufacturers and business men, and continuing a
liberal policy to the present time.
The first directors of the company were Lyman
Tiffany, Ira Gay and Willard Sayles, elected in 1831.
The following is a list of otficers from 1831 to 1885:
1831: Lyman Tiflfany (president), Ira Gay, Willard Sayles, directors :
Ira Gay, clerk ; Oliver Dean, treasurer and agent. 13;W : George Dau-
iele, clerk. 1834; Harvey Hartshorn, treasurer and agent ; Lyman Tif-
fany, ttliver I)ean, Willard Sayles, directors. ls:i6: P. T- .lackson, Ly-
luan Titlany, William .\ppleton, George Bond, Samuel Frothingham,
I)aniel D. Broadhead, George Howe, (iliver Dean, directors; Francis
c. Lowell, treasurer; Hiram X. Daniels, clerk. 18;i7 : Kobert Read,
clerk ; William Amoix treasurer ; Oliver Dean, Willard Sayles, George
Howe, Francis C. Lowell, Samuel Frothingham, John .\. Lowell, Sam-
uel Hubbard, Daniel D. Broadhead, William ,\ppleton, directors. 1838 :
Francis C. Lowell, president ; William G. Means, clerk ; George W. Ly-
man, Nathan .Vppleton and .lames K. Mills succeeded Samuel Frothing-
ham, John A. Lowell and Daniel D. Broadhead as directors. 1840:
David Sears succeeded Samuel Hubbard as director. 18-12: Joseph
Tilden succeeded Francis C Lowell as president and director. 1847 :
William Aniory succeeded Willard Sayles as director. IS."!! : Robert
Kead succeeded William Aniory as director. 1853 : Gardner Brewer suc-
ceeded Joseph Tilden as director; Oliver Dean succeeded Joseph Tilden
as president ; E. A. .Straw succeeded William G. Bleans as clerk. 18.'»r. ;
Jona. T. P. Hunt succeeded Robert Read as director. 18.^7 : David Sears
resigned as director. 18G1 : Oliver Dean, George Howe, George W'. Ly-
man, William Appleton, Gardner Brewer, Jona. T. P. Hunt, directors.
Isii2: William -Vppleton, deceased. 180.^: Daniel Clark succeeded Jona.
T. P. Hunt as director. 186G : T. Jefferson Coolidge and Tbomjts Wig-
glesmith were added to the directors. 1871 : Oliver Dean and George W.
Lyman having tleclined re-election, and George Howe having ceased
to be a stockholder, William .Amory, John L, (Jardner and William P.
Mason succeeded thera as directors ; Gardner Brewer succeeded Oliver
I>ean as president. 1874 : Charles .\niory succeeded Gardner Brewer,
deceased, as director ; Daniel Clark succeeded Gardner Brewer, deceased,
as president. 1875 : William W". Bremer succeedeil Charles .\mory as
director. 1870 ; T. Jefferson Coolidge succeeded William Amory as treas-
urer ; William Amory succeeded Daniel Clark as president. 1877 : John
L. Bremer succeeded William M. Bremer as director ; George Dexter and
F. A. Straw were added to the directors. 1870: Thomas L. Livermore
succeeded K. .\. Straw as clerk and agent. 1880 : Channing Clapp
succeeded T. .Tefferson Coolidge as treasurer ; Channing Clapp 6uccc«ded
K. .\. Straw as director. 1885: Herman F. Straw succeeded Col. Liver-
mon> as clerk and .agent.
The company once owned fifteen hundred acres of
laud on the east side of the river. They own land on
the west side also.
The present dam at Amoskeag Falls was built in
1871 by the company, after Mr. Straw's i)lans and
under his personal supervision. Its predecessor had
lasted thirty-four years, had become leaky and unsafe,
was built low and in the wrong place. The old one
ran straight across, but the one which took its place
curved around so as to give a wider entrance from the
river, was built two feet higher and farther down the
stream. It is in two parts, the main dam, from the
west side to the bridge, being four hundred and twenty
feet long, and the canal wing, from the bridge to the
gate-house, being two hundred and thirty feet long,
making a total length of six hundred and fifty feet.
It is eight feet wide at the toj), averages twelve feet in
height, and cost, all things included, about sixty thou-
sand dollars. The upper canal extends from the basin
at the dam to the weir at the foot of Central Street,
where it empties into the lower, and is five thousand
MANCHESTER.
79
Hmr hunilred ami eighty feet long. The lower begins
at about the same place, and extends to the weir below
the Naniaske Mills, where it emjities into the river.
It is si.v thousand nine hundred feet long, and runs
ji i>art of the way over the track of the old Blodget
Canal. Till 1855 the canal was* connected with the
Merrimack, near the old McGregor bridge, by a set of
locks, the conii)any having been under obligation to
keep the canal open to the public as when it was
owned by the Anioskeag Locks and Canal t'onipany;
but the Legislature of 1855 gave permission to discon-
tinue the locks. The openings of the canals at the
guard-gates are five hundred and ten feet square. The
c-anals' width at their head is seventy -three feet, and
at the weirs fifty feet, with an average depth of ten
feet. The fall from the upper to the lower canal is
twenty feet, and from the lower canal to the river
thirty-four feet.
Xo. 1 and No. 2 Jlills are northernmost, and are
«xact duplicates of each other. They were the first
mills upon the Anioskeag corporation, were built sepa-
rately, one huntlred and fifty-seven feet long by forty-
eight wide, and si.\ stories high, in 1841, but in 1X59
and 18G0 were united by what is called No. 6 Mill,
€ighty-eight feet long by sixty wide.
No. 3 Mill, directly to the south of this triple com-
bination, was built in 1S34, and thoroughly rebuilt in
1870. It is five stories in height and four hundred
and forty feet long, while its width varies from .sixty-
five to seventy-two feet. At its south end is a three-
«tory picker-house, one hundred and thirty-five feet
long by sixty wide. [
At the upper end of the mills, on the lower level,
is a low building, four hundred and seventy-two feet
long anil thirty wide, used as a hag-mill, wliich h.is
forty bag-looms.
No. 4 Mill was built in 1846 and enlarged in 1872. I
The original building was seven stories high, two
hundred and sixty feet in length by sixty in width.
In the fall of 1872 an extension was l)uilt in the rear,
one hundred feet long and sixty feet wide. In the
rear, also, are two picker-houses, three stories high,
fifty-six feet in length by thirty-seven in width.
No. 5 Mill is just north of the one last mentioned.
It is two hundred and fifty-eight feet long by sixty
wide, and has a picker-house, sixty-two feet in length
by forty-four in width, in the rear.
The l)uilding at the north of No. 5 Mill, occupied
as a dye-house and gingham-mill, consists of a centre-
piece and two wings. The south wing is the dye- i
hou.se, and is two hundred and three feet long, sixty- |
seven feet wide and three stories high. The middle '
part is one hundre<l ami twenty feet long, sixty -seven
feel wide, three stories high and is occupied by dress-
ing-machinery for ginghams. The north wing is of
the same length and breadth as the dye-house, but
four stories high.
A mill was built in 1874, just at the north of these
buildings and iiaralKI with them. It i.s two hunilred
and sixty feet long, sixty-eight feet wide and four
stories high,
The bleachery and napping-house, for bleaching
and napping fiannels, are in a small building, one
hundred and ten feet in length and thirty-six in width,
in the rear of the old gingham-mill and near the river.
In 1874 the company erected the mill of the Amory
Manufacturing Company. In 1880 they built a large dye-
house, two hundred and eighty by fifty feet, tw'O stories,
and in 1881 a new mill with forty-faur thousand spin-
dles. In 1880 the old machine-shop which originally
.stood on the bank of the river was taken down and the
new machine-shop erected, one hundred and ninety by
fifty feet, three stories high. The machine-shops up
to 1872 manufactured the celebrated .Vmoskeag fire-
engine. In that year this business was sold to the
Manchester Locomotive- Works. There are also seven
cotton-houses, one hundred by seventy feet, three
stories high. The mills are driven by seventeen tur-
bine wheels, six and eight feet in diameter, which are
sufficient to run all machinery in ordinary stages of
water. In addition to this power, there is al.so
one pair of engines of eight hundred horse-power
in No. 3 Mill ; one pair of two thousand horse-
power for driving machinery iu Mills Nos. 4, 5, 7 and
8; also an engine of two hundred and fifty horse
power to drive the machine-shop. There are forty-
eight boilers, one-half for high pressure, to be used
when engines are run and exhaust steam is used for
heating and drying. These engines are only run in
low water. The other twenty-four boilers, of an old
type, are only used when the engines are not run, be-
cause suited to lower pressure. These boilers have
all been placed in a great boiler-house, about two
hundred and fifty by fifty feet, on the west side of
the river, next to the coal shed, which is a new one
built of brick, with a capacity for twenty thou.sand
tons, having three railroad tracks from which the coal
is unloaded. On this side of the river al.so a chimney
has been erected two hundred and fifty feet high.
The steam is carried across the river in a pijie twenty
inches in diameter and two thousand live hundred
feet long, which crosses the river on two bridges, dis-
tributing steam to the whole establishment. The
mills are lighted by electricity, the first Iight(Wc8ton
& IJrush,) having been put in February, 1880. The
corporation runs ten mills, including .Naniask Mill, and
eight huiidreil tenenu'Uls. This immense establish-
ment has six thousand looms, uses forty thousand
bales of cotton and twenty thousand tons of coal per
year, and manufactures annually sixty million yards
consisting of ticking, denims, stripes, ginghams, cot-
ton fiannels and cheviots. l'>mploys live thousaml per-
sons, with a monthly pay-ndl of one hiimlred and
sixty thousand dollars.
The present ollicers are as follows :
William Amory, Daniel Clark, T. Jelfersoii Coo-
lidge, Thomas Wigglcsworth, George A. Gardner,
Williiiin V. Mason, .lohn L. Hrenier, Channing Clapp,
80
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTS, NEW HAMPSHIKE.
George Dexter, directors ; William Amory, president ;
T. Jefferson Coolidge, treasurer ; Herman F. Straw,
clerk and agent.
EzEKlKL AMiEUTSruAW wasborn in Salisbury, De-
cember 30, 1819, making his age at the time of his
death sixty-three years. He was the eldest son ol'
James B. and Mehitable (Fisk) Straw, and one of a
family of seven children (five sons and two daughters),
and of whom three survive, — Miranda (wife of Benja-
min F. Manning), Abigail and James B. Straw, Esq.,
all residents of Manchester. His father, after a few
years' residence in this State, removed to Lowell,
Mass., where he entered into the service of the Apple-
ton Manufacturing Company. Mr. Straw acquired
his education in the schools of Lowell, and in the
English Department of Phillips Andover Academy,
where he gave especial attention to practical mathe-
matics. Upon leaving this institution, he was, in the
spring of 1838, employed as assistant civil engineer
upon the Nashua and Lowell Railway, then in pro-
cess of construction. In July, 1838, he was sent for
by Mr. Boyden, the consulting engineer of the Amos-
keag Manufacturing Company, to take the place of
T. J. Carter, the regular engineer, who was absent
from work on account of illness. He came to the
city of Manchester July 4, 1838, expecting to remain
but a few days, and has ever since made it his home.
This was before a mill had been built upon the
eastern side of the river ; among his first duties
were the laying out of the lots and streets in what is
now the compact part of the city, and assisting in the
construction of the dams and canals. In November,
1844, he was sent by the Amoskeag Company to Eng-
land and Scotland to obtain information and machi- \
nery necessary for making and printing muslin de-
laines, and the success of the Manchester I'rint-
Works, which first introduced this manufacture into
the United States, was due to the knowledge and
skill he then acquired. He continued in the employ
of the Amoskeag Company as civil engineer until
July, 1851, when he was ai)i>ointed agent of the land
and water-power department of the company, the
mills and machine-shops then being managed sepa-
rately, under different agents. In July, 1856, the first
two were united and put in charge of Mr. Straw, and
in July, 1858, all three were combined under one
management, and !Mr. Straw assumed the entire con-
trol of the company's operations in Manchester.
Mr. Straw was prominent in the early history of
the town's prosperity. He was a member of the com-
mittee to provide plans and specifications for the re-
building of the town-house in 1844, and one of the
first committee appointed to devise ])lans for the in-
troduction of water into the town. He was connected
with all the subsequent |)lans for the same purpose,
and when the board of water commissioners, who
had charge of the construction of the present water-
works, was appointed in 1871. he was made its presi-
dent, and held the office until within a few years. He
was chosen, in 1854, a member of the first board of
trustees of the public library, and held the office for
twenty-five years. In 1846, Mr. Straw was elected
assistant engineer of the Fire Ueijartment, and was
re-elected several times afterwards. In 1859 he
served as Representative in the State Legislature, and
was re-elected in 1860, 1861, 1862, 1863, and during
the last three years was chairman of the committee
on finance. In 1864 he was elected to the State
Senate and was re-elected in 1865, being chosen its
president in the latter year. He was also chosen, on
the part of the Senate, one of the commissioners to
superintend the rebuilding of the State-House. In
1869 he was appointed by Governor Stearns a mem-
ber of his staff. In 1872 he was elected by the Re-
]Hiblicans of New Hampshire Governor of the State,
and was re-elected the succeeding year. In 1870 he
was appointed by President Grant the member from
New Hampshire of the commission to arrange for the
centennial celebration of the independence of the
United States at Philadelphia, Pa., in 1876.
From the organization of the Naniaske Mills, in
1856, till the dissolution, Mr. Straw was the trea.surer
and principal owner, and after 1864 until near the
end of his business career the sole proprietor. In
1874 he was chosen a director of the Langdon Mills.
He was the president and one of the directors of the
Blodget Edge-Tool Manufacturing Company from its
organization, in 1855, till its dissolution, in 1862, and
during the existence of the Amoskeag Axe Company,
which succeeded it, he was a director. He was one of
the first directors of the Manchester Gas- Light Com-
pany when it was organized, in 1851, and was chosen
its president in 1855, holding the office until January
29, 1881. In ISGO he was elected a director of the
Manchester and Lawrence Railroad, and in 1871 was
elected president of the corporation, resigning in 1879.
Upon the organization of the New England Cotton
Manufacturers' Association he was chosen its pres-
ident, and was also president of the New Hamp-
shire Fire Insurance Company from its organization,
in 1869 to 1880, when he resigned. He was one of
the founders of the First Unitarian Society, in 1842,
its clerk and treasurer from that time till 1844, its
president from 1853 to 1857, and was chairman of
the committee which built its present house of wor-
ship.
Governor Straw married, Ajiril 6, 1842, at Ames-
bury, Mass., Charlotte Smith Webster, who died in
this city JIarch 15, 1852. To them were born lour
children, — Albert, who died in infancy; Charlotte
Webster, wife of Mr. William H. Howard, of
Somerville, Mass. ; Herman Foster, agent of the
.\moskeag Mills ; Ellen, the wife of Mr. Henry M.
Thompson, formerly agent of the Manchester Print-
works, and now agent of the Lowell Felting Com-
pany, of Lowell, Mass.
There are now seven living grandchildren, — AlVjert
Straw, William H. and Sarah Chenev Howard. Par-
I
i
i
MANCHESTER.
81
ker ami Harry Ellis IStraw, aiul Albert W. and Her-
man Ellis Thompson.
His rapidly-iailiug health and strength obliged Mr.
^^t^a\v lo retire from the active management of the
Amuskeag Manufacturing Company in ISTU, and at
the aunual meeting of the proprietors of the company
next following, this resolution was unanimously
adopted, —
" Itesotvfit, That the Hon. K. A. Straw, ageiit of this company at
MuncheNtiT, having since our lut^t annual meeting been compelled by ill
health tu resign hi» office, iu which fur about forty yeufs, in many dilVci-
pnt capacities, he has MTved the corpomtiuM from it^ infancy with signal
ability, fidelity and skill, we owe it to him and ourselves to put upon rec-
ord the testimony of our high appreciation of the value of those eervices,
our sincere regret at his resignation, our deep sorrow for the cause, our
curdial thanks fur bis lungHXnitiinud and exrellent manageniont of our
iiffain* in this city, and our earnest wishes that, fi-ee from pain orsuffer-
ing, ho may pass the remaining yeare of his life improved in health.
pr<J^I>e^ous and happy.'*
Clark, on rising t(» second the
The Hon. l»aniel
resolution, said, —
*' Mr. I'lejiidmU and Gentlemen, — It is with mingled feelings of pleasure
•Dd of iHtin that I second this resolution. It is now forty years, and
more, lince I came to Manchester. I came in a one-horse wagon to ii
ooe'horso town, — to a town, in fact, having no bones at all. As you
know, sir, the canal was not then finished. It wob a muddy trench.
They were blasting stone and laying them in the walls an<l throwing out
the dirt. There was not a mill then flnishi-<l. Tlie walls of one of the
Stark Mills wt^rc up, the roof was covered in ; but there were no windows
iu the milt, and, I think, no machinery. There was not a school-house ;
there was not a cliurcb ; tliere was not a hotel ; tlieR- was not a place to
lajr my head ; and I went away ori-r into what was then CofTstown, now
Amoskeag viUage, to find a place to board. There ba<t been a luud sale
the fall Iwfiire, and the hill yonder was covered over with strikes, denot-
ing the corner-lots and whore the streets were to go. Thrre wa« not a
street well nnule that I remember of seeing, and a butcher's cart coming
along got stuck in the sand not fur from where Elm Street now is, sixiii
after I came hero.
"Soon after 1 came there ap|M*ared upon the scene a young man,
healthful, coni|»actIy built, about nineteen or twenty yeai-s of age, with
a fresh, ruddy countenance, with an air of assurance, hut without arro-
gaDCc, who manifested suctt industry and energy and pluck as gave
promise of bis futun* brilliant sui-cet«s. I think, sir [addressing the pres-
ident of the meeting], I think on a former occasion you used the word
* luck ' instead of pluck. I think you must prefix a * p ' to the word and
make it ' pluck.'
" TbiK g.-ntlL'nn»n, mxm after cnniing to this city, went into the Amos-
keag rotnpany's em]>lcy as a^iistant engineer. I think his chief was a
gentleman distinguished for bis scientific attainments. From that time
forth that young man has bei^n iu the employ of this company, irnder
his Industry, »"kill, direction and perseveriince, it has grown iVoni tln«
iM-gjiitiing that T have indicated t" what it Is now. I do not mean to wty
tliat he has done this entirely alone, for be luis received the aid of others,
and, furlnnately, uf yourself. Of that I have spoken on a foinier occa-
«l('U ; but fnr furty years In- has been steadily engaged in the service uf
this rompany. Thi-rr is nothing here, «ir, which does not Iw-ar the im-
pH'sa of his hand. Certainly the river boa acknowledged his power, for
he hiM twice danitno<l it anil turned it out of its course. There is not a
railroad about us, sir, in whicli his skill and wise counsel have not been
manifested; tlioro is not here u highway ur public building in which
his management has not been discernible. We have our gas-light com-
pany, of which ho has been president for many years. I spcuk of these
as showing the honuntble services of this num to tin- connaunity its well
as to tbis coni|»any. We havi- the New Hamiwliiri" Kire Insurance C4im-
pony, the only hUhU. Insurance company in the .State, of which ho bos
been the president. Wo have built Iiero the city water-works, bringing
tht- sweet waters of the Maawibesic to our city, of which lio was one of
the chief movers. There Is not a school-honsu here, filled with happy
scholans tlmt he has nt>t In some way assisted ; there Is not a church here
to whose support he bag not given his aid. We have a Hbrarj*, a fre«'
library, to which evory oiterativi-, man, wonnin or child, who can pro.
run- winie one toNjiy that be or she is a lit pen*on to be be intrusti'd with
its books, cau go to receive Its benefits. 1 may say hero that there is no
man in this city to whom the city owee so much for the lib iiry, I think
I may say it, sir, as to your late agent.
"I once said, sir, I think, here, that that library seemed to me like
an aviary of sweet singing birds, and at morn and noon and eve they
fiit away to the homes of tired labor. They porch upon the window-eills,
upon the table and the chair and the shelf and the mantle and the pil-
low, and sing their sweet songs in the ear of tired labor, and it is be-
guiled of its imin and sinks to rest. In the morning labor rises refreshed ;
it takes up its bunlen, and thus ever goes on the round ; and at night
IaI>or is again tired, and as it goes to its home the sweet singing birds are
there to welcome it and stdaco the hours of weariness. None can say
how much lalwr owes to Governor Straw. No one can know, except
those here, how much this company, how much this city, how much wo
all, OHO to this same man.
"And now, Mr. ]*resident, I cannot forbear to say for myself, that,
through all these forty years tliat I have Inien lyeside my friend yoniler,
he has never forfeited my esteem, my resinrct, my afl'ection and my htve,
and 1 think I have always received his ; and you may judge, Mr. Presi-
dent, bow sad it is to me to see him now, like M>me great ship that has
bufieted the waves and sailed forth triunipbantly, laid on the shore. I
am glad to see that she lies so easily and so (juietly, and may it be a
great while before her timbers hhall Ik' broken up and she disappear in
the sand.
"But, Mr. President, goncnitions pass away, and I see now not ten
men In this city that were bore when I came. I stand almost alone. I
stand with yon, sir, and with a few others ; but our friends and we shall
soon piu«8 away, for such is the common lot.
"I do not know that I have anything further to ad<l, but to reiieat
what my friend has said in the resolution. Long may it bo before the
sun shall finally go down on my friend. May his last days be his U'st
days; and when bis sun shall finally set, may the raysstrcaui to iho
zenith in one bright Hume, a fitting emblem of a well-spent life."
After a long and weary sickness, Governor Straw
died October 23, 1882, but his memory is still green
in the State he served, in the city he helped to build
and among the friends he loved.
On the afternoon of his funeral busiruss was
generally suspended throughout the rity. the Anuts-
keag Mills were closed, and hundreds of his fellow-
I citizens visited the Unitarian Church, where the body
lay in state.
Mr. Straw was emphatically a great man, not only
in his profession, in which lie towered far above
nearly all others, but in all the various positions to
I which he was called, lie was not known as a brilliant
or a sharp man. He had little need of the helps
which other men gain by dazzling or outwitting
friends or foes ; for there was a massiveness about
him, a solid strength, which enabled him to carry out
great plans by moving straiglit on over obstacles
which other men would have been compelled to re-
move or go around. Ills mind was broad, deep and
comprehensive; he had rare good judgment, great self-
reliance and a stability of purpose which seldom
failed. He was peculiarly titled for the management
of vast enterprises. His plans were far-rea<hing and
judicious, and his executive ability was equal to the
I successful carrying out of whatever his mind pro-
: jected and his judgment apprtived.
I For twenty-tive years he carried business burdena
' which would have cruslied almost any half-dozen
' strong men. He was agent of the Amoskeag cttrpora-
' tion, having in his charge its millions of d(dlars. its
\ thousands of operatives, its acres of streets and build-
iiigH. its numerous water-powers and all its costly
82
HISTORY or HILLSBOllOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
extensions and improvements, besides the daily opera-
tions at its factories. He was Governor of the State,
and answered for two years all the exactions made
upon the occui)ant of that position. He was a rail-
road [ircsident, president of an insurance company,
president of the gas company and a director and lead-
ing spirit in several other moneyed institutions. He
was a public-spirited citizen, whose time was always
at the service of the community in which ho lived;
but with all these duties, he neglected none, postponed
none, failed in none. He had great opportunities
and he left no one of them unimproved. In the
management of the Amoskeag corporation he found
room for the display of magnificent abilities, and the
uninterrupted success and growth of that corporation,
not only in seiusons of general prosperity, but at times
when nearly all others failed, attest how grandly he
])lanned and how well he executed.
As Governor, he entirely justified the confidence
that secured his election, gi^-ing to the people the full
benefit of his integrity, industry, sound sense and
great business abilities, and leaving a record which
will always be a credit to the State ; and in the dis-
charge of the numerous other public trusts committed
to him, he added constantly to his reputation as a man
in whose hands any interest was both safe and for-
tunate. He had great knowledge of men and read
character at a glance, so that in selecting his hun-
dreds of assistants he seldom made a mistake. He
possessed vast stores of information upcm a multitude
of subjects, which he had acquired by extensive read-
ing and observation, and was able to use it upon
occasion with great effect. He had decided views
upon all current events and all matters connected
with his busine^^s, and could state his opinions most
clearly, compactly and convincingly. He spoke
easily, but without any attempt at rhetorical display,
and wrote without ai)parent eftbrt in plain, vigorous
language, which contained no surplusage. He was a
willing and liberal helper to any object which he ap-
proved, and there was nothing narrow or bigoted
about him to confine his benefactions to his own sect,
party or nationality. He was a genial, entertaining
and always instructive companion, a good neighbor
and a true friend. Manchester was proud of E. A.
Straw, and, whenever occasion offered, delighted to
honor him. He has been one of her citizens during
most of her history as a city, and it is safe to say no
other man contril)Utcd more to her rapid growth and
progress in all profitable and plea.sant directions than
he. He always remembered, too, that he was a
citizen of Manchester, and did not allow any antagon-
ism between her interests and those of the corporation
he represented, but worked constantly and zealously
for the good of both. Her people were not slow to
respond to this feeling, and there has existed from the
start the utmost cordiality and unity of purpose,
which have contributed in no small degree to the ad-
vantage of both city and corporation. For his potent
Clerk, C. A. Hovey ;
Directors, William
Lewis Downing, Jr.,
influence in this direction. Governor Straw will long
be gratefully remembered.
Stark Mills. — This corporation was chartered in
1838, with a capital of five hundred thousand dollars,
and commenced operations in the same year. In 184;j
the capital was increased to seven hundred and fifty
thousand dollars, in 1846 to one million, in 1847 to
one million two hundred and fifty thousand. They
own fifteen acres of land, occupied for mills, bourding-
house and overseers' blocks, etc. The goods manu-
factui-ed are cotton and linen, the latter product being
in the form of crash and toweling, while the cotton
goods are sheetings, drillings, duck and bags, the
latter being known as t"he " seamless bags," being
woven in one piece.
Phinehas Adams was agent from 1847 to 1881. He
was succeeded by Mr. S. N. Bourne, the present
agent.
President, William Amory ;
Treasurer, Edmund Dwight ;
Amory, J. Ingersoll Bowditch,
T. Jefl'erson Coolidge, John L. Bremer, J. Lewis Stack-
jKile, Roger AVolcott ; Agent, Stephen N. Bourne.
Manchester Mills. — This corporation was organ-
ized in 1839, with a capital of one million dollars, for
the manufacture of dress goods. The Amoskeag Com-
pany had previously made the fabric for delaines in
their mill at Hooksett, but the printing was done else-
where. In 184-5 the first mill for the printing of de-
laines was erected, which went into operation the next
year. In 1847 the property was sold to a corporation
which was chartered the previous year, with a capital
of one and a half million dollars, under the name of
the Merrimack Mills, which was afterwards changed
to the Manchester PrintWorks, and its capital in-
creased to eighteen hundred thousand dollars. In
1873 it was reincorporated, under the name of the
Manchester Print-Works and Mills, with a capital of
two million dollars, and in 1874 the name was changed
to the Manchester Mills.
The corporation owns about forty-three acres of
land in all, a part of which is on the west side of the
river. It has six mills, containing two thousand seven
hundred looms, and leases forty mill-[)ower8 of the
Amoskeag Company. The goods manufactured are
principally worsted dress goods and prints.
President, Samuel R. Payson ; Clerk, Josiah S. Shan-
non ; Treasurer, John C. Palfrey ; Directors, Samuel
U. Payson, William H. Hill, Moody Currier, Benjamin
P. Cheney, William O. Grover, Joseph H. White,
Jacob Edwards ; Agent, Charles D. McDuffie; Super-
intendent of Printing Department, Benjamin C. Dean.
Langdon Mills. — -This corporation was chartered
in 1857, and organized in 1860. Its capital stock was
two hundred thousand dollars, which was subsequently
increased to five hundred thousand. It has two mills,
one of which was formerly used as a paper-mill, the
other having been built in 1868 by the company.
Eight hundred looms and thirty-seven thousand five
mi
MANCHESTER.
83
liuiidreil spimlles are 0|>eriiteil. They iiiaiiul'aitiire
sliirtiiifts and sheetings.
President, William .Vniory ; Ch'riv, William L. Kil-
ley ; Trea.snrer, ('luirles W. Amciry ; Direeliirs, Wil-
liam Amory, Henry H. Rodgers, John R. Brewer,
John L. Bremer, William P. Ma.son, C. W. Amory ;
Agent, William L. Killey.
The Amory Manufacturing Company was
ehartered .luly I, 1S7'.I, willi a ia|iital nfiiirn' luindreil
thonsand dollars. Dnring that year Imilding ojiera-
tiiiiis were vigorously pushed, and the mill Wius tiui.shed
and work commenced in the fall of 1880. The mill
has fiHy-six thousand spindles and fourteen hundred
ami twenty looms, and emjdoys eight hundred oper-
atives. The goods manul'actiired are lineaiid mecliuin
shirtings, sheetings and jeans.
President, William Amory ; Clerk, Gilbert P. Whit-
man ; Treasurer, ('. W. Amory; Directors, William
.\mory, Daniel Clark, T. Jefferson Coolidge, .lolin 1..
Bremer, (}. A. Gardner, Channing Clapp, F. I.
Amory; Agent, G. P. Whitman.
Namaske Mills.— This corporation wa-s organi7.e<l
as the .Xmoskcag Duck an<i Bag-Mills in 18o(j, and ten
years later the name was changed to Namaske Mills.
In 1875 the property jiassed info the hands of the
Amoskcag Company, hy whi>m it is now managed.
The goods manufactured arc ]iriMcipally ginghams
and shirting tiannels. .Mr. William B. Wi'lister, the
superintendent for many years, resigneil in October,
]HX:i. He was succeeded by Mr. J. Walter Wells.
Derry Mills. — This corporation was organized in
I8l)0, with a capital of one hunilred thousand dollars.
Mr. S. Ft. Payson is now projirielor, and George ]•'.
Lincoln the agent. The property comprises three
mills on the Colias Hmok.at (iutle's Falls.
The p. C. Cheney Paper Company carries on an
e.Mensive business in the nianulailure of manilla anil
card-board paper in its mills at .Vmoskeag. This com-
pany also does a large business in waste of all kinds,
and has a large trade in paper manufactured elsewhere.
Il lias pulp-mills at fioflstown and Peterborough.
I'Eii.su.N- C. CilK.VKY.' — The Cheney genealogy is
traced from England to Roxhury( Boston Highlands),
Mass., and tVom Roxbury to Newburyport, some of
the family being there as early as HiSO.
Diaeon ICIias ( 'luney, born in Old .Newbury, Feb-
ruary '.'II. 17-11. seltb'd rpiite early in life in Thornton,
N. II., and died therein 1805, at the age of eighty-six.
Deacon Elias Cheney, son of the above and fatherof
Deacon Moses Cheney, also lived and died in Thorn-
ton. The latter died in Ashlaml (formerly HoI.Ier-
ness) in 1875.
Person Colby Cheney was thesim of Deacon Moses
and .\bigail ( Morrisim) Cheney, who were types of
I lie ( io<l-fearing, ( !od -serving, clearheaded andstnuig-
bodied men and women of the earlier days.
Their intelligence, industry ami integrity won the
> By llonry H. Putiic.v.
respect of all with whom they ever had aeciuaintanee.
They taught their children (five sons ami six daugh-
ters), by prece|it and example, how to succeed in
broader fields, and gave them as an inheritance, in the
place of great wealth, good sense, true hearts and will-
ing hands.
Of the sons. Rev. Oren B. Cheney (founder and
president of Bates College, Tjcwiston, Me.) is the oldest.
The second son is Moses Cheney, a retired paper manu-
facturer, now living in Henniker, N. H. The third is
the late Charles (t. Cheney, a graduate of Dartmouth,
class of '48, who read law with Nesmith & Pike, of
Franklin, and settled in Peterborough, dying in 1862.
The tifth is Elias II. CIn'ney, proprietor of the Lebanon
Frrr Press, and at the present time a State Senator.
The subject of this paper is the fourth son. He
was born in Holderncss (now .Vshlaud), February 25,
1828. In 1835 his father, one of the pioneers in the
paper-making industry of New Hampshire, sold his
mill in Holderness and moved to Peterborough, where
he, in company with the late A. P. Morrison, his
brother-in-law, purchased a small mill. In this mill,
in the schools of Peterborough, in Hancock Academy
and in Parsonfield (Jle.) Seminary (then taught by
his oldest brother) he received the education and
training which have enabled him to reach the promi-
nent positions he has occupied in business, political
and .social life.
Early learning paper making in all its details, at the
age of seventeen he was placed in charge of the estab-
lishment by those who had purchased it of his father,
who at this time returned to Iloldcrne.ss. In this posi-
tion lie succeeded so well that in eight years, in com-
pany with two other gentlemen, he built another mill,
of which, at a later day, he became sole jiroprietor. lie
continued to make j)ai)er at Peterborough, gradually
enlarging his business and engaging to some extent in
other enterprises, until 18t)0, wlien hefonneil aparlner-
.ship with Thomas L. Thorpe, of Manchester, lor the sale
of paper stock and the manufacture of paper, the mills
of the comi)any being located at .Vmoskeag. in Man-
chester and at Goll'stown. This partnership was suc-
ceeded by one of which Mr. Cheney, Dr. E. M. Tuhbg
and Hon. Ira Cross were members, and upon the death
of Dr. Tubbs, in 1878, by the P. C. Cheney Company
which now owns and operates the' pulp-mills at I'lter-
biirough iind Gollstown, the pulp .-iinl p:iper-mill at
Amoskcag, and extensive timber tracts in the town of
Washington. The mills of the company produce
seven tons of paper daily, and give employment to one
hundn-il and fifty operatives.
OI'lhisconi|)any Mr. ( 'heney, who was its creator and
who owns most of its stock, is tri^itsurer and manager.
It is one of the largest, Ih'sI- known, most reliable
and popidar business concerns of the State. Its
mime is everywhere synonymiius with honesty, honor
and solvency. The iiualities which have enabled Mr.
Cheney to buihl up this great industry hold it steady
in hand and keep it strong and growing in the wurs;
84
HISTORY OF IIILLSHOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
of panics, as well as in good times, cliaracteri/.e liiin
ia all the relations of life, and make him a controlling
power wherever good advice is wanted and hard work
is to be done. These same (lualitios made him a
leader in the Kepiililieau party in its early days, and
they have kept him among the few t(i whom it always
looks for help when wise eoiincils and judicious man-
agement are required to insure success.
In 18.33 he represented Peterborough in the Legis-
lature. In 18l)l-l!'2 his time and his money were freely
and zealously spent to make for New Hampshire the
record which is her greatest glory. In 1802 he offered
his services to the government, and was asiigncd to
duty as quartermtister of the Thirteenth Regiment.
Exposure and overwork in the Fredericksburg
campaign brought on a long and dangerous illness,
from which his friends did not expect him to rally.
The nursing of a devoted wife, however, brought him
back to life, and after a long period of suffering, to
health and strength, but not until the cause of the
Union was won and the war was over.
In 18(54 he was elected a railroad commissioner and
served three years. When he removed to Manchester,
in 18(17, the people of that city gave him a hearty
welcome. In 1871 the Republicans, being then out of
power in city and State, insisted on his accepting a
mayoralty nomination, and, finally consenting, he was
elected mayor by a large majority, his election jjaving
the way for the redemption of the State the next spring.
Mr. ('heney declined a renominatioii for mayor in 1872.
In 187o the Republican State Conventiini met un<lcr
most discouraging circumstances. Their opponents
had carried the State the year before, and had in-
trenched themselves in power by every ilcvice
known to ixditical cunning, audacity and determi-
nation. Many Uepublicans were of the opinion
that it was useless to try to elect a State ticket, and
all of them felt that it was only with a leader of great
resources anil dauntless courage that they ha<l even a
fighting chance. Mr. Cheney being nominated as
such a leader, with great reluctance accepte<l the
nomination. How wisely the convention judged was
shown by the result, which was the defeat of the
Democratic candidate for fiovernor and the election
of a Republican Senate and House. There being no
election of Governor by the people, Mr. Cheney was
chosen by the Legislature.
The next year he was nominated and re-elected by
a handsome majority of the popular vote.
In the long line of executives, the State has had none
who discharged the duties of the office more faith-
fully, with better judgment or more to the satisfaction
of all classes, and he retired iiniver.sally esteemed.
He has since ilevoted himself to his private busi-
ness, declining further political |ireferment. !!<• is
always ready and willing, however, to render any
service which may contribute to the success of the
party in whose principles he thoroughly believes.
Mr. Chenev is a Unitarian whose faith is reflected
in his works. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a mem-
ber of the order of Odd-Fellows.
He married, in 1850, MissS. Anna Moore, who died
January 8, 1858, leaving no children.
In .June, 18.">i(, he nuirried Mis. Sarah White Keith,
to whose devotion, grace and accomplishments he owes
nnich of the success and happiness of his busy life.
He has one child, Agnes Anna Cheney, born Octo-
ber 22, 1869, who is now at school in Washington.
He resides in an elegant home in Manchester, in
which a hearty and refined hospitality greets every
visitor, and from which there goes out to every good
cause that his neighbors and fellow-townsmen are
engaged in, generous and unostentatious help.
The Amoskeag Paper-Mill is one of the best in the
State, with the linest machinery and all modern ira-
provenieiits. Tin- pi<j[]riclors are .lohn Hoyt ik Co.
Olzendam's Hosiery-Mill i> located in Mechanics'
Row.
Manchester Locomotive-Works.— For an account
of this establishment, see biography of AretasBlood.
Manchester Gas-Light Company was chartered
in IS.'il). Capital stock, one hundred thousanddoUars.
The works are situated in the scmtheru part of the
city, near the Manchester and Lawrence Railroad, on
a lot of land four hundred feet square. The company
has also, at the north end, near the Langdon corpora-
tion, a gas-holder to regulate the supply and pressure.
The annual product of gas is about sixty-five million
culiic feet, together with live thousand chaldrons of
cok<' and one llinusand barrels of coal-tar.
Miscellaneous Manufactures. ~ Lowell's Iron
Foundry, corner of Auburn and Canal Streets ; Corey's
Needle- Works, corner of Concord and Maple Streets;
.Fames Baldwin & Co., West Manchester, bobbins,
spools, shuttles, etc.; Austin, .lohnson it Co., door,
blind, siush and bracket-nniking ; A. C. Wallace,
West Manchester, boxes; Manchester Chair Com-
])any, chairs and tables; Kimball it Oerrish, corner
Elm and Bridge Streets, roll-skin manufacturers ;
Hutchinson Brothers, iron and wood-working machin-
ery ; (ieorge .\. Leighton, Korsaitli's buihling, mann-
iacturerof knitting-machines ; Sanborn CarriageCom-
jiany and J. B. McCrillis it Son, carriages ; Bisco &
Denny, card-clothing manufacturers; Carney &
Co., brewers, at Bakei-sville ; C. B. Bradley, Me-
chanics' Row,and JohnT. Woodward, Franklin Street,
roll-covering; S. .\. Feltonandthe Manchester Brush
Comi>any, brooms and brushes; the tiranitc Stale
Plating Company ; Manchester Pottery-Wmks ; .). A.
V. Smith, nmnufacturer of filers; Forsaith Machine
Company, and others.
S.^^^^:El. C.m.hwei.i, Foks.vitii. - Robert For-
saith, the father of the subject of this sketch,
was a farmer and lived in (iolfstown, N. H. He
nuirried Elizabeth Caldwell, who bore him seven
children. Samuel C. was born in (ioHstown Septem-
ber 29, 1827. His boyhood was passed on the farm,
where he assisted in the work. His educational ad-
■ 'W '^- A_f{ 'lUT'if.
zrz^
c<-^
I
«
MANCHESTER.
85
vantages were those afforded by the common schools
of hii native town. At an early age he became inter-
ested in mechanical work, was fjuick to comprehend
the intricacies of machinery, and at the age of fifteen
had constructed and set up on the bank of the river
near his home a miniature saw-mill, complete in all
its parts and in running order. At the age of seven-
teen he left home and went to Manchester, N. H.,
then a town of about five thousand inliabitants, and
entered the machine-shop of the old Amoskeag Mill
as un apprentice. His close attention to his duties
here showed his fondness for his chosen trade, and
his subsequent success showed the wisdom of his
choice. His frugal habits enabled him to live on a
salary that at the present time would not suffice for
«ven the most unskilled labor. Thrown out of em-
ployment by a destructive fire, he next worked in the
Stark Mills until September 1, 1850, when he went to
Milford, N. H., to take charge of the machine repair-
shops connected with the cotton-mills of that place,
remaining eight years, when he went to Biddcford,
Me., as foreman of the Saco Water-Power Machine-
Shop, where he stayed for two years. In 1860 he
determined to go into business on his own account,
and with this purpose in view, returned to Manchester
and hired an upi)er room in the shop of the Manches-
ter Scale- Works. In this room, without other capital
than hi.s determination to sui-cecd, he started. His
fir*t job here Wits the manufacture of hay-cutters, in
which he was so successful that he resolved to make
a push for business, and sent out a large number of
cards announcing that he was prepared to do all
kinds of job-work. Gradually his business increased,
and at the end of the year he was furnishing employ-
ment lor four journeymen. During the second year
he secured a vacant shop adjoining the scale-works,
which he soon found none too large to accommodate
him. Soon after moving into the new (|uarters he
bought a patent machine for folding newspapers.
The original owners had been unable to make the
machine work. Mr. Forsaith saw that the design was
practical, and set about perfecting it, which he did
successfully. In order to make the folder a financial
success it must be put to practical test, and to this
end Mr. I'orsaith visited the chief newspaper offices
in the leading cities, representing the merits of the
machine, and succeeded in placing a sufficient num-
ber to warrant a very general test. Perfect satisfaction
was given, and the orders for these machines came in
fast. Besides the manufacture of the folders, the
building of circular saw-mills, sliafting, mill-gearings,
water-wheels, etc., gave constant employment to the
regular force of twelve workmen. That he might
meet the re<|uirenients of his job-work, and also to
kee|) pace with the demand for the folders, in 1803,
Mr. Forsaith took a lease of the entire scale-works
and enlarged his working force. In 1867, becoming
crowded for room, a new shop was built, which is now
the main building of the present set of buildings,
which cover an acre and a half", filled with busy
mechanics and machinery for meeting the multiplying
demands of what has come to be the largest business
of its kind in the State. In 1872, Mr. William E.
Drew (who had been an apprentice in this shop) was
taken into partnership. The concern does its own
])rinting, and issues (juarterly an edition of some
twelve thousand catalogues, which are mailed to all
parts of the world. The pay-roll of this establish-
ment furnishes an average of four thousand five hun-
dred dollars per month. In May, 1884, the business
had become so extensive and the care and responsi-
bility so great that it was decided to organize this
great industry into a stock company under the general
laws of New Hampshire, capitalizing with two hun-
dred and seventy-five thousand dollars, and the com-
pany is now under the management of officers chosen
by the board of directors, and is in a flourishing con-
dition. The history of this industry, from its small
beginning to its present magnitude, is a fitting and
well-deserved tribute to the energy, thrift and good
judgment of Mr. Forsaith, and shows what a resolute
purpose can accomplish. In politics Mr. Forsaith
was a Den)ocrat, and took an active part in the coun-
cils of this ])arty. He was also a i)roniinent member
of the Masonic fraternity, an Odd-Fellow, an officer
of the Amoskeag Veterans and a charitable and kind-
hearted citizen, whose loss will be felt wherever he
was known.
Mr. Forsaith was twice married, — first, to Nancy
W. Pierce, February 20, 1848, from which union
lliere were three boys, — Frank P., George B. and
William, who are now living. Nancy W. died Ajiril
21, 1871. His second wife was Clara J., daughter of
Colonel J. C. and Clara J. Smith, to whom he was
married December 28, 187'). From this union there
arc also three boys, — Samuel C, Jr., born December
l(i, 187(); Clarence S., born February 19, 1878; Dar-
win J., born October 19, 1880. In the winter of 1884,
Mr. Forsaith took a trip to the Bermuda Islands,
accompanied by his wife, seeking rest and recre-
ation, and after a short visit returned to his home in
Manchester, and after a short stop lie started to visit
the Worhl's Fair at New Orleans, where he had a
large exhibit. On his journey home, while on the
cars, he was stricken with apoplexy. On reaching
the city of Philadelphiu he was taken to the hospital
of the Jefferson Medical College, where he died
March 2.^, IHH."). lli» funeral, from his late residence,
in Manchester, was atlendeil liy the varinus civil and
military organizations of which he was a member
and by many of the ](roniincnt citizens of Manches-
ter.
86
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
CHAPTER VL
MANCHESTER— (Condiiiierf).
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOKY.
They complied with the wishes of the petitioners,
and issued the following Wiirraiit to the constable of
Derrvtiekl:
Early Chnrcli History — Coiitention anil Pis«'onl— Record Ilietory of this
Peri(nl — First Congregational Church— Franklin Street Church — First
Baptist Church- Merrimack Street Baptist Churcli— Pine Street Free-
Will Biiptist Church- Merrimack Street Free-Will Baptist Church—
Firet Slethoilist Kpiscopal Church— St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal
Church— The First Unitarian Society— Universalist Chui-ch— Grace
Episcuiul Church— Roman Catholic Churches: St. Ann's, St. Joseph's,
St. Augustine (French), St. Jlarie (French). Christian Church— St.
.laines Methodist Episcopal Church— Second Advent Society— City
Blisdionary Society — I'nion Congregational Church, West ^lancbester
— Spiritualist Society — tJenuan Church of the New .lerusaleni-
Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church — First Presbyterian Church
(German) — French Protestant Church.
The early ecclesiastical history of this town is a his-
tory of contention and litigation, and to such an ex-
tent was this continual strife carried that at one time
its baneful influence seriously retarded the settlement
of the place.
The following is principally the record history of
this season of unrest and discord. In 1752 a move-
ment was made for the settlement of a minister, and
in the warrant calling the annual town-meeting of
that year was the following :
'•To see if the town will .loyn with the town of Bedford lu Giving nir.
mcDoe! a Call to the worke of tiie ministry Between the two towns and
to Do and act in that affair that the town shall think proiMjr."
March 5th, it was
" Voted, to give nir. mcDouell a Cauell to the work of the ministry,
Eathcr to Joyen woth Bedford or by our selves.
" Votefl, .Tolin Ridill, .\le.xander nicnturphey, John Hall, a Comitey to
prosequi the given uf nir. nicDoul a Cauell to the work of the mineetery
to Joyn woth the town of Bedford or seprat and Distink by our selves."
April 26, 1753, it was
"Voted, tow Houndreil poiimies old tenor for yearly sokry to lur. mc-
Dowall Provied he Kxcpts of uur Call to Juun woth the town of Bed-
fonl."
Nothinj^ further appears on the tow*n records rela-
tive to the call to :\Ir. McDowell.
By the recortls of Bedforfl it appears that a call was
given by Hedford to Mr. McDowell. March 28, 17o8,
it was unanimously
" Vntedj to present 11 cull for Jlr. AicxaiuU'r McDowell to the Uevd.
Pn-sliytery for the work uf (he miniBtry in this town."
But the records of the town show nothing further
in relation to him.
As early as 1754 the town voted to build a meeting-
house, and to locate the same on the land near John
Hall's house. This location produced much ill-feel-
ing, and on the 3d of February, 1755, thirty of the
inhabitants petitioned the selectmen to call a meeting,
on the 20th of the .same month, to reconsider the vote
locating the meeting-house and raising money to build
the same; but the majority of the selectmen refused
to call the said meeting, thus denying the aforesaid
inhabitants a plain and legal right. This refusal of
the selectmen produced great excitement, and the in-
habitants aggrieved petitioned Joseph Blanchard and
Matthew Thornton, two justices of the |»cace for the
province, to call a meeting of the inhabitants, as pro-
vided by law.
"PROVINCF OF NkW IIaMI SHIKE.
"To BoDJa. Hadley of Derrj'fifld in the sd Province, Constable uf said
town, — Greeting,
" Ultereas it has been mead to appt-er to ns the Snbscribers, two of hi»
Miyestes justes of the Peace of !*d Province, Qurom I'liues tliat Thirty of
the freeholders and Inhabitants of the sd town of Penytield, by their
Bequest signed by ye sd Inhabitants and freeholders made to the nug'r
Part of the Selectmen of Dcrryfield iifure«ud. When together did on ye
third Instant Deliver and present such application in writing for the
Calling .a meeting of the Inhabitants of sd town to be held on the 20th
Day of Feby, t'nr't for the following Articles.
"First to see if the town would Reconsider ye Vote Relating to the
choice of a meeting-hou.se place and make the Siinio null and void.
"Also to see if the town would Keconsider that vote for Raising mony
for Building a meeting-house and order that ye Constable Omit his Col-
lecting the Same and discharge the Sever.dl freeholders and Inhubitents
from such part uf the Tuxes in some proper method as shall then be tbot
Best and that the sd Select'n did on the siiid 3d day of Feby, Curnt In-
reasonably refuse and deny the Calling a meeting for the Propritors
aforesd and ye sd freeholders and Inhabitants have applyed unto us for
warnt, for the Calling of the freeholders and Inhabitants of Derryfield
aforesd for ye doing of the Busuess aforesd to be held on ye tirst Day of
march next, — at ye house of John Goffe, Ksqr.
" These are Therefor in his majyt name to Require and f'ommand you
the sd Constable to Notitio and warn the freeholders and Inhabitants of
sd town of Derryfield, that they assemble at the house of John Goffe
Esqr. in Dernp'field, aforee'd, on Saterday the first day of March ni.Kt at
ten o'clock forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles.
"First to see if the town will Reconsider the Vote Relating to the
choice of a meeting-house place and make ye same null and void.
"Also to see if the town will Reconsider that Vote for Raisaing money
for Bulding a meeting-house and order tlie Constable omit hie Collecting
the same and discharge ye Severall freeholders and Inhabitantii from
snob part of the taxes in Some proper method as shall then be tlMt best
here of faile not and make due return, Given I'ndcr Our hands and Seal
at Merrymac- this six day of Feb. 1765.
"Joseph Bl-vxcharh, ) Juscesof ye peat-t*.
"Matthew Thornton", J Qrotmut r»t«."
The meeting was duly held on the 1st day of
March, 1755, and it was voted to reconsider the vote
** making choice of a meeting-house place," and also
to reconsider the vote raising money for building the
meeting-house.
The following protest was presented and entered
upon the record :
"DERavriELP, Marvh ye Isl IT'S.
"Wee, ye under Subscribere freeholder and Inhabitants of ye town of
Derryfield, for Divers and weighty Reasons do Enter our Desent against
the proceedings of this meeting which wee will make appoear at lime
and pleace Convenient.
" ROBEKT DkKEV.
"Root. Anderso-V.
"Alkxe. McCi.intock.
" Nf.tiie.nell Bovd.
" WlI.I.M. Elott.
"WiLI.M McCl.INTOrK.
' JouN Cochran.
" Walter MAcrFARi.ANn.
"Saml Maitearlasd.
" WiLLM Gamble.
" Jaues Mac Nkall."
It seems that a majority at this meeting were nut op-
posed to the erecting of a house of worship, but op-
posed the location.
"Deuryfiklp, Auguest ye 27 ITfiS.
"To the selectmen of the town of Derryfield, Gentlemen, Freeholders
and Inhabitants of stiid town. We the under Subwriliers hiking upon our-
selves as under a great Disadvantage for want of a pirace of Public Wor-
ship, as we have rising fameleys which cannot ateiid at other places and
OH it would be encoragement for ministers to Com and prea4-hunto us if we
were forward in getting a place for the public worshipe of God ourselves.
MANCHESTER.
87
'■Capt. Alfxr. McMurphy.
John Hull.
Rubert AnJersoii.
James Itiddell.
Samuol Buyil.
Juhn Dickey.
Binjiniiii Stivinu.
John UvhMl.
Jumva HunipUrcy.
Hugh Stirling.
Mickell McClintock.
llobrt Pfcky.
Jtihn niirrull.
Jnmoti Piters.
Williuni Petiore.
Witlium Niitt.
Janu'8 peiree.
John Ilarvt-y.
Wni porlmm, Jr.
Thunis Hull."
On the 2d of September, 1758, ii warrant was issued
for a town-meeting, at the barn of John Hall, on tlie
21st of the same month :
"To wo if the freflioMre and inhabitants of the town wouhl vote to
build a met'ting-huuHo this present yeur.
•*ToBec what spot uf ground the town would vote to build said nicetlng-
houtH! on.
"To set- how uiiich money the town would vote to raise for building
the 8aid nu-vlinichouse.
"To Bee what dimensions they would vote to build ftiid nieetinK-honsi-.
"To B<?e if the town would vote to choose a committee to carry on the
building of Miid nieetingdiouso.
"To we if the town would vole to raise any nioiiej- for preaching this
year and how much."'
At the meetinf^ Captain Alexander .MeMurpliy was
moderator, and it was
" Voted to build a meeting-house this present year.
" VoUit lo buihl the meeting-house on John Hall's laud joining the
road biiding to Thomas HnU's Ferry and the Anioskeag Falls.
'* Voted to raise six hundred pounds to carry on the building the mul
meeting-huu<t«.
*' Vftt^tl to niise the said meeling-hou8c forty feot in length, and tliirty-
flvo feot in breadlh.
" Voted Capt. William Perhain and Lt. Hugh Sterling and John Hull
the committee to carry on the building' of the above said meeting-house."
A frame was put up, but nothing farther was done.
Pe(T]»lc refused to pay their taxes, and the committee
could make no progress.
At a meeting, July 15, 1759, it was
" Voti-d lo collect five hundroti pounds olil tenor Ibis prei*ent year to be
applied towards Boarding and Shingling of our meeting-house, said !>uiii
is to bo tJtken out of the five hundreil pounds new lennr that was voted
in the year 17-'»7 for building the above said nieeting-liouBC.
" ro(<W('apt. William Perham, Lieut. Hugh Sterling and John Hull
n committee to Kpend (he llv hundred pounds old tenor, townra bonding
and shingling the meeting-house.
" Voleit that John Hall apply to the Gentlemen that have land not
rnlttvated or improved in Derryfiotd, for monoy to help ub In building
our meetlng-hous*' in said town.
" Voted that whoever jtays any money to the atnive saiil nu'cting-huime
•hall have their names and sums of money they pay recorded in Perry-
flold town \nmk of reconls."
The building committee was accused of mismanage-
ment, and at a meeting, November 15, 1759, —
" Votffl ^ men a mmmittee to examine the accounts of the commttteo
that wiw chosen to build our meeting-house in sahl town.
" 1*.,/,^/ Michael McClintock. John Harvey, and David Slarrctt, iho
committee to r-xtimini' the itecounts of th*- meet lug-house so far as they
have proceeded in building of siiid houm-.
" r«*/rr{ to reconl the six hundred pounds old tenor that was collecletl
in 17'>H, and the following sums as they are ccdieclwl for building the
aforewtid meeting-tiouM- and eai-h iiutn's luinie and sum what he pays to
the aforesaid house.
" V'-led to allow nil the comndriM-'s accounts, as they brought them In
before th« town, in time and money «p-'nt by them in building ourmeet-
Ing-hoiUMi in said town, tu> far as they have pro«-eeded in sjtid building.
" Voted not to underpin our niuetlng-houBe at present but to make onu
door thiB year."
At a town-meeting, December 3, 1759, it was
" Votfd not to collect any more money frcun the town tliii yvnv lo-
wanls the meeting-house.
" Votrd to born)w what remains flue for the meeting house to clear off
the comriiiltee's accounts, aiul pay the inten-jtt fur tin' wime.
" Vi'trd that the pn-wnt Selectnu-n for the year IToD borrow money to
pay off the committee for buihling the nuH>tlng-houM.> so far as they ha\o
proceeded, and tho Selectmen in tliu year 1760, Bhall be equally bound
to pay tho money borrowed as tho present Selectmen and shall have full
power in law to collect tho Baid monoy from the freeholders and inhabi-
tants of the town."
At an adjourned meeting it was
" Voted to reconsider tho vote that tho Selectmen borrow tho money,
and voted that Capt. William Perham, Levi. Hugh StirlingandLevt. John
Hall are impowered by the freeholders and inhabitants of the town of
Derryfield to borrow the sum of four hundred and twenty-threo pounds
six shillings old tenor, and to pay interest such as thoy can hire the
above money for, and all their time and exi)enBes paiil by the said town
as well as tho above sum of four hundred and twenty-three pounds sir
shillings old tenor.
'* N. B. — Till such time Jis tho above sum is paid to them by the afore-
sal'l freeholders and inhabitants of said town."
The money was hired and the accounts paid oil"
" Agreabel to a vote of the free houtdors and Inhabitantes of Derry-
flold at a meeteing held in the nieeting-Houee of Sd town, Novm. l."*,
1759, Voted, one ye third artical of the Warrcnt to Record tho nioneay
that was Cuiiected In the year 17.'(H and the IVillowing Sounu;« as they
aro Corlected for tho IJuldon the meeting-houes In Derryfield and eacho
mans name it Some of mouay w-hat hie Peayes to the a for Sd meeting-
houes which I<!achc mans and Soum ishiearSet Down In the foUowe order :
" This tirst column is
for ye year This is foi
je
for
ye year 17'»8.
17o
i.
year HGO.
f
».
i
s.
d.
£
«.
./.
"Coin. John GolTo
3(1
18
19
7
21
13
10
Capt. Wni. Perham . . .
18
4
\r,
3
21
10
2
Ciipt. Alex. McMurphy
liit
23
IG
4
23
17
6
Capt. John Starks . .
10
10
10
7
1
19
3
2
Lieut. Hugh Shirlea .
10
14
!»
1.5
4
9
6
Lieut. John Mourn*. . .
7
4
7
4
8
1(1
8
Ens. Daniel Niell . . .
22
13
7
l.i
3
6
Kns. Ruht. Andraon . .
13
13
18
1
5
Sorgt. Win. McClintock
21
12
20
2
n
24
11
10
Sergt. Abniliani Jliral
3(1
10
ai
7
4
18
1
n
Sergt. Ebenr. Stivlus . .
H
■}
12
11
(1
12
11
8
Sergt. James Itiirell . .
7
s
it
10
9
1
4
Hiujmin Stivens . . .
2'i
1(1
1.-.
9
4
13
I
2
Itinjinin liiilte.v . . .
23
1(1
IS
10
u
II
William Quimby . . .
1(1
■J
John Kidoll .....
13
5
8
8
9
4
9
u
4
7
9
n
Mikel MeClinto. , .
!)
a
ChairleB Knierson . . .
11
12
1(1
14
5
11
7
2
Thomas Rush
!l
1(1
8
17
n
11
4
10
Klizcr Roltiens ....
•,i
Ci
8
111
10
1 ■
1(1
.rauK'8 McNipht . . .
23
12
1(1
2
4
20
'.;
2
William Tagourt . . .
2(1
16
18
l(i
8
18
3
10
William Ccmble , . .
10
1.-.
M
1
u
18
11
.luhri Ilarvo
in
2
1.'.
l.'i
9
17
.'.
10
Neohmio McNill . . .
10
1.1
11
2
12
2
s
James I'mphra. . . .
1(1
If.
7
13
4
8
IS
10
.\(luin I>iiUey
111
r.
it
1
4
9
II
8
Thoma»<;illis
10
•t
11
John nickey
10
K'l
9
17
1
8
13
10
•Tames Pirces
7
17
7
14
8
II
n
.himes Piters
IC.
1(1
II
18
>
9
\a
Joseph (Jorge
:<
:.
(I
8
14
2
Daviil MiKnight . . .
7
Ill
I'.
(1
7
8
n
William N'ulle ....
M
14
10
1
1
!(
8
8
Hobrt Dicky ....
K
(1
8
16
S
7
11
B
.lohn Culuigham . . .
;t
s
(1
n
MoM-fl Carneril ....
s
i;
19
1
7
(I
8
Widow I!.^v.l
IX
4
7
2
1
2
Samuel Itoyd
10
111
(>
17
(1
8
n
«
Alex Mccilnlock. . .
10
1.'.
(I
8
(1
7
17
2
William Pi'rham . . .
lo
3
9
IG
A
10
14
4
.lohn SeotiMib. ...
-
H
('•
G
It
8
Levi. John Hall . . .
in
'J
If.
8
in
12
n
8
Thonuis Hall
(1
11
11
10
s
12
8
Levi. .lohnlJoire . . .
(1
13
17
4
19
William Smith . . .
!l
10
8
11
2
James Sloorn Kun {htin
) »
17
1
A
8
I
4
ft
SlwrCrlfmi
8
3
7
8
9
7
8
10
K/.eklel
Slorens
('.
n
4
8
2
James Willson .
10
8
Un
vici Slin-t . .
('.
7
(1
9
13
.1
.!<
hn
MInill . . .
I'l
I'l
8
Siimnol (jnimlmy.
18
II
11
John
Tagourt . .
A
n
8
Obldu
lluo«B . . .
n
19
4
W
m.
Wlllaon . .
8
17
4
Sllfen Gorge . .
f.
11
8
88
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
£ «. d. I
Mr. Tliomaa Parker of Litclifield « Oj
,luiuc8 WillsiHi in Lc. Derrj-, pd. if Soillli W |
Jolm .SruarJ in Lo. Uerry, liaf a thousand of Boarils .... 10
" Recorded per me, .lOHN Hall,
"March ye 2, 1761." " Town Clark.
Still (says Jiulge Potter, in his excellent '• History
of Manchester") the house remained unfinished.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hall was accused of retaining the
money given by the non-resident land-holders, and at
a special meeting, held the 15th of December, a com-
mittee was chosen "to call John Hall to account for
the money that he received from gentlemen that has
land not settled in Derryfield."
As this committee made no report, and there was no
further action upon the subject, it is fair to presume
that they found no such money in Mr. Hall's hands.
Thus there was a continual quarrel kept up be-
tween the parties, sometimes one controlling the
atlairs of the town, and sometimes the other, as the
partisans happened to be present at the town-meet-
ings, matters pertaining to the meeting-house and to
preaching being the subjects of contention. And at
an adjourned meeting, held April 2, 1764, the opposi-
tion on these subjects wa.s carried so far as to vote
not to raise any money for preaching for the year, and
not content with this vote, at a special meeting on the
29th of October following, they voted to apply the
money already raised for preaching the preceding
year, and in the hands of a committee, to pay the
tlebts of the town.
Their opposition to the location of the house not
only prevented the finishing it, but they would not
have preaching in it 1 However, the other party mus-
tered at the annual meeting, March 4, 17(35, in full
force, and carried things with a high hand, voting
that the selectmen furnish i)reaching for the current
year at the cost of the inhabitants. Thus there was
more preaching in the house for 1705 than ever before.
Such continual strife had a most deleterious effect
upon the prospects of the town. Emigrants of re-
spectable character were very careful to avoid a place
of so much contention, and the inhabitants them-
selves had less inducement and less time for indus-
trious pursuits. What with the spring fisheries,
neighborhood canvassing, personal altercations and
town-meetings, there was little attention paid to agri-
cultural pursuits.
The following is the tax-list of this year (1765) the
first one recorded in the ancient town records :
'Tliu cnpay of the Licato In Lawfiill niony, 1765.
•John Hall
Widdow Sarah Andrsou
Kbne/er Stavena
.I(«eph Maaten
J.evt. DanUl McNieal
Sanmol Stark
Knai^n .lames Mel 'allow *>
Cai't. .Tohn Stark 1
l.evt. Arthabald Stark «
John Uiddell "
Janui Bidden <•
Thomas Ru8« ^
Johnathan Rn** ^
£ >. d.
riinu.li Kichordeson *> 8
Henrv lilasdel " ' 8
Benjamin Steaviens 1 ■' ^
Ezekile -Stivena « 3 7
SerKt. Abraliam Mcrrell 10 5
Abrhani Merrell, Jnnr 7 10
Jo^ephe Gorge 7 7
John t-lrifenj: 7 4
William Nutte 7 7
Cajit. John Moors 14 11
Conl. Jolm Goffe 1 »
Samuel Moorrs 7 6
Thomas Newman 6 6
William Tagert 11
James McNight 12 1
David MeXight 8 5
William Hall « 10
Elizer Koljena '-' ^
William Pirhain 12 11
John Pirham ^ ^
Charleas Emerson 16 9
John Harvey 11 2
William Pirham Junr 9 5
Michael JlcClintock 14 5
Samuel Boyd 8 1
Nathaniel Boyd " ~ 4
Widdow Marget Boyd " <' 6
Isabeld McFarlon *
rapt, .^lisaiider McMnrphy "19
James Hornor 6 1
Alexander McClintock 7 1
William Gembel " '>^ *
John Heron .... 9 7
JanicB Perces '> T
David Stiratt " 1" 6
Sergt. William SlcClintock 18 9
John McClintock 8 15
William McClintock Jun 6
John Dickey 9 6
Davit Been 6
Davit Been, Jnnr G
James Kamiesy, Londonderry 6
En. William Bller 2
William Smith " 6
John Eacken, Londonderry " 5
llobt. McChier, Londonderry 4
Capt. John Goffe, Jnn. Bedford » 6
Edward Barry 6 (1
Johnathan siirall 7 10
John Crown 6
John McCallon 6
Joseph Sloorrs ^ *• ^
Ebinezer Xoyea 4 6
James Graves ** ^ **
Joseph (Jnimby * ' •"
Samuel guimby 1 0^
Joseph Jouens " 1 6"
But a year of preaching did not produce any better
state of feeling, and both parties prepared for a severe
contest at the annual meeting in March, 1766.
The quarrel had now become almost entirely jjcr-
sonal, iind the object of both i)arties was to elect cer-
tain leading men to office. True, these men were in
favor of or against certain measures, but the men of
one party, at least, seem to have been more cared for
than measures. On the 3d of March the annual meet-
ing came off at the meeting-house, and the Hall party,
taking time by the forelock, were present in force at
the time appointed for the meeting, and proceeded to
organize and to choose officers.
The following officers were chosen, viz. : John Hall,
moderator; John Hall, town clerk; Alexander
McMurphy, Ebenezer Stevens, John Hall, selectmen
James McXight, constable.
I
MANCHESTER.
8i>
Alter this successful manceuvre iu the choice of the
principal town officers, the meeting was adjourned for
a half-liour to John Hall'stavern. The object of the
adjournment is not set forth, but as Mr. Hall kept a
tavern, it may be that they adjourned to enjoy some
element of rejoicing not found in the meeting-house.
Tlie adjournment over, they proceeded to elect
''Mickael Mcdintock, Hondry Blaisdel, Cliarleas Euien«on, Joseph
fjorge, Soniere of Higways ; Josepli JIarsten, WiUiam N'utt, Tuylhing-
nien : The JSelectrm-n, Kciirt'-viewcns; Klizer Itubbius, James Kiddell,
I'ecr-Keepere : Kbini-zor Stevens, Siirvier of LiinilM-r ; Thomas Ituss,
Sltfler of Leather ; Micka<?I McClintock, Elliezcr Robns, Committee to
^ttle with S**lectnien of 1T5G ; The Selectmim^ Takers of Invoice
.••jNTpb Gorge, John I'erham, Samuel Boyd, Hog Reeves; William Per-
tiani, Ctork of the Market."
The meeting then adjourned to the 81st day of
March. The business was all transacted before the
arrival of the other party. When they arrived, there
was no little excitement, and they forthwith proceeded
to organize the meeting, and to choose officers. After
the choice of a complete set of town officers, this
meeting was adjourned. Thus there were two sets of
town officers. The last set of officers are now un-
known, as their names were not recorded in the town
records, they being in possession of the opposite party.
Both set^ of officers entered upon their duties and with
a will. The utmost confusion was the consequence.
To add to the excitement, a special town-meeting was i
held on the 27th day of June, at which it was voted to
finish in part the meeting-house, and fence the grave-
yard near it.
At this time the better part of the community be-
gan to look about them in all seriousness and examine
the state of things; and well tliey might. The quar-
rel was fast driving people from the town.
The following is a letter from Colonel John Gofle
to f r()vernor Wentworth relative to this election :
■'Derryfield, September 1« 17Ce. '
■'.Miiy it pli'iuic yuiir Kxcellcncy I
" 1 went at the Retjneiit of Sliuons Proprietors to the Society I<iiiicl be-
tween Pcttembiiruli A IlillBbunili to wo when- Ilie Tre8|>iu«ers had lM*n ut
W'irk .V whtrtjc Lots tbi\v )iad Improved iii»iti .V found they had ileured,
•t h'ft^t cut a grate deal of Timber down, liad bnllt a ciiinp U|)on Solly \
Marclius^Aon Slo^irvi-y A Blanchards and your Exi'dlencys Lots on ,
the wfft Bide of Contncimk River they Iiavo don a great deal of work
fi'Dciil It all In with a Considonible Good Rnning fence have bnttt a '
rnnip on it X alth<>' no hin\y wait thejr when we M^ro their yet we are |
prity tare that Poc' Perry is the man thathris Treapassecl u|M(n your lot A \
I"'lly it is that he )<hould nut be prosecuted tu* li<' Ts Die Ringleader of all i
tbe Ki-fit, thefre], and ox M>n as they Hit U> wt>rk again I have 2 men In- '
gnK*«d to Be*- thorn at work A acipiaint me with tlieir iianiet.— Tlie Land ,
Im Kxceeding Go4)d but I think your Excellencys Im (ttiiwrior to aiiy at
that part of tb« Society l^nd and (hat maid them fellows O.Tet It it i« i
certainly worth mony— I Intended to have wated u\ioii your Kxcellcncy
when the Infe' Cort set but I hurt my self when up their with heat and \
laying out in the Wet mo that I have not ben well wncc I came from '
their — Your Kxceltency may Remember that wo In Dornfleld |»eti-
tluiu'd the Gen" Cort for an act to call a town meeting fur tlie choice of
lo«n offlciTB which when I calM .luhn Hall with f'ol" Ilarr who have >
RirivtH) III! that in in their |>owi>r t<» Injun' in<; of late A at tho mefilng ,
Col" Rarr cam on porpos to affront me A Col" Barr Hiored" votoni for
John haU with I^rgo promises and Webster a Trader at Chester hall
' Samuel SoUey and Clement March.
'If I'oloncl Uoffe stated th<3 tnitli in ()■•
hlrini; vot«r* la not no mndern.
f.ii..i;,.iiic. Ibe |>nuli.'.
Iliered 1 have by good Information to come to Threaten hii* detters in
town, if thoy did not vote for Ilall he could not stay upon them Ac, 00
that upon the whole with their Influence hall obtained eighteen voters
be side him self and there was oighteon vote» on the o])|>o9ito Hide of the
most substantial men in town so that when they had don all they could
that could not git hall any olhce without voting for himself nor none
that was chosen that day A several Rec* Deeds from Col^ Barr A others
that day to make them voters which I suppose held them no longer than
that Night fur I am confident they wouM not Trust them A shilling
ever expecting to Git it. — And as soon as tlie meeting was over Juhn Hall
told Es(]r Sheepard the moderator that he had Beat GofTe now A he
would have a commission of the peace In spit« of any body that should
oppose it for Col** Barr A Maj Emerson and M' Webster with his friends
at the Bank would procure it for him — now may it please Your Excel-
lency if such an Insulting fellow (for I have beard bim Insult thewhol
Gover') nmny timea and a man that lias Live ;W or forty years upon a
place A could never Raise half his provision, to Git that post would
strive for to make niony by it and put the i)eoplo into confusion for
work he <lont Incline to A is allway contriving unjust ways to maintain
his Luxury A 1 am very sure your Excellency never will Give a com-
miaeion to a man that wants it for no other end than to Revenge and Git
mony by it. Therefore I Beg your Excellencys favour that John Hall
nor non for him may prevail in that Resi>ect.
** I am your Excellencys most Humble
A Devoted Servant
"John Goffe.
'* His Excellency, Govenor Wintworth."
The following is the tax-list for 1700 :
"The Copy of the List in lawful money for yo year 17G0 of the polU
and Estates.
£ «. d.
"David McKnight 8 n
James McKnight 10 5
John Hand, F:8q 5 4
John Goflfe, Esq 169
Samuel Moors ti 7 4
('apt. John Moors 11 8
William Nutte G
JohnGrifen 6 4
Benjamin Backer 4 3)-^
Juhepho Gorge ** 4 ."i^
Sergt. Abraham Mirall 00 1
Johnathan Mimll '1 7
Ezekiel Stivens - '.> %
Benjamcn Stiveiis 07
Handicy Blliwial 7 3
Thuma.-^ Ilatl 00 G
Thonios Rn*i. 4
John Riddell 4
Sergt. James Ridell <> 7 '^
Capt. John Stark 17 }4
Ensign James i^IcCawallow lo
Ensign Samuel StJirk 4 •%
John Hutchen 4 »
Lcvt. Daniel ilcNieall n II 4
Sergt. Ebinof-er Stivom* 9 3
JoAepb Masteu 5
Levt. John Hall I 1 'J
Daniel Hall ■ . . . 4 .1J^
Samuel Hall f-'^
Allx. .^IcCllntock 068
Jami's Hurnor 4 \^
David Slirmte OH 6J^
William Mct'lint.K-k 13 II
John Mri'lintock it ", V^-i
Jubn Diikey In
William GemlR-al 2n 10
Cupl. .\lexander McMurphy Oil 7
Samuel B*»yd fi II
Sergt. Nathaniel Boyd u 6
Widow B..yd u I I
Mi.kel Mei'liulock n In 8
Jame<( Pin-eas 6
William Hall 04 7
(apt. Willium Pirbu.u 084
John fiib.UM ..084
90
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Elizei- Uobens 7 13^^
Chiiee Emerson 12
John flarve (' l:i Z]^
Williiiiii Pirham. Junr 05 7
Juni(.-s Ramsey, Londouderry 04
Robert SlcClure, liondonderry 003
John Eacken, Londundc-rry 4
Williiim Smith 6
Ensign Alex. Bller 099
"Recorded Feb. 7, 1707.
"per me John Uall,
" Town ('lark.''
From a comparison of the town-lists, it will be seen
that during the year preceding the making of the tax-
list of 17GG there had been a decrease of twelve ])o\]s
in the town. The list of 1765 contained sixty-three,
while that of 1766 contained hut Jiff y-o/ie. Eighteen
men had deceased or left town, and six had been
added to the town. But the case was still worse than
this. Two of the men added to the list of 1766,
Daniel and Samuel Hall, were men of the town just
come of age, or never before taxed, so that in reality
there had been a decrease of fourteen polls, or more
than one-fifth of the polls of the town.
In this state of things a petition was forwarded to
the Legislature for redress. The petition was as fol-
lows, viz.:
"To His Excellency Banning Winlworth Esqr & Commander In Cheiff
of His Mayestye's Province of New llampsbier, the Honorable his mivjes-
tye's Councell And House of Representatives In General Assembly Con-
veneil.
** The Pettt'tion of A number of the freeholders & In Habitants of the
town of Derryfield Humbly Sbeweth, that the first moniiay of Murch
annually is appointed by charter to be tbo Day for chueiugof Tuvvne
offecere for the Currant year and the usual Co&tom of til town has been
to warn the Town of time and place and Design of holding said meeting
with the Several articles to bo acted upon on sd Day, by posting up a
Coppy of Said warrant at three several places In said Town, (viz.) one at
John Goffe Esqr's, one at John Hall, A one at Lr. Itusses at N'anieskeeg,
which was a vote of Said Town, but so it was that mither of th« places
had any Notification Set up, and one of them Particularly Nameskoeg
had no Coppy Set up in that part of the town, So that they knew not the
time of Day the meeting was to bo held ; yet notwithstanding two of
the Selectmen and town Clarke did contrary to former Costom, with
about ton or a Dozen of the Inhabitants and boys and iinqiuilified voters,
did Enter and in about five nienuita time Chouse all the principal offecers
for the town, Notwithstanding one of the Selectmen and the Constable
A Several of the Inhabitants opposed them and told theiri it was not fair
to hold Uie mectin before the Inhabitants rume.and that it was not the
usual time of day that the meeting vse to begin <.1 that the inhabitants
that must pay the Greatest part of the Taxes that shall com upon the
town were not pi-eaant A that they would bo here presantly, yet
they proceeded as afore Said, and at five minutes after eleven o' the
clock a considerable number Cume & in balfe an hour the Inhabitant^
Cbeifly Came & uppon hearing that the princiital offecers were Chosen by
a Small Number of voters and many of them not Qualified, they Con-
cluded as thiit was the Day by Charter to Chuse town offecers they beinp
the I-arger part of the Qualified voters belonging to Snid Town, maid
proclamation that thoy were going to hold the town meeting A all were
Desired to attend and they went to the meetinghouse and nmid Choise of
a modemtor & Town Clark A Selectmen A all town ofTecors, A they were
sworn to the faithful discharge of their Duty as the Law Directs, So that
their is two Setsof offecere in Said town ivliich makes Confusition ; we most
Humbly therefore Pray your Kxcelency A Hun'rs to take our Case under
wiw» Coiisidemtiou and Grant that there may bo a Kegular town meeting
in Said t<iwn A that wo may have town offerers Choisen as the law directs
and that our Confusion may bo brought into order, and might be Inablod
to Raise the provence taxes, mend high ways A do the neeseeery busine^
of the town and that your Pettionors may bring in u bill for that Eod -
A your Petten'ors as in duty bound shall Ever Pray.
" Dated at Derryfield first of May, 17C(3.
'* John Goffe,
William McClintock,
DavinStarrett,
Samuel Boyd,
Nathaniel Boyd,
Charles Kmen>«^in,
William Xutt,
John Griffin,
John Stark,
James McCalley,
Samuel Siark,
Daniel MeNeale,
Thomas Kuss,
John Band,
John Hervey,
Samuel Moor,
John Moor."
It will be seen that some of the men who had gen-
erally acted with the Hall party signed this petition.
They were doubtless dissatisfied with the unfair pro-
ceedings of that party at the annual meeting. In fact,
Captain W. ^IcClintock was present at that meeting,
and told them that they were proceeding in an unfair
manner. He was one of the selectmen for 1765,
elected by the Hall partj-, and had hitherto been with
them.
While the matter of the petition was progressing, a
meeting was called of tlie tnwii June 27, 1766, at
which it was
" Vuted to Kepear the meeting-House in part thies year.
" Voted to Lay a good fllor in the 3leeting-House and make three Got-d
Dores and Hinge them one s;xid House and shout upe the ounder windows
and aCommadate the Meeting-House with forms Suitable for to Sit on."
Meantime the petition came up for consideration
before the House of Kepresentatives on the 3d of
July, and the petitioners had leave to bring in a bill.
On the 8th the bill passed the House and was as
follows :
" An A<-t for Vacating the meetings of the Town of Derryfield for the
year 1760 held there by the Inhabitant** for the Choice of town offecers
and for Deriecting A authorizing a meeting A the Choice uf town offecers
for Said year.
" Whtre>\s Sundry of the Inhabitants of Said Derryfield have Pititioned
the General Assembly Respecting that Some designing men of Said In-
babiUmts Having Some purpose to effect Relative to the affairs of Said
town which they could not otherwise accomplish, buried on the annual
meeting Sooner in the Day then is usiutl A before many of the princi|>al
Inhabitants were Come to the place of Sdmeetiugwhereby a Selof offct-rs
were Chosen who were Disiigreabel to the principal Inhabitants that af-
terwards when the said Inhabitants Come thoy maid Choice of another
Set of town offcers who on botlie Sides were Sworn A have proceeded to
act in their respective offces whereby the greatest Confusion was like to
Knsue in the town A therefore they pniyed that both of Said mectiugs
might bo Vucted and maid void and a new mectinge Called for the Choiie
of town offcers for thisyear which having been Exaeuined and both partys
heard thereon and it appearingo that the affairs of Sd town are by this
means Invollved in Confusion A perplexity which would Isue in Disor-
tion of all the Legal Rights and Privileges of Sd town ;
" For Prevention MTiereof ; Be it Enacted by the Governer Counseil A
Assembly that both the Said meetings A all the Electiones their made and
the whole proceedings of Each of them l>e and heareby is ileclairred null,
void and of none Effect but are utterly Vacated and Destroyed and that
the persons Choisen to any ortict- at Kithi*r and Each uf Sd meeting* are
Hereby Dii^iti'^fic^ ^"'^ Rendered wludly uneable to act in tbeni or any
of them and it is hereby further Enacted that n new meeting of Said In-
habitants shall be Called fur the Election of town ottioers fur the Currant
year and all parsons Quallifyeil as the Law Directcs for the Qualification
of Such as are authorized to vote in the Choies of town offcers in the an-
nual town meetings Shall be permitted Wediieii'day 13 Day of august at
2 clock in tho afternoon if they Shall Se caues to Vote at Sd meeting but
all others A all minors are hereby E.xcluded from Voting at Said meet-
ings as they oiiglit to be in hU such Cases and John Sheepard Juner of
amherst Esqr is Hereby appointed to Call and Govern Sd meeting till the
Whole busnees thereof Shall \» Ended A that no Parson Concerned may
MANCHESTER.
91
Justly Coonipltiiuuf uitul ul uuiici-s iliu ^ Julin Sheoi>artl is hereby l>o-
rected tu Give a NotiflcAtionto the T^st years Consluble of Sd towneetiDg
firttie tliu time and pltico Detfigris of liuMing uf Csl mooting with the pur-
|.<.UB thereof uud that Sd meeting id Called by tho authority of thiBact
\v 111 fi -hall be Delivered to Said Constable at least fifteen Days before the
\\i\ .i|puinled for holding SU niL-eting and Sd Constable Shall Give par-
- iiul notice to all tho Quallied Voters of Sd Town ud has Some Custoni-
iry times ben the there or leave a Coppy of the Sd Notiflction at the last
'ire of the alxwl of fluch of said peretins us he Cannot meet with at
ii r>ay8 before the meeting And all the Town othcere which shall
. .-M II pursuant Hereunto Shall have the same Power & Authority Jis
. ly other Town officera have llelalive to the Duty uf their Respective off-
ts And tho Said Constnlwl is hereby gubjetted to a, ponulty of three
I»>und4 for Kefuseing or Neglecting his Duty herein to be Recovered by
the Selectmen that Nhall be Cbo«cn by Said town for the use of Said town.
"Province of \ In the Fluuse of Representatives, July
New IIami«hiro / 8tli, 1706.
" The foregoing Bill having ben three thnes Read Voted that It pass to
bo Enacted. •
" Lewis G. Goodwin, Speaker.
"InCouncilJuly 9th, 1766, The foregoing bill Read a third timo &
past to be enacted.
"Theod W. Atkinson, Secretary.
" Consented to
" B. Wentworth.
"In ucconlance with this Act, Mr. Shepherd on the l.'ith of July is-
-iied tho following Warrant :
" l*rovince of » To tho Constable of Derryfield in Said
Now Hampshire. J ProWnce for the year 1765.
' ' WherfOM by a Special Act of the General Court for Sd province, paSMcd
t their .Session this pris Instant July I am authorized to Call and Govern
1 meeting of tho Inhabiliintcs of Derryfield in order to Reform Some dis-
orders that thoy have lately thrown themselves into Relative to town
office rs :
'* Wherefore you are hereby Kir<iuired in his Majesty*! Name forwith to
warn tho Inhabitants of Said Derryfield Qualified by Law to Vote in
Chusinj; town officere, to Convene at the ineetmg-House in Derryfield
Qualified by T-aw to Vote, on Wednesday tho 2'Ml day of August next at
two of tho clock in the afternoon, to CliiiHe Comnion<fc ordinary townolfi-
cere for the Curmnt year ns the Law Directs, and you aro to give ten
days Notices at lea^t to each.pemon Qualified as aforesaid which notice
must bo pontonal or left at the persons Usual place of abode ; hereof you
Diay not fail A nmck Ihio return. N B by tho above Vested Act you aro
Subjected to the penalty of three jKiunds for your Refusal or Neglect.
''John Shei'ari>, June'r.
"Datttd July 16th 1766.
" Recorded Feb. 28th 1707.
"John Hall, Town Clark.
" I'pon thi(* Warrant the Constable made tho following return :
" Province of
Now Hampshire, i the Inhabitants of Sd DerryAeM to Meet at time
and placo & for tho purpose as mentioned in Sd precipt.
"Charles Kmekkon,
"ConHtablo for Derrvfield 1705.
"Dated August i:ilh 1766.
"Becordofl February :J8th 1767.
"per mo John Hall, Town Clark."
Auj^iiat 18th, the foUowinj^ officers were chosen :
"John Hall, Town Clerk; David McNlght, Kbenexer Stevens, John
Halt, Selectmen; James McKnight, Conshibto ; MIckael McClintock,
Hantlry illais<lel, William perhani, Joseph Gorge, Surveirsof IIIgwayeN ;
Joseph Mamton, William Nutt<>, David McKnight, Taytlilngmon ; tlie
Selei'tm<'n, Fence-viowerH & praysoni of Damigo in the town as tho T<aw
Direrkes; ICIi/.er RobblnH, JanifX Ridall, Deer-Kce|H'rH ; Kb<'nc/or Ste-
Tcni, Survier of Lumber ; Thomas Ruw<, Sielor o( T.caiber ; Mlckel Mc-
Clintock, Kllle/.er Rubens, Committee to settle with SeU-ctmen of 1766;
Tho S«-lectmen, Take the Invoico of the polls and Kfltates of tho town
of nerryflcld for ye year 1766 ; Joseph Gorge, John I'crliam, Samuel
Boyd, James perces, Houg Keeafes; William Perhaiu, Clork of tho Mar-
ket.
}Pursent to tho foregoing precept I Imve Warned
the
" Recorded February 28, 1767,
The H:il! [uirty wns triuniphanf.
'John Hall,
"Town Clark.'
At a special meeting called for the 22d of December
following, to vote on the following articles:
" istly. to Chuefl a moderator to Reglate Said meeting.
" 2dly. to See if tho town will Rease any money for prechln then what
the Select men hies all Ready provided this year.
"3dly. to See how much nionay the town will Reaes to Defray thu
contingent Charges of the town for the present year.
"4thly. to See if tho town will Complay with the Law of the Gover-
ment to provied wightes and mir^hurcs or if not to Defentl the present
Select men of any Coste or trobli> for not providing tho afore Sd wights
and mishers as the Law hies provided in that Kasse.
"othly. to heir tho Keporte of tiie I'ommitey that waa Choseon to Ex-
aming Sundry years accounptes in behalfo of the town, to wite, Conel
John GofTe, Capt. Alex McMurphy, & mr Neathainel B*'yd Conmiiley
The opposition rallied and voted the f<mr business
articles down. The record stands thus:
" Voted one tho 2 artical not to Reaies any monay for Prieching this
year.
" Voted note to Reaise any money for Necrisey i'harget* In Behaif of
the town for theis year.
" Voted one the fourth artical in the warrant not to Rcaise any monay
to provide wightes & miushere for the town.
"One tho fifth artical tho occoumptes w;ig Read but now
" Vot was paste one tliem and they rcniaien on Sitled."
The excitement was now j^really increased.
March 2, 17<w, tho Goil'e party carried the day and
elected officers, as follows :
"David Starret, Moderator ; David Starret, Town Clerk ; El iz«r Rob-
ins, Alexander McClintock, Nathaniel Boyd, Selectmen ; John Harvey^
Constable; James McCoIley, James McKnight, Charles Kmerson, John
McClientock, Surveyors of Highways; the Selectmen, Fouce-Viowcre ;
Charles Emerson, Ebenezer Stevcnw, Surveyors of Lumber ; John Moor,
James McColley, Counters of Votes ; John Hall, To taka Invoice ; Alex-
ander Slorrill, James Piorce, William Perhani, Jr., Hog Constabloa ;
Thomas Russ, Sielerof Leather."
Mardv 6, 1T69, the
"Town voted not to pay Levt. John Hall llifi Demands Relating to
the Borrowed money without u suit at haw, it being thought an uurea«-
onablo demand."
Mr. Hall then eoninieneed a suit aj^ainst the towQ
for his claim.
In the warrant for the annual town-int'etinjr in
1771 there were the following articles:
"Fifthly, to Hear lite accompt« of Corll. John Goffe, and William
McClintock OS .\gonts for the town to Defend the Town against ibe ac-
tion Lovt. John Hall conmienced against tho town of Derryfield and to
approve or not approve.
"Sixthly, to See If the Town will Chuw a Committo to settle with
Levt. John Hall all the nccompts Between said Hall and the Town of
Derryfield."
At a meeting held March 4, 1771, the accounts of
the committee which defendid the suit brought by
Lieutenant Hall were read, and are of an interesting
character, showinp: the expense of litipntion, etc., at
that early (hiy. The following is a copy:
" Corll. John floffe as agent for tho Town of Derryfield, Dr.
£ «. d.
" My account of Time and money I Expended in mrryng
on the T^w Sute for tho town of Derryfield ngiiliiHt
Lavl. John Hall.
1761t, Sept. t<i time flvu Days at the Inferior <'ort at 2« i>er
Day fl 10
To travling feoii one huudre<l miles at two paiu-e |kt
mile 16 8
To Halfe a C.lnno to mr parkcr tu* a fov . . ■ 1 1 n
92
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
24th Nov. to watiiig. on the Kule of Cort at Samuel Thoiiip-
8k>na, one day 23 my Hors Hier 33 and Esq. underwomi
for Summons for Evidences and hia attendance 88. . . 13
To a Fee to mrautburton half a Ginne 14
To Charge and Exjmnco at Tompsons 18
1770, 27 Feb., to Mories Senters, whan the Rvil for I>erryfiold
Case waa to Held their one Day my Serif and Hors . . 03
to Cash jMiid Sauter for my own and william mac Clin-
tocka and witnes Expent^es
to Esqr. underwood for 8ummoU8
For a man and liorato goe to E&ir. Lovewells
to a Pay in Giting paper and preiwiring for Tryal ...
to a Fee to one parson
1779, 5 Sept., to Esijr. nnderwood for fouer witnesses ...
to a Notifycation
to I'harge and ExpenKes while Swaring Evidenca and
the Esqi-s. Dinner at my House
to one Days attendance my Salf
17911, Sept., at the Inferior Cort twelve Days at 2s ymr Day .
Traveling fees on Hundred mils at 2p pr mile ....
Extra Charge
to my Expanco at portumoulh
to mr pickren fee 2 Dolrs mr Lowel for 2 Dolars ... 1
1775, Feb. 7, at Supperior Cort to a Coppy at the Case to mr
Ring 4
to mr Dowel 1 Doler as a fee
to mr pickren 4 Dolore as a fee 1
to twelve Pays at 2s per Day 1
to our Eating and Lodging and Hors Keeping as pr
Marches Bill for Captn Jolin Stark and David Star-
ret 5
Extra Expenses
to Traveling fees one Hundred miles at 2p per mile . . u
12
04
12
02
07
02
01
OG
02
04
IG
06
04
0-t
£
Captn John Stark account as Evidence, attendance at
Samuel Thompsons In Londonderry 5 Days and
Travling fees 24 miles at 2d \h;t mile
to a Day attendance and travL-ling fees at IVIoees Stau-
ters Jun., IJtchfield I'.t mile.s at 2d pr mile ....
to your attendance at Portsmouth upon Semance at the ■
Superior Corte andtravoling fees 100 miles at 3d pr
mile
to G Days aitendence at Is Rd jier day at Said Cort . .
i
the above is the total of Capn Stark account, E Expected.
Capt'n John moore attendance first Rule Corte Day Is 6d
to Ihir Rule at Santera Is fid
attendance as a an Evedoncu 1st time Is Gd the second
time for thf Supperor Cart Is Gd travling fees 18
mites at 2d per mile
the above is the total of Captn moor account E Expected.
David Starotts account against the Town of DoiT}fi<?W.
Dr. for gowing to Cor'Il Goffe'^ wife upon summons
and Eximnco
to Santors In Litchfield 1 Day of my Salf and Hors ...
to Coppeys at Sundrey times Rtdaiing thu Cose ....
to G Days attendance at the SuppererCort upon Som-
ance at 28 per Day
to Hors Hiere to Portsmouth
£nl
the above is the total of David Starreta account E Ex-
pected.
ThcTownof Dcrryfloldto william mac Clintock as agent
Dr. to two jounnies to Londondorrj-, for to procure £
the C^pey of the writ
to i^y for the Coppy of the write
1769, Seplmr. at tbt- Infereor Cort to mr pickn'U as a fee . U
to Hors Jomey to Portsmouth, 66 and ottes for Said Hors
28, to hors keeping 28
to my own time four Days at 2s per Day
to Expanses while Gone to |>ortsmoutli n
10
06
04
04
02
06
10 8
the above is the whole of the Conlls account Exceptd . £ 21 19
£ 8.
06 8
03
03
06
12
06
f.
d
03
04
12
10
08
no
n
03
06
03
02
t>
02
9
f07
13
08
17G9 24 Nov., to waiting upon the Rule of Cort the first
time at Samuel TomiJsous In Londonderry 1 Day of my
Salf and of my hors
lT7o, 27 Feb, to moses Senters in Litchfield at tlio Second
Itule of Cort, For 1 Day of my Salf at Is <>d per Day and
1 day of my hors at Is 6d per Day
1771, Feb. 4, to ExiMincesses to Portsmouth for my Salf and
Captn John Sijirk and David Starrett, in tlio whole at
sundry plasses
to mr Lowel as a fee 3 Dolers to phlips at Dwiers 2 mugs
to Cash paid to Corll Goffe In mr marches In ports-
mouth
at Chaster to a nials of otes and a jil of Rum a Coming
horn
to 12 Days of my Salf at 2s per Day 1
to hors hire to Portsmouth
to Capn John Stark and David Starrott accounts for Ex-
pance a Coiniiit; horn from portsmputh which Ex-
pance Said nic Clintock paid at grenlan to 1 Bowl of
Todey and two mess otes
at Exetor as by folsomes Bill for Eiting and Drinks and
otes
at Kings town for Loging and hors Keeping . . .
at Chaster to Eating and Drinks and otes .....
the above is the totel of william mc Clintocks account,
E Expected."
At this meeting it was voted that
'A committee of five men be chosen to settle all accounts Between
Levt. John Hall and the town of Derryfield, and this Committee shall
have full power ot substitution in behalf of said town, to make a Com-
plete and final settlement with said Hall and make a report to the Town
as soon as may hv convenient."
The settlement was, no doubt, soon after effected.
The expense of this suit to the town had amounted to
£43 17s. 8(/., more than the whole tax of the town.
"21y, to see if the Inhabitants of Said town will Vote to Give the Revr.
George Gilmoro a Call to the Worke of the Menietry in said Derryfield to
be tlicir MoneSter.
" 3ly, to See how nuich yearly Salai-y they Will Vote the said Gilmore
if he Ext--ept their Call.
"4Iy, to See how much Setelment Money they Will Vote the said Gil-
more if he Except their Call.
":dy, toSee if they Will Vote to Sand a man or nieen to treet with the
said Gilmoro and agree about the mater as the tuwn pleeses to order."
September 6, 1773, it was
" Votetl to Dismis the above Warrant but the town thought Be«t to
sand for the Revr. George Gilmore, and it was put to vote and the Town
voted to sand for the Revr. George Gilmore as sun as possible to com and
jireach with us Eighth Days upon Fonder Trill."
December 23d, same year^ it was
•Toterf on the third Aiticul in the »'arrant to Give Rovt. George Gil-
more a Call to the Work of the Ministry to be our settled Minister in
Said Town.
"Then Voted on the fourth Articul in the Warrant to Give the Revtl
George Gilmore thirty Pounds LawfuU money in Cash, for his annual
Settled yearly Sahiij So Long as ho the Said Gilmore Contenes to ho our
>ettled minister in said Town.
'* V<Ue>l on the Said Articul to Give the Revt. George Gilmore for a
fcttioment thirty I'ountls Lawfull money in Ca«h and Sixty Pounds Law-
full money to be pjiid in Labour at two shillings Lawfull per Day for man
and the Sjime fur oxen, the Said Labor is to be i>nid in four yearw Com-
mencing from the lime that the Said Gilmore Excepts and settle-'i with us
in Said town fifteen Pounds per year and the Above Cash within one year
uf the Said lime.
" Voted on the fifth articul in the Warrant to Chuse a Committee to
treet with the Revt. George Gilmore Relating the above Votes, then
Voted David Starnt, Samuel Boyil, J«ihn [wrhatu and Levtn. James mac
Callev to be the Conunittee and make report to the Town.
MANCHESTER.
93
*' Then Vototl to a^j^uru tlii^ nictitiog tilt tbo third moiiiliiy Id fubru-
ary to the house uf Levtn. John balls^ at one of the Clock in the after*
noon OD tbo Said Day.
*' Derryfielp, Febniiiry the 21th Day, 1774.
"Then nitet according to adjournment the luo'Iemtor and Ck-rk pres-
ent and tbo luoetia Caled, then Votod to DitumiH thu Sixth urlicul in the
Warrant by IletKm tliat the above Contniittco had nut Rect-ivt-d unuy an-
swer from the Rcvt. Geargo Gilmorc/'
Nothing was done towards repairing the meeting-
house during the Revolution, and it became much
dilapidated.
On the 22d day of May, 1780, an attempt was made
to sell the ''pew ground,'' Ibr the purpose ot" raising
money to repair the meeting-house, but the project
was voted down.
June 3, 1783, it wad
'* Votett to Rjiisone hundred DoUum and to apply tbo Sitnie toards Ue-
pairing ttie nicetiug-bouso iu Dt-rryfiuld and that the Haiiie Bu RaitH-'d this
prvwnt year the one half in nimiey iind the other Imlf in Luhour and
niitabic nietorials 6ut<:li as Shall Be Excepted By the Connnitty that Shall
be Hereafter Choose n fur that puri>oBo.
" VoUil that 31ajor Webnter, Levt. Dan'l hall and Sanuiel Stark Be a
Committy to provide nieterials an<I liitbourers to do thu Work and to
Repair tbe mceting-bouBe So fer as the aforesaid Hundred Dollars will
Do."
But the repairs were not completed, and September
24th, of the following year, it was voted to raise fifty
dollars towards rejiairing the meeting-house.
In 1790 an eflbrt was made, and with success, to
sell the **pew ground'' and finish the house, and
March 1st of that year it was ^' Voted to sell the Pew
Ground, to finish the Meeting-house."
Major John Webster, John Green and John Hall
were chosen a committee to sell the pew ground.
The committee sold the ground at pul)lic auction,
on the 22d of .luru' of that year, upon the following
conditions:
"The Conditions of Sail of the Pew ground in Dcrryflold meeting-
hoiMo agreahln to an adv<Tt»oment [tubliBbcd bearing Date Juno, the 4th,
179(1, by tbo KubHoriberH in bm follows :
" Istly. tbo f^round lor i-Kcb ih;w to bo built on, will bo Struck off to
the UlKbest Riildcr, tbt-y giving good s^icurity U> the Committoo for the
Sum of monry that S^l grounds fw sold for the to help to repair tlio moot-
tng-houHe this year.
*' 2dly. Ho that Purcbewth any of the ab<ive jww f^und shall have a
bill of Siill from tbo Committee in their Cupiussify of the number & price
that it C*>st Ihem, to bo Recorded In Di;rrylU'ld Town Book.
";tdly. TIm- Buyer muHt pay Iwn-lhirdHof the purchiso in tilaw, NalloB,
or man-hanlable CliibboanU or Putty itt or beforo Ibo Ilret day of Se|»-
tenibor Next, tV and tbo Remaindering third In Cash at or before the
flnrt Pay of .Fanuary Next.
"given umlor our Hand, Dat<rtl at Derrytlold Juno *J2d, 1700.
"John WEiigreR, John Hall, Cbmmtff«« ilffri."
The sales were thus:
"Number. £ i.
14 Struck of to. . Maj. .lohn Webetor 2
2 . . I>aniol Diivlso 2 1
18 . . Daniel lliill 2
1*1 . . Capt. John Porhaiii 1 5
.'10 . . .laim-H fiomnin I 13
24 . . .Tobn firwn 1 2
'-"^ . . Capt. John Perhum I 7
2«) . .John Hall I 11
2.'. . . Levt. David Merrell 1 o
1 . . John Stnrk, Jr I 4
IT . , Jonathan (.Jn-ely 1 R
.:i . . Ami lluMltlne
" Number. je i.
4 . . David Webster 1 o
3 . . Jo!*epb Iliiwltino 1 4
32 . . William Nutt l o
II* . . Doctr John DuHton 1 9
1- . . Abnibam Amniy 1 6
26 , . Isreal Young I 6
10 . . John Dickey 1 5
31 . . Capt. Samuel Hoor 1
13 . . Joaepb Farmer 1 o
15 . . Peter Kuiereon I o
8 . ArcbilMild Uamblo 1 4
7 . . JobIi uu Perse 1
2;j Samuel Moor 1 1
y . . Thomiia Griffon 1
11 . . Joseph Farmer 1
27 . .JohnGofVo 1
24 . . Maj. John Webster 1 1
Total £30 II
" Recorded January 11th, 1791. John GciFrr,, Totm Vlerh.
The purchasers built their pews immediately, and
the lower part of the house was of respectable tinish.
March 5, 1792, it was
"Voted to raise forty dollars to Repair the Meeting Uoubo.
** Voted that the Selectmen lay out the Money to Build the Gallery
Stares and Lay the Gallery Hores."
The stairs were built and the floors laid, aud on the
30th day of October following it was
'* Voted to BcU the Pew Ground in tbe Gallerj's, k tbo pews to be five
feet in frount froni the Wall."
" Voted that the pew ground be sold at Vendue."
" Voted that the Selectmen bo a committee to sell the pewg."
The sale took place on the 10th day of November,
1792, on the following conditions :
" DKiiitrriELD, Nov. 10th, 1793.
" Articles of the Sale uf the Pew ground in tbo Gallorys of the Derry-
fleld MoetinK-Hou«).
*' Artical first, the highest bidder shall bo the pnrcbasiT.
*' 2dly. No bid shall bo excepted loss then sixpence.
"3dly. the purcbosur shall give security to the Kxcoptanco of tbe Com-
mittee to be paid by tbe last day of May Next.
"4thly. tbe purchewr shall huvo for bisftecurity the plan A the No of
the pew struck off to him Itoconiod in the Town Itook.
*'5thly. the committee shall have E>iuul liiborly to bid with the other
!u habitants.
"John Staiik,
"Daniel Davib,
"Samukl Moob,
" Commiltre,''*
The account of the .sale was as follows :
£ «. J.
" No. 2 struck off to William Porhani 1 10
" 1 " " David .siovomi 2 13
" 3 " " John Sliirk 3 10
" 4 " " Aide Huso 1 7
" 6 " " Jainee MiOoroy 1 6
" " " Samuel Smith 1 6 (J
"16 " " " " 2 12
" 14 " " C»i)t John Porham .... 2 13
" 11 " " a»pt Samuel Moor. ... 1 12
" 10 " '* William Porham 1 in
" D " " Able Ilutto 1 GO
" 7 " " Green Simon 1 7
" 8 " " Wllllum Sievenrt 1 7
" 12 *• " Daniel DavjH 1
" 13 ■' " J. dm Malt Jr I 8 ft
jC2r. 12 fi"
94
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The house, however, was never tinished. Conten-
tion and discord had borne their fruits. Tlie majority
of the people cared but little about the building, and
at no time was it fit ibr public worship.
The Rev. Mr. Pickels (says Judge Potter, in referring
to this old house), an eccentric clergyman of that
time, preaching in it as late as about 1803, took
his hearers to task for not finishing and rejjairing the
house.
After telling them of their duty in this matter in a
very forcible strain, as was his wont, he closed by
naming to them the penalty for not doing their duty
in this particular. " Why," continued he, " if you
don't repair tlie house of God, the d — 1 will come in
and carry you out at the cracks."
It is said, that for fear of the penalty, the house
was immediately repaired so as to prevent any such
egress for his satauic majesty and the delinquent
hearers.
The Rev. William Pickels was a native of Wales,
where he married Margaret Tregallis. After emigrat-
ing to this country he preached for a time in Phila-
delphia. He came into the neighboring town of Bed-
ford somewliere about 1787. He preached in Bedford,
some years, a portion of the time. At first he was
very popular as a preacher, and it was proposed to
settle him, but for some reasons, not readily accounted
for, an opposition s])rang up against him in Bedford,
and became so violent as to forbid the idea of a settle-
ment. His enemies charged him with dissolute
habits in Philadelphia, but the charge was stoutly
denied by his friends. At length tlie strife waxed so
warm and became so pointed that Lieutenant John
Orr offered to lay a wager of fifty dollars that the
charge was true. The wager was taken by Mr. Pick-
els' friends, and Mr. William Kiddle was agreed upon
as the agent of the parties to proceed to Philadelphia
and investigate the charge. His report was to be
final. Mr. Kiddle went to Philadelphia on horse-
back, investigated tlie matter, found the charge untrue
in every particular, returned and reported the result.
There was great exultation on the part of the winners
and they met at the store of Isaac Riddle, Esq., to re-
joice over the victory. Mr. Riddle was designated as
their agent to go to Mr. Orr's and get the wager. He
accordingly waited ujjoii Mr. Orr and made known
the result of the investigation. Without making a
remark. Lieutenant Orr went to his desk and ])aid
over the money. Mr. Riddle took the money back to
the winners, and it was .spent at the counter in liquor
for the multitude. But the result did not stay the
opposition against Mr. Pickels, and he was forced to
abandon the idea of a settlement. He, however, con-
tinued to preach in Bedford a portion of the time for
some sixteen years. His friends would i)ay their
money for no other man as long as he was in the
neighborhood ; and as they constituted near one-half
of the people in Bedford, and among them some of the
most influential, Mr. Pickels continued to "supply the
pulpit " about one-half of the time. The remaining
part of the time he preached in the vicinity, mostly in
Derryfield. At length an opposition .sprang up
against him here, probably having its origin in Bed-
ford, and it was thought best to settle the question of
his employment in town-meeting. Accordingly, in
the warrant of October 19, 1796, was the following
article:
"4thly. To see if the town will vote to raise money for the purpose
<>r hiring Mr. Willijim Pickels to Preach for them some part of the year
Ensueing, if lie can be obtained."
At the meeting November 7, 179(), it was
" Voted to hire Mr. William Pickels one third part of the Year Ensue-
ing to Preach in this town."
From this time he continued to supply the pulpit in
this town till 1804, sometimes hired for a specific num-
ber of Sabbaths, and again to " preach out the money
raised." About 1804 he removed to Maine, where he
continued to reside until his death.
Mr. Pickels was an eloquent preacher and a fine
scholar, but very eccentric in his habits. He finally
announced his belief in the doctrine of universal
siilvation.
The First Congregational Church.— This church
was formed by the union of a Presbyterian Church,
which was organized at Manchester Center May 21,
1828, and a Congregational Church, organized at
Amoskeag December 2d of the same year. The
Presbyterian Church never had a house of its own
and a pa-stor was never settled over it. For a few
months after its formation its pulpit was supplied
by the Rev. William K. Talbot. In 1833, Benjamin
F. Foster was ordained as an evangelist, and he for
some time furnished occasional preaching. Those of
its members who united with the Amoskeag Church
to form another .at the new vill.ige in Manchester
were Moses Noyes, Lucy Noyes, Robert P. Whitte-
niore, Hannah Jane Whittemore, Jennet Dickey,
Eliziibeth Hall, Bally Whittemore, Eliza A. Moor,
Jerusha Griffin, Maria Noyes, Elizabeth Stark, Abby
Stark, Mrs. F. G. Stark.
Like the Presbyterian Church, the Congregational
was without a house or a pastor of its own. Among
those who occupied its pulpit were the Rev. B. F.
Foster (who divided his time between this church
and the one at the Centre), the Rev. Mr. Noble, the
Rev. Mr. French, the Rev. Mr. Stone (afterwards a
missionary in Siam), and Cyrus W. Wallace, who be-
gan his labors with it on the last Sunday in April,
1839, and who afterwards became its pastor. About
that time the church began to hold meetings at the
new village in Manchester with the a])proval of the
church at the Centre, sustaining thus the first regu-
lar Sunday services in what is now the compact part
of the city. At the time when it ceased to exist as
a separate church its members were Daniel Farmer,
George Berry, Samuel Poor, Henry Peacock, Nahum
Baldwin, Betsey Farmer. Mrs. Samuel Poor, Mrs.
Nahum Baldwin, Lettice McQuesten, Betsey Flan-
\
MANCHESTER.
95
<lers, Mary Eodgers, Lydia Drew, Harriet Jones,
Mary C. Perry, Catharine French, Mrs. Polhird.
It had become by tills time patent that a nnion of
tlic.-se two churches would be a gain to each, and that
the place for tlie new church was at the village
which the manufacturers were building on the east
bank of the Merrimack. The union was effected
August 15, 1839, by a council which met first at the
house of Phinehas French in .Vmciskeag village, and
then adjourned to Franklin Hall, and the church
thus formed wiis called the First Congregational
Church in Amoskeag, a house of worship being
built for its use at the new village in 1839. The
name was afterwards changed to that of the First
Congregational Church in Manchester. Cyrus W.
Wallace, then a licentiate of the Londonderry Pres-
bytery, had already, as has been said, commenced
his labors with the Amoskeag Church, but did not
])reach as a candidate for settlement. He supplied
the pulpit till November of that year, and then re-
ceived a call to become the pastor of the church
and society. He accepted the invitation and was or-
dained January 8, 1840, being the first minister ever
ordained and installed in the town.
At the time of the union of the two churches Moses
Noyes was the deacon of the Presbyterian Church
and Daniel Farmer of the Congregational Church,
and by mutual agreement they became the deacons
of the new church, continuing in office till death
removed them, the one in October, ISOO, and the
other October 30, 1865.
Dr. Wallace, who had been tlic pastor of the church
since its formation, and whose uninterrupted service
with one church far exceeded in length that of any
other clergyman ever settled in Maneliester, sent his
resignation to the church January 11, 1873, and it
was accei)ted by the latter, to take effect the la.st of
August. Edward G. .Selden accepted a call to
succeed Dr. Wallace, and was ordained Decem-
ber 1(), 1873, an<l dismissed in 1885. By a vote of the
church, " as an expression of their afleetionatc re-
gard," Dr. Wallace was made " ]nistoremeri/iis" of the
church on the 1st of January, 1874. The church has
a membership of about six hundred.
A meeting of persons interested in forming a Con-
gregational society was held at Amoskeag April 4,
1838. These were organized as the First Congrega-
tional Society in Amoskeag Village, and at an ad-
journed meeting on the 27th addpted a consti-
tutinn and chose Daniel Farmer, president;
George W. Kimball, secretary; Nahum lialdwin,
Samuel Poor and George Perry, directors.
Shiirtly after the fiirniation of the society a vote
WiLs lutssed to form the Amoskeag Joint Stock Coni-
|>any for the purpose of building a church in Amos-
keag village. This vote was rescinded, other plans
and places were discussed and in 1839 it was decided
to build a house of worship on Hanover Street, near
Elm. The Amoskeag Company gave the lainl and
the Stark Mills gave five hundred dollars to help
bnild the church. Other means were obtained by
making shares of stock, which were soon taken up.
The house was begun in the spring, finished in the
.lutumn and dedicated in November of 1839. It then
contained one hundred and twenty-two pews and
would accommodate six hundred and fifty persons.
During the process of building, the society, which
had already left Amoskeag, worshiped in Franklin
Hall, on Amherst Street, nearly in the rear of the
present church. In 1852 the house was enlarged, the
congregation worshiping meanwhile in the city hall.
About 1842 a vestry or chapel was built just back of
the church.
About 1846 the society forsook its original name
and took that of the F'irst Congregational Society in
^Manchester. January 9, 1865, it having been twenty-
five years since the settlement of the Rev. Dr. Wal-
lace, the event was celebrated by the society and
other friends by a gathering at Smyth's Hall, Peter K.
Chandler, then president of the society, in the chair.
Dr. Wallace ijreached a commemorative sermon, and
addresses were made by the llev. Thonuis Savage, of
Bedford, a member of the council convened to settle
Mr. Wallace; the Rev. Henry E. Parker, of Concord;
the Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, D.D., of Concord ; the
Rev. Henry M. Dexter, of Boston, and the Rev.
William II. Fenu, of Manchester, former pastors of
the Franklin Street Society ; William G. Means, of
Andover, Jlass., secretary and treasurer of the first
society from 1842 to 1854; and John B. Clarke, of
Manchester. Dr. Wallace was made the recipient
of several articles in testimony of the regard of his
people.
The present church eilifiee was completed in 1880, at
a cost of about si.\ty-five thousand dollars. It is a
substantial and commodious brick structure, beauti-
fully located, and has a seating capacity of thirteen
hundred and fifty. It was dedicated May 12, 1880.
The Franklin Street Cong'reg'ational Church
was ()rgani/.<'(l May 7, 1S4I, as llic Second
Congregational Society, with the following ofli-
eers: .(ohn Crosby, president; -Xbram Urigham,
clerk' and treasurer; William C. Clarke, Thomas
Carleton, Walter T. Jaquith, directors. On the 27th
of June, of the same year, a church was organized in
connection with the society. The first pastor was
Rev. Henry M. Dexter, who was ordained November
6, 1844. They worshiped in the town hall until its
destruction by fire, then in a chapel on Concord
Street and a hall in Patten's block, then in the new
town liall until the comi)letion of their present
houscof worship, on the corner of Market and Frank-
lin Streets. A|)ril 25, 1860, the name was changed
froip Second Congregational to I'" ranklin Street So-
ciety. The church building was remodclerl in 1878
at an expen.sc of about twenty-three thousand dollars,
and the seating capacity increased to fourteen hun-
dred. A tower was added, in which has been placed
96
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
a chime of nine bells, weighing seven thousand fivc
hundred ijounds, the gift of ex-Goveruor Smyth.
Mr. De.Kter remained pa-stor of the churcli until
March 14, 1849, when he was dismissed. His suc-
cessor was Rev. Henry S. Clarke, who was installed
September 26, 1849. The latter remained till July 1,
1852, and November 3, 1852, Rev. Samuel C. Bart-
lett was installed. He was dismissed February 18, ]
1857, and his successor, Rev. Aaron C Adams, was i
settled on the 22d of July, of the same year. ;
He left September 22, 1858, and Rev. William j
H. Fenn became pastor February 10, 1859, remaining
over seven years, being dismissed July 17, 18()6. He
was followed by William J. Tucker, who was ordained
January 24, 1867, and continued pastor of the church
until April 21, 1875. The ne.xt minister was Rev.
Washington Choate. His installation occurred Sep-
tember 29, 1875, and his dismissal December 26, 1876. '
William V. W. Davis was ordained and installed
September 12, 1877, and dismissed September 25,
1882. Rev. George B. Spalding, D.D., having re-
ceived a call from this society, resigned his pastorate '.
at Dover, and was installed pastor of this church !
February 14, 1882. and is the present pastor.
First Baptist Church.' — The first church in this i
town was of the Baptist denomination, and was or-
ganized in 1S12, under the pastoral care of Rev. David
Abbott. It consisted of fourteen members. It flour-
ished under Mr. Abbott's teaching until 1820. At i
that time it numbered twenty-two, when dissensions I
among the brethren crept in, and the spirit of religion
went out and the church was broken up. In 1829 a
Methodist Episcopal Church was organized, and in
the following year a liouse of worship was erected.
This was the first meeting-house finished in Manches-
ter. In 1831-32 the Rev. Matthew Newhall, from the
New Hampshire Conference, was stationed here.
With the above exception, the First Baptist Church of
this city was the first church in town to call and set-
tle a pa.stor. This church was gatnered by Rev. John
Peacock, who has lell on record the initiatory steps
of its organization, as follows :
"Lord's ItAV. July ;;i;, 183.^.
" The Baptist Church in (joflatown voted this day tu ackuonledgo us
whofio names are liere eni-olled — the .\nioskeug Urancli of tlio Goffs-
town Cburcli ; authorizing Uit to engagu our ntiniiiter and reward liini,
to receive members and dismiss tbeltl, and to enjoy the communion, .Vc,
Ac.
" Elder John Peacock, Daniel Gooden,
Mrs. JIary R. Peacock, Jolm Stevens,
Hopoy Tewkslinry, Mrs. Susan M. Steveni,
Betsey Towksbury, Eli/.abetli McIntiPe,
Zilpah Gould, Abigail Rider."
The Branch held its meetings for religious worship
in a hall at Amoskcag village, and under the faithful
services of its pastor accessions to its numbers were
receivfed from Sabbath to Sabbath. At length the
time came when it was deemed that the interests of
religion required a separate organization.
I By l>avid P. Perkins.
December 1, 1836, at a meeting of the Branch, it
was voted substantially as follows :
"Ist. That it is now expedient to form (in independent church, aud for
that purpose to ask dismission from the church at (JofTstown.
" 2d. That we adopt as the articles of our faith and practice ' the arti-
cles prepared by the New Hampshire Baptist State Convention.'
*':{d. That our pastor be authorized to call an ecclesiastical council fur
advice, aud to take such action as in their wisdom the best interests of
the church may seem to require."
January 4, 1837, in pursuance of the foregoing ac
tion, a council consisting of the following brethren
assembled in Roger Williams Hall, at Amoskeag vil-
lage, to wit :
Rev. George Evans, Horace Eaton and others, of
the Goffstown Church; Rev. D. D. Pratt, of Nashua ;
Rev. A. T. Foss, of New Boston ; Rev. Mark Carpen-
ter, of Milford ; Rev. Bartlet Pease, of Hudson ; Rev.
Samuel Abbott, of Bedford ; and Rev. S. C. Pratt, of
New Hampton.
After full deliberation, the council vnted unani-
mously to recognize John Peacock, Daniel Goodeii,
Andrew J. George, John Washer and their associates
of the Amoskeag Branch as an independent church.
The following are the forty-five original members,
who were thus publicly recognized :
Rev. John Peacock, Deacon Daniel Gooden, John Stevens, Stephen
Washer, John Washer, Andrew J, George, Hopie Tewksbury, Betsey
Tewksbury, Klizabetli Mclntire, Zilpah Gould, Abigail Rider, Eliza ^Ic-
Duffie, Mrs. Blary R. Peacock, Mrs. Marinda Gooden, Mrs. Susjui M.
Stevens, Mrs. Louisa A. Washer, Mrs. Polly Washer, Emily George,
Lettice Caldwell, Abigail Caldwell, Dolly Leonard, Mary J. Tewksbury,
Lucy Ann Chellis, Rebecca Dean, Mary .\un Smith, Lucy Reed, Mary
Runno, Emeline Towle, Mrs, Caroline IL Goodwin, Rachel Colby, Muiy
Muzzy, ,?ane McCoy, Maria Davis, Lavina Kimball, Lydia Caldwell,
Sarah Whipple, Lois Smith, Xancy Tewksbury, Rhoda .\nn McCoy,
Hannah Lord, Sally Kolleusbee, Harriet Is". Plumer, Judith H. Plunier.
Sarah Lord, Mary .\nn Mar>ih.
Rev. John Peacock continued the pastorate until
the following October, when, at his own request, he
received from the church a letter of dismission and
recommendation to the church in Peterborough.
During these few months, nineteen had been addeil,
— by baptism, six ; and by letter, thirteen. Removals,
ten, — by letter, seven ; exclusion, three.
July 9, 1838, Rev. Ephraim K. Bailey entered upon
the pastorate, and the church, having removed to the
new village, as,sembled for religious worship in Wash-
ington Ilall, on Amherst Street. October 17, 1839, a
contract was made between Daniel Gooden, John B.
Goodwin, Dr. J. H. Morse and J. W. Watkins, on the
part of the First Baptist Society, and E. Morri-
rison and William McPherson, on the other part, for
the erection of a church edifice on a lot of land situ-
ated at the corner of Manchesterand Chestnut Streets,
given to the society by the Anioskciig Manufacturing
Company.
Agreeably to the contract, a brick building was
erected, seventy-six feet long by fifty-eight feet wide
and twenty-six feet from the principal floor to the
beams.
The enterprise was completed at an expense of
MANCHESTER.
97
about t>ix thousand dollars, and in the autumn of
1840 the church was dedicated to the service of
Gjd.
" At a church-meeting, September 22, 18-Ml, it was
Voted, That this ehurcli shall hereafter be called and
known by the name of ' The First Baptist Church in
Manchester.' "
The pastor, Rev. E. K. Bailey, having served faith-
fully and successfully during the period of three years
and five months, severed his official connection with
the church and society December 19, 1841.
The results of his pastorate in additions to the
church were one hundred and twelve, of whom thirty
were by baptism, eighty by letter and two on expe-
rience.
Removals, twenty-one, — by letter, sixteen ; by death,
three; and by exclusion, two.
Rev. James Uphain entered upon the pastorate
January 16, 1842, and resigned January 16, 1843.
There were gathered into the church through the
fkithful services of this l)eloved piistor, one hundred
and thirty, — by baptism, forty-nine ; by letter, seven-
ty-six ; experience, four; and by restoration, one.
Removals, thirty-two, — by letter, twenty-nine; by
death, one ; and by exclusion, two.
Rev. Benjamin Brierly served as pastor of the
church from December 10, 1843, to May 24, 1846, in-
clusive, — a period of two years and six months.
It was mainly through his influence that the Sec-
ond Baptist Church in tills city was constituted, about
thirty members of the parent church having been
dismissed on the 27th of October, 1845, for that pur-
pose.
During the pastorate of Mr. Brierly one liuiidrc 1
and forty-one members were admitted to the churdi,
— by baptism, thirty-seven; by letter, ninety-nine;
and on experience, five.
Removals, one hundred and four, — by letter, seventy-
four ; by death, nine ; and by excommunication,
twenty-one.
Rev. Thonuis O. Lincoln's pa.storate commenced
August it, 184IJ, and terminated August 11, 1850. He
served four years, resulting in ad<litions to the church
of one hundred and thirty-nine, — by baptism, fifty ;
•letter, eighty-four; on experience, two; and by
restoration, three.
Removals, one hundred and forty-five, — by letter,
ninety ; by death, fourteen ; droppe<l, thirty-six ; and
by exclusion, five.
Rev. Isaac Sawyer's pastoral care of the church
commenced November 3, 1850, and terminated by
his resignation May 28, 1854. During this jia.storate
there were received into the church one liuiidred and
sixty-one nienibers, — by baptism, one hundred ; by
letter, forty-nine; on exi>erience, nine ; and by resto-
ration, three.
Removals, one hundred and thirty-one, — by letter,
seventy-one; by death, sixteen; dropped, forty; and
by exclusion, four.
Rev. B. F. Iledden served the church as pastor two
years, from September 24, 1854, to September 29, 1856,
inclusive. He received into the church Ibrty-seven
members, — by baptism, twenty-six ; by letter, eigh-
teen ; cm experience, one ; and by restoration,
two.
During this pastorate there were seventy removals,
— by letter, fifty-eight ; by death, eleven ; and by ex-
clusion, one.
Rev. George Pierce was the pastor of the church
eight yeare and six months, from March 15, 1857,
to October 1, 1865. During this pastorate there were
added to the church one hundred and ninety-one
members, — by baptism, one hundred and ten ; by let-
ter, sixty-seven : on experience, thirteen ; and by
restoration, one. Removals, one hundred and sixty-
three, as tbllows : By letter, eighty-two; by death,
thirty-four; dropped from the rolls, forty; aud by
exclusion, seven.
Rev. N. C. Mallory entered upon the pastorate
December 10, 1865, and resigned .luly 1, 1870, having
served the church in the pastoral oHiccfour years and
seven months. The additions to the church received
by Mr. Mallory were ninety-five, of whom forty-five
were by baptism ; by letter, thirty-five ; on experience,
fourteen ; and by restoration, one. Removals, one
hundred and six, — by letter, fifty-nine; by death,
fourteen ; dropped from the rolls of the church, thirty-
two ; and Ijy excomniunicatiou, one.
July 8, 1870, the city of Manchester was vis-
ited by a most destructive fire, consuming a vast
amount of valuable property, and the meeting-house
in which the church had worshiped thirty years be-
came a heap of smoldering ruins.
The pastor had been dismissed but a few days, and
thus the church was left houseless, homeless and with-
out a spiritual guide. After the loss of their house,
among the first things proposed by the church and
society was the erection of a new one.
A lot of land situate on the corner of Conconl and
Union Streets Wius procured and contracts made lor
the con.struction of a church edifice on a scale the
proportions and expense of which far exceeded the
old building.
In the mean time the church and society extended
a call to the Rev. Alfred C. (iraves to become their
pastor. The call was accepted, and January 1, 1871,
Mr. (iraves entered upon his work. Tlie church and
congregation hehl together with constantly in-
creasing interest, working in harmony, shoulder t(»
shoulder, apparently regarding their great misfortune
a blessing in disguise. At first they worshiped in
Music Hall, then in the old Fuitarian house on Mer-
rimack Street, and lastly in Smyth's <)|>era-IIoiise.
The work upon the building went forward with en-
ergy, and on the 14tli day of July, 1X72, justone year
from the laying of the corner-stone, the church and
congregation held their first meeting for religious
worship ill ihcir new vestry. Here they continued
98
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
to worship until Ihe house was i'ully jiiopared for
occupancy.
April 30, 187.S, the house having been completed
in all its parts, was dedicated to the service of
Almighty God. This beautiful structure, occupy-
ing a most eligible and central position, is an orna-
ment to the city, a credit to the church and society by
wliose energy, courage and sacrifice it was erecteil,
and to tlie denomination which they represent.
Mr. (iraves continued to labor with the church with
marked ability and faitlifulness until the 1st of Oc-
tober, 1870, having served a period of live years and
nine months, when, by his resignation, his official
connection with the church and society was termi-
nated.
During tlie pastorate of Dr. Graves 171 members
united with the church, — by baptism, 92; by letter,
60 ; on experience, 27 ; and by restoration, 2. Re-
movals, 74,— by letter, 41 ; by death, 26 ; dropped from
the rolls of the church, 2; and by excommunica-
tion, 5.
William Hayne Leavell was pastor of the chureli
five years, from Slay 4, 1877, to May, 1882, resulting
in admissions to the church of 142, — by baptism, 87 ;
by letter, 42 ; on experience, 10 ; and by restoration, 3.
Removals, 72, — by letter, 45; by death, 24; and
dropped from the rolls, 3.
Rev. Clarion H. Kimball, our present pastor, united
with the church August 2o, 1882. He entered at
once upon the duties and responsibilities of the
pastoral office. He has gone forward in the work of
the ministry with energy and ability, and has been
successful in building up the church. The additions
received by Mr. Kimball are (18, as follows: By bap-
tism, 47; by letter, 20; by restoration, 1. Removals,
38, — by letter, 27; by death, 10; and by excommuni-
cation, 1.
It would be an interesting chapter in our history
could wo state with accuracy the full contributions to
the various charitable and benevolent objects of the
day. Unfortunately, we have not always kept a
record of our receipts and expenditures. It is
believed, however, that, in this respect, we are not, in
proportion to our means, behind our brethren in other
sister churches.
Many changes have oicurrcd during the forty-eight
years of our existence. Not one of the original meni-
l)ers remains. Through sunshine and shadow a kind
Providence hius watched over us; still, we have had
our share of darkness and trial. Some have fallen by
the way; many have passed over the river, and
entered the promised land. With weariness and
watching, others arc ready and waiting to follow the
loved ones who have gone before.
All hoi>e for a brighter day ; may the Lord pour out
His Spirit upon us, " that we may be as a city set on
a hill that cainiot be hid ; that our light may so shine
before men that they may see our good works and
glorify our Father which is in heaven."
SUMM.\Ry.
January i, l.s:l7. Original mombera 45
RECEPTIONt).
By baptism 67!)
By Utter 633
On experience 88
By rcsturatiuii 10
14lr.
Tntal niembei-stiip 1461
REMOVALS
ny letter 599
By death 165
Drupped from the rolls l.'>3
By excomnivinication 62
909
.Taniiary 4, 1S85, whole number on the rolls of the
clnireh 49:i
Merrimack Street Baptist Church was organized
October 31, 1845. Rev. A. T. Foss was the first
I)astor. Meetings were held in Classic Hall and
other places until the completion of the brick church,
corner Elm and Pleasant Streets, which they occupied
February 22, 1849. In 1853 they adopted the name
of Elm Street Bajjtist Church. Some misunderstand-
ing arose concerning the purchase of the house, and
in 1857 they left, and worshiped in Smyth's Hall until
the completion of their present church, October 27th of
that year. Mr. Foss was dismissed July 11, 1847,
and was succeeded, December 26th, by Rev. J. C. Mor-
rill, who left July 15, 1849. The next minister was
Rev. O. O. Stearns, who remained not quite a year,
and was followed, in January, 1851, by Rev. Isaac
Woodbury. January, 1853, Rev. John Peacock, form-
erly pastor of the old Amoskeag Baptist Church,
supplied the pulpit till the middle of April. In July,
1853, Rev. J. M. Coburn became pastor. His resig-
nation was accepted October 8, 1855, but seven weeks
later he was invited to again become pastor, and
accepted the invitation. He remained until Decem-
ber 5, 1858, and Rev. King S. Hall was recognized as
pastor March 30, 1859. He left September 4, 1862,
and Rev. A. W. Chaffin succeeded him June 10,
1863. He remained till February 2, 1868, when his
resignation was accepted. Rev. Alden Sherwin was
installed November 8, 1868, and dismissed in April,
1879. Rev. N. L. Colby has offirialed since June, 1879.
Pine Street Free-Will Baptist Church.— The
Free-Will Baptists hold meetings in Manchester as
early as the year 1838, and a society was formed in
1839. They l)uilt a house of worship, in 1842, at the
corner of Merrimack and Chestnut Streets, which
they exchanged in the fall of 1859 for the church, on
the corner of Jlerrimack and Pine Streets, previously
ocoupied by the Unitarians. A separation took place
in the society, and a large portion of the members
left, and organized in 186it as Elm Street Free-Will
l?aptist Church. A council was called, and the re-
maining members were reorganized a.s the Pine
Street Free-Will Baptist Church.
The first pa.stor was Rev. J. M. Bailey, who was
installed December 21, 1859. He closed his labors in
November, 1861, and September 10, 1862, Rev. Reu-
MANCHESTER.
99
ben V. Jen. less was ordained. He resigned June 1,
180:i, and was succeeded by Rev. Nalium Brooks. |
The latter resigned May 12, 18()9, and was succeeded
by Rev. N. L. Rowell, 1869-73; H. F. Wood, 1874- '
76; J.J. Hall, 1876-79; N. L. Rowell, 1879-81; B. j
A. tSherwood, 1881; H. G. Corliss, 1883-84. |
Merrimack Street Free-Will Baptist Church.—
Till- lueniliiTs of tlif First Fict-Will Bajitist Church
who left and formed a new church commenced wor-
ship in the old brick church on the corner of Klin
and Pleasant Streets. After some vicissitudes, they ,
finally purchased the former house of worship, on the
corner of Merrimack and Chestnut Streets, which ]
they now occupy.
The pulpit was first occupied by Rev. J. B. Davis,
who i)reached for a few months only. In March,
1861. Rev. J. A. Knowles was installed as pastor,
continuing such till the Ist of March, 1871, from
which date until July 2, 1873, when Rev. Samuel
McKeown was installed, the church was without a
pastor. Mr. McKeown resigned July 1, 1874, and
Rev. George M. Park liccame pastor in November of
that year. He resigned December 3, 1879. Rev.
Lewis Malvern became pastor March 3, 1880, resign-
ing his charge in December, 1882. Rev. A. M.
Freeman has occupied the pulpit since March 4,
1883.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church. — As
early as JsiiO .Mcthodi.-^t servicis w<tc held in the
town-house at the Centre by one Reuben Peaslee.
Religious services were subsequently held by Rev.
John Broadhead, Caleb Lamb and others, and on
September 27, 1829, a church w:ls organized in Man-
chester with eighty persons, among whom were
Daniel Webster, John G. Webster, Joseph B. Hall
and Isaac Merrill. The erection of a house of worship
was commenced at the Centre in 1829, and completed
the following year, at a cost of two thousand dollars.
The first pastor was Rev. Matthew Xewhall, in
1830. The following is a list of pastors of this church
from its organization to the present:
JmnciG. Smith, 1831; Leonard Bennett and Enoch II. I^ndd, 183'^ ; Silaa
Orcemt, IKLt; Culub Diiatin, IKU ; Willinin S. Locke, IKi.'. ; Convorae li.
McCiirdy, lH3li-37 ; Williulii J. Klddor, 1H.'18 ; Mallhtw Noahall, iinecond
time In IKV.t ; Jc«ie|ih llayi-x, IH-llJ; .Ichii S. 0. Gndlej', ISIl ; William S.
Locke, lS4'J-)4 ; Cliarlcs II. Kaatinan, 1S4&-IC; Ezekiel Adunin, 1847;
Horntiii N. Taplin, IKIS; Ilinry Niitli'r, IS^IO-oO; laaac W. Ilnnlle}',
18.')! to Xov.nil..rl., 1>«2; Klljah It. Wllkin», I8V1; ItolK^rt S. Stublw,
ISM; IliirriBon .\. Hart, I8.Vi ; llenr)' Nutter, IRIli ; Loren H. Cordon,
186T-.'>8; Anioe II. Kiiaaoll, lH.'iU-eO; Joxlah V. Sthichneld, I8CI. There
waa no piu»tor in \Htii ; E. It. Wllkini lireiirheil here ft ]>art of the year.
Ileleklah .\. Malt(wn, I8r,3-<M ; William Ilughes fur a part vt the fol-
lowing year ; Nathaniel L. Cha««*, 18tJ6-l'>7 ; Janiea Ileitn, I8C8 ; J. Mowry
Baun, 18611-71; Thuniaa Tyrir, I87'J, hut IvH the church ; julued the
Free-Will ItaptlKtu ; Cliarlea W. Taylor, 187:i-71 ; WatMn W. Smith, 1875-
76; GooriseC. .Voyin, 1877-78; William li. Jonea, 1870-81 ; Joiwph II.
Brown, 1882 ; Rev. .lainoa W. Preabry, 1883-85 ; J. W. Bean, 1885.
St. Paul's Church.'— The First Methodist Epis-
copal Chiirili in Manrliister was organized Scptein-
' D) Iter .1. M. Avann.
ber 21, 1829, at the Centre, where it still continues.
The Second Church was organized December 16,
1839, and is now known as St. Paul's Church. Its
first pastor. Rev. John Jones, was appointed in June,
1840. During that Conference year a chapel was
built on the corner of Hanover and Chestnut Streets.
It was subsequently removed to the corner of Pine
and Merrimack Streets, has recently been enlarged
and improved, and is now owned and used by the
Christian Church. Mr. Jones was followed by Rev.
Silas Green, who took charge in 1841, and remained
one year. His successor. Rev. Elihu Scott, found the
chapel too small, and a new building was erected in
1842 on Elm Street, costing with the land and fur-
nishings, sixteen thousand dollars. From that time
until 1862 the church w'as known as the Elm Street
Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1856 a third church was organized, called the
North Elm Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev.
E. Adams, wdio had been at Elm Street two years,
was its first pastor. About the middle of the year he
took the agency of the Conference Seminary at
Tilton, N. H., and Rev. C. N. Smith filled out his
year. He was followed by Rev. G. W. H. Clark in
1856-57, and he by Rev. Charles Young in 1858-59.
Rev. G. S. Dearborn was pastor in 1860 and psirt of
IStll. Before the close of 1861 he was transferred to
Lislion, and his year was filled out by Rev. Mr.
Owens.
In the spring of 1862 the two Elm Street societies
were united. Bishop Baker named the new organi-
zation the St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church,
and appointed Rev. .Tames M. Buckley, now editor of
the Chrislinn Advocate, its first i)astor. Rev. D. C.
B;ibcock was appointed in Ajiril, 1868, and continued
with the church two years, during which time some
three thousand five hundred dollars was expended in
reiniirs. Under the labors of Rev. G. W. Norris, in
1878-79, the last dollar of a long-standing and bur-
densome church debt was ]iaid.
The society known as the Tabernacle Methodist
Episcopal Church was organized in the spring of
1875. Its pastors were Rev. J. B. Hamilton, three
years; the late Rev. L. E. Gordon, of precious
memory, one year; and Rev. O. S. Bakctel, who
closed his labors with the society in 1879, when, in
view of a new church enter|)rise previously started,
and designed to provide a more comiuitdious house of
worship, both churches deemed it wise to unite again
their strength.
For about forty years St. Paul's Chiinli had wor-
shiped on Elm Street. As the city grew in size and
business houses multiplied, the noise of trade bfcame
so great that it oftni disturbed the services. The
society also sutlered I'mm the want of a suitable place
in which to hold its social meetings, for it owned but
one story of the building, the first floor being occu-
pied by stores that wore not under the control of the
church.
100
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The building was out of repair, and between spend-
infi three or four thousand dollars on it and putting
up a new church there was some hesitancy. Wlicii
Rev. A. E. Drew w.is appointed to the pastorate, in
1880, he at once began to learn the minds of the peo-
ple, and found them quite generally in favor of a new
church. The title by which the property on Elm
Street was held permitted it to be used only for re-
ligious services. This was a serious encumbrance
upon its sale, and nothing could be done until it was
removed. Mr. Drew spent the greater part of a year
in securing its removal, and it was only through his
determined perseverance that the work of disentan-
glement was successfully completed. The old house
was sold for twelve tliousand dollars, and the parson-
age which the society owned on Laurel Street for
four thousand two hundred dollare, and over nineteen
thousand dollars was raised by subscription.
A building lot on the corner of Union and Amherst
Streets was bought for five thousand seven hundred dol-
lars; the corner-stone was laid .Tune 3, 1882, and the
completed structure was dedicated April 13,1883. The
church is built of faced brick, with cut-stone window
trimmings, the arches being adorned with bond stones
and the buttresses being capped with stone. The
audience-room is finished in ash, and with its stained
windows and frescoed walls produces a very i)leasing
effect. It will seat eight hundred persons. The main
vestry will seat six hundred, besides which there are
class-rooms, parlors, kitchen and dining-room. The
parsonage stands immediately north of the church, and
is in the same style of architecture. It contains eleven
rooms, is heated by furnace, lighted with gas, and hiis
every arrangement for convenience and comfort, and
is nicely furnished by the society. It is probably
not equaled by any parsonage in the Conference. The
entire cost of lot, church and parsonage, as com-
pleted and furnished, was not far from thirty-six
thousand dollars, and the society believe that abetter
church for the money does not stand i?i New Hamp-
shire. There is no mortgage upon the |)ro|>erty, and
the society is free from debt. The plans of the church
edifice were drawn by \Vm. M. Butterfield, a member
of the church; the building committee consisted of
David H. Young (chairman), Hilas Dickey, Wm. M.
Butterfield, Charles Hutchinson and Clirtord M. An-
derson. These gentlemen, especially the first on tlie
committee, gave a great deal of time and earnest
effort to the enterprise. Under their supervision the
expenditures were made with unusual care, and
great praise is given them for the results, so highly
satisfactory to all. But credit is especially due to
Rev. Mr. Drew, who obtained and collected most of
the subscriptions and bad a general oversight of the
whole work, lie toiled early and late, amid mani-
fold discouragements. He determined to conquer,
and the church stands as a monument to his energy
and persistency. He de-serves all the good words that
can be said of him in connection with this enteri)ri8e.
A grateftil society will ever hold him in remem-
brance.
The pastorate of Mr. Drew having expired. Bishop
Simpson, in April, 1883, transferred Rev. J. M.
Avann from the New England Conference (J2astern
Massachusetts), and appointed him as the first pastor
of the new church.
St. Paul's Church has always been a revival church.
Scarcely a year has passed without a goodly number
of conversions. Up to December, 1884, twelve hun-
dred and ten had united with the church on proba-
tion, and doubtless five or six hundred other converts
have gone from its altars to swell the membership of
the other Protestant Churches in the city. The church
has never had men of large means among its mem-
bers, and it has suffered many disadvantages, so that
social considerations have drawn many away from it
to other churches in the city ; besides this, the tran-
sient character of a large part of the population haa
scattered its former members far and wide over the
country. The records show that three thousand seven
hundred and fifty-one persons have been connected
with this church from first to last in lull membership.
Now that the church has better facilities for work>
there is the prospect of increased usefulness, with the
assurance that it will hold and assimilate those who are
drawn to it. The firstyear in the new buildinghas been
one of unu.sual success. One hundred and twenty-four
have been added to the membership, — sixty-three by
conversion and sixty-one by letter. The receipts from
pew-rents and collections during the year have been
four thousand six hundred and twenty-seven dollars^
one thousand and fifty-two dollars of which has been
for benevolent objects and the remainder for current ex-
penses. The present membership of the church is
five hundred and seventy. The following is a list of
former pastors, with the years of their service :
John Jones, 184" ; Silas Rreen, 1841 ; Elihu Scott, 1842 ; Jsmcs W.
Morey, 1843-44 ; (isitian (', Baker, 184n ; .Tolin .lones, 1846-47 ; Saiiniel
Kclley, 1S4S ; Loreuitu 1>. Barrows, l»4!l ; Charles N. Smith, 186<) ; Silas.
Quidiby, l^ll ; John .Spauliling, 18.'t2 : Klisha .\dani8, IS.'ia-M ; H. H.
Ilartwell, 18'j.m'.C ; Kichard S. Rust, 18.".; : HcTirj- Hill, 1858-5!l ; John
Currier, 18WI ; .lames .M.Buckley, 181.1-02; Jonathan Hall, I86.i-&1;
William H. Thomas, 180,1-06 ; Hiram L. Kelsey, 1807 ; Daniel C. Bab-
cock, 1808-09 ; E. .\. Smith, 1870-72 ; James Tike, 187.'i-74 ; C. B. Pit-
blado, 187.')-77 ; George W. Xorris, 1878-7!l ; A. E. Drew, 1880-82.
The First Unitarian Society.' — The Unitarian
Church in ^Manchester did not originate from a change
of base on the part of an orthodox Congregational
Church, as in so many cases in New England, nor yet
in an open and formal seces.sion from any existing
ecclesi;istical organization. It appears, rather, to have
been an independent movement, promi>ted by a desire,
on the jiart of a few persons, to sustain liberal senti-
ments in religion, and to worship God in a freer and
happier way than seemed possible to them in the
orthodox connection.
In January, 1841, Rev. S. Osgood, a ministei* thea
1 By Rev. E, B. Payne.
MANCHESTER
lUl
residing in Nashua, began, by invitation, to preach
the Unitarian faith in Manchester, i^abbatli stTvices
were held for four months, when it was thought best
to suspend them until the town hall, then in process
of erection, should be completed, aflbrding a more
suitable place in which to hold the meetings.
In March of the following year, 1S42, the town hall
■was secured and services were re.sunied, with a view
to making them permanent. Rev. Charles Briggs,
secretary of the American Unitarian Association, in
Boston, preached on a Sabbath, and Rev. O. H. Wel-
lington was then engaged for the month of April. On
Sunday evening, .\pril 24, 1S42, pursuant to a call for
& meeting of those interested in sustaining Unitarian
preadiing in Jlanchester, the following persons met
for consultation at the house of William Shepherd:
John 1). Kimball, William Shepherd, E. A. Straw,
James May, M. G. J. Tewksbury, James McKeen Wil-
kins. H. F. Richardson, R. F. Osgood, Edwin Bodwell,
Herman Foster and J. H. Kimball.
After thorough (lelil)eratie>n the following resolution
was unanimously adopted:
" Itftolted, That wo will form (lurselvea into a society for the more
■effectual support of Unitarian preaching in the Town of Manchester, and
that wi- will pruceed, aia soon aa may bi;, to organi/A' regularly under the
law* '^( thin State."
Jlessrs. Daniel Clark and E. A. Straw were appointed
a committee to draft ami report a constitution for such
a society, and an adjournment was then had until
Wednesday evening of the same week.
At the adjourned meeting (Wednesday evening,
April 27th) the committee, above mentioned, reported
a cMjnstitution for the government of a religious soci-
ety, to be distinguished as the First Unitarian Society
in Manchester, N. H. The i>reaml>le, as iniiicating
the spirit and purpose of the organization, is hereby
appended:
" Preamiii.r.
"The object of this AMOclation is to support andetuoy the more effect*
ually the institution of our Jioly religion. Our belief Is in the reality of
Divine Reveliitiun, and in the Hiblo an the recoiil of that revelation. We
xlcsire to know its truths, and, in nil charity and love towards our fellow-
men, to maintain them. Such being our purpos«>, we unite ountelvos in
this ass4j<-iati(>ii, with the love of God, and of his son, .lesus Christ ; the
love of the Ojvine truths as taught hy Christ during his mission ui>on the
earth ; and the love of all his eliildren, our felloW'Uien and brethren,
•trong in our hearts, hoping to establish and maintain an ultur where
the sons of iniiii may worship their t'reittor as their conw-ietices slinll dic-
tate, nntratumeted by any of tlies^,- fettering creeds, the offspring of hu-
man ingenuity alone. To do this wo pledge our zealous and humble
efforts, and in promoting this obji'ct it sluill be our endeavor to merge
all local and party feelings and all sectarian prejudices. Praying for Di-
vine useistance, and hoping for tlio riches of Ood*s gnicc and mercy,
conscious of purity of intention, of muinal alTection, of a love for truth,
and holy concern for our fellow-inoii, we unite ourselves, fur the further-
ance of our object, into a religious society."
The articles of the constitution arc omitted from this
sketch, as being only the business basis of the organ-
ization and of no public interest. The preamble and
constitution were unanimously adopted, and the orig-
inal signers were as fullows: E. M. Straw, William
Shepherd, J. D. Kimball, Job Chamberlin, Joint H.
Kimball. .Tames May, George W. Tilden, George Hall,
M. G. J. Tewksbury, Daniel Clark, Francis L. Clark,
.\lfred W. Rhoads, Benjamin F. Osgood, B. F. Man-
ning, Isaiah Winch, J. B. Upham, A. G. Tucker, J. B.
Moore, O. P. Wareuer, H. S. Reed, Charles F. Warren.
E. A. Straw was chosen clerk and treasurer, and at
a subsequent meeting, May 1, 1842, John D. Kim-
ball was elected president, and Messrs. William Shep-
herd and B. F. Manning directors.
The movement being now well launched upon its
career, the members set hopefully to work to realize
their objects. Rev. O. H. Wellington became the
first pastor. He was ordained July 19, 1842, Rev.
C. SteLson, of Medford, preaching the ordination
sermon. The attitude of the religious coniniunity to-
ward Unitarianism wassbown in the fact that, whereas
the pastors of all the churches in the town were invited
to be present at the ordination and assist in the ser-
vices, they all declined except the pastor of the Uni-
versalist Church.
In the afternoon of the same day Rev. William
Channing, of Nashua, preached before an assembly
called to organize a church in connection with the
society. In view of the above-mentioned action on
the part of local ministers, it is curiously suggestive
that the text of Mr. Channiiig's sermon was the words
attributed to Jesus in John xvii. 22, 23, — " That they
may be one, even as we are one: I in them and thou
ill nio, that they may be made perfect in one."
The church was duly organized, the following per-
sons.beingthe original members: Benjamin F. Osgood,
S. Manning, Esther Parker, Melinda Osgood, Mehit-
able Eastman, O. H. Wellington, C. A. K. Welling-
ton, Susan Jlanning, .John Cadwcll, H. M. A. Foster.
The following statement was adopted as the basis
of their union :
"I. This Society believe that the Bible is an nuthoritativo and suffi-
cient rule offaiti) and prnetico, and is the creed, and tlio only creed, that
should bo imposed upon eliurchos, and the only platform upon which alt
churches can Ih' founded.
'* II. As fiod hiLs made no two ntinds alike, diversities of opinion, even
among Christians, must be oxpecte.1 to occur,— diversities which no men,
or biidy of men, liave a rlglit to suppress by any measures other than an
appeal * to the law and the testimony,' by fair argunu'Ut and i>ersuasion,
I and not by i^xpulslun from church meudtership or by tlie cry uf heresy,
I and tliereforo this society recognizes, iw its second leading principle, the
right of private Jndgeinont.
" 111. As men may believe in correct doctrines and y<d have corrupt hearts
— may profes.s rullgl(Ui without iMissessing it,— may comply without en-
tering into their spirit and nmy luive excellent feelings and emotions and
yet not he Ciirlstians, hut cannot live hubltniilly the Christian life and
manifest the Christian temper and spirit unless they be Christians, this
I society therefore fnrtlier declare that in their Judgmetit tlio CliristiaD
I life and character are the only true and reliable tests among (Christians,
and cheerfully agree Uy invite and nK:elve to their fellowship all, twth
ndtiisters and people, who manifest this character and receive the Scrip-
tur>'s as their rule of faith, however mmdi any such uu*y differ from the
I majority of the society in ri'spect of opinions."
It will be seen from these declarations that the
founders of the church made it their primary end
to emphasize and espouse the practical and vital
interests of religious life anil work, and were com-
paratively inililt'erent to theological and ecclesiastical
1 concerns.
102
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
For nearly a year more tlie jjublic services of the
new church antl society were held in the town hall,
but during the following year a. lease was secured of
a small chapel, built by the Methodists in 1841, and
standing on the corner of Hanover and Chestnut
Streets. The first services were held there on July
2, 1848. Some time during the suuinicr this building
was purchased from the Methodists and removed to
a lot, donated by the Amoskeag corporation, on the
corner of Merrimack and IMne Streets.
Mr. Wellington remained as pastor only two years,
when his health necessitated his de[)arture. He was
succeeded by Rev. A. Dumont .lones, who was installed
July 10, 1844. Mr. Jones remained only until the
end of March, 1845. From that time until 1848 the
church was without a settled pastor, the pulpit being
supplied by different ministers, none of whom re-
mained for any great length of time, except Rev. M.
J. Motte, who preached regularly for one year during
1846—47. This was a period of great discouragement
for the friends of the movement. Their numbers
failed to increase, and debts were incurred, and the
prospect generally seemed unpromising. Atone time
a motion was made to dissolve the society. This,
however, did not prevail, but seemed to inspire the
faithful with a determination to persevere. Resolu-
tion and zeal brought the enterprise through these
disheartening days.
A fortunate move was made in February, 1848, in
extending a unanimous call to Rev. Arthur R.
Fuller, a brother of the famous Margaret Fuller. The
call was accepted and Jlr. Fuller was installed March
29, 1848. The new pastor proved to be a man of
unusual talents, and during the five years of his
pastorate the society was greatly increased and
strengthened. It was found necessary to enlarge the
church, which was done, its seating capacity being
increased to the extent of twenty-four pews. Tlie
life and work of the church promised large and liberal
things, but in 1853, Mr. Fuller, whose abilities had
become widely recognized, received a call to the New
North Church in Boston, and resigned his pastoral
office in 1855.
The society was now established and strong, and
since that time has held its ground and steadily
grown until it is now one of the leading religious
organizations of the city and State. The pastoi-s who
have served the church since 1853 have been as fol-
lows: Rev. Francis Le Barren, from August, 1853, to
October, 1855; Rev. W. L. Gage, from June, 1856, to
April, 1858; Rev. Sylvan S. Hunting, from Septem-
ber, 1858, to November, 1861 ; Rev. A. W. Stevens
from September, 18G2, to October, 1865; Rev. Au-
gustus M. Haskell, from September 6, 1866, to March,
1869; Rev. C. B. Ferry, from December, 1869, to the
summer of 1874 ; Rev. Harvey from November,
1874, to the spring of 1883. The present pastor is
Rev. E. B. I'ayne, who was installed in February,
1884.
The church worshiped in the building on the cor-
ner of Merrimack and Pine Streets until 1859, when
an exchange was made for a larger building, for-
merly occupied by the Free-Will Baptist Society, and
standing on the corner of Merrimack and Chestnut
Streets. This building, in turn, they sold in 1871,
and erected their present house of worship on the
corner of Beech and .Vmherst Streets, dedicating the
new church in 1872.
It remains to be sai<l only that the years have wrought
significant changes in the mental and spiritual attitude
of the society. It has gradually departed farther and
farther from the ortliodoxy of forty years ago. It
no longer stands, in all respects, indeed, upon the
platform provided by its original founders. It still
emphasizes, as much as the older generation did, the
practical and vital side of religion, rather than the
dogmatic and ecclesiastical interests. It would re-
affirm, upon occasion, the sincerity of its intentions, —
the love of man, the purpose of affording opportu-
nity to worship in the free and untrammeled exercise
of conscience and the desire to do good in the com-
munity where it lives and labors. But it has dropped
out of its thought and sympathy almost entirely the
theological ideas held by the early members, and
expressed or imjilied in the preamble to the consti-
tution and in the statement of principles on which
the church was founded. Indeed, the church, as a
separate organizatif)n, has disappeared, interest in it
and the conscious need of it having ceased. There
remains only the society. The Christian ordinances
of baptism and the Lord's Supper are no longer ob-
served. The majority consider these as so much
entangled with the orthodox and historical Christian
faith that they ought to be passed by by those who
seek the natural foundations, the real essentials and
1 the sweet simplicities of religion. So, too, the ma-
I jority have ceased t« trouble themselves with the
j vexing question whether or not we are, in the histor-
ical and accepted sense, a Christian Church- Tliey
believe there is something which is indisputably
I nobler than to be Christians, — namely, to be souls,
genuine, generous, hale and hajipy souls, ready to
accejit every reality in itself and in its relations, and
holding themselves as servants to the truth, when it
is knowu. And even these ideas are not formulated
I into a church creed to compete polemically with the
definite creeds of other churches, and to constitute a
dividing line between our little communion and an
: outside world regarded iis hostile and alien. These
; sentiments indicate rather a drift of tliought and
feeling to which we gladly yield, iisto a movement of
the brooding spirit which appears to move on the
waters. The society, in short, is a simple organ iza-
i tion, uniting those who realize the moral quality, the
spiritual significance and the impartial justice of
the universe, and to accept it, before all BibUs, as
j the revelation of the true, the beautiful and the
' good.
MANCHESTER.
lOS
The TJniversalist Church,' — The germ of what
is now the Uiiiversalist Society of Manchester was
started in 182o at Amoskeag vilhige, by Dr. Oliver
Dean, then agent of the manufacturing company out
of which the Amoskeag Company grew.
I)r. Dean was a man of energy and hirge business
capacity, and the succes.s of manufacturing in our
city is largely due to his eft'ort.s. But he was not only
a man of hu.-iiness capacity, but was a man of strong
religious principles, and even before he settled per-
manently in the community he invited ministers of
his faith to the village and e.stablished Univcrsalist
preaching. Services were continued under his direc-
tion until 183;?, when we learn from the records these
facts: On the 4th of September, l.S3;i, the following
persons associated themselves together as the First
Univcrsalist Church of Bedford and Gofl'stown, and
l)artook of the Lord's Supper :
Frederic A. Hadsdon, John Stark (3d), George
Daniels, Hiram A. Daniels, John Mullett, Edwin
Smith, David Fiske, Xelieniiah Preston, Mary Parker,
Mrs. Pattee, Nancy I'oor, Moses Gage, John V. Wil-
son and Caleb Johnson. There is now but one of
the original members living, the Rev. J. V. Wilson,
who was ordained to the ministry in 1835. The first
pastor of the ehunli was Rev. Frederic A. Hadsdon.
On the 2()tli of November, 1S33, the church met at
the school-house in Amoskeag, and chose Rev. Frede-
ric A. Hadsdon moderator, and George Daniels
cleric of the meeting. After adojiting a declaration
of faith and a constitution, ( Jeorge Daniels was chosen
clerk and treasurer, and Wilbur Gay a deacon. The
meetings thereafter werehelil in Amoskeag Hall. The
records were kej)! until November 21, 1833, at which
time Archibald Dow was chosen moderator. The
meeting dissolved and no further records of the
church can be found.
In the following year, 183!l, the society removed to
the village of Manchester, on the east side of the
river, and erected the church now occujiied by the
8'jciety iti the same year. The church wiis dedicated
in 1840. The size of the house originally was fifty
by eighty feet. The land on which the church stands
was given to the society by the Amoskeag Company,
and contains ten thousand S(|Uare feet.
It appears by the records that on the 12lli day of
April, 1842, several members of the society met at
the residence of the pastor for the ])uri>o.se of consult-
ing on the subject of church organization. A com-
mittee wa.s appoi?ite(l to report on the subject, and on !
the 10th of May follnwing, a church was organized.
Thus it appears that a second ehureh was organ-
ized, though there is no record that the first church
was ever disbamled. Thus far we have only a record
of churches. Whether during this jieriod there had
been a parish organization we know not, but there
probably was. The oldest record is in isto. The
Ulv H.'V. I.. K. M. Kiiiii.l.
oldest record there is of a legal meeting is Decem-
ber, 1850, at which time S. W. Parsons was elected
president.
The society has had in its history ten settled pas-
tors, — Rev. Frederic A. Hadsdon, whose pastorate
began with the history of the church and closed in
1837. Neither the records nor the history of Man-
chester show that there was any other settled pastor
until 1840, but older members of the society say that
Rev. Hiram Beckwith wiis settled for two years after
the resignation of Rev. Mr. Hadsdon. Rev. N. Gunni-
son, the next pastor, began his services in May, 1840;
he resigned in October of the same year. Rev.
George W. Gage was ordained as pastor in June,
1841, and was dismissed at his own request in 1843.
In January, 1843, the Rev. B. M. Tillotson was settled
as his successor, and continued in charge until October,
1859. He was succeeded by Rev. B. F. Bowles in
June, 18G0; ho resigned in ISGfi. The Rev. S. L.
Rorifaugh was installed June 26, 1867, and resigned
October, 1868. He was succeeded, January 1, 1860, by
Rev. Thomas Berden, who resigned in December,
1871. The Rev. G. L. Demarest began his labors as
pastor September 1, 1872, and closed his labors Feb-
ruary 1, 1875. Rev. L. F. Mclvinney became pastor
of the society on the 1st of May, 1875, and continues
as pjistor at the present time, or nearly ten years.
After the buildingof the church the society prospered
beyond expectation, and the house proved too snuill
for the congregation; accordingly, in 1850 it was en-
larged by an addition of twenty-five feet in width, or
one-half its former size; it was rededicated the same
year with ai)propriate services. In 1855 a vestibule
was added to the front and the organ now in use pur-
chased at an expense of three thousand dollars. In
1878, the church being in need of repairs, it was deter-
mined to raise funds for that purpose. Eight thou-
sand dollars was the estimated cost, which was readily
subscribed, and in June of that year the work was
commenced, and uniler judicious management was
completed at a cost of seven thousand dollars. The
church was rededicated "with approjiriate services in
October of the same year. Rev. A. .1. Patterson, D.D.,
preaching the sermon. The one thousand dollars re-
maining was a[)|died to the payment of a debt of
fifteen hundri'd dollars that had long been owed by
the society. The following year the balance of the
debt was paid, and from that time till the present the
entire expenses of the society have been paid from
the pew rentals of the church. The society cele-
brated the liftieth anniversary of its organization on
the 2d of November, 1883, with appropriate exercises.
Twice in the history of the society a new society
has been organized from it, but neither were destined
to live. Nearly every society in Maneliester nundicrs
among its mend)ers those who once worshipeil with
the I'niversalists. Almost the entire wealth of one
of the large societies was in time past connected with
this organization. Somt; of the most intluential men
104
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
in the city and State have been connected with this
cliuich, and few churL-hcs have done more to educate
and liberalize the general public. The church build-
ing i3 now the oldest in the city. The society is free
from debt and ])ro.siierous. With a faithful member-
ship in the future, as in the past, and the blessing of
God, it will still have a work to do that shall redound
to the good of the community and the praise of Him
who is the source of all truth.
Grace Church.' — The first services of the Episcopal
Church were held in the school-house, on Lowell
Street, on the second Sunday in July, 1840, by the
Rev. P. S. Ten Broeck, of Concord, and were followed
by others, conducted by the Rev. T. Edson, of Lowell,
and otiier clergymen. A hall in Union Building was
subsequently fitted for services, af which a meeting
for the organization of a church, to be known as St.
Michael's, was held November 28, 1841, and on De-
cember 17th the Rev. W. H. Moore was elected rector,
and entered upon his duties on Christmas eve.
A building, i)reviously used by a Baptist Society, on
Concord Street, was hired and occupied in June, 1842,
and until December 28, 1843, when the congregation
removed to a new church, built of wood, on the north-
€ii.st corner of Lowell and Pine Streets.
On the Sth of June, 1860, the corner-stone of a new
church, to be built of stone, was laid on the same lot
by Bishop Chase. The name of the church was at
this time changed to Grace Church. The church was
built after designs by Richard Apjohn, and was con-
secrated December 4, 1860.
The church has grown with the growth of the city,
the present number of comnmnicants being over two
hundred. The following is a list of the rectors, with
the duration of their rectorships: the Rev. W. H.
Moore, from December 24, 1841, to Ai>ril 23, 1848, six
years and four months; the Rev. John Kelly, from
June 18, 1848, to April 1, 1852, three years and ten
months; the Rev. 1. (J. IIul)l)ard, from May 16, 1852,
to April 1, 1866, thirteen years and eleven months;
the Rev. W. J. llarri.s, from June 3, 1866, to January
1, 1869, two years and seven months; the Rev. L.
Sears, from November 1, 18(J9, to the present time,
fifteen years and six months.
St. Ann's Church (Roman Catholic).— In 1844,
when the Catholic piipuhilioii nf the town numbered
about six hundred. Rev. William McDonald was ap-
pointed as their pastor. They connneneed worship
the next year in Granite Hall, and, four years later,
commenced the erection of a brick church, on the
southeast corner of Merrimack and Union Streets,
known iis St. Ann's. After they had begun to hold
services in it, it was Ibund to be unsafe, and they were
compelled to take it down and rebuild it. The prop-
erty, including a parsonage, is now valued at about
sixty thousand dollars. The venerable Rev. William
McDonald still remains the pastor at St. Ann's,
1 lly Kov. L. Soars.
assisted by Rev. John T. Lyons and Rev. John
Griifin.
St. Joseph's Cathedral. — St. Joseph's Church was
built in 1869, on the southeast corner of Lowell and
Pine Streets, being dedicated April 18, 1869. Rev.
John O'Brien was jiastor until 1877, being succeeded
by Rev. Thomas D. Healy, who remained in charge
until June, 1880, when Rev. Denis M. Bradley became
pastor. Rev. James Doherty and Rev. F. X. Burke
have been his assistants. This church, on the occa-
sion of the consecration of its pastor, Rev. Denis M.
Bradley, as first bishop of Manchester, was raised by
the Holy See to the dignity of a cathedral, and is now
known a.s St. Joseph's Cathedral. The right reverend
bishop is assisted in attending to the spiritual wants
of the people by Rev. Thomas Reilley, Rev. Denis
Hurley and Rev. John Teniin. The church property,
including the new episcopal residence, is valued at
about one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars.
Right Rev. Dexis M. Bradley, Blshop of Man-
chester — Bishop Bradley was born in Castle Island,
County Kerry, Ireland, February 25, 1846. His father
died in 1853, leaving his widow to care for their family
of six children. In 1854shecamewith them to America
and settled in Jlanchester, N. H., where the boyhood
of Bishop Bradley was jiassed. He attended the
Catholic schools of Manchester, and fi)r a more lib-
eral education entered the College of the Holy Cross,
located at Worcester, Mass., where he was graduated
in 1867. In September of that year he entered St.
Joseph's Provincial Theological Seminary, located at
Troy, N. Y., where, .June 3, 1871, he was ordained
priest. Shortly after his ordinati(ni he was assigned
to the cathedral at Portland, Me., by Right Rev.
Bishop Bacon, where he remained nine years,
during which time he filled the various positions ot
rector of the cathedral, chancellor of the diocese and
bishop's councilor under Bishop Bacon, and also
under his successor, Bishoj) Healy. Close applica-
tion and long-continued attention to his various
duties at Portland impaired his health, and in 1879,
with the view of regaining it, he went to Europe,
where he remained six months, and returning but
slightly improved by the change and rest, re-entered
upon his duties at the cathedral, which had become
even more exacting than when he left. After a short
time, finding that he was unable to discharge the very
laborious duties of his position, he was, on this ac-
count, chosen by Right Rev. Bishop Healy, in June,
1880, pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Manchester,
N. H., which position he held until consecrated to
the high jjosition of bishop. It having been found
that the diocese of Portland, embracing, as it did, the
States of Maine and New Hampshire, was too large
to be properly cared for by one bisho]), the arch-
bishop and bishops of the province of Boston united
in a |)etition to the Holy See to create New Hamp-
shire a new diocese, with Manchester as the Episcopal
See. The Holy Father, in accordance with the prayer
-^J^^ J^ '^-^
!
MANCHESTER.
105
of the. petitiou, created the See of Manchester, and
appointed Rev. Father Bradley its first bishop. He
wa.s consecrated in his cathedral cliurch, in Man-
chester, .June 11, 1884, by the Mo.st Rev. Archbishop
of l!<.>ston, at the age of thirty-eight years, four montlis
and six days, thus being the youngest person in the
history of the Roman Catholic Church in the United
States to hold so exalted a position. There were
present at the consecration ceremonies the arch-
bishop, six bishops and one hundred and eighty-
five priests. Bishop Bradley luts under his juri-sdic-
tion about eighty thousand Catholics, under the
spiritual care of forty-five priests. There are in the
new diocese forty churches, fifteen parochial schools,
two academies for young ladies, two orphan asylums,
one hospital and one home for aged women.
Bishop Bradley is a gentleman of culture and has
the confidence and respect of a large number of the
citizens of the State, irrespective of denominational
boundaries.
St. Augustine's Catholic Church (French). — To
Rfv. ,1. A. Chevalier's elliirts is iliu- the organization
of the parish of St. Augustine. When he came here,
in May, 1871, the French were worshiping at St.
Joseph's and St. Ann's. He immediately took steps
to organize a congregation of the French Canadians
of the city, and soon held services in Smyth's Hall,
which were well attended. Subsequently his followers
Wiirshiped eleven months in a hall at the corner of
Elm and Pleasant Streets, and then for two years in
the church at the corner of Merrimack and Chestnut
Streets. Meanwhile money for a church edifice had
been raised, and one wjis in the process of erection at
the corner of Beech and Sjinice Streets, its deilication
ov urring November 27, 1874, which, with the parsoii-
ag •, is valueil at sixty-five thousand dollars. Rev.
Mr. Chevalier still remains the pastor, and is assisted
by Rev. ('. Lfafcrtum''.
St. Marie Catholic Church i French). — So large has
been the increase of Manchester's French population
that St. Augustine Church soon became inadei)Uate to
accommodate the worshipers, and in l>i80-81 another
church, St. Marie, was erected in VV est Manchester,
on Beauport Street, nearly opposite the McGregor
bri'lgc. Its dedication occurred in the spring of the
latter year. The first pastor was Rev. .loseph I).
Halile. He remaine<l in charge of the parish until
March, 18.S2, when Rev. Peter Hevcy, the present
I)astor, wiLs appointed as his successor. The church
property, which includes a parsonage, is valued at
eight thousand dollars.
Christian Church.— September 21, 1870, in Whit-
ney's Hall, Ferren's buililing, occurred a meeting
which brought intoexislenee the Christian Churcli in
thi> city. A society was organized October I9th of that
year, and the men and women interested in what is
technically known as the Christian belief held meet-
ings in Whitney's Hall for a year. January 15, 1871,
the Fir~t ('hristiaii ('Iiim<1i was organized. The first
settled pastor was Rev. O. J. Hancock, assuming
charge of the church August 6, 1871. The next month
the place of worship was changed to the city hall.
Jlr. Hancock left the church August 28, 1872, and
shortly after was appointed superintendent of the
Young Men's Christian Association. January 5, 1873,
Elisha H. Wright became pastor, remaining until Sep-
tember 9, 1876. The other pastors have been E. C.
Abbott, from September lo, 187t), to February 10,
1879 ; D. B. Murray, from April 1, 1879, to April 1,
1880. The present pastor, Rev. Gideon T. Ridlon, has
had charge of the church since December 18, 1881. The
society owns no real estate, but leases Mirror Hall as
a place of worship, which it has occupied since 187G.
The church membership is one hundred and forty-
one.
St. James' Methodist Episcopal Mission Church.
— This church was organized Juue 2, 1881, under the
name of the People's Methodist Episco|)al Mission
Church, with twenty-three nanies upon the member-
ship list. Services were held in the city hall for
eighteen months, the church then removing to the
chapel that had been erected on Pennacook Street,
near I'ine, and has since worshiped there, but for the
hist few months under a new name, — the St. James'
Methodist Episcopal Mission Church. The society
greatly pro.spered under the ministration of Rev.
W'illiam A. Loyne, who acted as pastor from its in-
ception until April, 188.'), when he was succeeded by
Kev. Otis .S. Danlurth.
Second Advent Society. — Believers in the second
advent doctrine held servicesinJIanchesteras early as
1843, and have continued them most of the timesince,
worsliiiiing in (iraiiite Hall, Merrimack Hall, in halls
in Museum Building, Merchants' Exchange and Mar-
tin's Block. In 1881 a church Wiis creeled between
I'carl and Arlington Streets, near the Ash Street
School-house. Not till 1870 did the Adventists have
any organizatiim, but on the 1st of August in that
year they formed a society on the biLsis of a belief in
the spceily coming of Christ, and the adoption of the
New Testament as a rule of life, making Christian
character the only test of mend)ership. The present
chapel was dedicated January 2, 1881. Tlie property
owned by the Adventists, which includes a parsonage,
is valued at five thousand dollars. Elder Charles R.
Crossett, who had been pastor of the society since its
reorganization, in May, 18H0, having resigned, a call
was exti-nded to Elder B. .McLellen, of Lowell, which
was accepted in October, 1883.- The Second .Vdvent
Christian Association controls the property.
City Missionary Society.— In the spring of 1847,
.1. E. Seymour was iiii|iloyed as a city missioimry .by
individuals interested in the cause of religion, who
paiil bis salary and hired a hall, where he opened a
Sunday-school and conducted religious services. In
this way the idea of a free church was suggested, and
the building on the northwest corner of Merrimack
and Beech Streets was built in 18.')0,and dedicated on
106
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
the 23d of October of that year. The land on which
it stands was given by the Amoskeag Company, and
tlie nioni'v which built it was the contributions of in-
dividuals in the city, and of the ConfjiCjiatioual and
I'rcsbytiTiuu Churches in the State. The property is
held in trust, on condition that the seats in the church
shall be free, and that public worship shall be main-
tained by the Manchester City Missionary Society,
which was leaally organized A|)ril 24, ISaO. Shortly
after the church was liuilt it seemed desirable that a
church should be regularly organized to worship there,
and December 30, isr)2, it was formally organized un-
der the name of the Christian Mission Church, which
has been extinct ior many years.
West Manchester Union Congregational Church
was organized September 10, ISS.'i, with lifty members.
Ira Barr, George Murdough and Adam Dickey were
elected deacons, and Ira Barr clerk. On Thursday
evening, September 13th, Charles F. Carter, of Chico-
pee, Mass., a graduate of Andover Theological Semi-
nary, was ordained and installed as pastor of the
church.
The building in which the society worships, located
on Main Street, was constructed in 1820 by the resi-
dents of Piseataquog who were of the Presbyterian
faith ; but the occupants of the ten dwellings then
constituting the village were not able to support a
l)astor, and services were not held regularly, and in
1842 the proprietors disposed of it. The |iurchasers
fitted the upper portion for educational purposes, and
an academy was opened that year. The Wesleyan
Methodists held services in the lower part in 1855.
For ten years, from 185(5, the Presbyterians occupied
it, having organized a church in 185!). In 1870 the
church l)uilding was given to Mrs. Mary P. Harris,
through whose liberality it was repaired. She placed
it in the hands of the Young Men's Christian Associ-
ation, which leases it to the Union Congregational
Society.
Spiritualist Society. — Tliis society was organized
DcriiuKcr. ISSO.
German Church of the New Jerusalem. — This
church was regularly
orgaiiizei
September 4, 1881, by
Rev. A. O. lirickman.
Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church.— This
church was organized in .lunc, 1S82. Services are
held al tlie Mission Chajiel.
First Presbyterian Church (German). — Thechurch
organization was effected July 2(>, 1882, by the Pres-
bytery of Boston. The pastor, Rev. Fred. Erhardt,
was installed October !(>, 1882.
French Protestant Church. — The organization of
this church was cllceted March 24, 1881, when the first
pastor. Rev. Gideon .\ubin, wiis installed.
CHAPTER \11.
MANCHESTER— [Continued).
Odd-Fellowship— Othur liOiiges and Societies — The IJlotljiet Ciinal —
Driving Park — Court-House — Cemeteries — Water-Works — Fire I>e-
partnieut — Tlie Amoskeiig \'eterana — Military Record, ISCl-Co — List
of Officers and Privates — Soldiers' Mouument.
Odd-Fellowship' as understood and practiced in
j this country, though, in a measure, the outcome of an
1 English order, is emphatically an American institu-
[ tion, and will ever be so regarded in history. It
claims no great anti(iuity. Its origin is not clouded
I in the misty legends of ages long since written on the
scroll of time. No raysterios surrounded its birth ;
no Eleusinian rites attended its baptism; no Druidic
ceremonies were performed as it entered upon its ca-
reer of usefulness through the instrumentality of men
then only known in the humblest walks of life, seek-
ing to lighten the burdens of a common humanity
and to promote the interests of those banded together
for a common purpose. The leader in this fraternal
and benevolent enter])rise, that has now culminated
in one of the grandest charities of this or any other
age, was Thomas Wildey, an Englishman by birlh,
an American by adoption. A mechanic by trade, of
generous impulses, po.ssessing a sympathetic heart
and an open hand, soon after his arrival in Baltimore,
and while struggling for a livelihood among those <if
his own class in a portion of the city visited by want
and pestilence, he conceived a scheme of mutual
assistance and self-help in time of sickness and gen-
eral misfortune. To this, he thought, might be added
the pleasures of a social hour when the toils and bur-
dens of the day were at an end. Full of this iileaas he
|)loddcd at his trade or rested his weary body at iiigbt
upon a scanty bed, with the encouragement of one
sympathetic soul only, John Welch, he ventured to
call a meeting at the Seven States Tavern, on Second
I Street, for consultation. This meeting occurred on
the 2Hth day of April, 1819, at which time five pcr-
I sons were jiresent, whose names have liecome distiii-
I guished, and one of which, at letist, is immortal, for
the part taken in the organization of a world-wide
charity. We give their names for historic reference:
' John Welch, John Duncan, Richard Rush worth.
1 John Cheathem and Thomas Wildey. These were
■the founders of Washington Lodge, No. 1, still ac-
tive, whose humble, commencement marks the origin
of American Odd-Fellowship, now grown to be one
of the largest, most successful and eminently popular
fraternities in the world. Thomas Wildey, in a
special sense, was the father and founder of American
Odd-Fellowsliiii, and his great name will ever be as-
sociated witli this wonderful mission of humanity in
the world.
Owing to adverse circumstances and the unrelent-
' By P. <i. M, .loseph Kidder.
MANCIIESTKK.
107
ing prejudices that existed against all secret societies
in our country, the growth of Odd-Fellowship was
Blow and feeble. At the end of two decades there
were only one hundred and thirty lodges, with a
membership of less than ten tliousand. The total
revenue fell below sixty thousand dollars, while the
annual relief did not aggregate five thousand dollars.
In 1840 the bulk of the lodges were located in Mary-
land, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, while in
thirteen other States and Territories the order had
gaine<i a foothold only. .Vboutthis time jjcople began
to consider the exeelleney of its principles, and to ad-
mire its unselfish charity and benevolent works. In
three years it took a rapid stride and more than tri-
pled its lodges, membership, revenues and relief. A
widespread interest was awakened, and its growth
became almost unparalleled in the history of the
organization. Like a huge wave, started at the centre
of the sleeping lake, it widened and broadened its
circles until its influence touched nearly every State
and Territory in the Union. It was during the latter
part of the year 1843, September 11th, that it gained
a foothold in New Hampshire in the organization of
Granite Lodge. No. 1, at Nashua. -Vt that time Man-
chester, now the queen city of the State, was only a
vigorous little town lying on the east bank of the
Merrimack River. The population was small, but
the people had great expectations. Among those
drawn to the embryo city in the hope of acquiring
weahh and achieving an honora1)k' reputation among
their fellows were men of liberal views, sagacious
instincts and benevolent imi)ulses. An.xious to pro-
mote the material interests of the place and to better
their own condition in legitimate ways, they were
still not unmindful of the claims of society for a higher
civilization and better systems of relief to those in
sickness and in want. In various ways they learned
of the new benevolent and fraternal order,Jii.st estab-
lished in a neighboring town. They desired to test
its practical value by personal knowledge. They
would see and know if its pledges and promises were
fulfilled through its daily works, anil if the results
would justify the necessary expenditure of time,
money an<l effort to organize a lodge. Five of this
class ajiplied to Granite Lodge and were admitted to
membership and took their degrees, sis the preliminary
8t<'ps for a branch of the order at Manchester. .Vrraed
with the necessary papers, they ai)plied to the proper
source fur a charter, and on the 21st day of December,
18o;i, Ilillslporougli Lodge, No. 2, was duly organized
by grand ofhcers from MiLssachusetts. The names
of these pioneers, representing different trades and
professions in life, were Dr. Charles Wells, Walter
French, .lames M. Harncs, Isaiah Winch and .Taeob
Ci. C'illey. These brothers, one after the other
having fullillcil their mission, dropped out from the
earthly life and entered the lodge of the unknown.
The last to part with his lodge was the venerable Dr.
Wells, who died December 28, 1884. Of those ad-
mitted to the lodge on the night of its institution only
one remains. John S. Kidder, a native of Manchester.
I The first Noble Grand of the lodge wjus Captain Walter
French, a man of noble presence and generous im-
pulses, who lost his life May (>, 1853, in a terrible rail-
road accident at Norwalk, Conn., while returning from
a l>usiness engagement in the South.
Popular from its org.inization, Hillsborough Lodge,
like the county from which it derived its name, has
ever occupied a pnmd positicm among the social and
fraternal .societies of the State. In all, there have
been received to membership during the forty-two
years of its existence nearly one thousand brothers,
embracing representative men from all the honorable
walks of life. Deaths, withdrawals and other causes
have reduced the nund)er. so that now the list shows
less than four hundred in good standing, — the fourth
lodge in membership in the jurisdiction. Its total re-
ceipts aggregate sixty thousand dollars, while the dis-
bursements in charity and relief alone have reached
twenty thousand dollars. Its present assets, exclu-
sive of furniture, fixtures and other property, are
811,046.45. Since its organization it has never
omitted its regular weekly session for the transaction
of business, and the continuous meetings, without in-
terruption, in round numbers, are two thousand two
hundred, — a record, perhaps, which no social, religious
or benevolent society in the State can claim. The num-
ber of Past Grands falls a little below one hundred.
For thirty-two years in succession the lodge has cele-
brated its anniversary with approjiriate services in the
presence of brothers and their families and invited
guests. This lodge is as permanently established as
any church in the city, and enjoys a high reputation
for works of charity and love.
Odd-Fellowslii|) in .Manchester grew up with the
town and city. On the 21st day of November, 1845,
on the petition of Horace (lordon and six other
brothers holding withdrawal cards from Hill-sborongh
lodge, our late brother, Samuel H. Parker, then
Grand Master, in accordance with the laws of the order,
issued a dispensation for Mechanics' Lodge, No. 13,
and after the institution installed the oflicers.
It was an event of unusual inlerest. The new
lodge started with the approbation, prayei-s and best
wishes of the mother-lodge. Its growth was phenom-
enal. Under the wise administration of its charter
members and others attracted to its membershiji, it
soon became a social ami fraternal power, ami as-
sumed high rank among its sister organizations.
Three of its members, viz., .lolin I '. Lyford, (Jcorge W.
Weeks and Charles H. Brown, were elected Granil
Masters of the Stale, and subsequently occupied the
distinguished positiiin of representatives in theSover-
eigTi Grand Lodge at Maltimorc. Many of its brothers
have filh'd important places in the city government,
and exerted a large influence in the social and civil
affairs of the State. To-day, numerically. Mechanics'
Lodge is the largest in the Stati', and financially it is
108
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
■on a. solid basis, having a surplus above its present
needs of twenty thousand dollars or more. Its mem-
bership per last report was lour hundred and twenty-
four. Its prospects for the future are of the most
i'heering character.
From the returns in the office of the Grand Secre-
tary, it appears that in 1852 there were thirty-nine
subordinate lodges in the jurisdiction, with a total
nu'nibership of twii thousand five hundred and seventy.
Through various adverse circumstances during a
jieriod of eight years, Odd- Fellowship in New Hamp-
shire experienced a retrograde movement. In 1860
there were only twenty-three lodges, sixteen having
become dormant or extinct, reporting only sixteen
hundred and forty-one members. The outlook was
discouraging, and many brothers dropped out of the
order, with the general impression that it would
soon collapse, aud its mission prove a disa.strous
failure. In this hour of darkness to the fraternity,
a few noble brothers, with unflinching faith in their
hearts, and willing to make personal sacrifices in
behalf of "Friendship, Love and Truth," re-
doubled their diligence, in the full assurance that
their labors would not be in vain. Brother George
W. Weeks was Grand Master; and, conscious of the
responsibility placed upon him by the Grand Lodge,
with the encouragement and assistance of a few
whose faith in the institution and its grand princi-
ples never faltered, even in the darkest hour, he gave
his best efforts in l)chalf of the trust committed to his
charge. The outflow from the order was stopped.
The doubting were confirmed ; the feeble made
strong. The clouds lifted, and again the sun shone
on the enterprise so dear to faithful hearts. The
year closed with the loss of a single lodge, but with
an increase of seventeen members in the rjtate. The
year 1860 was the pivot on which the order turned.
It was under Brother Weeks' administration ; and
from that day forward, now a period of twenty-five
years, there has been an annual increase in our num-
bers, until to-day we report seventy lodges in good
condition, with an honored membership of more than
nine thousand in the (iranite State alone. Fidelity
to our principles aud faithfulness to our brothers
during the war with the South commanded universal
respect, and brought hundreds knocking to the doors
of the lodges, who would scarcely have known of the
order but for the protection, assistance and comfort
it brought to the soldier on the tented field, in the
camp, the hospital and the prison-pen.
In 1866 several young men, members of Hillsbor-
ough and Mechanics' Lodges, petitioned Grand Mas-
ter Doe for a new lodge to be located at Manchester.
The movement was ai)provcd by the old lodges and
some of the influential brothers. On the 8th day of
August, Wildey Lodge, No. 4"), was instituted, with
imposing ceremonies. Henry A. Farrington, since
■Grand Master and Grand Representative, for his zeal
And aitivitv in the movement, wa.-* elected the first
Noble Grand; and he performed the arduous duties
with much credit. Like its predecessors, Wildey
Lodge has made for itself a history of which the
order may well be proud. Probably no lodge in the
State has upon its rolls so many professional men,
iiuluding lawyers, doctors, ministers and teachers, as
Wildey Lodge. In point of ability, character and
efficiency, it is the peer of any in the State, and will
ever do its part to bear aloft the banner on whose
folds are inscribed the beautiful emblems of our
order. Its present membership is nearly three hun-
dred. Bearing the honored name of the father of
American Odd-Fellowship, may the members ever
emulate the zeal and persistency of the founder of
the order, who gave his long and useful life to the
dissemination of our j)rinciples. So shall Wildey
Lodge be a pillar of cloud by day, and a i)illar of
fire by night, to lead many weary feet into the paths
of virtue, plenty and peace.
Beside the three subordinate lodges here mentioned,
there are other branches of the order in Manchester
of which we would speak. Wonolanset Encampment,
No. 2, has a membership of two hundred and twenty-
five; and Mount Washington, two hundred and eight.
Ridgely Camp, No. 2, of Uniformed Patriarchs, num-
bers about one hundred, composed mo.stly of young
men who have a taste for military movements and
military display. The rich uniforms and the fine
martial bearing of the Patriarchs constitute a feature
of nuicb attraction when the members are on parade.
During the summer they usually make an excursion
or two out of the State for recreation and amuse-
ment.
Social Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 10, is said to be
the largest and best organization of the kind in the
world. It numbers nearly five hundred members,
about equally divided between the sexes. It has
been organized more than ten years. With the ex-
ception of Noble Grand, the officers are mostly ladies.
Between the several bodies here named the most
friendly relations have ever existed, and they work
in the utmost harmony to promote the best interests
of the fraternity. They jointly occui)y apartments in
Odd-Fellows' Block, a building owned by the order,
and worth fifty thousand dollars. Residing in the
city are seven Past Grand Representatives to the
Sovereign Lodge. The order in the city is a great
power for good, and is so regarded by the people.
In Hillsborough County there are twelve lodges,
eijual to one-sixth of the seventy in the State. They
are located as follows, viz.: Granite, No. 1, and Pen-
nichuck. No. 44, Nashua; Hillsborough, No. 2, Me-
chanics', No. 13, and Wildey, No. 4o, Manchester;
Peterborough, No. 15, Peterborough ; Wel)ster, No.
24, Gotfstown; Mount William, No. 37, North Weare;
Valley, No. 43, Hillsborough Bridge; Aurora, No. 49,
Hollis; Waverly, No. 59, Antrim; Gustos Morum, No.
42, Milford. These twelve lodges embrace a member-
ship of two thousand two hundred, or very nearly
i
MANCHESTER.
109
onc-i|uarter part of all the Otld-Fcllows in the .*^tatf.
From this Dic;igre sketch somcthiug may be learned
of the hold the order has on the people of the county, j
and the miglity, salutary influence it may exert on |
all the institutions within her borders. With seventy
thousand dollars of surplus means, every dollar of
which is sacredly plcdfred to the relief of its mem-
bers, with the intellectual and moral force represented
by the brotherhood, together with the friendship and
love begotten of the order, there is reason to believe
the institution is permanently located in our midst,
and will i>ro8per for an indefinite period. '
Other Societies. — Among other societiea, etc., are
the following:
Knights of Honor. — Alpha Lodge, No. 245, instituted
March 11, 1876; Temple Lodge, No. 2065, instituted
February 27, 1880; (rolden Rule Lodge, No. 2445, in-
stituted April 2il, 1881 ; Alpine Lodge, No. 2886, or-
ganized December 28, 1882.
Knights and Ladies of Honor. — Harmony Lodge,
No. 423, instituted April 13, 1881; Unity Lodge, No.
642, instituted March 30, 1883.
Knighinof Pg/hiuK. — Granite Lodge, No. 3, instituted
April 8, 1870; Merrimack Lodge, No. 4, instituted
May 6, 1870; Endowment Rank, Section 26, instituted
December 18, 1877 ; Knights of Pythias Mutual Aid
Association, instituted May 23, 1872; Knights of Py-
thias Uniformed Battalion, instituted May, 1882.
United Order Golden Cross. — Grand Commandery,
instituted .May 1, 1870 ; Manchester Comnuindery,
No. 89, instituted December 8, 1879 ; Mizpah Com-
mandery, No. 181, instituted February 1, 1882.
AyidenI Order of United Worhne/t. — Pioneer Lodge,
No. 1, instituted August 9, 1878; Security Lodge, No.
8, instituted April 20, 1883.
Ruyal Arcanum. — Delta Council, a mutual benefit
association, instituted Jlay 8, 1878.
Ancient Order of Foresters. — Court Granite State, No.
6790, instituted April 4, 1881.
United Order of rUgrim Fathers. — Webster Colony,
instituted July 5, 1881.
Improved Order of Bed Men of New Hampshire. —
Pasiiaconnaway Tribe, No. 5. instituted April, 1881.
Provident Mutual Relief Association. — Sub-Associa-
tion No. 38, instituted May 1, 1879.
Order of the Iron 7/'///.— Instituted July 20, 1883.
American lycgion of Honor. — Rock Rimmon Council,
No. 40, instituted October 14, 1879.
Patrons of Husbandry. — New ilanipshire State
Orange; .\moskeag (irange. No. 3, instituted August
26, 1873.
Grand Army of the Republic. — Lncampment Louis
Bell Post, No. 3, organized 1868 ; Mutual Aid Associ-
ation, instituted March 3, 1876.
Manihcster War Veterans. — Organized in 1866.
Sons of Vetrrans. — Camp W. W. Brown, No. 1, or-
ganized October, 1882.
Sons of St. George.— llcurt of Oak Lodge, No. 91.
Oerman •Societies. — Turnverein, organized 1870;
Order of the Harugari, Barbarossa Lt>dge,No. 329, in-
stituted February 4, 1874.
£oat Clubs. — Cygnet, instituted June 21, 1882;
Emerald, organized .\ugust 19, 1881; Emmet; Leo;
Longwood; Northern Star, organized .Vugust 23,
1879; Shamrock; Star; Trident.
Military. — First Regiment New Hampshire Volun-
teer Jlilitia; Head Guards, organized July 24, 1865 ;
Manchester City Guards, organized March 17,1873;
Sheridan Guards, organized August 1866; First New
Ham|)shire Battery, Platoon A, organized August 31,
1868 ; Amoskeag Veterans, organized in 1854 ; Man-
chester Cadets, organized in 1873 ; Amoskeag
Zouaves, organized June 13, 1883.
Independent Order of Good Templars. — Grand Lodge
of New Hampshire, organized October 11, 1865;
Union Degree Temple, No. 20, instituted February 21,
1876; Stark Lodge, No. 4, instituted May 31, 1865;
Merrimack Lodge, No. 4, instituted December 6, 1866;
Harris Lodge, No. 45, instituted May 22, 1878.
Royal Templars of Temperance. — Granite State
Council, No. 1, instituted November 28, 1878.
Hanover Street Temperance Society.
Sons rf Temperance. — Instituted March 12, 1S83.
Catholic Temperance Societies. — St. Paul's Total Ab-
stinence JIutual Benefit Society ; St. John's Total
Abstinence and Mutual Benefit Society, instituted
February 18, 1875.
Woman's Christian Temperance Union. — Instituted
November, 1874.
Reform Club — Instituted May, 1874.
The Old Ladies' Home, located on Hanover, corner
of Pine Street. A benevolent enterprise, which owes
its existence to the thoughtfulness of Rev. William
McDonald, is this institution which adjoins the Or-
phans' Asylum. It was established in 1880, anditsob-
ject is to provide a home for aged and indigent women.
The Home is in charge of several Sisters of .Mercy.
<SS;. Patrick's Orphan Asylum. — It was instituted in
1870, and was first located on Laurel Street, and in
the same year, upon the purchase by the Roman
Catholics of the Harris estate, at the corner of Han-
over and Pine Streets, for which fitVy-five thonsaud
dollars wa.s paid, it was moved to that place. The
asylum is designed to supjily a hotne for orphans and
sick and needy women, and is under the direction of
Sister Mary Ligouria, assisted by a number of Sisters
of Mercy. Instruction is given in the elementjiry
branches of education, and the children arc also
trained in housework. This worthy benevolent in-
stitution was founded by Rev. William .McDonald, and
the funds for its maintciumce are contributed by St.
Ann's Church.
W(/mcn'» Aidand Relief //os;7i7a/.— This institution,
located in Bakersville, was established by the Man-
chester Women's ,\id ami Relief Society in 1878, llie
free use of the building, owned by the Amoskeag
corporation, having been tendered for this purpose
by the late ex-Governor E. A. Straw. The building
110
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
has been put in thorough repair, enlarged by the ad-
dition of another story and otherwise adapted to its
purpose. It is supported and controlled by the
Women's Aid and Rclief'Society, and its main pur-
pose is to provide a home and nui-siug for the indigent
sick, but patients who are able to pay are received
when desired, it' there are beds unfilled.
Miscellaneous.— New Hampshire Agricultural So-
<'iety ; New Hami)shirc Poultry Society, organized
1867; New Hampshire Fish and Game League; New
Hampshire Press Association, organized July 25, 1868 ;
Manchester Women's Aid and Relief Association, in-
stituted Janu.ary 21, 1875 ; Manchester Board of
Trade — President, Daniel Clark; Manchester Grocers'
Association, instituted May 16, 1862 ; Manchester
Teachers' Association, organized February 16, 1883 ;
Manchester Scientific Association ; Chautauqua Lit-
erary and Scientific Circle, organized October 1, 1880;
the Grattan Literary and Dramatic Association ;
Dartmouth Alumni Association ; High School Ly-
ceum ; trustees of the Elliot Hospital, incorporated
in 1881 ; Electric Light Company, chartered by the
Legislature of 1881, and organized with a capital of
twenty-five thousand dollars; New Hampshire Tele-
gragh Company, chartered July 10, 1876 ; Northern
Telegraph Company, organized in 1866; The Granite
State Telephone Company (Bell patents); Opera-
House Company ; Uncanoonuck Road Company,
chartered June 26, 1877 ; Amoskeag Honorary Asso-
ciation, instituted December, 1881 ; Young People's
Working Association, organized November, 1882;
Philharmonic Society, organized October 16,1883;
Ancient Order of Hibernians, No. 1 ; Ancient Order
of Hibernians, No. 2, instituted November 20, 1880;
Ancient Order of Hibernians, No. 3, instituted June,
1882; St. Patrick's Mutual Benefit and Protective
Society, organized March, 186H; St. AugustineSociety,
organized June 16, 1878, incorporated March 7, 1882;
St. Jean Baptiste Society, instituted April, 1871 ;
Toadies' National League, instituted December, 1880;
Irish National League, organized April 13, 1883 ;
Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, organized April,
1860; Young Republicans' ]..eague, organized October
4,1882; Young Men's Democratic Club, organized
December, 1882; Franco-Canadien Naturalization
Club, instituted August 11, 1882; Derryfield Club,
organized April 13, 1875; Jackson Literary Club,
instituted December, 1880; Manchester Bicycle Club,
organized March 22, 1882; Manchester Rifie Club,
instituted May 7, 1883 ; Manchester Shooting Club,
organized April 2, 1879; Society for Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals, organized June, 1880; Manches-
ter Horse Railroad, incorporated 1876; Mendelssohn
Choral Society, organized October 16, 18S3; Thalia
Club, organized August 1, 1883; JLirnionic Society,
instituted October 22, 1883 ; Gazaille Transmitter
Company, chartered by the New Hampshire Legisla-
ture in 1883.
The Blodget Canal. — The first projector of inter-
nal improvements in this section of theState was the
Hon. Samuel Blodget, who was born in Woburn,
Mass., April 1,1724. He was an active and persever-
ing man. He bad been a sutler in the colonial wars
and also in the War of the Revolution, a judge of the
Court of Common Pleas, and a merchant with exten-
sive business connections. He located at Amoskeag
in 1793, and soon conceived the idea of building
around the latter a canal, through which might be
carried to market vast quantities of lumber from the
Ibrests which grew on the banks of the river. He be-
gan work upon it May 2, 1704. He lost time and
money in a vain attempt to make practicable a lock of
his own invention, and it was not until May 1, 1807,
having spent all his own fortune and what money he
could raise by lotteries, that he saw his work done.
He died on the 1st day of September of the same year,
and his canal, passing into the hands of the proprietors
of the Middlesex Canal, was of great benefit till the
railroad destroyed its usefulness and it went to decay.
Judge Blodget was a far-sighted man. He invited
Boston capitalists to build in Derryfield the mills
which others erected thirty years after, and, in antici-
pation of their construction, he bought the clay lands
where the well-known Hooksett brick are made to-
day. It is well written on his monument in the Val-
ley Cemetery that he was " the pioneer of internal
improvements in New Hampshire."
The following is a copy of Blodget's charter for the
canal :
" To the honoral>le the SetKtle rf: House of Representatives of the State of
yeir Hampshire^ the Petition of Satituel Blodget most respeet^fitlli/ shewcth —
"That a spirit of enterprise and exertiun has cif lute been wunderfully
.Tnd successfully displayed by the citizens of a neiglihouriiig State in the
erection of briilges and formins of canals, even in places which, not
many years since, were esteemed impracticable — that a canal round
Patucket falls is nearly conipleatod — that another leading from sjiid falls
to Boston, by a mul not exceeding twenty miles, will bo commenced
next spring — that a third carried n>und the falls at Amoskeaj; would, in
coiyunction with these, open a direct water communication with Boston
k Newburyport to the inhabitants of an extensive country on the banks
of the Merrimac above said falls, the wood and timber of whose forests
are now of inconsiderable value, occasioned principally by the loss of
imtnensc quantities of lumber of the most valuable kind in passing over
tile falls ; a melancholy proof of which they at all times exhibit— that
your petitioner is fully convinced that the whole of this loss may bo pre"
vented by a canal — that under this conviction be has purcbiuied the only
piece of ground over which one is practicabb — A has actually entered
ii{)on the enterprise, with an intention to risque his fortune in accom-
plishing a work of so much public utility. — Your petitioner, therefore,
relying on the public spirit of the honoralilo Court, requests that your
hoiu^rs will take the premises into consideration, and gratit him a Char,
ter, by which he nuiy bo secured in the peaceable enjoyment of the valu-
able property, which he is about to invent in the proposed canal — A
assign him a reasonable toll to compensate him for his services ; A giro
him leave to bring in a bill accordingly.
**.\nd as in duty bound shall evei' pray
"Sam" Bi.onoKT."
Post-Offices. — The fiist post-office in this town was
established at the "Center" in 1831, with Samuel
.Jackson postmaster, a{)poiiited by President Andrew
Jackson. Mr. .Jackson held the office until it was dis-
continued in 1840.
The first post-office in what is now the city proper,
then known as " Amoskeag New Village," was estab-
MANCUESTEll.
Ill
lislicd in February, 18-HI, with Jesse Duiicklee as post-
MKtstcr. Tlie following is a list of the postmasters
Jiom that time to tlie present : Jesse Duncklee, from
IV'bruary, 1840, to March, 18-10 (deceased) ; Paul Cra-
'zin, 1840—15; Warren L. Lane, 1845— 19 ; James Her-
M.y, 1849-53 ; Colonel Thomas P. Pierce, 1853-«1 ;
havid J. Clark, 18iil-t)5 (deceased) ; Colonel Bradford
I'.. Cilley, 18(J.5-70; Joseph L. Stevens, 1870, present
incumbent.
The Amoskeag post-office was established in 1828,
with Samuel Kimball as postmaster.
The post-office at Gotlc's Falls was established in
1872, with Isaac \V. Darrah, postmaster.
The Piscataquog post-office was established in 1810,
with James Parker postmaster. He was followed by
Jonas B. Bowman, James McKeen Wilkins, Colonel
John S. Kidder and Leonard Kuiidlett. The office
was discontinued al)out 1840.
The Water-Works.' — So rapid was the early
growth of Manchester that a pressing need for a
public water supply came earh' in her municipal e.x-
istence, and earlier than public opinion was prepared
to indorse the undertaking of an enterprise of su<-h
magnitude. Some bitter experience must needs first
■come as an educator, and it did come from time to
time, as in several tires among the mills, the burning
•of the town-house, the destruction of the public
library and museum, of several newspaper offices, of
the State lleform School building, of important com-
mercial buildings, and finally of an extended conHa-
gratioii, destroying a whole sijuare in the heart of the
city in 1870.
The construction of a public water supply is, with
rare exceptions, the most important matter which any
municipal organization is forced to consider, inaugu-
rate and push on to completion, or, on the other
hand, to hinder and defer, while the necessity and
devastation continue. .Vfter the burning of the
town-house, in 1844, a committee of citizens was
chosen to consider the question of a water supply,
but the citizens were not yet ready for united
action. An aqueduct company was chartered by the
Legislature in 1845, and the city, although invited,
declined to take stock to aid the private enterprise.
Other charters were obtained from the Legislature in
1852, 1857 and 1865, but the city still declined to
foster the enterprise or to agree to pay for public fire
hydrants, but constructed some fire-cisterns in the
streets. In the mean time there was a thirty thou-
sand dollar fire in the Stiirk Mills, a sixty-five thou-
sand dollar lire in the Print-Works, and the library
was destroyed.
In 1860, Hon. .Tames A. Weston, Jacob F. James
and Ilev. William Richardson made an extended re-
connoisanee, covering all the sources available to the
city, and prescnteil the information gathered to the
City ('ouncil.s. Mr. J. B. Sawyer prepared a report in
> Bj J. T. Funning, O. E.
1869. Early in 1881 the City Councils ajjpoiuted
a committee to consider anew the question of a
public water supply. This committee employed Wil-
liam J. Mc.Vlpine, an eminent engineer, to advise
them, and embodied his report with their own for
presentation to the City Councils.
The report of this last committee, following as it
did soon after a disa.strous conflagration, led to a peti-
tion to the Legislature for the passage of a water act.
An "Act to enable the City of Manchester to
establish Water- Works " wiis passed on the 30th of
June, 1871, and " An Ordinance in relation to Water-
Works " was i>asscd by the City Councils on the 1st
day of August in the same year.
This ordinance vested the management of the water-
works in the mayor ex-officio and six other persons,
to be elected by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen,
and styled the Hoard of Water Commissioners.
Immediately after the i)assage of the ordinance,
.Messrs. E. A. Shaw, E. W. Harrington, William P.
Newell, Aretas Blood, Alpheus Jay and A. C. Wallace
were elected water commissioners, and Hon. James
.v. Weston, being mayor, became a member of the
board ex-nfficio.
On the following 7th of August this board per-
fected its organization by the election of Hon. E. A.
Straw as president of the board and Hon. S. N.
Bell as clerk.
The ordinance provided that one of these original
commissioners should go out of ofiice each year, and
that one member should be annually elected in the
month of September, for a si.x-year term, by the Board
of Mayor and Aldermen.
There had been up to this time, and still continued
to be, much diversity of opinion as to which was the
best source of supply, and confiieting opinions as to the
system of sui>ply and the design of various details of
the proposed work. The earnestness with which these
matters were publicly discussed and difl'erenl sources
and plans advocated led to the pa.ssage of a resolution
by the City Councils instructing the commissioners to
examine different systems of water-works in different
cities, in order that the best, mo.st economical and
advantageous mode of sup|)lying the cily with water
might be adopted.
A majority of the board, complying with the
instructions of the Councils, visited several cities in
New England, and also M(mtreal, and carefully noted
the peculiarities and ellectiveness of different systems
of water supply. While at Norwich, Conn., they met
Colonel J. T. Fanning, engineer of the water-works
then recently completed in Norwich, anri engineer
also of water-works in several other cities, and invited
him to make for them an examination of the sources
of water supply available t<> the city of Manchester,
and to report upon the sources and method of supply
which he shoulil deem most advisable for the com-
missiiiners to adopt.
In the mean tijiie the commissioners obtained per-
112
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
mission to use tempi)rarily a supply of water from the
Amoskeag Manufacturing Company's reservoir for
fire purjjoses, and pii)es of ciglit inches diameter were
laid from the company's main, on Brook Street, along
Chestnut, Pearl, and Pine Streets, to Merrimack
Street. This line of pipe was commenced in the
autumn of 1871, and completed in the following
spring, and immediately filled with water for a fire
protection. It included about one and three-eighths
miles of pipe and seventeen fire hydrants, and cost
$10,141.15.
On completion of the preliminary surveys and re-
port, in the autumn of 1871, Colonel Fanning was
appointed chief engineer to the Board of Water Com-
missioners. The additional surveys, plans and esti-
mates necessary for a detailed comparison of all the
sources were completed in the spring of 1872, and the
results embodied in a report to the commissioners
under date of March 1st, and the report contained a
general map showing all the sources considered.
The nearest and most ample volumeof water being
the Merrimack River, early consideration was given
to this source. The Merrimack waters could be
pumped to a reservoir that might be conveuieiitly lo-
cated on the hill east of the State Reform School
building, but experiments with the water showed that
it must necessarily be filtered when the river was
above the ordinary spring level, and that proper fil-
tration would require a heavy annual expense for
operation, and a ccmsiderable expenditure for con-
struction of filter-beds of sufficient capacity. The
Piscataquog River was examined and carefully studied
also. It having been urged by a few of the citizens
that some of the small ponds northeasterly of the city
would furnish sujjplies of water. Dorr, Chase, Burn-
ham and Stevens' Ponds were thoroughly investigated,
and found, by proper computations, to yield entirely
inadequate supplies for the immediate needs, irrespec-
tive of the future needs of a growing city. At Ma-
ple Falls, in the southea-stern part of the town of
Candia (distant about eight miles from the city hall)
were found natural features admitting the construc-
tion of a fine storage reservoir of nearly four hundred
acres area, and of considerable mean depth, and hav-
ing a water-shed of about ten sciuare miles. This
storage reservoir would have been at an elevation of two
hundred and twenty-three feet above Elm Street at
the city hall, and is the only gravitation source near
the city that was found to be worthy of adoption.
Southeasterly of the city lies Lake Massabcsic, having
an area of nearly two thousand four hundred acres and
water-shed of about forty-five square miles. The out-
let of the lake is about four miles from the city hall.
Analyses of the Massabcsic water showed it to be
of most excellent (juality for domestic and industrial
uses. The vegetable organic matter in the water was
found to be l.CG grains, and mineral matter l.Ki grains,
or a total of 2.82 grains per gallon, equivalent to 4.7
parts in 100,000 parts. The stream flowing from this
lake is known as Cohas Brook, and enters the Merri-
mack River at Gofte's Falls.
On Cohas Brook, about one-quarter of amile below
the outlet of the brook, near the old McMurphy mill-
site, a dam was located and raised to the level of the
water in the lake. This, with the canal below the
lake, gave a fall of forty-five feet available for power
where the pumping-station was located, near the ter-
mination of the canal. In the pumping-station were
located two pairs of pumps, of the vertical bucket-
plunger class, of combined capacity to pump a maxi-
mum of five million gallons of water in twenty-four
hours. Two Geyelin-Jouval turbines were placed Id
the building to drive the pumps, having a combined
capacity of two hundred horse-power. A pumping-
station was constructed of bricks, with slate roof, to
contain this machinery, and attached to the station
is a commodious tenement for the attendant in charge
of the pumping-station.
A reservoir of about thirteen million gallons ca-
pacity was constructed near the church at Manches-
ter Centre. The water of the lake is lifted by the
pumps one hundred and thirteen feet from the lake to
the reservoir, and as the reservoir is elevated one
hundred and fifty-two feet above Elm Street at the
city hall, the water flows from thence throughout the
city by gravity. This reservoir was filled on its com-
pletion, near the close of September, 1874, but the
pumps had Itcen started early in the previous July,
pumi)ing the water through the distribution pijies,
with the surplus flowing into the Amoskeag Com-
pany's reservoir. The force main from pumps to res-
ervoir, eight thousand one hundred and seventy-one
feet in length, and supply main, eight thousand tour
hundred and ten feet in length, from reservoir to Elm
Street, are twenty inches in diameter. The entire i>ipe
system contained, at the completion of the original
works, at the close of 1874, one hundred and tweuty-
two thousand and seventy-one feet of pipes, one hun-
dred and seventy-two stop valves and two hundred
and fifteen public fire hydrants, and seventeen thou-
sand six hundred and two feet of small service pipes,
laid by the commissioners from the street mains to
the property lines for the supply of water consumers.
The cost of constructing the works, including cost
of lands, water-rights and preliminary surveys, was
$614,009.83. The cost of service pipes, meters and
oi)crating expenses during construction of the works
wiis 820,028.75. On the 24th of October, 1874, a
public test was made of the water-works by the city
Fire Department. During the test sixteen hydrants
were brought into simultaneous use, twelve of which
were supplying leading hose-streams and four su])ply-
ing steam fire-engines, and thus twenty powerful
streams were arching over Elm Street and its loftiest
buildings at the same time, presenting in the sunshiny
October afternoon a most brilliant and beautiful scene,
and strengthening the confidence of the citizens in
the capacity and efliciency of their public watersiip|ily.
I
MAXtllESTER.
113
On com|iU-ti(m of the original works, Mr. Charles R.
Walkor became their supiTintenilent, and has retained
the office ten years. At the close of 1884 the amount
of pipes laid had increased to 229,916 feet, about 43.5
miles, the .stop-valves to 310 and public fire hydrants
to 371 in number, and the service pipes, to a total of
65,7t)t) feet, supply 247(i consumers of water.
In the mean time the total cost of construction, in-
cluding the extensions of the pipe system, had reached
1824,989, and the annual income of the water-works
for water sold had reache<l $75,580, or nearly ten per
cent, on the cost. During the ten years the works
have been in operation no contiagration has resulted
from the many fires started, and every fire within
reach of the works has been extinguished so promptly
that there has been no material loss at any single fire.
The original cost of the works has undoubtedly been
saved to the citizens in iirevention of losses by fires,
while the city now finds that it has been a financial
investment that willf by its income, soon reimburse it
for the original outlay and further an investment that
will return to its citizen proprietors an almost incal-
culable annual interest of safety, comfort, convenience
and health.
The Manchester Driving Park Association was
organized 1 )e(eiiilier 1, l.Ssii, and its first ofiicer^ were
as follows : President, John B. Clarke ; Treasurer,
James A. Weston ; Clerk, Samuel F. Curtis ; Direct-
ors, John B. Clarke, A. C. Wallace, C. D. Welch, A.
D. Uooden, Alpheus Bodwell, Samuel F. Curtis and
George W. Riddle. Subsetpiently John B.Clarke re-
signed the otlice of president, and fieorge W. Riddle
was elected in his place.
The association, after a careful examination of va-
rious sites for a suitable location for a park, decided
to jiurclia.se forty-five acres situated in the southeast-
ern section of the city, on the line of the Xutt road
and the Manchester and Lawrence Railroad, one mile
and three-iiuaiters Iroiii the post-office. The land was
considered well adapted to the purpose, and though
nothing better than a rough pasture with some wood-
land, it was transformed in four months' time into an
attractive park, and was visited the first week in Sep-
tember by thirty thousand people. This exhibition
of entcrjirise was but one of the many which have
been characteristic of Manchester people whenever
they have sought to add a new feature conducive to
the interests and pleasures of the city.
The jiark is furnished with all the conveniences of
a first-class driving i)ark and liiir-grounds, including
grand stand, i)ress stand, restaurant, judges' stand,
cattle-])eris, stables, building for bench shows of (logs,
poiillry-lionse, etc.
The Parker Murder. — The history of Manchester
would be iiicoiiiplrte with no reference to the murder
of .lonas L. Parker. Tiie facts were as follows: f)n
Wi-dnesday evening, March 2(>, 1845, a man called at
the bowling saloon, on Manchester Street, belonging
to Mr. Parker, stating that a Mrs. Bean, from Lowell,
8
desired to see the proprietor on important business at
Jauesville. Mr. Parker passed out of his saloon to
accompany the gentleman, first securing a lantern, as
the night was so exceptionally black, that " as dark
as the night of the Parker murder" has since become
a household phrase. On the way to their destination
the two men crossed Pine to Merrimack Street, and
soon took a i)atli that led through a heavy growth of
pine, and from this forest, in the vicinity of what is
now the corner of Beech and Manchester Streets, the
cry of "murder!" was .soon heard; but none dreamed
that it heralded the monstrous crime. "Oh, don't,
don't I" was supposed to be the outcry of .some one
being placed under police surveillance. The morning
light disclosed the terrible ghastliness of a murdered
man upon a bed of snow. Mr. Parker lay with
trachea doubly severed and deep gashes about the
hips, and wounds on other parts of the body were
discovered by Coroner .Joseph M. Rowell. The
appearance of the ground indicated a mighty struggle
for life against a fiend armed with razor and butcher-
knife, incited by the knowledge that thousands of
dollars were upon the person of the victim. About
sixteen hundred dollars escaped the rapacity of the
murderer. Mr. Parker held the office of tax collector
the year previous, and the collector's book, then in his
possession, bore the impress of blood-stained fingers.
Several persons were suspected of the crime, arrested
and tried, but no one was convicted, and the mystery
of the Parker murder, after a lapse of fi>rty years, is a
mystery still.
The County Court-House, located on the corner
of Jlerrinuick and Kr;iiikliii Streets, was erected in
1868, at the cost of forty thousand dollai's. It is a
two-story brick building.
Cemeteries. — The oldest burial-place under the
control (d' the city is what is known as the Valley
Cemetery, which was given to the town by the Amos-
kcag Company in 1840. It contains about twenty
acres. Pine Grove Cemetery contains about fifty-
four acres, and is located about two and a half miles
from the city hall, between the Calef and River roads.
Other cemeteries are the .\nioskeag, St. .Joseph, St.
Augustine, .Mount Calvary; also the old burying-
ground at the Centre; one at Gotl'e's Falls; one in
West Manchester; one near the school-house at
Harvey's Mills, called the Merrill Cemetery; one in
the eastern part of the city, known as Stowell's
Oroniid; the Bay Cemetery, on tlie River road, near
Ainoskeag Falls; the Forest Cemetery, on the ohi
Weston farm, in the southeastern part of the city : and
a small yard in the north part of the city.
Fire Department. — In 1839 the town votc<l to buy
a (ire-eiigine ami necessary apparatus. To this single
engine others were added from time to time until eight
or ten engine and hose companies were under the
city's conlrcd, when the first steam fire-engine was
bought in 1859. This was also the first one macle by
the Amoakeug Company, whose engines have since
114
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
gained a world-wide celebrity. This invention wrought
a revolution in the Fire De])artnient, and, as more
steamers were added, the haud-matihines were with-
drawn and the memborsliip diminished until the de-
partment acquired its present projiortions. The fol-
lowing is the organization of the department;
Chief Engineer, Thomas W. Lane; Clerk, Fred-
erick S. Bean; Assistant Engineers, Orrin E. Kim-
ball, James F. Pherson, Frederick S. Beau, Horatio
Fradd.
The following is a list of the companies, giving the
location and the names of members :
Amoskear Steam Fire-Engine Company, No.
1. — House, 30 Vine Street. Foreman, James R. Carr;
Assistant Foreman, Charles F. McCoy; Clerk, Frank
E. Stearns; Driver, George W. Butterfield.
N. S. Bean Steam Fike-Ex(;ixe Company, No.
4. — House, 22 Vine Street. Foreman, Eugene S.Whit-
ney; Assistant Foreman, Edgar G. Abbott; Clerk,
John Martin; Driver, Jeremiah Lane.
Penxacook Ho.se Company, No. 1. — House, 24
Vine Street. Foreman, Albert Maxfield ; Assistant
Foreman, Clarence D. Palmer; Clerk, Joseph E. Mer-
rill; Driver, Walter L. Blenus.
Massabesic Hose Company, No. 2. — House, Ma-
ple Street, corner East High. Foreman, John F.
Seaward; Assistant Foreman, Revillo G. Houghton;
Clerk, Parker W. Hannaford; Driver, Walter Sea-
ward.
E. W. Harkinoton Hose Company, No. 3.—
House, Clinton Street, Piscataquog. Foreman, .John
T. G. Dinsmore; Assistant Foreman, William Doran;
Clerk, Joseph Sihofield ; Driver, John T. O'Dowd.
Meukimack Hose Company, No. 4.— House, Park
Street, corner JIassabesic Street. Foreman, George
B. Forsaith; Assistant Foreman, Louis N. Dufrain;
Clerk, John S. Avery; Driver, Charles H. Rogers.
Excelsior Hook-and-Ladder Company, No. 1.
—House, 16 Vine Street. Foreman, Milo B. Wilson;
Assistant Foreman, Jerome J. Lovering; Clerk, Oscar
P. Stone; Driver, Charles .M. Denyou.
Independent Hose Company, No. 5 (Volunteer
Company).— House, Main Street, corner Old Falls
road (Amoskeag). Foreman, George I. Ayer ; Assist-
ant Foreman, Shernuui L. Flanders; Clerk, George
L. Stearns.
Two steamers. Fire Kixci, No. 2, and E. W. Har-
rington, No. 3, also one hook-and-ladder truck, are
"on reserve duty," to be called in ca.se of need, and
manned by members of the department. There is
also a two-wheeled hose-carriage at Derry Mills,
Gofle's Falls, for use by men employed at mills.
There are three hundred and seventy-one hydrants
(not incluiling those in mill-yards) scattered over the
city, supplied from water-works.
There is in the department nineteen thousand five
hundred and fifty feet of fire-hose.
Total value of apjiaratus is fifty-seven thousand
four hundred and thirty-four dollars.
Fire-Alakm Telegraph. — This valuable adjunct
to the Fire Department was constructed in 1872, and
comprises about twenty miles of wire, traversing the
com|)act ]>art of the city, and reaching to .Vmoskcag
and West Jlanchester, Hallsville and Bakersville.
There are thirty-si.x alarm-boxes, whose keys are kept
at adjacent houses or stores, and six strikers, situated
on the city hall, the Lincoln Street, Webster Street
and Ash Street Scliool-houses, the engine-house in
West Manchester and a tower at the north end of the
city. There are also gongs at the engine-houses and
the residences of the engineers and others.
Firemen's Relief Association. — Organized Feb-
ruary 14, 1873. Designed for the relief of any of its
members who may be injured or disabled at a fire.
The following is a list of its officers:
President, Thomas W Lane; Vice-President, James
F. Pherson; Secretary, Joseph E. Merrill ; Treasurer,
Horatio Fradd ; Executive Committee, — Amoskeag,
No. 1, George R. Simmons; N. S. Beau, No. 4, E. G.
Abbott; Pennacook Hose, No. 1,W. L. Blenus; Mas-
sabesic Hose, No. 2, R. G. Houghton ; E. W. War-
rington Hose, No. 3, John Patterson; Merrinuick
Hose, No. 4, George B. Forsaith; Hook-and-Ladder,
No. 1, Jerome J. Lovering.
The Amoskeag Veterans. — This well-known or-
ganization is next to the oldest veteran corps in New
England, the exception being the Ancient and Hon-
orable Artillery Company of Boston. The Amoskeag
Veterans is an independent company, and wa.s organ-
ized November 6, 1854, at a meeting of which Hon.
Hiram Brown was chairman and Hon. C. E. Potter
clerk.
The first oflicei-s were as follows:
William P. Riddle, colonel ; William Patten, first lientenant ; Samuol
.\ndiew6, second lieutenant; Hiraiu Brown, first major; K. T.
Stevens, second ninjor ; Sainnel W. Parsons, first sergeant ; Jacob (».
Cilley, second sirgeant; S. M. Dow, third sergeant; Reuben D.
M"oet«, fourth sergeant; .lames Wallace, first corporal ; Phinohas
Adams, second corporal ; E. G. Guilford, third corporal ; lliomas
Rundlett, fourth corporal ; .Tolin S. Elliot, surgeon ; William W
lirowu, surgeon's mate; Deujaniin M. Tillotson, chaplain; .lames
llersey, treasurer ; Frederick G. Stark, Daniel ('. Gould, John S.
Kidder, George Porter, Theodore T. Abbott, executive committee.
The objects for which it was organized were desig-
nated by the constitution to be military parades, the
protection of life and property, the iireservation of
the peace and social enjoyments. Its first parade and
ball occurred February 22, 1855.
The following is a list of the commanders of the
veterans from its organization to the present time:
General William P. Riddle, 18S4 ; Colonel Chandler E. Potter, 18".'i
Colonel Theodore T. Abbott, 18.17 ; Colonel Thonuis Rundlett, 181",
Colonel Henry T. Mowatt, 1862; Colonel Chandler E. Potter. ISM;
Colonel David Cross, ISM ; General Nott Head, 18(18 ; Colonel JIartiii
V. B. Edgcrly, 18":i ; Colonel George C. Gilmorc, 1S75 ; M. V. li
Edgerly, I87i; ; A. C. Wallace, 1877 ; D. A. Simons, 1878 ; N. W.
Cumner, 1879-80; Henry C. Merrill, 1881; frank A. McKeaii,
1882-83 ; Geo. H. Chandler, 1884 ; Henry H. Huse, 1885,
The Amoskeag Veterans include the most proiiii-
iieiit and influential citizens of Manchester and ad-
i
MANCHESTER.
115
joining towns, and is one of the celebrated military
bodies of New England.
Prior to the organization of this corps there liad
been several independent companies organized in Man-
cliester, viz. : Manrliester Rifle Comj)any, organized
in lS2o, under command of Captain James McQues-
tion; the Stark Guards, organized .Vugust 10,1840,
Captain Walter French; the Granite Fusileers,
organized August 10, 1842, Captain Samuel \\\ Par-
sons; the National Guards, organized August 17,
18«>.3; and the Smyth Rifles, organized in 1865.
Police-Station. — The present p(»lice-station was
ereited in }>^<'k It is located on the c(»rner of Man-
chester and Chestnut Streets. It is a neat and sub-
stantial brick structure, with granite trimmings.
War of 1861-65.— The following list of soldiers
was furnished l>y Manchester during the late Rebel-
lion :
FIRST UEGIMENT.
Uicbanl N. Batchelder, <|imrteriiiaster ; Fraocie H. Pike, tife-mtviur.
Compani/ C. — Joho L. Kt-lly, Murlin V. B. Richardson, CharlcB 0.
Jviiiiiwiii, Micliaol O'Flynn, Wiiliniii Mayiio. Robert Lo.viJ, Patrick Bo
ban, Cbuilos J. AiHJrews, (')iarles 11. Allen, .lames W. Allierlon, Abm-
bain Bn>wn, Frank Burr, Jeronm Blaisdoll, William H. H. Black,
n«iiiy B*jum;ll, C'harleji \. Cressc-y, Ilafikcll P. Cutlin, Francis Caliill,
Chark'8 Conner, Tbomas F. Gary, Francis II. Conner, Jobn W, Clark,
Gtrorge U. Clianiplin, Augustus B. Caawell, Cliarles H. IX-merrett, Ed-
ward <». DtKige, Jolm M. Evans, Page Ciould, John GurdrnT, John Goff,
Daniel Gile, Mantbatl IIuU bins, Frank It. Ilackett, Witliam W. llaMvl-
tou, .losepb Ilasulton, Sumner A. Ilixl^^kins, Dennis Hynes, Dsuiel Kid-
der, Frank L. Kendull, .lohn L. Lear, William 3Iajor, Charles Mace, Jr.,
Aldeii E. >I«lcalf, Charles II. Jlorrison, Frederick G. Manning, Slicbael
MardtfQf William F. Ordway, Samuel W. Pierce, Robert Richards, Al-
bert E. Rogers, (Jeorge F. Rennett, James Rooney, George W. Uinglar,
David \\. Rolling E<iniund T. Reynolds, Noble :*quarefi, Charles li. San-
bum, AddifMiu W. Tobio, George Weiivur, George W, Wells, Thomas
Welch, RoU^'rt McAnalsey, Peter O'Brien, K<lwin F. Bjildwin.
Company H. — William H. D. CiK:hmne, Christian S|iicer, Ernest
Weinbold.
iJomptXMXf A'.— HoUifl 0. Dudley.
SECOND REGIMENT.
Thomas P. Piorco, colonel ; Samuel G. I^ngloy, ailjutant ; Sylvanus
Bunt<.>n, Hur^reon.
Oomitautj .1.— Cliarlea 0. Tuttio, John C. Bcnarcbad, .\lbert Lovett,
Patrick McGrutb, Alexander Bellic, John W. Riley, Julius A. Alexan-
der, Thomas .Xdams, Jobn (.-olenian.
Corii/iuti|/ /J.— George Nelson, Thomas Kennoy, Charles Donnully,
George Coyle, All>ort Kalnon, George Bullen, Jnhn Camnicl, Michael
Culligan.
Oom;>'nit/ C— Michael Mnllins, John Smith, David Brown, James II.
Piatt, Richard A. I^wrence, Benjamin F. Cliaac, Alvin h. Wiggin.
Truik O. Robinson, Alfred W. Berbain, Lemuel M. Cox, Abner II,
Glenivnt, Duvid W. Colbiirn, Frederick R Allen, John A. Bjirker,
Charles W. Bruwn, William Calef, Henry F. Carey, John II. Cole, Har-
Tey M. Ctilby. Andrew 31, Connel, George W. Cmig, lla/en Davis, Jr.,
John Dnris, Fre<ierick W. Deurlwrn, Tburlow A. Emerson, Henry II.
H. Everett, Bernard J. Farley, Williani Fit/gcrald, Barnett E. Fowler,
Charles L. French, George R. Hanson, Cornelius Hjistings, William Bt.
l1olme>«, Jubn Adams, Wilham Brown, I>uniel DnfTee, GeiM'Ke Dexter,
Janiert Grinin, George (iilbert, James HowanI, Thoimts Jones, William
Jnmw. Williatii Kdley, Tboniiis Lorkhiirl, Peter Lnwson, Tiewin Suver-
•DCe, ]>nniel Miirry, Jubn Ni-wton, Jitnies P<-aks, Willnini I>a\is, Lewis
FlitU-, Cboilis A. McLanriEn, Harvey Hill, William HudKou, James J.
Lord, John A. .Ma«>>n, Elijah Muiih*, Charles McGlaugblln, George F.
Perr)-, George Pickuj*, Timothy H. Pike, Jonatlmn C. Qulmby, .lobn K.
Blcbanls, George H. Sargent, AlfW-d 1. Sanborn, William .'<mitb, John
H. Stearns, Alvin R. Smith, Hunitlo N. Stevens, Luroy H. Sherburne,
Charles L. TalKir, William H. Tilton, George B. Tuttio, Franklin R.
TuikiT, Franklin F. Weiberbeo.
OtiHpnn]! /). — .lainiw Dalton, William Flynn, George Scbullz, Thomas
•Smith, John Thom|Mon, .\rtbur McGinnisH, Earnest Waltham, Samuel
Woods, Jobu McDonald, John Gibson, James Johnson, William Conner,
John Lane.
C'<my*«»y E. — John Gartley, James Tracey, John Miller, Thomas
Riley, Terrence Riley, Henry Schwenke, Edward Smith, John Cos-
telle.
Cotiipunn F. — Joseph Leramons, John Jarchan, Henry Ronton, Henry
Bntnk, James Cunningham, John l>onuolly, George McCoriiiick, Charles
SIaM>n.
Oitnpnuy G. — .\ndrew Quinn, William Brown, William S. Bennett,
.\udrew Christeusen, Michael Corcoran, Charles Elliott, Willinm H.
French, Custer Jackson, John Peters, William Steele, Charles Smith,
Jubn Travis.
Company H. — Tbomafi Beatry, George P. Williams, Frank .\. Eastman,
.\bial A. Haunarord, Lucius Farmer, Heno' J- Flanders, Nathaniel F.
Swett, Joseph Tallen.
Com2>any I. — David M. Perkins, Rodney A. Manning, Thorndike P.
Ueatb, William H. Griffin, Hazen B. Martin, Edward L. Bailey, Joseph
A. Hubbard, Oscar .\. Moar, .\Ibion Simonds, .\lbert E. Shotes, .\rthur
E. Buckminster, Perkins C. Lane, Charles Vickerj', Charles H. Smiley,
Stephen J. Smiley, Samuel T. Newell, Daniel W. Newell, William H.
Appleton, Lynmn M. .Vldricli, James G. Burns. Fnink M. Hoiitelle,
Nicholas M. Biglin, James R. Carr, John S. Callcy, Leonard B. Corliss,
Jesse E. Dewey, George B. Damon, Lyman A. Dickey, Moses L. East-
man, (->rriu S. Gardner, Joseph H, Gleiison, Nonnan E. Gunnison, Eu-
gene G. Hazewell, Maitin A. Haynes, Charles T. Hardy, Luther P.
Hubbard, James M. House, Jloses A. Hunkins, Edgar D. Keiiaston,
George F. Lawrence, John E. Ogdeu, Samuel H. Oliver, Chailes K. Par-
roti, Henry M. Pillf^burj-, Solon K. Porter, .\lbert B. Kfibinson, Levi
H. Sleeper, Jr., Josiah S. Swain, William W. Wood, Charles B.
Wright.
Company A*. — Benjamin F. Ashton, Charles G. Sargent, James
Curley.
Company I'nhtoicn. — Samuel Easkie, Charles Wing, John Williams,
I William G. Slark, James Donnolly.
I THIRD REGIMENT.
.Vlviu H. Libby, atljutant ; Henry Hill, chaplain ; Harrison B. Wing,
' principal musician.
Ompuny ^.—Rufua F. Clark, Jubn R. Hyuee, Ruthven W. Houghton,
j Frank L. Morrill, Charles A. White, Roger W. Woodbury, Thomas
Johnson, Jubn N. t_'hiise, Amos D. Baker, Thomas T. Moore, (ieorge E.
Jubnson, Richard T. Holland, Samuel George, John W. Evans, John M.
Evans, William Hammett, James Sullivan, George J. Woodman, Al-
bert G. Dane, George H. Webster, Kli K. Bowman, Samuel 1>. Brels-
fords, Daviil Bryant, James (i. Femald, Cliarles 0. Ferson, Edward
Shelmn, John F. Stokes, William E. Hamnett, William L. Bennett, Ini
J, .\dams, Haskell W. Bantill, Charles N. Buckinan, George W. Bridge-
ham, William 0. D. Brown, Harrison S. Cass, Robert A. Challis, Albert
N. ("lougli, Daniel F. Culby, Harrison J. Copp, Gideon Coty, H. J. Cum-
mings, Charles o. R. l)avis, Joseph Dupray, Charles <}. Emery, C'harles
0. Fei-sou, W. W. Flanders, John Flood, George T. Fogg, Thomas F.
Gay, .Vlbert George, Charles 0. Gibson, Charles Gilbert, Walter A.
Green, Cyi-us Gorman, John W. Goodwin, Thomas Hanson, Henry T.
Hatch, John Houseman, William S. Ilodgmau, An^Irew J. Holmes, Wil-
liam II. Huntress, William M. Karney, George H. Lawrence, Luke
Leaf, George W. Lee, Samuel H. Little, Nathaniel Marshall, James Mc-
Ewen, David H. Newton, Stephen W. Nlles, Austin E. Perry, James
D. Proudman, William H. Ramsey, John II. Sjinder**, Geerge H. Web-
scei-, Hiram C. S'luires, Collins P. Tebbetts, Leander White, John R.
Wbittcn, William II. Carter, George S. Thomas, Edward Reynolds,
.Mpheus Chickortng.
fyiutpany C— John Kerwin. Michael J. Connelly, Thomas Casey,
Hugh DulToy, Matthew Byrns, John Casey, John JlcClemens, John
Crosbie, Eugene Cadorath, John IZagan, Timothy Ilealoy, Robert O'Con-
nell, .Michael E. A. Galvin, Thomas McEnry, Michael T. Donoboe,
I Robert II. Allen, Wall«r Cody, Joseph J. Donehue, James Wilson, John
I Currnn, Byron Costellu, Patrick Larkin. John Mclntire, Diiniel Maho-
\ ney, David Moure, P«ter Pelkey, James <.^uinlan, James Sniiib, Lewis
Potter, Charle* Hall, Stephen Welsh, Biistin Miir-shalt, William Allen,
Peter Smith, Joseph Potter, Edwin O'Brien, Francis Sberiibin, William
Spraguo, Ednnind Htu-kett, George .Mien, William Hukor, John Barrett,
John Ikioth, George H. Briggs, David Bryant, Bernard Farry, James
Henderson, Robert P. Murry, Gwtrge A. Woodburn, Sjinmwl Whittjikor,
James Welch.
Compttnii D.— William H. Maxwell.
Company K— George Stearns, James B. F. Towns.
' Vomitaay (1. — (liarles Gilbert.
116
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Qfmpnnt/ ff— Clmrles K. Freuch, Henry B. Eastman, Henry C. Page,
(Thai-les Hiirvey, Jacol> BoutellB, Albert Blood, Charles F. Biirnbani,
John S. Cole, Kdwani Cotter, John B. Pavis, >\'illiaui II. Foster, Fnink
Ferren, William Gracy, David Gracy, Levi Gardner, Cliarles E. Harris,
William H. Hill, Fninkliu Halladay, William E. Handy, Isaac H.
Kingsbury, Kobert C. Dow, Henry F. Hopkins, Morris Hennessey,
RobtTt Vincent, Walter J. Richards, Eben R. Adams, David A. Page,
Julius Griggs, littnson Blake, Daniel N. Atwood, Ameiicus Briggs, Al-
bert H. Luckwood, James O'N'eil, Alb-rrt H. Stevens, Donald Smith,
William Todd, James Walsh, George Bailey, John Cruwsou, Peter tiiiig-
ley, William H. Knox, William H. Knowlton, Daniel Luce, Alexander
Le Mudge, Alden E. Metcalf, Daniel S. Morrison, Charles Morgan,
Jerome B. McQueston, George Munlough, Timothy Parker, Waller
J. Richard, James C. Roach, Albert IL Stevens, Volney F. SimmoDS,
Joseph H. Wallace, Anson T. Williams, Patrick Woods, Patrick
Welch.
Compamj I. — William Johnson, David Earles, William G. Nichols.
Oompany K. — Edwin Brackelt, James H. A. A. Stead, John Whitney,
Fnincis Boyutou, Thomas Robinson, Andrew McNeil, Thomas Thomason,
Varnum H. Hill, Corwiu G. Parker.
FOURTH REGIMENT.
John L. Kelly, quartermaster ; Benjamin F. Fogg, conimisoary
sergeant .
Bawl. — Walter Diguam, Francis H. Pike, Henry Slurpby, Lemuel H.
James, John O'Brien, Alonzo Buntin, Frederick T. Page, Samuel A.
Porter, John Harrington, William Dignam, Eugene K. Foss, H. Augus-
tus Simonds, Eliphalet Dustin, Juhu Googin, Orrin X. B. Stokes, Henry
Lewis, James A. Fanihain, ReinhoUl T. Trumblum.
Company A. — Patrick BIcGee, Augustus Stenger.
Company B. — Martin J. Staunton, Slarlin V. B. Richardson.
Compuny C. — Jackson Dustin, Joseph L. C. Miller, Perley B. Rand,
George D. Stiles, George S. Tuck, William 0. Woodbridge, George M.
Kidder, Cornelius E. Parker, Robert A. Seaver, Daniel W. Rollins,
Eben H. Nutting, Alanson W. Barney, William G. Burke, Daniel W.
Knox, John Lovett, Byron Putnam, William E. Kubinson, Chauncey
Smith.
Cotnpafiy D. — Charles O. Jennison.
Comjxiii^ fc'.— Frank B. Hutchinson, Cyrus H. Hubbard, Charles H.
Reed, Stephen Kendrick, Charli-s Whiting, Edward O. Hill, Thomas L.
Newell, Francis V>'. Parker, .\iidrew J. Edgerly, John IL Baker, Alvard
E. Wilson, Charles M. Whiting, Robert Hume. Edwin Weatherstield,
Lyman Wyman, Charles Bracket!, John Malone, John L. 9Iaek, James
M. Dickey, John Lynch, Anson K. Hall. Frank A. Allen, Edaon Wyman,
Horace G. Heath, Woodbury Wyman, John G. Hutchinsi.in, Horatio N.
Bicklord, George F. Davis, Charles H. Williams, George W. Williams,
Frank Matthews, Oscar Perkins, Orrin Corrigan, William H. Webster,
Charles A. Newton, Hermann Greager, Thomas S. Burns, Kmory Wy-
man, Michael Curdy, Caricton C. Richardson, William K. Cobb, Henry
C. Osgood, John P. Smith, Charles A. Newton, John G. Hutchinson,
Charles H. Allen, William H. H. Allen, Francis A. Allen, Rufus Bailey,
William Bonner, James M. Cummings, Patrick Castless, Isaac K. Colby,
Charles A. Cressey, Owen Corigen, Joseph P. Cressey, Amos Cressey,
George E. Dunell, James M. Dickey, Jr., Daniel Emery, John Fallon,
AlpheuHi D. I-'Iag, William Gunneil, James F..GritRn, George H. Harris,
William Magerty, John Hobert, John Hackett, William B. Hart, Charles
H. Lee, John Lynch, Charles C. Livingston, Lewis S. ]MerrilI, James
Mocklor, Harlan E. Page, Levi Putnam, Thomas P. Philbrook, Ben-
jamin F. Quimby. Daniel S. Russell, Henry K. Richardson, George W.
Robinson, Larkin Sargent, John Stewart, Joseph T. Snow, Benjannu
Si>aulding.
Ojiitpanii F. — William Haskell, Charles L. Brown, James Murphy.
Company (;.— Peter O'Brien, Lyford Hunt, Michael Shaunnessey,
Dennis Ilines, William H. Brooks, James ]SI. Fogg, John Ganluer, John
E. Gerry, Charles C. Mai-sh, John ItluHen, Michael Bliwldcn, Dana
Runels, Dennis Walnh, William Beede, Edward Fields, Thomas J. Gal-
vin, Patrick Conway, .Vmos W. Brown, Morris Foley, Penni» Glle,
Zi?bina .\nni8, John Smith, Stephen C. Chapman, Frank Buss, Elbrldge
Geary, Patrick Dowd, Richard Smith, Charles P. Glcason, Peter O'Brien,
Jerome Blaisdell, Fnuiria Cahill, George A. Runneln, James M. Allen,
Michael Brosiuihau, William H. Brooks, Jaiui-s Merrow, Fii-derick D.
Wood, Jeremiah Spelan, George H. Stewart, Charles T. Maitlen, Pat-
rick Broderick, Terreiice Tniwley, William Gunston, Jeremiah Kellehor,
John Pickett, Daniel Sullivan, William Sullivan, Cornelius Sullivan,
Owen Tully, Lawrence Hern. Michael SIcHugh, John Smith, Ricliard
Smith, John Frank, Peter Williamsiin, AVilliam H. Thompson. Patrick
Brt>derick, AInios Cushing, Patrick Donnelly, James Donovjin, Itenj.tniin
F. Fogg, Edwanl Field, James Ferry, Thomiis Follen, Hiram B. Frost,
Louis J. Gillis, James Garman, Dennis Hoynes, John Howard, Cornelius
Kennedy, Dennis Keefe, James Larkin, John 0. Mastin, Charles C.
Marsh, Patrick McDonald, James Melasky, Charles Marden, Frank
Quinn, John Quinn, James Quinn, Patrick Quinn, William II. Rey-
nolds, Michael Reardon, Timothy Reardon, JIartin J. Staunton, Ashel
Stoddard, Abraham S. Sanborn, John Shea, I>eunis Tehan, Francis B.
Willey, Dennis Walch, Clark E. Wilson, John Walch, John SDirphy,
Owen Tulley.
t'oiitpuny II, — William Bonner, Orren Bush, Daniel H. May, Charles
H. Bartlett, Samuel D. Marckrey, Bartholomew Maloney, Curtis R.
Hartly.
Comjiatty I. — Geerge W. Stevens, Ephraim F. Brigham, Jonathan
P. Nicholw, John H. Powers, Heruian Nichols, Benjamin K Quimbyi
Benjamin H. Smith, Benjamin W. Smith, Enoch C. Stevens.
Company K. — Job R. Giles, Harvey M. Weed, Charles L. Batchelder,
Charles M, Currier, George W. Hackett, Israel N. Gale, Samuel B. Mace,
James Wyman, Albert G. Ormsby, Clinton Farley, John F. Davis, Gsorge
E. Fitch, JoIhi Barry, Beiijamiu Welch, Robert Clayton, Geurg*- W.
Stevens, .^lorris C. Wiggin, Samuel M. Dole, William U. Sanborn, Mon-
roe Stevens, Joseph Wallace, Fernando C. SpauUling, Benjamin Harts-
horu, William S. Barker, Joseph W. Bailey, Albert Cass, Edward Dolion,
James Fern, Frank A. Garland, Charles A. Hackett, Frederick W. Lou-
gee, Patrick O'Conuell, Nelson J. Pierce, William H. Perkins, Horace J.
Parker, William Shever, Homtio H. SteTeiLS, Heury D. Tompkins,
George Wyman, Joshua B. Webster.
Oympnnij Unknoim. — James H. German, William Hall, William A.
Viltnian.
FIFTH REGIMENT.
Samuel G. Langley, lieutenant-colonel.
Company A. — Thomas Brown, John Evans, Charles Taylor, .\lfred
Brown.
Company B. — George Stanton. Frank Howard. Tliomas Knight, James
O'Connell, .Alexander Hos*, William Hickman, John Myers.
Vomp'iny E. — Walter Summertield, George H. Houghton, t>8car E. Car-
ter, Cornelius H. Stone.
Company F. — George B. Jenness.
Company 0. — Thomsis Smith.
Company H. — WarreTi Clark, Samuel T. Smith, James Stetson, GoorgV
Bradley, Abram Cameion, Edward Chopjienger.
Company I. — George Nichols.
Company Unknown. — Walter Barnes, Hila Davis, Thomas Burns,
ThonuLs B. Langley.
SIXTH REGIMENT.
Company .1. —Charles White, Charles B. Seavej'.
Company B. ^Charles J. Gardner, Edward R. Barnett, Charles L.
Davenpt»rt, Allison Towns,
Ounpauy IJ. — John Fitch.
Com2>any K. — Ti Tison, Owen Kelley.
Compantf Unknown. — Lafayette Pettingill.
SEVENTH REGIMENT.
Joseph C. Abbott, lieutenant-colonel ; William W. Brown, surgeon ;
Henry Boynton, assistant surgeon.
dmtpuny A. — Nicholas Gill, Granville P. Mason, Edward May, Virgil
H. Cate, William C. Knowlton, James Williams, Oliver P. Hanscom,
James .\pplelon, Benjamin F. Clark, .John S. Merrill, Granville L. Ful-
ler, Henry Burke, John Hobin, Charles H. Hall, William R. Thompj-uu,
Henry S. Benton.
Company B. — Charles H, Dwiunels, .\ltVed B. Shemenway, Henry G.
Lowell.
Company C. — Robert Rochester, Charles F. G. Ames, Patrick Crosby.
Company D. — Frank Moore, James Collins, John .\Ilen.
Company E. — Henry F. W. Little, George F. Robie. Michael Dean,
Charles G. Pyee, Henry C. Dickey, Joseph Blanchett, Lewis .\sh, George
W. Putnam, Louis Seymour, Erian V. Villingham, Charles H. .Vbbott.
Company F. — Francis M. Kennison, Thomas Gilmore, John Harking.
Company G. — Waller McDonald, Patrick ,0. Day, James Doberty.
Company I. — James McCarty, Joseph FreschI, William Smith, CbarleA
Caiue, John 0. Silver, Avery Bixby, John G. Sfarkham, AVesky Glidcbn,
Edwin B. Hodgeman, Silas L. Darrah, Charles .\. Rowell, John Hjit«li,
Calvin Brown, Adam Going, William A. Clifford, Frederick G. Merrill,
Edwin Sturtetant, John Hennessey, Newell B. Bixby, Benjamin F.
Clark.
Company K. — Henry Osboru, James .\. Hills, Henry T. Robbins.
O-mpuny Unknown. — Warren E. F. Li-own, James Spinnington, William
Halt.
MANCHESTER.
117
KIGUTII KEGIMKNT.
Ilawkeii Fearing, Jr., i-ulom-l ; Charles A. Putney, quartermaster.
tompaiti/ A. — Ilybert Jones, Juiiics Slurry, James S. Jloiiroo.
Oimp-imj Ji. — Robert Keefu, Tlioiniki Harrison, Frederick Ltiiit, Joseph
- Abbott, rhHrle»i ^lills, James Wilson, John Lawton, Aloiizo W. Flao-
I' rj, William Waugti.
Compnmj V. — John Urailley, Jotteph ('ollins, George Darling, William
II. Ingrahain, William Mooro, Thomas Khodes, John Shairbartt, Henry
I Warren, Daniel JlcCarty, John Collins, Kdwunl M. Cobb, Giistavus
•[«>a, Tliomua Connelly, Cornelius Healy, Jr., William J. Gannon,
William Jonea, Lawrence F'oley, Mward Boyle, Michael Healey, Dennis
" Hrien, Thomas Gannon, Jeremiah Driscoll, Thomas Fitzgerald, John
Harrington, Daniel Haggerty, Patrick Kelk-y, John -Smith, Thomas J.
> itzgenild, John l^Iilan, Howard Judkins, Timothy Breim, Thomas
lUake, Patrick Itohen, James U. It;illon, Janu-s Flynn, Francis Kelley,
.I>hn Mullin, James T. Martin, Peter A. Shodd, Cornelius Crowley, John
'•■Ilins, 3lichael Carney, Patrick Conner, John Delaney, Peter Doherty,
.'.uiiea Daley, Jolin Dowd, Patrick Driscoll, John Fowler, John Flem-
iJting, Morrice Fitzgemld, Thomas Flaherty, Thomas Flynn, Michael
I '\, John Gibbons, Patrick Glejison, John Gallagher, B<-rnard Gallag-
r, Pei<-r Gaffrey, Michael Gritlin, John Harlnett, Patrick Hurrington,
-i -lin Howe, Patrick Henlihen, James McNally, Tiniuthy McCarthy,
Itugli >IcIfermott, John >lc('arthy, Dennis Murphy, William Mclntire,
luiiiel Mclntire, Michael Murry, James Martin, Patrick Cro(il)y. Daniel
M..Millen, John Murphy, James H. McDomtld, Kdward McCabe, Timothy
>liihuney, Michael Martin, Hugh ^Iclntire, Daniel McNally, William
O'Doniiell, Michnel O'Nwil, Timothy O'Conner, Felix O'Neil, James
Paluicr, Patrick Iteagan, William Shea, I^Iichnel Savage, Martin Shea,
Michael Sullivan, Michael Shea, Patrick Sullivan, Jr., Patrick Sullivan,
Joseph St. John, Matthew Taft, John Wals^h, Stephen Tohin.
C'oinptiinj /'.—James Allies, Joseph J. Ladd, Thomas .>!. I.eaTitt,
William K. Hubbard, Hiram D. Kidder, John II. Austin, Theodore L
page, John C. Aldrich, Francis Gilbert, John K. Knox, Israel J. Lang-
maid, Barnabas B. Kussoll, Daniel Stevens, Josiah Limbury, Carl Miller,
Charles Meger, Francis Iiavenport,'Richard J. H<dmes, Patrick Sullivan,
Watson 1). Bean, ('harles Conway, John Gora, Kudolph Helfreich, Peter
Miller, Daniel Wyman, William .McCann, James Miles, (.'urtis Smith,
Jacob K. Chandler, John U. Wilhird, John JI. Austin, John <\ Aldrich,
George Hope, Joseph A. Spear, Samuel Weston, Thomas ^I. Lcavitt.
Oimpnny E. — James Higgins, Benjamin Schuyler, James Brulhcr,
Cliarles J. Mme, <'harlew F. Smith, Walter N'easey, Benjamin F. Phil-
brick, Thomas H, Kogers, James F. W. Fletcher, William K. Brown,
Mathun H. Pierce, Sylvester Clogston, John Dickey. Charles Korshann,
George S. Mclntire, Thomas A. Plummcr, John II. Robinson.
t'vmpany K— Angnstus C. Annis, Cyrus S. Burpee, Charles K. Rown,
George K. Dunbar, John F. P. Robie, George W. Allen, George G. Blake,
Jen7 W. Blye, Klislia T. (jnlmby, Charles P. Stevens, Kdwin It. Stevens,
Ralph Stone, Daniel Klrby, John Fogg, Knos Shchan, -lames Linery,
''>hn Smith, Augustus C. Ames, Henry H. iHinbar, John F. P. Raley,
I trues Sunter, John Burns.
'utHi'ttHtt 6'.— Cbiirles t.'ook, Joseph Cmwford, Charles Davis, Edward
B. Leunapl.John Slilaii, Thomat <i. Fit/geruld, Il»ury Thompson, Jeliiel
Thum|isun, Marcus M. Currier, Marcus M. Tnttte, Robert N. CoUey,
Albert A. M. L. Young.
f'lmpnny II. — George Dunham, Charh-M MyeiM, F. H. Conner, James
Sullivan, Jamei lla/uird, Dennis Lane, John Witiahun, I'atrick Man-
ning, John O'Brien, Sli'luiel Sullivan, James Lane, Charlert Meier, John
Willetl, John WiIIium«, Daniel Nyhad, Isaac Allen, Augustu-* Brull,
John H. Cumpbell, Josi<plt (^ninpbell, Thomas P. Crowley, John Crowley,
Hunnel Kloris, Jiwepb Hamner, Jaiiu's Kelley, Patrick .McLaughlin,
W'llliam Palmer, Philip Ray, William Stmng, William Towie, Solomon
Vnulenburgh, Toltias C. Brummer, John Onnell, Frederick (Jaitna, Paul
(imy, S<inniol Jones, Peter itlillor, Harris Stanley, John White, John
Williams, George M. (iilnmn.
O'liipnnif K'.— Dennis F. G. Lyons, Cornelius ^loriarty, Francis H.
Conner, Timothy Rourko, John Kelhh.r, R<.bert Swiney, Michael
O'Gnidy, Patrick Dowd, Jonathan Hartshorn, Bartholomew Moiiiiriy,
Jaiiie« llik/ard, Kzra S. Riilleii. Palri' k Rrosnahaii, Palri. k Burke,
Mil bftel Broderick, Thomas Preii nan, John Cii«ey, Piitrick f'ud'ly, Daniel
Curnin, Michael (.'orcoran, Mauricu Duviiie, Thomas Doherty, Patrick
DcHinond, Samuel K. Kmery, Thomas Fox, Michael Farmlngton, Michael
Pinnean, Cliarles H. Gorman, John Gritlln, James Hennesey, John liar*
rinian, Alfred J . HaiTinmn, Sylventer llarrlman, John Harwood, John
Holland, Piiirlik Hearin. Willium Kiefe, Thomxi Kane, Michael Ken-
ney, Tnuothy Kearin, John Lattimur, Jmeph Leafe, James I'dwanlK,
George Hosted, George Martin, Thomas Robinson. Rowell T, Libl.y,
Charles Williams, William Gushe, James Hill, .lames McCormick, J«thu
Mulhtn, Patrick Looney, James Meagher, Thomius Murphy, Kdward
Mettimus, Michael 3Ialioney, Michael Mullen, Dennis McCarty, Patrick
Manning, Eugene Moriarty, Patrick 5IcKean, Cornelius Moriarty, Den-
nis SIcCarty, William I). O'Connor, Dennis O'SuHivan, John O'Brien,
Charles O'Conner, Richard Phelan, John F. Pettingall, Patrick Regan,
William Rourke, Klbrldge Reed, William Smyth, James Sullivan, John
SuUirau, Michael Sullivan, John Shea (flitit), John Shea (second), Patrick
Shea, Philip Shugree, John Thornton.
Company Unknmvn.— George M. Gilnian.
NIKTH REGIMKXT.
William A. Webster, surgeon.
Company A. — Ira S. Abbott, James Murry, Lewis Meyers, Joseph T.
Morrill, Henry F. Jefts, W'illiam A, McCJarnct, Lewis T. Mitchell, Na-
thaniel Webster, Drew A. Sanborn, George W. Randall.
f.'ouipany B. — Warron H. Edmundtt, Joseph H. Wallace, Joseph E,
Ilartsliorn, Jeremiah Carroll, Loren/.o B. tJould, Henry N. Howe, Arthur .
W. Caswell, James T. Prescolt, Mathew P. Tennant, Henry N. Willey,
Freuto T. ICastman, James H. Shanley, William N. Ilarnden.
Company C. — William Welpley.
Company D — .John K. Mason, George G. Armstrong.
Cfitnpany A'.— Heni->' O. Sargent, Cyrus B. Norris, Asa Brown, .-Vmos S.
Bean, William C. Flanders, John B. Hoit, F. B. Hackett, JoBei)h E.
Provencher, Enoch O. Shepherd.
Coiupany F. — Charles P. Welsh, James Robston, James M. Lathe,
William \. Canfield, Hiium S. Latiie, Oliver Buckminstor, Charles A.
Ciimmings, Charles A. Carlton, Freeman L. I-athe, Sylvester J. Hill,
William P. Mason, Augustine M. Westcott.
Company G. — John Antlee, Henry Edwards, John Smith.
Company H. — Mans L. Chase.
Company I. — Jacol> Krnsa.
Coinpauy K. — James fJordon.
Compauij Viikiioirn. — Alonzo L. Day.
TENTH REGIMENT.
Michael T. Donohoe, colonel; John Coughlin, lieutenant-colonel;
Jesse F. Augell, major.
Compiiuy A. — Ichabod S. Bartlott, Andrew W. Doe, John B. Sargent,
Hiram S. Barnes, Alfred G. Simons, William H. Allen, Orrin A. Clough,
James 11. T. Baker, Warren A. Burrell, Fra/.er A. Wasley, Charles
B. Cliai»man, Iwuic IJuint, Daniel Alvvood, I'liarles W. .VtwotKi,
Miles y\ldri<h, Joseph W, Batchelder, Warren Batchelder, Joseph
Bailey, Henry A. Bailey, Daniel S. Butler, Hiram II. Currier, Uimni
O. Chase, John C. Crowley, Alfred A. Clough, John A. Cochrane,
George W. Conner, George A. Claik, Ira P. Emery, Nelson C. Fish,
Daniel S. Gilnuin, Elbridgo G. Gammon, Justin Hutchinson, James H.
Harris, George II. Hall, Dexter L. Huntoon, Horace Holcomb, James S.
Hutcliinsun, Henry Hartley, Kheue/er A. Johnson, Edwin R. Jones,
Morseley W. Kendiicks, Charleti L. Mori'ison, George W. Newell, John
Pondon, /ara .Sawyer, Se]itimurt Starks, Daniel F. Stiirk, Henry M. San-
born, Acdrew J. Wentworth, Alfred Wheelei', John C. Wonslei, Charles
('. Wohhter, Benjamin F. Knowltoii, TriMtram Cilloy, Royal Cheeley,
Charles W. Smith, Michael Ilonberry, WHliam K. Stevens, Albruin P.
Colby, Charles C. Balch, Charles Bonnor, Wilson A. Bartlelt, Stitlman
P. Cannon, George Carlton, John Crosby, Jeremiah Connor, Isratd W.
('base, .lose]di Demarse, Joi-eniiah C. Allen, Flunk Hutchinson, Thomas
Trumbull, William A. Barrett.
CompHinj C— Michael Doraii, John W. Davis, Charles E. Strain,
William Doran, ('rrin F. Etneiwon, Henry S. ^lerii-, Patrick F. Fox,
George W, Graves, William W. HuzeUon, William W. Hersey, William
llutm, .^^aruuel L. Mitchell, William (>. Heath, David Kisby, George B.
Lewis, Charles H. Mayliew, Josejdi I). .Mclie, Delano Prescott, .loseph
Perkins, David A. (juimby, David L. Ridley, Edwin 0. Smith, Patrick
Shegree, Charles E. Sargent, Owen Sidllvaii, Martin Toole, Bernard
Inlret, William W". White, Henry Walley, Henry o. Merrill, Albert F.
Nelson, Hanson Tipped, M'illiam F. Ordway, .Tolin Mtirphy, >Iarshall
HutchiDs, Stillman B. Ha/elton, Joseph It. Ha/.elton, Charles Johnson,
Jr., Charles H. Leonard, Cornelius W. Strain.
C'lmpitiiy D. — A. O. Ambody, Daniel B. Abbott, Anrlrew Dunn, Michael
Dalton, Francis Dnbin, Charles W. Fo»», RurnsB. Hall, Edwanl Loverly,
John .\. Mason, George W. Madden, Joseph C. Osgtwd, Jos^'ph Peno,
Zelotus L. Place, Henry L Qnimby, Moses E. ijnimhy, Tliomas B. Quint-
by. M. E. Raymond, George II. Wyman, (Jeorge N. Wheeler, James J.
Bjddwin, Iroutr Milrhell, James Robinson, John Murphy, .Mexandor
Campb<dl, Charles H. Gardner, Michael F. Corcoran, John M. Caswell.
Ciimii'mif A'.— John Martin.
118
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Company >'.-Johi) Barj-, Kldttd Butler, Oliver Burns, James Boyle,
Patrick Curnui, Wiggiu O.nnolly, Jeremiah Cochran, .Toseph Claytou,
Michael Cochran, Kdmund Dnggan, Michael Donovan, James }.. Drov^•,
Michael Early, Michael P. Klynn, James Flenimings, Thomas Gog.n,
Patrick Gurrv, John Uorngan, Michael llandley, Timothy lledily, Ja.s.
R Jenkins, Lavvre.ice Larkin, John San.lers, Hugh JIcManus, Thomas
Murnhy, Michael Mara, Patrick Xavin, John OFlynn, David U'lirieu,
John O'Brien, William W. Pinkl.am, John Parker, J..hu yuinn, John
Ryerden, John Sullivan, Charles 11. Tho...|»!on, Kussell Town, Bernar.l
White, William Wall, John Ward, Joshua Poiveni, Michael L. O.
O'Brien, Joliu L. O'Brien.
C.ymv.u,y fi.-William Higgins, Charles W. WiUey, Argus McG.nmss,
William Johnson.
Compa«y W.-George W. Chapn.an, Uriah H. loss, Charles II. Hall,
Charles W. Drew. Washington I. Baker, Henry C. Dickey, David II.
Dickey. Charles J. Esty, James P.Gould, David M. Glover, Clinton 0.
Hill George T. Hastings, llenjamin F. Harrington, Albert Q. Perry,
John Ray, Charles W. Wiley, George H. Hul.hard, Foster Kimball, John
Ryan, William P. Williams, Stephen 51. Baker.
'com.m.,j /.-William Ryan, Thomas Taylor, Charles Ward.
Vompm»j A-.-John Ahem, Davi.l Allen, John Bryson, Fred Conway,
Cornelius Cary, John Cole, James Combie, Patrick Devine, William De-
van John Doherty, Patrick Fowler, Richanl Gallagher, John Garvey,
Tinmthy Harrington, Daniel D. Ilealey, James Ilealey, Henry Hayes,
Michael Slaliony, John Martin, Patrick O Brieu, Patrick Paine. William
H Percival Charles Plunkett, Jeremiah D. Sheehan, Thomas Solon
(second) Dennis Sullivan, Michael Sullivan, Timothy Tehaii, James
Thomiison, Patrick Welsh, Roger Sheady, William Hastings. Jeremiah
Deedy, James Duftee, Patrick Early, Dennis Feuton. Thomas Jones,
Thomas Kelley, .Tames Kenuington, Patrick Lavan, Peter H. Lee, Daniel
Loftis, Patrick McCarty, William Miller, William Mulligan, Thomas
MuiTy, Hugh .Murphy, Charles H. Hodgdon, James Andereon, Francis
Madden, John Driggs, John Kelley, Patrick Doyle, James JIadden.
a,mp««y I-„t,.o»n.-William F. SlcPhereon, Sullivan B. Abbott, David
Reed, John Connor, James Burns.
ELE\'ENTH REGIMENT.
Comf-my C-Jeremiah D. Lyford, Andrew J. Frye, John F. Clarke,
Edward C. Emerson. Charles F. Johnson, F,/,n. B. Glines, Enoch T.
Fnrnliaiu, Albert F. Sargent, Goi.ige K. Du.lley, Loanimi Searles, Lucien
S Buckland, Charles W. Baker, William W. Fish. True O. Furnald,
Lyman W. Griffin, Humphrey M. Glines, Alexander Hutchinson. Israel
Henno James W. Ressler, Levi B. Lewis, .Tolin B. Marsh. Charles Mll-
len John \. F Phelps, G. A. W. Barker, Moses Richardson, Benjamin
Stevens, Luther M. Smith. Luther G. V. Smith, Oilman M. .Smith,
Daniel R Woodburv, Ira Gardner Wilkins, Frank W. Page. Ira E.
Wright, E.lward Adams, J..seph B. Clark, Ih.llis O. Dudley, Oliver
Williams.
Comii.mj) C— John White John Smith.
Comrany £.- Caleb J. Kimball. William 0. Stevens. Daniel Whitney,
Charles H Tufle, Joseph Cross, William Dickennan, Amos B. Shattuck.
Cmvc'V r,*io.»...-Charle» I.eGranger, William Barton, Joseph Mar-
tin. James Arnold. John White, Joseph Kerr. Michael Quinn. Westley
Chester, Peter Robinson
FOURTEENTH REGIMENT.
Corajmnv '/.—John R. Green.
Comimmi /J.-John N. Bruce, Silas R. Wallace, Stephen M. Wilson.
Co,«}««><l r..)o.oi.-».-Palrick C ark, Alexander, Danvers, Lewis Nor-
rop, Jlichael O'Brien, John Sliihbin, William Warren, James A. Buni-
'"^''' FIFTEENTH KKGIMENT.
Comp.my E.-Henry S. Perry. .Michael Abbotton. George W. Brown,
Joseph K. Hazelton, Charles H. Martin, Ervin D. lobie.
SIXTEENTH REGIMENT.
Company G.—S. F. Mcguestion.
EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT.
Co<„pa„„ F.-Solomoii Towns, (;ustavu6 B. Wells. Charles 'Way,
Peter Bnllv, Itenjainin Chandler, Matliew Burns, John Duffy, James
Davis, Henry Morton, William Ferguson, J..hn Garrett, Joseph Jenno,
Joseph Granther, Timothy Jacobs, Patrick Keller, John Johnson, Francis
W. Kennisou, Joseph L.-sherville, Arvil Leniarche, Scott McGuire, John
McOirty, Thomas Reynolds, Patrick Lower}-, James Lewis, William
Masterson, .\lden Oliver.
Company K. -Jackson C. Bickf..rd, John J. Ryan, Adilon E. Port,
Edwin Mulligan, Michael P. Mulligan, Peter Locke.
Compa„y /-Thomas H. McGnire, David Magoon, Edward W. Cowan,
Nathaniel A. Tuttle, Albert T. Bowel>, i:harlcs W. Bills, Augustus B.
Corev, Benjamin C. Cook, George B. Jackson, Thom.« S. KnowleN
Rolwit J. McFarland, Charles H. Lee. Owen Evans. Barney flynn,
George H. Howe, John McFee, Patrick Mack, James Smith, William H.
Plummer, John F. Rounds, Zachariah B. Stewart. Amasa J. Purvier,
Patrick Sullivan, Charles Wilson, George T. White.
Com, „A-. -Horace Pickard, Miles J. Colby, Peter Robinson, John
A. Lindsay, Walter A. Green, Patrick Prescott, Edwat»l N. Tuttle, Ed-
ward K. White, John Copp, Jeremiah Sheehan, George C. Moore.
NEW ENGLAND CAVALRY.
David B. Nelson, major ; George T. Cram, adjutant ; Arnold Wyman,
first lieutenant.
Troop /v-.-Ji*eph Austin, John A. Jones, Henrj- G. Ayer, Thoma*
Bougiige, Jonathan B. Chapman, Jason N. Childs, John G. Clinbhs,
George E. Clark, Matthew N. Colby, Charles R. Dunham, Emei>on A.
Dunham,J..niesD. Gage, George Hanchett, William H. Hart, William
Holtoii, James W. Jenness, Philip Jones, CInirles S. Kidder, Blward A.
Lawrence, Hugh Mills, Henry E. Newton, Charles L. Prescott, John G.
Page William H. Palmer, Francis II. Phillips, Moody guimby, Hiram
Stearns, Lewis E. Tuplin, Charles II. Wilson, David F. Wilsim.
Troop M -George W. Herrv, Eugene Bowman, John Francis ( ',dby.
Minor Hawks, Henry P. Hubbard. Nathan P. Kidder, Cyrus Litchfield,
i
RnsKoll, Albert P. Tasker, Ebelieier
TWELFTH REGIMENT.
t„„.,,.o.;, .l.-Marlin Davis, Joseph Sharp, Charles Bowers, Jacob
Mclormick, John McGraw, Alexander ('..nclianl.
Company ii.-Henry J. Lindner, John Smith, Henry Thomas, Albert
Miiniford.
C...,i;>.i,,!, C-James H. Oorih.n, Nathan E. Hopkins, Philip Levi,
Raphel Reimann.
Company D.-William Weldon. Robert Hill. Charles Mardinan, Hen-
rick Fisher, James Agnew, Ira Tayh.r, Charles A. Heath. John McCon-
nell, George Allan.l, Hans Anderson, Solomon Sweeney.
Coa.pany F.— Robert Barnard, John IIowur.1, llibbard Nolan, Lorcnito
D. Watson.
Company (3.-Philip Warren, Andrew Floyd, William J. Wallace,
Thomas Dalton, Edward Brown.
ro...;.nn!, /.-Charles Lawrence, Henry Killan. Frank 'Wilson. .Tosepb
Martin. Martin Oswald. Patrick McCarly. Thomas Hornsby, Cliarlce
Williams.
Company K -Henry Carr.
Com/.a«l, Ci/iw.icn.-James Cooler, William Sutton, George Forrest,
Julius Lyford, James C. Denipey. George Parker, James Lane. Victor
Bauinan, Hiram C. Hohler.
William C. Powers, Arthur W .
Wilson. yiKsTNEW 11 \MPS1I1RE CAV.\LRY.
Troop .1.— David A. Connor.
Troop JS.— Benjamin F. Pliilbrick.
7Vooj> c. — John Farrell.
Troup D. — Joshua Voce.
Tniop /■;.— Andrew J. Roberts.
Troop f'. -William H. Griffin, Janus II. Robinson. John C. I'olbnrn,
Charles F. Elliott.
Troop <;.- Edward F. Brown, John Baiiil Emeiison A. Dunham, Henry
H Aldlich, James N. Bean, Charles A. Brown.
Troop //.-William A. Piper, William A. Kelley, Edwin R. Packard,
Jewett W. Perry.
Troop /.—William H. Palmer.
7V,,..p A-. -James D. Gage, .lohn G. Page, .harbs L. Presiotl. Hugh
Mills, Charles M. Jason, .lames II. French. Jonathan B. Chapman, War-
renForsailb, William II. Hart, J.i8..n N. ChihU, Moody Quimby, D. F.
Wilstin. ...J,
'/Voop n -Henrv B. Ilnhl«ird, Eno.h Lovell, Charles S. Kidder,
John F. Colby, James II. Parks, lins.avns II. Best, William C. PoW-
""ttoop (■„i„„,c,..-Andrew Hill, Thomas Daley, Daniel LannigaD,
John ..llara. Joseph Randolph, .;eorge E. S|»inlding, Thomas A Col-
lins Hugh R. Bichar.l»on, Allen W. Bonney, Henry F. Hopkins, .\bboIt
N. Clongh, Henry J. Webster, Daniel Doyle. Joseph Jackson, Richard
Tobinc, Louis Rumaiin, George Atkins.
HEAVY ARTILLERY.
<;onpnny .l.-Jonah S. Kennis.m, Henry Porquet, Albert P. Young.
MANCHESTER.
119
Oump'imi/ B. — JunK-8 Collins, Jr., Eilward A. Young.
f.vKijMiN.v ('. — Churle** \V. WinKiite, George J. Hunt, HcIkt C. Griftiu,
Wiltanl Ituckuiiiiater, C)iarK-d P. Orveii, Levi H. Sleeper, Jr., Wiltiain
A. (iiliiiom, Albert F. Quiiitby, Alunxo Dity, Jaiiies M. Quiinb;, Williiiin
S. ParN^'Hit, KdBun Sullivan, John S. Allen, Elbridge G. Baker, Janie^ A.
Bukur^ Amlri'W 31. llucker, Janit-s o'Briuu, Charles D. Buntin, George
B. Buuielle, William K. ^out^'^(■, Francis Brown, Mamlon L. Brown,
Willanl S. Bilker, Chsirle-s Beun, George M*. Bruwn, George Conet,
Charles H. CI.-, Sninfurd U. CIhl-*.-, John J. Crockett, David B. Dickey,
JuuM 31. Dickey, Warren H. Day, John II. Day, Heubeu Do^lge, \\'il-
liani K. Denney, John G. Dnrant, Charles F. Dorkum, Henry T. Fobs,
William K. Forsailh. Warren Green, John S. Gamble, KIbridge Gerry,
Madiiion Gerrj', K<lwin G. Howe, Sullivan D. Hill, Georgo HowanJ,
William Murlin, Michael Harris, Charleti U. Hodgeman, Lowell S.
Hftrtdhorn, Newton Hullis, Kzckicl Hall, Wt-sley E. Hult, Joshua K.
HnittiiigH, Mauley W, Jenkins, Jfjaeph Kelly, George W. Knight, Or-
niond D. Kimball, Owar K. Leniiis, (.'Imrlert H. Martin, Nutliauiel H.
31clcair, George E. Mayliew, William F. Moore, Bmdiey 31errill, Henry
C. Slorris, George W. Nichols, Hezekiah H. Morw-, Benjamin K. Barker,
Cliristopher Barker, Orrin F. Pillsbury, Ilenry M. Pillsbury, Chester L.
I*»ge, Frederick Payne, .Moses o. Poai-son, AH>ert B. Kobin^m, Horace
L. Riclianltton, Kdwin J. Ross, Dennis W. Reardcau, Noah W. Randall,
Krerett Stevens, \\'itliam W. Sweatt, David A. Wilson, George W. Saw-
yer, Robert Stewart, Andrew W. Sloton, George W. Taylor, Kdward W.
Tillotxin, Jo6e]ili E. Walker, James M. Wallace, Sullivan B. Wallace,
Nahuni A. Welwtor, Charles F. Whittemore, Nathan B. White, Daniel
A. Wtdls, John W, Willey, William ^. Young, Francis York, James 0.
Chandler, James R. Carr, James G. Burn^.
(yihtiHiiiy F. — James P. Gallison.
Company K. — David P. Steveii«, George C. Houghton, Alfred Howard,
*;eorge H. Ames, Franklin A. Brackeit, Herbert W. Churchill, William
Kiik, AllM-rt F. Goodhue, Frank L. Gilman, Charles E. Green, John
Grammo, Lcaniler K. Hall, Charles A. Hall, Charles II. Haddock, George
A. Palmer, Lewin .!. Smith, Genrge E. Swain, Sylvester S. Walsh,
Cfaarlvvi I,. Bailey, Edward J. Wing, John K. .lohuson.
tjompauij L. — Waller Smith, Scdiey A. Loud, Peter Burns, Pierre
Michou, Oliver Jopson, James Malonoy, Henry W. Twombly, Horace G.
Ktmlmll.
fJom{fat\y ,lf, — John W, Dickey, George K. Dakin, Ezra D. Cilley,
El^nh E. French, John R. Bean, Kphraim Fisk, John L. Sargent,
ChurleH W. Boyd, George T. Bean, Philander Hopkins, Alfred R. Ciwliy,
William G. Cutler, Clark S. George, Albert T. Hambk-tt, James W.
Learned, G^-orge A. SIiep«rd, Gustavus Soule, Nathan B. Tilton, Ira P.
Twitchell, Thomas Welch, Charles E. Young, Henry W. Clark, Horace
U. Bundy, Charles Clark, Charles M. l>insmore, Wa.«ihington L. (Jniy,
Henry R. Noyes, Orrin S. Silluway, rharles L, Taylor, Asa P. Wright,
Henr>- Bennett, Frank L. Edmunds, Edwarrl M. Dakin, George Apple-
bco, Jtjtwph Comfort, Alfred Comfort, John ,>lcCaiiIey, Orlando Proctor,
K«rm N. Norris, James llichards, John Kaling, Daniel Davis, Henry
Blair, Geoi^o A. .Martin, Benjamin B. Bunker.
VETERAN RESERVE CORPS.
Albert B!<H)d, James Byles, Jeremiah Connor, James N. Cumntings,
Patrick Dowell, Jontme C. Davis, F. E. DemeritI, Henry B. P^ostman,
Ihivia Emerj', Harvey Hill, William H. Knowllon, Andrew Currier,
Michael Powers, John L. rollins, John Brown, William W. Eastman,
Stephen O. Gould, Thomas G, Gould, Patrick Haullihan, Josfiph R.
Marble, William Murry, Ilonry C. Faye, William E. Robinstm, William
Smith, John Smilh, Enoch E. Stevens, Charles Stewart, (icorgo W. Var-
nnm, J. A. Sargent, Franklin R. Tucker, Patrick Welsh, Cyrus S. Bur-
I»ee, Hiram G. Govu.
>IARTIN OlARDS.
Edwanl Wing, Kdwanl P. Kimiiitll, John C. Pennock, Sydney F. San-
iKjrn, Wigglu T. Abbott, Howard P. Smith, Jnneph P. Frye, Charles P.
Gilbert, Lewis J. Smith, George W. Davis, Charles H. Bradfonl, Dennis
\. Burbank, Frank A. Brackeit, Charles W. Dimick, Henry Eaton,
Willi Fisher, Austin G. French. George W. Farnliam, Alfred T.
Guo<lhue, Charltw J. GtHjtlwin, Frank L. Gilman, Hontco P. Page,
Cliarb-s W. Ganlner, Charles E. Green, Alfred HowanI, Charles Hadlock.
Charl.H Hall, L. A. Ilynlt. U-ander Hall, Martin A. Hoff, riinton Jones,
Frank r. J,. wett, Marshall Keith, -bdiu Leiglitou, Charles H. M"uIloii. '
Matih.w Morrow, Charles E. Moree, Ira S. ib^good, John II. Prescoit, |
George A. Palmer, David P. Slovens, Myrick K. Smith, George E.Swain,
Bervjamin T. Sherbnrn, Sylvester S. Walsh, (liarle?' We.inan, Elbridge
Wawim.
NATIONAL (Jl'ARDS.
Edwanl A. Haf>man, John C. Hiinly, George K. Kentiison, William <K
I Ladd, William H. Lord, AU>ert B. Morrison. Henry C. Norris, Charles
I Putnam, John E. Ricker, Frank H. Redlield, George H. Itay, <'harles A.
I Smith, Charles H. Stevens, George W. Swinborne, Nathaniel A. Tiittle,
Alonzo F. W*arren, Charles F. Whittemorp, Fnink M. Boutclle, Aldauo
Neal, E«lward M. Tillotstm, William E. Boutelle, Charles C. Hilton,
George F. Kelley, George J. Hunt, William Buckminsler, charle« P.
Green, Orrin N. B. St«»kes, Madison Gerry, George Canlield, Emorj' W\
Alexander, Andrew Armstrong, Leroy S. Batcliulder, Elihu B. Baker,
George W. Ballon, James Buckminster, Charles B. Bradley, Andrew M.
Bowker, George Boutelle, Albert F. Barr, Ji)hn S. Corlisn. Marcus M.
Currier, Stanford U. Chase, Charles J. Chase, .\Iexunder Cooper, Benja-
min Keally, John Carney, William E. Dunbar, Levi W. Dodge, Edward
W. Dakin, Frank L. Edwanls, Frank W. Favour, Heber C. Gritltn,
George A. Gordon, Daniel W. Gouhi, Charles Geiirge, Henry T. Goodhue,
Kewton Hollis, Rhodes Hanson.
FIRST LIGHT BATTERY.
George A. Gerrish, John Wadleigh, Henry F. Coudict, Lyman W.
Bean, Robert Burns, David Jllorg-an, Joseph T. Durgin, Ii-a P. Fellows,
Howard M. F»rrar, John L. Fish, George E. Fairbanks, Jerry E. Glad-
den, John H. Goodwin, William H. (loodwin, George W. Griswold, Clark
S. Gordon, Ehen Gove, Adams Gowing, Simon B. Hill, John I*. Hall,
Albert T. Hamlett, Wesley E. Holt, Cleaves W. Hopkins, Greely W.
Hasting^*, James A. Johnston, William B. Kenney, Daniel P. Ladd,
Dudley P. Ladd, Le Koy 3lc<Juesten, Thomas W. Morrill, Horace I*.
Marshall, Charles \V. Oft'utt, Christopher ('. Perry, Henry C. Parker,
Charles Peoples, George W. Parrott, William I>. Perkins, Henry C. Pat-
rick, Daniel M. Peavey, Thomas Rjiudlett, Henry S. liowell, Francis
Reeves, Charles H. Shephard, Alexander Simpson, Henry A. Sloan, Gus-
tnvns Soule, John L.Sargent, Albert C. Stearns, Leander G. Sylvester,
Frank Senter, Edwin U. Sias, Nathan B. Tilton, Frank W. Taber, Wil-
liam B. rndcrhill, Samuel J. Whittier, George K. Dakin, Edwin H.
Hobb;^, Kphraim Kisk, Gihnan Stearns, Ezra D. Cilley, .lohn K. Piper,
Orrin Taber, William W. Roberts. Alonzo BI. Caswell. Samuel S. Piper,
William N. Chamberlin, Henry A. Campbell, Samuel Cooper, Irving S.
Palmer, Frank E. Denieritt, -\mbrose Ingham, Alexander A. Brown,
Daniel Kelley, Charles E. French, John Carling, George W. Yarnnm,
Hilliard L. Eaton, Philander Hopkins, George E. Glines. W'illiam L.
Babbett, Marcus H. Bundy, Elisha H. Burrill, Charies W. Boyd, Le Ruy
T. Bean, Edwin X. Baker, Jauu-s M. Huswoll, William H. Blackburn,
Henry E. Bond, Henry Baker, Robert Crowther, .lames Carr, William
Carr, William G. Cutler, Henry W. Clarke, Kittridge J. Collins, Homer
Canfield, Thomas C. Cheney, Charles P. Cox, James P. Carpenter, Fred-
erick J. (Pruning, Durrill S. Crockett, Chauncy C. Dickey, John W.
Dickey, John Drown, Charles ,\. Doe, Martin V. It. Day, Thomas Welch,
, Luther K. Wallace, Thonuis J. Whittle, Frederick S. Worthen, Morrill
N. Young, Charles E. Young, I). Washieigton llrey, Albert R. Holbrook,
] Charles Peareon, Charles J. Rand, Isaac L. Boberts, Orrin S. Silloway,
Charles L. Taber, Sylvester F. Webster. Charles Wcnz, James F. Sar-
gent, William G. <nster, Waller Cutler, Alfred R. Crosby.
FIRST REGIMENT UNITED ."STATES SHARPSHOOTERS.
Campniiy £.— Levi H. Loet.
SECOND REGIMENT INITKD STATES SHARPSIDKtTERS.
Cumpatitt li. — .\bncr D. Colby, Henry K. Colby, Kli^juli Hanson, Jona-
than S. Johnson, Charles W. Stevt'us.
NAVY.
James Hayes, tieorge E. Ashton, John M. Custalow, Peter Dowd,
Waller Lee, James Smith.
MARINES.
Michael Kane.
liATTERY B, I'NITED STATES ARMY.
Charles J. AnderMtn.
FIIt.^T AltMY CORPS.
Dennis F. G. Lyons.
THIRTEENTH NKW YoIiK ARTILLKRY.
Henry Bovfl.
vwK^'v iu:gimi:nt cnitki) states army.
JoM-pli II. Knoultou.
RKGIMKNT I NKNoWN.
Albert Miller, John Ruilloy, Daniel Thornton, Alexander Frazier,
John JolTermnn, Joseph Hart, John Riley, John Thompson. Amos R.
Witluim, Kmile Keller, Jariiex Bi-owii, Timothy Ilallisey. James Ander-
120
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
son, Albert Hurns, William R. Cleiueut, Geoige Carpenter, William H.
Goodwin, John McPherson, Thomas Smith, Thomaa Whelston, Alfred
MixBan, ("hHries Brockway, Jease F. Willijuns, James White, Henry
Wood, Willium Komer, William U. Jackson, James Lynch, Thomas
Powell, John Pender, Samuel Siegel, James Sullivan, James Smith,
James S. Williams, John Murphy, James McCanney. William K. Stearns,
James A. H. Grant, James M. Mayhew, John Kerin, John Smith, John
Milauo, John Richards, Jerome Yates. Solomon Leaks, Joseph Bess,
George H. Judson, ('harles Dorsey. John H. Johnson, Itiaac Williams,
Samuel I'rbine, Thomaw JMeade. William H. Daggs, I'ruy (Jiheatt, Frank
Thompson, James Caaley, James Sullivan, James W. Brown, James
Boyles, George Branson, Paatjual Canard, John Brown, David Dudley,
James Gonion, Frank L. Gilman, ('harles C. Webster, Charles L. Daven-
port.
FIELD, STAFF AND LINE OFFICERS.
lirigadier-Gencrah.— Joseph C. Abbott, Michael T. Donohue.
(.hlottels. — Thomas P. Pierce, Edward L. Bailey, James W. Carr,
Hawkes Fearing, Jr., John Coughlin.
Lieutenant-Coloneh.—S&rauelG. Langley, Francis W. Parker.
Majors. — Thomas Connolly, Jesse F. Angell, David B. Nelson.
A4}iiCant£. — Alvah IL Libby, Joseph J. Donohue.
Cltaplaiits. — Henry IJill, Silas F. Dean.
Snrgeoits. — William "W. Brown, Sylvanus Buntou, William A. Web-
ster, John Ferguson.
Amttatit Surgeons. — George W. Blanter, William G. Stark, James P.
Walker.
Quartermasters. — Richard N. BatcheMer, John R. Hynes, Charles A.
Putney, Foster Kimball.
Ca2>taing.^ John L. Kelly, Hollis O. Dudley, Varnum H. Hill, Rufus
V. Clark, Ruthven W. Houghton, John Kirwin, Robert H. Allen,
Roger W. Woodbury, William H. Maxwell, Charles A. White, Robert
C. Dow, James A. Hubbard, James H. Plait, George W. Huckins, Thomp-
pon S. Newell, William W. Mayne, Granville P. Mason, M'illiam C.
Knowlton, George F. McCabe, Charles Cain, Frank Robie, Joseph
Freschl, Warren E. F. Brown, William J. Gunnon, Cornelius Healey,
Joseph J. Ladd, Nathan H. Pierce, James Kelliher, Asa T. Hutchinson,
John E. Mason, John M. Carswell, Laurence F. Larkin, Thomas C. j
Trumbull, Slichael F. Corcoran, John B. Sargent, Cornelius W. Strain, j
John Ji. O'Brien, George H. Hubbard, Patrick Doyle, James Madden, j
Joseph IJ. Clark, Amos B. Shattuck, Ira G. M'ilkins, John N. Bruce, j
William E. Stearns, George T. Cram, George .\. Geirish, George K. I
Dakin, James O. Cliandler, George C. Houghton, John E. Johnson, |
Abiier D. Colby. '
Fimt LUtitenauts. — Martin V. B. Richardson, Dustin Marshall, Michael
J. Connolly, Walter Colby, William E. Hamuett, Walter J. Richai*ds,
Frank L. Morrill, Fi-ank C. Wasley, David M. Perkins, Charles A. Mc-
Glaugblin, Alvah S. Wiggin, Oscar A. Moar, Patrick K. Dowd, Charles
0. Jennison, Andrew J. Kdgerly, Benjamin F. Fogg, Daniel Gile,
Charles M. Currier, Virgil H. Cate, Clement F. S. Anu'>, Lawrence
Foley, William E. Huhhard, Henry G. Gushing, James Miles, Robert
Swiney, Michael O'Grady, Willard N. Haradon, Andrew W. Doe, Slich-
ael T. H. Slaguire, Charles Johnson, Charlejj II. Gardner, Alfred G.
Simons, Jeremiah D. Lyford, Ira (i. Wilkins, Edwin II. Hobbs, Ezra D.
CiUey, James R. Carr, James G. Burns, Charles L. Bailey, Ephraim
Fisk, William N. Chamberlin.
Second LieutenanOt. — Charles Vickery, Charles L. Brown, Robert A.
Seavey, Frank B. Hutchinson, W'illiam Jones, James F. W. Fletcher,
Cyrus S. Burpee, Cliarles K. Rowe, Henry 0. Sargent, Cornelius Dono-
hue, Alonzo L. Day, Ichabod S. Bartlett, Thorndike P. Heath, Edward
K. Whit«, John K. Pijwr, Orrin Taber, John R. Bean, Moses it. Pear-
son, Reuben Dodge, H. A. Lawrence, Edward J. Wing, Thomas J.
Whittle.
Soldiers' Monument. — The soldiers' inouiuuent,
which stands on Merrimack Sfjuare, was erected at a
cost of about twenty-two thousand dollars, and was
dedicated September 11, 1870. The corner-stone was
laid May 30, 1878, under the auspices of Louis Hell
Post, G. A. R.
The style of the monument is modern Gothic, and
the materials of whicli it is composed are New Hamp-
shire granite and bronze. The design embodies the
three-fold idea of a historical and a militarv monu-
ment and a fountain ; and, in its cruciform base,
includes a basin thirty feet iu width, inclosed in a
parapet of ornamental character. In the centre of
each of the four projecting arms of the basin is a
pedestal, ou a line with the parapet, supporting each
a bronze statue of heroic size, representing the prin-
cipal divisions of service in the army and navy, name-
ly, the infantry soldier, the cavalryman, artillery-
man and sailor. Alternating in pairs between these
figures are eight bronze posits for gas-lights, sur-
mounted by our national emblem.
The column, fifty feet in height, rising from the
center of the basin, is supported on a circular pedes-
tal four feet in diameter, and is crowned with a capi-
tal richly carved with appropriate Gothic ornament;
upon this is placed a colossal statue, in granite, eight
feet in height, representing Victory with her mural
crown, a shield lying at her feet, and holding a wreath
and recumbent sword, — emblematic of triumph and
peace. This figure, irrespective of the sentiment
which it admirably conveys, is a fine work of art in
its attitude, features and drapery. At the base of the
column is placed a shield with the arms of the city;
while above are displayed flags and weapons, the
trophies of war.
Surrounding the circular pedestal is a bronze bas-
relief, four feet iu height, representing such inci-
dents of recruiting, armiuir, parting from friends and
marching, as tell, in a simple and eflective manner,
the meaning of the memorial.
The base of the pedestal is octagonal in form, and
ou its west or front side, bears a bronze tablet, on
which these words are inscribed, —
*' IN IIONOB OF
THE MEN OF MANrtlKSTER
WnO GAVE THFIU SERVICES
IN THE WAtt WHICH
rRESERVKU THE UNION OK THE STATES
AND
SECVRED EQUAL KIUHTS TO ALL UNDER
THE CONSTITUTION
THIS UONUUENT 16 UUILT
BV
A UKATEIUL CITY."
This inscription was prepared by Mr, H. W, Iler-
rick, and was selected from the large number
contributed by a committee of literary gentlemen
appointed for that purpose.
Above the bas-relief are twelve gargoyles attached
to the cornice of the circular pedestal, and issuing
from them are jets of water faling into the baiiin be-
low.
The lour principal figures in bronze are works of
artistic merit, and were modeled and cast expressly for
this structure.
ra/v^yujO
^ n^2ir(ryLJ
MANCHESTER.
121
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
IIOX. JAMES A. WESTOS.
The Weston family came from Buckiiiirhainshire,
England, and settled in Massachusetts. .Fohn Weston
canic in 1622, but returned in a few yeai-s. His
brotliiTS and kinspeople soon after his return emi-
grated to this country, and in lt;44 his son, John
Weston, Jr., came and settled in Readinjr.
From him the subject of this sketch is descended in
direct line, and represents the seventh generation.
His grandfather, Amos Weston, moved from Read-
ing to Derryticlil, X. H., in 1803, and settled in the
southeast part of the town, known in later times as
the Weston farm. He was a man of character and
ability, and enjoyed the confidence and respect of his
fellow-citizens.
His son, .\mos Weston, .Fr., was born in Reading
in 17'.tl, and came to Derryfield with his parents. His
early life was passed in school and with his father
upon the home farm, but at the proper age he began
for himself, and by industry and perseverance gained
'"om|)eten<'y in early life. He w.is highly esteemed
his people and was frequently called to act for them
local matters. He was also prominently i<lcntified
ith the business interests and public affairs of
I'" town, and may justly be regarded as one of
■ '■ founders of its growth and prosperity. He mar-
• d Betsy Wilson, of Londonderry, X. H., in 1814.
-ic was the daughter of Ciilonel Robert Wilson and
,;:inddaughter of James Wilson, one of those .sturdy
and substantial men of Scotch-Irish descent .so well
known in the history of the early settlements of this
-ate.
James Adams Weston was born August 27. 1827.
He was the youngest of five i-hildrcn, and is the only
irviving member of the family of Amos and Rct.sy
'Vilson) We.ston. His early life was passed with his
pirents, and in the usual i)ursuits of boys similarly j to a considerable extent.
'I'uated, — attending school and laboring »\mn the farm
' such seasons as circumstances requireil. Mr.Wcston
was not a graduate of college, and his education ilid
not partake of the character sometimes termed "lib-
eral education," but he was pre-eminently a well-
educated num. His constitution of mind led him in
the direction of practical and useful pursuits from
the first. He was inclined to scientific and mathe-
matical studies, and distinguished in his early school-
days lor habits of industry and perseverance in the
faithful and patient investigation of every subject
wilhiii his rcaih.
After the district school he attended the Manches-
ter and Piscataquog Acailemies, where he pursued his
studies with earnp8tne.s.s and application. Subse-
quently he studied those branches which were deemed
the most important to fit him for civil engineering,
to which he had decided to devote himself as an avo-
cation for life.
He taught school in LoMilon<lerry in l.S4o, and in
Manchester in 1S46, with the best of success, and
during the remainder of the time devoted himself to
the study of his chosen profession.
In this labor he proceeded with a well-considered
system, and qualified himself thoroughly for a high
position among the civil engineers of his time.
In 1846 he was appointed assistant engineer of the
Concord Railroad, and entered upon the work of lay-
ing the second track of that corporation.
In 1849 he was appointed to the position of chief
engineer of the corporation, which he held lor many
years.
While chief engineer of the Concord Railroad he
was master of transportation and road-master of the
Manchester and Lawrence Railroad about seven years.
In 18Gl-(]2 he superintended the construction of the
Manchester and Candia Railroad and the Hooksett
Branch Railroad. In 1S6!I he sujierintended the build-
ing of the Suncook Valley Railroad, and, later, made
the surveys of the Manchester and Keene Railroad.
In all these and other business enterprises Mr. Weston
has been the careful and far-seeing manager as well
as the technical engineer, and has done the work with
that well-known characteristic, "without mistake."
During the time he was employed on these public
works he was frc(iuently engaged in private matters
of importance, both as a practical and advisory en-
gineer, and in cases where controversy had arisen.
Soon after being appointed chief engineer of the
Concord Railroad he moved to Concord to live, on
account of his jirincipal business, but in 1856 he
returned to Manchester, where he now resides.
Notwithstanding Governor Weston's life has been
full of business interests and duties of an important
character, growing out of his professional employment,
he has been ilrawn into political and piiiilic positions
' By .1. W. Follows.
He has never been a partisan or a i)olitician in the
common acceptation, but he has always been allied
to the Democratic party and firmly devoted to the
lirincijdcs of their i>olitical creed. He is of conserva-
tive and still decideil views, reaching his conclusions
in the same logical manner as in the discharge of any
important trust. He believes the simple duties of
citizenship are full of responsibilities, and that their
jtroper observance requires the same careful study
and faithful action as the highest offu ial i)osition.
In 1862 h'' was placed in nomination for thcollice
of mayor of Manchester by the Democratic party.
.Mlhough very largely in the minority, and at a time
when party strife was very great in this State, so
universally acknowledged was Mr. Weston's fitness
for the position, and so generally had he enjoyed the
respect and esteem of his I'ellow-citizens, that he broke
121'
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
down the party lines, run far ahead of his ticket and
was defeated l>y only a small number of votes.
In 1863 he was again induced to accept the nomi-
nation for the same oflicc. and while the same in-
tensely partisan campaign was made by his opi)onents
and party spirit ran liigher than before, he gained on
his adversary and lost the election by less than a
score of votes.
In 1867 he was again brought forward by his party,
and, although their relative strength was about the
same and a determined etlbrt was made by the Re-
publican party to defeat him, lie was elected mayor
by a handsome majority, and entered upon his official
duties in January, 1868. In 1869 he was the candidate
of the Democrats for the same position, and, although
not successful, it took a carefully revised official count
to determine the result. In 1870 he was re-elected
mayor, and again in 1871.
In 1874 he was a third time chosen mayor by an
overwhelming majority, which office he held when
elected Governor. It must be borne in mind that
Manchester has been a strongly Republican city, the
majority of that party often running from six to seven
hundred. Nor have the o|)poneiits of Mayor Weston
been unpopular or unfit candidates. On the contrary,
they have been uniformly selected for their great
popular strength and fitness for the position. The
Republican leaders have not been novices, and it has
not been their intention to sutler defeat ; but whenever
victory has been wrung from their unwilling grasp,
it has been done against great odds, and because the
Democrats had unusual strength, one of its most
important elements having been the superior qualifi-
cations and fitness for the place which Mr. Weston
was acknowledged on all sides to have possessed.
During the period of his mayoralty a great advance-
ment of the material interests of the city took place,
and marked improvements were inaugurated and suc-
cessfully carried on. An improved system of sewerage
was established and, so far as practicable, completed,
which proved of incalculable benefit. A general
plan for establishing the grade of streets and side-
walks was arranged, and steps taken to obviate many
difficulties which liad arisen in connection with this
important part of municipal government. Imjjrove-
ment in the public commons was commenced and
carried on as far as economy and fair expenditures of
each year seemed to warrant, and tlie foundation was
laid in public policy, adopted under his management,
for permanent and systematic ornamentation of the
parks and public grounds. The matter of concrete
walks received its first encouragement from Mayor
Weston. It was a subject about which much difJ'er-
ence of opinion existed, and when the mayor author-
ized the covering one of the walks across one of the
commons at tiie public expense it received much
severe criticism, Imt the poimlar view soon changed,
and the experience of the city since that time shows
the wisdom of the first step in that direction.
In the matter of a water supply has Mr. Weston
been of inestimable service to his fellow-citizens.
In this important enterprise he took a leading part.
No one realized more fully the great benefit whicli
an adequate water sui)|ily would be. and few compre-
hended as well the embarrassments connected with
the undertaking. The question iiad been agitated
considerably and various surveys had been made, and
the people were divided upon different plans and
theories. Popular notions fell far short of the full
comprehension of the subject, and while he was sup-
ported by many of the leading and most infiuential citi-
zens it was a very difiicult matter to accomplish. Mr.
Weston had made his own surveys and was thoroughly
informed upon the whole subject, and engaged in
the work with zeal and determination. The nece--
sary legislation having been obtained, he prepared
and carried through the city government the appro-
priate ordinances by which the enterprise took sha| e
and the plan for placing the whole matter in the
hands of a board of commissioners.
To his foresight and intelligent view of this subject,
and earnest devotion to carrying out and completing
the scheme, the people of Manchester owe their most
excellent water supply more than to any other infiu-
euce, and it is a monument to his good name, more
and more honorable as time proves the inestimable
value of a pure and adequate supply of water to the
people of our city.
Mayor Weston was the first officer of the city to
recommend the erecting of a .soldiers' m(mument,
and, by his earnest advocacy, and finely-educated
taste, was largely instrumental in deciding what style
should be adopted, and bringing that worthy and
patriotic enterprise to a successful completion. The
noble shaft which now and ever will, we trust, com-
memorate tlie glorious deeds and the fearful sacrifices
of the soldiers from Mandiester in the War of the
Rebellion, speaks a word as well for those who at-
tempted, in a small measure, to show the high
appreciation in which their gallant services are held.
Frequent mention of Mr. Weston as a candidate
for Governor had been made, and in 1871 he became
the nominee of the Democratic party for that office.
In the gubernatorial contest he was met by the de-
termined effort of his opponents to defeat his election.
He would have undoubtedly been elected by the peo-
ple but tor the strategical movement of his adversary
to iiave a third candidate in the fight. This scheme
was partly successful, ])reventing an election by the
people by only one hundred and thirteen votes,
although Mr. Weston had a large plurality. He was
elected Governor by the Legislature, and inaugurated
on the 14th day of June, 1871.
The Governor's administration was characterized by
economy and the most conscientious observance of
official honor and integrity. Even the most zealous
partizan never questioned his faithful discharge of
duty, and his official term closed with the highest
MANCHESTER.
123
respect of the whole people. In 1872 the Republican
party put in nuiuination their "great man," the Hon.
E. A. Straw, agent of the Ainoskeiig Manufacturing
Company, and placed their campaign upon the sup-
posed issue between manufacturing interests and
other branches of business in the country. Mr.
Straw was elected, and again in 1873, but in 1874, Mr.
Weston was the standard-bearer of the Democratic
party and defeated the Republicans. Although he
failed of election by the people, he received a large
plurality, and was elected by the Legislature in June
following.
In every instance where Mr. Weston has been the
candidate of his party for public office it lias been
when his opponent started in the race with a major-
ity and with numerous party advantages. Mr. Wes-
ton has fought his campaigns against numbers and
against i)restigc. He has contested the ground with
opponents wlio were no mean adversaries, and his
successes have been alike honoraljle to him and the
party to which he belongs.
During the years of his public life and since, Gover-
nor Weston has kept apace with the times in the many
enterprises and business projects of his vicinity and
State, and has held many places of trust and impor-
tance. In 1S71 he was appointed a memlier of the
New Hampshire Centennial Commission, of which
body he was chairman, and as such worked with great
zeal and efficiency to promote the success of New
Hampshire's exhibit. He was also made a member
of the Centennial Board of Finance by Congress.
He has been chairman of the Board of Water Com-
missioners from its beginning. For several years he
has been a member of the State Board of Health ;
also treasurer of the Elliot Hospital cor|)oration,
chairman of the "Trustees of tlie Cemetery Fund,"
treasurer of the Suncook Valley Railroad, treasurer
of the Franklin Street Cliurch Society, one of the
directors and clerk of the Manchester Horse Railroad
corporation, president of the Locke Cattle Company;
but his main business is the management of the Mer-
chants' National Bank, of which he has been the
president since its organization, and the (iuaranty
SavingN-liank, of which he has been the treasurer
aince its incorixiration. These two banks, altbongh
not so old as their neighbors, are, nevertheUss, ci|Ually
successful, and stand second to none in sound finan-
cial reputation. Governor Weston is tlie president,
and has actively been concerned in the management,
of the New Hampshire Fire Insurance Company,
devoting a large portion of his time to its ad'airs.
(Jovernor Weston has been a member of the Ma-
sonic fraternity since ISO], and has taken a dee|)
interest in its prosperity. He has received all the
grades, including the orders of knighthcio<l, and has
held many places of trust and responsibility, n(jtabiy
amongtlieni that of treasurerof Trinity Conimandery
for twenty-two years, — a fact wliicli shows lln> confi-
dence and esteem wliiib bis brethren have for liim.
In 1854 he married Miss Anna S. Gilmore, daughter
of Mitchel S. (lilmore, Es(i., of Concord. They have
five surviving children, — the eldest born, Herman,
having deceased at the age of four and a half years;
Grace Helen, born .Tuly 1, 1866; James Henry, July
17, 18CS; Edwin Bell, March 15, 1871; Annie Mabel,
September 26, 1876 ; and Charles Albert, November
1, 1878.
We find him surrounded by his family, living in his
elegant and tastily-arranged home, blessed with all
that life can afford. So far his journey has been suc-
cessful and happy. Few shadows have crossed the
way, and his course has been one of honor and dis-
tinction.
In the estimate of character the world is often led
astray by looking at results and not observing the
conditions under which they are gained. Accident
often determines a whole life, — some unlooked-for and
unmerited fortune builds castles for men, and, in
spite of themselves, makes them noted. Not so with
the subject of this sketch. His good fortune is the
well-deserved result of sound business principles and
their careful and systematic application to every
undertaking.
Governor Weston is not a man of impulse and sud-
den conelusions. He is rather of the deliberate and
cautious habits of thought and action, and inclined
to the analysis and investigation of all matters in
which he may be interested to an unusual degree.
The natural counterpart of such characteristics — an
abiding confidence and ilisposition to adhere tena-
ciously to well-matured plans — is the leading feature
of his mind. His achievements have been true suc-
cesses, and he has never had occasion to take the
"step backward " so common to men in public life.
Better for the world and better for himself is he wlio
builds slowly, but safely !
I'UINEHAS ADAMS.
The first of the name of Adams to come to
this country was Henry, who left Devonshire,
England, about 1630, and settled in Braintree,
Mass. He brought with him his eight sons, one
of wIkuii, Joseph, was the ancestor of that branch of
this illustrious family, which has been so |)ronii-
nently connected with the civil and pcditical history
of this country. The line of descent of the subject of
this sketch was througli Ivlward'-, Jfdin'', Eleazer',
John'', PhiiK'liiis", I'hinehas' to Phinehas", who was
born in Meihvay, .Mass., .lime 20, 1S14. His grand-
father and great-graiidfalln'r participated in the
battle of Bunker Hill, and served through the Revo-
lutionary War. He had three brothers and seven
sisters. Three sisters only are now living, — Sarah
.Vnn (born in 1816, the wii'e of E. B. Ilamniond,
M.I)., of Na.sliua), Eliza P. (born in 1820, widow of
the late Ira Stone) and Mary .lane (born in 1822,
willow of the lat<' James Bnneber), — the others having
dieij |iji(ir to Is.'ll. I'liineliiis" nnirried Sarah W.
124
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Barber, of Holliston, Mass., iu 1811. Her father was
an Kiiglishnian, and came to America during the
Revohitionary War, and married a lady who came
from Edinburgh. Phinehas' was a farmer and a
mechanic, and became an extensive manufacturer.
At an early date he manufactured lirind-kmms, and at
Waltham, Mass., iu 1814, started up successfully the
first ;^oice)--looni in this county. In 1827 he became
agent of the Neponset Manufacturing Company, at
Walpole, in which he was also one of the principal
owners.
Phinehas" passed his boyhood in Mcdway and Wal-
pole and attended the common schools, but showed
little fondness for books. At the earne-st request of
liis father, however, he applied himself more closely
to his studies, and, attending the academy at Wren-
thara, Mass., for a year and a half, made rapid and
successful progress in his studies. At this time, ow-
ing to the failure of the company of which his father
was agent, he was obliged to leave the academy, re-
linquishing the hope of a thorough education, and
commence work. Circumstances seemed to direct
him to the manufacturing business, and, with the de-
termination to master the business in all its details,
he, at the age of fifteen years, entered the large mills
of the Merrimack Company, at Lowell, Mass., as
bobbin-boy. Mr. Adams was early possessed of an
ambition to become an overseer, and to this end
labored hard and faithfully, never thinking, however,
that he would become agent of a large mill. By his
intelligent performance of the duties of his humble
position he drew the attention of his emjiloyers, and
was promoted in a short time to the i)osition of second
overseer in the weaving department, a position he
filled until 1831, when he went to fill a similar posi-
tion at the Methuen Company's mill, of which his
uncle was agent. Here he rcniainetl two years, when
he was called to take the ])osition of overseer in the
mills of the Ilooksett Manufacturing Company, of
which his father was then the agent. From Hook-
sett he went to Pittsfield as overseer in the mills of
the Pittsfield Manufacturing Company, where he re-
mained uutil March 7, 183.5, when he returned to
Lowell as overseer in the mills where he began his
career as manufacturer, and there remained until
1846, when he came to Manchester. '
In 1841, John Clark, the agent of the Merrimack
Mills, in Lowell, proposed to Mr. Adams that he
should enter the office as a clerk, in order to acciuaint
himself with the book-keeping and general business
of the mills preparatory to lilling a higher position,
which Mr. Clark then predicted he would some day :
be called upon to fill. After some hesitation he did
so, and for a period of five years filled this respon.si- i
ble position, which in those days was equivalent to
tlie present jjosition of payma.ster.
L'pon his arrival in Manchester he was given the
position of agent of the Old Amoskeag Mills, then
located on the present site of the P. C. Cheney Paper i
Company. The building of the Amoskeag Mills
was the beginning of Manchester's wonderful career
of prosperity. Mr. Adams remained with the Amos-
keag corporation until November 17, 1847, when he
became the agent of the Stark Mills. Of the great
manufactories of JManehester, that of the Stark Mills
Company ranks third in magnitude and second in
age, having been organized Sci>tember 26, 1838.
Under the management of Mr. Adams, large suc-
cess has been achieved by the Stark Mills, which suc-
cess has been largely due to his sagacity and business
integrity, and while, requiring faithful performance
of duty on the part of each employe, he also had the
confidence and esteem of each of them in an unusual
degree. Mr. Adams traveled extensively through
England, Scotland, Ireland and France, securing for
the benefit of the Stark Mills information relating to
the manufacture of linen goods and the securing of
machinery necessary for that manufacture.
In politics Mr. Adams was a Republican, but was
not an active participant in political contests, nor was
he from choice a candidate for political office, having
only served as ward clerk, when a young man, in
Lowell, and later as a Presidential elector for General
Grant, and was also chief-of-statt' for Governor E. A.
Straw. He was four years a director in the Concoril
Railroad, was chosen one of the assistant engineers
of the Manchester Fire Department, in which capac-
ity he served with peculiar fidelity for twelve years,
invariably acting for the best interests of the city.
Mr. Adams was for many years closely identified with
the financial institutions of Manchester, having
served as a director in the Merrimack River Bank
from 1857 to I860, and in the Manchester National
Bank from I860 to 1883, and was also one of the
board of trustees of the Manchester Savings-Bank,
and one of its committee on loans. He was one of
the directors of the Gas-Light Comi)any, a trustee of
the Public Library, and in 1865 was elected one of
the original directors of the New England Cotton
Manufacturers' Association. In numismatics Mr.
Adams was quite an authority, and made a fine and
very com]ilete collection of coins and medals, some of
which are of great value, being very rare. During
the administration of Colonel Adams, which covered
a long series of years, many changes took place. In
what may be called, more particularly, the manufac-
turing world, was this true. Hand-power and crude
methods of business gave place to water and steam-
power and progressive, wide-reaching business con-
nections. Colonel .\dams was the oldest agent, and
held that position for a longer period than did any
man in the Merrimack Valley, and of those holding
similar positions thirty-five years ago nearly all have
jiassed away.
Septend)er 24, 1839, Colonel Adams married Eliza-
beth, daughter of the late Deacon Samuel Simpson,
of Deerfield, a veteran in the War of 1812. From
this Union there were two children, — Elizabeth", liorn
i
K,,^ 4^n„,.
MANCHESTER.
125
June 15, 1842, and Phinehas", born December 26,
1844, both in Lowell, Mass.
September 10, 18(iS, Elizabeth'' was married to Col-
onel Daniel C. Gould, of Manchester, X. H. Octo-
ber 8, 1873, Pliinchas'-' married Anna P. Morrison, of
Belfast, Me., and resides in Manchester, N. 11.
In religion Colonel Adams was a Coiigregatioiialist,
and a member of the First Congregational Church
in Lowell, Mass., as was also his wife. On removing to
Manchester, they transferred their church relations to
the Franklin Street Cluirch of that city. Colonel
Adams received many evidences of allectionate regard
at the hands of the citizens of the places where he
had lived, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of
his business associates to an extent rarely attained.
On the thirty-second anniversary of his connection
with the Stark Mills as agent he was presented by
the directors of this corporation with an elegant gold
watch, appropriately engraved, and a chain and seal,
as an expression of great respect for his character
and a high appreciation of the service rendered the
corporation during a third of a century. Colonel
Adams was a total abstinence man; he could truth-
fully say that never in all his life bad lie made use
of liquor or tobacco. Of a commanding presence and
dignified bearing, he was at all times a gentleman.
His life was a successful one and his example a good
one. He died at his home in Manchester, July 25,
1883, beloved and respected. His wife died June 23,
1884. They had lived together nearly forty-five years.
Jfl.SIAH CRO.SIiY, M.Il.
In .\pril, 1753, from Tewksbury, Mass., there
came with Colonel Fitch a millwright who had
punliased seventy-seven acres of land upmi the
Souhcgan River, in Motison (as then called), and
afterwards Amherst, now Milford, N. II., the grand-
father 111' .Josiah Crosby. These young people took
posjtession of the lot "to subdue the forest, build a
house and rear a family." They found their way to
their wilderness lot on horsel>ack, guided by "s|iotted
trees," and there built a rude liabitatioii. At this
place was born, in 17IJ5, Asa Croslty, who for about
fifty years practiced medicine in this State, and to
whom, in Sandwich, wliere he then resided, was boru,
in February, 1794, Josiaii Crosby, the subject of this
skctcli, also Judge Nathan Crosby, of Lowell, and
nixie, Tliomas and Alpheus Crosby, professors iit
Dartmouth f'ollcge. .losiaii was handsome, genial
and gentlemaidy. (piick to learn and early graceful in
manners. He was started early for preparation for
iiis father's profession. From the town school he
was placed under the private instruction of Rev. Mr.
Hidden, of Tamworth, and afterwards sent to Am-
herst .\cademy. I [e took lessons in (tillbrd's system
in pcnniansliip and became an elegant peiuiian, kept
sihiiiil and taught private classes in peiiinanship,
studiedhis j ro e-.-ii n with his lather, attended lec-
tures three terms at Dartmouth College and spent a
year's term of pupilage and riding with the distin-
guished Dr. and Prolessor Nathan Smith, to learn
his practice. He took his medical degree in 1810
and immediately commenced practice in Sandwich,
but the next year he moved to Meredith Bridge, and
although he made very pleasant acquaintances and
had S(nnc i)ractice, he moved to Dcerfield, and in
December, 1819, he again changed his field to Epsom,
where he remained till 1825, when he established
himself in Concord. After three years of success-
ful practice there, he was induced, upon solicita-
tion of Mr. Batchelder, agent of mills in Lowell, ■
to remove there.
Here, in 1829, he brought as his bride, Olive Light
Avery, daughter of Daniel Avery, Esq., of Meredith
Bridge (now Lacouia, N. H.), who was a wealthy
merchant and manufacturer, a prominent and lead-
ing citizen, unostentatious, but energetic and decisive
in personal character and business habits.
By this marriage were born three sons and two
daughters, the only one now living being Dr. George
A. Crosby, of Manchester. His letters make quite a
history of the trials and disappointments of the
young physician of those days, who was obliged to
present youth and inexperience upon ground pre-
occupied and tenaciously held by those who could
claim possession, if not much else, in the way of title;
but increasing years and experience, accompanied
with efforts and study, carried the young man to a
leading member of the profession in Lowell, in fifteen
years from his starting-point in Sandwich. He was
honored with public ofliccs in Lowell, and assisted in
devising and organizing the various institutions of
the town for its moral and intellectual prosperity.
After about five years' successful practice in Lowell,
having passed through the land speculations and
becoming somewhat enamored with manufacturing,
he left Lowell to take charge of the Avery cotton-
mill, at Meredith Bridge, Mr. Avery having deceased
and the property of the family seeming to require his
personal stipervision. He enlarged the power of the
w(irks, and was just ready to reap his anticipated
reward, when the mercantile and manufacturing dis-
asters of 1.S30 and 1837 broke down his business and
turned him back to his profession. In 1838 his
brother Dixie, who had been in ])ractice at Meredith
Bridge several years, was appointed a professor in the
medical college at HauDVcr ami removed there, leav-
ing his practice to Josiah, who now devoted himself
to the profession again with his early love, zeal and
labor. In March, 1844, he removeil to Manchester,
which had llieii liecome an interesting manuladuring
town.
His profession.'d life-wnrk now assumed great use-
fulness, great skill and inventive progress. Here for
thirty years he was the unrivaled head of the [irofcs-
sion. Here he originated and introduced the method
of nniking extensions of fractured limbs by the use of
adhesive strips, which gave him a high reputation
126
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
with surgeons in Europe as well iis at home, and later
he invented the "invalid bed," which has so tenderly
held the patient without a strain or jar while the bed-
clothes could be changed or wounds cared for, or, by
dropping a belt or two, [irevent painful local pressure
and irritation. The skillful |ihysician, the Christian
gentleman and sympathi/.ing friend were combina-
tions of character in him rarely excelled. "His
religious life," said Professor Tucker, of Andover,
"was simple, real, true; with him there w^as no pre-
tense; he had no beliefs except those which were
thorough; no little questions vexed him; he loved
God, trusted his Saviour and worked for the welfare
of his fellow-men. Such was his record from first
to last. He looked with a calm, clear eye into the
ftiture, and, so far as we know, was troubled with no
doubts."
He was one of the founders of the Ap])leton Street
Church in Lowell in 1830, and of the Franklin Street
Church in Manchester in 1844. He held city offices,
was several times in the Legislature and was a member
of the convention for revision of the constitution.
In early manhood, from cough and feebleness, he
had not much promise of long life, but after a severe
typhoid fever during his residence in Concord, he had
great general good health to the hist two years of his
life, when paralytic tendencies appeared. On Satur-
day, the 2d day of January, 1875, after setting a
broken arm in the morning, and after sitting in his
own parlor for the finishing touches of the i>ortrait-
paiiiter in his usual cheerfulness of spirits, in fifteen
minutes after the artist had left him, at three o'clock
P.M., he was stricken with paralysis, from which he
did not rally, but passed away on the Tth, at four
o'clock in the morning, almost eighty-one years of
age.
WILLIAM D. BUCK, M.D.
William D. Buck was born in Williarastown, Vt.,
Marcli 2o, 1812, where his early boyhood was pitssed.
In 1818 his parents moved to Lebanon, N. H., and he
here enjoyed the advantages of the common schools
of the time, and by the exercise of will-power and
aided by his vigorous intellect he made rapid pro-
gress in his studies. Not being able to take a col-
legiate course, he, at an early period, went to Concord
and engaged in the occupation of carriage-i)ainter
with Downing <& Sons.
While at work here he became interested in the
science of music, and was for many succeeding years
instructor, conductor and organist in the South
Congregational Church, at Concord, and afterwards at
the Hanover Street Church, at Manchester. He
familiarized himself with standard writers and re-
tained tlirough life his love for Handel, Beethoven
and Mozart. His attention becoming drawn to the
medical profession, he determined to fit himself for its
practice, and by teaching music was enabled to de-
fray the greater part of the expense of the study of
medicine. He went into it with great enthusiasm,
and his subsequent career showed his natural fitness
fi r this profession.
He commenced the study of medicine with Timothy
Haines, M. D., of Concord; attended a course of
lectures at Woodstock, Vt., and also took the course
at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New
York, where he graduated in 1842. He commenced
the practice of his profession with the late Dr. Chad-
bourne, in Concord, in 1842, and there remained for
four years, when, desiring greater advantages of per-
fecting his medical knowledge, he visited London and
Paris, where he became acquainted with many dis-
tinguished men in the profession and spent much
time in the hospitals of those cities. He also visited
Rome and Italy, gaining much information and
making a favorable impression upon those with whom
he came in contact. After an absence of one year In
returned and made Manchester, N. H., his home, ami
here, with the exception of one year spent in Cali-
fornia, he lived until his death.
Dr. Buck sustained an enviable reputation as :i
physician and surgeon, and possessed the confideiu i
of the community in which he lived, and was early
regarded as one of the leading medical men of the
State. He reached this high position in his profes-
sion without the aid of wealth or social position. His
success was due to hard study and close applica-
tion to his business, accompanied by a zeal and devo-
tion rarely surpassed. He was unmindful of riches,
public honor or anything which he thought might
interfere with the one great pursuit of his life. Dr.
Buck possessed an active mind and the rare gift of a
retentive memory, and was a thorough scholar. He
seemed to know his own powers, and this gave him
great influence over students in medicine. In his in-
tercourse with his professional brethren Dr. Buck was
always courteous and obliging, religiously regarding
the rules of medical etiquette, and in his consultations
he always gave the patient the benefit of his best skill
and extensive practice. He made it a point of honor
to be prompt to his engagements, and never was for
one minute behind the api)ointed time. In his ex-
ample and practice he honored the profession to which
he had devoted the best years of his life, and did much
to dignify and elevate the standard of medical edu-
cation.
Dr. Buck was a prominent member of the New
Hampshire Medical Society, and was elected its pres-
ident in 1800. His papers read before this society
were always listened to with nuirked attention.
For twenty years he had a large experience in
teaching medicine, proving himself devoted and faith-
ful as an instructor. His office or the dissecting-
room were uncomfortable places for lazy students, and
he had little i)aticnce with a young man who would
not work his brains. During the winter months his
daily recitations were at eight o'clock x.ii., and woe
to the young man who was not on time.
/hu^X?3^^y^
m,
■^|n. W-"
^yCt^ ^^/h^^
MANCHESTER.
127
Dr. Buck was frequently called as a medical expert
in many •>(' the most imp<irtanl civil and criminal
cases in the .State. A distinguished advocate at the
liar in New Hainpslilre said of Dr. Buck; " i5y his
clearness of description of all im|)ortant facts to which
he W!is called in legal investigations, he had the con-
fidence of courts, thejury and the legal profession to an
extent e«|Ual to, if not ahove, that of any physician and
surgeon in New England, lie made no display of learn-
ing, hut used plain English, so that a jury might com-
prehend."
Bleeding, calomel and antimony, the three most po-
tent remedies of the fathers, he rarely used. An experi-
ence of thirty years only strengthened his convictions
against their use, and he had independence of mind
enough to ri-sist a mode of treatment which tlie med-
ical world lia<l made ftushionable, if not imperative.
In the surgical department of his profession Dr.
Buck excelled in his treatment of fractures, and in it
his mechanical ingenuity was of great service. He
took pride in putting u|) a fractured limb. The glue
bandage, which he described in an address before the
society in 186t>, was original with him, and a favorite
rennirk of his was that "a man should carry his
splint-sin his head rather than under his arm."
Jn his success in medicine and surgery very much
was undoubtedly due to his conservative treatment.
He was never rash or inconsiderate in his practice,
and the community where his busy life was passed
owe him a debt of gratitude, not only for his skill, but
for his careful use of drug.s, and his influence in this
particular over his professional brethren will not be
forgotten. He was positive and firm in his judgment,
and was not readily swayeil by those holding dillirent
0|>inions. Yet he was genial, comjianionable and
very fond of society. To those most intimate with
him Dr. Buck had endeared himself by strong ties of
friendship. In politics he was a Republican.
Dr. Buck lived a consistent Christian life, and had
that ho|ie of a happy immortality and that trust in
his Saviour wlilch served as an anchor to the s(ml
sure and steadfast. He died January 9, 1872, sud-
denly, and in the midst of an active i)ractice.
Dr. Buck was twice married, — first, to Grace Low, of
Concord, who died in ISotJ. In 1860 ho married, sec-
ond, Mary \V. Nichols, of Manchester, who is now
liviuL'. He left no cliildren.
I'll. CIIAHI.KS WKI.I.S.'
The subject of this sketch was born at West-
minster, Vt., on the 22d day of June, 1817. His
lather, Horace Wells, a prosperous, intelligent and
iiigbly respected farmer, was born in Wind.sor,
' "un., .Tunc 22, 177<). Alter his marriage to Miss
Betsy Heath, of Warehouse Point, Conn., he removed
> Kv Hon. Ilinrlos H. Bartlolt.
to Vermont, and died at Bellows Falls, in that State,
April 5, 1829. His mother afterwards remarried, and
died at Westmoreland, N. H., February 21, 1879.
His grandfather. Captain Hezekiah Wells, was born
in Windsor, Conn., June 25. 1730. He served with
distinction in the Revolutionary War and was a man
of much influence and widely esteemed. He died
March S, 1817. The homestead, which he erected
nearly a century and a half ago, is still in the posses-
sion of his descendants.
His grandmother's maiden-name was Sarah Trum-
bull. His more remote ancestors were Lamsou Wells,
born November 7, 1706; Joshua Wells, born April 10,
1672 ; and .Joshua, Sr., born in 1647. They were
all natives of Windsor, and no tem]>tation could ever
lure them from their ancestral home. It will thus be
seen that Dr. Wells traced his lineage through the best
of New England ancestry, and no purer blood has
descended from the Pilgrim Fathers to ennoble a
people than that which flowed in his veins.
Dirt'erent branches of the Wells family, in this
country and in Europe, have varied the orthography
of the name to suit their individual tastes or circum-
stances, and few of the old colonial family names
show such varied orthography, but the consanguinity
is easily traced, and few men could claim kinship
with a brighter gala.xy of names, distinguished in law,
in politics, in science, in theology and in all the fields
of literature and art, than he. Dr. Wells had but one
brother, the late Dr. Horace Wells, of Hartford, Conn.,
widely and justly celebrated its the author of modern
ana'sthesia, to whose memory a beautiful statue has
been erected in the public i)ark of that city. He died
in the city of New York, on the 24th day of January,
1848, at the early age of thirty-three, while pros-
ecuting the introduction of his discovery into
general use in surgery, as well as in dentistry,
in which he made its first application. His early
and untimely death, while his wonderful discov-
ery was yet a matter of uncertain and undeter-
mined im])Ortance, deprived him and his family of
the fruits which might otherwise have flowed from
what is now universally conceded to be the greatest
boon conferred upon suflering humanity in all the
course of time.
His only sister, Mary E. W. Cole, widow of the
late Captain .John Cole, a mitive of Westmoreland,
N. 11., but many years a resident of Medway, Mass.,
now resides in Chicago, III., with her only son, Arthur
W. Cole, a promising young architect of that city.
Dr. Wells received, in his early ytnith, all the edu-
cational advantages aflbrded by the public schools at
liellows Falls, Vt.. to which place his father removed
during his infancy, and here he died .Vjiril !'), 1829.
After his fiithcr's death he received not only the ten-
der and watchful care of one of the best of mothers,
but also the liberal and intelligent training of a
woman as remarkable for her intelligence and large-
mindedness as for herdoniestiiand maternal i|ualitie8.
128
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
He further prosecuted his studies under the private
tuition of a most excellent teacher, Mr. Ballard, of
Hopkinton, N. H., and at the academies in Walpole,
N. H., and Amherst, Mass.
After the coniplotion of his academic course he en-
tered with cnthusiiism upon the study '<{ medicine, a
profession for which by nature he was most admirably
fitted.
He commenced his professional studies with Dr.
Josiah ( iiavcs, of Nashua, X. H., January 22, IS.')?, and
graduated at the Jclferson Medical College, in Phila-
delphia, Jlarch 0, 1S4(J, at the early age of twenty-one.
He immediately commenced his professional career
at Chili, N. Y., in copartnership with Dr. Lucius
Clark ; but the field of practice proving unsatisfactory
to him, he removed to Manchester, N. H., in 1842,
where he continued his residence till his death.
His professional career was highly honorable and
eminently successful. Xever a bold and aggressive
practitioner, but always content with the share of
patronage that fell to his lot, he enjoyed, in a high
degree, the confidence and respect of his professional
brethren, and never had reason to complain of any
want of recognition of his merits by the people among
whom he lived, and who early honoretl him with their
confidence and their patronage. Such was his pro-
fessional success, and such his rare financial skill
and judgment, that while in the prime and vigor of
his manhood he found himself so fortunately circum- \
stanccd, financially, as to be relieved of the burden of
further professional labor, and several years prior to
his decease he quietly withdrew from active practice,
and devoted the last years of his life to the manage-
ment of his estate, and to those social enjoyments and
domestic duties and responsibilities which to him
were ever the source of his highest enjoyment and
his greatest hap])iness.
Dr. Wells was married to Miss Mary M. Smith,
December 21, 1847, — a union which proved remarkably
felicitous to both parties. The widow survives her
lamented husband, who made most generous pro-
vision for her future wants. No children blessed
their union.
For more than forty years Dr. AVells was an earnest
and enthusiastic member of the Hillsborough Lodge
of Odd-Fellows, being one of the charter members
of the lodge and the last survivor of that little band
who introduced the order in this State. He received
all the honors the order could bestow upon him,
and ever gave a willing hand and a generous and sym-
pathetic heart to its benevolent and charitable work.
Utterly devoid of all political ambition, he took
but little part in public afl'airs, never seeking, but
always declining, official preferment. His only service
in this direction was as a member of the Common
Council in 1847— is, and as an alderman in 1848-49.
He assisted in making the first city report, and the
plan suggested and matured by him has been in use
ever since. He was a member of Grace Church
(Episcopal), and many years a vestryman and trea-
surer.
Dr. Wells was not an ambitious man. He neither
sought nor desired public applause. Self-ghirification
and aggrandizement were utterly abhorrent to every
element of his nature. The ostentatious show of
wealth not only had no attractions for him, but for
it he had the most supreme contempt, and the seeker
after transient notoriety and ephemeral applau><-
found no favor in his sight. Solid merit and wonli
alone weighed with him, and no man was ijuicker ii.
discover the true and the genuine or more pr<jm|.i
and earnest in his denunciation of the false, the sham
and the counterfeit. As a citizen, no man w.is esteem c
above him. As a neighbor and friend, he filled tl.
measure of every expectation, and it is no extrav:.-
gance to say that no citizen of Manchester ever de-
parted this life more universally esteemed or mon
widely and deeply lamented. A man of fine physiqui .
of strikingly prepossessing personal appearance and
bearing, gentle, courtly, dignified, but affable in his
demeanor and intercourse with all with whom he
came in contact, he gave ofi'ense to none, but won
the affectionate regard, respect and confidence of all.
Dr. Wells died at his family residence in Manchesti i .
December 28, 1884, very suddenly, of heart-disease.
The first intimation received by his friends and the
public that he was not in his usual apparent health
was the startling announcement of his sudden demise.
JOHN FERGUSON, M.l).
The ancestors of Dr. Ferguson were Scotch, who
settled in the North of Ireland, and were gener-
ally engaged in the celebrated linen manufacture
of that part of the country. His grandfather, David,
settled in the South of Ireland, and was a mercliaii;
in the town of Rathkeale, County of Limerick, which
is watered by the ''Lordly Shannon," one of tiie
noblest rivers of the LTnited Kingdom. Here he
was married, and here reared his family of five
sons and two daughters, giving them good educa-
tions. The professions of the law, divinity and medi-
cine claimed one each oftlio boys, only one of whom
is at this date living, and he is the judge of the Cir-
cuit Court for the Southern District in Ireland. The
remaining sou, named for his father, chose also his
father's business, which he carried on in his native
town successfully, and married adaughter of Councilor
Fitz-Gerald, of the city of Limerick, known in history
as thecity of the ''broken treaty."
From this union there were eight children, the eldc.'-i
of whom was John (the subject of this sketch), who wa-
born October 28, 1829, in Rathkeale. He was earl\
placed underthe careand instructi(m of a private tutor
where he remained for several years, and eomplcti'i
his collegiate course with the .Jesuits. Iininediately
after he was placed underthe instructions of his uncle,
Philip O'Hanlon, M.D., of Rathkeale, who had a larL'e
city and country practice. In due time Dr. Ferguson
^/^
VW^MUl
MANCHESTER.
129
graduated at the Hall of Apothecaries, in Dublin,
and still associated with Dr. O'Hanlou, actpiired a
practical knowledge of medicine, surgery, pharmacy
and dispensatory practice.
His uncle emigrated to .Vmerica, and soon after-
wards became justly cclcl)rated in its metropolis.
Dr. Ferguson followed him to .Vmerica in 1851,
an<l that he might practice his profession here he
otlered himself for examination to the faculty of the
Medical College of Castleton, Vt., and received from
thcin their diploma. The following spring he piissed
the examination of the College of Physicians an<l Sur-
geons of New York City, and received their diploma.
At this time he accepted the position of surgeon on a
line of mail steamships plying between New York,
Liverpool, Bremen and Havre, where for a period of
three years he a.ssociated witli many literary people
among the traveling public and made many valual)lc
friends. Leaving the service of the steamship com-
pany, Dr. Ferguson was appointed one of the j)ost-
mortem examining surgeons for the coroners of New
York City, also assistant anatomical demonstrator and
assistant clinical examiner at the Medical University,
in Fourteenth Street, a college chiofiy patronized by
the sons of Southern planters, who were a liberal and
chivalrous class of gentlemen.
After practicing some years in New York City, he re-
moved to Manchester, N. H., in 18G1, being the first
Irish physi(-ian to settle here. Dr. Ferguson, shortly
after, was appointed by fiovernor Berry surgeon of the
Tenth Regiment of New JIampsbire Volunteers, anil
left for the I'ront, with bis regiment, in the fall of
1862. Dr. Fergu.son, during his residence in New
York, was surgeon on the stall' of Colonel Corcoran,
of the famous Si.xty-Nintb New York State Militia,
and saw service in the i|uanintiMe riots on Staten
Island. This service fitted blni all the better to fill
the position of brigade surgeon during the Civil War,
near the close of which he returned to Manchester,
where he has since been successfully engaged in his
private practice, which has become large and lucra-
tive, l^rior to removal to Mancbcster, Dr. Ferguson
married I'leanor, only surviving daughter of Michael
and Lienor Hughes, who were of an old and wealthy
family of New York City, where she was born June
24, 1888. From this union there have been four
children, — Eleanora, Mary ('., .lohn D. and Alfred W.
Among his pmlVssional brctbrcn Dr. Ferguson is
known to be a skillful and thorougbly educated prac-
titioner, and in social life is an atlalilf and courteous
gentleman.
NATIl.\N'li:i. WENTWOKTII Cl'MNER.'
The ancestors of tlie (Aimiicr family were of Eng-
lish origin. The name is first discovered in the period
following the supremacy of the Norman rule, — the
return from the dynasty of (he Conqueror to the as-
' By J. W. feUows.
cendeiicy of the English-Sa.\on line. It was first
spelled Comnor, and later Cumnor, meaning "hospi-
tality to strangers," or a " place of hospitality," and
comes through the Saxon branch. To this jieriod may
be referred the formation of many English family
names, — often derived from some unimjiortant cir-
cumstance, or suggested by jiersonal characteristics.
These became marks of distinction, new.titlcs to man-
hood, and were proudly bequeathed by father to son,
— "inherited surnames."
During the century following the loss of Normandy,
the Anglo-Saxon, as a written language, having been
banished from courts and superseded in all legal
papers by the Latin, became dearer to the common
people as a spoken language, preserving their cher-
ished objects and transmitting leading sentiments. It
increased its power and volume by building new terms
and means of expression, and particularly by multi-
plying its patronymics. In a comparatively short si)ace
of time the language had become vernacular, and
fairly entitled to be styled English, rich in the idioms
and pro]K>r names of its own creation and outgrowth.
"The history of words," says Trench, "is the his-
tory of ideas," and he might have said of people and
nations. They are not only the " vehicle of thought,"
but they tell anew the story of their times and enrich
the great body of history with countless incidents of
value and importance. In studying their genealogy,
the English-speaking people find the starting-point of
many an illustrious name in the peculiar circum-
stances of those media'val times, — the natural product
of the mingling of ditierent tongues, and the constant
struggle between feudalism and servitude.
The famous old manor-house, Cumnor Castle, so
celebrated in romance, once enjoyed the rent-fee and
service of a large body of retainers, and carried for
many a year, by reason of its feudal allotments, a
numerous vassalage. Its walls have long since fallen
into shapeless ruins, but the lands of its tenantry now
embrace the beautiful village of Cumner. The
fanulies bearing this name have not been numerous
in England, but have maintained their lineage with
remarkable directness The earliest trace of these
people shows that they belonged to the industrial
clas-ses, — the guilds-peo|ile, who, in the latter part of
the seventeenth century, had attained such prominence
Its to nearly control the business interests of the great
inetro|)olis, and to whom the Lord Mayor of London
was pleased to say, on a memorable occasion, " While
our gracious nobility arc the leaf and (lower of (he
kingdom, ye are the sturdy trunk and branclus."
The subject of this sketch belongs to the third gene-
ration in America. His grandfather, Robert Francis
Cumner, came to this country when about fifteen
years of age, under circumstaiues of a very interesting
character. In .lune, 1774, while walking in thestreets
of London, he was seized by a " gang of pressmen "
from the ship "Somerset," sent out to recruit hig
Majesty's marine He was carried directly on board,
130
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
forceii to become one of the crew, mikI do the duty of
il common sailor. He was not allowed the privilege
of communicatinj; with his friends, and no tidings
from him or knowledge of his situation were received
during the long cruise of the '■ Somerset " in distant
waters, until she appeared in Boston Harbor and took
part in the battle of Bunker Hill. Her position and
the service she rendered the British troops on that
memorable day are well-known in history. From her
decks came the first fatal shot, and under the fii'e of her
guns the broken and retreating ranks of Royalists
found protection.
The scenes of that bloody struggle made a deep
impression upon the mind of young Cumner, and
fixed his determination to take no part in the work of
subjugation. Circumstances fortunately soon favored
his settled purj)ose. The " Somerset " not long after the
battle "got aground," probably somewhere in the
lower part of Massachusetts Bay. During their efforts
to get afloat, some of the crew went ashore, among
them the Cumner boy, who immediately availed him-
self of the opportunity to escape from his unwilling
Service. While following the highway into which he
first came, near the shore where lay the stranded
" Somerset," he was overtaken by a Quaker on horse-
back, who, learning his situation and purpose to obtain
his freedom from the " British yoke," invited ouryoung
hero to " get up behind," and, throwing his gray cloak
over the lad, soon carried him beyond the King's power.
He settled in Wareham, Mass., learned the tailor's
trade and began the permanent business of his life.
October 20, 1785, he married Miss Sylvia Sturtevant,
whose family connections were very worthy and highly
respected. Her father was a soldier in the War of the
Revolution, and fell on the battle-field fighting for
independence. The Sturtevant people have received
honorable mention in the annals of history, and their
name is written among those who deserve well of their
country. Not long after his marriage he moved to
Sandwich, Ma.ss., from that i)Lice to Wayne, in the
State of Maine, where he resided during the remainder
of his life. He was successful in business and became
a prominent and highly respected citizen. He was a
man of modest and retiring habits and e.^emplary
character, but of indomitable will and inflexible ad-
herence to what he believed to be right. If his wife
were the subject of our sketch, we could fill it with
incidents showing his remarkable tenacity of purpose.
Robert Francis and Sylvia Cumner had two children,
— John, born January 19, 1788, and Polly, a few years
younger. He died February 5, 1825, and his wife,
March 26, 1826, and their remains were interred in the
Evergreen Cemetery, in Wayne.
John Cuniner was but a few months old when the
family moved from Sandwich, Mass., to Wayne. He
was of a sanguine, active nature and early evinced
the character of a sincere and zealous worker in reli-
gious matters. He obtained a fair education, and
although to a certain extent compelled to work on the
farm and devote himself to that kind of employment,
his thoughts ran u]ion matters more congenial to his
nature. When about eighteen years of age he was
employed by General I^andsell to take charge of his
farm in Bridgewater, Mass., where he remained several
summer seiisons. During this time he became ac-
quainted with Miss Hannah Thomas Bartlett, of
Bridgewater, whom he married July 11, 1813. He
settled in Wayne, upon the farm which became the
homestead, and was so occupied by the family dur-
ing his many years of labor and life in the ministry.
He was associated with the society of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, and interested in the afTairs of
that denomination at the early age of nineteen years,
and soon after appointed a class* leader and licensed
to preach. His labons were attended with marked
success, and at the annual meeting of the General Con-
ference for Maine, in 1833, he was admitted to mem-
bership and received his first appointment. He con-
tinued in the active ministry until 1852, when failing
health obliged him to cease labor; but his love for
the church and his zeal in the cause of its established
creeds continued unabatedduring his remaining years.
He died February 5, 1861, closing a life of industry
and devotion, in which he had accomplished more
good than usually falls to the lot of man. His wife
died December 5, 1852. She was very beautiful when
young, and was much beloved and admired by her
wide circle of friends. Possessed of an earnest and
devotional nature, she entered with ardent sympathy
into the plans and labors of her husband, faithfully
bearing her share of life's varied duties, — firmly in the
hour of trial, and with amiable companion.ship when
prosperity filled the moasureof their ambition. They
had eleven children, two of whom died in infancy.
Three others, have deceased, — Maryetta in 1871, and
Francis and James in 1881. The remaining members
of the family are Cathamander, William B., John T.,
Nathaniel W., Charles W. and Benjamin G. Cumner.
N.athaniel Wentworth, the youngest but two of the
children of John and Hannah T. Cumner, was born
at Wayne, November 28, 1829. His early life was
devoted to obtaining an education in the vicinity of
his home, passing from the district to the private
school in the town of Wayne, and to other schools
and seminaries in the circuit where his father's ap-
pointments were made. During some portion of the
sea.son, for a few years, he assisted the older brothers
in cultivating the homestead farm, but at the age of
sixteen he went to Wilton, Me., and engaged in learn-
ing the tailor's trade. He remained thereabout three
years; then went to Waltham, Miiss., staying there
about one year and a half; then to Lowell, Mass.,
where he remained until 1851, when he came to Man-
chester, N. H., and entered the employ of B. F. Man-
ning, then doing business in the store occupied in
later years by the firm of Cumner & Co.
In January, 1854, Mr. Cumner became a partner
in the business of merchant tailors and clothiers, the
MANCHESTER.
131
firm-name being Manning & Cumner. This arrange-
ment continued until August, 1857. Mr. Cumner
then withdrew and went to Washington, D. C, as a
member of the firm of F. Tenney & Co., proprietors
of tlie National Hotel. In August, 185i), he returned
to Manchester and pureliased the stoclv and " good
will " of the Manning store, and entered at once into
business, in which lie continued as the sole pro-
prietor until 1865, when his brother, Benjamin G.
Cumner, became associated with him, forming the
copartnership of Cumner & Co. At this time Mr.
Cumner became also a member of the well-known
wholesale bouse of Sibley, Cumner & Co., in Boston,
having purchased an interest in the old house of
Foster & Sibley, and devoted his attention largely to
the wholesale trade. In 1868, Lyman E. Sibley re-
tired, and Mr. Cumner hecanie the senior member, the
name of the firm remaining tlie same.
In the great fire of November 9, 1872, their estab-
lishment was among the first to be burned, and the
firm suffered a total loss of their immense stock ; but
their credit was so strong, and their energy and ability
80 widely recognized, that their business received no
check, and the transactions of the house proceeded
even upon a more extensive scale than before. In
1879 the firm became Cumner, Jones & Co., which is
the present style of the business. In 1881 he sold
his interest in the business of Cumner & Co. in Man-
chester, which had enjoyed unvarying success and
great jirosperity from the beginning, and from that
time devoted himself entirely to the Boston house.
The business had so largely increased that it became
necessary to give it his constant personal attention.
The reputation of Cumner, Jones & Co. in commer-
cial circles hits become widely known, and its
remarkable success an acknowledged fact. He was
one of the founders of tlie Boston Merchants' Asso-
ciation in 1880, and has for some time been one of its
board of directors. Tlie importance of this organi-
zation to the great commercial interests of Boston is
widely known.
Mr. Cumner has been eminently successful asabusi-
ness man. Possessing in a large degree self-reliance
and confirleiice in his own judgment, he selected an
honorable calling and devoted himself to its duties
and demands. He believed that industry and perse-
verance, with well-matured plans, were certain to
produce the most desirable results. He knew the
energy and fidelity of his own character, and trusted
to the safety of sound principle, and lie has proved
that his plans were wisely laid and his ways well
chosen. At a comparatively early age hehas acquired
a competence, and in his position of senior member of
one of tlie soundest and most prosperous, an<l at tlie
same time conservative, wholesale houses in New
England, his inlliience is always in favor of that
healthy and rcliabU' condition of trade which estab-
lishes i)ublic confidence and guarantees general pros-
I'crity.
And not only in connection with his partnership
associations is Mr. Cumner known as a business man.
In the circles wdiere the leading merchants and im-
porters of our New England metropolis are accus-
tomed to meet and discuss the laws of trade and can-
vass the ])rospects of the future his judgment is greatly
respected, and the intelligence and foresight with
which he is able to advise are highly regarded. He
bears an unblemished reputation as a man of honor
and fairness, in all ways commanding universal re-
spect and esteem, — a gentleman in the true signifi-
cance of the term. In the wide range of personal dis-
tinction, among all the marks of honor and renown
which the world aftbrds, the title of a true gentleman
stands first, and he who bears it worthily need en\-)'
neither prince nor potentate.
As a citizen, Mr. Cumner has taken an earnest and
unvarying interest in i)ublic aHiiirs. P<ditically, his
associations have been with the Democratic party ;
but his views have been conservative, looking to the
real purposes of the government rather than the aims
and desires of party politicians. While residing in
Manchester he held important offices in the municipal
government, was a faithful public servant, working
zealously to promote the general interests and the
common good of his constituents, of whom he deserved
well.
Mr. Cumner became a member of the celebrated
military organization, tlie Amoskeag Veterans, in the
days of its origin, and has continued to do active
duty through the entire term of its existence. He
held the office of captain in 1870, and commander of
the battalion, with the rank of major, in 1879 and
1880. During his membership he has served in
countless capacities incident to the general manage-
ment of the organization, and while commander did
very efl'ective service in promoting harmony and
unity of purpose and increased in a great degree the
interest and efficiency of the corps.
Mr. Cumner's connection with the Masonic frater-
nity has been a very prominent feature of his life.
He became a Ma.son in Lafayette Lodge, Manchester,
May, 1856, and was one of the petitioners and charter
members of Washington Lodge in 1857. He held
many subordinate offices, and was the Worshipful
Master in 1862 and 1863, and has been treasurer
nearly all the time since. His keen scrutiny of its
business affairs and careful management of its
accounts liave done nuich to keep his lodge in sound
financial condition. In ISoli be received the capitu-
lar degrees in Mt. Iloreb Royal Arch Chapter, and
after serving at almost every post in that body, be-
came its High Priest from 1862 to 1864. He took the
cryptic degrees in Adoniram Council, in May, 1857,
and soon after the orders of kriiglitliiii>d were con-
ferred upon him in Trinity Conimandery, Knights
Templar. In all these subordinate bodies he sus-
taineil an ardent and zealous membership, contribut-
ing freely to their support and aiding materially in
132
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
their prosperity. In 1862 he was admitted to the
degree of High Priesthood, and in 1863 received the
degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Kite to the
thirty-second, inclusive, in Boston, and in September,
1881, was elected to the thirty- third and last grade
in Masonry. In the Grand Masonic bodies of New
Ham])shire he has been equally prominent, and his
earnest labors and sincere devotion to their inter-
ests have been recognized and appreciated. After
holding several offices in the M. E. Grand Eoyal Arch
Chapter of New Hampshire, he was elected Grand
High Priest in 1867 and 1808, and gave eminent
satisfaction by his management of afl'airs. In the
(xrand Lodge of New Hampshire he held nearly all
the subordinate positions, and was elected Most
Worshipful Grand Master in 1872, 1873 and 1874.
As the presiding officer in these grand bodies, whose
duties are mostly legislative, he commanded the
respect of the fraternity for fairness and impartiality,
and was highly esteemed for his graceful and courte-
ous bearing. His addresses and official jiapers were
regarded as sound and creditable documents by the
fraternity in other jurisdictions.
If Mr. Cumner has been prosperous and successful
in other departments of life, he has been remarkably
happy and fortunate in his family and social relations.
He married Miss Harriet Elizal)eth Wadley, daughter
of Moses D. Wadley. of Bradford, N. IL, January 24,
1856. They have two sons, — Harry Wadley Cumner,
born July 18, 1860, and Arthur Bartlett Cumner, born
July 30, 1871. Harry Wadley graduated from the
Manchester High School in 1870, with high standing
in his class and the rejHitation of a faithful and efficient
student. He entered the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, in Boston, in 1879, as a special student,
remaining two years. In 1881 he engaged in mercan-
tile life, and having integrity and the capacity to
make the best use of his privileges and attainments,
he has certainly the earnest of a prosperous and hon-
orable life. In October, 1884, he married Miss Nellie
B. Pope, daughter of Edwin Pope, Esq., of Boston,
where he has permanently located in business.
Arthur Bartlett, a bright and beautiful boy of uncom-
mon intelligence, ha.s yet to climb the nathwav of
youth; but if aught can be predicted from such tender
years, he is not likely to disappoint the fond hopes of
parents and friends.
In the common judgment of mankind, woman re-
ceives very little credit for the success of man in the
struggles and achievements of this life. The intuitive
judgment and unfaltering support with which the
faithful and devoted wife aids her husband are unseen
influences, the force and importance of which never
have been and probably never will be understood or
appreciated; and although the remarkable success
which the subject of this sketch ha.s gained may be
attributed to his ability and integrity, still the high
social position to wliich the family have attained and
the important and very creditable purposes which they
have accomplished are equally due to the clear and
well-traine<l judgment, the watchful care and over-
sight of domestic afl'airs, and the amiable companion-
ship of his estimable and accomplished wife. While
in their relative spheres, either in the busy marts of
trade or the domestic departmentsof life, "on 'change"
or in the drawing-room, each, to a certain extent,
must be judged independently, in all the economy of
life her imlividuality and influence will be seen to
have done their full share in moulding the fortunes
of the family.
The future may not be forecast, but in the early
achievement.s of men may be discovered the earnest
of still greater success.
In the character and attainments of the subject of
this sketch may be seen the promise of the full
measure of life's joys and the realization of a noble
and worthv ambition.
ALLEN X. CL.VPP.
Allen N. Clapp, one of the leading business men
of Manchester, traces his ancestry on the j)aternal
side to Thomas Clapp, who was born in England
in 1597, and came to this country in 1633. The
line is as follows: Thomas, Thomas, Joshua, Joshua,
Joshua, Asa, Allen, Allen N. His father, Allen
Clajjp, was born in Walpole, N. H., April 28, 1794,
and died in Marlborough, N. H., February 9, 1838.
He married, February 10, 1819, Hannah Newcomb,
and their family consisted of seven children, Allen N.
being the youngest.
He traces his ancestry on the maternal side to
Francis Newcomb, who was born in England about
1605, and came to America in April, 1635, and settled
in Boston. The line is as follows : Francis, Peter,
Jonathan, Benjamin, John, Hannah, born February
25, 1793, died Fel>ruary 9, 1838.
Allen N. Olapp was born in Marlborough, N. H.,
January 2, 1837. His father having died soon atlcr,
his mother removed to Nashua, and here young Clapp
received the rudiments of his education. He also
attended the High School, and .subsequently passed one
year at the Mctiaw Institute, in Merrimack. When
about nineteen years of age he came to Manchester
as clerk in the employ of Ira I'arr, with whom he re-
mained in that position until 1860. He then formed
a copartnership with Mr. Barr, under the firm-name
of Barr & Clapp, in the mercantile business. This
business was continue<l under the same firm-name
until 1881, when Mr. Clapp [lurchased ."Mr. Barr's in-
terest, and has since con<luctcd the business as sole pro-
prietor. The large and elegant brick l)lock now owned
and occupied by Mr. Clapj), located at the corner ol
Granite and Main Streets, was completed in January,
1871. It is the largest block in West Manchester.
In addition to dealing in groceries, flour, grain, etc.,
Mr. Clai>p is the New Ilampsliire agent for the Stand-
ard Oil Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, and his sales
are extensive. Mr. Clajip was elected alderman in
^/Z^. It. (V.vc
i
fj^yi^ <^^^<
MANCHESTEK.
133
ISOl and 18G2, and represented Ward Seven in the
Legislature in 1874 and 1875. At his first election an
flf'ort was made to unseat him, but without success.
I'olitically, he is a Rei>ul)licaii, and attends Hanover
.Street Congregational Ciiurcii. Jlr. t'lapp is one of
Maneiiester's UKtst active and inHiiential business
men, and has done niucli to advance the interests of
tiiis section (West Manchester) of the city.
May 20, 18G3, Mr. Clapp united in marriage with
.losie M. Mason, a native of Sullivan, N. H., and their
family has consisted of two children, .\nnie M. and
Freildie. The latter died in infancy.
.lOHX C. FREXCH.
John t". French, one of the leading business men
of Manchester, was born in Pittsfield, N. H., March
1, 1S32. He came of sturdy New England stock, his
grandfather being .Vbram Krciich, a carpenter and
builder, who completed the interior of the first
meeting-house in Pittsiield, and also the iiarsonage
iiiiilding for Kev. Christopher Paige, steptather of the
"beautiful Crace Fletcher," the first wife of Daniel
Webster. Abram French bought the farm of Kev.
Christopher Paige, known as the French homestead.
Enoch, the eldest son of Abram French, wiio mar-
ried, in 1823, Eliza Cate, of Epsom, a most estimable
woman, was the father of five children, the subject of
this sketch being the only survivor. His boyhood
was passed upon one of the rocky farms of Pittsfield,
where his oiiportunities for obtaining an education
were very limited. He attended the common schools
of bis native town, and by teaching winters and
working on a farm summers he secured means which
enabled him to attend several terms at the academies
at I'ittsfield, (Jilmaiiton and Pembroke. Here be
succeeded in ac(iuiring an education which well
qualified iiim for his subsequent successful business
career.
At the age of twenty-one hi' entered the employ of
J. H. Colton & Co., the well-known jjublishers, jia
salesman for their mnunted m;tps. He soon developed
a remarkable al)ility as a solicitor, and his executive
ability, combined with his rare tact in dealing with
such a variety of persons, attracted the attention of
his employers, who rewarded him by giving him, a
year later, the Boston agency for "Colton's .\tlas of
the World." The success which he attained with the
nnips liiljowed him in this also, selling, as he did,
more than twelve hundred copies of this expensive
wtirk. In l.S.'j.J ho wa.s appointcil by this house their
general agent for New England, and subscipiently
gave considerable attention to tile introduction of
Colton's series of geographies into the public schools.
He was also subseiiucntly a.ssociated with Itrown,
Taggarl i^- Co. and ( 'liarles Scribner & Co. in bring-
ing out their scliool publications.
In May, l.Sti."), he was appointed Stale agent for the
Connecticut Miilnal Life Insurance Com|iaiiy. He
then located in Manchester, where he has since '
resided, although he still retains possession of the
delightful old homestead in Pittsfield, where he first
saw the light of day.
Three years later, having become interested in the
insurance interests of the State, he conceived the idea
of establishing a stock fire insurance company, and
by untiring persistency and a zeal characteristic of the
man, he succeeded in overcoming the almost uni-
versal prejudice existing against such an organization,
enlisted in its support some of Manchester's most
prominent citizens, secured a charter- and a capital
stock and began the business, which under his ener-
getic and prudent management has since grown to
great proportions, its cajjital having been increased
from one hundred thousand dollars to five hundred
thousand dollars, and its ciish assets to over one
million dollars, while it enjoys a national re|)Utation
for e.xcellent management and financial success.
Notwithstanding he has been engrossed in the
management of a large business in Manchester, he
has ever manifested a lively interest in his native
town, and when the project fi)r building a railroad
which would promote its growth and pros])erity took
shape, he gave himself heartily to the support of the
enterprise, and it wa-; largely through his etibrts that
the three hundred and fifty thousand dollars neces-
sary to build the Suncook Valley road was secured
by subscriptions to the capital stock and gratuities
from the towns along the line. As one method of
helping this work to a successful com|)letion, he estab-
lished the SiiiK-iiiiL- Valleij Timrx at Pittsfield, and for
two years contributed regularly to its columns a series
of historical and biographical articles which attracted
much attention in the locality and were widely copied
and read elsewhere. He also at one time published
and edited at Manchester a journal devoted to insur-
ance interests, and has established a reputation as a
vigorous, versatile and popular writer. He is deeply
interested in the literature of his native State, and
probably no man has so thorough a knowledge of its
resources, industries and local history. He is a mem-
ber of Trinity Comniandery, Knights Templar, and
a director in the Merchants' National Hank. He
attcnils the Franklin Street Church. In 18o8 he
united in marriage with Annie M., daughter of L. B.
Philbrick, Esq., of Deerfield, and their family consists
of three children, — Lizzie \., Susie P. and George
.\bram.
Mr. French is a genial companion, a stanch friend
and a man who wins and holils the good opinion of
his fellow-citizuus.
CHAlll.HS i:. it.vi.cn.
There is no prouiler or more enduring personal
recor<l than the story of a self-reliant, manly and
successful i-arcer. It dei lares that the individual iiol
only understood his duty and mi.'^sion, but fnllillrd
them. The following memoir is highly snggi-»iivc .■('
these facts :
134
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Charles E. Balch was born in Francestown, N. H.,
March 17, 1834, and here his boyhood days were
spent. He was a son of well-to-do parents, and was
educated at Francestown Academy, and at the age of
eighteen years began his active l)usincss carter as book-
Iceeper in tlie mercantile establishment of Barton &
Co., in this city. Here lie remained about two years,
and then accepted a clerkship in the Manchester
Savings-Bank. He brought to the discharge of his new
duties a peculiar fitness, which soon attracted tiio atten-
tion of the oflirtTs of the Manchester Bank, and upon
the reorganization of this institution as a national bank,
in 1885, Mr. Balch was chosen its cashier, a position
which he held until January, 1884. He was also
trustee of the Manchester Savings-Bank, the largest
in the State ; from 1862 was a member of its invest-
ment committee, and treasurer till within a few
months before his death. He was treasurer of the
Manchester Gas-Light Company, a director and mem-
ber of the finance committee of the New Hamjishire
Fire Insurance Company, and a trustee of many large
estates. And in all the various positions of responsibil-
ity and trust which Cohmel Balch was called upon to
fill, he discharged his duties with eminent ability, and
proved himself a most sagacious, careful and safe
financier. He was interested in a number of vessels,
one of which, a four-masted schooner, the " C. E.
Balch," of eight hundred and forty-three tons, was
launched at Bath, Me., July 15, 1882. Colonel Balch
was thoroughly alive to all interests looking to the
welfare of his adopted city, and rejoiced to see it pros-
per, always responding to personal calls looking to
this end.
He did not seek political preferment, but was a
stanch supporter of Republican principles. In na-
tional. State and municipal affairs he was deeply in-
terested and had firm convictions in regard to them.
The purity and uprightness of his life were con-
spicuous. Not a breath of evil was ever raised against
him. His personal bearing to everybody was most
cordial. For each of the vast number of persons who
were brought into business and social relation with him
he lia<l always a pleasant greeting, impressing nil with
his affability and marked courtesy. The unHagging
work which he put into his life's calling enabled him
to become one of Manchester's most successful men,
acquiring a handsome property. Colonel Balch was a
gentleman of refined taste, high ideas of morality, and
devoted to his home-life. During 188^^ he completed
one of the most elegant residences in the city, in a de-
lightful location, and having reached that point in
his career where he could sensibly lessen his business
cares, he was in a position to enjoy the fruits of an
honorable and successful life. Although his death
had been in a measure expected, it brought a siiock to
his host of friends in the city and State, wlio mourned
Death's selection of one of the most prosperous, re-
spected and best-known individuals in the ])rime of
manhood. With only one secret organization was he
connected, the Washington Lodge of Masons, Colonel
Balch received his military title by serving two years
on the staflT of Governor Head. He was an accom-
plished equestrian. He was a member of the Frank-
lin Street Society and contributed liberally to its
advancement.
Mr. Balch's architectural taste, which was some-
thing unusual in a person not a professional, is shown
in his fitting up of the interior of the Manchester
banking-rooms ; his plan for his own residence, which
is of classical style of architecture, and during the
last year of his life, the building of Cilley Block, one
of the finest business blocks on Elm Street, in Man-
chester. He was one of the building committee of
the Manchester Opera-House.
In July, 1867, he united in marriage with Miss
Emeline R., daughter of Rev. Nahum Brooks, who
survives him. He died October 18, 1884.
At a meeting of the officers of Manchester Bank,
October 20, 1884, the following resolutions were pre-
sented by Hon. Daniel Clark, and adopted :
** Resoh-fd, That by tbe death of Cohinel diaries E. Balcti we have
lost a pleasant associate, ft courteous gelttleriian, a pruJent, skilled ami
efficient officer, an able financier, cautious and considerate in his judp-
nient, prompt in action, straightforward and direct in his methods anil
faithful to his trusts, a man of great moral worth and Christian virtue,
free from reproach, fjuiet in his deportment, gentle and unassuming in
his manoere and exemplary in all the relations of life ; a citizen of large
and healthful influence, respected and beloved,
" Res'/tvfd, That while we deplore his death in the prime of his man-
hood, when, rich in experience he was becoming even more nsefiil, yet
our grief is somewhat moderative, and we are thankful that no shadow
rests upon the record of his life, and that tbe Itrightness of his example
shines up from the * valley ' of his peaceful rest.
" Hugoired^ That a c<ipy of tliese restdutions be presented to Sirs. Balch
asan expression of our appreciation of her husband's diameter and «tf our
heartfelt sympathy in her bereavement, and that they be entered upon the
records of the Manchester Savings Bank, whose treasurer he was."
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. George
B. Spalding, D.D., who spoke with great tenderness
and fine appreciation, as follows :
" In the stir and noise of our great communities death fails to make
its due impression. Day by day one falls out of the ranks, and in the
swift onward march of the living he seems soon to be forgotten. The
surface of the ever-flowing stream is broken only for the niomenl. The
current of human ambitions and strifes, of fierce competition and activi-
ties, bears no truce of disturbance as one disappears beneath the waves
and is lost to view forever, so iutensoand hurried and irrepressible is this
tide of life which surges as never before in our cities. And yet, now and
then, death comes in such unusual form, or bears away one of such pecii -
liar character, or such marked relations to the community, that all he«rta
are arrested and the sense of loss seems deep and universal. It is so to-
day.
'•The announcement of the death of Charles K. Balch brought a prti-
found hush to this community. His sickness has been watched with an
unusual solicitude. Hopes and fears had attended the varying phasesof
his disease. Its sudden fatjil ending was a shock to very many hearts.
The prt>8eiice here to-tlay of S4» great a number and of such varied repre-
sentAtivos of all classes manifests the depth and tenderness of tbe sor-
row which this death hjis caused. There must have been something in
this man, in his nature and his ways with bis fellow-men, that accounts
for this profound feeling, which, to such an unusual degree has come
to this city. Doubtless there is that in the outwani history of this man
which has strtuigly moved us. Here was one who, as a young man of
eighteen years of age, came into this place, putting his best life into the
young, vigorous city, growing up through its successive stages of growth,
sharing at last, as the fruits of his keen foresight and splendid industry,
in its great pros|)erity, — and yet in the fulness of his malurwi strength,
'[rPnyu ^-^ -^^^^^^^^^^^^
MANCHESTER.
135
aoil ill the fulfillt>4l promise or hin iinleut hopes iind (uruful plunuiug,
■il<ltleiily btkcn tiway fruin ttiiti ticcnu uf Ilia liiburs »iitl succet«<es. Tlie
gudtlvnni-tM aoU complctonesj of tliia work of ili-Atli slurtlcH and aitpalls
all hfurtn. Wy can scareo witliliold uur pity an we look upon liis
■igDn) (riuiiiplis, ai> vvo Itxik arouD<i tliiit lioiiie into whieti he bent liis
careful tti<Hi};lit» unil liis refined ta^te, and think of him lu rnthleitsly sev-
ered liy death from it all. Only a rhri»tian faith, only the thoughts of
the tuanaions in the Father's house, can turn our feelings of conipaaition
iDto better ways.
"But loniething more than pity for one swept thus suddenly away
fn>ni his brave activities and keen enjoynienls in the very prime of his
life mtist account for this wide and tender interest whieli his death has
awakenetl. There ia a resi>ect, an adinimtion, a strong afTertion surging
In our heails which only certain most noble i|ualities in Mr. Italch could
call out from us. lie was a man who, through moretha[i thirty years,
has be«n conspicnotis in the business life of this community. He carried
Into all the many activities which had engiiged him some <)uite remarka.
bl« powers which were the conditions of hia sncceaj. He was industri-
ona, patient, foreseeing, wise in judgment, swift in e.xecution, tireless in
application, faithful in every business service. But, far lietter than this,
to these splenilidly-i-t|uipped pfiwers he Joined a most sjigaeious and con-
acietitious regard for true principles which utiderlie all tilialuial success.
He won prosjwrity for the iustilutions he served and for himself by a
pereistent conformance to those ways of doing business which all the ex-
perience of the iM«t and the sadder experience of the present show to
be alone sound in principle and truly enduring in results. He has been,
and will continue to be, a fine example, to the young men of this city,
of an honorable, successful man. And in all the prosi-cution of his
liusinefls enterprises, and in all the perfi^ruuince of his private and pub-
lic trusts, he has always shown himself to be honest and trutliful in
every respect. No word has ever reached my ear, and I doubt if any
other's, which, oven out of malice or uncharitJib]ones.s, could nuir the
character of this man, as one most just and upright in all his business
life. But the circle of business enterprise, however filled by his time and
fnergiiw, did not completely hold him.
".Mr. Balch was a man of public spirit. He was deeply interested in
>tl that lierlaiucd to the prosi>erity an<l well-being of this city. He rc-
■icwl in its growth and contributed of his refined tastes and his large
- (({acity to add to its beauty. He was a man of purest moral tone, free
from every debaHing habit, clean in thought and in speech, far from
every low, mean thing. He was reverent in eipirit, respecting with
utm<wt sincerity the very foniis ot religion, and sharing, I doubt not, its
hidden life He was retiring in disposition, not seeking office or publicity,
li'ving most hia boliii', and warm and loyal to his chosi'n friends, lleyond
vInKjstany man I have ever known, he was a gentleman, always courteous,
il ways cheerful, always greeting us and everybody else with a smiling face
Mid kuid woni, that maile all the world brighter for having met him. No
imiueswcare or is-rplexity, no pain or exhaustion of sickness, seemed to
ruflle the serenity «>r take from him inspiringcheer. The loss of such a
man's preai-nre among us is very great. How great it is to ihishouse-
ti'dd, where all the dearest qualities which we have reoillcd found their
'illesl expretwion, no one outside can know. But the liiss to this city,
111 the splenditi business caliacities ami liigli, noble career and chanic-
tar which have hero closed, ia very great. A city's real greatness and
finest renown must always be found in lla liesl citizens. Better than
Iti material pros|)erity and the liiiilliform products of its mightiest
Industry and the charms of its oiitwanl adornment and natural beau-
ties are the high-minded and good men and women who are found
within It."
.llJll.S 11. .MAV.VAlil).
Jiiliri II. Maynurd, son of Asa and Marv (Linlield)
Mayiiard, wa.s born in Coniord, Mass., .laniiary 23,
180.J. Jlis lather moved to Ldudoii, N. II., when lie
was but five years of ago, and reintiiiied lure a few
years and moved to East Cimeord.
The subject of this sketeh attended ihe distriet
schddl in winter and worked at eiirpentiring in sum-
mer ; coiiiiiieiued to Iciirii his trade, when eleven
years old, wilh .Moses Kimball, of East (Joneord, with
whom he reiiiaineil five vears, or iiiilil Ihe dialh of
Mr. Kimball.
Ho subsequently was in the employ of John
Putney, and, still later, of John Leaeh, of Concord.
He remained with Mr. Leach about four years, then
stjirted out on his own account, tind his career has
been a successful one. He built Nathaniel Upham's
house, now standing north of the h'latc-House, and
afterwards built the Baptist meeting-house in New-
Boston. He returned to Concord and built Call's Block,
rear of the State-House. Wius in Amoskeag about
the year 1832, and built the old tavern which is now
a tenement block. He built the Unitarian meeting-
house in Concord, and then returned to Amoskeag
and erected the first tenement-house at Amoskeag
Falls, on the east side of the river. This was built
for the workmen who were to build the guard-gate for
the Amoskeag Company. From this time Mr. May-
nard worked continuously for the Amoskeag Company
for thirty years, during which lime he did the car-
penter-work on No. 3, 4, .3 and H Mills and most of
the large tenement blocks. Mr. Maynard married, for
his first wife, Jane Kimball, of East Concord, N. H.,
March, 23 1832; they had no children. He lived
with her about thirty years. He married for his
second wife Apha Kimball, of Hopkinton, N. H.,
about the year 1871. Mr. Maynard was chief of the
old Fire Department, and was connected with it for
twenty-five years. He has been alderman and a mem-
ber of the City Council, and has also been a representa-
tive from Manchester three terms in the Legislature.
He was the first assessor in the city of Manchester.
Mr. Maynard has resided in Maneliester since its iii-
faiuy, and relates that he planted beans and corn in
front of where the Stark Block now stands, on Elm
Street. He is a director in the Manchester Bank,
and hits been for thirty-five years. He is in jiolitics
a Heiiulilican.
Mr. Maynard is a liuilder ami contractor, and is an
.letive business men of to-day, although eighty -one
years of age. His father was in the Uevolutionary
War, and died at the age of ninety-seven years.
HON, ,11 ill N IlKSl.KY.
.lolin llosley was born May 12, lS2t>, at the old
llosley homestead, in Hancock, N. If., and is the son
of Samuel and Sophia (Wilson) llosley, being one of
a family of nine, of whom also survive Martha E.,
wife of George O. Wadsworth, of Chelsea, Mass., and
Lucretia J., wife of Oliver Dearborn, of Denver, Col.
Mr. Hosley comes from a Iwirdy, thrifty, intelligent
ancestry, which traces its lineage back through the
centuries to Merrie England, where the family had iu
origin. His ancestors were numbered among the
indomitable Puritans who sought an asylum from
persecution in America, and were of such a heroic
mould that their descendants were found battling for
freedom in tlii! War of Ihe Revohition.
In tracing the genealogy of Ihe family we find that
there was a .lames Hosley born .May 1, l(!4'.t, married
Martha Parker, and died July it, l(i77. He was sur-
136
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
vived by a sdn, James, born September 4, 1675, and
died February 18, 1728, leaving a son also bearing
the name of James, who was born May 19, 1702, and
mairied Ennie Jorvett. A son was born to them at
Townscnd, Mass., Jaiuiarv 10, 17;i4, wlio was called
Janus, at'ler his fathor. This son was the groat-grand-
father of tlic subject of this sketch, and was a man of
cons|)icuous ability. From the published history of
Townscnd, Mass., it is learned tliat he was lionored
by being elected to all the offices within the gift of
his fellow-cili/.ens, including an election to the
General Court, but declined the latter distinction.
He was neither an office-seeker nor a demagogue, but
a man whose worth everywhere commanded respect.
In 1775 he was moderator at the annual town-meet-
ing, town clerk, chairman of the Board of Select-
men, and captain of the ahirni list, or Minute-Men,
who, iifly-three strong, marched to the defense of
Camluidgc. In 1777 the General Court passed a res-
olution calling for volunteers to go to the assistance
of General Gates, who was confronting Burgoyne, at
Saratoga. The call met with an enthusiastic response,
and .lames Hosley was unanimously elected captain
of a company of seventy men, which included within
its ranks such military men of ability and notoriety
as Colonel William Prescott (the hero of Bunker
Hill), Major Henry Wood, Major Samuel Stone and
others nearly as well-known. These men would
never have been subordinate to any man unless he
honored the office to which he had been elevated.
After the close of the Revolutionary War he moved
to Hancock, N. H., where he purchased a farm and
donated a portion of it to the town for public use.
He left a son, Samuel, who was born July 8, 1767,
and died December 20, 1826. A merchant and farmer
by occupation, he wius noted for his piety and benevo-
lence, leaving a character worthy of lasting and affec-
tionate remembrance. He married Polly Dodge, and
the i'ruit of their union was a son, Samuel, who was
born on the old homestead in Hancock, September
28, 1802, and this son was the father of tlie Hon.
John Hosley, whose name appears at the head of
this sketch. He obtained an education in the com-
mon schools and the academy at Hancock, was a
farmer by occupation, and died .lanuary 10, 1871, his
e.stimable wife surviving him but si.x days. He was
an honorable man and an e.\emi)lary Christian.
This brings us down to Mr. Hosley ( f to-day, who
was brought up on his father's farm, and gained
what edu<ation the common schools of Hancock
afforded until he was twenty years of age. In 1846
he removed to Manchester, which at that time gave
little indication of its coming importance. Mr.
Hosley engaged in nninufacturing, and was an over-
seer in the weaving deiiartnicnt of the Ainoskeag
Manufacturing Company. He also engaged in the
grocery and real estate business, and in farming, and
was successful in all. He seems to have inherited
the even judgment and pronounced ability of his an-
cestors, and luis been called to many important posi-
tions of trust and honor by his fellow-citizens, never
failing to receive more than his party's strength at
the polls whenever a camiidate. He rei)rcsentcd his
ward in the Legislature. Common Council two years,
Board of Aldermen five years, and on the Board of
Education for two years. He was city tax collector
for two years and has been twice elected mayor, be-
sides holding various minor city offices. He was :i
member of tlie National Union Convention, which
met at Philadelphia in 1865, is a iM-oniincnt Free-
mason, and has held the highest officein Hillsborough
Lodge of Odd-Fellows. In religion Mr. Hosley is a
Unitarian. He married, in 1854, Miss Dorotha 11.
Jones, of Weare, N. IL, by whom he has had one
child, who is married to William M. Parsons, M.D.
They have one child, Martha S., born April .30, 1884.
It is readily seen that Mr. Hosley is a man of un
common abilities, and his ])erformance of tlie dutii >
of the various offices which he has been called upmi
to fill has ever been eminently satisfactory. He has
grown up with Manchester, as town and city, and has
done his full share in moulding its policy in goveru-
mcnt.Tl affairs.
COLONEL CHANDLER EASTMAN I'OTTi:!!.'
Colonel Chandler Eastman Potter was a native
of East Concord, N. H., born March 7, 1807, son of
Joseph and Anna (Drake) Potter. He graduated at
Dartmouth College in 18.31, taught high schools in
Concord and Poitsmouth several years, read law,
and was admitted to the bar and practiced in Con-
cord. In 1844 he moved to Jlanchester, where he
owned anil edited the Manchester Democrat until the
fall of 1848, when he sold the paper. From 1852 to
1856 he was editor of the Month/)/ Visitor and Gran- i
it c Farmer. In .lune, 1S48, he was appointed justice
of the Manchester Police Court, succeeding Hon.
Samuel D. Bell, which oftice he filled seven years,
with honor and credit to himself. He was an able '
and efficient member of the Historical Society in
New Hampshire and other societies, and author of
a very elaborate and correct history of Manchester.
His ennobling views of man and nature, and of
sound, true principles, were always heard with i>ro-
found attention and delight. He had copiousness of
ideas, and bis writings were always filled with the
thought.s of a comprehensive mind, instructing all
who read what he wrote with a ready pen. He was
interested in the study of the Indian languiige, and
has written many sketches of Indian character, and
was a contributor to Schoolcraft's Indian work.
"Colonel Potter was probably the best informe<I man
and antiquarian in the State on all topics that re-
lated to the early settlement of New Ilanijishire."
He was genial and social, with a keen relish for
huMi"!' and anecdote, Iriendly with all chisses. The
1 From Clarke^B " Successful New Uampahiro Men."
^^?--(/^
Ibg^
^
^^\//o. (J1?^yJ>^it^
.MANt'HESTEll.
137
rich and the poor found in him a true friend in time
of need. He was a devoted friend of the militia
organizations of the State, and second commander of
the Araoskeag Vetenns, a company that adopted the
uniform of the Continentals. They visited Washing-
ton during the administration of President Pierce,
commanded l>y Colonel Potter, who entertained the
veterans at his home, the JIcN'eil (X. H.) mansion
and birth-place of Franklin Pierce, in 1865. A grand
entertainment was given them in a large tent upon
the grounds.
Colonel Potter's last able work, "The Militarj'
History of New Hampshire," publislied in 186(3, con-
sists of two volumes, from the settlement in 1623
to the close of the War of 1812, with valuable bio-
graphical sketches.
Judge Potter married, November 1, 1832, Clara
A., daughter of John Underwood, of Portsmouth, by
whom he had four children. She died March lU.
18o4, and November 11, 1856, he married Frances
Maria, daughter of General John McNeil, of Hills-
borough. After this marriage lie resided at the
Governor Pierce homestead in Hillsborough during
the remainder of his life.
Colonel Potter loved the societj- of intelligent and
worthy peoi)le, and welcomed all without distinction.
His domestic relations gave a great charm to his ex-
istence. He died at Flint, Mich., whither he had
pone with his wife on business, August 3, 1868.
Wll.l.IAM MOODY PAHSOXS, M.I).
An early ancestor of Dr. Parsons was Joseph,
who was born in England, married Mary Bliss
and came to this country in July, 1626, settling
in Northampton, Mass., and died March 26, 1684.
Their children were Jowph, Jr., .John, Samuel.
Ebenczer, .lonathan, David, Mary, Hannah, Abigail
and Hester.
Joseph .Ir., was born in 1647, married Klizabeth
.Strong, and died in 1729. Their children were
Jnteph, John, Ebenezer, Elizabeth, David, .Tosiah,
Daniel, Moses, .Vbigail and Noah.
.Joseph was born in 1671, graduated at Harvard
Cnllege in 16117, entered the ministry, settled in Leb-
.■mon, Conn., and moved to Salisbury, Mass. He
married Elizabeth Thompson, and died in 1739.
Their children were Joseph, Samuel, William, Eliza-
beth and .Tohn, the three elder of whom became
clergymen, John died while a sophomore in Har-
vard Cnllege.
Rev. William wils Imrn Ajiril 21, 1716, married
"-urali nurnhani, and moved to Gilmanton, N. H., in
1763, and clicd .January 31, 1791). His wife dicdFebru-
iry 28, 1707. Their children were Sarah, ^Villiam,
l.lizabeth, Jnhn, .Joseph and Ebenezer.
William was born April ], 1745. married Hannah
Meserve, and hail William, ,/o/in, Joseph and Sarah.
John was born November 10, 1751, niarriefl Lyilie
Folsom, October 16, 1783, and died May 31, 1838.
His wife died March 17, 1828. Their children were
William, Judith, John, Sarah, Hannah, Lydie, Eliza
and Juteph.
Joseph Parsons, Esq., was born August 29, 1753,
married Ruth Pearson, and died August 10, 1806.
Their children were Kuth, Joseph, Sarah, Hannah.
Thomas and Mary.
Ebenezer Parsons was born January 21, 1756, and
married Eunice Potter, November 18, 1784, and had
Ebenezer, Eunice, William, Samuel, Sally and Lucy.
Abraham Parsons, son of Abraham, of New Mar-
ket, and grandson of Josiah, of Cape Ann, was born
November 2, 1754, married Abigail Burleigh, May 30,
1780, and had four children, — Josiah, Sarah, Abra-
ham and James.
Josiah Parsons, Esq., was born September 26, 1781 ;
married Judith Badger, daughter of Joseph and
Sarah (Weeks) Badger. He died December 9, 1842.
Their children were Joseph B., Emily P., Sarah B.,
Mary E., Lewis N., Dr. Joseph Badger, Daniel Jacobs,
Esq., Sarah Jane Rogers, William Moody and Han-
nah Cogswell.
Among the ancestors of Dr. Parsons were those
who were very ]>roniinent in the religious, educational,
military and civil history of the town wherein they
lived ; notably is this true of Itev. William Parsons,
son of Kev. Joseph Parsons, both of whom were
graduates of Harvard College.
Rev. William became one of the proprietors of
Gilmanton, and was employed by the corporation to
preach to the settlers, which he did for ten years. He
was also the first schoolniiister in the town, and con-
tinued his teaching even after he had closed his
ministry. He was a very useful citizen, an exem-
plary minister of the gospel and did much to give
a right direction to the early movements in regard to
religious institutions in the town.
The mother of Dr. William M. Parsons Wits .Judith
Badger, a superior woman, and a descendant of that
family so illustrious in the early history of New
Ham])shire, of whom were General .Jo.seph Badger,
of Revolutionary fame ; his son, Hon. Joseph Badger;
and his grandson, Hon. William I?adger, ex-Governor
of New Hampshire. Of the lirothersof Dr. Parsons,
Dr. .Joseph Badger became a successful physician and
Daniel J., who read law in the oltice of Hon. Ira A.
Eastman, is a successful practitioner. Each of the
children of this family, except the youngest, Hannah
C, were noted teachers in their time, and two of the
daughters became the wives of clergymen.
Dr. Mlllidiii Mnixlfi /'(ovton.t was burn intiilman-
ton December 30, 1826; his boyhood was pa.ssed with
his briithers and sisters at the old home. His educa
tional advantages were those of the district schools of
the time, supplemented by a ela.ssical course at the
celebrated Gilmanton .\cademy. .\t the clnse of the
academic course, having a ta.ste for the study of
medicine, he commenced under the tuition of Dr.
138
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Nahum Wight, a celebrated practitioner of Gilman-
ton, where he remained three years, during which
time Dr. Parsons attended a course of lectures at
the Dartmouth -Medical College, and then went into
the office with his brother, Dr. Joseph B., at Ben-
nington, N. H., where he commenced the practice of
his profession, remaining about one year ; he then at-
tended his final course of lectures at the Vermont
Medical College, where he graduated in June, I80I,
and returned to Bennington, practicing in company
with brother until IS.io, when his brother sold his
interest to Dr. William M., and moved to Haverhill,
]\Iass.
Dr. Parsons, with a large practice, desiring a more
favorable location, moved to Antrim, N. H., and
there, for a period of fifteen years, attended faithfully
to the increasing demands made upon him until 1870,
when he returned to Bennington. The practice of
Dr. Parsons had become so extensive and the rides so
long and laborious that he found it necessary in the
interest of his health to make some change, that his
duties might not be so exacting, and to this end, in
April, 1S73, he moved to Manchester, X. H., where
he at once established himself in his profession, and
where he has since resided.
During his long practice in the country Dr. Par-
sons had many calls for consultation with his brother
physicians in the adjoining towns, which, together
with his own practice, made the change to an easier
field imperative. As a surgeon, Dr. Parsons early
took prominent place, and he has performed in these
years many capital operations with notable success.
In 1861, Dr. Parsons was appointed by the Gov-
ernor as chairman of a commission for the extirpa-
tion of pleuro-pneumonia among cattle, which was
prevalent at that time, which disease was thoroughly
eradicated in a comparatively short time, and with
small expense to the State in comparison with that
of some neighboring States in which this (lise;i>e
prevailed.
In 1883, Dr. Parsons was commissioned assistant
surgeon First Regiment New Hampshire National
Guard, and in 1884 was promoted to the office of
surgeon of the same regiment, with rank of major.
Dr. Parsons is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
an Odd-Fellow and Knight of Honor. In religion
Dr. Parsons is a Quaker. In politics he is a Demo-
crat, and in 1871-72 represented the town of Ben-
nington in the General Court.
Dr. Parsons has, by his lively interest in public
schools and educational matters in general, main-
tained the family trait, which, from his first ancestor,
has stood out prominently in each of the generations,
having been superintending school committee sev-
eral years.
In November, 1882, Dr. Parsons married Marion J.,
only daughter of Hon. John and Dorothy (Jones)
Hosley, of Manchester. From this union there was
born Martha S., April 30, 1884.
For a period of about thirty-five years Dr. Parsons
has been in active practice, ever ready to respond to
the calls of suffering humanity, to afford relief;
prompt in his appointments for consultations, cour-
teous and liberal while maintaining professional
etiquette, he has attained a prominent position in the
community where he lives.
Dr. Parsons has taken a warm interest in the wel-
fere and progress of young men who had entered
upon the study of medicine, and bis office has ever
been a place where all such could find counsel and
advice, and many have begun their study under his
direction. A good citizen, a genial friend, a kind hus-
band and father, a faithful and trusted family physi-
cian. Dr. Parsons enjoys the confidence and respect of
those he has served so many years, and is a credit to
his native State.
HISTORY OF NASHUA.
BY JOHN H. GOODALE.
CHAPTER I.
TOPOGRAPHY— NATURAL FEATURES.
Boundarjee — Area— Rivera, ni\>okfi aod Ponds — Intervales and Plains —
Forest-Treofi — Wild Animals— Fish — Climate— Meteorology.
The city of Na.shua lies in the .southern part of
Hillsborough County, on the boundary line of Massa-
chusetts. It is boundcil on the north by the town of
Merrimack, on the east by the Merrimack River, which
separates it from Hudson and Litchfield, on the
south by Tyngsborough and Dunstable, Mass., and
on the west by Hollis. It*" length is about six and
one-half miles from north to south, and its width a
little more than four and a half miles from east to
we.st. Ita area is about eighteen thousand eight hun-
dred and ninety-eight acres, or nearly thirty square
miles. The surface in the eastern section is generally
level, consistino; of plain and intervale; in the western
it is rolling ; while in the southern section are several
ridges of moderate height. The highest summit in
Nashua is Long Hill, near the Massachusetts line,
which is four hundred and thirty-nine feet above the
ocean level.
The city is well watered. The Merrimack River
flows along its eastern boundary. The Xashua River,
from which the city takes its name, comes from the
southwest, furnishing the water-power for the cotton-
mills and other manufactories of the city, while
Salmon Brook, coming from the south, and the Penni-
chuck, on the north, are attractive and beautiful
streams.
Therearctlircc small natural ponds in the township,
Jyovewell, in the southwest; Round, in the northwest;
and SaiKly, in the southwest margin of the city proper.
Of these, the Sandy is the more noticeable. It lies
in a circular basin of six acres, has no visible inlet or
outlet and is fed by subterranean springs. Its sur-
face height varies about three feet, usually the high-
est in April and the lowest in October. The water is
unusually clear, and furnishes the mo.st of the ice used
in the city.
In agricultural resources Na.sliua is below the aver-
age of the adjoining towns. The intervale of the
Merrimack and Nashua Rivers, lindted in extent, is
10
easily cultivated, and excellent for the growth of corn
and vegetables. The higher lands of the southern
part have fine hay-fields and orchards, but the plain
and the most of the rolling lands which cover the
larger portion of Nashua arc comparatively unpro-
ductive. The soil is a deposit of the Glacial Drift
period, — a sandy deposit worn from the northern hills
during that geological epoch, when glaciers or ice-
bergs were drifting across New England. More than
two centuries ago the early explorers named these
plains the "pine barrens."
The bow'lders of granite so abundant in the north-
ern and western towns of Hillsborough County are
much fewer and smaller in Nashua. Ledges crop out
about Mine Falls, and one ledge a mile west of the
city proper furnishes a large amount of rough mate-
rial for cellar walls and other stone-work about the
city.
Almost every forest-tree common in Southern New
Hain|ishirc was originally found in this township.
The lofty white-pine grew on the rich alluvial soil of
the two rivers, often having a height of one hundred
feet and a diameter of three feet. There was also, on
some portions of the intervale, and upon the higher
grounds on the north side of the Nashua River, a
heavy growth of sturdy hard pine, which was used by
the early settlers for the manufacture of tur[>entine.
The thin soil of the plains was covered by a scrub
pine growth. The pine growth has, to some extent,
been superseded by the birch and oak. The prevail-
ing forest-trees at the present time are the pine, oak
and birch, with a s|>ririkling of maple, ash, elm, bass-
wood, spruce anil walnut. The oak is largely of the
red and the birch of the white species. Very few
trees which had reached the average growth a century
ago are now standing. Very few acres of woodland
have been cleared of late in Nashua, and the percen-
tage of land covere<l by a natural forest growlh is
increiusing.
The early settlers of Nashua found fewer wild
animals here than in most other localities. The con-
stant presence of the Indians in the Merrimack
Valley, and the absence of sheltering ravines and
ledges, largely account for this. While in some of
139
140
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
the earliest settlements the pioneers found wild
meats of great service, the scanty records of " Old
Dunstable" makes little mention of any aid from
this source. The bear and deer, never numerous in
this vicinity, soon disappeared. The moose, panther
and wolf seldom came below Lake Winnipesaukee.
The beaver, a former occupant of Salmon Brook,
had already disappeared. The raccoon, fox, rabbit,
woodchuck and squirrel were still numerous and
annoying.
But the scarcity of wild aninuils as a source of
food was compensated by the abundance of fish.
Especially was this true in the spring. The Merri-
mack and its branches were the favorite resort of the
salmon, shad and alewife. Migratory in their habits,
they arrived early in May, and not only the larger
streams but the tributary brooks were full of them.
At the foot of every cascade the pools were crowded
with the agile salmon. The pioneers had no need to
resort to the Merrimack, since it was far easier to
catch them in the smaller streams. Salmon Brook
was so named from the multitude of salmon taken
every May between the Main Street bridge and its
entrance into the Merrimack.
The I'ennichuck was equally famous for the facility
with which this delicious fish could be taken from its
waters. They varied in weight from three to sixteen
pounds. The early settlers in the adjacent towns re-
lied upon "Pennichuck beef" as the greatest delicacy
of the year. For half a century shad and alewives
were used as dressing for the corn-fields, and were
rarely cooked till salmon became scarce. After the
building of the Pawtucket (Lowell) dam, both salmon
and shad disappeared from the waters of the Merri-
mack and its branches.
From a topographical examination, it is very
evident that Nashua owes its origin and growth as a
city from the river fnmi which it derives its name.
It is a small river, but the water-power it furnishes
has been sufficient to found a city of fifteen thousand
inhabitants. Its sources are in the northern part of
Worcester County. The small streams flowing from
the base of Mount Wachusett unite in the Lancaster
meadows, forming the Nashua Kiver. Thence it
flow^ in a northern and northeasterly direction for
thirty miles, entering New Hampshire about seven
miles from its mouth. Its fall of water between Mine
Falls and its mouth is about fifty-four feet.
The climate of Na.-ihua is healthy. It is exempt
from malaria and fogs, and in the warm season is free
from annoying insects. The average temperature is
forty-eight degrees above zero. Its highest tempera-
ture within the past thirty years was ninety-nine de-
grees above, and its lowest thirty-two degrees below
zero. The degree of temperature varies with differ-
ent localities in and about the city. In ordinary
weather the ditference is small, but at dawn on
severely cold winter mornings the mercury is usually
six, and sometimes ten, degrees lower at the Concord
Railroad Station than at Mount Pleasant and the
South Common. There is less fall of snow here than
in any other town of New Hampshire not bordering
on the Atlantic Coast. Exceptional winters occur,
but ordinarily the number of weeks of good sleighing
in this city is lew, often not exceeding four. The
average rainfall is thirty-nine inches.
Nashua is the third city in the State in population,
the third in valuation and the second in the value of
its manufactures. It is thirty -five miles from Con-
cord, forty miles from Boston, two hundred and sixty-
two from New York and four hundred and ninety-two
from Washington. No extensive view of scenery is
visible from anj' part of the city ; but from the towers
of the High School and the Mount Pleasant School
buildings there is not only an attractive view of
Nashua itself, but on a fair day there can be clearly
seen the twin summits of Uncanoonuc, in Gofistown,
the precipitous side of Joe English, in New Boston,
the Crotched Mountain, in Francestown, the Grand
Monadnoc, in JafiVey, the Pack Monadnoc, in Peter-
borough, and Mount Wachusett, in Central Massa-
chusetts.
CHAPTER II.
NASHUA— (Co/id'niicrf.)
THE ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS.
Indian Tribert— The "Nasliawaya" — Corn-Raieing — Stone Iniplemeuta
— Ilnuting — MuilpB of Cooking — Salmon iinii Shad — Wigwams —
Treatment of Sqiiawa — Ware — The Bircli Canoe — Clothing — Stone
Relies.
Nashua was the first settled of the inland towns
of New Hampshire. It is not certainly known in
what year the first white inhabitant built his cabin
within its limits, but it could hardly have been earlier
than 16G5 or later than 1(170. Fifty years before the
Scotch settlers came to Londonderry, and seventy
years before any other town of Hillsborough County,
outside of "Old Dunstable," had a white resident,
there wore log cabins on the banks of Salmon Brook,
a little above its junction with the Merrimack.
Longer than any other towns in the State, except
Dover and Portsmouth, this settlement occupied a
frontier position, exposed to all the perils and terrible
disasters of savage hostility, and none did more heroic
service in rescuing the colonies from the barbarities
of Indian warfare.
It is now more than two-thirds of a century since
the last Indian remaining in the State died in a re-
mote cabin in Coos County. The prophecy of Passa-
conaway has been fulfilled. The race of New
Hampshire Indians is extinct. To the generation of
today the Indian is a myth. To our forefathers
they were a terrible reality, — an untiring, ever-present,
merciless foe.
The history of Nashua would be incomplete without
a description of its original inhabitants. Of the
NASHUA.
141
twenty thousand Indians in New England on the
landing of the Pilgrims, two thousand were in New
Hampshire. More tliaii tliree-l'ourtlis of these lived
in the Merrimack Valley. The rapid growth of the
Massachusetts Bay colony led the more adventurous
emigrants to seek for advantageous and fertile lands |
on which to find a home. From the natives they
learned of the attractive valley of the Merrimack
River, and were awaiting a favorable opportunity to
explore it. I
In the summer of 1652 the colonial government of
Massachusetts, desirous of ascertaining the northern
extent of their territory, appointed an exploring
commission, consisting of Cajitain Kdward .Johnson
and Captain Simon Willard, accompanied by .Jona-
than Ince and John Shearman as surveyors. They
were instructed to follow up the Merrimack River to
its head and there establish a " bound.'' At Pawtucket
Falls they secured Indian guides, and, proceeding up
the west bank of the river, were the first white men
known to have crossed Salmon Brook and Nashua
River, and explored the intervale lands of the vicinity.
Having been told by their Indian guides that the
head of the Merrimack River was at the outlet
of the lake, they proceeded to that point, and upon
a rock having a surface just above the water, at the
outlet of the Winnipesaukee, they cut the following
inscription :
'•EI SW
W I' lOHS
KNDICVT
GOV ••
which, modernized, and substituting the full names
for the initials, reads, — j
" Edwani Juhnson. Simon Willitrd.
Wor^liilifiil Jolin
Endiciit
Governor."
The coiiiiiiissioners made a report to the Massachu-
setts government on their return, and stated that they
were treated kimlly, not only by the tribes on the
Nashua and Souhegan Rivers, but by those of the
upper ciuutry. From their description it is probable
that about forty Indian families were living near the
mouths of Salmon Brook and the Nashua River, and
as many more at the month of the Souhegan and on
the Litihlield intervale, opposite.
Tlie Indians of the Merrimack Valley were divided
into small tribes, and wire designated by the name of
the locality they occupied. The Pawtuckcts had
their headi|uarters at Pawtucket Falls, just above the
present city of Lowell ; the Nashaways lived in the
Nashua River valley and about its mouth ; t!ie Souhe-
gans.on the stream of the same name; the Penacooks
occupied Penacook, (now Concord,) and a part «( Bos-
cawen. The last-named tribe was far the most numer-
ous, warlike and powerful, and its sachem, Passacon-
away, was the actual ruler of all the tribes of the
Merrimack Valley. He was the most sagacious and
discreet chieftain of his time.
These tribes, while relying largely on fishing and
hunting for their livelihood, depended to no trifling
extent upon the tillage of the soil to secure them from
starvation during the long winter. In common with
all the North American tribes, these Indian warriors,
when not idle, devoted themselves to war, fishing and
hunting, and imposed upon the women the labor of
tilling the ground, securing the crops, gathering the
firewood, and all the drudgery of the wigwam.
Many of the meadows, or the "intervales," as they
are often called, on the Merrimack and Nashua Rivers
are basins having a surface of alluvial and vegetable
deposits. No doubt they were once covered with
water, which, by the deepening of the channel, h.as
gradually passed away. In i)roof of this, we know-
that logs, leaves, nuts and other vegetation are often
found buried under the surface at various depths,
sometimes as low as twenty feet. Mr. Fox, in his
" History of Dunstable," relates that when the exca-
vation for the foundation of the locks near the junc-
tion of the Nashua and Merrimack Rivers was nnide,
in 1825, at a spot about one hundred feet from the
Niishua River, and at a deinh of many feet below the
surface, the workmen found logs and a quantity of
charred coals, evidently the remains of a fire. Such
discoveries are not infrequent in all alluvial lands.
The time of deposit, geologically considered, was re-
cent; chronologically estimated it wius exceedingly
remote. The soil thus formed is free from stone,
easy of cultivation and for a time very productive.
After girdling the tree.s and piling the brushwood,
the ground was carefully burned over in autumn.
With the coming of spring each squaw began to pre-
l)are her patch for planting. The Indian apostle,
.John Elliot, writing from observation, describes these
patches as usually containing about half an acre
each, though occasionally he saw one of a whole acre.
Often a dozen or more of them were contiguous, thus
insuring a better protection from the coons, crows and
squirrels.
The implements of the Indians were rude and sim-
ple. The student of to-day will bear in mind that
the aboriginal race in North America three centuries
ago were living in primitive barbarism, entirely igno-
rant of the use of the metals, or of any of the arts
and discoveries of civilization. They were "the un-
tutored children of nature." The bow and arrow,
spear and club were their warlike weap()ns ; the birch
canoe was their highest idea of navigation ; the stone
hammer, wedge and gouge, and bone needle made up
their mechanical outfit; the stone pe.ntle, earthen pot,
flint knife, the ladle and spoon of horn consliluted
their cooking utensils ; while the stone axe and hoe
were the inij)lements of tillagi'.
The impression that the Indian axe was ever used
OS a cutting instrument is an error. It was an imple-
ment for pounding rather than for cutting. No vari-
ety of stone, whether granite, greenstone, trap or
jasper can furnish an edge of suflicient firmness and
142
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
tenacity to successfullv penetrate wood. The red man
rarel.v felled a tree, and when he did, it was by the aid of
pitch and fire. He used the axe for splitting wood, peel-
ing bark and pounding the ash for basket materials.
To the squaw it was of service in digging up hushes
and roots, and mellowing the soil ; l)ut after the
ground was i)rcpared for planting, the hoe was the
main implement used by the women, on whom de-
volved the toil of cultivating the land. It was made
of granite, or oftener of hard slate, having the shape
of the carpenter's adze, and with a deep groove
cut around the head to secure it to the handle. The
handle was a withe, so pliant as to be twisted tightly
in the groove around the head of the hoe ; it was then
fiistened with a strip of raw-hide. Both the withe
and the raw-hide were made firm by drying before the
handle would he serviceable. Such an implement
would lie of little use in hard, stony ground, but in
the mellow loam of the intervale it sufficed to form
the hills and remove the intruding weeds. The corn
was of several colors, smaller of kernel and quicker
in maturing than we are now accustomed to plant.
The tribes of the Merrimack Valley began to plant
" when the leaves of the white oak were as large as
the ear of the mouse." From this habit was derived
the adage of the first white settlers, —
"When the oak trees look gosling gray
Plant then — be it June or May."
The squaws attended diligently to the growing
coru, planting it in rows and hilling in much the
same way we do. Some of the abandoned corn-fields
on the intervales of Hudson retained tor years tlie
shape of the hills of corn as they were left bj- the
natives. After several seasons, when the grounds be-
came exhausted, they dressed the soil with shad and
alewives. These fish luckily arrived in immense num-
bers just before planting-time, and were easily caught
in every brook or rivulet tributary to the river. Put-
ting a single fish in each hill was enough to secure a
good yield.
To the red men corn, the especial product of the
western continent, was a rich gift. It springs luxuri-
antly from a rich, fresh soil, and in the warm loam,
with little aid from cultivation, soon outstrips the
weeds. It bears not ten, nor twenty, but three hun-
dred-fold. If once dry, it is hurt neither by heat nor
cold, may be i)reserved in a pit or cave for years and
even centuries, is gathered from the field by hand
without knife or pruning-hook, and becomes nutri-
tious food by a simple roasting or parching liefore a
fire.
Besides corn, beans, .squashes, pumpkins, melons
and gourds, all of them indigenous, were more or less
grown. Before ripening, the corn was often roa.stcd
for immediate use. When boiled in kernels it was
called samp. When pounded in a mortar and boiled
it was called hominy. When boiled with an equal
quantity of beans it was called succotash. The squash
and pumpkin were cooked by boiling or steam-
ing, and used with other food. In summer the rasp-
berry and blackberry were freely eaten, and in
autumn the squaws, aided by the children, searched
the forests for nuts, gathering chestnuts, beech-nuts,
walnuts and acorns tor food in winter. The acorns
were parched and ground and mixed with corn-meal.
The huntiug of wild animals was something more
than an occupation to the red man. It was an amuse-
ment, and sometimes an inspiration. The forests
thickly covering the numerous hills of this county
abounded with foxes, raccoons, rabbits, woodchucks
and squirrels. In the fall the bear was sometimes
caught, and in the early winter venison often hung
from the rafters of the wigwam. These animals were
timid and wary, and could be approached only by
stealth. To get within bow-shot required much skill,
as well as patience, and was ot^en unsuccessful at
last. Hence other contrivances were resorted to.
Traps and snares of various kinds, adapted to the size
and habits of the animal sought after, were extensively
used. For deer a driving-yard was built, forming a
figure like the letter V, at some place known to be a
resort of this animal. Placing the best marksmen at
the apex, the rest of the party, forming a line, beat
the outlying woods .so as to drive the deer within the
inclosure, from which they could escape only through
the opening at the apex. Here they were usually
snared or shot.
The wild pigeon is said to have been surprisingly
numerous before, and for a time after, the advent of
the white jiopulation. Thousands, in August and
September, would at twilight alight upon two or three
adjacent forest-trees, many bushels of them to be
taken before dawn by the natives. The Indians
rarely eat raw meat. Usually it was roasted upon
split sticks or wooden forks, or broiled upon live
coals. When meat was boiled, it was with corn or
beans, and if the earthen pot was wanting, a wooden
trough was used to cook the food by throwing heated
stones into the water. In eating, they used neither
knife nor fork, and drank from a gourd or birch-bark
cup.
The tribes of the Merrimack Valley were attracted
by the great number and superior quality of the fish
which annually ascended the river in the early part
of May. The announcement of their arrival was re-
ceived with shouts, yells and every evidence of satis-
faction. It wiis the jubilant event of the year. All
the tribes gathered at the fishing haunts. Canoes,
seines, torches and spears were in demand. There
was usually such an abundance of the'fish that salmon
only were selected as palatable. Many were taken
with the stone-pointed spear. More were caught
with the seines made of wild hemp and the inner
bark of the elm and spruce. But in the height of the
"run," in the small streams the club was often the
more effective, and heaps of salmon were thrown upon
the banks, where the s<juaws with their flint knives
NASHUA.
143
stood ready to dress them, splitting them and laying
them upon the turf to dry. At night tliey were taken
to the wigwam and hung around the eentre-pole to be
cured by tlie smoke. Each niglit \va.s passed in danc-
ing and Iciisting, — a kind of jubilee for the success of
the day.
The wigwams were built by the squaws. They
were rude structures made of eight or ten poles set
round in the form of a cone, having a stout centre-
pole, to which all the others were bent and fastened
with a strong rope of bark. This rude frame was cov-
ered with bark or mats, leaving an opening at the top
for the smoke to escape. There was rather a low
opening in the side of the wigwam left for the purpose
of a doorway, over which a bear or a deerskin was
suspended to answer the purpose of a door. This was
pu6he<l a^iide when any one wished to enter or go out.
A large pin was driven into the centre-pole upon
which to hang the kettle. At the base of this pole,
under the pin, was placed edgewise a large flat stone,
against which the tire was made, and which protected
the pole from burning. Rude mats were placed on the
ground, on which they sat, took their meals and slept.
The conditionof the wigwam was habitually untidy.
Often in the summer season the contents and sur-
roundings became so offensive as to compel a removal
to a new location. This required but a few hours'
labor, and was wholly done by the women. It is a
trait of savage character to degrade womanhood.
With the red man this was universal. The fenmlcs
bore the burden of unconditional and unremitting
servitude. Under the most cruel treatment they had
no redress. Their utmost eflbrts and severest toil had
no other reward than neglect, if not indignity. It is
not strange that mothers of female infants were some-
times driven to infanticide.
The tribes of the Merriinai'k Valley, though less
ferixious than the .Mohawks of New York and the
Tarentines of Maine, were addicted to strife and
bloodshed. Wars were as incessant and relentless
l)efore the advent of Europeans as afterwards. Ex-
tinction had l)ecn the lot of many a tribe in the long
periinl which preceded the discovery of the continent.
It iei|uire(l no tedious ellbrt for a chief to fire the
heart of every warrior in his clan, and once enlisted,
there was no risk of desertion. The red men were not
wanting in courage and pcrsii^tancc. Their wars were
terril)le, not from their numliers, for on any one ex-
prilitidh they rarely exceeded a hundred men; it was
the parties of six or seven wliieh were most to be
dreaded, especially in a war of retaliation. Skill con-
sisted in surprising the enemy urniwares. They fol-
lowed his trail to kill him when he slept, or they laid
in ainbiisli near his wigwam, and waU-hed for an op-
portunity of suddenly attacking and destroying him,
antl usually his squaw and children atler him, and
taking their scalps, hastened back in triumph to their
tribe with their tro])hies dangling from their belts.
It was the danger of just such strategy and barbarity
that for two-thirds of a century made every white
family in Dunstable feel insecure.
The earliest explorers spoke of the birch canoe as
the possession of every Indian fomily. Its construc-
tion required skill rather than strength. A light
frame-work of ash or white-oak was first made, and
this was tightly covered with white bireh-bark, care-
fully selected, with the several pieces neatly sewed
together with the sinews of some animal or the twine
of wild hemp. The seams were made tight with
pitch. These canoes were from twelve to fifteen feet
in length, were propelled by paddles not unlike thos-e
now in use, and would carry from three to five persons,
who sat on the bottom of the canoe. It floated gracefully,
and both sexes acquired great facility in using it.
The occasions for using the canoe on the Merrimack
were frequent, inasmuch as the land on both sides of
the river was more or less occupied. " At almost any
hour," wrote Captain Willard. " one could see at the
mouths of the Nashua and Souhegan the natives
going to and fro in their canoes."
The clothing of the natives in summer was an apron
made of skin, fastened around the waist ; in winter a
bear-ukin, or a jacket made of smaller skins. They
wore skin moccasins on their feet, and to these, when
traveling upon the deep and soft snow, the oval-
shaped show-shoes were bound, on which, though
cumbersome to the novice, the Indian hunter could
well-nigh outstrip the wind.
The natives of the eastern continent have enduring
monuments of their ancestors. The savage red men
who for ages occu|iied the Jferrimack Valley left no
obelisk or pyramid, no ruin of walle<l town or temple.
The stone implements buried in the soil they occupied
are the only visible evidence of their having existed.
These are most abundant around the water-falls at
Anioskeag, the Weirs, Suncook and Pawtueket, but
they have also been found on almost every acre of
intervale between Lake Winnipesaukee and Ncw-
buryport. Around the Anioskeag Falls anli<iuarians
have picked up thousands of the stone arrow and
spear-heads with which they pointed their weapons.
In excavations at Sanbornton Hay have been found
stone axes, steatite pipes, eoai-se fragments of pottery
and rude ornaments. On the alluvial plough-lands
of Nashua have been dug up stone pestles, hatchets,
gouges, knives, sinkers an<l arrow-points, — the sole
relics of a race who were unable to survive the ap-
proach of civilization.
144
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
CHAPTER III.
NASHUA— (Confitliierf.)
FROM THK FIRST SETTLEMENT TO 1702.
Making of Liuici Grunts— Chiirter (inintcd to DunstaWii— Narnen of
GmiiteeH — BoundarieB of the Township — Withdrawal of the Indians —
Laying (lilt House-Lots— Uncertain Date of Settlement— King Philip's
War— King William's War— Death of the Ilassell Faniilj— Garrison
Ilouses — Poverty and Hardships.
"Gone are those great and good
Who here in peril stood,
.\nd raised their hymn.
Peace to the reverend dead !
The light that on their head
Two hundred yeal"s have shed
Shall ne'er trow rlini." — John liir^ont.
After the earliest settlements in New Hampshire, at
Dover and Portsmouth, in 1628, the growth of popu-
lation was, for some years, slow. The first settlers of
the-se two towns were speculators, rather than farmers,
anil this circumstance did not strongly attract new-
comers.
Meanwhile, the settlements of the Massachusetts
colony grew rapidly. From 1650 to 1665 was a
period of unwonted activity and prosperity. In 1655
the settlements had e.xtonded northward to Chelms-
ford and (Jroton. The Massachusetts colonial govern-
ment, disregarding the Masonian claim, and consider-
ing all that part of New Hampshire south of Lake
Wiunipesaukce within her own limits, began to dis-
tribute grants of land in the Merrimack Valley as
far north as the present towns of Merrimack and
Litchfield. Four hundred acres of land were granted
to John Whiting, lying on the south side of Salmon
Brook and extending up the brook one mile. In 1673
a grant of one thousand acres, on the north side of
Nashua River, was made to the Ancient and Honor-
able -Vrtillery Company of Boston. It was bounded
on the east by the Merrimack River and on the
south by the Nashua. It included that part of the
present city north of the river, and was called the
"Artillery Farm." From this circumstance the little
pond, which a few years ago occupied the cen-
tral part of North Common, was called Artillery
I'ond. After owning this tract for seventy years the
company sold it to Colonel Joseph Blanchard, a man
of note in the early history of Dunstable.
Numerous other grants were made on both sides of
the river until their aggregate was fourteen thousand
acres. It became desirable, therefore, to consolidate
these grants into an incorporation, so as to secure to
the inhabitants all the privileges of an organized
township. Accordingly, in 1673, the proprietors of
the farms already laid out, and others who were dis-
posed to settle here, presented a petition to the gov-
ernment of Massachusetts, of which the following is
a verbatim copy :
** To the Honored Gowenirn-, Veimttj Governor, leilh thu MatjinlrateJ^ noiv as-
Minliled in the tfeiirra/ Court at Bonton, Sfpteinlier l!l, 1073.
" The Petition of the Proprietors of the farms that are laid out upon
the Merrimack River and places atljacent, with others who desire to joyn
with them in the settlement of a plantation there :
"Humbly Sheweth
" That whereas, there is a considerahle tract of the t 'imntry's land that
is invironed with the proprieties of particular persons and towns, viz. :
By the line of the town of Chelinsfunl, and hy the Grotou line, and by
Mr. lirenton's farm, hy Souhegan farms, and heyond Merrimack River
by the outermost line of Henry Kiniltall's farm, and so to Chelmsford
line again. All is in little capacity of doing the country any service ex-
cept the farms bordering upon it be ai^juined to said land, to make a
plantation there ; and there being a consideralde number of ]>eraone who
are of sober and orderly conversation, who do stand in need of great ac-
commodations, who are willing to make improvement of the sjiid vacant
lauds: And the proprietors of the said farms are willing to aid those
that shall improve the said lands : the farms of those that are within
the tract of laml before described, being about 14,(100 acresat the least : —
"Your Petitionei'S, therefore, humbly request the favor of the Honor-
aide Court that they w ill gnint the sjiid tract of land to your Petitioners
and to such as will join with them in the settlement of the lands before
mentioned, so those who ha^e iiiijiroved their farms, and those who in-
tend to do so, may be in a way to support the ordinances ol God, without
which they will be mostly deprived, the farms lying so remote from any
towns : .\n(l farther, that the Honorable (_'ourt will please grant the like
imnuililties to this plantation as they have formerly granted to other
plantations : So shall your Petitioners be ever engaged to pray ; —
"1. Thomas Rrattlc,
2. Jonathan Tyiig,
'■i. Joseph Wheeler,
4. James Parkeson,
6. Robert Gibbs,
6. John Turner,
7. Sampson Sbeafe,
8. Samuel Scarlet,
9. William Lakin,
10. Abraham Parker,
11. James Knapp,
12. Robert Proctor,
13. Simon Willard, Jr.,
14. Thomas Edwanle,
1.^. Thomas Wheeler,
K;. Peter Bulkley,
17. Joseph Parker,
1.1. John Morse,
lii. Samuel Combe,
20. James Parker, Jr.,
21. John Parker,
22. Josiab Parker,
23. Nathaniel lilood,
24. Robert Parris,
2r,. John Joliffe,
2G. Zachariah Long.'*
On the 26th of October this petition was granted,
and the township of Dunstable chartered. It was
granted with tlie condition universally required, viz.,
that "at least twenty actujil settlers shall be in the
township within three years, that a meeting-house
shall be built and an able and orthodox minister shall
be obtained." These rctiuirements were complied
with by the specified time.
The townshi]) of Dunstable, thus organized, was a
tract of about two hundred square miles, or one hun-
dred and twenty-eight thousand acres. It had long
been the favorite home of the savages, though their
number, some years previous, had been greatly
diminished by a raid of their hereditary enemy, the
bloodthirsty Mohawks. It included the present city
of Nashua, the towns of Hudson, Hollis, Dunstable
and Tyngsborough, besides portions of the towns of
Amherst, Milford, Jlerrimack, Litchfield, London-
derry, Pelham, Dracut, Rrookline, (iroton and Pep-
percll. It extended ten to twelve miles west of the
Merrimack, and three to five miles east of it, and its
average length, from north to soutii, was from twelve
to fourteen miles. The [iresent city of Nashua is
very nearly the centre of the original township of
Dunstalile, — the name that Nashua continued to bear
till within the recollection of many citizens now liv-
ing. The name Dunstable is said to have been given
in compliment to Mrs. Mary, wife of Edward Tyug
and mother of Jonathan Tyng, one of the grantees
and one of the most iiromiiieiit of the first settlers.
I
I
NASHUA.
145
She was a native of a town of that name in the south
of England.
By the granting of this charter the twenty-six pe-
titionee became the owners of all the ungranted
lands within the boundaries of Dunstable, which, if
e<iually shared, would have given to each of them not
les.s than four thousand acres. What recompense
the Indians received for their lands is not known.
Some ten years after the granting of the charter it is
said that seventy dollars in silver was paid to the
Wamesits, of Chelmsford, and the same sum to the
sachem at Souhcgan, for their claims ; but there is no
evidence that the Na^'llaways received any considera-
tion. As the most of the tribe and the chief sachem
lived at Lancaster, Mass., it is probable the few
families remaining here went northward with the
majority of their tribe, and received little or no
recompense.
The little Indian settlement at the mouths of
Nashua River and Salmon Brook, when visited by
Captain Simon Willard in 16.")2, had only forty war-
riors. It is known that, in 1669, they joined the
Penacooks in an expedition against the Mohawks, in
which the most of them perished. The remnant,
dispirited and ])owerle.ss. are said to have united with
the Wamesits, and soon after migrated with them
northward. Afterwards nothing was distinctively
known of them.
The twenty-six grantees, and the settlers uniting
with them, before taking ])Ossession of their ample
domain, made a compact for the equitable division
and disposal of their lands. It was evident that, for
their mutual protection, the occupied lands must be
contiguous. The most desirable locality for safety,
convenience and favorable soil appeared to be the
land bordering on theMerrimack River, below Salmon
Brook. It was agreed that each actual settler, as a
personal right, should have a " house- lott" of eligible
land, not to exceed thirty acres. .Jonathan Danforth,
an experienced surveyor, wiis employed to establish
boundaries. These house-lots were laid out with a
base on the Merrimack River, and reaching, .side by
side, southward as far us the ])resent State line. These
lots, having a narrow base, extended westward toward
Salmon Drook.
It is evident that settlements had been commenced
on some of these lots several years before 1673, as we
find im the town records that at a meeting of the
proprietors and the settlers in the fall of that year it
was voted that "the first meeting-house should be
built between Salmon Brook and the house of Lieut.
Wheeler, iis convenient as may be, for the accom-
modation of the settlers." In 1675 orchards are in-
lidcntally spoken of a-s already having some growth.
Tlierefore, while the exact date of the first settlement
within the present limits of Nashua cannot be defi-
nitely established, it is certain that the first pioneers
built their cabins near Salmon Brook between 16(15
and 1670. It was, in truth, a frontier hamlet, having
no white settlement on the north nearer than Canada,
on the east nearer than Exeter, on the west nearer
than Albany.
Two years later, in the summer of 1675, the bloody
war begun by the crafty and cruel King Philip,
chief of the Wanipaiioags, burst upon the New Eng-
land colonies. It meant the extermination of the
whites.
The new towns of Lancaster and Groton were
burned, the inhabitants killed, carried away captives
or driven from their homes. Chelmsford was at-
tacked, and but for the intervention of Wanolancet,
chief of the Penacooks, Dunstable would have been
overwhelmed. So alarming was their situation that,
at the approach of winter, the settlers of Dunstable,
with the exception of Jonathan Tyng, Hed to the older
settlements. Tyng had a strongly fortified house, two
miles below the present State line, in what is now
Tyngsborough, Mass., and he resolved to defend it to
the last. A small guard was sent to him from Boston,
and with this little band he held the fort till the end
of the war.
Peace came again in the spring of 1678. The
fugitive settlers at Salmon Brook returned, and it is
said that the first meeting-house was built during
the same year. It was made of logs, with rude ap-
pointments, but well represented the ability of the
congregation. The ensuing year, 1679, the planta-
tion, as it was called, secured and settled Rev. Thomas
Weld, as the first "learned and orthodox minister,"
among them. lie settled in the south part of the
town, on land now included in the " Highland Farm,"
and then known as the "ministerial lot." t)ther events
worthy of note occurred the same year. Among them
was the building of the first saw-mill in Southern New
Hampshire, located on Salmon Brook, at -VUd's bridge,
southeast of the Harbor. There was an old beaver-
dam at that i)lace, and it required little labor to pre-
pare the site for the mill. The first bridge over
Salmon Brook v.'as built this year by John Sollendine,
a carpenter, whose marriage, the next year (1680), was
the first which took place in the town.
In 1679, by the royal decree of Charles 11., the
"merry monarch" of England, New Hampshire was
erected into a "royal i)rovinee," independent of Mas-
sachusetts, of which she had been an appendage since
1641. Dunstable, however, still remained under the
jurisdiction of Massachusetts, and continued t<i be
governed by Massachusetts laws till the settlement of
the boundary line, sixty-two years later, in 1741. It
was better for the early settlers of Dunstable (hat the
authority of the Massachusetts colony should con-
tinue to exist. All of them had been residents of
that colony. All of their business interests and social
relations were centred there. An untravcrsed forest
of forty miles separated them from the nearest New
Hampshire settlement, at Exeter, and in the terrible
ex|>osure of Dunstable to savage attacks her reliance
for aid was entirely upon Mass;iiliii>eits In adilition
146
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
to inaccessibility, the population of New Hampshire
in 1()78 dill not cxi-ccd four thousand.
King William's Ten Years' War.— War, in its
best aspects, is a terrible calamity. When a people
few in number, and almost defenseless, are a.ssailed
by a merciless foe, it becomes the most terrible scourge
that can befall a people. After an unquiet peace of
nine years, in 1688 the war known in history as King
William's, one of the fierce conflicts between the
English and French nations, was, in its beginning,
signalized in the New England colonies by the mas-
sacre of Major Waldron and twenty others at Dover,
by the Penacook and Eastern Indians, and the, carry-
ing off of a larger number as captives to Canada.
The power of the native warriors left to themselves
would have been supi)ressed after a few skirmishes.
But the French possessions stretching all along the
northern frontier were strongly garrisoned by French
soldiers, and as a fierce war was raging between Eng-
land and France, the Canadian forces of the latter
were commanded to use all direct and indirect means
to a.ssail and weaken the English colonics.
The French government saw the advantage of se-
curing the Indians as allies. All of the New England
as well as the Canadian tribes had been conciliated by
being treated as allies, and not subjected dependants,
by the French officials. They were taught the use of
the musket, and were .supplied with an abundance of
firearms, blankets and provisions for border warfare.
They had already been taught by the Jesuit mission-
aries that they were a wronged race, and that English
supremacy meant the extinction of the red man. The
Penacooks, who had now largely removed to Canada,
had felt the truth of this. The desire for vengeance
W!i8 intensely stimulated, and they hitstened to attack
the frontier New England settlements.
The same party of Indians which had desolated
Dover had planned an attack on Dunstable, but its
execution was prevented by a timely discovery of the
plot. The government sent a mounted patrol to pro-
tect the settlement. For a time it did good service,
but on the evening of September 2, 11)91, the savages
suddenly attacked the house of Joseph Hassell, Sr.,
which stood on the north side of Salmon Brook, on a
knoll just in the rear of the brick cottage on the
Allds road, a few rods north of the bridge. The as-
sault was unexpected. Hassell and his wife, A nna, their
son, Benjamin, and .Mary Marks, a kinswoman, were
killed. They were all buried on the knoll, near the
house, and for many years a rough stone marked the
spot. The only record of the massacre is the follow-
ing brief note, probably written by Kev. Mr. Weld at
the time :
"Anno Domini 1691,
Joseph Hofisel, Sonior, '^ wore slain by our lodiau
Anna Hasaell, his wife, > enemies on Sept. 2d, in
BenJ. Hassell, their sou, J the evening.
Mary Marks, the daughter of Patrick Marks, was slain by the In-
dians, also oil Sept. 2d, in the evening."
On the morning of Se|)teniber 28th a party of In-
dians attacked and killed, on the south bank of the
Nashua River, Obadiah Perry and Christopher Temple,
two active and useful citizens who were among the
original settlers of the town.
The protracted and incessant peril of the settlers at
Salmon Brook was so great that no new-comers ar-
rived, and in 1696 half of the families had left for the
lower towns. There is no authentic record of any
further attack upon Dunstable after the slaughter of
Perry and Temple, but the growth of the town was
paralyzed, and the seventeenth century closed with a
gloomy prospect for the settlers of Dunstable.
There were at this time at Salmon Brook four gar-
rison-houses, as they were called, and the Massachu-
setts colonial government stationed about twenty sol-
diers at these outposts, as a protection against any
savage or French raids. These fortified houses con-
sisted of a strongly-built log house, about twenty-four
feet square, surrounded by a wooden stockade, built
of timbers standing upright, twelve feet high, with
the gates as well as the house-doors secured by iron
bolts and bars. King William's War lasted ten years.
Cotton Mather wrote of it as "the decade of sorrows."
The number of families in Upper Dunstable (now
Nashua) was reduced to twenty. The following is
the list of the heads of families in 1699. The number
of inhabitants did not jirobably exceed one hundred
and tweutv.
5Ir. Thomas Wold.
Mr. Samuel Searle.
Nathaniel Rlanchard.
Joseph Blunchard.
Thomas Hlanchard.
Thomai Cummings.
Robert I'arris.
Samuel French.
Thomas Lunn (Lund).
Isxiac Whiting.
.John Sollondine.
.Mr. Samuel Whiting.
Abraham Cummings.
Kobert I 'slier.
John Cummings.
John Lovewell.
Joseph Hassell.
William Ilarwood.
Nathuiiiel Cuniniiugs.
])aiiit>l Galusha.
In 1701 the selectmen of the town petitioned the
General Court for aid in the support of the ministry,
and at some length set forth their condition and suf-
ferings. It appeared that one-half of the residents,
being new settlers, had not rai.sed enough corn and
grain for their own families, and none of the citizens
were much, if any, above need. This petition was
signed by Joseph Farwell, Robert Parris and William
Tyng, as selectmen. In answer to this i)etition the
sum of twelve jiounds was allowed the town from the
treasury.
NASHUA.
147
C H A 1' T K R IX .
NASHUA— (Condnuerf.)
INDIAN WABS FKOM 1702 TO iriS.
Wautniick Fort — Queen Auoe'a War — Slutighter of the Parris Kamily —
Weld's Fort — Careless Scouts — Fate of the Galusha Family — Ju*i Eng-
lish—Sad Condition of Dunstable— Iniliau TactiM aud Cruelty — A
Brii-r Pea4-'e — Capture of Cross and Blanchard — Fate of Lieutenant
French and Party — Escape of Farwell — Indian Ilead,
Late in the autumn of 1702 the General Court of
Massachusetts authorized the building of a fort, not
to exceed forty feet stjuare, at " Watauuck," the Indian
name for Salmon Brook. It was fortified with a stock-
ade of hewn timber, and stood about sixty rods north
of .Salmon Brook, and about the same distance east of
Main Street, on the premises now owned by Elbridge
G. Reed. Tlie cellar, which was deep, has been
filled, and a thrifty walnut-tree planted by Mr.
Reed now marks the spot. Tliis fort was occupied by
a small garrison, consisting of eleven men, namely:
William Tyng, lieutenant; John Bowers, sergeant;
Joseph Butterfield, drummer; John .Spalding, John
Cummings, Joseph llasscll, Ebenezer Cunimings,
Daniel Galusha, Paul Fletcher, Samuel French and
Thomas Lund, privates. Most of thtsie men were
residents, and in the day-time the presenrc of only
four soldiers was required at the fort.
In 1703 war was renewed between England and
France. It lasted ten years, and is known in history
as Queen Ann's War. The Indians, instigated by
Jesuit priests, and equipped by the French Governor,
made a general attack on all the frontier settle-
ments. Within six weeks two hundred whites along
the northern frontier were killed or carried into cap-
tivity. The Ma.ssachusetts colonial government,
alarmed by these massacres, oliered a bounty of I'ortj-
pounds lone hundreil and forty dollars) for every
Indian scalji.
It was soon after the beginning of this war that the
garrison of Robert Parris was surprised, and himself
and family massacred. He lived in the south part of
the town, on the main road to C'lielmsford, just south
of the site now occupied by the " Highland Farm"
buildings. He wa.s a large land projjrietor, and had
been selectman and representative of the town. Just
at the close of twilight the savages attacked the
house. Unfortunately, the door was unfiLstene<l, and,
having gained an entrance, they killed Mr. Parris,
his wife and oldest daughter. Two small girls, who
composed tlie rest of the family, ran down into the
cellar, and crept under an empty hogshead. The
savages plundered the house, struck with their toma-
hawks upon the hogslicad, but in the dark failed to
examine closely. They left, leaving the house un-
liurm-d, probably fearing the flames would alarm the
neighbors. The orphan girls were sent to their rela-
tives in C'harlestown, Ma.ss., where they were rai.sed
and cducateiL
In the summer of 1701! a party of Mohawks, two
hundred and seventy in number, came East to attack
the New Hampshire settlements. For centuries they
had been accustomed to make mid-summer raids to the
^lerrimack Valley, and sometimes to the sea-coast be-
yond for )ilunder. Vermont and Western New Hamp-
shire had been depopulated by them, for they spared
I none. The red men having departed, they now fell
I upon the white settlers. Their first descent was uiwn
' Dunstable, on July 3d, where they entered the " Weld
fort," a garrison-house so named for theRev. Mr. Weld,
who died in 17(12. Strangely, there were twenty
troopers in it. These men, who were mounted scouts,
had been ranging the wood, and toward night reached
the garrison. Apprehending no danger, they turned
their horses loose upon the intervale, and without a
sentry began a night carousal. A detachment of Mo-
I hawks, lurking in the vicinity, had intended to attack
both Weld's and (Jalusha's garrisons on the same
night. Spies had been set to watch these garrLsons to
see that no assistance arrived, and no alarm was
given. A short time before the approach of the cav-
alry the spy stationed at Weld's, seeing no move-
ment, retired to his party, and reported that all was
safe.
Just after sunset Mr. John Cummings and his wife
went out to milk the cows, and left the gate open.
The Indians, who had advanced undiscovered, rushing
' forward, shot Mrs. Cummings dead upon the spot
and wounded Mr. Cummings. They then rushed
through the open gate into the house with the horri-
ble yells of conquering savages, but halted with
amazement on finding the room filled with soldiers
merrily feasting. Both parties were astonished, and
neither showed much self-possession. The soldiers,
suildcnly interrujited in their jovial entertainment,
found themselves compelled to fight for life, without
arms, and incapable of obtaining them. Most of them
were panic-struck, and unable to fight or fiy. For-
tunately, six or seven coijrageous souls, with chairs,
benches or whatever else they could seize, fiiriously
attacked the advancing foe. The savages, surprised
and disconcerted, rushed from the house without any
loss, save a few sore heads.
There are conflicting accounts as to the loss of the
troopers. Penhallow, who wrote a history of the
Indian wars, and was a contemporary author, says
that about one-half of the troopers were killed by the
Indians, who ha<l loaded guns on entering tiie fort;
while another and probably less reliable account
says that no one save the trumpeter, who was blow-
ing his horn in the attic when he saw the Indians en-
tering, was shot fatally at the head of the stairway.
The carelessness of the soldiers was very deservedly
censured. Cummings, who was wounded outside,
fled with a broken arm to the woods while tlie sav-
ages were engaged in the house. That night he lay
in a swamp a few rods south of the State line, and the
next morning reached the garrison just above the
present Tyngsborough village.
148
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The same night the Indians attarkiil tlie fortified
house of Danii 1 Gahisha, two milf-s westward, and
near the jiresent residence of WiUard Cuniniings.
The inmates were three men, one woman and one l)oy.
They fought bravely, but finding tliat the Indians
were kindling a fire outside, endeavored to escape.
One aceount says that one man and the boy escaped,
but Penliallow writes that only the woman escaped.
Wlien tlie assault grew dangerous she sought con-
cealment in the cellar. Hastily plundering the
house, and thinking they had killed all the inmates,
tlie savages set fire to the house and immediately
left. The woman, finding the house in flames, tried
to escape by the cellar window, but found it too
small. By effort she removed a stone, forced a pass-
age, and crawling over burning cindei's, reached the
nearest bushes, from whence in the morning she fled
to a neighboring garrison.
On the same night of the attack on the Weld and
Galusha garrisons, the Indians, at a later hour, prob-
ably past midnight, assaulted the house of Nathaniel
Blanchard, three miles lielow Salmon Brook, and near
the old cemetery in the south part of the town. It
apjiears from the ancient town records that Nathaniel
Blanchard, his wife, Susannah, his daughter, Susannah,
and his brother's wife, Hannah, all four "died" by the
hands of the savages on the night of the 3d of July,
1706. Captain Samuel Whiting was taken prisoner
on Long Hill, and carried to Canada. He returned
after several years of captivity, but for many years
after was an invalid on account of his wounds and
sufierings.
Three weeks later, on the 27th of July, Captain
Hutterfield and wife, mounted on the same horse,
started to ride from I)unstal)le to Clielmsford. They
were accompanied by the well-known friendly Indian,
Joe English, and another soldier as a guard, English
going before and the soldier in the rear of the mounted
couple. They had just crossed the present State line,
and reached Ilolden's Brook, when a party of Indians
in ambush fired and killed the horse. Captain But-
terfield and the soldier escaped, but his wife was taken
prisoner. Joe English, however, was the chief object
of pursuit, and they at once ran toward him. With
his loaded musket he made all possil)le haste to reach
the nearest thicket, when a l)all struck the arm hold-
ing the gun, which compelled him to drop it. .lust as
he reached the thicket another ball broke his thigh.
Undaunted by tortures, he bravely met his death.
Joe English was an Agawam Indian, born in Ips-
wich, Mass., the son of a noted sachem. He possessed
unusual sagacity and on several occasions had noti-
fied the white settlers of the terrific attacks about to
be made on them. For this the nortliern savages had
sworn a terrible revenge. Many traditional stories
have been told of his ingenuity and prowess. Of his
fidelity, courage, adventures and hairbreadth escapes
there is no doubt. His death was lamented as a pub-
lic loss. The General Assemblv of Miussachusetts
made a grant to his widow and two children " because
he died in the service of the country." His memory
was long cherished as one who fell by the hands of
his own race on account of his friendship for the
whites. A noted hill in New Boston, easy of ascent
on the north and terminating in a precipice on the
south side, perpetuates his name.
Queen Anne's War bore heavily on all the New-
Hampshire settlements, then numbering only five, —
Portsmouth, Dover, Exeter, Hanifiton and Dunstable.
The scholarly Penhallow, who was an actor in this
war anil wrote a history of it, inscribed the title-page
of his book with these sad words, —
" Xi'scio tu ([uibus t'S, Lector, lecturUB ocilIiB
Hoc scit), quod siccis, scrilitre non pottii.
(With wliiit eyes, O reader, yoii will rend tliis tale 1 know not —
This I do know, mine were not dry when writing it)."
Feeble and suffering had been the condition of the
settlers of Dunstable from its earliest years. Fear and
desolation reigned everywhere. Compelled to dwell
in garrisons, to labor at the constant peril of life, how
could the settlers thrive? Dunstable was scarcely
more advanced in 1714 than in 1680, so disastrous had
been the effect of the long and bloody wars. Many of
the most useful inhabitants had been slain or taken
captive, especially heads of families. Some had re-
moved to places more secure from Indian depredation.
Very few would emigrate to what might be well termed
" the dark and bloody ground." It was no time for
marriage feasts when the bridal procession might at
every step become a funeral one, and the merry laugh
be drowned by the crack of the riHe and the savage
war-whoop.
The historian Bancroft says; '" The war on the part
of the Indians was one of ambushes and surprises."
They were secret as beasts of prey, skillful marksmen,
swift of foot, patient of fatigue, familiar with every
path and nook of the forest, and frantic with the pas-
sion for vengeance and destruction. The laborer in
the field and the woodman felling trees were shot
down by skulking foes who were invisible. The
mother left alone in the house was in constant fear of
the tomahawk for herself and her children. There was
no hour of freedfim from peril. The dusky red men
hung upon the skirts of the colonial villages "like the
liglitning on the edge of the cloud."
In 1713 the " peace of Utrecht " closed the war be-
tween England and France. The Indians, getting no
supplies from their Canadian allies, were quiet.
There was ati increase of emigration from England,
and ])ernianent homes now for the first time began
to extend beyond the long-exposed frontier settle-
ment below the junction of the Nashua with the Mer-
rimack River. As early as 1710 settlements were
made in Hudson ; Londonderry was settled in 1719 ;
Litchfield and Chester in 1720; Merrimack and Pel-
ham in 1722. In 1722 the Maine Indians, instigated,
it was said, by the Jesuit missionary. Father Rasle,
began depredations at Portsmouth, Dover and the
NASHUA.
149
irininw SL'ttleiiiciits in the vicinity, the Peijuawkets,
uiidiT the lead ol'Paiigus, joifiing them in phmdering
corn-fields and destroying cattle.
Early in the spring of 1724, Lieutenant .laliez Fair-
banks, ofGroton, took command of a scouting-party
organized to protect the frontier settlers. Sixofthe
scouts — Joseph Blauchard, Thomas Lund, Isaac Far-
well, Ebenezer Cummings, John Usher and Jonathan
Combs — belonged to Dunstable. They reported that
no trace of a lurking foe could be discovered in the
forests north and west of Dunstable. This news was
encouraging, ami several men at the Harbor went to
work during the day on the north side of the Nashua
River, planting corn and collecting turpentine. Dur-
ing the summer they were not disturbed. This tran-
quillity, however, was brief. On the morning of Sep-
tember 4, 1724, Nathan Cross and Thomas lilamhard
started from the Harbor and cnxssed the Nashua River
to do a day's work in the pine forest growing on the
northern bank, on land not far from the present
Nashua Cemetery. The day was wet and drizzly.
Reaching their destination, they placed their arms
and ammunition, ;is well as their lunch and accom-
panying jug, in a hollow log to keep them dry. Dur-
ing the day they were surrounded by a party of In-
dians from Canada, who hurried them into captivity.
Their protracted absence aroused the anxiety of
their friends and neighbors, and a relief party of ten
was organized Ibe ne.xt morning to make a search for
the absentees. Lieutenant Ebenezer French was
chosen leader. When the ))arty arrived at the spot
where these men had been laboring they found the
hoojjs of the barrels cut and the turpentine spread
upon the ground. From certain marks upon the
trees they inferred that the two men were cajitured
and carried oil' alive.
Wliile examining the premises, Josiah Farwell,
who was an experienced ranger, noticed that the
turpentine had not ceased spreading, and called the
attention of the party to the circumstance. They
decided that the Indians had been gone but a short
time and must be near by. So they determined <m
immediate pursuit. Farwell advised the party to
take a circuitous route to avoid an ambush; but,
unfortunately, he and the commander were person-
ally at variance. Lieutenant French imputed this
advice to cowardice, and called out, "I am going to
take the direct path; if any of you are not afraid, let
him follow me." French led the way and the whole
party followed, Farwell taking his position in the
rear.
Their route was up the Merrimack, and at the
» brook just above Thornton's Ferry they were waylaid.
The Indians fired and killed the larger part instantly.
The rest tied, but were overtaken. Lieutenant French
wiuH killed unclir an oak a mile from the ambush.
Farwell in the rear sprang behind a tree, fired and
fled. The Indians pursued him. The chase was
close and doubtful till Farwell reaih.il a (liicket,
where, changing his course, he eluded his foes. He
wiis the only one of the party who escaped. It is
probable that Lieutenant French and his men were
not aware of the strength of the enemy, but supposed
it to be an ordinary foraging-party of eight or ten
warriors, when in reality the Indians numbered
^ seventy well-armed men. The next day a larger
company was mustered, and proceeding to the fatal
spot, found the dead bodies. Coffins were prepared
for them, and eight were interred in one capacious
grave at the ancient burial-ground near the present
State line. The following epitaph, "spelt by the
unlettered muse," tells the bloody tale. The inscri|i-
tioii reads thus :
"Memento Mori.
*'Here lies tlie iKxJy of Mr. Thomas Lunh,
who departed tliis life Sept. otli, 1724, iu the
42cl year of his age.
" This uiaii with seven more that lies in
this gmve was slew all in a day by
The Indians."
Some of the fallen were leading and active citizens,
whose loss was deeply felt. Among them were Oliver
Farwell, Thomas Lund, Ebenezer French, Ebenezer
Cummings and Benjamin Carter. The two captives,
Cross and Blaiieluiid, were taken to Canada, .\tter a
year's captivity they obtained a ransom and returned
to Dunstable. The gun, jug and lunch-basket were
found in the hollow log where they had been con-
cealed the year before. The gun has been carefully
preserved by the desceiulants of Mr. Cross; and
recently one of them, Mr. Levi S. Cross, of this city,
has presented it to the Nashua Natural History
Society to be kept among their antiquarian relics.
It is related by Penhallow that another fight at this
time took place somewhat above the mouth of the
Nashua River, and that one white man was killed
and four wounded. Tradition reports that it was the
same Indians who captured Cross and Blaiuliard,
and who had just vanquisbed Lieutenant French's
party. They occupied the north and the whites the
south bank of the river. The savages grew weary
and retired. When the white .s(ddiers went over the
next ilay to the north side, they found conspicuously
carved on the trunk of a pine-tree an Indian head,
from which was derived the name afterwards given to
that loealitv.
(11 A I'TKK V.
NASHUA— t CoiiliiiiiiJ.)
CAPTAIN JOHN LOVEWELL'S CAMPAIGNS.
The Ili'i-uitf I'e>|uawket— Karly Trainin)r— I'elitlon tJninted— Trip to the
Lake — \ SMi-cessfiil Raid — March tu Ossipee— Ileach "Lovewell's
I'lMul"— Kail Into an Amhiisli— .^ llliioily Kiglil— Deaths of I-ovewell
and I'angua — Terrlhle Suffering — Deaths of Farwell and l"rye — Noah
Johnson — Uesidt« of the C'anii»algn.
LiNfiERlxo amimg us are a few aged persons who
well remember that in their carlv childhood, while
150
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
the family were gathered for a winter night around
the ample hearths of that |)eriod, some old man told I
the story of the brave Captain Lovewell and his com-
pany, their successes and their misfortunes, till an
intense interest was awakened in the breast of every
youthful listener. With the exception of General
John Stark, no other name in the colonial annals of
New England is so well known as that of Captain
John Lovewell. Born and raised witliiii the limits of
Nashua, whatever relates to his history and achieve-
ments deserves the especial attention of the jieople of
this city.
Captain John Lovewell was born in that part of old
Dunstable wliich allerward fell witliin the limits of
Na.sliua, in a cabin, near Salmon lirook. He was the
oldest son of John Lovewell, who came over from
England about lii70. His grandfather served in the
army of Oliver Cromwell. His father appears to have
fought under the famous Captain Church during King
Philip's War. He was a man of unusual courage and
physical vigor. At the time of his death, in 1752, he
was probably a centenarian, but not, as erroneously
reported, one hundred and twenty years old.
Captain John Lovewell, Jr., was, like his father, a
man of great courage and ready to engage in daring
enterprises. During his boyhood Dunstable was con-
stantly assailed l)y merciless savages, and at a very
early age he began to engage in scouts, which required
the exercise of the utmost caution, promptitude and
bravery. At eighteen years of age he was actively
engaged in exploring the wilderness, to find the lurk-
ing-places of the Indians. Having the (lualities of
leadership, his ability was early recognized, and at
the age of twenty-five he ranked as thebest-equipived,
most daring and versatile scout in the frontier settle-
ments. This was no trivial compliment, for no town-
ship in New England had, in the first half of the
eighteenth century, a more experienced, adroit and
courageous corps of Lidian fighters than Dunstable.
The fate of Lieutenant French and his party, in
September, 1724, had a dispiriting effect on the in-
habitants of Dunstable. But Captain John Lovewell,
Jr., then thirty years old, Wiis determined to carry the
war to tlie strongholds of the savages and destroy
them, as Captain Church had destroyed the followers
of King Philip. "These barbarous outrages must be
9toi)ped, and I am ready to lead the men who will do
it," was his declaration to his comrades. Joined by
Josiah Farwell and Jonathan Robbins, a petition was
sent to the General Court of JIassachusetts for leave
to raise a company to scout against the Indians. Tlie
original petition, signed by them, is on file in the office
of the Secretary of State in Boston, and is as follows:
*' The humble meuiorial of John Lovewell, Josiiih Fnrwell, .Tunathan
I^}be^ts, all of DuliBtAMo, shuweth :
•' That your i>otitiouorK, with near forty or fifty others, are inclinable
t» luuge and to keep out in the woods for several months together, in
order to kill and destroy tileir enemy Indians, })rovidetI they can uieet
with Incouragement suitable. And your Petitionei^ are Imployed and
desired by many others liumbly to propose and submit to your Honors'
consideration, that if stich soldiers may be allowed five shillings pur day,
in case they kill any enemy Indian, and possess his scalp, they will Im-
ploy themselves in Indian huntipg one whole year ; and if within that
time they do not kill any, they are content to be allowed nothing for
their wages, time and trouble.
"John Lovewell,
"Josiah Farwell,
"Jonathan Robbins.
"Dunstable, Nov., 1724."
This petition was granted, with the change of tlie
com])cnsation to a bounty of one hundred pounds per
seal]). Volunteers came forward with alacrity, the
company was organized and the commission of cap-
tain given to Lovewell.
With this picked company Captain Lovewell smarted
on an excursion northward to Lake Winnii)esaukee.
On the 10th of December, 1724, the party came upon
a wigwam, in which were two Indians, — a man and a
boy. They killed and scalped the man and brought
the boy alive to Boston, where they received the prom-
i.sed bounty and two shillings and sixpence per day.
This success was small, but it gave courage, and
the company grew from thirty to eighty-seven. They
started the second time on January 27, 172o. Cross-
ing the Merrimack at Nashua, they followed tlie
river route on the east side to the southeast corner of
Lake Winnipesaukee, where they arrived on the
9th of February. Provisions falling short, thirty of
them were dismissed by lot, and returned home. The
company went on to Bear Camp River, in Tain-
worth, where, discovering Indian tracks, they changed
their course and followed them in a southeast direc-
tion till, just before sunset on the 20th, they saw
smoke, by which they judged the enemy were en-
camped for the night. Keeping concealed till after
midnight, they then silently advanced, and discovered
ten Indians asleep round a fire by the side of a frozen
pond. Lovewell now resolved to make sure work,
and placing his men conveniently, ordered them to
fire, five at once, as quickly after each other as pos-
sible, and another ]>art to reserve their fire. He
gave the signal by firing his own gun, which killeil
two of them ; the men, firing as directed, killed five
more on the spot ; the other three, starting up from
their sleep, two were shot dead on the s|)ot by the
reserve. The other, wounded, attempted to escape
across the pond, was seized by a dog and held fast
till they killed him. In a few minutes the whole
party was killed, and a raid on some settlement pre-
vented. These Indians were coming from Canada
with new guns and plenty of ammunition. They
had also some spare blankets, moccasins and snow-
shoes for the use of the prisoners they expected to
take. The pond where this success was jichieved is
in the town of Wakefield, and lias ever since borne
the name of Lovewell's Pond. The company then*^
went to Boston through Dover, where they displayed
the scalps and guns taken from the savages. In
Boston they received the bounty of one thousand
pounds from the imlilic treasury.
Cajitain Lovewell now ]ilanncd the bold design of
attacking the Pe(|iiawkets in their chief village, on
NASHUA.
151
tlieSaco River, in Fryeburg, Maine. This tribe was
powerful and ferocious. Its chief was Paugus, a
mited warrior, whose name ins[>ired terror wlierever
he was known. To reach Peiiuawlcet was a task in-
volving harilships and danger. Tliere is no doubt
that Captain Lovewell underestimated the j)erils of
the march and the risk from ambuscades. One hun- ',
dred and thirty miles in early spring, through a I
wilderness not marked by a trail, to a locality never
visited by the invaders, but every rod familiar to the
wily foe, were serious disadvantages. Besides this,
the company at the start only consisted of forty-six
men. They left Salmon Brook on the 16th of April,
1725. They had traveled but a few miles when
Toby, an Indian, falling sick, was obliged to return,
which he did with great reluctance.
At Contoocook (now Boscawen), William Cuin-
mings, of Dunstable, became so disabled by a wound
received from the enemy years before that the cap-
tain sent him back with a kinsman to accompany
him. They proceeded on to the west shore of Ossipee
Lake, where Benjamin Kidder, of Nuttield (now Lon-
donderry), falling sick, the captain halted and built
a rude fort, having the lake shore to the ea.st and
Ossipee River on the north side. This was intended
as a refuge in case of disaster. Here Captain Love-
well left with Kidder the surgeon, a sergeant and
seven other men as a guard. He also left a quantity
of provisions to lighten the loads of the men, and
which would be a needed supply on their return.
With only thirty-four men, Captain Lovewell, not
disheartened, proceeded on his march from Ossipee
Lake to Pequawket village, a distance of nearly forty
miles through a rough forest. None of the ])artv
were acquainted with the route. Of the thirty-four
in the company, only eight were from that i)ortion of
Dunstable now included in Nashua. The others were
from neighboring towns, largely from Groton, Bil-
ierica and Woburn. Dunstable furnished the cap-
tain, lieutenants and nearly all the minor officers of
the expediti(m. The eight men from Dunstable were
Captain .Folin Lovewell, Lieutenant .Tosiali Farwell,
Lieutenant .lonathaii Robbins, En.sign .rohn Har-
wood. Sergeant Noah Johnson, Corporal Benjamin
llassell, Robert Usher and Samuel Whiting, privates.
On Thursday, two days before the fight, the com-
pany were apjirehensive that they were discovered
and watched by the enemy, and on Friday night the
watch heard the Indians rustling in the underbrush,
and alarmed the company, but the darkness was such
they made no discovery. Very early in the morning
of Saturday, May 8th, while they were at f)rayers,
they heard the report of a gun. Soon after they
discovered an Indian on a point running out into
Saco Pond. The company deciiled that the pur|)ose
of the Indian was to draw them into an ambush con-
cealed between himself ancl the soldiers. The infer-
ence was a mistake, and a fatal one to a majority of
the party. Kx|iecting :in iniinediate atta<'k, a con-
sultation was held to determine whether it was better
to venture an engagement with the enemy, or to make
a speedy retreat. The men boldly answered: " Wc
have prayed all along that we might find the foe;
and we had rather trust Providence with our lives,
yea, die lor our country, than try to return without
seeing them, and be called cowards for our con-
duct."
Captain Lovewell readily complied, and led them
on, though not without n:anilesting some appre-
hensions. Su]>posing the enemy to be in front,
he ordered the men to lay down their packs, and
march with the greatest caution, and in the utmost
readiness. In this way they advanced a mile and a
half, when Ensign Wyman spied an Indian approach-
ing among the trees. Giving a signal, all the men
concealed themselves, and as the Imlian came nearer
several guns were fired at him. He at once fired at
Captain Lovewell with beaver shot, wounding him
severely, though he made little complaint, and was
still able to travel. Ensign Wyman then fired and
killed the Indian, and Chaplain Frye scalped him.
They then returned toward their i)acks,wliich had al-
ready been found and seized by the savages, who, in
reality, were lurking in their rear, and who were elated
by discovering from the number of the packs that their
own force was more than double that of the whites.
It was now ten oclock, and just before reaching the
place, on a plain of scattered pines about thirty rods
from the pond, the Indians rose up in front and rear
in two parties, and ran toward the whites with their
guns presented. The whites instantly presented their
guns, and rushed to meet them.
When both parties came williin twenty yards of
each other they fired. The Indians suffered fiir the
more heavily, and hastily retreated a few rods into a
low pine thicket, where it was hardly possible to see
one of them. Three or four rounds followed from
each side. The savages had more than twice the
number of our men and greatly the advantage in their
concealeil jjosition, and their shots began to tell fear-
fully. -Uready nine of the whites were killeil and
three were fatally wounded. This was more than one-
third of their number. Among the dead were Cap-
tain Lovewell and Ensign Harwood, and both Lieu-
tenant Farwell and Lieutenant Robbins were injured
beyond recovery. Ensign Wyman ordered a retreat
to the pond, and probably saved the company from
entire destruction, as the pond protected their rear.
The fight continued obstinately till sunset, the
savages howling, yelling and barking and making all
sorts of hideous noises, the whites fre(|uently shout-
ing and huzzaing. Some of the Indians, holding up
ropes, asked the English if they would take ipiarter,
but were promptly told that they would have no
quarter save at the muzzles of their guns.
About the middle of the afternoon the chaplain,
Jonathan Frye, of Andover, who graduated at Har-
vard in 172:1, and who had fought bravely, fell terri-
152
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
bly wounded. When he could fight no longer he
prayed audibly for the preservation of tlie rest of
the company.
The fight had lasted nearly eight hours, and at
intervals was furious. The reader will understand
that it was very unlike a battle between two parties
of civilized infantry. In fijrliting these savages, who
concealed themselves bcliiiid trees, logs, bushes and
rocks, the whites were compelled to adopt similar
tactics. In such a fight, while obeying general
orders, each soldier fires at the foe when he can dis-
cern an e.\po.sed head or body. This Pequawket con-
test lasted from ten in the morning till night, but it
was not continuous. There were intervals of nearly
or quite half an hour, which were hardly disturbed by
the crack of a single musket. But in these intervals
the savages were skulking antl creeping to get a near
view and sure aim at some white soldier, while our
men were desperately on the alert to detect their
a|)proach and slay them. Noticing a lull among the
warriors, Ensign Wyman crept up behind a bush and
discovered a group apparently in council, and bv a
careful shot brought down their leader.
It was in the latter part of the fight that Paugu ;.
the Indian chief, met his fate. He was well-knowii
by most of LoveweU's men, and several times he
called aloud to John Chamberlain, a stalwart soldier
from Groton. Jlean while the guns of both these
combatants became too foul for use, and both went
down to the pond to clean thera. Standing but a
few yards apart, with a small brook between them,
both began to load together, and with mutual threats
thrust powder and ball into their weapons. Chamber-
lain primed his gun l)y striking the breach heavily
on the ground. This enabled him to fire a second
before his foe, whose erring aim failed to hit Cham-
berlain.
At twilight the savages withdrew, disheartened by
the loss of their chief. From information afterwards
obtained, it is believed that not more than twenty of
the Indians escaped unhurt, and, thus weakened, they
did not hazard a renewal of the struggle. But our
men, not knowing their condition, expected a speedy
return. About midnight, tlie moon having arisen,
they collected together, hungry and very faint, all
their food having been snatched by the Indians with
their packs. On examining the situation, they found
Jacob Farrar just expiring, and Lieutenant Robbins
and Robert Usher unable to rise ; four others — viz. :
Lieutenant Farwell, Frye, Jones and Davis — very
dangerously wounded, seven badly wounded and
nine unhurt.
A sjieedy return to the fort at Ossijiee was the only
course left them. Lieutenant Robbins told his com-
panions to load his gun and leave it with him, saying :
"As the Indians will come in the morning to scalp
nie, I will kill one more if I can." Uis home was on
Long Hill, in the south part of Nashua, and he was
a favorite with his comrades. One man, Soloman
Keyes, of Billerica, was missing. When he had
fought till he had received three wounds, and had
become so weak tliat he could not stand, he crawled
up to Ensign Wyman and said: " I am a dead man,
but if possible I will get out of the way so that the
Indians shall not have my scalp." He then crept
away to some rushes on the beach, where discovering
a canoe, he rolled over into it. There was a gentle
north wind, and drifting southward three miles, he
was landed on the shore nearest the fort. Gaining
strength, he was able to reach the fort and join his
comrades.
Leaving the dead unburied, and faint from hunger
and fatigue, the survivors started before dawn for
Ossipec. A sad prospect was before them. The
Indians, knowing their destitution, were expected at
every moment to fall upon them. Their homes were
a hundred aud thirty miles distant, ten of their uun.-
ber had fallen and eight were groaning with the
agony of terrible wounds. After walking a mile
and a half, four of the wounded men — Lieutenant
Farwell, Captain Frye and Privates Davis aud
Jones — were unable to go farther, and urged the
othere to hiusteu to the fort and send a fresh re-
cruit to their rescue. The party hurried on as fast
as strength would permit to the Ossipee fort. To
their dismay they found it deserted. One of their
number, in the first hour of the battle, terrified by the
death of the commander and others, sneakingly had
fled to the fort and gave the men posted there so
frightful an account that they all fled hastily toward
Duustable. Fortunately, some of the coarse i^rovi-
sions were left, but not a tithe of what were needed.
Resting briefly, they continued their travels in de-
tached parties to Duustable, the majority reaching
there on the night of the 13lh of May, and the others
two days later. They suftered severely from want of
food. From Saturday morning till Wednesday —
four days — they were entirely without any kind of
food, when they caught some squirrels and partridges,
which were roasted whole and greatly improved their
strength.
Eleazer D.avis and Josiah Jones, two of the wound-
ed, who were left near the battle-ground, survived, and
alter great suftering reached Berwick, Me. Finding,
after several days, no aid from the fort, they all went
several miles together. Chaplain Frye laid down
aud probably survived only a few hours. Lieutenant
Farwell reached within a few miles of the fort, and
was not heard of afterwards. He was deservedly
lamented as a man in wlnjm was combined unusual
bravery with timely discretion. There is little doubt
but he and several others of the wounded would have
recovered if they could have had food and medical
care. Their surterings must have been terrible.
The news of this disaster caused deep grief and
consternation at Dunstable. A company, under
Colonel Tyng, went to the \>lace of action and buried
the bodies of Captain Lovewell and ten of his men at
NASHUA.
153
the toot of a tall pine-tree. A nionuinent now marks
ilies])ot. The General Court of Massachusett.s reave
ii'teeii huiiilred pouiuls to the widows and orphans
and a handsome bounty of lamls to tiie survivors.
Of the men from Dunstable who participated in
the " Great Fight," all were killed or wounded. Only
line, Xoah Johnson, survived and returned home.
His farm was on the south side of the Nashua River,
at its mouth, and extended southward a little beyond
the i)resint road leading over the iron l)ridge to
Hudson. He received a |)ension and a grant of land
111 Pembroke, to which he removed and passed his
later years. He was the last survivor of the Pequaw-
ket fight, and died at Pembroke in 1798, in his one
hundredth year. Quite a number of his deseendants
reside in this part of the State.
In the fight which re-^ulted so fatally to Captain
Lovewell and a majority of his command the numbers
irigaged were inconsiderable. But while temjjorarily
disastrous, the results proved of incalculable advan-
tage to the border settlenients. From that day the
!■ lurageand the power of the red men were destroyed.
They soon withdrew from their ancient haunts and
hunting-grounds in New Hampshire to the French
■■I'ttlements in Cana<la. No subsequent attacks by an
■ ■rganized force of Indians were made upon Dunstable,
and their raids made subsequently at Concord, Hills-
liorough and Charlestown were merely si)asmodic
• tforts instigated, and in some instances led, by French
olHcers. Yet such had been the experience of the
past that for years the i)ioueer settlers listened in the
still watches of the night for the foot-fall of the
stealthy savage, the musket was the companion of his
pillow and in his sleep he dreamed of the fierce yells
of the merciless foe.
The expedition of Captain Lovewell was no doubt
hazardous in view of the diflicultiesof the march and
the small nundier of his men. One-fifth of his force
beside the surgeon, was left at the fort at Ossipee.
Captain Lovewell intended to surprise Paugus by
attacking him in his camp. Unfortunately, the reverse
hai)pened. Paugus and his eighty warriors were re-
turning from a journey down the Saco, when they
discovered the track of the invaders. For forty hours
they stealthily followed and saw the soldiers dispose
of their packs, .so that all the provisions and blankets
fell into their own hanrls, with the knowledge of tlieir
small force. Thus pre|iarcd, they expected from their
chosen ambush to annihilate nr to capture the entire
party.
Thus ended the memorable campaign against the
I'eqnawket.s. Deep and universal was the gratitude
of the peojile of l)unstal)le at the prospect of peace.
For fifty years had the war been raging with lillh'
cessation and with a series of surprises, devastations
and massacres that seemed to threaten annihilation.
The scene of this desperate and bloody action at Fryc-
burg is often visited, and in song and eulogy are
commemi)rate<l the lienies of Lovewell's fight.
CHAPTER VI.
NASUUA— { Contimird.)
l-KOSTIEK HARDSHIPS AND STKUGGLES.
Dunstable ia 1730— Poverty of the Settlors— Beara ttuil Raccoons— New
Towns Organized- RetUonieut of Boundarj' Line — DunstaMe under
New IIiUtij>9hire Laws — l{eIJ;^ioiis l)is8eU!.iun8 — \ Tramp tbruugb
the Wilderness — Lust in tbe \Vuods— Niglit on Lovuwell's Muiintuiu —
A Safe Return.
The close of the Indian war in 172") found the
peo])le of Dunstable few in number and extremely
poor. AVar taxes were heavy, ransoms had been
paid for captive relations from dire necessity; the de-
struction of houses, cattle and crops, and the destruc-
tion of all regular employment had been ruinous.
Thegenenil poverty had been such that from 1G93 to
17.3.'i the voters declined to send a representative to
the Massachusetts Assembly. When necessity re-
quired, a special messenger was employed.
Money was so scarce that the Assembly is.sued bills
of credit to the amount of fifty thousand pounds, to
be distributed among the several towns. Lieutenant
Henry Farwell and .Joseph Blanchard were trustees
to distribute among the residents of Dunstable, in
such sums that " no man should have more than five
or less than three pounds, paying five percent, yearly
for interest." Had the issue been limited to this
amount, it might have been of service; but larger
issues followed, with subsequentdepreciation and much
loss and distress.
Voting by ballot became an established rule in all
important matters, and in 1723 jurymen were first
chosen in this manner. Bridges began to be built,
roads extended and better houses built. It was a
favoralde event that a saw-mill was built soon after
the first settlement on Salmon Brook, at the little
bridge on the road running east from the Harbor, and
which for nut ny years was owned by John Lovewell,
the father of the hero of Pequawket. The first cabins
h.'id the ground for a Hoor and logs chinked with
clay for walls. Plank and boards now came into use,
and framed houses began to be built by the older set-
tlers. The selectmen were allowed five shillings per
day for services. There were no lawyers, and the cases
of litigation that occurred were settled by a justice,
wlio was not governed by rule or |>rece<lents, but by a
common-sense view of what was right. If important,
an appeal could be made to liie General Assembly.
The amount of taxes from 172ti to 17.S.3 varied from
two hundred and fifty dollars to four hundred dollars,
including the snp|iort ofihe minister. In March, 1727,
the town raised twenty dollars to build a ferry-boat
to cross the Merrimack at lilanchard's farm (near the
old Little stand), as Hudson was then iin-luded in
Dunstable, and settlers were locating on that side of
the river. In the fall of that year Josejdi Blanchard,
Sr., the only and earliest inn-keeper in the town,
died, and Henry Farwell, .Tr., petitioned for and ob-
154
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMrSHIRE.
tained a license for the same business. During Octo-
ber, 1727, several severe shocks of an earthquake
occurred, overturning chimneys and attended by
unusual noises. At this time corn was the most im-
portant field product of the farmer. It was the staple
article for food for man, if not for beast. In early
autumn it was exposed to depredations from raccoons
and bears.
The farmers, aided by their dogs, were able at night
to follow the coons, many of whom were " treed " and
killed, adding largely to the contents of the family
larder. The bears were more wary, and sometimes
were destructive. It is said that a settler by the name
of Whiting, who lived at the base of Long Hill, began
to find his sheep an uiiprolitable investment, for the
reason that so many of them were killed by some
black-coated visitor. They had to be yarded every
night, and were not entirely safe during the day. One
afternoon he found a half-eaten sheep on the hill-
side, and, determined on revenge, he placed the re-
mains at the end of a hollow pine log near by. In-
side the log he placed his gun in such a position that
when the bear should disturb the mutton he would
discharge the gun and receive the contents in his own
head. He heai-d the report of his old Queen's arm in
the night, and rising early the next morning, went to
learn the result. He found a very large bear lying
dead a short distance from a heap of half-roasted
mutton, while the log was a heap of burning coals.
Among these was the gun, minus the entire wooden
fixtures, with the barrel, lock and ramrod assentially
ruined. This was a great loss to him, but he was
often wont to relate with glee the way in which he
swapi)ed liis gun for a bear.
According to tradition, which may not very safely
be relied on in matters of importance, though it may
assist in delineating the usages of daily life, it was
about 172() that potatoes were first introduced into
Dunstable. A Mr. Cummings obtained two or three,
which he planted. When he dug the croji, some of
them were roasted and eaten merely from curiosity,
and the rest were put into a gourd-shell and hung up
in the cellar. The next year he planted all the seed,
and had enough to fill a two-bushel basket. Think-
ing he had no use for so many, he gave some of them
to his neighbors. Soon after, one of them said to him,
" I have found that potatoes are good for something.
I have boiled some of them, and eat them with meat,
and they relished well." It was some years later,
however, before potatoes came into general use. At
this time tea was rarely used, and tea-kettles were
unknown. The water was boiled in a skillet. When
the women went to an afternoon visiting party each
one carried her tea-cup, saucer and spoon. The tea-
cups were of the best china and very small, containing
about as much as a common wine-glass. Coftee was
unknown till more than half a century later.
Under the colonial laws of Massachusetts the public-
school system was first established with the provision
that " every child should be taught to read and
write." Every town having fifty householders was to
employ a teacher for twenty weeks of the year. But
deeply as the people of Dunstable felt the importance
of education, it was not safe nor practicable in a
frontier town where a fierce Indian war was raging,
when the inhabitants dwelt in garrisons, and were
everj" day liable to an attack, to establish a common
school. The dense adjacent forest, from whence the
quiet of the schoid-room might be broken at any hour
by the yell of the savage, was no fitting place for
children. Still, home education was not neglected, as
the ancient records of the town clearly show. There
w'as no school in the town till 173(1. That year, by
reckoning in the settlers within the present limits of
Hudson, Hollis and Tyngsborough, the required "fifty
householders " were obtiiined, and ten pounds were
granted for the support of a teacher. But the school
was not successful, and after a brief existence was
neglected for some years.
There is no data for iiscertaining the numlier of in-
habitants in "Old Dunstable," or in that part now
included in Nashua, in 1730. In the latter territory
there may have been forty families and two hundred
persons. They were scattered over a wide area, and
the new-comers were largely settling in Hollis, Hud-
son and other outlying localities. Already they were
demanding that, for schools, tor convenience to public
worship and local improvements, they should be set
apart from Dunstable, and erected into separate town-
ships. The General Court of Massachusetts was dis-
posed to grant their petitions.
Accordingly, in 1732, the inhabitants on the east
side of the Merrimack Kiver were authorized to es-
tablish a new township, with the name of Nottingham.
When the settlement of the border-line brought it
within New Hampshire, the name was changed to
Nottingham West, as there was already a Notting-
ham in the eastern part of the State. In 1830, the
town assumed the more appropriate name of IlixUon.
In 1733 the inhabitants on the north side of the
Nashua River and west of Merrimack River peti-
tioned for an act of incorporation ; but as nearly all
the petitionera lived on the Souhegan and the inter-
vale at its mouth, the (ieneral (,'ourt made the Penni-
chuck Brook the southern boundary to the new town-
ship, with the name of Rumford. It was called
Rumford only a short time, for the settlei-s, annoyed
by the insinuation that the first syllable of the name
indicated the favorite beverage of the inhabitiints,
hastened to change it to the name of the beautiftil
river that flows along its eastern border — ^fl'rrimack.
In 1734 the settlement across the river from Merri-
mack, then known as " Brenton's Farm," was incor-
porated, because, Jis the petitioners claimed, they
" had supported a minister for some time." It was
called Litchfield.
In 1736 the fertile lands in the west part of Dun-
stable were being rapidly occupied by an enterprising
NASH r A.
1J5
people, and were incorporated under the name of
West Dunstable. The Indian name was N'issitissit.
After the establishment of the boundary line the
Legislature, by request, gave to the town the name of
Hollft*. For fifty years the name of the town was
spelled Holies; but after the colonies became the Amer-
ican Rei>ublic the orthography was changed to Hollis.
In the mean time settlements were extending rap-
idly all around, and the Ibrest was bowing before the
onward march of civilization. Township after towu-
sliip was parceled out from the original body of
" OKI Dunstable," until, in 1T40, the broad and
goodly plantation was reduced to that portion which
is now embraced witliiii the limits of Nashua, Tyngs-
borough an<l Diiiistalilc.
Settlement of Boundary Line. — For many years
prior to 1740 the boundary line lietween the ])rovinces
of New Hampshire and JIassachusetts had been a
subject of bitter controversy. Jlore than seventy
years ago Governor Endicott, of Massachusetts, said
he had caused a monument to be fixed three miles
northward of the junction of the two rivers forming
the Merrimack, in the town of Sanbornton, and
Mas.^achusetts claimed all the territory in the present
State of New Hampshire south of an east and west
line passing through that point, and lying west of the
Merrinuick River.
On the other hand. New Hampshire claimed all
the territory lying north of a line running due east
and west through a point three miles north of the
Merrinuick Kiver, measureil from the north bank of
that river just above its mouth. At length a royal
commission was appointed to settle the controversy.
It met at Hampton Falls, in this State, in 1737, the
General Court of each province attending the sittings
of the commission.
The commission at Ham|)ton Falls did not agree,
and the question was reserved for the King in Coun-
cil. The decision was finally made in 1740, fixing
the province line where the State line now is. This
decision took from Massachusetts her claim, and gave
to New Hampshire not only all that New Hampshire
claimed, but also a tract of territory south of that in
controversy, fourteen miles in width and extending
from the Merrimack to the Connecticut Kiver, to
which New Hampshire had made no pretensions. It
included all that part of "Old Dunstable" north of
the present State line.
This new line, which proved to be the permanent
boundary between the two States, was run in 1741,
leaving in Massachusetts that part of the old town-
ship now in Tyngsburough and in Dunstable, in that
State, and adding to New Hampshire the present
territory of Nashua, Hudson, Hollis and all the other
portions of " OI<l Dunstable" north of the designateil
line. The name />iiii.-</<ib/i; however, was still re-
tained by the territory which now constitutes the city
of Nashua till the New Hampshire Legislature of
18lit) changed the name to Nashua.
11
This decision came upon the settlers in Dunstable
north of the new line with mingled surprise and con-
] sternation. Dunstable wiis eminently and wholly a
I JIassachusetts settlement. The settlers were nearly
all from the neighboring towns in that province, with
who.se people they were connected in sympathy, iu
business and by the ties of marriage and blood.
Their town and parish charters and the titles to their
lands and improvements were all Miussachusetts'
grants, and their civil and ecclesiastical organizations
were under Massachusetts' laws. This decision of
the King in Council left them wholly out of the juris-
ilictiou of that province, and in legal effect made all
their charters, the titles to their lands and imi)rove-
ments, and all statute laws regulating their civil and
church polity wholly void. The decision of the King
was final, and there was no appeal. Though dis-
appointed, embarrassed and indignant, there was no
alternative but submission.
Hitherto the history of Nashua has been associated
with that of the extended territory of " Old Dun-
stable," an appendage of Massachusetts. Henceforth
it is to be a distinct, independent town in New
Hampshire, comprised within the same limits as the
Nashua of to-clay.
Dunstable under New Hampshire Laws.— For-
tunately for the people of Dunstable, the colonial
government of New Hampshire was not in condition
to extend its authority immediately, and the Dun-
stable people remained sulistantially under the
Massachusetts charter till April, 174ii, when the town
was incorporated by the General Court of New
Hampshire. In the mean lime a compromise was
made with the adverse claimants of their lands and
improvements, and their titles to their possessions
being .secured, they gradually became reconciled to
their new political status.
In 174C the main road through Dunstable was
greatly improved. From the surveyor's record there
would seem to have been only a few houses on the
road at that time. The following are all that are
mentioned: Captain Joseph French's house was eight
rods north of the State line; Colonel Joseph Blanch-
ard's house, three hundred rods north of the State
line and twenty-nine rods south of Cummings' Brook;
Cyrus Baldwin's, near Colonel Blanchard's ; John
Searles' house, sixty-six rods north of Cummings'
Brook; Henry Adams', eighty rods north of Searles'
house (the old ditch which led to the fort was ninety
rods north of Adams' house); Thomas Harwood's
house W!is ninety rods north of the old ditch; no
other house mentioned between Harwood's and
Nashua River exce))ting Jonathan Lovewell's, which
was two huij<lred and eighty-three rods south of the
river, or at the Harbor, south of Salmon Brook. Per-
haps the above schedule included only the larger
land-linlders aiul ta.x-payers.
M this time there were neither schools nor school-
houses in town. On SeiilembiT 'I'.K 17l(i, it was voted
156
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
«
tliat ''Jonathan Lovcwell be desired to hire a school-
mastor until next March for tliis town, upon the cost
and charge of tlie town." Two dwelling-houses, one
in the northern and one in the southern part of the
town, were designated in which the school should be
kept, if they could be obtained. Ouly one teacher
was employed, and he was to keep school half of the
time at eaeii place. The number of inhabitants was
probaljly about three hundred.
During this year (1746) the Indians from Canada
came in small parties to the new settlements in the
western and northern parts of Hillsborough County.
Their defenseless condition compelled the few families
in Peterborough, Lyndeborough, Hillsborough and
New Boston to retire to the older towus, chiefly to
Xorthern Massachusetts. In their haste they buried
their cooking utensils and farming tools, taking their
cattle and lighter goods with them. The only persons
taken from Dunstable were Jonathan Farwell and a
IMr. Taylor, who were taken by surjirise while hunt-
ing. They were takeu to Canada, sold to the French
and remained in captivity three years, but finally
succeeded in obtaining a release and returned to their
friends. Many of the descendants of Mr. Farwell,
under several surnames, reside in this vicinity.
For fifty years the meeting-kouse of Dunstable had
been located near the State line. But in Dunstable
reconstructed it was desirable that the house for wor-
ship should be centrally located. There was a divided
opinion as to the new site and a worse dissension as
to the minister. Rev. Samuel Bird, who was installed
August 31, 1747, was an Arminian, and accused of
being a follower of Whitcfield. His friends, at the
head of whom was Jonathan Lovewell, stood by him
and built a meeting-house, in the autumn of that year,
on a spot of rising ground about six rods west of the
main road, or just south of the old cemetery, opposite
the residence of J. L. H. Mai-shall. It was about
twenty-eight feet by forty, had a small gallery and,
like most church edifices of the time, was divided into
the "men's side" and the "women's side." Mean-
while Colonel Josej)!! Blanchard, the leader of the
opposing faction, continued to hold services in the old
house, near the Tyngsborough line.
Twenty-two years had now passed since the loss by
Dunstable of some of her prominent citizens in Love-
well's fight, at Fryeburg, Me. Since then the popula-
tion had doubled and a new generation were coming
into active service. Among the leading families were
the Lovewells, Blauchards, Farwells, Cummingses,
Frenches and Lunds. The number of young persons
between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five had
largely increased, and the young men, after the gath-
ering of the fall crops, made frequent explorations
and hunting-trips. These excursions were still haz-
ardous, for the unbroken forests on the west and north
wereoccasionally traversed by savages, usually in small
parties of from six to eight, who were stimulated by
the rewards paid in Canada by the French govern-
ment for the delivery of prisoners. Usually their ob-
jective jwint was to surpri.se and make prisoners of
the solitary fur-hunters who, late in autumn, found it
profitable to set traps for the beaver, mink, musk-rat
and otter, to be found on the banks of the Souhegan,
Piscataquog, Contoocook or in the more northern
waters of the lakes in Grafton and Belknap Counties.
An illustration of the habits and daring enterprise of
the young men of that time will be seen iu the fol-
lowing sketch of
A Tramp through the Wilderness. — In the fall
of 1747 two explorers Irom Duustable, Nehemiah
Lovewell and John Gilsou, started from the present
site of Nashua for the purpose of examining the slope
of the Merrinuick Valley and of crossing the teight
of land to Number Four (now Charlestown), which
was then known as the most northern settlement in
the Connecticut Valley. Knowing the difficulties in
traversing hills and valleys covered with underbrush
and rough with fallen timber and huge bowlders, they
carried as light an outfit as possible, — a musket and
camp-blanket each, with five days' provisions. Fol-
lowing the Souhegan through Milford to Wilton, they
then turned northward, and, crossing the height of
land in the limits of the present town of Stoddard,
had, on the afternoon of the third day, their first view
of the broad valley westward, with a dim outline of
the mountains beyond. The weather was clear and
pleasant, the journey laborious, but invigorating. On
their fourth afternoon they reached and camped for
the night on the banks of the Connecticut, some ten
miles below Charlestown. At noon of the next day
they were welcomed at the rude fort, which had
already won renown by the heroic valor of its little
garrison. At this time the fort was commanded by
Captain Phineas Stevens, a man of great energy and
bravery. Lovewell and Gilson were the first visitors
from the valley of the Merrimack, and their arrival
was a novelty. That night — as in later years they
used to relate — they sat up till midnight, listening to
a recital of the fierce struggles which the inmates of
this rude fortress, far up in the woods, had encoun-
tered within the previous eight months.
Tarrying several days at the fort, during which the
weather continued clear and mild, the two explorers
were ready to return homeward. In a direct line
Dunstable was about ninety miles distant. With the
needed supply of salt pork and corn bread, Lovewell
and Gilson left Number Four at sunrise on the 16th of
November. The fallen leaves were crisp with frost as
they entered the deep maple forests which skirt the
hills lying east of the Connecticut intervales. The
days being short, it was necessary to lose no time be-
tween sunrise and sunset. The air was cool and
stimulated them to vigorously hurry forward. Coming
to a clear spring soon after midday, Gilson struck a
fire, and resting for half an hour, they sat down to a
marvelously good feast of boiled salt pork and brown
bread. One who has never eaten a dinner under like
NASHUA.
157
riinditions can have no idea of its keen relish and
appreeiation.
It was now evident that a change of the weather
was at liand. The air was growing colder and the sky
was overcast with a thick haze. In returning, it had
lieen their purpose to cross the water-shed between
the two valleys at a more northern point, so as to
reiicli the Jlerriniack near the mouth of the Piscata-
'piog. Their course was to be only a few degrees .south
..feast. Before night the sleet began to fall, which
was soon changed to a cold, cheerless rain. Darkness
came on early, and the two men hurried to secure the
l)est .shelter possible. With an axe this might have
lieen made comfortable; at least fuel could have been
procureil for a comfortable tire. As it was, no retreat
lould be found from the chilling rain, which now be-
iran tip fall in torrents. It was with diihculty that a
-mouldering tire, more prolific of smoke than heat>
I lulil be kindled. India-rubber blankets, sucli as now
keep the scout and tlie sentry dry in the fiercest
-inrm, would liave been a rich luxury to these solitary
I'ioneers. The owls, attracted by the dim light,
perched themselves overhead and hooted incessantly.
ISefore midnight the tire was extinguished, and the
two men could only keep from a thorough drenching
Ky sitting ujiright with their backs against a large
tree, and with their half-saturated blankets drawn
closely around them.
Daylight brought no relief, as tlie rain and cold
rather increased, and the sleet and ice began to en-
crust.the ground. After ineffectual attempts to build
a fire they ate a cold lunch of bread. A dark mist
•succeeded the heavy rain and continueil through the
day. 15oth felt uncertain of tlie direction they were
traveling, and every hour the uncertainty became
more perplexing. .VU day long they hurried forward
through the dripping underbrush, which was wetting
them to the skin. Night again set in, and although
the rain and wind had .somewhat abated, still it was
inipor-sible to build and keep a fire sufficient to dry
I heir clothing, which was now saturated with water.
The third morning came with a dense fog still
shrouding the hillsides and settling into the valley,
.■^lilf with the effects of cold and fatigue, Lovewell and
his companion felt that with their scanty sujiply of
fuoil, now mainly salt pork, they dared not await a
change of weather. Yet there was a vague feeling
that their journeying might be worse than useless.
Deciding on what they believed a course due east,
they again hurried forward over a broken region, — an
alternation of sharp hills, ledges, low valleys and
sometimes swamiis, — until a little past midday, when,
descending a hill, they came upon the very brook
whcie they had camped forty hours before! One fact
was now established, — they had been traversing in a
circle. Thinking it useless to go further till the sun
and sky should appear, they set to work to build a fire
sutlicieiit to dry their clothing and to cook their raw
pork. Ily dark they had thrown uji a light frame-work,
and by a diligent use of their knives had procured a
covering of birch bark. Piling the huge broken
limbs in front, they lay down and fell asleep.
Scouts in the olden time were proverbial for
awakening on the slightest provocation. Lovewell
wiis aroused by what he thought the rustling of a bear.
Reaching for his gun, he saw the outline of an animal
climbing an oak just across the brook. The first shot
was Ibllowed by a tumble from the tree. It proved a
veritable raccoon, which, fattened on beech-nuts, was
" as heavy as a small sheep."
The fourth morning was not unlike that of the day
previous. The fog was still dense, but it soon became
evident that the storm was past and that the sun
would soon disperse the mists. Dressing the raccoon,
whose meat was security .against famine, they anx-
iously watched the clearing up of the atmosphere.
Suddenly the mists dissolved and the sunlight
touched the toi)s of the trees. The pioneers hastened
up a long slope eastward, and toward noon gained the
crest of a high ridge. The sky was now clear, audi
climbing to tlie top of a tree, (iilson announced that
he could see, some miles to the east, a high and naked
summit which must mark the height of laud they
were so anxiously seeking.
With this solution of their difliculties came the
sense of hunger. Notwithstanding the hardships of
the three jiast days they had eaten sjiaringly. The
remnant of their bread had been accidently lost the
day previous, but this was far more than compensated
by the rich, tender meat of the raccoon. Luckily, a
supply of fat spruce knots was near at hand. Gilson
set himself to the work of furnishing fuel and water,
while Lovewell attended to the culinary duties. The
uten.sils of the modern hunter — frying-pan, coffee-
I)ot, plate, spoon and fork— were wanting. The only
implement in their outfit which could be of use was
the jack-knife. The meat was cut into pieces two-
thirds of an inch thick, and half the size of one's
hand. Cutting several sticks, two feet long, and
sharpening them at each end, a piece of the salt pork
and then a piece of the coon's meat were thrust upon
the stick alternately in successive layers, so that in
roasting, the fat of the latter, as it drojipcd down,
basted and furnished an excellent gravy to the for-
mer. One end of each stick was thrust into the
ground so as to lean over the glowing coals. With
occasional turning, the dinner was in half an hour
ready to be served. Seating themselves on the bowlder
by the side of which they had built the fire, they fell
to with sharp appetites. Rarely was a feast more
heartily enjoyed.
NlOHT ox LoVEWKI.r.'.S MoiTNTAIN. — It was past
midday when the dinner was linisheil. Walking with
renewed strength, they reached the base of the moun-
tain. The ground was wet and slippery and the
climbing at times difficult, but while the sun was yet
an hour above the horizon the two men emerged
from the low thicket which lies above the heavy
158
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
growth, and stood upon the bald summit. Like all
New Hampshire peaks whose altitude approaches
three thousand feet, the crest of the mountain wiis of
solid granite. The air had now grown quiet, and the
clear sunlight illuminated the landscape. The two
explorers had never looked upon so wide and magnili-
cent a panorama. Westward w;is the far-dislant out-
line of a range now known as the Green Mountains.
To the northwest were the bald crests of Aseutney
and Cardigan. On the north, Kearsarge was seen
struggling to raise it.s head above the shoulders of an
intervening range, and through the frosty atmosphere
were revealed the sharp, snow-white peaks of Fran-
conia. Eastward, the highlands of Chester and Nott-
ingham hounded the vision, while nearer by reposed
in quiet beauty the Uncanoonucks, at that time a well-
known landmark to every explorer.
Warned by the frosty atmosphere, they hastened
down to a dense spi'uee growth on the northeast side
of the mountain, and built their camp for the night.
For some cause, perhaps because it was a sheltered
nook, the tenants of the forest gathered around. The
grove seemed alive with the squirrel, rabbit and part-
ridge. But the hunters were weary, and as their sacks
were still laden with coon's meat, these new visitors
were left unharmed. The curiosity with which these
wild tenants of the mountain lingered around led the
two men to believe that they had never before ap-
proached a camp-fire or seen a human form.
Just before daybreak Lovewcll awoke, and, telling
his companion to prepare for breakfast, returned to
the summit of the mountain. It was important to
reach the Merrimack by the nearest route, and he
could better judge by reviewing the landscape at
early dawn. In after-years he was wont to say that
the stars never seemed so near as when he had gained
the summit. The loneliness of the hour suggested to
him what was [jrobably the truth, that he aud his
companion were the first white men who had set foot
on this mountain peak. It is situated in the eastern
part of the present town of \Vashington, and its sym-
metrical, cone-like form is familiar to the eye of
many a resident of this city. With the exception of
Monadnock and Kearsarge, it is tlie highest summit
in Southern New Hampshire, and to-day it bears the
well-known name of Lovewell's Mountain.
Before Lovewell left the summit the adjacent
woodlands became visible, and, looking eastward
down into the valley, he saw, only a few miles away, a
smoke curling up from the depths of the forest. It
revealed the proximity either of a party of savages or
a stray hunter. Returning to camp, breakfast was
taken hurriedly, and, descending into the valley, they
proceeded with the utmo.it caution. Reaching the
vicinity of the smoke, they heard voices and soon
after the rustling of Ibotsteps. I5oth dropped upon
the griiund, and Ibrtnnately were screened by a thick
underbrush. A party of six Indians passed within a
hundred yards. They were armed, and evidently on
their way to the Connecticut Valley. As soon as they
were beyond hearing the two men proceeded cau-
tiously to the spot where the savages passed the
night. They had breakfasted on parched acorns and
the meat of some small animal, probably the rabbit.
Congratulating themselves on their lucky escape
from a winter's captivity in Canada, Lovewell and
his comi)anion continued their route over the rolling
lands now comprised in the towns of Hillsborough,
Deering, Weare and Gotfstown to the MeiTimack.
From thence they readily reached their home in
Dunstable. It may be well to add that Lovewell was
a son of the famous Captain John Lovewell, whose
history we have narrated in the i>receding chapter.
CHAPTER ^M I .
NASHUA— ( Continued).
COLONIAL HOMES ANO HABITS.
Earliest Schools in Dunstable — New Meeting-House — Horseback Hiding
— Deep Snows and Suow-Shoes — Longevity— Last French and Indian
War, 17.^5 — Paper Currency — Effects of Kuni-Drinkiug — Era of Peace
aud Prosperity — Improved Dwellings— Bannocks and Bean Porridge —
Hard Labor— Fording Streams — Roads and Bridges — Growth of Farms
— Scarcity of Books, Newspapers and Luxuries.
In 1750, the middle of the eighteenth century, the
English colonies of North America, unknown to
themselves, were preparing to enter upon a career of
political, intellectual and social development of which
the indications were not as yet apparent. The two
historic events, the discovery of the western conti-
nent and the invention of movable types, which Mr.
Carlyle said would reconstruct human society, had
for two and a half centuries been quietly doing their
work, but had not yet acquired the momentum of
later years. The colonies were still few in numbers,
feeble in resources and mere appendages of the
mother-country. Instead of the fifty-five millions of
to-day, the colonial ])opulation at that time was one
million eight hundred thousand. Printing had
achieved much, for almost every man and woman
could read the printid page, l)ut there were lew |)ages
to be read.
Dunstable, where, in our time, more than two thou-
sand daily newspapers are every day circulated, had
at that time only a weekly circulation of three news-
jjapers. But colonial thought wtis always in advance
of the printed page. In the fiill of 1749 the town
voted to begin the coming year with a school for eight
months ; one teacher only was to be employed, and
the school was to be kept in difierent parts of the town
alternately. The only studies taught were the three
" R's" and spelling. There was very little classifica-
tion. Almost all the instruction was given to each
scholar individually. No arithmetic was used, but
the master wrote all the "sums "on the slate. The
reading-books were the I'salms aiul the New Testa-
NASHUA.
159
luent, and on Saturday inoriiing the Wastmiiister
CatOL'hism. Xo spelliug-book was used except the
reailing-books. The slates were rough, and when
wanting, as they sometimes were, birch bark was used
as a substitute. The remoteness of a part of the
scholars oceiusioned irregularity of attemlanee. With
no aids, not even a map or black-board, the imi)rove-
ment was slow and unsatisfactory. Schools existed,
liowever, till the beginning of the French War, in
17oo, when they were discontinued till 1761.
The strife between the old and new schools of reli-
gious thinkers still continued. Rev. Samuel Bird
continued to oppose the doctrine of " forcordiuatiou"
and the harsh declarations of the Westminster Cate-
chism. Having a call from Connecticut, he left in
17.51 ; but the dissensions in the church continued.
It is creditable to the town that at that early period
there were those among its citizens who boldly avowed
their disbelief of the absurdities of a traditional creed.
Subsequently milder counsels prevailed, and the bel-
ligerents agreed to disagree. The Bird meeting-
house was taken down and its materials made into a
dwelling-hou.se, long known jls the "Bowers place,"
at the Harbor. On December 21, 17a.3,the town voted
to build a new meeting-house " at the crotch of the
roads, as near a-s can be with convenience to the
house of Jonathan Lovewell." Mr. Lovewell's house
still exists, and is now the residence of Mrs. Alfred
Godfrey, two miles .south of the city hall. The
meeting-house was built on the little triangular
"green" which is nearly in front of Mrs. (iodl'rcy's
house. It Wiis an improvement upon the previous struc-
tures, having square pews, a spacious soundiug-board,
seats for deacons and tythingmen, two painted doors
in front, with a suitable number of horse blocks at
convenient distances for the accommodation of those
women and children of the congregation who rode to
meeting upon a side-saddle or a pillion. This meet-
ing-house had a long occupation, not having been
abandoned till 1812. Several of the older citizens of
Nashua remember to have attended services within
its walls.
For a century after the first settlement of Dunstable
no carriages were used, and journeys were i>er-
formed on horseback. The only wheeled vehicles
used were the cumbersome lumber-wagon and the
two-wheeled cart. The good man and his wife were
accustomed to ride to <'hurch on the same horse, she
sitting on a pillion behind him, and not iinfrequently
carrying a child in her arms, while another and older
child was mounted on the pommel of the saddle be-
fore him. No person thought of buying or exchang-
ing a horse without jtseertaining whether the animal
Would "carry double," as some otherwise valuable
horses were in the habit of elevating their heels when
"doubly loadeil." In winter, when the snow was
deep, a pair ol oxen were attached to a sled, and the
whole family rode to meeting on an ox-sled. Some-
times an entire lionsehold, scati-d ujion an ox-sled,
would start in the morning to spend the day with a
friend five or six miles distant. In the eighteenth
century greater quantites of snow fell in winter in
Southern New Ham])shire than now, and snow-
shoes were in general use. The invention originated
with the Indians. The snow-shoe was elliptical in
sha|)e, with its rim made of ash, and the space within
the rim interwoven with strips of raw-hide, so that the
large breadth of surface resting upon the snow would
sink but slightly below the surface. The feet were
attached to the snow-shoes by fastening a common
shoe at the toe, leaving the heel loose, to the central
part of the snow-shoe. The Indians and early settlers
made constant use of them during the deep snows of
the long winters. The snowfall usually reached the
depth of five feet and continued from ten to twelve
weeks.
In 1752 the elder John Lovewell, father of the
hero of Pcquawket, died at an advanced age. The
current rumor of his extreme longevity (one hundred
and twenty years) is a mistake. The error arose from
confounding the events of his life with those of his
father, who was a soldier under Cromwell, and whose
bravery the son inherited. Born in England, and
fighting under Church, in King Philip's War, he was
among the earliest settlers of Dunstable. During the
Indian attack.s, about 1700, he was, on one occasion,
s])ared by them on account of his kindness in time of
peace. In his later years he lived on the north side
of Salmon Brook, just below the Main Street bridge.
He live<l to be a centenarian, and was so vigorous at
that age as to be a terror to the boys who attempted
to steal his apijles. The family name has now disap-
peared from Nashua.
The longevity of many ofthe early settlers is worthy
of notice. In Judge Worcester's " History of Hollis,"
Widow Lydia I'lrich is authentically recorded as
having died in that town in her one hundred amlfifth,
and Lieutenant Caleb Farley in his one hundred and
third year. This great longevity and good health of
the early settlers was no doid)t due to the regularity
of their liabils and llir simplicity of their diet.
The Last French War, 1755.— Near the close of
1748 a treaty of peace had been made between Eng-
land and France. By this treaty, no question in
dispute was settled. England yielded up Louisburg,
whose conquest had shed such glory on the colonial
arms, and received in return Madras. The English
government had shown neither skill nor energy in the
management of the war, but had left the colonies to
protect themselves. King George the Third and his
ministry had allowed a dangerous enemy to harass
the colonies, that they might feel more keenly their
dependence on the mother-country. They were already
enforcing that restrictive policy in traile which subse-
(piently led to the Bevoliition. The fruit of this war
to the colonies was only debt and disgrace. They felt
that it was an inglorious surreruler of their interests.
The peace was only nominal. In the spring of
160
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1755 it was manifest tliat the French were aiming at
the control of the Lakes and the Mississippi Valley, and,
if successful in these designs, ofthe sulijugation of the
colonies. War was openly declared, and New Hami)-
shire raised a regiment of five hundred men to join
an expedition, under Sir William Johnson, for the
capture of Crown Point. The command was given to
Colonel Joseph Blancliard, of Dunstable. One of the
comjianies of this regiment was the famous " Rangers,"
of which Robert Rogers, of Dunbarton, was captain
and John Stark lieutenant. Several members of the
company were from this town.
This regiment was disbanded at the end of the
year. After the failure ofthe campaign of IT-w, and
the death of (leneral liraddock, Lord Loudon was ap-
pointed to the chief command. Another New Hamp-
shire regiment was called for and raised. But the
campaigns of 1756, 1757 and 1758 were disastrous
from the incapacity of the British commanders. No-
thing saved Lord Loudon from an utter defeat but the
brilliant and persistent eflorts of the Rangers, under
Rogers and Stark.
The war still continuing, New Hampshire was or-
dered to furnish another regiment of a thousand
soldiers, which, on the death of Colonel Blanchard,
was commanded by Colonel Zaccheus Lovewell,
brother ofthe famous John Lovew'cll. It did good
service at the capture of Ticonderaga and Crown Point.
The next year (17i)0) a regiment of eight hundred
was raised by this State, under the command of Col-
onel John Goiffe, of Bedford. Dunstable furnished her
full quota of soldiers, who were at the surrender of
Montreal and tiuebec, which wrested all Canada from
France and closed the war.
This result, due to the statesmanship of the new
British premier, William Pitt, decided whether Cath-
olicism or Protestantism should prevail in North
America. A different result would have changed the
whole current of civilization on the western continent.
It was a conflict of ideas, and not the mere encounter
of brute forces. The New England colonies rang
with exultation ; the hills were lighted with bonfires ;
Legislatures, the pulpit and the people echoed the
general joy. They felt it to be the triumph of truth
over error. In this last of the French and Indian
colonial wars, the men of Dunstable bore well their
part in field and forest engagements. Besides the two
colonels, Blanchard and Lovewell, and the commissary,
Jonathan Lovewell, it is known that the sons of Noah
Johnson, the last survivor of Lovewell's fight, were
in the war, both of whom were killed. In all, about
thirty Dunstable men served in the war, and the sur-
vivors returned at its close to their farms.
War is attended with evils which are often felt long
after its close. The colonics had very little of gold or
silver coin, and issued paper currency to meet the ex-
penses of the i)rotracted struggle. Its deterioration
caused much embarrassment and loss. During
the active operations of the war the harvests were
bountiful, and there waslittlesuffering forfoodat home
or in the army. But during the years I7G1 and 1762
asevere drought cut otf the crops, so that corn was im-
ported from Virginia, and the Dunstable farmers cut
the wild, coarse grass which grew in the swamps to
save their live-stock from starvation. The scarcity of
feed compelled the slaughter of many sheep and
cattle.
Another harmful etlect to the colonies was the in-
creasing use of intoxicating drinks. The soldiers,
accustomed to camp-life and the daily use of liquors,
carried their loose habits into rural life, and added to
the growing tendency to drunkenness. Public senti-
ment was not at that time awake to the terrible eftects
of the use of intoxicating drinks. Not only did the
town officers of Dunstable, in their charge for services,
make a separate bill for " new rhum " for daily use,
but on all public occasions — all meetings, whether of
joy or sorrow — it was customary for all to drink freely.
No wedding could be appro])riately celebrated with-
out a liberal distribution of stimulating drinks. Even
at funerals it was thought necessary "to keep the
spirits up by pouring spirits down." The evils of
poverty, then severely felt, were greatly increased by
the debased appetite for intoxicating liquors.
Two years before the close of the war, on April 7,
1758, Colonel Joseph Blanchard died at the age of
fifty-three. His grandfather. Deacon John Blanchard,
was one of the first settlers of the town. His father
was an active, useful citizen, holding positions of trust
and dying in 1727. On the death of his father, though
young, Joseph Blanchard succeeded to his father's
business. He became widely known as a surveyor of
land, and in that cajiaiity traversed the almost un-
broken forests which now constitute the western and
northern towns of Hillsborough County. He sketched
the first published maps of New Hampshire, a work
of great labor and mui'h value to new emigrants. He
was in command of the first regiment raised for the
campaign of 17.").") at the time of his death. His
moss-stained monument in the old cemetery in the
south part ofthe town reads thus, —
"Tlie Hon. .lot^fpli Itlanchartt, Keq.,
decease'l .Kpril Till, IToS, agt?il '»3."
The capture of Quebec and the surrender of Canada
to the British, in 1760, was followed by a longer inter-
val of i)eace than Dunstable had ever enjoyed, — fifteen
years. It Wiis a period of needed tranquillity, for on
them, more than elsewhere, had the Indian wars told
fearfully. For sixty years there had been no sea.son
when danger might not be imminent. There was no
safety for the ordinary dwelling. Every occupied
house was of necessity a garrison. No field labor
could be performed with safety. Harvests were de-
stroyed, dwellings burned, cattle killed and men,
women and children brutally massacred or dragged
through the wilderness to Canada. No man walked
abroad unarmed, and on Sunday even the minister
preaclu'(l with his musket at his side.
NASHUA.
161
But the entire overthrow of the French dominion
brouglit safety as well as peace. When, in 1774, the
tyranny of the British (roverument began to pro-
voke .colonial resistance, Dunstable, with its seven
hundred inlialiitants, had beconie an establislicd, self-
reliant community. It is a fitting <)])|iortiniity, there-
fore, to brieHy glance at the condition, habits, customs
and peculiarities of our forefathers while yet the sub-
jects of a European monarch.
The settlers of Dunstable were of Puritan origin.
The earliest comers were, as a class, distinctly marked
characters, men of intelligence, energy and some prop-
erty. They had two objects in view: to obtain per-
manent homes for themselves and their posterity, and
to acquire wealth by the rise of their lands. They
brought with them domestic aninials^'attle, swine
and sheep, — and had they been spared the savage out-
rages, which destroyed their property, and oftentimes
their livcj*, in a few years they would have had large
and profitable farms and convenient houses. The
constant danger of Indian attacks compelled the
building of timbered dwellings — logs hewn on opposite
sides so that no musket bullet could penetrate, save at
some crevice. There were no windows, except nar-
row openings to admit light and air; while the doors
were built with the most careful regard to resistance
against outward attacks. They were made of white
oak or ash plank, with iron hinges, and with a wooden
latch on the inside, having a raw-hi<le string to lift
the latch from the outside. When the string was
pulled in and the heavy crossbars ])Ut up, it was no
easy" matter to force an entrance. Many of the houses
from the first settlement till 17o0 had a rude and
strong stockade built anjund them, consisting of tim-
bers ten inche-s thick set upright in the ground to the
height often to twelve feet. .Such a Ijuilding, if pro-
tected by several good marksmen, had all the security
of a fort, and was never attacked by the savages unless
they discovered the entrance open and unguarded.
The house it.self consisted of a single room, from
sixteen to eighteen feet sijuare, with seats, table and
bedsteails, hewn by the broad a.\c, constituting the
furniture.
But with the peace which followed the capture of
Quebec came an era of growth and prosperity. The
primitive dark and dingy log house gave way to the
framed house, usually of one story, and consisting of
a si/.calile room, wliirh answered the three-fold pur-
pose of kitchen, living-room and parlor, with a small
sleeping-room and panlry. A few of the more wealthy
built a "double house," furrdshing more abundant ac-
commodations. All of them had in view shelter and
comfort rather than elegance. The windows were
small, without blinds or shutters. The fire-place was
spacious cnougii to receive " liack-logs" of two feet in
diameter and five feet in length, in front of which was
placed the smaller wood, resting on andirons. The
stone hearth had the most liberal dimensions and the
fine of the chimnev a diameter of three feet. It was
hardly an exaggeration to say that one could sit in
the chimney corner and study astronomy. All the
cooking was done by this fire, the kettles being sus-
l)ended from an iron crane over it, while the bannocks
were i)aked and the meat roasted in frontof it. .Vround
it gathered the family at night, often numliering from
six to twelve children, and the cricket on the hearth
kept company with their prattle. Thus with the
hardships came the comforts of pioneer life. Dunsta-
ble had now a local cabinet-maker, whose busy lathe
greatly improved the style of household furniture.
Kverything was made of native forest wood — pine,
cherry, birch and birds-eye maple. Now and then a
bureau or a desk was seen which was made in Bostonj
and more rarely an article brought across the water
from England. Vessels of iron, copper and tin were
used in cooking. The dressers, extending from floor
to ceiling in the kitchen, contained the mugs, basins
and varicms-sized plates of pewter, which shone upon
the farmer's board at time of meals. Farmers hired
their help for seven dollars a month. Carpenters had
seventy-five cents a day, or twelve dollars per month.
Apprentices served five years, and for the first two
years were only fed and clothed.
The food in those days was simple and healthy.
There were no dyspeptics. Breakfast generally con-
sisted of potatoes, roasted in the ashes, with a little
cold meat and a hot " bannock," made of meal and
water, and baked on a '' m:i|de chip " before the fire.
In summer salt pork and greens, with an occasional
strawberry or blackberry jmdding, formed the stajile
for dinner; in autumn the raccoon, partridge and gray
squirrel furnished wild meat for the same meal, while
late in spring and early summer salmon and siiad af-
forde<l material for a i)rincely re|>ast. During the
long winters farm-boys, apprentices and children lived
chiefly on bean porridge. .\t dinner l)rown bread was
added, or snapped corn was sifted into the boiling
porridge, making the dish called " pop robbin." There
was no tea or cofi'ee, but all drank from a common
mug, which at dinner contained cider. David .Vllds,
who lived just north nf Salmon Brook, near the bridge
which still retains his name, used to say that during
the winter months his fiimily"used up" two hogs-
heads of bean porridge each month.
There were no periods of leisure to the early set-
tlers of any i)art of Xew England; least of all was
there to the people of Dunstalde.' During the win-
ter, when the farmer of to-day does little beside tak-
ing care of his stock, the new-comer to Dunstalde,
finding his narrow clearing insufficient to sujtport his
family, set himself to felling trees for a new field. .Ml
through the early winter he was in the woods from
early dawn till the stars appeared in the sky, and
sometimes by moonlight or firelight in the evening.
But he had a strong frame, and labor was not irk-
some; every blow struck was for himself, his chililrcn
and his homestead. Stripjiing ofl'his coat, with arms
bare to the elbow, and the perspiration stan<ling in
I
162
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
drops on his forehead, the blows fell fast and heavy
till the huge trunk, tottering for a moment, fell to the
ground. Hinging the broken branehcs high in the air,
and with a noise like distant thunder. When the
deep snows came he hired himself till spring to an
older and wealthier settler, to earn the corn and meat
to feed his family. The lalwis of the housewife were
no less arduous. Aside from the care of her children,
she had sole charge of the dairy and kitchen, besides
si)iuning and weaving, sewing and knitting, washing
and mending for the " men folks," and in case of sick-
ness, taking care of the surtering. The people were
generally healthy. Consumption, neuralgia and dis-
eases of the heart were rarely known.
Dunstal)le hail less of harmony in church atfairs
than most of the early settled towns of New England.
Yet, the people, with rare unanimity, gathered on
Sunday at the " Old South Meeting-House." Sunday
developed the social as well as the religious feelings.
During the hour of intermission the men gathered
around some trader, or person who had just returned
from Boston, whose means of information exceeded
their own, to learn the important news of the week.
Newspapers and letters were seldom seen at any coun-
try fireside. News from England did not reach the
inland towns till four months after the events oc-
curred. Intelligence from New York was traveling
ten to twelve days before it reached New Hampshire.
In the means of general information it is difficult to
comprehend the great change which has occurred in
the civilized world between 17o0 and the present
time.
Between 17()0 and the l)eginning of the Revolution,
in 1775, the "up-country," above Dunstable, — what
now comi)rises the northern and western towns of
Hillsborough County, — was rapidly settled. Dunstable
had ceased to be a frontier town, and in spring and
autumn the river road from Chelmsford to Nashua
River, and thence to Amherst, became a thoroughfare
for ox-teams, horse-teams and " foot people." Dr.
Whiton, the early historian of Antrim, said that not a
small portion of the immigrants possessed little beside
the axe on their shoulders and the needy children by
their side. The taverns of a few years later were infre-
quent, and the farmers of this town displayed a ready
and generous hospitality in iissisting the wayfarers on
their journey.
The building of 'bridges over large .streams taxes
severely the pioneers of a new region. The bridge
over the Nashua River was for many years a source of
much expen.se and trouble to the people of Dunsta-
ble. The first serviceable bridge was built in 1742, not
far trom the i)resent one on Main Street, and more
than twenty feet lower. This was carried away by a
freshet in 1753, and rebuilt the same year at an ex-
pense of one hundred and fifty pounds. Before 1759
it was in a ruinous condition, and the town ))etitioned
the Ueneral Court for liberty to establish a lottery to
build a new one. The lottery was not granted, but a
new bridge was built a few years later, partly by sub-
scription and partly by the town. It stood a little be-
low the present one. In the spring of 1775 it was
again, and for the last time, carried away by a freshet,
and the new one, built the same year, spanned the
current at a greater elevation.
But the bridge across the Nashua River on the
south road to HoUis was for a time a cause of still
greater trouble. In the first settlement of Hollis, before
the era of bridges, Mrs. Anna, wife of Captain Peter
Powers, on a summer day went on horseback to visit
a friend on this side of the river. The Nashua,
at what is now called Runnell's bridge, was easily
forded in the morning, but a sudden shower in the
afternoon had caused it to overflow its banks. Mrs.
Powers must return to her home that night. The
horse entering the stream and losing his foothold,
began to swim. The current was rapid, and the
water flowed above the back of the horse. He was
swept down the river, but still struck out for the op-
posite bank. At one instant his feet rested on a rock
in the stream, and he was lifted above the tide.
Again he plunged forward, and threw his rider from
her seat ; she caught his flowing mane and holding
on for life, was borne by the strong animal safely to
the opposite shore. Similar incidents were not in-
frequent in the early occupation of the country.
But the first bridge at Runnell's Mills was built too
low, and was badly injured by the annual spring
freshets. It was very necessary to the people of Hol-
lis, being on their main road to market, but of little
use to Dunstable. The old bridge had been built by
both towns, but in 1772 a new bridge was needed,
and Dunstable was unwilling to pay half of the ex-
pense. There were two farmers, Ebenezer Jaquith
and Ensign Daniel Merrill, who owned the land in
the bend of the river opposite the bridge, who wished
to be annexed to Hollis, and who would pay hand-
somely towards the new bridge if their wishes were
granted. Dunstalile was unwilling, but rather than
incur the expense of a quarrel, united with Hollis in
a petition for the proposed annexation. It was
granted by the General Court in Jlay, 1773. So the
bridge was henceforth wholly in Hollis. Judge Wor-
cester, in his "History of Hollis," says; " It is true that
Dunstable lost five hundred acres of territory by the
settlement, but was relieved from the burden of half
maintaining the bridge for all future time, — a charge
that has already cost Hollis more than the value of
the land annexed."
The population of Dunstable ])reviiins to the Revo-
lution was very largely south of the Nashua River.
Farms, however, were being cleared at various points
along the river westward to the Hollis line; several
farmers had located on the Merrimack intervale be-
tween the Laton farm and the moutli of the Penni-
chuck ; and on the Amherst road, three and four
miles above the Nashua River, Samuel Roby, Benja-
min .lewett, John Butterfield and several others had
NASHUA.
163
started a thrifty settlement. lu the south part of the
town, as early as 1755, Abbott Roby had settled on
the farm now occupied by Willanl Cummings; James
and Benjamin Searles and Philip Fletiher had taken
up farms in the valley near the State line; Sylvanus
Whitney had cleared olf the forest and was livinj; on
the farm now owned by John Dane; the Fisk family
lived where Stillman Swallow now resides; and on
the road now leading to Pe|)perell were Jacob Gilson
and Luther Roltbins. Some of the older residents
had acnuired large and i)roductive farms, and gave
emi)loyment to some of their less-favored neighbors,
paying them largely in the products of the farm, —
food and clothing. Socially there was little or no
distinction between the employer and the employed,
and In business matters their relations were amiable.
All the inhabitants of the town, except the parson,
carpenter, blacksmith and trader, obtained their liveli-
hood solely from the lands they cultivated ; and in
truth, all of these were more or less cultivators of the
soil. Trade was mostly carried on in winter, each
farmer carrying, sometimes with horses, but oftcner
with an ox-team, his sur|)lus of pork, wool
and grain to the Ncwbiiryport, Salem or Boston
market, and bringing back iron, salt, mohusses, rum,
powder and shot.
The first stock of goods brought to Dunstable was
drawn on a hand-sled by two men from Salem. It
consisted of a few axes, knives, needles, fish-hooks, a
small keg of nails, another of rum, a lot of salt-fish,
forty pounds of shot and twenty pounds of powder.
For many years there was only one store in town,
and this did a limited business, as much of the retail
trade went tfi Chelmsford. There was no library, no
lectures, no lyceum, no amusements. There were
no recreations for old or young except huskings,
raisings and neighborhood gatherings in the long
evenings of winter. Friendship wa.s a much stronger
tie than In modern times, and neighbors took a
deeper and more genuine iiileitst in each other's
welfare.
The early settlers of any region are compelled to
sutler hardshi|)S ami privations. It was the lot of
our forefathers that great jierils also constantly
confronted them and their families. Yet even with
them, there was some compensation In the newness of
life around them ; in the Imoyancy of ])Urc air, clear
stn'ams, and fresh wooillaiids; in an exemption from
the annoyances of older communities. That period
h;i.s become history, and will not return. >c'ature
brings not back the mastodon, nor will there be «
recurrence of the colonial epoch. The charm about
It is this, — that It was the earliest i)erlod of our
American history, a period that will always be inter-
esting, and the records of which will continue to at-
trai'I the nailer In ihe far-distant centuries of the
future.
CHAPTER VIIJ.
NASHUA— (Con/fn.<«/).
DUNSTABLK IN THE RKVOLl'TION.
Advancei) Iilwis of Kquality— Kvery Suustablo Mini u Soldier —Kiret
.\ction of till) Town— The Uliniitc-JIon— At Bunker Hill— Enthusiium
and Anxiety— Events of 1770— Hii(tlo of licnniiigtou— llardslii|« and
Privations- Dunstable Opjioscd to Centralized Power— The War Knded
, — State Constitution .\dopted— List of Dunstable Kevoliitiunar}- S<»1-
I diors.
TiiK French and Imliaii wars terminating with the
coiKpiest of Canada gave the colonies of New Eng-
land a severe but useful experience. They hail been
taught the cost, hardshiiis and dangers of war, and
knew how to meet them. In these campaigns they
had discovered that they were more than the jieers
of the European soldiery. Tht\v had no hatred of the
British government In Its constitutional exercise, had
fond memories of their old homes, and had no expec-
tation of a speedy separation from the mother-coun-
try, nor did they at that time desire it.
But they began to foresee that a great and Inde-
pendent nation was di'stincd to arise into existence in
America. When the leading men of Dunstable met
in town-meetings, the current sentiment of the day
was that though none then living would see the event,
yet in future ages this country would become a pow-
erful and independent republic. That a separation
from England would be so soon accomjilished they
did not even dream; and as to the rapid advance of
the country In population, wealth and political im-
portance, their most adventurous imaginations lagged
far behind what time has since unfolded as realities.
The era of the Revolution found every citizen of
Southern Xew Hampshire a soldier. Scarcely a man
of middle age could be met who had not faced an
armed foe and was not familiar with the dangers of
an armed conflict. Colonel Blaiichard is reputed to
have said that "the boys of this town are better ac-
quainted with the gun than the spelling-book, " —
were rather marksmen than scholars. In addition to
their military ex|)erlence, the division of New Eng-
land into townships, — those ''little democracies," as
they were aptly called, — each self-governed, where
every citizen feels that he is a part of the common-
wealth, has civil rights and duties, and learns to think
and act for hirnstdf, wtis an excellent .school for train-
ing our forel'alhers and teaching them the principles
of scll'-government upon a more extended scale.
During the long succession of encroachments which
preceiled and caused the Revolution the inhabitants
of Dunstable were not indlflerent. They had watched
the storm as it gathered, and knew Its consequences
must be momentous. In September, 1774, .lomitlian
Lovewell was sent a delegate to the convention at
Exeter, called to choose delegates to the First Conti-
nental Congress. The same town-meeting voted n
sum of money " to buy a supply of ammunition,"' and
voted to pay their share of the expenses to be incurred
164
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
iu forming a colonial organization. In January,
177o, Joseph Eayers and Noali Lovewoll represented
the town in the next Exeter convention to send dele-
gates to Philadelphia. At this meeting, with an ac-
tivity characteristic of the times, they chose Samuel
Roby, Jonathan Lovevvell, Joseph Eayers, Benjamin
Smith, John Wright, Benjamin French, James
Blancliard and John Searles a " Committee of Inspec-
tion " to see that all persons in this town carry into
practice the recommendations and instructions of the
Continental Congress.
From the first the people of New Hampshire were
ready /or a collision. An old law required every male
citizen from sixteen to sixty years of age to own a
musket, bayonet, knapsack, cartridge-box, one pound
of powder, twenty bullets and twelve flints. Every
town was required to keep in readiness for use one
barrel of powder, two hundred pounds of lead and
three hundred flints, besides spare arms and anununi-
tion for those too poor to own- them. The first news
of bloodshed at Lexington was borne on the wings of
the wind to every hamlet. Be:icons were lighted,
guns fired, drums beaten and bells rung to warn the
people of their danger.
In these movements the men of Dunstable were
among the most zealous, and the military spirit de-
rived from their fathers, and the military experience
of many in the French wars, were at once aroused into
activity by the summons to the conflict. Instantly
they hurried to Concord to avenge the death of their
fellow-citizens. ^V'ho and how many were these
" Minute-Men " is not recorded ; but the town paid
one hundred and ten dollars for their expenses.
Within less than a week a company of sixty-six men
was organized at Cambridge under Captain William
Walker, of this town, forty of whom, including the
officers, were also from Dunstable. The following is
the comjjany roll, omitting the names of those from
adjacent towns:
Williaiii Walker, ciiptnin ; Jnmos Hrowii, fii-st Heuteuiint ; William
Roby, socon<I lietitenant ; Daniel Warner, Bergeaiit ; .lohn Lund, ser-
geant ; Ptiineas Whitney, curpural ; Medad Combt*, Aliijah Reed, .lolin
Lovewell, Williiun Harris, Paul Woods, Joel .Stewart, Simeon Itutter-
field, Peter Honey, Paul Clopstone, Philip Itoby, .lonathun Harris, Wil-
liam Harriw, .Jr., Archibald Gibson, Itenjaniin Whitney, .Tonathan Pan-
forth, David Adunis, Helijaiiiin Bagley, Klipbalet Haffley, David Adams,
Jr., Xehemiuh Lovewell, Henry Lovewell, Khtii/er IMiincbard, Kichard
Adams, Kbenezer Fosdirk, William liiitterficld, .lanies (iibson, .lohn
Snow, Abel lliinf.irlh, Simeon Hills, .himes llarwood, I.habod Lovewell,
Jacob Bludgett, Oliver Woods, Nehcmiah Wright, ,Jonathan Kmerson,
Silaa Chamberlain, Closes Cliundler, Jown Russell.
After reaching the vicinity of Boston, the New
Hampshire troops were statimied at Jledfbrd, and
formed the left wing of the .\merican army. They
comprised two regiments, and were commanded by
Colonel Stark and Colonel Reed. General Washing-
ton had not yet arrived. The Massachusetts historian
of that campaign described the soldiers from tiiis
State to be "hardy, fearless and indefatigable. Al-
most every one of them was a trained marksman.
There had been, with many (if them, an experience
in savage warfare; and forest hunting was familiar to
all. They could aim their weapons at a human op-
pressor as readily as at a bear."
The regiment of Colonel Prescott and other Massa-
chusetts forces were stationed at Cambridge. By
order of the Committee of Safety, at nine o'clock un
the night of June lOth, Colonel Prescott, with his
own regiment and a detachment from several others,
including a company of one hundred men from Hol-
lis, this State, marched to Charlestown, and took
possession of the heights upon which, the next day,
was fought the battle of Bunker Hill. The men
were ordered to take one day's rations and a spade
or pick-axe. It was midnight before the ground
was reached, and a line marked out for digging
a breast-work. Working the rest of the night, and
the next forenoon in the intense heat of a June
sun, without sleep, and some of them without food
and drink, word was sent to Colonel Prescott, if, in
view of the im]iendiiig fight, fresh troops had not
better take the place of the weary ones. Colonel
Prescott replied: "The men who have thrown up
these works know best how to defend them."
At eleven o'clock on the day of the battle the New
Hampshire troops were ordered to inarch to the rear
of Colonel Prescott's command, as a reinforcement.
Fifteen charges of powder and ball were distributed
to each man, with directions to make them into cart-
ridges immediately. Few had cartridge-boxes, but
used powder-horns; and as the guns were of difterent
calibre, there was much difficulty in adjusting the balls.
Some of Stark's men reached the rail fence near the
redoubt, while the rest were stationed in the rear to
protect the peninsula. In marching over Charles-
town Neck, the New Hampshire st)ldiers were exposed
to a constant fire from the British men-of-war ; but
Colonel Stark kept the men on a steady move, say-
ing: "Before this fight is over, one fresli man will be
worth ten tired ones."
The British forces marched \i\> the hill at two
o'clock. The heaviest fire was on Prescott's men at
the breast-works. A regiment of Welsh fusileers was
opposed to Stark's command. They marched up the
hill with seven hundred men. The next day only
eighty-three ajipearcd on parade, and every commis-
sioned officer was missing. When the redoubt was
abandoned by Colonel Prescott, because his men had
neither ammunition nor bayonets to defend it, Col-
onel Stark's force held the enemy in check till the
gallant band were safely across the isthmus.
Of the Americans in that memorable battle, one
hundred and forty-five were killed and missing, and
three hundred and five wounded,- — in all four hun-
dred and fifty. General Gage reported the killed
and wtmndedof the British army at one thousand and
fifty-four, including eighty-nine officers. The New
Hampshire regiments lost nineteen men killed and
seventy-four wtmnded. The Dunstable company,
under Captain Walker, was in Stark's regiment.
jS'ASHUA.
166
< )nly i>ne Dunstable soldier, William Lund, wjis
killed, and two, Joseph Greeley and Paul Clogstone,
were wounded. The latter died soon after. The
Hollis company, which on that day was included
.imoiig the Massachusetts troo])S under Colonel Pros-
cutt, lost heavily, eitrht men being left dead at the
redoubt. The unusual heat of the day compelled the
-oldiers to lay aside their coats and knapsacks, many
of which were lost iu the excitement and hurry of
the retreat.
The battle fou>rht on the 17th of .June, 1775, in
sight of the metropolis of New England, destroyed
less of human life than many of the sanguinary con-
flicts of the American Kevolution. But no one had a
more decisive influence in determining the future of
the Anglo-Saxon race on the western continent.
It taught the Rritish to respect American character
:irid to tear American valor.
Events of 1776 and 1777.— The people of Dunsta-
lile were anxiously awaiting the Declaration of Inde-
jendence, and in 1776 the town officers made procla-
] at ion for the annual meeting,not as heretofore, "in His
-Majesty's name," but in the name of the people of New
lliiiiipghire. At this meeting the "spirit of 76" was
strongly manifested. Samuel Roby, Noah Lovewell,
William Walker, Joseph Eayrs, Joseph French, Jr.,
I aptain Benjamin French and Thomas Butterfield,
were chosen delegates to the County Congress.
Jonathan Lovewcll, Robert Fletcher, Jo.seph Eayrs,
Niiah Lovewell Silas Adams, Samuel Roby, Joseph
Whiting and Thomas IJutterlicld were chosen a Com-
mittee of Safety.
Samuel Roby, Benjamin Smith, Thomas Butterfuld,
John Searles, David Allds, James Blanchard, Wil-
liam Walker, John Wright and Henry Adams were
rliosen a Committee of Inspection, to see that no
llritish goods were sold in town. Early in 1776 New
Hampshire raised three regiments of two thousand
men, which were placed under the command of Colo-
nels Stark, Reed and Hale. They marched to Ticon-
dcroga, and up the Lakes to Canada, but were com-
|n-llcd to retreat. The soMiers from Dunstable suf-
I'-red severely, and lost one-third of their number by
sickness and exposure.
In 1777 three regiments of two thousand men were
gain raised by New Hampshire, for the Continental
army. The same quota of troops wsls furnished by
the State during the war, besides voluntary enlist-
ments. In every levy of two thousand men the propor-
tion to be furnished by Dunstable was sixteen. More
than twice this nund)er, however, must have been
constantly in the army. It was in the summer of this
year that (ieneral Burgoyne, marching with a large
army from f'anada, captured Ticonderoga, a strong
fortress at the head of Lake (reorge. The loss caused
great dismay in the ICastern States. One of the New
Hampshire regiments, commanded by Colonel Hale,
was pursued and overtaken on July 7th, at Ilubbard-
ton, Vt., seventeen miles southeast from Ticonderoga.
A severe skirmish followed, in which several officers
and one hundred of our men were taken prisoners.
Of the Dunstable soldiers, John Butler and James
Harwood were killed, and John .Manning taken pris-
oner.
There was great excitement in Vermont and New
Hanij)shire at the success and intentions of General
Burgoyne and hia forces. The Legislature of New
Ham])shire met at Exeter, and ordered a regiment to
enlist immediately, under the command of John
Stark, " in order to stop the progress of the enemy on
our western frontiers.' The State could vote to raise
troops, but could not pay them. The treasury was
empty. In this emergency, John Langdon, Speaker
of the House, and a merchant of Portsmouth, offered
to loan three thousand dollars in coin and the avails
of his plate and stock of goods, remarking that if our
cause triumphed, he would be repaid; but if not, the
property would be of no use to him. He also enlisted
as a private.
The appointment of John Stark was received with
enthusiasm throughout the State. The people had
confidence in him. They predicted his success, for
they knew his dauntless courage, keen sagacity and
untiring vigilance. Volunteers in large numbers
flocked to his standard. All classes were eager " to
take the woods for a Hessian hunt." Stark made his
headquarters at Bennington, where the Vermont
forces, under Colonel Warner, joined him. He was
ordered by General Gates to take his militia to the
west side of the Hudson. He declined to obey, as he
was in the service of New Hamiishire, and her interests
required his presence at Bennington. Congress
thereupon passed a vote of censure upon Stark, which
in a few days they changed to a vote of thanks. He
best understood what was his duty. Carrying out his
own plan, he found that (ieneral liurgoyne had sent
from Fort Edward (ilteen hundred Germans, Tories
and Indians to rob and plunder the people of Ver-
mont, and thus secure horses and provisions for the
British army, and Colonel Bauni, at the head of
these troops, was close at hand. A brisk skirmish
took place on the 14th of August, in which thirty
of the enemy were killed. The ne.\t day a heavy
storm delayed the contest, andgave the British time to
build abreast-work of logs and timbers. They were
also defended by heavy artillery.
Gn the morning of the 16th, General Stark laid
bis plans for a decisive light, and was strengthened by
a detaeliment from Western .Ma.ssacliusetts. The bat-
tle began at three in the afternoon. Alter a two-hours'
struggle the fortifications were carried, and two can-
non and many i>risoners captured. The rest of the
15ritish and Hessians (led. .\ii hour later the enemy
were reinforced by Colonel Breyman, and the fight
was renewed. They fought till the sun went down,
and Stark was nuister of the field. Only a small frac-
tion of the foe escaped. The fruits of the victory
obtained by these raw militia over European veterans.
166
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
tories and savages were four pieces of brass artillery,
eiglitv loads of baggage, one thousanrl stands of arms
and seven Imiidrcd and fifty i)risoners. Two hundred
and seventy fell on the battle-field. The American
loss was thirty-four killed and forty wounded. But the
important result of this victory was the restoration of
confidence to the desponding American army. " One
more such blow," said Washington, "and we shall
have no more anxiety as to the designs of Britain.''
Congress having adopted a temporary form of
government, both for the State and the Union, the
voters of Dunstable, on February 9, 1778, iu town-
meeting, adopted unanimously the Congressional Artic-
les of Confederation. On April 17, 1778, Captain Ben-
jamin French anil Deacon William Hunt were chosen
delegates to the State Convention, to be held in June,
to form a State constitution. A committee of eleven
was also appointed, namely, Cyrus Baldwin, Joseph
Whiting, Robert Fletcher, Jonathan Lovewell, Captain
Daniel Warner, Joseph Eayrs, Captain Benjamin
Smith, Lieutenant David Alkls, Colonel Noah Love-
well, Lieutenant Jose|>h French and Lieutenant Jacob
Taylor, "to assist said members during the conven-
tion's session." A bill of right.s and a constitution
were drafted, and an able address to the people issued,
signed by John Langdon, president of the c<mvention.
But the people would not sanction either. Their ex-
perience of royal usurpation, and the fear of giving
too much jjower to the rulers prevailed, and both were
negatived by a large majority. Dunstable voted unan-
imously to reject them.
In August, 1778, fourteen men went as volunteers
from Dunstal)le, under Colonel Noah Lovewell, to
Rhode Island. The seat of war having changed from
New England to the Jliddle and Southern States, in
1779, 1780 and 1781 a large number of Dunstable
men went into active service as soldiers in New York
and Virginia.
How many soldiers were furnished to the army from
Dnnstalile during the seven years of the War of the
Revolution it is not possible to ascertain with entire
accuracy, but the number was maintained till the
close of the contest, in October, 1781 . No town in this
State had greater unanimity in favor of national in-
dependence and the most vigorous prosecution of the
war. There were no Tories in Dunstable, and no resi-
dents of the town went into exile for supporting the
usurpations of the BritLsh King.
In preparing the only history of Nashua hitherto
published, its author, Charles J. Fox, Esq., made an
examination of the town and State records, and
availed himself of other sources of information to
obtain the names of those who partici|)ated in that
long and bloody struggle. Mr. Fox had the habits of
investigation which admirably fitted him for the work,
and it wa.s his intention, had his health and life been
prolonged, to have given the subject further attention.
His summary of the services of the soldiers of this
town, we give in his own words, —
''The whole male population of Dunstable in May, 1775, between the
ages of sixteen and fifty years, was only one hundred and twi^nty-eight,
and nearly every man, eitlH!r as a volunteer or a.s a draft, was at some
period in the service. They M'ore in almost every tight, from Hunker
Hill to Yorktown, and their bones are mouldering upon many a battle-
field, from Massachusetts to Virginia. They were at Bunker Hill in the
post of danger and honor ; they were at Ticonderopi, where, borne
down by pestilence and want, they were compelled to retreat, fighting
step by step, in the face of a victorious foe; they were at llennington
with Stark, where the finst gleam of light broke in upon our prospects ;
at Saratoga, where this lirsr omen of victory was converted into an en-
during triumph ; at Trenton and Pnneeton, where, under tlie eye of
Washington, they surprised and captured the Hessians, and gave hope
to the disheartened nation ; and at Yorktown, when the whole British
army capitulated, and indei)endence wjts won."
The following is the list of soldiers from Dunstable
w'ho served in the army at some time between April,
1775, and October, 1781. Some of them were in ser-
vice only a few months, or for a single expedition.
The names thus collected number one hundred and
fifty-nine, or thirty-one above the number of males
in the town on April 1, 1775, between the ages of six-
teen and fifty. But it is to be borne in mind that
quite a number went into service for a single ex])edi-
tion, like that to Bennington, who were over fifty years
of age. Of this class there were said to have been
over forty. The list was made chiefly by Mr. Fox in
1844, at which time there were four Revolutionary
soldiers living in the town, namely, Eleazer Fisk
James Jewell, Isaac Foot and Ebenezer Harris, from
whose recollection several of these names were ob-
tained. The thirty-nine marked with a star were at
the battle of Bunker Hill; the forty-four marked
with a dagger are taken from the town records;
those without mark are from verlial and other sources :
Uavid Adams,* David .\dains, .Ir.,* Richard .\dams,* Henry .\danis,
Sila.s .\dains,t Isitac .*Vdanis.t .John .-Vllde, David Allds, .Tacob Adams.t
.lames Blanchard,t .Toslah Bntterfield, Abel Butterfietd, Simeon Butter-
field,* Thomas Bnttci-fiield, Tharles Buttertield, Benjamiu Bjiytey,*
Kleazer Blanchard,* Oliver Blodgctt, Daniel Blood.t James Brown,*
Samuel Buttei-field.t John Butler + (killed at Hubberton, A'ermont,
IVTT), Epbi-aim Blood.t Reuben Ill.iod.t Simeon Blood.t John Blanch-
ard, f Nathaniel Jihinchar.l, Jonathan Kutterfleld.t Timothy Blood.t
Kliphalet Bayley,* William Buttertield,* Paul Clogstone* (died at Cam-
bridge, 17".'>}, John Cockle.t Stephen Oonery.t John ('onery,t Jlednd
tkimbs,* Joseph Combs (died in the army), William Cox, Thomas Clark,
.lohn Clogstone, Samuel Conery, William Dandley, James Dandley, Jo-
seph Dix, .lonathan Danforth,* Noah Dowus,t Castor Dickinson (col-
ored). Jonathan Kmerson (a lieutenant under Cilley), Ebenezer Ftiwlick,*
Benjamin French, Jr. (killed in the army), John Fletcher, Joseph Far-
rar, Elea/.er Fisk (living), David Fisk, Nathan Fisk, Richard Fi-ancis,
Tsaac Foot (ll'-ing), Tlieodtue French, .lohn French, .\rcliibald i.'ibson,*
James Gil)Sou,* Wm, Gibbs.t I)avid fiilson,t David (Jilson, Jr.,t Peter
Honey,* Peter Honey, Jr. (died in the army), W'm. Harris* (died in the
army), Wm. Harris, .Ir.,* .lonathan Harris,* .\braham Ilale.Wm. Hunt,
John Honey, Jr. (died in the army), Thomas Harwo<wl, .lames Harwood *
(killeil at Hublierton, A'ermont, July 7, 1777), Kbenezer Harris. Jr. (liv-
ing), William Honey, .Vbyah Honey, Calvin Honey, t .Vrchibald Harrod,
.lames Harroiit (died December, 1777, iu army), John Honey, .lohn
Harwood, Joseph Honey, t Calvin Honey t (died in army), Israel Ingalls,
James Jewell (living), Nathaniel Jewell, Xathainel Kemp, .Icremiah
Keith, t Reuben Killicnt, Charity Killi'nt, Wilbani Lund •(killed at
Bunker Hill), Joel Lnndt (an ensign), John Lund,* Jonathan l.und,
Thomas Lund, Jonathan Lovewell, Jr., Jomithan Lovewell, t Ichabod
Lovewell,* John Lovewell,* Xebemiah Lovewell, t Henry Lovewell,*
.\8a I.ovejoy, Noah Lovewell t (quartermaster of Colonel Cilman's
reginu'Ut), .losoph Lamsoii, Jr.,t William Lancey, Itichanl Lovewell,
Stephen Lovewell (colored), Thomas Lancey, Levi Lnnd, William
Mann t (killed in the anuy), John Manning t (taken prisoner at
Ticonderoga, and afterwards retaken), Kliphalet Manniog,t Jonathan
NASHUA.
167
Powers, Thomas rerrj%t Eboiieztr Perry, William Powell, ^^— —
Pike, Williiini (jniiiton.t WilUiuii ltol>y*(^aii piiedgn, unU died in tbe
aniiy), Samuel Itoby, Joliii KoMtinit, Jr., Abijali lU-ed,* Abbot Itoby,*
Bt'tijamin Itobbiii^, Duvid Keed.f ThomuJi Kuby, Joliu Searles, BoDJitmiD
^iiiitb, Jobu Snow, Jr.,* JofH-pli Swallow,* Jix-l Stewart,* Daniel Sliedd.f
J<x«e|)li Snow (died in (be army), Daniel Seark-p, Da%'id Siiiilcy,f Jutiie:^
Seal.t Silua Swalluw,! ikMuaiiiiu Taylor, Jacob Taylor, Beiijauiiu Tem-
jtle, Levi Temple, Benjamin Taylor, Jr., t William Walker* (a captain
and major), Ihiniel Warner* (quartermaster), Joseph Whiting, Oliver
Woods • (died at Cambridge), Oliver Woodt-, Jr., John Wright, Jr.,t I*^""-
jamin Whitney,* Sylvauiis Whitney, Phtuebati Whitney,* Paul Woodt*,*
l>aniel \Voo4i,t Nehemiah Wright,* Oliver Wright,t Jonathan Wriglit,f
Samuel W|ii(ing,f Oliver Whiting.f
CHAPTER IX.
N ASH U A— ( Coimiinei/).
DUNSTABLE WITH FREE INSTITU TIOSS.
Scarcity of Money — Slow but Sure Growth — '*The Pine Barrens" — So-
cial Galherin(^— Mrs. EUzabctb Butterfield — Rev. Joseph Kidder—
The Slri|icd Frm:k — WholL-soiiiu Food — Scliools and Text-Boolis—
Catching Salmon and Shad — ^larketing — The Lovewclls and Blanch-
ardfi.
The close of the War of the Revolution found
the people of New England sadly embarrassed in
their resources. We can form but a faint idea of tlie
sacrifices made by the colonists for independence.
Beside jieriling life in battle and submitting to priva-
tions of every description, so large a proportion of
the able-bodied of the population were in the army
that fields were often left untilled. "Our etibrts are
great," said John Adams, in 1780, "and we give in
this campaign one-half of our property to defend
the other half. He who stays at home cannot
earn enough to pay him who takes the field." Great
as was the depression elsewhere, it fell with unusual
severity upon Dunstable. In the Indian wars no
town in the State had lost so large a proportion of the
heads of families, or so largely reduced its industrial
capacity. Hence the sum annually expended by the
town during the war, amounting to three thousand
dollars each year, became a heavy burden upon a
population numbering, in 1775, Duly seven hundred
and live. Yet this smalt numlier had diminished in
17H3 to five hundred and seventy-eight, showing a
decrejise of one hundred and twenty-seven, or eighteen
per cent., — a fact which proves better than pages of
description the weight of the exertions which were put
forth and the sacrifices which were made, and the con-
sequent paralysis of the energies and prosperity of
the community.
Added to the poverty (if the peo|)le was the diversity
of opinion in regard to the powers and limitations of
the State and national governments. In December,
1782, Dunstable chose .lonathan ISlaiicliard represen-
tative to the State C'r)iivention at E.\etcr, but mo
decisive action was taken by that body. In 1784,
Captain Benjamin French, in 178t) anil 1787, Colonel
Noah Lovewell were representives, but no important
measures were settled. In .lanuary, 1788, Deacon
William Hunt was chosen a delegate to the conven-
tion which met at Exeter the following month to
adopt the Constitution of the United States, which
had recently been sent out by Congress for acceptance
by the several States. Throughout the country, as well
as in the several State Conventions, there was great
diversity of opinion in regard to it, and much opposi-
tion. Some believed that the Constitution vested too
much power in the general government, and would
gradually annihilate the existence of the Slates.
Others feared that it had not enough authority to
protect itself from the encroachments of the States,
and would soon be powerless. There was danger on
both sides. On the one side was anarchy, on the
other usurpation. It was an untried experiment, and
every little community was divided. It was debated
in town-meeting, and Dunstable voted "not to ac-
cept the Constitution," and chose a committee of nine
to draft a list of objections to be forwarded to the
State Convention at Exeter. They attended to their
duty. Fortunately, however, the State Convention
adopted the Constitution. It was a compromise
between the doubts of conflicting parties, and the
fears of both have happily failed to be verified. Tbe
action of New Hampsliire bad a controlling inHuence
upon the New Y'ork and other conventions then in
session. The State Constitution, in the mean time, had
been submitted to the popular vote in March, 1784,
and approved by a large majority. It went into
operation in June, 1784, and Mcsheck Wcare became
chief magistrate under the title of " President," which
title was changed by the State Convention of 1792
to " Governor," to distinguish the office from that of
the chief magistrate of the nation.
Few of our people of the present generation are
aware of the comparatively low rank of this town in
population, trade and wealth at the close of the last
century. VV^e give a table of its population at four
diflerent periods, as comi>ared with several towns in
the vicinity :
Nashua . .
llolliB. . . .
Iliid»on . .
Mcrrinnick
Auiberet. .
1775.
1790.
1800.
I8S0.
7a'i
632
882
13,397
125.-.
1441
1SR7
1,080
r4U
lua
l■>6^
1,043
CWi
819
021!
1,042
WIS
ffiififl
2£6I
1,226
Valuation, 1883.
?12,l!ir.,2(i«
024,075
779,81.9
83n,7I>a
1,040,783
j It will lie seen by the above table that Nashua
(then Dunstable) had in 17<.tO and in 1800 less inhab-
I itants than the neigliljoring towns. This inferiority
in numbers and wealth continued till the introducti<in
' of cotton manul'acture, in 182ii. Her trade for many
years after the Revolutionary ^Var was exceedingly
small. There was no post-office in the town, and no
village. The nearest semblance to one was the little
t hamlet of five or six dwellings near the meeting-
house located two miles below the city hall, and near
the present farm-house of Mrs. Alfred (iodfrey. It
I consisted of a store, the only one in town, kejit by a
168
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Mr. Chamberliii ; a tavern, kept by Cunimings Pol-
larJ ; a blacksmith-.shop, a hatter's shop and the
re.siiience of " Parson Kidder." It was designated by
the ])eople of the town as the " Centre." Farmers
of that period had to follow the advice of Dr. Frank-
lin, " to light the lamps of industry." Women had
much of out-door life, and were capable of great en-
durance. There was much of neighborhood good-
feeling and generosity. It was needed. Among the
early settlers was a class who, coming on foot, carried
all their property on their shoulders. Such persons,
though often valuable as hired laborers, needed ad-
visers and overseers ; and unless men of more enter-
prise and foresight had aided them to shelter, food and
work, they and their families must have suilered
severely. Rude but pleasant homes were increasing.
The hum of the wheel and the stroke of the loom
told of domestic industry. In the spring, the plow
and the hoe were never allowed to rust ; in summer,
the scythe and the sickle were in constant use ; in
early fall, there was gladness in gathering the abund-
ant harvest ; farther on, the October fires roared and
rushed through the fallen woodlands, and gleamed at
night on the hill-sides. Nor was the winter a holiday
to the farmer and his family ; but the long nights af-
forded the opportunity for social gatherings of kins-
folks and neighbors.
It would be ditticult to conceive of a more inde-
pendent, self-reliant, hearty and healthy class than
our farming peo))le at the close of the eighteenth
century. The farmer lived on the products of his
own soil, was warmed by fuel from his own woods,
clothed from the fleeces of his own flock, or the flax
of his own field. No flour, beef, hams, lard or burn-
ing fluid were then imported. Splinters of pitch-pine
and resinous pine-knots were used for lights. Many
a boy and girl of Dunstable studied their lessons by
this light, and gained that practical knowledge which
enabled them to become useful and successful in after-
life. Trade was chiefly carried on by barter. Little
money was in circulation, and it was not needed.
Tlie oxen and swine, which yielded the fresh meat in
winter and the salt meat in summer, were fed and
fattened on the farm. The surjjlus products of the
field or the slaughtered swine not needed l>y the family
were carried to market in the farmer's " double
sleigli." and exclianged for salt, iron, molasses, and, if
the truth must be told, a keg of New England rum.
So the year went round, and to a majority of the resi-
dents was marked by contentedness and a slow but
well-founded prosperity.
In the early history of this and all the towns of
New England, mutual necessities and hardships
awakened mutual interest and hospitalities. Each
gave a helping hand to rear a house for the new-
comer, to sow and harvest the fields of a sick neigh-
bor. The manner of borrowing and lending among
our ancestors was truly patriarchal. Wlicn a neigh-
bor killed a calf, no part of it was sold, but it was
distributed among relatives and friends, the poor
widow always having a piece and the minister not be-
ing forgotten. Wiien a neighbor wished for help to
break up his ground, and a number of yokes of oxen
were necessary, he had only to let it be known, and
not only the oxen and plow could be had, but a man
to drive them. Townsmen generally were well ac-
quainted with each other, their circumstances and
wants. The destitute found a helper, and the aid
was generously rendered.
Ninety years ago there was very little of mechanism
or manufacturing, except by rude hand-work, in this
country. Yet mechanism was then, as now, essential,
and the mechanic was the peer and helper of the
farmer. Every tiller of the soil needed a house and
barn, to(ds and furniture, clothes and shoes. The
skill and craft which jiroduied these necessaries often
came to the house of the employer. The shoemaker
and tailor were intinerant, working where they were
needed, and often receiving for their labor the pro-
ducts of the farm or loom, or stores from tlie larder or
cellar. Carpenters, Idacksmiths, masons, tailors and
shoemakers were found in every growing town.
The most prominent Ciu-penter of Dunstable at that
time was John AVhittle. He built the first house on
Concord Street, just north of the " Indian Head
House," in 1782. Afterwards he removed to the
vicinity of the old meeting-liouse at the " Centre,"
and a few years later built the house now occupied by
his grandson, E. G. Tyler, at the corner of Main and
Tyler Streets. Of his nine children, two sons and
seven daughters, only the youngest survives, — Mrs.
Elizabeth Buttcrticld, who was born May 12, 17!I5,
and now resides in Tyngsborough village, in the
ninety-first year of her age.
In 1754 the town built a meeting-house on the
triangular piece of land in front of what was long
known as the Jesse Estey tavern, now the farm-house
of Jlrs. Alfred Godfrey. For nearly sixty years it
was the only i)lace of religious worship in town. It
was without bell or steeple, and externally had a
rather barn-like appearance. The centre portion of
the house had square pews with seats on all sides.
The jjulpit was reached by a long flight of stairs, and
a dome-shaped sounding-board was suspended over it.
Mrs. Elizabeth Uuttertield, of whom we have just
made mention, distinctly remembers attending Sun-
day services in this house. The seats of the pews
had hinges, and when the congregation rose at prayer
the seats were lifted to increase the standing-room.
The recollections most vivid to her are the extreme
length of the prayers and the momentary "clatter"
made by dropping the lids at its close. Rev. Joseph
Kidder began preaching here in 1767, and continued
to occui)y the pulpit for fifty years. He lived and
died in the house opi)osite the residence of Mrs. God-
frey, and of late known as the Scott place. Mr.
Kidder was a minister of the old school, and the man
and the parish arc best described in the words of
NASHUA.
169
I'rofessor E. D. Sanborn, as used in delineating the
^tate of society in most of our N'ew Hampshire towns
; the close of the Revolutionary War: "There were
ii.) libraries, and the very few books which did exist,
lieing chietly sermons or expositions of portions of
I he Bible, were not extensively read. Religious
|iapers were unknown, and biographies of children of
precocious piety and sainted Christians too good for
( artli had not then been written. A large proportion
■ ■1' the entire population attended church. No blinds
. xduded the blazing suns of summer; no fires soft-
• lied the intense cold of winter. The hearers listened
hvdiitly to long, doctrinal sermons, even when the
ii-ath of the jireacher was frozen as it escaped his
lips. 'The minister of the standing order,' possibly
(he only thoroughly educated man in the town,
■ mighty in the Scriptures' and austere in morals, was
irarded by the cliildren of his (lock with awe, by the
;i rents with reverence."
From the close of the Revolutionary War to the
'lose of the century (1800) the farmers of this town
iicreased, not only in numbers, but in the conveni-
iices and enjoyments of home-life. Food and cloth-
:ig became aliundant. In w'inter the outside, home-
iiiade woolen frock of strijied lilue and white, put on
■ver the head, buttoning at the neck and reaching to
the knees, was universally worn by the farmers and
liieir boys. For a time they were worn at public
jitherings, and when Parson Kidder was once called
pon to open a town-meeting with prayer, he said
hat half an acre of striped frocking rose up before
him. Schools in winter began to be fully attended
I'V boys and girls, many of whom were of adult size
iind years. Chirograi)hy and orthography received
increased attention. The town records of Dunstable
-liow a neatness and facility in penmanship which
io not jiutTer in comparison with that of to-day.
I here were few text-books in use. The reading-liooks
liien used were the Xcw England I'rimcr, with its
I iicle cuts of .\dam and Eve, Jonah and the Whale,
inl rustic rliyiiies, such as
" In .Vrlum'a full
Wo siniiu'l nil,"
iic Psalms and the New Testament. Dilworth's
■I'clling-book wius used by the more advanced pu|>ils.
ill aritlimctic, instruction did not extend beyond the
lour "fundamental rules," reduction and simple in-
terest. No text-book was used, but the schoolmaster
wrote the "sums" on each indiviilual slate. Unfor-
tunately, the black-board was unknown. Accuracy in
tlie use of language was sometiines taught verbally,
but neither gramnuir nor geography were recognized
studies.
Hunting during the fall months aftbrdcd some sup-
plies to the farmers. Raccoons and gray sipiirrels
had not only a fine relish for the breakfast table, but
their deprcdutions in the corn-fields made it necessary
to entrap them. Partridges and jiigeons were also
numerous. In November and December the fur-
bearing animals were sought after, and chiefly by
traps. "The first dollar I could call my own," said
Jonathan Whiting, "was obtained by the sale of two
mink skins, caught in Ha-ssell's Brook."
The catching of fish was for many years after the
Revolution a gre.it source of supply for food to the
inhabitants. In the Merrimack River the fishing
se.a.son began with the firet appearance of the apjjle
blossoms. With the Indians Amoskeag Falls was the
most noted place for catching shad and salmon, and
next in imjiortance were the small streams, like
Cohas, Pennichuck and Salmon Brooks. But the
use of large seines, stretching across the entire river,
enabled the whites to .scoop in these migratory fish at
almost any point along the river where there was a
smooth bottom. It seems almost incredible what
quantities of fish came up the Merrimack in the
month of May. In Dunstable the leading resort was
in the smooth water almut half a mile this side of the
State line. Nearly as many were taken just below
the mouth of the Pennichuck. It wa.s a common
saying with those families whose meat barrels were
apt to be scanty, " We hope meat will last till fish
comes, and fish last till meat comes." The alewives
were taken with a scoop-net ; the eels by an eel-pot
of w'icker-work set in the liills of smaller streams.
Salmon and shad were taken by both, the net being
used at falls and in swift water, and the seine in the
river. In the smaller streams the fish continued to
be caught until the middle of June.
Regular fishing comi)anies were organized at various
points on the river, and the expense of twine, ropes,
cord, lead, with boats and oar.<, was about one hun-
dred and twenty dollars for a first-class seine. When
the.se large seines were first used, in 1762, over one
thousand shad were taken at a single haul. Twelve
men were required to use one of them, and when
filled with a ton of live fish it required their utmost
exertion. Hundreds of people from adjacent tow-ns
would come to buy for their families, and good-sized
shad could sometimes be bought for two dollars per
hundred. Therei was a marked diminution of fish in
later years, and in 17il3 the Legislature of this .'state
enacted laws regulating the taking of fish by provi-
ding that during a certain part of every twenty-tour
hours the Merrimack waters shoidd be undisturbed.
The number, however, continued to diminish, so that
in 1812 not more than fifty .salmon were often taken
in the most lucky haul. Jlore or less, however, were
taken till the obstruction of mill-dams at Lowell,
al)out 1824, |ircvcntcd their annual migration. The
last shad taken in Dunstal)le were from the beml in
the Nashua River, just above the iron briilgc on
Canal Street, in 18;i!).
Several of the winters between 1700 and 1800
abounded with deep snows. In 1702 the snow re-
mained till the middle of May, but, melting suddenly,
was followed by a warm and produilive summer.
The spring of 17'J4 openiil iiiiiisually early ; biil on
170
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
the 17th of May there came the most destructive frost
recorded in the history of this State. The young
apples and other fruit were formed, the rye headed,
and (itlier crops so far advanced as to be exposed.
The frost was very severe, and entirely destroyed the
fruit and the English grain crops of that year. Tlic
corn and hay crops, however, were abundant.
Meanwhile, some of the men who had taken the
lead in the military and civil afi'airs of the town and
State were passing away. On the lOth of July, 1788,
Hon. .Jonathan Blaiichard died at the age of tifty.
He was descended from a long line of lionorable an-
cestry. His father and grandfather had been men of
note and influence in colonial history. His fatlier
died when he was in his twentieth year, and he at
once took his place as surveyor and pro])rietor'3 clerk.
When the contest arose between the British govern-
ment and the colonies Mr. Blanchard became an
active and earnest advocate of the American cause.
He was a member of the Continental Congress at the
time of his death. His residence was at the old family
mansion, one hundred yards southwest of the brick
school-house on the Lowell road and near the cemetery
where he was buried. His widow survived till 1811.
In 1792, Jonathan Lovewell, Esq., brother of Cap-
tain John Lovewell, the Indian fighter, died at the
age of seventy-nine. Early in life he took a prom-
inent part in public affairs. He served in the last of
the French and Indian Wars and afterwards took an
active part in the War of the Revolution. At the close
of the war he was a member of the convention which
framed the State Constitution, and after its adoption
was for several years a judge of the Court of Common
Pleas. He was never married. In his religious views
he was an Arminian, a follower of George Whitefield.
During the first century of the history of Dun-
stable the two most prominent families were the
Lovewells and the Blanchards. Both of them have
disappeared from Nashua, so far as regards the
actual name. In local afi'airs they were at times
antagonistic, but on State and national interests they
were too patriotic and liberty-loving to be otherwise
than harmonious. The Lovewell family first at-
tained celebrity by the Pequawket fight. The Blanch-
ards became widely known as surveyors of wild
lands, and traversed most of the western and north-
ern towns of this county l)efore they were settled by
the white people.
CHAPTER X.
NASHUA— (Co«(i'.,.ied).
DUNSTABLE FROM 1800 TO 1820.
OMon-Time Vehicles ami Tools — Woinoirs Liibon* — Dunstable "Darrens"
— The Kanners' Yearly Trip — Deacon Hiint^s Tnn — Dunstable Tavern-
Keopere — "Flip and Black-Strap" — Bar-room Discussions — " [Incle
Joe" — Birth of "Nashua Village" — Gradual Cirowth—Odd Summer
of 1816 — Mecting-llouse Baising — The Old Cider 31ill8— Huskingis.
Afteu the close of the Revolutionary War the
American people found themselves essentially an
agricultural community, with scarcely any commerce
or manufactories. Steam as a motive-power was un-
known. Water-power was only used for sawing
lumber and grinding grain. Farming implements,
furniture, carriages, clothing, in brief, everything,
was made by hand labor. Tools of all kinds were
crude and unwieldy. The plow was a rude imple-
ment, furnished at a greater cost and worked by
double the strength recjuired at this time. The
strength of woman's foot turned the wheel, the skill
of her fingers spun the thread, and the power of her
arm drove the shuttle; the hand-saw, the "pod"
auger, the gouge and chisel were the perfection of
mechanical tools ; and the two-wheeled cart the best
vehicle for transportation. Experimental improve-
ments did not succeed at once. When the first four-
wheeled wagon came to this town the driver found no
space large enough to enable him to turn around till
he reached the "triangle" opposite Mrs. Godfrey's
residence.
The year 1800 found the Dunstable people with very
few of modern conveniences. There was no post-oflSce,
no mails, no library, a weekly two-horse stage-coath
and less than a score of weekly newspapers. Whether
for the better or worse, there were no lawyer, no
doctor and only one clergyman. Nor was it increas-
ing in population as rapidly as the towns more recently
settled to the north and west. Amherst had three
times the population of this town, and Peterlwrougli,
Hillsborough, Antrim, Milford, Weare and New Bos-
ton had surpassed it iti numbers and were rapidly
acquiring the thrift which peace, industry and frugal-
ity are sure to bring. The seaboard towns of Eastern
Massachusetts had little of the commerce and none of
the manufactories of later times, and their surplus
population were seeking homes among the roumled
hills of Central New Hampshire.
The reader of to-day may not fully understand why,
eighty and ninety years ago, the upper towns were
growing more rapidly than Dunstable. The better
soil of this town was already occupied. The ex-
tended |)laiu embracing all the central portion of the
township, and on the eastern |)art of which the
city of Na-shua now .stands, was covered with a native
growth of scrub pine, and the sandy soil on which it
rested was really of little value. " Dunstable Plains "
were often the subject of much merriment to peo-
ple of other sections, as it seemed to them the em-
bodiment of the idea of poverty of soil. Mr. Fox, in
his history, relates that some wicked wag in our Leg-
islature once undertook to disparage our soil, declar-
ing that " it would not support a chipping squirrel to
the acre," and capped the climax of his oratory by
relating the story "that a gra.sshoi)per was once
seen perched upon the top of a dry mullein-stalk,
with the tears rolling down his cheeks, lofiking in
vain to discover one blade of green grass to allay his
hunger."
Meanwhile, with little addition from abroad, there
I
NASHUA.
171
was a desirable increase from the jrrowth of resident
families. .-V majority of the households could boast
of eight to ten children, and the seven school districts
into which the town was divided had, in 1800, an
average of forty scholars. New dwellings and larger
barns were built, and on the river road one-half of
the residences were the large, square, two-story farm-
houses, of which quite a number still exist. The far-
mers in winter carried the products of the farm —
pork, poultry, butter, cheese, wool and grain — to the
seaboard markets with their own teams. Boston was
not then the sole commercial port of Massachusetts,
but Salem and Newlmryport were successfully com-
peting with her for the West and East Indian trade.
A large majority of the products of Hillsborough
County eighty years ago were carried to Salem and
Newbury pf)rt.
The annual winter excursion of the farmer to the
seaboard market was quite an event to him and his
family. The well-fed ox-team and well-loaded sled
left before dawn. It was a two-days' drive to reach
either of the seaboard towns. The third day was
bu.sily occupied in making a sale and loading up sup-
plies for the coming year. It consisted of a few
bushels of salt, a few farming tools, some needed
crockery, tin and iron-wares, a few pounds of tea, a
few yards of cotton cloth, a supply of pins, needles
and buttons, a bundle of dry cod-fish, a dozen pounds
of brown sugar, a keg of West India mohisses and a
keg of Medford rum.
If the means of the farmer were not exhausted, he
bought for himself a wool hat and red bandanna
handkerchief, and for his wife or eldest daughter a
string of thirty-six gold beads, some school-books for
the oilier and a few simple toys for the younger chil-
dren. If the weather wa.-i fair he reached home on the
fifth day, soon after darkness set in. His arrival was
anxiously awaited. While taking care of his tired
oxen the less weighty articles were carried into the
kitchen, and the farmer sat down to a steaming hot
supper, during which the leading incidents of the trip
were related to intent listeners. Afterwards the
heavier i)urchascs were brought in, and the evening
hours glided away in narrating the i>articulars of a
trip as eventful as an overland excursion of to-day to
San P'rancisco.
The valley of the Merrimack then, as now, afforded
a natural thoroughfare for a large part of New Hamp-
shire to the markets on the sea-coast. Though there
was a limited supply of money in circulation, the
amount of barter trade began to be of some import-
ance before the Kevolution, and rapidly increased
after its close. During the first ten years of the
present century the European wars gave an inijielus
to New Englan<l commerce, and the products of the
farm were in fair demand. The farmers who had
taken up and were clearing new lands among the hill-
ranges which lie between the Merrimack and the
Connecticut Valleys were in extreme need of axes,
12
plows, chains and numerous other articles of out-door
and in-door use. Those who had already secured im-
proved farms had ample wants to be supplied, and
thus each succeeding year witnessed an additional
amount of travel through Dunstable from the up-
country. This gradually led to a system of hostelry
on the river road, so extensive as to be not only a
source of profit, but a social influence. The old-
fashioned tavern is known to the young people of to-
day only in a legendary sense, but from 1775 to 1825
it was practically an institution of marked promi-
nence in this town.
The first tavern in Dunstable for the accommoda-
tion of the up-country people and their teams was
opened by Deacon William Hunt in 1759. It was a
large, square, two-story house, and stood on the east
side of the Lowell road, two and a half miles below
the city hall, on the site of the present "Elm House."
The two barns, forming a right-angle, were on the
opposite side of the road. Deacon Hunt was a man
of worth and ability. He was for many years a town
official and a member of the State Convention which,
in 1788, ratified the national con.ititution. Genial, but
not loquacious, he was a popular inn-keeper, and in the
winter often twenty or more wayfarers sought repose
for themselves and their teams at his hostelry. We
must not omit to mention that the deacon, though a
church official, kept a bar, which was well supplied
with Medford rum. The temperance sentiment had
not then been developed in New England. " Flip "
was the high-tonetl beverage of those days ; but
"black-strap," a compound of rum and brown sugar,
sold at three cents a glass, was the usual beverage of
the farmer and teamster. The flimsy subterfuges of
modern times were not needed, and the deacon's
decanters stood boldly on the shelf inviting patron-
age.
There would have Ijcen more drinking hail money
been plenty and the times less serious. But the pub-
lic mind was excited, and often when night set in the
Blanchards, Lovewells, Lunds and many of the citi-
zens gathered at Deacon Hunt's spacious bar-roDUi
to discuss the state of the country and the events of
the day. There was no division of opinion. The
tyranny of King George, the Stamp Act and the Tea
Tax were vigorously denounced.
When the Revolutionary War was ended the rapid
increase of travel led to an increiuse of taverns. Cap-
tain Benjamin French opened apublic-house nearthe
Tyngsborough line, where Alfred 1'. Kendall now
lives. It was a good location. Timothy Taylor kept
the first tavern on the north siiie of the Nashua Kiver,
and the building is the ell of the present Indiau Head
House ; while Cummings Pollard, at the "Centre,"
oll'ercd shelter for man and beast on the iireniiscsnow
uccupiod liv Mrs. (iodfrcy.
In IfSOl the travel on this line of road received ii
new impulse from the completion of the second New
Hampshire turnpike, which extended from Clare-
172
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
mont to Aiulierst. Teams from a jioition of Central
Vcrmout began to pass over this route, and instead
of the two-horse coaeli of Josejjh Wheat, which made
a weekly trip from Amherst to Boston and back with-
out a change of horses, a line of four-horse coaches be-
gan to run tri-weekly from Windsor, Vt., to Boston,
returning on alternate days. Large droves of cattle
and sheej) went to market over the road, and the
amount of i'reight in both directions soon became so
large that six-horse teams were employed at all sea-
sons of the year. Ox-teams grew out of use, and
■when the farmer, ignoring the professional teamster,
still continued in winter to take his own produce to
market, he used the double "pung" witli steel
shoes an inch thick.
The winter was still the harvest-time of the Dun-
stable tavern-keepers. It was essential to give a com-
fortable, home-like aspect to the premises. The first
requisite was a bar-room of ample size, and a fire-
I^lace in winter equally ample, from which in cold
weather the oak-wood fire should send forth its glow-
ing warmth. The floor was well swept, and the old
clock ticked slowly in the corner, and at one end of
the room was the alluring bar, with its row of decanters
on the shelf behind, while the tin drainer on the
counter had a display of tumblers, mugs and toddy-
sticks. In the fire-place the loggerhead was kept at
white heat to do speedy service when needed. There
were days in December and January when an un-
broken procession, a mile in length of two, four and
six-horse teams left the Dunstable taverns for the
lower markets, and a like procession started for the
up-country. There were in 1808 nine taverns between
the Indian Head House and the Massachusetts line,
and their reputation for good cheer was such that
the Vermont teamsters usually contrived to be over-
taken by night in their vicinity.
No doubt there were jovial nights at these old-time
hostelries when, after a hard day's drive, the teamsters,
having sheltered and fed their tired horses, sat down
in front of a blazing fire to recount the incidents of
the day, the probabilities of the weather and the
ruling prices of the market. After supper, the drought
of the summer, the su]>eriority of Vermont farms and
horses, and the probabilities ofa war with England
were debated till the ten strokes of the old clock
announced the hour for sleep.
But there were other gatherings at these old-time
taverns than those of the traveling public. The far-
mers of that day had few sources of general informa-
tion. During the heavy snows of the winter they
would gather in the afternoon at some central bar-
room and talk of local news, — the marriages, births,
deaths, sickness and accidents of llie vicinity, and of
those among their down-country friends, the land from
whence they came, and to which they made occasional
pilgrimages. These were not mere g.atherings of bar-
room loafers, but of industrious and honest farmers,
dressed in sheeps' gray frocks, reaching just below the
knees, the enterprising and shrewd business men of
the town ; and the ambitious young politicians came
together to discuss questions of town nuinagement, to
spout, talk and wrangle about the layiug out of roads,
the building of bridges, the locating of school-houses
and the building ofa new meeting-house. It was here
that many a young man took his initiation in public
speaking, and felt his first aspiration for public office
and honors.
But with all the advantages of the old-time taverns
in entertaining the traveling public, the bar was then,
as now, the cause of suffering to many families, and
of ruin to many a man of feeble will and strong
appetite. Such was the custom of those days, every-
body drank a glass of flip, egg-nog or some cheaper
mixture of Medford rum before leaving the tavern for
home. Men of strong will and thoughtful self-respect
went no farther than the conventional glass. But
with many the habit grew into an over-mastering ap-
petite. There were not a few men in Dunstable who
became drunkards, bringing upon themselves financial
and physical ruin under the iuHuence of a custom
which at thai time was sanctioned by the church and
ministry.
The toper of eighty years ago had the peculiarities
of the inebriate of to-day, and resorted to the same
pretexts. " Uncle Joe," as he was familiarly called, had
been reduced to penury by his bibatory habits. The
landlord at the "Centre" village could get his pay
for drink only by chores. Uncle Joe on his way to
dinner passed by the tavern daily, and the habit of
taking an appetizing dram had become irresistible.
But the landlord grew tired and refused to supply him
unless he could give a satisfactory reason why he
should be gratified. Uncle Joe's ingenuity was now
taxed to the utmost, but a bad cold, rheumatism, no
appetite, a weak stomach and a long catalogue of
excuses for a time answered. At length he was driven
to a repetition of his list of maladies. The landlord
saw his op|)ortunity, and indignantly ordered I'ncle
Joe not to call for another drink till he could name a
sufficient cause for so doing. For two days he passed
the tavern without calling, but on the third he
walked up the bar with a sad countenance. " Land-
lord," said Uncle Joe, "I must have a drink to-day,
for my wife is going to have salt fish for dinner ! "
The year 18U.3 was the beginning of a new era in
the history of Dunstable. Hitherto the only sem-
blance to a village in the town was at the " Centre,"
as the cluster of houses at the old ineeting-honse was
called. It was really up to this time the business
centre for the townsjieople, having a tavern, store,
three or four shops and several dwellings. The new
post-office, just established, was also located there.
But during the previous year Robert Fletcher had
started a store at Indian Head, Timothy Taylor had
already opened a tavern, John Lund had a dwelling-
house where G. W. Perham now resides, and several
new buildings were this season in ])rogre3s. Added
i
NASHUA.
173
to this, Mr. Fletcher completed in June a canal-boat,
of singular Btriieturc, for the transportation of goods
on the Merrimack River. The enterprise was favor-
iiljly regarded. It was launched on the 4th of July,
and the event was celebrated by a public meeting
with an oration by Daniel Abbott, a young lawyer,
who had just opened an oHice at the Centre.
A landing was fitted up for the boat near the junc-
tion of the Na.«hua River with the Merrimack. AVith
due ceremony it was named the "Nashua," and the
new village, a mile up the river westward, which had
liitherto been known as "Indian Head," received for
the first time the name of Nashua village.
The village thus incor|)orated had its earliest build-
ings around Abbott Square. But the tendency
of business was toward the river. In September of
1H03 the long, low building afterwards known as the
"Old Tontine" was built, and soon after occupied by
Daniel Abbott, who removed his oflice from the Cen-
tre ; by Dr. Elias Maynard, physician ; Deacon James
Patterson, bookbinder; and Joseph Clements, saddler.
This building stood near the head of what is now
called Main Street, and from it two roads led north-
ward, — one directly north toward Concord, the other
nortliwest toward Amherst. These three were the
only highways then existing, except a rough road
down the north bank of Nashua River to the boat-
liouse and ferries.
At the Harbor in 180.3 there were only three ducll-
ing-hoiLses. On the south side of the Salmon Brook
there were two small cottages; while on the north
side, more than forty years before. General Noah Love-
well had built the two-story house he still occupied.
Afterwards it was for many years the residence of
Hon. Jesse Bowers. It is on the east side of Main
Street, close to the brook, and is the oldest two-story
dwelling-house in the city, having been built in 17-59.
The entire frame and much of the other materials of
this house were taken from what was known as the
"Bird meeting-house," which was built by Jonathan
Lovewell anrl others in 1747. The front-door is to-day
the same .as when i( was taken from the meeting-bouse,
retaining its unusual width and antiipiated jianels.
In 180.3 there was an unbroken forest of dwarf
pines from General Lovewell's house to the north side
of Nashua River. Mrs. Elizabeth Butterfield, now in
her ninety-first year, was at that time eight years of
age, and lived with her ])arents on the south side of
Salmon Brook. She very distinctly remembers that in
going alone over the lonely road between the Harbor
and the Na-shua bridge, a half-mile with a dense
thicket on both siiles, she natunilly moved with timid
and nimble feet. Three years later Iier father, Mr.
John Whittle, bought eight acres on the eitst side of
M'lin Street, and built the house at the corner of
Main and Tyler Streets, now owned by his grandson,
Edward (I. Tyler. The next year a snuill house was
built and occupied by Dr. Peter Howe, on the lot now
occupied by the Noyes block.
The next year, 1804, a further impulse was given to
the growth of the new village by the completion and
opening of the Middlesex Canal, extending from the
basin at Charlestown to the liead of Pawtucket Falls,
at Chelmsford. This opened a direct communication
by water with Boston, and heavy freight could reach
that market at less cost than Salem and Newburyport.
The same year Samuel Foster opened a store on the
lot north of the Indian Head tavern, and several
buildings were erected near the Nitshua bridge. At
the Harbor, Isaac Marsh built and occupied as a tavern
the house now owned by Mrs. Morrill, just south of
the bridge. Soon after, Israel Hunt, Sr., came from
Dracut, and built the first hou.se beyond the bridge
on the west side.
The promise of growth in Nashua village began to
attract the attention of active and enterjjrising young
men. In 1808, Joseph Greeley, and soon after, his two
brothers, E/ekiel and Alfred, came from Hudson and
engaged in transporting goods by boating from the
head of Middlesex Canal to the Nashua River. A few
years later they opened a store opjiosite the Indian
Head tavern, in the building now used as a carriage
store-house. The Nashua bridge was relniilt and
raised considerably above its former level, reducing
the .steepness of the road from the river to Abbott
Square.
Between 1800 and 1810 the population of Dunstable
increased from eight hundred and sixty-two to one
thousand and forty-nine, — again of one hundred and
eighty-seven. This was not a rapid growth for a New
Hampshire town at that period, and nine-tenths of this
gain was in the new village and on the river road. In
population this town was still lagging behind her
neighbors, the census of 1810 showing Hudson to
have thirteen hundred and seventy-six, and Hollis
fifteen hundred and twenty-nine inhabitants. The
condition of the people of the town, however, had
been greatly improved.
Events between 1810 and 1820. — In the decade
between 1810 and 1^20 the growth of Dunstable was
disturbed by events some of a national, and others of
a local character. The war with Great Britain, of
course disturbed the whole nation; the cold seasons
of 1815 and 1816 were not harmful beyond New Eng-
land, and were most severely felt in Maine and New
Hampshire.
The second war with Great Britain began in 1812,
and continued three years. It originated in a scries
of aggressions upon American commerce by British
ships of war. Some of our merchant vessels were
fired into and many of our seamen were forcibly car-
ried into captivity. Dunstable furnished some soldiers
for our army on tlie Camidian frontier, and in the
autumn of 1814 sent a dozen men lo Portsmouth
which was thought to be in peril from an attack by
the British (leet. The attack was not made, and tiie
men after sixty days returned home. Six weeks later
the war was terminated bv the brilliant viclorv of
174
HISTOllY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
General Jackson at New Orleans, on the 8th of Jan-
uary, I8I0. Thimgh Dunstahle suffered very little
from the loss of men, yet the depression of husiness
from the loss of foreign trade was such that the town
made little progress during its continuance. The re-
turn of peace wiis hailed with great joy. Mr. Jeffer-
son, then living, said, "The first war with England
gave us existence; it required the second to give us
independince."
The cold period included the two years 1815 and
1816. In 1815 winter lingered in the lap of spring,
and the summer was so damp and cold that the corn
and fruit crops were very scanty. But 1816 was far
more discouraging to the farmer. On the 6th day
of June, when the Legislature met at Concord, there
was a brisk fall of snow, followed by two frosty
mornings. As the record may be of interest to the
reader, we give the following schedule of the cold
weather for the three summer months of 1816, as re-
corded by John Farmer, of Concord, —
*' June fi. — Snow squalls.
" June 10. — Frost lust night.
"June 11. — Heavy frost, destroying all corn.
"July 10. — Vrost on low ground.
"August 22. — Vei-y heavy frost."
Thus passed the summer. Early and severe Septem-
ber frosts so far destroyed the corn crop that hardly
a bushel of sound kernels could have been found in
the State had there not been planted a very few acres
of that very early variety, called "Canada" corn.
There would have been a famine in New Hampshire
that winter had it not been for the moderate crop of
hay and an unusually good crop of rye, the former
feeding the live-stock and the latter supplying the
people with bread.
The ell'ect of these two cold summers in succession
was to lead many a farmer to the conclusion that it
was vain to think of raising their bread in New Hamp-
shire, and hence they had better remove to the West,
where a more generous climate gave a.ssurance of an
unfailing plenty. The "Ohio fever" began to show
itself in every town in the State. Not less than fifteen
hundred families removed we.stward in the two years
following the "cold summer" of 1816. A dozen
families left Dunstable for the "Far West," as Ohio
was then called. Another cold season would have led
to a still greater emigration.
But in 1817 there came warm winds from the South
in March, and the snow disappeared early. The sum-
mer months had no frosts, no chilling gales, no drought.
Corn and other crops were abundant. The farmers
took courage, and at the close of this decade, in 1820,
Dunstable had a hopeful outlook for the future. The
gain for the past ten years had been small. In 1810
the population wiis one thousand and forty-nine; in
1820 it wa.s eleven hundred and forty-two, a gain of
ninety-three only. The adjacent towns had done no
better.
There were few local events between 1810 and 1820
of marked importance. In 1811 the post-office, estab-
lished eight years previous, was removed from Pol-
lard's tavern, at the Centre, to the Harbor, and located
in the house of Israel Hunt, Sr. General Noah
Lovewell continued to be postma.ster till his death in
1820, when John M. Hunt succeeded him.
In 1812 the old meeting-house which for sixty years
had stood in the triangle opposite Cummings Pollard's
tavern had become dilajiidated. It had no belfry
or bell, no plastering, and the bats at night flitted
among the beams and rafters So the town voted to
build a new and first-class edifice for public worship.
It was located nearly half a mile nearer to Nashua
village, and on the lot just below the cemetery. The
raising of the frame took place on the Fourth of July.
It was a notable occasion, and nearly every man and
boy in town, and half of the women and children were
present. The women had provided a bountiful col-
lation. John Whittle was the master-carpenter, and
greatly to his annoyance, Parson Kidder made a
prayer of an hour's length.
But at ten o'clock the huge broadsides lay in readi-
ness to be raised. The stout yeomanry of Dunstable
ranged themselves side by side. The master-builder
gave the word, " All ready," and, aided by his en-
couraging shouts, the heavy broadside slowly rises till
nearly erect ; then it moves slowly, and a hush comes
over the anxious crowd, till the huge posts settle
firmly into their resting-places. The spectators now
breathe freely, and the workmen, now confident, are
not laggard. Before one o'clock the frame of the
main structure is in position. The lunch follows and
is found to be ample ; and long before the rays of the
setting sun have departed, the roof, with its crowning
frame-work of a steeple towering above, is firmly in
its place.
This edifice, years after known as the Old South
meeting-house, was spacious and well finished, having
three doors in front, a tall spire and a clear-toned
bell. For twenty years it was well filled on Sundays;
but the rapid growth of Nashua village, and the con-
centration of the population around the mills and
work-shops, led to the building of new churches in
what is now the city projjer. The old meeting-house
ceased to be occupied, and soon after was sold and
removed.
In 1820 the orchards of Dunstable yielded three
times the crop of apples that are now raised in town.
Every well-to-do farmer had a large and thrifty
orchard. There was no grafted fruit and no market
for the abundant crop other than the cider-mill.
What heaps of red and yellow apples were piled up
at every farm-house! What crowded bins shone with
the golden fruit around every cider-mill! With what
avidity the boys on an October afternoon gathered
around Deacon Leach's, Isaac Bowers' and Clifton
Lund's cider-mills ! How the cog-wheels did their
crushing work, while the old horse dragged round
and round the creaking sweep ! How the wooden
NASHUA.
175
levers com|iri's.seil the cheese, neatly inclosed in
fresh straw, until the gushinjr juice Howed in streams
from its sides ! Then every urchin with oaten straws
surrounded the tub, and showed a capacity for suc-
ti(m only surpassed by the modern steam tire-engine!
Coni-liuskings, however, were the grandest amuse-
ment of the harvest season. Usually, they were on
the pleasant evenings of October. Often fifty or sixty
attended, representing every neighborhood of the town.
These gatlierings were largely made up of grown boys
and girls, young men and their wives, and enough of
the old folks to give dignity to the occasion. The
corn was piled up in the centre of the capacious barn-
floor, and around the heap were seated the jovial
buskers. The barn was spectrally lighted by sus-
pended lanterns. Great ardor was exhibited in pur-
suit of the red ear. Usually it was found by some
swain whose excessive bashfulness caused the utmost
merriment. An hour before midnight the pile was
finished, and the golden cars stowed in the garret.
Then came the sujjper. There were great dishes of
beans, and Indian puddings, pumpkin pies, pewter
platters full of doughnuts, sweet cakes, fruit and
cheese, cider, and, thanks to the sensible farmers,
generally nothing stronger. After supper came the
fun and frolic. Some engaged in dancing, and others
in a variety of rustic games. So merrily passed the
time that the small hours were more than reached
before the party disbanded. Who can blame them?
It wiis the fitting lime to be juliilant, for peace, plenty
and health abounded.
CHAPTER XI.
NASHUA— (Co,i/i,..,crf).
OROWTH OK MANUFACTURES .\ND THAOi;.
Kashiiii Villngo In 1^*20— Ft'iry-U^mta — Tlie Watyr-Powcr nnii t'annl —
Itelij^iuiiR Sucielii'8 — Niuihtm MiuinfaftiiringConii>Bny— Jackson Ulauu-
fuctiirinp roni|»an.v — HnildiiiK ('"tton-Milln — Niuftiua and Lowell lUiil-
roai! — Ilajiift (Jrowlli In l'o|)iilation un«l Tnuif — List of 3Ierctianta in
1H1U — Li»t of Proft-iwionat HtiU — Lujjal CliangL* of Naiiio to Xn^huu,
VivRY few of the citizens of Nashua who were ac-
tively in business here sixty-five years ago are now |
living. Thomas CliiLse, Esq., now in his eighty-eighth
year, and with memory unimpaired, is an exception.
Jlr. Cha.se came to Niishua from Dunbarton in 1819,
and has resided here ever since, and until within ten
years has been constantly in business. We are in-
debted to him for nnicli relialile information in regard
to Nashua village at the period when the water-power
began tn be uscil for manufacturing purposes.
In 1820, when the United States census was taken,
there were returned from Dunstable one meeting-
house, nine school districts and houses, six taverns,
five stores, three saw-mills, three grist-mills, one tan-
nery and one carding and fulling-mill. At that time
Nashua village was small in size and limited in busi-
ness. It contained six two-story houses, three of
which were dwelling-houses, and are still standing
on the north side of Abbott Square. One was oc-
cupied by Colonel Joseph Greeley, and is now the
residence of John H. Barr; one was the residence
of Daniel Abbott, Esq., and is now owned and occu-
pied by G. W. Perham ; the third was owned and oc-
cupied by Sally Lund, and is now the residence of B.
F. Kendrick. The landlord of the Indian Head
tavern was Aaron JIansur, who was soon after suc-
ceeded by Moses Tyler. On the east side of Main
Street, just north of the jiresent Lowell depot, was a
large house built by Robert Fletcher. It had been
converted into a tavern, and w-as kejit by Joseph
Higgins. Some years later it was moved to the north
side of what is now Railroad Square, and will be re-
membered by the older residents as the Central
House.
Of the five stores in 1820, one was kept by Samuel
Foster in the building now occupied by G. H. Brig-
ham, on the south side of Abbott Stpiare ; one was
kept by Moses Foster, just north of the Indian Head
tavern ; the third was kept by J. E. & A. Greeley,
opposite the above-named tavern ; the fourth was at
the Harbor, and kept by Israel & John JI. Hunt,
W'here the post-oflicc was then located ; the fifth was
that of William F. IJoynton, at the " Centre," on the
site now occupied by the barn of >Irs. Godl'rcy. Mr.
Boynton kept a large miscellaneous stock, and had a
larger business than any other trader until the build-
ing of the mills.
The Harbor, by using the water-power of Salmon
Brook Falls, had at that time an equal advantage with
Nashua village for manufactures. Israel Hunt, Sr.,
had a saw and grist-mill, Isaac Marsh manufactured
scythes, E. F. Ingalls made hoes in the shop after-
wards occupied by A. H. Sanders, Jacob Hall was a
wheelwright, Stephen Bates a baker, and Enoch Dick-
erman cardcil wool and fulled cloth near the Allds
bridge. At the Nashua village, just above the bridge,
James Patter.son put up a grist-mill on the north, and
Willard Marshall a saw-mill on the south side of the
river.
The annual town-meetings coMtinucd formaiiyyears
to be held at the <Jld South meeling-house, a mile
and a half below the city hall. The line of stages
between Boston and Windsor, Vt., continued to run
tri-weekly, passing through Francestown, Hillsbor-
ough and Clareniont ; but there was no stage-line nor
any kind of ]iublic conveyance between Dunstable and
Concord. Ilopkinton was the half-shire town of
Hillsborough Co\inty, and Lawyer Abbott, Sheriff
Bowers anil all the Dunstable men who were so un-
fortunate as to have "cases" in court rode to Ilop-
kinton on horseback.
I'or a lime, water for the lower part of the vil-
lage was obtained in a wooden jiipc from Artillery
Pond; but the supply proving irregular and ijisulli-
cient, the villagers formed a company and i)rocured
water by a lead pipe from Danfurlh's spring, a mile
176
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
north of the bridge on West Coiu'ord road. It gave a
fair supply for the small nunilicr then living in the
village. There was no tire-cnginc in town, and fires
at the villascc wore fought by lines of men and women
passing buckets from hand to hand. The village had
no band of music, and none was needed during spring
and early summer, for the inhabitants of Artillery Pond
gave a free, open-air concert every evening. The large
area south of theNashua River, now included in Wards
Five, Six and Seven, was still a forest of dwarf i)ines,
with only the houses of John Whittle, Dr. Howe and
William Hastings, on Main Street, between Nashua
River and the Harbor. In 1821 the citizens joined in
setting out shade-trees at the Harbor, on Abbott
Square and on both sides of Main Street. The trees
transplanted were mostly elms. Among the young
men who took part were Thomas Chase, S. B. Tyler,
Israel Hunt, Jr., B. F. French and Alfred Greeley.
Few of these trees are now standing ; but notably
surviving is the large elm at the Acton railroad cross-
ing, and several sycamores at Abbott Square.
At that time there was no bridge across the Merri-
mack between Pawtucket Falls, at Lowell, and Amos-
keag Falls, at Derrytield. The ferry between Dun-
stable and Hudson, known as Hamblett's ferry, was
just above the present Rochester railroad bridge. The
road leading to the ferry from Main Street is the
present HoUis Street. As the merchants in summer
obtained their goods by the canal-boats, a store-house
was built at the ferry for their safe keeping. In the
spring, when the ice was breaking, it was dangerous,
and for a few days imi)ossible, to cross over the river
to Hudson at Hamblett's ferry, and in 1824 the ferry-
man, Noah Lutid, was drowned while crossing with a
small drove of cattle.
For a century and a half there had been only one
religious denomination in Dunstable, — the C'ongrega-
tionalists. There had been considerable disagreement
in the church for many years, the " Blanchard party "
adhering rigidly to the doctrines of Calvinism, and
the " LovewoU party "' adopting the views of White-
field, or Arininianism. JIuch of the time the town
had been without a settled minister. Meanwhile, the
people for the past fifty years had listened to the
preaching of the venerable Joseph Kidder. Soon
after his death, in 1822, the first Baptist Society was
organized. For ten years it was few in numbers and
without a church edifice.
In 1824 the Unitarian Society was formed and had
regular religious services. The church they now oc-
cupy was built in 1827, Rev. Nathaniel Gage being
ordained as the first pastor.
Introduction of Manufactures.— While they ex-
isted as colonies, the people of this country were not
permitted by the British government to introduce
manufactures. After independence was gained the
want of capital prevented their rapid introduction.
Machinery for spinning cotton was first used in Rhode
Island in 1700, but the state of the countrv was not
favorable to its growth. Yet, in 1803 a cotton-factory
was built at New Ijiswich, and a few years later at
Peterborough, Hillsborough, Pembroke and JattVey.
These investments were only moderately successful.
During the War of 1812, however, the need of home
manufacturing was practically realized, and more care-
ful and judicious eflbrts after its close led to the build-
ing of mills with improved machinery at Waltham and
Lowell.
The success of the investment at Lowell attracted
the attention of the more enterprising of the business
men of Nashua village, and led them to inquire if the
water-power of the Nashua River could not be utilized
to advantage. The fall of water at Mine Falls was so
great as to establish the certainty of a large manufac-
turing capacity. The idea at first suggested was to
build the mills at Mine Falls, three miles west of the
village. But that locality was removed from the line
of travel and business, and the adjacent grounds were
less favorable for the site of a village. This led to the
plan of bringing the water, by digging a canal from
the falls, directly to the village. A survey was made
and its practicability ascertained.
Meanwhile, the few individuals who had investi-
gated the plan formed an association, and in 1822 and
1823 purchased the greater portion of the lands lying
on the river above Main Street as far as the falls. In
June, 1823, a charter was granted to Daniel Abbott,
Joseph Greeley, Moses Tyler and others by the name
of the Nashua Manufacturing Company, with the
right to increase their capital to one million dollars.
The capital stock was at first fixed by them at three
hundred thousand dollars, and was divided into three
hundred shares of one thousand dollars each. Of
these, Daniel Abbott subscribed for thirty shares; B.
F. French, thirty shares ; J. E. and A. Greeley,
thirty shares ; Foster & Kendrick, thirty shares ;
Moses Tyler, thirty shares ; Augustus Peabody, of
Salem, .seventy-five shares ; John Kendrick, of Bos-
ton, fifteen shares; Daniel Webster, also of Bo.ston,
sixty shares.
The stock, however, was not all taken till the next
year, 1824, when capitalists in Boston and Salem took
the remainder. Mr. Webster visited Nashua village,
rode to Mine Falls, expressed great confidence in the
enterprise, but the sixty shares for which he sub-
scribed were taken by a wealthy citizen of Boston,
whose family still retains the stock. The dam at
Mine Falls was built, and the excavation of the canal
pushed forward to completion. It is about three miles
in length, forty feet wide and ten feet deep, and artbrds
a fall of thirty-six feet. In December, 1S24, the ma-
chine-shop was completed and went into operation.
Ira Gay, Esq., was appointed superintendent of the
machine-shoi), and Colonel William Boardman wheel-
wright and engineer. The first factory (Mill No. 1,)
of the Nashua corporation was built in 1825 and went
into partial operation in the spring of 1826.
In the mean time the trade from the up-country
NASHUA.
177
and from the adjatent towns began to centre in the
village ; in the fall of 1S24 and the spriug of 1825
fifty new dwelling-houses and tenements were erected.
A new bridge over the Nashua River, on Main Street,
was built on account of the raisingof the water by the
new dam. The canal, witli the ueeile<l dara and locks
of solid granite, twenty-four feet high, were built in
1825, 80 that freight could reach the village and the
mills by w^ater transportation.
In May, 1825, the lower water privilege, now occu-
pied by the .Fackson Cotton Manufacturing C'<inipany,
was bought by Charles C. Haven and others, under the
name of the Indian Head Comimny, for the pur-
pose of erecting woolen-factories. Mills were built in
1826 and were operated under the agency of Mr.
Haven. But the company became embarrassed and
the works stopjicd, and in 1828 the entire property
was s(dd to a new company, which was incorporated
under the name of the Jacksini Manufacturing Com-
pany. The establishment was converted into a cot-
ton manufactory, with four hundred and eighty thou-
sand dollars capital stock.
In 1827 the Nashua Comi.any built Mill No. 2, and
put it in full o|)eration in 1S28. Both of the mills of
this company were one hundred and fifty-five feet
long and forty-five feet wide — the first five, and the
second six stories high. They ran eighteen thousand
five hundred spindles and five hundred and forty
looms.
The first newspaper jirinted in this town was the
NaKliua Coi>itc/l(ilinii, which was issued by Andrew E.
Thayer in February, 1827. Mr. Thayer was a man
of liter: ry taste and disci|iline, and had previously
1 een a teacher and bookseller in the village. He soon
after sold the paper to Israel Hunt, Jr., who
(hanged its name to the iS'a^Awa Gazette. It was at
that lime the first and only Democratic paper in the
county.
Up to the year 1825 the business, as well as the
growth, of Nashua village had been entirely on the
north side of the river. But the building of the first
cotton-mill and the erection of boarding-houses on
the south side of the river had necessarily led to the
laying out and the occujiani y of several new streets
on the same side. Noticeably among them were Fac-
torj', Water, Walnut and Chestnut Streets. With
the exception of Factory, however, they were as yet
little else than open lanes. On Factorj' Street several
"ten-footers" were built in 1827, to catch the retail
trade of the mill operators. It soon l)ecame a street
of consiilerabli- importance.
In 1821) the Taylor's Falls bridge across the Mer-
rimack to Hudson was built and opened for travel.
Up to this time the people crossed by a ferry, there
being no bridge between Lowell and Amoskeag. It
was thirty-three rods inlenglli, and cost twelve thou-
8an(l dollars. It occupied the site of the present iron
bridge, and it ])roveil to be a great benefit to the pub-
lic. The post-oflice was this yeiir removed from the
Harbor to the village, and for some years was kept at
the corner of Main and Factory Streets. In 1830
the population of Dunstable bad increased from
eleven hundred and forty-two to two thousand
four hundred and seventeen, having more than
doubled its population during the decade. Nearly
two-thirds of the people resided in the village. Dun-
stable now took its position as the most populous
town in Hillsborough County.
We have given in brief an outline of the condition
of Dunstable from 1820 to 1830. Hitherto farming
h.id been the leading interest and almost sole occupa-
tion of the inbal)itants of the town. But this decade
witnessed the introduction of the manufacturing en-
terprises which have since made it a thrifty city of
fifteen thousand people.
Events from 1830 to 1840.-I!etween 1S30 and
1840 the growth of Nashua village was far more
rapid than at any previous ))eriod of her history. It
was a decade of marked progress in all the elements
of prosperity. The increase in population was an in-
dex of her growth in manufactures and trade. In
1830 her population was 2417. In 1836 it was 5065.
In 1838 it was 5691. By the United States census of
1840 it was 6054, — an increase of 150 per cent, in ten
years. Of those employed in the cotton-mills, only a
small per cent, were males, and the census divided
the sexes thus : Males, 2322 ; females, 3732.
The Nashua corporation, in 1836, built a third mill
of a size corresponding with the two already in oper-
ation. The company had now an aggregate of thirty-
two thousand spindles and seven bundled and ten
looms, and made nine million three hundred thousand
yards of cotton cloth annually. The number of
female operatives was seven hundred and eighty-four,
all of American birth, and one hundred and forty-
nine males, seven of whom were foreigners. The
first agent of the company was Asher Benjamin, who
was succeeded by Ira Gay. Mr. Gay resigned and
became superintendent of the machine and repair-
shop at the head of Water Street. In 1835, Thomas
W. Gillis became agent of the Na.shua Company, and
belli the jiosition for eighteen years. He had risen
from a picker-boy through the several grades of pro-
motion, and had the a<lvantage of a large practical
experience. A decided improvement in the pros-
perity of the company followed.
The Jackson Maiuifacturing Company had two cot-
ton-mills, each one humlred and fifty-five feet long,
forty-seven feel wide and four stories high. These
mills had eleven thousand five hundred spimlles,
three hundred and eighty-eight looms and made five
million six hundred thousand yards of cotton cloth
annually. The head anil fall of water was nineteen
feet. The number of females employed was four
hundred and seventeen, and of males, eigbly-thrce.
The first agent was Benjamin F. French. .Mr.
French was a lawyer by jirofcssion, having been in
practice in Nashua village ten years, and had reprc-
178
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
^
sented the town in the Legislature three years. Of
course, he was not a practical manufacturer, and the
success of his management was due to his general ex-
ecutive ability and his correct estimate of the ca-
pacity of other men. Under him the fabrics of the
Jackson Company gained a high reputation. The
practical manager under Mr. French, and who con-
tributed largely to the success of the company, was
David (Tillis, afterwards for many years agent of the
Amoskeag Mills, at Manchester. In 18.32, Mr. French
became agent of the Boott Mills, at Lowell, and was
succeeded by Edmund Parker, of Amherst. Judge
Parker was a sound lawyer and widely known as
Judge of Probate for this county. He was popular
in his general management, but had no special quali-
fications as a manufacturer.
The Niishua and Ijowell Railroad Company w.a.s
incorporated in 1836, and the work upon it com-
menced in 1837. It was opened for the use of pas-
sengers October 8, 1838. Its length is fourteen miles
and fourteen hundred and twenty-nine feet, of which
live and one-quarter miles are in this State. It was
the first railroad-track laid in New Hampshire, and
its comi)letion added largely to the business of Nashua.
There were three passenger-trains to Boston. For
some years it had a single track, and its original cost
was about four hundred thousand dollars. The original
board of directors were Daniel Abbott and Jesse Bow-
ers, Nashua; Charles H. Atherton, Amherst; Henry
Upton and Henry Simmins, Boston. Daniel Abbott
was president; Charles J. Fo.x, treasurer; and Onsh)w
Stearns, superintendent.
The Concord Railroad was completed four years
later (September 1, 1842), having a length of thirty-
four miles and throe thousand and forty-eight feet.
Its capital stock was originally eight hundred thousand
dollai-8, but has been increased to one million five
hundred thousand dollars. It has always paid ten
per cent, per annum. Its first officers were Addison
Gilmore, president; Isaac Spalding, treasurer; and
K. G. Upham, superintendent.
The Nashua Bank (the first banking institution
organized in the town) went into operation in 1835,
with Daniel Abbott president and John M. Hunt
cashier. Its directors were Je.sse Bowers, Jesse Estey,
Zebadiah Shattuck, James Pierce and Isaac t^palding.
Its capital was one hundred thousand dollars. John
M. Hunt was cashier during its entire existence of
about thirty years. It was a profitable institution,
and closed its business on the introduction of the
present national banking system.
The second newspaper in Nashua, the Nnshiia
Tfkgraph, w:is established in 1832 by Alfred Beanl.
After his death, which soon occurred, it was owned
and edited by his twin brother, Albin Beard, till his
death, in 1802. It advocated the views of the Whig
party, and was, politically, the opponent of the Naghna
Oazelte, then owned and edited by Charles P. Danforth.
In the summer of 1833, General Jackson, having
been re-elected to the Presidency, visited New Eng-
land for the first time. Reaching Boston the middle
of June, he accepted the invitation to visit the capital
of New Hampshire, the Legislature being at that time
in session. He was met by Governor Dinsmoor's staff
at the State line, four miles below this village. Having
left Lowell at an early hour, he reached Nashua at
eight, and breakfasted at the Washington House, then
kept by Thomas Chase. He was the first President
who visited Nashua.
The rapid growth of the manufacturing industries
of the village, the facilities for obtaining goods from
Boston by water transportation and the prospective
completion of a railway from that city began to attract
the attention of enterprising business men in the ad-
jacent towns. Isaac Spalding, who had been a suc-
cessful trader at Amherst, had already removed here
and engaged in general merchandise till he went into
the wider field of railroad enterprise, in 1838. In
1833, J. C. Dodge, of the well-known firm of Clark &
Dodge, Francestown, removed here, and, forming a
partnership with Albert McKean, then a young man
of twenty-three years, commenced a wholesale and
retail trade in the large wooden building then occu-
pying the site south of the present Lowell depot. W.
D. Beasom and Elbridge G. Reed opened a dry-goods
store on Factory Street in 1836. Several men of note
in mechanism and in the professions also came here
at this time.
The amount of trade had increased so largely that
in 1840 there w'ere fifty stores and shops for trading
purposes in the village. From the " Directory," ])ub-
lished at that time, we collect the names of a majority
of the merchants who were then in active business,
some of whom are still residents of the city.
" West India GooiU ami Grocerie*, W. A. & N. McKean, Reed A Spald-
ing, Kendrick A Tuttle, Iliigh Jaiiictfon, Flagg A .\tjbott, Kinibiill A
WeBlon, Tcnney A Hubbard, X. Kendall A Co., G. W. Pcihain, Welton A
Phillips, Robinson A Patch, E. G. Gage. i)rf/-(7of)rf«, Beasom A Reed,
Merrill A Kimball, E. P. Hosmer, W. E. Graves. H. F. Courser, Phil-
brick A Martjhatl, Gage A Cliajie, Root A Conant, Dnigs and Mi'dkinef,
E. II. Lerned, .\lbert Gilchrist. W'titchet^ Clocks a»d Jeicelri/^ X. \V.
Goddani, C. T. Ridgway, B. D. Dingham. Stnrts and Tinware, Rcubeu
Goodrich, James Hartshorn. Tailoring and 3feu> Clothing, J. B. A H.
J. Chapman, C. II. NutI, J. W. Windus. Book-Slore>, C. T. Gill, A. E.
Thayer, Jonathan Hosmer. Ii»ol» and Sttoe», Sintund^ A Goidwin, W
Russell. Hatit and Caps, John Taylor, E. B. Hinos. Hard and Glauwarca,
F. A C. Winch." Fnrnitnre, John Coggin.
After the lapse of forty-five yl^^rs it is not surpris-
ing that only three of the above business men are still
engaged in the same occupation, namely, Henry .1.
Chapman, Charles T. Ridgway and John Coggin.
Mr. C. H. \utt is still in active business, but of a
diflerent kind.
In 1840 there had also been a large increase in the
number of professional men in the village. There
were recorded the names of eight i>hysicians, — Eben-
ezer Dearborn, Elijah Colburn, Micah Eldridge, Josiah
G. Graves, Edwanl Spalding, Josiah Kittredge, Evan
B. Hammond, Stephen Spear.
NASHUA.
179
There were also eight lawyers, — Diiniel Abbott,
Charles F. Gove, Aaron F. Sawyer, Charles G. Ather-
ton, George Y. Sawyer, Peter Clark, Jr., Charles J.
Fox, Benjamin F. Emerson.
There wereseven clergymen at thattime, — Jonathan
McGee, Austin IJichards, Congregationalists; Dura
D.Pratt, Baptist; Samuel Osgood, Unitarian ; Samuel
Kelly, Methodist ; Lewis C. Browne, Universalist ;
Thoma.-: M. Preble, Free-Will Baptist.
All of the lawyers and clergymen in the above list,
except Rev. L. C. Browne are dead; but of the doctors,
three are still active citizens an<l residents of thecity,
through retired from practice, namely, Edward
Spakling, Evan B. Hammond and Josiah G. Graves.
Several of the attorneys in the above list were men
of note and ability. Charles F. Gove was a native of
Gotfstown. In 1840 he was Attorney-General of the
State, and soon after became a judge of the Superior
Court. The last position he resigned to become
superintendent of the Nashua and Lowell Railroad,
which he held till near his death, in 18.5(5. He was a
man of marked traits, stern, resolute, exacting, yet
discriminating, impartial and honorable. As a judi-
cial officer he rendered the State excellent service by
his firm execution of the law.s.
Charles G. Atherton belonged to a wealthy and ar-
istocratic family, and had the advantage of an early
and thorough training. He began practice here, and
soon after represented the town in the Legislature.
He entered Congress in his thirty-fourth year, was
six years a member of the House, and died during his
second term in the United States Senate, in No-
vember, 1853, and in the forty-ninth year of his
age. His political reputation is clouded by his sub-
serviency to the slave power.
Charles James Fox w.-i-s born in .Vntrim in 1811,
graduated in 1881, commenced practice in Nashua
in l.s;t4, entered the Legislature in 1837, and was
associated with Judges Joel Parker and S. D.
Bell in revising the laws of this State. He had
great industry and had prepared notes for the " His-
tory of the Old Township of Dunstable," but his
failing health and death, in February, 18H), prevented
the completion of the work, as he intended. It was
published after his decease, but failed to do justice to
his ability.
(teorge Y. Sawyer was born in Wakefield in 180-5,
commenced the practice of law at Laconia, and re-
moved to Nashua in l.H;{4. He soon att.ained a high
professional standing and extensive practice, and as
a member of the Legislature had great influence in
giving direction to its action. In 1855 he was ap-
pointed a judge of the Court of Common Pleas and
afterwards of the Sujireme .Tu<licial Court. He died
in 1882.
In closing this review of Nashua in 1840. we must
not omit to call attention to what half of the people
now resident here arc not aware of, — that fifty years
ago the present name of our city had no legal exist-
ence whatever. More than two centuries ago. when
that "merry King of England," Charles the Second,
ruled over our forefathers, emigrants from Massachu-
setts settled on the intervales above and below the
mouth of Salmon Brook. A town charter with the
name Dunstable was given to these lands. After-
wards, in 1746, the colonial government of New
Hampshire renewed the charter and indorsed the
name Dunstable. When New Hampshire became an
independent State the town of Dunstable chose a
delegate to the convention to frame the constitution
under which we live. But in 18.36 this same town,
through her representatives in the Legislature, peti-
tioned for a change of name. The petition was
certainly reasonable, for the village on the Nashua
River, which had grown up within a generation, now
included five-sixths of the population, and was uni-
versally known and recognized as the village of
" Nashua," while practically the name of Dunstable
wiis becoming unused and unknown. The petition,
therefore, was granted by the passage of the following
act :
"State of Xkw IIasipsiiire.
" In the year of our Lord, one thuutMtnd eight hundred and thirty-Bi.x.
" An Act to clmu/je the nnme of the town of IhtnKtuhlc.
"Section 1. Be it enacted hy the Semite and IIouso of Reprcscntativea
in GenemI Court convened : Tliat the town of Punstable, in tlie County
of llille^burough, sliati from and after the In«t day of December, in the
year of our Lord, one thousand eight Itundred and thirty-six, be called
and knowu in law by the name of Nftfihua,
" Approved Dec. S, 1830.
" Isaac IIill, G'oreriior."
Thus on New Year's Day, 1837, this city, then a
town, legally received, and for many a century, we
trust, will retain its present name, — Nashua.
CHAPTER XII.
NASHUA— (CoH'i/ii/f./).
NA.SnCA FltOSt 1*10 TO 1SI»).
The Public Schools— A Sharp Disagreement — Tlie New Town of Nash-
ville — Nashua Town Hall — New Uailro:uIs— fncrciBO of BuiiiueiH —
Naalina and NuMhville Become a City — New Knterpriwi*— Bobbin and
81iultle-WorIt8— Iror.-WorkH— Irish Kniiyratiou— AthoUHMiin.
The growth of Nashua village between 1840 and
1850, though less rapid than for the ten yeai-s previous,
was very satisfactory. The educational interests of the
town received more attention, better .school buildings
were i)rovided and the selection of teachers made with
more care. In 1840 the superintending school com-
mittee were Rev. Samuel Osgood, Dr. Edward Spal-
ding and Rev. L. C. Browne. For several years
previous and afterwards the two first-named members
continued their supervision, and aided largely in
establishing a systematic method of school manage-
ment. In 1840 the amount expended in the public
schools was three thousand fotir hiitulred and eleven
dollars. There were seventeen schools and Iwenty-six
teachers. The number of children of school age was
180
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
fourteen hundred and fifty-two, but the average at-
tendance was only seven hundred and eighty-eight.
The greater per cent, of negligence was among the
families who had recently become residents.
In the spring of 1840, David Crosby established a
private school under the title of the Nashua Literary
Institution. lu any other occupation Mr. Crosby
would have been moderately successful, but he had
rare qualities as an instructor. He loved the duties
of the school-room, and for more than forty years
devoted himself exclusively to the instruction of the
young, and with a fidelity and success rarely etiualed.
At the annual town-meeting in March, 1842, held,
as heretofore, at the Old South meeting-house, it was
the popular expression that a growing village having
already more than six thousand inhabitants ought to
have within its limits a pulilic building, suitable for
holding its annual and other meetings, and avoiding
the inconvenience of a mile's travel outside the vil-
lage. It was therefore unanimously voted to build a
town-house. A building committee was elected, con-
sisting of Leonard W. Noycs, Thomas Chase, Israel
Hunt, Jr., Franklin Fletcher and Samuel Shepherd.
It was soon evident that the location of the build-
ing would be a source of contention,— the voters on
both sides of the Nashua River claiming it without
reservation. An adjourned meeting was, therefore,
held, at which ever)- voter expressed his preference
by a monosyllabic ballot. Those in favor of locating
the hall on the north side of the river voted " North,"'
and those in favor of a location on the south side
voted "South." The result was: Ballots for the north
side, three hundred and ninety-six; ballots for the
south side, five hundred and eighty-two. So the
popular vote showed a majority of one hundred
and eighty-six for locating the town hall on the
south side of the river. This settled the location of
the Nashua town hall ; but it did not settle the
dissension it had called forth. The patricians on the
north side of the river, in truth everybody on that
side of the Nashua, was thoroughly indignant. It
was not enough that they had .secured the railroad
station, they must have the town hall or the}' would
not consent to remain as fellow-townsmen with the
victorious and probably rather boastful majority. So
they at once announced that at the coming session of
the Legislature they should petition to be set apart
as a distinct and sejiarate town, under the name of
Nashville. As no f)pposition was made, the Legisla-
ture granted the petition by the passage of an act on
the 23d of June, 1842, making that part of Nashua
north of Nashua River " a separate and corporate
town to be known by the name of Nashville."
The two towns now went (piietly forward with their
distinct organizations. No disturbance ever after
occurred between them during the eleven years of
separation which followed. When the temporary
excitement had passed, doubtless a majority of the
intelligent cilizens realized that the two towns, so
closely identified in all their interests, should never
have been separated.
The building committee of Nashua completed the
town-house, the location of which had been the cause
of so much contention, in the spring of 1843, at a cost
of twenty-two thousand six hundred dollars. It is
the edifice now so well known as the city hall. It
stands to-day just as it was finished forty-two years ago.
That it has stood the test of constant use for so long
a time without the reconstruction of a single partition
or staircase is a compliment to the committee. The
building is sixty-six by ninety feet. The basement is
for the use of the police department. The first-story
contains, in front, the offices of the city clerk and city
marshal. Next are the rooms of the mayor and alder-
men and the common council. In the rear is the
County Court-room. The second story is the public ha 11,
seventy feet long, sixty-three feet wide and twenty-
four feet high. It will seat twelve hundred peoi)le.
The attic is used by the assessors and for storage.
The height of the building to the top of the cupola is
one hundred feet.
The A^ashiia Oaf^iii. a weekly literary and miscel-
laneous newspaper, was issued by Murray & Sawtelle
in January, 184.3, by Murray & Kimball to 1849, l)y
Dodge & Noyes till 1855, and by S. H. Noyes till
1858. It was conducted with considerable ability
and literary taste, and during its eighteen years' pub-
lication secured a fair circulation.
In 1844 the Nashua Manufacturing Company built
Mill No. 4. It was one hundred and ninety-eight
feet long, fifty feet wide and five stories high. Alter
the completion of this mill this corporation em-
ployed one thousand hands- — eight hundred and fifty
females and one hundred and fifty nudes. It used
ten thousand bales of cotton and manufactured thir-
teen million yards of cloth annually. The comi)any
had built forty tenements for the overseers and board-
ing-houses.
The Worcester and Nashua Railroad Company was
incorporated in 1845. The road was opened December
8, 1848, having a length of forty-five miles, and a cap-
ital of one million five hundred thousand dollars.
The Wilton Railroad was commenced in 1847 and
completed to Wilton in 1851, having a length of
sixteen miles.
Between 1840 and 1850 a large number of dwelling-
houses and stores were built in the village, but very
few of them were of an expensive class. The school
buildings and the railroad stations were mostly
wooden, and none of the large brick blocks now
erected on Main Street had been built. In 1850, of
the nine churches, all of them Protestant, only two
were built of brick — the First Baptist and the Pearl
Street Congregational Churches. At that time the
Catholics, now the most numerous religious sect in
the city, were practically unknown. In 1840 there
were not a dozen in Nashua. In 1850 there were lesa
than one hundred.
NASHUA.
181
Iq 1845 the jioimlalion of the town of Nashua was
4429; the poi)uhition of Nashville was H.ii, — total,
6861. By the census of 1850 their united population
was 8042.— a jrain of L'«KS since 1840.
Nashua in 1850 to I860.— The growth of Nasliua
between 1850 and 1800 was not so great as during the
previous decade. In cnninion with the other man-
ufacturing towns of New England, the revulsion in
business in 1857 and the two succeeding years par-
alyzed to some extent all the manufacturing interests
of the country during that period.
During these ten years, however, some progressive
steps were taken by the Nashua people, and which have
had a permanent ellect upon its welfare. One of the j
most important of these was the reunion of the two
towns of Nashua and Nashville, which had been
separated by a legislative act in 1842. Though not
realized at the time, it soon became evident that the
separation would result disadvantageously. The ed-
ucational system could not be as comprehensive and
efficient. The Fire Department was weakened; the
Police Department was more expensive and less ser-
viceable, and the minor details of town allkirs were
less satisfactory to the public. The proposed sup-
plying of the village with water and gas would also be
more dillicult under a twofold management.
AdiK-d t'l this, Manchester, in 184(i, and Concord,
in 184'.i, had adopted city charters, and with manifest
advantage to their local interests. Nashua and Niush-
▼ille had now an aggregate population equal to that
of either of these cities at the time of their incor-
poration. In view of these circumstances, the more
enterprising citizens of both towns ai)plied to the
Legislature of 1853 for a city charter. This was
granted on the 27th of June, with the proviso that
it must first be accepted by a majority of the legal
voters of cadi town at a meeting called for that
purpose. In September the acceptance of the char-
ter was submitted to the jiopular vote, and with the
following results:
Yen, Xo. MiJ.
Muhim 408 334 134
XwhTlllo 249 116 134
Tuliil T17 •14'.l WX
So the city charter, having been sanctioned by both
towns, Nashua and Nashville were again united, and
will, it is fervently hoped, be known for many a cen-
tury in the fnlure as the
City of Nashua. — The election of city officers took
place immediately after the acceptance of the charter
by the two towns. liy the original charter, a majority
was re(|uired to elect the mayor. The first trial re-
sulted in no choice, there being three candidates, —
Joseplius lialdwin (Whig), Bernard B. Whittemore
(Democrat) ami Wiiislow .\mes (Free-Soil). On the
second trial .Mr. Baldwin was elected.
Joseplius Baldwin, the first mayor of the city, was
born in the south part of Nashua in 1803. His fatlur
lived on the Highland Farm, and possessed unusual
mechanical and inventive ability. The son gave his
attention to the improvement of cotton machinery.
His first experiment was at New Ipswich in making
shuttles and spools to supply the few cotton-mills
then running in New Hampshire. After the Imilding
of the mills at Nashua he returned and began the
making of bobbins and shuttles at the Highland
Farm. In 1830 his works, including a large stock
just finished for the market, were burned. Without
means, he began work in a room of the machine-shop
of the Nashua Manufacturing Company. Here his
works were burned out a second time. But in l'*43
the demand for that kind of furnishings which Mr.
Baldwin, of all others, was best able to su|)ply, became
so great that, starting his business on Water Street,
he soon built up an extensive manufactory, employing
one hundred and ninety hands. For fifteen years Mr.
Baldwin was the largest manufacturer of bobbins and
shuttles in this country. Like many enterprising and
ingenious men, he gave no attention to financial
details, and allowed the free use of his name to
friends, so that he became embarrassed in 1858, and
the business, built up by him, passed into the hands
of Dr. F. B. Aver and Isaac Eaton, by whom it has
been continued until recently. Mr. Baldwin died
in 1872.
In 1851 the Harbor Cotton Manufacturing Com-
pany (Vale Mills) was organized with a capital of one
hundred thousand dollars, employing seventy hands
and producing one million yards of sheetings and
drillings annually.
The Nashua Edge-Tool Company was organized in
1852, locating their works at the mouth of Salmon
Brook, on the Nashua and Lowell Railroad, one mile
from the city. John H. Gage was president, G. W.
Underbill superintendent, and C. B. Hill treasurer.
They made axes of every pattern, hatchets, chisels,
adzes and most kinds of edge-tools. The company
employed fifty men and had a capital of sixty tliim-
sand dollars.
The Nashua Lock Company went into operation
the same year. It was chiefly owned by L. \V. Noyes
and J. D. Otterson, and made locks, door-knobs and
door-bells of every |)attern, and employed sixty men.
At fii-st it was located on Water Street, but was soon
removed to its present location, on the corner of
Spring and East Hollis Streets.
The Nashua card and glazed paper business origin-
ated with C. T. Gill and O. D. Murray, in 184i), who
put up a small building on Water Street. J. li. and
C. P. Gage became partners. Mr. Gill died soon
after. The business grew and was removed to East
Hollis Street. The original firm was Gage, Mnrray &
Co., who, with a dozen hands and limited capital, began
an enterprise which has since grown to be a large and
successful business.
The Nashua I'Viundry Company, one of the earliest
(if our industries, was at this time doing a good busi-
]82
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
ness ou Temple Street, with Seth Williams as leading
proprietor, at the same location now occupied by
Cliarles Williams & Son. At a later date J. D. Otter-
son establislu'd a foundry on Foundry Street, which
he operated till his death, in 1880. It is now the
]iroperty of the Co-operative Company.
The Nashua Gas- Light Company was incorporated
in 1853, with a cajjital of seventy-five thousand dol-
lars. Its works were located in the northeastern part
of the city, near the Junction depot. Its first presi-
dent was T. W. Gillis.
The Pennichuck Water- Works were also incorpo-
rated in 1853, with L. W. Js'oyes president, and E. P.
Emerson treasurer. The water supply was obtained
from the Pennichuck Brook, three miles north of the
city, by forcing the water into a large reservoir on
winter Hill.
The increased number of manufactories in the city
required increased banking facilities, and in 1851 the
Indian Head Bank was incorporated, with Joseph
Greeley president, and Albert McKean cashier, with
a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
In 18.55 the Pennichuck Bank was incorporated with
one hundred thousand dollars ca]iital, and A. W.
Sawyer president, and Harrison Hobson cashier.
The Irish immigration was hardly noticeable in
this city till 1860. They increased rapidly for the
ensuing ten years, and were largely employed in the
mills and iron-works. With rare exceptions, they
w^ere Roman Catholics. In October, 1855, the Catho-
lic Church was first organized in this city under the
care of Rev. John O'Donnell, who held services every
other Sunday in Franklin Hall. The Catholic popu-
lation at that time numbered about six hundred.
The church on Temple Street was built in 1857.
Father O'Donnell continued in charge of this church
and people for twenty-four years. He died on the
22(1 day of January 1882, at the age of sixty-one.
Aside from his own people. Father O'Donnell had the
confidence and res|)ect of all classes. Decided in his
opinions and devoted to the welfare of his paris^h, he
did not forget that he was an American citizen. He
was a believer in our free institutions and a firm
friend of our public schools.
St. Luke's Episcopal Church was organized in 1857.
Its Sunday services were held in Odd-Fellows' Hall.
Its first rector was Eev. E. P. Wright. Its numbers
for some years were small, and its services at times
suspended.
The .\then»um, a voluntary library association,
was instituted in 1851. Though a private organiza-
tion, its purpose was to supi>ly a iniblic want. There
was a large class of young [jcojile of both sexes,
largely employes in the mills, who needed, and would
be benefited, by suitable books for reading, and for
whom there was no existing provision. This associa-
tion had corporate powers, and by sale of shares at five
dollars each, by subscriptions and assessments,
secured a library of thirteen hundred volumes, which
I
were loaned to individuals for a small fee per week.
The Athenaeum kept its library at Gill's and after-
wards at Greene's book-store, was useful in its time,
and prepared the way for its successor, — the Nashua
Public Library.
CHAPTER XIII.
N.4SHUA— ( Contimied).
NASHUA DURING THE REBELLION.
.\ction of the Citizens — Record of the Several Regiments — List of Nashoft
Soldiers— G. A. E. Post.
DuElxo the decade beginning with the close of
1860 and ending with the clo.se of 1870 the War of
the Rebellion was the great overshadowing event.
Our purpose is to confine this sketch to the part taken
by Nashua and its people in maintaining the Union
and in the overthrow of the pro-slavery rebellion.
The firing upon Fort Sumter was the first overt
act of the secessionists. It began on Friday, April
12, 1861, at four o'clock in the morning. Had it oc-
curred twenty years earlier (1841) four days would
have elapsed before the news would have reached this
city. But the announcement of the startling event
reached Nashua before noon and spread rapidly.
Many could hardly credit the report, but the succes-
sion of dispatches left no room for doubt. The as-
sault was continued till late in the afternoon of Sat-
urday, when the fort was compelled to surrender, and .
the telegram announcing the fact was received here
at a late hour of the night. But on the clear, bright
Sunday morn which followed — how many can vividly
recall the day I — men gathered in groups on the side-
walks with inijuiring and anxious countenances, and
few pulpits there were which did not respond to the
almost unanimous cry, — "The Rebellion must be
crushed I"
Two days later came President Lincoln's call for
seventy-five thousand men for ninety days. On the
Monday night following, the city hall was densely
crowded in answer to a call for a citizens' meeting.
The mayor, George Bowers, presided, and the people
were addressed by leading citizens of both political
parties. There was manifestly no lack of enthusiasm
and determination on the part of the Nashua people
to sustain the government and maintain the L^nion.
Captain R. 0. Greenleaf was appointed by the Gov-
ernor recruiting officer at Nashua. The number re-
quired was speedily raised, although no bounty or
special inducement was offered. Many of our young
men and some of the older citizens, untrained except
for peace, took their places in the ranks for the de-
fense of the luttional capital. The prevailing feeling
■was that the three months' men would see the end of
the war. Before their return it was evident that the
free States had a long struggle before them. The
darkest hours had not vet come.
I
I
i
NASHUA.
183
The regiment of three months' men from this State
went into camp at ConconI, were e<iui|)ped and left
for the seat of war on the 25th of May. The field
officers were M. W. Tappan, colonel; T. J. Whipjile,
lieutenant-colonel; and Aaron F.Stevens, major. The
Nashua men belonged to Companies E and F. Of
Company E, Richard O. Grecnleaf was captain and
William F. Greeley and John W. Thompson lieuten-
ants; of Company F, Augustus S. Edgerly was cap-
tain and G. W. Handley and G. W. Whipple were
lieutenants, — all of them hailing from this city. The
regiment proceeded to Washington, and went up the
Potomac Valley t<> Harper's Ferry. It was not the
fault of the men, but in reality they were not under
fire during the three months' service. They were
mustered out and returned home the last of August.
A large per cent, of the Nashua men enlisted later
in the regiments and did honor to themselves and the
State by their bravery.
The signal defeat of the L'nion forces at Bull Eun,
on Sunday, the 21st of July, caused more surprise and
alarm in this city than any event during the four
years' struggle. The Boston dailies of Monday morn-
ing, basing their reports upon the first skirmishes be-
tween the two armies, announced a glorious victory
for the Union forces. On the arrival of the afternoon
train, at four o'clock, they announced the crushing
defeat, hurried flight and utter disorganization of our
army. Such a result was entirely unexpected. There
were many wakeful eyes that night in Nashua. Look-
ing at the event after the lapse of nearly a fourth of
a century, it is a question whether that early and signal
defeat of the Union cause was not a blessing in dis-
guise. It put an end to all compromise, and made,
what until that time was in doubt, the emancipation
of the slaves as certain as the triumph of the Union
armies.
When the regiment of three months' men ba<l lell
for Washington in May, enough volunteers were found
to speedily form a second regiment, which, under
Colonel Marston, left on June 20th for active service.
Other regiments rapidly followed until, on the 23d of
December, IKrtl, the Eighth Regiment of New Ham[>-
shire had Icit for the seat of war. In May, 1802, the
Ninth Regiment entered the service, and others fol-
lowed until the Si.xteenth, organized in November,
completed the number required by the national gov-
ernment. In all these regiments Na.shua was repre-
sented, but far more largely in the Third, Fourth,
Seventh, Eighth, Tenth anil Thirteenth.
The Second Regiment was in both of the battles at
Bull Run. In the second battle Lieutenant Sylvester
Rogers, of this city, was fatally wounded, and died
while being carried from the field.
The Third Regiment had a long and severe service
in South Carolina and Virginia, in which quite a
numbtr of Nashua soldiers shared. The first battle
was at Secessionville, where, of five hundred and
ninetv-scven men, one hundred and four were
killed and wounded. Only one from this city, Lieu-
tenant Marsh, was slightly wounded. In the battle
of Drury's Bluff, May 13, 1864, while making an ad-
vance on Richmond, this regiment bore the "brunt"
of the contest. Major James F. Randlett, now cap-
tain of a cavalry company in the regular army, was
wounded. Adjutant Elbridge J. Copp, who, entering
the service as a private at seventeen, had won promo-
tion, w^as also wounded. Three days later Lieutenant
Eugene J. Button was killed at the head of his com-
pany. On the 16th of August a fierce engagement
took ])lace at Deep Bottom, at which Adjutant E. J.
Copp was severely wounded, which comiielled him, in
the October following, to return to Nashtia. Among
other Nashua men in the Third Regiment were Cap-
tains David Wadsworth, Joseph Ackerman, Charles
S. Burnham, Adjutant S. N. Jackson, Quartermaster
G. B. Bingham, Quartermaster Sergeant W. A.
Swallow, Lieutenants D. J. Flanders, H. A. Marsh,
George Stearns and J. C. Pu-shee.
The Fourth Regiment had Chaplain M. W. Willis,
Surgeon George P. Greeley, Captains R. O. Greenleaf,
E. L. Sarsons, and Lieutenants L. A. Gay, C. H.
Moore and J. F. Gilpatrick in its service. Although
in several severe battle-s, the men from this city
appear to have been fortunate.
The Sixth Regiment had very few soldiers from
Nashua. Dr. William A. Tracy and James H.
Noyes were surgeons ; the former returning home in
feeble health, died soon after.
The Seventh Regiment was with the Third in the
attack on Fort Wagner, in .luly, 1863, where Lieu-
tenants Alfred N. Bennett and Ezra Davis, of this city,
lost their lives. Captain Charles A. Lawrence and
Lieutenant James A. Cobb were in this regiment.
The Eighth regiment was mustered into service
December 23, 1861. Probably no other regiment con-
tained so large a number of Nashua men. It was
ordered to the mouth of the Mississippi and landed
west of that locality in March, where it rcnniincd
during the summer. In October it was ordered in-
land, on the 8th of that month, and Captain J. Q. .\.
Warren, of Nashua, was the first man to fall in action
at Georgia Landing. In the spring following, it was
ordered to join General Banks to capture Port Hud-
son. The march of two hundred and thirty miles in
the heat was tedious. On the 27th of May the Eighth
Regiment took the lead in the assault on the enemy's
fortifications. Early in the fight Lieutenant-Colonel
Lull, who was in command, fell fatally wounded.
Quartermaster Shattuck, of this city, carried him
upon his shoulders away from the works. He lived
until midnight. John H. Towlo, W. H. Tucker and
several other Nashua soldiers fell on the same day.
Two days later Lieutenant George W. Thompson, of
this city, while near the rifie-pits of the rebels, was
instantly killed. On the 14th of .lune another unsuc-
cessful assault was made on the rebel fort. Tho
Eighth suffered most severely. Lieutenant Luther P.
181
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH
COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Hosley, Sergeant Elisha Nottage, Jesse C. Danforth,
Frank F. Andrews, and Michael T. Sullivan were
left dead in a trench under the enemy's works. No
flag of truce was allowed by the rebels for three days,
and the wounded perished from thirst and exposure.
The bodies, when recovered, could hardly be recog-
nized.
After the surrender of Port Hudson, General Banks
ordered an expedition to Sabine Pass, which was un-
successful. Early in the spring of 1SG4 the Red
River campaign was undertaken. During the previous
winter the regiment, now lessened in numbers, were
provided with horses and became cavalry. On the
8th of April they came unexpectedly upon the rebel
forces at the Sabine Cross-Roads. In this engagement
the rebels had the advantage of knowing the sur-
roundings. The cavalry fared badly. Forty-seven
men, including Captain Dana W. King, whose horse
was killed and he wounded, were taken prisoners and
carried to the prison at Tyler, Texas, where they
suffered the usual lot of Union prisoners for over six
months. The regiment was mustered out the 29th of
October, and on the 6th of November reached Concord
under the command of C'a])tain Dana W. King. Only
one hundred and .seventy-seven enlisted men returned,
and Captain King was the only original officer of
staff or line w^ho remained. The Governor gave to
Captain King the brevet commission of lieutenant-
colonel, of captain to James H. Marshall, and of first
lieutenant to Nelson H. Peterson, all of this city.
Among the men from Nashua whose names have not
been mentioned were Commissary Tyler JI. Shattuck,
Captains George S. Eayrs, Irving G. Wilkins, Daniel
M. Fisk, Lieutenants Nestor Haines and William
H. Barnes.
The Ninth Regiment left Concord in August and
went into immediate service. Comjiany C was com-
manded by Captain Augustus S. Edgerly, of Nashua.
He was wounded at Fredericksburg, and killed at the
battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1804. Lieutenant
Charles D. Copp, of this city, was appointed captain
after his death. At Fredericksburg, when the colors
of the regiment had fallen. Lieutenant Copp seized
and raised the flag amid a shower of bullets, and
shouting to the men, enabled them to form in line.
The Tenth Regiment was commanded by Colonel
Donohue. Company B was raised by Captain Timo-
thy B. Crowley, and nearly all its members were resi-
dents of this city. The regiment was in the sangui-
nary battle at Cold Harbor on June 3, 1864. Lieuten-
ant Daniel W. Russell, of Nashua, a brave man and
good officer, was instantly killed by a shot through the
bead. On October 27, 1864, this regiment at Fair
Oaks was ordered to charge the enemy's works. It
reached a position where to advance or retreat were
alike impossible. No aid arriving, the men were com-
pelled to lie down under the rebel batteries and wait
for night to cover their escape. Among the severely
wounded was Captain Crowley, who was struck by a
ball in the thigh. Knowing that capture in his con-
dition was death, he crej)t in the darkness away from
the rebels toward the Union lines until he fainted.
Becoming conscious, he called for help and wiis rescued
by two of our soldiers. He was soon after commis-
sioned as nuijor of the regiment. The regiment en-
countered nuich hard service.
The Thirteenth Regiment was commanded by Col-
onel Aaron F. Stevens, with George Bowers lieuten-
ant-colonel, and George H. Taggard adjutant. Its
heavy work was during 1864. It was at Drury's
Bluft' in May. and at Cold Harbor, in June, fought
bravely and lost heavily. Lieutenant Taggard being
among the wounded. It was on duty in front of
Petersburg during the summer, and was prominent at
the capture of Fort Harrison, on the 29th of Septem-
ber, lu the assault Colonel Steveus fell severely
wounded within a few yartis of the fort, and did not
resume command of the regiment afterwards. The
Thirteenth was garrisoned at Fort Harrison during
the winter and joined in the final movement oa
Richmond, April 3, 1805. Dr. R. B. Prescott, of this
city, then in command of Company C, according to
the Richmond papers, led the first squad of men of
the L^^nion army which entered the city. They did
a good work in suppressing pillaging and subduing
the flames.
The New Hampshire Battalion of Cavalry, which
went into service early in 1862, consisted of four com-
panies, one of which had William P. Ainsworth for
captain and Joseph F. Andrews fir.<t lieutenant, with
a number of others from this city. On May 30th a
charge was made upon a rebel force near Front Royal,
Va. The enemy retreated, but soon made a stand at
a pass ne;ir a bridge. Captain Ainsworth crossed the
bridge, and falling in range of the rebel rifles, fell
with seven others of the com|iany. His death was
sincerely lamented by our citizens.
The city government of Nashua during the four
years' war made prompt and liberal provisions for the
families of the soldiers, and paid large sums for
bounties. The women of this city also did a noble
work in supplying the wants of the sick and furnish-
ing necessary comforts to the soldiers on duty. There
was not a neighborhood in the city which had not its
representative in the army, and not only mothers and
wives, but kind friends generally, did all in their
power to strengthen the arm of the soldier. One or-
ganization of fifty young ladies made a systematic
work of sending clothing to the ranks and dainties
and cordials to the hospitals. Many a Union sentinel
upon his lonely post in the chill winter's wind was
made comfortable by these warm flannels from liome;
many a look of gratitude came over the face of the
Northern boy as, fever-stricken in the hospital, he
rested his aching head upon the pilhjw made by lov-
ing hands at home.
List of Union Soldiers from Nashua, — The fol-
lowing list of soldiers from Nashua who served in
I
NASHUA.
185
the War of the Rebellion was prepared and published
by L)r. L. F. Locke before the close of the war.
Possibly there are a few omissions, and there may
be a very few names of men who enlisted here,
but whose home was elsewhere. The list is the most
accurate t*) be obtained at this time, and must be very
nearly correct:
Adams, Tlieujitiilus,
Atlanui, Williuiii F .
AndreWH, Ceorgo H .
Adams JKine* I'. .
Andrews, Kmiik F
Andrew, Jubii . . .
Alnsworlh, Caiil. W.
Adams, JunaH . . .
Andrews, J. K . . .
Adaiiis, llorucu I) .
Alleu, Gyurg.' K . .
ADdrcws, J. K . . .
AlluD, Kraiik . . . .
Abbutt, Cburlos H .
AnnU, Jaiues .
Austin, Allwrt .1 . .
Atwood, I>KiiiL-l W .
Adams, Charles 1) .
Austin, .loliii W . .
Afkei), Juiiies . . .
Ackenimu, Joseph,
Auderaoii, Julin . .
Jr ... 3d
. . iHt A 8lh
. iith Bund
Tih
8th
0th
P . . . Oiv.
8th
Ist, 3d & 4th
8th
3d
. Irt U. Cav.
. Capt. Cav.
. . inh
. . 7thor8tb
3a
3d
Tlh
7th
7th
( 'apt ... 3d
9th
BaMwin. Geori;o II Cav.
Burrott, Tuwtm 3d
Barnes, Kldnm H 8th
Button, Ktigyrio J 3d
Bum.ll, Fridi-rick G 3d
BaiK'y, John B . . . . 'Jth Bund
Beuntjtt.JulinC . . . . IttU Biiiid
Bluilgutl, Ihury . . . . let A: 'Jth
BlotMi, U«ur({« loth
Brighuni, Charlus L '.'th
Burke. G. W . Ist A 2d Ms. lav.
Buckley, Miclmul lOlh
Bailey, Uobert l'«l»
Burt, Ileiio' l'*tl'
Burnhani, CharleiS. .('apt. 3d
BroukM, a. W . Ist A;»hari»«li's
Boanian, Alfred II Itli
Bruok, I-*'onard H .... Navy
Batclu'Ul<;r. Stephen . . 33d Sis.
Bjirn''y, Hiram F 8th
BalchL-ldcT. W. (■■ l8t
Bariiny. Francis A ^th
Barn.-fl, Wilham H . . . Ist A: Htli
Burkp, Wilhiini W 4lh
Brvunt, Kliai* A Ith
Biirnes, William H 8lh
Bulli-r, Leonard 4th
Butler, I'eter Hth
Butler, Mitihell 4th
Butler, AugUFttus 4th
Bean, .le***' i'tli
Bal. h, John 4th
Bond, 'Ihoiiias L 'Ith
Barr.tl, Wm. M . . . . Capt. Sth
Bnrn-t, Jani'-n «lh
Barnes, Charles S 7th
Bvnn.-tt, Alfreil N 7th
Bickfnni, John \V 3d
Bantleld, William K . . . . Navy
Bell, II, H . . l«l unt\-M Ms. Cav.
Blan<'liiird. James M . 1st and 8tll
Hickford, Cliarl.s Hth
BantU'd. Iliiskell W 3d
BluKhaiii, Arthur 3d
BiiiKhani, (It-or^'e B 3d
Brown, Alb II S . . .Ist and loth
Bnul, Flmer ]) Hth
Biiel, llonu.' 7th
Bronnaii, i'ulrick . . . 12tli Iowa
Buatiy, 'I'homiis 'id
Berrv. John 8th
Berry. Lurky Hth
Brown, Wiliiani K 3<l
Bills Kben./er 7tlt
Burih'it, Kdwin F —
llutl.r. Kdwiii S mth
Brown, Uobert A Cut.
HjiKbv.Olin 11 Cav.
r.iiHh. Ilenrv 10th
lUj-lev, John —
lIiiHwell, llarclay C Olh
Hrvanl, l-Vlix Navv
Kiiswell, John M 4th
Buswell, John 4th
BriKham, Edward Cav.
fiurgc, David II 4th
Boutultti, Adetl>crt . . 1st and Sth
Brown, William A Sth
Bowers, tieurge . . . Lt. Col. 13th
Burns, John loth
Bennett, John I I3th
Buysun, Gcorpe 13th
Burton, William T 13th
Burton, John B I3th
Badger, tJuorge 13th
Bnswcll, G. H 13th
Bjirtlett, George 13th
Bennett, John C 13th
Herrv, Lorenzo W 3d
Beggs, Jlichael Sth
Bates, W. K 1st
Billings, Heurv 4th
Bnickutt, Charles W 4lh
Bancroft. Samuel I* Otli
Hatchelder, .Innies G 7th
Brown, Nathaniel C 7th
Brown, Aldeii 7lh
Brown, Stephen 7th
BoutoUe, David 7th
Barney, Horace 7th
Ihiswell, James S Cav.
Brown, Kdwin R Hth
Bowo, James Sth
Ctthill, Timothy 10th
Cahill, .lames loth
Crouan, John Hth
Cni van, Thomas 1st Cav.
Courtney, Patrick 3d
Courtney, Dennis 10th
Cary, John IGth Muss.
Cochran, Joseph N . . . . Navy
C^>chraii, James A Navy
Copp, CD.... 1st Lieut. 9th
('o])ii, K. J 2(1 Lieut. 3d
Collins, Kittredge J . . . . But.
Coulter, Henry Sth
Cook, William H 4th
(;uok, Charles E 4lh
(,'ateimch, Sylvester ... — Mass.
Coggin, Frederick G . 1st and Navy
Corliss, A. W . . . . Mass. Cav,
Crosby. Thomiis W 4th
Cobb, Norman K 3d
Coiirey, David .... 1st and 4th
Coiirey, John Sth
Chamlierlain, Georgo W . . , 7th
Chamberlain, G. W., Jr . . . 7th
Cariveau, Frank 4th
Carter, Joseph, Jr loth
(.'ook, George W 4th
Cutter, Francis .... — Mass.
Chainld'i-lain, C . . . 1st and Idtli
i:luidwick, Alfred F Hth
Crowley, T. B., Capt loth
Conner, George 7tli
Clatlin, Calvin Cavolry
Colhurn, Joel Hth
Chamberlain, G. F. . . 1st ami 3d
chaiKller, John 2d
Caldwell, lia Vtlh
('onluii, Michael ... 1st and 4lh
Conlon, .lames.. 1st and I'.Mh Muss.
Cook, John .M loth
Coney, Kdwai-d loih
Cummingfi, Timothy M . . . Sth
Cothliii, James Hth
Cuss, Samuel —
Cram, Kbeii 11 Otli
Cute, Joseph Sth
l'orM>n, Georgo F 7th
Corey, Klisha Sth
Cone, Marvev J 8lh
Clark, Leonard Hth
(/'oiitfer, John 6tli Vt.
Cinin, (iuorgu C Sth
Cross, Frank 4tli
Coburii, tJeorgo . .... 1st
Conner, Harvey . . . N. Y. Cav.
CaldwoII, Itobert B . . . . Hth
Coiierv, Leonard 3d
Caldwell, Nathan 8lh
Crowlev, Dennis 3d
C:«hill,.Mirlmel 7lh
Cushman, Hartley C . . . . Cav.
Cillev, Josei.h K Cav.
Clifford, John It Cav.
Conner, Stephen W 4th
Cntk-r, (ieorgo W Gth
Collins, I'erley 7th
Comijs, John 7th
Cobb, James A . . . .let and 7tli
Crowther, Robert .... Battery
Cline. AllMjrt Mh
Corniick, James 3d
Clemons, Robert G Navy
Cobb, John 3d
Coft'y, Thomas 3d
Clifford, Frederick G . let and 4lh
Chamberlain, Albert G . . . .3d
Ciiskin, Jamos 10th
Cortes, Thomas T lUth
Creed, Jlichael Sth
Clark, Kdwurd Ktth
Chellis, Clark D 7th
Colby, CyruB 7th
Colby, John 7th
Clark, George A 7th
Colby, Albert V 7th
Campbell, Albeit 7th
Cummings, Leandcr H . . . . 7th
Cram, Henry B 4th
Conant, Andrew 13lh
Chase, George H i'th
Clark, Matthew V. G . . . . Cav.
Davis, Nathan C 3d
Davis, Caleb 3d
Davis, Kzra, Ist liieut .... 7th
Davis, James H Hth
Dodge, Thomas F 7th
Donohoe, Thomas 4th
Doyle, Patrick 4th
Davis, Daniel A 7th
Davis, Hiram F 7th
Davis, Kendall A 7th
l)avis, Joseph AV 7th
Dunn, Anthony 7th
Downs, Horace 7tli
Dearborn, John H 7th
Higgles, John 1* Cav.
Dearborn, Adams . Itcgular Army
Doherty, Charles 3d
Dowey, Kphraim H . . . . Navy
Dickeriuan, Samuel R . . . . (ith
Duffy, Hugh 3d
Duffv, RoKS C 3d
Duffy, Patrick .... GOth N. Y.
Duffee, Fugono 10th
Dillon, Thomps Hth
Downing, Thomas . . liith Slass.
Dcluny, John fHh
Draper, TliomiiB Hth
JMnfurth, .Stephen It) .... 4ih
l>uncklee, Lorenzo 1* . . . . 4th
Day, John K 3d
Dohertv, Patrick 8th
Darling, Albert Sth
Damon, Joseph A. Sv ad
Dustin, KbeiiS '2d Mass.
Duplace, Kdgar 3d
Darling, Daniel F loth
Doylo, i>awrence 10th
l»cnsmore, Kdgar . 1st and 'Jth
Dane, John P Sth
Denslev, Wesley H Hth
Donoboo, John O . . . . . .10th
I>ouohoe, Thomas 10th
Dempsi'V, Michael Sth
Doherty, Patrick Sth
DarliiiK, (irunvillo D . . . . 4lh
DoiiglitK*', Jerome B 3d
Dane, Hiram 2d Mass.
Danforth, .lesso C Sth
Dolan. John 3d
Dohertv, John 3d
Duffy, Owen lOth
T>ecatnr, Alon/.o 1 13lh
Dunham, S. K . , 13th
Farly, John 10th
Eilgerly, Moody Isl
Katon, AlvinS Giv.
Emerson, Henry 4th
l-^iyerw, (Jeorgp .'*., Ijloiit . . . Sth
Eayrs, C. G . Navy and 17lh Ms.
I'liislinan, David K Cav.
Kustice, Gi-orge C Cav.
Kiirly, John :td
Kniiis, John 3d
Karly, Micbapl —
KmerHoi), (ieo. W. . . Ist nntl 7th
Kmei-Hon, W. U.,2d Lt. Ist andSlh
Kmei-son, K. M., 2d Lt , . , fith
Edgecmbe, <ieo., 1st Lt . . IlUh
Ellii't, Siirdino A Hih
l-jiton, Nathan 8Ih
l-jtton, Charles H Sth
Knnis, James Ist and 8th
Everett, Josiah S 3d
Everett, Franklin 3d
Eggleston, Clifton . . Hth or Cav.
Eilgorly, A. S., Capt . Ist and yth
E<lwurd4, John Ist
Falea, Joseph B 8th
Fisher, George W Sth
Fisher, James H . . . . lOth Ms.
Fisher, Albert 4lh
Fisher, Charles F 4th
Franklin, Ezra D Hth
Filield, George H 3d
Fletcher, AH)ert . . . 3d and 4th
Fife, John W Bat.
Fjfield, Stephen G Hth
Flanders, tieorge W 3d
Farnsworth, Charles Sth
Few, William 7th
Few, Robert 5th Elaine
Foss, Edward G 7th
Flinn, Albert N . . .1st and 4th
Fletcher, Albert 3d
Folan, Thomas 4th
Farley, John 8th
Fontaine, Ijcwis 3d
Foss, Charles II Sth
French, James 3d
Fitield, Harrison 7th
Flinn, James . Quar. Maa's Dep.
Foley, John 33d Mb.
Klandcre, John A Navy
Foley, John loth
Fox, Henry J . . . .Reg. Army
French, G. II., let Lt. l'2th Mass.
Foster, J. G., BIuj. Geu. Reg. A.
Kryo, Charles H Sth
Fulton, Charles 3d
Foster, Nathan H . . . . . Cuv.
Fai nsworth, Charles 3d
Fosdick, Freeman Sth
Ferguson, Thomas Sth
Flanders, King H 3d
Klynn, Barney 3d
Farnsworth, Frank 7th
Fhitiders, Jackson D 3d
Flood, James 10th
Flood, Thomas .... 22d Mass.
Farmer, Joseph E 3d
Flanders, Benjamin F , . . . Sth
French, Henry C Kuvy
Fiske, Daniel M., Captain . . Sth
Fellows, Ceorgo R 8lh
Fwcto, Joseph Hth
Faiilee, John 8th
Filzgenild, Albert 4th
I'illeld, William 7lh
Frye. James H 4th
French, Elisha Y 7th
Ferren, Hell —
Fitzgenild, William .... 10th
Fitzgerald, Patrick 10th
Flaiidei-s, Daniel 13th
Fields, aiyron B 13th
Fields. Jnmes G 13th
iMtirbanks, Charles . 1st and Cuv.
Gay, Leonard .... 1st and 4th
Gay, .\lonzo E . . . 1st and 4th
Craves, W H . . Leader '.ith Hand
Grimn, Thomas. . . noth Penn.
Grillln, John .... 14lh Conu.
Gleason. .\hel »th
Greenwood, C. W . . . 20th Ms.
Gritlin, Cyrus N Hth
Coriiuin, Peter loth
liould, (ii'urge A 3d
Gage, Oscar 4th
Garvv, John lOlh
(iohting, John F Sth
George, Frank 8tb
GllpatHck, James F 4th
Gilbert, John S<1
Greeley, E. S., Captain . 10th Ct.
Gouhl.Abol F Hth
Gonlon, Daniel 8d
Gray, John 4th
tio4»ilwin, Wentworlh . . , 4lh
Guubl, (;eorge W 7th
Gage, Halo 7th
Grillln, David W 7th
Grmiii. John F 7th
(■leniiiiii, Thomas Nnvy
lirimes, Frank 'M
(hiy, (ieorgo H 3d
(•reuleV, James B.. Surg . . Cuv.
Greeley. W. F. . Ct. lllll V. S. L
Greeley, George P., Surg . . . 4th
Gav, KIh'I), Captain , Drug. Reg.
Gillan, Thomas Sth
G^'iiii, George F Sth
186
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Green, Albeit -iJ
Grav, Charle» A *']<
Galvin, Daniel "tli
Gillis, Charles •Mb
Gillis, George H., Ac^ . . . IJth
Greeu, George \V ■ ■W
Guild, .loliii U . . Uifto Kan. Ms.
Gilson, Diiviil . . . SharlMhooters
Garrity, Kilwaril M
Grimes, Frank J p'l
Gordon, Ilendrick M
Giluioie, -Vbnim I*'"
Gilson, Andrew J . . . . 2d Conn.
Genette. John 8'''
Goodridge, \Vil1iani M . — Ma.«<.
Gordon, Artbnr T l-ilb
Gray, Cluirles F l""'
Gray, Irving H"]'
Gray, Jobn F Wtb
Greenleuf, U. 0.,Capt. Island 4tb
Gould, Lutber "tb
Hale, Oliver U 8th
Hall, Honioe 3d
Hall, Cbarles T •«•
Healy, Jobn lUth
Haskins, Elmer A 8tb
Hanley. George W . . 1st and 3d
Hoitt, Natlian B . . Cav. and 9tb
Hamblen, H. P . Lender Mb Hand
Hickey, Patrick 8tb
Hopkins, Newton C '.tth
Harrington, Drew . . lUtb Jhuss.
Harrington, Jerry mtU
Hallissy, John .... 34th Mass.
Haves, Frank Stb
Holart, Freeman A . . IstandKth
Hildreth, Francis A . . 13tb Ms.
HaiTey, George 1) 3d
Hunt, 1. T . . 'id and -Ith b. stw d
Hayden, George A . . 23d Mass.
Hayden, Alfred P 3d
Haly, Thomas 8tb
Hall, Levi W Wth
Holt, George K Navy
Howe, Stephen H '-'th
Hall, Luki' 8tb
Herrick, Williom H . . . . Kavy
Hosnier, Francis K . . . . Navy
Hunter, Charles \\ . . Uth Mass.
Hnnter. George F . . Uth Muss.
Hale, Junic- I' "th
llanihlell, .lu.lbon A Stb
Hill, I'lintun C Stb
Haines, Nestor ... 1st and Stb
Hopkins, Milton J —
Harris, Charles A . . 1st and 4lb
Hosley, Lutber T . . . 1st and »th
Hardy. William F 3d
Hosnier, Francis .^3d
iloitt, James B "tb
Hoitt, L. 1) . . . . Sbarpshooler
Hartshorn, Klbridgo D . . . 8th
Harris, Wesley T 3d
Hurd, Jimdiord A 4lh
Harris, Willinm It 4tli
Hall, Jacob B p''
Holmes, James "tb
Hayes, William U . . . . . "tb
Hayes, Ivory " . . . 7lh
Hobart, John th
Hopkins, George W 1st
Hutchinson, A . . . . 2lith Conn.
Hunt, J. K l»t
Hall, James II 3a
Hallisv, Michael Wth
Hanniford, William U . . . Kith
Hodgdou, C. W., Captain . . 14th
Ingraham, Henry H 3d
Jacknian, Lemuel N 3d
Jackman, John H 4th
Jewett, Charles A Olh
Jenkins, — Vt.
Johnson, Augustus lOtb
Johnson, Henry .11 1st
Jones, Archibald It 4tb
Jones, Gilmau F 8tb
Jones, George 1) . . . let and 4th
Jewett, Jobn 8th
Johnson, Charles U "th
Jones, James W. Ii SIh
Jennings, .\nios P 3d
Jacknutu, George U 7lh
Jordon, James W Tth
Johnson, Kdgar C . . . 8th or "th
Kilduff, John Ii . . 1st and Navy
Kidder, Charles S Cav.
Kirbv, .\bntiu 3il
Kirby, Henry A Navy
Kimball, Lewis Jn
Kimball, John B 3d
KilUila, Patrick 3d
Killala, John ....
Kimball, .lohn U . . .
King, Joliu I. . . . .
Kendall, Kilburn G .
Kendall, William It .
Kingsley, Jobn . . .
Kennedy, Matthew .
King, Dana W., Lt . .
Kelsey, George K . .
Keyser, Walter . . .
King, .lohn W . . . ■
Kerrigan, I'atrick . .
Kerrigan, John . . .
Kendall, Walter B .
Knot", Samuel ....
Kidder, .\le.\ander W
Kimball. Edward G .
Keyes, Levi P . .
Kennan, Jobn ...
Kenny, G. N . . . .
Kennedy, Andrew .
Kempton, Charles II .
Keuuey, George V .
. . . lOtb
1st and 4tb
.... 3.1
. Navy
. . . Navy
.... 3d
, ... 9th
1st and 8th
. . . . 8th
. . . Navy
... .3d
. . Navy
. ... Stb
. . .3d
. . . 4tb
.... 4th
. . . .7th
. . . . 8th
. . 8tb
. . .4tb
. _ . . Uth
l:ith
. 4th
Lanin, Thomas l"th
Lull, A., Quart. Selgeant. . Jst
Lawrence, Charles A . ■ .,•'"'
Longa, H. W . . . . 1st and Bat
Langlev, J. M . . . . 1st and 8th
Lawrence, (1., C«pt . . Island ith
Lawrence, Kdward Stb
Livingston, Edward . let and Kth
Lawrence, Arthur I . . . . .9th
Larkin, John IS"' M»«s-
Lawrence, Daniel B . . . . 14th
Leiand, George ""^J
Lane, James ;. j
Lovejov, George U . . . 9th Band
Leavitt, Henry K ■ 8th
Lowuey, Jeremiah lOlh
Lee, Jobn >''iyy
Ladd, Wesley — ^ ' •
Lewie, Daniel T., Jr Rth
Lee, Owen f '•"
Lonergan, Patrick IWh
Lincoln, Daniel 8'h
Lee, Charles .3d
Lambert, Edward 81h
Lovejoy, John II 8th
Lyons, Newman 4th
Lapbam, James '-'th
Lyons, John '""'
Lund, Henry C ™
LaClair, Emery .3d
Longfellow, J. B. F . . 3d Maine
Lowney, Dimick, . . . HHh JInss.
Lawrence, Charles H . . . . "tb
Laton, James L 8th
Libbey, Horace \V 4th
Little, Mitchell 8th
Lancy, George F 4th
Lawrence, Edward F .... ith
Larev, Hosea B '•th
Lepr'e, Peter 8th
Lovoring, Williiun H . . . . Cav.
Lund, U. O . . . .2d Mass. Cav.
Marshall, James H . . Ist and 8th
McGowan, John 3d
Montgomery, Fnincis W . . . 4th
Mai-den, David D 10"'
Planning, William . . . 9th Band
Merriam, F. B., acting mas. Navy
McNeill, James 3d
Marble, Eben M . . . . 9th Band
McKean, Abbilino 1 8th
Morse, Amos S 8th
Jlygatt, Kivington II 3d
Jlelliken, Allwrt 91b
Morov, John 9th
MoreV, Noel D .8tb
Malmn, Hugh C JOth
Mahan, Charles W Wth
Manakin, John 1""'
McBride, Ikirney loth
Mahan, Koljerl Wth
MeGaHv, Charles Navy
Marshall, F. V . . . . 9th Bund
Marshall, Daniel W . . 9th Band
Slolan, Benaiah 9th
Morse, Francis . . . 9th and Ist
Morev, Norntan D Vt.
Mnnsev, William T 8tb
March! Edward ''th
Mooney, Smith G . . . . Battery
Morrill, Ik-njamin C 8th
McKean, George II . 4lh and 91b
Mann, Charles W 3d
Jloore, George A Wth
Moore, James H 9lh
Miles, .Isuu- S .... 1st Mo-ss.
Miller, David Wth
Minard, Charles F . .1st and Sth
Harden, George W 8th
Minard, George U Wth
SIcComes, Janu-s 3a
Merrill, .losiah B 3d
Moore, William M 7th
Jloore, Charles 11 *th
McCail, James 3d
Meister, Fran/. 8th
Morev, Sylvester J 9th
Morey, David 8th
McCulloch, Patrick . . . Battery
Moore, lsa;ic t>th
Marden, George A . . 1st and 4th
McL'.Moore, William .... 'th
Mineban, Jobn 8th
Miller, Henry J 8th
Morrill, George II 8tli
Moore, Horatio C 3d
McCoy, James 3d
McCov, Adolphus 3d
Moselev, Frank 4th
Mills, George W 3d
McC^jnabue, Lewis .\ . . . . .3d
McSorlev, Janu'S il'
Moses, John II «h
Mesme, James I) j^lb
McClure, Samuel ^ ,
Morse, l'hom;ui W Jth
Morse, Samuel ;,th
McDoimld. Daniel "tb
Miller, George 3d
Marsh, Henry A., 1st Lt. ... 3d
Mai-sb, Jobn F., Lt. Col. . . I2Ih
Morrill, William M . . . . 1311'
Morrison, Chas. B., Adj. . . 12tb
Mahan, Job 10th
McManus, Jobn 10th
McLaughlin, James .... 10th
Meighem, Charles 10th
McSweeney, Miles Wth
Monoghen, John 10th
McMaban, Robert 10th
McDutlv, Cluirles 13tb
Marden, J. P 13th
Mcighen, Carroll loth
Moore, James II. ..... 9th
Moseley, Frank -Ith
Moreland, Benaiah 9th
Morgan, Charles W 3d
McClme, Orville 9th
Miles, H. M . . . . Isl and Itith
Newton, Erastus 13tb
Nichols, George W 1st
Norcross, Joaejdi F -Id
Nottage, Thomas, Jr 3d
Nottige, Elisha C . . Ist and Sth
Neal, Michael 8th
Nolan, John J Sth
Nott, Kichard .... 14th Mass.
Nolan, John -1")
Nolan, Thomas -ith
NMchols, Chas. E . .1st and loth
Norwood, Wm . . 17th Bat. Beg.
Nichols, G. D .... Ist and 4th
Nichols, Jobn F . . . 1st and 4tb
Nichols, William II .... 4th
Newhall, Daniel B . .1st and Sth
Neff, William E 8th
Noves, Aarvui Navy
Nichols, Frederick A •«!
Nichols, Alfred H 7th
Newell, Charles 'tb
Niles, Jerome S 1st
Osgood, Reuben D . • • ■ *th
Otteraon, George \\' t'th
O'Neill, Michael Sth
O'Brien, William — .Ms.
O'Neill, Timothy Sth
O'Neill, Morti 8th
O'Brien, Patrick 4th
Ober, Henry S 4th
Parker, K., 2d Lieut .... 13th
Parker, L. C l-Jth
Prescolt, Koyal 11 ... . 14th
Pratt. Charles W . . . Navy
Pearson, Joseph 3d
Porter, Benjamin F 8th
Peacock, Stilman 8th
Pond, Charles N . . . . 17lb Reg.
Pond, George \V . . . Ist and Sth
Powers, Robert . 1st and 411th Pa.
Plummer, S. >I . . Ist and.tlth Me.
Petei-son, Nelson C . .1st and Sth
Promlnian, Henry 9th
Peabodv, Warren A 9lli
Parks, David A SIh
Peabwly, E/.ro B .3d
Prav, Jerry R St i
Palmer, George 7th
Piltabury, Edw'd W . 1st and Hh
Pillsbury, Samuel II 8th
Pratt, George 8th
Page, George W 7th
Parker, Llewellyn 1st
Pratt, Benjamin 7th
Perkins, Charles H . . Ist and 4tb
]?erry, John P 8th
Putney, Alonzo W., Lieut. . Sth
Pushee, Jesse C 3d
Palmer, James . . Sharpshooters
Perry, James B 9th
Pieric, Hiram 3d or 4th
Perlev, Thomas J 8th
Patch', Joseph T 8th
Pbilbrook, Charles W .... 3d
Parkhnrst, William C .... 3d
Patterson, James W 4th
Pen-in, Phineas J 4th
Perkins, David L 4th
Quinn, William .
. . Sth
Richards, Wm. A ... — Slasa.
Ripley, Charles H Ist
Reed, Lelaud 10th
Koone, Jobn 8th
Russell, D. W. . loth and Ms. 6th
Ralph, Jobn Sth
Reed, Oliver II SIh
Reed, William J Sth
Bobbins, Charles 8th
Revnolds, Thos. W . . . . Ist Ms.
Rhoads, .loci II 4th
Richardson, Isaac C . . . . Wth
Richardson, George W . . . 9th
Huberts, Edgar 10th
Robinson, J. T . . .Istandllth
Richardson, Milton 4th
Reed. William U 1st
Rogers, Sylvester, Lieut. ... 2d
Reed, William loth JIs.
Robbins, Augustus B .... Sth
Ritter, David Bat.
Randlott, James F., C'apt. . . 3d
Ryan, James 3d or 4th
Rice, Charles H ofh
Rideout, David J 8th
Bobbins, Geo. II . 1st and Reg \.
Robbins, William B Sth
Robbins, Benjamin F . . . . Wth
Ross, Chester 3d
Richardson, George 9th
Richardson, Samuel ... — Ma.
Rvan, Palrick ....... l"th
Ross, Nathan K 8th
Ross, Edward X 8th
Rooney, J. P . . Ist and Mass Cav.
Saunders, Frederick II . . . . 4th
Smith, William C li'th
Smith, Charles Wth
Stearns, George, 1st Lieut. . . 3d
Seavy, Fayette G . . . 2l3t N. Y.
Shea", Daniel 8th
Sullivan, Bartholomew . . . 9th
.Shipley, Benjamin M .... 8th
Shipley, George L 3d
Shipley, Albert P SIh
Sullivan, Delinii Mh
Sullivan, .lames lotb
Sullivan, Palrick 9th
Shea, Patrick . . ... 3d
Snow, George W 2d Ms.
Sullivan, Peter 10th
Shea, Jerry 9th
Shea, Jobn Ist and Sth
Sullivan, Patrick Wth
Sullivan, Mallhew lOth
Spalding, George .... 13th Ms.
Spalding, George B . . 13th Mass.
Sabin, Caleb 3d Vt.
Swell. Ilosford S . . . 23d Mass.
Sullivan, Thomas loth
St. Francis, IMwanl . . . . 9th
Sbaltuck, Winslow .\ .... SIh
Steele, John loth
ShaCluck, Tyler M 8th
Sargent, Hezekiiih ... 4th
Smith, Mark Cav.
Sluilh, Edwin D Sth
Smith, James Sth
Steel, James ... .... Ist
Stewartson, Benjamin . . . 10th
Sawyer, ('has. A. S, Agt. . . Car.
Smith, Welford ... Isl and l.Mh
Smilh, William Wth
Sluilli, Charles D 3d
Stetson, Edwin Gth
Stetson, Edwin C Sth
Stetson, Fred, B 3d
Slieparil, E O., C'apt. . •22d Mass.
Shepard, A.oon W' 9lh
Steele, Robert — 5Iasfl.
NASHUA.
187
Sherwin, Jolm R Tih
Scanlun, Mi^h:iel M
6eack»ell. Alviu K M
Snger, Z«ri S ^iJ
Smith, John ^>i
gherburue, Jtwvpli A . . . Navy
Swallow, William A '<id
Suralluw, George 3d
Sherni, Fnileiick N . . . . Cav.
Stoveus, Kralicie I'. Cav.
Sli«a, Juliii sill
Staples, Alruh II ... . 4th Mt-.
Stapk-M, Hiram .... 2^tli 31iuje.
Smith, Aiiiutf Navy
Sullivan, Jliuhacl . . . 2«tli MaM.
Sullivan, Juhli Uth
Sullivan, I'imuthy . . 16tb Maw.
Sullivan, .Micliai;! T 8Ih
Shea, Connell, Jr ilJ
Sellinghani, Knilik \V . . . . •{•!
SlalUTy, Joseph Sth
Smith, (.iuorgu 11 'Ad
8anun, Eleazur L . .let and 4th
Sullivan, John I' 4lh
Siuiniington, Thoruaa U . . .7th
Stevens, Daniel ~th
Silloway, John Tth
Silloway, Itenjaniin W . . . Tth
Switzer, George Tth
SttiVeus, Ueorge F Tth
Stevens, Jacob F Tth
Slmunds, Fre<l ... .1st and Bat
Stevenij, Aanm F. Maj. . 1st and
Col. lath
SulliTan, James (2d) . . . . I'th
Sbaw, M^ur A., 1st Lieut. . 13th
Sawyer, liliver M., ^d Lieut. 13tli
Small, Urriu A '.ith
Semonda, Lewis !lth
Shauley, James II Uth
Short, Kichard II IKth
SUattuck, Iknry lllh
Taggard, George H 13th
Tlrrell, George Y Cav.
Tinker, Alvah G 9th
Towiw, Archi. ... 1st Mase Cav.
Tully, Owen 4th
Thunipson, G. W., Jr., Lieut, sth
Thornton, J. S., Lt. . cnig. Navy
Thumpeuu, J.W'., Lieut. . 1st and
Shurpehooters
Tlionipeun, \Vm. H., Jr. . . Cav.
Taylor, James H . . . 23d Mass.
Thrasher, Floriman t^ih
Teniiy, llinim A 4th
Tup|>er, Charles 4tli Vt.
Tasker, JtjHO|di P Tth
Trow, Harlan S 4th
Towie, John S Mil
Tracy, \V. A., .Surgeon . . . fith
Turrill, James, Jr . . . — Miwh.
Tans, John Tth
Towns. Oliver, Jr Nth
Thurston, Jo.w|ih T Sth
Tucker, William II 8th
Taylor, <;oorgo W Tth
Tinker, llolha W 4th
Thoni)mon, .liwph 1* , . . . Cav.
Twomhly, Samuel K . . . . Car.
Upton, George II 4tli
Vickory.John II liitli
Vinceiil, Clifronl Sth
Veasy, Joel 3tl
Vinoent, George Tth
Valeiinelh, William 8tli
Warren, J. IJ. A.,Capt. . . . Sth
Wadsworth, Jonathan . . Bth
Wudswerth, D,, Jr., '.id Lieut. . 3d
Winn, Maurice Tth
W illard, John B Sth
White, Kdwin D C41V.
Wright, George W 9th
Wallace, Jo«.elJh W . . . . Navy
Wright, .lunathan ■ Sth
Whitteniore, tieorge W . . . Sth
Whipple, John I* 'Jth
Wyman, Joseph K itth
Wilson, J. II Ileg. Army
Weston, &imuel B Cav.
Wvmaii, Warren Cav.
Wlilki-r, W illaid Navy
Wyman, George L 3d
Whitteniore, Charlea . . . Sth
Uilkiiis. Hamilton Sth
Wyman, Charles 3d
W^illoughby, Varnum T ... 3d
Wheeler, (jeorge N 3il
Welch, William U :'.d
Watts, Hugh 4th
Wyman, William S 4tli
Wiiiii, Jtfsepli Ij 4th
Webster, Usborn P Tth
Whittier, George W Tth
Warren, Loanii Tth
Warren, James E Tth
Woodbury, tji^urgeC Tth
Whipple, Lumau C Sth
Wilkiiis, Irving G Sth
Welch, John 3d
Webb, John 9th
Wooili, Franklin L . 1st & 9th
Wliitmarsh, William \ . . . Gtb
Woods, Allied H 9th
W'aters, James II . . . ICth ^lass.
Waters, Patrick 3d
Welch, John 1st & Sth
Waters, Edward loth
Watere, .lohn 3d
Waters, Patrick Navy
Watson, Charles S loth
Whipple, .John F lllth
Whitcomb, W.W . . . Uth 5Iaw.
Williams, Stephen Sth
Wier, William W Sth
Wilder, Lyiimn F Cav.
Wyatt, Ilenr)- Sth
Woodward, Jonathan F . . . 9th
Wilson, Slark G Sth
Webster, Edwin II 'Jtli
Worthily, .lohn 4lli
Wells, Walter 9th
White, Charles II 3d
Whitteniore, George G . . . . Sth
Wing, KiMilien 1st
Whipple, O. W .... Ist A Mo.
Winn, (•ardtier J . . . Sharp Sh.
Whipple, J.diii . . . .1st * 9th
Weston, Ileinv W Sth
Williams, Charles Sth
Whippl.', Charles H Ist
Wright, Friland F . . . 2.'ith Ind.
Wright, Benjamin F 4th
Webster, II. E . . . . Navy ,t 9th
White, Caleb B 2:U1 JIs.
Willard. Nathaniel 3il
Wilson, James . . . . 1st it; lOtli
Whidden. G. W . . . 1st Ms. Cav.
White, A., 2d Lieut . . Ist & 4tli
Woods, AInion 4lli
Willis, M. W., Chaplain
York, William F . . .
. 4tli
. 4 th
The Miiiiibcr of names in tht; above list is nine Imn-
dred and twenty-four. Tlicy are taken In mi the
ori<;inal tity Iiall rci-onl.
Grand Army of the Republic. — Tlie .Fohn G.
Foster I'ost, No. 7, of tlie Grand Army of the Re-
public, is loeateil in this city, having its lieadquartera
in Laton's building. It members are residents of the
city and adjoiiiin^r towns. The number of active
members is one hundred and eiglity-si.x. The oflieers
for the current year are: Coimiiainler, Patrick Loner-
Ran; Senior Vice-C'oniniander, IC. .1. Cdllins; .Iiinior
Viee-ComiiKinder, E.S.Perkins; Cliaplain, Henjaniin
8. Wootls; (iuartennaster, Levi Barker; Odieer of
the Day, Uriah Hoyt; Officer of the Guard, Dennis
Leazotte; .Vcljtitant, Ross C. DuflV.
l:!
CHAPTER XIV.
NASHUA— {Continued).
NASHUA FKOM ISTO TO I8S5.
Irish and French Canadian Immigration — Improvement in Buildings —
Public Schools — Tho Public Libr.iry — Nashua Fire Dopartiuent —
Railruail Facilities — Banking Institutions— Newspapers — Benevolent
and Literary Organizations — The Agassi/, Club — Masoua and Oild Fel-
lows.
The past fifteen years have been a period of com-
parative quiet in Nashua. There have been no
questions beforelhccommuiiity of a political, religious,
social or business tendency which have occasioned
any unusual e-xcitement. Our people have been oc-
cupied with the ordinary duties of life, content, so far
as modern civilized society can be; realizing that
they arc living under the best government and with
the most favorable conditions of any jieople on tlie
earth.
Forty years ago the people of Nashua were very
nearly all descendents of the early English and Scotch
emigrants. In 1845 the female operatives in the
cotton-mills were young women from the rural dis-
tricts of New Hampshire and Vermont. There was
not a town of Hillsborough County which did not
have its industrial representatives in our manufacto-
ries. The Protestant Churches had nearly, if not
quite, as large Sunday audiences as they have to-day.
Na.shua at that time was a Yankee manufacturing
village. 15etween 1850 and 18(;0 a large number of
Irish families came to this city, and of necessity, both
in the mills and elsewhere, performed the less desira-
ble kinds of labor. With many, it was for a time a
daily struggle for food and clothing. As a class, they
were industrious, but unfortunately many of the men
fell into intemperate habits, and brought suH'ering to
their families and disgrace to themselves. Since then,
aided by the iuHuence of Father O'Donnell, there
has been a manifest improvement among this class of
citizens. A majority are to-day temperate. The
result is that of the five hundred Irish familiesin the
city, one-half own the houses in which they live.
The Co-operative Foundry is an evidence of their
growing capacity for business. Since 1870 there has
been no increase of the Irish population by immigra-
tion. The number of that nationality, including
under the name the descendants to the second gener-
ation, is two thousand three hundred in the city.
In 18()4 the French Canadians began to come hero
and engage in the rougher kinds of labor, (tratlually
they made their way into the mills and work -shops.
They have increased rapidly in the city, and number
at this time three thousand seven luindrefl. A ma-
jority are as yet new-comers, ami few of them are
owners of real estate. It is not creilitable to some of
them that, imitating a certain class of ourown people,
they have fallen into intemperate habits.
The population of Nashua at this time (June, 1885)
is fifteen thousand. Of these, nine thousand are of
188
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Anglo-Saxon origin, and six thousand are of Frencli
Canadian and Irisli descent. In wealth and intelli-
gence, the former have the precedence. How long
they will retain it is a problem of the future.
Since 187U there has been a decided improvement
in all classes of buildings in this city. The Nashua
and Jackson corporations have been continuall)' en-
larging their mills and beautifying their grounds. On
Main Street tlic cliangc lias been equally positive.
Noyes Block, built in 1852, and Null's Block, in 1860,
have been .supplemented by Dunlaji's Block, in ISGS,
Goodrich Block, in 1809, Telegraph Block, in 1871,
Merchants' Block, in 1872, Spalding's Block, in 1880,
and McQuesten's Block, in 1881. The merchants are
provided with convenient stores and the best of facil-
ities for the dispo.sal of goods. No city in the State
i'urnislies every kind of merchandise on more favor-
able terms.
Private residences of attractive exterior and spacious
and comfortable interior have been erected in every
part of the city. Of late, the more rapid growth of
dwellings has been in the southwestern and the south-
eastern sections of the city, but there has been an in-
crease in every locality. Some credit is due to the
past as well as the jiresent generation for the sliade-
trees that adorn the most of our streets; and that our
dwellings are not left to stand, like the Pyramids, on a
leafless plain u)ider " a hot and copper sky," but that
they are mostly surrounded and sheltered by trees.
Public Schools of the City. — The schools and the
school-houses of this city are justly its pride and honor.
Our school system has been the growth of a century.
No one man or body of men has made it what it is. It
is the result of the successive efibrts of our forefathers
and the men of ourown time ; and it represents the con-
trolling sentiment of the community on the subject of
popular education. It has been fortunate for the
public schools that from the beginning they have had
the constant and active co-operation of the m.ass of
our citizens, — men who recognize in an intelligent
people the true prosperity of the city and the safety
of the State.
The High School building is the best constructed
school edifice in the State. In it are located the
High School, with five teachers, and the largest gram-
mar school, with seven teachers. The building luis
ten spacious rooms lor study and recitations, two lec-
ture-rooms, a library-room, a laboratory and offices
for the superintendent and principal, with a capacious
hall in the third story. This building was completed
in 1874 and cost one hundred and five thousand dol-
lars. The Mount Pleasant Grammar School is a fine
building on the best location in the city. The gram-
mar school is in the second, middle and primary
schools in the first, and a fine hall in the third story.
The building was erected in 1870 and cost fifty thou-
sand dollars. The Main Street School-house is a sub-
stantial brick edifice, with suitable ajjpointments.
The excellence of the public schools of late years has
been such that no private schools could exist, until
the French Catholic Parochial School was established,
two years ago.
The number of public school buildings in the city
is 18, having a valuation of $232,.3y5. The school
year is 36 weeks. The number of teachers is 54, of
whom 3 are males and 51 females. The average at-
tendance is 1642 scholars. The cost of the schools
tor 1884 was §36,254, of which sum §24,726 was for
the salaries of teachers. Included in this school ex-
penditure is the cost of the evening schools for those
boys and girls who cannot attend the day sessions.
They average 300 scholars and employ 17 teachers.
These evening scholars are mostly of foreign families,
and, added to the daily attendance, make the average
attendance of 1942 scholars.
The Public Library. — The initiative step for es-
tablishing a free public library in this city was taken
by the Young Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society, an asso-
ciation of patriotic ladies who had organized at the
beginning of the Rebellion for the purpose the name
indicates. The subject of a public library had become
a topic of newspaper discussion, and, at a reunion of
the society in March, 1867, it was decided to hold a
" levee and fair" to raise funds to aid in establishing a
public library. The managers were Lucy F. Thayer,
M. E. Shepherd, Mary P. Fiske, Hattie Richardson,
Sarah W. Kendall, Mary E. Law and Jlary E. Hunt.
The levee was a success, realizing one thousand and
eighty-nine dollars above expenses. The Athcna-um,
a private association, had already decided to donate
their library to encourage the enterprise. Other
gifts of books were added, and in July of that year
the City Council accepted the gift on the conditions
i^roposed, the most important of which was Ui pay
one thousand dollars annually for llic support and in-
crease of the jjroposcd library. A board of seven
trustees were elected and rooms secured in the
county building for the convenience of the public.
The Public Library at tliis time contains eight
thousand two hundred and seven volumes, and in-
cludes the best works in history, biography, travels,
agricultural and scientific works, poetry, romance, sta-
tistics and the best monthly publications. A majority of
the families in the city avail themselves of its advan-
tages. It furnishes the means of inlbrmation and
instruction which could in no other way be supplied.
Maria A. Laton is librarian. Of the seven trustee.s,
one is chosen annually by the City Council to serve
seven years. As now constituted, they are George
A. Ranisdell, term expires 1886 ; Bernard B. Whitte-
more, term expires 1887 ; William W. Bailey, term
expires 1888; Edward Spalding, term expires 1889;
John H. Goodale, term expires 18;m»; Virgil C.Gil-
man, term e.vpircs 1891 ; Charles Holman, term ex-
pires 1892.
Nashua Fire Department. — The Fire Department
of this city is very etficicnt in management and com-
plete in its appointments. It consists of three steamer
NASHUA.
189
companies, two liose companies and carriages, a
hook-aiul-lailder conipiinv, besides sixty-one hydrants
properly located throughout the city. The tine en-
gine-house on Olive Street is Iniilt of hrick, with
heavy granite trimmings, and is thorouglily tiiiishcd
and furnished. It was built in 1870 and cost thirty
thousand dollars. It is centrally located. The
board of engineers for 1885 are Charles H. Whitney,
cTiief engineer, and Edward H. Parmenter, George
O. O.-sborue, Everett S. Putnam and Enos F. JIadlock, [
assistants. The estimated value of the property of j
the department on the 1st of January, 1885, was |
twenty-nine thousand five hundred and twenty-four
dollars. This estimate is exclusive of the engine-
house. The expense of the Fire Department for the 1
year 1884 was JSatjl.GO. 1
FlKlcs IX Nashia. — This city has never had any
wide-spread contlagration, though it has sull'ercd from
(piite a number of lires. One of the most destructive
fires in the city was on the 12th of October, 1848.
It took in the basement of the first building on the
north side of the Main Street bridge, on the west side
of the street, in what was then known as the "Cen-
tral Building." The adjoining Baptist Church and
several smaller buildings were burned on the west
side, when, crossing the street to the east side, the
Boat-house Store, Na.shua and Lowell Railroad depot
and Shattuck's Block were burned.
In 1856, Mill No. 1 of the Nashua Company was
destroyed. The fire broke out at noon, in the absence
of the operatives. As the mill had been in operation
thirty years, the flooring was combustible, and the
mill was soon in ruins.
Some of the more recent fires in the city were the
old engine-house, in 1870; W. J. Cooper's and Saw-
yer's buildings, in -May, 1882; OKI Washington House,
in November, 18X3; Spalding's Block, 188;i; Rollins'
Steam-Engine Works, March, 1884; Crawford's
Steel-Plate and Pre.ss- Works, .January 1, 1885 ; and
Nashua Iron and Steel-Plate Mill, February, 1885.
Railroad Facilities, — Whoever has studied the
railroad map of New England knows that Nashua is
the centre of an extensive system of railroads. In
truth, its railroad facilities are unsurpassed by any
inland city in New lingland. Six lines radiate from
Nashua, and five of them are entitled to be called
trunk lines. Their connections are direct with Wor-
cester, New York and the West on one side; with
Rochester, Portland, Bangor and the Ea.st, rm the
other side; with Manchester, Concord, tiie White
Mountains, Vermont and Canada, on the north ; with
Lowell, Boston and Providence on the south. These
six lines are the Nashua, Lowell ami Boston, forty
miles; the Nashua, Creenfield and Koene, fifty-six
miles; the Nashua and Worcester, forty-six miles ; the
Nashua and Rochester, forty-eight miles; the Nashua
and Concord, thirty-live miles ; the Nashua, Acton
and Boston, forty-one miles. Fifty-six passenger
and freight trains enter and depart from Nashua daily.
Banking Institutions. — Nashua has three banks
of discount and four savings-banks. The former are
the First National Bank, G. A. Ramsdell, president,
John A. Spalding, cashier; Indian Head Bank, Ed-
ward Spalding, president, Frank A. McKean, cash-
ier; Second National Bank, J. W. White, president,
F. A. Eaton, cashier. The latter are the Nashua
Savings-Bank, William W. Bailey, president, Virgil
C. Oilman, treasurer; City Savings-Bank, Luther A.
Roby, president, Elbridge P. Bown, treasurer ; Me-
chanics' Savings-Bank, John C. Lund, president, J.
W. White, trea.surer ; New Hampshire Banking
Company, Hiram T. Morrill, president, John G.
Kimball, treasurer. The deposits in the savings-banks
exceed three million dollars.
Nashua Newspapers, — For more than twenty
years there have been no experiments in the ]mb-
lishing of newspapers in this city. This is compli-
mentary to the two existing papers which, for more
than half a century, have represented the two politi-
cal parties of the State and country. The Nashua
editors have never been belligerent or acrimonious
toward each other, or indulged in the otlensive per-
sonalities which have frequently disgraced the press
of this State. Both are decided in their political
views, and each is a fair representative of the party
whose principles and policy it supports.
The Niuhua Gazette has been published by B. B.
& F. P. Whittemore since November 25, 1846. The
scinor i)artner, B. B. Whittemore, has occupied the
editorial chair longer than any other one in the State.
It hiis been the organ of the Democratic party of
Nashua since its first publication, in February, 1832.
The Nashua Telegraph vi-as started a few months
later than the Gazette, in November, 18.32. For
twenty-seven years Albin Beard was editor and pub-
lisher. The present editor and jiroprietor, Orren 0.
Moore, has been the editor foreightecn years. As a Re-
publican newspaper it has a distinct personality, is
indei>endent in its action and represents the ina.ss of
the party rather than the politicians.
Both of the Nashua newspapers have a daily even-
ing and weekly issue, and have a fair circulation.
The Telegraph and Telephone. — Nashua has the
telegraphic facilities common to the cities of New
England. The telephone has its head(iuarters at the
Telegraph building, and has one hundred and eighty-
five communications. Miss .Vniui A.Shedilis nniuager.
Benevolent and Literary Organizations.— The
Pl{i>Ti:srAN I lldMl-; ii>n .\i.i;i> Womkn is under the
supervision of an a.ssociation of benevolent women of
this city. The plan was dcvi.sed in 1877. On May
29, 1878, the home was opened on Walnut Street, the
premises being the gift of Belinda Blodgett, the
former occupant, who died the year previous. Two
years later the home was removed to a more spacious
and convenient residence, at the corner of Kinsley
and Walnut Streets. There are nine beneficiaries at
the present time, and the institution is under the ex-
190
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
cellent management of Mrs. Sarah G. Cummings.
The officers for the current year are Mrs. Jane N.
Beasoni, president; Mrs. Anne M. Ayer, secretary ; and
Miss Sarah W. Kendall, treasurer.
The CiiAurAVQUA Litkrary and Scientific
ClKCLE, of this city, is a branch of the national
organization of the same name. It was established
in October, 1882. It has weekly meetings for read-
ings, essays and discussions upon historical,
scientific and social topics. The members are among
the most intelligent women in the city. The officers
for the current year are Miss Anna E. Bussell,
president; Mrs. E. O. Blunt, vice-president ; and Miss
Ida F. Wallace, secretary.
The Agassiz As-SOCIATIOX, of this city, is made up
of younir persons, mostly members of the High Scliool,
and at this time a large majority boys. It was formed
in November, 1880, and has meetings once a week,
eight mouths of the year. It is a live organization.
Its original purpose was the study of natural objects,
minerals, plants, birds, and insects. For this end a
museum of specimens has been collected by the asso-
ciation. Of late a wider scope has been given to the
objects of the society, — the cultivation of habits of
industry, honesty, promptitude and courtesy. The
present officers are Alfred A. Wheat, president;
Frederick E. Twitchell, secretary ; William T. Bailey,
treasurer; Frederick W. Hatch, corresponding secre-
tary. Connected with the Agassiz Association, and
composed of nearly the same persons, is the Apala-
CHIAN Club, who make an annual midsummer ex-
cursion to the lakes and mountains for health, recre-
ation and imjirovement, most of the time camping
out and cooking their own food. The present officers
of this club are Irving F. Graves, president;
J. W. Thurbcr, captain ; Elwyn G. Preston, quarter-
master.
The Nashua Farmers' Grange was organized
in 1876. It has semi-monthly meetings for the in-
vestigation of agricultural and hiirticultural topics,
with a good attendance of the members. The present
officers are Elijah Bobbins, master ; Marcus O.
Lund, secretary ; Charles Lund, treasurer.
The Nashua Historical Society has its rooms in
Telegraph Block. It has a collection of minerals and
ancient relics. The officers are O. C. Moore, pres-
ident ; J. II. Goodale, vice-president; II. B. Atherton,
secretary; Frederick Kelsey, treasurer ; Charles Hol-
man, George A. Ramsdell, William W. Bailey and
V. C. Gilman, directors.
Freemasons and Odd-Fellows. — The Masonic
order had an early introduction into this city, num-
bering many prominent citizens among its members.
The several organizations have commodious lodge-
rooms. Of the York Rite, there are the Rising Sun
Lodge, Ancient York Lodge, Meridian Sun Chapter,
Israel Hunt Council and St. George Commandery.
Of the Scottish Rite, are Aaron P. Hughes Lodge of
Perfection, St. George Chapter of Rose Croi.x,
Oriental Council of Princes of Jerusalem and Edward
A. Raymond Consistory.
The Odd-Fellows have a numerous membership in
this city, with ample halls and the following organ-
izations: Indian Head Encampment, Nashua Encamp-
ment, Granite Lodge, Pennichuck Lodge and Baker
Degree Camp. There is also a Lodge of Knights of
Pythias, and of the American Legion of Honor, the
St. John the Baptist Society, and two societies of thfe
Ancient Order of Hibernians.
There are several temperance societies in Nashua,
each of which, in its own way, whether as uncon-
ditional prohibitionists or non-partisan workers,
has labored diligently for the suppression of intem-
perance.
CHAPTER XV.
NkSnV A -{Continued).
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF NASHUA.
Puritan Ideas— Thomaa Welti — Miniaterial Support — Primitive Meet-
ing-House3— Church Dissensions — Whitefield's Followers — First Con-
gregational Church— Pilgrim Church— Baptist Church— t'niversalist
Church — Methodist Church— Unitarian Church — Episcopal Church —
Catholic Churches.
The first settlers of New England came to this
country impelled by religious motives. They were
denied religious freedom in the Old, and resolved to
obtain it in the New World. They attested their
sincerity by the great sacrifice of comfort and re-
sources which they made in securing this end. Yet
they were not wholly emancipated from the tradi-
tional errors of the past, and were not prepared to
grant that liberty of conscience and right of individ-
ual opinion and of action in religious alfairs which is
now universally conceded in this country. The
Massacliusetts colonial government framed its laws
on the basis that church and state were inseparable.
They did not recognize any precedent to the contrary.
Hence, invariably, as in the charter of Dunstable, in
October, 1073, it was required that "the town should
build a meeting-house and procure an able and ortho-
dox minister within three yeare." Two hundred
years ago there was great unanimity of religious
opinion in the scattered colonies of the New England
coast. They were essentially Puritan. There is no
doubt that the jjrovision in the charter for minis-
terial support was in accordance with the views of
nearly, if not all, of the early settlers of Dunstable.
At a public meeting in 1674 it was voted tiiat " the
meeting-house that is to be erected shall stand be-
tween Salmon Brook and the house of Lieutenant
Wheeler, as near as may be for the convenience of the
farmers." In the following October the house, built
of logs, was commenced, but the breaking out of
King Philip's War the next year deferred its com-
pletion till 1078.
NASHUA.
191
During King Philip's War the settlers within tlie
present limits of Nashua retired tor safety to the lower
towns. The town-meeting tor 1677 was held in Wo-
burn, when Thomas Brattle, James Parker, Jonathan
Tvng and Abraham Parker were chosen selectmen
for the ensuing year, and it was then voted,
"That as Hoon as may be, a minister be settled in (lie town of Dun-
stable, the time and man iMing left to the selectmen, bis pay to be in
money, or if in other pay, to add a thinl part more. The sum shall be
lifty pounds each year."
Rev. Thomas Weld, a native of Ro.\bury, Mass.,
and a graduate of Harvard, was the man selected, and
ccinseiiueiitly he was the first minister of Dunstable.
When he began to jireach is not recorded, but on
April 7, 1680, at a town-meeting, it was voted, "That
he be invited to a continuance and settlement with us
— -that the charges for maintenance of the minister
shall be borne by the proprietors according to their
lesiiective shares in the township." Further action
imposed by the charter was also taken to give Mr.
Weld a convenient farm to be settled upon him and
his heirs for his encouragement in the ministry.
J This farm consisted of a thirty-acre lot, which is now
included in what is known as the " Highland Farm,"
in the south part of the town, with a general claim to
a share in all the ungranted lands of the township,
amounting to about five hundred acres of wild land.
At a meeting held September 9, 1683, it appears
from the records "that there was due Mr. Weld for
the settling of his four years' salary, ending last May,
twenty-three pcmnds," and the names of those who
were in arrears to the minister were publicly called,
and they were required to pay within a limited time,
under penalty of having their lands seized and sold.
It is well known that in those early times, and for a
century after, the raising of money for the building of
houses of Worship and the support of preaching was
compulsory, a tax for this purpose being laid ujjon all
property-holders. It was easy to do this when the
great body of the people were of the same way of
thinking upon religious subjects. But when thesects
began to multiply, and men began to ai)preciate their
inilivi<lual rights, it became necessary to provide for
greater liberty of conscience. While it is not strange
that such a law should e.xist in llis.'i, it is .surprising
that it was not repealed for more than a third of a
century after New Hampshire became an indepen-
dent State.
In 1684 the log ineeting-housc, which probably
stood upon the present city farm, was abandoned. It
had been occupied only six years, and wouM not
liave been abandoned so soon had not the Tyng
family and others living farther down the river pro-
l)osed to contribute freely to build a better structure,
])rovided it should be located nearer to what is now
the town of Tyngsborough. The poverty of the
Salmon Brook peoiile led to the acceptance of the
otl'er, and a new and better meeting-house was built
near the present State line. On its completion Mr.
Weld WiU5 settled. The date was December 16, 1685.
He had already preached to this people seven years.
The number of actual members was small, only seven
names, all males, appearing on the books. For seven-
teen years after ordination Mr. Weld continued to
preach to this small settlement, exposed to Indian
I massacres and suH'ering great privations. He died
I June 9, 1702, before he had reached the age of fifty.
For one hundred and seventy years his grave at
the Old South burial-ground was marked by a dark
slab; but within a few years a handsome and ap-
propriate granite monument has taken its place. So
far as is known, he left a good record.
After the death of Mr. Weld there were temporary
supplies for many years, till the settlement of Rev.
Nathaniel Prentice, in 1720. He was pastor for
seventeen years, and died February 15, 1737, at the
age of forty. He was said to have been " a good
sermouizcr," and an inscription-stone marks his
grave at the Old South burial-ground. About two
years later Rev. Josiah Swan was settled. He was
said to have been a better farmer than pastor, and on
one Sunday morning, unconscious that it was the
Lord's day, ordered his hired men to go into the field
to work. The arrival of a leading ])arishioner con-
vinced him of his error. In 17-11 the State line was
established, and was a source of controversy by
making a majority of the congregation citizens of
another province. A still greater dissension was
caused by the preaching of George Whitefield,
who came over to the New Knglanil colonies and
aroused the i)eople by presenting, with rare elotjuence,
more practical and less doctrinal views of religion.
Rev. Frederick Alvord, in his historical discourse a
few years since, says: "The church in Dunstable
was more or less affected by this great Whilcfieldian
revival. It came none too soon. Many churches
had become cold and formal, and vital godliness was
sadly declining." Mr. Swan resigned in 1746, became
a farmer in Walpole, and died at an advanced age.
Rev. Samuel Bird was settled in 1747 as the fourth
pastor. He was an ardent follower of Whitefield, and
hence was called one of the " New Lights." There
was strong opi)ositioii to his settlement by the " Blan-
clianl party" and strong approval by the "Lovewell
party." The former had more wealth, the latter
more numerical strength. The result of this con-
troversy was two churches and two meeting-houaea,
the Bird party worshiping in the new meeting-house,
built opposite the residence of .1. L. JI. JIarsliall, ami
the other in the old house, near the State line.
The contest in regard to Mr. Bird w:u< ended
by his removal to Connecticut, but the church
troubles in Dunstable continued. Sixteen years of dis-
sension followed, but at length both parties, weary of
strife, made a compromise. Both of the old meeting-
houses were taken down, and a new one — the fourth —
was built on the "triangle" at the Centre. Rev.
Joseph Kidder, a native of Billerica and just grad-
192
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
uated from Yale, was ordained pastor, March 18,
1767, and was the town minister for nineteen years.
In 1790 his connection with the town ceased, but liia
rehition to the church continued till his death, iu
1818, though he cea.sed to preach in 1814. When the
fifth church was built, in 1812, known as the "Old
South," he had the satisfaction of being the first
occupant of the desk. On November 3, 1813, Rev.
E. P. Sjierry was installed as his colleague, and
succeeded him iu his labore. Mr. S|)crry was dismissed
April 4, 1819. This was the year of the passage of the
" toleration act " by the Legislature, and church and
state ceased to have any connection in New Hamp-
shire. The result was due to the progress of civ-
ilization and enlightened public sentiment.
In the mean time Nashua village grew rapidly in
numbers, and in 1825 the Nashua corporation erected
a meeting-house on the site of the present Pilgrim
Church. It was bought by the Congregational society
in 1826, and on the 8th of November, Rev. Handel
G. Nott was installed as pastor. He was highly suc-
cessful. During his eight years of labor three hun-
dred and fifty-five were added to the church, — -au
increase of sevenfold to the number when he took
charge. In 1834, to the surprise of most of his con-
gregation, he announced that, believing that infants
were not suitable subjects for baptism, he could no
longer administer the ordinance to them. To-day the
announcement would hardly cause a ripple of excite-
ment, but at that time it led to a division of the
church. The dissenting party held their first meeting
in Greeley's building, and having a small majority of
the members, formed an organization under the title
of the ,
First Cone^regational Church of Dunstable. — On
January 1, l.s:i-"», Kcv. .1. Mctiee was iiislalled as
pastor; a meeting-house, located on Main Street, was
built the same year. It was a wooden structure, and
was burned in 1870. A new brick church wjis com-
pleted, at a cost of forty-five thousand dollars, the
same year. The membership of the church is between
four hundred and four liundred and fifty.
The following is the list of [lastors and their time
of ministerial service in this church since its reor-
ganization, iu 1835 :
Jonathun McGee, installed Janiiarr 1; 1835 ; dismissed June 8, 1842.
Matthew Hale Stnith, installed October 19, 1842 ; dismissed August 20,
1845.
Samuel T.ainson, installed .\pril 8, 184fi ; dismissed April 7, 1848.
Daniel March, installed .lanmiry 11, 1840; disniiwised .January !>, 1855.
George B. .lewett, installed May 24, 1855 ; dismissed September 1,
1856.
Charles ,T. Hill, instalkil .Tanuarj- 27, 1857 ; dismissed April », 18C4.
Kliag C. Hooker, installed September 13, 18G5; dismissed August 13,
1808.
Frederick Alrord, installed .Inly G, 18C'.> ; dismissed May I, 1883.
Cyrus Richardson, insUilled August .Itt, 1883 ; in cluarge.
Olive Street Congreg-ational Church. — After the
withdrawal of a part of the members of the church
under the charge of Mr. Nott, the others continued
religious services under their pastor on Olive Street.
At the close of the year Mr. Nott removed, and after-
wards became a Baptist minister. The church then
gave a call to Rev. Austin Richards, and was organ-
ized under the name of the Olive Street Congrega-
tional Church. It continued a distinct and indepen-
dent organization for forty-four years, until its union
with the Pearl Street Church, in 1879. The following
is the list of its pastors during its distinct organiza-
tion ."
Austin Kichard^, installed .\pril 0, 183G ; dismissed November IG,
ISIiO.
Hiram Mead, installed December 17, 1867 ; dismissed September 22,
18U9.
James S. Black, installed March 31, 1870; dismissed June 29, 1874.
S. S. Martin, installed December 17, 1874 ; dismissed January 1, 1876.
J. K. Aldricb, employed November 1, 1876 ; dismisaed May 27, 1879.
Pearl Street Congregational Church. — In 1846
some of the members of the Olive Street Church
thought the increasing population of Nashua would
justify the formation of a third orthodox church.
The plan was carried into effect, and the new church
organized the following September. A new brick
edifice was erected at the corner of Main and Pearl
Streets, which was dedicated November 21, 1847. It
is now the property of the Universalist society. The
Pearl Street Congregationalist Society continued an
active organization till it united with the Olive Street
to form the present Pilgrim Society. During its
thirty years' existence it had the following list of
pastors :
Leonard Swain, installed June, 1847 ; dismissed December, 18.52.
Ezra E. Adams, installed August, 1853 ; dismissed December, 1857.
Edward H, Greeley, installed February, 1858 ; dismissed May, 18G0.
Beiyamiu F. Parsons, installed November, 1871 ; dismistied Juue,
187G.
W. L. Gaylord, installed December, 1867 ; dismissed October, 1870.
Charles M-elliirl.y, installed DecenibcM, 1S7I : dismissed March, 1879.
Second Congregational (Pilgrim) Church.— In
the spring of 1879 there were vacant pastorships in
both the Olive Street and the Pearl Street Congrega-
tional Societies. Both had congregations of respect- '
able size, but financial and prudential considera-
tions suggested the union of the two, and it was
consummated on June 2d of that year. On the
last day of the year Rev. George W. Grover was in-
stalled pastor, and the church is known as the Pilgrim
Church. Mr. Grover is still the pastor in charge. The
Pearl Street edifice was sold, and the wooden struc-
ture on Olive Street taken down, and on its site was
built a brick church with modern appointments, at a
cost of thirty-five thousand dollars. It was dedicated
on the last day of March, 1882. The church mem-
bership is five hundred and twenty, and average
attendance four liundred. i
First Baptist Church. — .Vs early as 1818 a small
Baptist society w:is formed in Nashua, but for some
years it had only occasional meetings. In 1832 it
was fully organized, with Rev. Dura D. Pratt as pas-
tor. A large and commodious meeting-house was
built at the corner of Main and Franklin Streets,
which was dedicated in .lanuarv. 1833, and burned in
NA.<11UA.
193
1 lie greiit iiru of October 12, 1848. The uext year a
new brick edifice wm erected ou the same site, at a
r.ist of twenty thoiisaiid dollars. The present mem-
in-rship of tiie church is about five hundred and
: iventy. The attendance averages about three huu-
iied and filty. The following is the list of the pas-
.rs of this church, uud their length of pastorate :
f )iini D. Pnitt, iti8tullt>it Januitry 2;t, 1833 ; dic4t in charge, NoTember,
William H. Eaton, inslultc^I .June 26, 1856 ; ilUinitwijd Jiiiumry, 1870.
11. II. Rhees, inHtalk'd .Inly 13, 18T0 ; disiiiissud .Jiiliuary, 1873.
C. W. Nifholsuli, instiillod Mjiy 1, 1873; dismissed December, 1880.
Janies .\. JobiistuD, iustulled Jiiue 1, 1881 ; uuw in charge.
Universalist Society and Church. — The Univcr-
salists iis a rcliy^ious (lciioiuiii;iiicm were unknown in
Nashua until 1835. At that time a society was or-
ganized under the pastoral charge of Rev. Woodbury
M. Fernald. In 1839 a meeting-house was built on
the west side of Main Street, which was occupied by
the society till March, 1882, when the church edifice
at the corner of JIaiii and Pearl Streets was bought,
and is now their place of worship. Two associations
were organized in 1849, — onebenevolent and sustained
by the ladies, and the other social and literary (the
Ballon) and sustained by the young people, — which
have been [iroductive of much good. The following
is the list of the pastors of the society:
Wooclbilry M. Ferwnld, iiislalled 1835 ; dismissed 1837.
A. I'. Cleverly, iuslalled 18:17 ; dismissed 18.TJ.
Lewis C. llixiwiie, installed 18:10 ; dismissed 184.'>.
Willlum 11. Kyder, iiistalleil 1843; dismissed 1847.
Lnwis f. Ilniwno, installed 18-17 ; dismissed 1S.M,
Cjriw II. Kay, installed 18.'>1 ; dismissed 18.55.
0. 1). Sliller, inst.Ucd 18,5.5; dismissed 18.51'.
J. 0. t<kinni!r, iuslalled 1850 ; dismissed 18C2.
G. T. Flandera, insbilknl 18i,:l ; disniisscil 18l>7.
8. II. Mcr'olliater, inKlalled 1808; dismissed 1872.
H. A. Phillinxjk, installed 1872; dismittwd 187.5.
.lames Oortun, installed 187G ; dismissed 1880.
Henry B. Smith, installed 1880 ; now In charge.
Prote.stant Episcopal Church. — The origin of the
Episi-i)|i;il (Muircli III N:isliii;i is soinewliat recent. In
IS.")? a missionary parish was organized, with Rev.
E. P. Wright ius rector. He was succeeded by Rev.
W. S. Perry and others, and a small wooden church
was built at the junction of Pearl and Temple Streets.
This was removed a few years later, and no services
were held in the city.
In 1871, Rev. James li. (rood rich renewed the church
services in Uca.som's Hlock and continued as mission-
ary rector till 1875. At that time he was succeeded
by Rev. .lacob Leroy. The church and congregation
gradually g:iincd in numbers. In 1879 a church edi-
fice, built entirely of gninite, was erected on South
Main Street, at a cost ol' twenty thousand dollars. It
is a neat and enduring structure. It Wius consecrated
in November, 1879, and the entire building was the
gift of Mrs. Lucia .\. Rand, a native of this State, but
now a resident of Middletown, Conn. In 1882 the
church ceased to he a missionary p;irisli,aiid is recog-
nized as the Church of the (iood Shepherd. Rev.
William II. MnieliiiHl is the present rector.
Unitarian Church.— The Unitarian Society of
Nashua, like most of the early societies of the de-
nomination, was largely made up of seeeders from
the Congregationalists. As a religious organization,
it occupies the more advanced liberal grounds. The
society in Nashua, in the i)ublished statement of their
views, believe in the right of i>rivate judgment in re-
ligion as in all other matters; in a jirogressive revela-
tion; that no book or creed contains the whole of re
ligion, but that God is speaking to-day more clearly
than in any past age, unfolding his truth to every man,
no matter to what race he belongs or what part of the
globe he inhabits; that every word of truth is the word
of God, whether found in the Bible or out of the Bible
or contradicting the Bible; that there is one God, the
Creator and Father, and no more, and none other is
to be worshiped.
The church edifice now occupied by the society was
built in 1827. The following is the list of pastors:
Nathaniel Gage, installed 1827 ; dismissed 1834.
Henry Knunons, installed 18:15 ; dismissed 18:18.
Sanuiel Osgood, installed 1838 ; dismissed 1842.
S. G. Bviinnch, installed 1845 ; dismifsod 1852.
M. W. Willis, installed 1863 ; dismissed 1662.
S. 1). Stewart, installed 1863 ; dismissed 18C5.
Minot G. Gage, installed 1860 ; dismissed 1870.
Clarence Fowler, installed 1871 ; dismissed 1873.
Thomas Ij. Gorman, installe<l 1873; dismissed 1878,
Uenry C. I'arlter, installed 1878 ; now in charge.
OAnnected with the society is Ihc Channing Literary
Association, comi)osed of young persons of both sexes,
who hold their meetings in Channing Hall. Their
object is moral, mental and social improvement. There
is also an association of ladies for allbrding aid to the
needy and the sick, who h(dd semi-monthly meetings.
Methodist Episcopal Church.— The Methodist
Church, lijundcil by .loliii \\'csley in the last century,
was hardly known in this State in 1820. When
Nashua became a manufacturing village it was visited
by several itinerant preachers, and in 1833, Rev. .lames
G. Smith was stationed here for the year. During the
year the church on Lowell Street was built. It was
dedicated November 12, 1833. This building was
occupied till 1868, when the society removed to their
new brick edifice, on Main Street. Owing to the
itinerant system the number of ministers who occu-
pied the Lowell Street pulpit is large. The list and
time of service are as follows:
.lames G. Smith, IS-'ll; A. 1'. Ilrigliam, 18:n ; W. 1). Viim, 18:1,5; W.
II. Ilaleli, 1836-37; .lared I'erklns, 18:18-:10; Samuel Kelly, 1840; J. W.
Mowry, 1841-42 ; L. U. Hallows, 1843-44 ; James Pike, 18ir>-4n ; Henry
Drew, 1847-48; D M. Hogere, 1840; Elijah 51a»on, 1850-^.1 ; Fninklin
Knrber, 1862-53; Elihu Scoll, 1854 ; D. P. I.eavill, 1855-00; Henry Hill,
1857; C, U. Ilaixling, 1858-&U ; Lewis Howarxl, 1860; CImrlcl Vonlig,
1861-62 ; G. W. II. Clark, 1803-01 ; K. A. Smith, 1165-67.
After the division of the town into Nashua and
Nashville, a Methodist Society was organized <ui the
south side of Nashua River, and a church on Chestnut
Street Wiis bought of the Baptists in 1844, which con-
tinued to be occupied by them till l.SSO, when the
church united with the First Methodist Church, on
Main Street. The following is the list of pastors ami
194
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
time of service at the Chestnut Street Church during
its existence:
Rev. C. C Burr, 1814 ; Jacob Boyco, 1845-4G; T. H. Pond, 1847 ; (an
intol'im of three yeare) ; J. McLnuglilin, 1850-51; Lewis Howard, 1852-
63; .larod TerkiMS, 1854; G. S. Deurlioni, 1855-50; 11. II. Hartwell,
1857-.';8 ; S. Hollimn, 16.59-f.n ; L. J. Hall, 1801-02 ; W. H. Jones, 180:!-
C4 ; K. S. Sluliba, 1SO5-00 ; E. U. Wilkins, 1807-09 ; D. C. Babcock, 1870;
T. Carter, 1871-72 ; H. L. Kelsny, 187:1-74 ; L. P. Ciishman, 1875-77 ; 0.
H. Janper, 1878-SO.
The church on Main Street was dedicated in 1868.
It is a large and handsome edifice and cost sixty thou-
sand dollars. The list of ministers in charge since
then is as follows: Rev. George Bowler, 1808; Angelo
Carroll, 1869-70; V. A. Cooper, 1871-73; Charles
Shelling, 1874-75; Charles E. Hall, 1876-78; James
E. Day, 1879-80; B. P. Raymond, 1881-82; P. M.
Frost, 1883-84; J. II. Haines, 1885, who is now in
charge.
The Roman Catholic Church.— Of the Catholic
Chiircli organized in this city Ijy llev. John O'Donnell
in 1855 and the building of the church in 1857 we
have already written. Father O'Donnell died in
January, 1882, and was succeeded by Rev. Patrick
Houlihan and by Rev. William F. Tliggins, as assist-
ant. The Irish jiopuhition of the city is two thousand
three hundred. The Sunday attendance at the Church
of the Immaculate Conception is fifteen hundred.
There are three distinct sessions, — two for adults and
one for children. The church has purchased the real
estate known hitherto as the "Indian Head House,"
and has reconstructed it for a school building. It is
proposed to establish a parochial school, to be taught
by the Sisters of Mercy. The house will accommodate
five hundred pupils. The cemetery of this church is
in Hudson, two miles from the city.
The French Catholic Church is of more recent
origin. Worshiping at fir.st with the Irish, their num-
ber increased so that, in June, 1871, Rev. Louis Girard
was appointed to organize a church. He resigned in
1871, and Rev. J. B. H. V. Milette was appointed to
succeed him. The building of the church on Hollis
Street was commenced in 1872, and dedicated on the
8th of June, 1873. It is a fine edifice, having cost
forty thous:ind dollars. The average attendance on
Sunday services is two thousand, three sessions being
held. The French Canadian Cemetery is on Hollis
Street, two miles from the city. In 1888 a three-story
hrick building was erected for a i)arochial school,
which has at this time five hundred and eleven schol-
ars, and is t:uight by nine Sisters of the Holy Cross.
The French C;inadian population of this city is three
thousand seven hundred. It is proposed to build
another French Catholic Church next year on the
north side of Nashua River.
The Catholics are now (1885) far the most numerous
religious sect in the city, numbering six thousand,
equal to two-fifths of the entire ])opulation.
CHAPTER XVI.
NASllV A— (Continued).
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES OF NASHrA.
Cotton Manufacturing Companies — Iron Industries — Foundries and
Macliine-Shops — Wood Manufacturinj; Industiiee — Card, liout and
Shoe, Box and Freezer Companies— Miscellaneous Industries — Kami-
int; Statistics— La\vyei*s and Doctors — Muuicipal Officers — Public
School Teachers — Conchision.
If Nashua luul remained what it was in 1820, an
agricultural town, its present population would not
exceed eight hundred. It wa.s early predicted that
the Merrimack River would furnish an extensive
power for manufacturing purposes, but the Nashua
River was unthought of until some of the residents of
the village discovered and appreciated its importance,
and chiefly contributed the first capital used to de-
velop it. We have already recorded the early his-
tory of the two largest manufacturing companies in
the city. Since that early period they have largely
increased their capacity. A concise and accurate
statement of their present extent and condition will
be of value for future reference.
The Cotton Manufacturing Industry— Nashua
Cotton Manufacturinc; Company. — This corpora-
tion, chartered in 1823, began the manufacture of
cotton cloth in 1826. The first agents were Asher
Benjamin and Ira Gay, who were soon succeeded by
Thomas W. Gillis, who filled the position eighteen
years, until 1853. He was followed by Daniel Hussey,
who introduced the turbine instead of the breast
wheel, adding greatly to the water-power. He re-
mained till 1869, and was followed by D. D. Crombie,
who left at the end of two years. Oliver P. Hussey
bec.ime agent in 1871 and remained till his death, in
1S75. The present agent, Rufus A. Maxfield, en-
tered upon his duties ten years ago. Since then the
capacity of the company has increased twenty per
cent. The plant in 1844 consisted of four separate
mills. All these mills have, from time to time, been ai
greatly improved by additions and alterations, so that ■
the company now has in a single continuous tier of
buildings a floorage of more than twelve acres. In
addition to the mill buildings proper, the com])any
has a range of buildings on Basin Street, which is
utilized as cloth-room and machine-shop, six large
store-houses, a store-house for the raw cotton, an im-
mense boiler-house, with minor buildings, together
with a spacious counting-room, built in 1879, and
eighty-two tenement houses, the last-named mostly
in blocks.
The total capacity of the water-jjower of these
mills is eighteen hundred and twelve horse-power.
The company has sixteen steam-boilers of seventy-
five horse-jiower each — steam being required for heat
as well as power — and a tot:il engine-]iower of sixteen
hundred horse-power, which, added to the fourteen
hundred water-power, gives a total of three thousiind
horse-power. This power is now so reserved and
NASHUA.
195
economically employed that in the future these mills
cannot be short of i)o\ver. Tlie use of steam-power
becomes a necessity in recent times on account of the
evaporation during the severe droughts which of late
years are apt to occur in summer. The mills of the
Nnsluia Ciim])any have a capacity of eighty-five thou-
sand spimlles, and make twenty-four million yards
of line sheeting, shirting and cotton Hannels yearly,
the market being mostly in the United States. The
annual consumption is twenty-four thousand bales.
The ciimpany employsover fifteen hundred operatives,
of wlidin twelve hundred are females and three hun-
<lred men and Ijoys. More than three-fi)urths of the
help are cither foreigners or the cliililrcn of toreigners.
They are about equally divided between the Canadian
French and the Irish. Wages are now (June, 1885)
fully as high as in 1879. The pay-roll is about
twenty-two thousand dollars monthly. Webster
P. Huasey is paymaster, succeeding John A. IJaldwin,
who tilled the position forty years. The location and
surroundings of the mills of this company are un-
usually favorable. The inclosed grounds are spacious
and finely shaded, and the arrangement of the
buildings such as to favor health and comfort. Fred-
erick Amory, of Hoston, is the treasurer.
Till-: .rAncsox MAXiiwcTfuixci Co.mi'any. — The
grounds of this company are ]>leasantly located on
the Nashua River, in the eastern part of the city. In
a previous chapter we have given its early history.
The following is a list of the agents of the company
and the time they held the [losition : B. F. French,
seven years ; Edmund Parker, eleven years ; M. A.
Herrick, four years ; H. T. Hobbins, ten months ;
Walter Wright, one year; P. Lawton, two years; B.
Saunders, eleven years; O. P. Hussey, four years;
William D.C'aldwell,the present agent, since January,
1871, fourteen and a half years. The plant consists
of three large mills which have been enlarged within
a few years, and have twelve hundred and twelve
looms and thirty-live thousand seven hundred and
twenty spindles. The water-power is eighteen feet
fall, equal to one thousand horse-power, which is
strengthened by eight hundred horse-power of steam.
The prodn(-tive capacity has increased one hundred
per cent, under the present agent. The mills have a
floorage of four acres, with large store-houses and a
large block which is u.sed for counting-room, cloth-
room anil machine-shop. There are forty-two tene-
ments, mostly in handsome brick blocks. The capital
of the com[)any is six liun<lred thousand dollars. The
nunilicr of (qicratives is eight hundred, nearly threc-
fourtlis of whom are foreigners or the children of
foreigners. They are equally divided between the
Irish and Canadian French. The former are regarded
as the more reliable and permanent. The i)ay is six
per cent, higher than in 1S7!I, and believed to be the
highest paiil by any cotton manufactory in the
country. The products are line sheetings and shirt-
ings, which lind a market in China, South America
and Mexico. The annual consumption of cotton is
fifteen thousand bales, and the production seventeen
million yards of cloth. The monthly pay-roll is
fifteen thousand dollars. E. M. Temple is paymaster.
In these mills the system of keeping accounts is such
that the raw cotton is traced by the pound from the
l)icker till it is ready for the market, every process
showing so much addition in actual cost. Frederick
Amory, of Boston, is treasurer of the company.
The Vale Mills Manufacturing Company
erected a cotton-mill on Salmon Brook, at the Harbor,
in 1845. This wits followed, in 18o;5, by the building
of a second mill, having altogether a capacity ot
twenty thousand spindles and weaving one million
two hundred thousand yards per annum of forty-
inch fine sheetings for home consumption. The com-
pany has a capital of eighty thousanil dollars, and
gives employment to eighty operatives. All the
looms are new and improved and the machinery has
been renewed within fifteen years. The mills, aside
from other buildings, have a floorage of nine thou-
sand six hundred square feet. The fall at the dam is
twenty-six feet, and one hundred and fifty horse-
power. In addition to this, the company has one
hundred horse-])ower of steam. These mills are do-
ing a prosperous business, and contemplate an in-
crease of production in the future, licnjauiin Saun-
ders is the agent and treasurer.
Iron Manufacturing Industries. — The iron manu-
factories of Nashua are second only to the cotton
industry in extent and importance.
Titu Nasihia IitON A.\i> Stkel Company, in-
corporated in 1847 with a capital of thirty thousand
dollars, had a rai)id and unusual growth. From three
small hammers and one small shop the company
developed to ten large hammers and seven large
shops, requiring a capital of four hundred thousand
dollars. The plant covers twelve acres. It manufac-
tures steel and iron f'orgings of any size, steel Iocduio-
tive tires and general railroad work. The steel-plate
made at these works has an uncqualed reputation,
and is recognized as the best made in the country.
Untbrlunatcly, the plate and bar-mill was burned in
February last, so that its condition at this time is not
Huch its to indicate its capacity or jiroduct. It gives,
when in full operation, emiiloyment to two hundred
and eighty men, many of whom are skillful ami ex-
perienced workmen. John .\. Buriiham is president;
.Vrefjus Blood, treasurer and superintendent.
Tiiic Nasiu'A Lock (Jomi'ANY has for many
years done a large business. We have already given
its early history. It makes locks, door-knobs and
bells, hinges, bolts and buihiers' hardware of every
style and pattern. The works cover a plant of
four hundred by three hundred feet, in an inelo-
sure of two and a ipnirter acres, and consist of
seven shops. Its capital stock is one hundred and
(wcniy thousand dollars. It give employment to ono
hundred anil eiglily men, and makes two hinidred and
r
196
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
fifty thousaiul dollars' worth of goods annually. A.
C. Barstow is president; H. G. Bixby, treasurer;
Emery Parker, siijierintendcnt.
The UN'i>i;uirii.L ED(ii:-TooL Company, located
at the mouth of Salmon Brook, has a capital stock of
one hundred and twelve thousand dollars, and em-
ploys one hundred men. It manufactures a.\es, hatch-
ets, adzes and edge-tools of every pattern, and sends
products to every part of the western continent. Its
annual sales are one hundred thousand dollars. It
has a seventy-five hoi'se water-power and a Corliss
steam-engine of one hundred and fifty horse-power.
■ John G. Kimball is president ; C. V. Dearborn, treas-
urer; Nestor H.aines, superintendent.
The Nashua Iron* Foundry, Charles Williams,
proprietor, has for many years been in operation. It
manufactures heavy castings for cotton-mills and m.a-
chinists' tools. The plant covers several acres. It
has five large buildings, fifty horse steam-power, and
gives employment to an average of one hundred and
twenty men. The business averages more than one
hundred and fifty thousand dollars annually. Charles
A. Williams is agent.
The Nashua Co-operative Iron Foundry is
the successor of the Otterson Iron Foundry. The
present company began business in 1881. As a co-
operative euterprise it was an experiment. It has
proved eminently successful. Its capital is twenty
thousand dollars. Fifty-five men are employed.
Small castings are its specialty, in which it ex-
cels, and New England is its chief market. Its busi-
ness averages more than sixty thousand dollars an-
nually. Patrick Barry is president ; T. W. Keely,
foreman ; T. B. Crowley, manager and treasurer.
Fl.\ther & Co., manufacturers of machinists'
tools, engine and hand-lathes and .special machinery,
are located at the Concord Railroad Junction. They
employ thirty-six men, and the value of their annual
production is fifty thousand dollars. This firm com-
menced business in 1866, and have won the reputa-
tion (if making perfect machines, which they are now
sending to every part of the country.
The Nashua Press and Boiler- Work.s, owned
by .1. J. Crawford, are located at the Concord Rail-
road Junction, employ eighteen to twenty men, and
manufacture steam-boilers, steaming cylinders, water
and oil-tanks and plate-iron work of every kind. The
sjiecialtyof these works is the hydraulic power-press,
with the hollow steam-plates and connections, which
is used by woolen manufivcturers in pressing woolen
cloths and knit-goods. The value of the annual sales
is forty-five thuusand dollars. These works were
burned last .January, but are being rebuilt on the
same site.
Geor(;e .V. Rollins & Co., on Mason Street,
manufacture steam-engines of the most improved
action and power, and employ fourteen hands. The
shop and tools are new.
The Warner \- Whitney JIachine-Shop is tin-
der the management of George H. Whitney. It
employs forty men, and makes Swaiue's turbine
water-wheels and machinists' lathes. The value of
its production is fifty thousand dollars annually.
The American SiiE.A^RER Manufacturing Com-
pany' makes horse and barber clippers and sheep-
shearing machines. They employ twenty-tour men.
Its market is the world. J. K. Priest is manager and
treasurer.
George W. Davis & Co. make stationary and
portable steam-engines, boring-machines, and do the
general repairing of machinery. They are located
near the corner of Foundry and Mason Streets.
Wood Manufacturing Industries.— The Nashua
Bobbin and Spool Company is a long-established
industry. Of its origin and progress in earlier times
we have already written. It has su]iplied mills in
every part of the country. Within a few months it
has been reorganized, with Frank H. Ayer, president
and treasurer ; G. H. Hatch, clerk ; and Ira Cross,
superintendent. It makes bobbins, spools and
shuttles for all kinds of textile fabrics, — cotton, woolen,
silk, linen, hemp and jute; also rollers for skates
and other kinds of wood-work. The works are located
on Water Street. The floorage of the shops is nearly
three acres, and its business this year one hundred
and fil'ty thousand dollars, and in good times twice
that amount. White birch and maple are material
for spools and bobbins. Formerly apple-tree W'ood was
used for shuttles, but of late dog- wood and persimmon
are shipped from North Carolina.
Gregg & Son, located at the Concord Railroad
Junction, manufacture doors, window-s.ash, blinds,
mouldings and machine findings for builders. This
industry was established in 1870, and occupies two
large four-story buildings. They procure their lum-
ber from the West and Canada, use one hundred
horse-power of steam and employ one hundred and
thirty men. New England is their largest customer,
but orders arc filled from California, Australia and
the West ludies.
Howard &Co., furniture manufacturers, make ash
and black walnut chamber sets a specialty. They
occupy three buildings on Merrimack Street tor ma-
chine-woik, with thirty-five horse-power of steam,
and have a large three-story building for finishing
and storage, on Amherst Street, besides a large retail
store on Main Street. Their entire floorage is two
acres. They emploj' ninety men, and do a business
annually of more than one hundred and fifty thou-
sand dollars.
Cross & Tolles, manufacturers of window and
door-frames, boxes and builders' findings, have three
large buildings on Quincy Street. They emjdoy forty
hands, and do a large business in custom planing,
matching, turning, scroll and gig-sawing and pattern-
work. Their lumber and manufactured sales are
one hundred thousand dollars annually.
Proctor Brothers, manufacturers of fish, syrup
NASHUA.
197
and provision casks, Icits and kegs, began business in
llollis in 1870, and removed to Nashua in 1881.
They employ seventy-five men. They have a large
jnill, store-house, shop and two dry-houses. Their
motive-power is a one hundred and twenty-live horse-
;. iwer steam-engine. Market in the large cities.
Ihey use white-pine lumber for the most part, and at
ihe present time obtain it in Hudson, Litchfield and
other neighboring towns. They make three hundred
tliousand casks and kits yearly.
Tbe Fletcheu & Wehster Firxiture Company
make wood and marble-top centre tables, hat-trees,
whatnots, cribs, cradles and other varieties of useful
and ornamental wood-work. They occupy three hirge
buildings, employ forty hands, and make sales amount-
ing to fifty thousand dollars annually. J. M. Fletcher
is president and manager.
The Nasiu a Novelty Works make fancy bird-
cages, childreifs rocking-horses, wagons, doll-car-
riages and toys of all kinds. It has two spacious
shops, and employs fifteen hands. Its sales are about
fifteen thousand dollars yearly. J. M. Fletcher is
proprietor.
G. O. Sander-s' saw and box-mill, near the Hudson
bridge, was started in 1S82. He uses a sixty horse-
power engine, employs thirty men, and does a business
of over fifty thousand dollars annually.
Holt Brothers, on the line of the Acton Railroad,
have a mill, forty by eighty feet, and four stories,
with an annex of thirty by thirty-eight feet. The
mill was built in 1884, and has new and improved
machinery. They have a forty horse-power engine,
and, including their building contracts, emi>loy (me
hundred men.
The Invalid Bed Manufactory is a new enter-
prise, located in the three-story brick building on
Lowell Street. The invalid bed made by this com-
pany is unequaled fur its merits, and will have an
extensive use. Evan B. Hammond is president ; F. A.
McKean, treasurer ; J. Q. A. Sargent, superintendent.
LfTilER A. RoisY & Son are the largest manu-
facturers and dealers in ship timber in New Hamp-
shire. Their market is cliicdy at Boston and Charles-
town. Their yard is south of Temple Street and west
of the Concord statioiL The timber is largely oak,
and is mostly obtained from the Upper Merrimack
Valley.
The Isaac; Eaton Comtanv, for the manufacture
of bobbins and slmtllcs, has new buildings on Charles
Street. The main Imiblingis one lnin<lred and twenty-
nix by forty feet. The head of the comjiany has had
a long and auccessful experience. The works are new
and the machinery of the most improved kind. Isaac
Eaton is president; Elmer AV. Eaton, treasurer ; (!.
K. Holt, superintendent.
Roger W. I'outer, HnUis Street, is manufacturer
of shuttles, bobbins and spools for cotton-mills. His
faetciry is sixty-five by twenty-five feet, with engine
of twenty horse-power. He employs twenty hands.
General Manufacturing Industries. — The Na-
shua Card and Glazed I'ArER Co.mi'any is a large
and successful industry. We have already given its
early history. In 1862, Horace W. Oilman became a
member of the firm, then consisting of C. P. Gage, O.
D. Murray and V. C. Oilman. In 1804 the Oilman
Brothers bought the interest of tbe two other partners,
and in 18C6 obtained from the Legislature the present
charter of the company, but did not organize under it
till 1869, when the firms of Oilman Brothersand Mur-
ray, Pierce & Co. were consolidated and organized
under the charter as the Nashua Card and Glazed Paper
Company, with a capital of ime hundred thousand ilol-
lars. The first board of directors were V. C. Oilman,
H. W. Oilman, T. P. Pierce, O. D. Murray and G. D.
Murray. 0. D. Murray was elected president and II.
W. Oilman treasurer. In January, 1873, Virgil C.
Oilman sold his interest to the remaining members of
the company. The capital was increased to one hun-
dred and fifty thousand dollars, and the plant removed
from the old Washington House to its present loca-
tion. In January, 1888, O. D. Murray sold his inter-
est, and the new directors elected were H. W. Oilman,
T. P. Pierce, Franklin Pierce, W. V. CHlnian, E. T.
Pierce, C. H. Hill, J. W. White. T. P. Pierce was
chosen president, and H. W. Oilman treasurer, which
oflicers are still in service.
This has been one of the most successful enterprises
in Nashua, its business steadily increasing until its
manufactures are sent to nearly every city in the
Union, and are to be found in the remote mining
towns of Colorado. They have been sent to Italy,
Mexico and South America. Its consumption is from
three to four tons of paper per day ; its shipments in
1884 amounted to fifteen hundred and seventy-eight
tons, or over five tons per day. An average of one
hundred hands are employed, and the annual produc-
tion is three hundred thousand dullars. To maintain
so large a business against large competition, and
through periods of business depression, has required
carel'ul management, and success is due to the fact
that every department has been under the direct su-
pervision of some one of the leading ownei-s, who have
applied to the work their practical ex])erience.
Moody, Estabrook & .\ni>erson, manufac-
turers of boots and shoes, Hollis Street, established
their business in 1879. Their building is one hundred
and eighty by thirty-five feet and four stories high.
Power is obtained from the powerful engine in Chand-
ler's grain elevator. This firm gives empbiyment to
two hundre<l and fifty hands, and manufactures five
hundred tlumsand boots and shoes for the Western and
Southwestern States. Its sales amount in the aggre-
gate to nearly six hundred thousand dollars annually.
By judicious management this linn has secured a good
reputation, aiul its Imsiness has added lo tbe priis|H:r-
ity of the city.
The White Moi^ntain Freezer Comi'any was
started in Laeonia in 1872, burned out and rc-cstab-
198
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
lislied in Kashuii in 1881. The main building is two
hundred by forty feet, store-house two hundred by
thirty feet, foundry one hundred and sixty by forty
feet, and several small store-houses upon its four acres.
It manufactures ice cream freezers, using a million
feet of lumber and a large amount of tin and iron an-
nually. Every piece of goods manufactured by the
company is from the raw material. Its product finds
a market in every part of the world. Engine, one
hundred horse-power; men employed, one hundred
and twenty ; pay roll, three thousand five hundred dol-
lars monthly ; business, one hundred and fifty tliousaud
dollars annually. This enterprise is growing rapidly.
Thomas Sands is superintendent and proprietor.
Charles H. Burke's Bakery ia located at 13
and 15 Mulberry Street. It is the best-equipped
bakery in the State. In addition to the making of
•wheat and corn bread of every variety, it makes crack-
ers a leading specialty, furnishing every style from
the small oyster to the large pilot cracker. It also
make.s wedding goods, pies and every style of cakes.
It employs sixteen hands, and all the appointments
are kept in a neat and suitable condition.
The SoAPSTONE- Works of Charles Williams, at the
Concord Railroad Junction, employ thirty men, and
manufacture stoves, sinks, wash-trays, register-frames
and soapstone work of every kind. The quarry is in
Francestown, X. H., and furnishes the best soap-
stone in the United States. New York, Boston and
Philadelphia are the leading markets for these goods.
Charles Hoi.max, wholesale manufacturer of con-
fectionery, is located in Spalding & Holman's Block,
South Main Street. He employs twenty-four men
and sends goods to every part of the State.
A. H. DuNLAP & Son, seedsmen, in Dunlap's
Block, put up twelve thousand boxes of garden and
flower-seeds annually, and are the largest seed dealers
in the State.
S. S. Davls, paper box manufacturer, ou Railroad
Square, began business in 1867. It is now an estab-
lished industry, uses steam-power and the most im-
proved machinery. Mr. D.ivis uses about one hun-
dred tons of straw board annually, which is obtained
from the mills at the West. Twonty-four hands,
mostly females, are employed, and the annual produc-
tion of goods is twenty thousand dollars.
S. D. Chandler, at Worcesterdepot, manufactures
flour from Western wheat, and at Concoid dejiot makes
the hydraulic cement sewer-pipe.
O. W. Reed, Mason Street, makes at his brass
foundry all kinds of brass, copper and composition
castings and Babbit metal.
L. E. Burbaxk manufactures standard overalls of
various patterns on Railroad Siiuare.
Mrs. M. E. Kimball, Xorth JLiddle Street and Miss
Barber, Belviderc, manufacture knitgoods, such as
mittens, gloves and shirts, and employ from thirty to
seventy hands each. There arc other individual en-
terprises em]>loying more or le.ss people, but the list
.above shows the extent and variety of the industries of
Nashua.
The agricultural territory of Nashua, limited in ex-
tent, is yet of considerable importance. Among the
owners of good farms within tiie city limits are
Luther A. Roby, Otis Searles, John P. Cummings,
Alfred P. Kendall, Mrs. Horace ToUes, Mrs. Alfred
Godfrey, John C. Lund, J. L. H. Marshall, Charles
F. Tolles, Elliot Whitford, Stilman Swallow, Charles
Lund, David Roby, James Roby, Alfred Chase, B. F.
Cotton, Frank H. Ayer, V. C. Oilman and heiis of T.
J. Laton. There are some fine apple orchards in the
south ]iart of the town, and in no part of the State are
better pears raised than within two miles of the city
hall.
Municipal Statistics, — Since the incorporation of
Nashua as a city the mayors have been :
Josephus Baldwin, 1853-M ; Freeman S. Rogers, 18o5-56 ; Thomas
W. Gillis, 1S5V ; Albin Beard, IS'iS-AB ; Aaron W. Sawyer, 18(ill ; George
Bowers, 1861; Hiram T. Morrill, 18C>-r.3 ; Edward Spalding, 1804;
Virgil C. Gilman, I8G0 ; Giliuau Scripture, 18liti-67 ; George Bowers,
1808 ; .Totham D. Otterson, 1869-70 ; Dana Sargent, 1871 ; Selh V. Chan-
dler, 1872 ; Frank A. McKean, 1873-74 ; George H. Whitney, 1875 ;
Charles V'iUiams, 1S7G-77 ; William H. Cook, 1878 ; Charles Ilolman,
1S70-SII ; Benjamin Fletcher, 1881-82; Alfred M. Norton, 1883-84 ; John
A. Spalding, 1885.
The following is the list of attorneys-at-law in prac-
tice at this time (June, 1880) :
,\aron F. Stevens, William W. Bailey, Charles H. Burns, Henry B.
Athertou, Eilward S. Cutter, .Tames B. Fassett. George B. French, Ed-
ward E. Parker, Royal D. Barnes, Charles W. Uoitt, E. B. Gould, H.
K. Cutter, J. B. Parker, L. F. Burltank, .lames A. Leach, .leremiah
.1. Doylo.
The following is the list of physicians practicing
in this city at this time :
S. G. Dearborn, H. G. Dearborn, K. A. Colburn, K. F. McQuesten, G.
F. Wilber, J. G. Graves (Jd), J. C. Garland, W. S. Collins, C. S. Collins,
R, B Prescott, C. B. Hammond, G, A. Inderhill, J. X. Woodward. R. .1.
Halleren, C. S. Rounsevel, G. E. Ellis, John Nottjigo, Frank A.
Dearborn, P. E. Dansereau, A. W. Pettit, Eugene Wason, A. M. Spald-
ing.
DentUtte. — L. F. Locke, Albert Lull, George Bowers, C. G. A. Eayni,
C. E. Faxon, F. L. Twitcholl, Harrison Baldwin.
CITY OFFrCERS, 1885.
.Tohu A. Spalding, mayor ; Eugene M. Bowman, city clerk ; Milton A.
Taylor, treasurer ; Charles W. lloitt, solicitor ; .loliu Nottage, city jdiy-
sician ; Tyler M. Shattuck, n»*ssenger; Frank E. Marsh, collector;
.Ijimes H. Hunt, city marshal ; Henr}' W. Webster, assistant ; James R.
Fassctt, police Judge ; W. O. (_'Uuigh, asHiciate justice ; Fred. 11. Morrill,
clerk.
The following is a list of the members of the school
committee for term ending 1885: Jacob Leroy, J. B.
Fassett, J. L. H. Marshall, C. W. Hoitt. For term
ending 1886 : Gilman C. Shattuck, G. W. Currier, C.
W. Stephens, Jason E. Tolles. For term ending 1887:
J. W. Howard, W. P. Hussey,C. Y. Dearborn, Elbert
Wheeler. Superintendent of Schools, Frederic
Kelsey.
SCHOOI.-TEACIIEHS.
High Scfcoo^— Spring Street, Etlwin J. Goodwin (principal), Clara J.
McKean, Delia L. Haywood, Emma F. Johnson, Flora A. Runnels.
Grnmiitar SchooU.—'>lt. Pleasjint, Kdwanl C. Bnrbeck (principal),
Clara I. Thompson, .\nnie M. Putnam, Etta C. McLaren ; Spring Street,
Livinia I. D«ige, Celia T. Garlaml, Lucelia A. Kimball, H. Adella
McKean, .Adelaide 31. Kitlridge, Ella F. Wheeler, Lnlu L. Pinkham.
'yta^^Cc^e-*^
^.^^mi^-l-^A.^
NASHUA.
199
Middlt BchooU. — Ttlaiu Street, Letiti» G. Campbell, Josie B. Hale,
Knillm G. Osborn, I>L'lia P. Fiske ; Mt. Ploasiiiit, Miirgarct A. O'Keil,
Ida M. Iloyt ; ilarhur, Fannie I>. Parker, Kttu C. Marble; llelvidore,
I lara E. Upton; O'Dunnell, Sarah (', Whittle.
Priinnry in'AooIa.— Main Street, Ellen 31. Sullivan, Ida F. Wallace,
I'aiiliie A. Morri»un, Ilattie E. Farley ; Mt. Pleatumt, Coru B. Look,
Nimli .\. Collins, .\nna E. BufWell; Palm Street, Mary L. Uaniinond,
Ellen E. Kendall, Kli/abuth L. llurke ; SUilberry Street, Jlary E. Law,
Ll/-/.ie M. Ilannnond ; East Pearl Street, Carrie E. Mitchell, Ilattio T.
Ca8e ; Harbor, Alice S. Hai-riK, Fannie E. Clark ; O'Douiiell, Mary A.
Dean, t^tello C. Shattuck ; Bclvidere, Ellen L. Uoilly ; Edgoville, Li/.zie
>lorgan.
SithiirlxiH ScAoo(«.— District No. 1, Helen M. White ; District No. 2,
Kiiiiiiiiie I. Flanders ; District No. 3, Mattie J. 3Iarsba1l ; District No. 4,
[Lirinali M. Swallow; District No. '>, .Vnnie S. ToUes; District No. 6,
Nellie U. McClure ; District No. 7, Bertha L. Hohlen.
There were tliirty-one graduates from the High
School ill 1885, the term closing on the 2!)th of June.
I'he summer vacation of late years is twelve weeks,
the fall session beginning the miiUilc uf September.
In closing this history of Niwluia, we will only say
that we hope the reader, whether a citizen or a
stranger, a resident or one of the many who have
found homes elsewhere, will find in the pages
which describe the olden times and the more
recent events of our city something to awaken a
deei)er interest in her jiresent welfare and her future
prosperity. The ne.\t historian of Nashua will, no
doubt, write more worthily of her, but will not close
his work with better feelings toward her ])eoide.
BIUGRAP I IIU AL SKETU K ES.
HON. ISAAC SPALDING.
Hon. Isaac Spalding, of Na.sluia, was the son of
Captain Isiiac Spalding, and was born in Xew Ijj.s-
wicli, N. II., FeliiUiiry 1, 179(i. The family moved to
Wilton, N. H., in 1800. His father was a man of
good education for tliose times, but his means were
moderate. His son, therefore, had a limited educa-
tion, and was very early thrown iiiioii his own re-
Bources.
In 1800, at the age of thirteen, he went to Amherst,
N. II., a.s the clerk of lloliert Reed, Esq., a leading
mcrcliant of that place, with whom he continued in
that capacity seven years. In 1816 ho became a
partner of Mr. Reed, and remained in that situaticm
ten years, being for the most of the time the post-
master.
In 182(i, Mr. Spalding moved to Nashua, where he
soon became the leading dry-goods merchant of the
then new anil thriving village. After twelve years in
business he retired from it to engage in railroad
enterprises, chieHy in the Concord Railroad, with
which lie was coniiecteil for twciity-five years. He
was among the first who saw the importance of a
railrnad connection between the lakes and tide-water,
and gave his aid to those ent<'rpri.sc.s.
There w;is no more .systematic and efficient business
man in Hillsborough County than Mr. Spalding, and
such was the conlidence in his impartiality that in the
most heated political contests lie was often chosen
moderator by unanimous con.sent. He was several
years a representative in the Legislature, and, under
the city charier, was a member ol' the Board of Alder-
men. He was a member of the State Constitutional
Convention in 1850, and of the Governor's Council in
1866-67 and in 1867-68.
Mr. Spalding was elected one of the trustees of the
State Asylum for the Insane in 1863, and wiis chosea
president of the board in 1869. He was one of the
earliest advocates of the Concord Railroad and its
first treasurer, and, from its incorporation in 1835 to
1866, he served either as treasurer, director or presi-
dent. He was for more than twenty-five years presi-
dent of the Nashua Bank, a State institution, which
closed its business in 1809, having never made a bad
debt or lost a dollar. In the War of the Rebellion he
was a financial agent of the government, and iissisted
in providing the means of our country's success.
Mr. Spalding, at the time of his death, in May,
1876, was one of the richest men in New Hampshire,
having accpiired his property by industry and
economy, united with a wise forecast and untiring
energy. He left no surviving children. In May,
1828, he married Lucy, daughter of Nathan Kendall,
of Amherst, who was born December 13, 1796. Two
sons were born to them, — Edward Francis, in 1831,
and Isaac Henry, in 1S40. Both of them died in
childhood. Mrs. Spalding is .still living, :ind resides
in the family mansion on Main Street, in Nashua.
JOSIAH G. GRAVES, M.D.
Among the most honored names of medical men in
Hillsborough County during the last half-century is
that of Josiah G. Graves. No hi.story of Niushua would
be complete that would not give a sketch of one for
so long a period identified as one of its representative
physicians, and who, to-day, retired from practice,
retains the vigor of middle life, the power of accurate
thought and just and ipiiek conclusion, the firmness
of an honest and truthful nature and the suavity and
courtesy of the gentlemen of the " old school."
Josiah Oriswold Graves, ]^I.D., was born July 13,
1811, in Walpole, N. IL, one of the loveliest villages
of the beautiful Connecticut Valley. His father was
a well-to-do farmer, and his mother a woman of su-
perior mind and excellent judgment, who looked
well to the ways of her housi-h<ild, as did the notable
women of that period. R;il|)h Waldo Kmerson af-
firmed that man is what the mother makes him.
Much of truth as there undoubtedly is in that asser-
tion, it does not tell the whole truth. Past genera-
tions, as well as the beloved niiithcr, have contributed
to the building of the man. Physical peculiarities,
physical aptitudes and mental tendencies have been
transmitted by the ancestors, and in the case of this
200
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
mother and son, who shall say that the mother's
nature, inteiisilied by the inheritance of powers from
progenitors strong i)hysically and mentally, did not
so influence the son as to make his successful career
certain from the start, forcing him from the uncon-
genial vocation of a tiller of the soil into a mission
of healing during a long range of years?
From an able article in " Successful New Hamp-
shire Men " we extract as follows : " Jvot having a
fancy for farming, and th\is acting contrary to the
■wishes of his father, he left home at the age of eigh-
teen, with his mother's blessing and one dollar in
money, determined upon securing an education and
fitting himself for the medical profession. He de-
frayed the expenses of his education by his own
individual eliorts and native will and industry, by
teaching both day and evening, and was remark-
ably successful in liis labors. Being a natural
penman, he also gave instruction in the art of pen-
manship."
He commenced the study of his profession in 1829.
He was a student in medicine in the office of Drs.
Adams and Twitchell, of Keene, and subsequently
attended medical lectures at Pittsfield, Mass., and
graduated at the Medical Department of Williams
College in 1834. Afterwards he spent six months in
the office of Drs. Huntington and Graves in Lowell.
Dr. Graves commenced the practice of medicine in
Nashua, N. H., September 15, 1834. At this time
Nashua was a comparatively young town. It was but
a brief period, however, before the energy, determi-
nation and superior medical and surgical skill of the
young physician carved out for him an extensive
practice. For forty years he followed his profession
in Nashua and the adjoining region with untiring
assiduity and with a success that has but few par-
allels. He loved his i)rofession and gave to it his
best powers. He was gifted in a remarkable degree
with a keen insight into the nature of disease, and, of
course, his success was in proportion to his fitness for
his calling. He did not need to be told symptoms;
lie knew by intuition where the break in the consti-
tution was and how to rebuild and give new life. He
was made for his profession, and not his profession
for him, which is too often the case. After several
years' practice, desirous of further improvement, he
took a degree at Jelferson College, Philadelphia. At
thetimeof the Rebellion the Governor and Council
of New Hampshire appointed him a member of the
Medical Board of Examiners.
Dr. Graves retired from active practice in 1871.
He has lieen for many years a valued member of the
New Hampshire State Medical ,\ssociation. In 1852
he delivered an address before that body on a subject
which was of the greatest moment, and at that time
occupied the attention of the leading members of
the medical profession in all manufacturing centres.
This address was on " The Factory System and its
Influence on the Health of the Operatives." It was
bold, incisive and fearless, and won high praise for
the careful investigation which it showed, its ex-
haustive treatment and its convincing logic. He
took the ground (in opposition to Dr. Bartlett, who
stated that the death-rate of Lowell was less than the
surrounding towns) that the young people went to
the mills, and the old people stayed on the farms,
and after a few years, when mill-life had broken their
constitutions, the operatives returned to their birth-
places and did not die in Lowell. Much care was
taken in the i)reparation of the address. F"actory
after factory was visited, and hundreds of operatives
consulted. The conclusions reached by Dr. Graves
were accepted as correct.
He has had a most remarkable practice in obstet-
rics, and has a complete record of five thousand
cases. We give as an illustration of Dr. Graves' won-
derful accuracy and system one fact well worthy the
attention of all physicians. From his first day's prac-
tice he, every night, posted his books for that day's
business and now has the entire set bound in fine
morocco, with all entries in his own clear writing
and without a blot to mar the symmetry of the page.
Every business transaction has been inserted in his
" diary," which is equal in accuracy to that famous
one of John Quincy Adams, and many an old soldier
has had occa-sion to thank Dr. Graves for the facts
derived from these books, by which he has secured
his bounty, back pay or pension.
Dr. Graves has been much interested in railroads,
east and west; has been a director in the Nashua and
Lowell Railroad and other roads. He is a director
in the Faneuil Hall Insurance Company and in the
Metropolitan Steamsliip'Line, and is also connected
with many other financial interests of a comprehen-
sive character. He has a business office in Boston,
and manages his large estate with as much foresight
and sagacity as many younger men. He has always
manifested a deep interest in the application of
science to business purposes, believed firmly in the
financial success of the electric light where many
shrewd men considered it an impracticable scheme,
and was one of the earlier investors in its .stock.
His faith has been munificently repaid, and he is now
ft large holder of the most valuable stock in this field.
From the first. Dr. (Jravcs has been in warm .sym-
pathy with the princijjles of the Democratic ))arty as
enunciated by Thomas .Tettereon, Andrew .Tackson
and other leaders, and has fearlessly, at all times
and under all circumstances, chami)ioned what he
believed to be for the " greatest good to the greate.st
number," conceding with a broad liberality the same
rights to every other citizen which he exercises him-
self. He has received the thirty-second degree of
Jfasonry, and is a Unitarian in religion. He believes
" in a Christian observance of the Sabbath ; that Sab-
bath-schools should be supported, for on them rests
the moral safety of the country ; that the ' Golden
Rule' should be the guide for .all our actions.'"
f
NASHUA.
201
Tlie t'iiiiiily relations of Dr. Graves liavc been
most felicitous, lie married Mary Webster, daughter
of Colonel William Boardman, of Nashua, in 1846.
She was descended from two of the ablest New Eng-
land families, — Webster and Boardman, — and was a
most c.-itimable and Christian lady. For many years
she was a devoted member of the Unitarian Church
and an earnest worker in all good causes. Kind and
sympathetic, courteous to all, with a (juiet dignity
and purity of demeanor, she was a cherished mem-
ber of society and an exemplar of the highest type
of Christian womanhood. She died December 26,
1883.
" As a man, Dr. Graves is distinguished for his
firmness. His opinions he maintains with resolute-
ness until good reasons induce him to change them.
He means yes when he says ' yes,' and no when
he says 'no.' He is a man of positive character.
It is needless to say that, while such a man always
has enemies (as what man of ability and energetic
character has not?), he has firm and lasting friends, —
friends from the fact that they always know where
to find him. Among the many self-made men whom
New Hampshire has i)roduced, he takes rank among
the first, and by his indomitable energy, industry and
enterprise has not only made his mark in the world,
but has achieved a reputation in his profession and
business on which himself and friends may reflect
with just pride."
S,\Ml'EL G. DE.VRliOItX, M.ll.'
Among the first settlers of Exeter, N. H., nearly two
and a half centuries ago, was a family by the name of
Dearborn. The descendants of this family are now to
be found in every county of New Hampshire, and arc
numerous in several of them. Beginning at an early
date, it is worthy of note that with the Dearljorn
family in this State the practice of medicine has
been a favorite occupation. In the liist century
Portsmouth, North Hampton, Seabrook and Notting-
ham had each a physician of marked rei)Utation
bearing the name, and to-day several among the abler
physicians of the State are of the same descent.
Samuel (Jcrrish Dearborn, son of Edmund and
Sarah Dearborn, was born in Northfield, this State,
August 10, 1827. His father was an honest, industrious
farmer, and his mother attended well to the duties
of llie household. He was educated at the district
school, the Sanbornton Academy and the New Hump-
shire Conference Seminary.
He began the study of medicine with Dr. Wood-
bury, at Sanbornton Bridge, in 1847, and graduated
from the Medical Department of Dartmouth College
in Novemljcr, 1840. After a few months' practice at
East Tilton, in Fcliruary, 18')0, he opened an odice
at Mont Vernon, where he began to ac(|uire a repu-
tation its a skillful, safe and sagacious physician.
1 By .Tutin II. Gooilulo.
In June, 1853, Dr. Dearborn removed to Milford,
where he had already gained some practice. The
people of Milford are widely known as an intelligent,
discriminating and progressive community. It is no
place for a moral or medical (juack. For twenty years
Dr. Dearborn had an increasing jiractice, not only in
Milford and the adjoining towns, but patients fre-
([uently came from a distance.
Nashua being a railroad centre. Dr. Dearborn came
to this city in May, 1873. His practice for the past
eight years hits been more extensive than that of any
other physician in the State. A large proportion of
his patients are from a distance. Gratlon, Belknap
and Coos Counties each furnish a large number
annually, and this has been the result of no adver-
tising other than that of his successful treatment.
Of late he has found it advisable to travel for
health and relaxation. In 1884 he made, with his
family, an extensive trip on the Pacific coast and
through the Territories of the Northwest. lOarly in
1885 he visited Mexico, and made excursions to
various points of interest which are now attracting
the attention of our peo])le.
During the Kebellion, Dr. Dearborn, in 1861, served
one year as surgeon of the Eighth Regiment of New
Hamiishirc Volunteers in Louisiana, and in the
summer of 1863 he served in the same position for
three months in the Army of the Potomac.
On the 5th of December, 1853, he married Miss
Henrietta M. Starrete, of Mont Vernon, an educated
and accomplished woman. They have two sons.
The elder, Frank A., was born September 21, 1857,
studied medicine at the College of Physicians and
Surgeons in New York City, and graduated in 1883.
He is associated with his father in practice at Nashua.
The younger son, Samuel G., is a wide-awake, healthy
school-boy of thirteen years.
In politics Dr. Dearborn is a Republican, and
represented Milford two years in the State Legislature.
Denominationally, ho is associated with the Unitarian
Society of Nashua.
HON. t'HAllLE.S HOLMAN.
Hon. Charles Holman, son of Porter and Persia
(Reed) Holman, was born in Sterling, Mass., No-
vember 7, 1833. His parents being in humble circum-
stances, Charles early led home to begin the battle of
life, and fight his way step by step through the world
from ])overty to wealth and an honorable position, un-
aided by any resource save his own will and hands.
When he was eleven years old he went to work on a
farm, where he remained until he was sixteen; he
then went to West Boylston, Mass., where he was en-
gaged in making boots and shoes for four yeai's. From
his savings he purchased his time of his father, and
attended school at Fort Edward, N. V., fiir a year.
The sedentary life and cramped itosition of his em-
ployment had seriously impaired his health, and, in
hopes of improving it, he became a book canvasser,
202
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
and in 1856 came for the first time into New Hamp-
shire, to sell "The Life of General John C. Fremont,"
the first Republican canilidate for President. He was
aeeompanied by a fellow-workman, William W. Col-
burn, afterwards a prominent Methodist clergyman,
and at one time chaplain of Charlestown (Mass.)
State Prison. (These young men had aided each other
in obtaining what education they had acquired, and
Mr. ]Iolnian subsecjucntly had the pleasure of ena-
bling Mr. Colburn to pursue his studies in his chosen
profession.) They traveled through New Hampshire
for several months, but the pecuniary results of the
trip were not encouraging, and Mr. Colburn returned
to West Boylston and his trade, while Mr. Holman
continued the canvass, determined not to return to
the bench. Although it did not prove lucrative as a
business, still the canvass was valuable to the young
man, giving him a knowledge of human nature and
fixing upon his mind so strongly the principles of
Republicanism that he has never deviated one iota
from the principles and platform of which John C.
Fremont was the representative. While canvassing
he obtained a chance to travel for E. K. Smith, con-
fectioner, of Hanover, and he entered his employ for
a year. In the fall of 1857, Mr. Holman, then twenty-
four years of age, came to Nashua, and for three years
was a traveling salesman for Colonel J. C. Kempton,
confectioner. For a year afterwards he was employed
in the same capacity by Chapnaan & Cram. Much of
this time his health was so delicate that it was only
by the strongest exertion of his will that he kept at
his labor, and, at the close of his engagement with the
last-named firm he had a severe hemorrhage of the
lungs, which for six months entirely incapacitated him
for business. About 18G1 he engaged as a nnmnlacturer
of confectionery in Nashua, and has ever since been
identified with the growth and enterprise of the city.
His business of five thousand dollars per annum has
enlarged to two hundred thousand dollars a year, with
forty employes instead of the two who were with him
at his connnencement. One Friday night, about
twelve o'clock, in 1874 or 1875, Mr. Holman's manu-
factory was totally destroyed by fire. He immedi-
ately purchased Colonel Kempton's manufactory and
two houses on West Pearl Street, had, before seven
o'clock the next miirning after the fire, ordered needed
material, and the last of the succeeding week he sent
off to his customers new goods which he had manu-
factured. This prompt action is characteristic of the
man and his manner of conducting business. He
remained on Pearl Street until .Tune, 1882, when, sell-
ing this property, he leased a building on Main Street
of Hon. .1. A. Spaulding, where he continued manu-
facturing until January, 1883, when he was again
burned out. He then erected the brick block on
Main Street which bears his name, where he now
carries on business.
Mr. Holman has held numerous positions of public
trust, the duties of which have been conscientiously
discharged with crcilit to himself and honur tn his
constituents. He was alderman of Nashua two years,
j member of the School Board two years, was a mem-
ber of the Lower House of State Legislature 18G9-70,
a State Senator 187o-7(i, and president of the Senate
the latter year, mayor of Nashua 1878-79. He is a
director of the First National Bank of Nashua, and
one of the directors of the Worcester, Nashua and
Rochester Railroad. He was a delegate from New
Hampshire to that notable Republican National Con-
vention at Chicago, in 1880, which nominated James
A. Garfield for President. He is a Congregationalist
in religious belief, and president of the Pilgrim
Church Society of Nashua. He has been largely
identified with temperance work, especially in con-
nection with the Nashua Temperance Reform Club.
He has taken the thirty-second degree of Masonry,
and belongs to the Encampment of Odd-Fellows.
Mr. Holman married, November 1, 1803, Mary S.,
daughter of George W. and Susan (Marston) Osgood,
of Amesbury, Mass. Their only surviving child,
Charles Francis, was born September 29, 1866.
In all his business relations Mr. Holman is known
as thoroughly prompt and upright, and no man in the
city has a more honored reputation. In all his rela-
tions, whether business, social or political, he has en-
joyed the full confidence of those with whom he has
come in contact. Of unusual public spirit, he haa
always welcomed and giren generously to every good
cause, and no deserving person ever went away from
him empty-handed. His own life having been an
unaided struggle against poverty and adverse circum-
stances, his sympathies have ever been responsive to
the calls of those who, like himself, are bravely fight-
ing the battle of life. Mr. Holman possesses the
power to keenly analyze any subject coming before
him, and to detect any flaws of logic or fact. He can
gracefully, as well as forcibly, express himself in
writing and speaking, and, with a large fund of
humor, is a p.ublic speaker of entertaining and con-
vincing power. A skillful business man, versed in
public aflairs, ripe in experience, an ardent Repub-
lican, a true friend, and in full sympathy with every
movement to elevate and advance the best interests
of the community, he is one whom the citizens of
Nashua are pleased to number among her houored
sons.
NOKMAN JOHN MACLEOD MOORE, M.D
Norman John Jladeod Moore, M.D., was a de-
scendant of an ancient and honorable family, which
for generations has been renowned in the military
profession. The family were originally from Dorset-
shire, England. They received from Cromwell, for
military services, the estate and lands of Saleston,
near Carton, Ireland, which remained in the family
until a late date. His maternal ancestors were of
Scotch origin, his great-grandmother being the only
daughter of Norman John Macleod, the celebrated
NORMAN J. M. MOORE.
ii
II
t
o.^.
NASHUA.
ma
i-liiuf uf the liistoriiMl Jlacleful clan of Diinvegan
Castle, Isle of Skye. This castle is probahly the
oldest inhabited castle in Scotland, and famous in
Scotch history. Dr. Moore was born in Aberdeen^
Scotland. His preparatory education was acquired
there, and at a very early age he was graduated with
high honors at the celebrated Oxford College. He
then studied medicine and surgery at the University
of Dublin, Ireland, and of Edinburgh, Scotland,
receiving diplomas from the same, and after seven
years of study and jiractice in the hospitals, he was
graduated at the Royal College of Surgery, in London,
in January, 1S42. His superior medical education
and especial adaptability for his chosen profession led
him to desire a broader field of practice, and he came
to this country, and after practicing three years in the
Marine Hospital at Chelsea, Mass., hesettled in Derry,
N. H., where he remained about five years. Hut his
reputation and practice soon extended, and for conve-
nience and other considerations he removed to Nashua
and for nearly thirty years was a resident of this city.
Unquestionably, Dr. Moore stood at the head of the
meilical profession in New Hampshire. For more
than a (juarterof a century he was called in the most
dilticult and delicate cases of surgery, and he was em-
inently successful in restoring to health innumerable
patients whose ca.se8 were considered incurable, and
numbers still bless him for his wonderful cures and
remarkable power in diagnosis. His extended educa-
tion and .idniittcd skill made him a valuable expert
witness, and although his modesty made him shrink
from the notoriety, yet hewas often called to testify in
the more important State cases, and many times in
other and remote States.
Dr. Moore was a man of winning manners, attrac-
tive social (pialities, and as such was a most excellent
family physician, anil the i)oor always received equal
care with those able to reward him munificently. His
nature was large, generous and sympathetic, but with
the inherited traits of his Scotch ancestry, he never
forgot a favor or an injury. With his enthusia.stic
love for his chosen field of labor, he wasa kind friend
and adviser to younger members of the profession, to
whom he always gave the assisting hand. Of a most
genial and sunny temperament, courtly in his bearing,
and yet at all times eiisily approached and unpreten-
tious, even a timid child felt at ea.se in his company,
and soon became his aciiuaintance and friend. He
was amiable and considerate in his home, j)Opular
among his acquaintances, a valuable member of his
profession and a good citizen, always ready to resjiond
to the demands made upon him. He was a member
of the Church of the Good Shepherd. Although a
great sufferer for many years from asthma, he never
conqihiinedor murmured, and attended to his business
until too feeble to enter his carriage. He died in
Nashua, I)ecend)er 31, 1882, in the bust hour of the
last day of the closing year, in the sixty-fifth year of
his age.
14
We fittingly close this brief sketch with a copy of
the resolutions jtassed by the physicians of Nashua.
" WJirreas, it has pletis«<I tlte Divine Sovereign of tho L'niverec' to re-
move by (leatli, after a protracted and painful illncsH, which he bora with
patient and uncomplaining fortitude, our hite professional brother, friend
and associate, Norman J. Moore, of this city ; therefore
" Itesnlveil, that while we bow in submission to the will of the Uightfu
Dispenser of Kvents in this sorrowful bereavement, we desire to place on
record our sincere appreciation of the professional qualifications of the
deceased, his skill iu, zeal and interest for, his chosen profession, and his
uniform courteiiy in all our social and professional intercourse.
"Itefotred, That in the death of Dr. Moore wo aredeeply sensible of our
loss of a wise counselor in times of perplexity and doubt, when tho lives
of tliose entrusteil to our care depended upon an accurate knowledge of
the nature of the cose and the most judicious and skillful application of
the means.
" liesotved^ That wo tender to the family and friends of tho deceased
the expression of our sincere and heart-felt sympathy in this s;idal11iction.
" litfohed. That the membei'S of the profession attend the funeral in a
body, and that a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to the family
of the deceased and also to the local papers for publication."
ORLANDO DANA MURRAY.
Orlando Dana Blurray, son of David and Margaret
(Forsyth) Murray, was born in Hartland, Vt., March
12, 1818. The first American ancestor of this branch
of the Murray family was Isaac Murray, who came
from Scotland to Londonderry (now Derry), N. H.
Ho was married, in 1774, to Elizabeth, daughter of
John Durham and granddaughter of Mary (Tol-
ford) Durham, sister of Deacon William Tolford.
Isaac Murray and wife went to Belfast, Me., where
they passed their lives. They had four children,
of whom the oldest, David and Jonathan (twins),
were born October 30, 1775. David, when a young
man, moved to Chester, N. H., where he worked
at his trade, that of carpenter and builder, for
some years. He belonged to a cavalry troop in
the War of 1812, and for his services received a grant
of land from the government, and his widow a pen-
sion. From Chester he removed to Hartland, Vt.,
returned to Chester in 1822, and in 182r) settled in
Nashua, where he resided for twenty-five years, dying
at the age of seventy-five. Hewas aWesleyan Meth-
odist, and was married three times. He married,
December, 1807, his second wife, Margaret Forsyth,
of Chester, N. H., daughter of Lieutenant Robert and
granddaughter of Deacon Matthew Forsyth. (Deacon
Forsyth was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, graduated
at the University of Edinburgh, went to Ireland and
then emigrated to America, and settled, in 17.30, in
Chester, N. H. He married Esther, daughter of
Robert Craham, and was an enterjirising buBines.>*
man, i>romincnt in town and cliurch alliiirs.) Tho
children of David and Margaret Murray were Emeline
Johnson, born at Belfast, Me., October 2G, 1808 (mar-
ried Deacon William Tenney); Laurana Tolford, horn
at Belfast, Me., December .31, 1810; Leonidas, born in
Chester, N. H., died in Hartland, Vt., .fune 3, 181G;
Marietta, born in Hartland, Vt., January 3, 18I(;
(married Charles C. Flagg, of Mobile, Ala., and died
September 11, IS.'iS); and Orlando D.
Orlando Dana was the youngest child, lie ac-
204
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUiNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
quired au excellent academic education at the cel-
ebrated Pinkcrton Academy at llerry, and afterward
prepared for college with Colonel Isaac Kinsman,
principal of Pembroke Academy, a noted military
school of that day. His advantages were diligently
improved, and in 1834, at si.\teen years of age, instead
of going to college, he entered what Horace Greeley
called " the best training-school in the world," the
printing-office, becoming an apprentice in the office
of the Mishua Gazette, then -edited by General Israel
Hunt, Jr. Hi.s earnest application was not confined
to the printer's trade, for, during the three years of his
apprenticeship and the subseijuent four years of life
as a journej'man, he was also a clerk in the post-office,
then under the administration of John M. Hunt.
After his day's work at the case he was occupied in
the post-office until nine o'clock, besides assisting in
the distribution of the mails during the day. The
nature of the young man was not one to rest content
in the condition of employe. He was keen, shrewd,
energetic and desirous of making an independent
career in life, so in 1841 he purchased a half-interest
in the Manchester Memorial, a weekly newspaper, and
became editor, and also the publisher of a monthly
periodical, the Iris. This connection continued only
one year, when, in the fall of 1842, he sold his in-
terest in Manchester, and, with A. I. Sawtell, estab-
lished the Oasis, a weekly independent journal, in
Nashua, and became its editor. The first number was
issued January 1, 1843. The ])osition was by no
means a sinecure. Mr. Murray worked daily at the
case, and his editorials were placed in type by liim.self
without being written. The strong, earnest efforts of
the young firm were rewarded by substantial results.
The Oasis soon attained the largest circulation in this
section, and was highly prized. Hut Mr. Murray had
other and valuable ideas. He had no intention of
spending his days in a country jjiinting-office when
be believed a more lucrative field was before him.
He was a natural inventor and machinist; he in-
vented some printing-presses and deemed his services
could command a higher price. In his brain originated
and to him is due the establishment of one of Nashua's
most successful manufactures. lie sold his interest in
the Oas!.'! in Septeml)er, 1S40, to J.U. Dodge, and became
a member of the firm of Gill & Co., which immediately
began the manufacture of card-board and glazed paper.
Tliis new enterprise not only afforded fine scope for Mr.
Murray's mechanical skill, but, like all such ventures,
called also for the otlier necessary elements to success, —
patience, pluck and persistency. Mr. IMurray and his
partners, fortunately, were endowed with a more than
ordinary share of these qualities, and finally the busi-
ness swung clear of the rocks and breakers and reached
the open sea of prosperity. The firm became Gage,
Murray & Co. after a time, with Mr. Murray as manager
of the manufiicturing department. In 1860, Messrs.
Gage & Murray sold their interests toGilman Brothers.
After two years, in February, 18(38, Mr. Murray pur-
chased the interest of John F. Marsh in a recently
established manufactory, the Nashua Glazed Paper
Co. The new firm took the title of Murray, Pierce
& Co. This firm did business until the fall of 1869,
when it was consolidated with that of Gillman Bros,
in the stock company organized as the Nashua Card
andGl'azedPaper Co. Mr. Murray was elected president
of the company on its organization and re-elected
annually until 1883, when he retired from business.
To Mr. Murray must be given a great share of the
credit due for the development and permanency of
this business, now one of the institutions of Nashua.
He familiarized himself with the chemical qualities
of the colors, mixed them with his own hands for
years, until he had thoroughly instructed his son,
George D., to take his place. He invented the rotary
card-cutter, and, by various devices, much improved
the modus operandi of the manufiicture.
Mr. Murray was one of the original stockholders
of the Nashua Watch Co., and a director of the same
until the business was purchased by the Waltham
Watch Co. and removed from Nashua. (This company
took the greatest pains to produce, and undoubtedly
did make, the finest watches ever numufactured, and
its business was conducted as a separate department
at Waltham, "the Nashua department" until No-
vember, 1884.) During the larger part of the decade
(1870-80) Mr. Murray wasone-fourth owner of the Con-
toocook Valley Paper Co.. a very successful corporation
located at West Henniker, N . H. He was a director and
president of the board until the company was united
with the Nashua Card and Glazed Paper Co., wlien
the stock of the latter was increased to two hundred
thousand dollars. He was one of the original incor-
porators and a director of the American Fan Com-
pany during its existence. He has given his financial
aid and counsel to many other undertakings, both
railroad and manufacturing, and was one of the
prime movers of the Pennichuck Water-Works.
Mr. Murray was by education a Democrat, but soon
after became a Whig, and since the Republican party
organized has l)een connected with it. He was elected
town clerk in 1849-50-51, and was on the School Board
for many years. After the city charter of Nashua
was granted, in 1858-59, he was an alderman of Ward
Seven. Erecting his present residence in 18(51-62, he
became, on occupying it, a resident of Ward Six, which
he also represented as alderman in 1865. He was a
member of the city Board of Education diiring the
year the schools were graded, and did efficient ser-
vice. He was elected representative to the State
Legislature of 1865, re-elected in 1856 and is the
member for 1885-56. He has held the commission of
justice of the peace for many years. His official
positions have come to him without seeking, and
liave been held as public trusts to be conscientiously
discharged.
In 1843 Odd-Fellowship was first introduced into
New Hampshire, at Nashua, by the formation of
\ ' ' I
I
I
NASHUA.
205
Granite Lodge, No. 1. Mr. Murray was made a
meinher at the first meeting, and lias since held every
office in the lodge. At the organization of the first
encampment in theState (Nashoonon), also atNashua,
Mr. Murray drew lot No. 1, and was made the first
member. He has been a delegate to both the Grand
Lodge and Grand Encampment several times. He is
a member of the following Musonic bodies: Rising
Sun Lodge, Nashua, since .January G, 1807, Meridian
Sun Royal Arch Chapter, St. George Commandery,
Council of Select Masters and the Consistory of the
Thirty-second Degree. He is a member of the New
Hampshire Club.
Mr. Murray married, .July 7, 1^42, Mary J., daugh-
ter of Salomon and .Sarah (Wctherbee) Wctherbee.
She was born at Concord, N. H., April 2, 1821. Their
children were George Dana (deceased ; he was in the
commissary department of the Army of the Potomac,
and was with the advanced triHips which entered
Richmond at its surrender), Sarah L. (married Wil-
liam A. Crombie, of Burlington, Vt., one of the
resident managers of the Shepard & Morse Lumber
Co.; they have three children, — William Murray,
Arthur Choate and Maud Elizabeth), Levi Edwin
(married .Jane Russell Ilojikins ; their children were
Marie Louise, Charles Russell and Jjizzie Crombie.
He was in the lumber business in S|iringfield, Mass.,
and Ogdensburgh, N. Y. He died February 18, 1880).
Albert C. (deceased). Clarence A. and Charles O.
(married Lulu Bemis, and has two children, — George
Beniis and Jjilian Cusbman. He graduated from
Tuft's College in 1877, succeeded his brother in the
lumber business and is a member of the .J. A. Hoitt
Company, manufacturing chemists of Nashua).
Since the marriage of his daughter, Mr. Murray
has become interested in several financial and busi-
ness institutions of Burlington, and is now a director
in the Burlington Shade Roller Co.
Mr. Murray has always been noticeable for extreme
urbanity and courteousness of manner, in a com-
bination, at least unusual, with great force of character
and unyielding determination in the iaceofdifiiiulties,
and as evidence of the regard in which he is held by
his townsmen, we submit the fullowing extract irom
the Nashua Telegraph, March 1.3, 1884:
"A PLBAPANT SoOIAI, (iATIIRRlNc} OK Na8IIUA'8 RP.PRF.flRNTATlVR ClTI-
•"**•-— Simliliiig'H HaU WHS la^t evoiiliiK tlic werio of tt very sociul path-
nlnKunil micivwirul siiri'riM', somn of tlif iniiiiy fiiiliila of Mr. O. I).
Murray, llio furmir iMi^xidiiil of Iho Can! iiml Clii/v.l l'a|Rr Co., n-lzing
th« oci'aalcJii of Iho KinllonianV lilrlliilav lo linmlil liiiii with an iinox-
|»c!(hI tostilMolijal of their rcRard and ot.tccui. Sir. Murray wiw dvcoyi'd
to Iho allot on the prrlonm that It wan desired hy the proprietor of tlio
lull lo di.<lirale the hall ai-iiln hy a select party of eeiitlvMicn, and at the
proper llnic Hon. Inane (jiton, in liehalf ofthe gentlemen, pn'senleil Mr.
Murray with an elegant and costly Kold-lieaded elioiiy cane, grncefully
eiprewing the sentiments of n-apeet felt for the recipient by the slxty-sIX
donom. Mr, Jlorray, tlimigh completely Biirpriwd, respondi'd most llt-
llngly. and 'lironght down the house' by his reforeucoa to the 'flnit
families' ofthe time of Cain and .\l.el.
•'The company »bii then Invited to partake of an excellent hanqiiel.
II is rarely that a gathering in Nashua has contained so many of its
MOit prominent cilizens and old residents."
JEREMIAH W. WHITE.
On the head-waters of Suncook River, in the cen-
tral region of New Hampshire, is the town of Pitts-
field. It is limited in extent, undulating in surface,
rich in the quality of its soil. Its earliest settlers were
sturdy farmers, men and women, who, from infancy,
had been accustomed to the hardships and privations
of pioneer life.
Among these settlers was Josiah White, who, with
his wife of Scottish origin, in the .spring of 1775, made-
his home on the outskirts of an unbroken forest. His
son, Jeremiah, succeeded to the homestead. He was
born March 4, 1775; died December 5, 1848. He is
still remembered by the older residents of PittsHcld as
a citizen who was useful, influential and respected. Of
great personal activity and tact in business, genial
and generous, an enterprising farmer of the old school,
a safe and sagacious adviser, his departure left a place
difficult to fill in the business affairs of the vicinity.
.Jeremiah Wilson White, sou of .Jeremiah, was
born in Pittsfield, September 16, 1821. The active
habits and pure atmosphere of his early life laid the
foundation of a sound physical constitution. His
educational advantages during childhood were lim-
ited to a few months at a distant district school. At
the age of fifteen be entered Pittsfield Academy,
under the instruction of James F. Joy (a graduate of
Dartmouth, and, in later years, well-known as presi-
dent of the Michigan Central Railroad). Remaining
at the academy two and a half years, Mr. AVhite de-
cided to i>repare himself for mercantile and active
business life, and for this purpose went to Boston
and entered upon an apprenticeship in a drug-store.
I'orty years ago such an apprenticeship was not a
sinecure. But Mr. White was not averse to toil, and
by assiduous and systematic attention to his duties
was preparing the way for future success. He also
commenced the study of medicine, and continued it
for several years, until he was iiualificd for profes-
sional service.
After the completion of his api)rcnticcshi]> at Bos-
ton he engaged as clerk to Luther Angler, postmaster
and druggist, at Medford, Mass., with the agreenient
that, with ])roi)er notice, he could leave to engage in
business tor himself.
In the summer of 1845, Mr. W'iiite, having heard of
Nashua as a growing manufacturing town, came
here, and, al^er a few hours' ins|)ection of the place,
hired the store which he afterwards occnjiicd for
nearly thirty years.
Mr. White, in engaging in trade for himself in
Nashua, was aware that a young man and a stranger
must encounter severe difliculties in entering upon
mercantile life. Many before him had succumbed to
the obstacles which he was now to encounter. He
did not hesitate. Laying out his |ilan of business, he
examined into the most minute details of its manage-
ment. No man was more thorough and painstaking
in the discharge of obligations to his customers. His
206
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
labors often extended far into the night. With these
habits, added to sound business judgment and fore-
sight and a rare knowledge of men, the record of the
business life of Mr. White has been an uninterrupted
success; and it is in tliis department of consistent and
persistent effort that his example is worth}- of imita-
tion.
In many of the business enterprises of Nashua Mr.
White has taken an active and, iu some of them, a
prominent part.
Engaging in the transportation and sale of coal on
his arrival, he has always been tlie leading desiler in
the trade.
After the close of the war he originated the project
of and gave his attention to the construction of the
large block of stores on Main Street known as the
" Merchants' Exchange," retaining for himself and
son the corner store, which he still occupies.
Early in 1875 he conceived the idea of establishing
a new national bank, and in the April following ob-
tained a charter. The people of Nashua and vicinity,
believing in his financial ability, immediately sub-
scribed for the stock, and elected him president, a
position he continues to hold to the satisfaction of the
stockholders and the advantage of the institution.
In addition to the presidency of the Second Na-
tional Bank, Mr. Wliite is now- recognized as a saga-
cious and influential railroad manager.
Since 1876 he has been prominently connected with
the affairs of the Nashua and Lowell Railroad as a
director and large stockholder.
For many years this road had been connected with
and used by the Boston and Lowell Railroad corpo-
ration, and, as Mr. White clearly saw, on terms greatly
disadvantageous to the stockholders of the Nashua
and Lowell Company. The stock had gradually de-
clined below par. To resist so great and powerful a
corporation required pluck and energy. To be suc-
cessftil against such odds demanded a leader daring,
prompt and aggressive. Mr. White was the man for
the emergency. How well his measures succeeded is
realized not only by every stockholder, but in all
railroad circles throughout New- England.
He is also a large owner and director in the Nashua
Card and Glazed Paper Company, and a leading
stockholder in the White Mountain Freezer Com-
pany, of this city.
In the transaction of business Mr. White is not
only methodical, but positive. He reaches his con-
clusions quickly, and acts upon them with the utmost
directness. Having decided upon a measure, he en-
gages in it with all Iiis might, bending all his efforts
to make sure of the desired end. Selecting his agents,
he accomplishes the whole work while many would
be halting to determine whether the project was feasi-
ble. A man of so pronounced opinions and prompt
action naturally makes some enemies ; but he has no
opponents who do not accord to him the credit of an
open and honorable warfare. In a word, he is essen-
tially a business man in the full sense of that term,
not only in occupation, but in taste and aptitude; he
is a representative of that class of American citizens
who have won a world-wide reputation for practical
sagacity, enterprise and thrift.
Mr. White is in no sense of the word a party poli-
tician. Of Whig antecedents, his first vote was cast
for Henry Clay, iu 1844, for President.
Before leaving his native town his liberal tenden-
cies had been quickened by witnessing the unwar-
ranted arrest, in the pulpit, of Rev. George Storrs, who
was about to deliver the first anti-slavery lecture in
Pittsfield. The event justly occasioned an unusual
excitement, and was the beginning of that .-igitation
which reached every town and hamlet in the Union.
Since the organization of the Republican party,
Mr. White has supported it in all national issues ; but
is one of the independent thinkers who does not hesi-
tate to exercise " the divine right of bolting " when
unfit men are put in nomination.
In the winter of 1861, Mr. White and his family
left on a southern trip, and reached Charleston, S. C,
the last of February, not long after the United States
troops, under Major Anderson, w-ere shut up in Fort
Sumter by the rebel forces.
Mr. White had letters of introduction to several
citizens of the city high in authority, who received
him kindly, and, learning that he was a business
man and not a politician, were anxious to learn from
him the state of feeling among the business men and
middle class of citizens at the North. While the
statements of Mr. White were far from gratifying,
they continued their friendly relations. Previously
he had written to his friend, Captain John G, Foster,
second in command at Fort Sumter, of his intended
tarry at Charleston.
Desirous of an interview with him, he applied to
the Confederate authorities at Fort Sumter for a pass;
it wiis granted him, — a privilege not allowed to any
other civilian during the siege. On the following
day, March 5th, he went on the steamer " Clinch " to
Fort Johnson, to which point Major Anderson was
allowed to send his boat, under a flag of truce, for the
daily mail. Here a new obstacle was encountered,
for the boat was forbiildcn by Major Anderson to
bring any person to the fort ; but, with the restriction
that he should remain outside with the boat till Cap-
tain Foster could be notified, he was permitted to go.
The interview was a great surprise as well as gratifi-
cation.
Reaching Washington before the bombardment of
Fort Sumter and the beginning of hostilities, Mr.
White was taken to the War Department and inter-
viewed by General Scott as to the determination and '
strength of the Confederate force at Charleston. Mr.
White thought it would require a force of ten thousand
men to relieve Fort Sumter, and said so. General
Scott laughed heartily, and told him that two thou-
sand men would be ample for the purpose.
NASHUA.
207
In common with most of tlic leadiug men at the
capitol, General Scott underestimated the phick and
strengtii of the rebels.
Soon after, when Jay Cooke was appointed govern-
ment agent to negotiate the war loans, Mr. White re-
ceivefl the appointment of agent for Nashua and vi-
cinity.
In 1S46, the year after coming to Nashua, Jlr.
White married Caroline G., daughter of Caleb Merrill,
Esi|., of Pittstield. The marriage was a happy and
fortunate one. The young wife was endowed with
scholarly and refined attainments, qualifying her for
tlie enjoyment of social and domestic life. Added to
this, she possessed a sound and discriminating judg-
ment, on which her husband could safely rely. No
transaction fif any magnitude was entered upon with-
out securing her approval. Many of his best and most
sagacious moves in business were made at her sug-
gestion.
Of their two children, the eldest, Caroline Wilson,
died in infancy. The son, .James Wilson White, born
June 10, 1849, fell a victim to the jtrevailing disease
of this climate, and died in Florida, January 27, 1876.
Mrs. White, having survived her children, died, sud-
denly, of ajioplexy, in 1880. Her memory is cherished
by many who knew her worth.
In April, 1881, .Mr. White was married, the second
time, to .Mrs. Ann M. Pritcliard, of Bradford, Vt., an
educated and accomplished lady and the sister of his
first- wife. His residence, at the corner of Pearl and
Cottage Streets, combines the elements of modesty,
taste and comfort.
rORNEI,IU.S VAN NESS DKAItBOItX.'
As early as IDV.), and only niiulecn years after the
landing of the Pilgrims, John Wheelwright, a dissent-
ing minister from England, was banished from Massa-
chusetts Hay colony. It is an evidence of the stern
intolerance of that day that the only error with which
he was charged wa.s "inveighing against all that
walked in a covenant of works, and maintained sanc-
tificalion as an evidence of justification," — a charge
not readily comprehended at the present day. There
■was a minority, incluiling Governor Winthro]), who
protested against the sentence, but without avail. Mr.
Wbeclwrigbt, therefore, gathering a company of
frienils, nnnoved from Massarhusctts to Kxeter, in the
province of New llampsliire. Among the thirty-five
persons who signed the compact to form a stable and
orderly colony is found the name of Godfrey Dear-
born, the patriarch of the entire Dearborn family in
this country.
Forty years before, he was born in Exeter, England,
and in 1(537 landed at Massachusetts Hay. He lived
at Exeter ten years, and in 1(141) movetl to Ham|)ton,
built a framed house, which is still standing, became
a large land-holder and town official and died Febru-
* By Jolin II. (fooclitlij.
ary 4, 168G. Few men of the early settlers have left
a family name so widely represented as Godfrey Dear-
born. His descendants are numerous in every county
of New Hampshire, and are to be found in every part
of New England.
It is worthy of note that among the descendants of
Godfrey Dearborn the practice of medicine has been
a favorite occupation. Benjamin Dearborn, of the
fifth generation, graduated at Harvard in 174(), and
entering upon a successful practice at Portsmouth,
died in his thirtieth year. Levi Dearborn bad for
forty years an extensive practice at North Hampton,
and died in 1792. Edward Dearborn, born in 1776,
was for half a century the medical adviser of the peo-
ple of Seabrook, and acquired a handsome estate.
Genera! Henry Dearborn, who gained a national rej)-
utation by his brilliant services in the Revolutionary
War and as the senior major-general of the United
States army in the War of 1812, was practicing phy-
sician in Nottingham when summoned to join the first
New Hamp.shire regiment raised in 1775. To-day sev-
eral of the al)lest ph3'sicians of the State bear the
name.
Toward the middle of the last century the Dearborn
family had been quite generally distributed through
Rockingham County. Peter Dearborn, the great-
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in
Chester in 1710. Of his children, Josiah, born in
1751, married Su.saniiah Emereon, the daughter of
Samuel Emerson, Esq., a substantial Chester farmer,
who was a man of such judgment and integrity that
he was chosen to fill the various town offices of Ches-
ter and to decide nearly all local controversies beyond
review or appeal. Young Dearborn learned the trade
of a shoemaker, but, on the breaking out of the Revo-
lutionary War, entered the army as a private, and was
.stationed at Portsmouth under Colonel Joseph Cilley.
Afterward he did honorable service, first as a jirivate
and then as a lieutenant, in Northern New York, and
finally closed his enlistment by an expedition to New-
port, R. I., in 1778.
Returning from the war, he and his family found a
new home thirty miles westward, in Weare. It was
not an unfitting location. With its sixty square miles
still mostly covered with a dense forest of oak, maple,
anil beech, with its uneven surface nowhere rising
into high hills, it had a strong soil, which, when cul-
tivated, yielded large crops of hay and grain. It was
already a growing township, and thirty years later be-
came one of the ftmr leading farming towns of the
State. Here Josiah Dearborn passed his life, raising
a fiimily of twelve chihlren, ten of whom were sons.
Samuel, the fifth son and father of the subject of this
sketch, was born in 17!I2. The district-.sihool system
was not organized in New Hampshire until ISOd, and
the children of that time had scanty oi)i)ortuiiitics for
instruction. Samuel Dearborn and his brothers were
reaching manhood, when fanning in the Eastern States
was depressed bv the recent war with England and
208
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
the occurrence of several cold summers. Migration
westward had commenced, and the Dearborns for a
time debated the expediency of a removal to the
Western Reserve. They at length decided to locate
in Vermont, and, from 1814 to 1820, live of the broth-
ers, and a sister removed to Corinth, a town in the
eastern part of Orange County. Here Samuel Dear-
born settled upon a farm, soon after married Miss
Fanny Brown, of Vershire, whose parents were na-
tives of Chester, N. H., and here he i)assed a long and
useful life. He died December 12, 1871, in the eight-
ieth year of his age. His wife had died in 1830. Of
scholarly tastes, he was for many years a teacher of
winter schools. An active member of the Free-Will
Baptist denomination, his religion was a life rather
than a creed.
Cornelius V'an Ness Dearborn, the son of Samuel
and Fanny Dearborn, was born in Corinth, Vt., May
14, 1832. His name was in compliment to the then
ablest statesman of the State, who had filled the offices
of Governor and minister to Spain. Cornelius was the
youngest but one of seven children. His childhood
was pa.ssed in a strictly agricultural cummunity. Cor-
inth, lying among the foot-hills of the Green Moun-
tains, is one of the best farming towns in Eastern Ver-
mont. Without railway facilities, with scanty water-
power, its inhabitants depeiul (bra livelihood upon the
products of the soil, from which by industry they gain
a substantial income. Few in Corinth have ever ac-
cumulated more than what is now regarded as a fair
competency, and very few have encountered extreme
poverty, A moreindustrious, law-abiding, practically
sensible people would be difficult to find.
When four years old young Dearl)nrn met witli the
saddest loss of childhood, — a mother, whose intelli-
gence, forethought and womanly virtues had been
the life and light of the household. He early joined
his older brothers in the labors of the farm, attending
the district school for a few weeks in summer and ten
or twelve weeks each winter. AVhen fifteen years old
he attended the spring term of the Corinth Academy,
and continued at intervals for several terms later. In
the winter of 1848-49, his seventeenth year not yet
completed, he taught the school of a neighboring dis-
trict. His success warranted his continuance as a
teacher in the vicinity for the five following winters.
Continuing his farm laliors in summer, he, in the mean
time, developed a mechanical capacity in the making
of farm implements and the erection of buildings, — a
natural aptitude which has been of great service in
maturer years.
Soon after attaining the age of eighteen Mr. Dear-
born determined to enter upon a course of study pre-
paratory to a professional life. Before leavingCorinth
he commenced the study of law with Rodney Lund, a
young man who had commenced jiractice in the vicin-
ity. In March, 1854, at the suggestion of his mater-
nal uncle, Dr. W. W. Brown, he came to Manchester,
and renewed his law studies in the office of Hon. Isaac
W. Smith, with whom he remained till his admission
to the bar, in the fall of 1855.
In December, 1855, he opened an office at France.s-
town. The town afl'orded a safe oi)cning for a young
practitioner, but not one for large profits. There was
a time, after the close of the War of 1812, when the
trade of Francestown village exceeded that of any
other locality in Hillsborough County. But the open-
ing of the railroad to Nashua, and soon after to Man-
chester, entirely changed the centres of tradeand l)us-
iness, and left Francestown to become a respectable
aud very quiet village.
Hitherto Mr. Dearborn, while entertaining positive
views, had not actively participated in political dis-
cussion. But the year 185lj witnessed the consolida-
tion of the anti-slavery sentiment of the country. It
had already so far concentrated its strength in New
Hampshire as to have secured the State government
and a unanimous representation in Congress. The
nomination of John C. Fremont for President, in the
summer of that year, hastened the organization of the
anti-slavery elements of the entire North under the
name of the Republican party. In common with a
majority of the intelligent young men of the State,
Mr. Dearborn entered into this contest with all the
zeal, vigor and enthusiasm of one whose action is un-
trammeled by personal and partisan ends. The cam-
])ai.!rn which followed was the most brilliant and far-
reaching in its results of any in the political history
of the nation. No idea ever agitated the American
mind to which calculating selfishness was more for-
eign. Even the great uprising which brought about
the War of Independence was less free from selfish
motives. .Vnd, though the general result in the Pres-
idential election of that year was adverse, yet in New
Hampshire, as in every State north of Pennsylvania,
the returns clearly showed that the cause of freedom,
had acquired an overruling strength.
In June, 1857, Mr. Dearborn was united in mar-
riage with !Miss Louie Frances Eaton, daughter of
Moses W. and Louisa S. Eaton, of Francestown, and
granddaughter of Dr. Thomas Eaton, a physician of
long and extensive practice, and one of the most ex-
tensive farmers of his time. In 1857 he was elected
county treasurer, and re-elected in 1858. It was the
first public position he had held, and its duties were
satisfactorily discharged.
In 1858 he removed to Peterborough, occupying the
office of E. S. Cutter, Esq., who had recently been ap-
pointed clerk of the courts for Hillsborough County.
He resided in Peterborough till 1865. During this
time he was in partnership with Charles G. Cheney,
and afterward with Albert S. Scott, both of whom
have since died. He represented the town in the
Legislature in the years 1801 and 1862, being a mem-
ber of the judiciary committee.
In the summer of 1865 he removed to Nashua for
the purpose of continuing the practice of his profes-
sion. An accidental purchase led to a change of oc-
^Yxr^oua^ M/.
t
i
1
NASHUA.
209
cupation. The Naithua Telegraph had for many years
been edited by AlMii Heard, ii genial, witty and,
witlial, aiconiplislied writer. Under him the Tele-
grdpli had acquired a marked local popularity. He
died in September, 1862. Its present publishers were
inexperienced writers, and illy qualified to satisfy the
admtrers of itji former editor. The Telegraph was
rapidly cleteriorating in value and influence. The
senior projirietor inquired of Mr. Dearborn what he
would give for his half of the establishment. A some-
what nominal price was offered, and, much to the sur-
prise of >rr. Dearborn, was accepted. He at once en-
tered upon the duties of editor and financial manager.
I'lider his direction the Telegrdph was rapidly recov-
ering it.s patronage and influence, but at the end of
two years his health failed, and a change of occupa-
tion became a necessity. He disposed of his interest
to the present editor, Hon. O. C. Moore, and resumed
the practice of law.
Since his residence at Nashua, Mr. Dearborn has
cor tributed largely to the improvement of real estate,
to the erection of improved school buildings and to
the reconstruction and greater efficiency of the public
schools. He was ajjpointed register of Probate for
Hillsborough County in 1S(J8, and held the office till
1874.
For several years he was treasurer of the Nashua and
Lowell Kailroad, and is still one of the directors. In
his official action he aided largely in sustaining the
measures which have i)laced that corporation in the
front rank of profitable railways. He is also the treas-
urer of the Umlerliill Edge-Tool Company, and is at
this time president of the Hoard of Education.
In ISfiS, while a resident of Peterborough, he was
appointed by the Governor one of the bank commis-
sioners of New Hampshire. In that capacity he be-
came acquainted with the extent and peculiarities of
the financial institutions of the State. In 18()4 and
1865 he actively superintended, in his official capac-
ity, the converting of the State banks of discount into
the national banks of the j)rcsent system. In March,
18(i6, he was appointed examiner of the national
banks for the State of New Hampshire, a position
which he still holds. He is the only person who has
filled this position since the organization of the na-
tional banking system.
In the discharge of the duties of bank examiner,
official fidelity re<iuires that the investigation shall be
thorough and exhaustive. That during the past
eighteen years but a single instance of defalcation has
occurred resulting in loss among the forty-nine na-
tional banks in the State is pretty conclusiveevidence
o( a diligent and careful supervision. From the
length of time he has held the position, lie has become
familiar with the indications of laxity, lenity, negli-
gence, not to mention recklessness, which mark the
first steps of danger to a banking institution ; and his
suggestions and warnings to bank olfieials have not
infrequently been >A' advantage to the pnlilie gener-
ally, as well as to stockholders, where no publicity has
been gained through the pre.'^s or otherwise.
Personally, Mr. Dearborn is not an ostentatious, ob-
trusive, aggressive man. He has no fondness for
newspaper notoriety, no solicitude lest he should be
overlooked by the public, and has a special dislike for
unmeaning titles. In politics and religion he is lib-
eral and tolerant, conceding to others the utmost free-
dom of opinion. Attending to his own duties, it is
not his habit to interfere with the pergonal affairs of
others. But when attacked without reason or provo-
cation, no matter what his pretensions, his assailant
will speedily find that he has need of a prudent hus-
bandry of his resources.
Mr. Dearborn is a member of the Congregational
Church. His two children are sons. The older, John
Eaton, born November, 1862, is acquiring a business
education, and is at this time clerk for his father in
the office of the Edge-Tool Works. The younger,
George Van Ness, born in August, 1869, is attending
the public schools. His house is pleasantly situated
on Main Street, and is one of the desirable residences
in the city. Still in the prime of life, his many friends
have no reason to doubt that in the future, as in the
past, he will be adequate to any resiionsibility which
may devolve upon him.
IIOKACK \V. (JII.SI.VN.'
Horace Way Oilman was born in Unity, N. II., on
December 6, 1833. He is the yoiyiger brother of
Virgil C. Oilman, a sketch of whose life is given in
the preceding pages, and hence it is not necessary to
write of his ancestry and parentage. Removing,
with his parents, to Lowell, in 1887, he also came with
them to Nashua in 1844, in the eleventh year of his age.
For several years his boyhood alternated between
the cotton-mill and the public school, both of which,
no doubt, taught him s(]me useful lessons in practical
life. When fifteen years (dd he went to M'est Spring-
field, Mass., working in the cotton-mill one year, and
returning to Nashua in 1850.
In the winter of 1852-53, Mr. Oilman taught a dis-
trict school in Nashua, in 1853-54 in Hudson and in
the two winters following in the grammar school at
Belvidere and at the Harbor, in this city.
In the mean time, having gained some knowledge
of the card and paper manuliuliiring business as a
workman in the employ of Gage, Murray & Co., in
1856 he went, with Mr. John Dobler, to Albany,
N. Y., where the firm of Dobler & Oilman started a
card and paper manufactory, which has since become
a large and profitable business in that city. In the
spring of 18()1, Jlr. Oilman disposed of his interest,
and returned to Nashua. In .Tanuary, 1862, he
bought a one-fourth interest in the firm of Oage,
Murray & Co., and was assigned the charge of the
financial department.
' By .lolin n. OoikIoIo.
210
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
In 1869, when the Nasliua Card and Glazed Paper
Company was organized under a legislative charter,
Mr. Oilman l)efame its treasurer, a position wliich he
has held ever since. His attention is still chicHy
given to the interests of this company.
In 1872 he became half-owner and treasurer of the
Contoocook Valley PajJcr-IMill, at West Heniiiker,
and retained the interest till 1879. In 1883 and 1884
he was director and president of the Underhill Edge-
Tool Company, is at this time a director and vice-
president of the Davidson Loan Company, at Wichita,
Kan., and is also a director of the Second National
Bank in this city. In a business point of view, it is
no exaggeration to say that no man in this city has
shown a larger ability and more uniform success thau
the subject of this sketch.
Of late years Mr. Gilmau has given some time to
travel, having visited the most of the States and, with
his family, made the tour of the Southwestern Terri-
tories and the States of the Pacific coast.
In his political views Mr. Oilman is a decided
Eepifblican, but is a business man and not a politi-
cian. Least of all is he an office-seeker. AVitli an
ability above that of a majority of the men who have
been the chief magistrates of this State during the
past thirty years, Mr. Oilman has never had the
gubernatorial nor any other political bee in his hat,
and never will have. He has not. however, shunned
responsibility in public matters, having served as
assessor and member of the Board of Education in
city affairs, and was a member of the last State Con-
stitutional Convention.
In denominational association Mr. Oilman is a
Methodist; was a delegate in 18G6 to the Centennial
Convention to celebrate the preaching of the first
Methodist sermon in New England, by Jesse Lee ; in
1872 was a delegate to the General Conference at
Brooklyn, N. Y. ; and in 1884 to the centennial of the
American Jlethodist Church, held at Baltimore. He
is one of the vice-presidents of the New England
Educational Society of the denomination, and a vice-
president of New England Methodist Historical
Society. In the building of the Main Street Church
and in supporting the interests of the society he has
been a generous contributor.
In his domestic relations Mr. Oilman has had his
usual good fortune. In December, 1854, he married
Miss Adalinc W. Marsli, daughter of Fitch P. Marsh,
of Hudson. They have two sons. The eldest, Wil-
liam v., was born November 25, 1856, and is a resi-
dent of Nashua. He is a director and the i)aymaster
of the Nashua Card and Ola/.ed Paper Company.
The younger, Edw^-ird M., was born September 26,
1862, and is associated with his father a.s H. W. Gil-
man & Son, of the eastern agency of the Davidson
Loan Company, of Kansas.
A spacious and well-arranged residence on Prosjiect
Street is the home of Mr. Oilman aud his family for
the most of the year; but for fifteen years they have
passed the summer at their seaside home, at Cottage
City, Martha's Vineyard, a well-known resort during ^
the warm season.
VIRGIL C. GILMAX.
Virgil Chase Oilman was born in Unity, Sullivan
County, N. H., May 5, 1827, and was the third of a
family of eight children born to Emerson and Delia
(Way) Oilman.
Emerson Oilman was the oldest son and the first of
twelve children born to Stephen and Dorothy (Clough)
Oilman, who were married September 5, 1793. This
was his second marriage, he having married Anna
Huntoon, by whom he had nine children, some of
whom died in infancy. Stephen Gilmau was a native
of Kingston, and served as a cavalry officer in the War
of the Revolution. He was a descendant of Moses
Oilman, who was one of three brothers — Edward, John
and Moses- — who emigrated from Hingham, England,
early in the .sixteenth century.
In 1827 it was said: " Edward Oilman's descendants
are as numerous as the sands on the sea-shore. There
is hardly a State in the Union where they may not be
found. The family have been in civil office from the
time our colony became a royal province to the present
time. John Oilman was one of the first counselors
named in President Cutts' commission, and died in
1708. Colonel Peter Oilman was one of the royal
counselors in 1772. Hon. Nicholas Oilman was coun-
selor in 1777 and 1778, Hon. John Oilman in 1787,
while the present venerable John Taylor Oilman
was fourteen years, eleven in succession, our highly
respected chief magistrate. His brother, Nicholas
Oilman, was a member of the House of Representa-
tives in Congress eight years and in the national
Senate nine years. Our ecclesiastical annals have,
also. Rev. Nicholas Oilman, Harvard College, 1724,
and Rev. Tristram Oilman, Harvard College, 1757,
both respected clergymen and useful men."
These words are quoted in sulistauce from Mr. Lii;-
coln's work. "If he had written forty years later,''
says the author of "The Oilman Family in England
and America," "he would have found the family still
more numerous, and many adilitions would have been
made to his list of prominent men bearing the Oilman
name. The family of Oilmans !.■* not one furnishing
a few brilliant exceptions in a long list of common-
place names. Its members appear generally to have
been remarkable for the quiet home virtues, and
rather to have desired to be good citizens than men
of great name. To an eminent degree they appear to
have obtained the esteem and resjiect of those nearest
to them for sound judgment and sterling traits of
character."
Emerson Oilman followed the trade of clothier until
the introduction of machinery supplanted the hand
process, when he, after pursuing the business of farmer
for a few years, removed to Lowell, Mass., in 1837,
relying upon his strong and willing hands to find
' /
(Q.-. <i^c/'/-i^.a^y(y
p
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Vc, W-VvwlcvW
NASHUA.
211
support for his large family and give his children the
advantages of education which that city signally
aHi)rded.
The subject of this sketch was then ten years old,
and made fair progress through the several grades to
the High School, with which his school-days ended.
He removed to Nashua in 1843, but it was not until
I'^.'jl that he entered business on his own behalf, at
which time he became associated with Messrs. Gage
& Murray for the manufacture of printers' cards of
all the various kinds, also tancy-colored, embossed
and marble papers, a new business in this country at
that time, which business he followed successfully for
twciity-one yeai-s, and until his close and unremitting
application made it necessary for him to relinfiuish it
for a mure active out-door employment. Following
a natural love for rural affairs, he was not long in
possessing himself of a hundred-acre farm, in the
south part of the city, upon the Lowell road, which
he greatly improved, and indulged to some extent in
the usually e.\i)ensive lu.xury of breeding Jersey cat-
tle, trotling-horscs and Plymouth Rock fowls. He
claims to have bred the finest and fastest-gaited horse
ever raised in New Hampshire. Meantime, having
realized the object sought, greatly improved health,
and the office of trca.surer of the Nashua Savings-I?ank
becoming vacant by the resignation of Dr. E. Spald-
ing, in 1870, he was elected to fill the vacancy, and
still contiinu'S in this responsible position, with nearly
two and a half millions of deposits committed to his
watchful care and secure investment.
Never coveting office, still he has rarely refused to
perform his full share of duty in the various depart-
ments of labor and responsibility incident to city
affairs, from ward clerk to the mayor's chair, serving
also as assessor, member of the Board of Education,
and is now trustee of the Public Library, also its sec-
retary and treasurer. To him Dartmouth College is
indebted for the Oilman scholarship, and the board
of trustees of the Orphans' Home at Franklin finds
in him an interested member. He is identified with
the mechanical in<Instries of the city, having a large
interest in the Nashua Iron and Steel Company, and
being its local director; also an owner and director in
the Undcrhill Edge-Tool Company and ,\inoskeag
Axe Company; also a director in the Indian Head
National Hank.
In military atlairs actively he is unknown, his ser-
vice having commenced and ended with the Gover-
nor's Horse-Guards, enliHting as private in Company
B and eiuling as major of the battalion. His interest,
however, is kept alive by honorary membershi]) of
('ity Guards and Foster Rifles of his ado|>te(l city.
His strong love for agricultural atlairs led liini to
take an interest in our New Hampshire Agricultural
Society, of whose board of trustees he was formerly a
member, also one of the trustees of the New England
Agricultural Society.
He was a member of the Legislature of 1879, serv-
ing as chairman of committee on banks and taking a
deep interest in the work of that session, and espe-
cially zealous in opposition to the taxation of church
l>roperty. In 1883 he was the Republican Senator
from the Nashua district, and was honored by the
chairmanship of the leading committee of the Senate,
the judiciary, no member of the legal profession hold-
ing a seat in that body at that time. How well he
discharged the duties of this responsible position those
can testify who had business with the committee, or
those who witnessed his unremitting application and
conscientious decisions.
Denominationally, he is a Congregationalist, and a
communicant with the First Church, that was organ-
ized in 1()85. An interest in its prosperity has in-
duced him to serve as director of the society connected
therewith many years, and of which he is now presi-
dent, and treasurer of the Sabbath-school connected.
It will thus be seen that the subject of this sketch
fills many positions of responsibility and usefulness,
which bring no pecuniary reward, without ostenta-
tion, and no foul breath tarnishes his fair record.
Our State has among its many honored sons few
whose energy, integrity and discretion have won suc-
cess in so many directions, and none who command
more universal respect among all classes. In business,
politics and social and religious circles he has been
and is a leader, whose trium]ihs shed their blessings
far and wide. Few have done so much for Nashua.
No one deserves better of the State.
In 1850 he married Sarah Louisa, daughter of Gid-
eon Newcomb, Esq., of Roxbury, by whom he had
two children, — Harriet Louise, who married Charles
W. Iloitt, an attorncy-at-law in Nashua, and Alfred
Emerson, who did not attain his second birth-day.
HON. ARCHIBALD H. 1>UNI,AP.
One of the best elements of our American civilization
is the Scotch-Irish. Possessed of clear, cool-headed
I common sense, industry, integrity, and remarkably
successful in all the varied branches of financial,
business ami legislative action, the descendants of
j the old Londonderry stock have held conspicuous and
trustworthy positions, the duties of which have al-
I most universally been discharged in a manner show-
ing the clearest knowledge of these varied duties, and
a determination to fulfill these responsibilities with
honesty and fidelity. Not officious, nor loudly sclf-
j asserting, they iiuietly bring to their labors a faith-
fulness and energy that surely accomplishes their
end.
Hon. Archibald Harris Dunlap, son of ,Iohn and
.lennie (Ncsmith) Dunlap, was born in North Branch
village, .\ntrim, Septemlier 2, 1817. lie is of the
fourtli generation in direct descent from the emigrant
Archibald Dunlap, who came from the Scotch settle-
ment in Ireland, and located in Chester, N. H., about
the year 1740. The line is Archibald', Major John',
John', Archibald II.'
212
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Archibald' married Martha Neal, of Chester. She
was of Scotch ancestry, and her father, Joseph Neal,
was among the Presbyterians who petitioned the
Legislature, in 1736, to be freed from paying a
second tax to support a Congregational minister.
The third child of Archibald was Major John Duu-
lap, of Revolutionary memory. He was born in
Chester in 1740, married Martha Gilmore, settled in
Bedford, owned and carried on a large farm, was
also a manufacturer of furniture, and his industry
and energy were rewarded with financial success. As
a military man he Wiis well known in his day, and
his hospitality and liberality were shown by his en-
tertaining on one occasion his entire regiment. His
son John inlierited his father's business character-
istics, and early left Chester, went to Antrim, and
made his home at the North Branch village of that
town. He married, June 26, 1807, Jennie, daughter of
Deacon Jonathan Nesmith, of Antrim. He was in the
cabinet-making business for many years, and was prob-
ably the first to introduce the manufacture of knit
underclothing in this State, and also made looms
for that purpose. This was about the year 1812, and
was deemed a great curiosity. In 1835 he erected
a factory in South Antrim (now known as the Silk-
Factory). His busy life closed December 15, 1869, at
the advanced age of eighty-five.
Archibald H. Dunlap, while yet a lad of thirteen,
showed that he had inherited the Scotch zeal and
powers of endurance; he, with his elder brother,
Robert, left home at early morning with a bundle in
one liand and a staff in the other, to walk to Nashua,
a distance of thirty-five miles, which place they
reached late in the afternoon. The next day, Satur-
day, Archibald passed in looking over the town, and
his first Sabbath he attended the church of which
Kev. Mr. Nott was pastor. " That day he cast his
anchor in with that people, and it Ixas held ever
since."
At this time, 1S31, the Nashua Manufacturing Com-
pany and the Indian Head Company were completing
cotton-mills, and on Monday, the third day after his
arrival, Archibald was engaged by Ziba Gay, maim-
facturer of machinery, to work for him througli
the summer. In the fall he entered Franklin Acad-
emy, then under charge of Professor Benjamin M.
Tyler, remaining until sjiring. Returning to Nashua,
he was employed by the Nashua Manufacturing Com-
pany for over two years, when, being disabled from
active labor, he attended Francestown Academy for
a term, and one term at Antrim, finishing his school
education.
And now, after this varied experience of work and
study, of large stature, sound in mind, fearless, in-
dependent, upright, industrious and persevering,
all of which attributes promise success, Archibald
makes Nashua his home, and at the age of twenty
was an overseer of the Indian Head Mills, which
positiim he occupied until 1847, when failing health
obliged him to relinquish it. The next two years
he passed in business in Franklin, N. H., and in
1849 he removed to Nashua, of which i)lace he has
since been a resident, and commenced the garden
seed business, in which he has been very successful,
and " Dunlap's Garden Seeds" are known all over
the land. The business is now conducted by A. H.
Dunlap & Sons.
Mr. Dunlap married, August 12, 1841, Lucy Jane,
daughter of Josiah Fogg, of Exeter, N. H., and
granddaughter of Major Josiah Fogg. Major Fogg
came from Hampton in 1752, and settled in that part
of Chester which, in 1764, was set ofl' as the town of
Raymond. He was a very prominent man in Chester,
paid the highest " parish. State and war tax " in
Raymond in 1777, and rendered great service in the
Revolution. The Fogg family can trace their ances-
try back in England and Wales to the year 1112.
The first American ancestor was Samuel Fogg, who
came to Hampton in 1638. The family is an able
one, and its members have been distinguished in
various ways. William Perry Fogg (Mrs. Dunlap's
brother) is a writer and traveler of some note ; au-
thor of "Arabistan," "Round the World Letters,"'
etc. The children of Archibald H. and Lucy J.
(Fogg) Dunlap are James H., Georgie A., .Tohn P.
(deceased), Abbie J. and Charles H.
Mr. Dunlap has the confidence and esteem of the
people of Nashua, as shown by the many trusts com-
mitted to him and the offices he has held in tlie city;^_
government. In 1858 he was elected railroad com-
missioner of the State for three years. In 1864 he
was chosen one of the Presidential electors for New
HamjJshire, and had the honor of casting one of the
electoral votes for Abraham Lincoln. He repre-
sented Nashua in the State Legislature in 1869-70.
He is one of the directors of the Nashua and
Rochester Railroad, and is a trustee of the New
Ham|ishire Banking Company.
He has always been interested in whatever per-
tained to the welfare and improvement of his native
town, and at her centennial, in 1877, his address was
very able and appropriate. He also generously aided
with his time and money in the preparation of the
recently-published " History of Antrim." From the
terraces of the grounds of his pleasant home Mr. I)un-
lap can view Mount Monadnock and its surrounding
hills, which often were gazed upon by him with ad-
miration while a mere lad in his native town. In his
religious views Mr. Dunlap is a Congregationalist,
and he was deacon in the Olive Street Church (where
he attended service his first Sabbath in Na^hua, jioor
and a stranger) from 1855 till its recent union with
the Pearl Street Church ; was then chosen deacon in
the United, or Pilgrim Church, and is now the oldest
deacon, and was chairman of their building commit-
tee in the erection of the new and stately edifice of
1881. Politically, he is a Republican.
Mr. Dunlap is one of the best types of a self-
ya,jP. Jlrir-nul
I
I
NASHUA.
213
mudo man, and liis success is due to his energy, in-
dustry and steady, active attention to liis business.
He is characterized by strong social feeling, and has
many friends. In his public life he has always been
a faithful and devoted servant to jiublic interests.
Upright and conscientious in his convictions, sin-
cere in his desire for the right, he is a worthy repre-
sentative of his strong and sturdy ancestry.
THE HOWARD FA.MILY.
The name of Howard is another form of Haward
or llereward, and is identified with the most brilliant
achievements in various departments of knightly and
honorable service in England, and is one of the
proudest families in that fair laud. AVe extract the
following early transatlantic history of the family
from " Hurke's Heraldic Register," an English work,
valuable for its learning, research and accuracy, and
a standard authority in family history:
"il«ir(irrf, Dnktof yorfi'lh. — Tii« illiiHtrioiis Huiise of Nurfulk derives
lDtli(< niulu liliti fruiii WiDiuni Howard, ' a leariR'd and rt-verelid judge*
of the ruign uf K^lwaril I., and witli liini the authentic pedigree com-
niences. Dugdale souglit in vain amid the niista uf retnuto ages fur a
clue to tlje family's earlier ori^'i [I. The alliance uf the judgeV descendants,
Sir RulMTt Iluwanl, Knight, with Margaret, elder daughter of Thuniaa
de Mowbray, Duko of Norfolk, waslho sourco whence flowed to after gen-
erutiuns ' All (he blood of all the How*urde.' Margaret do Muwbray watt
great-granddaughter and heiress of Thomas Plantagenitt, surnained Do
Bmtherton, eldest son of King E4lward I., by Margaret, liis second wife,
daughter of I'hilip the Itardy, of France. This great alliance may be re-
gante^l as the foundation-stone on which was erected the subsequent
grandeur of the House of Xorfulk ; but the brilliant halo which en-
circlet the coronet of the Howards owes its splendor to the heroic
ftchievemenls of the successive chiefs on whom its honordevolved. John
Howard, Duko of Norfolk, fell ut Bosworth, manfully adhering to
Richard III.; his son, the Earl ofSuney, was the hero of Floddeu, and
the lattor's gnindson is ever memorable as the first poet of his age :
" 'The gentle Surrey loved his lyre,
Who hath not heard of Surrey's fame t
His was the hero's soul of Arc,
.And his the Bard's innnortal name !*
" In more recent limes the hereditary gallanlry of the race continued
to shine conspicuously forth ; and to a Howard was reserved the honor
of overthrowing the mighty power of Spain, and crushing the ' Invinci-
ble Armada.' In point of mere antii|uity (here are several nobles who far
exceed the Howards ; hut what family pervades all our national annals
with such fn;i|ut>nt mention, and oft^-n involved in circumstances of such
loteniu* interest! As heroes, poets, politicians, courtiers, patrons of lit-
erature, state victiiuH to tyranny and feudal chiefs, they have been con-
ftantly before us for four ceiilurie-, ' In the drama of life,' wiys an elo-
quent writer, 'they have e.\liiliitetl every variety of chanicter, good and
\mA \ and a tale of their vices, as well as of their virtues, is full of instruc-
tion, and would excite anxious sympathy or indignant censure. Nostory
of rt>nianco or tiikgic dranni can exhibit nH>re incidents to enhance atten-
tion or move the heart than would a comprehensive account of this
house, written with elo<|Uence and pathos.' On Ibeir escutcheon is the
motto— S4>la virtus invictu."
The first Amcricaii ancestor of this line was doubt-
less Nathaniel Howard, who emigrated from Sudolk,
England, to Dorchester, Mass., ip 1G41, and was made
a freeman in 1(14.'?. The name is variously siicUed in old
records, Howard, Hayward, Haward, Heywood, etc.
Two of Nathaniel's sons went to Charlcstown. Wil-
liam was a wciiver, born in England, and at the May
meeting, 165G, of the proprietorsof Chelmsford he was
admitted as an inliabitant, "the people needing his
services," and granted lanils to secure his permanent
residence. Nathaniel soon followed him to Chelms-
ford, settling near his brother. He had children,
among them Nathaniel and Jacob. The line from
Jacob to Silas is ditticult to trace; we can go back a
few generations, but from the first settlers in 1(>5()
down to seven successive generations is attended with
great difficulty, and from the incompleteness of old
records, at times impossible ; but Benjamin, of Chelms-
ford, Mass., from our searches, is probably the father
of Silas. There is no record of Silas' birth in Chelms-
ford ; but as he married Sybil, daughter of Captain
Win. Reed, of Westford, and the towns lie side by
side, Westford was probably his native place. The
Howards were conspicuous for many years in the
early days of Chelmsford, and held important offices,
and several of the name are now resident there.
aUati was a farmer and patriot, and when the clouds
of war threatened the colonies, and the demand was
lor brave men, he responded to the call, and was
among the "embattled farmers of the Revolution." He
removed from Massachusetts to Lyndeborough, N. H.
He had ten children, — Silas, Samuel, Joseph, Jacob,
John, Benjamin, Martha, Abigail, Rachel and Sybil.
Silas settled in Hebron, N. Y., Samuel in Lyndebor-
ough, Jusepk in Wilton, Jacob in Milford. Samuel,
John and Benjamin were gallant soldiers in the War of
1812, John and Benjamin dying in service. Martha
married a Hutchinson, of Millbrd; Abigail married
a Mr. Blanchard, resided in Albany, N. Y. ; Rachel
married, first, Mr. Emerson, second, Mr. Dodge, lived
in Mont Vernon, N. H. ; Sybil died young.
Joseph Howard was born June 19, 1792. He mar-
ried Phebe, daughter of William Pettengill.of Milton.
(Mr. Petteiigill was a soldier of the Revolutionary
army.) Mrs. Howard was born April 2(1, 179t). The
children of Joseph Howard were Ezra /'., .lohn S. G.
(born July 9, 1821 ), Jose]di A. (born October Hi, 1823,
died June C, 1876), Adeline P. (born May 27, 1834)
and Hannah G. (born June 14, 1836). Mr. Howard
died September 13, 1839. Adeline and Hannah are
children of a second wife, .Vbiah Parker.
Ezra PetteiKjill J/uward was born .luly 2, 1818, in
Wilton. When he was a mere lad, between the ages
of nine ami (deven, he drove a team between Wilton
and Nashua. About this time his mother died, and
he went to Temple, N. H., where he remained until
he was eighteen, passing the years on a farm. He
then bought his time of his father for fifty dollars,
and apprenticed him.self toa ear|ienter for three years,
receiving thirty ilollars for the first year, forty dol-
lars for the second and twenty dollars per month for
the third summer, with the stipulation that he should
clothe himself out of his wages. He iiftcrwards
workeil at his trade in Lowell and Caniliridge, Mass.;
then, his fiither being ill, he went to Wilton, and re-
mained with him until bis cleath, which soon alter
occurred. Washington, Sullivan Ctmnty, was his next
resilience for a vear and a half; then he went to
214
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Rochester, N. Y., and worked on the large flouring-
mills; returned to Temple in 1842, and for a short time
wasemi)loyed on the Congregational Church; then he
removed to Washington, and, in connection with his
carpentering business, he made card-boards for manu-
facturers. He was diligent and prudent, and from
hard-earned savings was able to erect a set of build-
ings. January 24, 1S44, he married Mary Trow,
daughter of Levi and Betsy (Averill) Trow. She was
born at Mont Vernon, July 22, 1818. Their children
were Joseph W. and Mary H. (born November 22,
1844) and Martha J. (born January 29, 1847). Mary
H. married, January 1, ISd.S, Charles H. French ; she
died August 30, 18611, leaving one daughter, Mary H.
Martha J. resides with her parents.
In 184(), Mr. Howard, with his brother, Joseph A.,
pureha.sed the business of manufacturing card-boards,
which they carried on successfully for five years, when
Joseph retired, and Mr. Howard continued the bus-
iness until 186!) (with the exception of two years and
a half). At this time !^Ir. Howard, with the keen
foresight and good judgment which have largely con-
tributed to his financial success, saw the future possi-
bilities and capabilities of the business, and enlarged
his facilities to meet the demand, and controlled the
manufacturing, and after a while was for some years
the sole manufacturer in the United States. The
business was prosperous. In 1869, Mr. Howard moved
to Nashua, where he has since resided. He purchased
a half-interest in the flour and grain business of Mc-
Questen & Co., and is still connected with the firm.
Mr. Howard was formerly a Free-Soil Democrat,
but has affiliated with the Republican party since
1856, and as a member of that i)arty re]>resented
Washington in the State Legislature of 1867-68,
serving both terms on committees of railroads. This
town being largely Democratic, his election showed a
very great personal ])opularity and also great confi-
dence in his ability. During his residence in Nashua
(1871) he has been a member of the Common Council
of the city, serving on several important committees.
He has never aspired to positions of responsibility,
but, when placed in them, has discharged their duties
fearlessly, faithfully and conscientiously. Loyal to
the core, he took an active part in securing substitutes
to fill the (juota of Washington in our great Civil
War, and in erecting the soldiers' monument. Com-
pelled to battle with life at an age when one most
needs the care of a mother and home comforts, Mr.
Howard's course has been steadily upward, and by his
own unaided exertions he has won wealth and honor-
able position in society and tiie esteem of a large
circle of friends.
Joseph Woodbury Jfoward, son of Ezra P. and Mary
(Trow) Howard, came to Nashua in 1868, and engaged
in the furniture trade with E. P. Brown. His father
afterward purchiised the interest of Mr. Brown, and
organized tlie firm of Howard & Copp, which, after
five years' time, was changed to Howard & Co. In
1880, E. P. Howard sold his interest to his son-in-law,
Charles H. French, who, with Joseph W. Howard, now
constitutes the firm of Howard & Co. They com-
menced the manufacture of furniture in 1880, erect-
ing the factory the same year. The business has in-
creased rapidly. With characteristic New England
enterprise, they have developed the small and uncer-
tain commencement into a large and flourishing estab-
lishment, doing a large wholesale and retail business-
J. W. Howard is a young man of energetic business
qualities and genial social disposition, which have
made him well and most favorably known in this
community and financial quarters. He has been
councilman and alderman of Nashua. N. H., and he
received the unanimous nomination, in 1882, of the
Republican party for the mayor.alty, but declined.
He is serving the third term on the School Board.
He married, August 27, 1868, Nancy J. Hasselton,
of Wilton. They have three children, — Charles W.,
Frank B. and Mary H.
REUBEN GODFREY.
Reuben Godfrey, son of Joseph and Sarah (Dear-
born) Godfrey, was born at South Hampton, N. H.,
September 2, 1816. He was a descendant of an early
New England family of good repute in colonial days,
as well as in later years. He was fifth in a family of
six children, and early in life learned how to labor.
When about fifteen he went to Meredith, where his
stay was short, for, about the same age, he made his
advent in Nashua, a runaway lad, his personal eflects
in a small bundle in his hand, and his entire cash capi-
tal comprising seventy-five cents. This was Reuben
(fodfrey as he appeared one day to his sister, Mrs.
Fisk, after a walk from Sanbornton. The young
wanderer was kindly received ; Ca))tain Daniel Fisk,
his brother-in-law, furnished him employment on his
farm, and, after a time, he added to the little stock of
school knowledge already possessed by attending the
public schools. He soon was engaged in driving a
milk-cart, and in a short time became the owner of
the business. This was in 1836, when he was only
twenty years old. From this period until his death,
February 27, 1880, Mr. Godfrey was an active partici-
pant in the business enterprises of Nashua, an ener-
getic, successful worker in various spheres, and a pros-
perous, public-spirited citizen. He engaged in the
livery business, and had several teams employed in
teaming, yet gave his most especial attention to quar-
rying stone and stone masonry, taking many contracts
for various kinds of stone-work. This arduous labor
he followed until 1854, with very substantial financial
success. He then [uirchased a farm a short <listance
below Nashua, where he resided five years, carrying
on with his farm an extensive lumbering business, a
member of the firm of Wright, Roby & Co. His con-
nection with this company lasted several years, and
he was in this field handsomely rewarded for his
labors, shrewdness and ability. Of an active tempera-
^
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NASHUA.
215
ment and not at all dispused to idleness, he next
engaged in the ice business in Nashua, and also in
other branches of commercial activity, These he
carried on in the same skillful manner until 1870,
when he retired from active labor and connection
with business with a competency.
He married, December 3, 1846, Mary A., daughter
of Benjamin A. and Sarah \V. (Gilson) Davis. They
had three children, — Ellen E. (died young), Mary
Frances and Charles J. (deceased).
In early life Mr. Godfrey Wiis an Old-Line Whig of
the stanchest order. After the death of that party he
did not take the same active interest in politics
which characterized his previous days, but in a quiet
way supported the Republican party by his vote and
otherwise. In the various official relations the suf-
frages of the people entrusted to him he was ever the
faithful, honest public officer, performing his duties
with the integrity and accuracy manifested iu bis
private affiiirs. He served the city many years as
assessor and tax collector with great efficiencj'. He
was a member of the Board of Health and for a long
period an overseer of the poor, for which position he
was especially ([ualified. He was a strong, positive
man, to whom action was a necessity of life. Of
cheerful and l)risk nature, he easily won and retained
friends and was popular. He was very liberal both
to the church and to the poor, particularly remem-
bering the latter with seasonable gifts at Thanks-
giving, Christmas and like occasions. His judgment
of men and things was of more than ordinary i)Owcr,
and his services were in great demand as appraiser,
in settling estates and as guardian for minors, etc.
During the last years of his life he was in charge of
the estate of Colonel L. G. Noyes. Congregational
in religious belief, he was a regular attendant and
supporter of the Pearl Street Church.
ELLIOT WHITFORU AND JAMES n. HALL.
Elliot WIdtford, son of William and Lucy (Dale)
Whitford, was born in Hillsborough, N. H., October
11, 1809. His father, born in Salem, Mass., August
19, 1773, was in youth a shoemaker, who, alter his
marriage, October 28, 1798, to Lucy Dale (who was
born in Beverly, Mass., March 20, 1778), settled in
Hillsborough, N. H., where he purchased a farm,
lived many years and died January 30, 1838. His
wife survived him, dying May 17, 1855. Elliot had
only the meagre school education conferred by the
common schools of his boyhood, but he acquired
sullicient knowledge to lay the foundation of a good
practical business education by dint of perseverance
and the force of circumstances. He left home when
seventeen years old and worked at farming in Massa-
chusett.t during the summer, attending school in the
winter. He worked for his father until he was twenty
years of age, then started in liU' for himself, and for
eight years became a farm laborer, working by the
month. He was now in a good school for the acqui-
sition of the i>racticality, ingenuity, diligence and
economy which have served to build up the comfort-
able home wherein he is passing his retired life. Mr.
Whitford came to Nashua in 1838, and, in company
with his brother, George ,D., purchased the farm of
two hundred acres which is now his residence. This
being distant Irom the highway, they petitioned the
selectmen for a road ; but the petition not being
granted, they appealed to the county commissioners,
and the road was laid out. Mr. Whitford and his
brother repaired the house, built the barn, bought a
milk route, and, up the present time, the farm has been
kept as a milk farm. The land at that time was in a
low state of cultivation, yielding only twelve tons of
English hay, but by good culture was made to pro-
duce as high as eighty tons.
Mr. Whitford and his brother were together for ten
years. He then i)urcliased his brother's interest, and
bought a market and was in the butchering business
for a number of years. Active and energetic, in con-
nection with his other pursuits, he became quite an
extensive dealer in agricultural implements, and when
the mowing-machines were introduced, he was ap-
pointed agent, and iucre:ised the first year's sales of
two or three to fifty in one year. Having a water
privilege on his land, Mr. Whitford determined to
utilize it, and finding the estimated cost of a wooden
dam to be two thousand dollars, he, with his charac-
teristic preference for solidity, began, in August, 1873,
the building of a cemented .stone dam, which, when
completed, was one hundred and forty feet in length,
twenty-four feet thick and from five to twenty-seven
feet in height. Here he erected a saw and grist-mill,
putting in also stave and kit-machines, cutting-off saw
and an edger. This mill has been in operation con-
tinuously since, except in time of low water. Mr.
Whitford has taken hold of local improvements and
public matters with the .same energy and enterprise
shown in his private affairs. Whig and Republican
in politics, he has filled various official positions with
acceptance. He was selectman for many years, elected
the first time in 1841, the third year of his residence,
and hild that office when the town was divided, the
town-bouse built anil when the towns were united in the
city of Nashua. He has been assessor, street commis-
sioner, alderman and was a representative for Nashua
in the State Legislature. Although strong and robust,
of late years he has been debarred from the activities
of life by an all'cction of the eyes, which has deprived
him of sight. He has been an active member of the
Order of Patrons of Husbandry, was a charter mem-
ber of Nashua (irange. No. 13, and presiding officer
of the same for two years. He is a Congregationalist
in religious belief and a member of Pilgrim Churcii.
Mr. Whitford married, November 26, 1840, Eliza-
beth, daughter of .Vbel and Hannah F. (Hunniwcll)
Bowman. Their children were Alfred J. (ileceased),
Josephine E. (deceased), Frederick E. (deceased) ;
Frederick left one child, (Lizzie Maria) and Ann,
216
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
JIaria K. She married James H. Hall, and has had
lour children, — Susihell W., Webb E., James E. and
Annie May (died, ajred six months).
James Horace Hall, son of Joshua Hall, Jr., and
Sarah F. Whitney, his wife* was born in Pepperell,
Mass., November 20, 1842. His father died when
.lames was about two years of age, and when but six
years old he was "put out" among strangers, and
from that time hiis made his own way in life. When
eighteen he moved to North Chelmsford, Mass., to
learn the machinist's trade, where, at the commence-
ment of the great Civil War, he was engaged. He
then enlisted in Company F, Third Eegiraeut New
Hampshire Volunteers, and was with his regiment in
three long years of active service and numerous
bloody engagements. He particiiiated in those of
Hilton Head, Drury's Bluff, Morris Island, siege and
taking of Fort Wagner, Fort Fisher and Wilmington,
siege of Petersburg, some of these being among the
most sharply-contested battles of the war, with great
losses, yet, singularly enough, neither Mr. Hall nor
his brother, Charles T., who served with him and was
his tent-mate, ever received a wound, although their
clothes were often cut with bullets. Mr. Hall was in
Wilmington, N. C, when the news came of Lee's sur-
render and the consequent near return of peace. He
was mustered out of the United States service in
.Fune, 18(55, accompanied his regiment to New Hamp-
shire, and in the following August was discharged
honorably from the State service at Concord.
Returning to Chehnsford and finishing his trade,
Mr. Hall was employed until 1868 as machinist at
Worcester and Providence. He then removed to
Milford, N. H., and for a time carried on a machine-
shop. Coming then to Nashua, which has since been
his home, he was for ten years an emjjloyfi of the
Nashua Card and Glazed Paper Company. He married
.\nna M. Whitford, January 18, 1876, and became a
farmer on Mr. Whitford's place in 1881. He is a
member of the Baptist Church of Huilson ; is Republi-
can in politics; li.ns been a Freema.son since 1866, is a
Sir Knight, and has taken the thirty-second degree;
an Odd-Fellow since 1868, belongs to the Encamp-
ment. He is a steady, industrious citizen, — one who
has proven the highest title to that name by his
active service for three long years in his country's
defense.
4
CH.VRLES LDND.
Among the old families and of those who did
good service in the early days of Old Dunstable,
in defending her against the Indians, should be
mentioned the liUnd family. The first emigrant
bearing the name was Thomas Lund, merchant,
who came from London, England, in 1646, to Bo.ston,
with power from certain citizens in London to collect
debts. One of the first settlers of Dunstable was
Thomas Lund, born about 1660, probably a son of
the Thomas above mentioned. His children were
Thomas (1682), Elizabeth (1684) and William (1686).
He was a selectman and a worthy citizen. Thomas'
was a soldier ; served under command of Lieutenant •
Jabez Fairbanks, of Groton, on garrison duty. On
the evening of September 4, 1724, a party of about
seventy French Mohawks made an attack on Dun-
stable and took two men prisoners; the next morning
Lieutenant French, with fourteen men, among them
Thomas Lund, went in pursuit; but he, with half his
men, were killed. The bodies were found and were
buried in one grave. The place of their interment
was the ancient burial-ground near the State line.
The inscription was as follows: "Memento Mori,
Here lies the body of Mr. Thomas Lund, who de-
; parted this life September 5, 1724, in the 42d year of
his age. This man, with seven more that lies in this
grave, was slew all in a day by the Indians." Some
time during this year William, brother of Thomas,
I was taken prisoner by the Indians, carried into cap-
tivity, where he sufi'ered great hardships, and was
i obliged to ]iay a large price for his ransom. Thus,
the Lund family have been important factors, as well
as actors, in the early days of Nashua. Thomas had
children,— Thomas (1712), Elizabeth (1715), William
(1717), Ephraim (1720) and Phinehas (172.^).
Thomas (1712) was a deacon in the church, married
Mary , and died February 4, 1790. Thomas,
son of Deacon Thomas and Mary Lund, was born in
N.ashua March 12, 173!). From the time he was
seven years old he supported himself. He became a
farmer ; but, having also a natural aptitude for me-
chanics, he made carts and wagons, and the house
where his grandson, Charles, now resides was mostly
built by his own hands. He was an industrious,
energetic worker, and from his savings was enabled
to buy the farm, where he resided many years. He
married Sarah Whitney. Their children were Han-
nah, John, Thomas, Isaac, Oliver, Sarah, Huldah
and Noah. Mr. Lund died at the age of eighty.
Oliver, son of Thomas and Sarah (Whitney) Lund,
was born April 8, 1770; married, .Vjiril 17, 1814,
Orpah, daughter of William Danforth. She was
born January 2, 1788. Their children attaining ma-
turity were George (deceased), Orpah (deceased),
Laura (Mrs. John .\. Foster), Charles, Sabra (Mrs. E.
P. Parker) and Handel (deceased).
Oliver passed his early life on the farm, and after-
wards, for several years, was captain of the packet-
boat running on Middlesex Canal from Boston to
Middlesex. He was an active man, held various
town offices, was a member of tlie First Congrega-
tionalist Church of Nashua, and a good type and
worthy descendant of the pioneers of Nashua. He
died December 21, 1866. His wife survived him,
dying in March, 1867.
Charles Lund, son of Oliver and Orpah (Danforth)
Lund, was born November 8, 1821 ; married. May 8,
1846, Eliza, daughter of Samuel G. and Betsey
(Davis) Stevens. (Mr. Stevens was ? son of David
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NASHUA.
217
Stevens, a resident of Bedtbiil, N. II., and wa.s born in
1797 ; was a carpenter. He came from Gotfstown to
Isasliua, and resided there forty years; he then removed '
to Weare and alterwards to Derry, where lie now !
lives, aged eighty-seven years, lie assisted in tlie
erection of the first buildings of the Nashua Jlanu-
facturing Company.) The children of Charles and
Eliza (Stevens) Lund are Eliza Ann (married Joshua !
W. Hunt, and Inis three children, — Alma F., Wil- ,
liam E. aud Charles L.), Charles H. (a dealer in 1
milk), Alma L. and Marcus O. The last three reside
with their parents. Mr. Lund's early edncation was
that of the district schools. He became a farmer
and remained at home, and after his father gave up
active life he took care of his parents until their
:« aths, aud resides on the.ancestral farm, which he in-
I itcd. He is a tJongrcgationalist in religious be-
./• f, a Republican in politics, and was tor two years a
iiuniber of Nashua City Council. He is quiet and
unostentatious, has never sought office, but has
closely attended to his business. Plain and simple
in his habits, social, amiable and pleasing in his
ways, he is a kind husband and father, a good
neighlior and a useful member of society, a careful,
painstaking, industrious man, successful in his liusi-
ness, and ijosscsscs a good knowledge of agriculture.
He is interested in the object and mission of the
Patrons of Husbandry, and at this writing is treasurer
of Nashua (irange.
STILLMAN SWALLOW.
A century and more ago there lived in the old
town of Dunstable, Middlesex County, Mass., a
pious, just and honorable man, Peter Swallow by
name. He wa.s a farmer, and the land he tilled was
his by iidicritance and acquisition, much of which
had been in the Swallow family since the time when
the white man first planted the foot of civilization
upon it. Peter Swallow married Sibbil , and
they had six sons and two daughters, — Nalium,
Larnard, James, Moody, Abijah, Archclaus, Prudence
and Lucy. As his will was made in Slay, 181:2, and
presented for i)robate in May, 181.3, his death must
have occurred between those dates. His son Arclie-
" hms inheriled the old homestead and followed the
1 1 ling of his father. He married Susanna Kendall,
iitid they had six children, all of whom attained
maturity. Archclaus was a man slow of speech,
patient and persevering in his daily toil, and also
possessetl a large amount of good, i)raetical common-
sense. He was one of the first workers in the
temperance cause, and with his energy, combined with
good judgment, he was enabled to accomplish much.
In his religious convictions he was a Congregationalist,
an<l a liberal supporter of the interests of that dcnumi-
nation. Politically he was a Wlii^'. He died about
IS.')."), aged seventy-two.
Stillman Swallow, second child of Archelaus and
Susanna (Kenilall) Swallow, was born on the old
Swallow place in Dunstable, September 19,1816. He
passed the early part of his life upon his father's farm,
sharing its toils and availing himself of such educa-
tional advantages as the district school afforded.
When about nineteen years of age he left his home
and came to Nashua, and hired out as a farm-hand to
Mrs. Fisk, a widow, whom he married the next year,
March 6, 1837.
The children of Stillman and Nancy (Roby) Fisk
Swallow are Mary F. (married Phineas P. Mitchell ;
they have had ten children, of whom eight are now
living, — Josephine R. (now Mrs. F. E. Wills), Katie A.,
Lucy C, Fannie P., Harry S., Howard W., Emily G.,
Carrie B.), Clarence H. (deceased; married Mary U.
Barr; children, — James C, Geo. W. and Willie C),
James R., Anna A., and Louis M. (married Amanda
A. Smith, and has Lucy E., Frank H. and Fred. W.).
Mrs. Swallow' is a woman of great strength of
character, and her husband has ever found her help-
ful, sympathetic and encouraging in his life's work.
She was the daughter of James and Lucy (Cutter)
Roby, of Amherst, N. H., thus descending from two
old and reputable families of New England. Her
first husband, Ralph Fisk, was a merchant of Boston
and Providence. His health failing, he came to the
home of his father, Nathan Fisk, in Nashua (who
lived where Mr. Elliot Whitford now resides, and
owned nine hundred acres of land), where he died.
The children of Ralph and Nancy (Roby) Fisk were
William F. (deceased), Anna A. (deceased), Lucy W.
(married Alonzo Fisk, and has one child, Charles S.),
Emily (married Rev. Geo. P. Wilson, for many years
city missionary of Lawrence, Miiss., and has three
children, — Geo. H., who is one of the oldest eniploy68
in the custom-house, Boston; Francis A., with Perry
Mason & Co., Boston ; and Aniui F. ).
Mrs. Swallow has been a diligent oliserver of jiassing
events. A great reader, she has taken much interest
in the political and moral questions of the day, and
formed decided and intelligent opinions upon them.
As a mother she has brought up her children wisely,
and now has the plesisant satisfaction of seeing her
children and her children's children occujiyiiig useful
and honorable positions in life.
Mr. Swallow has always been a farmer, and for
many years conducted a milk-route. He was bred
a farmer and has never seen the day when lie was
tempted to change his calling. In this he has shown
his good sense, for he never could have changed it
for a more honorable or useful one. Diligent, in-
dustrious and unassuming, he has lived a useful
life, and is much esteemed by his brother farmers.
He has a pleasant home and three hundred acres of
land, but his farm has not occu])ied him to such an
extent that he has neglected his civil and political
duties. He ha.s been selectman, a member of the
Common Council and an alderman of the city of
Nashua. In politics he is a Democrat, and repre-
sented his party in the State Legislature of 18til.
218
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Mr. Swallow, in an unpretentious manner, has done
the duties which have presented themselves to
him thoroughly and well. He is kind-hearted and
eharitable, and is an attendant of the Baptist Church,
and contributes liberallv to all good causes.
CEXICRAL JOHX G. FOSTER.
General John G. Foster was horn in Whitefield,
N. H., May '27, 1823. When ten years old he removed
with the family to Nashua, where he attended the
public schools. He also attended the academy at
Hancock, and subsequently fitted for the West Point
Military Academy at Crosby's school, Nashua.
Through the influence of Charles G. Atherton, then
member of Congress from this State, he was appointed
cadet at West Point in 1842. He graduated at that
institution, ranking number four in the class, in 1846,
with Generals McClellan, Eeno, Sturgis, Stoneman
and Oakes, of the Union army, and Jackson and Wil-
cox, of the rebel army.
He was in the Mexican War, and in 1847 was
breveted first lieutenant " for gallant and meritorious
conduct in the battles of Contreras and Cherubusco."
At the storming of Molino del Key he fell, severely
wounded. For his gallantry here he was breveted
captain. In 1854 he was appointed assistant professor
of engineering at West Point. He was second in com-
mand at Fort Sumter when it was first fired upon by
the rebels, from Charleston, in April, 1861, and for
the heroism he displayed on this occasion he was pro-
moted to brigadier-general of volunteers.
General Foster accompanied General Burnside'a
exjiedition into North Carolina, bore aconspicuous part
iu the battle at Roaucjke Island, the captureof Newborn,
and received the surrender of all the batteries, all
the defenses and all the troops — over two thousand —
upon the island in February, 1862. In July he was
left in command of the Department of North Cai-olina
with limited force. General Burnside being ordered
with the main force to Fortress Monroe. Late in
autumn, reinforced by new regiments from ]\Ia.ssachu-
setts, he resolved to assume the offensive. He led an
expedition to the Roanoke, but found no rebel force,
and liberated several hundred slaves. In April, 1863,
the rebel General Hill made an attack on Washington,
N. C, and was handsomely defeated by General Fos-
ter. In October he succeeded General Burnside in
East Tennessee. All through the war General Foster
occupied responsible positions, and was regarded as
one of the most accomplished, brave and prudent of-
ficers in the army.
After the close of the Rebellion General Foster con-
tinued in the service at the South for several years.
On account of feeble health he was stationed at
Boston in 1869, having his headquarters at Fort In-
dependence. In the spring of 1874 he returned to his
old homestead at Nashua, where he died on September
2d of that year. The funeral services at the Church of
the Immaculate Conception were largely attended.
i
i
HISTORY OF AMHERST.
BY DANIEL F. BECOME.
CHAPTER I.
Coograpliical— Topographical— Original Grant— Firrt Meeting of Pro-
prieture — Early Vutea — Tlio Fir«t Soltlenieuta — News of I'ioneerB — The
Plonoar Grint Slill— Incorporalion of Town— First Town-Meeting—
Tax-Payern in ITtHl — Town of Jlonson — Organization of Parighes —
Incorporation of Mont Vernon and Milford.
The town of Amherst is situated in the southerly
part of the county of Hillsborough, in tlie State of
New Hampshire, in latitude 42° 5V north. It lies on
both sides of the Souhegan River, the .principal part
being on the northern side.
It.s lon-rth from north to south, according to a sur-
vey made in 1800, is nine miles and one hundred and
seventy rods. Its greatest width is about five miles,
and its least width two miles and two hundred and
forty-two rods, comprising an area of about twenty-
two thousand acres, of which .about five hundred are
covered with water.
It is bounded on the north by Bedford and New
Boston, on the cast by IJedford and Merrimack, on
the south by Hollis and Milford, and on the west by
Milford and Mont Vernon.
Its distance from Concord is twenty-eight miles;
from Manchester, twelve miles; from Nashua, ten
miles; from Portsmouth, fifty-tliree miles; and .from
Wasiiingtoii. four hundred and eighty-four miles.
Its surface is broken and uneven. Near the Sou-
hegan is a strip of valuable intervale land. Adjoining
this, at a higher elevation, are large tr.icts of sandy
plain land, formerly tliickly covered with a growth of
pitch (lines. Along tiie water-courses are considera-
ble tract,s of meadow land. At a higher elevation,
the hill-sides afford excellent grazing land, and when
moderately free from rocks are well adapted to
agricultural purposes, and with proper care yield an
abundant rewanl to the Iinsbandnian. In other parts
they are as hard an<l strong a.s granite can make them,
and arc fitted only for the production of fuel and
timber.
The town of Amherst had its origin in a grant of
land made by the General Court of Massachusetts to
* Tho followinj; Iif story for tliia work was conilensod from " Seconib'*
History of Aniiierst," nn elattoralo anil stjimlanl work of nlno hundred
and eoTonty-oight pitges, publishod in 18H:t.
16
some of the citizens of that province for services in
the Narraganset war in 1675-76.
The township was granted in 1728, and was known
as Narraganset, No. 3, and subseijuently as Souhegan
West, No. 3. It was incorporated as a town Jan-
uary 18, 1760, at which time it received the name of
Amherst, from General Jeffrey Amherst, at that time
commander-in-chief of the British forces in North
America.
The first meeting of the proprietors of Souhegan
West was held at Salem, July 17, 1734. At this
meeting Captain Benjamin Potter, Captain Richard
Mower and Mr. Daniel Kenney were appointed a
committee " to take a Perticular view of ye scircum-
stances of s'd Township, and make Report to ye
Society or Grantees at their adjournment on the sec-
ond tuesday in September next."
They were authorized to employ a surveyor, and
such pilots as might be necessary, at the expense of
the proprietors.
Captain Richard Mower, Messrs. Cornelius Tarble,
Ebenezer Hayment, Jeremiah CJatchcl and Daniel
Kenney were appointed a committee to subdivide
the township. Captain Benjamin Potter, Mr. John
Bixbe and Ensign Thomas Tarljox were added to
this committee at a subsequent meeting.
Another meeting of the proprietors was held at
Salem, August 13, 1734, at which William Collins
was elected proprietors' clerk ; Captain Richard
Mower, Messrs. John Trask, Ebenezer Rayment,
Stephen Pcabody and Jeremiah (Jatehel, prudential
committee; and Cai)tain Benjamin Potter, treasurer.
The prudential committee was directed to rectify
all mistakes in the names of the proprietors, as given
in the list, and to lay the same before the (ieneral
Court, if they thought proper.
September 10, 1734, the proprietors met to hear
the rejiort of their viewing committee, but the com-
mittee had been disappointed by the surveyor they
had engaged, and were not jirepared to make a full
report. They reported verbally that "they had been
on the land and found it well tindiercd."
After some discussion it wa-s voted, " Thatthe town-
ship be subdivided this fall, as soon as may be."
21'.t
220
HISTORY OF illLLSBOEOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The eoiiimittce was directed to lay out sixty acres
to each proprietor, for liis or her first or home lot,
what was wanting in quality to be made up in quan-
tity. It was also voted that should any large quanti-
ties of meadow be found, it should be lelt to the con-
sideration of the committee whether to include the
same in the lots or reserve it for the benefit of the
whole society.
Collectors were appointed in each town to collect
the assessments ordered to defray the expenses of the
society.
At a meeting held January 8, 17.34-35, the pro-
prietors
" Voted, that the firdt sixty proprietor that shall and Doo each of
tliecii build and finish a Dwelling-houso of eighteen feet square and seven
feet studd, and clear two acres of Laud tilt for mowing or plowing, and
actually live ou thespol, and perform the same within tliree years frome
the dat« hereof, they and each of thom shall he Intitlcd to draw out of
ye said proprietors' Treasury the sum of six,pounds."
A committee was chosen to hear all persons that had
any disputable claims to any rights in the township,
and make report of their opinion to the society as
soon as might be.
*' Voted, that Capt. llichard IMowor have Lil)el-ty tt» di-aw ye Lott No.
21, he Building a convenient House of Kntertainment, and fence in a
pasture of six or eight acres of land, and provide a sufficient ferry Boat
to transport any of tlio Proprietors over Souhegan Kiver, and performe
the same within eighteen mouths from the Date hereof.''
An auditing committee was appointed, and it was
voted that " the Lotts Nos. 87, 88 and 89 should lye
by for the present, to make good for the three lota —
viz., one for the first settled minister, one for the min-
istry and one for the school."
A committee was ai)pointed to confer with the
committee of the proprietors of Souhegan East, No.
5, about building a bridge over Souhegan River, and
report at the next meeting of the proprietors. (Sou-
hegan East, No. 5 (afterward Bedford), as at first
granted, extended to Souhegan River.)
Complaint having been made by some that many
of the lots laid out by the committee "were not so
good as others, for want of quality," and therefore not
fit to settle on, by means whereof much damage might
accrue to some of " ye proprietors," it was
" Voted, that each IVoprietor shall have the liberty, if he see cause, to
exchange his Lott or Lotts by (juitling his [tight to such Lott as he shall
draw, to all the Proprietors, & by taking other Lott or Lotts in the
Itoom of s'd Lotts in any of the Lands Within tiie Township. Provided
they are not more in Number than the Lotts he or they shall Quitt to the
J'roprietors, and Provided, also, that they or he shall lay out no more
than sixty acres to earh Lott, .ft half a mile in length and sixty roils in
bredth, as the other Lotts are now laid out. Furthermore, Pi-ovided,
that ye Lotts so exchanged shall be laid out at ye owner's cost, within
one year from the Date hereof, A sjiid Lotts to be sulliciently butted &
bounded, and a Ucturne thereof made to the Clerk of ye s'd Society, &
hce to make an entry in tlio proi>rie'rs' hook, to whom and by whom
thoj were Laid out, with the nuts& Bounds."
The lots laid out by the committee appear to have
been drawn by the proprietors at this meeting, as we
find it was
" Voted, that tho t'lerk Uccord all the Lotts that have been Drawn in
the Society's Book of llecords to the several persons that have been al-
lowed to draw the same, with their names."
It was also
*' Voted, thai the Clerk take care of those Lotts that are not drawn. A
that the several persons to whom they belong have liberty to Kepair to
s'd Clerk and draw their Keapective Lotta, they paying the Bates or Dues
set on s'd Lotts."
In 173.5, Robert Hale, Esq., Ca|)tain Stephen Pea-
body and Lieutenant Ebenezer Rayment were ap-
pointed a committee
*'To take a view of tho township, and in the most commodious place
therefor Lay out a place whereon to erect the Public Meeting House for
the wol-ship of GOD, & a convenient phu'o for a Public Burying place, A
An Other for a Triiiniug field, marking the same by Butts an i Bounds,
A that they doe More Over Lay out three home Lotts of equal quantity
and like form with ye Other Lotts Already laid out, — One to be for the
tii-st settled Minister, One for the Ministry & One for the School, and in
their return to make Distinctions, the Lotts to be Bulled and bounded as
aforesaid, and make return thereof to ye Clerk that so he may record the
same."
They were also directed
"To take a view of Souhegan River, in Order to find out ye most
convenient place to Build a Bridge over the same, & make report to ye
Society at their next meeting."
The report of this committee was recorded by the
clerk, June 4, 1735, as follows :
"The Com'tee to lay out a place for a Meeting House, Training field.
Burying place & parsonage, Minister & School Lott, &c., Laiii out for
the Meeting house jilace, burying place and Training field, A track of
Land Joyning Easterly to ye head of ye Lotts No. 108, loo & 111), lying
Joyning southerly to Andrew Balche's Lott, Containing thirteen acr-v^ .v
140 perch, lying North & South 74 perch, East and West 30 perch. Also
a Lott for ye Slinistry, containing Sixty acres. Bounded thus : Beginning
all a jMaple tree marked wilh I' .^- T., thence North, by ye aforesaid Loll,
74 rods to a white pine marked wilh T. P .t .S, thence west 1'24 rods to an
Arsh marked wilh P ic M, thence South 74 rods to a while pine nuirkcd
s'd Balche's Corner. .\lso a Minister's Lott of Sixty acres, Bounded
Southerly on a Highway, Lying North A South 124 rods, east ami west
7H rods, the South west corner making ye same Bounds of the Nt>rlli East
of ye s'd Ministry Lott, ye Highway Lying Between them, the fouro
corners uuirked wilh M. Also a School Lott, containing sixty acres.
Bounding Westerly to ye Minister's, Southerly to ye Slinistry and Meeting
house place. Easterly to ye heads of ye Lotts 109 & 110, the corners
marked wilh S.
"[Signed] Robert H-M.e, p'r Order."
The first settlement in the township was probably
made in the .■i])ring of 1735 by Samuel Lamson and
Samuel Walton, from Reading, Mass. They settled
at first about a mile south of the village, ou the farm
now owned by Mr. Bryant Melendy, where they built
a log house. Both afterward removed to other parts of
the town, — Lamson to the westerly part, now Mont
Vernon, where some of his descendants now reside.
About 17G5 he removed to Billeriea, .Alass., where
he died about 1779.
Walton removed to the easterly part of the town,
near Babboosuck pond. Of his subsequent history
but little is known. Ilis name appears occasionally
on the proprietors' records and is attached to the pe-
tition to the j)rovincial authorities in 1747, asking for
help against the Indians. He is said to have died
here, but none of his descendants reside in town,
and for the last eighty years the name is not found
on the town records.
Lieutenant Joseph Prince seems to have been the
only one of the original proprietors who settled in the
township. He was from Salem village, (now Danvera,)
AMHERST.
221
and was a proprietor in the right ot° his uncle, Richard i
Prince. According to an old plan, still in existence,
his land at one time extended from Bedford line
westward to near where the village of Mont Veruon
now stands. A family tradition says that he first
located himself on the farm afterward owned by
^'athan and Peter Jones, in Mont Vernon, but re-
moved thence to the place now owned by Solomon
Prince, in the easterly part of Amherst. Other set-
tlers followed not long afterward, many of them from
Salem, and the adjoining towns wliicli once made a
part of that ancient town, but tlie progress of the
settlement was slow. In Sei)tember, 1741, but fourteen
families were settled in the townshij).
Ettbrts were made by the proprietors to induce set-
tlers to locate in the township, and sums of money
were voted for that puri)0se, but tlie distance from the
seaport towns and the hardshi|>s attending the lives
of settlers in a new settlement prevented a rapid
growth of the place. The French and Indian Wars,
which commenced a few years later, also operated
unfavorably to its progress.
The lives of the first settlers in the New Hampshire
townships must liave been a constant struggle for
existence. Locating themselves on their lots at places
where a supply of water could readily be obtained,
they erected huts of logs or stones to serve as a tem-
porary shelter. Perhaps a brook or pond, not far
distant, aflbrded them an occa.sional meal, or a bear
or deer came within reach of their trusty muskets.
A settler in one of the Narraganset townships wrote
thus of his town in its infancy:
*'A howling wildcmeM it wna, wlioro no man dwelt. The hidoons
jelLi of wulvea, llie shriclu of owls, tlie gobbling^ of turkeys and the
bftrklng of fvxm wha all the music we heard. .\n a dreary wa^te and
•xpoecd to a Ihoiisand dinicultie«."
Against the monarclis of the forest the settlers waged
a war of extermination. In the hot, dry days of sum-
mer and autumn the fire aided them in their work.
After their iiiiinbeiM hud iiureased, they joined their
strength in piling the logs into huge piles, which were
set on fire an<l consumed.
The manuliicturc of potash from the iishes was once
quite a business among them.
Rye was sown in tlie autumn on the cleared land,
among the stumps and rocks, or corn was planted in
the spring, from wliich, with a little care, abundant
crops were raised.
September 8, 1735. The proprietors appointed
Captain Mower, Lieutenant Rayment and Cornelius
Tarble a committee to build a bridge over Souhegan
River, and they seem to have attended to tlie business
at once, as we fiini that at a meeting, Ik Id October 13th
folldwiiig, tlic prfipriflors ratified an agreement they
had made with Mr. Tarble for building a good and
convenient bridge over the river, for doing which he
was to receive the sum of ninety-five pounds.
It was prol)ably built in the autumn and winter of
that year, as we find the proprietors, at a meeting
held April 12, 1736, desiring Captain Mower "to wait
on Dunstable Selectmen, to Request them to lay out
a Highway from Nashaway river to Souhegan Bridge,
in the most convenient place;" and at a meeting held
December 27, 1738, they "voted that the sum of ten
pounds be raised toward building a bridge over Nashua
river, provided it be built in a convenient place for
the proprietors of this township ;" and the money was
to be deposited in the treasury, to be paid when the
work was satisfactorily performed.
The building of a saw-mill was now in order, and,
April 19, 1737, the proprietors
"Vottd, that Capt. Ives, Capt, Majory, Cnpt. Hicks and Mr. Kdward
Bond, for the encouragement of building a saw-mill in Souhegan West,
No. 3, upon a brook called Beaver brook, where it may be most conve-
nient, shall have paid them, out of the Treasury, forty pounds in money
or Bills of credit. Provided, that the sjtid mill be fitted to saw by the
first of November next, and that shee shall be Kept in Good Repair, and
to saw for the prop'rs to the halves, or Equi^lont to it, for the spa^^o of
ten years from this date."
A tax of one hundred and twenty pounds was levied
upon the proprietors, to pay the above grant and other
charges, the same to be paid into the treasury by the
1st day of September following.
February 14, 1737-38. The proprietors voted to
have a second division of the land as soon as might
be, and appointed Captain Joseph Parker, of Chelms-
ford, Ensign Thomas Tarbox, and Lieutenant Cor-
nelius Tarble a committee to see it done.
" Voted, that after the Comitte have vewM the land they are to lay
out, if they think it will not allow of more than 00 acers, they are to
make that the standard, and what land is meener to make it Equivalent
to the best 60 akers ; and that the Comitte have regard to the modow, and
lay it out as they goo along, including it in the GO akers.
" Voted, that the above Comitte shall lay out convenient ways for
the proprietors as may be needful."
July 11, 1738. The committee for dividing the
town was enlarged by the addition of Mr. John Wiles
and Captain Ebenezer Rayment, and Mr. Joseph
Richardson was appointed to serve in place of Cap-
tain .Joseph Parker.
Parties that had newly pitched their lot.s were re-
quired to have them surveyed by the same surveyor
that the committee employed to make their surveys,
and present a plan of the same, with their butts and
btmnds, to the committee, before the 10th of Sep-
tember next, at their own expense, they being noti-
fied by the committee.
This committee made their rei)ort, which was
accepted and ordered to be recorded, Se]>tember 27,
1738, and the lots were probably drawn by the pro-
prietors at that meeting, or at one held on the lOlh of
May following.
May 20, 1740. Solomon Wilkins had leave to
take u|) sixty acres of land adjoining the falls in Sou-
hegan River, the lantl t« lay .sepiare, on condition that
he built a good grist-mill near the falls, kept it in re-
pair, and at all times supplied the inhabitants of
the township with meal for the lawful and customary
toll, when they brought their corn to be ground. The
grant was to be forfeited in case he should fail to
222
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
grind and supply the town with meal forthwith, —
unless prevented by some extraordinary casualty, —
or if he should wholly neglect to grind for the space
of eight months; but, provided he gave an answer to
the clerk by the 20th of June next following, accept-
ing the conditions of the grant, and had the mill
ready to grind by the 20th day of May, 1741, in
the meantime giving bonds for performance of the
contract, the grant would hold good.
Wilkins seera.s not to have accepted the oflfer, as,
April 30, 1741, it was
" VoUil, that the Pi-oprictora will give to Mr. John Sliepartl One hun-
dred and twenty aci-re of land, to begin at Williiiin rcabody's line and
Hun down the Itiver to the Bottom of the falls, and soe wide as to make
the hundred and twenty acers on the conditions that the sixty ocers waa
voted to Solliman Wilkins, as appecre by the records before ; He building
ft good Grist-mill and a good Saw-mill on said Souhcgiin Itiver against
the aforesaiii land, and to tinish them by the last of November next, and
Keep them in good repair for the use of said Proprietors, he giving a
bond to our Tressurer to comply with the Siimo forthwith, he having lib-
erty to Cut such white Oke Timber for the n)ill aa he wants and ha'n't
of his own."
Mr. Shepard was from Concord, Mass. He ac-
cepted the grant, built the mill, and became a useful
and honored citizen of the town.
At the same meeting they voted that they would
build a bridge over Souhegan River, and appointed
Captain Samuel Bancroft, Captain Thomas Tarbox
and Joshua Hicks a committee to say where it should
he built, and get it done.
They also " voted, that they will give noe encour-
agement to a blacksmith to settle among them ; " but
they soon thought better of it, for. May 22, 1745, they
" voted that they will give encouragement for a bjaek-
sniith to settle with them, and that Captain Parker,
Lieutenant Prince and Mr. Lamson be desired to
agree with a good smith to settle with them."
As the sixty families required by the grant had not
settled in the township, the proprieturs voted, at a
meeting held March 11, 1746^7,
" That they will chuse a comittee to git an obligntion drawn & Bub-
Bcribed, tlmt shall oblige at least sixty fanialies, with lliem that are
already there, to eetle Ininicdiately, or gitt sum to setle there for them,
agreeable to the grant.
" Vo(«<(, for the Comittee, Capt. Bainient, De'con Tarble & Robert
Andrew."
September 26, 1753, the proprietors voted that their
committee
" May : 1, lay out a Road from Salem Canady to Capt. Shepard'e
bridge ; 2, a Road from Hozekiah Lovejoy's to the meeting house ; 3, a
Road from Josiah Sawyer's to the meeting house ; 4, a Road from
Thomas Clark's to the meeting house ; .'>, a Road leading from the meet-
ing house to Capt. Sliepard's mill ; 6, a Road from Snuill's to the meeting
house, with a roa<l from William Peabody's into said Road, ail to be dun
afl the Committee think fitt.
*' V'o<i(*d, that there shall be a Road laid out, four rods wide, from Kb-
inezer Lyon's house to his Bridge, so called.
'• Vo(i/«/, that they will build a Rridge over Soughegan River, wheare
Lyon's Bridge was, and appoint Mr. Lyon, Mr. Towue and Mr. Read
th« Committee to build it.
" Vtyleil^ to allow Capt. Shepiird and others, eighty pounds, old tenor,
towards building the bridge called Shepartl's bridge."
In 1753 the following petition for incorporation aa
a town wa.< jiresented to the Governor and Council by
the citizens of Souhegan West:
"To His Exelency the Governer and to the Honorable the Council of
the Province of Sew Hampshire ;
" This humbly slioweth that we, the subscribeni, Inhabitanta of a New
Plantation or Township called Soughegau West, or Narraganset, No. 3,
being Invironed with many irremidible difficulties under our present sit-
uation, as tlio Barer will inform, earnestly pray that his Excellency with
your Hon'rs would Incorporate us, that we might enjoy the valuable
Liberties and priviledges of a Town, and would Beg that the Charter of
the Town may Round us Westerly on the Township calleil Salem Canada,
Northerly on New Boston, so called, Kasterly on Bedford and part of
Merriniac, Southerly on Soughegan River, so called. All which is
humbly submitted to your Kxcellencies and Honours' wise Council, as
we in Duty Bound shall ever pray.
" Dated at Soughegan West, January ye 2Gth, 1753.
"Signed by
"Ephraim Abbot. Benjamin Lovejoy.
Joshua .\bbot. Ebene7.er Lyon.
Josiah Abbot. Hugh Ross.
Andrew Bixbe. Josiah Sawyer.
.loseph Boutell. Andrew Scetown.
William Bradford. John Smith.
Benjamin Chcever. Joseph Steel.
Joseph Clark. Samuel Stewart.
Ebeuezer Ellinwood. William Stewart.
Ebenezer Ellinwood, Jr. Caleb Stiles.
Joseph Ellinwood. Robert Stuart.
John Everdon. Beiyamiii Taylor.
Solomon Hutcliioson. Israel Towue.
Samuel Lamson. Benjamin Wilkins.
Samuel Lamson, Jr. Daniel Wilkins.
Robert Read. Daniel Wilkins, Jr."
No action seems to have beeu taken upon this peti-
tion.
Prices of sundries in 1759, from an old bill found
among the papers left by Rev. Mr. Wilkins.
" 17 Eeb., ^ lb. tea 1C«.
G Sept., 1 lb. chocolate 4».
2'2 Nov., Vi lb. tea 30».
'25 Dec, 1 Gallon rum 34«."
Incorporation of the Town of Amherst. — In
answer to a petiti(jn of the iuhahitants uf Souhegan
West, the town was incorporated January 18, 1700.
A meeting for the organization of the town, under
the charter, was held at the meeting-house, February
20, 1760, at which Colonel John Gotfe, who was ap-
pointed to call the meeting, read the charter.
Solomon Hutchinson was chosen town clerk, and
was immediately sworn to the faithful execution of
the duties of the office.
Colonel John Goffe was chosen moderator, and the
town voted to accept the charter.
Solomon Hutchinson, William Bradford, Reuben
Mussey, Reuben Gould and Thomas Clark were
chosen selectmen, David Hartshorn and Nathan
Kendall tithingmeu, and the other usual town offi-
cers were elected.
RESIDENT TAX-PAYERS IN AMHERST, SEPTEMBER, 17i;o.
Ephraim Ablwt, Josliua Abbot, .Tosiah Abbot, Elwnezer .\verill,
Thomas .\verill, .\ndrew Bixby, Joseph Boutele, Kendal Boutele. An-
drew liradforil, Samuel Bradford, William Bradford, David Burns, John
Burns, Joseph Butterlield, Oliver Carlton, Benjamin Clark, Joseph Clark,
Jr., Thomas Clark, .lames Cochran, John Cole, Jacob Curtice, Benja-
min Davis, J.ibn Davis, Benjamin Dresser, Ebenezer Ellinwood, Ebene-
zer Ellinwood, Jr., Jedediah Ellinwooil, Joseph Ellinwood, Francis
Elliott, Elisha Felton, Simeon Fletcher, Nathan Fuller, Richard Gould,
Samuel Gray, David Hartshorn, John Ilarwood, Ephraim Hildreth,
Aniey Hobbs, William Hogg, Ebenezer Holt, Ebenezer Holt, Jr., .1. Holt,
Isaac How, Solomon Hutchinson, William Jones, Nathan Kenilall, Jona-
than Lamson, Samuel Lamson, Samuel Lamson, .fr., William Lancy, AM-
AMHERST.
223
jfth Lovejoj, Bel^ainiD Lovejoy, Hczc'kiah Lovejoy, Jusoph Lovejoy, Kph-
raini Lund, Ebenezer Lyon, JoDatban Lyon, John McClemantl, Timo-
thy Mclntirv, William Molendy, Reuben Museey, Williuni Oiiall, John
Paltenwu, William Peabody, John Pettengill, Joscjili Prince, Robert
Read. Alexander Robiniion, Samuel Kobin^n, Hannah Rollins, James
Rullins, Hugh Ross, Andrew Seatun, John Seatou, Samuel Seaton, John
She^Kiril John Sbepard, Jr., Joseph Small, John Smith, Timothy 1
Smith. Joseph Steel, Caleb Stiles, John Smart, Robert Stuart, .Sam- ;
uel Stuart, Benjamin Taylor, Ismel Towne, Israel Towne, Jr., Moses J
Towne, Thu[uaj* Towne, l)avid Truel. Mosir.s Truel, Caleb l'i>ton, Thomas
Wakefield, William Wallaee, Davis Walton, Reuben Walton, .lohn
"Washer, Stephen Washer, John Waisson, Daniel Weston, Kbenezer Wes-
ton, Kbenezer Weston, Jr., George Wiley, .\mos Wilkins, Benjamin Wil-
kins, Daniel \NiIkius, Lucy Wilkins, William Wilkins, Mary Wilkins.
One hundred and ten in all.
Among the heaviest tax-payers were William Pea-
body, whose tax was £46 18.«. Sd. ; Nathan Kendall,
£39 11«. Crf. ; Israel Towne, £34 Is. 9rf. ; Joseph
Prince, £31 7s. 9(1. ; and Joseph Steele, £30 14s. 3d.
A poll-tax was £3 7s. dd.
The charter of the town expiring by limitation on
the 1st day of January, 1762, a petition for its renewal
was granted January 7th, same year.
The first dismenihernient of Souhogan West took
place June 1, 1750, when, by the amended charter of
Merrimack, a strip of land and water, some thirteen
hundred and eighty rods in length, and averaging
about one hundred and twenty-five rods in width,
was taken from Souhegan West, and annexed to that
town.
This change seems to have been overlooked by Gov-
ernor Wentworth at the time the charter of Amherst
was. granted, its boundaries, as therein described,
being the same as those given in the original survey
in 1728.
This boundary was the source of some contention
between the towns, and remained unsettled until the
autumn of 1832, when it was settled by a committee
consisting of lienjamin M. Farley, of Mollis; Jesse
Bowers, of Dunstable; and John Wallace, of Milford.
The town of Monson received a charter from (lov-
ernor Wentworth, April 1, 1746. It wtjs formerly a
part of the town of Dunstable, as chartered by the
(icneral Court of Ma.s.sacliu.sotts, ()ctol)er 16, 1673,
and came under tlie jurisdiction of New Ham])shire
on the establishment of the boundary line between
the provinces, in 1741.
The town of Hollis formed its southern boundary
an<i the Souhegan River its northern boundary.
In 1754 a petition was presented to the Governor
anil Couniil by the selectmen and other inhabitants
of the town of Jlonson, asking that a portion of
Simhegan We-st, adjoining that town, and embracing
about one-third of the area of the township, might
be annexed to Monson. A petition from pereons
inhabiting the territory asked for, asking to l)e an-
nexed to Monson. was prescnteil at the same time ;
l)Ut the reipiest was not granted.
The town of Hollis, at a meeting held March 2,
1761, voted to jietition the town of Monson for a strip
of land, one and a half miles in width or thereabout,
from the south side of that town, which the town of
Monson voted to grant them, at a meeting held March
23, 1761.
On October 18, 1762, Daniel Bayley, Robert Colburn.
William Colburn, William Colburn, Jr., Samuel Hay-
den, Daniel Kendrick, Abraham Leman,Onesiphorou3
Marsh, Thomas Nevens, William Nevens, Zaccheus
Shattuck, Joseph Stearns, Samuel Stearns, Jr., Daniel
Wheeler and James Wheeler, inhabitants of Monson,
petitioned the Governor and Council to be annexed
to Hollis. A bearing on their petition was ordered in
-Vpril following, but was postponed to the next June,
in order to give the petitioners time to make further
arrangements with the towns of Amherst and Hollis.
After hearing the parties concerned, the petition was
dismissed June 3, 1763.
This movement for the dismemberment of Monson
found but little favor in Amherst at first, as it was
proposed that the remainder of the town slmuld bo
annexed to Amherst.
Minister Wilkins presented a memorial against the
change to the Provincial Authorities, in which he
stated the ill effects it would have ui)on the town and
upon himself jjersoiially, and at about the same time
another memorial was presented to the General Court,
from inhabitants of Amherst, protesting against the
annexation of a part of Monson to Hollis, in which
many of the arguments were used against the meas-
ure that Jlr. Wilkins advanced in his remonstrance.
This memorial was signed by
Joshua .Vbbot, Josiiih Abbot, John Averill, Thomaa -Averill, Moses
Barron, Jr., Andrew Bixbee, Joseph Biuitell, Kendal B^>utoll, Samuel
Bradford, W'illiam Bradford, David Burns, John Burns, Oliver Carlton,
Benjamin Clark, Thomas Clark, James Cochran, John Cole, Jacob Cur-
tice, Benjamin Davis, .lohn Davis, Jacob Dresser, Krancis Elliott, Kben-
ezer Kllinwood, Kbenezer Ellinwood, Jr., Jedediah Ellinvvood, JoMpfa
Kllinwood, Rollundson Ellinwood, Elisha Felton, W'illiam Kelton, Sim-
eon Fletcher, Nathan Fuller, .luhn IlarwovsJ, David Heartshorn, Jacob
Ilildreth, William Hogg, Ebenezer Holt, Ezekiel Holt, Abner Hutchin-
son, Solomon Hutchinson, Jonathan Lanipson, Abijah Lovejoy, Benja-
min Lovejoy, Benjamin Lovejoy, .Ir., Hezekiah Lovejoy, Joseltb Lovejoy,
Kphraim Lund, Jonathan Lyon, Timothy Mclntire, William Melendy,
William fliolendy, Jr., .lohn Mitchel, Reuben Mnssey, William Odell,
.loslina I'ettengill, John Pattel-son, Nathan Phelps, Joseph Prince, Hugh
Ross, Oliver Sanders, John .Seccombe, Andrew Seetown, S^imuel Seetovvn,
.\ndrew Shannon, Timothy Smith, John Stuart, Caleb Stiles, Benjamin
Taylor, Thomas Towne, Amos Truel, David Trnel, Closes Truul, Thomas
Wakrteld, Daniel Weston, Ebenezer Weston, Ebenezer Wliittomoi^.
Proposals for a division of the town of Monson be-
tween the towns of Amherst and Hollis were laid
before the voters of Amherst at a meeting held
February 21, 1763, but no action was taken upon
them.
On the 4th ilay of July, 1770, a charier dividing the
town of Monson between the towns of Amherst and
Hollis received the sanction of Governor John Went-
worth, and thus Monson died from among the towns
of New Hampshire, aller an existence of about
twenty-four years.
It died, seized and possessed of a pound, said to
have been the only public building ever erected
within its borders.
Ill March, 1779, a petition wius presented to the
224
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Legislature by sundry inhabitants of Amherst, Lynde-
borough and the Mile Slip, asking to be incorporated
into a town.
Ettbrts for a division of the town into parishes were
made as early as 1778. In the autumn of that year
several persons residing in the vicinity of Shepard's
mills petitioned to be set off as a parish by them-
selves; but the town refused to grant their request.
In the spring of 1779 the town chose a committee
" to treat with sundry persons belonging to the north-
westerly part of the town, who had jietitioned to be set
oft' as a jiarish." The committee was also authorized to
treat with a number of inhabitants of the town, re-
siding in the westerly part of the same, who desired
to be set off to Duxbury school farm and the Mile
Slip.
The second or northwest parish was organized June
30, 1781, and December 15, 1803, incorporated as the
town of Jlount Vernon.
The third or southwest parish was set oft' No-
vember 23, 1782, and incorporated January 11, 1794,
as the town of ]\Iilford.
March 14, 1768, the town
"Voted to allow those persoDs in town that exerted themselves last
fall, in order to have Amheret made a shire town, four pounds thirteen
shillings ami four pencL-, lawful money."
CHAPTER II.
AUEERST— [Continued).
MILITARY HISTORY.
French and Indian Wai-g — Nnmes of Soldiers — War of the Revolntiou —
First Recorded Action of tho Town— Anihelut at Bunker Hill— Cap-
tain Crosby's Company — Captain Towne's Company— Captain Levi
Spaulding's Company — Tho .\ssociation Teat — Names of Signers^rf^^ol-
oncl Baldwin's Regiment— Votes of the Town— Bounties— List of
Revolutionary Soldiers— War of 1812 — War of tho Rebellion- Tho
First War Jleeting— The Home Guard— List of Soldiers— Soldicre'
Monument.
At a meeting held in the meeting-house, January
30, 1744r-15, the proprietors
" Voted^ that they will allow the Inhabitants a stock of Ammunition
to defend themselves in case there should be occaj^ion."
This vote is the only one recorded whicli tells us of
any action taken by the proprietors for the defense
of the settlers against the attacks of the savages.
Tradition tells us that about this time seven gar-
rison-houses were erected in dift'erent parts of the
town, to which the inhabitants resorted in times of
danger. Beside tliese, a block-house, or fort, is said
to have been built for the protection of the settlers.
The House, May 15, 1747,
*• Voted, that in answer to tho two annexed Petitions, namely, that t)f
Souhegan West and that of Monson, His Excellency be desired to give
orders for enlisting or impressing fifteen good, effective men to scout and
giuird, under proper ofllcere, Ntid Souhegan West and Monson, till the
twentieth of October next, if need be, and that S4ud men be shifted once
a month."
AVhich was assented to by the Governor and Coun-
cil.
Among the scouts employed by the province in
1748 we find the names of Daniel Wilkins and Win-
col Wright, of Souhegan West, who were members
of the company employed to guard Souhegan, Stark's
and Monson garrisons tliat season.
The war came to a close in 1740, but was renewed
in 1752, and continued until the cession of Canada to
the English, in 1763.
Fortunately, no attack was made upon the settlers
at Souhegan West by the enemy, and no account has
reached us that any serious damage was done by them
within its borders. A family tradition has reached
us that a party of settlors, under the lead of Deacon
Hobbs, had a smart fight with the Indians one Sun-
day morning, in which the deacon handled his men
so skillfully that no one of them was injured, while
they were ."ure that some of the savages were killed.
The Indians are reported to have said afterward,
" Souhegan deacon no very good. He figlit Sabba-
day." On another occasion, while Lieutenant Joseph
Prince was going, one evening, from his clearing to
the garrison-h(mse, which stood near where Mr. B. B.
Whiting's house now stands, he heard an arrow whiz
past his head. On his return, the following morning,
he found it sticking in a tree near by the path he had
followed.
Near the close of this w-ar several of the inhab-
itants served in the expeditions sent against the
common enemy. Sergeant El)enezer Lyon, John
Everdcen, David Hartshorn, Jr., Samuel Lain.son,
Joseph Small and Thomas Williams served in Col-
onel Blanchard's regiment at Crown Point, in 1755.
Humphrey Hobbs was a captain in the ranger
service in 1755.
Lieutenant Ebenezer Lvdh, Daniel Wilkins, Sam-
uel Bradford, Israel Towne, .Tnseph Lovejoy, John
Burns, Jonathan Lamsoii, Nathaniel Haseltine, Dan-
iel Weston, Stephen Peabody and John Mills served
in Colonel .lohn Hart's regiment, at Crown Point, in
1758.
Benjamin Davis, John Mills, John Stewart and
Robert Stewart were privates in Colonel John Goft'e's
regiment, at Crown Point, in 17i!0.
The first reference on the old town recorils in rela-
tion to the Revolution is under date of December 27,
1774, when the town voted " to approve of the results
of the Grand Congress, and strictly adhere to them,"
and chose a committee, consisting of Colonel .lohu
Shepard, Lieutenant Benjamin Kendrick, Nahuin
Baldwin, John Shepard, Jr., Esqr., Dr. Moses Nich-
olls, Daniel Campbell, Esq., Josiah Sawyer, Joseph
Gould, Paul Dudley Sargent, Thomas Burns and
Samuel Wilkins, to carry into eft'ect the association
agreement in this town. If any break over said agree-
ment, the committee [are] ordered to pulilish the
same in the newspapers.
The town was represented bv one of its citizens in
AMHERST.
225
the "tea-party," in December, 1773, ami in the Con-
cord "tight," ill 1775.
March 13, 1775, voted three pounds niueteeu shil-
lings to Mr. Sargent for his time and e.xpenses at
Exeter.
April 19,1775. The attack upon the Lexington mili-
tia by the British troops aroused the country. In
many of the towns in Massachusetts and \ew llaniji-
shirc companies of Minute-Men had been formed and
drilled in anticipation of the coming conflict. The
company in Anilierst repaired at once to Cambridge.
The following will give us some idea of the enthu-
siasm of the peojde after receiving the news of the
fight at Lexington and Concord. It is also an honor-
able tribute to Colonel John Shepard, one of the
prominent citizens of the town :
"This certifies that Kdq. Shepanl in April, 1775, went with a Detach-
Dient uf the Slelitta, of about ono htindreil men, from Anilierst to Cam-
bridge, aidet), H^irfte<), and comforted them, and at Cambridge left with
tbeiu two Spanish milled dollars.
"JosiAii Crosby."
Nor wius this all Colonel Shepard left with the
" melitia." On the back of the certificate is a list of
other articles left, as follows : Pork, fifty-seven and
a half pounds, one-half bushel beans, one and a half
bushels to Sargent, some bread and one and a half
bushels meal.
By the census taken that year, Amherst had three
hundred and twenty-eight men above sixteen years of
age,.lifly-three of whom were over fifty years old. Of
these, Captain Crosby says "about one hundred," or
over thirty per cent., went to Cambridge. The cen-
sus returns report " eighty-one men in the army."
AMIIKRST .MKN IN TllK Il.VTTLE OF BUNKKK HILL.
Stephen Peabody, adjutant of Colonel Reod*8 regiment.
Amhrrtt toUliei-' in Otpt'tin Oroabi/i company .
.luwiali Croeby, cnptaiii ; Daniel Wili^inn, Jr., first lientenent ; Thomp-
wm >liixwell, pMVond lieutenant ; .John JlilN, William Itradfoltl, David
Kamwiy, Jotiiali Sawyer, sergeantti ; Lenniel Winchester, Kloa/.or W.
Kin^biiry, IVter Urns, Eli \Vilkinn, corponits ; Thoinaa Powell, dnnn-
mer ; Jaliez Holt, ftfer ; Joshua .MtbntI, Niitliunid Ilarn-t, .losctph Bow-
ta), .\leXHnder Brown, Jonathan Ilurnani, Jothua Durnam, Thomas
Clark, Robert Cocbnin, .John Cole, Stephen Crosby, Xatlianiol Crosby,
Jacob Curtice, Benjamin Davis, Tbadileus Fitch, Amos Flint, Thomas
Giles, James Gilmore, Stephen Hill, Joel Howe, Arclielaus Kenney,
Solomon Kittredpe, Jeremiah Lamson, .\n(lrew Leavilt, Joseph Leavitt,
Jtislnia PetfinKill, Nourso Sawyer, James Simpson, Jonathan Small,
Sitmnel Sterries, .lonathan Taylor, Itufna Tnisk, Eben Wakefield, Josi'ph
Wakefield, Joseph Wallace, Snlherlck We;*Ion, Junatban Wilkins, Sam-
uel Williams, Isaac \Vri](ht.
In i'apt'iin Arcltehiim T'/trne't company, thin in Stitrk'i Itrgimenl.
Archelaus Towne, captain ; William IteatI, cor|>onil ; Nathan Kendall,
Jr., flfer ; Benjuniln Merrill, .Mo«es Barron, Jacob Blo<lgett, Stephen
Gould, .Samuel Lamson, .Vdam Patterson, Peter Itobertson, Bartholomew
Towne, .\rclietaus Towne, .Ir., Keubeu Wheeler.
In (JapUiin lA^ri SpaiiUling'g foinpttny, Itvtd'a regiment.
Jiweph Hnidford, first lieutenant ; Benjamin Dike, coriioml ; William
Brown, Iticliard Ijoodnian, William Tuck, Iticlmrd Hughes, Kobert B.
Wilklii«.
Caiitain Towne's company wa-s at first a part of the
Twenty-seventh Massaduisetts Regiment, under the
command of (Jolonel Bridge. At the time of the
battle of Bunker Ilill it was tme of the thirteen com-
panies in the First New Hampshire, or Stark's
regiment.
Peter Robertson, a private in this company, was
wounded while crossing "the neck" on his way to
Bunker Hill by a cannon-ball, which carried away
his right hand. He received a pension of twenty
shillings per month from the State, commencing
January 1, 177G.
John Cole, a private in Captain Crosby's company,
was killed in the battle, and Robert B. Wilkins, of
Captain Spaulding's company, was wounded in the
right elbow by a musket-ball.
After the battle Captain Cro.sby made a return of
the losses sustained by the members of his company^
as follows :
" .\n account of things that was lost at the Battle of Bunkcr^s bill, on
the 17th of June, 1775, belonging to Capt. t'rosby's company : vl/,.,.
Capt. Crosby's things are 1 pist<d & I pair of woi-sted stockings; Lieut.
Daniel Wilkins, 1 cotton shirt ; Kns'n Thomi)son Maxwell, 1 fine shirt &
1 powder-horn ; AdjH Stephen Penbody, 1 blanket & 1 shirt ; Quarter-
Master Fryo, 1 coat & 1 hat ; Serg't William Bradford, I shirt ; Sorg't
Lemuel Winchester, 1 pair of shoes ; Eli Wilkiiks, 1 blanket & 1 bullet
mold ; .\lexander Brown, 1 cotton shirt, 1 imir of stockings, tk 1 gnap-
sack ; Thaddetts Fitch, 1 shirt, I pair calfskin pumps, 1 pair trow/.ers, <&
gnapsack ; Samuel Stearnes, 1 pair of shoes; Stephen (-rosby, 1 greet
coat & 1 shirt ; Jona. Wilkins, 1 'jiiirt ; Thonuis Giles, 1 gun, I cartoocli
box, and 1 jacket ; Tbonuis Perry, 1 woolen shirt, 1 powder-horn, A 1
gnapsiick ; .Joseph llontel, 1 pair of stockings, I pair of Leather Breeches;
Xathaniel Barret, 1 gnapsack, 1 pair of nhom and buckles, & 1 handker-
chief ; Sam'l Williams, 1 shirt, & 1 handkerchief, & 1 gun ; James Gil-
moie, 1 - blanket, 1 handkerchief; Joseph Wakefield, I p'r deerskin
breeches, 1 cartooch box ; Ebeu'r Wakefiehl, 1 sett of shoemaker's tools,
1 shirt, 2 p'rs stockings, i 1 p'rshoes; Daniel Kenney, 1 greatcoat A 1
gun; Joseph Wallis, 1 pair shoes; Andrew Leavitt, I coverlid, 1 p*r
stockings, 1 gnapsack, ,t handkerchief; Josiah Sawyer, 1 gun, 1 coat, I
powder-horn, ^ 1 Bible; Joshua Abbot, 1 gnap^ck & p'r stockings;
Joshua Abbot, 1 guui)3ack & p'r of stocking!*.
"JOStAH CUOBUV, CVJJ»/."
Andrew Leavitt, Samuel Robertson, William
Wakefield and El>en Wincol Wright enlisted into the
company June 11), 1775. Of these, Leavitt seems to
have been in the battle two days before.
Captain Crosby's company was present when Wash-
ington took conini;ind of the army, July 2, 1775.
From a return iiuule of Captain Crosby's company,
.lune 21, 1775, we learn that on that day there were
present and fit for duty one captain, one lieutenant,
one ensign, three sergeants, four corporals, one drum-
mer and thirty privates, —total, forty-one.
Two privates were sick, one was wounded, one at-
tended the wounded, three were absent on furlough,
two bad deserted, one was on command, three were
in the train, four were altsent without Uiive iiiid one
was ini.ssing, — total, eighteen.
This was styled the Ninth Coniptmy. The privates
were i)aid forty shillings |)er month for their services,
and the term of their eiili.stment was eight months;
many, however, continued in the army until the Brit-
ish evacuated Boston, in Marcli, 177f'); .some even
longer.
(Quartermaster Isaac Frye, of Wilton, reported the
rations dealt out to them for several dtiys as follows:
*'177ri, July :j to 8 ; 60 men preewnt who received 51 loaves Urvtui ; tV»
lbs. pork ; 12ri lbs. beef; 170 gills rice; 4-1 pilloiui Imht.
226
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
"July 14 to 18 ; M men present received &4 loaves bread; 54 lbs.
pork ; 155 lbs. beef; 189 gills rleo.
"July 28 to August 1 ; 54 inon present received 54 loaves bread ; G7J^
lbs. pork ; 07}^ lbs. bt'of ; 189 gills rice; 07J^ lbs. codfish, and 20 lbs.
butter."
It ai>pear3 from official documents that the State
furnished Jive hundred and tifty-four gallons of New
England rum and seventeen hundred and fifty-nine
and a half gallons of West India rum for the use
of its soldiers while engaged around Boston in 1775.
In compliance with the earnest entreaties of General
Sullivan, thirty-one companies, numbering sixty-one
men each, were sent from Xew Hampshire to Winter
Hill, near Boston, in December, 1775, to take the
place of the Connecticut troops stationed there, who
insisted on returning home, as the term of their enlist-
ment had expired. The names of the commissioned
officers of these comj)anies alone have been pre-
served. Benjamin Taylor, of Amherst, was captain ;
Nathan Ballard, of Wilton, fir^t lieutenant ; and
John Bradford, of Amherst, ensign of the company
raised in Amherst and Wilton.
Captain Taylor died at Medf(ud in February, 1776,
before the expiration of tlie time for which he en-
listed.
Jonathan Burnham was paid £12 4^. 107., for mus-
tering in the thirty-one companies of New Hamp-
shire militia that served on Winter Hill in the winter
of 1775-76.
A regiment was raised in December, 1775, and
placed under the c<mimand of Colonel Timothy
Bedel, which was ordered to join the northern army
in New York, with which it was to march to reinforce
the army in Canada. In one of the companies in this
regiment we find the following Amherst men:
Daniel Wilkins, Jr., captain ; Johu IMills, gecoiid lieutenant; Wil-
liam IJrmlford, ensign ; Benjamin Pike, sergeant; Sutberick Weston,
Joshua Abbott, Sanuiol Storiies, corporals; Thomas Powell, drummer;
Jabe/ Holt, fifer ; William lirown, Amos Boutwell, Pimus Chandler
(colon'd), James ("lark, James Cochran, liubcrt Cochran, It«aac Palmer
Curtice, Stephen Curtire, Rugcr Duttou, John Farnham, Laraford Gil-
bert. Obailiah Huh, .Solomon Kittredge, Jeremiah Lamson, Joseph Love-
joy, Hugh McKean, Thomas Melendy. Aaron Nichols, Itsauc Stearnst
Daniel Wilkins, (3d), Sylvester Wilkins, Andrew Wilkins, John Wiley.
The following Amherst men, mustered by Colonel
Nahum Bahlwin, A]>ril 15, 1776. were a part of a
company commanded by Captain Timothy Clement,
which was sent to Portsmouth to assist in guarding
the sea-coast and the forts in the harbor :
William Stewart, ensign ; Nathan Abbot, Silas C^ioledge, Jonathan
Dutton, David Fisk, Kichard Goodman, Joshua Kendall, Zt-plumiah Kit-
tredge, Kflniund Lyon, Jonathan Lyon, Kbenezer Odall, Robert Parker,
Samuel Sbepard, John Stearns, Asa Swinnerton, Archolaus Towne, Jr.,
Henry Trivet.
This company, with others, was organized into a
regiment, Seittember 25, 1776, which was placed un-
der the command of Colonel Pierce Long. On the 23d
November following, it was ordered to Ticonderoga,
to which place it marched in February, 1777.
The following citizens of Amherst signed the '* As-
sociation Test." For convenience of reference the
names are placed in alphabetical order, and the
names of those who served in the army are printed
in italics :
Darius Abbott, Ephraini Abbott, Ebenozer Averil, John Averil,
Thomas Averil, Jr., A^aAiim BaUbnn, Ephraini Barker, Nathaniel
BafTett^ Moiet iJnrroii, Samuel Btu^dell, Jacob BlodgeU, Joseph
Boutell, .To$eph Bovtell (24), Kendall Boutell, lieuben BouttU,
Andrew Bradfoixl, Enot Iira({i'ord, John Bradford, William Brad-
ford, George Burns, .lohn Burns, John Burn^, Jr.^ John Burns f:Jd),
Thomas Burns, Stephen Burnam, Oliver Carleton, Thomas Carrell,
Thomas Clarkj Nathan Cleaves, Johu Cochran, Joseph Coggin, Henry
Codman^ William Codman, Johu Cole, Xathnn Cole, Jo»iah Oonbi/, Sam-
son Crosby, SU<u Cumiinng$, Jacob Curtice. Jacob Ourtice, Jr., Benjamin
Day, John Damon, Bartholoniew Dodge, Benjamin Dodge, Joetah
Dodgr, David Duiicklee, John Duucklee, Joseph Duncklee, Francis
Elliott, JoKeph Fdnmm, St^hcn Famum, Elislia Felton, William Fisk,
William Fisk, Jr., Amos Flint, ,-1tho8 Fliitl, Jr., Nathan Flint, Ephraim
I-Vench, Nathan Fuller, James Gage, James Oilmore, Allen Goodridge^
Amos Green, David Green, John Grimes, Jonathan Grimes, Joseph
Gould, Richard Gould, Samuel Hall. Samuel Harris, Bei^jamin Harts-
horn, James Hartshorn, John ffartsbont, .Tohn Harwood, Xathatiiel
Haseltine, Samuel Henry, Timothy Hill. Ephraim Hildreth, Jj/n-itl Hil-
dreth, Jacob Hildreth, WillUtm Hogy, El»en Holt, Jr., Isaac Holt, Reuben
Holt, Isaac How, Joel Hoice, Benjamin Hopkins, Benjamin Hopkins, Jr.,
Ebenezer Hopkins, liichard IlughcSy Abner Hutchinson, Ehen Hutchin-
son, Elisba Hutchinson. Nathan IIutchinsoTi, Xnlha» Hutchinson (2d),
Nathan Jones, Nathan Jones. Jr., Michael KiejT, John Kendall, Jr.,
Nathan Kendall, Benjamin Kenrick, Josiah Kidder. lUnrtj Kimball,
Moses Kimball, Solomon Kiitredge, Jonathan Lampson, William liampscut,
Joseph Langdell, Francis Lovejoy, Hezekiah Lovejoy, Jacob T<ovejoy, John
Lovejoy, William Loir, Jonatlian Lnnd, Joimilian Lyon, Thomas McAl-
lister, James McKeau, Robert Cleans, William Melendy, Jr., lienjamin
MerriU, John Mitthclf, Dimond Muzzy, Moses X>choU, Timothy Nichols,
William Odell, William Odell, Jr., liobert Parker, Adam Pnttt-rMu, John
Paft'Tsoti, Stephen Peabody, M'illiani Peabodj", William PeabcKly. Jr.,
William Peacock, Joseph Picrc«, Jusepli Prince, |Jt^eph Prince, Jr.,
Ebctiezei- liea, Robert Read, William Head, Pt:tir Robertson, John Roby,
Joseph Pollings, Jonathan S;iwyer, Joaiah Sairyer, Josiah S*neyer, Jr.,
John Secombe, James Seeton, John Seeton, John Shepard, Jr., Joseph
Small, William Small, Willi/im Small, Jr., Daniel Smith, Isaac Smith,
Jacob Smith, Jonathan Smith, Timothy Smith, Jacob Standtey, Samufl
Stanley, Joseph Steel, Jtx^wph Steel, Jr., Daniel Stephens, Samuel Sternes^
Simpson Stewart, Amos Stickney, Samuel Stritton, Jonathan Taylor,
Samuel Taylor, William Taylor, Benjamin Temple, Ebenezer Temple,
Archehitis Toipne, Israel Towne, Israel Towne, Jr., Thomas Towne,
Thomas Toirne (2d), David Truel, John Tuck, John Tw iss, Jonathan
Twiss, Phinehas Fphant, Ezekiel Upton, Thomas Wakefield, Jr., Joseph
Wallace, William Wallace, Richartl Wai-d,John Washer, Stephen Washer,
Ebenezer Weston, Isaac Weston, Tlnmias Weston, Abijah Wilkins, John
Wilkins, Jonathan Wilkins, Jr., Joshua Wilkins, William Wilkins, Lemuel
Winchester, James Woodbury, Peler Woodbury, Isaac Wright, Jotshua
Wright.
" To the Hou'ble, The Committee of Safety for the State of New Hampshire,
or the Cvneral Assembly thereof :
"Pursuant to the Request on this paper from the Committee of Safety
to us directed, we have invited those Persi)ns therein named to sign the
Declaration on this pai)er, and all that have seen it have signed it except
.Joshua .\therton, fisq., Mr. Daniel Campbell, Mr. Sanmel Dodgeand Col-
John Sbepanl.
* TH0M.\S WAKEFlKI-n,
Rkviien Mussev,
Samuel Wilkins.
Selectmen.^
A regiment was raised in Jnly, 1776, to reinforce
the army in Canada. It was commanded by Colonel
Isaac Wyman, was mustered in July 1(5. 177^^ and
served about three and a half months.
In a company in this regiment, commanded by
Captain William Barron, of Merrimack, we find the
following soldiers from Amherst :
James Gilmore, ensign ; Nathaniel Hazeltine, Ephraini Fi-ench, ser-
geants; Aaron Ikmtell, Benjamin Clark, Jonathan Lanison, Ebenezer
Rea, William Small, Jr., William Stewart and George Wilson, privates.
In Captain William Harper's company were Silas
AMHERST.
227
Cooledge, Zephaniah Kittredge, Robert Parker and
Joseph Perkins, privates.
In Captain Samuel Wetlicrbce's company were
Jolin Averill and Timothy Nichols, Jr., privates.
Stephen Peaboily, of Amherst, wa.s major of the
regiment.
Colonel Baldwin's Regiment.— This regiment
was raisL-d in September, 177<), ami marehod to a-ssist
the army in New York. It was in the battle at
White Plains, October 28, 1776, and was dismissed at
Nortli Castle, N. Y., about the 1st of December of
that year, .\mherst wiis represented in this regiment
by Colonel Nahum Haldwin, and the following men
who served in the company commanded by Captain
Philip Putman, of Wilton :
William Low, ensign ; Eiyah Averill, Eeubcn Boutell, Ebonezei-
Curltun. .lobn Cochran, Joniitliaii *'i>clinin, Stephen Karnuni, John
Grimes, John [larUhorn, Joel Howe, Fnmcis Lovejoy, iBaac I'eabody
Abel Prince, James Kea, llenjaiiiin Sniilh, Daniel Sniilb, Benjamin Tay-
lor, Kichard Tuwno, Tliuniad Towne, Aaron Upton, Joseph Wallace and
Jonathan Witkins, privates.
In Captain Read's comi)any were AVilliaiu Read,
captain, and .Vndrew Elliot, private.
Another regiment was raised in December, 1776,
to reinforce the army in Northern New York. This
was placed under the command of Colonel David
Oilman. In this regiment the following Amherst
men served in tlic cuiMpaiiy commanded by Captain
William Walker, of l)iiMstal)le : Jonathan Cochran,
Isaac P. Curtice, Jacob Curtice, Roger Dutton,
Stephen Gcmid, Abiel Holt, Ebenezer Odell, John
Taylor, Robert B. Wilkins.
A special town-meeting, held May 22, 1775, was the
last one called in " His Majesty's" name in Amherst.
The constables were simply directed by the selectmen
to warn the inhabitants of the town of Amherst to
the next meeting, held August 14, 1775. A meeting,
held October 24, 1775, was called in the name of the
"Province" of New Hampshire. After this, until
the Declaration of Independence, the town-meetings
were called in the name of the " Cohni/ of New
Hampshire." Since Sei)tember 11, 1776, the meetings
of the town have been called in the name of the
" sSlale of New Hampshire."
Parties of Loyalists, or Tories, were sent by the
authorities of the State of New York to be confined
in the jails in New Hampshire. Of these, the follow-
ing were onlered to be sent to Amherst jail, Novem-
ber 22, 1776 :
Alexander Andrews, I'eter Itrown (to Im kei)t in irons), Thomas llullis,
William Iluriis, Nathaniel Douglas, Jonathan FarmuchlfT, John Kealh-
•n, John Hitchcock, Langhlin .McGallin, l»uic )Ian, Abraham Nath (lo
b« Id Irons), Thomas Pearson, Johannos Vanzolin and James Wuddio,
Not liking their accommodations, the prisoners
soon broke jail and escaped.
Other parties of New York Loyalists were sent to
Amherst jail. They were su|iplicd with such clothing
as they stood in need of at the expense of the Slate.
The expenses of their confinement were allerward re-
paid by the State of New York.
The following action in regard to the estate of
Zaccheus Cutler, Esq., was taken by the town at a
meeting, held April 30, 1776 :
*' irAijreos, Zaccheus Cutler, formerly of Amherst, in the County of
Hillsborough and Colony of New Hampshire, has in a very daring man-
ner proved himself inimical to his countr}', and absconded from Amherst
aforesiiid, and joined our unnatural enemies at Itoston, at the same time
leaving behind him lauds, buildings, &c., to a cunsidomblo value. And
for prevention of his estate coming to strip and woato, we, the inhabitants
of Amheist, pass the following votes, viz. :
" Vole(t to improve the estate of Zaccheus Cutler, Ksq.
'* VoUd their Committee of Siifety be a committee to improve said
estate.
" Voted the manner of improving said estate bo left discretionary with
said committee.
" Voted said Committee pay the profits arising on said improvement to
him or them whose right it may be tumake a demand therefor."
Against this action of the town Colonel John
Shepard, Captain Israel Towne, Ensign William
Peabody and Mr. Thomas Towne entered their pro-
test, for reasons " that would be given at a proper
time, if called for."
July 18, 1776, the Declaration of Independence wiia
received and proclaimed by Moses Kelley, Estj.,
sheriff of the county, with beat of drum from the
horse-block, which then stood on the common in
front of the meeting-house.
March 81, 1777. The town voted to remit the jioll-
tax of those persons who served as soldiers in the
Continental army the whole of last year.
June 10, 1777. Voted, in case there should be an
immediate call for men to serve in the Continental
army, to allow those who are disposed to enlist the
same encouragement they have heretofore paid, and
to assess the amount necessary for this purpose u|)on
the i>olls and estates of the inhabitants of the town.
Captain Stephen Peabody, Captain Hezekiah Love-
joy and Mr. Solomon Kittredge were appointed a com-
mittee to procure soldiers on the terms mentioned
above.
Colonel Nahum Baldwin, Mr. Stephen lUiriiam,
Mr. William Wallace, Mr. .Vndrew Bradford anil Mr.
Timothy Smith were chosen a committee to allix and
settle prices upon sundry articles.
In a return, made by Colonel Moses Nichols, Miiich
19, 1779, we have the names of the men employed by
the town to fill its quota in the Continental army in
the years 1777, 1778 and 1779, the period of their enlist-
ment, and the regiments and companies in which
they served, us follows :
Stephen Abbott, Cllley's regiment, Walt's company, for three years;
Elijah Averill, Cilley's regiment. Wall's company, for three years ; Joshua
niodgetl, Cilley's regiment, KIcharils' company, for three years ; Peter
Ilrewer, Cllley's ri'giiiient,Morriir8 company, for the war ; William lli\)» n,
Cllley's regiment, Wait's com|»uuy, for three years ; James tV.ehniu,
Cllley's regiment. .Scotff. com|Niny, for three years ; Joiuitlian Cochran,
Cilley's regiment, Scott's company, for tlinni years; Itoberl CiKdiran,
Cllley's regiuu-nt, Walt's company, fortho war; Silas Cooleilge, Cllley's
regiment. Wait's company, for three yearn ; llolwrl Cunningham, Jr.,
Cllley's regiment, Walt's company, for lhre<i yearn : Robert Cuiinliighoni,
Cilley's regimeiit, llleharils' company, for three years ; K/ekiel Davis,
Cllley's regiment. Wail's company, for throe years ; Joseph Davis, (Mlloy's
regiment, Walt's conil>auy, for three yeors ; llelOainin Dike, (Jilley'a
regiment. Wait's comiiany, for three yearn ; John Dow, Cilley's rogi-
228
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
niont, Richards' company, for three year* ; John Dutton, Cilley's regi-
ment, Wait's company, f«»r three years ; Kichard Goodman, Scammel's
regiment, f rye's conipjmy, for three years; Jude Mall, Cilley's regi-
ment, Riciiarils' company, for three years ; Henry Harris, Cilley'g regi-
ment, Wait's company, for three years ; Ricliard Hnghcs, Scammel's
regiment, Fryc's company, for three years ; Daniel Kidder, Cilloy's regi-
ment, Morrill's company, for three yeans ; Robert Parker, Cilley's regi-
ment Wait's C4>mpany, for three yeai-s ; Thomas Powell, Scammel's
regiment, Fryc's company, for three years ; William Shaddock, Cilley's
regiment, Morrill's company, for three years ; Isaac Smith, Cilley's
regiment. Wail's company, for three years ; Isaac Stearns, Cilley's regi-
ment. Wait's company, for three years ; John Taggart, Cilley's regiment.
Wait's comimny, for three years; Xatlian Tuttle, Cilley's regiment,
"Wait's company, for three years; Reuben Wheeler, Cilley's regiment.
Wait's company, for three years; Asa Wilkins, Scammel's regiment,
Frye'8 company, for three years; Robert B. Wilkins, Scammel's regi-
ment, Frye's company, for three yeare ; Sylvester Wilkins. Cilley's regi-
ment, Wait's company, for three years ; George Wilson, Cilley's regiment,
Wait's company, for three yeai-s.
John Rano was hired by Amherst, but afterward
decided to belong to Andover.
Peter Brewer was a colored man, from New Boston.
Jude Hall, another colored man, was from Ken-
sington.
Joshua Blodgett was from Litchfield.
Silas Cooledge and .Tohn Taggart, from Hills-
borough.
The Cunninghams, from Derryfield.
William Shaddock, from Boscawen.
On tlie advance of General Burgoyne's army
toward Ticondcroga, in the summer of 1777, thousands
of volunteers marched from various places in New
England to assist in the defense of that stronghold-
Two companies, under the command of Major
Abial Abbot, of Wilton, marched, June 30, 1777, for
the threatened fortress. On reaching Charlestown
(No. 4), they were ordered home, but when they had
reached Dublin, on their return, tlicy received orders
" to march with all speed to Ticondcroga." When
they reached Otter Creek they heard of its evacuation.
AMHERST MEN IN THESE COMPANIES.
In Crtpfciia Pfobodij's Company.
Captain Stephen Peabody, Lietitenant John Bradford, Ensign John
Patterson, t'orporul Amos Elliot, Nathan Cole, Josiah Crosby, Stephen
Crosby, William Crosby, Isaac P. Curtice, Jacob Curtice, Roger Dutton,
Ebenezer Ihitchinson, Jonathan Lams^in, John Lovejoy, William Low,
Jonathan Lyon, Benjamin Blerrill, Timothy Nichols, .Ir., .\dam Patter-
son, Thomas Peabody, .Vbel Prince, Josiah Sawyer, John Stewart, Simp-
son Stewart, Bel^amin Taylor, John Wallace, Stephen Washer Jonathan
Williams.
In CnpUiin Ntitfum BnUanVit Company.
First Lieutenant Joseph Farnuni, Second Lieutenant Eli Wilkins,
Sergeant Nathan Hutchinson, 3Ioses .\verill, Samuel Curtice, Allen
GoodriUge, .\sa Lewis, .\aron Nichols, Ebenezer Odell, Moses Peabody,
Benjamin Sawyer, Daniel Smith, Sjimnel Stewart, William Stewart,
William Talbert, Henry Trivett, Thomas Underwood, Solomon Washer.
In the battle of Bennington the regiment com-
manded by Colonel Nichols, of Amherst, commenced
the attack, and Captain John Bradford, of the Amherst
company, is said to have been the second man who
mounted the Hessian breast-work.
The Amherst men engaged in tlie battle were :
Colonel Moses Nichols, commanding aregiment ; Colonel Stephen Pea-
body, aid to General Stark ; John Bnidford, captain ; John Mills, first
lieutenant ; Joseph Karnum, second lieutenant ; John Patterson, ensign ;
Joel Howe, Nathaniel Hazeltine, Jonathan Wilkins, James Gilmore,
sergeants ; Nathan Cole, Jacob Curtice, Amos Elliott, corporals ; Reu-
ben Boutell, David Burnam, Israel Bnrnam, Jonathan Burnam, Stephen
Crosby, William Crosby, Isaac Curtis, Samuel Curtis, Stephen Curtis,
Roger Dutton, Jedidiah Ellinwood, John Evenlon, Laraford Gilbert,
Allen Goodridge, Daniel Green, Samuel Harris, William Hogg, Obadiah
Holt, Joseph Jewett, Caleb .lones, Eli Kimball, Solomon Kittredge, Jon-
athan Lamson, Asa Lewis, Benjamin Merrill, Ebenezer Odell, Joshua
Pettingill, James Ray, Beiijaniiti Sawyer, Andrew Shannon, Benjamin
Stearns, Saniut-l Stewart, Simpson Stewart, Benjamin Taylor, Henr\
Trivett, John Wallace, Eli \\'ilkins, George Wilson, privates.
In Captain Ford's company, Nichols' regiment,
were Silas Gould, Solomon Hutchinson, Robert
Parker and Eleazer Usher.
Colonel Nichols was eiiii)Ioyed seventy-two days in
this campaign ; Captain Bradford and company
seventy-one days. They received £243 as bounty
and advance wages at the time of their enlistment,
and £4(51 Is. 9r/. as a balance, due for their services,
October 18, 1777.
Archelaus Towne, Archclaus Towne, .Ir., Francis
Grimes and William Hogg marched and joined the
army under General Gates, at Saratoga, in September,
1777.
Among the old pajiers in the office of the Secretary
of State is the following order for payment of supplies
furnished for the Bennington expedition :
" State of New Hampshire, April '2, 1770.
" To Nicholai Oilman, Esq., B. G. :
'* Pursuant to a vote of Council and Assembly, pay Josiah Crosby and
Hezekiah Lovejoy twenty-five pounds, twelve shillings, for camp uten-
sils for Gen. Stark's brigade.
■' £25 12..
"M. Weark, Presid't."
A brigade of the New Hampshire militia, under
the command of General William Whipple, was sent
to Rhode Island in the summer of 1778, to assist in au
attack upon the British forces stationed there.
Colonel Moses Nichols commanded one of the reg-
iments, Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen Peabody one of
the battalions. Captain John Bradford was adjutant
in Colonel Nichols' regiment, and Colonel Daniel
Warner quartermaster.
The following Amherst men served in Colonel
Nichols' regiment, in the company commanded by
Captain Josiah Crosby :
Josiah Crosby, captain ; Hezekiah Lovejoy, lieutenant ; John Millf»
Josiah Crosby, Jr., Allen Goodridge, sergeants; John Cole. Jonathan
Wilkins, corjtorals; John Bontell, Etn>s Bradfoni, John Carlton, Daniel
Chandler, Stephen Crosby, Silas Cummingfs, James Ellinwood, John Ev-
erden, Stephen Farnnm, Benjamin Lewis. Reuben D. Mussey, Timothy
Nichols, Jr., Ebenezer Odell, John Odell, Peter Bnbinson, Joseph Rol-
lins, Jacob Stanley, Samuel Stanley, .lotham Stearns, Thomas Stevens,
W'illiam Stewart, Benjamin Taylor, Jonathan Taylor, William Talbert,
Bartholomew Towne, Solomon Washer, privjites.
In Captain Reynolds' company were Roger Dut-
ton, Ebenezer Odell, Joshua Pettingill, James Ray,
.lohn Stevens and John Wallace, |)rivates.
In Captain Dearborn's company were William
Hastings, Andrew Burnam, John Ellsworth.
March 8, 1779. Benjamin Hopkins, Jr., William
Odell and .lames Woodbury were chosen a committee
to provide for the families of the non-commissioned
officers and soldiers belonging to this town in the army.
AMHERST.
229
June 7, 1779. The town voted "that they will take
a inetliod to raiae the soldiers called for to serve in the
Continental army."
June 29, 1779. Voted to add fifty bushels of Indian
corn, fir its equivalent in currency, to the State and
Continental bounties ottered each .soldier wiio shall
enlist during the war, and the raising of tlie soldiers
on the above encouragement was referred to the com-
uiissioned officers (of the militia).
August .5, 1779. Mr. Timothy Smith, Colonel
Stephen Peabody and Captain John Bradford were
appointed a committee to procure the ([Uota.s of men
whicli should hereafter be required of the town during
the war.
September l.J, 1779. Voted to raise twenty thou-
sand dollars for hiring their quotas of men for carry-
ing on the war in the fiiture, and the selectmen were
directed to assess the above sum in the common way
of assessing, and pay it into the town treasury as it is
collected.
At a meeting, held November 2, 1779, the town
voted to allow credit to those persons who had done
more than their proportion in carrying on the present
war.
Nine men were furnished for the Continental army
in 1779, to serve one year, as follows :
Saniiii'l t'lurk, enlisted July U, 1779 ; discharf^ed .\ufi;tist 20, 1780.
Churli--ii Davenport, enlisted July H, 1779 ; dlHcluirgcd August 20, 178U.
Onlviti lluney, oiditted .\u^;u!^t7, 1779; ditfclmrKe^l August 7, 1780.
Abraham Littleliale, cnliated July 24, 1779 ; diKchargod .July 24, 1780.
John McKean, enlisted July 20, 1779 ; discharged Juno 20, 1780.
Joaepli Perkins, enlisted July l:}, 1779; discharged Juno 20, 1780.
Jfjucph Rawlins, clill-^tod August 14, 1779 ; discharged August 20, 1780.
Archelaus Towne, enlisted July 21, 1779 ; died Deconiher 1, 1779.
Jowph Wile<jn, enlisted July 27, 1779 ; ilischarged June 20, 1780.
Soldiers at Rhode Island, 1779.— Colonel Her-
cules Mooney eommaiided a regiment sent to Rhode
Island from this State in the spring of 1779, to assist
the army stationed there. The following .\mhcist
men served in tliis regiment, in the comp:iny com-
manded by Captain Daniel Emerson, of IToUis:
Hoses Darron, ensign ; Mitses Averill, drummer; John Carlton, Al-
pheiiB Cruflby, John Odell and Levi Woodbury
In September of this year Captain ITezekiali Love-
joy and .loscph Nichols enlisted for six iiKHiths in
the garrison at Portsmouth.
Eleven men were finnislncl for- tin- Continental
army in 1780, —
Peter Abbot, enlisted .Inly N ; iliMhiir^e'l Iti-ri'iiilM-r r., 1780.
Robert Campbell, etdisted .luly 8 ; discliarged December 21, 1780.
Alpllous Crosby, enlist^'il .luly 8 ; tlischurged Deeendier H, 1780.
Stephen C'rrjsby. enlisted July 8 ; discharged December 4, 1780.
Inu Curtice, enlisted .luly 8 ; discharged DeceniUT.4, 1780.
Jacob Doyen, enlisted June 29 ; illsclmrged December ^11, 1780.
Obtldlah Holt, enlisted July 8; ilis<harged December 18, 1780.
Jacob Stanley, enlisted July 8; discharged December 18, 178(t.
Jothani Stearns, eiiliste<l July 8 ; discharged December li, 1780.
Blnwh-y Stevens, onliste<l .luiie 29 ; discharged December 21, 1780.
Jesso WiM)dbury, enlisted July 8 ; discharged December 0, 1780.
A regiment under the eommand fif Colonel Moses
Nichols served liiree months at West Point in the
:iuniiiiM of 17S0. Dr. Henry Codmaii was surgeon.
In the company commanded by Captain William
Barron, of Merrimack, we find the following Am-
herst men:
Daniel Averill, Nahum Baldwin, Jr., Andrew Bradford, Daniel Ken-
ny, llcnry Kimball, David Melviu, Joseph Nichols, Beitjamin Stearns,
William Tolbert, William Wallace (tifor), Daniel W'eston. AVilliara
Brown served in another company.
Seventy-four men, including those then in the field,
being called for to serve three years, or during the
war, the town, at a meeting held February 8, 1781,
appointed Captain Nathan Hutchinson, Captain Israel
Towne and Amos Flint a committee to niise the
men required.
Captain Hczekiah Lovejoy, Thoniiis Wakefield,
Daniel Campbell, Benjamin Davis, Eli Wilkins and
Lieutenant Ebenezer Weston were subsequently
added to the committee, who were authorized to hire
money to procure the men needed.
The families of William Brown, ,T:imes Cochran,
Richard Hughes, Farrar Miller, Nathan Tuttic and
Joseph Wilson, soldiers in the Continental army,
were assisted by the town this year, 1781.
•John Abbot Goss, Francis Lovejoy, .Joseph Love-
joy, Joseph Pedrick and Daniel Wilkins (3d) were
mustered in March 5, 1781, to fill the (piota of three
years' men required of the town at that time.
In July, 1781, nine men were required to serve six
months and the requisition was filled by Nahum
Baldwin, .Ir., Ebenzer Curtice, David Hildreth,
Caleb Hunt, Henry Hunt, Jlichael Kielf, Joseph
Nichols, Allen Stewart and William Cowen (but
there is no record that he joined the army until
December following, when he enlisted tor three
years).
Late in the summer of 1781 eleven men were
called for to serve three months. They marched
September 2.Sd of that year. In the selectmen's
account they are mentioned as "11 .soldiers at Charles-
town, 1781," and were probably raised in apprehen-
sion of trouble on the western and northern frontiers
of the State. Their names were Peter Abbot, Daniel
Averill, Elijah Averill, George Christopher, Paul
Crosby, .John Fields, Edward Hartshorn, .Joslum;
Heywood, Samuel Phelps, Peter Wakefield and Dan-
iel Weston, and they served in a company com-
manded by Captain .John Mills.
Among the papers in the adjutant-general's office,
in Concord, is the following account of beef and
fat cattle collected for the army in the town of Am-
herst by Francis Blood, in the year 1781 :
" July 2.1, 2 catllo weighing 12:ill lbs.
Aug. 7, B " '• 3140 "
Aug. 22, 4 " " 277.'. "
Oct. 0, 7 " •■ 4:lf>.'> "
Nov. 19, " " 448S "
Beef furnished by Nichols gfiOO "
Total 24,fifiri lb«.
" Being the amuniit the town was required to fundsh."
In 1782 fourteen three years' men were required
230
HISTORY OF HILLSBOKOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE
to fill the town's quota in the Continental army, and
the following men were furnished .
James Auld, Andrew Bradfurd, Enoch Carlton, Ephraim Goss, Peter
OOSB, Henry iliindley, William Haywood, Adam Patterson, John Pea-
body, Thomas Puabody, Alexander Ruunels, Benjamin Tuck, Daniel
Weston and John Grout.
Peter Abbott, fifer, Moses Pettengill and James
McKean, privates, enlisted in a company commanded
by Captain Ebeuezer Webster, which was raised for
the protection of the northern frontiers of the State
in 1782.
Stephen Dike, of Amherst, served six months lor
Xew Boston, in 1781.
David Truel, Jr., served six months for Merrimack,
in 1781 ; and William Henry Wilkins, son of the
minister, enlisted to serve three years for Candia, in
June, 1777, but died at Y^ellow Springs, Pa., June 22,
1778.
Luther Dana served in the navy a short time, near
the close of the war.
Captain Joseph Perkins served on board a privateer
vessel, which was taken by the British, and he was
carried a prisoner of war to England, where he was
confined for some time.
Levi Woodbury served on the privateer " Essex,"
"which was taken, and he was carried to England, a
prisoner of war, where he died.
Jonathan Wilkins served on the ship "Hague," and
was wounded in an action with a British vessel.
April 11, 1782. More soldiers having been called
for to fill the town's (juota, the town voted to add
Lieutenant Darius Abbot, Robert Means, William
Lampson, Samuel Dodge, Captain William Dana and
Captain Ephraim Hildreth to the committee to hire
soldiers.
October 29, 1782. The sum of thirty jwunds was
granted for the support of the families of Joseph
Lovejoy and Daniel Wilkins, Jr., the same to be in-
dorsed on the securities given them by the town's
committee for hiring soldiers.
Bounties. — Bounties paid soldiers in the war for
Indfpt-ndence by the town of Amherst, which were
repaid by the State, —
£ «. d.
Sept. 4, 1770. Paid 15 men in Wynian'e regiment . . . l-'iO
" 5, " " 22 " " JJalrtwin's *' ... 132
May 7, 1777. '* 27 Continental soldiers 809 13 10
■July 19, 1777. " 55 men in Stark's brigadi', 2 mo. . 220
" 11, 1770. ** 9 Continental soldiers, beaide £0,
13«. 4.^ good money 215 2 9
" 21, 17«0. " 12 men in Nichols' reg't, ^^ nio. . . 72
*' 31, 1781. " Continental soldiers, new levies,
n months 108
•* 15, " *' 5 Continental soldiers, 3 years . . 3fi(»
" 17, 1782. •* 14 Continental Boldiei-s, 3 j-ears . .1008
£3206 IG 7
Bounties, etc., paid by the town that were not re-
paid by the State, or the United States, as reported
by the selectmen September 9, 1791.
Paid Col. Nichols' regiment, at West Point £180
An average made in 1777, for soldiers that bad served .... 480
Soldiers that served iu Capt. Walker's Co., Gilman's regiment,
177(J 39
Soldiers in Col. Pcabody's regiment, at Khode Island 105
Soldiei-8 in Col. Daldwin's regiment, at New York, 177G ... 72
10 Continental soldiers, from 17S1, 3 years' men G*H)
20 soldiers in (."apt. Barron's CO., Wyman's reg't, 1776 .... aO"!
11 " servL'd at Charleatown, 17.S1 132
9 " 1781, new levius, six months' men 27i'
11 " 1780, '* *' " " *' 3:in
5 ** at Coos, 1780, Captain Stone's company loii
9 " in Colonel Mooney'a regiment liis
13 *' from 178.3, 3 years' men 84.'i
£3511
List of Soldiers. — Alphabetical listof soldiers and
sailors from Amherst in the war for Independence, —
Joshua Abbot, Nathan Abbot, Nathaniel Abbot, Peter Abbot, Stephen
Abbot, James Alld, Daniel Averill, David Averill, Elijah Averill, John
Averill, 5Ioses Averill, Nahuni Ilaldwin, Nahuni Ilaldwin, Jr., Nathaniel
Barrett, Closes Barron, Jacob Blodgctt, Joshua Biodgett. Aaron Boutell,
Amos BoutfU, Joseph Bmitell, Jr., Keuben Boutell, Thomas Boutell,
Richard B*)ynton, Andrew Bradford, Enos Biariford, John Bradford,
Joseph Bradfurd, William Bradfurd, Jr., Peter Bn-vvor, Alexander
Brown, William Brown, David Biirnam, Israel Burnam, Jonathan Bur-
n.un, Joshua Burnam, Jtobert Campbell, Ebenezer Carlton, Knix-h Carl-
ton, John Carlton, David Chandler, Primus Chandler, Ueorge Christo-
pher, Benjamin Clark, James Clark, Samuel Clark, Thomas Clark, James
Cochran, John Cochran, Jonathan Cochran, Robert Cochran, Henry
Codman, John Cole, John Cole, (2d), Nathan Cole, William Cook, Silas
Cooledge, William Cowen, Aljiheus Crosby, Ezekiel Crosby, Josiah Cros-
by, Josiah Crosby, Jr., Nathaniel Crosby, Paul Crosby, Stephen Crosby,
"William Crosby, Silas Cummingti, Robert Cunningham, Robert Cunning
ham, Jr., Ebenezer Curtice, Isaac Palmer Curtice, Jacob Curtice, Lem-
uel Curtice, Stephen Cnitice, Luther Dana, Charles I)aveuport, Benja-
ntin Davis, Ezekiel Davis, Joseph Davis, Benjamin Dike, Stephen Dike,
John Door, Jacob Doyen, John Dutton, Jonathan Dntton, Roger Dutton,
James Klliiiwood, Jedidiah Elliuwood, Joseph Eltiuwuod, Amos Elliot,
Andrew Elliot, John Ellsworth, John Everden, Asa Karnum, John Far-
mini, Joseph Farnum, Stephen Farnum, John Fields, David Fiske,
Thaddeus Fitch, Amos Flint, Ephraim French, Laraford Gilbert, Thomas
Giles, James Gilmore, Richard Gooihnan, Allen Goodridge, Ephraim
Goss, John Abbot Goss, I'eter Goss, Silas GouM, Stephen Gould, Daniel
Green, Francis Grimes, John (Crimes, John Grout, Jude Hall, Henry
Ilaudley. Henry Harris, Samuel Harris, Edward Hartshorn, James
Hartshorn, .Ir., John Hartshorn, Nathaniel Ha/eltino, Jot-hua Haywood,
\NiIliam Haywood, Stephen Hill, David Hildreth, William Hogg, Abiel
Ilott, Jabez Holt, Obadiah Holt, Cdlvin Honey, Joel Howe, Richard
Hughes, Caleb Hunt, Henry Hunt, Ebenezer Hutchinson, Nathan
Hutchinson, Joseph Jewett, Caleb Jone?, William Jones, Joshua Ken-
dall, Nathan Kendall, Jr., Archelaus Kennoy, Daniel Kenney, Michael
Keef, Daniel Kidder, Eli Kimball, Henry Kimball, Elwizt-r W. Kings*
bury, Soloint)n Kittredge, Zepheniah Kittredge, William LaklD
Jeremiah Lamson, Jonathan Lamson, Samuel Lamson, Joshua Lan-
ciujter, Andrew Leavitt, Joseph Leavitt, Abu Lewis, Joseph Lewie,
Abraham Littlchale, Francis I^ovejoy, Hczekiah Lovtyoy, John Lovejoy,
Joseph Lovejoy, William Low, Edward Lyon, Jonathan Lyon, Andrew
Maclntire, Daniel McGratli, James McGraw, Hugh MacKean, Jiuues
MacKcan, John MacKean, Timothy Martin, Thompson Maxwell,
Thomas Melendy, Itobert Melory, David Melviii, Benjannn Merrill, Far-
rar ^Miller, John Mills, John Mitchel, Josiah ."^lunrne, Reuben D. Muz-
zoy, Aaron Nichols, Joseph Nichols, Moses Nicliols, Tiiiiuthy Nichols, Jr.,
Ebenezer Otiell, John Odell, R(>bert I'arker, William Parker, Adam Pat-
teivon, John Pattoreon, Iswic Peabody, John Peabody, Closes Peahody,
Stephen Peabody, Thomas Peabody, Joseph Peilrick, Moses Pearson,
Joseph Perkins, Jr., Joshua Pettingill, Mosea Pottingill, Samuel Phelp*,
Thomas Powell, Abel Prince, Davi<l Banisay. Ebenezer Ray, James Ray,
William Read, Peter Robert/ton, Samuel Robertson, Joseph Roltingi^
Alexander Runnels, Benjamin Sawyer, .Josiah Sawyer, Nourse Sawyer,
Robert Scammell, Thomas Scott, M'illiam Shadd<>ck, Samuel Shepard,
Andrew Shannon, Jame^ Simpson, Jonathan Small, William Small, Jr.,
Benjamin Smith, Daniel Smith, Lsaac Smith, Jacob Stanly, Samuel
Stanley, Beiyumin Stearns, Ismic Stearns, John Stearns, Jotham
Stearns, Samuel Stearns, Bimsley Stevens, Thomas Stevens. Allen Stew-
art, John Stewart, Samnol Stewart, Simpson Stewart, M'illiam Stewart,
Asa Swinnerton, John Taggart, Benjamin Taylor, Benjamin Taylor, 2d,
Jolin Taylor, Jonathan Taylor, Hugh Thornton, William Talbert,
AMHERST.
231
Arcbeluiia Tuwne, ArcbelaiiiiTowiie, Jr., Barthuloinew Towne, Juiuitban
Towno, Kiiiianl To^%■ne, Rurus Tniak, Henry Trivett, Diivid Truel, Jr.,
Betuamiti Tuck, William Tuck, Nathan Tuttle, Thomas Un(len%'ocMi»
Aarun Upton, Elea/er I'shwr, Ebcnezer Wakefiehl, Joseph Wakefield'
Peter Waketteld, William Wakefleld, John Wallace, Joseph Wallace,
Daniel Warner, Solomon Washer, Stephen Washer, Daniel Wearv, Daniel
W*eBton, Isaac Weflton, Sutherick Weston, Reuben Wbeeler, .lohn Wiley,
Andrew Wilkins, Asi Wilkins, Daniel Wilkins, Jr., Daniel Wilkins, (3d),
Kli Wilkin.-*, Jonathan Wilkins, Robert It. Wilkins, Sylvester Wilkins,
William Henry Wilkins, Kbene/.er William.s, Samuel Williams, George
Wilson, Joecph Wilson, Letuuel Winchester, Jesse Woodbury, Levi
Woodbury, Ebea Wincol Wright, Isaac Wright.
SOLDIEItS FROM AMHERST WHO DIED IN THE WAR FOR
IXDEI'EXDENCE.
Lieutenant Joseph Itmdfortl, at Medforxl, July, 1775.
Peter Brewer, killed in battle at Saratoga, October 7, 1777.
Primus Chandler, killed by the Indians, May, 1776.
James Clark, at Blount ludeitendcnce, July, 1770.
Jonathan Cochruii, (canie home sick) died at home, 31an:b 24, 1778.
Robert Cochran, died of disease, time and place not known.
John Cole, killed in battle at Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775.
Ezekiel Davis, in Central New York, June 10, 1779.
Joeeph Davis, killed by the Indians in Sew York, August 13, 1779.
Benjamin Dike, killed in battle at Saratoga, October 7, 1777.
John Door, killeil in battle at Saratoga, October 7, 1777.
Klcbard Goodman, at Yellow Springs, Pa., June 27, 1778.
Calvin Honey, place not known, December 15, 1781.
William Jones, at Crown Point, .luly, I77C.
Jeremiah I»im.s<>n, at Fort George, X. Y., .\ugust, 1776.
Asa lATWis, killed in battle at Bennington, August IG, 1777.
James Mc^iraw, killed in battle at Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775.
David Ramsey (brought home sick), die<l December 2, 1775.
Nourse Sawyer, at Crown Point, July. 177G.
William Shaddock, place not known, dieil June 30, 1777.
Isaac Stearns, at Crown Point, .Inly, 177G.
Captain Benjamin Taylor, at Medford, .Mass., February, 1770.
Captain .\rchelaus Towne, at Fishkill, X. Y., November, 1779.
Jomnban Towne, at ('rrjwn Point, .luly. 1770.
William Tuck, died of disease, time and place not known.
Aaron Cplon, at Worcester, Mass., December, 177C.
Daniel Wojire, at Crown Point, July, 1770.
Captain Daniel Wilkins, Jr., at Crown Point, July, 177G.
Sylvester Wilkins, at EasUin, Pa., SepU'lnber 20, 1770.
William Henry Wilkins, at Yellow Springs, Pa., June 22, 1778.
I.*vi Wotslbury, a prisoner of war in England ; date not known,
Elien Win. ol Wright, at Winter Hill, Xovember, 1773.
War of 1812. — The record of the enlLstments in the
regular army for the War of 1812 are in the possession
of the War Department, at Wtwhington, and not
accessible to the public. The names of some who en-
listed from Amherst are, however, remembered.
Captain Turner C'rooker, at that time a resident in
this town, opened a recruiting-office on the Plain
September, 1H12. He was then a captain of the Ninth
Regiment United States Infantry. After the close of
the war he was retained on the peace establishment,
with the brevet rank of major.
Jolui Dodge, Jr., enlisted and returned at the close
of his term of service. He afterward removed to Ver-
mont.
John Dutton enlisted and served on the northern
frontier.
Samuel Dutton served on the northern frontier.
Timothy Dutton also served on the northern
frontier. He died at French's Mills in 181.3.
David Hartshorn served one year on the northern
frontier.
Joseph Hartshorn served one year in Vermont and
New York, in the Twenty-ninth Infantry. He died
June 27, 1884, the last survivor, so far as known, of
the Amherst men who served in the War of 1812.
Joseph Low was second lieutenant in the First
Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers. On the re-
organization of the regiment he was appointed pay-
master of the Forty-fifth Regiment United States
Volunteers.
Peter ilelendy enlisted in 1813, served a short time
in Northern Vermont as lieutenant in a regiment of
infantry. This commission he resigned, and was
shortly after appointed a lieutenant in the artillery
service, and ordered to Fort Constitution, where he
remained until near the time of his death. May 15,
1823.
Jacob Pike had enlisted in 1809, and served through
the war.
John Purple served through the war as a drummer.
Robert Purple, his brother, enlisted and died in the
service.
John Stewart and his son, John Stewart, Jr., also
enlisted. The latter served as a drummer-boy.
John Warner was sergeant in a company of infantry,
and died at Sackett's Harbor in 1814. Jle was son
of Colonel Daniel Warner.
Others doubtless enlisted in the regular army, of
whom we have at present no account.
At a meeting, Octol)er 11, 1814, the town voted to
raise two hundred dollars to be appropriated for
animunitiou for the militia and other inhabitants of
the town of Amherst, and the selectmen were consti-
tuted a committee to purchase the same.
September 7, 1814, detachments from twenty-three
regiments of the State militia were ordered to hold
themselves in readiness to march for the defense of
Portsmouth, then threatened with an attack from a
British fleet, cruising near by, and on the 9th they
were ordered to march. The quota furnished by the ■
town of Amherst was a i)art of the regiment com-
manded by Colonel Nat Fisk, of Westmoreland, and
consisted of
Josiah Converse, captain ; Samuel Leonanl, Luther Elliott, sergeants ;
Stephen B. French, Jiiseph Hartshorn, corjiorale; David Elliott, David
Fisk (3d), Daniel Oilman, Jonathan Howanl, Benjamin Jewell, Jr.,
John M. Kuhn, Samuel 51. Livingston, BeiOatnin Peak, Jr., privates.
They were mustered into service September 16,
1814, and served three months.
Another detachment of the militia was drafted for
the defense of Portsmouth, which was mustered in
September 27, 1814, and served sixty days. The
following soldiers from Amherst served in Colonel
Steel's regiment, in the company commanded by
Captain James T. Treavitt, of Jlont Vernon :
Itoliert Read, lieutenant ; Leonanl T. Nichols, Saniui'l Slovens, S4.r-
geants;Jolin Aiinis, Samuel Converse, Jr., Israel Kariium, James H.
Gniter, Timothy Hartshorn, Manslh-td King, privati-s.
About lifty citizens of the town, who were exempted
from the performance of military duty by the militia
law, met at the house of Captain Theophilus Page,
232
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
October 10, 1814, and formed a company of Home
Guards. The officers of this organization were
Jedediah K. Smith, captain; Timotliy Uanfurtli,
first lieutenant; John Secombe, second lieutenant.
A committee wiis chosen at this meeting to draft
regulations for the government of the company, who
reported at a. subsequent meeting, and the company
met several times for drill. Tlie close of the war,
shortly after, obviated the necessity for the continu-
ance of the organization, and the company was
disbanded.
The war was brought to a close by a treaty signed
at Ghent by the representatives of the contending
powers, December 23, 1814. Betbre the news of its
conclu.sion had reached this country, the battle of New
Orleans wsis fought, January 8, 1815, where the lesson
taught the British regulars, nearly fifty years before
by the descendants of the Massachusetts Puritans
and Scotch-Irish settlers of Londonderry, from the
fort and behind the rail-fence on Bunker Hill, was
repeated by the Kentucky riflemen from behind the
cotton-bales on the field of Chalmette.
The Civil War, 1861-1865.— The first war-meet-
ing in Amiierst was held April 22, 1861.
Barnabas B. David was called to the chair, and upon
taking it announced the object of the meeting, and
pledged his all in support of the national cause.
A finance committee was appointed to secure and
disburse contributions for the support of the families
of those who volunteered to fight the battles of the
country, and it was voted to raise the pay of the
volunteers from Amherst to eighteen dollars per
month, and furnish each one with a Coil's revolver.
Fourteen j'oung men came forward and oflered
their services as soldiers.
A Home Guard wiis formed, which met for some
time for the purpose of drill.
The Amherst Soldiers' Aid and Home Relief So-
ciety was organized in 1861, and closed its work in
November, 1865. During its existence money to the
amount of $817.90 had been collected for tht^ use of
the society, and articles distributed to the amount of
$1286.35, the excess being in labor, wearing apparel
and other articles contributed.
Names of soldiers who were I'urnishcd with revolvers :
JcsBti Barret, Taylor \V. Blunt, Rodney Bnrdick, Frank Chickerinp,
Janice B. Duvid, John M. Fox, George W. George, George P. Griswold,
Newton T. HartBliorn, lienry H. Manning, Iteuel G. Manning, Alfred
L. Moore, Henry S. Ober, Daniel A. Peaboily, Cbarled II. Phelps, George
W. RuaecU, William Vi\ Sawtelle, George Vose.
Military expenses of the town during the Civil War,
as reported by the selectmen :
Prior to March, 18f.2 $1,203.05
From March, l«li2, to March, 1803 12,090.72
" " 1803, " " 1804 13,505.50
" 1864, " " 1805 21,860.20
1805, " " 1866 1,302.23
860,087.70
A large portion of the above was repaid by the State
and United States.
March 10, 1868, the selectmen were authorized to
expend a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars in
building a soldiers' monument.
May 30, 1869, the selectmen appointed Harrison
Eaton a committee on the construction of a soldiers'
monument.
August 9, 1870, J. Byron Fay, Edward D. Boylston
and Charles Richardson were appointed a committee
to ascertain the cost of a suitable monument to com-
memorate the soldiers from Amherst who lost their
lives in the Civil War.
At an adjourned meeting, held September 6, 1870,
the committee reported in favor of erecting a monu-
ment similar to the one recently erected in Peter-
borough, the cost of which they estimated at four
thousand dollars. The report was accepted, but action
upon its recommendation was postponed until the
next annual meeting.
March 14, 1871, Harrison Eaton, J. Byron Fay and
John F. AVhiting were appointed a committee to
locate and erect a soldiers' monument, and the style
or character of the monument, and the time of erect-
ing it, was left to their discretion.
It was voted to appropriate the sum of three thousand
dollars, in addition to the sum left by the late Aaron
Lawrence, Esq., toward its erection.
The granite base of the soldiers' monument on the
Plain was quarried from a bowlder found on land
owned by Levi J. Secomb, Esq. The bronze figure of
a soldier was placed upon it December 9, 1871.
At the same time the bronze tablet, bearing the
following inscription, was inserted :
"IN HOXOtt or
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS.
1861-1805.
William W. Sawtelle,
2d Reg't.
James Blanchard,
10th Reg't.
James W. Prtttei"8on,
" "
S;imuel Corliss,
" "
Fificld H. Me,saer,
" "
George B. Sloan,
"
Henry S. Ober,
4th "
Kli S. Guttetyon,
II 11
Thomaa L. Gilpatrick,
" "
Robert Gray,
" "
Charles H. Phelps,
5th "
George A. aicClnor,
"
Kdward Vose,
" "
George A. Pedrick,
" "
John L. Kendall,
" "
John N. Mace,
" "
Charles A. Damon,
" "
Charles S. I'arkhurst,
II II
William Few,
7th "
Lyman B. Sawtelle,
" "
Kdwin Benden,
8th "
^lartin P. Weston,
1st Reg't
Joseph y. Johnson,
" "
N. 11. Heavy Artill
ory.
Albert Noyes,
" "
Frank H. Holt,
47tb Penn.
Charles A. B. Hall,
9th "
ERKCTEO 1871
BY THE TOWN OF AMHERST,
ASSISTED BY A I.EOACV
FROM
AARON LAWRENCE, ESQ."
A meeting was held May 31, 1872, "to see if the
town would vote to dedicate the Soldiers' Monument,"
but the article in the warrant for that pnriiose was
dismissed, forty-seven to forty-two. At another
meeting, held June 17, 1872, the town voted "to ded-
icate the Soldiers' Monument," but no steps have
been taken to carry the vote into etfect, and the monu-
ment has never been formally dedicated.
AMHERST.
233
Soldiers and Sailors from Amherst in the Civil
"War, 1861-65. — ^ Three inoiitlis' men tliat went to
I'urt.siiioutli in Captain Gillis' company, April, 18G1 :
Jeaw Itiu-nll, Tiiylor W. Ilium, Itodiiey \V. Uurdick, Joseph F.
Cad>', Frauk Cbiokeriiig, Jtimea B. David, Jobu M. Fox, George W.
George, George P. Griawoltl, Reuel G. Mauuiug, Alfred L. Moore,
George W. Biiswll, Willuiiii \V. Sawtelle.
Of the above, tliose wlio ilcelined to enlist Cor three
years returned home July 13, ISiU, having received
a discharge.
THREE YEAIiS- MEN. .
Stcoiid Regimeid. — John M. Fox, Filiyld H. :>It'(v-<c?r, Williaiii W. .'Saw-
telle.
Third Regiment. — Rodney W. Burdick, George \V. rarkhm-st, .Tamea
llyan.
Fourth Regiment. — Cimrled F. Crooker, Albert Fletrher, Tlioliias L.
Oilputrick. John G. Lovejoy, Henr}' H. Manning, Isimuei U. Ober,
George W. Osgtwjii, \Vtlliun\ D. Stearns, George II. I'pton.
Fifth Reijiiiuiit. — lotiii B,KKlro, .lames B. Uuvid, Kdnon Davis, Charleg
A. Dutnon, JoMepli B. Fay, George W. George, CilarlesE. Hapgood, John
L. Kendall, Henry A. Nichols, Daniel A. Feabody, Cliarlcs II. Phelps,
Lyman B. Sawtelle, Edward Vtiso, George Vose, Frederick A. Wilson.
Sereiitti Regiiiiait. — Josiah Colburn.
Eighth Hfgiment. — Jet»}e Barrett, Kdwin Benden, .Tames L. Hardy,
Joeeph \. Johnson, Albert Noye>«.
AoUA Regiment. — R(jberl E. Benden, Charles A. Hale, Hartholumew
Ryan.
Tenth Reqiment. — George F. .\ikcn, Albert S. Austin, James Blanchard,
Thoniart ItrtHlerick, Joeeph A. Brown, Lawrence Cooley, .Samuel W. Cor-
lias, George E. Crooker, Jeremiah Crowley, Thomas Doyle, Robert Gray,
Eli S. GutterHon, Charles F. Hall, Robert Harrison, George E. Heath,
Peter Levin, George .\. McClnre, John X. Mace, Thomas O'Connell,
Charles N. Parkhursl, James W. Patterson, George .\. Pedrick, John D.
Pedrick, James A. Philbrick, George W. Russell, John Shea, Joshua A.
Skinner, James R. Stearns, George B. Sloan, Horace Lawrence, Charles
C. Twiss.
Wfurjr ylr/iH,Ti/.— Albert E. Boutell, Charles E. Flint, Edwin K.
Bonndy, William F. Riirwell, CliarliM H. Shepard, Nathan T. Taylor,
William K. Wallace, Martin P. Weston.
AVir Il'imjithire ituttery. — Edmund E. Bullard, Richard Mabar, Bryant
II. Melendy.
Sharpitht>oter». — Charles Upton.
}n MitMoehutetU RegimentM. — Charles Hastings, Joseph Pettengill,
Warren S. Itut<«ell.
Twentij-auth Sew York Regiment. — Michael Welsh.
Fourth I'ennJu/lriiitia Regiment. — Frank II. Holt.
Vniteit State* Engineer*. — Newton T. Hartshorn.
United Stale* Suvg. — John H. Clark, Henry A Fletcher, Charles
Champney, Nelson I). Gould, PutricU Moran, George N. Wheelei".
Ite-enlufted after Three IVurs' JSerricc. — Edward E. Benden, Rodney W.
Burdick, John G. Lovejoy, Albert Noyes, James Uyan, George H. Upton,
Ge,,rge W. Upton.
fuel ll'tnd at Hilton Hettd. — Warren S. Russell, David F. Thompson.
The following citizens of Amherst furnished sub-
stitutes :
Hollis E. Abbott, Noah P. Batchelder, Henry It. Boutell, James C.
Boutell, Luther Coggin, Jr., Perley W. Podge, John Fletcher, Butler P.
Flint, Charles E. Grater, John Haillock, Joseph F, Hanson, Reuben
W Harradon, Frank llartnhorii, .\sii Jaquith, Jr., Ebenezer .laquith
Andrew L. Kidder. Charles H. Kinson, .Stephen ^IcGafley, Williiun*
Melendy, George W, Parker, Henry M. Parker, James S. Parkhurat,
Solomon Prince, Albert A. Botch, George J. Savage, Andrew F. Sawyer,
Cliester Shipley, Daniel C. Shirley, Daniel W. Trow, .losc'ph P. Trow,
George W. Upluuii, John F. Whiting, Sanmel Wllking.
Names of substitutes, so far as a.scertaine<l :
Charles Baursturii, Pierre Boyleati, William Brown, John Caten, Ira
Clark, George Farley, Ji>hn Fox, George Fmy, Charles t;r<,ht, John
Harris, Benjamin F. Hinds, Edward Hogan, Thomas Jones, Ah-xanrler
BlilliT, Hiram F. Slorton, Jatnes O'Brien, Daniel O'Neill, Chrislian Pet.
on«»n, Charles .V. Rogers, Owen L. Rousi% E<lward Riipel, Wjlllant
Thompson, Louis Walter, Josi,pli Wilglit.
Of the above substitutes, nine are reporlcil as liav-
; iug deserted, cue was killed at Cold Harbor and two
were wounded.
CHATTER III.
A M 11 E RST— ( Continned).
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Congregational Cliurch— The First Baptist Church— The Methodist
Episcopal Church.
The Congrregational Church. — The Congregational
Church iu tiouhegan West was organized September
22, 1741, and consisted of Daniel Wilkins, the pastor-
elect, Samuel I>eman, Israel Towne, Samuel I>amsoii.
Caleb Stiles and Humphrey Hobbs.
On the following day Air. Wilkins was ordained and
installed as its pastor. J mmediately alter the o rdination
services six females were admitted to church mem-
bership.
The church was the third formed in Hillsborough
County, that in Nashua, organized in Ki.S."), and that
in Nottingham West (now Hudson), formed in 1737,
only preceding it.
Humphrey Holibs was elected deacon .January 0,
1742-43, but resigned the following year to enter the
military service in the \var then in progress against
the French and Indians, and James Cochran was
elected to till the vacancy caused by his resignation.
The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was usually
administered five times in each year.
The first baptism of which we have any record was
that of Deborah, daughter of William and Sarah
Lancy, in September, 1743.
After a ministry of thirty-four years, Mr. Wilkins'
faculties, jihysical and mental, failed, and the town
made preparations for settling a colleague. After two
or more ineffectual attempts with other parties, Mr.
Jeremiah Barnard was invited to become colleague
pastor with Mr. Wilkins. He accei)ted the invitation,
and was ordained and installed March 3, 1780, and
continued as i)Mstiir until his death, .lanuary 15, 1835.
The following bill, presented for the entertainment
of the members of the council that installed Mr.
Barnard, gives us some insight into the customs of the
times and the habits of the "venerable" fathers who
were "entertainetl " :
" The TowiKif Amherit to Jointthan Smith, l*r.
" For keeping the Council at the Ordination of X «. d.
Rev. Mr. Barnard, in currency I:i23 fi
In silver,
To «9 dinners, at In 4 8
f>i; suppers, at Hit 117 4
84 breakfasts, at '.Id 3 3
43 lodging", al Id II M 4
74 ^<; mugs Hip and toddy, at lOd 3 '2 1
38 drams, at ajjjd (I 7 II
17 cakes, al 7(/ ti li II
lbs. cheese, at (id 3
10 nmgs syder, at 3d. 4
M hoi'M.-s, '24 h'l-s, at Is. each 2 14
13 horses baitml, at 4J. each 4 4
tn 8 II "
234
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Neither Mr. Wilkins nor Mr. Barnard left much
account of the proceedings of the church, during their
pastorates, and tlie little left is now mislaid or lost.
Mr. Barnard's health having failed propositions
were made to him by the town for the settlement of
a colleague to share the labors of the ministry with
him. To these he returned a favorable answer, and,
after hearing a candidate several Sabbaths, the
church, at a meeting held January 13, 1816, voted
unanimously that Mr. Nathan Lord be invited to
settle in the work of the ministry and take the over-
sight of this church and congregation, as colleague
pastor with Rev. Jeremiah Barnard.
" Voted, that Kcv, Mr. Barnard t'urnitih Mr. Lord with a copy of the
above vote."
Robert Means, Esq., William Fisk, Esq., and Dr.
Matthias Spalding were appointed a committee to wait
upon the selectmen of the town, acquaint them with the
proceedings of the church and request them to call a
meeting of the town to see whether the town will
concur with the church in the settlement of 3Ir. Lord
in the work of the ministry, as above proposed, and
what salary they will offer him for his support.
The town having concurred with the church in
giving Mr. Lord an invitation to settle in the min-
istry in this place, and made .satisfactory jirovisiou
for his support, be signified his acceptance of the call
and was ordained.
Mr. Lord's ministry continued until November 22,
1828, on which day his connection with the town and
church was dissolved. He had been suffering for a
long time fnmi the effects of a violent cold, which
had, at times, prevented him from preaching and
even speaking aloud. Being advised by physicians
that his recovery was doubtful, he accepted the
presidency of Dartmouth College, which was offered
him in August, 1828. He died September 9, 1870.
With the exception of carrying out the agreement
entered into with Jlr. Barnard in 1780, the agency of
the town in the support of the ministry ceased with
the resignation of Mr. Lord.
The town was fortunate in the selection of its
religious teachers. Mr. Wilkins well deserves the
title of father of the town. Among the first of the
settlers, he identified himself thoroughly in all move-
ments for their safety and well-being. He toiled
with them in the forests and fields, shared their
poverty, educated their children and in times of
danger encouraged them by his advice and example.
It is gratifying to know that in all their bitter dis-
sensions no one thought of xssailing him. The in-
scriptiiin tbiy caused to be engraved on the stone
which marks his burial-place gives their estimate of
his character.
Mr. Barnard was altogether unlike his predecessor.
His lot was Ciist in stormy times, among a divided
people, and he possessed a will and energy to breast
the storm. Not always wise or prudent in his utter-
ances, his people soon learned that in a contest with
him there were blows to take as well as give. He lived
and prospered where a man of a more quiet and
peaceable disposition would have been crushed be-
tween the contending factions in the town. More
tolerant of religious tiian political differences, he kept
the people of his parish together, and when he retired
they were ready to give a cordial welcome to his suc-
cessor.
Mr. Lord came to his work while yet in the spring-
time of life, a thoroughly educated gentleman, with
decided convictions and an iron will. The civil dis-
sensions in the town had been healed by the incor-
poration of the different parishes into towns; but
differences of opinion existed in his church which he
was called upon to reconcile or combat. Into this
contest he threw himself with his whole energy,
managing his case with consummate skill. The
failure of his voice compelled his resignation, but he
had thoroughl}- i>rej)an-d this place for the reception
of his whole-souled, earnest successor, Silas Aiken.
A meeting of the citizens interested in the subject
was held October 3, 1828, at which a society was
formed under the name and title of the Congrega-
tional Church and Society, in Amherst.
Edmund Parker was chosen clerk ; David McGregor
Means, treasurer ; .John Mack, James Bell and Rich-
ard Boylston, standing committee; and John Se-
combe, Robert Means and David Stewart, auditors.
Rev. Silas Aiken, the fourth minister of the
church and the first of the Society, was ordained and
installed March 4, 1829, and remained as pastor
until February 28, 1837. He was succeeded by Rev.
Frederick A. Adams, who w-as ordained November 14,
1837. He continued until September 24, 1840. Rev.
William T. Savage was installed February 24, 1841,
and remained until April 4, 1843. Rev. Josiah G.
Davis was ordained May 22, 1844, and continued until
January 22, 1880, when he was succeeded by Rev.
Willis D. Leland, who was ordained January 22,
1880, and remained until 1881. Since that time the
church has had no settled pastor, but has been sup-
plied by various preachers, among whom were Revs.
Palmer, Seabury, Batcheldcr and others.
The following is a list of deacons from the organiza-
tion of the church to 1885:
Huniphrey Hohtw, oIecte<I January C, 174;J ; i*esiguod 1744 ; died 17.">G,
aged 44. ^
Joseph Boutell, elected .liine 3, 1743 : died May 19, 1795, aged 88.
James Ciichniii, elected 17i4 ; died January .'i, 1774.
Samuel WilUiiis, elected January 10, 1774 ; resigned 1810 ; died De-
cembor27, 18:12, aged yii.
John Seaton, elected January 10, 1774 ; resigned 178" ; died 1793.
Nahum Baldwin, elected January 10, 1774 ; died >Iay 7, 1788, aged
64.
Ephraim Barker, elected June 18, 1788 ; died September 29, 1800, aged
68.
Joshua Lovqjoy, elected Juno IS, 1788 ; resigned 17'>1 ; died January
28, 18:i2, aged 88.
Amos Elliott, elected September 3, 1795 ; died .\pril T, 1807, aged 52.
John Scaton, Jr., elected September 3, 1795; died October 4, 1836,
aged 80.
John Hartshorn, elected September 1, 1808; died November 28, 1842,
aged&3.
AMHERST.
235
Malthiu Spalding, elected Hay 29, 1B17 ; died Majr '^2, 18C5, aged 95.
Daviil Holmes, ilected Jlay 29, 1817 ; resigned 1823; died November
1. 18f.7, aged 89.
.\uios Elliott, Jr., elected SoTember 1, 18J3 ; died AprU 27, 182C, aged
44.
Blmund Parker, electe<I May l."i, 1832 ; reeigned 1836 ; died September
«, 1851!, iiged 73.
AUl Dowiie, elected January 21, 1830 ; died September 28, 1840, aged
£2.
David >'l»k (;td), elected November 18, 1836 ; resigned 1860 : died June
22, 187:i, aged 80.
fynw Eastman, elected December 30, 18.36 ; died December 17, 1862,
a>;ed 75.
Barnabas U. I'aviJ, eieoled .Iniiuary 2, 184.'i ; died September 5, 1883,
ai«l SI,
Eduani I>. Boylston, elected .\pril 12, 18G0 ; resigned 1878.
Aaron Lawrence, elected Novcml>er 2, 1860 ; died September 1, 1867,
aged 62.
Cliarles II. David, elected November 2, 1871 ; resigned 1874 ; died Oc-
tober IT, 18811, aced r>5.
Aaron S. Wilkins, elected .\priI9, 1874.
Xacclieus G. Perry, elected April 9, 1874 ; resigneil Isso,
Iluniel W. Sargent, elected April 8, 1880.
Jimepli E. Kowle, elected April 8, I8811.
Henrj' Wheeler, elected 1884.
The ITniversalist Society. — September 9, 1819,
piililie notice was given liv Israel Fuller, clerk of the
society, that I-^lier Lawrence, Isaac t'hickering and
others had formed themselves into a religious society
to be known by the mime and style of the Univer-
salis! Society in Amherst
The Christian or Unitarian Society. —Public
notice was given, March 27, 1S24, liy David Holmes,
clerk of the society, that on the 24th day of that
month Charles H. Atherton, David Holmes, Ephraim
Blanchard, E. F. Wallace and others had associated
and formed themselves into a religious society by the
name and style of the Christian Society in Amherst.
Eev. Edmund Quiney Sewall was ordained and in-
stalled pastor of the Christian Church and Society
(Unitarian) January 2f), ls2o.
Mr. Sewall continued pastor of the society about
one year. A church was organized and continued in
existence for some time, but its records, like the early
ones of the First Congregational Church, are lost.
In ls:i4, Rev. Lyman Maynard was employed as i)as-
tor by a union of the Unitarian and Univcrsalist
Bocieties in town, and continued here until 1838.
During his pastorate the new meeting-house (now
Baptist) was built by members of the two societies.
After the removal of Mr. Maynard, Dr. Amory Oale
and others conducted the Sunday services at the
church for some time. Afterward the desk was occu-
pie«l for a year or two by Rev. William Hooper,
Univcrsalist.
Finally, the house was sold to the Baptist society,
and the Unitarians and Universalists in town have
become connected with other societies.
The First Baptist Society.— .\n association for
the support of preaching on Chestnut Hill was or-
ganized October (i, 1828, under the name of the First
Baptist Society in Amherst, N. IL, by the following
persons: Raliih Holbrook, Kbenezer Holbrook, Oliver
Mears, Franklin Mcars, Henry Tewksbury, Jo.seph
10
Harvill, John Rollins, James Priuce, Robert Fletcher,
Otis Fletcher, Benjamin Damon, John Washer,
Benjamin F. Shepard and Joseph Harraden.
The church was organized July 2, 1829, ministers
from the churches in Londonderry, Milford, New
Boston and Goflstown being present at the council
called for the purpose. Rev. Samuel Abbot, of Lon-
donderry, was moderator, and Rev. Simon Fletcher,
of Golistown, clerk of the council.
The society held their meetings for Sunday services
on Chestnut Hill until 1837, when they removed to
the Plain, a large addition made to their number,
the result of a protracted meeting held in February,
1835, making such a movement advisable.
Here for a time they had no sure abiding-place.
Sometimes they worshiped in the old school-house
north of the court-house, at the east end of the com-
mon, sometimes in the court-house, and afterward in
a small hall over the old Read store, which stood near
where the soldiers' monument now stands. Novem-
ber 19, 1841, arrangements were made with the pro-
prietors of the Unitarian meeting-house for the use
of their house a portion of the time.
Having become proprietors of two-thirds of the
pews, the house was, agreeably to a condition in the
subscription to the shares for building it, transferred
to them by the Unitarian society by deed dated April
7, 1S44. It was repaired in 18-")1 and in 1870. Since
the purchase of the meeting-house a parsonage has
been built and fitted up.
A communion set has been presented to the church
by Mrs. Mary Twiss and her children, and a legacy
of two hundred and fifty dollars — now amounting to
nearly lour hundred dollars — was left by Miss S. Lue
Lawrence to purchase a bell to be used on the church.
The desk w;is supplied by ditlerent persons, for a
short time each, until 1841. Since that time the
ministers have been, —
Kev. Mason Ball, 1841 to 1844 ; Rev. Aaron Ilayee, 1814 to 1845 ; Hev.
Aniasn Brown, 1846 to 1847 ; Rev. David HurrmigliB, 1849 to 1864; llcv.
Samuel JoneH, 1856 to 18.7 ; Kev. John II. Th.vng, 18.'.7 to 1868 ; Kev.
Samuel f'ouk, 18."i8 to 1859 ; Rev. Amos W, nuanlnian, ls.'i9 to 1861 ; Rev.
J. llankwfll, 1863 to l«6.'i ; Rev. Ji>liii IVacock, IHI'.ll, nearly two yettrs ;
Rev. Eli P. NoyiM, 1868 to 1870 ; Rev. .Mbort lleald, 1870 to 1876 ; Kev.
J. II. Lerned, 1877 to 1879 ; Rev. Gorham W. Eetabrook, 1879 to 1881 ;
Rev. i;. J. f'olconl, 1881 ; Kev, T, A. llowaiil, 1885.
The Methodist Society.— Rev. Orlando Hinds,
who commenced his labors here in 1829, is said to
have been the first Jlethodist preacher in Amherst.
His immediate successors were A. M. Howe and J. C.
Cromack.
The first Methodist society was organized in 1839.
The first Quarterly Meeting of which any account
has been preserved was held September 19, 1834, at
which John Haseltine, Isaac Weston and William
Brown, of Amherst, Freeman Nichols, of Merriniiick,
and William Coggin (2d), of Mont Vernon, attended
with the presiding elder. At that time the societies
in Amherst and GofTstown were united, and the Quar-
terly Meetings were held alternately in both places.
236
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Rev. James Adams supplied the desk in 1837 and
1838, and Rev. Levi W. Davis in 1839 and 1840.
But little is found in the records from 1834 to
1840. In 1840 the record closed. After this, preach-
ing was supplied occasionally by members of the
Biblical Institute at Concord.
In the autumn of 1830 the erection of a chapel was
commenced, which was finished in the course of the
following winter, and dedicated to the worship of
God April 22, 1840, on which occasion a sermon was
preached by Rev. Jared Perkins,
In the afternoon of the same day a temperance lec-
ture was given in the chapel by Rev. IVIr. Jones. In
1845 and 1846 preaching was furnished by Rev. A.
H. FuUerton, and in 1847 by Rev. Caleb Dustin.
The record is resumed in 1850, when a Conference
meeting was held. In 1852, Franklin Furber supplied !
the i)ulpit. After this the prospect was far from en- j
couraging for the society, as we read that
"There was no reason to think that the church wiis open much of the
year, fur ttie cohwehs gathered withiu it, the Minds were closed and
darkness rested un tlie Itearts of uiauy."
In 1854 a social gathering or tea-party was held at
the residence of Deacon B. B. David, to raise funds for
renovating the chapel and supporting preaching.
The effort w!»s successful, and Rev. Charles Merrill
was placed in charge as preacher, and, as a result of
his ministry, quite a number of young men were
added to the church. During his ministry the
communion plate formerly used by the Unitarian
church in this town was presented to the society by
Mrs. ('harles G. Atherton.
Mr. Merrill remained here two years, and after his
departure preaching was .supplied for some time by
members of the Biblical Institute.
About 1857 a Mr. Seeley was sent here as a supply.
He remained one year. In 1858 and 1859 the desk
was supplied by Messrs. Tucker, Hammond, Clip-
penger and others from the institute.
In 1860, ('harles Pyke was sent here as a preacher.
Froin 1861 to 1866 the chapel was closed. After this
time it was again opened, and a member of the
Boston Seminary supplied the desk a short time. He
was followed by Levin P. Causey, who also remained
but a short time, and services were again suspended.
In 1871, mainly through the eflbrts of Mrs. Shiry
W. Few, the chapel was painted and refitted, and an
effort was made to sustain preaching.
Rev. B. W. Chase commenced his hibors here in
the fall of 1871, and his report at the close of the
year was a favorable one. lie continued here two
vears, and his ministry was successful. '
He was succeeded in 1872 by Rev. George W. Ru-
land, who continued here until 1874. Since then the
ministers have been, —
1874, Rot. J. Mowrcy Bean, until 1876 ; 1876, Ee». J. K. Bartlett,
until 1877 i 1877, Rev. W. It. Dille, until 1880 ; 1880, Rev. James Noyes,
until 1881 ; 1881, Rov. I. Ainsworth.
Since Mr. Ainsworth the pulpit ha.s been supplied
by various preachers, among whom may be mentioned
Rev. George W. Riiland, Rev. Mr. Johnson and
others.
Mr. Ainsworth relinquished his charge and left the
denomination before the close of the year, and the
church is now united with that in Milford.
The chapel was enlarged and remodeled in 1879 at
an expense of little more than fourteen hundred
dolbu-s.
Meeting-Houses. — At a meeting held August 6,
173.'i, the proprietors voted to build a meeting-house
ou the plot of ground lately laid out for the jiurpose.
February 14, 1737-38, they voted to build a meet-
ing-house, forty-five by twenty-two feet, the posts to
be twenty-two feet in length, finish the outside, and
build a pulpit by the last day of October, "come
twelve months." Captain Joseph Parker, Ensign
Thomas Tarbox and Lieutenant Cornelius Tarble
were chosen a committee "to build it or lett it out."
July 11, 1738, Captain Ebenezer Raymond and Mr.
John Wiles were added to the committee, and, as
Captain Parker declined serving. Captain Joseph
Richardson was chosen to serve in his stead. At this
meeting an assessment of three pounds was made on
each right, to defray the expense of building the
house and laying out a second division of lots.
December 27, 1738. The 16th day of Jlay follow-
ing was selected as the day on which to raise the
frame of the meeting-house, and Captain Ebenezer
Payment was desired to make provision for the same.
May 10, 1739. Twenty shillings for each right was
ordered to be paid to the treasurer for defraying the
meeting-house charges, etc.
May 20, 1741. A tax of one hundred and eighty
pounds was levied on the rights for the purpose of
finishing the meeting-house and defraying other
charges.
December 14, 1742, John Shepard, .lonathan Tar-
l)le and Timothy Fuller were appointed a committee
to agree for finishing the meeting-house, but, October
18, 1743, the proprietors
" VoUd that'a committee, consisting of .Toseph Prince, Samuel Walton
and John Sheijard, must gitt the meeting-house hoarded, the flower laid,
the bodyeeets made up, the pulpit made, and the Doors made and hung
as soon as can he."
February 10, 1743-44, they
" Voted that they wili due something toward finishing the meeting-
house : viz., Clapboard it, make the witidow-frames, crown and glazo
them, point the ground pinting, and prime the flew boards, window-
frames, sashes, and doors, and, in case there is not an Indian war, the
next fall, Ittith and phu^ter the walls and ceiling, as the conuuitteo shall
think fit."
Deacon Tarble, Captain John Shepard and Mr.
Ebenezer Ellenwood were a]ipointed a comniiltee to
see the above work done. It was also voted that the
next meeting of the proprietors should be held in the
meeting-house, where, pursuant to this vote, it was
held, June 30, 1744-45.
It is to be hoped that the house was made comfort-
able for their reception; certainly it was no small
AMHERST.
237
undertaking to hold a meeting in suck a place, with-
out fires, in mid-winter.
Provision w;i.s made for finishing the meeting-house
and for meeting other charges at a meeting held
Septemher 21, 1747.
At a meeting held Jlay 23, 1750, they voted that
they would do nothing more to the meeting-house
that year.
June 26, 1751, they "voted to linisli the meeting-
house, or some part of it, this summer," and appointed
Lieutenant Moses Harron, Andrew Br.idl'ord and
Elienezer Lyon a committee to get the work done;
hut, September 26, 1753, they refused "to appoint a
committee to settle with the committee appointed to
finish the meeting-house."
This is the last recorded act of the proprietors in
regard to building an<l finishing the meeting-house,
an undertaking which occupied about fourteen years.
After the incorporation of the town it seems to have
passed into the possession of the town, and its preser-
vation became, for a time, a town charge.
As the population of tlie town increased, the house
became too small to accommodate the people who
resorted to it on the Sabbath. Hence, perhaps, the
visitors from Mon.son, who had no meeting-house of
thi-ir own, and paid nothing for the support of
preaching, were unwelcome guests. Some traces of
the feeling against them may be found in the recorded
votes of the town at that time.
July 23, 1767, the town was asked to allow the men
to occupy the whole of the front gallery of the meet-
ing-house, and also "to appoint seats for the Quires-
ters to .set in, in order to improve Psalmody, or relig-
ious singing; " but l>oth ajjplications were denied.
March 14, 1768, Daniel Campbell and lienjamin
Taylor were appointed a committee " to make so
much more room in the meeting-house as they shall
think jjroper," and X13 Ss. 6rf. was voted to defray
current charges.
.loscph Steel and William Wallace protested against
tliisgrant of money, ilcclaring that they would not pay
any part of it until it was decided whether the house
belongeil to the i)roprietor.-i or the town.
December 4, 1771. Amherst was now the shire-
tijwn of the county of Hillsborough, and accommoda-
tions were needed for the sessions of the courts. The
town had already voted to build a new meeting-
house, and at a meeting held this day they
" Voted lo give, grant anri fiiruvcr quit-ilulm nil our rlglit, tIMo, Intcr-
nt, t-laini and property uf. in and unto unr uM nicoting-liuumj in wild
AniliorBt to tlio Juaticcfl of tlio r«urt of Ucucnil Scwions of Pence in
and for thin County for the u»o of the County, reserving to oumelvea tlie
rlglil to congrogntu In wiiil liouso from tinui to time, ns »o uuiy ko meet,
fur tlie spnco of two yenrn from this time, nitlioul hnving llio liou«o nmde
inrnijvenlent for our meetiiigK during thnt titoi-, nnd reserving tlic riglit
of n moving the rnlpil from tlieliouw ut uiiy time during the two yea™
ftforemid, I*rovided the .lurttieeN cnuw? n new County jail to bo erected
wHhiu ICO rods of the meetinghouse as it now stjtnils ; otiiorwise, the
•hove vote nnd every clause therein contuluod to bo void."
The jail was "erected," the new meeting-house
wa.s built, and the old one passed into the possession
of the county, destined, ere long, to be removed to
" the plain," and to be puriiiod by fire.
The Second Meeting-House. — At a meeting held
October 4, 1770, the town voted to build a meeting-
house for public wonship, and to set the same upon
the most convenient place on the training-field, in
said town, and make it seventy-five feet in length and
forty-five feet in width. They also voted to raise one
hundred and fifty jjounds, lawful money, to defray the
expense of building said bouse.
Kobert Read, Samuel JIcKeaii, Archelaus Towne,
John Shepard, Jr., and Moses Nichols were appointed
a committee to superintend the work of building
the house, and they were authorized to settle and fix
upon the particular spot of ground in said field on
which to erect it.
October 25, 1770. At a meeting held this day the
town voted to " cut the meeting-house short of
what had previously been voted five feet, and the
same in width, viz., five feet." They directed the
building committee to add to the house " a steeple at
one end and a porch at the other end thereof"
The committee was also directed to cause the frame
of the house to be raised, boarded and shingled within
twelve months from that date. The height of the
sills from the ground was left to their discretion, and
when any particular job of work was needed toward
the building of the house they were to notify the
people and employ those who would do it on the most
reasonable terms.
Armed with these directions, it would seem that
the committee was prepared to go forward ; but a
storm was gathering. The people of Monson, so re-
cently annexed, were dissatisfied. They had lived in
the old town twenty-four years with no public build-
ing but a i)oun(l, and to be called upon to a.ssist in
building a meeting-house was a new experience.
The settlers around Shcpard's mills, in Amherst, dis-
liked the plan. The people in the northwest part of
the town objected to it, as it added half a mile to their
journey to meeting, and it w'as ol)jected to by Chest-
nut Hill folks on the same ground; and a meeting was
held November 6, 1770, in the interest of the disaf-
fected ones, to see if the town would " vacate, annul,
destroy and make void every act or vote of said town
lately passed, relative to building a meeting-house on
the training-field in said town," to see "if they will
enlarge the ])rescnt meeting-house so as to make it
convenient for the people to meet in for some time to
come," and, fintdly, " if they should be induced to
build the house expressed in their late vote, to see if
they will vote to set it in the centre of the town."
The above queries were summarily disposed of at
the meeting. On the aiticlc first nameil the town
"voted in the negative,^' the meeting being ipialitied.
They then " voted to ratify, establish and confirm
every vote heretofore passetl relative to the new
proposed meeting-house." They also voted to dismiss
the consideration of the next two queries.
238
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Another effort to change the location of the houSe
was made at the annual town-meeting, March 11,
1771, at which propositions were made " to reconsider
the vote already psissed for setting said house on
the plain.'' "To see if the town, upon consider-
ation (if a far superior place, with respect to under-
pinning said house, dry land and a location nearer
the centre of the town, will vote to set said house on
the west side of the road, near the shop of Mr.
Cheever, so called," and, if voted in the negative, "to
see if they will chuse a court's committee to establish
a place for said house," all of which were rejected.
Thomas Wakefield Wii-s chosen " new meeting-house
treasurer," and the work of building went forward.
At a meeting held August 26, 1771, the town voted
that the building committee " provide drink for rais-
ing the meeting-house — that is,' for the spectators,
&c."
"loferf, tbat said Coniniitteo procure New England rum for the raising
tlie nieeting-honse frame in this town fur such &a shall do the labor of
raisiDg, and for all spectators, according to their discretion, not exceed-
ing eight barrels." Vott'il^ also, *' that said Committee provide for the
raising of said house one barrel of sugar (brown sugar) for the use of
the laborers and spectators, to be distributed according to the discretion
of said committee."
The committee was also authorized to procure a
sufficiency of victuals and drink for such as should
labor in raising said house, while laboring, viz., one,
two or three meals a day, as the laborers should re-
quire. They were also directed to hire the Gem, etc.
What the " Gem " was does not clearly appear ; but,
with the ample preparations made by the town and
the amount of victuals and drink provided for the
occasion, the fathers must have had a spirited
raising. Doubtless they lifted with a will, and the
massive timbers were slowly set in their places under
the direction of the master-builder. Deacon Barker.
During the intervals of relaxation from the solid
work before them, running and wrestling-matches
were in order, in most of which, if tradition is to be
believed, "Sam" Wilkins, the miuister's son, after-
wards deacon of the church, was the chief champion.
His greatest exploit on this occasion was that of run-
ning a short distance with the chairman of the build-
ing committee, who weighed about the sixth of a ton
avoirdupois, upon his shoulders.
At a town-meeting held December 4, 1771, it was
voted to allow the accounts of the committee ap-
pointed to build the new meeting-house, and the ac-
counts of the workmen employed by them.
The town also voted that they woulil finish the
outside of the new meeting-house next summer,
clapboard and glaze it, and finish the steeple every
way complete, and lay the lower floor in said house.
One hundred and sixty pounds, lawful money, was
granted to defray the expense that has already arisen
in building the house, and the building committee
was authorized to com]>lete the work above mentioned.
November 14, 1772, the town
'Voted to sell hy auction the pew-ground on lhe^owe^ tloor of the
uieeting-houee to tho highest bidder of the inhabitants of this town, th»
money arising from the sale to be ap])lied to defray the expense of lin-
isliiug the house."
Daniel Cami)bell, Joseph Gould and Stephen Pea-
body were appointed a committee to sell said pew-
ground ; Daniel Campbell refusing to serve on the
committee, Epliraiin Hildreth w'as appointed in liia
stead.
By a vote of the town, passed at this meeting, there
were to be three tiers of pews on the south side, one
tier on the north side and two tiers each on the east
and west ends. Alleys were to be left between the
pews and seats and between the pews. The size of
the pew-ground lots was left to the discretion of the
committee. The sale of the pew-ground was to be
within one month from the time of this meeting, and
the purchase-money was to be paid into the meeting-
house treasury within three months from the time of
the sale.
The pews were ordered to be built within twelve
months from this date, and in a uniform manner. If
they were not built within the time and in the manner
specified, the sale of the ground to the person or per-
sons failing to comply with the conditions was to be
void.
The house was so far completed that it was formally
dedicated to the public worship of God on the 19th
day of January, 1774, which date, curiously painted
in gold, in old English letters, on a panel in front of
the singers' gallery, directly opposite the pulpit, has
been, in bygone years, an enigma to more than one
of the younger members of the congregation. Of
the gathering on that occasion and the sermon
preached by Mr. Wilkins no written records remain.
Tradition affirms that the discourse was, to some ex-
tent, a historical one, treating of matters connected
with the settlement of the town and the formation of
the church. If so, its loss is to be regretted.
After the public services at the meeting-house it ia
said that the visiting clergymen were entertained at
the house of Pastor Wilkins. While partaking of
their dinner, of which hasty pudding and milk
formed a part, the newly-elected deacon, " Sam "
Wilkins, told them a ludicrous story of his exper-
ience in catching a sheep, which [ileased the reverend
fathers, and "the jiudiling flew well."
March 14, 1774. A proposition to choose a com-
mittee to procure a good bell for the meeting-house
was rejected by the town ; also, one to " allow the
singers a seat in the new meeting-house that Psalm-
ody may be carried on with greater regulation."'
Fifty pounds sterling money was voted to defray the
new meeting-house charges, etc.
June 22, 1774. Daniel Campbell, Lieutenant Ken-
drick and Israel Towne, Jr., were appointed a com-
mittee to examine the accounts of the meeting-house
and pew committees.
March 9, 1778. The town voted that the seats in
the front gallery in the meeting-house, from the
AMHERST.
239
oilmen's seats to the first pillar in the men's, be
ranted for the use of a number of persons skilled in
-iMging, and Ephraini Barker, William Low, Amos
-tickney, Abijah Wilkins and John Kimball were
a|ipointed a committee for seating said seats.
Mareli 31, 1779. The town voted to accept the
• l>ort of the committee appointed to adjust the
lounts of the new meeting-house and pew eommit-
I I'S.
October 30, 1815. A committee, consisting of Wil-
am Low, David Stewart and Andrew Leavitt, having
ported that the meeting-house needed some repairs,
ic town voted that said committee be authorized to
• ake such repairs as were necessary.
.March, 1818. The town refused to purchase stoves
■ r the meeting-house.
For several years eflbrts were made to induce the
wn to provide for warming the meeting-house dur-
ing Sunday services; but when the matter was brought
up in town-meeting a majority of the voters steadily
refused to make an appropriation for the puri)Ose.
Perhaps they thought it well to have the temperature
of their house of worship as unlike as possible to that
of the reputed abode of lost spirits. AVood was
cheap, and they could assemble at the taverns near
by, where mine host always had good fires burning,
around which they could gather, talk politics, discuss
the forenoon's sermon, — the two being frequently
identical, — drink flip or something stronger, watch
the boys and get in good shai)e for the afternoon's
campaign. The fairer half of creation took refuge
in the neighboring houses, where they were welcomed
to good tires and, just as the bell rung, furnislied with
a plenty of live coals to fill the fire-boxes in the little
foot-stoves they carried.
So they worshiped. Some, however, were not
satislied, and occasionally used the columns of the
Cabinet to give vent to their feelings. One of these,
who evidently had a realizing sense of what was be-
fore him and his fellow-sufferers, thus wrote in the
Gibinet of December 26, 1818,—
" Kvon the ImlianM hnvo STOvna in their iiu-eting-houso. Is it not
«sli>niflhing Ihiit cirUizrtt awl eitlighleneil |M-op|p huvc none ; but tliiit they
Dciirly frvi'/j- Uu-mst^-Ui-H ami cliiliirfii ovt-ry Sul'lmtti in tlic winter,
whi-n the trifling rxpf nno nf oik ihAlitr i-ucli wuiil<] inulfc thoin comfort-
mbli! ? A wonl to ttic frozen will, we liuiie, be sulBcioDt to make thuui —
w«T»lher-wi»e."
The subject was again brought up at the next an-
nual meeting, but the town refused to take any action
upon the subject. Finally, in 1824, some stoves were
procured by individual subscriptions and jilaced in
the meeting-house.
Si ill, the lioii.se was a cold, uncomfortable place,
until it wa.s removed and remodeled in 183G. Alter
that time foot-stoves were disjiensed with, and the few
that now remain are shown as curious relics of the
past.
March, 1821. The town voted to sbingle the meet-
ing-house and make such repairs of the clapboard-
ing and dours of the same as were necessary; also
voted to paint the house, and William Fisk, William
Low and David McCJ. Means were appointed a com-
mittee to procure the work done. They were author-
ized to examine the steeple, and, if they thought
proper, take it down and build a cupola in its place.
The sum of five hundred dollars was placed at their
disposal to lay out for the above, and for such other
repairs as they might see fit to make upon the
house.
In the winter of 1832 a movement was made for
the sale of the house, the town reserving certain rights
and privileges in the same. The matter was brought
before the town at the JIarch meeting in that year by
appropriate articles in the warrant calling the meet-
ing.
March 14, 1832. The town voted to sell the meet-
ing-house at auction, and the sale was finally made, the
First Congregational Church and Society in Amherst
being the inirchasers, and the projjcrty was transferred
to them by the committee appointed for the purpose.
In August, 1836, the meeting-house was removed
from the spot " on the training-field " where the
fathers placed it, sixty-five years before, to the place
it now occupies.
January 1, 1837, the repairs on the meeting-house
being completed, it was again occupied by the society
for Sunday services. The exercises on this occasion,
under the direction of the pastor. Rev. Silas Aiken,
were appropriate and of a very interesting character.
The centennial anniversary of the dedication of the
second meeting-house was celebrated w^ith appropriate
services on Sunday, January 18, 1874.
The house had lately been thoroughly rejiaired and
a new organ built.
The house is now in good repair, and its massive
timbers promise a continuance for centuries. Long
may it be spared from the fire and tempest, a con-
necting link between present ami bygone generations.
CHAPTER IV.
AMnERSr— {Continued).
Anihontt ns the County -Seat — Schools — Aurean .\caden»y — Po8l-0fllce« —
The Pre<« — The .\iuheret Journal and New llainpdliiro Advertiser —
The Village Me*M'lig('r — The Fanners' Cabinet — Tlio Mill8bort>UKh
Telegraph— Tlie Amherst lleiuld — The PiHcataqiia Kvangeliail Maga-
zine— Hanks — The Ilillaborough Hank — Fanners' Ihink — Social Liter-
ary — The Franklin S4tcii*ty— JMiwonic — I'hysicians^Collego (^raihiatcs
— Civil History — ^loderutors— Selectmen— Representative*— Population.
An attempt to divide the province into counties
was made in the House of Representatives .Tanuary
22,1750; but it failed to receive the concurrence of
the Council.
The subject was brought U)) in the Council at a
session held in March, 17(ii1, at which time votes were
passed for dividing the province into counties
and fixing their lioundaries. In these votes the House
concurred.
24(1
lllSTdltV (>|- II ir-LfJ BOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
March 20, 1769. The Council voted that one
Superior Court, four Inferior Courts of Common Pleas,
and four Courts of General Se.-'sions should be held an-
nually at Amherst for the county in which it was in-
cluded.
This vote was returned by the House the next day
without concurrence, as they were in some doubt
whether the courts should be held in Amherst or
Jlcrrimack ; but they jirofessed a williuguess to abide
by the decision of the Council.
After liearing the statements of parties interested,
the question was put to the Council whether Amherst
should be stricken from the vote and Merrimack ))ut
in its place, and it was decided in the negative.
The vote of the Council was then concurred in by the
House.
The meeting-house belonging to the town was pre-
sented to the county for a court-house, and was sub-
sequently moved from its original location, at the
junction of the roads near the house now occupied by
P. W. and Thomas Jones, to a site on the Plain, north
of the soldiers' monunieut, where it was burned by an
incendiary on the night tbllowing the loth day of
March, 1788.
A jail was built shortly after the organization of
the county, which now forms a part of the old jail-
house building, and some forty years later the stone
jail building was erected.
At a meeting held March 31, 1788, the town voted
to grant eighty pounds toward the erection of a new
court-house. John Patterson, Captain Josiah Crosby,
Samuel Dana, Esq., Daniel Campbell and .Tames Ray
were appointed a committee to superintend its erec-
tion, and its " location, form and figure " were referred
to the committee and the selectmen of the town.
The second court-house was built on the spot now
occupied by the dwelling-house of David Russell,
Esq. After the brick court-house was built it was
sold and removed to the westerly part of the Plain,
where it was fitted up for a chapel, for which it was
used several years, when it was again sold and fitted
up for tenement dwellings. It is still standing near
the foundry buildings. AVest of it, as it was originally
located, and near by, were the whipping-post and
pillory, — those " terrors of the law " to evil-doers among
the fathers. The wiiippings inflicted, we may judge,
varied in severity according to the disposition of the
officer who inflicted them. In one instance, still re-
membered, the culprit was told privately that he
" should not be whipped very liard," but was directed
to make a terrible outcry every time he was struck.
After the State prison wiis built the pillory and
whipi)ing-]post were dispensed with, and but very few
persons now living can remember them.
In this second court-house the giants of the legal
profession in New Hampshire, from 1787 to 1822,
were wont to congregate at the semi-annual sessions
of the Hillsborough County courts. Here came Jer-
emiah Mason, Jeremiah Smith, the elder Plumer,
William Gordon, David Everett, the elder Athertons,
Levi Woodbury, George Sullivan, Arthur Livermore,
Samuel Bell, Parker Noycs, Judge Richardson and
others of lesser note; and liere, greatest of all, Daniel
Webster made his maiden argument before Judge
Farrar. He had finished the study of his profession
in the office of Christopher Gore, a distinguished
jurist in Boston, and had been admitted to the Suf-
folk County bar, on motion of that gentleman, in
March, 1805. A few weeks later he visited Amherst,
and argued a motion before Judge Farrar's court
with such clearness that the presiding judge remarked
to his associates: "That young man's statement is a
most unanswerable argument," and at once granted
the motion.
The town of Concord having presented a petition
to the General Court, asking to be annexed to the
county of Hillsborough, and that one-half of the
courts then held at Amherst might be held in that
town, the people of Amherst, at a meeting held A|iril
28, 1785, voted their unwillingness that the petition
should be granted, and chose Joshua Atherton, Au-
gustus Blanchard aud Samuel Dana, Esqs., a com-
mittee "to show the General Court the reasons of
their unwillingness." Colonel Robert Means, then
representative of the town, was instructed to ass'st
the committee, who were directed "to confer with
other towns relative to the premises before hearing
the petition."
The people of the towns in the northern part of •
the county requiring greater conveniences for the
transaction of their business before the courts, the
Legislature passed an act, which was approved De-
cember 25, 1792, [Providing that the May term of the
Superior Court and the September and December
terms of the Court of Common Pleas and General
Court of Se.ssio!is, held annually at Amherst, should
thereafter be held at Hojpkinton, at the same time
they had been held at Amherst, jirovided that the
said courts should be held in or as near the meeting-
house in said llopkinton as they could conveniently
be, and that the act should be null and void if, at the
expiration of two years from its passage, the town of ■
Hopkinton had not erected a suitable house, free of '
expense to the county, in which to hold said courts.
The required building was promptly erected, and
Hopkinton became a half-shire town of the county,
and so continued until the formation of Merrimack
County, in 1823. A jail was also erected there, which
continued to be used by the county of Merrimack
after its incorporation until the completion of the
new jail at Concord, in 1852.
A committee appointed by the town to examine
and report, among other things, what part of the
common the town should appropriate for a court-
house, on condition that the town should have the
privilege of using the same for a town-house, reported,
at a meeting held September 21, 1818, recommending
that the town should grant the county a right to
AMIIKRST.
241
erect a court-house and the necessary buildings for
the accominoilation of the same on the common, in
front of the huryinfr-grouml, placinir the bacic thereof,
as far as may be convenient, into the burying-ground,
provided the town shall ever have the privilege of
using the house to hold their meetings in.
The present court-house was erected shortly after.
By an act of the Legislature, approved December
I'S, 1844, it was jirovided that a term of the Court of
Common Pleas should thereafter be held at Man-
chester.
An act passed July 12, 185G, provided that a term
of the Superior Court should be held at Nashua.
An act was passed June 29, 18G4, i)roviding for the
removal of the county records to Nashua.
The records were removed in ISGC.
A jail having been built at Manchester, the jail,
iail-house and small house near by, in Amherst, and
I lie land around them, owned by the county, were
<old at auction, October 8, 1807.
The land on which these buildings stood was pre-
sented to the county by Jonathan .Smith, in 1771.
By an act of the Legislature, ajjproved July 15,
187!», the May term of the Superior Court held at
Amherst on the firet Tuesday of May, annually, was
abolished, and a term of the court was ordered to be
held in its stead at Nashua and Manchester, alter-
nately, on the tirst Tue.tday of May, annually.
This comjileted the removal of the Hillsborough
County courts from Amherst, where they had been held
wholly, or in part, for one hundred and eight years.
On the removal of the courts, the court-house,
agreeably to the provisions of the deed given the
county in 1824, became the property of the town.
It has since been fitted up for a town-house, and
contains a large and convenient town hall, rooms for
the town officers, the town library and a fire-proof
safe for the preservation of the town records, etc.
We find no record of any schools in Souhegan West
prior to its incorporation as a town. I'robably
private instruction was given by -Mr. Wilkins, or
some other (jualified person, to such as desired and
could afford it.
At the annual meeting of the town U\ 1762 a vote
was jias-sed " to keep a school this year in five
divisions, the selectmen to divide," by which we may
understand the selectmen were to divide the town
into five divisions or districts and emphiy a teacher,
who should spend a part of his time in each district, j
No mention is made of any effort being made to
secure an appropriation for schools in the years 17(i3,
17(55 and 17GG. In 17(!4, 17(17, 17(1.S and 17(i9 the
town refused to make any appropriation for that pur-
pose ; also, at a special meeting held in May, 17t>9.
Finally the matter became a serious one. The
>electmen were in danger of being " presented" for
neglect of duty in the matter of schooling. So the
town voted, at a meeting held December 12, 17(59,
that "they will keep a school a part of this vear,"
and granted the sum of £13 6». 8rf. to defray the ex-
' pense of so doing.
At the annual meeting, March, 1770, they
*' Voted, to keep a scliool tlie CDSuiug yeur to teach the children to
! read, write and cypher."
But no record remains that any money was appro-
i priated for teachers.
March, 1771. Twenty pounds, lawful money, was
voted for schooling, and the town directed that " the
school should be kept some part of the time in several
parts of the town." Also, voted that the people oC
the town "keep as many schools as they think fit^
and each family that does keep a school shall be en--
titled to draw their proportion of the money above
granted."
At a meeting held March 9, 1772, the sum of
£26 13s. -id. was granted for the support of schools
that year. In 1773 the article in the warrant for the
annual meeting relating to schools was referred to the
selectmen.
A proposition to build several school-houses and to
choose a committee to complete the same was rejected
at the annual meeting in March, 1774.
The lots reserved lor schools by the proprietors of
the township seem to have been sold about this time,
as we find in the warrant for the meeting held March
13, 1775, an article, " to see if the town would allow
that part of the town that was originally called Am-
herst to use the interest of the money their school-
right was lately sold for in private schools," which
they refused to do.
No record remains of any provision being made for
schools in the years 1775, 1776 and 1777. Other mat-
ters of serious import engrossed the minds of the
people in those years; but it is jirobable that tho
schools were not wholly neglected.
At the annual meeting in March, 1778, it was
" Voted, to keep a gruiimitir hcIioo] tlic om^nin^ .veur.'*
And on the cover of the first volume of the town
records are the following entries, in the handwriting
of Colonel Nahum Baldwin, town clerk and first
selectman that year. April 27, 1778,
"Agreed with Mr. VVilliuni King to keep a town schotjl at fi». per day,
and boani him. Sunie day opened B'd xchool. .Inly 27, 1778, AKreod
with .Mr. Urown I^niertton to keep a flcliool in tlilH town at 'M>a. p'r qiiar*
ter. yo school conuneni-ed thitt day,
"N. n.. Town Clerk."
These were warlike times, and the fathers used war-
like terms in the transaction of their business. So we
find them voting, March 8, 1779,
*' That tho town bo divided into sqnadronH at the iliHcretion of the ho-
loctmen, that tho lidnihitantj) may bo tho belter ncconiniodatod with a
Hchool, and that each fl(|nadroii have their |Hirt of tho money tliatitliull
bo ralseil Tor w-hoolin)^, i'roviileil they lay it ont for that purpose.*'
The sum of three hundred pounds was granted for
the support of schools this year at an adjourned meet-
ing hclil March 31st.
In March, 1780, the sum of six hundred pounds
waa voted for the support of schools, and the manner
of keeping them was referred to the selectmen.
242
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
At the March meeting in 1781 the town voted to
raise ten thousand pounds for schooling this year,
and that "the schools be kept by each neighbourhood
classing together." It may be well to remember
that this was in thedays of the depreciated Continen-
tal " fiat " money. Tiie next year tliey had reached
"" hard pan," as they voted eighty pounds for the sup-
port of schools. The same amount was appropriated
in 1783.
In 1784 they did better, and appropriated one hun-
dred pound.s, and directed the selectmen to divide the
town into school districts, and each district had
liberty to lay out their money as they pleased.
The sum of one hundred and fifty pounds was
voted for schools in each of the years 1785, 1786 and
1787.
At a meeting held 10th of April, 1787, the town
viited to keep a grammar school in the centre district
this year, on condition that the district shall make up
to the master in a private way what their proportion
of the school money falls short of an adequate salary.
A disposition was manifested at this meeting to se-
cure the services of such persons as teachers in the
schools as were qualified tor the work, and a commit-
tee, consisting of Rev. .leremiali Barnard, Rev. John
Bruce and Augustus Blanchard, Esq., wa.s appointed
" to examine the abilities of school-masters and mis-
tresses," and it was voted that none but those that
were recommended by them should be employed by
any district as teachers of schools.
It was also voted that if any district should not
school out their money within one year from the time
it was granted, it should be paid into the town tre;is-
ury for the use ofthe town.
One hundred and fifty pounds annually was granted
for thesup|>ort of schools from 1787 to 171*8, inclusive.
At the annual meeting in March, 1789, the town
voted to excuse a number of pei-sons who liad joined
themselves together for the support of an academy in
this town from the payment of any school tax so long
as they should support the proposed academy. The
use of the town-house for school purposes was also
granted to them.
Lotteries were popular in those days, and we find
that when the projectors of the academy asked the
Legislature for an act of incorporation they asked for
the grant of a lottery to enable them to support it.
The Senate, however, gave them leave to bring in a
bill for the incorporation ofthe academy only.
In December, 1791, a petition was presented to the
Legislature by the academies in Amherst, Atkinson,
Charlestown, Chesterfield and New Ipswich, asking
for the grant of a lottery to enable them to raise five
thousand pounds, which they proposed to divide
equally among those institutions; but tlie application
was postponed to the next session, and was finally un-
successful.
February IG, 1791, Joshua .Vtlierlon, Samuel
Dana, Robert Means, William Gordon, Daniel War-
ner, John Shepard, Robert Fletcher, Nathan Ken-
dall, Jr., Samuel Curtis, Joseph Blanchard, Samuel
Wilkins and Daniel Campbell, Esqr's., William
Read, Nathan Cleaves, David Danforth, Isaac Bald-
win, John Eaton, David Stewart, Tliomas Gilmore,
Samuel G. Town e, James Roby, John Watson, Jere-
miah Hobson, Ebenezer Taylor, Jonathan Smith, Jr.,
and Ephraim Barker, of Amherst ; Moses Kelly, of
GofTstown; Isaac Cochran, of Antrim; Timothy Tay-
lor and Jacob MacGaw, of Merrimack ; and Stephen
Dole, of Bedford, and their successors, were, by the
Legislature ofthe State, formed into, constituted and
made a body politic and corporate, by the name of the
Aurean Academy, which corporation was empowered
to transact all business necessary to the support and
maintenance of an academy, the end and purpose of
which was declared to be "to encourage and promote
virtue and ])iety, and a knowledge of the English,
Greek and Latin languages, mathematicks, writing,
geography, logic, oratory, rhetoric and other useful
aud ornamental branches of literature."
An organization of the corporation was efl'ected
shortly after, and the school went into operation under
the charge of Charles Walker, a son of Judge Timothy
Walker, of Concord, N. H. He was succeeded by
Daniel Staniford, Henry JFoore, Jesse Ai)pleton, Wil-
liam Crosby, William Biglow, Joshua Haywood, Wil-
liam Abbott, Daniel Weston, Peyton R. Freeman,
James McPherson and Thomas Cole. The school was
in successful o])eration for some years, but it was fin-
ally closed in 1801 for lack of adequate funds for its
supi)ort.
A select school was kept in the village during the
summer months for several years afterward. Among
the teachers employed in this school were Ephraim
P. Bra<lford, George Kimball, James McKean Wilkins,
John Farmer, Samuel Whiting, Abel F. Hildreth and
(xideon L. Soule.
The sum of ten thousand dollars was left to the town
of Amherst by the will of the late Isaac Spalding, of
Nashua, the same to be paid in one year from the
death of his widow, and kept as a perpetual fund, to
be kiKiwnasthe "Sjjalding fund," theannual interest,
dividend or income of which is to l;e added to the
school money raised by the town in each year, and
expended as such money is now, or hereafter may be,
by law required or authorized to be expended.
Post-Office. — William Gordon was appointed post-
master at Amherst, l)y the President and Council,
February Ui, 1791.
Since the organization of the Post-Ofiice Depart-
ment by the general government the postmasters have
been, —
Samuol Ciirlis; 18(«, Kmiiol I'riur: ims. gaiiiurl Foster; 18i)9, Eli
Brown ; 1812, Anroli Whitney ; 1819, JiMlidiuli K. Smith ; 182fi, Isaac
Spalding; IS.'", John Prcniiea ; 1829, liavid I'ndcrliill ; ISll, Aaron
Lawrence ; 1849, Charles II. Tuttle ; 1852, David Russell ; 1863, Timothy
Danforth; 185ii, Nathaniel H.George; 1801, Hollis K. AlibotI ; 1868,
Clmrlee Biohardson; 1809, Horace E. Woodherry ; 1876. Wilson I). For-
•aith.
AMUKKST.
243
A post-office was established at Amherst station in
August, 1881, undiT the name of " Danfortli " post-
office, and Charles II. Mackay was appointed post-
master. Mr. C. E. Smith is the present incumbent.
A telephone-office was opened at the telegraph-
office in the house of Dr. Edward Aiken, on the Plain,
July 7, 1882. It is now in the store of Mr. A. F.
Sawyer.
The Press. — The Amherst Journal and Xew Hamp-
iihire AdvcriUcr, commenced by Nathaniel Coverly,
January 16, 1795, wa.s the first newspaper published
in Amherst or in Hillsborough County. It was
printed on a sheet, eighteen by twenty-two inches, and
issued weekly. In the centre of the title was a cut
of the national eagle, bearing a shield of generous
dimensions, which gave the paper quite a showy ap-
])earance. Its reading-matter was made up of selected
stories, news from abroad, from two to four months
old, and very little of local interest. Mr. Coverly's
son became associated with him in the publication
of the paper, April 24, 1795, and it was discontinued
at the close of the year.
77ie Village Me»»enger succeeded the Journal, Janu-
ary 6, 179(;. William Biglow was the editor; William
Biglow and Samuel Cashing, publishers. This paper
was a decided im|irovenient upon it.s jtredecessdr, and
made a very creditable apj)earance. Mr. Biglow soon
relinquished the editorial chair, but Mr. Cushing
continued the publication of the paper until April 18,
1797,"when he retired, and the establishment passed
into the hands of Mr. Samuel Preston, by whom the
Messcnr/er was published until December 5, 1801, when
it was discontinued.
The Fa'-inern' Cabinet, Joseph Cushing editor and
proprietor, succeeded the Messenger, November 11,
1802. Mr. Cushing continued its jmblication until
October 10, 1809, when, becoming involved in the
failure of the Hillsborough Hank, he sold the estab-
lishment to Mr. Richard Boylston, at that time a
journeyman printer in his office, who continue<l its
publication until January 3, 1840. His son, Edward
D. Boylston, then became associated with him in its
management, and continued as.sociate editor until his
removal to Manchester, in Ai)ril, 1843, when the
si'uior editor again assumed the entire charge of the
jiaper. In August, 1848, his son again became asso-
ciated with him in its numagement, and January 1,
1851, became sole proprietor by purchase, the senior
remaining associate editor until 1856. In January,
1869, Albert A. li >lch, son-in-law of the editor and
a graduate from the office, became iussociate editor,
and still contiMUes as such.
The Jlitlslnirnugh Telegraph, Elijah Mansur editor
and ])ubli.sher, was comnu^nced January 1, 1820, and
discontinued July 13, 1822. It was a well-conducte<i
and well-printeil paper.
The Aiiiheml lleralil, published by Thomas <i. Wells
and Nathan K. Scalon, was commitu-cd .January 1,
1825, and eontimir(l iiiilil l)ecciiilirr of iliat year,
when it was united with the New Hampshire /Statesman
and Concord Register. It was the offspring of the
Unitarian Controversy of those times, and advocated
Unitarian views.
■Quite a number of books and pamphlets were printed
; at the above-named offices, and, with a view of enlarg-
! ing his business as a publisher, Mr. Cushing, shortly
before he left town, erected the three-story brick build-
ing, on the Plain, for its accommodation, which he
left in an unfinished state. Hence it was for a long
time called "Cushing's folly."
Dr. Samuel Curtis, a citizen of the town, published
a Pocket Almanack or Xew Hampshire Register, from
1800 to 1809 inclusive, which was printed l>y Mr.
Cushing from 1804-9.
The Fiscataqua Evangelical Magazine, conducted
mainly by President Appleton, at that time the min-
ister of Hampton, was jirinted by Mr. Cushing from
.Tanuary 1, 1806, until March, 1808.
Banks. — The IIiLLsisoitouGH Bank was incorpo-
rated June 18, 1806, for twenty years, with a capital of
from §50,000 to $200,000. The corporation was organ-
ized July 23, 1806, when Samuel Bell, Charles H.
Atherton, David Everett, Frederick French and Daniel
Prior were chosen directors. Samuel Bell was chosen
president and David Holmes cashier by the directors.
The first bills were issued October 17, 1806, and
were of the denominations of one, two, three, five and
ten dollars. They were printed on Perkins' stereo-
type plates.
Being authorized to issue bills to double the amount
of the capital employed, the directors availed them-
selves of the privilege, as business was good and the
money in demand.
Shortly after, in consequence of the course the gov-
ernment thought proper to adopt in reference to the
troubles with tireat Britain, the commerce of (he
country was destroyed an<l its business ]>aralyzed. It
became difficult to turn i>ro])erty into money, and
the bank sull'ered in conseiiuenee. The holders of its
obligations were clamorous for their money, but the
bank found it difficult to obtain its dues from its
debtors to meet them.
The banks in the commercial centres, which had
contracted their circulation to some extent before the
storm, were better prepared to meet it. Viewing the
country banks as rivals, they pursued an unfriendly
course toward them. Finally the bill-holders, losing
confidence in them, disposed of their bills to specula-
tors at a discount, who at once presented them for
payment.
In this emergency, after redeeming its bills until its
specie was e.\liaustcd, the Hillsborough Bank, August
23, 1809, suspended payment. September 26, 1809,
its bills were at ten and twelve and one-half per cent.;
October 17, 1809, at fifty per cent, discount. Many of
the active luisine.ss men of the place sull'ered severely
by its failure, and sonu> terribly bitter pamphlets were
written and publisheil in regard to its management.
244
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
For years nny connection with the management of
the "Old Hillsborough Hank" was deemed a reproach
by many of the citizens of Amherst.
Farmers' Bank. — A charter for a new batik at
Amlierst was granted by tlie Legislature at its session
held in June, 1822. The grantees, under this charter,
met at Ray's Hotel .lanuary 31, 1825. At this meet-
ing they voted to carry the provisions of their charter
into effect as soon as practicable. The capital stock,
$65,000, was subscribed for at once, and February 12,
1825, the corporation was organized by the choice of
Charles H. Atherton, James Wallace, Edmund Parker,
Robert Means, Robert Read, Daniel Adams and Aaron
F. Sawyer as directors. The board of directors organ-
ized immediately after by the choice of Charles H.
Atherton as president and John Prentiss cashier, who
served in those offices during the whole period of the
e.xistence of the bank. The bank went into operation
April 11, 1825. The capital of $65,000 was fully
paid in, and during its existence it furnished for cir-
culation nearly $5,000,000. The bank was quite suc-
cessliil in its business, its semi-annual dividends
averaging three and one-half per cent.
March 12, 1847, Charles H. Atherton gave notice
that he was prepared to make a final close of the
affairs of the Farmers' Bank, by paying the stock-
holders their stock in full, with a small surplus.
May 1, 1839, an attempt was made to rob the Farm-
ers' Bank by an Englishman, who gave his name as
John Jones. The cashier was awakened and suc-
ceeded in securing the burglar before he had accom-
plished his object.
At the session of the court held in September fol-
lowing he was sentenced to ten days of solitary con-
finemeTit, and imprisonment for life at hard labor in
the State prison. His real name was said to be John
Honeyman.
Amherst Social Library. — Samuel Dana, Joshua
Atherton, Jeremiah Barnard, Samuel Wilkins, Daniel
Campbell, John Shepard, D;iniel Warner, Robert
Fletcher, Jonathan Smith, Samuel Curtis and their
associates were, by an act of Legislature ai)proved
June 21, 1797, incorporated as the Amherst Library
Society.
This society continued in existence about thirty-
five years. It was finally dissolved and its books sold
at auction February 25, 18.32.
The Franklin Society was organized September
16, 1S07, for tlie improvement of its members in
literary i)ursuits. It consisted of a number of young
men who met every second Wednesday for the dis-
cussion of literary subjects, declamations and the
reading of original compositions.
The following list of members is copied from the
book of records:
Herman .\bbott, Samtiol AblK)tt, Abnihnm Andrews, Chnrlos H. .\tb-
crton, John P. Batcliflder, Julin Hiirnani, .Toseph Belt, Wiltiam Claggett, i
Katlian It. Clough, JoBepli Cuttliing, Kli»ba K. Ktani, Caleb Kmersun,
Lutlier Farley, John Fanner, Allen Fisk, llenjnmin F. French, William I
Gordon, Alonzo S. t.roenvitle, Levi Ilur^tliorn, .tacub Holmes, Joshna '
Holt, Eugene Hutchinson, Isaac Hill, fJeorge Kimball, Joseph B. Plan-
ning, J>avid McG. Means. William F. Morrison, Harrison (i. Otis, .Tr.,
Kdmund Parker, James Perkins, Robert lUad, David Secombe, JIatthias
Spalding. Jr.. Gustavns Swan, Ebcnczer Taylor, Jr., Henry J. Tndor,
.\ndrew Wallace.
Freemasonry. — A charter for Benevolent Lodge,
No. 7, F. and A. 51., was granted by the Grand Lodge
pf New Hampshire, April 26, 1797, and the lodge was
organized on the last Tuesday of May in that year.
Samuel Dana was appointed Worshipful Master; Jo-
nathan Gove, Senior Warden ; and Luther Dana,
Junior Warden.
This lodge continued in successful operation quite
a number of years, and many of the citizens of Am-
herst were connected with it as members. At last,
as a majority of its members resided in Milford,
Brookline and Wilton, at a meeting held March 20,
1826, it was voted unanimously to remove .said lodge
from Amherst to Milford, on condition that whenever
two-thirds of the members were in favor of restoring
it to Amherst, the minority should cheerfully acquiesce
in its removal.
Samuel Dana, Daniel Warner, Charles H. Atherton,
Aaron Whitney and Ephraitu Blanchard were among
the citizens of Amherst who served as AVorshipful
Masters of the lodge while it remained in town-. It
became dormant in 1832, but was revived and is again
in operation. There are but two older lodges now in
existence in the State.
Souheg'an Grange, No. 10. Patrons of Husbandry,
was formed December 5, 1873, with sixteen metnbers,
and is now one of tbe largest and most flourishing
granges in the State.
United Order of the Golden Cross was instituted
July 1, 1881, with twenty-seven members; officers
chosen semi-annually.
Physicians. — Mo.'jes Nichols, from Reading,
Mass., settled here as early as 1761, and remained in
practice until his death, in May, 1790. He was an
active and influential citizen, and filled many im-
portant civil and military offices. At the head of liis
regiment, he commenced the attack upon the Hessians
at Bennington, in 1777. He also commanded a regi-
ment at West Point at the time of Arnold's treason,
in 1780.
Seth Ames, from Dedham, Mass., brother of the
celebrated onitor and statesman, Fisher Ames, gradu-
ated at Harvard College in 1764 in the class with
.lohn Wilkins; practiced here from about 1770 to
1777, when, his health failing from the excessive use
of snuff, he relinquished practice and returned to
Dedham, where he died January 1, 1778.
Henky Cod>[AX, son of Henry Codman, an Irish
immigrant, was born in Middleton, Mass. His
mother was a near relative of Rev. Mr. Wilkins. He
practiced here nearly forty years, and died in March,
1812. His son, Henry Codman, practiced in Mont
Vernon a short time, but died young.
Ebenezee Westox, Jr., was in practice here
some years. " Weston's Itch Ointment," of which
AMHERST.
245
tons were manufactured by Read & Spalding, origi-
nated with iiim.
Samvel Curtis, from Sliaron, Mass., graduated
at Harvard College in 1766; was a surgeon in the
army of the Kevolution ; settled in Amherst in 1789,
and was in practice here a few years. He finally gave
up his professional business for that of an inn-keeper.
He also kept an apothecary's store in his tavern;
compiled and published a pocket almanac and register
several years, beside other publications of various
kinds, and served as postnia.ster several years. In his
old age he loved to hear and toll tlic news and relate
rare instances which had ciime under his personal ob-
servation or of which he had heard. Being rather
credulr)us, gome of the stories he reported would have
done credit to the " Pickwick Club." He died in 1822.
MosKS Nichols, Jr., son of General Jloses Nichols,
studied his profession under the direction of his
lather, and conimenecd practice here in 1784 ; removed
to Thornton in 17S7, thence to Canada in 1802; re-
turned to Amherst in 1805 ; remained here until 1811,
when he again removed to Canada. He died at Sher-
brooke, Canada, in November, 1849.
Nath.vxikl Hkxciimax, from Lynn, Mass., settled
here in 1783, and remained in practice until his death,
in May, 1800.
John Mu.s.sey, a native of Kingston, studied his
profession with General Nichols ; settled in Pelhara
in 1766 ; in Amherst in 1791, where he remained un-
til 1800, when he removed to Peterborough, where he
died in January, 1831. He was father of Professor
Reuben Dimond Mussey, the celebrated surgeon and
instructor in surgery.
RonEUS Smith, born in Middleton, Ma.ss., came, in
infancy, with his father's family, to Amherst; com-
menced ]iractice prior to 1804; removed to Mont
Vernon in 1808, thence to Greenbush, N. Y., finally
to Weston, Vt., where he died in 1846. He was
father of Ilev. Asa Dodge Smith, the president of
Dartmouth College from 1863 to 1871.
Matthias Si'Al.r>lN<;,son of Colonel Simeon Spald-
ing, of Ciielnisford, Mass., graduated at Harvard Col-
lege in 1798; studied medicine with Dr. Benjamin
Waterhouse, of Caml)ri(lge, and Dr. E. A. Holyoke,
of Salem, Mass. ; visited ICngland in 1700, where he
attended the medical lectures of Sir Astley Cooper
and other noted physicians and surgeons ; on his re-
turn he commenced practice at Ciielnisford, whence,
in 1800, he removed to Amherst, wiiere he continued
in |>ractice until disabled by the infirmities of age.
He died May 2.5, I860, aged nearly ninety-six years.
CiiAULES F. HiLDRETH, graduated at Harvard
College in 1823; practiced here a short time; in 1824
removed to Boston.
Amurosk Seaton, son (if Deacon J(din Seaton, Jr.,
graduated at Dartmoutli Medical School in 1825;
commenced practice in 1826. About 1830 he removed
to Boston, thence, at a later date, to Greenup, Ky.,
where he died.
Amory Gale, a native of Warwick, Mass., gradu-
ated at Bowdoin College in 1824; practiced in Lan-
caster, Mass., some years; settled in Amherst iu
November, 1834, where he remained until 1839. He
died in 1873.
Francis Pekry Fitch, a native of Greenfield,
who graduated at Dartmouth Medical College in 1831,
commenced practice in New Boston, whence he re-
moved to Amherst in 1839 ; succeeded to Dr. Gale's
business in Amherst, and remained in successful prac-
tice until 1865, when he removed to Millbrd. After
a few years he relinquished practice, and removed to
Vineland, N. J., where he died in December, 1874.
Edward Aiken, son of Rev. Silas Aiken, gradu-
ated at Dartmouth College in 1851 ; succeeded to the
practice of Dr. Fitch in Amherst in 1865. He retired
from practice in 1883 and is now engaged on the re-
cords of the State Secretary, but resides in Amherst.
George W. Moor, a native of Princeton, Jlass.,
graduated at Dartmouth College in 1841; settled here
in July, 1843, and remained in practice until his
death, in September, 1866.
Peyton D. Baker commenced jiractice here ia
1855, but remained only a short time. He removed to
Maine, where he died.
Bradley H. Bartlett practiced in Manchester
and Pittsfield, and was a surgeon in the Civil War;
settled in Amherst iu 1872. In October, 1876, he was
disabled by ])aralysis, and died in December, 1878.
C. M. Doiige practiced here a few months, com-
mencing in April, 1878, and was succeeded by A. C.
Buswell, who remained but a short time.
W. H. Dinsmore settled here in 1880, and is now
in practice in Milford.
Dr. J. H. Mills succeeded Dr. Dinsmore, and died
after one year's practice.
Drs. J. B. Pettexgill ami II. D. Hicks are now
in practice.
Lawyers. — For lawyers see chapter on " Bench and
Bar."
college graduates from AMnERST.i
Harvard Collrtjc.
Jolin Wilkiiis, 17r..l, inatnictor; ilicil at Athens, O., I8n)<, iigcnl 08.
jBCob Kimbull, 1788, farmer ; died at Aiuheret, Auniist 1, 1849, agod
8L
CharloB H. Atherton, 1791, lowyor ; divdat Aiuber»l, January 8, ISM,
ttgcd 79.
Daniel Weslon, 1795, clergyman ; died In Maine, 1837.
William Gordon, 180G, lawyer ; died at Hratlloboro", Vt., Jonuary
12, 1871, uged 8:1.
Jonatiian V. Dann,2 1813, physician ; died In New York City, April,
1827, aged ;l:i.
Samuel L. Dann, 1813, chemist ; died in Lunell, Mass., March 11,
18G8, aged 72.
John H. Wilkins, 1818, bookseller; died in Bualuu, December ft, 1801,
nged 07.
Charles n. Atherton, 1822, lawyer; died In Manchester, November II,
18K1, aged 49.
Stephen R. Holmes, 1822, Instructor; died at wa, Januory 11, ls;l(l,
aged 28.
I Names of those living In 1882 are In itnlica.
' Name changed to James by Legislature of MassachuseUs.
246
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NPJW HAMPSHIRE.
iJartmoutfi College.
Joshua Hayward, 1795, clergyiuan ; died November 11, 1814, aged 51.
Reuben D. Mtiaaey, I8(i:i, physician ; died June 21, ISOC, aged 80.
James MvK. Wilkins, lsr2, lawyer; died June 18, 1855, aged 70.
Levi Hartliorn, 1813, clergyman ; died September 22, 1819, aged 33.
Allen Fisk, 1814, InstrucUir; died September 18, 1875, aged 86.
Ambrose Seatou, graduate of Medical College, 1825, physician ; died
April n, 1800, aged 61.
Charles F. £lliott, 1829, physician ; died Juno 23, 1876, aged 72.
Edivard Sjiatdithj, 1833, physician.
Charles K. Parker, 18:i4, physician ; died August 23, 1882, aged 69.
WUUatn liead^ 18^19, physician.
Kdward H. I'ratt, 18-11, physician ; died November 15, 1857, aged 51.
.\Ifred Spalding, graduate of Medical College, 1843, physician ; died
December 20, 1878, aged 63.
Edtrttrit ,-litcn, 1851, physician.
John II. Clark, 1857, physician.
Charles II. Wallace, 28.57 law student ; died .lune 21, 1801, aged 25.
Vaola J. Hartshorn, 1860, clergyman.
JVarren Vpham, 1871, civil engineer.
Dartmoulh Univer/titi/.
Samuel Whiting, 1818, lawyer.
Boixdniti College.
Robert Itleans, Jr., 1807, lawyer; died September 26, 1842, aged 56.
William Appletun, 1820, lawyer ; died October 19, 1830, aged 21.
James Means, 1833, clergyman; died .\pril, 1803, aged 50,
Amherst ('oUege.
WiUiam O. lialdtvin, clergyman.
.John E. Wheeler, 18.57, clergyman.
William B. Claris, banker.
Williains College.
Edward C. liavifl, lawyer.
William G. David, physician ; died .Vugust 17, 1877, aged 46.
MODERATliltS OK THE ANNIAL TOWN-MKETINGS,
John Ooffo, 1700.
William Poabody, 1761, '62, 'M, '05, '06, '76.
Kbeuezer Lyon, 1763.
Moses -Nichols, 1767, '69, '70, '71, '73, '77.
Eobert Rea<l, 1708.
Samuel McKean, 1772.
Kenjamin Kendrick, 1774.
Daniel Campbell, 1775, '88.
Nahum Baldwin, 1778.
Josiah Crosby, 1779.
Siimuel Wilkins, 1780, '81, '82, '83, "84, '89, '93, '97.
John Shepard, Jr., 1785, '86, '87, '90, '94.
Samuel Dana, 1791, '92, '95.
William Gordon, 1796.
Daniel Warner, 1798.
Jonathan Smith, 1799, 1801, '02.
Robert Means, 180O, '08, '09.
Jcdcdiah K. Smith, 1803, '04, '05, '06,
■'24.
John Scconibe, 1810, '16, "25, '26, '27, '28, '29, '.30, '31,
■•37.
Charles II. Atherton, 1815, '38, '40, '41.
Edmund I'arker, 1818, '19, '20, '21, '22,
Hubbard Newton, 1839.
Daniel Campbell, Jr., 1842, '43, '44.
David Stewart, 1845, '46.
Levi J. Socomb, 1837, '48, '49, '82, '65.
Lemuel N. Patlee, 18.50, '51.
Perley Dodge, 1K.53, '54.
Clmrles II. Campbell, 18.56, '57, '58,
Charles II. Tuttle, 1800, '0.5.
William A. Mark, 1867, '68, '09, '7n,
Bradley II. Dartlett, 1876, '70.
Brooks R. Came, 1777.
Joseph IJyron Fay, 1878, '79.
George W. Boswcirlh, 1880, '81.
Frank P. Mace, 1882.
<;eorgo E. IIolbrook,l»8.3, '84, '85.
'11. '12
'13, '14,
, '32, ':«,
17, '23,
•34, '36,
'.35,
.59, '01, '02, 'ftt, 'i'>l, Oii.
73, '74.
TOWN CLEKKS.
Solomon Hutchinson, 1760, '61.
John Shepard, Jr., 1762, 'M, '64, '65, '66. '67, '68, '70, '71, '72.
Thomas Wakefield, 1709, '79, '80, '81, '82, '&3.
Moses Nichols, 1773.
Sanuicl Wilkins, 1774, '75, '76, '77, '84, '85, '86, '87, '88, '89.
Nalium Baldwin, 1778.
Joshua Lovejoy, 1790, '91, '92, '93.
William Fisk, 1794, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99, Is.lli, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05,
'00, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11.
John Ellenwood, 1812, '13, '14.
Robert Read, 1815, '16, '17, '18, '19, '20, '21, '22, '23, 24, '25, '26, '27.
James Colhurn, 1828.
Ambrose Seaton, 1829.
John Prentiss, 1830, '31.
Andrew Wallace, 18.32, '33, '34, '35, '36.
aiarles L. Stewart, 1837 to September 16, 1838.
David Stewart, September 16, 1838, '39, '40, '41, '42.
David Russell, 1S43, ^44, '45, '40, '47, '48.
Lemuel Bissell, 1849.
Albert Hardy, 1850 to June 2.3, 1851.
Charles B. Tuttle, June 23, 1851, to March, 1852.
Daniel .\. Fletcher, 1852, '53, '54, '55, '50.
Charles B. Tuttle, 1857.
Charles H. Wallace, 1858 to October 9th.
Charles B. Tuttle, October 9, 1838, to March, 1859.
Daniel Fletcher, 1859, '60.
George F. Stevens, 1801, '02, '63, '64, '05, '66, '07.
Charles N. Merrill, 1868 to December 8tb.
Albert A. Rotch, December 8, 1868, to March, 1869.
Joeeph B. Fay, 1869, '70, '71.
Wilson D. Forsaith, 1872, '73.
Albert A. Botch, 1874, '75, '70, '77, '78, '79, '80, '81, '82, '83, '84, '85.
SELECTMEN.
Solomon Hutchinson, 1700, '02.
William Bradford, 1700.
Reuben Mussey, 1700, '61, '69, '70, '71, '76, '77.
Joseph Gould, 1760, '76.
Thomas Clark, 1760.
William Pealiody, 1701, '62.
John Shepard, Jr., 1701, '02, '03, '04, 'ft-j, '00, '07, '08, '70, '71, '72, '83.
Thomas Wakefield, 1701, '62, '63, 04, '05, 06, 67, '68, '69, '70, '71,'76,
'77, '78, '79, '80, 'SI, '82, '83, '84, '85, ■86.
Robert Beiul, 1761, '02, 'r>.3, '64, '08.
Daniel Campbell, 1763, '64, '70, '71, '74, '75, '.SO, '81, '82. 'S3, '87, '88,
'89.
Samuel Stewart, 1763.
.lolm Graham, 1704.
Andrew Bra<lford, 1765.
Moses Nichols, 1705, '68, '73.
Nathan Kendall, 1765.
Samuel McKean, 1760, '72.
Beniamin Taylor, 1700, '07, '09.
.lamey Seaton, 1700, '70.
Ebenezer Weston, 1707, '74, '75, '81, '82.
Hczekiah Lovejoy, 1707.
Samuel Wilkins, 1768, '73, '74, '75, '70, '77, '80, '82, '83, '84, '85, '86,
•87, '88, '89.
Israel Towne, Jr., 1769, '73, '80.
Nahum Baldwin, 1709, '78.
Stejiben Peabody, 1770, '72, '73, '79.
Benjaniin Kedrick, 1771.
Thomas Burns, 1772, '85, '80, '87.
John Patterson, 1773.
Josiah Crosby, 1774, '75, '77.
Stephen Washer, 1774.
Peter Woodbury, 177.5, '76.
Solomon Kittredge, 1777.
Amos Flint, 177S.
John Harvill, 1778.
John Burns, 1778.
Nathan Hutchinson, 1779.
Timothy Smith, 1779.
Bct^amin Davis, 1780, '81.
Kli Wilkins. 1781, '82, 83, '84, '85, '86, '87. '88.
Joshua Lovejoy, 1784, '85, '86, '87, ",I0, '91.
AMHERST.
247
Au^iHtiifi niHnchard, 1784.
David Piinforth, ITSS, '8'.l, '04, ",(5, '9C, '97, '98.
Ilenjariilii Iliilchilison, 1788, 'OO, 'SI, 'X, "9.1.
Ahijah Wilkins, 1789, '90, '91.
GeorRe Hurns, 1789.
William Ki»k, 17'.«1, '91, '02, '»:!, '94, "J,5, '96, '97, '9S, '99, 1800, '01,
'02, '03, '1)4, '0.'), '00, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '13, '14.
Stephen Kemlrick, 1790, '91, '92, '93.
.Io»>ph Langilell, 1792, '93, 'M, '95, "JG, '97, '98, '09, 1800, '01, '02.
David SUwart, 1794, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99, 1800, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05,
'OC, '07, '08, '09.
.Facoti Kendall, 1794, '95, '90, '97, '98, '99, 1800, '0.3.
Ebcnezer Taylor, 1799, 180O, '04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '13,
'14.
JohD Sccombo, 1810, '11, '12, '13, '14, Hi, '18, '19, '20, 21, '22, '23, '24,
'2.1, '2C, '27, "28, '33, 'M, 'X,.
Edmund Parker, 1815.
Elijah Putnam, 1815, '17.
Daniel Campbell, Jr., 1815, 'Ifl, '17, '18, '19, '211, '21, '22, '23, '24, '25,
■41.
Israel Fuller, 181C, '17, '18, '19, '20, '21, '22, '23, '24, '25, '26, '27, '28,
'32, '44.
Thomas Wilkins, 1820, '27, '28, '38, '39, '40.
.lohn 51aik, 1829, '30.
Davii* Stewart, Jr., 1829, '30, '31, '33, '34, '35, '30, '39, '40, 'll.'J-'.
Bartholi)niovv Dodge, 1829, ':)ll, '31, '30.
William Slelendy, 1831, '32, '44.
John liazeltine, 18.12.
Charles llichardson, 1833, '34, '35.
Ephruim Blanchard, 18:10.
Israel Fuller, Jr., 18.37.
Elhridge Hardy, 1837.
Nathan Dane, 1837.
Daniel Hartshorn, 18;S8.
.Kb<'l Downo, 1838.
Levi J. Sccomb, 18:19, '40, '41, '42, '43.
Eli .'Jawtell. 1842, '4:1.
William J. Weston, 1843, '44, '45, '46, '47, '48, '60, '51, -.vj ■-.:i 'on,
'61, '82, 'i'kI.
Jothnin Hartshorn, 1845, '46, '47, '51, '52, '53, '54.
AlUrt Riddle, 1845, '40.
Charles II. Carapljell, 1847.
Jamis ('. Follansbee, 1848, '49, '.".O.
George Walker, lH-18.
Tiniolliy Hartshnni, 1849.
Foster Wynlt, 1849, "50.
Daniel Fleteher, lS.'iO, '51.
Jonathan Knight, 1852, '53, '01, '02.
Abial Steele, IS.'.:!, '54.
.loseph Mare, 1854, '55, '50, '57.
Benjamin B. Whiting, 1855, '.'iO, '57.
Will.ird Haydeii, 1855.
Willanl Danforth, 1866, '57, '58.
William A. Slack, 1858, '.'>9, '1)3, 'G4,'07, '08, '09.
Joel F. Osgoml, 1h-'>8, '59.
JoBlah W. Pillsbnry, ISC^).
James U. Hasclliiie. 180O.
Charles llicharilsun, 1801.
Asa Jaijnith, Jr., 180'2.
Ftanrls K, Boutell, 180:1, '04, 'OS, '07, '08, '09, '70, '77.
Daniel Cnmi, 180-1, '6.5, '00.
Barnabas H. David, 180,5, '06.
James r. Prince, 181'*, '07, 'OS, 09.
TliMiiiasM. Ilarvill, 1870, '71, '81.
Charles I,. Ilradfurd, 1870, '71.
I.evl Hartshorn, 1871, '72.
Joe. ph Ityrnn Fay, 1872, '73, '74.
Broi.ks II. Came, 1872, '7:i, '74, '76.
Thomas .lones, 187:t, '74, '75, '70.
Aaron Smith Wilkins, 1875, '70, '77.
Isaac It. Doilge, 1K70, '77, '78.
Daniel W. Trow, IK78, '7ft, '80, '81.
Mark I'litnum, 1878, '79, '80, '81.
Lntlier CogKin, 1879.
William I'nitt, 1880, '81.
Josiph B. Trow, 1882, '8:!, '84.
John H. Coggin, 188i, '83, '84, '85.
Joel H. Fisher, 1882, '83.
F. A. Holbrook, 1884, '85.
C. S. Parker, 1885.
Prior to 1803 five selectmen were chosen annually;
since tliat time, but three.
Representatives.— Amlierst was classed with Bed-
ford liir tlie choice of a representative to the General
Court, under the provincial government. The first
meeting for the choice of a representative from the
classed towns, of which a record has been found, was
held at Bedford meeting-house, March 4, 1702, at
which Colonel John (iofle received forty-six votes
and Captain Jloses Barron thirteen votes. Colonel
Goffe, having a majority of the votes, was declared
elected, and served as representative of the district,
under this and subsequent elections, until the abro-
gation of the provincial government.
Paul Dudley Sargent was the deputy from .\mhcrst
in the first Provincial Congress. His expenses were
defrayed by private contributions.
Paul Dudley Sargent was chosen a delegate to the
second Congress, which met January 25, 1775.
Paul Dudley Sargent and Moses Parsons repre-
sented the town in the third Congress, which met
April 21, 1775.
The same gentlemen represented the town in the
fourth Congress, which met May 17, 1775.
Moses Nichols and Nahum Baldwin were chosen
delegates to the fifth Congress, which met December
21, 1775.
On the 5th day of January, 177G, this Congress
adopted a temporary constitution, to continue in force
during the "present unhappy and unnatural contest
with Great Britain."
It then resolved itself into a "House of Represen-
tatives for the Colony of New Hampshire." Provi-
sion was made that precepts, in the name of the
Council and Assembly, signed by the President of
the Council and Speaker of the House of Rei)resen-
tatives, "should issue annually on or before the 1st
day of November, for the choice of a Council and
Hou.se of Representatives, to be returned by the third
Wednesday of December, then next ensuing, in such
manner as the Council and Assembly shall hereafter
prescribe." Since the LSth day of December, 17T6,
the representatives have been as follows:
Mo8C« Nichols, 1770, '77, '81, '82.
Peter Woodbury, 1770.
Joelah Crosby, 1777, '78, '79, '82.
Reuben Slusaey, 1778.
Stephen I'eabody, 1779.
.Samuel Wilkins, 1780.
Nahum Baldwin, 1780.
Robert Means, 178.1, '84, '85, '8«, '8<.l.
Thomas Burns, 1783.
William Peubwly, Jr., 1787, '88.
Daniil Warner, 1790, 'Ul, from Juno 10, 1793, '94, '95, '90, '97, tu
August '2:1, I71I8,
Joshua Atlierton, 1702 (resigned, vacancy not filled,) '93, to June loih.
William Fink, from August 23, 1798, '09, from August 27, 18U4, '05
'00, '07, '08, 'Oil.
William llnidforri, 1800, '01, '02.
Jodcdhih K. Smith, 18o:i, to August 27, isiil.
248
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
William Low, 1810, '12, '14.
Edmund Parker, 1813, '15, '17, '18, '19, '20, '21, '22, '24, '25, to June 5,
18215.
Clifton Clnggett, 1816.
Charles 11. Athcrton, 1823, '38, '39.
Kobert Ki'ud, June, 1826, '27, 28.
David llcG. Moans, 1829, '30.
John Seconibe, 1831, '32, '33.
Daniel Citmpbell, Jr., 18.34, "35.
David Stewart, IMC, '43.
rerley Dodge, 18;i7, '53, '51.
Andrew Wallace, 1810, '41.
Barnabas B. David, 1S42.
Richard Bojiston, 1844, '45, '40.
Levi J. Seoomb, 1847, '48.
Lemuel X. Pattee, 1849, '50.
Daniel Fletcher, 18il.
■William Wetherbeo, 1835, '59, 'CO.
Charles H. Campbell, 1856, '57, '58, 'Ki, 'CA.
Jotham Ilartuhorn, 1861, '62, '71, "72.
Aaron Lawrence, 1865, '66.
William Clark, 18r.7, '68
William A. Mack, 1869, '70.
Ilarrieon Eaton, 1873, '74.
Joseph B. Fay, 1S75, '76.
Frank Hartshorn, 1877.
Thomas Jones, 1878, '79.
Albert A Rotch, 1880, '81, '82.
Isaac B. Dodge, 1S83, '84.
Uarrison Eaton, 1885.
Population. — Fourteen families were settled in
town at the time of Mr. Wilkins' ordination, Sep-
tember 23, 1741.
Thirty-five families, in which were fifty-eight men
above sixteen years old, remaitied in town May 13,
1747.
The whole population of the town in 1767 was 858;
1773, 1370; 1775, 1428; 1783, 1909; 178G, 1912; 17'J0,
2369; 1800, 2150; 1810, 1554; 1820, 1622; 1830,1657;
1840, 1565; 1850, 1613 ; 1860, 1508; 1870, 1358; 1880,
1225.
In 1767 there were 421 males and 437 females.
In 1773 there were 692 males and 678 females.
In 1775 there were 697 white males and 747 white females.
In 1790 there were 1147 white males and 1214 white females.
In 180U sexes not given in census.
In 1810 there were 760 white males and 784 white females.
In 1820 there were 779 males and 840 females.
Id 1830 there were 809 white males and 842 white females.
In 1840 there were 735 males and 830 females.
In 1850 there wei-e 777 males and Ki6 females.
In 18i:0 there were 710 males and 798 females.
In 1870 there were 644 males and 709 females.
In 1880 there were 596 males and 629 females.
The number of families in 1810 was 235 ; in 1820,
281 ; in 1850, 328 ; in 1860, 345 ; in 1870, 355 ; in 1880,
338.
Average number of persons in each family in 1810,
6J ; in 1880, 3J.
Of the inhabitants in 1880, 965 were natives of
New Hampshire, 118 of Masisachusetts, 27 of Maine,
21 of Vermont, 16 of New York, 4 of Pennsylvania, 3
of Connecticut, 2 of Wisconsin, 1 each of New
Jersey, Kentucky, Minnesota and California, 52 of
Ireland, 8 of England, 3 of Canada and 1 each of
Germany and Scotland.
The population of the village precinct in 1880 was
434 ; of the outer districts, 791. In the precinct were
181 males and 253 females. In the outer districts
were 415 males and 376 females.
The whole white population of the town in 1830
was 1651. The whole population of the town in 1880
was 1225, — a loss in fifty years of 426.
Of the whole population in 1830, 1259 were under
forty years of age and 392 were forty years old and
upward.
Of the whole population in 1880, 704 were under
forty years of age, and 521 were forty years old and
upward, showing a loss of 555 in the population
under forty years of age, and a gain of 129 in the
population forty years old and upward, in fifty years.
In the censuses of 1767 and 1773 the ages of some
of the inhabitants and the number of each sex are
given as follows :
MaUt.
1767. 177,3.
Boys of 16 years old and under 200 330
Unmarried men between 16 and 00 years ... 63 109
Married " " " "... 135 237
Men above 60 years 17 13
Slaves 2 2
FenuUt:4.
Unmarried 270 412
Married 147 24S
Widows 18 19
Slaves 2 2
In the census of 1775 the population is classified as
follows :
Boys under 10 years old 343
Men 16 years old and under 50, not in the army .... 200
Men 50 years old and upward 63
Men in the army 81
I'emales 747
Colored persons— sex not stated 4
In the census of 1790 the population was not classi-
fied.
In 1800 there were 31 colored persons in the first
parish. Of whites, 630 were under sixteen years of
age, and 809 sixteen years old and upward.
At the same time there were 2 colored persons in
the second parish, 325 white persons under sixteen
years of age, and 353 sixteen years old and upward.
In 1810 and 1820 the white population was classi-
fied thus :
Main.
1810. 1820.
Under 16 years of age 369 328
Of 16 and under 26 years 148 151
Of 26 and under 45 years 130 141
Of 45 years and upward 123 158
Femiiles.
Under 16 years of age 336 316
Of 16 and under 26 years 153 176
or 26 and under 45 years 130 141
Of 45 years and upward 160 163
In 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880 the difier-
ent classes of population were as follows :
Matef.
1830. 1840. 1850. 1860. 1870. 1880.
Under 20 years of age . . . 429 345 334 265 237 222
Of 20 and under 40 years. . 20t 200 211 198 156 1.31
Of 40 and under 60 years. . 110 115 155 158 151 134
Of 60 years and upward .. 66 75 77 89 100 109
ui »Kuk \»tr ( u tta>l
^-^^^^^^ VV/V^x/c/
!
I
VMIIKllST.
249
I'nilor 2o^'fiir8 uf age , .
Of 2U und undur -lo yeure .
Of 40 und under Gtt years .
Of GO yean nnd upward .
384 370 332 207 233 182
242 224 235 233 191 169
127 15G 166 173 164 148
89 8{> 103 120 121 130
Iq the census of 1783 the selectmen stated that
there were in town two hundred and fil'ty-nine dwell-
ing-houses and two hundred and lorty-seven barns.
In 1820, tour hundred and four of the inhabitants
Were engaged in agriculture; one hundred and
twenty-two in nianufai-tures and ten in trade. The
ministers, doctors and lawyers were classed as manu-
facturers.
The censuses of 17G7, 1775, 1778, 1783 and 178G
were taken by the selectmen; those of 17'.KI, 1800 and
ISIO' by Colonel Daniel Warner; that of 1820, by
Oajitain John Sjecombe; 1830, by Stephen Peabody,
Es(j. ; 18oU, by Robert Moore, Esq.; 1860, by Charles
Richardson, Esq. ; 1870, by J. Abbott Marsh, Esq. ;
1880, by Isaac Brooks Dodge, Esq.
Copies of the censuses of 1810 and 1820 may be
found in the library of the New Hampshire Historical
Society ; of those of 1850, 1800 and 1870, in the State
Library at Concord; and 1880, in the office of the
clerk of the courts of Hillsborough County, Nashua.
The organization of the Hillsborough County Agri-
cultural Society was completed at a meeting held at
Hardy's tavern, February 8, 1848. Dr. Peter P.
Woodbury was chosen president ; Edward D. Boyls-
ton, trciisurer ; and David Stewart, a member of the
executive committee.
This society held a fair at Amherst October 1 and 2,
1851, which was considered one of the most success-
ful ever held in the county.
The society held several fairs subsequently, at
various places, but finally disbanded.
BIOGRAl'lIIGAL SKETCHES.
I8AA(; BU00K8, ESQ.
Isaac Hrooks, Es(|., .son of Isaac and .loanna
(llolden) Brooks, was a native of Woburu, Mass.,
born August 16, 1757. Much interest attaches to his
biography, as he was one of the early teachers in this
and .several of the neighboring towns, as also the
fourth register of deeds in Hillsborough County.
At the age of nineteen (Decendier 2, 177li), .Mr.
Brooks entereil the office of Dr. John Hale, of Hollis,
N. H., aa a student of medicine, where he remained
but a short time. Dr. Hale having received an ap-
pointment as surgeon in the United States army.
At precisely what date he came to Amherst is not
known, but a diary in the hands of his grandson,
Isaac B. Dodge, Es<|., makes it cert.iin that it was
l)reviou3 to 1784, and that during 1787, 1788 and 1789
he was employed in teaching in several parts of
Amherst, and that he was also a student in the Aureau
Academy here four months in the last named year.
August 3, 1790, he commenced a school in New
Boston, contracting for three months, at six dollars
per month, one-half in money and the other half in
grain, keeping a horse. April 6, 1791, he closed a
school in Lyndeborough, of ten weeks, at thirty-six
shillings per week, excluding horse-keeping. He also
tauglita day-school in Merrimack and a writing-school
in Temple, his diary containing the names of all the
scholars attending these several schools. He married
Miss Abigail Kendrick, amost estimable lady, daughter
of Benjamin Kendrick, Esq., of Amherst, and sister
of the mother of President Franklin Pierce. Soon
after, with her, he returned to Woburn, where he cul-
tivated a farm, and in 1793 was elected clerk of that
town, serving also as tax collector in 1794. In that
year he removed to Wilton, N. H., with his family,
having purchased a small place there of Luther Dana,
Esq., a merchant of Amherst, who assisted him in
opening a small store. Here he continued uncil
November 30, 1801, when, becoming discouraged from
the illibcrality of his reception, supposed or real, and
want of success in business, as well as depressed by the
loss of his first-born, he disposed of his place to one
Sampson Keyes, of Westford, Mass., a blacksmith,
and took up his permanent residence in Amherst.
Being a fine penman and having much reputation as
a scholar, he soon obtained employment as a clerk in
the oflice of Jonathan Smith, Esq., register of deeds
for the county. Awaking on the morning of October
5, 1802, to find the ofHce vacant, in consequence of
the incumbent having departed to parts unknown,
through the persevering efforts of his friends, in si)ite
of much [lopiilar op]>(]sition, he secured the appoint-
ment to fill the vacancy thus occasioned, and entered
upon its duties October 9th, and continued therein
for nearly twenty-six years, being annually re-elected
thereto by the peoj)le, a majority of whom, for most
of the time, were his opponents in i>olitics. His long
continuance in this oflice was duo to the reputation
he had attained as a teacher, his excellent chirography
and his excellent business qualities. At the head of
his diary, alluded to above, stands the key-note of his
life, to which it was ever closely attuned: "Method
in busines-s is the surest guide; he who neglect.s it
frei|Uently stumbles, and always wanders per])loxed,
uncertain and in ilangcr."
Soon after entering upon the duties of his office he
purchased an unlinished house, recently erected by
Ejjhraim Blanchard, being then centrally situated,
the same as is now owned and occupied by his grand-
son. This he linisheil for his own occupancy, and
there resided until his decea-se. This was the first
house to show glass larger than seven by nine, being
furnished with crown-glass nine by twelve. Here the
records of the county were kept.
Mr. Brooks was a gentleman of strict integrity and
marked purity, a peinliar feature of bis mind being
250
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
extreme conscientiousness and sensibility, which, in
tlie diary alluded to, he thus accounts for, and probably
with much correctness: " The want of health, and my
early misfortunes, have so clouded my mind as to
make me to be and appear the most singular being,
let me be where I will."
Mr. and j\Irs. Brooks united with the Congrega-
tional Church in Amlierst, under the pastoral charge
of Eev. Jeremiah Barnard, September 6, 1807, and
ever witnessed a good profession. lie died December
20, 1840, at the age of eighty-three. His children
were, Isaac, who died at Wilton, aged four years;
Luther Dana, died August 22, 1829, aged thirty-four;
and Abigail, the widow of Ninian C. Dodge, died at
Amherst, January 22, 1872, aged sixty-five. A fine
monument has been erected upon the family lot, in
the west cemetery, by his only grandson, Isaac Brooks
Dodge, Esq.
HOX. OHAKLES H. CAMPBELL.'
Hon. Charles H. Campbell, the youngest son of
Captain Daniel and Susan (Story) Campbell, was born
in Andierst, April 24, 1827 ; received an academic edu-
cation ; commenced teaching school at sixteen years
of age; followed teaching and farming several years ;
settled on the ancestral farm and engaged in farming
and cattle-dealing until ISOti, when he disposed of
the larger part of his real estate in Amherst, and re-
moved to Nashua, where he now resides, engaged in
the real estate and auction business, in which he has
been quite successful, his sales iiggregating, in some
instances, two hundred thousand dollars in a single
month, his business extending over most of New Eng-
land and many of the Western States, and his sales
having been of all kinds of property, the old Hills-
borough County jail, the New Hampshire State Prison
and the Manchester and Keene Railroad included.
He served on tlie Board of Selectmen and on the
superintending school committee of Amherst ; was
moderator of the annual town-meetings nine years,
excelling as a presiding officer; represented the town
in the State Legislature in the years 1856, 1857, 1858,
1863 and 1804, and the old Seventh Senatorial District
in the Senate two years, of which body he was the
president in the year 1872. He also represented
Ward One, Nashua, in the Legislature of 1883, and
presided at the organization of the House of Rep-
resentatives in 1858 and 1883.
Among the many important measures originated by
him and enacted by the IjCgislaturc may be mentioned
the " Act limiting and defining tlie powers and duties
of county commissioners in Certain cases," the "Act
providing for the distribution of the proceeds arising
from the tax on savings-banks, among the towns
within this State where the depositors reside," and the
"Act for funding the indebtedness of the State."
1 Bv I aiiiel F. Secumb.
He took a deep interest in the success of the Union
cause in the recent Civil War, and gave largely from
his private means to encourage the enlistment of
volunteers for service in the army from his native
town, and was appointed by the Governor and Coun-
cil oneof the commissioners to revise the military en-
rollment of the State.
He was one of the leading citizens in planning for
the centennial celebration of the incorporation of his
native town, in 1860, and was the presiding othcer on
that occasion.
In every position in which he has been placed by
the town he was faithful to his constituents, particu-
larly in local matters, and in the protracted political
struggle in the Legislature of 1871 liis untiring vigil-
ance and devotion to his party did much to avert
what at one time seemed an unavoidable defeat.
Of his four children, only one survives, Colonel
George Hylands Campbell, of Boston, who was ad-
mitted to tlie Snftblk Countv bar in 1874.
DANIEL CAMPBELL.''
The year 1719 brought a valuable accession to the
inhabitants of New Hampshire, in the settlement at
Londonderry of a colony of Scotch Presbyterian emi-
grants from the north of Ireland, where their ances-
tors had settled a century before. This first emigra-
tion was followed in succeeding years by others of
their countrymen, and, as the settlement increased in
numbers, colonies went forth and commenced the
settlement of other towns, and, at the close of a cen-
tury, more than one-twentieth of the inhabitants of
the State were numbered among their descendants,
and one of the number was its Governor-elect.
Distinguished for their industry, perseverance, in-
telligence and thrift, the descendants of these Scotch
emigrants have done the State and nation good
service, and ac(iuitted themselves honorably in all the
important stations in which they have been placed.
Among those who came over a few years alter the
first emigration was Henry Campbell and his family.
His father, Daniel Campbell, born in Argylcshire,
Scotland, in 1660, was (as a family tradition asserts) a
descendant of one of the Earls of Argyle. He was an
officer in the army of William, Prince of Orange, and
took part in the battle of the Boyne Waters in 1600,
the result of which seated William securely on the
throne of Great Britain. After the close of the war he
settled in Ireland.
Henry Campbell, born in 1697, married Martha
Black, whose parents emigrated from near Aberdeen,
Scotland, to Ireland. In 1731 or 1732 ibey emigrated
to America with their family, and after some delay
settled, in 1733, in that part of Londonderry after-
ward incorporated as the town of Windham, where
their youngest son, Daniel Campbell, was born, .Tune
27, 1739.
2 I!v Daniel F. Secomli.
m^
^
/*»^
J=^Cun(^iX C^C^
AM II EK ST.
250 a
He muriicil .lane HyluiKls, of Londonderry, June
25, 17t)0, and imo l)rii:lit morning, near the close nf
April, ITtil, till' twain starlfil cm toot I'roui London-
derry to Aniliersl. At Lutwycln '.s ferry, in Liteli-
tield, they erossed the .Merriniack in a dug-out boat
and proceeded on their journey to Amherst, which
they reached on the evening of the same day. O.i
the lot where their cal>iii was then erected they spent
tlie remainder of their days.
He was one of the stalwart men of his time, pos-
sessed of an iron frame, a strong will and decided
opinions, which he wa.s ever ready to express fully
and freely. His manner of living was plain, his
hal)its regular and he was temperate in all things.
He rose with the sun and retired early. The use of
ardent spirits was common in his time among all
cla&ses ami on all occasions, hut a wiue-glassUil twice
a day sufliced him, and an invitation to partake of
more was always declined.
In ITlili he received a coniini.ssion ius coroner fnim
Governor Wentworlli, and tilled the olBce many
years ; he also served a long time as a justice of the
peace; thirteen years he was a member of the Hnard
of Selectmen of his adopted town, and was for years
the senior survivor of those who had served the town
in that capacity. He was also the last .survivor of
the town ollicers eh'cted prior to the Revolution.
He was freipiently employed as a land surveyor,
and by that means became [jossessed of a better
knowledge of the lots and farms in Amherst and the
adjoining towns than was possessed by any other per-
son of his time.
The low[i of Hillsl)orough was surveyed ami
divided into lots iiti<ler his direction, and the adjoin-
ing town of Winilsor receiveil its first name (( 'amp-
bell's (iore) from him.
He was one of the four citizens of the town who re-
tused to sign the '' Association Test Paper'' in 177(>,
as he diinbte<l the ability of the colonies to resist
successfully, by force of arms, the claims of llie
mother-country.
In bis religious views he was, in early life, a de-
cided rresbyteriaii, but shortly after the commence-
ment of Mr. Lord's ministry he joined in the move-
ment wliii'h resulted in the formation of the liiberal
or I'nilarian Society in Amherst, to which he adhered
through I be remainder of his life.
He retained his pbysical and mental vigor wdiider-
liilly. .\lier be bad passed his ninety-eighth birth-
day ln' held a bri'aking-up plow a long distanci', his
son and gran<lson walking on either side to assist
him in ease of aceliletit.
He was a great reader, and kept well |iostcd in ibr
iiirrent events of the day. He also retaiiiiil lii>
intiTest in town and Stale alfairs to the last, allcMding
tin- ariiLual town-meeting the March before his death,
:iMd voting tlie Whig ticket.
He died October 7, \Ki>i, having attained lo the
age of iiiiiely-iiiiie yiars, three months and ten days.
CAPTAIN DANIEL lAMIMtELL, .IR."
Captain Daniel Campbell, .Ir., oidy .sim of Daniel
and .lane Ulylands) Campbell, was born in Amherst,
March 2ti, 1778. He taught school for a succession of
winters in Amherst and the adjoining towns ; was a
competent land surveyor, coroner for the county of
Hillsborough, an officer in the militia, a tlirector of
the Farmers' Bank, moderator of the annual town-
meetings three years, a member of the Hoard of
Selectmen twelve years, and represented the town
two years in the State Legislature.
He passed his entire life on the farm where he was
born, which he managed to advantage and profit,
being one of the most succes-fnl farmers and stock-
growers in town.
He was a man of strict honesty and integrity, con-
servative, but ever loyal to his convictions, of some
judgment, and worthy of the coiifidence reposed in
him by his fellow-citizens. He died .Inly 7, 1858.
IIUHACE (iiiEEl.EY.
Horace Greeley, founder of the Nem i'orl- Trihiuif,
was born in Amherst Fel)riiary 8, IS] \, and spent the
first ten years of his life here.
He was early noted for his love of reading and
study, and, before the family left Amherst, there was
scarcely a book within ten miles of his home, that he
could borrow, which he had not read.
Driven from Amherst by the I'ailnre of his business
plans, his father removed, willi bis family, to West
Haven, Vt., in the spring of 1S21, where, for live
years, the future editor was engaged with the rest of
the family in a struggle for Ihi' means of subsistence
in a IK'W settlement.
In I.S2(i he began to learn the printer's trade at
rultney, Vt. He followed this traileat Erie, Pa., and
other places, and in 1831 went to New York City. In
1838 he commenced his career in journalism as part
owner of the Mnrniiu/ I'osl^ the first daily penny paper
ever printed. Subsecpienlly he was Interested in the
Xew Yi>rki:r, Diiihj Whiij, Jiffermiihiii, Liy Cnhiii anil
'/'/«• Tribune, issued first .\pril 10, 1X41. His suhse-
ipient career as editor of the JVibian- \s n part of our
national history. He was elected to Congress in
1848, serving one session. In 1872 he was the Liberal
candidate for the Presidency, but was defeated. His
(Icalb o(( iiiiid November 2!>, 1872, at Chappaipia,
N. V.
CAI'TAIN .lOlIN SEfo.MI'.l;.
(,'aptaiii .lohn Second>e, for many years one of ibe
prominent citizens of .\mlierst, was a native, and
tbiongb his whole lile a resident, of the town.
Ill early maiihoml In look ipiile an interest in mili-
tary matters, and at one lime conimaniled the artil-
lery ciniipany in Ibe I'illli Kcgiment New Hampshire
Mililiu, whence he obiaimd the title of captain, hy
1 llv l>unii-l K. Svcumb.
250 b
IIISTOllY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
which, as was custoniarv in those times, he was ever
after known.
He served on the Board of Selectmen twenty years,
was moderator of the annual town-meeting sixteen
years, and represented the town in the General Court
tliree years. lie was also treasurer of the county of
Hillsborough seven years, and held a coraission as jus-
tice of the peace twenty-five years.
Politically, he was a Republican or the school of
JeHerson and Madison, but, with many others of like
failli, supported .Idhn Quincy Adams for the Presi-
dency in 1S2S, and thenceforth acted with the Na-
tional Republican, Whig and Kepul)lican parties, in
opposition to the Jackson or Democratic Republican
party.
He was a Calvinist in his religious belief, and at
the time of his ileath was the oldest member of the
Congregational Church in .Vmherst.
He was a man of few words, firm and decided in
his opinions, possessed a good share of perseverance
in his undertakings and was a believer in honest
work. His own work was well done, better, in many
cases, than his pecuniary interests would warrant.
Much of it still remains to bear witness to his faith-
fulness and honesty.
A lover of reading, he delighted in collecting books
and newspapers, and spent much of his leisure time
in their perusal, thereby becoming familiar with his-
torical matters and the current events of the dav.
RlrllARD BOYLSTON.
Richard Boyl.ston served a four years' apprentice-
ship in the otticc of the Federal Spy, in Springfield,
Mass., and finished his trade in the office of the Boston
Ceiitinel, where he was employed seven years under
the direction of .Major Bi ii. Russell.
Karly in 18Uil he came to .Unherst, in answer to an
advertisement for a journeyman printer, to take the
place of Isaac Hill, who was about to graduate from
Cabinet office.
After presenting his " credentials," he was engaged
and assigned a place beside the future Governor, who
left shortly after, and, on the 18lh day of April, 1809,
commenced his career as editor and publisher of the
New Namjisliirr Patriot.
In the autumn of that year the proprietor of the
<'iil/iiiet office liecame involved in the failure of the
Hillsborough Bank, of which he wa.s one of the di-
rectors, and, to avoid doing worse, left town some-
what suddenly and located himself in Baltimore, Md.,
where the remainder of his life was spent.
Previous to his leaving he called Mr. Boylston to
him, and, after telling him frankly of his plans, of-
fered him his printing establishment, with the book-
store, at that time the only one in the county, on Ciisy
Ic rms, assuring him that with proper care and man-
agement there w;is every prospect of doing a success-
lul Imsincss. To this offer he required an answer
early on the following morning, as circumstances
would admit of no delay.
For some time the young journeyman knew not
what to say. He was young, without capital or a
proper education, his school-days having terminated
when he was twelve years of age. What could he do?
After hours of anxious thought the time arrived. An
affirmative answer was given, and Mr. Cushing de-
parted to his new home.
The first number of the Cabinet under Jlr. Boyls-
ton's direction was issued October 10, 1809, and from
that time his success was assured. For ten years the
paper had no rival in the county. Being located at
the county-seat, it had a large advertising patronage,
beside which a large amount of job-work was done
in the office. The proprietor also had nearly all the
book trade in the county. Large invoices of school-
books were bought and sold at a satisfactory profit,
and before a long time had elapsed Mr. Cushing's
claim was paid in full.
In 1810, Mr. Boylston married, and again he was
fortunate. His wife, a niece of Paul Revere, of Revo-
lutionary fame, proved to be a helpmeet indeed. Her
husband, in his old age, ■'aid, " To her efficient help
and wise management of all the family concerns I owe
all my atter-prosperity and success in life." Of her,
also, a graduate of the Cabinet office, for some years
an inmate of the family, said, when more than
eighty years of age, ''Mother Boylston was, emphati-
cally, the editor s ' better half.' "
And .so time passed away. Under his management
the Oihinel maintained a respectable standing among
the journals of its time and bad quite an extensive
circulation.
As his means increased, Mr. Boylston was ready
to engage in enterprises that promised to benefit
the place of his residence. He was one of the
first to advocate the building of a railroad to Am-
herst, the building of a steam mill and kindred en-
terprises. He early took decided grounds in favor of
the temperance movement and the improvement of
the common schools. For many years he was a mem-
ber of the Congregational Church ami was repeatedly
elected one of its officers, but invariably declined the
acceptance of the charge. He served on the superin-
tending school committee several years, and in 1844,
1845 and 1846 represented the town in the (Jeneral
Court.
DR. M.VTrHUS spAi.ruxi;.
Dr. Matthias Spalding began his studies in West-
ford Academy, under the instruction of Professor
Hedge; graduated at Harvard College in 1798, in the
class with Stephen Longfellow, William Ellery Chan-
uing and .lo.seph Story, and althimgh he was the old-
est member of his class, he survived all but two of
them.
He studied his profession with Dr. Benjamin
Waterhouse, of Cambridge, and Dr. K. A. Holyoke,
AMHERST.
251
of Salem. In 1801 he went to London, where he at-
tended medieal lectures and devoted liiinsclf to ae-
cjuiring the knowledge atlbrded by its medical schools
and hospitals. He attended the lectures of Sir Astley
Cooper and the younger Cline, and received from
them many marks of personal attention. With Dr.
Jenner he had a special acquaintance, and received
from him much information relating to vaccination, —
a subject in which he was much interested. Dr.
Batchelder, of New York, one of his pupils,
savs, " Perhaps it would not be too much to say
that, with the exception of Dr. Watcrhouse, he
dill more than any other man to introduce that im-
portant practice into this country."
On his return liome, in 1802, he was the bearer of
a letter from Dr. .Tenner to Dr. Waterhouse, witli the
celebrated silver snutl'-bo.x, containing vaccine, and
having on it the inscription, " From the .Tenner of
the Old World to the .Tenner of the New."
Soon after his return Dr. Spalding commenced
practice in his native town, where he remained four
years, and secured a large business and a high repu-
tation as a surgeon.
In 1801) he removed to Amherst, where the re-
mainder of his life was speut.
/Vlthough his constitution was originally feeble, by
regularity of life and a careful abstinence from all in-
jurious indulgences, he was enabled to perform a vast
amount of ]irofe.'jsional labor.
Sensible of the advantages that would accrue to
the profession and the public from a more intimate
acquirintance of physicians with one another, he ex-
erted himself to bring the regular physicians of his
neighborhood together for mutual improvement and
professional culture, and to him, more than to any
other one, is due the establishment of the .Southern
District New Hampshire Medical Society, of which lie
was for many years the president and librarian.
In 1809 he was elected a member of the New
Hampshire Medical Society, of which he was vice-
president from 181.3 to 1821, inclusive, and president
in 1822 and 1823. In 1817 he received the honorary
degree of Doctor of Medicine from Dartmouth College
and he was elected an honorary member of the New
York Academy of Meilicine .Tune 1, 18(10.
Favored with an edmation which wius superior to that
of most of his medical brethren around him, he was also
gifted by nature with many (jualities which admirably
fitted him for the profession of his choice. He wius a
gentleman in heart and manners, and his integrity
and purity of character were never questioned. His
equanimity and cheerfulfie.s.s rarely forsook him ;
calm and self-reliant, he impressed his patients with
the feeling that he comprehended their situation, and
would do all that an intelligent, faithful and cautious
physician could <lo. He had great faith in true
science, and genuine contemi)t for all quackery in
medicine or practice.
In the early part of his professional life his oflice
was the resort of students, ntany of whom attained
distinction in other States as pliysicians and surgeons
and professors in medical institutions.
17
Beside his labors in his profession, he was deeply in-
terested in agricultural matters, in which he was an
enthusiast to the last yeareofhis life. He was one of
the first members of the Hillsborough County .Agri-
cultural Society, and contributed, by his example and
pen, to the advancement of the objects which it was
formed to promote.
Political otlice he never sought, but was always re-
lied upon as the friend and supporter of such mcasurt-s
as tended to promote education, good morals and the
general welfare.
He was a member of the Congregational Church,
to which he wa.s warmly attached, and in which he
held the otlice of deacon for nearly half a century.
After a long and useful life he went to his rest May
22, 18(55.
DR. EDWAUI) SP.'VLDING.
Dr. Edward Spalding graduated at Dartmouth Col-
lege in 1833; studied medicine with his father and
at Harvard Medieal School, graduating M.D. in 1837;
began practice immediately at Nashua, and there
continues; has often been a member of the municipal
government, and Wiis mayor of the city in 1804.
He became a trustee of Dartmouth (College in 1806,
and in 1877 and 1878 was a member of the executive
council.
DK. ALFKEl) Sl'ALUING.
Dr. .Vlfred Spalding spent two years in Dartmouth
College and some time in Yale. He studied medi-
cine with his father and Dr. Reuben D. Mussey, and
received the degree of M.D. from Dartmouth in 1843.
He commenced the practice of his [irofession at
Greenup, Ky.. soon after receiving his degree.
He had a natural aptitude for his profession, in
which he greatly resembled his father. With the
genial, (juiet manners of the courteous gentleman he
united the discriminating and cautious judgment of a
superior mind.
In his practice his industry and painstaking fidel-
ity soon win the confidence of all classes.
During the Rebellion his house was a hospital for
the wounded soldiers, and his services were sought by
those who did not sympathize with his loyalty to the
old flag.
His enthusiasm in the study of medicine never
abate<l. The latest reports and the most improved
surgical instruments and apparatus — everything pos-
sessingany advantage to his profession — was examined,
even though it deprived him of needed rest aiul sleep.
He was a good horseman, and when he came into
pos.session of lands suited to the purpose, devoted
sometime to the raising of his favorite animals.
His interest in all local enterprises and iin|irove-
meiits was constant and practical, and he maile numy
ami fast friends.
His heallh failing, he reliiKinishi'd his practice,
and, the summer before his death, revisited his birth-
place, for a time with some lienefit ; but it proved not
to be permanent, and in November he returned, by
slow stages, to his home, where he died Dec. 20, 1878.
For Biography of Isaac Spalding, see History of
Nashini.
HISTORY OF ANTRIM.
BY REV. W. H. COCHRANE.
CHAPTER I.
The town of Antrim is situated in the north-
western i)art of Hillsborough County, and contains a
little over thirty-three square miles (twenty-one thou-
sand one hundred and seventy-five acres), of which
something more than half is classified as "improved
land." The Contoocook River forms the eastern
boundary of Antrim, with Bennington and Hancock
on the south, Nelson an<l Stoddard on the west and
Hillsborough on the north. The soil of Antrim is for
the most part fertile and strong as compared with
New England land in general. Some parts are of
light loam, productive and easy to cultivate; but the
greater part is rocky and uneven. It is a soil that
retains its enrichment for a long time. There are
pastures in Antrim that have been fed for fifty or
sixty years and are still good. Along the streams are
beautiful and valuable meadows. The intervales on
the Contoocook are of surpassing fertility and loveli-
ness. There are many fine farms in town, and hardly
a miserable, .starvation farm within its borders. P^arm
buildings are mostly neat and thrifty in apjicarancc,
villages are attractive, and the whole face of the town
is smart and good-looking. The western part of
Antrim is peculiarly rich in pasturage. Few towns
in the State can boast of fatter cattle or finer teams.
The mountains of Antrim are numerous, but not
high or remarkable. In the northeast part of the
town, near the junction of the Contoocook and Xorth
Branch Rivers is Riley's Mountain, about fifteen hun-
dred feet high, named from Philip Riley, the first
settler of the town. Windsor Mountains form a chain
on the northern boundary of the town, the town-line
being about mi the summit, and the broad southward
slope giving warm pastures and valuable forests and
farms to Antrim. On the western side of the town is
a range of mountains, as a sort of protection against
cold and tempest, extending from North Branch
River on the north to Hancock on the south. This
range has many summits, among them Bald Moun-
tain, Rolib Mountain ami Tuttlc Jlountain, the last
named being the highest, — about fifteen hundred
and fifty feet above tide-water. Bald Mountain
252
was so called by the fathers because it was bare
and naked when first discovered. It seems that the
Indians burned it over occasionally, not suffering the
flames to spread elsewhere, and used it as a point of
observation and a place of council. On its broad and
excellent pastures moose once abounded, and it was
a superior "hunting-ground."
The streams of Antrim of any considerable size are
few. By far the largest is the Contoocook. Its source
is almost on Massachusetts line in Rindge, and it
flows a little east of north till it sweeps the whole
eastern boundary of this town, then turns eastward
and flows into the Merrimack above Concord, having
a length of about one hundred miles, and a fall of
over eight hundred feet. It is crossed from Antrim
by three bridges. In passing this town (more than
six miles) its fall is very trifling. The Peterborough
and Hillsborough Railroad is along its bank. A
lovelier river can hardly be found in New England.
North Branch River is the next in size. It rises
in AV.ishington, flows southward through Long Pond,
Stoddard, then turns eastward and runs about six
miles in Antrim, nearly across the town, and nearly
parallel with the north line, at a distance of about a
half-mile from said line. Its length is about twenty-
five miles, and its fiiU about the same as that of the
Contoocook in a hundred miles. It falls more than
three hundred and fifty feet in this town. Hence it
is a wild, impetuous, noisy stream, and when swollen
by rains, its roar can be heard for a long distance.
The water-power on this river is immense; it has
capacities for great reservoirs, is never exhausted,
and aflbrds unsurpassed advantages to manufacturers.
(ireat Brook, so named by the fathers, comes third
in size, Its actual source is in the mountains in the
west part of the town. From Gregg's Pond, through
which it flows, to the Contoocook River, into which
it empties, the distance is about three miles, and the
fall about four hundred and sixty-five feet. The
pond is fed by springs discharging below the water-
mark, and hence this stream does not fail in a dry tiine
to the same extent as other streams. Mill men here
say they can run when the wheels on the Merrimack
have to sto]) for lack of water. Hence, the 8Ui)ply
ANTRIM.
263
being so regular and the fall so great, this little
stream affords some of the best water i)rivileges in
the ritate. Fourteen ilums cross it inside of three
miles, and some excellent opportunities are still un-
improved. It may safely be said that no stream in
New England of the same length affords so many
and so good privileges as Great lirook. Meadow
IJrook, Cochran's IJrook and Salmon Brook are the
other leading streams in the town.
The collections of water in Antrim arc neither
many nor great. The largest is Gregg's Pond, named
from Samuel Gregg, who built the mill at its outlet.
This is a beautiful sheet of water about a mile long
and half a mile wide. It has mostly a hard, rocky
shore, is surrounded by high hills, and is a favorite
summer resort for boating, fishing, camping-parties
and i)icnics. Antrim has also Campbell's Poud,
Steel's Pond, Rye Pond, Willard's Pond and other
smaller bodies of water. From this show of moun-
tains, streams, lakes and valleys, it will be evident
that this is a town of varialjle and dcliglitful scenery.
It abountls with beautiful and romantic drives, and
is attractive and popular as a i)lace for summer
tourists and hoarder from the city.
The first settlement in Antrim was made by Philip
Riley, a Scotchman, in 1744. At that time, and for years
j)revioUs, it was a matter of great i)eril, on account
of Indians, to venture far from the strong settle-
ments of the lower towns. The valley of the Gou-
toocook was known to explorers, and was looked
upon ;ls valuable ground, but it was prudently avoided
by settlers for many years. It was a place very dear
to the Indians. Near the river they bad residences
within the limits of Antrim. They had a burial-
place here, and here they had fields to raise corn for
the tribe. The first settlers found constant evidences
of the previous abode of the savages in this place.
Hence, it was a perilous undertaking when Riley
and three or four neighlxirs near him In Hillsborough
began in this valley, 1744. lliley located in llienortli-
eitst corner of the town, near Hillsborough Bridge,
fifteen miles from any help. The surrounding towns,
Deering, Francestown, Greenfield, Bennington, Han-
cock, Stoddard an<l llcnnikcr, were all a pathless and
unbroken forest. The nearest neighbors, in Hupkin-
ton, Peterborough and New Boston, were llieniselves
80 few and weak jia to need assistance instead of being
able to impart it. The only strong settlement in
New Hampshire west of the Merrimack was Dun-
Btablc (now Nashua), and this wa.s in no condition to
render assistance to others. And when we take into
account the fact that for many years there bad been
almost constant warfare between the French and In-
dians on one hand, and the English settlers on the
other, and that the cruel savages were scouring the
forests most of the time witli murderous intent, the
undertaking of a half-duzen men in the unbroken
forest, and lieyond the |iossiliility of help, seems haz-
ardous in the extreme. OiIut and stronger places
petitioned the Governor for soldiers to aid in their
defense. In 1744 and 174.') Indians swarmed along
the frontier. The settlers in some places alnindoned
their settlements and returned to the lower towns
in 1745. But Riley and his few neighbors remained.
Nothing but their connection with the Scotch-Irish,
to whom the Indians seem to have had no enmity,
can account for the attacking of Hopkinton, Charles-
town and other places, and leaving this little com-
pany safe. The Indians were accustomed to murder-
ing the scattered and weak ones.
April 22, 1746, the savages made an attack on the
settlers in Hopkinton, and carried off eight captives.
The report of this event carried new alarm to the few
settlers of Hillsl)orough and .Viitrim. They had no gar-
rison-house. They had seen Indians lurking and
hiding along the C'ontoocook, and supposed they
would be the next object of attack. They determined
to abandon their humble yet happy dwellings at once.
Hurriedly burying some tools, and hiding others in
hollow logs and under flat rocks, and driving their
few cattle, they started over the hills of Deering for
New Boston and Londonderry.
After this flight Antrim had no white inhabitant for
fifteen years. But when Canada was captured from
the French (17.5iMjO), and peace after so long a time
had been restored, the settlers all along the frontier
began to creep back to their deserted cabins. Riley
was the first to return to this section, coming back in
the spring of 1761. A thick growth of young wood
had Sjircad over his clearing, and it was difficult to
find the cabin he had left. His cabin alone remained
standing. The savages had burned every other builil-
ing in the vicinity. Riley I'ound his tools where la-
had concealed them, and soon prepared to bring his
family, and they were here in the wilderness a whole
year alone. In the spring of 1762 he received a
neighbor in the per.son of Daniel McMnrphy, who be-
gan a secoJid settlement of Hillsborough, a mile or two
off. But there Wius no other inhabitant in Antrim till
the spring of 1766, when seven young men came, axe
in hand, and made beginnings in the east and south
part of the town. One of them, .lames Aiken, moved
his family here August 12, 1767, making the second
family in .Vntrim. For two years .\iken and his
family had a hard time. (Jften they felt the pinch of
hunger. Bears and wolves prowled around them by
day and by night. In October, 1767, his pigs running
loose were killed and ttirn in pieces by bears. Very
little conid be rai.sed from the soil the first year. The
nearest neighlior was Riley, six miles oil', in the north-
cast part of the town. The winter following was long
and severe. .Vikcn and his good wife (.Molly McFar-
land) lost a young child in February, 17(i8, the first
death in .Antrim. There were no minister, no group
of asseinblc<l mourners, no colfin, no burial ground,
no road, nor even a path ! The sorrowing father split
out some rude boards from a log, an<l jiinned them
together with wood for a casket, and then the parents
254
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
covered the little dead form in it and fastened down
the heavy lid, and Aiken carried away and buried his
own child! Two months later, April 15, 1708, Mrs.
Aiken gave birth to a daughter, — the first American
child born in Antrim. They named her Polly, and
she died December 14, 1S()2. She was a strong and
noble woman, worthy to be the leader in the lung
and honorable line of Antrim's sons and daughters.
The first male child born in Antrim was James
Aiken, Jr., spring of 1772.
.\iken carried corn to New Boston (sixteen miles)
or to Peterborough (twelve miles) on his back, to be
ground, and used to speak of this in after-years as
the severest of all the hardships he endured. He lived
to see the town have a population of thirteen hun-
dred, with plenty of mills, and stores, and roads, and
school-houses, and commodious, comfortable dwell-
ings. He died July 27, 1817, aged eighty-six years.
The third family locating in Antrim was that of Wil-
liam Smith, who came in 1771, having purchased his
land the previous year for nine cents per acre. He
located near Aiken, and they lived in great confidence
and love together till death. After they got rich
enough to have oxen, Aiken bought a pair of Smith,
and, not having ready money, wrote a note for the
same. Smith said to Aiken : " I haven't any desk to
keep it in, so you keep it till I call for it." Conse-
quently Aiken kept the note till he was readj' to pay
it, and then gave it to Smith, at the same time jiaying
it in full. And thus Smith could remember that tjie
note was paid.
The fourth family in Autrim was that of Randall
Alexander, who came in the spring of 1772.
The fifth was that of John Gordon, who made a be-
ginning in tlie north part of the town, and struck the
first blows in North Pranch village.
The sixth was that of Maurice Lynch.
The seventh family was that of John Duncan, af-
terwards " Captain John," " Esquire John," " Deacon
John " and " Honorable John ;" was a man of some rep-
utation ; brought his goods in a cart — the first wheels
ever driven into Antrim ; drove forty miles in this
way, and arrived at the door of his log house, with
wife and five children, September 20, 1773. He lived
till February 14, 1823, dying at the age of eighty-nine.
Was long time representative from the district of An-
trim, Hancock, Deering and Windsor; was a member
of the New Ham)>shirc Senate, and was a stirring,
earnest, cheery, wide-awake and honest man.
In 1774 eight settlers and their families arrived in
Antrim. This made fifteen families and about sixty-
two persons in the town. All summer long the forests
echoed the strokes of the woodman's axe and the
cnish of falling trees. Paths were cut out for roads.
The grounds about the dwellings began to look like
fields, and the new settlement was full of hope.
But, in the spring of 1775, the breaking out of the
Revolutionary War greatly hindered the progress of
the work. This was a frontier settlement. A terrible
uncertainty pervaded everything. Every man in
Antrim capable of bearing arms was in the service
more or less; but, in spite of all discouragements, sev-
eral families moved here during the first year of the
war.
1776 was a dark year fcir Antrim. Its population
was about eighty, and of its men (about twenty in
all), two, James Dickey and George Bemaine, were
lost at the battle of White Plains, October 28, 1776.
James Hutchinson was killed the previous year at
Bunker Hill. Thus one-seventh of all the Antrim
citizens had fallen thus early in the war. But in this,
as in other dark years, the women of Antrim came
forward and wrought wonders of courage and hard-
ship. Boys became men in work and fortitude,
shrinking from no task. So, in face of all obstacles,
enlargement and improvement were noticeable in the
town.
This year (A]iril 12, 1776) the colony of New
Hampshire sent out for signature the following
paper: " We, the Subscribers, do hereby solemnly en-
gage and promise that we will, to the utmost of our
Power, at the Risque of our Lives and Fortunes, with
.\rnis, oppose the Hostile Proceedings of the British
Fleets and Armies against the United American Col-
onies I "
This was, in fact, treason against the most powerful
government in the world. It places little New Hamp-
shire three months ahead of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence of the L^nited States. And every man in
Antrim "signed ! "
This year (17761 the few people of Antrim sought
to be incorporated as a town.
This shr>ws how courageous and hopeful they were,
notwithstanding fewness, poverty and war. About
midsummer they held a meeting and appointed Mau-
rice Lynch, Jdhn Duncan and Samuel Moore a com-
mittee to petition for incorporation.
The petition was presented (September 4, 1776) to
the Legislature at Exeter, and the usual notices were
given to parties to appear for and against at the open-
ing of the next General Assembly of the State.
When the time came no opposition was made, and
the act of incorporation passed through its several
stages, and bears date March 22, 1777.
It was called Antrim from the old town by that
name in Ireland, occupied for generations by the an-
cestors of the settlers here. The name was very dear to
the Scotch. The settlers in Londonderry retained
that honored name, and likewise the Scotch settlers
here clung to that which was next most memorable
and precious. The town of Antrim, Ireland, was the
shire-town of the county of Antrim. It is a small
town, but most beautifully located, sloping toward the
lake (Lough Neagh — lok na — ) about as Antrim, seen
from the hills of Deering, seems to slope toward the
Contoocook. Many a romance hangs about the old
name. The signification of the name Antrim is " hab-
itation upon the waters," which, iis is obvious, was ap-
ANTRIM.
255
propriate to the old localities, both countj' and town.
The inhabitant.-* of these |>laees in Irelaml were nearly
all Scoteh, with a strong dislike ol'tlie Irish, and the
settlers in this town of which we write were almost
entirely Scotch, and few df any other race came to
Antrim for many years.
The first town-meetinu; in .Viitrim was at the house
of " Esijuire John Duncan," May 1, 1777. The meet-
ing wa.< called by said John Duncan. They were but
a handful,— twenty-three, — but they had great hearts
and great hopes. It had little resemblance to the
crowded, noisy town-meetings of modern date. A
kitchcnful of quiet, brave, noble, united men ! What
a treasure a picture of that tirst town-meeting would
be I John Duncan was (apparently) tirst moderator;
Maurice Lynch, first town clerk; and Thomas Htuart,
James Aiken and Richard McAllister, constituted the
first Board of Selectmen.
At this first town-meeting they " Voted to take
Some Meathod to find a Centor." This " Meathod "
Wius by survey, and the "Centor" fi.xcd upon was a
broad common on the top of " Meeting-House Ilill,"
— a high and commanding summit, from which nearly
all the town could be seen. It seems to have been a
little east of the real centre, and was a mile east of the
geographical centre after the enlargement of the town.
They turned aside a little for the sake of building on
the top of a high hill ! At this "Centor" they called
a meeting (August 20, 1777) to clear ground for a
buryitig-place and a "Spoot to Build upon;" this
town-meeting was in the u-nnrh, under " A Read oak
tree marked with the figure of Eight; " there was no
road, and out of the thick woods there was no open-
ing friim which a human dwelling could be seen !
They met at eight o'clock in the morning, each man
bringing his axe ; in about half an hour the public
business was completed, and then they "immediately
went to work felling trees" on the " Acer, more or
less." which now constitutes the old cemetery. They
made rapid progress that day in laying the forest low.
They were clearing the ground where their own bones
were to lie ! Now the " Read oak tree marked with
the figure of Eight," and the meeting-house subse-
(piently built there, the highest landmark in the
vicinity for fifty years, and several dwelling-houses
built ui'ar the cliiircli, and those strong-armed voters
themselves are all gone I Only the stones jdaccd at
the graves of those noble men remain to identify the
spilt.
The first saw-mill in .\ntrim was built by John
\Varrcn, at the Branch, in 177i). The first grist-mill
was built at the liranch in 1777, by ,Tani(s Moore, be-
fore which lime the settlers nil went to mill "to Hills-
borough, Peterborough and New Boston." The new
grist-mill was a thing of pride and satisfaction to the
town, and brought more joy than a railroad or a gold-
mine could bring toatown now. This year, also, .An-
trim had licr first public highway, though " barely
])assable fur liorscs," the same first road lieing nierclv
a path " cut and cleared" from the Contoocook River,
by the "old road," now so called, to the Centre;
thence over Meeting-House Hill to the " corn-mill "
at the Branch; thence over. the English Hill to Hills-
borough.
This year (1777) .\ntrim. with all her struggles at
home, did not forget the sulfering cause of liberty.
One-fourth of those belonging in town capable of
bearing arms were in the army part of the year, and
tht)5e at home carried forward the "clearings" and
paid the taxes of those in the field. Several new
settlers came tliis year, and altogether it was a lively
year for Antrim, — the year of incorpination, healthy,
toilsome, struggling, hopeful 17771
From this lime to the close of the war the troubles
of this small frontier town were many and great.
Poverty, depreciation of currency, absence of needed
men in the army, the proprietors' re.sistance to the
non-resident tax, war expenses, terrible winters, the
: " Dark Day," loss of money by a dishonest town
treasurer, — all these, together with untold hardship in
I labor and perils of wild beasts, combined to make
I dark and heavy the trials of this company of settlers.
Yet the town slowly gained in population each year.
June 1, 1781, Antrim had " fifty families or more."
Early in 17S4 a cpustion arose as to receiving a tract
on the west of Antrim as a part of the town. Stoddard,
then the most popukms town in this vicinity, discovered
that there was a strip of unclaimed and unincorporated
land on her western border; and, thinking this tract
more desirable than that on her east line, she laid
claim to the western i)art, and ceased taxing an
eipiivalent area on the east. The last-named part was
untaxed one or two years. But after discussion all
summer, Antrim voted (November 3, 1784) to "tax
the Land L^nclaimed by Stodder." And this has
since remained a part of .\ntrim.
In 178o the town raised its first meeting-house,
having become so weak and impoverished by the war
as to be unable to do it before. The population of
Society Land (Antrim, Hancock, Bennington and part
of Greenfield) was one hundred and seventy -seven in
1775. In 1780 the jiopulation of the town of Antrim
was two hundred and eighty-nine. In 17110 the po]m-
lation ol'.Vntrim was five hundred and twenty-eight,
nearly doubling in four years. But the population
was not enough for Antrim to have a representative
till 1798. Henniker, Hillsborough and Society Land,
and afterwards Henniker, Hillsborough, Antrim and
Siiciety Land, fbrmcil a district till 178.'?, when a dis-
trict was formed, including only Antrim, Dceringaml
Hancock. For about liinrtecn years this district was
re])resented by Hon. ,Iohn Duncan, of Antrim, who
resigned in 17% on being elected State Senator.
The first .store in Antrim was o|)ened in the spring
of 1788, Previously the inhabitants went to tra<le
to .\mherst. New Boston and even tn l^nndondcrry. It
was customary for the women of this town to take the
linen cliitli, which their own haiiil> had Mianufai-tured,
256
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
go to New Boston on horseback with it, ex-
change the same for goods or money, and re-
turn the same day, seventeen miles! And it did not
seem a severe day's work. A second store wiis opened
ill Antrim in 1781>, and tlie two stores accommodated
the people till the population of the town was more
than a thousand. Trade was far less for the same
number of persons than now, as then their wants were
few. They spun their own yarn and wove their own
cloth of every description, and raised their own jrrain.
The first barrel of Hour was brought into Antrim in
1820.
In the year 1800, Antrim, like other towns, was
swept with the dysentery scourge. Que week in
August there were nineteen funerals. From July
23d to September 23d there were sixty-five deaths in
this little community, mostly children. Fifty little
graves made in the old cemetery that year are un-
marked and forgotten. But still the population had
increased in the fall of 1800 to one thousand and fifty-
nine. The largest population was in 1820, when it
reached the number of thirteen hundred and thirty.
At the census of 1870 it had dwindled down to nine
hundred and four, since which date there has been
considerable increase. It is now (January 1, 1885)
twelve hundred and thirty-eight.
As to religious matters, Antrim being settled almost
entirely by Scotchmen of the Presbyterian faith,
formed a church of that order. Up to the year 1836
the town and church were united in action, the town,
by vote, calling the minister and paying him out of
its treasury, like any other town officer. He was
called the " Town's Minister." The first town war-
rant ever posted in Antrim had in it an article "To
See What Money they Will Rease to Get preaching."
The first sermon ever i)reaclied in the town was in
Deacon Aikcn'sbarn,September,177o, by Rev. William
Davidson, of Londonderry. Subsequently, for ten
years, they had meetings in private houses, being too
poor to build a church. They finally raised the frame
of the building June 28, 1785, and held their first
meeting within the uncovered frame the following
Sabbath. It took them eight years to finish the
building! At the March meeting (1788) the town
chose Isaac Cochran and John Duncan a committee
to go to the Presbytery and ask them to organize a
church in .Vntrim. In response thereto they commis-
sioned Rev. William Morrison, of Londonderry, who
came here and organized the Presbyterian Cluirch
August 2, 1788, with seventy-two members, being one-
third of the adults then in town. Thus they were
strong as a church from the first. But they did not
succeed in settling a pastor to their liking till 1800,
though constantly increasing in membership. Their
annual sacramental seasons were times of great in-
terest. Absolutely all the people attended. The
whole town kept the preceding Thursday and Friday
and Saturday with great strictness as "fast days."
Neighboring ministers were called in, and the long-
anticipated occasion was often one of great revival.
In March, 1790, the town "Voted M' David M'^leary
Provide table Linning, twelve y""', 7-8"" wide, at the
town's Coast," the same being for the long communion
tables in the aisles of the church. Each pastor sup-
plied his fiock with "tokens," entitling them to ad-
mission to the table. These were small, cheap lead
coins. Those for Antrim were marked with the letter
A. They ceased to be used here in 1824. A new
church building was erected in 1826 and remodeled
in 1857. The membership of this old church, now in
its ninety-seventh year, numbers two hundred and
seventy-four. Its pastorates have been as follows:
Itev. Walter Little, settled September :j, 18(Xl ; resigned September 4,
18(14.
Rev. John M. Wliiton, D.r., settlij September '2S, 1808; resigned
January 1. I85:i.
Rev. John H. Bates, settled March IC, 18.1.1; resigned July 1, ISllfi.
Rev. WalTen R. Cochrane, bepin service .Tanuarj* 1, 1808, and is i>attor
at this date.
A Congregational Church was organized in East
Antrim October 25, 1827, but, being reduced in num-
bers, it dissolved in 1843, most of its members uniting
with the Presbyterian Church.
There is now a flourishing Baptist Church in An-
trim, located at the south village. This church was
organized at the house of Joseph Eaton, in Greenfield,
December 17, 1805. Their first meeting-house was in
that town, and was built prior to 1812. In 1826 they
had moved to Society Land (now Bennington) and
had a meeting-house there. In April, 1851, they
"voted to hold the meetings on the Sabbath half the
time at South Antrim." February 6, 1852, they
"voted to hold the meetings all the time at South
Antrim," and this has since been the location of the
church. They worshiped in Woodbury's Hall till
1871. Their i)leasant house of worsbip was dedicated,
free of debt, October 25, 1871. They have a parson-
age, built in 1879. The church was built in the pas-
torate of Rev. William Hurlin, now the efficient
secretary of the New Hampshire Baptist Convention.
The pastors of the Baptist Church since its removal
to Antrim have been as follows : Rev. W. W. Lovejoy,
Rev. W. Kimball, Rev. L. C. Stevens, Rev. William
Hurlin (1866-73), Rev. E. M. Shaw, Rev. W. H.
Fish, Rev. E. M. Shaw, Rev. Horace F. Brown.
The eflbrts of the Methodist denomination in An-
trim began in 1838. A class was formeil at the Branch
that year, which continued for a time. In 1840 a
class was formed in .South .Viilrim. In 1851, through
the exertions of Rev. S. S. Dudley, the work was
revived at the Branch village, and the two classes
were brought together into a church in 1852. The
organization numbered fifty-one members, and ser-
vices were held chiefly at the Branch. But in 1864 a
meeting-house was built in South Antrim, and dedi-
cated October iitli of that year. Since then the
Methodist Church has been at South Antrim, and has
constantly gained in numbers and in strength, so that
it is now among the best of its order outside the
ANTRIM.
257
cities. A fine parsonage hiis been built this year
(188;3). Its pastors at its present location have been
as I'ollows : Rev. E. A. Howard, Rev. A. A. Clevehiutl,
Rev. J. \V. Fulton, Rev. C. E. Dorr, Rev. Lewis
Howard, Rev. Jacob F. Spalding, Rev. J. W. Cool-
idge, Rev. J. R. Hartlett, Rev. J. L. Felt (187(i-7;i)>
Rev. G. F. Curl, Rev. Wiiliani Wood, Rev. X. C.
Alger, Rev. A. F. Baxter.
The military and patriotic record of -Vntrim is ex-
ceedingly honorable. I have already said that every
man in town, and every boy ofsullieient size, marched
for Lexington at the first sound of battle, with the
aingle exception of John Gordon, who soon after en-
listed for the whole war. There was not a male old
enough to march that did not respond to his country's
call. How many other towns can say as much? The
company from Society Land, including the men and
boys of Antrim, then a part of Society Land,
marched as far as Tyngsborough, where they were met
by General Stark, who complimented them in high
terms, advised them to return and plant their corn
and hold themselves " ready to march at a moment's
warning." Three men from this settlement were in
the battle of Bunker Hill, one of whom was killed,
and two from this place were lost at White Plains,
all which was before the incorporation of the town.
Two men from Antrim were killed subsequently, and
several wounded. Five months after incorporation a
town-meeting was called to " Regulate the expense
the town has been at in respect of the war." Thus,
though few and poor, the citizens of Antrim assumed
their part of the war expenses at once; and they
filled every ijuota, both of men and means, to the end.
About ten men from this place were in the battle of
Bennington (August 1(), 1777), in a company of which
Daniel .Miltimore, of Antrim, was first lieuteiuint; and
afterwards they took part in the series of contests
which resulted in the surrender of Burgoyne.
There were at least four men from .Vntrim in the
last company that was disbanded at the close of the
war. The last surviving soldier of the army of the
Revolution was Samuel Downing, of Antrim, who
went from this jilace to Edinburgh, N. Y., 1794,
and died there February 19, 1867, aged one hundred
and five years, two months and twenty-one days.
In tlie old militia system Antrim fell within the
bounds of the famous Twcnty-Si.\tli Regiment, first
comnuindcd by Governor Henjamin Pierce and af-
terwards by Colonel David McClure, of Antrim. By
the act of 1792 each regiment was to have a comi)any
of grenadiers, meaning thereby a uniformed and
picked and trained set of men. The company for this
regiment was organized by General .John McNiel,
afterwards (lisliiiguished in the War of 1812. McXiel
was six feel and six inches tall, and received no one
into his company who were less than six feet in height.
At first the men were picked out from .\ntrim, Deer-
ing, Franeestowii, ( ireenlielil, Hancock, Hennikerand
Hillsborougl). Hut because .Vntrim raised bigger men
than other towns, the majority of the grenadiers be-
longed here from the start. With gorgeous uniform,
tall caps and high, brilliant plumes which seemed toin-
crea.se the stature of the men, this company of giants
made a most imposing appearance, — the wonder of
small boys, the admiration of all. This noted com-
pany was all made up from Antrim as early as the
year 182.3, and continued to flourish until the enact-
ment of the disbanding law of IS.'il, after which it did
not survive many years.
When the War of 1812 broke out a comjiany called
the Alarm List was promptly formed here, in addition
to the other companies, and it was composed of the old
men, most of whom actually bore the scars of the Rev-
olution. It had forty members ; their uniform was a
large white frock thrown over their ordinary clothing;
they were under command of Ca]>tain I'eter Barker, a
soldier of the Revolution, and they actually ofi'ercd
their services to the Governor. Several of them were
seventy-five years old when they offered to march for
their country's defense. Forty-four soldiers from An-
trim were in the War of 1812, of whom seven, in one
way or another, lost their lives. In the Jlexican War
there were four soldiers from Antrim, and they were
all killed. In the War of the Rebellion the action of
this town was thoroughly patriotic and vigorous.
There was a town-meeting called, a resolution was
passed to defend the flag and to do our part whatever
struggle might come, a committee appointed to assist
volunteers and an approjiriation of money made, all
within less than three weeks of the hour when the first
gun was fired on Fort Sumter. Through all the
struggle money was freely voted for volunteers and
their families. On all the many calls Antrim fur-
nished twelve men xtorc than her aggregate i|Uota,
furnishing one hundred and thirty-nine men in all.
Of these, thirty lost their lives on the battle-field or
by disease. Thus her full part was performed in the
long and fearful contest. The heavy war debt of the
town is now nearly all paid.
The fust village in Antrim was the <)1<1 Centre, on
the top of Meeling-House Hill, (ioingup from the
south, the new building seemed to lean against the
sky. A school-house, church, tavern and a few
dwelling-houses made up the whole. It was the
chief place in town for more than fifty years. At the
time of the town's greatest population it had no other
meeting-house or meeting-place. Congregations of
four or five hundred assembled there for worship. It
was a spot very dear to the fathers. Now all is
changed. The spacious and conspicuous common is
an ordimiry field ; every building is gone, and only
the ancient liurial-groun<l remains uruhanged to re-
mind one of departed scenes.
The Branch village is situated in the iKirlh part ol
the town, on North Branch River. For numy years,
down nearly to 1840, this was the largest and most
tlourishing village in the town. It was seriously in-
jiind by the bnrnitig of its bobbin-slinii and peg-shop
258
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
(1846 and 1869), which were not rebuilt. It has now
a store, post-offii-e, Marksmith's shop, cliapel, school-
house, large saw-mill and twenty-five dwelliufr-houses.
The stage from Keeneto Hillsborough passes through
this village. It has also a daily stage to the depot at
South Antrim, tour miles away. Branch village has
a delightful situation on the river, has excellent
water privileges sullicient for a large place ; is sur-
rounded by comely and protecting hills, and is quite
a resort for summer boarders.
"The Centre," now so called, is a small collection
of buildings, hardly to be dignified by the name of
village. It is located well down the snutlnvard slope
of Meeting-House Hill, about half a mile from the
site of the old church. The beginnings here were
made by Benjamin and Samuel Gregg, 1776-77. It
is about a mile southeast of the geographical centre
of the town. The situation is sightly and attractive,
and in the summer is well thronged by boarders from
below, as the popular summer boarding-house of
Eben Bass, Esq., is near by. Here is also the board-
ing-house of A. R. C. Pike. The Presbyterian
Church, with its long lines of horse-sheds, the vestry,
the town-house, school-house and eight dwellings
(with barns) make up the buildings at the Centre.
In Clinton village the first building was put up by
Deacon Imla Wright, in 1828, for a cotton-mill. Soon
after several houses were built. Now there are twenty
dwelling-houses (twenty-six families), six mills and
factories, a store, blacksmith-shop and cooper-shop.
There is also an undertaker's warerooms. This vil-
lage is one-half a mile south of the Centre, and is a
thrifty, smart village, with excellent water-power.
A variety of wares made from wood are manufactured
here, consisting of bedsteads, cribs of various kinds,
window-shades, spring-beds and jjail-liandles, be-
sides threshing-machine, grist-mill, wbechvright-shop,
cider-mill and saw-mill.
But the chief village in Antrim is South village,
formerly called Woodbury village, situated near the
south line of the town and near the Contoocook
River. It has grown rapidly in the last ten years,
and is now by far the largest. It is "beautiful for
situation," being on a ridge rising from the west bank
of the Contoocook, and seen for long distances from
the hills around. It has many fine residences. In it
there are two churches, wheelwright-shop, silk-factory,
two saw-mills, printing-office (where the Antrim Re-
porter is published), blacksmith-shop, six stores,
banking-office,shoemakor's, jeweler's, harness-maker's,
barber's, tailor's and tin-shops. Here also are the shops
of the Goodell Company, which employ about two
hundred hands, chieHy in the manufacture of cutlery.
A grist-mill, " Excelsior Shop," paper-box factory and
several halls are here. Here are flourishing lodges of
Masons, Odil-Fcllows, Knights of Honor and Good
Templars. Here are the headcpiarters of the Antrim
Cornet Band. In this village there are two ministers
(pastors), two physicians and about one hundred aiul
twenty families. Has excellent graded schools, streets
are wide, some of them finely shaded ; and every way
this is one of the liveliest, smartest, handsomest,
cleanest, healthiest and pleasantest villages to be
found in New Hampshire.
Antrim has been for seventy-five years a fruitful
town to emigrate from. In every part of the land,
and in all lines of business, their absent sons and
daughters are found. They are of the solid, substan-
tial and reliable kind. They have grit and grace.
Farmers, mechanics, lawyers, ministers, teachers,
merchants, manufacturers, engineers, — they stand
high among the best in the land. Among Antrim's
more conspicuous sons are these, —
Hon. Daniel M. Christie, LL.D., one of the ablest lawyers ever pro-
ducetl ill Xew Hanipsliire.
Hon, George W. Xesmith, LL.D., judge of the Supreme Court.
Hon. Luke Woodburj-, judge of Probate, nominated for Governor, 1851,
but dying before election.
Hon. Benjamin P. Cheney, Boston.
Hon. Charles ,\dam8, Jr.
Hon. A. H. DiiiOap, Nashua.
' Hon. Jacob Whiltemore, of the (Governor's Council and judge of
County Court.
j Profes-sor .Tames E. Vose, the distinguished teacher and author.
Professor Benjamin F. Wallace.
Professor .Joseph McKeen, LL.D., New York.
Professor James W. Barker, President Now York Teachers' .\88ocia-
tion.
Besides these, a long list of ministers, doctors and
lawyers might be given, of whom a large part are
young and just entering upon their life-work.
There is not room, in this brief sketch, to enter
into details of the customs and iirivations of the pio-
neers of this town. Among our Scotch ancestry the
drinking of liquor was universal. The minister was
treated with the best drink at every house. Women
drank as well as men. It was looked upon as a
rightful and pleasant custom. In every hard joli,
planting, hoeing, haying, harvesting, they calculated
to have plenty of rum. If a meeting-house was to be
raised or a bridge built, the town always voted the
proper supply of rum. The first barn raised in An-
trim without rum was in 1830; and the first house
built without rum was in 1845. It was considered a
great calamity to get out of rum. If out when a
friend called, they would detain him in conversation
till a small boy could run to a neighbor's and borrow-
some rum. The most pious and devoted saw nothing
wrong in this. Yet the number of drunkards and
sots was small. Not half so many died from the ef-
fects of liquor as at the present day.
The settlers of Antrim began here among untold
privations. It was a day of beginnings. Young
people got married without a dollar in the world.
.Tonathan would buy his land at ten cents an acre <m
trust, go into the woods and put np a rude log cabin
with his own hands, and at once move his young wife
there! In some cases the whole family outfit con-
sisted of a few scanty quilt.s, a fry-kt^ttle and an axe-
Subsequently, in spare time, they made wooden bowls
and plates, and enlarged their wardrobe by raising
ANTRIM.
259
sheep and spinning and weaving for themselves. In
a way similar tn this the majority l)pfran lit'o in An-
trim. But they were lianly, hoaltliy, honest and
persevering, and in the course of years worked them-
selves into comfortable homes and good circum-
stances. Great, however, were the actual suffering
and iiardship of tliis people through the War of the
Revoluiion. when the men were in the field, and
winters were hard, and snow was deep, and neigh-
bors were far apart, and women and small boys faced
cold and forest and wiM beasts under all possible dis-
couragements .' But the lone log cabin hidden in the
snow kept safe its brave and much-enduring Hock!
The amusements of our fathers were of a kind to
correspond with their religious, yet rough and ath-
letic, training. They had neither money nor ta.ste
for convivial entertainments, and were no creatures
of ap])etite or indulgence; but into physical sports
they entered, young and old, with hearty zest.
Wrestling-matches, ehopidng-bces, piling-bees, log-
rollings, huskings, raisings, trainings, musters an<l
foot-races made uj) their entertainments. And some
td' these were noisy and dangerous pleasures. The
entertainments of the ladies were of a correspondingly
vigorous nature. We have no record of their meeting
to fold their hands or make tatting. But carding-
bees, apple-|)arings, ipiiltings, >|)innings were among
their jeailing pleasures when together. It was com-
mon for the good mother to take her baby under one
arm and her flax-wheel and Hax under the other, and
walk a mile to a neighbor's. When there, she and
others condng in a similar way would set their wheels
buzzing, and then chat together with voices that
could be heard above the noise of twenty machines !
And such spinning I It was perfect and marvelous
in amount! And then, at sunset, each would take
baby and wheel and yarn, walk home, get supper for
a large family, "and wasn't much tireil after all !"
I have sail! that the founders of Antrim were all
Scotch. 'I'hey came from the north of Ireland; but
their ancestors came thither from Argyle and .\yr, in
Scotland. There was not a drop of Irish blood in
them. In language, habits, tastes, eilucation, reli-
gion, history, capaeily, bearing, manner of life, and
general appearance, they were always distinct from
the Irish. They ]irided themselves on this distinc-
tion. To call one of them a '" Paddy," was to make
yourself sure of being knocked down belbre the words
were fairly out of your month !
These settlers were all, young and old, women and
children, people nnirkeil with strong in<lividuality.
The Si'otchnian must think and decide for biniself
There was a Ixild, cordial, honest, independent way
with them all. They never kept others in the dark
Its to their political or religious convictions. Yet,
with all their self-iLssertion and persomd independ-
ence, they were humble ami ilevont worshipers of
God. Men they feared not ; God they feared. Though
tolerant of others, they were stiff Presbyterians
themselves. The Bible was the book for study and
conversation in every family. The children were
thoroughly taught in it at home. They had a family
religion, and there was a bold open-heartedness in
them which was an item f)f their religion. Manage-
ment and craft and secret enmity they could not
endure. ()utsi)oken, square, fearless and honest,
they settled everything immediately, and face to face.
They were quick-tempered and hard-tempered, and
they resented an injury with tremendous force; but
they had no sullen or secret malice.
Moreover, the Antrim fathers were intensely set in
their own way. They wanted light, and informed
themselves and thought the thing out and made
up their minds, and then it was counted about as
easy to move one of the mountains round about them
as to move one of those old yeomen out of his opinion.
They had a mortal hatred of "giving U]> ! "
They were a jolly, witty race, fond of repartee and
good cheer and practical jokes. They gloried in
hard hits. There was nothing weak or timid about
their fun. Jokes went round their companies as cut-
ting as a keen blade, as heavy as a hard blow, and
they roared and shouted in merriment together!
These hills of Antrim rang with their laughter in the
day when the panther's howl answered back and the
Indian's whoop echoed in the forest! It is said the
laiKjh oi i\ie fathers of Antrim was glorious to hear!
And the aged grandmother, in her chair in the corner,
would deal her strokes of wit as keen as ever, and tell
a story with side-shaking mimicry and zest!
Antrim was for many years an agricultural town,
with much grazing and a fruitful, though rocky soil.
But within a recent period the town hiis become
dependent on nuinufacturing for its growth and
wealth. There are six saw-mills in town, as before
intimated, two grist-mills, two threshing-mills,
three wheelwright-shops, four blacksmith-shops, five
crib and bedstead-factories, one silk-mill, besides
the several mills connected with the cutlery-works.
This last, under the name of the Goodell Company,
is by far the largest industry of the town. Here are
manufiieture<l many kinds of fine table cutlery, which
finds a large sale all over the land. They make also
untold numbers of apple-parers, slicers, corcrs, peach-
])arers, cherry-stoners and seed-sowers, both of hand
and horse-power. This establishment furnishes em-
ployment, ilireetly and i)idirectly, for more than two
hundred .\ntrim people, an<l pays to the iieople thou-
sands of didlars in cash every month. In all these
industries, and some smaller ones not mentioned, a
majority of the peojile of the town are now engaged.
Farnnnghas greatly improveil here in the last ten years,
but manufacturing vastly more, and the farmer thrives
allthebetterbecauseof the millsth.il fiourisb near him.
260
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HON. DAVID H. GOODELL."
The Goodells, Goodalns and Goodalls, now so
numerous in New England, arc supposed to have all
descended from Robert Goodell. (For what is known
of him and his descendants, see the sketch of the
family and the line of descent of Levi Goodale, in
this liistory.) Of the line through which the sub-
ject of this sketcli came, we have the following in the
Granite Monthly :
1. David Goodell, who resided in that part of the
town of Amherst now included in Milford.
2. David Goodell, a son of the above, who married
Elizabeth Hutchinson, and lived in Amherst.
3. David Goodell, son of David and Elizabeth, who
was born in Amherst, September 1.5, 1774; married
Mary Raymond, of Mont Vernon, and settled in
Hillsborough ; removed to Antrim in 1844, and died
in 1848. His wife died May 17, 1864, aged eighty-
five.
4. Deacon Jesse R. Goodell, son of David and
Mary, who Wiis born in Hillsborough, February 12,
1807, and removed to Antrim in 1841, where he still
resides, and is a farmer. He married, first, Olive At-
wood Wright, of Sullivan, who was born February
28, 1807, and died June 13,1877. He married, second,
Mrs. Ruth (Wilkins) Bennett.
5. Hon. David H. Goodell, only child of Jesse R.
and Olive A., was born in Hillsborough, May (5, 1834,
and removed to Antrim in 1841 with his father and
mother, and still resides there.
From the above it would seem that David was a
favorite name in this branch of the family, as four
out of five in direct .succession received it.
In "Sketches of Successful New Hampshire Men "
it is recorded of the mother of David H. Goodell that
her parents were poor, and found it difticult to pro-
vide for the numerous children dependent on them ;
that when she was fifteen years old she left home for
Boston to seek licr own living. On reaching there
she had just fifty cents in her pocket. Not finding
employment in Boston, she went to Waltham, where
the first cotton-factory in the country had just com-
menced operations. She obtained employment, and
at the end of a year and a half visited her parents
with forty dollars in her pocket. When she was
married, eight years after this, she had saved from
her earnings five hundred dollars.
The parents of David H. desired tliat he should
fare better than they had, and that he should have a
good education. Hence, when he had learned what
he could at the town school, he went for .-several terms
to Hancock Academy, thence to New Hampton, and
graduated at Francestown Academy in 1852. In the
1 By Rev. W. Hiirliii.
fall of that year he entered Brown University, at
Providence, R. I., and took high rank as a scholar.
In Latin he was marked within one degree of perfect,
and he won a prize in mathematics. But in his
second year his health failed, and he was obliged to
return home. A year and a half on his father's farm
r&stored him to health, and he taught school two
terms at Hubbardston, Mass., one at Leominster,
Mass., and one at New London Literary and Scientific
Institution.
But his health again failed, and he returned to An-
trim with the intention of making farming the busi-
ness of his life. In 1857, however, the Antrim
Shovel Company was organized, and he became its
treasurer and book-keeper, and in 1858 he was ap-
pointed general agent of the company. In 1861 the
company sold out to Treadwell & Co., and Mr. Good-
ell continued to act for them in the same position.
In 1864 the late Oakes Ames bought the business,
including the patents of the now famous Antrim
shovel, and removed it to North Easton, Mass.
Mr. Goodell now entered into partnership with Mr.
George R. Carter, one of the firm of Treadwell iS; Co..
and commenced the manufacture of apple-parers on
a small scale. Having invented the " lightning
apple-parer," it was put on the market through a
New York house, who in two years sold a few hun-
dred dozen, and thought they did well. In 1866, Mr.
Goodell resolved to sell for himself, and in a tour of
three weeks sold two thousand dozen, and thus made
his invention known through the country.
In February, 1867, the factory was burned, and as
there was no insurance, it was a total loss ; but in si.x
weeks a new shop was in operation, and five thousand
dozen apple-parers were manufactured and sold that
year. In 1869 the patents of the Cahoon seed-sowers
were purchased, and these machines were added to
the business. In 1870 a new trouble came upon the
firm. The business of D. H. Goodell & Co. was con-
ducted upon the cash principle ; but the firm had
unwisely indorsed notes for Treadwell & Co. (one of
the partners being, as already stated, a member of
both lirnisi to the amount of fifty thousand dollars,
and the failure of Treadwell & Co. necessarily led to
the bankruptcy of D. H. Goodell & Co. When the
Antrim property was sold at auction Mr. Goodell
bought it, and since then has been enlarging his bus-
iness every year.
In 1S72, Mr. Goodell joined in organizing the Woods
Cutlery Company, at Bennington, and carried that on
in addition to his own ])rivate business at Antrim,
and in 1875 both concerns were merged in the Goodell
Company, of which Mr.Goodell isthegeneral manager,
and of which he owns nearly the whole of the stock.
The company manufacture all kinds of table cutlery,
from scale tang to silver-plated, hot-water jiroof ; and
also numerous kinds of apple-parers, peach-parers,
potato-parers, cherry-stoners, seed-sowers, both hand
and horse-power, and Robinson's hammock chairs.
^ a^- .^1
^.':^.^^r^z^6cl{
'-Zi>0^^ ^/^^6^^^^C<D
ANTRIM.
>r,i
Tlie number of hands employed is about one hundred
111(1 seventy-tive, and tin- ])ay-r(>ll amounts to about
'■iirtffM hundred dollars per week. The business is
ionduet*.'d at Antrim, and there are factories both at
Antrim and Keuniugtou, which are connected by a
private telephone.
In addition to his niiiuul'acturing business, Mr.
' ioodell is a practical farmer, and he luus for many
• ars managed the large farm which formerly be
■inged to his fatlier, but wliich is now owned by him.
He aided in organizing, and was for several years the
president of, the Oak Park Association for the encour-
a'.'ement of agriculture and mechanical arts ; has been
■ r a number of years one of the trustees of the New
K igland .\gricultural Society, and since 1871' has
lieen an active member of the New Hampshire Board
of Agriculture.
Mr. Goodel! has also been active and honored in
public life. He has served as school committee,
town clerk and moderator. In 1876, after a long con-
test, he established his claim to have been elected as
representative to the Legislature by the Repul)lican
party, and was twice re-elected, in 1877 and 1878, and
he commanded the confidence of his colleagues to
such an extent that no measure which he advocated
W!i8 defeated, and not one that he opposed was
successful. The bill for the erection of a new State
Prison was carried largely through his judicious and
earnest support. In 1882 he was elected a member
of the Governor's Council, and served his term of two
years, from 1883 to 1885. At the Republican Con- i
vention of 1884 he received one hundred and forty-
six votes as the candidate for (iovernor, and was in |
reality the only candidate before the Convention l)e- i
sides the Hon. Moody Currier, whose nomination was j
made unanimous, and who was elected. Mr. (ioodell
is also an earnest temperance worker, and has been |
vice-president and is now president of the New Hani])- [
shire Slate Tempenince I'nioM. He is also trustee of
Colby Academy, at New London.
On Septemlier 1, 1857, Mr. Goodel 1 married Hannah
.lane Plumer, a daugliter of Jes-se T. Plumer, ofGoHs-
lown. Their children are, first. Dura Dana, born Sep-
tember f>, 1X.58 ; and, second, liichard Carter, born
August 10, ISfiS. The whole family are members of
tile Baptist Church in .\ntrim, Mr. .lesse R. Goodell
having for many years been one of the deacons.
From the foregoing it will be seen that Hon. David
H. Goodell, though still in the prime of life, has won
a position of consideralile importance. His large
fuimufacturing busini'ss is aiknowledgc<l to be the lil'e
of Antrim, and to e.\ert a large inllucncc in Henning-
ton ; his farm is noted as a model of progress, his
busin(;ss credit is high, his general reputation good and
his private character unsullied ; anil it is no won<ler
that he occupies a i)lace among the eighty-eight per-
sons who are nnticcd in a work, pul)lished in 1882,
entitled, "Sketches of Successful New Hampshire
Men." A,
HON. JACOB TUTTLE.
The earliest record at hand of this branch of the
Tuttle family is that of Samuel', who was born in 170f).
In 1729 he married Martha, daughter of Rev. Benja-
min Shattuck, the first minister of Littleton, Mass.
She was born in 1712. From this union there were
nine children. Of these, the one in the line of de-
scent was Sampson-', who was born August 29, 1738.
He married Sulimit Warren, who was born November
23, 1742. Samjisou' died June 7, 1815, and his wife
July 21. 1797. They had fourteen children.
Jacob-', the subject of this sketch, was born in Little-
ton, Mass., February (5, 1767. His childhood was
passed with his parents, and early in his career there
were developed traits of character that gave unusual
promise for the future. He was a rugged, healthy
boy, and was foremost in athletic sports in his schocd-
boy days. His educational advantages were limited.
He attended the district school and came to his ma-
jority in full vigor and readv for life's work. .June
18, 1795, he married Betsey, daughter of I.saac and
IClizabeth (Trowliridge) Cummings, of Westford. Mass.,
and, taking his wife on horseback, started across the
country for Antrim, N. H. He had saved a small
sum of money, and with it he bought a farm in the
northern border of the town. The old homestea<l is
now occupied by .James A., a grandson. Mr. Tuttle
opened a store for general trade and soon had a large
mercantile business, and also carried on farming on
an extensive scale. In 1818 he moved his store to
the Branch Vilhige and resided there for many years,
accumidating a large property. He soon became a
leader in civil atl'airs and filled nearly all the town
offices, and for sixteen years represented the town in
the General Court. He was elected State Senator
from District No. 8 in March, 1833. He was elected
a member of Governor William Badger's Council in
March, 1834, and served two years. He was a mem-
ber of the Electoral College in 1816. New Hanqishire
had eight mcmlicrs at that time, who were elected by
the Repul>liean party and cast their votes for James
Monroe for President of the United States. The whide
vote of the State was 28,555, — Republican vote, 15,-
188; Federal vote, 13,367. He was also a "side Judge"
of the Court of Common Pleas, from which circum-
stance he wore the title of ".Judge Tuttle." Judge
Tuttle attended the Presbyterian Church and was a
liberal contributor for the support of public worship.
He was a kind friend and a devoted husband and
father. He died .\ugust 20, 1848, at the age of eighty-
one years. His wife, who was greatly beloved for her
many virtues, died .January 28, 1852. Judge Tuttle
had fourteen children: Betsey ', born June 13 1796,
died September 13, 1800; .Jacob, born FVbruary 4,
1798, died September 3, 1800; Nancy, born January
17, 1800, died September 25, 1800; Betsey, born .Inly
13, 1801, died February 15. 1814; Nancy, born April
9, 1803, died .May 6, 1805; Subndt R., born April 21,
1805, married James Steel, died .\ngU8t 3, 1833; Lu-
262
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
cetta, born March 23, 1807, married John Sargent,
died August 1, 1855; Louisa, born June 3, 1809, mar-
ried Andrew C. Cochran, died January 11, 1849; Lydia
S., born .June 1, 1811, married Hiram Griffin, died
April, 1885; .lames M., born July ij, 1813, married
Hannah Shedd, died l)ecember 5, 1861 ; Susan, horn
July 17, 1815, married Henry D. Pierce, died October
20,1874; Harriet, horn August 3, 1817, married David
W.Grimes, died Seiitember 2, 1848; Isaac C, born
September 11, 1>>2U, married Louisa .1. Love and lives
in Illinois; .Mary E., the youngest daughter, who
places the engraving of her father in this work, was
born May 15, 1823. She was married to John S. Shed,
of New Bedford, Mass., May 20, 1846, and lives in
Antrim. There were two children from this union, —
Mary J., born April 20, 1854, and Eliza A., born July
5, 1857. Mary died August 17, 185«. Eliza A. was
married, .January 1, 1879, to Kuthven Childs, of Hills-
borough, N. H., and has one child, Carrie May, horn
December 20, 1879.
MORRIS CHRISTIE, M.P.
Peter and William Christie signed the "Memorial to
Governor Shute " (171S), l>ut neither of them came in
the Londonderry company that settled thattown in the
following year. But Jesse Christie, probably the son
of Peter, settled in Londonderry (now East Derry)
about 1725. His wife's name was Mary, and tliey had
a daughter Mary, born in Londonderry, June 1, 1728.
Their son (jeorge (Captain George Christie, of New
Boston) was born October 3, 1731. From this .lesse
and JIary probably sprang all the Christies of Hills-
borough County. They were parents (there is hardly
room to doubt) of Deacon Jesse Christie, who settled
in New Boston, and was a man of high standing in
that town. He was chosen deacon in the Presby-
terian Church there uniler the first pastor; was a
man of strict business uprightness, and was pecu-
liarly social and friendly ; was a farmer and mill-
owner, having built the mills where afterwards the
New Boston Paper-JIill stood. Deacon .Jesse Christie
married Mary Gregg, daughter of Samuel and Mary
(Moor) Gregg and granddaughter of Captain James
and Janet (Cargil) Gregg, which Captain James was
one of the original sixteen who began in Londonderry
in 1719, and was of mature years at that date.
Deacon Jesse and Mary (Gregg) Christie had twelve
children, — Jeane, Peter, Samuel, .John, Mary, Eliza-
beth, James, Mary .Vnn, Jesse, Robert, Anna and
AVIlliam. Several of these sons settled in New Bruns-
wick about 1790, and their descendants have come to
lionor there. The mother of these twelve children
vcas a noble woman, large in stature and large in heart,
— one of the most useful and energetic and capable
women in that early settlement. The writer well re-
members hearing (dd ])eo|de who knew her speak of
her as "a devoted Christian, of great kindness and
full of good works."
Samuel Christie, third chihl of Deacon .Jesse, was
born in New Boston, February 20, 1764. He came to
Antrim in the spring of 1788 and bought a large tract
of land next east of the cemetery at the " Old Center,"
now known as " Meeting-House Hill." Here he made
his "clearing," and in the fall of that year he i)Ut up
a small, low house, answering well for the times, and
for temporary use. Near the close of the same year
(1788) he received a companion into his new and hum-
ble home in the person of Zibiah Warren, daughter
of Josiah and .Jane (Livingston) Warren, of New
Bo.st()n. Traditions say that she was " very young
and very fair." After a few years Mr. Christie built
the large, old-fashioned tavern, with large square
rooms, enormous fire-places and long dancing hall.
Here he " kept tavern " the rest of his days. There
w.as then considerable travel through the town, it be-
ing before the day of railroads. There w.as large busi-
ness on training-days and town-meeting days; and
on Sab!)ath-days the hearers of Kev. Dr. Whiton came
over from the church near by to warm uj) with the
subject.
Samuel Christie died October 25, 1818, leaving eight
children, among tbem Hon. Daniel M. Christie,
LL.D., of Dover; .Josiah W. Christie, Esq., of .An-
trim ; and Mary Christie, for fifty-five years a mis-
sionary in Ceylon, as wife of Rev. Levi Spalding.
Dr. Morris Christie, the subject of this sketch, was
the son of Josiah W. and Mary (Bell) Christie, and
was born in Antrim .Vugust 29, 1832. His father was
farmer and carpenter, a great worker; and the son
had his full share, enjoying, however, from time to
time, the limited advantages of the district school.
Afterwards he attended the academies at Francestown,
W.ashington and Hopkinton, each for a time. Hav-
ing had, from childhood, a desire to be a physician,
in the summer of 185(; he took up the study of medi-
cine with the late Dr. Thomas Sanborn, of Newport,
N. H. In the autumn of the same year he attended
a course of medical lectures at Dartmouth College.
Through the summer of 1857 he again studied with
Dr. Sanborn. In the fall of 1857 he went to New
York and attended lectures in the University of New
York till the time of his graduation, March, 1859.
At once he entered Charity Hospital as assistant phy-
sician, remaining there a year. May 1,1860, he be-
gan practice in his native town, which he has con-
tinued with gratifying success till the present time.
His practice reaches into all the adjoining towns, and
he has fairly won a leading place in his profession.
He is one having honor " in his own country," a lib-
eral giver, a worker in every good cause, of strong,
earnest convictions, a man characterized by largc-
heartedncss, oulspokenness and Christian principle.
Dr. Christie married Susan S. Hill, daughter of
George W. and Sabrina( Woodbury) Hill, of Johnson,
Yt., July 22, ISt;:',.
They have one son, George W., born .\ugust 5,
1868.
? /^
4.
f
t f7-?zXra.-^^
ANTRIM.
2C3
DR. OILMAN KIMBALL.
Dr. Oilman Kimball was born in Xew Che!5ter(now
Hill,) N. H., Docembor 8, ls04. His father, Ebeiiezor
Kimball, was born in Wonhani, Mass., but, leaving
his native place at an early age, he moved to Antrim,
N. H., where, 3ix)n after, he married Polly Aiken, the
eldest (laughter of Deacon James .\ikeu, wlio was the
first settler of that town.
He subsequently established himself a.* a merchant
in New Chester, N. H., a -imall village on the Penn-
gewjLsset River, about twenty-five miles above Con-
cord. Here he spent the business part of his life of
forty years, educated his children in the best schools
of the |)eriod, and became a leading man in all that
region in building up town iiistilutious and sustain-
ing all pul>lic and moral enterprises.
Dr. Kimball's early education was of a high order,
no department of study being omitted that was calcu-
lated to aid him in whatever business or profession he
might choose to adopt.
At the age of twenty he entered upon the study of
the medical |)rofe,ssion, under the tuition of the med-
ical faculty of Dartmouth College, and graduated as
Doctor of Medicine at the same institution in 182G,
the last two years of his pupilage having been spent
in the office of Dr. Edward Reynolds, of Boston.
During this perioil he attended a course of lectures
at the Harvard .Medical College, and, at the same
time, with other menil)ers of the medical class, visited
regulnrly the wards of the Massachusetts General
Hospital. At the close of the lecture term he be-
came a daily attendant for a year at the United States
Marine Hospital, then under the charge of the late
Dr.Solomon D. Townsen<l, ami, dnringseveral months
of that time, was charged with the duties of resident
physician and surgeon.
In 1827 he commenced the practice of medicine and
surgery in the small manufacturing town of Chicopec,
near Springfield, Miuss.
In lK2il he left Chicopec to visit Europe, where, for
more than a year, he pursued his studies in the
medical schools and hospitals of Paris, thus ful-
filling an early cherished purpose for securing op-
portunities for professional study, which, at that time,
it was diflicull, if iio( iinpossil)le, to obtain in his own
country.
While in Paris he availe<l himself of thi' great ad-
vantages there oHered for improvement in branches
of study which he had been specially interested in
before leaving home, — namely, anatomy and surgery.
For this purpose he placed himself uiuler the
tuition of Professor .\iiguste lierard, a.ssistaiit jiro-
fessor of anatomy in the Seliool of Medicine, re-
ceiving from him <laily iMslniition, liutli in aiialoniy
and operative surgery.
For general instruction in surgery he selected the
Hotel Dieu, not only from its being the largest, and,
in many respects, the best appointed hospital in
Paris, but from its having at the li<>ail of it.s surgical
department the distinguished surgeon. Baron Diiimy-
tren, at that time the most poi>ular, as well :is the
ablest, teacher of surgery on the continent of Europe,
in this respect holding the same position in France
that Sir .\stley Cooper did in England.
From this eminent surgeon he received an auto-
graph certificate, stating the fact of his daily attend-
ance, both in the hospital and at his clinical lectures,
from August 24, 1829, to July 1, 18:«l.
Returning home in the autumn of 1830, he imme-
diately established himself, permanently, as physician
and surgeon in the then comparatively small town of
Lowell, Mass., and very soon became engaged in an
extensive practice.
The mea.sure of his professional growth and stand-
ing at home, as well as outside the limits of Lowell,
is surticiently shown in the fact that, in 1839, he was
selected by the directors of the ditferent manufactur-
ing corporations of Lowell to take charge of the hos-
pital, established the same year, for the benefit of
their mill operatives.
In 1842 he was elected to succeed the late Dr. Wil-
lard Parker, of Xew York, as professor of surgery in
the medical college at Woodstock, Vt., and the fol-
lowing year he was chosen to fill a similar position in
the Berkshire Medical Institution, at Pitt.sfield, Mass.
At the end of four years his relations as jirofessorat
both these institutions were necessarily given up on
account of what were thought to be more important
obligations to the hospital.
His connection with the Lowell Hospital terminated
at the end of twenty-si.\ years from the date of its es-
tablishment. -Mthough, during this peri<id, he was
extensively engaged in general practice, it was in the
department of surgery that his name became particu-
larly prominent, several of his achievements in this
line of practice having been recorded in tlie leading
medical and surgical jieriodicals in Eurn]ie as well as
in America.
Immediately upon the breaking out of the Rebel-
lion, he aeconi[>anied (ieneral Butler as brigatle sur-
geon, first to Annapolis and soon after to F\)rtres»
Monroe. At both these stations he superintended
the organization of the first military hospitals estab-
lished for the reception of the sick and wounded of
the I'nion army.
Tpon the appointment of General Butler to the
command of the Department of the Ciulf, he was
commissioned to serve on his stafi" as medical di-
rector, and continued in that capacity until the em-
barkation of the troops from Boston for Ship Island,
when physical prostration i'onsci|Uent iii)on exposure
to a malarial climate the year before, at Fortress
Monroe, obliged him to resign. The lollowing spring,
his health becoming somewhat improved, he reported
himself to head>|Uarters as again ready for duty, and
was immciliately ordered to join the army of General
McClellan, eneampeil at that lime before Yorktown.
He had siareely reached his new post, however, when
264
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
he was again prostrated with malarial disease and
forced to return home on leave of absence. His
resignation was soon after tendered to the surgeon-
general, and accepted on the ground of physical dis-
ability.
His services as medical oflRcer in the Vnioii army
covered a i)eriod of nearly an entire year.
Actuated by the same zeal that first prompted him
to look beyond his own country for sources of profes-
sional imi)rovement, lie repeated from time to time
his visits to Europe, making the acquaintance of the
leading men in the several departments of the profes-
.sion, and gathering from them new and advanced
ideas and suggestions, which, as opportunity offered,
he afterwards illustrated in his own practice at home.
In this connection it is but just to remark that, in a
special department of surgery, his name has of late
become particularly prominent.
In ovariotomy, one of the gravest and most formid-
able operations known in surgery, he has acquirL'd an
enviable distinction, both in Europe and America, —
a distinction the more honorable from having been
reached in spite of a strong prevailing prejudice
against the operation on the part of the profession at
large, and a still more jjronounced opposition from
many of the leading surgeons in his own vicinity.
This opposition, however, has at last been fully over-
come by the success that has crowned his large num-
ber of operations, numbering at the present time
three hundred (a number larger than that of any
other surgeon now living in this country), so that at
the present day ovariotomy is no longer a procedure
whidi well-informed surgeons presume to denounce;
and as regards its beneficent results, it is now recog-
nized as the most important within the range of
legitimate surgery.
Althougii his connection with the operation above
referred to has limited in some degree his general
practice, on account of extraordinary demands upon
his time, the record of his professional life of fifty
years shows that during this period he has performed
all the important operations naturally occurring in
the line of surgery. Among the most notable of these
may be named two amputations of the hip-joint, one
of them successful ; exsection of the elbow-joint, fol-
lowed by a new formation of the same, the patient
ultimately recovering its use, so that he was enabled
to serve in the Union army as an able-bodied soldier ;
ligation of the internal iliac artery, fatal on the nine-
teenth day from secondary bleeding; of the external
iliac, the femoral, for aneurism, the common carotid
and subclavian arteries, all successful. Besides the
three hundred eases of ovariotomy already alluded to,
he has extirpated the uterus twelve times, with six
recoveries.
Of the contributions to medical literature, the most
important relate to ovarintoniy and uterine extirpa-
tion, — first, cases ilhistratiiig certain points in practice
tending to relieve tlie operation of some of its most
serious dangers, Boston Medical and Surgical Jour-
I nal for 1874 and 1876, and Tranfaciions of the
American GyiKvcotoyical Society in Boston, 1877 ;
second, ca.se of uterine extirpation, notable as being
' according to Koeberle of Strasbourg, the first on
record where the operation was ever proposed and
successfully performed upon a correctly establislied
diagnosis, Boston Medical and Surgical Journal,
1855. Paper on the "Treatment of Uterine Fibroids
by Electrolysis or Galvanism," Boston Medical and
Surgical Journal, January, 1874; paper on the "Ex-
tirpation of the Uterus," read before the American
Medical Association at Chicago, June, 1877.
He became member of the Massachusetts Medical
Society in 1832, received honorary degree of M.D.
from Williams College in 1837, elected Fellow of the
College of Physicians and .Surgeons of the Univer-
sity of New York JIarch, 1843, received honorary
degree of M.D. from ITale College in 1856, honorary
degree of A.M. from Dartmouth College in 1839,
elected member of the American Gynnecological
Society in 1878, and president of the same in 1882.
In 1878 he was elected vice-president of the Massa-
chusetts Medical Society.
He hiis been twice married, — first time to Mary
Dewar, eldest daughter of Dr. Henry Dewar, of
Edinburgh, Scotland, and second time to Isabella
Defries, daughter of Henry I. Defries, of Nantucket,
Mass.
HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
CHAPTER I.
grapbicAl — Original Grant —Soiihegaii East — i'otitlon for Incorpora-
liuD — Cliarterof the Town— Tlie First Settlements— Nnmesuf I'ioneers
— The French War — Colonel John GoITe — War of the Revolution —
XaniiM of Soldiers — Votes of the Town — Association Test.
The town of Bedford lies in the eii-<tern part of the
county, and is Iwunded as follows: North by Goffs-
town, Kast l)y Mantlicster and Litchfield, South by
Merrimack and West l)y Amlierst and New Boston.
This town was one of the JIassachusttts >rrants of
17-iS, made to the surviving soldiers of tlie King
Philip's War, including deceased soldiers' heirs, and
was called Narraganset No. 5, also Souhegan East,
and was under the government of that province
until the settlement of the line, in 1741. It was in-
corporated by the g<ivernnient of New Hampshire
May 19, 17o<), and named in honor of the Duke
of Bedford, who was at that time Secretary of State
in the government of George the Second, and for
many years Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.
The lirst settlement of the township was in 1737.
A.s early its the winter of 17.'i-') a man by the name of
Selibins came from Braintrec, Mass., and spent the
winter in what was then Souhegan East. He occupied
himself in making shingles, and the spot he selected
for his |)urpose was south <d' the old graveyard, be-
tween that and Selibins' Pond, on the north line of a
piece of land that Wiis owned by the late Isaac At-
wood. In the spring of the year he drew his shingles
to Merrimack River, about a mile and a half, on a
hand-sled, and rafted them to Pawlucket Falls (now
Lowell). The pond alreaily noticed, and a large tract
of land around the same, still goes by his name.
Ill the fall of 1737 the first permanent settlement
wa" made by Robert and .Fames Walker, brothers;
and in the following ai)ring, by Matthew and Samuel
Patten, brothers, and sons of John Patten; and soon
after by many others. The Pattens lived in the same
hut with the Walkers until they built one of their
own, near where .rosei>h Palten used to live. They
commenced their first labors near the bank of the
Merrimack, on a jiiece of ground known as Patten's
field, about forty rods north of Josiah Walker's barn.
The Walkers were immeiliately from Lomlonderry,
N. H. The Pattens never lived in Londonderry,
though they belonged to the company ; they were im-
mediately from Dunstable. The father, J(din Patten,
with his two sons, Matthew and Samuel, landed at
Boston, stop])ing there but a short time; thence they
came to Chelmsford, and thence to Dunstable, where
he stayed till he came to Bedford. The second ])iece
of land cleaied was on the Josei>h Patten place, the
field south of the first pound, where the noted old
high and Hat granite stone now stands.
With few exceptions, the early inhabitants of the
town were from the north of Ireland or from the
then infant settlement of Londonderry, N. H., to
which they had recently emigrated from Ireland.
Their ancestors were of Scotch origin. About the
middle of the seventeenth century they went in con-
siderable numbers from Argyleshire, in the west of
Scotland, to the counties of Londonderry and Antrim
in the north of Ireland, from which, in 1718, a great
emigration took place to this country. Some arrived
at Boston and some at Casco Bay, near Portland,
which last were the settlers of Londonderry. Many
towns in this vicinity were settled from this colony.
Windham, Chester, Litchfield, Manchester, Be<lford,
(iollstown. New Boston, Antrim, Peterborough and
Acworth clerived from Londonderry a considerable
proportion of their first inhabitants.
" Many of their descendants," says Kev. Dr. Whiton,
in his history of the State, " have risen to high re-
spectability ; among whom are numbered four (iov-
ernors of New Hampshire; one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence; several distinguished
officers in the Revolutionary War and in the last war
with Great Britain, including Stark, Reid, Miller and
McNeil ; a ]iresident of Bowdoin College, some mem-
bers of Congress, and several distinguished ministers
of the gosjiel."
President Everett, in his " Life of (ieneral Stark,"
thus notices the colony, —
*' These onii^cntnts were ili*»rrn(li-ii from Ihe Scotch rn-slivtcrlnns, who,
in the reign of .l)une«, wore CMtjitilislnHl in Irtthind, bnt who, itrofessint;
with nutitiniil leiinclt.v a n'ligions hellef neither in acconlance with the
|io|iulHr faith in IreliuMl nor with that of Itit Knglish niiu<ters, ami dis-
llklng llie institullonrtof tithe anil rent, determined to ft'ek a si'ttletnent
In .\merira. The (inil lurty canio over In 171S, an<l leil the way in a svt-
tloment on Merrimaclt Itiver. They were sliortly snccetHlcit by a largo
DUlnher of tlicircoiiulryinen, who hronght with llieinthearl of wt^vlng
linen, and llrst intro'lm ed the cnltnn> of the |Hitato into this part of
America, and I'nrnistied from tlieir families a large nnml>er of the plo-
ueers of civlll/jiltoli In New HamiMdiln', Vennimt and .Elaine ; and some
of the mmt usorni and illstlngnlshcd citlu'iu of all these slat4Mi."
205
266
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
J
These quotations will not, it is hoped, be thought
superfluous, when it is considered how large a pro-
portion of the early inhabitants of the town were of
Scottish origin. They were, as they are justly repre-
sented in the address of Colonel Barnes, a well-prin-
cipled, frujrai, hardy and industrious people, who
brought with tliem a sound attai'hnicnt to religious
institutions.
"And it is interesting to notice the gimilarity between the pil.
grinis of I'lymouth and the emigrants from the north of Ireland, hs
respects the motives whicli led them to emigrute. It was no worldly
ambition, it was nu unhiiUuwed thirst of gain, that iu either case appeare
to have led these liardy men to leave the comforts and endearments
of their native land and come to this western wilderness. It was, we
may believe, in both cases, for the enjoyment of the rights of conscience
and religious privileges tliat they came across the Atlantic, and settled
down in these forests." — "Historical Sketch of Ue>l/i'id," by Her. Thomtu
Savage, 1840.
A few years after the first settlement the inhabit-
ants petitioned to be incorporated, and in 17o0 the
town, which had been called Souhegan East, or Nar-
ragansett No. 5, was incorporated under its present
name and within its present limits, its territory orig-
inally extending south to Souhegan River.
April 11, 1748. Governor Wentworth informed
the Council of "the situation of a number of persons
inhabiting a place called Souhegan East, within this
province, that were without any township or district,
and had not the privilege of a town in choosing offi-
cers for regulating their affairs, such as raising money
for the ministry," etc.
"Upon which, his Kxcellency, with the advice of the Council, was
pleased to older that the above-mentioned persons, living at s'd place, be
and hereby are empowered to call meetings of the a'd inhabitants, at
which meeting they may, by virtue hereof, transact snch matters and
things as are usually done at town or Parish-meetings within this Prov-
ince, sui-li as chousing officers, raising money for paying such charges of
the s'd inluibitiints, as shall be voted by a majority present at any such
meeting. Provided, nevertheless, that nothing herein contained shall
be construed, deemed or taken as a grant of the land, or Quieting any
pOssesHion. And that this order nuiy be rendered beneficial to the s;tid
inhabitants, tis further ordered that Capt. .Fohn GofTe, Jnn'r, call the
Gret meeting, l>y a written notification, posted up at a i»ublic place
amongst the inhabitants, tifteen days before the time of s'd meeting, in
which notification the matters to be transacted are to be mentioned ; and
ftfter that the Selectmen may call meetings, and are to follow the rules
in BO doing that are prescribed by law, for Town and Parish -meetings.
This Vote to continue and be in force till some further order thereon,
and DO longer."
CHARTEU GRANTED TO SOUHEGAN' EAST IN 1750.
"At a Council holdon at Portsmouth according to his Excellency's
Summuns, on Fryday, May the l^th, 17^0: — I'l-cf^eut: — Ellis Huske,
Theodore Atkinson, Richard Wibird, Samuel Smith, .lohn Downing,
Samuel Sulley, and Samiison Shenffe, Esquires :— A petition signed Sam-
uel Miller, William 3Ioora, and others, presented by John Gofle, Esq.,
and Mr. Samuel Patten, praying for a charter of Incorporation of the
inhabitants of a place called Soubegon East, in this Province, being
read, and Joseph Blanehard, Esq., in behalf of the town of Merrimack,
aim) at the same time appearing, and the parties being heard on the said
I'otition, and agreeing where the line sliunld run, in case his Excellency,
with the advice of the Council, should think proper to grant the Peti-
tioners a Charter of Incorporation. Mr. Ooffe and Patten, upt^n being
aaked, declared that the sole end pro{x>setl by the petitioners was to bo
incorporated with privileges as other towns, by law, have in this
Province.
" Upon which the Council did unanimously advise that bis Excellency
grant a Charter of Incorix>ralion,as usual in such coses.'*
The following is a copy of the petition for incor-
poration :
PETITION FOK INCOKPORATION.
"To his Excellency, Benning Wentworth, Esq., Governor and Com-
mander-in-Chief of his Majesty's Province of New Hampshire, and to-
the Honorable, his Majesty's Council, assembled at Portsmouth, May
IC, 1750.
"The humble Petition of the subscribers, inhabitante of Souhegan
East, so-called, Sheweth, That your Petitioners are major part of said.
Souhegan ; that your petitionei"s, as to our particular persuasion in
Christianity, are generally of tlie Presbyterian denomination ; that your
petitioners, through a variety of causes, having In-en long destitute of
the gosprf, are now desirous of taking the proper steps in order to have
it settled among us in that way of discipline which we judge to tend
most to our edification ; that your petitionere, not being incoriKtrated by
civil authority, are in no capacity to raise those simis of money whit^h
may he needful in order to our proceeding in the above important affair.
May it therefore please your Excellency, and Honors, lo take the case of
your petitioners under consideration, and to incorporate us into a town-
or district, or in case any part of our inhal>itants should l>e taken off by
any neighboring district, to grant that those of our jiersuasion who are
desirous of adhering to us may be excused from sup]>orting any other
parish charge than where they conscientiously adht-re. we desiring the-
same libeny to those within our b^^nnds, if any there he, and your peti-
tioners shall ever pray, Ac.
John McLaughlin,
William Kennedy,
Fergus Kennedy,
John Burns,
Gerard Rowen,
John McQuige,
Patrick Taggart,
John Goffe,
Jolin Orr,
John Moorehead,
James Little,
Robert Gilmoor, Senior,
David Thomp^D,
James McKnight,
Hugh Riddell,
Daniel Moor,
John Clark,
Robert Walker,
Matthew Patten,
the abovi' suttscribers, do commiwioD
Patten to present this petition, in or-
, according to their instructions fronL
"James Little, ClarJc.
" .'^anlueI Miller,
William Moor,
John Riddell,
Thomas Vickerc,
Matthew Little,
James Moor,
John Tom,
James Kennedy,
Robert Gilmoor,
Richard McAllister,
James Walker,
John Bell,
John McLaughlin, Senior,
Thomas Chandler,
John McDngle,
Samuel Patten,
Alexander Walker,
Gan Riddell.
Benjamin Smith,
"These are to certify that we,
John Goffe, Esq., and Mr. Samuel
der to obtain incorporation for ui-
u8, the subscribers.
"[Dated] 3/<i(/ 10, 175CI."'
The petition was granted and the following is a
copy of the charter :
" Pbovince or New Ka.mpshire.
" George the Second, by the Grace of G(.mI, of Great Brittain, France,
and Ireland, King. Defender of the Faith, kc.
To all to whom these Presents shall Come, Gretting:
[L. S.]
" Whereag, Our Loyal Subjicks, Inhabitants of a Tract of Land, with-
in our Province of New Hampshire, aforesaid. Lying At or near A Place
culled Sow-Hegon, on the West side of thf Kiver .>I<'rriniack, Have
Humbly Petitioned and Reipiested to Us, That they may be Encted and
Incorporated into .\ Township, and Infronchized with the same Power*
and Privileges which other Towns, within Our sd Province, by Law
Have and Enjoy, and it appearing to Us to be Conducive to the General
good of Our said Province, as well as of the Inhabitants in Particular,
By maintaining gooil Order, and Encouraging the Culture of the Land,
that the same should be done. Know Ye, Therefore, That We, of our
Especial tJrace, certain Knowledge, and for the Encouragement and
Promoting the good Purposes and Ends aforesaid, By and with the Ad-
vice of Our Tnisty and well beloved Benning Wentworth, Esq.. Our
Govemour and Commander In Oiief, And of Our Council for ed Prov-
ince of New Uami>Hhire, Have Enacted and Ordained, And by theee-
Presents, for Us, Our Heirs and Succej«ors, Do will and Ordain that The
BEDFORD.
^o7
luhabiUiiils of a Tract uf Ijiiitl, afuresaiU, Or that bliull lubabit uiid Iin<
prove tbfiX'ou b^rcaUi-'r, BiUt(-*d and Bouudud as fuUows (Viz.) : Begio-
Ding at a i>lac<j ihtvv Mik-.s >'ortb fruiii the Bridge over Sow-IIegon
Rivfar, ul John Cbuinberlaiii's Muui^e, uud tbcnce to Bun Eoat, by tbe
Nevdlf, tu Merrhiiuck River, to a Siuke and Stuues, nnd to cxtt^nd tbat
Line \Ve«t uutil it liiteniccl u Line Kuowu by tbe iiuiue uf the \Vc-i>t
Line of 6uw-Heguii Kiut, and fiMiii tbeiice to Run Xortb, Two Degrees
AVeet, about tbive Mile^ uiid an half to a Beach 'I'rL-e, inurUed, called
Sow-llegoii Wedt, North I-iutt corner ; tbence South, Eighty Kight de-
gnvi WV'Bt, by nn uM Line uf marked Treea to a Chutitinit Tree, marked;
from thence North, Two Degrees Wtttt, Two miles, tu an Ucnilock Tree,
marked, called the North West Corner of said Sow-Iii^gou Eiisl ; tbeuce
Kttdt, by the Needle to Merrimack Rivur, to a Stake and Stones ; thence
S>utberly, as >l<Trimuck liiver runs, to tbe Stake and Stones ; first men-
tioned. And by these Preoenis, are Dechired and unlained to bo a Town
Oorporatu, and are hereby Kncled uud Incorj>orated into a Body Polli-
lick and a CoriMiiition, to have C^juiiiiuance forever, by the Name of
Bedford, with uU ibe I'uwers und Authorities, Priviludges, Imnmnities,
and lufruncliizus, to Itu-ni, the said Inhabitants, and their Successors fur
Ever, Always reserving to us, Our Hcii-s and Successors, All White Pine
Trees throwing and being, Or that shall hereafter (irowand bo, on the sd
Tract of Laml, tit for the Uso of Our Royal Navy, reserving also tbe
puwer I >f dividing tbe sil Town, to Us, Our Heirs and Success')rs, when
it shall upjicur Necessary and Convenient for the Benefit of the Inhabit-
ants thereof. It is to be understood, and is accordingly Hereby De-
clared, that tbe private Properly of the Soil is in iiu manner of way to
be affected by this ("barter. .Vnd us the several Towns within Our said
Proviure of New Humiwhire are, by tbe Laws thereof, Enabled and
Authorized to Assenible, and by the ^lujorily of Votes to Choose all such
Officers as are mentioned In the Siiid Laws, We du by these Presents,
Nominate and Appoint John Gofle, Esq., to Cull the fii*8t Meeting uf the
•aid Inhabitants, to be bcid within the sd Town, at any time within
thirty days from the Date hereof, (living Legal Notice of the Time, Pluee
.1,1 design of Holding such fleeting ; After wliich, the .\unuai Meeting
~h| Town shall be held fur the Choice of Town Otlicers, kc, for ever,
' II tbe luiit Weilnes^luy in March, annually.
"In Tfsliniuny Wht-reuf, Wr have caused the Seal of Our ed Prov-
ti " to be hereunto allixed. Witness, Benning Wentworth, Esq., Our
^•■rnwu^and f.'ommander In Chief of Our sd Province, the nineteenth
1 ' iv of May, In the Year of Our Lord Christ, One tluiusjind Seven hun-
drt-d and fifty. " B. Wkntwohtu.
*' By His Excellency's Command,
with Advice of Council.
" Theodore Atkinsok, S<c^c^/^y."
The French War. — Colonel .luhn CJofTc was in the
French War in ITofi, and was in command of our
forces at one period. The ibllowing were also in the
war I'roiu tliis town : William McDougal, George
Orr, Robert Holmes, Thomas McLaughlin, Samuel
Patterson, James Patterson, Nathaniel Patterson,
John Orr and Jolin Moor, the last of whom was
taken [irisoiier at Fort William Henry and carried to
France, from thence t<i ICnghind, whence he returned
home.
In 1760 a regiment consisting of eiglit hundred
men was raised by the province of New Hampshire,
to join the expedition under Cfcneral Amherst against
Canada. This rcginnMit was under the ctunmand of
Colonel John Golfe, ol" JSedford, and, in fact, was made
up, in a great measure, of men from llu- neighboring
towns in Hillsl)orough and Ilockingiiam Counties.
Colonel God'e had his rendezvous at Lytchfield,
then the imjiortant town of Hillsborough County.
Captain James Walker was engaged in this war,
from 17(jO to 17i)3, as a sutler under Colonel Jolin
Golfe, his father-in-law. In 1704 he was appointed
captain of a tro(»p of horse by Governor Went worth ;
the commission, dated March 4, 1704, and signed by
18
Theodore Atkinson, Jr., secretary, and B. Went-
worth. Governor, is in town in a good state of pres-
ervation.
Revolutionary War.~The hrst reference on the
town records tu the War of the Revolution is under
date of January 16, 1775, —
'* Voted, — To adopt the measures of the Continental (ingress.
" Voted, — Capt. Samuel Patten, Cupt. Daniel 3Ioorand Lieut. Samuel
Vosc he a Conunittee to carry siiid metusureti into execution.
" Kofcd,— Mr. James Martin, be appointed Deputy, in l>ehalf of the
(own, to attend the Provincial Congress, to be held at Kxoter, on Wednes-
day, 2oth inst., for the choice of a Delegate lo represent their province at
tbe Continental Cungress, proposed to be held at Philadelphia, Tuesday,
10th of aiay next.
"Voted, — That we will bear our proportion, with the other towns in
tbe Province, for sending Delegates to Philadelphia, l(ith of May next,
if our grievances are not removed before that time.
" Voleil, — That James Martin have one dollar per day, for his timo
and expenses, while ho is our Deputy at Exter, on the present otxasion.'
"April 20, VnH.
"To THE SrLECTMEN OF BeDKOKU.
" Oeutlemcii, — This moment tbe melancholy intelligonco hue been re-
ceived of hostilities being commenced between the tr<Kii>s, under Gen
Gage, and our brethren of Mjissachusctts Hay. Tbe importance of ex-
erting ourselves at this critical moment haa caused the Provincial Com-
mittee to meet at Exeter, and you are requested, instantly, to choose and
hasten forward, there, a Delegate or Delegates, to join in tbe Committee
and aid them in consuUing measures for our safety.
*' In great ha^te, and by order of the Committee,
" Your Ilundile Servant,
"J. Wentwoktii.**
" April 25, 1770. l*"(«r/,— Our Selertmrn, iuNpeot the families of nur
men that are gone to the army, and if they lind any in want, to proviilo
what is necessary for tlicm, at tbe town cost.
"Xovendier lii, 17"<;. Voted, - That the tow ii pay ten dollars to each
man that went to Ticonderoga, on the town's account, in July last, and
seven dollars for a drum.
" Voied, — To dismiss the soldiers that wont out of this town, that
served in the Continental army in the year 1775, of their poll tux.
" I o/id,— Wiseman Claggot, Esq., of LitcliHeld, to represent the towns
of Bedford and Merrimack, in General Assembly, now sitting at Exeter,
for the year 1777, agreeable to a precept to us dlrocteil.
'* March 20, 1777. fo/cd, —Thonnis Boies, James Voso, Jidin Martin,
Lieut. John Orr and John Aiken ben (k)nnnittee of Safety.
"April 10, 1777. Voted, — To raise eighty dollars, tu give aa a bounty
to each soldier that shall eidist in this town for tin* Continental army.
"May l!i, 1777. I^<^'d,— That those men that wt-nt on iM-half of the
town, from Winter-hill to New York, ond thence tot'aniMla, and thenco
back to Ticonderogft, be free from (heir poll-rate for 1777.
"Juno ir>, 1778. To/^id,— The Selectmen of Bedford shall supply tho
soldiers' wives with the necessaries of life, at the rated prices, aiut tbat
the town pay the oven)lu8.
"February 1!», 177!». Voted, The Selectnienof this town stand ready
to supply Mr. Hobert Morrill's wife with the necentaries of life, at tlio
stated prints, If she come to this (own, during her stay In (ho same, and
his stay In ttn' Continental nnny, for the town of Hedfonl, unlom thf
Continental Congress make provision In such case.'*
The following votes show the great depreciation of
paper m<mey at tliat time :
"September 17, 1770. Voted, — To raise tbrer hundred pounds htwful
money to })urcbase grain for Levi WliJiniHri's wife.
"Seplend>or 0, 17H(i. Itulsed ten tbouHanil sttven hundred iwunds,
lawful nmney, to purchaso boef for the army.
"November Ifi, 178*). Vo^ed,— To allow Kifly dollars per huHliel for
Indian Corn.
"May 24, 17H1. Ko/W,— To miiw thirteen tliouMtnd five hundio.1
pounds. I-. M., In Continental hltls^ to purchnso ln-ef for (ho support of
the army the present year.
"May3, 17WJ. ro^rd,— The Coustnhlo Iw directed (o ri-colve Oiio
Spanish Dollar In Iluu of ono hundreil and 8lx(ydolhini in Continental
bills."
268
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
We only luld the Ibllowing to the votes relating to
this interesting period.
"July 10, 1783. Voted,— Vie will not proceed to business, bj- leanon
of it being a diiy of rqjoicing on accountof the Pnaco."
The tbllowing are extracts from the journal <if Hon.
Matthew Patten :
"April 2ft, 1775. I received the melnnclioly news, in the morning,
that Gen. Cage's troops had fired on our countrymen at Concord, and had
killed a large number of tlieni. Our town was notified last night. We
generally met at the meeting-house, about « o'clock, and tweuty of our
men went directly off for our army, from the meeting, to assist them.
And our son John came horn, from Pawtucket, and intending to set off
for our army to.morrow morning, and our girls set up all night baking
bread and fixing things for him aTid John Dobbin.
" 21. Our John and John Dubbin, and my brother Samuel's two oldest
sons, set olT and joined Dcrrytield men, and about six from (JofTstown, and
two or three more from this town, under the command of Capt.John
Moor, of Derrjficld. They amounted in number to 4.5 in all. Suncook
men and two or three others that joined them marched on in about an
hour after ; they amounteil to 3o. There was niue men went along after,
belonging to I'ennykook or thereabouts.
"22. I was awaked in the morning by Mr. Chandler's man, with a
letter from the Committee of the Provincial Congre-ss, for calling another
Congress of the Province immediately. And I went with it as fast as I
could to John Bell's, but he hail gone to the army, and both the other
Selectmen.
"24. I went and notified on the Eiver Uow, to meet at the meeting-
house, on our public distress. And I went to Col John iioSfe, to ask his
advice, and wo met toward evening, and acted on what we thought ne-
cessary.
"25. I went at the service of the town, to Col. Goffe, and Mcrril, at
MacGregor's, and cautioned them to take special care of strangers, and
persons suspected of being tories, crossing the river by ferries ; to ex-
amine and search, if they judged needful. And 1 got niue flints from
Mr. MacCregor, for which I jiaid him 11«. Sd., old tenor.
"July 23, 1777. The evacuation of Ticonderoga. I paid advanced
wages. And this day I went to New Boston, to Capt. McGaw'sand mus-
tered 52 men for Col. Moor. They were from Lyndeborough. New Bos-
ton, Fiancestown, Deering and Antrim. My expenses was 1«. M. at
McGaw's. I went to Hugh Gregg's and lodged all night."
The following is a list of Revolutionary soldiers
who went from this town :
Colonel Daniel Moor, Major John Goffe, Cajitain James Aiken. Captain
Thos. McLaughlin, Lieutenant John Patten. John Patten, Jr., Sam'l Pat-
ten, Jas. Patten, l^)bert Patten, Hugh Campbell John Gault, Isaac Rid-
dle, David Itiildlc, John Kiddie, .\mos3Iartin, .lames Martin, Geo. Gault,
Stephen Goft'o (lost at sea). Hugh Thornton (died in service), Primas
Chandler (taken at the Cedars and never after heard of). Samuel Barr,
John Callahan (killed), James Jloor, Ilobort Cornewell, John Caldwell,
James Grear, Jonas Cutting, William Parker, John Kellen. John Mc
AlliBler, Barnet McCain, John Grimn, Luke Eagan, Solomon Kemp
(killed), John O'Neill, Jonathan Dorr (killed), George Hogg, John Oai-d-
ner, Kmigrant Cliubuck, Samuel Fugard, William Newman, Thomas Mc-
Clary, Nathaniel Sl>offonl, Robert Dewnnnple (killed), Patrick Larkin.
William IhniBton, Hugh Jameson, Whitfield Gilmon, John Hell, James
Houston. Valenline Sullivan (taken in the retreat from Canada; died
a prisoner), William Kerr, Jr., David Gregorc, George Orr, John Ross,
James Steel, Stephen JIack, Robert Jlorrill, Josiah Turrill, Patrick
O'Mui-phy, Patrick O'Fling, Calvin Johnson (died in service), Hugh
Matthews, Joseph .Matthews, Thomas Matthews, William Caldwell, John
Dobbin, John Boies (taken prisoner and carried to Limerick, Ireland,
thence to Mill Prison, Kngland), .losiali Gonion, I'hineas Aiken, John
Manahan, Thomas Lancy, William Goffe (killed), William Barnet (died
in service!, David C. Houston, .lohn Burns, William Burns (wounded),
James Smith, John Kussell, Samuel Turrell, Levi Whitman.
The following soldiers were with Lieutenant John
Orr at tlu- battle of Renningtoii, under General John
Stark.
John Barnett, Siimuel Reinox (wounded by a musket ball through
each hip), Samuel Houslon. Robert Burns, .lames Walker, William Mc-
Laughlin, William M.".r, .\dam Smith .lohn Wallace, Jacob McQuade,
Samuel JIcAffee (died), Robert Matthews, Isaac Houston, Hugh Riddle,
James Wallace, John Aiken, John Bell, John ilorrison.
Very few towns, probably, furnished a larger quota
of men for the Revolutionary army.
The following connected with the Revolution is a
curiosity and shows that in those days constituents
felt at liberty to instruct their Representatives.
" Bedfoeb, May 31, 1783.
"To Lieut. John Orr, Representative at the General Court of the State of
Xew Hampshire : —
"Sir:— Although we have full confidence in your fidelity and public
virtue, and conceive (hat you would at all times pursue such measures
only as tend to the public good, yet, upon the particular occasion of our
instructing you, we conceive that it will be an advantage to have your
sentiments fortified by those of your constituents.
' The occasion is this ; the return of those persons to this country who
are known in Great Britain by the name of loyalist, but in America by
those of conspirators, absentees and tories :
" We agree that you use your influence that these persons do not re-
ceive the least encouragement to return to dwell among us, they not de-
serving favor, as they left us in the righteous cause we were engaged in,
fighting for our undoubted rights and liberties, and as many of them
acted the part of the most inveterate enemies.
".\nd further,— that they do not receive any favor of any kind, as wo
esteem them as persons not deserving it, but the contrary.
" You are further directed to use your infiuence, that those who ar»
already returned be treated according to their deserts.
"S.\M. Patten, ]
"John R.\nd,
"joh.s goffe,
" John Bf.li.,
" Georoe Orr,
A Committee chosen Slay Mth, by
the Town of Bedford, to give in-
structions to their Repreeentative."
The following interesting item in Revolutionary
history is from the " American .\rchives," compiled
by Peter Force, Esq., and printed at the expense of
government, by order of Congress. It is a circular,
addressed to the selectmen of each town in the col-
ony of New Hampshire, with the signature.s from
each town, to a declaration of attachment to the
American cause. As the document is of considerable
value, we subjoin it, so far as relates to Bedford, —
"CoLONV or N. IUmpshire, &c.— Committee or Safett.
" April 12, 1776.
"To the Selectmen of Bedford;— In onler to carry the underwritten
resolve of the Honorable Continental Congress into execution, you are
requeste«l to desire all Males, above twenty one years of ago (lunatics,
idiots and negroes excepted), to sign the Declaration on this [wper, and
when so done, to make return thereof, together with the name or names
of all who shall refuse to sign the same, to the General Assembly, or
Committee of Safety of this Colony.
" 51. WeaBE, ChairvioH.
"•Is CoKORESS, Starch 14. 1776.
" ' /(Mo/ieif,- That it be recommended to the several Asiemblies, Con-
ventions and Councils, or Committees of Safety, of the Initcd Colonies,
immeiliately to cause all iwrsonstobe disarmed, within their resin-ctive
Colonies, who are notoriously disaffected to the cause of America, or who
have not associated, and refuse to associate, to defend by Arms, the Uni-
ted Colonies against the hostile attempts of the British Fleets and
Axiuies.
" ' Extract from the Slinutes,
"'Ciiari.es Thomson, Secretary.*
" In consequence of the alnive Resolution of the Continental Congress,
and to show our determination in joining our American Brethren, in
defending the lives, liberties and proi>erties of the inhabitants of the
United Colonie^ Wo, the Subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage and
promise, that we » ill, to the utmost of our power, at the risk of our lives
and fortunes, with arms, oppose the hostile proceedings of the British
Fleets and Annies against the United American Colonies."
J
BEDFORD.
269
Bignen in Bedford.
.John Wulluco, Jr., James Ciildwell, William Caldwell, James Mat-
tliewm, John IliirriMiii, Juiiii Aiken, Adam Hickey, ^latlliew Fatten, John
liufft', Daniel Mt.'or, Julin Muor, Jr., Tlioinaa Matthews, Robert GrirtlD,
John Hums, Robert Burns, William Burns, John Brien, William Moor,
Juineti Iluustun, John McKinney, Asi Barnes, Samuel Tenill, Jr., Wil-
luni Kennedy, Robert Morrel, .\iidr«w Walki^r. Nathaniel Piittereon,
Kotwrt Matthews, Jamea Vose, tJeorge lomoray, iiuRh Campbell, James
McAUistor, John Mcljiughlin, John IJanlntT, Amuziuh Pollard, Jajues
St««l, Juinea Aiken, Whitfield tiilmore, James Smith, John Orr, Barnu-
buCttln, John Moor, James Walla^'o, Jumea Mardin, John Uoffe, Jr.,
JohD Kiddle, Samiiol Patten, John Boies, James I.yun, John Bell, John
Wallace, Robert Walker, Jumeji Walker, Patrick Larkin, John Vickary,
William McCleary, Joseph Bell, Samuel Kugard, Thomas V. Vose, James
Carues, Samuel Patten, Hugh Orr, John Mcintosh, Jacob McQuaid,
James Wesley, John Little, Thonuis Ganit, Thonuw Boici<, Samuel Vose,
William While, Joseph Wallace, liieutenunt John Moor, Joseph Hous-
ton, Daniel Moor, James Gihnan. William M<x)r, David McClary, James
rntterson, Matthew McDuffie, Thomas McLaughlin, Benjamin Smith,
Zechariah Chandler, Richard McAllister, John Sniith, James Little,
Stephen French.
CHAPTER II.
BEDFORD— ( Continued.)
DT REV. lltA C. TYSON.'
To gather u]) the records of the |)a.st and present,
and faithfully transmit them to the future, is a duty
which one generation owes to another. Especially is
this true with reference to the history of God's people,
whose experiences of faith aftbrd an illustration of Di-
vine grace and mercy.
The early struggles of the church of Christ in the
New World, its growth and development amidst all
the adversities through which it pa.ssed, its aspect as
a moral and sjiiritual power in the land during this
centennial year, with the grand future which seems
to open up before it, are points of ever-increasing in-
terest as the lapse of time brings us nearer to the
glorious consummation.
A general interest attaches to the history of the
New England cliunhes. In ail the great cities of the
AVest, and in every village and handet, are to be found
the representatives of these old New England towns.
To them, as well lus to ourselves, the history of the
church in which their early lot was cast, and within
whose walls there cluster so many precious memories,
must ever he a matter of absorbing interest. To gather
up these recollections of the past as connected with
the Presbyterian Church in Bedford is the object we
liave at present csjiecially in view. This task is the
more pleasing from the lact that in all its history this
i-hurch has sustained an honorable record. It.s early
struggles, the blessings of Divine grace which have
been visited upon it, along with the general character
of its ministry, afford us material for the most pleasant
retrospect, and give us facts to make up a history
which no church need wish to forget.
The Presbyterian Church in Bedford claims a com-
1 A Historical DiKOuraa.
mon origin with those who planted the venerable
church in Londonderry, X. H. Although the date of
its organization is a few years later, yet the most of
the original settlers came direct from Londonderry to
Bedford. In the original memorial to Governor
Shute, of Miissachusetts, dated 171**, wherein the
memorialists, " Inhabitants of ye north of Ireland,"
requested encouragement to come to this country and
settle, we find many names of those who were closely
identified with the early history of this town. They
trace their origin, therefore, back to Scotland, and to
Scottish Presl)yterianism. Their ancestors were the
men w-ho came from Argylcshire, in l(jl2, to the
counties of Ulster, Antrim and Londonderry, in the
north of Ireland, who were foremost in the memorable
siege of Londonderry, by which the Papal restoration
in England, under James II., was successfully re-
sisted ; and who, having thus fought for their liberties,
esjiecially for the liberty to worship God, refused con-
formity to thcCburch Establishment, and chose rather
to suHerthe privationsof a life in the wilderness than
yield to the dictation of a persecuting hierarchy.
While the most of the early settlers of Bedford were
thus of Scottish extraction, receiving the title of
Scotch-Irish, because of their tem|)orary residence in
the north of Ireland, there was, also, a Puritanical
element in the early settlement of the town. The
government of Massachusetts, claiming jurisdiction
over the province of Xew Hampshire, gave to the
i soldiers who fought in the Indian War of 1675, com-
monly known as theXarragansctt War, grants of land
in various places in Ma.ssachussets and New Hamp-
shire. These grant.s of land were numbered from one
to seven. No. 5 comprehended all the territory of the
present town of Bedford, with that portion of the
town of Merrimack lying north of the Souhegan
River and west of the Merrimack, with so much of
Manchester .IS is embraced within the present limits
of I'iscataquog. These lines were altered at a more
recent date.
The tract of land thus assigned to the Narragausett
soldiers received the name of Souhegan East. A few
of the original proprietors only became actual settlers,
the others for tlie most part selling out their rights to
those who were willing to enter and occujjy the land.
Those who came were mostly from towns in the
vicinity of Boston, and were probably of Puritanic
extraction. • But the Scotch-Irish element, in a short
time, largely predominated.
The Scotch-Irish and Puritans, however they may
have dillered in national characteristics, ma<Ie com-
mon cause in religious principle. The .-'ame religious
persecution which drove the Puritans from England
forced tlie Presbyterians of the north of Ireland to
seek for freedom and independence in these western
wilds. They were alike men of deep religious convic-
tions, and matic the service of God the )irincipal
business of life. It was becau.sc (d' these deep convic-
tions that Ihey were willing to give up the comforta
270
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
and luxuries of civilized society, and endure the
privations that are incident to the settlement of a
new country. The very first duty to which they
turned their attention was the building of a meeting-
house and the settlement of an ordained ministry. To
secure these privileges at the earliest opportunity,
lands were set off in the original grant for the first
minister who should settle among them, and other
lands for the use of the ministry afterwards.
At that early day the idea of the church and state
existing independently of each other, however it may
have existed in tlie minds of some, had not been
practically carried out to any extent. We find, there-
fore, that the bu.siness of the church, as well as that
of the town, was all done in town-meeting. The town
voted to build meeting-houses, to support the gospel,
to call ministers, to apply for their dismission and
everything else pertaining to the cause of religion.
This may account for the fact that we have no
sessional records of this church prior to the year
1804, or any other church records except those which
are found in regular reports of the town
The meeting of Narragansett grantees, at which
they divided themselves into seven distinct societies,
and assigned Souhegan East to No. (j, was lield in
Boston Common, June 6, 1733.
The proprietors of No. 5 took immediate measures
to have their land divided up into lots for occupancy,
and voted that each alternate lot should be marked
for a settler. The land was then an unbroken wilder-
ness; nor does it appear that there were any actual
settlers in the town until the fall of 1737. The pro-
prietors, however, continued to hold meetings in Bos-
ton, and in the winter of 1737-38, a number of settlers
having taken up lands in the town, the question of
building a meeting-house began to be discussed. At
a proprietors' meeting in February, 1738, a committee
was chosen to fix upon the cost and dimensions of a
meeting-house, and report. They even went so far
at this meeting as to locate the proposed meeting-
house "on a knoll of common land, about twenty-
five rods eastward of the Eleventh Range." Subse-
quently, the southern part of Souhegan East was set
olF to Merrimack, which necessitated the location of
the meeting-house in another place. But the
" knoll " referred to took the name of " Meeting-
House Hill," and is so called to this day.
For the convenience of non-settlers, the meetings
of the proprietors continued to be held in Boston, at
the house of Luke Vcrdy, inn-holder, and also at the
house of Pelatiah Glover, sign of the " Three Ilorse-
Shoes." At these meetings the question of building
a meeting-house continued to be earnestly discussed.
Several times it was put to vote whether they should
proceed to build, but each time negatived. The
settlers were as yet few in number, tlicir means
limited and the way did not appear to be oi)en to
begin the building of a meeting-house. Money, how-
ever, was raised for the purpose and placed in the
hands of a building committee. The names of thi.s
committee were Edward White, John Goffe and
Moses Barron.
The settlers, however, were not altogether destitute
of religious privileges. At several of the proprietors'
meetings, held from 1738 to 1748, they voted money
to pay for preaching, appointed committees to secure
the same and named the places where preaching
services should be held. The sums thus raised pro-
vided for only a part of the time; the rest of the year
they were accustomed to go to Londonderry, a dis-
tance of twelve miles, cro.ssing the Merrimack River
at Goft'e's Falls, and performing the journey, many
of them, on foot.
The first Presbytery in New England was organized
at Londonderry, April 16, 1745. It was called the
Presbytery of Boston. It was composed of Rev. John
Moorhead, of the Federal Street Presbyterian Church,
Boston ; Rev. Robert Abercombie, of Pelham, N. H. ;
and Rev. David McGregore, of Londonderry, with the
congregations under their charge. The elders who
met with them were James McKean, Alexander Con-
key and James Heughs. They voted " To act so far
as their present circumstances would permit them,
according to the word of God and constitution of the
Presbyterian Church of Scotland, agreeing with that
perfect Rule." At a meeting held in Boston, 1740,
this Presbytery licensed its first candidate to preach
the gospel. His name was Daniel Mitchell, a native
of the north of Ireland and a graduate of the Uni-
versity of Edinburgh.
At a meeting of the Presbytery of Boston, held in
Boston, November 11, 1747, we find the first reference
to Souhegan East. The following is the minute upon
the records of Presbytery :
'* Upon application made by Andrew Cocbran, in ye name of the lu-
habitAnts of Sonlieggenund Litclifield, for 3Ir. Mitchell to supply tbeni
for a time, tlie Presbytery appointed him to supply them until the second
Sabbath of JIarch next."
At a meeting held in Pelham, June 14, 1748, Mr.
Mitchell reported " that he had obeyed the appoint-
ment of Presbytery and their committee-"
There were, doubtless, otlier men who supplied
them before this; but Mr. Mitchell's name is thefirst
which ap[)carK in any of the records ; certainly the first
sent them by the Presbytery. In their application
we observe their attachment to Presbyterian order
and their desire to secure the institutions of religion
among them. Mr. Jlitchell was afterward settled
over the Presbyterian Church at Pembroke, N. H.,
and died December 16, 1776.
At the same meeting of Presbytery at which Mr.
Mitchell reported, Pelham, June 14, 1748, another
petition for supply was made from " Swaheggen."
At the same meeting Rev. David McGregore presented
the name of Mr. .\lexander Boyd, a young man of
a liberal education. He ])roduced certificate of his
attending the study of divinity at the University of
Glasgow, and having submitted to a thorough exam-
BEDFORD.
271
inution and subscribed to the Confession of Faith, he |
was licensed to preach the gospel.
At the ue.\t meeting of Presbytery, Londonderry,
October 4, 1748, " Presbytery thought projier that
Mr. Boyd should sui)ply Kiiig.stown the ne.xt three
Sabbaths and then immediately after four Sabbaths to
Litchfield and Swaheggen." It would appear from a ,
subse(|uent minute that Mr. Boyd, having received a
call to Kingstown, did not fulfil his other appoint-
ments.
The date of the ecclesiastical organization of the
church in Bedford has long been a matter of doubt.
It is not given in any of the town records, nor does
it appear in our published town history, except
the general statement, (p. 140,) that it was organized
by the Boston Presbytery. The recent recovery of a
portion of the old records of this Presbytery enables
us to fix the exact date of organization, and I here
insert the minute in full, as a most important fact for
future preservation.
The Presbytery of Boston met in Boston August
15, 1749. The members present were Rev. John
Moorhead, Boston ; Rev. Jonathan Parsons, New-
bury ; Rev. David McGregore, Londonderry ; Rev.
Robert Abercronibie, Pelham. Elders, Richard Mac-
Cleur, Ralph Cross, John Craig. Mr. Abercronibie
I)resided as moderator. In the proceedings of this
meeting appears the following minute:
•' 3lr, Paltvii appeared an CuiiuniMiuner fruiii Souheggan, presenting a
aiemorial, wlieruiii that peoplo acknowledge tbeir subjectiun to the Pres-
bytery, and putitiun fur aupplys,"
Thus we learn that nine months before the incor- i
poration of the town, and while the settlers were yet
destitute of a place of worship, they made applica-
tion and were received under the care of Presbytery,
anil became a regular Presbyterian Church. Their
meetings f"r worshiji were held in ditlerent [larts of
the town and in private houses. The Mr. Patten ^
referred to was probsibly Hamuel Patten, as he, with I
Moses Barren and Thomas Vicary, were appointed a
committee at the proprietors' meeting to provide
preaching that year. The Presbytery held another
meeting at Londonderry in October of the same
year. Souhegan again petitioned for supplies, and
'"Mr. Boyd was appointed to supply Litchfield two
Sabbaths, Soitliegau two and Suncook one."
The settlers, being desirous of securing more effec-
tive measures for supjMirting the gospel, and for their
better government as a people, now iietitioned the
Oovernor of the province. Penning Wentworth, Est].,
for an act of incorporation, giving as a particular rea-
son for the petition that, " having been long ilestitute
of the gospel, we are now desirous of taking the proper
steps in order to have it settled among us." Tliey also
stated that "your |)etilioiiers, as to our particular per-
suasion in Christianity, are generally of the Presbyte-
rian denomination," and they wished the gospel set-
tled among them " in that way of discipline which
they judged to tend most to their edification."
Governor Wentworth laid the petition before the
Council, and, on the 19th of May, 1750, the act of in-
corporation was passed, the district vested with town
privileges and the place named Bedford.
Jlr. Boyd, having fulfilled his aj^pointment of the
preceding October, Presbytery again appointed him,
on the 5th of June 1750, in accordance with petitions
offered for supplies, " to preach ten Sabbaths at Sou-
hegan, Suncook and Litchfield."
In the mean time the inhabitants of the town of
Bedford, acting in the spirit and intent of their peti-
tion for iucorjioration, at once called a legal meet-
ing and took measures to secure a settled ministry.
The first meeting after incorporation assembled, June
6, 1750, in Matthew Patten's house, and thence ad-
journed to his barn. Here it was voted that the min-
ister be entertained at Samuel Patten's, at the charge
of the town. On July 3d they voted one hundred
and fifty pountls, old tenor, for preaching during the
year, and, on the 7th of August, 1850, "Voted there
be a call given to Rev. Mr. Alexander Boyd to the
work of the ministry of this town," with a salary of
three hundred pounds, old tenor, if he would accept.
Captain John GoflTe, Deacon John Orr and Mr.
Hugh Riddle were appointed a committee to prosecute
the call to the Presbytery.
It is doubtful whether this call was ever formally
presented to Mr. Boyd. I find no record of it in the
proceedings of Presbytery, and an article in the town
w'arrant, called for January 21st of the following
year, was, " To inquire what is the reason why the
committee for providing jireaching to the town are so
negligent in that business."
It is probable these brethren had good reason for
their " neglect," as Mr. Boyd had been " sharply re-
buked " by his Presbytery for ett'ecting a clandestine
marriage before leaving (ilasgow, and ])assing himself
in this country for an unmarried man. The Presby-
tery, however, continued his appointments, on his
making a full acknowledgment, expri^ssing his sorrow
and i>rimiising to adhere to her as his wife. This ac-
knowledgment was unsatisfactory, and Mr. Boyd was
afterward summoned betbre a committee of Presbytery
to account for his conduct. It is not to be wondered
at, therefore, that negotiations for his settlement in
Bedford were at once terminated.
The question of building a meeting-house now be-
gan to be agitated anew, and, at a town-meeting, Jan-
uary 24, 1750, a committee was chosen for the pur-
|iose.
Considerable difliculty arose as to the location of
the meeting-house, the choice lying between the east
or west end of what was known as the Bell Hill, im-
mediately south of what is now the centre of the
town.
Not being able to agree, they summoned three
friends from Londonderry to decide the iiucslion for
them. This committee chose the cast of the hill, but
their decision was equally unsatisfactory.
272
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The buildina; foiumittee procecilfd to pi-ep;ire the
timber for the meeting-house, and, tinally, having
abandoned both ends of Bell Hill, at a town -meeting,
held September 2G, 1755, it was voted unanimously to
loeate the meeting-house on laud bought for the pur-
pose, being part of No. 13 and 14 in the Tenth
Range. Here the meeting-house was afterwards built.
In the mean time the people continued their efforts
to secure a settled ministry.
At a meeting of Presbytery, in Boston, 1751, ap-
plication was received from "Bedford, alias Souhegan,"
for a supply at discretion. At another meeting, in
Boston, August 13, 1751, " Received a supplication
from Bedford, pleading for a supply."
At a meeting of Presbytery, at Londonderry, Oc-
tober 29, 1752, supplicaticms were received from
Palmer District, Canterbury, Colrain, North Rutland,
Litchfield, Derryfield, Bedford and Suncook. At
this meeting Mr. Alexander MacDowell, a licentiate
of Presbytery, was appointed to supply a part of the
time at "Bedford, Litchfield, Derryfield and Sun-
cook."
Mr. MacDowell fulfilled his a|>i>ointments with ref-
erence to Derryfield and Bedford, both places giving
him a call, the people of Derryfield proposing to
unite with Bedford in having him settled over the
two places.
An article was put in the town warrant to see if
they would unite with Derryfield in this call.
On the 28th of March, 1753, the town voted not to
join with Derryfield, and, at the same meeting, voted
a unanimous call to Mr. MacDowell, with one
hundred pounds, old tenor, if he accept, and a
committee appointed to prosecute the call to Presby-
tery. In July of the same year another committee
was chosen "to prosecute the call for Mr. MacDowell
to the ' Rev'd Presbytery,' and to procure preaching
till the next annual meeting." Mr. MacDowell, how-
ever, did not accept the call.
Mr. Samuel MacClintock was licensed to preach the
gospel by the Presbytery of Boston, October 29, 1752.
On the 14th of August, 1753, Mr. MacClintock was
directed by Presbytery to supply half the time at Bed-
ford, the other half at Litchfield, Derryfield and Sun-
cook, till next meeting. This appointment was re-
newed on the following November, and his labors in
Bedford gave evident .satisfaction. At a town-meet-
ing, October 1, 1754, it was voted, unanimously, "to
give Mr. Samuel MacClintock a call to the work of
the ministry in the town of Bedford." In the follow-
ing January Presbytery renewed its appointment of
Mr. MacClintock to supjily Bedford, in connection
with Windham, Litchfield, Derryfield and Suncook.
The people seem to have been very anxious to secure
the services of Mr. MacClintock. They voted him
£107 10«., new tenor, for his yearly stipend, took
measures to lay a tax upon the unimproved land in
the town to build him a house, and agreed to cut
twenty cords of wooil annually for five years, ai\d draw
it to liis house, if be would accept. They also ap-
])ointed Samuel Patten a commissioner to prosecute
the call to the Presbytery. At a meeting of Presby-
tery, August 22, 1754, held at Newbury, appears this
minute, —
"The people of Bedford having sent a Petition to ye 'Presbytery re-
(juesting them to send one or more of tliL'ir niintber some convenient
time between tliisand next meeting to moderate in a call to Sir. .Samuel
MacClintock, the Presbytery therevipon appointed Mr. JlactJregore to
perform that piece of service."
At the same meeting they voted that " Bedford
shall have their proportion of time wholly in Mr.
MacClintock." The following November this ap-
pointment was renewed.
Mr. MacClintock did not accept this call, but nego-
tiations with him continued. At a town-meeting May
6, 1756, it was voted to renew the call made to him
previously, at the same annual stipend, with this ad-
ditional inducement, that he should have nine Sab-
baths to his own use during each year, till the town
should feel able to pay him for all or a jiart of those
nine Sabbaths, for which they would allow hira ten
pounds, old tenor, per Sabbath.
The people of Bedford were not mistaken as to the
character of the man whom they thus desired to settle
over them. Mr. ilaoClintock afterwards became one
of the honored members of the New Hampshire min-
istry. He was graduated at Princeton, 1751, settled
at Greenland, N. H., 1756, served as chaplain in the
army during the Revolutionary War, admitted to an
ad eundum Master's degree at Harvard, 1761, received
the title of D.D. at Yale, 1791, and after a ministry of
forty-eight years at Greenland, died there in 1804.
During the time of these unsuccessful ettbrts to se-
cure a settled ministry the work on the meeting-house
continued slowly. The carpenters who did the work
complained that they were losing money on it, and
the town voted them thirty pounds, old tenor, addi-
tional. At length the work had so far progressed
that the town-meeting, which had been previously
held in barns, was called to assemble " at the meeting-
house frame," April 21, 1756. The accommodations,
however, seem to have been unsatisfactory, as they
continued to assemble in barns for some time after-
ward.
Rev. John Houston, the first settled pastor of the
Presbyterian Church in Bedford, was born in Lon-
donderry, N. H., in , 1723. The family belonged
to the old Scotch-Irish stock, the name of Robert
Houston appearing in the memorial addressed to
Governor Shute in 1718. Mr. Houston was educated
in the College of New Jersey, which was then located
at Newark,' and graduated in 1753. Rev. Aaron
Burr (father of the Vice-President of the United
States) was then president of the college, and gave
to Mr. Houston, on his leaving college, the following
letter, which is still extant, and written in a clear,
bold hand :
1 Removed to Princeton in 175C.
BEDFORD.
273
"Thin may certify iill couctTHtHl, that Mr. John Houston }mji for W)iiie
time b«t;D a lUfiiilivr of New Jenny College, and houwI in communion
with ye church of Christ in this place, and behaved himself according to
the Ruled of the Gospel. "A. BrttR, Ps'd.
"Sept. 28, 17.'.:)."
Oil his return to Londonderry, Mr. Houston studied
divinity under Rev. David AIcGregore; and having
placed himself under the care of Presbytery, parts of
trial were assigned him, with a view to licensure.
The subject of his Latin exegesis was "An Dei
lieneplacitum sit solum elecdnnis fundamen," — a hom-
ily on 1 John iv. 18. After having been examined in
systematic and experimental divinity, and branches
of humane literature, and subscribed to the formula,
he was. May 14, 17o4, licensed to preach the gospel,
being then about thirty-one years of age. The ex-
amination was creditable to Mr. Houston, liis classi-
cal and thei)li)gical learning being above the average.
Presbytery made a minute of the fact that he had
received the honors of the college at Newark. Mr.
Houston was immediately appointed to supply one
Sabbath each at Wiiidhani, Bedford, Suncook and
Nottingham, and afterwards two days at a time at
Windham and liedford.
The negotiations with Mr. MacClintock having
failed, the people now turned their attention to Mr.
Houston, and at a town-meeting, August 5, 1756, it
was "voted unanimously to give Mr. .John Houston
a call to the work of the ministry in this town." A
committee was appointed to treat with him. At an
adjourned meeting, August 7th, it was voted to give
him "six hundred pounds, old tenor, or new tenor
equal thereto;" but this vote was, on the 30th of the
month, reconsidered, and it wiis finally agreed to
give him "equal to forty pounds sterling in old tenor,
as the law shall fix the rate of dollars or sterling
money, and that what number of Sabbath-days they
should think themselves unable to pay he should
have, to his own use, deducted out of the aforesaid
sum." It was also ordered that the committee should
agree with Mr. McGregore to moderate in a call,
should Jlr. Houston accept.
The work on the meeting-house still went on
slowly. Special committees were appointed, one to
"shingle and board it," another to procure sashes
aii<l put them in, another to underpin and another
still to lay the floors an<l make the doors and win-
dow-frames. There was no contract-work; all had
to be done by committee, and sometimes, the commit-
tees refusing to serve, others had to be appointed,
which caused much delay, and must have been vex-
atious. But, however slow the progress, they paid as
they went, and thus avoided the burden of a debt.
The winter of 17.'il) wore along, and it was still un-
certain whetlier Mr. Houston would accept his call;
the town appointed other ommittees to procure
preaching. At length, however, Mr. Hou.ston signi-
fied his acceptance of the call, and in July of 1757
"forty pounds" were voted to defray the charges of
the (irclirKitidii.
Mr. Houston was ordained as pastor of the church
of Bedford on the 28th of September, 1757. The
ordination sermon was preached l)y Rev. .Jonathan
Parsons, of Newbury, from 1 Timothy i. 2. Rev.
David McGregore gave the charge, and other minis-
ters took part in the services. From Matthew Pat-
ten's journal we learn that the text of Mr. Houston's
finst sermon after his ordination was " Fear not, lit-
tle flock; it is your Father's good pleasure to give
you the kingdom." "Very appropriate," says Mr.
Savage, "as it mu.st have been a small church in the
midst of the wilderness."
On his settlement, Mr. Houston, as first pastor, ac-
cording to the provision of the original proprietors,
came into possession of certain lands in the town.
The people of Merrimack having then no settled
ministry, and being, many of them, of the Presbyte-
rian persuasion, attended worship in Bedford. Thi»
was somewhat inconvenient, and in 1758 the town
voted to allow the people of Merrimack who paid
rates to support the gospel in Bedford "so many
Sabbath-days of our Rev'd Pastor's time for public
worship, to be held at John Burns', as they pay in
proportion with us toward his annual salary for the
present year, if our Rev'd pastor be willing."
The details of Mr. Houston's ministry are such as
were common to the New England ministry of that
time. There were many hardshijis, incident to the
building up of a church in a new country, but he
addressed himself to the work with zeal and energy,
and during his pastorate the church gradually in-
creased in strength and influence. He gave especial
attention to catechetical instruction, and was much
interested in the young people of his charge. He
was conscientious and earnest in his |iiety, devoted
to the cause of his Master, and labored earnestly tor
the spiritual welfare of the people under his charge.
During the earlier years of his ministry he seems to
have enjoyed the respect and confidence of his people,
and was happy in his relations with them. But at
the beginning of the Revolutionary War general dis-
satisfaction arose against him, because of his ail-
herence to the cause of the mother-country. In
taking this position Mr. Houston was undoubtedly
conscientious, and acted in accordance with what he
believed to be the will of God in the matter. Time
has sufficiently denKmstrated that he erred in judg-
ment. But we who are removed from lho.se scents
of intense excitement can afford to impute to him
only such motives as were dictated by what he under-
stood as his duty in the matter. In giving a faithful
record of the fiicts as they occurred, it is due to the
memory of one who, in all other resiiccts, bore an
irreproachable character, to regard this great mistake
of his life as resulting from an error of the head and
not of the heart.
The first intimation we have of a feeling of disaf-
fection of the people of Bedford against their pastor
appears in a cull for a town-mceliiig, elated .May 2,
274
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1775. It was iminediatol y alter tlic nuws of the battle
of Lexington, and tlie excitement of the people
througliout New England was at the highest pitch.
The article in the warrant was "To see what method
the town will take relating to Rev. John Houston in
these troublesome times, as we apprehend his praying
and preaching to be calculated to intimidate the minds
of his hearers and to weaken their hands in defense
of their just rights and liberties, as there seems a plan
to be laid by Parliament to destroy both." The meet-
ing, which was called for the IGth of May, voted to
shut the doors of the church against the pastor and
to stop the payment of his salary till he should come
to a sense of his duty. Mr. Houston made a state-
ment of his jiosition to the town, but it was declared
to bo unsatisfactory.
On the loth of June, 1775, the town voted his dis-
mission, and adopted a strong resolution condemning
bis course.
As Presbyterians, however, they recognized the
fact that he was still pastor of the church. It had
been the practice in former years to vote him a certain
number of iSabbaths to himself, ranging from four to
ten. At the meeting of March 27, 1776, they voted
him the whole year to his own use. In the mean time
they requested him to join with them in their appli-
cation to Presbytery for a dissolution of the i)astoral
relation, and a committee was appointed for that
purpose.
At the formation of the Synod of New England, at
Seabrook, N. H., May 31, 177.5, three Presbyteries
were constituted out of the old Boston Presbytery,
namely: the Eastern, or Presbytery of Salem; the
Middle, or Presbytery of Londonderry; and Western,
or Presbytery of Palmer. On the division of these
Presbyteries, Mr. Houston and his congregation were
united to the Presbytery of Palmer, and he was di-
rected by Synod to convene the new Presbytery and
moderate the first meeting. The position he had
taken on the state of the country, however, had ren-
dered him unpopular with his ministerial brethren,
and the unfriendliness resulting therefrom led him
to omit the duty a.ssigned him by the Synod. There-
upon the Synod directed the Rev. Moses Baldwin, of
Kingston, to act in his stead, and Mr. Houston having
promised that he would satisfy both the civil author-
ity and the Synod for the course he had taken, was
recommended to bring the evidence of such satisfac-
tion to his Presbytery, and through them to the Synod.
This action was taken in Sei)tember, 1776, more than
a year after his dismission by the act of the town, aud
while he wa.s as yet ecclesiastically, although not
practically, pastor of the church.
The Synod met at Londonderry, September .3, 1777,
At this meeting a committee from Bedford appeared
and asked the advice of Synod respecting their
troubles with their pjistor. Mr. Houston, being present, !
was interrogated as to his promise to give satisfaction i
to Synod respecting his conduct. It appearing that
he had not done so, he was deemed guilty of a breach
! of promise and contempt of Synod, and deprived of
his seat in the body until he should give satisfaction
to the Synod for his conduct, either directly or
through his Presbytery. The committee from Bed-
ford was also directed to bring the matter of their
grievances before their Presbytery in the regular way.
The following year, September 3, 1778, at London-
derry, the Synod reaffirmed its action respecting Jlr.
Houston, declaring his contempt of Synod to be
highly blamable, but promised to recommend him to
the churches as a member in good standing on his
compliance with their requisition. At this meeting
of Synod, Bedford congregation and Mr. Houston
were annexed to the Presbytery of Londonderry, and
that Presbytery was directed to take cognizance of
their affairs. Before the adjournment of the meeting,
however, the troubles in Bedford again came up for
discussion, and, both parties agreeing, the Synod
passed the following resolution :
*' Mliereatt, There appears to be a dissatisfaction among the people of
Bedford relative to the Rev. Mr. Houston, whereby he is not likely to be
useful anionf^: tlieni in the ministry, by consent of both parties, this
Synod do dissolve his pastoral relation to said congregation."
!Mr. Houston is described as having been of a stern
and inflexible disposition, but the progress of the
war, coupled with the almost universal condemnation
of his countrymen, led him, subsequently, to modify
his position. He had stood out in defense of his
views to the point of surrendering his i)astoral charge
and losing his standing in the Synod. But now, being
left free to act according to his own will, he appeared
before the authories of the State and took the oath of
allegiance, of which the following is a copy :
w)
J . I In Cominitlee of Safely, October 28th, 177S.
•' State of Xew )
liarni«hire :
"Tliie may certify all persons that the Rev. .Tnlin Houston lias taken
the oath of allegiance and fidelity to this, and the United States of
America.
" .\ttest : >l. Wkare, Chairman."
At the meeting of Synod, at Windham, the follow-
ing year, September 15, 1779, Mr. Houston's name
appears on the roll of Synod, and also the following
minute in the record of its proceedings :
"A report being given by Mr. Sttckhind and Mr. Williams that the
Rev. Mr. Houston brought from the State of New Haiiii>sliire a testi-
monial satisfactory to this Synod, do now restore him to full standing
with this body."
Mr. Houston's name appeared on the roll of Synod
up to the time of its dissolution, 1782. He remained
in connection with the Presbytery of Salem, which
succeeded the Synod, until 1785, when, in June of
that year, at a meeting in Sylvester, the Presbytery
gave him the following letter of dismission and rec-
ommendation:
" Votcd^ umoiimniiali/, that the Rev. John Houston (agreeable *o his pe-
tition to us) be dismissed from this hotly, and recommended to the
churches wherever God inhis Providence may call hiui."
He afterwards uiiitcil with the Associate Presbytery.
Mr. Houston continued his residence in Bedford,
BKPrORD.
275
preachiug as he had oijportuiiity, and making, occa-
sionally, what might be called missionary tours into
Northern New Hampshire and Vermont. He died
February 3, 1798, ajrcd sevonty-five years.
From the time ol' Mr. Houston's dismission, 177S,
until 1804, a period of twenty-six years, the church
was without a stated pastor. How it survived this
long period without the stated preaching of the gos-
pel it is ditficult now to understand. The whole
period is almost a total blank with respect to any
matters of historical interest. The names of IJenjamin
Smith and James Little (elders) .occasionally appear
on the rolls of Presbytery and Synod as delegates
from Bedford.
In the records of the town we find that a certain
sum of money was voted annually to provide i)reach-
ing. Rev. William Pickles, a native of Wales, and a
man of considerable pulpit power, supplied them
statedly about two years, from 1787 to 1789, but aside
from this there was no regular preaching in the town.
During this long i)eriod of destitution the church
members became much scattered, and there wa.s
almost no spirituality in the church. No revivals of
religion are recorded, and it would seem that there
had as yet been no general religious interest in the
church from the beginning of its history, although
there were, undoubtedly, some conversions under the
ministry of Mr. Houston. Towards the close of the
century there were decided indications of a desire to
secure again a settled ministry. It was voted in
town-meeting that the money appropriated for preach-
ing should be used only for those who would come as
candidates, and the committees appointed to secure
the same were desired to apply to Presbytery for
supplies in a regular way. Early in the beginning of
the century six new elders were appointed to serve
with tliose already in office, and Ilev. Mr. Morrison,
of Londonderry, was invited to ordain them and ad-
minister the Lord's Supper.
March (>, 1804, the town voted a call to the Rev.
David Mcfiregore, of Lon<londerry, and in May of
the fidlowing year Mr. McCiregore accepted the same.
(Jn the oth of September, 1804, Rev. David
JlcOregore was ordained and installed pastor of the
church in Bedford by the Presbytery of Ixtndon-
<lerry, Rev. Ur. Morrison, of Londonderry, preaching
the sermon.
Mr. McGregore completed his collegiate course at
Dartmouth College in 1799, and studied for the
ministry under Dr. Morrison. Upon his settlement
in Bedford tlie adiiirs of the church assumed alto-
gether a more favorable aspect. Meetings of session
were reconled and delegates regularly chosen to
attend meetings of Presbytery. In ISnO a regular ;
system of ministerial visitation was inaugurated, in
which I lie I'hlers alternately accompanied the
minister. Numbers were added to the church from
time to time, and church discipline was more strictly
observed. The vear 1818 was marked bv a state of
general religious interest, and during the year twenty-
two pers(ms were received into communion with the
church.
Mr. Mctxregore was a man of superior social
qualities, and commanded the respect of his congre-
gation, as well as of his brethren in the ministry.
Many of those who united with the church under his
preaching became eminent for usefulness, remaining
firm in their attachment to the cause of the Master to
the end of life. A few of them survive to the present
day, and still bear witness to the earnest gospel
preaching and ministerial fidelity of the pastor
through whom they were converted to Christ.
During the earlier part of his ministry Mr. McGre-
gore labored as a missionary in connection with the
New Hampshire Domestic Missionary Society, ex-
tending his tours into the northern section of the
State. His labors were blest in the awakening of
considerable religious interest in the places where he
preached.
The relations of Mr. McGrcgore with the people of
his charge were marked by harmony and good-will
througliout. During his ministry the church in-
creased in strengtli and influence, the ordinances of
baptism and the Lord's Supper were regularly and
more frequently administered and the general tone
of morals and religion improved. He was a man of
sound doctrinal views and of good pulpit ability.
His sermons, some of which are still extant in manu-
script, evince a logical mind and a diligent study of
the Holy Scriptures. He is spoken of as having
faithfully preached the gospel, enforcing the i>ractical
duties of religion with great fidelity.
In April, 1825, Mr. McGregore apprised his church
of his desire for a dissolution of the pastoral relation,
and re<iucsted them to unite with him in application
to Prcsl)ytcry Ibr the same. Accordingly, the Lon-
donderry Presbytery, at its meeting at Nottingham
West (now Hudson), on the last Wednesday in April,
1826, dissolved the pastoral relation between Mr.
McGrcgore and the church in Bedford. Mr. Mctire-
gore removed to Falmouth, in JIaine, in 1831, and
died there October IS, 184.'), aged seventy-tour. He
was the nephew of Rev. David McGregore, and great-
, grandson of Rev. James McGregore, tlie first minister
I of Londonderry. His jiastorate continued twenty-one
years, as did that of Mr. Houston.
About the time of Mr. McGregore's dismi.'tsal a
Presbyterian Society was formeil in the town, in ac-
cordance with the laws of the State, and to it the gen-
eral affairs of the church were committed. While,
therefore, the town negotiated with Mr. McGregore
on the terms of his dismissal, nothing aj>pcars in the
records with regard to the call of his successor.
On the 5th of July, 182(>, Rev. Thomas Savage was
installed pastor of the Presbyterian Churdi in Bed-
ford by the Presbytery of Londonderry, being its
third settled minister. The sermon on the occlusion
was preached by the Pev. Dr. Wbiton.of .\ntrim, N. II.
276
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Mr. Savage was born in Boston, September 2, 1793.
He prepared for collccje at Phillips Acarleniy, Aii-
dover, and trniduated at Harvard in ISl.*?, the eleventh
of his family who had graduated at that institution.
Having pursued the study of theology for three years
at Cambridge, he accepted an invitation to become a
private tutor in Louisiana. About this time he ex-
perienced a change of views with resi^ect to the system
of theology he had adopted, and finished his prepara-
tion under the care of the Mississippi Presbytery.
By that body he was ordained to the work of the
ministry in 1822, and preached two years at Baton
Rouge.
Returning North in 1824, he supplied the pulpit of
Dr. Colman, of Dorchester, for one year, during his
absence, and immediately after received his first in-
vitation to preach in this town.
Mr. Savage entered upon his life-work here under
very encouraging circumstances. He was young,
vigorous, finely educated and fully imbued with the
spirit and energy needed for his work. He was earnest
in his piety, remarkable for the urbanity of his man-
ners and for the genial kindness of his disposition.
He was, withal, an eloquent preacher, possessing supe-
rior pulpit address and power, and soon won to him-
self the attection of his people, the esteem of his min-
isterial brethren and the respect and confidence of
the people of that part of the State where, during his
long pastorate, his name became the synonym, not of
what it literally imported, but of those virtues which
are the embodiment of a perfect Christian gentleman.
Politeness — genuine Christian politeness — was, in foct,
his distinguishing characteristic. To a temperament
naturally genial were added the refinements of edu-
cation and the graces of the Christian life, making
him, says Dr. Wallace, in his memorial discourse, " a
model for the young, a pattern for the Christian and
an example to be imitated by that i)rofession to whicli
he was an ornament."
In the freshness and vigor of his early life Mr. Sav-
age devoted himself to the work of the ministry, and
the results of his labors were soon apparent. He im-
mediately brought to the attention of the Session the
duty of systematic visitation, and a plan was adopted
that had for its object "a revival of religion," by
bringing the question personally to the attention of
all. The town was divided up into districts, and com-
mittees of visitation appointed to go from house to
house, pledging themselves " unitedly to engage in
the work, immediately to go about it, and not to grow
cold or weary in it." The Sabbath-school, which ha<l
been previously held in school-houses, without much
interest, was now transferred to the church and held
during intervals of Divine service, with happy effects.
On the 11th of October, 1827, a Thursday afternoon
prayer-meeting was commenced, which has continued
without interrupticm until the present day, now almost
fifty years. In 1829 a temperance reform began and
a temperance society was formed, through the joint
influence of Mr. Savage, and a temperance discourse 1
delivered by Dr. Justin Edwards. The result of this
movement was, that whereas seven places were licensed
in the town during 1X29, by the selectmen, for the sale
of ardent spirits, only two were licensed the follow-
ing year.
These Christian efforts were ordered, in the Provi-
dence of God, as preliminary to that wonderful work
of grace which swept over the country in 18.^1. The
church in Bedford was partaker, to a large degree, in
that revival season, and accessions were made at that
time which have h»d a lasting influence upon the
church and the word. At the May communion of
that year five were added on profession of faith ; in
September, ninety-one ; and the following .January,
seventeen, making one hundred and thirteen in all.
This was certainly a most encouraging result for the
young pastor, and for a country church it certainly
evinces a work of no ordinary magnitude. Many of
those brought into the church at that time became
bright and shining lights in the world; nearly all of
them continued to adorn the Christian profession to
the end of life, and some still survive to attest to the
present generation the genuine nature of the work of
Divine grace in their hearts.
It was during this revival year that the question of
building a new meeting-house first took definite shape.
The old building had stood and served its purpose for
a period of seventy-five years, and was now too small
and inconvenient to meet the wants of the growing
congregation. During the year 1831 subscriptions
were started and an association formed for building a
meeting-house. The building was finished during
the following year, and on Christmas Day, December
2.'), 1832, the house was solemnly dedicated to the
worship of Almighty God.
In the succeeding years Mr. Savage continued to
enjoy the confidence of his people, and accessions
were yearly made to the membershi])of the church, as
fruits of his ministry. In an historical discourse pre-
pared and published during 1841, he reported that
two hundred and seventy-two had been added to the
church on profession since his settlement, being an
average of eighteen per year.
On the 19th of May, 1S.50, the town celebrated the
centennial anniversary of its incorporation. It was a
great day for Bedford. Many distinirnishcd visitors,
former residents of the town, and others, were present.
It was estimated that about two thousand persons
participated in the festivities. The Hon. Isaac O.
Barnes, of Boston, a native of Bedford, delivered the
centennial address. A history of the town — the
joint work of Kev. Mr, Savage, Dr. P. P. Woodbury
and Mr. William Patten — was published, embracing
most of the facts of interest connected with the town
history up to that date. It was the result of great
labor and is an unusually interesting book of its kind.
Once more, near the close of his ministry, Mr.
Savage was permitted to witness the Divine approval
BEDFORD.
27T
• his labors in a revival of religion. In 1864 a revival , The address on the occasion was delivered by Hoiu
-'an in Manchester, in connection with the preach- [ Isaac O. Barnes. Keniiu-ks were also made by Horace
_' of the evangelist, Eev. A. B. Earle. The work Greeley,' Rev. Mr. Adams, Rev. Mr. Clark, John At-
tended to Bedford. Special meetings were held, j wood, Mr. Savage, Rev. C. W. Wallace, Rev. J. T. Wood-
.'1 a deep and general interest prevailed. Asa result, i bury. Dr. Leonard French, Hon. C. E. Potter, Jamc&
-rventy-two persons united with the church during | O. .\dams and others.
liL' year on profession of faith.
On the 3d of January, 1866, the pastoral relation
• rtween the Rev. Thomas Savage and the church in
lli<lford was dissolved by the Presbytery of London-
rry. The pastorate of Mr. Savage extended over a
I" riod of nearly forty years, and embraced the most im-
l">rtant period of the church's history. He had suc-
■ ' cded in binding the church together in harmonious
.1' tion in all Christian work, and bringing it for-
ward to rank with the strong churches in the State,
i I is pastorate, on the whole, was eminently successful,
and the influence of his labors will long be felt upon
'lie cause of religion in this community.
Mr. Savage did not long survive the termination of
is pastorate. He died on the 8th of May, 1866,
_'id seventy-two years.
' As a preacher," says Dr. Wallace, "Mr. Savage
was practical and impressive. He did not dwell so
liuich on the distinctive doctrines of the gospel as
iiany preachers. He did not preach theology as a
stem. Yet he preached salvation only by the cross.
but its doctrines were mingleil with precept, as the
leaven pervades the mass in which it is hidden. They
ap|)eared not as the veins penetrate the marble, but as
the painter's color shades tlie whole."
Rev. Anton Little was installed i)astor January 3,
1866; Rev. Ira C. Tyson, May 9, 1869; and Rev. D.
Herbert Colcord, the present pastor, September 8, 1881.
CHAPTER III.
BEDFORD— (Con<i'nuc(/).
Cantennlal Ciloliralion— Civil History— Town CKrkB from 17.'iii to 1885 —
Reprew-iitatlvi-a from 1702 to 1885 — Physicians — Lawyers — ropulation
— Extracts from Mtitthcw Pntton's Joiirniil — ThuUM Militiu — Military
Itecun], 18Cl-<i5 — List uf Soltliers — llountics uiid Kxponses.
Centennial Celebration. — One of the most inter-
esting events in the history of Bedford was the
celebration of the centennial of the town, May 19, 18.50.
Peter P. Woodbury was president of the day, with
the f(jllowing vice-presidents : Thomas Cliandlcr,
Moody M. Stevens, Samuel Chandler. John French,
John McAllister, Theodore Goffe, John Patten.
The committee of arrangements consisted of the
following: Leonard C. French, Willard Parker,
Daniel Moore, Isaac Darrali, John Patten, John
Adams, Adam C'haniller, Andrew Dow, G. AV.
Riddle, .Toseph H. Stevens, John Barr, L. C.
French (2d), Tlios. Holbrook, Charles F. Shepard-
John Goll'e, Elijah C. Stevens, Gardner Nevins,
Rodney McLaughlin, .lames Walker, Simon .Tenness.
The toasts on the occasion were as follows :
" 19M of May, 1750.— Ever to bo romcmbered by tho descendants of
Bedfoi'd^tlie petitioners on that day received a charter of incorporation,
wherehy they could support their religion, which wa^i that, and that
only, they petitioned for."
Responded to by Hon. Horace Greeley, of New
York City.
" Itt/A Jtfar/, 1S50. — Thanks to God, our religious institutions are still
with us, and wo most earnestly pray they may be the first, and, above all
other thing!*, supported I>y us and our posterity."
Responded to by Rev. Mr. Davis, of Amherst.
" Oar ParenU. — Long, long left us, gone to reap their reward of glory
— with gratitude we remember them ; may wo over practice their virtues,
and teacli them to our children by precept and example."
Responded to by Rev. Mr. Clark, of Manchester.
" Ttie EmigratiU, and Giifsts of Bedford, — Wo greet you welcome to our
town, and our festive board. Pleasant and prolitable to meet as relat)'>ns,
friends, and acquaintances, — it is the {Irst time and the lust, we shall
ever meet on such an occasion, in llcdford."
John Atwood, Esq., of Albany, N. Y., responded.
" The cfiawjen of oni: hundred i/eara. — The woolen and Itnen-wheela
for the cotton-mills and spinning jennies, — are not more wonderful than
the horse's two days' journey to Boston, with wooden panniers, with a tuU
of butter on either siiie, or bi4h, tilled with linen cloth or thread, to tile
steam-engine and the telegraph wires."
^^ Enytuud, Scotland and /rf/iiHtf.— Our mother-countries ; their united
blood produces the best of stock, defying the world for competition."
Rev. .lames T. Woodbury, of .\cton, Mass., re-
sponded.
" Brown Bread. — 5Iay the hale yeomanry of old Bwlford never despise
the hearty and substantial food of their ancestors."
Response by Hon. C. E. Potter, of Manchester.
'* Ottr Ponterity. — May this doy be remembered, one hundred years
hence, by our descentlants who shall then be on the stage of action."
Responded to by Dr. Lroiianl French, of Fitchburg,
Mass.
" The .Sote/i-frin/i,— They left the north of Ireland, brave<l tlio dan-
gers of the ocean, and came to these western wilds to eiOoy their rellgiuo
and liberty. May their oftspring api)reciate such noble virtues, and
cherish them as a rich legacy handed down from Iheirforefathors."
John Aiken, Esq., of Andover, Mass., responded.
** The Orator of the dan, — If our hoiiteMuiid liamet appear as well a cen-
tury to rome as they do to day, posterity will have no rt»son to be
iwhunied uf (heir Inheritance."
Hon. Isaac O. Barnes spoke briefly on the subject
of education.
'* The Indies of Bvtford, — Ever prompt and enerL'eiic in every under-
taking of u worthy nndconnuendablo chai*actor."
James 0. Adams, of Manchester, responded.
1 Ilonico fJreoley was Imrn just over the line of IVdfnrd, In Amhcmt,
tho school ho attendeil and the belter portion of his father's farm iKdng
111 Iknlfonl, whore he resideil during a portion of bis lutrly years.
278
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Civil History. — The IV
clerks from 1750 to 1885 :
John McLaughlin, 1750, *51.
Matthew I'attcii, 1752, '63, '64,
'53, '50, '57, '58, '69, '60, '01,
'62, '03, '64, '65, '66, '67, '08,
'69, '7u, '71, '72, '73.
John Bell, 1773, '74, '75, '76, '77.
William White, 1777, '78, '79, '80,
'81.
Thomas McLaughlin, 1782.
John ItanJ, 17tvl, '84.
Josiah Gillis, 1785, '86, '87.
William Moor, 1788, '89, 90.
■William Mc.\treo, 1791,'99,1S00.
David Patten, 1792, '93, '94, '95,
'90, 18(17, '08, '09, '10.
Phineas Aiken, 1797, '98, 1801,'02,
'03, '114.
Samuel Clianiller, 1805, "06,
Moody M. Stevens, 1811, '12, '13,
'14, 15.
William .Moor, 1816, '17.
Alfred Poster, 1818, '19, '20, '21,
'22, '23, '24, '25, '26.
.Samuel Chandler, 1827, '28.
llowing is ;i list of town
Leonard Walker, 1829, '30, '33, '34.
Isaac Riddle, 1831, '32.
Daniel Mour, Jr., 1835.
Frederick Wallace, 18.36, '37.
Daniel Gordon, 1838, '39, '40, '41,
'43.
John Parker, 1842.
."Vndrew J. Dow, 1844, '45, '4ti,
'47, '61.
Be^iamin F. Wallace, 1848, '49.
JIatthew Barr, 1850.
Daniel K. Mack, 1852, '53.
Chandler SiJolTord, 1854, '55, '66,
'57.
Benjamin Hall, 1858, '59, '60, '61,
■C2, '03, '04.
William W Wilkins, 1805, '66, '67,
'68.
John Hodgraan, 1869, '70, '71.
Theodore A, Goffe, 1872.
Silas A. Riddle, 1S73, '74, '70, '77,
'78, '79, 'SO, '81, '82, '83, '84, '85.
George W. Flint, 1875.
Kepresentatives. — The following
representatives from 1762 to 1885 :
John Goffe, 1762, '03, '04, '66, '66,
'67, '68, '09, '70, '71, '72, '73,
'74, '75.
Paul Dudley, 1775, '76, '77, '78.
John Orr, 1779, '82, '95, '90, '97,
1811, '12,
Samuel Patten, 1781.
Matthew Thornton, 1783.
James Martin, 1784, '85, '91.
Stephen Dole, 1786, '88, 'S9, '90,
'92, '93, '94.
Isaac Riddle, 1798, '99, 1813.
David Patten, 1800, '01, '02.
Phineas .\iken, 1803, '04, '14.
William Kiddle, 1805, '00, '07.
Samuel Chandler, 1808, '09, '10,
'15, '10, '17, '18.
Josiah Gordon, 1819, '20.
Thomas Chandler, 1821, '22.
William Moor, 182:i, '24, '32, '33.
William Riddle, 1825, '20, '30, '31.
Eheuezer French, 1827.
Joseph CoUey, 1828, '29, '35.
James McK. Wilkins, 1834, '36,
•37.
J. B, Bowman, 1838, '39.
John French, 1840.
Thomas Chandler, 1841, 42.
William Patten, 1843.
L. C. French, 1844, '45, '40.
William P. Riddle, 1847, '48.
Gardner Nevins, 1847, '4H.
A. K. Patten, 1849.
ChaniUer SpalTord, 1849.
L. C. French (2d), 1860.
is a list of
A. J. Dow, 1850.
1851. BeiOamin F. Wallace and
Moody M. Stevens.
1852. James 31orriS')n and Thom-
as \\\ Moore.
1853. Noyes Poor.
18.'»4. James French.
1855. James French.
1850. Russell Moore.
18.57. Russell Jloorc.
1858. Thomas G. Holbrook.
1859. Thomas G. Holbrook.
ISCO. Henry Hale.
1801. Henry Hale.
18li2. William H. French.
1863. William R. French.
1864. George W. Riddle.
1805. George W. Riddle.
1800. Silas Ilolhrook.
1867. Silas Holbrook.
1808. Samuel Patten.
1869. Charles H. Moore.
1870. John Hodgman.
1871. George W. Goffe.
1872. Thomas G. Worthley.
1873. Voted not to send.
1874. Voted not to send.
1875. Paul T. Campbell.
1870. George W. Golfe.
1877. Voted not to send.
1878. William McAllaster.
1870. Voted nut to send.
Charles B. Real.
John A. Riddle.
Freenmn R. French.
18«o,
1882,
1884,
Physicians. — Dr. Nathan CuiUt cume to Bedford
iroiu l)iiii>tal)le, Mass., in 1777, and moved back in
1782.
Dr. John Quin came to Bedford in 1782, from Hal-
ifax, Vt. He was a relation of Dr. Cutler and had a
family. After staying a year or two he removed to
Massachusetts.
Dr. Nathan Cutler, son of the former, came to Bed-
ford in 1789; he married Elizabeth Swett, and died
May, 1809.
Dr. William Wallace came to Bedford in 1805; his
native place was Milford, N. H. He died in 1821.
His widow, sister of Rev. E. L. Parker, of London-
derry, survived him many years.
Dr. Baird came to Bedford in 1811; left in 1813,
and went to Nelson ; he resided, while in town, with
Thomas Wallace.
Dr. Page came in 1810, and resided in Bedford but
a few months.
Dr. Frederick A. Mitchell came in 1813 ; he was
born in Peterborough. He married Lucy, daughter
of Deacon Phineas Aiken. He left the practice in
1815, but lived in town till 1835.
Dr. P. P. Woodbury came to Bedford in 1815; he
was born in Francestown, N. H.
Dr. Silas Walker came to Bedford in 1827 ; born in
Goftstown ; died in 1843.
Dr. Houston came to Bedford in 1824 ; resided at
Piscataquog ; stayed one year, and then went to West-
ern New York.
Dr. Levi B. Johnson came to Bedford in 1825 ;
stayed two years; he boarded at the village.
Dr. Robert Riddle, son of Hugh Riddle, began to
practice at Hooksett ; came back to his father's in
1825; practiced medicine till his death, which oc-
curred in 1828.
Dr. Henry Clinton Parker, son of James Parker,
Esq., studied medicine in Philadelphia ; began to
practice at the village in 1838.
Dr. Leonard French, son of Leonard C. French,
studied medicine with Dr. Crosby; began to practice
in 1845 ; stayed one year in town, and removed to
Ash by.
Dr. John D. Walker, son of Dr. Silas Walker,
studied medicine \vith his father, and began to prac-
tice in 1840 or 1841.
Dr. John Harvill came to Bedford in 1849; began
to practice at the village, and after one year went to
California.
The present physician is Frank 1). Rowe.
The history of Bedford also makes mention of the
following lawyers who resided in town : James Un-
derwood, .Tanu's Parker, Lsaac McCiaw,.!. li. Bowman,
James McWilkins, John Porter.
POPULATION-.
1707.
rnmarrieil men from 16 to iKi years 30
Married men from 16 to 00 4:1
Boys from 10 and under 93
Alen (>ii and above 13
Females unmarried 117
Females married 51
Staves (male, 6 ; female, 3) 9
Widows
Total 302
For 1775 we have the following return, dated
ford, Oct<)ber 27, 1775."
Bed-
BEDFORD.
279
" Males under le H>9
31&leij from 16 to 5i) nut in iirtuy 'M
Malen above M 28
Persons gone to the war 14
Kemales in all '241
Ntgroes and slaves for life Ui
Total I'j:*
"HiLi^BOROUtiii, SS., Oct. 'Si, 1775.
Then peraonatly appeared Jolin lk*ll, und made sulemn onth to his
tidility and impartiality in numbering the muIb in Ik'dfunl, and making
return of the t<«ventl aged and sexes, as in the columns abuve thereof.
** Sworn l>efore, ilAxr. Pattks, J. P."
''There are 37 guns lacking to etiuip the inhabitants of Bedford.
There are 11^ Ibe. powder in Bedfurd, according to information, and nu
town stock of amniunitiun.
"JouN Bell."
The population in 1783 was 762 (framed houses, 93) ;
1800,1182; 1810,1206; 1820,1375; 1830, 15o4; 1840,
1543: 1850, 1918; dwelling-houses, 312; families,
344; farmers, 207; laborers, 161; shoemakers, 10;
blacksmiths, 6 ; brickmakers, 33 ; machinists, 10 ;
carpenters, 8; physicians, 2; clergyman, 1; lawyer,
1; teacher, 1; scholars attending school this year,
689; value of real estate owned, $594,600. ^
EXTRACTS FROM HON. M.\TTHKW PATTEN'S JOURNAL.
" March 29, 17.55. Was chosen town-clerk. Vote*I to give me six
pounds, old tenor, fur what I shuntd recurd for the tuwn this year, and
they were to find me paper to write the minutes of the town on.
' "Octolwr '29, 175a. Snow fell, ankle deep.
" July 18, 17oG. John Smith, uf New Boston, infonued me that a bear
bad bit my heifer (that he had in keeping), so uhe could not live. I got
Mr. BIcNeit, of New Boston, to butclier her for me.
** September 13 & 14, 175G. A great frost, so as to kill all the com-
l«avea.
"November 27, 17.'i(> Went lo Londonderry, to know when the Gen.
Cburt set ; found It to be next Tuus^tlay. On the 30th set out for Ports-
mouth ; wont as far as Mr. Murphy's, in Londomlorry, and received au
account that the GeD. Court had a4journcd till Tuesday, 14th December,
next.
"September 4, 1757. Mr. lUnHlnit lectured in the forenoon on the let
chapter of John, and preached in the afternoon, it being the first sermon
erer preached in our meeting huust*. lltb, Mr. Muuston lectured in the
forenoon on the I'Jth, I3tli and 14th v. of the lii-8t chaitter of John, and
preachutl in the afternoon, from Amoi*, fourth chapter und l'2\U verse.
"January 22, 1758. Mr. llonsloii lectured on part of the lid chapter
of John (( go«i>el. There were but lA persons at meeting, by rcaw)n of
the BDow, which was deep, and poor paths.
"June 8 A 9, KM). Fishi'd at Naina^keag Falls and got 124i shad, and
I gave Robert McMurphy 10 of them ; and I got 4 Khud and a «niall sal-
mon, for my jiart, from the m-ttiug-placc. Wni. Peter* fished for me by
the halves.
"July 15, 17G0. I Joined with Sam'l Patterson to fish for salmon, and
catched 2 ; one weighed 12*-^ llw., and the other 18 Iba. Tlu* small one I
had, and the large one he had. liith, We raided tlitt hridgi* over I'itK'ata-
quog rivt-r, and set our net thai night, and l»y morning we had a 9 und a
6 pound eialnion ; the large one I had, and the small one Palten«on hmJ.
"March 12, 17r)l. This morning, about 2 o'clock, a conttiderablo
■mart shock of an earthtiuake, whirh wakened mo out of sleep.
" March 4, 17C2. I attended a meeting of the towns of Amherst and
BedfonI, at Bedfurd meetliig-honiu>, to chooeo a reprewmtntivo; I woa
OhoMD nimloraior by a nnanJmunn choice, and Col. Goffe was chosen
repreeentxilivu by 46 voteM, and Capt. Barron had 13.
'April 1, 17G4. Snow f.*ll near 3 inchee deep.
"June 7, 1771. .\tteiidcd tla- funeral of Capt. Uarrun, and wiu« one of
the nndiT bcan^n*.
"July 3, 1771. I went to Derryllidd meeting-hoUKC, and lieard Mr.
Ward, of I'iytnouth, pn-ach.
" Novt-mher 27, 177'.). 1 have 2 bushels of corn a ilay for writing.
" May 10, 17HU. Was a tliundershower In the niorolDg, and wan fol-
' rensus for IS/iO.
lowed by an uncouunon darkness, such as is not remcmt)ered. It was
so dark that one could not know a man but at a suuill distance, and were
obligf^d to keep a light in the chimney to tk-o to go about, and the night
was so extraordinary dark until 1 o'clock that a person could not see
bis hand when held up, nor evt-n a white sheet of [taper. Day and
night cloudy. Cause unknown. The works of the Lord are great and
marvellous, and past finding out until He graciously pleases to reveal
them."
The Old Militia.'^ — Persons who lield commissions
in the- militia in the town of Bedford :
Stephen Dole, colonel ; James Aiken, captain ; Phinca^ Aiken, lieu-
tenant ; James Gilmore, ensign ; William Dole, captain ; Natbaa
Barnes, capkun ; Andrew Aiken, capt^iin of cavalry ; James Moor, lieu-
tenant; Dunlap, major; Bois, captain; William 31 oor, cap-
tain ; James McLaughlin, cusigu ; John McAllister, captain ; Thomas
Chandler, captain ; Joseph Colley, captaiu ; Thomas Barr, captain o
artiller>', 1815 to 1817.
William Moore, appointed captain August 8, 1812; promoted adju-
tant July 4, 1S16; promoted colonel Juno 20, 1818; resigned March %
1820.
Moody M. Stevens, appointed lieutenant June 20, 1814 ; resigned July
26, 1816.
Leonard C. French, appointed ensign June 20, 1814 ; promoted captaiu
July -20, 1816 ; resigned Juue '^3, 1S18.
Enoch Dole, appointed lieutenant July 2G, 181G ; promoted captain
June 23, 1818 ; resigned February 10, 1819.
Jesse Parker, appointed ensign July 2G, 1816 ; promoted lieutenant
Jane 2:1, 1818 ; promoted captain February 10, 1819 ; resigned April 9,
1821.
William Chandler, appointed ensign June 23, 1818 ; promoted lieuten-
ant February 10, 1819; promoted captain April 9, 1821 ; resigned April
9, 1824.
Robert Moor, appointed ensign February 10, 1819 ; promoted lieuten-
tenant April 9, 1821 ; promoted captain April 9, 1824 ; resigned January
31, 1825.
David Stevens appointed ensign August 27, 1821 ; promoted lieutenant
April 9, 1824 ; resigned January 31, 1825.
Samuel Campbell, apjMjintcd ensign April 9, 1824; promoted captain
February 2, 1825 ; resigned March 24, 1828.
Benjamin Nichols, appointed lieutenant February 2,1825; promoted
captaiu March 1, 1828; discharged April 17, lts3U.
Joseph C. flloor, appointed ensign February 2, 1825 ; promoted lieu-
tenant March 1, 1828 ; promoted captain April 17, 1830; resigned Feb-
ruary 8, 1832.
Samuel G. Colley, appointed ensign September 5, 1829 ; promoted
lieutenant April 17, 1830 ; promoted captain February 20, 1832 ; resigned
April 8, 1834.
David Spraguc, appointed ensign April 17, 18^10 ; promoted lieutenant
Fobruarj' 20, lt>32 ; resigned April 8, 1834.
William Golf, appointed captain April 9, IS'M ; resigned August 28.
1834.
RufuB Merrill, appointed captain August 28, 1334 ; resigned February
5, 1838.
Nathaniel Moore, appointed nontenant Aug^ist 28, 1834; promoted cup-
tain February 0, 1838 ; reoigned June 5, 1839.
William A. Uundlett, ap]>ointed ensign August 28, 1834 ; promoted
lieutenant May 22, 1838 ; resigned March It, 18:19.
William U. French. ap|)ointed enxign Kluy 23, 1838 ; promoted captaiu
Juue II, 18:W ; resigned .March II, 1KI2.
Fn-derirk Iloilgnmn, appointed lieutenant June 11,1839; promoted
captain March II, 1KI2 ; rewigued July 7, 1843.
William .McAllister, appointed ensign Juno 11, 18:19; promoted Hou-
teimnt March 11, 1842 ; n.'«igned July 7, 184;J.
Benjamin Hall, ap|>olnted ennii^n .March 11, 1842 ; promoted captain
July 7, 1843 ; rwlgned March '2<», 1H44.
Charles A. Moore, apiiointed ensign July 7, 1843; resigned May 27,
HS44.
Philip C, Flanders appointed aiptitln October 13, 184.1 ; removed by
address, Juno session, 1846.
F. K. French, api>ointed ensign October 13, 1815 ; resigned April 2o,
1847.
Thomas G. Worthley, appointed lleutcnani t>ctober i:t, 1845 ; pri>>
moted captain April 20. 1847 ; retUgned April 0, 1848.
>FruDi History of Bedford.
280
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Joseph H. Flint, appointed ensign April 20, 1847 ; promoted lieutenant
August 24, 1847 ; promoted captain September 4, 1848 ; resigned May 1,
1»49.
Jamefl H. Moore, apitointed ensign August 24, 1847 ; resigned August
7, 1848.
Robert C. Moore, appointed fhwign September 4, 1848 ; resigned Jlay
22, 1849.
William Moore (2d), appointed lieutenant September 4, 1848 ; pro-
moted L'iii)tHin May 1, I84'.t.
William P. Gage, appointed lieutenant Slay 22, 1849.
Itufus K. I>ari-ah, aplminted ensign May 22. 1849.
George W. Gotle, appointed ensign August 24, 1849.
In the year 1814 a company of exempts was formed
in Bedford, numbering about sixty men, which was
composed of men forty years of age and upwards,
who were not liable to do military duty, according
to law, but armed and equi|)pod themselves at their
own expense, for the protection of their country,
which was then engaged in hostilities with England,
and held themselves ready to march at a moment's
warning. Their first officers were the following: Isaac
Riddle, captain ; John Holbrook, lieutenant; Samuel
Chandler, second liLHiteuunt; William Riddle, ensign.
It will be perceived that during the War of 1812
there were more than two hundred men armed and
equipped in the town of Bedford, who held them-
selves in readiness to march in defense of their
country. At the time the British invaded Portsmouth,
the company of exempts under Captain Isaac Riddle,
the infantry under Captain William Moore, and the
Grenadiers, under Captain William P. Riddle, met at
centre of the town, and drilled every day for two
weeks, expecting hourly to have orders to march to
meet the enemy at Portsmouth.
In the year 1815 the infantry company, embodying
in its limits all of the town of Bedford, was composed
of about one hundred and fifty men. The field officers
of the Ninth Regiment, deeming it too large for the
purpose for which it was intended, created a volunteer
company by the name of the Bedford Grenadiers,
numbering forty-eight rank and file. For military
tactics and strict discipline it stood the highest in
the Ninth Regiment, and was considered one of the j
first companies of the State. It was organized before
the close of the War of 1812. The uniforms were of
American manufacture. Coats were made of home-
spun cloth, colored blue, trimmed with yellow silk
braid and bright buttons. Pant.-; were made of white
cotton jean or drilling, manufactured from No. 16
cotton yarn, and wove by the Misses Patten, of this
town. Vests of the same. Gaiters made from black
velvet. Black wool hats, furnished with a brass front-
piece, impressed with the American eagle. The
plumes were of white with a red to]), m.ade from geese
feathers by Mrs. Theodore Gotte, of this town.
In the year 1821 the company procured a new ;
uniform, similar in style to the first one, but of a
richer material, substituting English manufacture for
American.
The company continued to hold its rank as one
of the best comjianii's of the State until it wiis dis-
banded, in the year 1834.
Its officers were the following:
William P. Itiddle, appoiuted first captain December 20, ISl.^i ;' pro-
moted m.ijor May 19, 1820; promoted lieutenant-colonel June 2:^, 1821 ;
promoted colonel June 1.'), 1824 ; promoted brigadier-general June 24,
1831 ; promoted major-general June 2.'j, 1833 ; resigned June 8, 1835.
Isiuic McGaw, appoiuted lieutenant December 20, 1815 ; resigned Feb-
ruary 10, 1818.
William Patten, appointed ensign December 20, 181.5 ; promoted lieu-
tenant February 10, 1818 ; promoted captain August 28, 1820 ; resigned
April 9, 1821.
Alfred Foster, appointed ensign February 10, 1819 ; promoted lieuten-
ant August 28, 1820 ; promoted captain April 9, 1821 ; promoted nuyor
June 18, 182.> ; died in office.
John Patten, appointed ensign .\ugu8t 28, 1820 ; promoted lieutenant
April 9, 1821 ; promoted captain August 12, 182.5 ; resigned December 19,
1827.
Daniel Gordon, appointed ensign April 9, 1821 ; promoted lieutenant
-August 12, 1825; promoted captain December 22, 1827; resigned
November 22, 1829.
RufuB Merrill, appointed ensign August 12, 1825 ; promoted lieutenant
December 22, 1827 ; promoted captain December 2, 1829 ; resigned April
10, 1832.
John P. Houston, appointed ensign December 22, 1827 ; promoted
lieutenant December 2, 1829 ; promoted captain April 18, 18:12 ; resigned
April 10, 1833.
James French, appoiuted ensign December 22, 1829 ; resigned April 16,
Is:i2.
Samuel Patten, appointed lieutenant .\pril 18, 1832 ; promoted captain
April 17, 1833 ; resigned April 20, 18:14.
Samuel Morrison, appoiuted ensign April 18, 18.32 ; promoted lieuten-
ant April 17, 18;{3 ; resigned April 20, 1834.
R. McLaughlin, appointed ensign .\pril 17, 1833 ; resigned July 22,
1S34.
In the year 1842 a volunteer company was formed,
under the style of the Bedford Highlanders. Their
uniforms consisted of coats made from green and
Highland plaid, with a plaid scarf; pants of white,
trimmed with black velvet; hats of black velvet, with
black plumes.
Its tir.st officers were the following:
Charles F. Shepard, appointed captain April 11, 1842 ; resigned Octo-
ber 13, 1845.
Joshua Vose, Jr., appointed lieutenant April 11, 1842 ; appointed cap-
tain October 13, 1845 ; resigned .Vpril 20, 1847.
Timothy F. Moore, appointed ensign May 24, 1844; promoted lieuten-
ant October 13, 1845 ; promoted cai>tain April 20, 1847 ; resigned Decem-
ber 9, 1847.
Alfred Mc.\ffee, appointed ensign October 13, 1845 ; promoted lieuten-
ant .\pril 20, 1847 ; promoted captain December 9, 1847; (disbanded).
William Moore <2d), ap])ointed ensign April 20, 1847 ; promoted lieu-
tenant December 9, 1847 ; (disbanded).
M'illiam McDole Ferson, appointed ensign December 9, 1847 ; (dis-
banded).
Field .111(1 SUif Ojncert.
Silas Walker, appointed surgeon September 17, 1824 ; resigned Septem-
ber 2, 1820.
Robert Riddle, appointed surgeon's mate September 2, 1826 ; died in
office.
H. C. Parker, appointed paymaster .\ugu8t 25, 1831 ; resigned Sep-
tember 6, 1831 ; api)ointed surgeon Deci-mber 11, 1838 ; resigned Starch
4, 1831.
Isaac Riddle, appointed adjutant July 23, 1824 ; promoted mi^or Jane
24, 1831 ; resigned June 12, 1633.
Lewis F. Harris, appointed ignarterma^er July 23, 1824; resigned
October 22, 1828.
A. J. Dow, appointed adjutant July 20, 18:J7 ; resigned August 14, 1840.
Leonard Rundlett, appointed quartermaster July 20, 1837 ; i>romoted
brigade inspector September 9, 1839 ; resigned 1840.
L. B. Bowman appointed paymaster August IC, 1838; promoted adju-
tant August 14, 1840; retjigned 1841.
George W. Riildle, ai>pointed quartermaster August 21, 1848.
Military Record, 1861-65. — The following, com-
BEDFORD.
281
piled und arranged by George W. Riddle, is the record
of Bedford during the War of the Rebellion:
FIILST KKUIMENT (Three Months;.
Miultrfd III Mali 1, l«Gl.
Lyford Hunt, t'omptiii.v C.
SEl'ON'D UKGIMEXT (Three Years).
MutUrretl in June 1, IhOI.
AV. Gage Kendall, Company C ; died at Camp B«aiifont, 3Iit., November
15, 18t31.
THIRD KEUIMENT (Three Yeare).
Mtustered in Au(fU»t 2:1, 18C1.
Kli E. Bowman, Company A.
Viliiain II. I'lunter, <.'omiiany A ; discharged fur dtsahility.
■John L«K:klin, Cunipauy H.
William A. ButterQeld, Company H ; diejchargod for disability.
Thiimus Adams, ConiiHiny H ; served three year«.
lii-orge \V. AdaniB, Coniiuiny H ; killed at I'iucknoy Island, S. C, Au-
gust 21, 18G2.
Samuel Adamtt, Company II ; discharged for disability August 2, 18C2.
John N. ("umpbell, Cumjiany II ; wounded severely June 16, 1862 ; dis-
charge*! fur disability Miirch 20, ISfW.
W. H. H. Nichols, Coiiiiuiny H ; wounded August 1, 1862; discharged
for disability October :ut, 1862.
Andrew J. Caiiipbell, Company II ; died of disease September 8, 1862.
Charles J. .Xndrews, Comi»any K.
Coriwral John A. Arnislrung, Company K ; killed in action at Drurj's
Bluff, Va., aiay V.i, 1864.
£orgcant George Wuy, Company K ; wounded August 16, 1864.
KOl'RTH REGIMENT (Three Years).
Muttered in i}*-j>Umbcr IH, 1861.
Captain Edwin Whiiford, Company K ; promoted to captain May 10,
1865.
Sergeant Thomas S. Ilurnin, Company E.
iSoorg)' H. Hlood, Compjiny K.
Sergeant Jnlm F. Hotlgmiin, Company K.
Cori»ornl .Samuel H. Maci*, CVmiiauy K.
Oeorge \V. Mace, Company K.
Corporal Samuel SIcDoel, (-ompany K.
Lieutenant John FuUerton, Oimpany K ; promoted to first lieutenant
Auguflt, 18i>5.
Sergeant James McConiho, Company K.
SEVENTH REGIMENT (Thne Years).
Muttered in Sovember 1, 1S61.
Sergeant Charlea C. McPberson, Company I ; supposed killed at Fort
Wugner, July 18, 1863.
Henry Oliver, Company I ; rll<*d of diabase September 16, 1862.
OniiIt>w F. >IcPhen*on, I'onipuny I.
John R. Yuuiig, Com|Hiiiy I.
Xdward Talro, Company G ; died of disease March 22, 1862.
EIGHTH UEGIMKNT (Three Yearn).
Mustered III /i«c«iii6rr 20, 1861.
Joseph F. Cudy, died in service.
James W. Harrlnuin, Comimny F; discliorgod for disability March 3,
1814.
NINTH REGIMENT (Three Years).
Mustered in July 12, 1862.
Tt>wn K'lunty.
Ceorgi- llodgnuin, Jr., Comi>any H; diod of disease,
Falmouth, Va,, November :i, 186:j ?6(».00
S50.(I0
TENTH REGIMENT (Three Yoara).
Mfinterrd ill .\ugu»t, 2i», 1^12.
I |Kmil AlfnMl Quald, Cumjiany A ; citpture*! ut Fair
Oaks, <.>ctober 27, 1H64 ; <Iled at Ander»>nvilli? pris-
on §60.00
Albert N. Jenneas, Company A ; sened three years . 60.00
\VilliHii) K. Conner, Company A ; wounded sovorely
Seplt'inber 2H, 18»U 60.00
Walter I). Campbell, Com|iony A ; wounded nevorely
June 3, 18»VI 50.00
« liiirles Seavey, Com|Niny A ; wouiiilod severely July,
18(4, aIf»o September 2'.t, 1864 50.00
.'lukson Bntti'riield, ComiMUiy A ; served three years . 50.00
Horace Townsond, Con)i>auy A ; wounded eevercly
June 5, 1864
Samuel Seavey, Company A ; serred three years , . .
Charles N. Parkhust, Company A ; died Fredericks^
burg, December 17, 1862
Page Campbell, I'ompuny D ; died of wounds received
March 11, istU
George C. Campbell, Company D ; served three years.
Silas Campbell, Company D ; wounded at Fredericks-
burg December, 1862
Isaac Campbell, Company D ; captured at Fair Oaks,
Va., October 27, 1864 ; died at Andersonvillo pris-
on
Daniel S. Campbell, Company D ; discharged for dis-
ability October 14, 1864
John H. Campbell, Company D ; served three years .
Andrew S. Cami)bell, Company D_; deserted at Fal-
mouth January 22, 1863
Charles S. Campbell, Company D ; discharged for dis-
ability May I", 18*>4
William Philbrick, Company D ; served three years .
George A. Blood, Comi>any D ; died at Portsmouth, Va.,
November 10, 1863
William Adams, Company D ; diod of disease at Fal-
mouth January IJ, lH6;i
Albert P. Kelley, Company F ; discharged at Fair Oaks
October 27, 18t4
Sergeant George ('. McPherson, Company H ; captured
at Fair Oaks, Va., ( tctober 27, 1864 ; died in Ander-
sonville prison, Ga
i John Koby, Company II ; served three years ....
Lysiiniler Gardner, Company H ; discharged for disa-
bility April 1, 18IVJ
Charles N. Townaend, Company H ; transferred to V.
R. Con* August 13, 186;i
H. H. Walker, Company H; served thros years . . .
Edmund Kendall, Company II ; tranHfcrrod to Signal
Corps May 23, 1h64
John G. McLaughlin, Company H; taken prisoner;
served three vears
Ti>wii Bounty.
oo.oo
60.00
60.00
60.00
60.00
50.00
50.00
50.00
50.00
.W.OO
50.00
60.00
50.00
50.00
50.00
50.00
00.00
50.00
50.00
60.00
$1260.00
ELEVENTH REGI.MKNT (Three Years).
Mnxtered in Augui't 28, 1862.
Town Bounty.
Charles A. Riddle, Comi)any C; tmnsferred to V. R,
Corps April 15, 1864 8^0.00
James A. Riddle, Company C ; wounded severely De-
cember 13, 1862; discharged for disability. .... 60.00
Joseph O. Smith, Company E ; captured Juno 22, 1863 ;
died in Andersonville prison 50.00
S160.00
FOURTEENTH REGIMENT (Three Yearn).
Mustered in September 22, 1862.
Town Bounty.
T. J. Wiggin, ComiHiny D ; tninsferred to Signal Corps
April 28, 18G3 $60.00
FIFTEENTH REGIMENT (Nino Months).
MuAttred in Octnher U, 1862.
Town Tlounty.
John Hodgnian, Com|Mtny E ; wounded severely . . , S'JlKi.OO
Andrew C. Giles, I orn|mny E ; wounded severely . . 200.00
William H. Hodgnuin, Com)iany E ; died of ditieaso at
CrtiTolton, Va., January 22, IS'i:! 21)0.00
James S. I*ord, Company E 2i)0.0(i
J. I. Wbittemoi'o, Comjiany E; wounded slightly . . 2(X>.00
8Uh»o.oo
SIXTEENTH REGIMENT (Nine Months).
Mitatered in October 10, 18t!2.
Town Bounty,
Robert H. Fr^iirh, Company G ; dleil in scrviro . . $200.00
George W. Boynton, Com|>any G ; died in sonlco An-
gust 13, 1863 200.00
William P. Mudgo, Com|tany G ; served nine months. 200.00
$600.00
282
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
NEW HAMPSHIEE CAVALRY KEGIWIENT.
Muilered in Marc)i, 1864.
Town Bounty.
Charles J. Parker ; served three months 85U.0O
Whole amount paid from town treasury for thirty-nino
volunteers to Septemlwr 1, 1863 83150.00
L. B. Lougec, unaccuuuletl fur
George B. Moore, Company K
Daniel Way, Coiiipiiny K ; severely wounded June l;i,
18C4; died at Fort Warren
Samuel A. Shirk, enlisted March IC, 18G5, for one
year $500.00
FIKST NEW HAMPSHIKE BATTEKY.
Mustered in Sepleviher 26, 1801.
Town Bounty,
i^ilas Ilolbrook, wounded severely December, 1863; dis-
charged for disability December 14, 1864 ....
Albert K. Holbrook, killed at Petersburg, Va., .Tuly,
1804
John Lord, wounded ; transferred to V. K. Corps . .
John A. Patten, enlisted March 21, 18G5, for one yoar.SolW.OO
Edward II. Patten, enlisted March 21, 18C5, for one
year 500.00
81000.00
$1500.00
DKAFTED 3IEN WHO FURNISHED SUBSTITUTES.
Mustered in September 1, 1803.
Individual Bounty. Town Bounty.
Gilman H. Moofe $140.00 $300.00
Walter I. Bacheldcr V2r,M 300.00
Roger H. Vose 176.00 300.00
Freeman R. French 115.00 300.00
Leonard J. Brown 200.00 300.00
Charles II. Kendall 175.00 300.00
Levi J.Woodbury 200.00 300.00
George Whitford 150.00 300.00
Farnham Jenkins 140.00 300.00
David K. Barnard 175.00 300.00
Clinton French ... 170.00 300.00
Horace S. Campbell 155.00 300.00
George B. Shattuck 140.00 300.00
John G. Vose 175.00 300.00
Walter Gage 115.00 300.00
Joseph G. Holbrook 175.00 300.00
Charles H. Sargent 175.00 300.00
John H. Lord, in person 175.00 300.00
$2875.00 $5400.00
Individual bounty added . . 2875.00
$9875.00
VOLUNTEERS FURNISHED BY TOWN OF BEDFORD.
Under the call of October 17, 1803. The town cashed the United
States bounty of $300.00.
Town Bounty. U. S. Bounty.
William Jones $150.00 $;)00.00
Kdwin Burns, deserted .lanuary 13,
18C4 145.00 300.00
Charles Prescott 151.00 300.00
Charles Jager ^. . . 205.00 300.00
George E. Yates 205.00 300.00
George S. Allen 198.00 300.00
John Ncilson 265.00 3fl0.00
Charles Peterson 205.00 300.00
Samuel Collard, veteran 275.00 300.00
Peter Dailey, died of wounds June
19, 18l'4 220.00 300.00
James Cuedy 225.00 300.00
W. P. Mudge, V. R. C 25.00 $3300.00
George W. Cutler 34.00
Larkin Sargent 136.00
$2019.00 2019.00
Average cost, $422 each.
S15.694.00
RE-ENLISTED VETERANS.— THIKD REGIMENT.
Muttered in Fehrvary, 1804.
Town Bounty,
('orporal John A. Armstrong, Company K ; re-enlisted
February 12, 1804 ; killed at Drury's Bluff, May
13, 1804 $200.00
•Sergeant George AVay, Company K ; re-enlisted Febru-
ary 12, 1S64 ; wounded August 10, 1804 200.00
Corwia .). Parker re-eulisled February 25, 1804 . . . 200.00
$600.00
FOURTH REGIMENT.
Town Bounty.
Lieutenant John Fullerton, Company K ; re-enlisted
February 15, 1804 $200.00
Sergeant John P. Hodgman, Company K ; re-enlisted
Februarj' 15, 1804 200.00
$400.1 il>
SEVENTH REGIMENT.
Town Bounty.
John R. Young, Company I ; re-enlisted February 27,
1804 $200.00
Onslow F. McPheraon, Company I ; re-enlisted Febru-
ary 27, 1804 ; deserted May 24, 1804 200.0U
$400.(10
$1400.110
SHARPSHOOTERS.
Mu*:tered iu March, 1804.
Town Bountj'.
George Blood, Company G
Warren T. llackett. Company G ; died of wounds June
12, 1804
HEAVY ARTILLERY REGIMENT (One Year).
Mustered in September 2, 1864.
Town Bounty.
Corporal Herbert R. Fulton, Third Company .... $300.00
Charles M. Bowman, Third Company 300.00
William Smith, Third Company 300.00
Walter M. Smith, Third Company 300.00
Ferdinauer Reuiter, Third Company 300.00
Charles 0. Townsend, Third Company ; died of disease
at Fort Williams, November 21, 18M 300.00
Eben Foss, Third Company ; non-resident 300.00
Hfustered in September 17, 1864.
Sergeant .\ustin C. French, Tenth Company 300.00
Wiggin T. Abbott, Tenth Company 300.00
Gilman T. Moore, Tenth Regiment 300.00
$3000.00
SUBSTITUTES FURNISHED BY ENROLLED MEN.
Mustered in March, 1865.
Individual Town
Bounty. Bounty.
Horace Holbrook, one for throe years $200.00 $300.1X1
Enoch F. Gage, one for three yeure 200.00 300.00
$400.00 $600.00
Individual Bounty added . . 400.00
EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT.
Murdered in Marclt^ 18tj4.
Herman Schnider, one year .... 300.00
$1300.00
UNITED STATES NAVY (Not credited on enrollment).
Josiali G. Woodbury, .\. A. paymaster U. S. Navy ;
killed on board miinitur " Catskill," August 19, 1804,
by a shot from Fort Wagner, while bombarding
Charleston, S. C. ; his romains were brought to
Bedford and inli-rred with ^laaonic honors . . . .
Hugh R. Barnard, clerk, monitor '* Catskdl." . . . ,
Silas A. Riddle, clerk, U. S. steamers "Calhoun " and
"Carrabossett."
Captain T. J. Rollins, acting master steamer "Saco."
(credited on enixdlment) $300.00-
$21,694.00
BEDFORD.
283
MKIJII'AL l»KI»AK'iMi:NT.
\V, \\". W'ilkins, lUi^i^tuDt aurgt'on Tenth New llaniii-
Bhire Itt'ginifUt
Gporge E. W<x»«lb«ry, a8t«ititant surgeon First D. C.
VolunletTs
XIMHKH OK SnLDIKKS FrUMSHED FHOM BEDFOHD.
40 men in First, Second, ThinI, Fourtli. Seventh and
KIgbth Itt'gimeutfs Kavyiind MiHlical Pejuirlinente,
receive"! nu (own l»ouni\
42 men in Ninth. Tenth, Eleventh, Fuurteenlh, Fif-
teenth and Sixteenth, and Cavalry Regimentd, re-
reivtMl town iMjunty of S:il50.00
82 men volunteered prior tu September 1, t8G3.
60 men furnislieii nnder calls of President since Sep-
temLH.T 1, 18I13, who have received from the town
of Bedford, and from principals who huvi- fllrlli^hed
twenty substitutes
142 men.
Expenses of enlisting paid from t^wn treasury .
> 521,60-1.00
S24.844.U0
217.03
J 525,061.63
AdGUEGATK MnrNTIK.S ANM KXPENSES.
Paid by town of Bedford and twenty individuals ^ince September 1,
I8»i;t, fur sixty soldient, and rust returned to provoE>l-miii-«hat, Sep-
tember 1, lSli5.
r-^u V ««.,.„, Individual Town
^'"" Expenses. g^,„„,. „„„,_,j.
July 3. IS drafted men g2S7J.OO S5400.UO
Oi t H. M v.ilunlccni $143.»3 .lOlIl.flll
1KI14. 7 re-en!iBted
Fell. I. 4 enlinled-ll iiii-n . . . 137.80 1C50.00
Jiil.v 18. Ic] men, II .Vrlillery . . 12li.(Kl 3tX)lJ.(
2 suliwtiliileg, llulbrook
and Gage 400.00 COO.IXI
. 1 navr, Caplaiu l(Mllln» .'iOO.OO
Dec. 17. 4 men, one year .... 20.00 1800.00
iMnien 54:12.73 Sia'S.OO S18,Cfl9.00
Individual hounty 3275.00
K.XP.-I1S.-1 432.73
JJ2,37li.73
E.\Ff:NSK.S lir KM.ISTlNi; ONK IIUNDIIKII \NI> IDKTV-TWO
SIIMUKIi.s.
For llic I'lnu of Itodriinl <hiriliK tlie war, and flii< auuMilit or catili jiaiil
uut of tlif> town treasury :
Murch, lmi.1. Paid Ceorife W. Kiddle fur miviciH i'iili»lili|;
Ihirly-seveii vohiriteei*«, in Tenth, Kleveulli, Kffluentliarnl
Si\t<-enlli KfKi'ueulH, and for t-aoli paid out, S><.<Kl . . . $22.0<t
Itereived u( I'nited Stateit for enlJMlinent feeri un eleven
men JKWi.oo
$143.93
S21.17
S142..-.0
Oct. George W, Diddle, twentj'-one days . S42.0O
Cash exiienses 35.08
R. Fulton, twelve day- . 24.00
c ash exjienses . . 28.25
L,. <.'. French (2dl, four dayr- .... 8.00
C^b expenses 6.60
Balance
1804. Dr.
March. Cash paid G. B. Moore $40.CKi
T. W. Moore, Jr., expenses paid
ont 7.40
Ilarkett, Way and Blood, and ex-
pense enlisting 27.60
George W. Riddle, services reducing
quota, enlisting twelve men,
getting credits, State bounties,
etc., seventeen days . . . . • 34.00
Cash paid, expenses, see bill . . . 33.50
Cr.
Cash balance on hand S21.17
Ueceived of V. S., enlistment fees of
Mo.ile, Blood, W.iy and Ibick.tl . . . 70.00
S;il.l7
llaluiice paiil frnui town treasury, lsr..'> . . ?.M..33
Total expense paid from town treasury for
reduction of quota and enlisting sixty-
three men, to. luly 1, 18ry4 S73..3;i
Aug. 1SI14.
Kxpense of enlisting ten lueu. Iii-av\ mtit-
lery :
L. B. Bowman's bill .... »l3.91
D. G. Atwood's " .... :;8.82
S. A. Shepherd's " ii.fT
fl20.r,o
March. 1865.
Kx|>ense of enlisting four men :
George W. Riddle, four days >.S(>l
Cash ex])enBes •.),7o
?17.70
Tolal $J17.I13
IMirNTIES AND KXPK.VSKS I'MD liV AIMnlslNG TO\VN.»f.
v'^ r Av'i-ageeost .Vv'rage
Triwu. ' ',1^ HMunlii-'*. Kxpenses. of unlistm't bounty
for iiiiiu.pi-r tnuii.
Amherst . . . 1.13 S20,5cio.l»l S!7I.22 S2.42 $135.00
Jlerrlinack . . 132 :«>,1 I.'i.ini |331i.{Hi 13.311 206.00
GoITbIowh . . 157 .•W,7'.l.'..oo 1'.i2.ini 3.13 234.00
Weare . . . . IKIl nil,«',l5.1Hl I2'.»5.IN) 6.'.lli 350.0U
Il.-dl,.nl . . . 112 sl!l,4Hli.llll 217.00 1..W I37.0O
' This Include" $1:100.00 II. S. (•Olinty cashed by town October, 1863, and
J:i27.''.oo individual bounties for sniwttlules, mnklni- a tolal of f;(..'i7.'i.0(l.
Ill
- t.\. i.i-iM) of V. S. and Indivirlunl bounties.
HISTOPvY OF BENNINGTON.
BY REV. JAMES HOLMES.
CHAPTER I.
This town was incorporated December, 1842. The
committee were .John Iiodge, John W. Fhigg and
.John H. Fleming. Before 1800 there was quite a
population <in this soil. It was known a.s Hancock
Factory village and Society Land. You may trace
the west line of the latter, beginning at the .south
and then north, including the present Carkin place
and that of John D. Butler, crossing the steps of the
meeting house north to \. Whitney's, and from that
to the Baldwin Bridge, then east, taking in the houses
on the road to Francestown. Besides, when this
town wa* formed it took from Deering some ten
houses; alsu, a strip of territory was taken from
Greenfield and some change made on the Frances-
town line.
Society Land, as if it were a town, kept records, —
first date, 1782, — and are full and well kept.
The following quotation (1797) may aid the curious
inquirer. Three school districts were made by Ben-
jamin Killam, Gi<leon Dodge and IsaacTenny, select-
men.
" Xnrth. —Robert Dhieniorc, Nath;iuiel Fftnington, .Joseph II;ir<iy, True
Webster, Isaac Teiiny, Silaa 'IVmiy, .Mutthiiu? Puffer.
" MidiUt. — Joseph Huutintrton, John Colby, Andrew Taylor, John Ctlf-
fer, Gideon Dodge, Natlian Cram, Denjaniiii Kilhmi.
"South. — .lohn Folch, Hugh Bell, Matthias (litwon, /aclieus Diistin,
Daniel Dane, Moses Favor, Tlionias Wilson."
This purports twenty-one heads of families, and
at that time living in Society Land. Some of these
farms are identified, and three are .still in the family
name. In early times the roads were poor and the
hills steep. One informs the writer that Iter father
was accustomed to go to market si.x times a winter;
would load up, go three and a half miles, leave his
load, return home and rest the first night ; start
early the next morning, and be absent near a week to
Beverly, Salem or Boston. This was common seventy
or eighty years ago. Sometime since the estimate
of cultivated land in this town was three thousand
two hundred and ninoty-ninc acres, and wlicn the
country was new no (hmbt the crops were good. There
are at present some excellent farms and will cnlti-
284
vated, whereas the many neglected ones should re-
ceive more labor and more fertilizers, and so benefit
the owners. Within a few years past some of the
buildings have been repaired and painted, — an exaiu-
ple that others might follow. The best cultivation of
the .soil helps the community.
The facilities from water-power is another item.
The advantages are many ; five dams cross the river,
the upper for the powder-mill, now owned by the
Paper-Mill ('ompany, to retain water for a time of
need.
The Goodell Company have the second dam and
the large shop attached. From this a telephone con-
nects the one at Antrim, two miles distant. In this
one the famous hammock-chairs are made. In many
ways Bennington and South .\ntrim arc inseparable, —
each quite dcjiendent on the other.
The third dam is for grist-mill, saw-mill, shingle-
mill, etc. The Hancock history will give early and
late facts. First, Joseph Putnam, then Dustan's &
Burtt's (father and sons), John Carkin, George W.
Burns, Jonathan E. King, and now, John L. King.
.Ml the time business enough to cause the industrious
to prosper.
The fourth dam was for the cotton-factory. This
work was commenced about 1810 by Benjamin Whit-
temore and his brother, the father of Auios ; and soon,
on the death of the second mentioned, Amos and his
brother, ( ieorge Alfrcil Whittemorc, carried on the
factory business for a few years. Rather the begin-
ing of it was si)inning cotton-yarn ; much of it wjis at
first woven by the women in the old way.
The fifth dam is at W. T. Barker & Co.'s paper-
mill, where they have made every es.sential im-
jirovcment, — laying new foundations, putting in
steam-power for work continually, that no time be
lost. The owner is pronqit and thorough in his busi-
ness, and seeks help that arc willing to be faithful.
Edward Finley, the leader in the mill, is a Scotch-
man, trained to this from a boy. In the two years
past the solid advanccnu'iu has been marked.
Town Hall and School-Rooms.— lor manv vears
BE\NIN(JTON.
285
there liixil lieen two school Jistricts in the vilhijre,
and, alter iimrh discussion, it was decided to unite in
one district, and have a graded school, primary and
grammar. The town needed a hall for meetings and
business. The committee to Ijiiilil the two were Hon.
Amos Whittemore, William Eaton, C. J. Kimball,
George P. (rriswold. The whole was finished 1871,
at a cost for the former, $24.56.27, and for the latter,
$.SSoO. It was said to be done in a workmanlike
manner. It has been thoroughly repainted, and the
pa.st summer the roof has been slated ; cost, $818.87.
The idea has been to secure the best teachers and the
best schools. Much has been done for the youth in
town, anil in this the lovers of good order should per-
severe.
(^n December 17, ISOo. a Baptist Church was or-
ganized and recognized by a council, at the house of
Joseph Eaton, of Greenfield, by the name of the
Peterborough and Society Land Baptist Church.
The constituent members were John Colby, Joseph
Eaton, Renjamin Xiiliols, Isaac Tenney, Jonas Dodge,
Elizabeth l',alon, Mary Dean, Sally Eaton, Mary
Darrali, Khlcr Farrier, Mary B. Ilaggitt, Mary Hall,
Charity Dodge. November 27, 1807, Ciideon Dodge
united.
August 19, 1824, it was voted to call it Society
Land Baptist Churih. When Bennington was in-
corporated, in 1842, the name wa.s changed to Ben-
nington Baptist Church, and August 29, 18.57, it was
▼otcd to call it Antrim Baptist Church.
V'^ery little is known of the early pastors of the
church. As far aa can be ascertained, they were
Elders Elliott, Westcott, Farrar, Ooodnow, Mctiregor
and Joseph Davis, and Kevs. J. A. Boswell, F. Page,
John Woodliury, Zcbulon .lones, Amzi .loncs, .1. M.
Chick, S. L. Elliott.
Rev. W. W. Lovejoy was pastor from 1850 to 1855.
On January 2, 1852, it was voted to hire Woodbury's
Hall, at Antrim, and February 6, 1852, it was voted
to hold the meetings all the time at South .Antrim.
The piistors since then have been Rev. W. Kimlmll,
1856-02; Rev. L. C. Stevens, 1868-t!5; Rev. W. Hur-
lin, 1866-78, seven years, being the longest pastorate
in the history of the church ; Rev. E. M. Shaw, 1873-
79; Rev. W. H. Fish, being stateil supply from
August, 1877, to April, 1878, during Mr. Shaw's ab-
sence on account of sickness; Rev. II. K. Brown,
1879-84.
The 6th of July, 1889, a council was called and
formed a Congregational Church. At this period
the friends of the cause decided to build the mceting-
'iMise. \ committee <hosen, — John Dodge, Samuel
I 'ililwiii and Benjamin Wliitteniorc.
Amos WliitliMKirc took the contract to build, anil
Inv this hcempluycd the most skillful workers. When
linished it was dedicated with rejoicing.
Rev. Ebeiiezer Colman supplied two years. No-
vember, 1841, Mr. .Vlbert Manson was called and
ordained as pastor, ami ronlinued nine years. He
' still lives in (|ua8i|ueton, luwa. June, 1850, Rev. N.C.
Ransom came and sup]dicd three years. Rev. J. M.
Whiton, D.D., having resigned at Antrim, removed
here and preached till his last sickness and death,
Sei>t ember 27, 1856. June, 1857, Rev. Daniel Mc-
Clenning began a supply of near two years. Then
Rev. William Claggett was here two years. August,
1 1861, Rev. Enoch H. Caswell supplied, who was re-
moved by death, November 11, 1863. After a few
months Rev. Ira Morey came up from the oppres-
sions of the South, and deeply interested the people,
, though his health was frail, and he died November
I 27, 1864. December, 1865, Rev. Caleb Tracy began
to labor and closed January 3, 1868. There are
. many montlis between the above sui^plies when there
waii only occasional preaching. November 6, 1869,
1 Rev. James Holmes first preached, and continued
till February, 1883. The church then sought a pas-
tor, and, after the usual trial, chose Mr. Josiah H.
Heald, a student at Andovor Seminary, who was or-
dained as pastor September 10, 1884. The occasion
was one of deej) interest to the town, for the people
rejoiced.
By the liberal subscriptions of the citizens and
from large gifts of friends in other places the society
has secured a personage which is another ground of
rejoicing, — " Credit to whom it is due."
George Alfred Whittemore, !?200 ; John D. Butler,
$200; Samuel Baldwin, $100 ; Nathan Whitney, SlOO;
George Andrew Whittemore, $50; Caleb .lewelt Kim-
ball, $50; D.H. Goodell,$25; A. M. Woodbury, $25;
Willard S. Carkin, §25; other men in town, $20, $10
$5, or less sums; over thirty ladies in this place, $10,
$5 or less sums; W. T. Barker & Co., $.'«(i ; B. F.
Whittemore, Boston, $25; Geo. E. Payson Dodge,
Chicago, $50 ; Hon. W. B. Dinsmore, New York, $250.
In this we see the people had a mind to "give."
The following have been the deacons of the church:
Frederick A. Mitchell, May, 1X40; Isaac Baldwin,
May, 1840; Francis Burnham, September, 1845;
John J. Whittemore, September, 1K45; Charles H.
Coggin, November, 1875; Charles 11. Kimball,
November, 1875.
The same year the meeting-house was erected the
hotel was built by Arnold Burtt ; the house on that
site was removed to where .\braham Burtt lives.
The people rejoiced in having so large a public-house.
That same season the new road to Franccslown was
made, which was a help to farmers and travelers.
Before this time Mr. Burll had built the residence
that Geo. And. Whittemore owns, and not long after
he erected the large farm-house shed and barn where
his widow has since lived with her daughter and
family, and the mother, the oldest person in town.
born .\pril 19, 179,S. John and Bctsiy S. Carkin
came to this town ill |S28. lie luiilf llic lirsl gun-
powder-mill ill this section of (be country and con-
tinued the manufacture for over fifty years.
He died in 1883, aged ninety-one yeai-s. His wife
286
HISTORY OF I11LI.SI50R0U(!II COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
died in ]866, aged seventy years. They luul live
children, — Wilhiid Smith, (ioorsre Anson, Harriet
Augusta, C'lintina Marion, Ivlward Jmu's, — Jiow all
dead but W'illard, who still has his home in Benning-
ton, but is extensively engaged in the chain of Western
Lakes as a contractor in the dredging business. Also
has coal-mines in West Virginia. Consequently
remains at home very little, as his business has been
entirely at the West tor the last twenty years. John
Carkin was a man well proportioned, six i'eet in
height, two hundred pounds in weight. He was
known in all this region and I'ar away, as hl.^ teams
carried the powder to market. His son Willanl,
when twelve years old, would drive one team and his
father another. This son is, in many ways, like the
father. The residence of Mr. Carkin is pleasant,
farm well cultivated, occupied by Mrs. Carkin and
daughter, now in her teens. The history of this
town has been made brighter by the benevolence of
this man, as well as by the intluencc of his father and
mother.
John W. Flagg came when a young man, had
learned the trade of paper-making, then worked by
hand-power. Esq. Flagg was one of the committee
when the town was incoriiorated, and chosen the
town cleik for a long series of years. He was naturally
an efHcient man, his penmanship sujierior, a great
reader, fine memory; now a well-preserved man, yet
eiglity-two last October. When in middle life he was
in the excessive use of tobacco, but, becoming con-
vinced of its injury, he reformed, and has since given
his inHuencc for the right, saying much to persua<le
youth to abstain, and is reaping the good fruit of his
resolution. He stands in wide contrast with those
steeped and infected with the jioison, and, of course,
he is a true temperance man.
Samuel Baldwin, in 1S2(), came from .\ntrim, set u[>
the business of blacksmith, and soon built the brick
house he hiu< occupied ever since, e.xcept from 18;i2,
when he was at North Branch some four years. Could
the facts in his life be gathered and weighed, how much
ground for thanks to God, the Giver of all mercy.
He is a strong man in body and mind. He has taken
good care of himself, had a system in his labor, in his
rest, has accom|)lished much and still lives in a green
old age, — eighty-two last June, but seems younger by
ten years. He was one of the committee to build a
church. He Wiis a teacher in his youth of day-schools
and in the Sabbath-school down to this [iresent time.
He was trusted with much business anil represented
the town. Here it may be well to make mention of
his son, Samuel Dexter, who in early life carried out
goods; though trail in health, was euergetic and suc-
cessful in business.
George W. Burns, whose home is at Milford, has
spent much time in this town ; for over twenty years I
hasownedandoperated the powder-mill ; alsothe grist- I
mill and .saw-mill ; has dealt very largely in wood and I
lumber. Lately has erected many dwellings here and
in .\Mlrim. .\s the railroad was building, .Mr. Burns
was coneerned in various ways. He has furnished
employment to many men and teams, and is still
operating. He sold the .saw and grist-mill to Jonathan
K. King, and at this writing John L. King has the
whole care of the business. There is enough to give
[irosiierity.
Caleb Jewell Kimball, sun of Isaac and laieinda
(Tenney) Kimliall, was born at Mason village, (now
, (ireenville). May 7, l!S17; married Ruth Burge Felt,
I daughter of David and Susan i'ollard Felt, of Temple,
November 11, 1841. Located at Milford and resided
there till 1S4!1, when they removed to Wilton, where
they remained till 8ei>teniber IK, 18')1, when they re-
) moved to this town. Mr. Kimball's business was that
; of a blacksmith and tool-maker. In 1860 he com-
I nienced the manufacture of hoes and continued for a
' term of years. In 1873 his son, George E., became
equal partner in the manufacture of edge-tools and
cutlery, em|)loying some ten men. Mr. Kimball was
superintendent of the Congregational Sabbath-school
I tburteen consecutive years, IStjU to 1874. A consist-
ent member of the church and society, very judicious
in his counsel. The writer is pleased to testify that
Mr. Kimball and bis three sons have nothing to do
with strong drink ami tobacci>.
Frederick H. Kimball has secured the most desir-
able and sightly location in the village, and erected a
home of much taste and value. His carpenter, Albert
Goodwin, of New Boston, has earned in this place a
high character in his trade.
.losic Caldwell has built a neat and convenient
home for herself and daughter, now six years old, and
will not need to move from house to house. She adds
one new resideni-<' to the town.
In the records of Society Land we learn thai the
Dodge farm was taken up in 1783. Gideon Doilge,
son of James flodge, of New Boston, married Charity
Cole, of Beverly, Ma.ss., Jlareh 10, 178o, and moved
to the house he had built.
Of the four sons, John was the one who stayed at
home, and he was a leader in Society Land and Ben-
nington till his death, at the age of -seventy-two.
This was September 23, 18ti.'>. \ few years since, the
family built a large aildition to the house, and the
place is called •'Bennington Heights." The best
barn and shed in the town; the Ibrmer, one hundred
feet long, is slatetl. .Near by stands the venerable
elm of one hundred years' growth.
The Andrew Taylor farm is now owned by Eugene
Holt. The brick house was built by Mr. Taylor about
1800. The present owner has Imill llie ell and lilted
the whole for boartlers.
May 15, 1797, is the I'amily record of Moses and
Susanna F'avor. The sixth chibl's name was Emer-
son, born .fuly 20, l.S(tl).
James E. Favor, his son, owns the homestead.
Three years since, the house was burned; the barn
was saved. He soon, with courage, erected a tine
BENNINGTON.
287
bonrdiiig-house, ni-al iiiul voiiiiiiodioiis, the roof slated, i
Tliesiteisliif;li. Tlie scenery is deliirliiriil iiiid is ([iiile '
iiltrarlive to siliunier Imardei-s. It is three iiiihs iVom
the railruail statiou. The proprietors ol' all these
houses liave teams to carry their patrous and friends,
and so make their stay pleasant and healthful.
.lohn F. Dodge, son of Solomon and Susan Kelch
Dodgi-, horn Xovendjcr :{0, 18.'{;{, has been these many
years a noted, stirring man in town, a nady writer
and correspondent for ncws]iapers.
W. D. Woods and family are all natural singei-s,
possessing much taste and skill in the church at
funerals and in all social entertainments. Mr. Woods
has often composed hymns and tunes to he used in
special cases, which arc a comfort to frien<ls.
He and his brother, Fben F., were for a time a.sso-
eiated together in tool manufacture, and invented
improvements, taking [jatents that are used by the
Goodell Cutlery C'ompany. Mrs. E. F. Woods has for
a long time assorted the articles made, and is quick to
see any defect. Now it takes seven ladies of taste
and skill to do that part. Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Woods
ride two miles morning and evening to till their mis-
sion.
Hugh Bell, son of Abigail Kitteragc Bell, born in
Andover, Mass., February 11, 1771, married Nancy,
daughter of Captain David and Sarah ('. Wilson, of
Deering. Eight children. Now, .November II, 1884,
four are living. Twenty-one graudchildreii and thir-
ty-two great-grandchildren. Mr. Bell's daughter
Betsey became the wife of Samuel Baldwin. Nancy,
another daughter, is Mrs. Jameson, of Antrim, who
has sud'ered so much about her sight.
Wesley Wilson, born .March 2.3, 181U, lias lived in
the town from bis childhood. A carpenter by trade,
and does well in many others, as msisou, painter,
paper-hanger, pattern-maker. He thinks, is well-
informed, has done tnuch in all town business, repre-
sented the town and is one to be trusted. He it was
who lini^lii'd the inside of the niccting-liniisc.
He built the house from which Ksipiirc Flagg has
just moved. .\lsi ll c- this nay from Mr. t'arkins'.
Besides, he U.m titled up many other houses. Buying
the l»cacon Burnham residence, has refitted the house,
shed, barn and yard-fence in the best style. He
married Kachcl Caldwi'll, September l.S, 1884; she
died Seplendicr li.'i, I8.S4, they having lived together
over lifty years. Their children arc Orville, born .Innc
15, 18«8; Orline A., born December 28, 1840.
Hon. .\nios Whillcmorc washing a prominent actor
in the history of Bennington; born .March.''., 1802;
married I{utli BnllanI, Dtu'cmber li, l.H2/>. Before
this he bad coiiiiikik rd business in the village.
The cot ton -factory was bulll, ami this youth when
about eighteen lioughl the machinery for it. The
material came to use ; the large and small things were
I'lanncd. \ boarding-house was re(|uired, and the
l;irge brick house was erected. S<imc time allcr it was
made twd teaemcuts, as it is now. ll rei{iiiri'cl means.
skill and energy. He built the brick store, then his
own bouse, besides many others. He was kind to
help others, often became surety and sometimes to
his own hurt. He was a liciiefactor to the town ; gave
land where he wished a vestry might be erected. The
citizens do hold his name in high esteem. In early
years he rejiresentcd the town and later was State
Senator.
(Jeorge Alfred Whittemore, his brother, was born
October 12, 1807. These two were workei"s together
in many ways for the good <if the community.
This brother, as you have already read, headed
the subscription for the parsonage and annually
helps to support the minister and make up the
charitable contributions. He was the first post-
master and continued some thirty years, and represen-
tative to Concord.
Another brother, John J. Whittemore, born March
6, 1810, married Sarah BuUard, December 5, 1884.
She was born February 20, 1 809. This man was most
valuable in every place he tilled. He was chosen
deacon, and felt dittident about acce|iting the office;
yet he did accept, and the few years he lived proved
that he did right. Was much trusted and represented
the town at Concord.
These parents had two sons and one daughter, all
trained to industry. How great the change when, by
a short sickness, the husband and father was called to
his reward, December 9, ISoil ! God's promises have
been fulfilled to her who so deeply mourned.
The oldest son of this deacon, John, was many
years ago chosen deacon, and just at this writing rc-
chosen that he may fill the jilace of his father.
George .\ndrew Whitteniorc. born .\pril 21, l.'<87. He
fills a most vital place in the town ; has bad the conli-
dence of all classes. Has often been urged to accejit of
office, but is slow to accept ; yet years since so unani-
mous was the vote for him as town treasurer that he
accepted, and has been a number of years re-elected.
He was chosen trea.surer of the Congregalional ."^o-
ciety after the death of his Uncle Amos, who bad tilled
the olfice some forty years. He was first on the com-
mittee to secure the parsonage. Has been postmaster
since 1862.
Robert Dinsmore, born in Windham, November 14,
nril, married Sarah Dickey, selllcd in Society Land,
where, from 1781 and after, he was ofti'ti in town office.
They had elcvin children, .lohn, born .March 28,
1781, remaiiud m home, married Betsey Talbot, of
Francestowii. !!<• died November, 1848. Horace
Fuller, a son, born February 20, 1814, resides in
Franccstown. Betsey, daughter of Ihcabovi' Kobcrl,
born March, 171h;, married .lohn Dodgi-, the t'alhtr of
John ( '. Dodge, who has six children, three sons and
three granihdiildreii living. This John ( '. Dodge has
had all kinds of town office, — representative 18ti8 and
18119.
Samuel Abbott came from .\ndover. Mass., I Sill ;
married Mrs. .\nn Wallace. Tbcv li:id three ihililrcii.
288
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
One of these still lives in Amherst, — Mrs. Sarah
Dodge, a widow, eighty years of age, a lady of much
energy and benevolence. Mr. Abhott was very promi-
nent in town-meetings ; died March 29, 1833.
Samuel .Vbbott, the oldest man now living in town,
was bom in Hillsborough, October 18,1800. He is
living with a daughter, Mrs. Wilkins. In the house
are four generations at jiresent time.
William (xillis, born January 30, 1803, married
Dorcas Pettee, and have lived where they now do
more than fifty years.
Charles (iray, born in Hancock, December 19, 1800.
Married, first, Edna Wilson, 1820; seven children.
Married, second, Olive Stiles; child, Augustus W.,
born May 28, 1843, who married, January 25, ISGG,
E. Abbie Wilkins. Two sons, — George A. and Charles
H., now living, youth of high promise. The father
was three years in the war to crush the Rebellion. He
is popular ; a moderator of town-meetings.
Samuel Whitney, son of Smyrna and Ruth (Whit-
ney) Whitney, of Westminster, Mass., born March 7,
1821, bought the paper-mill of G. P. Hall, iSGo.
Mill burned February 20, 1867, and rebuilt by him
the same year. He died in Fitchburg, March 31, 1868.
Nathan Whitney, brother of Samuel, born in West-
minster, July 20, 1828. Came to Bennington Septem-
ber, 1866; look an interest in the paper-mill with his
brother Samuel, which continued till the mill was
sold to settle the estate of Samuel Whitney. He then
continued to run the paper-mill in company with
Lyman Patch, of Fitchburg, Mass., till December 1,
1871. In 1876 be hired the mill built by Taylor D.
Lakin, and put in wood-pulp machinery, and run it
three years.
Nathan Whitney married, first, Mary S. Tolman,
November 2 7, 1850; second, Charlotte M. Belcher,
November 30, 1864. Tlieir children are Frank E.,
born June 9, 1S.')3; Caroline L., liorn December 25,
1856; William B., born June 10, 1866; Samuel E.,
born October 12, 1867.
Frank E., a graduate of Dartmouth, 1878, settled
as physician, Rochester, N. H. ; Carrie married Dr.
Hadley, resides at Block Island; William B., in Am-
herst College; Samuel E.. ready to enter this coming
summer.
B. F. George owns the ])lace of his ancestors. He
has lived in Nashua, is a civil engineer, wius employed
in building the railroad to Keene last November.
He was chosen to represent the town March, 1885.
Town Clerk, William H. Darrah ; Treasurer, George
Andrew Whittemore; Selectmen, Wesley Wilson, B.
F. George, E. J. Dodge; Superintendent, Rev. J,
H. Heald. Population, seven hundred and ninety-
three.
BIOG R A PHI C A L 8K ETCH .
SA.MIEL liAl.liWIX.
Samuel, son of Isaac and Betbia (Poole) Baldwin,
grandson of Colonel Nahum and Martha (Low) Raid-
win, of Amherst, was born in Antrim, .Tune 15, 1802.
In early manhood he established himself at Benning-
ton (then Hancock Factory village) as blacksmith,
building, before marriage, his shop and house, when-
he lived fifty-four years. He married, September 30,
1830, Betsey G. Bell, daughter of Hugh and Nanc\
(Wilson) Bell, of Francestown, who died August •''.
1862. A family of seven children were born to them,
two sons and five daughters (three of the latter ol
whom survive their father).
Improving to the utmost his limited advantages-
for education, very fond of reading, and a close ob-
server, he was well informed on all subjects of gen-
eral interest; earnest, liberal, public-spirited, he was
thoroughly identified with all the interests of the
town, serving as representative in 1857 and 1858, and
on committee in various public enterprises; was the
first manufacturer of cutlery in town ; retired from a
successful career in 1870, devoting his last years to
farming, which he much enjoyed. He married, sec-
ond, Mrs. Martha (Gregg) Lear, of Manchester,
January 18, 1871, who died February 24, 1880;
third, Mrs. Margaret (Temple) Peaslee, of Nashua,
May 2, 1882, who survives him.
Mr. Baldwin died February 18. 1885, after a long
life of unwearied industry, fidelity to duty and spot-
less integrity, — a loving father, a faithful friend and
an humble Christian.
-X,,«^/^»^^-
I
I
HISTORY OF BROOTvLINE.
BY ITHAMAR B. SAWTELLE.
CHAPTER I.
Brooki.ixe is situated on the southerly border of
ilie county, having Milford on the north, Miltbrd and
Hollls on the ea.'^t, Peppereli and Townsend, in Slas-
sachusefts, on the south, and Mason and l\[ilt'ord
on the west. It has an area of ten thousand two
hundred acres, nearly four hundred of which are
covered with water. Except a square mile, taken
from its northwest corner in 1794, when the town of
Milford was incorporated, it is quadrilateral in form.
the longer lines extending north and south. It is
drained by the Nissitisset River, which is formed
principally by the confluence of small streams from
Ma.son and Milford. It passes through the town in
a .southeasterly direction, entering the southwest cor-
ner of Mollis, and onward through a part of Pepper-
ell, where it em|itie.s into the Nashua. Its waters
are extensively utilized in eai'h of these three towns
to drive machinery. There are two natural ponds
in this town, — the Massapetanapus,' situate in the
southern part, near its postal centre, and Lakin's
Pond, in the northeast part. The former is about a
mile in length, varying from one-third to one-half of
a mile in width; the latter is much smaller, but an
excceilingly beautifid sheet of water. These ponds
are much frequented by sailing and fishing-jiarties.
The surface of the town is uneven, and the soil for
cultivation is generally ordinary; still, there are some
farms which well pay th<' husbandman for his toil,
yielding the fruits, grasses and grains in abundance.
In order to give a distinct idea of the manner in
"liirli this town came into existence, from its frag-
mentary origin, it will be necessary to give some
dales of the grants of land from the General Court of
the province of Mas.sai'husetts Ray. In IfiTS the old
town of Dunstable (then and until tln' running of
the province line in I7-tl in Middlesex ("iiunty)was
incorpiiraleil, and einljraced within its limits more
than two bniiilrcd si|iiare miles of land. The whole
of the towns of Nashua, Mollis, Mudson, Dunstable
and Tyngsborough, nrid parts of the towns of .\m-
' n^'ine tniii-«liie«><l frinn rlii> Iii*ljnn Imiikiip, itignfflci* gn'iil h«*iir jmmiiI,
herst, Milford, Merrimack, Litchfield, Londonderry,
Pelham, Brookline, Peppereli and Townsend were
carved out of this township. In 1732 Townsend was
incorporated, its northerly line passing, in the lan-
guage of its charter, "West 31]° North," just at the
south of Brookline village. In 1734 the General
Court granted to Benjamin Prescott and others, in-
habitants of Groton, for losses of land which went to
make up the town of Littleton, "10,800 acres of land
in a gore between Townsend and Dunstable." This
tract was bounded, —
" Beginning at the X. W. corner of I>iin!.Uible, at Dnun Cnp Hill, Itv
the Sonhegan River, jwst Soutli of the Rail Road bridge over the river,
near Willon line; then running Suutli on Dunstable line past the
West [<idu of 3Iu«8apetJinapa6 pond to the Hue of Townsend ; thence
A\'eBterl5' on Towupend line 2056 rods, to a pillarof stones ; thence North-
easterly 2048 nids, to Dunstable corner first nientiiiiie<l."
In 1739 that portion of Dunstable situate west of a
line running north three hundred an<l forty-eight
rods west of Flint's Brook was legalized ius a precinct
known as West Dunstable. This precinct, in 1746,
was incorporated into the town of Mollis, known to
the Indians by the name of Nissitisset. The settle-
ment of the [irovince line by His Majesty in Council,
surveyed in 1741, caused a commotion among land-
owners and chartered bodies politic, liy this line
nearly one-third of the town of Townsend from its
north part was cut oft" into New Hampsliire. Dun-
stable was severed in twain, leaving about an equal
amount of territory in each province. The new line
left the grant at the west of Dunstable, known as
(irotoii Gore, entirely in New Mampshire, and legally
in possession of the Masonian proprietors. In 1749
.Joseph Blanchard, for the Masoninn proprietors,
deeded a large part of this gore, with other ungrantid
lands, to William F,awri'nce and thirty-two others, it
being the same territory which, in I7<IS, was incorpo-
rated into the town of Ma.son. The southeast corner
of Ma.son was then established in the province line,
three hundred ami seventy roils westerly of Hollis'
southwest corner; and the northea.st corner thereof
was the same distance from Mollis' norllnve-st corner.
Ma.ion in no part approached neariT llollis tinin
three hundreil ami seventy rods; hence the Mile Slip.
so called.
289
290
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Most of the early settlers of Mollis chose the best
lands .situate in the ea.stern part of the precinct.
The mo.^t eligiljle place for a meeting-house was con-
siderably east of a line drawn due north and south
through the centre of the towu. Everything was
quiet when the first minister was settled in the parish
in 1743; but in 1746, after its incorporation into a
town, and at the time when the .second meeting-house ]
wa.s being built, there was much excitement about
its location. Citizens of the western part of the town
(now a part of Brookline) felt much aggrieved at
being left at "so great a distance from public wor-
ship," thirteen of whom petitioned the General Court
of New Hampshire, praying for the " appointment of
a committee to view the situation, and to fix a place
for the meeting-house, and that the raising of it
might be postponed till the committee could report."
This petition was dismissed by the House of Repre-
sentatives August 11, 1746.
For a long time the voters of the west part of Mol-
lis submitted to taxation to support the ministry
there, the same as the rest of the inhabitants, al-
though a new town, made up from the west end of
Hollis, the Mile Slip and that part of Townsend left
in New Hampshire, by the running of the province
line, was the topic which engrossed the attention of
the people living in these several portions of territory.
The attention of Hollis was called to this matter in
1704, when that town " voted to measure cast from
the meeting-house to the town line, and then meas-
ure west from the meeting-house the same length of
line, and all we.st of a north and south line to be
set off to the One-Mile iStrip, so called." The like vote
was pa.sscd in 17().S, at the annual town-meeting.
On the 30th day of March, 1769, this new town was
incorporated by the name of Raby, so called from a
town of that name in the county of Durham, in the
north part of England, from which some of its .set-
tlers emigrated.
It thus ajipcars that the west part of Hollis, the
northeast part of Townsend, cut off by the running of
the province line, and the southeast psirt of what was
Groton Gf)re (the Mile Slip) were combined to form
this townshi|).
The first settlers were Rcotch-Irish Puritans by the
name of Mcintosh and McDonald. Three brothers
of tlie la.st name located in the east part of the town
on Hollis line, where a few rough, split head-stones^
in the forest shade, still mark tlie spot where they
were buried.
All the settlers, except Jasher Wyman, the town
clerk of Townsend, who was greatly disgusted at
being cut off into New Hampshire Ijy the new prov-
ince line, were exceedingly |)oor.
At firet, after its incorporation, the dwellers in
different parts of the town were not social ; but the
War of the Revolution soon coming on, united them,
and they went into that struggle in good earnest.
The Raby records are very full during this period.
No census of the town had yet been taken, but, as
near as can be learned, it contained about one hun-
dred and seventy inhabitants, and sent Ibrty perstjns
into the land and naval service of the patriots.
At a town-meeting, in April, 1777, the Committee of
Safety was instructed " to see what every man has
done since Concord fight."
Eleven Raby soldiers went in a Hollis company,
two of whom belouged to the Raby Committee of
Safety.
Mr. Worcester, in his history of Hollis, wrongfully
claims them as Hollis men. The Hollis tax-lists of
1777 show that they were non-residents, and on pages
379, 380 and 381 (A. P. 1779) of Hollis records are
the names of all tax payers who paid the " Continental
tax," or the tax assessed to pay the Hollis soldiers.
Not one of the names of the eleven soldiers he claims
can be found in this list.
"Facts are chicl;. that wjnna gang,
Auddaiirna be disituted."
The following are the names of the Raby soldiers
in the Revolutionary War:
.\Iexauder McIntosU, An;liibald Mcliitosli, James McTiitosli, JaniPS
Coijick, William Spauldilis, Nathaniel Badger, Natlianiel Patten, .lere-
niiuh Hobart. Swallow Tucker, Daniel Sbedd, JuBiuh Seward, J.diu Couick,
Isjiac Sbattuck. Gclijainiii Patten, Benjamin Sbattuck, William Mcin-
tosh. Samuel Duiij;la.s, Clark Brown, .Sjtniuel Russell, Jarnt'8 I'ickey,
Jonas Flagg. Pliiriciw Aston. John Cummings, Isaac Stevens, Jr.. Eliae
Dickey, (Aileb Brown. Benjamin ^lussey, .\aron Russell, Handall Mr-
Donald, James McDonald, Thomas Robb. Moses Powell, James Camp-
bell, Andrew- Russell, Jonas Shedd, Robert Seaver. Thomas Dickej,
Matthew Wallace, Samuel Farnsworth, Joshua Smith.
So poor were the people at the close of the war
that they were unable to support either a school-
master or a minister of the gospel. The records
made by James Badger, Alexanilcr ^Fclntngh and
Randall McDonald, the town clerks of that period,
will, however, compare favorably with those of the
neighboring towns. On the loth of February, 1786,
on petition of the citizens of Raby, setting forth
their narrow limits and other grievances, the General
Court annexed a tract of land, of the uniform width
of three-fourths of a mile, from the west side of Hol-
lis to the town of Raljy. This lime Hollis was the
disappointed party. The town had been settled for
more than thirty years before it felt able to bridge the
Nissitisset at the mouth of Mas.sei>etanapas Pond.
A .source of much trouble and disgust to the pcuple
of the place was the existence of a gang of thieves
in this vicinity, the leader of which belonged to Raby.
In such disrespect was the town held that a citizen
took no pride in, or scarcely owned that he belonged
to Raby. A change of the name of the town was
discussed, and finally, on the 1st day of December,
A. D. 1798, — in answer to the petition of the select-
men Randall McDonald, Benjamin Farley and Alex-
ander Mcintosh, — the General Court changed the
name of Ruby to Brookline.
Ecclesiastical. — The town raised small sums ol
money from time to time to support preaching till a
BROOKLINE.
291
liurch was gathered, on the 10th of December, 1795,
Misistiii^ of the following members: Renjamiu
irley, Ezekiel Proctor, Joshua .Smith, Clark JJrowii,
Epliraim ."^awtelU', Kleazer Ciilson, Jo.sliiia Emerson,
.Joshua Smith, Jr., Samuel Farley, Lucy Farley,
Rebekah Campbell, Hannah Shattuck, Abigail Saw-
telle, liaunah (iilson and Lydia Emerson. Tra-
dition .says that these people were accustomed to
attend ehurrh i|uite regularly in the adjoining towns
previous to this time. Ilev. Samuel Dix, of Town-
send, took much interest in this little band of believ-
ers, visiting and preaching to them often after his
usual Sabbath services with his people had closed.
The first pastor of the church was Rev. Lemuel Wads-
worth, who was ordained (^ctoln-r 11, 17!t7. He was
born in Stoughton, Mass., Marili '.\ 17(>!*, was gradu-
ated I'rom Brown University, 17'Xi. lie was a man of
exemplary character, and he secured and held the
••'infidence of his people during the entire twenty
ars of hi.s ministry, till his death, November 25,
1S17. After his death the church was without a
pastor for a longtime; meanwhile one William War-
ren, a graduate from Dartmouth College, of 1800,
was employed lo supjily the pulprl. He came from
Dighton, Ma.ss., and united the offices of preacher and
physician. He caused much excitement, and many
joined the church, but he finally proved to I )e a bad man.
The town record of September IS, 1.H21, " chose the
selectmen a committee to notify Dr. Warren that he
is discharged from any further ministerial services."
From this time till 1827 ijuitc a number of dilferent
men supplied the pulpit, among whom was the Rev.
8aniuel H. Tolnian. The seconil pastor of the church
was Rev. Jacob Moll, a gradu.ite from Dartmouth
College, 1808, a native of Andovcr, Mass., ordained
January :!1, 1827; .sermon by Rev. Hum|direy Moore,
of Milford, N. H. Mr. Holt was a good man, strictly
sincere and conscientious, but of moderate ability as
a preacher. He was dismissed, at his own re<|Ucst,
(no record) somv time in the summer of 18:{1. He
moved to .New Ipswich .soon alter, and he died there
in 1847, aged sixty-six years.
The third pastor was Rev. Henry E. Eastman, or-
dained I)ocend]er 0, !8;(5; sermon by Rev. James
Howe, of ri'pperell. During his pastorale there was
a strife between the ililleii-nt sects about the meeting-
house. The Coiurregationalists left the house, ami
for a long time held their meetings in the school-
houses. Mr. Eastman remained about two years,
when he entered the service of the .\merican Home
Missiomiry Society. During the years 18.S7 and
18:!8, Rev. Ebenezer Hill, of Mason, hibored »ith
this church and people.
The pre-ent Congregational meeting-house was
huilt in I8;i8, aiul on the 27lh of February, IS.SO, it
wag dedicated with appropriate services, and on the
same day the fourlh pastor. Rev. Daniel CuMidwin, was
ordained; serniiin by Rev. Edwarcl I,. I'arker, nf
Derry. .\. 11. .M r. ( Icp.nhvin is a iiMtivi' of Londdii-
derry, was born .lunuary 25, 1809, graduated from Dart-
mouth College, 18:',."), .Vndover, 1838. He was dismissed
May 2, 1855, by an c.r parte council, "with renewed
expressions of fraternal confidence and esteem; the
Council recommend him lo the churches of our
Lord." Soon after, Mr. Goodwin moved to Mason,
where he became a settled minister, from the duties
of which he has since retired. In November, 1884,
he was chosen repre-sentative to the tteneral Court for
the town of Mason.
Rev. Theophilus P. Sawin was the fifth pastor of
this church, installed December 11, 1856; sermon by
Rev. Ezra E. Adams, of Nashua. Mr. Sawin was born
in Sherborn, Mass., 1817. He obtained a good aca-
demic education, was a teacher in Lynn, preached
in Harwick, Mass., and from April, 1851, to the time
of his installation, in Brookline, he was city mission-
ary for Manchester, N. H. On the 7th of May, 186G, he
resigned his pastorate, much to the regret of his
people. He is a man of excellent natural ability,
is po.ssessed of a good share of " mother wit " and is
popular with his denomination. He is now (1884)
located at Lyndeljorougli, N. H. The sixth pastor
was Rev. John H. Manning, ordained Maixdi 6, 1807;
sermon by Rev. Charles Smith, of Andovcr, Mass.
August lii, 1808, Mr. Manning died suddenly of brain
fever, aged forty-four years. The seventh jiastor and
present incumbent is Rev. Francis D. Sargent, or-
dained October 20, ISliO; sermon by Rev. A. H.
Plumb, of Chelsea, Mass. He was graduated from
Amherst College in 18G6, Andover, 18011. Mr. Sar-
gent is the peer of any minister of his age in the county,
and he is appreciated by his entire aci|uaintance.
The meeting-house of this society was removetl,
raised up aiul rennHlch'd, with excellent taste, in the
summer of 1875, and recently a clock, the gift of some
person or ])ersons unknown, has been placed in the
belfry. The outlook for the future promises wi'll to
the Congregationalists.
TiiK Mkiiiodisis. — There was a certain Mcthndist
liroacher who labored in this vicinity during IX'ii)
and 1851, called " Father Jloulton " by .some, and by
others " the breaking-U|) |dow for Methodism," and
who belonged to the New England Conference. The
biographer of Rev. Horace Moullon .says (d' him :
"He )>robably organized more Mi'thodist Churches
from I'onverls saved Ihrough his instrumentality, the
last half-century, than any other mini.ster of our
Conference." At that time the Methodists worshiped
in the old meeting-house on the hill, and its walls
echoed his ringing appeals in his revival work, in
which he had been engaged in more than forly towns.
He preached the first Methoilisl sermon in Ihdokline.
Rev. Samuel Tiipper, (d' Townsend, duritig 18.51,
supplied the pulpit jiart u( the time. He was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Amos Merrill and others. Thechurch
was organized by the presiding elder. Rev. C. N.
Smith, May 12, 1852, and it consisted of liev. Amos
.Merrill (preacher in charge) Ralph Burns, Gardner
292
HISTORY OF iriLLSBOROUGH COUNTY. x\EW HAMPSHIRE.
Shattuok, Samuel Gilson, Henry Spaulding, Randall
Daniols and Eliali M. Shattuok. Mr. Merrill re-
maine<l alxiiit two years, when he left for another field
in Vermont, the church membership having increased
to twenty-two in number. About this time, by vote
of the town, the Universalists came in possession of
the old meetinii-house, when the Methodists hired
Union Hall, ami they w'orshiped there most of the
time, till they had a church edifice of their own.
They inerea.sed in numbers slowly till 1856, when
Mr. Goodwin was dismissed, at which time his warm-
est friends Joined them. Some of them that went
over from the orthodox were men of considerable
worldly wealth, whidi was a perfect o;f>d-send to this
feeble little church, (raining numbers for the next
dozen years, they built their meeting-house, which was
dedicated November 11,1868; sermon by Rev. Sullivan
Holland. This church, during its history, has en-
joyed the services of many pastors of various degrees
of ability and Sfiirituality, and since its organization
it has been held in the liorids of peace and fraternal
kindness.
Industries. — Among the first goods made in this
town, which brought in any money, were potash and
shaved shingles. There was plenty of hard wood to
be used for the former, w bile the hills were crowned
with gigantic pines for the latter business. For the
first thirty years in the present century there was a
large amount of chestnut posts and rails made and
sold to the farmers in the northern and central towns
of Middlesex County, Mass. The manufacture of
hard wood, beef, pork and rum-barrels was the prin-
cipal business. These goods were drawn to Boston
by ox-teams, and it required four days to complete the
journey both ways. Wool-carding and cloth-dressing
were carried on by Abraham Bctterly from about
1818 until lie was unable to compete with better
machinery and more skilled labor. More than
fifty years since, the firm of K. & E. Bailey
did an extensive and lucrative business in morocco-
dressing. Tlie large three-story structure stand-
ing near Hall & Smiths' mill was their manu-
facturing establishment. Lumbering has been, and
still is, a prominent liusiness. At present there are
four saw-mills in town, used principally in making
pine-coopering stock. This branch of industry is in
the hands of Joseph A. Hall, who employs about fifty
workmen. Hobart Kendall & Co., cabinet-makers,
have an excellent water-power and good facilities for
carrying on that trade. They employ more than
forty workmen and arc |)Utting some elegant furni-
tuie into the market.
War of the Rebellion. — New Hampshire re-
sponded promptly to the call of the " martyr Presi-
dent" for men to assist in the suppression of the
slave-holders' Rebellion. At a town-meeting in
Brookline, May 11, 1861, after the pa.s.sage of some
spirited resolutions, " Voted, to give the families of
men who enlist the sum often dollars per month."
I
Brookline furnished sixty-six of its citizens and
thirty-three substitutes, during the war, for the land and
naval service. Fourteen legal voters of the town lost
their lives, either in battle or by the casualties of *f
war. Not having men enough at any one call to form
a company, they served in ditl'erent regiments. Four
of them were in the navy. The following list con-
tains the names of the Brookline volunteers, no notice
being given the substitutes. The names of those
who lost their lives are in italics:
Thomas D. Bennett, John C. Bennett, Moees Bohonon, Charles Bolio-
non. Clinton Buhnnon, John Bohonon, George P. Brown, David H.
Burge, Benjamin D. Burgegg, Asa S. Bur^^ess, WiUiam C. liontwett, Jrrin
i'olbitni, Piiviii H, Cociirau, Lewif* L. Emery, Jonan f. Frtitch, .\ll»Tt 3t.
French. Lorenzo Green. Cvriis N. Griflin. H<trieij M. Il'tU, PaviJ A. Hill.
Edgar .T. Hobson, Daniel Kendall, Aea J. King, JameH A. Merrill, Ward
Messer, George W. Pierce, Oliver P. Kicker, Charlej* 11. RubjmjU, AugiLi-
Ins L iSavieUe, Warren Shattnck, Dajirel W. Smilli, I'erley .\. Smith,
Sliyhai A. ffp>niUtiti(j, Alberl SpauMviij, .^nios F. Spaulding. Cbarleti H.
Stilei., John A. Stiles, David P. Slowell, .lolin F. Welherliee, Ezra S.
Wright, William M. Wright, Bryant \V. Wallace, Edward E. Parker,
Charles CniTier, James H. Hnrgess, James S. Burgess, John C. Bnrgess,
Kti S. DuHptitf, George AV. Foster, John .\. French, Ortin A. >V««cfc,
Charles H. Gardner, Charles Gilson, James Gillie, Peter W. Gould, Hnr.
ret) C. Hardy, Albert X Je/ts, George H. Jel'ts. Oliver Y. Slaan, Joseph
C, Shattnck. Eugene L. Nelson, Chorles ^Vetlierbee, Willtalu H. Wright,
Lewis T. WriiiM. George »ittle, Edward V. Jefts.
In those battle-yeai's, which .seem so near, but are
so far away, these men went at their country's call
steadily, sometimes wearily, but never doubting the
justice of their cause. At the close of the war they
separated and old comrades went their way in life,
never to meet again. But Decoration Day afi'ords
some of them the gracious privilege, for a brief hour,
to greet their brothers in arms; to call to mind again
the scenes and trials of a .soldier's life ; to talk of the
bivouac and battle, and tocouiiiiemorate those sterner
days noted for the bravery both of the living and the
dead.
A post-oflice was established at Brookline in
1828, andDaviil Harris. M.D., was the postmaster. The
ofhce wa-s kept in his house for a number of years. It
was for some time kept in the ell part of the hotel
(then a store), and from thence it went across the
street to the store built by James N. Tucker. Its
location was changed twice after this time, with the
change of the national executive magistrate, and
finally, in 1861, it was moved to the north end of the
street, where it still remains. The route commenced
with a horse-back mail carrier from Townsend to
Brookline, and return three times during the week.
Soon after, a route from .\a.shua to New Ipswich
through Hollis, Brookline and Mason, went into
operation, and mail-stages made three trips weekly
from Nashua to Now Ipswich, till some time after the
completion of the Worcester and Nashua Railroad,
wdien the route was abandoned ; the mail was carried
from Pepperell to Brookline. Now two tiaily mails
ply between the railroad station in Town.scnd and
BrcKikline.
The following is a list of postmasters:
David Harris, appointed .January 2, I82« ; William S. Crosby, appoiu-
BROOK LINE.
293
led June 4, 1832; IMvid IlarrK upiwiiitt'J Si'l''eml)«r 11, 1834 ; Juiiiub
N. Tucker, iiiipoinlccl July :V\ 1841 ; Itlmiiiar B. SawlcUc, appointed Du-
cemUT4. 1^44 ; R.-nU-n BaMwiii, iip|M>iiitefI Aliril C, 184C ; Jailivii N.
Tucker, ap|«iiul<il Julvil, IXl'J ; Jus<pli I'. Tucker, appointed April JO,
1(n'.(i ; Sumner S. Kendall, ap|»intcd April 14, IHKJ; Henrv U. Stilus,
•pptdnted Jun^ '•. 18(11.
Fire-Engine.- -About 182ii the militia system be-
gun ti> l)e unpopular in New England. Training in the
" old company " was anything but agreeable to the
beaux of that period. Fines were often paid rather
than to bear arni.'i. In the large towns uniformed
companies were organizeil, which were lilled by those
able to meet the expense and spend the timeneee.ssary
to make a good appearance on dress parade. A few
young men in Brookline, in order to escape this duty,
petitioneil the Cieneral Court for a charter for a fire-
engine company, which was granted in ISiili. This
act exempted alxmt a score of the soldiers from
military duty. This company has kept up its organ-
ization from that time to the present, has had its
regular meetings, has worn out one or two engines,
and has lieen the means of saving considerable
pn/pcrty from the devouring element.
At the beginning of the iireseut century, and
for some time after, the number of books and
newspapers to which the people had access was
very limited. The Fanners' Cabinet, published
at Amherst, wiis the only paper circulated in
this town. The weekly bundle of [)apers for Brook-
line used to be sent by the |>ublishcr to Milford, and
the subscribers took their turns regularly every Satur-
day to go over after it. In 182.'i the Brookline Social
Library was incorporated. It contained a small num-
ber of volumes of travel, history, biography and Eng-
lish literature, and at first was circulated freely. .Vfter
the postal service reaiheil the town, uewspai>ers from
Boston and other places took the attention of its
readers and it was little used. . About 1855 the young
men of the town, by subscription, purchased a collec-
tion of books and held them in common for their own
amusement and inslruction. .Vdditions to this library
of a few books wm- nuide annually till 1878, when it
was assumed by the town, and it is now a free jiublic
library, containing between one and two thou.sand
volumes.
Representatives.— From ITT'i till 17!i:i, when
Mas 111 liail I hi legal nunditr of ratable polls, Haliy
was classed with that town in the choice of represen-
tative ti> tin' (ieneral Court. .lames Campbell, of
Raby, represented this constituency several times
during this period. Aftir Milford was incorporated
(17'.t4) Kaby was classnl wiili that (own. and for 17iH)
and 17!'><, lienjamin Farley represented them. From
the last dale lill 18(11 llie town records do not show
»ho lillcil tlii.s olliee, and the presnmptinn is that a
iMIll'iinl man was chosen. The following is a list of
the reprrseiitaliMs :
Samuel r. lliiyiilon. 1hi>4, ijii, iii„ ll.iipiiniM .Slialtnck, 181it, 'IT, '18,
ii;. 'IW, 'Oil. IJeoiise Iiuiilelfl, 1«1», "i<l, "23, "24.
James Parker, 1810, '11, Ti, '13, Tlionm- M' iin.ii is M. '-_• 'i-. •■-'«.
•14. '2s
William S. Cixwby, 182'J, '30, '31.
David Harris, 1832, '33.
lieiilH'ii Baldwin, 1834.
Horace Warner, 18.%.
Ensign Bailey, 183C, '37, '40, •41-
Nathaniel W. l.und, ISu'.l.
Francis A. Peterson, 1860, 'ill.
William J. Smith, ISM, 'IWi.
Joseph A. Hall. 1,SG7, '68.
James 11. Hall, 18G9, '70.
James i^rker (sou of the above James C. Parker, 1871, '7'J.
Joseph Sawlelle. 1S73.
David S. Vcssenden, 1S74, '7.'i.
Fninklin JI.Di.nald, 1876, '77.
Kut'iisO. Itussi'll, 1878, '79, '80.
Edward T. Hall, ISSl.
Charles K. Shattiick, 1882 (bien-
nial).
Samuel Swetl, 1884.
James Parker), 18:18, '39.
Alpheus Sbatluek, 1842, '43, '44,
'4,1, ^il, '66.
Illiamar B. Suwtelle, 1846, '47, '48.
James N. Tlli-ker, 1850, '.ll.
Beiuamin Gould, 18.'i2.
N'uthaniel Sbattuck, 18S3.
Henry B. Stiles, 1854, '55.
Jos. C. Tucker, 1857, '58, '62, 'SI.
The following-named gentlemen have bein the
justices of the peace :
Kicliard C. Shannon, Benjamin Farley, Rjindall Mcltonald and Sam-
uel Douglass, appointed previous to ISOO ; Samuel T. Hoyntou, .lanies
Parker, lienjamin Sbattuck, George Daniels, William S. Cnjsby, Thomas
Ileiinett, Nathaniel Sbattuck, James Parker (sou of the former James
Parker), .\lpbeiisSlijilluck, Ithamar B. Sawtelle, Isaac Sawtelte, Benja-
min ilould and Oeorge W. Bridges.
Population. — The fust enuniiratiun of the people
of Rally Wits made by the selectmen in 1781;, at which
time its pojiulation was 262. The United States de-
cennial census gives the following numbers: 1700,
338 ; 1800, 454 ; 1810, 538 ; 1820, 592 ; 1830, 641 ; 1840,
652 ; 1850, 718 ; 1860, 756 ; 1870, 741 ; 1880, 698.
In 1870 only twenty-four of it.s population were of
foreign birth, and at present there is not a specimen
of negro or mixed race residing in Urnnkline.
The town is connected by telephone with Xiisliua,
Hollis, Townsend and Fitchburg. For so small a
place its citizens are quite enterprising. On the 8th
of September, 1869, they had a spirited centennial
celebration, addressed by Ithamar H. Sawtelle, poem
by Edward K. I'arker and chronicles by Thcophilus
F. Sawin. These exercises, although of ordinary
interest, except to people of the town, engaged the
close attention of about three thousand people. From
the stand-point on the hill, where the McDonalds
settled, looking westerly and southerly, Broukline
presents to the eye rather :i ple;isiiig picture. Tin-
glassy shimmer of Massapetanapas I'ond adds a water
view to the scenery ; and then the green hills beyond,
and nearer at hand the village nestling at the b;ise of
"Little Tanapius Hill," arrest the attention. Here
the houses, while they are not expensive, are, for the
most part, kepi in good repair, giving an air of tliiilt
to the general appearanee. .Vn aliiindaiiee of shade-
trees, especially when Ihey are clothed in Ihrir s -
mer verdure, adds much to the atlraitimi nl ilie
place. The town has none very rich and fiw lb:il arc
poor; and, ;ilthiiugh they allercale and jostle :it the
ballot-box and dilferent ehunh-bells call them In
worship on the Sabbath-day, they are very friendly
, with eaili other, ami enjoy happy homes.
" Whatever deepsrieiico hiu given at our call,
'the science vif home is the choicest of all.
"ris to beat back these dcniolis of tliiu-ord and nin
'riial always ai-e trying lo steal Iheir way in -
To use all tlnr means God has placed in our sight
To uiake our bomes innoi-vnl, happy and bright."
294
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ALO.N/K .S. WALLACE, M.D.
Alonzo Stewart Wallace, M.D., of Brookliiie, Hills-
l)Orr)Ugli County, N. H., was born in Bristol, Me., on
the 17tli (lay of February, A. D. 1847, and consequently
is thirty-eight years of age. He is the only son of
David and Margarett Wallace. His father, David
Wallace, was born in New Hampshire, being the .son
of Davi<l Wallai-e, one of the pioneer settlers of that
State, and is doubtless of Irish descent. His great-
grandmother was Nancy I'ainicr, in whose veins flows
English blood.
Dr. Wallace is essentially a self-made man. Born
and bred in the huml)ler walks of life, in a section of
our country far removed from business centres, and
at a time when the best advantages for education and
self-improvement had not reached that section of his
native State, he early felt that yearning for per.sonal
advancement — sometimes called ambition — which, in
our New England life and training, has led the way
to high and scholarly pursuits.
Unaided and alone, almost unadvised, this young
man, with that resolute will and unyielding deter-
mination that has characterized his whole life, began
his journey in pursuit of an education. Receiving
little encouragement from his surroundings, at a time
and in a community when higher education was rather
despised than commended, he set to work with a zeal
and fervor that found partial satisfaction in attend-
ance upon the district school in winter in the little
"red school-house."
Being born and bred in a inaritinie town, he began
the career of a sailor when very young, and rose with
surprising rapidity in that calling, and when he aban-
doned it for higher jiursuits had fille<l numy respon-
sible positions, the la.st being that of first mate of a
barque.
At the age of eighteen he began a career of teach-
ing in thedistrict schoolsof his native town. and began
his first work for a higher education in Lincoln Acad-
emy, New Oastle, Me., then under the direction of
Grenville M. Thurlow. He pursued with great dili-
gence and perseverance his studies, teaching in winter,
attending on the academy a term now and then, till
he had mastered its full course of study and was fitted
tor Bowdoin College. Al'terward he attended the East
Maine Conference Seminary, Bucksixirt, .Me.
He was engaged in teaching in various sections of
his native State and in Massachusetts from 1868 to
1872. At an early age he was called to fill the posi-
tion of i)rincipal of the Rockport (Me.) Higli School,
and superinten<lent of the schools of his native town.
He resigned his position at Rockport to accept the
position of first a.ssistant teacher of the Reformatory
School for the city of Boston, and was soon jjromoted
to the position of principal. He held this position fora
numberof years, which was an exceedingly difficultone I
to fill, on account of the character of the pupils who
necessarily attend there. He, from the first, was
master of the situation, and at once gained the love
and confidence of the boys under his charge and the
esteem and respect of the city officials. During his
labors here he became intimately aci|Uainted with
Dr. S. H. Durgin, then port physician for the city of
Boston, since and for numy years the able and efficient
chairman of the Board of Health for that city. This
acquaintance rii)ened into a strong and personal friend-
ship, which exists to this day, and this, no doubt, gave
choice to Dr. Wallace's chosen profession. While in
charge of this important school he began the study
of medicine, and had obtained a good knowledge of
anatomy and physiology when he gave up his charge
to enter upon an extensive and thorough preparation
for his life-work. He attended the medical school of
Bowdoiii College, Brunswick, .Me., and also that of
Portland, Me., gra<iuating at the medical school of
Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H., in the year 1874. 1
During his preparation for medical practice he was "
under the instruction of Profe.ssors Frost, Crosby,
Brackett and Cireen, and it is safe to say thai few
young men ever entered upon their profession better
equi]iped.
After six mouths' service at the Massachusetts State
l.,unatic Hospital, he resigned to accept the position of
first assistant port ]diysician for the city of Boston. He
was soon afterwards jiromoted to i)ort physician of the
city, to fill the place formerly occu]>ied by his friend,
Dr. Durgin. In 1879 he resigned the oflice and entered
upon his practice in Brookline, in this county, where
he now enjoys a large and increasing practice, and has
the respect and esteem of the whole community and of
all who know him. Dr. \\'allace is a mendier of the
secret Order of ( )dd-Fellows and of the United Order
of the Golden Cross and Massachusetts Mc<lical So-
ciety. In politics he has been a life-long Republican
and a strong advocate of the temperance cause.
He joined the Orthodox Church while attending
school at the Lincoln .\cademy, and has ever since
adhered to that faith. He is by no means in his
Christian life a bigot, but lidlows the advance-guard
of religious thought.
He married an estiiiialile lady in the per.son of
Mary F. Maynard, of Lowell, Mass., the only child
of Charles and Harriett Maynard, by whom he has
three children, one bearing the mime of Arthur Lowell,
in honor of the birth-place of his wife.
The Puritan spirit, the ma.ster-infiucnce of New
England civilization, has a satisfactory type in Dr.
Wallace. He has always regarded the influence of -
the humble homes of New England as the great in-
fluence that has shaped our New England character
and wrought the "amazing nuracle of America!" His
estimation of early New England life is best expressed
in that passage of New Hampshire's greatest man,
Daniel Webster, which has always been to Dr. Wallace
Sng'fyAHSiK'^
cr //^
<
HHOOKLINK
295
the choicest ^eiii of all that man's writings, aii follows:
"It (lid not happen to me to be born in a log eabin,
but my eliler hmtliers and sisters were born in a log
cabin, raised amid the siiow-(lrifts of New Hampshire.
at a period so early that when the smoke first rose
from its rude chimney and curled over the frozen hills
there was no similar evidence of a white man's habi-
tation between it and the settlements on the rivers of
Canada. Its remains still exist. I make to it an
annual visit. I earry my children to it, to teach them
the hardships endured by the generations which have
gone before them. I love to dwell on the tender
recollections, the kindred ties, the early affections
and the touching narratives and incidents which
mingle with all I know of this primitive family abode.
I weep to think that lume of those who inhabited it
lire now among the living, and if ever I am ashamed
of it, or if ever I fail in aH'eetionate veneration for him
who reared it and defended it against savage violence
and destruction, cherished all the domestic virtues
beneath its roof and, through the fire and blood of
a seven years' Revolutionary War, shrunk from no
danger, no toil, no sacrifice to serve his country and
to raise hi.s children to a condition better than his
own, may my name and the name of my posterity be
blotted forever from the memory of mankind."
Dr. Wallace's Xew Eiiglan<l character and training,
united with persistent energy and untiring industry,
have given us, in the subject of this sketch, another
and striking c.xamide of that reward which attends
upon honest effort among a people governed as we are
governed.
In the year 1879, Dr. Wallace came 'o Brookline.
The position was one of peculiar difliculty on account i
of existing conditions occasioned Ijy the great poi>u-
larity of his predecessor, — Dr. D. H. Dearborn. Three
years before this quite a number of the citizens took
the matter in hand of securing a resident physician.
For years the community had depended upon medical
skill from the surrounding towns. The time seemed
to have come when a physician was deniand<'d. whose
homesliould be in their midst. By chance Dr. Dear-
born was secured, and the hearts of the people went
out towards him. This heartiness of welcome, coupled
with a skill in his |irofe.ssion, won him a large place
in the affection of both the town and the outlying
villages. On this account nearly every one predicted
failure for any one who shoulil succeed him. Dr.
Walhu-e entered upon the work of this field under
stern circumstances, and while an entire stranger, he
soon gained a popularity that was as renuirkable ami
more widc-ri'acbing than that of his predeees.sor. i
Within a vitv slwirt lime his practice enlarged lo such !
an exti'iit that only the posse.ssion of an almost perfect
physiipie enabled him to attend to the multiplied calls
upon his time and skill. From almost the first four
horses were in constant requisition, and night and
day, in many seasons of the year, were alike working
hours for him .Mmmv ilillirull and delicate surgical
operations have been performed by Dr. Wallace, some
of which taxed the nerve and knowledge of older
]diysicians in the neighborhood. As a citizen, Dr.
Wallace, from the first, identified himself with every
ref()rni, — social, moral and religious. No subscription
paper or solicitor for a worthy object ever met his dis-
approval or failed to receive hearty indorsement and
substantial aid. In 1884 he was elected a member of
the .school Board, and his labors in that direction,
often performed under a stress of business that would
have unnerved most of men, have been valuable to
the town and encouraging to every well-wisher of
youth.
Dr. Wallace has gained the re|>utation of being an
ardent temperance man, exhibiting his absolute dis-
like and even hatred of the rum Iraflic .Tnd fashionable
tippling both in his professional life and public career.
It has been said many times and w-ith truth that while
some physicians may by their prescriptions lay the
foundation for a drunkard's career in many lives. Dr.
Wallace can never lie charged with such a responsi-
bility, l()r if he found it necessary to prescribe a stim-
ulant to one whose taste was vicious, he would so dis-
guise it with drugs as to make it well-nigh nauseous.
We think we sjieak what we know when we say that
he has done more towards suppressing the swinLsh
habit of cider and beer-guzzling than any man in our
community. .Mthough Dr. Wallace did not unite
with the Corigiigational Cliurch In this place by letter
from the church in New Uastle, Me., until March,
1885, yet he was ever in sympathy with church and
pastor. No firmer friend to the cause of truth and
religion could be found in the eomnuinity, and the
pastor always felt that he had in him a firm friend, a
valuable hel|)er and a sympathizing worker, (iencrous
to a fault, no poor person ever a])plied to him for aid
but he received more than he asked. Hundreds of
dollars in bills were given to the deserving poor or
those who were otherwise unfortunate. Many will be
able to rise up in the future and call his ruinie blessed
a;id his works noble. To lose such a nuin from any
community wi>uld seem to be a lo.ss almost irri'parable.
The following letters will show the esteem in which
he was held by his a-ssociates in Boston :
"ovrtri; iiv no; HiiAKlt <>» Ui:\i.)M.
"IkMloii, .Miirili, l»7ll.
" i>n. i»K.MtHoltN :
" [lenr Sir, — I>r. A. S. Wnllwf, imr purl litiyiiiclikli, in itt>oul lo louvw
UH, mill uHkft lilt' for a li'ltcr to .voit. llix loiivliig u» will lit> n Hoiirco of
ri't^ii'l, liiit n li'tlt'l' 111 liin iM'liHlf In ii |i|fiiHiiri< lo iiii>. ] liitvo known lilni
wi'll fur hM) .vi-iirR. IIIm Nliiilfnl i-ounto, luri^i'ly iinil<>i' in.v dlrei-llon, wiu
piintiieil ut Itiwloii, Hniiinw ivk uiitl lliiiiovor, liikinK liiM dcgrt-o hi nirnll-
i-iiiu 111 till' lulliT |>liii.-t' III IS7I. Ill' Wiui fU'li'i-ti'il liy llii> IIkuu, from liU
t-liuw uf luclily-llvt-, at lliirlliiotilli, lo unoiiiim tile ihltici of atwinlinit
lili.VHicialt, illi<l(--r Dr. Karlt;, ut lli(< Nortliani|iloti Lnlllillc Aiiyllllii, wliicti
iliitk'M lie W|{ali four Wf^'ko lM.*for<< icni(liialiii|{. 11<' lllloil llinl |MMilioii
Hllli iTLKltl to liiniwlf fur nIx iiiuiitlift, and wiiit tlii'ii rvhirlaiill.v li't oil to
10 <-upt tlir iiuniliiiii of uMtifdnul |Mirt pli>i<li'laii iiinlcr our rlinrec. Al Ihw
4!iiil of iilHfut f<i\ iiionlliH lie wan |ii-oiiiiili-il to llii* iHwiliuii of port ph.vHlcinn
mill aimiiilant pliynirlan lo tliu city InHliliilloiii h1 IIoit liiliitid. lie liaM
lii'lil llio hull two |M«itii>nn foi lu-arly four .vran«, anil liai won for lilnidolf
lloi r«>piitalli)ii of II prompt anij efllcient oIDi-it, a |KiUto grntloninn, a
kitiii, iK-voti'<l anil untirlog phyaiciau. Ills ruconl Is onu uf wliicli lie
296
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
limy well bo prond. He bus dono about half th» work at thu institution^
wbere over two tboii^iKl imtients are treated in bed and as many niore
outside, aniiimlly, including a threat variety of medical and surgical cases
in botb 81'Xc.s, from infancy to old age.
" He has also had the advantage of the rare o|i|joi'tunilies aift)rded by
our iiuarantine service. This experience lias l»een an unusual one, and
will be of great service to hiru ami his iiatieiitH wheiever he settles. lie
is strictly temperate, inoml aiitl ujiriglit in ev«!ry particular. His present
liosition necet«arily sepai-ates him froni his wife and two children, whom
he loves dearly, and with whom lie feels lie must be, ami therefore seeks
a home and private pi-aclice. If he comes to your place I think you will
not l>e disappointed in speaking of him in unniistakalih- terms. To his
faillifultu^ss todiity and ]kowers of endurance 1 have never seen any limit.
Of our regret in losing this officer we shall speak at another time. Of
bis success in private practice 1 can have no doubt.
*' Very truly yours,
"S. H. DllloiN, M.D.,
" Chairman Bo/tton ISoard of HeaWi"
[SR.\i..] "Public Institutions.
'' \it;^T Island, Boston Harbor, April lo, 187'.l.
"Dr. a. S. Wallace :
" Jitar rioctor, — We, who hereunto sign oureelves, deeply regretting
your departure from among us, desire you to accept the accompanying
pieces of gold as a slight e.\i>ression of the high regard and esteem iu
which you are held by your friends and associates, both officially and
socially, during the past ten years.
" Wishing you • God speed ' and a glorious success in your new field of
labor,
"We remain,
"Yours moat truly.
"Guv C. Undehwooo, Superintendent,
"John W. Dad.mun, C'lni)ilain.
"Horace Berry, M.D., Hesid't Physician.
"t.'iiAULES C. Paige, Engineer.
"John J. Collier, Clark
"John B. Swiit, JI. D.
" W. Preston Woon, Asst. Superintomrt.
" Seth Perkins, Carpenter.
"Eden. M. Seaver."
jA.Mi'.s ll.M{\■|;^ ii.M.i..
James Hiiivey Hull, the siiii of William Hall, Jr.,
was 1)0111 ill niookliiie.X.H., June 22, 1810. His educa-
tional advantages were limited to the coinmon schools
of his native town; but, being of a blight, active turn
of ininil, he obtaini'd a fair riiilimenlary eilucation. He
worked on a I'arm during boyhood, and also learned
coopering, and when he had atluined his majority he
went to the town of Lyndeborough and engaged in
barrel manufacturing; this he continued there until
the time of bi.s marriage (1835). He then went to
Fraiicestown, where he resided four or five years,
when the advancing age and declining healtli of his
|)areuts made it m^ccssary that he should return to his
native town of Brookline and take care of them.
Upon his returning to Brookline he engaged in a
branch of business which he continued through life,
and which proved very remunerative.
The homestead and adjoiMJiig lands were quite
heavily timbered, and he engaged in burning eliareoal.
He was a man of untiring energy, and he pushed his
business assiduously and earnestly, and, meeting with
eminent succ&ss, he gradually added to his landed
possession.s ; conducted farming on ijuite a large
scale, became the owner and conductor of a gri.st, saw
and planing-inill on ]iroiierty adjacent to the home
farm, and also the owner of valuable teiienieiil pro]i-
erty in Oharlestown, Mass.
He represented his town in the State Legislature
in 1869 and 1870. He was an ardent temperance man
and a total abstainer, and from early manhood was a
consistent and valued member of the Congregational
Church, and one of its most generous sujiporters, pay-
ing yearly, for several yeare, two hundred dollars and
over for the support of the gospel in his native town.
He remembered in his will the church of his native
town, and his memory has further been perpetuated
in this direction by a generous contribution by
Mrs. Hall for the remodeling of the church edifice,
and by his son, E. T. Hall, in the gift to the
church of an excellent bell, which now hangs in the
tower.
In business matters Mr. Hall was remarkably far-
seeing and sagacious. While i»roverbially slow in
expressing an ojiinion or forming a conclusion on
any subject, yet his judgment, once pronounced, was
almost invariably found to be correct. Every im-
provement in the social or business affairs of the
town found in him an earnest advocate. He was
an active, honest, earnest man, and one of the most
useful citizens of his town.
He was twice married, — first, to Mary .\., daughter
of Major Nehemiah Boutwell, of Lyndeborough,
November 10, 1835. They had live children, only
two of whom are now living, — Edward T. and Mary
F. (now the widow of Deacon George W. Peabody).
.Mrs. Hall died January 24, 1853. Mr. Hall married,
as hisseeond wife, Detober 20, 1853, Mary J., daughter
of Matthew .\. and Jane W. (Christie) Eisher, of
Francestown, N. IT. By this marriage there are no
children.
Mr. Hall died .\ugiisl 15, 1874. Mrs. Hall still
survives (1885). She is a great-granddaughter of Dea-
con Samuel Fisher, who eanie from Ireland in what
was known as the ''starved shi])," and a niece of Mrs.
Levi Spaulding, who was a missionary at Ceylon for
more than fifty years. Mrs. Hall's mother (recently
deceased) was a si.ster of the late Hon. Daniel M.
Christie, of Dover, N. H.
^^g^^f^^L^
it
HrSTORY OF FRANCESTdW N.
BY REV. W. K. COCHKAXE.
C H A P T E R I .
This tract was known to hunters and explorers
lonp before its settlement, on account of its " beautiful
meadows." .\s early as July 18, 167.'?, a " |dat had been
accejited " uiiiler the (rovernnieiit of Massachusetts,
purporting to cover most of the surface of this town,
as now existing. This amounted to nothing, as the
location was dangerously remote from any settlements.
But it shows the attractiveness of the locality in those
early days. These open, green, grassy meadows were
like oases of beauty in the dense forests. The clear-
ings had been made, perhai>s centuries before, i. e., by
flowage. The beavers, then very numerous in this
section, cut small trees and twigs with their teeth, set
up the short sticks a few inches apart in the mud, and
wove in brush between them. Then, with their flat. 1
strong tails as trowels, they plasti're<l this dam on lioth
sides with nuid, thus making ipiite a strong barrier,
and raising ponds of considerable e.xtent. As the
streams were then much larger than at the present
day, and these dams were numerous and pu( in well-
chnsen places, to the eye of the first white men, New
Boston and I'"rancestown must have seemed to be
about one-fiiurlb covered with water. But when,
very early, Ihelx'avers had been destroyed by hunters,
on account of their valuable fur (a rapid and easy
work), the dams they had made soon rotted down, the
ponds were mostly ibained oil', and over tlie soft
ground, long covered with water, gra.ss sprang up luxu-
riantly and was just in season for the settlers. 'I'liis
wonderful grass crop at once attracted attention. Il
was of excellent quality, wius high as a man's head
and easy to get. ISoon men came up from the lower
towns in the summer, harvested the gra.ss and made
8ta<'ksof hay in warm, dry places. Then, with a rude
"eanip" of logs ami some i>artial slnltc^r for stock,
they drove up catlle in the fall and wiiilere(l Iliem on
the bay, some advenlumus young fellows slaying in
camp till spring, occupying their time in teiirling the
stock and lire, and in hunting sable along the streams
and larger game upmi the hills. Ami this process
soon Ird t(i till- pcnuMMi'iit sclllcmciit <i( tlic tnwii.
The first actual settlement was made by a Scotch
man named John Carson, and the date usually as-
signed is 1760, though it is probable he was on the
ground part of .several years before, and that other
settlers bad made beginnings previous to thai year.
Hut the sp(]t on whiih Carscjii located, and much of
the east and best part of Kranccstown, was then a part
of New Boston. That town, granted by Massachu-
.setts January 14, 1736, had quite a show of settlers
and " improvements " when the celebrated "Mason
claim " was finally successl'ul and the title was pur-
chased by the " Masonian Proprietors" (174li). But
the course of the "grantees" and settlers <d' New Bos-
ton was so honorable toward these new owners that,
after conference of committees from each party, the
said " Masonian Proprietors" not only, for a small
consideration and with a few reservations, deeded the
whole of the idd grant, but also a large and valuable
tract on the west, called "New Boston .Addition"
(1751). And when New Boston was incor|iorated, in
1763, this "Addition" was incorporated with il as a part
of8ai<l town. It extended nearly as far west as the
present village of Francestown. Hence, John t'araon,
named aliove, was one of the first Board ol S(declmen
of New Boston. Me wius also chosen oiieof llie " Dear-
Keepers." The following year the town of New Bos-
ton chose J(din Carson chairman of a " Comite to
fjooke for a minicster, or minieslers, in order that we
may have Some iireaching." Men living in the "Ad-
dition " contiinu'd to be a|ipoiMted to various olfiees
for Ihi' whole town. When .New l!(JSlon looked lowanl
the attainmcnl of a minislcr for the town, Thiimas
tiuigley,of the " Adililioii," was appointed chairman
(d' the committee to "talk With the Kev''. Mr. Solo-
mon Moor in Regard to hisSetteling in New Boston."
Daviil ]>ewis, of the " Addition," was twice on the
Board of Seleclmen. In this way, and most of the
timi' ill great barninny, the " .\ddition " belonged lo
New Boston twenty-one years. With characlerislic
shrewdness, the settlers und bind-owners in that town
had sought these rich lands <U) the west, and several
of the leading New Boston men, for various reasons,
bad " lilts assigned t'l them in the New .Addilitin."
298
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Yet they seem to have foreseen from the first that
the union was only temporary, as tliey voted (Decem-
ber 29, 1763) that the " New Addition Shall have their
pairt of preaching amongst themselves During their
Stay with the old town as a pcarish." Hence, the fol
lowing year they built their mcetiiig-housp near the
centre of the old town, and ijuictly waite<l till the pop-
ulation might be large enough for a division. Accord-
ingly, a petition was presented to the Legislature,
under date of July 22, 1771, and signed by thirty-
nine men, asking that the " New Boston Addition "
and a part of Society Larnl adidiriiiig might be incor-
porated into a town.
This petition was successful after the due formali-
ties, and this tract was incorporated as the town of
Francestown June 8, 1772. It received its name
from Frances, the wife of Governor Wentworlh, and
was written " Frances' Town" in the old records.
They held their first town-meeting (John (^uigley be-
ing empowered to call the same) at the house of
William Starret, July 2, 1772, and chose John Quig-
ley, John Dickey and William Starret their first
Board of Selectmen. Atthisnieeting they eliosea cm-
mittee to " Sentcr the town," and went on with the usual
votes and measures reipilred in this new undertaking.
The population slowly but constantly increased, im-
provements went on, roads were made and the little
town was every way hopeliil and prosjierous. Then
came the long, hard struggle of the Revolutionary
War, W'hich greatly hindered the growth of the
town.
But those hardy men and nol)le wtimcii bravely did
their part for liberty. A year before the war they
were disposed to be loyal to the King, but the cruelty
and injustice of the mother-country gradually brought
them all over to the popular side. Even as early as
.Tune 10, 177-'>, they showed their determination by
choosing a committee of seven, with John Dickey
chairman, " to examine and try aney person or per-
sons that are or Shall be Suspected of being Enemies
to the Country." That surely was pretty dcciiled and
pretty vigorous loyalty ; A large proportion of the
men of the town were constantly in the armv, ex-
changing places from time to tini", asa|>i)ears by the
following record: "Voted to chouse 5 of a Committee
to receive the accoumpts and prize the turns of the
men that Has ben into the Searvice With out aney
town bounty." From time to time they paid largely
from the town treasury to fill (|Uotas and to increase
the pay of those already in the field. .Vnd they showed
no disposition to give u|). Seven years after the bat-
tle of Lexington they voted to raise men to "Serve in
the Continentle Armey for the term of three years or
during the War."
When war with France was probable ( 1 7!l.')) Frances-
town voted to makeup " ten dollars per nthtoevery
soldier, and fifty cents additional per ilav for anv ' ex-
traordinary service at home.' "
In the War of 1812 a large delegation from Fran-
cestown were in the field. Captain Hugh Moore, of
this town, commanded a company.
In the War of the Rebellion — as always before —
Francestown was intensely loyal. The town voted
that the "Selectmen fill the quota on the best terms
possible, but not limiting the cost," and to "pay
the highest sum allowed by our State laws to fill
all quotas this year," and .so on till the close of the
«ar. At the March meeting immediately preceding
the surrender of Lee they voted to fill all quotas at
whatever cost or effort, showing their zeal and de-
termination to the last. The full proportion of the
sons of Francestown laid down their lives for the
Union.
The population of the town was, in 1775, two hun-
dred; in 1783 selectmen returned " 65 male Poles;"
in 1850 the population was eleven hundred and four-
teen ; 187fl, nine hundred and thirty-two; in 1880,
nine hundred and thirtyseven. In this town the
water-power is small, and the people are chiefiy en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits. It is a good farming
town, and, with good, neat buildings and well-culti-
vated land, has a general a|ipearance of thrift and
success. There is much attractive scenery, and the
town furnishes a large variety of views from moun-
tain to intervale. The centre of the town (its only
village) is a beautiful country village of about one
hundred families. Its principal street is broad, well-
shaded and about half a mile long, having on either
side many substantial residences, and some venerable
withtime, though iiiiieat repair. This village contains
a hotel, library building, school-house, two churches,
academy, two stores, two banks, carpenter's shop, black-
smith-shop, harness-shop, milliner's apartment, two
physicans, etc. Near the main street is a cabinet-
factory of considerable business. Also below, and on
a branch street, is .Mill village, so called, which is so
near as to be conveniently reckmied as a part of the
chief village. It has a blacksmith shop, saw-mill and
about fifteen families. Francestown village is high
and conspicuous from afar, and is ju.stly an occasion
of pride to the people of the town.
Francestown is located a little northwest of the cen-
tre of Hillsborough County; is bouniled on the north
by Deering and Weare, on the east by Wcare and New
Boston, on the south by Lyndeborough and (Jrecn-
field, and on the west by Greenfield and Bennington,
ft is four miles from the railroad, the nearest depot
being that of ( ireenfield. The north |)art ot the town
reaches Antrim depot at a distance of four or five
miles. The Manchester and Keciie Railroad was
chartered and surveyed through Francestown.
The soil of this town is, for the most part, strong
and good and somewhat rocky. The southeast part
inclines to a .sandy loam, easy to cultivate and very
productive. The northeast part, with broad ridges
and smooth, high fields, sloping southward, presents
the comeliest farms.
The two south branches of' the I'iscataciuog Kiver
FHANCESTOWN.
299
riae in this town, being the only streams of much im-
portuiice witliin it.-* borders. The largest of these is-
sues from I'leasaiit Poud ; the other from Scoby's or
Haunted I'ond. The«e two jionils form the ehief col-
leetions of water in the town. Pleasant Pond is iu
the north part, is narrow ami nearly a mile lon^, and
is a placid and beautiful sheet of water. Tlie Haunted
Pond is large, circular in form, and situated in
the east of the town, near New Boston line.
There is hut one elevation of land in Francestown
to be d|i(riified l)y the name of mountain, and that is
Crotchet Mountain, having an altitude of six hundred
feet above the coniniou in the village. It hijs two
principal summits, one covered with growing wood,
the other almost a naked, solid ledge of rocks, from
which the prospect is very extensive and charming.
In the eiist i)art of France-stown, not far from the
point of the first settlement, there is a soapstone (luany
that has given the town some note. It is considered the
most valuable quarry of its kind in the United States.
It has been extensively worked for a long series of
years, vast (luantities of the stone having been trans-
ported til N'aslma and tlicre manufactured. The work
of the (|uarry is chicHy done by steam, and is vigor-
ously prosecuted at the present time, the stone being
renioved in large bulk, and at the factory it is made
into an untold variety of articles, chiefly stoves, man-
tels and fire-places. This ijuarry has added consid-
eral)ly t<> the wealth of the town.
Francestown has a national bank with a capital of
one iiundrcd thousand dollars. President, M. L. Mor-
rison ; Cashier, Hon. G. W. Cummings. And also a
savings-bank, incorporated 1868. President, Hiram
Patch; CiLshier, Samuel I). Uownes.
The tirsi settled minister in Francestown, as shown
by the town records, was Rev. Jloses Hradford, or-
dained and installed September 8, 179<l. A church
had been organized as early iis 177.'i, and various calls
had been given from time to time, but none accepted
before the above-named date.
Many of the early settlers were Presbyterians, and
the town " voted to Settel a minister a Cording to the
Presbyterans' rules;" but they agreed eventually to
become a Congregational Church, and this was the
only church in town until a very recent date.
Mr. Bradford renuiined piuitor of the church thirly-
seven years. Mis succes.sors were as follows:
Austin Kicliards, IS'iT-.^ti; Natlianiel S. Kolsoni,
18.V)-8H; James K. DaveTiporl, 1K;?<)-42; .Fonathan
•Mctiee, ISW-rjK; Lothrop Taylor, 18r.l-.')7; Charles
Cutler, 1857-6G; Austin Richards, 18t;(i-70; t'harles
Seccombe, 1871-73; Henry F. Campbell; Henry M.
Kellog; anil the present ]);ustt)r. Rev. John .V. Rowell,
who began service l)ecend)er 17, 1882.
This church recently erected a new ami most con-
venient house of worship, wliieli was dedicated .Inly
1, 1884, free of debt.
About the time of the close of the pastorate of Rev.
Henry P\ Campbell, named above, a new church was
20
organized in town, called "The Independent Congre-
gational Church," its members coming partly from
the old body and partly from without. This new or-
ganization retains the old church e(lifice. which they
have extensively repaired and improved, making a
very desirable house of worsliip. They are now in
fellowship with the Unitarian deiumiination, have a
good parsonage and are united and flourishing under
the pastoral care of Rev. .loseph Wassail.
Francestown Academy has been for more than
eighty years an occasion of pride and honor to the
town. The lirst term was taught in 1801 by .Alexander
j Dustin, a graduate of Dartmouth College in the class
of 1799. The town voted, August 2;), 1800, to give
" permission to School Class No. '.i to maintain their
school-house on tlie common," in which school-house,
it is supposed, the academy, then called the High
School, bad its beginning. It was a low, unpainted,
small structure, with only one room and exceedingly
rude accommodations, and the thirty pupils that at-
tended must have crowded it full.
Among the number this first term wiis Hon. Levi
Woodbury, LL.l)., then a boy of eleven years. The
school was open only one or two terms each year
for a long time, and under various teachers, and
with no great success.
The academy was nut iiicorporaled till .liuie I'l,
1819. About this time the corporation, l)y gift of in-
dividuals in the town, came into pt)ssession of the
upper story of the "Old Brick .\cademy," still stand-
ing on the ea-st side of the common, and here many
prosperous terms of school were kept. Here Dr. Bard,
Isaac O. Barnes and others taught, and here Presi-
dent Pierce and other distinguished men fitted for col-
lege.
In 1841 an old building was nioveil <iii to the spot
occupied by the present edifice, ami fitted up for the
better accommodation of the school. Here, under
Rev. Horace Herrick and Rev. Harry Briekett, the
academy flourished and gained an excellent reputa-
tion. The old buililing, just repaired and occnpieil
to the full, w;us burned March 27, 1847, and the pres-
(■nt desirable building was built the same year. The
academy celebrated its .semi-centennial .May ti, IS<>1,
at which Hon. Ia-vI Woodbury, a pupil of its first
term in 1801, gave the oration, and President Pierce
and othei>i made ad<lres.ses. The old institution is
still in a prosperous condition. It has done a great
deal for the community. Many of its pupils lia\e
come to honor. One President of the DniliMl States,
two United States Senatoin, several Congressmen,
one major-general and many judges, lawyers, minis-
ters, doctors and inventors began their ccairse of study
here. The instructors since 1841 have been Rev.
Horace Herrick, Rev. Harry Bricketl, I'mfessur Henry
Ev Sawyer, Rev. Sylvanus Ilayward, Dr. Martin N.
Root, Rev. Charles K. Milliken, Kev. Samuel B.
Stewart, Rev. Frank U. Clark, Professor Samuel B.
Prescott, Thomas O. Knowlton, Esij., Professor James
300
HISTORY OF lirLLSBOROUUH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
E. Vose, Professor H. S. Cowell :inil I'ldlessor B. 8.
Hiirfl, the [ireseiit siu-cessfiil iuouiubeiit.
Franccstdwii may fairly be credited witli a people
of greater e<luLatioii and iiitellij^eiice than most New
Hampshire towns. Nearly all its citizens have been,
more or less, students, and many graduates of the
academy. Hardly a man can be found living here,
having been burn and brought up in the town, who is
not ca|)able of doing any and all town business. The
women also are well eilucated. The long-continued
existence of the academy here has tended to elevate
the people, and to lead them into superior lines of
reading and thinking. Young hearts have been
fired with high ambitions all these years. As a con-
sequence, a host have gone from this town to fill places
of trust all over the land. In even thousands of
places of honor and imjiortance the .sons and daugh-
ters of Francestowu nuiy be found. They have learned
to work their way. They can be trusted. Many of
more recent years sire now silently building up for-
tunes and reputations. They will be heard fron).
They will make their mark on society. They will
mould future opinions and characters. But only a
few names among these worthy sons of Francestowu
can be given in this brief sketch of the town,— a sketch
made all tlie more brief because a full and careful
history of I-'rancestown is e.Kpeeted to follow at no
distant day. Some leading names are these :
Huu. Levi WmMilmi-y, LiI..L>., boru PeceiiibtT -Ji, 17sil ; graduate of
Dartmouth Oolluge 1»(» ; ailmilteil to the bar ISVJ ; first ultices held by
him, town clerk uiiil chairman uf ^eU•ctnlt'n, Fninoest<iwu, Islo ;
judge of Siilx^rior Court ISlr,, at early age of twenly-sevi-n yi-ars ; tiov-
ernor of the State ls*.i;j; Siieaker of the Iloutic IK-i-'i ; twice United
States Senator ; Secretary of tho Navy ; Secretary of the Treasury ; and
judge of the I'nited States Supreme Court, which lust isisition he held
at his death, SejttemtHjr 7, 1851.
Hon. Samuel D. Bell, LL.D., born in Fnincestown, Oct«»ber II, ITitS ;
graduate of Harvard Ixltl ; chief justice of New Hampshire ; called
"one of the most eminent and profound jurists of New Kngland ; "' died
in Alanehester, July 31, 18G8.
Hon. .lames Hell, born in Fmncestown, November 13, 18U4; Kraduate of
Bow'doin College 1«2'J ; I'niteil St.ites Senator from New Hampshire;
died at Gilford, N. H., Slay 211, l».i7.
Rev. .lames T. Wo<«ll>ury, loug settled in .\cton, Maos.
Hon. Titns Brown, member of Congress.
Hon. Judge William Parker.
Dr. P. P. Woodbury.
Dr. George H. Bi.\by and others.
Before the day of railroads Francestowu was a place
of large business. <lther towns came here to trade.
From three to five ample stores were in operation.
The County Courta were largely helil heri'. The
"Second New Hampshire Turnpike" was built
through Francestowu, and for years a " through stage
to Boston," and heavy teams transporting produce,
and a great amount of private travel poured through
the town.
All this, with the academy, made a lively and pros-
perous place. .\iid still, both for situation and char-
acter, this is one of the most attractive towns in the
State, and all her many scattered s(jns and daughters
look back with just pride on their early home.
BluailAl'lilOAL SKETCHES.
M.VltK liALClI.
Mark Baleli was the son of William and Abigail
(Johnson) Balch. William Balch wa.s a native of Fran-
cestowu, and was by trade a tanner ;ind currier. He
spent the first few years of his married life in New
Boston, N. H., and then returned to his native town,
where he prosecuted his calling and s])ent the princi-
pal part of his business life. He was successful in
business, and about thirty years prior to his death
he removed to Redding, Mass., where he fitted up a
pleasant, comfortable home, and the residue of his
days were spent there. He wa.s a much respected
citizen and held various offices in church and town.
Mark Balch was born in New Boston, March JW,
182u, and was brought up to his lather's trade. Most
of his boyhood and youth, however, was spent at
school. He fitted for college at the Francestown
Academy, an excellent school, and although he never
carried into execution his design of attending college,
yet the advantages he enjoyed for study were very
fair and had been well improved, and he became a
very fair scholar, and even after his school-days were
ended he continued his studies, and thnmgh life was
a residing, thoughtful, studious man. After quitting
school he engaged in the tanning business with his
j father for a time, but feeling an inclination for com-
i niercial pursuit*, he went to Manchester in ISUO and
engaged in the hardware trade with Mr. John B.
Varick. After several years spent in this place he
returned to Francestown, and succeded Mr. Paul H.
Bixby as cashier in the First National Bank of
Francestown. He filled this station up to the year
preceding his death, when he retired. During part
of this perioil be was also town-clerk and treasurer.
He was married. May 2, 1850, to Laurilla H.,
daughter of Peter F. and Lucy H. Farnham, of
F'rancestfiwn. Mrs. Balch's ancestors were among
the early colonists of Massachusetts. Her paternal
ancestors were from Andover, in that State, and in the
maternal line the Deans [ilayed an important part in
the history of Dedham, Raynham and adjacent towns.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Balch was not blessed
with issue.
Mr. Balch's lungs were never .strong, and about two
years preceding his demise consumption was devel-
oped, which resulted in his death, December Iti, 1879.
I
I
llEORliE KlNHSBlRy.
George Kingsbury was the son of Joseph and Silence
(Richards) Kingsbury, and grandson of Joseph
Kingsbury, who wa.s a native of Dedham, Mass. His
ancestors of both the paternal and maternal lines
were among the pioneers of that part of Eastern Mas-
sachusetts, and played an important part in the de-
velopment of that colony. The " Richards Geneal-
^^r<^£ /C5V.^^:
1
I
yfyfJiyc yU/r2a^^ii,r^
!
FKANCESTOWN.
301
ogy " gives a very complete account of the origin and
history of that family. Of the Kingsburys we have
not been able to find authentic data concerning any
member earlier than Joseph, thcprandfat her of (leorge,
except that two brothers of that name came from
the north of England to America in the latter part of
the seventeenth century, and "Joined the Plymouth
colonitits." The records are incomplete, but evidently
one of these brothers was the ancestor of the Dcdham
Kingsbury. Josc])h Kingsi)ury, the father of ( icorgc,
caineto Franccstown, X. H., when the virgin forest was
almost unbroken, and he and his young wife suH'cred
all the privations and hardships incident to pioneer
life.
They went resdlutely to work, however, to make for
themselves a home in Ihc wilderness, and both being
industrious, frugal and hopeful, they gradually over-
came the difhculties under which they labored,
and succeeded in amassing quite a comfortable
property for that day, and both lived to see the
forest covered hills, among which they had intclnd
their early abode, converted into fruitful farms
and dotted with cheerful homes. Mr. Kingsbury
became one of the most successful and substan-
tial farmers of his town, and one of its most useful
and respected citizens. He tiuilt, in after-years, on
the site of his early homestead, a substantial brick
residence, which is now owned by Afr. Oliver I'ettce.
They had nine children, six of whom grew uj) to ma-
turity, and all but one of whom married. Their names
were (Jeorge, Leonard, Hannah, Joseph, Julitta and
John Langdon. Hannah married Stephen Whipple
(deceased), of New Boston, and died leaving one sou,
Joseph K., who is in business in Boston, Mass. Joseph
(deceased) married Betsey Hvcrctt (decea.sed) ; they had
four children, only two of whom grew up to maturity.
Julitta (deceased) married Rev. Almon Benson (de-
ceased), of Centre Harbor, N. H. ; she died without
issue. .lohn L. (<leceased) married Abigail Hyde (de-
ceased); they lia<l six children.
treorgi' Kiiigsliury was born ii] Franccstown, N. H.,
February 1, \7\)!\. He was brought up on his father's
farm, and, like most farmers' sons of tha( early day,
had but limited advantages for an <'ducMtiHii. His
father, while a man of strong, prailical common-sense,
was an uniMlncatcd man, an<l his life's work had liccn
Rpi'iit among scenes where brawn an<l muscle were
more ri'i|nisitethan " book-learning;" conse(|Ucntly he
was disposed to regard a day s|)enl in study as a day
lost. He undervalued the advantages of education,
and, as a result, diil not afliird his ihildren the oppor-
tunities he mighl in thai dircdion. This lack of
schooling in his youth wasasouree of life-long regret
to Mr. Kingsbury. His was that cast and calibre of
mind that would have utilized ami applied to a wor-
thy purpose the power which knowledge gives, and
while in youth tile opportunity for study was ilenied
him, yel throughout the long years of his afler-life he
wasalwaysa reading, studious man, and to his lionor
I be it said he gave his children all the advantages he
could, and was anxious that his sons should attend
college. Their tastes, however, did not so incline
them. One of his daughters. Harriette Newell, gradu-
ated at Mount Holyoke Seminary.
Mr. Kingsbury remained on the home farm till his
marriage, which was in his twenty-eighth year. He
j married. May 7, 1822, Sally, daughter of Eleazer and
Lucy (Battelle) Everett, of Franccstown. Her parents
were also from Dcdham, Mass., and were from a some-
what noted family, of which Edward Everett was,
I jjcrhaps, the most famous member. Her grand]iarents
on the maternal side were Ebenezer and Prudence
(Draper) Battelle. On the paternal side she is descended
from Richard Everett, who was one of the original
fo\inders ot Dcdham, in Iti-Sti. The family have al-
ways been, and arc yet, a prominent one in the town,
and particularly in that part of Dedham now Nor-
wood. SL's. Kingsbury's father was an industrious
and prosperous farmer, and did considerable at lum-
ber business. When George Kingsbury was married
his father purchased a farm near the old homestead,
and George took charge of it and resiileil there about
seven years. The old gentleman then sold this place,
and George went on another farm belonging to his
father, where he remained three years, when he pur-
chased a farm of his own near the soapstone ipiarries,
and on this place he remained twenty-six years
and reared his family until his youngest child had be-
come of age. He then sold his farm to one of his
neighbors, and, jjurchasing a pleasant building site in
the village of Franccstown, with eleven acres of land
attached, he erected thereon a comfortable ami com-
modious dwelling, and here his declining years w'ere
sj)ent.
JIc was by nature and habit an energetic ami in-
dustrious man, and even after the necessity was passed
with him for hard labor he could not lay aside the
hal)its of a lifetime, but was continually active in
beautifying and inii>rovinghishome and surroundings
uplothe lime ofliis death. Hewasaman wlioaltended
strictly to his private business alfairs, ami had no andii-
tion to hold oHice or mingle in public adiiirs. He was,
theoretically and practically, an earnest friend of the
cause of education. IFis own children he kept incon-
stant attendance atthe academy in tlnir nativi' lown,
an<l when money was needed for any purpose pertain-
ing to the e<lucational inleresis of the commnnily he
was always among the (irst to respond. For nuiny
years, during more than half Ihc bitler part of his
life, he wius an earnest member ol llie Congregational
Church.
He had six children, —
Harriette N., marricil Sylvaiuis .lewetl, a Presby-
terian dergynum, ami had one daughter, Hattie
Newell, who only lived lobe four years old.
George, marrii'il Betsey .\. Hyde, of Franccstown ;
resides about two miles from the village, and is a
prosperous farmer. They have three children, — ( icorge
1
302
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Albert, married Sadie M. Heald, and is now manu-
facturing ice in De Land, Fla. ; Warren, married
Ella A. Wagner (they have one child living; they re-
side in Diiquoin. 111., where he is in trade); Henry
L., abuildinc iiintractor, niarrii'il Nellie H. Stevenson
(they have (inc child, and reside in l>e Land, Fla).
Sarah E., resides at home with her widowed mother.
Hannali F., died in infancy.
Caroline H., now the widow of H. F. Blakeslee, of
Illinois; he was a machinist, and his .son George has
followed in the same occupation. She has four chil-
dren, — three .sons and (me daughter. Their children
were George, married Mary R.Holt (has three children
and resides in Duquoiu, 111.); Mary E., their daughter,
married John L. Hidmes (he is in trade in Chicago,
and hasone son) ; Frank A., another .son, is in school ;
and Willie Everett, the youngest, lives at present with
his mother in DiKpioin, 111.
Mark .lustiii, the youngest of the children, enlisted
in the Fourth Illinoi^ Cavalry, United States Volun-
teers, September ;">, 1861, and served through the war,
participating in numerous engagements, among
others, Shiloh, Fort Donelson and Fort Henry. He
was mustered out in IHCA, and afterwards became pur
ser on the United States transport steamer " Colonel
Cowles," and died while inthis employ, .\pril 12. ISti.'i,
He was an heroic .soldier, a true and devoted son and
an intelligent, cultivated man. When in the service
he always refused a ftirlough, on the principle that
married men who had wives and children to look after
should receive whatever favors of that kinil there were
to be granted. His early death was a severe blow to
his aged parents. His remains rest on Dauphin Is-
land, Mobile Bay. George, the elder brother, was also
a soldier in the War of the Rebellion. He enlisted in
the Eighteenth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry,
September 27, 18()4, was in the siege of Petersburg,
etc., and served until mustered out at the close of the
war.
George King.sbury, Sr., died October 14, ISfili,
aged seventy-four years, eight months and fourteen
days.
HISTORY OF OOFFSTOWN.
BY A. F. fARIi. M.n
CHAPTi; i; I.
Geographical — Tho First iSetttoniPiits — Naiiiea of Pioueers — Orifiinal
firant — Narntgai)M>lt Xo. 4 — The Miuuiiian claim — Grant of Goffs-
towii— (ViiiditioiiB of Grant — Thu Malting Itusinci^ — The Maatiug
Troiil.lin— Thi' King's Shirllf— Inri.liiil.
The town oflioH'stowri lii-s in the northeastern part
o( (he comity, iiml is li(iiiiiik'd as follows: North by
Merrimack County, cast by Merrimack County and
Manchester, soutli liy Hcdfonl, and west l>y VVeare
and New Boston.
Kihnund Burke, tlic great Englisli statesman, once
remarked that "they who never look hack to their
ani'estors will never look forward to posterity," and
there Ls great appositeness in the remark. He who
never sutlers his mind to revert to the past, its actors
or its story will care little for the welfare of the fu-
ture. He is supremely selfish who gathers the har-
vest without one thought of him who plowed the
swanl anil sowed the seed, or ujjward unto Him
whose sun warmed and whose rains watered it, and
whose care watched it tliroiigli each successive stage
of its growth.
It is natural and commendable to look to tho.se who
have gone before us ; they toiled through the sum-
mer's heat, winter's cold, and we are reaping the
benefit of their labors; they hewed the ancient woods
away and left us these clearcil fields, ready for the
plow, the seed and the harvest. Tbcy were ready to
do all and to sutler all that they might jdant a garden
here in the wilderness. They called no man master,
and the germ of freedom which they id.inted here !
became the imlilc liberty tree of the Hcvolutioii.
It is natural that we should wish to know .some-
thing of these pioneers of civilization, of their toiU,
of their privations, of the courage with which they
braved the perils of the wililerness, of wild beasts
anil of wilder men ; for from them is derived all that
is peculiar to the New Kiigland character, its energy,
its perseverance, its ingenuity, its hatred of tyranny
in all its Inrnis and iiianifestations.
How valuable would we esteem a diary of one of
the earliest settlers of the town ! We would like to
know what were the thoiiirhts of .lob Kidder, when
clearing the poor-house farm, when warned by his
faithful dog of the aii])roach of Indians, who fre-
quently jiassed his clearing in crossing from .\mos-
keag Falls to (Jorain Pond, when, as wjis his custom,
he retreated to his log shanty and there, with his three
guns and no other companion, he was ready to let
them pass or fight as they chose; or Matthew
Kennedy, hauling hay upon a hand-sled from the
bog in New Boston, to keep his cow and three sheep
from starving during the long winter, with no other
companion but the howding wolf; or of Mrs, Gil-
christ, a widow, who lived solitary' and alone near
where Charles Hadley now lives, who, when returning
from a visit at a neighbor's living near the old Cuin-
mings Butterlicld bouse, being u|i(jn horseback, with
her youngest child in her arms, heard the screams of
two catamounts in pursuit. Ca.sting away the child's
blanket to attract the attention of the be;i8ts and de-
lay pursuit, she clajiped one foot upon either side of
the horse and run him home, just entering the log
stable and closing the door as two large-sized cata-
mounts sprang upon the hemlock trees which formed
the corner-posts of the stable, tearing away the bark
in their efl'orts to reach the horse, which they were
unable to do, though they persevered until nearly
morning.
An insight into their every-day life and thoughts
would be most valuable; but they have passed away,
and the story of the early settlers of ( Jotl'stown, with its
startling romance and stern realities, has nearly per-
ished with them. Few materials only exist, scattered
and imperfect, in musty records and uncertain tiadi.
tioii, gathered only by great labor and antiiiuaiiaii zeal
and patience, and these, though unattended by im-
portant consecpiences, nevertheless |)os8e.ss pt>cnliar
interest, (to back a little more than a hundred years.
We are looking out from beneath the topmost branches
of a tree U|)on the summit of the Fncannonucks; far
as the eye can reach stands the primeval forest;
lliroMgh the interlacing branches of the trees we
catch glimiiscs of the waters of the riscalaquog.
Antipas Dodge, John Dinsmore, McClary and
Sessions have niadca little clearing upon thesoiith side
■.\m
304
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
of the mountain. Mr. Todd has toppled down a
few tree.s at the Moore place. Buttertield and Kohie
have let daylight into the forest a little north of .Mr.
Todd's clearing. Matthew Kennedy is one of the first
settlei-s, an<l the first white child born in town was
Samuel Kennedy, his son. He lived where B. F.
Aiken formerly lived ; we see his farm in quite a
flourishing condition as compared with his neighbors,
and there is Lieutenant Moses Little living half-way up
the Hobie Hill, with his four acres of cleared ground;
Asa Pattee has a clearing, and lives in a smart frame
house, thesmolce from the chimney of which risesabove
the trees, and is nearl)', if not the identical house,
west of Mr. Raich's ; and his neighbor, .Toll Dow, has
a fine house for the time, where .)o.scpli HadUy now
lives, while the smoke of .Tohn (xoti's chimney rises
from the site now occupied by Mrs. Artemas Whit-
ney's house. Alexander Walker, the old town clerk,
has quite a large clearing upon what is still called the
Walker place, though now owned by Lewis Sargent,
where Mrs. Walker, of Irish origin, extracts teeth,
and is the obstetrician of the settlement. They have
a numerous family, and are regarded wealthy ; but
one after another of their sons becomes di.ssipated
and involved in debt, for the payment of which the
old gentleman became bound, and he ends his days
in the poor-house or is supported by the town.
Sanmcl Blodgett has a large clearing a mile or so
from Amoskeag Falls, and is regarded the wealtliiest
man in town, as he was in many respects the most
remarkable one.
These families are scattered along the hillside, hid
away in the sunny nook, by the meadow patch or
buried among the dark pines on the banks of the
river. .An honest and, with some few exceptions, a
frugal, faithful and pious people, all foreigners or of
foreign extraction, who, in common with other settlers
of New Englanil, came here for the enjoyment of
civil and religious liberty, which was ilenied them in
the country of their birth. They sought and found
it in the country of their adoption, througii nuicli
tribulation and many perils, — perils to which men of
orilinary will would have succumbed ; perils which
the brave heart can alone encounter and come oft'
victorious ; perils from whii'h there was no escape l)y
day, and which the night only served to magnify and
to fill with more gloomy forebodings. Men toiled and
worshiped with their rifles by their side, and the
mother, when she laid her children down to sleep,
knew not but their slumbers would be disturbed by
the war-whoops of the merciless savage. For one
hundred ami thirty years, including the early settle-
ment of this town, the Indian wars, with but brief
intervals of peace, had continued.
Profes.sor Sanborn, in his "History of New Hamp-
shire," says, —
" The prowling iDdiao lurked near every dwelling ; the farmer at his
toil, the worshiper at the altar, the mother beside her enulle and the
nfant iilunibering in it were the TictimB of the mercile«8 savage ; again
and again was every town in New HanipBhire visited and the atrocities
of former years repeated.
"Tile men cultivated their fields with arms at their sides or within their
reach, the women and children shut themselves np in garri»-»ned hoijses
and, Bometimi's. when their husbands and sonshad V»ei-n murdered, hero-
ically defended themselves. Nn night passed withruit p<wling sentinels ;
DO day without careful search for concealed foes. It was iniiwssihle to
eiyoy the meagre comforts which fire and slaughter haii spared. Their
very dreams were terrific, because in them the scalping-knife seemed to
tla^h before their eyeti, and the war-whoop resound in their ears. To most
men a premature death would have lieen preferred to such a life. It was
one long, protracted agony of apprehension, alarm, terror and suffering."
Judge Smith, of Exeter, remarks that, " drawing a
circle round this village as a centre, twenty- five miles
in diameter, the number killed and made captives by
the Indians within it was, during a period of forty
years, seven hundred." In 1710 the lirave Winthrop
Hilton fell while at work in his own W(Jods. He was
regarded as the most fearless of the brave, the most
venturous of the daring, and his death was universally
regretted by his townsmen. His sharp, black eye and
long, bright gun struck terror into the hearts of the
savages. They thirsted for his blood.
In 174r> the State of New Hampshire sutlercd from
an Indian inviusion, when all the horrors of the former
Indian wars were revived and renewed. The frontier
towns of Keene (then called Upper Ashuelot),
Swanzey ( Lower Ashuelot) and Concord (then known as
Pennacook)sufl'ered, besides many other towns, which
were visited and some murders were committed, houses
burned and harvest.s destroyed. No man walked
abroad unarmed ; it was unsafe to leave the stockade
to milk a cow or feed an animal.
Robert Walker, being in the habit of trapping upon
asmall stream in the neighborhood of Hiram Tirrell's,
noticed upon several occasions that furs had l)een
taken from his tra]>s, and one morning, while jiassing
down this stream, being upon land formerly owned
by Hadley Stevens, he espied an Indian taking aim at
him with his gun. Walker waited a moment, calcu-
lating about the time he W(mld pull the trigger, which
he did. and (lro|iping at the critical time, the ball
from the Lidian's gun ]>assed over his head. The
savage gave a whoop, supposing that liis shot had
been fatal to Walker, and rushed towards him for bis
seal]) ; Walker sprang up, brcmght his gun to his left
shoulder, fired and killed him. Being fearful that
other Indians were near, he started for the garrison
immediately, but afterwards visited the scene, and
found where the Indian's ball had struck, and judged
that he did not drop a moment too soon to avoid being
hit. Walker's gun was fixed for a perstm shooting
from the left shoulder, a place in the breech being
hollowed out for the cheek, and the identical gun is
still in e.xistence in that neighborhood.
The territory now known as the town of ( iotistown,
in connection with six other townshii>s, was granted
by the Great and General Court of Ma.ssachusetts, in
1728, to the soldiers, or heirs-at-law of the soldiers,
of the King Philip or Xarragansett War, which
ended full fifty years before the grant wii.s made ; so,
[irobably, very few of the soldiers were then living.
OOFFSTOWN.
M05
III .luue, 1733, it seems these griintces, in number
"'lit I'ighl liiind red anil fori y. met on tlietown ei minion
Hoston lor the purpose of diviiiinjr, ei|uitalil_v, the
lanil tlius jriven to tliem. They Ibrmeii tlicniselves
into seven sei>:iriite soeieties, and eaeh soeiety organ-
ized and chose an executive committee to hjok after
its interests, wlio met by appointment in Boston on
the 17th of Oetolier, 1733. The iuiml)ers who of tlic
several townsliips, from one to seven, were (ilaeed in a
hat and successively drawn. (iolLstown was drawn as
Narragansett No. 1, and was thus called for a nuui-
ber of years.
The territory of New Hampshire was granted to an
English naval officer by the name of .John Mason,
who, after spending large .sums of money upon his
L'ltmt, dieil in KiSo, without realizing any benefit
iruiii his investment, leaving his landed estate to
Robert Tuftoii, upon condition that lie should take
the name of Miison.
.Massachusetts unjustly claimwl the entire ])0sse8-
gion of Mason's grant, and in 11)41 assumed the gov-
ernment of New Ilampsliire, and, linding that she
could not make good her claim before the King in
Council, she very cunningly adopted the plan of
granting townships to actual settlers upon the land
thus claimed, .so that the fee in the same should be in
the people of Massachusetts. Souhegan East (or
Bedford). Souhegan West (or .\niherst), Narragansett
No. 4 (or (iollstowu), Kuiiiford (or Concord), liakers-
town and Tyiigstown (or I'miliroke), were eaeh char-
tered upon this plan.
When the controversy was settled between Massa-
chusetts and the heirs of ('aptaiii .lohn Mason, com-
monly known .IS the M:u<oniau proprietors, the latter,
establishing their claim, made a grant of the town-
ship of (iotlst<iwn (tiotl'e is the Celtic for ymith) to
Rev. Thomas I'arker, of Dracut ; ('olonel Sampson
StiHldard and .John Hutterfield, of Chelmsford ;
Joseph Hlanchard, Hoberl Davidson, .lohn Coombsaiid
James Karr, of Dunstable ; .Fohn (iolle and .loliii ( iolfe,
Jr., James Walker, .Matthew I'atten, .lohn Moore,
Timothy (Jorlise, Thomas Farmer, Zaccheus Cutting,
Samuel I'atten, Alexander Walker, all of Souhegan
East (or Hedford) ; Thonuis Follcnsbee, Joshua Follens-
bee, Caleb I'aige (who cleared and settleil upon llie
Abrani Huzzel placi'), lieiijaniin Hiihanls, (previous
to the expedition against I'orl William Henry ten
sachems had been dispalehid by the Freneli as mcs-
BCUgers to the northwestern tril)es, to invite them to
become the allies of the French. In conseiiuencc of
this summons a tribe, called the Cold Country Indians,
appeared at the siege. Hy these cannibals many of
the [irisoners were slain and eaten, 'i'wo of them
seized a lad named Copp and were leailing him away
by the shirt-sleeves. Mis cries caught the attention
of Benjamin Kichards, who was a bold, athletic man, —
one of the Uangers enlisting from tioH'stown — who
rushed aller them and snatched away the boy,
leaving the shirt-sleeves in their hands. Colonel
Bailey was pursued by these savages and ran bare-
footed through the woods to Fort Edward, a distance
of til'teen miles, and thus escaped being roasted.
Colonel Rogers' brother, Richard, who was a captain,
dicil of small-]iox a few days before the siege of F'ort
William Henry), Peter Morse and Caleb Emery;
John Dow, Peter Flarriman, of Haverhill (afterwards
a soldier in the French and Indian War ; was at the
sacking of Quel)ec, and subseinicntly settled upon
the place where Stillman Merrill now lives — 1883);
.\braiii Jlerrill, lienjamin Stevens, .lohn Jewell,
Ephraim Martin, Natlianiel Martin, Aaron Wells,
Caleb Dalton, all of a place called Amoskeag ; James
.\dams, son of William Adams, William Orr, Job
Kidder and .lohn Kidder, of Londonderry ; William
Read and Robert Read, .lames McKnight, William
Ciimmings, all of Litchlield ; Samuel (Jreggs, Edward
White, Esq., John White, all of Brooklyn ; which
grant was made at Portsmouth in the month of De-
cember, 1748, upon the following conditions and limi-
tations, viz. :
"Tliiit the whok^ tract, savin;,' !ln' piirtiouhir tracts hereinafter men-
tioned, be divided into sixty-eight shares, or rights, and each sharo or
ri^lit l>e laid out into three distinct hits, and nunibored with the same
number on caeli of said lots the number Ite^in with one and end with
sixty-eight ; that one of tl»e said shares be for the tirsi minisler of the
liosiwl, who shall be settled on said tract of himl hereby granted, and
shall remain there during his life, or until he shall be regularly dis-
missed, to hold to him, his heirs and luwigns, and one other lot or share
for and towai-d tlie support of the Gospel ministry forever ; that two of
the three lots that shall belong to each share shall contain one hun-
dre<l acres each."
But without quoting further, it goes on to stale
that the minister's lot shall be as near the meeting-
house as possible, and that another of said shares be
reserved for the use of the propriiHois, the grantors
of the said premises and their assigns forever; that
seventeen of .said shares be exonerated from paying
any charges towards a settlement and not hehl to the
conditions of the other shares until improved by the
owners, or some one holding and improving under
them; that within one year from the time of draw-
ing each owner of a share shall have a house sixteen
feet square, with a eliininey iiiid cellar, upon one of
his lots, and some person living in said house, and
four acres of land inclosed, cleared and fitted for
mowing and tillage : and in two years have four acres
more cleared and tilted for mowing and tillage; anil
in three years have four acres more cleared, making
in all twelve acres from the time of drawing.
No small amount of labor with onr present facili-
ties of doing business, and at that time it must have
called forth all of their hardy strength and endurance.
And furthermore, "that the .settlers, within three
years from the time of drawing for shares, build ti
meeting-liouse lit for the worship of ( Joil, for the use
of those who shall then or subscipienlly dwell within
said territory of Uolfstown, and after three years
from the time of the com|>l(>tion of said house shall
constantly maintain public worshiji of God therein.
That eiuh owi.er nfibe said forty-eight shares shall, at
306
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NKW HAMPSHIRE.
or before the dniwiiifi; lur lota, pay the sum of thirty
pounds, old tenor, including what they have already
paid, towards tarryinf); on the settlement, to be depos-
ited in the liands of such persons as the owners shall
choose, to defray the charges of surveying ami laying
the land out into lots, building a niecting-hnu.sc, sup-
porting the gospel for the first six months, laying out
highways, etc.
" That all white pine trees growing on said tract of
land, fit for his majesty's use in ma.sting the Royal
Navy, be and are hereby reserved to his majesty, his
heirs and successors forever." This was likewise a
condition of the charter of incorporation, and many
a mast has Gofi'stown furnished for the royal navy.
But, luckily, to the conditions herein stated, through
the bravery of our forefathers, we are not at this day
liolden. The event of the Revolution etlaced all titles
of royalty.
The school lot was near the Samuel Robie farm ;
the minister's lot at Deacon E. P. Sargent's, or where
William Hopkins now (1883) resides; the lot for
the sup|)ort of preaching near Walker Little's.
Gotl'stown in tbrmer years atlbrded a vast quantity
of lumber, and in the time of royal surveyors, deputy
surveyors and agents were always appointed to pre-
vent waste in the King's woods. Masts of great size
and extra quality were cut upon the Piscataquog and
its branches for the royal navy. The stump of a
pine-tree is now, or was a few years ago, upon the
Jonathan Bell farm, where a yoke of ''six-foot " cat-
tle were turned around upon its face. The tree was
so large tiuit it could not be drawn off, and Captain
Kliphalet Richards said " it took about all the rest of
the wood growing upon an acre of ground to burn it
up." But if they bad let it remain until this day,
there are those who would have removed it, sawed it
into planks, made it into sashes and doors and had
them in houses in Australia in about the time they
were burning it up, — such now is the excellence of
machinery and the power of steam. Yet had we of
this generation forests to clear, Indian wars to fight,
the Rcvolutiim to pass through and a government to
establish, it is doulitful whether we should have had
the steamboat, railroail, electric telegraph and tele-
phone to boast of as the inventicms of the nineteenth
century. Arts never flourish in time of war, and
invention is all directed to the production of more
efticieiit weapons for the extinction of the human
race.
The masting business was so important that troops
were repeatedly ordered out to protect the mast-men.
The ofliceof surveyor of the King's woods was holden
by Governor Wentworth, wlio had his deputies in
all places where the pine grew in plenty. These
deputies were the cause of a great deal of vexation
and trouble. The owner of the land, before he com-
menced cutting, was under the necessity of employ-
ing a deputy surveyor to mark the trees upon the
land reserved for the use of the King, and if he ne-
glected to have his land thus surveyed, from inability
to pay for surveying, or other cause, and proceeded to
cut his lumber, the same was forfeited to the King.
In this way, whole mill-yards of lumber got out by
the settlers for building their houses and liarns,
were often forfeited. The Governor would ride
past the mill in a coach, stop, and order the broad
arrow to be marked upon each log, and the same was
the King's. After this mark -f, the owner or mill-
owner dared not touch a log. They were then adver-
tised and libeled in a Court of Admiralty, and sold at
public auction, and the proceeds over and above ex-
penses went into the King's treasury. But, something
like official transactions of this day, if the proceeds
of sale covered expenses, it was not inquired into
very much, especially if the Governor stood well with
the King.
In the New Hampshire Gazette of February 7, 1772,
a large lot of lumber was advertised as being seized
in this way at Richard's, Pattee's, Dow's and Rowle's
mills, in Gotl'stown, and Clement's mills, in Weare (at
the Oil-JIill village, at the mill formerly owned by
Christopher Simons). Such seizures made a great
many patriot-s ready, by revolution or any other way,
to change a government so annoying.
On the 13th of April, 1772, Mr. Whiting, King's
surveyor or sherift' of Hillsborough County, and a
Mr. Quigly, his deputy, of New Boston, proceeded to
Clement's Mill to serve an Admiralty writ upon one
Mudgett, who lived at the Oil-Mill village. Mr.
Whiting made the arrest, but Mr. Mudgett suggesting
that he would furnish the necessary bail in the morn-
ing, the sheriff' and his deputy went to Mr. tiuigly'a
tavern to put up for the night. Meantime the fact of
the arrest got noised about and a mo.st lemarkable
bail was got up. In the morning some twenty or
thirty men, with their faces blackened, rushed into
Whiting's room, who, seeing their intention, seized
his pistol and would have fired had he not been seized
himself and disarmed, and most gloriously pummeled
by the incensed lumbermen, two on a side holding
him up by the arms and legs, while others crossed
out their accounts of certain logs, hauled and forfeited,
upon his naked back, tiuigly, his a-ssistant, showed
more fight, and was secured only by taking up the
ceiling over his head and beating him with a long
])ole thrust down from the garret. After stirring him
up with the aforesaid long pole and beating him to
their heart's content, he \v;is secured, their horses
were led to the door, and amid jokes and jeers of the
populace (their horses' tails, manes and ears having
been cut oft") the woe-begone ofliicers were assisted
upon their backs in no gentle manner ami sent off.
This was a high-handed outrage and ill-brooked by
the sheriff, who was disposed to have things his own
way. He proceeded to Colonel Gotl'e, of Bedford, and
Lutwiehe, of Merrimack, who, at his request, ordered
out the posse comitatus, and armed with mu.sket8
marched to the scene of the outrage, but the rioters
oorrsTowN.
no7
had tied to the woods. Ouc of them wiis subse<|ueiitly
found and eommitted to jail. The War of the Revo-
lution soon after eominfr on, Mudfrett and "his bail"
escai>ed |iiiiiishnient,and the all'air in a few years was
looked upon as meritorious rather than otherwise.
The old meetinir-iamp was a little way from .foseph
Hadley's house, or between Hamilton Campbell's and
Mr. (Jrant's. One hundred oxen were kept there.
There was another eamp about a mile from this. A
man, by the name of McAfee, onee, in the spring of
the year, crawled upon his hands and knees from one
camp to the other, for which he was to receive a beaver
hat, whieh was not paid. .Alfred Story'.s grandfather
onee saw a monstrous mast drawn down the Piscata-
quog River by one hundred oxen, and when near
where the Dow bridge now stands the sled cut through
the ice, but was pulled out and taken down the Mast
roail to the Merrimack and probably went down the
river to Boston, and so on to Loudon for the royal
navy.
Old Cai>tain Elii)Iialet Richards said "that lie
bought the tind^er upon ten acres of Parker's inter-
vale for one buiKlrcd iloUais, and the masts and timber
were so thick upon it that he was obliged to haul a
large portion away before felling the whole. There
waji not room enough for them all to lay without lying
upon each other, whieh would make it inconvenient
to gel them off."
.•Vnother condition in this grant was (and it would
have been well if it had never been anniilU'd, or rather
that it had been revived after the Revolution and
continued to our day), viz., — "That no hindranee to
the free pa.s8age of the fisli be placed below the crotch
of the river, so called, or wlu-re the stream branches
off to New Boston and W'eare."
[t is a shame that a few mill and factory-owners,
by not being eompcdled to build fish-ways, should
keep back from (mr streams so much excellent and
healthy food as the sea-fish, which were accustomed
to come up here am! spawn, all'ord. The salmon, shad
anil alewife ought still to inhabit our streams a part
of each year. During the early settlement of our
town they constituted an important source of food.
One of the (ddest inhabitants of this town, who died
9 few years ago (Captain K. Richards), said that the
galmon collected together in such nundjers in tlieScjUog
Oppositi- Mr. Wliilricy's, in what was and nowiscall(Ml
the Deep ll<ilc, that the noise tlicy made liy slapping
their tails upon the water as they were forced aliove
the surface by the pressure of tho.se beneath, that
gome men who were working near the river thought
that the Imlians were crossing, and only dise<ivered
llie real cause when reconnoiteriug more closely, to
make lertain before spreading the alarm of "In-
dians!"
The same person used to tell of the great snceess
lie ha<l in catching salmon just above Dow bridge,
where the Indians, in olden times, cut a handle in the
side of a large rock to help tbem diiidi its sleep face
from the projecting part where their feet stood. (Thi.s
handle was broken off by William Merrill, when a
wanton boy, throwing a stone.) Mr. Richards said
they took three barrels of sahnon at that place in one
day.
So important were the fisheries at .Vmoskeag that
in the grant of this town the Legislature of Miissa-
chusetts reserved such quantity of land as was deemed
I)roper by the court for the fishery. People at the
present day can form no |>roper estimate of the abun-
dance of fish that swarnu'd in the Merrimack and its
tributaries. The river, rivulets and brooks in the
spring of the year were literally full of salmon, shad,
alewives and eels. These fish were so plentiful as to
be used by the Indians and early settlers as manure.
Mr. Richards said "that he manured the land upon
the east side of the village with shad and alewives,
jmtting one shad or two alewives into each hill of
corn, and had an abundant crop." It was a very
stimulating manure, and, like guano, impoverished
the land in time. The Indians called the lantl worn
out in this way "souhegan, or sougheganisb." Ale-
wives ran up the small brooks and were thrown out
by women and children with shovels and pieces of
bark; cart-loads of them were caught in weirs and in
the Merrimack in seines and nets. In the Xeic Hninp-
shire Gazette, May 23, 1760, the following item, under
the editorial head, appeared and was copied in a Lon-
don paper: "One day last week was drawn by a net,
at one draught, two thousand and five hundred fish
out of the Merrimack, near Bedford, in this province.
This was thought remarkable by some peo)de.'' In-
deed, so numerous were the salmon in those days that,
in imitation of an old Scotch custom, when boys were
apprenticed to any trade, one of the special conditions
in the indenture was that they should not he obliged
to eat salmon oftener than three times a week. We
should not object to this now, especially if the salmon
was fresh and a few green peas were added to the diet.
The wish was that meat would last until fish came.
The iliet of the inhabitants has very much changed
since those primitive days. Porridge, sainp-broth, hog
and hr)miiiy, with now and then the steak of the deer
or black bear, constituted the staple dishes alter the
fishing season was over. One reason, it is suppo.sed,
why those who built dams across rivers were not re-
i|uireil to build fish-ways was, Ibat when food could
be obtaituil so easily it caused a great deal of idleness.
It is related of a unin in Litchfield, who cnissed over
the river to do a day's work in the town of Merrimack,
which is just op)iosite, thai his employer, Mr. Me-
(iaw, inciuired of him if he had been to breakfa.st.
He nuide ratlii'ran ecpiivocal re|>ly. saying that lie ate
three little shad before be started, but did nol eonsiiler
it niueli of a lireakfasl for a nniu going to a day's work.
The |iotalo wiw not generally known to the early
settlers. It wils first introduced by men from Ixm-
doiiderry, who came here from that town, and it.s value
as an article of food was not understood for several
308
HISTOHV OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NKW HAMPSHIRE.
yearsafterits introduction, riununer Hadley's father
raised one year three l)arrels, and it was the wonder
of the whole town what he was going to do with .-so
many of them. This vegetalile seems to have been
introduced into New England hy the Scotch-Irish,
who settled in Londonderry. It is reported that one
of these settlers ga\e a few tubers to a gentleman of
Andover, Ma.ss., which he planted, and which grew
in great lu.\uri;incp, proilucing balls. These he cooked
in various ways, but could make nothing of them, and
it was not until the spring, when the plough passed
through the hills, that he discovered his mistake.
The grandfather of .Alfred Story made a carriage by
cutting down a crotched tree, hewing the butt down
to a spire, and pinning a few pieces across the forks to
hold the meal-bags on, or other articles he might wish
to transport through the woods. This answered a
very good purpose where there were uo roads and
many fallen trees to get over. After they built high-
ways cart-wheels were made of the cut of some big
log with a hole in the centre dug out for the a.xle.
Some men in town may remember seeing .such.
Game was very abundant in this region. Piscata-
quog is said to signify a good place for deer. Judge
Potter, in his " Histoiy of Manchester," says that the
Cedar Swamji, situated in the east part of the town, was
famous for deer, moose, bear and sometimes the cata-
mount. Also the lynx, fisher, beaver, otter and a
species of panther, called by the Indians bmcasoux,
of a bluish color, like the Maltese cat, were found
here. It still inhabits the deep forests of Canada, and
's regarded as a very fierce animal. Several years ago
John (lilchrist's son saw a catamount feeding upon one
of his father's cows in the vicinity of the Yakem Hill.
It was afterwartls killed in the town of Lee, and when
seen at Manchester, after it was killed, it weighed one
hundred and eighty pounds. It doubtless lived
along the Uncanoonuck, Saddleback, Pawtuckaway
and other mountains. The young man who kilted it
wiis out hunting foxes; his dog drove it up a tree near
his father's house. The boy went up to the tree
and saw the formidable animal, and immediately
proceeded to his father, who was ploughing in a field
near by, for help. The old man could not believe that it
was anything larger than a house-cat and told the boy
to stay and plough and he would go down with his
goad-stick and kill it. The boy besought his father to
go with him far enough to know where he was if he
got killed in the encounter, wliich he was fully deter-
mined upon. This he consented to do, though all the
time thinking his son's eyes had magnified the |iro-
portions of the animal. Armed with his double-bar-
reled-gun, the boy approached very near the tree, in
the fork of which the catamount sat watching the dog,
when it was attracted towards the young hunter by
the breaking of a twig beneath his feet. It immedi-
ately crouched for a spring ; at that moment the boy
fired, aiming between the eyes, and none too soon, for
the leap of the catamount carried him within a few
feet of the boy, and the way he made the leaves and
brush rty, being blinded by the shot, convinced the
old farmer that it would take something more than
his goad-stick to (juiet him. The other charge fnun
the gun gave him his "([uietus," as the first had pen.
trated to the braiu through the eyes, both of whirh
were put out, or he probably would have lived long
enough to have done mischief. People will remember
the number of dogs, calves and sheep killed about
here that year. Two hounds near Charles Hadley's
were killed while in pursuit of the catamount.
The bears were very numerous in this vicinity in the
days of the first settlers. Ebenezer Hadley, father of
Captain Peter E. Hadley, who first settled upim what
is now known as the Teal i)lace, lost a hog weighing
near three hundred pounds, and found it near
Mr. Whitney's with its shoulders eaten up by the
bears. He afterwards moved upon the place where
Charles Hadley lived, in 1859, and hearing one of his
hogssiiuealing, he ran out, and found a bear trudging
" oti' with it in his forepaws, and the liogsi|uealing out
foul play" with all his might. Within the recollec-
tion of Caj)taiu Peter Hadley, the sheep suUered from
the ravenous wolves. A three-days' hunt was usually
sufficient on the part of an ordinary hunter to supply
a whole neighborhood with deer, moose and bear-
meat. It was remarked by an old gentleman, who
died about 1850, that within his recollection there
were more deer in the town of Weare than there were
sheep at the time he made the remark.
It was upon the southern bank of the Piscatacjuog, '
about ten miles this side of New Boston village, in
the twilight ofa summer evening, nearly oni- hundred
and eighty years ago, that the renowned warrior and
hunter, .loe English, was resting after a weary day's
hunting. His two long guns, elaborately ornamented
with brass nails, and well loaded with three balls, were
carefully placed away in the hollow of a tree, which
was still alive and growing, that they might be pro-
tected from the dampness of the approaching night.
Joe had not been upon good terms with his tribe, be-
ing suspected by them of giving information to the
whites of any hostile intention they might entertain,
and they were determined to kill him, if possible.
Something attracted Joe's attention and he discovered
three Indians creeping upon him. Without a moment
to spare, he set off at the top of his speed for his
stronghold upon a hill now known as Joe English.
With the quick wit of an Indian, fimling the
chances of escape against him, he slackened his pace
until his pursuers were almost ui)on liini, that they
ndght become more eager in the pursuit, and so he
prolonged the chase until near the top, when he
started oft' with great rapidity and his pursueiv after
him, straining every nerve, hoping to take him alive.
As .Joe came upon the brink of the precipice (which
every one hius observed who has passed the southern
side of the hill,) he leaped behind a jutting rock, and
' waited in breathless anxiety ; but a moment passed,
4
GOFFSTOWN.
309
I'l the hard hrt'atliiiifr and incasiired, but light, foot-
• |is 1)1' his |iursu<r.s werr heard, and another moment
.\ Ith a sereeeh) their chirk I'orms were rolling down
lit tearful deelivity, to he left at its base food for the
iingry wolves. Thenceforth the hill has been known
- "Joe Knglisli," and welldid his constant friendship
• the Erifillsh residents deserve so endurinj: a nionu-
. lit. .loe was killed not long afterwards near Dun-
cble, and the grandfather of Charles Kj'der's wife,
iilierof Deaeon James Cochran, found the guns many
• Mrs afterwards in the same hollow tree, each loaded
iih three balls. They were kept in his family, and
iiipiently used, and were esteemed excellent guns,
iiid are still in New Boston, and were traced out afew
irs after by the writer.
Joe English was the grandson of the sagamore of
\ gawani (now New Ijjswich), whose namewas Mascon-
•mel. He came to his death while conducting
1 h'utenant Huttcrfield and wifeto Pawtucket (or Dun-
ible), the story of whose death is familiar to many of
.■ old inhabitants. Lieutenant Mutterfield was the
■ at-great-grandfather of T. 11. Huttcrfield, and was
.i prominent man i?i his day both in war and in peace.
A very large catamount wiis killed by a man named
Parker upon a little stream just below Eliiathan
Whitney's. Parker was a hunter, and left the house
of Mr. ('arr, who lived there then, and wjis walkingup
the stream Just before sundown ; it had become (piite
dark in the thick woods, when he saw directly in his
path y cou|)le of very brilliant eyes. Without stopjiing
to imiuire to whom they belonged, he levele<l his gun,
fired and ran back to Mr. Carr's. The ne.xt morning
he foun<l the animal with a ball in his brain. Another
was kille<l by Messrs. Patten and Walker, of Hedford,
upon the west side of the Uncanoonuck, not a great
way from the residence of the Widow l.,each (18r)9).
They wen' hunling, and their little eurdog drove one
up a tree. As lliey appmacheil the tree and discov-
ered the character of their game. Walker says, " .'Vs 1
am the best shot, I will fire first," wliieh he did, and
missed his mark. Patten waited for Walker to load,
and then fired, bringing thebeast down badly wounded,
when Walker terminated its lile with his hatchet.
Walker kepi the tail as a tro])hy.
The Kennidy family, who were among the first sct-
ilers, <anic from the garrison at Bedford, and cleared
their farm, reluming every night for fear of the In-
dians. They built a small grist-mill, which would
crack up a few bushels of corn and rye every day, and
which proved to be very convenient for the early set-
tlers of this town. The stones of this mill lay in tlii'
brook upon .Mel >ouga It's farm, and are about two feet
in diameter. They can still be seen (1859) in the
brook a little .south of the new road running from ]
Joseph McPoell's place to Ricduirdson's, about the ,
miilille of the Andrew McDougall farm. . lodge I'ot-
tir tells (his story, " Not long alter the selllement of
this town, (teneral Stark, then plain Mr. Stark, or j
Captain Stark, crossed the river from Herryfield, or
'Manchester, with a frien<l from down below, as Boston
w;is usually called, lo hunt in the Cedar Swamp for
deer. Stark stationed his friend in a good place, near
the deer's run f)r path, and fearing he might be
troubled with the 'buck ague' as the dog drove along
the <leer, he placed himself a short distance from him
upon the same run, so in case his friend should miss,
he might liave a shot himself He had but just got
placed when he heard in a subdued voice, 'Stark I
Stark ! come here !' Stark, supposing that he had
discoveredamooseordeer, replied, ' What do you see?'
'The devil,' answered his friend, and immediately
came the report of his gun. Stark rushe(l forward,
and there, almost at the feet of his friend, lay a huge
catamount in the agonies of death, while his friend
was deliberately loading his gun. Discovering the
animal among the lowermost branches of a tree, his
fierce eyeballs glaring, his tail la.shing the limbs, he
had called Stark to come to his assistance. Startled
at his voice, the catamount pre])ared to leap upon
him; but the hunter was in time, and idaced a ball
very handsomely between his eyes, notwithstanding
which this powerful animal made a bound of thirty
feet toward his intended victim. Upon viewing the
scene. Stark thus expressed his satisfaction of his
friend's qualities as a hunter, 'AVell, I guess you'll
do!'"
Building highways, encroachment upon the unap-
propriated lands, the neglect of the committee chosen
in 1752 to build the meeting-house were the princi-
pal articles acted upon at the proi)rietors' meeting up
to the year 17l!l, when (ieorge III., by the grace of
< tod. King, defender of the faith, etc., etc., by and with
the advice of trusty and well-beloved Benning Went-
worth, Esq., Governor and commander-in-chief of the
province of New Hampshire, declared to be a town
corporate, to have a continuance until the 25th day of
March, 17l>3, to be known by the name of Gofi'stown.
.lohn Gofi'e, Escj., was appointed to call the first meet-
ing, at which .\lexander Walker was ajipointed town
clerk, and held the office twenty-six successive years.
John Goffe was the most renowned Indian hunter
and fighter upon the frontier in his day. He was a
man of marked character, and for sixty years was
identified with all the stirring scenes of the most ex-
citing period of our country's hist<iry.
Stark, Rogers and Shute served under him through
the Indian and French wars, and during the War of
the Revolution he was almost constantly in the pub-
lic service, and though the military teacher of such
men as Stark, Rogers, Ifa/.en and Stevens, at Amos-
keag, he resembled, in many respei-t.s, the brave Col-
onel Haviland, of the British army, who every Sab-
bath held religious meetings in camp, and conducted
them himself, and whose soldiers were known as the
"saints." Colonel (ioll'e frequently conducted relig-
ions meetings, and it is said of him thai he wa.s apt al
exhortation ami prayer. He wius al Fori William
Henry, which siirrenderiMl toihe French, where eighty
310
HISTORY OF IITl.LSROROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
out ol' two luiiidie<l olthe New Hampshire Regiment-
were niurdeieil by the ludiaris, iiiifl where Thomas
Campbell, William Caklwell and .losiah Warren, of
New Boston, barely escaped witli their lives, and who
celebrated their escape ever after durin;; their life-
time, meeting in turn every year at each other's houses.
Rogers, the pupil of Gofte, was a most unscrupulous
character. Old Mr. Shirley used to relate an anecdote
of him, illustrating this trait. Rogers, Stark and
Samuel Orr, of this town, were up in the vicinity of
Baker's River (called by the Indians .\squaniehu-
mauk ; near by is Moosilauke, a place where moose
live, according to the Indian dialect. John Patch,
one of the tirst settlers of the town of AVarrren, often
had twenty-five barrels of moose-meat in his cellar at
a time), hunting, in time of peace, with the Indians.
One afternoon, while the three (Rogers, Stark and
Orr) were sitting in their camp, three Indians called
upon them and remained with them until a little be-
fore sundown, when they departed. Not long after
they left. Stark and Orr missed Rogers, who was gone
so long that they began to have apprehension of his
safety ; iiut aVmut midnight he returned and carelessly
threw into one corner of the cabin the scalps of the
three Indians, whom he had tracke<l and slain. Stark
reproved him for killing these Indians in time of
peace. " Oh! damn it!" says Rogers; " there'll be war
before another year ! " Rogers' father was mistaken
for a bear, when approaching the camji of one Stin-
son, somewhere in Moutolonghny, a part of Dunbar-
ton, and was killed, — the second man buried in the
town of whom there is any record.
The next meeting was warned to meet at the barn
of .lames Carr. One of the articles in the warrant
was to see how much mimey the town would raise to
hire preaching. The whole auKjunl of money assessed
in 1763 w-as .£1006 lis. 6d., old tenor or old currency,
one-half of which .Job Kidder was to collect and Wil-
liam McDoell the other half.
The records of the town present U]i to this [leriocl
the usual ditiioilties under which all new settlements
labor before they get the machinery of government
to operating well, and before they obtain the comforts
of the older towns. The most talked of seems to have
been in FoUansbee's not building a mill over Harry
Brook.
Samuel Richards i)roposedto build one ovcrPiscat-
aijiiog River, and leave a free pa.ssagc for the fish.
But this proposition was not entertained, as it was
believed it would hinder the fish from passing up,
and thus destroy an important source of Ibod.
In fixing a locati<m for a meeting-house, there
.seems to have been as much difficulty as in our time,
showing that human nature is about the same in every
age. They voted at first to have it built upon the
south side of the river, — in the words of the record,
"on the convenientest place in the crotch of the
roads as they lead from the bridge to the Mast road."
.\ protest was entered against this in the following
November, signed by twenty individuals, on account
of its being too far from the centre of the settlement.
The location was finally agreed upon, and a vote
taken to have it comjileted in one year.
This was not carried into effect to the letter, for it
was many years before the house was finished, and,
long after, articles were in the town warrants for meet-
ing " to see if tlie town will vote to sell any more pew-
ground, and if they will appropriate the money from
such sales towards finisbing the house." In the sale of
" pew-ground " probably we are to understand that
each purchaser may have such a portion of the floor,
and build the pew himself; but concerning this we
know not.
CHAPTER II.
GOFFSTO WN -( Continued).
War of the Revolution — First Action of tin* Town — Voted to Purchase
Stock of Gunpowder — f\i|)tain JoBliim Martin's Company — First Com-
mittee of Safety — Liwt of .Soliliers— Inrident.s of tlie War.
Thkke was an article in the town warrant in 1774
to see how much money the town will vote to hire a
schoolmaster for the present year. But before the
meeting the startling news of the battle at Lexing-
ton had evidently reached this retired township,
and it was voted to ajipropriate it to the purchase of
a stock of gunpowder, anil to omit raising any money
for schools or preaching.
Three half-barrels of gunpowder, two gross of fiints
and three hundred pounds of lead assigned to Thomas
Shirley to purchsise at Exeter, and a like quantity to
Captain James Karr, at Cambridge. This was stored
beneath the ]iuli)it, or, as some understood it, in the
big sounding-board over it, — the meeting-house being
a central place of rendezvous, and perhaps to obey to
the letter the old Puritanic injuction, which was to
" Obey (tod and keej) your powder dry."
When the news of this battle reached (Jollstown it
sjni^ail like wildfire among the settlers. Almost to a
man, they left their implements of husbandry wher-
ever they happened to be using them, and hurried
to the place of rendezvous, and a company under
Ciii)tain Joshua Martin was speedily enrolled and
marched to the seat of war.
In a neighborhood about four miles I'rom here, con-
sisting of three families, three men were engaged in
hauling and piling wood upon a piece of burned
ground, when a messenger brought the news of the
battle. The three started immediately to their houses
for their guns. The wives of two of the men .seized
hold of them in their anxiety and besought them not
logo. "Oh!" said the men, " we must ilefeud you
at a distance; it won't do to let the British come
here." They had but one horse between them to
carry their provisions, and upon which, as they be-
came tired, to ride occasionally. In the evening after
their departure these women met al the hou.se of
GOFFSTOWN.
311
Mrs. ( 'aniphell, the most resolute of the three (the
great-jrraniimother of Hamilton Campbell); very soon
there was weejiing. '"Oh I we shall never see them
again; they will all be killed." " Pooh I " said Mrs.
Campbell; " 1 would not care what the devil became
of them, if they had only left the old marc." This
raised a langh, as well as their spirits.
The females partook largely of the Revolutionary
spirit, and (ioli'stown ladies cast bullets and made
cartridges, and were always flistinguishcl for habits
of industry. Karely would one enter a house without
hearing the hum of the spinning-wheel or the stroke
of the loom. \]\ articles of clothing were of domestic
manufacture. The wool and fla.\ were grown, carded,
spun, woven, ccdored and made into garments at
home. To use foreign goods wais considered ex-
travagance. For several years their clothes were not
even fulled.
In 177.'), Alexander Walker, Captain .lames Karr
and ('aptain Alexander Todd were chosen, with the
selectmen, a Committee of Safety, as recommended by
the Continental Congress, convened at Kxeter. In
177l>, .lames Eaton, Knoili Sawyer, ('aptain .losi'ph
Little, Moses Wells and .loshua liuswell constituted
this committee. In the following year the town was
canvii8.sed by Samuel Richards, Joshua Martin and
Thomas Shirley, to ascertain what each man had
done in the (^)ntincntal service in the war. It was
voted this same year that the selectmen provide a
stock of gunjiowder, lead and flints. .\ motion was
also made to have the selectmen ascertain what had
become of the guns taken by this town of the State,
and stopped at Cambridge by order of fJeneral
Washington; but the motion did not prevail, suppos-
ing that they were in good hands, and doing good
service for the cause. It was also voted to [lay -Vraos
Richards and Samuel Carr for taking two deserters to
Londonderry, and also to pay Samuel Kennedy for
pork he let the men have who went to Concord
battle. Samuel Blodgett presented his bill to the
town this year for services as selectman, amounting to
fifty pounds, and for four hundred and eighty-two
miles travel, and for removing several families sick of
small-pox, — all of which he begged the town to ac-
cept. (Juite a liberal present.
In I77X there wjiii an article in the town warrant,
" To see what course the town would take to procure
four men for the Continental service." A committee
was appointed to procure four men or go themselves.
This vote was subseipiently reconsidered, the com-
mittee not liking this summary manner of enlistment,
and Moses Little, .Vlcxander Gilchrist and Robert
Mc( iregor were chosen a committee to canvass tlic
town again, and see what each iidiabilani had ilone,
and appraise it at xtn true value, in order that a proper
and just assessment might be made for any future
service called for.
Gofl'stown furnished its full ipiola of soldiers to the
ConlincMlMl Mrniy.
The following is nearly a correct list of their names.
There may be a few omissions, but it is the be.st rec-
ord that can be obtained, and probably the most
accurate. Tho.se marked with a star (*) were killed
or died in the service :
I'aptait) Satiiiiel Riclmrds, Ltoutotmnt M«*«*s LittU', l.ii>ut«naiil Timo-
thy Hlako, Kiioign .leBS** Carr,* .\utifia« Hodj;*', IchnlKHj Martin, Timo-
thy Mtwihirt'. T^nilwii Kiddor, otieil McLaiie. Loudon MclJn'gorie, .Joseph
Marsh, Davirl M.;Cluri5, Pavid McCIure, .Ir, Rotiert Spfar, John Dins-
more, .\lexander Gikhrigt. RoU-rt (Jilchrist,* Roln-rt (Jilchrigt, ,Tr.. .lohn
Sea*ion8* and wife, liiciilt^nunt I'liitlip Forrin, AU-xaoder McD'wll,* in
iKttli want (the Kren<'!i an<l Indian^ and died while returning fri>m the
War of tile Revolution to his lionie ; William MiPoell, ,lr., James Mc-
pherson, .lohn 3rcFon*on, .Tohn Todd,* Collins h^aton.* Jonah Woods,
.lohn Little, .lohn tiilmore, Matthew Kennedy. Andrew Newell* (killed
at the evat'iiation of Tieouderoga), Elea/.er Kmerson. Seth Wymau,
Satnnel Diinlap, Saniuel^Reinirk* (wounded at Itenniugtoi). and hronght
home by Captain E. Richards, with two other young men), Timothy
.lohn&on, .Samuel Barr, John Woods, Edward Woods', Samuel Smith,
I>avid Stevens* (brought home sick, wounded, and died), Uenjainin
Stevens, Jr., Ward Clark, Nathan ilawes. Amo** Kicliards. Eliphalet
Kieliards, Simon Flanders, Charles Sargent, I)avid Hursiel, Keuhen
Kemp, Robert McGregorj-, William Houston, .lesse Dickey, Isachar King,
John Butterfield, Jonathan Hell, John Bell. Nathaniel Stevens. Ezra
Mynick,* .loshua Wilson, .bthn Mct'lintock, .loshua Bell. Beujainin Case,
.Vugiistus rjeorge, Joseph Hadley.* Mc.VlIister,* William Wilson. John
Brown, Daniel Andrews, James Kendrick, David Richardson, James
Walker, John Georgi', Samuel Eaton, Thomas Saltinarsh, Silas Wells,
William Kemp* (killed, together with .Viidrew Newall, while on a scout-
ing party from Fort Independence), Ebenexer Ferreu, Thomas Shirley,
Joshua 3Iartiii, Elijah Kidder, .lacoh Sargent. Samuel Orr* (wounded in
the leg near the knee, which is usually fatal) and Stewart Stars. ;' enlnred
man, — seventy-four in all.
Thirteen were killed or died of disease in the ser-
vice. Many of them returned honte with painful,
though honorable, wounds.
Colonel Moses Kelley mustered a part of these men
into service, and was out a short time himself.
Several were at the battle of Hunker Hill and a
iiuuiber continuetl through tlic \\:n\ Caplaiii
Eliphalet Richards, then a boy of seventeen, Nathan
Ilawes, not ipiitc tifteen, Amos Richards, Roberl
Spear, Charles Sargent, Reuben Kemp, Samuel
Remiek, Samuel Dunlap, William Houston and .lohn
Butlertield were at Bennington. Butterlield had seen
service in both w'ars and was a resolute soldier. The
others leaned upon him for support and encourage-
ment. .Mr. Richards related that al the battle of
Bennington they were inarched up lo where the
Hessians were entrenched, and, like all fronlienneii,
took to a tree a.s a protection against the bullets, timl
comineneed firing at the heails of the enemy, when-
ever they raised them over the logs. There were six
of the (iollstown boys behinil a tree, anil Ilawes was
s(|uatting in a hollow in the ground, made by the up-
rooting of a tree, loading and firing aa fast iis he
could; but very soon the enemy's bullets began to
cut the twigs anil leavi^s all around him, when he
leapedtip, exclaiming, "Condemn it. Life. 1 can'tstaml
litis," and got behind the tree; but in a ment an
otiiccr roile U|> anil ordered them lo r/iart/e, so, with a
shout, they rushed forward, Butterfield leading. The
enemy rted, and in the charge the (iodstowii boys got
separated.
Hichards, in heaping the breast-work, saw a much
312
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROTTGH COT^NTY, NF;W HAMPSHIRE.
better gun than the one he carried lying beside a dead
Hessian, whii-h he exehiiiiged for his own, and car-
ried it through the remainder of the battle, and took
it home with him, and afterwards sold it to some shoe-
maker then living in town, forever after regretting
that he had not ke])l it as a ineniDrial of ihc tight.
t\iihanl.s and CharlcsSargcnt kept together, and when
following the retreating Hessians, one of their bag-
gage-wagons passed near them ; they both drew up
and fired, and one of the horses drojiped dead ; the
driver immediately jumped down, cut it loose and
drove on. "tf,".said Mr.llicliards,"I{utterfield had been
with us, we should liave captured the wagon ; but we
were both young and stopped to load our guns before
rushing on." Hawes kept with Kutterfield, and in
going through the woods came suddenly upon three
stalwart Hessians, grim in their tall bearskin caps;
Hawes lliought it was all up with him and began to
cry; Kutlcrtield motioned them to throw down their
guns ami suneiider, when, no sooner were their guns
tliniwn down, llian Hawes drew a bead upon one of
llirm anil Ul drive ; but Butterfield caught the motion
in time, and knocked the muzzle of his gun u]i, and
Ihc bullet jiassed harmlessly over the Hessian's head,
who expressed his satisl'action with nuiny grimaces,
imitating Hawes and the way Butterfield saved him,
whicii afterward artbrded merriment to tlie boys from
this town when seated in the evening around their
camp-fire. They would make the Hessian, as every
new-comer dropped in, go through with his descrip-
tion of the manner in whicli Hnltcrfield saved him
from Hawes' build.
Previous to this battle Stark had become disgusted
with his treatment by Congress, and as New Hamp-
shire sympathized with him, at the time Congress re-
ceived the news of the battle it was about reading
this State out of the Union. Of course there was a
" 'bout face," and each member .started upon the
" double quick " with his nose for the back track.
Thus the boys of ffoflstown participated in one of the
most important engagements which took[>lace during
the war, previous to which Ihc tide of battle was
Howing disastrously to the American arms. Hiirgovnc,
with an army of ten thousand veteran troops, boasted
of his ability to march through the centre of our pos-
sessions and form a junction with the southern depart-
ment under Cornwallis. So sanguine were the Brit-
ish officers of this that shortly after the alfair at
Hubbardstown, (ieneral Frazer said to three .\meri-
can officers, |)risoners of war, who were embarrassed
with their Continental money, " Here," pulling out a
handful of guineas, " take what you choose ; give me
yournote; I trust to your honor to pay nie at ,\lbany.
for we shall f)robably overrun your countrv and I
shall meet you there." They took, upon these condi-
tions, three guineas each. This wiis before the battle
of Bennington. Not long after, October 7, 1777, this
same (ieneral Frazer Avas opposed to the American
Rifles, under Morgan, who could never endure a defeat.
It was in vain that Morgan drove him from one posi-
tion to another ; Frazer, upon his iron gray steed, was
forever rallying them and bringing them back to the
front. Morgan became excessively chafed, as he was
wont to be when victory long remained doubtful, and
seeing, as he did, that it was only through the power-
ful influence which the oiticer upon Ihe iron gray
exercised over them that the British soldiers could be
brought back to face the deadly shots of the Ameri-
can Rifles, he suffered himself, in the heat of the
combat, to give an order, which no one in his cooler
moments regretted more than himself. Riding up to
three of his best shots, he exclaimed, pointing to the
officer upon the iron gray, " Do you see that ofii-
cer?" "Yes." " Well, don't letmesee him much lon-
ger; the success of the American arms is of more con-
.seqiience than anyone man's life." The three riflemen
sprang lightly into the lowermost branches of a tree,
and as the tide of battle flowed in their direction, the
three rifle-shots were heard, and Frazer, the brave and
generous soldier, rides never more the iron gray to
battle.
"Tlie lightniiiK may tljish aiiit tlui tliiimifi- may r.illlo,
He heeds not. he heHi-!i not ; he's free from iiM pain.
He tiIoe|>s his hist sleep, be hH8 fought his hist hattle ;
No go\indcan awakt^ liini to glory again."
The British grenadiers immediately broke after the
fall of their leader, and fled to their entrenched camp.
The notes were never paid. The battles upon the
]dains of Saratoga soon followed, and that army of
ten thousand veteran sohliers, under the most ac- ^
complished general of the age, surrendered to the
American (xeneral Gates, — a result which the
battle of Bennington led directly to, and, indeed, so
much s]>irit did it infuse into the breasts of the de-
sponding patriots that it was little else, ever .-iricr, but
one series of victories.
The American arms triumphed, and to Stark and
his brave New Hampshire hoys forever rests the
honor of heating back, at Bennington, the first re-
fluent wave of Ihe Revolution, which shortly left ns
upon the high ground of l/ibcrty and Union.
Hiisign .lesse ICarr, whose father first settled the
Elnathan Whitney farm, died of small-pox at Crown
Poitil. < >iir of the idd inhabitants, Mr. Shirley, used
to say that Karr was the best built man in town, that
he was a fine-looking soldier, and exjiected home, to
be married to a young woman, on the very day that
they received the news of his death. The young
woman referred to (1859) died here in our midst at a
very advanced age. Weeping in her cdd age, as she
was wont to in her youth, the untimely tiite of Ihe
young ensign, and though she had freipient offers of
marriage— as her family was of the best in town — in
her younger days, she refused Ihem all. and died "
faithful to her first atfection.
" Nor wo!ild she change her Imried lt)ve
I'or any lieart of living mould ;
No ! let the eagle change his plume,
COPl'STOWN.
313
Ttn- leaf its hue, the flower iu blLxmi,
Hut tieMunmuil lier Iienrt were gpnn
That couM not, would not Ite undone."
C'lilliiis E:iton and Anilrew Newell witi' killed in
passing throiifili a |)lace called the "Cedars," some-
wliiTr in New .Icrsey. They were killed by the
Inilians, who had secreted themselves in the trees.
Collins Eatim liveil in the Deacim P^phraini Warren
house. Eleazer Emerson was killed at the I'vaciiation
of Ticonderoga. Some one saw him l)y the roadside
with his leg broken.
.loshua Martin was a .soldier iu the French war, and
also served during the War of the Revolution. He
W!is a member of a eonijiany of Hangers, under the
celebrated Captain Rogers, in the old war, and in an
attack from a party of French and Indians near Lake
Champlain, .lanuary 21, 1757, was badly wounded in
the hip.
Rogers and Stark had a great many wounded in this
action, and killed of the enemy one hundred and
twelve, beside taking many prisoners. On their retreat
to Fort William Henry, while cro.ssing the first nar-
rows of Lake George, xindju.st as the sleighs had come
to their relief from the fort, they were looking back
upon the ice, and observing something black following
them at a distance, supposing it might be one of their
stragglers, a sleigh was sent back for him ; it proved
to be .loshua Martin, of G<iirstown, the grandfather of
the present Joshua Martin (18o9). His hip-joint had
been shattered by a shot which passed through his
bodv also, being in a crouching ]>osition when it was
received. He was left for dead on the field of battle,
hut hail revived anil followed his comrades' tracks to
the lake, and after that kept in sight of them. He
was .so exhausted that he .sank down the moment the
relief reached him. He was taken to the fort, recov-
ered of his wound, served through the war and died
at an advanced age. His escape seemed providential.
On the night of their retreat the Rangers made a
circuit to avoid a large tire in the woods, supposing it
to have been made by the Indiana, not being in a con-
dition to renew the fighl. This detour caused them
to lose time, so that ^Martin, who had kindled the fire
to warm himself, wiis enabled to follow and get in
sight of them on the lake ; otherwise he must have
perished.
Joshua Martin was a son of one of the earliest set-
tlers of this town. They were originally from what
was called llarrytown, and had a ferry aiTOSS the
Merrimack River, known now as Martin's ferry. His
father died when he was young, and his mother used
to run the ferry-boat herself, and could manage it
very well. Joshua and his older brothers obtained
their su|)piirt |princi])ally by hunting and fishing. It
is related that the boys once went up the brook nj)on
the east side of the river in a deep snow, in hopes of
finding some deer yarded in the swamp near the head
of the brook, taking no other weapon than an ordinary
cho|iping a.\e. Upon entering the swamp they met
with a large track of some kind of an animal, and, fol-
lowed it up; in a short time they came upon acata-
mount beneath a hemlock-tree, gnawing at a deer it
had just slain. Instead of running at the first sight
of the animal, they determined to attack it. The ani-
mal showed no intention of leaving its breakfa.st, and
no .signs of being disturbed, save an occasional whisk
of its tail upon the snow. The young men, after some
consultation andsonie signs of fear upon the part of the
younger, commenced operations. The younger with
a club made a feint of attacking the animal in front,
while the other with his axe crept up in the rear of
the catamount, which kept busily gnawing the bones
of the deer with more fierceness, and, at intervals, as
they approached, he lashed the snow with his tail, and
throwing it in the air as if stirred by a fierce wind,
at the same time giving vent iu a low, deep growl, still
gnawing at the dead deer, when the oldest boy dealt
it a blow with his axe, breaking its back-bone, and
Joshua dealt it some vigorous blows with his club,
which soon dispatched it, when it was hauled home
in triumph.
Jo.shua w!Ls <|uite a lad then. He had often heard
his brothers relate tales of hunting and adviMiture
exhibiting their courage, and before he was fairly in
his teens he told his mother that he would like to see
a bear. "Pooh!" said his mother, "you would run
at the sight of one." " I guess not, mother," the boy
would say. So, one evening, to test Joshua's courage,
she threw a l)carskin over her, and, imitating as well
as she could the rolling gait of the bear, she burst into
the house, and by the dim firelight looked tor all the
world like a veritable bear. Joshua was a good ileal
surprised, as well he might be; but sei/.iiig a pitch
|)ine knot, with one crack he laid the old woman out
as stitt'as a maggot. She ever afterwards had a pretty
<;i)iid iipiiiioii iif .loshua's courage.
C n A I'T KK 111.
GOFFSTOWN— (6'«n(i;i.ie</).
Bilucatiunal— WitclicrufI— McUregor'B liriilge— Dinllnguinheil hjirlv S.>1-
tleni— Lawyeni— I'liysloiniiH— Siiiniiel l)lo.lgell- Karly CuHtoius.
Tllic inhabitants of Goflstown have never been dis-
tinguished for their attachment to educational interests
among themselves, or in the community at large. We
can .show a much larger list of graduates Irom the
bloody battle-fields of the Revolution and the sub-
sequent wars than Irom any institution of learnini;.
The first money designed to be apiiropriated lo ilie
em|iloyment of a school-teaciier was used for the
purcha.se of gunpowder and lead, and we have often
thought that the boys of the present time would be
the last to tind fault if sueii a disposition of it now
should be nuide. This is wrong ; there is no good
reason why Gofistown should be behind other towns
314
HISTORY OF IIILLSBOllOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
in the list of her educated men. We have material
enough, keen, shrewd and active minds; all that is
wanted is encouragement and opportunity. Tlie early
settlci-s, in carrying on their lumbering operations,
II led all of the help they could muster, and when
luniliiig in the fall they must take the boys with thcni,
so that they solduni saw the inside of a schonl-hoiise,
and Uillworth's spelling-book looked more formidable
to them than the black bear or tawny catamount.
The.se boys grew to manhood, practical men, without
fully comprehending the advantages of education,
and considered that they were discharging their wliole
duty to their ciiihhen by giving tliem a little better
opportunity for education than they enjoyed them-
selves.
Yet, notwithstanding these disadvantages, the gen-
eration of which we are speaking presents some ex-
amples of a most extraordinary business talent. In
fact, for enterprise and business, the men of (loftstown
have always occupied the front rank. They look al-
ways to the main chance and the shortest cut to
reach it. Pretension, show and charlatanry never
prevailed here. This distrust of the utility of new
things, though mainly a jiraiseworthy trait, has som<>-
times in our history atlbrded considcraljle amusement.
There are people now living who remember how
those opposed to the innovation of having the meet-
ing-house warmed by a stove perspired on the first Sab-
bath after it was put up, and how rapidly they cooled
oft' when they discovered there had been no fire
kindled in it during the clay, and the stove iiad never
been connected witli tlie funnel. Before this fact was
known they became so heated and were so sleepy
that the preaching did them no good. It was amusing
to sec the martyrdom they endured wiping the sweat
from their faces.
The epidemic of the Salem witchcratt barely entered
the town. There were arrests made of two women for
bewitching two men. One was tried before Esq. Mc-
Gregor and the other before Dr. Gove and Esq. Dow.
Both, to the hoiiorof the intelligent magistrates, were
acquitted.
Kobeit McGregor, .son of the Kev. David McCiregor,
of Londonderry, settled in (iotistown in 1777. He
volunteered his services and joined the trooi)S must-
ered in New Hampshire under the ccmimand of Gen-
eral Stark, and wa.s appointed his aid-ile-camp, which
oflice he filled at the surrender of Hurgoyne. He wa.s
very energetic ils a merchant and business man. He
was proi)rietor and projector of the first bridge which
crossed the Merrimack lliver on the site now occupied
by the Old Central bridge.
Many in those days were incredulous as to the
(iracticability of the enterprise. Among tlie.se was
his neighbor, .John Stark, who lived upon the opposite
bank of the river, who remarked to him, "Well,
Robert, you may succeed, but when the first passenger
crosses I shall be ready to die."
In .sixty-five days, however, from the time when
the first stick of timber was felled in the forest, the
bridge was opened for passengers, and the general
lived for many years to cross and recross it.
It was called McGregor's bridge. McGregor was
one of the original proprietors and directors of the
Amoskcag Canal, of which Samuel Plodgett, another
of the celebrities of (loft'stown, was the projector,
which was one of the earliest works of the kind in
this country. McGregor resided in Goflstown many
years, and his farm on the Merrimack embraced a
large ]ioition of the land and water-power now owned
by the .Vnioskeag Manufacturing Company.
Among the most distinguished of the early settlers
of this town, were Sanuicl Blodgctt, Mo.ses Kelley,
Colonel tiofte, Samuel Richards, Asa Pattee, John
Butterfield, Thomas Shirley, James Karr, Matthew
Kennedy, Joshua Martin, William McDoell and the
Poors. There was a Mr. Worthley who was one of
the first settlers, and lived near where David A.
Parker afterward lived, near the cove, so called, but
was driven off by the Indians. He afterward returned
and was again disturbed, and moved to Weare, and
settled near the Cold Spring, and is buried with his J
wife near there.
The following is a list of the lawyers who have
resided and practiced law here :
.lolm (.'luve, gi-ailuated :it Dartiiunith College iu 17'.l'i, read law with
AVilliam (Jordon and practiced ben- until l.SO:j.
Thomas Jameson, graduated at Oartmouth 1707, read law with John
Harris and practiced law here until 1S13.
.Inuathan .\iken, graduated at Dartmouth (College 1S1:I, read law with
Josiah Koi-siiith and practiced until 1S38.
Josiah Korsaith, graduate*! at Dartmouth College, read law with J. B.
I'pham and Caleb Kllis and pr.icticed until 18*2.'{.
David Steele, gniduated at Dartinoiilli College ISlS, and practiced law
here until bis death.
.lohn H. Slack, graduateil at Darlmouth CoHege 1H14 ; here a short
time.
Charles F. liove, graduated at Dartmouth tVdlege 1S17, practiced law
here until 183'.), and read law with J. Forsuith and at the Dane Law
.School.
Samuel Itutlertield.
George W. 5Iorri&jn, rem! law with I*. W'est, Jr., commoQced pmctiee
at Coflstown, 1837, and moved to Jlancbesler in I8-i9.
John Steele, reail law with hit. lather and commeni'ed pnu;tice with
him iu 1801, entered the New llami»sbire Cavalry in Imo:{, servoil through
the war us Hret lieutenant, returned at the close of the war and died io
18tia.
There have been fiir physicians: Dr. Webster, Dr.
C'ushing, Dr. Jonathan (xove, Dr. David L. Morrill,
Drs. .loliii and Ebt^ne/.er Stevens, Dr. Walkers, Dr.
Wrights, Dr. Reiiolds, Dr. l>osby, Zih.i Adams, Drs.
Daniel and John Little, Dr. Flanders, Dr. Carr, Dr.
Newhall, Dr. Charles F. George and Dr. Frank
Blaisdell.
Dr. (iove was considered to be the first physician in
this .section of the State. Dr. Morrill was Senator of
Congress aii<l (iovernor of the State, also :i minister
of the gospel, and altogether a man of talent.
Perliaps one of the most distinguished of the early
settlers of tlie town Wiis Samuel Blodgett, who, in
many respects, was a remarkable man.'
■See History uf Maucheuter.
GOFFSTOWN.
316
The first sc-ttlers of Ootlstown were very industrious obliges us to state that not one of the jruests present
in their liabits ; they had no public amusements, but
when it was convenient they used to assemble at each
other's houses and have a social meal and a good time
discussing the news which each one had picked up,
as there were no newspapers then. Every member of
the family attended these fratherings, the cliikiren
amusing themselves with games suitalile to their ages,
the mothers taking care of the youngest, and in the
mean time plying the knitting-needles or sewing, and
sometimes, when much hurried, bringing the cotton
and wool cards with them, while the men usually
made their appearance about four or half-past four
o'clock, and at five o'clock all partook, after invoking
the Divine blessing, of a bountiful supper, wliieh the
good housewife had previously prepared.
Now, a supper in those days was a pretty substantial
meal and was usually given the lirst of winter. First,
early in the day, a big spare-rib was hung by a stout
string before the blazing fire, and projjerly turned and
basted by one of the younger girls, until it was beauti-
fully browned and cooked through to an " iota," not
a particle of it charred or scorched, when, meeting the
mother's approval, it was removed to a convenient
place to await the time for setting the table; then, with
some steaming hot potatoes and gravy, the first course
was ready.
Potatoes were considered quite a " nobby " dish in
those early days, few families having them, the brown
loaf being the usual substitute, and was* seldom miss-
ing from the table, even after potatoes became
abundant.
The second course was a monstrous chicken-pie,
upon the making of which all the good housewife's
culinary skill had been exhausted. As large a milk-
pan as could possibly be crowded into the mouth of
the oven was covered with a crust, made out of home-
niaile wheat-dour finely sifted as possilile. which, with
l)lenty of butter, was made nice and flaky. Covering
the bottom of the pan first, then lilling in the chickens
properly cut up and duly moistened, salted and but-
tered, a top crust wa.s adjusted; a second and third
one followed, each a little less in diameter than the
first ; then a row of stars and hearts, artistically or-
namented with a trunk key, the centre of the crust
having a h<de sudicieiit for the escape of the e.xtra
steam and moisture, and altogether giving forth such
an appetizing odor, when removed from the oven to
the table, that not a man or woman of thorn all
refused to have their square wooden trenchers (which
Were used instead of plates as now) bountifully filled
up with chicken-pie, and all pronounced it delicious,
refused to have their trenchers filled with the
pudding, and to have a cup of tea, which. Aunt
Huldah affirmed, was made strong enough to bear a
fiat-iron up. This tea, which was not an every-day
luxury, had the eft'ect to loosen every tongue, and
conversation never flagged until the clock struck
nine, which was the usual time for starting home.
"Then there was gathering in hot-ha.stc the stee<l,"
and each one was soon on the way home, pronouncing
it a delightful time.
But such a bountiful repast was not always pro-
vided. An old man many, many yeare ago related
that a play-mate of his father's younger days
came to his father once much excited, exclaiming,
" Charlie ! you must come over to supper at our
house to-night; we are going to have the best supjier
you ever heard of." "What can it be?" said Charlie ;
" do tell us right away." " Rye-doughnuts, fried in
lamprey-eel grease, by crackec; what do you say to
that?" "I'll be there," said Charlie. And sure
enough, with the maple molasses to dip them in, it
was no small job to fry them as fast as a half-dozen
big, hungry boys could make way with them.
CHAPTEK IV.
G OFFSTOAVN— ( Continued).
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOKY.
f'ongregatiomil Chiircli — Baptist rhurch — St. JIatthcw's Clnirch (Epis-
copal) — Methodist Kpiscnpitl Church.
Congregational Church. ' — This town was settled
in 1741 or 1742, and was chartered June 17, 17C1. The
peoi)Ie at that time were, as in all New England towns,
a church-going people. It was considered disrepu-
table to bo habitually absent from Divine service on
the Sabbath. Accordingly, wo find that as soon as
possible after receiving their charter, measures were
taken to secure the ministrations of the gospel. At
the first animal town-meeting, held at the barn of
Thomas Carr (where the meetings were convened for
many years), it wa.s " Voted, that one hundred pounds
be raised for preaching," and Deacon Thomas Karr
and Asa Pattce were appointed a committee to expend
it. It was also "Voted, that half the preaching be at
James Karr's and the other half at John Smith's."
It is probable that all the public religions services of
that day were held in barns, as we find by a vote in
JIarch, 171)3, that it was the will of the town that the
preaching for that year be at James Karr's barn. At
"just the nicest and most flaky crust they ever did ti,p g„njy meeting one hundred pounds was appro-
see." And our ancestors did not fib. | p^iated for prea.hing. At the annual meeting March
How they ever managed to find room for the | 5_ ]7,;4 tl„.^,(. i,j„„ire,l ,,„unds was:ippr<.priated, and it
pudding, which succeeded the chicken-pie in ngular ,^.j^ "Voted that two hundred pounds bo preached
order, must be set down as one of the lost arts, which
has never been transmitted down to us dyspeptics of
the nineteenth ceuturv; but the truth of hist<irv
21
1 rnntriltiitotl )>>' It<'V. SiiniiK'l V. livnmXd^ tKilng imrt of a Krinnn
prcncliril \>J liliii In Guflatown, July '.), 1>470.
316
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
out at John SmithV. aiul the other one hundred
thereof lie equally divided on each side of the Piscat-
aquog River." The iie.xt year the same amount was
ai)))ro])riated, but the services were all to be held "at
Thomas Karr's barn." In 1760 the amount voted for
preaching was reduced to cue hundred and fifty
pounds, and the selectmen were instructed to expend
it. In 1767 only nine pounds was voted for this
purpose, but as three pounds was all that was raised
for town charges, it is probable that the difl'erence
was owing to the shrinkage of the currency. Two
somewhat curious votes stand side by side in connec-
tion with the annual meeting of this year, which will
serve to show the changes time and truth have
wrought. The one is " that the town support no
school this year;" the other, that it "pay for the
rum used at the bridge by the Mast fordway."
It will have been observed that the town, rather
than individuals, supported public worship at this
time. The towns also erected the meeting-houses.
The Congregationalists were the "standing order,"
and so all the tax-i)ayers, for many years, contributed
to the support of this denomination. There was a
provision, however, by which those conscientiously
opposed to this order, and in favor of some other,
could be released by the selectmen, in which cases
their taxes went to support the denomination to
which they were attached. There were many Pres-
byterians, some Anabaptists, as they were called,
and a few Episcopalians, that in this manner were
released fi-om supporting the Congregationalists. But
all voters must pay their proportion towards the sup-
port of some religious worship, and for many years
the town assessed and collected all moneys expended
for this object. Various sums were yearly voted
b}' the town for this purpose, until the formation of a
church and the settlement of a pastor, when the sura
was usually voted by the church, but assessed and
collected by the town.
The Congregational Church was organized October
30, 1771. Its records for the first ten years of its
existence were destroyed by fire many years since, so
it is impossible to give its strength or say very much
about it for that time. The names of eighteen per-
sons, incidentally mentioned, who must have been
members, have been culled from the subsequent rec-
ords; and, as most of these are names of men, it is
safe to presume that more than fifty must have been
added to the church during this period.
It is probable that a Presbyterian Church or society
\va.s formed very soon after, for in an old record-book
of the Londonderry Presbytery, lost for many years,
but recently discovered in one of the antiquarian
book -stores of Boston, is this record from the minutes
of a meeting held at Xewburyport, Mass., May 13,
1772 : " Ordered that a certificate be delivered to the
Presbyterian society of GolTstown, manifesting their
being under the care of this Presbytery." The
Presbyterians held a service, more or less, every year
in private houses and barns, but never had a meeting-
house nor a settled minister, although a certain Mr.
Pidgin prea<-hed for them some time. Very little can
be ascertained in regard to this church. In the
town records, under date of April 16, 1781, fifty-six
names of males are appended to a declaration that
they are Presbyterians. It is possible that not until
this year did they become a separate legal parish,
though relieved from paying "rates" in 1773.
From the beginning there were some Anabaptists,
as they were then called, " whose parish rates." at
their request, were applied to the support of Baptist
preaching at Hopkinton, where they attended till
1793. During this year a church of this order was
formed in town, though it had hardly more than a
name to live until it was reorganized in 1820. They
were without a house of worship till 1834, when the
present structure was erected.
There were also a very few Episcopalians, whose
parish rates were applied at Newburyport, Mass.
How often these persons worshiped in that place wc
have no means of knowing, but they hardly could
have gone so far more than once or twice in a year.
The town records have this entry under date of March
7, 1791,—" This certifies that Captain John Butter-
field hath joined the Episcopal -Society in Goffstown,
and means to support the gospel in that mode of wor-
ship. (Signed), John Smith, John Clogston, War-
dens." Under date of March 4, 1793, is this record, —
'* This may certify all persons whom it may concern tliat Mr. Enoch
Eatuu, of Goffstown, profesaes Itiniself to be a member of the Episcoital
church, now erected in said town, and luis helped to maintain the gospel
in that line for some time i^aitt, as, witness onr hands, John Pow, John
Butterfield, John Smith, William Mrl>ougal, Wardens."
From this it would appear that there was at that time
an Episcopal Church or society in this town, but I
have been unable to discover other evidence of it.
As early as 1766 the inhabitants began to move for
the building of a place of worship. At a town-meeting
held September 29th of this year, it was " Voted, that
the meeting-house be built on the south side of the
river on the convenientest place in the crotch of the
roads as they lead from the bridge to the Mast road."
This is very near where the Bai)tist Church now
stands. It was also " Voted, that the house be forty-
four feet long, thirty-eight feet wide and twenty-two
feet post," and that " it be raised, boarded and
shingled by the first day of October next." But the
question of the two sides of the river disturbed our
fathers, as it has their children, and the opposition to
this vote was so strong that the committee did
nothing. The town was also about evenly divided
upon another question. The settlers on the north
side of the river were mostly Congregationalists ; those
on the south side were mainly Presbyterians. The
latter, in getting a vote to build on their side of the
river, gained a temporary triumph. But the votes
were soon rescinded. The next July the town voted
to build a smaller house " near Deacon Karr's shop,"
which vote was rescindeil at the following March
GOFFSTOW^N.
3n
meeting in 17t)8. But our fathers eviflently were l)e-
coiuiiig wearied with tliis contention, and so at this
meeting fixed upon the location, and empowered
Samuel Richards, Enoch Page, William McDoell,
Asa Pattee, Joshua Martin, Job Rowell and Thomas
Karr to huild the house " according to their own
mind."
On the 27tli of April, I'O.S, tlie house, which most
of us remember, standing near tiie school-house at the
Center, and which was taken down in 1869, was
raised. It was not completed for several years. Vari-
ous sums were aijjiropriated from year to year for this
purpose. It wa-s occupied as a place of worship as
soon i>s shingled and boarded. In August, 17G9, the
■' pew-ground " in the body of the building was sold
at a " vendue," and the avails were used toward com-
pleting the house. The names of the purchasers at
tiuit time were Samuel Blodgctt. William Gilchrist,
Robert (iilmore, Captain .lames Karr, Deacon Thomas
Karr, Job Kidder, Joseph Little, Captain .John Maclc,
Daniel McFarland, Samuel McFarland, Asa Pattee,
Samuel Richards, Benjamin Stevens and Moses VVells.
The ■' vendue " occupied two days, and was probably
accompanied with considerable discussion. Others
afterwards secured " pew-ground," until most of the
body of the church was sold.
Tlie second house of worshij) in town was erected
in 1815 and 181(5, and was dedicated July 3, 1816,
Rev. John H. Church, D.D., of Pelhani, preaching
the sermon. It stood upon or very near the present
site of Mr. Samuel M. Christie's house. It w'as quite
a large building, with galleries on three sides, and
had a bell. After its erection services were held in
this house two-thirds of the time, the other third
being in the old house at the Center. In 184o it was
taken down and moved away.
The third meeting-house was built in 1838, which
was the <me occupied by the Methodists, and which
was struck l)y lightning and Ijurned a few years since.
The old meeting-house had become quite dilapidated
and uncomfortable, and a new one, upon which the
town should have no claim, was very much needed.
Besides this, there was a feeling on tlie part of those
living in the Center and exst part of the town that
they were not receiving so many jirivileges as the west
village, a large part of the ])reaching being at the
latter place. They were altw hoping to form a parish
of their own, and so have sanctuary privileges every
Sabbath. Their desires, however, were not realized,
and in 1842 the house was sold to parties by wliom
tlie .Methodist Church wiis organized.
During the pastorate of Rev. Isaac Wiliey, and
largely through his influence, the present house of
worship waserected.atacost of about two thousand five
hundred dollars.' It was dedicated in October, 1845,
from which time all the Sabbath services were held in
'TliU WM Ibo cut In iiionojr. IIikI liiiix iin>l liilnjr Ix-oii n-rkoned, the
amuiiut wmilil liavo boon liirguly iucroaw^ij.
this house. Its seating capacity was increased in 1869
by the addition of twenty-eight pews.
A parsonage, costing, complete, about two thousand
seven hundred dollars, was built in 1870, and a
chapel or vestry, for the social meetings of the church,
was erected in 1875, at an expense of two thousand
seven hundred and fifty dollars.
Having spoken of the houses of worshiji, we natur-
ally next come to the ministers of the gospel. A
history of the ministers of olden time is largely a his-
tory of the church over which they were settled.
There was then, on the part of church members, very
little of what we now call religious activity. Such a
thing as a layman talking religion or praying, other-
wise than in his own family, was hardly known.
About the only public expression of religious life con-
sisted in attending the two very long preaching ser-
vices on the Sabbath, being i)unctual at the commun-
ion, and presenting one's children for baptism. Upon
all these points they were very strict. The church
was, therefore, more largely than now, what its pastor
made it.
At a town-meeting held August 31, 1769, it was
" Voted, that wc keep Mr. Currier four days," mean-
ing, probably, four Sabbaths. It is likely he had al-
ready jireached several Sabbaths, being employed
by the committee for that year, and that the town,
with a view to his settlement, wished to hear him
longer, as we find that, on the 24th of October follow-
ing, a committee was appointed to treat with him in
regard to settlement. On the 13th of February, 1770,
a formal call to settle in the ministry was voted him
by the town ; but for some reason it was not ac-
cepted. It was renewed July 29, 1771, and was ac-
cepted the 17th of August following. He was to have,
as a settlement, the use of a certain tract of land, re-
served by the proprietors of the town for that i)urpose,
and £40 a year the first five years, £45 the next three
years and £50 a year after eight years. His salary
was to be jiaid, one-half in corn and the other half in
labor. He wjis ordained October 30, 1771, the same
day the church was organized. 5Ir. Currier was set-
tled by the town rather than by the church. The or-
daining council, which also recognized the church,
was com]>osed of Rev. Daniel Emerson, of Ilollis,
Rev. Henry True, of Hampstead, and Rev. Henry
Gyles Merrill, of Plaistow, chosen by the town, be-
sides five chosen by Mr. Currier, whose names are
not given. His ministry was a brief one for those
days — a little short of three years. He was very in-
temperate in his habits, and was dismissed by the
town and church August 29, 1774, without the advice
of a council. Probalily he did not care to ajipear be-
fore one.
Rev. Joseph Currier was born in .\mesbury, Mass.,
March 18, 1743; was graduated at Harvard (\illege
in 1765, and studied theology in private. After his
dismissal from this church he removed to Corinth,
Vt., where he ilied .July 24, 1829, aged eighty-six.
318
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
This town shared in the burdens of the Revolution-
ary War, t'urnisliing seventy-four men for the army,
besides hirge iiuantities of beef (thirteen thousand
pounds at one time) assigned them by the govern-
ment as its quota. For tliis reason, probably, after
Mr. Currier left, there was no stated preaching, but
only occasional supplies, till 1781. The fact that the
Presbyterians and Anabaptists had been relieved,
April U), 1773, from (tayiiig their rates for Congrega-
tional preachingmay have had somethingto do with it.
On the 27th of December, 1781, Cornelius Waters
was ordained and installed pastor of this church, the
call having been voted the 23d of August previous.
In this transaction the town had no part. The
churches in Sutton, Amherst, Merrimack, Pembroke,
Plaistow, Atkinson, Mollis, Concord, Warner, Hop-
kinton and Hampstead were invited on the council.
As preparing the way for his coming and his success
in his ministry, the church observed the 1st day of
December as a day of fasting and prayer. Rev.
Henry True, of IlamiJstead, was moderator of the
council, and Rev. Jeremiah Barnard, of Amherst,
scribe. Mr. True gave tiie charge to the pastor, Rev.
Jacob Burnap, D.D., of Merrimack, gave the fellow-
ship of the churches. Rev. Gyles Merrill, of Plaistow,
the ordaining prayer, and Rev. Elijah Fletcher, of
Hopkinton, the concluding prayer.
He received a settlement of one hundred pounds
and a salary of seventy pounds a year for the first
five years, and eighty pounds thereafter. He seems
to have been a very w-orlhy man. During his minis-
try fifty-seven were added to the church and tliirty-
three "owned the Covenant." During the latter part
of his j)astorate there were dissensions in the church.
A council was called for their settlement, but they
were not settled. A day of fasting and prayer was
appointed, but the difficulties continued. Mr. Cur-
rier was too loose in his habits, and Mr. Waters by
some was thought too strict. The lovers of ardent
si)irits were determined he should leave. So he
a.sked a dismission, which was grantc<l May 4, 1795,
after a ministry of fourteen years. To "the record is
appended the following : " Notandum Bene. The
vote accepting his resignation was passed in the east
end of the mcoting-house on the common, at the
time of the annual parish-meeting by adjourinnent,
and the church condescended to do it to quell the
violence, rage and confusion which prevailed in a
distracted party of the church and parish in the
parish-meeting." The opposition won the day, which
was all they cared for, as the leaders ceased attending
meeting or heljiing in the sujiport of worship, so
that after three years it was found necessary to expel
them.
Cornelius Waters, the second pastor of this church,
was born in Millbury, Mass., May 12, 1749; gradu-
ated at Dartmouth College in 1774. Like Mr. Cur-
rier, he studied theology in ])rivate. From here he
removed to Ashby, Mass., where he was installed in
1797 and dismissed in 1816. He continued to reside
in Ashby till his death, July 30, 1824.
After the expulsion from the church of those dis-
aftected with Mr. Waters, the sober, second judgment
of the people convinced them that they had all done
wrong. There had been much hard feeling between
the Congregationalists and Presbyterians. An un-
holy strife for members had been carried on by both
churches. A day of fasting and prayer was appointed,
and the Christian people were humbled. A vote was
passed by the Congregational Church that they would
thereafter be more careful in the reception of mem-
bers. The result, in a few words, was that a "plan of
union'" between the two churches was adopted De-
cetnber 2!>, 1801, and they became one, under the
name of the Presbyterian-Congregational Church of
Gofl'stown. The government was to be according to
the Congregational polity, with the right of appeal
to Presbytery or mutual council, as the parties might
elect.
Up to 1790 the Halt"- Way Covenant seems to have
been in use. This was an arrangement by which
adults whose outward lives were correct by " owning
the covenant " were permitted to receive the rite of
baptism themselves, and present their children for
this ordinance. We have the names of thirty-eight
persons who were admitted under this covenant. It
made bad work with religion wherever it was adopted,
as it was virtually a letting down of the bars of the
church to any who chose to come in in this way,
without any personal interest in the Saviour of sin- '
ners. This Half- Way Covenant was originally pro-
mulgated in l(jl)2 by a council convened in Boston by
the General Court of Massachusetts, to settle existing
difficulties in the churches. The reason for its adop-
tion was because at that time none but baptized per-
sons could vote. But it was adopted or was in use in
many places, as here, a long time after this reasim
had ceased to exist, so far as applied to town att'airs.
All who "owned the Covenant " could, however, vote
on church art'airs, anil much trouble was sometimes
made in consequence. It seems gradually to have
fallen into c\J8Use in this place, as, ever after the union
of the two churches, the church members regulated
their own alfairs as now, except that in the matter of
choosing and dismissing ]iastors the act of the church
must be accepted by the jiarish, as now by the
society.
Upon the adoption of the plan of union, De-
cember 29, 1801, a call Wivs extended to Mr. David
Lawrence Morril '' to settle with us in the work of
the gospel ministry," and he was ordained and in-
stalled March 3, 1802. He received a settlement of
three hundred dollars and an annual salary of three
hundred dollars. For the purpose of meeting the
desires of the Presbyterians, si.x elders were appointed,
namely, John Richardson, Jonathan Stevens, Thomas
Warren, Thomas Shirley, Thomas Kennedy and
Robert Moore, the last three having been, originally,
UOFFSTOWN.
319
Presbyterians. John Taggert and William Story
were soon after added. The ministry of Mr. Morril
v/tm. on the whole, a successful one, for he was a man
of prudence, ability and j)iety. and so won the confi-
dence of the entire coninuinity. Thirty-four were
added to the church during his pastorate. The Pres-
byterian and Congregational elements, however, were
not quite in harmony, and many of the former with-
drew in 1803. Intemperance prevailed in the church
to an alarming extent, but, to thecredit of the church
be it said, every case was met by discii>line. Mr.
Morril's health having become poor, or rather his
voice failing him, he resigned his charge and closed
his labors November 4, 1809. His resignation was
not acted upon by a council till July 10, 1811. It is
probable thai in the intervening time he occasionally
preached. From this time till the latter part of 1818
there was no regular ])reaching, although the town
appropriated for this purpose in 181G the sura of two
hundred dollars, the society the same amount in 1817,
and one hundred and fifty dollars in 1819.
D.ivid Lawrence Morril Has born in Epi)ing, .Tune
10, 1772. He never went to college, but studied
theology with Rev. Jesse Remington, of Candia. In
180.S he received the degrees of A.M. and M.D. from
Dartmouth College, and in 1825 the degree of LL.D.
from the University of Vermont. He continued to
residi- in this town for many years after his dismissal,
in till' practice of meilicine, and was moderator and
clerk of the church until another pastor was chosen.
He represented the town in the Legislature from
1810 to 1816, inclusive, the latter year being Speaker
of the House. The same year he was elected to the
United States Senate for si.\ years from March 4,
1817. He was also (jovernor of the State in 1824-2.").
He removed to Concoril in the autumn of 1S31, where
he engaged in the book traile, and wliere he died
January 27, 1849.
In 1S1() an ecclesiastical society was organized for
the support of Congregational worshij), called the
Religious Union Society, which was incor])orated
I)e<cnd»er 11, 1810. This remains until this day.
In 1819 a call was extended to .Mr. Ibisca Wheeler,
which was declined.
In the s|)ring and summer of 1819 the place was
blessed with a very powerful revival, under the
preaching of Rev. Abd JIanning. Sixty-eight were
received into the (burcb in the year 1819, the largest
number ever received in any one year. In the " His-
tory of the New Hampshire Churches," Rev. K. H.
Richardson says of this revival, " There were a few
women whose persevering prayers, in the midst of
great obstacles, were answered iti this revival of re-
ligion. TUi'V /irai/eil it into existence."
{{ciijaniin Henry Pitman was ordained October 18,
1^20, for the term of five years. During bis ministry,
in 1822, the Religious Union Society received by will
of Thomas W. Thompson one hundred and seventy
acrc> of land, the avails of wbicli were to be used for
the support of a Congregational minister. Mr. Pit-
man had many warm friends, and he was earnestly
requested to remain longer than his five years, but he
declined. He was dismissed November 15, 1825. The
followingincident occurred during his ministry, which
illustrates the ditterence between those times and
the.se : In the autumn of 1825 the Bog road, so
called, was built, and Mr. Pitman, as road surveyor
for one of the districts, had charge of a certain ])art.
Strong drink was freely used at that time, and
thought no sin, provided one did not take enough to
overcome him. On this occasion Mr. Pitman did,
and as a consequence got into a quarrel with some of
his men. But, to his honor be it said, he afterwards
sought and obtained the forgiveness of the individuals
and of the church — for the quarrel, not for the
drinking. The bibulous proi)ensities of the inhabit-
ants at that time were strongly developed. Shall I
give you the names of those licensed by the town to
mix and sell liquors that year? They were Daniel
Farmer, Robert Hall, .Tonathan Butterfield, Giileon
Flanders, Parker i*c Whittle, John Smith, E|)hraira
Warren, Daniel M. Shirley, Eliphalet Richards and
.John Little.
Mr. Pitman was born in Newport, R. I., Novendjer
28, 1789; received neither a college nor a seminary
education, but probably studied theology in private.
On leaving this place he returned to Newport, R. I.
He died March 8, 1868. I cannot ascertain whether
he ever preached after leaving this place.
It will have apjieared that there was need of a
temperance reformation in this place. "When the
enemy cometli in like a Hood," we have the promise
that "the Sj)irit of the Lord shall lilt up a standard
against him." It was just about this time, 1826, when
the temperance reformation in this country com-
menced. A few had received the light, but most were
in darkness. Rev. Henry Wood, who followed Mr.
Pitman, was a total abstinence man. He was or-
dained May .31, 1826. Through his exertions and that
of a few of the church, a vote was passed that year
di.scountenancing the use of liquor at funerals. Thiit
was as far lus they could go at that time, as rum was
used upon every occasion by nearly every person. It
was always set before the minister when he nmde his
parish calls. But so much advance had been made
un<ler Mr. Wooil that, in the winter of 1829-30, a
vote was pa.ssed by the church testifying against the
use of li<|Uors in any form, except as medicine. It is
not to be inferred from this that every member of
the church had become a teetotaler, but that the
light was breaking and the temperance cause advanc-
ing. Mr. Wood was not only a temperance man, he
was a spiritual man. whom numy with us to-day
remend)cr with teniler interest. His ministry was
blessed with revivals, one hundred and fifty-two being
added to the church. He seems to have left on ac-
count of inadequate support. He was dismissed
November 29. 1831.
320
EIISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
He was born in Loudon, April 10, 1796 ; was grad-
uated from Dartmoutli College in 1822, where he was
tutor the following year. He studied theology at
Princeton, 1.S23-24, and was professor of languages in
Hanipdeii Sidney ('iillege, Virginia, 1825, from which
institution he received the degree of D.D. in 1867. After
his dismissal from this church, November 30, 1831, he
preached three and a half years in Haverhill, five and
a half years in Hanover, edited the Congrefialional
Journal at Concord for fourteen years, preac:hed at
Canaan two years, wiis United States consul in Syria
and Palestine four years, and chaplain United States
navy from 1858 until his death, at Philadelphia, Oc-
tober 9, 1873.
On the day after Mr. Wood was dismissed Rev.
David Stowell was ordained. The ministry of the
former closed and that of the latter commenced in the
midst of a revival. It is somewhat remarkable that
all the discussions in regard to raising Mr. Wood's
salary, some of which were heated, did not have the
effect of driving away the Holy Spirit ; but doubtless
there were fervent prayers continually ascending that
He might continue to abide with them. These facts
teach this truth, — that a revival does not depend on
any one man, not even upon the minister. Mr.
Stowell was a strong temperance man, and dealt its
enemies many heavy blows.
A sermon which he preached in this place forty-one
years ago, and which was printed, is said to be a fair
example of his style. He was dismissed December
15, 1836, the cause assigned in his letter of resigna-
tion being ill health. This letter is full of tenderness
and afl'ection, and a hearty vote of confidence in him
was afterwards passed by the church.
Mr. Stowell Wits born in Westmoreland, December
29, 1804 ; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1829 ;
studied theology in private. Before coming here he
taught the Derry Academy two years. He went from
here to Townsend, Mass., where he was installed pas-
tor June 28, 1837. While there the fellowship of the
churches was withdrawn from him, on account of al-
leged misconduct. He went to Fitzwilliam and en-
gaged in farming for a number of years, and died there
March 29, 1854.
All the pastors who have thus far been named have
])assed to their reward. Most of them were good and
faithful men, though not without their faults. They
are now seeing the fruits of their labors, as they could
not see them here. In most cases the seed they sowed
was good; it was watered with their prayers and tears,
but it did not spring up till they had j)assed away. It
very often occurs that God sends one generation into
the world to sow seed, the harvest of which another
generation shall gather.
We come now to the ministry of Rev. Isaac Willey,
who was installed November 23, 1837. He was the
first pastor of this church who had ever had a previous
settlement. He came here from Rochester, where he
wiis ordained January 18, 1826, and dismissed in 1834.
His pastorate here e.xtended over nearly seventeen
years, the longest term of any.
Just after Mr. Willey 's settlement, as he was en-
gaged to preach all the time at the west village, the
members of the church living at the Center and in
the east part of the town, to the number of sixty-four,
feeling that they were neglected by the removal of the
meetings to the west village, sought letters of dismis-
sion for the purpose of forming a church of their own
at the Center. They applied to Mr. Wallace, before
he was settled at Manchester, to preach for thcni. If
we may judge from the votes passed at that time, this
request was entertained in a Christian spirit, without
any attempt to force them to remain. The result was
their petitions were withdrawn, and an arrangement
was made by which Mr. Willey was to preach one-
third of the time at their now house.
During Mr. Willey's ministry, his house, situated
where David Grant's now stands, was burned in the
dead of night, with most of its contents, and he and
his family, ten in number, were left without a shelter.
In this fire man}- of the valuable papers and records
of the church were destroyed. His pecuniary loss was
largely made up to him through the lil)erality of
friends in this and adjoining towns.
From the "History of the New Hampshire
Churches" I make this extract: "In the beginning
of 1841 a woman in the character of a preaclier
came to this town, and held meetings almost daily.
j Her hearers increased until the large church (the old
church at the Center), holding nearly one thousand
' persons, was filled. She professed no connection with
any exi.sting church, and was sustained for a time by
' persons who had V)ecn exjielled from the Congrega-
tional and Baptist Churches. In the following spring,
I 1842, more than one-half the voters in town, and
nearly all those who had never been willing to sup-
port any other preacher, came to her support. A
1 number of persons, who had made a profession of piety
hastily, were drawn off from each of the churches.
The excitement occasione<l by her prcacliing after a
few months declined,"
This event seems to have caused great fear to the
church. There was, however, hardly any occasion
for it. Had the church let it entirely alone, doubtless
the excitement would have jiassed away sooner than
it did. It sometimes requires a highly sauctilicd
human natiu'e and common sense to let such things
alone. The advice of Gamaliel to the people, after
the excitement produced by Peter's preaching, is often
worth following in these days, — " Refrain from these
men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this
work be of men, it will come to nought : but if it be of
God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found
even to fight against God."
Fifty-five were added to the church during Mr.
Willey's ministry ; but his work is not to be measured
alone by this standard. He closed his labors March 27,
1853, but was not formally dismissed till May 17, 18.54.
GOFFSTOWN.
321
He was born in Caniptou, Septeml)er 8, 1793 ; was j
graduated at DartUKiuth Colleire in 1822, and studied
theology at Andover with the ilass of 182o, and also
witli Rev. Bcnnet Tvler, D.l). After completing his
labors here he was appointed agent of the American
Bible Society for New Hampshire, retaining his home i
here until 1805, when he removed to Pembroke, where
he now resides.
A call was extended by the church and society in
1854 to Mr. Franklin Tu.vbury, but it was not
accepted.
The ne.xt pa-stor was Rev. Elias H. Richardson. He j
was born in Lebanon, August 11, 1827; was gradu-
ated at Dartmouth College in 1850 ; at Andover
Theological Seminary in 185.3. He was ordained
pastor of this church May 18, 1854, and was dismissed ;
October 30, 1856. Subsequently he was pastor at '■
Dover seven years ; at Providence, R. I., three years ;
at Westfield, Mass., five years ; at Hartford, Conn.,
seven years, and was settled at New IJritain, Conn.,
in 1878, where he now is. He received the degree of
D.D. from his n/ma maier in 1876.
Rev. John W. Ray became acting pastor April 1,
1857. He was invited to settle, but declined. He
closed his labors May 1, 1867. He was born in Ches-
ter, December 23, 1814 ; was graduated at Dartmouth
College in 1843. Previous to his coming here he
had been a teacher in Atkinson's Academy ; Man-
chester High School; at Eastport, Me ; at Merrimack
Normal Institute ; at Pinkerton Academy, Derry ;
and also pastor at Rockville, Conn. Since leaving
here he has been acting pastor at Hastings and Lake
City, Minn., being now at the latter place.
Mr. Charles A. Towlc was called to the jiastorate in
1868, but declined.
The present pastor was born in New (now East)
Alstead, July 11, 1834; was graduated at Dartmouth
College in 1858; studied theology two years at Union
Theological Seminary, New York City, in the class of
1861; was ordained pastor at Stoddard, October 2,
1861; and installed piistor of this church February 4,
1869, having commenced his labors two months previ-
ously.
.\ roll of the church from the l)eginMing had never
been kept. Within a few years one has been made,
as accurate as possible, and it now has upwanl of
eight himdn'd names. Without a doubt, it should
contain from twenty to fifty more, who were members
from 1771 to 1781, but the records are lost. The
eighteen names we have were found scattered through
the subsequent records, where reference was made to
them.
There have been seasons of revival and depression
in the history of this church. Several important re-
vivals has it enjoyed, — in 1802, under Mr. Morril ; in
1819, under Mr. Manning; in 1826-28, under Mr.
Wood ; in 1831-32, under Messrs. Wood and Stowell ;
in 18.35, under Mr. Stowell ; in 1864, under Mr. Ray ;
ami the one in 1X75. Two-fifths of all the additions
to the church from the beginning have occurred in
these years. Against these occasions of rejoicing we
must place other seasons of depression and trial, when
the hand of God has seemed to be against us because
of our sins, — when there were dissensions within and
trouble without, when the prevailing iniquity of the
place seemed to render futile all efforts to bring about
a better state of things, and when defection, intem-
perance and worldliness seemed about to rend the
church in pieces. God, having ])lanted the vine,
would not leave it to be destroyed. When its up-
rootal seemed imminent. He watched it with tender-
est care ; when the soil about it had become dry and
hard, He watered it with the Holy Spirit. It has been
with it as with the church of ( iod from the beginning;
there have been times when it seemed as though it
would die, but it has never died, — it never can die so
long as there remain in it those who are true to their
Master and to each other. We .still live because
"hitherto hath the Lord heli)ed us."
There has been progress. The advance may not
have been seen from year to year, but we can see it
now. Within the memory of those now living a
member of this church sought a letter of dismission
and recommendation to a Methodist Church, which
was met by theapjiointment of a committee to disci-
pline her. To-day we should all have said to a simi-
lar request, " Go, and God be with you."
In early times the services of the sanctuary were
very lengthy, — the two sermons were each about an
hour long, as often running over this time as coming
under. The prayers were very long, — the " long
prayer," so called, not usually less than thirty min-
utes. Between services the people went to the " noon-
ing-house," where they warmed themselves at a huge
fire of logs, and with flip and cider. Here also they
ate their brown bread, or beans, or other refreshment
they had brought with them. Here the women filled
their dishes with coals for their foot-stoves. No other
artificial heat was tolerated in the house of God for
many years, and when at last stoves were introduced,
there was, upon the jiart of the conservatives, a great
outcry. They claimed they were uncomfortable be-
cause they were comfortable, and they predicted the
judgment of heaven because of the sacrilegious inno-
vation. There were no prayer-meetings in those early
days, no Sabliath-schools, almost no books or news-
papers. The Sal>bath services furnished about all the
mental food the people had, save what they received
from the Bible.
The first notice we have of a prayer-meeting in Ibis
place was in 1826(.\ugust 16), when one wasappointcd
by the church, antl neighboring ministers were in-
vited to attend and aid in carrying it on. April 5,
1838, a monthly, prayer-meeting was established, and
June 9, 1844, it was made a weekly meeting. It was
evidently given up some time after, as a vote is re-
corded, .lanuary 7, 1847, reviving it. Let it not be
inferred there was no praying by God's people before
322
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
this, because there was not social prayer. Our fathers
did not know its power and its blessedness. They
acted according to the light they liad. Surely there
has been progress here.
The tirst notice of Sal)bath-scli()ols was in 1821,
when several were appointed in the various school-
houses of the town upon Sabbatli afternoons. Of
what the exercises consisted we have no account,
but probably of little more than the memorizing the
Bil)lo and the Catechism. When the Sabbath -school
was introduced as a part of the reguhir services of the
sanctuary I am not informed.
It maj' surprise some of you to know that slavery
ever existed in this place ; but this must have been
the case, as, September 1, 1785, '"Catherine, a negro,
formerly bclongiug to Esq. Blodgett, was baptized."
In looking at the way the Lord has led us, during the
more than a century of our existence, we have abun-
dant reason for taking courage and pre.s3iug forward.
The timid seldom win a battle. God said to Joshua,
"Be strong and go forward." If Joshua had been a
timid man, and there had been no courageous one to
take his jilace, the entrance to the promised land
without doubt would never have been attained.
Baptist Ciurch.' — Previous to tlieyear 1802 there
had existed for several years in this town a branch of
the Baptist Cliurch at Hopkinton ; but in that year an
independent church was formed, including in its
membership residents of Gofi'stown, Bow and Dun-
barton. This organization was maintained until
March 18, 1820, when it was dissolved, and upon the
same day the present church was organized with a
membership of thirty-four, including several persons
who presented letters from the church in London-
derry, in this State, and Haverhill and Gloucester, in
Massachusetts
Tlie first election of church officers took jdace April
29th, when Jonathan Rand and Moses Gould were
chosen deacons and Moses Gould was chosen clerk,
and on the following Sabbath the ordinance of the
Lord's Supper was observed for the first time, and
sixteen new members, who bad been baptized by
Elder .lohn B. Gibson, of Weare, were given the hand
of fellowship.
The church had no pastor until June 29, 1822,
when a call was extended to Elder Gibson, who ac-
cepted and immediately entered upon his duties.
The present house of worship was dedicated July
2, 1834, previous to which time tlie church had held
its meetings in private dwellings, in school-houses
and occasionally in the old East meeting-house, when
it was not occupied by the Congregationalists, by
whom it was used a portion of the time. The church
was admitted to the Salisbury Association in 1820,
but withdrew in 1828, and was one of the churches
that formed the Milford Association in that year.
The early records not being complete, it is iiupossi-
1 By Clmrles llazeu.
ble to ascertain the exact number of baptisms, but
some three hundred ])er8ons have been received upon
profession of their faith since the present organiza-
tion was efiected. Several interesting revival seasons
have been enjoyed, when large numbers were added
to tlje church.
This church may be said to be the mother of several
churches in this vicinity. November 27, 1828, thir-
teen members were dismissed to form the church in
Dunbarton ; May 28, 1829, nine members were dis-
missed to form the church in Amherst; July 20,
18.'5o, ten members were permitted to form a branch
church at Amoskeag ; and December 29, 1836, forty-
four members were dismissed to form an independ-
ent church at that place.
A glance at the present condition of the two
cburehcs in Manchester will reveal the growth to
which this eliild h;is attained. Since its present or-
ganization the following pastors have served the
church :
Kcv. Jolin B. Gibson from June 2;i, 1822, to February 28, 1828 ; Rev.
Siinou Fletcher from June 2o, 182!l, to April 29, 18:10 ; Rev. Ferdinand
Kills from September 211, ISHl, to August 29, 18.12 ; Rev. William X.
Shiiion from July 2, 18-'*.4, to March 1, lS;t."» ; Rev, Oeorge Evans from
April 28, l«:lll. to February :i, lS.i9 ; Rev. Abel I'liilbroc*! from July I,
1840, to December 311, 1841 ; Rev. liphraim K. llailey from Starch (i,
1812, to January 1, 1844 ; Rev. James W. Poland from .March 5, 1844, to
January 1, 1847 ; Rev. David P. French from February 28. 1847, to
March It), 1850 ; Rev. James W. Poland from March 28, 1850, to April
:t, 1854 ; Rev. D. P. Deming from Jlay 1, 1854, to April 1, 18.'i8 ; Rev.
Luther C. Stevens, November 7, 1858, to October 18, 18(;:i ; Rev. William
H. Katon from September 4, 1S(>4, to July 1, 1808 ; Rev. John S. Ham-
don from September C, 18r,8, to October 2, 1870 ; Rev. James W. Poland
from .\pril 1, 1S71, to .lanuary 1 , 1875 ; Rev. .lohn H. Nichols from July
25, 1877, to April 29, 188:i ; K.v. Kdwaril T. Lyford, the present paftor,
since May 6, 1883.
The church has also enjoyed the services of other
brethren, whose names do not appear among those of
the regularly settled pastors, and of these the name
of Kev. John Peacock deserves special mention, his
faithful labors being so abundantly blessed of Heaven
in the winning of precious souls.
The present officers are : Pastor, Rev. Edward T.
Lyford ; Clerk, Charles Hazen ; Treasurer, Josci)h B.
Gilmore; Deacons, Joseph B. (iilmore and Francis ().
Colby.
St. Matthew's Church.- — An Episcopal Chureli was
in existence in this town during the last century ; but
the dale of its organization is unknown. It was al-
ways small, and had become extinct before the organ-
ization of the present parish, which was in 1866.
Rev. S. Y. Compton was the first rector, services being
held in a i)ublic hall.
The corner-stone of the present church edifice was
laid in the spring of 1868 by the late Rev. James H.
Eamcs, D.D., of Concord, at the request of Bishop
Chase. During the same year regular services were
discontinued. The church building was erected
mainly through the liberality of friends in the diocese,
and in Boston and New York.
"By Rev. W. II. ( utler.
GOFFSTOWN.
323
Services were first held in the new church in Jan-
c^iry, 1870. In the year 1874 tlie parish became a
mission in charge of tlie Rev. G. Brinley Morgan,
oiii which time services have been lield without iii-
iruiition, under the successful ministrations of Rev.
A. S. Whitcomb and Rev. H. A. Remick. The present
i-unibent, Rev. W. II. Cutler, took charge in .Sep-
Miber, 1883.
Methodist Episcopal Church, GoflFstown Cen-
tre,' — Tlic lirst i/liiiich eilifux- in (iollsinuii u;is built
'. the town, the work being comnienceil in 17G8, but
■t completed for several years. It was at the "Cen-
r ■," on the north side of the road, a little west of
here the school-house now stands. It was used as
house of worship by the Congregational Church and
i^o as a town-house. In 1810 another house of wor-
ip was completed at the West vilhigc, and there-
ter services were held at the Centre only one-third
' ; the time. This, together with the fact that the
old church was very much out of repair, led the mem-
bers of the Congregational Church at the Centre, in
1838, to erect a new house of worship, with the view
of having a |)arlsh of their own, with preaching every
Sunday. This house stood where the Jlethodist
Church now stands.
In 1841 a Miss Parker, who claimed to be independ-
ent of all churches, but who had formerly been a
Methodist, began to preach at the old church and
also to hold meetings at school-houses in various parts
of the town. Large crowds came to hear her ; several
professed conversion. Meanwhile the Congregation-
alists had not carried out their plan of having preach-
ing every Sunday, and Rev. Isaac Willey, of the West
village, preached in their new house one-third of the
time. Some may have been dissatisfied with this
arrangement. At any rate, some of the Congrega-
tionalists at the Centre became supporters of Miss
Parker, and a controversy arose as to their right to use
the new house of worship, which wa.s settled by selling
the entire building to two individuals who favored
.^IIss Parker's meetings. When the new converts
and others asked Miss Parker what they should do,
she advised them to form a Methodist Church. Mr.
Harvey Stevens went to Manchester and consulted
with Rev. Elihu Scott, pastor of the Methodist Kpis-
copal Church there, who, in turn, consulted with Rev.
Schuyler Chamberlain, presiding elder of Concord Dis-
trict. Arrangi'ments for a Methodist meeting were
made, which was held in the new churih in the au-
tumn of 1S42. Schuyler Clianil)erlain, IClihu Scott
anil other preachers were present. The meeting con-
tinued several days and a number of jjcrsons were
baptized. A society was organized. The two men
who owned the church edilicc sold the jiewsto various
individuals, and the services of Rev. Mr. Smart, a
local preacher, living at Concord, were seiured until
the ne.Kt session of the New Hampshire Conference,
1 Bv R..V. E. R. r.-rkiiis.
which occurred June 21, 1843. Rev. Samuel S. Math-
ews, a local preacher, was sent to Goffstown, and
preached here one year. Mr. Mathews was twenty-
seven years of age, havingbeen born in Loudon, N. H.,
January, 1816. He joined the New Haiui>shire Con-
ference in 1844, and was stationed at Exeter. The
next two years he was at East Salisbury, Mass. In
1847 he was stationed at Rochester, but in the au-
tumn of that year he was cut down by a prevailing
ei)idcmic. He died Scptemlier 6th. He was a man of
great zeal and deep piety. His labors at Goll'stown
were attended with success. The new church pros-
pered, and at the end of the year he reported sixty-
five members.
In 1844, AVarren F. Evans was sent to Goffstown,
and at the end of the year he reported an increase of
seventeen members. Mr. Evans was a good scholar
and an original thinker. He held pronounced views
upon the subject of holiness. After filling several
appointments, some of them important ones, he with-
drew from Conference, and after a few years went to
the West. His subsequent history is not known to
the writer of this article. He was followed at Golis-
town by Alexander II. FuUerton, who lal)ored here
two years, during which there was an incrcijse of
eleven members.
In 1848, Ezekiel Adams was stationed at Hooksett
and Goffstown. He was assisted in his work by D.
15. French, who seems to have preached at (loffstown
rather more than Mr. Adams. John McLaughlin,
who came next, although he had been a member of
Conference for two years, was still pursuing bis
studies at the Methodist Biblical Institute, which had
recently been removed from Newbury, Vt., to Con-
cord, N. H. His subsequent appointments were
Nashua, Claremont, Lawrence, Mass., and Great
Falls. He died December 20, 1857, aged thirty-four
years. For the next nine years, 1850-o8, Goffstown
was supplied by students from the Biblical Institute,
among whom were O. B. Pitcher, Rodney Gage, A.
F. Herrick (now of the New England Conference),
Edwin ^V'. Parker (now a missionary in India) and
Stephen L. Baldwin (whose name has since become
|iromiiient in the history of missions in China).
These students were able to do little or no piustoral
work, and often sent a fellow-student to supply the
[lulpit, so that some years there were as many as ten
or twelvi^ dillereiit |ircachcrs, ami during a part of
i>ne winter there Wius no preaching. This was very
disastrous to the interests of the church, anil the
minutes of ISoO report but twenty-five mendiers.
In 1859 and I860 there wa.s no regular i)reachiiig.
In 1861, through the efforts of Harvey Stevens,
Thonnis Sargent, Daniel <i. Davis ami others, the
services of a student, iiameil John (i. (iooding, were
seiureil lor a part of the time. The place continued
to be supplied l>y sludiTits until the Biblical Institute
was removed to Boston, in 1867. The mimes of those
who ha<l chnrgp of the station, and who preached,
324
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
some of them, nearly every Sabbath, were as fol-
lows :
1862, Henrj- W. Ackcrl.v ; 18i;:i, John H. Hilliiiiili ; lsi;4, Tlinmn8
ChipperBeld ; 1803-liG, S. W. Ruliiiiil ; 1807, Kgbirt A. Braman.
Under the pastorate of .1. H. llillnian the nioinber-
ship, as reported in the minutes, increased from
twenty-six to forty-six. He is now a member of the
New Hampshire Conference. The appointments
since 1867 have been as follows :
1808, Warren B. Osgowl ; 1809-70, VVat8oii W. .Smith ; 1871, Eleazer
Smith; 1872, William E. BcnUL'tl; 1873-74, Klt.riiige Bradford : IS'-I,
K. Dearborn ; 1870-77, J. Slowly Bi-an ; 1878-80, D. W. Downs ; 1881-
82, Irad Taggart ; 188:i, J. G. Harrison ; 188i-«o, Edward K. Perkins.
Warren B. Osgood was a student of the Theological
School at Boston. He was from New York, and was
connected with the New Hampshire Conference but
one year. Watson W. Smith and J. L. Harrison
have withdrawn from the Methodist Church on ac-
count of change of views. Eleazer Smith died at
Concord, N. H., in February, 1879, having been in
the ministry fifty-one years. He was a good man, an
earnest and faithful preacher. Among his appoint-
ments were Montjiolier, Vt., and Concord, N. H.
He was twice chaplain of New HamjJshire State
Prison, in all fourteen years.
Elbridge Bradford was transferred in 1882 to the
Northwest Iowa Conference. Under his pastorate
there was a good revival interest, and the church was
greatly strengthened. R. Dearborn did not fill his
appoinlinent, and his ])lace was supplied by N. P.
Philbrook. All the other preaclieis in the above list
are still members of the New Hampshire Confer-
ence.
On the 18th of August, 1877, during the ])astorate
of J. Mowry Bean, the church was struck by light-
ning and totally destroyed. Although there was no
insurance, a new church was erected before the close
of the year. The debt of two hundred dollars in-
curred at the time has since been paid. In 1881,
under the pastorate of Irad Taggart, a new parsonage
was erected, at an expense of about fifteen hundred
dollars. The society is free of debt, and has a fund
of over sixteen hundred dollars, tlie legacy of the late
Sally Harrinian. The preseut membership is fifty-
five. There is a good congregation and a prosperous
Sundav-school.
CHAPTER V.
GOFFSTOWN— (Cuwinuerf).
Incorporation of Town— Changi-g in Boiindnries — List of Town Clerks —
Repreeientatives — Military Itecord, 18CI-C'> — Names of Soldiers — Ma-
sonic History — Bible Lodge, No. 27, F. and .\. M. — Bible Lodge, Xo.
!13, F. and A. >!.— Webster Lodge, No. 24, I. O. O. F.— The Tress— The
Enterprise — The Herald — The I'nion — The Advertiser — Statistieul.
This town was incorpmated .Tune 16, 1761, by the
Governor and Council of New Hampshire, to continue
a corporate body until March 25, 1763. April 5, 1763,
the incorporation was revived, to continue " until we
shall jilease to approve or disallow the same."
July 2, 1822, a portion of the town was taken to
form the town of Hooksett. June 20, 1825, some is-
lands in the Merrimack River were annexed to the
town, and June IS, 1S36, the farm of Isaac Parker,
in New Boston, was annexed. It retained this area
until July 1, 1853, when a portion of the town was
annexed to Manchester, it previously having extended
to the Merrimack River.
Town Clerks. — The following is a list of town
clerks from 1761 to 1886 :
Alexander Walker, from 1761 to 1787; William Page, from 1787 to
1793 ; Josiah Chandler, from 17113 to 180(1 ; William Page, from 1800 to
1802 ; Joseph Craig, from 1802 to 180:1; John Gilchrist, from 1809 to
1811; Eidiraim Warren, from 1811 to 1830; Moses Poor, from IKMI to
1831 ; Robert Craig, from 1»31 to 183.'>; Charles F. Gove, from 183.1 to
1830 ; Moses Poor, from 1830 to October Is, 1841 ; Moses Koby, from
October IS, 1841, to March, 1844 ; George Poor, from \Mi to 184j ; Benja-
min Stevens (second), from 184."i to 1840; Moses Kobie, from 1S40 to
1848 ; Franklin Poor, from 1848 to 1849 ; Alfred Poor, from 1840 to 18.'i3 ;
Ephraini B. Wells, from March, 18.53, to December 21. 18.W; David S.
Carr, from December 21, 18o3, to March 14, 1854 ; .\lfred Poor, from
18,14 to ISo.'i ; David Pattee, from 18.55 to 1860 ; Charles George, from 1850
to 1S59 ; Oren Moor, from 1850 to 1862; George P. Henry, from 1802 to
October 20, 180,S ; J.din Steel, from October 20, 1868, to March 9, 1869 ;
Frank F. Flint, from 1809 to 1S71 ; Frank B. Flandei-s. from 1871 to
1870 ; Franklin Hadley. from 1876 to ls79 ; George I.. Hooper, from
1879 to Iss;', ; Ernest .b'bnson, from 1S83 to the present time.
Representatives. — The following is a list of rej)-
resentatives from 1779 to 1886 :
In 1779, Robert JIcGregor vm elected representjitive to attend at
the General Conrt, at Exeter, for the ensning year ; 1780, Robert
McGregor; 1781, Enoch Sawyer; 1783-85, Robert McGregor ; 1780,
William Page ; 1787, Job Dow ; 1788, William Page ; 1789, voted
not to send ; 1790, voted not to send ; 17lil-92, Robert McGregor;
1703, voted not to send; 1794-95, John Pattee ; 1790, not given;
1797. John Pattee; 1798. Robert McGregor; 1799, John Bntterflild ;
1800-01,. lohn Bnttertield; 1802, Jonathan Gove ; ISOi-ol, John Bnt-
U'rfield; 1805, not given ; 1800-07. John Butterfteld ; 1808-10. David
L. Morrell ; Isl7, not given ; 1818, William Brown ; 1819-21, John
Pattee; 1.822, Robert Hall ; 18-2:!, John Pattee; 1824-26, Robert Hall;
1826, Jesso Carr; 1827. David Steel and Gideon Flanders; 1828, Je&se
Can- and Eiiplialet Richards; 1829, Jesse Carr and Kliphalet Richards;
1830, David Barr and Charles F. Gove ; 1831, David Barr and Charles
F. Gove; 1832, David Darr and Charles F. Gove; 1.833, Charles F.
Gove and Noyes Poor; 18;{4, Charles F. Gove and Koyes Poor ; l.^^ltii,
Robert Craig and Jesse Carr; 1830, RoWrt Craig and Isaac Flan-
ders; 1837, Isaac Flanders and Benaiah Richards; 1838, Benaiah
Richatxls and Henry B. .Stevens; 1839, Henry B. Stevens and
Closes Poor; 1S4»', Miises Poor anti Benjamin StevetlB (second); 1S41,
Beiyamin Stevens (second) ami S. T. Jonea ; 1842, Shnbael T. Jones
and Ni>ye8 Poor ; 1843, Noyes Poor and Eliphalet Richanls. Jr. ;
1H44, Eliphalet Richards, Jr., and Joseph Sargent; 1845, Eliphalet
Richards, Jr , and Joseph Sargent ; 1840, Itenjamin Stevens (second) and
Eplmiim Warren ; 1847. Benjamin .^^tevens (second) and Kphrafln War-
ren ; 1818. Saninid Gould and Henry Tewksbury ; 1849. Samuel Gonldaiid
Henry Tewksbury ; 18.50. .\lfred Story and George P. lladley ; 1851,
Benjitmin F. Blaisdell and .lohn Tewksbury ; l.'<52 Benjamin F. Blaiwleil
and .'o'ln Tewksbury ; 18.5:!, Alfreil Story and Alonzo F. Carr ; 1854, Selh
Woodbury and William Bumton ; 1856, Daniel Little and Seth Wooil-
bury ; l.'^oO, George P. Hadley and Joseph Dunlap ; 18.57, John S. Carr
ami David M. Taggart ; 1858, John S. Carr and llaviil >I. Taggart ; 18.59,
John Dntilap and Oilman Rolwrtson ; ISOii, Jidin Dunlap and <jilman
Kolierts<in ; Isol, Thonais R. Bnttertield anil Albert G. Robie ; 1M.2,
Gideon Flanrtein and John Gilchrist; 1.H.3, Gnleon Flanders and John
Gilchrist ; 1804, Benjamin Greer and Joseph D. Kenneily ; 1805, .loseph
I). Kennedy and Alfred Poor; 18(,0, David S. Person and William P.
Warren; 1807, Wdlinni H. Eaton and John S. Little; 1808, Boilney
.lohnson and John 51. Parker; 1809, Lucian D. Hunkins and John
Greer; 1870, George R. Moore and Peter E. Hadley; 1871, John K.
Richanlson and Daniel B. Austin ; 1872. David M. Taggart and Thad-
GOFFSTOWN,
325
• Iriid W. Iticlmrii^ ; 1ST:!, Kli|»liitlut Kiclinrds uliil Cliiirlei* Morgnigo ; ls74
Mvjii [[utllfy mid JuHHe K. Jeiikitis; IS75, Ki'iiili-ick Kt-ndall and Julin
r--wkitbnry ; lsT6, (Jt-orgv Cox ulul Williulil llmllfV ; 187", Lewis II.
^'.irk liiid J^Mtiu)! Ijiwllo ; 187S, Frnnkljii llitdley mid Aiiii^ H. Merrill ;
I ..n»rd Kulicrteon, elected in llio fall of 1S7« ; iKSIl, Sjivanus B. Gil.
hrist ; l»»-2, David .V. Tiigpilt ; 1884, Geurgo P. Uaille}' (second).
Military Record, 1861-65. — The folldwing me tlie
IKllllCS (if tllnsc Wlln Clllistl-ll tVlllll lioH'stdWIl llurillg
the late Kebi'Uion, exclusive' of tlie lirst of tlu^ three
months' regiment :
.loliii L. IlmTiiiimi, SiitiiiK-l .\. Kidder, John Itartlett, Samuel Stark,
NV illiaiii H. Farmer, Henry Pap-, Natlian H. Rolx.Ttti, Itaviil .\. Pap.',
J'-lin L. Manning, Beiijaniin K. Ilarriinun, Lewih Merrill, Warren P.
Mliiitt, Walter A. Lawrence, Aaron Klliott, Charles ^lartiii. Calvin Mer-
11, .\ndrew .1. Rolierts. Walter J. Iticliards, Julin M. Stark, Ull8:>ell
^I'-veiis. Henry Rowell, Albert Q. Ceoige, George \V. Wells, llomce W.
Black, Isaac W. Martin, Tlioinas L. Itieli, Rodney Uadley. Cieorge N.
Cutler, Henry Moore, R. W. .Viken, Nallian .\, Qowin, Ilintin .\. Heath,
Fre<lerick Jlerrell, John A. Heath, Willard I". Thompson, Henry Stjirk,
Solomon Siiiilli, Beiijaniin D. Belcher, Edwin Stark, Kimball K. Blais-
dell, Henry Baker, Kdward Barnartl, JMwin G. Bowen, Charles Willey,
Albert Story, Isaiir Willey, Frederick I). Moore, W. H. J>. C(.>chraii,
Lewis J. Gillis, William B. Hart, Jonathan Boyles, John Qnlck, Nelson
Richards, Nathaniel F. Sweat. R..l»'rt Richards, John K. Richards. Oscar
Perkins, Lewis R. Caloy, John Brown, William Sidney, William O. Mor-
gruge, Norton R. Moore, Jackson Willard, George Hope, Lowis Saigell,
Martin V. Wyinan, Ti-ophilcTliebadia. Andrew J. .\iken, John B. Lucian,
James N. Ganlt, Cynis N. Sargent, Jerry Breene, Charles H. Lanchester,
Francis 51. Sinijisnii, Benjamin Buckley, Henry M. Bnrrows, \. B.
Merrell, David A. Worthley, Benjamin Greer, Jr., Isiuic B. Holt, ClilTord
K. Burns, John H. Kennedy, William L. Otis, George i;. Tinell, Albert
P. Jehonii.lt, John Tiirell, Henry K. Blaisdell, James Jlurry, Klbridge
ilarr, Timothy MT'arlhy, Royall H. Bobie, Cornelius 1). Diinnaho,
Wayland F. Balcli, W. II. H. Black, Samuel A. Richards, Josi'ph I>ow,
William Sargent, Isaiah L. Sweat, William Pl-ovoncia, Horatio O. TIdd,
William B. IMge, Thomas Baker, \\ . F. Stark, Thonnul Howaril, Her-
man J. Eaton, John Flaiiigan, Sylvester Godfrey, Patrick Fal'ilee. Ben-
jamin F. ijuinby, John O'Seil, Mai-selah A. .Merrill, Thomas o. (iraily,
Henry C. Richards, Leonanl N. George, Godfrey Jehonnett, Horace
Shirley. Jusuni Miller, Joseyih Comfort.
The following tire the nanii'sof those who enlisted to
go to Piirtsnionth in l.SUU, into the Heavy Battery:
Fredrick I.. Swiirtzs, Charles J. Drew, Samuel B. Weston, John S.
Poor, James L. Hunkins, Fnuik Han-imaii, George .\. Gilchrist, Charles
Mfirgnige, >Ialcoiii JIcLane, Daniel Klilder, Jos<'pli K. Steavens, Kdward
.1 Collins, M.)ses W. Wtsidbury, George F. Biilwell. Daniel L, Woorlbui-y.
William II. D. CVlinin, George Whipple, George A. .Merrill, James F.
Wyiiian, Kdwin Flanders, Stephen Lawrence, liarwin M. Pool-, James 11.
K.T~.!i. .b.bn 11. .b.ii.s.
Bible Lodge, No. 27, F. and A. M., \v:is chiiriered
M:ty, 1810, with the following eharter nicnibers:
.loinithiin (love, .John MeGaw, Thomas HaymoiHl,
•lesse Carr, William Fowler, Thomas Kenedy, Samuel
1'. Kidder, Jr., David L. Morill. The First Master
was Jonathan Gove, :iih1 the Srconil Master, Jesse
Carr.
Kor :i lime it r:inl<(d among the first lodges in (he
Stall'. In IH21 a large number of its members
petitioned for a lodge in Bedford— Liifayette Lodge,
-No. 41 (now located in Manchester),— which, with the
nnli-Ma.sonic c.xeitement, diminished the membership,
anil in 1K3.') it was voted to dis,solve (he lodge.
Bible Lodge, No. 93, F. and A. M., was chartered
May ICi, 1S77, Willi ilic follnH iiig-ii;iiiied |iersons as
charter members ; .lames If. Conner, Josiah Laselle,
I)avi<l ,\. I'aige, Amos H. Merrill, Charles F. George.
James G. Taggnrt, Oren J. Haleh, James R. Fer.son,
Jes.se K. Junk-ins, .r,,hii K. ni.h;iid>on, Wallace Cald-
well, Abel M. Davis, Charles E. French, Isaac J.
Paige, Thomas M. Harvell, Henry H. Johnson, J.
Frank Warren, Benjamin F. Merrill, Charles H.
Hadley. First officers were .Tames H. Conner,
Master; Josiah Laselle, Senior Warden; David A.
Paige, Junior Warden; Amos H. Merrill, Treas. ;
, Charles F. George, Sec.
The present officers are as follows : James K.
Ferson, W. M.aster ; Charles F. George, S. Warden ;
Abel M. Davis, J. Warden; .Iosei>h Cram, Treas.;
.lames IT. Conner, .Sec; Isaac J. I^aige, Chaiilain ;
Charles E. French, S. Deacon ; Leslie S. Biihvell, J.
Deacon; William H. Colby, S. .Steward ; Henry W.
Parker, J. Steward ; John K. Richardson, Marshal ;
Otis F. Sumner, Tiler; James G. Taggart, Repre-
sentative. Past Masters : .Tames II. Conner, Josiah
Laselle, David A. Paige, Amos H. Merrill, .lames (i.
Tagg:irt.
Webster Lodge, No. 24, 1. 0. 0. F.,' was instituted
March 2G, 1S77, by Alonzo F. Craig, M. W. Grand
Master; Henry A. Farrington, Deputy Grand Master;
Joel Taylor, Grand Secretary ; Robert C. Ftirnald,
Grand Treasurer ; .Toseph Kidder, Granil Chaplain ;
Alfred P. Ilendriek, Grand Jfarshal ; Benjamin
Flcti-her, Jr., P. G., Representative.
The charter members were William H. Weeks,
Charles A. Whipple, Robinson Brown, Ivendrick
Kendall, Frank Blaisdell, M.D., Tsiiac J. Paige, X.ir-
m;in L. Richards, Ctilvin Itieliards, Charles G. Bar-
nard, Kdwin .\. Blaisdell, Xathiin .1. Currier, Ciilvin
Martin, Henry Jloorc, I'"rank H. Woodman, William
U. Carlton, .Tohn E. Leizer, Selwin T. Martin, Edsou
Ij. Rami, George W. Paige, Charles C. Hadley, L.
Henry Stark, John W. Story, Albert L. Emerson,
Henry W. Merrill, Thaddeus W. Richards.
The first officers were R. I5rowii, N. G. ; Isaac .1.
Paige, V. G. ; William I'. Carlton, Secretary; Frank
H. Woodman, Treasurer ; Henry W. Merrill, War-
den ; Edwin A. Blaisdell, Conductor ; Frank J. Paige,
Outside Guardian ; John E. Leizer, In.side Guardian;
Nalhan .1. Currier, R. S. X. G. ; Kendrick Ivendall,
L. S. X. G. ; Williiim H. Weeks, R. S. V. G. ; Charles
G. Barnard, L. S. V. G. ; George W. Paige, R. Scene
Supporter ; Charles A. Whipple, L. Scene Sup|)orter;
Charles C. Hadley, Chaplain ; ICendriek Kendall,
Nathan .T. Currier, William H. Weeks, Trustees ; L.
Henry Stark, Calvin Ttichards, Henry Moore, Investi-
gating Commiltec; Henry >[oore, Calvin Martin. L.
Henry Stark. I'"inance Committee; l-'iank BhiisiU-ll,
M.D., Examining .'^urgeon.
The Noble (irands have been as follows: R. Brown,
I. .1. Paige, I'^. II. Woodman, C. (J. Barnard, William
II. Weeks, E. A. Blaisdell, Calvin Martin, F. Blais-
dell, K. Kendall, G. W. Paige, S. T. Martin, L. H.
Stark, C. II. Gregg, C. Morgnigc, F. J. Fletcher.
The present otlieers are H. Moore, X. G. ; L. S.
Bidwell, V. G. ; F. Blaisdell, M.D., Sec. ; R. Brown,
' Bv R. Br.iwn.
32G
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
R. S. N. G.; G. Henry Hoit, L. S. N. G. ; William
H. Dow, E. S. V. G. ; Charles F. Fersoii, L. S. V. G. ;
Daniel II. Hoit, Right Scene Suiiporter ; Earnest
Whitney, Left Scene Supporter; Charles H.Gregg,
Warden; George B. Steven.s, Conductor; Fred. K.
Hazen, Inside Guardian; E. A. BlaisdcU, Outside
Guardian ; Frank T. Jloore, Chaplain ; Representa-
tive to Grand Lodge, K. Kendall ; C. Jlorgrage, E.
A. lilaisdell, F. J. Fletcher, Finance Committee.
The lodge at i)rcscnt numbers about seventy mem-
bers, and is iu a flourishing condition ; composed of
some of the best citizens of Goffstown.
The Press. — There have been several smull pulili-
cations started iu Gofl'stown from time to time, all,
however, being short-lived. The EnlerjtrUe, published
annually, in the interests of the inhabitants, January
1, 1S70, 71 aud 72, by Henry E. Biaisdell ; The Her-
ald, Mrs. H. L. Harvey, editress ; The Union, Mrs. G.
D. Davis, editre.-s, in the interests of the Methodist
Society ; The Advertiser, by Frank E. Paige.
Statistical. — The following is the inventory of the
town for 1S8.5: Number of polls 475, i47,.')00 ; 42.5
horses, $35,182; 4 mules, S200 ; 74 oxen, $4826; 821
cows, $26,357; 561 sheep, $1768; 199 neat stock,
$4434 ; 56 hogs, (taxable), $462 ; stock in public
funds, $3500 ; in banks, $8430 ; in trade, $3.5,050 ;
mills and machinery, $9650 ; money on hand and at
interest, $216,448; total valuation, $1,198,327; increase
over last year, $20,869 ; amount of tax levied, $7248.66 ;
rate, including highway tax, 59 cents on $100; num-
ber of dog.s, 138. There are 281 children in town
between the ages of five and fifteen years. Popula-
tion, 1699.
Goffstown has various manufacturing interests
which give life and stability to the town. There are
three pliysicians in the town, — A. F. Carr, C. F. George,
and Frank Biaisdell, — and one lawyer, Hon. Samuel
Upton. There is one hotel in the village, H. H.
Dustin, ])roprictor ; and two summer hotels, the
Sliirley Hill House, S. D. Johnson, projjrietor; and
the Scribncr Hill House, H. .S. Scribner, projjrietor.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN' M'GAW PAKKKU.
The first ancestor of the subject of this sketch was
Josiah Parker", who came from England ])rior to 1700
and settled in Cambridge, Mass. His son Tliomas'-'
was a clergyman, and was the first settled pastor of
the church at Dracut, Mass., and died there in 1765.
His son .lolin' settled in Litchfield, >'. H. His sec-
ond son, William*, was born in 1775. He married
Hannah Aiken, who died September .30, 1818. His
second wife, Hannah (Adams) McGaw, was born
August 22, 1788, and died February 26, 1869. By the
first union there were four children, — Rodney, George
W., Caroline and Margaret Ann. By the second
union there were also four children,— Hannah A.,
born November 13, 1819; John McGaw*, born Sep-
tember 17, 1822; Davi<l Adams, born October 5, 1824;
and William H., born August 6, 1831, who died in
infancy. William* was one of the early settlers of
Gofl'stown, X. H., and became largely identified with
the lumbering and the mercantile trade and was also
an extensive farmer and, for his time, one of the
prominent and successful men of the town. He died
August 9, 1839. His wife, Hannah Adams, was a
superior woman, a descendant of that honored fam-
ily whose representatives were called to the executive
head of our nation, whose Christian influence over
her family was most ennobling and " whose children
now call her blessed." The subject of this sketch
at an early age attended the district school of his
native town, where he received the rudimentary part
of his education, and after some time spent in the
academy at Hopkinton, N. H., he completed his edu-
cation at (dd Deny Academy, and entered the store
of his father as clerk. After several years of expe-
rience in mercantile life gained in his father's store,
also in a store in Concord and in the store of William
Whittle, in Gofl'stown, he, in 1843, started on his own
account in the mercantile trade at the old stand of
his father's, where, in 1847, he associated with him
his younger brother, David .\., — under the firm-name
of J. M. & D. A. Parker, — and for almost forty years
they have pulled together, carrying along large agri-
cultural as well as mercantile interests. They have
also invested a large capital and engaged exten-
sively in the wood and lumlier business fi)r many
years, and by sound judgment and indomitable
energy have accumulated a large properly. The
building of the Manchester and North Weare Rail-
road added greatly to their business facilities, and
they became its largest patrons. On the 30th of
November, 1854, Jlr. Parker married Letitia C,
daughter of the late Captain (^harles Stinson, of
Duubarton, N. H. Mrs. Parker was born iMarch 9,
1835. The children of this union are three, — Charles
Stinson, born November 3, 1855 ; Henry Woodman,
born February 26, 1859 ; and Frank Adams, born
June 1,1866. Charles wiis married, August 30, 1877,
to Ella J. Hoit, who died February 3, 1878, Charles
and Henry are associated in the mercantile business
at Gofl'stown and are doing a large and profitable
business, Mr, Parker is a Republican in politics,
and has been elected to various offices, in each of
which he has shown fidelity and good sense. He was
a member of the State Senate in 1858-59, In 1855 he
was elected conimi.ssiiiner for Hillsborough (_'ounty,
serving two terms, and in 1869 represented his town
in the General Court, In 1876 and 1877 he was coun-
cilor from his district, being elected from a strong
Democratic district, thus showing his ])opularity
even among political opponents. At the institution of
the State Board of Equalizatiim. in 1879, he was com-
^/^ ^ J^^y^
1
7
[
s
Ct:^!^^^^7'--z^ '
I
GOFF.STOWN.
327
uii^ioned by the court as one of the five members,
was reappointed in 1881 and selected as president of
the board. In 1879, at the organization of the Guar-
anty Savings-Bank of Manchester, he was elected
president, which otiice he still holds. He is also one
of the directors of the Merchants' National Bank of
Manchester. Mr. Parker has been postmaster of his
native town, has gained a wide celebrity as a suc-
cessful auctioneer, i.s often called to act as referee in
the adjustment nf disputed <|uestions, and in all
matters of a public nature he takes a most lively in-
terest, and has won a most enviable reputation. New
Hampshire is justly i)roud of such a son.
f.VrTAIX CHARLES STIXSUX.
The subject of this sketch Wiis born April 18, 1800,
in Dunbarton, N. II. He was grandson of William'
Stinson, one of the early settlers of this town under
the Masonian grant of 1751 ; was born of Scottish
parents in Ireland, March 15, 1725. From that
country, while young, he emigrated with his father
to Londonderry, N. H. In the year 1751-52 he com-
menced a settlement in Starkstown (afterward Dun-
barton), where for a time he lived alone in a log cabin,
in which, on one occasion, he received as a visitor the
Rev. David McGregore. " Not having a table," says the
historian of Londonderry, " nor anything that would
answer as a better substitute, lie was obliged to make
use of a biiskct, turned up." Tlie Rev. Mr. Mctiregore,
in asking a blessing, pertinently implored that his
host might be "blessed in his basket and in his store."
This blessing was literally fulfilled, as Mr. Stinson
became one of the most wealthy persons in the
vicinity.
He was prominent in the settlement of tlie t<iwn-
shiji, and filled with credit many offices of trust and
imj)ortance, and by industry and economy became
one of the most substantial freeholders within twenty
miles of his residence.
William Stinson was married to Agnes Caldwell,
March 2t;, 1754, and died August 21, 1808. She
was born June 17, 1734, and died July 23, 1818. By
this union there were twelve children.
William' Stinson, Jr., second son of William Stin-
son, Sr., born March 4,1762, married Jane Cochran,
of New Boston, N. H., who was born in 1776. He was
an excellent farmer and intelligent man. He was often
employed in town albiirs, was liberal and liospitable,
esfiecially tfi the i)oor. In liim they found a frien<l.
His wife was a superior woman, who looked well
to the ways of her household, and their house was
one of the most agreeable visiting-places in town.
From this union there were five children. William
Stinson, Jr., died April 8, 1822. Jane C. Stin.son
died April 28, 1820.
Captain Charles'^ Stinson was the oldest son of
William Stinson, Jr. At an early age he displayed
a love for farming, and made progress in the district
bchool. At Bradford Academy, Massachusetts, he
ultimately acquired what education it was his privilege
to obtain. When eighteen years of age he was ap-
pointed commander of Dow's Troop. He was an
active officer during the celebrated Gotfstown muster,
where he obtained the title that followed him through
life. He was well known in this section of the State
for his good judgment and his sound integrity.
As a farmer he was active, and naturally of a strong
constitution, lie was able to carry on a great amount
of work, and as a reward of his industry, he added to
his original inheritance a good property.
As a resident of Dunbarton, N. H., he was active
and prominent in its affiiirs. He was county com-
missioner, selectman, treasurer and twice elected to
the Legislature. In 1867 he sold his large estate and
moved to Gottstowu, where he spent the remainder of
his days in (juietness and attending to his business
affairs.
• Captain Charles Stinson married Susan, daughter
of Robert and Prudence Cochran, of Sharon, Vt.,
May 15,'1831. Susan was born October 27, 1803, and
died Marcli 23, 1838. He married, second, Mary Ann,
daughter of Moses and Sally Poore, of Goli'stown,
N. H., May 29, 1839, born August 28, 1811.
Captain Charles Stinson died August 8, 1878.
There were three children by the first union, and one
by the second.
Children, — Jane' Stinson, born October 5, 1833,
married Wallace Caldwell, of Byficid, JIass., July
15, 1858.
Letitia C Stinson, born March 9, 1835, married
John M. Parker, of Goffstown, November 30, 1854.
Susan C Stinson, born October 22, 1837, married
George Byron Moore, November 29, 186ii. Mr. Moore
died of pneumonia April 11, 1872. On May 17, 1877,
she married Judge Edwin S. Jones, of Minneapolis,
Minn., where she now resides.
Mary A.' Stinson, born August 1, 1841, married
Charles A. Pillsbury, September 13, 1866, of Miiiiu-
apolis, Minn., where she now resides.
THE SHIRLEY FAMILY.
The first ancestor of the New Hami)sliire Shirleys,
of whom we have any record, was James Shirley,
who was born, probably, in the north of Ireland, in
Ulster County, in 1649. This was the year tliat
Cromwell sent his famotis Ironside Legion into Ire-
land, ami avenged the terrible massacre of the Prot-
estants in 1641. It is not improbable that the ances-
tors of James Shirley, if not James himself, came
from Scotland to Ireland in one of those currents of
emigration that set out from one country to the other,
as the waves of religious |iersecutioii swept hither
and tliither, as Catholic or Protestant was in the
;uscendant. It is even possible that James Shirley,
as well as his ancestors, may have been a native of
Scotland, and, with his parents, have been among
the exiles driven from Scotland, in 1660, under the
328
HISTOllY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
cruel persecutions of James Graham, of Clavcrhouse,
who was the tool of James, viceroy of Scotland and
brother of James II. The.se immigrants from Scot-
land were Presbyterians. Fifty years before, in l(il2,
many of their ancestors had settled in Ulster, on
lands confi.scated upon tlie overthrow of the Earl of
Tyrone, who had rebelled against James I. This
immigration kept up until 1()41, when the hatred of
the natives had so incrca.-^ed that it culminated in an
attempt to exterminate the entire Protestant popula-
tion, and in the attempt forty thousand Protestants
were slain. This massacre was avenged by Cromwell,
who, for the first time, brouglit all Ireland to Eng-
land's feet. For forty years more the Scotch and
Irish lived side by side in the north of Ireland, al-
ways hating and always at feud with each other.
The expulsion of James II. from the throne of Eng-
land, in lt)88, was followed by the accession of Wil-
liam III. and a new religious war in Ireland, the
Catholic Irish .supporting James, and the Presbyterian
Scotch rallying about the standard of William. It
was during this turbulent period — 1690-91 — that the
famous siege of Londonderry occurred. William tri-
umphed, and in the Ijattles of the Boyne and Augh-
rim the cause of .lames and the Catholics was over-
thrown. Hut the brave defenders of Londonderry
fared but little better than their Catliolic besiegers.
The acts passed in the interest of the Church of Eng-
land bore as heavily against the Scotch Presbyterians
as against the Irish Catholics. Many emigrated, and
among the number was the faithful l)and that settled
Londonderry. They sailed in five vessels, and landed
in Boston, August 4, 1718. That winter they passed
in Caseo Bay, sutt'ering terribly. The next year they
heard of Nutfield, on the Merrimack, settled there
and renamed it Londonderry. Thence they spread,
and they and their children became the pioneer set-
tlers of Derry, Chester, Windliam, Bedford and Goffs-
town. James Shirley arrived in Chester in IT.'iO, at
the great age of seventy-six, bringing with him a
full-grown family. He was a farmer, and is chron-
icled iis living to the extraordinary age of one hun-
dred and five years. It will thus be seen that the
Shirieys spring from a hardy, industriou.s, reliant and
long lived ancestry.
AVith Jtnnes^ Shirley came three sons, — John-,
James- and Deacon Thomas'-. Captain James- Shir-
ley, who died in 1796, was a seventh son, and famous
for curing king's evil (or scrofula) by the stroke of the
hand. Thomas* was born in Ireland in 1728, and
died in Gotlstown in 1808, aged eighty years. His
son, James', was born in Chester in 1759, and died in
GolTstown, Mardi 31, 185.5, aged ninety-six years.
He married Mary Moore, daugliter of Colonel Daniel
Moore, an officer in the Revolutionary AVar. For his
second wife be married Mrs. Abigail McCutchins, the
mother of Moses and General Luther McCutchins,
Mrs. John Swallow and Mrs. Robert M. Shirley.
Their children were Nancy', Jane', Thomas*, Daniel
M.*, James', .John*, Gilnian ', William' and Jiob-
ert M.'
Nancy' Shirley, born 1784; died December 12,
1818; married Joshua Vose, of Bedford; children, —
Joshua, Daniel, James and Nancy.
.fane ', born 1785 ; died December 9, 18G5 ; married
William McKinney, of Newberg, Ind.; children, —
Margaret, born 180t) ; Alary, born 1808; John, born
1810; James, born 1810; William, born 1814; Thom-
as, born 1817; Joshua, born 1819; Nancy, born 1822;
Harriet, born 1825; Martha, born 1828; Cornelia,
born 1830 ; Cordelia, born 1830.
Thomas' Shirley, born 1789; died May 13, 1834.
He was a teacher, and died at Satassia, Aliss., aged
forty-five years. He never married.
Baniel M\ Shirley, born 1791 ; died August 23,
1855 ; married Jane Moore, daughter of Robert
Moore, of Bristol. He was a farmer, and lived on a
])art of the original homestead farm on Shirley Hill,
the house on which, still standing, was the second two-
story frame house built in town. Their children were,
Robert M., born November 24, 1819; died April,
1883 ; married Margaret Dodge, of Gotlstown.
Nancy, born December 2(5, 1823; married Gilman
Shirley; children, — Alma, born 1849; Frank, Imrn
March 29, 1854; Clinton, born October 6, 18.57.
Alary, born Alay 10, 182(3; died December 1, 18(59;
married Ephraim Heald ; chikiren, — George, born
1849; Hattie, born July 8, 1852.
Joseph, born April 22, 1831; married Nellie Niles,
of Bombay, N. Y.; children, — Ardello, born 1859;
died 1865; Delbcrt, born 1861; Jennie, born 1S69;\
Delmay, born 1871 ; Hattie, born 1875.
Harriet, born April 2, 1835; married Sylvauus D.
Johnson ; children, — Cora Belle, born February 10,
1859, died July 12, 1859; Horace Shirley, born Oc-
tober 22, 1867, died October 12, 1869; Shirley Jloore,
born January 8, 1869; Helen Inette, born February
2, 1871.
Daniel, born September 26, 1838; married De Ette
Sackett, of Potsdam, N. Y. ; children, — James, born
February 23, 1876; Emma De Ette, born Julv 4,
1879.
Horace, born March 19, 1841; enlisted in Comi)any
G, Sixteenth New Hamiishire A'ohuitecrs; drowned
in A'ermillion Bayou, La., April 17, 1863, at the age
of twenty-two. He was one of the thousands of noble
and patriotic youths who gave their lives to their
country in the war which saved the Union and freed
the slave.
James* Shirley, born Alay 5, 1794; died August 8,
1863. He graduated at Dartmoutli College, read law
at Albany, N. Y., but soon left for Augusta, Ga., re-
suming studies and having charge of an academy
there. He began practice at Florence, Ala., and
pursued it at Huntsville, Ala., but finally settled at
A'^icksburg. His character was unblemished, his be-
nevolence exalted and his loyalty to the I'nion un-
compromising. It was at his plantation that the
^:^
i
I
; :
COFFSTOWN.
329
interview occurreil belwc-en Generals Orant and Pern- !
berton, wlikli led to the .surrciulor of Vickslmrg. He
married, tirst. Harriet, daajrliter of .lames Walsworth,
.if Norwieh, Conn., in 1x20. In 183.5 he married
Adeline, daughter of Abraham Quiney, of Boston,
Mass. .James Jay, oldest son of James and Harriet
.Shirley, was born in lS2o ; died 1852. His widow,
Harriet, and <lau}iliter, Emma (Mrs. Andrew Criddle),
reside in Clinton, Miss. Children by second mar-
riage,— Frederiek. born 183G, died 187.'i, unmarried.
(.iuincy,,born 1848; graduated at West Point; died
1879; he married Margaret Parks. Alice, born
1844; married General John Eaton, United States
eonimi.ssioner of education ; their children are, —
James Shirley, born 18(58; Elsie, born February (i,
1871 ; .I(din (iuiney, born 1873.
Jt)/»n' ^AiWey, born 17117; married Margaret Hous-
ton ; lives at Suspension Bridge, X. V. Children, —
.Vlfred, born ISlit; married Jane Woodbury. Maria,
born 1827; married Andrew Kimball; their children,
— Lauren H., born 18.50; Kniuia J., born 18"»2, died
1871); Ella F., born 18.)4, died 1877; Clara M., born
18 J7, died 1881; George A., born 1859; John S.,
born 1855, died 1861; Oilman, born September 20,
1823, married Nancy Shirley; member of Company
G, One Hundred and Twelfth Xew York Volunteers,
kille-l in battle of Cold Harbor, Va., June 2, 18G4.
J(din Shirley, died May 10, 1885; married Susan
Parker, of Hooksett ; children, — Josephine, born 1849;
Charles, l)orn 18.50; CJuincy, born 1858; Susey, born
18t52; Mary .lane, born 1823, married Griggs Hol-
brook, member of One Hundred and Seventieth New-
York Volunteers, died in .Andersonville prison; mar-
ried, second, Joseph H. Stevens, died 1880; chil-
dren, — Margaret .\l)bic, Ijorn IStiti; .Mice Maria, born
18(')S; .John Hadley, born 1870; Fred Hodgman, born
1873; married, third, .\ndrew Kimball. Sarah, born
18.36; married Matthew Dolphin; died 1869; chil-
dren, — George .Mfred, born 1867; Carrie Shirley, born
1869. Margaret, born 1840; married James Cooper,
1863; chiblreii, — Thoinas Shirley, born 1865; John
Maxwell, born 1867; Ella Margaret, 1869; Robert
James, 1871 ; Mary Emma, 1874.
Gilmaii' .^liirfn/, born 1799; died at Gilmanton
Academy, Franklin County, Ala., .Vugust 18, 1822,
aged twenty-three; unmarried.
Williitiii' Shirley, born 18(12; died at Court land,
Franklin County, Ala., August 25, 1824, aged twenty-
two.
Robert M*. Shirleij,\>nrn .lanuary 5, 1808 ; married
Sophia McCutchins, born April 15, 1805, died De-
cember (), 1870; married, second, Lucretia Houston,
born .Inly 20, 1820. I''or lifty years Mr. Shirley wa.s
one of the prominent farmers and business men of
the county. He is now retired from active businass,
anil in his retirement, as in his active life, is distin-
guished for his kindness, integrity and liberality.
He was a seventh son, famous for curing king's evil.
Children (by first wife), —
James Qnincy', born November 14, 1829; married
Elmira McPherson, of Bedford; educated at New Lon-
don ; went to Califm-nia in 1850, at the age of twenty ;
engaged in mining and stock-raising in Calitbrnia,
Idaho, Utah and Oregon'; a pioneer and successful
operator in the latter business. At the early age of
twenty-one he drove a large herd of cattle from
Council Blurts to San Franci-sco.
Mary Helen', born May 23, 1839; married Freder-
ick Eaton, dry-goods merchant of Toledo, t)hio; child,
Helen, born August 5, 1866, died April 13, 1876.
Abigail Frances", born November 21, 1844; married
Colonel James B. David, of Amherst; resides in
Somerville, Mass. ; child, — James Quincy, born May
30, 1874.
Ed\v.\iui C.\eltox Siiiiti.EY ', born December 5,
1834, in Gortstown, N. H.; married Amanda JIalviua
Baldwin (April 24, 1862), daughter of Deacon Nahum
Baldwin, of Man Chester; children, — Mary Vicksburg*,
born July 4, 1863, the day of the fall of Vicksburg;
Robert Lawrence", born M.ay 12, 1868; Florence
Sophia", born February 17, 1871.
Colonel E. C. Shirley is one of the best known and
most prosperous farmers in the State. He tills the
homestead farm on Shirley Hill, which he has im-
proved and brought to a high state of cultivation.
His occupation is that of his immediate and remote
ancestry in an unbroken line, and which has so strik-
ingly conduced to longevity in this tamily. His home
combines the attractiveness of rural life and the hap-
piness of the domestic circle, united with a generous
hospitality and troops of friends. Colonel Shirley was
educated in the district school until he was eighteen
years of age, and was then sent to New Hampton,
where he remained until the breaking up of that
school. He then went with Professor Knight to New
London, where he remained three years. After leav-
ing school. Colonel Shirley went to California in
1856, where he remained two years, engaged in var-
! ious employments. Returning to New Hampshire,
he was engaged in lumbering ojierations until 1862,
when his father moved to Manchester, leaving the
homestead to his care and possession. Colonel Shir-
ley has always taken an active interest in military
and agricultural atfairs. He has held a commission
as second lieutenant in the Amoskeag Vi'terans, aid-
de-cam|> to Governor P. C. Cheney, with the rank of
colonel, and on "New Hampshire Day," at the Cen-
tennial at Philadelphia, was otlicer of the day. He
was also assistant (|inirterniaster on the stall' of Brig-
adier-General Clough, New Hampshire National
Guard. He is a member and trustee of the New
England Agricultural Soiiety, and for three years
was chief marshal at the exhibitions, lie is also a
member of the New Hampshire Agricultural Society,
and chief marshal at four exhibitions. He is also
one of the founders of the Piscatacpiog Valley Agri-
cultural Associatiou.
330
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
LEMUEL NOYES PATTEE.
The subject of this sketch was boru in Miissachu-
setts, February 5, 1804. His jjareiits, -wliile lie was
very young, removed to Uotistowii, X. H., auil in this
romantic and beautiful village he passed his boyhood
days. He attended the public school, and there re-
ceived the ibuudation for an education on a more ex-
tended scale than was to be acquired in the district
school.
While yet of tender years he was placed in the utKce
of Judge Charles H. Gove (then a resident of that
town), and under the private tuition of that distin-
guished jurist became fitted for the discharge of the
responsible duties of later life. Mr. Pattee, after leav-
ing the office of Judge Gove, worked as a fanner dur-
ing the summer months for several years, and during
the winter taught in the district schools of several of
the adjoining towns with a good degree of success.
In 1827 he married Vashti L., daughter of Joseph
and Margaret Little, of Goffstown. They had one
child, — Mary F., who was born March 29, 1828, and
was married to John B. Woodliury, of Antrim, X. H.,
March «, 1849.
Mr. Pattee was the proprietor of a country store for
several years, and in this department of industry
achieved a good degree of success.
In 1842 he was elected register of Probate, and in
September of that year removed to Amhei-st, N. H.,
at that time the county-seat of Hillsborough County,
where, for ten years, he discharged the duties of that
responsible office with rare intelligence.
During his residence in Amherst he represented
the town in the General Court. At the close of hi*
service as register of Probate he removed to Antrim,
in the same county, which town he also represented
in the General Court.
At the June session of 1855, Mr. Pattee was elected
Secretary of State, and served to .June, 1858, lieing
re-elected each year. He discharged the duties of
this responsible office with singular fidelity, and, as a
matter of political history, was the first Secretary of
State elected under a Republican administratif>n,
Hon. Ralph Metcaif being Governor.
Mr. Pattee was an active member of the Whig party,
and assisted in the formation of the Republican party,
and acted with it up to the time of his death, with but
one exception. Being an admirer of General George
B. McClellan, he voted for him for President.
Mr. Pattee was liberal in his religious views, was a
constant attendant upon and a liberal contributor
to the support of puldic worship. He was a genial
man, an interesting and fluent talker, a good citizen
and much respected by all who knew him.
A beautiful portrait iu oil, the gift of his widow,
hangs in the office of the Secretary of State, from a
copy of which the accompanying engraving was made.
Mr. Pattee died April 1, ISTO, aged sixty-six years,
and was buried in the familv lot in Goflstown, N. H.
Y/// / ^ ^/ r^'/ ^ Z/;^ ;^
1
I
HISTORY OF GREENFIELD.
BY S. FRANCES PEAVEY.
PllEFACE.
Titc tiuk of gleaning t)ie following items of Greenfield history has
Ihwu u Ittborious one, ou account of the scttrcity uf materials.
Not a single cuutiniioufl hifttory of '-ven one family of the early settlere
liafl been found, and only a few diaries, extending over brief periode. It
Ui by detached fragments of family history, mostly obtained from the
recollections of our olilest I'iti/eiis, of inridenis related to them by their
anceolorH, that we are i-nabled to lift the veil that envelupts the pafit
enough tu oatch (ilful gleams of the domeKtic life of the pioneers. The
niotlvea that led to the OLTU|Htnry of the then nameless \vilderne(s8 are ob-
scure, hut Bcein tn have been the love of adventure, u dertire to bo free
from (he cunveiitionalitie« of «rM;iety, and the cheapnesit of the land
which ufTonled opfMjrtunitieH to acquire hnmer* with slender pecuniar}'
reeourcee.
Hud not Ihow brave adventurers t>een (•talwart phy-^ically, mentally
KUd momlly, they wi>uid not have dared to enpe with the dangera, pri-
vutiuQnaiid hardrtiiip^ that mui>t liav<- InutiitMl ii[) before them.
Anite<l wiih ax*- and flr<', thi-y rvm|M-llid the Klurdy monarchs of the
fureita to retire, and alhtw the nun and ruin, nunbined with inceNiant
toll, to coax from the virgin wdl, clad in the sable rr-lirnuf its primal oc-
cnpun'tM, iumlenauce for themntdves and tlieir loved onen.
nravi-ly. hojiefitlly and jM'i-iieveringly they labored tu lay the fuunda-
iioun on whii h iheir [mitterity might erect noble mipeixtriictureg. Did
Ihey succeed ' Let 'tiir pronperouH town deeide. V<*re they huppy V
The shadowy glimp^->< uf Ininie-life, that «*e catcli through flie long
TirtA of yearn, «eem tn nugK'-t I'll iilHriiiative answer.
The writer would gratefully tender her thank» to thone of the inhabit-
■ntit of the town, to former rcftidentK, and tti all utherr< who have aided
her by furnishing Mcraiw of biKtor>', incideitttt and fiict^ and dalc>4, other-
wiae nnattainutile.
MiKsS. FuASrr.H Pravky.
CH APTKR r.
"PETITIftN F<iR TIIK SKTIINtJ 1>FF oK TIIK NdRTHWKST
I'\UT (IF TIIK TOWN, 17!Mi.
" 3V> thf Hononible liewralt O'nrt uf a,e SiuU oj X. II. :
"The I'etition rpf ihe inhabitanltt of the t>otriety Land, So Called, hum-
tdj "hfW" thill your P<-litioniT», IJ^itig in S"* .S»Miety, Labour nntler
niiin> diniidMinlageM and incuiivenienreK by not Heint; In a Ciir|H)ratod
Towti, AnrI lannot Knjny Such Privileges ao to Ueiider their Circum-
Ktanct' Agn-eable. Wherefore, your Pntilinners Humbly Pray that
ihiit Nnrthwi'Ht Part of tlie town of Lyndeborough, of which the in-
liiihltiuilH halh for Kome yearM |Nutt Iweii desirous of being belter ac-
■'••inniixlitted. May Im Annoxeil to that part of the Society Land Lying
Noiilhand Southerly of the I'rotclied Mtmntuin with Lymlelmrough Slip,
«nd inc.rporated inb> n town lhere\\ith, and your Pelitinmtrrt, nn in l>uty
Rntiiid, wilt Kvi-r Pray :
" ll«'iiiHtiiiii Piilhird, Stephen ttould, Alexander Piirkcr, ItoWrt IIimI-
Kurrt, SiMMK-l Farmer, William (Hover, iMighiwt Uohiitiin, William Me-
Cme, Rl*en' FaiTinginii, Thoniiu Addltton, John Waugh, Pyam Herrick,
2*2
Samuel Cudworth, Samuel Weeks, Oliver Holt, William Wilson, Robert
Alexander, Thouiafi Atkisou, John Chu^e. Timothy Cudworth, Jguathan
Gillis, James Itamsey, Robert W'augh, John McMaster, Charles Caven-
der, John Ramsey."
"Societyhuid, Apr. Jo 27**', 1790."
"The Petition of the Subscribere, Inhabitants of a gore of land lying
between Lyndeborough and Peterborough, known by the name of Lyude-
borough Gore, IIuinMy Shews : Tluit your Petitioners have been en-
cournged (o settle in this Mountainous part of this State, in expectation of
being incorporated with some Adjacent Inhabitants into a body Politic,
with the same privileges that other towns enjoy, — that your petitioners
and famileys Consist of Forty-one souls, and live Seven miles, or upward,
fr<.)ni Tiyndboruugh Meeting-house, and, in addition to the badness of
Travel generally attending new Settlement*?, we have to cross the Petit
Manadinack Mountain to attend Public worehip, — that we have not
power to raise any money for laying out and repairing highways or
Schoolitii: Mill- Cliildren,— that public Instruction in th<' gi eat duties of
life and the fdnciitioii of our Children we Esteem as a duty and Privilege,
and think it of great importance, eitlier in a Religious or political view,
which \vu are, by our local situation, deprive*! of, and nmst so remain or
<jiiil our liabiljition unless relieved by the IlonW* Genenil Court,— that
Tliat part of Lyndoborough that is ad.jacouI to us lies west of the
Petit Monadinofk Mountains and that part of Ihe Society land that lays
South of the f'rolclied Mountain, and is bounded (»n the west by the
Contoocouk Uiver can nt-vcr be .\ecoiniuodated in any otht-r way than by
being incuriMinUed together with uw and one Kangi- "f Lots in the Town
of Peterborough, and that with them wo think ouraelve.-* Able to niuke
every Necessary provision for the eiyoymont of Privileges ond Advant-
ages that other towns enjoy.
" TlirTetoro we pray that your Honors would incorponUe us with the
Inhabitants above mentioned intoalwdy Politic, with theNime privtledges
and Enimuuitles that are enjoyed by other Towns in this State, or Grant
us Keliefe, us yon in your wisdom shall see flt ;
".Joseph Bjitchelder, Joshua Holt, i*eter Pevey, Joseph S. Lovorenco,
Tlioiniis Pi-vi-y, Nathan Lovejoy, .John Letcher, William Blunt, John
Holt. John Dane, Timothy Holt.
" Lyndeborough Gore, May 2S*'>, 17'.in."
Consent of Peterboroug*h to Foregoing, 1790.—
At a Ir^'jil t<*\vii-int'i-liiii: i^i' \\\v inlialiit:iiil> nT Peter-
borough, uiHui llir istli day nl* OcloluT, I7!K>:
" Voted, to gnint {>< Itn- persons petitioning the General Court the oasl
Range of Peterl>oriingh in CaM> they obtain from LyndelMiroiigh and
other places what they have petitioned for lo be iiirori>onited Into a
Town.
"Attest, Thomas Stkklk.
" Toum CUrk,
" pelerbonuigh, oduber |H dity, I7',«»."
( Jrrriitirhl wa> iiuorporaltMl .lime 15, 1791, HIKJ wna
c()tii|M»st'(i nf portiniis uf Socicly Kiuid, Peterborough
Riul l>yn(b*boron^'h, ami lan<i betweeit the two last-
naiiifil towns, callnl Lyinleborough Gore.
331
332
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOllOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Daniel Kinersdii, Esi]., of HoUis, wa.s authorized to
call the first towii-meetiug. They met at the house
of Mr. Daniel Gould, the 5th of July. 1791. After
opening the meeting, adjourned to the meeting-house,
at whieh town otfieers were chosen.
By au act passeil Deccmlier :iS, 1791, the boundaries
were changed and established. December 11, 1792,
the two east ranges of lots of land in Greentield, in
that portion which, previous to the incorporation
of the town, was known as Lyndeborough Addition,
were anne.xed to Francestown. July 4, 1872, another
portion of lliis town was annexed to Francei^town. A
portion of the territory now comprised in Greentield
was settled, in 1771, by Captain Alexander Parker,
Major A. Whittemore, Simeon Fletcher and others.
It has been stated that the name Greenfield was
given the town by Major Whittemore.
Greenfield is situated in the southwestern part of
Hillsborough County, in latitude 42° 55' north, and
longitude 71° 48' west (from Greenwich). Itis bounded
north by Bennington and Francestown, east by Fran-
cestown and Lyndeborough, south by Lyndeborough
and Temple, and west by Peterborough and Hancock.
It comprises an area of sixteen thousand nine hun-
dred and four acres, irregular in shape, nearly the en-
tire border-line from northeast to southwest forming
a curious succession of right angles.
It is drained by the Contoocook River, which sepa-
rates it from Hancock.
The surface is broken by many hills, while twonifiun-
taius, Crotched and Lyndeborough lie partly within
its precincts. The soil is conse<iuently varied in char-
acter, the low lands being adapted for tillage and the
hillsides for grazing. Its leading industry is agricul-
ture. The same infiuences which impart severity to its
winter climate make it a welcome and healthful sum-
mer retreat, easy of access since the extension of the
Boston iind Lowell Railroad to the place in 1874, and
the Manchester and Keene in 1878.
The village consists of a church, school-house, post-
oflice, hotel, depot, several stores and a steam-mill,
together with a goodly number of neat and well-pre-
served dwellings.
From its high central position it is visible miles away,
at various points, and the tops of its highest hills com-
mand on three sides a grand and extensive view of the
surrounding county farbeyondtlielimits. Away to the
east, past hill and dale and village spires, ri.sc the twin
heads of the bold I'nconoonucs, while to the west, far
across the broad intervening jdain, dotted with half-
concealed farm houses, Monadnock rears his symmet-
rical form, towering high in air like a lofty sentinel
keeping guard over the long line of approaching hills
that stretch far to the northward.
It has five jionds, known its Hog Back, Jfud roiid.
Gould I'ond, Bower's Pond and Pollard Pond. The
last iftimed, located in the west part of the town, is
the largest, being about one mile long and one-half
mile wide.
For many years it has been a favorite resort of
pleasure-parties, and many a wary pickerel has been
lured from its silent depths to be cooked and devoured
on its shores, with that savage relish which excursion-
ists rarely fail to exhibit.
For more than half a century a succession of its
sons and daughters have emigrated to other parts of
the country, many of whom have occupied honorable
pcsitions in the professional, business and literary
world.
The habits of patient toil, frugality, self-denial and
endurance, acnuireil thr(High the hardy occupations
of their early lives, have doublless proved a surer pass-
port to success than any iiilicritanceof wealth could
have procured.
The settlers of this towo were nmstly of English
and Scotch-Irish descent. The Ramseys, Beans and
Pattersons emigrated from the ancient town of Lon-
donderry. The Holts, .Vbbotts and Pcaveys came from
Andovcr, Mass., and were numerousin the south part
of the town.
To Chelmsford and Marblehead we are indebted for
some of our earliest settlers, among whom were the
Savages, Reynolds, Fletchers and others.
The early settlers were industrious and frugal, and
planned with a wise reference to the future welfare of
the town.
They raised large families and so trained them for
life's duties that many of them have occupied honor-
able positions in almost every State in the Union.
But few of the descendants of the pioneers now in-
habit the town.
'*.\ugii5t 8, 1791. .\t a legal nioctiug of said voters and others, iiiliab-
itaiita of the Touu of Greenfield, at the incetiiig-houee in said town, on
Monday, the 8th ilay of .ViiRiiBt, ITt'l, Chose I.ieut. Anios Whitteuiuve,
]Moderatttr.
" Volril, to raise eighteen pi-nnds, to he laid out in preaching, the
present year.
" Voted, to accept the account of the ciininiittee that was chosen to
carry the matter of incorporation through the Geuera) Court.
** Volttly to raise three |K>und» for necetftjiry town ehargee.
" Voted, that Messrs. Joshua Holt, Benjamin PoUurtl and Joseph Ell-
inwood be a committee to supply the desk the present year.
" Votfd, to chot>»- thn-e choristere ; chose Joseph Batchelder, Thomas
Pearsons and Thomas Carlton, Jr.
" Voted, to have the Psiilm read one-half of the time, and the other
half to sing without reading.
" Voted, to allow the consljibles fourpenceon the pound for coIle<'tiDg
the taxes.
*' The town voted to join with the church in calling a fast, to have the
I'liinvh orgatiizcd in thi^ town.
".losEt'n Hekiuck, T. C."
First Roads. — Knads weri> first laid out to accom-
modate individuals, and rendered passable by cutting
trees as near the ground as possible, thus clearing a
space of sufficient width tor teams to pass.
" .\ Transcript of a road leailing from the centre
road, so called, upon the line betwixt Thomas liut-
inan's farm anil Alexander I'arkcr's, until it comes to
said Butman's North East corner; from thence to the
Xorth East corner of Samuel Butterfield's clearing,
and south from Joseph Eaton's barn to the bridge
CKEKNFIKLD.
.•533
iivtT llu' |M)iiil liriMik. :is near as llie land will |niiiiil.
Hv till' 8i-liTliiieti of the Soriety, 17H7."
Ill 17!tl a road was laid out, two rods wide, begin-
iiiiijrat tl If West line of I.yndehiiniUjjh Slip, so called;
tlienee westerly tliroUf;li lanil of Nelieiniali and
Kpliraiin lloll, to I'eterboroujili wi'sl linr.
Ill 1711^1 aiKillier road, lieginning at .luhii Holt's
house ; thence running northeasterly to the log cause-
way ; thence northwesterly to the iiieeting-liousespot.
Ill 17yo a road was laid out ■ liegiiining at the
County road the south side of the meeting-house ;
tlieiiee easterly, liy marked trees on the north side ol
the road, through land of Sanunl Weeks, Elijah
Hroadstreet, William i'arker and Jesse i)odge, also
through land of Mosea Lewis to a little brook in .said
land ; thence easterly to the road that leads to Lyndc-
liorough."
Before 17'.I5 a road was lalil out "beginning at the
■ asterly line of the town of (irceiitield. running south-
westerly to John Grant's east line, south side of
(Jraiil's house, till it .strikes the road that leads by
I'hiliii Fletcher's to Lyndeborough ineeting-house."
Several other roads were early laid out, and used only
as l)ridle-|>atlis.
First Crops. — The lirst crop on burnt ground was
rye ; the surtace was as thoroughly harrowed as it
could be on account of obstructions, and the seed was
pecked in with a hoe around rocks, roots and stumps.
The yield was usually abundant; it was reaped with a
sickle and threshed with a ilail. Potatoes and tur-
nipjf grew well on any land. Flax yieldecl largo crops
both on new and cultivated land. Il uas considered
women's work to pull and spread it on the grass ground
to rot. The early pastures yielded timothy, chtver
and other milk and butter-producing grasses. Corn
did better on land that had bi'eii cultivated a few
year>.
First Mills. — Isaac Coblictl hail a fiilling-iiiill from
l«2(l to l,S2:! on land bought of Deacon David Patter-
son. Me had the privilege of flowing the iik adow tor
a pond until the IDlli of .May. lie liiiill ami livicl in
the house now occupied by James Lewis.
Me was suiceeded by Mr. Locke, who carried
on the same business several years, until the gradually
diminished water rendereil il unprolitable.
The first saw-mill in town was built by Jeremiah
Balilwin. jusi ludow the junction of a brooklet from
Crolchcil Mountain, and a small sireain which is the
outlet of the tiolild Pond.
The first saw and grist-mill was creeled by Major
Peter Peavey, on the brook at the outletofthe Hower's
I'ond, This mill was relinipiishcd for want of water.
I icMinii .lidiii Savage hadamill on the Hanly Hrook,
.so called, which all'orded power for sawing fall and
spring. It was destroyed liy lire, .lames Sawyer has
a saw-mill on the same stream, which can only he op-
erated a few weeks in the year, and is the only re-
maining mill in town carrieil by water-power.
The inhabitants of the place had long felt the in-
conveiiienee of having neither saw nor grist-mill in
town, and after enthusiastically agitating the subject,
decided to form a stock company and build a steam-
mill.
.\ company was foniicd and a coniniittee <lioscn,
consisting of Charles Kichardsoii, John .1. Diincklee
and Stephen Holt, .Ir., to superintend the construc-
tion of the mill.
It was located in the village, on Depot Street, a few-
rods west of the junction of the four roads.
It was a large, heavy-timbered building, and fur-
nished with heavy and expensive machinery. The
mill was operated by ,<tcphcii Holt, Jr. Silas B.
Winn was engineer.
It did considerable sawing and grinding, but the
expenses of runuing it were too large to render it a
profitable investment. It was destroyed by lire in
June, 1851. A second steam-mill was built by the
Hopkins Brothers, on the same site; after running it
a few years they sold the engine to Edwin Jac|uith, of
Peterborough, and the building to S. D. Downes, of
Kraneestowu, who refurnished it with new machinery.
It was burned to the ground in May, 188.3. The site
was immediately purchased by George F. Russell,
who erected a mill and is now running if.
Wild Animals. —The auimals found here by the
first settlers were deer, wolves, bears, foxes, wild-cuts,
porcu|>ine3, woodchucks and squirrels. Wild turkeys,
partridges, woodcocks, owls, and a variety of other
liirds wiTi' also found.
Domestic Animals. — Oxen were the most useful of
all the domestic animals for conveying agricultural
products to distant markets; as there was no piusturage,
the earliest settlers seldom kept more than one cow.
Horses were trained to carry heavy burdens and
liiilky loads. They were accustomed to carry two per-
sons and a child.
It was not an unconinion metliod of performing
short journeys to "ride and tie," which means that a
part would riile to a specified place, and liidli their
horse by the side of the road, walk on iinlil llu- other
part came up, and thus alleniatc.
Hogs were numerous, and in early spring they were
yoked, ringed and allowed to run at large.
CHAPTKK II.
GREENFIELD— (fliiiOiiiifd).
ECCLBSIASTICAI. IIISToKY.
First Church. — Previous to 17'.il the people as-
sembled on the Sabbath for worship al priv.ili' houses,
bill after the town was incorporated they felt the need
of a ineeting-house for secular as well as religions
purposes.
December f), 17!tl, Deacon C'raiii, James FJIinwooil
aixl Paul Cragin were chosen by the town to appraise
334
UISTOKY OF HlLLSBOKOUan COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
a building owned by several proprietors, located on
the site of F. C. Fleteher's present house.
They reported that the meeting-house was worth
twelve pounds, aud the town voted to raise nine
pounds to repair said house, the work to be done by
the last of the following June.
A ehurch was organized in this house, as will ap-
pear from a '*eopy of the proceedings of the tirst
Church of Christ in Greenfield."
June 25, 1794, this meeting-house was again ap-
praised and sold to Mr. Broadstreet, and moved to the
lower part of the village, where it is now owned and
occupied as a dwelling by Mr. Horace Cudworth.
" Several persims of the Town of lireeiifioUl, wlio are in full Ciuuinu-
nion with the Church of Christ in towns where tlu-y fornieilj' be-
longed, Desirous of being euibodied into a distinct Church iu this place-,
met together aud proceeded as follows :
"1"*. Chose Dea. Cram Chairman.
"2oiy. Voted to request the assistance of an Eccle8iii<ilii'al Council to
be convened the Seventh day of September, followintj.
"3*i/. Chose a committee to send to the churches in Lyndeborough,
Wilton and Temple, to desire tlie assistance of their elders and delegates
on thie occasion.
" 4*''iy. Voted that Dea. Cram acquaint the inhabitants of the town
with the proceedings of this meeting, and desire their attendance wlien
the Council should meet.
"On the Seventh of Sept., 1791, the C<iuncil were convened at the
house of Joshua Hult. Rev. Mr. rJoodridge and Esq. Fuller, from Lynde-
borough ; Rev, Mr. Fisk and M;ij. Abbott, from Wilton ; Rev. Mr, Miles
and Esq. Cragin, from Temple. After inquiring the design of calling
the Council, The inf(»rination is lus follows: About twenty persons, now
inhabitants of Greenfield, having obtained dismissions and recommen*
dations from the t*everal Churches to which they belonged wish to be
emboflied into a Church here, ami eight persons who are not members
in full communion with any church, have e.xpressed their desire of taking
the covenant upon them and be embodied with the Church here.
"The persons who stand thus propounded are John Reynolds, William
Burnham, Jonathan Ballad and their wives, also, Hannah, wife of
Stephen Hurnham, and Lucy, wife of Peter Pevey.
"The Council, being satisfied with the information, agreed that Mr.
Miles should preach in the forenoon and Mr. Visk in the afternoon, and
that the Church be embodied.
"The names of the persons embodied are as follows: Dea. Benj".
Cram, Robert Day, John Reynolds, Fhilip Fletcher, William Burnham,
Nathan Cram, George Person, Joshua Holt, Joseph Itat4helder, John
Dane, Jonathan Ballad and their wives. Widow Mary KJetcher, Mary,
wife of Tho» Carlton, Dinah, wife of W". Blunt, Uauuah, wife of Stephen
Biirnhani, Lucy, wife of Peter Povey, James Rjtmsey, Dea. Cram, Joshua
Holt, Joseph Batchelder, Robert Day and James Ramsey were chosen a
committee, in presence of the Council, to act hereafterin behalf of the
Church. An Ecclesiastical Council convened at Greenfield on tb.- 7th of
September, 179L Agreeable to the lettei-s missive from a number of per-
sons in said Greentleld, who were mendiers in full communion with the
Church of Christ, expressing a desire that they might be embodied into
a distinct Church, and the Churches convened in Council approving of
their proposal, a nimiber of persons appearwl before (he Council and in
a solemn manner entered into a Covenant with God and with each other
(names before mentioned), and they were accordingly acknowledged to
be a regular Church of Christ.
'* In testimony whereof we, the Pastors and delegates of the Churches
of Lyndaborough, Wilton and Temple, have hereunto set our hands.
'* Sp.wai,l Goodrich.
" Abfi. Fisk.
"Noah Miles.
" ANDnEW Fl'LLER.
" Abiel Abbott.
"Fbancis Chaui.n."
June 2o, 17iH, the town chose the following com-
mittee to look out a site to build a nu-cting lutuse
upon : Daniel l'ain|ibcll, of Ainlurst ; Timothy Far-
rar, New Ipswich, and .lolm L)uncau, of Antrim.
This committee rei>ort, —
"That they have viewed the several j.laci'g of the town, ami the dif-
ferent sjiots shown us by individuals, and recommend to (he inhabitants
to build said meeting house on a small hill in Custer's cleared land, so
L-alled, and we have accordingly sot up a stake and s|)otted a stump for
the front of the house, and, although we do not alttigether approve of the
ground in its present state, we yet think that by the labor of the inhabi-
tanti*, it may be made eligible, and, all things considered, recommend it
as the best place.
" Voted, to accept the above repoi't .
"JoSEJ-H IlERRicK, Toicn Clerk."
" At a Town-Meeting on the iilst day of August, 1795 :
" Voted, to raise the meeting-house with ladders.
" Voted, to Imve one hundred men to raise the meeting-house.
" Voted, to have nine from Peterborough, nine from Temple, nine
from Wilton, nine from Lyiideborough, nine from Francestown, nine
from Hancock and six from the Society.
" I'o/cfi, to send a Comniitteyman to each town to invite the men to
help raise the meeting-house.
" Vottd, io choose a committee to fonn a plan for the Public Expense
of raising the meeting-house.
"The Commity Report One Hogshead of West India Rum and half a
Quintal of Codtish, ))alf a hundred of Shugar, the Raisers to have a
baiting at Nine o'Cltick in the morning and a dinner at one of the Clock.
" Voted, to accept the report of the commity.
" Voted, to invite the Rev. Mr. Goodrich to attend the raising, also to
invite Doctor John Pcabody.
" Voted, that Messrs. Isaac Foster and Joseph Batchelder be a commit-
tee to keep order on the ground a raising day.
"Dec. 1, 17^0. Voted, to finish the meetinghouse in three years from
next April.
"Joseph Herrick, 'A-u« Clerk.''
Ministry.— The Kuv. Timothy Clark was the first
settled minister, according to the church records. He
was ordained January 1, 1800, and after u pastorate
of several years, on the first Sabbath in June, 1810,
after much solemn deliberation and incjuiry to know
liis duty, rei|Uested a regular dismission from his
pastoral otficf. His reasons for m\ doing were, — 1st,
inadeiiuacy of temporal support; 2d, a persuasion in
his own mind that the church and people were not so
well united in his religious sentiments and public
administrations as to render it duty for him to con-
tinue among them.
The church, in tlu* month of September, 1810, in
regular meeting, voted, — 1st, their desire that the
pastor should continue in office, and that they were
willing to unite with the other inhabitants of the town
in raising his salary; otherwise, 2d, should the town
decline, that they were willing to unite with ihem
and the pastor in calling an ecclesiastical council
for his regular dismission. The town, in the same
month, September, 1810, in legal meeting, voted to
comply with the pastor's rctiuest, and he was dis-
missed May 1, 1811.
A town-meeting was called on the 2.*id of }sovt'mi)er,
1811. At said meeting the church aud society united
in voting to give Rev. Jtditi Walker a call to take the
pastoral care of said church and society. An accept-
ance of said call was manifested by the pastor-elect
on the 29th of December, 1811. He was ordained
February 5, 1812, and continued as acting pastor for
several years, when, at a church-meeting, — voted,
that it is thought expedient that the pastoral con-
nection between the Rev. John Walker and this
church be dissolved. Voted, that a committee of two
GREEN FIELD.
335
l)e upp/iiituJ to cDiiler witli the sek'clineii, to iiiforni
Iheiu what the churuh have done rehitive to the dis-
mission of the pastor, and to request a regular town-
uieetiii^ to inform the town on what terms of dis-
mission the i)iu>tor has profposed. Agreeable to the
result of council, he Wiis dismissed August, 1822.
His ministry was faithful and successful, during
which time upwards of eighty were added to the
• liurch.
Kev. Francis Dauforth graduated at Dartmouth
L'oUege in 1S19; ordained over the church in Green-
field the 6th of Juno, 1823. He served as acting
pastor for nearly eight years. Died in Clarence, N. Y.,
in 1843. An earnest Christian and useful in his day.
CHAPTER III.
GREENFIELD— (Coii/iniierf).
Home Life — School — Military, Ktc.
Home Life. — The following glimpses of pioneer life
wen- oliiaincd from one who, in 1794, nuide her bridal
trip to a tireenfield forest home, where she reared a
family, spent a long and useful life, and now, with
her husband and all her children, rests iii'Mlod's
Acre," near the meeting-house where she constantly
worshiped. Moat of the settlers lived in log cabins a
short time, and then built framed dwellings. Their
housex and barns were usually separated by a garden
or small field.
In fair weather the cattle were fed in the yard, and
the bars were left down that they might go to the
nearest brook or spring to clrink. Water for hou.se-
hold purposes was brought from the nearest springs,
frequently many rods away.
The all-important room in tln' house was the large,
long, low kitchen, usually facing the north. It con-
tained a wide, deep lire-place, which in winter was
piled high with logs that warmed the well-ventilated
apartment in the day-time and atlbrdcd light sufficient
for nearly all domestic purposes in the evening. At
the right hand of the lire-place was a capacious brick
oven, with an ash-oven under it. A long high-backed
settle stood a-slant, across one end of the broad,
smooth, stone hearth. An open dresser adorned with
shining pewter rested against the wall beside a fall-
table. Several broad shelves afforded convenient
places for baskets of wool anil low, piles of rolls, cards
and various miseelhineous articles.
The stuilding was adorned with hanks of llax,
bunchesof woolaiulskeinsof flax aiullowyain. .\ row
of smooth poles, resting on wooden hooks, attached
to beams overhead, served its hat-rack anil clothes-
bars, and in one corner frocks, blankets and hoods
were linddled together on wooden pegs. In one end
of the room .stood a high bed, beneath which was a
trundle-bed. a large and a small spinning-wheel, and,
not unfreiiuently, a loom, swills and reel and (piill-
wheel shared places with other domestic implements.
A large brass or iron kettle (for washing), a huge din-
ner-pot, tea-kettle, long-legged spider and long-
handled frying-pan comprised their principal cook-
ing utensils. They did all their baking in the
oven, e.\cept rye short-cakes and Indian trench-
cakes, which they baked on boards before the
fire. Besides manufacturing nearly all their
clothing without the aid of machinery, and pro-
viding food for their families, they made soap,
beer, candles, wax, starch, glue, dyes, ink, syrups,
ointments and pills. They knew the medicinal vir-
tues of barks, roots and herbs, and, by juiliciously jpre-
pared home remedies, lessened doctor's bills. For
breakfast, children, and often the entire family, ate
" spoon victuals," consisting of milk, rye or Indian
gruel, samp broth or bean porridge. Rrown bread,
baked beans and baked Indian jiudding formed one
of their substantial dinners. .-Vnother was a " boiled
dish,'' served on a large pewter platter; sections of
pork, beef or mutton occupied its centre and were
flanked on all sides by piles of vegetables. A smaller
platter held a cylindrical boiled Imlian pudding,
which was served as the first course.
The family stood round the table while the father
''asked a ble.ssing," and at the close of the meal stood
while he " returned thanks." They were very eco-
nomical, and nothing was wasted. The number of
years a family had kept house could be ascertained
j by their pile of almanacs, lor books and jiajiers of
every description were carefully ])reserved. Chibiren
were received as blessings, and thanks were returned
in the " house of God" for their bestowal.
The old meeting-house was built, owned and con-
trolled by the town. After the piissage of the act allow-
ing each denomination in town the use of the house its
proportionate share of the time, one ."^abbath in each
month was allotted for the use of a few individuals of
another deiunniuation. Thus the First Evangelical
Church was without a place of worship one-twelfth
of the time. After having re|)eatedly and unsuccess-
fully endeavored to make some arrangement with the
town that would enable them to have the eontiMue<l
use and control of the place of worship, a eoumil of
ministers was called, who decided that it was lor the
interest of religion that the church should have the
entire control of their place of worship, and advised
the church to build and own a meeting-house. Act-
I ing upon this advice, the church voted to build, and
in 18;!,s the majority of the chureh, with the assistance
of other ehurib-going people, erected a neat and com-
: modions edifice, whii-h was dedicated February 13,
1839, and the next day (Febriiaiy I4tb), at the old
meeting-house, the church votid lo kioom' its meet-
ings for public worshiii, and for the transaction of all
church business, to the new meeting-house which
they had erected and dedicated, after the expiration
of the engagement with Mr. Field, which would ter-
336
HISTOKY OF UlLLSBOflOUGlI COUNTY, x\E\V llAiMrSUIRE.
ininate in April. Thou the church comnieiiceil wor-
ship ill the now house, anil, after eniployiiij; diU'erent
miiiisters for a brief period, euiployed, successively.
Revs. David P. Smith, Jonathan McGee and Daniel
Goodhue, under whose ministrations the church was
united and prosperous and reniarkalily harmonious. In
1804 the diminished nunihcrs of church-goers in both
houses rendered it expedient that the churches should
unite and occupy one place of worship. After much
l>reliminary arrangement, both churches disbanded
and united under the name of the Union Congrega-
tional, and occupied the nld meeting- house, the upper
part having been litted up for a place of worshi|) and
the town having rclincpnshed its control over it. Sub-
sequently, the new church edifice was sold and litted
up for private dwellings. It was sold for about three-
fourths of its cost, and the amount divided among the
original stockholders.
A Congregational Church was organized at the old
meeting-house November 19, 1839. "Voted to give
the Rev. Bancroft Fowler a call to become the Pastor
of this Church, and that the Ecclesiastical Council
now convened be re(|uested to install him over this
Church on the morrow." Mr. Fowler was accordingly
installed on the 20th, agreeably to the above request-
The pastoral relation sulisisting between Mr. Fowler
and this church was dissolved, at his request, April 22,
1845, after which Rev. Noah Emerson, followed by
Revs. Lc Bosquet, Marshall and Case, supplied the pul-
pit until the two churches disbanded ami united in
1807.
Rev. (ieorge W. Kuland, the present pastor of the
church, isanativeofXew York. Heserved in the Army
of the Potomac in 1861-62, then resumed teaching in
Suffolk County, N. Y., until September, 18()4, when he
came to New Hampshire, and graduated in 18(57 from
the Concord Institute, now known as Boston School
of Theology. In connection with his pastoral work,
Mr. Ruland is well-known as an active, outspoken
minister for total abstinence and prohibition. He in-
terests himself in the work of the schools and has
served on the Board of Education in Littleion, Pem-
broke and <Treenland. His first year's labor here has
been successful and attended with marked revival in-
terest and accessions to the church. He was installed
May 2i;, ISS.-").
Cemeteries. — The oldest cemetery in town is situ-
ated on the east side of the road leading from Frances-
town to Lyndeborough Mountain, and north of the
road running over Lyndeborough Mountain, it being
land given abnut 17r)."> by Simeon Fletcher, whose
solitary habitation at that time wits a few rods north of
it, and where now his dust reposes with many of bis
descendants and others of the neighborhood.
On the farm originally owned by Major .\mos Whitte-
niore is a family bnrying-lot, although names on the
headstones show that others have been permitted to
be buried there, among whom were Rev. Charles Whit-
ing and wile.
The cemetery connected with the meeting-house
was laid out in 1797 by the tbllowing comniitlee:
John Reynolds, Amos Whittemore, Elijah Broad-
street and Joshua Holt, the land being owned liy the
town.
More of the early sell lers repose there than in all
the other cemeteries. M<ist of the available room has
been occupied, and many entire families have been
buried there. A town reeeiving-tonih is accessible
from the road. About the centre of the yard are the
private tombs of Rev. John Duncklee and Dr. Samuel
Fitch.
Rev. Peter Holland Rev. David P. Smith rest near
together in the most elevated portion of the lot. There
are several tine monuments and many marble head-
stones of modern style interspersed with ancient slate-
stone slabs, and numerous hillocks indicate unmarked
graves.
Geeenvwle Cemetkkv. — " Mjirtli 12, 1ST8, a coiiiiiiittee wjls c}u>seu
l>.v the tiiwn, consisting of Gein-ge S. Peavey, David StjiriTtt an<l David
Ramsey, to act in conjunction with the Selectmen to investigate the nuit-
ter of enlarging the old cemetery north of the t-hurch, and re|iort at a
future meeting.
" April 2lj, said cuniniittee recommended the purchase of a tnict of land
situated about one mile east of the village, and wmlh side of the forest
road, at a cost of three hundred dollai-s.
"Sept- 2h. Vi'ltd, that eight acres lie enclosed within a suitable fence,
and laid out in lots in a good, subst^tntial manner, at an evpen>e not ex-
ceeiling three hundred dollars, and that hereafter it shall be called Green -
vale Cemeter>\"
The first turf was broken to receive the remains of
Captain Benjamin Hardy, an aged native of the town
and a man ofstcrling worth.
The firsl monumeni was placed in the family lot of
Deacon Levi S. Holt, where two members of his family
now repose.
A tall granite monument marks the resting-place of
Deacon Peter Peavey, an esteemed native and life-long
resident of the town, and in close proximity is the
unique and elegant monument erected to the memory
of Rev. Samuel H. Partridge, late pastor of the Union
Congregational Church.
Schools. -.\s early as 1792 a "vote was taken to
choose a committee of eleven to divide the town into
school districts. .\t this time (he town was divitled
into seven school districts, and thirty pounds raised
for the support of a school."
Before the erection of school houses, barns and
private dwellings were used as places of instruction.
In the early part of the century we find the following
names recorded as superintending school committee:
Rev. John Walker, ('aptain John Burnham, Farnnm
Holt, William Whiltiniore, Peter Peavey and .\inos
Wliitteniore, Ksi|.
In most of the districts lliere are two terms ol school
each year. A fall term of select school is often sup-
ported in the village, which is attended by pn]iils
from all parts of the town.
Many sch<dars supplenniil the ilislrict-school in-
struction by alleniling High Schools anil academies,
where they are fitted for teachers and successfully
follow that occupation.
I
I
GREENFIELD.
337
Miircli 14, 1X8;'), an ii|i|ini|iiiiitioii of three thou-
siiiid ilollars was inadi' in iJistrict Nii. 3, the centre
111' the town, I'or the erection of a t-uitaljle school
'luildinfr, with a hall on the secoinl floor for literary
|iur|powes.
Military.—
" 17'J'>. All -irticle to fi«e whiit iiH-thutl tlit* tiiwu will ronie into tu lui^
ttu'ir |ini|Ktrliuii uf liicli cuned furoiitof Captiiiu Wliitteliiurf'tjComiiaiiy,
iif;ivt>Hbk> !<• neufr.il onleiv, Mbit-li pr(i|)urtioii ik sixteen.
■■ ITIW, All ArtJL-le To see whftt methoil tlie tcnvn will take to raise the
men lliut are called for iu town.
** Jul,v 7, 18l:i. Voted, to give some eucouni;;eniei)t to tlie Soldiers rallied
in tliis town for 8i.\ luoDtbs.''
A draft of the following men was made destined
til Portsmouth: Peter Pcavey, Jacob Pcavey, John
W. Hean, John Savage, Xathaiiicl Reynolils and
(•avid Emcr.-on. I'^roui the following order for mus-
kets, given to Stephen Holt in 1838, it is evident
I hat a company existed known as the Light Infantry :
"That the twelfth Company of Infantry, belonging to said town of
Oreeiilield, and the twenty -Bixth Kesiineiit of New Ilaiiipsliire .Militia,
linvint; the uiiiiiber enrolled and completely nnifuniied as the law pre-
•crilie«, iloth apply to said State for their quota of iiiuskets fur said (Jom-
imliy."
.Another wcIl-officered company was organized
aliont 1830. known as the Hitlc Company, which did
military duty until 18.")1, when, liy legislative enact-
ment, this company disbanded. Prior to August,
1862, forty-two three-years' men volunteered from the
town, and were sworn into the United States service.
ROLL OF SOLDIEltS.
Skcond Rei:i3ient.
Edmund lias'-nmb, second lieutenant, wounded July 13, 1803 ; died of
wounds July 13, 1863; grave II, section A, Gettysburg Cemetery,
New Ilampiiliire lot.
TlIIKIi ItKr.IMHNT.
Ilarri Miiixliall, disrharged for disability May '.I, 18U3.
Kill ItTIl ItKniMENT.
Harry KIwihhI, wounded July '^-i, IStVl ; died of discaiw, date unknown.
Alltoine t:<^Maril, discharged for disability January 2f>, IKIt3; died in
n<H'k|sirl, Va.
Charles II. Wilson, promote<l coqionil ; wounded May *.;o, 1804; niiis-
tereil out September 27, l8tVI.
Wllliani 1'. Winn, discharged at Beaufort, S. C, April, 1804.
Oeorge 1). Stile*, re-enlisted Kel.niary ai, ISfrl.
fieorge F. Lannccy, died of dist.ase August 24, I8fi3,
Ili.arbMrn S. MikmIv, re-eullsted February 17, I8ri4.
Sixth KKiiiMr.M
AltwrrI L. Aliirpliy, wounded June 3, I8l>4 ; promoted corporal ; dis-
charged for disability .September 211, IHI14 ; died in hospital.
TniilTKKNTII RkdIMKNT.
1.4'WlH r. Wilson, proiiiotcsl to captiiiii January I'J, ISii'i.
Pi-rkilis W. Hopkins, iniistercd out June 2, ISi'..').
Antoine Ooddard, wounded severely September 2H, 180.4.
Ahini '/,. .loiies, dii-d August -.'l, \HK\.
John .1. IJniiier, wounded slightly .luiie I.''i, IHri-t.
Ervin L. Lee, killed al loiines' Farm, Va., Juno I, I8li4.
lieorge II. I'hapniali, died August 24, I8IkI.
J<"«'pll Ash, discharged for disability Kebnmry 28, 18fi:i.
Satnu«l (i. Stearns, died August II, ISI^I.
Sewal r. .Stearns, killed in action June 1, 18114.
Ambrose W. Stearns, died at llichlnond, Va., May Js, Isim.
John K. Spiiiibliiig, wounded slightly June I, IHi;4: discharged by
Special Older No. -il'.l. Kx. .Ml, War Ile|«irliiienl, July Ir,, I«c,l.
John (lark, killed in action ."ieptember ai, IMIll, at Virginia.
Jacob luilinel, died al i;reenlield, X. II., May, I8li4.
Jedin W. llerrick, died August 21, 18(i3.
Herbert I.ee, died August 31, 1803.
Williiini II. Powers, pi-oinuted coi-poral ; discharged March 1, 1804.
Tboinas S Stuart, proinoled corporal ; di.-.cliarged November l.^, 18B3.
Nathaniel Flaton, discharged by older March 1, l^\'A.
George K. Messer, promoted to «;cond lieuti'uunt March 8, l.<o;i.
George E. ^lesser, Jr., re-enlisted January 4, ISlrl.
Noah Paro.
John Caiu.
W. (1. Woodbridge.
Sixteenth Reoiment.
Oscar I". Stiles, mustered out -\ngu6t 20, 1803.
Dennis Hurlahey, innstered out .-Viigust 2U, 1803.
John <'H'^'-. inilstered out .\iigllsf 211, 1.S03.
Recreations. — Most of the early settlers were large-
hearteil people, ready and willing to assist their
neighbors. They were accuslomcd to combine utility
with recreation, and heartily cnjoycil helping a new-
comer tend his burning "slash " antl a towiismaii pile
his blackened logs.
Trainings and musters, town-meetings, Fourth of
.Inly celebrations and election-day gatherings were
highly prized. Wrestling and other athletic imports were
poimlar pastimes on such occasions. Aged, middle-
aged, young men and boys attended raisings. The
old men made the wooden jiins to fasten the timbers
together. The boys distributed them and carried the
pail of toddy round. Strong men raised the frame,
a broadside at a time, stimulated by the stentorian
cry of " Heave her up ! heave her up ! " by the nia.ster-
workman. When the raising was completed the
older people went home, but the younger ones
remained for an evening frolic. There were huskings
in the fall, spelling-schools, school exhibitions and
evening parties in the winter, and sweet "sug:iring
ofl" gatherings in the spring. They loved, wooed ami
wed, and the brides e.'cpected to bear their slittres of
life's burdens. There was a spirit of rivalry among
the women to see who could make llic handsomest
flowered coverlets, plaid blankets and table linen,
(lirls were taught common sewing, hem-slilihing,
embroidering and marking samples at .■ichool. lOven-
ing neighborhood jiarlics were very enjoyable. Some-
times a tincture of credulity and superstition was
apparent in their love for marvelous stories, ami a
disposition to find oiil tbr incomprehensible Wiis
iintiiil'cstcil in their warm debates about ( fod's fore-
knowledge ami decrees. Liformal calls lo see how
stock wits thriving and how crojis were turning out
were common, and served to inirease neighborly in-
terest and diminish envious tendencies. Thankgiving
was the day that was anticipated the longest and en-
joyed the most heartily. It was both it secular anil
a religious feast. Smiie of the sedleis prulongcd it
to two days.
Two or more families would lake the lir>t dinner
at one house, and the next ibiy al another.
S;iinplcs of everything llnil bad been raiscil on llie
farm were cooked, and placed on ibc tabic together,
as a thanks oll'cring for ihc iHUinlics of the year. A
boiled dish, with all its accompaniments, baked
meats ami I'owls, puddings and pics, were temiitirigly
338
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
displayed, and after a longer grace than usual had
been said, good appetites did ample justice to the
most imposing meal of the j-ear.
They were early taught to obey their parents, say
" Yes, sir," and "No, sir," treat their superiors with
deference and all others with courtesy. They were re-
quired to rise early and wait upon themselves, and to
ilo their allotted work before they stopped to play.
After supper the father read a portion of God's
word, extinguished the candle and all the family rose
and stood while he implored forgiveness for the sins
of the day, both of commission and omission, and be-
sought his heavenly Father to watch over them during
the defenseless hours of sleep.
Many of them kept Saturday evening as a prepara-
tion for the Sabbath, and Sabbath eve as holy time.
They were strict in the observance of the Lord's day, —
no walking nor riding, except to go to meeting; no
gathering berries, nor cracking nuts, nor amusements
of any kind were allowed.
They rose early, worked hard and were prudent in
all their expenses, but generally they were cheerful,
hopeful and contented.
Road Breaking. — When the highways needed
lircakiiig out, all tlie men and boys in the neighbor-
hood met with their teams and shovels and worked
until the roads were passable, when they agreed to
meet at the house of one of the party after the even-
ing home-work was done.
Proceeding to their homes, they did their chores,
covered their fires with ashes, put a scalding tub on
an ox-sled and laid bundles of straw around it.
The tub was tilled with small children, while the
larger ones, with their mothers, sat on the straw bun-
dles, and the men stood up by the sledstakes, and the
larger boys gleefully ran ahead. If there was no
moon, one or two tin lanterns with tallow candles
illuminated the merry party on |iloasure lient.
On their arrival they were ushered into the large,
long kitchen, where the flames from the great open
fire-place dift'used a ruddy light through the room.
On a beam overhead, in front of the fire, a cord w'ith
three iron hooks was suspended, and a rib, or some
other delicious rojut, filled the room with savory odors.
The men discussed the interesting topics of the day,
often growing excited over political or religious
subjects.
The women, clad in their warm domestic flannels,
and with fingers deftly plying knitting-needles, talked
of domestic concerns, while the children chased the
grotes(|Uc shallows on the walls.
.Vt an early hour the sled was reloa<lcd, and all re-
turned to their homes with increased interest in their
neiglil)or's pros]ierity, those who lived on the same
road occupying the same sled.
CHAPTER IV.
GREENFIELD— ( Continued).
Manufacturee — Post-Offlces— Physicians — Lawyers, Etc.
The earliest articles manufactured for market were
boat oars and pine shingles. Timber suitable for
oars grew near the South Mountain. Two or more-
neighbors would go into the woods together and s])lit
and shave oars. They likewise split and shaved pine
shingles, performing the work in the forest where the
trees stood. These articles, thus manufactured, were
carried to Salem, Mass., with ox-teams. They carried
bags of hay for their oxen and buckets of provision
for themselves. At night they i)Ut up at a tavern,
where they often found teamsters from Vermont, who
went loaded with pork, venison and potash, and
usually returned with salt, rum and dry fish. After
caring for their teams they would buy a mug of flip,
opeu their buckets and partake of a hearty supper,
and then, seated in the bar-ioom before the landlord's
cheerful fire, or lounging on the high-backed settle,
they would spend the evening telling stories and
hearing news. The genial landlords of those days
got the earliest news. It took about three days for
news to travel a hundred miles. They were ready to
start homeward bound with the earliest gleams of
morning light, and the first evening after their return
the neighbors called to hear a description of their
journey, and all the news they had collected.
Post-Offices and Postmasters. — A post-office was
estal)lished in 1808, and James Miller appointed post-
master. He was followed by William Whittcmore,
who was appointed in 1823 (no record of having been
commissioned); Ezra Prescott, July 9, 1823; Lewis
Wilson, September 3, 1828; William H, Whittcmore,
June 13, 1832; Jacob Stephenson, March 1,1841;
William H. Whittcmore, October 7, 1842; John J.
Uuncklee, September 21, 1848; Jacob Stephenson,
December 29, 1853; Rufus Hardy, Ai)ril It!, 1KG7 ;
Horace Cudworth, January 13, 1870 ; Frank R. Patch,
January 27, 1874; Samuel. H. Partridge, April lo,
1884; Warren Lewis, June 12, 1884.
Po.st-Offii'f, at South Oi!EiiNFii;i,i>. — This ottice
was opened May 2S, 1^78, mid .lidin R. Russell aji-
pointed postmaster, who (oiitinucs to hold the ap-
pointment.
(^'aptain Josejih luvnolds, of this town, carried the
mails several years, on the Coiinty road, from Green-
field to .Vnilierst, on horseback, over Lyndeborough
Mountain. After a few years the Forest road was
built, and we then had a mail every other day from
Boston, by way of stage-coach. At present it is
carried liy the Boston and J.iOwell Railroad.
Physicians. — Pr. Samuel Fitch came to Greenfield
in 1800. He was born in Acton, Mass., and studied
medicine with Dr. Wyelli, of Sherborn, Mass. He
marrieil Miss Eunice I'crry, of that place. He prac-
ticed medicine in tircciitield until age and feeble
GREENFIELD.
339
health i-miipelK'd liiiii t<> retire to a more iiiiiet life.
He (lied November 1, 1S57.
.\l>out this perioil ilootor.-s useil to visit tlieir
patieiit.s on horseliaek, earryiiiir tluir lancet, calomel,
ipecac and rliuharli in tlieir saddle-liajT'*, and in ca.se.s
6t" typhoid fever they often left medicine for four
successive days, vigorously forbidding the nse of
water.
When tliey were ealle<l out in the night tliey carried
a tin lantern with a tallow cainlle in it to guide them
through the forest.s, over corduroy bridges and through
sloughs. •
Ur. .John Ramsey was a native of town and one of
the pioneers of the practice of medicine. He gradu-
ated from the Medical Department of Dartmouth Col-
lege in ISlC. He died .July 10, IStU, aged seventy-
five years. ])r. Uam.sey was extensively known as a
good practitioner of medicine, asa man of good judg-
ment and .sound comnioti sense. He had seen nearly
fitly years of practice, and it can be said to his credit
that he never grew rusty in his profession. He was
the oldest physician in this section of theconntry, and
had been extensively called in consultation with his
profe.s-sional brethren. It was always a pleasure to
meet him ; he was true, reliable and cheerful, a man
of honor and integrity. He was everywhere highly
respected by his medical brethren. Hewiusever fear-
ful of the powerful atid dangerous etl'ects of medicine
on the human system. The subject of this notice
pursued th<' even tenor of his way in bis own town
for nearly half a century, without the people being
aware of the great blessing and comfort he was to the
community or, perhaps, rightly ap|)reciating his true
character, llis nu'inory will long be cherished by
many a grateful patient. :us wi-ll as by all his nudical
brethren.
Dr. .lames 8. liurtt was born in .\ndover, Mass.,
17'.ll. He studieil medicine with Dr. Luther .Smith,
of Hillsborough Bridge, lie attended a course of
medical lect\ires in N'ermonI, In l.S4'2 be became a
resident in the northwest part of the town and prac-
ticed bis profession for several years, lie died in
1S73, aged eighty-two years.
Dr. Isaac N. Danforth wils born in 1835, at Barnard,
N. v. He is the son of Hon. Albert H. Danforth,
who was a mend)er of the New llamp.shire Legisla-
ture and a prominent man of that Slate, lie was ed-
ucated at 111! mmon schools cd' that Nmv Knglarul
town. .\t ibe age of twenty-three be entered the of-
fice of Dr. Samuel 1'. Danforth, his uncle, making
such rapid progress in his studies that he shortly en-
tered the Mi'dical Department of Dartmouth ("idlcge,
and graduated Ironi that Institution three yearn later.
He was, soon after graduation, electi'(l resident physi-
<ian of the llarllbnl Retreal for thi- Insane. Ouac-
'•iint of his health, he resigned this positi<jn and
I •moved U> Greenfield, N. H., where he practiced his
l^iiife.ssion for four years. In 18G6 he removed to Chi-
cago. His pnlilic and private life are alike an honor
to his name and his profession. He married, in 18()8,
Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. John Skelton, a well-
known Methodist clergyman of Chicago for many
years. Dr. Danlbrth was succeeded, for a short time,
by Dr. Williard D. t'base, of Clareniont, N. H., who
is now located at Peterborough, and highly respected
by the medical profession.
Samuel H. Partridge wa.s the only resident physi-
cian of the town from 18G9, until his death, in 1884.
He was an amiable man and an amiable physician.
Dr. Nathaniel F. Cheever, our ]>resent physician,
(■ame from the practice of bis ])rofession in Nashua,
N. H., the 1st of June, 1884. Dr. Cheever studied
for his profession at the Universities of Michigan and
Vermont, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons
in Baltimore, Md. He bought the place known as
the " Old Parsonage," and settled down to the enjoy-
ment of domestic life with the only daughter of W.
T. Spear, of Nashua.
The air is salubrious and invigorating, and I be water
pure and generally sufficient.
The inhabitants are usually (|uile beallby, many of
them having lived to an advanced age.
The town does not afford a competent support for
one physician without his earnings being supplemented
by practice in adjoiniug.towns.
Lawyers. — (Jcneral James Miller wa-s the first
lawyer established in (rreenfield. He married Patty
Ferguson, and resided in the house now owned and
occujded by Zebediah Peavey from 1804 until 1808.
His infant son James died there July 28, 18t)4; also
his wife. May 12, 1805, in the twenty-third year of her
age. Ccncral Jliller's office was on Main Street, nearly
opposite the hotel. He represented the town in the
Legislature in 1807. "It was doubtless owing to the
circumstance of his having learned the manual exer-
cise while yet a school-boy that he became a general
rather than a politician or a man of letters."
Early in the nineteenth century he was chosen
captain of the Hancock Artillery, and in 1808 he re-
<-eiveil a nuijor's commission in the United States
army, it being the highest commission at that time
issueil to any one in the State of New Hampshire.
He was born in Peterborough, N. H., April 2A, 1771!,
aiul died in Temple, N. H., July 7, 1851.
Hon. .Xlson B. Abbott was born in (Jreenlicld,
N. II., on the .'hd of Xovendier, 1844. He was the son
ol William and Sarah .1. .\bbott, of that place, both
of whom are now deceased. In childhood he removed
to Andover, Mass., where he pursued his i>reparatory
course au<l was fitted for college. During his student-
life, moved by the same patriotic im]iulses that ani-
mated so nnmy hundred youthful spirits at the North
when the tocsin of rebellion rent with rudi' blast the
sky of our nation's safety, be cnlisti'd and served his
time in the Fifth Massachusetts Infantry, seeing
active service at various places, including Fort Mc-
Henry, Federal Hill, Monocacy Junction and Har-
per's Ferry. In 18G6, shortly after graduating at
340
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUxNTY, NEW HAMl'SHIRE.
Diirtiuouth with lionors, he wiis I'hosoii principal of
the Warroiisburg Academy, and the following year, a
vaeaney having occurred in the academy at Glens
Falls, he was selected to take charge of it as principal.
In this relation he continned for live years, serving
with great acceptance and satisfaction to the jiatrons
of the school. The academy was never more ])ros-
perous and tlouri.shing than it was during this entire
period. He received from his alma mater the degree
of Jlaster of Arts in 1869, and while teaching, having
at the same time pursued the study of law, he was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1872. In 187M he was married to
Sarah, oldest daughter of the late James Morgan. In
1874 he traveled through the Southern States, and
the following year made the tour of continental
Knrope and the English isles. Soon after his return
from abroad his superior administrative abilities as
"a man of affairs" came to a gradual recognition by
an appreciative public by his being chosen, in 1878, a
director in the First National Bank of (ileus Falls,
and a director in the (ileus Falls lusurauce Company,
both of which positions he has continued to hold to
the present time (188!)). The ensuing fall he was
elected to the New York Assembly, where he was dis-
tingui.shed not only by bis readiness in debate and his
attention to his duties, but. also by his courteous,
affable demeanor. The following season he was
elected an elder in the Presbyterian Church. Mr.
Abbott is yet in the early prime of an active man-
hood, and his fine intellectual training, his scholarly
attainments and superior culture, his aptitude at bus-
iness art'airs, and gentlenuinly address give promise of
a future replete with usefulness, and an old age hon-
ored and respected.
Ezra Prescott, Esi|.,read law with Hon. Titus Brown,
of Francestown, and commenced practice in that
town, when, in 1824, he removed to (ireentield, and
occupied the same ofiiee that (ieneral Miller did.
In 1828 he was elected register of deeds for Hills-
borough (bounty, and removed to .Vmherst in the fall
of that year.
The following are some of the persons born in
• iri'enlield or have spent their early lives there who
have graduated at ditferent colleges; Moses Ordway,
Rev. .lohn Dnncklee, Joshua Holt, Jr., Francis W.
Cragin, Rev. Amzi Jones, Rev. R. C. Stanley, David
B. Ramsey, Alsim B. Abbott, (!harles D. Fitch.
.\mong f)thers who have studied professions may be
mentioned Jacob Holt, M.D., Philadelphia; William
H. Ramsey, comptroller of currency in Wisconsin
eight years; Amon Robinson, a good historian, now
iu New York; Francis W. Cragin, M.I)., Norwood,
Mass. ; Francis P. Fitch.
George W. Pulnaiii keeps a livery stable.
Forest and Other Roads.— As (Treenfield is on the
direct line oftravel from the north portion of this State
and ^'ermont, it was felt absolutely necessary to have
a road built from Hancock, through Greenfield, to
Lyndeborough, suitable for travel with heavily-loaded
teams, likewise for a regular line of stage-coaches.
After a long struggle between enthusiastic eflbrt and
determined op]josition, in 1831 a road was laid to
complete a direct connection between Charlestown and
Nashua.
In 1882 the road was built through (ireentield, and
several hundred dollars were ex])ended in leveling
hills, which rendered the numerous teamsters jubi-
lant over the improvements on their route. William
Whittemore and Zebediah Peavey purchased the tirst
stage-coach. It was built by Abbott & Downing, of
Concord, N. H. Michael A. Whittemore went to
Concord with a pair of horses, which he attached
to the new vehicle and drove to Greenlield, and
entered the village during a heavy shower. The next
day a team was improvised, and the owners, with
other gratified townsmen, took a ride to Hancock,
and returned in the most exultant mood. When on it«
first regular trip, its driver, Noah L. Jackson, cracked
his whip and drove up to the tavern on an airy gal-
lop, where it was received with enthusiastic cheers
by the villagers and many other inhabitants, who
were standing in the street to witness the important
event. The ui)per end of the route was owned by
Morrison i Jacksmi, an<l the lower end by Uean &
Tarbell.
In 1837, Colonel Hiram T. Morrill bought Tarbell's
interest in three teams from Nashua to Hancock,
the company being Morrill & Dean. In about two
years Dean sold his interest to Hall, and the firm
was changed to Morrill & Hall. Colonel Morrill
drove the stage-coach twelve years in succession, and
owned an interest in staging until about the time of
the completion of the railroad to Greenfield, in 1874.
The various other roads in town are in a respectable
condition. Money fur keeping them in repair is raised
by a highway tax, and roadsurveyors are a|ipointed in
each liigbway district, who allow the inhabitants to
work out their taxes under their supervision.
January 1, 1874, the railroad was opened for travel
from Wilton to Greenfield, and a long train of cara
brought some twelve hnndreil stockholders and
others, who entered the cars along the line, and
likewi.se many individuals from Bostou, who were en-
tertained in the town hall with a free dinner.
Peterborough Railroad from East Wilton, through
Lyndeborough to Greenfield, eleven miles, is operated
by the Bostfin and Lowell Railroad.
There is a telegraph connection from Boston and
Iveene, and telephone from Francestown. Large
quantities of soap-stone from the cuiarrv there are
shipped from our depot.
As a point for shipping freight on the Boston and
Lowell njad, (Tlreeiificld is of considerable importance.
Stores and Traders. — The first trader in town was
.\mbroae (iould ; In- came previous to 1802. The store
he occupied is now used a.s a dwelling-house on the .
corner of Main Street and Slip road. A few years
later Joseph Bachelder opened a store in the south
GKEENFIELD.
341
part of the town, on the farm now known aa the Isaac
Foster place. In IKKJ, Butler tS: Patterson traded in
the west end of Mr. Samuel Gould's building, Mr.
Gould occupying the east end as a harne.>«-shop.
Whittemore Brothers traded in the Long Block and
did an extensive business. They were followed by
Peavey & Gould.
In ISiJfi, Carkiii it ('rap;in opened a store in the ell
part of a large building situated on the site of the
present hotel. The main building was destroyed by fire,
but the ell was saved and the goods returned in a dam-
aged condition. Subsequently, a hotel was erected
on thesite of the burnt building.
.\ma.sa Farrier kept a store from \X'.V2 (o IS.S7. He
was followed by <irant »S: Dane, William Ablmtt,
Duncklee & Jones, H. 11. Duncklee, Kufus Anderson,
G. P. Fletcher and L. P. Wilson.
At an early date Mark Bailey buill the store now
occupied by Patch & Lewis.
He was succeedeil l)y Robert Bradford, Alliert
Hardy. Horace Ctulworth, C. H. Hopkins, Bradford <t
Co.
In lS7:i, C. H. Hopkins erected a large and modern
building on the west side of Slip road, near Main
Street. The upper part contains two commodious
tenements.
The lirst floor is occupied by the owner, who is an
extensive dealer in Hour and grain, as well a.s most
other articles usually found in a country store.
0. F. A- Ci. S. I'eavey are extensive dealers in cattle,
sheep a1id meat. They send their meat to Manchester,
Nashua, Lowell and Boston markets. Their slaughter-
ing estalilislimcnt is fitted up with modern con-
veniences and labor-saving devices.
Brooks & Spaulding arc the only blacksmiths in
town. They are skillhil workmen, and give strict at-
tention to their business.
George I '. Pollard is a builder, and also celebrated
for his judgment and success in moving buildings.
A. H. Hopkins, D. \V. Burnham and George F.
Kussell are experienced carpenters.
Earle Searle, Ibrmerly a blacksmith and tinman, is
now a Miariufact .:rer of wooden mca.surcs, whose excel-
lence is not surpassc(l by any other workman.
Taverns. — Tradition says that one of the earliest
taverns Wius kept by John Savage, his house being
finely located on the brow of a hill about three miles
from the centre of the town, on the (Jounty road that
leads over Lyiiileborough .Mountain.
We lind recordecl the name ol Samuel Weeks,
licensed to keep tavern in 1794.
In 1)^24, .Fohn t'arkin opened a tavern in thct'entre
village. Among his successors have been fjlhridgi^
Hardy, Mark Bailey, Horace Whittemore, S. S. Ten-
ney, William II. (lowing, Luther Gray, (Jeo. J.
Whittemore, H. H. Duniklec and .lolui I). Fnierson.
In ISXl the hotel formerly nwned by II. H. Dunck-
lee was purchased by .1. D. Emerson, and thoroughly
remodeled inside and out. He introduced modern
conveniences into his pleasant ajiartments, which are
api>reciated by his numerous guests, particularly by
his summer boarders trom the cities. Mr. Emerson is
a popular conductor on the railroad from Greenfield
to Boston.
The Records. — The records of the town are written
in a liiild and legible hand, and are generally well
preserved, t'hurch records are continuous and full,
and the records of the various local societies are min-
ute and accurate. The Sabbath-school owns a ftiU
library. There is also a small circulating library in
town. Many newspapers are taken, and peojjle are
generally well informed on the poj)ular subjects of
the day.
The town is Democratic by a large majority.
The number of ratable poUs in (ireenfield in ISS.*),
one hundred and seventy six.
Valuation of the town in 1 884, two hundred and
seventy-four thousand five hundred and fift_\-f<iur
ilollars. Po])ulatioii in 1884, six hundred and tifty-
two.
The tax-payers in 1784 were Captain John Abbott,
Major Abiel Abbott, Captain John Holt. William
Blunt, .\bijah Clark, Joseph Batchelder, .loshua
Holt. In 1790 the following additional names are
found : Timothy Holt, Joseph Severance, .lohn
Flctilu r, \:itlKin Lovejoy, Daniel Holt, Isaac Foster.
Oak Park Association. — At the first meeting of
this association, April 22, 1875, the following officers
were chosen : President, D. II. Goodell, Antrim ;
Secretary, Joseph Farnum, Peterborough ; Treasurer,
David Starret, (ireenfield. Executive Committee:
(ireenfield, .lohn Fletcher, .\lbert H. IIoi)kins, George
S. Peavey, Leonard Bailey and Benjamin Hardy;
Lyndeborough, Luther Cram, Andrew Holt, David
Putnam, (Jeorgc S|)aulding and John Kichanlson ;
Hancock, Orland Eaton, W. A. Washburn, A. B.
Stone, .1. S. Spaulding, C. P. Bugbee; Francestown,
H. Y. Simpson, Henry Richardson, William H.
Farnum, George A. Duncklee, John Morse ; Ben-
nington, John F. Dodge, W. D. Woods, .lohn C.
Dodge, Hartwell Lakin, Heber Prcsby ; Antrim,
D. H. Goodell, (ieorge A. Cochran, Morris (yhristie,
Eben Ba.ss, John M. Duncan; Peterborough, (icorge
H. Longley, S. 1. Vose, E. W. Mcintosh, .lohn t^.
Adams and Charles Wilder.
The first fair was held September Itl and 17, 187.').
As a social gathering it is greatly enjoyed by both
young and old, and the exhibits of farming iuiiile-
ment.s and other results of scientific research, utiliz-
ing the latent forces of miture to lessen nuinual
labor, serves to awaken the dormant energies of
many a son and daughter of toil.
All the towns and cities of Hillsborough County,
and the towns of .latfrey, Dublin, Harrisville and
Stoddard, in Cheshire County, are comprised within
the limits of this association.
The groumis are finely located, ea-sy of access and
within three-fourths of a mile of the depot of tln'
342
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUrrH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Nashua ami Lowell :iii(l tlu- Maiiclusttr and Keene
Railroads.
The track of the Manchester and Keene Railroad
runs within twenty rods of the grand entrance gate
to the grounds, and psissengers are left and taken
on at that point.
Temperance Work. — The Hillsborough County
Convention of the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union met in the Congregational Church, December
28, 1881. At the close of the afternoon ses.sion a union
was formed under the auspices of Mrs. Charles Rich-
ardson, of Amherst, N. H., president of the county
society. The names of the first otiicers were Mrs. S.
H. Partridge, president; Mrs. Charles F. Peavey,
Mrs. Charles H. Hopkins, Mrs. Henry Holt and
Mrs. Levi Holt, vice-presidents; Mrs. Sarah M. Pol-
lard, secretary ; Mrs. Henry Holt, treasurer. These,
with a membership of thirt_y, have been actively en-
gaged in temperance work until the jiresent time,
1885.
Motto, — "Niil by might, nor by power, but by my
Spirit."
The following |ietition has been presented to the
selectmen, lisking for the enforcement of the law:
'* III lichalf of the offict^re and membere of the Woman's Christian
TemiH?ranfe Union, we respectfully represent that we have cogent rea
sons for believing that intoxicating Iiquoi> are habttiinlly sold in our
villas, in violation of law, and ti> the detriment of the place and gotul
order of our commnnity. We therefore re^iiectfully Imt urgently pray
your liolioraMe biKly that yiiu will proiiiplly proeeed to execute the law
in such cast^ made and iirovided, to the end that tlie sale of intoxicating
drinks shall be eftectually suppressed, so far jis your jurisdiction ext<-nds.
And we fully believe that in so doing you will have the support and aji-
proval of the great nin.jority of our citizens."
Greenfield Grange was organizeil by C. C. Shiiw,
secretary of State Grange, March 14, 1874, with tlie
following officers: Master, .Tohn Fletcher; Overseer,
David Starrett; Lecturer, Samuel G. Hartshorn;
Steward, Willis 1). llardy; Assistant Steward, George
D. Pollard; Chaplain, .Vlfrcd N. llsirdy; Secretary,
Sidney H. Hardy; Giite-Keeper, Nahum Russell;
Treasurer, Alfred W. Savage; Ceres, Mrs. John
Fletcher; Pomona, Mrs. Taylor D. Lakin ; Flora,
Mrs. Willis D. Hardy; Lady Assistant Steward, Mm.
Samuel G. Hartshorn.
Through the inHueiice of this grange agriculture
has received a new impulse, and much practical
knowledge has been diffused.
The mo.«t formidable im]>ediinent to successful
farming consists in the deterioration of the pasture
lands, which do not tiUbrd feed for more than one-
third of the number of cattle that they did fifty years
ago.
Milk is sold for the city markets and for the Wilton
Creamery, and the town grange, with neighboring
granges, is agitating the subject of more creameries.
Organ Festival. — A meeting was called, and an
association formed, and arrangements were made for
a grand organ festival, to l)e helil February 22, 1S7L
The committee of correspondence sent out over a
hundred letters of invitation to former residents of
(ireenfield, and to the many and generous replies
received George S. Peavey responded as follows:
"Greenfield remembers her al>seut sons and daughters, eepecially her
distinguished ones. She rejoices at their prosperity. She is ever proud
to meet them, and gladly do we meet so many here to-night ; and remem-
bering those who are separated by many an intervening mile, some of
whom have sent us substiintial tokens, lu* we have just seen, of the in-
terest they still feel in the town, and in the prosperity of its religions insti-
tutions ; therefore, Rr:gitlv€d, that we, the citizens of Greenfield present,
give expre.'«8ion to our gmtituUe by a vote of thanks to all former resi-
<lent8 and friends of Greenfield present for their presence and aid, and
also to those who have responded by letter with expressions of sympathy
and material aid."
The evening passed pleasantly, and the result was
very gratifying.
CHAPTER V.
GREENFIELD— ( Conllnued).
BIOGK.VPHICAI,.
Major Amo.s Whittemore settled in town as early
as 177L He was born in 1746 and died in 1827. He
was a soldier of the Revolution and was with Wash-
ington when a battle was fought at White Plains,
when New York was in possession of the British and
the Americans were oliliged to retreat.
William Whittemore, Esq., son of Major .\mos,
was born in 1781 and died in 1871). He was a native
and almost a life long resident of (ireenfield. He
held many trusts in the gift of the county and repre-
sented the town in the Legislature for sixteen con-
secutive sessions. He was one of the original mem-
bers of the Bunker Hill Monument .Association. His
remembrance dated back to the time when Green-
field was almost a wilderness, two houses comprising
all that the town tlien contained.
Oncof the first settlers in town was Simeon P'letcher.
He was born in Chelmsford, Mass., ^[ay 2, 1722. He
married Mary Davis.
Deeds say that he owned a farm in Chelmsford in
1744, which he sold. Then he removed to the prov-
inccof New Hampshire (a few years later), an<l took
up some five hundred acres of land in what is now
known as the simthetust part of Greenfield, built a
house and there founded a life-long residence. Five
generations of Fletchers have lived there, and four
were born there.
A daughter, born soon after they came here, wa-i
the first white female born in town. He had two
neighljors, who settled north of him, one on a hill
near Crotchcd Mountain. He was a man of philan-
thropic heart, for when roads were unknown he
would elevate a pine torch-light at night as a token
that all was well with him, and receive a similar
signal if all was well with his neighboi-s. He was
the first man in town that ever cut hay enough to
winter a cow.
Simeon and Mary had seven children, — Persis,
married a Beasom ; .Vnnie, married an Ordway ; and
1
GREENFIELD
343
Mary, a [5al<h; John and Olive diotl at the old home-
stead; Philip married JIary Harper, and tilled the ,
ancestral acres. I
He was a hrave man. tor he took under his own
roof his father, mother and mother-in-law. He
had twelve children; one lived to be nearly ninety-
nine. He always had a lieil for the poor who might
he stroUinfr over the hill in those days. One morn- !
ing, as he wiis going through the woods to his brother '
Simeon's, unarmed, he met a bear, which stopped and
looked at him, but when he raised his voice and
brandished his walking-stick Bruin made a hasty
retreat into the wilderness, and the courageous num
went on his way undauntedly.
When one of his neighbors was bodily injured, and
liable to die before a physician could be procured, he
hastily constructed a stretcher, and, with a few others,
carried liim to Milford, by marked trees, to receive
medical aid.
He and his brother Simeon were in the Revolution-
ary War, and at West Point they were on guard the
night thattiencral Arnold attempted to surrender
the fortress to the Hritish. .\fter his return home we
find the following receipt, now extant:
*' TliEASURY OfviCE, Kew fiamiwliire, January 19, 1790.
■■ Keceivoilof Mr. Pliilip Klctchor Thirty-Bovcn poumls, .six shilliiiKS,
in part of Slate I irtiricate Tax ; (if Fifty rciiiiHlB, ileven Aliillings, in |»irl
ofContini-ntal Kiuilily Tax, of I.yndclKirouEli for llic yciir 17Ss.
"\V>|. G.iBii.N'KR, Tmifiirer.^^
Philip died at the age of seventy-two. Simeon
married Mary Huston, and live<l to see all of his
children laid in their graves. He died at the age of
eighty-four.
Philip, Jr., lived at the old honicstcad wilh his
father; he raised liojis fcir si.xty years, and sold them
in Boston. For seventy-one consecutive years he
never failed to assist in gelling hay from his niiadow.
From pine-trees that grew near this meailow he and
his brother-in-law, (Jates I'erry, made shingles, and
carried them to Boston with an o,\-teani to buy groce-
ries to be used at the ordination of Jhc minister. Rev.
John Walker. lie carried tlictirst bind of soap-st(uic
from Krancestown (piarry to Boston with an o.N-team,
and made more journeys to Boston with o.xen than
all the other men in town.
Of the fourth generation rmw living in Icnvn arc
Deacon .lohii, ( iilnian P. and Kranklin ( '. hcacon
JohTi attendee] Hancock and l'"ran(cslown .Vcailemics.
He has laiiglil silmol in Nrw Hampshire, Massachu-
getts and Kentucky. For a decade of years he has
served as Sunday-school committee in this town. He
still owns a part of the original land bought by
Simeon more than one hundred and thirty years ago.
• iilnian P. has been a trader here for many years.
Franklin ('. is an enterprising farmer.
The children of Deacon .lohn, who are the fifth gen-
eration, were born on the original homestead, and,
doubtless, received inspiration from the grand and
romantic .scencrv with wliicb nature has surrounded
their ancestral home. This sacred homestead has
been the birth-place of thirty Fletchers, twenty ot
whom have died there.
Thus we find the Fletchers identified with (Ireen-
fiehl since the first white man made his home on her
soil.
Ramsey Ancestry.— Captain Hugh Kamsey, of
Scotch-Irish clescent, from the north of Ireland, part
owner and captain of a sailing-vessel, .sailed into Bos-
ton Harbor eight or nine times between the years
1718 and 172"), bringing many of his relatives bearing
the name of Ramsey, who emigrated to this ccnintry
in order to escape the religious intoleiance of the Es-
tablished Church.
They sought homes in different States,— in Penn-
sylvania, South Carolina, Georgia, New York and
New Hampshire. Many settled in Lon(h)nderry,
N. H., from which place Captain .lohn Ramsey, with
his nephew, James Ramsey, Jr., came to Society
Land (now Greenfield) in 1774, and bought adjoining
farms about three miles west of the ])rcscul site of
the village, where they lived and died.
From these two were descended all the Ramseys
of Greenfield. Captain .John's chililien were William
(father of John Ramsey, M.D.), Lieutenant .lohn,
Samuel, Ebenezer, Mary (Mrs. Boyd, of I'ranec slown),
Margaret (Mrs. David Parker, of .\ntrim). Anne
(Mrs. John JlcKeen, of Deering) and .lane, a droll
and sarcastic spinster, stories of whose eccentricities
have enlivened many an hour for the present gener-
ation, while walls echoed and re-echoed to merry
peals of laughter at the rehearsal of her i|naiiit jokes
and witticisms.
Captain John's wife is said to have been a stri<-t ob-
server of the Sabbath, and whenever the children
manifested undue levity during sa<red hours she was
accustomed to remonstrate with them in the follow-
ing original ami forceful words: " Vou'U be sweet
nuts for the de'il, come cracking time;" llu- mere
mention of which undesirable fate doubtless pro-
duced the desired effect of repressing their childish
mirth, and restoring the .solemn silence regarded by
the ancient Puritans as necessary to the contempla-
tion of themes naturally suggested by holy time.
.lames Ramsey, Jr., had several brothers and sis-
ters, viz. : Hugh, of Holderness, N. H. ; William, of
St. .lohnsbury, Vt. ; Matthew, of Uuniney, N. H. ;
Robert, of the State of Maine; John, who died un-
marric<l in I )erry ; Mrs. Steele, id' Walpole, N. H.;
Mrs. Martha Boyee, of New York; and Mrs. Met Mo-
then, of Walpole, N. H.
The children of James Kamsey. .Ir., :ind Mary
Nesmith, his wife, were Davi<l, who nuirricd lliiiiiiali
Marshall ; John, wdio married Margari'l Steele, cif .\n-
trini ; , lames, who married Nancy Tenney ; Elizabeth
B., who married Thomas Holmes; Margaret, who
died at twenty-six, unmarried ; Mary Nesmith, who
married Ebenezer Hopkins, of Franccstown. .lohn M.
Ramsey, of C.rand R.apids, Mich., born November
344
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
27,1809, aud David Ramsey, born December 27, 1811,
and the only remaining resident of Greenfield of the
name of Ramsey, are the only surviving children of
David, son of James Ramsey, Jr., the other seven
having " passed over the river" at a comparatively
early :i'jn-.
Abbott Biography. — William Abbott and his wife,
Hannah Bailey, came to Greenfield from Andover,
Mass., about the year 1801, and settled near the base
of Peterborough Mountain. In this secluded but ro-
mantic spot, partly inclosed by forests, while a gentle
slope .stretched away into uieadow-latid toward the
south, they saw .seven of their thirteen children grow
up to manhood and womanhood, content with the
simple pleasures afforded by the surroundings of their
rural home and adorned with those Christian graces
which are the fruit of early Christian training.
Reared thus amid God's great pictures, so full of
beauty and inspiration, and in air melodious with the
sweet, liquid notes of the nightingale and the rap-
turous songs of ecstasy the bobolink jxmrs forth from
his little throat in spring, it is no wonder they early
manifested a remarkable fondness for music, and that
some of them developed a rare musical ability, well
appreciated both in their native town and in places
where they subsciiucntly lived. And no wonder they
have since so often revisited this enchanting place
with enthusiastic delight, and lingered with reluctant
feet upon the threshold where a thousand joyous
memorieii of earlier years made dearer than ever the
" home, sweet home," on the rugged mountain-side.
(See Abbott history.)
Deacon Joshua Holt, of Andover, .Mass., had six
sons and five daughters, each of whom was baptized
in the Orthodox C'hurch the first Sabbath after his
or her birth. Previous to 1780 he purchased a tract
of wild land in what was then called l.,yndeborough
Gore, and subsi'<|uently Peterborough Sli|>, and after-
wards incorjiorated into Greenfield. For the entire
tract he |)aid a pair of oxen.
His son — Rev. Peter Holt, settled in Epping, and
his son. Deacon Solomon — remained with him as
home son.
His other sons — Deacon Joshua, Deacon John,
Deacon Timothy ami Deacon Stephen — settled on the
above-mentioned land, and became industrious, enter-
prising and successful farmers.
They were pillars in the cluirdi. and held various
town offices, and wore prominent in carrying out every
enterprise connected with the welfare of the town.
They were liberal in the su|)port of religious, mili-
tary and educational institutions, and so educated
their families for the various duties of life that many
of them have occupied positions of trust in almost
every State in the Union. Many of them became
prominent instructors, and their influence still re-
mains, for the town has always furnished a large pro-
portion of teachers. .Ml lln' brothers spent their
lives and died on their farms.
The daughters, — Mary, married Isaac Foster; Phebe,
married Deacon Joseph Batchelder ; Chloe, married
Captain Francis Bowers ; Hannah, married Captain
Ephraim Holt, all of Greenfield; Bethia married
Deacon Daniel Kimball, of Hancock. Their father
always evinced a generous interest in the temporal,
as well as the religious, welfare of the settlement.
He gave the church its first communion service. In
1793, Ephraim Holt, of Andover, Ma.ss., bought a lot
of wild land in the southwest corner of Greenfield.
His first crop was a large yield of rye, which he car-
ried to Salem, Ma.ss., with an ox-team, and sold for
silver money, which he brought home in a stocking,
and which amounted to enough to pay for his land.
He was a succe.ssful farmer, a military captain and
a justice of the peace. He held various offices of
trust, represented the town in the Legislature and
was one of the selectmen seventeen years in succes-
sion.
He had seven children. Himself and wife ami all
his children now repose in the same lot in the ceme-
tery near the church.
In 1789, Major Peter Peavey, of Wilton, N. H., pur-
chased a lot of wild land near the base of South
Mountain, in Greenfield.
He built a log house about eighteen feet square,
with a huge stone chimney reaching just above the
chamber-floor, and from there it was topped out with
sticks plastered with clay on the outside and inside.
In one of its three windows, about a foot s(|uare, wa.s
a rude lattice covered with oiled paper; the others, in-
stead of ghtss, had boards, which were removed when
light was needed. The crevices between the logs were
filled with moss. The door was wide enough to ad-
mit a hand-sled loaded with logs to fill the yawning
lire-place. He moved his eHects on an ox-tcam, and
his wife roile on horseback with a pair of large saddle-
bags, a bundle strapped to the rear of the saddle, a
tin lantern dangling from the saddle-horn and baby
Peter, Jr., in her lap. Her horse walked faster than
the oxen, and when she reached the last house she
lighted the candle in her lantern, entered the forest
and pursued her roadless way, guided by blazed
trees, and arrived at their house before her husband,
aud kindled the first lire in their new home.
Subse<]uently, his brother Thomas purchased an ad-
joining lot, and both brothers carved fertile farms out
of the iirimilive forests, reared large families and
occupie(l a front rank among the sturdy settlers of
the town.
Zebediah, son of Cajitain Thomas Peavey, one of
the early settlers of Greenfield, wa.s born in the south-
east part of the town in 1795, and is the oldest person
now living there. He was liberally endowed with
] common sense and a discriminating judgiiieiit.
I He was enterprising, honest, industrious and per-
I severing. His occupations were farming and dcal-
i ing in cattle and sheep, which he successfully followed.
' He was early chosen ca|)tain of a military company,
^^'<?-z?a1^^(^,^/^ cy^
GREENFIELD.
345
ami w:i!i often honored by his towiisnien with posi-
tions of lienor iiiid trust. His family consists of two
sons and two ilausihtirs. His sons follow the occu-
pations of their father, and honor the town by devo-
tion to its interests.
In 1824 he married Mary B., daughter of Deacon
David Patterson, and subsequently purcha.sed her
father's homestead in rireenfield village, whiili he has
owned and occupied ever since.
On tlie 24th of ^[arch, 1884, they celebrated the
si.Ktieth anniversary of their wedding in the same
room where the original ceremony was performed.
Friends came from far and near to congratulate the
ageil pair. Although the groom had seen eighty-eight
birthilays and the bride eighty-two, they were both,
mentally an<l physically, in a remarkable state of
preservation. Their countenances retained the ani-
mated expression of middle-life, and they greeted
their guests with youthful vivacity and pleasant allu-
sions ttt former days. Their cheerful rooms were
filled with the perfume of fragrant Howers, the gifts
of absent friends. After a social season, letters from
friends (unable to be present) and a poem, written
for the occiision, were read. One letter was writ-
ten by the only surviving witness of their mar-
riage. The blessing of (lod was then invoked by
llieir pastor, Kev. Mr. I'artridge, short speeches were
made, old-time songs and hymns were sung and joined
in by the bride, who, for threescore and ten years,
had aided the church choir and enlivened social
gatherings with her musical voice.
Refreshments were temptingly displayed on tables
loaded with wediling and other ta.stefully arranged
cake^ and fruits. Tea and cotlee were served in the
identical cups and saucers which the bride .set before
her guests sixty years ago. At an early hour the
visitors retired, feeling that they had enjoyed a re-
markable occasion, and wishing the happy |)air many
more weilding anniversaries.
Jacob Richardson, Escj., an early settler of the
town of (ireenlield. was born at Hillcrica, Mass., on
the loth day of .\ugu8l, 1709, and of the sixth gen-
eration from Thomas Richardson, who, with his two
brothers, E/.ekiel and Samuel, came from England to
this country prior to 1740. He received a belter
education in the schools of his native town than fell
to llie lot iif most young men of that day. When
about twenty-one years of age he came to Milford,
N. H., or the territory which was soon after
incorporated into the town of Milford. In 17!i;? he
married Sarah Lewis, daughter of Benjamin L<'wis,
who then resided on the banks of the Souhegan River,
where Captain K. 1'. Ilnlchinson now lives. He r(^-
moved to tireentield in 171»8, built a house in the
village, which is now in good condilinn arid owned by
one of his descendant.s. He Ibllowed lilacksmithing
and fanning, and represented the town in the Slate
Legislature in the years 18l;'> and I81ii; he held other
oflices of trust; left tive sous and four daughters.
He died there on November 9tli, 183y, aged seventy
years.
Jacob Richardson, .Jr., eldest son of the above-
named Jacob Richardson, was born in Milford,
N. H., January 17, 1794, and was the first male
child born in that town after its incorporation.
He obtained a good education, and on the appoint-
ment of General James Miller as Governor of the
Territory o( Arkansiis, accompanied him, arriving at
the port of Arkansas, the Governor's headquartei-s,
December 2(), 1819. He rejected his appointment to
the clerkship of Phillips County, because in thai
sparse settlement the fees would not pay. .\ year or
more afterward he rejected the ajipointment as one of
the judges of a court, because of fever and ague and
other malarial diseases, which had so greatly reduced
him that he decided to return East. He arrived in
New Hampshire in August, 1821, after an absence of
two years. In 1822, and for forty years afterwards,
he Wiis connected with Barrett's silk-dyeing establish-
ment, the latter part of which as a partner umler the
firm-name of Barrett and Richardson. He accumu-
lated a handsome property. Died November 3, 1864,
from an injury received by the horse-cars in front of
his office, 140 Wa-shington Street, Boston.
Colonel Lewis Richardson, second son, was born
there August 3, 1801. He early went to Massachu-
setts to reside ; represented the town of Medford in
the Massachusetts Legislature in 1838 and 1839, re-
turning to Greenfield in 1840. He was selectman
twelve years, moderator twenty years ; represented
Greenfield in the New Hampshire Legislature in 1848
and 1849; wius county comnii.ssioner for Hillsborough
County for three years; died at ( Iiicnficid on the 21st
day of August, 1878.
Albert Louis Richardson, third son, was born at
Greenfield October 16, 1803; has mainly resided in
Ma.ssachusetts. His early occui)ation was that of a
civil engineer; has been i>ostmaster at East Woburn,
Ma.ss., for about thirty yi'ars. I'or several years prior
to 1876 he took a lively interest in procuring, arrang-
ing and publishing the " Richardson Mi^morial," a
volume of ab(mt one thousand psiges, giving a history
of the three brothers first mentioned, their posterity
and many others ol' that name.
Charles Kichardson, the fourth .son, was born at
Greenfield .hily .30, 1809, where he resided until
1853; in early life was prominently corniected with
themilitiaof the Twenty-sixth Regiment; represented
(Jreenfield irj ihr .New Hampshirt^ Li'gislature in
I8.')0 and 1851; also a mendjer ol' the Constitutional
Convention for the revision <if the conslitution in
1850, and held other ollices of trust; (dected register
of deeds for Hillsborough County in 1853, when he
removed to Andierst, where he now resides, and has
been for the last thirty years a successful pension attor-
ney.
Colonel Cyrus Richardson, the youngest sou of
Jacob Richardson, was born there August 23, 1812;
346
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
was a blacksmith l>y trade, ami lairied <>n largely, in
conneetion with his brother Charles, the manut'aeture
of east-iron plows; passed some time in California;
held the office of town clerk in (ireenfiekl in the
years I8'>(!and 1S.')7; was town treasurer several years,
and eomniaiided the Twenty -sixth Kefrinient of New
Hampshire militia; died at (ireeiifiebl February 10,
1861.
Edward A. Uiehardson, sim of Charles Richardson,
above mentioned, and of the eighth freiieration from
Thomas, was born iti Greentield on the 27th day of
.\pril, 1S43; attended the schools of (ireeiifield and
Amhei-st ; fitted for college at Meriden ; si>ent tliree
yeais at Dartmouth College; went to ("alifornia in
1865 ; about two years later was connected with the
Bank of California, with a cajiital of ten millions,
and then considered the great moneyed institution of
the West. Some years since, while there was great
activity in mining stock, he, as dividend clerk, paid
to the stockholders of two mining companies, which
were in part controlled by the bank, a monthly divi-
dend of a million dollars to each of the companies.
He is still ccmnected with the bank, and is its foreign
eorresjiondent.
TOWN OFKICEIIS.
JIuiiEiiATuKS.— ITiU, Diiiiii'I Emerson, Jr. ; ITliJ, .li)hii Savage; lT!i:i,
BolnTl Day ; 1794, Amos \Vhitteuu>re ; I7'.l.'i, .r.>sliua Unit ; ITOO-'.IT, Amos
Whitleniore; IV'.W, Joshua Holt ; 1799, Josci* KlIiiiwoiHl ; l.S(K), Amos
Whittemore; ISOl, Josipli Klliiiwood; 18<)2, Josel)li lleriick ; 1803, Am-
brose llould ; ISlH, Josi'ph Klliiiwood; ISIJ.",, James Miller, Esq. ; lSIHl-12.
.\mmi Bnrnliam ; 1S1:!-I4, David Riim.scy ; \>'V; Elieiiez.or Fanington ;
181(1, Aiiuiii Biirnliam ; 1S17, Ebeliezer Farriiigton ; 1**1S, .\iiimi Burn-
liani ; 1819, Stephen Holt ; l«2ll-'23, Abniluini Whittemore ; lg24-2r.,
John Itunsej- ; 1S27--29, Ephmiin Holt; 1S30, Abraham Whittemore;
1831, .lohn RaiiMev; 18.32, Kphraim Holt ; 1833, Joshua Holt, Jr. ; 18:!4,
John Itiimsey; 1835-3i;, I'aul (Jragin; 1837-38, John llamsey ; 18:(9-4ll,
.\liimi Burnhum ; 1841-42, William Whittemore ; 1.84:!-44, Lewis Rieh-
ardson ; 184.5, Charles Kichanlson ; l.>i4r)-08, Lewis Itichanlson ; 18.'ilMM,
Uilinun P. Fletcher ; 18lil-eii, Lewis Uichalilson ; 18(17-70, George S.
Peavey; 1871-7.5, Henry H. Duncklee ; 1876-77, Charles F. I'cavey ;
1878, Henry H. Punekh-e ; 1879-81, John FleUher ; 1882, Sidney II.
Ilanly ; 188:!-84, Gilniail P. Fletcher ; 188.5, Henry II. Duncklee.
Town (Ji.f.rks.— 1791-95, Joseph Herrick ; 1796-97, Bet^amiu .\bbott ;
1798, Joshua Holt ; 17U9-18(»l, John Savage ; 1801-2, Joshua Holt ;
180:1-4, Eh«>nezer Farringlon ; 180.5-0, Paul Cragin ; 1807-10, .loshua
Holt; 1811-13, Ebem/er Farrington; 1 14-2.5, David Ramsey ; 1820-29,
John ilaniaey; 18.30, Paul Cnigin ; 18;ll, .lohn liamscy ; 1832, William
Savage ; 183.3-38, John Kanisey ; 1839-10, Hugh .\. Abbott ; 1841-4:1,
David Ramsey ; 1844-47, Lewis Richardson ; 1848-01, Charles Richard-
son; 18.52-53, Henry II. Duncklee; 1854-5(1, Oilman P. Fletcher;
18.57-58, Cyrus Richardson ; 1859-0.5, Jacob Stephenson ; 18(l(Wi9, liil-
inan P. Fletcher ; 187(V71, I^wis P. Wilson ; 1872-7:1, George S. Peavey ;
1874-70, Horace Cudworth ; 1877-81, Edwin C. Richardson ; 1882-&5,
Warren Lewis.
SKLtCTMEN.
1791. — Joseph liorrii^k, James Ramsey, Ji«hila Holt.
1792.— Jos*'ph Herrii-k, .Tames Ramsey, Joshua Holt.
179:1. —.loshua Holt, KIs'U. Farrington, Jonathan Itjillard.
1794. — loseph Herrick, James Ramsey, llelijamiii .\Mm,h.
1795.— Joeeph Herrick, .lames Ramsey, Bet^amilt Abbott.
1790.— ElK'n. Farrington, Paul Cragin, Joshua Holt.
1797. ^Eben. Farrington, Paul Cr.igiu, Joshua Holt.
1798.— Eben. Farrington, Paul Cragin, Joshua Hidt.
1799. — Joshua Holt, Ebeit. Famngt.>n, Paul Cragin.
180U. — John Savage, .\sa Butmaii, John Dane.
1801.— Eben. Farrington, Paul Cragin, Joshua Holt.
1802. -Joshua Holt, Eben. Farrington, PauU^ragin.
1803.— Eben. Farrington, Paul Cragin, Jacob Richardson.
1804.— Eben. Farrington, Paul Cragiu, Jacob Ricbardsou.
1805.— Paul Cragin, Jacob Richardson, Stephen Holt.
ISOO. — Paul Cragin, Stephen Holt, Jacob Richanlson.
1807.— Joshua Holt, Pyam Herrick, .\mo8 Whittemore.
1808. ^loshua Holt, I'yain Herrick, Amos Whittemore.
1809. — Joshua Holt, I'vam Herrick, Anim Whittemore.
1810.— Joshua Holt, Pyam Herrick, Amos Whittemore.
1811.— Eben. Farriiigt<ui, Amiui Buriilmm, Ephraini Holt.
1812. — Eben. Farringt«m, Ammi Bnrnliam, Kphraim Holt.
1813. — Eben. Farrington. Kphraim Holt, Jacob Richardson
1814..— David Ramsey, Ephraim Holt, Samuel Lewis.
1815.- David Ramsey, Ephraim Holt, Samuel Lewis.
181G.— David Ramsey, Kphraim Holt, Siimiiel Lewis.
1817. — David Ramsey, Kiihraim Holt, Sjimuel Lewis.
1818. — David Ramsey, Kphraim Holt, .Samuel Lewis.
1819. — David Ramsey, Ephmirii Holt, Samuel Lewis.
1S20.— David Ramsey, Kphraim Holt, Samuel Lewis.
1^21. — David Ramsey, Eiihiuim Holt, Samuel Lewis.
1822. — David Ramsey, Kpliniim Holt, Samuel Lewis.
1823. — David Ramsey, Kphraim Holt, Samuel Lewis.
1824. — David Ramsey, Ephraim Holt, Samuel Lewis.
1825.— :David Ramsey, Kphraim Holt, Samuel Lewis.
1820. — Ephraim Iltilt, Samuel Lewis, William S. Itamsey.
1827. — Epln-aim Holt, Samuel Lewis, William S. Riimsey.
1828.— William S. Rjinisi'y, Zcbediah Peavey, Moody Butler.
1829.— William S. Ramsey, Zebediah Peavey, Moody Botler.
18:iO.— Paul Cragin, W illiam Ssivage, William Cavender.
1831. — John Ramsey. William .Savage, William Cavender.
18:i2. — William Savage, William Cavender, Isajic H. Foster.
18:J3. — William Savage, William Cavemler, Isaiic H. Foeter.
1.S34.— William Savage, William Cavender, Isiuic H. Foster.
l.S3,5. — William S. Ramsey, Zebediah Peavey, Hugh A. .\bl>ott.
1830.— William S. Ramsey, Zebediah Peavey, Hugh \. Ablioll.
1837.— Zebediall Peavey, Hugh A. Abbott, William S. Ramsey.
1838.— Zebediah Peavey, Hugh A. Abboll, Jonathan Patch
18;)9.— Zebediall Peavey, Hugh .V. Abbott, Jonathan Patch.
1840.— Zebediall Peavey, Hugh .\. .\bbott. David Ramsey.
1841. — David Ramsey, Lewis Richanlson, Douglass R Gould.
1.S42. — David Ramsey, Lewis Ricbartlson, Douglaiw R. Gould.
184:1.— Lewis Richar.lsim, Hermoii Abbott, Moses Robinson.
1844. — Hermou .\bl»olt. Moses Robinson, Charles Richardson.
1845. — Uenuon .\bbott, Charles Richanlson. Peter Peavey.
184tl- — Charles Richanlson, Peter Peavey, Hinim llanly.
1847. — Charles Richardson, Peter Peavey, Iliram Hardy.
1848.— Charles Richai-dsou, Peter Peavey, Kphraim Holt.
1849.— Charles Richard.son, Peter Peavey. Ephraim Holt.
18.50.— Hermon Abbott, Jacob Stephenson, Lewis Richardson.
1851. — Hermon .\bbott, Jacob Stephenson, Lewis Richardson.
1852. — Lewis Richardson, Hermon .\bIiott, Ephraim Holt.
18.53.— Lewis Richanlson, Zebediall Peavey, Amos Marsh.
18.54. — Lewis Richardson, Zebediah Peavey, .\mos Marsh.
18.55. — Henry U. lluncklee, William L. Savage, John Fletcher.
18.50. — Henry 11. Duncklee, William L. Savage, Jtdin Fletcher.
18,57. — William L. Savage-, James Sawyer, Horace Cndworth.
1858. — James Sawyer, Lewis Richardson, Hiram llurdy.
1859. — James Sawyer, llinuii Hanly, Kphntim Holt.
1800.— Ephraim Holt, Cyrus Richardson, John M. Ramsey.
1801. — John M. Itamsey. Cilmaii P. Fletcher, Rufus Hardy.
1862.— John >1. Ramsey, Gilman P. FliMclier, Rufus Hardy.
1803.— Gilman P. Fletcher, Rufus Hanly, John B. Favor.
1801. — Rufus Hardy, Georgw S. Peavey, John II. Reynolds.
1865. — George S. Peavey, John H. Reynolds, Lewis Richardson.
1800. — John H. Reynolds, Lewis Richanlwui, Henry Holt.
1807. — .lohn Fletcher, .\lfred W. Savage, Nahiim Russell.
1868. — Alfreil W. Savage, Nahum Russell, John It. Russell.
1809. — Alfred W. Savage, .lohn R. Russell, Fmuklin C. Fletcher.
1870. .lohn It. Russell, Franklin C. Fletcher, Henry Holt.
1871.— Franklin C. Fletcher. Henry Holt, James .Saw.ver.
1872.— Henry Holt, Kr.ink linsjks, Albert H. Hopkins.
1873. — Frank Brooks, Albert II. Hopkins, Sidney II. Hardy.
1874. — .\lb.-rt H. Hopkins, Sidney 11. llanly, .lohn R. Russell.
1875. — Sidney U. Hardy, John R. Ru-.«ell, William L. .Savage.
1876.— Henry H. Duncklee, Franklin c. Fletcher, (.'harles H.
kins.
1877.- Ueury 11. Duncklee, Franklin C. Fletcher, Charles H.
kins.
1878.- Franklin C, Fletcher, Charles H. Hopkins, John H. Rey
1879. — Charles H. Hopkins, .lohn H. Reynolds. Levi S. Holt.
Hop-
Hup-
nolds.
j;^'. f'^^i^
grej:nfikld.
347
1880.— J>.hii II. RtynuWn, I.pvl S. Holt, Willis 1). Hiinly.
1H81.— Jtttm K. liuiiwll, Joliu T. K<>l>tirUhiii, Wurrtjii Li-wis.
1882.— Joliu T. lt..b.it*jn, Willis I>. Iliinlj, .Mfr.il W. ^Nivage.
188;).— Willis I), llanly, .Vlfna W. Saviigi', Hiiiiiol W. Uiiriihiuii.
|«»t.— Aim-d W. SMivaRu, Dttliicl W. Iluilihaui, Joliii T. liobertsoii.
181C>. -Duliiel W. Huniliiiin, Juliii T. Roburlsuii, Giliimli P. KiftchtT.
Kei'Ue^ent.ktivrs to the Ge.vekal Ooi'iiT.— 1791I-180L', .Joseph Hur-
rick; 18(11, Alunii Diiinhiiin; ISICi-:!, .loscpli IIiTlick ; 18CH-0, Ami*
WlliUemoru ; I'M'?, JiiiiH.'s Millur; 18ii,s-l:(, Amos Wluttenioro ; 1814-lu,
Jacob Kiclifinlsuu ; ^HlC,--i«, Williuiii Whiltfiiiore ; l»2'.>-;i2, Ephniitii
Holl ; IKtl-Sr., Piiul (.'nipili, Jr. : IX'.T. Willimii S. Unniscy ; ISJH^U,
Williiilii WliitUrnorc ; 1841-):!, Z.be.liiih I'l'avcj' ; I«+l-i.'., David lUlliisiy;
IMO-n, llornion Abbott ; 1848-4'.P, Lewis Riclmrdson ; 18o()-51, Olmrles
Blcbnttlson ; 16.V2, Hugh A. Abbott ; 18.1:)-M, Ileury H. Dunckleo ;
1855-51), David Rumscj- ; lS57-.'i8, (iilmaii P. Fletcher ; 1859-00, John
Cn-gg ; ISM-U'A John II. Kuvor ; IRKKrl, Nullum Busscll ; 1805, Hiiuni
lUrdy ; 18««, John H. Favor ; 18li7-<;8, (icorge S. Poiivey ; 18G9-70, Al-
fred W. Savage ; 1871 72, John It. Itussell ; 1873-74, llinry Holt ; 1875-7IJ,
Henry H. Duueklee ; 1S77, David Stiirrett ; 1878-79, All>ert II. Hopkins ;
ISfXP, lirecnfield, clasx'd with Ilcnninglon ; l.iKl, W. II. Durruli, lien-
nington ; 1882-8;), Cliurle* II. ilwpkiiis; lt*l, Franklin C. Klcltber.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN RAMSEY, M.D.
Dr. John Ramsey waa born in Greeiilickl, X. H.,
November 24, 1784. He was the son of William and
Jemima (Smith) Ramsey, ;iiicl frraiulson of John Ram-
gey, an Irish emigrant to Loiulondony, N. H., in the
early days of that historic colony.
Dr. Ramsey's father was a typical New England
farmer, and during the years of his minority Dr. Ram-
sey's time was spent alternately laboring on hjp'iather's
farm or attending school, and the vigorous out-door
exercise thus obtained hiid thi' foundation for a rugged
and strong constitution, which served him well in
the arduoas labors of his after-life as a country phy-
sician, with an e.xtensive ])ractice, when the rigors
of New England winters made the long and cheer-
less night-ilrivcs over rough ami lonely roads anything
but an easy task.
His education was obtained at Londonderry Acad-
emy, and, being a close student, witli an a[>t and re-
tentive memory, he became quite a proficient scholar.
He studied medicine with Dr. .lames Crombie, of
Temple, an eminent |)hysician of his day, and after-
wards pursued a course of study at Hanover Medi-
cal CoUcgi', from which institution he graduated.
He began the practici^ of his profession at Mont Ver-
non, N. H., where he continued about three years, when
he removed to Greenfield, N. H., in November, 1818,
and e,st;iblished a practice which continued through the
remaining active yciirs of his life, ;ind the extent of
which was only limited by his capacity to attend to
it. For a period of forty-seven years he was almost
constantly at the bedside of the sick.
He was famous as a healer of disease, success at-
tending his efforts, perhaps, more largely than is
Usu:il with the profession. His fame c.xteniled to the
surriiuniling towns and his services were in constant
23
demand. He was a man of very kindly heart, whose
presence in the sick-room brought sunshine and
cheerfulness. That he was generous to a fault many
of those still living, who were recipients of his kind-
ne.ss, can testify.
Notwithstanding his extensive practice as a physi-
cian. Dr. Ramsey still found time for the exercise of
other duties of citizenship. He was selectman of the
town of Greenfield many years, and was town clerk
during more than half the many years he was resi-
dent there. He also did a great deal of probate
business. He was a director of the Peterborough
Nationijl Bank several years, and was a member of
the New Hampshire State Medical Society.
In religious belief he w;is a Congregationalist, and
a stanch Republican in politics. He was an ardent
temperance man and an earnest advocate of whatever
tended to the good of his fellow-man.
He married Ophelia Davis, of Westford, Mass.,
November, 1818. They have three children, all of
whom are living, — John Milton, now residing in Pe-
terborough ; Mary Davis, now Mrs. Dr. Leonard
French, of Manchester; and William Henry, now
residing in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Mrs. Ramsey died June 20, 1828, and Dr. Ramsey
married, iis his second wife, Janet, daughter of Thomas
and Ann (Moore) Steele, of Peterborough, N. H., Oc-
tober 1, 1820. By this marriage there is no living is-
sue.
Dr. Ramsey died July 10, 1SIJ4. Mrs. Ramsey still
survives and resides in Peterborough, N. H.
Rl;V. .SAMUKL HUDSON PAKTKI DUK, M.D.
Rev. S. H. Partridge, M. D., was born at Dalton,
\. IL, October 15, 1827. He was the son of Lewis
and Betsey (Fay) Partridge. He was brought up as a
farmer's son, and fitted for cidlege at Franccstown
Academy, but failing health i)revented his entering
college, and for a time he applied himself to study
and teaching. Having an inclination for the ministry,
he studied theology with Rev. Dr. liarstow, of Kecne,
N. 11., and was licensed to preach by the Monadnock
Association August 13, 1850. After preaching a year
and a half at Sebec, Me., he located at Hillsborough
("enter, N. H., where he was ordained May 10, 1853,
at the same time uniting with the Union .Vssocia-
tion, of which he was a very valuable, and, at the
time of his decease, the oldest, member. He labored
as pastor at Hillsborough Center nearly live years,
when he removed to Lebanon, Me., at which place he
was acting pastor of the church one year. In July,
1850, he took charge of the Congregatioiiiil Chunh ;it
York, Me., and here he spent ten active, useful and
li:ippy years of his life. But his consliliition, never
strong, limilly gave way before the severe climate of
the sea-coast, and he was compelled to seek the in-
terior to recuperate his declining health. He spent
about a year in Peterborough, when, his strength in
a measure returning, he assumed the care of the
348
UlSTOlli' OF lllLLSBOROUGU COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Cougregational t'hurch at Grt'eTiMelJ, X. H., and coii-
tiiiut'il iu that jiastoratt' until a lew days prior to his
decease. He had just resigned his charge when he
was stricken with the illness whicli proved fatal.
While in the active discharge of his duties as min-
ister he studied medicine, and (lualified himself for
practice, and for a period of twenty-three years he
practiced medicine, supplying the imljiit at the same
time. He was a conscientious, earnest man, studious,
intelligent and unremitting in labor, and as a physi-
cian was very successful. One who knew him well
says of him : " As a minister he labored arduously
and greatly to the jirofit of his hearers. , As a
physician he entered the houses of liis people only
to enter their hearts as well." The constant and ex-
haustive labor necessarily involved in the practice of
two professions simultaneously undoubtedly operated
to shorten his life. He would often ride thirty miles
on the Sabbath in attendance on the sick, and attend
three services besides. It may be truly said of Dr.
Partridge that his life was spent in doing good for
others. He was interested, actively, in every move-
ment calculated to benefit the community or elevate
the mental or moral tone of the people among whom
he lived.
He was possessed of a high grade of intelligence,
and menially and morally was highly attuned. In
the midst of the many practical duties of his more
than ordinarily busy life he found time to court the
muses, and many pearls of thought has he enshrined
in verse. Many of his productions have been imb-
lished and some of them are of rare beauty and merit.
He married, March 2.5, ISol, Elvira, daughter of
Joel and Mary (Blakesly) Fay, a native of Dalton,
N. H., but at the time of their marriage resident in
Peterborough. They had three children,— Lizzie M.,
afterwards Mre. Warren Lewis (she died August Si,
1884, leaving three children), .Vbbie N. and .\rlena
E., the two latter unmarried.
Perhaps no man who ever died in Greenfield, was
more sincerely mourned by so wide a circle of
friends and acquaintances than was Dr. Partridge.
The spotless purity of his life, the unselfish nature of
the man, as manifested in so many ways, and the
active, intelligent interest he invariably manifested in
all that pertained to the welfare of his people, very
naturally endeared him to those with whom he came
in contact.
He died May 22, 1884. A very beautiful monument
marks his last resting-i)lace in (Jreenfield cemetery.
CHARLE.S I>. I'lIfH.
Charles Darwin Fitch was born in Greenfield,
N. H., November 29, 1815. He was the son of Dr.
Samuel and Eunice (Perry) Fitch, and grandson of
Samuel Fitch, of Massachusetts. Dr. Samuel F'itch
was born in Acton, Mass., and came to (ireen-
field, X. H., about the beginning of the present
century, where he began the practice of medicine.
In this profession his life was spent, continuing in
the active duties of a practitioner more than forty
years.
His family consisted of two sons and two daugh-
ters. One of his daughters, Louisa, afterwards be-
came Mrs. .Jeremiah Peavey. Phebe, the other
daughter, died young. Francis P., the elder son,
became an eminent physician. He )>racticed many
years in Amherst, X^. H. Then, after a few years
spent in Milford and Nashua, N. H., and Wakefield,
Mass., he moved to Vineland, N. J., where he
died December 24, 1874.
Charles D. was the youngest of the four chil-
dren. After receiving instruction at the schools of his
native town, he attended the academy at New Ips-
wich, and also received private instruction under the
tutelage of diflerent teachers. He entered Dartmouth
College when but seventeen years of age, and gradu-
ated in the class of 1837, anil the same year we find
him installed as preceptor of the academy at Ilenni-
kcr, N. II. He chose teaching as his avocation, and,
as an instructor of youth, met with undoubted success.
He remained at Henniker, as teacher, two years, and
soon after leaving there he went to Louisiana. In
this State — chiefly at St. Francisville — he spent four
years as private tutor. Returning to his native
town, we ne.xt find him, iu 184(5, in Castleton, Vt.,
attending a course of lectures as a student in medi-
cine. He pursued his medical studies a considerable
time, but finally abandoned his intention of becoming
a physician, and returned to teaching as an occupa-
tion. In 1847 he was instructor in the Amherst
High School, and he taught after this, at various
times, several terms in Amhei-st. In 1850-51 he
taught the High School at South Windsor. In the
latter part of 1851 he taught a select school in Green-
field, and the following winter taught the common
school in Center District. In 1852 he taught the
High School at Greenfield, and 1853 and 1854 he was
principal of the academy at (Conway, Mass. The last
session he ever taught was at Pinkerton Academy,
Derry, N. H. He then purchased a home (where
his widow now resides) in (treenfield, to which he
jtermanently retired. He married, March 11, 1857,
Lizzie D., daughter of Deacon Peter and Dorcas
(Holt) Peavey. Two children were the issue of this
marriage, — Frances Louisa, who graduated at Mount
Holyoke Seminary, s])ring term, 1883, and is now en-
gaged in teaching at Temple Grove Female Semimiry,
at Saratoga Springs, X'. Y. ; and Orianna P., who is
now in her third year at Mount Holyoke Seminary.
Professor Fitch was superintendent of public
instruction in his native town one year, and was
leader of the choir in the Evangelical Church many
years ; and, after the union of the churches, he was
leader of the choir in the Union Congregational
Church to the time of his death. He was an ardent
lover of music, and an enthusia.st on that subject.
Though not the possessor of a powerful voice, yet his
r§^^jjL.
ij^ ^.
'/
GKEENFIKLD.
349
hearty soiilfulnoss gave zest to his singing ami made
him a sueec-'sful leader. He was superiuliiiilcnt of
the Sabbath-schdol many years, ami continually
sought to elevate the moral tone of his pupils and all
those with whom he enme in coutact. He was an
larnist friend of the cause of education, and a most
/(■alous advocate of moral reforms of every kind. Toall
kinds of intem|ierance he opposed himself aggress-
ively and cDntinnally. (Jreenfield possessed, per-
haps, no more public-spirited or self-sacrificing citi-
ren. As an illustration of his deportment toward
iliose under his charge, and its natural result upon
their moral and intellectual natures, the following
quotation from a letter written him by one of his
former pupils, may .serve to give an idea of the
estinnition in which he was held: " Xever shall I
forget, while memory lasts and reiison has her power,
the friendly and encouraging words that occasion-
ally, in my intercourse with you, fell from your lijjs.
The impressions that I received when in your .soci-
ety seem to give more strength to my character."
Mr. Fitch died December lit, 1877.
UKACON PKTER PEAVKY.
Deacon I'eter Peavey was born in Wilton, N. H.,
July -I'J, 1788. His father, Peter Peavey, was a na-
tive of .Andover, Mass , an<l bis mother, Lucy C'um-
mings Peavey, of ll(illis, X. H. In May, 17!H), the
family, following a line of marked trees, removed to
a tract of unincorporated land ini the noithern slope
of the mountain known as Pack's Monadnock. With
few advantages for ac(|uiring an cducatiim in yimlh,
he succeedcil in fitting himself for teaching, in which
occupation be excelled, especially in the management
of large and dilHcult schools. His ]iupils, now old
and grayheiideil men, are found in this and all the
surrounding towns. His patriotism and love of mar-
tial music and military dis|)lay wa.s manifest at an
early age, and culminated when a call came for vol-
unteers from the town in the War of 1812, he being
the first to leave the ranks of the militia, then on
parade, anil step forward to the post assigned for
volunteers. He was followed by his brother Jacob
and others.
On the rclniri boiiie, after the enlistment, when the
tearx and pleadings of molber and sisters were threat-
ening to damp the aidnr of (heir |>atriotism, the
father (better known as Major I'lavey) exclaimed,
" That's right buijK, i/o ! tlii-c it to tlitm ! Never let
them i>re your heels."
Ill the autumn of 1SI4 he went out as a non-com-
iiiissirmed olliecr in the company thus raist'd, ami
continued in the service till the dose of the war.
For such service he received a government pension
iluring the bust few years of his life.
In June, 1819, he was married to Miss Dorcas Holt,
a daughter of Deacon John Holt. They had two sons
and three daughters. The second daughter, named
for the mother, died at the age of five years. The
others are all living. This first union was suiidcrecl
by the death of the wife, October (j, 185(5.
April !), 18.')7, he married Tamesin Holt, a sister of
the deceased w-ife. She survives him. He received
the ordinance of baptism September 18, 1791, at the
age of three yeai-s, Rev. Sewall Goodridge, of Lynde-
borougb, oiliciating. In September, 181:2, at the age
of twenty-four, be made a |niblic jirofession of re-
ligion, uniting with the church in (Jreenfielil, Kev.
John Walker, pastor. At the organization of the
Evangelical Church of Greenfield, January 8, 1834,
he identified himself with its interests. At its organ-
ization he Wius chosen one of its deasons, who, with
an eipial number of elders, chosen from the Presby-
terian element, constituted the session. At a meet-
ing of the session, held January 9th, he was elected
clerk of the session and also clerk of the church, both
of which oflices he held until the church disbanded,
in 18(17, to form the |ireseiil Union Congregational
Cluircb. lie was leader of the choir connected with
the Kvangelical Church during it.s entire history, a
period of more than forty years.
His relation to the Sabbath school wiis never
sundered, continuing in active service as a teacher,
with unusual constancy, till a few months before his
death, and oi^casionally until three weeks previous to
the injury that laid bim aside from all work.
His sympathy with the spirit of i)rogrcss that be-
longs to the present generation was shown in his la.st
decision, left with his sons, to be buried in the new
and spacious cemetery recently ])urcha.sed and laid out
by the town, the remains of his first wife and " little
Dorcas" to be removed and laid beside him.
Deacon Peavey died on the evening of the 2Gth of
October, 1879, after an illness of one week.
During the eventful period of his life he was at
different times teacher, then merchant, and later in
life a fiirmer, in which calling he died.
Of his children, Hannah, married Nelson .\libott,
of Wilton, .\. II.; Dorcas A., died in childb'ioil ;
Lizzie I)., married Charles D. Fitch, and resides in
Greenfield (Mr. Fitch died December 19, 1X77);
.John Petor, married Mary .1. Patch, of Greenfield,
resides in Montreal, province of tjucbec; Charles, re-
sides in Montreal and is unmarried.
HISTORY OF HANCOCK.
BY ORLAND EATON.
CHAPTER I.
Hancock is situated in 42° 59', and was incorpo-
rated November 5, 1779, agreeably to the petition of
Robert Duncan and twenty-tive others. It was
bounded north by Antrim, east by Contoocook River,
south by Peterborough and Dublin and west by
Packersfield. January 16, 1794, that part of the
estate of Joseph Putnam, of Society Laud, which lay
to the east of the river in Great Lot No. 9, was
annexed to Hancock, and .January 1, 1849, that part
of the farm of John Flint which was situated in
Antrim was annexed to Hancock. In 1842 Hancock
Factory village (formerly Putnam's Mills), with a few
farms to the west of this village, became incorporated
as a part of Bennington, Hancock Factory village
being its centre.
The west part of the town is quite hilly, the highest
elevation in tlie town, Mount Ska-tu-tah-kee, two
thousand feet high, being situated in this part.
Miller Mountain is also quite an elevation in its
northern section, while Nahors Hill, near the north-
east corner, and Norway Hill, near its centre, are
considerable elevations. The town is generally agree-
ably diversified with plains, hills and valleys, and
since its recent fine railroad accommodations is be-
coming a popular summer resort. Excellent tracts of
intervale land are located on the Contoocook and its
tributary streams. It is properly regarded :is a good
farming town. Lake Nubaiuisit, situated i>artly in
Hancock and partly in Nelson, is the largest body of
water in the town. Hunt's Pond, a little to the south-
cast of this, Half-Moon Pond, near its soutliern
border, and Norway Pond, at its centre, are also fine
bodies of water. The first settlement in the limits of
the town was begun by John Grimes, near the shore
of Ilalf-Mooii Pond, in 17H4, although he returned to
Peterborough to winter in 1764-65. Shortly after
this, George McCloury, Moses Morrison and William
Lakin settled near him, and a few years later a few
families had located near (ireat Pond (now l>ake
Xubanusit) and elsewhere; but the breaking out of
the Kcvolulionary War greatly retarded its setfle-
ment, until about the time of its incorporation.
Hancock was named in honor of (Jovernor John
350
Hancock, of Boston, who was a large owner in Great
Lot No. 2 (the centre of Hancock) at the time of its
incorporation, and was the second incorporated place
to take the name of that great man, who, as president
of the Continental Congress, was the first to aftix his
name to our country's Declaration of Independence,
Hancock, Mass., being its senior by three years. The
town commenced its corporate existence under some
peculiar hardships, on account of the war and the
depreciation of the Continental money. They also
labored under disadvantages in having no place set
apart for a centre and burying-ground, these, to-
gether with a ministerial lot, being generally given
to the towns previously incorporated. Deacon James
Hosley, of New Ipswich, gave the town a place for a
centre and burying-place a few years later, and the
town bought a farm for its first minister of the heirs
of Governor Hancock.
Hancock is justly regarded as a healthy town, the
only " unusual sickness " having been the dysentery
scourge of 18(10.
Mills and Manufactures. — The streams i>f Han-
cock as now constituted are small and its mills l]Ut
few. During its early years tliese streams were more
valuable, as the forests were in part remaining, and
the swamps and meadows largely undrained. There
W!is also a larger local demand for lumber for build-
ing, and more grain (esi)ecially rye) to be ground
than in later years. The following aban(lone<l mill-
sites are to be found in Hancock at the present time:
Ist, SulouHin WouiVs Miw-tiiill ; 2(1, Henry I'roliti(«' ctothinK-niill ; 3d,
Kilnuind Davis' Niw-luiil ; 4tli, Kichnnl IlAlni'sclotliiilg-mili ;,.'>th, .taliifft
M. Jotinson'B siinli ami lilillil Nliop ; titli, Volliey II. .To)iti8i>ii'8 tiirninR-
luill. The aluivc wt-re (in the Davis Brodk. 7th, Sarnud Ames, wiw and
tirlHt-niill, on FcrpiiBon nr(X>k. Stli, TtionutsSpatilding'o Krit(t-n)iM ; Ittli,
Henry Spanldilip'K Krist-tnill ; lOlli, ttut Fox Tannery. Ttiese were on
tin' Hcslcy Brook, lltli, Nicholas Lavvrenre, wiw.niill ; I2tli, .lesse
Kodpers' .saw-inill ; i;UIi, Kent A llnnt's (afterwards Hall's mills) prist-
niill ; 14t)i, .\inos Ball's b(d)tiliiH<tiol> ; I.MIi, Milton Hill's rabinet-shop ;
Hitli, Kreiiili & .Syniond's siiw and grist-nilll. The five la«t l>eing on
Sloose Brook.
We have given the original builders' names to each
of these aliaiidoned sites.
The dams of two other nulls spatiiied the river, lint
the mills themselves were in Greenfield.
There were manufactories of potash at the Centre,
I
HANCOCK.
351
first by Andrew Scaton and later by David Low.
Samuel BuUard also carried on a lively business at
the Centre a.s a hatter for several years. The mills
now located in the corporate limits of Hancock are
EJdward Danforth's saw-mill, on Ferg;uson Brook,
and John Newell's mill on Hosley Brook, which is a
saw and grist-mill, and also contains a full set of
machinery for tlie manufacture of pails, also a fine
shingle-mill and iron turninjr lathe with much other
machinery, and is operated by an extra miller.
The sash, door and blind-shop of the late James
M. Johnson, a little to the east of the mill last named,
and on the same stream. The Willey Mills, so called,
on Moose Brook, now owned and operated liy Rev.
J. W. Coolidge ; tliis mill, in addition to the usual
advantages of. a well-appointed saw and grist-mill.
enjoys the a<lvantage of a side-track on the Man-
chester and Keene Railroad, which gives it great
advantage in the matter of handling grain and other
freights, especially since this railroad has become a
shipping-point. The steam tannery of A. (J. Foster,
in the soutli part of the town, is also a well-apijointed
establishment.
Having noted the mills and manufactures of what
is now Hancock, it seems proper that we should
briefly mention a section which, for threescore years,
was identified with tlie interests and included in the
limits of Hancock, first as Putnam's Mills and later
as Hancock Factory, but now the centre of the thriv-
ing town of Bennington.
Atthe timeof the incorporation of Hancock, Joseph
Putnam, a native of Wilton, and of the same lineage
as (ieneral Putnam, was a resident of and a niilier in
Temple; but finding his water-power insufficient, he
soon after began to look for a better location, and
October 14, 1782, purchased a hjt of land at the Great
Falls of the Contoocook, described in the deed as
follows: "A certain lot or tract of land lying in the
Royial Society, so called, viz.: in lot Number 31, in
the North range, as they are laid out and marked,
said lot laid out on the original right of .lotham
Odion, Ksq., of Portsmouth, deceived." This lot
covered and included all the east side of the now used
water-power of Bennington village, and was annexe<I
to Hancock on his petition, .January 17, 17il4. He
soon commenced a clearing here and built a house
where the present hotel stands, and was here with his
family early in 178.'{, erecting his saw and grist-mill
soon after, where the j)re8ent one stanils. November
It), 178i>, he added by jmrchase one hundred and
seven acres on the opposite side of the stream, and
owned most of what is now Bennington village for
years.
Mr. Putnam carried on an extensive business, both
a» a miller and a farmer here, for over a score of years,
but was unwilling to part with any of the water-
power he did not himself use, as it would injure
his farm. He sold his property here to .lohn Kustin
in 1804, and removed to Alstead, and sul)se<iuently
to Marshfield, Vt., with his son Jacob, where he died
February 12, 182(3. He left a numerous and honored
line of descendants. We are indebted to his grand-
son. Judge E. IJ. Putnam, of Montpelier, Vt., for facta
as to his residence here.
Of John Dustin, the second owner of these mills,
little is known at this writing by the writer.
.Tohn D. Butler, a wealthy citi/.en of Bennington, is
his grandson.
Hancock Factory was built in this village, in 181t),
by Amos Whittemore, Sr., Benjamin Whittemore and
Paul Cragin. They, with help, cut and hewed the
timber and had the frame raised in one week. Ben-
jamin Whittemore was the first agent. They manu-
factured at first cotton yarn and put it out to be woven
by han<l, but soon put in a few looms. In 1825, Amos
Whittemore, Jr., i>ecame the agent, and the next year
built an addition to the first mill of thirty feet to the
west, three stories high, and added some twenty-five
or thirty looms, employing about fifty hands.
It is said that for a time after this nearly one-half
of the cotton goods made in New Hampshire were
manufactured here.
The next agent (who was also one of its owners)
was Benjamin A. Peavey, who ran it for a few years,
after which it was idle for a time. This is now Kim-
ball's cutlery establishment.
Chai)in Kidder put in a fulling-mill in the west end
of the Putnam Mill, (then Burt's), in 1815, andMerick
Wentworth built a mill for carding and cloth-dress-
ing, where D H. Goodell & Co.'s works now stand,
in 1820. This spot was occupied as a paper-mill and
manufactory of writing and blank-books for some
years by .folin W. Flagg, Esq., while it was in Han-
cock.
In 1B35, Lewis Fletcher built and started a paper-
mill where Barker & Oo.'s now stands, which was sub-
sequently operated by Gilbert Hall and others.
About 1820, Jeptha Wright commenced the maiui-
fiicture of rifles and excellent fowling-pieces here.
He nuimifaetured the fine rifles carrieil by the rille
comi)anics of Greenfield, Henniker and .\inherst in
the palmy days of these fine military organizations.
Mr. Wright subsequently removed to Hillsborough
anil died there.
It will be seen by this sketch that mills were stand-
ing on every spnt where mills are now operated in
Hancock Factory when it parted company with the
nn>ther-lowii.
Highways, Railroads and Telegraph. The lirst
important thorouglifiire in Hancock appears to have
been wlial is now known as the old Stoddard road.
This road was an extension of the Windy How road
in Pcterlporough, north llirough Hancock and corners
of Antrim and Parkersfield to Stoddanl, and wa.s a
great traveled road to Boston from the towns to the
north and northwest of Hancock during the last few
years of the ]>ast century.
About the commencement of the prcaciil century
352
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
the old County road, as it was called, became the lead- '
iiifrthoroughfare for the same class of travel as had been
earlier accommodated by the road first-mentioned.
Hancock turnpike was chartered from Milford to
Marlow early in this century ; but, after several meet-
injrs of the corporation, it failed to be built, except on
paper, the Forest road, so called, later taking its
place as a road for teams and a stage and express
route through the town. A good business was done
for many years on this road from Hancock and the
towns above to Nashua, and later to Wilton depot.
The building of the Peterborough Railroad, from
Wilton to Greenfield (it never got to Peterborough),
and the Monadnock Railroad, from Wincliendon,
Mass., to Peterborough, subsequently gave depots
within some six or seven miles, respectively, of Han-
cock Centre before the town had railroad facilities of
its own. Prior to 1S70 a survey of a route for a rail-
road from Manchester to Keene had been made
through the north part of Peterborough, and, soon
after this, a preliminary survey was made to deter-
mine the feasibility of locating this road through the
south part of Hancock.
On the 25th of January, ISTS, at a legal town-
meeting, the citizens of Hancock voted a five per
cent, gratuity to the Manchester and Keene Railroad
if it would buiUl a mad through the town within one-
half a mile of its town hall. Subsequent surveys
proving this route fesisible, the road-bed was located
here rather than in Peterborough, as had been earlier
proposed.
The first earth was moved on the line of this rail-
road on land of Lewis Synionds, in Hancock, in the
spring of the following year_, and the road was com-
pleted for business (from Greenfield to Keene) in
1879. The building of the Manchester and Keene
Railroad through Hancock seemed to render it nec-
essary that both the Monadnock and Contoocook Val-
ley roads should connect with it, and the Peterbor-
ough and Hillsborough road was soon commenced,
crossing the first-named road at Hancock Junction.
Hancock now has two railroads through its terri-
tory, with depots at Hancock Centre, on the Man-
chester and Keene Railroad, and Cavender's, on the
Peterborough and Hillsborough Railroad, while there
is also a union dejiot at the junction. There is also a
much-used side-track at Coolidge's mill.
Ft is worthy of remark here that Henninglon. Han-
cock's daughter, is the only other town that carries
tiic rails of both these roads.
A i)ost-otIice, by the name of Elmwood, has recently
been established at Hancock Junction, of which
Henry V. Robinson is the postmaster
The junction, at the hour of three I'..m., would re-
mind a stranger of some smart, young Western city,
on account of its numerous trains of cars.
Telegraph lines have been cxteniled along both
these roatls, with operating stations at Hancock Cen-
tre and Hancock Junctiim.
Schools. — The first appropriation for schools in
llaiu-ock, of which we have any record, was made on
the first Tuesday of December, 1787, when the town
voted to raise ten pounds for schools, and a committee
was chosen by the town for its proper distribution;
but we have no record of any school-house for four
years thereafter.
Soon after the settlement of its first minister, Rev.
Reede Paige, the town, under his lead, took a very
advanced position for those days in relation to its
school advantages, and the Centre District was author-
ized to build a two-story school building, the upper
story to be used as a High School room.
It was in this uiiper room that Rev. Brown Emerson,
for nearly seventy years the pastor of the South Con-
gregational Church of Salem, Mai«., and his brother,
Rev. Reuben, of Reding, in the same State, obtained
most of the higher education which fitted them for
college and their future usefulness.
In later years we find as .students here Hon. George
W. Nesmith, of Antrim, a man who for many years
adorned the bench of his native State, and is now, in
his green old age, the president of the Orphans'
Home in Franklin, and, a little later, Franklin Pierce,
of Hillsborough, who subsequently became the Presi-
dent of the United Statts. This building was burned
about the close of the first quarter of the present cen-
tury. On the 14th of June, 1836, the Hancock Liter-
ary and Scientific Institution was incorporated, Dr.
•Tonas Hutchison and seventeen others, with their
associates and successors, being authorized to build
a school building and maintain a High School
here. This school was mainly under the control of
the Milford and the Dublin Baptist Associations, and
was lor several years in a very fiourishing condition.
Among its eminent instructors we will name Pro-
fessors .Tones, Colcord, Burnell. Ephraim Knight and
True.
About the same time Hancock Academy was insti-
tuted and a fine brick building erected, and for several
years two large High Schools were in successful opera-
tion here at the same time. This was under the con-
trol of the Congregationalists.
Among its eminent instructors we might name
Messrs. Rice, Scott, (tilbert and others. Among the
eminent men wlio were pupils in these schools we will
name ex-Governor William B. Washburn, of Mas.sa-
chusetts, who held successively the offices of Repre-
sentative in Congress, (iovernor and Senatf)r of that
Stale, and is now the honored president of the Amer-
ican Missionary .V.ssocialion, his father having been a
nativeand hisgrandfather an early settler here; Francis
.Jewett, of Nelson, for several years the pojmlar mayor
of Lowell; Professor Ejihraim Knight, a native of the
town; Rev. Daniel (roodhue, who responded to the
sentiment of "The Schools of Hancock" at its late
centennial; Jo.seph Davis, Esi|.; Ilon.tieorge Stevens,
of Lowell; Judge Aaion W. Sawyer, of Nashua; and
we might mention many more.
HANCOCK.
353
Tlie jiri'st'iit distribution of tlio scliool (uiul is eqiuil-
viei\ as mucli as it can well be aiiionir its scholars.
Tlu- town was constituted a High School District
in 1878. One or more terms (usually two) of this
school yearly have been enjoyed by all its scholars
who choose to attend and can pass the necessary ex-
amination.
About the commencement of the present century
an association was formed in Hancock which, ior
nearly thirty years, sustained a circulating library of
some three hundred volumes here.
In IHtJU a town library was commenced with some
two hundred and fifty volumes, which has now been
many times increased. This institution has now a
fine library building, a gilt to the tofrn by one of its
sons, Adolphu.s Whitcomb, and a moderate trust fund
from legacies of Ebenezer Hubbard and .\bijah Had-
ley, the income of which is used in the purchase of
additional volumes.
Lawyers. — Only three i)ersons have been known
to the writer as having a law-oflici' in this town,
Andrew Wallace, from Milford, who appears to have
Keen an excellent man and a good lawyer, being the
first. He was the town's representative in 1822,1828
Mud 1824. Mr. Wallace returnecl to Milfonl and died
I here.
Hon. Luke Woodbury succeeded him, beginning
his practice of the law here, but moved his office to
.\ntrira in 1826. Mr. Woodbury was long a .judge of
I'robate for this county, and at the time of }iis death
:i candidate for (iovernor, with almost a certainty of
• lc<tion. The last lawyer to o]ien an otlice in Han-
' Hck was Hon. Timothy P. Fuller, who had been a
lawyer of note and a judge of the courts of Caledonia
County, Vt. Mr. Fuller and his wife both died here
in 1854. Several of the natives of Hancock have won
distinction at the bar elsewhere, among whom we will
note Charles Wheeler, son of Noah and grandson of
.lonas Wheeler, of this town (and an un(de of Charles
.lames Fox, named below), who won high honors in
I he courts of Missouri. Charles .lames Fox, son of
.Icdediah and Sarah (Wheeler) Fox, was born in
Hancock (October 28, 1811, as appears from abundant
A ritti'n testimony (although his birlh-placc has been
' laiined elsewhere). .Mr. l''ox fitteil I'or college at
Krancestown .\cademy, under the private tuition
of Rev. Archibald Burgess, of Hancock, and was grad-
uated from Dartmonili C!ollege with high honors in
the ( hi.ss of 1831. He studied law with Hon. Isaac
' >. Harnes, of Francestown, and comi>leted his law
course at the New Haven Law School. He then
entered the lawoflice of .hidge Daniel .\bl)ot of
Nashua, whose partner-at-law he soon became. He
.soon after became treasurer of the Nashua and Lowell
Kailroad, and was for eight or nine years county solic-
itor of this county. He also held the otlice of com-
missioner in bankruptcy. He was a member of the
Legislature from Naslnia in 18.'?7, ami was appointed
one of the committee to revise the Statutes of New
I Hampshire, with .Judges Hell and I'arker, in 1841-42,
a rare compliment to one so young, and published his
valuable "Town Officer" soon after this date. On
account of declining health, he traveled in Egyjit and
the West Indies in 18 11 1 5, of which he published
interesting sketche.s. He died, after a long sick-
ness, at Nashua, February 17, 1846, aged thirty-
tour years. Industrious to the last, the hours
when such exertions were possible were devo-
ted to the revision of the "History of Dunsta-
ble," which was published soon after his death,
and to poetical compositions, chiefly on religious
subjects. With all his honors he was a Chris-
tian, and few men so young have left so glorious a
record. Mr. Fox married Catharine Pinkman Abbot,
a daughter of his law-partner, who, as the widow of
ex-Governor Samuel Dinsmore, of Keene, now sur-
vives him ; also one son. Dr. Charles W. Fox.
The Whitcomb brothers — ('harlesand Adolphus —
sons of John Whitcomb, torso long the postmaster of
Hancock, went to California, where Charles soon
died. Achdpluis won distinction and wealth there.
He now resides in Europe. It is to his munificence
that Hancock is indebted for its fine library building.
Algernon B. Baldwin has won a high rank in his
profession in Chicago, as has Charles .V. Wood also,
in Salmon City, Idaho. Edward B. Knight (a bro-
ther of Professor Ephraim Knight) has become
eminent as a lawyer also, in Charlestown, W. V.
Prominent Individuals and Families.— .Iohx
(ililMES was the first person to locate in Hancock
with the view of making the place his home. Mr.
(■rimes was of Scotch-Irish descent, and came to Han-
cock by way of Peterborcyigh in 1764, locating at a
spot near the south shore of Half-Moon Pond. The
spot of the settlement of this pioneer was marked by
its citi/.ens with an a])propriate monument in 1884.
He remained but a few years In Hancock, and re-
turned to the "old hive" in Londonderry, where he
died. His widow resided in llam-ock with her son,
William (Jrimes, within the memory of some now
living.
MosKs Mdukison was also of Scotch descent. Sam-
uel ' was driven under the walls of Londonderry in
the famous siege of H)S8. .\ll his children emigrated
to America. .Tohn- was one of the first settlei'S of
Londonderry, N. H., his son, .Jonathan'', being the
ylr'ra^ nude child born in that town. Moses ■' was the
youngest of eight (hildren of this John'-, and was
born in Londonderry, .June 7, 17."}2. He married
Kacliel Todd, and located near Half-Moon Pond, in
Hancock, prior to ihc birth of his son .\ndrew', who
was born here .January 21, 1770. He was a great
story-teller, and has been called the "Onllivcr" and
"Arabian Knight" of ILincock ; but we do nut
indorse the statement of the histcnian of n nciglib(u-
ing town, that " it is for this only that bis memory
has survived him." The early records of Hancock
prove him to have been a nnin cd' ability and useful-
354
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
ness ill the town wln'ie ho spent liis latest years anil
died. A grandson of liis, 8aniucl" Morrison, of Al-
stead, has been for many years a mau of usefuhiess
and lioiior lliere, and has recently celebrated his
golden wedding. He, with his l)rother, ItcTijamin F.,
of tlie same town, have greatly aided in the prepara-
tion of facts for the "History of Hancock." These
brothers are also the grandsons of Deacon James
Hosley, of Hancock. The historian of Hancock, Rev.
W. W. Hayward, is a lineal descendant of Moses
Morrison. Mr. Morrison and his descendants have
occupied the soil of Hancock for over one hundred
and tilteen years.
Robert DfXfAS was of Scotch descent. George'
was a native of Scotland, who emigrated to Ireland.
George' was born, lived and died in Ireland. George \
with all his children, came to America. George*, his
oldest sou l)y his second wife, Margaret Cross, was
grown to manhood when lie arrived in Londonderry.
He married Letitia Bell and left seven children.
Robert", his second son, married Sarah, daughter of
Colonel Andrew Todd, of Londonderry, and was an
early settler in Hancock. Hon. John Duncan, of
Antrim, who was the representative for years of Han-
cock and Antrim, was his brother. Jlr. Duncan was
undoul)tedly the most influential man in the town at
the time of its incorporation. He drew up, headed
and circulated the petition for the act of incorpora-
tion, and was chairman of the first Board of Select-
men chosen at an annual town-meeting, and chosen
at the same time it.s town clerk, which othce he after-
wards held for a time. Mr. Duncan was also chosen
one of the first deacons of the church in Hancock,
and held the office at the time of his death. He was
also much employed in the aettlement of estates of
deceased early settlers. He died in the midst of his
usefulness, January 25, 1793, at the age of forty-nine
years. Samuel" married Sarah Miller, of Peterbor-
ough, and settled on the homestead, but died in
the prime of life, April 20, 1807, aged thirty-nine.
Hiram', who was only two years old at the time of
his father's death, was the only child of Samuel and
Sarah (Miller) Duncan who arrived at man's estate.
He settled in Jatlrey in trade, and was a man of
great business capacity, but died young, leaving one
daughter, Sarah " Miller Duncan, now the wife of Hon.
Peter Upton, of the Governor's Council, who is ii lead-
ing business man of that town, and, with their sou,
Hiram Duncan Upton, has charge of the banking
interests of that place, Hiram D. being also president
of tile Northwestern Trust Company of Dakota. Mrs.
Sarah M." (Duncan) I'jiton is the last survivor of
Deacon Robert Duncan who ever bore the family
name. Deacon Josiah", of Antrim, son of Deacon
Robert', of Hancock, was a thoroughly good man and
an elder of the Presbyterian Church there, who is
said to have been "a living e.xample of Uomaiis ,\iii.
11." He left no sons. Deacon Roberf^ also went to
Antrim, and married Ids cousin, Mrs. Naomi (Duncan)
Newton, daughter of Hon. John*, and was said to
have been one of the most efficient elders this ancient
church ever had. They had no children.
James' Duncan was a brother of Robert, named
above, and seven years his junior. He came to Han-
cock from Society Land a little later than his brother
Robert and settled on Norway Hill. James was chosen
a deacon of the church at the same time as his brother,
and continued in the office until his death. He was
also much in town affairs. He married Jane Christie,
who was said to have been one of the smartest girls of
her day. It is related of her that on one occasion she
won a wager of forty dollars l)y reaping more grain in
a day than the smartest male reaper of Londonderry.
They had eight children.
I. Sarah", who became the wife of Samuel Fox, and
died in early married life, leaving two children.
II. Letitia" became the wife of Martin Fuller and
had four children: (1) Thom;is James Duncan, who
was a lawyer of note and Representative in Congress
from the East District of Maine for eight years, and
was second auditor of the treasury under Buchanan.
(2) Lydia J., who became the wife of Rev. L. H.
Stone, of Cabot, Vt. (3) JIary, who was the wife of
Stearns Foster, of Keene. (4) Hiram, who is a promi-
nent citizen of Hancock.
III. George", who settled in Antrim, where he was
a prominent citizen.
IV. Susan", who became the wife of John Brooks,
of Hancock. No children.
V. James" died in early manhood.
VI. Christy" settled on the homestead, and was a
prominent citizen of the town and a noted land sur-
veyor for many years. He married Lois Dow, and
they had seven children: (1) Lydia A.', who was for
years a teacher, and became the wife of Rev. Mr. Stone,
of Cabot, Vt. (2) Sarah" is the wife of Rev. Daniel
Rice, formerly the principal of the academy here, now
located in Minnesota. (3) James' studied medicine,
but died young. (4) Stephen D. ', a teacher at Wil-
mington. Del. (5) John 'settled in Hancock, and mar-
ried Mrs. Almira P. Wilkins, and has two sons, —
George C", a dentist and druggist at Fast .Fatrrcy,and
Christy H.", an esteemed citizen of Hancock, (ti)
Nathaniel', who resides in North Chelmsford, Mass.
(7) Elizabeth G. ', a teacher at the time of her death.
VII. and VIII. Rebecca" and Isaac" (twins). Re-
becca" became the wife of Hon. T. P. Fuller, of Hard-
wick, Vt., who late in life located here. Isaac" located
in Stoddard and died there leaving honored de-
scendants.
Symoxijs Family. — .loseph Symonds' was born in
Shirley, Mass., January 30, 1746, and married Mittie
Cummings, a native of Holllis.
Mr. and Mrs. Symonds came to Hancock from New
Ipswich about the time of the incorijoration of the
town, locating on Norway Hill, and they and their
descendants have been, and are to-day, among the
most useful and honored of its citizens.
HANCOCK.
355
Mr. Symonds was a member of the first Board of
Selectmen chosen at an annual town-meeting. He
was often in town liusiness, ami for several years its
town clerk, and wa.« a useful and respected citizen.
He and his wife. Mittie, were among the original mem-
bers of its church. Their children were, — Joseph',
known as " Captain Jo," who married Hannah,
daughter of Lieutenant Jose|ili Dodge, of this town,
and lived and died here.
Captain Joseph- 8ynionds was a man of great busi-
ness capacity, and wa.s honored by the town with
most of the positions of trust within its gitt. Their
children were, — Nancy\ who became the wife of
James Bowers. Hon. S. L. Bowers, of Newport, is
her .son. Hannah', who became the wife of Rev.
Sylvester Coclirane, of Antrim. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Cochrane died in Michigan. .Fudge Lyman Cochrane,
of that State, was their son. .\melia' became the
wife of Captain Gardner Nay, and died in California.
Joseph', who died in infancy. Jo.seph\ married
Annais Cavender, and died in >Lanchester in 18411.
Rebecca', who was married to James Davis, and lived
and died much respected in Hancock. Lewis', mar-
ried Persis Robinson, of Hancock, and has always
lived in the town.
Lewis' is a man much respected, and has repre-
sented Hancock in the Legislature. William F.',
the oldest child of Lewis ^ and Persis (Robinson)
Symonds, is, perhaps, to-day the most poi)ular man in
the town. He has been seven years a selectman, and
is at this writing its representative to the Legislature.
He married .\bt)ic ^^., daughter of Elijah and Mary
(Hills) Washburn, of this town, who is a first cousin of
ex-(!overnor W. H. Wasbliurii.of Ma.ssachusetts. Thi-y
have three rliildrcn — llciiry .\.', .Annie L.' and Her-
bert W\ Thus it will be seen that the Symonds family
has been [»roniinent in Hancock for over a century.
Almon' wax a blacksmith, and resided in Benning-
ton. Mittie- l)ccanic the wife of Peter Fox, and re-
moved to .Marlow, where their ilescendants are now
living. Asa' was long a deacon of the church in
Hancock, and a useful Christian man. His son Asa''
is now an honored citizen of the town.
Mellia ' became the wife r)f Captain Ja<-ob .\incs.
and left highly respectable dcHccudaiit^. Ilrnry ,\nies
Blood, of Temple, the historian of that tnwn. was her
gnindson.
Charles- was married to Sallie, daughter of Moses
Dennis, Sr., Deceiid)er 2(), 180!t. They had several
children, among whom, John" is perhaf)s the most
esteeniid in Hancock, as it was through his elforts
that the- annual Symonds reunions (which have
grown into town picnics) were (•stjiblisluil in lliin-
cock. The recent <leath of lion. .IdIui Symonds is
sincerely lamented here. We learn tliiil, by a provi-
sion of his will, the city of Keene, wbiih was his
adopted borne, is to receive a large legacy for the
benefit of its pnlilic library. Lucy' iiiarricd, but bad
no children.
James Hosi.i;v. — Savage says "Horsley James', of
Newton, married JIartha, daughter of .John Parker ;
had James." This Martha was born May 1, 1G49, in
Cambridge. Their son, .lames', married Maria ,
and came to Billerica, Mass, in 1699. Their son,
James'', born May 19, 1704, settled in Townsend,
Mass. He married Exercise , and died in that
place when his son, James*, was quite young. .lames',
or Deacon James, as he was called here, was a re-
markable man and one of the greatest benefactors
Hancock ever had. He was boru in Townsend Jan-
uary 19, 1734. At the age of thirty-two we find his
name as one of the selectmen of the place, and he
was chosen a deacon of the church there at about the
same date. From 1770 to 1781 he was either moder-
ator, town clerk, one of its selectmen or on a war
committee every year. In 1775, Mr. Hosley held the
offices of moderator, town clerk and chairman of the
Board of Selectmen. He was also captain of the
Townsend Minute Jlen and led them to Lexington
at the alarm of April 19th of that year. Being the
" best-balanced man in all respects ' (see History of
Townsend) in the town, and needed in its civil alfairs,
and having a large family, his only other service in
the field was in 1777, when a company of men (most
of them veterans with families) was raised in Pe])))erell,
Townsend and Ashby to assist in the campaign
against Burgoync. Colonel William Prescott, the
hero of Bunker Hill, and two majors were in the
ranks of this company, which unanimously chose
James Hosley its captain, — a rare tribute to his popu-
larity and military capacity. This company partici-
pated in the battles preceding and was present at the
surrender of liurgoyne. Deacon Hosley solil his
farm in Townsend at about the time of the incorpo-
ration of Hancock, and a little later removed to New
Ipswich, in this State, where he also held the offices
both of selectman and town clerk. While a citizen
of New Ipswich he gave, by deed, to the town of
Hancock the common (Ui which its public buildings
and Pine Ridge Cemetery are situated, and .soon after
removed to Hancock with his family. After becom-
ing a resident of the town he held the office of town
clerk for years. No one who may have occasion to
examine the records of Townsend, Ma.ss., New Ips-
wi<'li or Hancock can fail toailmire his legible chirog-
rajdiy. He also held the office of justice of the
peace, and was much employed as a conveyancer
here. He was one of the original members of the
Church of Christ here, and the first person chosen as
its deacon. Deacon Hosley died .\pril 19, 1809,
I'xaclly thirty-four years from the day when he led
his Miinitc-Mcn towards the point where "the em-
battled larmcrs stood, and fired the shots heanl round
the world." The Amhrrst Caltinet of May 2;<, 1809,
give* a short but graphic account of him and the
imposing ceremonies attending his interment, and
closed the article with this adage of Pope: " An
honest man is the noblest work of (iod."
356
HISTORY OF UILLSBOllOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
His descendants (none bearing the family-name
residing here now) are numerous and liiglily respecta-
ble. Ex-Mayor John Hosley, of Manchester, who is
a native of Hancock, is his great-grandson ; James',
SamueP, Samuel", John'.
Ebenkzkr Ware. — It is a tradition of the Ware
family that it is of Welsh descent. Ebenezer' and
Esther (Hunting), his wife, were residents of Need-
ham, JIass., where their son, Ebenezer', was born,
and spent their last years with their son, who was an
early settler here. Ebenezer' married Alice Eaton.
Their only child, Ebenezer\ has long been a promi-
nent citizen of Hancock. He early learned the trade
of carpenter. The Literary and Scientific Institution,
with the boarding-house connected therewith, and
the late residence of Jedediah Fo.x, in the village,
will remain as monuments of his skill. Mr. Ware
has held nearly every office within the gift of his
townsmen. He is a great reader, and the owner,
probably, of the largest private library in the town.
He married Martha E. Lakin. They have had ten
children, eight of whom are living.
Physicians. — L)r. Thomas Peabody, who had been
a surgeon in the Revolutionary War, was a resident
of Hancock for a short time in its earlier history.
Dr. Hubert Taggart came here from Hillsborough in
.\ugiist, 17!)0, and Dr. William Brown, from Sullivan,
in March, 17Stl, but their stay was probably of short
duration.
The first physician who practiced his profession
here was Dr. Steiiiicn Kittridge. He came to this
place from Francestown the (Jth of October, 1790.
He was a successful physician and a good man. He
was a deacon of the church, and so had double title,
being sometimes called deacon and sometimes doctor.
He died about 1806, leaving his practice with his
successor. Dr. Peter Tuttle, who was born in Prince-
ton, Mass., April 15, 1781. Dr. Tuttle began his
work in Hancock in ( )ctobcr, 180(1, and proveil him-
self to be a skillful physician. He married a daughter of
his predecessor in 1808, and brought \ip a large
family of children. He held the oflice of justice of
the peace, ami w:i.s respected both as a magistrate and
a citizen. .\t the time of his d<>ath Dr. Tuttle was
vice-president of the Southern District of the New
Hampshire Me<lical Society. He was Master of the
Altcmont Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and
was buried with Masonic honors. He died March 13,
1828. He was a genial man, always ready with a
joke, and decidedly popular in his profession. He
died mourned and lamented.
I'r. .lonas Hutchinson was born in Milford, N. H.,
June 2, 1792. He commenced the practice of medi-
cine in Hancock at the age of twenty-three. He was
a man of fine powers and great energy. He was for
.several years town clerk, and rci)resentative to the
Legislature in the years 1833, 1834 and 183r). He
connected himself with the Baptist Church, and was
largely instrumental in founding the Literary and
Scientific Institution, which for a few years was so
prosperous.
He remained in town until November, 1841, when
he removed to Milford, continuing the practice ot
medicine until a few mouths before his decease. He
died in Sejiteniber, 1857.
He was an influeutial citizen, and his removal from
town was a cause of regret.
Contemporaneous with Dr. Hutchinson we find
Drs. Rand and Wood. Dr. Nehemiah Rand came here
from Francestown, and removed to Nelson after a few
years. He was considered a good physician.
Dr. Jacob A. Wood was born in this town May 14,
1810. He spent his boyhood working on the farm
during the summer and attending school in the
winter. At the age of sixteen he went to Frances-
town to learn the saddler's trade ; his health not being
very firm, he remained but a short time. Some years
later he began the study of medicine with Dr. Crom-
bie, of Francestown, whose daughter he afterwards
married. Subsequently he was a pupil of the cele-
brated Dr. Twitehell, of Keene, and attended medical
lectures in Boston and at the Vermont Medical Col-
lege, at Woodstock, receiving his degree in the latter
place in lS,3ti. He commenced practice at once in
his native town.
He soon had an extensive practice, and was highly
esteemed ; but after some years he deemed it best to
seek a wider field, and about the year 1851 he re-
moved to Boston, remaining there some six years..
During his stay in Boston he became so celebrated in
the treatment of spinal diseases that his friends in
New York urged him to establish himself in that city.
He finally did so, and there remained until his death,
March 21. 1879. Dr. Wood was a member of Dr.
Booth's Church, of University Place, New York. He
was a good friend and a devoted husband. As a man,
dignified, firm and decided, yet gentle, genial and
generous, gladdening the hearts of those with whom
he came in contact. He lived a noble and self-sacri-
ficing life, and died trusting firmly in the Master he
had served so faithfully.
In the year 1842, Dr. .lames M. Sliikney came to
Hancock. He was a son of Dr. .leremiah Stickney,
of Antrim. lie was a very pleasant man to meet,
and was esteemed both as a physician and a citizen.
After remaining here six or seven years he removed
to Pep|ierell, Mass., where he was very successfiil in hig
profession.
Dr. Levi W. Wilkins spent a short time in Han-
cock after Dr. Wood and Dr. .Stickney left. He
bought out the former. Although he made a favora-
ble impression and proved himself to be a good physi-
cian, he did not remain long, removing to Antrim.
Dr. De Witt Clinton Iladlcy was born in Hancock,
June 12, 1823. He was educated at New Ham|iton
and Meriden, N. H., and was graduated in medicine
HANCOCK.
357
at Wuoilstin'k, \'t., in 1849. He |iriicticed mediciin'
eight years in his native town, anil died February 11,
185!i. "
Dr. Hadley w;ia a |)ri)iiii.sing pliysieian, and wiusjust
beginning his life-work when disea.se laid a heavy
hand upon him. His death wa.s a sad blow to his
numerous I'riends.
Dr. 1. Craigue wius liorn in Troy, \'t., in 1832. He
Wiis gradual I'd in medicine from the Harvard Medi-
cal College in l.s.')7. He was for a short time assistant
physician at the lu.sane Retreat at Hartford, C'onn.
From llarttbrd he eame to Hancock, where he re-
mained until 1863. He then went to Chester, Vt.,
remaining there till lS7o. Finding country practice
too severe for him, he removed to Lawrence, Mass.,
where he resided until liis death, in 1877. His removal
from Hancock was a cause of general regret. He
was a true Christian, always found on the side of
truth and the right. Such men arc alway.s missed.
Dr. K. ti. Mather, who had previously been a sur-
geon in the army, practiced medicine in town for a
short time; he afterwards gave up general practice
and gave his attention to dentistry, in which profes-
sion he gained quite a reputation. He was a native
of Newport and died in Hancock.
Dr. Albert H. Tal't came to Hancock from Nelson
in lxii7, anil remained there until 1872, when he re-
moved to Winchester, N. H., where he has been suc-
cessful as a physician. Dr. Taft hail a great many
friends in Hancock, especially aiming the vnuiig
peo|)le.
Dr. Horatio .Mclntirc, also from Nelson, wa.s the
physician of the place c In ring the building of the Man-
chester and Kcene Railroad. Dr. Mclntire had seen
service in the army, which gave him an advantage above
many in the treatment of cases of injury to the work-
men. He removed from Hancock to Milford, and is
now in government employ in New York City.
Dr. H. H. Dc Heck, a native of Maine, succeeded
Dr. Mclntire, but returned to his native State after a
short practice here.
Dr. A. A. Haig, a native of St. Lawrence County,
N. Y., commenced the practice of medicine in Han-
cock in (he early part of 1.S8H. He has a good prac-
tice in Hancock and Harrisville, and is also often
called to the neighboring towns.
PtlYSIClANb AND DkNTISTS Wllu WtltK NaTIVICS
OF Hancock, but have praticed in other
Places. — There have been several physicians and
dentists, who were either natives of llanco<k or were
brought up there, whose active lives have been spent
elsewhere. Tlu' list we give is necessarily an imper-
fect one.
Dr. Jabez I! I'lir-l was the .son of Levi I'riest, of
this town, and lioui 1S16 to the time of his death, in
1821), was a very successful physician in Peterborough,
where he died of epidemic dysentery, at ihi- age of
thirty-six.
Dr. John lioulcllc was the second son of Deacon
William Bimtelle. He was boru in Leominster,
Mass., .Vpril 1, 1783. At the age of five years his
parents removed to Hancock. He was a graduate of
Dartmouth College in the class of 1808 (the first
college graduate from Hancock). After his gradua-
tion he was for a time tutor in the same college, and
Wits for some ten years engaged in teaihing, when
he began the jiractice of medicine at Kdgcconib, Mc.,
where he continued to the close of his life. He died
April 30, 1853. He was a sincere Christian, an affec-
tionate husband and a good citizen.
Dr. David Knight Boutelle was the oldest scjn of
Thomas Boutelle, who was the fourth son of Deacon
William Boutelle. He was born at 1-andgrove, Vt.,
October 6, 1811. At the age of fourteen years, with
his parents, he removed to their native town (Han-
cock), which was his home until he was twenty-one
years of age. He had a common-school education,
and at the age of eighteen attended a term at a select
school in Hancock, taught by Mr. B. >'. Wallace.
-U'ter attaining his majority he took a course of
study at the Teachers' Seminary at Andover, Mass.
He then taught for several years in the grammar
schools of Warren, R. I., and New Bedford, iMass.
He subsei|Uently studied dentistry at Providence,
R. I., which profession he has successfully practiced
in Newport, R. 1., Manchester and Peterborough,
N. H., and Worcester, Mass. In 1869, with the hope
of improving his impaired health, he removed to
Lake City, Minn., where he now (1885) resides.
Dr. .lonathan Lee, son of .Jonathan Lee, studied
medicine with Dr. Peter Tiittle. He practiced his
profession many years at Syracuse, N. Y.
Dr. Adams Knight, son of Deacon Aaron Knight,
was for many years a successful physician in Spring-
field, Vt.
Dr. William H. Weston, oldest son of C'aiitain
Ephraim Weston, was born August 8, 1S49, in Han-
cock. He was graduated at the Medical Department
of Columbia College, in New York City, in 1878.
After his graduation he associated himself for a time
with Dr. Hoyt, in (irafton, N. H. From this place
he went to New Y'ork, and was associated with Dr.
J. H. Wood. After the death of Dr. Wood he con-
tinued the treatment of spinal diseases at the old
office at Cooper's Institute until the spring of 1881.
Preferring general to special practice, he removed to
406 West Twenty-.second Street.
Dr. George Bowers, oldest son of Mark Bowers,
was born in Hancock, (Jctober 10, 1831. He was
graduated at the Philadelphia Dental College, and
practiced his pnd'ession iti Si>ringlicld, Vt., fifteen
years, removing to Nashua, N. H., in 1877, where he
now (1885) resides, a successful practitioner. His
brother. Dr. Samuel O. Bowers, is also a successfid
dentist at IHIIsborough Bridge.
Dr. Cyrus H. Ilaywiird, oldest son of Calvin Hay-
ward, was born in Hancock, November 7, 1840. He
was graduated at the Boston Dental College in
358
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
March, 1870. He soon became a niombcr of the
New Hampshire Dental Society ; was elected in
1880 delegate to the American Dental Association,
and in June, 1884, he was diosen one of the Board
of Censors for the State. He began the practice of
his profe.ssioii in l'etcrl)c)r(>ujrh, N. H., soon after liis
graduation, where lie lias rcmainod until the present
time. His standing in the iir()f<'ssion is of the first
class.
Dr. Albert E. Ware is in the successful practice of
dentistry in this, his native town, and Dr. Charles
Coolidge is doing a good business in Bristol, N. H.
Dr. George C. Duncan is also in successful practice
in East Jafl'rey.
Military History. — The compiler of this record
makes no claims to accuracy in detail. It has been
almost impossible to obtain any data, especially in
regard to the militia of the town.
As yet no records have been found, altliougli dili-
gently inquired for. In 1718 it was enacted by the
Legislature that all able-bodied men between the
ages of sixteen and sixty, with a few exceptions, be
held liable for military duty. Later, this law was so
modified that the military age wa.s between eighteen
and forty-tive. When the first company was organ-
ized it is impossible to determine. In 1789 there was
an article in the town warrant to have the town
divided into two military districts, that two companies
might be organized, but at the town-meeting the
article was passed over.
There was for a brief period a company of cavalry.
Hancock Artillery was organized early in the nine-
teenth century. Its first captain — afterwards General
Miller — was then a young lawyer in Greenfield.
Of General Miller, Hawthorne said, " He was New
England's most distinguished soldier."
His motto at Lundy's Lane, " I'll try, sir," was for
a long time printed on the knapsacks of the company.
In 1849 the militia was disbanded. After the close
of the War of the Rebellion the old Hancock Artil-
lery, with a new name, was organized, but it is now
disbanded.
Among the early settlers, William Lakin .ind his
brother Oliver had served in the French war.
There were but few inhabitants in the town until
towards the close of the Revolutionary War; there-
fore but few men were actually sent from Hancock.
The few settlers that were here were not indifferent,
as the town records will show. They furnished their
quota of Continental beef as best they could, and
taxed themselves to pay bounties to those who were
in the field.
William Lakin, .Jr., Thomas Williams and Lemuel
Lakin were in the .service.
William Lakin, Jr., was a member of the First
New Hampshire Regiment. He was discharged No-
vember 3, 1782, wounded in the hand and hip; ex-
amined April 1, 1789 ; received a pension of two
dollars a month.
A large proportion of the early settlers served in
the army before they became residents of Hancock,
some of them with distinction. The following list,
made up from various sources, may be incomplete,
but is, without doubt, correct as far as it goes. We
only give their names, without regard to rank or term
of service, —
Samuel Amet), Etjenezer Barker, David Barker, Johu Bowera, Williau
Boutelle, .Tohn Bradford, Salmon Blodgett, John Brooke, John Cum-
miugs, Abraham Davis, Inuic Davis, Olivi-r Davis, Moses Dennis, Josepll
Dt.Kige, Jereniiaii Eaton, LeiiuicI Eaton, Samuel Eaton, Thomas English,
Peter Fletcher, Jeremiah Fof^j;, Johu Gay, John Uilson, Abijah Hadley,
James Hosley, Nathaniel Hazelton, Daniel Kimball, Simeon Lakin,
Josiah Lakin, Oliver La«renee, Thomas May, Jonathan Mt.rgery, Itob-
ert Matthews, Abraham .Mooi^, Timothy floors, Ebenezer Pratt, Abner
Prestou, Levi Priest, Thomas Peabody, Peter Putnam, Joel Russell,
David Sloan, Joseph Simonds, Samuel Tyrrell, Elijah Washburn, Joseph
Washburn, Salmon Wood, William Williams, Jr.. .\bel Winship.
In the War of 1812-14 quite a number of Han-
cock men served for a short time, and a few during
most of the war. The records do not, in every in-
stance, give the towns from which the soldiers went,
so that it is impossible to give a correct list.
Simeon Lakin was sergeant in Captain Benjamin Bradford's company.
First Regiment ; pay-roll from .\pril 1 to May 1, 1813.
Saniuel Dennis was corporal in same comi,any.
.Vbraham Davis and Robert Matthews, Jr., were plivates in same com-
pany.
Moses M. Lakin enlisted during the war in Captain Benjamin Bradford's
company, Forty-tifth Regiment United States Infantry, Denny
McCobb, colonel, March 9, 1814 ; promoted to sergeant Jnne 18,
1814.
John V. Lakin, corporal, enlisted at the same time.
PlumnuT Wheeler, sergeant, enlisted December 15, ISl.'J.
Thatcher Bradford, third lieutenant in Captain Hugh Moore's conipaDy,\
detached militia, sent to Portsmouth in an emergency, enlisted for
three months, September 18, 181:1. With him went Isaac Brooks,
Benjamin Ball, Abraham Davis, John Gilson, William Gray, Jesae
Hall, Mark Pierce ami Peter Rumrill, privates.
Charles Bouteile was lifer in Captain S. 'I'rivett's company. Second Regi-
ment, detached militia ; enlisted for sixty days, September ".i", 1814.
Ab^'ah Hadley, .\iuasa ICeed, Benjamin Stoue, Joseph Washburn, Wat-
son Wiushburn, .\sa Washburn and Eli Wa.shburn, privates, enlisted
in Captain William Gregg's company, of Antrim, September 27, 1814,
for sixty days.
Samuel Matthews, Daniel Lakin and Benjamin Tuttle served as privates
from September 11 to September 28, 1814, in Captain Alfred Smith's
company. Fourth Regiment, detached militia.
Whitcomb Way enlisted for sixty days September 26, 1814, in Captain
.lo-'^iah Bellows' company, of the First Battalion, detached militia.
.lohn Robinson, ditto.
Ebenezer Hubbard served in Captain McNeil's comiuiny, Eleventh United
States Infantry, for two mouths, from July 1, 1813.
Otis Wheeler and Timothy Paige were educated at Wext Point, Mr.
Wheeler held the rank of captain in the regular United Stales army
and served in the Florida War. He was also long in service in Louis-
iana and Arkans;ts, and died recently in Missouri, leaving one son a
judge and cme a United Slates marshal. Mr. I'aige served under
General Harrison in the Indian wars. He \va* stationed at one time
at New Orleans, and for a time had command at Key West. He
held the rank of lieutenant in the regular army.
In the late Civil War Hancock bore a fair share of
the burden.
Second Reglment.
Captain Ephraini Weston commanded Company G, Second Regiment ;
died December 9, 1861.
Sylvester C. Duncklee was a private in same coni|>any ; mustered June 5,
1801 ; s(-vere]y wounded July 2, 1863 ; mustered out June 21, 18C4.
His father, Sylvester J. Duncklee, sul»sequently enlisted as a recruit
in the same company ; was wounded at Gettysburg, and discharged
for disability.
HANCOCK.
359
Sixth Kkiiiment, Comias^ K.
fuhn A. Cuniniin^ ciilisteil itt IVt^^rbtiruiigb^ but tit? wiut a son of Han-
cock ; flrut lit iitt/niint NuvcniberHO, 1801 ; captain April 23. 18C2 ; dis-
charged to accept proniution (iiifuov »f cavalry) April 5, I8G4 ; is now
ex-uiayor of Suninioi vtHe, iMuas.
Prank L. Gray onliotud November 'J8, 18G1 ; 8ecuii<l lieiittiiaiit April JO,
18ti3 ; severely wounded May 12, 18G4.
Cfaarlofl E. Barker enlisted corporal November 28, 1801 ; drow iied in the
Fotoniac Au^Mi»t 13, 18G2.
Henry A. Barker enlisted November 28, 1801; discharged for disubility
January 19, Isivl.
Myron J. Duncklce t-nliirted December 10, 1801 ; died January 2U, 1802.
Albert L. Murpliy enlisted November 28, 1801 ; re-enlifited December 27,
1863 ; watt wounded in service.
Willis A. Nulhing enlisted November 28, 1801 ; mustered out Xoveniber
27, 1804.
diaries M. Shelden enlisted November 28, 1801 ; mustered out Novem-
ber 27, 1804.
Harlen F. Knight enlisted aa a recruit in August, 1802 ; killed at Fred-
ericksburg December 21, 1802.
Gardner, his brother, enlinted at the same time from Nelson.
This regiment was in twenty-five regular battles, or
forty engagements in all.
Sevkntii Kf,(>i.>ient.
Ueb«r J. Davis, sc-cond lieutenant Company I, July 19, 18G3 ; first lieu-
tenant Company A, February 0, lf^04 ; was on the staff of General
Hawley ; whs severely wounded at Fredericksburg.
Alden S. Jolinson, Company K, — Regiment ; enlisted October 12,
1861 ; discharged February 12, 18G3.
EtGIITlI Beoiuent.
JetiM Willson, enlisted December 23, 1861 ; discharged for disability
April 10. 1862.
TuiUTEENllI UkOIMENT, COMI'A.NV G.
Willniiii H. (lark, enlisted September 19, 18G2 ; woundird September
22, 1804.
Samuel Hadley, unlisted September 19, 1862.
G. W. Matthews, enlisted September 19, 18G2 ; discharged November
:w, I80;t.
Myren R. Todd, enlisted September 19, 18G2 ; died May 18, 1863.
Porter B. Wpstjn, enlisted September 19, 1862.
Edwin Ware, corjKirul, promoted to firat Hergeant and to lieutenant,
enlistt^tt S^-ptember 19, 1862 ; wuundt-d four times.
Charles W. Wiwhbuin, musician, enlisted Septi'ml>er 19, 1862.
This regiment was in about tii'teen regular battles,
among which were Fredericksburg, Suffolk, Drury's
Blufl', Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Fort Harrison, etc.,
and was the (irst to enter Richmond after Lee's re-
treat.
SiXTKKNTH RkoIUENT, CoMI'ANY G.
.\lden S. Wiwd, enlisted October 24, 1862 ; first sergeant, November 13,
18G2; mustered out August 2(1, 1803.
Albert A. Buxten, enlisted November 13, 1862 ; mustered out August 20,
180.'!.
Elverloii O W. Duncklce, enlisted October 24, 1862 ; mustered out Au-
gust 2(», 1K113.
Horace Fa r re r, enlisted October 24, 18G2; dtod at Baton Rouge, La.,
June 23, 1803.
.Jamen II. Johnson, enlisted October 24, 18G2 ; drowned at Springfield
Liinding, July 2, 1803.
Edward iV Kimball, enlisted October 24, 1802; mu.>4tered out August 20,
1803.
Uurtwcll II. Shepherd, rnli^ted November 3, l802;dicd on his way
home.
Ditvid L. Wood, enlisted October 24, 1862 ; died at Hutoii Rouge, Lu.,
July 12, 18G3.
Thcservice ot" this reginieiit was short, but it sul-
lered severely from the climate and liard marches,
Coryden D. Keyes and bis son, Owttii B., wt-n- in th»! Si.Meeiitii Regi-
ment, They enlisted froni Wilton, but they had always live<l In
Hancock, and their monuments are here. The father died at Baton
Kuuge, La., June 28, 1863, and the sun at i.'airo. 111., August 2U,
1863.
Franklin Due, served three years in Coni|)any C, Fourth Regiment New
Hampshire A'^olunteers.
Horace Bowers was a member of CVmipauy 11, Twenty-third Regiment
]Mius6achusettfi Volunteers.
James H. Begbee, enlisted in an Indiana i-cgiment, but was counted
from this town. IL* was ki!le<i at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863.
Albert IJcgbee wa« in the Twelfth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers ;
mustered in September IT, ISOl, and served nearly four yeai-s. He
waatwicf wounded, beiuj? in nineteen engsigenients.
Jolin C Wilkins was a mcmlwr of the Thirteenth Massachusetts Battery.
John A. Bullard, enlisted from Peterborough in the Thirteentli Regiment
but he was many years a citizen of Huin'ock, and was buried here.
Charles L. Syniouds was a member of Company I, One Huiiihed and
Fourth Illinois Kegimeiit, and died in the service.
Albert H. Taft, of Nelson, but for several years afterward a citi/eu and
pliysician of Hancock, was mustered into Company K, Ninth Regi-
ment, as corporal, August 0, 1802 ; discharged for disability Septem-
ber, ISiH.
William W. Hayward was mustered into the Thirteentli Regiment
Maine Volunteers, September 26, 1804, as chaplain ; mustered out
on account of e.\piration of regimental organization, January 0,
1805 ; was offered a <.-ouimissiou as cbuplain of Second Maine Cav-
alry in March, 180.5, but declined to serve.
James Kniory Boutelle, enlisted in the Second Compsmy, Massachusetta
Cavalry, in 1802. He was severely wounded at Fredericksburg.
CharlcsA. Wood wastlie fii-at volunteer enrolled in Wisconsin, his adopted
State, in April, 1801 ; made orderly-sergeant of Company H, First
Wisconsin Infantry VoUnitoers ; elected captain August 1, 1861;
made lieutenant-colonel Kleveiith Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers
November 2, 1861 ; resigned on surgeon's certificate June 28, 1863.
The i):irenls of Major-Genenil John Gray Foster
were natives of Hancock.
It is not necessary to give a sketch of his eminent
services here, as there is a notice of him in the his-
tory of Nashua, which was for many years his home
and where he was buried.
Several patriotic citizens of Hancock put in substi-
tutes. Some .of these " subs" served faithfully, but
UKU'c dcsrrtcil.
Ecclesiastical History.— At a tttwn-meeiing held
April 24, 1780, it was voted that the meeting-houae
and burying-place be on Norway Plain. This was a
little more than live months after the town was in-
corporated.
On the 8tli oi' .Juiic, the .same year, it was voted
that money be raised to hire preaching. The sum of
money raised each year to sustain preaciiing was
small, only enough for four or six Sundays. Most of
the meetings, until the iirst meeting-house was built,
in 1790, were held at the house, or rather tlie barn, of
Mr. Joseph Syniond^.
The Congregational I'liurili wa.*^ )Hgani/e(l in
Augu.st, 1788. It consisted ol" seven female and ttn
male members, — John Cunnnings, Sarah Cuniinings,
William VVilUams, Mary Williams, James Hosley,
.Joseph Symonds, Mile Symonds, Joseph Dodge,
Molly Dodge, .lames Duncan, Salmon Witod, Sybel
\Vo((d, .lohn Uowers, Klizabeth Bowers, Samuel Tur-
rell, Abnei" Whilcomb, Snsanna (iate.s.
The tirst pastor of the church, Kev. Keed Paige,
A.M., was ordained September 2U, 171*1. Mr. Paige
was born in Hardwick, Mass., August liO, 1764. He
was the son (d' Colonel Timothy Paige (a gentleman
of ability, who lilled a number of important stations,
360
HISTORY OF HILLSBORCJTIGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
both civil ;inil niilitarv, with fidelity anil honor), lli'
was grailuati'il at Dartmouth College in ITStl, stiulied
divinity with Dr. I-juraons, of Franklin, Mass., was a
Hopkinsian of the .straightest sect and, what was
then very unusual among the orthodox clergy, was an
ardent Democrat in politics. He publi.shed two ordi-
nation sermons, an election sermon, 180a, and several
others on dillerent occasions. He is described in the
"Gazetteer" of New Hampshire "as a learned,
pious, able and faithful minister, a good citizen, an
honest and upright man, a firm patriot, and 7,ealous
and able advocate of his country's rights, which very
much endeared him to the people of his charge, who
frequently elected him to represent his town in the
State Legislature, of which he was a member at the
time of his death." Mr. Paige died, much lamented,
July 22, 1816.
During tlie six years after the death of Mr. Paige
the pulpit was supplied by different ministers. An
attempt was made to settle some of them, but no one
seemed able to unite all the elements in the town
until December 25, 1822, when Rev. Archibald Bur-
gess was ordained. Until about the year 1817 or 1818
the town was the parish. At that time the town
ceased to act, and a society was organized to act in
conjunction with the church.
Mr. I'uigess was the son of Asa Burgess, and was
born in Canterbury, Conn., February 2, 1791). He
wiis a graduate of Yale College in the class of 1814.
He was a strong man, and was decidedly of the
opinion that it woidd lie for the best interest ol' the
town to retain all the religious elements within his
own church. When he was aroused few men were
his superiors, or were more active than he. No one
could sympathize more tenderly with the sorrowing
and the afilicted. lie died February 7, 1850.
His successor, Rev. Asahel Bigelow, was installed
May 15, 1850.
Mr. J5igelow was born in Boylston, Mass., May 14,
1797. He was the son of Andrew Bigelow. He
graduated at Harvard College in 1823. Soon after he
went to the seminary at Andover, where he gradu-
ated, lie was ordained at Walpole, Mass., in 1828.
He had there a jiastorate of twenty-one years.
His work in Hancock was eminently successful.
Reared in the severe school of adversity, and coming
to Hancock in the mature years of hismanhootl, with
an earnest Christian spirit, he endeared himself to all
who became acquainted with him. August 16, 1877,
at the ripe age of fourscore, he passed on to the
higher life.
Rev. Hervey Gulick, the present pjustor ol' the
I hurch, was born March 27, 1846. His ancistors for
generations have resided in Northampton County,
Pa. He graduated from Pennsylvania College in
1868.
He studied and began the practice of law ; but find-
ing his profession uncongenial, he abandoned it and
entered Lniou Theological Seminary, from which he
was called to [ireach at Hancock. He was ordained
and installed pastor of the church November 5, 1870,
the hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the
town.
He has proved himself to be a Christian gentleman,
and it is to be desired that his term of office will be as
long as that of his |jredecessoi"s.
As early as 1792, John Cummiugs iisked to be re-
lieved from his mini.sterial tax, presenting as a reason
therefor a certificate from a Baptist miuister in HoUis.
In 1798, tliere was in the town warrant the l(dlow-
ing article :
*' To Bee if the town will exempt those who iirofes* to belong to a
Baptist society in this town from paying towm-ds Mr. Paige's salary this
present yeaf, or a longer term if they f^lutll lliiiik hegt."
Nine men were exempted.
A Baptist Church was organized May 6, 1840. It
was an offshoot from the church then known as the
Baptist Church of Hancock and Society Land.
Services were sustained till 185:;, when the church
ceased to be active.
Several pastors served the church; but as no records
have come to hand, the compiler will give from
memory the names of Revs. Mr. Pierce, Frederick
Paige, Lorenzo Tandy and Jlr. Guilford.
In 1822, Picv. Lemuel Willis, then a young man, was
instrumentiil in forming a I'niversalist society, that
sustained preaching at intervals for nearly forty years.
About the same date Rev. Zenjts Adams, from Mar-
low, organized a Methodist Church, which has also
ceased to exist.
In the interval between the |)asti>rates of Mr. Paige
and Jlr. Burgess several Unitarian clergymen occu-
pied the pulpit of the church at difierent times.
There was also growing out of the anti-slavery move-
ment some trouble in the church ; fifteen or more be-
came what were then known as " Come-outers." The
Miller excitement in 184o had its share of attention,
but the steady hand of Mr. Burgess guided his church
safely through it all.
An apostle of what was known as the " Latter- Day
Saints'" visited the town, and once, at least, occupied
the church, but it is not recorded that he made any
converts.
Mketing-Houses. — The first meetinghouse, as has
already been recorded, was built after a long struggle
in 1790. It was a plain structure, without steeple and
without bell. In 1819 it was burned to the ground.
In 1820 a new church, more commodious than the
first, was erected, with comparatively little ellbrt. In
• 'lie day the pews were sold for seven thousand dollars.
In 1851 this church was removed from nearly the
centre of the common to a position deemed more suit-
able, and repaired and modernized, having an at-
tractive audience-room in the upper story and a com-
modious town hall below.
There was a small Methodist meeting-house built
in the western part of the town some years ago, but
not a vestige of it remains.
HANCOCK.
361
In 1836 the Congregational Society erected a two-
story brick buikliiig, tlie upi)er story of which is used
for a schocil and tlic lower story for a chapel. The
chapel ha.-* within a few years been remodeled, and is
at the present time one of the most attractive rooms for
the purpose for which it is used that can be found
anywhere.
The sons and descendants of Hancock who have
entered the ministry can be counted by scores, among
whom we will menlion Rev. Brown Kmerson, who,
after a course of study with his jiastor. Rev. Mr. Pajre,
was a pastor si.xty-eijrht years, nmst, if not all, the
time in Salem, Mass.
Two of his brothers, Noah and Ueuben, were also
ministers of the gospel.
Rev. William Clark, D.D. (son of .Ic.bn Clark of
Hancock, and grandson of William Clark, of New
Boston), was born September 28, 17it8. He fitted for
college at Bradford Academy, and was graduated at
Dartmouth in 1822, and at .\ndover Theological
Seminary in 1827. He was employed as an agent for
the A. B. (.'. V. missiiiMs in Ma.ssachusetts and Con-
necticut until settleil over the Congregational Church
in Wells, -Me., in 1829. .Vfter a pleasant and profita-
ble pastorate of six years, he wa.s again called into the
general service of the Congregational Church of New
England.
During forty consecutive years he acted success-
ively as agent of the .\mcrican Tract Society at the
West Di.strict, secretary for .\<jrthern New England of
the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions, and secretary of New Hampshire Home
Missionary Society.
Dartmouth College conferred the honorary degree
of Doctor of Divinity on Mr. Clark in l.STo. On re-
tiring from ofhcial labor, in 187(1, he became a perma-
nent resident of Andu-rst, N. II.
Mr. Clark res|)onded to the sentiment "The
Clergy of Hancock," at the centennial of the town,
as did also another descendant <jf Hancock, Rev.
Josiah L. Seward, of Lowell, Mass., a prominent
representative of the I'nitarian denomination.
We would also inentioM Rev. Horace W. Warthen,
who is now a leading preacher and worker in the
Meth<idi.st denomination in the Slate of Vermont;
Kev. .\reil S., son of .lonas Lakin, presiding ebler of
the Marion District, .\labama Conference of the
Metlio<lis( Church and Rev. K. M. Cliapin, now a
missionary of the .\merican Board at Kalgaii, North
China, who unites in his veins the blood of the fam-
ilies of Wlieilir, Kni^dit and (toodhiu', all belonging
lo llaiHiM'k.
Olu.AM) Kapo.n, lOsi/.'- The Kalonsof this country
trace back their ancestry to Hve early emigrants, —
I. Francis Eaton, who, with his wife Sarah, came
over in the " Maytlower," in l(!2ll.
II. .loliii and .\bigail Isaton, who came in liili'i.
1 lly Rev. Willimu W. Iliiyward, B.D.
and settled in Dedham, Mass., where mcmliers of the
family continue to reside. John' occupies the ancient
homestead id' his ancestors. Hon. Dorman li. Eaton,
now the head of the Civil Service Commission, is of
this branch.
III. William and Martlui Eatoji settled in Reading,
Mass., about 1636. Ex-United States Senator Eaton,
of Connecticut, represents this branch.
IV. Jonas and Grace Eaton came to Reading,
Mass., about 1640. The wile of Rev. Mr. Uulick, of
Hancock, is descended from that fandly.
V. John and Ann Eaton settled in Haverhill,
Mass., about 1644. .Vmong their descendants we
notice General John Eaton, United States commis-
sioner of education.
The Eatons of Hancock are deseeuded from .lolin
and Abigail Eaton, who settled in Dedham, Mass., in
163"). .lolin ', .lohu- and William ' lived and died in
Dedham. William'' married Mary Starr, a grand-
daughter of George Bunker, of Charlestown, Mass.,
who was the owner of the top of "that hill of glory"
(see "History of the Star Family"). His son, Jer-
emiah', married IClizabeth Woodcock in 1751, and
settled in Needham, Mass., dying there about 1800.
He had lour sons and four daughters. Three of the
daughters died young. The youngest, Alice*, mar-
ried Ebenezer Ware, of Hancock. .\11 the sons re-
moved to Hancock. Jeremiah'' renntined unmarried.
.Moses \ Lemuel'' and Sanuicl ' married ami had fam-
ilies; many of their descendants are now living in
Hancock and the neighboring towns. Lemuel'' was
a soldier in the Revolutionary War; he was present
when Washington took comnumd of the army at
Cambridge. He was disabled from doing military
duty in the later years of the war by thi' bursting of
a gun, widch tore olV his left thumb. He married
Sarah, daughter of Ebenezer and Esther (Hunting)
Ware, of Needham, February 16, 17il2, and removed
to Hancock the same year, where he was a useful
citizen.
His oldest son, Lemuel'', was born October 17, 1794.
Lemuel ''was a man respected by his townsmen. He
served several years on the Board of Selectmen, being
a member of the board when the separation took place
between the town and the new town of Bennington
(the other mendiers being Jidin I. Whitlcmore ami
Satmicl Knight). He nnirried Eunice, daughter of
Isaac and Mary (( 'handler) .li-wett, of Nelson, ,Iune 2,
1831. Their only child, Orland', was born July II,
1836. He isoneof the few men in t<iwii who retain
theold homestead id" tlie first settlers of the mime.
His advantages for education were such as were af-
forded by the common schools and the academy of his
native town. Me early developed a taste for historical
and genealogical research. He was the prime mover for
the celebration of the centennial of the im-orporation
of his native town, in 1879, and as chairnnin of the
: town hi>tory comnultee, and as its agent, he has
been indefatigable. Without his persistent and earn-
362
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
est efforts the undertaking would have been a disas-
trous failure. Letters have been sent all over the
country, and a rich harvest of facts have thereby been
garnered, which, in duo time, will be "riven to the
world.
Mr. Eaton served four years as one of the selectmen
of the town, and one year as its representative to the
Legislature. He has held a commission as justice of
the peace for over fifteen years.
Desiring railroad fstcilities for the town, he drew up
signed and circulated a petition to the selectmen for
the call of the town-meeting at which Hancock voted
its gratuity to the Manchester and Kcene Railroad,
which vote decided the question in regard to the locality
of the road, not only bringing it through Hancock,
instead of Peterborough, but also making necessary
the Peterborough and Hillsborough Railroad with the
junction in Hancock.
At the age of twenty-two Mr. Eaton united with the
Congregational Church, and has been either a teacher
in, or the superintendent of, its Sabbath-sohool nearly
every year since that time.
He was chosen deacon ofthe church in October, 1874,
and has been re-elected by a unanimous ballot for
the same position, holding it at the present time.
He married Almeda E., daughter of Sherburn and
Hannah (Poddleford) Barker, of Hancock, November
21, 1861. Mrs. Eaton is the seventh from Richard
Barker, of Andover, Ma.ss., — Richard.', Ebenezer-,
Philemon^ Ebenezer', Jessie ', 8herburn'', Almcdu".
They have no children ; an adopted child of muih
promise, Albert Orland, died .Fune 19, 18S8.
Rev. Willi.\m "Willis Hay\v.\rd B.D.,' the sub-
jectof thissketch, was born in Hancock, N. H., October
17. 1834. His ancestors were identified with the earlier
colonial and Revolutionary history of Concord, ALi.ss.
Joseph Hayward, the lifth in regular descent from
George Hayward, of Concord (16.S5-71 ), emigrated,
with his wife, Rebecca, daughter of Colonel Charles
Prescott, to Dublin, N. H., and settled on the shores of
that most beautiful of all thesmall inland lakes of that
picturesque region. .\t the age of twenty Charles
Prescott Hayward, born in Concord, son of the above,
settled in Hancock, where he soon after married
Sarah Mason, of Dublin.
Charles Hayward, the seventh from George, of
Concord, born February '22, 1806; married Ann
Lakin, November 15, 1833. Miss Lakin, we find in
the record, was the great-gramldaughter of William
Lakin, the third man who selllcd in Hancock ; also
the great-granddaughter of Moses .Morrison, the
second settler in Hancock. We (ind, also, that both
the father and grandfather of Miss Lakin — the
mother of the subject of our sketch — were closely
identified with the interests of the town for a period
covering over half a century.
William Willis Hayward, burn Oclul.cr 17, 1834,
1 Contributed liy Hot. S. K11U.II Lanr, D.li.
is, therefore, the eighth in descent from George Hay- I
ward, who settled in Concord in a.d. 1635. ^
Before proceeding, let us go back to the earlier
period in the history of William Willis" Hayward. We
find that George' Hayward's estate yielded an income
of five hundred and six pounds, — a large amount in
those early days. In the direct line we find the
name of Joseph ', the third child and second son, who
married Hannah Hosmer in 1665, who died, when he
married Elizabeth Treadwell, in 1667. The youngest
chilli of this marriage was Simecm H.', born in 1(!S3,
who married Rebecca Hartwcll. in 1705. The wife of
Simeon lived to the great age of ninety-four. She
died in 1776, Simeon having died in 1719 at a com-
paratively early age. In the wife of Simeon' we
have a connecting link between the colonial and
Revolutionary periods of American history, in which
Joseph' Hayward. the fifth son by the marriage of
Simeon Hayward and Rebecca Hartwell, became a
conspicuous character. He married .Vbigail Hosmer.
His son Joseph married Rebecca Prescott, a daugh-
ter of Colonel Charles Prescott, who was the leading
man in Concord during the entire Revolutionary
War,-' The social positions of Colonel Prescott wore
such in those times as to greatly enhance the value
of a family relation possessed of so much military
tact and dash as Joseph Hayward displayed upon
many trying occasions. In the French War he be-
came noted for his courage and skill. Soon after,
when the storm of the Revolution had burst upon Lex-
ington and Concord, Lieutenant Hayward, by his .
undaunted bravery, captured a British soldier after
having slain his two comrades with his own hand,
actually seizing from one of them a gun as it was
pointed at his own jiorson from the window of the
room where they wore concealed. He then seized upon
two chaises in Cambridge, slaying a hostile occupant
in each, and brought the chaises to Concord."
Note.— ylidvrl/jCTiiCTi/ in Ihr Etse-r (!(ueUe k/ rtc llllh i>f May, 1775. — ?
" Lieut. Josepli Hnyward, of C'oncnnI, gives notice ttiat on ttie nine-
teentli of .\pril hist, iu ttu* Fij^lit, lie tuol< from tlie Ket^ntiii-i^ in Mou-
otoniy, a Hoi-t.e iin<l (.'liaiw. Tile Chaisi- was ownni Iiy .Mr. Reuben
Briiwii, of Concord. What remains in his Iiands is a niouse-enlored
Horse near 13 Imlxts hiKh,— <>l(i, poor and dull ; a good Bed Quilt. Tawn-
n>' on lioth sides ; a good Camlet Kiding hood, hrown rotor ; one t*ilin\r
unit a piece of IJed-Tick. The owner may have them liy telling the
mark and paying the charge *if lliis advertiwmeut."
Thus it will be .seen that the subject of this sketch
can boast of an ancestry of which any New Eng-
lander may well be proud. His early educational
advantages were such as were at the time offered in
the country towns of Now England, supplemented by
some two years at the academics in lliincock, Peter-
borough and Franccstown, and one season at the New
England Normal Institute, iu J>anca.ster, Mass. He
taught in the country schools nine winters, and sub-
s' ColoDel PruKott wa« the aon of Dr. Jonathan Prescott, of Concord,
and was de«*cendc<l from Sir .lames Prescott, of Standish. Hull, Kngland.
sOne of tlie guns ?Aptin-ed was still owned byhii* son in is:i,'i. (See
^lattuck^t Omoord.)
UAMJOCK.
363
sequently three terms in a private school. His suc-
cess as 11 teacher was marked. At the age-of twenty-
one he was chosen as a member of the superintemi-
ing committee of schools in Hancock, and at later
periods served one year as superintendent of schools,
iu Newfane, Vt. ; three years on the School Board in
Keene, X. H. ; and one year sis superintendent of
schools in that city.
He spent about two year.-* in private study with
Rev. Lemuel Willis, of Warner, X. H. ; was ordained
as a Universalist minister .Fune, 1859. Subsequently
he spent two years at Tutl's Divinity School, and took
the degree of B.I), in 1871.
He has had settlements in Newfane, Vt. ; Fairfield,
Me. ; in Wakefield, Acton, Methuen, Plymouth
and South Framingham, Mass., and Keene, N. H.,
besides several short engagements elsewhere. His
present residence is South Framingham. On Septem-
ber 7, 1859, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Ellen
Cha.se, of Keene, N. H., a daughter of Mr. Hosea
Chase, a near relative of Hon. Salmon V. Chase, who
for over twenty-five years, has ever proved an efficient
helpmeet to him, beloved by all.
He served a few months as chaplain of the Thir-
teenth Maine Volunteers during the late war, and
proved himself as one willing to share with the
soldiers in the perils of the field, as well iu* in the
comparative safety of the camp and hospital. It was
during the brief experiences of Mr. Hayward with
the army in Virginia (now West Virginia) that he
was joined by his wife at Martinsburg, then Sheri-
dan's base of supplies, who was winning great and
constant victories in the valley of the Shenandoah.
The little army at Martinsburg, therefore, was the
object of repeated and untiring attacks on the part of
the Confederates, led chiefly by Mosby, the noted
guerrilla. Mrs. Hayward reached Martinsburg, to
the surprise of her husband, by a night ride from
Baltimore at a time when firing upon the night-trains
over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was a constant
occurrence ; and her whole sojourn with the army
was marked by this same spirit that always captivates
the soldier. She was a si>leiidid horsewoman — so
rare an accomplishment — an<l even appeared on the
field. Nor did she fail to improve her O]pportiinity
to minister iu a Christian, womanly way to the welfare
of those with whom she met in the hospital, — writing
letters for the sick and wounded and taking care of
money for their families, which she concealed in
times of danger about her person. God cared for her
in the midst of many dangers.
The length of this sketch only leaves room to a<ld a
few words as to the literary ability of the subject of
this article as a preacher and lecturer, whose genial
■oul shows itself in all he docs. With all his ability,
—of no ordinary cast, — his heart is ever orthodo.x, in
the truest sense, as a preacher, and as a lecturer he is
always welcome. His centennial address will be re-
membered by all the citizens of Hancock, and also
24
the beautiful lecture on Longfellow by all who heard
it.
TOWN OFFICERS.
17711. — .lonutlKtu lU'iinct, town clerk.
1780. — HoWrt DuiK-aii, town clerk.
17S1. — Kultert Duncan, town clerk.
17S2. — Joseph Syriionds, town clerk.
178;S. — Kobert Diincun. town clerk.
17If'4. — Jiinietf Duncan, town clerk.
1785. — Joseph Dodge, town clerk.
178G. — losepli Dodge, town clerk.
1787. — .lames Iloslej", town clerk.
1788. — .Kisepii Svinouds, town clerk.
1789. — James Dnncan, town clerk.
179(1. — James llosley, town clerk.
1791. — James Uusley, town clerk.
1792. — James Ho^le.v, town clerk.
179:1. — James Hosley, town clerk.
1794. — .James Hosley, town clerk.
179.'>.1 — James Hosley, town clerk ; Samuel tJordon, representative.
1790. — James Hosley, town clerk ; .Stuiim-l (.innlon, representative.
1797. — James Hosley, town clerk ; Samuel Gordon, representative.
1798. — James Hosley, town clerk ; William Ilrooks, representative.
1799.— Junies Hosley, town clerk ; William Brooks, representative.
1800. - James Hofrley, town clerk ; William Brt-poks, representative.
18t)l. — James Hosley, town clerk ; William Brooks, representative.
1802. — James Hosley, town clerk ; William Brooks, representative.
1803. — James Hosley, town clerk ; William Hrooks, representative.
1804.^James Hosley, town clerk ; William Brooks, representative.
1805 — Daviil Wood, town clerk ; William Brooks, representative.
18O0. — Joseph Symonds, town clerk ; William Brooks, representative.
1807. — Joseph Symonds, town clerk ; William Brt)oks, representative.
1808. — Samuel Gates, town clerk ; Williiun Brooks, representative.
1809. — Samuel Gates, town clerk ; Ree<l Paige, representative.
1810. — Jose^ih .Symonds, town clerk ; Keed Paige, representittive.
1811. — Joseph Symonds, town clerk ; Keed Paige, representative.
1812. — Joseph Symonds, town clerk ; Itoed Paige, representative.
181.1.— John Whitcond), town clerk ; Keed Paige, representative.
1814. — .John Whitcomb, towti clerk ; Keed Paige, representative.
1815. — John Whitcomli, town clerk; David .Nahor, repn-sentative.
181G. — .John Whitcoiuh, town clerk ; Keed Paige,- representative.
1817. — .lolin Wliitcomb, town clerk ; David N'alior, representative.
1818.— John Whitcomb. town clerk ; Thatcher Biwlford, representa-
tive.
1819. — John Whitcomb, town clerk ; Thatcher Bradfonl, representa-
tive.
1820.— John Whitcomb, town cl*:rk ; Thatcher Bradford, representa-
tive.
1821. — John Whitcomb, town clerk ; Thatcher Bradford, representa-
tive.
1822. — John Whitcomb, town clerk ; .Vndrew Wallace, representative.
1823. — John Whitcomb, town clerk ; Andrew Wallace, representative.
1824.— John Whitcomb, town clerk ; An<lrew Wallace, ix'preeentativo.
1825. — John Whitcomb, town clerk ; Joseph Syntonds, repreiwnta-
tlvo.
182(i.— John Whitcontb, town clerk ; Joseph Synu)nd8, reprewntativo.
1827.— John Whitcomb, town clerk ; Henry Whitcomb, representa-
tive.
1828. — Jonas Huchinson, town clerk ; Joseph Symonds, representa-
tive.
1829. — Jonwi Iluchinsou, town cleric ; Thatcher BradfortI, representa-
Uvo.
\KiO. — Jonas HuchinHon, town clerk ; Joseph Syinonda, reprewnta-
tive.
18;il. — Henry Whitcomb, town clerk ; Amos Whitoniore, representa-
tive.
1832. — John AVliltcomb, town clerk ; Amos Whitemore, representa-
tive.
1833. -John Whitcond*, town clerk ; Jonas Huchinson, repreeenta-
live.
1 l*rior to 1795. Hancock wtis chimetl with Antrim and other towns, iinil
represented by Hon. .John Duncan, of Antrim, most of the time.
- Itev. Ke<-d Paige, the representative for 181G, died during the year, ftnd
David Nabor WHS chosen to fill the vacancy.
364
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1S34.— Jobu AVhitcomb, towu clerk ; Jouas Huchinson, representa-
tive.
18:t'-.— -lohu Whitcoinb, towu clerk; Jonas Huchiiison, representa-
tive.
HJ36.— John Whitcomb, town clerk; Thatcher Bradford, representa-
tive.
1837.— John M'liitcoiiib, town clerk ; Kendall tiray, representative.
1838.— John Whitcunib, town clerk ; Kendall Gmy, representative.
183y._john^Vhitcoiiib, towncb-rk; Kendall Gray, representative.
1840.— John Whitcumb, town clerk ; David Patten, representative.
1841.— Goodyear Bassett, town clerk ; I>;ivid Tatten, representative.
1842. — Goodyear Bassett, town clerk ; Goodyear Daasett, representa-
tive.
1843.— Joseph Davis, town clerk ; Kb«^nezer Ware, representative.
1844. — Joseph Davis, town clerk ; El»enezer AVare, representative^
IH4*i. — Joseph Duvis, town clerk ; Abijah Hadley, represeutiitive.
1840.— Joseph Diivis,' town ck-rk ; .\bijab lladley, representative.
1847.— Rodney S. Lakin, town clerk; .\byah Hadley, representative.
1848.— Joseph Davis, town clerk ; Clark C. Boutwell, representative.
1840. — Joseph Davis, towu clerk; Clark C. Bontwell, representative.
1850. — Ambrose C. Blood, towu clerk ; Joseph Davis, representative.
1851. — Ambrose C. Blood, town clerk ; Joseph Davis, representative.
1S52. — Ambrose C. Blood, town clerk ; William Gray, representative.
1853. — Ambrose C. Blood, town clerk ; William Gray, representative.
1854, — Ambrose C Blooil, town clerk ; David Patten, representative.
I85">. — Ambrose C. Blood, town clerk ; no representative.
1856.— Ambrose C. Blood, town clerk ; Benjamin Goodhue, represen-
tative.
1857. — Ambrose C. Blood, town clerk ; Benjamin Goodhue, represen-
tative.
1858. — Ambrose C. Blood, town clerk ; Joseph Knight, representative.
185'J. — Ambrose C. Blood, town clerk ; Joseph Knight, representative.
I860.— Ambrose C. Blood, town clerk ; Asa Simonds, representative.
1801. — Ambrose C. Blood, town clerk; Asa Simonds, representative.
18H2. — Ambrose C Blood, town clerk ; Hiram Fuller, representative.
1803. — Ambrose C. Blood, towu clerk ; Hiram Fuller, representative.
1804. — Ambrose C. Blood, town clerk ; Mark X. S|)alding, i-epresenta-
tive.
1865.— Ambrose C. Blood, town clerk; .^lark X. .S|»aiding, representa-
tive.
1866. — Adolphus D. Tuttle, town clerk ; Lewi^ Symonds, representa-
tive.
1867. — Adolphus D. Tuttle, ti>wn clerk; Henry Kuight, representa-
tive.
1868.— Adolphus D. Tuttle, town clerk; Avery M. (lark, representa-
tive.
186'J.— .\dolphu8 D. Tuttle, town clerk ; Avery 31. Clark, repi-esenta-
tive.
1870.— Adolphus D. Tuttle, towu clerk ; Orland Eaton, repi-eseutative.
1871. — Adolphus D. Tuttle, town clerk ; Joel Gates, repn-scntative.
1872. — .\dolphus D. Tuttle, town clerk ; Joel Gates, representative.
1873. — Joseph Davis, town clerk ; Lewis Symonds, representative.
1874.— Joseph Davis, towu clerk ; Andrew B. Stone, representative.
1875.— Joseph Davis, townclerk; Andrew B. Stouc, representative.
1876.— Joseph Davi% town clerk ; Joshua S. Lakin, representative.
1S77. — Joseph Davis, town clerk ; Joshua S. Lakin, representative.
1878.— Adolphus D. Tuttle, town clerk ; John H. Felch, representa-
tive.
1879.— Adolphus D. Tuttlo, town clerk; Adolphus G. Foster, repre-
sentative.
1880.— Adolphus D. Tutth-, town clerk ; Zopher W. Brooks, represen-
tative.
1881.— Adolphus D. Tuttle, town clerk.
1882.— Adolphus D. Tuttle, towu clerk; rii:trl.> G. Matthews, repre-
sentative.
18S3.— Adolphus D. Tuttle, town clerk.
1884.— Adolphus D. Tuttle. town clerk ; William F. Symonds, repre-
sentative.
1885.- Adolphus D. Tuttle, town clerk.
I Joseph Davis, towu clerk in 1846, resigned, and Boduey S. Lakin was
appointed to fill the vacancy.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
1
JOSEPH DAVIS.
Oliver, David and Jonas Davis, tliree brothers,
came from Leominster, Mass., and settled in Han-
cock, N. H., in 1794 or 179o, being the third gen-
eration in this country. Eleazer Davis, their grand-
father, emigrated from England about the year 1730.
He served in the French and Indian War. When
peace was declared, the body of troops with wliich he
was connected was discharged far away from white
settlement, and on their way home many died for
want of food and clothing, subsisting for many days
on hark, nuts and berries.
Eleazer Davis made his way home successfully,
after enduring hardships and jirivations for many
days, nearly famished. Oliver Davis, son of Eleazer,
was also a soldier in the Revolutionary War, being
one of the Minute-Men of those days. When the
intelligence came that the British were marching to
Concord, he shouldered his old musket, and was
present at the battle of Bunker Hill, where, for lack
of ammunition, they fought the red-coats with the
butts of their guns. Oliver Davis, grandson of Elea-
zer Davis and son of Oliver Davis, St., was born in
Harvard, Mass., May 12, 1767; married Sally Pol-
lard, by whom he had six daughters and one son.
After the death of his first wife he married Relief
Heath, by whom he had seven more children, — five
sons and two daughtci-s.
Having only a small farm and a large family to
support, he found it advisable to sell and buy one
where he could farm more extensively by giving em-
ployment to his boys and maintain his family easier.
He was successful in selling his place in Hancock,
where he first settled, and moved to Acworth, X. H.,
in 1822, where he lived until his decease, in 1851.
The older boys were hired out. while the younger
ones were kept at home to help do the work on the
home place. He exacted all the wages for labor of
his boys till they became of age, when he would say,
"Xow, boys, I have nothing to give you ; go and do
the best yiju can and he good boys," which was one
of the best legacies ever bequeathed to children, for
they all knew how to work, and succeeded in getting
a good living.
Joseph Davis, the sulyect of this biographical
sketch, w'as the fourth son and filth child of the sec-
ond marriage, born in Hancock, Hillsborough
County, January 14, 1813; lived at home till he was
sixteen, when he was let out to work for Dr. !?tephen
Carlton, of Acworth, a man of high attainments,
sound judgment and good abilities, one who stood
high in his jirofcssion. He represented his town in
the Legislature the two years he lived with him. It
was during these two years that he obtaineil much
useful information from those who had received a,
■:'^h
/^^^ Of^
c::i>zy-^^
HANCOCK.
365
liberal education by being in their society, observing
their manners and listening to their discussions.
These influences made a strong impression on his
mind, and he determined he would some day teach a
district school, if nothing more. The doctor had a
large library, to whidi Joseph had access, and which
he read every opportunity that presented, from which
he received mudi knowledge and u.seful information.
The next three years of his minority .Josepli was
hired out to Hon. Amos Perkins, of Unity, N. JI.,
one of the most influential men of the town, of strong
mind, good abilities and sound common sense. From
him he derived much knowledge in respect to trans-
acting business, which information he was ever ready
to give, as he was well posted, both in regard to men
and jiarties of that time. He was a gentleman of the
old school, whom every one loved and respected.
Therefore, being in the society and under the advice
and good influence of such men of business talent
and learning, it only stimulated him to greater exer-
tions to jirocun- ail education as soon as he could
obtain mtans to do it. His father, being in humble
circumstances, was not able to educate his children
beyond what learning they could obtain from the com-
mon district schools, which were only open six or eight
weeks in summer and usually the same in winter.
The next aciuson after he was twenty-one he worked
out, and earned money enough to i)ay his expenses to
attend the academy at Cavendish, Vt., which was a
very flourishing institution at that time. Among the
students who attended that term was Dr. A. A. Miner,
now of Boston. At the close of the term he received
from the preceptor a certificate of recommendation as
well i|ualified l<; teach, which was a great hL-lj) to
him in obtaining a school. He engaged a school that
winter at ten dollars per month, for fifteen weeks,
and boarded around with the parents of the scholars,
which was usual in those times. Being successful in
hi.s first school, he was greatly encouraged and con-
tinued to teach, working summers and teaching win-
ters, earning money suflicient to j>ay his exjjenscs of
books, clothes and to go to school spring and fall
terms. After the first term at Cavendish he attended
the literary and scientific institution at Hancock,
where he went three years at fall and spring terms.
After closing his studies at that institution he devoted
his early life to tiaching, which was his delight, and
the heighl of liis aml)ition was to be in a school-room
giving instruction to the young. He followed teach-
ing for over thirty years, from six to eight months
each year. Being successful in his employment, his
wages increased from ten to fifty dollars per month,
including board. He taught the graded school in
Milfiiril, Wilton and Cireenfield, also a select school
at llillsborougli Bridge. He wius employed to take
charge of the select school in South Orange, JIass.,
two years, and the graded school in Lincoln, Ma.ss.,
one year. During the thirty years as a teacher he had
from fifteen hundred to two thousand ditferent schol-
ars, who went forth to difterent parts of the world to
play their part in the great drama of life.
In 1840 he married Mrs. Eliza B. Wallace, widow
of Dr. John Wallace, of Jlilford, N. H. She was
young and accomplished, endowed with a strong and
active mind and of high moral and intellectual qual-
ities. She was social, plea.sant and dignified in every
position .she was called to fill. The sick and distressed
were objects of her care and sympathy, never hesita-
ting to go, when duty called, to watch with the sick
or assist in heljdng to relieve the sorrows of those
whose friends had died. Her maiden-name was
Eliza Burns. She was of Scotch descent, being the
third generation in this country. At the time Davis
married her she had one son, by Dr. Wallace, by the
name of John J. Wallace, who is now living in
I'eoria, 111. By the second marriage she had two
children, — Charles J. and Emma 0. Davis. Emma
C. died when two years old. Charles J. married
Sarah Twiss, by whom he had three children when
she died. He never married afterwards ; went to
Palatka, Fla., where he died July 2, lS8:i.
Soon after Joseph Davis married he settled in
Hancock, N. H., his native town, opened a store,
where he continued in the mercantile business some
ten years, and at the same time continued to teach
winters, while his clerk carried on the trade of the
store.
In 1850 he sold out his stock of goods and pur-
chased a small farm, devoting his time to agricultural
pursuits, still continuing his school-teaching each
year. He was elected town clerk, to which office he
was elected eleven years at dilferent times; was
chairman of the Board of Selectmen three years,
town treasurer and superintending school committee
fifteen years, and, in 1850 and 1851, was chosen rep-
resentative to the General Court. Such testimony to
his fidelity and ability by his friends and fellow-citi-
zens wiis highly appreciated. He endeavored to dis-
charge the duties of the offices to which he was cho-
sen faithfully and acceptably. He was employed
doing business at the Probate Courts for many years
in settling and helping others to settle estates. He
was appointed justice of the peace in 1851, and now
holds i>. commission of justice of the peace and (juo-
rum throughout the State.
Thus, by his own exertions, industry, perseverance
and economy, he secured liis own education, earned
his own money, paid for his own schooling, and, in
fact, he is what we call a self-made man, ever social,
pleasant and jovial with his friends and neighbors, and
one for whom they show much kindness and res|iect.
By strict a<llierencc to the discharge of his duly when
business called he has been alile to accumulate sufli-
cient means to enable him to pass the remainder of
his life with ease and comfort at his old homestead at
Hancock, his native town, with his friends and fellow-
citizens, pa.ssing quietly down the stream of life till
he sleeps with his fathers.
HISTORY OF DEERING.
BY GEORGE C. PATTEN.
CHAPTER I.
Deerixo is one of the border towns in the county,
being liounded on the north by Henniker, which
is in Merrimack County, and also by Hillsborough,
the most northerly town in Hillsborough County. It
is separated from Antrim, on the west, by Contoocook
River, while \Veare and Krancestown bound it on the
east and south, respectively. The surface, which is
broken and hilly, is divided, topographically, into
three sections — the westerly, central and easterly por-
tions. The three post-offices — West Deering, Deering
and East Deering — also mark those ilistinctions. Each
section is separated from the other by high ranges of
hills, extending north and .-iouth (piite through the
town, the only break in them being utilized by the
main road leading from one section to the other.
About one-third of the surface of the town, including
the entire westerly portion, is drained by Contoocook
River, the remainder forming the water-shed of the
north branch of the Piscataquog River, which rises in
this town. Its sources are Dudley Pond, in the
northerly, and Oregg Pond, in the southerly part of
the town. The Dudley Brook, flowing from the first-
mentioned pond, unites with the one flowing from the
latter near the easterly line of the town. These two
ponds have a surface area of forty and one luimlred
acres resi)cctivcly. Mud Pond, situated about one
mile west of Dudley Pond, flows into Smith Brook,
which, after receiving Patten Brook, forms tlie Stearns
Brook, the latter uniting with the Dudley Brook
above mentioned. The Piscataquog Water-Power
Company have lately come into pcssessicm bv jiur-
chase of the mill at the outlet of Gregg Pond and the
adjacent flowage to the extent of throe hundred acres,
and have built a dam one thousand feet long and
twenty feet high, having a flowage capacity of
seventeen feet, at a cost, including the land damage,
of more than twelve thousand dollars. It is intended
to supply water to the mills located on the Piscataquog
River between North Weare and Manchester when the
supply from the natural sources fails or runs short.
The water-shed of the reservoir, including the drain-
age of the Lyon and Wilkins Brooks, embraces an
866
area of more than four square miles. Fulton Pond,
located one-half mile south-west from Gregg Pond, is
the highest elevation of water in Deering, being
nearly one thousand feet aV)ove sea-level. Its over-
flow runs south into Francestown. The old New-
Hampshire turnpike passed through the westerly
section of the town, and is still the main traveled
road. The old hotel of that period still disiienses
hospitalities to the traveler that j)asses that way,
through its venerable landlord, James M. Appleton.
The extension of the Northern Railroad from Hills-
borough Bridge to Hancock Junction passes directly
through the old Cork muster-field. Here, for many
years, during the palmy days of the old New Hamp-
shire militia, were mustered, in the month of Sep-
tember, the troops belonging to the Twenty-sixth
Regiment, comprising those able-bodied citizens,
between the ages of eighteen and forty, from the
towns of Hillsborough, Windsor, Antrim, Hancock,
Francestown and Deering, for inspectiim and re-
view. From early dawn until late in the afternoon
the air resounded with the strains of martial music
mingled with the shouts of the peddlers and hawkers
crying their wares. Here also might be seen the
" razor-strop man," known from Boston to New
Orleans, always happy in his numerous sales and in
the consolation of still having a '" few more left of
the same sort." The speeches and addresses of the
reviewing officers were calculated to inspire the troops
with the impression that it was not a bunlen, but a
privilege arul right, to bear arms; but, somehow, afier
years of successful application, the old militia law did
become a burden, and, together with Cork muster
has liccoiiic a matter of history.
Geological Formation. — The |)rincipal rock for-
mation is gneiss. No granite ledges fit for building
purposes are known to exist within the limits of the
town. A few granite brmlders have been found evi-
dentlydejiosited during the glacial drift. Gne of these,
found on the Grimes place, now owned by Wm. Mc-
Neil, is worthy of special mention, since it furnished
the building stone for several of the earlier constructed
farm-houses in the town. These old houses are all of
DEERING.
367
similar construction, as, for example, that one on the
Grimes place; on the farm i>f R(»bert P. Cressey ; on
the farm of Bartlelt S. Brown; on the farm of Jo.siali
H. Loveren, etc. A riuartz leJge is developed on the
farm of Rodney Gove, and on laud of Russell Tubbs,
Esq., near the centre of the town, from which many
fine specimens of crystallized quartz have been taken.
A mine of plumbago on the farm of S. S. Clement,
Es<)., was worked for several seasons ; but the vein or
lode running constantly deeper into the hill, the en-
gineering difficulties in working the mine became so
great as lo lead to its abandonment. The ore was of
excellent quality, and would have paid liberally for
the working, had it not been for the above conditions.
The whole surface of the town bears marks of the
glacial drift, the general direction of which was from
north to south. The riilges of land extend in the
same direction, the southerly slopes of which are
smoother and better adapted to cultivation than the
northerly portions of the same. The outlets or over-
flow of all the ponds is in the same direction — from
north to south.
Clay-beds exist in the west part of the town, near
the river ; also on the farms of George C. Patten, Bart-
lett S. Brown and Horace B. Cressey, from which
brick were made to supply the wants of the earlier
settlers.
Proprietary Records. — Ueering (iriginally formed
a pnrtion of Society J^aiid. This territory became the
property of the Masonian proprietors in 174(5, by the
purchase of the Masonian patent. Previous to this
purchase the laud titles in Xew Hampshire had been
subjected to much litigation and dispute. .John Tuf-
ton -Mason, the original grantee of all the lands within
the Province, died without entering into possession of
them. After his death the dispute was still carried on
between New Hampshire and Massachusetts which
claimed jurisdiction over the territory of the former,
until linally settled by the arbitration of the crown in
favor of the former province. The heirs of Mason
then revived their claim and sold lo a company of in-
diviijuals, mostly wealthy residents of Portsmouth and
vicinity, all the right and title of John Tufton Mason
to the lands within the i)rovince of New Hampshire.
The individuals or shareholders of this company were
styled the " I'roprielors." They comnienced business
in 1748 by quit-claiming to actual S(;ttlers all those
grants of land nuide by New Hampshire and Jlassa-
chusetts during the period of dispute, and making
new grants in their own right. This policy secured
to them the possession of the vacant lands with little
or no opposition. A large territory l)ounded on the
south by SalemCanada (now I,yndeborough), Peter-
borough and Monadiiock No. .'5, (now Dublin); on the
north by Nos. (iaiid7in thelineof towns. socalled (now
Henniker and Hillsborough); on the west by Monad- j
nock Nos. 6 aiul 7, (now Nelson and .Stoildard) ; on the '
east by Weare's Town and New Boston, was vacant land,
— that i3,not covereilI>y any previous grant. It there- '
fore became the property of this company, as above
stated. Prom the circumstance of its being owned
in common, it gradually became known as Society
Land, and the name of Cumberland, which had been
previously applied to it, fell into disuse. The pro-
prietors caused a survey to be made of the whole ter-
ritory in 1753, under the direction of Colonel Joseph
Blanchard, and at a meeting of the proprietors held
at Portsmouth, October 17, 1753, Robert Fletcher,
the surveyor who executed the work, made a report
and presented a plan of the survey. The whole tract
was divided into fifteen equal shares, corresponding
with the number of shares in the company. There
were also fifteen river or intervale shares of five hun-
dred acres each, laid out between the great falls, so
called (now Bennington village), and Keyes Farm, (a
small reservation of Ave hundred acres laid out on
•the Contoocook River, joining on the line of towns).
The large shares contained on an average four thou-
sand acres ; but where the land was not so good, more
laud was taken to make each share equal in value.
The re|)ort and plan of the surveyor were accepted
and a drawing of the lots took place.
No. 1 was drawn by Mark H. W'entworth ; No. 2,
by Samuel Solly and Clement March ; No. 3, by
Colonel .Joseph Blanchard, Nathaniel Meserve,
.Iosei>h Green and Paul March; No. 4, by ,Iohn
Wentworth, Esq. ; No. '), by Daniel Pierce and Mary
Moore; No. 6, by George Jafl'ery, Esq.; No. 7, by
John Moflat, Esq. ; No. 8, by Thomas Wallinglbrd,
Esq. ; No. 9, to the right of Jotham Odiorne, Esq.,
deceased; No. 10, by Joshua Pierce; No. 11, by John
Thomliuson and John Tufton Mason; No. 12, by
Thomas Packer, Esij. ; No. 13, by John Ringe, Esq. ;
No. 14, by Theodore Atkinson, Esq.'; No. 15, by
Richard \V'ibird, Esq. Nos. 1 to 7 were on the west
side of Contoocook River, while the remaining eight
shares — that is, from 8 to 15 — were on the east side of
the river. The river or intervale shares were num-
bered with the same numbers as the large shares, from
1 to 15, and drawn with the sanu' number, so that
each shareholder held a large lot and a river lot
numbered with the same number. From this date
the land crjmprising those shares became the i)rivate
pnqierty of the indivi<luals to whom they were drawn.
Big lots Nos. II, 12, 13, 14 and 15, together with the
portions of the intervale lots lying cast of the river
opjiosite to the former, became the territory of
Deering in 1774. The westerly portions of 8 and 0,
together with additions from Lyndeborough and
Peterborough, became Greenliehl in 1791. Easterly
portions of 8, !l and 10 became Francestown in 1772;
1, 2 and 3 became Hancock in 177'.1; 4, 5, (> and 7 be-
came Antrim in 1777. A small territory still re-
mained around the great falls, bearing the name of
Society I/and until 1842, when it was incorporated
into a town under the name of Bennington, receiving
additions of territory from Deering, Francestown an<l
Hancock. Thcseaix towns, it will be seen, beara closer
368
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
relation to one another than any other towns in the
State, with the exception, perhaps, of those that grew
out of the ancient towns of Chester and Lonflondorry.
First Settlement of Great Lots Nos. 11, 12, 13,
14 and 15. — I'nr i\\in\- ih.Tn ten yt-ais ^■ul)S(■(Jllcnt to
the survey of Society Land this portion of the same
remained an unbroken wilderness, undisturbed save
by the hunter and explorer. Great Britain, with her
New England colonies, were gathering their strength
for the final struggle which terminated in the capture
of Quebec, in 17")0, forever ending the Indian depre-
dations which had devastated and retarded the Ijorder
settlements. In 17G1 those families who had com-
menced a settlement in Hillsborough in 1744, and fled
on the approach of Indian hostilities, began to return
and rebuild their ruined habitations. Weare, granted
by the proprietors in 17411 to Ichabod Robie and
others, was being settled, and in ]7ii.'), John Tufton
Mason sold to Samuel Robie, .John Webster, Robert
Graham, Matthew Forsaith, John ShacktVird, William
White, Robert Mills, all of Chester, and Robert
Moore, of Londonderry, all his right and title to one
undivided half of big lot No. 11, in Society Land,
being two thousand acres, more or less, for the con-
sideration of one hundred pounds. The same year,
John Thomlinson, a merchant of London, gave Theo-
dore Atkinson and Mark H. Wentworth, of Ports-
mouth, power of attorney to set off or divide his share
of the same lot from that of Mason.
The parties in Chester, together with Robert Jtoore,
of Londonderry, (luit-claimed the northerly half of
thesaid lotto John Thondinson, through hisattorneys,
the said Atkinson and Wentworth; while the latter,
for the said Thomlinson, quit-claimed the southerly
half or moiety' to the said Robie and others. The lot
was surveyed by Daniel Nichols, afterwards a settler
and citizen of Antrim. The northerly half, as well as
the southerly, was divided into twenty lots. No. 1
joining the intervale lot on the west, and the numbers
increasing in their order to 20, which joined on
Weare. The year 17(15 is memorable in the history
of tlie town as marking the d.ate of the first settle-
ment made by .\lexander Robinson, on the farm now
owned l)y William T. Snnth, about two miles south
of Hillsborough bridge. At this period bears and
wolves were numerous, and the hill beneath which
Mr. Kobinson selected a building spot for his home,
and where he lived for many years, was the favorite
haunt of the latter animal, and still bears the name
of Wolf Hill. Tradition relates that a bear came
down out of the forest one day and began a raid on
Mr. Robinson's hogs. His wife, hearing the outcry,
(Mr. Robinson being away from home), seized an axe
and made such a vigorous onslaught on bruin as to
cause him to beat a hasty retreat, leaving his prize to
the weaker but lawful owner.
William Forsaith came from Chester soon after
Mr. Robinson commenced his settlement. He was the
son of Matthew Forsaith, one of the purchasers of
Mason's half of big lot No. 11. Mr. Forsaith settled
the David Carter place, west of the David Wilson
farm. There is good authority for the assertion
that there were only three settlers within the limits
of the town in 1707. Alexander Robinson and Wil-
liam Forsaith were two of that number.
Robert Mills, the son of Robert Mills, of Chester,
who was also one of the grantees of the Mason moiety
in No. 11, a.ssisted the surveyor in subdividing the
same into settlers' lots, marking the trees designated
for the corners, and for many years afterwards was
considered as authority in settling any dispute or
doubt that arose in relation to them. He settled on
the Gawn Mills place, so-called, now owned by Wil-
liam Colburn. William Aiken and Thomas, his
brother, from Londonderry, settled on farms or lots
adjoining the former, recognized as the Levi White
place, and the latter as the Luther Aiken jilace.
These lots are all in great lot No. 11, the three latter
in the southern or Mason division.
Samuel Patten, in 1767, commenced clearing up a
lot in great lot No. 14, Atkinson's right or share, and,
having erected his humble dwelling, came up from
Marblehead, in 17t)S, with his wife and son, six years
old, and made a permanent settlement, which lasted
without change during his life, he dying in 1819.
His son, whose name was Jonathan, grew up and
served a term of enlistment in the Continental army
during the Revolution. He died in 1832. His widow
survived him nearly thirty years, drawing a pension
from the government. John Shearer settled a lot.
adjoining Samuel Patten's lot on the east, while Alex-
ander Hogg settled a lot just south of Patten's lot,
in the south range of Atkinson's right. William
McKeen .settled on lot No. 10 in Atkinson's right,
and in 1771, Elias Hassell received of Anthony
Wibird and John Penhallow, heirs of Richard Wibird,
who drew big lot No. 1-5, a settler's deed of one
hundred acres of land in .said lot 15, for the con-
sideration of five shillings and settling the lot. This
lot was No. 3 in the -subdivision, and is identified as
the farm where Alvah (Jould now lives. At length,
in 1774, so many settlers had come lus to justify them
in petitioning the General Court for an act of in-
corporation, and James Betton, Esq., was chosen as
their agent to present their petition. Their application
was successful, and, in honor of Governor tlohn Went-
worth's wife, whose maiden-name was Frances Deering,
the new town received the name of Deering. The act
of incorporation is given below with some slight
changes in orthography.
"Province -, iJeorge the thini, Iiy the Grace of God,
[LS.] of ^ of Great Itrituiu, France and Ireland
Xew Hampshire. 1 King, Defentier of the Faith, &c.
'* To all People to whom thcM? preeenttf shall come greeting :
" Wlierea* our loyal Inhabitants of a Tract of Land within our Prov-
ince of New Humi>8hire aforewiiil, connnonly callcl auil known t-y the
namoof Socii'ty Land, containing by estimation abontsix mites square,
have humbly |>ettioued and Requested us that tliey may be erected aod
incorptinited into a Township, and enfranchised with the same powore
and priviledges which otherTowns within our said Province by law llave
DEERING.
3G9
and Enjoy, and it appcariDR to us to be oontliisive tu tite general Good of
our NiiJ Pruviuv-e, an well H« of the suid [iiliubitaiitti in purticulur, by
meniaiiijng go<Ml urder tind encuiira^ing the I'lilture of the Land that
the tMiiK- slimiM be dune.
**Knuw ye that we, uf our itpecial grace, certiiiti knowledge and fur the
eacuuragenient and pruiuution of the good purposett und ends afuixtuiid, by
and with the advice of our trutity and well beloved John Weulwurlb,
Ea«(r., uur Covernor and Cuinniunder-iu-chief uf our sitid Pruvtnct', and
of our Conui'il of the sanit.*, Iiuve erected aud oriJuinL-d, and by th^-se i»re-
senta, for uh and <iur IleJrs and Succexgors, do will and order that the
Inliabitanta uf i^id Tract of Land and uthcre who HhatI inipr<jve and in-
habit thereon hereinafler, the same being tmlted and Kninded as fol-
lows, vi/.: Iteginning at the Northwest Comer of Francestown, from
IheDce Ea*t to the easterly side line of the Societj' Land so called ; from
thfoce North to the Corner of the said Society Land ; front thence by
the M»id Society Land we^erly to Conttiocook Kiver bounding jwtrtly on
the Towns of llennik«-rand Ylillsborough ; from them-e, as said Conloo-
cook Klver niti!^, so far as that an Ea^t line Nball strike the tuaid North-
west Corner of Franiestown ; from tlience by said Kaat line to the
Bonndfl first mt-ntione<l, bo and they are hereby declared to be a Town
porponitt* by the name of Peering, to have continuance forever with all
the Powers and authorities, privileges, immunities, and Franchises which
any other Towns in our said I'rovincc hy law hold and et^oy tu the* raid
Inhabitants or those who shall hereafter inhabit there and their Succes-
sors fon-ver, always reser^'ing to us, our Heire and Successors, all the
white pine Trees that are or shall !>e found, b*dng and growing within
and n\H>u the said Tract of I^nd fit for tlie use of our Royal Navy,
Reserving uI»o unto us, our Heirs and Snccessore, the Power of dividing
said Town when it shall appear necessary and convenient for the inhab-
itants thereof. Provided, nevertheless, an<i it is hereby declared that this
Charter and Grant is not intended, and shall not in any mann<--r be cou-
stnied, to affect the private ]>roperty of the soil within the limits afure-
■aid.
*' And as the several Towns within our said Province are by the laws
thereof enabled and authorized to assemble and by the miyority of the
Votes present to chot^se all (>nic<*rH and tmnsact s\ich alTaii-s as in the«aiii
laws are declared. We do by tlie*te prewnts noiuinatf and appoint Wil-
liam Clark. F><ir., to call the first meeting of the Inhabitants to be held
within the said Town at any time within Ninety days of the <Uite hereof,
pring h'gal notice of the time anci design of such meeting after which
the annual meeting for said Town shall be held for the choice of said
officers and the Purjioses aforesaid on the First TuetMlay in tlie month of
March annually.
" /« T'-ftimony whereof we luive cause<I the seal of our said Province to
be hereunto affixed. Witnesi^ our alToresatd Oovernnr and Comnmnder-
In-diolf the seventeenth day of .latiiiary, in the fourteenth year of our
■vign, Aonoque Domini, 1774.
*'J. Wentwobtii.
*'By his Excellency's ronuuand wiili adviro of Council.
"TiiKonoitK Atkinson.
•• lU»cordod in the Rook of Charters No. 4, Folios 183, 184 and 18.V"'
t^'ompiyinp with the above conditions of the charter,
the first towti-inectinjr wxs called by the said Wil]i:un
Clark, and held at the house of Alexander Robinson,
inn-holder. i\ list oitown ottirers is ^Mven in another
column, to which the reader is referred. It extends
from the first town-meeting in 1774 to 1885.) It was
voted at this town-mectinp: that *' the Selectmen be a
committee to settle with Ks(|uire Betton for obtaining
the chiirter uf said town." It is also worthy of note
that from this town-meeting up to 1819, which marks
the date of the Toleration Act by the Legislature,
money was raised at every town-meeting for preaching.
(A short church history will be found in another
column.) The laying (»ut of higliways through the
new settlements within the limits of the town re-
ceived the first attention of the selectmen. As a
specimen of the description and form of reconling the
laying out of those primitive roads, the following
transcript is copied from the town records, and is the
earliest on record:
"Deering, April o, 1774. A Transcript of n Highway Uid out three
Rodtt wide. Beginning at Weare line, wetiit of Enocit Brown'fi House;
thence Running west Bearing stMith until it comes to John Shearer's
laud ; thence wej"! as near as the ground will allow of a Road paist the
south of !<«id Shearer's House ; thence west until it comes to isimuel Pat-
ten's East line ; and so still wei>t, or as near that point as good ground
will allow, until it comes to said Patten's improvements, a few rods
south of hie house, and so on still wed, or as Near that point as good
ground will allow, until it comes over a brook which Kmties out of a
meadow at an old Beaver Dam about forty rods wei^t of Samuel Patten's
west line.
Elias Hassell,
" A true Kec(>n,l, atteeti'd,
" C.I.IA6 HASSELL, •»
"Neman Aiken, >fi
'*JoHX Shearer, f
• Ne.mas Aiken, TutcH Clerk."''
I A road, tlie record of the laying of which bears the
same date as that of the above, was laid by William
McKeen's to Hillsborough ferry, located nearly op-
posite the residence of the late Reuben Loveren,
Hillsborough Bridge. At length a bridge was con-
structed across the river above the ferry, where the
stone bridge now stands, and September 6, 1779, the
town voted '' That there be a Road opened to meet y*
Road leading from y* Bridge in Hillsborough in Ex-
change for y*' one leading to y« Ferry during the
Continuance of said Bridge." This structure was
called by the people who used it '' the Bridge," and was
as much used or utilized by the inhabitants of Deer-
ing as by those of Hillsborough. The name bridge
soon became associated with the place or locality,
which was, therefore, known as "Hillsborough
Bridire." This growing manufacturing village, which
properly begins at Hillsborough line, on the south,
about one-third of a mile from the stone bridge, is
the principal market for produce and lumber of a
large portion of Deering at the present time. The
war-cloud of the lievolution was gathering over the
New England colonies, culminating in the battle of
Lexington, on April 19, 177o. Deering, it will be
seen in another place, was represented there by one
of her settlers, and, when called upon the next year to
join the Association Test, which was virtually an act
of Indeiiendence several months earlier than the act
or Declaration assumed by Congress, responded with
the following signers :
Ben.inniin Little, Kphmim .\bbott, BeiiJainiii Bradford, John Waleys,
William TtlcKren. Kliam IIii!«ell, Francis (>rim(*s, Samuel Patten, .lidin
Shearer, .Kbram (Jove, Bmy Wilkinc, Timothy Wyman, Jonathan Wy-
man, Timothy Wyman, Jr., .lames (iriniert, Samuel Chamller, Nt-nian
Aiken, John Batles, .loseph Wakedeld, William Robertson, Ebenezer
Blood, Alexander Flogg, William Aiken, William For«ylh, Thomas
Aiken, David WIImui, John I,yon, Jowph Crillis. Uol>ert Mills, Kphnilm
(.'lark, Alexander Robinnon, JotM.-pli Robinson, William Bradford.
Thirty-tiiree, comprising the names of all the citizens
of the town at tlmt time not luiuiticsor paupers, with
the exception of the names of two, who were reported
as refusing to sign, viz.: Johti Bartlett, Jonathan
Straw. It is not to be inferred that these two men
were Tories because they did not sign with the rest of
their townsmen. They might have held conscientious
scruples against bearing arms or withheld their names
from motives of ptdicy or timidity, although friendly
to the American cause. The next year, 1777, on the
370
HISTOllT OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
news of the advance of Burgoyne, Neniaii Aiken,
with eighteen men from Deering, mardicdto the relief
or defense of Ticoiideroga ; but, hearing that tlie fiirt
had been evacuated, he returned witli his men, l)eing
absent and in the service three days. In this cam-
paign .igainst Burgoyne, Benjamin Bradford, of
Deering, served under (ieneral Starli at tlie battle of
Bennington iis setond lieutenant. The next year,
1778, we find Nenian Aiken serving as lieutenant
under General Sullivan in the defense of the !New
England eoa.st against the British fleet. The records
of the town throughout the war show that the in-
habitants contributed their full share towards keeping
the Continental army supplied with men either from
their own borders or l)y hiring substitutes from other
places — paying their war ta.xes in specie or supplying
beef and grain. The depreciation in the paper cur-
rency may be seen in a vote of the town at the annual
meeting in 1781, at the house of .\le.\ander Robinson,
when it wijs "voted that five thousand pounds be
raised to marke and repair highways " — in Xew Hamp-
shire currency, Slti.OOCi.tJGi;, a pound being $3.83J.
It wa.s also voted, at the same time, to allow twenty
pounds per day for men and oxen. The next year
the price per day for men and oxen for work on high-
ways was fixed at four shillings per day tor men and
oxen, which indicates the return of confidence by the
people in the financial condition of the country, or
under the pressure of the law which was enacted at
this time to regulate the currency. So great was the
distress for money to jiay war taxes that an effort was
made to tax corn raised on burnt grouud; but the
town, at their annual meeting, failed to sanction the
Bchenie, and it was abandoned. We are not able at this
time of writing to give a complete list of the names
of those who served in the Continental army ; some
of them will be found in the general genealogical list,
—while many were hired — not citizens of Deering, by
the agents of the town to fill their ipiota, as in the late
Civil War.
Cajjtain Nenian Aiken, one of the most jirominent
citizens of the town from its earlier settlements, re-
moved West about the year 1790, selling his homestead
to Abraham Gove.
A return of the ratable polls to the General Court
of New Hampshire, for the year 1783, by the select-
men, Evan Dow and .\l)ram Gove, numbers them at
eighty-six. The return is indorsed as follows:
" Dekrimi, Decern' y 16, ITS.'i.
Gestlkmbn,
" X.n. — Not haTlng time to go before A Justice Opeace, as the is not
one within Kight Mills, we must pray to be Excused, as this Return we
are Able tn make Oath too."
In 1785 a dispute between the town of Weare and
the '■ Proprietors," in relation to the westerly line of
said town, was settled by the court in favor of Weare.
The territory in dispute wa.s about two hundred and
fifty rods wide on the south end, and three hundred
at the north, extending the whole width of Deering,
adjoining Weare. By the decision of the court in
this lawsuit Deering lost from her territory about two
thousand eight hundred acres, as will be seen by the
following petition and certificate: —
" To the Houb'* Senate Anil House of Representatives in ami for the
State of New Hampshire, Your Petitioners humbly Sheweth.
" Whereas, the Proprietors of the town of Deering, in the County of
Hillsborough, have given up To the Town of Weare a Certain Tnict of
Non-lmproveii Land, and said Proprietors of Peering have Denied pay-
ing taxes on said Land for the year 178fi, And said Land Being Inven-
toried and Returned To the Hon"'' General Court as Belonging to the
Town of Deering, as it may Appear hereafter, Therefore, we humbly
pray your Honours would be pleased to Abate the taxes for the years
17Sfi, 1787, on said Land, ur any part thereof, as your Petitioners are in
Duty Ever Bound to Pray.
" Ev.\N Dow, I Selectmen
'*.\|.F.XANPKR Wilson, ?■ of
" TiiiiM.\s Merrill, ) Deering.
" Deering, .Tune 4"', 1787."
In 1797 a library association was incorporated by
an act of the Genera! Court, on the petition of Robert
Alcock, Thomas Merrill, Thomas Aiken, Wm. Aiken,
Wm. Forsaith, James Shearer and their associates.
For many years the members kept up their organiza-
tion ; but it long ago became extinct, although some
of the books .are still extant, — useful only to the
antiquary and book-collector.
No school-houses were erected until 1806, or about
the time the prf sent school-district system was adopted.
Previous to this period the schools were carried on,
like the religious meetings prior to 1790, in private
dwellings and barns. Money was voted sparingly
from 1782 every subsequent year for schools ; but
with the proviso that, if not used, it should be turned
into the town treasury. In the year 1790 the town
voted " No more draw-backs on school money." To
the influence of the ministers associated with the
church formed in 1789 must be credited this change
of feeling in the people in regard to education. The
town never receded from the vote of 1790, but have
kept increasing their appropriations for the support
of schools to the ])resent time.
The prescribed limits of this paper have already
been exceeded. The indulgence of the publishers
only permits us to add the following memoranda of
the weather, etc. : The history may properly be said
to close with the year 1800. The year 1800 was
noted as a period of heat and drought. Much
sickness prevailed. October 7, 1804, snow fell to the
dejith of a fi)ot. Potatoes, apples, together with
some patches of corn, were covered by the snow.
Many parties picked their best, or winter fruit on the
Sabbath, in order to save enough for winter supply.
January 19, 1810, is noted as the cold Friday. No
snow was on the ground ; but the intense cold and
high wind rendered it a day long to be remembered.
The mother of the writer has often related that she
started tor school on the morning of that day, residing
at that time in Weare, but was soon forced to seek the
friendly shelter of a neighboring habitation to pre-
vent herself from perishing in the cold, her kind neigh-
bor accompanying her back to the homeof her parents.
No snow fell, it is said, until the hist of February.
DEERING.
371
The winter of 1811-12 is on record as very severe.
During tlie winter the sjiotted fever appeared, but
was said not to l)c so prevalent in Deering as in An-
trim, — tiie Coiitodcook Riversocniinsr to form a barrier ]
in cliei-kinp the ravages of the disease.
September 1.5, 1815, is the date of the great gale
whieh swe|>t over a portion of New England. Many
of the old-growth forests, on the hills and other
localities, e.xposed to the wind and rain, whieh were
from the southwest, were prostrated, eompelling or ae-
telerating thecleuring upcpf many hill-top.--anil slopes,
whieh would otherwisehave remained in forest-growth.
The year 1810 was long remembered as the cold
eeosou. Hardly sound corn enough was raised to
supply the wants of the farmers, for seed to ])lant the
enduing year. The spots on the suu, it is related,
ci'uld be seen by the naked eye. The year 182(5 is
known as the grasshopper year. A long protracted
drought favored their growth and increase, so as to
cause the destruction of the grass and grain crops,
leaving very little for the farmer to harvest.
August 28th a heavy rain occurred which washed the
grasshoppers into the small streams in such cjuantities
that bushels of them couhl be gathered on the banks
of the same after the subsidence of the flood. 1852,
1.S.53 and 1854 were very dry years, the latter noted
for bush and forest-fires. A great freshet in the
spring of 18.52 caused great damage to the mills,
highways and bridges.
The murder of Keeland (.'base, in 18iiO, caused a
degreeof e.xcitenuMit hitherto unknown to the inhabit-
ants of Deering. He was found in his barn with
his skull fractured. An inquest was held over his
body, but no verdict was ever rendered nor any one
arrested for the crime.
July 25, issl, thunder-storms passed over the north-
erly portion of Hillsborough County, causing the de-
struction of many buildings by lightning. During
the night following the barn of Carleton Clement, Esq.,
wa-s struck by lightning and lonsumed, his house and
other buiblings being only saved by the exertions of
the niiL'hl>ors, who came U) the rescue by dipping up
buckets of water in thedoor-yard adjoiniuglhc blazing
barn, su|>plied by the torrents of rain which fell at the
same time. The lights of other fires in adjoining
towns, which were visibli- during the lulls of the
storm, together with the circumstances above de-
scribed, rendered it a night never to be forgotten.
The murder or a-ssassination of Edmund Wuoil, on
the I81I1 of .•\ugust, 188.'?, within a mile of his home,
white relvirning from Hillsborough Bridge, caused
much feeling and excitement, which extendeil to the
Hdjiiiiiing towns. Suspicion at once fastened on
Nathan Hrown. the neighbor of the murdered nnm,
as the perpetrator of the foul doi-d, an<l he was ar-
rested atid trie<l at Manchester before a jury selected
for this special case. The jury failed to agree, seven,
it is said, voting for acquittal and five for conviction.
The able counsel tnr the prisoner, Hon. Charles l?urns.
very pointedly remarked in his plea before the jurj",
"' The prisoner wits soon to appear before a higher tri-
bunal from which there is no appeal." This remark
has been verified. Nathan Brown expired June St,
1S85, from a stroke of j)aralysis, making no confession
or implicating himself in any way with connection
in the crime.
In conclasion wc may say Deering hits been and
always will remain an agricultural town ; but it can
be said to her credit that she h;i.s paid liabilities, in-
cluding those of the late civil war, to the amount of
more than thirty thousand dollars, raised by taxation,
and is now sulistantially out of debt.
Church History. — The liistory of the church in
Deering is so thoroughly identified and interwoven
with that of the town, es|)ecially iti the earlier portion
of the same, that it is diflicult to draw the line be-
tween them. Deering, like many of her sister-towns,
drew her first settlers from the earlier Scotch-Irish
settlements of Chester and Londonderry. Not a few
of them were born in Ireland, emigrating to the latter
towns, and then, after a .short stay, removing to settle
in Deering. They carried with them the religious
beliefs and tendencies peculiar to those people, and
no sooner had they established themselves in their
humble homes than they made provision according
to their means for having public worship. These
meetings were held in |)rivate dwellings and barns.
From three to si.x days' preaching were all the town
was able to |)ay for during the first decade in the
history of the town. The town voted in 1779 "to
settle a minister at a convenient season." No minis-
ter, however, was presented with a call for ten years
afterwards. A movement was nuide in 1780 to erect
a meeting-house. Nothing came about, however,
until 1780, when the town voted to build a house
fifty-five feet long, forty-five feet wide, two stories
high, with a convenient porch at each end. Two
years previous to this vote a dispute arose in relation
to the location of the meeting-house, the centre of the
town l)eing founil, by a committee chosen for this
purpose, alter an actual survey, to be near where the
buildings of Albert (iregg are now located. The in-
habitants of the town not being able to agree upon
this locality to set the meeting-house, it became
necessary to petition, through the selectmen, Evan
Dow and James Whitaker, the Ccneral Court for a
committee to locate the same. Captain Joseph Si-
monds, .lobn Duncan and Hobert Wallace were ai>-
pointed June 12, 1784. This committee attcndetl to
their duties, and July 5, 1784, reported as follows:
*• The Coiiiinltteo a|i|>ofiiti>(l to (Wtllo the place to Iniihl a nu'etirtK-hiiuse
in Rai<l Town ninet, and t'lwn vIowIdk the Pri>n)iHC« nml ConnMerinf;
Argunu'iilK, Ite|>orl lliut the plaro iiKrwtl on is Hunt of the centur ; uboiit
1 j R<mIh Sinith-F:aN| of Jiiriles Sheiil-er'a hoHue, on Klitelet Sterrill's lute,
nni) Hboul tlve ItoiN Sonth of the Koud thi-ouKh the Centor of Ranee'n
Itlglit, Mild pluee beln^ Murkerl, wliieli tH anhinltted by tlie ronin)itle«.
SYMUNnt*. \
U:sr,\M, >
Wallace, '
Mosri'H SvMoNns,
•John IU:j
* RoRi:in
Comitiftfy.^'
372
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The next year, 1785, the town voted to petition the
General Court to grant a tax on the non-resident
lands within the limits of their territory (many of the
proprietors or their heirs still holding large tracts
which were constantly increasing in value). This
was done through the selectmen, Nenian Aiken,
Alexander Oregg and .Samuel Anderson. An act was
passed November 4, 17S5, granting a tax of one penny
per acre on all lands, except those owned by Quaker-i.
The town vot«d in 1787 to clear the lot selected for
the meeting-house, identified as the place where the
town-house now stands, including the common above.
At the annual meeting in March, 1788, the town
voted to lay out the certificates in the hands of the
committee for underpinning the meeting-house for
lumber, etc.
"Votrd, also, that each Surveyor of highways come with all his hands
in hig Dustrict, aud work one Day fixing and laying ont the stone for
Underpiuing the Meeting-liuuse, aud that the Select Men appoint the
day for each Surveyor to work iu his warrant.
"Vote't, to liaise 40 Dollars, or twelve pounds, to be paid in Grain,
Rye at four shillings per bush., and Indian corn at three shillings per
bush., to buy Nails — the Committee for preparing for Raisiug the Meet-
ing-house to purchase the same.
At an adjourned meeting, held March 18th, the same
year, the town voted to purchase four barrels of rum
for raising the meeting-house, and the committee pro-
vide one meal of victuals for spectators on the town's
cost.
"Voted, to pay sixty DoUai's' worth of the Grain for Raising the
Meeting-house by the tirst ilay of May next, and the other hundred dol-
lars voted to be paid in (Jrain at or before the fifteenth of .\ugu6t next.
"T'ottfd, that each person leave said Grain at Lt. .\lex'. Gregg's, 5Ir.
Thomas Jlerrill's or Capt. Robert .\lcock'8,"
There not being considered a sufficient number of
men competent to assist in the raising of the meeting-
house frame within the limits of the town, invitations
were extended to the adjoining towns for help. The
call was responded to, and on the day appointed the
people of the t^>wn lussembled, together with those
invited from outside, and the body of the house
frame wa.s raised the first day without accident,
leaving the roof to be raised on tiie following day.
Those from out of town were quartered for the night
among the inhabitants, each one taking one or more
of the strangers, according to their means of accommo-
dation, and on the following day the raising of the
frame was completed. It was nol until two years
afterwards, however, I79(J, that the house was closed
in, and the pews put in, and the whole structure
placed in a .suitable condition for religious worship.
Rev. Solomon More, of New Boston, and Rev. Jon-
athan Barnes, of Hillsborough, organized the first
church in the year 17811. The Congregational form
of government was adopted. It was, as is alleged,
constituted of nine persons, all males, — live by letters
from other churches and four by profession. The
town voted to extend a call about the same time to
Rev. Mr. (iillet to settle with them at ninety pounds, as
a settlement, and sixty-five pounds as an annual salary.
The call was not accepted, and after a lapse of two
years the form of church government was changed to
Presbyterian.
The town also voted at this time to give Rev. Dan-
iel Merrill a call by a majority of two. The church
did not acquiesce in this call; but Mr. Merrill was
employed for a season to preach, and under his laburs
fifty persons were added to the church, the most of
whom were heads of families. .Vfter five years under
the Presbyterian the church returned to their original
Congregational form of government.
In 1798 the church extended a call to Rev. Chris-
topher Page to settle as minister. The town acquiesced
and voted Mr. Page seventy pounds salary and twenty-
five cords of wood, or eighty pounds exclusive of the
wood. Although Mr, Page did not accejit the call,
he preached here for a time.
For two years after Mr. Page remove<l the town
voted, respectively, one hundred and one hundred and
fifty dollars to hire preaching; but it is uncertain
whether those sums were expended for that purpose.
No steady supply of the pulpit was secured after
Mr. Page's departure until 1800, when Mr. David
Long received a call, which he did not accept, al-
though he preached a few months.
In 1801 , Rev. Mr. Sleigh was invited by the town
to become their settled minister.
The church wtus opposed to his settlement, while
the majority of the town strongly favored him.
Through the agency of certiiin ministers, it is said,
another church was formed, over which Mr. Sleigh
was installed. He continued his labors with this
church until \xo', when he was dismissed at his own
re(|Uest, and his church soon became extinct.
In the mean time the old orthodox church had kept
up its organization by having occasional preaching
and the administration of the Lord's Supper.
The town, from this time u|) to 1819, as has been
stated elsewhere, raised annually small sums of money
to hire preaching.
The year ISlit marks the date of the passage of the
Toleration .Act.
The men who labored here after the removal of Mr.
Sleigh were Rev. James Richards, afterwards a foreign
missionary. Rev. Jabez Fisher sujiplied the pulpit
for aliout five years. During his labors fifteen were
admitted to the church by profession. After his re-
moval there were only occasional and interrupted
supplies until 1829, when Rev. Eber Childs became
pastor of the church, until dismissed, by his own re-
quest, iu 1834,
Rev, Peter Holt succeeded Mr, Childs in 183.5, fon-
tinuiiig his connection with the church as pastor
until 1840.
After a period of three years Rev. William Rich-
ardson was installed. He was dismissed, at his own
request, in 1847, in consef|Uence of an affection of his
eyes He removed to Manchester, X. H,, and be-
came interested in real estate, thereby acquiring a
large property. Both he and his wife, an estimable
DEERING.
373
lady, arc deceasetl, leaving no issue. Rev. Edmund
Burt labored here two years after Mr. Richanlson's
departure.
He was succeeded by Rev.Wni. dale, who remained
three years, during which period he succeeded in or-
ganizing an academy, which ha.s been at various
times quite an ertective means of education to the
youth of the town.
Rev. .James \V. Perkins, to wh'ise article in the
"New Hampshire Churches" we are indebted for
some portions of this sketch, began his ministry with
this church in 1854. After Mr. Perkins' ministry,
which was clo.sed on account of his feeble health,
Rev. Mr. Nutting supplied the jiulpit for one year,
followed by Rev. Samuel (ierouUl in 18.')9, succeeded
by Rev. K. F. Abbot.
Rev. Morris Holman jireached to this church for
several years, and in 1877, Rev. A. B. Palmer was the
stated supply; in 1878, C. H. Taintor; no meeting in
1880; in 1881, II. C. Cowell, also in 1882; in 188:^,
Rodney ('. Cochran; in 1884, (reorge A. Dickey. The
organization of this old cliurch Inis become extinct or
nearly so.
In 1829 the old meeting-house was abandoned as a
place of worship, the orthodo.K society builiiing a
new one a few rods farther to the north, within the
limits of the common. At this time there existed
(|uite a numerous cla.ss of peoide at the easterly part
of the town — Methodists, Free-will liajjtists, etc. —
who had no place of worship. They made a propo-
sition lo the town, at a special meeting called for the
above purpose, to finish up the old house and occupy
it for public worship. The town voted to rclin(|ulsh
their right to the old housi^ and give the new society
three hundred dollars towards the expense of build-
ing a new town-house, provided the latter incurred
the remaining expenditure. This proposition would
probably have been accepted, but a new and unex-
pected opposition now aro.se. Many of the pcw-
owuers in the old house rcfuse<l to give up their right
and title, although no longer oecui>ie<l by them. The
meeting broke up with much ill-feeling on the part
of both parties, and a society was immediately formed
at East Deering, under the name and title of the
Free Salvation Society, and in December, 182!l, a
plat of land was purchased of .fames or .Vnios Pesuslee
for a church site, and the next year Mr. Heubcn Lov-
eren built, by contract, the church now standing at
East Deering, as he had the one at the Centre the
year before. For many years the Methodists and
F'ree-will Baptists hebl, alternately, meetings, anil also
the Uiiivcrsalisls, who owned a share in the bouse.
The Raptist and I'niversalist societies have become
e.xtlnct, while the Methodist .society holds regular
meetings every Sabbath, A. B. Russell being the
present pastor.
Buryingf-Grounds.— ' "n the easterly slope of Wolf
Hill, in full view from the little village of the Centre,
which it overlooks, is located the old burying-gronnd
which marks the last resting-place of many of the
first settlers of Deering. Tradition points out a sjiot
in the southeast corner of the grounds where the
skeleton of a man was discovered lying beneath a fallen
tree. An axe near by and several felled trees, inclu-
ding the one which rested on the body, indicated that
he had commenced a clearing, interrupted by the
accident through which he lost his life. The deer-
skin breeches he had worn were recognizable, but no
trace of his identity was ever found, and his remains
were interred near the place where they were found.
He was supposed to be some fugitive from justice or a
deserter from the army. It soon after occurred to the
settlei's to use this locality as a burying-place for their
dead, and on Seiitember 15, 1783, the town voted " to
give Bray Wilkins seven dollars for Clearing and fenc-
ing the graveyard according to law." This old bury-
ing-ground is full of graves, with but few headstones,
and the names of most of those interred there must be
forever unknown.
A burying-ground was laid out in the eastern part
of the town on the south end of lot No. i;i. Binge's
right. At the annual meeting in 1785 the town voted
" that Nat' Gove have four dollars and three-quarters
for clearing and fencing the same."
In 1811, .lohn Plogdon, of Weare, gave to the
town of Deering one-half an acre of land, located in
the west part of the town, by the side of the old turn-
pike, for to be used as a burying-ground, Ebenezer
Gay, David Ellingwood, Samuel Morrill, the commit-
tee chosen by the town, giving bonds to fence and
keep in repair the same forever. These conditions
have been complied with up to the present time and
the area of the original grcjunds enlarged.
In 1851 a new burying-ground was laiil out near the
church at East Deering, and which has lately been
enlarged.
In 1825 the town ])urchased of Isaac Wilkins about
one acre for a burying-ground. It is located on tlu' farm
of -Vndrew Wilkins, No. 7, in the south range. Packer's
right. These grounds were enlarged a (l'w years ago
to meet the necessities of the population in that part
of the town.
Robert Alcock, about the year 1809 or 1810, laid
out a family burying-ground near the residence of the
late Luke Otis, giving at the same time a plot of land
adjr)ining the same as a public bnrying-place, pro-
vided the town would a.ssunie the expense of fencing,
etc. The proposition was accepted, and large addi-
tions have been made to it by private enterprise, the
latter additions being utilized by the population o(
Hillsborough Bridge, one-tbinl of a mile distant.
Notices and Genealogies of the Earlier Settlers
of Deering. — .Mexamler Kobinson, Ibe lirsi settler ol'
Deering, settled on the farm now owned and occu[ded
by William T. Smith. This farm is in the south
range of Binge's right, or No. l.'{. We can find no
trace iif his family, but we learn from the town records
that he ofrere<l the town his property, provided the
374
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
latter would take care of himself and wife. The
|)roi>ositioii was not aceepted.
William Forsaith, said to be the second settler in
Dcering, came from Cheister. He settled on the lot
west of that of the David Wilson farm, which is in
the north range of the great lot or right No. 11.
He married Jane Wilson, sister of David Wilson, who
settled on the lot east of the above-described lot.
His children were, —
Marhew, who married Jenuie McClnre.
Willijiiii, who marriod Rose, from Lyrideboruugh.
Mary, who married iiiigh Mure, of Francestown.
l»r. James Fonuiith, who iimrried Xancy Foi-8nith, of *'he(*ter.
Jonathan Forsaith married Naomi ButterJield, of Gotfttown.
Thoniiuj married a ludy in Portland, Me.
Jennie married Jonathan ButterfieUI, of Goffdtown.
Esther married Uouheu Wilson, of Xew Boston.
Robert married Nancy ('aulwcll, of Henuiker.
Josiah married a lady tn Boston, Mii£8.
Sarah married Reuben Page, of Weare.
CfiUdren of Jonathan aud Xaomi Fonaith.
William Forsaith, twire married, — first to Lydia I>o\vniug ; second,
to Relophe George. Children by first marriage, — Marilla married, first,
Charle?* Codman ; second, James Richards, nf Goflstown ; Ursula married
S. I>ow Wyman. of Hillsborough. 5Ir. FoiTsailh li:w resided in Deering
during the whole of his acli\e and useful life, and, although nearly
ninety years old, still retaiuM his facuUie^i so as to relate many incidents
which took place in his early life, aud consequently in the earlier history
of the town. He relates that his gi-andfather, William Fon*aith, can-ied
a hu.shel of seed-corn on his back from Chester to bis farm in Deering,
a task that net many young men would like to undertake even on a
wager.
John married Sarah Pai-ter.
Rodney married Kli/a Curtis.
Alfred married in 3Iaine aud died there.
Naomi married David Carter.
Jane married William McFerson.
Woldend married in Maine.
Kmiline married Jeremiah Beniiet.
Jo^iah married in Elaine and removed to Pennsylvania.
ChiUlrv» of Mathetr and Jennie Forsaith.
William Foi'Sitith nuirriod Catherine Rose, of Lyndeborongh, settled in
Ale-xandria, N. H.
Mary married Hugh 3Iore, of Francestown.
David married Naucy Mills, daughter of Robert Mills.
James married Bel*iy Wilson, daughter of Alexander Wilson, who set-
tle*! the farm now occupied by William Forsaith.
Margaret married Samuel Bell.
Lucinda married Johu Wilkius.
Ziba i-emoved to New York.
f'yrus removed West.
Children of bavUl and Suncy For$aith.
Alonzo died unmarried.
David settled in Stoughton, Mass.
Sally married Horace Gruve. of Deering.
Mathcu- nuirried Klzira Wilkins.
John settled in Lowell, Miue.
Robert married Mary A. Ellsworth ; died in th*- war.
George settled in Califortiia.
James, unmarried ; rosidcH in Deering.
Sjuire married Colby ; resides in Antrim.
W*an-en lives in the West.
Horace married a daughter of John Gage; n-sides in Manchester,
N. H.
Samuel Fallen settled the farm now occui>ied by
Joseph N. Gove and George C. Patten. He bought
three adjacent lots of land — vi/,., Xos. 20. 21 and 22 —
in the south ranjre of the Atkinson right, tlie last-
numbered, lot 22, being his tirst i)urchase, and is
worthy of notice as being the earliest deed to actual
settlers found on record of land within the limits of
the town. The date of the dt-cd is April 10, 1770. It
is the only deed of land in Deering recorded in Rock-
ingham County. He married Priscilla More in Ire-
land; came to Marblehead, Mass., in 1765, his wife
joining him in 1768 with a child six yeai's old, and
removed the same year to settle on the above-
described lot.
Children of Samuel Patten.
Jonathan, burn in Ireland, married Abigal Blood.
John died unmarried.
Samuel Patten married Hannah Boi>es, or Bois, of Londonderry.
Betsy married Aaron Travis.
Polly died unmarried.
Jesse married Polly Gove ; settled in Henniker, N. H.
Children -f Jonathan nnd Abigail Patten.
Esther married Hii'am Hurd ; settled in Neport, N. H.
David married Alice Tnbbs ; settled in Hancock, N. H.
Johnathau married Pbila Hurd.
Mary married Edward Chase.
Abigail married David Wilkins.
Eliza married Rev. Ebenezer Chase.
Cliildren uf SitmnA .md Hannah Patten.
John married Mary Kimball.
Samuel married Lydia Whitaker.
Sophronia marrieti Heni-j- Codman.
Hannah died unmarried.
Eliza died unmarried.
Alonzo married Rho<la Ladd.
Melissa married Benjamin F. Gove.
f hildi-fn of Aaron and Beltty Travi*.
Priscilla married Daniel Hook.
Jesse married Sarali Lacy.
Samuel married Hannah Lacy.
Marj- married Caleb Philbrook.
Gilman married Lucretia Brown. ^
Reuben married Eunice Stearns.
children of Jonathan and Phila I'atien.
Nyrhe married Joseph Stearns, Jr.
Phila married David Chase ; settled in Henniker, N. H.
Abigail married Benjamin Martin, deceased.
Edward married JIary Conant ; removed W'eat.
Sarah married Mark Peaalee, deceased.
John removed W>st and nmrried there.
Children of John and ^fan/ Pnttcn.
George C. married Lucy A. Roper, of Francestown, N. H.
Nancy S. married John N. Currier ; settled in Itlancheeter, N. H.
Children of Alonzo Patltn.
Edwin settled iu California.
Joeeph is a physician and resides in Bethlehem, N. H.
Children of George C. and Lucy A. Patten.
William H. Patten married Velona £. Dodge.
Helen L.
Susie H. married ,\rthurS. Hood, Manchester, N. H.
XoTE. — The family of Gcorgo C. Patten art* all that remains of the
Pattens in Deering.
William McKeen, one of the first settlers of Deer-
ing, was the son of Samuel McKeen, who settled in
Amherst, N. H. His father was a brother of James
McKeen, of Londonderry, known as Justice McKeen.
The ancestor of the McKeens was James McKeen,
who lived in Ireland. He was a zealous Protestant
and took part in the defense of Londonderry. He
had three sons, — James, John and William. The
wife of John, whose name was Janet, had by him four
children, — James, Robert. Samncl and Alary. He
intended to emigrate with his brother James, but died
DEERING.
375
before the embarkation. His widow, however, with
her four children, eaiiic over with the other emigrants.
Her son Samuel, as above stated, had by his wife,
whose name was Agnes, a numerous family. William
was the sixth son, and married Ann Graham or
Grimes, a sister of Francis Grimes, one of the earlier
settlers of Deering. They had six sons and four
daughters, —
John niarrif^d .Knii Rjimsy, GnM>nfiol(l, X. H.
David nian-ieJ Nancy Feinon, Deering', N. H.
RutHTt omiricd .Sally Barium, Deering, N.ll.
William, Jr., married l.ydia lladlock, Deering, N. H.
Mofli's never marrieil.
Samuel never married.
Kuse marnC4l Clungli, Wliilefield, X. H.
Mary married WitbiuKtuu.
Betey married William McNeil, Ruckioghum, Vt.
June never marrietl.
Agnefl never married.
Children of Willioju. ./r., iiii<; li/</i.i McKteii.
Walter married Lei>nora Gould, Hilli^boroiigh, N. II.
Altiert married Vienna Paine, Helliugham, Mass.
Nathan married SiLsan Hubbard, Ciindia, N. II.
Levi marrieil Carrie MaESey, Naahua, N. H.
J. C. Dodge died young.
Sarah married \. W. Dickey, Deering, N. II.
Chilitrfn of Jtbert and Vieittta JtfeAVe*!.
Frank A. married Clara Bowers.
Suiiio A. married George II. .\ndreW8.
Marj- E. married J. N. Andrews.
CftUitreii uf Hobfrt and S'ltly McKeen.
Leonard niarricil .\ngeliDe Dickey, Deering, N. II.
Elbridge married ftnjt, Jane Colby ; second, Colby.
Adaline married (iaiusha Smith, Boston, Ma£6.
Note. — The name of McKeen has become extinct in Deering.
William and Thoma.s Aiken were two of the first
settlers of Deeriug. They were gnindsons of Edward
Aiken, who emigrated, like the MeKeens, from the
north of Ireland about the year 1722, and settled in
LonilciiKUrry. He had three sons, Nathaniel, .James
and William. Nathaniel settled on his father's farm,
and had five sons, — Edward, John, James, Thomas
and William. The two latter settled, as above stated,
in Deering. William settled the farm occupied by
the late Levi White, and Thdinas settled the lot just
west of Williiim's. William died when about lifty-
threeyearsofage. Thomasdied in IH.'il, aged eighty-two
years. He was a good mechanic; he made wheels for
spinning linen, reeds, spools; etc. His old shop is
still standing, and many of his wheels are still extant.
William and Thomas each lia<l a son John. William's
son had //'//(/ hair, while Thomas' son had ilurk hair.
To distinguish them, therefore, they were known re-
spectively, as red John and blaci John. Red .fohn
had a large family, only two of which are now living,
— Electa, widow of the late David Wilscm, of Deering,
and Joseph, who lives in Cambridge, Mass. The
names of thosedeccased wereCalvin, William, J[artha,
Relief, Luther, Harriett, Keliecea, Jane.
The children of Black .(ohn were Klniira, ( ynis,
Caroline, Ilermon, Fanny, James. Hannah, a daughter
of William Aiken, married John Gillis, of Deering, —
liis farm joined Thomas .Mken's on the west. The
children of John and Hannah Gillis were William
Aiken Gillis, Thomas, Worcester, John, David, Horace,
Hannah, who marrieil Reuben noiitwell, is now a
widow and lives in Hillsborough, N. H. Mark, .James
M. and Charles are not living.
The name of Aiken as well as Gillis is now e.\tinct
in Deering.
David Wilson settled the farm known for more than
a century as the " David Wilson place." The house
now standing on the farm was built by him in 178ti.
His children were, —
Jantes married Mary McNeil.
Betsy married John Grimes.
Jenny married Josiah Moi-se.
Nancy married Hugh bell.
Hannah married, first, Kobert Gibson ; second, James Cochran.
Sally married fii-st. Hill ; second, Dustin.
Susan married Nathan Miirdough.
David, Jr., married first, Jenny Dickey; second, 31argaret Dius-
niore.
cliildfen of David and Jenwj Wilmni.
Eliza, who died at the age of nineteen, unmarried.
Sally, who died at tile age of three.
Hannah married James Forsaith.
Sanih M. married Luther .\iken.
David F. married Klecta .\iken.
Susan married George Smart.
Mary, who died at the age of seventeen, unmaiTied.
James, who died at the age of forty-one, unmarried.
William D. married Sarah F. Chatio.
The only child of David and JIargaret Wilson was
Eliza D., married (leorge A. Ramsdell, of Nashua,
N. H.
Reuben Loveren settled the farm now occupied by
Robert P. Cressey. His father, Ebenezer Loveren, of
Kensington, purchased, in 1773 and 1774, several lots
ofland in Atkinson's right, in Deering, notably lot
25, in the north range, identified as the lot on which
the farm buildings now stand. Also, part of lot 27 —
twenty acres in tlie south range, identified as the lot
on which the farm buildings stand on the Josiah Lov-
eren jilace. Iteuben Loveren came and settled on lot
2o about the year 1777, being seventeen years of age.
He laid his camj) by the side of a large boulder
still recognizable, east of the highway leading by the
buildings half-way between the highway and Dudley
Brook. Although he died in 1815, at the early age of
fifty-five, the large house on the premi.ses, and the
massive stone fences or walls whit h cover this large
and noble (dd homestead bear witness to his industry
and energy. He married Sarah Ililliard, and Inul a
numerous family, —
Dolly marrieil David l^>^volI, of Deering.
JNilIy married Daniel Gove, of Weare.
Kbene/er married .\nnie Itowetl ; rcmovtHl to >Iedford, Mtus.
Eli/abeth married Hubert Goodale ; died tlio pn-s«nt year (1865).
Mary married Joab Patterson, of Ho|ikinton, N. II.
Reuben marrietl .Vbigatl ttarrlelt.
.\nna married I>uni<'l Ilartlutt, .tr.
Ililliaicl malTied Hannah (ioodale.
Ilnldah married Daniel SlmnnR.
Nancy nutrried Samuel F<tls<im.
CliUdrrii I'/ Htubeu ami Abiyait Liii'.-rnti.
Daniel married, llrst, Klsie Kaslinnii, of Wearo ; removed to New Il"s.
ton, where inarrie<l again, Mrs. Nancy Dodge.
376
HLSTUllV OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Reuben married Martha Whittle, of Deering ; settled at Hillsborough
IJridpe, N. II. ; dcceascJ.
Joseph H. niarried Elizabeth Whittle ; resides at HilUborotigh Bridge,
N. H.
Children of Ebeiie:er attd Annie Loveren,
Gilbert married Oleiida (.'ram, ol' Weare.
Alvah umrried Matilda Smith.
Reuben married Khene rodmiin, of HiMsborotigh.
Pavid married ; settled in Medford, 3Iass.
Nancy married Kiilmrdwon.
Abrain Gove, of Kensington, settled on the farm of
Benjamin L. Bartlett in 1774. This farm is identified
as lot '2iy, in the ncw'th range of the Atkinson right
or l<)t 14; he pnrrhased the lot settled by John
Shearer, known as the farm on which Charles F.
Gove now lives, removing there the same year. He
was a man of great energy and indii.stry, and soon
had his farm fenced with stone wall. He became a
large landholder; bnilt a large house similar to the
one on the Loveren farm adjoining. He had a
numerous family, and married Mary Xudd, of Ken-
sington.
Children of Abram and Mary Gove.
Sarah married Xathauiel Chase.
Xauna married Jones ; removed West.
Jonathan married Polly Coodule.
Abmm, Jr., married Nancy Jones.
.Samuel married Abigiiil Newman.
Mai"y died unmarried.
Betty married Moody Lakin.
Polly married Jesse Patten.
Lydia never married.
Ebenezer married Nancy Kowell.
Benjamin married Mary Wallai^e.
.letnima married Gardner Brooks.
Children of Jonathan and PoHij Gove.
Polly married Richard Manahau.
Almira married Thompson Manaban.
Jemima niarried Joseph Gerry.
Horace married Sarah Fureaith.
.Tennie niarried Giles Alcock.
Children of Samuel and Abigail Gove.
Rodney married Nancy Smith.
John married Caroline Alcock.
Joseph married Aurilla Cram.
Samuel married Harriet Newman.
Two died in infancy.
Eli/a married, tirst, William Wluttle ; second, Stephen Downing.
Sarah Ann married, first, Grecly Bartlett; secoml, John Hoyet.
Benjamin died unmarried.
Children of Benjmniu and Mary fVotre.
31ary .\nn maiTied Knoch Hadley.
Caroline married Thomas Butterfield ; settled in the West.
Maria nuirried Page ; settled in the Wesit
Benjamin F. married Melissa Patten ; settled in the West.
Hannah Jane.
Eli7al>eth.
(.'harles F. married Aurelia Wuixlswortli ; settled on the old home-
stead.
One died in infancy.
John Shearer settled the farm now owned by
Charles F. Gove, soon after Samuel Patten settled 22,
which bounds it on the west. These two lots are in
the north range of Atkinson's right, while the Alex-
ander Hogg farm (now owned by Scott Bailey, of
Weare) is in the south range of the same right, and is
lot 27. It is worthy of mention that these three lots
were measured out and sold to Samuel Patten, John
Shearer and Alexander Hogg, resi)e(tively, before the
survey of Atkinson's right had been completed and
the lots numbered. John Shearer sold his lot in
1774, as above mentioned, receiving in exchange lot
No. 26, of Abram Gove. A few years afterwards he
sold the latter lot to Samuel Shearer, his brother.
The latter built the grist-mill owned by the late
Jonathan llunnals. Samuel Dunlap operated this
mill for Samuel Shearer for several years.
Ebenezer Loveren, the brother of Reuben Loveren,
settled on the Josiah Loveren place about the same
time his brother came to Deering, in 1777. He built
the large house on the premises, still standing, and
the lot on which it is built is identified as lot No. 27
(twenty acres), in the south range of Atkinson's
right, No. 14. The land south of the buildings and
the highway which separates Atkinson's and Ringe's
great rights, or lots Nos. 13 and 14, and which be-
longs to this old homestead, is recognized as lot No.
15 in the north range of Riuge's right, while the
land belonging to the same homestead, lying west of
the lot 27 (twenty acres), is identified us lots 26 and
25 in the south range of Atkinson's right.
Ebenezer niarried Eunice Hadlock. His children
were, —
Ebenezer, Jr., born April 25, 171)2 ; died young.
John married Clarissa Richanlson ; settled on the old homeeteail.
Betty, died young.
.Sarah maixied Joshua Downing ; settled in Deering.
Benjamin niarried Esther Bartlett ; settled in Hopkinton, N. II.
t'hildren ff John and CUirisia lx>veren.
Josiah niarried, first, Asanath fJregg; second, Nancy Pealxjdy ; now
settled in Antrim, N. H.
Eunice niiirried Jacob Goiilon, of Henniker ; Bettled in Maine.
Hannah married Humphry Nicholn; settled in Maine.
Clarissa married Hiram G, Patten ; settled in Warner, N. H.
Kbeneiier married Susan Crowe ; settled in the West,
Emeline lost her life through an accident when about ten years of
age.
Alexander Gregg, the son of Hugh Gregg, who
emigrated from Ireland, settled the farm now occu-
pied by John Wallace. His buildings were located
near the great reservoir dam ; the old well and the
remains of the cellar excavations are still recogniza-
ble. He built the mill at the outlet of the pond. The
old mill has long since disappeared, but the old mill-
dam still remained until removed to make place for
the reservoir dam.
Cristie, who wa.s lK)ni in Irchim
were, —
Jane died single.
Hugh died single.
Peter C. married Mary Mills ; settled in Goshen, N. H.
Alexander died single.
James married Judith Hadlock.
Samuel married Lydia Dodge : settled on the old homestead.
.\nna nnirrivd P^noa Merrill ; tjcttlcd in Weare, N. H.
Keubeu removed West, married ; died at Monona, Iowa, in 1870.
Cfiildren of Samuel and Lydia Gregg.
Eunice married James Fulton.
James died single.
Asenitb nmrried Josiah Loveren \ settled in Deering, N. H.
Alexander Gregg married Mary
Their children
DEERING.
377
Samuel married Abby Wynmn.
Lvdia Ann Diamp<l AlniM Fairfield ; ^Itlol in Antrim, N. H.
Rebecca died ningle.
ChihlTtn of James and Judith Gre^.
CriAtie uuiiried 3Ijin' Merrill.
Lydia married Stone.
The chil'lren of Peter C. and !Mary Gregg were
l>avid, Nanry, Mary Ann, Jane, Reuben (avIio mar-
ried Catharine Gregg, of Deeriug), Robert, Samuel,
Emily, Cristie.
The brother of Alexander Gregg, Reuben Gregg,
settled on lots No. 15 and 1(5, in the north range of
big lot No. 11, the former recognizable as the
Reuben Gregg place and the latter as the Hugh
Gregg Place. He built the saw-mill and grist-mill,
which supplied the wants and needs of that part of
the town for many years. Those mills long since
disappeared.
Reuben < 'regg married, tirst, a sister of Alexander
Wilson. Their children were, —
Uui;h marri'd >tarf^n't l>ijdg»' ; settb-d the farm uf H. F. Cleveland
flot No. 1«).
TbomsA marrifd Mary Currier ; setlb-d on the Elijah Clough farm.
Mary married Page.
.Sally and lUitAy dit.*d ttingle.
Reuben, for second wife, married a Miss Houston.
Their children were, —
Nancy marriwl .foiiathan XeHniitli ; 9**ttle«l in Autrun. N. H.
Alexander married Kebecca \Vilkini<.
Harriet.
HouaUtn.
Jaiuca marrict Hannah Wbitaker ; went West.
John married It«'tsy I)<^lge ; dieil from fXpcMiiru in thf? oi>en air.
Aliltun married Peasley ; tw^ttled in Hennikcr, N. H.
Thomas Bailey settled the farm of Thomas Merrill,
usually designated as the John AVilkins farm. He
came from Weare and nuirried (unknown).
i'hiltirett of Thomna and BaUfij.
I -mart.
>:;it'>n.
David married Mary Cbu«;.
Nathan married Pbebe Pi'Uisluy.
KitoH niiirried Judiih White.
Wlllanl marri-d Itot'^y Fiitiun.
Hiram married Mary Manahiin.
L>dlH married Walker.
Mary nmrrie<l Ib^bi-rt Fiillon.
Mehilable nmrrietl .Mexander Wilson.
Xiiiiry married Stephen 3Iitnahan.
Robert Fult<in, of Francestown, married Sarah
Brown. He, in 17<S(>, bought lot No. 10, south range,
Mason's big lot No. 11, of James Graham, and in
17!*7 lot No. 11, in the same.
rhildrtn „f Hobert and tiaruh Ftiltoii.
.M.-\;in.|.i
t-iiiiiiiel riever umrriod ; he o|H-n<-d theH4>con<l store In Heering, in the
Tirjiiiiy of the I>r. Jaine« Forwiith place ; died at the remidence of hia
brother JtinieM, on the old Iiumi>-<<tead, in 184U.
Jtkuwn married Hannah Fanlkner ; Mittled on the old houioftteo*].
John.
Junnthan.
ItuUrl marrie<l Sally M'ilkfns ; (wttled in Bradford, N. H.
ChUdffi of Jnmr$ and flannah FuUoii.
ii'-lay die4l sinxle.
Jaine« nmrriiHl Eunice Gregg ; settled on the old liomesleod.
Lyman died Hingte ; settled in Baltimor«, Md.
Jennie matried John (jilUtt.
Ilobert married Mary Kicbardaon.
Curti* manied Eli/Jtbeth (Ilover.
Abiel died in infancy.
Mary die<l single.
Charles died single.
Hannah married John Heed, Naslina, N. H.
Children of Jamcn tmd Eunice Fidton.
Lvdia A.
Joeieph W. married, first, Launi A. Uarndon ; second, Lncy A. Sar-
gent.
Hannah J. married Heory Gove.
Charles married Slary A. Wilson.
' Marj' E. married Urvin G. Rowell.
Note, — The family name of Fulton is now extinct in Deering.
Ebenezer Lock, son of Ebenezer Lock and Elizabeth,
his wife, of Wolmrn, Mass., was born 1734; married
Lucy Wood.
He had three sons, — Ebenezer, Jcmathan and Ben-
jamin, — all of whom settled in Deering and died there.
Ebenezer, the father, discharged the firet gun at Lex-
ington, Mass., upon the British troops, April 19, 1775,
working away some ten minutes before a shot was
fired elsewhere by the Americans. He served through
the war as a private, and some years later joined his
sons in Deering, living with his youngest son, Ben-
jamin, and died l.sitj.
Children of Ebenezer and Lucy Loci:.
Jonathan married Liiey Itrooka, of Woburn, Maiss. During the Itevo-
hition he served the Continental anise as a nuvrin4T. Wlien he came to
Deering he settlcil on the farm now owned by Albert Hadlork. His
only daughter, Lucy Lock, married Ile/ekiah Hadlock.
Ebenezer married Slollie Piistnian, of Weare. Their childrren were
Frederic (died young), Heuben and Charles. The father served in the
Continental army and whs wounded in the knee. He died from the
effect* of this wound after some years of suffering, a pension helping him
support his fiimity. After his decease his widow removed with her two
sons, Ileiibeii and Charles, to Penii»ytvania.
Benjamin, third son of Ebenezer, was born 17(35.
He married Anna Eastman, of Weare. He enlisted
in the Continental service in 1780, at the age of fif-
teen, and served until the close of the war. The farm
finally settled upon by him is recognized as the one on
which Wm. Whitaker now lives.
children of }ivi\jnmin and Anna Lock.
Ebene/er married Sarah Itartlolt; suttlod in Leni]>8ter.
Benjamin died in childhood.
Jonathan died in cbildluKid.
Benjamin married IJetsy liartlett, of Weare.
Luther married Lydia Jotin^on, of Wfiire.
Anna died in Infancy.
ItOHWell died single.
Anna marrieil Colonel John Iturth-ti, still living.
Lucy married Solomon Itaiilett.
Children of Ebeiiezer tittd S<trah Itartiett.
Eleanor married Jomithaii Pagr, of Wean>.
Marvin murrieil Ablgitil NNilkinn, whoso only surviving child is Juiuca
F. Lock, of Dueriug, marri<>d Martha K. Chase.
Stephen Locke settled the farm now occujiied by
(lillnian Whitaker in 1784. He married Sally Hop-
kins, of Charleslown, Mass.
Childrmtf Stfjihen and Salty Lock'.
Sarah dioil single.
Stephen dlc<l young.
SusdU marrietl Mtxidy Chase, wtlled in IVcring.
378
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Nancy married Christopher Simons, of Weave, X. H.
Lucy married .loniithuii (iotnlale (,2d|, uf Deeriiig.
Stephen married Sanih Peaslee; settled on the (dd homestead.
Jantes married Keziah D. Peaslee.
Chi/ilrtn o/ Stephen and Surah Locke.
Stephen died in infancy.
Irena married Jamo«> Priest, Weare, N. H.
Sahru married (JillHTt Small, Weure, N. II.
Lewis N. married Harriet C. Kendall.
Ira D. married Asceneth Mushier.
Nancy E. married (iillniau Cluugh.
Lurinda died yonnn-
Lavina died in infancy.
ChiUlren of Jumet and Keziak D. Ix/ck«.
Levi J., still living with his guardian, J. G. Morrill.
Oliver married Mury E. Porter, settled in Weston, Ma±fi.
Andrew J. niurried Lizzie H. George.
Lncinda died young.
Lucina married Jame6 F. Ilinkley.
KlhridgeU. H. died in infancy.
Alfred married Murj* E. Muzzey.
Irene K. died young.
Keziah 51. died in infancy.
Harry D.
Uattie B.
Fred. E.
Arthur W.
Chiltlren of Amtyeiir J. and Li:::i€ H. Locke.
Chddren of At/red ami Munj E. Locke.
James Whitaker, one ol' the first settlers of Deer-
ing, left a large family with his wife Susannah Simons,
of Haverhill, Mass.
Isaac settled in Maine.
Sarah died single.
Jeams married Mary Chaso.
Susannah married Jesse Whitaker, of Weare.
JoM^jih settled in 3Iaiue.
Mary married Samuel Mc.Mister.
Peter marrie«l Sarah Alcock.
John niairied three wives, — firat, Lydia Chat»e; second, Auab Bickfurd;
third, Uuih Killom.
Bcltiedieil single.
Nehuuiiah married Phebe Bryant.
Jonathan married and settled in New York.
Children of Jttmet and Mary WhiOikir.
William C. married Sarah J. Collins.
James S. married Abigail Collins.
Charles.
Lydiadie<lin infancy.
Gilman married Lydia Xeal.
Children of Xehcntiah and Phche WhUaker.
Uirani married, first, Ellen Monroe ; second, Harriet Tattle.
David e«!ltled in Luwell, Mu.<ti.
Susannah married Samuel Osborne, Weare, N. H.
Abbiu married Duniul Biixtun, Henniker, N. H.
Aurelia, 8till living with her brother, Hiram, on the old homeBtead.
Ophelia married Monroe Blood.
ChUdren of Wdliam and Sarah J. Whitaker.
Francis.
John J. died young.
The onl}' child of James and Abigail Whitaker
living is Mary E. Whitaker.
William Chase, from Seabrook, N. H., settled the
farm south of the old burying-ground, near East Deer-
ing, being lot 14 in the south range of Ringe's
right. Through his industry and frugality he ac-
cumulated a large property. Besides his farming in-
terests, he carried on the business of a banker, loaning
money to all who gave good security. He subse-
quently settled on the farm now owned by James F.
Loek, and lived there until his death.
Children of WUliain and Ludiu ChoM.
Mary marrie<l James Whitaker.
Sally marrricd John Downing.
Lydia nmiTied John M'hitaker.
Nancy married Isaac Willkins.
Abigail married James Willkins.
Betsy, single.
Robert McFerson, of Chester, settled the farm now
owned by Augustus Wilson, recognized as No.
lo in the north range of Atkinson's right. The
date of his deed is June 2-5, 1773, fixing approxi-
mately the time of his settlement. He married Mary
Gristle, of Londonderry.
children of Robert and Mary McFer$oH.
Sarah never married.
Katherine niurried Thi.miu^Muniuugh, Acwortli, N. H.
Robfrt died young.
Thunias lUst at sea.
Nancy married David McKeen, settUnl in .\nlrini, N. H.
James Cristie married 3Iary Ik-nnet, settled in Billerica, Mass.
William married and removed West.
Note.— The fannly name is now extinct.
William McFerson, brother of Robert McFerson,
settled in the south part of the town, on the farm
known as the Witter Wilson place ; removed to
Cork (West Deering). at the foot of the Falls, so called^
and lived on the farm known as the Joe Ellingwood
place. He married Mary Blair, and they had eight
children, —
.\nna married Robert Mills.
Hannah never married.
Mary never married. i
Hugh nuirried Hannah Butterfield , settled in New York.
Robert married, tirst. Sally Wilkins; second, Sally Gr«gg ; iiettled in
New York.
Sally si'itlfd in Chaulmont, New York.
Rosanna never married.
William married Jane Forsaitli : bettled iu Clianlmont, N. Y.
The two brothers, William and Robert, fathers of
the above families, served in the campaign against
Burgoynt' ; were at the battles of Lake (leorge and
Saratoga. William was left in the woods on the
march as too sick to go on ; but his brother Robert,
found and cared for him until he recovered.
John Bartlett settled the farm now owned by
George Rartlett. He married He()7,ibath Stevens, \tL^
Chester, and removed to Deering in 1773.
Children of John and Hapziindh ii^irtleU. '^
Solomon nuirried Anna .Stevens.
John, Jr.. married RIary Simons ; settled in Weare, N. H.
Daniel married, Hrst, Abigail Stevens; second, Elinor Stevens; tbird^
Hope White. 2
Lydia married John Simons. \
Hepzibath died young.
Children of Solomon and Anna BartUlt,
Hepzibath married Jonathan Slmw.
Nancy niarriwl I'utney.
Abigail married I'utney.
Sarah married Ebenezer Lock.
Mary nutrriefl Jesse Hruwn.
John inaiTied Sarah Sanborn, settled in Sunapee, N. H. Hie fourth
Bon was the Hun. Charles H. Bartlett, of Manchester, N. H.
Solomon married, fir»t, Hannah Hadlock ; second, Lucy Lock,
£i<ther married Beojaniin Loveren.
DEERING.
379
Rebecca nmrriLMi Jewe Collins.
Gtiorgo murried Polly Siiuuiis ; settloil oii the old homestead.
Irena married Sli-plien Itowt- 11.
Greeley iiiarried Surah Ann Gove.
ChiUlrat of Daitift BartlvU.
Solomon died young.
John married Aniiu Lock.
Daniel married Auim Luveren.
Abigail marritnl Reul>eu Loveren.
Doruth, never mitrried.
Joeiah married Mary Gove.
Korenhuppuch niarrie<l Stephen Kowell.
Eiustus Harvey married Sarah Chase.
Elinor married Parker Bartlett.
Children of tieorge and PoUy Bartlett.
E[ioch II. Etartlett married Uuldah Sleeper.
iMjlomon, iiuuiarricd.
Ira, unmarried.
Children of John and Anna Jiartlvtt.
Abigail, unmarried.
Bet^amin L., unmarried.
Note. — Gt'ortc'" Hartli-tt and family, residing on the old homestead;
Bnuitus II. IJiirtlett, living on the old homestead ; Bemamin L. and Abi-
gail Bartlett, with their mother, Anna Bartlett; 31 rs. Joeiah Bartlett,
liring on the Jo»iab Bartlett farm, are the only ("Urvivors of the family
name in Peering.
John iSiinotis settled the farm owned by Bartlett
Sinums, lot 18 in the north range of Thomlinson's and
Ma.son'.s grt'iit l<jt No. 11. He married Lydia Bartlett.
Their children were, — •
Daniel married Iliilduh Loveren.
Hannah marrietl .^tephm Brown.
Bartlett married -Miuira Stuart, of Henniker.
Garvin died single, killed by lightning.
Eliza married Katoii 8leuper, FranceHtown.
Children oj haui'l mid ffulduh SimoM,
Daniel diedtiingle.
Lovilla married Davis.
Nancy Jane nmrried Mattbow Forsaith.
Children of Bartlett and Almir<x Simon$.
Gurviu died single.
Ellen iimrrlod Samuel Spraguo.
Ly<lia marrie'l Bartlett S. Brown.
Saniiul Chase, of Kensington, settled on the farm
of Alexander Wilson (deceased), in 1818. He married
E)sther Manahan, of France.^town. Their children
were, —
Mary married David Bailey.
Jonathan married Ctaritim Kimball.
Ezra marrit-d Mnry KaMtman.
fiftmuel imirrietl Lyclia llolbrook,
We|li4 married Maria Bailey.
Borah marrie<l KniatUB II. Bartlett.
Ira M. nuinied JoHephlne Leland.
Betjty .lane marrli^d Th4^)philu!4 II. Kimball.
Ezra had one son, Ezra Allen, and Samuel one,
Samuel David. Wells has two children living, —
Samuel Warren, married Virginia Hulth, and Cliarles.
Ira hiiij live children living, — Frederick, lulwin,
Roscoe, Harry and Laura.
Children o/ Jomilhnn and CUtritsa Chate.
Gbarlott M. marrlerl i'harlotto Turner.
Sarah F. married William Wllstm.
Cleora J, iiiarriu<l Henry Wallace.
Stephen K. married Martha —.
Clara Anna nmrried John Barnard.
Uionie Bell.
25
Jonathan Goodale and Stephen Goodale settled in
Bearing, the former on the farm owned by J. G.
Morril, and the latter on the farm of Lewis Goodale,
Esq. Their father, Robert Goodale, removed from
Salem, Mass., and settled in Weare, N. H, He mar-
ried, second, Mary Fowler.
children of Ilobvrt and Mari/ <."<wk/«/«.
Stephen uuuTied .'^lary Greenlcaf,
Jonathan nmrried Sarah Hadlock.
Mehituble marrieil, tinst, Young ; second, C^jrlis, Weare, N.II.
Esther.
Children o/ Stephen and Mary tioodale.
Polly marrieil Jonathan Gove ; settled in Deering.
Jonathan married Lucy Locke ; settled in X>eering.
Robert married Elizabeth Loveren ; settled on the old homestead.
Stephen married Judith Rowell ; settled in Vermont.
Mehitable married Steplien Cluuie ; settleil In Maine.
Nancy married John Corlis ; settled in Weare, N. H.
Hannah married Ililliard Loveren ; settled in Deering.
Clarisy died single.
Chihlven of Jonathan and Sarah fioodale.
Levi married Mary Howlett ; settled in Hillsborough, N. H.
Isaac dietl single.
Lydia married Jabez Morrill.
Clam married Kobert Carr ; settled in Hillsborough, N. II.
Betsy m*ried Mark Storrett.
John H. maiTied Celestia Mooney ; resides in Nashua, N. II.
John Harrison Goodale, youngest son of Jona-
than and Sarah Cioodale, was born October 2, 181ti. lie
worked on the farm till seventeen years old; prepared
for college at Newbury, Vt. ; graduated at Middletown,
Conn., in 1840, taught school at Columbus, Ga., five
years ; was editor at Manchester from August, 1848, to
Xovember, 1860; went to California in 1864; traveled
in Alaska and British Columbia in 1867; returned to
New IIami)shire in 1869; was Secretary of State in
1871-72; was superintendent of the public schools of
Nashua from 1875 to 1878, and is author of " History
of Nashua" in this volume. He has a valuable col-
lection of minerals and Indian 3tone relics- In 1848
he married Celestia S. Mooney, of Northfield, N. H.,
who died in October, 1S68. In 1871 he married
Josephine H. Atkinson, of Tilton, N. H. They have
one child, Charlotte A. Goodale, who was born May,
1875. Mr. Goodale resides at Nashua, passing the
midsummer, with his family, on a farm overlooking
Asquam Lake, in Holderness.
Children of Uohert and Elizaheth tioodale.
Fanny marrie<l Peter V, Frye ; settled in New York.
Lewis married Knima J. Whittle ; settled 4in the old homestead.
Kli/,a .\nn nntrrlud Albert Hudlock ; settled on the Jonathan Lot k
farm, in Deering.
Harriet «lied In Infancy.
Frank I*. M>ttled In Ibdyoke, Maas.
Children of Jonathan and Lucy Ooodale.
Louisa nmrrle<l Jolin D. Muzzy.
Geergt* W, married 3Inrtha L. Newton.
KIbort nmrrlerl, lirsl, Celestia T. Smith ; second, Launi A. Chandler.
lUIIianl L. married Sarah K. Tead.
Levi W. marrii'd Fmiircs E. Kidney.
James \,. dieilsinKlc.
£li/Jiheth H. nmrried Robert I) Carr.
Children of Stejdien and Judith Coodnh'.
Mary married Calvin Melcalf.
David marrh-d Klla E. Batchelder.
n
380
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Stephen married Abbie L. Myreck.
Mercy H. married A. E. Auxtin.
Clara married P. F. Stowell.
Caroline died in infancy.
Justin M. married Ellen Herbert.
Walter ¥., died in infancy.
Joshua Downing, from Henniker, settled on the
farm previously owned by the Quimbys, — lot 17, in
the north range of the Ringe right. It had been
owned by Nathaniel Chase before the Quimby
brothers purchased it, and still earlier by Nathaniel
Gove, the brother of Abram Gove. Joshua Downing
married Patience Chase, of Weare. Their children
were, —
John Downing married Sally Chase.
Joahna, Jr., married Sarah Lovert-n.
Lydia nmrried William Forsaith.
David died in childhood.
Judith died in childhooi.l.
Mary married Samuel Dunlap.
Stephen marrii'd Mrs. Eliza P. Whittle.
Uaniel died in childhood.
Nathan married Martha Chirk ; removed West.
Abial married David Gregg.
Peter married Mary A. Gntterson ; settled in M'akefield, Mass.
Thomas Merrill settled the farm now occupied by
Elbert Goodale, near the centre of the town. While
clearing and preparing his land for settlement he
boarded with Levi Hadlock, who lived at the east
part of the town, at a distance of more than two miles.
He married Lydia Abbot, of Andover, Mass.
Cliildren of Thonin>t aud J.tjdia MeniU.
Thomas A., D.D., married Eliza Allen ; settled in Middlebury, Vt.
Nathaniel married Anna WiJIkins ; settled in Deering, N. H.
Enos married Anna Gregg; settled in Weare, \. II.
John married Nancy Barnard ; settled in Weare, N. H.
Charlotte I-ucretia married Jonathan Clement ; settled in Deering.
Children of yaihaniel and Aidki Mfn-iH.
Thomas Azro died at sea ; single.
Lydia nmrried Levi H. Sleeper, Manchester, N. H.
John W. married Maria A. Holt ; settled in Cambiidgeport, Mass.
WilliamD. marrii-d Lavinia Wilson.
Maltha and Mary, twins. ^lartha manied Eben Sumner, settled in
Nashua, N. IL; 3lary married Crialy Gregg, settled in Deering, N. H.
Ohiidreu of Ehos and Anna MetrilL
Anna died single.
Charlotte Lucretia died single.
Hannah died single.
Tlwjums A. married Lucluda Wilkius ; settled in Deering, N. H.
Mary Jane died single.
Lyiha .\. died single.
Eliza Judith died single.
Benjamin Brown married Deborah Hadlock, who
was a sister of Joseph Hadlock, who at onetime lived
in Deering. Tlie former settled Lot No. 7, in the
north range of Ringc's right. He was killed by the
falling of a tree, in the prime of life, leaving a large
family of young children, viz. : Stephen, married,
first, Abigail Travis; second, Hannah Simons. By
first marriage he had Lucretia, who married Gilraan
Travis. His children by second marriage were John,
married Priscilla Atwood ; settled in Concord, N. H.
Lydia married Simon Groen.
Lewis settled in Dauvers, Majjs. ; married there.
Btiigamin settled in Dauvers, Mass. ; married thcrtw
Frank died single.
Eliza married George Iluswell, Concord, N. II.
Mercy Ann married (ieorge Young, Concord, N. H.
Bartlett S. Brown married Lydia Brown.
Almira died single.
Phebo, only daughter uf Benjamin Bn'wn, married Jnnathun Claik.
Benjamin died young.
Levi married Hannah Dow.
Jesse married, first, Mary Bartlett; second, Annie Ctdby.
Nathan married Sarah Arlin.
David niJirricd Hannah Morrill.
Childrtn of Lein and Hannah Brown.
Sylvia Ann maiTied Harrison Philbrook.
Almedia C. married Duane Brainerd, Coucord, N. H.
Mary died single.
Levi Orrin died single.
Annie died in infancy.
Sewell B.
Hannah Avis died in childhood.
Elvira died single.
Melissii D. married Charles Dunkley, Concord, N. H.
The children of Jesse and Mary Brown were :
Hiram married Martha Gove.
Albert died single.
George settled in Manchester, N. H; married there.
Giles E. married, first. Elizabeth Travis ; second, EUeu Flint. His only
child by first marriage was Jesse K., who married Leona Collins.
Samuel Brown settled on the easterly half of lot
No. 9, in Ringe's right, now known as the farm of
James F. Lock. We have no record of his family.
Hezekiah Hadlock, from Weare, N. H., settled the
westerly half of lot No. 9, in Einge's right, in 1776.
This farm may be known as the Dana Hadlock place.
He married a Miss Fogg, of Seabrook. His children
were :
Hezekiah mai'ried Lucy Lock.
Judith married James Gregg.
Children of Hezekiah and Lnnj Hadlock.
Hannah married Solomon Bartlett.
Belinda married David Rowell.
I'hebe married Jonathan Poaslee, ot Weare, N. U.
Lucy J. died single.
Judith .\nn married David P. Willkins.
Albert nmrried Kli74i Ann Goodale.
Dana B. never married.
Levi Hadlock settled on lot No. 11, in Ringe*8
right, — the farm now owned by Horace B. Cressey.
He came from Amesbury, Mass. He married a Misa
Currier, and their children were, —
Lytlia married William McKeen.
Sarah married Jonathan Gooilale.
Eunice married Ebenezer Lovercn.
Polly nmrried Ephraim Co*Imau, Hillsborough, N. IL
Hannah married Peter Codman.
Levi Jr., removed West ; died single.
Nathan married Ann Call ; settled in Bangor, Me.
Albert and Eliza Ann Hadlock had one child, —
Lucy Jane, who married Alvin Tubbs.
Robert Gove, of Weare, purchased from Jose|)h Had-
lock, in 1778, lot No. 10, in Ringe's right, fixing ap-
proximately the date of his advent into Deering.
He married Sarah Huntington and settled on the
above-named lot, adding, by j)urchase, other lands to
his liomestead. His children were, —
Hannah, who married Herod Chase ; settled on the old homestead.
John married, tirst, Sarah Dunsack ; second, Mrs, Relief Dickey.
DEERING.
381
Hul*lab B. married Jaiue^ B. Eales.
ADiiie married Amos Breed.
Herod Chase was the s(ni of Moody Chase, who
married Susau Locki-. The hitter left a hirge family,
viz. :
Stephen married, fii-yt, Nancy Kclley ; second, Meliitable Goodale.
Rht>da married Samiif 1 Palmer.
Herod ^abuve), thrice manied, — first, Haunah Gove (above) ; second,
Ur^. Caroline Gove ; third, Mrn. Iluiinah E. Varney.
HiraDi married Hanuah Wood.
CyriiM married Delia Wood.
Sarah married George Day.
Louim married twice, — Av^t, a Mr. Nelson; second, a Dnnliam.
Lovinia married a Nelson.
Judith married Mosei< Harrington.
Djivid married a Miss Call, of Wcare.
Dexter married a Mi8d Smith.
Two died in infancy, — fourteen ia all.
Joshua Folsom, fn>in Kpping, X. H., settled on the
farm occupied by the Datiforth brothers, iu the north-
easl part of the towu. He married Mary Brackenbuiy.
Children oj Junhua ayvd Mary Fohom.
Betty died at the age of fifteen years.
John married Patience Richardson ; settled in Sandwich, N. H.
Anna 8. married John Johnson ; settled in Henuiker, X. H.
Joshua nuirried Catherine Huffman ; settled in Zanesville, 0.
Samuel miirrii'd Nancy Loveren ; settled in Lowi-ll, ^lass.
Abigail nuirried Slost-s Bro« n ; settled in Hennikur, N. H.
Samh and Mary^ twins. Surah mitrriud Williuni Wallace, of Hennlker,
K. H. : Mary married Thomas Whittb.-, of Wen re, N. H.
Lyditt married .Samuel Tutlierly ; settled eventually iu Claremont, N. H.
Hannah married Bufus Tutherly ; settled in Weare, N. H.
David died at the age of twelve years.
Rachel married Daniel Alley ; settled in Henniker, X. H.
Thoinas Whittle eventually settled on the old home-
stead with Mary, hi.s wife.
Chil'lr^H of TlioinoA ami Hhr;/ Whittle.
William nuirried Kliza P. Govo ; settled in Weare, N. H.
Tht^mari Parker married Mi's. Almira Lock; settled in Ueuuiker, N. U.
Jobhua F. married, firtil, Amanda itoby ; second, Mrs. Sarah C. Wal-
lace ; settled as a physician in Na/tluia, N. H.
David F. nuirried Charlott*.* Nichols ; settled iu Hillsborough, N. H.
Hannah married ('harles Farnsworth.
Martha A. mivrrieU Keuben Lovoroii ; settled at Hillsborough Bridge,
H. H.
Mary K. married Joseph Loveren ; Bottled at Hillsborough Bridge,
K. H.'
Epima J. married Lewis Goodall ; settled in Deering, N. H.
XoTE. — Thi> name of Folsom, as welt as Whittle, has become extinct in
Deering.
Amos Chase, from Seabrook, settled the farm now
occu]>ied by Henry Ashby. He married Elizabeth
Kimball, of Hopkinton. By this issue he had seven
children, —
John married Sarah Hanson, of Weare ; settled the farm now occupied
bj'Juhn Orough.
Mary marri)Ml Nathaniel Wbitcbcr, of 3Iaino.
E^lwanl married Mary I'atten ; settled on Iho old homestead.
Rhu'la married Samuel Straw, of Hopkinton.
Dolly maiTied Abraiii Duw, Seabrook.
Rachel married Kuoch Gove, of Wuaro.
Lizzie married Elisha Fr^-e. Sandwich.
Chiitiren »/ John and Sarah Cha*$.
< ►tin married I'hebo Willard.
\mon iiiiirriL'd Mary HiinsiiU, Weare.
Ivlward married Sarah Uhaj*e.
Winstow married Hannah Dow.
James uud Moses were twins.
Janice marricil Maria Thomson.
Moses married Martha Blood.
Charles married Kunice Thompson.
David [Married Lydia A. Clmae.
David WiUi drowned when eight years of age.
H4idney died iu infancy.
Children of Edward and Mary Chase.
Kliza married, first, Daniel G. Dow ; second, W'illiam B. Walker.
• Kdward died in infancy.
.\nn H. married Samuel H. Jones,
David I', married Phila Patten.
Mary, single.
Childvenof Daniel G. and Eliza Dow.
Harriet married Lawrence Keiley.
Amos C. married Sarah J. NichoLs.
Daniel G. nuirried Jennie Raymond.
Kilward C. married, firet, Roaniia Chase ; second, KinilyA. Webber.
AnnC. Dow married Gilbert P. IJill.
Eliza was the only child of Williiuu 13. and Eliza
Walker.
Humphrey Peasley settled the farm now occupied
by Rodney Gove. He came from Amesbury, I\Iass.,
in 1782, and bought lot No. 15 in the south range of
the great Wibird lot No. 15. This lot is identical
with the one on which the buildings of Rodney Gove
now stand. Two years afterwards he purchased lot
No. 16, just east of the above-described lot. These
two lots, of one hundred acres each, comprised the
old Peasley homestead. He married Phebe Dow, of
Weare, built a large house on the premises, whiih has
been remodeled to the form of the one now standing,
as mentioned above. He subsequently, with his son
Jonathan, built a saw-mill, located on Patten's Brook,
running through lot No. 15, about one hundred rods
below the mill of William H. Patten, as it now stands.
It has long since disappeared.
( 'hildreit of Humphrey and Phrhe Peasley.
Jonathan married Sallic Hook.
Kesiali married Abram Chaao.
Nancy died single.
Stephen died single.
.\braham marrio<l Kliza Alcock ; settled in ^Lmchester, N. H.
Eliza died single.
Humpliroy nuiriied, firet, Abigail Atwood ; second, Bot^y Brown.
Mary married Dudley ('iuiKe,
Phebe married Nathan Bailey.
llumi>lirey is still living in Deering, and Phebe,
who resides in Manchester, N. H.
Bray Wilkins settled on the Timothy Matthews
farm, on the south side of Wolf Hill, near the old
burying-ground. He married a Mrs. Blanchard.
CJtildren of liraij and Lucy Wilkiua.
Lucy died unmarried.
Sally married llnhert Fulton.
Anna married, firxt, Nathaniel Morrill ; second, Stophen Carr,
Betty married Joseph ivimliall.
Behi'cca marrietl Alexander Gregg.
David married Abigail I'atten.
[siuic married Nancy (')uu«u.
JameH marrloil, fiixt, Abigail Chase ; second, — .
John married Lucinda Forsaith.
Timothy Matthews, who married Betsy Huntington,
lived on this old Wilkins homestead for many years
after the death of Bray Wilkins and the removal of
the hitter's son James to Henniker. In his old age
382
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUiNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
he removed with his wife, leaving no issue, to Hen-
niker, and tlie i)uildiugs on this old homestead have
long since disappeared.
Adam Manahau settled on lot No. 14, in the south
range of Thonilinson and Mason's great lot No. 11,—
the Ephraim Fuller place. He married twice. By
first marriage he had :
John.
Kiclianl married Polly Gove.
William married Blary Bowers.
Jowpli.
By second marriage:
Mary married — Bailey.
Elvira married Solomon Bailey.
Stephen married Nancy Bailey (above).
TbompsoD married Almira Gove.
Mark Valentine, by profession a physician, removed Went.
Andrew Aiken settled on the farm occupied by
Carlton Clement.
VhUJrm of Andrea Aiken and Margaret Aiken.
27, south range of Atkinson's right. He married
. Their children were, —
Uogij.
Elizabeth.
Mary.
Margaret.
James.
Margaret Aiken was boru in 1783, and was widely
known as "Peggy" throughout Hillsborough County.
She died at an advanced age at the Wilton County
farm a i'ew years ago.
Samuel and William Anderson settled on farms
adjoining. They acquired their title to their land in
1794. Samuel bought, at the vendue sale of the land
of Thomas Packer, Esq., deceiised, lot No. 3, in the
north range of Packer's right, and the same year sold
to William .Vnderson the same lot No. 3, which wa.s
bounded on the east by land of Jonathan Locke,
identified as the farm on which Albert Hadlock now
lives.
William Anderson married Margaret Clark. His
children were, —
Margaret maiTied Craig Muzzcy, of Wcare, who settled on the old
.\nderson liomestead.
Eliza married Itouben Lovoren as a second wife.
Children of Craig and Margaret Mtazeij.
Mary Eliza married Alfred Locke.
William married Mary Griffln ; settled in Somerville, MaM.
Martha married Horace Creasey.
Sarah.
Dimond died young.
Ervin.
William Codinan settled on lot 12 in Wibird's
right. No. 15, in 1778. He was the first pliysician in
town to practice his profession, which he did for many
vears. He died in 1811. His children with his wife
Mary were, —
Henry marriid Sophnmia Patten.
Peter married .
Charles married Mahala Atwood.
Abbie.
Alexander Hogg settled the farm owned by Scott
Bailev, of Weare. The date of his deed is 1771, — lot
^VilliaIn Hogg married .\nria Follansbee.
.Samuel Hogg.
A daughter married a Pettiugill.
Children of William ami Ann
.Jonathan married Rebecca Hogg.
Priscilla married Benjamin Colby.
William died single.
Mary married Jonathan Kelley.
Sarah died single.
Benjamin married Catherine Blood. f
Follansbee married Susan McCoy.
Lucy married Moses Chase as a second wife.
John removed to Haverhill, MaJS.
Thomas Hogg, George Hogg and Robert Hogg,
brothers of Alexander Hogg, lived in Deering at one
time, but owned no real estate as we can learn.
Thomas had one son, Samuel Dana, and a daughter.
George Hogg enlisted in the Continental army, but
soon deserted and came back to Deering, where he
managed in some way to avoid the otticers sent for his
arrest. He, together with liis family, lay upon Dud-
ley Pond for many nights in succession to elude the
officers, thereby so impairing the health of his daughter
Molly, then an infant, as to cripple her for life. The
records of the town show that liis family was a public
charge for many years. William Hogg, the son of
Alexander Hogg, enlisted in the war, and the records
show that the town voted to give .Vlexandcr Hogg,
his father, one hundred and thirty-six dollars in con-
sideration of his son's going to war. The latter drew
a pen.sion during the later period of his life. He
tauglit many of the first schools in Deering and ad-
joining towns.
Parker Nois lived at one time on No. 8, south range
of Ringe's right. He was thrice married, the last
time to Dorcas McCoy. He had a large family.
Among the rest was Russell T. Nois, who married,
first, Mary Currier; second, Sarah J. Forsaith.
Parker Nois removed to Havcrliill, his former place
of residence.
Robert Alcock settled on lot No. 9, in the south
range of Wibird's great share or right. No. 15. The
date of his deed is June 7, 177(). He was engaged in ■
mercantile business in London, where he was born ;
afterwards in Marblehead or Salem, Mass. ; from
thence he removed to Weare, N. H., where, remaining
only a short time, he removed to Deering. He opened
the first store, located on his farm, as above de-
scribed. This farm may be identified as tlie Nathaniel
Coll)y place. He served as town clerk and selectman
for many years, and was chosen representative by the
town from 17il4 to 1805, — eleven consecutive years.
He was then chosen Senator from his district (N'o. 8)
for a term of years; afterwards appointed to the office
of judge of the court for the county of Hillsborough,
which office he held until disqualified by age. As a.
member of the church and a citizen of the town, in
a private and public capacity, no man ever more drew
the confidence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen.
DEERING
383
He married, first, Elizabeth Marong; second, Eliza-
beth Currier; third, Mary Currier. Children were, —
Maosil married, tinst, Lxxcy ItradfonI ; second, unkiiowu,
Robert nian-ied, first, a siater of Peter Codmau ; second, a Mi*
Blainer ; third, a Miso GruDt.
Klizabeth.
John married Mattie Shearer.
James married, tirat, I'uIIy Stuart ; second, a Mre. Taylor.
Benjamin marrieiJ, tirr^t, a Miss Page ; second, unknown.
J'jeeph marrie*! Lury Hulwon.
Samuel marriL'd Beti^y Chadwick.
William married, fii-t<t, Huth Gerry; second, JuiliCli Colby ; third,
Theresa lluwe.
Betsy marrit:d u Tennunt.
Nancy married Samuel Kimball.
Ijalty married a (.ioodwin.
Ann.
Two die<l in infan'-y.
Cfii/Jr^n ./ M-msil -mi Luc;, Alcock.
Mansil married Lucy Ituuon.
Cyrua divd single. '
Clam married John Tan'ly.
Timothy and Itobert, twins. Timothy miirrie<l Kato Howe; Kobert
died sinKle.
Luke married Maliala White.
John and Lury, twins. John niiirrted Hannah Baldwin ; Lucy mar-
ried Juuathun Ellsworth.
bally married Peter Whituker.
Baxt<-r married .
Alver difd single.
Frederick married Kliza Putney.
C'hif'treti of Rohett and jirst wife.
William.
Betdy married Jonathan Danforth.
Kuth married Peter Cudman.
Grace died single.
Btf Kcoud vife.
R'>bert married, first, Clarissa Flanders; second, Mary Tarleton.
Stephen marrii''). firnt, Sally WiUon ; second, a Mits Pope.
Christopher married u Bliss Flanders.
Children of Jnmea and Polly Alcock.
Nancy married Paniul Brown.
H.;nry married Charlotto Cheney.
Jamei M. married Caroline McCoy.
SIdry nmrrieil Freeman I>oW.
Aura marrifd William Freni'h.
Clarissa marrieiJ Joel Hullard.
Charltffl marrifd Nanry J. Parker.
Joseph's children were Eibridge, Harriet, Joseph.
8amuer.s children were, —
Man)ny, Mamny.— both died In cliildhood.
Kll/jil>eth mnrried Milton McCoy.
Ira .V. marrlinl Jusett« (Alcock) .\pplcton.
William'!* children were, —
Witlium H. married AIniira ,\. Smiley.
it't tecond \c\fe.
TwoiIle.I In inf.incy.
Ora married .lohn Kllingwrtod.
Marriut married liideun Putce.
Jane marrle<l Wil^jn Ciimphfll.
Bit third irife.
Irene, unmarried.
Cyrus 11. nmrrie*! a Miss Itruwn.
N'TE.— Tliede8c>>ndantMnr Uobert Alt (H;k,nn>l<tr various names, arostill
the most ntimenMis in Deering of any of the first wtderM nf the town.
Caleb Whitaker, the son of William Wliitaker, of
Weare, settled with his fatlur on lot No. 20, in
Ringe'a right, identified as the farm of Russell Tubhs
and that of the late Wheeler liarnes. He married
Mrs. Xaney AVhite. His children were, — I
Hannah married Jamos Grogg. '
Lydia married Samnel Patten.
Boxiuna nuin'ied (Unirge Smart,
l>aniel married Hannah Blodgett.
JtTSOph Wheeler died in childhood.
Charlotte married — — — .
William White married Xancy Mathis, who mar-
ried, second, Caleb Whitaker, above. Children of
William and Nancy White were, —
Nancy married Levi Brown.
Aaron marrie<l Louisa Cram.
William married Mary Wilson.
James married Lovinia Clough.
Judith married Knos Bailey.
Mahula married Luke Otis.
John Morrill served in the Continental army as a
private soldier. It is not known from what town or
precinct he enlisted; but after the close of the war,
or the expiration of his term of service, he married
Abigail Knight, of Atkinson, and after a short term
of residence in Hillsborough removed to Deeriug,
where he spent the remainder of his life, dwelling in
various localities, finally with his son Joseph on the
farm known us the Frank Gould place. The
writer, when a boy, often lieard him speak of his ex-
periences in the war, espeeially of being in the battle
of White Plains, so bloody and disastrous to the
American army, alleging that his " right and left-hand
men" were killed <luring the engagement. He also
spoke of seeing General Washington, for whom he
was detailed at one time as a servant or waiter, being
at tiiat time less than seventeen years of age.
He had seven children, —
Joseph married Catliorine Smith.
Samuel married Rachel Sprague. Ue uulUted in the War of 1812 an
a soldier, and died from disease.
Mary nmrried .loel Heath.
Sarah married William ileatli.
vVblgail nuirried Klijali Thurson.
Hanmih nmrrietl David Brown.
John married ; settled in Boorfleld, N. H.
Isaac Smith, the son of Ichabod Smith, married
Nancy Codman, and eventually settled on the
southerly half of Xo, 12, in Wibird's right, No. 15,
His children were, —
Isaac married Amelia Stevens.
Catherine married Josc'ph 9Iorril.
Bene married a Jones.
Agnes iiuirried William Campbell.
Hcnr}' nuirried Mary Tuton.
Turner removed West.
I^>raine married Samuel GilisoD.
Jail Smith died in chiUlhood.
Princewt nuirried a Fletcher ; setthnl in Troy, N. Y.
Achasa married a Sjutuldlng ; settled in Troy, N. V.
Larnaril married a Vermont lady ; settled In St. Clutr, Mich.
The chiblren of Isaac and Amelia Smith were, —
Matilda married Alvah Lovorun.
Nancy S. married Robert Tuton.
William T. married Mary Ann Moigitn.
Calvin S. marrietl .Maria 1
Isiuu' married JtMephi no Whittle.
?>ther married Adiim IMckey.
Fmnclsf;. marrleil Mary .\. Peawley.
ThereHu married, first, Williaiu Plckey ; second, T>eacon Cliristle, of
New Hiwton ; third. John McfVllom, Mont Vonion.
Ellen M. died In childhood.
George D. nuirried Margaret ' ■ ■■.
384
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Nathaniel Colby bought the farm settled by Robert
Alcock, removing there from Hopkinton. He mar-
ried, first, Patty Muzzey ; second, Mary McKeen.
Children by first marriage were, —
John (lied unmarried.
Eli/aboth uiarried Frank RuHeclI ; live West.
Nancy married Klbridge JlcKeen.
Hf/ $fcond wife.
Eben married Ella Gove.
Elbridge.
Lucy.
Daniel, brother of Nathaniel, married, first, a Miss
Kmery; second, Lucy Cowcn. Children by first wife
were, —
Belinda married Richard Cement.
Pamelia died single.
Charles died in the Civil War.
Two girls died in infancy.
Squiers.
Samuel removed West.
Diana.
Joseph Kimball, of Weare, first settled on lot No.
2.3, sonth range of Atkinson's right. He afterwards
purcha.sed the reservation given to the first settled
minister,^ when Mr. Sleigh, the incumljent, re-
moved to New York. This reservation is located in
the northerly part of No. 6, north range of Packer's
right, and is the farm now occupied by Mr. Fulton.
He married Betsy Wilkins. Their only child was
Eliza, married Francis Jlitchell. The children of
Francis and Eliza Mitchell were Charles (married
Mahala Coburn), Sarah (married, first, Augustus
Wilkins; second, Francis F. Fulton), James (married
Almira Twist), Joseph (married Alice Barnes), George
(died in the Civil War as a soldier), Albert B. (died
single). Francis Mitchell, for second wife, married
Mrs. Charlotte Jaqueth.
Silas Parker Barnes (or Barron, as it was once
called) was the father of the Barnes families or races
described below. He emigrated from England. His
children were, —
B«ixjamiu settled on Alexander Bobinson's farm, after Hie latter de-
ceased.
Samuel Barnes married .Sally Lund,
•Sally married Itobert McKeen.
Alice, single.
Wheeler nud Hannah, twins. Wheeler married Nancy Gay ; Hannah
married Charles Craft.
Silas married Oliver Chatman.
Bodney died single.
Mary E. married Samuel Cutler.
.lohn married Clarissa Grover.
Harriet niiirried Charles Martin.
Children oj Mlteeter and Xanci/ IUtmei>.
Climenia died single.
George niarritKl Carrie Spencer.
Sarah married George King.
Charles married Nelly A. Collins.
Mary niaiTie<l Peter Itunirill.
Edward died in the- Civil War from disease contracted while a soldier.
Frank married unknown.
John married Ann Wilson.
the latter mar-
' Lot 2(i, Binge's right : a small |Kjrtiun of No. C, north range, Packer's
right, was included in this resen-ation.
Children of John mtd Claries<i Ilarttes.
.\lice M. married Joseph Mitchell.
King F. died in childhood.
Willie and Hattie were twins, — the former is single;
ried John Glosson.
Horace married 3Iary Nelson.
Moses Codman married, first, Jennie Wallace ;
second, Betsy Bennett; third, Jane Ross. He settled
on lot 13, Wibird's right. No. 15, afterwards removed
to West Deering. His children by first wife were, —
William W. married Dorcas ^lillen.
John married Hannah Codman.
By second wife he had,—
Lucy married Horace Ferson.
Nathan married Hannah Crees.
William and Dorcas' children were, —
3Iendall M. married Mal'garet Forsaith.
Charles H. married Addie C. .Mills.
Evan Dow and his brother, Stephen Dow, settled
near the centre of the town, in Ringe's right. Their
father. Captain Reuben Dow, of Hollis, after the bat-
tle of Lexington, raised a company of soldiers from
Hollis and Pei)perill, marched to Bunker Hill and
brought away from the field on that eventful day a
bullet in his ankle. The bullet, which was extracted,
is still preserved ; but the effects of the wound are
said to have eventually caused or hastened his demise.
He had three .sons, Daniel, Stephen and Evan.
Childrai of Sleplirii, who innn-ied Abi{/ail Jetreit, of Ho'.lif.
Lois married Cristie Duncan, of Hancock, N. H.
Stephen married Hall, of Groton, Mass. ; settled in Weston, Vt.
Hannah married Spaulding ; settled in Weston, V(. ^
Nathaniel married .\imee ; settled in Hancock.
Jeremiah married Sally Eastman, and settled on the old homestead in
Hollis.
.\higail married Timothy Wyman, Jr., of Hillsborough, N. H.
Children of Evan Dole, who married Sarnh Philbrook, of Weave, .V. H.
Sarah married Nathan Cram.
Reuben never married.
Hannah married Jonathan Cram.
Lydia married Loiel Cmm. *
Evan, Jr., married Xancy Balch, of New Boston, N. H.
Elias Hassel settled on No. 3, north range of
great lot No. 15, Richard Wibird's right. This lot is
a settler's lot, and given to Hivssel for the sura of five
shillings and the consideration of his settling on the
lot. The date of the deed is June 17, 1771. It is
identified as the (touUI farm. Hannah, who married
Samuel Morrill, and settled on the old homestead after
Hassel removed to Hillsborough, is the only child of
Elias and Mary Hassel.
James White, of Fraraingham, Mass., settled on
the farm now occupied by Henry Holton about the
year 1807. He married Susannah Flint. Their
children were, —
Sophona died single.
Blioda married Moses Roach.
James married Abigail Coburn.
.\rteniu8 married, first, Sarah Case ; second, Charlotte Burley.
Susan marrieil Joel Bixby.
Cyntha married Uinim Smith.
Eliza A. marned William Brown.
Jason married .>!ary Ca>e.
DEERING.
385
Xathan White, brother of James White, above
mentioned, was the son of John White, who settled
on the farm now occupied by David McAlister about
the year 1787. lie married Susannah Eaton. His
<4on Nathan lived on the same farm with his father
and married, tirst, Dorcas Wilson ; second, Hannah
Ordway. His children by first marriage were, —
Ann married John Sterrutt.
Dorcas nmrrit.'d Saniuet Kimbull.
Nuthan married Jaue Smith.
Mary murritHl William Matten.
His children by second marriage were, —
HarriBun nuirrie<t, first, Msthur Hurley ; secund, Amelia dlorrison.
Nancy ditxl In chi1dhiH>d.
Jlurriet married David McAliater.
L«)TiDa died iu cbildhoixl.
Nancy died in childliDod.
Luther Travis married Nancy Shearer, and settled
near the residence of John Barnes. His children
were, —
John died inwino.
Jiiiiie^ iiuirried a lady from Reading, Mass.
Levi murrie<] Amra Hull.
William married Kliza Heath.
The children of Eliza and William Travis were, — •
Liicinda married .MlK-rt Heath.
Dfxter died in the Civil War.
Giles died inHine.
Adam Dickey, from Londonderry, settled on lot
;W, south range of Kinge's right, al>out the year 1785.
He married Betsy Furgurson. Their children were, —
William married Slary Wilwon.
Jennie married David Wilson.
The children of William and Mary Wilson were, —
B«tay Jane died in chiMhood.
Alexanrlur murried Samh McKecii.
Anf;cline murriod Leonard McKoeu.
Blary married Jtiiues S. Allen.
Eliza June died 8ilif;le.
Caruline died in childhood.
Clara W. married Cuwn W'. Jlill^.
Adun married Pl^ther Smith.
Caroline died in cliildhoiMl.
William marrietl Theresa Smith.
Manduna.
Perk in".
Three died in infancy.
Rolandson Ellinwood, r)f Amherst, settled on lot
12, south range, next to the intervale lot, Packer's
right, in 17i)3. He also purchased lot 11 in the same
range, and the southerly half of lot 12 in north range
of the same right. He married Abigail Hihlrcth.
The children of Rolandson and Abigail Ellinwood
were, —
David married .\liro .\iken.
John iiiiirHcd Kntli Baker.
Aliipiil married PhlneoM W'ilkintt.
He m;'.rrie(I for second wife Eunice Nichols. Their
children were, —
CharloHiliud itinglo.
Mary .Jane married Denjandn Nickerson.
Eliza married J<wi-ph N'ickorson.
David married a >Iisa Stetson.
Harriet L. marrieil U.Mlncy Wilkins.
John and Ruth EHinwood's children were, —
John B. married, firet, Lcuora Alcock ; second, Kvatine Page.
Jumes S. married Rachel G. Turner.
Mary died in childlioixl.
Abi^iil died in childhood.
Ruth S. married Luther Cheney.
C7iiWreii of James S. 'ind U'lrhel '.'. EUimrcoit.
Frank P. married Maria P. bartlett.
Man.- S.
Flora J.
Clara £. married Myron E. JohnK>n.
Sarah Lyzzie.
Clark S.
Scott L.
XoTE. — The latter family are all of the name that reside in Dcering.
Joseph, sou of Rolandson and Abigail Ellinwood,
settled on or near. No. 1, Thomlinson's moiety in big
lot No. 11. His cliildren were, —
Nancy married a Mr, Long.
Hattie married John llnrbank.
Joseph settled in Grafton.
Phineari settled in California,
Kunice removed West.
Abbie married a Mr. Walker.
Horace died a soldier iu the Civil War.
Slary Ann married Cliarles Joy.
Joseph Dow, from G(>ffstown, settled on or near the
intervale lot iu Riiige's right. He married Mary
Wells, an<l their cliildren were, —
Joseph died in childhood.
Benjamin died single.
Daniel died in childtioud.
Roxannadieil in childhood.
David married Lucretia Alcock.
Sarah married James Itoss.
Freeman married ^liiry Alcock.
Lynmn married, first, Eliza Wood ; second, Esther Iladley.
Ilinim died single.
Parker Morse settled on the farm just north of
Thomas Merrill's, known as the J<din Wilkins place.
No. 13, in Thomlinson's moiety of big lot No. 11.
Parker Morse had the following children by Love, his
wife : Parker, Lovy, Joseph, Josiah, Samuel, De-
liverance, Mary and Sarah.
Francis (rraham, or (Jrimcs, from Londonderry,
settled- lot o, Wibird's right, No. l^. He married
Sarah Cocliran.
Cfiilttren of Frnncis tnul Sicu/j fwrimes.
John maiTied Betsy Wilson.
James married Jane (ifflln.
Ctiildren of John und littsy (Irimet.
Ilimui marricnl Clarissa Forsaith,
Jane married James Itutler.
SiiKitn married Alden Walker.
Fnincis niarrie*!, flrnt, >Liry Chiuc ; second, Luclnda Et(lc8lon.
David \V. married, fin^t, Harriet Tnltlo ; sectmd, Elluilieth Jones.
Sarah C. never itiarried
Janios W. imirried Kli/ji)>eth Ncally. He graduated at college; studied
law; removed to Iowa; became Governor uf (he State; afterwunls
Ciiited States Senator ; died a few yoani ago, leaving a large pn>{>«-rty.
Timothy Wyman married Elizabeth Shattiuk, and
settled in Hollis, !iut renmved lo Deering jiimui the
year 1777 or 1778. His ciiildren with Elizabeth.
his wife, were, —
386
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Timothy inarrieil Abigail Dow (see Stephen Dow).
Nathun settled in Venuont ; was thrice married, — first, to u Miss
i^tuart ; second, unknown ; third, Patty Howard.
Elizabeth married Jvm& Kmery.
Kbenezer married, tirst, Slehitable Clement ; second, BeUy Stanly.
Sybil married Jonathan Sargent.
Reuben married Rhoda Hurtwell.
Abel tlied young.
Salty married Josiah Killom.
Polly, twin with Sally, married Isaac Merrill.
Hannah married .lolui Smith.
Daniel married Louisa Muore.
CJiildren of Timothy and Abigail Wijman.
Lot died young.
Stephen Dow married Ursula Forsaith.
The children of Ebenezer and Betsy Wyman were
Elizabeth, Mehitable, John S., Charles, Daniel (died
young), Abigail Dow, Daniel, Almira, Almena,
and Moses.
Tlie children of Daniel and Louisa Wyman were
Squiers Clement, Louisa Maria, Ann Sophia, Laura
Fidelia, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, and
Loella Matilda.
Charles Butrick, from Concord, Mass., settled on
the Robert Mills place, at the head of the falls, so
called. He married, first, Betsy Blake. Their chil-
dren were,—
Charles married Lucinda Whitconib.
Olvin married Loisa Sweetser.
Ellas B. ditjil young.
Samuel married, first, a Miss Sweetser ; second, a Miss Fuller.
Otis married Julia A. Blood.
Edward married Leuora J. Bryant.
John B. nuirried, tiret, Maria Bixby ; second, a Miss Barker ; third,
Martha Barker.
He married for second wife Achsa Waugh ; their
children were,^
Betsy (lied single.
Rol»ert W.
Uriah II. di^^d in rhildbood.
Danbridge married ^lartha Buniford.
William Waugh, from Londonderry, married Sun-
nah Walker. Their children were, —
Nancy married Benjamin Masterman.
Rebecca married Joseph Stevens.
Susannah married .
JoHeph married, tirst, Sally Kendall ; --econd, Fanny Down. ■
Achsa married Charles Buti'ick.
Robert died single.
Ezra Fisher settled the farm now occupied by Luther
Cheney. He married a Miss Bixby, of Fraucestowu;
their children were, —
Giles married a Miss Campbell.
William died young.
Ezra died single.
The brother of John Bartlett, Jacob, settled lot 20
in Thomlinson's right. Jacob Bartlett married a
Miss Sargent, and had the following children :
Sarah married Benjamin GilUngham.
Ste|d»on married Phelm Whltaker.
.\bigal married Samuel Batch.
Josliua married Patty Chase.
Jacob married Catherine Hall.
Martha nuirried Jonathan Gove.
Ilurinah diedeingle.
.Mice died single.
Betsy married Manly Peasley.
Fanny married Gillimau George.
Children of (Stephen and 1 htbe Baytiett.
Phebe died single.
Relief married Willard Cory.
Alniira married Elijah Mason.
Hannah.
Parker Bartlett married Eleanor Bartlett.
Fanny married Hugh Craig.
Stephen married Edna Craig.
Oliver H. P. married Loisa Moi^e.
Children of Parker and Elennor Bartlett.
Rotheous E. married Emma J. Merril.
Rosilla A. married Parker Craig.
EtaatuB H. married Jennie Orne.
Ai married .\llie Jones.
Sarah married Edwin Rice.
Hezekiah Wilkins settled on lot No. 7, south of
Packer's right, Xo. 12, about the year 1800. He
married Margaret Armor. Children were, —
Gawn died single.
Polly married Benjamin Huntington. |
.Sally married Robert McFerson. I
Isaac married Roxaiina Eaton. |
Rodney married Harriet Ellingwood.
Andrew removed West.
Phineas Wilkins settled on No. 8, just west of No.
7, above described. He married Abigail Ellingwood.
Children were, —
Louisa married Benjamin Roberta.
Nathan.
James Eaton settled lot S>, just west of 8, above.
He married, first, a Miss McClure; second, unknown.
The children by first wife were John, David, Samuel,
James, Isaac, William; one son lost his life by the
accidental discharge of a gun, Polly (married David
Bass), Roxanna (married Isaac Wilkins). Children
of Isaac and Roxanna Wilkins were, —
Gawn died in childhood, m
Lucinda marrie<I Sewell Packbanl. W
3Ia|vina married William Forsaith. M
El/ira married Mathew Forsaith. S
Andrew A. married Calista Goodhue. ■
Augustus married Sarah Mitchell.
France? married Charles J. Taft.
Carleton Clement settled on lot No. 11, Wibird's
right, after Andrew Aiken. He married Kesiah
Dow. Their children were, —
Jonathan D. married, first, Charlotte L. Merrill ; secoml. Cynthia J.
Hanson.
S'lniei-s S. married Hannah Gage.
Richard married, first, Nancy Hutchins ; second, Belinda Colby.
K«siah D. married Adam Dickey.
The brothers of Carleton Clement were Samuel,
who married Sarah Buntin, and Richard, who married
Mrs. Carleton Clement.
The children of Jonathan and Charlotte were, —
Charlotte married Horace Gould.
Jonathan Dow married Vienna Dickey.
By second marriage he had one child, — Moses H.,
who married, first, Ora Dow; second, Eliza Dow.
Children of Squiers and Hannah were, —
Carleton married Mary G. Cometock.
Charles H. married Anna Preston.
DEERING.
387
Benjamin BuUard, from Oakham, Mass., settled on
the Newman farm (now in Bennington) in 1816. He
married Ruth Woodice. Their children were, —
Bftgniiiin dieil hi cliiMli<>tHl.
Cyiitha niarriff] John Purkor.
Riilh marrit^l Anion Wliitumore.
Pully niarrif*! Siiniuvl Abhott.
Sally nuirrit-^I Jolin Wlijtumure.
Kliza marrifil, lirtt, Etbridgu Wilsuu ; ^CKKind, James Wilson.
Calvin inarriiHl, flnt, 3Iar>' Dtinlap ; secund, Jane Dn'sser ; third,
I^auni A. Wilrton.
Martha niarrivd Gforge Eiituii.
Itet^aniin married RitKinna Whitcomh.
Juel marric-d Clarn Alcuck.
George Sumner settled the farm known as the
Farrington place. He twice married. By first mar-
riage his children were George, Charles, William,
Eben, Tliomas, Lucy. Syl»il, Mary, John, Eben
(married Martha Merrill).
.Vsa Goodnow, from Sudbury, Mass., settled on the
farm now owned by Mrs. Wilson. He married Orril
Burnap. His children were, —
Ansa niarrieil KliTjibt-th Eutun.
IVreifl married, first, I)anicl W. Cari»enter; second, Dr. J(.>?iiah R.
J'arington ; tliird, Sanmel Wi1?^jn.
I>*'Xter died young.
Orril dit-d in childh<xxl.
Fidelia married GcKirge AV. Colby.
Russell Tubbs. from Alstead, settled on lot 22,
Ringe's right. He was a successful merchant, and
lield many places of honor and trust in the gift of
the town. He married Desire Healy, of Washington,
but left no family.
Dr. Mical Tubbs, brother of the Russell Tubbs
above mentioned, settled on lot 24. south range, of
Atkinson's right. His family with his wife Esther,
were, —
Ilirani.
Alice iiiarrii-d Duvid J'atten.
Mical married a yUas Stewart.
KImn Ij. die<l Hinglo.
RiiMell marrit-d Slary Gonlon.
Dt-flir** married Riclianl Cill<-y.
Russell Tubbs by this marriage had one son, Alvin,
wlio married Lucy .1. Iladlock.
Nathaniel (jove, brother of Abrum trove, settled on
lot 17, Ringe's right. His children with P^lizabeth, his
wife, were Daniel, Nathaniel, Jr., Peter and Enos. He
removed to Vermont about 1790.
Isaac Currier married Elizabeth Hadlock, and set-
tle^l in Deering, removing from Amesbury, Mass.
He occupied the farm known ;is the "Currier Farm"
for more than a century.
Chihiren of Inne ami KtizabtUt Uadlock.
Polly died sinKlc.
John settled In Selier, Me.
Iiaac married Kydia J. Ilivtd.
Janiea married Mary .\. Ilowlet.
Sarah married I>anii<l ('rniii.
The only one of Isaac and Lydia Currier's children
now living is John N., who married Nancy Patten;
resides in ManrlK'slt-r, N. H. The family name is
extinct in Deering.
Robert Mills, son of one of the first settlers in
Deering. is spoken of in another column. He mar-
ried twice. His second wife was Margaret Dinsmore.
Children by second wife were, —
Jamos died insane.
Adam married.
Isaac nmrried Heiwitiath Whitten.
John, William and Duvid removed West.
Nancy married Daviit Kursaith.
Adam and Lydia's children were, —
Guwn W. married f'lara Dickey.
Robert married Vanny Coburn.
Five died in infancy.
LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS FRoM 1774 TO ISSfi.
1774. — Ninian Aiken, town clerk ; Elias Ilassel, Ninian Aiken, John
Shearer, selectmen.
1775.— Ninian Aiken, town clerk ; Thomas Aiken, Robert Mills, Wil-
liam Atkcn, selectmen.
177G. — William Forsaith, town clerk ; Benjamin Bradfonl, William
Aiken, Robert Mills, selectmen.
1777. — William Foreiiith, town clerk ; James Grimes, Bond Little,
William Bradford, selectmen.
1778. — Robert Alcock, town clerk ; Robert Alcock, Joseph RobinBOD,
Samuel Preston, wieclmen.
1779.— Robert Alcock, town clerk ; Robert Alcock, Robert McFerson,
Thomas Aiken, t*electmen.
1780. — Robert Alcock, town clerk ; Ebeuezer Blood, Levi Hadlock,
Bray Wilkins, selectmen.
1781.— Ninian .\iken, town clerk ; Andrew Aiken, Nathaniel Sweot-
ser, Benjiimin Rolfe, selectmen.
1782.— William Forsaith, town clerk ; William Forsaith, William BIc-
Keen, David Wilfion. Helectmen.
17S.1. — William Foi-naith, town clerk ; Evan Dow, James Whitaker,
Abram (lOve. selectmen ; John Duncan, of Antrim, representative.
1784. — Evan Dow, town clerk ; Evan Dow, Junies Whitaker, .\lexan-
der Gre^K. stdectmen ; John Duncan, of Antrim, representative.
1785.— Evan Dow, town clerk ; Alexander Gregg, Ninian Aiken, Sam-
uel Anderson, selectmen.
17HC.— Evan Dow, town clerk ; Rol»ert .\lcock, Alexander Gregg,
James Whitaker, selectmen.
1787. — Evan Dow, town clerk ; Evan Dow. Thomas Merril, .\lexander
Crept;, selectmen.
17?<«. -Evan Dow, town clerk; Evan Dow, Robert Fulton, Reuben
Loveren, selectmen.
17K{t.— William Forsaith, town clerk; William Forsaith, Andrew
Aiken, Thomas Bailey, selectmen.
17tX).— William Forsaith, town clerk ; Joshua Folsom, Thomas Bailoj*,
Alexander Wilson, sek-clmen.
1791.— William Forsaith, town clerk ; Joshua Folsom, Evan Dow, Par-
ker Morwe, selectmen.
17i»2. — Evan Dow, town clerk ; Evan Dow, Josliua Koleom, Alexander
Gregg, m'lertmen.
M'Xi. — .\lexander Wilson, town clerk; Jamos Whitakor, .Vloxandor
CwKg (Alexander Wllwm In place of Alexander Gregg, deceased),
Ebi'DOzer Locke, soloctmon ; Joshua Folsom, represoutativo.
1704.— James Shearer, town clerk; Levi Hadlock, Jamee Whitaker,
Parker MorMC, selectmiMi ; RttlM-rt Alc4»ck, re pi-esc- illative.
mm:*. — James Shearer, town clerk; Adam Plckoy, Parker Mon*o,
JameK Whitaker, fM'h'Ctmen ; Rolwrt Alcock, representative.
ITlHi. — JanieH Shearer, lown clerk; James Slu-iirer, James Whitaker,
RolK'rt Alcock, s<'lfctmen : Uoliert Alc.K:k. n-presentative.
17'.'7.— Samuel Graves, town clerk ; Witlhim Forsaith, Robert Alcock,
James Shearer, selectmen ; RidH>rt .Mrock, representative.
1798.— James Shearer, town clerk ; Alexander Wilson, Samuel MorrU,
James Wliltaker, stdeclmen ; Robert Alcock, represenlatfve.
17Ufl. — Matliew Forsaith, lowii clerk ; Alexander Wilson, Samuel
Morril, Ja •* Whilaker, selecttiien ; Robert .\lcm-k, n-pn-sontalive.
iWMt.—Juhn CniveH, town clerk ; Nathaniel Sweet8«r, Samuel Morril,
Adam Dickey, sele^tinen ; Robert .Mcock, n-preseutallve.
iwn.— Samuel Futton, town clerk ; Robert Abock, Janie** Whitaker,
Alexander Wilson, seleclmen ; Roli^rt .\Ico<k, repreMulaiive.
1802.— Marhew Forsaith, town clerk; B.'nJ>imlri Rnlfe, James Shearer,
James Whftsker, seb^tmen ; RuImtI .M< ock, n^pnwntativo.
388
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
ISCKJ. — Miitliew Koraaith, town clerk; Beaiamin Eulfe, Ebenezer
Lovt-rcn, Sunnicl Morril, select rueii ; Robert Alrock. repn-sontiitive,
18()4. — Samuel i''iilt«.)n, town clerk ; Himjamin Itolfe, Siiiuuel Jlori'il,
Ebenezer Loveren, wolcctnien ; Robert Alcofk, n'liresentative.
18nr>.— John Alcock, town clerk ; Samuel Morril, William McKeen,
Jr., Isaac Currier, solec-tmen ; Benjaniin Uolfe. reiiivsontiitive.
ISOTi.— John Alcock, town clerk ; Robert AUock, Matliew Fon^aitll,
JanieH WhiUiker, selectmen ; Renjamiu Kolfe, n-preHentative.
1807. — ,Iohn Alcock, town clerk ; Jlathow Korsaith, James Shearer,
Willium McKeen, selectmen; Benjamin Rolfe, representative.
l«i)8. — John Alcock, town clerk; JIathew Foi-saith, William Mc-
Keen, Jr., John Alcock, selectmen.
1SU9.— ,Iohn Alcock, town clerk ; William 3IcKeeu, John Alcock,
JaineH Whitaker, selectmen ; Retijamin Rolfe, representative.
1810. — John Alcoik, town clerk ; William McKeen, John Alcock,
Samuel Folsoni, selectmen ; Benjamin Rolt'e, representative.
1811. — John Alcock, town clerk ; William SIcKeen, John Alcock,
Samuel Foleom, selectmen; Benjamin Rolfe, rejirosentative.
1812. — John Alcock, town clerk; M'illiam McKeen, John Alcock,
Thoniiui Bailey, selectmen ; Benjamin Rolfe, representative.
18i;i. — John Alcock, town clerk ; John Alcock, Thonuus Bailey, .\lex-
amler Dunlap, selectmen ; Benjamin Rolfe, representative.
1814. — John Alcock, town clerk; John Alcock, Thonuis Bailey, Alex-
ander Dunlap, selectmen ; Benjamin Rolfe, re])re8eutative.
1815. — John Alcock, town clerk ; Thomas Bailey, .Mathew Forsaith,
Kbenezer Gay, selectmen; John Alcock, representative.
1816.— .lohn Alcock, town clerk ; Mathew Forsaith, Kbenezer Gay,
William McKeen, selectmen ; John Alcock, representative.
1817.— John Alcock, town clerk ; William McKeen, Mathew Forsaith,
Samuel Folsom, selectmen ; John Alcock, representative.
1818. — William McKeen, Jr., town clerk ; Mathew Foreaith, William
McKeen, James Fulton, selectmen ; 31athew Forsaith, representjitive.
1819. — Russell Tubbs, town clerk; Ebenezer Loveren, Thomas Bailey,
Robert Gove, selectmen ; Mathew Forsaith, representative.
1820.— William McKeen, town clerk; Willium McKeen, Jr., Thomas
Bailey, Robert Gove, Jr., selectmen ; William McKeen, representative.
1821. — Russell Tubbs, town clerk; William McKeen, Jr., Thomas
Bailey, Robert Gove, .Ir , selectmen ; Russell Tubbs, representative.
1822. — Russell Tubbs, town clerk ; Thomiis Bailey, Rubert Gove, Jr.,
Benjamin Bullanl, selectmen ; Russell Tubbs, representative.
1823. — Russell Tubbs, town clerk ; Thomas Bailey, Benjamin Billiard,
Robert Goodale, selectmen ; Rnssell Tubbs, representative.
1824. — Enos Bailey, town clerk ; Robert Goodale. William 5IcKeen,
John Grimes, selectmen ; William i^IcKeen, representative,
182.''».— Enos Bailey, town clerk ; William McKt-en, John Grimes, Rob-
ert Goodale, selectmen ; William MrKeeii, representative.
182G. — Enos Bailey, town clerk ; William McKeeu, John Grimes, Rob-
ert Goodale, selectmen ; William McKeen, representative,
1827.— Willium McKeen, town clerk ; William ,'VIcKeen, .lohn Grimes,
Robert Goodale, selectmen ; William JIcKeen, representative.
1828.— William Manahan, town clerk ; Robert Goodale, Sannicl Gregg,
Williatn Dickey, Beluctuien ; William McKeen, representative.
1829.— Ruasoll Tubbs, town clerk; Samuel Gregg, Willium Dickey,
James Alcock, selectmen ; Robert Goodale, representative.
18;J0.— Russell Tubbs, town <lork ; Samuel Gregg, William Dickey,
Jidiu Wilkins, selectmen; Robert Goodale, representative.
1831.— Valentine Manahan, town clerk ; Robert Goodale, Jolin Wil-
kins, Scth Gay, selectmen ; William Manahan, rei)re8entativo.
18:J2.— Robert Goodale, Willium Manuhan. town clerks; John Wil-
kins, Seth (Jay, Samuel tJregg, selectmen ; Willium Manahun, rejiresent-
atlve.
183:i. — William Manuhun, town clerk ; Robert Goodale, William
McKeen, EboneKer Loveren, selectmen ; William Manahan, represent-
ative.
1834.— William Manuhun, town clerk; Robert Goodale, Ebenezer
Ijovereu, Seth Gay, selectmen ; Samuel Gregg, representative.
isri.^— AVilliam Manahan, town clerk; Ebene/er Li'veren, W'illiRm
Manahan, John Wilkins, selectmen ; Samuel Gregg, representative.
1830.— William Manahan, town clerk ; John Wilkins, Robert Goodale,
Ebenezer McKeen, selectmen ; Samuel Gregg, repres< nt-itive.
1h;17.— Robert Goodale, town clerk ; John Wilkins, Ebenezer R.
McKeen, Ebenezer I.overen, selectmen ; Ebenezer Loveren, represent-
ative.
ls:i8. — William Manahan, town clerk; Ebenezer Loveren, Robert
Goodale, David Foi^iilh, selectmen ; Ebenezer Loveren, representative.
1839.— William Manuhun, town clerk ; Davitl Foi*suiih, John Barllett,
Ebenezer McKeen, selectmen ; Ebenezer Loveren, representative.
1840.— William Munahan, town rlerk ; John Bartlett, Ebenezer R.
) JIcKeen, James Forsaith (2d), selectmen ; Robert Goodule, represent-
I ative.
' I8il. — William Manahan, town clerk; Ebenezer R. McKeen, James
Forsaith (2d), John Wilkins, selectmen; Robert Goodale, representative.
I 1842. — Willuim Manahan. town clerk ; Junies Forsaith, John Bartlett,
! Samuel Gregg, selectmen ; John Wilkins, representative.
1843. — William Manahan, town clerk : John Bartlett, James Fortsiith,
Samuel Gregg, selectmen ; .lohn Wilkins, representative.
1844. — Willium Slanahan, town clerk ; James Forsaith, John Bartlett,
Samuel Gregg, selectmen; William Manahan, representative.
184.'i. — M'illium Munahan, tuwn clerk ; Itobert Goodale, Daniel Wy-
nmn, Leonard McKeen, selectmen; William Manahan, representative.
l84G. — W'illiam Forsaith, town clerk; John Bartlett, James Forsaith,
Enoch Hadley, selectmen ; Robert Goodale, representative.
1847. — William Forsaith, town clerk ; Knoch Hadley, William For-
saith, Robert (Joodah-, selectmen ; James Forsaith, representative.
1848. — William Forsaith, town clerk; \\'illiam Forsaith, Enoch Had-
ley, Horace Gove, selectmen ; James Foi-sjiitli, representative.
1849. — William Forsaith, town clerk ; Horace Gove. Freeman Dow,
John Bartlett, selectmen ; William Foreaith, rei)resentative.
1850. — William Forsaith, town clerk; Horace Gove, Freeman Dow,
Bartlett Simons, selectmen ; Willium Forsaith, representative.
1851. — Williatn Forsaith, town clerk; Bartlett Simons, Enoch Hadley,
William Forsaith, selectmen ; John Bartlett, representative.
1852. — William Forsaith, town clerk; William Forsaith, Leonard
McKean, J. S. Ellinwood, selectmen ; F. Dow, representative.
IS.'iS. — William Foisaith, town clerk ; Enoch Hadley, Leonard Mc-
Kean, J. S. Ellinwood, selectmen ; F.Dow, representative.
18.14. — Russell Tubbs, town clerk ; Enoch Hadley, Bartlett Simons,
Herod Chase, selectmen ; Freeman Dow, representative.
1855. — James W. Ellsworth, town clerk ; Leonard McKean, Rodney
Wilkins, Adam Dickey (second), selectmen ; L. McKean, representative.
1856. — Cristy Gregg, town clerk ; Leonard McKean, Rodney Wilkins,
Adam Dickey (second), selectmen ; L. McKean, representative
1857. — Cristy Gregg, town clerk ; Josiah Loveren, Samuel Gregg,
J. C. Muzzy, selectmen ; John Bartlett, re])resentative.
1858. — Cristy Gregg, clerk ; J. C. JIuzzy, Horace Gove, Augustus Wil-
son, selectmen ; John Bartlett, reprcsentiitive.
185'j. — Cristy Gregg, town clerk; Homce Gove, Augustus AVilson,
Jonathan G. (,'ha.->e, selectmen ; Daniel Simons, representative.
I860. — Cristy Gregg, town clerk ; J. S. Ellinwood, Samuel H. Jones,
Isaitc Smith, selectmen ; Reuben Loveren, representative.
1861. — Lewis Goodule, town clerk ; J. S. Ellinwood, Samuel II. Jones,
Isaac Smith, selectmen ; Reuben Loveren, representative.
1862. — Horace Gove, town clerk ; Isaac Smith, S. H. Jones, Chester
A. Appleton, selectmen ; J. S. Ellinwood. representative.
1SG3. — William .\. Muzzy, town clerk ; Isaac Smith, S. H. Jones, Ches-
ter A. Appleti.n, selectmen : J. S. Ellinwood. i-epresentative.
.('1864.— Samuel Gregg, town clerk ; C. A. Appletcn, B. L. Bartlett,
Enoch H. Bartlett, selectmen ; Isaac Smitli, representative.
18G5.— Samuel Gregg, town clerk; C. A. Appleton, B. L. Bartlett,
Enoch H. Bartlett, selectmen ; Isuac Smith, representative.
1866. — Andrew J. Locke, town clerk; .Augustus Wilson, Matthew For-
saith, Sanuiel Wilson, selectmen ; C. A. .\ppleton, representative.
1867. — .\ndrew J. Locke, town clerk ; .Xugustus Wilson, Matthew F<.ir-
saith, Samuel Wilson, selectmen ; C. A. .\pplet(in, representative.
1868. — .\ndrew J. Locke, town clerk ; JIatthew Foi-saith, Hinim Brown,
R. J. Binghurii, selectmen ; Augustus Wilsun, representative,
1860. — James C. Gregg, town clerk ; 5Iattliew Forsaith, U. J. Bingham,
Dana B. Iladlock, selectmen ; Augustus Wilson, representative.
1870.- Cristy Gregg, town clerk ; B. L. Bartlett, P. B. Hadlock, S. H.
Jones, selectmen ; Matthew Forsiith, representative.
1671. — Cristy Gregg, town clerk: Samuel H. Jones, R. J. Bingham,
Andrew J. Locke, selectmen ; Matthew Forsuilh, representutive.
1872.— Alvin Tubbs, town clerk ; A. J. Lorke, Royul E. Otis, M. M.
Co<lman, selectnieti ; RiKlney J. Bingham, representative.
1873. — Henry (iove, townclerk ; J. S. Ellinw(»od, Almon Putney, J. G.
Morrill, selectmen ; Rodney J. Binghuni, representative.
1874. — M. M. Codman, townclerk; J. S. Ellinwood, Alnum I'utney,
J. G. 3Iorril!, selectmen ; Robert V. Cressy, representative.
1875. — .\lvin Tubbs, town clerk; J. S. Ellinwood, A. Putney, J. G.
Morrill, selectmen ; Robert P. Cressy, representative.
1876.—Alvin Tubbs, town clerk; R E. Otis, Harristm C. Ferrj, W. F.
Wh laker, selectmen : Dana H. Hadlock, representative.
1877.— J. G. Morrill, townclerk; R. E. Otis, Harrison C. Ferry, W-
F. Whiluker, selectmen ; Dana B. Hadlr)ck, representative.
r^77Z^ i^ ^
7/
DEERI\(^
389
1878._jr. 0. Morrill, town clerk, W. F. Wliitnker, Harrison C. Ferry,
Williuiu T. Sinilli, wli.'Cliiii'ii ; Alinoii Piitiii'V. reiTf^viilJitivo.
I»7'.".— J. <;. Morrill, town dtrk ; \V. F. Whiluker lliirrisou C. Ferry,
Williuiii T. Siiiilh, selectmeu ; Aliiioii I*utiK-y, leprvsemaiivf,
1K8(I.— Alvin Tuhbs. townrlerk ; M. Forsiiith, R. P. Cr-ssy, J. S. KUin-
wou(), wIectiiK'n ; Clmrlvs F. Gove, representHtivp.
18«1.— Alviii Tubbs, tuwnelerk ; M. Fursiiilh, R. P. Crtssy, J. S. Kllin-
woud, F>c>l«ctini-i>.
I88J.— Alviii Tubbs, town clerk ; M. Forsaith, George H. Sears, Wil-
liam II. Gilniore, selectmen ; Scott F. Dow, representative.
IHKJ.— Alviii Tiibbs, Ujwu clerk; M. Forsaitli, George U. Sears,
Cliarlert F. Gove, selectmen.
1884.— Alvjn Tubbs, town clerk ; M. Fursaith, George H. Sears,
Cliarlee F. Gove, selectmen ; Matthew Forsaitli, representative.
I»85.— Alviii Tubbs, town clerk ; M. Forsaitb, George H. Scars, Wil-
liam U. Giliiiore, selectmen.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
.TAMES (JRElii;.
The first name of" this family of whicli we have
record is Hugh ' Gregg, a Scotchman, wlio had a son,
Alexander-, who was horn Xovemher 22 (old style),
174t), and died, date unknown. He married Mary
Christie-', who w;is horn June 14 (old style), 1740,
and died Septemher 13, 1817.
The children from this union were .Jane^ born
November 29, 1774, and died September 11, 1822;
Hugh'', horn October 14, 1776, and died April 12,
185!); Peter C", horn August 20, 1778, and died in
1869; Alexander ', horn Xovemher 27, 17S0, and died
January, 1834; James', horn March 29, 1784, and
died July .5, 1811 ; SamneP, horn April 26, 1786, and
died July 13, 1849; Anna^ born August 21, 1789, and
died February 4, 1834; Ueuben ', horn May 19, 1793,
and ilie<l July 7, 1871.
SamitH', who died in Decring, N. H., married, first,
Lydia Dodge. She was born July 1.3, 1784, and died
November 8, 1826. She had six children, — ^Eunice^
born .January 21, 1812, and married Mr. James Ful-
ton, of Deering, whose portrait is to be found in this
volume; James', the subject of this sketch, who was
born August 18, 1814, and ilieil, unnuirried, February
9,1871 ; Asenath*, horn September 13. 1816, and died
September 12, IS-W; Samuel', born March 18, 1819,
and died February 3, 1879; Lydia A.', born March 6,
1822; Rebecca', born April T), 182.3, and died August
23, 18.'>0. The second wife was Mary Currier, who
ilied December 11, I8(;.").
.Another very important bniMcb nf the Gregg
family is that of Anna', who was married, in 1810, to
Knos Merrill, of J)eering, and had seven children, —
.\nna A.', born December .3, l.sil, and died August
27, 1837; Charlotte L.', born .lanuary 20, 1813, and
died April 29, 1.S61; Hannah ', horn April 20,1813,
and died July 10, 1834; Thomas A.', born March 17,
1817, is living; Mary .1. ('.', born February 27, 1819,
and died December 6, 1837; Lydia A.', born Novem-
ber 17, 182.3, and died December .30, 18(14; Eliza J.*,
born .Vugust .30, 1827, and died September 2, 18.34.
Mr. Circgg wa.'- horn in Deering, N. H. His boy-
hood was passed on his father's farm. The common
district schools of the town were attended by him.
and he early showed a fondness for hooks, and, desir-
ing better educational advantages, went to Hopkin-
ton Academy for a time, and, later, finished at Han-
cock Academy. He learned the mason's trade, and
worked at it in the summer months for several years,
and in the winter taught school in Decring and in
the adjoining towns, and was successful. Never of a
robust constitution, his health failed ; and on this
account, with a desire for out-door w^ork, he took up
book-canvassing, and, for several years, followed it
in many parts of the country, but chiefly through the
West. He was careful and ]irudent in his money
matters, and in the western country found it greatly
to his advantage to make loans on real estate, by
which means he became rich. Mr. Gregg was a
member of the Free-Soil party, entertained broad
views on religious subjects, and was liberal in his
contributions to the cause of religion. Tt was during
his travels through the country, and from his intimate
contact with the pcoi>le, that he discovered the need
of Bibles among the poorer classes, which need he
most nobly met by a gift to the American Bible So-
ciety of twenty-three thousand dollars.
Mr. Gregg died at the residence of Joseph H.
Vaught, at Shopiere, Wis., where he had nuide
his home for many years, beloved by all who knew
him, and, through the American Bible Society, his
influence will be felt for many years. The beautiful
steel portrait of Jlr. Gregg was donated by his eldest
sister, Jlrs. Fulton, of Methuen, Mass.
.rAjrics iTi-TON.
The ancestors of Mr. Fulton were Scotch-Irish, and
came to America at an early date. The first definite
record is of Robert ', of Francestown, N. H., who
was born in June, 1752. He married Sarah Brown,
who was born in .Inly, 1750. Her mother came from
Scotland and settled in Derry, N. H. linUH' had
six children, all boys, who were horn as follows:
Alexander-', born May 17, 1773; Samuel'-, born
June 4, 1775; James-, horn October 18, 1777; John",
born February 6, 1780 ; Jonathan '■, born June 25.
1782; Robert =, horn October 12, 178.5.
James- married Hannah Faulkner, .\pril 6, 1K03.
She was born .July 24, 1779, and dieil December 30,
1833. There were ten children from this union, as
follows: Betsy'', born December 30, 1803, died No-
vember 8, 1828; James •' (the subject of this sketch),
born April 3, 1806; Lynuui'', born December 6, 1807,
dieil December .30, 1879; .Ienny\ born February 27.
1810, died March 28, 1880; Kohert\ born July 2.
1H12, is living; Curtis\ born July 31, 1814, died .May
29, 1850; AbieP, born September 18, 1816, die.l in
infancy; Mary'', born November 19, 1818, died May
I(i, 1842; Charles', born January 13, 1821, died De-
390
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
cember 30, 1847; Hannah', born August 25, 1823, is
living.
Mr. Fulton was born in Deering, N. H. His
father, James ^, who first saw the light of day in the
stirring times of the Revolution, was a farmer, and
young Fulton, with his brothers, assisted in the farm-
work, and, being the oldest boy, wa.s a leader in the
work as well as the sports incident to the times.
His educational advantages were limited to such as
were obtainable in the common schools of the town,
and his attendance there was limited to a few months
in the winter season, as the summer months were
given to the usual round of farm duties. The farm
of the Fultons was one of the best to be found in
this rugged section. At the age of twenty-two he
left the old home and went into the machine-shop
of .John Smith & Co., at Andover, Mass., where he
remained three and a half years, doing general work
for a stipulated sum of money. Owing to the failing
health of his parents, Mr. Fulton returned to the
farm, and his father gave him a half-interest in it,
and he cared for them as long as they lived. Mr.
Fulton was successful as a farmer, and, December 1,
1835, married Eunice, daughter of Captain Samuel
and Lydia (Dodge) Gregg, of Deering, by which union
there were horn five children, — Lydia A.', born Sep-
tember 23, 1836 ; Joseph W.*, born September 7, 1839;
Hannah J.', born August 3, 1842, died October 30,
1881 ; Charles J.,* born December 25, 1848 ; Mary E.*,
born July 7, 1853. These children were born in
Deering.
Jweph FF.' married, fii-st, Laura A. Harnden, who
bore him two sons, — James Arthur* and Warren
Gregg', — and she died February 10, 1871. His second
wife was Lucy A. Sargent. Charles J.* married Mary
A. Wilson, who bore him two children, — .John W.* and
Charles Warren', who died August 12, 1879. Mary
E.* w!is married to Irving G. Rowell, of Weare, N. H.,
and has two children, Alice M.*, born in Manchester,
N. H., and Charles W.*, born in Sunapee, N. H.
Mr. Fulton^ was a Whig, and when the Repub-
lican party was formed he joined it, and up to the
present time has maintained its princii)les and e.\er-
cised his right of franchise in support of its candi-
dates to public office. In religious belief Mr. Fulton'
is a Congregationalist, and has always been a liberal
contributor to the support of, and a constant at-
tendant upon, public worship, and his daily life has
ever been consistent and devoted. Mr. Fulton ' held
a commission from Governor Hill as captain in the
New Hampshire militia. In 1873, his parents having
passed away, Mr. Fulton '' sold the farm in Deering
and removed to Methuen, Mass., where his two sons
had established themselves in a successful mercantile
business, and there, in a pretty cottage in the suburbs
of that lovely village, he is passing his declining years,
in company with his beloved wife, surrounded by com-
forts befitting the closing years of a successftil life.
^^y?^rZ£t/ Jy^
jtt^.M^t^^
I
I
V
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
BY REV. HAKKY BRICKKTT, M.A.
CHAPTER I.
Iiilroductiuii — Topop-apliy— Settleinonts — The Pioneore — The Capfi Bre-
ton War — The Kreuch rtinl Iiniiiiii War, lT.>M).'i — Re-settlement.
The town of Hillsboroufili lias iiuule a good record
among the towns of Hillsborougli County, to which
it has had the honor of giving its name. It is my
purpose to sicetch briefly its history. The litera-
ture of the town, the sources from which its history
may be gathered, and from whicli I sliall truly glean,
are rich in facts — in some cases scattered very widely
at random — and are as follows: I. " The Annals of
Hillsborough," by Charles James Smith, of Mont
Vernon, delivered in a lecture before the Hillsborough
Lyceum in 1841, it being the one hundredth anniver-
sary of the first settlement of tlie town, rich in
Bcattered material and full of genuine interest, show-
ing commendable accuracy of research. Mr. Smith
waa then a young man, twenty-one years of age. He
is enjoying life at home in Mont Vernon. II. A
very readable article in the first volume of the Granite
Monthly, published at Concord, from the pen of Colo-
nel Franklin H. I'ierce, of Hillsborough, a member
of the liar, recently aiipointed judge-advocate of the
Amoskeag Veterans, and United States consul to
Matun/.as, Cuba. Mr. Pierce is the nephew, name-
sake and heir of the late ex-Presideut Franklin
Pierce. III. Facts gathered and published under the
title of " Early Town Papers," by Hon. Isaac W.
Hammontl, of Concord, Deputy Secretary of State.
IV. ".Military History of New Uanijishire," by the
late Hon. Chandler E. Potter, of Hillsborough. V.
"Hi.storyof New Hampshire Churches," by Kev. R.S.
Lawrence. VI. The well-kept records of the town.
VII. "The Press of Hillsborough County," prepared by
IMward I). iJoylson, of Aiidicist, a practical printer,
an interesting and valuable history. In addition, |
I should mention the memory of aged citizens of the
town, to whose well-told tale.s of early times in Hills-
borough I have often listent^d with thrilling interest:
such a.s the late .lames Chase, Perkins Cooledge, .Ion- i
athnn (Jould, Cajitain William iJoolh and the ven-
erated school-teacher of the long ago, .Miss Clari.ssa
Stow, daughter of Deacon .Joel Stow, of Stow Moun-
tain farm.
It will apiiiar I'roiii the records that the first settlers
did good, if not the best, work. They were men and
women, too, of pluck and endurance, just the ones to
settle in what was then a wilderness infested with
what were objects of terror to women, — bears and In-
dians. Their hardy frontier life fitted the men to
become good soldiers.
In all the wars in which the nation has been in-
volved, — the Cape Breton War, from 1744 to 1746, in-
clusive ; the French and Indian War ; the War of the
American Revolution ; the War of 1812 ; the Florida
War; the war with Mexico, undertaken " to conijuer
a peace; " the War of the Rebellion, the fiercest and
bloodiest of them all, — in all these wars Hillsborough
has had a full part ; its men have fought in the field,
their blood has been shed and lives have been sacri-
ficed. Hillsborough has furnished a full share of
brave oflicers who led " to victory or to death." It
will be found that the early settlers of the town were
simple and frugal in their habits, and in their food
made free use of milk and broth. It was the day of
samp and bean porridge. The forests abounded in
wild game, — the bear, the moose and the deer. The
drumming of the partridge was heard in all directions,
and the brooks and rivers afforded i\ plentiful supply
of fish, — the trout, the perch and the salmon. Trav-
eling for the most part was on foot ; the roads were
simply bridle-paths for years, and all riding was on
horseback, often two on the same animal. The jiil-
lion was a well-known article, and one often used on
Sundays.
As it is not originality of facts, but only their dis-
covery, solution, right arrangement and clear state-
ment, that is required of a historian, I shall take well-
authenticateil facto from whatever source I nniy
be alilc without, in all cases, stating the source.
It will be my object to condense into the smallest
compass that will iillow the presentation of the most
important and interesting facts in the clearest light.
I desire to bring Hillsborough, past and present, its
original settlers, its military achievements, its topog-
raphy, the occupations of its citizetis, its corporate
itnliistries, its professions, its progres-s in .social life,
in fine, Hillsborough an<l all that concerns it, — into a
full and clear view. Very likely, alter the greatest
care in sifting facts that is possible, some things, taken
for granted because so many times repeated without
891
392
lilSTOliy OF HILLSBOllOUGH COUNTY, NE^Y IIAMPSHIIIE.
contradirtioii, may be over or understated, and at this
lai)se of time, and especially on acconiit of the dis-
appearance of several generations of actors and the
absence of well-authenticated documents, it may be
found impossible to get any nearer the truth. It has
recently been stated, on reliable authority, — of Walter
Gibson, A. B., historian of Concord, — that original
documents and records of several towns, including
Hillsborough, were known to be in existence in
1815, in the possession of one Sarson Belcher, a hatter
of Boston, deceased. Mr. Belcher was the executor
of the will of Colonel John Hill, proprietor of the
town of Hillsborough, and for whom the town was
named. It is is hoped, though not confidently ex-
l)ected, that these papers may yet be in the posses-
sion of Belcher's heirs, and may fall into the hands
of the local historians of the towns interested, viz. :
Hillsborough, Rindge, New Boston and Peterborough.
They would be of great value, whether corrobora-
tive or corrective.
Topography. — The town of Hillsborough is in the
northwest cornerof Hillsborough County. Theoriginal
grant to Colonel Hill was for a section " about six
miles square." Looking at it on a good map, it has
the appearance of having two opposite parallel sides
pressed a little together, forcing, thereby, an acute
angle against one of the sides of Sullivan County and
the town of W!ishington,in that county, and forcing a
corner of Hillsborough into that town a considerable
distance. It is bounded on the north by Washington
and Bradford, on the east by Henniker, on the south
by Deering and Antrim and on the west by Windsor
and Washington. It is in latitude 43° 5' north and
in longitude 5' 5' east. Its first line, beginning at
the southeast corner of Henniker, deflects to the
south 5° 30' from due west. The surface of the town
is greatly diversified with hill and valley, so much so
that it is popularly, though erroneously, believed
that this fact gave to the town its name of Hills-
borough. There is, however, a limited extent of
level land along the course of its streams.
Rivers. — The town is liberally, more than the aver-
age. sui)i)lied with living streams of water. The
largest of those is the Contooeook, an inii)ortant
river, that assumes the name Contooeook — an Indian
name meaning a place of crows — just as it enters
the limits of the town at the corners of Deering and
Antrim It is formed by the union of two consider-
able streams, called, respectively, the South Branch
and the North Branch, forming a union near the
corners above mentioned.
The i)rincipal stream — the South Branch — takes its
rise in the elevated swamps of Rindge, in full view
from the railroad between Peterborough and Win-
chendon. It is augmented by streams from the
eiwtern slope of the Monadnock Mountain and from
the numerous lakelets lying at its base. It is still
further increased by the drainage of Peterborough,
Greenfield in j>art, Bennington, Hancock and Stoddard
in part, so that it becomes of itself no inconsiderable
stream. But as it enters Hillsborough it is greatly
increased in quantity of water by the confluence of
the North Branch, which rises in Horse-shoe Pond,
on the west side of Lovell's Mountain, in Washing-
ton, forming Long Pond in Stoddard, flowing through
a portion of Antrim, giving its own name to a
flourishing village in the town of Antrim. Flowing
a short distance in Hillsborough, which it enters on
the south line, passing through the Lower village, it
soon receives the waters of the Hillsborough River,
so called, and the united streams join the South
Branch, and they together form the Contooeook.
The Hillsl)orough River takes its first supply from
the drainage of the eastern slope of Lovell's Moun-
tain, increased by a stream flowing from the marshy
grounds of Bradford. It runs somewhat diagonally
through the town for a distance of about seven miles.
It is increased also by the drainage of the ponds in
Windsor and from the Syniond meadows, in Hills-
borough. The stream which comes from the west
does good work in turning wheel and driving ma-
chinery at the Upper Village, in Hillsborough. The
Hillsborough River joins with the North Branch
near the foundry near the residence, for so many
years, of Major Charles D. Robbins, now of Bradford.
The Contooeook, thus formed, becomes an imi)ortant
river, bearing an unfailing supply of water, available
for industrial purposes as it flows through the Hills-
borough Bridge village, and for its size it is doubtful
if it can be surpassed by any stream in New England.
There is descent enough for all practical purposes,
and suitable locations for mills for a long distance
down the river. There is no reason in the nature of
things — except distance Irom market — why it should
not, in time, create a rival of Lawrence or Lowell.
The town is also well watered with brooks, one
plentifully supplied with the speckled trout, but
which are, for the most part, among the good things
that were, but are not. There are also three con-
siderable ponds in town, viz. : Loon, a half-mile north
of the Centre; Contention, about a mile northwest
of Loon; and Cam])bell's Pond, in the eastern part,
near the Henniker line and in the neighborhood of
Jonathan Gould. Loon Pond deserves the name of
a lake. It is much frequented as a summer resort.
Seekers of rest and recreation began living in tents,
as in the nomadic age; now cottages are going up on
its shores. It abounds in bass, pickerel and pouts,
and, in their sea.son, the water lily.
As has been said, it well deserves the name of lake,
for it is about two miles in length by three-quarters
of a mile in width in its widest part. It is nearly
surrounded with a fine forest growtli. The waters
are clear, cool in the hottest weather, and deep, and
the fish caught from it are consequently of fine flavor
and of the best quality. Those who own the land
bordering claim the sovereignty of its waters; never-
theless it is o))en and free to all comers. The late
HILLSBOROUGH.
39:5
John Gilbert, of Boston, who owned a summer resi- i
di'uce at tlit- Centre, tn wliivli he had all his children '
and grandchildren repair to spend the snnuner
months, hail a well-trodden patli to the harbor, where
he kejit his boats upon its cool and salubrious waters.
As a regular camping-ground forspending one's vaca-
tion, Loon Pond was first brought prominently into
notice by Rev. Harry L. Brickett, of Lynnfield
Centre, Mass., the successful principal of Valley
Academy and Union School, at Hillsborough Bridge,
for three years, from 187i) to 187!», inclusive. Here
he spent his summer vacations, in good part residing
in camp and fishing. He entertained hosts of friends
with fried fish and chowders which he jirepared with
his own hands, to the enjoyment of those who visited
him, camping in the ijuiet and beauty of this sylvan
lakeside retreat. Now the enterprising editor of the
HUhborougk Messrnger, Charles W. Hutchins. has
built a summer-house for campers upon its banks, and
every year many are the camping-jjarties that make
merry ui)on its pleasant shores. The writer would
8ugge.st that, in memoi-y of the late .John (iilljcrt, of
Bostiin, who for many years has done so much for
Hillsborough Centre, it be called Lake Gilbert.
Although the surface is so much divereified with hills
and valleys, yet its elevations are hardly high enough
to be called mountains, and most of the land has, at
some time, been cleared to the very top of its highest
hill. There is, however, one elevation famous in the
early settlement of the town, which has received
the name of Stow's Mountain, located in the north-
west part of the town, in what is now best known as
the Eilgar Hazen ncighliorhood, and in that school
district. Deacon Joel Stow (the father of one better
known than he, — Clarissa Stow, to whom so many
owe their first good start in harning) lived on the
southeast sloj)e of this mountain. Justus Pike lived
highest up. . A few years ago — just before the war —
liis house was taken down, brought to Hillsborough
Bridge, and re-erected us a tenement-house just in
the rear of the Methodist meeting-house.
A part of the farm of .lames M. Wilkins, near the
Centre, — which, by the way, is made to be a very pro-
■''ii'tive farm, — is on very high ground. As you go
-t towards Henniker from his farm the land rises to
a great height, from which the view on a clear day is
extensive and grand. A long stretch of the White
Mountain range is seen, and sometimes Mount Wasb-
ingtim itself
The lowest part of the town is a little to the east of
Hillsborough Bridge. It is up-hill from the bridge
every way, except along the river road leading from
Henniker to Peterborough, through Hillsliorough
Bridge village. That, for the most (lart, is a level road.
The land rises gra<lually from the valley of the Con-
toocook, going north. A very hilly road leads from
the Bridge village to the Centre through some of the
best farms in town, — Baker's, Dutton's, the Clarkes',
Tavlor's and others. .\ni>thcr road, crossing the road
from Hillsborough Bridge to the Lower village, at the
distance of one mile, at the Deacon Sawyer place, now
owned and occui)ied by Gawn Mills, leads over Bible
Hill, owned and occupied by good farmers, then de-
scends into a fertile valley, whence it climbs the rest
of the way to the Centre. About two miles further
south is the Old New Hampshire turnpike, leading
through the Lower and Upper villages and on to
Washington. The roads through the Centre lead to
East Wiushington and Bradford. Over these roads, and
converging towards the same point, the Centre, all of
the people of the town once traveled on the Lord's
Day to the one house of worship. The Centre was
once an important village, and had its store and
blacksmith-shop; but these long since disappeared.
Death and removals have thinned its population and
weakened its strength. Old and venerable men, once
its strength and pride, have been dropping away one
by one, and few young people are willing to stay on
the good old farms to make their places good. The
recent death of Mr. John Gilbert, a native of the
Centre, a resident and business man in Boston during
many years, has saddened the hearts of the people
at the Centre, among whom he was accustomed to
spend the summer months at his residence there.
The Soil, — Hillsborough has a strong and, for the
most part, productive soil, complained of, however, by
not a few, for its rocks and for being hard to cultivate.
It once abounded in forests, some of which now re-
main, greatly diminished — especially within easy
reach of the railroad station — during the last twenty-
five years. As a compensation for this, large tracta
of hill land have been allowed to return again to
the condition of forests. Much of the new growth is
now large enough for hnnber. The tall and stately
white pines that once abounded, reserved in the orig-
inal charter for the King's navy, have now almost
wholly disappeared, though, as it turned out. King
Creorge had but very few of them. Most of those
now standing are of second growth.
The trees in the forests are of the usual kind found
in other towns in the vicinity, — such as hemlocks,
spruces (not so abundant), the ash, the oak (of several
kinds, white and red), beech, white, red and rock or
sugar maple, the butternut, fir-balsam (rich in liijuid
gum) and the cherry.
The sugar maple {Acer sacc/mriiiiim) deserves
especial notice. It abounds in town. These trees
have been spared in the general demolition for their
value as deposits from which sugar is so readily ob-
tained at a season of the year when other kinds of
work are not so pressing. In one section of the town
the sugar orchanls of Wilkins, Clark Brothers and
Dr. Dutton are noted for the ipiality and amount of
sugar produced.
The Clark Brothers exhibited specimens at the
Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia in 187)!, and
received honorable mention, and a correspondence
was solicited by the agent of the French government
394
HISTORY OP HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
in regard to the suliject and was carried on from the
department at home, in Paris. The writer of this ar-
ticle had the pleasure of reading and translating the
letters to the Clark Brothers from Paris, and knows
that they were full of valuable information on the
subject of sugar products and highly complimentary
to the Clarks.
Great pains are taken by the best sugar-makers to
keep the sap perfectly sweet and clean from its exu-
dation from the tree to its entering the evaporating
apparatus, so that it comes to market white, clean
and pure.
Settlements. — The first settlement in Hillsbor-
ough, made in 1741, was one hundred and eighteen
years after the first made in the colony, in Dover, in
1623, under the lead of Gorges & Mason, proprietors,
by the favor of James I., of England. They sent out
two small colonies. Their charter, embracing New
Hampshire, included the territory lying between the
sea and the St. Lawrence, and the rivers Kennebec
and Merrimack. Massachusetts colony set up a claim
to New Hampshire, in part, to all north of the Merri-
mack, and for many years the two colonies were
united under one government. But in 1741, the very
year that the first settlement was commenced in Hills-
borough (then called No. 7), a final separation was
effected between the two colonies. The separation
was peaceably gained.
The first known visit of white men to the site of
Hillsborough was in that year. Before 1741 it had
been the unrestricted and favorite resort of Indians,
as is known by the numerous Indian implements dug
up in the process of cultivating the land with the
plow and hoe along the margins of the streams.
Where Hillsborough Bridge village stands (a place
where there are natural falls in the river) it ajipears
that they had a common resort. It is supjiosed that
the Pennicook tribe claimed the whole region bor-
dering the Contoocook River through its entire length.
Traces of that tribe have been found along the whole
of that river and its tributaries, even to the region of
the Monadnock. Indian relics have been found
through the valleys bordering the Contoocook and its
tributaries.
In the year 1741 Hillsborough was an unbroken
forest; not only so, it was the part of an almost un-
broken wilderness, extending west to the Connecticut
River and to the north indefinitely. Here and there
a few settlements had been commenced, — one such by
a single family in Antrim. In that year the boundary
line was definitely settled between the colonies of Mas-
sachusetts and New Hampshire by a royal decree
of Charles I., of England, and the township of Hills-
borough (No. 7) was granted by Massachusetts to
Colonel John Hill. He afterwards obtained a quit-
claim from the original i)r(iprielor8 or their heirs,
Gorges & Mason. He could then give an undoubted
title to the land to those who came and bought of him.
Colonel Hill immediately emi)loyed and sent a com-
petent surveyor from Boston to run the town lines and
divide it into one hundred acre lots, and at once threw
the land open for settlement. A small party re-
sponded favorably to his invitation, and came on to
make themselves homes at a great distance from
neigbbnrs.
The First Settlers. — The principal of the first to
come with axe and pick-hoe were Samuel Gibson,
James Lyon, Robert McCluer and James McColley.
The new settlers set themselves vigorously at work.
They wrought with a will in felling trees, clearing
with fire and axe, and putting in seed so as to raise
something to keep the wolf — hunger — from the door
and supply other necessaries of life; for at their dis-
tance from any market it would not be easy to con-
vert ready monej' — if they had any that was converti-
ble — into bread, meat, garments and other necessa-
ries. Wool and flax, their own products, wrought
into form by the skill and industry of woman's hands,
milk from the home cow, bread from the growth of
the newly-cleared fields, meat brought down by the
trusty rifle were the means by which the early set-
tlers lived in those early " days that tried men's
souls." But not only for themselves at their homes,
but for those, too, in the field fighting in a common
cause, must they make provision. They bravely met
all these numerous demands.
As an evidence of their good faith in starting this
new settlement, they began from the very first to-
make provision to supply their si>iritual wants which
they regarded as absolutely imperative. They built
a meeting-house, presumably of hewn logs, for at
that early day, 1741 to 1746, there were no saw-mills
in the limits of the town, and none nearer than New
Boston. It met their wants. In one luxury, how-
ever, they indulged. The meeting-house was fur-
nished with glass windows and with a bell, in use — at
least a few years ago — in Ciroton, Mass. This build-
ing was located, as is believed, on the site of the
buildings of the Clark Brothers, about half-way be-
tween the Bridge and Centre villages. At the same
place they erected also a parsonage. Young men
came with their wives to create a home for themselves
and families, as they hoped, for life. Itreijuired no
small courage for tender and delicate women, in the
freshness of their lives, to start for a howling wilder-
ness full of terrors, at least for women and children,
— terrors from hostile Indians, against whom it was
necessary to keep a constant watch and guard. The
Indians doubtless felt that they were an injured race,
as they saw their hunting and fishing-grounds inter-
fered with by the pale-faces, and their forests disap-
pearing under the blows of the woodman's axe and
the fire. There, too, roamed at large the bear, some-
times exceedingly fierce when called upon to defend
her young, provoked then to show signs of hostility.
James McColley, of Scotch Irish descent, a native
of the north of Londonderry, which has furnished
men unsurpassed in noble and heroic achievements.
HILLSBOROUGH.
395
took ui) his place of abode at what is now the Bridge
village, ou the grouinl now fiimili:irly known as the
Cyrus Sargent place, owned and occupied at the pres-
ent time by the Hoyts. He built his log cabin — all the
first houses were oflogs — beside a huge granite boulder,
which many years ago was blasted into fragments for
building purposes and cleared wholly away. In this
rude caliin was born into his family, January !«, 1742,
the first child born of white parents in the town of
Hillsborough. He was named John. He grew up to
have a history.
At an early age John McC'idley became a soldier in
the King's army against the French and Indians; af-
terwards he wiis a soldier in the American army
against the same King (George the Third), and was
among those sent to drive Burgoyne out of the coun-
try. This carai)aign was the turning-point in the War
of the Revolution.
Another event, which also proved to be historical,
took place in No. 7, the new town just settled.
A daughter, Elizabeth, was born into the family of
Samuel Gibson, in another log cabin, built where S.
M. Baker now lives, on the road from the Bridge to
the Centre, May 19, 1742, just four months, lacking a
day, from the birth of John McCoUey. In due time,
at an early age, — early enough, twenty-five years, —
they were married in Litchfield, received a present
of a farm from Colonel Hill, the proprietor, and re-
moved to Hillsborough and made it their home.
In the same year (1741). and perhaps at the same
time, came Francis Graham, — a name afterwarfls
changed to Grimes, as the name Graham itself has
been changed from the old ."^colch Graeme. Francis
Graham was the grandfather of John Grimes, himself
the father of a large family, as families are now
reckoned, — six sons and two daughters. One of these
children died in infancy. The oldest of his sons,
Hiram, is the father of Colonel .Tames F. Grimes,
whose life will be briefly sketcheil in this history. So
far as can be traced, the third child born in the town
was Ann Graham, daughter of Francis; born in 1743;
married Deacon William McKean and died July 12,
182->. Deacon McKean was grandfather of Frank
McKean, once candidate for Governor .in the State.
The name (irahani, as has been stateil, became, for
some reason not now known, changed to Grimes.
It would be interesting to know, if we could, the
amount of land cleared, the number and quality of
the buildings erected and the number and names of
the children l)orn during this first settlement, lasting
from 1741 to 174i!. We must remenil)er that Jlills-
borougli was then absolutely new to white men; if
was a wilderness, and a jiart of ii still larger wilder-
ness, with only here and there an opening, hardly
making a noticeable break in the mighty stretch of
forests that covered the entire land. New Boston had
a few settlers; Peterborough ami Hopkinton a few;
Antrim had one in the very northeast corner of the
town, nearest Hillsborough. Neighbors were not
near enough to annoy in times of peace, nor to aid in
times of danger from any sudden irruption of sav-
ages or beasts.
The Cape Breton War, 1744-46.— It is easy to
conceive the alarm felt in the little settlement when,
in three years from the time of their coming, in 1744,
news came that war had been declared between
France and Great Brit^iin, and that, in consequence of
that declaration of hostilities, the colonists in New
England were afiected unfavorably. A war on this
side of the water, called " the Cape Breton War," was
waged with great severity. An e.\i>edition was fitted
out, in which New Hampshire bore a large share, the
aim of which was to capture Louisburg, on Cape
Breton, in Nova Scotia. The expedition was started
in the autumn of 1744. Louisburg fell into their
hands in the spring of 1745. By the fall of this fort-
ress the French were greatly enraged. The Indian
allies of the French were urged — nothing loth — to
make a destructive invasion upon the thinly-settled
towns in New Hampshire. These reports caused a
hasty retreat of the new settlers from their rudely-
constructed homes. They made the more haste from
the news that came from Hojikinton, with only the
township of Hennikcr between them and their treach-
erous foes, — the distance only some twelve or fifteen
miles. They had learned that a large body of
Indians — they went in companies of fifty or sixty —
were on the war-path, and made, in the dead of night,
an irruption into Hopkinton on the 22d of April,
174(3. By the negligence of one who had gone out to
hunt, the door of the block-house had been carelessly
left unfastened. The Indians rushed in fully armed,
and seized and carried olf eight prisoners. When the
Indians were about there was no safety in isolated
houses, for they kept themselves hid for the most
I)art during the day ; if they did not, they showed no
open hostility ; but in the darkness of the night, dur-
ing the defenseless hours of sleep, they made their
attacks with tomahawk, scalping-knifc and fire.
Common prudence seemed to make it necessary for
the settlers, few in numbers and scattered at wide
intervals over the town, to leave. The Cape Breton
War virtually closed between France and England
soon alter the fall of Louisburg ; but the Indians were
slow to learn it and unwilling to settle down in i)eace.
The only way in which the setflei-s in new towns
could stay was by converting their strongest house
into a block-house for a common defense. The doors
and windows were strongly barricaded, and all the
inhaliitants brought into it for jirotection. All work
outside was done under the protection of an armed
guard, and the greatest precaution would be taken
against surprises. The news of the attack of the
Indians upon Ho|>kinton in the dead of night, and
the seizure of [irisoners, caused a sudden dei>iirture of
all the original settlers from the place. So, conceal-
ing, as far as practicable, their heavier articles of
furniture and implements of husbandry, carrying
396
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
lighter articles by hand and driving their cattle be-
fore theui, they start for the lower towns. Indians
had been seen lurking about the falls, where the
Bridge village is, so they thought it [jrudent to start
at once.
Philip Kiley, the only settler at the time in
Antrim, the one referred to as living in the northeast
corner of the town, on what is familiarly known as
the Whittemore place (formerly the home of Judge
Jacob Whittemore), went with them and acted as
guide. They were more than satisfied with their ex-
perience of frontier life. The first settlement con-
tinued five years or a little more, — from 1741 to 1746.
Fear of the Indians drove them away. We can see
that the first settlers did not leave without good cause.
I learn from the '' Military History of New Hamp-
shire," written with great paint^taking and accuracy of
detail by the late Judge C. E. Potter, a resident of
Hillsborough, that the Cape Breton War was under-
taken mainly to wrest the fortress of Louisburg out
of the hands of the French, through the New Eng-
land troops, under command of Major Vaughn, of
Portsmouth.
Governor Benning Wentworth was the first Governor
of the colony of New Hampshire, and he entered vig-
orously into making preparations for the defense of
the colony. In May, 1744,' he sent out forty-one men
under Captain Tcbbits as scouts. The.se were not
ordered to any particular place, but to be on the
lookout for the enemy, wherever they might be
found. Some guards were stationed at the most ex-
posed places, as at Canterbury, Contoocook and some
other posts. Colonel Potter has given the muster-
roll of Captain Tebbits. He has also given the mus-
ter-roll of the men enlisted under Captain C'lough, as
volunteers to keep garrison where ordered. In the
autumn of 1744 the plan w-as arranged by Major Wil-
liam Vaughn, of Portsmouth, for the capture of
Louisburg. It was matured during the winter of
1744-4.5, and the expedition set sail in March for
the place of rendezvous. Louisbuig was the strong-
hold of the French on this continent, and from this
place expeditions were fitted out against the English
colonies in this country. It was thought that, as this
was the very key to the French possessions on this
continent, nothing should be left undone to get pos-
session of it. New Hampshire furnished for this
campaign five hundred men, one-eighth of all the
forces employed. A part of these served under Col-
onel Moore, of Portsmouth. One hundred and fifty
of the New Hampshire men were attached to a Mas-
sachusetts regiment. Louisburg fell into the hands
of its assailants .Tune 17, 1745.
Notwithstanding the fall of their stronghold, and
jierhaps in consequence of it, the French incited the
Indians to renewed hostilities, so that they kept the
people continually harassed, and oftentimes filled
with terrors at the unknown evils that might befall
them. The people did their planting under the pro-
tection of a strong armed guard. Whenever a man
had occasion to go to a neighbor's on an errand, he
carried a loaded gun. Whenever he went to his
barn, he went armed. While some were listening to
a sermon inside the church, armed men walked to
and fro on the outside for the sake of protection ; and
in case of the announcement of danger seen, the wor-
shipers instantly seized their arms, and were ready
for action at a minute's notice.
As has been said, the Indians went in large parties
of fifty or sixty. It is said that in Humford (now
Concord), August 10, 1746, a party was ambushed
by the Indians; five were killed outright, two were
taken prisoners; only one escaped. And this was
done between two garrisons with full com])lcments of
men, and the most distant not more than a mile and
a half from the (dace.
The French and Indian War, 1754r-63. — A
greater war than the Cape Breton War broke out
in 1754, called the French and Indian War, and
continued until 1763, when, after various engage-
ments resulting in great loss of blood and life on
both sides, a treaty of i)eace was signed at Paris. It
was in this war that Braddock was killed and Wash-
ington fleshed his virgin sword in blood, and bravely
conducted the defeated army from the very jaws of
destruction into a place of safety. The experience
thus gained allied Washington in after years in lead-
ing the small yet heroic armies of the new republic
safely on to victory and independence.
New Hani])shire bore a full share in this ill-fated
war, — a war, for the most part, with savages, seemingly
without heart or conscience ; a war in which women
and children were often the helpless victims; a war
full of terrors, especially to the unarmed and defense-
less. In 1763 it came to an end. In the mean time
Colonel Hill had matured all the plans for resettling
the town, now that danger from Indians lurking to kill
was over, and he was prepared, with the grant from
Massachusetts, sanctioned by Governor Wentworth,
and with a iiuit-claim from heirs of Gorges & Mason,
original proprietors, to give satisfactory titles to the
land.
Besettlement. — In 176;5, the year the la.st-named
war closed, Colonel Hill had em|>loyed Daniel Camp-
bell, of Amherst, a skillful surveyor, to run out anew
the lines of the town, anil divide it into one hun-
dred acre lots. Soon settlers began to pour in who
had come i>repared to stay. The following is the list
of those who were known to be there in 1767. One
family came before the war closed, — in 1762, five years
before. The rest came a few at a time, and were these,
viz.: John McColley, Captain Samuel Bradford,
Lieutenant Samuel 15radford, Jimathan Durant, Jon-
athan Etisty, Timothy Wilkins, .lohn Gibson, Samuel
Gibson, William Williams, Benjamin Lovejoy, Wil-
liam Pope, Jonathan Sargeant, Moses Steel, Isaac
Baldwin, William Taggart, Isaac Andrews. Of these,
it will be remembered that John McColley was the
HILLSBOROUGH.
397
lirst-bom son and child in town. The two Gibsons
wore younger brothers of MoColley's wife. The first
tilers — who left during the Cape Breton War —
ver came bark to lIillsl)i)rougii to reside. Of thesei
there were eiglit or ten families living at the Centre,
the Hridgeand near the meeting-house which they had
built, located between the two. On the return of
peace everything was favorable for success. Those
who purchased could obtain a good title to their land.
True, they were not wholly relieved from anxiety from
fear of the Indians ; still, they knew that they had the
protection of the militia and every able-bodied man
belonging to it, which could be called out for defense
in seasons of danger at the shortest notice. The in-
vestment in Hillsborough lands seemed to be popular.
Lands were bought not for speculation, but for homes.
Men — young men — came with their wives, calculating
to be contented and stay.
A word of admiration is due to the courageous cou])le
Daniel Murphy and his wife, who came from Chester,
and settled on what was afterwards named, and has
since been called, Bible Hill. They were truly
pioneers. The traces of his cellar on the old Symouds
place (now owned and occupied by Alonzo Tuttle)
have been seen by persons now living. It is reported
that at one time he left his wife alone more than two
weeks, with no human habitation nearer than New
Boston. Mr. Smith, the first annalist of Hillsborough,
tells the story so well that I will quote his e.xact lan-
guage, —
"How ilesolatL' iinist have been her situHtioii in tliin dreary solitude!
8)le aflorwiird(* related that ou one occasion, so overpctwered vfyw she by a
sense ut tier lonelinem, and so desirous to lieiirthe sound ofa human voice
anttweri nt: to tier own, ttiat at niidnigtit, wlien no sound was audilttc
MlTe tlie distant liow) of the faiuislied wolf and tlie distant moan of tlie
waving pine, slie went fitrtli from tier )iut and cried aloud at tlie tnuf;lit
of her voii-e, that she might tiear ttie resismsive ertio rcs^nindiug througli
the dim aisles of Iho forest."
It was through many perils, inconveniences and
personal sacrifices that the town was reclaimed from
its wilderness condition and made to become the jileas-
ant abode of civilized life. P'or some time Murphy's
family bore the strain of entire solitude. Unless they
hud become misanthropic through livingalone, I should
think the sight of other .settlers must have been a
joyous one. .Man was made for social life. Society, as
a rule, is indis|iensable to com)>lcte development.
CHAl'TICi; II.
HILLSnOKOUGII— (C-.„(,„„«/).
Incorponitlnn of Town— The First Town-MeetlnR — Ttu) American Ilevo-
lution, 1"7.'>-K3— Veterans in tlie War — Tlio Contoocook Briil|£i —
Wil,-1i.»_I,..t'eii,ls-Wild (iiiine.
Incorporation of Town. — Hillsborough, having
at the time twenty-two freeliolders, wa.s incorporated
a.s a town in 1772, through the agency of Isaac An-
drews, Esq. It is related that he secured the services
of a Congregational minister, Rev. James Scales, of
Hopkinton, the first minister of the town, to draw up
the petition. This is one of those incidental facts
i which shows two things: first, that the clergy at that
day were expected to know much relating to pulilic
business, and. secondly, that the estimation in which
they were held was a right one. The charter of in-
corporation bears the date "November 14, 1775," and
was issued in the name of " George the Third, by the
j grace of Ctod, of Great Britain, France and Ireland,
j King, Defender of the Faith,'" etc., "by and with
the advice of our truly and well-beloved .l(dui Weiit-
worth, Esq., Governor and Commander-in-chief of
I our province of New Hampshire," etc. ' The bounda-
' ries of the town are recited in the charter, and are
marked by numbers placed upon beech-trees. The
surveyor begins at the southeast corner of the town,
the same as the southwest corner of Henniker, from
a beech-tree marked 7, perhaps because the township
was originally " No. 7." From that tree is the first
j southern line of Hillsborough, south, 84° 30' west —
' thi-s means that the line deflects to the south 5° 30'
; from an e.Kact east and west line — to another beech-
tree marked 7, S and so on, till the first-marked
beech-tree is reached. In the charter all the white
pines in the town are reserved for the King's use.
Colonel Hill paid a liberal fee to Governor John
Wentworth for signing his name to the charter, viz. :
a sum eiiuivalent to fifty dollars in gold. But, then, it
must be remembered he could allbrd to pay liberally
to have his name transmitted to posterity in the name
of the town; yet, strange to say, some think it is
called Hillsborough because the land is so hilly.
Some, more learned than wise, suiipose it received its
name trom "Wills Hills, the Earl of Hillsborough,
who was one of the I'rivy Council of George the
Third, and whose residence was at Hillsborough, in
the county of Down, in Ireland." It is said that it
was originally named Hillborough, and that the k
was inserted by a popular drift of pronunciation,
and is now established by the law of iisus luijuemU. I
think the fifty dollars given to Governor Wentworth
for signing the charter settles the (piestion that it
was named for Cobuu'l .lolin Hill, the projirietor.
The First Town-Meeting. — The first town-meet-
ing was held on Bible Hill, at Captain Bradford's
tavern, — the first one built in town, — November 24.
1772. Captain Isaac Baldwin presided as moderator,
and Isaac .\ndrevvs was elected town clerk. .Vt that
meeting it was voted to accept the charier, and Isaac
Andrews, .Tohn McCoUey, Daniel McNeil, Isaac Bald-
win and William Pope — si.\ noble men and the an-
cestors of noble men — were elected selectmen.
First Meeting-House. — The first meeting-house
was burnt during the time, between the two sel-
tlements, when the town was destitute of inhabit-
ants. Common rumor, right or wrong, fixes the act
of burning upon one Keyes, of Weare. who, hai)pen-
ing that way after all the inhabitants had left through
393
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
fear of the Indiaus, and liavin<; taken out the glass
windows and buried tlieni for his own use, set
fire to the building, Nero-like, for the wieked pleas-
ure of seeing it burn. As relics of the red men in
the place, there were found buried in the earth im-
plements of their daily use, such as spoons, ladles,
pestles for pounding grains, hatchets, tomahawks,
hooks and various other things wrought of stone or
bone.
The American Revolution, 1775-83.— The second
settlement had l)arcly got under way when the great
American Revolution broke out. The quarrel was of
long standing. Repeated acts of injustice and oppres-
sion drove our forefathers into oi>position to the acts
of King and I'arlianient, and from opposition to open
war in defense of their rights by the arbitrament of
arms. In this war of nearly eight years Hillsborough
bore a ftill share. The town of Hillsborough bore
their part in furnishing recruits for the army. It
should be borne in mind that the settlers forming the
second and permanent settlement had been in the
town but a very few years when the news of the
battles of Lexington and Concord bridge electrified
the whole country with a cry " To arms, to arms, and
avenge our slaughtered countrymen !" Hillsborough
caught the cry, and echoed it. This seems the best
place to insert the names of those who responded
favorably to this appeal, — those who did service for
the country as soldiers in some capacity, as officers or
privates, in the War of the Revolution, some of
whom laid down their lives on the battle-field, while
some 1)ore the scars of battle to their graves.
Veterans in the War. — The names are as follows
without their titles : Benjamin Pierce, Isaac Baldwin,
Ammi Andrews, Isaac Andrews, .Jr., Mo.ses Steel,
William Pope, Thomas Murdough, Solomon An-
drews, John McNeil, Silas Cooledge, Samuel Brad-
ford, Jr., John McColley, Samuel Symonds, William
Booth, Asa Wilkins, Nathan Taylor, William Tag-
gart, James Taggart, Archibald Taggart, .Toseph
Taggart, John Taggart, Robert Taggart, Nathaniel
Johnson, Jacob Flint, James Gibson, William Jones,
Jr., Baxter How, William Symonds, Zachariah Rob-
bins, William Gammell, Nathaniel Parmenter, David
Munroe, Timothy (Jrey, Thadius Monroe, Nathaniel
Colby, Nathan Mann, and Daniel Kellom — thirty-six
men, and six of the same family name. Neither is it
likely that these are all. So many names, at any rate,
have been rescued from oblivion. They deserve of us
to be written in letters of gold. If every town then
settled in New Hampshire sent as large a proportion
of their whole population to the war, then surely New
Hampshire did her share. Some of the names in this
list are already historic names, — heroes and the ances-
tors of heroes. Some of the men deserve special no-
tice for the part they took in the war and for personal
bravery on the field of battle. It would be a grateful
task to the historian to say something of each, did
space i)ermit, and recount in detail the praiseworthy
deeds they performed at their country's call for their
country's good. We will never forget their names,
nor the one great act of heroism. — their going forth to
fight for their country. We will gratefully transmit
their memory down the generations.
As Captain Baldwin was the first of Hillsborough's
men to die. — killed while doing his duty on the field,
— as well as the very first to enlist from the town and
secure the enlistment of others, it is proper that he
should precede his brethren-in-arms on the histor-
ian's page. Captain Baldwin was born in Sudbury,
Mass., in 17.36, and was thirty-nine years of age when
the War of the Revolution broke out. He married
Eunice Jennison, of Natick, JIass., and, as has
been already said, had come to Hillsborough in
1767, near the time of the beginning of the second
settlement. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade,
and when the news of the battles of Lexington and
Concord came he was at work at his trade in Deering
framing a barn.
Captain Baldwin was used to war, and had been,
with Stark, of world-wide renown as a brave officer
in the old French and Indian War, under the com-
mand of Major Rogers. Baldwin was the hero of
twenty battles— this may be Homeric — "in those old
wars." No sooner had he heard the news of the
battles of Lexington and Concord than he made up
his mind to have a part in what was to come. He
quitted his job, hastened home, collected a company
of volunteers and, putting himself at their head,
with their entire approbation, started towards the
noise of the guns. On their way they spent the Sab-
bath in Billerica, and attended church in a body.
The pastor, Rev. Cnmmings. preached an appropriate
sermon on the duty of patriotism.
They arrived at Medford June 17th, the day of the
battle of Bunker Hill. The company over which
Captain Baldwin was elected, on arrival at headquar-
ters, was ordered to the field of battle, which they
reached about twelve M., and immediately went into
action. He was hit by a nuisket-ball in his breast,
and fell mortally wounded about one o'clock in the
afternoon. He was carried to the quarters for the
wounded by two of his own townsmen belonging to
his company, — I-ieutenant .John JIcNeil and .Tames
Gibson. He lived until about sunset. After his
death Lieutenant Ammi Andrews extracted the bullet
and sent it to the wife of Captain Bahlwin as a
mournful reminder of the manner in which her hus-
band met his death.
Andrews is a heroic name in Hillsborough. Lieu-
tenant .\mmi .Vndrews, born in Ipswich, Mass., came
to Hillsborough at an early period of thesecond settle-
ment, and located at what is now the Upper village,
and, it is said, was proprietor of its whole site and
much adjacent territory. Lieutenant Andrews served
through the whole War of the Revolution, and was a
sharer in the perils of the expedition to (Juebec in
1775, under Colonel Arnold. He was taken prisoner
HILLSBOllOUGH.
399
there by the Brjtish, but soon exchanged. A story is
relateW of him in connection with that expedition
tliat is worth perpetuatiiij;. In the winter of 1775-76,
iLs they lay in winter-cjuarters three miles from the
city of (Quebec, the commanding officer was anxious
to gain some news of the enemy's strength and posi-
tion, and for that purpose expressed the wish that a
British sentinel might be captured and brought into
camp. Jjicutenant Andrews volunteered to make the
attempt. Si)mc one said that he ought to have the
best gun in the army. " Look here," said the gallant
lieutenant, " is it a dead or a living man that you
want? Because if it is a living man that you wish
brouglit in, I do not wish to be bothered with a gun."
He reached the city of (Quebec, and, scaling its walls
in the darkness of the night, at a favorable moment
he sprang upon a sentinel as he was pacing his beat-
backwards and forwards with a musket. The lieu-
tenant, who was a strong, vigorous man, a powerful
athlete in agility, seized him by the throat, and told
him he was a dead man if he made the least outcry.
Taking him down the steej) and dangerous mountain-
side, leaping from one shelf of the i)recipiec to
anolhcr, he marched his prisoner three miles through
the deep snows of Canada to the American camp.
Lieutenant Andrews was distinguished as a business
man in his day, and transmitted the same qualities to
his descendants now living. He died in his bed
March .30, 183.S, aged ninety-seven years.
Captain Samuel JJradford also served thruugli the
war. -He enlisted as an orderly-sergeant, and rose,
for meritorious conduct, to the rank of ensign and
also of lieutenant, performing adjutant's duty in Col-
onel Stark's regiment fur more than two years.
The name of Uenjaniin Pierce, an honored Gov-
ernor of New Hampshire of the olden time, is fa-
miliar to all readers of history. He wiW born in
Chelmsford, Mass., December 25, 1757. His father's
name was also Benjamin. At his father's death, when
he was but six years of age, he went to live with an
uncle (Robert I'ierce, of Chelmsford), who brought
him up to work on a farm. When the news of the
first battle at Lexington {.Vpril I'J, 1775) arrived he
was plowing. He left the field, took his uncle's gun
and ecpiipments and started at once for the scene of
danger. He was one of the "irregulars" who fol-
lowed I'itcairn's wearied solrliers, retreating, by a
forced march, towards Bo-ton from I^exington — like
others, loa<liMg and tiring at his own order. He did
not return to his uncle's, but enlisted in Captain
Ford's company. He was then eighteen. He joined
as a private, but in 1777 he was promoted to orderly-
sergeant for securing the flag from falling into the
hands of the enemy. He was again promoted to a lieu-
tenancy, which eonimission he bore to the close of the
war. He removed to Hillsborough after the return
of peace, in the thirtieth year of his age. He was
soon appointed brigade-major by the Governor. In
178.1, in his Ihirly-tbird year, he was cho.seu to rep-
resent Hillsborough and Henniker in the Legisla-
ture, and served in that capacity thirteen years suc-
cessively. He had fVmnd himself p<ior at the close of
the war, in which, enlisting as a private, he had risen
step by step until, at its close, he had the command
of a company, and was on the staff of Washington
when the army was disbanded, in 1784.
Having been employed as agent to explore a part
of Cheshire County (now called Stoddard), and hav-
ing finished the work, he returned to Hillsborough on
horseback, by way of the " Branch," and stopjied for
the night at a log hut in the woods. Here he bought
a small farm of fifty acres, and returned to Massa-
chusetts. The next spring he returned to Hillsbor-
ough and commenced to clear his land. For a whole
year he lived alone in his log cabin, cooked his own
meals and slept upon a blanket, as he had learned to
do in an eight years' experience on the tented field.
He was married the next year, in 1787, In 180-3, Gen-
eral Pierce was chosen one of the Governor's Council,
and continued in that capacity five years. At the
end of that term Governor Langdon appointed him
high sherifl'of Hillsborough County. He was again
councilor and again sheriff of the county. In 1827 he
was elected Governor of the State; and again, in 1829.
He was elector of President in 1832. From 1775 to ■
18.30, a period of fifty-five years, he was constantly
employed in some public otfice. He died Ajiril 1,
1839, aged eighty-one years. This tribute I find
paid to his memory : " He was patriotic, brave, noble-
minded and charitable ; a benefactor to his country
and a blessing to his State and society ; and no one
memory associated with the past history of Hills-
borough brings up higher feelings of resjiect and
veneration than that of General Benjamin Pierce."
As an illustration of bis nobility of character, an an-
ecdote is related of him while a prisoner on parole,
having fallen into the hands of the British on Long
Island. Attending a horse-race, he otiended an Eng-
lish officer by an adverse opinion, which the English-
man thought too freely expressed, who thereupon
struck Lieutenant Pierce with the flat of his sword.
The blood fiushed on the lieutenant's face; yet he
quietly said : " Fettered by my i)arole, and unarmed,
I cannot now resent this indignity, but the chances of
war may yet bring us together." .\nd so it proved.
In an engagement between the armies of (ienerals
Washington and Howe, contending for possession of
the city of New York, in the summer of 177(i, they
met, crossed swords, and the Englishman fell pierced
by the young American. He had a [(erlecl contempt
of a coward. Just before his death he invited his
old Hillsborough co-patriots to a dinner, in honor of
old limes. One of the old veterans not being there,
some one spoke of his absence. The Governor re-
plied, " I invite no man to my table who is alraid of
gunpowder."
An atiecdoti'is related of him, when high sheriff of
the county, that shows his generosity. He found ii;;-
400
HISTORY OF HILLSBOKOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
prisoned in the jail at Amherst three Kevohuionary
soldiers, who had i)roved themselves good soldiers tor
their country. At the close of their service they
were penniless, the pay which they received being
nearly valueless, and after weary days of travel reached
home, only to be arrested and imprisoned for debt
which they were wholly unable to pay. The general,
taliing the Iveys, jniid their indelrtediioss, unlocked
the prison-doors, and leading them outside, pointing
above, he said, " Go, breathe the free air." It is no
wonder that Governor Pierce was the idol of the peo-
ple, though lacking the polished manners of his
son, Franklin, for the people saw that he was a true
friend and a cliampion for their rights.
Giivernor Pierce was twice married. His first wife
was Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Andrews, Esq. The
marriage was on Jlay 24, 1787. She lived a little over
one year, and gave birth to Elizabeth A., who was
married to General John McNeil, the hero of Lundy
Lane. She died August 13, 1788. in the twenty-first
year of her age. He next married Anna, daughter of
Benjamin Kendrick, of Amherst, in 1789. They lived
in married life tifty-one years. She was the mother
of eight children, among whom were Nancy, the wife
of General Solomon McNeil, a brother of General
John ilcNeil ; Hon. Franklin Pierce, who attained
the highest honor in the gift of the nation, and Henry
Dearliorn Pierce, tlie fallier of Colonel Franklin IT.
and Kirk I). He was the last of the Governor's chil-
dren to go.
There are plea.sant memories associated with the
name of Lieutenant Ptoliert B. Wilkins, who was a
Bunker Hill liero, and ipiartermaster of General
Lafayette's brigade. He was wounded at Bunker
Hill. While serving under Lafayette he rendered
at one time such signal service in taking some cattle
from the British at Poule's Hook, opposite New York
City, that Lafayette presented him witli a full suit
of officer's uniform as a token for meritorious con-
duct. He W!is familiarly known in the army, es-
pecially among the officers of his regiment, as " Bob
Wilkes." At Lafayette's visit to America in 1825,
more than forty years having elapsed, Wilkins was
pre.sented to liis old general, but time had wrought
sucli changes tliat he was not at first recognized. Al-
lusion w;i.s made to some incident of the battle-field,
whidi caused the ]-"renchnian to look a little closer
and scrutinize the features of the man before him.
The whole at once flashed upon the memory of
Lafayette; he recognized in the changed face, bat-
tered with the storms of life, his old companion in
arms, and (the tears falling freely from nutny eyes) he
fell upon Wilkins' neck, and, tenderly embracing him,
exclaimed, " O, Bob Wilkes, Bob Wilkes! " and they
both wept like children. Heads were uncovered and
shouts arose which showed (one writer says, describing
the scene) how " One touch of nature makes the
whole world kin.'' Wilkins died in Boston in Au-
gust, 18;52, aged seventy-seven years.
§
The Revolutionary War came to an end, as all
wars hitherto have done, and those who had fought
f(n- years in the field and had sutl'ereil many privations
returned liome to the avocations of peace. But they
had many diffiulties to contend with. The paper
currency, known as Continental money, continued
to depreciate through the war until it was worth only
one per cent, of its face value. Fjxamples can be
given. Daniel Killom paid for a farm ten thousand
dollars in currency, which could have been bought
for one hundred dollars in silver or gold ; rye brought
seventy-five dollars a bushel in currency, which three-
fourths of a dollar in silver would pay for; it is said
that Rev. Mr. Barnes' salary for a year was only
sufficient to purchase a pig. Samuel M. Baker now
owns that ten thousand dollar farm above referred to.
An inflated currency is a much-to-be-dreaded evil.
It disarranges all the best-laid plans of the shrewdest
business men. However, by degrees, men gained con-
fidence again, and business was resumed on a healthy
basis. Some manufacturing was done on a careful
scale, farms were improved and things in general put
on a thriving appearance. Public improvements were
commenced and carried on little by little.
The Contoocook Bridge. — One noted improvement
was Ijuilding a bridge over the Contoocook River that
should answer tlie jiurposes of general travel, which
at tliis point seemed to be on the increase. The first
bridge — made of wood — was erected where the present
bridge now stands, in 1779, and was reconstructed
seventeen years after, in 1796. The timbers, many of
them, were beginning by that time to be tender and
unsafe. There is an interesting note in Hammond's
■'Early Town Papers" in reference to this first bridge.
It would appear that Colonel Hill, the proprietor of
the township of Hillsborough, and who died in Bos-
ton, 1776, had subscribed or provided in his will tlie
gift of one hundred acres of land in town towards
building a bridge across the Contoocook (at that time
the settlers called the river tlie Connecticut). This
subscription was made before the war; but so many
things lacking, the building of the bridge was put off,
and in the mean time Colonel Hill died. This will
explain a petition of the town for authority to tax
non-rcsidcnts, that would bring a tax upon the unsold
lands in town belonging to Hill's heirs. The petition
bears date 8th day of May, a.d. 1780.
Correcting the spelling of the petition, which Ham-
mond has given verhalim et liieratim, it is as follows:
"Statkof New IIami'siiirk.
" lo the J{o)i. the Cotlncit atid Ataeintilti o/ miitl State in tjencrat court
conveneil :
" Jlay it pk'iisi' your lionors, wo, the subscribers, fret'luilders in ttie
town of Hill8boro', ill ailid SUie, beg lenve to petition, tlml whereas, the
lute John Hill, Kgq., of Boston, who was bole proprietor in tiiis town, did,
Iiefort* tlie eomniencenient of the present war, promise to give One hun-
dreil acres of land towards buildiiif* a bridge over Connecticut river,
so calleil, ill this town, which bridge we should have built four or five
years ago, had it not been for this iinliappy war, but at last wo have
completed said bridge, anil the 'shares' of the Slid .John Hill have
been solicited to make good their father's promises, but refuse. We,
HILLSBOROUGH.
401
therefore, humbly i>etition tliat your honors would order a tax to be
leried on the non-residonlH' land lying in town to defray tho cliur^e.-i of \
buildini; said bridge, an we labor under heavy bunlens in town, and
Mid bridge will Imj of great service, not only to the town, but also to the
pcblir, as said bridge cost us two thoiisand three hundred and three
pounds, as mom-y waji last Dctober, and if your honors slnill in your
wisdom see fit to grant this our petition, we, as in duty bound, shall ever
pray," etc.
Signed by Samuel Bradford, .Jr., and tliirty-five
Others, among whicli are the iianu's of Andrews, Tag-
gart, Wilkiiis, Duttoii and Bootli.
The cost of tliat first bridge, "as money wasltist Oc-
tober." -viz., (October, 177!), — in the words of the pe-
tition, in currency was the same — according to a de-
cision by arl)itration fi.xing the value of English
money — as $11,11.S.97,'',5. The granting of the ])eti-
tion would be getting prol)ably a full equivalent for
Colonel Hill's subscription out of the parties who re-
fused to make it good. Daniel McNeil was employed
by the town to rebuild the bridge in 1809. These fre-
quent repairs were a great bill of expense. Squire F.
Clement, in 1824, built substantial abutments of solid
stone-work at the ends anil connected them over a
space of forty feet with wooil, as before. This la-sted
fifteen years, when, in LS.Sii, the whole work was ele-
vated five feet and the wood gave place to a splendid
stone arch, which has stood without essential repairs
forty-six years, to the present time. It is this splendid
and -iulistantial bridge thai gives the distinctive name
to the growing village to which it is an essential ap-
|)en<lage, connecting the two sides of the river as
really as if not separated by its waters. The scenery
at this bridge is beautiful, and in time of high water
graml in the extreme. The falls are an epitome of
Niagara. The writer of this iirticle, from a position
in the parlor of his house, while living at the Bridge,
had a most ernhanting view. The water falling over
the dam could be seen under the arch, and by imagin-
ing the scene to be carried back to some distance, it
afl'ordcil a prospect not to be surpa.ssed in beauty.
The house referred to belongs to E. II. liartlett, and
is located just west of the bakery.
It may be asked how the people on their farms lived
in those early ilays? How in the villages? Where
all were comparatively in moderate circumstances,
none v<Ty rich, — at lea.st, such as would be accounted
rich lii-ilay, — did aristocratic feelings prevail as among
the present generation, tln' children and gnindcliil-
dren of the Uevolutionary fathers? The answer will
be " ye.H," but baseil more upon character tested by
trial than now, oltentimes u|)on the mere accident of
wealth, oftenest wealth gained by the toil and pru- ,
dence of ancestors. They pricleil themselves — those
old patriots — upon actual service rendered to the
country, — a service of toil, danger, dc|)ri vat ion, but yet
of love. A cowaril or a traitor was despised, no mat-
ter how rich.
They were devout, even though sometimes, when
their anger was roused at some act unjust or mean
that had been committed, they were considered rough \
and severe. Thev were in those earlv davs a church- '
going community. They all appeared on the hill.
The roads were dotted with travelers — very many on
foot — to the place of worship. Then each man owned
a share in the house of God by virtue of his residence
in town and paying taxes. The minister was sup-
ported at the town's expense, and the gospel wa.s liter-
ally free to the poor as well as to the rich. Xo man
who was brave and true was looked down upon because
he was poor, and no man wanting these characteristics
of bravery and truth was looked up to, though he
might be rich. The.se things changed, however, little
by little, for the worse.
In those early days they were not wanting in
healthy amusements, changing with the season of the
year. One of these was the hunting-match. The
whole community — excejit the very young, the very
olil, the doctor and the minister, with now and then
one who had scruples in the matter — engaged in the
affair. A leader for each side was chosen by com-
mon consent. These chose sides, and for several days
the crack of the musket might be heard in all direc-
tions. The more obnoxious the animal, the more he
would count in the game. The heads of some, the
tails of others, were brought as trophies of success to
the place of count, and the umpire decided which side
had won the game. A supper, frequently jiaid for by
the losing side, closed the affair.
There were amusements of which the young women
had charge, others of which the men were the hading
characters, to both of which both were admitted, and
both considered necessary for the highest enjoyment.
One of these was the quilting-party, the other the
husking-bee. Ajiple-paring bees were also common.
It may be said that such parties were too rude to be
elevating, but the ancestoi-s of the present generation
of refined ladies and gentlemen in society were sound
and true in heart and very rarely stepped over the
bounds of propriety. Possibly the laugh was louder,
but the laugh was the whole of it and left no lurking
evil concealed. They were days remarkably free
from susjiicions, — days of mutual trust in families and
among friends.
Witches. — Hillsborough, not to be outdone by sur-
rounding towns, had its genuine witch-story. Aunt
.lenny Robinson had the reiiutation of being a veri-
table witch, anil could, 1 presume, as well as any other
witch, ride through the ;iir on a broom-stick. She
had the re|Uitatioii of being able to stop loadid teams
until the drivers should go into her husband's tavern
and get a drink. In this respect the spell which she
used is not greater than is often cast over teamsters
and those who are carried by teams. I will refer the
reader to the story so pathetically told by the Hills-
borough annalist, Mr. Smith, on |iage twcnly-nine of
his published lecture. There are so many witches in
"curls and liangs" in these days that I may be ex-
cused from giving more particulars.
Legends of Beasts of Prey.— The early history of
a town raiiiint In- considered complete, especially to
402
HISTUlir OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
the yourifr folks, without its bear-story any more than
witliout its witch-story. Both seem to be called for,
and Mr. Smith, the annalist, did his duty faithfully.
I cannot improveon his version of it, and will therefore
give it in his language, — " Bears were frequently seen
in town long after the wolves liad been exterminated.
Mr. James Carr, residing in the north part of the
town, was a bear-trapper. On going to his trap one
morning he found it gone." [I cannot explain how
that could be, — how he could go to his trap if it was
not there when he went, nor how he could be
said to find it if it was gone.] " He armed himself
with his rifle, and after following the track about a
mile he espied a bear. He laid aside his gun, and
commenced an attack with a club. The moment he
struck at the bear it grappled him witli its j^iw and
seized his left arm in its jaws. Carr, disliking so close
an embrace, with considerable effort drew from his
pocket a knife and compelled Bruin to relini|uisli his
hold. The bear, having in the struggle forced himself
from the trap, retreated to a ledge of rocks near by.
Thither Carr pursued him, though somewhat hurt by
the encounter, and discharged his rifle at him several
times before he killed him." Exit the bear, dragged
away by the trapper. As late as the beginning of the
present century, and before that from time imme-
morial, salmon abounded in the Contoocook River.
Civilization, by damming the rivers and other streams,
while it adds to artificial wealth, cuts off some of the
resources of nature.
The wolf was once a troublesome animal in Hills-
borough. Major Isaac Andrews has the reinitation
of killing the last wolf that was killed in town. He
baited a fo.x-trap; nothing disturbed it for two days,
but on the third day, on visiting the place, it was desti-
tute of a trap. It was in the winter and the snow was
deep ; so, taking his gun, he followed on snow-shoes
and killed it at the second firing.
Wild Game. — Moose and deer were sometime,s killed
in Ilillsl)orough and vicinity. Aged peojjle would
sometimes almost scare children out of their wits by
telling tliem frightful stories of wolves, bears and
catamounts, so that when out in the dark they would
imagine that they could often hear the treail of some
wild animal. The generation that fought success-
fully tlie l)attles of the Revolution, and secured inde-
pendence for themselves and their posterity, one by
one came to the closing period of life, and the places
that had known them knew them no more forever.
One by one they had yielded in the race of life to
younger competitors, and were contented to live again
in their children and children's children. Yet old
age is sometimes talkative, and the veterans of the
Revolution awakened in young minds dreams of
glory gained on the field of battle. The eye of the
old man would sparkle with a new delight as he talkc<l
of camping in the open air and sleeping on the bare
ground under the open sky ; as he talked of evolutions
in the field, marching and counter-marching in
echelon of file and echelon of section, of the impetu-
ous charge and the successful repulse.
CHAPTER III.
HILLSBOROUGH— ((7c»i/ini.«</).
War of 1S12— The McNeils— Men in the Ranks— War of the Kebellion-
IniiiiBtries of Itilli^borou^h — I>e«*rtiun of liill Farnis — Foi^(<trv — Pine
Timber — Contuot-ook Mills — The New Mill — liillBboroiigh or Valley
Academy.
War of 1812. — .\t length the time came for this
new generation of Americans, and of Britons as well,
to show their hand in war. As of old, there is with
every generation of men the time when " kings go
forth to battle," when some cause arises that calls
men to the tented field. Another war arose between
Great Britain and the United States, which were once
her dependent colonies. It was called with us the
War of 1812, as that was the year in which it was
declared. It was a contest vigorously fought by brave
men on both sides. It is difficult to state in precise
language the real causes that led to that war, as in
the final settlement made at Ghent nothing was de-
cided except that each, by hard blows given as well
as received, had vindicated most fully its honor before
the world.
The war was fought with varying success on both
sides by sea and by land ; sometimes victory was
claimed by each party. A treaty of peace was made
and signed at Aix-la-Chapelle, December 24, 1814.
Nevertheless, our greatest victory, which secured the
Presidency to the victorious leader of the American
army. General Andrew Jackson, was gained after the
treaty of peace had been signed, viz., on January 8,
181o." In the War of 1812 Hillsborough fnrnisiied
her quota of brave soldiers and skilled coinniaiiders,
and was represented on many a hard and well-fought
field. The sons of sires who fought with honor in the
American Revolution are found fighting with equal
skill and bravery with their fathers in the War of 1812.
Lieutenant John McNeil was at Bunker Hill, his son
at Lundy Lane.
The McNeils.^The name of McNeil occurs fre-
quently in the war reports of the early days of Hills-
borough. John McNeil, who was in the Louisburg
expedition in 1744-^5, in the Cape Breton War, came
originally from Londonderry to Derryfield (now
Manchester) and thence to Hillsborough. His son,
Daniel, moved to Hillsborough in 1771, and was ac-
cidentally drowned in the Contoocook at Hillsbor-
ough Bridge. His son, John, was a captain in the
War of the Revolution, was in the battle of Bunker
Hill and was one of the men that helped from the
field the fatally-wounded Cajitaiu Baldwin, the first
of the Hillsliorough men to die for their country.
This Captain McNeil, of whom we have just maile
mention, married Lucy, the daughter of Isaac An-
HILLSBOROUGH.
403
drewB, Esq. Of this marriage were four children,
viz., Mary, born July 6, 1779; General Solomon Mc-
Neil, luirn January 1'), 17S2 ; Ocneral .Inlin McNeil,
born March 2.'>, 1784; and Lucy, who died in infancy.
General .John McNeil, the third of the above children,
wa.s an officer in the War of \XV2. At the a^'e of
thirty he led his regiment in the battle of Chippewa,
being its major, and ranking the other officers on the
field, and for meritorious conduct was breveted lieu-
tenant-colonel .July 15, 1814. In the same month
General McNeil led the Eleventh Kegiment in the
engagement at Niagara, commonly called the battle of
Luudy Lane, July 2oth, just ten days after the battle
at Chippewa. At this time he was breveted colouel
"for distinguished valor" in this battle. He was
severely wuundcd and made lame for life in this en-
gagement, being hit by a six-ounce cani.stcr-shot
which shattered his right knee; yet he kept in the
field till the close of the engagement and a glorious
victory had been won. Nor had his promotions
ceased. On the same day of the battle, July 2oth, he
was breveted (a second time that day) brigadier-gen-
eral. In 1830 he retired from the army and was ap-
](ointe<l surveyor of the port of Boston by his friend,
President Jackson. He held this office until his
death. He died at Washington, D. C, February 23,
IS.'JO, at the age of si.xty-five, in the full jiossession of
all his faculties. General McNeil married a daughter
of Governor Pierce, sister of e.\-Presidcnt Franklin
Pierce. Of this marriage were a son and ilaughter.
The daughter, Mrs. Frances McNeil Potter, relict of
the late Hon. Chandler E. Potter, was born, I have
been told, in Chicago, when it was a military post,
when her father held command, and that she was the
first white child born on the site of that city. Miss
Fanny wjis a brave soldier's daiightir. and shared in
his glory. She has been distinguished for her cour-
age, dignity of character and cheerful disposition
under every allotment of Providence.
A son, named John W. S. ilcNeil fur his father,
and also the distinguished military chief under whom
General McNeil held a commission, fell in Florida
while leading an attack against the Indians, Septem-
ber 10, 1837. He was a lieutenant in the regular
army, having been educated at West Point. He was
killed at the age of twenty years and six months.
His death close<l up the line of succession in that
branch of the family for transmitting the family name
to posterity. Mrs. F. McNeil Putter is the only rep-
resentative of the family, — the littli generation from
John McNeil of Londonderry. The historian wishes
her a long and happy life.
Men in the Ranks.— Hillsborough furnished men
for the ranks for ihi' War of 1.S12. .\mong these were
two wi'll-known names to Ilillsboningh people, viz. :
George Dascomb and Haniel Tcmpleton. Jlr. Das-
comb died more than thirty years ago, a man useful
in the church and in society greatly missetl and
lamented. Mr. Tcmpleton lived to a good old age, and
died at his son's in Cambridge, Mass.. in 1881. Mr.
Templeton was a conscientious Christian man, very
slow in making up his mind and slower still in carry-
ing it out. He received government scrip entitling
him to draw a quarter-section of government land,
which he did in Michigan. When sold, the land
brings to the government a dollar and a quarter an
acre. He employed a professional agent to locate
his land, stating his place of preference. The agent,
however, did not locate where he wished ; and then
began his trouble, — taxes upon taxes, heavy, because
non-resident land is taxed heavily as a rule. He em-
ployed an agent, as I have said, and then a man to
watch the agent, and after a while, getting suspicious,
a third to keep an eye on both to see that they did
not conspire together. He employed me to write to
find out concerning the whole. I do not know who
looked after me.
After the War of 1812 business was for a few
years very brisk, ilarcy's cotton-factory added to the
enterprise of the inhabitants. It employed most of
the spare hands in the place and kept up the price of
female help. A whole generation gave their energies
mainly to the pursuits of peace. The Florida War was
carried ou by the regular army, in which Hillsborough
had representatives. But at length the sons of those
who fought in the War of 1812 have work on their
hands. War betw-een the United States and Mexico
was declared to exist by the act of Mexico. An
army was raised and sent into Mexico under Gen-
eral Zachary Taylor "to conijuer a peace." It was in
this war that the gallant Hon. l-'ranklin Pierce, after-
wards President of the United States, fleshed his
maiden sword in the blood of the Mexicans. Hills-
borough was well represented in that war.
In the mean time the nation has been constantly
growing, from a twofold cause, — natural increase from
births and increase from immigration. The territory
so immense occasioned differing interests in the
different sections. And so it turned out that a civil war
of gigantic proportions burst u)>on the nation in 18i!l.
The different sections sjirang to arms with different
purposes in view, — ou one side, to secure a separation
of government, as well as of interests ; on the other, to
hinder the separation and preserve the Union. In
this terrible war blood was poured fiut freely as water.
Hillsborciugh sent her full share of brave boys, some
of them, alas! never to return to dear and loving
homes. The bone.s of some lie mouldering in Southern
swamps. Some dying away or killi d in battle were
brought home for interment.
War of the Rebellion.— Besides privates and
non-conimi«sioneil olliccrs, some were honored with
commissions, an<ldid good service in the field. One
held a colonel's commission, — .fames F. (irimes. Colo-
nel James Forsailh (Jrimes was the son of Hiram
Grimes and grands*>n of John Grimes, originally oi
Deering, who removed thence with his family to
Francestown as proprietor of the hotel in that place,
404
HISTOllY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
and thence to Hillsl)orough Uridse, to the place
known long after as the Totherly jilace. The elder
irrimes was a successful business man, and reared his
family to business habits. Two of his sons went
West, to Burlington, Iowa, and amassed each a large
property. One of these, Hon. James W. Grimes,
was in the United States Senate at the time of the
Rebellion.
At the beginning of the late civil war Colonel
James F. Grimes, of Hillsborough, received a cap-
tain's commission, and opened a recruiting-office at
the Bridge. Enlistments were secured, and the tap
of the drum wfus a familiar daily sound and the
drilling of squads a familiar sight. The military
spirit was roused in boys and men, and soon there
began to be coni))anies and regiments, of which the
Hillsborough boys formed a part, getting ready for
the field. Colonel Grimes, then a captain of the
regular army, was constantly employed fur some
months in enlisting and drilling volunteers and re-
cruits for the service, and with excellent success. He
went himself to the field, and, in due process of time,
by meritorious conduct in the field, he rose by
degrees, and at length was breveted colonel. He re-
mained in the army till the close of the war. being in
the l)attlcs of the Wilderness, and for several years
after its close doing military service in the South,
his faithful wife sharing in canii>-life. Their second
child, .John, was born in camp.
Hillslmrough did its full share in the late war in
furnishing men and money. The question is often
asked, WluU did Hillsborough furnish I'or the defense
of the government during the dark days of the Rebel-
lion? The answer is ready: She furnished her full
share. During the first part of the war there was a
recruiting office in Hillsborough, and the waving ol
the Union flag was a familiar sight at the Bridge
village. 1 subjoin a list of the distribution of men
raised in Hillsborough who took part in the war,
showing tlie numl)er in the different regiments and
other military organizations in the Union army.
The following list will show the distribution of the
men belonging to Hillsborough who were sent to the
War of the Rebellion :
.Sei'onil Keyimt?nt Rii
Third KeKiiiX'Ot In
Fourth Kegimont 11
Sixtli Regiment 8
Seventh Iteginient 14
Kightll Regiment ]G
lie-eiilislvd.
Eighth Regiment 2
Ninth Regiment .->
Kloventli Regiment 17
Twelfth Regiment 3
Fourteentli Regiment 1
Sixteentli Regiment •ir,
.Seventeentli Regiment 2
Eighteentli Regimiiit 3
Cavalry 12
I.iglit Battery 3
Heavy Artillery 2
Shariisliouters 1
Tliirteentli Jlaeeachusetts Regiment 1
Seventeentli i'nited States Infantry 5
Veteran Reserve ) 'orps 9
Not reported and unknown 10
Total lOo
Killed and died from wounds as nearly as known,
forty-five.
In the spring of 1877 great pains were taken to
find the graves of deceased soldiers who had been
buried in cemeteries in use by the town, one of which
was just over the line in Deering.
I will here insert the names of soldiers whose
graves were then found and decorated with flowers
and a flag. It will be seen that one was in the old
French and Indian War exclusively, a goodly num-
ber served in the War of the Revolution, others in
the War of 1S12, but the largest list of those now
sleeping with the dead served in the late Civil War,
that nearly rent our land asunder. Since 1877 others
have joined the army of the dead, as George Pritch-
ard, the one-armed soldier citizen, and Warren Muz-
zey, so long the sole care of a loving and faithful
wife.
The following is a list of Hillsborough soldiers who
served in the several wars of the country whose
graves were decorated with flags and wreaths of flow-
ers on May .31, 1877, and succeeding years:
French attd IiulUnt Wur, — M'illiam Synionds, .Jr.
TlVir o/ th€ lierotution. — Samuel Symnnds, Major William Symunds,
William Taggart, Zarharinh Itobliins, Captain Isaac Baldwin, Lieutenant
Ammi .\ndre\v8, William fianuuell, l)aniel Kellom, Nathaniel Parmen- ,
ter, David Munrue, Nathan 3Iann, Timothy Grey, Thaddins Monroe,
Lieutenant John McNeil, Colonel Benjamin Pierce, Nathaniel Oolhy.
ir.o- of 1.S12.— Simon Bobbins, Eli Wheeler, Jonathan Daiiforth, Da-
vid Livermore, Luke fi. Hoalcy, Captain Ransom Bigsbee, Captain
Dickey, Stephen Richardson, William Poi)e, Benjamin Putney, John
Adkins, David Roach, William Bnrrill. George Dascoiidt, William H.
Heath, Richard Ooidd, Harvey Hubbard, Isaac Jlunlougb.
War of the Rebellion. — Harm Munroe, F. W. Bobbins, Cliarlos P.
Baldwin, John II. Clement, Captain B. S. Wilsnu, Captain S. fJibson,
William N. Clapp, William .Sniitli, Charles G. Hall, Captain George Rob-
bins, Solomon Buford, J. B. Raliegh, A. H. Wood, Kdwin Lewis. Leonard
Lewis. David i^ewis, Charles T. Robbins, John A<lMit, William Bnrrill,
Jr., Sergeant John Reed, Ingals Gould. L. S. Bui-t, Oliadiah Rumrill,
George Vose, Leander Katon, Sumner Mc.\danis, Thonnis M. Carr, .lohn
Morrill, William P. Cooledge, A. Fairbanks, Ixi.hanI I). Gmll.l, William
Bnrrill, Ji-.
These foot up as follows:
French and Indian War 1
War of thi- .Vinenciin Revolution 17
War of 1S12 IS
War of the Rebellion 32
Total OS
The writer of this article had full opportunity to
learn the griefs of households for " the unreturning
brave." One case is of peculiar sadness. Some
young men, having served their time, having been
st.ationed among the deadly swamjis of Louisiana,
had at length received their discharge, and were
about to return home the next dav. Charles Mc-
f
HILLSBOROUiiH.
405
Clintock, a noble youth, who left his preparation
for college to serve his country, was taken down
with malaria, and left there to die an<l be buried
hundreds of miles from his waiting and exjteeting
friends. Willard Templetmi. son of Daniel Tem-
pleton, was killed by a g\in-shot at Petersburg.
And so death came upon young Merrill, Rumrill,
Reed and Wilson ; young Burt came home to die.
But peace, blessed peace! came at length, thank God.'
Tile scars of battle have in the main Iteeu healed,
though there are hearts that will not cease, but with
the end of life, to feel and mourn in secret for their
dead. We, to-day, enjoy the blessings of " the Union
of States," which, by their sacrifice, has been pre-
served. Animo.sities between sections are dying away.
The "gray and the blue" meet together to honor
the brave men wlio died, some for "the cause," some
for " Union." They wore foes worthy of each other's
steel.
Industries of Hillsborough. — Since the war the
prosperity of the country has lieen une.xampled. Im-
migration hiis rajiidly increased our numbers. Hills-
borough has shared in the new impetus given to bus-
iness and in the coming in of foreign blooil. The
village at the liridge hits more than doubled since the
war in its population and wealth. The principal oc-
cupation of the town, numbering sixteen hundred and
twenty-three inhabitants in 1860, is that of farming
in some of its various forms. The town has a strong,
loamy soil, admirably adai)ted to the small grains and
grasses^ hence hay is raised in great abundance and
good pasturage abounds. The land, for the most part,
is too rough to admit the use of modern machinery.
Most of the labor on most of the farms must be done
by hand. Slill, year by year, one field after another
is cleared of stumps and stones to admit the use of
the cultivator and mower, so that machinery is get-
ting to be in quite common use in town. There is
also along the streams some smooth and level land
just adapted to improved nnichinery, thus greatly fa-
cilitating the work of farming.
The common productions of New England are
raisijd. More bushels of wheat to the acre arc some-
times raised without dilhculty than is averaged in the
great West. The advantage at the West is the illim-
itable acreage possible in a single field rather than in
the amount on a single acre. And it is so in corn.
At the West, cultivation of the soil is easier than in
New Englanil, being for the most ])art performed with
the aid of horses or mules. The land in Hillsborough,
where it is thoroughly worked, where the hay and
grain raised on it are mostly fed out on the same, so
that ampli' reluriis may be made for what is taken oil",
produces bountifully. True, it is hard to till in
ny parts, — -perhaps this may be truthfully said of
greater part, — but it pays well for hard work; it
i uards industry. The land reciprocates every favor
iceeived. It has been truthfully said, " If you tickle
her with a hoe, she will laugh with a harvest."
Desertion of Hill Farms. — A change has been go-
ing on gradually which will continue indefinitely,
viz. : a desertion of the high hills as tillage land, and
their conversion into pasture land. This has already
been done to a great extent. The original settlers
preferred the hill land as their home. It was easier
cleared. The timber was not so heavy, and was usually
beech and maple. The land was dryer than in the
basins. The stumps would decay sooner than in wet
land. The first crops were better, as the low land,
in its first state, needed draining to make it cultivat-
able or productive. Hence they sought the hills, at
least far up their sides. They could see further.
They could signalize each other better in case of dan-
ger. On the whole, they chose the hill country for its
supposed advantages.
The ashes left upon the gnnind at its clearing was
all that was needed for years to enrich it sufficiently
to insure a good harvest. They were less liable to
severe late frosts in spring and early frosts in autumn
on the hills than in the villages; hence, away to the
hills and i)ly the a.xe. In process of time the hills,
being l)arcd of their forests, became more dry in con-
sequence; water sometimes is scarce or fails for a sea-
son ; the soil becomes thinner from one period to
another ; the rain washes out the strength of the soil
and bears it to the valleys ; the wind drives away
great portions in dust; usually it is found conven-
ient to sell some of the hay and reduce the number of
heads of cattle kept on the farm without returning an
equivalent ; the result is, the farm grows poor and the
farmer ))oorer. The girls are married and go to their
new homes. The boys, as they become young men of
age, go West or to the villages. In process of time
father and mother grow old and feeble, sell out to
somebody wanting a pasture, and go to the village or
to live with one of the children. And so it is that
farm after farm in the most hilly section of Hills-
borough has been deserted, and the once well-
cultivated farms are either growing up to forests
or the process retarded by great herds of cattle roam-
ing over them at large. Whole school districts, where
once was the hum of busy life, where once were troojis
of laughing children playiug about the house and
barn, are now deserted and the buildings either taken
down and removed, or, if left, are fast falling to decay
and " cureless ruin." This process will doubtless go
on. More than half the inhabitants of the town are
now living within a mile of the arched bridge near
the mills, which gives its name to the village.
These hill lands are actually depreciating iu value
every year, owing to two tiicte, — first, distance from
the railroiids, and, second, the natural disintegration ol
the soil, owing to frosts, heat and water, ami its eoii-
scqueiit subsidence lo lower lands. The writer of this
article knows from jiersonal oli.scrvation that in cer-
tain school districts, where once were from forty to si.rty
scholars, there are now only from ten to fifteen; and
other <listricts have been rc<luce(l from forty, some to
406
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
two or three, and some to notliinp. Nominally, the
town has seventeen whole scliool districts, besides the
independent district at Ilillsliomnfrh Bridge, formed
in accordance with the Somersworth Act; also a half-
district in union with a half-district in Antrim, unless
very lately the union lias been dissolved. But this
half-district for a considerable time furnished but one
scholar, .\notlier district in town, one larger in num-
bers, did not furnish, for several years, a single scholar
of its own, but at length revived with one scholar and
the teacher, sister and brother.
From all this it can be readily seen why some of
the best farmers in town have turned their attention
of late in so great a degree to the milk business and,
in connection with producing milk, to the making of
butter for market. The usual mode of proceeding is
to allow the cows to run free in the pastures during
the summer. Coming in in the late fall, they are
kept in stable through the winter and fed with hay
and ground feed, and butter is made for the market
and sent weekly by railroad. Usually, the butter
from these creameries brings at that season a good
price and a sure sale during the winter months, and
it is found to be more profitable than the usual way
of making butter in the summer. Tlie large farmers,
after the season of milking is over, turn the cows out
to pasture, reserving the best milkers for furrow cows
or new milch cows the next winter, and selling the
others for beef after they are well fattened.
Within the last ten years Hillsborough farmers
have been coming into the foreground in the matter
of butter-making, and do not fear now to stand in the
market-place side by side with the famous butter-
makers of Vermont, who for many years threw them
completely into the shade. There are many good
creameries in Hillsborough ; many farmers furnish a
first-class article in the way of butter. I will illus-
trate by referring to some few individuals well known
in town, without wishing it to be inferre<l that there
are not many others eiiually good, viz., Charles W.
Conn, James Bickford & Son, James JI. Wilkins,
the Clark Brothers, the Gammells, Jeremiah Button,
Samuel M. Baker and others for whose names I have
not space, but whose sweet and yellow butter I have
often tasted and know it to be good.
Forestry. — .\nother industry which t'urnislies
business for many men in Hillsborough is cutting
and drawing wood and lumber. The forests within
three miles of the railroad station in town have been
notably thinned; yet the wood is constantly growing,
and every year wood and lumber are drawn Irom
greater and still greater distances. On many farms
the most profitable growth is the forest growth. To
secure in the shortest time new timber lit to be cut,
cattle should not be allowed to browse the young
shoots. It should be as carefully guarded from them
as a wheat-field. In a few years — if left to itself — it
will be large enough for the wood-pile, or even the
.saw-mill. Hillsborough, especially back on the hills,
abounds in forests, heavily timbered. It is thouglil
that with all the waste, wood grows in town fa^tl r
than it i> used for all purposes.
Pine Timber. — It maybe interesting to the general
reader to learn any facts in regard to the growth of
pine timber in Hillsborough. It will be remembered
that King George III. reserved all the white pines
for the use of the royal navy. The settlers did not
relish this restriction, and soon entrenched upon the
King's prerogative and cut pines for home use. At-
tempts were made to arrest men and bring them to
justice for the crime of stealing timber from their own
land; but the neighbors would interfere with the free
and unrestricted course of htu< and Justice, and the
sheriff was sometimes glad for leave to return unmo-
lested without his man. The writer has seen pines of
great length drawn to the railroad for shipment to
the navy-yard for masts, not, however, for King
George. The pines, except very small ones, are
nearly extinct in town.
Contoocook Mills. — A ijuarter of a century ago the
old cotton-factory of the ilarcys had passed into
other hands, and about that time John B. Smith
bought and took possession and set up the business of
hosiery-knitting. The old saw-mill standing near the
south end of the bridge, which had sawn boards, lum-
ber and turned out shoe-pegs by the cart-load, passed
into his (Smith's) hands, and was transformed into a
large and convenient factory. For a time George D.
Reaseler run the south mill — the old cotton-factory —
and J. B. Smith the newly-modeled one near the
bridge, but at length the north factory came into his
hands, and for several years he ojierated both mills to
the best advantage, and amassed a fortune. A few
years ago the Contoocook Woolen Company was
formed and now exists in active operation.
In the new company by far the heaviest owner is
the original owner, John Butler Smith, and next to
him his nei)hew, a sisters son, George Edward (iould,
who is also foreman and l)usiness manager in the
factories. Mr. Gould is a natural mechanic, a perfect
genius in iiutting wrongs in machinery to rights, and
equally competent to manage help as machinery. He
is the regulator of all the internal arrangements, and
has always enjoyed the perfect confidence of the head
of the establishment. The Contoocook Woolen-Mills
have a high and well-deserved reputation abroad.
Their goods stand among the first, if not the very
first, in the market, and are not excelled. They are
exactly what they are recommended to be, both as to
the material of which they are made and the weight
and the work that is put into them.
These mills employ from fifty to a hu!ulred hands,
male and female, at remunerative wages. Besides, a
great amount of work is done outside the mills, — such
parts of the work as must be done by hand on under-
shirts, drawers and socks. In almost every house for
miles may be seen the inevitable garments, since the
work is easy and eomniands ready pay once in two
HILLSBOROUGH.
407
weeks in money. The 15th of the month is a golden
day at Hillsborough Bridge for hel|) and the creditors
of help. If the Contoocook Woolen-Mills should
stup work, or should cease to give out work, many
would lie at a loss for spending-money. It does
ui't pay, they say, but it is better than nothing. Yes,
and it is a great deal better than making white cotton
shirts, all told, as is done in Boston, at the rate of six
cents apiece.
The New Mill. — The hope of Hillsborough Bridge
and ininiedintc vicinity has for many years centred
on its e.'cccllent water-jiower, — on the work which tlie
ContooCook might some day do for them. The Con-
toocook River has been regarded for a long jjeriod as
tiie tutelary genius of the place. Only a small por-
tion of its water-power has yet been utilized. It is
believed that it might easily do all the work that it is
now doing, and, in addition, turn as many spindles
and drive as many shuttles as the Merrimack does at
Lawrence or Lowell. Its gri.st-mills, saw-mills, yarn-
factories, hosiery-mills and all the rest combined
did not satisfy the longing minds of the people.
Tliere was something not possessed that was wanted.
The project of'Tlie New Mill" was started at length
— perhaps spontaneously. It was called " The New
Mill" before even the plan of it was drawn, a stone
dug or a stick of timber drawn, or even cut. Shares
were taken eagerly, money paid cheerfully, in hopes
of having speedily a golden return. Work was com-
menced, the money which hatl been subscribed all
U'fcd, jind "The New Mill" not completed. Then
bonds were issued, and more money raised on these.
"The New Mill" at length was finished, from the
water-wheel to the ventilator, — made for no particular
U.se, but for any use that might be needed by the ]iur-
chaser or renter. "The bonds" ate up "the shares,"
and, like Pharaoh's lean kine, were still hungry. No
purchaser, no renter that would be accepted. " Wait-
ing, still waiting." At length "The New Mill" was
sold and put to use. It has adiled va.stly to the busi-
ness of the jilaee l)y employing more hands requir-
ing to be sheltered, feil and clothed. But it has not
brouglit back the tir-t thirty thousand dolhirs that
was paid out for original shares.
Hillsborough Bridge has always been noted for
handling "the nimlile shilling." A ten-dollar bill
started on its travels in the morning will make the
acquaintance of a do/en pocket-books before night, in
sea-son to get back into bank within banking hours.
And so it has always been that a small ca|)it;il at the
Bridge has been able to do a large and legitimate
business. The starting up of the " New Mill," about
seven or eight years ago, awoke to full action the
latent energies of the i)lace. IIouse-1)uilding became
at once a business, and Icjts for building purposes —
always high at the Bridge. ])roverbially so — now rose
to an un]irecedentcd lieight, so that those who had
lots to .sell now received a part ti( their loss in
"shares." Business of all kinds imi)roved.
The corporate nameof theNew Mill is Hillsborough
Woolen-Mills, — Rufus F. Frost & Co., proprietors;
John Kimball, superintendent. The New Mill, even
if it should get old enough to demand repairs, will al-
ways be " The New Mill." It can never grow old in
the hearts of this generation. When the dam was
built for this mill, John B. Smith, proi)rietor of the
Contoocook Mills, built the north half, which he
owns, and the mill privilege also, on the north bank
of the river. He did this for two reasons, — one, that
he might be able to control one-half of the water, if
necessary, for the use of the Contoocook Mills; the
other, to secure the means of running another "«ew;
mill," if he should think best at any time to do so. In
former years that mill privilege had been used to ad-
vantage; it might be of advantage to use it again.
Mr. Smith also owns the mill, last operated as a silk-
mill, on the north bank of the Contoocook, east of
the bridge across the river. Factories might be .suc-
cessfully operated, if built, for a long distance down
the river.
The future of Hillsborough lies in the Judicious
use of the waters of the Contoocook. The river is
better than a gold-mine,and there isan opportunity for
great extension. The water can be conducted for a
long distance down the river, and enough conveyed
to carry machinery to an unlimited extent. Besides,
there is abundant opportunity to hold water back in
the vast reservoirs in Stoddard and in the adjacent
towns, against a time of need, if such should arise.
Hillsborough village is destined to be, at no distant
future, a large manufacturing place. The Contoocook
Mills, of years' standing, are a pledge of what it
can do.
Hillsborough (or Valley) Academy. — It will be
found, (ju in(]uiry, that about the year ISi'd there was
a wide-spread fever, both in New Hamjishire and
Vermont, for establishing incorporated academies —
it was before the day of High Schools — with or with-
out invested funds, as the case might be. Hillsbor-
ough Academy was incor|)orated by act of the Legis-
lature in 1821. The first teacher was Dr. Simeon
Ingersol Bard, of Francestown, a graduate of Dart-
mouth in 1821. He came to Hillsborough directly
after graduation. He was small in size, wiry, elastic
in his movements, boyish in appearance, but a man
every way in mental ability and scludarship. His
mind was keen in analysis, and he gave a high tone
to the new academy. He afterwards taught in the
academy at Francestown. So youthful was his ap-
pearance that one of the citizens of Francestown,
not knowing who it was, saw him as he was going to
the academy with some large books under his arm,
and accosted him, — " Sonny, how do like your |)re-
cciitor?" He was followed in the Hillsborough
Academy by Rev. William Clark, D.D., of Andierst,
a native of Hancock, a classmate of Dr. Bard in col-
lege, who taught several years before going to An-
dover, where he graduated in theology in 1827. He
408
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
is well and favorably known for work iii the home
missionary field in the State. His brother — Rev.
Samuel Wallace Clark — took his place in the acad-
emy in 1823, taught one year and then went with
his brother William to Andover, from which jihue
both graduated in theology in 1827. Rev. .lonah Pea-
body followed, who graduated at Dartmouth in 182.5.
He was followed by the Ijrothers (in turn) Robert Reed
and Solomon Heath Reed, graduates of Dartmouth.
Another teacher of note was IJenjaniin F. Wallace,
Esq., who became a veteran in the ticld and is well
remembered in Hillsborough. Rev. Ephraim Tay-
lor, Albert Baker, Esq., and F. B. Mussey followed
in turn. The academy was at first located in a brick
building at the Lower village. Having at length
done its work there, and good work, too, it reappeared
at Hillsborough Centre under the instruction of
Rev. Elihu Thayer Rowe, a graduate of Dart-
mouth College in 1840, who was a practical and
thorough teacher, who died in 1867. Others swayed
with credit the educational sceptre on the hill, and
the academy did good work there for years. In 1804,
taking the name Valley Academy, it reappeared at
Hillsborough Bridge under the auspices of Rev.
Harry Brickett, assisted by his wife. Mr. Brickett was
acting pastor, at the time, of the Hillsborough Bridge
Congregational Church. The i)upils numbered about
one hundred and twenty.
In 1876 Valley Academy reopened with a fall and
spring term, the winter and summer terms being in
the same building, under the same teachers, and
known as the Uniou School. Kev. Harry L. Brickett,
son of Rev. Harry Brickett, a graduate of Oberlin
College, class of 1875, was principal, and Miss Ellen
J. Brickett, a graduate of the Ladies' Department of
the same institution in the same year, was assistant.
For three years, from 1876 to 1879, they taught with
the best of success — the schools being crowded with
scholars— four terms a year. In the fall of 1879, Mr.
Brickett entered Andover Theological Seminary.
They were followed by Dr. Frank P. Newman and
Miss Mary Ellen Whiltemore, who remained one year.
Dr. Newman being called from there to the position
of principal of Tubbs' I'nion Academy, Washington,
his native town, where he has since taught with great
acceptance, and has made his school rank among the
first. Miss Whittemore, a graduate of Bradford Acad-
emy, Massachusetts, was called from Hillsborough to
Bradford, N. H., where for several years she taught,
with great credit, the Bradford (iramniar School.
Mr. I?. F. Hurd, a graduate of Bates College, Me.,
followed, and remained three years. Miss Epps was
for a time his assistant ; she was succeeded by Miss
Gutterson. Mr. Hurd was called from here to Fran-
cestown Academy, where he still remains, doing tiiith-
ful and efficient work. A priuuiry department was
started under his administration with good success.
Mr. George A. Dickey, a graduate of Dartmouth
College in 1880, succeeded, and is the present principal.
A new, commodious and elegant school-house, with
four departments, has been built since Mr. Dickey's
advent. Miss Jennie Breed, Miss Clara F. Potter and
others are his co-laborers in educational work. Hills-
borough may well feel proud of her schools. A g I
education is the best legacy for children.
CHAPTER IV.
HILLSBOROUGH— ( Continued).
Tlie Scotch-Irish Element— The Professions — Law and La\t'yers — Tlio
Ministry — Ecclesiastical History — Congregational C'hnrches — Meth..d.
ibt Episcopal Church — Baptist Church — Independents.
The Scotch-Irish Element. — The inhabitants of
Hillsborough are descendants mainly of Puritan
stock; but, like other stock in good companies, it
has been somewhat watered. It will be found that
no nationality can claim a decided majority. It
is well known, however, that from the very start there
has been a liberal sprinkling of the Scotch-Irish ele-
ment. These were men unsurpassed in decision of
character, determination, love of liberty, even to
license; yet of the utmost fidelity in all social relations.
They may be properly styled the defenders of the
home.
The Scotch-Irish originally went from Scotland to
the north of Ireland, which they made their home.
Very likely there is, to a greater or less degree, an
intermingling of Irish blood.
Londonderry, in New Hampshire, attracted the men
from Londonderry and the region round about in Ire-
land.
The Scotch-Irish predominated in that town, and
sent out emigrants to help in settling other towns,
Hillsliorough among the rest.
It is this blood that furnished most of our brave
officers in the Revolutionary War and in the War of
1812, and they were not backward to volunteer to
march in the ranks.
It is a race that possesses in a high degree jiluck
and fire. It possesses the pure Scotch firmness — al-
most obstinacy — that is determined to fight a cause
out "on that line." to the fiery high blood of the Irish
soldier that would charge, without flinching or turn-
ing aside, up to the very cannon's mouth.
It is an exceedingly interesting class of people, as
studied in their adopted homes in Ireland. They
were zealous Protestants, and, in the days of James
the Second, of England, they adhered firmly to the
cause of William of Orange against the tyranny of
James. The story of the siege of Londonderry, Ire-
land, in 1680, is one of the most thrilling in history.
They endured the most terrible tortures of famine, but
held out till they were relieved and saved. It is the
tendency of such blood to tone up society to a high
level of honorable feeling. Some of the first settlers
of Hillsborouirh came originallv from Ireland. Their-
lllLLiBORUUGH.
409
descendants have, as a rule, been men of probity and
unblemislied eharacter. They are generous to a fault,
and will divide the last loaf. Hillsborough has felt
the gooil iiiflui'iice of that blood.
The Professions. — The history of a town would be
incomplete that Kit out mention of it.s professional men,
— those who filled its pulpits, who pleaded at the bar,
and administered the healing art, — who had to do with
the souls, the wills and the bodies of the people. I
ought to add another class, much, at the present time,
more than formerly a profession, that of teachers of
youth, — those who, while dealing mainly with the
minds of [)upils at a tender age, really lay the founda-
tion, either well or ill, on wliich the superstructure of
a life, good or bad. is built. It is fair to jiresume
that the professions are made up of men of at least
average ability, but of superior mental training.
L.wv Axr> Lawyers. — Law is supposed to be the
embodiment of justice and fair dealing among men.
From the earliest ages of civilization there has been
a class of men whose business is to know the law and
be able to give sound and safe advice in regard to it.
Hillsborough has been from the first the home of dis-
tinguished lawyers.
Anir)tig the first practitioners was David Starrett, a
native of Francestown, a graduate of Dartmouth Col-
lege in 17!'H, and student of law in the office of Hon.
Samuel liell, of F"rancestown. He opened an office in
Hillsborough in 1802. He was not regarded as a
brilliant advocate, but as a safe adviser he had the
gener:t) confidence of the jieople of the town and was
confidently trusted by his clients. He resided in
town ten years. He then mysteriously disappeared,
never to return. In .'Smith's annals is a long account
concerning it.
John Hurnam, also a graduate of Dartmouth Col-
lege, a student in the office of Hon. Samuel Bell, and
later of David Starn-tt, succeeded the latter in LSlli.
David Steele, born at Peterborough, September ''At,
1787, graduated at Williams College in IXlo, studied
law with James Walker, Esq., and Hon. Charles G.
Atherton, of Amherst; married, late in life. Miss
Catharina Kendall, of Amherst, who yet survives him,
and o|)ened an oflice in Hillsborough, at the Bridge
village, in 1H13. He was a useful man, both in so-
ciety and in the church. He died at I'eterborough
many years ago, between eighty and ninety years of
age.
John McFarland opened an office at the Upper vil-
lage in 181'), and died in Hillsborough in 18111.
Timothy Darling graduated at Harvard University
in 1822, opened an ollice in Hillsborough in 1820 and
remained in town just one year.
In 1827, Hon. Franklin Pierce, of national reputa-
tion, opened a law-ofiice in the Lower village of Hills-
borough, and continue<l there eleven years, when he
removed to Concord. He was a graduate of IJowdoin
College, Maine, in 1S24, at the age of twenty, and
three years later was admitted to the bar in his native
State. He filled many positions of public trust with
dignity and honor. From 1829 to 1833 he represented
Hillsborough in the State Legislature, the hist two
years being Speaker of the House. In 1833 he was
elected to Congress, where he served ably during his
two terms till 1837, when he was elected to the
United States Senate. Hewas then the youngest mem-
ber of that body, being barely of the legal age retpiired.
In 1842 he resigned his seat and returned to Concord,
where he resumed his legal practice.
His Huency of speech, his knowledge of law and his
; prominence as a public man gave him the fir.-*! place
at the bar of New Hampshire. In 184fi the ])osition
of United States Attorney-General was ottered him by
President Polk, but he declined. He also declined
to run for Governor when nominated by the Demo-
j cratic party in New Hampshire.
His military record was one of rapid rise. Enlist-
' ing as a private in a volunteer company, he became a
colonel and soon after a brigadier-general. He took
a prominent part in the Me.xican War, where he
served with bravery and honor under General Scott.
At the close of the war he resumed the practice
of law in Concord. In 1850 he presided over
the Constitutional Convention of Xew Hampshire.
In 1852, at Baltimore, he was nominated, after a jiro-
tracted struggle, on the forty-ninth ballot, over all
competitors, as the Democratic candidate for Presi-
dent of the United States. He was nominated
in the convention by two hundred and eighty-two
votes to eleven for all other candidates. When the
votes of the Electoral College were counted, Pierce
had two hundred and fifty-four and Scott forty-two.
After 1857, which was the close of his administra-
tion, Mr. Pierce passed several years in Europe, re-
turning in 1860. He died in Concord. It has been
projjosed to erect a statue to his memory, to stand in
the State-House yard.
Albert Baker, an exceedingly fiopular man in the
town and State, was a native of Bow, horn F'ebruary
10, 1810, a graduate of Dartmouth C<dlege in 1834.
read law with Hon. Franklin Pierce, and opened an
office in Hillsborough in 1837.
There have fidlowed men of brilliant talents, —
Sanaiel H. Ayer, an able lawyer, who was sometimes
pitted against Hon. Franklin Pierce at the bar, where
he acquitted himself with honor. Cieorge Barstow, a
native of Haverhill, a man of good mind and scholar-
ship, a member of Dartmouth College, but who left be-
fore graduating. He succeeded as a man of letters
rather than as a lawyer. He remained but a short
time in town. Francis IS. Peabody was also in Hills-
borough for a short time. 01' him but little is known.
Francis X. Blood, a Hillsborough boy had an ofiicc
and dwelling-house at the Lower village. He wasre-
ganled as a good lawyer, and an upright and honor-
alile nniii. He died of consumption, leaving a gor)d
property, which he had gained in his pnd'ession.
Hon. James V. Briggs, of English parentage, — a dis-
410
HISTORY OF HILLSBOKOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
tinguished counselor-at-law, an ex-member of Con-
gress, — practiced at the Bridge several years, till his
removal to Manchester. Charles A. Harnden suc-
ceeded Esq. Blood. He remained in Hillsborough
but a short time after he was admitted to the bar.
Brooks K. Webber has been in the practice of law
at the Bridge since the removal of P^sij. Briggs. He
is considered a safe adviser in law, and never counsels
a client to incur the e.xpense of a law-suit if he can
avoid it by an amicable settlement. He has a good
practice.
A. B. Spalding, of Lyndeborough, began to practice
law the latter part of 1870, and remained a little less
than two years. He left under a cloud, and has since
died. Willis G. Buxton studied law with Brooks K.
Webber, and in the Boston Law School. He was ad-
mitted to the bar and commenced and continued
several years in practice in Hillsborough. He
early removed to Peunicook, where he now is in suc-
cessful practice. Samuel W. Holman has been at the
Bridge several years in the practice of law. He
studied law with Hon. Mason Toppan, of Bradford,
Attorney-General of Xcw Hampshire. Mr. Holman
is ra|>idly acquiring a lucrative practice. The Pierces,
Colonel Frank H. and Kirk D., brothers, are located
at the Lower village, and are doing a good share of
legal work. Colonel Frank H. Pierce, one of the
firm, has recently received the appointment of judge
advocate of the Amoskeag Veterans. He has accepted
the appointment of L'nited States consul to Matanzas,
Culia. .1. Willard Newman, son of James Newman,
prepared under Esq. Webber, and is now a jtracticing
lawyer in Chicago. Others may have come into town
and reconnoitercd, hoping to find a place to hang up a
shingle somewhere; but so long as the Pierces guard
the Lower village, and Webber and Holman the
Bridge, interlopers may as well know that there is no
room; they bad l)ctter not unlimber. Hillsborough
has good lawyers now, fully competent to defend the
interests of all its citizens and others who may apply, —
men who are good judges of law and equity and safe
advisers of their clients.
The M1XI.STRY. — In the early settlements the min-
isters of the gospel did not stay long behind the
pioneers, who came with axe, saw, auger, shovel and
pick-hoe — to be supplemented with the plow — to
clear, to build and to cultivate. Rude homes were
soon constructed of hewn logs. The timber stood
everywhere, and almost enough grew on the lot for
buildings to make them — especially if a garden and
small field were taken into the account — a shelter of
logs suthcient to protect the family during the hours
of sleep, and serve as a nucleus for the home, the
dearest place on earth, whether a hut or a palace. At
first there were no saw-mills and no means of sawing
lumber except by hand. The tools most needed and
used most were axe, saw, auger and chisel.
First, a home for the family ; the very next, the
meeting-house — rarely in those days in New England
called a church — and the next, a })arsonage. The
first settlement, which, on account of imminent dan-
ger from a treacherous enemy, lasted only from 1741
to 174C, nevertheless built a meeting-house and a
home for a minister. As has already l>een said, this
meeting-house was burnt, and, as is believed, wantonlv,
for the malicious gratification of seeing it burn. A
man named Keyes, as appears from the records was
at the beginning of the first settlement in 1741, joint-
proprietor with Colonel Hill. His name does not
appear in the records as connected with the second
settlement of the town. Business troubles may have
soured the mind of this Keyes, of Weare, and so for
revenge he may have fired the building. It was
burnt. This Keyes may have felt himself wronged,
and that the glass which he took out and buried was
his.
During the time between the years 1767 and 1779
— twelve years — jniblic worship was held in warm
weather in groves or in barns, in the coldest in pri-
vate dwellings. Colonel Hill, now the sole proprietor
of the town (by some means he has sloughed oft' Mr.
Keyes), gave the town ten acres of land — now occupied
at the centre of the town for the sole use of the
church buildings and the cemetery — for these purposes
and also for a common. In addition, he reserved
from sale two whole lots of the one hundred acre lots
and a part of another for the first settled minister.
In the autumn of 1772 the church, concurred in by
the town of Hillsborough, invited Mr. Jonathan
Barnes, a licentiate, to come and settle with them as
their minister and pastor. He accepted the call,
came and was ordained and installed November 25,
1772.
The ordination exercises were held on Bible Hill, in
the barn of Lieutenant Samuel Bradford. It was no
uncommon thing in that early age, and even later, to
hold religious services in a barn. The writer, in his
youthful days in Newbury, Vt., frequently attended
meeting in barns in the summer season ; indeed,
himself and sisters were baptized in a barn within
his (lersoual recollection. The name "Bible Hill"
has frequently been alluded to. It is a familiar name
in Hillsborough, — as well known jis the Bridge, Lower,
Ui)per or Centre village. A road from West Deering,
one mile west of the Bridge village, running north
and south, passes by the "Deacon Sawyer place,"
now owned and occupied by Gawn Mills, over a con-
siderable hill, consisting of most excellent farming
land, by the Jones, Burn ham and Tuttle places. This
is called " Bible Hill," common rumor has it, because
the only Bible in town was owned by a family living
there. 3Ir. Smith, who probably sifted the rumor,
modestly puts it, to save the credit of the deacons of
the church, that the only large Bibles in town were
owned by Deacons Isaac Andrews and Joseph Sy-
monds. I yield to that authority, and am glad to be-
lieve Mr. Smith the faithful annalist in preference to
Madam Rumor, who has sometimes proved to be mis-
r
I
UILLSBOROUCiH.
411
taken. It is liopefl and belirvL'd that there were some
small Uibles elsewhere, and that they were read and
obeyed. Bible Hill at that time bid fair to be the
leading place in town, outranking the Uridge even.
It had in it the first tavern built in town, in 1766;
the first town-meeting wits held there in 1772; the
first ordination, in 1772 ; the first captain of the first
military company formed in town, and its first lieu-
tenant, lived there.
The second meeting-house in town was built by the
town, the same as the first, which had been burnt.
The town pa-ssed a vote for the purpose of building
a house of worship in May, 1778. It was carried
into effect in 177'J, and used thirteen years, when it
waii found to be iusutficient for the increased congrega-
tion that was to come early every Sabbath morning
and stay till late in the afternoon to listen to two long
sermons, each of at least an hour's length, and
prayers and singing in proportion. It was then re-
ninved from its site several rods, and converted into a
school-house. As a meeting-house it gave place to
another larger building, and better adapted to the
wants of the town. "The new building" — they
called it — was to be si.xty-two feet in length, fifty feet
in width and two stories in height, with porches
on three of the sides, each having a door for entrance.
The raising of this large building, lifted a broadside
at a time, sis was the custom in those days with all
frame buildings, was no small affair. People came
from far and near, even from distant towns, to help
lift at the master-workman's call, "Heave, O heave!"
and then to share in the inspiring contents of the
barrel, liberally furnished for the occasion. Though
professedly the building was for the Holy Spirit's
dwelling, other sjjirits aided at the raising.
This building w.i.h used as a place of worshij) for
twenty-eight years, with no means of warming it ex-
cept the ladies' foot-stoves. In the very coldest
weather worsliip was conducted in the pastor's
kitchen. JSefore the settlement of Mr. Barnes as
pastor, religious services were conducted by the min-
isters of other parishes, i)articularly by Rev. William
Houston, of liedl'ord, and Kev. Samuel Cotton, of
Litchfield. They assisted in the organization of the
first church, which was gathered October 12, 17(!y,8aid
to be the tenth church formed within the present
limits of Hillsborough County prior to lo41, the one
hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town.
At the ordination of Mr. Barnes, Rev. Josiah Bridge
preached the sermon.
1 find the following town record of itt vote in re-
LMrd to the minister's support in Mr. Smith's annals.
\'oled unanimously to fi.x the Rev. Mr. Barnes' salary
I liat we will give him thirty pounds" — equivalent
' one hundre<l and forty-five dollars and a few cents —
" by way of settlement, thirty-five pounds a year for the
first fouryears," — eipiivalentto — .*16",).-K»,— " then forty
I'oiiiids a year, until there shall be seventy families in
town ; and when there shall be seventy fiimilies, he is
to be entitled to fifty pounds, whether sooner or later,
until there shall be ninety tamilies ; when there is
ninety families, he shall receive sixty pounds until
there is one hundred and ten families; when there is
one hundred and ten families, he shall receive sixty-
six pounds, six shillings and four-pence, which last
sum he shall continue to receive so long as he remain
our minister." This last was to be the ultimatum. It
will be remembered that, in addition, Mr. Barnes was
to receive between two and three hundred acres of
land ;is the gift of Colonel Hill. Mr. Barnes, having
sustained the pastoral relation for thirty-one years,
becoming iiuvipacited for perfi)rming the duties of his
office through i>aralysis resulting from a stroke of
lightning, resigned his office as minister and pastor
October 19, 1808, in the fifty-fourth year of his age,
and lived after his resignation only two years. He
was esteemed a.s a good citizen and a good friend, a
man of respectable talents and agreeable manners. As
a preacher, he was regarded as leaning too strongly to
what is called " the liberal side " in doctrine. He was
active and laborious, working with his own hand to
supply the wants which his salary, [)riidently used,
failed to do. His heirs own and occupy the home-
stead. Jlr. Barnes married a most excellent lady, —
Miss Abigail Curtiss, of East Sudbury, Mass., in 1774,
who became the mother often children. She survived
her husband thirty-three years, dying in 1838, "uni-
versally beloved and lamented." She was esteemed
by all her personal acquaintances as a true friend and
a consistent Christian. Though not rich in this
world's goods, she always gave something to the poor
and needy, having a heart to feel for them in their
poverty and want. She set the example in her early
widowhood to attend meeting constantly when cir-
cumstances would permit. Her children called her
blessed on account of her gentle goodness.
Rev. Slc[)hen Chapin followed Mr. Barnes, and as
one extreme follows another quite frequently, it is so
with heat and cold as regards the weather. He proved
to be very unlike his predecessor. He was ordained
.Tunc 18, ISOfi, with a stipulated yearly salary of four
hundred doll.irs. You note the change. English
money, in which Mr. Barnes' salary was stipulated, is
followed by federal money in the case of Chapin. The
sermon was preached by the distinguished divine,
Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, D.D., of Franklin, Mass.
The selection of a minister to preach the sermon was
an indication of the course Mr. Chajiin would take.
He was the orthodox of the orthodox. He was re-
garded as very rigid in his belief, and sometimes
preached so as to offend. It was, however, only what lie
regiirded as vital truth. As he regarded Mr. Barnes
as leaning too far towards the liberal side, he felt
called upon to lean pretty strongly in the other direc-
tion. His fidelity to what he regarded as the truth
of the Bible was the cause of his disinission in a little
more than a year. He wits young and inexperienced,
full of zeal and a real desire to do good. The zeal of
412
HISTORY OF HLLLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
the Lord's house ate him up. His farewell sermon,
which was printed for distribution, was preached
July 30, 1809. The reason for asking to have Mr.
Chapin dismissed, as given by the committee of the
church before tlic council, was, " Incapacity from
want of health." He and his people had not become
acquainted with each other, and great difficulties lay in
the way of obtaining an intimate acquaintance. The
people could not, or thought they could not, change from
the genial ways of 3Ir. Barnes to the seeming severity
of Mr. Chajiin. There is not a doubt that Mr. Chapin
wa-s a thoroughly good man, and a better acquaint-
ance between him and his people might have endeared
him to them and secureil his stay. The third pastor
was another Chapin. If they could not keep the man,
they would try the name again. Mr. Seth Chapin
was called and ordained January 1, 1812, an unlucky
year, the beginning of a war between the United
States of America and Great Britain. The ordaining
sermon was preached by Rev. Ephraim P. Bradford,
of New Bo.ston, the pastor of a Presbyterian Church.
Rev. John M. M'hiton, another Presbyterian, gave
the right hand of fullowship.
Of this .second Chai)iii little has come down to us.
The people were too busy in attending to the state of
the war to do much in the gospel line; so, after the war
between the two belligerent powers was settled, they
found time, on the 26th of June, 1816, to unsettle Mr.
Ohapin. He had beiome embarrassed with debt.
While during war-time, usually, the peo])le grow rich,
the lab(n-er gets higher wages, the producer higher
prices, the man who depends upon a stated salary
often gets less in amount paid than was [iromised,
and the currency is inflated, while the price of every-
thing he buys is doubled or nearly so. The writer
knows whereof he affirms. Mr. Chapin's ministry,
so far as appears on the record, was destitute of
much fruit. He was a native of Mendon, Mass., an
Andover graduate, and his wife a most estimable
lady. The fourth pastor was not called until there
had been au interregnum of pastors of three or four
years, during which time the church "lived from
hand to mouth." Licentiates from the seminaries
came and went, among these Mr. Jonathan Magee.
He was afterwards settled pastor, successively, in
Brattleborough, Vt., Nashua and Francestown, and at
the close acting pastor in Greenfield, over the Evan-
gelical Church in that town. ' Mr. Magee supplied
the church on the hill several months in 1818.
The writer sat under his preaching seven years in
Francestown, from 1844 to 1851. During a few
months in 1851 he was supi)lying the Greenfield
Church. He was by no means a brilliant preacher,
but very gentlemanly and courteous in his manners.
On the dismission of Rev. Seth Chapin, the town
voted to discontinue the practice of hiring the min-
ister and paying his salary. The salary aftci that
time, 1816, was raised by voluntary contribution.
Next — to stay permanently — Rev. .Tohn Lawton
came with his family in January, 1820, moved there-
to by his own will and judgment. He was in the full
strength of ministerial life, just turned forty, was a
graduate of Middlebury College, and had studied
I theology with settled clergymen of repute, as at that
I time was frequently the case, and had been ordained
j in Windham, Vt., in October, 1809. He was twice
1 married, the last time to Miss Abigail, only daughter
! of the Rev. Jonathan Barnes, of Hillsborough. Mr.
, Lawton commenced iireaclung immediately on coming
to town with his family, — he had supplied a few Sab-
j baths previously to their coming. — and the next year
he had gained such a hold of the hearts of the people
that the church and society gave him a call to settle
with them as their pastor. He accepted the call, and
was installed the fourth pastor November 9, 1821.
Rev. Joel Davis preached the sermon. Rev. J. M.
Whiton, of Antrim, aided in the services; the rest
of the names of helpers would be the names of
strangers to Hillsborough people. Rev. Mr. Lawton,
■stayed until April 22, 1832, thirteen years, and at the
end of that time asked for a dismission. He was at
Hillsborough during the precious season of wide-
spread revivals of religion, extending over New
Hampshire and Vermont and elsewhere, which brought,
many thousands into the churches in comi)aratively
a short time. At the time ho askeil a dismission the
period of great revivals was past for that time, and a
period of comparative coldness and indilVereuce was
taking the place of it in many churches once exceed-
ingly active; the reaction told upon the ministry, and
was the occasion of many vacant pulpits about that
time, and changing of ministers. At one time Mr.
Lawton admitted about seventy members into the
church as the fruits of the revival of that one year,
1827. In these extensive revivals he had the help of
Rev. Ira M. Mead, who acted as an evangelist, and
proved to be very serviceable in assisting the pastor.
After his dismission Mr. Lawton acted as home mis-
sionary, and a.-* he was only fifty-four, or nearly that,
he was vigorous, after resting, in prosecuting new
work. It is said that while out West — resting from
his long-continued and hard labors during those years
of revivals — he built a wind-mill for grinding pur-
poses. The work was admirably done. Everything
seemed to betoken success; all was completed, exce]>t
that the brakes had not been put on. There coming
up suddenly a good wind, desirous of ascertaining
whether it would run all right, he let on the wind. It
was a perfect success ; it went and went, round and
round, and as there were no brakes on to retard ita
motion or regulate it, its velocity constantly increased,
and as the Wind kept on blowing without any let up
for hours, the friction was so great that it wore the
mill out. In his next mill he would be likely to put
on the brakes before starting it. Rev. Milton Ward
succeeded Mr. Lawton as the fifth pastor of the First
Congregational Church in Hillsborough ; commenced
preaching in April, 1834, and was ordained July 23d
HILLSBOROUGH.
413
of the same year; sermon h\ Rev. Calvin Cutler, of
Windham. Other familiar names are seen on the ;
)>rogramme of exercises, such !is Rev. Joseph Merrill, j
of Acworth, a most elo(iiu>iit man in the i>ul|iit. The
writer sat under his preach iiiic wliilc teaching during
a college vacation in Wellrteet, Cape Cod, Mass. Mr.
Merrill made the consecrating prayer. Kev. John M. [
Whiton, of Antrim, a regular helper on such occa- |
sions in Hillsborough, gave the charge to the pastor.
Rev. Austin Ricliards— wiio began his ministerial life
in Francestown in the freshness of youth, not without
his trials, some of them life-long, and who closed his
ministerial life there in the feebleness of age after a
long absence, supplying the church a year while
they were destitute of a pastor — gave the right hand
of fellowship. Rev. Daniel Stowell, then of Gofls-
town, a man of ability, over whom a cloud gathered
in after-lile, made the concluding prayer. Mr. Ward
was dismissed by mutual council on account of a
change of his belief respecting "the nature and con-
stitution of the Cliristian Church." He became after
his dismission an Episcoi)alian clergyman. Before
he preached at all he was a physician, a graduate of
the medical college at Hanover in 1829.
Rev. Seth Farnsworth next appears on the list as
the sixth pastor at the Centre. He came in 18.35, and
suiiplied the pulpit one year, when he received and [
accepted a call to settle over the church and society.
He was installed over the Hillsborough Congrega-
tional Church Xovcml)er 2.'5, 18;)6. It was an occasion
of great rejoicing at Hillsborough Bridge, inasmuch
as a church building had just been completed in that
village, and was to be dedicated the day of the in-
stallation. A large couijcil and concourse of people
came together to attend the double ceremony, — an in-
stallation and a di'ilicatioii. There were to be two
sermons, — the installation sermon, by Rev. J. M.
Whiton ; the dedicatory sermon, by the new pastor.
Rev. Seth Farnsworth, the silver-tongued pulpit ora-
tor, in the estimation of his new charge. Rev. Archi-
bald Burgess, of Hancock, — a giant in those days,
physically ami mentally, among his brother ministci-s,
— had an important i>art, the charge to the pastor.
" It was a day of triumph " at Hillsborough Bridge,
never to be forgotten, to be told to children's children.
The council informally advised that Mr. F'arnsworlh
should make his home at the Bridge village, though
there was no parsonage and it was diflicult to rent a
suitable house. He secured the house now owned and
occupied by Ammi Smith, and I have been told often
of the delightful prayer-meetings held in his cham-
ber-study by him and a few praying men, one of
whom would, of course, be Deacon Samuel Morrison, i
His labors during the winter following his installa- \
tion were abundant " in season and out of season." 1
He supplied the two pulpits, on the hill and at the
Bridge, on alternate Sabbaths. He had inspired the
people with great love and confidence in himself,
when, mvsteriouslv to all, in four months from tlie
time of his becoming pastor by the laying on of
hands, he was removed by death, March 2l>, 1837, and
was buried with great lamentations in the old bury-
ing-groun<l just back of Dr. Burnham's. He died in
the freshnass of his ministerial life, and almost before
the holy oil of consecration at the Bridge was dry
upon his brow. The memory of the good shall live.
The name of Rev. Seth F''arnsworth still lingers with
aflection in the hearts and memories of those who
knew him, especially at Hillsborough Bridge. He
was the first to occupy the new church. He was in-
stalled in it over the Hillsborough Congregational
Church. He preached the dedication sermon at the
consecration of the new building. He was the first
minister who made his home at the Bridge village.
When he was installed he was in full health and
strength, and in the freshness of early manhood. He
was born in Charlcstown (No. 4), in New Hampshire,
June 14, 179.5, so that when he came to Hillsborough
he was but forty years of age, and only forty-one
when he wa.s installed. He died before his forty-
seventh birth-day. He was brought up to believe
that all, irrespectively, would be saved. After a long
struggle be gave up those doctrines as erroneous, and
became, it was believed, a truly converted man. He
graduated at Dartmouth College in 1822, and ranked
fair as a scholar. He studied theology under the
direction of President Tyler, of Dartmouth College,
was licensed, and preached at first for the Vermont
.MissionarySociety. He preached in various places be-
fore coming to Hillsborough. He was an earnest and
efficient worker, a zealous and faithful preacher of
the gospel and a successful winner of souls. The dis-
ease of which be died was called "a lung fever."
According to the account given concerning him, both
as j)laced on record in " Smith's Annals " and in the
reports of his associates in the church, — elderly peo-
ple who were visitors at the sick-bed, — be died in the
full triumphs of the gospel faith. To his wife he said
just before his death, "I have been swimming, swim-
ming, yea, I have been swimming in an ocean of
bliss." For his people he sent a message by the min-
ister who was to i)reach, to " receive with meekness
the ingrafted Word, which is able to save their souls,
and that they be doers of the Word and not hearers
only."
Mr. Farnsworth was followed by Rev. Sanuiel (5. Ten-
ney as the seventh i>astor of the Hillsborough Church.
The installation sermon was preached by Rev. Na-
thaniel Bouton, of Concord, July 4, 1838. The next
spring a new Congregational Church wa.s formed, an
offshoot from the First Church by letter, at Ilillsbor-
ongb Bridge, and was called the Hillsborough
Bridge Congregational Cbiirch. Mr. Tcnney w.ns
retained at the Bridge. No mention is made in the
records of an installation. The deacons were Davison
Russell, who lived at the Upper village ; Samuel
Morrison, who lived just over the line in Henniker;
Tristram Sawyer, who lived one mile west of the
414
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Bridge; and Frederick W. yyiiioiuls, who lived on
Bible Hill. Mr. Tenney wiis a graduate ol' Dartmouth
College ill 1823, and studied theology with Rev. Wal-
ter Cha])in, of Woodstock, Vt. He remained at the
Bridge about four years. He was succeeded by Rev.
Jacob Cummings, who was installed pastor at the
Bridge November 15, 1843. He remained pastor in
charge until May, 1857, when he withdrew without
formal dismission from the church as pastor. He re-
moved and died in ISIJG, aged seventy-three.
Mr. Cummings wa.s followed in 1S')7 by Mr. Harry
Brickett, a licentiate of the Manchester Association
of Congregational Ministers in July, 1854. He was
born in Newbury, Vt., February 1, 1818, and gradu-
ated at Dartmouth College in 1840. After graduating
he taught two years in the academy in Jatiiey, at the
same time studying medicine with Dr. Luke Howe, of
Jafi'rey, and afterwards with the medical faculty at
Hanover, — Drs. Peaslee and Crosby. He was ap-
pointed assistant demonstrator of anatomy and was
also in charge of the class in dissection. He attended
two full courses of lectures at Dartmouth Medical Col-
lege. He went to Francestown into the academy for
one terra, to finish the year for a friend, and after that
term stayed seven years longer as principal, and mar-
ried, August 18, 1846, Miss Eliza C, a daughter of
Captain Joseph Cutter, of Jaflrey. He was principal
of the Brown (Latin) High School, in Newburyport,
from 1851 to 1853, and of the Merrimack Normal
Institute, founded by Professor William Russell, at
Reed's Ferry, Merrimack. He was invited to come
to Hillsborough in the winter of 1857, preached a
few Sabbaths, and came to stay permanently in May,
1857. He received ordination, declining installation,
in the First Congregational Cliurch in .Manchester,
Rev. Cyrus W. Walton then pastor, as an evangelist
without charge, Jannary 28, 1858. He remained in
Hillsborough as acting pastor — made so by vote of
the church in 1858 — until April, 1865, a period of
eight years. The churcli prospered under his minis-
try, — nearly as many as were in the c-hurch as mem-
bers in January, 1858, at the time of his ordination,
were added to it while he was their minister, from
1857 to 1865.
Rev. Stephen Morrill followed, coming in May,
1865. Mr. Brickett preached his farewell sermon in
the forenoon from the te.xt " Let brotherly love con-
tinue;" and Mr. Morrill his first sermon in the P.M.
of the same day. Mr. Morrill stayed as acting psistor.
During his ministry the meeting-house was moved
from its location in the field to the Main Street, in the
village. The people took sides, some for and some
:igainst the project, in regard to moving it, and some
were offended, and Mr. .Morrill did not escape censure.
After resting on their oars after the dismission of Mr.
Morrill at his request, the church called Rev. Henry B.
Underwood, January 24, 1871 ; he accepted the call
February 2d, and was duly installed March 7, 1871.
July 7, 1872, he resigned, " for want, as he assigned,
of unanimity in the church," and w-as dismissed by
] advice of council July 16tli of the same year. Dur-
ing the time he remained at the Bridge there was
quite a religious interest and a few conversions.
Among these conversions was Ammi Smith, an aged
resident at the Bridge. Mr. Underwood was suc-
t ceeded by Rev. John Bragdon, who came in the
I spring of 1873, and continued till near the close of
1875. Mr. Bragdon was an earnest worker in the
Young Men's Christian Association, and he was skill-
ful in managing young boys and gaining their alfec-
j tion. The desk being again vacant. Rev. Harry
Brickett was recalled, alter an absence of almost eleven
I years, at the commencement of 1876, which call he
accepted. He preached his first sermon the second
Sabbath in January, 1876. He remained about six
i years, until August, 1881, when he resigned the desk
to take effect the 1st of September. Mr. Brickett
officiated in all fourteen years. Rev. Abram J.
Quick succeeded Mr. Brickett as acting pastor of the
church, commencing November 6, 1881. He closed
his labors July 29, 1883.
The present minister is Roderick J. Mooney, born
in Dublin, Ireland, February 17, 18.53, where he re-
ceived a liberal education at the Dublin University.
He received an invitation to preach at the Bridge,
and came in the autumn of 1884. He is the only
Congregational minister in town supplying at the
Centre as well as at the Bridge. He has received a
call to settle as pastor over the Hillsborough Bridge
Congregational Church. The outlook for success is .
good ; we wish him great succcess.
We will now go back to the original church at
: Hillsborough Centre, which we left destitute of a
j)astor in 1839. On the assignment of Rev. Samuel
(tilman Tenney to the service of the church at the
Bridge, Rev. George W. Adams was called to be
pastor of the Centre Congregational Church March
26, 1840. He was installed October 21st of the same
year, and dismissed January 17,1844. Rev. S. Tol-
man supplied the ]iul|iit during the summer of 1844.
Rev. Elilui Thayer Rowe was called February 10,
1845, ordained May 2Sth of the same year, and dis-
missed, on account of ill health, November 30, 1847.
Mr. Rowe w.is a man of great excellence of diar-
acter and strength of mind. He was a ehissmate of
the writer in college, and from a long and intimate
acquaintance he knows whereof he affirms. His
memory among the i)eoplc on the hill will long be
cherished.
Rev. Robert Page wiis acting pastor on the hill
from 1847 to 1851. He was an ex|ierienced and judi-
cious man. Rev. Mr. Durgin, familiarly called, from
the color of his face, caused by iodine jiills, the "blue
man," supplied from 1851 to 1853. Rev. Samuel H.
Partridge wiis called May 1, 1853, ordained May 10th
in the same year and dismissed April 16, 1857.
Mr. Partridge was a man with the fewest possible
faults.
HILLSBOROUGH.
415
Rev. R. S. Dennis was noting pastor over Hills-
borough Centre Church, which name it assumed on
the formation of the new church at Hillsborough
Bridge, from May, 1857, to May, 1859. He was a
mau sound in the faith, from Connecticut, and about
sixty years of age. After his ministry there was a
disagreement among the people forming the .society,
and some were an.vious to secure a Methodist
preacher. The result was that students from the Me-
thodist Biblical Institute, then located in Concord, were
emphiyed during the succeeding two years. Promi-
nent among these was Mr. Hatfield, a student of
great strength and presence of mind, a good scholar
and a pleasing and eloquent preacher. There was
quite an interest excited on the hill on the subject of
religion and several hopeful conversions, the ititerest
reaching out into the regions beyond the hill. It
was learned by the Congregational Church that its
hold upon the people was losing ground. The new
converts were form ed Ijy Mr. Hatfield into classes for
instruction and preparation, to be received into the
Methodist Society, at least, it was so understood. An
eflort was made to transfer the control of the church
and society to a body of independent men, having no
relation to the Congregationalists or responsibility to
them, by vote of the pew-holders. This failed to be
carried out, and a new church building was built in
the interest of the Methodist Society. Much bitter-
ness of feeling for the time was excited by this sepa-
ration. The breaking out of the AVar of the
Rebellion, in 1861, tended to widen the separation
and deepen for the time the feeling. At this Juncture
of affairs Kev. .lohn Adams, a wise and judicious man,
of deep piety and great prudence, was called to take
the helm. He was just the man for the place. In-
telligent, wise, brave-hearted, true to the Union, he
came and brought, by his wise counsel and action,
peace to the troubled waters. The church pn)S])er(Ml
under his ministry, which continued from .January
1, IStil, till his death, May 18, 1879. He was assisted
during his sickness by Hervey Chaj)man, a licentiate,
a young man of great zeal in the Lord's hou.se.
.\fter the death of Mr. Adams, licentiates from the
Theological Seminaries and others served for short
periods of time each, as Robert True, licentiate,
through the summer of 1S79.
Rev. Samuel W. Hariium, licentiate, supplied four
weeks in the fall of 1879.
David .ludson Ogden, licentiate, supplied five
months ending April, 1880.
Rev. Augustus .Mvord was acting pastor one year
from May 1, ixsi).
Rev. Harry lirickett, acting-iiastor at Hillsborough
Bridge, supplied three months in the .spring and sum-
mer of 1881.
Rev. Aaron B. Piflers was acting pastor from Au-
gust, 1881, to June 1SX4.
Rodney Cochrane supplied several weeks in the
summer of 1X84.
Rev. Roderick J. Mooney became acting pastor
September 19, 18S4.
Methodist Episcopal Church.— This branch of
the Lord's sacranieutul host has had a home in
Hillsborough County for about half a century, and
has done good work in saving souls. There are two
societies and two church buildings,— one at Hills-
borough Bridge and one at the Centre, with a good
parsonage at the latter place. Owing to the itiner-
ancy system, of course a large number of men have
occupied the desks of the two parishes. The writer
of this article had the personal acquaintance and bro-
therly intercourse with the men who filled the office
of minister during fourteen years, from 1857 to 1865
and from 1876 to 1882, and he gladly bears testimony
to the personal piety and excellence of the incum-
bents. They were, as a rule, mea who were earnest
in their labors for the good of the people.
The place of meeting at the Bridge formerly was at
the extreme edge of the same large field that con-
tained the Congregational Church, out of the village,
on the road leading from the Bridge to the Centre ;
but about a quarter of a century ago it was brought
down and located in the heart of the village, followed,
a few yeai-s later, by the Congregational Church to the
same street. The church at the Centre was built near
the beginning of the War of the Rebellion, and it is
possible that disatl'cction with the Congregational
Church among its own supporters may have had
something to do with its erection. It seemed a pity
that there should be a division at the Centre, as really
the people are burdened to support two ministers.
As a rule, the two churches on the hill have wor-
shiped side by side in peace, if not always with bro-
therly love. It is sometimes difficult to forget the
causes of the separation, or of the attempt to secure,
by a majority of votes, the church building of the old
cluuch for the occupancy of the new. The genera-
tion that were the actors in the matter are most of
them with the departed, and the newer generation are
coming up with the most kindly feelings, forgetting
the old feud that sometimes embittered the feelings of
the former. About a quarter of a century ago the
Methodist Biblical Institute, at Concord, was in full
operation, and the students ably supplied the desks.
Among these Mr. Hatfield, at the t'entre, wa.>( the most
noted there, and William Van Benschoten at the
Bridge. Others ranked high as men of talent. At the
Bridge the name of Rev. Mr. Prescott is frequently
mentioned as an able minister. Later, Rev. John A.
Bowler, who remained three years at the C^entre and
at the Bridge, ]iroved himself to be a man adapted to
the place. The town showed their ap))reciation of
his abilities and worth by giving him the .superin-
tendency of the schools — a work for which he was
prepared and adapted, as he stood himself at the head
of the profession as a teaclicr before he began to
preach. The Metliodist Church at the Bridge is in a
prosperous condition, and is increasing in numbers
416
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
and in strength. The present pastor is Rev. F. H.
Corson, wlio lias started on liis second year's labor
under favorable auspices.
Baptist Society and Church.— Another church
buildiiif; stands between the two villages, in which
worship, at longer or sliortcr intervals, is held, some-
times lor several months at a time. It is a conven-
ient building for the purpose designed, and has been
kept by private liberality in good repair. The sheds
for horses have disapi)eared. It w'as built in May,
1813, and a Baptist society supported preaching here
several years. Quite a number of diti'erent jjersons
acted as preachers to the society. A church, at first
of sixteen members, was organized. Among the
prominent and familiar names is Rev. John Atwood,
of New Boston, w-ho became its acting pastor in 1837
and stayed three years. In the same year an Inde-
pendent Baptist Church was organized, and Rev.
John Atwood became its pastor and held the office
some years.
Independents. — In addition to the churches already
named, other classes of worshipers have occupied Odd-
Fellows' Block more or less on the Lord's Day. The
Catholics have meetings at stated times. Since the
erection and starting of "The New Mill" a large
number of Catholic worshipers have moved into the
place. The Universalists also hold meetings in
the hall. Spiritualists also are addressed from the
same ]ilatform. Hillsborough tolerates the broadest
freedom in religious matters. Brethren of ditlerent
religions live and labor side by side in the greatest
amity. The masses of the people have but little
choice between religions. The golden rule is very
widely ])rofessed.
CHAPTER V.
HILLSBOROUGH— (Co«(.-|i„eJ).
Social Orgnnizations and Lodges — Physicians— pL-ntal Surpcry — Kduca-
tiunnl — College Graduates — The Kiiller Public Library — Valley Bank —
The Press — Stage-Koutes and Stiige-Dri\'ere— Stores and Shops^Town
Officers — Closinj; Itciiiarkf*.
Secret Organizations.— T can only briefly refer
to the various lodges in Hillsborough.
Harmony Lodge, No. 38, of Fkee and Accei'TED
M.\.>iOXS. — Is a flourishing society. Its place of meet-
ing monthly is in Newman's Block. W. H. Story, at
the present time. Worshipful Master; C. H. Quinn,
Senior Warden ; R. C. Dickey, Junior Warden ; C.
Cooledge, Treasurer ; D. W. C. Newman, Secretary.
Valley Lodge, No. 43, Independent Ordek or
Odd-Fellows, — Meets Friday evenings. Officers, —
Noble Grand, H. Proctor ; Vice-firand, G. H.Travis;
Secretary, P. II. Runuill ; Treiisurer, I. Putney.
HlLLSBOHOftiJI LoDtiE, No. 17, KNI(iHT.«! OF
Pythias. — Weekly meeting on Monday, at Castle
Hall. Officers, — E. C. Black, Chancellor Comman-
der ; C. M. Glawson, Vice-Chancellor ; J. H. T.
Newell, Keeper of Records and Seals ; G. W. Lincoln,
Master of Exchequer.
Senator Grimes Post, No. 25, Grand Army ok
THE Repiblic. — Meetings fortnightly, second and
fourth Wednesdays in each month. Officers, — H. P.
Whitaker, Commander; John Buswell, Senior Vice-
Commander; C. C. French, Junior Vice-Commander;
J. F. Grimes, Quartermaster; J. H. George, Adjutant.
Beacon Lodge, No. 34, Independent Order of
Good Templars. — Meetings in Knights of Pythias
Hall every Thursday evening. I cannot give the
officers.
Valley Grange, No. 63, Patrons of Hus-
bandry. — Meetings monthly, on the Tuesday before
the full moon, in Congregational vestry. Officers, —
M. M. Hadley, Master; W. E. Gay, Secretary; O. B.
Huntley, Treasurer.
North Star Encampment, Independent Order
OF Odd-Fellows. — Meets second and fourth Tues-
days in each month. Officers, — L. G. Pike, Chief
Patriarch; C. H. Quinn, Scribe; W. B. Pritchard,
Treasurer.
Physicians. — The number of those who commenced
"the healing art divine'" in Hillsborough may almost
be called legion. Previous to 1840 there had been
eleven, as follows: William Little, Joseph Munroe,
Benjamin Stearns, .loshua Crain, Luther Smith, Keu-
ben Hatch, Mason Hatch, Thomas Preston, Simeon
Ingersoll Bard, Nahum Parker Foster, Abraham
Hazen Robinson. Some of these were men of ability
and success in their profession. Dr. Luther Smith has
been highly commended as a fair, honorable and lib-
eral man in the profession. He commenced practice
at the Bridge in 1809, and died in 1824, at the age of
thirty-seven. Dr. Reuben Hatch practiced in Hills-
borough twenty-four years, and removed to Griggs-
ville. Ills. Dr. Thomas Preston was a native son of
Hillsborough. His father was one of the decided
free-thinkers in town, having caught the spirit from
the French, who were here to help us during the War
of the American Revolution. The doctor imbibed
his principles and defended them. He was a fair-
minded, honorable man in all his dealings. Dr.
Simeon I. Bard was one of the most learned in his
profession, but was fond of change. He practiced in
town five years and removed. Dr. Elisha Hatch, a
native of Alstead, was born .July 17, 17!>6; studied
with Drs. Twitchell and .Adams, of Keene; graduated
at Dartmouth Jledieal College; wiis skillful and hon-
orable in his profession, and was accidentally killed
by a fall from the high beams of his barn in 1863,
aged sixty-six. In 1841, Abel Conant Burnham
opencil his office in town, beginning at the Centre in
February of tliat year, and removing to the Bridge in
October of the .same. For forty-four years the doctor
has remained faithful at his post, and seems now to
have, if not all the vigor and endurance, yet all the
enthusiasm, love of his profcssif)n and fidelity to his
im-NSHOROU(iH.
417
trust of a young man, and certainly the ability to
inspire greater oonfideuce than he could himself have
believed at the start. He had the best of advautajres
for fitting himself for his i)rofession. Having obtained
a good academic education at the academies of Fran-
cestown, Pembroke and Hillsborough, he commenced
the study of medicine with the late Dr. Elisha Hatch,
of Hillsborougli, with whom he remained two years.
The third year he was with Dr. Amos Twitchell, of
Keene, one of the most eminent surgeons of his age.
He attended three regular courses of medical lec-
tures, — one at Woodstock, Vt., and two at Hanover,
at the Dartmouth Medical College. He took his last
coui-se and degree in the fall of 1839; public notice
thereof was given by the president of the college on
Commencement Day, 1840. The year following he
■ studied in connection with city hospitals, and after-
wards spent a season at the University of New York,
attending medical and clinical lectures in the city
hospitals, the Kye and Ear Infirmary, and spending
his evenings and otiier spare hours in the dissecting-
rooms. Dr. Hurnham came into the profession fully
"armed and e(iuipped as the law directs," prepared
to stay, and he has stayed at the Bridge while the tide
of medical i)ractitioners has flowed and sometimes
rushed by in an almost constant stream. In 1841
only Drs. Hatch, Preston — then an old man — and
himself were practicing in the town. He has and has
had honorable competitors, — some noble men in the
profession, some for a longer, some for a shorter time, —
yet he has held a firm seat. Dr. .lohn Goodell suc-
ceeded Dr. Hatch in 18.51t, Dr. Hatch leaving his
practice and beautiful home at his place between the
two villages, near the Baptist Church, which Dr.
Goodell at once occupied. It was an unfortunate
move for Dr. Hatch. While at the Bridge he bought
the Esquire Steel place, into which he moved, and
where himself and family were beginning to enjoy
themselves when he met witli a sudden death, as
above mentioned. He lived after he came to the
Bridge village four years. Dr. Goodell has somewhat
impaired health, arising from injuries received from
being thrown from a carriage. He has all the i)rac-
ticc he cares for, and is respected and trusted. Dr. .1.
Q. A. French came into town .soon after Dr. (ioodell,
and settled at the Upper vilhige. He has a large
circle of patronage, extending especially into Wash-
ington. Dr. B. H. Phillips came to the Centre in
December, 1841, and left in October, 1842. He was
8ucceede<l liy Dr. Swett, who died in the course of a
year or two. Dr. Wilkins came, and in a few montlis
died. Dr. B. Lyford came in about 1848 and stayed
a few years and went away, and has since died. Dr.
Skinner came, went, and in a short time he also died.
Dr. George Priest, a native of the Centre, son of Ben-
jamin Priest, fince a pupil of the writiT at the acad-
emy, remained for a time after his graduation, and is
now at M:inchcster-by-the-sea in successful practice,
living all these years in single blessedness. I )r. Charles
Hartwcll, a native of the town, ]iracticed a few years
and died.
Dr. Charles Gould, a native of the town, practiced a
couple of years at the Centre and three or four more
at the Bridge village, and removed from town. Dr.
Joseph Parsons came about 1855, remained four or five
years and died. Dr. E hv.ird P. Cummings, son of
Rev. .Jacob Cummings, at one time pastor of the Con-
gregational Church at the Bridge, came about 1855,
remained two or three years in practice, and removed
to Francestown and stayed two or three years. At
the breaking out of the Civil War he enlisted as sur-
geon in the navy, returned to Newburyport, hishome,
sickened and died. He wsus a true-hearted man. Dr.
Coustantine C. Badger succeeded Parsons, and re-
mained for a few years, left, and died. Dr. J. P.
Whittle, practiced a short time in Hillsborough, where
he married, and then moved to Weare, where he has
had an extensive practice for the hist quarter of a
century. Dr. Israel P. Chase, homieopathic, has
been in town about thirty years, and has a fair share
of practice, more than he sometimes feels able to
do. He once published and edited The Uillsborouyh
Messenger with great acceptance to the public. Dr.
George W. Cook was in practice in town two or
three years. He was followed by I)r. Marcellus H.
Felt, wdio came in about 187(5 and has remained
to the present time. Dr. Felt is a popular man in
town, and has gained quite an extensive practice. I
ought to mention the name of Harvey Munroe, a
pupil of the writer, who graduated from Dartmouth
College in 1858, from the Medical Department of
the same in 1800, practiced some in town, but even-
tually settled in East Washington, and after suc-
cessful work for about two years, died in 18G3, aged
thirty-one. After his death his widow, Mrs. Munroe,
studied the science of medicine, attended medical
lectures and entered up(m a successful practice. The
present prai'titioners of medicine in town live together
in entire harmony. Drs. Burnham. Chase, Felt, (roodell
and French have each a medical parish of his own,
and there is no attempt to get practice away from
one another. Their homes are but starting-points
from which they ride long distances to their patients in
town and out.
In mcilicine,asin theology, there are distinct schools.
I The historian, as a man, may have his preferences,
I but not as a historian. The twoschooU — alloi)athic and
' homieopathic — have lived and practiced side by side
in Hillsborough without the local disturbance which
is felt in some ailjoining towns. In one town, within
ten or twelve miles' ride of Hillsborough, a practitioner
of one school wanted to hire some one by the month
; to help him hate a certain other person, who, he
I thought, interfered with his business, to get his prac-
tice for the other side, wdiether the patient should die
or get well. No such wrangling in Hillsborough. Dr.
Israel P. Chase came to Hillsburough Bridge from
Henuiker, where he had been in practice, and had
418
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
at one time an extensive practice both in Hillsbor-
ough and in Henniker, from which place he had
just come. Dr. Chase is a genial man, especially in
the sick-room, though l)luft' enough outside.
Dental Surgery. — Hillsborough has been distin-
guished for practitioners in the art of dental surgery.
A quarter of a century ago the forceps, drill and burr
were skillfully handled by Dr. S. Ball, naturally a
perfect gentleman, and of great skill in his profession.
Dr. Frank P. Carey once had an office and an exten-
sive practice in tnwn. Dr. Frank P. Newman also
worked here for a time, and Dr. Whittle. Dr. S. O.
Bowers has, however, held the ground against all
comers, and is a most successful practitioner in his
art. Others come and go, but he — like Dr. Burnham
— comes and stays. Dental surgery has greatly im-
proved iis an art within the last ten or fifteen years.
The use of ana'sthetics has been of great service in
preventing suftering in the extraction of teeth.
Educational — District Schools. — Hillsborough,
from the commencement of its permanent settlement,
has paid commendable attention to the education of
its children. At the first settlements were made on
the hills in preference to the low lands, as the soil
was drier and the timber more easily cleared. It
was owing chiefiy to these facts that the remote parts
of the town, for the most part made of high hills,
were settled so early in its history. Fifty years ago
the outlying districts were very large, not only in
territory, but in the number of pupils of age to at-
tend school. Sojne then contained sixty pupils, where
now are less than one-fourth of that number; and
others then contained from forty to fifty, where now
not over a half-dozen are living. One district, once
quite large, became reduced to one scholar belong-
ing to the district ; another, called the Sulphur Hill
District, had for several years not a single scholar
in it. liut rallied at last with one scholar of its own
and a borrowed one. While the schools in the out-
districts have grown smaller and still smaller, the
schools in the Upper and Lower Village Districts
and at the Bridge have greatly increased in numbers.
College Gk.vdi'ates. — Hillsborough has sent out,
during its existence as a town, a goodly number of
young men to receive a liberal education at colleges
and higher seminaries. Not a few also of her young
women have gone abroad for a higher education.
Her first graduate from college was Abraham An-
drews, who prepare<l for college under his uncle. Rev.
Ephraim P. Bradford, of New Boston, graduated at
Dartmouth College in 1811, and became an eminent
teacher.
Colonel Benjamin Kendrick Pierce, eldest son of
Governor Benjamin Pierce, entered Dartmouth Col-
lege in 1807, a chwsmate of Andrews and at the end
of his third year left college and commenced the study
of law, which also he left, at tiie breaking out of the
War of 1812, for the army, which he entered with the
rank of lieutenant, in the Third Regiment of artillery.
He was promoted to the rank of colonel in the Third
Artillery in the regular army, and remained until his
death. He was distinguished for bravery in the field.
Eev. Francis Dan forth graduated at Dartmouth
College in 1819. Studied theology at Andover Theo-
logical Seminary, and became an efficient Congrega-
tional minister.
Rev. Aaron Foster graduated at Dartmouth Col-
lege in 1822, and at the Andover Theological Semi-
nary in 1825, became a home missionary, and died
November 15, 1832, aged thirty-seven years.
Amasa Symonds entered Dartmouth College in
1821, and died at his father's house the next year.
Lieutenant Amos B. Foster, born July 15, 1804,
was educated at West Point, from which he graduated
in 1827. He entered service in the regular army and
was brutally murdered by a private whom he repri-
manded for disorderly conduct at Fort Howard, Green
Bay, February 7, 1832, at the early age of twenty-
seven years and six months. It was a sad and tragic
event, which is circumstantially related in Smith's an-
nals.
The next graduate in point of time was ex-Presi-
dent Franklin Pierce, the fourth son of (iovernor
Benjamin Pierce, born November 23, 1804, and grad-
uated at Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, Me., in 1824.
He obtained from the college not only a good liberal
education and the president's name to his diploma,
but something which he regarded of vastly greater
value, the hand and heart of the president's youngest
daughter. Miss Jane M. Apj)leton, who proved to be
both the ornament and honor of his home, whether in
his unostentatious one at Hillsborough or in the more
conspicuous one at the White House, at Washington.
Rev. Henry Jones graduated at Dartmouth College
in 1835, and married, the next year. Miss Betsey,
daughter of Eliphalet Symonds, of Hillsborough, and
became a teacher.
His brother. Rev. Willard Jones, graduated at the
same time and place, and also from the Theological
Seminary at Andover. He was ordained as missionary
of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions, .Inly 4, 1830, and was married at the same
time to .Aliss Miriam Pratt.
Edward R. J(dinson entered Dartmouth College in
1880, and remained two years.
John Appleton Burnham graduated at Amherst
College in 1833, and went into the manufacturing
business at Manchester.
Joel Buchanan Stow, son of Deacon Joel Stow, of
Stow Mountain fame, graduated at the Teachers' Sem-
inary, Andover, Mass., and became himself a teacher
in the West.
Rev. Levi Smith graduated at New Hampton and
studied theology there.
Clark Coolidge, son of Lemuel Coolidge, entered
the Wesleyan University, at Jliddlctown, Conn., and
died during his college course, .July, 1840.
George Harvey Munroe, son of Colonel Hiram
%
i
IIILLSBOROUGU.
419
Munroe, who was one of the leading men of the town
for many years and a man of strong qualities of char-
acter, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1858, and in
the Medical Department of the same college in 1860,
and practicing a short time in his own town and in
East Washington, died in the last-named i)lace. He
was a young man of superior scholarship and his
prospects of success in life were very fair.
Alfred B. Dascomb, son of George and Mary Das-
iiib, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1858. He
engaged successfully in teaching a few years, took a
jirivate course in theology and entered the Congrega-
tional ministry, of which he continues an ornament
and .strong helper. His services in Vermont and
Massachusetts have been and are acceptable to the
people to whom he ministers and to all who are per-
sonally ac<|uaiiited with hini.
John B. Smith fitted for college at Francestown
Academy, and for a time wavered between a collegiate
and professional life and a mercantile one ; the latter
carried the day.
Warren McClintock, son of Luke McClintock, grad-
uated at Dartmouth College in 1S(J4, and entered at
once upon the work of teaching as a profession. He
was a young man of great promise, the oldest son in
the family. He fell by consumption in 1871, aged
thirty-three years.
A brother, Charles, was fitting to enter college, but
on the breaking out of the Civil War enlisted with
other lIillsbf)rough young men and did good service
in the field. .Just as they were mustere<l out of ser-
vice, and were about to start for home, he sickened
and died from malaria, and his remains lie among the
itvamps of Louisiana.
. James Henry, a third brother, entered Dartmouth
College and graduated in the same year that Warren
died, in 1.S71, and he also died of consumption the
same year, agcil twenty-six.
A younger brother, John C, a faithful and enter-
prising fireman and engineer, avoided the cla.ssics and
followed railroading, so as to be out in the open air;
he, too, fell in early life a victim to the same fell
disease, consumption.
They had five sisters by the same mother, and all
but one have gone in the same way.
One sister, Abbie Sawyer McClintock, graduated at
the .■Vpi)leton Academy, New Ipswich.
Frank II. Pierce graduated at Princeton College,
and was early admitted to the bar. He liius been
engaged in the practice of law since that time, at
Concord and in his native town.
His brother, Kirk D. Pierce, studied law and is in
successful ])ractice at the Lower village. The Pierce
brothers, both young men from the best stock, are
bound to succeed. Hosts of friemls are wishing them
long, onward strides in a high and nolile career. Age
and e.xperieiice develop new and higher i|ualities.
They are aiming high, and will not be hindered from
climbing to a liigli position.
Samuel T. Dutton, son of Deacon and Mrs. Jere-
miah Dutton, graduated at Yale College. Since his
graduation he has been a successful teacher, and is
now superintendent of schools in New Haven, Conn.
He married Miss Xellie North, daughter of John
North, Esq., of New Haven.
His brother Silas entered Yale College a few years
later, and stood high in his class as a scholar ; but iu
his third year he succumbed to the power of disease
and fell by the way, mourned by friends, both in and
out of college. Their sister Mary has received the
excellent advantages of the New Haven schools.
Mrs. Mary Isabel Towle, nee Ward, daughter of
(ieorge B. Ward, after attendance at other schools,
graduated in a select school in Boston.
Jacob B. Whittemore, son of the late William 15.
Whittemore, graduated at Phillips Exeter Academy,
and for a time was a student at Yale College.
J I is sister. Miss Mary Ellen Whittemore, graduated
at Bradford Academy, Mass., and has since been a
successful teacher at Hillsborough Bridge, and also
in Bradford, N. H.
Others, at about the same time, received the ad-
vantages of a high academical education, but the
data are not at hand to make a correct record.
Among those who were pupils of the writer, long
ago, in the Francestown Academy, who have been an
honor to their native town by their useful lives, he
remembers the Misses Munroe, of several families,
Miss Print, Miss Towne, Drs. Munroe and Priest, Miss
Eliza Smith, Miss Butler, the JIarcy brothers and
others whose names it would be a ple:Lsure now to
write. Not a few of these are among the honored dead.
Harry L. Brickett, son of Rev. Harry and Eliza
C. Brickett, graduated at Oberlin College in 1875.
He taught from 1875 to 1876 in Schroon Lake, N. Y.
From 187() to 1870 he was i)rinci]>al of Valley Acad-
emy and the Union School, at Hillsborough Bridge.
In 187'J he entered Andover Theological Seminary,
gradimting in 1882. While in his senior year in the
seminary he was called to his present pastorate at
Lynnfield Centre, Mass., where he is now entering
upon his fourth year of active service.
Ellen J. Brickett, daughter of Rev. Harry and Eliza
C. Brickett, graduated I'rom the Ladies' Literary De-
l)artment of Oberlin College in 1875. She taught
with her brother in Valley Academy and the Union
Schr)ol, at Hillsborough Bridge, from 1876 to 1879; in
Deering Academy from 187!t to 1880; in Ilooksett,
N. IL, in the grammar school, from ISKO to the
present time, this being her fifth consecutive year in
that school.
Julia E. Brickett, daughter of Rev. Harry and Eliza
('. Brickett, graduateil at East Lake George .\cademy,
N. Y., in 1875; died at Hillsborough Bridge in 1S7(>,
aged seventeen.
Mary 1. Brickett, youngest in the family, gradinited
at Abbot Academy, Andover, Mass., in 1884, and
resided with her i)arents in Thetford, Vt.
420
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Ada Buxton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel
Buxton, graduated at Tilton Seminary in 1884. She
has liad a hirge and successful e.xijerience in teaching
for one so young. ,
Reuben \V. L;ivering, son of Reuben and Martlia
A. Lovering, entered Harvard University in 1880.
He stood among the highest in scholarship and in
manly exercises, earned large sums of money in
tutoring and had tlie fairest prosjiects of achieving
tlie greatest success. Alaslwlio can read a single
page in advance in the great book of human life?
Within a few weelcs of the time of graduation he
sickened and died, " the only son of his mother, and
she a widow." Frank AVyman, youngest son of Mr.
and Mrs. S. D. Wyman, entered Harvard University
in 1882, and has taken high rank as a scholar. Livy
Whittle, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Whittle, is also
at Harvard, taking a special course. Clara F. Potter,
only child of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Potter, took a
special course in a select school in Manchester. Since
tlien she has been constantly engaged in teaching in
her own town, witli marked success. Angle I. Marcy
graduated at Gushing Academy, in Massachusetts,
and has since had full employment, at remunerative
wages, in teaching. Colonel J. F. Grimes has several
sons away in institutions of learning. Of these, James
\V. is iitting for college at Phillips Andover Academy
in Massachusetts. Marion A. Moore is at Framing-
liam Normal Institute ; Amy L. Story and her
brother, Frederick G. Story, Cora Peaslee and her
sister and Cora M. Kimball are at diflerent institu-
tions of learning ; Hammond J. Dutton and George
Eben Wyman are graduates of the Englisli Depart-
ment of Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. ; William
Dow, son of S. Dow and Ursula Rosette Wyman, is
a graduate of Colby Academy, of New London. He
is now in the insurance business in Cliicago, 111.
The Fuller Town Library.— Mark Fuller, at his
death, left in his will to the town of Hillsborough the
sum of two thousand dollars for the use of a town free
library, on condition of keeping in repair, from year
to year, perpetually, the family l)urial-i>lot in the
cemetery between the Lower and Upper vilhiges.
The trustees were to be as follows : The three select-
men of the town, e.r-officin, and two others, the
first one to be elected for two years and the other for
one — one going out and a new one elected each suc-
ceeding year. The town accepted tlie gift on its con-
ditions, and chose Cliarles W. Conn for two years and
Rev. Harry Brickett for one year. The trustees
organized and chose S. D. Wyman secretary and
established the library ; Jacob B. Whittemore donated
twenty-five dollars in the rent of a room for the first
year.
Books were purchased and a catalogue made out
and printed, the library-room fitted up for use and
Willis G. Buxton appointed librarian. The Fuller
Town Library was duly launched, and went into
operation as a circulating library.
The town, at every annual meeting, has added one
hundred dollars each year for the purchase of books,
in addition to the income of the fund. Mrs. Mark
Fuller, at her death, left in her will a large addi-
tional sum for the use of the library.
The Fuller Public Library is open every Satur-
day from 9 to 12 a.m., and from 6.15 to 9 o'clock
P.M., and is free to all residents of the town over
I twelve years of age.
i Valley Bank. — From a written rei)ort of the cash-
ier, John C. Camiibell, Esi|., to the publisher of this
history we learn the following facts: " 1st, Valley
Bank (State) was chartered July, 1860, and organize<i
October 1, 1860. 2d, Directors, John G. Fuller,
Ammi Smith, John G. Dickey, James F. Briggs,
Joshua Marcy, S. D. Wyman, F. N. Blood. 3d,
President, John (J. Fuller; Cashier, John C. Camp-
bell. 4th, Stephen Kenrick was chosen president
June 24, 1861, to succeed John G. Fuller, deceased.
In December, 1868, the First National Bank of
Hillsborough was chartered, and subsequently organ-
ized by the choice of Stephen Kenrick, Stejilien II.
Wyman, James F. Briggs, George Noyes, Jonas
Wallace, James Chase and E. P. Howard, directors.
Capital, fifty thousand dollars. President, Stephen
Kenrick ; Cashier, John C. Campbell. At the death
of Mr. Kenrick, in August, 1884, James F. Briggs
was chosen to succeed him. Present officers, — Presi-
dent, .Tames F. Briggs; Casliier, John C. Campbell ;
present Board of Directors, James F. Briggs, Abel C.
Buruham, George D. Ward, Charles W. Conn and ,
John F. Jones. Surplus and undivided profits,
$11.074.14. '•
The Press. — The first newspaper issued at Hills-
borough Bridge was called The irecA-/// iWtt'.f, and sent,
out in the fall of 1859 liy John K. Flanders, assisted
financially by J. H. T. Newell. Through failures and
other discouragements the paper passed through other
hands in rapid succession, Mr. Newell all the time
keeping Iiis eye and hand on it to see that its money
value did not escape him. In process of time it
passed into .Toe H. Potter's hands, wlio was a practical
printer and did job-work. .Mr. Boylston said the
" late," but he is selling furniture now at Hillsborough
Bridge. The editor was mistaken. The following I
quote verbatim from Mr. Boylston's excellent "His-
tory of the Press : "
*^ The UUUhofmnih .VpMcuj/tfr wiu, coinmeiicetl in DeceliiWr, 181)7, I'X
Willium H. Sfirgont, wtio cuntiiiiied its pubtii-iition until June, 18T~<,
when it iiut>se(l iitto the hands of .Fiiniet^ P. ('ham. &. Co. The senior of tlie
firm was Or. J. P. Chase, who in early life had been a pmctieal printer,
and whose advice was of great advantage t^ )iis M>n, the junior partner.
In their hands tlie pajxr prosixrred and lietokened Burcess, which was
clouded h.v the siulden ilecease of the junior partuer. who was a preat
favorite with the coniniunit.v. Dr. Chase continued the paper, aidiKl by
Prof. Harry L. Hrickett, until Feb. 1, 1877, when, by sale, it passed into
the hands of Edwin C. ilolton and Kdward J. ThoniptMn. Mr. llulton
assunieil the editorship,— aiileil also by Prof. Hrickett, — and Mr. Thomp-
son, a practical printer, the direction of the otiice. In .Inly, 187it, Mr.
Thompflon retired, and Messrs. Ilolton and Ferry assumed the conduct of
the paper.'*
Soon after Mr. Holton sold out his interest to Mr.
HILLS liUllUUUll.
421
Ferry, who then assumed sole control. In 1882, Mr.
Charles W. Hutchius, foreman of the oHice, bought
out Mr. Ferry, and now successfully manages the
paper. It takes a high rank among the local papers
of the State. Colonel L. W. Cogswell, of Heuniker,
who well knows how to wielil tlie editorial pen, i.<
local editor of Heuniker, and luu-^ added by his work
to the circulation and interest of the paper. Dr.
Chase struck the right key in excluding from the
paper, when under his control, everything not suited
for a family paper. Those wlio have since him
wielded the editorial pen and scissors have imitated
his example. Mr. Hutchins spares no pains or ex-
pense in raising the character of The HUlaborough
Messenger. Every one who has lived in the town on
going away to live, takes with him the paper. He
feels that it is a necessity, something he must have.
Mr. Ilutchiiis lias won niaiiv true friends.
Stage-RoutesandStage-Drivers.— In former years
Hillsborough Bridge was noted for the number and
exccUoncc of the stage-routes starting from it and
centering there. The completion of the railroad to
Winchendon and to Keene has made a change. As
it is, three, and sometimes four, lines start out from
the Bridge, — one through the Centre to East Wash-
ington and Bradford; one through the Lower and
Upper villages to Washington (some of the time to
Deering) ; and one, from time immemorial under the
care of Hatch Burnham, formerly through to Keene,
but now only to Stoddard. In the olden time famous
drivers cracked the whip and held the ribbons;
among others, the fearless Jackson, and Smith, witli
the stilf knee, but level head.
Stores and Shops. — Whatever is wanted for home
consumplinn can be obtained at Hillsborough "at
cost and more, too," and whatever is oflered for sale
and finds purchasers can be found in all the stores,
and when one is out of a given article, by some
means, in a very short time the rest are " out of it,"
too. It is a good place for trade, and there is a wide
country from which to draw custom. There is one
thing to be noted, — the same firms continue yearaftcr
year for a .series of years. The oldest firms are iJut-
ton iV: >Iorse, I. S. Butler, Horace Marcy and Mor-
rill &. Merrell. There are some smaller stores. Miss
Sara Karrar has kept a millinery-shop for years,
and Mrs. Robert C. Dickey has kept one for the last
four years. Henry C. Colby keeps, in the Newman
Block, the best iussortment of stoves and tin-ware.
The Kimballs ami Pickering wield the cleaver and
deal in meats, an<l a shop for almost anything can be
found in Hillsborough.
Hillsborough has been noted for many years for
having a good as.sortment of drugs and medicines.
Horace Marcy keeps a drug-store in connection with
dry-goods. Robert C. Dickey is known far and wide
as one who is master of the pestle and mortar, the
alembic, retort, and crucible. Mr. Dickey's predeces-
sor, Mr. Goodale, was a skillful druggist. The late
Wm. B. Whittemore once dealt in medicines in the
drug-store. Hillsborough has its silversmith ; W. H.
Story keeps an assortment of silverware, and does re-
pairing neatly at short notice. Fancy stores of var-
ious kinds are kept at the Bridge village. A five
and ten-cent counter is the attraction at William ,T.
Marsh's store, in Butler's Block.
Valley Hotel. — Hillsborough Bridge has been
noted for good hostelry for at least the last quarter
of a century. Oliver Greenleaf was among the most
noted as an inn-keeper. He had the faculty of ])leas-
ing the traveling i)ublic in a wonderful degree. He
was succeeded by others for short terms. The Childs
Brothers kept the Valley Hotel with great acceptance
to the public for several years. The present proprie-
tor is Charles G. Putney. His rooms and tables are
well filled. Hillsborough waited a long time, some-
times impatiently, for the " New Mill." It is begin-
ning to wonder when the promised new hotel will
take the |)lace of the old one, with ample accommo-
dations for the crowd that will certainly fill it to its
utmost capacity. When that takes place, the new
"History of Hillsborough," about to be forthcoming
under the auspices of the town, will devote a para-
graph ill mention of it.
"To fulfill all righteousness" to make the history
complete, a list of the town oflicers is subjoined. The
curious may read, the indilfereiit pass it over unread.
It will be interesting, at least, to those whose ances-
tors served the town in its early days. One can but
notice that, as a rule, the early settlers were men of
character and general intelligence. Men who were
lacking in noble, yea, in great ([ualities, rarely under-
take so perilous a work as founding a new State or
town. Very often it is the very best jiortion of the
community that embark in such an enterprise. The
" Mayflower " and its consorts of the deep brought
' over some of the best blood in Englaiui to settle in the
wilds of the New World. Some of the noblest men in
1 Massachusetts followed, or led, rather, in the work of
building the new town of Hillsborough from 1741 to
17(57.
TOWN OFFI(EH.S.
TOWN CLERKS.
1772.
177:..
1770.
1777.
1778.
1779.
17K(I,
17K1.
1780.
nai.
years.
Isaac Andruwg . .
. . . 3
Josopb Sfmon<ln .
SuiiiiR'l HnulfuiiP
Williiiiii iN.iH- . .
Tlinotliv Ilriulloid
Suinuel BrailfunI, .
Ir . . I
William I'uiw . .
iHajic AiKlrt'WN . .
... 'i
Juhn Diiiioii . . .
7
KMw«Tt»wno2. . .
. . . I
Vviux.
17!tt. Calvin Stoviiiti 11
1805. Elijah Hwml ;i
I80H. AiMlre« NirKOOt .... S
iMliJ. .llUIKF* \Vil.H..|l 7
18£J. Auilrew Surgi-nt .... 7
latO. Tlitmiii* WiltHJt '1
1ftt2. JoiiHtliiin Itt-unI .... :t
1R3fi. AttioH Film 6
ll<tl. .Tulliiini M>K<rv -
> Ca|iluin Hnuirunl ilivil iu .Vu^iist, l7Ti'>, luxl Willliiin l'ui>o was (-■liH.'tcd
Ills RucccMor a« flnit Holi-ctman rikI tuwii cK-rk fur llir rcnialuilvr u\ Ww
year.
« Knew Town*) (llod fu 171)'> and Jnlni McColIoy siiccfodod liiin fur ili--
rt'thliic of that y(.>ar.
422
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
MOnEH.\TOR.S
JFTIIK .ISNIALI
o\VN-MKKTINi;S.
Yeai-a.
Yeare.
1774.
Timotliy Wilkiiis. .
. . 1
l.Sll.
Benjamin I'ierce
. . 3
1775.
.lo^epli .*^ymonds . .
. . 1
1814.
Neliemiah Jones
... 1
1778.
Daniel McNeil . . .
. . 1
1813.
John Buruam .
. . 8
1777.
Amlrew Bixby . . .
. . 1
1823.
Luther Smith .
... 1
1778.
Jo^pli Syinoud^ . .
. . 4
1824.
John Burnam .
... 1
1782.
James McColley . .
. . 1
1823.
Reuben Hatch .
... 3
1783.
.Tosepli Symonds . .
. . 9
1828.
Franklin Pierce
... 6
1792.
Benjaiiiin Pierce . .
. . »
1834.
.Vmos Flint . .
. . 1
18111.
litis Howe
. . 1
1833.
Thomas Wilson
... I
1*12.
Heiijainitl Fierce
. . 1
1836.
Nahuni Foster .
... 1
1803.
Jolin Dtitton ....
. . 2
1837.
Hiram Jlonroe .
... 4
1805.
Bcn.jauiin Tierce . .
.'.
I.'-ll.
Albert Baker. .
... -
1810.
David Stan-et . . .
. . 1
SELKt
Yeai-s.
TMF.N.
Y'ears.
1772.
I«aac Andrews . . .
. . :i
1795.
Samuel Bradford
.... 2
John McColley , . .
. . 3
1797.
George Diiscomb
. . , ■s
Daniel McNeil . . .
. . 3
1799.
Elijah Ik-ald . .
... 9
Isaac Haldwin . . .
. . 3
1801).
Jacob SpauhUng
... 6
William Tope . . .
. . 3
1803.
Andrew Sargent
... 11
1775.
Joseph Syuionds . .
. . 1
1806.
Silaj3 Dutton . .
... 2
Sunincl Bradford, .Si
. . 1
IsuS.
David Starret .
... 1
John JlcClintock . .
. . 1
Joseph Curtis Barnes . . 2
177C.
.\sa Dorson ....
. . 1
inoo.
Timothy Wyman
-
Archibald Taggart .
. . 1
ISIO.
James Wilson .
... 13
William Pope . . ,
2
isll.
Joel Stow . . .
... 1
1777.
John Jld'olley . . .
. , 1
1.-1I2.
Salimel Barne.s .
... 1
Moses Steel ....
. . 1
1813.
Luther Smith- .
... 1
1778.
Timotliy Bradford .
. . 1
1814.
.Samuel Gibson .
.•Niniuel Bra«iford, Ji
. . 2
1816.
Joel Stow . . .
3
Daniel McSeil . . .
. . I
Jonathan Tilton
2
1779.
.\innii .\ndrews . .
. . 1
1818.
George Little .
2
James SIcColley . .
. 1
1820.
William McClintock . . 1
1780.
William Pope . . .
. . 1
1.S21.
.\lexander McCoj
... 1
C«lvin Stevens . . .
2
Peter Codman .
... 2
Jacob Klint
. . 1
1S22.
Joel Stow . . .
... 1
1781.
Isaac .\nilrews . . .
. . 1
1823.
Andrew Sarpeut
7
John Dutton ....
. . 12
Ueiiben Hatch .
... 1
Archilwld Taggait .
. . 2
.Solomon McNeil
... 1
John McClary . . .
. . 1
1824.
Joel Stow . . .
... 2
1782
The first three of the
Hve
Thomas Wilson
... 8
elected in I7dl constitn-
1826.
Benjamin Tuttlo
... 2
ted the board in 178
i . . -
1828.
Hiram Miinroe .
... 1
1783
Isaac .Vndrews, Jr .
1S30.
Peter Codman .
. . . !
17k4
James Mc(3olley . .
Isaac Jones Cooledge . . 1
17»5
William Taggart . .
1831
Jonathan Beard
... 4
1781)
John Bz-adfonl . . .
18.32.
Levi Goodalc . .
... 2
William Symonds ,
Samuel C. Dutton ... I
17S7
William Taj?gart . .
I8:«.
Joseph Phipps .
... 3
1788
Iswic Andre\v.s, ,lr .
1834
.\tuos Flint . .
7
Paul Cooledge . . .
l.<33
Levi Goodale . .
... 4
17.S9
John McColley . . .
. . 2
1.V36.
Kansom Bixby .
... 2
179(1
John McCIary . . .
. . 2
1838.
James Currier .
... 1
17;il
Isaac Andrews . . .
. . 2
1839
Daniel Brown .
... 1
1792
John Jlcl.'olley . . .
. . 3
Jolhain Moore .
_
17:i3
Klios Towne i . . .
. . 1
1841).
Hiram Slonroe .
...
Solomon .\udrew.s .
. . 1
1S41
Sandy Smith . .
... -
17D4
Calvin Stevens . . .
Jame^ Katon ....
. . 11
work to men of ability, who will have ample time to
do their work, and no doubt ample compensation for
the work they do. They will not have to do it under
the blazing sun of the longe.st days of the year, it is
tobe hoped, as the present writer is under the neces-
sity of doing. He has given in the above enumera-
tion a touch of the good things the people have to
expect, — interminable columns of names, dates and
sums of money in the form of bounties, taxes and
value of real estate.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
The list given brings it down to the recollection of
living men and wonn.-n. If any are curious to know
more, the writer will refer them to the forthcoming his-
tory of the town, for the writing of which the town jias
made the most ample provisions, parceling out the
' Enos Towiic died in the year 1793, and John McColley was chosen
to serve in the office of town clerk and rti-st selectman for the rest of the
year.
-Dr. Luther Smith resigned the office of selectman on account of its
interfering with his professional business, and Samuel Gibson waa elected
in !iis stead for the remainder of the vear.
FRANCIS GRIMES.
Francis Grimes is the second son (fourth child)
of John and Betsy (Wilson) Grimes, of Deering,
N. H., and was born in that town October 19, 1805.
He was reared upon the farm, receiving the advan-
tages of the common district school and a few terms
at the Hillsborough Academy, under the instruction
of Simeon I. Bard. He entered the store of James
Butler, at Hillsborough Bridge, as clerk, where he
spent a few years, but mercantile business not being
to his taste, he went, in 1832, to Windsor, N. H., and
engaged in farming on a large scale, in which pur-
suit he was eminently successful, and in which he
continued until 18.56, when he removed to Hills-
borough Bridge, where he has since resided.
Mr. Grimes was endowed with a sound judgment
and business sagacity, which he has carried into the
every-day practical affairs of life. He h.as always
done his own thinking; has decision of character
and entire integrity ; his word is as good as his bond.
He has never sought and seldom accepted office; was
one of the selectmen of Windsor two years ; has been
justice of the ])eace, and was, for a few years, United
States internal revenue collector of his district. He
was made a Master-Mason in Harmony Lodge, No.
38, A. F. A. Masons, in 1857, since which time he
has taken a deep interest not only in the growth and
welfare of his own lodge, but in that of the institu-
tion everywhere.
He married, first, Mary, daughter of Judge Henry
B. and Dorothy (Rcan) Chase, of Warner, N. H.,
February 9, 1837. Children, —
Sarah F., born July 9, 1838, married Alfred John-
son May 1, I860, and has children,— Edwin Francis
(Johnson), born January 20, 1861, and Alfred Grimes
(Johnson), born .July 7, 1867.
John Henry, born May 4, 1840. He enlisted in the
United States marine service upon the breaking out
of the Rebellion, and was appointed second lieu-
tenant ; participated in the first battle of Bull Run,
where he was wounded by a Minie-ball ; was on
board the transport " (Jovernor " at the time she
sunk. November 2, 1861, and was the Li.st man to
(yy^^^^g.-^^^^:.^ C' / /- y y <^-.e</
I
t
t
I
^^--J^'J^-l,^d-<?
I
t
lULL^UUKULGll.
423
leave tlie ship, being rescued by United State^^ frigate
" Sabine,'' and was promoted to first lieutenant for
gallant conduct on that occasion. He remained in
the service until the close of the Rebellion.
Mary Chase, born March 28, 1842 ; died, unmar-
ried, October 17, 187').
Helen I)., born March 4, 1844; married George R.
Wbitteniore, of Antrim, X. H., November 24, 1870.
Children, — Francis Grimes (Whittemorej, born Feb-
ruary 6, 1872, died July 8, 1872; Henry Ernest
(Whittemore), born February 1, 1872, resides in Bos-
ton, Muss.
Lissia A., born December 7, ISol.
Mrs. Grimes died December 30, 1851, and he mar-
ried, second, Mrs. Lucinda Egleston, .July 4, 18o3.
One son by this marriage, — i
Frank C, born August 9, 1857 ; married Abbie J.
Davis, of Hillsborough, April 7, 1880. One child, —
Francis (irimes, born .January 10, 1881; resides in
Deering, N. H.
COLONEL JAMES FORSAll'lt lilllMK.S. '
The portrait accompanying this sketch places the
subject in a good light bclbre the reader. As a per-
sonal likeness of Colonel Grimes it is good, and as a
likeness portraying the general features of the Grimes
family it is also good. Any one who has seen Senator
James W. (irimes (the colonel's uncle) or Commo-
dore John G. Walker (his cousin) will see that the
likeness strongly suggests each of them. There are
indications of decision and strong will in the portrait.
The ancestors of Colonel Grimes were Scotch-Irish,
an ancestry of whom any man may be justly i)roud.
The orthography of the name has changed Irom time
to time from Gr;eme to Graiiam and Grimes.
The first ancestor of whom wc have record was
Francis' Oraham, who came to America about the
year 1719, and settled at or near Boston, Mass., and
in 1741 moved to Hillsborough as one of the pioneer
settlers, where he remaincfl until driven oil' by the
Indians, in 1740. While living in Hillsborough, in
1743, a daughter, Ann, was born into the family. She
was nuirried to Deacon William McKean, and settled
in Deering, N. H., where she died July 12, 1825, aged
eighty-two years.
His .son, Francis', Jr. (whose name was later
changed to (irimes), was born in 1747, on Noddle's
Island (now Fast Boston), and later moved to Lon-
donderry, N. H., and thence to Deering, N. H., as
one of the early settlers of that town, in 17(55. He
married Elizabeth Wilson, of Londonderry, N. II.
His son, Jiihii', was born August 11, 1772, in Deer-
ing, and lived on what is now known as the McNeil
place, and removed lo llillsbonmgli in March, 183(5,
with his family, and there remained until his death,
October 17, 1851. He married Elizabeth Wilson, of
Deering, and from this union there were eight chil-
' lly li. V. Ilimv Brickctt, M. A.
dren, the youngest of whom wa^James' jri7«on, who was
a graduate of Dartmouth College, a classmate of Hon.
Samuel C. Bartlett, the present president of that in-
stitution, and lion. John Wentworth, of Illinois. He
was also Governor of the State of Iowa in 1854-58,
and was a member of the Senate of the L^nited States
from 1859 to 1869. He wiis born October 20, 181(5,
and died February 7, 1872.
The other children of Johrt' were Hiram*, Jane*,
Susan*, Francis*, David W.* and Sarah C* Of these
children, Susan* became the wife of Alden Walker and
mother of John Grimes Walker, who has been pro-
moted through the various grades of the I'nited States
navy to that of commodore.
Hiram', the eldest of this family, was born in Deer-
ing, N. H., September 17, 1798. He married Clarissa,
daughter of James and Nancy Forsaith, of Deering,
December 9, 1823, and settled in Hillsborough, where
he now resides. He is a farmer, and being a man of
frugal habits, has, by industry and intelligence, won
from the soil a competence for his evening of life. A
lover of home and warmly attached to his family, he
enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know
him. His wife, Clarissa, who died March 9, 1873, was
a superior woman, rearing her children with great
care, beloved by them and greatly respected by all.
They had six children, five of whom are living, —
John'', born February 14, 1828 ; Nancy ^ Jane, born
June 28, 1830; Elvira^ Elizabeth, born February,
8, 1833 ; James'' Forsaith, born May 19, 1835 ; Clarissa
A., born December 17, 1838.
James Forsaith (the subject of this sketch)
piissed his boyhood on the farm of his father in Hills-
Ijorough. His educational advantages were those
afforded by the district schools of the time, .supple-
mented by attendance at the academies of Gilmanton,
Hopkinton and Washington. His summers were
spent ill farm-work, where he gained experience and
vigorous health. At the close of his school-boy days
he spent his winters in teaching in theilistrict schools
of his own and the adjoining towns, commencing at
the early age of sixteen. As a teacher he was success-
ful, and gained a wide reputation as a disciplinarian,
and his services were nuuh sought in localities where
something like insubordination had at times been
partially established. In connection with his school
duties, at Hillsborough Lower village, in 1859,
Colonel Grimes commenced the study of law with
Francis N. Blood, Es(|., which he continued until the
breakingoutofthe WaroftheUebellion, in KSiIl. When
it became known that Sumter had been fired upon,
he was one of the first from his native town to volun-
teer in defense of the Union. Just at this time,
hearing that his uncle. Senator Grimes, had presented
his name to the Senate of the United Slates for con-
firmation as a captain in the regular army, he jdaced
himself under a private instructor to be fitted for the
proper discharge of those responsible cliities. (^'olonel
Grimes received his commission as captain in the
424
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUxNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Seventeenth Regiment of the United States Infantry
August ">, 18G1, and immediately joined his regiment
at Fort Preble, Maine, and was deUiiled as recruiting
officer, first, at Hillsborough, N. H., and afterwards
at Ogdensburg, N. Y. It was while thus engaged that
he sought the influence of Senator Grimes to secure
orders to join his regiuK-nt in the field. In answer, he
received a letter from the Senator, from which the
following is an extract : "A good soldier obeys orders,
but seeks none ; I cannot agree with many of our
]iubiic men that this war will be brought to a speedy
close. I think we shall have a long and bloody war,
and you will see all the fighting you desire before it
is over. Wait patiently ; your time will cimie."
Colonel Grimes soon joined his regiment in the Fifth
Corps, Army of the Potomac, and participated with it
in some of the hardest-fought battles of the war. He
was in command of his regiment most of the time
during the latter part of the war, and led it in what
will ever be known as the "Memorable Battles of
the Wilderness." He was wounded near Spottsyl-
vania, Va., and carried from the field and ordered
back to Washington, where he was tendered leave
of absence to return home, which he declined, and
made application to l)e returned to duty, and he was
" returned to duty at his own request,'' the surgeon
declining to take any responsibility in the matter.
He joined his regiment at Cold Harbor, Va., as they
marched " on to Petersburg." May IS, 1864, Senator
Grimes wrote to his wife, among other items concern-
ing the war, its follows: "J. Grimes commanded
the Seventeenth Regiment of Infantry until he was
knocked over by a shell." The Seventeenth United
States Infantry suffered heavy losses in the campaign
of 18G3 and 1864, especially in the battles of Gettys-
burg, Pa., July 2 and 3, 1863; Wilderness, Va.,
May 5, 6 and 7, 1864 ; Laurel Hill, Ya., May 8, 10 and
13; Spottsylvania, Va., May 14; Bethesda Church,
Va., June 1 and 2 ; Cold Harbor, Va., June 2 and 3 ;
Petersburg, Va., June 18 and 20 ; AVeldon Railroad,
Va., August 18 and 21 ; and Chapel House, Va., October
1, 1864. At the close of the latter engagement the
regiment could muster only twenty-six men able to
bear arms, and in conserjuence of these severe losses
the regiment was detailed by the officer commanding
tlie corps for duty as guard at headtiuarters, and soon
after were ordered out of the field for the purpose of
recruiting, and arrived in New York about November
1,1864. Colonel Grimes was in command of battal-
ion Seventeenth United States Infantry, at Fort La-
fayette, New York Harbor, guarding noted prisoners
of war and performing garrison duty from November,
1864, to October, 1865, and after that was stationed at
Hart's Island, New York Harbor, organizing com-
panies and drilling them until the regiment was
ordered to the Department of Texivs, in the summer of
1866, which point the bust battalion reached about the
1st of October. From Galveston Colonel Grimes took
his command of eight companies by rail to Brenham,
and thence marched across the country, a distance of
over one hundred miles, to Austin, Texas, arriving
about November 1st.
In thespring of 1867, Colonel Grimes was appointed
judge advocate of a military commission, of which
Major-General Alexander McD. McCook was presi-
dent, and convened at Austin, Texas, by order of
General Pliilip H. Sheridan, for the purpose of trying
criminal cases under the Reconstruction Act of Con-
gress, and served in that capacity several months.
Colonel (irinies was in command of the post of
Nacogdoches, in Northeastern Texas, from October
1867, to April, 1868; thence ])roceeded to, and took
command of, the post at Ringgold Barracks, situated
on the Rio Grande River.
In the mean time his health had become impaired,
and his physicians advised him to go North, which
he did, remaining during tlie summer, and returned
to his duties in the fall much improved.
Upon his return he was stationed at Brownsville,
Texas. Here it soon became apparent that the cli- ,
mate did not agree with him, and that, in order to {|
prevent permanent disability, he must have a change, "
and he was again granted a leave of absence upon
a surgeon's certificate of disability. He reached
home about the 1st of August, 1870, and in conse-
quence of ill health resigned from the service, to take
eflect January 1, 1871, having served nearly ten
years.
In the reorganization of the army, in September,
1866, he was transferred to the Twenty-sixth L'nited
States Infantry, and in M'ly, 1869, was transferred to
the Tenth L'nited States Infantry. He was com-
missioned major by brevet in the United States army,^
to rank from August 1, 1864, " for gallant services at '
the battle of Spottsylvania, and during the present
campaign before Richmond, Va.," and commissioned
lieutenant-colonel by brevet, to rank from March 13,
1865, " for gallant and meritorious services during
the war." The colonel thus came to the close of the
war both deserving and obtaining the reward of thflS
gallant and faithful soldier. His comrades bore un-
equivocal testimony to his bravery as a soldier and
his worth as a man.
At home and in the field there was an inspiring
motive urging him on to high and noble deeds, a-
motive greater than tlie love of fame and glory, — it
was the love of a noble woman.
September 8, 1864, while at home on a leave of
absence. Colonel Grimes nuirried Sarah Ann, youngest
daughter of Eben and Mary (Carr) Jones, of Hills-
borough, N. H., who endured with him all of the
fortunes and vicissitudes incident to army-life, in
camp and upon the march, while he was sojourning
in the Department of Texas.
From this union there are seven children, the
second of whom was born in camp on the tented field.
To the writer, the children, as they come around the
parental board, or as they mingle in their sports or
I
cJ^f^-^Z^.
HILLSBOROUGH.
425
licrlorni their accustDineil work, are the most interest-
ing siglit of all the beautiful things at the colonel's
mansion on the hill. Of such children he may justly
he proud. Tiiey are the chief ornament.s of their
home, conimaniting by their courteous behavior the
luve an<l rcsiK it of all who visit the family.
Nor should their colored nurse, Ivate, who has been
in the family for twenty years, be forgotten, — she
wlio has loved and watched over each of them with
a love second only to that of their mother.
The children were born as follows: James Wilson,
November 21, 18(5.3; .lolin Harvey, March 2'i, 18()7 ;
Warren Parker, October 12, 18(i8; Mary Carr, August
27,1871; Henry Glitz, October 21, 1872; Clara For-
saith, January 27, 187'); Cecil P., June 29, 1878.
Honorably discharged from the army with a com-
petence, a large experience as a soldier, and merci-
fully sjiared in the fiercest battles, where many a brave
comrade fell, spared in the midst of malaria in the
.''nuth, where lie did duty for several years. Colonel
(irimes, after ten years of service, returned to his
native town to enjoy life. He and his fair consort,
now at life's half-way house, have the love and respect
of all who know them. Thus far their ranks remain
unbroken. Parents and children have been spared to
each other, and Kate, of the sable face but the white
soul, sparc'l to tlu'in all.
I
.IllHN lilMSDX irr.i.KK.
The first ancestor of wlumi wc have record is
Jiialiua', born in Connecticut October 2, 172S ; married
Joanna Taylor; settled in Surry in 17()4-G.j. Among
tlieir children were Joshua', killed at the battle of
Bennington ; Levi', who settled in Surry ; and Cap-
tain David', born in Connecticut, died in Jay, N. Y.,
married I lirst),, January 22, 1782, KIsea Oleason ; died
May 20, 17!lll, leaving children, — Dnvid'\ born June(),
17-8.3; KLsea', born .\pril 2, 1781;, married Lemuel liing-
ham, of Gilsuni. He married (second), February 22,
1792, Jerusha, daughter of Jonathan and Hannah
(Yeramons) Adams, born Sei)tenil)er 2.5, 1774, died Au-
gust .'Jl, 1702, married (third), Oct. 20, 17i)3, Orinda,
daughter of John and Sibyll (Wright) llinghani, of
<iilsum, born in Montague, Mass., .Inly 10, 1772.
Children, — Levi', born September 'A, 1794, died Oc-
tober 4, 1798 ; Jerusha', born September 30, 179(5 ;
Luman', born August 25, 1798; Levi'', born April 14,
1801, died January .'iO, 1804; Orinda', born July 22,
ISO:!, married Samuel Isham, Jr.; (ieorge W.', born
July 11!, lS(l.->, died July .'>, 182(1; ISradfonl', born
July K;, 1807 ; Alvira', born June 2(5, 1809.
/>«»;/■(/' was born in (iilsum, N. H., June 6, 1783;
eanie to Hillsborough when twenty years of age;
Worked out on a farm for a sea.son, and then learned
the slKMinaker's trade; marrieil, January (>, 180(),
Ke/.iah, daughter of lienjamin and Hannah (Parker)
Kimball, of llillsliorough ; removed to I'ranccstown,
where he remained seven years, and carried on the
shoemaker's business, adding to it that of tanning
and currying. He then returned to Hillsborough
Lower village, established the same business there,
in which he remained during the remainder of his
life. His wife died February 23, 18G4; he died No-
vember 8, 18t)7. His children were all born in
Francestown, and were David Gardner', born October
27, 180(5 ; married, April 27, 1830, Jane, daughter of
Josiah and Sally (Dean) Converse, of Amherst, N.H.
In early life he was a noted hotel-keeper in Uticaand
Rome, X. Y., Washington, I). C, Richmond, Va., and
other places. Later, he did an extensive business as
druggist in Concord, N. H. ; died in Concord July 10,
1879. His children were Sarah Jane', born in Hook-
sett, N. H., June 2.5, 1836; married Joseph Harlow,
of Plymouth, Mass. ; Henry W.'', born in Hooksett,
N. H., June 30. 1838; graduated at Dartmouth Col-
lege in 1857 ; at Dane Law School, Harvard Univer-
sity, as Bachelor of Laws, in 1859. Upon the break-
ing out of the Rebellion he enlisted as a private in
the F'irst Regiment of three months' volunteers from
this State; was commissioned first lieutenant of
Company Q April 30, 1861. After the First Regi-
ment was mustered out he was commissioned captain
in the "Fighting Fifth." Later, was lieutenant-col-
onel of the Fifteenth, then colonel of the Thirty-
I third United States colored troops, and finally a brevet
' brigadier of United States Volunteers. He remained
in the service until 1866, when he settled in Boston,
Mass. He was a Re]iublicau in politics, and took an
) active interest in public allhirs, serving in the Com-
mon Council in 1774, as a Representative in the Leg-
islature in 187.5, '76, '77 and '79, was a member of the
State Senate in 1880 and 1881 and was, a few weeks
before his death, appointed by Governor Robinson as
judge of the Roxbury court. He married, Septem-
ber 16, 1863, Elizabeth, daughter of Labaii and
Frances (Lewis) Beecher, of Boston, Mass., where he
died April 7, 188.5, leaving one son, Fred., born
March 23, 1872. George C.^ born in Lowell, Mass.,
December 30, 1840, died in Concord, N. H., February
10, 1878. He married, December 31, 1861, Josie,
daughter of Joseph ami (Shackford) French, of
Concord, X. II., where she died Se|)teinber, 1864.
Kthelinda G.'', born in Concord, N. IL, December 11,
1849; died there March 5, 1851. Mark W.', born
April 7, 1808 ; married, November 17, 1831, Sarah,
daughter of William and Sally (Priest) Conn, of
Hillsboniugli. One daughter, Susan, born April 24,
184(1, (lied December 13, 1.S.59. .John (iibson' (see
ski'tih). William V.', Imrn in Francestown, N. II.,
May 10,1812; died in Hillsborough, N. H., Novem-
ber 17, 1830.
.lolin Gibson Fuller' was born in Francestown,
N. II., April 21, 1810. He was the third son of Da-
vid and Kesiali (Kimball) Fuller, and came from
that town to Hillsbiirough, with his parents, when
three years old, where lie grew to manhood. His
only educational advantages were derived from the
426
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
village school, at that time much less efficient than
now. He learned the trade of" tanning and currying
of his father, with whom he was afterwards associated
in Ijiisiness. Somewhere about 1850 a few calf-skins
which he had tanned and sold in Boston, Mass., were
purchased by Mr. Stephen Westcntt, a leather dealer
of that city. They ])roved such excellent leather
that Mr. Westcott traced them back to Fuller's tan-
nery, and sent a small number of green skins to Mr.
Fuller to tan. The result was satisfactory to both
parties, and from this small beginning was developed
a large business in tanning of calf-skins only, the
leather being known in market as " Westcott calf."
He gave constant employment to from fifteen to
twenty men. To the business of tanning was added,
a few years later, that of currying. Mr. Fuller wiis
a man of marked executive ability. He had a re-
markable faculty for reading character and of influenc-
ing men. His friendship meant something. If any
person did him a favor, he never forgot it. Whatever
he undertook to do he accomplished, if it was possi-
ble. He allowed no obstacle to stand in his way. He
was largely instrumental in the establishing of the
Valley Bank (now First National Bank of Hills-
borough), and upon its organization he was chosen its
president, which position he held at the time of his
death. In business habits he was methodical and
prompt. In politics Mr. Fuller was a Whig and,
later, a Free-Soiler. He hated slavery. At the time
of the execution of John Brown he tolled the church
bell with his own hands. While he was a man of
decided convictions, resolute and energetic action, he
held in high respect those who honestly differed from
him in opinion.
Mr. Fuller married Ann, daughter of Xathaniel
and Betsy (Robbins) Jones, of Hillsborough, who
was born September 27, 1814, and who died August
22, 1865. He died very suddenly in Nashua, N. H.,
June 14, 1861, while on a business trip to that city.
Their children were Abbie A.', born December 4,
1834; married, in 1855, Stephen E. AVestcott, of Bos-
ton, Mass. Children,— Everett Fuller" (Westcott),
born in Boston, Mass., in 1858, died there September
11, 1877; Edith" (Westcott), born in Boston, Mass.,
December 3, 1870. Helen Marr'", born July 9, 1836 ;
died August 8, 1840. Wirt Ximeo\ born January 23,
1850 ; was educated at Philliiis Academy, .Vndover,
Mass. ; married, February 3, 1870, Addie A., daughter
of George E. and Caroline Carter (Grant) Russell, of
Boston, Mass., where they reside, and have children,
—Wirt R.», born January 29, 1871 ; Addie May", born
April 28, 1874.
ABEL CONANT BURXHAM, M.I>.'
The Burnham family trace their ancestors in a di-
rect line of succession to Robert' Burnham, who was ,
born in Norwich, Norfolk County, England, in i-581.
In 1608 he married Mary Andrews, and had seven
' Bj Kiv. Hurry Briiktit, JI. A.
children, of whom three sons, John-, Robert'- and
Thomas-', came to America.
Thoniiis- was born in 1623, and came to America
when twelve years old, with his brothers, in the ship
"Angel tiabriel," which was wrecked on the coast of
Maine. He settled in Chebacco (now Essex), !Ma>s.,
and was out in the Pequot expedition. He married,
in 1645, Mary Tuttle; had twelve children, and died
in 1694. His son, John'', was born in 1648; married
Elizabeth Wells; had nine children, and died in 1704.
His son, Thomas*, was born in 1673; he married, was
the father of six children and died in 1748. Stephen^,
a son of Thomiis*, married Mary .\ndrews,and settled
in Gloucester, Mass. The date of his death is un-
known. He had thirteen children. One of the sixth
generation, Joshua", son of Stephen' and Mary (An-
drews) Burnham, was born in Gloucester, Mass.. in
1754. He had ten children, one of wliom, Thomas',
was born in Milford, N. H., in 1783; married Rachel
Conant in 1807, and removed to Antrim in 1821,
where he resided until 1837, when he came to Hills-
borough, where he died in 1856. His wife died in
Na.shua in 1871, aged eighty-seven years.
Dr. Abel* C. Burnham, the subject of this sketch,
was the second son of Thomas' and Rachel (Conant)
Burnham, and was born in Amherst, N. H., May 2,
1812. Duringhisboyhood helived several yearswithaa
uncle, Rev. A. Conant, at Leominster, Mass., attend-
ing school and studying at home under the direction
of his uncle. He acquired an academical education
at the academies of Francestowu, Pembroke and^
Hillsborough. After teaching a year at Watervlier,
N. Y., he returned to Hillsborough, and commenced
the study of medicine with the late Dr. Elisha Hatch,
of this town, with whom he remained tw-o years, teach-
ing school in the winter. The third year he spent iu
the office of the celebrated surgeon, Amos Twitchell, "
M.l)., of Keene, N. H.
Here he had the best of opportunities to study prac-
tical surgery, and when, as was often the case, the
doctor wiis called to a distance to some difficult oper-.
tion, his pupil accompanied him as a trusted and
handy assistant. In after-years Dr. Burnham became
himself a skillful surgeon, and was called to operate
in many difficult cases. He had prepared himself
for this by a thorough study of anatomy, accompanied
by work in the dissecting-room. He made himself
acquainted with the most modern works and modes
of practice in surgery, and with his own eyes sa'
them carried out into actual practice.
During these three years he attended three courses-
of medical lectures, — one at Woodstock, Vt., and two
at Dartmouth Medical College, at Hanover, where he'
graduated in November, 1839. At the CDmmencement
exercises of 1840 the names of 'Dr. Burnham and his
a.ssociates, who had jKUSsed their examination and re-
ceived their degree the fall before, were proclaimed,
in the sonorous tones of President Lord, in behalf of
the trustees, Doctores MedicincF. Dr. Burnham, hav-
t
^^-
yr.u'. ^S-c^^^'i^'^^i-^^-^^^^^'^-^
f
'
I
^^^^^^^^ <s^m^
lllLI.SliOKurcil.
427
ill); aliiNuly li:i.l tin- Ipciu'lit of sneh teaclu-i-s as IJrs.
Hatch, 'I'witi-lK-ll, HiilnR'.s, Miissey auci other oxcel-
Ifiit professors in int'ijii-iiie, went to Lowell, Jliiss.,
ancl enterctl the ofliee of Drs. Kimball and Bartlett,
ami remaiiiiiij; (luring the winter, returned to llills-
boniii;;!! ill the sprin;; and spent a year with Dr.
Halili as his assistant, and commeneed praetiee at
Hillstioniiifrh Centre in Febrnary, 1841, but reuioved
to the liridge village, a more central and desiral)le lo-
cation, in October of the same year. After practicing
here si.x years he attended a course of medical lec-
tures at the I'niversity of New York and at the hos-
pitals of that city, afti'r which he returned to Hills-
borough liiiilge, and resumed iiis practice, where he
has since resided and continued in active practice
until the prc-sent time (188-i), a period of forty-four
yeitrs.
Dr. Burnliam has remarkable tact in the sick-room.
As a rule, he is a man of few words, (piiet and uuoti-
trusive, ami very careful of what he says in the pres-
ence of the sick. His coming is gladly welcomed by
his patients. He has been remarkably successful in
treating the disca.ses of children, such as scarlatina,
measles and other like diseases, and his help has been
much sought fiu- in neighboring towns. His natural
taslei have led him in the direction of surgery, and
he has frci|uently been called upon to perform capital
operations, such as amputations, also operations for
the removal of necrosed bone, cancers, cataract, etc.,
with good success.
Dr. lUirnliam has rcumrkable self-possession in
time of an emergency,— good judgment, a clear head
and a steady hand, (ireat res[ionsil)ililies have often
rested on him where the safety of the patient hung
in the balance and seemed to depend on his skill
and judgment. His intercourse with neighboring
physicians Inus always been courteous, and with the
younger members of the profession marked by great
kindness, ever ready to emoiirage and assist llicin
with his counsels.
Dr. linrnliam has held, by appointment id' the
Governor of New Hampshire, through several coii-
wcutive years, the ollice of surgeon of the Tweiity-
•ixlh Kegiiiieiil of Ni'W Hampshire milili.i, and iliilil
honoralily discharged at his own reiiuest.
He held llic iillii-e of suiierintcnding school com-
mittee ill the' town of Hillsborough four years. In
184(> he was conimissioiied justice of the peace for the
louiity id" Hillsbi>ri High, and still holds the commi.s.sioii.
Me has lieen twice elected to represent llie town in
' Stale l,egi>lanire, and has been a member of the
' ':ird of Ivlucation at Hillsborough liridge for I luce
years, also for thirteen years a member of the board
"f directors of the First National Hank of llillsbor-
"Mgli ; he is a member of the New Hampshire Medical
Society, and in March, l>>(ii', was made a Master ]Mason
in Harmony Lodge, in llillslioiough, and was for
several years its secretary.
For more than forty years llu- doctor has lived in
•-'8
the .same place, ]>racticed in aii enlarging field and
held, unimpaired and ever-incroasiug, the coiihdence
of the community, both as a man and a physician.
November 0, 184!), Dr. Uurnham married Caroline M.,
oldest daughter of George and Mary (Steele) Dascomb,
of Hillsborough, N. H. Shu was born .July 27, 1823.
jnXES F.VMir.Y.'
Among the earliest settlers of the town of HilU-
borough, N. H., was Wlliam^, who came from Wil-
mington, Mass. It is not known at what time he
removed here, but his name appeai-s upon the first
records of the town now extant; nor is the name of his
wife known, nor the birth-place of his large family of
children, but probably the most, if not all, of them
were born in Wilmington. His descendants are nu-
merous, and among the most respected citizens of the
town. He bad four sous and live daughters.
His fourth son, James-, was born in ^VilmiIlgton,
Mass., and died July 18, 1839, and his wife, Anna,
died March 30, 1841. Married Anna, daughter of
Nathaniel and Sarah (Parker) Cooledge. Their chil-
dren were,
.Jonathan ', born September 3, 1778; died March .3,
181(1, unmarried.
Anna', born February 18, 1780; married, first, Alex-
ander McClintock, and, second, Asa Ctoodell; died
March 18, 1829.
.lames', born December 9, 1782; married Sarah
Smith, had one son, tJeorge, who died Nov. 11, 1844.
Silas ', born March G, 1784; married Catherine Kolf,
went to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he died Oct. 6, 1832.
Cooledge', born February 4, 1780; married Pierce
Stone; died February !», 18.'j().
Sarah', born March 22, 1788; died .Iiily 3, 1788.
Nathaniel ', born May 3, 178!); married Betsy Kob-
liiiis; died /Vugust It), 18i)7.
Ehenczer' , Xwtn February 7, 171)2; married, .Mary
T. Carr; died December 1, 1864.
Parker', born February 1.'!, 17!H; married .hidith
Clapp; died Jlay 28, LSCl.
Solomon ', born February 7, 17!)l); died in Pennsyl-
vauia, .Uignst 23, 1842, unmarried.
Warreu ', born February 3, 17!I8 ; married Thank-
ful Dyer; died March 21, 18(;8.
Sarah P.', born .lune 7, ISOI ; married Charles
Baldwin ; died November 3, 1844.
I'.bciu-zcr' married Mary Turner, daughter of
Nathan and Kli/abeth (Smith) Carr, October t!, 181li;
removed to t'nily, N. IL, where he resided ten years,
when he returned to Hillsliorough ami purcliiLsed tlio
Nathaniel .lohnson farm, upon which he .ifterwards
resided. Their children were, —
Charlotte ', born .lamiary li, 1818; married .Monzo
Tutlle, of Hillsborough ; died .\ugust .31, 18111.
Ill.v .ImIiii c^uo.LiI.', M. 11.
428
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NKW UAJirSlllKIv
Nathiiii P.', born in Unity, N. H., Jiim.' 3, 1820;
(lied Aujnist 4, 1820, in that town.
I'lirkir* (see IjJDgnipliical sketch).
James', horn in Unity, N. 11., November 17, 1S23.
Geor'je', born iu Unity, N. H.. Fel)raary Iti, 1820;
married Mrs. Mary ((ioodale) Smith, of Hillsliorough.
Mary E.', l)orn May 22, 1828; married David W.
Grimes, of Hillsborough.
Harvey ', Imrn July (i, 1830.
Ebenezer", l)orn October 24, 1832; married .Malvina
Shedd, of Hillsborough ; resides on the homestead ;
has two sons,— James H., born November 25, 18()0;
Parker, born October 11, 1864.
Sarah A.', born March 29, 1831); married Colonel
James F. (irimes.
Piirkev', son of Ebenezer and Mary Turner (Carr)
Jones, was born in Unity, N. H., .luly 31, 1821; he
came to Hillsborougli with his parents in 1830 ; had
such educational advantages only as are afforded by
the common school; he left his home when nineteen
years of age " to seek his fortune," and found employ-
ment at the Astor House, New York City, then one
of the most famous hotels in the country. After two
years as porter, he was offered a place in the office,
where he was rapidly promoted to the position of chief
clerk, a position for which he wa.s peculiarly adapted,
and which he continued to hold until obliged by ill
hcallli to resign. Here he formed the acquaintance
of all the most eminent men iu the country, which, in
many instances, ripened into personal friendshi|).
The following tril)ute, written by one of liis life-long
friends, and published in the Home Jo nrm/ soon after
his death, gives a nunc faithful delineation of his
character than a stranger can give :
"IX JIt:MoI!) \M
"On Tliiirwliiy lust, iit tho Astor Home, in tlip rollysixtli year of his
nge, Piirkor .Tones dc|«irtc.l tliis lifts r'=a>^i^f«"y "'"' '" •''" '"" '"'!» "^ ■•
I.Imw.1 iiiiniortulity. I'tTliaps no ninu of liis yrarx, filling a similar sta-
ll, >n in lilV, w!ij) moTv wiiluly known or hail warnifr friends. Kor nii-
wanl of twfnty-tivc years he had been a clerk in the ollice of Ihe .\iitor
House, where, in disiharging (be duties of his position, lie canio In con-
taet with most of the marked men of Ihe time. Ho was an especial
fav.Yrite of Daniel Welwler, enjoying his vonHdcnce and fre.|Ueutly visit-
ing liiui at Marahtlelil and at Franklin, Now nampshins near
whicli latter plaeo Parker was born and passeil bis early life. The late
S. V. Willis, wlio boarded at the Astor House for .soiiui years, always
held hiuL in high repinl, and, for that nuitter, so diil all who knew him.
As an evidence of bis jwpnlarity with the gnests of the hotel, it may be
nientioneil thai some few years since they presented him with a costly
service of silver, of which ho was always very prouil. Among the eon-
Iribnlors wa« Tburlow Weeil, fei)., vvlio, when tbi- subseriplion-list wa«
handed lilin, glamed over it and immediately put down bis name for an
amount eipial to the largest ; s.une days afterwaril Sir. We.d asked to
see the list, alul, taking up a isii, said,—' Parker is a good lioy. I don't
like the looks of my subscription,' and d.uibled it. The late Colonel
llauml, itf Conm-etieut, who imide Ihe Astor Htinse bis home when in
Sew York, heard of tho presentation after it had been made, and wrote
a letter Ui Parker in which ho expressed bis regret at not having been
in the city at Ihe time, and included a check for an amount equal to any
on the list.
" The writer »( this humble tribnte to the many virtuesof Parker Jones
knew hlni well for nearly twenty years. Dnring all this time the Astor
Honso had n.. mori' faithful servant and the traveling public no kinder,
more even-tempered and obliging conservator.
" ' oh lieath I ere thou sbalt claim another.
Gentle, kind and gowl as he.
Time sbull strike a dart at Uu-e.'
"Mr. Jones died of consumption, after an illness ,.f over three years.
He was taken sick in August, l«Go, while .in iluty in the olllce, and left
it never to rclnrn. Change o( climate, the best of me.lical atteu.lance
and constant ami atb-ctiouate care bad no ..ther elle.t Iban to delay Ihe
fell svunmoTis, and when he cani.^ back to the Astor 11. .use Ironi bis home
iu Vermont, last S, ptemlK-r, it was only loo evi.leut I.) bis friends that
he bad cotue back to .lie.
" And so, on a bright November day, at a littl.' aftiT uo.iu, snrr..nnded
by those whom he hel.l dear, at iwa. e with all and cbeere.l by Ihe conso-
lation of a holy faith, bis geutb' spirit sought an.l foviud its r.-sl.
" * No farther seek his merits to .lis*-lo8e,
Or .Ir.iiv his frailties from their ilread abode ;
There they alike iu trembling hope iviKWe,
The bosom of his Father aial bis (iod.' "
Mr. Jones married, June 14, 18.')y, Miss Julia C.
Andrews, of I'awlet, Vt., who survives him. They
had no children.
1
(iOODKI.L UOOKALE CiOOflA I.I..
It is a well-authenticated liict that the families of
these names in this country all sprung from a com-
mon ancestry. At what time or wiiy the orthog-
raphy of the name was changed is not known, but
there is a tradition that three brothers, living iu the
same town, agreed to each adopt a separate spelling
for their mutual couveiiience.
Ruln-rt^ (roodell. a greal-great-grandsou of Robert,
was born in lt)04, and sailed from Ipswich, England,
August 30, 1()34, in the ship " Elizabeth," William An
drews, commander, with his wife, Kalherine, and three
children,— Mary -, four years old ; Abraham-', twoyears
old; and Imm--, six months. They settled in Salem,
Mass., but afterwards removed to what is now called
Dan vers.
The son Isaac' married Patience Cook ; they had chil-
dren, one of whom, Imac ', Jr., was born May 29, KiTO.
He .served in the expedition against Canada in IGiK),
and, after his return, married Mary , December
3, 1G92. They bad twelve children, one of whom
was ikimuel\ born -May 8, 1G94.
Haiiiuel* married Anna Fowler, of Siiulsbury, July
4, 1717. Their children were Robert', Euoch \ Bar-
tholomew ■', Esther ■' (Collins), Hannah'- (Mclntire),
Mary' (married Jude llacket), .Vnna' (married Enoch
Fowler), another daughler, who married .Moses Day.
ffoier<' married (1st) Lydia Wallace in 17.">2, and
married (2d) Widow Mary Fowler in 1704, and moved
from Salem, Jlass., to Weare, N. H., wiiere he died
December 11, 1.S04. He had six children, of whom
Koberl", Jr., and Samuel" were by the lirst wife. His
other children were, —
i;t(j'/ic>i'\ bom September 17, HOii, at Salem, Mass.;
married Mary Greenleaf at Weare, N. If., and lived at
Deering, N. H., where he died February 18, 1832;
Jonathan'; born August .'W, 1709, at Salem, Mass.;
Mehitable, born ; married I'oung, and after-
wards Corles, of Weare, N. H. ; Esther .
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429
JuiiiUliaii'' imuiirmI Siinili lladlock ill Deering,
N. II., iiiAugiisl, 17!i'), anil ivsidiil in Deering, where
he (lied .laniiary (>, 18"iX. Tiieir ehililron were, — |
I^ri', born in Weiire, N. J I., Marcli 7, IT'.IJ ; Isaac',
horn in Deering Marcli 10, ITllii, died May 15, 1858; i
Lyilia ", born in Deering .Inly 7, 1802, married Jal)ez I
Mi.rrell, died Mareh 1, 181!l; Clara ", born in Deer- {
ing .Mareli lii, 1801i, married KDliert Carr, of Hillsbor-
ough, N. H.; Itetsy ', born in Deering November 15,
1808, married Mark Starrett ; John H ', bom in Deering
OeUiber 2, 181i;, married (1st) Celestia S. Mooney, of
Northtield, who died October 180:1, and he married
(2d) Josephine li. Atkinson, of Tilton, and has one
daughter by seeoiul wife, — Charlotte A. (ioodale, born
May 21), 1875, has resided in Niushua since 1871.
Levi" Goodale, the snbjcet of this sketch, was born
in Weare, N. H., March 7, 17il7; wa.s educated in the
common schools in Deering and Salisbury Academy ;
marrie<l, November (!, 1817, Mary, daughter of Thcnnas
and Mary (Newton) llowlett, who was born January
28, 17'.i'.l; lived with his fatlur-in-law, in Ilillsbor-
ough, till 1822, when he bought of Thomas Moore
the farm in the north part of the town, now owned
by his son Thomas. He wiLS a land surveyor, and wa.s
belter aci|iiainted with the lines of farms in this
and adjoining towns than any man living. Mr.
Goodale was nuiih in public business, — was a select-
man fourteen years, twelve of them consecutively ;
was two years chairman of the board as well as town-
clerk and overseer of the poor; represented the
town hi the Legislature in 1844 and 1845; was justice
of the peace for thirty-live years ; he also adminis-
tered on one hundred and four estates, by which he
ac<|uired a gooij knowledge of probate law, upon
which his advice wjis often sought and always given
without fee. He Wiis a consistent Christian, a mem-
ber of the Methodist ICpiscopal Church, and his
house was hcadipiarters for the ministers (d' that de-
noniiiuilion, while the poor and distressed never went
umiided from his dour. It was his boast that he never
bought a pounil of hay, coflee or Hour, or a bushel of
any kind of grain or of jiotjitoes. His earliest
political alliliations were with the Democratic
party, but later he bi'came a Kree-Soiler, and upon
the tiirniation of the Republican party he joined
il^ fortunes and continued to act with it during
liis renniining life. aMt. (ioodale was a man of sound
idgment, sterling integrity, of quiet unobtrusive
iMiiniuis and a retentive memory, which was replete
with knowleilge of the early settlement id' the town
and of its liistory and traditions. He enjoyed a good
juke and always lia<l an anecdote ready to illustrate
his opinions. Hillsborough has had few such men.
His wife rlieil Novend)er 25, 1807 ; he died June
11,1877. Children, —T/iomas ^\', born in llills-
Ixirough, N. II., August 24, l.Hl!l(8ee ne.\t sketch);
.Mary 11.", bcrn in Hillsborough, N. H., May 12, 1824,
married (1st) l)aniel li. .'^mith and (2d) Ccorge
Jones; Sarah A.", born in Hillsborough. N. II.,
December 21. 182(>, married (Ist).loliu ."^evereiu'c and
(2d) Charles V. Pike.
THOMAS NEWroX (iOODAI.i;.
Thomas " Newton Goodale, sou of Levi and Mary
(Howlett) Goodale, was born in Hillsborough, N. 11.,
.Vugust 24, 1819. He acquired his education in the
common schools of the town and in the academy at
Newbury, Vt. He taught fourteen terms in the dis-
trict-schools in this and a<ljoining towns with marked
success. He was among the first who accpiired the
art of daguerreotyping, to the practice of which he
devoted more than twenty years of his life. Pos.scss-
ing an unusual artistic taste, the pictures which came
from his camera were among the finest produced. He
also, later, gave much attention to civil engineering
and laud surveying. He succeeded to his father's
homestead, upon which he has erected a large and
elegant house, and greatly improved the other build-
ings, and where he dispenses an abundant Imspitality.
He has done a large [>robate business since his father's
<Ieath. Mr. Goodale is a man of pronounced and
positive opinions; he was one of the lirst anti-slavery
men in town, and has always worked and vnlcd to
promote the success of the Ucpublican parly. He
has never held public office.
He nnirried, August 12, 1840, Caroline G. Calkins.
Their children were, —
(1) Laura'-' A., born May 10, 1842, and married
Nathaniel L. Chandler, of Sunapee, May, 1800, who
died in the War of the Rebellion (September 11,
18(')4), leaving one daughter, Christabel, who was born
March ;il, 18iil, and married, October Ki, 1881,
CharlesS.George.of Hoiikinton; twochildren (twins),
Charles A. and Allison S., born August 2!i, 1882.
Allison S. died September, 1882. Laura A. married,
second, .lune 5, 1867, Elbert Goodale and died May
24, 1885, leaving children, — Grace L., born May 5,
1808; Carl Z., born November 25, 1870; Myrtle, born
September lit, 1870; Alice, born July H), 1881, died
September, 1881 ; a son, born May 24, 1885.
(2) Mary''' C, boru March 17, 1840, married Captain
George A. Robbins, who died October 10, 1874; has
one son, Thomas (J. Robbins, born .laiuiary 10, 1874.
(3) Addie' J., born March 18, 18."«y, nnirried O. 11.
WariuT, resides in Lnwcll, Mass.
(4) Sarah" ('., born August 12, 1855.
Mr. Goodale's wife (Caroline (i.) died October 12,
1879, and he married, second, Mrs. Addie L. (.Mather)
Smith, of Newport, N. H.; they have one daughter,
Hniilie E., born Novend)er 21, 1884.
He retired from active business three years ago
(1882) on account of i)oor health.
.lOll.N IllTI.ICIl SMiril.'
John liutlcr Smith is by everything but birth a
native of New Hampshire. Four geiieraticpiis lA' his
> By G. Arthur Dlcksy.
430
llISTOItV OK IIILI-SBOKOIKJH COUNTY, NKW HAMI'SlUKIv
ancestors hiive lived and — all Init the last — diod in
this State. His greal-great-fiiandfalhcr, Lieutenant
Thomas Smith, was an oi-iginal grantee of the town
of Chester in 1720, and later on was the first white
man to settle in New IJoston. He eanie from Irelan<l
to Chester, and was a distinguished citizen of his
adopted t<iwn, as its early records, by the frequent
mention of his name, attest.
A century and a half ago the Indiatis prowled
through what are now our quiet New Hampshire
villages ; and one day Lieutenant Smith and his
brother-in-law, while at work in the field, were cap-
tured by them and hurried away from home and
friends. At night they were securely bound, and
neither was allftwed to know where the other was
secured. The second night Smith made up his mind
he would escape. He took careful note of the direc-
tion in which his friend was taken ; and when the
Indians were fast asleep, he tried his extraordinary
strength upon the cords that, around his arms and
ankles, pinioned his body, face downward, to the
earth. He snapped them. Then, releasing his com-
panion, they retraced their steps, traveling by night
in brooks to elude the scent of the dogs, and hiding
by day in the tree-tops to escajie their enraged cap-
tors. On the night of the third day they reached
their homes.
About 1735 Smith, with his family, moved to
New Boston, in this county. F'or a number of years
he was the only white man in the town ; and he
fouglit his way against the Indians and endured such
hardships its the |)ioueer3 of our country encount-
ered.
There one of his sons, Deacon .lolin Smith, married
a daughter of William McNeil, by whom he had five
children. After her decease he married Ann Brown,
of Franeestown, who presented him with fourteen
children, making a royal family even for those early
daya. Deacon Smith was a man r)f great force of
character, and emphatically a pillar of the church
and the State. Traditions of his resoluteness are still
fresh from repetition in the minds of his kin and
family friends.
Among these nineteen children was David, who
married Eleanor Giddinga, and left thirteen children
to perpetuate his name.
Of these Ami, .John B.'s father, was born in Ac-
worth, in 1800. He married ].,ydia F., daughter of
Dr. Elijah Butler, of Weare. Soon after his marriage
he moved to Sa.xton's River, Vt., and engaged in the
maiuil'acture of woolen goods.
The subject of our sketch w.as born there, April 12,
1838. Nine years after this his father moved to
Hillsborough Bridge, where he has since resided.
He was in moderate circumstances, but disi)osed to
educate his chiMren as well as these circumstances
would permit. This for .John consisted of the advan-
tages of the public schools of Hillsborough and two
years at Franeestown Academy, where he fitted for
college. A term before he was to be graduated he
left school, and went into a store in New Boston.
He had been there only a year, when, at the age of
twenty-one, he entered upon business in a small way
for himself He tried his hand at several kinds of
business and in different ])laces: at Boston, as a dry-
goods jobber; at Saxton's River, as a tinware man;
at Manchester, as a druggist. While in the latter
place, he married Jennie M. Knowles. E.xperimenting
a year in each of the abovenamed varieties of business,
in 18fi4 he eoninienced themanufature of knit-goods,
the business in which he has achieved great success
and made a fortniie. He carried on this business a
year at Washington, and a year at Weare before he
moved to Hillsborough. But these places were not
fitted for the business he had in mind to develop;
and late in 18()'>, with a capital of ten thousand dol-
lars, that he had accumulated up to this time, he
moved to Hillsborough and built a small mill. He
has always kept his business within the limits of his
own capital ; but as this has increased, he has devel-
oped his operations until, at the present time, he
owns four-fifths of the fine-water jiower i>n the river
here, and his mills employ one hundred and fifty
hands.
In 1882 his business was merged in the Contoocook
Mills Company, of which Mr. Smith is president, and
his nephew, George E. Gould, treasurer and business
mauiigcr, by whom all the stock, except a nominal
sum, is owned.
Mr. Smith's business makes Hillsborough the busy
place that it is ; and he is considered one of the
keenest, as well as one of the fairest, business men of
the State. His shrcwdne-ss is demonstrated by the
fact that, by his own energy, with no wonderful freak
of fortune in his favor, he has come from a poor boy
to be reckoned amimg the wealthy men of the State;
and no man with whom he has had the snuiUest
business dealing will accuse him of trickery or impugn
his integrity. His record is clean in his own town,
where he has done business for twenty years. His
employes are his friends ; this is the most significant
eomplimcnt that can be given a business man.
In politics Mr. Smith has always been a stanch
Republican. He is conversant with the political his-
tory of the country, and entertains his pronounced
views for reasons that he can readily convince one
are well grounded in intelligence. He has never
sought political office. His party has always been in
the minority in the town; yet he has as ardently la-
bored to supi)ort it iis many a one who has been im-
pelled by pfditical ambition as well !is party fealty.
The only political office he hsus ever held was that of
Presidential elector in 1884, at which election the
Democratic majority in town was reduced fifty votes;
another evidence of Mr. Smith's popularity among
his neighbors.
He is a member of the Congregational Church in
Hillsborough, and has been since boyhood; is a con-
^'•s'iyAliBitdai
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irnj,si50R0Ui;ii.
4:51
litaiit iitti'niliiiil at the chiiri'li scrvii-es niid Siinday-
scliool. Hi- lius contriliiitod liberally to the suiiport
of llie relijrious iiistitiitinns of liie town, especially
his own L-hnich, anil ^enomusly aids all eliaritics
that i-onie nniler his observation, but never ostenta-
tiously.
Mr. Smith has been interested in varions business
enterprises outside of Hillsborou-ih. Ife was half-
owner of the Opera-IFousp Block in Manchester when
it was l)uilt, in IS.SH, and is at present (I.S80) enj^aged
ill the dry-jroods coniinission business in Hoston, t^i
which he gives much ol' his personal ;ittention.
During all his busines.s career Mr. Smith iias been
an indefatigable worker, giving the .strictest attention
t" all the details of his biisine.ss; lie has never al-
lowi'd recreation to prejinlice his business interests;
he has been prudent and frugal in his method ol'
living; he is teni]>eratc, strong anil robust in phys-
ique; he is a close calculator, careful investor, and
his business judgment seldom errs: these are the
secrets of his success.
November 1, 1883, Mr. Smith niarrii il l',iiiiii:i
E. Lavander, daughter of Stephen Lavander, of lios-
ton. Mrs. Smith is an accomplished aixi Clirislian
lady, with agreeable and winning manners. She has
many acquaintances in Manchesler, ami a large circle
of friends in IJoston, her former home. Though she
has lived in Hillsborough only a short time, her in-
telligence and allkliility have won for her the friend-
ship anil esteem of all. She mingles freely in society,
engages in all the social interests of the community,
generously aiding, by per.somil work and material
contribution, the religious and village charities.
Her benevolence, like that of her liusb:iiid, is marked
by hearty good-will, thai iiiakis llic iiMipii-nt feci her
personal interest.
joil.v lill.lsKltr.
Among the patriotic hearts stirred by the news of
the battle of Le.\ington wjis one Joseph (iilbert, of
Littleton, Mass., gentleman, liidding an Immediate
farewell to his young wife, son of two years and a
baby girl, lie joiind his brother's (( !aptaiii Samuel ( iil-
bert) eoin|iany, under commanil of (Jolonel William
Prescott, of the Seventh Itegiincntof Foot, and marched
to the camp in Cambridge. Here he received his
commission as first lieutenant — now in the po.sse.ssion
of his descendant.s — from the ( Congress of tin- (lolonv
of the Massachusetts Bay, dali'd .May l!l, 177.'., and
signed by the celebrated (ieneral .(ose]di Warren,
scarcely another autograph of his, to a public docu-
ment, being in existence. A second coniniiRsion was
received .lanuary 1, 187ii, from the rniled Colonies,
signed by (loveriior .lolin Hancock. In a blank-book
kept by him, various items, releriing to camp-life, are
recorded. I^ess than a iiioiilb after bis enlistment
the Committee of Safety deeidefl to occupy ISunker
Hill. The perilous comm.'ind was given to Colonel
Prescott; he marched to Charlestown the evening of
.lune 16th, with his brigade of one thousand men,
threw up his intrenchments and the following day
met the British ; his men were the last to leave the
field. On the Sd of duly, (ieneral Washington, hav-
ing been apiiointcd commander-in-chief, reviewed
the regiments on Cambridge Common. ' There was
now hard work for the men in digging the intreneh-
nieiits, which extended from Winter Hill to Dor-
chester, confining the British army in Huston. The
regiments were paraded .lanuary 1, 177l>, to receive
the new flag ('ongrcss had agreed upon, — the stars and
stripes. In digging trenches and acting as sentinel
Lieutenant (iilbert seems to have been employed till
March 17th, when his heart was rejoiced at the sight
of the evacuation of Boston by the British, (ieneral
Washington at once ordered a part of the army to
New York, and from the item " Cash lent Samuel (iil-
bert in New York, JNIay uv June," we may conclude
he accompanied it. .Tune 13lh finds him at (iover-
nor's Island, New York Harbor, the garrison stationed
there being under command of Colonel Prescott. July
14tli, William Williams signs a receipt for ten pouiuls,
ten shillings, recciveil by him, to be delivered to
Lieutenant (iilbcrt's wife.
Ill August, when the American army w:u< compelled
to retire from New Y'ork City, Prescott attracted the
notice and eonimendation of Washington by the
good order in which he brought oil his regiments.
Soon after, at Throgg's Neck (on which is KortSi'buy-
ler), sixteen miles above Hell (iate, his regimenl
defended a bridge, preventing the landing of (ieneral
Howe at that point. ( )ctobiT 2lsl the army moved
north in four divisions, and 011 the 2.Sth occurred the
battle of White Plains. ICarly in October, Colonel
Prescott made a return to ( ieneral Parsons, and his
regiment in the brigade was slationed, Novemlur
13th, at the tVjurth entrance to the Highlands, beyond
Robinson's bridge, at or above Peekskill. November
18th, Prescott reports his list of officers to (^ieneral
Heath ; among them is Cajitain Samuel and Lieutenant
Joseph (iilbert, who were sick at that date. At this
winter camp on the Hudson, December L'.'ld, he
balances accounts with Lieutenant .loseph Baker,
and December 27th receipts are signed "for serving
and shouldering, September, October and Novrmber,
in Captain (iilbert's company of the Seventh Ivegi-
meiit," by Jonathan Phel|is, .loseph and Peter Baker,
Kphraim Proctor, Isaac Durant Downe, William
I'.rooks and others. January .I, 1777, 1 'el er Cooper
receives from him eb^ven. dollars, which is the liLst
record in his handwriting. The winter was a trying
one; he surt'ered from exposure, and I'ell a victim to
the fever which attacked him in the spring. The
next entry is made by the young widow : ".April "iO,
1777. — Credit the estate of Joseph (iilbert by pocket-
book, not appraised, !)«." "U'eslford, October Illh. —
To cash paid the .ludge, its. 4ti," "To going to
Cambridge twice with bondsmen to get letters of ad-
432
IIISTOUY or HTl.l.SnOROlIGH ("OUNTY, NHW HAMPSIIIIIK.
iiiiiiistration, £(j." "To casli paid the Mppraizers,
tl 16s.," etc. His widow, witii baby girl and son
John, four years ohi, tbund lierself tlie possessor of
a fewliuiulred dollars from her husband's estate. The
boy was strong and vi';orous, took to farming and
early learned the blacksmith's trade, almost a neces-
sity in thoSe days. He grew to be over six feet in
height, and found plenty of work for liis willing
hands. Having decided to accept tl\e invitation of
his Uncle Hobbins t<> CDine to Hillsborougli, he st(ips
at (ireenfii'ld, N. H., on the way, and wliile working
for Benjamin Pollard, of that place, asks and receives
the assent of his daughter, Susan, to share with him
the vicissitudes of life. They were married in 1797
or 1798. Benjamin Pollard was from Billerica, Mass.;
he, with two of his brothers, served in the Revolu-
tionary War, and he Wiis a nepliew of Asa, the first
man killed at Bunker Hill.
He bought, first, a half-acre of land in the centre
of the town, of Peter and Samuel Bobbins, for fifty
dollars, on which he built a house and shop, next the
Boardman hit, having his deed from the original
proprietor, Captain Hill (for whom the town w;is
named). By degrees he added a piece of land as he
had money to pay for it, — a meadow from the Barnes
estate, an upper pjisture lot from Squire Johnson, — till
he secured a comfortable farm in the Centre of about
one hundred ami seventy-five aiu-es. It was his
custcim for sixty years, on his birth-day, to make an
inventory of his possessions, the first modest record
reading, — " .\ugust 21, 1795, 22 years old, worth in
notes seventy -five dollars ; clothes, fifty-five dollars;
total, one hundred and thirty dollars." The next year
a gun is added to his possessions; and in 1800 his house.
At the end of the tirst thirty years we find, " August
21, 182"i, .32 years old, notes, cash, liouse, farm and
buildings, four thou.sand two luindred and twenty-four
dollars." The totals for the next thirty years vary
slightly from this amount. .Idhn (filbert was noted
in town for his firm adherence to what he believed
to be right, and for his strong good sense and even
temperament ; for a long time he was the only Wliig
in the village. He early abolished the rum-jug from
the field; joined and \v;us an active member of the
Congregational Church (remembering it in his will).
He was often eho.sen umpire and referee, being a man
of reliable judgment. He foretold our Civil War, for
he was a close observer of men and events. "Scott's
liible" was the book he loved best to read, and the
coming of his weekly paper, the Farmem' Cabinet, for
more than a score of years was anticipated with
plea-sure. Born ii subject of (Jrcat Britain, he lived
to see the colonics a free and independent nation,
and the Presidcnlial chair occupied by one of his
own townsmen (Franklin Pierce), railways and tele-
grapli introduced, tlie two days' journey to Boston
shortened to five hours, the postage of twenty-four
cents reduced to three, and the shoe-nails, so labori-
ou.sly produced fmni his for};e in his younger days.
turned out by the hundredweight. He died in 1857,
highly respected, surviving all but one of his five
children.
His youngest son, John, born in 1804, with his
two older brothers, Joseph and Benjamin, worked
on the farm, and by turns in the shop winter eve-
nings, while the two sisters iissisted the mother
in household duties. Every one had their allotted
task, after the performance of which it was their
great delight to meet the young people of the neigh-
borhood.
When the Barnes family, the Duttons, the Lawtous,
the Simons and Julia Parker got together, bright and
happy hours were passed. The barn-raisings and
huskings, training and muster-days are still fresh in
the memory, softening the asperities of the scho(d-
hours; the ruler and winter teacher were inseparable,
both jiersuasion and force being considered neces.sary
to instil into his sixty or .seventy pupils a knowledge
of the three " R's." In time Joseph goes to Boston ;
then his best friend. Oilman Barnes, follows, return-
ing on a vacation with blue coat trimmed with brass
buttons, and the happy posse.s.sor of a watch and
pencil-case. This decided John ; he is twenty-one,
over six feet in height, active and ambitious ; Benja-
min will stay on the farm, so he turns his face towards
Boston, his whole capital being thirty dollars. For
the first three or four yeai-s he has a hard experience,
collecting bills, distributing |)apers, working evenings
for his board, after running all day, acting for a time
as sexton of Park Street Church. His church duties,
however, bring him to the knowledge of Jeremiah
Evarts, Judge Hubbard, George Dtuiney and Daniel
Sart'ord, who interest themselves in the hanl working
young man. In June, ]8:iO, he unites with the church,
finding ever after a Divine helper in every time of
need. He still remains a member of this church, and
has ever responded with willing heart and open hand
to its needs and charities. By careful saving, through
many discouragements, he accumulateil one thousand
dollars, which gave him an opportunity to sUirt in
the grocery business with Hayden i*i Upham, How-
ard Street, but dissolved in a year or two (1832) to
buy out the stand corner of Tremont and Bromfield
Streets, hiring the store of Mr. John Bunstead; here,
as in all the grocery-stores, was a bar where liquor
was sold, and from the nearness of the Tremont The-
atre it was considered a desirable location. This bar
Mr. (iilbert at once abolished, though told he could
have no trade without it, and opened a temperance
grocery-store. The sign he put up, John (iilbert, Jr.,
& Co., has been familiar to Bostonians for fifty years,
and with but one remove is still used by his nephew
and sucee.s.sor in business, John C. (iilbert. eldest .son
of his brother .loseph, who at seventeen entered his
store, and when twenty one was given an interest in
the business. This same year (October 4, 18*5) he
married Mi-s. Ann B. .\ttwill, an English lady and
motlur of three attractive children, the youngest of
iiii,i,sB()i;ouGii.
433
wlu>iii, u hoy, soon allor died. liy ilose atlfiilicm to
business, from early iiioniinj^j till nine or ten al night,
he Imilt up a good trade, passing without serious loss
througli tiie disastrous tinaneial panic of 1S3", when
the bottom seemed to have (Iropi)ed out of all trade,
and the first question asked was, " Who has l'aile<l to-
day?" He visited New York frequently, buying
directly from the manufacturers and importers; also
liuilt up a large trade in butter, by going back into
that Slate, where the farmers, saying there was no
demand, were satisfied with the York shilling (twelve
and one-half cents) offered for their best cpiality ; this,
Ipcfore the days of railroads, had to be forwarded by
canals and stages. A remunerative wholesale and
retail trade was thus t-stablished.
.\bout the year 1S42, Mr. Gilbert, with others, sent
out a cargo of merchandise to Oregon; the vessel went
round the Horn and reached there, fortunately, just as
golil had been discovered. Lumber costing tburleeu
dollars a thousand in Oregon brought two hundred
in San IVancisco, and ])rovisions in proportion.
Imagine the surprise of the eom])any, of which Mr.
(filbert was tlie treasurer, in hearing they had a deed
of nearly all the city of Portland, and soon after
receiving tin' first gold, about fifty thousand dollars,
sent from Oregon. .\ second ves.sel was sent, the
captain of which proved dishcuiest. An agent built
a vessel for them, which was wreckeil. So Mr. (Jilbert
decided, having drawn one prize, he had had enough
«f spei'ulation, and ever after kept out of it. In 1S37,
Jlr. Gilliert bought a house in Temple Street, and
moved from there to his present residence, at the
Soutli Kad, in 185S.
Having been troubled with deafness for many years,
rixulling from a fever, he decided, on reaching his
sixtielh year, to go out of business, leaving it with his
nephew, above referred to, who had been with him
many years, and who has proved himself a most suc-
fcasful merchant. He invested his money at that time
(I8()4) In real estate, the care of which lias occui)ied
him during his declining years.
Many an impoverished family an<l poor widow
have bad ix'iasion to bless his name from his Ibr-
bearing kimliiess, it having been his principle to
sailer rather than inllicl wrong. He has been almost
daily able to a.ssisl others, and has ever ascribed,
with thankful heart, all his success to the love and
henelicence of his Heavenly Father.
He sold the lioineslca<l farm, now owned and oceu-
pie<l by .Mr, ( Icorge W. Ray, preserving the adjoining
house, bonglit in ls;i(l by ISenj.imin atid himself, with
orchard .inil wood lot, for family use. Here it has
been lln' custom of all the family, by his invitation,
to spend many ]deasant weeks every .summer, the at-
tachment of all towards the homestead and church
in the place being remarkably slnuig, Hillsborough
Centre being preferrecl, even by (be gr:in<lrhildri'n, to
any celebrated summer resort or gay watering-place.
Nine inonihs after celebrating his golden wedding,
in 1884, Mr. (Jilbert was calleil to part with the be-
loved partner of his life, by whom he had two
daughters. On August (J, 1885, he reached his ei.ghty-
first year.
Genealogy. — The name of (iilbort is eminent in the
annals of the church, state and learning of England
through several centuries. Its early home is in Devrpn-
shire; many branches planted in this country issued
from this stock. The name is of Sa.xon origin, and
means a bright or brave pledge.
In 10(50, (xilbert de Gaunt came in with William
the Conqueror. In 111") a (iilbert who joined the
Cru.sades was father of Thomas a liccket. In 1215
one is treasiuer of Linenln (Jathedral ; 1240, arch-
deacon of Stow ; 1414, bishop of London. In 1475,
an (Jtlio Gilbert is high sheriff of Devonshire. Sir
Humphrey Gilbert, " that high-spirited and skillful
mathematician and hydrogra|)her," was born in 15:{0.
His early youth wasilevotcd to liberal studies, which,
with his brothers, — Sir .lohn, Sir Adrien and Sir
Walter, — they pursued under one roof with the en-
thusiasm of great minds; they became valiant and
well experienced in nautical affairs, and to the
brothers Humphrey and Raleigh is ascribed the
honor of laying the fouuda'ion of the tra<le and
naval power of Great Rritain. In 1570, Sir Hum-
phrey proposed to Queen Klizabcth a plan fur a
university in the metropolis. Letters patent wi're
granted liiiii .lime 1 1, 1578, " to take possession of all
remote and tortuous lands for himself and his heirs for-
ever." His first voyage was nnsnccessfnl ; but five years
later he discovers and lays claims to the Newfound-
land fisheries, and while coasting along the country
his vessel, — the "Squirrel," — wentdown in a violent
storm, September !>, 1583. He was last seen sitting
in the stern with an open book in his hand, aiul his
last words were, " We are as near heaven by sea as by
land." His son, Raleigh (iilbert, of Compton Castle,
had ason Hu(nphrey, who, in 1(120, was five years old.
That this is our ancestor is most jplausible from the
fact that a Humphrey Gilbert was in Ipswich, Ma.ss.,
in 1(148, and in 1(>50 bought one hundred acres nesir
the bounds of Wenham ; that his age, as shown by a
deposition of his on file, agrees with (bat of Sir
llnniphrey's grandson ; and that the name llumplucy
is iii lu) other family of Gilberts either in Knglanil or
in this country. His will was uuuie in l(i57-58. Hy
his wife, Kli/.abeth Killnun, ilaughter of Daniel Kil-
ham, he had one .son, John, and three daughters.
The <le.scent from this son is as follows:
1. .bdin (Jilbert, married Martha Dodge; settled in
Gloucester in 1704; had two sons, Williani ami .buui-
than; the latter died about 1800, aged eighty-si .\ ; a
son of .roinithan died in ]83(), also eighty-six. Tlirei'
of his sons were representatives.
2. Daniel, marrieil l'",li/abctli Porter; settled in
Marbbhead, Ma-s,
3. lienjamin, mnrrieil P.sllia Pirkiiis; settled In
Brook field, .Mass.
434
IIISTUUY OF lllhKSUOllOUGll COUNTY, NKW IIAMP.SHIIIE.
4. Joseph, inarricd (Isl) Mary Coggswoll, (2(1) Eli/.-
iibetli Whipjile ; scttlod in Littleton, IMass., in 1748.
His will Wius probated April 1, 1763. The children
of Joseph l>y his wives Mary and Elizalieth were, —
1. John, married Sarah Cumrniiigs.
2. Sanuiel, captain in Colonel I'reseott's .Seventh
Refjinient.
■A. Mary.
4. Klizabeth, married Aaron iSlratlon.
5. Daniel.
G. JoKcph, borji 17')1, died 1777; first lientenanl
in Captain Gilbert's company; married Sarah Kob-
bins, born 17ol ; died in Hillsborough, N. H., No-
vendier 25, 1S2S.
7. .Vbigail Hayues.
The children of Joseph by his wife Sarah were, —
1. John, born in Littleton, Mass., Augnst 21, 1773 ;
died in Hillsliormigh, \. H., March 30, j,s57; mar-
ried Susan IVdIard (daughter of Menjamin Pollard),
born in Billerica, Mass., October >i, 1773 ; died in Hills-
borough, N. H., February 10, 1850.
2. Pattee Gilbert, born September 27. 177G; mar-
ried (1st), January 15, ISOl, to Joseph Harwood, (2d)
December 1(1, 1819, to William Willard; died March
<l, 18(10. Children,—
1. Man/ Wilder Ha r wood, hovn December 4, 1802;
married, January 17, 1828, Steadinaii Willard ; died
December 2G, 1877.
2. Joseph Gilbert ILirwoud, b.iru.luly 27, 1804;
married Fletcher, of Westford ; sdlledin Cali-
fornia; had live children.
3. .lohn Alfred Harwuod, born March 27, 1807 ; died
August 13, 1810.
4. Nancy Elvira llarwood, born ^larch 17, ISIO;
died JulyK;, 1810.
Children of Mary Harwood Willard, —
1. Alma Harwood Willard, boru August 28, 1828;
n\arried tteorge Kendall, .lune 23. 18l!4.
2. Mary Almeda Willard, born .May II, I.S31 ; died
October 25, 18.')5.
3. Stedman Alfred Willard, boiii February 21, 1834;
married Annctle Putnam, January 20, l,Si;5.
4. LydiaS. Willard, born December 15, 1837 ; mar-
ried William ( i. Harrows, May 15, 18(12.
The chihiren of .lohn Cilbert and Susau I'ollard,
all born in Hillsborough, —
1. .loseph, born January 10, 1790; died September
27,183(1; married Alvira Moore, of Marlborough,
Mass., born 1800, died March 11, 1S72.
2. Henjainin, born .luly 7, ISOl ; died in California
December, 1852; not married.
3. .Fidui, born .Vugust (>, 1801 ; married, October 1,
1833, Mrs. Ann IJurrows Attwill, boru in \Vood-
briilge, ICngland, .lune 10, 1802, died in Boston, .lidy
K;, 1SS4.
■1. .Naniy l)utton,boru 1807; ilied Dec. 25, 1«44.
5. Sarah Tarbell, born 181(1; dieil November 2, 1848.
The children of Joseph Gilberland Alvira Moore, —
L Almira, boru February, 1828; died Augusts, 1833.
II. Susan Page, born .January 20, 1830; married
Kodncy S. Lakin, October 11, 184l> ; died June 7, 1852.
Chihiren, —
1. Willis Gilbert Lakin, borji September 11, 1847.
2. Clara Frances Lakin, born May 31, 1S50; died
September 7, 1851.
3. John Clark Lakin, born >[ay 8, 1852.
IlL John Clark, born November 2, 1832 ; married
(1st), August 23, 1855, Abby .lane Keay, born Janu-
ary 1, 1832, died January 3, 18(il ; married (2d), Sep-
tember 1, 18()1, Liz/.ie Lake Keay, boru .August 15,
1834. ChiidreD,—
1. Susan Alice, born January 16, 1858.
2. John Clark, born November 5, 1860; died .lune
8, 18(il.
3. Mary Abby, born .lune 27, 1862.
4. James Porter, born .lanuary 24, 1867.
5. Carrie Louise, born August 23, 1870.
6. Bessie, boru July 29, 1872.
IV. Hammond Barries Gilbert, born September,
1834; married, in C(dorado, October 28, I8(>9, Julia
F>tta Beverley, born in Paris, 111., daughter of John
Randolph Beverley, a descendant of the Beverleys and
Randolphs of Roanoke, Va. Children, —
1. Joseph Beverley Gilbert, boru August 2, 1870.
2. Mary Florence Gilbert, born August 24, 1873 ;
died February 25, 1877.
3. Cliflind Hammond (Jillicrl, boru .May 0, 1875,
4. .lulia Gertrude (iilberl, born .\pril 27, 1878;
died February 27,18.S(i.
The children of .Inhn (iillicrl and Ann .\ttwill, —
1. Elizabeth Burrows (xilberl, born in Boston,
July 28, 1834 ; niarricil, Sc|)tember 4, 1860, Henry
Frost, born in (iranby, Canada, May IS, 1832, son of
Washington Frost and Samantlia Laurence, Chil-
dren, —
I 1. Henry (iilberl Frost, biu'u December 7, 1864.
2. William Lawrence FVost, boru April 5, 1868.
II. lOllen J/izelte Oilbert, Ixu-n in Cambridge, Ma.ss.,
March 21, 1845; married, June 0, I860, Jloses FieU
Fowler, born in Yorktown, N. Y., October 2, 1819.
His father was Henry Fowler, born .fuue 18, 1785,
I died May 12, 1859; and his mother was Phebe Field,
born January 16, 1784, died November 10, 1862.
! Scarcely had the above record of Mr. Gilbert'.'-
life, written according to his suggestions, gone to
press when he was called to enter his etermil honu-.
t The summons was a welcome one, his last words
being, "I am all ready, I long to go." Thus the lailli
in an atoning Saviour, which throughout lile had
been his comfort and support, brightened his la.st
hours. In peace with his(u)d and all men he el<i.sed
his eyes upon worldly scenes, May 25, 1885.
nrsTORv OF iiOLLrs.
tll Al'TER I.
GfogTHpliical— nriginal tiruut — Old Dunfltitblv— Origiliul Boiimln— WVbi
Uiineliiblu — Ilullin — Derivation of tlic IVrjn— Oni- I'iTU' Hill— Firel
St'ttloiiiutita — Tho Pioncen-.
Till-; town of Jlollis lies iti tlio sotithorn ])art of the
rouiity, and is lioiimlcil as follows:
On the nortli l)y Milfonl, Amherst and Nashuu;
east hy Nashua; soiitli liy Massachusetts, west hy
Brookliiic and .Mili'ord.
Nearly all the territory eiiihraeed within the bounds
of the present town of Hollis orifiinally <-oiii|irised a
portion of the (dd town of Dunstahh', wliieh was
granted liy Massaehnsetts Octoher l(i, 1U73 (<). S.),
and einhraced the jireseiil town of Tyngslj(jrou<^h, the
east part of Dunstalde, a narrow gore on tlie east side
of I'epperell and a tract in the northeast part ol
Townsend, .Mass., ami the towns of Litelifndd, Jind-
Biin, portions c,f J donderry, I'elham and nearly all
tlie pri'sent towns of Nashua and Jlollis and parts of
Amherst, Milford and IJrookline, in New llampshiro.
December 28, 17S!>, the westerly portion of Dnn-
Btable was " erected into a separate and distinct [)re-
cinct" by the government of .Massachusetts, and went
by the n;inie of West Dunstalde until .Vpril :!, 174(>,
when, in answer to a jielition from the inhabitants,
about one-lialf of it was incorporated with full town
privilegiw by the (nivemor and (Council of the prov-
ince of New llamjishire, and named JIollcs.'
* I tliitik itn.'iv cull hy no rouiHiimblo iluiiht about tho origin oror-
Ui,n;r.i|p|i.v .il I Ilia luiiiiit. lIviiiiInK Winlwortli waa (invcrilur of tile
|inj»iiii;i'. iiiKl ..wikI liiH |K«iliuii to Thoium. IVlliaiii llulliii, Diiko of Now
fiuillr, »liM uiui coliuiiul wiri'Iarj. It in ».ll kiiunii ihiit Clovirnor
Wi'iilwoilli mil I iiiaiiv iif tliu t.miii) in UHh Slalu In liuiior of liia
frii-lliln. iulllL-titlK-M wllt'll tin- ililiallitailtti liait pclilinnrd to Ih; ilu-or]K)'
ruti-il with a na of tlii-ir i-wii cluMmiii^', tln-v iii-.-frrriii;; to ac*-el>t a
llaliii' uhiih niut illKlaHluliil lo 11 i nilhir than iiii iir llie (loveinor'a
ili«|.liM«iir.', anil jiorhalw i.rii»al to Knilit tlii-ir ■liart.r. A« to Ilio or-
IhoKmphj of thf iiai f tho Diikf of .Now Canlh-, I think .r.iliii KarniLT
l> minuiki'ii ill williuK il llolliM, aa tliiTe aro niunuiicrl|it iliKunu-uls in
Ulo ollki' ..f till' .vtnlari' of Stale to whitli the iluke aiuneil lii» name,
'lloll.» .N. » ra»Mc'.' That Uie town wio- nanii'ii fur liiiii I think thiiv
oiii Ih' no <|iientioii; anil taiaiiw of liiH i^nonuit-e anil ili'teHtahle rlianii--
t«i-, it»iltl«ni! «oreJii«til\iNl in clmncihs i' to Ilolli^ a« tlif.v evhlentlj
dill to |Kir|iuliiate thi' na of Tlioinan llolliii, the liinefaotor of llarvaitl
Cl)lli|!e."— /. H. Ilnmm;ml.
In nfi rriiig to thin matter, Jmlge Wornnter «uy» : "Within ni.v re-
nienitiniuri;, thero has been much controvi'rsy U|K)n the ijueiitlon
December 13, 1763, the place called One-1'ine Hill
was aunexi>d to Uollis, thus cxtendiug its domains
farther east. JIarch 30, 17(39, a strip was taken from
the west side of the town one and a quarter miles
wide, and, with "mile slip," incorporated into the
town of llaliy (lirookline). A small adilition was
made to the town, May 14, 1773, of laml taken from
Dunstable.
On the 17th of Fehruaiy, 1786, a strip, tliree-iiuar-
ters of a mile wide, the entire length of the west side
of the tow'n, was annexed to Raby.
' Under the laws of the province of Massachusetts
(says .Judire Worcester) in force at the time, the twenty-
six [)ctitioners tor the charter of Dunstable, " with
such as miglit joyn with them in the settlement," be-
came owners in fee simjilc, iis tenants in comintm, of
all the uugranted land within the boundaries of the
township. In the .vear 1682, shortly after the elo.se
of King Philip's War, a meeting of these proprietors
was held, who tbrmcd themselves into an a.ssociation
for the purpose of settling their several rights, of
making divisions of their lands from time to time
among themselves in the modes and proportions
mutually agreed ujioii, and also tor the making of
sales and setting oil' the lands disposed of to ])ur-
chasers and actual settlci-s.
The meetings of these original proprietuis, and of
those who succeeded to their estates, aUerwards con-
tinued to be held (sometimes at intervals of nianv
whether the name of Hollin hIiouIiI Ih> np^'lt with tliu letter i or i in the
Iwit Mylhilile, anil also tm to tliu iiernon in wliosu honor the town wan
iianiiiil. Jlr. Farmer, iu hlii 'Uazettcer of Now Uain|«hire,' upelli. it
with an I, anil tellH un that the uiiiuii wiw either ileriviNl fixnn the Duke
of New t'luitle, whowi fainll.v uaniv wiui Ilolllis or fhiin Thomas Ilollin, a
iliHtiiik'nlahiKl hemfai'liir of llanai^ t'ollegi', Mr. Fanner ii|H'llliig
iKitli nami'ii ' H..Hi«.' lion. .1. II. Hill, In liln lil«tory uf Maaon, nayi. the
name »a« ilerinnl frirni llial "I the lliike ut -New Cin.lle, ulnw liiniily
name wim IIoII,m, Mr. Hill n»ing the teller <> in the la>l ^Jllal•ll•. I'roiii
the iHmt eviilence at niy c-ommanil U|ioii the i|ueatioii, I have no •luiihr
that Mr. Hill la correct, laith in the orthogniiih} of the name ami alHu
in that of the jMraon for whom the town waa calleil. In the orii-inal
riTonl of the town < harler, now at I'onconl, anil iu the copy of the i liar-
ler on Ihi- llolli- reconi, the naiiie la ii|r>1i IMUm. In the town n-eorila
for the HienlyMve \iar» ami more liefore the War of the lleviiliilion tho
name occiim hiinilii'ilii nf liini-a, and, ao far aa I have won. In niiifonnly
a|a'll ilolle-, iiMii II Imrter, anil Ih m a|H'lt In the Xi« Iliiiii|ialiln<
Lftwa piihllHhed im late aa ISL^i."
435
4;5(j
llisroili' OF lliLLt5l50ROTir.II COUNTY, NEW llAxMrSllIRE.
years) for iimii' lluiii a century, the last of tlu'iii as
late as ISlii. Thu (loii)gs of this associatiou, iuchiil-
iiig tho partitions and sales of hind made by tlic pni-
prielurs, were carefully recorded in books kept by
them I'or the purpose, now worn and mutilated, but
still to be found in the ollice of tho city clerk of
Nashua.
lielbre the year I7-'I most of the land of these pro-
prietors lying in the present towns of Nashua, Hud-
son and Litchfield, N. IL, and Tyngsborough and
Dnnstable, Mass., had changed ownership, and nuicli
of it was then in the occupation of actual settlers.
Previous to that year no record of any sale or grant,
to any one of the early settlers of Mollis, of land in
that town is to he found in the hooks ke)it by these
proprietors. But in the month of January, 172il-;iU
(O. S.), us is shown by these records, the modest
quantity of thirty-seven and one-half acres w:is set
ofl" by the proprietors to Peter Powers, in the right of
■fohn Usher. The survey of it was made by Colonel
.loseph Blanchard, an honored citizen of Dunstable,
and a noted surveyor of the time, and was set off to
Powers by Henry Farwell, Joseph French and Wil-
liam Lund, as a committee acting for the association.
This tract is described in the record as lying in that
l>art of Dunstable called "Nissitissit,'' which was the
Iiiilian name ol Hollis. It was laid out in an oblong
one hundred and twenty rods east and west, and fifty
rods from north to south. Some years afterwards, as
is shown by these records of the ])roprietors, there were
setoff to Powers, as purchaser and grantee, in a simi-
lar way, several other tracts of land in Hollis, amount-
ing in all to nearly fourteen hundred acres, among
which was one tract of one thousand acres lying be-
tween Long anil Pennichuck Ponds, but he is the only
person among the early settlers of Hollis whose name
is Ibund as a grantee upon the books of that association.
yiv. Powers, afterward known as "Captain Powers,"
and as a leading and prominent citizen of Hollis, was
born at Littleton, Mass., in 1707. In 1728 he was
married to .\nna Keyes, of Chelmsford, and the same
year removed with his wife to that part of Dnnstable
now known as Nashua. During the summer and fall
of 1730 he made the first clearing and built the first
ilwelling-honse in Hollis. In the month of .lanuary,
1731, with his wife and two infant children, he made
his way through the then dense, unbroken forest to his
new home, and thus became the first permanent settler
of the town. The site of this humble dHclling, no
doubt built of logs, wiLs about one-half mile north-
west of the present Hollis meeting-house, but a short
distance from the house formerly owned by Thomas
Cumiugs, afterwards by his son-in-law, Mr. John S.
Hey wood, now deceased, where vestiges of the old
cellar, as is said, may be still seen. For nearly two
years this family had no neighbor within about ten
miles of them. On the 9th ol' ^Llrch, 1732, their
eldest daughter, .\nna Powers, was born, who was the
first child of English descent born in the town.
In the summer of 1732, F/leazcr Fhigg, from Con-
cord, Mass., settled in the southwest part of the town,
on or near the place afterwards owned by his grand-
son. Captain Reuben Flagg, and now by Timothy K.
Flagg, Esij., about two miles from Mr. Powers. The
house of Mr. Flagg is said to have been fortitied
against the attacks of the Indians, and was used ius a
garrison-house. Mr. Flagg was the second settler.
The third family is said to have been that of Thomas
Dinsmore, from Bedford, 5Iass. In the year 17.3(j the
number of settlers is said to have increased to nine
families.
The whole of the township of Dnnstable, from the
date (d' the charter till the new )irovince line was
settled, in the spring of 1741, was believed to be in the
county of Middlesex, Mass., and a part of it. The
ofKce of the register of deeds for that county was and
still is at Cambridge, where, by the province law of
the time, the deeds of all real estate within the county
were to be recorded, lint no records of deeds of hind
in Hollis, to persons known to have been early in-
habitants of the town, are to be found in that oHice
of a date prior to 1731.
Subsequent, however, to 1731, and before the sjiring
of 1741, it is shown by these records that between
those dates a very considerable number of deeds of
land, now in Hollis, were made to the early settlers
of the town Many of these deeds, in addition to
their date, a description of the land sold ami the
name of the grantee, give also his occupation and
place of former residence. .Vmong these deeds of
land in Hollis, made before 1741, are to be found the
following names of the early settlers of the town as
grantees, viz.: Thomas Dinsmore, weaver; David
Nevins, carpenter, and widow, Margaret Nevins, all of
Bedford, Mass. ; William Nevins, of Newton, Mass.,
husbandman ; Jonathan Dan forth and Joseph Farley,
of Billorica ; P^leazar Flagg ami .lonathan Melvin, of
Concord; Enoch Hunt and .lames McDonald, of
Groton; Stephen Harris, of Littleton; and Samuel
Cuinings, of tJroton.
Dunstable, iis originally chartered, as we have seen,
was bounded on the south, in i>art, by the north line
of Groton. .\s chartered in Itiof), Groton lay on each
side of the Nashua River, its northeasterly corner
being about two miles east of that river, at a place
then and still known as liuek Meadow, now in the
town of Nashua, about one-half mile from the south
line of that town. The original northwest corner of
Groton was in the line between the towiisof Pepiierell
and Townsend, Jlass., about one mile south of the
present south line of New Hampshire. This corner
is still marked by a stone monument. This old north
line of Groton crossed the Nashua River ami the
present State line at a point very near the Hfdlia
depot, on the Worcester and Nashua Railroad.
The following notice of early settlers is taken from
Hon. Samuel T. Worcester's excellent " History of
Hollis:"
llULLiS.
437
t;a|itiiin Mi'MJiiiiiin AMxit was IVoiii AmloviT, Mass.
His iiaiiK- was on tin- Mollis tax-lists in 17i>0. In
naa he was lieutenant in Captiiiii I'owers' company,
Colonel Hlanehard's regiment, in the expedition to
Crown I'oirit, and w:us ajjain in the army in \ir>7. He
was selcetniaii in 17-"i:i, 1 ";").'} and 17-")4. His son Ben-
jamin was a soldier in the Revolution. Died January
I77i>, n-l. liirty-six.
William .Vdams w;is in West Dunstable iu 1738,
and signed the petition for the charter of We.st
Dunstable. Married Mary Spears, Maj' 29, 1744.
Was a town ollicer in 174(1. His son William was a
soldier at ISunker Hill and Uennington. Dieil August
3, 17"i7, ;et. thirty-nine.
Kii^iiin Stephen .\mes came from (iroton, Mass.
Marrie<i Jane Robbins, in (iroton, in 1731. Was in
West Dunstable in 173!i, selectman in 1747 and 1748,
and was a siddier in the French War in 17J)7. Repre-
Rcntativc to the New Hampshire (Jeneral tVmrt in
177"i, 1771) and 1777. His sons .lonatliaii and David
were siddiers in the Revolution.
Klienezer Ball came from Concord, Mass. His
name was on the Hollis tiix-list in 1749, and he was
a siddier in the French War in 175'). iu the company
of Captain I'owers. His sons Kbenezcr, Nathaniel,
William and .Fohn were soldiers in the Revolution.
I>anicl Itailcy was from Marlborough, Milss. Set-
tlcil in the part of Hollis known iis Monsoii about
the year 17r)4. Himself and three of his sons — viz. :
Joel, Andrew and Daniel, Jr. — were Revolutionary
soldiers. Died .laiiuary 15, 1798, a't. sixty-nine.
Henry Barton was in Wist Dunstable in 1738 and
signed the petition for the (barter. Was ])arish as-
.>u-ssor in 1741 and collector in 1743. Died Ajiril 20,
17<;0, a't. tifty-fonr.
Benjamin Blanchard is supposed to have come from
Dunstable, N. II. He Wiis in West Dunstable in
1743, and signed the call to Rev. Mr. Hmerson. .Mar-
rii-d Kizia Hastings, Dcicndier 31, 1744. Was titli-
itigman in 1747, and selectman in 1750 and 1754.
EInathan Blood, supposed from Groton, Mitss. His
name is on the tirst tax-list for West Dunstable, in
17411. Married IClizabilh Boynton, in (iroton, in 1741.
Ill' was a soldier in the Frcnih War in 1757, and se-
leetnian in 1773.
Josiah Blood was from Dracut, Ma.ss. Wius in West
Duiislabli' in 173S, and signed the |ietition tVir the
charlir. Was a soldier in the Revolution, an was
also his son, .losiali, .Fr., and is supposed to have
died at Ticonib-roga in September, 1771).
Natbanirl I'.lood, supposed from ( iroton, Mas.s. He
was in West Diinstablr in 1738, and signed the pcli-
tion for the charter, and was a soldier in the French
War in 1758. Five of his son.s — viz., Nathaniel, Fran-
cis, Daniel, Timothy and Nathan — were soldiers in the
Revolution, the last named of whom w:ls kilb'd at
Bunker Hill.
Deacon .lohn lioynlon, supposed from Newbury
Mass. W.'is in West Dunstable in 174.'!; parish clerk
' in 1744. Married Ruth Jewett, of Rowley, in 1745.
Chosen deacon in 1755, and selectman in 1758, 1701
i and 1702, etc. His sons John and Jacob were soldiers
in the Revolution, the hist of whom was killed at
j Bunker Hill. Died October 29, 1787, ict. sixty-seven
John Boynton, Jr., supposed also from Newbury.
He was in West Dunstable in 1745. Married Lydia
Jewett, of Rowley, in May, 1745. Ilissons, Isaac and
Joel, were Revolutionary soldiers.
Joshua Boynton was in West Dunstable in 1745,
and a town ollicer in 1747. Three of his .sons — viz.,
Joshua, Jr., Benjamin and Elia.s — were soldiers in the
Revolution.
Ensign Josiah Brown came from .Salem, Mass., and
was in West Dunstable in 1743, and a town officer in
1747 and 1748. He was an ensign in the French War
in 1758. Removed to Plymouth, N. H., in 17il4.
John Brown was also from Salem, and was in West
Dunstable in 1743, and signed the call to Rev. Mr.
Kmcrson. Married Kezia Wheeler, October 9, 1744.
Died May 0, 1770.
Kphraim Burge was from Chelmsford, Mass.
Settled in Hollis about 1700. Wiis a soldier in Cap-
tain Emerson's company in 1777. His oldest son
Kl)liraim B., Jr., was for many years a deacon of the
Hollis (Jhurch, and his sons, Rev. Josiah B. and Dr.
Benjamin B. were graduates of Harvard College. Dird
July 21, 1784, a't. forty -six.
Josiah Conant was from Salem, Mass. Came to
West Dunstable in 1744. .Married Catharine Emer-
son, February, 1745. His two sons, .losiah, Jr., and
Abel, were soldiers in the Revolution, and both dea-
cons of the Hollis Church. Died Dccendjcr 14, 1750,
set. forty-four.
Lieutenant Robert Colburn came from Billerica,
Mass., was in West Dunstable in 1738, and signed the
petition for the charter. Married Elizabeth Smilbin
1747. Settled in the part of Hollis known as Monsoii.
His sons, Robert, Benjamin and Nathan, were Revo-
lutionary soldiers. Died July 9, 1783, let. sixty-six.
Samuel Cumings, Esq., was born in Groton, Ma.ss.,
March 0, 1799; married I'rudence Lawrence, of (iro-
ton, .Inly 18, 1732. Wiis in West Dunstable in 1739,
and signed the second petition for the I'harter. He
was the first ju.stice of the peace in Hollis, and was
chosen town clerk in twenty-two dilferent years be-
tween 174t) and 1779. He wilt sergeant in (!aptain
Powers' company in the French War in 17'')5. Two
of his sons, Samuel and 'l'homas%'ere LoyalisLs in the
Revolution, and Bi'iijaiiiin. his youngest son, was a
('ontinental solilicr. Died .luniiary IS, 1772, :el. sixty-
two.
Jerahmael Cumings wiLs a brother of Samuel Cum-
ings, and born in (iroton October 10, 1711. Mar-
ried Hannah Farwell in 1730; was in West Dun-
stable in 173.S, and signed the (irsl petition for the
charter. He was the father of Rev. Henry Cniii-
ings, D.D., the lirst minister of Billerica, and of
Ca|)tain Jotham Cumings, a soldier in the Fri neh
438
mSTOKV OF IIIl.LSKOKOlHiH (JOUiNTY, MKW HAMI'SIIIKI
AVar of ITr)") and an otlicer in tin- War of the Revo-
lution. Dieil (October 25, 1747, ;i't. thirty-six.
Deacon William Cumings is supposed to have
come from (Jroton, and was in West Dunstable in
1744, and chosen deacon of the Hollis Church in
1745. He wiis ensign in the P'rench War in 1755, in
the company of Captain Powers, and all his three
sons — Ebenezer, William and Philip — were soldiers
in the Revolution. Died .September 9, 1758, set.
forty-six.
.lonathan Danforth came from Billerica, and Wiis
in West Dunstable in 1743, and signed the call to
Rev. Mr. Emerson. He was a grandson of the noted
Ma.ssachusetts surveyor of the same name, and was a
town officer in 1746. Died March 3, 1748, xt. thirty-
three.
Thomas Dinsmore came from Bedford, Ma.ss. ; was
in West Dunstable previous to 173fi, and was the
tliird settler. Died December 10, 1748.
Zedekiah Drury was also from Bedford, and by
trade a blacksmith ; was in West Dunstable in 1743,
and signed the call to Mr. Emerson. About the year
17t)5 he removed to Temple, N. H.
Lieutenant Samuel Farley came from Bedford,
Mass. ; was in West Dunstable in 1730, and was a pe-
titioner for the charter. Married Hannah Brown,
October 7, 1744. His son Benjamin was a soldier in
the Uev<ihiti(iii. Died November 2.1, 1797, a't. seventy-
nine.
I.,ieuteuaTit Benjamin Farley was also from Bed-
Ibril. Was in West Dunstable in 1738, and was a pe-
titioiii'r for the charter, and was the first inn-keeper
in West Dunstable. He lived first on the farm oe-
eupie<l by T. G. Worcester, about one-fourth of a mile
south of the meeting-house. He was parish as-
sessor in 1740 and 1711, and selectman in 174(5. Three
of his sons — I'jbenezer, Christopher and Stephen —
were Revolutionary soldiers. Died November 23,
1797, in his eightieth year.
Joseph Farley came from Billerica, and was in
West Dunstable in 1743. Killed by the fall of a
tree, November 24, 1702, set. forty-nine.
Fileazer F'lagg came from Concord, Mass., and was
the second settler in West Dunstable. He lived in the
southwest part of the town, and during the French
War of 1744 his house wais fortified as a guard-house.
He was parish assessor in 1742. His son .John was a
soldier in the French War, 1755, and his son Jonas
in that of till' Revolulion. Died August 14, 1757, a't.
fifty-three.
Phineas Hardy came to Hollis from Bradford, Mass.
His name is first on the Hollis tax-li.st,s in 1752. He
was a soldier in the garrison at Portsmouth, N. H.,
in 1776, and his sons — Phineas, Thomas, Noah and
Je.«se — were all soldiers in the army. Died March 7,
1813, a"t. eighty-six.
Stephen Harris was from Littleton, Alass., and
settled in what is now the north part of Hollis about
1735. He was a petitioner for the charter of West
Dunstable in 1738, and first treasurer of West Dun-
stable in 1740. Died September 20, 1775, a>t. sevi'Uty-
five.
Deacon Stephen Jewett is supposed to have come
from Rowley, Mass., in 1751, and married Hannah
(F'arwell) Cumings, widtjw of iMisign .lerahmael Cum-
ings, in 1752. He was chosen selectman in 1766, deacon
of the Hollis Church in 1770, and a delegate to the ■;
County Congress at Amherst in 1774 and 1775. All
of his three sons — Stephen, Jr., Noah and Jonathan
— were soldiers in the Revoliuion. Died May 23,
1803, a>t. seventy-five.
Zerubbabel Kemp was born in Groton, Mass., Oc-
tober 12, 1705. Married Abigail Lawrence, in
Groton, November 23, 1737. Was in West Dunstable
in 1743, and a town officer in 1748.
.fames McDonahl also came from Groton and was
in West Dunstable in 1739, and a signer of the .second
[letition for the charter. He was a town officer in
1748 and a soldier in 1777, in the company of Cap-
tain Goss. Died April 11, 1801, a't. eighty-three.
William Nevins came from Newton, Mass., anil hia
name ajijiears in the first tax-list in West Dunstable
in 1740. He was selectman in 1771 and 1772, and
moderator in 1773 ami 1774. Five of his sons^ — viz.,
William, Joseph, Benjamin, John and Phineas — were
Revolutionary soldiers. Died February 15, 17S5, a't.
sixty -seven.
l>avid Nevins was fnnii lieilfdril, Mass., and was in
West Dunstable in 1738 and signed the first ])etition
for the charter. He was jiarisli collector in 1741.
Removed from Hollis to Plynmntb aiiinnj; the first
settlers of Plymouth.
Deacon F^noch Noyes came from Newbuiy, Mass.
His name first ajipeareil on the Hollis tax-lists in
1747. He was selectman in 1751, and chosen cleacon
in 1755. His two sons, F^noch and F^lijah, were
soldiers in the Revolution. Died September, 1796,
a;t. eighty.
Deacon Thomas Patch was from Groton. Married
Anna Gilson in 1741, in Groton. He was in West
Dun.stable in 1743, and was eho.sen deacon in 1745.
His .sons, Thomas an<l David, were soldiers in the
Revolution. Died May 1, 1754, a't. forty.
William Pool was from Reading, Mjiss. Married
Hannah Nichols, at Reading, June 19, 1751, and
came to Hollis during the F^rench War of 1754, his
name being first found on the Mollis tax-lists in 1758.
He was .selectman in 1771. Died in Hollis, October
27, 1795, a't. seventy. His oldest son, William W.,
was a soldier in the Revolution in 1775, and again in
1778. James, the second son, settled in Maine, and
became a successful merchant. His youngest son,
Hon. Benjamin Pool, born January 17, 1771, settled
in Hollis. and was many times chosen to imjjortant
town offices. He was ju.stice of the i)eace from 1810
to 1822, and justice of the peace and quorum from
1822 till his decease. He was also representative to
the New Hampshire General Court fnmi 1804 to
11(11, 1, IS.
439
IXOK, iiiid Slate Seiialor in the years ISIX, 18111, 1.S2U
anil 1821. Hosiile tliese three sons, Mr. Pool had
eleven daughters, ten of whom lived to adult age, and
were all married, and most of them became the
mothers of large families. He died .\pril 20, 18.3(i,
set. sixty- five.
('a|itain I'eter Powers was tlie first settler in Mollis.
Was born in Littleton, Mass., and married .\nna
Keyes, of Chelmsford, in 1728. Settled in West
Dunstable in 1730. He was parish committee in
174<t, and held many other important parish and
town offices. He was the first eai)tain of the West
Dunstable militia, the commander of an expedition
to explore the Coos country in 1754, and captain of
the Hollis company in the exjicdition to Crown
Point in 1755. Stephen, Whitcomb and Levi, three
of his sons, were soldiers in the French War in the
same company ; and four of them— viz., Stephen,
P'rancis, Nahum ami Samson — were soldiers in the
lievolution. Dieil .Viigust 22, 1757, a't. fifty-six.
.Mof es Proctor came from Chelnisforcl, Mass. Was
in West Dunstable in 1738, and signed the first peti-
tion for the charter. He settled in the west part of
the town, on Proctor Hill, which w:us named for him.
His name is found on the first West Dunstable tax-
list in 174", anil he was selectman in I74!l. Tin- life
of .Mr. Proctor is said to have been shortened by the
bite of a rattlesnake, and lie allerwards waged .so suc-
cessful a war of extermination against those reptiles
that no rattlesnakes have been known in Hollis since
his death. Died May 21, 1780, a>t. .seventy-three.
Abrah.im Taylor was burn in Concord, Mii.ss., and
came to West Dunstable previously to 1738, and was
agent of the inhabitjints with (;a|itain Powers in ob-
taining the charter. In 174(1 he gave the land for
the Hollis meeting-house, burial-ground and com-
mon. He was parish iUi.ses.sor in 1740, 1741, 1742 and
1743. Died June 3, 1743, a't. thirty-six.
William TeiiMV came to Hollis from llowley, Miuss.
His name appears first on the Hollis tax-lists in 1747.
He was selectman in 1769 and 1770. His son, Cap-
tain M'illiam Tenny, was a .soldier in the Revolution.
Died March 22, 1783, a-t. sixty-one
Peter Wheeler is said to have come from Salem,
MiUss., and settled in the part of Hollis known it-*
.Monson. He was a petitioner for the charter of West
Dunstable in 1738, and his name was on the first
Wiwt Dunstable tax-list in 1740. He is said to have
been noted in his day for his exploits and success in
hunting, especially of bears. He was a soldier in
the Krench War in 1755, and his sons, Kbenc/er and
Ix'bbeus, were soldiers in the lievolution. Died
March 28, 1772, u't. sixty-seven.
.lohn Willoughby came from iJillerica. He was in
West Dunstable in 1745, and was a soldier in the
French War in the years 1755, 1757 and 1758. His
son, .lobn W., Jr., was a captain in the War of the
IJevolulion in the regiment of Colonel Webster.
Died February 2, 17i>3, ;et. eighty-five.
Kev. Francis Worcester was born in Uradliird.
; Mass., June 7, 1()!(8. Married .Vbigail Carleton, of
Rowley, in 1720. Was settled as a Congregational
minister in Sandwich, Mass., for ten years before
coming to Hollis. Removed to Hollis in 1750. Af-
terwards preached as an evangelist in New Hamp-
shire, but was not again settled in the ministry. He
was the author of a small volume of " Meditations ''
in verse, written in his sixtieth year; also of several
moral and religious essays, reprinted in 17t)0, entitled
"A Bridle for Sinners and a Spur for Saints." His
oldest son was Deacon Francis Worcester. His sec-
ond son, Jesse, was a soldier in the French War, was
taken prisoner and died at Montreal in 1757. His
youngest son wius Captain Noah Worcester. Died
October 14, 1783, let. eighty-five.
Deacon Francis W^orcester was the oldest son of
Rev. Francis Worcester. Horn at Bradford starch
30, 1721. Married Hannah lioynton. of Newbury,
Mass., October 28, 1741. (Jame to \\'e.st Dunstable
in 1744. Was chosen deacon of the Hollis Church
in 1746. He was selectman in Hollis six years, mod-
erator of the annual town-meeting eleven years, and
town treasurer twenty years, between 174(> and 1768.
In 1768 he removed to Plymouth, N. H., and was
deacon of the church at Plymouth ; representative to
New Hampshire General (!ourt in 1777 and 1778, and
State Councillor in 1780, 1781, and 1783. Died Octo-
ber 19, 1800, let. seventy-nine.
Captain .Joshua Wright came from Woburn, Ma.ss. ;
was in West Dunstable in 1739, and signed the second
]>etition tor the charter. He was selectman in 1749
and 17()9; a soldier in the French War in 17(i(l, and
captain of the Hollis militia compatiy in 1775 and
(ireviously. His sons, Lemuel and Uriah, were .sol-
diers in the Revolution. Died ,\ugust 5, 1776, a't.
sixty.
At the date of the iliarler (says .liiilge Worcister)
the rude, i)rimitive dwellings of the settlers who had
petitioned for it, with their stiini|)-covered embryo
farms, were widely and sparsely scattered over a large
part of the new i)ari.sh. Robert and William Colburn,
David, Thomas and William Nevins, Stephen Harris
and Pliilij) Woolerich had located on the south side
of the extinct town of Monson, now the north part
|part of Hollis; Sanuiel Farley, James, .loseph and
Randall McDaniels, Melvin and Whilcoiidi, in the
easterly part of Brookline, formerly the west part nt
Hollis. The house of Abraham Taylor was about
sixty rods north of the present meeting-house in
Hollis; that of Samuel Cumings about thirty rods
west of the meeting-house; that of Benjamin Farley,
the inu-keeper, on the road leading to the south ol
the meeting-house ; .Terahmael Cumings lived on (he
same road with l''arley, about one-half mile farther
south ; .losiab Blood, also on the same road, about
three-fourths of a mile from Cumings; .loshiia Wright
abontone-half mile east of Blood ; William Blarirlianl
in the east part ol the town, near Flint's Hill ; William
440
lllSTOKY OF lllLLSliOKOUUU COUNTY, NKW IIA.MI'SII I Kl
Shattuck still farthor east, near the did east sehool-
house.
The lariu of Peter Wheeler was in the northwest
part of the town, about westerly from Long Pond;
Moses Proctor settled in the west part, on Proctor Hill;
Henry Kartori in the westerly part. The house of
William Adams is said to have been upon the site of
the present southwest sehool-house, about two and
a half miles from the meeting-house. Samuel Parker
livccl in the same neighborhood ; .lames Whiting on
the road to Brookline, near Whiting's Hill; Nathaniel
niood in the same part of the town; and Enoeh Hunt
in the extreme south |iart, next to Pep|)erell. Thus
it may be seen that the settlers in the e.xtreme north
part of the settlement were from six to seven miles
distant from those in the south part, and those
living at the extreme east and west parts were even
)nore remote from' eaeh other.
Many of the ancestors of the early settlers were of
(lernian origin, who afterwards became Northmen or
Normans, and fought their way into Britain very
early in its liistory. They were a brave and resolute
race, inured to danger and hardships; their descend-
ants were [leculiarly lifted to become the pioneers of
New ICnglaiid, and many of them .settled in Massa-
chusetts some time between the years lli;!<l and Ki'iO.
One of the cau.ses which promoted the early
settlement in the region west of the Merrimack River
was the fierce controversy that raged between New
Ham]ishire and Mas.sachusetts in regard to the State
line boundary ([ucstion, that engaged the attention
of these States from 1731 to 1741. Both States were
using their utmo.st endeavors to obtain jurisdiction
over us many towns as possible; consequently, they en-
couraged (^migration in every possible way.
The people were told the land would be given them,
and by this n\cans they were induced to favor emigra-
tion. It is at this period that we are to look for the
settlement at tlie north part of Hollis, and this was
the cause that led to it. One of its first settlers
was Samuel Leeman, of Reading, Mass., who came
here in the spring of 173(), and settled at tlie William
Kiltrc<lge place, so called, aiul was then forty-four
years of age, having been born at Keading in l(i!l2.
He became a prominent and inllui'utial citi/cn. It ap-
pears IViim the old Monson records that he was one
of the petitioners for the town charter, and was
chosen third selectnnin at the annual town-meeting
of March 31, 174.S, and again in March, 1749; removed
to Hollis in the sjiring of 170(1, where he <lie<! .lan-
uary 27, 17o(i. There is an interesting history in con-
nection with the Leeman family, — it is staled that lor
ten generations succeeding, the eldest son was named
Samuel. The fourth Samuel Tjeeman resided at Headle,
Kngland, from which place he cmigrateil to Charles-
town, Mass., in 1(>33. His sou, Sanuicl (and grand-
father of the subject of this sketch), settled in (iroton,
Ma.ss., shortly atlcr its .settlement, ami was com[ielled
to leave there in consequence of the Indian invasion
of March 13, ll>7t). He returned to I'harlestown,
where he enlisted for King Philip's War, serving
as private in Captain Samuel Mosely's comj)any dur-
ing the war. Mosely was afterwards employed by the
Colonial Court of Massachusetts to guard and |)rotect
the settlers in Dunstable and vicinity from Indian
invasion.
The tenth Sanuu'l Leeman was born in Monson
August 7, 1749, at the William Kittredge place. U|ion
the breaking out of the Revolutionary War he enlisted
into Captain Dow's company, and marched with that
company from Hollis common, on the afternoon of
Ajiril 19, 177'>, for ('onc(jrd and Lexington. He was
at the battle of Bunker Hill, in (Japtain Levi Spald-
ing's company, Coloiiel .lames Reid's regiment, and
afterwards enlisted into Captain Isaac Fry's company,
of Wilton, as ensign, under the command of Colonel
Alexander Scammel, ami was present with his reg-
iment at the battle mar Saratoga, where he was killed
October 10, 1777, aged twenty-eight years; be was uji-
married.
Another of the early settlers was William Colburn,
who came from Billerica, Ma.ss., in the spring of
1738, bringing his family and entire effects in an ox-
cart, i)lodding their way through the Unnstable wibler-
ness, guided only by nmrked trees. He settled at
Patch's Corner, about one hundred rods north of the
Siliis S. Wheeler place, near the road leading to the
North District school-house. The old cellar hole is
still to be seen. He wtis the ancestor of nearly all the
Colburns in Hollis, ami was then forty-eight years of
age. His log hut was occupied a portion of the time
in the spring and summer of 1747 by an liulian scont-
ing-party, who were sent by the General Court of
New Hampshire on petition of the inhabitants of Am-
herst and Monson, to guard them against Indian inva-
sion; but no Indians a|ipcarcd dining that season to
molest the settlers. Mr. Colburn died .\i)ril 3, 17(>9,
aged seventy-nine, leaving two sons, Robert and
William.
Robert was lieutenant ill the militia, and built what
hiis been known for a period of over a hundred years
asthcoldThaddcus Wheeler bouse about the year 177(i.
Mr. (!olbnrn was a large land-owner, owning from
the east line of the Thadileus Wheeler place to the
top of Birch Hill, lie first married Klizabeth Lee-
man, daughter of Samuel Leeman, March 2, 174.5 ;
she died, aud he married Hlizabeth Smith, daughter of
Klias Smith. By her he aciinircd a large laiuled estate
that she inherited from her father. He died .Inly 9,
1784, leaving a large family.
This portion of Hollis was then included within
the boundaries of the auuicnt township of Monson,
a town which had a corporate existence of twenty-
four years, lying between Hollis and the Scmhegan
River, in Andicrst ; but before 174(1 it was known nn
West Dunstable, or Dunstable West Parish.
The northwest (or Birch Hill) portion of what is
now Hollis was surveved off, in parallel lines, into
IIOLLIS.
441
lots <)l\'ij;lity mds wiilc and two iiiik's loii'r. the south-
west corner heiti;: in Koeky l*oiul,an(l runiiinj!; noith
over the top ol'Hireh Mill, the first lot heing granted
to one Wadsworth, who had fought in the Narragan-
sctWar; the next lot east was granted to llumidirey
llolison, whose father, it was said, served in King
rhili|«'s War ; the tliinl lot was granteil to one Clark :
the next to .loseph I.enimon, one of the original pro-
prietors of Dunstahle, — these griint-s covering an area
of five hunilred and fifty rods wide and two miles long,
enihraeing all of the northwestern section of llollis I
and a part of the town of Milford.
The first settler within the territory al)ove cle
scribed was Moses Saunders, of Marlborough, Mass..
who came here in the spring of 1739, having purchased
the south end of the Leninioii grant, and commenced
a clearing, built his log hut and erected a saw-mill
about this time, which is supjiosed to be the first one
in town. The dam is still to be seen a i'ew rods northeast
of the dwelling-house of Daniel Hailcy, apparently as
go(jd as when first used for a mill now over one
hundred years old.
Mr. Saunilers reared a family of four children here,
the births of whom are found recorded in the old Mon-
son rei-ords.
In the spring of 1747, fearing an Imlian invasion,
he became alarmed for his personal .safety, and left
with his family, and returned to Marlborough. Trii-
ilition says that he thought he saw Iiulians lurking in
the wooils for several days before he left ; tliey seemed
bent on the destruction of every saw-mill and its
owner, and ipiite a numlicr of mills were destroyed
about this time in various sections of the State.
Their motive for doing this, as Dr. Belknap says, " was
to retard the settlements, and prevent the clearing ofl'
their hunting-grounds.''
Mr. .Saunders sold his property here, after a few-
years, to |)aniel liailey, of Marlborough, who moved
his family in the spring of 17i)l, and the property hsis
ever since remained in the IJailey family, — a period
of one hundred and twenty-five years, — and been
transnntti'd to the fourth Daniel Hailey, it.s |)rcscnl
owner. Daniel Hailcy, .■^r., served in the old French
War, anil also in the Uevohilionary War, and his son,
Joel liailey, was at the liattlc of Hunker Hill, in Cap-
tain licvi Spalding's company and Colonel .lames
Reid's regiment. Mis son Andrew was at the battle
of Hunker Hill, in ibc company of Captain Moore, of
Orolon ; ami his .son Aaron was also at the battle of
Bunker Hill. His son, Daniel Hailey, born at Marl-
borough, Mass., Dcccnd)er .'i, 17.").">, was also in the
Revolutionary War ; was at the battle of White I'lainsi
in Captain William Reed's company. After the win-
he occupied the (dd homestead, and became an intlu-
cntial citi/cn ; was captain of State militia, served
several years as one of the seleclmen of the town, anil
represented llollis in the Legislature of l.Sl.'i ; he died
in March, 1S17, being llu'n over ninety-one years old.
Early Rules and Regulations.— The Stock.s and
Wmi'iMXii-PiisT. — At a town-meeting in .func, 174(i,
" Voted, That the .selectmen provide stocks;'' and at a
town-meeting in the month of .January next after,
"Vnlcd, To Accept the .\ccount of .losiah Conant
for making the Stocks." The town whiiiping-post,
the fitting companion of the .stocks, held its place near
the front of the meeting-house, not far from the west
line of the common, till after the coinmcncenient of
the present century, and was in use within the mem-
ory of persons still living, with its inseparable asso-
ciate, the "cat-o'-nine-tails." The varied practical
uses to which the stocks and whijiping-post were ap-
lili^d may be readily inferred by reference to a few of
the cotemporary criminal laws tor the punishment of
minor offenses, most of which were within the .juris-
diction of justices of the peace. Some of these pun-
ishments were as follows :
PltOl-ANK CURSIXCi AND SWKAltlXli. — "For the
first ofience, a fine of one shilling. If not paid, the
culprit to be set in the stocks two hours. For more
than one profane Oath at the same time, a fine of
two shillings and to be set in the stocks mil nidic llian
three hours."
Dkinkknxess. — "For first offence, a line of five
shillings; if not able to ])ay, the convict to be set in
the stocks not more than three hours."
Defamation'. — "If foinid guilty, theolfendcr to be
fined twenty shillings. If not paid, the offender to be
set in the stocks not more than three hours."
RiiiiiiiNii (Jarhens A.vi) Ohciiaisds.— " If the
pri.soner was not able to pay his fine, to be set in I lie
stocks or whipped, at the discretion of the .lustice."
IXSItl.KXCIC OK ViOI.EXCE TO WoMEX OX THE
Hiuhwav. — " For first ort'ence, whipping not exceed-
ing ten stripes. For second olVence, to be burnt in
the hand."
l"ETir Lakcexy. — The olfcnder to forfeit treble
the value of the property stolen, and to be lined not
exceeding five pounds, or whipped not more than
twenty stri|)e9. If not paid, the culprit to be sold for
a term of time to be fixed at the iliscniion olllic
court.
CHAPTER II.
nOLLIS— (Po../Mi"'.0.
FVi.-IosiiuilU-iil llitttory — CoiiKrvKftlioiml ClMir«ii— IfaipltiH I'lmrrli— Ifl-
Hiinimi' ('c)iii|miiy— Llliniiy— l'li>niciuii!~i'"ll' :-i;ni'lii"''»— l'"|iiili>-
Hull.
Congregational Church.— The cbuicb in ildstown
was probably not nignnized until 174."., more (ban
three years after the date of the charter.
In the mean time, however, the inhabitant.-- had
manifested a very commendable zeal in their elforls to
comply with the laws in respecl to ihc support of
the ministry. .\t their first parish n ting, a com-
I mittee was chosen "to provide I'n aihiiig till the
following April." In the month of .March previous,
4i2
H18T011Y OF lllhLSliOllOUUlI COUNTY. NEW IIAMPSHIllE.
"Samuel Cimiings aiul El.-azer Flajrg" were commis-
sioned " to provide Preaehiug and Entertainment
for the minister for the next three months." In
July, 1741, it was " Voted that Abraham Taylor and
Peter Towers have the non-resident money for the
current year to pay Mr. I'nderwood and .Mr. Towle.
. and to procure Preaching till the lirst of .January
next, if Ihc money shall hold out." In Septendier,
1741,the first article iu the warrant for a meeting then
held '• was to see whether it be the minds of the
People to do anything towards the Pringing forward
the Settling of a Larned and Orther Do.K Minister in
this Parish." -Vnd in February, 1742, it was " Voted
that any Person who shall hereafter Entertain any
Minister for this Parish shall have paid to him Eight
Shillings for one Sabbath day and 2(»" a Week if he
stay longer."
M a i)arish-mceting held in October, 1741, before it
was i)ublicly known that any part of the town of Old
Dunstable was on llie wrong side of the |)rovince line,
it was voted, —
"1st. Tlml Sti'pliL-u HmriB, .\br,ib;uii T:i>ior.V Peter I'owcra be jojnod
in l\miliiittee with llenjiunin Fmiey ami Siilimel Cuiiiings to t«ke some
lilupcr MeaBiires tu bring forward the settling ol a l.arne.l and Ortlier
Du.\ Jlinist.r in this Parish as soon .as convonieniy will alow,
"•2d. That said Connnittee be directed to obs'rve the following instruc-
tions, viz. : That the}- wait u|)oll the Itev. .Mr. Trobridge, Mr. Heni-
miuKwa.v and tlur Kev. Jlr. HIiss and Mr. Swan, and clesire their assisl-
unee in keeiiing an.l solenini/.iiii! a Day of Fasting and Prayer in thi.s
Parish, and Seeking the Direction of Uca-eu in the affair.
■':id. That sjiid ConiTuittee should make their adilress to said Ministers
for thsir advice and Direction what Ministers to apiily oiirei-lves too to
I*reacll with us on Probation."
At a parish-meeting December 2S, 1741, among the
accounts presented and alloweil were the following:
" Voleil, to allow Ahrahaui Taylor,—
"For Enlerlainiug SUnisters at the Fast, :J£ (10s. Od.
"For Entertaining Ministers Five Sabbaths, 2t. 00s. Ori."
The warrant for this meeting was the last in which
the words " .Middlesex ss." were written in the top
margin. It soon became known to I hem that the
parish of West Dunstable was not in the county of
Miildlcse.x, that their charter, as a legal instrument.
Wiis worthless, and that there was no law by which
the minority of the inhabitants could be bound by
the votes of a majority. Embarrasseil by the decision
in respect to the new line and the loss of their char-
ter, our ancestors did not falter in their effort to bring
forward and settle a " Earned and Orther Do.x Minis-
ter." With this end and others in view, the inhabit-
ants, as we have said before, met in February. 1742,
and petilioncd the (ieneral Court of New Hampshire
lor a township charter. No other public meeting of
ihe inhabitants was held till the 17th of January,
1743, near a year after, when they came together by
common consent, and by mutual agreement in their
personal and inilividiial capacity, invited the Rev.
Daniel Emerson, the candidate of iheir choice, to be-
come their minister. The proceedings of this meet-
in"' and of that wliiib ne.xt followed cannot fail to
be of interest, —
• .\tt a ni.eting of the Inhabitants of the West Farish in Dunstable,
reg.ilarly assemble.! .January 17, 1742-43. Abraham Taylor chosen mod-
erator.
" I'naninumsly vi>led and chose Mr. Daniel Kiu<i-Bon for their (ios|H'l
Minister to lake Ihe Pastoral care of the Flock of I'lirist in said Place.
Also,
" ruanilnously voted an.l agreed to give siiid Mr. Knu'rs.in (on condi-
tion of his aeceptamc), for and toward this Sttlement, «IIO, common
currency, or ClOHoftlie Massachusetts last Kniilion. .\lso,
"Inan'iuiously voted to give said .Minister for his yearly SuUery,
During his Miuistr.v in Sai.l Place, such a certain sum of Kills of Credit
as wilfbe eipial totifty Pounds of the Massachnsi-tls last Kmition (new).
Also,
•■ loterf, to give Thirty Cords of Fire Wood, Cord Wm.«I Length, att
said Minister's Door yearly. .\lso,
"Voln'l and chose Almihani Taylor, Samuel ]Sr..wn. Knoch Ilnnl,
Elea/.er Flagg, Samuel Cumings, Peter Powent, William Colburn, Sle|iluii
Harris and Robert Blood to wait upon said Mr. Emereon and communi-
cate unlo him the mimle an.l Pr..po8als of sai.l Parish, an.l desire his an-
swer tb. -rein in .-onv. ■nielli time.
" In testimonv wli. r.-..f w.' have hereunto set our hands the May above
said.
" Siimuel Brown.
.Vbraham Taylor.
Enoch Hunt.
William Shattuck
William tlolburn.
Stephen Harris.
Eleazer Flagg.
Benjamin Farley.
Jerahmael Cumings.
Samuel Cumings.
Davi.l Nevins.
Josiiua Wright.
James Stewart.
Slephen Ames.
Hoberl Bloo.1.
lieniamin lllan.hard.
Zedekiah Drury.
Peter Powel-s.
.I.uiathali Danforth.
Samu.'l Farley.
William .\dams.
Nicholas Frein-h.
Zerubbabel Kemp.
Peter Wheeler.
Josiah Brown.
William DIanchard.
Henry Barton.
Nathaniel Blood.
EInatlian Bl..od.
l>avid Lowell.
Thomas Nevins.
Thomas Patch.
Nathaniel Blo.lgetl.
Moses Proctor.
John Brown.
Daniel Kendall.
Josiah Blood.
William Nevins.
.Samuel Douglass.
Joseph M. -Daniels.
James 51cDaniels.
J.unes Whiting.
.losi-ph Farley.
Making iu all forty-throe names.'
The parish committee were prompt in communi-
cating the foregoing call to Mr. Emerson, and on the
4th of the following March a meeting was called to
consider bis answer, which was entered upon the
record as foll.>\vs:
" To Ihe liihahil.iiiU ../ IIV.<( l-iuiih ill iliin»l«i(e .-
" Wlicr/M, it has please.1 the Gnat (iod (who bus the Hearts of all
men in his Han.lsl to disi««c. an.l incline your hearts t,. invite me to
take the oversight of you and to Labour among y..li in W ..lil and Doc-
trine, as app.'ai-8 by a vole pl..fel-red to me by the Cominille.-, b.-aring
.lat.-.Ianuai-y 17, 171-^-4:1, I have from that time taken that imiiortiinl
matter int.ith.- most close i-onsi.leration ami have iiske.l the b.-st a.lvico
and am (afler many an.l great .lilliculties in the way) come to this con-
clusion without Hesitation, viz. :
•If you will fnltill your Promise as to the C-1110 Setllenieiit in old
Tenor," onlv that the on.- I»irt ..fit Iw in Foity Acres of <:.«»! Lund, near
and convenient to Ihe JIeetiilg-Il..iise, lirmly an.l r..i-cver .oiivaied to
me and the other Part to be paid in Bills of P,ibli,,n.. credit within a
vearfrom the .late ..f Ibis Answer Ami that r..r my y.arly Sallary yon
give ine sil. h a c.rlain Siiiu of Bills of Publi.pie .-ri'dit yearly, as shall lie
equal to l.^ll ounces of coined Silver, which is Ihe sum you pro|Hm— to- ,
gclher with Thirlv Conis of Wo.h1, Cord Woo.l l^'Ugth, delivered al my
Door-Aiid after your Parish, Town or District shall, by the Provi.lenceof
God, Iwincreased to the number of MO Families (an.l ii..t .lesifd or ex-
pocted till then), von make an addition to my yearly Sallary .il live
onn.es of .-oine.1 Silver peryear, till the «ime shall b.- e.|iial to -im Ounces
of coined Silver-there to abi.l.- till the n,in.b.r ..f y.air Families arise to
15.1-aml th.^nto Uai-«- Five Ouii.e, of Coinc-I Siher ,hm year nil it ar-
rives at -JIO Ouncs of C-.ine.l Silver-and there to abi.le an.l b.- no more,
which is equal to £70 of Ihe Massachusetts last Emition-Always ex-
HOLLIS.
443
peering the Tbiiiy CorUti of Wood— And that theao Several Sums, or Sum,
be cuutinu^><l to me so long as 1 continue a Ghoepel Minister over you —
Always and in an espetial manner expecting that you \%ill be Helpers
with me by Prayer —
" Now if tbede befure-mentioni-d ronditionn be freely and voluntarily
acted on and tn-cured to me— as you pruliittjt iu the call — then I as freely
and willingly accept of the call, and freely tiubscribe myself yours to eerve
in the worlt "f the Ghoopcl Ministry' During Life.
"Dnniiluble West Precinct, March y' 4th, 1743.
"D.\siEL Emerson."
The record continues, —
■ It waa thereupon Voted and agreed to accept the Terms .Mr. Kmenson
propotu.**! in his answer, bouth as to settlement and sitllary — Also, Voted
that Samuel Brown, .\bi-aliain Taylor, Peter Powers, Eleazer Flagg and
Samuel Cumings be a committee to consult with Mr. Emerson in the
choice of a council."
(In the samp day and at the .same mooting, as it
ai'iiears in the record, a mutual ailditional agreement
was entered into by the tax-payers, and signed by
most of them, with a preamble setting forth the rea-
sons that made this new agreement necessary, the
important parts of which are as follows:
■' M7ie(f<iji, his majesty, by the late detiTuiiiiatioii of the Northern
Boundary of the MaMsuchuBctts, has left us, the Subscribel-s, Inhabit^tnts
of the Westerly jMirt of Dunstable, out of the Province to which we al-
ways supposed we belonged, and under whose Laws we E.vercised the
Privileges of a Parish— but by tile said ileterniination it is sup(>osed by
some that said Inhabitants are Disijuatitied to make any Act, Agreemeut
or lii-terniinatiiju by a majority of voters, as they otherwise might have
done, that should U* Effectual to compel Persons to l>ay their honest
Proportittn of all such Itates and nece*ary charges that shall alise iu
calling, settling and maintaining a minister.
"Now, therefore, that we may Enjoy the benefit of the Ghoepel ordi-
nancee amongst us, we have come into the following agreement and ob-
ligation, vi/."
The contract with Mr. Emerson is set furth in tliifi
new agreement, verbatim, and the record then con-
tinues as follows :
" .Vlls4» agreed that in the Payment of the .^linister's Settlement Jc Sal-
lary, the assessors hereafter to be cho<w.Mi Prop^irtion such a certain jwrt
thereof to each Pole, that when the Remainder thelx'of shall be levied
uiKin Fjitli Person's Ileal and Personal l->tate, agreeable to the Kules of
the Mas«acliu&4-tts Province, that the highest Payer upon Estates shall
be etpial to a single Pole. . . .
"To the Performance of the aforcwritten agreement we hereby cove-
Dant anil oblige oun»elve« in the Penal sum of £100, till such time as
Ibis society be incorporut4-d a distiuct Town or Parish."
Thirty-seven names wore signed to this agreomont,
some of which were not upon the call. This agree-
ment, as will bo readily seen, was a voluntary com-
pact, entered into by those who signed it as their best
expedient for the lack of a town or parish charter.
Some other matters suggested by this contnict be-
tween Mr. EmorsDii ami his society are worthy of a
few pa.-ising remarks, as illuslrating the laws, cnstoniH
and prevailing sentiments of the times, as well iu
civil im in church adiiirs.
First, it was agreed, in this contract, that the new
minister, for the present, should receive lor his yearly
Mlary one hundrocl and fifty oiinees of coiiiod silver.
or their oi|iial value in bills of public credit, ihr
paper iiioiny of that day, and also thirty cords ol
wood. Wlu'ii the number of families in the society
should roach one hundred, five ounces per year were
to be added, till I lie salary should .iiiioiimI to two
211
1 hundred ounces; and it might afterwards be increased
to two hundred and ten ounces.
I The ounce Troy, used in weighing the precious
metals, contains four hundred and eighty grains.
The American silver dollar contains four hundred
and twelve and one-half of those grains, making the
value of the ounce of silver coin $1.14 ; one hundred
and fifty ounces, $171; two hundred ounces, $228;
i and two hundred and ten ounces, $239.-10, in standard
federal coin.
1 Mr. Emerson was ordained April 20, 1743, and he
continued a faithful, venerated and popular minister
of that society till November 27, 1793, a period of
more than fifty years, without a change "or wish to
change his ])lace." At the latter date the Rev. Eli
Smith, who had married his granddaughter, was
i settled as his colleague, Mr. Emerson retaining one-
half of his salary till his decease, September 30, 1801,
at the age of eighty-five years.
July 31, 174.5, a church covenant was adopted,
which was signed by the following jiorsons :
Daniel Emerson. .Tohn Boynton. Henry Barton, Samuel Brown. .lerah-
mael Cuniings, Bei\jainiu Utanchard, Elias Smith, Klincli Hunt, Nathan-
iel Blood, Joseph Fletcher, Jonathan Danforth.
The following were made members of the church
prior to the Revolution :
Benjamin .\bl)ot, .tohn Atwell, Henr}' Barton, Benjamin Blunchanl.
Nathaniel Blood, John Boynton, Josiah Brown, Samuel Brown, Ejihi-aim
Burge, Robert Colburn, William Colburn, .losiah t'onant, Jenihmael
t.'umings, .lohn Cumings, Samuel Cuniings, William Cuniings, Jonathan
Danforth, Thomas Diusmore, /edekiah Drury, .\mos Eastman, llaniel
Eiiiei-son, Jr., Benjamin Farley, .Saniui-l Farley, .Viin-s Fisk, Eleazer
Flagg. Samuel Goodhue, John Goss. .lolin Hale, Phineas Hanty, David
Ilobart. Samuel Hobart, Enoch Hunt, Stephen Jewett, Ebenezer Jewett,
.\brahaiii Leeinun, Samuel Leeniun, .Tonathan Lovejoy, William Nevins,
Enoch N'tyes. Thomas Patch, Peter Powere, Moses I*roctor, William
Shattuck, /.achariah Slmttuck, Elias Smith, Jonathan Taylor, Nathaniel
Townseud, John Willoughby, Fnincis Worcester, Noah Worcester, Ben-
jamin Wright.
Rev. Mr. Emerson was a man of largo and active
intellect, a convert of Whitefield, and partaking
liirgely of his spirit, he was uniformly evangelical,
and often a very eloijuent preacher. His chief e.xcel-
lencios in pleaching were sound doctrino.dt^ep feeling
and zeal at times almost ovorwbolmlng. His labors
were by no means confined tf) the pulpit. He was
interested in public affairs, serving as chaplain iu the
army and accompanying it to Oown Point. An able
counselor, he was often called from homo to aid feeble
churches. Interested in the cause of ministerial edu-
catitin, and uuuh blo.ssod with revivals of religion
among his own people, he aniniatcil a largo number
of young men to become preachers of the gospel.
Very assiiluoiis in his attendance on the meetings of
1 this as.sociation, he manifested an energ)' like that of
Baxlor, whom in person he was saiil to rosoniblo.
From his talents and position the Hollis minister was
for many years it loading niiiiil in the a.ssooiation.
Upon the monument erected over his grave in (he
Hollis central burial-ground is inscribed the follow-
ing epitaph :
444
IIISTOllY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
"Beneath this Moimment lios the MorUiI part of
Rov. Paiiiel Kinereoii.
He wiin horn lit Itcjuling, Mnns., Ulay 2n, 17I().
rinuiuiite<I at Harvard rnivcreity, 17;H>.
And wiu* ordained Ajiril 20, 174:i, to tlie I'twtomI care
Of the Churt-h und Congrugiition in Hullift,
Which then consisted uf only 30 Families.
He wiis an honest man, given to Hospilulity ;
An afloctionato Htimliand and tender I'areut ;
A faithful Friend and Patriotic Citizen ;
Au EvangeUcal, /ealons and vinnnnally tJuccessful Preacher
Of the Ouspel of Jesns Christ.
Highly EBteenied by his people, liis praise was in all the Churches.
A. D. 1793, he voluntarily relinquished one-half his Salary
To promote tlie settlement of a CoHeagne,
From which time hit; pious walk and occasional labors
Evinced an uuabating love for the cause of Christ,
Until nature failed and he fell asleep in Jesus,
September 30, 1801, aged 85 years."
November 27, 171^3. Rev. Eli Smith was settled as
colleague pastor with Rev. Mr. Emerson.
Rev. Dr. Day, in a biographical sketch of Mr.
Smith, written for the "History of the New Hamp-
shire Churches," says of him :
*' That he waa a man of strong natural tiilents, a tirm and energetic
defender of the truth and u successful pastor. During his paet^jrate of a
little more than thirty-seven years between four and five hundred per-
sons were admitted to the cluin.h. . . . The great revival of his
ministry was in the years 1801 and 1802. At that time one hundred and
forty-two new menibeni were united to the church. In 1811 there was
another revival, when thirty or forty pei-sons were added to the church.
In 1817 there was utill another, of which about fifty more were made
subjects. Mr. Smith was dismissed (at his own request) in February,
18;n, and died in HoUie, May 11, 1S47."
Rev. David Perry, the third minister, was born at
Worcester, Mass., July 26, 1798 ; graduated at Dart-
mouth College in 1824, at the Theological Seminary
at Andover in 1827 ; and was ordained at Cambridge-
port, Mass., May, 1828. He was dismissed at Cam-
bridgeport, afterwards installed as pastor of the
church in Hollis, February 23, 1881, and dismissed,
at his own request, June 13, 1842, after a pastorate of
more than ten years. Mr. Perry died at Ware-
ham, Mass., August 27, 187(>, aged seventy-eight, and
was buried in Hollis.
Rev. James Aiken, the fourth pastor, was born in
Gortstown, N. H., November 14, 1810, graduated at
Darlmouth Ci)llcge in 1839, and at Union Theological
Seminary in 1842. He was ordained pastor August
30, 1843, and remained nearly five years. Dismissed
July 3, 1848.
Rev. Matthew D. fJordfm. Hfth minister, was born
at Blantyre, Scotland, December 10, 1812. He was
ordained pastor March 21, 1849, and dismissed in
consetpience of ill health June 7, 1852. Died at
Hoosick Falls, N. Y., August 21, 1853, aged forty.
Rev. Pliny Butts Day, D.D., sixth minister, was
born at Huntington, Mass., April 21, 1806; gradu-
ated at Amherst College in 1834, and at the Theo-
logical Seminary at Andover in 1837; was installed
as pastor of this church July 7, 1852. He received
the honorary degree of D.D. from Dartmouth College in
1864, of which institution he waa a trustee for several
years previous to his death. He died at Hollis July
6, 1869, aged sixty-three.
The published writings of Dr. Day are " Letter^
from Europe," 1851; "Two Sermons," the Sabbath
after his installation, 1852 ; " New Year's Address,"
1854; "Sermons:" at the funeral of Benjamin F.
Nichols, 1854; at the funeral of John H. Cutter, 1860 ;
" Farewell to Soldiers," 1861 ; in memory of John H.
Worcester, 1864; "Victory and its Dangers," 1865 ;
in memory of Abraham Lincoln, 1865; at the funeral
of Benjamin M. Farley, 1865. Dr. Day was also a
valued contributor to the Congregationalist and Con-
gregational Journal.
Rev. James Laird, seventh minister, was born at
Huntingdon, Canada East, September 4, 1833. Died
at Hollis May 25, 1870, aged thirty-six.
Rev. Hiram L. Kelsey, eighth minister, was born
at Wheelock, Vt., August 31, 1835 ; was installed
pastor of the church and society at Hollis June 1,
1875, and dismissed (at his own request) March 1,
1878.
Rev. D. B. Scott, in the fall of 1878, was engaged as i
minister of the society, and remained until January
1, 1885.
BEACON'S.
William Comings, chosen 171o ; died September 0, 1858, aged forty-
si.v years.
Thomas Patch, chosen \1ih ; died May 1, \~zA, aged forty yearn.
Francis Worcester, chosen 1747 ; died October U*. 1800, aged seventy-
nine years.
Enoch Noyes, rhosen 1750 ; died September, 1796, aged eighty years.
John Boynton, rhosen Mrtb ; died (»ctober20, 17s7, aged sixty-seven
years.
Stephen Jewett, rhosen 177n ; died May 2:i, Ifi'tii, aged seventy-five
years. ^
Daniel Emerson, Jr.. ohosen 177.'> ; died October 4, 1820, aged sevenly-
frmr years.
Josiah Conant, chosen 17^7 ; died .VngusI 2l, ISO", aged t-ixty-one
years.
Abe! Conant, rhosen 178" ; died May 2, ISM, aged eiglity-eight
years.
Ephraim Burge, chosen 1803 ; died March 3, 184:1, aged seventy-eight
years.
Thomas Farh-y, chosen I80;i ; died March 17, 1S32, aged sixty-three
years.
Stephen Jewett, Jr., chosen 1808 ; died February 22, 1829, aged
seventy-five years.
Benoni Cutter, chosen 1814 ; died January 17, 181fi, aged forty-fonr
years.
Euo6 Hardy, chosen 18U> ; dud May 18, 1857, aged eighty-five'
years.
Phillips Wood, chosen 1820; died January 14, 1N.'»8, aged seventy-siX
yeai-s.
William Emerson, chosen 1832 ; djfd December 3, 1H73, agetl <ighty-
two years.
Isaac Farley, chosen 18.(2 ; dii'd Fi'lmiary 20, 1874, aged tiinoly
years.
John B. Hardy, chosen 18;(8,
Rev. Leoimnl Jewett, chosen 1846; died February 10, 1862, aged
seventy-four yeai-s.
Hev. James; 1>. Hills, chosen 18o7 ; deceased.
Noah Farley, chosen 1860; died April 4, isTii, aued ^.■v.■nty-six.
Enoch I'olhiirn, chosen I8ti3.
Perry 51. Farley, chosen 1875.
George M. Mnidby, chosen 1875.
Nathan Willonghby.
The first meeting-house was built in 1741. It was
a one-story |)rimitive structure.
The second church edifice was erected in 1746.
June 18, 174*1, the town voted, —
HOLLIS.
445
* Tu MM if Ike tuwii will build u lluuMi fur the Public wuretiip of tiud,
' To se« if till* tuwu will Accc>pt the TinilHir wliicli ia liuwii and drawD
toKvtIii-r tu bllilil a JIou;«e with, and chose H Columittee to take cliai'ge of
•aid Wurk.
"To («■«.■ if till,' iMWii will aivept tlie acre of l,aliil tliat wa*i givi'n the
PariHli to Si'tt tbe Jlui-tillK llotiae nil and fur a Burying IMai--e.
"To see if tile town will vole that tlie tiioney due from Cnpt. I'owei>
iiliall lie laid nut in aiiiniunition for a town St^ick.
To i^'C if Ilio Town will provide a Pound and Slocks."
At this niei'ting, also, the town vot«d, —
■ Iwt, To build a House for the Public Worship of GimI.
" ;M, To accept the Timber that was prejiared for said use to build said
Huusi' with.
":l<l. Chose Ueigaiuin Farley. Ueiganiiu itlaiichard and Capt. Powers
iiimittee to take care and sec that said House ia built.
Itli, To accept the l<alid that wari given to the Parish to Sett tlie
Meeting House on and for a Burying Ground."
.VfttT the niecting of the 13th of June, such progress
w:ls made with the new nieetinfr-house that a sjieeial
lown-nicetii)}; was called on the 28th of the following
July, at which it was " i'oled that y' Meeting House
be raised on the 13th of August next (1746)." "Also
Voted that y' Coui"' provide Victuals and Drink for
y' People on Raising Day, and bring it to the Fraim
at noon. If tliey Can't Get it among our Kriends, to
Provide it Themselves."
The third and jircsenl house of worship was erected
in 1.SII4, and remodeled and enlarged in 1849.
Baptist Church. — A Bajitist Church was formed in
this lowii as early as 1791. This was soon after dis-
solved. There was also a churcli in existence heri
about l.S'J2, litit there is no record of it.
March 31, ls:{i;,a new society was formed, and .lune
(J, 1837, the First ISaplist Church in HoUis was organ-
ized with twenty-eight meinliers. Among the clergy-
men who otiieiateil for this church were the following:
Revs. P. Kieharilson, D. V. Demiiig, H. W. Dalton,
B. l'ea.se, O. I!. IJiils. \ rliunh edilice was erected
in 1838. It was sold in IsCi'.t ;inil niiiovcd. The so-
ciety is dissolved.
The HoUis Mutual Fire Insurance Company was
organized .\ugiisl :i, ls4(i, with llie following otlicers:
President, I^lieiiezer Fo.'c ; Secretary and Treasurer.
E<lward Kiiurson; Directors, l-coiianl I'arlev, David
J. Wriglil. I "avid W. Sawtell, William I'. Saumler-
gon, .loel Ihirdy and .\mlirose H. Wood.
The Social Library wa.s incorporated June 11,
1791', and is one of the oldest in the .State.
Physicians.— Ihe follnwing physicians have prac-
ticed in II III Us: .1 una than Fox,.lonathan Pool, William
Hale, H. ( utter, Peter Manning, ( )liver Scripture, (J. M
Cooper, J. I.. Ciilhy, L. H. l'"arrar, W. .V. Tracy, Henry
Boynton, II. W. Willotighhy, G. B. Greeley, E. C.
Clarke, .'^. lirintim, A. W. Howe, C. C. Corey.
Postmasters. — .Vmbrose (iould, from 1818 to 1830;
■Benoiii (!. Culler, from \S'.W to iKH.'i; Moses Proctor,
from 1k;',.'i to 183li; William Hutterfield, from IS.'tll to
184(»; Franklin Wright, from 1S40 to 184o; Kdward
Emerson, from 1845 to 18.34; Ueiiben llaldwin, from
1854 to 18.J6; William N.Tenney, from 1856 to 1858;
David W. Sawtell, from 18.58 to 1862; Ebenezer T.
Wheeler, from 1862 to 1867 ; William A. Trow, from
1867 to 1875; Henry X. Smith, from 1S75 to 1877;
George A. Burge. from 1877 to 1885.
Population.— 1746, 53; 1750,77; 1755, 107; 1760,
117 ; 1765, 131 ; 1771, 231 ; 1775 (at the beginning of
the war), 279; 1783 (at the end of the war), 293;
1783, 1392; 1790, 1441 ; 1800, 1557 ; 1810, 1529; 1820,
1543; 1830, 1501; 1840, 1333; 1850, 1293; 18(10,
1317; 1870, 1079; 1880, 1080. The population in
1767 included one male and one female slave.
CHAPTER III.
HOLLIS— (CoiitiiiKcd).
CIVIL HISTOKY
llicurpoi-ation of Town — First Towu-Meetintr— 'I'liuii ctiTk- s.-I.-i-Imk-ii
— Representatives.
Thr town wa-s incorporated, as betore meiilioned,
April 3, 1746, and on the 28th of the same nmntli
the first town-meeting wa.s held ami the liillowing
olhcers were chosen :
Samuel Cumings, luodetator ; Samuel Cuuiings, town clerk ; Samuel
Ciimings, Benjamin Farley, Francis Worcester, sflectnien ; Thomas
Dinsmore, Francis Pliolps, Nicholas French, .laim-:. ^Irlianiels, Samuel
Parker, surveyora of highways ; .lames Stewart, Clirislopher Lovejoy,
tithingmen; .Jonathan Ilanforth, iienjaiiiin Ulauchard, fence-viewer* ;
Nicholas French, William ,\daiiis, hog-reeves; Klias Smith, pound-
keeper ; Elias Smith, sealer of weights and nieasui-es ; Samuel Itiow ii,
sealer of leather.
Town Clerks. — The following is a list of the town
clerks from 1746 to 1885:
Samuel Cumings, 1740 to 1770, ex-
cept 17o;j, '04 and 'lifi.
Samuel Goodhue, 175."i, '.M.
,lohn Hale. nr,f>.
Wlllium Cumings, 1771, '72, and
178'Jtol78».
.Samuel (.'umings, Jr., 177.3, '74.
Noah Worcester, 1773 to 1779.
Daniel Knierson, 17S0, 1781.
Solomon Wheat, 1789 to 179.1,
IBOO, 1801, and IMIO to 181C, ex-
cept 181-2 and 181:).
Jesse Worcester, 1799.
Daniel Emerson, Jr, 1802 to 180.3.
.Vmos Kastman, 18or>.
llenjaniin Pool, 18117, 1SI)8.
Anilirusit Gould, I81'A 181:!.
Christopher P. Farley, 1717 to
1819.
Ileiijjinilii M. Farley, 18211 to 182.1.
Selectmea.— The follow!
men from 1746 to 1885:
Samuel ('uniiliKS, 17-10 to 1770, ex-
cept 17.'i:i, I7.-4 and 171111.
Iteiijiimin Fiu-luy, I74G, '47 anil
1748,
Fnincis Worcester, 174(1, '47, '48,
iK, '0:1 and niiT:
Stephen Anuw, 1747, '18, '(i'2, '07,
'7:t, '7.3, '70, '77 and 1779.
Natlianlul Tuwiisand, 1747 and
'.32.
William .\mc«, 182.1, '24.
Jonathan T. Wright, 182o to '29.
Noah Hardy, 18:10, 1831.
Joseph E. Smith, 18:1'2, ':i:i, '42,
'40, '47, and 1854 to 'Kl.
Moses Proctor, 18.14, '33.
William P. Hale, 1«;)0, '37, ':t9,
'40, '41, 5", '.31.
Edward Emei^n, 18:18 and 18.32.
Ileulicn Ilaldwln, 184:1 to '4.3, "01,
'62.
John Coburn, 1818.
William P. Saiinderfloii, 1849,
Luther Pristor. IK3:I and '00.
William .\. Trow, IMIVI to '(».
Elsnezer T. Wheeler, 1800 to '70.
IsaJic Ilanly, 1871 to '74.
George A. Burge, 1873 lo 1884.
M. J. Powers, 1884.
Henry N. Smith, 188.3.
ing is a list of the selcct-
Saniuel Brown, 1748.
Kllas Smith, 1748.
Kms'h Hunt, 1719.
J.whiia Wright, 17 19 and 1707.
Moss's Proctor, 1749.
Enoch Noyes, 1749, 1731 to 17.34,
1150 to 17lil>, 1778.
Samuel (iisslliue, 1700, 'SI, '10,
'.M and 17311.
lh.ig. Mlaiicliard, 17.30 and 17.34.
446
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Zacbariab Lavrence, 1754 kod
1757.
John Cumings, 1751.
Josiah Coimnt, 1751 and 1755.
Benjumiu .\bbut, 1752, '53, '54,
\19, 'GO and 17C1.
John Boynton, 1768, '61, 'r,2, '60,
'08, '80 and 1781.
John Hale, 1761, '04 and 1700.
Abol Wcbuter, 1701.
Stephen Webster, 1762, '03 and
1765.
Samuel Ilobart, 1704 and 1706.
Stephen Jewett, ITI.r,.
Jonas Flatrs, 1700.
Caleb Farley, 1707.
Jonathan I'hilbrirk, 1707 and
1768.
Noah Welwter, 1709, '7.5, "0, '77,
'78 and '79.
Reuben Dow, 1709, '70, '78 and
1788.
William Tenney, 1769.
James Jewett, 1709.
William Brown, 1771, '72, '9.'. and
I79I1.
William Pool, 1771.
Ebeneier Kendall, 1771, '72.
William t'omings, 1771, 72, and
1782 to 1788.
William Ncvins, 1771 and 1772.
Samuel Cumings, Jr., 1773 and
1774.
Jacob Jewett, Jr., 1773, '7.i, '76.
Nathaniel Ball, 1773.
Elnathan Blood, 1773.
Amos Eastman, 1772.
Leonard Whiting, 1774.
John (Joss, 1774, 80, '85, '80, '87,
'8S.
Daniel Kendrick, 1775, '76 and
1777.
Oliver Lawrence, 1775, '76 and
1779.
Daniel Emerson, 1780, '81.
Jonathan Fox, 1780 and 1781.
William Read, 1780.
Solomon Wardwell, 1782, 'S).
Ebenezer Jewett, 1782, '8.3, '84.
Jeremiah Pritchard, 1784.
Jeremiah Ames, 178.'), '86.
Thiuldeus Wlieeler, 1787, '89, '90,
181K3, '1)7 and 1808.
Nathan Colburn, 1789, '90, 91,
'92, '-.H and '97.
Jonas Willonghby, 1789.
Solomon Wheat, 1789 to 1798,
1800, '01, 09. 10, '11, 14, 15
and 16.
Jonathan Danfortli, 1789.
William Tinney, Jr., 1791, '92,
'93, 94, '98, '99 and 1800.
Ephraim Burge, 1795 and 1790.
Jesse AVorcestcr, 1797, '99 and
1800.
Benjamin Wright, 1798. '00.
Benjamin Pool, 1801 to 18n8, 1833,
•34.
Stephen Dow, 18fll.
Daniel Bailey, 18(p2, O:), '04, 'ftn,
09, 10, 11, 12 and 1813.
Amos Ijistman, Jr., 18U*i.
Samson Powers, 1807 and 1808.
Enoe Hardy, 1809, 10, '12 and
1819.
David Hale, 1811.
Ambrose Qould, 1812 and 1813.
Jonathan Samidereon, 1813, '14,
■l.'i, '10 and '17.
Benjamin M. Farley, 1815, '10, '17,
'18, "^O, '21, "22, '25, '26, '27,
'28 and '29.
Christopher P. Farley, 1814, '17,
'18 and '19.
Nathaniel Jewett, 1818.
Jonathan T. Wheeler, 1819, '20
and '21.
William Ames, 1820, '21, '22, '2.3,
and '24.
Ralph W. Jewett, 1822.
ThomnH OumingB, 1823 and 1824.
Jonathan T. Wright, 1823 to 1829,
and 18:m.
William Emerson, 1825.
Ralph E. Tenney, 1820, '27, '28,
'.30, '31, '.32.
Betuamin Farley, 1829.
Noah Hardy, 1S30 and '31 .
William Hale, 1.<:10, '31, '32.
Joseph E. Smith, 18.32, "Xi, '12,
'40, ' 17. and 18."i4 to 1859.
William Merrill. 1833 and '34.
Moses Proctor, 18:J4 and '3'i.
Leonanl Farley, 18;i.% '30, '39.
William P. Hale, 1830, '37, '39,
'411, '41, '.'lO, '.il.
Almon D. Marshall, 18,30, '37.
Phillii« Wood. 1.S37, '.38.
.lohn N. Worcester, 1S:18.
Edward Emerson, 18.38 and '.52.
Ezekiel M. Bradley, 1.8:)9, '40.
James Wheeler, 1840, '41.
Samuel Little, 1841. '42.
John Farley, 1842, '43.
Reuben Baldwin, 184,3, '44, '45,
'61, '02.
John L. Pool, 1843 to '4C.
William P. Sannderson, 1847, '49.
Amos Hardy, l.'*44. '45, '40.
Thomas Brown, 1847.
JohTi I'obnrn. 1848.
David J. Wright, 1848, '49.
William N. Tenney, 1848, '49.
Luther Proctor, 1850, '.'.], '.'.Z, '53,
•00, '70. '71.
Nehemiah Bontwell, 1850.
Noah Johnson, 1851.
Nathan M. Ames, 1852, '53, '.">4,
'0.'i.
Stillman Spiiulding, 185^1.
Janus W. Wheeler, 1854, '.56, '57.
De.vter GreenwtKMl, 1855.
Daniel Bailey, 1855.
Warner Rend, 1850, '57.
Edward Hanly, 18.58, '59.
EIk iie/er T. Wheeler, 18.i8.
Joseph D. Parker, 1859, 'at.
David M. Farley, 1800.
John Mooar, 1861.
J^crson Farley, 1861 '62.
Enoch Farley, 1862, '63, '04.
William A. Trow, 1803, '04.
Oliver P. Eastman, 180.3, 'irl.
Charles A. Read, 1803, '66, '07.
Francis .\. Wood, 1865.
Enoch J. Colburn, 1806.
John Wt>ods, 1800 to '69.
Frederick A. Wood, 1807 to '69.
Charles H. Worcester, 1868.
George Moore, 1809. '70
Daniel .^I. Smith, 1870, '71.
I George A. Burge, 1871 to '73.
Andrew Jewett, 1881, '82, '83.
Charles A. Hale, I88'2, '8.3 and
1885.
James E Hills, 1863.
Ralph E. Tenney, 1884.
Truman Hurd, 1884.
George H. Blooil, 1884.
James D. Hills, 188:..
Charles B. Richardson, 1885.
Silas H. Spaulding, 1872 to '75.
James E. Hills, 1872 to 1875.
Adkins J. Turner, 1874, '75.
Timothy E. Flugg, 1870 to '78.
John A. Coburn. 1870 to '78.
Charles W. Hardy, 1876 to '79.
Charles .«. Spaulding, 1879, '80.
Charles M. Stratton, 1879, '80, '81,
'82.
Henry N. Smith, 1880, "81.
Representatives. — Tlie following is a list of the
Representatives from 1739 to 1858 :
1739. — Abraham Taylor and Peter Powers were delegates of the set-
tlers in West Dunstable to the Massachusetts General Court upon their
petition for a charter.
1744. — James Stewart was delegate of the inhabitants of West Dun-
stable to the New Hampshire General Court, to present their petition for
garrisons and sfildiers for protection against the Indians.
1740. — Stephen .\me3 w;w delegate of the settlers in the west part of
Hollis, to the New Hampshire General Court, upon their |H-tition for a
committee to locate the new meeting-house.
1747. — Samuel Cumings was delegate of the town to the New Hamp-
shire General Court, upon its petition for an act forlaxing the land of
non-residents for the support of the ministry, and also upon the petition
of the town for scouts for protection against the Indians.
1702-68. — Dr. John Hale, representative to the New Hamiisltire Gen-
eral Court six years, from 1762 to 1768.
1768-74. — Colonel Samuel Hobart, representative to the New Hamp-
shire General C<>urt six yeai-s, from 1708 to 1774.
1774. — Stephen Ames, Reuben Dow and Stephen Jewett, delegates to
tlie First County Congress, at .\mher^t, Nov»'mber 8, 1774.
1775. — Stephen Jewett and Enoch Noyes, delegates to the Second
County Congress, held -\pril 5, 1775.
William Nevius, Jeremiah .\me8 and Samuel Farley, delegates to the
Thii-d County Congress at ,\mherst, held May 24, 1775.
Colonel John Hale, delegate to the Provincial Convention at Exeter,
.lanuary 25, 1775, to consult in respect to a Continental Congress.
Colonel John Hale,representative to the General Court, at Portsmouth,
February '23, 1775.
Colonel Samuel Hobart, delegate to the Provincial Congress, "at Exe-
ter, .\pril, 1775.
Colonel J(»hn Hale and Deacon Enoch Noyes, cboecn delegates to the
Provincial Congress to meet at Exeter, May 13, 1775. Colonel Hale not
being able to attend. Colonel Hobart wjis elected in his pltu;e May 2l8t.
November 12. — Stephen Ames chosen representative to the General
Court for one year.
1770, November 26. — Stephen .\mes again chosen representative to the
General Coui-t for one year.
1777, November 25. — Stephen .\mes chosen representative for the third
time to the General Court for one year.
1778, December 12. — Captain Reuben Dow chosen representative to
the General Court.
Apt il 0. — Captain Noah Woivester and Deacon Enoch Noyes chosen
delegates to the convention at Concord to form a " new plan " of gov-
ernment.
1779, August 12. — Colonel John Hale chosen delegate to the conven-
tion held at Concord, September 23, 1779, to '* state prices."
December 2. — Colonel John Hale chosen representative to the General *
Court.
1780, November 23. — Colonel Hale again chosen representative to the
General Court.
1781, November 21. —Captain Daniel Emeiw>n chosen representative to
the General Court.
1782, October 28. — Richanl Cutis Shannon chosen representative to the
General Court.
1791, .\ugu8t 28.— Captain Daniel Emerson chosen delegate to the
New Hampshire Constitutional Convention.
Captain Daniel Emerson, 1783 to i Daniel Bailey, 1813.
1791, '98, '99, 1801, '02, '03, '09, Benjamin y\. Farley, 1814 to 1818,
10 and 11
Jeremiah Amos, 1792 to '97 and
ism I.
Benjamin Pool, 18l>4 to 1808.
Nathan Thayer, 1812, '19, "20 and
'21.
18'24 to 1829.
Riilph W. Jewett, 1822 and '23.
Jonathan T. Wright, 1830 and '31.
Ralph E. Tenney, 1832, '33, '34
and '45.
Moses Proctor, 1835, '30 and '.37.
110!, 1, IS.
447
Jowpk G. !<iiiitli, lias and ':i'j.
LcoUBfJ KkfIi)-, 1»4ii, '41, '42.
W'illiniu Merrill, 1843 aud '44.
William I'. Hah', llMIJ, '47 and '48.
John L. IVhiIi', 1H4'.i and '5U.
Alniun I>. Marskull, ISJl and 'u2.
John Farli-.v, 1M3 and '54.
John S. Haywood, 1855.
HlUor Jam«fl Wheeler, 1856 and
'57.
John H. Cutter, la58 and '59.
Mlnot Farley, ISfiO and 'lil.
Luther I'roctor, 1862.
BeuUen llaldwiii, 18IU and Gt.
.lohn (Xtburn, 18ti5 and '06,
Timothy E. Flagg, 1807 and '08.
Charles B. Richardson, 18G9 and
•7».
Charles H Worcester, 1871 and
'72.
John Wo<ida, 1873 and '74.
f'harles \. Reed, 1875 and '70.
Franklin Worcester, 1877 and '78.
Cliarles Klehardsun, 187'J and '8U.
George Jloore, 1881 and '82.
Hilaa M. .Spaulding, 1883 and '84.
Frederick Worcester, 1885.
CHA I'TKl! 1 \' .
HOI.LIS— (Ciitiniicrf).
MILIT.VUY HISTOIiY.
The Ileroew of Four Wars — The French and Indian War — War of tlm
Revolution — 1812 — War of the Rebellion — Soldiers' Monument — John
H. WorcesU-r Post, G. A. R.
In the regiment wliiili \v:is raised in Now JLiin|)-
ahiro I'di- the Crown Point e.^peilition, in 1755, Rev.
Daniel Knierson was chaphiin, I'r. .Jolin Hale sur-
geon's mate, and JonatliMii iliiMiard (Hohert) adju-
tant, all ol'lioUis.
Nearly two-thirds of the Third Company of this
regiment were also IloUis men. Of this eompany,
Peter Powers was captain ; Hciijamin Abbot, lieuten-
ant ; William Cuminfrs, eiisi^rn ; James ('olburn,
clerk; David llulibard (llobartj and Samuel Cum-
ings, sergeants ; .Jonathan Powers, Enoch Noyes,
Stephen Ilazeltine and .lames Brown, corporals; and
Samuel Brown, drummer, all of Ilollis. Among the
private soldiers, or sentinels, we recognize the tbllow-
ing Hollis names, viz.: .Isicob Abbot, Ebenezer Ball,
Samuel Barrett, .Tabez Davis, John Flagg, Jonathan
Fowler, .losiah French, John CJoodhue, James Hill,
George Lesley, Christopher Lovejoy, Levi Powers,
Stephen Powers, Whitconib Powers, Isaac Stearns,
Nathaniel Townsend, Daniel Wheeler, .lames Wheeler,
Peter Wheeler and .John Wiloughby, making in all
thirty-four Hollis men in this regiment.
In August, 1757, after the capture of Fort W'illiam
Henry by the French and Indians, a battalion of two
hundre<l and fifty New Hampshire troops was raised
for the defense of Fori I'Mward, near Lake < ieorge,
commaniled by .Major Thomas Tash. In the First
Company of this battalion there were eleven Hollis
soldiers, viz. : Benjamin Abbot, Jacob Abbot, Stei)hen
Ames, Kjihraim Blood, Elnathan Blood, Robert
Campbell, Timothy Emerson, .Tohn Hale, Samnel
Hobart, (Sergeant) Jonathan Hobart tind .lohn Wil-
loughby.
In 1758 a regiment of New Ilanipsliire troops was
raised, commanded by Colonel .John Hart, of Ports-
mouth, a part of which was ordered to join a .seconrl
expedition against Louisburg and the remainder to
serve on the western frontier. Of this regiment
Rev. Daniel I'^merson was cha|ilain, and l>i. .Inlm
Hale surgeon. Of its sixth company, Ebenezer
.laquith was second lieutenant and Josiah Brown
ensign. Besides the foregoing, there were also in the
same company sixteen Hollis soldiers, making in all
twenty Uollis men in this regiment, viz.: Nathaniel
Blood, Joseph Easterbrook, .lonathan Fowler, .lames
French, Samuel Hazeltine, .lames Hubbard (Hobart),
Thomas Nevins, Ebenezer Pierce, Whitcomb Powers,
Thomas Powers, Isaac Stearns, Samuel Stearns, .lames
Taylor, Abel Webster, Peter Wheeler and .lolin
Willoughby.
Iq 1759, the year of the capture of (Quebec, a New
Hampshire regiment was raised and put under the
command of Colonel Zaccheus Lovewell, of Dun-
stabli', with its rendezvous at that place. With the
exception of two companies, the rolls of this regi-
ment are lost; but as it was made up of drafts from
the militia regiments of the whole province, and its
headquarters being in an adjacent town, there can be
no rciusonable doubt that ibe Hidlis soldiers were
well represented in it.
In 17()0, the year of the tinal concjuest of Canada,
New Hampshire furnished its last regiment of eight
hundred men for this war, of which John Gotle was
colonel, having its headfiuarters at Litchfield. This
regiment marched to its destination by the way of
Monson, Keene, the (Jreeii Mountains, anil thence
to Crown Point. Its adjutant was Samuel Hobart,
and on the roll of one its companies I find the follow-
ing names of Hollis soldiers: Joseph Taylor, lieu-
tenant ; .lames Taylor, sergeant ; and among the
privates, .lotham Cnmings, Francis Powers and
.loshua Wright.
In the foregoing lists there will be found sixty-one
ditl'ereut names of men who, as private soldiers or offi-
cers, in the several years of that war, went into the
army from the territory now or at that time embraced
in Hollis.
War of the Revolution. -The first reference on
the town riMord to the War of the Revolution is
under date of November 7, 1774, which was a meeting
called to choose delegates for the County Congress, to
be held on the following day at Amherst. Deacon
Stephen .lewett. Ensign Stephen .Vines and Lieutenant
Reuben Dow were chosen, and the follnwing preamble
and residution adopted:
" Pretiiitlile. — We. the inhiibitunlfn't the ti>w ii "f Ili'lle^, Iiiivinj; taken
into our most aeriouH conttide ral ion tlii> precnrioUH and mortt alarniing
allairHof our land at the preeeni day, do tlrndy outer Into the fti|]o\%'ing
reHolUtiiin :
" Tli.it we will at all linieH endeavor tn maintain our lili«'it> iiiitl |>ri\
ilegen, both civil and rtiicred, even at the riK.|ile of our liven and I'orliilieH,
and will not only disapprove, but wholly ileNpitH' all such |H'n..iilM 'W we
have jiint and Holid reiiM^im to think even winli un in any uieaHure to Ix*
deprived of them."
In 1774, C'27 lli.v. ■'!</. was a.sse8.sed upon the iidiabit-
! ant.H for ammunition.
On December liO, 1774, it was
'* WUtiil, that we do conlially accede to tlli>.iur>t Mlat.-meiit if tin- riglilu
aud grievancec of the Uritish colouieH and the uieaHureH adopli-d ainl
448
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
rucoiuiiieuded by tlie Coutiiieiital Cuugress fur tlu* restoiutioii and fstab-
litshoieiit of the former iind fur tlie redress of the luttcr.
'* Voted, thut Cul. John Hah*, Dca. Stephen Jewett, Pea. John lloyntoii,
Ensign Stephen Ames, Dea. Enoch Noyes, Eiisigu Noah Wortester,
Datiie] Kcndrick, Jeremiah Anieti, Wiltiaiii Jtrowii and William Nuvins,
or the niHJur part of theiii, be a committee in behalf of the town to ob-
serve the conduct of all persons touching the association agreement.
" Voted, to raise £16 138. Sd. as a donation to the poor of Boston."
.Vpril 28, 177r>, it was
"Voted, that wo will pwy two commissioned officers, four non-commis-
sioned ortic^rs and thirty-four rank and file, making in the whole forty
good and able men, to join the army in Cambridge, paying said officers
and men the same wages the Ultussachusetts men receive, and will also
victual the same till such time as the resolution of the General Court or
the Congress of the Province of New Hampshire shall be known respect-
ing the raising of a standing army the ensuing summer.
*'2nd. Voted, that the selectmen provide necessaries for sundry poor
families where the men are gone into the army till further orders, and the
amount be deductiul uut of their wages.
*'3d. r.'/f</, that what gniin wasruised for the poor of Bceton shall be
one-half sent to the army, and the other halt to he distributed to the
above famihes."
May 11, 177o, it was
" Votvii, and chose Col. John Hale and Di-acon Enoch Noyes, Delegates
to the Provincial Congress to meet at Kxeter on the 17th of May, inst.
Also, Voted and instructed our delegates to join the other Governments
in raising and paying their proportions in men atid money, in the defence
of the Liberties of these Colonies,
" Province of New Hampshire, I Si>ecial town meeting May 18, 1775^
Hillsborough County, SS. ) Ensign Noah Worcester, moderator.
'* At a meeting of the inhJibitants of the town of Holies, 51ay the ISth,
in the day of our public distress, occasioned by a letter from Mr. Paniel
Campbell and Mr. Junathan Mai-tin, a committee fur calling a Congress
for this county, whirli Congi'css was called for the following purpose :
"1. Togo into some mejLsures for the bflter security of the internal
policy of the county to prevent declining into a state of Nature.
" 2. To see if the Congi'ess will appoint ii committee of correspondence
to wait on or Join the Congress of Massachusetts Buy.
"3. To enforce a strict adherence to the Association Agreement of the
Continental Congress."
'* Colony of New Hampshire, \ Special n»eeting, December 1"2, 1775.
Hillsborough County, SS. i Col. John Hale, Moderator.
" Voted, and chose Ensign Stephen Ames a delegate to the Congress or
Assembly at Exeter for a year.
"iK»^/(09'Fo/e«.— A dispute arose respecting some votes which were
brought in writing of persont^ gone into the army, wliich being put to
vote, they were allowed as if the meu were present Ihemaclvea."
A Mtinter-RoU of Oiptaiu Heidien Dole's Covipany of Mimiie-Men tcho
marched fiom Holler the 19/A of April, 1775.
Iioul>en Dow, captain ; John Goss, first lieutenant ; John Cumings,
second lieutenaut ; Nathan Blood, Joshua Boynturi, William Nevins,
Minot Farmer, sergeants; Samson Powers, James Mcintosh, James Mc-
Connor, Ephiiiim Blood, coi-jMinils; David Karnsworth, drummer ; Noah
Worcester, Jr., lifer-, Benjamin Abbot, David Ames, Jouathan Ames,
John Atwell, Ebenezer Ball, Nalhauiel Ball, Job Bailey, Joel Bailey,
Joseph Bailey, Richard Baiby, Daniel Bb>od, Francis Blood, Jonas Blood,
Benjamin Boyntim, Elias Boynton, Abel BruMu, John Campbell, James
Colburri, Nathan Colburn, Thomas Culbnrn, Samuel Conroy, Benjamin
Cuniings, Jacob Danfnrth, James Dickey, Amos Eastman, Jonathan
Eastman, Benjamin Kiirley, Ebene/.er Farley, James Kisk, Josiah Fisk,
William French, Ebenezer Gilnon, Manuel Grace, Aaron Hanly,
Samuel Hill, Samuel Hoslcy, Epluuim How, Ebenexer Ja<piith, Sam-
uel Jewett, tMwnrd Juhnson, Samuel Johnson, ThumaH Kemp, Ab-
ner Keyes, Israel Kiiiiu-y, Sjimuel Leeman, ItJindalt McDaniels, Juse))h
Minol, Benjamin N^'viiif, Jit«>eph Nevins, ThouuLs Piitcli, Nathan Phelps,
John Philbiifk, Epiiraim I'iene, N'ahum Powei-s, Tln'mas Pratt, E/ekiel
Proctor, Jacub Ileed, Jonathan Russ, Benjamin Sanders, Robert Seaver,
Jiuub Spaulding, Isaac Stearns, Amos Taylor, Daniel Taylor, William
Tenuey, David WullingronI, Nathaniel Wheat, Thomas Wheat, Ebenezer
Wheeler, Thaddeus Wheeler, Lehbeua Wheeler, Bray Wilkins, Israel
Wilkins. William Wood. Benjamin Wright, Ik-njamin Wright, Jr., Uriah
Wright, Josse Wyimui, Ebene/.er Voungman, jirivatus.
Tliirty-nine uf the privates of the eonipany, after
an absence of from five to twelve days, returned to
HoUis. The remaining fifty-three, with but few, if
any, exceptions, stayed at Cambridge and volunteered
in other companies, to serve for eight months. Much
the largest part of those who remained at Cambridge
re-enlisted for eight months in a new company under
Captain Dow, of which John Goss was also first lieu-
tenant and John Cumings second lieutenant. This
company Wiis afterwards mustered into the Massachu-
setts regiment, commanded by Colonel William Pres-
cott, the hero of Bunker Hill, who. at the time, lived
near the north line of the adjoining town of Pepperell,
a large part of his farm being in Hollis. Thomas Col-
burn and Ebenezer Youngman, two of these Minute-
Men, enlisted in the company of Captain Moor, of
Groton, Mass., in the same regiment, and were both
killed in the fight at Bunker Hill. Job Bailey,
Ephraim How and Samuel Leeman, three others of
them, joined the company of Captain Levi Spalding,
of Nottingham AVest (now Hudson ), in the New
Hampshire regiment that fought at Bunker Hill under
Colonel Reed, and were all present in the battle. Six
others of them — viz., Joel Bailey, Richard Bailey,
Nathan Colburn, Abner Keyes, David Wallingford
and Bray Wilkins — volunteered in the company of
Captain Archelaus Town, of Amherst, N. H., after-
wards mustered into the Twenty-seventh Massachu-
setts Regiment, commanded by Colonel Hutchinson.
Of this company Wallingford was second lieutenant
and Wilkins one of the sergeants.
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF HOLLIS SOLDIERS,' SHOWINli IN
WHAT YEAR THEY ENLISTED, WHEN AND HoW LONG
THEY WEKE IN THE SERVICE.
["1775 L." denotes enlisted April 10, 177'», for Lexington anil Cam-
bridge ; " Cam.," Cambridge ; " B. H.," at the battle of Bunker Hill ;
"C. A.," Continental army; "Port.," in garrison at Portsmouth,
N.H. ; '•Wli. P.,"atWhite Plains; "Ti.," Ticonderoga ; "1777 Al. T,"
Ticonderoga alarm, June, 1777; "Ben.," in the company of Captain
fiot«, at Bennington, July, 1777; "W. Pt.," West Point; "B. I.,"
Uhode Island ; " G. K.," naniee in the return of Ciiptnin does.]
Benjamin Abbot, '75, L., '78, R.
1., L»2 d.
William Adams, '7">, Cam., B. H.,
8 m.
Samuel Ambrose, '75, Cam., :j
mon.
David Amea, '75, Cam., B. H., 8
m., '70, C. A., 1 y., '77, C. A..
3y.
Jonathan Ames, '7'>, L.,'77, ALT.
John Atwell, '75, L., "l\\ Port.,
3 m., '78, R. I., 2*2 d.
John Auld, '78, C. A., 2 y.
Andrew Bailey, '75, C«n»., B. H.,
8 m., '7tJ, Port. 3 m., '77, C. A.,
8 m., '78, R. I., 22 d.
Daniel Bailey, '75, Cam., 3 m.,'77,
ALT., '78, K. I., 22 d., '79, R.
L, 5 m.
Daniel Bailey, Jr., '76, \Vh. P.,
5 m.
Job Bailey, '75, Cam., B. H., 8 m.
Joseph Bailey, '75, L.
Joel Bjiiiey, '75, Cam., 8 m., '80,
W. Pt., ;i m.
Ebenezer Ball, '75, Cam.,B. H.,
S in., '7G, Port, and N. Y.. 12 m.
Eleazer Ball, '75, Cam., 3 m., '77,
A I. T.
John Ball, '70, Ti., G m., '77, C.
A., 8 m.
Nathaniel Ball, Jr., '75, L.
William Ball, '77, AL T.
Joshua niiinehard, '75, Cam., 3ni.
Aliel BI.Kjd, 'Si^C. A..Gm.
Daniel BI'mkI, '75, Cam., 3mi., '77,
C. A.. 3y.
Daniel Blood, 2 d., '7(1, L.,75, Ti.,
m.
Elnutlmn BlotMl, '76, Ti., G. R
Ephraim Blood, '75, Cam., B. H.,
8 mo.
Fi-ancis Blood, '75, Cam., B. H.,
8 m.
*Frora W^orcester's HiBt<)ry.
HOLLIS.
449
Joaiah Blood, 'TG, Ti., 6 m.
Jo«iub Illood, Jr., '77, Al. T., '80,
W. rt., 3 m.
Lruiuel Dlixxl, '811, C. A., 6 ni.
Ksthiiu llluod, '75, L., '75, Qlin.,
B. H., 8 m.
Nslliiilliul Bluo.i, 78, B. I., 22 il.,
'SO, C. A.,ii in.
KathuQiel BK«k1, Jr., '78, B. I.,
•22 d.
Jolliw BI>Mjd, '75, L.
Beubeu Ulood, '77, Al. T., '78, C.
A., 2 )•., '80, C. A., in.
Simeim Blood, '77, Beo., '78, C.
A., 2 y., '80, N. Frontier, 6 ni.
Tiiiiolli)' Blood, 70, Wb. P., 5 in.,
•78, R. I., 22 d.
John BuiOKT, *81, C. A., 3 y.
Heur>- Bi»wers, '77, Ben.
Jeiulliiuuet Bowers, '79, C. A., 1 y.
Oliver Bowers, '77, Al. T.
Soiuuel Boyd, 78, C. A., 2 y., '80,
C. A.,3y.
Bei^ttinin Boyntun, '75, L., '7G,
Wb. P., 5 m.
Kliju Boynton, '75, Cam., B. U.,
8 in., '76, C. A., 1 y., '78, E. I.,
22 d.
lauc Boynton, '77, C. A., 3 y.
Jacob Boynton, '75, Cam., B. B.,
8 ni.
Joel BoynloD, '75, Cam., 3 m., *76,
Wh. I'., 5 mo.
John B-.yul'.n, 3 d., '77, C. A.,
8 m.
Joohua Boynton, '75, Cam., B. II.,
8 111., 77, Al. T.
John Brookh. '77, C. A.. 8 m.
U. William Brooks, '78, R. I., 22
d., 'hi, 3 ni.
Abel Br.iwn,'7.-., Cam., B. H., 8m.
William Brown, '76, Ti., U. R.
Elipbulet Brown, '75, Cam., 3 m.
'77, Al. T., '77, Ben.
Jo»e|ih llrown, '76, N. Y., 2 m.
Josiab Bruce, '75, Cam., 8 m.
Kphraini Ilurge, '77, Al. T.
John Camplnll, '75, Cam., B. H.,
8 ra., '77, Ben.
Edward Carter, '76, Wh. P., 5 ni.,
'77, <■. A., 3y.
Thomiui Carter, '78, K. I., 22 d.
Am Cbamtx-'rlain, '81, 3 m.
gunnel I'liamlierlaiii, '76, N. Y.,
Im.
Wilder Cluimberlain,'75, Cum, B.,
II., 8 m.
ElUah Clark, 81, C. A., 3 y,
Benjamin Colburn, '77, Al. T., '78,
B. I., Zi d.
Januv CidlHirn, '75, Cam., 3 m.,
'77. C. A , H ni.
Kniban Colburn, '75, L.,'75, Cam,,
8 ra., '711, Wh.P., 5 m.
RolKTt I'olliurn, '76, 0am., 3 m.
TbomitM (;olliurn, '75, L., '75,
Cam., B. H.. 8 m.
Abel i'onant, '75, Cain., B. II., 8
m.. ■7ii, C. A., I y., '78, R. I..
•K d.
JoMlah Conant,'75, Cam.. 3 ni.,*78,
R. I., -.'2 d.
llolK'rt Connick, '81, 3 in.
William Conniik, '76, Wh. P., 6
in, '77, C. A.,3y., '80, C. A., 6
William Cowen, '78, C. A., 2 y.
Beivjamin Cuming *75, L., '75,
Cam.. H. II.. 8 ni.,'76, C. A., ly.
Jidin I'oiiruy, '75, Ciuu., 3 m., 'Sit,
W. Pt.. 3 in.
John Oonroy, Jr., '78, C. A., 2 y.
Samuel Coui"oy, '75, L., '75, Cam.,
B. H., 8 m.
Stephen Conroy, '76, C. A., I y.,
'78, C. A., 2 y., '80, C. A., 6 m.
ClM<nezerCuiiiing8, '77, C. A., 3 y.
En. John Ciimiugt^, '75, L., '75,
Cum., B. H., 8 m.
Larnurd Cumings, '76, Port, and
N. Y., 12 m.
Peter Cumings, '75, Cam., B. U.,
8 m.
Philip Cumings, '75, Cam., B. H.,
8 m.
Williiun Cumings,'76, S. Y., 2 m.,
•77, Al. T.
Jacob Danforth,'7n, C. A., 1 y.,'77,
C. A., 3 y., '80, C. A., 6 m.
Joshua Davis, '76, Ti., 6 m.
Edwiird Deane, '81, C. A., 3 y.
James Dickoy, '75, L., '77, Al. T.
Capt. Keuben Dow, '75, L., '75,
Cam., B. H., 8 m., '78, K. I., 22
d.
Evan Dow. '75, Cam., B. H., 8 m.,
'78, R., I., 22 d.
Stephen Dow, '77, Al. T., '80, W.
Pt., 3 m.
Amos Ejistman, '75, L., '76, N. Y.,
2 m.
Caleb Eastman, *75, Cam., B. H.,
8 111.
Jonathan Eastman, '75, L.
Williiim Elliot, '75, Cam., B. H., 8
m., 71'., C. A., 1 y.
Capt. Daniel Emerson, '76, Ti., 6
in., '77, Al. T., '78, E. I., 22 d.,
•71), R. I., 5 m.
Dr. Peter Emerson, '79, R. I., 5
III.. Reg. Surg.
Ralph Emerson, '76, Ti., 6m., '77,
I'. A., 3 y.
Samuel Emeixjn, '70, R. I., 5 m.
Thomas Emerson, '76, Ti., 6 m.
Beigomin Farley, '75, L., '75,
Cam., 3 in.
Benjamin Farley, Jr., '76, Ti.,
6 m.
I,t. Caleb Farley, '76, Port and
N. Y., 12 ra., '78, B. I., 22 d.
Christopher Farley, '76, Port and
N. Y., 12 in,
Ebunezcr Farley, '75, L. , '76,
K. Y., 2 m.
Joseph Farley, '75, Cam., 3 m.
Stephen Farley, '75, Cam., 3 m.
Slinot Funiior, '75, L., '75, Cam.,
B. II., 8 m., '70, C. A., ly.
David Farnsworth, '75, L., '76,
I am., B. II., 8 lu.
Jniiii's Kisk, '76, L.,'75, Cam., 8 m.
Josjah Fisk,'75, Cam., B. U., 8 m.
Jonas Flagg, '78, R. I., 22 d., '80,
W. Pt., 3 m.
SiiiK'on Fo«ter, '70, C. A., 1 y.
Iiuvid French, '76, Port, and
N, Y., 12 m.
Isaju- French, '^\ Cam., 3 m., '76,
Wh. P., 3 m.
Jonathan Fnuich, '77, Ben., '78,
R. I., '22d.
Joseph French, '75, Cam., 6 m.
KehomiAh French, '75, Cam., 8 m.
'77, ALT.
Timothy French, '76, N. Y., 2 m.
William French, '7.^, L.
Ebene/urUilson, '75, L.,'75, Cain.,
3ni.
John (;odfrey, '77, C. A., 3 y., '81,
C. A., 3 y.
Samuel GiH>tlltne, '77, Port., 1 m.
John Goodhue, "70, Port., 6 m.
Stephen Goodhue, '76, Wh. P., 5
m., 78, R. I.. '22 d.
Capt. John Goss, '75, L.,'75, Cam.,
B. H,, 8 in., '77, Bon.
Benjamin W. Grace, '81, C. A.,
3y.
Manuel Grace, "75, L.
Dr. John Hale, Reg. Surgeon from
'70 to '80.
John Hale, Jr.. '70, N. Y., 2 m.,
'78, K. I., -22 d.
David Hale, "78, B. I., 22 d.
William Hale, '77, C. A., 3 y.
Aaron Haixly, '75. L.
Jesse Hardy. '80, W. Pt . 3 m.
Lemuel Hardy, '77, Al. T., '80,
W. Pt., 3 111.
Joseph Hardy. '70, Port, m.
Nehemiiih Hardy, '75, Cam. 3 m.
Noah Hardy, '77, Al. T, 78, R. I.,
22 d.
Phineas Hardy, '76, Port. 3 m.
Phi iieas Hardy, Jr., '75 Cam., B.
11., 8 m., '70, Port., 3 m.
Silas Hardy. '79. Port., 6 m.
Thomas Hardy, '75, Cam., B. H.,
8 m., '70, C. A., 1 y.
.\ndrew Henderson, '82, X. Fron-
tier. m.
Samuel Hill, '75, Cam., B. H., 8
m. '70, Ti., 6 m., '77, C. A., 3 y.
Isaac Hubart, '".'i, Cam.. B. H., 8
m.
Isaac Hobart, 'Jd., '81, C. A., 3 y.
Jacob Holiart. '81, C. A., 3 y,
John Uobart, '77, Al. T., '79, R.I..
111.
Jonathan Hobart, '75, Cam., 3 in.,
'70. \. Y..2ni.
Joshua Hubart, '75, Cam., 3 ni.,
'77, Ben.. '78. R. I., 22 d.
Col. Sam'l Hobart, '75, Paymahter.
Solomon Hobart, '77, Al. T., '78.
R. I.. 22 d.
Paniieter. Honey, '75, Cam., 3 m.
Richard Hopkins, '70, Port, and
N. v., 12 in.
Samuel Ilosley ,'75. Cain.. B. H.,
8 m.
Ephraim How, '75, Cam.. B. H., 8
111., 'i7 Ben.
John How, '76,Ti.,6m.,'78,R. I.,
■22 d.
Joseph How. '76. Cam.. 3 m.
Ebeiiezer Jat|iiitli. '75, Cmii., 3 m.
Tlioiiiiu^ .la'piith, '7.''>, Cam., 3 m.
Lieut. Kbeii./er Jewell, '77, ALT.,
'80, W. Pi, .1 111.
Jacob Jewett, '75. Cain., 3 m.
Jacob Jewell, .'til. '78, R. I.. '22 d.,
'811, W. Pt. 3 m.
James .lewett. '70, Ti.. (i, B.
Jonathan Jowotl. '78. It. I.,fim.
l>ea. Nathaniel Jewell. '76. 'li..
(i. R.
Noah Jewett. '76, Wh. P., 5 m.
Samuel Jewett, '75, Cam., B. H.,
8 m.
Stephen Jewett, Jr.. '75. Cam., 3
in.. '70, Wli. P., 5 111.
Kdwartl Johnson, '75 L.
Samuel Johnson, '76, N. Y.. 2 m.
Tlionias Kemp, '7<'>, Cam., B. 11.,
8 m., '70, Wh. P., 5 ni., '77, Ben.
Captain Daniel Kendrick, '78, R.
I.. -22 d.
.\bner Keyes. '75. Cam., 8 m.. '76,
Port and N. Y., 12 m., '81, 3 m.
Israel Kinney, '75, Cam., B. II. , 8
m., '76, C. A., 1 y.
.\sa Law reiicc, '78, R. I., 22 d.
Nicholas Lawrence. '80, W. Pt,,
3 in.
Oliver Lawrence, '75, Cam., 3 m.,
'78, R. I., 6 m.
Silas Lawrence, 80, W. Pt., 3 m.
Nathaniel Leeuian, '77, ALT., '80,
W. PI., 3 m.
Ensign Samuel Leeinan, '75, Cam.,
B. H.,8 m., '76, C. A., 1 y., '77,
C. A., 3y.
Jonas Lesley, '70, Wh. P., 5 m.
Abel Lovejoy, '80, C. A., 6 m.
.\sji Lovejoy, '75, Cum., 3 m., '76,
Wh. P., dm.. '77, C. A.,3y.
Daniel Lovigoy, '76, Tl.. G. R.
Jonathan Lovt^oy, Jr., ^75, Cam.,
3 m.
Epliniini Lund, '75, Cam., 3 m.
James McConnor, '75, Cam., B.
IL, 8 m.
James McDauiels, '77. Ben.
Kiindull McDaniels, '75, L.
John McIUndley, SI, C. A., 3 y.
Archibald Mcintosh, '77, Ben.
James Mclntoeb, '77, Cam., B. U.,
8 m.
Daniel JIciTill. '70. TL. G. R.
Daniel Merrill, Jr.. '78, R. I., 22
d., '80, W. Pt., 3 m., '81, 3 m.
Samuel Merrill, '77, Al. T., '77,
Ben., '78, R. 1., 22 d.
Benjamin Messor, "77, Ben.
Jut,epli Miuut, '75, L.
Daniel 31oour, '77, Ben,
Jacob Mooar, '77, Ben., '81, 3 m,
Beujutnin N'evins, '76, L., '77,
Ben.
John Neviiis. '77, Ben.
Joseph Nevlns, '75, L., '77. Al. T.
Phineus Nevins, '75, Cam., H. IL.
8 in.
William Nevins, '76, L., '75, Cam.,
B. IL. 8 m., '70, C. A., 1 y.
Elijah Ngyes, '76, Oim., 3 m., '76,
Ti., 6 in., '77. Al. T., '78. R. L,
22 d.
Enoch Noves, Jr., '76, Ti., 6 m.
Benjaniiii W. Parker, '81, 3 m.
Jonalhan Parker. '70, C. A., 1 y.,
'17, C. A., 8IU, '78, R. L, '22 d.
Stephen Parker, '80, W. Pt., 3 m.,
'81, C. A.,3y.
David Putcli, '76, C. .\., I y.
Daniel Patch, '75, Olim., 3 m.
'I'honiiui Patch, '7S, L., '76, Ti., 6
III.
Nullianlel Patten, '75, Cain., It.
IL, a m., '76, TL, 6 m.. '77. C
A.. 3 y., 'SO, C. A., 6 m.
John I'heli-. '70. TL, (i. R.
450
HISTORY OF IITLLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Nathan Pbelps, '76, L., '7R, Cam.,
3 m,
Samufl Phelps, -6, Ti., 6 m.
John Pbilbrick, 'To, L.
Ephraini Pierce, '78, L., '76, Wh.
P., 5 m., '77, Al. T., "77, Bou.,
•711, C. A., 1 y.
Nebeiuiuh Pieree. '75, Cam., B.
H., 8 m.. '77,0. A., x m.
Soluiiiuu Pierce, '75, Cam., :i ui.,
'70, Ti., t> ui.
Uichuid I'iercf, '70, Ti., G. B.
John Pintle, '7J, Cam., B. U., 8
m., '7(>, Wli. P., 5 m.
Dr. Juuutliuu Puul, Assistant Sur-
geon, '7li to '80.
Wiliiam Pool, '7I>, Ti.,G. E.
Williiim W. Pooi, "75, Cam., 3 m.,
•7», It, 1., 21 il.
Peter IVor, 'To, Cam., B. H., 8 m.
Thomas Poweli, "81, 3 m.
Francis Powers, 'To, Cam., B. H,,
8 m., *T7, Ben.
Francis ii. Powere, '79, C. A., 1 y.,
•»l), W. Pt., 3 m.
.lunatliau lowers, '7.'>, Cam., B.
H., K m.
N'ubum I'owers, '7,5, L., '75, Cam.,
B. 11 , 8 m,
Satiisun Powers, '75, L,, '75, Cam,,
B, H., 8 m,, '77, Ben.
Stephen Powers, 'TfJ, Port, and N.
V,, 12 m.
Thomas Pratt, '75, L., '75, Cam,,
B. a., 8 m,, 'TU, C, A,, 1 y., '77,
C. A., 3 y., '81, 1'ur tlie war.
Ezekiei Pl-octor, '75, L., '75, Cam,,
8 m.,B. H., Sm., 'Tlj, C. A., 1 v.,
'81, C, A., 3y.
E/,ni I'roctor, *7ti, C. .\., 1 y.
Joel I'roctor, '78, C. A., 'J y,, '81,
tor the war.
Moses Proctor, '77, Al. T.
Jacob Beed, '75L.,'75, Cam., B.Il.,
John Bead, '75, Cam., 3 m., '7(>,
C. A., 1 y.
Samuel Bead, '81, 3 m.
Stejiheu Iticbardsou, '7t;, C. A., 1
y., 'TT, C. A., 3 y., 81, C. A.,
for the war.
James Bideout, '77, Ben.
Lemuel Itogcrs, "bl, C, A,, for the
war,
Ephniim Rolfe, '75, Cam., B, H.,
8 ni,, '77, Ben,, '7.'<, B, I,, 22 d,
James lloll'e, '81, C, A., 3y.
Steplieii Utiunells, '77, Ben., '78,
K. l.,22<l.
Jonathan Buss, '75, L., '75, Cum.,
3 ni., '77, Ben,
Benjamin Saunderson, "75, L., '7t',,
Wh, P., -, m.
David Saundei-son, '7i>, N, Y , li
m,, '77, C, A,, 3 y., '80, for the
war.
Robert ."leaver, "75, L., '75, Cam.,
3 ni,, "77, Al. T.
Ismic Sbattuck, '7ti, Purl, and \.
v., \2 ni.
Jeremiah .'*liHtInck,'75, Cam., 8 m.
William Sbuttiick, '7,% Cam,, 3 m,,
'7tl, N. v., 2 HI.
Zachariab Sbattnck,'75, Cam. ,3 m.
Jonas Shed, '77, Ben.
Kphraini Smith, '75, Cam., H, I!,,
8 m., "7li, C. A„ I y.
Joshua Smith, '7C, Wh. P., 5 m.
Enoch Spaulding, '70, Port, and
N. v., 12 m , "78, R. I,, 6 m,
Jacob Spaulding, '75, L,, '75,
("am,, B. H., 8 m,, '77, Al, T.,
'78, R, I.,22d.
Isaac Stearns, '75, L., '7,5, Cam,,
B. H., 8 m,, '77, Al. T., '77, Ben,
Joseph Stearns, '70, Ti., 6 m,, '77,
Ben,, '711, C, A,, 1 y,
Isjiac Stevens, Jr,, '70, Ti,, 6 ni,
Caleb Stiles, '79. C, A,, 1 y,
Caleb Stiles, Jr,, '79, C, A , 1 y,
Eli Stiles, '7C, C, A,, 1 y,, "77, C,
A., S m., '80, C, A,, for the war,
Amus Taylor, "75, L,, 'T5, Cam,,
B, H,, 8 m,
Daniel Taylor, 'T5, L,, 'T6 C. B. H.,
8 m.
Edward Taylor, '76, Ti., G. R.
Jacob Taylor, '75, Cam. 3 m., '76,
C. A., 1 y., '77, C. A., 8 ni.
Jonatban Taylor, '75, Cam., 3 m.
William Teuney, Jr., '75, L., '70,
Cam., 3 ni., '70, Wb. P., 5 m.
Moses Thurston, '75, Cam., B. H,,
. 8 m.
Ebenezer Tuwnsend, '75, Cam., B,
H.,8m., '70. Ti., 6 m., '77, C.
A., 3 y.
Asabel Twiss, '81. C. .V.. 3 y.
Lieutenant David Wallingford, '75,
Cam,, 8 m,, "77, .\1, T., '77, Ben.
Joseph Wheat, "77, Al. T., "78, R.
I., 22 d,, 'T!l, C. A,, 1 y., "80, for
the war.
Nathaniel Wheat, "75, L,, '75,
Cam., 3 m.
.Sulomon Wheat, '70, Ti,, G, B.
Thomas Wheat, '70, Port, and N,
y., 12 m.
Thomas Wheat, Jr., "75, L., '75,
Cam., B, H,,8 ni.
Abner Wheeler, '77, Al. T., '77,
Ben.
Ebenezer Wheeler, '75, L., 'TO,
Wb. P., 5 m.
James Wbeeier, Jr., 'T5, Cjim., 3
m.
Lebbeus Wheeler, '75, L , '75,
Cani.,B. H.,8 m., '77, C. A.,3 y.
'I'liuddeiis Wheeler, '75, L.
Bray Wilkins, '75, L., '75, Cam.,
8 m.
Israel Wilkins, '75, L.
Jonas Willonghby, '82, N, Fron-
tier, ni.
Sajiiiiel Willuughby, '76, Ti., G. B.
William Wood, '75, L., '75, Cam.,
B. H,, 8 m., '77, Ben,
fonasWood, '77, Al T., '77, Ben.,
78, B. I,,22d,
Nebeniiiih Woods, '77, Al, T,
Captain Noah Worcester. '75,
Cam., 3 m., '78, R, I,, 22 d,
N'uali Worcester, ,lr,, '75, I, , '7.-,,
Cam., B, H.,8 m., "77, Ben.
JeKH' Worcester, '70, Ti,, 6 m., '77,
ALT., '77, Port., 1 m,, '78, R. I„
•22 d.. 80, C, A,, H ra.
."Samuel Worci-slor, '70, Port, and
N, v., 12 m.
Bciuamiu Wright, '75, L. '7C, S,
V,, 2 m,
Benjamin Wright, Jr., '75, L,
Lemuel Wright, '70, Ti,, fim., '77,
.\1. T.
Samuel Wright, '75, Cam,, B. H,,
8 m., '77, Ben.
I'riah Wright, '7.5, L., '75, Cam.,
B. II., 8m., '77, Al. T.
Jesse Wyman, '75, L. *70, N, Y., 2
m,, '77. Ben.
£bene',(er Youngmaii, '75, L., '75,
Cam., B. 11 , 8 m.
Jabez Youngman, '82, during war,
John Youngman, '76, T,, Om., '77,
C, A.,3 y.,'8ii,C. A,, for the war.
Nicholas Youngman, '76, Ti., 6 m,
Thomaa Youngman, '76, C. A., 1
y,, '77, C, A,, 3 y,, '80, N, Fron-
tier, G m.
Biographical Sketches of Some of the Hollis
Revolutionary Officers and Soldiers — Nathan
BliiDi.l, S'lii ol Nathaniel Iiliiml, was liorii in Hollis,
April 4, 1747; married Elizaheth Noyes, daughter (jf
Deacon Enoch Noyes, April Ui, 1772; enli.sted April
19, 1775, and was first sergeant in the company of
Captain Dow, at Bunker Hill, where he was killed
June 17, 1775.
Lieutenant William Brooks came to Hollis about
1757 ; married AUigail Kemp, in Hollis, March 29,
1759; enlisted in 1778 in Captain Emerson's com-
pany to Rhode Island, in which he w"as second lieu-
tenant; enlisted again in 1781, in the company of
Captain Mills, regiment of Colonel Reynolds; re-
moved from Hollis after the Revolution.
Deacon Josiali Conant, son of Josiali Conant ; born
in Hollis, October 17, 1746; enlisted December, 1775,
in the company of Captain Worcester, for Cambridge;
enlisted, again, in 1778, in the company of Captain
Emerson, for Rhode Island, in which he was ser-
geant; deacon of the Hollis Church in 1787, till his
death, in Hollis, August 21, 1807, aged sixty.
Deacon Abel Conant, son of Josiali Conant; born
in Hollis, October 3, 1755; enlisted April 19, 1775,,
and was in the company of Captain Dow at the bat-
tle of Bunker Hill; enlisted in 1776 in the Conti-
nental iirmy for one year, and in 1778 in Cajitaiii Em-
erson's company for Rhode Island; married Pegga
Jewett, in Hollis, November 20, 1781; chosen a dea-
con of the Hollis Church in 1787 ; removed to Hard-
wick, Vt,, in 1813, where he died May 2, 1844, aged
eighty-eight.
Ensign John Cuniings, born in Groton, Mass.,
March 16, 1737. His name was on the Hollis ta.\-
lists in 1758; enlisted April 19, 1775, and was ensign
or secoud lieutenant in the company of Captain Dow
at Bunker Hill ; removed after the war to Hancock,
as is supposed.
Captain Jothiim Cumings, son of Jerahmael Cuni-
ings, and a younger brother of Henry Cumings, D.D.,
of Billerica, Mtiss.; born December 19, 1741. He was
a soldier in the French War in 1758; married Anna
Brown, of Hollis, April 27, 1763; removed from Hol-
lis to Plymouth. N. H., in 1764; was lieutenant in a
company of New Hampshire rangers in 1775, and
was for many years a deacon of the I'lymonth Church ;
(lied at I'lymonth, April 1, 1808, aged si.\ty-si.\.
William Cumings was born in (irotoii, .Ma.ss., Oc-
tober 2, 1741; came to Hollis about the year 1760;
married Mehitabel Eastman, of Hollis, June 28, 1768;
Wius master of the Hollis Grammar School in 1775
and lor maiiv vears after; was town clei"l< and first
HOI, US.
451
selectinau in Hullis in 1771 ami 1772, and again
from 17S2 to 1788, inclusive; enlisted in the army in
1776, and again in 1777. About the year 1790 he
removed to Hebron, N. H., where he died Oitober 2,
1831, aged ninety.
Captain Keuben Dow came from Salem, N. H., and
wtt.s in Ilollis in 17G1, and selectman in 17G9 and
1770; lieutenant of the Hollis militia company in Jan-
uary, 1775; ehosen captain of the llolli.s con)pany of
Minute-Men that went to C'anil)ridge, April 10, 177o;
comniissioiied as captain of the Hollis c<mipany in
Colonel William I'rescott's regiment, May 19, 177'>;
wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill, and was after-
wards a United States pensioner for life. He was
chairman of the Hollis Committee of Safety in 1770,
and representative to the New Hampshire (ieneral
Court in 1778. His two sons, Evan and Stc^phen,
were Revolutionary soldiere; died February 11, ISll,
aged eighty-one.
Lieutenant Amos Ea.-jtman was a so^i of Amos East-
man, Sr.; born in Pennaeook (now Concord), N. H.,
A|)ril 28, 17r)l, and came to Hollis with his father
about the year 1759; marriecl Ruth Flagg, of Ilollis,
January 6, 1774; enlisted April 19, 1775, and again
in 1776, in the regiment of Colonel Oilman. He was
for many years a justice of the peace, and town clerk
and first selectman in 1806; died August 2, 1832,
aged eighty-one.
In the year 1752 his father, Amos Eastman, Sr.,
then living at Pennaeook, being on a hunting expedi-
tion in the northerly part of New Hampshire, with
(reneral John Stark and others, was, with Stark,
trtken jirisoner by the Indians, and both of tliem
taken to an Indian village in Canada. On their ar-
rival at the village both the captives were compelled
to run the gautitlet between two file.s of savages, each
armed with a switch or club with wdiich to strike
them as they passed between the lines. Stark, as is
said, escaped with but slight injury, but Eastman was
cnielly beaten, and was afterwards sold to a French
master, kindly treated by him, and soon after re-
deemed and went home.
Captain Daniel Emerson, .son of Rev. Daniel Km-
eraon, born in Hollis December 15, 1746. Married
Ama Fletcher, November 17, 1768. Chosen deacon
of the Ilollis Church in 1775. Appointed coroner
and high sheriH'of Hillsborough County in 177<i. He
was cai'tain of the H(dlis company that went to
Ticonderoga in July of that year, and was also cap-
tain of the company enlisted in Hollis in June, 1777,
upon the Ticomleroga alarm. He was also, in 1778,
vaptain of a mounte<l Ilollis company that went to
Rhode Island in the summer of that yiar, and also of
a company in ('olonel Mooney's regiment, raised for
defense of Rhode Island in 1779. Ca))tain I'jnerson
was town clerk and first selectman in 1780 and 1781.
A member of the New Hampshire Council in 1787,
of the New Hampshire Constitniional Convention in
1791. and a tcprisentative to the New Hampshire
General Court in nineteen difterent yeai-s, between
1780 and 1812. His two oldest sons, Rev. Daniel
Emerson, Jr., and Rev. .loseph Emerson, were grad-
uates of Harvard; his third son. Rev. Ralph Emcr-
.son, D.D., of Yale. His youngest son, William,
was colonel of the regiment to which Hollis was
attached, and was for many years a deacon of the
Hollis Church.
The following epitajdi is inscribed on the tomb-
stone of Captain Emerson in the Hollis central burial-
ground :
"In Memory of Duiiiel Emerson, Esq.
Uaviug faithfully and industriously served his geueratiuu
-Vsan oflicerof the Church,
As a Defender of Freedom,
As a Magistrate and Legislator,
.\a a frienil of the Poor
And aaa Zealous Promoter of the Redeemer's Kingdom,
He rested from his labors
October 4, 182(1, «!t. 74."
Dr. Peter Emerson, second son of Rev. Daniel
Emerson, born in Ilollis November 30, 1749. Ap-
pointed surgeon of the regiment of Colonel Mooney
in 1779. Settled as a physician in Hillsborough,
N. H., and died at Hillsborough in 1827, aged seventy-
eight.
Lieutenant Ralph Emerson, son of Rev. Daniel
Emerson, born March 4, 1761. Enlisted July, 1776,
at the age of fifteen, in his brother's company for the
defense of Ticonderoga. In April, 1777, he enlisted
in the Continential army for three years. Married
Alice Ames, May 13, 1784. On his tombstone in the
Hollis burial-ground is the following inscription :
" Erected to the Memory of Lieut. Ralph Emerson,
Who Wiuj instantly killed by the uccidelit4ll discharge
01 aL-annun while exercising the matross,
October 1, IT'JO, in the 30tli year of his age.
We drop apace.
By nature some decay
.\ud some the gusts of fortune sweep away."
Captain Caleb Farley was born in Hillerica, Ma.ss.,
October 19, 1730. Married Elizabeth Farley, Octi>ber
II, 1754. He was a soldier from liilleriea in the
French War of 1755, and came to Hollis in November,
1765, and was selectman in 1767. He enlLsted in 1776
in the regiment of Colonel Pierce Long for New
York and Canada, and in 1778 he was lieutenant in
Captain Emerson's mounted company, enlisted in
Hollis for the defense of Rhode Island. Died in
Ilollis, April 5, 1833, aged one hun<lred and two
years, five months.
Minot Farmer, son of Benjamin Farmer, born 1750.
Enlisted .\pril 19, 1775, in the Hollis com|)aiiy of
Minute-Men, in which he was a sergeant, and he was
also a sergeant in the coni|)any of Captain Dow at
the battle of Hunker Hill. Married Abigail llarron,
Soptemlier 15, 1775. In the fall or winter of 1775 he
enlisted in General Arnold's expedition to Canada;
was taken prisoner in the attack on (Juebec, and dieil
in captivity, May 9, 1776, agerl twenty-six. He is
supposed to l\ave held the rank i>f ensign.
452
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOKOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Captain John Goss was born at .Salisbury, JIass.,
February 13, 1739. His name first appears on the
Hollis tax-lists in 1770. Married Cathariue Conant,
of Hollis, February 10, 1774, and was selectman in
Hollis the same year. He was lieutenant in the Hollis
company of Minute-Men that went to Cambridge
April 19, 1775, and also in the Hollis company at the
battle of Bunker Hill. In the year 1777 he was the
captain of the Hollis company that went to Benning-
ton. About the year 1805 he removed with his
family to Hardwick, Vt., where he died September
26, 1821, aged eighty-two.
Colonel .John Hale was born in Sutton, Mass., Oc-
tober 24, 1731. Settled as a physician in Hollis at the
age of about twenty-four. He was assistant surgeon, in
1755, in the regiment of Colonel Joseph Blanchard, in
the French War, and surgeon in Colonel Hart's reg-
iment, in 1758, in the same war. He was representa-
tive to the New Hampshire General Court from Hollis
and Dunstable from 1762 to 1768. In 1767 he was
lieutenant-colonel of the Fifth Regiment of the New
Hampshire Militia, and colonel of the same regiment
in 1775, and the same year he was representative from
Hollis to the New Hampshire General Court, and
also to the New Hampshire Provincial Congress. He
was surgeon of the First New Hampshire Continental
Regiment from 1776 to 1780, and a member of the
New Hampshire Council in the year last named.
After the war was ended he continued in the practice
of his profession in Hollis, in which he was distin-
guished till his death, in 1791. His three sons — John,
Jr., David and William — were all soldiers in the war.
The following epitaph is inscribed on his tombstone
in the central burying-ground :
** Erected to the Memory ol
Dr. ,?ohn Hale,
Who WHS born October 21, 1731,
Died October 22, 1791.
How soon our new-born light uttnint^ to foil iiged noon '
And that how soon to gray-hiiired liRlit I
We spring, we bud, we blossom and we blast
Kre we can count our days, they fly so fast."
Dr. William Hale, son of Colonel John Hale, born
in Hollis July 27, 1762. Enlisted for three years in
the Continental army, April, 1777, when in his fif-
teenth year. After his discharge from the army he
stoidied medicine with his father and succeeded him
in his practice. He wiis a man of great energy, and
had a large i)ractice in his profession. Died October
10, 1854, aged ninety- two, and he is said to have been
the last survivor of the twelve hundred men whose
names are found on the rolls of the First New Hamp-
shire Continental Regiment.
Colonel David Hobart, son of Peter Hi ibart and
grandson of Gershom Hobart, the third minister of
Groton, Mass., born in Groton, August 21, 1722.
Settled in that part of Hollis known as "One-Pine
Hill " about 1748, and was a sergeant in the company
of Captain Powers in the French War in 1755. He wa.s
one of the grantees of Plymouth, N. H., and one of the
first settlers of that town. His name last appears on
the Hollis tax-lists in 1765. In 1777 he was colonel
of the Twelfth New Hampshire Regiment of Militia,
and had command of a New Hampshire regiment
under General Stark at the battle of Bennington,
where he greatly distinguished himself for his gallan-
try and good conduct, for which he received due com-
mendation from General Stark in his report of the
battle. In that battle Colonel Hobart, with Colonel
Stickney, led the attack against the Tory breast-work
on the right, where the contest was most desperate, —
the Tories, it is said, "fighting like tigers," and neither
asking nor giving quarter. Colonel Hobart, having
lost his wife, after the war removed to Haverhill,
Mass., married a second wife, and died soon after at
Haverhill. The name of this heroic officer is erro-
neously spelt " Hubbard " in Belknap's " History of
New Hampshire," as it also was said to have been in
General Stark's report of the battle.
Colonel Samuel Hobart, a younger brother of Colonel
David Hobart, born in Groton August 11, 1734.
Settled in Hollis during the French War of 1755;
was a sergeant in that war in 1758; adjutant of
Colonel Gofle's regiment in 1760, and an ensign in
1761. In 1767 he was major of the Fifth New Hamp-
shire Regiment of Militia; representative to the
General Court from Hollis for six years, from 1768 to
1774. In the year last named was appointed colonel
of the Second New Hampshire Regiment of Minute-
Men, and was a delegate from Hollis to the New
Hampshire Provincial Congress. Upon the organiza-
tion of Hillsborough County, in 1771, he was appointed
register of deeds, county treasurer and one of the
justices of the County Court. In 1775 he was appointed
muster-master and also paymaster of the New Hamp-
shire regiments at Cambridge. In 1777 he contracted
with the State government to manufacture gunpowder
for the State, and removed from Hollis to Exeter.
Was representative to the General Court from Exeter
in 1777 and 1778, and a member of the State ("om-
mittee of Safety in 1779 and 1780. Anna Hobart, the
first wife of Colonel Hobart, died in Hollis May 20,
1773. After he removed from Hollis he ccmtinuedto
reside in Exeter for several years after the war ; mar-
ried a second time, and finally removed to Kingston,
N. H., where he died June 4, 1798, aged sixty-three.
Lieutenant Ebcnezer Jewett, son of Deacon Na-
thaniel Jewett, born 1 743, enlisted in June, 1777, in the
company of Caj)tain Emerson, on the Ticonderoga
alarm, and in 1780 in the company of Captain Bar-
ron, regiment of Colonel Nichols, for the defense of
West Point, in which company he was lieutenant.
Was selectman in 1782. He married Alary Rideout
in 1793. Died October 6, 1826, aged eighty-three.
Deacon Stephen Jewett, Jr., son of Deacon Ste-
phen Jewett, born in Hollis October 4, 1753. En-
listed in 1775 in the company of Captain Worce-ster
for Cambridge, and in 1776 in the company of Captain
Reed for White Plains. Married Elizabeth Pool,
UOLLIS.
453
November 10, 1778. Chosen deacon of the HoUis
Church, 1805. Died February 22, 1829, jiged seventy-
five.
Captain Daniel Kendrick, born 1736, son of Daniel
Kendrick. Selectman in 1775, 1776 and 1777. Mem-
ber of the Hollis Committee of Safety in 1776 and
1777. Enlisted in Captain Emerson's mounted com-
pany for Rhode Island in 1778. Married Mary Pool,
February 13, 1782. His eldest son, Daniel, was a
graduate of Brown University. His youngest, Wil-
liam P., of Harvard. Died May 20, 1790, aged fifty-
three.
Ensign Samuel Leenian, Jr., son of Samuel Lee-
man, born in Hollis August 7, 1749. Enlisted April
19, 1775. Was at the battle of Bunker Hill, in the
company of Captain Spalding, regiment of Colonel
Reed. Enlisted in 1776 in the Continental army, and
again in the Continental army in 1777, in the com-
pany of Captain Frye, First New Hampshire Regi-
ment, in which he was ensign. Killed at the battle
near Saratoga, October 10, 1777, aged twenty-eight.
Ensign William Nevins, Jr., son of William
Kevins, born in Hollis July 26, 1746. Married Re-
becca Chamberlain, March 24, 1768. Enlisted .Vpril
19, 1775, and waa sergeant, and also a sergeant in the
company of Captain Dow at Bunker Hill. Enlisted
in 1776, for one year, in the Continental army. Died
in New York, 1776, aged thirty.
Dr. Jonathan Pool, son of Eleazer Pool, born at
Woburn September 5, 1758. Studied medicine with
Colonel John Hale, in Hollis. Was assistant surgeon
in the First New Hampshire Regiment from 1776 to
1780. Married Elizabeth Hale, daughter of Colonel
John Hale, December 7, 1780, and settled as a phy-
sician in Hollis, where he died July 25, 1797, aged
thirty-eight.
Captain Robert Seaver, born 1743 ; name first on
the Hollis tax-lists in 1767. Enlisted April 19, 1775;
was lieutenant in Captain Worcester's company for
Cambridge in 1775, and also in Captain Emerson's
company in June, 1777. Died November 3, 1828,
aged eighty-five.
Captain William Tenney was the son of William
and Anna Tenney, ami was born in Hollis March 17,
1755. April 19, 1775, he enlisted in the company of
the Hollis Minute-Men; and in December, 1775, in
the company of Captain Worcester, for Cambridge ;
and again, in 1776, in that of Captain Ree<l, for
White Plains. Married Phcbc Jcwctt in 1776, by
wliiim he had ten children, — five sons and five daugh-
His sons Caleb Jewett and William were
^laduates of Dartmouth. Died June 16, 1806, aged
lii'ty-one.
His youngest son, Hon. Ralph E. Tenney, born
I i.tober 5, 1790, settled as a farmer in Hollis, upon
his paternal homestead. He was for many years a
justice of the peace and ((Uorum, and was freijuently |
' l< cted by his tf>wn3men to offices of honor and trust.
1 '■!■ liis first wife he marrie<l Olive Brown, of Hollis,
November 12, 1812, by whom he had one daughter.
After her decease he married, .Vugust 14, 1818, for
his second wife. Miss Phebe C. Smith, born in Dra-
cut, Mass., June 2, 1790. At an early age Miss Smith
went to Merrimack, N. H., to reside with her step-
father, Simeon Cumings, Esq., upon whose decease
she came to Hollis with her mother, to care lor her in
her declining years. She wa.s afterwards, in her ear-
lier years, widely known in Hollis as an excellent
and popular school-teacher, and as an assistant of Mr.
.Vnibrose Gould in his store.
She had by Mr. Tenney a family of nine children,
and ui)on her marriage became an honored wife and a
devoted, faithful and beloved mother. She was also
a kind neighbor and an efficient and cheerful helper
in works of benevolence and charity.
War of 1812. — The following from Hollis were in
this war: Jacob Hobart, Benj. Ranger, Abel Brown,
William N. Lovejoy, Isaac Hardy, William Emerson,
Daniel Lawrence, Jr., Phineas Cumings, Leonard
Blood, I. Butterfield, John Butterfield, John Drew,
H. Kendall, David Powers, E. Burge, Jr., and N.
Hobart.
War of theRebellion. — The following enlisted from
Hollis during the War of the Rebellion :
First Regiment.
William F. French, enlisted Compiiny F, May :i, ISC.l : mustered out
.\UgU«t 9, ISIil.
Asi W. .Tmiuith, enlisted Ctmipan.v F, Ma.v :i, Isr.l ; nmslercd out .\u-
gust 9, l«r.l.
Second Reoiment.
Samuel . I. Heard, enlisted June ft, 18G1, Company G ; wounded at Fair
Oaks, Va., June 25, 1862 ; diacbargod for disability DecemlnT 9,
1802.
George Worcester, enlisted Company C, .June], 1801 ; niustere<l out June
21, ISM.
George P. Greeley, apjKiinted a.>i8i8tant surgeon Blay 3, 1801 ; resigned
June :t, 1801 ; appointed assistant surgeon Fourth New IlamiMhlru
Regiment August 1, 1801 ; promoted t-i surgeon October 8, 1802 ;
honorably discharged October 2.1, 1864.
Tiiinn Re'iimknt,
The Hollis soldiers whose names appear below
enlisted in Company F ot this regiment, August 23,
1861:
Stillman Blood, re.enlisted February l:l, 1804 ; mustered out May l.'i,
1865.
Charles F. Cliiwe, promoted In second lleutenaiil Thinl .South t'arollim
Volunteers.
James I.. Cluuie, w..unded June l.l, 1862 ; re-enllslwl Fobnuiry Ki, 1804.
Leonard Conn>y, muslend out August 23, 1804.
Caleb Kavis, woundeil August ll'., 1814 ; mustered out August 23, 1804.
John O. Doherty, iliB<hargecl for disability Seplemlier l.'i, 1802.
Foi'UTil Reoiment.
Perloy J. Jewell, died of disease at Morris Island, S. C, necombcr 3, 18(V).
William Manslleld, mustered out Septembi'r 27, 1804.
Seventh Reoiment.
This regiment was enlisted and had its rendezvous
at Manchester, and was mustered into the United
Stiites service December 14, 1861, under Colonel
Haldimand S. Putnam, of Cornish. Colonel Put-
nam was killed July 18, 1863, in the assault on Fort
Wagner, and was succeeded in the command by Colo-
nel Josejih C. Abbott, of Manchester.
454
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Nathan M. Ames, cuiniiiittsioitfii captAin of Ctuiipuny II Dcceiubfr 14,
ISOl ; iiiiistorod out December Ti, 1804.
Murk J. Austin, promoted to fifth sergeant December 14, 1861 ; mustered
out December 22, lSf.4.
Honrj' Ball, accidentally killed liiniBelf at Ueaiifort, S. C.,Juue 26, 1802.
1-Jeorge II. liurteuiut*, musterfd out December 22, 18r)4.
.lohn P. Hills, killed at Furt Wagner. July 18, 1803.
.bihn K. Itnyntun. wounded at Olustoe, Fla., February 20, 18f>4 ; re-on-
listed February 28, 1804 ; promoted to corporal January 20, ISeii ;
promoted to sergeant June UJ, 1805 ; mustered out July 20, 1865.
Cbarlos H. Hurge, tlischarged for disability at St. Augustine, Fla., Janu-
ary 4, 1803.
George A. Burge, promoted to corporal May 2'), 1802 ; promoted to ser-
geant December 9, 1803 ; muatered out December 22, 1804.
John A. ('oburn, promoted to fourth sergeant December 14, 1801 ; tiret
sergeant December 28, 18G;i ; re-enliated veteran February 28, 1804 ;
promoted to captain Company E December 12, 1804; mustered out
July 211, 1811;-..
Edward S. Colburn, tnmsferred to Invalid Corps Blarch 29, 1S04.
Josiah Colburu, wounded at Bermuda Hundred, Va., May 20, 1804; nms-
tered out December 22, 1804.
Daniel \V. Cotburn, promoted to corporal December 14, 1801 ; died of
disease, at UoUis, February, 28, 1802.
Henry M. H. Day, promoted to corporal December 14, 1801 ; wounded
at Oliistee, Fla., Febniary 20, 18fi4 ; mustered out December 22,
1804.
Kbenezer P. Duncklee, discharged for disability February, 18G2.
Benjamin L. Farley, discharged for disability at Fort Jefferson, Fla.,
June 20, 1802.
Charltis H. Farley, promoted to fii-st sergeant December 14, 1801 ; second
lieutenant Juno 30, 1802 ; first lieutenant August 0, 1803 ; wounded
mortjtUy at Olusteo, Fla., February 20, 1804.
Charles H. Fletcher, died of disease at Beaufort, S. C, August 10, 1802.
Daniel W. Ueyden, promoted to corporal December .% 1802 ; wounded at
Fort Wagner July 18, 1803 ; promoted to sergeant Februai-}' 3, 1804 ;
wiiunded at Olustee, Fla., February 20, 1804 ; discharged for disa-
bility April 29, 1804.
John W. Hayden, promoted to corporal December 14, 1801 ; died of dis-
ease at New York City, Februaiy 8, 1802.
J. Newton Hayden, wounded Blay 14, 1801 ; mustered out Decendier 22,
1804.
Albert F. Hills, wounded at Olustee, Fla., February 20, 1801 ; mufitered
out December 22, 18G4.
Alfred K. Hills, mustered out December 22, 18G4.
Jonathan B. Hobart, died of diseaee at Morris Island, 8. C, August 23
1803.
Frank P. Hood, wounded at Fort Wagner, July 18, 1803; discharged on
account of wounds Kovember 25, 1803.
.fames C. Howard, wouuded at Fort W:igncr July 18,1803; mustered
out December 22, 1804.
Norman U. Howe, pronmted to corporal December 14, 1801 ; died of dis-
ease at Beaufort, S. C, August 15, 1802.
George D. Jaquith, nmstereil out December 22, 1804.
Francis Lovejoy, promoted to thii-d sergeant Decendior 14, 1801 ; to
second lieutenant August 0, 1803 ; lionorably discharged April 28,
18U4.
John Lund, discharged for disability at Fort JeOerson, Fla., June 20,
1802.
William Lund, transferi'od to Vetemn Ri'serve Corps .March 29, IStU ;
mustered out December 22, 1864.
St«phen H. Price, promoted to corpomi December 14, 1801 ; i-e-onlisted
veteran I"ebniary 28, 1«04 ; mustered out July 20, 18(^.
Charles G. Itidetmt, niust<>red out December 22, IWVJ.
Freeman H. Smith, discharged for disability at Fort Jefferson. .Inly 2o,
1802.
William F. Simlding, promoted to first sergeant December 14, 1861 ; to
first lieutenant July 18, l8tK{, Company C ; niusti-red out December
22, 18(H.
Whislow J. Spalding» promoted to roriM^ml i)ctober in, 1S02 ; promoted
to sergeant; captured at Fort Wagner July 18, 18«;i ; exchanged
January 21, 1804 ; mustered out December 22, I8t'4.
Nallianiel L. Truell, promoteil to con)oral December 14, 1801 ; mustered
out December 22, 1804.
Charles H. Worcester, promoted to corporal December 14, 1801 ; toser-
goant October 9, 1863 ; wounded near Richmond, Va., Octolwr
1, 1864 ; mustered out December 22, 1804.
John H. Worcester, promotod to second lieutenant Deceuiber 14, 1801 ;
to fii'st lieutenant June 30, 1862; mortally wounded July 18, 1803, at
Fort Wagner ; died of wounds July 20, ISiVJ.
William Worcester, mustered out December 22, 1804.
Ezra S. Wright, mustered out December 22, 1804.
Nathaniel II. W)'ight,died of disease at St. Augustinu, Fla., Ni'vernber
27, 1802.
EltillTII Begimrnt.
Albert S. .\ustin. Company E, enlisted December 20th ; transferred to Vet-
eran Keserve Corps April is, l>i04.
Andrew H. Conant, Comjjany E, enlisted Deci'inber 20th ; pronu)ted to ^.
corj'oiul February 14, 1803 ; re-enlisted January 4, 1804; dietl at |
Natchez, Jlisa., October lo, 1805.
Freeman Elkins, Company E, enlisted December 20t)i ; discharged for
disability at Ship Island, Miss., April 10, 1862.
James W. D. Jones, Company A, enlisted October 25th ; died at Camp
Kearney, La., October 20, 1802.
Joseph T. Patch, Company A, enlisted October 25th ; discharged for disa-
bility ; died at Nashua July 18, 1803.
Fifteenth Reoiment.
This reginieut was raised for nine niontlis, and was
mustered into service November 12, 1862. The names
of the Hollis men are presented in the following list :
Charles F. Adams, George H. Annis, Caleb W. Chamberlain, Ai C^l-
burn, Charles S. Hamblet, .\Ifred A. Hanpcom, Isaac Hardy, John H.
Hardy, Samuel F. Hayden, George S. Hull, Granville P. Patch, Aaroo
Pond, Frank E. Pond, Bufus Portwine, David J. Hideout, Freenuui H.
Smith, Jubn C. Smith (died of disease at Ilullis August 10, lso;t), George
F. Teuney, Isaac A'andyke, Harvey M. AVillnby, Oliver H. Willoby,
Francis A. Wood (second lieutenant).
OTHER HOLLIS SOLDIERS ENLISTED IN 1862.
Henry G. Cameron, enlisted Company I, Thirteenth Regiment, Septem-
ber 20, 1802 ; promoted to sergeant ; discharged for disability at Fal-
mouth, Va, January 14, 1803.
Frank X. Chickering, enlisted Company B, Second Regiment, August 21,
1802 ; promoted to sergeant ; wounded June 3, 1864 ; mustered out
June 9, i80r..
John G. Jatiuith, enlisted Company H, Seventh Regiment, March 14,
1802 ; nmstered out April 21, 1805.
David T. Roby, enlisted Company I, Thirteenth Regiment, Sept^'mber20,
1862; wounded September 30, 1801; mustered out June 21. 1805.
i'oter Smithwick, enlisted Company E, Thirteenth Regiment, September
20, 1802 ; trans(erre<i to Veteran Reserve Corps .March 31, 1804.
Joseph Sullivan, enlisted Company B, Tenth Regiment, August 25, 1802;
mustered oiit May 16, liSOo.
John L. Woods, enlisted August 21,1862, Comjmny B, Second RugimeDt ;
discharged for disability June 23, 1803.
ENLISTED AND DRAFTED IN 1863.
Patiick IJaker. enlisted Decemlier 7, l8t'>;j, Ci'mpauy H, Seventh Regi-
ment ; nmstered out July 2(1, 1805.
Joseph Buss, enlisted December 7, 1803, Company A, Twelfth Regiment;
died of disi'jise at Fort Monroe, Va., October 13, 1864.
.lason W. Bills, enlisted August 14, 1S03, Company A, Heavy Artillery;
mustered out September II, ISO.*!.
Charles A. Hale, enlisted 3Iay 18. 1803, Comjiany H, .Seventh Regiment;
wounded July 18. IS03, at Fort Wagner; May 10, 1801, at Dniry's
Bluff, Vu. : June 10, 1804, al Bermuda Hundred, Vn. ; mustered
out July 20, 1805.
Harvey M. Hall, enlisted Novenilier 4, l86:t,Com|ittny C, Ninth Regi-
ment ; died of disease at Washington, D. C, September I, 1804.
Hiram R. Kendall, drafted September 1, 180.3, Company G, Eighth Regi-
ment ; died of disease at Natchez, Miss., November 3, 1m64.
John F. Boynt()n, John A. Oohurn and 8. II. Price
re-enlisted in ISiU. The following also enlisted this
year: C. S. Hamhlot, .Vumn Tond and Charles F.
Chase.
Soldiers' Monument. — The soldiers' monument
was erected at a cost of ^2120.77, and was dedicated
May 80, 187.*^. It is twenty-two and one-hall* feet in
HOLLIS.
455
height. Oil tlie west side is the Ibllowin-j; insc
tion: "In houor of the Hollis sohliers who Cell in
Ware of 1775 and in 1812;" and on the east side
inscribed the names of the Hollis soldiers who
tlii'ir lives in the Rebellion, as follows:
ri])-
the
are
lost
"Those tlint Ml.
lut Lloilt. .lohn 11. Worcester.
lat Lieut. CliHs. H. FuHi y.
tVjrp. Webster I>. Colbiirii.
Corp. N'oriiiaii U. Howe.
Corp. John W. HitydD.
Henry Ball.
John I>. Kills.
Jo6eph K. Uiiss.
Charles JI. Fletchir.
Harvey M. Hull.
Joniithun 1). Hoburt.
J'erley J. Jewott.
James W. I), JoUf'S.
Hirarit K. Kerxlal].
Joseph T. Patch.
John C. .Smith.
Sylvester T Wheeler.
Nathaniel H. Wright.
John H. Worcester Post, Grand Army of the
Republic, w;i.s ortjaiii/.fil April 1, 1S7"), in iinuor ol
Lieutenant J. H.Worcester, who was mortally wounded
ill the assault on Fort Wagner. July 18, 18(53.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
JO.SEPH E. WOnCESTER, LL.D.'
Joseph E. Worcester, LL.U., son of Jesse and
Sarah (Parker) Worcester, was born in Bedford,
N. H., August 24, 1784, and in 1794, when in his tenth
year, came to Hollis with his parents. His youth,
till the age of majority, was |)assed in agricultural
labor on his father's farm in Hollis; but he early
manifested an ardent love of knowledge, and availed
himself of every attainable means for mental im-
provement. After reaching his majority he pre-
pared himself for college, partly at the acailoniy in
Salisbury, N. H., and in part at l'hillii)s Academy, in
Andover, and entered the soplioiiiore cla.ss at Yale
in 1800, an<l graduated at Yale in 1811. After leaving
college he was for several years employed as a teacher
of a private school at Salem, Ma.ss. ; he afterwards
passed two years at Andover, Mass., and in 1819 re-
moved to f'amliriilge, where he devoted himself to
literary pursuits and to the preparation for the press
of his numerous an<l valuable publications, till his
decease, October 27, 18(;.''), aged eighty-one years. He
was inarrieil, .lune 29, 1841, to Amy Elizabeth Mc-
Kean (who still survives), daughter of Rev. Joseph
McKean, I).])., formerly profe.s.sor of rhetoric and
oratory at Harvard College.
The first literary work of Dr. Worcester was bis
" I'liiversal Gazetteer, Ancient and Modern," in two
volumes octavo, of near one thousand pages each,
published at Andover in 1817 ; the next, a "Gazetteer
of the Unitetl States," one volume octavo, of three
hundred ami seventy-two pages, published in 181S.
This was followed in ISl'.l by bis " Elements of Geog-
raphy, .\iicicnt and Modern, with an .\llas," a wf)rk
' From Wnrrortor'it Hlnlor>' of HoIHh.
that was received with such favor that it passed
through several stereotype editions. In 1823 this
geography was succeeded by an illustrated work, in
two volumes duodecimo, entitled " Sketches of the
Earth and its Inhabitants." In 1825, upon being
elected a member of the American Acatlemy, he
communicated to that associjition an elaborate essay
entitled " Remarks upon Longevity," which was ]>ub-
lished with the memoirs of the academy. His " Ele-
ments of Ancient and Modern History," with an
" Historical Atlas," appeared in 1826, — a work from
that time to the present very extensively used as a
standard text-book in our public High Schools and
academies.
His first work in lexicography was an edition of
"Johnson's Dictionary, combined with Walker's
Pronunciation," an octavo volume of eleven hun-
dred and fifty-six pages, first published iu 1828. In
1829, against his own inclination, he was induced,
through the persi.stent urgency of the publisher of
" Webster's Quarto Dictionary " (wiio was his personal
friend), to prepare an abridgment of that work, a
task to which he was strongly averse and at first re-
fused, a refusal to which he afterwards regretted that
he did not adhere. This work appeared in 18.'50 in
an octavo volume of one thousand and seventy-one
pages, into which he incorporated much valuable
matter which he had prepared for his own diction-
aries. The same year he published the first edition
of his " Comprehensive Dictionary," a duodecimo
volume of four hundred and twenty pages. This
work was the first of his own dictionaries, and at once
had an extensive sale and soon passed through many
editions.
In 1831 he made a voyage to Europe, where he
spent many months in visiting places of interest and
in the collection of works in the departments of
philology and lexicography, for use in bis future pub-
lications.
Upon his return from Europe be became the editor
of the "American Almanac," a statistical, closely-
printed duodecimo annual, each number containing
about three hundred and fifty pages, which he con-
tinued to edit for eleven years with his accustomed
care anil fidelity. In 184G his " Universal anil Crit-
ical Dictionary " was first published, — a large, closely-
printed royal octavo volume of one thousand and
thirty-one pages, and also, the same year, his "Ele-
mentary School Dictionary."
In 1S47, Dr. Worcester was threatened witli tutal
loss of sight. His eyes hiul yielded to his long, un-
broken intellectual labor, and for two years he was
nearly blind. In the meanwhile three operations
were performed on his rigiit eye, which became
wholly blind, and two on the left eye, which was
ha|)pily saved. .\ Iter the partial recovery of his sight
Dr. Worcester published the following works:
1850, " Primary Dictionary for Public Schools,"
Kimo, 384 ])p., revised edition, 18G0.
456
HISTORY OK HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1855, "Academic Dictionary," Cor High Schools
and academies, duodecimo, 565 pp.
18.57, " Pronouncing Sjjelling-Book," duodecimo,
180 pp.
1859, "Quarto Dictionary of the English Language,"
with 1000 illustrations, 1284 pp.
18G0, " Elementary Dictionary," revised edition,
duodecimo, 400 pp.
1860, "Comprehensive Dictionary," revised edi-
tion, duodecimo, 612 pp.
1864, "Comprehensive Spelling-Book," duodecimo,
156 pp.
From a memoir of Dr. Worcester, read before the
American Academy by Ezra Abbot, LL.D., libra-
rian of Harvard College, a few lines are here trans-
cribed, presenting an estimate of his literary labors
by one who was familiar with them, — " All the works
of Dr. Worcester (says the author of his memoir)
give evidence of sound judgment and good taste,
combined with indefatigable industry and a con-
scientious solicitude for accuracy in the statement
of facts. The tendency of his mind was practical,
rather than speculative.
" .\8 a lexicographer, he did not undertake to re-
form the anomalies of the English language. His
aim was rather to preserve it from corruption. In
regard to both orthography and pronunciation, he
took great pains to ascertain the best usage, and per-
haps there is no lexicographer whose judgment re-
specting these matters in doubtful cases deserve>
higher consideration."
Dr. Worcester was a member of the Massachusetts
Historical Society, of the American Academy, of
the American Oriental Society, and an honorary
member of the Royal Geographical Society of Lon-
don. He received the honorary degree of LL.D.
from Brown University in 1847, and from Dartmouth
College in 1856.
In a biographical sketch of Dr. Worcester, by Hon.
George S. Hillard, it is said of him, — " His long and
busy life was passed in unbroken literary toil. Though
his manners were reserved and his habits retiring, his
affections were strong, and benevolence was an ever-
active principle in his nature. . . . He was a stranger
to the impulses of passion and the sting of ambition.
His life was tranquil, happy and useful. A love of
truth and a strong sense of duty were leading traits
in his character. Little known, except by mime, to
the general public, he was greatly honored and loved
by that small circle of relatives and friends who had
constant opportunities of learning the warmth of his
affections and the strength of his virtues."
r
HISTORY OF HUDSON.
BY KIMBALL WEBSTEK.
CHAPTER 1.
Huunduriuf* — Topography — Forests — Wild Animals — Ponds and Streams
— Employnionts — Dunstable — Settlomi-nt of Londonderry— London-
derry Clulni— Hills' Grant — losipli Hills— His Will— Samuel Uille-
Uills' Garrison— Blodgett's Garrison— Taylor's Gurrisou— Fletcher's
Gurison.
Hl'Dsox is situated east of the Merrimack Rivei',
and borders upon the Massacliusetts line.
It is bounded north l>y Littlilield and London-
derry, east by Windham and Pelham, south by
Tyngsborough, Mass., and west by Nashua and Litch-
field.
The Merrimack River — a beautiful stream, from
three hundred and fifty to five hundred feet wide —
separates it from the city of Nashua and forms its
western border from Litchfield to the Massachusetts
line, a distance of about six and one-half miles.
Its extreme length from north to south is a little
more than eight miles, its average width about three
and one-half miles, and contains seventeen thousand
nine hundred and fifty-one acres, exclusive of water.
The Merrimack at this j)oint is raised from four to
six feet above its original level by the dam at Paw-
tuoket Falls, at Lowell, which causes a flowage as far
north a-s Cromwell's Falls, a distance of about twenty
miles, and covers all the falls between those two
points.
The surface of the westerly part of the towu is com-
paratively level, and bordering upon the Merrimack
are some very fertile and iinxluctive intervale lands,
where, especially at the iioitlicrly jiart, the Indians
cultivated small fields of corn before the first settle-
ments were made by the whites.
Some of the land along the river is sandy and less
productive, and other sandy plains abound to some
extent.
The easterly part of the town is liilly, rocky and
hard to cultivate, yet in the valleys and upon the
tlDpes of some of the hills arc good, strong, productive
ila and many excellent farms, which are especially
"iiipted to the [irodiiction of grass, the apple and
"I her fruits.
The sandy soils and rocky hills, many of which are
entirely unfit for cultivation, are very productive in
I he growth of wood and timber, which, being near
market, long have been, and for generations to come
probably will continue to be, a source of considerable
profit and income to the inhabitants of Hudson.
For many years pa.st the white pine has been the
most profitable timber, and naturally thrives best and
makes the most rapid growth upon sandy soils; yet
some of the best pine timber in town may be
found growing among the rocks.
The hard pine is also a common forest growth on
the ])lains, but, as compared with the white pine, is of
but little value for timber.
Oak of several kinds, walnut, soft maple, gray birch
and poplar thrive on the hard, rocky soils, and some
spruce and hackmatack may be found in the swamps.
.\bout forty per cent, of the area of the town is
covered with forest growth, much of it young, and
very little that has been growing more than fifty
years.
The first settlers found here an almost unbroken
forest of a heavy growth of white and pitch-pine, oak,
ma|)le, walnut and other species, which was long
since cleared away.
Some of the early settlere were engaged lor many
years in collecting turpentine, by " boxing " the large
pines, which, after being put into barrels, was floated
down the river and shipped to England.
The moose, deer, wolf, beaver, otter, mink, musk-
rat, S(iuirrel, wild turkey, i)artridge and other wild
animals were found here, and salmon, shad, alcwives
and lamprey eels were abundant in the Merrimack.
" Deer-Keepers " were elected as late as 1784, and
bounties of six pounds each, for killing wolves, were
paid in 1752.
The last moose known to have been in town was
killed by Asa Davis, Esf]., in Moose Swaniii, at the
east end of Hill's meadow, some time, probably, about
the beginning of the present century, although the
exact date is unknown. One of the horns of this
animal is still preserved by the descendants of Mr.
Davis.
Barrett's Hill, in the northeast part of the town,
is the highest elevation, being about five hundred feet
above the sea-level. Three ponds are within thcliinils
of the town.
Little Ma-ssabesic, in the northeast part, and niilil
177H in Londonderry, covers a surface of aliout one
hundred acres and empties into Heaver IJrook.
467
458
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Otternick — more commonly called " Tarnic " — lies
about one mile east of the Merrimack, contains thirty-
eight acres and empties into the river by Otternick
Brook, about eighty rods below Taylor's Falls bridge.
Several mills have been built upon this stream at
various times, from its outlet at the pond to near the
Merrimack.
The first saw-mill erected in town is said to have
been located at the outlet of Otternick Pond as early
as 1710. There is now on this stream a saw and grist-
mill and a file-sho|). The name was derived from an
Indian name, variously given in the ancient records
as Wattannick, Wataanuck, Watananock, Wataua-
nuck, Watannack, etc.
Musquash is a small pond in the south part of the
town, out of which flows a stream of the same name,
which empties into the river below the State line in
Tyngsborough, Mass. This stream has furnished
power for a saw andgrist-mill from the time of the early
settlements to the present.
The water-power in this town is very limited, and
no extensive manufacturing interests have ever been
located within its borders ; consequently the inhabit-
ants of Hudson have always been, and are still,
jirincipally engaged in the pursuit of agriculture.
It is essentially an agricultural town, and while,
perhaps, it would not be classed among the best in
the county, it is as good or better than the average.
The city of N.ishua furnishes a very convenieul
market for much of the surplus products of the town,
while Lowell, Mass., with a population of more than
sixty thousand, is but about five miles distant from
its southern boundary.
The grant of the old township of Dunstable by the
General Court of JIassachnsetts, October 16 (Old
Style), 1773, included all of Hudson.
Londonderry was settled by Presbyterians of
Scotch origin, from Ireland, in April, 1719. A tract
of land not to exceed ten miles square was conveyed
to them by a deed dated October 20, 1719, from John
Wheelwright, grands(m of the original claimant o!
the same name under the fannms " Wheelwright
Deed." The General Court of New Hampshire incor-
porated the town of Londond(?rry, ,Iuly 21, 1722. The
boundaries of the town, as described in this charter,
brought the southwest angle of Londonderry within
less than two miles of Merrimack River, at a point
about northeast from Taylor's Falls bridge, and
from there the line ran due north by the needle
eleven and one-half miles.
This covered nearly ten thousand acres within the
lines of Dunstable as granted by Massachusetts forty-
nine years before, and about four thousand six hun-
dred acres of this land are within the present limits of
Hudson.
Some controversy followed between the proprietors
of Dunstable and Londonderry in relation to the
ownershi]) of the land included in both towns, and
long known as " Londimderry Claim."
This controversy did not reach a final settlement
until the province line between Massachusetts and
New Hampshire was finally established, in 1741,
when — as these lands all fell within the limits of
New Hampshire — the original boundaries of Lon-
donderry were recognized and sustained by the Gen-
eral Court of that province.
The first and only grant of land within the present
limits of this town, made prior to the incorporation
of Dunstable— so far as I have been able to learn —
was five hundred acres laid out to Joseph Hills, of
Maiden, and surveyed by Jonathan Danforth in 1661.
This survey was not acceiitable to the court by rea-
son of its being "in three places, and so much length
on the river."
This grant was made, as stated by Mr. Hills, in his
request for a second survey, " on a double considera-
tion, for £33 6s. 8d., laid down in England, and for
services to the country."
A second survey was ordered by the General Court,
and a return made, of which the following is a copy :
''.\cconiing to the order of the General Court, the 14th Day of the 4th
month, 1C62, There is added unto the farm of .^Ir. Joseph Hill, of Mnl-
den. One hundred .\rres of land joining to the former^ Parcel, Back-
ward from the River ; thence the Buttings and Boundings of his farnt
are as follows :
"Layed out to Mr. Joseph Hills, of Maiden, .'lUOacresof Land in the
Wilderness, On the Ea.«terd Side of Merrimack River.
*'0ue Parsel of the .Same, containing 4.j0 Acres, Joineth to Said River ;
Beginning at Wattiannack Right Over Against the Island which Lyetli
at the mouth of Xashuay River, Running up Merrimack 4r»0 Poles by the
River ; thence Runuing half a point Northard of Tile East Hf< Poles, cut-
ting .\cross a Small Brook which Bounds it on the North, near Merri-
nuick; thence Running South and by Ea.st 4<h; Poles unto a Pino Tree
marked H ; from thence the closiug Line to Merrimack is lOr, poles, all
of which is Sufflciontly Bounded by Marked Trees, the form of which
Does Better .VpiK-ar by a Phil Taken of the Same.
'* .\lso one tltlier Parcel of the same, about .'lO Acrea of Sleadow, Lyeth
South Ejist of the former Parcel, about 2 Sliles Distant from it. Lying
under the North KasI end of a great hill called Discovery hill. .Mso
Bounded by other great hills on the Noi-th West an<i North Kiwi ; A
Brook Running through the Same.
** Also there is Another Meadow added unto this Parcel.
"This WHS Laid Out By
"Jonathan Dasfoktu.
"SMrreyor."
The first tract of this land, containing four hundred
and fifty acres, commenced on the river about sixty
rods above Taylor's Falls bridge, and extended up
the river to the little brook on the farm now owned
by Tyler Thomas, and included the best intervale
lands in town.
The second tract, of fifty acres, was in tlie large
meadow known as "Hills' Jleadovv," and the last
tract was on the brook east of Otternick Pond.
This Joseph Hills was from Maiden, Essex County,
England ; was in Charlestown, Mass., in 1638; removed
to Maiden, where he was freeman in 1645 ; was Rep-
resentative for Maiden 1647, 16.')0-5(), and Sjieaker
of the House in the earliest year.
He was a lawyer, leader of the militia of the town
and a man of much note; his descendants in this
town at the present time, under did'erent names, may
be numbered bv hundreds.
HUDSON.
459
He was married four times, and died in Xewbury
February 5, 1088, in the eighty-sixth year of his age.
In his very lengthy and explicit will, dated Sep-
tember, 1087, lie disposed of his " farm " in Dunstable
in the following manner:
To his daughter Hannali, the wife of Abial Long,
he gave ninety acres of upland at the south end and
ten acres of meadow.
To his son Wait he gave forty-five acres of upland,
next to that he gave to Plannah, and five acres of
meadow, with the little island at the mouth of the
Nashua River, and his six-acre piece of meadow.
To liis grandchildren, Hannah and Klizabeth
Blanchard, he gave forty-five acres of upland and five
acres of meadow ground, next to that he gave to
Wait.
To his son Gershom he gave a like quantity of
upland and meadow, next to said Blanchard's.
To Hannah Viuton and Samuel Greene, his grand-
children, he gave each forty-five acres of upland and
five acres of meadow, next to that he gave his son
Gershom.
To his granddaughter, Klizaljctli, daughter of Ger-
shom, he gave forty-six acres of upland and five acres
of meadow, next to that given to Vinton and Greene.
All the remainder of his farm in Dunstable, both
upland an<l meadow, he gave to his son Samuel.
This Samuel Hills, son of .foseph by his second
wife, and father of the first settlers of this town, was
born in Maiden July, 1602 ; married. May 20, 1679,
Abigail, daughter of David Wheeler, and had chil-
dren in Xewbury, — Samuel, born February 16, 1680;
Joseph, July 21, 1681 ; Nathaniel, February 9, 1683;
Benjamin, October 16, 1684; Abigail, Sei]tember 2,
1686, died young; Henry, Ajjrii 23, 1688 ; William,
October 8, 1689; Josiah, July 27, 1691; John,
September 20,1693; Abigail, June 27,169.5; .lames
and Hannah, twins, February 25, 1697 ; and Daniel,
December 8, 1700.
Three of these sons, according to tradition, were
the first settlers in what is now Hudson, but from the
records two only can be traced, — Nathaniel and
Henr)'. They built a garrison and settled on the
north part of the ".Joseph Hills' farm," willed
to their father, Samuel. This was known as the
"Nathaniel Hills' Garrison," and for nearly twenty
years it was the extreme northerly outpost, it being
an unbroken wilderness between here and the Canada
settlements. The exact date of this settlement is not
certain, but the best evidence now to be obtained
places it in 171", which cannot be very far from
correct.
The garrison stood about twenty-five rods east of
the Litchfudd road, on tlie farm now owned by
Clifton M. Hills, one of the descendants, about twenty
rods east of the house, where a depression in the
ground records the location of the first settlement in
Hudson.
The original farm, as willed to Samuel Hills, con-
80
tained .about eighty-nine acres, and included the north
part of the I'ierce farm, the C. M. Hills farm and
the south part of the Tyler Thomas farm, to near the
mouth of the little brook at the river.
Nathaniel Hills also bought of Jonathan Tyng
nine hundred acres of land between the north end of
the Joseph Hills farm and the Brenton farm, on the
north, which extended east from the river more tliau
two miles.
This included " Hills' Row," and this last tract
was all in Litchfield — as incorporated in 1734, unless,
as seems probable, the east end extended into Lon-
donderry — until Nottingham West was incorporated
by tlie (ieneral Court of New Hampshire, .Fuly 5, 1746.
These lands have always been known as "Hills'
Farms."
Captain John Lovewell and his party spent the
first night at "Hills' Garrison " wlien on their march
to Pequawket.
Nathaniel was the only one of the brothers mar-
ried tor several years after they settled in the garri-
son, and his wife, Sarah, was the only white female
resident.
Traditions have been haniled down showing the
heroism and bravery of this woman, and that once, at
least, in the absence of all the men, the garrison was
saved from falling into tlie hands of a party of liostile
Indians by her fearless courage and stratagem.
She lived to a great age, and died in 1786, aged one
hundred and two years.
Nathaniel Hills died April 12, 1748, aged sixty-five.
Henry Hills died August 211, I7r)7, aged sixty-nine.
Another lirotbcr, James Hills, removed from New-
bury to this town in 1737, and from these three
brothers — all of whom left children — the numerous
family of Hills of this town have descended.
Two other garrisons were built at or before the
time of LovewcU's war, — Joseph Blodgett's and John
Taylor's.
The Blodgett garrison was located about two an<l
one-half miles below the mouth of the Nashua River,
some distance west of the |)resent River road, on the
farm now owned by Philip J. Connell, which is a
jiart of the original Blodgett farm.
We have it from tradition that the first white male
child born in town, was a sonof .Toseph Blodgett.
.Joseph Blodgett was one of the first settlers, if not
the first, after the Hills.
We find reconled upon the old Dunstable record.-*
the following liirtlis : .Joseph Blodgett, born February
9, 1719; Ebenezer, .January :!, 1721 ; Rebecca. Feb-
ruary 3, 1728; .Fonathan, December.'), 1730. And on
the Nottingham records: .lames Bloilgelt, born Feb-
ruary 17, 1734, — all children of Joseph and Dorothy
Blodgett.
.Iosei)h Blodgett died December 3, 1761, in the
seventy-fourth year of his age, and his widow, Doro-
thy, died March 6, 1778, in the eighty-fourth year of
her age.
460
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The descendants of Joseph Blodgett are numerous
in this town.
The .John Taylor garrison was on that part of the
Joseph Hills farm willed to Oershom Hills, now
owned by Charles W. Spalding, and was located
between the present Litchfield and Derry roads.
The exact spot where it stood is still known, and
pieces of timber which entered into its construction
are preserved by Sir. Spalding.
But little is known of this John Taylor, and none
of his descendants are supposed to be residents of this
town at the present time.
His name does not appear upon the town records
later than 1742.
It is recorded in the Dunstable records that Eliza-
beth Taylor, daughter of John and Sarali Taylor, was
born December 10, 1710, and that they had a sou born
Januaiy 16, 1726.
It has been thought that the falls in the Merrimack,
about eighty rods below Taylor's Falls bridge, — now
covered by the tiowage from the dam at Lowell, —
derived the name from this John Taylor.
Another, the Fletcher garrison, was located in
what was the town of Nottingham, a short distance
south of the State line, now Tyngsborough, Mass.
CHAPTER IL
HUDSON— {Con(m«ed).
The Charter of Nottingham — First Town-Meeting and Town Offirers —
.Short Biographical Sketches — The First Meeting-House, Hills Famis
Meeting-House — Incorporation of Litchfield — Boundaries — Settlement
of Rov. Nathaniel Merrill.
In 1731 the inhabitants residing on the east side of
the Merrimack petitioned the town of Dunstable to
be set off from that town as a separate township, and
by a vote of the town of Dunstable, March 2, 1732, the
petition was granted, to take effect " when the Gene-
ral Court shall judge them capable."
Leave was obtained from the Assembly of Massa-
chusetts, and the new township was incorporated Jan-
uary 4, 1733, under the name of Nottingham.
The township of Nottingham, by the terms of this
charter, included " all the lands on the easterly side
of the river Merrimack belonging to the town of Dun-
stable," and extended from Dracut line, up the Mer-
rimack, about seventeen miles, and included Litch-
field, about one-tliird of Pelham, nearly all that
part of Tyngsl>orough on the east side of the Merri-
mack and all the present town of Hudson, excepting
that wliich was included in the " Londonderry Claim,"
already mentioned.
The charter required "that the inhabitants of said
town of Nottingham are hereby enjoiiic<l and required,
within the space of three years from tlie publication
of this act, to ])rocure a learned orthodox minister,
of good conversation, and make provision for his com-
fortable and honourable support."
If, by the conditions of the charter, it was under-
stood that the town was enjoined to settle a minister
within three years, those conditions were not strictly
complied with.
But Rev. Sampson Stoddard was employed to
preach soon after the charter was granted, for which
services he was paid, March 18, 1734, £35 10*. ad.,
and he received nearly as much more during the same
year.
An order from the General Court of Massachusetts,
dated April 4, 1733, directed to " Mr. Robert Fletcher,
one of the princi])al inhabitants of Nottingham," au-
thorized him to "assemble and convene the Inhabit-
ants of said Town, to choose Town officers to stand
until the annual meeting in March next." A war-
rant was accordingly issued by Mr. Fletcher, and the
first town-meeting was called to meet at the house of
Ensign John Snow on the 1st day of May, 1733, at
ten o'clock, a. .m.
The foUovping is a full list of officers elected at this
meeting :
Captain Robert Fletcher, moderator ; Henry Baldwin, town clerk ;
Henry Baldwin, Captain Robert Fletcher, John Taylor, Joseph Snow,
John Butler, selectmen ; Joseph IlatuOlet, constable ; Nathaniel Hills,
tithiuginau ; Joseph Perhani, Joseph Winn, Kleazer Ctimniings, survey-
ors; Thomas Colburn, .Jonathan Perham, field-drivers ; Phineaa Spald-
ing, John Hamblet, hog-reeves.
The first tax-list, for 1733, was composed of the
following names :
Captain Robert Fletcher, Ezekiel Fletcher, Daniel Fletcher, Joseph
Perham, .lonathan Perham, Jereniiah Colburn, Zacchens Slmbling,
Deacon Joseph Perham, James Perham, Captain Joseph Butter-
field, Hugh Uichardson, Samuel Gould, Ensign John Snow, Phineaa
S|>alding, Zaccheus LoTewell, Thomas I'oUard, Elea;£er Cumniinga,
William Cunimiugs, Eleazer Cummiugs, Jr., Etienezer Spalding,
Nathaniel Hills, Ephraim Cummings, Joseph Snow, Thomas Col-
burn, Josei)h Blotlgetl, Nathan Cros, John Taylor, Jabez Davis, Henry
Hills, Edward Spalding. Bei^amin Adams, .\quilla Vnderwood, Samuel,
Moores, Thoma^i Wartels, Capttiin Itobert Richardson, Ebenezer
M'right, Edward Lingfield, .Tohn , John Butler, John Butler,
Jr.. Samuel Butler, Jtweph Hamblet, Jr., Josiah Winn, Henry Baldwin,
Thonuis Cummings, Joseph Wright, James "Walker, Joseph Hamblet,
Joseph Winn, John Hamblet, Jonas Proctor, Benjamin Hassel, ^^'illiam
Harwood, Samuel Murdough, Robert Walker.
This list contains fifty-five names, of which the first
twelve all lived in that part of the town which is now
in Tyngsborough, eight, beginning with Benjamin
Adams, in what is now Litchfield, aiul the seventeen
last, commencing with the name of John Butler, were
all, or nearly all, residents in what is now Pelham.
Thus it seems that the tax-payers then residents
within the jiresent limits of Hudson numbered only
about eighteen.
Joseph Winn soon after settled near the river.
Space will not admit of giving any lengthy account
of these early pioneer settlers; yet, as their descendants
com]>rise a very large percentage of the present
population of Hudson, a brief sketch may prove of
interest to many of the inhabitants of the town.
Thomas Colburn was son of Thomas and Mary
Colburn, of Dunstable, born April 28, 1702.
Samuel Sewell, of Boston, conveyed to him, April
HUDSON.
461
lil, 172(), tliree pieces of land on the east side of Mer-
riuun-k Kiver, containing in all seven liundred acres.
Tlie first tract described contained about two hun-
dred acres, bounding on the river, about three miles
below the bridge ; it was the one on which he settled,
and a large part of it is yet owned by his descendants.
*' Capt. Thuiiioii Cylburn died Aug. 3U, 1705, in tlie Oltli year of liis
age.
''Thomas Colljuru, Jr., eonofCapt. Thoiuafl Colbum and Mary, bis
wiff, died .V!ig. :yi, I7(i'>, in his Uh year.
" Itoth l(illi-d hy lightning.''
Children of Thomas and Mary Colbum, — Thomas,
born November 12, 1761; Isaac, January 2/5, 17G3 ;
Zaccheus, February ll>, 17Go.
Thomas Pollard also settled upon a farm bordering
on the river, about one-half mile above the Colburn
place.
He was son of Thomas and Sarah Pollard, of Bil-
lerica, who had ten sons and five daughters.
(.'hildreii of Thomas and Mary Pollard, — John,
born September 20, 1727; Ebenezer, December 4,
1728, WiU at the battle of 15ennington; Thomas, Sep-
tember 17, 1732, died September 7, 175(j ; Dorcas,
January 12, 1735, died young; Amos, March 2, 1737;
Rachel, March 26, 1739; Mary, June 10, 1741, died
young; Samuel, July 10, 174-3; Timothy, August 24,
174.'), a soblier in the Revolution.
Thomas I'oUard died July 23, 1769.
Joseph and John Snow lived at the south part of
the town, and, as is su])i)08ed, about two miles from
the river.
Joseph Snow was chosen constal>le for the east side
of the river March 2, 1724. (Dunstable records).
John Snow was the first town treasurer, and died
March 21, 173o.
Joseph Winn was from Woburn, and a descendant
of Edward Winn, an early settler of that town.
He bought land on the river upon which he settled
between the farm of Thomas Colburn and that of
Thomas Pollard.
A part of the original farm is now owned by Paul
T. Winn, one of his descendants.
He had several chililren, and died August 25, 1781,
in the eighty-fourth year of his age.
His wife, Elizabeth, died Sei)tcmber 17, 1778, aged
seventy-three years. His descendants are numenms.
Nathan Cross and Thonnis Blanchard were taken
pri-soners by a party of Mohawk Indians when em-
j)loyed in getting turpentine north of the Nashua
liiver, and about three-fourths of a mile west of the
Merrimack, September 4, 1724.
They were taken to Canada, where they remained
in captivity several months, when they effected their
release ami returned home through the wilderness in
the spring of 1725.
After his return Cross found his musket in a hollow
log, where he bad i>laced it with his dinner on the
day of his capture.
This musket has been preserved by the family, and
not long since was presented by one of the descend-
ants to the Nashua Historical Society.
Mr. Cross had but a short time before come to this
country.
April 22, 1724, Joseph Butterfield conveyed to him
forty-five acres of laud on the east side of Merrimack
liiver, two pieces of meadow and tlie little island at
the mouth of Nashua River, it being the same land
willed by Joseph Hills to bis son Wait.
Soon after his return from Canada lie built a house
and settled upon this farm.
The children of Nathan and Sarah Cross, as found
recorded, were Peter, born Septeml)er 28, 1729;
Sarah, June 26, 1731; and John, son of Nathan and
JIary Cross, born October 9, 1735. He died Septem-
ber 8, 1766.
This family became numerous in this and the ad-
joining towns.
The names of Eleazer Cummings, Eleazer, Jr.,
William, E|ihraim and Thomas appear in the list.
They were all descendants of .lohn Cummings, Sr.,
of Dunstable, who was son of Isaac Cummings, an
early settler from Scotland, in Topsfield, Mass.
John Cummings was one of the proprietors of Dun-
stable, was elected one of the selectmen .\i)ril 7, 1680,
and was one of the founders of the cliurcli in the same
year. He was one of the selectmen and town clerk
for many years.
He married Sarali Howlet, and had children, —
John, Nathaniel, Sarah, Thomas (born 1659), Abra-
ham, Isaac and Ebenezer.
William Cummings was son of .Tolin Cummings, .Jr.,
born April 24,1702; married Sarah, ilaughterof Wil-
liam Harwood.
He settled on that part of the Joseph Hills farm
willed to Hannah and Elizabeth Blanchard, next
north of the Cross farm.
His children were Sarah, born November 10, 1728;
Ebenezer. January 29, 1730 ; .lohn Harwood, April
24, 1733 ; and Dorcas, December IS, 1737.
He was a deacon of the church, and died September
9, 1758.
Ephraim and Thomas Cummings were brothers, and
sons of Thomas Cummings.
Thomas did not long remain in town.
Ephraim Cummings was l)orn Maiili 10, 1706, and
married Elizabeth liutler.
He lived on the Pelham road, on the south side of
"Bush Hill."
His children, — Peter, born Decembers, 1733 ; Sarah,
March 12, 1736; David, May 20,1738; Elizabeth,
OcU)ber 26, 1740; Ephraim, April 9,1743; Hannah,
April 29, 1745 ; and Priscilla, July 7, 1747.
Eleazer Cummings, Jr., as he is rccordc<l, w;is the
son of Abraham Cummings, born in Woburu April
9, 1704; married Rachel Proctor.
He lived on the south part of the ninety ncre.'< of the
.luscph Hills farm, willed to Hannah Vinton and
Samuel Green.
462
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Tlie house in wliicli he lived was at tlic foot of the
hill, east of the causeway, on the farm now owned by
Josiah K. Wheeler.
He had two children,- — Eleazer, born December 15,
1730, and Abraham, June 1, 1734.
He died in 1735, and it seems that his wife died
before, and that he married asecond time, as the name
of his widow was Mary.
Eleazer Cummings was a son of Nathaniel and
Elizabeth Cummings, born October 19, 1701, and from
him all now living in this town by the name of Cum-
mings have descended.
By deed dated August 1, 1728, Benjamin Long and
Hannali Rogers conveyed to him all that part of the
Joseph Hills farm willed to their mother, Hannah
Long, containing ninety acres, at the south end, below
the Cross farm, and extending to within about si.xty
rods of Taylor's Falls bridge.
He soon after erected a two-story frame house, in
which he lived.
He married, July 28, 1734, Mary Varnum, of Dracut.
About that time he established a ferry across the
Blerrimack, and opened a tavern.
It was said by his son Eleazer, who died December
1, 1843, that this was the first tavern in town, and the
first regular ferry between this town and Dunstable.
His wife died September 17, 1759, aged fifty-three
years. He married again, July 12, 1764, Phebe Rich-
ardson, of Litchfield. Their children, — Eleazer, born
June 16, 1765, and Phebe, July 8, 1768.
He died December 8, 1780, and his wife died De-
cember 7, 1788.
The Spaldings were descendants of Edward Spal-
ding, of Chelmsford.
Zacchens, who lived south of the State line, and
Phineas were brothers, and nephews of Ebenezer.
Phineas probably lived in the north part of the
town.
Ebenezer, who was the ancestor of all the Spal-
dings now residents in town, and Edward, his son,
lived upon that ]iart of the Joseph Hills farm willed
to Elizabeth, daughter of Gershom Hills, containing
forty-six acres, and it seems by deeds that he owned
another piece north of it, or all of wliat is known as
the " Pierce farm."
He was a son of Edward Spalding, and born in
Chelmsford January 13, 1783.
I[e married Anna and had children, — Edward,
born March 8,1708; Bridget, December 25, 1709;
Experience, March 22, 1711 ; Reuben, March 27, 1715
(died young); Stephen, May 28, 1717 ; Sarah, Novem-
ber 27, 1719; Esther, February 22, 1722; Mary, May
4, 1724 ; Reuben, July 26, 1728 ; and Anna, November
30, 1731. The majority of these children were born
in Chelmsford.
Zacchens Lovewell was a brother of Captain John
Lovewell, and lived nearthe river, a little north of the
State line, until 1747, when he removed to Dunstable
(now Nashua.)
Jabez Davis was a Quaker, and is supposed to have
lived on that part of the Joseph Hills farm next north
of that owned by Eleazer Cummings, Jr.
Within a few years after the town was incorporated
other families settled here by the names of Cireeley
and Marsh, from Haverhill; Merrill, from Newbury;
Wa.son, Caldwell, Chase, Hale, Hardy, Burbank,
Burns, Hamblet, Page, Frost, Barrett, Kenney, Rob-
inson, Searles, Burroughs, Carkin, Nevens, Houston
and others, many of whose descendants are now resi-
dents.
Very soon after the town was organized, as was
common with other new towns, the question of build-
ing a meeting-house engrossed the minds of the in-
habitants ; but a serious difference of opinion existed
in respect to a location. September 11, 1733, the town
instructed the selectmen " to measure from the lower'
end of the town, so up the river as far as Natticook
line, and so arround the town ; and also to find the
centre of the land."
November 5th, " Voted, that the meeting-house shall
stand the east side of Littlehale's meadow, at a heap
of stones at the root of a pine tree."
At a town-meeting December 26th, the last vote
was reconsidered, and a location farther north was se-
lected, and it was " Voted, to build a meeting-house
forty feet long and thirty-five feet wide and twenty
feet between joints."
A committee of five was chosen to " set up the
frame," and it was " Voted, that the meeting-house
shall be raised by the first day of May next."
It was also voted at this meeting to raise forty
pounds to pay for the frame.
March 6, 1734, the town voted to raise one hundred
pounds to hire preaching, and fifty pounds more to
finish the meeting-house. " Voted, to board, clap-
board, shingle and lay the lower Hoor," and a com-
mittee was chosen to finish the meeting-house, with
instructions to " accomplish the same by the last day
of September."
The location wiis again changed at the same meet-
ing.
May 27th, "Voted, to reeon.sider the former vote lo-
cating the meeting-house, and voted to build a meet-
ing-house on land of Thomas Colburn, at a heap of
stones this day laid up, not far from said Colburn's
southerly dam." " Also voted to raise the same on
the first day of .Tune next."
This last was the final location, and it apjiearsthat
the commit tees carried out theirinstructions, .is a town-
meeting was held in the meeting-house October 3,
1734.
All the town-meetings prior to that date, — nine in
number, — with one exception, were held at the house
of Ensign Jolin Snow, one at the house of Ephraira
Cummings. This was the first meeting-house in town,
the exact location of which is not known, but it
stood on the east side of the road, as then traveled,
north of Musquash Brook, and is said to have been a
HUDSON.
463
little north of the Nathaniel Merrill house, which oc-
cupied the same spot upon which Benjamin Fuller's
house now stands; but tradition jiside, it would look
more probable that it stood between the Merrill house
and the brook.
Tradition has long pointed to the Hills Farms
meeting-house, that stood on the east side of the Derry
road, some distance south of Alden Hills' house, as
having been built at an earlier date.
The following extracts from a petition to theGeneral j
Court, in 1742, signed by John Taylor and fourteen
other inhabitants of the north part of Nottingham,
and Nathaniel Hills and sixteen other inhabitants of
the south part of Litchfield, jinives the tradition to
be erroneous.
The petition represents, —
" That your |H'titIoiii_'ni, after a ineetiiig-liouse was built in Nottingham,
and before any was built in Litchfield, erected a meetine-houae for the
public uorship of God, where both we and our families might attend
uiiun God in Hin Iioum;, and since that another oiceting-house has been
Bet up in Litchfield. . . .
"And your petitioners have for some considerable time maintained
and supiorted the public wurahip of God among us at our own cost and
charge. . . .
" Your petitioners therefore do humbly pray that we may be erected
Into a (ownsliip, there l)eing a sufficient tract of land iu the Northwest-
erly part of Nottingham and the Southerly part of Litchfield to make a
compact Town, without any prejudice to the towns of Nottingham or
Litchfield. ..."
Litchfield, which had been known as Natticook, or
Breuton's Farm, was incorporated by the General
Court of Massachusetts July 4, 1734.
L'nder this charter the town of Litchfield was
bounded, —
" Beginning at Merrimack Kiver, half a mile south of where Nat-
ticook *)UIh line crosseth said river, running from thence west two miles
and a half, then turning and running northerly the general course of
Merrimack River to .'^owbceg (Souhegan) River, making it a straight
line, then running by Sowbeeg (Souhogan). River to Merrimack River
again two miles and a half.
"Also, that the bounds dividing between Natticook and Nottingham
begin at the lower line or south l)oun<ls of Nathaniel Hillf' lands on
Merrimack River, so e-xtending east by his south line to the south east
Corner ; tKt on east to Nottingham east line ; north two degrees east, about
half a mile, to a pine tree with stones about it, standing within sight of
Beaver brook, markerl with the letter F; from thence North North west
by a line of marked trees, lettered with K, about six miles to Merrimack
River, near Natticook corner ; Southerly by the River Merrimack t4) tlio
mouth of the Stjwbeeg (Souhegan) River, before mentioned."
Litchfield, as then bounded, extended south at Mer-
rimack River nearly a mile farther than at present,
and aljoiit one-lialf mile south of the Breiiton line,
and included tlit- nine hundred acres of land Nathaniel
Hills bought of .lonatlian Tyng, leaving all, or nearly
all, of the .losepli Hills farm in Nottingham.
The Hills Farms meeting-house, built soon after,
was in Litclifield, near its southern border, as the
town was then boundcil, and so were all the bousl^s
and farms in Hills How, which farms were parts of
the Nathaniel Hills "Tyng" land
December 'i, 1735, the town voted to build a pulpit
and a body of seats, leaving room in the middle of the
meeting-house up to the pulpit, and leaving room
around the outside to build pews, and also to lay the
gallery floors, build stairs to the galleries and a gal-
lery rail.
July 6, 1737, " Voted and made choice of Mr.
Nathaniel Merrill for their gospel minister to settle
in Nottingham, and voted him £200 settlement in
case he accepts the call, and chose Captain Robert
Fletcher, Ensign Joseph Snow, John Butler and
Henry Baldwin to find his terms how he will settle."
September 19th, the town voted to give Mr. Merrill,
in case he .should accept the call, two hundred and
fifty pounds, bills of credit, old tenor, as a gift, and
to give him one hundred and twenty pounds, annu-
ally, in bills of credit, silver money twenty shillings
to the ounce, an addition of ten pounds annually to
be added after five years from settlement, and an ad-
dition of ten pounds more annually after ten years
from settlement, and to give him a .sutticient supply
of firewood brought to his door annually.
The call was accepted, and the Rev. Nathaniel
Merrill was ordained November 30, 1737, and a Con-
gregational Church was founded the same day.
He was the son of Abel Merrill, of West Newbury ;
born JIarcli 1, 1712, and graduated at Harvard Col-
lege in 1732.
He bought land of Thomas Colburn for a farm,
built a house near the meeting-house, where he re-
sided until his death, in 1796.
In front of the house an aged elm is now standing,
which is said to have been i>lanted by Rev. Mr.
Merrill.
He had nine children, all born in this town.
Children of Rev. Nathaniel and Elizabeth Merrill, —
Nathaniel, born September 2.j, 1739; Betsey, Septem-
ber (), 1741; Mary, August 28, 1743, died young;
John, October 2G, 174.5; .\bel, December 23, 1747;
Dorothy, February 10, 1749; Olive, December 4, 1751,
married Isaac Merrill, February 25, 1779; Sarah, Oc-
tober 31, 1753; and Benjamin, April 3, 1756.
CHAPTER III.
HUDSON— (CoiKrniierf).
Settlement of tlio Province Lino — Charter of Nottingham West — Bonn-
daries— Second Moi'ting-Honse— North Meeting-IIouso— Roads Laid
Out— Stocks— Petitionof Josiah Cum mlngs— Bounty on Wolves— High-
way Taxes— Sir. SferrlU's Salar>'—Presbylerian8— Settlement with
Rev. Mr. Jlorrlll.
Tun province line between New Hampshire and
Miissachusctts, about which there had been a long
and bitter controversy, was settled and established in
1741.
The new line divided the town of Nottingham,
leaving about four thousand acres of the south part in
Ma.ssacliuselts and the balance in New Haiiipshire.
The meeting-house was within less than two niili\s of
the province line; the inhabitants were dissatisfied and
" Vnli'd to send a petition to England to be annexed
to Massacliusetts Bay."
464
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Tlie petition did not succeed, and Nottingham,
nortli of tlie line, remsiined a district aUout five years,
subject to the jurisdiction and laws of New Hamp-
shire.
March 10, 1746, at a district meeting, it was voted,
by a vote of thirty-two yeas to twenty-one nays, to be
incorporated into a " Distinct Town," and " Thomas
Gage, Ephraim Cummings and John Butler were
chosen a committee to treat with the Courts Commit-
tee."
A charter was granted by the General Court of New
Hampshire, July 5, 1746, and the name of the town
was changed to Nottingham West, there being already
a Nottingham in the east part of the State.
Under this charter the town was bounded, —
" Beginning at the River Merrimack, on the east side thereof, where
the line that parta the Province of Massachusetts Bay an<t New Hamp-
shire crosses the said river, and runs from siiid river eafit, ten degrees
south, by the needle, two miles and eighty rods : tlien north, twenty lie-
grees east, five miles and eiglity rods to Londonderrj- south side line,
then by Londonderry line west northwest to the southwest corner of
Londonderry township ; then north on Lundonderrj' west side line one
mile and eighty rods ; then west by tlie needle to Slerrimack Kiver ; then
on said River southerly to the place begiin at."
The charter contained the following reservation :
*' Always reserving to us, our heirs and successors, all white pine trees
growing and being, or that shall hereafter grow and be on the said tract
of land, for the use of our Royal Navy."
These boundaries excluded all of that part of Pel-
ham — nearly one-third — formerly included in the dis-
trict of Nottingham, with about twenty families by
the names of Butler, Hamblet, Baldwin, Gage, Gibson,
Nevens, Douglass, Kichardson and Spalding, and in-
cluded a part of the south part of Litchfield, as before
bounded, about one mile wide on the Merrimack, but
less at the east end, with Nathaniel Hills, William
Taylor, Henry Hills, Jnsejih Pollard, James Hills,
Ezekiel Hills, John Marsh, Jr.. Thomas Marsh, Henry
Hills, Jr., Samuel Hills, Nathaniel Hills, Jr., and
some other inhabitants.
In apetition to theOovernorand Council, by Nathan
Kendall, in behalf of the inhabitants of Litchfield,
August 22, 1746, it is represented, —
" That by some mistake or misrepresentation, the boundaries given in
said charter are different from what the intention was, as they conceive,
for part of that which wa^ called Litchfield on the easterly side of Sitid
river is, in fact, taken into Nottingham and incorporated as parcel of that
town, and what is left of Litchfield is much too small for a town and
can't possibly subsist as such, and there is no place to which it can be
joined, nor from which anything can be taken to add to it.''
The firsi town-meeting under the new charter,
called by Zaccheus Lovewell, was held at the house
of Samuel Greeley, July 17, 1746, at which Zaccheus
Lovewell was elected moderator, Samuel (ireeley town
clerk, George Burns treasurer, and Samuel Greeley,
Zaccheus Lovewell and Eleazer Cummings select-
men.
August 20th, " Voted to move the preaching to Mr.
Renjamin Whittemore's house."
October 20, 1746, a committee was chosen to find
the "centre up and down of the town;" and at an
adjourned meeting, November 20th, the " committee's
report is, that the centre up and down of this town
is on the northeasterly side of Mr. Benjamin Whitte-
more's lot, and on the east side of the way that leads
to Litchfield."
" The town viewed the said place, and marked sev-
eral pine-trees on said spot, and voted said place to
erect a meeting-house on."
It was also voted, at the same meeting, to " pull
down the old meeting-house," and a committee was
chosen to effect the same. The committee did not
" pull down the old meeting-house," as it appears
later that no satisfactory arrangement could be made
with those people of Pelham and Tyngsborough who
helped build and owned pews in it.
January 12, 1747, the town voted to build a meet-
ing-house forty feet long and twenty-six feet wide,
and a committee was chosen to effect the same.
The meeting-house was not built by that commit-
tee, and June 1, 1748, the town " Fo^erf to purchase the
upper meeting-house in said town, at a value of eighty
pounds, old tenor ;" and a committee was chosen to
"pull down and remove the said meeting-house, and
to erect the same at some suitable and convenient
place, and to effect the same at or before the first day
of July next."
This was the Hills Farms meeting-house, before
mentioned, and it appears that the committee soon
after ettected its removal, as the next town-meeting,
August 31, 1748, was held at the meeting-house, and
it was '' Voted to lay the lower floors, hang the doors, •.
underpin the frame, board up the upper windows,
and to remove the seats out of the old meeting-house
and ]ilace them in the new house, and i>ut up some
of the old glass windows, and to have a tier of pews
built in the front of the meeting-house."
October 26th a committee was chosen by the town
"To pull up the floors in the old meeting-house, and
the breast-work, and take out the rails ; and to ])ut up
stairs and put in slit-work; lay the gallery floors, and
bring the slit-work, old floors and breast-work to the
place, and put up the breastwork; all to be done this
fall, and to allow horse-shelters to be built on the
town's land, near the meeting-house."
April 24, 1749, " Voted, to clapboard the meeting-
house and put up the window-frames and the old glass
this year."
July 7, 1751, " Voted, to have two seats made and
set up around the front of the gallery, and to call in
and i)ut up the old gla.ss so far as it will go."
This house occupied nearly the same position where,
forty yeare ago, stood the old school-house in Dis-
trict No. 4, near the .Joseph Blodgett ]dace, in the
margin of the old burying-ground and near where
the gate now stands.
It was the last meeting-house built by the town,
and was occupied as a place of public worship until
March, 1778, when the town voted to sell the "old
meeting-house," and, February 1, 177ii, " Voted, that
HUDSON.
465
the money that the old meeting-house sold for should
be turned into the treiisury by the committee who
sold it."
The record does not inform us to whom the meeting-
house was sold, but it is reasonable to suppose that it
w:i.-; bought for Mr. Morrill by his society and friends,
and removed to the south part of the town, as there
was at about that time, and for many years after, a
meeting-house on the east side of the Back road, south
of Musquash Brook, in which Mr. Merrill continued to
preach until near the time of his death, in ITi'O. This
house was called "Mr. Merrill's Moeting-hou.se," and
later, the " Gospel-Shop."
It was located east of the road, on the high
ground nearly opposite the old burying-place, and
was not — as has been supposed by some — the first
meeting-house, which, ;ls has been mentioned in a
former chaptor, was on the north side of the brook, and
about half a mile distant from the location of this one-
And further, if we suppose an error possible as to
the location of the old meeting-house — after the town,
in 1748, had removed the seats, ])ulpit, deacon-seats'
windows, floors, brea.st-work and rails, and put them
into the new house, it was voted unanimously, .fanuary
30, 1749, "To give the old meeting-house all that is
remaining, excepting window-frames, casements and
glass and pews — i.e., all their right and interest in
and to the same, excepting what is before excepted
as a present to the Rev. Mr. Morrill."
Mr. Morrill preaclie<l in the second meeting-house
for nearly thirty years after he was presented with
the shell of the old one, and it would not be reason-
able to supi)Ose that he would preserve and keep the
old house in repair for that time, when he had no
use for it.
The old North meeting-house, at the Centre, which
stood until the present town-house was erected, in
18o7, was built by the Presbyterians, probably in
1771, as a town-meeting held October 7th of that year,
was called at the old meeting-house.
The land upon which it stood was conveyed, Decem-
ber 1.5, 1770, by Deacon Henry Hale, to Captain Abra-
ham I'ago, David Peabody, Hugh Smith, .Foseph
Wilson and A.sa Davis, " as a committee appointed
for building a meeting-house on said premises."
This building, which was the cause of several very
bitter controversies, was repaired by the town in 1792,
deeded by the proprietors to the Baptist Society No-
vember 2(), 1811, and by that society to the town of
Hud.son .March 1, 1842.
The town-meetings, with a few exceptions, were
held at this meeting-house from 1779 until the pres-
ent town-house was erected to supply its place. A
few were held at the house of Timothy Smith and
other private dwoUings.
Novomlior 19, 17G4, the town voted to build a
nieeting-housc, and several similar votes were passed
at later dates, but as a location could not be agreed
upon, the object did not succeed.
March 9, 1747, "Chose Edward Spalding and
Benj. Frost to take care that the deer are not chased
around out of season as the law directs."
In 1747 the selectmen laid out a road from Litch-
field to the province line, which the town voted not to
accept, and it was laid out by a "Courts Committee"
the same year. Nine other roads were laid out by the
selectmen and accepted by the town.
September 21, 1747, " Voted to erect a pair of stocks,
and voted three pounds, old tenor money, to erect the
same. John Marshall was chosen to build said
stocks."
December 7, 1747, Josiah Cummings, Eleazer ( 'um-
mings and several other residents of the north part of
the town petitioned the General Court, praying,
" That they might be discharged, both polles and es-
tates, from paying anything towards the support of
the ministry at said Nottingham, so long as they at-
tend elsewhere. ..."
March 7, 1748, Deacon Samuel Greeley and John
Marshall " were chosen to go to court to answer a
citation. ..." The prayer of the petitioners
was not granted.
October 15, 1749, a road was laid out from Rev. Mr.
Morrill's to the meeting-house, beginning near the
Rev. Mr. Merrill's orchard and running northerly,
through land of Roger Merrill, Ebenezer Dakin, Heze-
kiah Hamblet, Gerrish, Joseph Blodgett, Deacon
Samuel Greeley and BenjaminWhittcmore, tothetown
land appropriated for the use of the meeting-house.
This is the same road now known as the Back road,
or Burns road.
March 2, 1752, a bounty of six pounds was voted for
every wolf caught and killed.
The first tax for mending the highways was in 17.53,
when two hundred pounds, old tenor, was raiseil for
that jiurposo, and the price of labor was oslablished at
fifteen shillings a day for men, one-half as much for a
pair of oxen and four shillings for a cart.
As the currency continued to depreciate, Mr. Mer-
rill's salary was raised from year to year, until 1759,
when ho received twelve hundred pounds, old toiior,
at six pounds per dollar.
September 2(i, 17C4, " \'oted, that those Presbyte-
rians who attend Mr. Kinkaid's meeting in Windham
be excused from paying towards the support of Rev.
Mr. Merrill." Much trouble had already arisen in
relation to the collection of the minister taxes from
the Presbyterians, of which there was a considerable
number in town, which continued numy years later,
and at times was carried into the courts for settle-
ment.
At the annual meeting, 1772, "The town chose
Deacon Ebenezer Cummings to see that the fish are
not obstructcil in their passage up Wattannock Brook,
so called, this present year." Alewivosin largo i|iian-
titios made their way up this brook until the ilam at
Lowell obstructed their passage up the river.
In March, 1773, a vote was passed against raising
466
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
any money to pay Kev. Mr. Merrill, and in June fol-
lowing it was " Voted to call a council to settle the
difficulties now subsisting between Mr. Merrill and
his people upon such terinsas maybe reasonable and
agreeable to the word of God."
It does not appear that this council was ever con-
vened.
September 27th the town " Voted to dismiss all
those that are uneasy with Mr. Merrill from [laying
any rates to his support."'
The contract between the town and Mr. Merrill was
dissolved, as the following receipt will show :
" I, the subscriber, for and in consideration of the sum of sixty pounds,
Imwful money, to me in hand paid, or secured to be paid, do therefore
acquit and discbarge The luJuibituiits of the Town of Xottiugham west
for all d(!mauds I now Imve, or may have hereafter, upon them asa Town,
by virtue of any fonner agreement or agreements, vote or votes made or
voted between them and me as their minister ; As witness my hand,
" Nath'l Meruill.
"Nottingham west, July 11, 1774."
CHAPTER IV.
HUDSON-(Con(iHued).
A Part of "Londonderry Claim" Annexed to Nottingham ^Vest, 177S —
Name Changed to Hudson, 1S30 — Taylor's Falls Bridge — Post-Offices
and Postmasters — Xottingham West Social Library — Hudson Social
Libraiy — Schools and School Districts — Population — Physicians —
Kai^hua and Kochester Railroad — Employments.
In 1754 a petition was presented to the General As-
sembly, signed by twenty-seven of the inhabitants of
the southwest part of Londonderry, praying to be
taxed in Nottingham West, which petition was dis-
missed.
As early as 17(58 some action had been taken by a
number of the inhabitants occupying the south part
of" Londonderry Claim," in Londonderry, to be an-
nexed to this town, and in March of that year the town
voted to hear and answer their re<iuest.
February .3, 1778, a petition praying to be annexed
to Nottingham West was presented to the Honorable
Council and Assembly, signed by Levi Andrews,
Josiah Burroughs, Simeon Ilobinson, John Marshall,
William Hood, Joseph Steele, Philip Marshall, Moses
Barrett, Daniel Peabody, John Smith, Ebenezer Tay-
lor, Simeon Barrett, James Barrett, W. Elener Gra-
ham, Isaac Page, William Graham, Ezekiel Greeley, I
George Burroughs, Daviil Lawrence, Richard Mar- ■
shall, Hugh Smith, Thomas Smith, Sampson Kidder, j
Benjamin Kidder, William McAdams, Joseph Hobbs.
The petition was granted by an act of the General
Assembly, passed March 6, 1778, annexing the south-
west part of Londonderry to Nottingham West, with
the following boundaries :
"Bejjinniiig in the S^juth bouutlarj' of Londondi-ii>, at llie North
Kast corner of Nottingham west, Thence running North o degi-ees East,
frequently creasing Beaver Brook, 424 rods to a largo Pine tree marked,
standing by said Brook.
" Thence North twenty degrees West 740 rods to a large Black oak
tree marked, standing about 4 rods East of Simeon Robinson's House.
" Thence North eighty ilegreea west, iXHl rods to the East side line of
Litchfield, to a Poplar tree marked, standing in the edge of Fine meadow,
and including the housesand lands belonging to William Graham, William
Steele, Williaui McAdanis, Simeon Robinson and Ebeuezer Tarbox, lying
to the Eastward and Northward of sjiid tract, according to,the plan there-
of exhibited with said petition, and excluding any lauds lying contiguous
to said North and East Bounds, belonging to Samuel .\ndrews and
Thomas Bt)yd, lying within the same.
"Thence from said Poplar tree South in the East Bounds of Litchfield
and Nottingham west about two miles and three-quarters to a corner of
Nottiughiini west.
"Thence Etuit South East in the South Bounds of Lomlonderry and
North Bounds of Nottingham west, two miles and three-quarters of a
mile to the place began at."
Only two minor changes have since been made in
the boundaries of the town.
The first by an act of the Legislature, passed June
27, 1857, establishing the northeast corner of Hudson
and the southeast corner of Londonderry about one
hundred and twelve rods farther northerly on Beaver
Brook than the old corner, and running from there
north, 27° 12' west, six hundred and ninety rods to the
original corner established in 1778, and from that to
the corner at Litchfield line, as before.
Also providing that these lines should be the boun-
daries between the two towns.
Prior to 18G2 the line between Hudson and Wind-
ham crossed Beaver Brook several times. July 2d of
that year an act was passed by the Legislature estab-
lishing the line in the centre of the brook, from the
northwest corner of Pelham, about three hundred and
twenty rods, to the southeast corner of Londonderry,
as establi.'ihed in 1857.
The tract annexed in 1778 included nearly twenty
families other than those whose names were upon the
petition.
March i), 1830, "It was voted to request the select-
men to i)etitioii the General Court to change the name
of the town, and Moses Greeley, Colonel William
Hills, Deacon Asa Blodgett and James Tenney were
chosen a committee to report a name."
At an adjourned meeting, JIarch 13th, " Voted to
accept the report of the committee to designate a name
for the town, which name was that of Huilson."
The name of the town was changed from Notting-
ham West to Hudson at the June session of the Leg-
islature of the same year.
In 1826 a charter was granted to several individuals
of this town and Nashua, by the name of the Proprie-
tors of Taylor's Falls Bridge, for the purpose of build-
ing a bridge across the Merrimack.
At that time there was no bridge across the river
between Lowell and Amoskeag. The bridge was com-
pleted and opened as a toll-bridge in 1827.
Previous to that time people crossed by ferries,
there being three, — Hanil)let"s ferry, formerly called
Dutton'sand for many years Kelly's ferry, was located
near where the bridge was built.
Another, about two miles above, always known as
Hill's ferry ; and the third about three miles below,
first called Hardy's and later Pollard's ferry.
Taylor's Falls bridge remaiiu'd a toll-bridge until
I
COMPOSED AND READ BY
MRS. MARY C. BERRY
RKDBDICATION
j'-Cougvccjaticimil iVlcctino ilousc, •>
A?7EDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1890.
UU'st house of tlie I.onl ! wliich the fathers
Piiiilt in the eeiitiiry's prime,
i,:ii(l its foimdatioiis of <>;i';inite.
To eiKliirc geiUTMtious of time.
Thoy laliorcd, thej' woi'shippi'd, tliey left us,
\Vc looii on their faces no more,
But their principles, liirn as the granite,
I>ike a i)reseiice, reninin as of yore.
'I'oilav, to this hoMsc of the fatliers,
Coini- thiir cliildren with whitened hair,
Vn ask that the Lord will re-enter
The plaee they have niadi' more fair.
More |)reeious. hy far, is (he old house
Tli'.m a new, overlaid with gold,
i'Or it is I he ark of the years whose records
They, who have lived them, unfold.
How many, today, from a distance,
Come hillier as to a siirine ;
Tiie old church gives welcome and whispers,
" I know them, they are children of mine."
Dear place is that house of the Lord,
\Vheie the Sabhaths of childhood and youth ari
The treasures it gathers are such
As will through eternity last.
No change, wrought liy plane, saw or hammer,
Can one " old association " elTace,
No lirusli of llie painter or artist
Can the scroll r)f the years erase.
I ) (Jod, for this day we hless Thee !
Draw near and (ill the place.
Let all who enter here behold
The shining of Thy face.
passed.
HUDSON.
467
1855, when a highway was laid out over it by the
county, and it became a free bridge.
It was a hittice bridge, built of the best of old
growth native white pine, and remained until 1881, a
period of fifty-four years, when it was replaced by a
substantial iron structure.
Post-Offices and Postmasters. — Prior to 1818
there wa.s no i)ost-othi-e in this town, and letters and
other matter sent by mail, addressed to Nottingham
West people, were sent to the post-office at Litchfield,
which was established as early as 1804.
A post-office by the name of Nottingham West was
established at the Centre July 12, 1818, and Reuben
Greeley was api)ointed postmaster at the same time.
The name was changed to Hudson .Tune 9, 1881.
It was discontinued JIarcIi 3, l.s3o, and re-estab-
lished .\pril 2'>, 183.).
The office was removed to Taylor's Falls bridge Sep-
tember, 1853, and was discontinued again April 13,
1808, and re-established September 21, 18(J8.
Hudson post-office rcnuiins at the briilgc. A daily
mail is carried between this office and the Nashua
post-otfice, the distance lu'ing less than one and one-
half miles.
November 1, 1870, another po.st-ofUce, called Hud-
son Centre, was established at the station of the
Nashua and Rochester Railroad at the Centre, and Eli
Handjlet ap])ointcd ])ostniaster.
The Ibllowiiig list exhibits the luimes of all the
postmasters from 1818 to 1885, with the time for
which they severally held the office :
Iteubon Oreeloy, from .Iiilv 12. 1818, to .\pril 17, 1829.
.raiiif»Tonriey, from April 17, 182il, to .Murch 3, 183.5.
Kllirlclgo Dow, from April 25, 183.5, to Novpiiibpr 13, 1819.
KiMiberi (irculcy, from November 13, 1849, to Soptembur 15, 18.53.
Tli'.liiii.» M. KwiiiH, fruiii St-ptt'liiber 1.5, 18.5:1, to December 3, 1855.
lieorg.. «■. Ililln, fr..iii l)ecenilM>r 3, 1855, to April 13, 1808.
Wilhinl II. Wcli.«ter, fr.)iji September 21, 1808, to November 15, 1809.
Niilliuii I>. Webster, from Xovelllber 15, IfW, to July 24, I8T8.
W«l.l.> H. Wiillon, from .Inly 24, 1878, to Apiil 14, 1879.
Nalhiin P. Wc>l«iler, from April M, 1879, to the pre»ent time, 1885.
Kli Haralilet, at Hudson Centre, appointed No-
vember 1, 1870, continues to hold the office.
Paul Colburu was appointed postmaster October
27, 1863, but failed to ijualify or enter u|)on the duties
of the office, and G. W. Hills was continued in office
Ulllil isils.
Nottingham West Social Library, — In 17'.>7,
Samuel Marsh, Joseph Winn, I'hineas Underwood,
Eleazer Cummings, John I'oUard and Joseph Greeley
petitioned the General Court for the incorporation of
a library, and December !fth of the same year an act
was i)a.Msed incorjiorating the same by the name of
Nottiiigliani West Social Library.
The piiipiietors of this lil)rary were very fortunate
ill the selection of books, many of them being of a
liigh order, and it continued in active existence until
after 1840, when it was dissolved and the books
divided among the proprietors.
Soon after the first library association was dissolved
the Hudson Social Library was organized, but it
was dissolved and the books divided in 1857.
Schools and School Districts. — I'rior to 1754 no
moiK-y bad liceii raised lor llie support of schools.
At the annual meeting of that year, " Voted, to
hire a school-master the ensuing year, and to raise
one hundred and twenty pounds, old tenor, for the
sup|)ort of said school, which shall be ])roportionated
between Hills' Farms, Bush Hill and the lower end of
the town."
No further action w.is taken in relation to schools
until 1759.
The law in force in New Hampshire prior to and
for some years after the Revolution required towns
having fifty families to supi)ort a public school for
teaching children in town to " read and write," and
towns having one hundred families or more to main-
tain a grammar school.
These schools were sustained by an annual ta.x,
voted by the town, and were wholly under the charge
and control of the selectmen.
This school law ivinained in force without material
change till 1789.
The following exhibit presents the yearly amount
of the school-tax voted from 1754 for the following
thirty-five years :
In 1754 one hundred and twenty pounds, old tenor.
Ill 1755, 175t), 1757 and 1758, no school tax. In 1759
three hundred pounds, old tenor. From 17(50 to 1765,
inclu.sive, no school tax. In 1706 and 1767 fifteen
l)ounds lawful money or silver each year. In 1708
four hundred pounds, old tenor. In 1769 and 1770 no
school tax. In 1771 and 1772 eight pounds lawful
money each year. In 1773 and 1774 sixteen pounds
lawful money each year. In 1775 eight pounds, and in
1776 twelve jiounds lawful money. In 1777 twenty-four
pounds in Continental paper nuuiey. In 1778 no
school tax. In 1779 three hundred pounds. In 1780
four hundred and fifty pounds, all in Continental
money. In 1781, 1782, 1783, 1784, 1785, 1780 and
1787 thirty-six pounds each year, lawful money. In
1788 forty pounds, and in 1789 thirty -six pounds law-
ful money.
An act of the General Court, passed in 1789, re-
pealed the school laws till that time in force, and
made it the duty of the selectmen yearly to assess
U]ion the inhabitants of each town forty-five pounds
upon each twenty shillings of the town's jiroportion
of the public taxes, for teaching the children and
youth of the town "reading, writing and arithmetic."
The first school tax assessed under this law, in 1790,
was forty ])ounds.
Since the law of 1789 was passed very little money
has been assessed for schools in ailditioii to the
aniouiil rii|iiircd by law.
School Districts. — In 1785 the selectmen were
chosen a committee to divide the town into school
districts aii'l number the same. The committee made
no report to the town until 1799, when a report was
468
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
submitted, which was adopted, dividing the town
into nine school districts and establishing the boun-
daries of each district.
In 1805 a number of the inhabitants of District No.
9, petitioned for a new district, wliich petition was
granted by a vote of the town, and School District No.
10 was set otf from the westerly part of No. 9 as a
new and separate district.
In 18.35 a committee was chosen to "take a view of
the town in rcsjiect to school districts and report."
March 14, 1837, the committee made a report giving
definite boundaries of each of the ten school districts-
With one minor amendment, the town " Voted, that
the report fixes the school districts in this town with
regard to bounds and limits."
But few changes had been made in the boundaries
of the districts since 1805, and, with the exception of
the new district made in that year, the limits of the
several districts, as established by the last committee,
were substantially the same as those made by the
committee elioseu in 1785.
The districts remained with no material alterations
from 1837 to 1885, when, at the annual March
meeting, tlie town voted to abolish the school districts
and adopt the "Town System," under section 2,
chapter 86, of the General Laws ; and Kimball Web-
ster, David O. Smith and Daniel Gage were elected
a Board of Education.
Population. — By the provincial census taken in
17tJ7 the town contained a pojiulation of five hundred
and eighty-three, with two slaves.
In September, 1775, a second census was taken by
the New Hampshire Convention, when the town was
credited with a population of six hundred and forty-
nine. Men in the army, twenty-tivo ; slaves, four.
According to the several censuses taken in different
years since, the population was as follows : 1790,
1064; 1800, 1267; 1810, 1376; 1820, 1227; 1830,
1282; 1840, 1144; 1850, 1312; 1860, 1222; 1870,
1066 ; 1880, 104.5.
Physicians. — I have been unable to obtain data
sufticient to give as full and accurate an account of
tiic physicians who have been residents in this town
as would be desirable, yet the following exhibit is
believed to contain the names of nearly all those who
have practiced their profession here as resident phy-
cians.
Dr. Ezekiel Chase, probably the first, removed into
this town as early as 1741. He was ap])ointcd a
justice of the peace about the year 1747, did much
official business and was a very prominent man in
the affairs of the town.
His wife, Priscilla (Merrill), died February 22, 1768,
in her fifty-ninth year.
His death is not found recorded, but it occurred
not earlier than 17811.
Dr. Joiui Hall was a resident in 1779 and 1780.
Dr. Joseph Gray removed into this town about
1782, and remained until 1790.
Dr. Apollos Pratt resided here in 1803 and 1804,
and possibly later.
Dr. Paul Tenney, born in Rowley, Mass., April 11,
1763, married, November 2, 1790, Sarah Gibson, of
Pclham ; removed into this town as early as 1789,
where he practiced his profession for more than thirty
years. He resided at the Centre, where he built a
tomb, the only one in town, and died April 6, 1821.
Dr. Daniel Tenney, son of Dr. Paul Tenney, born
June 15, 1795, practiced his profession for a few
years in this town, and removed to Derry. He died
November 7, 1840.
Dr. Dustin Barrett was also born in this town,
was a very skillful physician and practiced here for
several years. He died June 1, 1831, aged thirty-
seven years.
Dr. Henry M. Hooke removed into the town a few
years after the death of Dr. Barrett, and remained
until about 1847, when he removed to Lowell, Mass.,
where he died a few years later.
Dr. James Emery commenced the practice of his
profession in Hudson about 1847.
He acquired an extensive practice, and remained in
town until the time of his death, which occurred
September 30, 1880.
Dr. David O. Smith, son of Alvan Smith, born in
this town, commenced the practice of his profession
here May 1, 1850, since which time he has been an
active and industrious practitioner, and is now (1885)
the only resident physician in lludscm.
Nashua and Rochester Railroad.— One railroad
only intersects Hudson. The Nashua and Rochester
went into operation in the fall of 1874. It crosses
the Merrimack from N.ashua about sixty rods below
Taylor's Falls bridge, and follows a northea-sterly
course through Hudson Centre to Beaver Brook, a
distance of about tour miles, where it enters Wind-
ham.
There is but one railroad station in town, and that
.it Hudson Centre, where Eli Hamblet is station-
agent and postmaster. Under an act of the Legisla-
ture, passed June session, 1883. this railroad has been
consolidated with the Worcester and Nashua Railroad,
which consolidated road is called the Worcester,
Nashua and Rochester Railroad. It forms a con-
tinuous line from Worcester, Mass., to Rochester,
N. H., where it connects with the Portland and
Rochester.
The inhabitants of Hudson are and always have
been principally engaged in agriculture, no extensive
manufactories ever having existed in town.
Some twenty or more of those residing near the
Bridge are employed in the manufactories and upon
the railroads in Nashua.
In 1820 Hudson contained two meeting-houses,
one tavern, three stores, four saw-mills, four grain-
mills, two clothing-mills and one carding-machine.
There are now (1885) in town two grist-mills, two
saw-mills, one drug and spice-mill, one file-shop,
HUDSON.
469
three meeting-houses and ten school-houses. At the
Bridge is one store, two wheehvright-shops and
two bhieksniith-8ho])s, and at the Centre one store
and a bhuksmith-slmi).
Deposits in the savings-banks in the Slate, one hun-
dred and Ibrtv-two thousand and twentv-niue dolhirs.
CHAPTER V.
HUDSON— (CoM/mtierf).
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Congrepitional and Presbytvrian Churches — Kov. Nathaniel Merrill —
North Meeting-Hoiiiie — South Meeting-House ; Ministers — Congrega-
tloniil Meeting-Huui«e ; Members — The Uajitist Church and Sucietj" ;
31inisten — nuptist Meeting-Huuse ; Deacons, Sleiubers — Methodist
F^pisco|>al Cliun'h and Society ; Meeting-Houses, BliniKters, Members.
In former chapters I have already given an account
of the organization of the Congregational Church,
November ."JO, 1787, and tlie ordination of Rev.
Nathaniel Merrill ius pastor on the same day ; of the
building of the tirst and second meeting-houses by
the town ; and of the building of the North meeting-
house by the Presbyterians. For the first fifty-eight
years of the existence of this church no original
records are now to lie found, other than such as are
containeil in the town records.
Mr. Merrill's relations as pastor to the church con-
tinued till very near the time of his death, in 17%,
although his civil contract witli tlic tdwn was dis-
solved .July n, 1774.
He continued to preach in the sicniul meeting-
house until it was sold by the town, in 1778, and
later ill tlie meeting-house in the south part of the
town, which i)robably was the same building, bought
and removed by the Congregational Church and
Society, and called " Mr. Merrill's meeting-house."
He was son of Abel Merrill ; born in West New-
bury, Mass., March 1, 1712, and was graduated at
llarvanl (.'ollcge in 1732.
He .seems to have been a mau almost universally
loved and revered by his church and people, as his
long-continued services as i)astor, extending over a
periiid of nearly filty-ninc years, will attest.
For a few years preceding 1774, the time of bis dis-
missal by the town, some trouble occasionally arose
in relation to the ])ayinent of his salary, which be-
came largely in arrears, owing to the Presbyterians
voting against raising money for the ])urpose, and re-
fusing to jiay such ta.xes when assessed against them.
It is a singular fact that no record of his death can
be foiinil, anil that among his very numerous jjosterity
the exact date is unknown.
A headstone — erected by his grandchildren many
years after his death — marks his grave, and dates his
death in 17!)(), but the day or month is not given.
It will be remembered that I-ondonderry was settleil
liy Presbyterians, and before a portion of that town
was annexed to Nottingham West, in 1778, a large
nuuiber of families of that denomination were resi-
dents in this town, who, joining with others of the
south part of Londoiulerry, a Presbyterian Church
was organized, probably before the North meeting-
house was built, or as early as 1770.
No records of this church are to be found earlier
than 1816, the date of its union with the Congregational
Church.
Its first minister of whom we can find any record
was Rev. John Strickland.
The exact date at which he commenced preachiug
here is uncertain, but the town records incidentally
show that he was paid a salary by the Presbyterians
in 1773.
Mr. Fox, in his historical sketch of Hudson, says, —
" July 3, 1774, Rev. John Strickland was ordained,
but after a few years was dismissed by the town."
That he was ordained as pastor of the Presbyterian
Church July 3, 1774, is probably true, but the town
records do not show that its a town it had anything
Ui do with his settlement or dismissal.
He probably remained here until 1784, as his name
appears for the last time in the tax-list for that year.
For several years the town assessed a minister tax
of sixty pounds, twenty-five pounds of which was
to be paid to Mr. Merrill, and the balance laid out
for preaching at the North meeting-house.
In 1792 the town entered into some agreement with
the proprietors, and repaired the North meeting-
house.
It appears that Rev. Matthew Scribner preached
here about 17iiO, and Rev. Mr. Parrish soon after,
but no minister was settled until 17!Hi, when, on the
24th of February, Rev. Jabez Poiiil Fisher, a Congre-
gational minister, was ordained at the Nortli meeting-
house.
Mr. Fisher was graduated at Brown University in
1788, and was voted a settlement by the town, under
protest of the Presbyterians against (laying any part
i of the same, or of his salary of four hundred dollars,
and an annual salary of three hundred and ten dollars
80 long as he should continue as pastor.
As early as 1700 an unsuccessful cftbrt was made by
the town to purchase the North meeting-house from
the proprietors, ami in 171I7 a like attempt was made,
with no belter result.
The town, having repaired the house, claimed to
own a part in common with the I'roprietors and pew-
holders.
Many of the Presbyterians declined to ))ay any tax
for the support of Mr. Fisher, ami the proprietors
refused to iicrmit liiin to pii'ach in the North nicet-
ing-hou.se.
This led to a very bitter controversy, in which a
committee chosen to open the house on the Sabbath
used axes upon the doors to effect an entrance, but
without success, as the resistance by the pro|)rietors,
led by Asa Davis, Esq., upon the insliie, was so great
470
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
that the attempt was abandoned, and the meeting for
that day was lield in tlie open air upon the common
in a drizzling rain.
After this Mr. Fisher preached in the meeting-
house ah'eady mentioned, in the soutli part of the
town, in private liouses, barns and in tlie open air,
until the South meeting-house was built, in 1798, by
proprietors connected with the Congregational Church
and Society.
At the time Mr. Fislier was ordained the members
of the Congregational Church numbered a little more
than fifty, and while he was pastor, about live years,
thirty-six were admitted.
From obvious reasons, the town failed to raise the
money to pay Mr. Fisher as had been agreed, and in
consequence of his salary being largely in arrears, in
1801 he called for a dismissal, which was granted by
an ecclesiastical council, to take eflect June 4th of
the same year.
He afterwards brought suit against the town to re-
cover a balance of §101.3.92 due him, which amount
was allowed and paid in 1802, — members of the Pres-
byterian and Bai)ti5t Churches being exempt from
paying any part of this tax by a vote of the town
passed October 30, 1797.
For about fifteen years after Mr. Fisher left, the
church remained in a very weak condition, and the
records show of but little as having been done and
very few new members added. Preaching was sustained
but a small part of the time until ISlli, when, on the
l.^th of October of that year, the Congregational
Church united with indivitiual members of Presby-
terian Churches and organized a Presbyterian Church
under the Londonderry Presbytery.
At the date of the union the church was very small ;
only eleven Presbyterians and thirteen Congregation-
alists are given as uniting to form the new organiza-
tion, but many members of the old churches and new
converts were admitted soon after.
After the orgaiuzation of the new church preach-
ing was maintained nearly all the time, it being di-
vided between the two meeting-houses, — twenty-four
Sabbaths in the year it was at the North meeting-house
and the balance of the year at the South meeting-
house, — but no minister was settled until 1825.
During this period the pulpit was supplied by Rev.
Mr. Wheelock, Rev. Samuel Harris, Rev. Mr. Stark-
weather and others.
November 2, 182o, Rev. William K. Talbot was
ordained, under an agreement that he should remain
as pastor for five years, at a salary of four hundred
doUare annually.
At this time the church had a membership of about
ninety, but during the four years that Mr. Talbot was
pastor more than one hundred new members were
added.
In February, 1829, owing to arrearages being due
him, Mr. Talbot requested a dismissal as pastor at the
end of four years, instead of five, as had been agreed.
The church refused to comply with this request, but
upon an appeal to the Presbytery he obtained a dis-
missal and soon after removed from town, and a few
years later was deposed from the ministry.
In an appeal to the Presbytery by a committee
chosen by the church to opjiose the dismissal of Mr.
Talbot, that committee gave among other causes for
his salary being in arrears, — " That many have died,
— out of the town sixty deaths occurred in one year,
and ten or more of the best families have providen-
tially removed to other places of residence, five of
whom were elders, or elders elect."
The church had no settled minister for the next
fifteen years, but the pulpit was supplied a part of the
time by Rev. Samuel H. Tolman, a Methodist min-
ister. Rev. Samuel Harris, Rev. Mr. Wheeler, Rev.
Mr. Lawrence, Rev. Willard Holbrook and others.
At an ecclesiastical council composed of ministers
and delegates from several Congregational Churches,
convened at the South meeting-house September 29,
1841, the Presbyterian Church organization was dis-
solved, and the members were organized into a Con-
gregational Church, called the Evangelical Congre-
gational Church of Hudson, which adopted the
articles of faith of that denomination.
The names of twenty-six members were enrolled at
the time of its organization, and sixty others united
within the next two years.
A new meeting-house was liuilt in 1842, fifty by
forty feet, located about one-half mile east of Taylor's
Falls bridge, near the Methodist house, which had
been built two years previous.
Soon after, the Rev. William Page was engaged to
supply the pulpit, and in 1844 an invitation from the
church and society to settle as pastor was accepted by
him, and he was ordained August 24th of the same
year.
His jiastoral relations continued until 1852, when
his request for a dismissal was granted by an ecclesi-
astical council June 28th of that year.
During about eight years of Mr. Page's labors after
he was ordained about thirty members united with
the church.
The next minister was the Rev. Daniel L. French,
who was hired to supi)ly the jiulpit soon after the dis-
missal of Mr. Page, and remained till the time of his
death, which occurred July 20, 18G0.
For the next eight years the desk was supi)lied by
Addison Heald, Rev. Austin Richards, Rev. S. D.
Pike, Rev. Henjamin Howe and Rev. Silas M.
Blanchard.
For about eight years prior to October, 1876, no
preaching was sustained by this society-
Rev. John W. Haley commenced to sui>ply the
pulpit October 2, 1876, and soon after many were
united with the church.
In November, 1878, .Mr. Haley closed his labors
here, and preached his farewell sermon on the 24th
of that month.
HUDSON.
471
The Rev. S. D. Austin, of Nashua, has since sup-
plied the pulpit the most of the time and is the
present niinii-ter.
The niiinher of members is now about sixty.
The Baptist Church and Society. — The Baptist
Chiiri.li was iiii.':iiiizt.il -May 1, 1MI">, with sixty-five
nienibiTs, who had been dismissed from the Baptist
Church in Londonderry, of which they constituted a
branch fur several years, actiug in harmony with
said church, but sustaining; preaching and the ordi-
nances of the church.
The church was organized by an ecclesiastical
council upon the alwve date, and took the name of
the Baptist Church of Christ in Nottingham West.
For several years after its organization the church
did not enjoy the labors of a settled pastor, but the
pulpit was supplied by Rev. Thomas Paul (colored),
Rev. Robert .Jones, Rev. i^amuel Ambrose and John
Young.
The labors of Rev. Thomas Paul were especially
effective, and many united with the church under his
preaching.
The tirst pastor of the church was Rev. Ezra Ken-
dall, who assumed liis charge November 3, 1808, and
resigned Marcii 5, 1810. After Mr. Kendall resigned,
the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Isaiah Stone, Rev.
John Perkins and others, until 1814.
June 19, 1811, the church was incorporated, and all
the right of the proprietors to the North meeting-
house, and the lot of land upon which it stood, was
I ■inveye<l to it November 2(ilh of the same year.
Rev. Daniel Merrill, who had several years previous
preached in town as a Congregational minister, was
invited to the pastorate of the church in May, 1814,
and accepted the invitation in August following.
Mr. Merrill was a very radical man in his licliofs.
\rter he renounced the Congregational creed he was a
\ cry zealous advocate of the sentiments of the Bap-
tist denomination.
One of his successors in the ministry, in writing a
history of the church, says, "That it was 7iot difficult
for a stranger, after hearing him preach one sermon,
to decide with what Christian denomination he had
cast his lot." During his ministry, which continued
about six years, seventy-five were baptized and re-
ceived into the church.
He resigned in September, 1820, and during the
next two years the pulpit was suiiplicd a part of the
time by Rev. Isaac Wescott, Rev. (Jtis Robinson and
others. Rev. Joseph Davis was ordained .Fuiie 18,
182.S, and resigned November 5, 1824.
There was another interim of about three years and
a half, during which time the church did not have
any settled minister, and the desk was supplied by
Rev. Otis Robinson, Rev. (ieorge ICvans, Rev. Samuel
Elliot, Rev. .John Peacock and others.
The next pastor of the church was the Rev. Benja-
min Dean, who commenced his labors in .\pril,
1828. Mr. Dean's connection with the church
terminated June 26, 1830, under circumstances of a
painful nature. He was deposed from the ministry
by an ecclesiastical council, and excluded from the
fellowship of the church.
The church remained without a pastor for nearly
four years, but the pulpit was supplied a part of the
time by Rev. Otis Robinson, Stephen Pillsbury and
others.
The Rev. Bartlett Pease assumed charge of the
church March, 1834, and his pastoral labors termi-
nated in April, 183',).
The next pastor was Rev. John Upton, who com-
menced his labors November, 1839, and resigned
August, 1841.
The attention of the church and society had for
several years been turned to the object of erecting a
more convenient house of worship than the old one
they occupied ; but a difference of opinion respecting
the location, together with some other circumstances,
had prevented any decisive action on the subject.
In 1841 a location near the old meeting-house at
the Centre was agreed upon, and a new meeting-house
erected, which was completed and dedicated the same
year.
In September, 1841, Rev. Jonathan Herrick as-
sumed the pastoral care of the church. He was a
very zealous laborer in his profession, and many
united with the church under his ministry.
Mr. Herrick was dismissed, at his own reijuest,
September, 1843, and the desk was supplied for a few
months by William H. Eaton, a studeut connected
with Brown University.
Rev. Joseph Storer supplied th&pulpit in 1844, and
assumed pastoral charge January 1, 184.").
During this year a parsonage was built by a stock
company for the accommodation of the ]>astor, which
was a few years later ])rcsented to the society.
Mr. Storer was a very zealous and faithful minister,
loved by all connected with his church and society,
and universally esteemed and respected by his towns-
men. He wa-s retained in his office as pastor until
May, 185.'), longer by nearly five years than any
other pastor of this church, when he was comjielled
to resign in conseipiencc of failing health.
Rev. W. H. Dalrymple began to supply the jjulpit
in June, 18.')5, and assumed the jiastoral care in
August following, which relation he held until JIareh,
18.')8.
Rev. George L. Putiiam, the next pastor, was or-
dained June 15, 1858, having jireviously supplied
the desk about three months, and was retained as
pastor until November, 1863.
In 1860 the iiarsonage, built by a stock company in
1845, was presented to the society, and extensive and
sulistantial repairs and alterations were made upon the
meetiiig-lioiise the same year.
A bell was presented to the society several years
before by Deacon Moses Greeley, which is still in
use, and the only church bell ever hung in this town.
472
HlSTOilY OF IIILLSBOIIOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Rev. IJartlett Tease, who was a resident minister,
supplied the pulpit tor about a. year after the resigna-
tion of Mr. Putnam.
Rev. Henry Stetson was pastor from October,
186-t, to June 1, 1SG8, when he was dismissed at his
own request.
November 1st of the same year Rev. A. W. Chaf-
fin accepted an invitation to become the pastor, and
appropriate services were held December 23d.
In 1872, Mr. Chaftin became very feeble physically,
and his mental faculties were much impaired; but
he was retained as pastor until April, 1873, though
he was unable to preach for several months. He
removed from town, but his health continued to de-
cline, and he died soon after.
Rev. George A. Glines held ithe relation as pastor
from September 1, 1873, to April, 1875, when he re-
signed.
Rev. S. W. Kinney, the next pastor, assumed his
charge January 1, 1876, and resigned in 1879, after
which the puljjit w:js supplied by several ministers
until May, 1881, when an invitation was extended to
Rev. William P. Bartlett to become pastor, which
was accepted, and he was ordained June 28th.
Mr. Bartlett failed to gain the love and confidence
of his church and peoi)le to a degree that would
make a long stay profitaljle or desirable, and he was
dismissed, at his own request, in March, 1S83. The
present pastor, Rev. T. M. Merriam, assumed that
relation in May, 1883.
De.\cons of the Baptist Church. — Thomas
Senter and Nathaniel Currier, chosen May 7, 180.5; ,
Moses Greeley and David Burns, chosen October 30,
1816 ; Enoch S. Marsh and Benjamin Kidder, chosen
April 1, 1838 (Deacon Marsh died December 19,
1865); Hiram Cummings and John M. Thompson,
chosen October 4, IStH! ; Lewis L. Fish, chosen in
place of Deacon Cummings, October 12, 1881 ; Eli
Ilamblet, chosen April, 1882.
The original number of members of this church in
1805 was sixtj'-five.
The largest number at any one time was in 1828,
when it was 167 ; in Sei>tember, 1847, the number of
members was 139; in February, 1878, 117; and .lanu-
ary 1, 1885, 125.
The Methodist Episcopal Church and Society
of Hudson. — Prior to 1S30 a considerable number of
persons in this town had embraced the religious opin-
ions and sentiments of the Methodist denomination.
Soon after the dismissal of Mr. Talbot by the Pres-
byterians, in November, 1829, the members of that
society, to receive material aid from the Methodists
in the support of a ministry, entered into an agree-
ment witli them, and hired the Rev. Samuel H.
Tolman, a minister of the Methodist persuasion.
Mr. Tolman preached here in 1830, and possibly
later, and may have been instrumental in laying the
foundation of the Methodist Church organized ten
years later.
In 1839, Rev. Jared Perkins, the Methodist minister
in charge of the Niishua station, came to Hudson, and
lectured in the school-house in District No. 4, and
held meetings in other parts of the town, assisted by
others from Nashua and Lowell.
An interest was awakened, and several persons
were desirous of having the regular service of the
Methodist Episcopal Church established among them.
The Annual Conference of 1839 appointed Abraham
Folsom pastor in charge of this station.
Mr. Folsom was a nuiu of energy and zeal, and so
labored as to establish a church.
The chief effort of this year was to raise funds for
the building of a house of worship, and twelve hun-
dred and fifty dollars were subscribed and collected
for that purpose, a meeting was called, trustees ap-
pointed and the society legally organized.
Cyrus Warren, Nathaniel M. Morse, David Cle-
ment, Ethan Willougbby and John Gillis constituted
the first board of trustees.
The meetings for the first year were held in the
South meeting-house when not occupied by the
Presbyterians, and in school-houses and private
dwellings.
A plain meeting-house, fifty by forty feet, was
erected in 1840, on the south side of the road, about
one-half mile east of Taylor's Falls bridge, and was
dedicated December 2d of the same year.
In 1877, the Nashua and Rochester Railroad having
been previously built, and passing between the meet-
ing-house and the highway, which rendered the loca-
tion very inconvenient, the building was removed to
the north side of the road, and near the parsonage,
which was built a number of years before.
The meeting-house was raised and enlarged by an
addition in the rear, a vestry constructed beneath the
auditorium, forty by fifty feet in size, and other ex-
tensive alterations and repairs made. The expense
of this change and repairs was fifteen hundred dol-
lars.
On Sunday, August 3, 1879, immediately after the
close of the services, the stable connected with the
parsonage took fire, and, together with the meeting-
house and parsonage, was totally destroyed.
The buildings were insured for a moderate amtmnt,
and this loss seemed a severe blow to the society.
In 1880, a lot having been purchased by the church
near Taylor's Falls bridge, a meeting-house built
of brick and wood, fifty by seventy feet, with a tower
and spire at one corner, was erected at a cost of about
seven thousand dollars.
This church contains an audience-room and vestry
of ample size, and is one of the most convenient and
neatest country churches to be found in the State.
The members of the church contributed liberally,
and many other citizens of Hudson and Niishua fur-
nished sul)stantial aid in paying the exj)ense of its
construction, so that the debt upon the society was
not burdensome. It w;is dedicated December 7, 1880.
HUDSON.
473
The present number of members of the churi'h is
seventy, forty-eight of whom are residents of Hudson.
The numcs of the ministers who have been stationed
here as pjistors of this church, and the time of their
services, as near as I iiave been able to ascertain, are
as follows :
183S, .Miralmm Folsom ; 1S40, Chiirles II. Chase ; 184I-4J, Mows .\.
H.iwe ; 1S43, .\. H. Worthing; ISW. John Boyce ; 1S46-111, Matthew
Newliall ; 1K47-I8, Jonathan Hall ; lK4t"-."iO, Isaac W. ilunlley ; 1»51,
George r. Wells ; 18.i2, Cathere ; 18.".:l, Kimball HadUy ; 185-l-o«,
Aupiilietl by students from Biblical Institute at Concord ; lso7, R. C.
Ihiuforth ; IS31WW, .1. W. Johnson, IStiCMU, L. \V. Pr«scott; 1862-03,
William Hewes ; 1S64-&'., B, W. Chase ; 18110-67, Samuel Beedle ; 1S08-
7ii, Otis Cole; 1871-7.1, C. A. Cressey ; 1874, W. W. .Smith; 1875-70, J.
I> Folsom; 1877-79, .\. F. Baxter; 188i >-•<;;, C. W. Taylor; 1883-84,
V illiam Wood ; 1885, Frederick C. PilUhnrf.
CHAPTER VI.
HUDSON— (Co-.(inued).
N ttinghani West Soldiers in 1748 — Soldiers in the Vrench and Indian
War of 1754-<V» — Xottingham West in the Revolution — Committees
ff Safety and Inspection — Test Oath — IJounlii* Paid by the Town —
i afitain Samuel Greeley's Company — Nottingham West .Soldiers in the
Revolution.
In" volume two of the Adjutant-General's Report for
1 ^lili, in the muster-roll of Captain John Gotl'e's com-
|iuny, employed in scouting and guarding the Souhe-
gan, Monson and Stark garrisons, in 1748, I find the
names of .loliii Hradbury, .John Carkin, Samuel
ilou.-iton, John Hewey, Isaac I'age and John Pollard,
all being names of persons then residents of this
town.
Nottingham West Soldiers in the French and
Indian War of 1754-60.— In Captain Joseph
lllanrbard's company, doing duty on the Merrimack
River in the fall of 17."i4, — Peter Cross, Isaac Waldron,
Stephen Chase and .lohn Carkin.
In .Major Uellows' company, doing duty on the
Connecticut River at the same time, — Amos Kenney
and Henry Hewey.
In Captain James Todd's company, Second Regi-
ment, 17o'), — James Hlodgett, .lohn L'arkin and Jere-
miah Hills.
John Pollanl was also in the army the same year.
In 17;)7, James Wason, Micajah Winn and Tim-
"•ihy Kmerson ; and in 1758, Amos Pollard, Asa
Worcester, Ensign .John Pollard, Joshua Chase, Eli-
jah Hills, Joseph Lowell, .Jonathan Hardy, Samuel
Houston, Nathaniel llaseltine, .luhn Carkin and
Thomas Wason.
In Captain Noah Lovewell's company, in 17G0,
— Amos Kenney and Sanders Bradbury.
The foregoing names are all found in the report be-
fore mentioned, but it is not sii|>pose<l to be a full list
of the names of all the men from this town who were
soldiers in that seven years' war.
It is believed that all those whose names are given
above were men from this town, as men of the same
names were residents here at that time; yet we have
no positive evidence that such is the fact.
Nottingham West in the Revolution.— April 25,
1775, Abraham Page was elected to "join with the
Congress at E.veter, to act upon such matters its shall
be thought proper and expedient for the public
good."
May 7th, he was again chosen to ''join the Conven-
tion of Delegates, to meet at Exeter May 17th."
At the same meeting it was " Voted, That the per-
sons who shall inlist, to be ready on an)' emergency
when called for, shall have forty shillings per month
for their wages."
At a special town-meeting, June 12, 1775, — " Chose
Moses Johnson, Samuel Greeley, Elijah Hills, Tim-
othy Smith, John Haseltine, Deacon Ebenezer Cum-
mings and .Vlexander Davis a Committee of In-
spection."
In April, 1775, the following Test Oath was sent
out to each town in the State:
" Wo, the subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage and promise that WW
will, to the utmost of our power, at the risque of our lives and fortunes,
with arm$ oppose the Hostile Proceedings of the British Fleets and
Armies against the United .\mericau Colonies."
Every person was required to sign this test or be
regarded as an enemy to the country.
In this town one hundred and nineteen signed the
pledge, and one only. Captain Joseph Kelley, refused
to sign.
Captain Kelley at that time owned the ferry near
where Taylor's Falls bridge now is, kept a tavern near
the same, was a man of bad repute and feared by the
inhabitants. He afterwards removed to ^Ventw^)rth,
in this State, where he became a pauper.
At an adjourned town-meeting, September 30, 1776,
" Voted to allow Major Samuel Greeley and the select-
men, viz : Asa Davis, John Haseltine and William
Ijurns, for expenses on their march to Lexington
fight, five dollars,— £1 108. Od."
At the annual meeting JIarch 10, 1777, " Voted to
choose Lieutenant Ezekiel Hills, Captain James Ford
and Lieutenant David Cummings, a committee of
inspection and safety."
A](ril 7th, " Voted to raise eighty dollars for each of
those men that should enlist into the Continental
army for three years."
April 15th, " lo/frf to raise twenty dollars for each
of those men that sliould enlist into the Continental
army as an additional liownly to wliat has been already
raised."
.July 14th, '■ Chose Deacon Ebenezer Cummings
and Seth Wyman in addition to the committee of safety
and inspection last chosen."
Annual town-meeting March 16, 1778, "Chose Jno.
Caldwell, Captain Marsh, Deacon Ebenezer Cum-
mings, Thomas Smith, (ieorge Hums as a committee
of safety and inspection for this present year."
Special town-meeting June 24th, "The town voted
474
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
to choose a comraitti'c, viz. : Asa Davis, Esq.,William
Burns, Timothy Smith, Ensign David Lawrence, Dea-
con Ebenezer Curamings, Ensign Daniel Hardy, Lieu-
tenant John Hazelline, Jr., and empower them to
liire and agree with any men or number of men, and
wliat sum of money tliey will give, provided at any
time the militia should be tailed upon to march, in
order to stop our enemy on any sudden emergency."
At a special meeting November 2d, " Voted, that
what was formerly Nottingham West should pay the
six hundred dollars that was paid by subscription to
Richard Cutter and John Campbell for service in the
war this present year."
" Voted to give those families (viz. : .5) whose hus-
bands are in the Continental army two hundred
dollars,- £36."
Anuual meeting March 1, 1770, "Voted, that the
selectmen take care of the soldiers' families this
year."
April 5th, " Chose a committee, viz. : Timothy
Smith, Samuel Pollard, Captain Moses Barrett, Daniel
Marshall, Deacon Ebenezer Cummings, William
Burns and Samuel Wason, and gave them discretion-
ary power to hire and agree with men as they think
proper, in order to stop our enemy on any emer-
gency."
June 21st, " Voted to give the selectmen discretion-
ary power to hire and agree with the remainder of our
present quota of men, for the Continental army during
the war, in behalf of the town."
March (i, 1780, " Voted to allow the present select-
men the interest money they have paid in procuring
soldiers for the army in the year 1779."
July 3, 1780, at a town-meeting held at the house of
Samuel Greeley, inn-holder, " Voted, as a town, to hire
six soldiers for the term of six mcmths, to join the
Continental army, and chosea committee to effect the
same, viz. : Asa Davis, James Ford and David Law-
rence, and likewise gave said committee discretionary
power to hire and agree with any men, or number of
men, upon any emergency in behalf of the town, for
the present year."
February o, 1781, " Voted to raise our quota of men
to fill up the battalion in the Continental army, and
chose a committee in order to procure and agree with
the men in behalf of the town, namely, — Timothy
Smith, Captain Samuel Marsh, Daniel Jlarshall,
Lieutenant Ezekiel Hills, Lieutenant David Cum-
mings."
March ")th, " Fo<ed to give the committee last chosen
discretionary power to agree with the soldiers for
young cattle, .and to give their obligations for the same
in behalf of the town."
Two beef-rates were assessed in 1781, amounting to
six hundred and eight pounds " in bills of the new
emission, or in the old bills at forty to one."
The corn-rate for 1780 was four hundred and thirty-
four bushels, and for 1781 five hundred and sixty-
four bushels.
July 9, 1781, " Voted, that the former committee
still stand good and have discretionary power to hire
and agree with soldiers in behalf of the town, as oc-
casion may require."
July 30th, " Voted to choose a committee to raise
soldiers that is and may be called for this present
year, and give them discretionary power to give their
obligations in behalf of the town."
" Voted, that said committee consist of three men,
viz. : Captain Peabody, Lieutenant Peter Cross, En-
sign Elijah Hills."
" Voted, that the obligations which the committee
has given to the soldiers for corn, in behalf of the
town, that the rate therefor be made in corn only,
without mentioning money."
December, 1781, " Voted to approve of the select-
men selling of the old paper money, eighty dollars
for one of the new emision."
April 17, 1782, " Voted to choose a committee of
three, namely, — Joseph Greeley, Lieutenant Reuben
Spalding and Ensign Nathaniel Davis, as a commit-
tee to hire seven Continental soldiers for three years,
or during the war, and give them power as they shall
see fit."
May 13th, " Voted to choose a committee to raise
the Continental soldiers called for, namely, — Major
James Ford, Captain Cummings, Ensign Elijah Hills,
Jeremiah Hills, Joseph Blodgett, Ensign Simeon Bar-
rett, Lieutenant Ezekiel Hills, Seth Hadley, Henry
Tarbox, Lieutenant Benjamin Kidder and Seth Wi-
com."
" Voted, To imjjower this committee, in behalf of
the Town, to give their private security for to hire
said Soldiers, not to exceed 100 dollars for each
soldier yearly, for three years."
It is a matter of regret that a complete list of the
names of all the soldiers who served their country,
from this town, in the War of the Revolution, cannot
be given.
No town documents to show who they were can be
found, and a few of their names only are incidentally
mentioned in the town records.
Hon. Isaac W. Hammond, Assistant Secretary of
State, has kindly furnished some valuable informa-
tion, some has been gathered from the Adjutant-
General's Reports, and some names have been ob-
tained from other sources.
AVithin the limited time given to complete this his-
tory it has been impossible for me to make an e.x-
haustive research for all the names of those patriotic
soldiers possil)le to be obtained.
The following names are given as a jiartial list of
the men from Nottingham West who were soldiers in
the War of the Revolution.
Nottix<;h AM West Soldiers INTHE Revolution.
— The following was copied from the original paper in
the possession of tiie New Hami)shire Historical So-
ciety, by Hon. D. F. Secorab :
"A mufitor-riill uf Capt. Sjiiniifl fireoIey'H Comp.iny, wlii) turned out as
HUDSON.
475
volunteers tnm Nottingham wMt, Id New Uuuipehiro, at the time of
Lexington Ijuttle, on tiie I'-'tli day of April, 177.'.."
Stunufl (irwfley, captain ; .Toliii Ku'lley, lieutenant ; Joirn PoUni-il.
ensign ; James FortI, cleric ; Wiliiaiii Morrill, sergeant ; William Burni«,
sergeant ; Elx'ne/.er Pollanl. ik.rgfalit ; Justufl Dakin, cori>onil ; Simeon
Barrett, cur[Miral ; Jonathan Ilradley, corporal ; Jolm I otlanl, corponil ;
Benjamin Marahall, lifer ; Samuel Currier, lifer ; Samuel Manjli, Reu-
ben S{Hilding, Peter Croae, EtM;nezer Cummings, Kbenezer Perry, El^ah
Hitia, Ezekiel Uille, Jeremiah HilU, Samuel Hills, Richanl Martihalt,
Paniol Hanly, Setli Hadley, Abijuh Reeil, Riclial>l Cutter, Neiieminh
Winn, Bei^jamin Whittemoi-e, .\biather Winn, Stephen Chase, Jr.,
Joeliua CliaiR', John Huiieltine, Daviil tJlover, Oliver Hills, Page Smith,
Samuel <'amplx.|l, Samuel Smith, Moses Barrett, Kicbanl Hardy, Jona-
than Blodgutt, Joseph Greeley, Samuel Duraut, Samuel Moore, .\ndrew
SeaTey, StA-phen Chase, James I'emberton, John Osgood, Nat. Hardy,
BeiOauiin Slarsliall, I>auiel Maraltall, John Walker, Joseph Gould, Jr.,
John Merrill, David Cummingii, Tliomas Wason, Alexander Caldwell,
Tlionios Caldwell, Asa Davis, Samuel Woson, Ichabod Eastman, Abraham
Pago, Nat. Davis.
The " muster-roll " also gives the number of days
each man served and the number of miles travelled ;
also, the number of pounds of pork furnished and the
number of gallons of rum. Of pork there were four
hunilred and twenty-four pounds, at sixty (?) cents per
pound ; rum, twelve gallons, at twenty-two cents per
gallon.
The following Nottingham West soldiers were
known to have been in Captain Walker's company at
the battle of Hunker Hill, June 17, 1775 : .Joseph
Blodgett, Stephen Chase, Joshua Severcnce, Joseph
Greeley, Nehemiah Winn and Abijah Reed. Joseph
Greeley was severely wounded in the ankle.
By the provincial census taken in September, 1775,
Nottingham West was credited with having twenty-
two soldiers in the army.
The following is a list of Nottingham West soldiers
who enlisted for three years to (ill up the Continental
Mattalions, April, 1777 :
/n Captain Emenon^t Company, CilUy't Regiment.
Sanders Bnullniry, sergeant; died of disease, 1779.
.\mofl Kinney, kille«].
Natlianiel Hardy, dischargoil April 10, 1780.
[u Oi;>tiin F. M. IteU'e Coiiipatiy, Hat^ t Itegimetit (miiHlered May"!, 1777).
Daniel Wynian. Ephrnini Jones.
Elijah Gould. Samuel Frencli.
Jolin .S»mvey. James Eiwtnmn.
ICnltKled at y<irl;.
I..«eph Severence and Samuel Kinney ; Thomas I'erry, enlisted April I'J,
1779; di«:harged Aljril 1", 178(1.
'•JVeir /.epief."
AU.I Sargeaiit, rsoAc Foot, Asa Ilamblet and Thomas Cutter enlisted
.lune 2», 17KI1; illBcharged lleeember, 1780.
Aaron HiHwl, orilisted Fel,ruury 'J8, 1781.
Ezra I'arlton, enlisted April Zl, 1781.
Joseph Mamlmll, enlisted February 28, 1781.
Kliphiilel llrowii, enlisted April r., 17H1.
Kniiitnl fnr Sij^ Jloiilh; July, 1781, /or Hetl roiiil.
Jonathan Farwell. James Pemln.rton.
Daniel Pierce. Timothy Smith.
Abel Sargent.
Kiilitted /i>r Sir ,ir.iiW« .If.i;/ II, 178J.
Jonathan Karw..|l. Daniel Pierce,
.lames Pembertiiii. Timulhy Smith.
Aliel Sargent. .Vi>el Merrill.
.*^muel Brown, Joseph H0I1I.H and Simeon Bulterfleld wero mustered
by C. Frye, June 10, 1782.
81
Hardy, enlisted in Captain Mark Wiggins' company, Lang's regi-
ment, November I;l, 1776.
Upon the "Ticonderoga Alarm," in June, 1777, a
company of twenty-four men was raised in Notting-
ham West and vicinity, commanded by Captain
James Ford, of this town.
They marched as far as Dublin, where an express
met them ordering tltem home. They returned the
5th of July, and the ne.xt day were "ordered out
again, and went as far as No. 4, where they heard of
the evacuation of Ticonderoga and returned."
Captain .Tames Ford commanded Company 3 of
Colonel Nichols' regiment at the battle of Benning-
ton, August 16, 1777, where he was wounded in both
thighs, from which he suflered a lamene-ss through
life.
Names of other soldiers who are known to have
been in the army, — Ebenezer Pollard was at the
battle of Bennington ; Seth Cutler enli.-tted in Stark's
regiment May, 1777; he was in the battles of Ben-
nington, Trenton and Princeton, and several others
of less note. Richard Cutter was in the army from
June 10, 1778, to January, 1779. John Caldwell,
1776. Timothy Pollard, Gideon Butler, John Camp-
bell, Roger Merrill, Jonathan Perry, James Brown,
Jonathan Marsh, Theodore -Merrill, Robert Bettys,
John Haseltine, Jr., William Merrill, Isaac Merrill.
The account of Nottingham West for pay-roll on
alarm at Cambridge was fifty-six pounds.
At a town-meeting, October 9, 1777, —
" Voteil, to choose Lt. Ezikel Hills, Jno. Caldwell, Jno. Hale, Lt. Wil-
liam Merrill and Samuel Wasou a committee Ui set a valuation upon
what had been done towards carrying on the present war, and to make
report thereof to the Town."
The committee made a report at a meeting, Decem-
ber 22, 1779,—
" It was put to vote to see if the Town would accept of the report of
the committee that was chosen to settle what each man hath ilono In
this Town in this present war,
'* Voted in the negative.
"It was put to vote to see if they would accept any part of the report
of the above conuuittee.
*' Votutiu the aflirmativo."
The report is not recorded, but upon a tax iiiiide by
the selectmen, December 29, 1778, " to hire schooling
and defray town charges," the following persons, in
addition to names already given as soldiers, have
credits placed against their names, in most instances
the whole amount of their tax.
There is good reason for supposing that a niiijority
of these men, but not all, had been in the army.
Some may have been credited on account of their
sons.
Andrew Soavey, Stephen Chase, Jr., Ensign Nathaniel Merrill, John
Walker, Honjamin Marshall, John P.dliinl, .Ir., JotK.ph Winn, Jr.,
Joshua Chase, .\Nahel Blodgett, JiMM'pli Blodgett, .luslus Dakin, Muses
Barrett, Jr., St.plo.ri lladlny, |.:U].lilel Hadley, Jr., David c;iover, .Sanuul
Oildwell, .Samuel Wiisou, James I'uldwell, Thonms t'alilwi.|l, Nathaniel
HoiMltlne, Thomas llariddet, Gi.,.rge Burns, Jr., .lohn Merrill, William
Burns, Samuel Smith, Jr., Page Smith, John Hale, Peter Cross, Isaae
BaiTelt, Caleb S'verence, Kiisign Eli.|ah Hills, William Hills, David
Marsh, Hlchanl Mul-Hhall, Thomiu4 Marsh.
476
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Credits were also allowed to many of the same per-
sons upon tax-lists made November 8, 1779, and
January 19, 1780.
CHAPTER VII.
HUDSON— (Contmiierf).
lluilson in the War of the Ite)>e11ion — Names of Hudson Soldiers— Boun-
ties Paid by tbe Town — Drafted Men who Furuislied Substitutes —
Other Men who Furnished Substitutes— Relief of Soldiere" Families —
Soldiers' Aid Societj-.
As in the War of the Revolution, so in the late
Civil War, the quota of soldiers allotted to the town
by the State, on the many calls for troops, was
promptly filled.
The names of the Hudson soldiers, with the date of
their enrollment or mustering, time of service and
regiments and companies in which they served, are
presented in the following lists.
The First New Hampshire Regiment was raised in
answer to the call of President Lincoln, of April 15,
1861, for seventy-five thousand men for three months.
It was under the command of Colonel Mason AV.
Tappan, and was mustered in at Concord on the 4th
of May, left for Washington on the 2-5th, and, upon
the ex))irati()n of its term of service, returned and was
mustered out at Concord on the following 9th of
August.
Three Hudson men enlisted in this regiment, —
William L. Walker, C'omi»any E, mustered out .\ugujit 9th ; re-enlisted
in the Seventh New Itanipshire Regiment.
Abel F. tiould, Company K, mustered out .\ugU3t 9th ; re-enlisted in
the Eighth New Hampshire Regiment.
Kben Ttittle, Company K, mustered out August 9, 18G1.
Third New Hampshire Regiment enlisted for three
years; colonel, Enoch (}. Fellows.
This regiment was mustered in August 26th ; left
Concord September 3, 1861, and on the following 19th
of October was ordered to the seat of war in South
Carolina.
The Hudson soldiers in this regiment were, —
(Jeorge I>. Carr, Company E, wounded and captured at James Island
June 10, lstk2 ; died in the hands of the enemy, at Charleston,
S. C, June 28, 1802.
IVtor IlenneiJsey, ComiMtny E, re-enliatod February 10, 1804.
William F. MiHett, f'ompany E, mustered out .\uguat 23. 1804.
(Jeorge W. Miller, Company F, wounded severely (left arm ampu-
tated) at James Island June 10, 18G2 ; discharged for disability
September 13, 1802.
Nathan Caldwell, Company F, re-enlisted February- 22, ISM.
Charles A. Wymao, Company F, mustered out August 23, 1804.
William F. Hardly, mustered out August 2:1, 18l>4.
The Fourth Now Hampshire Regiment was mus-
tered in Manchester in September, 1861, and left for
Washington on the 27th, under the command of Colo-
nel Thomas J. Whijiple.
The Hudson men in this regiment, enlisted for three
years, in Company 15, were, —
r«leb' Marahull, discharged for disability at Deaufort, S. C, March 11,
1803.
Charles .\. Robinson, discharged for disability at Beaufort, S. C, Oc-
tober 19, 1802.
Hugh Watts, discharged for disability March 12, 1803.
In Company K, —
Samuel T. Coffin, musician, discharged for disability February 11,
1864.
Israel W. Young, discharged for disability at DeC«mp Hospital, N. V.,
June 4, 1804.
Company G, of the Second United States Sharp-
shooters, enlisted in this State for three years ; was
mustered in December 12, 1801.
The Hudson men in the company were, —
Harvard P. Smith, sergeant ; promoted to second lieutenant October 10
1803; promoted to captain November 1, 1802; wounded May 0,
1801 ; mustered out December 24, 1804.
NoiTis Smith, promoted to sergeant ; re-enlisted December 24, 1803 ;
wounded May 31, 1804 ; promoted to first lieutenant January 10,
ISG.'i ; honorably discharged.
.loseph G. Winn, killed at .\ntietam, Md., September 17, 1802.
Dustin B. Smith, re-enlisted February 17, 1804 ; transferred to Fifth New
Hampshire Volunteers January 30, 1865 ; mustered out June 28,
180i.
Allen Steele, died of disease at Washington, D. C, January 22, 1802.
Dura P. Dow, promoted to corjwral January 14, 186;i ; died of disease
February 20, 1803.
Job F. Thomas, wounded slightly at .Vntietam September 17, 1802 ; dis-
charged on account of wouuds December 14, 1863.
William H. Thomas, discharged for disability February 13, 1863.
Charles H. Hopkins, wounded severely in the arm at .\ntietain Septem-
ber 17, 1802 ; discharged on account of wounds January- 7, 1803.
Henry Taylor, died at Washington March 6, 1802.
Joseph S. Floyd, enlisted as a recruit February 12, 1864 ; killed at the
Wilderneffi, Va., May 0, 1804.
Charles E. Osgood, enlisted as a recruit February 25, 1804 ; wounded
May 10, 1801 ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps January .30,
1805 ; honorably discharged.
The Seventh New Hampshire Regiment was en-
listed for three years ; mustered in at Manchester
December 24, 1861, and left for Florida by the way of
New Y'ork, under command of Colonel H. S. Putnam,
January 14, 1862.
In Company B, of this regiment, were the following
Hudson men :
L^ander H. Cummings, promoted to corporal May 0, 1862 ; wounded and
captured July 18, 1803 ; died of wounds at Charleston, S. C, Jtdy
28, 1863.
Albert Campbell, discharged by civil authority January 7, 1862.
William J. Filield.
William L. Walker, re-eulistod from First New Ham[ishire Regiment ;
promoted to sergeant .\ugust 1, 1864 ; mustered out December 22,
1804.
Otis A. Morrill, Comitany H, enlisted August 21, 1862 ; promoted to ser-
geant ; mustered out June 20, 1865.
Andrew J. Berry, Company II, enlisted August 21, 1862 ; killed at Fort
Wagner, S. C, July 18, 1863. '
The Eighth New Hampshire Regiment was also
enlisted at Manchester for three years, commanded
by Colonel Hawks Fearing and mustered in Decem-
ber 23, 1861.
It left Manchester for Ship Island, Miss., by way
of Boston, January 4, 1862.
The following Hudson men were in the Eighth
Regiment :
Levi K. Cross, Company A, discharged for disability at CarroUton, La.,
October 27, 1802 ; re-enlisted in the Eighteenth New Hampshire
Regiment.
Robert D. Caldwell, Company A, mustered out January 18, 1865.
HUDSON.
477
Atwl F. Gould, ComiMn}' A, ren^Dlisted from First New* Hampshire Regl-
uient ; drowned iil Alexandria, La., May 10, 1863.
Juliii'd Halm, Company D.
Am'-'9 >1. Youug, Coniiwiny D, r^.^'nlisted January 4, 18t>4 ; transferrwd
(" '/oiupauy .\, Veteran Battalion, Kigtitli New Hainpshire Vulun-
teer», Januarj' 1, 18ti5.
John P. Young, CoiniNiny D, tratiBferred to Veteran Keser^'e Corps Slaj
I, 1»>I.
Charles .\. Russell, Company E, killed at Georgia Landing, La., Octo-
l.er 2T, 1S02.
John Smith, Company £, uuiDtered out October 24, 18t>4.
The Ninth New Hampshire Regiment was organ-
ized at Concord, and left tlie State August 25, 1802,
under command of Colonel E. Q. Fellows.
The Hudson men enlisted for three years were, —
JesMe S. Bean, corporal Company C, wounded slightly December 13,
1S62 ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps January 15, 18G4; mus-
tered out July .'», lS(h5.
£lia> L. Foole, Company F, died of disease at .\ntietam, Md., October
.'), 1S«2.
Thonia-f P. Conery, Company C, captured May 12, 1864 ; died of disease
at Andersonrille, Ga., Augii.st 28, 1864 ; grave JJo. 7072.
Prior to August, 1862, no bounties to volunteers to
fill the (juota of Hudson in the war had been offered
or |>aid by the town.
At a meeting held the 12th of August of that year
the town " Vo/etl to pay a bounty of two hundred
dollars to each person who will enlist into the service
of the United States as a volunteer for three years, or
during the war; until the last day of August, unless
tiie quota of the town is sooner filled."
Another town-meeting was held September 11th,
at which it was voted to pay a bounty of two hun-
dred dollars to each volunteer for three years, not to
exceed twenty, and one hundred dollars for nine
months' volunteers.
The Tenth New Ham])shire Regiment was mustered
in at Manchester September o, 1862, and left for the
seat of war on the 22<1.
The Hudson soldiers enlisted in Company 15 for
tliree years in this regiment were, —
Charles H. KerHhaw, corporal.
John D. Famum, corjwjral, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps Aug-
i«t 15, 1863.
William II. Durant, discharged for disability May 20, 1863; enlisted in
Invalid ('.irps Septen»ber2, 18(',4 ; nniHtcred out November l.'», 186.'i.
Joseph French, mustereil out Jun<. 21, IHii.',.
Francis Tetro, mustered out June 21, IH-'io.
Bobert French, Comi«ny C, mustered out June 20, 186.J.
The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment enlisted
for tiiree years, left Concord October 6, 1862, under
com maud of Colonel Aaron F. .Stevens, of Nitshua.
In Company I of this regiment eighteen Hudson
men enlisted Sei)tember 20th, whose names are given
below, —
James M. Greeley, sergeant, discharged for disiliilily iit WashinKl'in
February 2.i, IniT ; eulisted hi Heavy Artillery September 6, 1»04.
Kalhan 51. Blodgett, coriwral, discharged by order, at Portsmouth, Vn.,
November 3n, Ist^I.
Reuben Cunnniiigs, nnisician, mustered out Juno 21, 1805.
Aldou M. Jones, musician, mustered out June 21, 1865.
Oeorge W. Batcholdor, captured October 27, 18M ; dieil of disease at Sal-
isbury, N. C., February 12, 18fl.'i.
Henry Butler, wounded December 13, 1862; promoted to corpural April
1, 1S63; mustered out June 21, 186.J.
Bradford Campbell, mustered out June 21, 1865.
Henry T. Colburn, discharged for disability at Concord, N. II., July 13,
1883.
Gilman F. Chase, transferred to Company C, September 2-^, 1862 ; trans*
ferrcnl to brigade band January 2.'>, 1863 ; mustered out Juno 21,
1S65.
Rufua Fletcher, mustered out June 21, 186.5.
Lorenzo Fuller, mustered out Juno 17, 186,5.
Fi-edorick Hiccox, mustered out May 12, 1865.
Xapoleon K. Jones, mustered out June 21, 1865.
William B. Lewis, promoted to corporal .\pril 1,1863 ; wounded slightly
May 16, 1864 ; promoted to sergeant June 7, 1864 ; mustered out
June 21, 1865.
Jacob ^larshall, died of disease at Portsmouth, Va., August 21, 1863.
Otis R. 3Iarsh, wounded severely October 27, 1864 ; discharged by order
31»y 28, 1865.
Andrew J.Smith, killed at Petersburg, Va., June 26, 1864.
JamesG. Smith, died of disease at Portsmouth, Va., October 3, 1863.
The town continued the bounty of two hundred
dollais to men who enlisted for three years, and De-
cember .5, 1863, " Voted to a.ssume the State and gov-
ernment bounties, and add thereto the sum of three
hundred dollars to each volunteer." " Voted to pay
the men who were drafted September 2, 1863, one
hundred dollars each in addition to the two hundred
already paid them."
" Voted to pay a bounty of two hundred dollars to
men who enlisted in 1861, and who are now in the
service, they having received no town bounty."
At a meeting held June 18, 1864, it was voted to
pay a bounty of three hundred dollars to volunteers
for three years, or to drafted men ; and August 29th
the town 'Tote/ to pay each soldier who shall enlist
and be mustered into the service of the United States,
who shall have been for three months previous a res-
ident of this town, for one year eight hundred dollars,
for two years nine hundred dollars, for three years
one thousand dolhirs." This included the State and
United States bounties.
In Company F, of the First Regiment New Haniji-
.shire Heavy Artillery, sixteen Hudson men enlisted,
Sejitember 6, 1864, for one year, whose names are
given below, all of whom were mustered out .Tune l-j,
1865,—
Sanutel M. Walker, coriioral.
James McCoy, corporal, reduced to ranks June 1, 1865.
George W. Berry, appointed musician December 16, 1864.
Lucius T. linker. James M. Greeley.
.lames S. lllodgelt. Horace J. lluinblet.
Albert A. Campbell. George S. .McCoy.
Austin T. Merrill.
James N. Corliss.
John ^V, Fletcher.
Frank J. Fuller.
.Samuel .\. Greelev.
Frederick F. Smith.
Willard O. Wiim.
The following is a list of other Hudson men who
enlisted into the service:
John II. Philli|is, enlisted for three years in Troop >I, Finit New Eng-
land Cavalry ; inusten'd in September 15, 1862 ; tmnsferreil to Inva-
lid CoriM September, 1863 ; rlischargod for dlsabllitv January 27
1864.
Warren Smith, oidisted in Troop A, First Regiment, Kew Ham|ishlrv
Cavalry ; muBlore<l in .March 24, ISivl ; promoted to corporal .May 1,
18(H ; wounded severely August 25, 186-1, and illed of wounds si^.n
after.
Jonathan Burlwnk, enlisted for nine months in Company E, 15th Now
lIaln|iehlro Heglment ; mustered In October 11, 1862 ; mustered out
at Memphis, Tonn., August 1.), 1863; sick at Memphis and dleil
478
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The following enlisted for one year in Company E,
Eighteenth New Hampshire Regiment ; mustered in
September 28, 1864 :
Levi E. Cross, corporal, mustercJ out June 10, 1303.
Cyrus Cross, mustureii out June 1", 1805.
The following Hudson men were in the United
States navy :
Jamee H. Shaw, enliste.1 in the navy April I'.i, ISOl, an,I was houombly
discharged April I'J, 18C5. ,. . , , .
Thomas M. Senter. enlisted for two years Jun,>, l.'^iVJ ; re-eul.stc.l for two
years February 27, 1866.
George E. Senter, enlisted as acting masters mate June. 1802 ; resigned
June, 1803. , , . ,
Joseph W. Wallace, Michael Harney and Samuel L. Beverly, date of en-
listment unknown.
The foUowiiifr are the names of Hudson men who
enlisted in Ma^saehusetts regiments :
Almon S Senter. enlisted in Sixth Massachusetts Regiment fur nine
months; afterwards in Massachusetts Heavy Artiller)-, and served
through the war.
\iron B Frost, Twelfth Massachusetts Begiment.
Jamison Greeley, Company M, Fourteenth Massachusetts Begiment.
Samuel M. Walker, Company C, Si.-iteenth JIassachusetts Begiment.
WUliam Livingstone, Thirty-sixth Maisaehusctts Regiment.
The following enlisted in unknown Massachusetts
regiments ;
George McQuesten. -^'e^is Baker.
Henry H. Dane. Patrick Bradley.
James 0. Dane.
The following enlisted in a Maine regiment :
Jlyron W. Harris and Henry Harris.
The following are the names of men drafted in
1863 who furnished substitutes
John B. Jlarshall.
Wiilard I). Winn.
Ira Templeton.
Nohemiah H. Gage.
lit 18h4.
Benjamin H. Kidder. John C. Smith.
Lucius F. B..bin»)n. Charles H. Grant.
Arus H. McCoy. Edwin S. Gowing.
The following is a list of men not drafted who fur
nished substitutes:
David O. Smith.
Franklin A. Hill.
Willar.1 II. Webster.
Alfred C. Uipley.
Alphonso Ri'binson.
Charles Steele.
The names of these twenty-four substitutes, to-
gether with thirteen others furnished by the town,
all being non-residents and principally aliens, are
iimitted.
In giving the names of the soldiers, it has been my
purpose to give the names of those who were resi-
dents of this town, a few of which were credited to
other towns.
At the close of the war this town was credited at
the adjutiint-general's office with twelve men more
than its full quota under all the calls for soldiers
during the war, and it was claimed that twenty-one
men more than its quota had been furnished, after
allowing all due credits to other towns.
The whole number of enlistments credited to Hud-
E. Wesley Hill.
Augustus F. Blodgett.
Obediah F. Smith.
Emery Parker.
Augustus R. Morrison.
Kimball Webster.
Daniel M. Greeley.
David Clement, Jr.
son by the adjutant-general was one hundred and
thirty-five.
Amount of bounty paid by the town to soldiers, a
part of which was afterwards reimbursed by the
State and United States, thirty-six thousand seven
hundred and twenty-five dollars.
October 14, 1861, the town elected Hiram Marsh,
Gilman Andrews and Stephen D. Greeley a committee
to relieve the families of soldiers, and instructed that
committee to pay not exceeding one dollar a week
each for the wives, children and parents dependent
upon soldiers serving in the army from this town or
such as may hereafter enlist.
This committee paid for the relief of such families
during the war upwards of seven thousand dollars,
which was reimbursed by the State.
At the beginning of the war, April 24, 1861, at a
citizens' meeting, held at the town-house, the amount
of two hundred and twenty-three dollars was sub-
scribed and paid for the purpose of furnishing volun-
teers who had enlisted with necessary outfits, in addi-
tion to such as were furnished by the government.
On the 29th of October of the same year, at
another meeting of the citizens, the Hudson Soldiers'
Aid Society was organized, and was continued in
active and successful operation till the close of the
war.
The president of this society was Addison Heald ;
its secretary, Mrs. Nancy B. Merrill ; and its treas-
urer, Mrs. Addison Heald; with an executive com-
mittee composed of ten ladies, one from each school
district,— Mrs. Thomas Gowing, Mrs. Luther Pollard,
Mrs. Samuel Morrison, Miss Mary Buttrick, Mrs. D.
M. Greeley, Mrs. Oliver Hill, Mrs. David Seavey,
Mrs. Robert A. Andrews, Mrs. J. E. Greeley and Mrs.
James M. Greeley.
This .society contributed, collected, bought material
and manufactured and forwarded to the soldiers, in
large ([uantities, articles of necessity and comfort,
such as comfortable clothing, bedding, lint, bandages,
dried fruits, comforts for the sick and wounded in the
hospitals and necessaries for the use and convenience
of the men in the field and camp.
These contributions were greatly appreciated by
the soldiers at the front, and did much to relieve their
sufferings and add to their scanty comforts.
CHAPTER VI 11.
HUDSON— (Con/tniied).
First Town Officers, 1733-Moderator8 of Annual Town-Meetings, Select-
men and Town Clerks of Sottingham from ITM to 1741-Moderatol»
of \nnual Town-Meetings, Selectmen and Clerks of the District of
Nottingham from 1743 to 174.'.-Moderat..rs of Annual Town-Meetings,
Town Clerks and Selectmen from 174610 1885-Delegates to the General
Court etc., from 1733 to ISM-Bepresentatives to the General Court
from 1775 to 1885- Votes for State I'lesideut from 1784 to 17'j2-\ote8
for Governor from 1793 to 1884.
The first election for the choice of town officers
HUDSON.
479
for the town of Nottingham was held at the house of
Ensign John Snow on the 1st day of May, 1733.
The following is a full list of all the otHcers chosen
at that meeting, and who held their otliie until the
annual meeting in March, 1734:
Captain Rolw-rt Fletrher, moderator; Henn- Hal<l\viii, town clerk;
Heiir>- Halflwio, Cajitiiin Robert Kletcher, John Taylor, Joseph .Snow
John Butler, selectmen ; Josepti Ilanihlet, conetable ; John Suow, town
treasurer; Nathaniel Hills, tithingman ; James Perham, Joseph Winni
£leazer Cunimings, surveyors; Thomas Coll>um, Samuel Bntler, fence-
TieMers ; EdwanI Siiulding, Jonathan Perham, field-drivers ; Phinea^
Spalding, John Hainblet, bog-reeves.
The following is a list of moderators of annual
town meetings, town clerks and selectmen of the
town of Xottingham from 1734 to 1741 :
MODERATORS OF ANNC.\L TOWS-MEETISGS.
Henry Baldwin, 1734, '37, '38.
John Butler. 173.-., '41.
Joseph Snow, 173C, '39.
Thomas Colburn, 1740.
SEIECTMES.
17:J4. — Henry Baldwin, Robert Fletcher, Zaccheue Lovewell, John
Bntler, Elon/er Cummings.
17:i.'>.— John Butler, Robert Fletcher, Thomas Colburn.
173»i. — Daniel Fletcher, AVilliam Cunnnings, John Butler.
1737.— Henry Ibildvvio, Joseph Hanihlet, John Butler.
17:W.— Heni7 Baldwin, John Butler, Joseph Hamblct, Joseph Winn,
John B;iMwiu.
173;'. — Eleazer Cummings, Zuccheus Lovewell, Jonathan Snow.
174", — Thom;is Colburn, Zaccheus Lovewell, John Snow.
1741.— Henry Bitldwin, Joseph Hanihlet, Thomas Gage.
TOW^' CLERKS.
Henrj- Baldwin, 17.14, '37, ^S, '41.
John Butler, lots, 30.
Jonulhun Snow, 1739, '40.
Until 1741 the town was supposed to be wholly in
Massachusetts, and was under the laws and jurisdic-
tion of that State ; hut upon the settlement of the
province line in that year, the town was divided, and
the greater i)art fell within the limits of New Hamp-
shire, and Nottingham in this State became a district,
and remained as such until 17411. There is no record
of any town or district meeting from November 22,
1741. to August 9, 1743, at which last meeting thefirst
district otficers were elected.
MODER.\TORS OF ANNTAL MEETINGS.
Henry Baldwin, 1743, '44.
Thomas Colburn, KLI.
Thomas Gage, 174'i.
SELECTMEN.
1743. — /acchcus liovowoll, Ey.ekiel Chase, Samuel Crceloy.
17t4.^Ezek[el Chase, Joseph llainblet. John Marshall.
174.'>. — Zacrheus Lovewell, Samuel Greeley, Sjimuid Butler.
Samuel Greeley was elected district clerk at tlie first
meeting, and was re-elected each year afterwards its
long as Nottingham remained a district.
The charter of Nottingham West as a town, as we
have seen, was dated .Inly .'), 1741), and the first meet-
iiio li.r tlie election of town officers was held .Inly
ITtli.
The following lists present the names of the persons
who have held the several offices of moderator of an-
nual town-meetings, town clerk and selectmen from
the year 1746 to l.'^S'i, with the years in which they i
Were respectively chosen : '
MODERATORS OF ANNUAL TOWN-MEETINGS FROM 1746 TO 1885.
/accheus Lovewell, 1746.
Thomas Colburn, 1747, '48, '49, ".tO, '51, '33, '.'i*.
Ezekiel Chase, 17,0L', '54, '53, '56, '47, '64, '65, /66, '67, '68, '7«.
Abraham Page, 1759, '60, '71, '72, '73, '74, '76, '77, '78.
Daniel Merrill, 1761.
Ephraim Cummings, 1762, '63.
Henry Hale, 1769.
(Jcorge Burns, 1770.
Asa Davis, 1779, 'SO, '83, '84, '83, '98, '99, 1800, 1801.
William Burns, 1781, '82, '95.
Timothy Smith, 1786, '88, 'S9, '90.
Samuel Marsh, 1787.
Phineaii L'nderwood, 1791, '92, '93, '94.
Moses Johnson, 179G, '97.
Jesse Daviflson, 1802, '03.
Isaac Merrill, 1804, '05, '06, '07, '08, '10, '11, '12.
Robert Patterson, 18i)9.
Caleb S. Ford, 1813, '14, '15, '16, 17, '19, '21, '22, '24, '25, '26, '27, '28.
'29, '32.
Noah Robinson, 1S18.
Joseph Greeley, 1820, '23.
Thomas B. Wasou, 1830, '31, '33, '34, '35, '36, '37, '38, '39.
Jabcz 1". F. Cross, 1840, '41, '42, '43, '44, '45, '47, '48.
.Teremiah Smith, 1846.
Ethan Wjllonghby, 1850, '51.
James Emery, 1853, '.i4, "59, 'GO, '66.
James T. Palmer, 1855, '56, '57.
Benjamin F. Chase, 1858.
Timothy S. Ford, 1861.
William H. Chase, 1862, '6.3, '64, '65, '07, '68, '69, '70, '71.
Caleb Richardson. 1872.
Jacob F. Spalding, 1873.
Dana Sargent, 1874, '75, '77.
Benjamin A. Merrill, 1876.
Josiah K. Wheeler, 1878, '81, '82, '83, '84, '.«5.
Stephen D. Greeley, 1879, '80.
For the years 1849 and lS-')2 the election of mode-
rator is not recorded.
TOWN CLERKS FROM 1740 TO 1885.
Samuel tireoley, 1746.
Samuel Greeley, Jr., 1747.
Doctor Ezekiel Chase, 1748.
Siiniucl Greeley, Jr., 1749 to 17S1, e.xcept 1777.
Samuel Greeley, Jr. (son of the last Samuelj, 1777.
Timothy Smith, 1782 to 1784.
Asa Davis, 1783 to 1795 and 1801 to 1807.
Joseph Greeley, 17'JG to IStK).
James Gibson, 1808 to 1811.
Joseph Greeley, Jr., 1812 to 1815.
Joseph Pollard, 181C and 1817.
.\sa Blodgett, 1818 to 182S.
Foster Towns, 1826.
Reuben Greeley, 1827 to 1837.
James Pierce, 1838 and 1830.
Henry M. Hooko, 1840.
Daniel McCoy, 1841.
Dustiu B. Farnuni, 1842 and 1843.
I'aul Colburn, 1844 to 1856.
William H. Chase, 1837 and 18.'i8.
John C. Webster, 1859.
Kll Hamblet, 181,0 to 1868.
J.wiab K. Wheeler, 1869 and 187".
Walilo P. Walton, 1871, '72, '74.
James Emery, 1873 and 1877, to 1879.
James G. Walker, 1876.
James B. Merrill, 1873 and 1880, to 1885.
SELECTMEN FROM 1746 TU 1885.
1746. — Samuel Greeley, Zaccheus Lovowoll, Eleaxor Cummings.
1747.— Kzekiel Chase, John Marsh, John Marshall, Samuel Grtajley,
Jr., James Wason.
1748.— Thomas C.jlburn, Samuel Greeley, Ezekiel thiuk', William
CumnilngH, James Hills.
480
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE
.
1740.— John ^larsball, Stophun Chase, Joseph Winn, Hoiiry ilills,
Samuel Greeley, Jr.
1750. — John Mareh, Samuel Greeley, Jr., George Burns.
1751. — Samuel Merrill, Eleazor Cummingfi, Samuel Greeley, Jr.
17.')2. — George Burns, Sitmuel (Ireoley, Jr., Josiah Cummlugs.
1753. — Samuel Ularsh, Abnihaiu Page, Sjimuel Greeley, Jr.
1764. — Thomas Colburn, Sjiniuel Greeley, Jr., Janit** Ililla.
n^Vt. — Ezekiel Chase, Roger Chaw, Samuel Greelev, Jr.
1750-57.— Kzekiel Chase, Samuel Greeley, Jr., Ephraiui Cunimiugs.
1758. — Abraham Page, George Burns, James Hills.
1759. — Abniham Page, Samuel Greeley, .Tr., Roger Chase.
1760.— Daniel Menill, Kzekiel Hills, Henry Snow.
1761. — Samuel Greeley, Jr., Eleazer Cummings, Daniel Merrill.
1762-&'l. — Samuel Greeley, Jr., Epbraim Cunimiugs, Samuel Marsh.
1764. — Ezekiel (Hiase, George Burns, Asa Davis.
1705. — Henrii- Halo, .\braliam Page, Ezekiel Hilb.
1766. — Siiiuuel Greeley, Jr., Ezekiel Chase, Ephmim CunxmingH.
1767. — Abraham Page, Nathaniel Davis, Asa Davis.
1768. — George Burns, Nathaniel Davis, Ezekiel Hills.
1769. — Abraham Page, Henry Hale, Asa Davis.
1770. — Georg<> Burns, Sanuiel Moor, Nathaniel Davis.
1771. — Abraham Page, Nathaniel Davis, Neheniiah Haiiley.
1772-74.- Abmham Page, Nathaniel Davis, John Haseltine, Jr.
1775. — John Haaeltine, Jr., Asa Davis, William Burns.
1776. — Samuel Marsh, John Cahiwell, William Burns.
1777. — Samuel Marsh, Timothy Smith, George Burns, Jr.
1778. — John Haseltine, John Caldwell, Andrew Seavey.
1779.— Samuel Marsh, David Lawrence, Moses Johnson, Samucj
Wason, Samuel Greeley.
I78(.>, — Asa Davis, James Ford, David Lawrence.
1781, — Samuel Marsh, John Hale, Isaac Merrill.
1782 and 1784.— Timothy Smith, John Haseltine, Jr., Samuel Bur-
hank, Jr.
1783.— Timothy Smith, Nathaniel Davis, Samuel Burhank, Jr.
1785 — 1788. — Asa Davis, John Haseltine, Jr., Isaac Jlerrill.
1789.— Asa Davis. .John Haseltine, Jr., Phineas Underwood.
1790-92.— Asa Davis, Phineas Underw<K>.l, Thomas Hills.
1793-94.— Asa Davis, Sanmel Marsh, Phineas Underwood.
1795-96.- Samuel Marsh, Page Smith, Isaac Colburn.
1797. — Samuel Marsh, David Lawrence, Isaac Merrill.
1798.— vVsa Davis, Thomas Senter, Jonathan Burbank.
1799.— Jonathan Burbank, Isajic Merrill, Thomas Hills.
1800 and 1804.— Asa Davis, Isaac Merrill, Piige Smith.
ISm. — Asa Davis, Page Smith, Ebeni*zer Cummings.
1802-0;t. — Asa Davis, Page Smith, Jesse David8».>n.
ISa'i-Ofi.— Asa Davis, Isaac Merrill, Caleb S. Ford.
1 807.— Asa Davis, Caleb S. Fonl, James Gibson .
1808.— Caleb S. Ford, .htmes Gibson, Jeremiah Smith.
1809-10.— Caleb S. Ford, James Gibson, Noah Robinson.
1811. — James Gibson, Jonathan Burbank, Moses Gn-eley.
1812.— Jonathan Burbank, Moses Gn-dey, Reuben Sargent.
1813-14.- Closes Greeley, Joseph Greeley, Jr.. Jeremiah Smith.
1815-16.- MosesGreeley, Benjamin Merrill, William Hills.
1817-19.— Calebs. Ford, Thomas B. Wason, Jacobdiase.
1820.— Caleb S. Ford, Reuben Sargent, David Burns.
1821. — David Bumn, William Hills, Noyes Tenney.
1822.— David Burns, Jacob Chase, Noyes Tenney.
1823.— Noyes Tenney, Williant Hills, Oliver PoIInr.l.
1824.— Oliver Pollard, Noah Robinson, Reuben Greeley.
1825.— Oliver Pollard, Noah Robinson, Ebent-zer Fortl.
1826.— Reuben Greeley, James Pierce, William Hills.
1827-2>*.— Reul>en Gneley, James Pierce, Jacot» Chase.
l'*29.— Caleb S. Ford, James Pierce, John Rurnham.
1830.— James Pierce, William Hadley, Joseph Blodgett, Jr.
1831.— Jame« !'i«'rco, William Hadley, Thomiw B. Wason.
1832.— Caleb S. Ford, Jeremiah Smith, Noah Robinson.
1833.— Noah Robinson, Timothy Ford, Jalwz P. F. Cross.
1R34.— Noah Robinson, Jabez P. F. Cross, James Wilson.
1835.— Reuben (Jreeley, Noah Robinson, Jabi-z P. F. Cro*«.
18.36.— Reuben Greeley, Thomas B. Wason. Davi.I Robinson.
1837.— Thomas B. Was.m. U<-ubpn Greilt-y. Paul Hanly.
18.38.— Thomas B. Wason, Paul Hanly, Dustin B. Farnum.
1839.— Paul Hardy, Dustin B. Farnum, JalKZ P. F. Cross.
1840-41. — James Pierce, William Hadley, Warren Pollanl.
1^*42.- Thomas Manth, Greenlief B. Farnum. Oilman Andrews.
1843.— Thomas B. Wnson, Amos Hills, Paul Colburn.
1844.— Thoinaf B. Wason, AnioH Hills. Gilnmn .\ndi-ews.
l''4o.— Jabez P. F. Cross, Gilniau Andrews, Alvan Smith.
1846. — Oilman Andrews, Alvan Smith, Samuel Morrison.
1847. — Paul Hardy, Jabez P. F. Cross, Stephen D. Greeley.
1848. — Paul Hardy, Jeremiah Smith, Stephen D. Greeley.
1849.— James Pierce, Alvan Smith, Benjamin F. Chase.
1850.— Paul Hardy, Calvin Pollard, Stephen l>. Oreeley.
18.''1.— Alvan Smith. Cjilvin Pollanl, Stephen D. Greeley.
1852.- Calvin Pollard, Stephen D. Greidey, (ieorge W. Burns.
1853. — James Pierce, George W. Burns, George W. Hills.
1854. — Stephen D. Oreeley, Hin»ni .Marsh, Benjamin F. Chase.
1855.— Benjamin F. Chase. Luther Pollanl, John Cross.
1856. — David Clement, John Cross, JainesT. Palmer.
1857.— James T. Palmer, Eli Hamblet, Granville Hill.
185S.— Eli Hamblet, Gninville Hill, Samuel Gowing.
Ifio'J. — Alvan Smith, Jidin P. Pierce, Noah O. Robinson.
1860. — Hiram ^larsh, Samuel Gowing, Sila" Hills.
1861. — Eli Hamblet, Samuel Gowing, Daniel T. Gage.
1862. — Daniel T. Gage, Samuel Gowing, Ciileb Richardson.
1863.— Daniel T. Gage, Juhn Chase, Alden Hills.
1864.— Eli Hamblet, Alden Hills, Benjamin A. Merrill.
186.3-66.— Stephen D. Greeley, Benjamin F. Chase. Josiah K.Whe.der.
1867-68.— Stephen D. Greeley, Benjamin F. Chase, Benjamin A. >ler-
rill.
1809.— Eli Hamblet, Joseph Fuller, John M. Thomitson.
1870.— Eli Ham!.let, .lohn M.Thomi>6on. James B. Merrill.
1871. — John M. Tliotiipson, James B. Merrill, .\ugustus F. Blodij;i-tt.
1872.— James B. Merrill, Kimball Webster, <His R. Mar>ib.
1S73.— Kimball Wel)ster, Otis R. Slarsh, Charles W. S[>alding.
1874. — Kimball Webster, Reuben Si«lding, John Lenahan.
1875. — Kimball Webster, Reuben Spalding, Charles Steele.
1876.— Josiah K. Wheeler, John M. Thompsiin, George W. Ti-ow.
1877. — John M. Thompson, Charles Steele, George W. Trow.
1878.— John M. Thompson. Lucien M. Tolles, William F. Winn.
1879.— Lucien M. Tolles, William F. Winn. Charles W. Spalding.
lySO.— Lucien M. Tolles, Charles W. Spabling, William S. Wet-b-n.
1881.— Charles W. Spalding, Mark Batchelder. Arthur S. Andrews.
1882.— Josiah K. Wheeler, William F. Winn, Clifton E. Buttrick.
1883.— xlosiah K. Wheeler, William F. Winn, Robert A. Andrews.
1884.— W*illiani F. Winn, .himes F. Wilson, Daniel A. Colburn.
1885. — James F. \Vils*m, Daniel \. Colburn, George O. .\ndrews.
DELEGATES TO THK GENKRAL COURT. Etc., FR03I 17:t3 TO 1885
1733, — Captain Robert Fletcher and ZacclieusLovewel1,delegate!' tothe
Massachusetts General Court to get the non-resident lands ta.\ed for
the support of the ministry*, and to get a proiwrtion of the lands for
the town, given to the town of Dunstable by the proprietors or others.
17:J4, ^larch. — /ticcheus Lovewell, delegate to the Massachusetts Oen-
enil (_'uurt to jirocure the passage of an act allowing the town tu assess a
tax of ten shillings each upon all cattle driven into the town to imstnre
in addition to the usual rates.
1734, J!ine. — Captain Robert Fletcher, Henry Baldwin, Joseph Snow
and Ji>seph Hamblet, delegates to the ^lassachusetts General Court to
answer for the town in all matters relating to the petition of the people
of "Nalticook " to be incorponited as a separate township.
1734, November. — Cajitain Kolwrl Fletcher, delegate to the Mas^chu-
setts General Court to procure a grant of province lands to aid the towu
to maintain a public school.
1741. — Captain Thomas Colburn, delegate t<» the Mawachusetts General
Court to procure the abatement of the county tax, in consequence of the
town being divided by the new province line.
1747. — John ^larsh, delegate to the New Ham|)shire General Court,
uiton a petition of the town, for the i)a8Sage of an act for taxing the
lands of non-residents.
1748. — Deacon Samuel Greeley and John Marsh, delegates to the New
Hampshire GenemI Court to answer to a citation in relation to a petitioo
of Josiah Cummings and other inhabitants of the town to be released
ftom paying Uixes for the supjKirt of Rev. Nathaniel Merrill.
17tHi. March 17. — Kphralm Cummings chosen delegate to the New
Hamiishire General Court to make application to have the lands of non-
residents laid under a tax.
1762, .January 15. — Captain .^muel Greeley chosen RepresentatiTQ
for Nottingham West and Litchfield to represent said towns in the Gen-
eral Assembly.
C-aptJiin Samuel Greeley was re-elected 3Iarch 4, 1762.
Captain James Ford, delegate to the Provincial Convention at Kxeter,
January 25, 1775.
Captain .\braham Page, delegate to the Provincial Congress at Kxeter,
April, 1775.
HUDSON.
481
Captain Abmliara Page, deleiy^te tu the PnivincialOonTention at Exeter,
May 17, 1775, and to act for the town for six montltii.
John llu/eltine, Jr., deU-gnte to the County Congress at Amherst,
177.1.
1778, May :t<>.^William Burns chu«on dolegiito to the coiiveutioQ to
uu-vt at Concord, June It'th, to form a new plan of government.
17SI, Mays. — Tiniotliy ^niitli clio«en tt» roprc^ont the towu at a con-
vention to l*e held at Conconl, on the first Tuwday of June, to form a
new plan of goverunu-nt.
I7SC, <>ctol>er 30.— Keuben Spalding chot<en delegate to the convention
**to make a general plan for Paper money."
1788, January 2fi.— Ebenezx-r Cunimings choeen delegate "to sit in the
convention at Kxeter, on the second Wednesday of Fehruary next, in
order to consult and examine the Federal ConBtitution."
18.10. — Ethan Willoughby, delegate to the convention to revise the
constitution.
in'i',. — Dana Sargent, delegate to the conventfon to revise the constitu-
tion.
Representatives to the General Court from 1775
to 1885.— Prior to ( Ictolier, 1780, this town \v:is classed
with Litchfield for the election of Representatives.
Those elected from this town are given in the fol-
lowing list, —
Captain Abraham Page, 1775, '76.
A.:. Davis, 1777, '79, '92, '9:!, 'M,
'■), 1800, '01, '02, '03, '04, '(13,
"<;, '07, '08.
Captain Samuel Marsh,1784,'85,'8fl
KlM<ne/er Cumniings, 1788.
I .nel J<«Kph Greeley, 1795, '96,
■T, '98, 1811, 'l.'i.
t -rt Patterson. 18im, '10.
u- Colburn, 1812.
.1. Merrill, l«l:t, '14, '16, '17.
N ,.h Itobimwn. 1818, '20, '21.
I mmas B. Waiion, 1819, '28, 'OT,
11, '¥>, 'iW, '36.
' U.ih .S. Ford, 1822, '23, '24. '25,
Ji-., '27.
KulKin Greeley, 1829.
J.«.ph tireeley, .Ir., 1837.
Pavid Burns, 18.18, '39, '47.
JaK-lL P. K. I'roBB, 184<l, '41, '42.
William Hadloy, 1843, '44, '46.
jMiiies Carnoa, 1848.
.laiucfl Pierce, 1850,
.lo«eph Storer, 1851.
William Warren, lS.i2, '53.
James Emery, 1854.
lliram Mar^b, 1855.
ItetOamin F. Chase, 1856.
Paul Colbum, 1857.
Luther Pollard, 18.i8.
Granville Hill, 18.-)9.
Samuel Morrison, 1860.
William II. Chase, 1801.
Addison Heuld, 1862.
Samuel Cowing, 180:i.
Stephen I>. Greeley, 1864.
Eli llnnd>lut, 18r)5.
Isaac Colburn, 1866.
Itenjamin Kidder, 1807.
Thonuw Gowing. 1808.
Daniel M. Greeley, 1869.
Daniel T. Gage, 1870.
.losiah K. Wheeler, 1871.
Samuel Greeley, 1872.
Dana Sargent, 1874, '75.
James B. Merrill, 1876.
Lucicn JI. Tolles, 1877.
Waldo P. Walton, 1878.
The following were elected under the revised con-
stitution providinfr for biennial sessions of the Legis-
lature :
.lohn M. Thompson, elected November, 1878.
.lustiii K. Mill, elected November, 1880.
Nathan P. Wel«8tor, elected November, 1882.
William F. Winn, eU«te<l November, 1884.
Xo Representatives were elected for the years 1787.
NO, '90, '91, 18;?2, 'S4, '45, '49 and '73.
\oTtS FOB STATE PRE.SIDENT FIlnM 1784 TO 1792, INCLl'SIVE.
1784.— SleschiK'h Weare, 4.'., all cast.
1785.— (ieorgo .Vtklnson, 42 ; John Liingdon, f*,
1781',. — lohn Langdiin, 66, all caMl.
1787. — lolin l.ungdou, H6 ; John Sullivan, 7.
1788. — Inlin l.nngilou. ;t3 ; .lohn Sullivan, 9.
1789.— J, .lin Pickering, 78; John Sullivan, 2.
1790. — .lohn Pickering, H*i, all cast.
1791. — iMiah llartlett, 80, all cust.
1792."J»iiah llartlett, 72, all cast.
VoTfS FOU (HIVKKNOK FROM 1793 TO Iwq, INCHSIVE.
1793.— .loalah llarlbtt, 55, all cast.
17m.— John Taylor Gilman, 50, all cast.
1795.— John Taylor Gilnuin, 07, all cast.
1796.— John Taylor Gilman, 50, all cast.
1797. — John Taylor Gilman, 57, all caijt.
1798.— John Taylor Gilman, 74, all cast.
1799. — John Taylor Gilman, 49, all cast.
18IIII.— John Taylor Gilman, 49 ; Timothy Walker, 3.
1801. — John Taylor Gilman, 51, all cast.
18<J2. — John Taylor Gilman, 40 ; John Langdon, 19.
1803.— John Taylor GiUnan, 31 ; John Langdon, 28.
18m.— John Langdon, 73 ; John Taylor Gilman, S4.
1805. — John Langdon, 72 ; John Taylor Gilman, 54.
1800.— John Langdon, 90 ; Timothy Farrow, 1.
1807. — John Langdon, 96; Justus Dakin, 1.
1808 John Langdon, 69 ; Thomas Senter, 6.
1809. — Jeremiah Smith, 111 ; John Langdon, 50.
1810. — Jeremiah Smith, 113 ; John Langdoti, 44.
1811. — Jeremiah Smith, 111 ; John I.angtlon, 68.
1812. — John Taylor Gilman, U2 ; William Plummer, 65.
1813. — John Taylor Gilman, 116; William Plummer, 80.
1814.— John Taylor Gilman, 136 ; William Plummer, 8;l.
1815. — John Taylor Oilman, 121 ; William Pluimuer, 80.
1816.— .Tanu-s Slieafe, 114 ; William Plummer, 97.
1817.— James Shcafo, 106 ; William Plummer, 103.
1818.- William Plummer, 97 ; Jeremiah Smith, 93.
1819.— William Hale, 74 ; Samuel Bell, 82.
1820. — Samuel Hell, '.15; Jereniiali Mason, 70.
1821.— Siuimel Bell, 111.3, all cast.
1822.— Samuel Bell, 131 ; .John Foster, 1.
182:1. — Levi Wtiodbury, lOG ; Samuel Dinsmoor, 65.
1824.— David L. Morrill, 152, all cast.
1825.— David L. Morrill, 1.58, all cast.
1826.— David L. Morrill, 152; Benjamin Pierce, 7.
1827.— Benjamin Pierce, 81 ; Daviil L. .^lorrill, 19 ; Jonalha.i Ny-. II
1828.— John Bell, 1113; Benjamin Pierce, 76.
1829.— John Bell, ll.'i ; Benjamin Pierce, 84.
1830.— Matthew Harvey, 115 ; Timothy I'pton, 97.
1831.— Samuel Dinsmoor, lil8 ; kliabeil Bartlett, 103.
18.12.- Sanniel Dinsmoor, 114 ; Ichabed Bartlett, 98.
1833.— Sjiniuel Dinsmoor, 135, all cast.
1834.— William Badger, 132, all cast.
1835.— William liidgcr. 116 ; Joseph Healey, 54.
18.36 — iKiac Hill, 126, all cost.
18:17.- Isaac Hill, 77 ; Jeremiah Smith, I.
1838.— Isaac Hill, l:iU ; James Wilson, Jr., 94.
1839.— John Page, 142; James Wilson, Jr., 89.
IMll.— John Page, 138; Euos Stevens, 78.
1841.— John Page, l:i7 ; Enos Stevens, 79.
1842.— Henry Hubbard, 139 ; Enos Stevens, 59.
184:i.-nenry Hubbard, 1:12; Anthony Colby, 57.
1844.— John H. Steele, 1:12 ; Anthony Colby, ,57
1845.— John II. Steele, 01 ; Anthony Colby, 44.
1846.— Jared W. Williams, 125 ; Anthony Colby,
Berry, 20.
1817.— Jared W. Williams, 141 ; Anthony Colby, 75 ;
Berry, 17.
1848 —Jared W. Williams, 153 ; Nathaniel S. Beny, 93.
1849. — Samuel Dinsnu>or, 157 ; Levi Chamberlain, 67 ;
Berry, 12.
18.50.— Samuel Dinsmoor, 144 ; Levi Chamberlain, 62 ;
Berry, 7.
1851. — Samuel Dinsmoor, 105 ; John Atwood, lO-l ; Thomas E. Sjiwyer,
31.
1852.- Nonh Martin, 135 ; John Alwoo>l, 64 ; Thomas E. Sawyer, :17.
1853— Noah Martin, 1:15 ; James Bell, 42 ; John H. White, 36.
1854. — Nathaniel B. Baker, l:i.^ ; Jared Perkius, 5:1 ; James Bell, :14.
18.'.6.— Halph Jletcalf, 145 ; Nathaniel S. Ilaker, 119 ; Asa Fowler, 5.
1856.— Ralph Metcalf, 147 ; John S. Wells, l:i8 ; Austin F. Pike, 2.
1857.— William llaile, 1.52 ; John S. Wells, 129.
1858.— William llaile, 1.50 ; Asa P. Otte, 124.
1859.— Ichabed (ioodwin, 1.33 ; Asa P. Cate, 124.
18611.— Ana P. Cate, 1.".2 ; Khabeil Gooilwlu, 1.'.0.
1861.—Georgc Stark, 1.52 ; Nathaniel S. Ilerry, 151
1862.— ticorge Stark, l:i5 ; Nathaniel S. Berry, l:ll
10.
186:1.— Iro A. Eastman, l:lo ; Joseph A. Gllmorv, 97 ; Walter Harrl.
man, .53.
1864 .loaeph A. Gilniore, 149 ; Ednaril W. Harrington, 121.
Daniel Hoyt, 13.
Nathaniel
61 ;
Nathaniel S.
Nathaniel S.
Nathaniel S.
Levi llartlett, 1.
Paul J. Wheeler,
482
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOKOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1865.— Frederick Smjthe, 134 ; Edward W. Harrington, 90.
1866.— Fredcricit Smyllie, 1*1 ; Jolin G. Sinclair, IIS.
1867.— Walter IlaiTiman, 144 ; John G. Sinclair, 132.
1808.— Walter Harrinian, l.'>8 ; John G. Sinclair, 146.
1869.— Onslow Stearns, 139 ; John Bedel, 114.
1870.— Onslow Stearns, 133 ; John Bedel, 93 ; Samuel Flint, 31 ; Lo-
renzo D. Barrows, 3.
1871.— James I'ikc, 14" ; James A. Weston, 112 ; Lemuel P. Coo|>er, 7.
1872 — Ezekiel A. Straw, 139 ; James A. Weston, 123 ; Lemuel P.
Cooper, 14 ; John Blacknicr, 0.
1873.— Ezekiel A. Straw, V2r< ; Jas. A. Weston, 103 ; John Blacknier, 4.
1874.— James A. Weston, 148; Luther McCutchens, 128; John Black-
nier, 4.
187.1.— Hiram R. Roberts, 149 ; Pearson C. Cheney, 128 ; Nathaniel
White, 2.
1876.— Pearson C. Cheney, 148 ; Daniel Marcy, 142.
1877.— Daniel Marcy, 144 ; Benjamin F. Prescott, 130.
1878.— Frank A. McKean, 140 ; Beiyamin F. Prescott 137.
1878, November. — Natt Head, 150; Frank A. McKean, i:iO; Warren
G. Browu, 10.
1880.- Charles H. Bell, Inl ; Fmnk Jones, 140.
1882.— Samuel W. Hale, 129 ; Martin V. B. Edgerly, 121.
1884.— Moody Currier, 161 ; .r.>lin M. Hill, 135 ; George Carpenter,
II ; Liirkin D. Mason, 3.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
KIMBALL WEBSTER.
John^ Webster, of Ipswich, Mass., is supposed to
have emigrated from Ipswich, Enghind, county of
Suffolk, in the year 1634. He was a freeholder in
1635, and died about 164-5. He had eight children, —
John, Mary, Hannah, Elizabeth, Abigail, Stephen,
Israel and Nathan.
Stephen' was born in Ipswich, Mass.; removed
to Newbury ; from there, in 1653, to Haverhill. He
was a tiiilor by trade, a man of influence and
one of the selectmen in 1669. He married, fir.st,
March 24, 1663, Hannah, daughter of John Ayer,
of Salisbury ; second, widow Judith Brown. His
children, all by his first wife, were Hannah, John,
Mary, <S7«pAe«', Nathan and Al>igail. He died Au-
gust 10, 1694.
Stephen", born in Haverhill January 1, 1672, mar-
ried widow Mary Cook. He was one of eight men in
the garrison of John Webster, March, 1600. He
died March 9, 1748. He had si.\ children, — Samuel,
John, Stephen, William, Ebenezcr and Mary.
Ebenezer\ born September 20, 1711, married Me-
liitable Kimball, of Bradford, Mass. Tlieir children
were Lydia, Isaac, Mary, El)enezer, Jonathan, Ste-
phen, Moses, John.
'Ehenezer^, born in Haverliill, Mass., Fel)ruarv 1,
1744, settled in Pelham, N. H., was married three
times. His third wife was Elizabeth Bradford, of
Beverly, Mass., by wliom he had Rebecca, Nancy,
Moses, Simon, Isaac, Asa, John, Benjamin and Betsy.
Ebenezer Webster was a quiet, industricms farmer in
Pelham, and enjoyed tiie universal respect and es-
teem of his townsmen. He died in Pelham March
13, 1823, aged seventy-nine years. His widow sur-
vived him twenty-two years, dying at Amherst March
27, 1845.
John^ was born in Pelham, December 25, 1791. He
married, August 22, 1815, Hannah, daughter of Elea-
zer and Sarah (Hale) Cummings, of Nottingham
AVest (now Hudson), and great-granddaughter of
Deacon Henry and Mary Hale. (The Hales and
Cummings were noted families in early New England
history. Mr. Cummings combined the vocations of
farmer and school and music-teacher.
Mrs. Sarah (Hale) Cummings, born April 20,
1767, was a very remarkable woman in physical
strength and endurance ; while her husband was ab-
sent from home, occupied in teaching, she performed
her household duties, which were many and arduous,
having a large family of children, and also took
charge of a stock of cattle. She was a woman of
sterling worth, a member of the Congregational
Church for many years. Her Christianity was a part
of her daily life, not an adjunct, and she obeyed truly
the golden rule. She died May 7, 1852.)
John Webster lived upon the old homestead in Pel-
ham, excepting one year in Meredith and one in Hud-
son (formerly Nottingham West), until 1841, when he
sold his farm in Pelham and purchased one in Amherst
where he resided until 1846, when he returned to
Hudson, and buying a farm upon Bush Hill, he lived
there twenty years ; then resided with his daughters
(Mrs. Titcomb and Mrs. Baker) until his death,
March 1, 1883, of old age. Mr. Webster was a man
of great energy and unremitting industry, and it was
only by hard, unceasing toil that the rough and rocky
soil of the old homestead, at Pelham, could be made
to yield a remunerative crop ; but perseverance and
patience conquered, and Mr. Webster was able to
provide for his large family of children and insure
himself a comfortable living for his old age. He was
drafted in the War of 1812, and served in Captain
Haynes' company of New Hampshire militia at Ports-
mouth, where he obtained an honorable discharge,
and received for his services a pension from February
14, 1871. He was a loyal citizen, a good husband
and father, a kind and attentive son, supporting his
aged parents until their death, doing iiis duty faith-
fully in every position, and for many years he was
universally called "Honest John Webster."
Mrs. Hannah (Cummings) Webster, although a
woman of small stature and delicate health, performed
faithfully her yarX in life as wife, mother and Chris-
tian. Industrious and frugal, she cared for her
children, physically, morally and religiously; not-
withstanding lier weakness, she was a tower ot
strength to lean upon, and her children learned from
her daily, by precept and example, the force of the
words, a good Christian mother. She united with the
Congregational Church in Pelham, and was an
esteemed member of other churches of the same
denomination wherever slie resided. She died in
Hudson February 3, 1871. The children of this
worthy couple were Elizabetli B. (Mrs. AVarren
Blodgett), Moses, Sally Hale (Mrs. Simeon C. Tit-
^^,<>^:^^_^^^^^ ^^^.^-^U^Z^
I
I
i
I
Sna'lryAJLnUclde
i?ly%^^--L^
/Q^ y^'^l i^^^fS'^-^
HUDSON.
483
comb), Eleazer C. (deceased), Louisa U. (Mrs. John
H. Bilker), Lucy Ann (Mrs. Daniel B. Cluft), Kimball,
Hannah .1. (ileeensed), John C, Nathan P., Wilhinl
H. (ileceasedj, Milton E. (decea.*e(l), Orriii 1'. (de-
ceased).
Kimball Webster'', son of John and Uannah (Cum-
mings) Webster, was born in Pelham, N. H., November
2, 1S28. His education was acquired at the common
schools of his native town and Hudson. While a bov
he worked upon a farm in Hudson, and for a short
time in the (juarries in Pelham. He wa-s one of that
historic, heroic and truly illustrious band, the old
"Forty-niners," which has furnished so much
material for story and song. Before attaining his
majority, in Ai)ril, lS4it, when the news of the dis-
coverj' of <rold in California had reached New Eufr-
land. he started and traveled across the country,
arriving in the Sacramento Valley in October, .six
months being pa.ssed in reaching the golden West.
He remained thereabout two years, engaged in mining
and other pursuits ; then went to Oregon, where be was
a deiuity-surveyor u])on the government surveys,
and returned home in the fall of 18o4. In 1855 he
was employed by the Hannibal and St. Jo Railroad
Company in Missouri. In 1858 he resided in Vinal-
baven. Me. ; since that time he has been a resident of
Hudson, where he owns and occupies a i)ortioii of
the land |>urchHsed by his great-grandfather, Eleazer
Cummings, in 1728.
Mr. Webster married, .lanuary 29, 18.57, Abiah
Cutter, daughter of Seth and Deborah (Gage) Cutter,
of Pelham. Their surviving children are Lizzie .lane
(Mrs. Horace A. Martin), Ella Frances (Mrs. Frank
A. Walch), Eli/a Hall (Mrs. Charles C. Leslie), Latina
Ray. Julia .\nna and Mary Newton.
.Mr. Webster is a quiet, unostentatious man, of ac-
tive temperament and of great executive ability.
He has a marked power of making friends, and
enjoys a high drgree of popularity in a very large
circle of ac(|uaintance. He is a worker an<l does his
work conscientiously and thoroughly, and as a sur-
veyor of long experience he has a wide reputation as
being one of the most accurate and reliable in the
county. He is a Democrat in politics and an active
believer in the Jacksonian theory that "The blessings
of governmi'Ut, like the dews of heaven, should fall
unsi'en. alike 'in the just and unjust." He has been
the stanilard-bcarcr of a minority party in his town
ami county in many elections, and has generally
polled more than the party vote. He was selectman
for four years and chairman of the board. He has
been justice of the peace since 1859, and is a trustee
of the Mechanics' Saviiigs-Bank, Nttshua.
He is a mendxT of Rising Sun (Nashua) Lodge
of F. and .V. M., Hudson Commaiidcry, C O. (Jnldun
Cross, and has l)een largely identitied with the history
of the Orderof Patrons of Husbandry in Hillsborough
County. He was the first to petition for the establish-
ment of a grange in Hudson, and upon its organiza-
tion, December 8, 1873, was chosen its presiding
officer, which office he held three years. He was one
of the few to organize the New Hampshire State
Grange, December 23, 1873, and also Hillsborough
County Council, March 4, 1874, of which he was
master two years, and secretary from December, 1870,
until the organization, April 17, 1883, of its succes-
sor, Hillsborough County Pomona Grange, when he
was made secretary of that body and is now holding
that office. He has been an active and valuable
member of this order from the first, artd stands high
in the regards of the fraternity.
He is much interested in historical matters and
ancient landmarks. He has done much to preserve
the latter by careful and creditable copies of many of
the much worn and injured plats of portions of lands,
old grants, etc., in "Old Duustal)lc."
Mr. Webster is a safe counselo;', a good rejjresenta-
tive of New England's intelligent farmers and busi-
ness men, an honest man, and worthily stands high in
public esteem for his hearty co-operation in every-
thing tending to the elevation or improvement of the
community.
.rAME.S li. MERItll.I..
Among the families of New England who should be
recorded in history, the one bearing the name of Mer-
rill has a high claim, and many of its representatives
have been good and faithful ministers of the gospel.
Nathaniel Merrill' was one of the first American
ancestors of this numerous family. Emigrating from
England to America in 1(134, he settled in Newbury,
Ma.ss., in 1635. His wife was Susanna Jnurdaine. Their
children were Nathaniel, .lohn, Abraham, Susanna,
Daniel and .Vbel. He died March 16, 1655. Abel-
was born in Newbury, February 20, 164G ; settled
there; married, February 10, 1671, Priscilla Chase.
He died at Newbury, October 28, 1689. His oldest son '
Abel'', was also born at Newbury, December 28, 1671.
He moved to West Newbury, married, .lanuary 19,
1694, Abigail Stevens, and died February 6, 1759>
He wius a man of note, a deacon in the church, and
left property, which, by will made October 21, 1752,
and proved March, 1759, was divided among his sons
and sons-in-law. His children were Sanuicl, .Vbel,
Thomas, .Itdin, Nathaniel, .Vl>lgall (.Mrs. .lohn Kent),
.Martha (Mrs. Joshini Marsh), Priseilla (.Mrs. Ezekiel
Clark).
Nathaniel', youngest son of Abel and Abigail
(Stevens) Merrill, wjia born in West Newbury, Mass..
March 1, 1712, was graduated at Harvard College in
1732, and waspaslorof the Congregationalist Church
in Rye, N. II. When the Congregationalist Cburch
was formed in Nottingham West (now Hudson), No-
veud)er 30, 1737, he wiw ordained its pastor, and
continued in that relation until his death, in 1796.
The minister was settled by the town, and his salary
raised by a special lax. There being many opinions
484
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
in the church, some chiiming to be Presbyterians,
others Baptist aud Methodist, the people protested
against being compelled to pay outside of their own
denomination ; therefore the civil contract was dis-
solved in 1774, but Rev. Mr. Merrill's connection
with the cluirch as pjistor did not cease, his salary
being paid voluntarily by his congregation. He was
a man of great decision of character and love for his
chosen profession ; of acknowledged ability, both
natural and acquired, he possessed excellent judg-
ment and sterling intetrrity, and secured the respect
of all men. He married Elizabeth Sarjeant. They
had twelve children, — Nathaniel, Betty B., Mary,
John, Abel, Dorothy, Oliver, Sarah, Benjamin and
Ruth (twins), Molly and Theodore.
Nathaniel JlerrilP (Tertius) was born .September
25, 17.'i!>, at Xottingham West ; married, February 25,
17(57, Olive Lund, of Dunstable (Nitshua). They had
three children, all of whom attained maturity, — Ben-
jamin, Oliver and Asa. Nathaniel held an ensign's
commission from King George IIL before the Rev-
olution, but supported the cause of the colonies. He
inherited a portion of his father's estate, which, just
previous to the war, he sold and purchased a mill.
where he manufactured machinery for cider-presses,
etc. The parties to whom the farm was sold did not
l)ay for it until Continental money was so depreciated
as to make it valueless to Mr. Merrill. His death
occurred in 1785. His wife survived him, dying in
1820, aged seventy-nine.
Benjamin' was born .lanuary 24, 1768. His father
dying soon after the loss of his property, when Ben-
jamin was seventeen years old, it was only by his
indefatigable industry and energy that his mother
was enabled to keep the family together. He worked
early and late, and provided a home for his widowe.l
mother during her life. He married, .July 25, 1820, Mrs.
Sarah C'aton, whose maiden-name was Plummer.
They commenced house-keeping in the house which
he had built in 1810, on the farm in the south part of
Hudson, where he ever after resided, and which is
now owned by his descendants. Their children were
Benjamin ,\., El)eiiezer B. (deceased), .lames B. and
William T.
Benjamin Merrill was |)rominent in town and
church affairs, was at one time a member of the Board
of Selectmen, was a deacon in the Presbyterian
Church and familiarly known as " Deacon Ben." A
man of good judgment, honest in character, faithful
in duty, of a kind and social disposition, he possessed
many friends, an<l few, if any, enemies, preferring to
bear an injury rather than to resort to any unpleasant
measures. He never had a lawsuit, but his services
were often sought as referee, and his wise and friendiv
counsel made him a peace-maker. Politically, he was
a Whig. He died A|)ril 25, 1849, aged eighty-one
years, leaving a record of a life well spent. His wife
survived him but a few years, dying October 25, 1853,
aged seventy-one years.
James B. MerriW, son of Benjamin and Sarah
(Plummer) Merrill, was born in Hudson, N. H., May
6, 1824. His education was gained at the schools of
his native town. He remained with his father, work-
ing on the farm, until he was twenty-one. He then
learned the carpenter's trade, and carried on the
business of carpenter and builder for about thirty
years in Lowell, Nashua, Hudson aud elsewhere, but
of late years has been mostly occupied in farming.
He married, January 22, 1857, Persis A., daughter of
William and Persis G. (Moore) Winn, of Hudsm.
They coininenced house-keeping in the house where
they now reside, and which Mr. Merrill built before
his marriage. Their children are A. Gertrude, J.
Everett and George A.
Mr. Merrill's affiliations are with the Republican
party ; yet he never allows himself to be governed by
partisan bias. He represented Hudson in the State
Legislature in 1876. He has taken an active part in
town afl'airs, having been a selectman for several
terms, town clerk in 1873, and appointed to fill a
vacancy in same office in 1879, to which he luis been
re-elected annually ever since ; he was town treasurer
for the years 1873-74, and now holds that office,
which he has had since 1879. He was a charter member
of Hudson Grange, No. 11, and its first secretary, and
has held nearly all the offices ; has been its mjtsterand
is now its overseer. He is also a member of the order
of Golden Cross. Tn his religious preferences Mr.
Merrill is a Congregationalist, being a member of that
church in Hudson and (iresideut of the society.
Mr. Merrill stands high in the esteem and reganl
of his fellow-townsmen, and in the discharge of the
various offices entrusted to him he has acquitted
himself honestly, conscientiously and creditably.
Honorable in all his dealings, of exemplary character
and habits, the reliance of home and friends, he is in
all respects an estimable citizen, and is one of Hud-
son's representative men and a worthy descendant ot
the carlv minister.
ICI.I ll.VMlM.KT.
Eli Hamblet, son of Thomas and Tamar (Gilson)
Hamblet, w;is born in Hudson, (then Nottingham
West), May 12, 1810. We find, from early geneahigical
records in Miussachusetts Historical Society's collec-
tion, that William Hamlet (or Hamblet), born 1614,
emigrated to .\merica about the middle of the seven-
teenth century. He Wiis a freeman in Cambridge, Mass.,
in 1651 ; removed to Billerica in 1658, and was a sub-
stantial citizen of the town, and was one of the first
Baptists of that place. He marrie<l widow Sarah
Hubbard, who died at Woburn in 1689. His oldest
son..racob, was three times married, — first to Hannah
Parker in 1668, next to Mary Dutton, third to ^lary
Colburn. His children were Joseph, William, Jacob,
Henry and others. It is not definitely shown, but
probably his son Joseph's three sons, — Hezekiah,
I
Si
ii
HUDSON.
•485
Joseph and Jacob, — were the ones who respectively
settled in Dracut, Mass., Hollis and Stratham, N. H.
Joseph, great-grandfather of Eli, was a farmer and
miller in Dracut, Mass., on Beaver Brook; settled on
lands which he conveyed, March 4, 1773, to his son,
Joseph Hauiblet, carpenter, and by him deeded to
his wife in 1774, as he was in ill health. He died
soon after. His son Thomas was probably born after
his father's death, October 27, 1775. He was brought
up as a farmer by Isaac Colburn (grandfather of
Lsaac Cidburn, missionary to Burmah), a resident o:'
the south part of Hudson. Thomas worked at farming
and in various mills, particularly in Hale's mill,
Chelmsford, Mass., for a number of years. His dil-
igence, industry and economy raised him to a solid
financial standing for those days. He married Tamar,
daughter of Solomon and Tamar (Lawrence) Gilson,
October 21, 1800. The young couple came to Hudson
and settled at Pollard Mills, in which Mr. Hamblet
purchased a half-interest ; but, in a few years after, the
mill was carried off by a freshet, and he exchanged
his intere.st in the mill property for a farm of sixty
acres in the south part of the town, where he resided
until his death, Novcndjer 9, 1850, being about seven-
ty-five years old. His wife survived him, dying March
5, 186(). Their children attaining maturity were
Eli, Drusilla (Mrs. Joseph Phelps, deceased), Dorcas
S. (married, first, Kculien Frost ; second,. Joseph Skin-
ner), Alvan (deceased), Joseph and Gilbert. Mr.
Hamblet was a hard-working, economical and prudent
man, a good, honest citizen, social friend and kind
neighbor. He was an Universalist in his religious
views; politically, a Whig, and held some town offices.
Eli passed his boyhood's days, and until he was
twenty-one, on the farm, and was early taught to
know the-value of good, honest labor, which he has
never ceased to appreciate. His opportunities tor
early education were limited to those attainable in
the old red school-house in Hudson, and studying at
night, after his farm chores were finished, by the liglit
of a ])ine-torch, thus gaining the knowledge whicli
has been of so nnicli [)ractical value to him in later
years. ,\t the time of his majority Eli left the farm
and went to Charlestown, Ma.ss., where he engaged in
brick-making; he worked at this business for ten
years, slowly, surely and steadily accumulating the
wages so liardly earned, and at the end of that time
his savings amounted to one thousand dollars. Al)oiit
this time, however, he was prostrated by illne-ss, which
incapacitated him for hard labor for nearly a year,
and, with his capital somewhat retrenched by this
sickness, he relumed to Hudson, and purchased the
place, of sixty acres, which has since been his home.
He married, first, Lucy Frost, of Tyngsborougli,
Mass., June 30, 1839; she died September 24, 1840;
second, April 2, 1844, Rebecca, daughter of Enoch
and Susan (Marsh) Butler. She was born in Pelhani,
February 13, 1819. They commenced house-keeping
in the house where they now reside, and which they
have occui)ied over forty years. Their children are E.
Souvina and Arvilla, both living with their parents.
About thirty years ago Mr. Hamblet's residence was
struck by lightning. The shoe was torn from Mrs.
Hamblet's foot, and from the shock she then received
she h.ns never fully recovered.
After his return to Hudson, Mr. Hamblet devoted
himself to agriculture, and has been a faithful, dil-
igent worker, and by industry, frugality and judicious
judgment, has acquired a comfortable home. P'or ten
years he has been agent of the Worcester, Nashua and
Rochester Railroad at Hudson ; selectman for six
years, having been chairman of the board for most of
the time; he ha.s served on committee of roads and
bridges ; as town clerk for nine years, and treasurer
for the same period ; he has been postmaster at Hud-
son Centre since the office was located. He has also
been a])pointed adnunistrator on several estates, and
has done considerable ]>robate liusiness. Whig and
Republican in politics, he represented his town in the
State Legislature of 1865. He was enrolling officer for
Hudson during the Rebellion, and was appointed by
the Governor recruiting agent to fill the quota of
enlistments for the town. He is a Baptist in his
religious opinions, and has been deacon in that
church for the three past years, and is a prominent
teacher in the Sunday-school.
Mr. Hamblet is a strong temperance man, is a good
member of society, unostentatious and esteemed in
church and social circles, and favors everything
which advances honesty, sobriety and the education,
iinprovenient and elevation of his native town. He
is one of a class now, unfortunately, passing away, —
the pleasant, social, unpretentious, and yet well-
informed New England farmer of the last generation.
He has worthily and honestly filled his place in life,
conferred honor on all stations to which lie has been
called, and in his old age is the warm friend, trusted
confidant and able adviser of a numerous circle.
HISTOPxY OF LITCHFIELD.
BY E. F. MCQUESTEN, M.D.
CHAPTER I.
LiTfHFiELD, essentially an agricultural town, is
situated upon the left bank of the Merrimack River.
It is bounded on the north by Manchester, east by
Londonderry and Hudson, south by Hudson and west
and northwest by Merrimack. It is small in territory,
containing about eight thousand five hundred acres.
The surface is level ; the soil of the arable land is
strictly alluvial and rich, producing excellent crops
of grain, vegetables and grass. In the eastern section
of the to'wn the soil is light, unsuitable for cultiva-
tion ; but it yields heavy growths of wood and tim-
ber. A public road extends through the town a
distance of nine miles, leading in one direction to
Manchester, and in the opposite direction to Hudson
and Nashua. This road Wiis admirably located through
the farming district, in close proximity tp tlie river,
as early as 1734, and along it nearly all the people
of the town reside. Three roads lead to Londonderry
and two via Thornton's ferry and Reed's ferry
to Merrimack and stations upon the Concord Railroad.
In point of wealth, Litchfield ranks among the first
farming towns in the State. In late years many of
the farms have been seriously imjjaired by the inun-
dations of banks during the annual rises of the Mer-
rimack. Nearly one-half of the territory is well
timbered, pine predominating, with oak, birch and
maple in abundance. The timber trade is extensive.
The greater portion cut during the winter is for the
Lowell market ; it is hauled to the river's bank during
the winter and rafted in the spring. There are two
steam saw-mills manufacturing for other markets.
Logs valued at $21,000 were cut in 1884. The inven-
tory for 1885 sliows the following values : Real estate,
$177,130; bank stock, $17,800; money at interest,
$22,388; horses, $5915; cattle, $7848 ; stock in trade,
$20,515; deposited in savings-banks, $94,000; total
valuation, $261,365; total tax, at forty cents on a
liundred dollars, $1359. The town is free from debt,
and has a surplus of $567.32.
CENSrS REPORTS IS 17G7 .\XD 177:>.
1707. rmiiarriei! iilun from sixtfoii to sixty 27
Jlanied men from sixlt-en to sixty 20
Boys, sixteen years of ago ami uudpr 47
Men, sixty years of age and over V.i
Females, uniiianiod 74
486
Females, married '^i '
Alalc slaves 3
Female slaves 9
Widows 3
Total 229
1775. 3Iale8 under sixteen years of age 02
Males between sixteen and fifty 44
Males over fifty years 19
Persons in the army 13
Females 13G
Negroes and slaves for life 10
Total 284
The population at various periods since 1800 has
been as follows : 1800, 372 ; 1820, 465 ; 1840, 481 ;
1850, 447; 1860, 352; 1870, 345; 1880, 291; 1885,
281.
The Brooks. — All the streams in Litchfield are
tributaries of the Merrimack River. There are three
of considerable size, viz. : Great Nesenkeag, com-
monly called Brickyard ; Little Nesenkeag, also
known as Chase's; and Reed's. The first-named-
originates in Londonderry, and flows across the cen-
tral part of Litchfield ; it has a rapid current, and a
sufficient fall at several points for improvements.
The water supjdy is good all the year. Upon this
stream the early settlers located their corn and saw-
mills. The grain-mill was rebuilt and operated until
1830, when it was removed. Mills for the mauufac-
ture of powder were built in 1820, but they were
shortly after converted into carding-mills ; there are
no mills at present.
Little Nesenkeag rises in Hudson, and is fed
along the course through the southerly part of Litch-
field by numerous ponds. Grain and lumber-mills
have been in operation upon this stream for forty
years past; it now furnishes power for the only grist-
mill in town.
Reed's, in the north part of the town, also has good
facilities for milling, which for a time were partially
improved. There are several ponds in the eastern
section; Darrah's and Half-Moon are the only ones of
extensive area.
Ferries. — The first ferry was established by the
town in 1740. The landing on the east side of the
river was in the centre of the town, on the river line,
and near the meeting-house. This ferry was leased
by several parties until about 1790, when it was pur-
LITCHFIELD.
487
chased by Hon. Matthew Thornton ; it has been
called successively Cummings's, Lutwyche's and
Thornton's. At the annual town-meeting in 1779 it
was voted " to join with the town of Merrimack in
prosecuting in the civil law any person or persons
who doth or may presume to carry over the river i'or
pay any person or persons at the place where the said
towns improve their ferry near Lutwyche's."
Within fifty years a great change has taken place
at this ferry and in the immediate vicinity. More
than forty rods of the Litchfield shore have been
washed away by the freshets, and the sites of the old
church and burial-ground are .submerged. A broad
alluvion of recent deposit on the Merrimack shore
makes the change in the river's channel apparent.
The charter for Reed's ferry, in the north part of the
town, was obtained in answer to the following petition:
PETITION FOR .K GR.\XT OF A FERRY.
"To His E.\ceUencj, John Wt-iitworth, Esq., Captain-CJeneral, Governor
anil Conmmnder-iu-Cliief in iind over His Majesty's Province of New
Uamiiehire, In Couucil :
"The bnnible petition of Lucy Read of Litclilield, in tlio County of
Hillsborough and Province aforesaid, Widow.
"Shewelh that your petitioner's late liusband, Capt. William Read.
was in his lifetime seized and po6Scs8'd of a C'onsi<teriible tract of land on
the Eastward side of Merriniac River in Litchfield, aforesaid, and did
(without any Grant from His Slajesty) improve a Ferry about three
miles and half Above fol" Lutwyches, called and known by the name
of Read's Ferrj-, for about twenty-five years before his death, which
hapi>ened about four yean ago.
"Tbat the said William Road, in bis lifetime, and the sjiid I.ucy, since
Ills death, have been at a Considerable E,\|»ence in Itoats and attendance
to Expe'dlle the same Ferry and make it commodious, agreeable to Law.
" Notwithstanding which pn/riiises your Petitioner is advised That the
r* title un4ler tile Mtid William is precjirious, and slio'' Any stianger ob-
tain a Grunt thereof it wo"! Embarrass and greatly hurt your Petitioner,
who has also six children by said William, all now under age, to main-
tain.
■ .She most humbly intreats your Excellency wise tender regard of the
:"inises to Confirm unto her the aforesaid improved and accustomed
Ferry by Grant from Mis ilo^bity.
".\nd your Petitioner, as in Duty tiound, will ever pray, etc.
" Lucy Read.
"Litchfield, 18th May, 1772."
Trade and Manufactures. — Refore the completion
of thr CMiuurd K;iilioail, in 1842, Litchfield had a
prosiieious trade. Two stores of general merchandise
supplied a large country around. A fleet of twenty
canal-boats carried its productions to Lowell, and via
the Middlesex Canal to Boston, returning with mer-
chandise for all points along the river a.s far as Con-
cord. These boats gave empinyment to a large num-
ber of men, who were famous for their jollity and lib-
erality. Nearly every man in the town was a " cap-
tain," by reason of having at some time been in com-
mand of a boat; sobriquets were common, and the
river-man who failed to possess one had cause for
congratulation. The selection of the west shore was
a severe blow to the industries of Litclilield, whicli
might have been jirevonted ; with the thrift cif its
people, together with its rich fariiiiiig districts, tim-
ber and abundant water-power, the town lacks only
access to the business world to make it eminently
prosperous.
The following comprises the traders for the last
filly years :
George Griffin, 1834 to 1850; Leonard Moore, 18-51
and 1852; Moore (Leonard) & Kennard (Samuel),
1853 and 1854; Chase (Samuel) & McQuesten (Isaac),
1855 to 1858, also dealers in lumber from 1840 to
1860, when the firm was dissolved and business con-
tinued by Isaac McQuesten till 1878 ; White (John)
& Lydston (George), 185y to 1862 ; John White, 1863
to 1865; George H. Lamprey, 1866 to 1868; George
B. Griffin, 1868 to 1877 ; Norris C. Griffin, 1878 to
1885.
The following are now (1885) engaged in business :
Lumber meicluiiit.s: McQuesten (F. H.) & Chase
(John F.), Charles McQuesten, Read Brothers (Wil-
liam T. and George S.). Carpenters : Rufus Saunders,
Nathan H. Bulloch, German Kendall. Blacksmith :
Rufus Saundei-s. Grist-mill : Frederick L. Center.
Brick was formerly manufactured in large quanti-
ties. The following is a partial list of the sons uf
Litchfield now engaged in l)usiness elsewhei'Q:
Samuel Kennard & Soils (Perley and Walter), shoe
manufacturers ; Jonathan A. Griffin, shoe manufac-
turer, Cleveland, Q. ; James Kennard, .John Kennard,
Diamond Kennard, Joseph F. Kennard, capitalists,
Manchester ; Charles 11. Bixby, John McQuesten, mei -
chants, Lowell, Jlass. ; George Mc(Juesteii, lumber mer-
chant, East Boston, Mass. ; J. B. Mctlm^sten, grocer,
Nashua, N. H.; Simeon Bixby, boot and shoe merchant,
New York City; Samuel J. Lund, restaurateur, Nashua,
N. H.; George B. Griffin, grocer, Merrimack; Moses
H. Chase, grocer, Boston, Ma.ss. ; Samuel C. Lund,
grocer, Boston, Mass.; Frank Kendall, grocer, Bos-
ton, Mass.; Freeling Tufts, civil engineer, Kansas
City, Mo.; Benjamin McQuesten, trader, Pelham;
Samuel Center, appraiser, San Francisco, Cal.;
Samuel Center, mining, San Francisco, Cal.; Samuel
Kendall, mining, Oakland, Cal.; Stephen C. Richard-
son, Haverhill, Mass.; Alfred Campbell, Maiicliestcr,
N.H.; .Vrtliur S. Camiibell, Manchester, N. H.; .fames
Barker, Washington, D. C.
Schools. — Prior to the Revolution money was voted
annually for the suiiport of a school for two or three
months at the centre of the town, in which the
children were taught to "read and write," as the law
then required. From 1790 to 1825 the town raised
about one hundred and seventy-five dollars annually
for school purposes. During this time three school-
houses were erected. In 1823 the selectmen, who had
heretofore had the management of the schools, re-
ceived the following petition:
" To tha SeUctmeu of the Toicn of LUciyfifld :
"We, your fidlow-townsmen, find a weighty embarrassment In tmus-
acling business relative to schools in the town of Litchfield rm account of
the Uiwn not Ising ri'gulurly iwtabllsbeil Into districts. Wo therefore
w ish you to warn a meeting In sal>l town to see If the town will alter, if
488
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
nee<I be, and deHne the limits of the districts, tliat every lueuna right may
be judiciously ucted upuu, aa iu duty bound we will ever pniy.
"Signed by
*' Ahei, G. yuiGG.
" JosiAH Richardson.
"Joseph Hakvell.
" Nathaniei. Giles.
"Sl-MKON HaRVEI.L.
"Samvei. Corning.
" WlI.I.IAM KeAO.
" I.itditleM, N. II., Dec. 28, 1823."
]'uisuant to the foregoing, a warrant was issued for
a nieetino; to be Iield January 22, 1824. A plan to
divide the town into four districts was presented by
the petitioners, but tlie town rejected it. Josejih
Chase, Jr., Thomas Bixby and Stephen Moor were
chosen a committee to report at the next annual
meeting upon the expediency of dividing the town
into school districts with fixed boundaries. As a re-
sult of their labors, the committee submitted a report
giving tlie boundaries of three districts. The report
clo.^ed as follows :
*'-\nd your committee believe that the districts are as nearly equal in
point of valuation as it is possible to make them without dividing farms ;
they have found it impossible to take the length of roads into view in
connection with the valuation ; hence some districts where the inhabit-
ants live remote from each other have a greater length of road than
could be wished."
Subsequently the number of districts was increased
to five by the sub-division of Nos. 1 and 3.
At present there are only four schools. These are
under the direction of a superintendent elected an-
nually. The yearly appropriation for school purposes
is about seven luindreil dollars. The school property
is valued at two thousand dollars.
(iradwUta of Dartmnuth College. — Edward L. Parker, 1807; "William
Claggett, 18118 ; William McQuestion, 1821 ; Kufns Claggett, 1S2C ; Wil-
liam Ulaggett, 18215 ; Daviil (Juigg, 18.03 ; John K. Griffin, l.sOO ; Alfred
H. t'ampbell, 187" ; John N. Center, 1S82.
Graduates of YaU College. — Simeon Chase, 1821 ; Benjamin Chase,
1821 .
Church History. — Through the generosity of the
proprietors of Naticook lands, the inhabitants secured
the benefits of the gospel at an early date. At a
meeting held in Boston, December 5, 1773, Mr. Dan-
iel Dwight was allowed forty-five pounds, ten shil-
lings " for his preaching at Xaticook from the twen-
tieth of Sei)tember to the twentieth of March next."
August lit, 1734, the towu voted to build a meeting-
house forty-five feet in length, thirty-five feet in
width and twenty-five feet stud, on the east side of
the Merrimack River, near Cummings' ferry (now
Thornton's ferry). The house was completed in
1731) under the direction of Captain Joseph Blanchard,
Christopher Temple, Benjamin Blodgett, Robert Rich-
ardson and Samuel Moor as I)uilding committee. Mr.
Josiah Brown ami Mr. Isaac Merrill were successively
called to settle in the ministry, and declined. In
1741 the town extended a call to Rev. Joshua Tnfls,
of Newbury, which was accepted, and he was ordained
December 9lh. Mr. Tufts' salary was fixed at one
hundred and forty pounds (old tenor) per annum. He
was dismissed in 1744.
Following the dismissal of Mr. Tufts, an unsuccess-
ful attempt was made to establish a union church in
Merrimack. The town of Litchfield voted to join
witli the town of Merrimack in settling a minister,
provided Merrimack built a meeting-liouse within
forty rods of the Merrimack River, between Thornton's
ferry and the mouth of the Souhegan River. Annual
appropriations were made for the support of the gos-
pel ; but no settlement was eflected until 1764, when
the Rev. Samuel Cotton, of Xewton, received a
unanimous call. He was ordained in January, 176-5,
and received eighty jiounds sterling for settlement ;
his salary was forty pounds sterling. During his
pastorate he was commissioned chaplain of the First
New Hampshire Regiment, Revolutionary soldiers.
Mr. Cotton, although of eccentric habits, was brave
and generous, and known all over the country as the
"jolly clergyman." He was dismissed in 1784, but
retained his Litchfield residence for a number of
years. His death occurred at Claremont in 1819. In
August, 1800, the town voted to build a new meeting-
house. At an adjourned meeting, in October, the
vote was rescinded, and five hundred dollars were ap-
propriated to repair the exterior of the old one.
Captain Daniel Bixby, Colonel Samuel Chase and
Lieutenant Simeon Kendall were appointed a com-
mittee to superintend repairs. The following month
an appropriation of seven hundred and fifty dollars
was made for the interior of the church. Major
Francis Chase was awarded the contract for repairs.
In November, 1801, the committee reported an ex-
penditure of §178.83 in excess of the appropriations.
The town accepted the report, and voted to sell the
pews by auction, the proceeds to be placed in the
hands of the committee. The sum of one thousand
and ninety-eight dollars was realized from the sale of
pews. Mr. John Davies supplied the pulpit in 1806.
He was invited to settle, but declined. February 25,
1809, it was voted "to give Mr. Nathaniel Kennedy a
call to settle in this town in the work of the gospel
ministry, on a salary of five hundred dollars annually
for four years, and four hundreil dollars annually
after the expiration of four years during the time of
his ministry iu said town." Mr. Kennedy was or-
dained by the Presbytery April 12, 1809, and contin-
ued his pastoral relations until April, 1812, when he
was dismissed. Mr. Kennedy was succeeded by Rev.
EnoL-h Pillsbnry, who was ordained in October, 1815.
Mr. Pillsbury died in February, 1818, at the age of
thirty years.
Rev. John Shearer was pastor for a number of
yeai-s subseijuent to 182.'). From 1833 to 1845 the
church was without a pastor, but had stated supplies
for the most of the time. A new meeting-house was
l)uilt by the society in 1844; the old house was the
property of the town. At the time of dedication the
Londonderry Presbytery established a Presbyterian
Church. In 1845 the church and society united in
extending a unanimous call to Mr. William H. Por-
LITCIIFIKLD.
489
ter to become their pastor. He was ordained and
fontinue<l in cliarge three years, wlien he was dis-
missed. Rev. S. X. Howell supplied in 1852 and
1K.'>3. Rev. Ebenezer Newhall aecepted a call made
him in June, lSo4; he was installed the Septemlier
following. Mr. Newhall was advanced in years when
he commenced his labors, yet his ministry was suc-
ce-sful. He resigned in 1802, and removed t<} Cam-
bridge, Mass., carrying the contidence and aflection
of his people. He was the last settled minister.
Rev. Luther H. A ngier supplied for two years, 1870
and 1871 ; Rev. L. Parsons in 1872 ; Rev. William
Hart in 1873 and 1874; Rev. B. F. Emerson for three
years, from 1875 to 1878; and Rev. Charles Scott
from 1879 to 1882. Rev. Henry C. Robinson was en-
gaged in Septeml)er, 1884, to supply for one year.
Among others who have labored in the service are
these, whose terms of service cannot be detiiiitely
stated : Rev. Messrs. Wood, Miltemore, Fuller, Page,
Blanchard and Tuttle.
The following is a list of the deacons whose terms
of service continued several years: .loseph Barnes,
Thomas Bixby, .Tosejdi Cliase, Clifton Claggett, .Tohn
Underwood, Matthew Parker, William Read, John
Parker, Andrew Lydston and Moses Chase. The last-
named is living at the advanced age of eighty-nine.
The society owns a good parsonage and a circulat-
ing library. James Parker, a native and resident of
Litchfield during his life, died Xovend)er 11, 18(50.
He bdiucathed nearly all his estate as follows: "For
the 8iJi)port of the i)reaching of the Gospel in the
town of Litchfield, according to the wishes and for
the benefit of the Presbyterian society and church in
said town ; the increase, interest, gain or |)rofit only
is to be used for the purpose aforesaid, and the jirin-
cipal is to remain entire." Tliis fund amounts to
eighteen thousand and twenty-five dollars. Rev. Abel
Fletcher, a minister of the Christian denomination,
resided here many years, devoting his time to the
educational, nmnil and sjiiritual welfare of this com-
munity.
Rev. Edward 1>. Parker, pastor of the Presbyterian
Church in the neighboring town of Londonderry for
nearly forty years, and Rev. Benjamin Chase, who
died in Natchez, Miss., some years ago, were natives
of I.ilcbflrl.l.
Pioneer History. — Litchfield and Merrimack
represent the area known to the Indians its Naticook.
It was the home of a tribe of that name, or Nacooks,
one of the many divisions under the rule of the great
chief Passaeonaway. From accounts of the early
settlers, these Indians were comparatively industrious,
and were engaged in hunting, fishing and the culti-
vation of corn, beans, melons, etc. The Naticook
lands were especially favorable for agricultural pur-
suits. There are no evidences of their being otlier-
wise than humane in their treatment of the first
settlers. This i)eaceful disposition was probably due
to the tbriner sutlerlngs of the Indians in the Merri-
mack Valley, through wars with the Mohawks, or
" Man-Eaters of the West," famine and disease, all of
which resulted in great loss in numbers and powers.
One of the residences of Passaeonaway, and his last in
this section, was upon Reed's Island, which he called
" my beautiful island of Natticook." His sale of land
to Wheelwright, and the rapid settlement of the
Merrimack Valley by Massachusetts parties who had
e.\tensive grants, obliged him to petition to the Legis-
lature of Massachusetts for a grant of land for a resi-
dence. In answer to his petition, the government
allowed him and his associates a tract " a mile and a
half on either side of the Merrimack."
PETITION.
"To the liuiierd .lohn Emlecot, Esqr., together with the rest of the
lionerd General Court now .Vsgembleil in Boston, the petition of pa|>i.S!<e-
eonnewa in the behalf of himself, as also of many other Indians who now
lor a longe time o'r selves o'r prugenators seated ujjon a tract of land
culled Naticol, and is now in the possession of .Mr. William Itrenton, of
Kode Island, marchant, and is cuntirmod to Ihcsiiid Mr. Brcntuu, to him
Iiis heirs and assigns, according to the Laws of this Jurisdiction, by
reiLSon of which tnicte of land beinge talten up as a foresaid and thereby
yr pore petitionr, with nuiny others, is in an onsettlcd condition and
must ho forced in a short time to remove to some other place. The Hum-
hie request of yr petitionr is that this honerd Courte woulde please to
grjint unto us a ijarcell of land for or comf()rtable cituation to be stated
for or Injoyment, as also for the comfort of others after us, as also that
this honerU Court wold pleas to take into yr serious and gnive con-
sideration the condition iiiul also the rcqncsto of yr pore Snpliant and to-
a poynle two or three peraous as a Committee to arrange with sum one or
two Indians to vow and determine of some place and to lay out the same.
not further to trouble this honord .VssemMy, humbly cmvingo au ox-
petrtcd answer this present session I shall rernain yr humble Servant,
"W'herein yu shall commande,
" P.M'IMECONEWA.
"Boston : S:3 mo., 11102."
The order of the court upon this petition is as
follows, viz. :
" In answer to the petition of I'apisseconaway, this court judgeth it
meete to grant to the said Papisseconaway and his men or associates
al>i)ut Naticot, above Mr. Breuton's lands, where it is free, a mile and a
Imtf on either side Merrimack Kiver in breadth, three miles on either
side in length ; provided ho nor they do not alienate any jiart of this
grant without leave and license from this Court, first obtained."
John Parker and Jonathan Dauforth were ap-
pointed surveyors to lay out this township for Passa-
eonaway and his associates.
During the progress of King Philip's War the
Indians <l('parted from the Merrimack Valley.
Civil History.— The beginning of the settlement
and the names of the first settlers in Litchfield can-
not be luscertained. In ItjoG, Massachusetts granted
the greater part of Naticook to William Brenton, an
e.\i)lorer and fur-trader. It was known as " Brenton's
Farm" until incorporated as a townsiiip. From lGo!»
to 1662 several Massachusetts jiartics procured grants
of Naticook lan<ls on the east sitle of the river ; but
it is not known that any of them became actual set-
tlers. These grant.s were alt included in the town-
ship of Dunstable, incorjjorated in 1673. In August,
1728, the owners of "Brenton's Farm "(then si.xtecn
in number, and all non-residents) made application
to one of His Majesty's justices for the county of .Miij-
dlesex for a warrant to call a meeting to make a divi-
490
HISTORY OF lllLLSBOROUUH COUNTY, NEW HAMFSJfllllE.
sion of the property aeeordinjr to their several inter-
ests. This meeting was held in Charlestown on the
23d day of the same month, and organized by the
ehoice of Francis Borland as moderator, and Jacob
Holyoke clerk. A committee, consisting of Robert
Richardson, Joseph Blanchard and Stejihen Richard-
son, was appointed
"To survey and take a Plat particularly of the interval of the
meadows A of the other lands lying A contained in the aforesaid tract of
land or Famie with the quantity of each, & to notify & join with the
Pa>prieturs claimini; the land joining to the aforesaid tract of common
land or Farme in Knnuing the Lines according to Law, and to make re.
port thereon, with their opinions on the most Proper way and method for
the Proceeding in the dividing the aforesjiid land or Farme to & among
the said Proprietoi-s, at the next Proprietors' Meeting call'' for that pur
l)ose."'
The next meeting was held by virtue of a warrant
from Jacob Holyoke, clerk, in Charlestown, Septem-
ber 26th. The committee reported that Mr. Samuel
Danforth, surveyor, whose ser\ices they had secured
had surveyed the lands and made a plan of them.
The report of the committee was accejited, and it was
voted :
" That the aforesaid lands on each side of the Merrimack Biver be
equally diviilt-d into sixteen parts, allowing Quantity for Quality, the sit'
nation of tiie land to be duly considered,"
Benjamin Prescott, Esq., of Groton, Eleazer Tyng,
Esq., of Dunstable, and Mr. Joseph Richardson, of
Woburn, were selected to lay out and divide the
lands. This committee was also instructed to lay out
roads and highways, and to select a suitable location
for a mill, reserving one hundred acres for that pur-
pose. Captain William Richardson had already im-
l)roved a tract of land, which was ordered to be con-
tained in one division. January 28, 1729, bills of
credit to the amount of one hundred and sixty pounds
were ordered to defray charges upon the property.
Jonas Clark and Joseph Blanchard were appointed
assessors, and Captain Robert Richardson collector.
The following is a list of the proprietors and their as-
sessments :
£ a.
"Jahleel Brenton, of Newport, Colony of R. 1 26
Joseph Blanchard, of Dunstable 3 10
"William Linid, of Dunstable 3
Thomas Chamberlain, of Dunstable 2
Mary French, athinnistratrix, of Dunstable .... I 10
Joseph Thom|)eou, of London 20
John Smith, of Boston 10
Jared Elliott, of Killingsworth, Conn 2 10
John Stall, of Conn 2 10
Augustus Lucas, of Newport 1 5
Barsheba Lucas, of Newport 1 5
Joseph Woodbridge. of Conn 2 10
Martha Church, of Newjwrt . . . lo
Samuel Brown, of Salem 10
Nathaniel Cotton, of Bristol 'i
Nathaniel Cotton, adm'r estate of Peleg Sanford . . 20
Robert RichanlBon, of ChelnisforU 11 10
Francis Borland, of Boston 20
Elirjibeth Burton, of Slarehfleld 2 10
Jonas Clark, of Chelmsford 5
£160 "
The one hundred acre mill lot was located on the
Great Xesenkeag stream. It was granted to Jona-
than Richardson in 172ii upon condition that he erect
corn and saw-mills, and constantlj' maintain the
same in good repair. While it would be interesting
to know the population of" Brenton's Farm" at this
date (1729), there are no means of determining even
the family names. Massachu.setts was encouraging
emigration to the Merrimack Valley in order to
strengthen her claim to the territory ; the proprietors,
that their property might be enhanced, were otiering
inducements to actual settlers ; but the fertility of the
Naticook lands was the principal incentive which
swelled the numbei-s of the settlement to quite a
colony in four yeai-s' time. Most of the families
came from Jlassachusetts and were of English origin.
A few Irish emigrants became permanent settlers.
The colony was unembarrassed by land title contro-
versies and held peaceable possession from the start,
— an experience unlike many of the settlement.s in
Southern Xew Hampshire.
The next step was to procure a charter for a town-
ship, and in this the settlers had the co-operation of
the proprietors, for, March 20, 1733, they voted,
" . . .to join with such other persons as may
be inclined to make application to the Towns of Not-
tingham and Dunstable to give their consent for their
being set otf a distinct Township." The petition to
the General Assembly of Mas.sachusetts for incorpora-
tion, dated May, 1734, was signed by Aquila Under-
wood, in behalf of the petitioners.
The Legislature |)assed the following order :
*' In the House of Representatives. July :\, 1T:14.
"Ordered, — That Mr. Aquila Underwood, one of the principal Inhab-
itants of y* new Township at Naticook ami lamis aiUoining, be and here-
by is fully authorized and iinpowered to assemble the freeholders and
other inhabitants of s'l Township Lawfully qualitied to choose Town
otlifera to stand until the annual meeting in March next.
" Sent up for concurrence.
".I. Ql'ixcY, Spr^
** In council, July 3, 17.'i4. Read and concurred,
''J. WlLLABU,5rt'y.
*' July 4,— Consented to.
*' \ true copy, .\ttested, per
J. Belch CK.
"Tn.vn. Mason, Dcpl. Sec'n"
The first meeting was held pursuant to the follow-
ing warrant :
" MlUDLESRX 88., July 20, 1T34.
"Persuant to anactof y* Great and General i'ourt or .Vsseuibly, July
4, 17:i4, I, y« subscriber. Do in his Majesty's Name Require all y« free-
holders and other inhabitants of the Town of Litchfield lawhillj
qualified to vote in Town-Meeting, to meet and convene at y houM
of Aquila I'nderwood, in Litchfield, on Monday y» twenty ninth
Day of July, current at one of y« clock in y« afternoon, then and
there to choose town officers, to stJind until y uunivenwiry meeting in
March next.
" Per onler of the General Court,
".Vquila Usdebwood."
For a period of twelve years Litchfield included
the Naticook lands on both sides of the Merrimack
River. The management of town affairs wtis under
one organization until about the time the boundary
question between the provinces of Ma.ssachusetts and
New Hampshire was settled, in 1741, when a division
LITCHFIELD.
491
into districts (east and west) occurred. The town-
meetings were usually held in the meeting-house on
the east side. From 1741 to the date of the Merri-
mack charter, April 2, 1746, each district managed
ii- local aUkirs. Although the records show that
■iitentions frequently arose during this primitive
_ 'Vernment, the public interests did not sutler.
1 1 ighvvays were laid out, the streams were bridged
ferry wits established, pounds, one on each side,
re built, and a house of worship erected. To-day
ur are in the enjoyment of direct fruits which the la-
liors of these hardy pioneers produced. Their pre-
- ience was marvelous; their roads and bridges have
iroin time to time undergone repairs, the boats at the
I. rry been renewed ami the cluirch rebuilt, but the
lianges in location have been slight, and the inliab-
iiants for a century and a half have reverenced the
\\ isdom of the first settlers.
The following is a list of the resident taxpayers in
l.itchtield in 1736:
IMwnnl LinktieliJ, Ebenezer Wright, Jolin Barrett, .Tames Moor,
^ ^riiiiel Moor, Jonatliun Perniiii, Ilenjuuiiii Uloilgett, Jumes Ilutchins.
1.^-rt Kicliunlfioti, William Adumd, Lphniim I'oweru, Jonathan l*ower»,
lilu Woodward, Thomaji Clark, .lolin llarvell, Xathun Kendall,
't> Ilildrcth, Jonaa Proctor, Gideon Powens, Ebenezer Taylor,
tlianiel Hills, Knocti Hills, Jo8e[ili Pollard, .losiali Cumniing?,
-aliauiel Ctirti^ Janiea Perrajn, Josiali Hicbardson, I>avid Kendall,
Beajaniin Haiiol, Christopher Temple, Jonathan Cnniniiugi^, William
Lund, John Hu8tone, James Xahor, Hugh Nahor, John Butlertield, Si-
meon Powers, Joeoph Smith, Simon Cook.
petitioners* Desire to t>e I ncorp^irated with the Iiyoyment the Land of all
on the Ka«t (*ide of sJ River in B^ District, and to he Inrested with the
Privilidge and Immunities as other towns in s*^ Province are, and your
Potitionera, a^ in Duty Bound, shall Ever pray.
Only
estate.
sixteen of the above were taxed for real
PETITION FOR A PARISH OX THE EAST SIDE OFTHERIVKK.
"To Hit* Exrelloiicy, Buniiiiig Weutworlh, Esq., Cupt. Genonil (ina'
<k>iiuiiiiiid(.T-in-Chief in und uver the pryvioce of Nt-w IhiinpHliire
March y 28*^, I74fi.
•*Thu Hiiiiiblo Petition of the luhabitanu of the dintrict of Litchfield
Humbly Sla-weth thut your Putitionere uru iibuut forty family^, being n
port of I»ini»tablo old fjmnt, living on the North Etwterly Corner of s-i
(jntnt ; Tlmt the center of our town being about eleven miles from the
Pfijviticy l.inc, we had not the luast apiirelieiition of our being affected
by the Ilxinguf Towna near Huid Line, und that ynur petitiouerH have
Pidd abovu iwo-thlnlii lowunls the HUjipurt uf the (Jouiiol for many years,
ftod that we are nut only forty faniilii'tt upon the Easterly 8id<.> uf the
Kivor, but that wu have Land to accommodate a coimiderablu Number
more ; that the Inlmbitaiitii of Lilchtield, on the Weat tijdo of the Hiver
don't oxceoii thirteen or fourteen familyti, who we are very willing
•hould )m^ diiianncxcd fnmi tis. In regard to the great danger und ftotli-
cully, which we kriuw they an; Kx|>otH)d to In Crooslng the Rlvor in
onJcr to attend the I'ublick womhip of iitn], Nothwlthtilanding of alt
which EitlitT, by iiur having been Inwlvt-rtuntly ovt-r louk'd or furgot
when IiiKtructioiit wero given to the Committee uf the Hnnuunible As-
lembly for Heltleing thr tUstrictn in these parts, or by Home other means
unknown to ub, wu understand that it in Intended that wc be annexed (o
that Dlrtlrht upon the west Hide of the Hiver, and thut uur Center and
pUco of IMiblIck wnnthlp be on the wedterty side, which would obligt*
Above forty familypt coiiHtantly to crotw the River, to our grout and un-
speakable danger and ditHmlly, In order to meet with about tliirtet-n or
foartoen famoiyti. May it pleane your Kxcelloncy to take the dltTlcuU
CMe of your Petitl'UH-i-s iindi-r your wise conHidenition, and w> to tix
things that we may not be obliged to Cross the River ; for although wo
have Lost a number of fanielys on the Westerly side of the Itivt-r, we
have accommudatiouH on the Kiu<t side that is now onsettled that is
Likely In a few yearn to Regain the Nnmlwr Lost on the other side, so
that. Considering the DlHIculty and Danger we must bo at In vntw wo
Were obligetl to cnxw ir' river to attend publirk wortdilp, wo think that
W6 can bo much t>etter accommodated fo bi- Krecte<l Into a town on our
tfde, and much greater satisfaction to the inhubitunts. Therefore, yunr
32
' Patrick Taggart.
Parish Richardson.
Hugh Nahor.
John Butterfield.
Jocob Hildretb.
William Richardson.
Nathan Kendall.
Peter Rusel.
Robeart Darrah.
Alexander Parker.
Robeart McKeen.
Robeart McKeen, Jr.
Alexander Calwoll.
Thomas Karr.
John McAlIester.
William Qcsten.
John Questen.
James Nahor.
John Taylor.
John Orr.
Amos Kendall.
Robo't Richardson.
John Uuchason.
William Bouner.
Jumes Nickols.
James Itarnih.
Jamed McKnight.
Garet Rowan.
David Whittemoro.
Daniel Kendall."
In aiiHwer to the foregoing and another petition
for additional territory north of Brenton'.s Farm, dated
May, 174(), the following charter was issued by His
Excellency, Governor Wentworth:
"Province of New HAMPsniRE.
" George the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britiiin, Franco and
Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.
"To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting : Whereas sundry
of our Loyal eubjecta. Inhabitants of a Tract of Land within the ancient
Boundarys uf a Town Culled Old Dunstable, in our jirovince of New
Hampshire, on the Easterly side uf Merrimack River, hereinafter de-
scribed, have humbly i>etitioned und Requested of us that they may bo
erected and inrorporated into a Township, and enfranchized with tho
same powers. Authorities and privilidges which Other Towns within our
said province by Law have and eiyoy ; And it appearing to us conducive
to the geUL'nil Good of our said province, as well as of tho tmid inliubi-
tunta in particular, by muintaining good Order and encouniging the cul-
ture of the Laud, thut the same should be done;
" Know ye, therefore, that weof our especial Grace, certain knowledge,
and for the encouragoiiig und promoleing the (Jood pui'])osos and ends
aforesaid, by and with the advice of our trusty and well-beloved Benning
Wentworth, I-iqr., our Governour and conuuander-in-chief, and of our
council for our said province, Have Erected, Incorixiniteil and Orditinod,
and by thew presents, for ns, ourheire und henceforth. Do will and or-
dain that (he Inhatutant^ of tlu* tntct of land aforesaid, bounded as fol-
lows, viz : Beginning one Mile und Eighty rods North of the south turner
of Londonderry Township, on the west side of snid Town, and to run
from thence North, un the West sidi- of said Lonclouderry, Ilvy miles un»l
seven furluiigH uml twelve rods and a half; then North twenty-ouo
degrees West to Merrimack River ; then down said river till it
meets with a west line by the noodle that comes from a place
where it began, uml thitt shall Inhabit tho same, bo and by these pres-
ents are declared and oixlained to lie a Town (V'rporate, and are hereby
erected and incorponkte<I into u Body Politick and a Corponttion tu luivo
Continuance forever by the name of Lytchfidrl, with nil the powers and
Aulhuritles, privilidges and ItnmunitiLit and Knincliizrs, which other
Towns within wiid Province or any of them by Ijiw liavt- und t-njoy. Tt>
have and to Hold the said i>uwers and Authorities, Immunities uml
Franchizes to them, the wild Inhabitants, and tholr succeesom forever.
Reserving to ns, Our Hoirtf and sucrt«wrs all white pine trees growing
and being and that shall hereafter grow anil be on s<> Tract of Lund, for
the use of our Royal Navy, reserving al»»> the jiowerof Dividing the sitid
Town to us, our IIolrN and Sucrowiini when it shall ap|M'ar necewtary or
convonfent for tho benefit of the Inhabitjiuts llienK»f ; Antl as the sovemi
Towns within our said Province are by Laws thereof enabled an<l au-
thorized tu awembb" and by the majority of Votes to choose all <>ltlc<Ts
an are nieiitloued in the said laws,. ... Wu do by these presi-nts nuinl-
natu and appoint John McMurphy, I'>t|r., to call the first meotmg of tho
snid Inhabltjints, to Ih> held within tho said town at any time within
thirty days from tho date hereof, giving legal Notice of the time, plnco
and design of hoUIinK sueh nu-etlng.
"In To«t!muny whereof, we have can»e<l the seal of our said province to
be atllxed hereunto. Witm«s, Benning Wentworth, Ksqr., our liuveruonr
and (.'ommunderin chief of our said province, the fifth day of June, in tho
■492
HISTOllY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
.vearof uur Lonl Christ one tbouAaiid seven huiidretl aud forty-nine, &nd
in the twenty -second year of our reign.
" B. Wkntwouth."
The warrant issued bj' John McMurphy for the first
town-meeting under the new charter was posted by
John Ilarvell, June 15, 1749. The meeting was held
on the 3d of July following, and chose Nathan Ken-
dall, James Nahor and .Jacob Hildreth, selectmen;
Jacob Hildreth, town clerk ; Jeremiah Cotton, con-
stable ; William McQuesten and Robert Darrah, tith-
ingmen ; Josiah Richardson, Peter Russell and Alex-
ander Parker, surveyors of highways. Peter Russell,
Joel I)ix and Jacob Hildreth were constituted a com-
mittee to examine and adjust the accounts of the
selectmen and constable under the old organization.
The sum of forty pounds, old tenor, was appropriated
to pay for the charter, for running town lines, and Mr.
McMiirphy for attending the meeting and adminis-
tering the oath of office to the several town officers.
At the first annual March meeting in 1750 the follow-
ing town officers were elected :
Jftmes Underwood, moiierator ; Jacob Hildreth, town clerk ; Jacob
Hildreth, John Cochran and John Parker, selectmen ; Snniiiel Chase,
constable ; David Whittoniore, treasurer ; Nathan Howard and .\rthur
Darraii, door-keepers; Jolin JIcQuesten and Amos Chiuse, surveyors of
highways; William Rejul and .\lexau'ler Parker, field-drivel-s ; William
BIcQuesten and David Campljell, fence-viewers ; David Whittemore,
sealer of leather ; Nathan Kendall, potmd-keeper ; Alexander Colwel
and Samuel Gibson, tithingmen ; John JVIcQuesten and Joseph Chase
hog-reeves.
It was voted to raise one hundred pounds, new
tenor, to hire preaching. John McC^uig, William Pat-
terson and William Read were chosen a committee to
procure a minister.
Duties of Town Officers riiKvious to the
Revohttion. — The moderator then, as now, jnesided
at the town-meetings. The duties of the selectmen were
similar to those in towns at i)rescnt date, excepting
tliat in colonial times they had charge of the schools.
Constables levied and collected the taxes in addition
to the duties at present performed by constables.
Town clerks and treasurers were the same then as now.
Field-drivers imjjounded all horses and cattle found
running at large. Tithingmen i)reserved order in
church and at public gatherings. Hog-reeves enforced
the law which required hogs running at large to be
yoked. Fence-viewers inspected fences, to see if they
were sufficient in law.
Wauninu. In order to protect itself from i>auper-
ism, the town often took advantage of a law requiring
new and doubtful suljjects to leave within the time
soecified in the warrant. The following, served upon
Csezar Porter, is one of the many recorded :
*' To Bamnel Center, cftmtahte /or the toirtt of LiichfieUlfnr the i/eir \'iS5.
" You are hereby nutliorized and required to warn Ca-zar Porter, a
negro man, and PhiUisee, his wife, and family. Now residing in Litch-
field aforesaid, but not being inhabitants thereof, that they do depart the
said town within fourteen days, as they will answer the contrary- in the
manner that the Law directs, and make return hereof with your Doings
thereon to us, the subscribers, within fourteen days.
' J Litchfield, January 27, 178C.
"Given under ourhands and seal at Litchfiehl, this nineteenth Day "f
January, a. n. one thougjllul seven hundred and eighty-six.
"Daniel Bixbv, a Selectmen
" D.ivin McQi'iu, >• 0/
"EouEUT Parker,-) Litchjield.
"State of New Hampshire, ^
Hillsborough, ss.
" Pursuant to the precept, I have warned Ca;zftr Porter and Phillisee,
his wife, and family, to depart this said town as I am commanded, which
is the return of Samuel Center, Constable.
"per Daniel Bixby, Town Clerk.
Csezar is said to have been a native of Boston, and
in his youth was brought to Litchfield as a slave ; he
lived with Mr. Jonathan Parker, aud on this account
he took the name of Cfezar Parker. He continued to
reside in the town, and afterwards moved to Amherst,
N. H. In his old age he went to Rhode Island, where
he died in the neighborhood of Newport, in 1858, at
the advanced age of one hundred and five years.
The growth of Litchfield from the date of its incor-
poration to the close of the eighteenth century was
steady and propitious. Notwithstanding their many
trials, the inhabitants were resolute and courageous ;
few of them had the benefit of an education, in the
technical sense of the term ; but their varied experi-
ences developed jihysical and intellectual forces which
were the foundation of their continued prosperity.
Of the early families, the descendants of the Parkers,
Bixbys, Tuftses, Chases, Barneses, Reeds and Mc-
Questens have continuously resided in the town, and
the several generations have distinguished themselves
in the various positions of trust and honor to which
they have been called.
The Moors, Hildreths, Underwoods and Darrahs
have, by removals and death, becfime extinct.
Since 1800 the only marked public improvement is
the town hall which was built in 1850. This building
has an elevated location in the centre of the town; it
is two gtories in height, with hulls and ante-rooms
in each for town purposes.
Among those who have contributed to the business
and financial success of the town for the past fifty
years may be mentioned Moses Chase, Warren Good-
speed, Isaac Mctjuesten, Simeon D. Leach, Isaac N.
Center, John (Joods{)ced, Phineas Reed, J. A. MarshJ
Warren M. Barnes and John White. The first five
of the foregoing have resided and paid taxes con-
tinuously for the last half-century.
TOWN CLERKS.
1734-35, Aquila Underwood ; l":!ll, Nathaniel Curtis ; 1737-38, Josiah
llichardson ; 1739-40, .Iwob llihlrcth ; 1741, Samuel Cochran; 1742,
John IJradrthaw ; 1713, Samuel Cochran; 1744—18, Thomas Parker;
174'.i, Jacob Hildreth ; 17.')ii, Thomas Parker; Hol-x'*:!, Joel Dix; 1754,
AVilliam Parker; 17o5-oa, Thomas Parker; 170O-G2, James Undei-wood;
1703, Jacob Hildreth ; 17C4-C;t, James Underwood ; 177i>-75, William
McQuesten ; 1770-77, Timothy Kendall; 1778-8(1, JonaUian Parker;
1781, James Underwood ; 1782, Jonathan Parker ; 1753, James Under-
wood ; 1784-S."i, Daniel Bixby; 1780, William McQuesten; 1787-95,
Samuel Chase, Jr. ; 1790-'.I8, James Parker ; 1799-1803, Samuel Chaae,
Jr. ; 180t-C, Robert Parker; lail7-ll, Samuel Chase, Jr. ; 1812-15,
Simeon Kendall ; 1810, Thomas Bixby ; 1817-18, Samuel Chase ; 1819-2.1,
Joseph Clnise, Jr. ; 1824-2.'*, iloses Chiise ; 182fj-27, Joseph Chase, Jr.;
1828-:14, Joehua Marsh ; 18.1.->-;i0, Abel (i. Qiiigg ; 18:!7-.38, Joshua
Marsh; 1839, George Grifflu ; 184U, Moses Chase; 1841-42, Isaac Mc-
LITCHFIELD,
493
Questeu ; 1S43-47. Isaac N*. Center; 184S-10, Iitauc Mcguesten ; lK.'iO-51.
Samuel Cbttse ; 1852-o:J, laaac X. Center ; ISM, Horace Center ; 1855-^0,
Mu«ei Cha« ; 18»7-.".8, Jonathan A. Griffin ; IS-'.iMJl, Langdon C. Lyda-
ton ; 1802-04, Betvjaniiu L. Pike ; 1865, Isaac X. Center; IHOO, William
H. M.x>r; 18G7-f.9, George ». Griffin; 1870. Isaac X. Center; 1^1-72,
Horace Center : 1873, Frank Kendall ; 1874-78, Isaac X. Center; 1879-
*!, Xdrri* C. Griffin; l^Sl-iS-l, Alplionso H. Towers; 1884, Xorris C.
Griffin ; 18*t5, Alplionso H. Powcra.
SELECTMKX AXD ASSESSORS.
17;J4.— AiHiila I'nderwotMl, Christuplier Temple, Xatbaniel Hills.
173o. — AquJla I'liderwood, Christopher Temple, Josiah Cummings.
I7;tt>. — Jooiab Cummingit, Benjamin Blodgetl, Kbenezer Taylor.
17;i7. — Ju^ab Kiclutrdson, Josiali Cuminings, Ebenezer Wrijjht.
17:0*.— Josiab Cummin^ Chri((l<»itber Temple, Ebenezer Wright,
Juffiah Uti-hardsoD, Junathaii Powers.
I7:i'j. — Joeiah Cuniiiiingr<, Jacob Hildrcth, Cliristopber Temple, Josiah
Richuril'»>ii, Jacob Kendall.
1741J. — Jacob Hildretb, J(«iab Cummings, Alexander Parker, JoHiah
Ricbardison, James Xabor.
1741. — Samuel Cocbrau, Jcebua Converse, Jacob Hildrcth, Cliristopber
Temjde, James Nabor.
174:;. — .John Bradslmw, Tbomos Karr, John Usher.
174;J. — Thumaw Karr, John I'sber, Jacob Hlldrelh.
1744. — ThomaH Kurr, Jonathan Oumiiiiiigs, John Robinwn.
174.>-4s. — Thonnw Parker, Jubn I'aher, John Harvoll.
174'>. — Xathaii Kcmlall, James Xabor, Jacob Hildreth.
17.><l. — ThoniHri Parker, Joel Dix, Jame«i Xahor.
17.'il. — Joel Dix, Jamee Xahor, Andrew ('ochran.
17W. — Thomas Parker, Jamee X'ahor, Joel Pix.
17.W. — Jame« Xabur, Joel Pix, John Harvell.
lliii. — Josiah Uicburdson, William Parker, Jamo8 Xabor.
17.'i.'., — Tlionias Parker, Jamt-s X'ahor, John Harvell.
ll't't. — Tbonia^ Parker, Andrew < 'ochran, John Harvell.
1767. — Tbonia8 Parker, John Harvell, .Iam<'fl Xabor.
17o>~.'/.t.— Thoiiiaa Parker, Jacob Hildreth, .bimes X'ahor.
l7Co.— jHm'-i» Underwoo<l, M'illiam McQuesten, .loseph Barnes,
17<il-*'.2. — James Inderwood, William JIcQiieHten, William Keid.
17'>;t. — Jacob Hildreth, John Parker, John Cochran.
HOM'h. — James L*nderwoo<l, Koberl Darrab, John Harvell.
17tU*. — William McQuest/Mi, Sammd Chase, James Nabor, Jr.
17<"i!'. — Janu'S I'nderwood, RolHrrt Parrab, Samuel Cliase.
177it-72.— William McQiiesten, David Campbell, Daniel Kendall.
177:(_7l._Williiiii, McQuef*tcn, J.din Harwell, Daniel Kendall.
177-^. — UoI>ert Diirrah, John Parker, Samuel Chase.
177G, — James Cndonvood, Samuel Chase, Timothy Kendall.
1777. — Jamefl Underwood, Samuel Cbos*^*, Timothy Kendall.
1778. — John Harvell, Robert Darrab, Jonathan Parker.
1779.— John Parker, Jr., Daniel Kendall, John Parker.
17S0. — Jonathan I'arker, John Parker, Jr., James Xabor, Jr.
1781. — James l'iulerwi>od, .Joseph Barnes, Daniel Bixby.
1782. — Jonathan Parker, Robert Darrali, Timothy Kendall.
17h3. — Jairies I'nderwood, John C^vcbmn, Samuel CTiaae.
1784-85.— Daniel Bixby, Duviil Mct^uig, Robert Parker.
1786. — William McQuosten, Timothy Kendall, Simon McQuosten.
1787-90.— Samuel Cba8t\ Daniel Bixby, Matthew Parker.
1791-94. — Samuel Chase, Jr., Robert Parker, David McQuosten.
Kufi. — Samuel Chase, Jr., R >berl Parker, Simeon Kentlall.
179i;-98.— Timothy Kendall, Hugh Nalmr, Jacob roburn.
17y9-18*X).— Samuel Chase, Jr., Wllllani Parker, Matthew Parker. Jr.
ISul-.*!.— Samuel Cliaao, Jr., William liixby, Matthew Parker, Jr.
lATfl^.— UolK-rt Parker, Siim-ou Kendall, Hugh Xabur.
18o7-n. — Sariiuol Chase, Jr., John Cnderwooil, Thomaw Bixby.
181 .'-i:i. — Simeon Kendall, Simon M cQuoalen, Jr., Jonathan Abltott.
1816.— Thomas Bixby, John Rollins, John Gouds|>eod.
1817-18.— Samuel Chatte, William Bixby, Josiah Kicbartlwn.
1819-20.— Joseph Chase, Jr., Jonathan Abbott, Jami-s McQucstuu.
182l-2.t.— Jo*M«ph <'ba*e, Jr., Jitm.-s Mcguof«ten, John Wblto.
1824-25.— Jonathan .\bl>ott. John While, Moses Cha«<\
1826-27.— Joseph Cbiw, Jr., John Gftoilspeod. Abel G. Qulgg.
182X-31.— Josbim Man^b, John White. Simeon Harvell.
18.12.— Jtjshua Marsh. Frederick Cbuse, Parker Bixby.
183't-.'V4.— Joshua ^tarsh, Parker Bixby, Samuel Center.
18:i5-;W.— Abel G. Quigg, John White, Warren GtM)ds|)Ood.
18.17. — Jrnbua Mannh, Gsorge Griffin, Jaboz h. Manlor.
1838. — .Toshua Marsh, Daniel McQm>ston, Samuel Ceiilor.
1839. — Daniel McQueston, Samuel renter, Gourgo Griffin.
1840. — Moses Chase, George Griffin, David C. Bancroft.
1841. — Moses Cbase, Horace Center, David C. Bancroft.
1842.— Moses Chase, Isaac McCJuesten, Horace Center.
1843. — Isaac McQaesten, Samuel Center, Samuel Cba^e.
1844.— Isaac X. Center, Samuel Chase, William Cross.
1845.— Isaac X. Center, Samuel Chase, Ilomce Center.
184<>-47. — Isaac X. Center. Horace (.Njnter, John White.
184*M9. — Isaac McQuosten, Terrence Dodge, William E. (iowlapeed.
ISoO-ol. — Samuel Cha^e, Simeon D. I^each, Charles McQuesten.
1852-^53. — Isaac X. Center, Isaac McQuesten, Parker Bixby.
1854.— Horace Center, Henry :McQnesten, John >Miite, Jr.
1855-56. — Moses Chase, Charles McQuesten, Jonathan A. Griffin.
1857-68.— Jonathan A. Griffin, William Crxjss, William Reid.
1859-60. — Jonathan A. Grithn, Andrew J, Pike, Zachariah Wbittemoi'-.
1861. — Andrew J. Pike, Za^-hariah Whittemore, Phineas H. Reid.
18G2-G4. — Isaac McQucHten, Herbert Chase, S. C. Richardson.
1805. — Isaac McQuesten, Isaac X'. Center, Zachariah Whittemore.
1860-67. — Isaac McQuesten, Benjamin Dodgo, Zachariah Wbilteraor.*
1868. — Isaac X*. Center, Harrison Weston, George B. Griffin.
1869.- Isaac X. Center, David C. Bancroft, George B. Griffin.
1870.— Isaac X. Center, David C. Bancroft, Daniel Bradt.
1871. — Horace Center, John Goodspeed, Benjamin Dodge.
1872. — Horace Center, Isaac McQuesten, John White.
1873. — Isaac McQuoctten, Alexander TaggJirt, Leavitt L. Daniels.
1874. — Alexander Taggart, Leavitt L. Daniels, Elbridge Pike.
1875.— Samuel Chase, Elbridge Pike, Xorris C. Griffin.
1876. — Samuel Chase, Xorris C. Griffin, George M. Rea<l.
1877. — Isaac McQuesten, Jolin W. Goodspeed, John L. Center.
1878. — Isaac McQuesten, John W. Goodspeed, George H. Goodspeed.
1879.— Erancis H. McQuesten, George H Goodspeed, Samuel C-enter.
1880. — Francis H. McQuesten, Frederic L. Center, Elbridge Pike.
1881.— Frederic L. Center, Elbridge Pike, David S. Leach.
1882.— Alpbonso H. Powers, David S. Leach, Frederick McQuesten.
1883. — Alpbonso H. Powers, Frederick McQuesten, George C. Danforth.
1884. — John F. Chase, George C. Danforth, Alexander Taggart.
1885. — John F. Chase, Alexander Taggart, Orville D. .\nuis.
TOWX TREASURERS.
173.3, Samuel Moor ; 1730, Xatbaniel Hills ; 1737, Benjamin Ilasel ;
173*-40, John Usher ; 1741, Dexter Russell ; 1742, ChriMtopher Temple ;
1743-45, Nathan Kendall ; 174(i-48, Thomas Parker; 1749, Nathan Ken-
dall ; n.'ii^-.'JU, John Harvell ; 1753. James Xabor ; 1754, Josiab Rich-
ardson ; 1755-59, Thomas Parker ; 17ijO, James Underwood ; 17Cd-62,
David Whittemore; 170.3-67, William McQuesten ; 1768-69, John Har-
vell ; 1770, Xathau Kendall; 1771, John Harvell; 1772-75, Jonathan
Parker ; 1770-77, Samuel Cochrane; 1778-80, Daniel Kendall; 1781,
John Harvell; 1782-83, William McQuesten; 1784, John Cochrane;
1785, William McQuesten ; 1786, Jonathan Parker; 1787, Samuel
Sprague; 1788, Jonathan Parker; 1789-0(i, .lames I'nderwood; 1791,
William McQuesten ; 1792, Timothy Kendall ; 1793, William McQues-
ten ; 1794, Hugh Xabor; 179:>, Daisiel Bixby: 179:i-97, Matthew Par-
ker; 1798, David Quigg; 1799-18(X», Jowpb Barnes; 1801-2, Clifton
Claggett ; 1803, Simeon Kendall ; 18(>4-0, Samuel Chase, Jr. ; 1807-8.
Robert Parker ; 1809, Clifton Claggett ; 181it-ll, Matthew Parker; 1812
-15, William Bixby; 1816, Simeon Kendall ; 1817, John Parker; 181«,
Jonathan Abbott; 1819, Samuel Chase ; 1820, Jonathan Abbott ; 1821-
23. JoHcph Chase, Jr.; 1824-25, Jonathan Abbott; 1S26-27, Jo««pb
Chawo, Jr. ; 1W28-34, Joshua Marsh ; 1835-;(6, Abel G. i^iiigg ; 18:i7- ts,
Joshua Man*h ; 18:)9, Daniel McQuesten ; 184«M2, Mose^ Chase ; l?4|:t,
Isaac McQuesten ; l8"l-t-47, Isaac X. Center ; 1848-49, Isiuic McQuuHten ;
|K50-n.M, Saniui 1 Cha«e ; 18.^2-53, Iwuic X. Center ; 1K54, Horace Center ;
1856-50, Moses Chase; 1857-60, Joimtbau A. Griffin; 1861, Andrew J.
Pike ; 1802-67, Isaac McQueston ; 18ifH-7(i, Imuic N. Center ; 1871, Hor-
ace Ci'Mter; 1872, John Wbito; 1873-70, Isaac McQuosten; 1877,
t'liarlcs McQuosten; 1878-79, Isaac McQueston; 188<>-S.'>, Xorris C.
Griffin.
From 1820 to 1872 the chairman of the Hoard ttf
Selectmen qualificil as town treiisurer.
BKPRESEXTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT FROM LITCH-
FIKLD FKn.M 177^ TO 188.-..
[XoTB.— Litchfield wascliuwed with NoitinRbam Wetft until 1780, then
with Derryfleld until 181'>, wIm-ii a special act of Iho Leglslatun> gave the
^»wn a right to M>nd a repro^-ntatlvo annually until otherwitte ordered.
The apportionment of 1H81 authori/.e« tbo town to elect a repreMcnLative
such pro^Kirtlonato [uirt of the time as Its number of Inbabitantit (census
1880) bears to Bix hundrinl.]
494
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUxXTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
March 170.', Captain S«.....el Greeley; 1708. James I'nderwood;
April, 1775, Wi«iiian Claggett. Samuel Cha«e ; May, 177S. John I'arker ;
I>ecember, 1775, Wi»en.an Claggctt ; 1775, Jan.e- Und.r««»l fur L.tch-
fleW and Hudson; 1776, \Vi,.n,an Claggett ; 1777. T,., Asa Dnv.s for
nndwn and I,itchfl..ld ; 178(1, Samuel Chase; 170;i,> John ^^^^^r;
1794 1800, Kobert Parker; 179.-., 1807, Isaac Iluse ; 18IHI, '02, Cl.fton
Clag"ett ; ISIM, San.uel Chase, Jr. ; 1805, S. P. Kidder; 1801, 'M. Sim-
eon Kendall ; 1809, Joseph Moor ; 1811, '13, '15, Samuel Moor ; 1812, 14,
Thomas Bixbv; 1810, '17, '18, '24, ■2."., Joseph Chase, Jr. ; 1819, 20,
Simon McQuosten ; 1821-2:!, Jonathan Abhott ; 182G-27, 1832-33,184:),
Moses Chase ; 1828-31, Joseph Richardson ; 18;i5-3C, Samuel Corning,
Jr. ; 1837^8, Abel G. Quigg ; 1841-42, Parker Bixby ; 1844-4,% 18h.,-00,
Isaac McCJuesten; 1840-47, 1870-71, Warren Gwdspeed ; 1848-49,
Georgo Griffln ; 1850-.'il, I^c N. Center ; 18.52-r,;i, Samuel Chase; ls..4,
1872-73, John Goodspeed ; 18.5.W6, Samuel Kennard ; 18.-17, Darnel Mc-
Qnesten- IS.'.S-.V.I, Simeon D. Leach; 1800-01, Jonathan A. Gnflin;
ISOi-ta, William Cross; 1804, Andrew J. Pike ; 1867-68, John White;
1869, John Gritfln ; 1874-7.% Horace Center; 1876-77, Elbridge I'.ke ;
1878, Alexander Pike ; 1880-81, Norris 0. Griffin ; 1883-84, Francis H.
McQuesten.
DELEGATES TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION FROM
LITCHFIELD.
Jonathan Parker, 1778 ; Daniel Bixby, 1788 ; Robert Parker, 1791-92 ;
Isaac N. Center, IS-iO ; Samuel Chase, 1877.
Military History.— In the dirtereut wars Litch-
field has lurnished her quota of troops for the service.
During the French War one of the regiments (Colonel
Goffe's) rendezvoused in this town. Timothy Barron,
William Barron, Simon McQuesten and Samuel Chase
enlisted for the campaign.
The following list of Revolutionary soldiers is
probably incomplete:
David MiQuig, Sergeant Harry Glover, drummer,
Edward Bicksby and James Gibson were members of
Capt. John Moore's company in Gen. Stark's regiment,
and were present at the battle of Bunker Hill. John
Parker commanded a company in Colonel Timothy
Bedel's regiment of rangers. Northern Division, Conti-
nental army, under General Montgomery in 1775.
William Darrah, John Thompson, Joseph HarvcU,
Stephen Lowell and John Loring were privates in
Captain Parker's company. They enlisted July 6,
177.5, and were discharged December 31, 1775. In
1776, John Loring (second enlistment) and James
Butterfield enlisted in Ma.s.sachusetts for three years.
William Darrah (second enlistment) and John Lare
were attached to General Washington's Life-f^uard.
Hon. James Underwood was commissioned adjutant
of Colonel Joshua Wingatc's regiment, raised to re-
enforce the Northern army in July, 1776. For the
First New Hampshire Continental Regiment (Colonel
Cilley), raised in 1770, Litchfield furnished the follow-
ing-named officers and privates:
Chaplain, Kov. Samuel Cotton ; First Lieutenants, Nathaniel McCauly
and Moody Diutin ; Privates, James Simpson Thompson, obed McLain,
Samuel Siiiilh, Joseph Haselton, John Stone, Thomas Coleburn and
Joshua Bloilgett.
At a special meeting of the legal voters held April,
1777 the town voted a bounty of fifty dollars each to
those who had enlisted in the Continental army.
William Reed commanded a company in Colonel
Nahum Baldwin's regiment, raised in September,
1 No lepreeentativcs were sent between 1780 and 1793.
1776, to reinforce the army near New York City.
Dr. Joseph Barnes was commissioned surgeon of
Colonel David Gilman's regiment, which wa-s raised
in answer to a requisition from General Wa.shington,
in December, 1776, for service at Fort George and
Fort Ticonderoga. In the "Great Return" of 1782,
the following soldiers were credited with bounties:
Robert Cunningham, Samuel Chase, Jr., William
Whittle, John Williams, Stephen R. Y'oungman,
Thomas Coleburn and Obed McLain. It is not
known where the first five of the foregoing list
served, but from the amounts paid to them, they are
supposed to have been in the service a considerable
time.
In June, 1777, a party of si.xtecn men, including
Major Samuel Chase, Captain Samuel Cochran and
Ensign Daniel McQuig, marched from Litchfield for
Ticonderoga, upon news of General Burgoyne's ad-
vance upon the fort. On reaching Charlestown
(No. 4) they received news of the evacuation, and
returned to their homes. In 1779 the sum of one
thousand dollars was appropriated for the purpose ot
raising men to fill the town's iiuota for the army.
The Committee of Safety for 1775 and 1776 consisted
of James Underwood, Robert Darrah, John Harvell,
John Thompson and Daniel Kendall.
During the War of the Rebellion the town paid
seven thousand five hundred dollars for bounties to
soldiers, besides liberally caring for their families
during service.
The following are the names of the soldiers in the
War of the Rebellion from Litchfield :
James Aiken,-- David L. Annis, Calvin G. Blodgett, John C. Boise, E.
Boyuton, George Brown, John D. Buckhnm, Jonathan Burl«nk,»
Rufus Butterfield, Patrick Casgrove, Jonathan Crane, Fniukliu Cross,
Thomas Donahue, James Duftie, William Flanders, Thomas Ferguraon,
Elias Foot, John G. Graham, George H. Haitziird, Fr.ink Jones, Hiram
Joyal, Joseph Lachancc,= Charles Low, Langdon C. Lydston, George G.
Lydston (navv), Charles 11. 5Iareh, Joseph Manning, James F. McQues-
ten, Henry W. Moor, William H. Parker, Fernando Parker,= James F.
Parker, Jeflerson Page, William Patrick, Hiram Pierce, Stephen Uolfe,
William E. Russell, Harrison Seavoy, Edwin Seavey, John E, Seavey,
Daniel Scott, Albert St. Cloud, Jeriah Tufls,' Thomas Taylor, JameB
Wilson, William Wallis.
Biographical Sketches.— Captain James F. Mc-
Questen was the third son of Henry McQuesten and
Eliza (Chiise) McQuesten, and was born in Litchfield
March 7, 1835. During his boyhood he attended the
district school in his native town, and was afterwards
a student at the academy in Derry, where he prei)ared
himself for the United States Military School at West
Point, entering that institution as cadet in 1857.
He graduated with honor in May, 1801, as second
lieutenant of the Second United States Cavalry, and
immediately entered the service at the outset of the
War of the Rebellion. He was soon promoted to first
lieutenant, and in February, 1803, to a e:iptaincy, and
served on the stall's of Generals Buford, Fitz-John
Porter and McClellan. At the time of his death he
'Killed.
3 Died in the service.
LITCHFIELD.
495
was assistant adjutant-general on General Merrill's
staff, t'aptain McCJuesten was present in more than
thirty engagements, and was killed at the battle of
Winchester, Septeml)er 19, lSii4.
Such was the brief but brilliant career of one of the
nol)lest souls and bravest officers that fell during the
late Civil War.
From youth he was fitted, both by nature and his
own great energies, for a soldier. His physical devel-
opment was faultless ; his height was something more
than si.x feet, with full chest and ruddy complexion.
His presence was comniaiiding, and his cliaracter
unexcei)tionable.
Captain Mctiuesten married !Miss Marcia V. Mc-
Questen, daughter of Edward and Harriet (C(dby)
McQuesten, September 23, 18G3. The mortal remains
of Captain Jlct^uesten rest in the cemetery of his
native town. His only legacy was his noble example
of devotion and loyalty to his mother, his country
and his friends.
Wyzeman Claggett was born in Bristol, England,
in -August, 1721. His father was a barrisler-al-law,
and educated his only .son liberally for the same ])ro-
fessiou. Wyzeman, after graduating at the Inns of
Court, was admitted a barrister in the Court of the
King's Bench. He was subsequently appointed a
notary public. In 1748, Mr. Clagelt sailed for the
West Indies, where he devoted ten years to the prac-
tice of his ]irofession in the island of Antigua. He
was secretary of the island for a number of years.
An annuity of fifty pounds sterling was settled upon
him during life by John Weeks, Esq., of Antigua, a
gentleman of means, who highly esteemed the friend-
ship of Mr. Clagett. This annuity was ])aid regularly
till his death, and was a source of consolation in his
declining years, when his i)rofe.ssional income was
meagre. Kroni Antigua he emigrated to Portsmouth,
N. H., where he soon became the chief magistrate.
In 171)5 he was commissioned King's Attorney-
General by Governor Benning Wentworlh, and wasre-
ai)pointed, in 17tJ8, by (rovernor .John Wentworth. In
1771, Mr. Clagett purchased a valuable farm in the
centre of Litchfield, and removed there in 1772. He
was a member of the Council in 177.5 and 177C, and
one of the members of the Committee of Safety for
Hillsborough County during the Revolution, and
8oli(-itor general until the new form of Slate govern-
ment was established, in 1783. He wsus a member of
the Legislature several years, representing Litchfield,
Nottingham West, Derrylield, Merrimack and Bed-
ford ; although a resident of Lilchfiehl, the last two
towns, diLssed, returned him to the Assembly, much to
his delight and satisfaction. Mr. Clagett was married
August 14, IH.'Jit, to .Miss Lettice Mitchell, of Torts-
mouth. This lady afterwards became the wife of
Simon Mcljuesten.
Mr. Clagett was very severe as a magistrate ; the
very name Clagett was a synonym for " prosecute."
He was very eccentric and overbearing, and many
anecdotes are told of his peculiarities. It is related
of him that at one time, while he was judge at Ports-
mouth, being too poor to buy a load of wood, he sent
his servant out to insult a farmer who was passing
w-ith a load. The countrynian swore at the servant,
and .ludge Clagett had him arrested and fined him
just the load of wood.
He die<l on the 4th of December, 1784. One of
his sons, Clifton Clagett, studied law with his father,
and began the practice of his profession in Litchfield
in 1787. He removed to Amherst in 1811. During
his residence in Litchfield he rei)resented the town in
the General Court for several years. In 1810 he was
appointed judge of Probate for Hillsborough County,
and held the office until he resigned, in September,
1812, having been appointed one of the judges of
the Superior Court; upon the reorganization of the
court by the Federal party, he was removed from the
Superior Court, and again became judge of Probate,
holding the office until his death, January 26, 1829.
James U. Parker, son of Deacon Matthew and Sally
(Underwood) Parker, was born in Litchfield, July
28, 1707. He fitted for Dartmouth College, and was
graduated from that institution in 1820. He read
law with Hon. James Parker, of Bedford, .\rtemas
Rogers, of Henniker, and Hon. Joseph Gilbert, ot
Hanover. After admission to the bar he began prac-
tice at Litchfield ; thence he went to Jlerrimack, but
returned to his native town in 1847. In connection
with his brother Nathan, he established the Man-
chester Bank, and was its president while it con-
tinued a State bank. His brother, who still survives,
succeeded him when it became a national bank.
James U. was also the first president of the Lawrence
Railroad. He represented Merrimack in the Legis-
lature in 1844 and 1845, and was president of
the New Hampshire Senate in 1841!. In 1850 he
moved to New York City, and from 1857 to 1859 he
was a resident of New Jersey. In 1859 he returned
to New Hampshire, settled at Manchester and re-
sumed the practice of law. He married, first, Miss
Mary Hawkins, of Hanover, N. IL, February 25,
1829. After her decease he married, in .lanuary,
1835, Miss Rebecca J. Lund, the daughter of Deacon
Augustus ].,und, of Merrimack, by whom he had
several children. He died in March, 1871. His
eldest son, James U., is a resident of Manchester;
his youngest .son, Charles A., resides in Lynn, Mass.
Dr. Jonathan Parker, a graduate of Harvard
College, and a jdiysician and surgeon of eminence,
was a native of Litchfield.
Dr. Parker had an extensive practice in his native
town and also in the surrounding towns, being often
summoned from a distance lus a consulting physician.
He died ill September, 1791, leaving a family of ten
cliildrcn in destitute circmnstances.
William McQuesten emigrated to this country from
the north of Ireland about 1735, and settled in
Litchfield. He was a descendant of the .Mrristhons
49C
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
who emigrated from Argyleshirc, Scdtland, near the
close of the seventeenth century. William married
a Mi88 Arbuckle, by whom he had eight children, —
three sons (William, John and Simon, all of whom
settled in Litciitield) and five daughters.
Besides holding other positions of responsibility,
he was town clerk for many years, and the records
bear witness of his faithfulness. He is mentioned
by the early writers as a man of "sterling sense and
integrity."
Captain Isaac McQuesten, one of the oldest in-
liabitants of Litchfield, has led a useful and laborious
life from his boyhood. He w:is the first child of
Robert H. McQuesten and Lydia (Barrett) McQues-
ten, and was born October 18, 1811. His only oppor-
tunity for education was the district school for a
term of eight or ten weeks yearly, until he attained
the age of fourteen years, when he was hired out as
a farm-hand ; therefore, his success in life is due, in
a great measure, to his own exertions. His parents
were poor, and his great aim in early life was to pre-
serve the homestead; this he secured at his majority,
and he has since resided upon it.
In 1840, Captain McQuesten and Captain Samuel
Chase formed a copartnership which continued
twenty years. They were extensively engaged in the
luml)er trade, and for several years were proprietors
of the store at the centre of the town. Owing to
the removal of Captain Chase to Nashua, the firm
was dissolved in 1860, and Captain McQuesten con-
tinued the business till 1878. Under the old State
militia he held a commission as captain in the Fifth
Regiment.
In politics he has co-operated with the Democratic
party ; he has represented the town in the Legislature
four years, and was elected road commissioner for
Hillsborough County in 1849; from time to time he
has held various offices of trust under the town gov-
ernment. From 1862 to 1868 he was first selectman
and town treasurer, and discharged the duties of
these offices (w'hich were greatly increased on ac-
count of the Civil War) with fidelity. In 1868 and
1869 he was his party's candidate for State Senator.
He has been a justice of the peace, county since
1845, (juorum and State since 1870, the princijial
magistrate of the town, and often employed in writ-
ing deeds, wills and other instruments.
Isaac McQuesten and Margaret A., daughter of
Major Francis Chase and Dorothy (Bixby) Chase,
were married December 29. 1842. They have three
children,— Eugene F., a practitioner of medicine and
surgery for eighteen years past in Nashua, N. H.;
Francis H., lundier merchant and Jennie F., wife of
Frederick L. Center. Since 1851 , Captain McQuesten
has been clerk of the Presbyterian Society, and for
the past ten years superintendent of the Sabbath-
school.
Dr. Joseph Barnes, who died October 29, 1781, at
the age of fifty-five years and ten months, came from
Lincoln, England. For about twenty years he prac-
ticed medicine in Litchfield, and, as had already
been stated, was surgeon in Colonel David Oilman's
regiment during the Revolutionary War. He was
elected delegate to the County Congress, which as-
sembled at Amherst.
Among his descendants is Royal D. Barnes, son
of Warren M. Barnes, of Litchfield.
Royal D. was born in Litchfield June 18, 1854.
After fitting for college he commenced the study of
law, in the winter of 1874, at Nashua, N. H. He was
admitted to the Hillsborough County bar in January,
1878. Since his admission he has been located at
Nashua, and has been three times elected city sol-
icitor.
Lawyers who have practiced in Litchfield : W'yze-
man Clagett, Clifton Clagctt, James Underwood, fl
JamesU. Parker.
The following |)hysicians have practiced in Litch-
field : Jonathan Parker, .loseph Barnes, Nathan Ken-
dall, David Campbell, Samuel Dodge. For many
years the people have been dependent for medical
aid upon the physicians located in Nashua, Man-
chester and Merrimack.
Dr. Arthur 0. Griffin, jwrt physician of Boston, is
a native of Litchfield.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
OEOKGE (iKIFFIX.
George Griffin was the son of Ebenezer and Betsy
(Carter) Griffin, and grandson of James and Phebe
(Abbot) Griffin of Wilmington, Mass.
The ancestry of Phebe Abbot may be traced to
George Abbot, who came fnmi Yorkshire, England,
and settled in Andovcr, Mass., in 1643. In common
with others who left their native isle and kindred for
the enjoyment of religious freedom in the wilderness
of America, he realized that with enlarged liberties
came increased responsibilities, which could be wisely
met only by the exercise of cultured intellectual
faculties. The trio of noted educational institutions
at Andover, which have and will continue to bless a
nation, is but one grand ultimatum of this idea,
and with their history the name of Abbot is associ-
ated either as a beneficent founder or distinguished
educator.
Ebene/.er, the eldest son of James and Phebe
(Abbot) (iriffin, married Betsey Carter, of Leominster,
Mass., August 1 1, 1792. She wiis the third of eighteen
children born to Josiah Carter, Jr., each of two wives
being the mother of an equal number of offspring.
The family of which Betsy Carter was a member,
descended from Rev. Thomas Carter, whose early
home was in Hertfordshire, England. He sailed
for the New World in 1635, and eight years later
was pastor of a church in Woburn, Mass.
I
i
«
I
LITCHFIELD.
497
The parents of the subject of this sketch resided in
Leominster for a time, but previous to the birth of
Ueorge, whicli occurred .July 28, 1811, had removed
to Clielmsfiird, Mass. He was the tentii of a family
of twelve children. A few years later circumstances
tiivored a residence in Litchfield, and here George
^|>ent his life. His early educational advantages were
«uch as were afforded by the district school of that
time in a small country town. These limited privi-
leges were greatly abridged for George, wlien twelve
years of age, by a serious illness occasioned by bathing
Ml the Merrimack when heated, which resulted in a
■lisfigurcd limb. Had this physical infirmity been
tenfold more afflictive, it would not have modified his
determination to make his way in the world. As a
means to that end, lie earned money boating wood to
Lowell, which was then an inci])icrit manufacturing
I 'lace, to defray tlie expense of a term or two at Derry
ind one at Bradford Academy, the latter then under
the principalship of Benjamin Greenleaf. This com-
pleted his school education, terminating in his eigh-
teenth year, and he returned to his former occupation
'>n the Merrimack.
When funds were accumulated, Mr. Griffin engaged
in the lumber business for a while, and then openc-d
a general .store in Litchfield. February 24, 1844, the
store, dwelling-house and other buildings connected,
of which Mr. Griffin was ])roprietor, were burned.
Trade was continued near the old stand, until liuild-
ings were erected on the former site. Hut mercan-
tile life had so told upon Mr. Griffin's health that
he felt compelled to relinquish trade and engage
in some occupation that necessitated an out-of-door
life to some extent, and he accepted the office of
deputy sheriff, entering upon its duties in 1848. This
work proved disappointing in its recuperative effects,
and he soon rt«igned the office and gave his atten-
tion to tlie lumber business and the supervision of
his farm. The characteristics prominent in the busi-
ness operations of Mr. Griffin were sagacity, energy,
and fidelity, — the foundation stones of a successful
career.
Politically, ho atliliatcd with the Democrats, and by
the sud'rages of his townsmen he held the office of
town clerk in 1839, selectman in 1839 and 1840 and
representative in 1848 and 1840. While in the Legis-
lature he served on the judiciary committee. He
received the appointment of justice of the peace July
7, 1S4'.I, and the same year and the following served
in the position of superintending school committee.
While George Griffin's generous nature gladly
aided all movements that promised a public benefit,
the cause of education enlisted his deepest sympa-
thies and heartiest support. The exercise of keen
powers of observation .strengthened the opinion that
the path to honorable success, especially to the boy
or girl dependent upon the labor of hand or brain
for advancement, was over the stepping-stones of
knowledge, and better than all accumulation of riches
for children was the discipline of good schools. The
exemplification of that deep-seated conviction accom-
plished a good work.
In private life Mr. Griffin was the genial, courteous
gentleman; a kind husband, indulgent father, help-
ful son and brother and generous friend. Children
delighted in his presence, and those now in middle
life who met him in childhood, recall with pleasure
that "George Griffin always shook hands with them."
When twenty-six years of age he married Clarissa,
the eldest daughter of tlohn and Susannah (Dickey)
White of Litchfield, who inherited from her English
and Scotch-Irish parentage those strong traits of char-
acter that mark the efficient, self-sacrificing woman.
Eight children were the fruit of that union, — Jose-
phine, Mary White, Susan Grace, George Byron,
John White, Norris Clement, Orville Carter and
Arthur George. Orville died in infancy, and John
passed away at Leavenworth, Kan., in 1878, aged
thirty-two years.
With a large fiimily growing up which needed his
protecting arm, a devoted wife in whom he found a
helpmeet, prosperous in financial matters, a poi>ular
citi/.cn, there seemed much to make life sweet, not-
withstanding physical suHering ; but the all-wise
Father had better things beyond, and, December 13,
1853, the spirit left the feeble frame through which it
had bravely met life's trials for forty-two years.
The aged Christian mother survived her dear son
several mouths, but was an invalid af\er his decease.
His father died five years previous, at the age of
seventy-eight.
The wishes of Mr. Griffin in regard to the educa-
tion of his children were faithfully observed by his
widow. Each cliihl that reached the period of youth
received academical advantages to a greater or le.s.s
extent. Mary W. was graduated at the Salem, Mass.
Normal School; John W. at Dartmouth College, and
was a member of the Legislature his last college year.
Arthur (t., who was but six weeks old when left an
orphan, was educated at New London Literary Insti-
tution, Brown University and Harvard Medical Col-
lege, and is now port physician at Boston llarlior.
The (luiet, l)eautilnl town of Litchfield is still the
home of Mrs. Griffin.
HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH.
BY DAVID C. GRANT.
CHAPTER I.
Lyxdeborough is bounded on the north by Fran-
cestowu, east by New Boston and Mont Vernon,
south by Milford and Wilton, west by Temple and
Greenfield. A part of all the surrounding towns ex-
cept New Boston has been severed from Lynde-
borough. The mountain range nearly divides it
from east to west, rendering it very inconvenient for a
just central place for the accommodation of all; hence
came the divisions. The soil for the most part is
rough, but fertile beyond the most of the neighbor-
ing towns, affording the best grazing lands in the
State. Situated upon the first range of highlands as
the traveler jiasses from Massachusetts to New Hamp-
shire, about midway between the Merrimack and Con-
necticut Rivers, the view from the mountain is rarely
surpassed by any mountain view in New Hampshire,
and is of easy access from the railroad station at
Lyndeborough or Greenfield. The Pinnacle Moun-
tain is about fourteen hundred feet above the level
of the sea. In the eastern part of the town is a
remarkable gulf called Purgatory ; over the smooth
rock-bed from above, the waters of a considerable
stream rush down a rough narrow chasm with the
force of a miniature Niagara to the great l>asin below.
The first mention of Lyndeborough as a township
is found in the records of the General Court of Massa-
chusetts. It is dated June 19, 1735, and is a vote
upon a petition of Captain King and fifty-nine
others, who were in an expedition to Canada in
the year 1(590, and the descendants of such of them
as are dead, praying for a grant of land for a
township in consideration of their and their ances-
tors' sutl'erings in the said expedition. Massachusetts
at the time of the date of this petition included
within her territorial limits the i)resent State of New
Hampshire.
In accordance with the prayer of the i)etitioners,
the General Court of Massachusetts ordered a com-
mittee to be appointed to lay out a town, six miles
square, under the name of Salem-Canada, and to di-
vide it into sixty-three shares, reserving one share for
the first settled minister, one for the ministry and one
for schools. The grantees were required to set-
tle a learned orthodox minister and build and finish
a convenient meeting-house for the public worship of
498
God, and that on each of the other sixty shares the
petitioners do, within three years from the confirma-
tion of the plan, have settled one good family, who
shall have a house built on his home-lot of eighteen
feet square and seven feet studs at the least, and
finished. That each right or grant have six acres
of land brought to and plowed, or brought to Eng-
lish grass and fitted for mowing; provided, that in
case any of the lots or rights are not duly settled
in all regards, as aforesaid, then such lots, with the
rights thereof, to revert to and be at the dis-
position of the province. The committee, accord-
ing to instructions, laid out the township west of the
Narragansett town (No. 3).
How faithfully, with what energy, with what zeal
and determination the grantees entered ujiou their
part of the contract can now only be seen by the
imperfect record. The early landmarks have disap-
peared, and it is not possible to reproduce the scenes
in which they planted their habitations. To men
employed in subjugating the forest, clearing lots,
making roads and rearing log houses there was
no leisure and little disposition to make careful
records.
At a meeting held on the 3d day of Fcljruary, 1736, —
" Cho»e Daniel Epps moderator, Daniel £pp», Jr., clerk and Benjamin
I.ynde, Treasurer.
**Voted to 0^088 each Right four pounds to defray expenses of 8ur»
veying.
"Vnled to Pay Capt. .lohn SteplienB ."^H pounds 13 Rhitlings.
"Also vi}tt^il to pay Daniel Epps, Jr., ttid Ss. ; Major HUiney, £13 4«.
3(i. i Cornelius Tarbell, tl:! It. ; It.jgcr Derby, £13 .■■». ll.(. ; John Gar-
dener, £13 13s. ill/.
^*Voteti to have two more lots to each pit)prietor of 130 acres each.
^'Volf't to pay John Gardner one hundred and fifty pounds to lay out
one hundred untl twenty-six lots of 130 acres each ; also 100 acres for
a mill lot.
" Fo^ed that it lie done before the first day of June next.
"Voted that notifications of futui*e meetings to be i>06ted two in Salem,
two in Marblehead and one in Woburn.''
From the above votes it appears that they pro-
ceeded with all the dispatch tliat was possible in a
new country so far sei)arated from them. The first
division of lots was drawn February 3, 1737, at the
house of Margaret Pratt, inn-holder, in Salem, Mass.,
where all the early projirietors' meetings were held.
The second division lots were drawn .lunc 2, 1737.
On the 2!^th day of November, 1737, Cornelius Tar-
bell and Josei>h Richardson were authorized to clear
LYNDEBOROUGII.
499
a road from Narragansett (No. 3) to near the centre
of the town, for which they be paid fifty-eight
pounds. At a meeting held on the 26th day of
December, 1738, '" Voted, that ]\Ir. Jidin Cram have
twenty pounds in bills of credit and the lot Xo. 39
in the second division of lot.s if he build and keep
in repair a good and sufficient saw-mill for fifteen
years, to be finished before the last day of August
ne.vt." At the same meeting, "Voted, to give ten
pouud.s towards building a bridge over the Nashua
River." On the 7th day of March, 1739, Cornelius
Tarbell, John Fowl and Joseph Richardson were
chosen a committee to locate a spot for the meet-
ing-house and clear a road to it. On the 28th
day of May the committee reported. They voted to
build a house forty-five feet long, thirty-five feet wide
and twenty feet posts. These dimensions would
seem quite large for a new town. It appeared to be
much easier to vote to do than to do. As the com-
mittee reported at the next meeting that they could
not find any ]>erson that would undertake to build
tlie meeting-house, in 1740, June 9th, they voted to
alter the cliraensions. On the 24th day of September,
1741, the committee were ordere<l to raise the house,
and' I>icutenant Oornclius Tarbell, to furnish the
necessary articles for the raising. Among the arti-
cles furnished were twenty-one gallons of rum, two
hundred pounds of fish, two bushels of meal and
bread, twenty pounds of butter.
The separation of New Ilaniijshirc, in 1741, from
Massachusetts caused much anxiety and did much to
retard the settlements on the lands granted by Mas-
sachusetts. That the proprietors of Salcni-Canada
were not exempt is evident by their vote on the
2d day of October, 1741 : " Voted, that a humble
petition be presented to his most excellent majesty
on account of the ditricultics that may arise on
the settlement of the northern boundary of this
province; that Benjamin Lynde, Joseph Blauey
and Daniel Epps be a committee to draft the same."
Yet. with all these discouraging events, they made
some progress, and in the s])acc of five years no less
than two saw-mills had been built and many set-
tlement's made. The ])ro])riotors worked with a will
and determination known only to the fii-st settlers
of New England. The nearest grist-mill was at
Dunstable, ilass., to which the first grain that was
raised was carried on horseback or by hand-sleds in
winter. The roads were little more than foot-i>aths
marked by "si)otted " trees. For a long time there
were apprehensions of danger from Indians. Lynde-
borough seems never to have been a fixed residence
for them, but merely a hunting-ground. They lived
along the Merrimack and ("oniu'cticut Rivers, and in
times of hostility, or when hostility was feared, the first
settlers went into garrison. This continued for ten
or twelve years. They built a garrison near where
the first meeting-house was built, not far from where
E. H. Putnam now lives.
Yet 80 slow were the settlements that the pro-
prietors, at their meeting on the 20th day of May,
1741, voted, as a further encouragement to settlement
according to the conditions of the grant, that they
would give them out of the treasury ten pounds.
This will explain the delay in executing the earlier
votes, — the way was not prepared ; openings must
be made in the forest, the soil broken and crops
raised before many families could safely enter this
vast unbroken wilderness. The meeting-house, which
it had lieen voted to build in 1739, <limensions altered
in 1740, raised in 1741, remained unfinished in 1743.
At a meeting held on the 23d day of August, 1743,
" Voted, to finish the meeting-house ; chose a com-
mittee to do the same; chose Deacon Putnam, Corne-
lius Tarbell, Daniel Eps. committee ; also chose John
Cram, Jacob Putnam and John Deale to hire a min-
ister to preach ; and that there be allowed three
l)ounds jier day, old tenor, for ;is many days as
they shall have preaching for the next six months,"
— being the first provisions for preaching. This must
have been a day long anticipated by these devoted
men. We can raise no question as to the genuine-
ness of their faith and of the sincerity of their love.
A peojjle moving into the forests to clear for them-
selves homesteads in the solitudes of the wilderness
do not take upon themselves the burdens of building
meeting-houses and sustaining ministers without deep
convictions of the value of the gospel. It would
gratify our curiosity to know more exactly how these
men felt, what ojjerated to cheer and depress them,
what books they read, what tunes they sung, how
they passed their Sabbath days without the regular
service. But the records are very scanty. Their
public acts are recorded but of their own toils, their
prayers, their self-denials and their achievements
they say nothing. The strength of their devotion
may be inferred from their sacrifices to maintain
worship, and their belief of the truth from their
unfaltering jjurpose to train up their children under
the instructions of a learned orthodox ministry.
" AnionRtliis noblu-heartod bund
Ilai] goDtle vvuiimn come."
She came to cheer and refine the rude settlers. She
bravely dares the terrors of the wildern&ss to share
a home in the log cabin. She forded rivers and pene-
trated forests to come hither. She came to dwell under
the shades of the vast, savage woods. Her employ-
ments were humble, but heraims lofty, — "She looked
well to the ways of her household, anil ate not the
bread of idleness." ThVough long days and sleepless
nights she watched over her tender children ; and
when distant labor or, what was still worse, the
trumpet of war summoned her husband away from
her side, she steadily plietl her lonely task, watching
his return, or learned dreadful news of his return
no more forever. We have often rea<l of the horrors
of the wars of that period. It would be unjust to
forget that those who stayed at home often endured
500
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
far more than thtise wlio braved the ttaruiiifr lines
of battle, — more in heart-sickness, ho|)e deferred, hope
destroyed and all the nameless haunting terrors of
the deep woods, where the wild beasts and the wilder
Indians were their only neighbors for miles and miles
away.
The history of Mary McFarland, the wife of John
Badger, who died in Salem-Canada in the winter of
1740, is a good illustration of the courage, the devo-
tion, the patience and perseverance of the women of
that day. Following her lover across the ocean and
joining him here, they were married, and after a few
years moved into Salem-Canada. He died suddenly.
The night in midwinter she lelt him in her cabin with
her little children, and went on snow-shoes three or
four miles to her nearest neighbors, the return, the
rude coffin, the burial of that dear one — who can de-
scribe the impulses of that devoted heart? Our
limits will not admit of further remarks. There does
not api)ear from the records that there wils much to
disturb the prosperity of the town until 1749, when
the heirs of Mason, by their agent, Joseph Blanchard,
Esq., to form a town called No. 2 (afterwards named
Wilton), took away nearly one-fourth of the laud and
annexed another piece on the north equal thereto. By
this niovement it changed the centre, and the first
meeting-house was never finished. On December .5
1753, the township was granted to Benjamin Lynde
and thirty others, as it was after the Wilton lauds
had been taken away, and named Lyndeborough.
The town was incorporated April 23, 1764. In 1791
the northwest part of the town was set off to form a
part of Greenfield, and all that was added in the
north in 1753, to Francestown. In June, 1796, the
town lost another piece, which was annexed to
Temple. In 1853 the town was divided and annexed
to Mont Vernon, and again, in 1873, a small piece
annexed to Milford; and we now stand like a plucked
goose, i)icked of our most valuable part, yet alive and
not discouraged, performing our part in the great
family of towns, and supporting two churches and ten
district schools.
From 1753 to 1768 the vexed question of the right
place for the meeting-house (as in many other towns i
was the most difiicult one to be settled. After many
attempts had been made, the town could not agree.
But at a special meeting, held on the loth day of
April, 1768, John Gofl', of Bedford, Samuel Barr, of
Londonderry, and John Hale, of Hollis, were chosen
a committee to locate the meeting-house. The com-
mittee reported on the 27th of April, 1768, that the
most suitable spot was near where our present town-
house now stands. Here ended a difficulty that had
existed about fifteen years. From the records but
little can be learned of great interest to the present
generation. The building of the church, the settling
of the minister. Rev. Scwell (toodridge, the o])ening
of roads, improving their lands, building school-
houses and the education of their children appears to
have been sufficient employment until 1774. Octobtr
17th a warrant was issued by the selectmen for a
meeting on the 31st in.stiint, to choose delegates to
meet with delegates of other towns in this county, to
consider the best method for the county to come into
(m accountof the difficulties the country labored under.
" Chose David Badger and Joseph Herrick delegatc^."
" Voted to purchase 1 barrel of powder, 100 lbs. of lead,
5 dozen flints; chose Ephraim Putnam committee
to purchase the same." January 20th, " Chose Dr. Ben-
jamin Jones delegate to meet with other delegates at
Exeter." On the 3d day of May, 1775, " Voted to
raise ten minute-men to be ready at a minute's warn-
ing to meet their enemies." " Voted, the selectmen to
take care of their farms if suddenly called away."
" Voted, to purchase 40 hhd. of salt, 5 hhd. molasses,
1 of rum for the use of the town." We have been
unable to find a list of the names of the men that
were enlisted. By the census taken on the 19th
day of December, 1775, there were twenty-seven men
in the army. Our population was seven hundred and
thirteen at that time. A special meeting was warned
after services on Sunday, the 27th of October, 1775, to
convene the next day, at which it was " Voted to pur-
chase a barrel of powder." On the 6th day of May,
1777, " Voted to pay a bounty of 100 dollars to each
of 16 men called for at that time. Also voted to give
20 shillings per month to every man that had served
in the army to that time." On the 9th day of Feb-
ruary, 1778, the articles of confederation and per-
petual union were read and unanimously passed.
On the 27th of September, 1779, a committee was
chosen to set a value upon the necessaries of life and
the various products of the farm. " Voted, the Rev.
Sewell Goodridge, his salary, 66 pounds, 13 shillings,
and 4 pence in Corn, Rye, Wool, Flax, Beef, Pork
or Labor, at prices such articles sold for before the
war, in 1774." March 14, 17S0, " Voted to allow
Nehemiah Rand, on Account, as Delegate to Exeter
and Concord to form a plan of government, 22 bushels,
3 pecks, of Indian Corn, or money enough to buy that
amount." On the 10th day of July, 1781, " Voted to
receive no more Continental money af't«r the 12th
instant." In 1784 three hundrctl and fifty Continental
dollars were burned up by the ccmimittee chosen to
settle with the treasurer.
At a special meeting, held on the 19th day of
August, 1782, " Voted to have stocks built for the
correction of disorderly persons." " Voted, the select-
men be a committee to build the stocks." Whether
this old Roman engine of punishment was ever built,
or used if built, the historian has left us no record;
but if any one was so punished, he would undoubtedly
think of St. Paul eighteen hundred years ago and of
the unjustness of his punishment. From the above rec-
ords we can form a very gond history of the early
settlers of Lyndeborough, maintaining the same fixed
purposes, uncomplaining, enduring all the toils and
hardships incident to the early settlements. And
LYNDEBOROUGH.
501
what has the harvest been ? The children and chil-
dren's children are scattered far and wide, and can be
found in almost every State and Territory tbroujrhnut
this broad land, aiding and upholding our free insti-
tutions, estal)lishing churclics, schools and Sunday-
schools.
The last town-meeting held in Lyndeborough that was
called in "His Majcstye's name" was called March
14. 177-". (Reciirded in vol. ii. p. 3, town records.)
Representatives. — The following is a list of the
men who have been representatives from Lynde-
borough ' :
David Bmlger ; Joseph Herrick ; Dr. Itciijaiiuu Jones, 4 ; Nelieinitih
Rand, 4 ; Fnincis Eppe, 2 ; in 1777, c1nM(>d with Wilton, choeo Mi\jor
Abial .\libolt, 1 ; ttlno in 1T7C, Nathaniel Bnlcheldor, 1 ; Peter Clark, 4 ;
Levi .SliHldinR : Kphruini Pntintin, 2 ; Jot^epli Eppts 1 ; Jacob DuMromb,
2; Danii'i Putnian, 12; Nolieniiuh Boutwell, 3; Colonel Timothy Put-
man, 1 ; Joeopli JonL'0, :i ; Saiutiel Hartshorn, 2 ; Israel Putman, 3 ;
Samuel T. Manehan, 2 ; Bciuamin Jones, 2 ; Daniel N. Bonlniaii, 2 ;
Asa Mannin>;, 2 : Peter Craui, 2 ; Jest^e Clement, 1 ; Peacou David Put-
man, 1; Juthaiii Hildretli, Jr., 3; Sherebiali MaTining, 1: Klwnezer
Bussell, I ; William II. Grant, 2 ; Charles Parker, 1 ; Israel Herrick, 3 ;
John Itirlianlson, 2 ; Jonathan Stephenson, 2 ; John C. Goodridge, 2 ;
Timothy T. Putman, 2; Luther Cram, 2 ; George .\. Putman; Dr. Wil-
liam A. Jones ; Eli C. Curtis, 2 ; William W. Burton, 2 ; Franklin Sen.
ter, 2 : John H. Goodridge ; Charles Tarbell, 1 ; Daniel B. Whittomore,
1 ; Gaylord Smith.
Justices of the Peace. — No complete list of names
can now be furnished; but, almost without exception,
every representative of the town was commissioned jus-
ticeof the peace, and iniiteoften many others. Among
the names foun<l not written above are Andrew Fuller,
David Stiles, David C.Grant, .Joel H. Tarbell, Charles
F. Tarbell and Joseph \. .lohnson.
Jonathan Cram died January 23, 179f(, aged eighty-
two yc:ir<.
Selectmen. — The following is a list of those who
have held the office of selectman during the one
hundred and twenty-one years of its incorporated e.\-
iatence :
Jitinthari rram, ItiMiJamiu Cram, William Carson, John .Stephenson
Edward Itevens, Daviil Badger, John Ilutchenwtn, Jacob Welman, Le%i
Spoldlng, James Bout well, Osgood Carlton, Kplmiim I'ntnian, .\(laiu John-
eon, .\ndri-w Fuller. Win. Bjirron, .John fjnulrl, .b,Iui Ordway, Levi Spald-
ing, Kranris Kpji*, J^wiah WVxslbury, Nathan Parsons, Joseph Herrick,
Nathaniel Phel|«, Peter Clark, Jeremiah Carlt*>n, Daniel Gould. Nathaniel
Batcheldnr, Dr. Ikjnj. .lones, Jacobt'ram, Jonas Kidder, Jonathan Butler,
Joscpii Itatcheldor, .\bial Wilwm, Samuel llueston, Wm. Duttou, Aaron
Lewis, Jacob Dasconib. John Woodward, Uriah Cniin, Rliphlet Badger,
Wnllum llark, Daniel Putman, Oliver Whiting, Kdiiiund Perkins, Caleb
Rustuii, Nathan Wheeler, Benjamin Goodridge, .lothalii llildrelh, Gideon
Cram, -lodeph Junes, WlUiarn Junes, Jacob Fliiin, .1. II. Goislridge, Asiv
Manning, Joshua Atwood, Oliver Bixby. Oliver Whiting, Henry Cram,
Daniel N. Bordlnali, James L. Clark, Kbone/er Rusaell, David Putman,
James I 'mm, Samuel T. Maiiehati, Isrnid Herrick, Jacob Butler, Bonia-
min .lunes, David Stiles, Saiiiiiel Jones, Kls'ne/er Fisk, Peter Cram,
Dexter Burton, .\nios Pratt, Jonathan Stephenson, Junathan Hlldreth,
Jr., David K. Holt, Ezra Dane, Luther Cram, Daniel WoudwartI, Jr.,
Shendiiuli Manning, Howard S. Blood, Joseph Chaiiiberlaiii, Jr., Iturus
Chamts.rlaiii, David C. (jralit, Eli C. Curtis, .lobil Hartshorn, John
F. Hull. C. Henry Holt, William \V. Hi.ward, F..|wanl P. .Spal.liiig, Joel
H. Tarbell, Nathaniel T. Mcliiliri', Charles Tarbell, Harvey Perhum,
John H. Gisslridge, Clmries II. Holt, Geciige K. Spalding, John llirli.
ardsoii, E.J.Parker, D. K. Proctor, .\lidy Holt, Jonathan Dali-
forth, Wilks H. Uiulley, George Hose, Adonlroin Itunell, John SI.
Emory, Kroin D. Wilder, Lovl P. Hadloy, Jason Holt, Albert Crom,
1 The flguros ropmwnt the number uf years servisl by each.
Daniel B. Whittemore, Charles H. Senter, Evret E. Low, CliHrles L.
Perhani, David (j. Dickey.
Military. — Lyndeborough is noted for its military
spirit, having supported two organized companies for
many years. The Light Infantry was for some years
considered the best-drilled company in the old
Twenty-second Regiment. The Lafayette Artillery
is noted as the oldest military organization in the
State, being organized in 1804 under the name of the
Artillery ; being assigned to the Twenty-second Regi-
ment of the New Hampshire Militia, with head-
quarters at Peterborough. The roster of officers that
year was, — James Wilson, captain ; Nathaniel Mori-
son, lieutenant ; Jtmathan Mitchell, ensign. In 1833
their headquarters was moved to South Lynde-
borough. In 1841 it was incorporated under the
name of the Lafayette Artillery. In 1864 it was
mustered into the .service of the United States, and
did garrison duty at Portsmouth, N. H. The roster
of officers that year was, — Joel H. Tarbell, captain ;
Eli C. Curtis, first lieutenant; Charles H. Holt,
second lieutenant ; John Gage, orderly. The roll
contains at date (1885), the names of twenty-eight
commanding officers and six hundred and thirty-nine
enlisted men.
Revolutionary Records. — I find in the doingsof the
selectmen (page 30), 1780, the following copies of re-
ceipts, worded its follows :
" .\ memorandum of the receipts received of those men that inlisted in
the Ck)ntinontal army for what money anil notes of hand they re-
ceived of the selectmen.
"May y«9th, 1777. — William Lee, Lieutenant, receiveda noteof hand
for one hundred and Twenty Pounds £ Money, for procuring ond pay-
ing for men.
".\pril 11, 1777. — lohn Smith received a note of hand for Si.\ty pounds
£ money, for his two Sons doing three years' service.
" April 11, 1777.— James Campbell received one hundred dollars for
doing three years' service.
".\pril 11, 1777.— Nathaniel Ilatchelder received a note of hand for
thirty pounds £ money, for doing three years' service in the army.
" May 8, 1777. —Timothy Mclntire received a note if hand for thirty
pounds C money, as a bounty for his servii-e three years in the army.
*' April 2«, 1777. — John Rowe received a note of hand ftu- one hundred
dollars for his service three years in tlie army.
"July 22, 1779.— Israel Hutchinson, John Durpt, Isaac Carkln, Wil-
liam Biirnhain received iu cosh and notes of hand the sum of sixty
Pound each, as a bounty for doing one years' service in the army.
"March 2, 1778.— Josiah Munroe, Lieutenant, receiveda Note of hand
for thirty iKiunds £ Jlouey, for procuring and luying a man for doing of
throe yean*' service.
A town-meeting held Oitober 28, 177il. was worded
as follows :
"As the Town exjMjcted an iilanii suou, this iie-eting wiir. Warrie.i alter
the services on Sunday."
At the above meetingthe following vote was passed :
**2d, I'otwf, to Purchoae one Bid. of Powder for a town Stock."
At a meeting held November, 177G, warned the
same way, the ftdlowing vote was passed:
" V'fleiiy to iiiipower James Bontwell to lake care of the town Stock of
Powder, Istlls and tliuts, and procure a Io<-k and hingee fortho door iu
the meeting-house loft."
Ai>ril 8, 1777, " Voted to give each man that is to be
raised to make up the sixteen men that are now called
502
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
for, one hundred dollars, and that they shall have the
interest of the money until ]>aid.'*
"Tbe cunimttteo clioeen on tlie firet <Iay of Decoinber, 1777, in accord-
ance of a vote of the town to allow each man who had served in the war
front the commeucemeDt to the present time, twenty shillings per month,
Reported on the. 25th inst. a reward of £7.'>7 IZs, lid.
"NATlt.VNIlL BaTCHELDEH,
"RbI'BKN 8PAI.IUS0,
"Dav[i> Badi;ce, ^ CommUlee."
"JosKi'ii IIerrick,
"Benjamin Jones,
The following are the names of those men that went
and returned with Lieutenant Barron on the alarm
April 20, 1775;
Samuel Barron, John Reynolds, John Savage, Samuel Stephens, Peter
Rtissell, Philip Fletcher, Nathaniel Burnham, Joseph Herrick, Andrew
Johnson, Daniot Gould, Ebenezcr Gardner, John Tliompson, Andrew
Tbomi»son, Reuben Batcheldor, Amo8 Whittemore, John Carkin, Na-
thaniel P)iol]>s, Lieutenant Spalding.
The following are the names of those that engaged
in the service for the year 1775, at Winter Hill, their
time being eight months :
CaptaiTi Spalding, Lit-utenant Thomas Boftee, Knslgn William Lee,
Joseph Klenwoud, Jesso Lynd, Xehemiah Ilutchinsun, Samuel M»>Li»-
ter, Nathaniel Batchelder, Jacob Dutton, Ezra Dutt^m, Edward Beviiigs,
Jr., Jnhn Smith, Jacob Webnan, Elisha Wilkins, Daniel Cram, Juhii
Hutchiuiwn, David Putnian, Benjuuiin Beviug^j, Phiueas Barker.
The following are the names of those that went from
Winter Hill to Y'ork in 1776 :
Adam Johnson, John Johnson, Thomas Pringle, Edward Bevens, Jr.
Tlie names of those who went from AVinter Hill to
Canada and to Trenton in 1776, were:
Oiptain Spalding, Thomas RffTee, "William Lee, Jacob Dutton, S:imuul
Stiles, Nehemiab Hutchinson, John Wo.)dbury, James Campbell.
The names of those w!io wjiit, in 1776, to Ticonder-
<>ga, were ;
Captain Barron, John Stephenson, John Kidder, John Reynolds, Aaron
Lewis, Nathan Parsons, Deacon Putman, Daniel Pntman, David Badger,
Robert Badger, George fiouM, Daniel Gould, Reuben Batcbelder, Joseph
Batchetder, Peter Russell, JumIuui Hadloy, William Carson, John Savage,
E*!. Fuller, Lieutenant Kiddur, John Ordway, Isaac Day, Lieutt^-nant
Huest >n, Amos Whittemore, Sim jon Fletcher, Captain Cram, Asa Stiles,
Epbraim Putman, Jr., John Boffee, Samuel Stephens, Jonathan Chamber-
lain, Ensign Phelps, Jeremiah Carlton.
Those that enlisted September 26, 1776, and went to
New York, were:
Nathaniel Woodbury, Josiah Woodbury, Ebenezt>r Gardner, B'.;njainin
Senter, Hezekiab Duuoklee, Asa Dutton, Ithamer Woodward, Amos
Wniittemore, Ezra Dutton, Joseph Wilkins, Jr., Jesdc I'utinan,sunt Nich-
olas Beaaom.
Th(»se that went to Fishkill, N. Y., in the year
1777, were :
Samuel Chamberlain, Richard Battiu, Andrew Creasey, Daniel Cram,
Aaron I'utnian.
Those who went to Ticonderoga, July I, 1777,
were:
Samuel Ilueaton, Aaron Lewis, Jeremiah Carlton, Jonathan Chamber-
lain, . Jonathan Chamberlain, Jr., John Bea^Mui, William Holt, Aaron
Pntman, Timothy Parsons, Nathaniel Hntcheuson, Edward Bevens, John
Hutchenson, Daniel Cram, John Curkin, Thomas Parsons, Joseph Abbott,
Simeon Fletcher, Joseph Batcln-ldor, Reuben Spalding, John BolToe.
Those who went to Bennington, July 21, 1777,
were :
Peter Clark, Stephen Burnbaui, Nathaniel Burnham, lirt-ngawn Os-
good, Daniel Herrick, George Parsons, John Mead, Aaron Whittemore,
John Hutchenson, Amos Wilkins, John Stiles, Waller Roes, Benja-
min Cram, Jr., Benjamin Dutton, WillJain Hull, David Stratton, Reuben
Spalding, Jacob Cram, Edwin Bickft>rd, David Cram.
The above men went or furnished substitutes.
Sixteen men also were at Saratoga, (having enlisted)
September 29th ; were also at the surrender of Bur-
goyne, October 16th ; and were in the service twenty-
six days.
Sixteen men were in the service on August 6, 1778,
in Rhode Island.
The records also furnish the names of many that
did some service during the war; but the above gives
the names of those who rendered the most of the ser-
vice during the great struggle.
War of the Rebellion. — The following is a list of
the v(tlunloer.-i belonginir to Lyndeborough, who were
mustered into the United States service during the
War of the Rebellion :
FIRST REGIMENT (Three Months).
Asher Curtis (2d), Aldcn B. Bennett, William Ordway, Hiram F. Cur-
tis*, William Langdell, Hiram M. Tarbell, William R. Duncktee, Har\ey
51. Newton, Ulartin Hale.
SECOND REGIMENT (Three Year*).
Harvey Holt, Jr., killed at the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861.
(^iirporal John A. Hartshorn, killed at the battle of Williamsburg, May
5, 18G2.
Jiimes M. Wt'llman, discharged January, 18G3.
FOl'RTH REiilMENT (Three Years).
Edwanl K. Marsh, discharged February, 18r.2.
Martin Hale.
FIFTH REGIMENT (Three Years).
Fred. S. Manning, died at Richmond, Va., January, ISC'l.
JohnS. Stephenson.
SEVENTH REGIMENT (Three Years).
Hale Gage.
EKillTH REGIMENT (Thix-e Years).
Corporal Joseph Btanchard, Jothani P. Dniper, Samuel A. Conant,
George E. Follensbee (diud at Ship Island, summer of 1802), Samuel A.
Conant, Sergeant Azro D. Cram, Lewis W. Smith, Elnathan Hodgman,
John Benton Dolliver, Andi-ew J. Marshall, Hiram M. Tarbell, William
Ordway, (discharged), Sergeant George K. Winn, Nathan A. Fish (dJa-
charged), Edward Ross, Benjamin S. Woods.
NINTH RKiilMENT (Three Years).
AVilliam Joalinand Edward K. 3Iareli.
ELEVENTH REGIMENT.
Howard B. Ames.
THIUTEKNTH KEGIMENT (Three Years).
Lieutenant Nathan B. Boutwell. Corporal Bei^jamin J. Boutwell, Darid
E. Proctor,! Corporal George T. Woodward,' Henry £. Spalding, William
T. Boutwell.
SIXTEENTH REGIMENT (Nine Months).
Captain George W. Bof*worth, S«'rg«(ant George T. Jones, Sergeant Anda
Holt, Coi'poml Eben J. Palmer, William P. Stodf, .John C. Carkin, John
H. Karr, Nathan S. Harris, Wilham H. Ordway, Benjamin J. Clark,
Abraham Boutw«dl, Michael KonI, Charles K. Bacon, George B. Ray-
mond, John ('. Ordway, Joseph .Ma»')n, William Blanchard, James Bout>
well, John .\. Franklin, Richard Batten, John R. Butler.
Surgeon Alfred F. Hult, First Texoa Cavalry.
Imiah B. Curtis, Illinois Cavalry.
George F. .Tobnson, Illinois Cavalry.
William Langdell, Fourteenth Regiment United States army.
1 David E, Proctor and George T. Woodward were captains of colored
com^Kinics during the latter part of the war, and were discharged with
rank of cuhuiel.
LYNDEBOROUGH.
503
Jonatlufcii H. Stvplii-nEioi), F'uiirtL-enth Kof;iment I'liitt'd States army,
Gorham B. Clark, Fifth lU'KiineiJt .MiLssiu-husette Volunteore.
OtiB Harwood, Secuud Ke^nioDt Hhudo Island Voliioteera.
Whole amount of bounties paid volunteers from
Lyiideboroufrli, tliroe thousand dollars.
Harvey Holt Post, No. 15, G. A. R., was organized
SeptciiilKT -2-2, 1808, hy C. Henry Holt, \V. P. Steele,
W. W. Woods, J. Hhinchard, C. F. Tarbell, A. Holt,
F. A. Nourse, (i. T. Jones, J. C. Carkin, J. H. Good-
rich, M. C. Fuller, W. N. Cheever, E. A. Cram, as
charter members.
The first oflieers of the post were, — Post Com-
mander, C. H. Holt; Senior Viee-Comniander, A.
Holt; Junior Vice-Commander, G. T.Jones; Ad-
jutant, C. F. Tarbell ; Quartermaster, F. A. Nourse ;
Sergeant-Major, J. Blanehard ; (Juartermaster-Ser-
geant, J. H. Goodrich.
The membersliip was soon increased to thirty.
It wiis voted to name the post after Harvey Holt,
the first soldier who was killeil Ironi this town and
State, who fell at the first battle of Bull Run ; he was in
the Second Regiment and ou the skirmish line. D. G.
Dickey, of this town, was beside him when he fell,
Holt was killed by a piece of shell which burst near
him.
In 1871 the post voted to approi)riate all thesuqilus
funds in their treasury, which were one humlred and
thirty dollars forasoldiers' monument, and placed them
at interest until they could obtain enough to purchase
one. In 1879 the town voted two hundred and fifty
dollars to assist the post in the purciiase of a monu-
ment, which was erected that year in the Soutli
Cemetery, witli all the names of soldiers from this town
who were killed or died of disease and not brought
home.
INSCRIPTION.
Lynduboroiigh. "Thuy diud tliat our Union might tive,"
I'OBt Horvoy Holt, No. lii, 0. A. 11.
East Kacf.
1. Harrcy Uolt, Co. I, 2d Itogt. .N. 11. V. KiUuil at 1st BaUlo of Dull
Run, Jiily'.!l, 1KU1.
2. Gsorgo R. Follansboo, Co. U, 8th Itcgt., N. II. V. Died of dl8oa«o ut
Ship laland, Misa., May 1, 1H(i2.
3. Con>- John A. Hartaliorn, Co. li, 1.M ]U«t., N. II. V. Killed at
Willialiisburgh, Vit., >Iuy I>, 18C2.
4. Walter ChamWrlain, Co. C, liilli R.^gt., N. II. V. Died of disousc at
New orliiins, Lii., May 7, I8C.:t.
Xoktu Kack.
8. Frederick .S. Manning, Co. I, fitb Uugt., N. H. V. Killuil at Gcttys-
burgh, I'a., Julys, 180.1.
6. Nathan S. llnrris, <'o. (i, Ifith Rcgt, N, II. V. Drowned nvar nmulh
of W hito Rivor, .\rk., Aug. (!, I8G3.
7. John II. Kurr, Co. O, llltli Regl., N. II. V. Died of discuao at Vicka-
burg, Miw.. Aug. ID, 18KI.
8. Corp. Austin Dloml, Tr^mp C, lat N. II. V. Cavalry. Died of wounds at
WinchpBlcr, Va., Dec. 1(1, 18f.4.
i| 0. Einulliiin Ilodgman, Co. K, 8th Ri'gt., N. II. V. Died of diseoae at
Duton Rouge, La., Jan. 0, ISGS.
WiMT FAfi;.
M. Mward P. RoB^ Co. I), »lh Rvgt., N. II. V. Killid at I'ort Iludsun,
La., Jan. 14, 18ra.
11. Jotlmni P. Draper, Co. E, 8th llegt., N. II. V. Di«l of di»cn«e at
Hilton Itougc', Lb., May l(i, 180,1,
12. Jolin R. Butlor, Co. G, ICth Regt., N. II. V. Died of diseasK; ut New
Orleuiw, La., June '.i8, 18(j;i.
13. Corp. Ebon J. Palmer, Co. G, 10th Regt., N. It. V. Died at Baton
Rouge, La., June 30, 186.!.
14. Sergt, William Langdell.Co. A, Hth V. S. Infantry. Died in Ander-
sonville prison, Ga., Sept. 2.'t, 1864.
Every year since organized the post has placed ever-
green crosses at the graves of all soldiers buried in
this town; there are 18 soldiers of 1861, 12 of 1812,
and 17 of 1776, which makes 47, and 14 on the monu-
ment, — total, 61.
Number of soldiers living in town at this time that
have been in United States service, 49.
Pinnacle Grange was organized December 26,
1873, with a charter membership of seventeen. An
interest in the order of Patrons of Husbandry had
been developed among the citizens, and at a meeting
held December 9tli of that year, Ebon Thoraii.son, a
deputy of the National Grange, explained the objects
of the order, and the benefits to be derived from a co-
operative association among the farmers. C. C, Shaw,
of Granite Grange, Milford, was its first installing
officer, and was much interested in perfecting its oi'-
ganization. The growth of the Grange for a number
of years was slow ; some prejudice and much doubt
as to the advantage of membership was encountered.
Andy Holt was the first Master, holding the office
until 1875, and again in 1877. David C. Grant wielded
the gavel the next year, being installed in the oftice of
Master by C. C. Shaw. January, 1876, Martin Whit-
ney was elected Master, and also in 1878. From 1879
until January, 1888, Benjamin tJ. Herrick was its pre-
siding officer. During this latter period Grange in-
terests all over the country were in a depressed condi-
tion, and Pinnacle Grange was no exception. Much
credit is due Mr, Herrick for his abiding faith in the
aims of the order, and his sturdy courage and faithful
attendance during those five years when it seemed as
if the Grange must go down. In 1888, Jacob A.
Woodward was chosen Master, holding the office until
188.'). About this time a change was made in (irange
methods. The social and educational features of the
order were brought into prominence, and the business
or financial part eliminated. The result was a rapid
increase in membership, and new life and energy in-
fused into the organization. Its meetings were held
at the town hall and Armory Hall alternately during
the first years of its existence, but the meetings at the
latter place were finally given up. Pinnacle (irange
is well represented in the county organization of the
order. Aiming to promote better methods in the
management of the farm, to encourage the adorning
and refining of the home, taking a warm interest in
the welfare and education of the young, cultivating
the social relations of a community isolated, in a
measure, upon scattered farms, Pinnacle Grange is a
potent factor for good in the town of lAiideboroiigh.
FAi C. Curtis is the present Master, being elected to
the office in 1885. It is in a very flourishing condi-
tion financially, and numbers among its members some
504
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. NEW HAMPSHIRE.
of the best-known and enterprising farmers and
farmers' wives in town. There is a hirge element of
young people connected with this grange, and their
presence and interest give abundant assurance that
when the older Patrons shall have passed away, the
order will still jirosper in Lyndeborough. Its regular
meetings are held on the Tuesday on or before the full
of the moon ; special meetings every two weeks.
James H. Karr has been its trusted treasurer since its
organization, and John H. Goodrich its efficient
secretary since 1878. Its present membership is over
one hundred, having doubled since 1883.
Ai-FltED F. Holt was born in Lyndeborough,
N. H., December 1(5, 1838, and lived here until nine-
teen years of age, working on his father's and the
neighboring farms during the busy parts of the year.
He attended the district school until fifteen, and
after a few terms at the academy of Mont Vernon.
When about nineteen years old he commenced the
study of medicine, spending the first year with Dr.
W. A. Jones, the physician of the town, the next two
years with Dr. Woodbury, of East Boston, attending
courses of medical lectures at Harvard University
in the winters of 1858 and 1859, and 1860. In the
spring of 1860 he attended a course of medical lectures
at the University of Vermont, where he graduated as
a Doctor of Medicine in June of that year.
In August, 1860, he commenced the practice of
medicine in Cambridge, Mass.
On the evening of the 16th of April, 1861, he joined
a company of volunteers, and early on the morning of
the 17th started for the South. This company was
the first one raised in the United States for the War
of the Rebellion. It was attached to the Third Reg-
iment Ma.ssachusetts Volunteer Militia as Company
C, and sailed for Fortress Monroe the evening of
April 17, 1861.
During the voyage Dr. Holt was made hospital
steward of the regiment, which position he held
during the three months of service.
This regiment assisted in the destruction and burn-
ing of the great navy-yard near Norfolk, Va., April 22,
1861, the second great event of the war ; its service
after this was at Fortress Monroe and Hampton, Va.
Returning from the tliree months' service in August,
Dr. Holt at once sought a position in the medical corps
of the army.
In November he went to Camp Chase, Lowell,
where General Butler was organizing his force for
service in the extreme Soutli, and a few weeks after
wa.s made a.ssistaiit surgeon of the Thirtieth Regi-
ment Massachusett-s Volunteers.
January 2, 1862, this regiment embarked on the
steamer ".Constitution," and a few days after sailed for
Shiji Island. During the bombardment of Forts
Jackson and St. Philip this regiment wsls on ship-
board a few miles below, and after the surrender of
the forts it was one of the first to enter New Orleans.
For the next few months Dr. Holt was in active
.service with his regiment, first in front of Vicksburg,
Miss., digging the cut-off, and later at Baton Rouge
and Carrol Iton.
At the battle of Baton Rouge Dr. Holt was especi-
ally mentioned in general orders for humanity and
bravery in giving aid to the wounded as they fell.
In December, 1862, he was promoted to surgeon of
the First Texas Cavalry, a regiment made up largely
of Union men that had been obliged to leave their
homes on account of their Union sentiments.
In December, 1863, he left the medical department,
and was made the senior major of the regiment.
A few months after, he was promoted lieutenant,
colonel of the same regiment, which position he re-
tained until his final muster-out, in October, 1865, at
.San Antonio, Texas, commanding his regiment almost
continuously from the time he was made field officer.
During this service he took part in nearly all the
campaigns, battles and skirmishes that occurred in
the Department of the Gulf. Returning to Cambridge
early in the year 1866, he again commenced the prac-
tice of medicine, and has remained in that city since.
He is now a member of the Cambridge Medical Im-
provement Society, the Massachusetts Jledical Soci-
ety, the American Medical Association and the Amer-
ican Association for the Advancement of Science.
In June, 1879, Dr. Holt was appointed one of the
medical examiners for Massachusetts, and in Janu-
ary, 1884, he was appointed surgeon-general of Mas-
sachusetts, with rank of brigadier-general, a position
he now hold.s.
He is also the health officer of Cambridge, a posi-
tion he has held for the last five years.
Enoch Lynde, grandfather of Benjamin Lynde,
was a merchant in Loudon. Simon Lynde, fatlier of
Benjamin, was born at London in 1624 ; was appren-
ticed to a merchant when a boy ; first went to Hol-
land, but afterwards lemoved to Boston in 1650, where
he was much resj>ected as a merchant and a magis-
trate for the remainder of his life. He died at Bos-
ton in November, 1687.
Benjamin Lynde wjis born in Boston September 22,
1666. He was prejtared for college under the tuition
of " Master Cheever," a famous teacher of those
days, and graduated at Harvard in the class of 1686.
In 1692 he went to England to complete his educa-
tion as a lawyer, and became student at the Middle
Temple, where he remained until he was admitted as
a barrister. Receiving from the Lords of Admiralty a
commission as advocate-general of the Court of
Admiralty for the i)rovinccs of Massachusetts, Con-
necticut and Rhode Island, he returned to Boston in
1697.
He removed to Salem in 1699, where he resided
the remainder of his life. About this time he married
the daughter of William Brown, of Salem, one of the
wealthiest and most influenlial men in the jirovince.
Brown had been a judge of the Court of Common
Pleas and a member of the Council. His son
LYNDEBOROUGH.
505
~ liiiuel was afterwards chief justice of the same
iirt, and William Brown, judge of the Superior
' iirt at the time of the Revolution, was his grand-
i-<in.
In 1703, Judge Lynde entered public life, and ever
afterwards continued to take a leading part in public
affairs. He represented the town of Salem several
years in the General Court, after which he was elected
to the Council, of which body he was a leading mem-
ber for nearly a quarter of a century. He was ap-
pointed to the bench of tlio Superior Court of ^fassa-
chusetts in July, 1712, when .Judge Sewall, who tried
the witches, alluding to his appointment, remarked,
'' That he hoped they would hereafter have the bene-
fit of Inns of Court education superadde<l to that of
Harvard College."
There had been twelve judges appointed to this
court iirevious to Judge Lynde, not one of whom had
either studied or practiced law. He was, therefore,
the first lawyer elevated to the bench in Massa-
chusetts, and probably in New England.
In 1720, Chief .fustice Sewall resigned, and Judge
Lynde was appointed his successor, and tilled the
office until the time of his death, which occurred
January 28, 174'>. The lionton Eveninij Fos^, noticing
his death, briefly closes the record of his life as fol-
lows :
"Inflexible Justice, unshattered int^-grily, affability and humanity
weiv ever coniipicnous w ith him. He waa a sincere friend, most afTcc-
tionate to liis relations, and the delight of all who were honoivd with
hi'' friendwhip and ao<]uaintancc."
Lyndeborough : Its Past and Present— Dr. Her-
rick's Poem. — la the Canada e.\pcditioii ol' IGDO were
a large number of Massachusetts men, mostly from
Salem, that State. To fifty-nine of these Salem men
an<l Captain Samuel King, Massachusetts, for tlieir
gervici-s, granted a tract of land, which they called
" Salem-Canada," the first name being in honor of
the town from whence they came, the second in re-
membrance of the expedition in which they joined.
The grant of Salem-Canada was six miles square.
Had it been kept without mutilation, it would have
been one of the l>est townships in the county for farm-
ing purposes. Its south line came as far south as the
meeting-house in East Wilton, and thence west, by
the needle, until it struck "province land," or, as it
was afterwards called, " Peterborough Slip," southeast
of the County Earm. It appears from the record-
book of the Salem-Canada jjroprietors that, about
the yciir 17')0, Joseph Hlaiicliard, Esq., of Salem,
Mass., was appointed agent for the heirs claimants of
Tufton Mason. It al.so appears that there was a mis-
understanding between him and the Salem-Canada
proprietors, which wils brought to a settlement in the
following iiianiur: The Miisonian claimants of No. 2,
(now Wilton) were to take a strip from Salem-Caiijida
four liunclred and ninety-eight rods wide and live
miles long, and the said Salem-Canada was to receive
■of " province lands," on the north, equivalent to make
up twenty-eight thousand acres, which was the orig-
inal Salem-Canada grant.
"The etlect of this," writes Dr. Herrick, in 1858,
"was a lingering curse for Lyndeborough." It car-
ried the centre almost two miles farther north than it
was located, near what is now South Lyndeborough.
It shoved the north line the same distance farther
north, which brought the mountain almost in the
centre and opened the way for a series of depredations
on our territory troin that day to this."
Eighteen years after the grant, Benjamin Lynde,
Esii., purchased the grant and considerable of the ad-
joining territory, and gave it the name Lyndeborough,
which it has carried just one hundred and twenty-five
years.
The first settlers in what is now Lyndeborough were
Cram, Putnam and Chamberlain, descendants of whom
now reside in town. But the first settler in Salem-
Canada (now Wilton) was John Badger. He pitched
his camp in the spring of 1738, and died the next
winter. His nearest neighbors were those by the
name of Cram. It was to them that the wife of
Badger took her lonely way, in the night-time, on
snow-shoes, the distance of over two miles, with no
guide but marked trees, to get help to bury her hus-
band, leaving her little children in bed with the in-
junction that they must keep quiet while she was
gone, so as not to wake their father. The fact that
he was dead she wisely kept from them.
One hundred and twenty-one years ago, on the 23d
of April, the town was incorporated. The town is di-
vided by mountain and hills from east to west, and has
no large streams; the soil is deep and strong, the pas-
turage excellent and the farms well adapted to fruit.
It is sixty miles frotn Boston, on the line of the Boston,
Lowell and (ireenfield Railroad, being first greeted liy
the regular locomotive's shriek on the morning of
January 1, 1874. The advent of the locomotive was
heralded by the ringing of bells and cheers of the
citizens. Previous to the railroad the south village
was connected with Wilton by a daily stage line.
A small Baptist society was organized about 1820;
meetings had previously been held in a school-house.
The first clergyman of this society was Rev. Joseph
Elliott. Seven members constituted the first organi-
zation. Deacon David Putnam, Moses Pearsons and
Benjamin Holt were the first male members; thev
were strictly devoted to their cause ancl creed. Eol-
lowing them were Micab Ilartsliorn, Thomas Kiddir,
Joseph (Miamberlain, ICIijah Upton, Albert Ilartly,
Deacon John Hartshorn and others, all of whom have
passed away. The present church building was soon
erected and i)artially finished. Services were held for
years with no pews; but, by the energy of the church,
from time to time pews were put in. Public donations
provided the organ, cupola, etc. By private contribu-
tions Luther Cram provided lumber for the belfry,
J. H. Tarbell & Son the cliurch-bcll ; the latter par-
ties also ])ut lip the horse-sheds near the church, do-
506
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
nating them to the public. The elegant vaue was
given by E. B. Badger, who is a tVieiul of every good
cause.
For only a short period wiis there but one regular store
in south village at one time, though a few minor ar-
ticles are now kept for sale at the post-office. The
store has been kept by several parties. The first pro-
prietors were Holt & Hardy ; second, 1 lardy & Stephen-
son; third, Cram iS; Daniels; fourth. Burns Wallace;
fifth, Peter Smith; sixth, G. P. Fletcher; seventh,
J. H. Tarbell; eighth, William W. Young; ninth,
J. H. Tarbell & Son; tenth, C. F. Tarbell, the
present proprietor. The first store was moved
from across the street to the place where the
store of C. F. Tarbell now stands ; it was then oc-
cupied by Holt & Hardy, who built the present store.
To make room for it, the original store buildings were
moved across the street to where the church now
stands; it was subsequently moved near the four cor-
ners ; it was afterward moved on to the Forest road and
is now occupied by W. N. Cheever, the blacksmith,
who has been knight of the anvil in South Lyndebor-
ough for seventeen years. He remembers when he
had seventy-five yoke of oxen to shoe, but few oxen
are now owned in town.
Among the important industries of South Lynde-
borough is the gla.ss-works, which employs forty-five
men. All kinds of bottles, from the common ounce
bottle to the carboy containing fourteen gallons, are
made here. The siiex from which the glass is made
is taken from a ledge about a half-mile distant. The
wares manufactured here are sent all over New
England and the C'anadas.
North Lyndeborough is a small village connected
by stage with Milford. It has a post-otfice. John H.
Goodrich, the postmaster, was born in Lyndeborough
March 28, 1835; always a farmer, was apjiointed post-
master when the office was established, Jlay 17, 1857,
twenty-one years ago, probably the oldest postmaster
in office about here. Has been selectman, collector
of taxes in town, also is secretary of the Grange, of
the Town Insurance Company, of the Town Library,
school district and Republican Club. His father wr.s
grandson of the Rev. Scwall Goodrich, one of the firsc
ministers of the town.
The first clergyman of the place was Rev. John
Rand (Congregational), who was settled in 1757 and
was dismissed in 1763. In 1768, Rev. Sewall Good-
rich was settled; he died in 1809.
After Rev. Sewall Goodrich, Rev. Nathaniel Merrill
officiated until 1835; then Rev. Jacob White; then
Rev. William Richanlson, one year; then Rev. Ivory
Kimball, a few years; then Rev. Era.stus B. Claggetl,
twenty-four years; then Revs. Smith, Jones and Har-
low, for a year or so each. Rev. W. L. Clark ac-
cepted an engagement, and moved to the Centre, but
died, about one week after taking up his residence
there, of pneumonia.
There is a post-office at the Centre, kept by P. J.
Boutwell. There are two libraries in town, — the
Franklin, having five hundi'ed volumes, and the
South Lyndeborough, containing about four hundred
volumes.
At present Lyndeborough has no physician, though
the memory of Dr. Israel Herrick is still cherished.
He was born in Wilton July It, 1794; was fitted for
college in Tamworth, N. H., but never entered; studied
medicine with Dr. John Wallace, in Milford, and Dr.
Asa Crosby, in Gilmanton, and graduated at Dart-
mouth Medical College December, 1820. Commenced
the practice of medicine in Lyndeborough February
11, 1821, and remained there until March 20, 1828,
when he moved to Milford and practiced there almost
two years. From thence he went to Mason village
(now Greenville) and stayed two years. From Mason
village he went to Deering, and practiced there until
the fall of 1834, when he returned to Lyndeborough
and practiced until he died, February 18, 1866. Dur-
ing the last twenty years of his life he was a faitliful
adherent to the homceopathic law of cure. He was a
conscientious and successful physician, and an upright
and honorable man. He always did what he thought
was right, regardless of what others might say. The
physician now having the leading practice in this
place is a native of the town. He is a skilUul physi-
cian' and is deservetUy popular. We refer to Dr. W. A.
Jones, who was born in Lyndeborough January 19,
1829. He received an academic education in Fran-
cestown ; studied medicine with Dr. Israel Herrick ;
attended two full courses of medical lectures at the
Cleveland Hoimeopathic College, from which he re-
ceived his diploma in February, 1854. He commenced
the practice of medicine in Wilton, May 4, 1854; stayed
there three years, then he removed to Lyndeborough,
where he remained until 1871. He then returned to.
Wilton.
SCRAPS ABOIT LYNDEBOEOUGH, BY DR. HERRICK, IN 185S.
'* Our town is a regular creecont-like swell,
Made up of niuuntain, and hill, and dell,
With hero and there a enmll level BlMJt,
Sufficient to build a anug, humble cot.
A barn and a shed, with a yatxl for the kinc,
.\ coop for the Ileus, and a pen for the swine.
The surface is stony, and hard, and rough.
The tilling of which is toilsome and tough,
Discounting to man, and beast, his food ;
If only the projier labor is made,
With plow and harrow, shovel and spade,
Crowbar, bush-hook, axe and hoe.
Laid on smart by a freeman's blow.
( )ur ancient domain wiu^ ample and boh),
.<uch as yeomen delight tit piircliasu and hold,
.\ud build up a homo for themselves and the brood
Very soon to ciune forth, for the great public good.
Thirty-six sfjuare miles, with a southern decline.
Well timbered and watered, with prospect sublime.
Was the price paid King, with his bold soldier clan.
To hunt and shoot down his red fellow-man,
And Frenchmen to boot; 'twas a sov'reign say,
.\nd tlunkeys, as now, were unite sure to obey.
Itut this goodly grant was soon to be niarr'd
Ity gmlly neighbors ; and hackled and scarred,
That tliey might enlarge their scanty dominlODS,
And gratify will, as well as opinions.
LYNDEBOROUGH.
507
Finft, Wiltoh came in fur a twu-niile sllco
Tu iimkL- up a tuwn, ao snug anil »«.> nicf^.
With Miinis4»niiin laiido, which they had on liand,
And then takf ti nutjiblu puMic stiiiid.
Next Temple pn-senlcd a Blood-y i i-eqiiest,
An<l after cuntoiition, 'twof^ tliuiight tu he bet>t
To let them lake off a threo-t^'uriiered hite.
And keep it, riilher than iiuarrtd and fight.
Nfxt Greenfield nupiesttHl a nilherhirge strip,
Tu make u|i a town with their luirren uld t^Up,
And rather than see Iheni luuk uieugre and eutlen,
Ami get their subsistence fruni surrel and mullein,
We granted their prayer, an is plain to be seen,
And let them have lands that luukinl healthy and greon.
Krancos-town next inivM a very timM bit,
Tu nukke her phylacteriet^ come snng tu a fit,
And give her pru|)urtion, as phinip and us fair
As the nmideii- w]ir>m:- mttiie thi*y so cheerfully bear.
Jlonl Yernun came liu-t.witli a iliinkerish leer,
Which 8jK)ke rather plain it was troubled with fear,
I*e«t wrung should get worsted, iti (hat little town,
And right get un top and hold Ilunkerdum down.
So they yok'd up their team, with two yearlings uf ours.
And worked for email wages, with dreitdful late hours ;
Had conference nifetings, wen- anxious in mind,
And put up a pniyer, penidvenlure to find
It General Court, then llunkenlom's god,
Would just condescend to put forth a nod
of grurious consent ; |>u<jr souls ! not to know
That favours like this would readily flow
Krum such a high source; pehaw ! it never said nay
To the meanest short pniyer, when the DeviPs to |>ay.
Their endn wore all answer'd ; they got some choice plats,
Where Hunkers are bred as natuntl as rats;
And yet Ihoy may find, in times uf herearter,
Instead of a prize, they only caught a Turtar.
Thus We have been pinched and hackled alt raw,
Which leaves us in shaiie of a circular saw
With a piece brukcn off; and yet we are here,
And keep un unr course in hu|)t, without fear.
With this slight digremiou, we'll pick up our traps,
And liasleu along with the rest of our 8cra|>s.
Our streams of water are nothing hut rills,
Greatly deficient for driving of mills,
Except when nwullen by showers or Ihaxvs,
And then yuu may hear the clatter of nnwa
Cutting up lumber, yea. fingeix iuiil pjiws;
Vol, nnt a Mpoonfut of meaFs to be had,
Though hens, ducks and turkeys, yea women, nin nuid,
And cwklo, and scold, iiuaclc, gubblc and squall.
Fur grain cnn't be gruund, the streams are su small.
('hui-chen we've two, and preachers the siime.
Where sinner and sjiint, the blinil, halt and lame,
-May gn and get ginMl to theli" souls, if they will.
Anil learn to avoid the eternal cl.>wn hill ;
Where uhl 'Nickey Hon,' that famous uld rip,
Stjinds ready to give iheni a cmck with his whip,
line Doctor I gm^l luck I nuw I'm free tu engage.
Were there none, few would dii-. except uf old age.
No I-awyer ^ save one e'er yet ha<l the prfde
To think he safely onr ytK>nien could ride ;
* The late General HlotKl, with his well-known slirewdnew, got up a
petition, jmt it thn>ugli the Legislature, and procured the grant.
sSocieties' I>and was originally a large grant of land, from whicli
Franceslown, Deering and B«>nnington were made np. It is said that
among the proprietors of Societies' Ijind there was one by the name of
Dcering, and that he had a lH?autiful daughter by the name of Frances:
and in r4)mpllment to her the two towns were named. It is n<it known
to the writer that this rircuiiistance wil-* ever on record. It was related
lo him niiiny yeure ng.f by the late Russell Tubbs, Rh.j.. of Deering.
« AlMMit forty-five years ago K-m). K y opened an iiffiee in this place ;
had no busineSM and went to making wmxleu measures. lie wiu good nt
thai; for in the granaries of many of our careful farmers you niny find
•et« of measures made by this wise lawyer.
:13
And he was thrown off with his ill-gotten treitsurcs
To earn his own broth by making p<'ck measures.
.\ full taker's do/.eu of Squires have wo,
Who wne for the honor, instead of the fee ;
But Justice ! bah ! their number's so small,
"Tis Nifer to say we have just none at all.
.School -houses we've nine, tho' one at a peep
Would surely be taken as 8ha<les for the sheep,
Instead of a place where the tender y<tung mind
Should learn to shoot forth, *aa the twig is inclin'd.'
Yet, some are now getting the better of self,
Believing that mind is quite equal to pelf;
Arid give, by refitting, those shades such an air,
.\8 makes the whole district with wonder to stare,
.\nd two-penny souls half determined to swear.
We've a iwnd of small size, surrounded with bogs.
Well stored with Leeches, Pickerel and Frogs,
Bull-paddocks, Water-snakes, Shiners and Pouts,
Suckers and Poliywogs, Turtles and Trouts,
Enough in all conscience to get up a treat.
For half of the hipetls tlnit como short of meat.
We've a Town Hall, too, of modern cut.
Where Omtors, Poets and Sporters can strut;
Where Lyceums meet, great questions to settle,
And brave Politicians to show ofttlieir metal ;
And Singers to sing, and laugh and prattle,
.\nd boys to run, and scream, and rattle,
As if the imps in the old black pit,
Were all seized at ouoe witli colic of fit.
Half a century gone by, or nearly that space,
California fever broke out in this place ;
By some cantrip slight, the fact had been told.
That Scattaquog's^ bowels were filled with gold.
So at it they went, to digging and blowing.
To carting and wheeling, shov'lii.g and hoeing.
Fp-tui Winter to Spring, through Summer and Fall,
-\nd all that thoy got was just nothing at all.
So many « ho now are raving for riches,
From ^Vlexican hills, will return pottr as witches.
And wish they had staid on their own native soil,
To e,-atlier their gold by slow, patient toil.
The red man free once ranged our hills
To shoot down the deer, or fish in our rllls ;
Little rlreaniing that he and his blood must give place.
With his land and his hut, to a white, selfish race,
And turn their sad face to the West for tu roam,
Jsu more to return to their sweet, native home.
Near our speck of a pond was his summer retreat,
Where he feasted on fish, if the chase gave no meat.
And gathered the grape, tho wild pear and cherry,
That he with his friends might be joyful and morry,
'T was here, too, he sickened and died,
And liere he woe buried,^ close down by tho Bide
Of this little pond, and the tall, waving trees
Sang his requiem, muv'd by the soft Western breeze.
Fain here would our muse gently cower her wing,
Nor 'tempt furthermore to flutter or sing, —
Yea, fain would avoid the sad task to fulfil,
But oh ! tho vile serpent, the *' worm of the still."
That reptile's l>een here, with his poisonous breath,
Beguiling its victims to premature dcjtth ;
Gently and softly the heart he coils round,
'Till all the all'ocliuus forever are bound.
< Tho name of the eastern spur of onr mountJiin. About (he coiii-
moncement of the present century u com|Miny was orgiini/ed in this
town, through faith in the divining-roil, to mine for silver. Much tinio
and money wei-e expendeil for naught. The excavation, though now
INirlly filled up is plain to be seen.
c> In the fall of 1M8, as workmen were removing a sand mound at tho
west end of " Badger " I'oiid, so called, the bones of an Indian were dl»-
interred. Others tnay yet re^t there. The first settler^ of this town
found around this pond many domestic and other im|ilemenls of Indian
construction. There fs no evidence that they ever math* this region n
pt>rmanont residence, but very proUibly it wiis a favorite hnnting-grounj
508
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Father and Mother, fond hearts have been pained,
To s«-e their loved ofT^priiig so foolisltly chained ;
Sisters have wept fur a Brother's siid fate,
Who fain would avoid, when, alas ! 'twas too lato.
The place where this reptile was kept to decoy
The doourd one from virtne, honor and joy,
Alas ! oh, alas ! no tongue can e'er tell
The sorrows that flow from tbisotl'spring of hell ;
If once he succeed in wounding the hrain.
The doom'd one will seek him again and again ;
Will sacrifice freely companions of youth,
Probity, honor, religion and truth.
Father and Mother, health, children and wife.
Sister and brother, yea, e'en his own life.
Alas .' he will peril his own j-recious soul
If he but for once can quatf from the bowl
The poisonous liquid so sure for to kill.
That conies from that reptile, the " worm of the still."
Our muse is a blundering, careless old jade, —
The fact is, she never yet half learn'd the trade.
What should have come first, is left until now ;
We hope the fair ladies won't scowl up their brow.
We have lots of theui here, — some young and some old.
Some handsome, some homely, some modest, some bold.
They all are adopting the modern plan.
When dress'd, to resemble a broad, o])eu fan,
Or rather a tunnel, with generous crop
At the nose, anil a something stuck on near the top.
Some want to get marrie'l, some say they do not.
But this is a fib, 1 will wager a grot.
Not want to get married ! I'd just as soon think
A nuser would flee from the rattle of chink ;
Or our little pond, with all its livestock.
Should start up the mountain, to take a short walk.
Live single I when Widowere, Bachelors and Beaus
Stand ready and fix'd in theij- best Sunday clothes,
To give them a call, and make ijuite a slop,
Yea, e'en to hitch up. and the question to pop !
Not want to get marrieil ! 'tis all fudge and feign ;
They just kind o' say so, their object to gain.
Ami then, oh, " by crackey." they'll put on the clips.
And make ye staud round like a basket of chips.
Yet .some are more honest, — are willing to own
That goiug through life's crooked path all alone
Was never desigu'd, in Nature's great plan.
To be the -s^id lot of woman or man.
And so they are willing to join in and go
Through Time's little journey of sonuw and woe ;
With him they have promis'd to love from the heart.
Till death the fond union asunder shall pait.
Then ho ! ye single old scissora, don't cry 1
But lift up your heads, your redemption is nigh ;
.\nother good half you can get without fail,
.\nd then cut like something, — so here ends our Tale."
John Badger, the subject of this notice, was born
in England, and witli two of liis brothers, Joseph and
Eliphalet, came to America not far from the year
1728-29. His father was wealthy, and a year or two
before he came to this country he was sent to Scotland
to collect demands there due. It was here that he be-
came aquainted with Mary JIcFarland, whom he
eventually married. When he related to his father this
circumstance of his attachment, he forbid his son to
form any such alliance, on account of a strong preju-
dice which then i>revailed between the English
and Scotch. To put his son outside of such an in-
fluence, he sent him with his brothers, as above-
named, to America. They first located themselves for
a time at Nottingham.' This wise plan of the father.
1 The petBon from whom those facts were derived used the Dame Not-
tingham, without designating whether it was the town in Bockingham
however, was soon frustrated. There was an under-
standing between him and his Scotch Mary, and she
soon followed him to this country and landed at a
settlement near the Kennebeck River. He soon met
her there, and it is the belief of a granddaughter of
his, now living in Lyndeborough, that they were
there married. In the course of a year they came
back to Nottingham, where they remained a number
of years. From here they migrated to that part of
Salem-Canada township which afterwards became
Wilton. He located his cabin about one hundred
rods east of that ancient dwelling, the first framed
house erected in Wilton, which was occupied for three
generations by the name of John Dale, and is now
owned by S. H. Dunbar, Esq. The swell of land on
which he settled has ever since borne the name of
"Badger Hill."
He moved into his cabin in April, 1739, and died in
February, 1740, of consumption. Though the
plowshare has passed over the spot where his cabin
stood, there are many now living that can point it out.
His family was composed of his wife and four chil-
dren. The names of his children were, David, Robert,
Mary and Betsey, who was the youngest, and died
young, in consequence of injuries received by the
burning of a house in Nottingham.
The mother and children, after the death of the
father, moved back to Nottingham, where the chil-
dren were put under the guardianship of a Judge
Batten, or Patten. David and Robert both settled in
Lyndeborough, a little north of the pond w-hich now •,
bears the name of " Badger Pond." Mary married
David Cram, whose father was one of the first settlers
of Lyndeborough, and where Badger's wife went to
get help to bury her husband Those three lived to
a great age, and reared large families, the descendants
of whom, of the fourth, fifth and si.xth generations
from John Badger, are widely scattered over New
England and many of the Western States.
The following anecdote is related of Mary Badger :
She came from Nottingham to Lyndeborough when
eighteen or nineteen years of age, with her brother
David, to make him a visit. When passing the set-
tlement of Mr. Cram she got a sight of David, a
young man of some twenty years of age. As they
passed along she said to her brother, " I mean to sec
my cap for that fellow."
He told her she better not, for he was a " lazy
dog."
She disregarded his admonitions, and they were
eventually married. It, however, has been surmised
by some that there was a smattering of truth in Da-
vid's advice, from the fact that something strongly
resembling his suggestion Ikis occasionally manifested
itself even down to the fifth generation.
Joseidi Badger, brother of John, eventually settled
in Meredith, or Gilmanton, and ex-Governor Badger
County or what is now Hudson. It is my belief, from other cirtjum-
stances, that it was Nottingham >Vest.
lAXDEBOROUGH.
509
was one of his descendants. Eliphalet, the other
brother, settled in the south jjart of Massachusetts, or
Connecticut.
The wife of John Badger was a true woman. She
followed him three thousand miles across the ocean
to a foreign land to become his, and share with him
the joys and sorrows of life. She went with him fur
away into the hnwling wilderness, where, as a faithful
wife and mother, she watched over him and his through
a long sickness to his death.
All this, with the trying scenes through which she
passed in procuring help to lay him in the grave, was
too much for her constitution. Her nervous system
was crushed down, reason tottered on its throne, she
soon became insane, and in a few years terminated
her e.xistence by suicide.
Thus the writer has attempted to gather up a few
fragments of history connected with "the first settler "
of his native town, from a source which will soon be
removed from the earth, viz., Sarali Badger, a grand-
daughter of the .said John Badger, and who now re-
sides on the same spot where David, the son of said
John, lived and died. He believes the substance of
it truthful and correct.
It has been a matter of surprise to him that Bad-
ger was not recognized as " the lirst settler " in the
published doings of tlic centennial of Wilton. His
death, with the circumstances connected, was alluded
to, and that was all. In a note in that pamphlet
John Dale is named as the first settler, which cannot
be correct, which we will undertake to show. From
the record-book of the Salem-Canada proprietors it
appears that the first drawing of rights in said town-
ship toiik jdace rdiruary •'>, 173ii, and that Daniel
Epps. Jr., of Salem, drew rights Nos. 10, 22, 51 and
53, and it also appears from said records that Epps
sold John Badger right No. 10, which was the terri-
tory on which he settled and died. It also appears,
from a controversy that took place after the sons of
came of age, that Dale occupied this territory after
their father's death; and it was adjusted between them
and Dale by said proprietors giving them lot No. 117
"in lieu of the whole right No. 10, which their
father had of Epi)s." Again, there is no evidence,
either from record or tra<lition, that the first John
Dale ever located on the territory of \Vilton at any
other place except where that ancient building already
referred to now stands. If Dale had been located
there at the death of Badger, that wife would not
have gone three miles nurth to the " nearest neigh-
bor's " for help, when she c(mld have obtained it by
going one hundred rods west.
In this nuitter there was probalily an unintentional
neglect, or at least an oversight, as the chairman of
the committee had in his pos,sc8sion the sub.stance of
the fragments above noticed, and from the same
source. He alsn had in his i>osse.ssion f(ir many
months the record-book of the proprietors of Saleni-
Canada.
The centennial celebration of Wilton was got up
in good and splendid style in all its parts, and its ex-
ercises were performed by llie first of abilities, and
gave general satisfaction.
It reminded the writer, however, of a circumstance
that once occurred in the court-house in Amherst, at
the time that Kichardson was chief justice. A boy
was put on trial for his life. His coimections being
poor, the court appointed one of the most able advo-
cates of the Hillsborough bar to make the closing
plea for the defense. At the closing up of the term
an order was drawn on the treasurer for the fee al-
lowed by the court for the defense, which had been
very able and successful. The advocate rather de-
murred at the smallness of the fee. Judge Richard-
son, in his good-natured, off-hand manner, answered,
" Well, Mr. A , perhaps the fee is comparatively
small ; but 1 think you ought to be satisfied, for you
ably obtained the cause, and, what was still more, you
embraced the opportunity of showing off the glory of
your own sectarian belief."
William T. Boltwkll, son of Nchemiah and
Elizabeth Jones Boutwell, was the fourth of eleven
children, born February 4, 1803 ; fitted for college at
Exeter Academy ; graduated at Dartmouth, 1828; at
Andover Theological Seminary, 1831 ; ordained at
Woburn, Mass., June, 1831, as missionary of the
Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions to the
Chippewa Indians of the Northwest. He left Boston
June 12, 1831, for Mackinaw, Mich., where he arrived
after a journey of five weeks, where he remained
during the winter of 1831-32, teaching Indians
and half-breed children, and acquiring the language
preparatory to future lal)ors in his chosen field. In
1832 he accompanied Hon. Henry R. Schoolcraft,
Indian agent, on an expedition to visit all the bands
of Indians on the borders of the British possessions.
During this journey he visited and aseortained the
highest sources of the .Mississii)pi River, which was
named Itiisca Lake. In his letter referring to this
expedition, he says: " Scores of visitors, since 1832,
have found a higher source in the marshes west and
south which feed the lake, and scores more will find
a higher source, till the last man finds a pool in the
marshes large enough I'or him to bathe 'u\." Beyond
all doul)t, Itasca is the true source of the Father of
Waters. Returning from the expedition, he spent
the winter at La i'ointe, on Lake Sui)erior, having
charge of the Indian school. In the tall of 1833 he
returned to Leach Lake and spent the winter in the
families of the fur-traders, for the purpose of ascer-
taining what encouragement there was for extending
the work by opening another station. He found the
chiefs kindly disposed and gave their consent to open
a school.
September 11, 1834, he married Hester Crooks and
returned to Leach Lake, opened a school and began
house-keeping in a bark lodge while he built a log
house. After sixteen years of hard labor there and at
510
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Pakagauia, he was obliged to abandon his work in
consequence of tlu- li.iuor traffic. In 1837 the treaty
at Fort Snelling opened the pine region to the white
man. He came md brought with him his wliiskey,
which he gave to the Indian, although strictly forbid-
den by law. " What will not the white men do for
money?" Mr. Boutwell writes. "The traffic increased
from year to year, and all tiveof of our stations closed
their work." Its influence will be seen in the following
incident : Curiosity often brough men to the mission
to attend the Indian service on the Sabbath. He often
preached, by request, at their camps on Sabbath
evenings. One Saturday afternoon he left home to
spend the Sabbath at three camps on the Upper
Snake River. At dusk he arrived at the first camp,
where he spent the night, and during the evening the
trader was in the camp, whom he invited to t'ome
in at ten a.m. the next day. He said he would be
glad to ; but if the Indians should return from their
hunt, he could not leave his store. The next day he
held his service, but his friend, the trader, was not
present. He passed on to the next camp, and still
on to the next. In the night he was called in great
haste to come at once, for the trader had been shot
by a drunken Indian. Before he arrived the man
had died. On reaching the scene of distress and
confusion he found forty men armed with weapons to
kill every Indian they met; but the Indians had fled.
After the excitement was over I was requested to take
the body to the station for burial, with four men to
dig a grave and make a coffin. The rest would
come the next day in a body. After the body was
deposited on my team, the store was cleared of furs
and goods and two barrels of whiskey were burned
up. The next day forty men came to the mission,
twelve miles, to bury their dead. After the funeral
all signed a resolve that they would visit every In-
dian trader, demand and destroy his whiskey, which
was carried out the next day; and they ceased notun-
til they had accomplished their work. But the trade
revived the next year, and it was found useless to
spend time and strength with a people given to
drunkenness, and the mission stations were all aban-
doned. In 1847 he removed to Stillwater, then a vil-
lage of two hundred souls ; began preaching in a
dining-room of a boarding-house; from this place to
an upper room in a small building, still standing and
occupied as a meat-market. After a time a small
church was erected. His time, for years, was divided
between Stillwater, Marien Mills, Taylor's Falls,
Cottage Grove and Point Douglas, establishing
churches and Sabbath-schools.
In a review of his life and labors, Mr. Boutwell
says, —
"Wosmiluto-liiyattlif ik'noninc.- ..f tin,. l«t infonnod in ropirii to
this Wc-8t..rii world. Filly .>•>«'■» '>g". "> l»^W. Congressmen wore eloquent
in our strUKglc willi Kni-li.u.l for Orei!.)n, on u (ubject of which they
knewosliltleusiichil.linitBcradle. McDulTand B.nloli wouW not Rive a
' pinch of 6nulT for the whole countrj- west of the liocky Mouiiti.ins, and
rather than remove a stone for a highway they would buiW higher. It
would be better for us if the whole region were in the bottom of the
I'acitic Ocean.' Were those men alive to-lay, how they would blush at
their ignorance ! Do you wonder, then, that some of my frieiuls said to me
in IKil, 'You are throwing your life away ; you will not live out half
your days ; vou will freeze to death, or the Indians » ill scalp you." Fifty
years ago all that world west of Michigan to the Pacific coast wa« lerra
inco,j,iila-iin unktlown land, land occupied by wild animals and wild
men, tribes of Indians at war to exterminate each other. There were no
traces of civili/4>tion. The only available railrxjad for me to get here was
from Boston to Providence. To-lay it spans the continent : to-day I can
ride in a i>alace cjir hundreds of miles over country where I once <lrove a
dog-team on snow-shoes . To-day the government has locateil on reserva-
tions the drunken Indians we were compelled to leave, provided them
with machines, farms, schools, teachers, teams, 4c. Expelling whiskey,
they raise wheat instea.l of hunting muskrHts. The missionary was the
entering wedge that let the first dawn of light into Western darkness."
" It was thus the light increased by our communication with the
Eastern world ; climate, soil, resiiurcesof the country becume known. The
lumbermen came ; the farmers followed. The man that o|«ned the first
farm in Minnesota, forty years ago, is alive to-day. Fifty years ago the
missionary would freeze to death or die by the scalping-knife of the In-
diau — so thought his friends.
" Compare what then was with what now i5,-then a wilderness with
roving s<ivage8 and wild Leasts ; now with farm-houses and almost bound-
less wheat-fields, schools, churches, asylums for ins.ine, deaf, dumb and
blind, a college in its teens, a university open to both sexes for e.jual
honora. Were there no hand of God in sending the first man to light
the torch that has illuminated the land ? Sure their lalsir will b« in
vain, thought the world ; not so, thought God. It is God that doeth won-
ders, and «e stand silent and adore.
" Nearly all my oW co-laborers sleep with the Father. My eyes have
seenThy salvation, Lord ; I wait for Thy call that I may praise Thee
evermore."
Mr. Boutwell was the first man, a native, that
secured a college education, and his great desire to do
his whole duty to his fellow men, to his God, appears
to be the great aim of his life. The writer ha.s visited
him in his Western home ; he is one of the most
honored and respected of Minnesota's first settlers.
HECOLLECTKJN'S OF LYSDEBOBOUGH.l
" I will speak of the old meeting-house, with its high pulpit, its
deacon-seat-, its sounding-board hung by an iron hhI, its slii« fur the
poor, its sciuare pews, its seats hung on hi.iges, which were turned back
during prayer, its capacious galleries supported by huge pillanj. In that
house was 1 Imptized and publicly consecn.ted to God. There I rwdjmh
other b,ns in uuiking a loud clatter in throwing down my hinge seat at
the clr«e of prayer. -Mid there I suffered with cold feet on winter Sab-
baths before the introtluction of stoves. Freezing did not iirove a means
of gnu-e to n.e. In that house I preached my first sermon in Lynde-
borough .\s inconvenient as that place of worship was, in it the gospel
was effectually proclaime.1 by the godly Jlerrill ; and there our fathem,
doubtless, ren .lered acceptable worship. I well rememlwr the excite-
ment produced in that oUl house on the fast day in .\pril, 1827, a few
days before I left mv houie with Palmer and Woodwar.1 for F:ast Ten-
nessee. Instea.l of a sermon, Mr. Merrill read the celebrate.l lecture
by Kittredge of Lvme, on temperance, which contained the statement
that one gallon of rum used .ui a beverage in the town of Lyme wa* just
four .luarts too much. The good old men of the church, including my
honored father, went out of that house vexed, if not mad. My father
said ' Why did Mr. Merrill read that foolish lecture ; we cannot get our
hay without rum. It will r.it in the field.'
"When I returned, in l.-vC, I found all those good men pledged to
Mat „l„li«r„c,. They acknowle,lged that haying and all other fanu.
work c.iuld Ik- better done without ruin than with it.
" When a small boy, I use.l to walk to church in company with girll
and women, whom I have often seen step into the bushes in the Kk hard-
son pasture, and exchange their thick shoes and soilc-.! stockings for
their morocco and clean white hose.
"The old meeting-house was furnished with horse-blocks for the ac-
commodation of women and infirm men, from which to mount their
hoi-s.-s Hiding on horseback vv,« the only mode of conveyance to church
m summer. When I wiw a l«y I have frequently seen a man in the
1 By Rev. B. F. CUrke.
'J
i
'■'>..l ^--rr,, Ji fi piirch^
t^Y
/■^../a^s-y^
LYNDEBOROUGH.
511
nddle, a woman Itohiiid on the same horee, and a child in the lap of
each. 1 distiucily r^-HK-mlier the first oiie-liors*; wagon in Lymleboroiigh.
It was whully (icjttituif uf spring ; vt-l it vim called u Yankee i)lua««re-
wagon. Il was iht; pro|»*Tty uf Uruv\ I!. Got>dridge, Ksq. After my return
frwm the West I preaelio-l in LyndeU«ronKh, Francestown and Slont Ver-
non. Ifince iliat time great changes have taken place. I know, while
I was actinK-paslor in Lyndetjorough, I preached to a large claaiof aged
penons, all of whom liH%e gnuc on the returnles* way, accompanied by
many of my own age and younger, all of the deacons and many which
they served.
*' I will here put my testimony on record that the town was then
billy, and oven mountainuiis, and its inhahituuta intelligent, induHlriuim,
temperate and niuml, om a whol^'.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JUKI. H. TARBEI.I-.
The imiiieof Tarhell is not fie<iuent in tliis country.
It does not a|ii)oar in the long list of tliose who took
the freeman's oath before 1009, nor is the name men-
tioned in the early Genealogical Register, only that
of Thomas, Sr., and Thomas, Jr. It is from these that
all of the name in Mas.saehusetts and New Hamp-
shire are descended. Captain Thomas Tarbcll was
one of the original proprietors of " Xo. 1" (Ma.son),
and named as such in the grant of the Msisonian i)ro-
prictors. He wa.s one of the first settlers, was clerk
of the proprietary, first chosen in 1702, and continued
in oHice until the la.st meeting of that body, in 1773,
and was one of the most active and leading men in
all alfairs of the township prior to incorporation.
Six of his sons settled on farms near him. He was
a native of Groton, Mass. Thomas Tarbell, his
ancestor, was one of the original projirietors of
Groton in 1601. His name also appears as town clerk
of (iroton. In the list are the names of Thomas Tar-
bell, 8r., anil Thomas Tarbell, Jr.; one instance rel-
ative to the family, of alarm, attack and sulferiiig
from a savage foe, wa.s the capture of two lads (.John
and Zachariali), brothers and sons of Thomas Tarbell,
by the Indians. They were carried to Canada about
the year 170.5, the younger from four to si.x years of
age, so young that lie lost his native language en-
tirely. Some years after, they both came to (iroton ;
but having been accustomed to savage life, no per-
suasion prevailed on them to remain with their friends
and relatives; their descendants are among the In-
dians. Truly, those were days that tried men's souls,
nnil could not have been endured had it not been
for their untiring fortituile and perseverance, as
well as muscular powers. One instance, !ls related,
was that of John Tarbcll, noted for his great
strength, e<iual to that of three ordinary men of
this day. He expired suddenly at the door of the old
nu'iling-house in Mason, Sunday, .\ugust 20, 17!'7.
We are not gratified to relate that among them was
one .ludas, — that of Cajitain Samuel Tarbell, whose
property was confiscated for Toryism ; he returned to
Groton, his native place, lived and died in j)overty
and wretchedness.
Thomas Tarbell, thirdson of Captain Thomas Tar-
bell, Jr., was born October 8, 1751; in his youth he
received but limited education, remaining at home
rendering good service in clearing up and cul-
tivating the lands for the sustenance of the family.
July 8, 1778, he married Sarah Barrett, retaining a resi-
dence on the homestead of his father, which has been
occupied by family descendants to the fifth genera-
tion, but has now passed into outside hands, with but
little imi)rovementa from originality, almost forsaken
and uncared for. On a part of the premises is lo-
cated the burying-ground donated to the town in
1797, where rests the dust of our sires, their descend-
ants and many neighboring citizens.
The children of Thomas Tarbell and Sarah Barrett
were Sally, born November 6, 1778; Esther, born
August 11, 1780; Thomais, born August 17, 1782, died
January 17, 1785; Reuben, born July 19, 1784;
Lemuel, born February 14, 1780 ; Thomas, born Octo-
ber 19, 1788; Eunice, born April 24, 1791 ; Joel, born
July 9, 1793 ; Lydia, born March 21, 1797.
Joel Tarbell, the younger son, married Betsey Shat-
tuck, daughter of Jonathan Sliattnck, a worthy citizen
of Pepi)erell, Mass.; conlinucil a residence in Mason,
in the occupation of boot and shoeniaker of the old
styleof hand-work ; noted as master- work man in sewed
boot making, in which occupation he continued in
support of his family, being in limited circum.stances.
Their children surviving were Jnel Harrison, born
at .Mason February 0, 1810; Jlary Elizabeth, born
February 2, 1820; William, born July 4, 1824. Joel
H. remained at home until about twelve years of age,
attending the short terms of district school. At this
age he went to reside with Dr. Amos Parker, of Bol-
I ton, Miuss., having care of the stable and performing
j such |)art as capable in the drug-store and ])ost-otfice;
while here he received five weeks of schooling at a pri-
vate (Quaker .school, kept by Elder Frye, in Berlin,
Mass., walking to and from school morning and eve-
ning, this being the only education ever received ex-
cept from the common district .school. It was while
residing here that his mother died, October 29, 1829,
leaving him without a parental home. Returning to
! New Hampshire at the age of fourteen years, he went
to labor on a farm for Ebenezer Stiles, in Temple, at-
I tending short terms of winter district school. In this
family he received good precepts and formed habits
for life. He remained in this family until about
twenty yeai-s of age, one year aller the death of Mr.
Stiles, after which he labored in I'epperell, Mass., one
season ami in Lyndeborough until marriage.
1 In 1831 his fiither, Joel Tarbell, married .Mary
! Mansfield, of Temple, for a second wife; their chil-
dren surviving were, Charles, Solon, Hiram, .Monzo
and .loseph, all residing with fitmllies in this county.
.Joel Tarbell died at ljyndel)orough, .September 18,
18.")1 ; Mary M., his wife, died December 0, 1873.
January 15, 1839, Joel H. married Esther Putnam,
daughter of Ephraim Putnam, a highly respected
citizen, resident on the homestea<l of his father, in
512
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Lyndeborough, (descendants from ancestors in Dan-
vers, Mass.). At marriage Mr. TarboU located in
Lyndeborough (Putnam Corner), so styled, now South
Lyndeborough, assuming the business of a country
hotel with farm connected. Shortly after marriage he
was appointed postmaster, which trust he held for
twenty years. At the time of his location here there
were but few settlements in the immediate vicinity,
and those of not modern style. With his business grew
a strong desire to make home and surroundings
pleasant and build up the place, and he has lived
to witness the contrast from what was styled " Slab
City " to that of a respectable little village and com-
munity, greatly through his instrumentality. In
this enterprise he took no active part financially,
Ijrevious to the organization of the glass company
in 1866, the history of which is too well-known for
comment. After about fifteen years in hotel business,
when railroads became more desirable than high-
ways for public conveyance, he changed his business
to that of a general variety retail store, which, by him-
self and in connection with his son, has been retained
for over thirty years, the son now conducting the
same as principal. In his business he formed a de-
termination to deal honorably, pay all bills promptly
and cultivate a kind and generous disposition, which
has been carried out to a permanent success in his
social and business life. His children were San-
ford P., born July 5, 1839, deceased; Charles F.,
born November 19, 1843 ; Sarah Adaline, born Feb-
ruary 24, 1850, deceased. She married Byron Stacy ;
died leaving one daughter.
As to his religious views, they were more those
of conscience than of creed, though he rendered
continual aid in support of the gospel at the
chapel established in the place a short time prev-
ious to his settlement, contributing with his son in
the remodeling of the house to a more modern struc-
ture, and placing in the tower a church-bell, fur-
nished gratuitously to the citizens. In politics firmly
Democratic, although decidedly favorable to union
in offices of town trust. Held the office of selectman
several years, and town clerk seven years in succes-
sion, from ISoO to 18-57, and for many years was a jus-
tice of the ])eace. Highly respected by the citizens, he
never connected himself with any secret organization.
In the Rebellion he was in command of a military
( omjiany of State volunteers, known as the Lafayette
Artillery. Their services were offered and accepted,
and they were mustered into United States service for
ninety days, and stationed at Fort Constitution, Ports-
mouth, N. H. His subalterns were Lieutenants Eli
C. Curtis and Charles H. Holt, both of Lyndeborough.
After fourteen years in command he resigned; his
resignation was accepted with high commendations to
himself and command by the Governor.
The following was taken fmm a historical sketch of
Fort Constitution and Walhack Tower, Portsmouth
Harbor, by a student of Dartmouth College:
** On the 2(1 day of .\ugust, ISt'A, tbe Lafayette Guards, under cum-
muDdof Cupt. -lael II. Tarbell, arrived at this fort, to whicli they were
ordered by tlie Governor. Thie company was composed of a tine class
of men, and the citizens of New Castle respected them much. Belonjc-
iug to the organization was a band under the guidance of a celebrated
instructor, Carl Krebs. Their strains of music imparted much aniiiia'
tion to the island, and the monotony of garrison life was greatly less-
ened in con8e<iuence of their presence. They returned home a few-
weeks before the expiration of their term of service, to Lyndel>orough.
Capt. Tarbell was an amiable man of corrwrt habits, and waa highly
esteemed by bis command."
JOTHAM HILDRETH.
Jotham Hildreth was born June 25, 1807, in Lynde-
borough, N. H. He is the son of Jotham and .\bigail
(Sargent) Hildreth. Jotham Hildreth, Sr., was a na-
tive of Amherst, X. H., where he resided till his
majority, when, with his entire worldly possessions
tied up in a bundle and thrown across his shoulders,
he started out to seek his fortune in the world. He
came to Lyndeborough, where he found employment
making shoes, and meeting with a measure of success
in this business, he nuule it his chief vocation through
life. In addition to shoemaking, however, he soon
possessed himself of a small farm, to which original
tract he added by purchase at different times up to
the time of his death. His life was one of constant
labor and frugality. He would work at farming dur-
ing the day and at the shoemaker's bench at night,
and by this course of persistent industry he finally
became a fairly successful man. He married Abigail,
daughter of Joshua Sargent; they had five children,
only two of whom are now living, — Jotham, and
Abigail, now the widow of Jacob Cro.sby. Mr. Hil-
dreth died December 8, 1850, his wife having died
August preceding. *^
Jolhnm Hildreth, whose portrait appears in connec-
tion with this sketch, has followed in the footsteps of
his father. He was brought up to the same occupa-
tions, farming and shoemaking. At agriculture he
has done much more than his father, and for many
years has been considered one of the best farmers in
his town. Brought up in a school of rigid economy,
with a full appreciation of the value of labor and
money, he has been rrugal, industrious, and, as a
natural result, successful. He has never married,
and his widowed sister now finds a home with him.
Mr. Hildreth has been honored by his fcll<jw-towiis-
men by being elected to the State Legislature in
1850, and again in 1855. He has been selectman of
his town several years, surveyor, etc., and has doney
more or le-ss at settling estates.
Mr. Hildreth was a Democrat in political creed
until some years prior to the war. when he became a
Republican, and has affiliated with that iiarty to the
present time.
In religion he is a Congregationalist. He has so
deported himself through a long and active life that
in his old age, he has the happy consciousness of
possessing the confidence and respect of his fellow-
citizens.
(kM^'i ^(-^
4?
HISTORY OF MASON,
CHAPTER I .
The town of Mason lies in tlio soutlieiii piirt of
the eounty, and in bouiulcil as follows: North by Wil-
ton, east by Brookline, south by Massachusetts, west by
New Ipswich and Greenville.
The township was granted, November 1, 1749, by
Joseph Bliuichard, as agent for the Masonian pro-
prietors, to William Lawrence and others, and was
called No. 1 until, in answer to a ])etiti(m, it wa.s in-
corporated with town jirivileges, August 26, 17GS, and
given its present name in honor of Captain John
Mason, the original owner of that tract of land,
known as " Mason's ])atent."
At a meeting of the inhabitants, June 22, 176S,
they voted to have the town called Sharon, but (Jovernor
Wentworth named it Mason. The town includes
that portion of the town of Townsend, Mass., which
was north of the province line as established in 1741.
June 28, 1872, the northwest part of the town was
8et off and incorporated as (ireenviile.
By the terms of the charter incor|)orating the town,
Obadiah Parker, "Gentleman," was a[)pointed to call
the first meeting of the inhabitants as a town. For
this purpose he issued his warrant in due form, under
date of September 5, 1768, for a meeting to be held
September llilh.at whii h Obadiah Parker was chosen
moderator ; .losiah Wheeler, town clerk ; Josiah
Wheeler, Obadiah Parker and Joseph BuUard, select-
men; Reuben Barrett and John Swallow, constables;
Nathan Hall, tresLsurer; John Asten and Jonathan
Winship, tithingnien ; Thomas Barrett, En osh Law-
rence, Jr., Lemuel Spaiilding and .losiah Ripbbins,
surveyors of highways; Captain Thomas Tarbell,
sealer of weights and measures; .lohn Asten, scaler
of leather; Richard Lawrence and Jo3e[>h Blood,
fence-viewers; Samuel Lawrence and Josejih Lowell,
hog constables; Aaron Wheeler and Oliver Elliott,
deer otlicers. Thus the territory formerly known by
the name of No. 1 became legally a town, and, with
some additions of territory subseipiently 7nade, has
remained a town to the present day.
One of the first incidents attendant on arriving at
the condition of a town wius found to be ta.xes. To
facilitate the collection of taxes, the town was divided
into the west and east sides. This division was made
on the road leailing from Townsend to the north part
of the town, by what was then the residence of Dea-
con Nathan Hall. All east of that road and north
of the centre of the town on that road belonged to
the east side ; all west of that road and south of the
centre to the west side. A list of taxes was made
out, amounting to £17 iiis. Gd. '2q., and committed to
John Swallow, constable, for the west side, and a
similiar list, amounting to £17 10*. Id. \q., was com-
mitted to Reuben Barrett, constable for the east side,
for collection, by warrants each bearing date Janu-
ary 28, 1769.
These documents show who were then inhabitants
of the town, and the rate of taxes, and their relative
wealth or means. On the west side were .Josiah Rob-
bins, Ens. Enosh Lawrence, Samuel Lawrence, John
Swallow, Isaac Holdin, William Badcock, William
Barrett, Nathaniel Barrett, Jonathan Foster, Stevens
Lawrence, Thomas Robbins, Enosh Lawrence, Jr.,
Aaron Wheeler, Nathaniel Hosmer, John Dutton,
Widow Burge, John Elliot, Moses Lowell, Richard
Lawrence, Joseph Merriam, David Lowell, David
Lowell, Jr., Nathan Whipple, John Jefts, John As-
ten, Joseph Barrett, Nathan Procter, Lieutenant
Obadiah Parker, Joseph BuUard, Zachariah Davis,
Reuben Tucker, Joseph Tucker, .\mos Dakin, Thomas
Barrett, Joseph Lowell, Benjamin King, Jvlmund
Town, Cornelius Cook and Dennis McLean.
On the east side the names were Captain Thomas
Tarbell, Elias Elliot, Jason Russell, Nathaniel Smith,
.loseph Ross, Nathaniel Tarbell, Ednmnd Tarbell,
Jonathan Williams, Reuben liarrctt, Hannah Elliot
(widow), Samuel Scripture, .lames Wealhee, Lenuiel
Spaulding, Elizabeth Powers (widow), Joseph Blood,
Abel Shedd, George Woodard, Jabe/. Keixlall, Oli-
ver Elliot, Daniel Fish, Mary Jefta (widf)w), Thomas
Jefts, .lonathan .lefts, Nathan Hall, .laines Hall,
Patience Fish (wiilow), Elea/.i-r Fish, ICbenezcr Blood,
.Tasiin Dunstcr. .Joseph Derrick, .lonalhan Winship,
SannielTarlicll, Nathaniel Barrett, .Jr., , John Leonard,
Joinithan Fish. On this list I do not recogni/.e any
non-residents. The highest tax on this list, and the
514
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HA3IPSHIRE.
highest in the town, was paid by Captain Thomas
Tarbell. Of the persons named in these tax-lists,
there are many who have descendants now residing
in the town, and many of them upon the farms then
owned by their ancestors.
As to tlie places of worship, one of the conditions
of the grant of tlie townsliip by the Masouian pro-
prietors was, that the grantees "build a convenient
house for the public worship of God, at or before the
last day of May, 1753, for the use of those who shall
then or afterwards inhabit there." In 1751 a vote
was passed to build a house thirty by twenty-four feet.
The dimensions were afterwards changed to forty bj*
thirty feet. This house was erected about three rods
northeast of the place where the second meeting-
house stood. The first house was never finished,
but w!is so far fitted for use that it served for public
worsliij) and town-meetings till the second was built,
having, by a vote of the proprietors, been made over
to the town. The second house was raised in 1789.
It was so far finished that it was used for the cere-
monies of the ordination of Rev. Ebenezer Hill,
November 3, 1790, but was not completed and dedi-
cated till November 26, 1795. It continued to be
used lor public worship and town-meetings till the
third house was built, not by the town, but by a
religious society in connection with the Congrega-
tional Church, in November, 1837, and afterwards
for town-meetings till the town-house was built, in
November, 1848. It was then sold at auction and re-
moved. The Baptist society built a house, but there
are no means of ascertaining in what year it was
built. It was never finished outside or in, and could
not be occupied in cold weather. It was sold and
removed in 1812. The brick meeting-house in the
village was built in 1827 by a new Baptist society,
and hiis been occupied to the present time. The
meeting-house of the Second Congregational Society
was built in the village by subscription of individuals,
and dedicated in December, 1849. The Christian
Cliapel was erected in 1835.
The Congregational Church was organized October
13, 1772. It consisted of twenty-one members, — twelve
men and nine women. On the same day Jonathan
Searle was ordained pastor of the church and min-
ister of the town. Disagreements soon arose between
him and the church, and between him and the town,
which, as time went on, became more perplexing and
unyielding. The result was his dismissal by the
church. May 4, 1781, and by the town, August 14,
1781. Mr. Searle was born in Rowley in 1744, and
graduated at Harvard College in 1704. He held the
office of justice of the peace many years, but did little
business as such. Indeed, little in that line in his
day and region needed to be done by any one. He
died December 7, 1S12, aged sixty-eight years. No
monument marks the ))lace of bis Inirial. He and his
wife were buried by the side of the monument of
B. Witherell, his son-in-law. His successor in office
was the Rev. Ebenezer Hill. He was born in Cam-
bridge in January, 1766, graduated at Harvard
College in 1786, pursued his professional studies
under Dr. Seth Payson, of Rindge, was licensed to
preach October 28, 1788, and was employed by the
people of Mason to preach for them early in 1789.
His services met with such acceptance that the church
and town united in a call for him to be their minister.
He accepted the call, and was ordained November 3,
1790. He remained minister of the town till Decem-
ber 19, 1835, when he was, at his request, released by
the town from the contract on their part. He con-
tinued in office as pastor of the church till his death,
May 20, 1854, in the eighty-ninth year of his age
and the sixty-fourth of his pajstorship. In 1791 he
bought the farm, and on it, in 1800, he built the house
in which, and on the farm, to which he made some
additions, he passed the remainder of his days. Upon
this farm, with the pittance of two hundred and fifty
dollars for a salary, he brought up his numerous
family of fourteen children, only one of whom died
in infancy. Order, economy, and industry were the
rules of his household. Abundance of plain fare,
coarse, strong, but decent raiment, were provided for
all. Two of his sons graduated at Harvard Uni-
versity and one at Dartmouth College. Rev. Andrew
H. Reed was settled as colleague pastor with him in
November, 1836. and remained till he was dismissed,
at his own re<|ucst, December 11, 1839. Mr. Hill
then resumed the pastoral duties of the parish, and
performed the labors of the station till August, 1840,
when the Rev. Joseph B. Hill was employed to assist
him. He was settled as co-pastor October 20, 1841,
and remained till April, 1847, when he was, at his
own request, dismissed. The Rev. J. L. Armes was
settled as co-i)astor in 1851, and remained till after
Rev. Ebenezer Hill's death.
In 1839 and 1840 he represented the town in the
Legislature of the State, but weary of public life, and
longing for the quiet of home, he declined further
service in that line. From the time of the settlement
of Mr. Reed, Mr. Hill continued to devote his life
and labors to the business of his sacred calling, as
opportunity presented in the neighboring towns,
until the infirmities of age, wasting his energies
and strength, compelled him to retire, and pass the
evening of his life in the quiet of his household and
fireside.
Rev. .loseph B. Hill, after leaving Mason, took
charge of the church in CoUlirook, N. H., where he
remained ten years, and then removed to West
Stewartstown, an adjoining town, and remained in
charge of the church in that place five years. In
18()2 he purchased a small farm in Temple, N. H.,
and removed and settled his family there. In March,
1S04, he accepted an apiiointment in the Christian
Commission, and in that capacity joined the army,
and, with fidelity, industry and zeal, gave himself to
the duties of that office, in the Army of the Cumber-
MASON.
515
land, until, at Chattanooga, he met with an accident
on the railroad so severe as to terminate in his death,
June 10. 1S64. Mr. Amies was dismissed, at his own
request. May 13, 18.j7. Immediately alter Mr. .Vrmes
lel't. the Rev. Daniel Goodwin commenced i>reaeliing
for this church, and continued in tliat employment
till he was installed as pastor, April IS, 18C0, and
remained until 1S7.3. The succeeding pastors have
lieen : I'lUlus P. Wells, Feliiuary, 1874, to April, 1877 ;
W. K. Tisdale, April, 1877, "to April, 1881 ; H. P.
Leonard, .July 1. 1881, to present time.
War of the Revolution. — The records of the first
town-meeting show that the citizens were expecting
and prejiaring for this conflict, and when war actually
came they were ready to meet it. Captain Benjamin
Mann, with his company, marched to Cambridge and
joined the ])atriot army, anil took i)art in the battle
of Bunker Hill, in which one of his company, Joseph
Blood, is known to have been killed, and one other,
Ebenezer Blood, Jr.,' was probably killed, as he wa.s
never heard of after that day. His name is not found
on the roll of the company. Undoubtedly he joined
it only on the time of the battle as a volunteer. The
evidence of his service and I'all in the fight rests only
on tradition ; but that has been uniform and uncon-
trailicted. Ninety-one inhabitants of the town served
in the army or navy in the War of the Revolution,
most of them on behalf of the town, butsonieforothcr
towns or places, as follows :
M.ST OF SOI.DIKltS.
Jolin Adnmft, Simon Ames, Samuel .\bl>ut, Ebeiie/xT Abtxit, .Vbel .\<liimH,
Eb<>nez«;r Bloo<l, .T(j6ri)ti Ham-It, Ji's,/i)ti Btuod, Nntlinnir] Iliirrett, Jr., Jtw-
cph Hull, .lucoli lll'~lg<'tl, Al»;l lllulic lijil'l, Sa ol lln'Wli, Iiuiai' llarr^It,
Siliu) niillarJ, Li>-utenarit Inaac ni-<iwn,Thuiiia» Blood, \m lUDixl.Klx-iif/or
Bloxl, Jr., Klcu/er Bullunl. Ainus Bloifil, AnuM CliiM, <'a)itulii W, S.
Clmiiilwrs, Deacon Ani<jM Dakin, Zachariali Davis, Ju^liiia Davis, Henry
DnnHter, Jolin Voiige, Amu^Dakiii, Jr., Jason Dunoter, Jr., iHaiali Dun*
•ler, /cbiilun Dodge, Oliver Kliott, .\sa Kniei-non, David Kliol, Deacon
Andrew Eliot, .Vbijali Eaton, Jonalliun Foster, Simon Fisli, Isaac Flagti;,
Jonas Kay, Jonatlian F<H,ter, Jr., Natban F<«tcr, K/.m Ftiller, James
Gor^lon, Itenlx-n lloMmer, Timothy lIo<l};nian, David Ilo^ltrman, Jose|di
Hodgnialt, .lotftpb Ilerrjck, Jr.. ,J<iM^|ib IIo<lf,'nnin, .Ir., John Ilurl-
bert, Zacbeiis HixlKmnn, .\nio,4 Iloldeii, William Ilosmer, Job IIo<lginan,
Brlil7 Hall. John Hall, Daviil Hall, Natban IIodKnian.Josiab Hurlbert
Amos Herrick, .loseph LoM-ell, Jr.,Tiniotliy Lowell, Jo^jpli Merriani, Kzra
Mcrriam, Benjamin Mann, Abrabani Merrium, Aaron Mossinnii, Silas
3Ierriani, .\braliam Merriam, Jr.,K|ibraitil Nutting, Wbitconib Powcra,
Jo«*'|)b n<;sM, Jas,>n Russell, J<'Nliiia Kicbardson, I.eninel Spanlding, Sam-
uel Smith, .Samuel Scripture, James Scripture, Hnv. J. S. Serlo, Samuel
Rquire, John Swall'iw, Jr., Xatbnniel Sniitb, Jr., Samuel Scripture, Jr.,
John Tarbill, Thomas TarUII, Jr.. Kllnba Wilbinirton, Suninel WorHls,
Colonel James Wo,m1, Di:acon Jothant Weblier, Deacon Roger Weslon,
Jacob WeaUiorbee, TimoOiy Weailierboe, Edward Wllnon, Jr., Joflopli
WiUui.
The iiiiinbcr i>f inhabitants of the town was about
five hundre<l ; so that nearly one in five of all the in-
habitants of the town, including men, women and
chiUlrcM, old and young, took part in the strife of the
battle-fields. It is impossible to make out, with any
Mitisfactory certainty, the amount of pecuniary bur-
dens borne by the citizens in that war. 'I'liat their
> His name apiienrs in the "List of Killed" in Swell's Bunker Hill
Apl endix, p. 'J8 ; also in Btrntmi's New Ham]tsliiru P.tl>ers.
energies and means were taxed to the utmost is appar-
ent, and that the demands upon them were promptly
met is also shown by their records ; but the fact that
all the sums paid and burdens borne are not fully re-
cordc'l, and the more important fact that alter the
1777 the currency was continually depreciating, ren-
der it hardly possible now to ascertain what was the
true value of the sums assessed and paid as taxes. In
this war the town was united in the prosecution of
the contest. There was but one Tory in the town,
and he was soon driven away. His property was con-
fiscated, and his land sold by the authorities of the
State, and lie ended liis days in Groton, his native
l>lace, in poverty and wretchedness. No State in the
Union was so thoroughly loyal to the patriot cause
and so free from Toryism in those days as the State
of New Hampshire, and no town in the Slate wjis
more patriotic and unanimous in prosecuting the war
to the end than the town of Mason.
War of 1812.— In the War of 1812 a very different
state of feeling existed in the town. Many thought
the war was needless, and that it was l)rought on not
by any worthy cause, but by party management. The
politics of the town, as indicated by the choice of
representatives in the years 1811, '12, '13, '14 and '15,
showing a change from one party to the other each
successive year, prove that the parties were very
evenly balanced. The only call for soldiers from the
town was made by the Governor tor the defense of
Portsmouth.
War of the Rebellion.— The War of the Rebellion
found iiiiicli less unanimity of sentiment among the
jieople of the town than that of the Revolution; but
still a very decided ni.ijority was in favor of support-
ing the " old flag," and in this majority was to be
reckoneil a large number of tlic Democratic party.
The purpose to make the burdens and exijcnses of the
military service a common charge upon the town was
very generally resolved upon and acquiesced in. The
whole number of men from this town was one hun-
dred and twenty-one. The amount of money paid by
the town for bounties and hiring soldiers and other
expenses of that war was $26,474.44, as follows :
Bounties, etc.
Expenses
5,«7.1.18
71)9.20
Sill, 174.44
The following is a report of the number and names
of soldiers furnisheil by the town of Mason for the
suppression of the Rebellion, as niaile out February
211, 1866, by Cliarles B. Prescott :
Thniiuis E. Marshall, C'onii)auy G, Socoml Reglimuit, June .'», Isr.l ;
wounded .Inly 'J, lHri.T ; promoted to wcond st^rgeanl and then
throUKh every gniile up to captain : re-enlisted January .'>, 18C4 ; In
that year he was jihiced in comnnind of a company of shur|wh(N>t-
era, in which he b*tv,kI tilt the close of Ibo war.
Clmrles H. DIx, Company G, Second Reginnint, Juno .'>, 18(U ; dlKlinrgod
fordinbllily IVcendier:), ISlU.
fliarles K. Foster, Compony G, Second Regiment, June ft, 18HI ; re-on*
listeil January I, 1Si',4.
516
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Levi J. JoasHn, Company G, Second Kegiment, Jime 5, 18G1 ; promoted
corporal ; nivistered out June 21, 18G4.
John Keniiey, Company G, Second Regiment, June 5, 1861 ; mustered
uut June21, 18G4.
Augustus G. Nntthig, Company G, Second Regiment, June 'i, 18G1 ;
mustered out June 21, 18(J4.
Andrew C'orbit, Company H, Second Regiment, June 5, 18G1.
Mic»ihel r. Haley, Cumimny K, S<-cond Regiment, June 5, 18G1 ; pro-
moted corporal ; mustered out SeptemlnT 21, 1863.
Marquis h. Holt, Company K, Third Regiment, August 23, 1864; pro-
muted curponil ; re-enlisted February lo, 1804.
Kphntim Cnindtdl, Company C, Fourth Regiment, September IH, 1861 ;
died of disease June 23, 1863.
Romango L. Nutting, corponil, Company E, Sixth Regimeut, November
28, 1801 ; not otficially accounted for.
Henry A. Jones, C'ompany E, Sixth Regiment, November 28, 1801 ; re-
enlisted December 25, 1863.
Seth Preston, Company B, Eighth Regiment, December 20, 1861 ; re-en-
listed Januui'y 4, 1804.
Henry Shattnck, Ci>mpany B, Eighth Regimeut, December 20, 1861 ;
died at Camp Pai-api-t, La., August (i, 1H02.
Robert G. Phinney, Company E, Eighth Regiment, December 20, 1861 ;
promoted corporal July, 1862 ; wounded Octob3r27, 1862 ; promoted
sergeant February 14, 1803; discharged for disability November 27,
1864.
George Cutting, corporal, First Light Battery, New Hampshire Volun-
teers, September 26, 1801; reduced to the ranks ; mustered out Sep-
tember 25, 1804.
Willard C. Burdick, Firet Light Battery, New Ham[>shire Vohinteers,
September 26, 1801 ; mustered out September 2'!, 1864.
George H. Dix, New Hampshire Battalion, First New England Cavalry,
October 24, 1861 ; missing October 12, 1863.
David Moran, New Hampshire Battalion, First New England Cavalry,
December 24, 1801 ; re-enlisted January 5, 1864.
Enoch Leavitt, New Hampshire Battalion, First New England Cavalry,
December 24, 1801 ; re-enlisted January 5, 18(»4.
Patrick O'Brien, New Hampshire Battalion, First New England Cavali-y,
December 24, 1801 ; not oflicially accounted for.
Jliltoii H. Hardy, sr-rgeant, Company G, Thirteenth Regiinent, New
Uampf*hire Volunteers, September IH, lHt;2 ; commissioned as lieu-
tenant.
John G. Blood, corpi)ral, Company G, Thirteenth Kegiment, New Hamp-
shire Volunteers. Sejitember 10, 186'J.
Joel E. Boyutou, Company G, Thirteenth Regiment, New Iljimpshire
\'olimteers, Septemlnsr 19, 186i ; died February 25, 1863.
William W, Biiiley, Coniimuy G, Thirteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
\'oIuiiteersi, SeptemlKT 19, 1802 ; wounded severely June 3, 18t;4.
William D. Carr, Company G, Thirteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Volunteers, September 19, 1862 ; promoted to corporal ; wounded
severely May 13, 1804 ; died of wounds at Point Lookout, Md., June
12, 1864.
Edward W. Davis, Company G, Thirteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Volunteers, September 19, 1802; woundeil September 29, 18)i4 ; died
of woundsat Hampton, Va., October 12, 1864.
Charles H. Rusiell, Company (i. Thirteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Volunteers, .September 19, 1862.
George D. Reed, Couipitny G, 1 hirteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Volunteers, September 19, 1H62 ; dischargeil November 29, 180,3.
Ralph Weston, Company G, Thirteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Volunteers, September 13, 18G2 ; died of diseuse March 21, 1803.
Ira yi. Whittaker, Company G, Thirteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Voluutt'ers, September 19, 1862 ; died of disease Janvmry 15, 1863.
Charles A. Duslin, Company I, Thirteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Volunteers, .September2n, 1^02 ; discharged April 27, 1803.
E. T. Elliott, <'ompany I, Thirteenth Regiment, New Hampshire Volun-
teers, September 2n, 1.S02.
Joseph V. Elliott, (^'onipany I, Thirteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Volunteers, September 2i), 1802.
M. V. B. Elliott, Company I, Thirteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Volunteers, September 2<), 1802.
Emstus E. Elliott, Company I, Thirteenth Regiiuent, Ntw Hampshire
Volunteers, Septeml)er 20, 1802.
Daniel Parker, Company I, Thirteenth Regiment, New Hampsliire Vol-
unteers, September 2-3, 1802.
John B. >mith, C<'mpany 1, Thiiteeuth Regiment, New Hamjishire Vol-
unteei-8, September 20, 1862 ; died March 11, Ih6;j.
Joseph E. O'Donnell, second lieutenant, Sixteenth Regiment, New
Ham]>shire Volunteer Infantry, Company C, November 4, 1862 ;
mustered out August 20, 1803.
Henry H. SteveiiB. sergeant, Comi>any C, Sixteenth Regiment, New
Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, October 18, 1862 ; mustered out Au-
gust 20, 1803.
John E. Steams, sergeant, Company C, Sixteenth lUgiment, New
Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, October 18, 1862 ; nmstcred out .\u-
gust 211, 1803.
Harrisou Livingston, corporal, Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, New
Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, October 18, 1862 ; mustered out Au-
gust 20, 1803.
James Davis, Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampshire V<ilun-
teer Infantry, October 18, 1862 ; died August 10, 1863.
George L. Adams, ComiMiny C, Sixteenth Regiment, New Haulp^hi^e
Volunteer Infantry, October 18, 1862 ; died August 19, 1863.
Chauncey A. Adams, Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Volunteer Infantry, October 18, 1862; mustered out August 20,
1863.
Nathan .\damp, Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampshire Vol-
untei-r Infantry, (tctober 27, 1K02 ; mustered out August 20, 1S03.
Albert A. .Vut-tin. Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Volunteer Infantry, October IS, 1862 ; died August 1, 1803.
Charles P. Baldwin, Company C. Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Volunteer Infantrj-, October IS. 1802 ; died June 1, 186:j.
Sydney A. Barrett, Company i", Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
A'olunteer Infantry, October 18, 1862 ; discharged December 16,
1802.
George L. Crighton, Company <VSixteenth Regiiuent, New Hampi-hire
Volunteer Infantry, October 18, lso2 ; discharged for disability.
Charles P. Gorhani, C^mipany C, Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Volunteer lufautry, October 18, 1802; mustered out August 20,
1863.
Thomas Jacksv)n, Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Volunteer Infantry, October 18, 1862; mustered out August 20,
1803.
Marshall Kimlwill, Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Volunteer Infantry, October 18, 1862 ; nuistered out August 20,
1863.
Bci^amin G. Livingston, Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, New Hantp- ^
shire Volunteer Infantry, October IS, 1862 ; mustered out Augnetai, If
1803. ^
David Robbins, Company C, Sixteenth Regiment. New Hampshire
Volunteer Infantry, October 18, 1802; mustered out Axigust 20,
1863.
Samuel S. Reed, Company C, Sixteenth Kegiment, New Hampshire
Volunteer Infantry, October 18, 1802; discharged December 15,
18fi2.
Granville Robbins, Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Volunteer Infantry, November 19,1862; died of disease March 20, I
1803.
Nathaniel Smith. Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampshire
Volunteer Infanti-j', October 18, 1862 ; died May 12, 1863.
Lyman Sanders, Company C, Sixteenth Kegiment, New Hampshire
Voltnteer lufautry, (.)ctuber 18, 1802 ; died :*Iarch 21, 1803.
Sanuiel H, Wheeler, Company C. Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampsliiro
Volunteer Infantry, October 28, 1802 ; mustered out August 2i', 1803.
Thonuis B. Russell, Company E, Sixteenth Regiment, New Hami^hire
Volunteer Infantry, November 13, 1862; mustered out August 20,
1863.
Thomaii R. Clement, assistant surgeon. Tenth Regiment, New Hamp-
shire Volunteer Infantry, October 26, 1863; honorably discharged
September 17, 1864.
James S. Maidove. Contpany K, Sixth Regiment, New Hampshii-e Vol-
unteer Infantry, October 14, 1863.
William H. Ungr, Company 1, Sixth Regiment, New Hampshire Volun-
teer Infantry, March 31, lHr4,
Charles H. Thomi"*»n, Company I, Seventh Regiment, New Hampshtre
Volunteer Infantry, ttctober l'\ 18G3.
George Beford. (.Auupany K, Eiglitli Regiment, New Hampshire Volun-
teer Infantry, September 1, 1803; killed at Bayou De Glasse, La.,
May 17, 1804.
William Hunt, Company C, Eighth Regiment, New Hampshire Volun-
teer Infantry, September 1, 1803.
Madison Colby. Company K, Eleventh Regiment, New Hampshire Vol-
unteer Iiifantrv, December 12, 1803.
MASON.
517
Alonto Carter, Company D, Eleventh Regiment, Sew Hampshire Volun-
teer Infuutry, December 12, 18G3 ; wuutnled July *27. 1864.
Franciit Ik-ruurd, Comiwuy I, Twelflli Kegiment, Xew Hanipeliire Vol-
unteer Infttiitry, Deccmt)er 11, 18ti3.
John llrant, Cuniixiuy K, Twelfih Regiment, Xew IlAmptihiro Volun-
teer Infiintry, December 11, 18ti;i; transferred to United States
navy April 29, 1804.
Ttiomito Ouiiigun, <'«impimy K, Twelfth Regiment, Xew IIamp«hiro Vol-
uiiUter Infantry, Deccnilwr U, iH'hi.
Jamcri M. Howard, Comptiiiy C, Twelfth Regiment, New Hampshire
Vuhmteer liifimtry, Decenilwr 10, 18(13.
William King>liUid. ^uIllIMlny I, Twelfth Regiment, Xew Hampshire
Volunteer Infantry, Decemher 10, 18(13.
George Lansing, Company K, Twulfth Regiment, N'ew Hampshire Vol-
unteer Infantr>', Decemlier 11, 18G.1.
William 5Ieauey, Cuiii|«ny E, Twelfth Regiment, Xew Hampshire Vol-
unteer Infantry, December 11, I8tl;j; woumled May 0, lT(i4.
George NichoU, Company D, Twelfth Regiment, New Hampshire Vohin-
tt-er Infantry, December 11, 18G3 ; transferred to United States navy
April 2U, 18M.
Louis Schafft, Company C, Twelfth Regiment, New Hampshire Volun-
teer Infantn,', December 12, 18fi3 ; wounded June 3, 1864.
John Tupper, Company K, Twelfth Regiment, New Hampt^hir« Volun-
teer Infantry, December 10, 18(13.
James AbUttt, Troop G, Kiret Regiment, Now Hampshire Volunteer
Cavalry, April '•, IStVl ; missing November 12, 1864.
Charles 8. Cheeney, Troop G, First Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer
Cavalry, March 31, 1804.
Ix>uis Curtois, Troop G, First Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Cav-
alry, March 31,1804.
Janu-s Daik-y, Troop D, First Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Cav-
alry, .luno 25, 18)i4.
James Eastiuan, Trwp D. First Regiment, New Hampshire Vohmtecr
Cavalry, April :«>, 1804.
Elton Harrington, Troop >I, First Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer
Cavalr>-, March 22, 18*>4.
Joseph Ani'it'Itc, Tri.opM. First Regiment, New Uiimpshiix- Volunteer
Cavalry, March 25, 1«6*.
John Marsai), Troop M, Kirat Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Cav-
alry, March 25, I8tri.
I Henry GrKMlwln, VAiUi\yAuy A, Eleventh Regiutent, April .», 1804.
Charles llurliM, Coiu|Miriy A, Seventh Regiment, September 21, 1864.
John Staw, Company I, Sevonlh Regiment, September 22, 1804.
Thomas Fletcher, Com^mny K, Suvi-nlh Regiment, .September 22, 1804.
l->lward Trial, i.'ompitiiy A, Ninth Kegiment, August 25, 1804; missing
at Hnplur Gntvi* Chnn h, Vii., S«-pi<-mber 3ii, 18trl.
Prior DaU.T, Comi«iri.v C, Ninlli Itrginient, August 20, 1864.
John h. RIance, ConijMiny I". Fifth Ht-Kimcnt, September 13, 1804.
Charles II. Dogherty, Contpany It, Fifth Regiment, September 17, 1804.
Thomas Floronct*, Company ,\. Fifth Regiment, August 17, 1804.
Jo«H>ph French, (,'ompany .V, Fifth Regiincnt, August I'J, 1804.
Daniel Finn, Company H, Fifth Regiment. September 1, 1804.
Walter Jones. Coniiiany I, Fifth Regiment, September 13, 1804.
Joseph Manihall, Company F, Fifth K.-ginient. August 18, 1864.
E«lwai-.l Mciinire, funipiuiy F, Fifth Itegiment, Augu-t Itl, 1804.
Thomas McfJuin-. Coiiiiianv F. Fifth Kegiment, September 2, 1804.
John Mahoney, Cumpiuiy F, Fifth Kegiment. SeptemlM?r 3, 1804.
John Mountain, Company K, Fifth Kegiment, September lit, 1804.
Wiltium II. Kand. Company K, Fifth Kegiment, Augunt 25, 1804.
John Sweeney, Com|mny F, Fifth Regiment, AugiiHt 31, 1804.
Sydney A. Ilarrett. veteran, regular army, August 31, 1804.
James (Jiison, veteran, regular army, A'plcmber 23, 1804.
ThoiiiuM Dntiham, vett-ran, regular army, Stfpteniber 21, 1804.
James .Smith, vetenm. regular army, September 15, 1804.
Jacob Johnwon, veteran, regular army, Si-pti'mber 2(>, I8)l4.
Morton I ngalls, enlisted tu the navy, but fell sick ami died .March 111,
1802, Iwforc Joining his vessel.
NAMF^S IIF PERSONS DKAFTKD FKoM MASON SEPTEMBER 2,
l«ti:i.
Jenttne Davix, rurnl<thi-i| HiibNtitute.
OliH WalhM-M, furnihhe.l r«ul>Htltut-.
Morton 1.. Knrrelt, furnlfilied Hul>«titule.
Dontcr E. DaviH, furnished stilwtltutc,
Joseph MeGoweii, fiirnlsho 1 siib'tlilut*'.
.lames Q. Conant, furnished substitute.
.\lbert Whittaker, furnished substitute.
Henry P. Adams, furnished substitute.
Marshall H. Nutting, paid commutation.
Edwin B. Hosmer, discharged for dit<abillty or other causes.
William S. Merriani, discharged for disability or other causes.
K<lmnnd B. Newell, discharged fur dicuibility or other causes.
Harrison Hutchintton, discharged fur JiMability or other causes.
Heti.)amin F. March, discharged for disability or other causes.
Calvin Uarrett, discharged for disability or other causes.
Thomas (Janey, discharged for disability or other causes.
Israel D. Balch, discharged for disability or other causes.
Robert L. Cumnock, Jr., discharged for disability or other causes.
Nelson L. Barrett, discharged for disability or other causes.
Patrick Meloney, discharged for disability or other causes.
Barnanl Lamb, discharged for disability or other anises.
Charles H. Nutting, discharged for disability or other causes.
Elliott Merriam, difcharged for disability or other causes.
Isaiah E. Scripture, iliscliarged for disability or other causes.
Franklin B. llolden, discharged for disability or other causes.
James P. Nutting, discharged for disability or other causes.
NAMES OF THOSE WHO FURNISHED SUBSTITUTES UNDER
THE CALL OF JULY 18, ISiU.
Principals.
James L. Chiimberlain.
Charles P. Richardson.
James Taft.
Aliel E. .Vdatns.
Sewall F. .Vdams.
Enville J. Emery.
Edwin L. Nutting.
Cluirles E. Keyes.
Rufus P. Boynton.
James Ru(«i'll.
Anson J. lti<lcout.
iJoorge W. Scripture.
Barnard Lamb.
Joel H. Elliott.
William A. Adams.
Isaiah E. Scripture.
John L. Taft.
.\mos A. Smith.
Alvah Lakin.
George L. Blood.
Horace K. Hodgeman.
Nelson L. Barrett.
Substitutes.
Thomas McGnire.
E<lwardMcGuire.
John Mahoney.
Thomas Florence.
Joseph ^larehall.
Joseph French,
John L. RIance.
Jacob Jfdinson.
James Smith.
Thomas Fletcher.
David Finn.
Peter Baker.
Charles Barles.
Thomas Dunham.
James Gilson.
Jidin Starr.
John Mountain.
Edward Prial.
John Sweeney.
William II. iUind.
Charles II. Ditugherty.
Walter Jones.
Amoiitit \ii\U\ for sulistilutcs, $22,455; liighcst
amoUMt paid, $11^25; lowest, .*?iHI((,
Slate iKHUity. ?:;< Ml; town buuiitv, ?OfK» .
Paid by ]ii-iiii-i|Mils
?'.H»0
I4<>
Total avemge cost ::HHO
It appears by a reptirt niiule I>y the Mcloctincn to
the town that bounties wore paid as follows :
To three yearn' men, 1802 S2,5:in.it()
To nine months' men, 18G2 2.2i«>.()0
To conscripts, 1803 2,l't(i.<Ht
Toconscrlpts, I81M 3,l5<i.tMi
SulMtitules, etc., 1804 27,327.:i/i
Services ofsulcctmon and others :i'.(3.15
Keceiveil from the government
S;l."»,02u..Mi
{>44.<H)
8lM,o7fl.5(>
HISTORY OF GREENVILLE.
BY G. F. MERRIAM.
CHAPTER I.
The town of Greenville is a rectangle in form,
about four miles in length, by one and one-half miles
in breadth, cut from the northwest corner of Mason,
and otherwise bounded north by Temple and Wilton,
and west by Jvew Ipswich.
Its outlines are from the original survey, on the
cardinal points of the compass "by the needle," as
was said in the grant, except the north line, which
includes a gore of more than a hundred rods in width,
but Is also given in the old charter as " running east."
Its surface is quite undulating, rising into several
hills of considerable height and attractive prospects.
Of these the most prominent are the Adams, Bellows,
Campbell, Dunster, Lawrence, Merriam and Barrett,
the latter reaching an altitude of twelve hundred and
sevent.y-one feet, and affording a valuable peak for
the observations of the I ■ nited States Coast Survey.
Its chief stream is the Souheean River, whose de-
scent is quite rapid, furnishing valuable mill sites,
which are as yet but jiartially improved. Of these
High Falls is deserving of special iiotice for its scenic
grandeur and favorable circumstances for utilizing a
great water-power. The other water courses are but
trout brooks, having their source in the immediate
vicinity, and known by the names of the early settlers
near Davis, Hill and Sliattuck.
The soil was originally a rich mould, and while
most of the pastures have .suffered from long grazing,
the fields of the best cultivated farms still yield rich
returns for careful tillage. Along the meadows and
up the hillsides, near the river, the subsoil is largely
clay and has to a considerable e.xtent been wrought
into bricks of the best quality and various articles of
pottery. Beneath this as a foundation, cropping out
in frequent ledges, suitable for quarrying, or scattered
in broken masses upon the surface, is an inexhaustible
supply of gneiss or granite.
The great forest,s of the past, as well as the younger
trees growing in their place, are for the most part
deciduous. A few acres of pine, with an occasional
group of hemlock and yet rarer spruce, may still be
found, but the maples, red, rock and white predomin-
618
ate, while the birch, beech, oak, ash, elm, bass and
cherr)- abound with a sprinkling of chestnut and
hickory near the southeast corner of the town.
The first New Ipswich grant included the most valu-
able portion of Greenville, but subsequent charters
gave this territory to No. 1, afterwards incorporated
as Mason, with which parent town its history for
more than a century was merged.
The earliest settlement seems to have been in the
southwest corner of the town and the pioneer settler,
Obadiah Parker, who soon built a frame house, " a
good house and about two acres cleared " the pro-
prietors' committee report to the proprietors' meeting,
in Groton, Mas9., October 25, 1752. On the 5th of
January, 1708, this same Lieutenant Obadiah Parker,
as with the nice regard of the day for military rank, be
wiis called, was chosen to go to Portsmouth to secure
the Mason charter " and distribute the money there-
for." His success appears in Governor Wentworth's
charter, dated August 6th of the same year, author-
izing Obadiah Parker, gentleman, to call the first
town-meeting, which he did by his warrant of Sep-
tember 5th. At this meeting, on the 19th of the same
month, he was elected moderator and one of the board
of selectmen ; and it may be added that in personal
presence, business cajsacity and Christian character
he seems to have been a father of whom no town need
be ashamed.
It is said that the first hou.se erected in the village
stood near the site of the town-house. It is worthy of
remembrance as the birth-place of one of the noblest
men that ever honored thehistory of thetown. Deacon
Merrill C. Dodge ; and after removal the structure is
still standing on Temple Street opi)osite the residence
of James Taft, Escp It seems also from obscure
records, that a mill was very early built at one of the
falls of the Souhegan hard by. Certainly the pro-
prietors voted November 4, 1867 and chose a com-
mittee to view the roads to accommodate Slipton
with power, if judged best, to lay out the roads by
Mr. Barrett's mills'; and in the warrant of the first
town-meeting after incorporation was an article " to
see if the town will, accept the road lately laid out by
Mr. Thomas Barretts and .\mo8 Dakins mills and,
GREENVILLE.
519
liiiilfl a bridge over the river now the water is low."
Ami llie record tells us, " Voted, to accept the road.
Voted, to Iniild a bridge." About this mill and the
subsequent industries which took their motive power
from the several falls of the Souhegan grew a thrifty
village, known as Mason Harbor, Ma-son Villiige and
souieliines Souhegan Village, until its incorporation
June 28, 1X72. with some of the territory naturally
clinging to it and the name which it now bears.
The citizens of the Greenville district were always
prominent in the history of Mason, furnishing its first
representative, Deacon Amos Dakin, when classed
with Haby (now Hrookline). also when Joseph Mer-
riam led the list of town representatives. The organ-
ization of the Second Congregational Church in Mason,
afterwards the Congregational Church in Greenville,
took away the three deacons of the old church, —
Nathan Wood, Franklin Merriamand Simeon Cragin.
And so the whole secular an<l sacred life of Mason
before division is one in which Grociiville shares
most honorably.
The distance of the village from the centre of
Ma.son in time produced the same results as have so
often appeared in the change of town lines to accom-
modate business centres. As usual the first impulse
came from the conscience. The Baptists were the
pioneers in this movement, erecting a meeting-house
in the village as early as the year 1827 and or-
ganizing a new Baptist Church the year following.
Thenceforth, the interest and worship of the denomi-
nation centered there, and the jjrevious organization
and services at Mason Centre were discontinued.
Time jiassed, an<l the fathers and mothers of Puri-
tan faith and or^er could get only a part of their
families and friends to their church three miles
away ; hence, the organization of the Congregational
Church June .'5. 1S47.
Nearly twenty-four years afterwards, the convenience
of the manufacturing population led to a proposition
on the |iart of .lames L. Chamberlin, Esc]., to buy the
old town-house at the centre of Mason and build in
its stead, at the village, an attractive edifice, fitted up
for all rcfpiisite town purposes and to be freely used
for them, upon conditions which were regarded by his
neighbors as generous, l)ut which those near and be-
yond the old towndiouse wore naturally reluctant to
accept. Out of this dilference of opinion and conse-
quent excitement of feeling an amicable way of relief
was found in division, citizens on one side giving the
reipiisite legal notice and those on the other urging
the matter to a successful issue.
By the terms of its charter Greenville was to as-
sume thirteen-twentieths of the liabilities of Mjiaon,
prior to separation and take besides its share of
the north gore, forty-five of the two hundred eighty
acre-lots laid out in the original survey of the parent
town.
Samuel Haines, .James L. Cliaml>erlin and Amos
Scripture were empowered to call the first town-
meeting, and upon their warrant the town organiz.i-
tion was perfected, July 17, 1872.
Some unfortunate litigation ensued with Mason
concerning the Boynton common school fund which
was decided in favor of the latter town, and also as
to the south line of Greenville which resulted in es-
tablishing the full claim of the young town. The
most harmonious relations have ever since existed
with the mother-town and the citizens of Greenville,
beyond all others, rejoice in her prosperity.
During the first years of independent town history
all public meetings were held in the Congregational
vestry and the selectmen had their office in Mr.
Chamberlin's building on the site of the town house.
The desire for a town-home soon began to express
itself. The Columbian Manufacturing Company
made a generous oft'er of a gratuitous lot, near the
junction of Main and New Ipswich streets, and it
was once voted to accept the otter and build thereon,
but the town afterwards decided to i)Urchase land of
Mr. Chamberlin and built there, in the year 1876,
the present town-house. It is a sub-stantial brick
structure, secular Gothic in style of* architecture, with
basement and lower story for store, post-office and
selectmen's room, while above are main and bamjuet
halls with ante-rooms. It was dedicated near the
close of the year, — cost, including land, about thirty
thousand dollars; building committee, James L.
Chamberlin, Franklin B. Heald, George C. Robbins,
Henry I. Whitney and Milton H. Hardy.
The population of Greenville at its census in 1880
was ten hundred and seventy-two. Its valuation by
the selectmen for the year 188.') was six hundred thou-
sand four hundred and ninety-four dollars.
The principal town otticers have been, —
MODEK.VTOBS.
David Millikin, 1S72.
Juiucs L. Chiiluborlin, 1873, '74, '75, 7C, '77, '78, '7!l, '80, '82.
(iL'orgu II. I.iviii),'8U)D, 1880.
Sl.|ilicu 11. Uncoil, 1880, '82, '83, '84, '85.
Thomas Hays, 1884.
.lulm Kouney, 188S.
TOWN CLERKS.
Jiimo* TufI, 1872.
Kboli F. Pli.rce, 1873, '74, '77.
(J. F. Morrlam, 1878, '70.
Frank E. I'iiTcu, Ik78, '80, '81, '82, '83, '84, '85.
C'luirles E. Mursli, ni7'J.
SEI.ECTME.N.
1872.— .Vndrew lli^nry, .lolm Koniu-y, Ocorgu M. Furrur.
1873.— Honry .1. Whitney, Siiuiuvl IliiiiicH, .Iuiik'h L. Chumbcrlin.
1874.— Uoury J. Whilnoy, JanioK L. ChauilM-rliu, .Munthall Kiiutiall.
1875. — Henry J. Whitni-y, Jariiett I.. Chaniherlin, Jatiier* Tuft.
1870.— Janien I.. Chanilierllii, Fmnkllii n. Ilinlil, MlltoM n. Hartly.
1877. — Fmiiklili II. Ileahi, Jaiii<-rt Tatt, Samuel E. Adaliin.
1878. — Fnuikliii U. Ilvaltl, Jaiiii'ti TaCt, N'alhaii I*. Farrar,
I87;i. — Slepht-li II. na<oii, Nathan I*. Farrur, ThuinuM llaya.
1880.— Steiihen 11. Hacuii, Nathan I'. Karmr, (K'orK.i ('. Kuhblns.
1881-82.- Charh-H E. Hall. Nathan I'. Farrar, (i.'urKi' C. Robbllu.
1883.— C'liarloa E. Hall, Nathan P. Farrar, .Milton II. Ilanly.
1884.— Nntliaii I". Forrar, Slllton II. Hanly, Uroiinon I'. Lamb.
1885. — George C. Robbins, William II. .Sanburiie, James Taft.
REPRESENTATIVES.
lieorge F. .Mcrrlani, 1873, '74, '76.
Itii'hanl Hall, 1S7II.
520
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Andrew llfni-j-, 1878.
Chailus E. JIareh, 1880.
Stupheii H. Bacon, 1882, '84.
DELEGATE TO CON'STITITIONWL COSVESTION.
J. L. Chamberlin, 1870.
TKEASUKEKS.
J. L. Chamberlin, 1872, '73, '74, '75, '70, '77, '78.
M. C. Doiige, 1879, '80, '81.
Brunsolj 1'. Lamb, 1882, '83.
C. E. Hall, 1S84.
Orin D. Prescott, 1885.
SITERIKTESDING SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
M. C. Dodge, 1872, '73, '74, '75.
C. E. Hall, 1876, '77, '79, '81, '82, '83, '84.
C. G. Corey, 1878.
C. E. Mai-sh, 1878.
F. A. Scwell, 1880.
G. F. Munsey, 1885.
HIGHWAY SUBVEYORS.
Elisha B. Barrett, 1872.
H. J. Whitney, 1873, '74, '75, '85.
M. H. Haitty, 1876, '70, '811, '81, '82, '83, '84.
II. M. Livingston, 1877, '78.
SUPERTISOKS.
1878. — Andrew Henry, John Janes, George II. Livingston.
1880.— George H. Livingston, Harrison H. Shuniway, Charles E.
Harsh.
1882.— Harrison H. Shumway, Charles F. Smith, George L. Blood.
1884, — Frank L. Peabody, Harrison H. Shumway, Silas A. Hays.
LIBRARIANS.
Thomas E. Marshall and Frank E. Pierce.
Business History. — In the original grant of the
Masoiiiaii iircjpiictors mention is made of two lota for
encouragement of building mills. At the first draft
it seems that neither of the lots selected for this pur-
pose were within the bounds of Greenville, but the
superior advantages of the waterfall of the Souhegan
River were soon recognized and the needful arrange-
ments made for building saw and grist-mills there.
From Hon. J. 15. Hill's " History of Mason " it ap-
pears a committee wa.s appointed at a proprietors'
meeting in 1751 to make a contract for constructing
mills on this privilege, the saw-mill to be completed
by the 25th of May, 1752, and the corn-mill in a year
from that date. This was done, but the contractor
failed to fulfill his bond and a suit at law followed.
The mills, however, were soon built by Thomas and
Charles Barrett. At least the latter sold his interest
to Deacon Amos Dakin and moved to New Ipswich,
according to some authorities as early as 1764. Dea-
con Dakin soon after became sole proprietor and con-
tinued so until his death in 1779, when the projierty
pa.ssed to his son. Deacon Timothy Dakin, who re-
built the mills in a very substantial manner and
remained the owner until 1814, when he sold them
with the privilege to Major Seth King and John
Stevens, Esq. From these owners they passed in
time to William Durgin and were directed by Jolin
Felt until 8eptcmber 18, 1854, when they were i)ur-
chased by the Columl)ian Manufacturing Company,
to give place to one of its large factories, called No. 4.
■The first dam above the bridge was made by Deacon
Amos Dakin about 1788. Below this dam, on the
south side of the stream, a carding and fulling mill
was built by John Evereit about the beginning of the
century. It was occupied by him, afterwards by
Othni Crosby and others for the same purpose until
the year 182'J, when it was removetl to give room for
the jiresent No. 1 factory building of the Columbian
MaiuUacturing Company.
The water-power opposite on the south bank of the
river was first used for a blacksmith's shop, in which
was a trip hammer for the manufacture of scythes
and axes. This business was conducted by Ezra
Newell, and at the commencement of the century
cut-nails were there made. Not far from the year
1813, a new building was erected for the manufacture
of various woolen fabrics under the direction of
Major Seth King. This too, afterwards passed into
the possession of the Columbian Manufacturing Com-
pany, and the site is now occupied by its planing-
mill and repair-shop. The three mill privileges
immediately below those already mentioned early
came into the hands of Roger Chandler and associ-
ates, who soon improved the two lower ones with the
requisite dams and buildings for manufacturing pur-
poses. Roger Chandler's contract with Timothy Dakin
and Joseph Sanders for the building of the princijial
dam "and to set up a building for a cotton -factory "
bears date of June 22, 1812, and pledges ihem to
complete it all by the middle of November, while he
binds himself to pay therefor at specified times one
thousand and fifty dollars, the major part in cotton,
yarn, or tloth, or store goods, as they may choose, at
ca?h prices, also to furnish them with glass, nails and
lime, on stipulated terms, and one barrel of New
England rum at cash price. The exact date of build-
ing the lower factory is uncertain, but under the
names of Roger Chandler & Co., Isaacs, Taft & Co.,
and Mason Cotton Factory, the manufacture of yarn
and cloth was here continued for many years.
In the year 1818, Loammi Chamberlin bargained
for water-power of this Mason Cotton Factory Com-
pany, at its upper fall, and there built a machine shop
where he carried on quite extensively the manufac-
ture of cotton and woolen machinery, machine tools,
etc. He gave special attention to the making of
power-looms and originated a valuable improvement
on those in previous use. About the year 1840, in
company with Cai)tain Thomas Pierce, he secured
and fitted up the mills below for the manufacture of
satinets and other woolen goods. The buildings
were also e.vtcnded for the dying and finishing of
cloth by Captain Josiah Heald. Besides, Mr. Cham-
berlin erected and operated a lumber mill further
down the river, while he conducted the business of
blacksmithing and other important industries.
After a season the manufacture of woolen fabrics
passed into the hands of Patterson, Noone & Clark.
When the other partners retired John Clark con-
tinued the business alone until his removal to Bos-
ton left Mr. Chamberlin to resume it again. His
GRKENVILLE.
521
enterprise and mechanical skill made him a conspicu-
ous figure in tlie early liistory of the village. He
came to it in his early manhood and by his business
ventures did much to quicken the life and build up
the material interests of the community. For years
before his death, November 24, 1S53, his afl'airs were
directed by his son, James L. Chamberlin, who
afterwards, through his own active career, developed
a like executive force and versatility of talent. Beyond
the business responsibilities thus devolved upon him,
he proceeded, in lSo7, to build a more reliable dam
upon the lowest mill site of Roger Chandler & Com- |
pany with substantia! brick buildings on the east side
of the river for a Houring mill. This he managed
most successfully and afterwards made large additions
to the mills themselves, introducing the manufacture
of furniture, which grew under his care to large pro-
portions and gave him an enviable reputation for
excellence of workmanship, until just as he was ar-
ranging for yet further expansion of the business,
when he was suddenly checked Ijy untimely accident
and <leath May 3, 1>1S3.
The making of twine was very profitably com-
menced in the chief building of the Mason Cotton
Factory during the year 1851!. John Barker and the
lirms of Barker & Lynch, Barker & Nichols and
Barker Brothers, and finally \V. Jaquith, continued
the business for several years. Other enterprises, at va-
rious times, have taken their power from these several
falls, as the manufacturing of chaire by George Kim-
ball," lead pencils by Aaron Heywood, extension
tables by Willard Jefts, boxes by Gray & Fuller,
and brackets at tin- lower mill by John M. White.
Then, without the use of water-power, there has been
the manufacture of potash by Timothy Dakin, pot-
tery by Ruel Richardson, bricks by the Chamberlins,
boots and shoes by Wilson & Taft, tinware by Scrip-
ture it Ames, Daniel Felch and also by Nathan P.
Farrar, furniture by William Sawtell, and outsi<le
the village by Nathan Woods; while at Davis village,
in the southwest corner of the town, there has been a
lumber-mill at dilferent times under the care of Cal-
vin Davis and Adron Winship, with an interval,
<liiring which its power was used by Leonard Jlorse
for the making of i)rinters' supplies. Want of space
forl>ids much further detail except to remark the
early thrift of small industries and enterjirises of
those with limited capital. From the busy hive went
forth many who have won distinction and wealth by
the skill and character here developed. Abner
Chickering, Isaac Kimball, .\sa Webber and John R.
Lynch have long been at the head of pros|icrous
blacksmiths' shops. Benoni C. Kimball, Jrullivan
Howard, Thomas Hays and Frederic Manslield have
been successful builders, and Benjamin Livingston &
Sons liave won special reputation as stone-masons.
So of others if space permitteil the mention of their
many names.
Shortlv after the death of James L. Chamberlin
his lumber-mill was leased to Isaiah Wheeler, who
has since managed it with great efficiency. The
Houring-niill is now conducted by Orin D. Prescott,
Thomas D. Bennett superintendent. The furniture
factories are again in full activity, operated by A.
Wright & Co., L. C. Farwell resident and managing
partner, with some forty workmen in their employ.
But the chief impulse in the upbuilding of Green-
ville has come from the Columbian Manufacturing
Company. This corporation was chartered by the
New Hampshire Legislature June, 1826, as the Ren-
sen Manufacturing Company. "Silas Bullard and
Associates and Successors" were incorporated with a
capital of three hundred thousand dollars, " for the
manufacture of cotton, woolen and other goods, and
such other branches of trade and manufactures as may
be usefully carried on." The next year the corporate
name was changed to that which has since been
borne, and authority has subsequently been given
to increase the capital stock. The company now owns
six factories within reach of about two miles, five of
them in full operation. (Jf the two running in New
Ipswich the upper one, at Bank village, variously
called Waterloom, Mountain Mill and No. 3, is on the
site of the first cotton factory in New Hampshire.
The office of the company is at Greenville, and its
three large factories there with all their drying and
finishing attachments occupy all the ground and use
all the power before distributed among the smaller in-
dustries above the furniture and flouring mills.
The first agent was Charles Barrett, the builder of
the upper or No. 1 factory, which he put in operation
in the year 1830. Upon his retirement Messrs. Dakin
and Daniels here manufactured for thecompany under
a contract by the yard. The agents since this time
have been Leonard Dakin, 1837-39; John E. Bacon,
1839-41 ; Willard Daniels, 1841-43 ; Stephen Smith,
1843-57; Charles P. Richardson, 1857-70; Samuel
Haines, 1870, who is still in charge Factory No. 4
was erected in 1856 by Stei)hen Smith, and Factory
No. 6 in 1872 by Samuel Haines.
These buildings are all of brick, .stoutly built and
fully equipped with boilers, engines and all requisite
means for operation by steam as well as by water.
Of the 566 persons in the employ of this company
390 reside in Greenville. The average pay-roll of
the company is about $11,000 each month. Number
of spindles, 22,000; number of looms, 568, trans-
forming monthly 197,000 pounds of cotton into 624,-
000 yards of cloth, mostly colored shirtings and den-
ims. The company has bei'u eminently successful.
Its stock connnands a high premium and can rarely
be obtained. Its buildings arc patterns of neatness,
its grounds tastefully oriuimcnted with choice shade
trees and its powerful intluence ever folt upon the
side of temperance.
Its present officers are George Fabyan, treas-
urer, lioston, Ma-ss; Samuel Haines, agent at the
works; Bliss, Fabyan & Co., selling agents, Bo.ston,
522
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
New York aiitl Philadelphia; William W. Stevenson,
paymaster.
"The first merchant who kept an extensive stock
of goods for sale at the village, if not the tirst in point
of time, was Isaiah Kidder, son of Reuben Kidder,
of New Ipswich. He commenced trade in 1799.
By his enterprise and fair dealing he soon won the
confidence of the community ; and as his was then
the principal store in Mason, Temple and Wilton, his
trade was extensive and lucrative. On closing his
business, at the exj)iration of si.x years, he declared
that thirty dollars would cover all his losses by bad
debts, a fact that speaks well both for the people and
the merchant." So says Hill's History, and that of
New Ipswich is even more emphatic in its eulogy of
his after career. " Xo man was ever more popular in
the town or more interested in its history. Mr.
Kidder has closely examined the subject and foretold
that the manufacture of cotton into various fabrics
was to be a great interest in New England. With a
sanguine spirit he soon began the manufacture of
stripes, checks, ginghams and velvets and for this
purpose procured various fixtures, till then unknown
in this country, and as no persons proper to carry on
these projects were to be found, they were procured
from England and Scotland. It was left to later
time and other persons to mature and carry out such
enterprises successfully and to reap the fruits of
which he had jilanted the seeds." In the midst of the
grandest manufacturing schemes and with every
prospect of ultimate early success, he was cut off' by
fever at the early age of forty-one years.
Roger Chandler and associates seem to have kept
goods for the public, as well as manufactured cloth,
if we may judge from their invoices. One of June
22, 1812, the very day of the contract for building
their new dam and factory, gives quite a stock of
groceries, but reminds us of the temperance progress
since, in its leading articles, —
1 IlhJ. Rum, 1(» gals., (S $1.10 . .
1 Hhii. Gin, 122 gals., (Si .58 . .
1 Bill, nninily, :«)i^ gals., (g 1.00 .
. S119.90
70.711
31.50
Or $222.16 for spirituous liquors, while only $429.63
was allowed for some twenty of the necessaries of
life including powder and shot for those in a new-
country and in time of war.
Of those who afterwards for a long time accommo-
dated their neighbors with the various supplies of a
country store two figures are conspicuous, — James
Taft, by trade a tanner, upon coming to Mason vil-
lage a manufacturer, afterwards a man of aflairs in
the skill with which he conducted several branches
of business at the same time with uniform success,
and George Elliott, a son of poverty and a frequent
sufferer from fire and other losses, but a gentleman of
rare suavity and indomitable perseverance. Their
successors, like them, have generally been financially
successful, but they are still living, and the words of
eulogy however richly earned must be deferred.
It is difficult to learn the exact date when the vil-
lage was deemed worthy of a post-office. Probably
about the year 1830 George Elliott received the
appointment of postmaster. Following him have
been George Taft, 1845-49; Lucius A. Elliott, 1849-
54; James Taft, Jr., 1854-61; Merrill C. Dodge,
1861-65; Franklin B. Heald, 1865-77; and Milton
H. Hardy, 1877, the present incumbent.
The Peterborough .\sd Shirley R.\ii.ro.\d,
now the Greenville Branch of the Fitchburg Rail-
road, was put in operation as far as the Souhegan
River, or about a mile from the village, November 11,
1850, and two years after the road was completed to
its present terminus. This delay was caused by the
labor requisite to build the bridge for the river cross-
ing, which has been called one of the greatest works
of art in New Hampshire. It is mainly of wood,
but stoutly trussed with irini, six hundred feet in
length, and where it crosses the stream in its reach
from bluff to bluff" about one hundred feet above it.
Two massive piers of granite masonry, one of them
some eighty feet in height, beside the terminal abut-
ments, support the structure, from which the tourist
has a most interesting view of the ravine below, with
its wooded sides and winding waters. The original
project of continuing the road through New Ipswich
to Peterborough has not yet been carried out on ac-
count of the cost of construction and the extension
of other roads. Its management gives superior mail
accommodations and traveling facilities to the citi-
zens. Station agent, Ambrose G. Stickney ; conduc-
tor, Leonard Felch ; engineers, Andrew Henry, John
Allison; road-master, William E. Ames; express-
men, E. P. Sherman and C. A. Scripture. Regular
stages also connect with the adjoining towns of New
Ipswich, Temple and Wilton.
The Mason Village Savings-Bank was chartered
July 1, 1870, and organized July 30th of that year.
Presidents.— Hon. Thomas H. Marshall, 1870-72,
and Samuel Haines, Esq., 1872 until the present
time.
Vice-Piemleiils. — Amos Scripture, Dexter L. Bur-
ton, Jonathan Russell (2d), Sumner B. Nichols, El-
bridge G. Cutter, T. H. Marshall, G. F. Merriam, J.
L. Chamberlin, Isaiah Wheeler, Eli Foster, M. C.
Dodge, Samuel E. Adams, Beniah H. Savage, S. H.
Bacon and .lohn Kenney.
Secre/arics.—Ot\a F. Packard, 1870-77 ; AV. W.
Stevenson, 1877, and is still in office.
ly-easurers.—F. B. Heald, 1870-77; M. H. Hardy,
1877, and is still officiating.
C/cr/:.— Charles F. Marshall.
The largest dejiosit Ims been about one hundred
and seventeen thousand dollars. Twenty dividends
of two and one-half [ler cent, have been i)ai<l, six of
two per cent., and two extra dividends.
Educational History. — The first school-house in
the village, at the junction of Main and Pleasant
' Streets, was a present from two of its public-spirited
GREENVILLE.
523
citizens, Timothy Dakin and Jason Dunster. With
tlic increase of scholars and consequent need of better
grading and more extensive grounds, came tlie im-
pulse to rebuild, and the present more commodious
edifice upon the hill was erected. It lias stood sonic
thirty-five years, and its first masters, Hon. Timothy
Perry and Judge Levi Wallace, suggest the excel-
lent management which has generally characterized
its schools. The.se are of three grades, and answer to
the same bell, the gift of Samuel Haines. The Bul-
lard school-house is in Greenville, and the old dis-
trict continues its individual, life though cut in twain
by the line of division between the old and new towns.
The districts south were united about forty years ago,
and their two dilapidated .school-houses taken t<^) con-
struct a new one in a new location between. The old
corner school-house, though more than a mile from
the village, was the place where its first generation
was educated. Many a sturdy disciplinarian there
wielded the rod, many a saintly mistress there taught
the young idea how to shoot, many |)leasant recollec-
tions are connected with its weather-beaten e.xterior,
and ceiling crayoned with charcoal from the hands of
athletes, who there struggled together to register the
farthest leaj). The long benches carved with all sorts
of designs by the penknife, the many tokens of
the stress of earlier times, might contrast painfully
with the more elegant accommodations for the rising
generation ; but it will be well for them if they di> as
good practical work, in proportion to their opportu-
nities, as did their forefathers and mothers. The stock
of the pioneers is suggested by the names affixed to
the <|nit-claini deed of the spot after the old school-
house was removed — William Lawrence, Amcjs Law-
rence and .\bliot Lawrence. Some of the obstacles in
the way of culture in those days appear in these lines
by one of the boys there taught, Rev. Edwin E. Mer-
riani, of Salem, Pa. —
"THK scHOL.vn's lamest.
" No longer, lui ill ilayo of yore,
Thut fitiriftit Kcliool-hoiiMu Htaiuls;
Williiii ilH liullowcd \vuIIh itu nioro
SrhiilurM tlii'lr iiiiinlH with loaratnf; store,
My fltiKlyiiig liookt* which U'lich Ilic lore
Of this iiril uther IuiicIh. I
" N'o mure ii|>oii tlio winduw pano
Thy 'EX^hool-inami's' nip I heiir,
Tofull iiH to riur worli UKuiii,
.\f1<'r li rut) tipoii thi- pliiin,
Ami n-'vr ili'l «tu' nip in vain,
For till wouhiiiooli nppt-ur.
" Thp Siimmor's rtortns would enter there
ThroilKli rnickfl aiir] opcnlngM wide ;
Aii.i nils Miiiil-l rriffw thi' ll.K.r in fctir,
I.i'«t (ltinf,'<T should to thiMii ho iwar,
And Hqiiirrelii, t«»o, wnulil there ap|H>iir,
And run fri>ni Aide to fiido.
" 'Twiin there I leurnei] to rend and write,.
Within thiiNe time-worn walld;
When Sum r'd nun wan Kliinint; hriKht,
For Winter in his p,iwer and niijj^bl,
Arrayed in ^rnrli of snowy white
The Itenclies, lloor ami walls.
34
I " Perhaps 'twasbest that they should tear
That shattered si-hool-hoin)e down,
That they a better one might rear ;
But memory haunts that school-house dear.
The scene of many a hope and fear,
And joys forever gone."
As a musical director, Professor Elisha B. Barrett
has won a wide reputation during nearly fifty years
service at the head of the church choir, and in
the conduct of more than one hundred and eighty ses-
sions of the singing-school.
The Greenville Town Library had its origin in a
gift of one thoii.saud dollars for that purpose by
James L. Chainberlin. This primary donation was
made in 187(>, and has been supplemented with gifts
from others, as well as town api)roi)riations, until the
present number of volumes is about sixteen hundred.
The Greenrille Advertiser was first issued in the
year 1876 ; Dr. C. E. Hall, local editor for the first
five years. Upon his retirement C. F. Marshall ac-
cei>ted the trust and still retains it.
The list of college graduates from Greenville in-
cludes the following names, —
Samuel Dakin, Esii., Dartmouth, n!>7 ; Obiuliah I'aiker, Harvard,
17'.l;i ; Uov. Israel Elliot, University of 'Nermont, ISI.') ; Rev. ,Ic«»e Elliot,
Hjimiltun, 1826 ; Hev. Edwin E. Mcrriaui, Amherst, 186K ; Rev. George
F. Jlcrriam, Amherst, ISf.l ; Franklin J, Clark, Harvard, 18C7 ; Rev.
H. Martin Kellogg, Dartmouth, 1872; .fames \V. Henry, Dartmouth,
1878; Howard P. Haines, Harvard, 1881; Elmer E. Kimball, Dart.
mouth, 1885; Mabel Haines, Smith's, 188.5. Undergraduate, Henry A.
MctJoivn, .\mheret, 18S6.
Others from the town have entered the learned
I professions as follows :
I Rev. W'illlnm Elliot, Rev. Joseph Elliot, Hev. John Farnir, Rev. M.
I.. Hoit, Dr. Moses Dakin, Hon. Josejih E. Doiinell, M.D., Herbert J.
Tafl, K<.|., Prof, riaieuoo A. Taylor.
Military History.— The military history of Green-
ville is neccssarj^ merged in that of the parent town,
as the years since incc)ri>oration have been, happily,
those of peace. It would appear that at least twenty-
five soldiers went from our sparsely-settled six square
miles to serve in the war of independence. It is
but a few years since the last pensioner of the War of
1S12 passed away, and in the struggle for the main-
tenance of the Union at least fifty from this district
answered loyally to the government call in person or
by substitute. They were in all arms of the service.
They fell in battle, died with disease, starved within the
Southern prison, returned to find an early grave or
survived with the sullerings of long marlyrdom.
Captain Thomas E. Marshall, Lieutenants M. H.
Hardy, M. L. Holt and J. E. Donnel returned with
commissions. Lieutenant Henry A. Cragin led a
company of the fjimous Now York Seventh to the de-
fence of the national ciipital. Frederick Kimli;ill, one
of the Free Soil pioneers in Kansas, was killed iiit^iian-
trell's raid through Lawrence. Several veterans of
the war have become citizens since their return;
among the number Captain Gurts, Lieutenants C. E.
Marsh and C. E. Ferson. Herman Slicdd I'ost, No.
27, G. A. R., named from a stanch patriot, who went
524
HlJsTOKY OF HlLLSBUllUUGH COUNTY, MEW llAMl'SHIliK
out from one of our factories to lay down his life at
f'air Oak;-, was organizefl .Tune 28, 1870, and now
contains thirty-six members from Greenville, New
Ipswich and vicinity. Its Past Commanders have
been Captain T. E. Marshall, G. H. Livingston, G. A.
Hartshorn, Captain M. P. Donley, A. C. Fowler and
•John Kenney. Present Commander, Charles F.
Smith.
Social History. — Organizations musical, social and
benevolent have found their place and done their
work here as elsewhere. Brass and cornet bands, led
by William Elliot and Albert F. Walker, have lived
their lives of harmony for the public good. Literary,
li'ctiue and agricultural societie-s have contributed
their part to the general improvement. Engine com-
panies have been sustained to protect from tire. A lodge
of the Sons of Temperance, and at different times
two lodges of Good Templars, have for a season di-
rected attention to the reform with which they are
connected. A generation ago a lodge of Odd-Fellows
flourished for a time. Souhegan Lodge of Ancient
and Accepted Masons has shown greater vitality and
is still flourishing. It was chartered June 8, 1859.
Charter members, — E. Scofield, A. D. Taylor, L. J.
Spalding, W. W. Prichard, W. .lefts, A. Henry, J. L.
Chamberlin, C. Baldwin, G. Taft, E. A. Larkin, E.
K. Hardy and L. W. Kingsbury; Present Master,
Leonard Felch.
Ecclesiastical History. — .V Baptist Church was
formed in ilasou Sejjtcmber 25, 1876, a part of whose
members resided in what is now Greenville, and from
this parent church twenty-tour were dismissed, De-
cemlier 24, 1S2S, to form the M;isi)n Village Baptist
Church, for the last thirteen years known as the
Greenville Baptist Church. They chose for their
first pastor Rev. Bela Wilcox, whofheld his sacred
office until the year 18.31, when he was succeeded
in the pastorate by Rev. John Woodbury, 1831-34;
Rev. Joel Wheeler, 1834-35; Rev. Benjamin
Knight, 1835-36; Rev. A. L. Mason, 1836-44;
Rev. D. F. Richardson, 1845-18; Rev. J. Wood-
bury, 1848^9 ; Rev. Isaac Woodbury, 1849-51 ; Rev.
D.P.French, 1851-52; Rev. A. H. House, 1852-54;
Rev. George W. Cutting, 1855-61; Rev. Enville J.
Emery, 1861-65; Rev. L. C. Stevens, 1865-70; Rev.
W. H. Walker, 1870-73; Rev. A. M. Pliggins, 1873-74;
Rev. K. Holt, 1874-76; Rev. J..D. Graham, 1876-78;
Rev. L. C. Barnes, 1878; and Rev. Jesse M. Coburn,
who commenced his labors with the church in 1878, fol-
lowing a line of able and excellent men with a most
wise and devoted ministry.
The deacons of the chureh have been Abel Adams,
Jonas Adams, Amos Elliott, Jamea Barrett, Benjamin
Robinson, Samuel Hartshorn, Calvin Boynton, Ben-
jamin H. Dix, Eben Tilton, Sewall F. Adams and
Milan L. Sargent, who still retain their office.
There have been added to its membership since its
organization about five hundred. The present mem-
bership is eighty. Connected with this church is an
active Sabbath-school of over one hundred, under the
care of Deacon M. L. Sargent, superintendent. It is
free from debt and has a good parsonage, the gitl of
Lucius A. Elliott, Esq. It has also an attractive
house of worship and enjoys a general healthy pros-
perity.
The Congregational Church was preceded for some
time by regular social meetings and a Sabbath-school.
At a public meeting, February 18, 1847, it was voted
" that the time has come when the spiritual interests
of this community require that a Congregational
Church should be established in this place." In lur-
therance of thi.s vote, an ecclesiastical council was
convened and a church organized. It was called the
Second Congregational Church in Mason, and con-
sisted of eight members, — Stephen Smith, Maria E.
Smith, Joseph McGown, Elizabeth McGown, Henry
McGown, Elizabeth McGown, George Kimball and
Lydia Warren. In the same month fifty-eight more
were added from the first church and five Irom other
churches. The first pastor was Rev. William Olmstead,
ordained April 11, 1849, whose enthusiastic ministry
was greatly blessed, and under whose lead the present
commodious .sauctuary was erected. His death, June
6, 1852, was a great loss to the young church. He
was tbllowed in his ministerial work by Rev. Erastus
M. Kellogg, 1852-55 ; Rev. Samuel J. Austin, 1857-59;
Rev. George E. Fisher, 1859-62; and Rev. M. N. Root,
M.D., 1863-<54. All of these, with their various gifts,
served the church efficiently, and were scholarly, de-
vout men. On the 27th of August, 1864, a call was
extended to Rev. Andrew Jaquith, but it only reached
him on the eve of his summons to the church tri-
umphant. The present pastor. Rev. G. F. Merriam,
first entered his pulpit October 15th of the same year?"
He was ordained March 9th succeeding. His ministry
has been amid all the obstacles and advantages
which must needs be found in the place of one's na-
tivity. It has had the support of many who were
worthy of being called saiut.s, and are now numbered
with the sainted dead. It has witnessed great changes,
but some other pen must write its hi.story.
The other officers of the church have been, — Dea-
cons: Simeon Cragin, 1847-58; Sleplien Smith, 1847-
57; Nathan Wood, 1847-50; Franklin Merriam, 1847-
49; M. C. Dodge, 1857-83; Charles Bahlwin, 1859-82;
Charles Wilson, 1859-72; M. Kimball, 1858; and
Ambrose G. Stickney, the last two being now in office.
The clerks of the church have been S. Smith, M. Kim-
ball, J. K. Mills, M. C. Dodge and G. F. Merriam.
Superintendents of the Sabbath-school : S. Smith,
Hervey Tulls, M. C. Dodge, C. Wilson, E. B. Barrett,
M. Kimball, G. H. Livingston, E. W. French, F. P.
Bacon, J. B. Martin and A. G. Stickney.
The church has also a parsonage, the generous gift
of George D. Cragin, Esq., to promote the spiritual
interests of his native village. It has also some per-
manent income from a bequest by one of its deceased
members, Isaac Russell.
GREENVILLE.
525
The Roman Catholic Church first held regular pub- '
lie religious services in Greenville during the year
l.S5t!. Since the building of a town-house it has wor-
shijicd in the town hall, and held its meetings at
least once each month. Recent arr.ingcmciits have
been made by which the priest in charge will have more
time to devote to this parish, and services will be more
frequent, or twice a month. The congregation gathers,
in part, from the adjoining towns, and is a large one.
A building lot lias already been purchased for the
erection of a church edifice. The fatliers in charge of
tlie parish have been Rev. William Brady, IStiO-til; j
Rev. Patrick O'Hara, l.StJl-tU; Rev. William Herbert, '
l.Sli-MJ8; Rev. Patrick Hoohihan, 1868-76; Rev. Ed-
ward Buckle, 1876, and is -still ofliciatlng. These pas-
tors have all had the confidence of their [)arish and
the respect of all others.
In pa.'^sing from this subject, the spirit of kindly co-
operation which has characterized the churches of !
Greenville should be noticed. For years the Sabbath
evening service has been a union meeting alternating
between tli<' Baptist and Congregational houses of
Worship. During e.\tra meetings in the week of
prayer, or at other times, its well as on funeral occa-
sions, united services have bound Christian hearts in
closer sympathy and lifted them by a common im-
pulse to a higher level. The writer would also add a
word in honor of the lay officers of these churches.
A good tnan now gone to bis reward used to say that,
from his boyhood, the presence of Deacon Hartshorn
always preached him a winning sermon. Children
grew up in the Sabbath -school looking to Deacon
Bmith as a model man, such was the kindness of his
sturdy nature. Others have felt a like esteem for
Deacons Cragin and Dodge, and devout spirits un- '
named. Nor could any desire to be embalmc<l in
more precious remend)rance by any people than are ,
the two holy men who are buried in the village j
churchyard, — Rev. Alfred L. Ma.son and Rev. William
Oimstead. I
Professional History. — Physicians. — The alti-
tmlc nf (Inciivillc MiMong the mountain breezes, with
the swift How of its sweet waters, give it a compara-
tive immunity from a class of disea.ses, and yet its
citizens, like all others, must sometimes calJ for the !
physician, and worthy men have never failed to i
respond to the call. Otis Iloyt, M.D., came to Ma.son
village in the year 18:io, but left after a few years,
entereil the I'nited States service as a surgeon, and
continued in that capacity through the Mexican War.
Thomas II. Marshall, M.D., established himself as a j
physician here in 1837, and continued to win patrons I
and friends until hi:, death, December 16, 1872.
Later practitioners of llie healing art have been :
Kdwin S.hofield, M.D., .lolin H. Cutler, M.D.,
Charles (!. Corey, .M.D., Charles E. Hall, M.D.,
Curtis .\. Wood, .M.D., an<l George F. Munsey, M.D.
Of these. Dr. Schofield soon moved to Worcester,
Ma.s8. ; Dr. Cutler did good service as a surgeon in the
war of the Union, and afterwards won profeasional
distinction in Peterborough ; Dr. Corey died in 1878 ;
Dr. Hall is conducting a large drug-store, while Drs.
Wood and Munsey are in the midst of most successful
practice.
Lawyers. — Attorneys-at-law have not been drawn
to the town as inviting their services in litigation.
The following knights of the bar have, at various
times, had their offices here : Nathaniel Sbattuck,
Esq. ; William A. Preston, Esq. ; Joseph C. Niason,
Esq. ; A. B. Spalding, Esq. ; and Herbert J. Talt,
Esq. The latter is still located here, with the confi-
dence and best wishes of a people who have known
him from boyhood.
Personal History. — Of citizens resident within the
bounds 111' (ireenville, Hon. Stephen Smith reached
the highest i)olitical station, being twice elected coun-
selor and was a prominent candidate for Governor,
when his health gave way from the pressiu-e of his
many cares. Hon. Thomas H. Marshall was not only a
good physician, but always in the fore front of the bat-
tle for reform, crowning his political career with two
terms of service in the State Senate. John Stevens,
a man of marked dignity, urbanity and tact, in addi-
tion to most eliicieut service in various local offices,
represented Wilton and Mason more than twenty
years in the State Legislature. Colonel James Wood
and Joseph Barrett, besides other marks of popular
esteem, received special legislative honors in the
earlier days. Among those who have gone out from
the town may be mentioned the brothers Algernon
and George Shattuck, famous as teachers of penman-
ship ; Jonas Chickering, the distinguished piano
manufacturer ; John and Sanuiel Putnam, of the Put-
nam Machine- Works, Fitch, Ma.ss. ; Hon. Samuel
Kimball, e.\-niay(jr of Lawrence, Kan., and one of
the i)roprietors of the foundry of Kimball Bros,
there; Hon. John G. Kimball, late bank commis-
sioner and treasurer of the New Hampshire Banking
Company ; Henry W. Merriam, president of the
Merriam Shoe Manufacturing Company, Newton,
N. J. ; George D. Cragin, long iirominent auiong the
business men of New York, and now proprietor of a
large sugar plantation in Louisiana ; and Colonel
.James Scripture, said to own the finest orange grove
in Florida, lion. Henry Stevens secured large influ-
ence in Wisconsin i)rior to his death. Benjamin W.
.Merriam left a shining record among the merchant-
princes of New Yr)rk. George Barrett, of Chester,
Vt., was widely known for ability and Puritan
integrity. Deacon Asai)h R. Marshall, of Worcester,
Mass., held many ofiiccs of trust, municipal. State,
national and ecclesiastical, and all with a blameless
record. The list of deserving ones might be greatly
extended, but must he lell lor larger space and :i
later jicn.
" Ih>iik Hvo till' )cuotl town, givliif; out, year liy )'<*ar,
lU<criilt« III lrui> maliliood iiiiil wuinuiiliooil Ut-ar ;
Uravo boyH, liiiMluflt iiialili'liH, In iHiauly Mint furtli,
Tbe living opiHtlL-fl aud proor of its worth ["
526
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
JAMES LANODON CHAMBERLAIK.
.Tames L. Chamberlain was born in Mason village
(now Greenville), N. H., February 16, 1824. He was
the sou and only child of Hon. Loammi Chamber-
lain, and grandson of Captain Isaac Chamberlain, of
Chelmsford, JIass.
Hon. Loammi Chamberlain was, in many respects,
a man of uncommon mould. He had a remarkable
genius for the mechanical arts, and fine inventive
faculty. He had much to do with perfecting and
putting in successful operation the machinerj- of the
various mills and manufactories in and about his
native village, and made many valuable improve-
ments in various machines, particularly in power-
looms, which extended his reputation and business
to other States. Some years prior to his death he
gave up practically all attention to mechanics, and
devoted himself to the superintendence of his saw-
mill and farm. His biographer says of him, that
" few men have done more for the material prosperity
of Ma.son village than Mr. Chamberlain."
His son, James L., seems to have inherited, in a
very marked degree, the best traits of his father's
character. He had not the advantage of a collegiate
course of study ; but being of a studious, thoughtful
turn of mind, and possessed of fine powers of obser-
vation, his tastes led him to be, throughout his life,
a close student, not only of books, but of that broader
field for study, human nature. The choice library
he left behind him shows more than ordinary culture
and a rare appreciation of the best works in art, sci-
ence and literature. He early manifested an aptitude
ftjr business pursuits ; and when he had attained his
majority, bis father, whose health was declining, re-
linquished to him the care and control of his busi-
ness, which he soon began to improve and extend.
In 1857 he built a new flouring mill, and dealt largely
in grain. He also entered quite extensively into the
manufacture of furniture, and carried on a large lum-
ber trade. He was a wide-awake, generous-minded,
liberal-spirited man, — the kind of man, who, while
careful of his own interests and investments, labors
also with the broader view of building up and advan-
cing the material interests of the community. He
wiis a safe and judicious counsellor, and his judgment
was sought after and valued by his fellow-townsmen
in every important public measure. He was an ear-
nest, active member of the Masonic fraternity, in
nearly all its branches. In political life he was a
Republican and an etficient local leader in the party,
and was frequently chosen to the most responsible
positions in the gift of his townsmen. He repre-
sented them in the legislature. He was also chosen
as one of the members of the Constitutional Conven-
tion in 1876.
He was married, Februarj' 16, 1854, at Boston,
Mass., by Rev. Rolliu H. Neal, D.D., to Miss Mary
A. Preseott, of Mason. They had two children, Ida
F. and Nettie F. The latter, a lovely maiden, died
December 15, 1873, at the age of fourteen.
For two years prior to Mr. Chamberlain's death,
he suffered much from declining health. The imme-
diate cause of his death, however, was the crushing
of his hand, which was caught in the machinery of
his mill. He died eight days later. May 5, 1883.
The Jerusalem Commandery, K. T., of which he was
a member in full rank, followed him to his grave and
buried him with their impressive service. His wife
and daughter survive him.
The following extract from the sermon at his obse-
quies, by Rev. J. M. Coburn, is eminently true of
him: "The man of sterling integrity, the active pub-
lic-spirited citizen, the judicious helper, the kind
neighbor and firm friend, the beloved brother, the
affectionate father and true husband, has passed away,
leaving distressing voids in the marts of business, in
a large number of grateful hearts, and in a wide cir-
cle of strong friends, and especially in his own happy
and endeared household, which can never be filled.
But his name and deeds, his hearty forgivene-ss of
enemies, his constant patience in suffering, his calm
resignation to Heaven's decree in sickness and dmth,
will be cherished, with loving remembrance, long
after his noble, outward form is turned to dust. The
thrift and industries of the beautiful village of Green-
ville, its e.xcellent free public library, and the fine
Baptist Church edifice, are perpetual reminders of
his wise and noble beneficence. The entire commu-
nity deeply feel and mourn the mysterious sad be-
reavement."
As was written of his father, so may it truthfully
be writtai of him: "He was eminently a domestic
man, and it was in the bosom of his family and in
the circle of his most intimate friends, that his virtues
were best known, and his many excellencies most
fully appreciated."
€€o^^^.
HISTORY OF MERRIMACK.
BY ELLIOT WHllMM.K.
CHAPTER I.
Natural Features.— The town of Merrimack is
situated on the west side of the river hearintrtlie same
name, and extends north from the moutli of the
Pennieliuek Brook, a distance of about six miles.
The western boundary line runs due north from the
Pennichuck, at a distance of about three and a half
miles from the most westerly point reached by the
Merrimack River within the limits of the town,
which is at Thornton's Ferry. The northern boun-
dary extends due west from the river until it inter-
sects the western boumiary. Hence the shape of the
town is approximately a rectangle, the eastern and
southern bounilaries being very irregular, in conse-
quence of the windings of the above-named streams.
Its average length is about six miles and its average
width a little less tlian five miles, and it contains
nineteen thousand three hundred and sixty-one acres.
Along the river the land is comparatively level, free
from stone, and easily cultivated ; but the soil is po-
rous and sandy, so that the farmer must enrich it with
fertilizers freely and frequently, if he would gather
rich harvests. The western i)ortion is broken and
hilly, and the soil is stony, but stronger than that of
the plains. The jirevailing rock, whether in the form
of boulrlers, drift-pebbles, or bed-rock, is granite,
gneiss, mica schist and other granitic formations, with
h»re and there some slate and shale.
In many places the granite is suitable for buililing
purposes, and is used to a considerable extent for
foundations. There are extensive clay deposits, ex-
cellent for brick-making.
Near the northwest corner of the town, between it
and Amherst, lies the beautiful Habboosue Pond,
which offers many attractions to picnic-parties and
sunnner visitors. The largest pond wholly within the
limits of the town is Naticook Lake, in the southern
part of the town. It contains about seventy-live acres.
Horse-shoe Pond, close to the Merrimack River, just
above Thornton's Ferry. Dumpling Pon<l, near Reed's
Ferry, and various other small lakelets diversify the
scenery.
The Souhegan River enters the town from the west
and winds through the middle porticm, emptying into
the Merrimack at Souhegan Village. It atl'ords seve-
ral excellent water privileges; one furnishes the
power for the mills at Souhegan, another, about three-
fourths of a mile up the stream — said to be the best
on the river — lies wholly unimproved, and utlbrds .ns
charming and picturesque a scene as can be found in
the State. The fall is occasioned by the river's break-
ing through a barrier of rocks tilted up nearly seventy
degrees, as is evidenced by the stratifications still
clearly discernible, notwithstanding the twistingsand
metamorphisms of geologic times. At one point, too,
it requires no great amount of imagination to see in a
projecting rock the face of a man peering steadily and
forever out over the boiling waters, past the tangled
forest, westward along the smooth surface of the river
above the falls, ;is if it were the crystalized genius of
a vanished race, watching their departing footsteps.
Both here and at Souhegan Village, numerous pot-
holes are worn in the .solid rock, one at the latter place
which is only a foot in diameter measuring seven feet
in dei)th.
Habboosue Brook, starting from the Baliboosuc
Pond, in Amherst, enters the town at its north-wi'st
corner. Hows south-east, and empties into the Souhe-
gan near its mouth. It affords several small water
privileges, some of which have been improved.
The Naticook Brook, starting from the pond of the
same name, wanders north-east and finds its way into
the Merrimack through Horse-shoe Pond. There is
one small improved water privilege on it near Thorn-
ton's Ferry.
Productions. — The predominant forest tree is the
pine, which is the source of considerable income in
many parts of the town. There are patches of oak,
chestnut, yellow birch, etc., furnishing some valuable
tinibcrand much fire-wood. The farms |)roduce grass,
grain, potatoes, etc. Apples, pears, jieaches, grapes,
and the smaller fruits, are grown with ease, while
huckleberries, blueberries and blackberries grow wild
in profusifin.
Animals.— Pickerel, perch and pouts abound in the
ponds and brooks, and bass were introduced into
Naticook Lake bv the State Fish Commission in 1877.
6-27
528
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Ducks are found along the Merrimack in the spring
of the year; crows are omnipresent; hawks reduce the
number of chickens. Small birds fill the groves with
music, except where driven away by cats. Wood-
chucks tempt the boys to break the state law on Sun-
days. Foxes are numerous cnoujrh to give those who j
are foud of hunting iilenty of exercise. Large num- j
bers of beautiful gray squirrels are killed every fall.
Grasshoppers, potato-bugs and other insect pests ex-
haust the patience and ingenuity of farmers, here as
elsewhere. More dogs are kept than sheep, but
whether with as much profit is not so certain. Many
farmers keep a large number of cows, and dairy pro-
ducts constitute an important source of income. There
are some oxen in town, but farm-work is mostly done
by horses.
Pigeons were once an important source of income,
some persons even acquiring considerable wealth by
catching them and sending them to market. Now
only a few are found where once were myriads. The
method of catching them was to "bait" them in a
certain spot called a " pigeon-bed," and finally, when
they had come to expect a feast at that place, a large
piece of cloth was spread on tne ground at that point,
food scattered as usual, and after the pigeons had
alighted, the cloth was suddenly folded on itself, often
securing several dozens at one time.
CHAPTER II.
.\liORIGINES.
No traces have been discovered of any inhabitants
in this town prior to the Indians who were found here
by the first white settlers. Indian nMics, such as
arrow-heads, stone axes, etc., are still occasionally met
with, but even these are becoming rare, and soon all
vestiges of Indian occupancy would be gone, were it
not that Indian names remain and will forever remind
us of the original owners of the soil. One of the
locomotives on the Concord Railroad bears the name
of the grand old chieftain, Passaconaway. Merrimack,
in the Indian tongue, signified " the place of strong
current,'" though some writers give the less poetic
meaning, "a sturgeon." Souhegan signified "the
place of the plains;" Babboosuc, "the twins;" Mon-
adnock, " the place of the Great Spirit."
"Their nieinorj- livetU on your hills,
Their baplitim on your shore ;
Your everlastiDg rivers speuk
Their dialect of yore.
" 9[onadnocl< on his forehead hoar
I)(ith seal the Nicred trust ;
Your iiiountAJiis build their monuments,
Though ye give the wimls their dust."
The manner of life the Indians led, their dwellings,
and means of living, have been so fully and accu-
rately portrayed in the history of Nashua that we
need not stop to consider them here.
All the Indians between Lowell and Concord be-
longed to the tribe of Pennacooks, and were ruled by
the once powerful chieftain, Passaconaway.
"His reputation for wisdom and cunning was Ci-lebrated among all
the eastern Indians. Nor was he less renowned for his pacific i^pirit
toward the white settlers. He was ever for peace. He had almost
unbounded inlluence over the Indians. They believed that he had
secret intcrcoun-e with the mysteries of nature ; that it was in his iM>wer
to niake w*ater b\irn and the trees dance. They supposed that he had
power to change himself into flame, and that he could darken the suD
and moon. In consequence of these supposed attributes, the Indians
looked upon him with wonder and veneration."
In 1660 a great dance and feast was held, on which
occasion Passaconaway made his farewell speech. He
showed the superior power of the whites, and told
them plainly that the time would come when the
English would possess all the pleasant lands of their
fathers. He prophesied that there would soon be a
great war all over the country, and that the only way
in which they could hope to be preserved, and keep
some little land, was by keeping out of the war.
" Hearken," said he, " to the last words of your fa-
ther and friend. The white men are sons of the
morning. The Great Spirit is their father. His sun
shines bright upon them ; never make war with
them. Surely as you light the fires, the breath of
heaven will turn the flame on you and destroy you.
Listen to my advice ; it is the last I shall be allowed
to give you. Remember it and live."
So great was his infiuence that the Pennacooks were
ever friendly to the English, though they suffered
equally with their fiercer brethren from the continual
and unjust encroachments of the whites. Passacona-
way is specially an object of interest to the people of
Merrimack, because a portion of the northern part of
the town was embraced in a giant of land made to
him by the Mas.'^achusetts General Court in 11162, and
it is not improbable that here he spent the last days
of his life.
In 1660 the Pennacooks made an expedition against
the Mohawks of New York, and were so badly de-
feated that their power was destroyed. They had
previously sent an invitation to Elliot, the apostle to
the Indians, to come and preach to them, and they
now moved to Patucket (Lowell), joined the Wanie-
sits and became " praying Indians."
During the fearful scenes of King Philip's War
they remained faithful, and often warned the English
of approaching danger.
The Iiulian outrages that made the lives of the
early settlers of Dunstable one continual warfare for
two generations, were not committed by the original
inhabitants of this beautiful valley. They were the
result of raids by Indians living farther north, and
especially in Canada, inspired by the jealousy of the
French.
AV'uuld that a remnant, at least, of the noble Pen-
nacooks might have been spared to enjoy the Chris-
MERRIMACK.
529
tian civilization they so heartily welcomed ! Rut it
was not destined to be. Unused to the arts and ways
of the whites, their weakness and inability to cope
at once with sucli unaccustomed coii<litioiis unap-
preciate<i by the Entrliali, tiicy failed to gain a foot-
hold in the new life. The same unjust and unfecliuf;
policy that has characterized our national treatment
(if the Indians was pursued toward the Pennacooks.
They fMt themselves in the way ; they were bound out
to service by public authority to avoid their becomin<r
a public charge. Grarlually they faded away, until
thev have ceased to exist.
CHAPTER III.
.MERRIMACK— (CoiKtnued).
i;ai:i.y settlements.
Thk old township of Dunstable embraced Dun-
stable, Tyngsborough, Hudson, Hollis, Nashua and
portions nf .\mherst, Milford, Merrimack, Litchfield,
and Limdoiidcrry.
Some settlements were made within its limits as
early as 167:i, and in 1675, John Cromwell, a fur-
trader, built a trading-house on the bank of the Mer-
rimack, about a mile below Thornton's Ferry. He
carried on a very profitable business for about four
years, using his foot for a pound weight in weighing
the furs he bcuight. Hut at length the Indians, not
appreciating his business methods, formed a scheme
to get rid of him ; but when they reached his abode
the bird had flown ; so they burned his house, aud
it was nearly half a century Ijefore another was built
in Merrimack.
Tile name of the first ])crmanent settler is not
known with absolute certainty, but it is supposed to
have been .lonas Barrett, who, in 1722, built his house
and began to clear up a farm on the place now owned
by Washington Warner.
Soon after, William Howard, then a bachelor, .settled
on the farm now owneil by Ilazen Dodge. Ileplanteil
the first oriliard, and his liouse ultimately became a
resort for tliose who loved to pass a little leisure time
in drinking cider.
In 1724 occurred the first and only Indian skirmish
known to have hapjiened in this town. A raiding-
jiarty captured two men, Nathan Cross and Thomas
Blanchard, who were manufacturing turpentine on
the north side of the Nashua River. An alarm was
given and a party of ten of the principal citizens of
Dunstable started in pursuit, under the command of
I-icutenant Ebenezer French. Pressing on too heed-
lessly, ill their eagerness to rescue their friends, they
were amliiislied at the brook near Thornton's Ferry.
Most (jf the parly fill at the first lire, and the rest
were pursued and killeil, one by one, except .losiali
I'arwell, who escaped to receive his death-woiiinl in
Lovewell's fight, next year. Lieutenant French was
overtaken and killed about a mile from the scene of
action, under an oak-tree, whose stump yet remains
on the line between the farms of C. A. Harris and
Amasa Estey. Cross and Blanchard were carried to
f'anada by their eajitors, but succeeded in securing
their redemption and returned home.
As early as 1656 a tract of land south of the Nati-
cook had been granted to William Brenton by the
Massachusetts General Court, whence the name
" Brenton's Farm," formerly given to the southern
part of Merrimack.
In 1728, Brenton's heirs, and others who had pur-
chased shares in the grant, organized and took meas-
ures for opening it up for settlement, and new clear-
ings were rapidly made in various directions.
Among the early settlers were Ilassell, Underwood,
Usher, the Blanchards, Patten, Powers, Cummings,
Temple, Lund, Spaulding, Chamberlain, Barnes. Tay-
lor, Stearns, McClure, Auld, Bowers and Davidson.
Benjamin Hassell settled on the farm now owned
by Hugh McKean, and a daughter of his is said to
have been the first white child born in town.
Aquila Underwood lived near Thornton's Ferry,
and Phineas Underwood kept the first public-house.
John lusher settled on the farm now owned by
George Bean, and wiis a justice of the peace.
Cummings and Patten were the first deacons of the
church.
Captain John Chamberlain erected a saw and grist-
mill, the first in town, at Souhegan Falls, in 17H4, re-
ceiving as an inducement a grant of three hnndred
acres from the Brenton proprietors.
In 1734 the General Court of Massachusetts granted
a town organization to Naticook, which seems to have
embraced Litchfield as well as the southern part of
Merrimack, and for twelve years the people on both
sides of the river elected town officers in eomiiion,
erected the old meeting-house in Litchfield, and se-
cured the services of Joshua Tufts, of Newbury, ii
graduate of Harvard, as their pastor, paying him a
hundred and twenty dollars a year, and si.xty dollars
for settlement. Mr. Tufts was ordained in Naticook
in 1741, but leli in 1744.
CHAPTER IV.
MERRIMACK— (t'r.„oni.f./K
civil, HISTORY, 17ir)-74.
WllKS the vexed question of the boundary line
between Massachusetts and New Hampshire was
finally settled, in 1741, it divided the town of Dun-
stable, and various portions of it which fell to the
share of New Hampshire applied to the (Jovernor
and Couniil of ib.it province f<ir new articles of in-
corporal ion.
530
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The people of that |>art of Naticook living west of
the Merrimack petitioned for an act of incor|)oration
for the territory lying between the Pennichiuk Brook
and the Souhegan River, bounded on the east by the
Merrimaek River and on the west by a line running
due north from Pennichuck Pond to the Souhegan
River. The petition was granted, and the people that
inhabited or should inhabit the above-defined terri-
tory were "declared and ordained to be a town cor-
porate, and erected and incorporated into a body
politic, and a corporation to have continuance forever,
by the name of Merrimack."
The act was dated April 2, 1746, which was there-
fore the birth-day of the town of Merrimack.
The following is a literal copy of the records of the
first meeting under the charter :
*' At a meeting of the InliaUitants on Marrli tlie -1th, 1740, Lawfully,
Capt. Jonathan Cumings Chosen moderator of the meeting ; Phincha^
Uiiderwo«Ki Chose Town Clark ; Pliinphas Underwood, Sir. John Usher,
Mr. Zecariali Starni* Chosen Selei-tinen ; William Oatten Chose Constable ;
Kphriam Powers Chose Tithinman ; Jonas Barrat Cluise Saviaer of Iligh-
ways : William Lund and .lonathan Powers Chosen lield Drivers ; James
Karr and Timothy Underwood Chosen fence veears ; all which Persons
was Cbosen into the Respective offices as above, this 4th day of March,
1746. *' PiiiNF.n.\R UNnERWooD, Toiru Clark,
"Province of) .,
^. „ f Marrymac, March the 4th, u4'i.
New Ilamps. J
"The above Persons was sworn to the faithfull descharge of there
Respective Offices before me, "Joseph lii.ANcHARu, Jtttit. Peeiv.
" Att the meting Before mentnod, it was then Voted that the Comons
in this Town be grazed the Corrant year, and that Kach Propr. Resitiaut
and unresidant on Kch tifly l-^icrs of nnfenced Land he owns, tJraze one
Beast, and in Proportion for a Grater Quantity in this Town and
unfenced, and in as much as sum of the Inhabitants of this Town has
not a sutticient Quantity of unfenced Lands to graze tlie whole of there
stock, that in Consideration of tliere paying Taxes and assistance in the
(Hiarge of the Town, that thay have libarty to Grazt- all the Cattle and
horses they have of thare own property, Kqiile and in the same manner
as if they had a siiflicient of the Cuinon in there own Hights, and that
tlie Cattle anil horses thus grazed on the Comons be all Entered with the
Clark, and that he have one shilling old tenor for Receiving and hieing
such list and Keeping them on file.
"PlIINEHAS UNDERWOOP, 7'oiril Cl<irb."
The latter portion of the above record gives us a
glim|)se of the hardshi|)s and struggles of pioneer life.
Think of turning cattle and horses loose to pick a
living in the untouched forest, and of the daily anx-
iety of mothers whose sons were " gone after the
cows," exposed to the attacks of wandering savages
and wild beasts and the many unknown dangers of
the vast wilderness!
One of the first things to be done by the town in
its corporate capacity was to secure preaching of the
gospel ; indeed, it was usually one of the conditions of
the grants of lands and charters that " a meeting-
house should be built and a learned and orthodox
minister be employed." Consefpiently, in a few weeks
after the reception of the charter, another meeting
was held to choose a committee to "hire preaching
and to order the place to have the preaching at."
The records for the next twenty-five years bear con-
stant witness to their persistent efforts to build a
meeting-house and settle a pastor, a work of so much
ditlicnlty was it to hew out homes for themselves in
the forest, build roads and bridges and establish what
they deemed necessities — church and schools.
Rev. Daniel Emerson, of HoUis, preached for them
occasionally, and a Mr. Cheever was hired to act as
their minister for a time, the meetings being held at
various houses in different parts of the town, and
sometimes, very likely, in barns.
A portion of the present town north of the Souhe-
gan Wiis granted to Passaconaway, as mentioned above,
but it seems to have reverted to the province, for the
same tract was embraced in a grant afterward made
to the soldiers and the heirs of soldiers who had
served in King Philip's War, whence these lands were
known as the Narragansett townships. The proprie-
tors organized in 1733 and arranged for selling their
lands to settlers, and the portion embracing Bedford
and the northern part of Merrimack, named Souhegan
East, had been settled to some extent previous to 1750.
In that year the people of Merrimack sent in a peti-
tion to the Governor and Council, representing "that
their land is very mean and ordinary, and therefore
incapable of supporting such a number of inhabitants
as will enable them to support the charge of a town
without a further addition of land and inhabitants.
Wherefore, they humbly prayed that an addition might
be made to the town of Merrimack, on the northerly
side thereof, of a tract of land about three miles in
breadth and four and a half in length." This petition
was granted on the 5th of June, 1750, thereby ex-
tending the boundaries of the town three miles farther
north and completing its present limits.
The town records for the same year contain several
items of interest. People then, as now, sometimes
found the burden of life too great to bear; for Mary
Badger was found dead, and the jury brought in the
verdict that "she layeil hands on herself and hanged
herself till dead." There was the same lack of*
unanimity as now; for, under the date of November
12, 1750, the record reads, —
"We, the 8ul)acril)er^, do hereby enter our protest against joining
nith the rest of the inhabitants of the town of Merrymac as to church
Government.
" Robert Gillmore,
John Morehead.
[*atrick Taggard, .lohn Thomafi, Jonas Kinaday,
" Phinehas Unhekwood, TWn Clark."
This year they voted one hundred and twenty dol-
lars for highways, twenty-eight dollars for preaching
and one hundred dollars for a bridge over the Souhe-
gan. Eleazer Blanchard was paid one dollar and
sixty cents for " killing one woulf."
In 1753 forty dollars was voted for preaching, thirty
for schools, which were to be kept in four different
places to accommodate the peoi)le in different parts
of the town, and a ])Ctition was sent to the General
Ctmrt for authority to tax non-resident lands.
In 1755, Phineas Underwood was appointed " totake
care that the deer in this town be not killed at an un-
lawful season." A tax was assessed on non-resident
lands to build a meeting-house, eighty dollars voted
for preaching, one hundred dollars for raising the
frame of the meeting-house and Joseph Stearns was
iMElUUMACK.
531
invited to settle as minister. The place selected for
the meeting-hiiuse \v:is about thirty rods south of Tur-
key Hill bridge, very nearly at the exact centre of
town.
The ne.xt year saw the realization of many long-de-
ferred plans and hopes, in the erection of the building
which was to serve for many years both as meeting-
house and town-house. The building yet stands, long
*inie disused, except for storage purposes.
In 17(>3 the burying-place was cleared and fenced,
and line liundred anil twenty dollars voted for a min-
ister. At this period we find for the first time the
word "dollars" used, the records previously desig-
nating the amount of money in pounds.
In 1764 three hundred and twenty dollars were raised
for highways. Tsvo years later it was voted not to
raise any money for schools.
In 17t)7 a census wiis taken, with the following re-
sult :
rimmrriiHl men Iwtween sixteen And sixty :il
Married men " " *' " 66
Bo)» '.18
3Ii'n over W 8
I'nntarried fenialoH 121
.Married " 66
Widows 9
SlavM 3
Acres of antldu land 377
Acres of t>rt:Iianls 10
Arrw of paslun- land 64
Hon^s 47
Colts ... 10
(Jxen . . 117
Cows 168
Young cattle 188
From time to time various persons were hired to
|>reach, some ass "supplies," some as candidates for
settlement, but no ]ierman<-nt arrangement was reached
until, in 1771, a Congregational Church having been
organi/.td, the Rev. .Jacob Hurnap, of Reailing, Mass.,
accepted a call which was given by the church and
ratified in town-meeting. Mr. Burnap was twenty-
three yeai-8 of age. a graduate of Harvard, and a man
of unusual ability, scholarship and pruilence, — -i|Uali-
tie> which cnableil him to hold the position until his
death, a period of nearly fifty years. He lived on the
l)lace now owned by .lames Wendell and reared a
family of thirteen children ; but few of his descend-
ants now remain in town.
The ninnes of the original members of the <-hnrch
were as follows : .lonathan Cummings. Williani I'at-
ten, Kbcnezcr Hills, .lunathan Cuminings, .Jr., .(onas
Barrett, Benjamin Jlassell, Jacob Wilson, Thomas
Barnes, Samuel Hpalding, Henry Fields, Hannah, wife
of .Jacob Wil.son, Sarah, wife of Samuel Spalding,
Rachel, wife of Thoniiis Barnes. Only fourteen church
members in a population then iiinnbering nearly five
hundred! \ significant item for the cnnsidcration of
those who believe that the gospel is losing its power.
The i>astor's salary was, at first, fifty pounds per an-
num, with seventy-five pounds for settlement, lawful
monev.
In this same year sixty dollars was raised for school-
ing, to be expended by the selectmen. The select-
men were appointed overseers of the poor, and we
find the first record of a practice, which continued
from time to time, of warning persons out of town,
this being done to secure the town from the obligation
to support them in cijse of necessity, and to throw the
responsibility on the town from which they came.
Captain John Chamberlain was elected as the first
representative to the General Assembly. The warrant
for the town-meeting is for the first time dated " in the
County of Hillsborough."
The meeting-house was not yet finished inside, and
in 1773 the pew-ground was sold at auction, purchas-
ers to build uniform pews at their own cxi)ense, the
proceeds of the sale being devoted to finishing the
building.
CHAPTER V.
MERRIiMACK— (Condni/ed).
REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 1775-8.'?.
.Iaxi'ary 16, 1775, in response to a letter from the
Provincial Committee, "Captain John Chamberlain
was chosen as delegate to a convention at Exeter, for
the purpose of choosing a delegate to attend a Conti-
nental Congress to be holden in Philadelphia in May."
Such was the first notice taken by the town in it.s of-
ficial capacity of the great struggle for inilei)endence;
but, doubtless, the subject had been thoroughly clis-
cussed by the sturdy pioneers, so that when the time
came they were prejiared to act promptly.
At this time the most i)rominent man in town was
Edward (Toldstone Lutwyche, an English gentleman
of education and a lawyer by profession. When the
news of the battle of Lexington reached Merrimack,
Mr. Lutwyche was colonel of the Fifth Regiment of
the provincial militia, and he was importuned by his
officers and men to lead them against the enemy. This
he refused to do and tried to discourage others from
going. The result was that Mr. Lutwyche left town
belweentwo days, Joineil (ieneral (Jage, in Boston and
was never seen in Merrimack again.
The people, thus deprived of their natural leader,
organized a town-meeting without waiting for any
authority or even complying with the usual legal
forms, appointed a Committee of Safety and enlisted
fifteen .Minute-Men, who were literally to be ready
to inarch at a minute's warning.
New Hampshire furnished more than one-half of the
men engaged in the battle of Hunker Hill, and eleven
of them were froiii Merrimack. Town-meetings were
l're(iueiit during the first years of the war, to raise
money, enlist iiicii, provide ]>owder and aiil in organ-
izing the new form of government.
In 177;) the town united with HedlWrd in choosing
.lonathan Blanchard to represent them in the General
Congress of the jirovince. which met at I'xclcr.
532
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUaH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Ill 1777 the town-meeting was called in the name
of tlu" govornnu'nt and people of the State of New
Hampshire.
In 1788 the Articles of Confederation were approved
of hy vote of the town, and their representative was
instructed to vote to instruct the New Hampshire
delegate in Congress to vote for the same. The rep-
resentative was also instructed to vote for a conven-
tion to form a State constitution. Solomon Hutchin-
son was elected to represent the town in the Constitu-
tional Convention which met at Concord. John Alld
received a counterfeit thirty-dollar bill in payment for
his services in the Continental army, and the town
voted to give him thirty dollars of good money.
When the Continental currency depreciated in value
the town voted to pay Captain John Chamberlain
sixteen hundred dollars for sixteen dollars due him,
but they at first refused to vote a similar arrangement
to make good the minister's salary; yet at a subse-
quent meeting the vote was passed and Mr. Burnap
was not starved out of town.
In 1781, Simeon Cummings was elected delegate
to the convention, and the constitution that had been
formed was adopted with some modifications.
In 1783, Jonathan Cummings was elected delegate,
from which it appears that the constitution had not
yet been satisfactorily modified. Meantime, the de-
velopment of the internal affairs of the town was not
neglected. In 177G the selectmen were instructed to
" divide the town into school districts and proportion
the school money among them." In 1777 it was voted
to erect stocks and a whipping-post.
In 1783 the school districts were authorized to ex-
pend the school money.
It is said that more tlian forty men from Merrimack
served in the Revolutionary War, but it has been im-
possible to find the names of more than thirty-eight,
and of the following list it is possible that some did
not belong in Merrimack, the only evidence in some
cases being that their names are given on the pay-
rolls of the New Ham|)shire regiments as being
credited to this town.
KEVOLUTIOXARV .SOLDIERS FROM MEKKI.M.\CK.
David AMils (Lieut.), Isaac C. .\ll(l8, Cajaar Harnoa, Williuiii Barron
(Oapt.l, .lonallian Barrou, .\ugiistu9 Blanclianl (Capt.), .lolin Combs,
William Coolt, John Cowdree, William Cowon (deserted), Abel Davis,
Thomas Davis, .Tames Dickey, Nathaniel Dickey, John Fields, John
Gait, Nathaniel Gearfleld, James Gilmore (Ensign), Matthew Goodwin.
Thomas Hammcins, John Hazleton (2d Llent.), Saninel Henry, Eben-
ezer Hills, Jr., Joseph Hills, William Kinc:, .Tames Liek«>y. TimoIh,v
Martin, Thomas McChire (Serg'tl, .Tames Orr, Iieii.|amin Ruby, Timothy
Taylor, ,)ames Taylor, Hugh Thornton, David Truel, Bei^aniin Vickerc,
Samuel Whiddon, William Whidden, John Wier.
CHAPTER VI.
MERRIMACK— (C'o.ir.n.i«''0.
CIVIL HISTORY, irS-4-1.846.
Thkre is little of s])ecial interest to record for
nianv vears after the Revolution. It was a time of
peaceful development, with few changes of import-
ance. In 1808 the care of the poor, which had for
many years devolved upon the selectmen, was dis-
posed of by selling tliem to the lowest bidder, and this
barbarous practice was continued for several years.
It seems that there was an unusual amount of ])0verty
in town at this period, for in 1815 it required fifteen
hundred dollars to support the poor.
Ip 1810 a step in advance in behalf of education
was taken by appointing a committee to inspect the
schools. The first committee consisted of Rev. Jacob
Burnap, James Wilkins and Simeon Kenney. This
was the beginning of supervision of schools.
It is a matter of curiosity to note that in 1812,
Daniel Webster had seventy votes in Merrimack for
representative to Congress, while his competitor, John
F. Parrot, had ninety-one! The best of people are
liable to mistakes.
In 1822 the town voted to give permission to the
Universalist Society, which had been organized, to
use the meetinghouse one Sabbath in each quarter,
and this jiractice was continued for many years, with
a gradual increase in the number of Sabbaths, until
in a few years the Uuiversalists occupied the house a
fourth part of the time.
In 1825 it was voted to give permission to any in-
dividual, or individuals, who chose to do so, to place
stoves in the meeting-house. This startling innova-
tion was not without oiijionents, but the money was
raised by subscription and the house warmed, chietiy
through the efforts of Dr. Abel Goodrich and Dan-
iel T. Ingalls.
In 1826-28 the present district system was fully
inaugurated by the institution of i)rudential com-
mittees, elected by the separate districts, with power
to hire teachers, the latter being required to be ex-
amined by the superintending committee. <
In this year we have the first and only notice of the
Eastern Star Lodge, which was granted the use of the
meeting-house for its installation ceremonies.
A discount for promjit ptiymeiit of ta.xes was first
offered in 1827, and at the same time it was ordered
that taxes remaining unpaid at the March meeting
should be sold to the highest bidder with power to
collect.
In 1829 was organized a second Congregational
Church, styled the Union Evangelical Church in
Merrimack, with Samuel II. Tollman as its pastor.
It was composed of people dwelling in Hollis, Am-
herst, Milford and Nashua, as well as in Merrimack,
and the meeting-house was located in the village of
South Merrimack, or Centerville.
Voting by check-list was first practiced in 1832.
A iioor-farm was purchased in 183."), as a more hu-
mane and economical method of caring for the poor,
and in the following year it was voted to make it a
house of correction also. The town farm was man-
i aged by an agent appointed by the town until 1868,
I when it was sold and the poor were ordered to be
f
MERRIMACK.
533
cared for liy tin- selectmen, witli the provit^o that no
one should he carried to the county farm contrary to
his wish.
Centennial Anniversary. — .\pril 3, 1846, was a
markeil day in thr history of the town, for then was
celelirated the one hundredth year of the town's cor-
porated existence. A committee was appointed in
town-meeting to make all necessary arrangements,
and as the annual fast-day came on -Vpril 2d, the cele-
hration was appointed for the following day. Robert
Arc(iaw was appointed president of the day ; Nathan
Parker and Samuel McConihe, vice-jiresidents ;
Joseph U. Holt and Captain Ira i^palding, marshals. '
.\n alile and interesting historical address was
L'iven by Rev. Stephen T. .Vllen, i)astor of the First
Church.
A large party of ladies and gentlemen took dinner
at the hotel of J. Nevins, after which there were im-
promptu speeches by citizens and gentlemen from
neighboring towns, and letters were read from former
citizens who were unable to be jiresent. A suggestion
having been made that centennial trees be set out in
the meeting-house grounds, a few days later the fol-
lowing i)ersons assembled there and each set out a
thrifty elm-tree, the numbers annexed to the trees in
the diagram below showing, by the corresponding
numbers attached to the names of the persons, who ■
planted each tree.
DIAORAU or CENIENNl&L TREES.
,ia (K)
N
A
« ®
5.1 52
®
58
MEETING
HOUSE.
©
.-.1
o
43
o
28
•^7
©
10
O
®
44
42
®
2»
2«
®
II
8
®
45
o
41
®
46
®
4(1
o
31
24
o
32
o
22
®
47
®
39
o
34
®
21
®
.-.7
!,0
38
4!l
37
33 SO
®
2U
®
19
®
®
®
O
® I
13
14
Ifl
Hi
17
18
®
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
STBBET.
No
No
1.
Reuben Barnes (2d).
32.
Charles .\. Damon.
2.
J. S. Lovcjo}-.
33.
Stephen T. Allen.
3.
Samuel McConihe.
34.
George T. Boyson.
4.
Dr. Harrison Katon.
35.
Matthew P. Kichols.
5.
SloMcne B. .McCouiUc.
30.
Lewis t'ampWIl.
6.
Miss Angeliue McCouihe.
37.
Joseph B. Nevins
7.
.\)onzo BIcConihe.
3S.
J<)hn Anderxm.
8.
John Nevins,
39.
Mil* Mary J. Nevins.
il.
Saniiiel Barnen.
40.
Reuben H. Pratt.
10.
James A. McKean.
41.
Jos^'ph Wilson.
n.
Daviil T. Joues.
42.
Mrs. Elirabeth Wilwu.
1-.'.
.lucub Btinmp.
43.
Nathan Wheeler.
13.
0. S. Chusc.
44.
Mrs. Lucy Holt.
14.
Samuel C. Nesmith.
45.
Isaiah Ilerrick.
l.V
Nathan Parker.
40.
Rufus Blood.
IG.
Henry Parker.
47.
Mrs. Abby K. Allen.
17.
C. T. Noiirso.
4».
James Hale.
18.
Clias. H. Lonpt.
4«.
Kbeue/.er Boyson.
I'J.
Kdwin W. Campbell.
.'.0.
William Wallace.
30.
James McKean.
51.
Sarah JleCJaw Allen.
21.
William McGilvniy.
by <'atherine Kimball
32.
Rol)ert McGaw.
n2.
William W. Jli Kean.
23.
l>avid .Jones.
.i3.
.Touatlutn Jones.
24.
Reubou Barnes.
54.
Simeon Kenny, Jr.
25.
Henry H. Eaton.
55.
Miss Catherine Kimball.
26.
Shi.bnl Weeks.
56.
Elkanah P. Parker.
27.
Josepli II. Wilson.
57.
Leonard Walker.
28.
James I'arker.
6S.
Robert W. Frenih.
2!l.
Caleb .lones.
•in.
Henry Fretts.
30.
Frederick A. Bartlett.
60.
Joseph Shedd.
31.
Samuel riiiM|iliill.
School Matters. — In l.S.Jo a movement was made
in school matters which ought to have been followed
up until it developed into a complete town organization.
The superintending and prudential committees were
constituted a School Board auxiliary to theState Board,
and retjuired to hold a meeting for consultation pre-
vious to the ojH'iiing (if the schools. If, now, it had
been further required that no teachers should be em-
ployed except upon examination in presence of this
board, we might have had a civil service reform in
this dei)artment of public service thirty years ago.
marked with a cross are not now alive
CH APTKK V 1 1.
MEKRI.VIACK— (Coada...-,/}.
UlKINti THE CIVIL WAR, I8*>U-li."i.
In 18(>0 the number of men enrolled in Mi rri-
mack as capable of military duty was a huii<lrcd and
fifteen.
When the war opened, V(jluntcei-s went from Mer-
rimack, as from all the Norlh, and in IStU the town
voted live hundred dollars to aid the families of
volunteers. The fidlowing year a bounty of ibne
hundred dollars was ollered to each vtdunteer, and
William T. Parker was appointed a committee to see
that the money was properly applied and that the
town should be properly credited for the men sent.
He was afterwards mailc military agent for the town,
with instructions to keep the town's quota full, and
at times was given full power to expend money at his
own discretion. He served in this capacity through the
534
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
entire war with great efficiency and zeal, devoting to the
business much of his time and energy, to the neglect
of his private afl'airs, and never asked for a single
dollar as compensation for his services.
The highest bounty paid was tive hundred and fifty
dollars, and that was done by vote of the town.
The whole number of men called for from Merri-
mack was a hundred and twenty. Eighty-three citi-
zens volunteered (one of whom was credited to
another town), twenty-five citizens sent substitutes,
nine substitutes were hired by the town, and seven
citizens re-enlisted (one of whom was credited to
another town), so that the whole number credited to
Merrimack was a hundred and twenty-two.
LIST OF VOLUXTEKRS FROM MERRIMACK.
D. Asquith, David Asquith, David Atwood, Nathaniel C. Barker, John
Barnes, Uilmao Blood, George F. Bowers, John H. Bowers, Charles L.
Brigham, Henry F. Butterfield, Joseph Cady, William H. Campbell,
Wallace Clark, Abel M. Colby, Henry Collins, Horace B. Coroing
(killed*, George W, Barrah (re-enlisted), Matthew Dickey, Hugh Dolan,
Peter H. B. Dolan, Fxlward A. Downs (killed), R. H. Duffey, George W.
Fisher, Francis F. Flint, George W. Flint. Courtland FollfiUisbee (died
in Libby Prison), Charles G. Fnut, Edward P. French, A. S- Gardner,
James W. Gardner, Frank T. Gardner. Edwin Goodwin, Charlea 0.
Gould, Hurace S. Gould, Warren Green, Charles N. Green (re -en listed
and comuiiKsioued second lieutenant), James Hale, Levi W. Hall, Ricbai'd
Hcnsen (deserted), David Henderson, Jr., James Henderson, William
Henderson, Silas P, Hubbard, B. Ivison, John H. Jackman, Spence F.
Jewett, Tbonia*' Law, Patrick Lee, Charles H. Longa, George B. Longa
(died in the army), John H. Longa, James W. Longa, Tyler T. Longa,
H. Washington Longa (re-enlisted), Samuel JIarsh, Ira Mears, Aaron
Mears, Orvil A. McCIure, Samuel E. McClure, James M. JlcConihe (re-
enlisted), Charles H. McGilveray, George F. McGilveray, Edward
McKean (re-enlisted), Rufus Merriani (killed i, Charles W. Morgan,
James L. Na.sh, John P. Y. Nichols (died in camp at Concord), Groves-
nor Nicholf, Charles W. I'arker, Corwin J. Parker, Nathan A. Parker,
Thomas \. Parker, Henry C. Patrick (killed), John G. Reed, James A.
Reed, George H. Robbins, John L. Bobbins, George W. Savage, Orison
Saodereon, Alexander Shackey (belonged in Hudson), Matthew P.
Tennent, George Wiley, Charles O. Wilkinson.
CHAPTER VIII.
MERRIMACK— (Co«/t/i,ijf/).
CIVIL HISTORY FROM 1866 TO 1885.
Until 1872 the oM meeting-house continued to
be used as a town-house ; but, thoufrli it was at the
centre of territory, it was not at the centre of popu-
lation of the town, nor was it adapted to the purpose
of social gatherings, which constitute so important a
partof thelife of atown; so, at the time above named,
an ai)i)roi)riation of five thousand dollars was voted,
wiiich resulted in the construction of the convenient
new town-house, located in Souhegan village, jiLst
south of the new uieeting-house. It is used not onlv
for town business, but also for social gatherings and
the regular meetings of the various social and benev-
olent organizations which have come into existence in
the past few years. It is also rented to traveling
amusement companies at five dollars per night.
The new town-house was dedicated January 1,
1873, on which occasion Rev. C. L. Hubbard gave
an interesting account of the origin, development
and results of the town system of New England, and
Btnjamin Ela gave a full and interesting history of
the old town-house.
In 1875 commenced the struggle for the abolition
of school districts and the institution of a town system
of management for the schools. The change was
voted down then, as it has been many times since,
but the decreasing majorities of the school district
party prove that in the end the town system is likely
to triumph.
In 1875 a receiving tomb was built in the cemetery
near the new meeting-house at an expense of three
hundred dollars.
In 1879 it was voted, eighty-seven to twenty-seven,
to suppress the sale of cider, beer and malt liquors,
and this provision has been vigorously enforced ever
since. " Prohibition does prohibit " in Merrimack at
least.
In 1880 the town received a legacy of $611.78 from
the "Wheeler" estate, which was placed at interest,
to be disposed of as the town may see fit in future.
In 1883 a road-machine was purchased and the
road tax collected in money, so that " working out
road taxes " is a thing of the past.
In 1884 the town came into possession of a legacy of
sixteen thousand five hundred dollars from the estates
of Joseph N. and Jane N. Oage, the income of which
is to be divided among the districts in jiroportion to
the number of school children in each, and Charles
S. Nesmith was appointed agent to take care of the
fund.
In 1885 two thousand dollars was appropriated to
enlarge the town house, the purpose being to render
it more convenient for social gatherings.
CHAPTER IX.
MERRIMACK— (<7.)..fi-m.erf).
PRKSENT rOXOITION (1885).
Merrimack contains about a thousand inhabitants,
mostly emi)loyed in agricultural pursuits, and, though
much of the soil is not rich, the substantial farms
and neat and comfortable houses show that the peo-
ple get a good living.
There are four small villages, — Reed's Ferry, Merri-
mack (or Souhegan), and Tliornton's Ferry, situated
on the Concord Railroad, along tlic Merrimack River,
and South Merrimack, situated on the Nashua and
I Wilton Railroad.
Manufactories. — Stephen C. Damon's mill, on the
Souhcgiui River, in the central part of the town, af-
fords gristmill facilities, and produces sawn lumj)er
of various kinds. It employs two or three men.
Rodney Hodgman has a saw-mill at South Merri-
MEKKLMACK.
535
mack, on the Pciinichuck, and Mr. Stowell a grist
ami saw-mill at the iKirthwest coriiiT of the town,
on the Bahoosuc. David T. Jones rnns a grist-mill on
the Naticook Brook, near Thornton's Ferry.
Brick-making was commenced in this town by Eri
Kittredge about forty years ago, the bricks being
transported to Lowell and el.sewhere by boats on the
Merrimack Kivcr. The business is still carried on by
his sons, Joscjih Kittredge and Eri Kittredge, Jr., but
the Concord Railroad now carries the bricks to mar-
ket. This firm produced the largest number about
ten years ago, when the product reached li, 200,000,
selling for ?22,<)OU, and giving employment to over
twenty men. The present i)roduct is about 600,000,
selling for about $.3(500, and employing seven men.
There have been several other brick-yards in town
at various times, but all except the Kittredge yard
have been given U|). Jerry W. Kittredge has for many
years carricil on the business of manufacturing over-
alls, jjants, jackets, etc., giving employnicMt to a num-
ber of ladies at their homes.
The first use of the excellent water privilege at
Souhcgan was by Ca|)tain John Chamberlain, who
built the first grist-mill and the first saw-mill in town.
Isaac Riddle built mills there for the manufacture
of cotton and woolen goods and nails. He was
l)urned out in I81S. rebuilt, and carried on the busi-
ness until again burned out in 1829.
Later, David Henderson carried on an extensive
business in the mills which had been rebuilt, manu-
facturing car|)ets, cotton and woolen goods, etc.
Most of the buildings were once more destroyed by
fire in 1882, but fortunately the building occupied by
Thoniius Parker escaped.
Thk Tho.mas Paukeh TahiJ'; Co.mi'any, which
has d(me a good business for many years, manufac-
tures black walnut and chestnut extension tables
and dining and office tables. Ten men are employed.
The annual [(ay-roll anxmnts to four thousand live
hundred dollars; more than two thousaiiil five hun-
dred tables are produced, and their value is abuut
fifteen thousand dollars.
William .M. West is the present efficient manager.
l'"l>fSENin;.\ iS: 1>()\VKI,I, are manufacturers of fish
and .syrup packages, coo](er stock, and lumber. The
partners are Anson D. Fessenden, of Townsend,
Mivss., and Levi F. Lowell, of Merrimack, N. H.
This firm commenced business at Reed's Ferry in
1872, and gives steady employment to fifty men, and
to a larger number at some seasons of the year. The
annual product is 24(),l)(U) lisb packages, 2,500,000
staves and 1,.")00,0I)0 feet of lund)cr. Mnnthly pay-
roll, $2"i()0; capital invcsteil, $(i.'),0(ll).
Merchants. — There are three stores in town stocked
with tlu- usu:il variety of dry-goods, groceries, hard-
ware, etc., — Porter & Co., at Reed's Ferry; W. J.
\ver, at Soubegan ; and (t. B. (Jriflin, at Thornton's
I ■rry.
Hotels. — ^There is only one h((tcl, and that is kept
by William Kennedy at Soutli Merrimack; its prin-
cipal income is derived from summer boarders.
Professional Men. — There is but one minister per-
manently located in town, — Rev. E. A. Slack, pastor
of the J'irst Congregational Church; one i)hysician, —
Warren W. Pillsbury, who is located at Souhcgan.
No lawyer has been able to get a living in town for
many years |>ast.
Town Finances.— During the year closing March
1, 1885, there was expended for highways and bridges,
$1227.17; for support of the poor, $83.50; for inci-
dentals, S1234.55; for schools, $2070.27; State and
county taxes, $253G.69. The town has $3872.07 de-
l)0sited in bank and has no debt.
It has not been necessary to levy any tax for town
expenses for several years, and consequently taxes
are very light. Of the sum expended for schools,
$454.23 came from the "Gage Fund," and about fifty
per cent, more will be received from that source next
year and hereafter, as the town received the income
from it for only about eight months of the jiast year.
The amount deposited in savings-banks to the credit
of individuals resident in town may be inferred from
the fact that the town received $2223.22 from the
State tri-asiircr as savings-bank tax.
Public Schools. — The whole number of pupils en-
rolled is about a hundred and seventy, all of whom
study reading, spelling and penmanship, nearly all
study arithmetic and geography, about one-half study
grammar, and one-third I'nited States history. There
are a few classes in drawing and vocal music, and
here and there one or two pursue some High School
study. The money is divided among twelve districts,
and while some have thirty-six weeks of school in
the year, others have no more than twenty, the aver-
age being twenty-five and four-tenths.
The methods of teaching used are mostly the same
as those of twenty-five years ago, and the results are
iis good as can be expected under the circumstances.
Occasionally a teacher is employed who introduces
the improved methods now adopted in the normal
schools and in the better class of city schools, and
some of the leading citizens of the town are earnestly
working to secure a change to the town system, so
that better methods may become universal.
A goodly number of the young people of Merri-
mack are pursuing High School studies at their own
expense, eighteen of whom were enrolled at McGaw
Normal Institute during the past year.
Merrimack furnishes two college students at present,
and one student of medicine.
LllAPTLK X.
MEKRIMACK- ( Contimitd).
CHUIK iii:s.
First Congregational Church.— This sketch of
till- liistoiy ol the First ( 'ongrcgatioiuil Church of
536
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Merrimack is composed largely of an extract from an
address by the pastor, Rev. C. L. Hubbard, delivered
at the centeuiiial coKbration of the organization of
the church, September T), 1871.
After speaking of the organization of the church
and the settlement of the first pastor, which events
have been described in the foregoing history, he
says, —
•'During the first ImH-conturj- of the church's existonre its history,
like thai of any plain iimii untong us, is remarkably uneventful. Tlie
usual prnporlion of the pi^^nilation of the town were received into its
coniuimii'iu, thert." wore t!ie usual number of dismissions, and so many
were buried from it.
" III the first part of tliis time, at leaat as appears from the record, the
church strove to maintiiiu the character of a Christian Society. Mem-
bei-s are cited to appear and sliow cause why they absented themselves
from public worship; brethren at variance are required to adjust their
aifferenceB according to the Scriptural rule, and it is actually the case
that seveml diflicultiea are settled in this way; and its votes exhibit a
commendable purpose to preserve its purity.
"Tiie half-way covenant then had a place in the usages of thp
churchet*, and was recognized here. A brief account of it may be of use.
From natural increase and from immigration from abroad, the class of
persons in the colonies not qualified to profess religion soon became |
numerous. Many of them were highly respectable for their talents and I
general worth of character, and it was felt to be a hardship that they
should be deprived of the privileges enjoyed by otliers around them,
and especially that they should be denied the right of baptism for their
children.
" To obviate these difficulties was the object of the half-way covenant.
It provided that all persons of sober life and correct sentiments, without
being examined as to a change of heart, might become members of the
■church and have their children baptized, thovigh tliey did not pailJike
of the Lord's J^upper.
"The time when this custom was given up cannot be accurately
determined, but it was probably at the close of Dr. Bnrnap's ministry
in 1821.
" At the commenconient of its second half century, though the church
received accessions from time to time, it was reduced to a very low and
precarious condition.
"Three causes can bo traced as producing tliis, —
"Many, if not all the original uiemhers had passetl away, and the
deatli of the first pastor occasioned the looseuing of one of those strong
ties that bind a church together.
"The regard that many had for the minister who had grown old in
their service could not be, or was not, easily transferred to another, and
coldness and dissatisfaction ensued.
"Then it wa^ the fact that many of the loading citizens of the town
had become alienated from the church, and at this time a I'nivenialist
Society was formed.
"In 181H the act was passed by the New Hampshire Legislature by
which towns in tlmir coriK)rate capacity were rendered inca|)ablo of
raising money for the support of religious worship.
"Thus, at a time when the pjiator was removed by death and many of
the citizens were cold and indifferent to the claims of evangelical
religion upon them, the church was compelled to make the experiment
of voluntary support.
"The ensnin^; period of eighteen years (from 1821 to 1839) was one
of the greatest anxiety to tho*- who were interested in maintaining the
institutions of the gosjiel.
"In 1822 the Slerrimack Iteligious Society was organized, but its
resonrces were small, and conaerjuently the observance of the ordinaucr.-i
of religion was irregular. But in 182r>, having gained confidence in
their ability to support a minister, the church and society called the
Kev. Stephen Morse, and he w;is installed as their pastor.
" From this time dates tlio organization of the Sabbath -school, des-
tined by its methods of instruction to take the place of the catechising
then and previously customary.
"And here allow mi> to quote the language of one* who, for more
than forty years, was its superintendent: * The Sabbath-school has lieen
generally well attended and interesting, and the additions of members
to the church have usually been from ite ranks.'
» Deacon Robert 3IcGftw.
"The strength of the church and society seems not to have been
sutlicicnt for the work assumed ; for in 1828, three yeare afterwards,
we find Mr. Moreo asking for dismission on the ground of inadequate
support, and his request was granted.
" After this there was a long period during which the church had no
settled minister and went on nincli as during the previous interregnum :
when a sum of nmney had been raised by tax on the membere of the
society or by subs<Tiption, or was received from the Home Missionary
Society, it was expended in preaching; when the money was exhausted
the meeting-house was closed on the Sabbath.
"But there is one thing that is wurthy of s|M*ciaI notice: whether
there was preaching on the Sabbath or not, eight Cliristian men met
weekly at the church and asked God to verify His promises to them,
and revive His work in tliis jdace. When we learn this fact we are no
lunger surprised that during this time that they were apparently for-
saken their prayers were being answered.
"There was considerable religious interest in connection with the
laboi-s of the Rev. Mr. Hartley. Many Christian families removed to
the town within this time, and the afraii-s of the church began to mend.
"In 18;i7 the present house of worsjjip was erected. This was a
great advantage in three particulars,—
"1. It afforded a suitable opportunity for the reorganization of the
church.
"2. It led to a reorganization of the Religious Society, many uniting
with it who had previously been members of a different society.
"3. The place of worship was brought nearer the centre of population,
as South Merrimack had been detached from the parish in 1829.
" All this time their efforts to obtain a minister had not been relaxed,
and in 1839 the Rev. Stephen T. Allen became their pastor, a relation
that he sustained to them for ten years.
"The period of this pastorate was naturally the time for putting
things in order, and Mr. Allen seems to have been eminently fitted for
this work.
" In addition to his proiwr ministerial labors, be contributed largely
to the development of the social life of the town ; he was an active and
inHuential friend of the cause of education ; he was ^ strong and earnest
advocate of the temperance movement, antl iluring his connection with
them the church whs generally harmonious and prosperous.
" In 1849, on account of ill health, Mr. Allen was ^lismissed, and was
succeeded within a few months by the Kev. E. G. Little. During his
ministry the church enjoyed the fii-st widespread revival in its hist*iry.
Commencing in NovemWr. lS.il, with a deei»er interest in the prayer-
meeting and a fuller attendance upon the pnl)lic services of the house of
<;od, it pervaded all classes and extended tu all |>arts of the town. As
the direct and immediate result, more than seventy were, in a short time,
added to the chnrch, of whom more than forty were heads of families.
*• But this pastorate was short. Mr. Little resignetl his charge in 18o4.
and, the next year, was followed by the Rev. Edwin J. Hart. Mr. Hart ^
was eminently faithful as a pastor, and well iiualified to assist those who
had recently commenced the Christian life.
"The religious interest was continueil throughout the period of his
ministry, and the church received large additions to its uiemhers and
waa led forward to a higher epiritua) life.
*«••* « * «•*
"These last throe ministers seem to have been the right men to come
to this church, and to have come at the right times.
"Mr. Allen busieil hirut^elf with the outwaixl relation of Cliristianity,
ami exhibited the gospel in its concrete forms.
"Mr. Little led men from the contemplation of these things to Jesus
Christ as the source of all ;_'ood antl light.
"Mr. Hart was eminently qualified to guard and help those who,
having set forth to serve Christ, would meet with many discouragements
and need a faithful counselor."
Mr. Hart closed liis hiltors lierc in 1865, impelled
by lack of i)eeuni;iry support and ill health.
Rev. J. H. Bates sui)plied the jmlpit f(ir a year or
two, and in 1868, Rev. C. G. Hubbard was installed
as pastor.
Mr. Hubbard, though fresh from the comi)letion of
his studies, rapidly developed the characteristies of
an effective minister.
A series of meetings was held uniler the auspiees
of the Young Men's Christian Association, and re-
MElllUMACK.
537
suited in a great quickening of tlic cliureh and the
addition of many new nionibcrs.
This work was successfully continued by the pastor,
-n that there were almost constant additions, and at
the same time he was a strong temperance worker,
did much to elevate the public schools of the town,
was a leader in the social life of the town, and by the
strength and attriutiveness of his sermons drew in a
larger congregation than had ever before attended
public worship.
In 1878, Mr. Hubbard resigned, much against the
wishes of the majority of the people, and, after several
vain attempts to secure a settled pastor. Rev. Kingsley
V. Norris consented to serve for a time iis acting-
pastor.
The work of Mr. Norris was essentially evangelistic
in its nature, and resulted in the conversion of-a large
number of yonng people and the establishment of a
young peo|de'.s ])rayer-meetiiig at Reed's Ferry, which
still maintains a vigorous life (18So), and is all the
prayer-meeting that is regularly sustained by the
church outside of the Sunday services.
Mr. Norris resigned in the spring of 1881, and Rev.
I'.. A. Slack, the present jiastor, was installed in the
:iutumn of the same year.
The chief characteristic of Mr. Slack's ministry, so
far, has been steady, ])ersistent, earnest, hard work, I
and it results ill .steady additions to the church, four-
teen having united with the church during the psist
year, mostly on profession of faith.
There are at present about two hundred naine.s on
the church-roll, about forty of whom are non-resi-
dents.
The following persons have served as deacons in
the First Church : Jonathan Cummings, William
Patten, Jonathan Cummings, Jr., Aaron Gage, Jr.,
Solomon Danfortli, IJenjanjin Nourse, Augustus
Lund, Daniel Ingalls, Robert Mc(!aw, Joseph Wil-
son. Robert F. French, Harrison Eaton and Tlimiias
Parker. The present incumbents are Matthew ]'.
Nichols, Francis A. Gordon and John Wheeler.
The superintendents of the Sabbath-school have
been as follows : Robert McGaw, Harri.son Eaton,
Nel.son H. Brown and li. 11. Weston. Tlu' |)resenl
su])erintendent is Francis -V. Gordon.
The new iheeting-house has been rejiaired and
modernizcil from time to time until now it is a very
convenient and comfortable |)lace of worship. The
latest imjirovement was introduced in the fallof 1S84,
and consisted of a hot-air furnace with ventilating
flues, whiih has entirely removed the nuisance of
smoking stove-pipes, and warms and ventilates the
bnililiiig thoroughly.
Union Evangelical Church in Merrimack.— This
church was orgaiii/cd ()(tol>er li'.i, ISL'il, and was com-
posed of |)ersons living in .Merrimack, llollis, Am-
herst, Miltonl and Nashua.
The same year a meeting-house was built at South
Merrimack.
The first pastor was Rev. Samuel H. Tollman. He
wa.« succeeded by Rev. John W. Shepherd in 1844.
Since the close of Mr. Shepherd's pastorate no
minister has remained with this church for any
length of time, its financial ability being too limited
to furnish an adequate support. A Sabbath-school
has been kept up most of the time, especially through
the summer season.
CllAI'TEK XI.
MERRIM.4CK— (CoiK.Hiierf).
MiXiAW SOBM.\L INSTITUTE.
Thk establishment of schools for the professional
training of teachers marks the beginning of the recog-
nition of teaching as a profession, and was an impor-
tant advance in the elevation of the human race.
The first Normal School among English-siJcaking
people, of which we have any record, was established
at Edinburgh, Scotland, in IS-TO; the ne.\t, at Milan.
Ohio, two years later.
In 1849 there were only eight in the whole of the
United States, three of which were in Massachusetts,
and none in New Hampshire. Now there are two
hundred and thirty-three within the limits of the
Union, and many of them are doing a grand work.
It was in 1849 that Professor William Russell, an
alumnus of Ghisgow University, and celebrated as the
greatest elocutionist in the country, desired to devote
himself more directly to the work of training
teachers.
Fortunately for this state and town, he found in
Merrimack men who could appreciate his idea and
wJKi wore willing to help in its realization.
The Charter. — In the records of the New Hamp-
shire Legislature for 1849 we find the following:
"An Act to €StablUh (Ac Merriimick yommt Inittititle
" Sec. l8t. Be it onucted by flie S*!imte and Uoiibo of Uopresi'iitntivt-t*
in tJenoml Court rouvoned: That Ruhert McGuw, Nutliitii I'lirker,
Kllfiiuiili V, Parlter, Muttliew P. XicliulMiiiid XiiUiun Piirliyr, junior, itnd
Ilieir iwMoriiilfH, micct'Ssory mid iifwl^nfl, be and uri- luTidiy nmdo ii IxhI.v
IMdilif iind r-orpomli- Ity thf niimo of tbo Merriniiu-lt Noriniil Institute,
and by tliat nuuic may stit- and be Hued, pru**ecute and ilefend to AnnI
judKinent ami execution, and tthall liave and unjuy ah tint privileKi-H and
\h) Huiijecltoall tlie !ial>ilitie8 incident toctirporatlouttuf aHiiniliirnature.
*'Si:c. 2d. Said eon>oration may establiHh a ^-niinary in the lown of
Merrlniaik, in llic county of Hill»lioTOugh, for llie Inslnicliun of yonlli
of botii HoxoH in niM-ful lilentture, and (o <|Ualiry hucIi of tlieni iim intend
to be.onie teai-lieiTt of co on m-Ii.k.Im lor tlo'ir a|>pro|)riiite ilutii's; iiniy
i-reet, nniintatn am) own Hiiititlde ItuildingH tlierefor ; and may ln>ld real
and pi'i-Mjnal iiroperty to any amount not exeee<llng tliirty thoumiifl
dollarH.
"Sue. 3il. Itobi'il >Ic(;aw, Elkanuli I". I'arkor and Mattlien V
Nicliolii, or any tuo of tl i, may call llio flmt nn'elinfC of nald <or|nini-
tion, to be liolden at iHime Huitable linu< and place in ttaid town of Merri-
mack, by cauMiUK a notillcation then-of to bo po«tod tip in some public
jilaix- In aaid town of Jlerrimack, lincon days prior U< llo' lime np|iointeil
for holtline wiid meeting, at wliicb, or at p>ume future nieetinKdnly called
and lioldeD, Hujd corporation may adopt !*ur)i constitution and by.JawM,
not incoiiHisteuI with the lawn of thin State, a» they may consiiler neccc.
sary or i-xpedjent for the manu^enient of their e^ttatc and fnnils, ami for
538
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
the tliie order and governinent of tbeir institution, and may appoint or
chuotie Buch ofticers and agente as tlioy may think pru{)er, and prescnUv
their duties, and may hold their corporate projierty actually employed
free from taxation.
"Sec. 4th. The Legislature may at any time alter, amend or repeal
this act whenever, in their opinion, the public good may require it.
"Sec. 5th. This act shall take elTect from its passage.
"Sam'l II. Ayer,
" Speaker of the House of HepreeenOitives.
"Wji. P. Weeks,
" Pretidetil of the Setlafe.
"Approved July cllh, 1S49.
"S.\MUEL DlNSMOOR,
" (lovemor.^^
Acting as autliorized above, the stockholders or-
ganized August 22, 1849, with Robert McGaw as
president tmd Matthew P. Jsichols as secretary and
treasurer.
The stock was divided into thirty-one shares of
one hundred and eighty-two dollars each.
The following is the list of the original stock-
holders and the number of shares held by each :
Simon Kenny, Jr., 1 share; Eri Kittredge, 1 share ; William Head, 1
share; Matthew P. Nichols, ^shares: Elkanah P. Parker, 2 shares; Nathan
Parker, 5 shares ; Kohert McGaw, It I shares ; Robert W. French, 1 share ;
Jesse Parker, 2 shares ; Thomas Parker, 2 shares ; James Parker, 4 shares.
The building was erected during the spring and
summer of 1849 by Asa O. Colby, of Manchester.
The contract price was four thousand six hundred and
fifty dollars, but changes and additions increased the
contractor's bill to nearly five thousand dollars, and
subsequent im])rovement8 raised the total cost to
si.\ thousand dollars or more.
'Ihe edifice consists of a central portion forty feet
square and three stories high, and two wings, each
tliirty feet .scjuare and two stories high, together with
suitable imt-buildings. It contains fifty rooms, and
aflords convenient accommodations for thirty boarders.
Professor Russell opened school August 27, 1849,
and enrolled .sixty-five students the first term. The
total number of different student* during the first
year was a hundred and forty-four, of whom forty-
two were in the teachers' class, and twenty of these
taught .school during the winter of 1849-50.
The rules were few and simple. The use of pro-
fane language, of intoxicating beverages and tobacco,
playing at cards or dice, and turbulent and noisy
actions within the building were strictly prohibited,
and punctuality was retjuired.
The boarding department was managed by Mr. and
Mrs. John Wheeler, under whose administration the
building was crowded to its utmost capacity, there
being at times sixty roomers and eighty table
boarders.
Prices were low, — hoard, including everything but
washing, being only a dollar and a half per week,
and tuition five dollars for English and seven and a
half dollars for foreign languages, per term of ten
weeks.
The reputation of Professor Russell and the excel-
lence of the work accomplished drew a still larger
number of students the second year. The largest
enrollment in the history of the institution was at-
tained in the spring of 1851, the number then being
one hundred and eight.
Yet, with all this prosperity. Professor Russell must
have found it difficult to pay his assistants and sup-
port his family, and so we are not surprised to learn
that his health failed, and he removed to Massachu-
setts.
The stockholders seem not to have understood that
a school of this character could not be so managed
as to make it pay like an ordinary business enter-
prise.
The treasurer's book shows that Professor Russell
paid three hundred dollars rent the first year, and
the second year rent was received amounting to
$311.64; $206.82 was paid during the third year.
Afterwards the records are not clear, but it is evident
that whatever was received for rent was expended
in repairs and improvements, for in 1852 it was voted
"That the Directors shall not expend any more
money than the earnings from the building of the
Merrimack Normal Institute."
And so, after receiving two small dividends of two
and a half and four dollars per share, respectively,
all hopes that the stockholders may have entertained
of getting pecuniary return for their inve.stment
vanished into the air.
Yet, (me man at least did not abandon the school,
for during this same year philoso[>hical and chenii-
cal apparatus costing iS275..")0 wtis placed in the
building by Robert McGaw.
The records do not show how long Professor Rus-
sell remained ; but it appears that ,Tohn W. Ray paid
the rent in 1852, and Joseph C'ushinan and H. J.
Patrick in 1853, during which time the attendance
was good, ranging from fifty to eighty.
In the summer of 1853, Harry Brickett, A. M., be- •
came principal. He commenced with twenty students,
but the number increased to seventy-two in the spring
of 1854, after which time it lapidly decreased, and it
is probable that Mr. Brickett soon left, as the record
of students here closes with twenty-six students in the
summer of 1854.
There is a record of twenty students in the spring
of 1855, but the name of the princii)al is not given.
About this time l-evi Wallace, a former student,
had charge of the school for a while.
In 1859 there is recorded a fall term with tliirty
students, under Samuel Morrison, principal.
Stmie time after, a Mr. Brown, who is now agent
for Oberlin College, carried on the school for a brief
period.
Evidently, an unendowed academy could not be
sustained here, encompassed as it was on all sides by
similar schools with more or less endowment.
In 1865 an attempt was made to establish a school
of an entirely different character.
The property was leaseil to Rev. S. N. Howell for
ten years for the nominal sum of one dollar, he agree-
iMERRIMACK.
539
iiig tu fsUiblisli a school of a grade sufficiently high
to prepare students for college, and to keep tlie build-
ing in repair at his own expense.
Mr. Howell named his school the Granite ytate
Military and Collegiate Institute, introduced military
tactics and military discipline, charged a high price;
and, while the rage for military schools, generated by
the war, lasted, the school was a success, securing an
attendance of tliirty or more boarding i)upils, but be-
fore the lease expired the number had diminished
to one solitary pupil ; so the lease was canceled, and
the building rented for tenement purposes.
The institution now .seemed dead beyond the pos-
sibility of a resurrection ; but it is sometimes " dark-
est just before day." In 1872 died Robert ^IcGaw,
the earliest and stanchest friend of the school, and
his will provided an endowment of ten thousand dol-
lars, with these conditions, —
Ut. That the uaine sliuiiM t« changed to HcGaw Kurmul Institute,
iuiplyiug that th<f rharactur of the Bchool should be restored, as nearly
BB iMMsible, to what it wan when started by Pruleesor Uuseell.
•Jd. That in case the worlt of the (*cliooI r^hould be interrupted for two
years, t)ie endowment should go to Dartnioutli College.
It wa.-' Deacon Mcfiaw's jmrpose to make it po.ssi-
ble for the people of Merrimack to have a good High
School, but to throw on them a part of the responsi-
bility of sustaining it, believing that such a relation
of mutual dependence and helpfulness would be
better than to make the school entirely independent.
Edwaril 1*. Parker became president of the cor-
poration, and Francis A. Gordon trcitsurer; the con-
ditions of the will were accepted, and the citizens of
Merrimack were invited to assist in opening and sus-
taining a school. Certain persons responded heartily
to this appeal, but the apatliy among the jieople
generally was so discouraging that the stockholders
determined to proceed independently.
The income from the endowment and rents,
amounting tt) some twelve hundred dollars, was
expended in putting the building in good repair, and
in the s|iring of 1875, Bartlett H. Weston was in-
stalled ;is jirincipal.
He received six hundred and fifty dollars per year
and the free use of the building, together with what he
could get from tuition fees.
He opened with twenty-nine students, and the num-
ber increased to forty-eight the following winter,
after wliich there was a falling olf until the sjiring
of lH7il, when Mr. Weston resigned. The average
enrollment during his last year was a fraction less
than twenty-five.
The next principal was l-^lliot Whipple, who was
employed in .lune, 1879, on the same terms as Mr.
Weston, except that he received only four hundred and
twenty-five dollars per year from tlie income fri>m the
endowment, it being the desire of the stockholders
to reserve something for repairs.
Mr. Whipple began with twenty-three students,
and his average enrollment the first year was a frac-
36
tion over twenty-five, which number increased to
about forty in 1883 and 1884, the largest number en-
rolled in any one term being fifty in the winter of
1884. The following year more teaching force was
provided in the expectation of an increased attend-
ance ; but notwithstanding the fact that the students
now had the full time and energy of three regular
instructors, the attendance fell oti" so that the average
enrollment for the year closing April 24, 1S8.5, was
only about thirty.
The report of the State superintendent of public
instruction for 1884 shows that of New Hampshire's
fifty academies, only ten have a larger attendance than
McGaw Institute.
Since Mr. Whipple took charge the following per-
sons have graduated :
From the four years' cour^: John F. Chase, of Litchfield ; Isaac J».
Center, of Litchfield ; Clara S. Kittredge, of Jlerrimack. From the
three yeans' course : Fred. E. Winn, of Hudson; Walter E. Kittix'dge, of
Merrimack ; E. Monroe Parker, of Merrimack ; Harlan W, Whipple, of
Merrimack ; Sherman Hobbs, of Pelham ; .Sarah C. Moulton, of Merri-
mack. From the two years' course: Jeunie U. Elliott, of Blerriniack ;
Addie M. Johnson, of Northumberland ; Clara E. Henderson, of Merri-
mack ; Carrie A. Tirrell, of Uotl'stown ; .Maud Whipple, of Merrimack :
Emiua B. Winn, of Hudson.
Of these, four are continuing their studies in
higher institutions and nine are engaged in teaching.
A hasty glance at the list of former students reveals
the names of several who have honored the institu-
tion by what they have done in the world. Among
them we notice Mark Bailey, professor of elocution
in Yale College; Hon. Daniel Barnard, of Franklin.
N. H.; Josei)h Cushmaii, afterwards one of the prin-
cipals of the .school, now deceased ; Levi Wallace,
afterwards principal of the institute and now a law-
yer in Groton, Mass.; John Swett, for many years
superintendent of public instruction in California :
Mrs. H. N. Eaton, of Merrimack, a poetess and writer
of c<jiisidcrablc ability; Walter Kittredge, of Merri-
mack, who sang in company with the Hutchinson
family many years, and now travels, giving musical en-
tertainments alone, also is the author of " Tenting on
the Old Camp-Ground," of which one hundred thou-
sand copies have been sold, " No Night There," " The
Golden .Streets" and numerous other pieces; .John
Pearson, of I'ennacook ; .lohn Goddard, of New York
Rev. John W. Lane, of North Ha<llcy, Mass.; Eugene
W. Bowman, city clerk of Nashua ; Granville Web-
ster, sub-master in the Elliot School, Boston.
CH.VPTEU X 11.
iM E K R I M A C K— ( Continued).
CIVIL LIST.
SELECTMEN, UKPUE3ENTAT1VK>, E ti .
[The order of names indicates the rank iw tlrst, soconil or thinl select-
man. No representative was electee! for several years].
1740, Phinehasrnderw.ssl, John Csher, Zechariali St«a^l^^ selectmen.
540
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1747. — p. Uiulerwood, Z. Stearns, William Lund, seloctnieu.
n4S. — Captuiu Juimtlmu Ciiiiiiiiings, P. Undorwucd, Willium Putteu,
solectiuen.
X74»). — p. l'uderwot>d, J. Ciniimings, Joseph Barnes, selectmen.
1750. — P. Underwood, Tliomas Vickere, James Moor, Jr., selectmen.
1751. — p. rnderwood, J. IJurneH, J. Ouniminga, selectmen.
1752. — P. TuderwiJod, John Chamberlain, Joseph Blunchard, selectmen.
1753. — Same an pre%'iou8 year.
1754. — P. Underwood, Williuiu Alld, Charity Lund, selectmen.
1755. — p. V'nderwooii, W. Alld, Thomas Vickere, Jr., selectmen.
1750, — J. Blanchard, \V. Alld, John Usher, selectmen.
1757, — J. Blanchard, P. Untlerwood, Thoinafl Barnes, selectmen.
1758. — J. Blanchard, Alexander Sliller, William Patten, sclectmou.
1759, — Samuel Caldwell, James Minot, W, Alld, selectmen.
17GU. — J Blanchard, John McClench, Timothy Taylor, selectmen.
1761. — Same as previous year.
1762. — Samuel Caldwell, I. Blanchard, Samuel Spalding, selectmen.
1763. — Edward G. Lutwycho, Thomas Barnes, Benjamin Baxter,
selectincD.
1704. —Samuel Caldwell, J. Blanchard, Thomas Vickere, selectmen.
1765. — Same as previous year.
1766, — Simeon Ciinimings, Henry Fields, Captain Thomas Barnes,
selectmen.
1707.— S. Caldwell, J. Chamberlain, Captain William Alld, selectmen.
1768. — S. Caldwell, J. Chamberlain, Solomon Hutchinson, selectmen.
1769. — J. Chamberlain, S. Hutchinson, S. Caldwell, selectmen.
1770.— W. Alld, S. Spalding, Jonathan Cummiugs, Jr., selectmen.
1771. — John Neal, Hugh Ramsey, John McClench, selectmen ; John
Chamberlain, representative.
1772. — J. Neal, H. Ramsey, .\\igtistus Blanchard, selectmen ; Captain
William Alld, chosen August, probably to till a vacancy.
1773.— A. Blanchard, Colonel Ebenezer Nichols, Captain J. Chamber-
Iain, selectmen.
1774. — J. Neal, Captain T. Barnes, H. Fields, selectmen ; Captain
J. Chamberlain, representative.
1775. — Captain J. niamberlain, Jacob MrGaw, Simeon Cummings,
selectmen; Captain J. Chamberlain, representative, and Jacob McGaw,
delegate to the New Hampshire Provincial Congress.
1776. — J. Neal, S. Cummings, William Wallace, selectmen; Matthew
Patten, representative.
1777. — Augustus Blanchard, S. Cummiugs, H. Fields, selectmen;
Captain Samuel Patten, representative for Merrimack and Bedford.
1778. — S. Cunuuings, H. Fields, Captain T. Barnes, selectmen; Lieu-
tenant John Orr, of Bedford, representative for both towns.
1779. — S. Huttiiinson, S. Cummings, Klxnezer Hills, selectmen ;
Wyseman Claggett, representative for Merrimack and Bedford.
1780.— S. Hutchinson, H. Fields, Timothy Taylor, selectmen.
1781.— Captain Stephen Wilkins, Captain William Barron, Ensign
Benjamin Vickere, selectmen; Jacob SIcGiiw, representative for Merri-
mack and Bedford.
1782. — Captain S. Wilkins, Captain W. Barron, Ens. B. Vickere, select-
mon ; Lieutenant John Orr, of Kedford, representative.
1783. — S. CummingH, Matthew Thornton, Samuel Foster, selectmen
1784.— Timothy Taylor, J. JIcQaw, Marsten Fields, selectmen ; James
Martin, of Bedfonl, representative.
1785.— S. Cummings, J. McGaw, T. Taylor, sclectmon ; T. Taylor,
representative.
1786. — S. Cummings, J. McGaw, Ebenezer Parker, selectmen ; Captain
W. Barron, representative.
1787. — J. SIcC.aw, E. Parker, Jotham Gillis, selectmen.
1788. — E. Parker, Lieut. Walker, Solomon Banforth, selectmen ;
T. Taylor, representative.
1789. — E. Parker, S. Banforth, Jame^ Gilmore, Samuel McKean,
Janu>8 Combs, five solectnieii being chosen this year."
17ilO.— Samuel McKean, Deacon Aaron Gage, Samuel Spalding, Jr.,
selectmen ; T. Taylor, reprosfntiitive.
1791. — S. McKean, S. Banforth, J. Gillis, selectmen.
1792. — S. McKean, S. Banforth, James Combs, selectmen.
1793. — S. Banforth, J. Combs, J. Gillis, selectmen ; T. Taylor, repre. i
Bcntativc.
1794.— Same as previous year.
1795. — Selectmen same ; J. 5lcGaw, representative.
1706. — Selectmen same ; Captain James Thornton, representative.
1797. — Selectmen sariio ; S. <'ummings, representative.
1798. — Selectmen same ; Samuel Foster, representative.
1709. — S. Danfurth, J. ComtM, Cornelius Barnes, selectmoD ; S. Foster,
repretjentative.
1800. — Same as previous year.
1801. — Lieutenant Samuel Cotton, Cajitain James Lund, Lieutenant
Henry Fields, selectmen ; S. Foster, lejireaentative.
18(12.— S. Banforth, Capt. J. Lund, Di^acon Benjamin Xourse, selectmen ;
8. Foster, representative.
1803. — S. Banforth, Lieutenant John .\iken, Deacon B. Nouree, select-
men ; S. Foster, n-presenialive.
1804. — Same as previous year.
1805.- Simeon Kenney, B. Nourse, Daniel Ingalls, selectmen ; S.
Foster, representative.
1806. — Selectmen tsamc ; J. Thornton, representative.
18u7.— S. Kenney, B. Nourse, Nathan Parker, selectmen; Samuel
McConihe, representative.
1808. — Deacon S. Banforth, S. Kenney, Robert McGaw, selectmen ; J.
Thornton, representative.
1809. — S. Kenney, S. McConihe, Captain Samuel Fields, selectmen ;
J. Thornton, representative.
1810.— S. Kenney, Captain S. Fields, Lieutenant Samuel Barron, select-
men; J. Thornton, representative.
1811. — S. Kenney, Lieutenant S. Barron, Cosmo Lund, selectmen ;
Daniel Ingalls, repr<'sentative.
1«1'2. — Selectmen same ; J.Thornton, representative.
1813. — Selectmen same ; H. Fields, representative.
18 14. — Cosmo Lund, Aaron Gage, Jr., Solomon Banforth, Jr., selectmen i
H. Fields, representative.
1815. — Selectmen same ; D. Ingalls, representative.
1816.— C. Lund, A. Gage, Thomas McCalley, selectmen; I). Ingalls,
representative.
1817. — Selectmen same; Aaron Gage, Jr., representative.
1818. — A. Gage, Jr., S. Kenney, John Conant, selectmen; A. Gage,
representative.
1819.— Abel Goodrich, S. Danforth, Jr., T. McCalley, selectmen; A.
Gage, representative.
1820. — A. Goodrich, S. Danforth, Jr., Robert McGaw, selectmen ;
A. Gage, representative.
1821.— C. Lund, D. Ingalls, Samuel Barron, Jr., selectmen; A. Gage,
representative.
1822.— C. Lund, S. Barron, Jr., Levi Wilkins, selectmen; A. Gage,
representative.
1823. — Same as previous year.
1824.— S. Kenney, S. Banon, Jr., L. Wilkins, selectmen; A. Gage,
representative.
1825.— A. Gage, Jr., L. Wilkini^ Martin Crooker, selectmen ; Henry
T. Ingalls, representative.
1820.— Daniel I,. Herrick, L. Wilkins, John P. Wallace, selectmen ;
H. T. Ingalls, representative.
1827.— L. Wilkins, M. Crooker, S. Barron, Jr., selectmen; James B^
Thornton, representative. ^
1828. — M. Crooker, S. Barron, Jr., Francis Odall, selectmen ; J. B.
Thornton, representative.
1829. — Same as previous year.
1830.— M. Crooker, Oliver Spalding, Jr., James McCalley, selectmen ;
J. B. Thornton, representative.
1831. — O. Spalding, Jr., J. McCalley, Jonathan Barron, selectmen;
Joseph Litchfield, representative.
18;i2. — Siime us previous year.
183:t. — J. SIcCalley, M. Crooker, Francis Odall, selectmen ; Samuel
McConihe, repretR-ntative.
1834. — J. McCalley, David Jones, Josei)h N. Gage, selectmen ; S.
McConihe, representative.
Iftl^.—David Jones, Levi Wilkins, Leonard Kendall, selectmen ; S.
Bivrron, Jr., representative.
mao.- L. Wilkins, L. Kendall, Augustus Ci-agin, selectmen; and
William B. Wheeler, ric« Kendall, removed from town. S. Barron, Jr.,
representative.
lg37._L. Wilkins, Joseph B. Holt, Joseph Bitrnes, selectmen ; Oliver
Spalding, Jr., representative.
18:i8.— F. Odall, W. B. Wlieeler, Obodiah Marland, selectmen; 0.
Spalding, Jr., representative.
183i}._0. Murland, Ephiaim W. Livingston, Leonard Walker, select-
men ; F. Odall, represt-ntative.
1840.— L. Walker, E. W. Livingston, 0. Spalding, Jr., selectmen;
F. Odall, repn-sentative.
1841. _D. Jones, Klkanah P. Parker, William McKean, solectmeo ;
K. McGaw, representative.
1842.— 0- Sptilding, John Gilson, Jr., Edward Wheeler, selectmen ;
L. Walker, rei)re8eutative.
MERRIMACK.
541
1K43._W. McKenn, K. I'. Tarker, Joeuidi B. Holt, selectmen ; L.
Walker, reprej^cnuitivc.
It^4.— J. B. flult, 1>. JuDe<!i, Daniel Moor, Jr., selectmen ; jHiiies
IJ. Parker, repnweiitjitive.
1846. — D. Joni-8, D. Moore, Jr., Daniel T. Ingallti, selectmen ; J. U.
i'urkcr, reiiresentativc.
lim>.— D. Moore, Jr., D. T. Ingalls, James Purkor, selectmen ; P«vhI
T. Joue0, representative.
1847. — W. McKeuu, J, Purkcr, Ira Spiildiiig, selectmen ; David
JoDeSy representative.
lg48._W. McKean, I. Spuldiug, Robert W. French, selectnien ;
J. B. Hult, repre8ent*itive.
I84y.— It. W. Frencli, S. Kenney, Joliu L. Bowers, selectmen; J.
B. IIoU, rei>re«enlutivi-.
\H^), — s. K^-nnev, J. L. Bowers, Francis A. Cbumberliiin, nelectmen ;
R. McGuw, representative.
•1*51.— Alexander McCally Wilkina, F. A. Chamberlain, Elijah P.
Parkhurst, selectmen ; W. McKeun, representative.
1852.— .\. M. Wilkin;*, K. P. PorUturst, BopjamiD Kidder, Helectoieu ;
John Eajers, representative.
1S53.— .\. M. Wilkins, B. Kidder, Nathan Parker, selectmen; D. T.
Iriipklls, representative.
m^,_A. M. WilkiiiH, >'. Parker, Ward Parker, selectmen; D. T.
IngalU, nrprewntativf.
\s:>5. — John Wht'fler, Smith K. Fields, James Hay, selectmen ; Simeon
Ktitocy, Jr., representative.
1866. — S. E. Fields, J. Hay, Ilosea B. Spalding, selectmen; A. M.
Wilkiui), representative.
18.'>7.— David Jones, Thoma** Parker, Abiel Holt, selectmen; HorriKon
Eiiton, repre»*entative.
1K68. — D.Jones, T. Parker, Abner C. Durnih, selectmen; H. Eaton,
n ■ prose nlalive.
1H.VJ.— T. I'arker, .\. C. Darnili, Jeremiah Woodn, selectmen ; William
T. Parker, representative.
18(W. — E. T. Parkhund, George F. Spalding, Israel C. Crooker, select-
men ; W. T. Parker, representative.
l«fil._G. F. S|>atdlng, WanI Parker, A. C. Darrah, selectmen ; S. Ken-
ney, representative.
18<;2.— Ward Parker, J. Wheeler, Franklin Uerrlck, selectmen ; El-
kanali P. Parker, n?pre*-ntative.
IHf,;i. — .1. Wheeler, F. Ilerrick, Sumner Morgan, selectmen; E. P.
Piirker, reprt««*nlJitive.
18G4. — J. W' heeler. F. Herrick, David Jones, selectmen ; £. P. Parker,
nipresentalivo.
iHtW).— John L. Spalding, Ward Parker, Eri Kittredgc, selectmen ; E.
P. Parker, representative.
iHOn. — S. Kenney, .Ward Parker, E. Kittredgo, Belectmen ; could not
agree on a repn-'W!ntative,
ISGT.— J. L. Spjililing. Ward Parker, Walter Read, tielectmen ; A. C.
I)arrali, r<-pn-sen(jilivc.
iKiiK, — A. M. Wilkin», Frederick F. Walker, Isaac B'itts, selectmen ;
A.C. Damili, reprewMitativo.
18IJ1).— J. Wheeler, T. Parker, Henry .1. Wilson, (telectmen ; Bei^anilD
Ela, repreMonlative.
lH7n.— J. Whcel.T, T. Purk.-r, II. J. Wilson, selectmen ; B. Ela, repre-
sentative.
1871.— Miircelhm Houghton, John L. Rend, William McQuesten,
selectmen ; cnutd not agree on a ropresL'ntativc.
1KT2.— T. Parker, W. McQuesten, G. F. SiNildlng, selectmen ; James
B. tireeley, n^prcwntativo.
1873.— Proctor P. Parkhurst, W. McQuesten, Nelson H.Brown, select-
men ; T. ParkiT, representiitivi?.
1874.- 1. Fit^, Artenia« Knight, Horace W.Wilson, selectmen; T.
Parker, repreniMitative.
1H76.— I. Filtj*. A. Knight, A. C. Darrah, Mileclmen ; George <'. In-
galln, represenlutive.
1870.— H, W. WilfuMi, Levi F. Luwell, George E. Patterson, selectmen;
G. f. Ingall", repn-^'iilatlve,
1k77. — .Sflecttnen wuiie ; Ward Parker, representative.
1878.— .Selectmen stiMu- ; I'armi M. Parker, representative.
1H70.— G. E. l'att«M"Kon, Jojtoph ('n««, Henry F. Herrick, Belectmen ;
GarmI M. I'lirkt r. repn-wnlative. Hieiintal (tefwlonsof Legitttatnre begau
this year, ho that hencerurwurd a representative was elected only oncoln
two yearn.
IHHO.— H. W. Wilfkin, J. CroiS, H. F. Heirick, sciectmon.
IHMl.— J. C'rofH, John Wheeler, G. E. Patlervon, selectmen ; MnKtiow
P. Nicholfi, representative.
1882. — J. Crose, J. Wheeler. Hcrmon S. Fields, B'»Iectmen.
1883.— T. Parker. H. S. Fields, Everett E. Parker, selectmen ; John
Wheeler, representative.
1884.— H. S. Fields, E. E. Parker, Cleveland C. Beard, solocttnen.
1886. — E. E. Parker, C. C. Beard, Daniel Jones, selectmen ; Levi F.
Lowell, representative.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE SINCE 1812.
George Albee, Samuel C. Anderson, Samuel Barron, Jr., John L.
Bowers, Egbert A. Baunan, Wentworth Claf^get, Jonathan CorlidK, Mar-
tin Crooker, Stephen Crooker, Simeon Cumrnings, Daniel O. Dauforth,
Abner C. Darrah, Harrison Eaton, James Eayros, John Eayrcs, William
Eayres, Benjamin Ela, Joseph J'arweil, Henry Fields, Isaac Fitts, Abdiel
Goodrich, Francis A. Gordon, Ilendrick W. Gordon, Chancy T. Harris,
David Henderson, Franklin Herrick, Joseph B. Holt, Charles E. Hum-
phrey, George C. Ingalls, Daniel T. Ingalts. Henry T. Ingalls, Caleb
Junes, David Jones, Simeon Kenney, Benjamin Kidder, Asa Knight, Hen-
ry A. Lawrence, Ephniim W. Livingstone, Obediah Murland, Jaa. >Ic< al-
ley, John McConihe, Slassena McConihe, S. McC-onihe, I. McGaw, Kol-ert
McGaw, William McKean, James L. Moonc, t'harlcs S. NcBmith, Matthew
P. AVichoIs, Benjamin Nourse, Frank H. Ober, Nathaniel J. Oliver, James
V. Parker, Nathan I'arkor, Carmi M. Parker, Edward P. Parker,
William T. Parker, Warren W. Pillsbury, Reuben H. Pratt, Eleazer
Roby, John T. Reed, George F. Spalding, John S. Spalding, Hoaea B.
Spalding, Oliver Spalding, Oliver Spalding, Jr., Daniel Stevens, James
Thornton, James B. Thornton, James P. Walker, Leonard Walker,
Edward Wheeler, Alexander McCalley Wilkins.
CHAPTER XIII.
MERRIMACK— (Corttiiiiiorf).
SECRET SOCIETIES.
A 1,1, the secret organizations now existing in town
are those formed for social and benevolent purposes,
and their work is so well known as not to need any
e,x|ilanation.
Thornton Grange, Jso. 31, was organized Slay 18,
1874, with thirty members. It has had a prosperous
career, and now nunil)ers one hundred and one mem-
bers.
The presiding oHicers have been lu* follows : Ward
Parker, John JleAfee, George W, Moulton, Waller
Kittredge, Everett E. Parker and William I'. K itt-
redge.
Naticook Lodge, I. O. G. T., was instituted January
18, 1876, with sixty members. Its [(residing officers
have been as follows : James T. Jones, Ira G. Wil-
kins, Truman B. Knight, Iletu-y L. McKean, Samuel
G. Chamberlain, John G. Head, Oliver 15. Green,
Harrison E. Herrick, Walter A. J. Kittredge, William
1'". Kittredge, Warren J. Ayer, William T. Parker,
Warren W. I'illsbury, George W. Monlton, Charles
E. Wilson, (leorge P. Foskett, Daniel C. Barron,
Everett L. Hunter, Willard H. Ki'mpton, Clevelanil
0, Beard,
Webster Commandery, U,(), (!,('., No, 1(>1, \mi.s
established October 17, 1881, with fourteen members,
which number has since increased to thirty-three.
There have been no deaths and no withdrawals.
The presiding ofTicers have been as follows: .1. (J,
Read, George W, Moulton, James T, .lones, Warren
W, Pillsbury, Horatio Bowers, William M, West,
The James S. Thornton Post, G, A, R., No, 38,
542
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
was organized in January, 1885, with twenty-five
meuibers. Cleveland C. Beard, presiding officer.
CHAPTER Xl\ .
MERRIMACK— (Oo.i(iHuerf).
GENEALOGIES.
The following genealogies are limited to persons
born in Merriiiiaek, it being outside the scope of this
work to Ibllow the descendants who have emigrated
to other places. Other families might have been
given with equal propriety, the only consideration in
choosing these for record being the availability of
infurmtition concerning them.
Barnes. — Lieutenant Thomas Barnes, from Plym-
outh County, Mass., settled where Dana Hutchinson
now lives, previous to 174(j. He had four sons and
five daughters, but it is not known that any of his
descendants now live in town.
His brother. Dr. Joseph Barnes, w:is the first phy-
sician in town, and was the father of Lieutenant
Reuben, from whom are descended a numerous posterity
now living in this town and elsewhere.
His children were Reuben'-', Joseph, Samuel, John
(settled in Dracut, Mass.), Sally (died young), Eleanor
(settled in Boston), .Joanna (married Henry Fretts)
and Polly (settled in Dracut).
The children of Reuben^ were Hannah (married
Ira Mears, of Merrimack), Rebecca (died young), Ann
(married Nelson Longa, of Merrimack), Lucy (settled
in Chelmsford, Mass.), Dolly (married, as a .second
husband, Solomon Barron, of Merrimack), James
(died young), David (settled in Merrimack), John
(settled in Merrimack), Joel (went West), Eliza R.
(settled in Nashua), Lavinia.
The children of Hannah Mcars were Jane (went
West), Mattie (settled in Manchester), George (went
West), Stella (lives in Boston).
Ann Longa's children were Washington (settled
in Manchester), Charles (settled in Nashua, where his
daughter. May E., was born, and then returned to
Merrimack), John (lives in Nashua), Sarah (married
Henry T. I. Blood, of Merrimack).
Sarah Blood's children are Clinton, , Charley,
Annie, Bertha and Mary.
Dolly Barron's cliildren were Sarah (married
Charles Longa, and settled in Nashua), John (settled
in Nebraska), Clarence (died young), Daniel (settled
in Merrimack).
David Barnes' children were Charles (settled in
Ma.ssachusetts), Sarah (settled in Nashua), Willie
(settled in JIassachusctts), .Vlmira (died unmarried),
Ella Etta (died unmarried), Frank (settled in Lowell).
The children of John Barnes were Edgar (settled
in Brookline), Clinton (died unmarried), Fred, (lives
in Nashua), Lillian (died unmarried), .Vddie (lives in
Londonderry), Nellie (lives in Townsend, Mass).
The children of Josejih Barnes were Charles,
Hiram and two daughters.
The children of Samuel were Betsy (married John
Connary, of Milford, and afterwards a Mr. Goodwin),
Samuel- (settled in Boston), Solomon (lived in Merri-
mack), Jane (married Elijah Leech, of Milford),
Amanda (married Moses Pinghram, of Derry),
Hannah (marrieil Morrison Sanderson, of Merrimack),
Nancy (married Joseph Day, of Derry).
The children of Hannah Sanderson were Nancy
J. (died unmarried), Lorenzo (lives in Fitchburg,
Mass.), Ellen (lives in Merrimack), Dana (lives in
Merrimack), Orrin (lives in Merrimack).
The children of Joanna Fretts were Harriet
(settled in Iowa), Lorena (settled in Nashua), George
(settled in Vermont), Catherine (died young), Richard
(settled in Merrimack), Henry-, Erameline (settled
in New Bedford).
The children of Richard Fretts are Emma, Henry
and Laura (all living in Merrimack).
Chamberlain. — Captain .John Chamberlain came
from (tioIum, Mass., in 1734, and built mill.-* at S(mhcgan,
as elsewhere stated. He built the first bridge across
the Souhegan, at the village, at his own expense.
He surrounded his log cabin with pickets as a de-
fense against the Indians, and when he went to work
in his field he took his family with him for safety.
He was a man of great jiowers of both mind and body,
and was prominent in town afliiirs for many years.
Once, when a member of the Provincial Assembly,
a member of the Council, vexed at their refusing to
concur in some measure proposed by the Council, said,
in his pa.*sion, —
" I wish the Assembly were all in heaven."
The ready reply of Chaml)erlain was, "I should not
object to that, sir, were it not that we should lose
the pleasure of the company of His Majesty's Coun-*i
cil."
His children were Nabby (lived in Merrimack),
Rachel (lived in Merrimack), Susie (lived in Merri-
mack), Josiah (lived in Merrimack), Rebecca (lived in
Merrimack), Silas (settled on Isaiah Herrick's place,
and afterwards left town), Joseph (settled on Henry
Herrick's place).
The children of Josei)h were Joseph' (settled
in Merrimack, and afterwards removed to Boston),
Samuel (settled in Merrimack), Reuben (settled in
Merrimack, and afterwards removed to Billerica,
Mass.), Moody (settled in Merrimack, and afterwards
removed to Terre Haute, Ind.), James (settled in
Merrimack, and afterwards removed to Vermont),
Roxy (settled in Nashua), Milly (lived in Merri-
mack), Augustus (settled in Terre Haute, Ind.).
The children of Samuel were Frank A. (settled in
Merrimack) and Samuel G. (settled and reared a
family in Merrimack, and removed to Lake village).
The children of Samuel G. were Ellen (died
young), Charlotte (died young), Elvord G. (settled in
Boston), Harriet (died young).
MElUlliMACK.
543
Fields. — There were four lirothers and a sister of
this liiiiiily who came to this town from Andover,
Mass., just before the Revolution.
Henry Fields settled on the Severns place, Mars-
ten on the Lawrence place, Sally, (wife of Andrew
Wilkinsl on the Woodward [dace, .Joshua on the
Joseph Foster place and .John on the .John H. Co-
burn place.
The children of Henry were .lohn (died young),
Henry ' (settled in New York ), Rebecca (married to
Timothy Carlton) and Susan (settled in Nashua).
The children of Rebecca Carlton were, Rebecca
(settled in N.islma), .John (settled in I^yndebo rough),
Sophia (married a Mr. Retterbush, of Merrimack),
Eliza (married Joseph Wilson), Henry (killed in a
mill at Lowell), Francis (carried on business at
New Orleans and elsewhere, and died in Merrimack),
Peter (settled in Merrimack), Susan (settled in Am-
herat), Isaac (died young), Isaac- (settled in Massa-
chusetts).
The children of Sophia Retterbush were Eli/.a
(settled in Milford), Sophia (married a Mr.
Dodge, of Merrimack). Mary Ann (married Jerry
Kittredge, of Merrimack) and Henry (burned in a
house). The chiklren of Sophia Dodge were a
daughter (died uinnarriedi and Francis.
The children of Mary Ann Kittredge are Mary
J. (married Scott W. Lane, of Manchester), Emma E.
(married George ]'. Buttertield, and lives at Fitch-
liurg, Mass.) and .lerry C. (lives at home).
Francis Carlton had two daughters. I'eter Carlton
had two daughters, — Sarah (settled in MiUbrd) and
Hannah (died unmarried).
Eliza Wilson had a daughter, Eliza Ann (died
unmarried), and a son, Henry (settled in Milford.
For the descendants of Sally Wilkins, see Wilkins
family.
The children of Marsten Fields were Isaac, Mars-
ten,' Betsy, Hannah and Priscilla.
The children of Joshua Fields were Joshua'
(settled in Merrimack), Jonas (settled in New York),
James (settled in Merrimack), .lohn (settled in Maine)
and Sally (settleil in Maine).
The chihiren of .Joshua- were Hannah (settled
in Lowell), Smith (settled in Merrimack), Sally
(married Peter Carlton), Joshua" died at sea) and
Jona-s (died unmarried).
The children of Smith Fields were Sally (died in
Nashuai. .Joshua (settled in Mil(brd), Charles (died
unmarried), Mary (residence unknown), Hermon S.
(settled in Merrinnick).
John Fields served tliroiigli the whole seven years
of the Revolutiimary War. His children were
Henry' (died unmarried) and ICli/Kbcth (married
John H. Coburn).
Elizabeth Coburn had one daughter, Catherine
(married .lohn JL I'phani, of ,\mlierst).
Oag^e. — Aaron Gage came from Methuen, Mass., in
1773, and settled on the place now owned by .Fames
Ilodgman. Ilis children were Isaac (settled in
Charlestown, Mass)., Deacon Aaron (settled in Merri-
mack), Phineas (settled in Merrimack), Moses (settled
in Merrimack), Mehitabel (married Thomas Under-
wood, of Merrimack) and a daughter, who married
Josiah Tinker, of Bedford.
The children of Deacon Aaron- were Hannah
(settled in Bedford), Aaron'' (unmarried, lived in
Merrimack), Naomi (married Daniel Muzzy, di-
vorced, and lives in Merrimack), Sally (married
Mr. Conant, of Jlerrimack, and, after Mr. Conant
died, married Stephen ('rooker, of Merrimack),
Benjamin (settled in Bedford), Isaac (settled in
Jiedford), Solomon (settled in Bedford), Mary (un-
married, lives in Merrimack), Martha (unmarried,
lives in Merrimack), Fanny (settled in Boston).
The children of Phineas were Lydia (married
Alexander Wilkins, of Merrimack), Sally (settled in
Bedford), .\niia (settled in Nashua), Isaac (settled in
Bedford), Benjamin- (settled in Lowell, Mass.), Polly
(died young), Mary (settled in Sutton), Enoch (settled
in Merrimack, later in Bedford), Stephen (settled in
Merrimack, later in Amherst), Parker (died young),
George (settled in Bedford).
The children of Moses were Betsy (settled in New
Boston), Moses- (settled in Beilford), Sally (settled in
New Boston), Ruth (settled in Gofl'stown), John
(settled in Lyndeborough), David (became a mission-
ary), Joseph N. (settled in Merrimack, but afterward
removed to Lawrence, Mjuss). At his death Joseph
N. Gage left a fund of about fourteen thousand dol-
lars, the income of which was to go to Lis wife
during her life, and afterward to be used in support-
ing the public schools of his native town, on condition
that the town should never raise a less amount than
before by ta.xation for school |)ur|>oses, should erect a
monument to his memory, and should keep his lot in
the cemetery in good condition. The town accepted
the conditions, and at the death of Mrs. Gage, in
1883, came into possession of the property, together
with two thousand dollars more added to it by the
will of Mrs. Gage, thus increasing the amount avail-
able for school jnirposes about fil'ty per cent. Gtlier
children of Moses Gage were Mehitabel', Susan and
Charles.
The children of Meliitable Gage and Thomas Un-
derwood were Thomas'-, .Fohn. IVler, Sally, William
and Charles.
Sally iiage and Mr. Coiiaril had a claughter, Han-
nah, who married Freeuum Hill, of Mcrriniatk, and
their children were George, Sarah and one that died
young.
The children of Sally Gage and Stephen Crooker
were Stephen'-' 1). (settled in Boston and then went
West), Abner C. (settled in Boston), ."^imeon W.
(settled in Boston), Israel (settled in Merriniack),
James P. (settled in Boston).
The children of Israel Crooker were Frank W.
(settled in Norwood, Mass.), Sarah (unmarried, lives
544
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
in Norwood, Mass.), Mary (married George Bean, of
Merrimack), Ida (married Charles WiLson, of Merri-
mack).
The children of lyydia Gage and Alexander Wil-
kins were Olive (settled in Bedford), Fanny (married
Levi Fisher, of Merrimack).
The children of Fanny Fisher were Levi W. (set-
tled in Merrimack), Sarah W. (settled in Nashua),
George \V. (settled in Boscawen), Anna L. (married
Hazen G. Dodge, of Merrimack), Cynthia M. (settled
in Maiden, Mass.).
The children of Levi W. Fisher are Maria (settled
in Bedford), Fanny W. (lives in Merrimack).
Anna L. Fisher and Hazen G. Dodge have a son,
Elwin H., who lives in Merrimack.
The children of Enoch Gage were Foster, Walter,
Joseph and Ann E.
The children of Stephen Gage were Permelia,
Sophronia, Mary A., Parker, .John and Orlando, all
of whom lived in Amherst.
Ingalls. — Deacon Daniel Ingalls came from Ando-
ver, Mass.. and settled on the Ingalls farm. He was
a Revolutionary soldier, took part in the battle of
Bennington, and guarded the Hessian prisoners at
Charlestown, Mass., the following winter. He was a
respected and useful citizen of Merrimack for many
years.
His children were Polly (settled in Bedford), Sally,
Rebecca (settled in Salem. Mass.), Elizabeth (died
young), Daniel T. (settled on the home farm in Mer-
rimack, where he still lives), Henry P. (settled in
New York City) and Putnam (settled in Newark,
N. J.).
The children of Daniel T. were Horace P. (settled
in Ohio), Mary (lived in Nashua), George C. (settled
on the home farm in Merrimack), Lucian (settled in
Falmouth, Me.) and Nancy (lives in Nashua).
The children of George C. are Helen L. and Dan-
iel T., .Jr.
Jones. — David Jones settled in Merrimack in 1827.
His children were Amos (dead), David T. (settled in
Merrimack), Daniel (settled in Merrimack) Sarah E.
(settled in Merrimack), George H., Rosa E. and
Louisa M. (settled in Merrimack). David T. has one
son, David R. ; David R. has a daughter, Nellie L.
The children of James T. were Ernest J., Leslie E.,
Idella M. (deceased) and Grace M.
Caleb Jones settled in Merrimack about 1830. His
children were Eliza B., Caleb G., Amos, George,
Charlotte H., Harriet and Mary.
Jonathan Jones settled in Merrimack about 1844.
He had one daughter, Laura, and moved from town
about 1850.
McOaw. — .Ia<ob McGaw was born in 1737 in
Lineygloss, near Londonderry, Ireland, and belonged
to the famous Scotch-Irish stock. He came to this
town when a young man with nothing but his stout
heart and willing hands to depend upon. Fie was a
weaver by trade, l>ut soon added to this short expedi-
tions with a peddler's trunk, then a store, and finally
became a wealthy merchant.
He filled many of the leading town offices, was
a pillar in the church and a respected citizen.
His children were John (died in Bedford), Mar-
garet (settled in Bedford), Jacob (settled in Maine),
Robert (settled in Merrimack), Rebecca (settled in
Maine), Isaac (lived in Windham many years, but
died in Merrimack), Martha (settled in Maine).
Robert McGaw, whose name appears frequently in
these pages, was for many years a leading character
in the social, religious and political life of the town.
He settled on the old homestead at Reed's Ferry, and
when his father died, in 1810, he succeeded to his
business as merchant.
His business abilities were such that he added
largely to the property he inherited from his father,
and, though he used his means liberally for every
good cause while he lived, he left about a quarter of
a million at his death, and, beside the endowment of
the institute already named, he bequeathed five thou-
sand dollars as an endowment of the First Congrega-
tional Church.
The children of Isaac born in Windham were
Margaret Jane (married Edward P. Parker, of Derry,
lived several years in Merrimack, but now resides in
Concord, Mass.), John Armour (settled in Jersey
City, N. J.), Sarah Elizabeth (died unmarried), Mar-
tha Dickinson (married Francis A. Gordon, of Hen-
niker, and settled in Merrimack) and Anna Eliza
(married Carnii Parker, of Merrimack, recently re-
moved to Fitchburg, Mass.).
Margaret Parker had a daughter, Caroline Eliza
(settled in Concord, Mass.) Martha Cordon has two
sons — Robert Met Jaw and Arthur G.
Anna Parker has three sons. — George L., Harry C.
and Maurice W.
McGilveray, — John JlcCilveray came from Scot-
land some time previous to the Revolution and settled
on the |ilace now owned by his grandson, .lohrr.
Hischildren were John -; Robert, settled in Maine ;
William, settled in New Orleans ; Alexander ; David,
settled in Brookline; Jacob; Martha, married Alex-
ander Anderson, of Derry ; Margaret, died unmar-
ried ; Simon, settled on the home farm.
The children of Simon were John'', settled on the
home farm; Eliza J., married James Hale, settled in
Merrimack, and had seven children, four of whom
are living; William; Harriet, died unmarried;
George Newel.
The children of .lohn' arc Franklin D. ; John C. ;
D. Klbertie ; Clarie F., married Kvcrell H. Parker of
Merrimack ; Annis I!., died ; Harriette M.
Parker. — Nathan Parker, many years a resident of
Merrimack, was born in Litchfield, N. H., January
1, 1767; came to this town April, 1798. He married
Mary McQuestin, of Litchfield, and died at the old
homestead opposite the M. N. Institute, where his
wife lived at the time of his death.
MERRIMACK.
545
His posterity iiuinber six sons, four daughters,
sixty-six graiuleliildreii, Ibrty-three great-graudchil-
dren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
His oldest son, William, born December 16, 1797,
died September 11, KH77, in Suncook, N. H., where
he resided.
Frances (Mrs. Leonard Walker), born September
7, 1799; died at her home in Merrimack, December
1.3, 1870.
Nathan, born September 25, 1801. He settled in
Merrimack, where he died April 14, 187<i.
Matthew, born July 27, 1803. He was accidentally
killed by the falling of a building upon liini, at his
father's place, in time of a fearful tornado, May 21,
1814.
Adeline (Mrs. Enoch Merrill), born August SO,
180.1; now lives in Nashua, N. H.
Elkanah Philip, born June ij, 1807; died in Mer-
rimack, at the i'arker homestead, April o, 1875.
James, the tilth son, lived and died in Merrimack;
born November 30, 1809; died March 1, 1864.
Harriet (Mrs. Robert French, of this town), born
.Tunc 23, 1812, and now living.
Thomas, the youngest son, died at his home in
Merrimack, March 27, 18K5; born February 20, 1815.
Marietta (Mrs. John Wlieeler), born December 28,
1818; died in Merrimack, July 30, 1881.
Two daughters of Nathan Parker are now living;
also thirty-one grandchildren, thirty-six great-grand-
children, three great -great-grandebildreii.
He was the grandson of Kev. Thomas I'arker, of
Dracut, Ma.s3. Rev. Thomas was the son of Josiah,
of Cambridge. He was born December 7, 1700; gra-
duated at Cambridge, 1718; settled in Dracut, 1720;
was pastor of the Congregational (probably Presby-
terian) Cluirch forty-four years, until the lime of his
death, March 18, 1765, and only nineteen years of
age at the time of settlement.
His sons were ThomiLs, William, .lnbn, .Matthew
and Jonathan, His daughters were Lydia, Eli/.a-
bcth, Lucy and Sarah, Matthew (second) was father
of James l'. Parker, Esq., once a resident of Merri-
mack ; also of Nathan Parker, of Manchester, I'resi-
dent of Manchester Savings Bank, and grandfather
of Deacon Matthew Nichols, of this town, Thomas
Parker, his oldest son, became a celebrated physician,
settled in Litchfield, was the fatlier of Rev, Edward
L. Parker, who si'ttleil over the Presbyterian Church
of Derry, where he prciiched until his death. He
was father of Edward Parker, Escp, a former resident
of this town, and later of Concord, Mass., where he
died,
Spalding, — SaTiuiel S|>alding came from (!helms-
ii'd, Mass,, and settled in Merrimack at some time
l>i i;vious to 1753,
Mis children were SaniueP, settled ir\ Merrimack;
\l)ijah, settled in Nashua; Sarah, died unmarried;
I lenry, settled in New Boston and afterwards removed
1m Lyndeborough ; Oliver.settled in Merrimack; Isaac,
settled in New Ipswich and afterwards removed to
Wilton ; Silas, settled in Merrimack, removed to An-
dover, Vt., and returned to Merrimack ; Asa, settled
in Merrimack.
The children of Samuel* were Ephraim, died
young; Sarah, married Luther Abbott, of Andover,
Vt, ; Abijah'^, settled in Nashua, after living in various,
other places; Betsey, married Isaac Blood, of HoUis;
Luther, settled in Baltimore, Md. ; Meriel, married
John Thomas, of Goffstown, and settled in Andover,
Vt,, afterwards removed to Wisconsin ; Ira, settled in
Merrimack ; .losiah, settled in Salem, and was a sea-
captain ; Eleanor, settled in Vermont,
The children of Ira Spalding were Ira^, died in
infancy ; William Moore, settled in Texas ; Ephraim
Heald, settled in Texas ; Nancy Isabella, married
William Kimball, of Temple ; Eliza Jane, died in
infancy ; George Washington, died in infancy; George
Franklin, settled on the old homestead in Merrimack ;
Betsy Chandler, married John G, Kimball, of Nashua :
Catherine Mears, married Chancy C, Kuler, and set-
tled in Wiscon.sin ; Ellen Maria, married Albert Gay,
of Boston, Mass,; Henry Harrison, died in in-
fancy.
The children of George Franklin Spalding are
Caribella Frances and Frank Clarence.
The children of Oliver Spalding were Abigail,
died young ; Oliver-, settled in Merrimack ; and an
unnamed infant.
The eliildren of Oliver Spalding- were Abigail
Noursc, married William T, Parker, and lives in
Merriniiiek , John Lund, settled in Merrimack ;
Hosea Ballou, settled in Nashua; and Oliver Perry,
died young.
The children of John Lund Spalding were Sarah
Frances and .John Oliver.
The children of Asa Spalding were Asa-, settled
in Merrimack ; Ephraim, died young ; Samuel Woods,
died young; Joanna, died young ; Sophia, married
Timothy Fry, of Lowell, Ma.ss. ; Cynthia, married
Gilbert Colburn, of Pelham ; Albert Jetlerson, settled
in Dauvers, Mass.; Lucy Davis, married Jacob Carl-
ton, of Lowell, MiLss, ; John Langdon, died young:
Sarah, married Jacob Carlton, of Lowell, Mass,, after
her sister Lucy's death ; and Dorcas, married .\ndrew
J. Nute, of Lowell, Mass.
The children of A.sa Spalding^ were Samuel
Woods, settled in Danvcrs, Mass.; Joanna, married
William Lynn, of Pelham ; Asa Laiig<loii, has lived
in various towns in Massachusetts, the lust being
Newton Centre; and .Mliert Jelferson, settled in Dan-
vers, !\Iass.
Matthew Thornton's Family and Descendants.—
James Thornton, an Englishinan, and Elizabeth .Icnk-
ins, his wife, removed from England to the north of
Ireland, where Matthew Thornton was born, in 1714.
During his infancy bis parents came to America ami
settled in Londonderry. After acquiring his profes-
sion be practiced medicine there, securing a high rep-
546
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
utatioD as a physician and becoming comparatively
wealthy.
In 174.5, Dr. Thornton joined the expedition against
Louisburg, Cape Breton, as surgeon in the New Hamp-
shire Division ofthe American army. Matthew Thorn-
ton was appointed president of the Provincial Con ven-
■ tion of New Hampshire, and the following year
was chosen to represent New Hampshire in the first
Congress holden at l'liila(lel])liia. He signed the
Declaration of Independence, and soon after
purchased a farm in that part of Merrimack know-n
as Thornton's Ferry, where, surrounded by his family
and fi'iends, he passed the remainder of his days in
dignified repose. He died at the house of his daugh-
ter, Mrs. Hannah Tliornton McCJaw, in Newburyport,
Mass., June 24, 1803, at the age of eighty-nine years.
Mr. Thornton was a man of commanding presence, but
of a very genial nature, remarkable for his native wit
and great fund of anecdote.
After serving his term in Congress he became chief
justice of the Court of Common Pleas in New Hamp-
shire, and afterwards judge ofthe Superior Court.
Judge Thornton married Hannah Jackson, who
died before reaching middle life, leaving five children,
— James, Andrew, Mary, Hannah and Matthew^.
James married Mary Parker, and lived in Merrimack.
Their children were, Matthew', James Bonaparte,
Thomas. Hannah and Mary.
Matthew' died in youth, leaving one daughter,
Margaret Anne, who died unmarried.
James B. was graduated at Bowdoin ; practiced law
in Merrimack; was second comptroller of the treasury
at Wa.shiiigton ; then United States charge d'atlaires to
Peru, Soutli America. He died at Callao at about the
age of forty.
He was a classmate of the late Charles G. Atherton,
Esq., of Nashua, and of the late ex-President Frank-
lin Pierce, and the warmth of their strong personal
friendship remained unin)[iaired until his death.
Jame.s B. Thornton left two children, — James Shep-
ard Thornton and Mary Parker Tliornton. James
.Shepard entered the Naval School at Annapolis at the
age of fourteen, and remained in the naval service
until his death, which occurred in 1875. He was ex-
ecutiveofticerof the ' 'Hartford " under Farragut, at the
battle of New Orleans, and executive otiicer of the
"Kearsarge." in the famous battle with the ".\labama."
He married a daughter of Rev. Henry Wood, who
survives him. Mary Parker married Dr. Charles A.
Davis, and, after his death. Judge W. S. Gardner, of
Massachusetts. Hannah married Colonel Joseph
Greeley, of Nashua, of whose family there are three
surviving children, — Charles .V. and Edward P., loca-
ted at Nadiua, Iowa : and James B. Greeley, M.D.,
surgeon in the First Rhode Island Cavalry during the
late war, who is now living on the old Thorntf n farm
in Merrimack.
Andrew, son of Judge Matthew Thornton, died in
carlv vouth, unmarried.
Matthew-, son of Judge Thornton, graduated at
Dartmouth, read law at Amherst and resided at Mer-
rimack, where he died, leaving a widow and two
children.
One of these died in youth ; the other, .■Vbby,a very
lovely and accomplished woman, married Captain
David MacGregor, of Derry. •
Mary Thornton, eldest daughter of Judge Matthew
Thornton, married the Hon. Silas Brittoii, of Salem,
N. H.
Hannah Thornton, youngest daughter of Judge
Matthew Thornton, married John McGaw, of New-
buryport, Mass.
Wilkins. — The AVilkins family came from England
and settled in Salem in the early part of the seven-
teenth century.
Stephen Wilkins, born in that part of Salem after-
wards incorporated in Middleton, left a son, Stephen
Wilkins, Jr., who took [lart in the French and Indian
War, was appointed captain in the Revolutionary
forces, and served two years, Imt left the army in 1777,
and bought a farm in Merrimack, on the Souhegan
River, three and a half miles from its mouth. An
interesting incident occurred in connection with this
purchase. John Neal, the man of whom he purchased,
was a whig when the Americans seemed likely to
succeed and a tory when the British got the advan-
tage.
The bargain was made in the spring of 1777; but
in the summer, when Mr. Wilkins came to pay the
money in Continental currency, it had begun to de-
I>reciate, and Mr. Neal refused to take it, declaring
that the British W(mld gain the victory and the mcmey
would not be worth as much as so many chips. But
when he heard of the capture of Burgoye's army he
was glad to take the whole three thousand dollars in
Continental currency. '^
The children of Cai)tain Stephen Wilkins, .Ir.,
were Andrew, came to Merrimack with his father;
Stephen, died young ; Hannah, married Elijah Cliub-
buck and settled in Vermont, but removed to New
York ; Lucy, died at Mont Vernon ; Stephen", set-
tled in New York ; Levi, came to Merrimack with his
father ; James, born in Merrimack, reared a family
here and died in New York.
The chililren of Andrew Wilkins were Amos (set-
tled in Merrimack, and afterwards removed to Ver-
mont), Mehitable (married Samuel McClure, of Merri-
mack), Andrew- (died unmarried), Sarah (married
Zebulon Ritterbush, of Merrimack), Samuel (had one
chihl, Samuel ■', in Merrimack, and then removed to
Amherst), Asa (died unmarrieil). .lohn (settled in
Merrimack).
The children of Amos Wilkins born in Merrimack
were .loanne A. and Sally N. (removed to Vermont
with their father).
The children of Mehitable McClure were Sarah
and Samuel (born in Merrimack and removed to
Nashua).
MERRIMACK.
547
Till' rhiMren of Sarah Ritterlmsh were Stc[)lK-n W.
(died unmarried), Lucy Jane (married John Ccillius,
of Nashua), William (went to Calil'ornia), Nelson
(went to California).
The children of John Wilkins were Martha H.
(married Amos A. Wilkins, a son of Amos Wilkins, '
horn in Vermont), Charlotte (married Edward Col-
burn and settled in ('anada West), Augusta (died in
Nashua), Adeline (died in Niisluia), a son (died in
infancy), Frances (died in Nashua), Alma P. (died in
Nashua).
The children of Levi Wilkins were Ann (died in |
infancy), Alexander McCalley (.settled in Merrimack),
Roxaiia (died in Nashua), Levi F. (died youM<r), Lucy
X. (married Thomas H. Hall and settled in Nashua),
a son (died in infancy), Hannah (married Ira Koby
and settled in Amherst), Levi W. (settled in Antrim). I
Levi Wilkins settled on the old homestead, and
was elected selectman for several years, always dis-
charging the duties of his oflice satisfactorily to his
townsmen and with honor to himself. He made home
so |ilea.-ant for his children that they look hack upon
their childhood as the pleasantest portion of their I
lives. He was universally beloved and respected, I
and his advice was often sought for by his fellow-
citizens. He was a member of the Congregational
I liurcli. and his example adorned liis profession.
The eliildrcn of Alexander McCalley Wilkins were
Lucy Ann (lives with her father), Franklin A. (set-
tled in Providence), James M. (settled in Nashua),
(histine (settled in i^Ianville, R. L), Mary C. (died
unmarried).
The children of .lames Wilkins, son of Cajjtain
Stephen, were Kllza, Cliarles A., .Mary .\., ,Tane McC,
all born in Merrimack and removed to New York
with their father.
Sources of Information. — The material for the
foregoing skelcli ol .Meniinack has been taken from
the following sources: An address by Rev. i^teplien T.
.Mien at the centennial celebration in Merrimack ;
an address by Rev. C. L. Hubbard at the centennial
of the First Congregational (!hurch in Merrimack;
Fox's " History of Dunstable;" " History of Redford,"
by a town committee; "His(i>ry of Windham," by L.
A.Morrison; "Spalding .Memorial," by Samuel J.
Spalding; "Town i'apers of New Hampshire," eilited
by Lsaac W. Hammond; "State I'apers of New
Hampshire," by same author ; Merrimack town
reconls; records of First Congregational Church of
Merrimack; records of McGaw Normal Instilute.
Hon. W. T. Parker furnished the complete list of
citizens who served in the Civil War, and many of
the oldest eiti/.ens have given mncb valuable in-
formation.
No one can be better aware tlian llie writer ol' the
incompleteness of this record. He has done the best
he could in the time and with the means placed at
his disposal.
.Vn interesting titdd ol' research opens widely on
every side, inviting further exploration. This, at
least, can be said : as far as the work hits been carried,
everything stated as a fact has been veritied, and,
while of course there are errors in details, all im-
portant points stated may be relied upon as well
established.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
I!.\KKISOX EATON, .M.n.
Harrison Eaton, M.D., traced his descent from
English ancestry, through .John and Anne Eaton, who
settled in Haverhill, Mass., in 1646; he was the
elder of the two children ot Moses and Judith
(Merrill) Eaton, and was born at the Eaton home-
stead in Hopkinton, Merrimack Countv, December
13, 1813.
At that date four generations were represented in
the large, stpiare mansion, where the present mistress,
Mrs. Louisa (Eaton) Piper hiis all her life resided,
and of his early home Dr. Eaton cherished delightful
memories.
The patriarch of the household was the great-
grandfather, .John Eaton Esq., whose decease occurred
in 1824 ; his son, Major Nathaniel Eaton, was so stout
as to have hardly room for a grandchild on each
knee; yet there the boys clung, begging for a story.
" Well, once there was a man " — here David pulled
the grandsire's nose — "Tell it to me, grandpa, tell it
to >ii<:.' "
Amid exuberant mirth and frolic, the old man
would begin again, and now it was Harrison who
drew the narrator's face and attention toward him-
self; thus, while the progress of the tale was hindered,
there was great anuisenuMit all round, an<l both first
and second eliildliood were happy.
His maternal grandfather. Deacon David .Merrill,
who, after his wife's death, came to live with his
daughter, was a saintly character in juvenile eyes,
who never used wicked words, though he did once
threaten to break the " pesky " heads of the hens if
they did not keeji out of his garden, that he took
great pleasure in cultivating. He made cross-bows
for the boys, and amused and interested them with
incidents ofTiconderoga and Bennington, — he having
enlisted as fifer, in the Revolutionary army at the age
of sixteen, — and while the younger boy dropped the
corn he encouraged him with the approving eom-
meiit that he was "a forward little fellow who would
get big enough to cover corn someday," and so (irmly
was he his friend that upon the sole occasion when
the child was deemed worthy of chaslisement, he
demurred, saying, xo/to tmce, that "if Harrison were
his boy, he guessed he would not be treated that
way."
For many years the estate and property of this
548
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
numerous household were held in common stock ;
ropes, cloth, shoes and other articles wliich are now
always purchased were of home manufacture ; and
that so many peojilc could have lived under one roof
without ijuarrcling demonstrated to the doctor's sat-
isfaction a fact which reflected the bright side of
human nature. At an infantile age he was was sent,
■" with shining face," to school, and the master, point-
ing his pen-knife at the first letter of the alphabet,
demanded its name. l'|> spake the child : '' I reads in
Baker!" The doctor was wont to tell this anecdote,
adding with zest, " My mother taught me ! "
His physical strength and power of endurance
were less than his brother's and most farmers' sons,
but he was up in the morning early, ambitious to
have the work go on, and eager to keep up with the
men. Whenever a ta.sk was imposed, this challenge
instantly greeted his brother's ears : " Come, David,
let us go and do it and not have to keep hating it."
The happy home influences were of the most sal-
utary character, and vigorous, active mental powers,
combined with an exceptionally sunny temperament
and cheerful disposition, were his natural inher-
itance.
He abounded in humor, which was manifested in
quiet, never in boisterous, ways, and surviving mates
still recount the witty repartees and si>arkling boti-mots
of childhood years.
Says his cousin, Mrs. Piper : " Harrison was fun-
loving, and how much we all loved him!'' I recall
that one evening, his boots off, and the fire on his
study-hearth burning low, he asked David to fetch an
armful of fuel, to which he consented, on condition that
an improvised rhyme should be his reward. When
the wood appeared the rhyme was ready, —
'* Tliniik fortnlH' tlmt I have a brother ho good
To pick lip my cliiiH* and bring iu my wooj.
While 1, like a monkey, sit curled in my chair,
Iteading and tttudyiug the lectures of IJlnir ! "
He often alluded with satisfaction to the impartial
treatment which he and his brother received at
l>arental hands, to their own harmonious exchange
or division of boyish properties. Why," said he,
" neither ever had a piece of pie or cake, a new collar
or a marble more than the other." Here the doctor
was called out, and his mother continued, — " There
came a day, when I was making a little coat, and
Harrison asked, 'Who is to wear it?' I said 'It is
for you, my son.' ' And will not David have one,
too?' 'Not at present.' He silently regarded my
handiwork a moment, and then said, ' If there is to
be but one coat, please give it to my brother.' "
The >..iild was " father of the man ; " boyish traits,
prominent among which was peculiar unseUishness,
developed into a manhood that has left the world
better and happier for its e.\istence.
Working, — "laboring on the farm," it is entered
in his memoranda of youthful years ; and doubtless
that is the proper term, for tradition, family tes-
I
timony and the record of his most useful, indus-
trious life prove that there was never a lazy nerve
in him, — attending district school, or the Hopkin-
ton Academy (a flourishing institution then remark-
able for the excellence and thoroughness of its
instruction, and since for the number of its alumni
who, in after-life, became distinguished), brought
him to his seventeenth birth-day, December 13, 1830,
on which day he commenced teaching, thenceforth
alternating that vocation with study till his grad-
uation.
He entered upon the study of medicine with Dr.
Royal Call, of Hopkinton, November 17, 1832, and
teaching in the towns of Essex and Hamilton, Mass.,
was meanwhile a student in the office of Dr. Oliver S.
Cressy, of the latter place.
He attended medical lectures at Dartmouth Col-
lege in 1833-34; at Berkshire Medical Institution,
Pittsfield, Mass., in 1836, and there received the
degree of M.D., November 22, 1836.
A few months immediately after he was assistant
of Dr. Streeter, in Troy, X. Y., then returned to his
native State, and commenced practice in South Weare
August 16, 1837.
He married Miss Charlotte M. Eaton, of Hopkin-
ton, December 25, 1838, and removed to Merrimack
August 17, 1839, where he spent the rest of life labor-
ing diligently and faithfully, until failing strength
and sickness compelled him gradually to cease from
active professional duty. His practice included the
town of Litchfield.
His son, Henry Harrison, was born October 24, 1839.
Dr. Eaton became one of the associates of the
Southern District Medical Society in 1839, and repre-
sented that body as delegate to the annual meeting of
the American iledical Association held in Boston in
1849. "
He was admitted Fellow of the New Hampshire
Medical Society in 1842, was it.s corresponding secre-
tary iu 18o4-.'i5, secretary in 18;')7, councilor from 18.'59
to 18153, censor in 1869, and Wiis also member of the
standing committee on practical medicine. He was a
permanent member of the American Medical As-
sociation, and represented the New Hampshire Medical
Society as its delegate to the annual meeting of the
as.sociation which convened at Washington, D. C,
in 18.58.
Dr. Eaton was received into full communion with
the First Congregational Church in Merrimack .Inly
4, 1852, was several years superintendent of its
Sabbath-school and had been president of its relig-
ious society and one of its deacons many years
at the time of his death. He was superintendent
of the public schools of Merrimack and one of the
board of trustees of Mctiaw Normal Institute many
years, and in the years 1857-58 was a member of the
House of Representatives in the State Legislature.
To (luote from the obituary presented at the ninety-
second annual session of the New Hampshire Medical
..;<,«;*#-'
c
y e/&
^-^^/t«_^ -
i
)
MERKIMACK.
549
Society, by Charles A. Savory. M.D. his intimate
friend from Ijoyhood, —
" Having eiitvrud upuu IiJB pruf«'»Mi<iu, I>r. I-^tult devuted binist'lf to its
(luliiM Willi ijiiict, liut lireU-m, vnvrgy. Ilu kupt liiui^lf iiifunncil uf
Ihi^ advanceni^MitH made in llu- dil1<Tcnt deiutrtuu-nts of medicine, aud
nijvlo iiraclical nse of ttieni wliL-ni>ver uccaoion offered. \x ttie siinie
time, coDsi-niilivf and progni^eivi-, lie rarefuUy diwriiniiialed between
tlie certain and the di'ubtfiil ; ready to adopt a now remedy or method
when Mti^fied of it^ clainiA, lie never abandoned the reliable for the un-
tried. Novelty as i^ucli had no charniB fi>r him.
" Hie liabita of reading, observation and investigatiuu continued until
%\itliiii 11 ffw days of hid death. So long ud his strength permitted, and
«ven longer, he held himself reiuiy to jierform professional duties for
all who called for his eer>'iceB. Itesides these qualities, so necessary in a
•kitlful physician. Dr. Katon fxissesscd others in an eminent degree. He
wu« kind, genervu*, conseientiuuf'ly fiiithfid, patient and symiiathetic.
H--- was a reliable friend and jiIecLsimt cuiiipanion.
'* Those who knew him [wretinally will recall with pleasure the time
sjierit in his society. Ilis ready wit, hiii genial humor and his inexhaiut-
ible fund of anecdote made him a deligtltful host or guest.
•• With no alTectHtion of sanctity, he wjis a devoted and earnest Christian.
The principles of his religious faith governed unil directed hiiu in all
the affairs of life ; and in the large circle of his usefulnoSH those who
were suffering frun physical or uu-ntat distress instinctively sought his
aid. lie was une of the pillarx of his church I'or nuiiiy yeans, and was
Interested and active in every work of reform or charity.'"
Mrs. Eaton died, after a brief illness, December
21. 18ti6.
Dr. Eaton married Mis.s Harriet X. Lane, of Can-
dia, November 2tj, 1S(J8; she survives him.
P'rDin foregoiii}r data it will be seen tliat, while
iiuietly Roing professional rounds, caring for the phys-
ical welfare of the community, Dr. p]aton wa.s also
identified with the [lolitiial, educational, moral and
religious interests of Merrimack and vicinity for more
than forty-two yoai-s. He loveil his fellow-men and
rejoiced in their welfare and (irosperity. He heard
personal detraction as though he heard it not; hini-
.•<elf a peacemaker, he had not an enemy, and while
the present and succeeding generation continue, his
name will be a hou.schold word in the extensive cirde
of families who cherish not alone the memory of the
good doctor, but of the good man.
His gentle nature won not only human hearts, —
all living creatures loved him, and, trusting, nearly
approached his person without fear.
The robins drank from the pails about the stable,
the sparrow chirped about the rim of his straw hat, as,
busy among tlii' l)ee-hives and grape-vines, he rested,
after long ri<leN, In the garden ; he knew the birds of
the wildwood, and the birds of the wildwood knew and
responded to hia call ; he was a lover of Nature, a
fine botanist and a delightful eonipanioii in his car-
riage, as well a.s by the fireside.
Through lingering nioiitlis and years of i)ain and
Weariness he reached eternal rest, but his self-control
was perfect; keenest, jirolonged anguish wrote no
wrinkle, even momentarily, upon his brow. The al-
ways sweet smile grew sweeter, till, in the words of
I'astor Slack, "he passed away, just as he had always
lived, in peace. His long and failhl'ul work as a
Christian physician, his zeal in aiding all the interests
of the town and his active and consistent life in the
church, all combine to make his loss keenly felt by
the church and whole community."
Dr. Eaton died November 19, 1881. The day of
his funeral, the 22d, was the forty-fifth auniversary
of his graduation.
Upon the plain granite monument erected near his
grave is the inscription, —
Harrison Katon, M.D.,
Forty-five years
the
BELOVED PHYSICIAN,
Born Dec. 13, 1813,
Deceased Nov. 19, 1881,
X. Gl years, 11 months, (> days.
"He went about doing good."
HON. WILLIAM T. PAltKKR.
William T. was the second son of William and Mar-
garet Parker, and was born at Clcethori)s, county of
Lincolnshire, I'^ngland, November 10, 1822. He came
to America with his parents in 1832, and has resided
in New Hampshire, with the exception of a few
montlis, ever since. When twenty years of age he
left Stoddard, where his parents resided, and came to
Nashua to seek employment. He engaged for one
year with Thomas S. Jones & Co., merchant tailors,
taking charge of their manufacturing department.
Two years later he commenced business for himself
in company with Colonel Charles P. CJage. He re-
mained in business with this and other firms until
1867, when he retired to his farm in Merrimack,
where he resides at the present time.
Mr. Parker married, September 1, 18415, Abbie N.,
daughter of Oliver Spaulding, Esq., of Merrimack,
and moved to that town in 1849.
In 18o6 he was elected moderator in the town
meeting of Merrimack, and this was the first time he
ever presided over any public gathering. Since that
time he lia.s presided over more than one hundred
meetings in the town where he resides.
In 1859 and 1800 he represented the town of Mer-
rimack in the General Court. In 1866 he was chosen
a member of the State Senate and served for two
yeai-s, being the president of that body in 1867. Dur-
ing the great Kebellion he was ap|)ointe(l war agent
for the town of Merrimack, and so faithfully and
well did he discharge the duties of this difficult posi-
tion that at the close of that fearful struggle he was
tendered an unanimous vote of thanks by his fellow
citizens.
Mr. Parker joined the Odd-Fellows in April, 1844,
antl for thirty years he ha.s been a nieml>er of the
fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, rising to the
thirty-second grade in that body. He is also a mem-
ber of the (rood Templars, of the Golden Cross and
of the (irange.
Mr. Parker's religious connections led him, very
early in life, in 184:i, to connect himself with the
I'nivcrsalist parish in Nashua, and he has served his
church with a lidelitv and love that docs honor alike
560
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
lu the man and to the cause. He lias served on its
board of trustees many years, and lias been the super-
intendent of its Sunday-school for more than ten
years. But his work luis not been bounded by the
narrow limits of the city of Nashua, for in State and
national matters appertaining to the Uuiversalist
denomination he has been a potent factor. For
many years he was the president of the New Hamp-
shire State Convention, and he also served for nine
years on the Board of the General Convention, seven
of which he was the chairman of that body. To him
also wa.s given the distinguished honor of i)residing
over the great centennial festival of this people, held
in Faneuil Hall, Boston, in 1870, when such men as
the Eev. E. H. Chapin, D.D., of New York, Rev. A.
A. Miner, D.D.. of Boston, Rev. W. H. Ryder, D.D.,
of Chicago, and Governor ClaHiii graced the occa.sion
with their presence and eloquence. It was the last
time that the lamented Dr. Chapin ever spoke in
Faneuil Hall.
In his whole life Mr. Parker has been an earnest
and enthusiastic worker in every good cause. The
cause of temperance and that of education have
found in him a worthy champion. Feeling his own
lack of education in his youth, — for all his school-
days would not make one year, — he very early became
a warm friend of the schools of his town and State.
Mr. Parker has ever been true and outspoken in
his convictions, both political and religious, and no
hope of gain or advantage could swerve him a hair's
breadth from what he perceived to be his duty in
these matters. In all his business relations he has
been strictly honest and conscientious. In his domes-
tic relations he has been faithful and devoted. He
is a kind brother, a dutiful son, a devoted husband
and a firm friend. In his married life he has been
unusually fortunate and happy. The esteem in which
he is held by his friends and neighbors is shown in
the fact that during his life he has been called to
conduct more than two hundred funerals.
Mr. Parker's executive ability is of a high and
rare order. This, coupled with his firm decision of
character, has made him uniforiiily successful in
every position he has been called to fill. But his deci-
sion of character has ever been combined with a Chris-
tian love, a charity as warm and large-hearted as ever
dwells in human breast.
AI.EXAXDEH MCCAfl^EY WILKINS.
Alexander McCauley Wilkins, a son of Levi Wil-
kins, was born at Merrimack, N. H., February 2-5, ISOO.
His mother's maiden-name was Ann McCauley. She
was a daughter of Alexander McCauley, Jr., of Merri-
mack. He lived with his father and worked on his
father's farm. To the district school he was indebted
for all the education he received, except such as he
[ secured by study and reading at home; yet he im-
proved his opportunities so well that when he reached
manhood he was employed to teach during the winters
in his own and neighboring towns, still working on the
farm during the summers.
December 2, 1834, he married Caroline Richmond
Stearns, daughter of James Stearns, of Amherst, N. H.
At this time he changed his business from farming
to lumbering. He bought mills on the Souhegan
River in Merrimack, purchased lumber and manufac-
tured it into boards, shingles, clapboards, etc., and
was usually successful in selling his products for
enough to give him a fair remuneration for his labor.
Endowed by nature with unusual vigor of both
body and mind aud good executive abilities, he was
for many years prominent in town affairs. He repre-
sented the town in the New Hampshire Legislature,
was chairman of the Board of Selectmen five years
and treasurer four years.
He was for several years a director of the Indian
Head Bank, at Nashua, and served as justice of the
peace for more than a quarter of a century. He was
employed to settle many large estates, and generally
succeeded in satisfying the parties interested.
In 18.5G, though still carrying on the lumber busi-
ness, he b(mght a farm and returned to his early-
occupation of tilling the soil, feeling that farming, if
not very lucrative, was at least a healthful occupation.
Here he still resides (1885), and when he goes out
in the early morning to work in his fields, he feels
the refreshing influence of the dewy air, and when he
returns in the evening from the toils of the day, alter
caring for his fiocks and herds, he retires to peaceful
and undisturbed slumbers.
(?Miya.^Uy\ /It^ ^.id^^^i-^
\
f
I
HISTORY OF MILFORD.
BY CHAKLES H. BURNS.
CHAPTER I.
1 .troductioii — lacorporation — Territory — Early Settlers— Tax-Payers in
1704.
" \s 1 layt' a-tliiiikyiige, a-lliinkynge, a-tliinkynge,"'
— Ingoldsbtj Ltgeuds.
" Yesterday bus a charm; To-day could never
Fling o'er the iiiin<l, wliicb knows not till it partt^
How it turns back with tenderest endeavor
To &.\ the past within the heart of hearts.
AlHtence is full of nieinoiy, it teaches
The value of alt old familiar things."
— >[.\CI,KAN.
MiLFORK, coiisiclurtjil as a part of the universe, is a
- inewhat unimportant foct, and its history quite in-
< onsetiuential. The little events which constitute
that history, personal ami municipal, are mere trifles,
ami in ami of themselves would he considered by the
great mass of hunianity as fit only for oblivion; but
there" are those who love her rocks and rills, her in-
tervales and hills, and who feel that such fragments
of the past as concern her history ought to be
gathered up and preserved on the ])rinted page. The
time wiLS when the I'nited States of .Vinerica was
looked upon as a trifle, doomed to annihilation
from a i)lace among governments; but that is no
longer the sentiment of the world. It is not safe, in
the march of events, to ignore any movement on the
part of the people that gains a substantial foothold,
for its effects cannot be predicted with any degree of
certainty, and time alone can determine its signifi-
cance. In this age of printing, and books of which
" there is no end," there is little danger of anything
being lost or forgotten. This will do no harm, for it
will be easy in the aftertime to sift the trash from
that which is imporlanl, and the results will be use-
ful to the world.
Thierry calls history uarrnlion ; Ciuizot calls it
iinnhjtia ; but Miehelet says it is resurrection. These
are admirable definitions and very suggestive. It is
resurrection, for it "breaks into coffins ami awakes
the dead " and draws their fraillle-s " from their ilread
abode ,■ " it brings back to life the men and things,
the facts and acts of other days. The past is made
to e.xhibit itself. It is compelled to surremlcr for
future inspection the good deeds and the misdeeds,
the heroism and the cowardice, the cupidity andstii-
l>iility. the wisdom and the lolly, the morality and
depravity of that iiuuimeralile uriiiy who cousitule a
vast majority of the human race. It is narration, for
the story is told with unrelenting truthfulness and
nothing is extenuated or overlooked. It is a simple,
unvarnished tale, although it is often more wonder-
ful and entrancing than the wildest fiction. It is
analysis, lor from all the jargon of great and little his-
torical facts the philosopher makes his groups and
extracts the constituents and applies the infallible
test, which establishes immortal truth, which becomes
safe for the adoi)tion and government of mankind.
The deductions so made are not flattering to the
egotisms of living men, for they prove that in
the "world's bivouac of life" there are countless
" heroes in the strife." They prove also that
our lives, which seem so important and unique
to us, are but the counterparts of those who
have gone before, and that we tread the same paths,
encounter the same difficulties, experience the same
pleasures, and, in the end, accomplish, substantially,
the same results attained by the forefathers of our
little hamlet, and that history is simply repeating
itself.
Into that vast crucible of the historical critic
we empty the crude facts and incidents con-
nected with Milford's history, which have been im-
perfectly anil, perhaps, unwisely gathered, and which
the future may regard of so little consequence that
they will be forgotten instead of preserved for the
guidance or entertainment of her children who are
yet unborn ; but we venture the hope that our work
may be of some assistance to whoever shall hereatler
undertake the task of writing an authentic and iK-
tailed history of the town and the inhabitants theioof.
Milford is the largest town of the largest county
in the State. It is also one of the youngest towns.
It contains an area of 15,-t02 acres, and had a popu-
lation in 1880 of 2308. Its property, real, personal
and mixed, as now assessed by the town ollieials,
amounts to $l,'>9it .'^41. Its surface, for a New Hamp-
shire town, is reasonably level ; but while it contains
large tracts of splendid Intervale land, which is easily
tilleil and very productive, it has also many excel-
lent upland farms. Its locality and soil are favorable
for the proiluclion of fruit, grain and hay. It has no
mountains or notable hills. Like the adjoining town
551
552
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
of Wilton, it does not possess a natural pond or lake.
This is a physical blemish it can never overcome.
It is divided substantially into two parts by the Sou-
hegan River, a beautiful stream of pure, clear water,
whose source is among the hills of Massachusetts
and which affords considerable mill-i)ower and makes
itself generally useful, as it is picturesque and orna-
mental. The name Souhegan, like the original
names of most of the streams and mountains of New
Hampshire, luis an Indian origin, it being first called
Souheganack. It is said to signify crooked. If it
does, it is rightly named, for its meanderings are as
tortuous as they are graceful and attractive.
Into the Souhegan, at various points, empty sev-
eral smaller streams or brooks, which find their birth
in the hills of Milford and adjoining towns which
bound it. These towns are Lyndeborough and
Mont Vernon on the north, Hollis and Brookline
on the south, Amherst on the east and Ma.son and
Wilton on the west. Lyndeborough and Mont Ver-
non are rugged towns, with commanding hills, and
from their numerous water-sheds, in times of rain
and storm, comes a large abundance of water, which
floods the low, broad intervales of Milford. The
goodly town has a matronly lap, but it is often full
and overflowing, and while it sometimes looks ;is if it
was having rather more than it could manage, the
broad and restless river always takes care of it, and
the low lands in the spring-time that follows attest
the fact that they have been embraced by the freshet.
Milford is fifty miles Irom Boston, thirty from
the State capital, and lies in latitude between 42°
and 43° north and longitude between 5° and 6°
east from Wasliington, and became a town by
an act of the Legislature of New Hampshire, passed
January 11, 1794, and is therefore liut a little over
fourscore years and ten in age. Not having yet seen
a century of town existence, the celebration of its
first centennial, January 11, 1894, will be an event of
much interest to its devoted children. It will soon
be here, for
*' Tim<^ Imrrifs on
With a retsiMtlost), unremitting strcum."
It will be interesting to see what new discoveries
will have been made at tlie end of a little less than
another decade. Who can predict what is coming?
Who can appreciate or comprehend its significance
when it has come? Marvelous inventions and revela-
tions are constantly coming to the light, and no one is
astonished. They are accepted ;is if they had been
long expected. They may be
** Tho greatost Kheines that liunian wit can forge
Or bold ambition darce to put in practice,**
and yet humanity remains undisturbed and acts as
if nothing had occurred ; but
*' We Shalt se* what we shall see."
On May 30, 1860, Amherst, to whom we were once
wedded and from whom we were long ago divorced, cele-
brated its centennial. Milford, by vote of the town,
took an active part in the celebration. It sent one
person from each school district as a committee,
namely : No. 1, Oilman Wheeler ; No. 2, Levi Cur-
tis; No. 3, N. C. Curtis; No. 4, Joel H. Guttersou;
No. 5, Isaac Burns; No. 6, R. I). Bennett, No. 7,
Jacob Sargeant ; No. 8, Whitcomb T.arbeil ; No. 9,
William Ramsdell ; and an additional committee tor
Nos. 1 and i), of Humphrey Moore, Abel Chiise and
Poraeroy M. Rossiter.
The following is a copy of the charter by which
Milford was incorporated, taken from the town
records :
** STATE OF NEW HASIl'SHIRE, 1704.
"lu the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-
four.
" An Act to incorporate the Soutliwestfrly jMirt of .\mher8t, the
nortliw esterly part of Hollis, the Mile slip and Duxbury School farm
into a town, and to invest the iuhahitaut^ thereof with all such privileges
and immunities as other towns in this State hold and enjoy.
" WUiTcas, a petition signed by a number of the inhabitants of the
Southwesterly part of .\mherst, the northwesterly part of Hollis, the
Mile Slip and Duxbury School farm (so called) has l>een preferred, set-
ting forth that by an act of incorporation passed by tho Legislature of
this State, on the first day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand
seven hundred and ninety-two, the southwest part of .\niherst aforesaid
was, by certain boundaries therein described, made a parish ; that the
tract of land therein contained is too small for a town ; that the inhabit-
ants of the Mile Slip and Duxburv- School farm aforesaid are unable to
support the Gospel, build bridges and maintain schiK>ls: that a number
of the inhabit^ints of the northwesterly part of said Hollis could be better
accommodated by being annexed to the southwest p;irish in .Vniheret.
They, therefore, prayed that they might bo incorporated and made a
body Politic, with all the Ct)rporate powers and privileges by law vested
in other towns. .\nd the inhabitants of the town of Amhenit, in legal
Town-meeting, having voted their assent to the same ; '
*' There/ore, Be it Enacted by the Senate ami House of Kepresentatives,
in General Court Convened, that all the lamis and inhabitants within
the following limita : viz., beginning at the southwest corner of the
northwest parish in Atuhenst aforesaid, on Lyndeborough East line,
thence running easterly to the northeast ct)ruer of .\mos Green's lot,
called the Mill lot ; thence southerly on a stmight line to the southwest
corner of lot No. 20 ; thence easterly on the range line to the north-
easterly corner of William Peabody"s land ; thence southerly on the ■«
range line between John Shepherd. Esq., and William Peabody's land
until it conies to land belonging to the heirs of John Shepard, late of
said .\mherst, decea.'^ed ; thence easterly to the northeast corner of the
sanie, joining to land of the same John SheiMird, I-Isq. ; thence southerly,
by land of .lohii Shepanl, tiij., aforesaid, on the ninge lino to Souhegan
River ; thence down the middle of said River till it strike land ow ned
by Benjamin and Stephen Kindrick ; thence southerly by said Kindrick
land to the road leading from David Danforth's to the town of \\'iltun ;
thence crossing the same and runuiug a south point to Hollis Line, be-
ing near David Duncklce house, and then to the northeast corner of the
land lately laid off from said Hollis by their committee appointed for the
alMve purpose ; thetice rnntiitig soiith about twelve degrees east so as to
strike the northeast corner of .lohn Stearns' land, it being the northwest
corner of Robert Cidbourn's land ; thence on the same course until it
comes to the southeast corner of the said Stearns* land ; thence westerly,
by said Stearns' and William Haley land, until it comes to the northwest
comer of said Haley land, thence westerly to the northeast corner of
air. Gould's land, and so on westerly, by said Gould an>l David Danfoi-th's
land, to said Gould's northwest corner; thence turning southerly to the
southeast corner of Uobert Darttih's land ; thence west fifteen degrees
south until it comes h> Kaby east line ; thence northerly on said Raby
east line until it comes to the south line of said Amherst ; thence
northerly on the north line of said Raby to the southwest corner of .Am-
herst ; thence s^nitherly by the west line of Raby to the southeast comer
of the Mile Slip; thence westerly to the southwest corner thereof;
thence northerly on cast line of 3Iason & Wilton totlio northwest corner
of the Mile Slip ; thence easterly on tho south line of Lyndeborough to
the southeast corner thereof ; thence northerly by the east line of Lynde-
borough to the hound fiivt mentioned, Be, and the same are hereby in-
MILFORD.
553
corporated into a town by the name of Milfonl ; and the inhabitants who
rcMide and shall hereaftiT resiJf williili llio K-fore-mentioiied bovimluries
are muJe and constitutcil a IkxIj- imWk and corponitc, and invested
with all the powere, privilege;* and ininuinitled whicli towns in this
State tiy law are entitled to enjoy ; to remain a distinct town and have
continuance and succession for ever. And be it further Enucte<l that
Augustus Blanchard, Es<|Uire, bi; and lie hereby is, authorised and em-
iwwered to call a meeting of said inliabitiints for the purpone of choosing
all necessary Town Orticerft ; uii'i shall preside therein until a Modemlor
eliall l)e chiwn to govern s;»id meeting, vvhicli sliull be warned by post-
ing up notice therei>f at the Jleeting-House in sai<l Milfonl, fourteen
days prior to the day of holding the same, and the aunual meetings for
the choice of Town Officers shall bo holden on the first Tuesday of March
annually.
** Provided always that nothing in this act contained stiall, in any
wise, release the inhabitants of the s.iid Southwest Parish in .\niherst
(port of Buid Miltord; from paying their proportion of all debts now due
from the town of .Vinhentt, or their prttporlion of the support of the
Pre«ent Poor of said Town and Parish, 4)r any ta.xes now assessed on
them as inhabitants of the siiid Town of .\iiihenit ; but the stime may be
levied and collected from the inhabitants of the s:iid Southwest Parish
(now part of Milfonl aforesaid) in the sjiliie way and manner as if this
act had not been paired; and the i)resent inhabitant.'* of the said north-
westerly part of said town of Hotlis shall be liable to pay all taxes here-
tofore assessed on them as inliabilanu< of the town of Hotlis, in the
same way and manner as if this act had not been passed.
"In Senate, January II, 1704. This bill having had three several
readings, passed to be enacted ; sent down for concurrence.
" Adikl Foster, Presulent of the Senate.
"In the IloiLse of Representatives, the same day, the foregoing bill,
having had a third reading, was enacted.
"N.vTiiANlEL Peabodv, Speaker.
"Approved lull January, 1794.
' \ true copy.
* Kecorded by
"Josi.Mi Babtlett.
".\ttest, Nathaniel Parker, iJep. Sec.
"AuousTua Bl&nchakd, Tow» Clerk.'*
The l'ollo\viii;r i.s a list of the resident tax-payera in
Milf'ord Ajiril 1, 1704, wliith is taken from the " His-
tory of Amherst :
Isaac Abbott, Isaac Abbott, Jr., .Saniiiel .Vbhott, Jacob Adams, Eben-
•ler .\verill, Klijah ,\verill, James Hadger, Iteuel Baldwin, Joel Barker,
Nohemiah Barker, Isaac Bartlett, Augustus Hlaiieliard, Isaac Blanclianl,
John Blanchard, .Simon Blanchanl, Stephen Blanchard, Widow Lucy
Ulanehard, Oliver Bowers, .John Hi>yiitoii, llicliard Boynton, Kichar<l
Boynton, Jr., .Viidrew Bradfonl, John Bradford, Caleb Brown, .\ndrew
Buriiam, .b^liua Burnani, Stejihen Burnuin, I>atiiel Burns, George Burns,
Jame« Burns, John Burns, John Burns, Jr., Moses Burns, Thomas
Bums, Simeon Butler, .lonathali Bu-Xton, llobert Campbell, Bollard
CliBiidler, Daniel Chandler, Daniel Chandler (2d), Richard Clark, Benja-
min Conant, John Crosby, Josiah Crrisby, .Sunipstui t.'rosby, Stephen
Crosby, William Crosby, Robert Darrah, David Duncklee, David Duncklee,
Jr., Jacob Duiieklee, .lacob Kliiin, Mwaiil F<wter, Jloses Foster, Beiija-
inin French, Asa Gilnmn, .\bel (Jilwm, Asa Coodall, Daniel Goodwin,
JonM Greene, John Guttennm, Samuel Gtitterson, Sjimuel Guttersoii (2dj,
Simeon Gutterson, Jonathan Hale, Jonathan Male (Jd), Samuel Harts-
horn, liajic IIow, Stephen How. Joseph Hoar, Joseph Hoar, Jr., Joseph
Hood, .loeeph Hood, Jr., Beigalnln Hopkins, Daniel Hopkins, .loliii lltip-
klna, Puter Hopkins, S^domoii Hopkins, William IIo|>kiiis, Nehemiah
Howard, .lert^miah Hubbard, Abner Hutchinson, Bartholomew Ilutcli-
ilistiTi, Bi-njuniin llulcliinson, Klijah lliitchinson, N'athi n IIutehins4>n.
Jr., Timothy IIutcliinH<>ii, Daniel Johnson, Caleb Jones, Jonalhaii Jones,
Joshua .loiies, .loscph Kntiwlton, Benjamin Lewis, Jonathan Lovojoy,
Samuel Lovejoy, Porti^r Lumnes, Jotham LuikI, Isaac Marshall, John
Marvel, Joseph Melendy, Nathan >lerrill, Joshua Moore, Stearns Need-
ham, Benjamin Nevelis, Josiah Osgood, .\aron Peabody, William Pea-
body, Josi'ph Perry, Daniid Pel-son, Kt^enezt^r Person, Jonathan PlioljiM,
William Powers, .-Varon Priest, Nathaniel Itnymont, Jacob Riehanlson,
Kboiiexer Sargent, Nathaniel .Seavy, Simon Shed, Daniel Sliejiard, .lohn
Slie|uird, Jotham Shepanl, Daniel Smith, .lohn Smith, Isaac .s<.>uth\vick,
Kathiiniel .Southwick, .lohn Stearns, IMward Taylor, Widow Taylor,
Widow Temple, Bartholomew Towne, .lonathan Towne, Moses Towne,
Rebecca I'ptou, .lames WjiUace, John Wallace, Joseph Wallace, Widow
Mary Wallace, John Willanl, Beiijamiu Wright.
Milford wa-s originally composed of five parcels of
land, all of which it now contains, with one other
small tract of one hundred and fifty acres, acquired
from Amherst in 1843, and one from Lyndeboruugh
in 1S73.
The five original tracts were a part of the old town
of Monson, a part of Souhegan West, the Jlile Slip,
Du.\biiry school farm, and a part of Uollis. The
part taken from Monson was a tract measuring three
miles south from t^oullcgan River to the north line
of HoUis, in the Seventh tfuhool District, and extend-
ing from Milford east line to the Mile Slip, or within
a mile of Wilton east line. " Monson was a small
town lying between Amherst and lloUis, granted by
Ma.ssachusett,s and chartered April 1, 174(j. In 1770
it wa.s divided between Amherst and HoUis. Sep-
tember 30, 1770, the charter annexing a part of Mon-
.son to Amherst was read in public town-meeting in
Amherst." The part so annexed was as follows :
''From Souhegan River southwardly, by the town
of Merrimack, two miles; thence northwardly to the
river; thence down the river to the place lirst named."
The tract taken from Souhegan West included all
between the river and Mont Vernon south line, and
from the east line of the Bartlett farm east to the
brook which empties into the river near the shoe-shop
of the late Mr. Knowlton. The portion taken from
Hollis was a tract south of Monson south line, " in-
cluding more than half of the Seventh School Dis-
trict." The Mile Slip was a " strip of land lying east
of Monson and Wilton, extending from Brookline on
the south to Lyndeborough on the north, about six
miles in lengthandabout one mile in width." Duxbury
school farm contained five or six hundred acres,
lying between Lyndeborough and the river, and ex-
tended from the Lewis farm on the west to the east line
of the Bartlett farm, or to the line of Souhegan West.
The lands described above, which compose the
town of Milford, were first settled about the year
1740. In 1741 the line between Massachusetts and
New Hampshire was established so as to place the
territory in New Hampshire. John Shejiard and
William Crosby were the first settlers in Souhegan
West ; Elisha Towne, .Tosiah Crosny, Benjamin
Hutchinson, John Burns and others in Monson, and
Abiicr Hutchinson in Duxbury. -Ml these names,
with the exception of the first, are lus familiar to our
ears in Milford as household words. Crosby, Towne,
Ilutchinsoii and Burns are old familiar names.
In 1745, Benjamin Hopkins settled in Monson. He
was a man of wealth in those days. He owned eleven
hundred acres of land, "situated immediately on the
south side of the river, extending from the east line of
the farm now owneil by Williaiu Ramsdell to the
Mile Slip, near the Jacob Howard farm. This tract
wa.s granted by Massachusetts to the town of Charles-
town inaitl of schools, and was then calleil "Charles-
town school farm." It was then, ami iiiidciubtcilly
is now, the most valuable tract of land in the town-
554
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
ship. In 1741 the proprietors of Souhegan West
granted to John Shepard one hundred and twenty
acres of land "adjoining the tails of the river, ex-
tending to the foot of the falls," on condition that he
would " build a good grist-mill, keep it in repair and
grind grain for the inhabitants of Souhegan West for
the customary and lawful toll." He built the mill
in compliance with this condition, and it wiia kept in
operation for a great many years. It disappeared,
and the saw-mill took its place. It is now owned by
Mr. Gilson. In those days the river was forded below
the bridge, near where the foot-bridge is now sus-
|)ended, and it was called the "Mill Ford," and this
is probably the origin of the name of the town.
El ishaTowne took up his residence on the south bank
■of Souhegan Kiver, east of the village, " near where a
few ancient graves remain." Andrew Bradford, who
was also an early settler, lived in the north part of the
town, near where Fitch Crosby now lives. He was a
militia captain. Abner Hutchinson lived near where
the late William P. Buruham lived. Nathan Hut-
chinson, who came here in 1748, located and lived on
the Searles farm, on the south side of the river.
Captain Josiah Crosby lived where M. F. Crosby now
lives. He commanded a company of militia at the
battle of Bunker Hill. John Burns, of Scotch origin,
who came here from the north of Ireland in 1736,
and settled in Milford in 1740, lived near where the
late Joseph Burns lived. He first located in Notting-
ham.
These are the most prominent of the early settlers
of the town. They were, without an exception, strong,
resolute, sensible, honorable men. Their descendants,
for the most part, have proved worthy of their an-
cestry.
As the town was incorporated after the Revolution,
it cannot boast of the patriotism of its citizens in
that memorable struggle. It could not send its sons
to Lexington, Bunker Hill, Saratoga or Ticonderoga,
for their battles had been fought before the town ex-
isted. The men who left the plow and became Minute-
Men, or who fought at Bunker Hill and elsewhere,
who belonged to the soil now embraced in her terri-
torial limits, are credited to Amherst and HoUis, and
they can exult over the honorable and noble list. This
territory had defenders in every battle above-named.
It helped Warren at Bunker Hill and Ethan Allan at
Ticonderoga. Among its sons were heroes. They
were all patriots. Their lot was not an easy one ; for
more than thirty years before the Revolution they
were constantly confronted and menaced by Indian
savages. They were always compelled to be vigilant.
They possessed nothing that did not require defense.
No wonder the New Hamp.shire troops at Charles-
town were among the most effective and formidable
in that splendid campaign .'
The territory of Milford was given in recognition of
brave and patriotic deeds. A large part of it was
granted by the province of Massachusetts to " officers
and soldiers belonging to the Province who were in
the service of their country in the Narraganset War,
and to their Heirs and assigns or lawful Representa-
tives." The grants were made from 1728 to 1733.'
In an order adopted by the House of Representa-
tives of this province, January 19, 1731-32, the fol-
lowing splendid tribute was paid to the brave and
noble men who fought the early battles of New Eng-
land. In it the House, filled with honest and just
gratitude, give eloquent reasons why these fearless
men should be rewarded with a suitable grant of land:
"And one great Reiison is that there was a Proclamation made to the
Army in the name of the Governni'nt, — as living evidences — when they
were mustered on Dedham Plain, when they began their Marcli, that
if they played the man, took the Fort and Drove the Enemy out of the
XarraKaiiset t'uuntry, which was their great seat, that they should have
a gratuity in Land hesides their wages, and It is well known that tliitf was
done ; and, as the conditions have been i)erloruied, certainly the Prontisi-,
in all equity and ju^tice, ought to lie fulhlled; and if we consider the
difficulties these lirave men went through in storming the fort in the
Depth of Winter, and the pinching want they afterward underwent in
pui"suing the Indians that escaped thro' a hidevus wilderness, famously
known throughout New England to this day by the name of the hungry
March ; and if we further considor that, until this brave tho" small army
thus played the man, the whole Country was (ille^i with Distress and fear,
and we trembled in the capital, Boston, itself, and that to the Ooodnese
of God to this army we owe our fatbei-s" and ourown Safety and Estates ;
We cannot Imt think yt those Instrum'ts of our Deliverance and .Safety
ought to be, not oldy justly, but also gratefully and generously, rewarded,
and even with much more than they ])r.iyed for. If we measure w't they
receive from us by w't we enjoy and have received from them, we need
not mention to ye Hon'ble Boord the Wisdom, Justice and Generosity of
our-5Iother Country and ye .\ncient K^unans on such occasions. Triumphs,
Orations, Hereditary Honors* and privileges, — \\\ the Riches, Land and
spoils of war aTid contjnered countries have not been thought too great
for those to whom they have not owed more, if so much as we do to those
our Deliverers, an<l we ought further to observe, what greatly adds to
their merit, that they were not vagabonds and Beggars and outcasts, of
which armies are sometimes considerably made up, to run the Hazzard
of War to avoid the Danger of stitrving ; so far from this, that these were
some of the best of our men, the Fathers and sons of some of ye greatest
and best of our families, and conltl have no other view but to serve ye
country and whom God w.-is pleased, accordingly, in a very remarkable
manner, to Honor and succeed."
It is not strange that such an apjieal reached the
hearts of the Legislature and that the grant wa.s made.
It is not strange that an inheritance, bequeathed with
such eloquence and in consideration of such matchless
heroism, should be honored with such a gracious and
goodly prosjierity.
CHAPTER II.
MILFORD— (Conrinuerf).
History of First Church — Itaisingfl — Highways — Settlement of iluniphrey
Moore.
H.wiNt; now some knowledge of the lands and
hereditaments which Milford obtained through the
grace of the State, let us see what she then had for
men, women and institutions, aside from those already
mentioned. Tlicy were t'cw.
The first town-meeting, whicli w;l-^ held March 4,
'Hist, of Amherst, chap. 11.
MILFOKD.
555
1794, shows only twenty-five votes for Governor, the
only person voted for being John T. Oilman. At this
meeting Jacob Flinn was chosen moderator and Au-
gustus Blanchanl, town clerk ; Aujrustus Blanchard,
Jacob Klinu and Benjamin Hutchinsoti, selectmen ;
WilliamCrosby, town treasurer; and Benjamin French,
constable. It is doubtful if the entire population of
the new town was then over seven hundred. It
had one hundred and thirty-nine tax-payers. Their
modes of <;cttinj; about were slow and tedious. There
were l)ut two chaises owned in town. The principal
method of traveling was on foot and horseback. t)ne
saddle and pillion served to accommodate an entire
family, although their children were as many as the
old woman had " who lived in a shoe." An ox-team
carrying the whole family to church was a common
and usual sight. Children who walked, both girls
and boys, carried their shoes in their hands till they
got in sight of the church-door. >Shoe-!cathcr was of
too much consequence to be wasted. If the skin on
" de heel " was worn off, it would grow on again; but
the wear from the tap of the shoe required cash to re-
place. It was twenty-five years before horse-wagons
were known in town, and then for many years they
were without springs; but they were looked upon as
a wonderful invention. None but the wealthy could
have them. When to them was added the elliptic
spring, which soon followed, and which may be re-
garded as the dawn of comfort in matters of locomo-
tion, the horse-wagon Wii-S an absolute luxury.
It had but one church |)arisli, and that wa.s in its
youth, having been organized after a part of Monson
ha<l been aggregated to Amherst, and which was an
offshoot from the Amherst Church. It was consti-
tuted a church parish in 1782 (which was but twelve
years before .Milford was incoqioratcd), " for transact-
ing ministerial atlUirs only," and was organized as a
church by an ecclesiastical council, November 19,
1788. The council consisted of Jonathan Livermore,
Abiel Fiske, John Bruce, Moses Putnam, Kbcnezer
Rockwood, Kicliard Ward, Daniel Mansfield and
William liradfonl, and the chnrcli as then constituted
was composed of the following individuals: Stephen
Hurnham, Caleb .lories, Elisha Hutchinson, .T(din
W^illace, Joseph Wallace, Nathan Hutchinson, Thos.
Burns, Jonathan Towne, Benjamin Conant, Benjamin
Hutchinson, William ^[clcndy, .Tonathan .Tones. The
record shows that attached to the covenant are the
names of James Wallace, Hannah Braillord, Mary
liurnliam, Sarah Hutchinson, Letitia Wallace, Mary
Wallace and Betsy Wallace.
I)owu to the time of the incorporation of the town
il lilies not ajipear to have had a settled minister. It
I liuill a <'hiirch edifice. The parishioners, .fann-
14, I7S.'{, voted to build it twenty-five rods south
■•< Sliopard's bridge, which would have placed it near
I ill corner, where Dr. S. S. Stickney formerly liveil, i
II n owned by Oilbert Wadleigh, Es(i. ; but the vote '
86
was afterward annulled, and the meeting-house was
finally erected ten rods northwest of that site, " be-
tween two pitch-pine stumps." This was where the
elm-grove now stands on the common in the village.
Augustus Blanchard, who was evidently a man of
some standing, was parish clerk, as he was subse-
quently town clerk. The little band of strugglers
worked hard to get their meeting-house, as an exami-
nation of their records shows. It was many years
before it was completed. The frame of the building
was raised in the summer of 1784. It was a big job.
It must have been, for the parish voted that " the
committee provide 1 barrel of rum, 2 barrels cider
and one quarter of .sugar for the raising." It would
seem that the people in those days were quite temper-
ate in one respect, and that was sugar. Their extrav-
agance appears to have been in the direction of rum
and cider. That raising undoulitedly raised a great
crowd. In our day it would raise something beside a
crowd ; it would raise the wind and probably some-
thing worse. They came from Mont Vernon, Am-
herst, Lyndeborough, Wilton and elsewhere. The
timbers were heavy, "rough hewn and green;" but
they had to rise, for there was muscle in that crowd,
and spurred on by one barrel of rum and two barrels
of eider sweetened with one quarter of sugar, nothing
could .stand before the grip of our " noble fathers."
The building was raised and no one killed.
Eleven years before, the good people of Wilton
raised a meeting-house. Wilton was settled in 17.S9,
more than half a century before Milford was incor-
porated. It had its centennial in 1839. Rev. Eph-
raim Peabody delivered the oration, and from it we
([uote the following graphic account of the raising of
Wilton's meeting-house :
"T1k-,v ciininii'iifeil niisiiig it Septomlier 7, 177:i. "Such tliiiipi were
ciiiiiluclcil (lifTurcntly tlicn from wliut tliey are now. It wus cun-
didercil tho work of two days. People canio from ilii^tuiit towns to see
the BpectacU'. Theri-' wu-vKreiit uote of proiMimtioii. .\ committee of tho
town iippofnti'il the misers, itnil aiuplo provinjons were miide to eiiti'rliiiii
strangem.
" It wiw H tkcitutiful .Septenilier morning. .Anil now might l«> seen
coming in \>y every rouil, anil from the neighb^iring towns, great nnm-
bers, men — women unil cliililreu — to see the show. Some came on foot ;
some pntcliccil the method, unknown in modern days, of riding anil
tying; some were ou liorsobiick, with their wives or sistors buhluil on ii
pillion. It was an occasion of uuiversiil expectation. The limliers wero
all prepiireil, tho workmen ready and tlu> master-workman, fiillof thedig-
nity of liisoHlee, issuingliisordersto his aids. AM went on prosperously.
The good cheer, the exeitenieut of the work, the erowil of siiectittont,
men looking on, women telling the news, Isiys playing their vuriouH
games, all imale it a scene of general rejoicing.
"The sides of the honsit were aln^aily np, and also a |Mirt of tho
rimf at the ciwl end of the Imilding. One of the raiscre fnuii
Lyndeborough, I'ltptuin HntdfonI, hud brcmghl over his wife, wlnmi
he left, on account of illness, at the pliu'e whero Mr. llaldwiii
now resides, while he himself went on to lake jiart in the work.
Having to pass along the centre of the buihiiug, he oliserveit that
the middle beam, extending acriHW the chnivli, wiui not pro|M^rly
snpporteil. A post was under tho centre, but It wio^ worm-eaten ami was
already beginning to yield and give way iiuiler the pressun*. In raising
tho ndilille part of tho nud' the weight of the workim-n would come in
great measure on Ihisheuni, which waseviilently not strung enough to
bear U|i the timliers ami men. He immediately luiceniled lln> i\>of alal
luformed the master-workman, who, being made over coulldeut byllio
556
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOKOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
succei«» tbiit! far. ix'plie<i tti him that if he wix« nfmid he might go home,
that they wauted no cowards there. luthgriunt, he iiiiinediutel.v went
d.iwn and started off for his wife with file purpose of returning home.
But before lie had reached Mr. Italdwiu'e tile men had already pro-
ceeded for«aril, confident and elated at their progress. They were
swarming ui>on the unsupported beam and the planks and timbers which
rested on it. They were raising up, with much exertion and shoutj^ of
direction and eucoui'agement, the beams and nifters, when sudileuly, as
he was anxiously looking back, he saw the frame already erected trem-
ble, the men shrink back aghast, the building seemed to rock for a mo-
ment to and fro, ami suddenly all, timbers and tools and men, rushed
down together in one mingled mass in the centre. The ci-asli was so loud
a.s to be heard nearly a mile. For a moment all was silent, and then the
air was tilled with groitns and outcries and shrieks of terror. There
were fifty-three men on the fmme that fell. Three were instantly killed,
two died very shortly afterwards, others were crippled for life, and most
of them were more or iessnuingleit or wounded.
"To iinder^tand the iinpre-ssiou that the event made at the time, it
must be rememl>ered that the whole pojudation of the town — men, women
and children — was scarcely five hundred. It was like so many men lost
overboard from a ship at sea. It caused a general mourning, for there
were few families which had not lost a friend, or connection, or some |
one of whose friends weiv not among the wounded."
This was indeed a terrible event. Tliere are those i
wht) think the cause of the disaster was the fact that !
tlie authorities, by vote of the town, furnished one
liarrel of West Iiulia rum, five l>arrels of New Eng-
land rum, one barrel of good brown sugar, half a box
of good lemons and two loaves of loaf sugar.
Of course, the good people of the Milford parish had
not forgotten the Wilton tragedy, and, displaying that 1
sagacity and caution which has always distinguished
its citizens, and resolving that it should not be re-
peated in tlie history of their church, they prudently
and wisely avoided lemons at their raising. They
evidently recognized the necessity of having some-
thing sour, and so they procured two barrels of cider,
good and hard, for the occasion.
In 1771 Anihcr.sl had built and raised a meeting-
house. They entertained the crowd with New Eng-
land rum, and when the frame was up they had a
wrestling-match.
It would therefore seem that raisings were then
festive atlairs. It was nearly seventy-five years from
the time of the raising of the Milford meeting-house
before the custom of furnishing into.Kicating liquors
at a raising was wholly discontinued. For more than
half a century the propriety of it ha.s been questioned
by many right-thinking people, and happily now the
disgraceful practice is unknown, probably, throughout
New England.
David (ioodwin, mie of tlie very excellent citizens
of Milford, now dead, who, by vote of the town, March ,
11, 1862, was chosen town historian, to record the
events of the Civil War a.s connected with Milford, and
to whose gleanings, through the courtesy of his family, I
the writer is indeljtcd for many facts contained in this
sketch, was the first tn attack tliis practice in Milford.
In 1S30, being about to raise the frame of his dwell-
ing-house, wi.shing to encourage the temperance cause
which had begun to be agittited throughout the county,
he "ventured to try," iis he says, "the experiment of
raising the frame by the aid of a substitute for ardent
s|)irit, previous notice being given to that effect. It
proved completely successful. Others followed the
example, and now it would be considered disreputable
if any one should iiresume to furnish any kind of
distilled liquor at a raising.'"
Ail honor to David Goodwin and those who acted
with him in bringing about a new public sentiment
which stamped as disreputable a practice of long
standing, which had not only killed men with falling
timbers at public raisings, but had afforded innumer-
able opporluuities and inducements to form a habit
which had tor years borne an annual crop of poverty,
distress and death I
The first church structure in time was completed.
What hard work it was to accomplish the task can
with difficulty l)c understood. September 2, 1784, the
jiarish voted "to board and shingle the meeting-house
frame, and that the Job i)e let out to the lowest bidder."
Benjamin Hopkins gave the nails. Many others con-
tributed in small ways toward the erection of the first
temple in the parish. It was a perfectly plain build-
ing at first ; but March 17, 178o, it was determined " to
have porches," and " that the work be done at three
shillings per day." In size the house was made,
agreeably to vote, " the same as the meeting-house in
the northwest parish of Amherst," now Mont Vernon.
This first church in Milford possesses great interest
to us now, for it was for a long time the town-house.
The town appropriated money and was taxed as regu-
larly for preaching in this church as for schools. In-
deed, the annual appropriation for many years was
larger for the former than the latter. At the firs*
town-meeting, held, as before stated, March 4, 17M,
they voted forty jiounds or one hundred and thirty-
three dollars for schooling and seventy-five pounds
or two hundred and fifty dollars for preaching, and
this was followed up for many years. The town
leally owned the church. Tlure was but one paristf
in the whole township.
The interior construction of the house was ader the
fashion that prevailed in those times. For a while
there were three porches through which the building
was entered, one each on the east, west and south, which
was the front entrance. In 18(12 the west porch waa
taken off and removed to the bank of the Souhegan,
upon Mr. Knowlton's land, and has been used since
for a shoe-shop. On the north side of the house waB
the great imlpit. It probably had a sounding-board,
its the Wilton ineeting-li<pusc had, and as the Old
South Church, Boston, had and has. In 1.S02 the
town built a belfry "similar to that in Francestown,"
and soon after Mr. Perkins Nichols, of Boston, a ndK
tive of Amherst, presented the town with a bell which
weighed eight hundreil pounds and cost four hundred
dollars. It still hangs in the tower of the old town-
house. The pews were large squars pens, with seats
which could be raised up and let fall after prayer in a
wav that would leave no room for doubt that some-
thing had occurred. It had a gallery on three sides,
arranged also into square and long pews.
illLFOKD.
557
It took ten ycais to build this im'ttiiijr-lioiisi', but it
waa at last iu-coiii))li3lied, mid the old (.•luiicii, acting
in the double capacity of a place for worship and for
town transactions, amply repaid its builders by its
great work, tiiithrully done, throufrh several genera-
tions.
It stood where it was Imill uiilil the siininier of
1S47, when it was removed about four rods to the
northeast of its original location and titled for a town
hall. Under the town hall, stores were put in, while
in the basement there was an engine-house, lobby, etc.
The Congregational rhurch, which iissisted in building
it, sold its interest to the town, and thereupon pro-
ceeded to erect a new and more commodious structure,
and located it where it now stands, having since en-
larged it, built a vestry and adorned the grounds
around it with beautiful elms. Later on a brief
resume of its more recent history will be given, as well
as that of the town hall.
The first bridge built by Millord was on the spot
where the arch bridge now stand.s, and was i)Ut in
place of one which had been carried away by a freshet,
the first one, which was a wooden bridge, having
been placed there in 17S8. The new bridge, built in
1X08, wits called the Ball Bridge, on account of the
white balls on its four corner-posts, and was eighteen
feet wide, with one pier in the middle, and cost two
hundred and sixty dollars.
March 30, 175lo, Milford sent its first representative
to the Legislature, but not alone, for it was cla.-i.sed for
that purpose with Haby (now IJrookline). William
Peabody was elected for one year. Hereinafter will
be found a list of all the men who have since then
acted as representatives and senatorsof Milford in the
General Court of the Granite State. It will be seen
that the first representative elected by Milford alone
was .Vuguslus Itlancharil, who WiW chosen in ITHil.
This same Augustus I'.lanchard was also, as appears,
the first parish ihrk.
The "King's Highway."'— About the first work
that the early settlers of a country have to do, if they
are ambitious to bi'coine civilized, is to establish and
builil highways an<l bridges. Highways, like steam-
ships and railroads, being the indispensable |iromoters
of trade an<l commerce, do more to advance and
spread civill/.ation than all other secular agencies
employed by man. Tiiis fact seems to have impressed
itself upon the minds of the New Kngland settlers.
Tliey gave unremitting attention to the building of
roads and bridges. .Vfter the log hut came, at the
earliest possible moment, the traveled path leading to
it. It soon widened into a broad highway. There
was no hill so steep and no barrier so impas.sable as
Ito prevent its approach. This traveled path always
had a habitation at each iiid ami freijiiently along its
I's. It wiLs a sure indication of business and social
It wius the forerunner ami herald of the church,
school, the store, the village and trade. It signi-
... d commerce, a state and finally a nation.
The first settlers of Milford began at once to layout
and build convenient highways.
Probably the first highway in the territory of Mil-
ford originated in the path, and is the one on the south
side of Souhegan River, and is the old road leading
from Portsmouth to New Ipswich. If there ever was
a record of its laying out, it was burned at Portsmouth.
It is the same old highway over which old Mr. (Jibbs
traveled, carrying the United States mail in his sad-
dle-bags. The first bridge on this highway, between
Milford and Wilton, was built agreeably to an act of
the General Court, passed April 2, 1779, " to oblige
the County of Hillsborough to build and maintain a
bridge across the Souhegan River in the Mile Slip, so
called." It was subsequently, in 1835, rebuilt by the
town, and is one of Lang's i)ateiit three-truss bridges.
It is called the " County bridge." The next high-
way, in point of time, is the one on the north
side of the Souhegan, leading also from Milford to
Wilton. There are other highways in town whose
history it is now impossible to trace, many coming
into existence by long-continued use and without
any formal laying out, as it is called. They were es-
tablished, and had been for years, when the town
secured its charter.
In 1847 the road from the stone bridge past the
hotel was laid out and built on the west side of the
common. Franklin Street was also built by the town
the same year. In 1850 the foot-bridge across the
Souhegan was built, the town appropriating one hun-
i dred dollars and the balance raised by .subscription,
the subscribers having the right to .act with select-
men in locating it.
In 1845 a granite bridge across the Souhegan, in
I jihice of Shepard's bridge, was commenced, and fin-
i ished at an expense of two thousand dollars, but it
was not satisfactory, and the next year it was made
over in a more substantial and thorough manner at a
total cost of five thousand dollars, completing one [of
the finest bridges in the State.
The bridge across the Souhegan at Jones' Crossing
was built in 1872. It is a thorough and handsome
structure. March, 1874, the town voted to name the
streets, and Charles H. Tuttle was chosen to do it.
Street lamps were first put up in 1875.
Settlement of Humphrey Moore.— Down to 1802
the one church of the town had been without any set-
tled ])astor. It had made many attempts, but none
.seemed to.suit. April 2(i, 1802, the town voted to con-
cur with the church in giving Rev. }Iuui]ilirey Moore
a call to settle with them a.s their minister, with the
then templing oiler of six hundred didlars seltlemenl,
four hundred dollars annually an<l two hundreil dol-
lars annually after he should become superannuated,
llnuiplirey Moore was a native of Princeton,
Mass., and was graduated at Harvard College in ISOti.
He wa-s a man of mark. For more than a third of a
century he wa-s a moral, religious and intellectual
force in Milford ami towns about. Hi' was orthodox
558
HISTORY OF HILLSBOKOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
through and tlirough. He preached " the word " as
he understood it, without extenuating, changing or
abating one jot or tittle. It mattered not who it hit
or where it cut, he applied it to every question and
phase of life, and whatever and whoever could not
stand that test was rejected by him.
This was the character of tlie man whom the town
and church invited to become their minister.
His reply to their invitation was not only character-
istic of the man, but of the times in which he lived.
It was as follows :
" MltFOKO, .Vug. 2, 1802.
'* Men anil hrethreu :
" Hiivii.g received your invitation to take the pastoral care of tlie ttock
in lliis place, I feel myself under obligations to make you my grateful
acknowledgments for the honor of your general approbation.
"After much deliberation, with diffidence in myself, with hope of
your candor, of your tenderness and long forbearance with an inexperi-
enced youth, with hope of the continuance of your present peace and
unanimity, and with dependence upon God for wisdom profitable to di-
rect, 1 give my answer in the atlirmative.
" H. Moore."
This, it will be observed, was directed to " men and
brethren." The " mothera in Israel " were left out.
In those days these " mothers " were not allowed to
teach in the common schools, to lead in public prayer
or take any active jiart in religious worship. They
could listen and learn. It was the "men and breth-
ren" upon whose broad shoulders the pillars of church
and state rested. It is only a few years since a Pres-
byterian minister was arraigned by his denomination
because he dared to permit a woman to tell the story
of the cross from the top of the [lulpit-stairs. But all
this is now changed ; fortunately for the church,
women are not only permitted, but urged to lead in
public religious work. The modern church, if it de-
pended solely upon the " men and brethren " to do
Christian work, would soon languish into utter inac-
tivity and would be powerless.
The call and acceptance being accomplished, it be-
came necessary to settle Mr. Moore (irmly and for-
mally amidst his people. He must be publicly en-
trusted, after the manner of the church, with " the
pastoral care of the flock." In other words, he must
be ordained. This occurred October 1,3, 1802.
The ordination of a minister at that time, like the
raising of a meeting-house, was a great event. It at-
tractc<l always the whole population. Everybody at-
tended, — the old, young, rich, poor, the religious and
Irreligious. Mr. Moore's ordination was particularly
important. He was the first minister the town of
Milford ever had. The church had given audience
to some seventy difl'erent candidates. He was the
picked man among the seventy. The people were
anxious to sec him, and they wanted to see each
other, and they all knew that everybody would be
there. The town had made liberal appropriation for
his salary. Everybody was to be taxed, and of course
they wanted to see the man on whose account they
were to be assessed. The day came, and the popu-
lace came. The church wasn't big enough to hold
them. They took out the windows ami built a plat-
form outside for the accommodation of those who
couldn't get in. It was on a superb October day.
The exercises of ordination were impressive. First
they had an anthem. Rev. Ebenezer Hill, of Mason,
made the introductory prayer. The Rev. Elijah
Dunbar, of Pcterliorough, delivered a sermon from
Luke ix. 60. The ordaining prayer was by Rev.
Jacob Burnap, of Merrimack ; the charge by Rev.
Jeremiah Barnard, of Amherst; concluding prayer by
Rev. Lemuel Wadsworth, of Brookline; and the bene-
diction by Mr. Moore.
The surrounding towns were mostly represented.
Possibly Wilton wasn't orthodox enough to have a
hand in the ordination exercises.
Now, while these exercises were going on there
were certain small performances, like side-shows to a
circus, near by. In a building south of the common,
and opposite the meeting-house, which is now owned
by Mr. Wallace, and which contained the first store
in Alilford, there was a small hall. In this hall the
young people assembled while the ordination services
were progressing, and had a social dance, and Parson
Moore said he " could bear the music." Who will
say that the music and the dancing were not graceful
and harmless expressions of honest delight in the
fortunate advent of the new minister in the new
town, which he greatly honored in his splendid career
of a third of a century ?
During his ministry three hundred and thirty-five
additions to the church were made, and although dis-
missed March 9, 1836, he remained in Milford and
died in his parish, April 8, 1871, at the age of ninety-
three. He was a man of wit and wisdom, piety and
brains. His life was unblemished and his character
without a stain.
At the time of Mr. Jloore's settlement there wa»«
probably a population in the town of eight or nine
hundred peojde. There was but one church, and
all worshiped under the same roof. This con-
tinued down to 1809. The new minister, therefore,
had a good audience to confront each Sabbath morn-
ing, and he generally satisfud them. (Jradually new
' sects and other cluirches worked into the town and
commanded a share of public attention.
CHAPTER III.
MILFORD— (Con(.n«rf).
Churches — Baptist — Congregational— rnitarian— .Methodist —Catholic —
.'Schools — Lyceum — Newspajtei-s — Libra ri-.
First Baptist Church of Milford.— .Vs a number
of persons living in Millord and vicinity, had em-
braced Bapti-st views, unite<l with the Baptist Church
in Jfason, and as Mason was too hard to reach, they
were i)crmitted by that church to associate together
and enjoy church privileges in Milford, and were
designated as a " Branch of Mason Church."
MILFORD.
559
In June, ISO!', they i)etitioneil the Mason Church
to be set off as a tlistini-t and independent church.
Accordingly, a council was called from the following
churches, viz.: Second Baptist Church in Boston,
Baptist Churches in Dublin, New Boston and Wears,
together with the church in Mason, which proceeded,
on the 5th of .'September, ISOi*, to organize " The
First Baptist Church in Milford," and adopted a con-
stitution, articles of faith and by-laws. It then
consisted of thirty-one members ; since then seven
hundred and eighty-five persons have united with
the church, making a total of eight hundred and six-
teen. Present meuibei-ship (.January 10, 188.')), two
liundrcd and eighty. The church was connected with
the Boston Baptist Association until the Milfonl
Baptist Association was formed, October 15, 1828.
The report they made at the first session of the asso-
ciation was " that they had enjoyed an interesting
revival within the past year which still continues.
Twelve have been baptized. The season has been
truly refreshing. The church has done more for the
cause of missions than in any preceding year. They
recommend entire abstinence from the use of ardent
s|iirits, and have, in many instances, set the example.
They have a Sabbath-school of about sixty scholars
and propose to continue it through the winter."
The largest number that have united with the
church in any one year was sixty-one in 1881. Their
place of worship during the first eight years was the
school-house in District No. 2.
Itcv. William Elliott had the pastoral care of the
church the first three years of its existence, jireaching
for them on the first Sabbath of each month. The
church WHS supplied with preaching by several minis-
ters, a short time each, until 1812, when George
Evans, a licensed preacher from South Reading,
Mass., commenced his labors with them, and con-
tinued to i>reach for thcni until 1817.
The settled pastors have been, and in the order, as
follows, viz.: Ezra Wilmarth, one year; Matthew
Bolles, four years; George Evans, two years; Samuel
Everett, eight years; Mark Carpenter, seven years;
J. <i. Richardson, four years; Orrin O. Stearns, three
years; Ira Person, five years; Edward Anderson, live
years; .1. W. Horton, three years; W. B. Cla])!!, one
year; .1. I). Ti!to?i, seven years; R. B. Moody, six
years; L. .1. Deane, two years; H. W. Tate, present
pastor.
Di'acon Isaac Bartlett, a deacon of the Mason
i'liurch, ofliciateil in like capacity in the " Itranch of
Mason Cliurcli " until it was organized in due form.
Amlrcw Hutchinson and Ebenezer Pearson were or-
dained deacons, and rifhciated until dis(iualified by
till- inlirniilies of age. Their successors have been
William Wallace, Abner H. Bartlett (son of Isaac
B.), (t(M)rgc V. Bartlett (son of .\bnir II.), Aaron
Mills. William P. Colburn.
The clerks have been Andrew Hutchinson, .Joel
Howr, W. Wallace, George F. Hartlctt. W. N. Harts-
horn, William P. Heald, David Goodwin, J. M.
Stanyan, E. J. Parker, George A. Wori^-ester. Trea-
surers, Andrew Hutchinson, E. Pearson, Benjamin
Goodwin, John Mace, Daniel Putnam, Daniel Cram,
Calvin Averill, Jeremiah Hood, A. Mills, George
Melendy, Mrs. G. A. Worcester.
By an act of the New Hanip.shire Legislature, the
First Baptist Society in Milford was ineori)orated
June 7, 1813. Their meeting-house was built in 181(5
(on the hill, about thirty-five rods northwest of the
stone bridge, upon the lot now owned by G. A. Wor-
cester), at a cost of about three thousand dollars. It
was originally fifty-four by forty-two feet, without
tower, with square pews, high jiulpit, — so high that a
man could stand under the front part of it, which
was supported by two fluted pillars, and had a flight
of stairs to get into it. There were wide galleries,
with a row of pews against the wall and free seats in
front. After the frame wivs raised, boarded and
shingled it wits used for a while before being finished.
The finished house was dedicated February 11, 1817
(the same day George Evans was ordained), the ser-
mons upon the occasion being preached by Rev. Drs.
Baldwin and Sharj), of Boston.
In 1836 it was moved from the hill to its present
location, and a vestry finished underneath it. In
1840 it was enlarged by the addition of fifteen feet to
the front, and a tower built, the pulpit reduced in
height, the galleries reduced in width, the old pews
removed and modern "slips" substituted, all at a
cost of about seventeen hundred dollars.
In 185(i a bell was hung in the tower, weighing
fourteen hundred and fifly-one ])Ounds, and costing
thirty-two cents per pound without the hanging.
The total cost was about five hundred dollars.
In 1874 the pews were relinquished by the owners
to the society, and a lot of land more centrally
located was purchased, and work u|)on a new church
commenced June 3, 1874, and completed and dedi-
cated January 21, 1875, Rev. Dr. Lorriraer, of Boston,
preaching the sermon. The edifice is commodious,
being fifty-five by eighty feet, with a spire one hun-
dred and fifty feet high, and contain.! all the modern
arrangements for comfort and usefulness, and was
erected at a cost of twenty-two thousand dollars, the
old house being meanwhile sold to the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
Unitarian Church.— The first Unitarian Church
of Millbrd was orgaiiize<l in it.-> present form in 1870.
Many years before, however, a liberal movement had
been begun, and a pioneer society formeil as early as
1833, which continued to hold meetings at intervals
down to the date of the new society. But it was
never strong and was usually without a settled
minister.
In 1870 it was formed on a new basis, with better
promise of |>ermanence. It adopted a platform of
fellowship, ple<lging mutual co-opi-ration in "main-
taining the institutions of religion .'ind in all (Christian
560
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
work." It has a membership of most excellent
people.
In 1878 the society began the erection of a new and
beautiful church <m Elm Street, just west of tlie busi-
ness part of the town. The material is granite,
(luarried in the neighborhood, laid up in broken ash-
lar work with cut-stone trimmings, and finished in
the interior in hard wood, Georgia pine being used
for the trusses, and ash and birch for the other work.
In style it is a modification of the old Knglish i
chapel ardiitecture, a low, wandering building, witli ;
towers and gables on all sides. The auditorium, chapel, I
parlor and other rooms are all on one floor and con-
nected with lifting doors, so as to reinforce each other
on occasions. Rich, stained-glass windows, picturing
the chief thoughts of the gospel, add much to the i
beauty of the building.
It is a very thorough piece of work, and has been
built at intervals, as money could be obtained, so as
to avoid debt. Though substantially finished, some
furnishings remain to be added. It lias not yet been
• ledicatcd. Altogether, it is the most unique and
noticeable piece of architecture in Milford and is very
creditable to the society. It is one of the hand-
somest churches in the State. Rev. Aubrey M.
Pendleton, the pastor of the society, through whose
tireless work tliis gem of a church has been erected,
deserves great credit for his perseverance and suc-
cess.
The ministers of the society have been .John E.
.lohnson, Samuel R. Priest, Loring E. Beckwith and
Aubrey JI. Pendleton.
Methodist Church. — This society isof comiiarative
recent cstal)lislimcnt in town. In 185.5 and 185(J, an
article being inserted in the warrant for that jnirpose,
the town voted to adopt a resolution, which was pre-
sented by .Jacob Gove, that they have the free use
of the town hall for one year. The growth of the
society since then has been slow. It has recently
purchased of the Raptist society its <dd church edifice.
Its present ])asli)r is Rev. Mr. .Johnson.
The Catholic Church.— It stands on tlie tract of
land wliich was taken from Amherst and annexed to
Milford in 184.3. It is in good condition, but small in
numbers. Rev. Father Bucklee, of Wilton, has the
pastiiral care of the church.
Congreg^ational Church after 1834.— I'bc Congre-
gatiiinal Churcli liuilt a new meet i rig-house alter tlie
town purchased the pew-liolders' rights, in 1834. It
was dedicated in October of that year. The house
waafirst builtseveuty by fifty feet. Afterwards eighteen
feet was inserted in front of the puli)it. The bell
weigiis about twelve hundred pounds. It has recently
added largely to its vestry. It has no jiarsonage.
The diurcli was organized November 19, 1788, with
nineteen members. It has admitted into the church
since, nine hundred and forty-eight. Whole number
of present members three hundred and fifty-eight.
It has had in all twelve deacons and eighteen clerks.
Its present clerk is D. S. Burnham. Its pastors have
been Humphrey -Moore, ordained October 13, 1802,
dismissed March i), 1836; .1. W. Salter, installed
Ajiril 27, 183G, dismissed October 24, 1838; Abner B.
Warner, ordained February <i, 183'J, dismissed Octo-
ber 27, 1840; Lycurgns P.Kimball, installed May
19, 1847, dismissed August 7, 1849; E. N. Hidden,
installed November 21, 1849, dismissed April 7, 1858;
S. C. Kcndell, installed Ajnil 7. 1858, di.smisscd
October 15, ISGO ; F. D. Ayer, ordained May 1, 1861,
dismissed Sc|)tember 8, 1867; Geo. E. Freeman, in-
stalled December 23, 1868, dismissed December 14,
1871 ; George Pierce, Jr., installed October 29, 1872 ;
Rev. Mr. Lamb, Rev. Mr. Taintor, and its pre.sent
pastor is J. C. Rollins.
Schools. — It is dillicult now to give the number
of sclwinl children in Milford in 1794 or the con-
dition of the schools; but from all that can be as-
certained, it is evident that there were but a small
number of each. The settlers of the town were
worthy descendants of the Pilgrims, a cardinal virtue
of theirs being the careful education of the young.
The old district school of the good old New Eng-
land town has never been improved, and never will
be in many respects. It did not possess the intricate
machinery and mysterious wisdom of the modern
school arena, but it did have plain solid merit. It
turned out a set of boys and girls who could read,
write, S|)ell, cipher and think. The graduating dress
and plug-hat were unknown. The methods of the
school-room were terribly practical. The object of
the teacher seemed to be to turn out a person who
could think and act wisely and safely for himself, to
make him know something and know it absolutely.
The schools of Milford were fully up to the average.
It would be interesting to notice some of the good old
school teachers who reigned in the Milford winter
school-room. They did splendid work- They helped
to make a set of excellent men and women. Of
course, the terms of school were short, and continued
only through the winter months. The school money
for the whole town, at the date f>f its incorporation,
was less than one hundred and fifty dollars. The
wages of the teachers were sm<»ll. The master
usually " boarded round," and in that way the
term was niiiterially lengthened ; and the time was so
short that every moiuent was improved with religious
perseverance.
March 7, 1797, the town was divided into seven
school districts or classes. It is not easy to determine
from the record the exact history of the school dis-
tricts. In 1821 it speaks of six classes, in 1822 of
seven districts. In 1852 District No. 1, which was
the village district, was divided, making one and
nine, and at this time there were nine districts In
1853 the large brick school-house in No. 1, which
is capable of holding two hundred scholars, was built-
in 18()7 Districts No. 4 and 8 were united into No. 4.
In 1871 the present system of graded schools took the
MILFORD.
501
jilaee of the old district system, or, rather, the town
lias pone back to the tirst system which prevailed in
the province and State. In 1872 the school-house in
what Wius formerly No. 8 w;us sold and the land re-
verted to its former owner, .John Daniels.
L'p to March 11, 1884, the town had been collecting
a fund called the Literary Fund, and it was at this
time divided, and each district was to receive one-
eighth ; but March 8, 1835, it was voted not to confirm
the vote passed at the annual meeting of 1834, but
that the selectmen be enijxiwered to make a division
and distril)Ution, according to the valuation of 1831,
among the ditfereut classes at or before .January 1,
1836.
'"The Milford Academy" was incorporateil June
24, 183.5. The proprietors ]nirehased a lot of land
and erecte'l a convenient building; but. having no
(lermanent fund to sustain it, it never flourished. The
uilding was sold for a dwelling-house.
' The Female Seminary " was incorporated about
the same time; but, like other similar institutions
without funds, it soon began to decline. The build-
ing is now used as a vestry for the Congregational
Church. It was at one time used, in i)art, to accom-
modate the district school.
In the village or High School young men are prc-
[lared for college and young ladies receive a good
education. The schools are liberally supported and
carefully watched. Young people from Wilton,
Lynih'borough and ( ireenfield of late have been in the
habit of attending the High School at Milford, which
indicates the estimation in which the school is held.
The school-houses throughout the town are in ex-
cellent condition, and worthy the character of the
people.
Tlie Milford Lyceum wits organized November 7,
1831. Meetings for lectures, essays and debates were
lield every week. The first president was Rev. H.
.Moore; J. W. A. Smith, secretary; A. Lovejoy,
treasurer; S. Peabody, Esi|., 8. K. Livermore and
Dr. .John Wallace, curators.
The organization flourished for many years, and
did much good. The subjects canva.ssed were numer-
ous and interesting. During much of it*i existence it
was conducted wholly by home talent. Essays, more or
less learned, lectures, more or less' instructive, and
discu.ssions, more or less entertaining, were indulged
in by the men and women of the town.
The records of the club are still preserved, and
iidicate its character. The members did not hesitate
i'> grapple with science, a.stronomy, philosophy,
• tliies and the aflairs of state. Most of the questions
considered were settled on the sjiot. at the close of the
<lcl>ate, by vote of the assembly.
The <dd-fasliioned New England lyceum was a
^|ilendid institution, and it is a pity it is not kept up
at the present day. It has never had a fitting 8ub-
stitule and never will.
Newspapers. — The first newspaper published in
Milford was in 1847. W. Bradford published it. It
was called the Milford Weekly Mirror. It wiis soon
iliscontinued. In 1848 a jiaper called the Soiiliet/an
Sltiiidard, dedicated to "free soil," was published for
a while. .Vfterwards, in 18.57, the publication of the
Milford Republican was begun, and contiuued under
that name for several years. Its first issue was Jan-
uary 7, 1857, and it was edited by Dr. Colby ; ,1.
I Garfield succeeded him as editor, who turned over
the editorial duties to F. N. Boutwell, having served
but a short time. Mr. Boutwell was editor for several
years, but ultinuitely went to Leominster, Mass.,
where he has since, until recently, published a paper.
At the present time the name of Milford's paper is
the Milford Enterprise. It is skillfully edited by
George E. Foster, Esq., and is highly valued by the
citizens of the town, as it is by those living away who
have an interest in all that concerns her people.
The paper has always been, as it is now, a helpful
j moral force in the communitv, and a source of much
1 pleasure to its readers.
Public Library.—
1 " Cnn-.i,i,r wliiit voii \vavv in tlio siiiallesl rlm^u library. .\ ''oiiipiinT
I of tlie wisoBt and wittiest moii thiit could bo picked out of all civil couii-
{ tricij, in a tlioUMind .venl'iii, have* set in boftt order the results of their
t learning and wisdom. The men theniselvea were hid and inaccessible,
s^ilitiiry. inii»ilient of interruption, fenced by etiquette ; but the tbo't
whlrb they did not uncover to tlieir bosom friend is liere written out
in transparent words to us, the stningers uf another age.'* — Emfrson.
Milford liecame interested early in its history in
books. .Tune 1. 179(5, several gentlemen of Milford,
with a few from .Vmherst, got an act of incorporation
I from the Legislature, establishing an organization by
\ the name of "The .Milford Social Library Proprietors."
1 It prospered well for a time; but the books became
! worn, and as they had no fund with which to increase
or replenish the library, it languished, and, February
14, 1832, the concern was closed out by auction. In
due time the subject of books was again agitated,
and, like all good movements, forced itself upon the
attention of the peoi)le.
The following is copied from the catalogue of the
Milford Free Library as giving a brief history of that
institution :
"The town was without a public library till .Mareh, 1S41, when
School District No. 1 voted that one hundrecl dollani lie laid out in books
for the use of the district, and Rev. Humphrey Mooi-e, S<iIonion K , Liver-
nnire, Esij., aiul Daniel Putnam wore chosen a cunnnitt^Mj to carry tho
vote into elTuct. In the course of the year (he books were purclias4><l,
rub>s adoptetl, I>aniel Kussell chwH'U librariitn and the lil>r»ry ap)>ar-
ently put In good working order. In isl-j a further sum of st*venty-live
dollars wasappnipriated f.trtlu- increase ofthelibniry, and the year follow-
ing (lie rouuuittee having (he library in charge tlntling (hat (hlr(y-(liree.
miiNtly of the larger, vidumes ntn^disl rttblinling ninety dollars was ajw
projil'iated to the libniry ; Its privileges extended to the whole (own, upon
condition that thos«< living out of the illstrli't ixiy a small suni for tho
use of each volutue tiikuil out, and the pureliaslng committee were in-
structed not to buy any strictly sectMrian books. The library continued
(u recelvi« appniprladotis from (line to time till lS.Vt, when (lii. <llstrict
was divided. Its decay then commenccsl. It, however, lingered till
IKfiU, whtu) tho hooks were sold nt auction. It having been In existence
nineteen yeunt. The year following that In which the ilistrict libniry
was sold the subject of establishing an agricultural library was agitated,
and In Januarv-, 1802, on organiKothui was iwrfocteil. In ISd'.l the pro-
662
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
prietore generously gave it to the town, that it might be merged in
Ihe pr(«'nt librar)-. In 18114 several ladies established a library,
and tlie aasociatioM was callml ' The Ladies' Librar)- Association.' When
the Free Library was established it was closed, and the very valuable
collection was divided among the proprietors. In a^ldition to the
libraries mentioned, there has been a Sabbath-school library connected
with the oldest religious society upwards of forty ycai-s, and with the
next in age nearly a ipiarter of a century."
March 10, 18J)8, the town made an :ii)i)i'()priation of
five hundred dollars to establish a free library within
the town. The movement was started by Colonel T.
L. Livermore, who was then living in Jlilford. The
library wa.-* thereupon organized. A board of trustees
was appointed. Septoiiiber 10, 1870, a code of rules
and regulations were adopted, which have been mod-
ified since as was thought best. Liberal appropri-
ations by the town have, from time to time, been
made.
The library now contains three thousand three
hundred and forty-one volumes, and is a well-selected,
valuable collection of books.
CHAPTER IV.
KILFOKD— {Com iu lied).
Business of the Town — Manufactures— Banks— Burying-Crounds — Tem-
perance — Town Clock — Poor Farm — Hotels.
At the time the charter was granted there was but
little, if any, manufacturing in the town. The em-
ployment of the inhabitants was almost wholly in
agricultural pursuits. The early settlers were obliged,
in order to carry on this pursuit, to clear the forests
and do enougli business in manufacturing lumber to
furnish material with which to build their houses and
barns and expose the soil for cultivation. The mill
privilege granted to Colonel John Shcpard in 1761
was given him for the same purpose that towns now
exempt manufacturing property from taxation for a
term of years. It was to encourage the business.
The mill was built and for many years did faithful
duty. But it was not until 1810 that any attempt
was made to start a manufacturing business.
A company of men, having purchased a part of the
mill privilege granted to Colonel Shepard, obtained a
charter of incorporation from the Legislature by the
name of "The Milfonl Oitton and Woolen Manufac-
turing Corporation." They erected a factory. It was
built in 1813 on the south side of the river. In 1814
they commenced the manufacture of cotton yarn, and
in 1824 they began the manufacture of cotton cloth
by power-loom. In 1833 the company suspended
business. It was a time of great liepression. Their
machinery was old and worn out and their manage-
ment was bad, and they met the usual fate of such
enterprises. But in the spring of 1837 a new com-
pany, consisting of George Daniels, H. Moore, Ezra
Gay and James Searles, ))urchased all of the property
of the former company, re])aircd and replenished the
machinery and building and organized one of the
most profitable enterprises ever carried on In Milford.
In 1844 they built a new saw-mill on the north side
of the river, and soon after this sold out to a new
company. The mill or factory is now owned by the
Morse & Kaley Manufacturing Company, a thriving
and enterprising company, whose goods are in great
demand, and whose management, under the skillful
direction of Mr. Billings and Colonel Kaley, insures
success. They make knitting-cotton. The saw-mill
on the north side is owned by Mr. Gilson.
The first agent of the original proprietors was
Adam Dickey. They ran twenty-eight looms, em-
ployed forty hands and produced four thousand yards
of cloth a week.
Since the days of Adam Dickey a tremendous
change has taken place in the manufacturing of
cotton cloth and everything else. Single machines
now do the work of a dozen men, and forty hands
operating modern machinery will produce at least
ten times the quantity of goods turned out in Adam
Dickey's mill.
The next attempt made to organize a manufactu-
ring business of any note was begun in 1846. Daniel
Putnam and Leonard Chase, two of Milford's best
men, both now dead, constructed a stone dam across
Souhegan River In the eastern part of the village.
It cost three thousand dollars. June 23, 1847, they
procured an act of incorporation by the name of the
"Souhegan Manufacturing Company," with a capital
stock of one hundred thousand dollars, which was
afterwards, in June, 1849, increased to two hundred
thousand dollars.
In 1847 a factory building was erected. The main
building was one hundred and eighteen feet long,
forty-eight feet wide, four stories high, with a base-
ment. It had two wings, thirty by twenty-five feet,
two stories high. Whole length of building one
hundred and seventy-eight feet. It was intended for
four thousand spindles. In 1850 it employed one_
hundred and fifty hands. W. T. ,Iac(|ulth was its
first agent. He wiis succeeded by Charles CJillls, who
lost bis life by the bursting of a steam cylinder. The
next agent was Moses French, who was succeeded by
David Gillls. The last agent was Hon. George C.
Gilmoi'c, of Manchester.
This mill at one time was merged or consolidated
with the Milfiii'd Cotton and Woolen JIanufacturing
Corporation, but the main factory and ells having
been burned In 1872, the two properties again became
sejiarated, and what remains of the old Souhegan
Manufacturing Company property is now owned by
Jlr. John Daniels, and riinains now, as it has ever
since the fire, uiiim|>i-oved, except that one end of the
mill, which was saved, has been occupied a part of the
time since for grlst-mlU and t<iy-factory.
The tannery was first built in 1837, and although
it has had a variable history, for the most part It has
been a useful and remunerative enter]>rlse. It was
recently burned, but has been rebuilt and passed into
new hands and with bright prospects.
MILFORD.
563
The steam mill built in 1850 has generally been
employed since for sawing and planing boards, man-
ufacture of furniture, picture-frames and other arti-
cles. It is owned and occupied by David Ileald, who
has made impruvements in machinery and buiklings,
making it one of the best establishments in town.
The Star Foundry w;is built in 1853. It prospered
for a while and at one time seemed to be a promising
business, but it collapsed finally. The buildings, in
|)art, have been used for the Francestown soapstone
l>usiuess, and this enterprise li)cik-e<l well for a while,
but Nashua was found to be a better railroad centre,
and Milford lost it. Tliey arc now used by Pierce &
Co. for cooperage.
Among the successful business men of the past
may be mentioned Mills & Lewis, who for years
carried on the boot business in Milford. They
employed a large number of men and their boots
were the best in the market. Andrew Fuller com-
menced business in Milford in 1852, manufacturing
mirror-frames. In 18G5 he bought out Putnam &
Chase, who also were among the most active of Mil-
ford's business men forty years ago.
Among the modern enterprises in town which
ought to be mentioned is the Hillsborough Mills.
It Avas first incorporated by the name of the Pine
Valley Company. It was used as a carpet-mill,
but it did not flourish. II. .V. Daniels was its
treasurer. It finally failed. Subseiiuently it was
bought up by a new company, its cor|)orate name
changed to Ilillsboroutrh Mills, its capital stock in-
creased to two huudreil and twenty-five thousand
dollars, and it is now employing one hundred and fifty
hands in the manufacture of woolen carpet yarn or
warp. The agent of the mills is Mr. Na.-(h Simonds.
John McLane, now representative of Milford in
the Legi.ilature, is carrying on a very successful busi-
nes.s in manufacturing post-ottice boxes. He employs
from fifteen to twenty-five men, and is one of the most
successful and enterprising young men of Milford.
Pierce i^ Mills, (illson and others are engaged to a
considerable extent in the cooperage business; ICmer-
son & Son in the furniture business. The fancy bo.x
and toy business is also carried on to some extent.
Banks. — There is one discount and one savings-
bank in Milford. The Souhegan Bank was chartered
in 18.5."i. Thomas Chase, of Nashua, was its first
president and Hiram A. Daniels cashier. It was
organized iis the Souhegan National liank in 1865,
with II. .\. Daniels president and (Charles A. Daniels
cashier. February 17, 1885, the charter was ex-
tended for twenty years. Capital stock, one hundred
thousand dollars. Clinton S. .VvitIII is now president
and F. T. Sawyer cashier.
The .Milford Five-Cent Savings Institution was in-
((irpiiiated in 18511, with a perpetual charter. It has
deposits of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
(.'Hilton S. Averill is its treasurer. It is in fine con-
dition.
Milford has many stores, and some of them excellent
ones. E. C. Batchelder is one of the oldest established
of the merchants. He has for years kept a large first-
class dry-goods store, and may be truly called an
honorable merchant. Mr. Barber also has a first-
class modern store, which is carried on with great en-
terprise and success; and there are others concerning
which the same may be said.
The town is the centre of qui tea large trade, which
accounts for the thrifty and excellent character of the
traders and business men of the place. It contains a
grist-mill and .saw-mills, millinery -shops, harness-
shops, jewelers, blacksmiths, druggists, news-rooms,
groceries, restaurants and all of the equipments oi
a lively country village.
The farmers sell between five hundred and six
hundred cans of milk a day, or forty thousand dollars'
worth a year. It is I'arrled to Boston.
Millbrd contains several valuable granite quarries.
They are operated with success. The quality of the
Milford granite is excellent, and it is sought far and
wide. It is a valuable source of income to the people.
It is doubtful, all things considered, if the business
of Milford has improved for the last twenty-five
years.
David Goodwill, in .July, 18(50, made the following
record concerning the town and its enterprises:
"For twenty years imst the business of tins town hus rapidly increased,
and a special change, not only in the appearani-e of the place, but in
the chanicterof the people, is visible. The cotton-mills have been, mottt
of the time, kept in succps.sfnl openition, which have given employment
to about two hundred pei-sons. The village is well supplied with manu-
factories unti shops for the mamitacturc of dilTerent and almost all
kinds of ware;^ which has occasioned a continual influx of emigrants
into the village; and, coming with their own various and peculiar
views, notions and habits, the character and order of society has become
essentially cliange<l within a few years. In thia town, at the present
time (.Inly, 18G0), thel'e are ;! clergymen, 4 practicing physicians, 3
lawyei-s, 2 dentists, i drug-shops, T furniture warehouse, 8 stores, .'i
blacksmith-shops, 2 carriage manufactories, 2 hurne«**-shoiw, '.\ mar-
ket-houses, 1 printing-ottice, 1 post-otllce, 2 |»eriodicjil otfices, 1 Daguer-
rean saloon, 1 agricultural warehouse, :{ clothing-stores, 2 millinery-
shojis, I hotel, 2 restiiurants. The numbi-r of liquor sho[ts is not positively
known, as the mjnti are not permanently attached to any particular loca-
tion. One licensed agent (Dr. II. Eldredge) furnishes distilled Ii<|uor to
those who can give satisfactory evidence that they will us<» it only for
medicinal or mechanical purjioses. In this town the number of men to
whom the title of Ksq. is often nftlxed is *too numerous to particularize.'
There are in this town :l grain-mills, S saw-mills, 8 boot and shoe-shupe,
1 horse-nail facttiry, 1 pail manufactory, curjtenters, coopers, iiainters.
It this is a correct statement (and there can be no
doubt about it), there was as much thrift and pros-
perity then as now. The poimlation of the town in
18(;() was 2212. It had made a gain, however, of only
53 in ten years. In 1850 the iiopulation was 2159.
From that time to 1880 it has only gained 251), and
the gain of the last decade is 18G. But there has
been a steady gain in the property of the town. In
1840 the appraised value of all the property of Jill-
ford was, in rouinl numbers, 5>50(),(ll)ll. It has gained
one million of dollars in valuation since. It is inter-
esting to note that half of the increase was made
from 1840 to 1850. It also increased, during that de-
564
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOllOUCII COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
I'Bile, its lesal voters between two and three hundred.
It began, during this ])eriod (1847), to send two
representatives to the I^egislature. It would there-
fore seem that these were very prosperous years in
the town's career.
In tliis connection, it is useful and interesting to
make another quotation from the observing pen of
Mr. Goodwin :
" Within a few years (this alao was written in 180'1) many new streets
liave been laid out iu the village, which, as well ;is the uhl ones, are
hoing lined on hotll sides with new and elegant iiuildings ; and the peo-
ple of Miltord have hecome proverbially a very busy, enterprising, wide-
awake people. Being of curious, investigating minds, they readily flock
togetbor at short notice, when it is announced that a' Lo, here I or Lo,
there ! ' is coming along to address the people ; and almost every subject that
isagitated in this country— whetlierit relates to politics, religion, slavery,
temijerance, music or monil reform—has its^pro and <xu>. unyielding ad-
vocates ; and a debating club may be seen and heani almot<t every day
at tlie shops, public buildings or corners of the streets, the people pre-
ferring this mode of warfare to that of mobs, riots or ' Lynch law,' which
are seldom or never resorted to in this town. There are few, if auy,
towns in tliis region whose inhabitants are more ambitious or aapiring,
GherishiDg the mistaken idea that ' wealth makes the man," and riches
are sought after in every lawful way as tho' they were the 'one thing
needful." '■
Burying-Grounds. —
" The feathered hearse and sable train."'
The history of a ])eople can be largely inferred
from itH tomlistones. While the town does not
grow in population, the graveyards are constantly
growing. "Time, the tomb-builder," gathers in
with astonishing swiftness. An elderly lady recently
visited the town and many places with which, in
days gone by, she had been familiar ; but she saw-
but few people with whom she was acquainted, and
she was confused and disappointed. l-!he did not un-
derstand it. Finally she visited the burial-places of
the town and made a tour among the tombstones, and
there she found her old friends. It was explained to
her then. She \v.a.s living, but these old friends, the
familiar faces of the past, had all gone, and here
their dust was laid, and the simple inscriptions upon
toppling marble and crumbling granite revealed the
whole truth.
September 2, 1784, the town voted to accept one
acre of land on the north side of the highway, on
the west side of William Crosby's land, and adjoining
Thaddfus (Jrimos' land, as a present Ijy William
Crosby, for a buryinggronnd.
In 1839, the graveyard first laid out having been
substantially occupied, the town purchased about
two acres on the Brookline road for a cenieterv.
Cost of the land, with the fencing, four hundred and
fifty-five dollars. It was made up into family lots,
and the choice of lots sold at auction. Every lot in
that cemetery having been taken, the town purchased
another lot of a little over five acres of Rev. Mr.
Moore, on the south side of the Wilton Railioad, in
the west part of the village. The cost of the land,
right of way across Mr. Moore's land, fencing tmd
preparing the same for burial purposes was $(523. o5.
In 1850 the town chose a committee to see about a
new hurying-ground. In 1852 the selectmen were
authorizeil to grade and set out trees in the new bury-
ing-ground.
For the most part, all the yards are well cared for.
There are several costly and many tasteful monu-
inent.< and slabs erected to the memory of the dead.
Temperance. — The first temperance committee
appointed liy the town were Leonard Chase, Daniel
Putnam, Freeman Crosby, Pliny Whitney and Wil-
liam Wallace. They made their first report in 1849,
which covers eight pages of solid writing in one of
the large record-books of the town. They continuetl
in service a number of years, and then others took
their i)l.aces, who, in their turn, still made the same
exhaustive reports and eloquent appeals to the best
sentiment of the people, doing a grand work for the
town, and through the persistent efforts of these men,
supplemented by the strong Christian aid of their
wives, sisters and mothers, Milford is recognized as
the banner town of the State in the cau.se of temper-
ance.
In the same year, 1849, the citizens inaugurated a
movement for beautifying and adorning the common.
The first measure was to cause it to be fenced, which
was accomplished in 185t1. They also planted a lot
of elm-trees, which are now fully grown and ad<l
greatly to the attractiveness of the village.
The committee who were appointed to do this good
work were Humphrey Moore, Daniel Putnam, Hiram
A. Daniels, .lonas Hutchinson and Leonard Chase.
.\fter the trees were planted they had to be carefully
cared for and watered. This was faithfully done, and
we now see the result.
Since then the fence has been remodeled and the
park enlarged and improved. The present fence was
built in 1872.
Fire-Engines. — The first appi'opriation for a fire-
engine was made in 1820. The town voted an appro-
priation of seventy-five dollars towards defraying
; expenses of an engine. October 18, 18'20, William
j Ramsdell, S. K. Livermore and Abiel Lovejoy ■were
chosen fii-st fire wardens. August 17, 1839, the town
voted to raise three hundred dollars for the purpose
of buying a new fire-engine, provided three hundred
dollars be raised by .suliscription. In lieu of the
above, the town voted to raise one hundred dollars in
I addition to the three hundred dollars, provided two
hundred dollars could be raised by subscription. In
1840 it was voted to buy a second fire-engine, but it
w!is not purchased until 1841. In lS5li the town
voted to build an engine-house, and one was after-
. wards erected.
j Town Clock. — In 18(56 the town voted two hun-
' dred tlollars towards a town clock, the citizens to
raise four hundred dollars more. It was purchased,
and did very poor service until the present year,
when the town voted an appropriation of five hun-
dred dollars, and a new clock is in the place of the
old one.
-MILFORI).
565
Poor-Farm. -For a groat many years the town
ownc'il and occupied a farm on which the town's poor
were kept. l)ut, agreeal)Iy to a vote of tlie town in
18t>.'<. thi.-i farm was sold. It was situated in the
soutiierly i)art of the town. Since then many of its
poor, by arrangement, have been kept at tlie county
farm in Hillsborough County.
Taverns. — There is but one in town for the accom-
modation of transient patrons, and that is an old one.
The earliest of Milford's landlords was Jonathan
Buxton. He was a model innkeeper. He was skill-
ful in making Hip. There are those living in Milford
now who remember seeing Buxton mix his flip with
a singeing hot iron. Everybody who chose sold liquor
in those days. There was scarcely a house between
Milford and Wilton, on either side of the river, that
ilid not hold a license to .sell the ardent. Old Dr.
Fuller, who lived on the spot where the new town-
house stands, in the first dwelling-house ever built in
the village, used to put into his cellar twenty-five
barrels of cider for domestic consumption ; but his
eider had a large circle f>f aciiuaintances, and whoever
pleased, night or day, could walk info his cellar with
mug in hand and help himself.
It would be a great ta.sk to give a sketch of the
landlords of Milford since the days of Jonathan
Buxton. Jlr. Buxton was the first librarian of the
town, as he was also first tax collector.
The Ponemah.— Hccently a new and handsome
hotel has been built in the south part of the town,
near Milford Springs, called the Ponemah House.
It stands on a fine eminence, is handsomely made
and furnished and kept as a first-<-lass summer
house. It owns the Milford Springs. These sjirings
are noted for their medicinal waters. The Ponemah
Company are engaged to some e.xtent in bottling
this water for the market. The cnteriirise is just
started, and it is too early to predict the result.
CH.VPTFR V.
.MILFORD- (Co..(.nii»(/),
MII.IDIU) I.N THE GREAT CIVIL W,VR.
Patriotism of the Peoplo — DuvUt (ioodwlii uutiie HiHturiuii — Tlu* Wuiiiou'a
SoMloPi' ,\itl Socii'ty— Nairn*}) uf ^lilfunrit Soldicrn.
It is sinii)ly stating a fact to say that a more gen-
erous and patriotic people could not be found in this
great land than lived in and went forth from Milford
during the dark period of the Rebellion days. Her
response to every call for volunteers. was hearty and
ell'ective. To every appeal for succor and aid for
those on the fiild and in the hospitals she gave with
a luuiiificent hand. The (lower of her populace went
forth at their country's call ; sonte never returned, but
fell upon "the field of glory;" others came back, and
as citizens of a grand rejjublic, have been as noble
and true in the paths of peace as they were brave
and patriotic in war. The record of these people, iu
the greatest civil conflict the world ever witnessed, is
one of which every son and daughter of Milford is
justly proud.
In 18(51, when the Pre.sident sent ibrth that first
requisition for volunteers, a recruiting-ottice was im-
mediately opened at the town hall, and forty-eight
men, one-half of whom were married and one-half
single, were soon enrolled. They were the first forty-
eight men on the list of Milford soldiers hereafu-r
given. The company, under the command of Captain
George H. Gillis, left for Port.smouth on the 7th of
May, 1861. The company was made up of soldiers
from the following towns, viz: Milford, forty-eight
Amherst, thirteen ; Wilton, eleven ; Mont Vernon,
five; New Boston, five; Lyndeborough, two; and a
few from other towns, making in all ninety-three.
"At an informal meeting of the citizens of the town, holden on tlic
22*1 of April, 1801, ii committee consisting of Geor;:i' Daniels, Williiim
Ramstlcll, O. W. Lnll, Daniel Putnam and Clinton S. Averill, w'im a|»-
1 pointed to art in behalf of the town in relation to all mattei-s connected
with the (.nli.^tin^' antl equipping of a conijtan.v of volunteers, and fur-
nishing aid and support to the families of such enlisted memher^ as Ite-
loug to this town."
This committee jiroceeded at once to discharge the
duties imposed upon them, and at a legal town-meet-
ing, held May 11, ISlil, made a report of their work
and received the sanction of the town. Major (ieorge
Daniels oft'ered at the meeting a resolulion, —
"That the selectmen be inv^tructed to borrow a sum not e.\eeediiig
$1000, and that such jiortion thereof aa may bo requii-ed he appropriated
to pay the expense tif an outfit, with incidental expenses, and to furnish
assistance (o families of such citizens of this town as have eidisted and
been mustered into the service utidei i\v tirst rail of tlo- Cr.'^i.l-'m .-f f )...
United States for volunteers."
The resolution was unanirnously adopted, and all of
the reconiinendations of the committee were accepted.
The town voted that, in addition to the dress and
! arms furnished by the State, the soldiers of Milford
I should be furnished with their board and eleven dol-
' lars a month till accepteil by the State, and after that
I seven dollars per month in addition to government
pay; also a revolver and india-rubber blanket, be-
I sides such other articles for the promotion of cleanli-
I ness and health and to meet possible contingencies,
; which the patriotic lailies were then providing for
' them. They voted to soldiers who had families a still
1 further allowance: if he had a wife, six dollars jier
month; a wife and one child, eight dollars per month ;
a wife and two chililren, ten dollars |>er month; ;uid
still more in special cases.
At a subseiiuent town meeting held September 27,
. 18(!1, the committee, through Msijor Daniels, made a
report of its disbursements for the above purpo.seH,
receiving the indorsement of (he town. At about
i this time the Souhcgiin liauk oUcred the government
a loan of twenty thousand dollars to aiii in carrying
I on the war.
I At the annual town-meeting holden March 11,
56(>
HISTORY OF HILLSBOKOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1862, it was voteJ that David Goodwin be town
historian, to record the events of the present war as
connected with the people of Milford, to be preserved
in the archives of tlie town. Mr. Goodwin faithfully
performed his duties, and in those "archives," put
in perfect order by liis careful hand, is a reliable rec-
ord of the si)lendid work done by the patriotic men
of Milford, and from that record the facts of this
sketch relating to the war are taken.
The history of the work of woman in the great
struggle in this country lias not yet been written.
When it is, it will be found to surpass in sympathy,
tenderness and practical and effective assistance to
the mighty cause anything that was ever dreamed
could be accomplished by the gentler sex. The
ladies of Milford early engaged in the great soldiers'
aid work. They made a record worthy of being
placed alongside of that of their brothers, husbands
and fathers who fought that the nation might live.
In October, 1861, a society of ladies was organized
under the name of " The Women's Soldiers' Aid So-
ciety," and they chose the following officers : Presi-
dent, Mrs. Hum])hrey Moore; Vice-Presidents, Mrs.
Stillnian Hutchinson, Mrs. Martin Hall, Mrs. Abel
Chase, Mrs. Hezekiah Hamblett, Mrs. Charles A.
Burns, Mrs. Benjamin F. Hutchinson ; Secretary,
Elizabeth X. Livermore; Treasurer, Miss Hannah
P. Ramsdell; E.xecutive Committee, Mrs. William
Crosby, Mrs. Joshua M. Holt, Mrs. John Dickey, Mrs.
Ira Holt, Mrs. John A. Powers. The society num-
bered more than eighty members, besides seventy
men as honorary members. The first report or ad-
dress of the society made by Miss Livermore is here
given, as it reveals clearly the spirit which impelled
this noble company of women to push forward the
glorious work which carried comtbrt and solace to
many a soldier's home and heart, —
" .Murcli 28, IS02.
■'Thoro was no Immli-I so obscure in the Uuitfd States in tlie oHrly jiart
of (he year of our Lonl ISlil that its inhabitants iliil tiot thiill with hor-
ror at tlie mail wager of Imttio cast before tlieni by the defeated, lierce,
unibitiuus leaders of tlie Suntliern slave-power. Their sceptre of l>o»or
had departed from tliem with the exit from offlce of the last Ilenlocratic
President. They would not even in name submit lunger to constitutional ,
law. They had instigiiteil the old barbaric force to throw itself again in
the path of progress. .Miiuist with unanimous voice the North said,
' We will meet this force on the battle-field, and iiuiy Ood speed the
right." Lightning Hashed intelligence, steam lent her wings and
Northern patriots met the foe. Woman lent her aiil to sixed swialy
hnsliand, bnither, friend and citizen to s<ivo our capital -Washington.
Inorganlzed, she helped clothe the soldiers who hud volunteered from
every jwaceful pursuit. Organized, she continued her labors to render
the hiwpitals of the liiited Stales, and other temporal- hospitals hastily
Iirepared for the volunteers, comfortable for the sick and wounded.
"In Milford a society wiuf organized, called 'The Women's Soldiers'
Aid Society' in October, a woman paying twenty-live cents or more.
One hundred and thirty-eight dollars were collected by mombersliip and
by levies. Women met once a week to sew and knit, while some devoted
a great part of their time in laboring for the soldiers' comfort. Six bar-
rels of articles, most essential to hospital service, were sent on their
errand of love before the clu»e of the year. The work still contiiines, as
the varied aills for assistance reach us, and will bo continue<l until there
i> a certainty tloit mm ni'-r-' is needi-d."
"KlIZABISTII a. LlVKRIIOHE,
" Secrftitrti of If. .S. .1. So*:iellf."
This noble work was continued by this patriotic
society all through the war until " no more was
needed."
In October, 1863, the secretary made another an-
nual report, closing it with the following eloquent
words whicii she quoted from another :
" The blessings of thousands who are ready to perish, and of tens of
thousands who love their country and their kind, will be cast upon those
who originated and those who sustain this noble work. Let the people's
hearts never fail, and their hands never weary ! but let them, of their
abundance, give to this commission full measure, pressed down, shaken
together and running over, that, wherever the red hand of war is
seen, its divine footsteps may follow ; that wherever the red hand of
war is lifted to wound, its white baud may he lifted to heal ; that its
work may never ceaae until it is assumed by a great Christian govern-
ment, or until jteace once more reigns throughout the land ; and, even
then, gratitude for its service and joy in its glory shall never die out
of the hearts of the American people."
This society raised and disposed of more than
fifteen hundred dollars' worth of articles to the
soldiers in the field besides large bounties to their
families at home. K fitting close of this branch of
our subject is found in the eloquent words made use
of when the society disbanded :
" As the Kebellion has been crushed, peace has been Joyfully pro-
claimed, and the object for which our association was instituted no longer
needs our efforts ; feeling that our benevolent efforts have not been in
vain, we nov\' disband our organization, and turn our attention to other
pursuits and avocations, feeling thankful that we have been j>ennilted to
labor in the great cause of humanity — the ravise of God — to sympathize
with the afflicted and to do something toward the salvation of our beloved
country."
But not only were the ladies of Milford benevolent
and liberal in their aid to the cause, but the men gave
largely of their means. The town voted generous
and large bounties, and furnished assistance to all
soldiers' i'aniilies without stint.
Sixty Milford soldiers lost their lives by the war,
forty of whom were never brought home to be buried.
Thirteen were killed in battle. Their names are
Oliver W. Lull, .\bram B. t^hedd, \Villiam D. Coffin,
Jeremiah Lyon, Josiah P. Smith, Alexander M. Rob^,^
bie, Samuel Dolbear, Thomas M. Gilpatrick, (Jeorge
L. Jones, Isaac F. Frye, J. I. Plympton, Samuel F.
Jones and Joseph Shedd.
It is not within the scope of this sketch to give a
personal history of each soldier who fell or was
wouinlcd in the battles of this cruel war. When the
history of Milford is written in detail the work will be
done. It is gratifying to know that every fact is pre-
served and will in due time be published to the
world.
"Orrin \. Hamblett was the first soldier who volunteered fn>m Mil-
ford into the I'nited States service. Soon as the news of the massacre of
Slassachusetts soldiers in the streets of Ilaltimore reached us. be enlisted
in llostoD, April 10, IHIU, into the Fourth Rattalion of Kiftes, r<jm|>any f."
We quote the following from Mr. Goodwin's pen as
a just tribute to a noble boy :
"Charles Wendell Stills, youngest son of .lohn and Sarah >lills— a
kind ami loving boy — was born January *27, 1814. He eidisfed i\» a pri-
vate for nine months in the Sixteenth Regiment New Hampshire Volun-
teei«, Company C, October 111, 18(i2, At the expiratii..n erf bis term of
service he returned home with his regiment .\ugu8t 14, 18G;i; received
MILFORD.
667
bi4 discharge August 20, 1863. He contracted a fever at the aiege of
Port Hudson, of which ht^diud August 23, 1863. He enlisted, as ho said,
because Ilia Kuvi'ninieiit called bini and he felt it his duty to go, and at
the last saiil he had 'done all that ha<l been required of hiiu ; the boat |
is ready, let mo gu home.' "
Mr. Goodwin speaks of another of Milford's heroes
as follows :
** A, D. Ilayden was shut ttiruugli the wrist in the battle of Fredericks-
burg. Kive men had been shot duwu in bis regiment. .\t the fall of the
fifth man this brave soldier grasped the flag-stuff and boi'e the stars and
etTi[>e8 aloft ; but ho was doomed to the same fate as his companions. A
ball soon struck and shattered his loft arm. He was carried to the hos-
pital in Alexandria, where ho died January o, 184>3. He was eml>alnied
and brought home .lanuary 13, 1SG3. "
Most of the soldiers from Milford were discharged
and came home July, 18G5. August 3, I860, the peo-
ple, gratelul lor the deliverance of their country from
the grip of rebels, a.ssenibled in the jiark and gave
their soldiers a generous welcome home. Speeches
and music and general pleasures were indulged in,
and " Peace on earth and good will among men "
once more reigned.
The following are the names of all the Milford sol-
diers who wint into the United States service during
the war:
tJenrno H. fJillis, John f. Clark, George E. Hartwell, John Mahar,
•iizias Wright, Loammi B. Ward. Charles V. Conanl, .lohn F. Crosby,
Richanl Mahar, Kobert McKenzie, •Francis Divan, *.h)hn Brown, A.
.Mi".\rthur, Thomas tiourley, *.Sylv«nus .\danis, *.\Iex. Mcltohliie,
♦ James SIcKobbie, I>. I*. Ward, William Merriles, * Jeremiah Lyon, * G.
H. Drew, •Normun Burdick, *Grosvenor Colby, William H. Ilamsdell,
•George I. Lovejoy, William Abbott, Charles Prow, * .Vlfred F. Lynch,
•EdwanI F. Lund, •Charles F. Crosby, Thomiia I). Hall. •«. F. Jones,
•George Wurcester, I>aniel H. Greene, •.\. S. Hutchinson, * William D.
Coffin, •Samuel l>olbear, * .Mbert .\. Cocbi-an, ••lames Bonner, * Kugone
H. .Xmsden, *James <i. WiiliaiiiK, John K. Burns, * .Vbner \V. Osgotid,
•William U. Howe, J. .M. lllanili.ird, *\V. W. I. lUibbins, Challes Nut-
ting, George Clark, John W. Cfusby, *.l. 1. IMymptnn, G. II. Jones,
•Charles S. Hazen, George S. Tuck, I). W. Gordon, Joseph II. Kimball,
M. F. Burnllam, John H. Clarke, W. V. Kendall. .Mfrod Shattuck,
John H. Lund, (toorgo \V. Diniiek, T, L. Livermore, *A. B. Shedd,
P. A. Shedd, •J. H. Lovejoy, • William P. Hcald, C. 11. Stickuey, H. L.
Robbins, J. C. Clarke, John O'Connor, \. M. Darracott, 0. C. Crosby,
George E. Hartwell, .1 H. Stimson, • 11. E. Mills, F. J. Stinison,
George W. Clilckerlng, Joshua Koyleigh, •Josiah I*. Smith, C. H.
Camp, Nelson Wowl, O. W. Lull. S. (J. Dearborn, F. .1. Lawrence,
William Gourley, John F. Howard, .Vndrew L. Marvel, John ."Mcikle,
William A. Crosby, H. M. Potter, •Joseph Gilina, •.loseph E. Shedd,
Thomas (jiliiatrick, .\bel F. Gutterson, •.lohn JM. Stiiiiyan, Harris Gniy,
Luke llallegun, John K. Hcrrick, orrin .\. Hambtett, Thomas II. Law,
George \. Holt, .lames W. .\nios, Joseph Bum, Edwaril Powers, Frank
Horsl, 1). M. Perham, John Bonner, H. .1. Uiclianlson, •.lohn Martin,
• E. I*. Boss, K. W. Dennis, M. I*. Felch, Dennis ILdden. Thomas I'
{^mnery, Fn-^lerick F. 'rurner. K. K. Kidder, Hugh (lonnur, .1. B. Fretb*.
A. B. lU'iinetl, F. o. Howe, Patrick Dillon, A. U. Ilayden, J. W. Spald-
ing, J. K. Mackay, A. W. Ileal.l, John Holland, I F. Fly.-, Charles
Howe, W. H. Howe, J, P. Itiebanlson. H. P. Hutchinson, C. 11. Duu-
idng, J. B. Mclendy, .lohn .\rbuckle, Thomiu* Began, C. M. Aiken,
J. W. Shattuck, Charles Huntley, Charles Brooks, Fnincis Morlock,
John C. Aiken, J. A. Lovejoy, F. E. Greisingor, W. G. Aveiill, J. P.
Sherld, G. F. Stone, (i. R. Harlshorn, Frank Crosby. Albion Wyman,
L. A. Duncklee, Noah Lund, C. W, Mills, B. F. Clarke, E. K. Jewett,
J. E. Fuller, C. H. Osgood, II. C. Stimson, C. C. Ilarllett. H. M. Mills,
•J. I). Crwby, Edwin Howard. Jom'|.Ii Cushing, William Abbott, W. P.
Conm-rv-, Alvin B. Chase, .1. Hutchinson, A. F. Crosby, .Mien It. Hood,
•William Garvin, .-\. F. llanseomh, Ktl. llanscomb, Jiu«per Osgood,
Frederick A. Eldridge, James Byan, H. -V. Iliuikell, E. P. JonvM, A. F.
Ilutcliinsi>l), F. A. Fisher, George Marvel, E. L. Nolsim, F. T. Cogln,
W. D. IIuteliln«.in, IVitrick Chroan, A. SI. Hatch, .lohn SIcKonney,
K. H. Ploico, I. II. Layilen, J. liirlton, Jr., W. P. l-jwton, Charliw H.
'Worcerter, W. H. Gillls, Kobert Chunmrd, H. O. Connor, John Daine,
H. M. Tyler, Thomas Jen.
Those names with the star (*) prefi.xed are those
soldiers who re-enlisted.
The names of the seventy substitutes furnishetl
from abroad are not recorded.
CHAPTER VI.
MILFORD— (Coiilini.erf).
NEW TOWN-HOUSE.
Selection of Spot — I>ayiug of Corner-Stone — Description of Building* —
Dedication.
For several years prior to 18(i9 the subject of a new
Town House was agitated. It had its advocates and its
opponents. Like most enterprises of the kind, its birth
was through great labor. It was evident to a majority
of the people that the town had outgrown the old town-
house. Since 1838-34, when it was abandoned by the
First Church or Congregational Church for its new
church structure, the old hall had been used ex-
clusively for town and social purposes. Before that
time its history has been already given. In 1847 the
town purchased the pew-holders' rights and moved
the house a short distance north and east of its orig-
inal site, fronting it to the south. The first story was
devoted to stores and the upper one to the town hall.
It has been well said that it was early consecrated to
free speech and a free ballot, and in these respects it
wa.s not unlike the other New England town-houses.
It served its employers well. The time came, however,
when it w;is unsatisfai'tory and ina<le(|uatc to meet
the want.s of the populace. It was finally determined
to have a new one. Then came the usual struggle
over its location. It was first voted to build near the
bridge, and then the 8])0t where it now stands was
substituted. The old house was again moved to a lot
near the bridge, on the west side of the village sipiare,
where it still stands, ami again repaired, improved
and sold.
The town selected William Ramsdell, Clinton S.
Averill and Robert R. Howison a building com-
mittee, (iround was broken May 6, 18()9. Messrs.
Rryaiit \' Rogers, of liosioii, were the architects.
Laying the Corner-Stone. — The corner-stone of
the new town-house was laid on Saturday, .Tuly 3, 1869,
with interesting Masonic ceremonies, under the
auspices of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire,
assisted by the Masonic lodges in Naslum, ^lill'ord,
Wilton, Ma.son and Peterborongh.
The occasion brought together a very large con-
course of people, and the exercises of the day were
carried out with perfect success and to the entire
satisfaction of all concerned.
At two o'clock the visiting bodies were received at
the depot by lienevolent Lodge, of Milford, and a
proces-sion was formed in the following order:
568
HISTOKY OF HILLSBUJROUGH COLM'Y, NEW UAMPSHIKE.
Chief Maivlial. J. M. Bluucbard.
Aidi', E. P. HutcliiDHon.
Nu>*lniu Cornet Baiu).
fiit. George CoiinuuniJcry, Kiiigbte Teniptar, of Xu^liiia.
Clinton Loiigc, No. 52, of Wilton.
Ki8iiig:^un Lodge, Ho. 39, of Xosliua.
Souhegau Lodge, Xo. G7, of Mason.
Alteuioiit Lodge, No. 2G, of Poterborougli.
Milfurd Cornet Baud.
JJeuovotcDt Lodge, No. 7, of Milfoi-d.
OIlicer« of the Grand Lodge.
Town Committee.
Citizens.
The inoiissioii iiuuibered abuut tluof hiiiulred, and
made a fine appearance. After making a short march
through several ol' the i)rincipal streets, tlie procession
brought up at the site of the new town-house.
The stone selected for the corner was ready for lay-
ing at the southeast angle of the foundation on the
arrival of the procession. It was suspended by a
temporary derrick, and measured three feet in length,
one and a half in depth and a foot in width. The
following articles were placed in the stone, which
was then hermetically sealed :
A manuscript containing a brief history of the ac-
tion of the town relating to the building of the town-
house, giving the votes and dates of meetings of the
town relative thereto; the appropriations of the town
for the year 1869, for town charges, for highways, for
the Free Library and librarian, and the date of the
vote of the town establishing the library and the
number of volumes at that time; also a list of
the clergymen, lawyers, physicians, machinists, man-
ufacturers, banks, the organizations of the schools
in the town, with tiie teachers; the railroad and
telegraphic communications, the estimated popula-
tion of the town, a set of United States coins
of the date 1869, directly from the Mint, and which
had never been in circulation, presented by Edwin
L. Howard, of the Mount Lebanon Lodge, Boston,
Mass., consisting of the dollar, half-dollar, ijuarler-
dollar, dime, half-dime (both silver and nickel), the
three-cent piece (both silver and nickel), and the
two and one-cent pieces; a half-dozen stereoscopic
views, contributed by Edward Lovejoy, Esq., cm-
bracing a view of the hotel, the veterans, the old
town-house, the middle falls and bridge, the oval and
group, and the new town-house and lot, with the old
town-house in the distance; a catalogue of the Mil-
ford Free Library, a hand-bill of the celebration of
the day, a hand-bill of the Hutchinsons' celebration
concert, a school report of 1869, a report of the re-
ceipts and expenditures of the town for 1868-69, j
a report of the county commissioners for 1868-69,
a copy of the by-laws and members of Benevolent
Lodge, No. 7, Milford, N. H., for the current
year, a copy of the Farmers' Cabinet, dated Feb-
ruary 19, 1825, a copy of the same dated July 1,
1869, a copy of the Manchester Mirror dtited .July
3, 1869, a copy of the Xashua Daily Telegraph
dated June 28, 18ti9, a copy of the Netc Hampshire
Telegraph dated July 3, 1869, a copy of the Daily
Patriot dated June 30, 1869, a copy of the Noihiia
Gazette and lldlxbomugh County Advertiner dated July
1, 1869, a copy of the Union Democrat, Manchester,
dated June 29, 1869, a copy of the Boston Daily Post
dated June 30, 1869, a copy of the Boston Daily Even-
ing Journal dated July 1, 1869 ; Morse & Kaley's
card of prices of knitting cottons, manufactured in
Milford.
The ceremonies were opened by proclamation of
Acting Grand Ma.ster of the Grand Lodge, William
Barrett, Esq., who had been deputized by M. W.
Grand Master Winn to perform the service, that the
Grand Lodge had been invited by the civil authorities
of Milford to lay the corner-stone of their new town
hall. A fervent and impressive prayer was offered
by Rev. E. R. Wilkins, of Xashua, acting Grand
Chaplain of the Grand Lodge, and a hymn, "Great
Architect of Earth and Heaven," was sung by the
Hutchinson family. The .stone was then laid with
the usual rites and ceremonies of the Masonic order.
The inscription on the plate was read by the acting
Grand Secretary, E. P. Emerson, as follows :
"This corner.stone was laid with 3Iasonic ceremonies, Satunlay, Jul.v
3rd, \.D. 180'J, .\.L. .18C!I, under tlji> direction of the Jl. W. Grand Lodge
of New Haniijshire, R. W. William Bairett acting as Grand Master ;
Charles H. Burns, Esq., of Wilton, Orator.
'* OrganiztUion o/ Grand L-idife. — Alexander M. Wiun, of Farniington,
M. \V, Grand Master; John R. Ilolbrook, Portsmouth, li. W. 1). Grand
Master ; N. \V. Cumner, Manchester, R. W. Sen. Grand Warden ; Wil-
liam Barrett, Nashua, R. W. Jun. Grand Warden ; .lohn Kuowlton,
Portsmouth, K. W, Grand Treasurer; Horace Chase, Ilopkinton, B. W.
Graud Secretary.
" Ulysses S. Grant, President f. S. ; .Schuyler Colfax, Vice-President;
Salmon P. Chase, Chief Justice; Onslow Stearns, Governor N. H. ; John
D. Lyman, See. State ; Peter Sanl>oru, State Treasurer ; Ira Perley. Chief
Justice ; Aaron H. Cragin, .lames W. Patterson, Senators ; Jacob Ela,
Aaron F. Stevens, Jacob IJentun, Representatives.
" Toiwi Ojjicert, ISfi'.l.— William R. Wallace, John Marvell, George F.
Bartlett, Selectmen ; James M. Blanchanl, Town Clerk ; William R.
Wallace, Treasurer; Clinton S. AveriU, School Coiinuittee ; William
Ramsdell, W. H. Towne, C. S. Averill, Trustees of Free Library ; Samuel
G. Dearborn, Baiubridge Wadleigh, Uepresenlatives ; John W. (^'rosby,
Postmaster ; William Ramsdell, C. S. .\verill, Rol>ert R. How-ison,
Building Connnittee ; Gridley J. F. Bryant. Louis P. Rogers, Boston,
architects ; .Vlbert Currier, Newburyi.'orr, Mass., Contracti'r ; James-fT.
Tucker, Boston, Superintendent.
*'.\mount of Inventory for 18G9, $1,185,000 ; antount depu«ited in Sav-
ings' Banks, S2CO,000 ; amount invested in Rjiitroa<l Stocks, $100,000 ;
TotjU Valuation, Sl,48j,000 ; Elite of Ta.\ation, SI .43 iwr hundred."
After the stone was lowered the Hutchinsons sang
an ode, "Placed in Form the Corner-Stone," and
M. ■V\^ G. M. Barrett delivered a brief address to the
people on the character and objects of Masonry.
The procession wits then rel'ormed and msirched to
the oval, where the writer of this article, C'harles H.
Burns, of Wilton, a native of Milford, delivered an
address to fifteen hundred people. The Hutchinson
family also sang from the graud stand several stirring
and beautiful songs. At the close of the open-air ex-
ercises, at four o'clock, a fine collation was served in
the old town hall, which was neatly trimmed with
flags and Hfiwers for the occasion. Speeches were
nnide, and the post-prandial exercises closed by the
entire company joining the Hutchinsons in singing
" Auld Lang Syne."
MILFOllD.
569
Thus the good work of building the new town-house
was be^uu. It was conijileted April 27, 1870, when
till' (••liliif was solimnly cciiisi'cr:i:iil l)y tin-
Dedication of the New Town Hall.— The ih»y was
ln'aiitll'ul, and one of the most signitieaut in the re-
cent history of the town. Many of the sous and
tlaughters of Milford who lived away came home to
join in the celebration. They were welcomed with
warm and generous hospitality. The greetings over,
tlieir eyes turneil from friends and the old town-house
to the new. They beheld an edifice striking in a|>-
pearance, commanding in stature, ample in all its
parts, made of brick, one hundred by sixty feet.
The basement, which is constructed of rough granite,
with hammered lines, is nine feet in height, and is
I Itnr of the ground on the west and south. The first
-tory is fourteen feet in the clear, and contains three
stores, post-office and selectmen's room ; the stores,
fifty feet deep and from twenty-oue to twenty-seven
•eet wide. The building fronts to the west, and the
iitrauce is reached by a massive flight of granite
^lejis. At the head of the first staircase, and facing
the entrance, is an elaborate and beautifully-carved
Idack walnut case, about five feet in height and eight
feet long, inclosing five marble tablets, and on the
middle one is inscribed the following:
" Tlie
Town uf MilfcrJ
liutt caused
to t;e iii(«cril>t'il upon
ttifs*' tablets
the nuincfl of thoso
who fell
repn'selltllic Ikt
in Ji'fciiN? of the Union
In the wnr of
tlo' ntnllion of 18C1-ISC6 ;
.liili.utid April 27,
1S7»."
On the other tablets are inscribed the names of the
firty-three of .Milford's |tatriot.s who, in the great Civil
War, heroically fell. " It is a beautiful and elo(iuent
memorial," conspicuously erected, and will freijuently
remind liie gooil people of the town of the enormous
sacrifice that was made to i)reserve the nation's in-
tegrity. The plan of a monumental slab in the vesti-
l)ule originated in a resolution ofU^red by the late Dr.
S..S. Stickncy. The hall issyiiiiiietriealandbeautiful. It
is fifty-seven feet wide, si.xty-five feet longand twenty-
four feet high. Over the entrance, an<l exiending
across the west side, is a spacious gallery, capable of
seating three hunilred persons. The main ball, which
is lighted by fourteen large windows, has a seating
capacity of eight hunilred. The |)latform is on the
east side. On the right and left of this is a small
gallery for the use of a band or choir. The hall is
Irescoeil iind painted. There is a high wainscoting of
chestnut, with black walnut panels and moldings. It
lias a central chandelier, with four minor ones. The
Moor is (leorgia pine. It has settees. The acoustic
I qualities of the hall are not good. It may be possible
to remedy this. It is well ventilated.
On the right of the entrance to the hall is a dress-
ing-room, and on the left one for ladies. They are
large, tastefully furnished and provided with all the
modern improvements.
•' Ascending to the up])er or attic story, we have from
: the large dormer-window a commanding view of a
charming landscape. In the foreground is the village
of Milford, with the winding Souhegan stretching to
the west. In the dim horizon rises Mount Monad-
nock, and the Peterborough, (>reenfield and Temple
hills lift their handsome heads boldly against the sky.
I The view abounds in beauty, and will be looked
on with delight by the thousands who shall hereafter
ascend to the great dormer-window of the Milford town-
house. The exterior view of the edifice is striking
and altogether pleasant. The style of architecture is
not distinct, but .seems to be a combination of the
! early Tudor English. A graceful tower surmounts the
southwest angle, in which the old bell is placed, too
closely hooded to give a clear and certain sound, and
above is a clock, with dial on each side. Dwarf
towers surmount the other angles, and from the front
^ roof a large dormer-window projects, giving a first im-
I pression that the town has succeeded in turning an
honest penny by building a tempting eyrie for some
enterprising photographist. The entire building is
heated by steam and lighted by gas."
Such was the new town-house. It still stands in
all its original beauty and firmness, a memorial indi-
cating the character of a stalwart and enterprising
people.
Dkdic.vtion. — The ceremonies of dedication were
inii)ressive and eloquent. The spacious building was
packed to the brim with interested people. William
Kamsdell, a man of mark and one of the foremost
I citizens of Milford, in behalf of the building com-
mittee, delivered the keys to the chairman of the
Hoard of Selectmen, the late William K. Wallace, in
brief and fitting words, to which Mr. Wallace made
a brief and fitting reply, (leorge ,\. Ramsdell, Esq.,
a native of Milford, then delivered an eloquent and
pidished address, which was listened to by the vast
audience with marked plciisure. It was published
in the local paper and deserves a permanent place
in the records of the town.
Captain .lolin JI. Stiinyan read a poem full of local
hits and spicy tidbits. .Addresses followed by Thomas
L. Livermore, Charles II. Burns, F. D. Ayer, J. L.
I Spring and D. A. Adams. A dedication ode was
i finely rendered which was written by J. W. Pills-
bury.
During the exercises the venerable Dr. Moore
entered the hall, ami amidst the most earnest ap-
plause he was escorted upon the platform. He ac-
' knowledged the grand reception by the waving of
his hat. It was most fitting for the good old parson,
Milford's first and most honored minister, to pro-
570
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
nounce the solemn benediction, which he did, with
the great audience reverently standing, in the follow-
ing words :
'* My friends, may the Lord bless you ami cause liis face to shine upon
you, and wlieu you are removed from earth nuiy you he introduced into
the hall above, where you may be blessed forevernioi-e."
The audience adjourned to the old town liall, wliere
dinner was served. Hon. Albert E. Pillsbury, a
native of Milford, acted as toast-master. Eloquent
speeches were made by T. Kaley, Dana W. King,
Israel Hunt, .J. 15. Moulton, Clinton S. Averill and
Miss Adeline Crosby.
Mr. Kaley closed his remarks on the occasion with
these eloquent words in reference to the new edifice:
"We wish that tlie last object of the sight of liim who leaves this
plea-ant and thriving vilhige, and the fii-st to gladden him who revisits
it, may be sometliing that will remind him of the industry, enterprise
and public spirit of 31ilford. Let it stand, then, to meet the sun in its
coutiug ; let the earliest light of the morning gild it and parting day
linger and play ou its summit."
Among the eloquent toasts was the following,
which was responded to by a dirge I'rom the baud
while the entire company stood in thoughtful silence :
"To the memory of our heroic baud, martyi-s in a cause in which to
fight was honor, to fall imperishable glory. May they live in the hearts
of the p<:!ople when the marble which we this day cODsecrate to their
memory has crumbled into forgotten dust."
The festivities of the notable occasion were con-
cluded by a grand ball, held in the new town hall in
the evening, whidi was largely attended by the beauty
and chivalry of Milford and it.s neighboring towns
and cities. The best of music was furnished by
Hall's Band, of Boston. The spacious gallery was
crowded by spectators and the balcony galleries by
invited guests. The scene was one of unusual gayety
and brilliaiicv.
CHAPTER VII.
M II.FORD— C Contini<erf).
Miscellaneous Facts — Hutchinson Family — .\nti-Slavory Work — Cobbler
and Barber^Shops.
Till", first saw-mill and first grain-mill in Jlilford
\vere built on the north side of the river, where Gil-
son's mill now stands.
The first store — worthy of the name — was kept by
Mr. J. Shepard in the liuilding on the south side of
the common now ov.ned by R. M. Wallace. .\t that
time James Wallace kept tavern in the "old Wallace
house" and afterward kept a store where Mr. Shep-
ard did. At the same time Captain Thomas Means
kept a store in the building which is now owned by
Gilbert Wadleigh, having been remodeled and made
over anew, and Colonel Joshua Burnham had a
store in the ell of the large house he built on the
Lyndeborough road, known as the Jesse Hutchinson
house. Colonel Burnham, with the assistance of a
few others, built a bridge across the river south of
his house, to accommodate his customers on the
south side of the river. A great attraction to this
store was the sign with these words: "Rum Sold
Here."
The only wheelwright in town eighty years ago was
Jeremiah Fairfield. His shop stood south of E. C.
Batchelder's store. It is supposed the first blacksmith
in Milford was Jonathan Buxton, father of the late
Jonathan Buxton, inn-keeper. He wrought in a
shop which stood where the stone shop now stands.
The fii-st male child born in Milford was Jacoli
Richardson, late of Boston. He was born in the
Lewis house, now occupied by E. P. Hutchinson.
The first house to have blinds was the house where
the late Abel Cha.se lived.
Among the queer incident': of the town the follow-
ing may be mentioned : Caleb Jones, an eccentric
man, lived near whore Jacob Howard formerly lived.
He planted and cultivated a cherry-tree expressly
for the purpose of furnishing boards for his own cof-
fin. After it had grown to a sufficient size he cut the
tree and had it sawed into boards. After he died
the coffin in which he was buried was made of the
same boards.
A Fish-Story. — It is stated upon undoubted au-
thority that a Mrs. Hopkins, who lived a great many
years ago upon the south side of the Souhegan.
while wading the river one day, caught between her
feet a salmon. This foolhardy fish impudently sup-
posed he could safely run that gauntlet, but he got
caught, and upon being lauded by the brave woman,
the victim was found to weigh sixteen pounds, and
was the best specimen of a leg-locked salmon ever .
broughl Mshore.
The Hutchinson Family of Singers. — Colonel
Burnham, it appears, was a man of considerable
consequence. The sign on his store, "Rum Sold
Here," was a sign of the times in which he lived.
Rum was then sold everywhere. But times have^
changed. In the old Colonel Burnham house, after
the old colonel had been gathered, with all his
customers for whom he built that bridge, to the
bosom of the common mother, there was born
and reared a family of children, some of whom be-
came famous, and by the singing of sweet temperance
.songs contributed immensely towards bringing about
this change.
The Hutchinson family deserve more than a
mere allusion in any history of Milford, not because
it is numerous or unusually brilliant, but because of
the marvelous and exquisite musical gifts possessed
by many of them. The most notewortliy of the tribe
were Judson, .lohn, Asa and Abby. Je8.se and
Joshua also deserve mention. The first four named,
under the guidance of Jesse, who wsis a man of ge-
niu-*, won great fame as the sweetest singers of their
time. The harmony of this band of brothers and
sisters was never surpassed by mortal throats. The
MILFORD.
571
whole family could sing. They inherited their tal-
ents in this behalf from their parents, the mother
and father both being beautiful singers.
When the family livcil at home, on the old home-
stead, it was a treat to hapjjen niuud and hear the
songs. The Sunday evening prayer-meetings, held
in the old district school-house, were marvels in the
way of singing. People came from afar, not to hear
the prayers, but hoping to hear the Hutehinsons sing
the good, old-fashii>neil psalm tunes. They were not
■ iften disappointed.
Sometimes they were all there, — father, mother, all
the boys, and Khoda and Abby. In the summer
evenings the windows would be up, and a crowd, not
aide to get in, would stand nutside and listen
I iitrauced as the family sang the immortal old tunes.
There never was such harmony as they made. It
moved to tears. It reached into the solemn depths
'f the soul. It was God-given and heaven-inspired.
The Hutehinsons employed their wonderful gifts in
the anti-slavery cause and in the cause of temperance.
Nathaniel P. Rogers, one cif the greatest and noblest
i»f the immortal anti-slavery advocates, in 1844 wrote
of the Hutehinsons, —
"Hod be ttiiinked, the HutchiniM>ii8 arc in tbe nntt-slarery iiiovenient
■ Ihcir wikeB aa well as oun* I Their iiiiisic would niin them, but for the
I'tKjfteniuK ititUiences of uui- glorious enterprise. It will now iiiiipire all
their genius and give it full play, and will guard thent fruui tlie.<«eduotions
"f thetlattering world, which, but for iti* protei-tion, would uiako thcin
:i prey. I n<'le them not to pniisc them ; I am above that, a^ they are.
I ilo it in exultation for the cause, and for their adnuuiitiou. Though
while' they are AbtdltioniHtH, they do not need it; anti-Hlavery is a safe
r*-gulator of the strongest genius. I here take occasion to sjiy, in defi-
ijro of all rule, that Jesse Ilutcliinson, Jr., is the most gifted song.
liter of the times, so far luj I know. None of our most approved
• ■try Climes up to his, written in the hurry of the anti-slavery debate _
I-, perhajiti owing to thL-t and the fact he writes to sing rather than to
^ .id — writes under the iiitlueiice of song^that the music jirecedes the
I>i'i-try in his mind ; that the words come at the call of the music, and are
Intfted into its service, or rather volunteer at its summons; that his
[ "-try sings somtich better than Pierjiont^s, or Burleigh's, or Lowell's,
i Whittier's, or any of the bards. Hums wrote his immortal songs to
match tlio tunes sent hint by fieorge Thompson. He couldn't sing like
Jesse IIulchin.son. I don't know ns he could at all. .His soul could if
his voice couldn't, and under its luHpiration he iHiured forth his lays in
songster verse. What songs he woulil have left us if he could have writ-
t'-i) under such a sjiell of music as poawsses the Hutehinsons! Jesse's
iigs rendnd me of him. 'The Slave Mother' is lianlly surp^issed in
iiiiplicity and iiathos by anything of Iturns'. I only mention it to call
the attentlun of the people to what is going on in the anti-slavery field."
Milford was once the hot-bed nf .Abnlitifinism. It
coritaiiied a splendid set of men and wimien, who
early esiiouscd the cause of the slave. .\m(ing these
were the Hutehinsons, kntiwii, as before stated, the
world over by the singing of stirring Abolition and
ti'inpcrance songs. Leonard Clniso, Charles A. IJurns,
.liilin Mills, Eugene and Benjamin Hiitchin.son, Eze-
kiel Mills, ,T. W. Pillsbury anil their wives, as
well 11.S others ; Some of these — namely, Charles A.
I'.iiriis and Kli/abeth H. Hums, Henjiimiii and f.li/.a
Hutchinson, and perhaps others — were e.xeommuni-
cated from the Baptist Church in Milford because
they believed in the abolition of slavery. What a rec-
ord this for a church I It were enough to make it
37
hang its guilty head in absolute confusion and shame
as it contemplates its shallow ;ind hypocritical action.
It e.xcommuuicated noble men and women because
they dared to believe in the universal brotherhood of
men. Exhibiting the narrow dis])osition of a tyrant,
it undertook to stifle free speech and free thought
whenever it asserted itself in the cause of humanity.
But the cause of the slave was trium|)hant in sjiite of
the opposition of dishonest pro-slavery churches.
Miiiiy of those noble men and women lived to see
the chains fall from the limbs of slaves, and with
pride and satisfaction they have seen the result of
their jjatriotic and devoted efforts.
The anti-slavery people of Milford held many meet-
ings for conference and discussion. They were often
addressed and encouraged by the great anti-slavery
agitators of the land, — Garrison, Phillips, Rogers,
Foster, Pillsbury, Douglass, Abby Kelly, Remond
and others, — and their splendid eloquence, supple-
mented sweetly and grandly by the emancipation
songs of the Hutehinsons, created a public sentiment
in this thoughtful town which was irresistible, and
; spreafl far and wide, ami became a powerful factor
in bringing about the redemption and disenthralment
of the slave, which constitutes the crowning glory of
this nation.
The children and descendants of those devoted men
and women can now, and for all time will, revert with
pride to the anti-slavery work done by those good
people of Milford.
In due time the church, by slow degrees, with its
customary caution (not to say cowardice), came up to
the high and heaven-approved ground occupied by
the people it had ))efore spurned, and has made many
amends since for its manifold sins in this behalf in
the piust.
" .Mi's well that ends well."'
The Cobbler and Barber. — Their respective shops
stood near each other, on the south bank of the river,
south of the stone (Sliepard's) bridge and west of the
road. JIaJor .Stimson was the colibler and .lohii
Adams the barber. The major stopped humming his
tunes many years since ; but John, the barber, al-
though he long ago ceased to lather, cut and shave,
still lives, a very old man. The major was a good
old soul, and so, in fact, was .I<din. Between the two
they kept both enils of the men and boys of Milford
looking fairly well.
The major was fat and jolly, full ofsmill'aiid stories,
while the barber wius lean, solemn anil absent-minded.
It would be difficult to name a single particular in
which they were tilike, e.\ceiit that they were both
hfiuest.
The shop of the major I What a place it was I — a
little, old, dingy room in a little, old, one-story build-
ing, full of old dust and old boots, pegs and lasts, —
which lasted as long as the major lasted, — and old
scraps of leather. It had an olil stove, a cobbler's bench
or two, an old leather apron with which the major
574
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
into the Whig party, worked witli that party till it
was bereft of lil'e, found himself a Kree-Soil sympa-
thizer, and from that evolved a Rei)ublican.
Mr. Livermore was a member of the First Congre-
gational Church for nearly twenty-five years, tlien a
member of the First Unitarian Society. He married
Miss Abigail Adkins .larvis, of Cambridge, Mass. Si.x
children lived to mature age. A son and a daughter
settled in Baltimore, Md.; another son in Galena, 111.;
the youngest son finally in Cambridge, Mass., on the
maternal grandfather's homestead. Two grandsons
have been in the navy for years; one grandson,
Thomas L. Livermore, rose from the ranks to a colo-
nelcy in the war of secession, and, until he recently
resigned, was at the head of the largest manufactory
in the country.
Through his long life Mr. Livermore felt a keen
interest in the colleges and schools of the country, in
the young and their progress towards right living and
good citizenship. He was a judicious friend, a wise
counselor and a good citizen. He died in July, 1859,
in the eighty-first year of his life.
Gilbert Wadleigh settled in Milford about the same
time as Bainbridge Wadleigh and Colonel Lull. He
was born in Sutton, N. H. ; fitted for college at New
London; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1847;
taught school till 1850, and in that year was admitted
to the Merrimack County bar, N. H. Soon after he
went to Milford, where he began the practice of law.
He was cashier of Souhegan Bank from 1859 to 18(!4,
and treasurer of Millbrd Five-Cent Savings Institu-
tion from 1871 to 1875. He still resides in Millbrd
and still practices his profession in a moderate way.
Mr. Wadleigh is a highly esteemed citizen and a very
worthy man.
John .1. Bell, of E.xeter, was born at Exeter, N. H.,
October 80, 1827 ; educated in the common schools
and academies in Concord and JIanchester ; studied
law with Hon. Samuel D. Bell. Hon. William C.
Clarke, and at Dana LawSchool of Harvard University
and graduated in 1846, receiving the degree of LL.B.
He was admitted to practice April 7, 1848, in Hills-
borough County. He commenced i)ractice in Nashua,
in 1848, moved to Milford early in 1849, remained
there until July, 1850, and then went to Concord,
Me., where he remained until June, 1864, when he
removed to Exeter, N. H., where he still is living.
In 1864 Dartmouth gave him the honorary degree
of A.M. Mr. Bell was a member of the Constitu-
tional Convention in 1876. He was judge of the
Police Court of Exeter from the time of its establish-
ment, in March, 1877, to March, 188:5. He represented
Exeter in the House of Representatives in 1883 and
is one of its representatives now.
Mr. Bell is in all respects a first-class man, com-
manding attention and influence in whatever he en-
gages. He comes from as good stock as the State
contains, and it is enough to say that he is a worthy
representative of a sjjleudid race of men.
Lawrence Dudley Bailey was born at Sutton, N. H.,
August 26, 1819; followed farming on liis father's
farm till he was seventeen years old ; was educated
in the schools and academies of New IIami)shire and
Vermont; studied law in the office of \V. Tappan,
and his son, JI. W. Tappan ; admitted to the bar at
Newport, N. H., July 9, 1846, Hon. Joel Parker pre-
siding. He began practice at East Washington, N. H.,
and removed to Milford, N. H., in March, 1847, and
entered into law partnership with S. K. Livermore
and remained there till 1849, selling out his library
to Hon. B. Wadleigh. He then went to California.
Returning November 1, 185.S, he entered into partner-
ship witli M. W. Tappan, and continued at Bradford
till March 23, 1857, then went to Kansas and opened a
law-office near Emporia ; was elected to the Legislature
in 1858 and to the Territorial Legislature in 1859. He
was elected one of the judges of the Supreme Court
under the new I-'ree State Constitution, and re-elected
in 1862 for six years ; was president of Kansas Ag-
ricultural Society in 1863 and re-elected four years in
succession. In 1869 he was a member of the Legisla-
ture for Douglas County, and in 1873 was nominated
for State Senator, but declined to take it. He assisted
in forming the Historical Society of that State in
1868 and '69. He for a while edited and published
a paper called The Cultivator and Herdsman. He is
now living on his farm of four hundred and thirty-
five acres in that State. Judge Bailey has written a
great deal for the press and for New Hampshire pa-
pers, iis well ;is others. He was a contributor to the
Souhegan Standard, published in Milford in 1S4S.
One of the early settlers in Kansits, he helped dedi-
cate the State to freedom, and the above record shows
a life of great activity. Original, with a nervous
force and high purpose, he has pushed his way on
from an obscure New Hampshire town into the heart
of the great West, and his work has told in the up-
building of a powerful State. It is a loss to New
Hampshire to give up such men as Judge Bailey, but^ ,
it is a magnificent gain to some other state and to the
nation.
The next man who settled in Jlil ford as a lawyer
Wiis 15ainbri(lge Wadleigh. Mr. Wadleigh wjis born
at Bradford, N. H., on the 4th of January, 1831. He
read law with Hon. M. W. Tappan at Bradford. He
was admitted to the New Hampshire bar at Newport,
February, 1850, and immediately began practice at
Milford, where he continued to work, doing a large
law business, until he wiis elected to the United States
Senate, in 1872.
Mr. Wadleigh represented Millbrd in the Legisla-
ture in 1855 and '56, in 1859 and '60, and in 1869, '70,
'71 and '72.
At the close of his term in the United States Sen-
ate he began the practice of his |)rofession in Boston,
where he still continues doing a large and lucrative
law business.
Mr. Wadleigh is a man of talent and integrity.
tJ^V^.s'^^^ i5,:^«s^S<:'is^2<l^
MILFORD.
575
He is a strong, able, fine lawyer, a forcible and at-
tractive si)eaker, with exceedingly agreeable manners
and noticeable physiiiue. Energetic and persistent,
with an active mind and retentive memory, he makes
a powerful opponent in any cause he espouses. He
took liigh rank in tlie Senate, as he does in the law.
His career is by no means closed, as he is in tlio full
vigor and strength of manhood.
Mr. WaiUeigh still retains his residence in Mil-
ford and takes great delight in the town and its
people.
Another prominent lawyer of Milford was Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Oliver W. Lull. He was born in
Weare, N. H., January 14, 1826. His parents were
of the highest respectability. They were not able,
however, to give Oliver a liberal education, which,
quite likely, was fortunate for him. He attended
the public schools at AVeare and at Manchester,
N. H., to which iilace he removed in 1844. He
taught school for a while in Framingham, Mass., and
in Milford, N. H. He commenced the study of the
law at Framingham, and afterwards completed the
course in tiie law-ottice of the Hon. David Cross, of
Manchester. He was admitted to the l)ar of Hills-
borough County in May, 18.J1, and then established
himself in practice at Milford. He pursued his pro-
fession with great zeal and marked success until the
commencement of the Civil War, in 1861. As a law-
yer, considering his age and experience, he had few,
if any, superiors. He infused into his i)ractice tlie
same enlivening energy and strong determination as
that which had marked his previous career. Al-
though an unflinching and tireless opponent, he was
the most considerate and faithful of counselors.
He commanded a large share of the business in his
vicinity, and his i>ractice was successful to an eminent
ilegrce. He was a good citizen, kind and faithful
liusband, an indulgent parent, a true friend. He
possessed the highest social (lualities, and no one en-
joyeil life better than he, and no one was better cal-
culated to make those happy about him.
When tlic war broke ui)on us, the cause of our
country found in lyieutenantOiloncl Lull an able and
erticient supijorter. Anumg tlie first to oiler his ser-
vices to his native State, his influence was felt far
and near in raising recruits, and all, whether friendly
or inilill'ercnt toward him, were constrained to ac-
knowledge tlie manly and noble course that he pur-
-ued and the valualde and timely services that he
rendered.
He was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the
Eighth New Hampshire Volunteers, and went with
his ri'gimeiit in Oeneral lUitler's expedition to New
Orleans. licfore his departure he received many tcsti-
moniiils from his fellow-citizens of their regard and es-
teem, not the least of which was a beautiful horse pre-
sented to iiiiii by the citizens of Nasliua and vicinity.
Many will remember his stirring and patriotic letter
in wliii h he handsomely acknowledged the gift, and
the hope that he breathed, that the rider might
prove himself worthy of the blood and mettle of his
noble steed. Most truly was the prayer answered.
Colonel Lull was every inch a man. His devotion
to the land of his birth knew no bounds. He Wiis
accustomed to say, in his impassioned appeals to
young men to come forward and fill up the ranks of
his regiment, that he would not ask them to follow
where he was not willing to lead. How true was
this '. When he received the w'ound that caused
his death he was bravely leading his regiment
to attack the works of the enemy. Throwing into
the contest more than his accustomed energy, and dis-
playing a bravery that cannot be described, raising
his sword above his brow, he cried to his trusty fol-
lowers to press on to victory. Hut in the midst ot
the wild e.xcitcment of the hour he fell from a rifle-
ball, which entered his thigh and ranged into the ab-
domen. He was shot about ten o'clock in the fore-
noon and died about two the same day. When in-
formed by the surgeon that he must die, he said,
" Thank God, I die for my country ! " Thus was added
another name to the long roll of heroic Americans
who, by their valor, have proved their lives more
than sublime, — men who were as true to the cause of
their country as the "steel to the star or the stream
to the sea."
Colonel Lull for some time was provost-judge at
Tliibodeau.x, wliere he discharged the duties pertain-
ing to the position with great |iroticiency. He was
afterwards a|)pointed upon (icncral Weitzcl's statt
and received the highest encomiums from that oflicer,
also from Generals Butler, Phelps and Emory. He
always proved himself fully competent to fill any
l>ositioii to which he was assigned.
Colonel Lull was a Democrat in politics. He was
a patriot. He was a man of brains and power. He
had commanding talents. His natural place in any
company was at the front. He was a star. He was
commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the Eighth New
Hampshire Kcgimcnt of Volunteers October 1, 1861,
and at once aided in recruiting the ranks and went
with them to tlie field and remained with tliem till
he died.
" Al tlio tinu' of the torriblo itsanult upon the fortilliatiiins of Port
HiuUuit, un the '^7tli of Miiy, 18*i:t, Lieuloimnt-Culoiiol LuU wtw teiii-
ponircly wrvmi; on tlu^ stuff of (iuniTiil Kinoi-y ; but Colonel Fi'iiringboing
ill till! dmrRf ofii brlgiulo, lio voluiitiirlly ri'lurnoii and look coinnmnil
of liisown iiion. TIio Kigblh lU'glinont wtu< niuon^ tho forces at tlio
hciiil of the colunin when the udvnnce wim onlereJ, and with uiiequalod
heroiHin, Ihcbmve niull chul-ged direclly U|K:n the Ilobel forrcB. Tho
ronfllc-t »a« dculienite, but at length the "lieliiy begun to retreat with
heavy llHW. Lieutenant-Colonel T.uli wad eonntalitly at the head of hla
coinnmnd, and the fourth Rebel line had just lieeii piuwid wlic'ii, in Iho
net of cheering hln men, he I'idl, pierceil willi a Itebel rllle-ball. The
woiinil, though very severe, wan not liistaillly fatal. lie wan ininiiHllnlely
curried to tho rear, whore, after a few lioiim of Intense sulTering, ho ex-
pired. Ill" Iwily wiui curried to New Orleans, jilaeed In a receiving tonili
iind there reniulneil until tho following antuiun, when it was brought
homo to Milforil for loirial. His funeral services wen- held Novonilwr
17th, In the church where the deceiwoil had lieen nccustonieil to worship,
the liullding being tilled to tho utmost ciipiu'ity with sorrowing kindred
and friends. A di»tttchnionl of the (;overnor's Horse Giianls was preM-nt
576
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
and perfonned military honors. Hon. David Cross, of Mnncbestcr, made
nu address, and relaled manj- incidents in the life of the deceased. The
remains were deposited in the village ccmeterj', and his grave will long
iM reuienihered and honored as that of a man who nobly sacrificed his
lifa for his country."
The above paragraph is from Waite's work on
"New Hampshire in the Great Rebellion," and is
quoted as giving an excellent epitome of the critical
moments in the life of our distinguished friend. If
he had chosen to have done at this supreme hour
what he most properly might, and remained with
General Emory, the result would have been very
different ; but he deliberately exchanged a post of
conijiarative safety for one of extreme danger. The
spirit which impelled this heroic act is seen in the
memorable and patriotic words of our hero written in
his diary on the morning preceding his death, before
the battle opened, —
'* In one hour we commence the storming of Port Hudson. JIany of
us will not see another day. If I should be one of that number, I shall
have done my duty."
He was one who did not see another day, but his
deeds of heroism are seen. His unselfish patriotism
is brought to the light of the endless day, and the
crown of immortal approbation is his. Verily, —
"'Tis sweet and decorous to die for one's country."
John L. Spring practiced law in Milford from 1860
to 1870. He was born at Newport, N. H., January
14, 1830, educated in the common schools, studied
law at Dover and Salmon Falls, admitted to the bar
in 1860, began practice at Wilton, remaining there
about one year, then removed to Milford. In 1870
he located at Lebanon, N. H., where he still lives.
In 1876 he was a member of the Constitutional Con-
vention. Mr. Spring is a very enterprising man, and
has been successful.
Dr. Albert H. Crosby, now of Concord, first struck
out as a lawyer, and located for a time in Milford ;
but he soon drifted into his |)ropcr place, and is now
a distinguished physician, thus keeping up the pres-
tige of his family. A Mr. Trombly also located here
for a few months, but where he is now does not ap-
pear.
Milford has given its share of young men to the
so-called learned professions. Among them may be
mentioned the following gentlemen, who are lawyers :
Clinton S. Averill, George A. Ranisdell, David and
Charles Secombe, Fred. Hatch, Jonas Hutchinson,
Albert E. Pillsbury, Alvaro Hutchinson, Edward
Brown, Jeremiah Doyle and the writer.
A brief sketch of Mr. Averill is given elsewhere
in this volume. He is a polished gentleman and one
of the first citizens of the town. With fine attain-
ments, had he given his attention to the law exclu-
sively, he could have easily won prominence and
distinction. As treasurer of one of the most success-
ful savings-banks of the State, and as a wise and
careful counsellor, his life is one of great useftilness
to his fellow-men.
George A. Ranisdell is a son of William Ranisdell.
He was born at Milford, March 11, 1834; educated
at Mont Vernon, entered .\mherst College but did not
graduate. In 1871 received honorary degree of M.A.
from Dartmouth, studied law with ex-Senator Wad-
leigh and Hon. Daniel Clark ; admitted to the bar in
1857 ; practiced law at Peterborough, N. H., six years,
until 1864, and was then appointed Clerk of Supreme
Court of Hillsborough County, a positicm which he
now holds. He w'as a member of the Legislature
from his ward in Nashua in 1869-70-71, and member
of the Constitutional Convention in 1876 ; president
of the board of trustees of State Industrial School
j from 1881 to 1883; is now president of the First
National Bank of Nashua.
Mr. Ramsdell is a high-minded, well-equipped,
I conscientious gentleman. He possesses tact, candor,
] ability and integrity. Although his life has been
somewhat uneventful, it has been useful, and he is
well prepared to meet the duties of any position to
I which he may be called. He is one of the brightest and
most substantial men Milford ha.s produced.
Albert E. Pillsbury, born at Milford, August 19,
1849, attended the public schools in Milford, Appleton
Academy, New Ipswich, 1865-66 ; Lawrence Acad-
emy, Groton, Mass., 1866-67 ; entered Harvard Col-
lege in 1867 hut did not complete the course ; taught
school and studied law at t>terling, 111. ; was admitted
to the Illinois bar and to the Massachusetts bar in
1870, and has been in active practice in Boston since.
He was a member of the House of Representatives
from the Seventeenth (Suffolk) District in 1876-77-78,
being the junior member in 1876; was a member of
the Senate from the sixth (Sutllilk) Senatorial District
in 1884-85, and is now president of that body, and
he is said to be the youngest man ever elected to the
chair. A noteworthy fact in Mr. Pillsbury's political
career is seen in his Senatorial canvasses. He was first
nominated for the Senate in 1882 and was defeated
by forty-three votes. In 1883 he was elected by four
hundred and twenty-three votes, and re-elected in
1884 by fourteen hundred votes, being the largest
plurality ever cast in the district.
Mr. Pillsbury is a well-read, bright and accom-
l)lished lawyer, and in every res|)cct a first-class man.
Clear in expression, .sound in judgment, with a fine
voice and graceful physique, he never speaks with-
out carrying great weight and often conviction. Al-
though young, he has achieved popularity and a
deservedly high position among his fellow-men, and
it is safe to predict for him a brilliant future.
Jonas Hutchinson was born at Milford January
10, 1840. He was graduated at Dartmouth College
in the class of '63; admitted to the New Hampshire
Bar, March, 1869, and went immediately to Chicago,
III., where he has ever since remained in the active
and successful practice of the law.
Mr. Hutchinson has exhibited in his profession the
same ind<miitable perseverance that he displayed in
MILFORD.
577
getting an education, and he is in all respects a self-
made uiaii. He takes good rank at the bar. He has
never given any attention to politics. He is a man
of tine personal appearance, genial and agreeable
Miannere and high and honorable ciiaraeter.
The Secombcs are successful men in Minneapolis.
Tlie writer has not been able to obtain suificient data
to justify an extended notice of other legal gentlemen
who have the honor of being natives of the town,
but they are all honorable men. It is too early to
write much concerning some of them, as tliey are
young and have just launclicd their boats for the
rough sail.
Fred. Hatch has started well at Exeter, N. H.
ind his law-office is visited by quite a numerous
lientage; Kdward Brown is battling away at Law-
rence ; wliile Jeremiah Doyle's shingle is hung out at
Nashua.
Alvaro Hutchinson was born at Milford, studied
law and was admitted to the bar and began practice
:i( Milford, but soon left town and located in Wash-
ington Territory, and is now engaged in mining.
Rol)ert M. Wallace was born at Henuiker, May 2,
1847, and Wiis gra<luated at Dartmouth College in
181)7. He studied law in the ofiice of M. W. Tappan,
making the third Milford lawyer who started on his
I 'gal tour in the office of our genial and accomplished
\ttorney-General. He was admitted to the bar in
December, 1S71.
He formed, soon after going to Milford, a copart-
iorsliip in the practice of the law witii e.\-Senator
Wadleigh, and continued in that relation until Mr.
W'adleigh went into practice in Boston, and Mr.
Wallace still continues in active practice at Jlilford.
In 1882 he was elected .solicitor of Hillsborougli
I 'nunty, and re-elected in 1S84. He has been a mem-
i'LT of the House of Representatives twice from
Milford.
Mr. Wallace jmssesses the indisi>ensable qualifica-
tions of a good lawyer. He is square, bright, push-
ing, well informed, and remarkably industrious. His
ouslness is already pros]>crous and liis ]>lace at the
bar assured. He has many elements of popularity
and a great many friends. He is a growing man,
with a promising future.
Carl E. Knight was born in New Hampton, N. H.,
May I), 1851; graduated at Dartmouth in the class of
187:!; taught school for a while at various places;
studied law witli John (i. Murgridge ; was admit-
ted to the bar September 1, 1881, and located as a
lawyer in Milford in December following.
Mr. Knight comes from an excellent family, and is a
worthy young num. .Should he give his whole at-
tention to the practice of the law, he will, without
donlit, lie ;i sureessful man.
Physicians. — .Milford has not only been fortunate
in lawyers, but hIso in physicians. Drs. .lonas Hutch-
inson, S. S. Stickney, Samuel G. Dearborn, H. El-
dridge, O. O. Roberts, and its present physicians,
Drs. W. H. W. Hinds, Dearborn, Dinsmore, Smith and
Hutchinson, make a list of exceedingly reputable gen-
tlemen. The limits of this article will not allow a
detailed account of all.
Dr. Jonas Hutchinson was born at Milford, June 2,
1792, and died September 13, 1857; studied medi-
cine at Dartmouth College ; commenced practice at
Hancock, and continued there till November, 1841,
when he removed to Milford. He represented Han-
cock in the Legislature, 1833-34r-35. He was a
skillful and successful physician.
S. S. Stickney was born in Townsend, Mass., No-
vember 10, 1810, and died in Milford, after liv-
ing there forty years. He graduated at the Carlton
Medical College, in Vermont, in 1836. He practiced
in Dublin, N. H., a few months, then removed to
Milford. His cotemporaries in practice were Drs.
Hutchinson and Eldridge. He was a .strong, sensi-
ble, upright man and a good physician.
Dr. Eldridge's history we have been unable to look
up, but he was for a long time one of Milford's best
doctors. A good, kind, honest, faithful [thysician.
Samuel G. Dearborn, born at Northtield, N. H.,
.Vugust 10, 1827; educated at the district school and
at Sanbornton Academy and New Hampshire Confer-
ence Seminary ; graduated in November, 1849, from
Medical Department of Dartmouth College; practiced
medicine at Union Bridge (now East Tilton), for three
months; in February, 1850, went to Mont Vernon ;
in June, 1853, removed to Jlilford ; married Decem-
ber 5, 1853 ; in 18(51 was commissioned surgeon
Eighth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, served
one year; in summer, 1863, served three months in
the Army of the Potomac ; went to Nashua May,
1873, and has always had a large and lucr.ative prac-
tice. He is the best known and one of the most
skilll'ul physicians and surgeons in Southern New
Hampshire.
Dr. Dearborn belongs to a noted family of physi-
cians, and he is himself a man of eminent ability.
He has jiatrons from all parts of New England.
Henry G. Dearborn, born at Northlield Septeml>er
18, 1835, praeticeil medicine with bis brothers, Samuel
G. Dearborn and Thomas 15. Dearborn, at Milford, for
a while, then went to Na.shua, ami is now in practice
there with his brother.
Thomas Bentfin Dearborn was born at Norlliliebl
Septemlier 25, 1838. He giadualeil at the State
I'nivcrsity of Indiana in 1861. He studied meilicine
with his uncle, Dr. Jonathan Dearborn, of Sterling,
III., and with his brother, Dr. S. G. Dearborn, and he
graduated at the Medical Department of Dartmouth
College, and practiced medicine at Milford, where he
died, .luiie 10, 1879, at the age of forty years. He
was a very accom|disbed surgeiui and a man of large
l)rain and great ability. His funeral was attended by
an enormous concourse of people, and his death
caused widespread sorrow. He left a widow and
four beautiful bovs.
578
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
^\
William H. W. Hinds was born at Chichester,
N. H., August 1, 1833; was educatetl in the Boston
schools, including the English High School, from
which he graduated in 1850 ; studied medicine with
O. S. Saunders, M.D., and Daniel Hall, of Lowell,
and Jonathan Brown, of Tewksbury ; was at the State
Almshouse, Tewksbury, from 18o7 to 18G1 ; graduated
from Harvard Medical College in 1861 ; assistant
surgeon Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteers, and
later surgeon Twelfth Massachusetts Volunteers, and
served in that capacity three years; began practice in
Milford in 1865, where he has remaiued since, doing
a large and successful business. He has represented
Milford in the lower branch of the Legislature, in
1875-76, and is now a member of the Senate from his
district.
Dr. Hinds is a man of large intelligence, very skill-
ful as a physician and an agreeable and accomplished
gentleman.
Darius Stearns Dearborn, another Xortbfield Dear-
born, was born there, attended school at Tilton Semi-
nary and at Lind University, Illinois ; graduated from
University Medical College, New York ; began prac-
tice in Wyanet, 111., afterwards at Brookline, N. H.,
and for six years past at Milford, where he is engaged
wholly in a very large practice. Dr. Dearborn has
had large experience and is a first-class jihysician.
Dr. Dinsmore is a young mau of excellent educa-
tion and very skillful as a physician. He first located
in Amherst, where lie was very successful, but re-
cently moved to Milford, in which place he has be-
come one of the leading and most successful prac-
titioners.
Herbert S. Hutchinson, born in Milford in 1849;
fitted for college at Milford High School, 1869-71;
graduated at Dartmouth College June, 1875 ; studied
medicine at the Medical School of Maine, at
Brunswick, and at Bellevue Hospital Medical Col-
lege ; graduated at the latter, Jlarch, 1880 ; prac-
ticed a short time at New Boston; then removed to
Francestown, where he remained five years, and is now
located at Milford. Dr. Hutchinson possesses all the
requisites of a first-class physician and surgeon. He
is well educated, skillful and energetic.
Among ihe natives of Milford who have become
physicians the following may be named, — all voung
men of great promise : Fred. A. Eldridge, Charles
A. Hatch, (leorge E. Hatch, Charles A. Weaver,
James Sullivan and Herbert S. Hutchinson.
Civil List. — The following are the names of those
who have represented Milford in tlie House of Rep-
resentatives :
1795. — WillUm Peabodj- was elected to repreftnt the lo«n»of Milford
and Raby, (Brookline now.)
179';. — Xo article in Ihe warniot to send.
1797.— Auguatus Blanclmrd was elected to reprewnt the town of Mil-
ford.
1798- — No aiticle in the warniDt to send.
1799.— .\ugu8tnri Blanchanl.
181)11.— William Peab..dy.
18U1-2.— William Crosby.
1803. — Augustus Blalichard.
18<>1. — Voted not to send any one.
1805-12. — C^iptain Josiah Osgood.
1813-19.— William Lovejoy.
1820-24.— William Crosby.
1825. — Stephen Teabody.
1826. — Josiah French.
18i7. — Stephen Peahody.
1828. — Josiah French.
1829-.'il. — Solomon K. I.ivennore.
1832.— Josiah Crosby (3d).
183:i-34.— .lobn Wallace, Jr.
1835-36. — Solomon K. Livermore.
1837. — Abiel Lovgoy.
1838. — Solomon K. Livermore.
1839.— Voted not to (tend any one.
1840. — Rev. Humphrey Sloore.
1S41.— Daniel Putnam.
184.'.- William Ranisdell.
1843.— Daniel Putnam.
1844. — Nineteen ballots and no choice and voted not to send.
1845. — Voted not tu send any one.
1S4G. — Five ballotji, no choice and voted not to send.
1847. — Daniel Putnam and William Bamsdell.
1848. — Daniel Putnam and Daniel Russell.
1840. — Daniel Russell and George Daniels.
1850. — Leonard Chase and ijeorge Daniels.
1851. — Leonard Chase and Jacob Gove.
1S52. — Jacob tJove and Hiram .\. Daniels.
1853. — Hiram .\. Daniels and William Wallace.
1854.— William Wallace and Abel Chase.
18.55. — .\bel Cha.se and Bainbridge Wadleigh.
1856. — Bainbridge Wadleigh and John E. Bruce.
1857. — John E. B. nee and George W. Burns
1858. — George W. Burns and George W. Came.
18.^9. — George W. Came and Bainbridge Wadleigh.
I860.— Bainbridge Wadleigh and George F. liartlett.
1861. — George F. Bartlett and William Lane.
1862.— William Lane and .Martin Hall.
186:!.- Martin Hall and Gilbert Wadleigh.
1864.— Gilbert Wadleigh and Frederick T. Sawyer.
1865. — Frederick T. Sawyer and John 3Iarvell.
1866. — John Marvell and Francis J. French.
1867. — Francis J. French and Matbijis F. Crosby.
1868. — Mathias F. Crosby and Sjtniuel G. Dearborn.
1869. — Samuel G. Dearborn and Bainbridge Wadleigh.
1870. — Bainbridge W'adleigh and Muses French.
1871. — Bainbridge Wadleigh and Moses French.
1872. — Bainbridge Wadleigh and George C. Gilmore.
1873.— Benjamin F. Hutchinson, William B. Towneand Isaiah Hutch-
inson.
1S74. — Benjamin F. Hutchinson, William It. Towne and William M.
Knowlton.
1875, — William M. Knowlton, William II. W. Hinds and Christopher
0. Shaw.
1876. — William II, W. Hinds, Christopher C. Shaw and Timothy
Kaley.
1877.- Isaac P. Abbott, Robert M. Wallace and Timothy Kaley.
1878.— Robert M. Wallace, Isaac P. Abliott and William W. Howard.
1879.- Stephen C. Coburn and M'illiam W. Howard.
Biennial Setsions Adopted,
1880.— David Heald and Stephen C. Coburn.
1882. — Jason T. Burns and David F. Thompson.
1884.- John .McLane andSanuiel B. Cotton.
The following are the names of citizens of Milford
who have been elected and served as members of the
New Hampshire Senate :
James Wallace, in 1814, '15, '16.
John Wallace, Jr., in 1821, '22, '23, '24, '28.
Humphrey Moore, in 1841.
Leonard chase, in 1861, "62.
Timothy Kaley, in 1881, '82.
William n. W. Hinds, in 1885.
MILFOllD.
579
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
CLIXTDX s. AVERILI,.
Among the i'miiilies that for nearly a century and
a half have been connected with the improvement
and progress of Milford, and which deserve especial
mention in this history, is that of Averill. This
family is unduuUtcdly of early French oi Xornian
extraction, domiciled, however, in England since the
time of William the Con(|neror. The branch located
in county of Worcester, England, and from which,
probably, the American Averills derive, was entitled
to bear arms described in heraldry as follows : " Gu.
a cross floury, ermine charged in chief, with a Imck's
head of the field ; crest, a buck's head, caboshed as
in the arms."
The first American Averill was William, whose
descendants are numerous in various parts of this
country. There are many of the name in Topsfield,
Mas.**., from which place Ebenczer Averill came in
1752 to Milford, N. H., then the South Parish of
Amherst, as one of the pioneers of the town, and i)ur-
chased a farm adjoining the Mont Vernon line. He
was an active man of energy, well qualified to succeed
in the troublesome and difficult life of the early set-
tlers. His children were Ruth, Eheuezer, David,
Elijah and Moses. Ebenezer, son of Ebene/.er, born
17-)2, succeeded to the home farm, where he became a
well-to-do farmer. He erected a frame house, yet
staniling, about 17!»0, and this was so unusual an event
as to call people from near and far to witness the
strange appearance. He married .Vnna Johnson, born
17.'i.'i, anil had children, — .fames (177S), Elijah (17S1),
lOben (178.'?), Euther fUSii), Calvin, Aladan, Nancy
and .\lma. He died .July 14, 1837, aged eighty-five.
Mrs. .\vorill died September 15, 18.39, aged eighty-four.
They were a (piiet, undemonstr.ative peo|)le of marked
industry, who early impressed upon their children
the value and necessity of labor; these did credit to
their instructions, and all inherited a goodly share of
ancestral Htreiigth and physical vigor.
.Tames jiurchased a farm in Mont \'ernon which
adjoined the paternal estate, where he lived until his
death, in 1868, at the advanced age of ninety. Luther
settliMl on the farm immediately south of bis lather's,
always resided there ami attained nearly four-score
years. ICIijali in early life was a farmer, afterward
removed to the village and was for veal's engaged in
lumbering with his brother Calvin. Eben remained
on the home farm, .succeeding to its ownership, and ,
dieil when about eighty-si.x. Aladan, after a short
experience as fanner on a part of the home farm,
came to the village, where he conducted a .saw and
grist-mill for many veal's, dying at an advain'ctl age.
Nancy married .lohn Leavitt, a farmer of Amherst, \
h.ad several children an<l died aged nearly .seventy. !
-Mma married, first, Daniel .lohnson, had one child.
Isaac U. ; second, Benjamin Barker, of Milford, who
was a miller. She also attained an advanced age.
Calvin Averill was born September 18, 1788. His
education was acquired at the common schools of that
lieriod, and in the practical one of farm-life, where
knowledge of the axe, the plough and the scythe was
of far more value than the conjugation of Greek
verbs, and well was he grounded in their principles.
At his father's request, he remained on the home farm
until he had several years passed his majority, and
married, in 1814, Eunice, daughter of Oliver and
Eunice (Brown) Spalding. The hard labor of the
farm was not sufficiently remunerative for his ambi-
tion, and, with a desire of bettering his condition, he
removed to Milford village and engaged in lumbering
and running a saw-mill. This part of the State was
then covered with dense pine forests, and the rapid
growth of Lowell and other cities gave a quick market
and good price for the lumber. Mr. Averill was
prosperous, and continued this business alone, and
with others, during his active life. He Wiis a man of
positive character, clear and decided in his opinions
and strong in his advocacy of them. He aided
freely, all matters of jiublic improvement, was a i)ro-
nouuced .Jell'ersonian Democrat in a community in-
tensely Whig in sentiment, but was often selected for
important trusts and the management of affairs of
consequence. He held the various town offices, was
selectnum many terms and at one time county com-
missioner. He owneil, in company with his brother
Elijah, a large farm in the rich valley of the river,
immediately below the village. In 188G they built
the house now occupied by C. S. Averill, and which,
modernized and improved, is one of the pleasantest
homes in Miltbrd. Here the brothers pa.ssed their last
years, Calvin dying .\pril 27, 1874. He was a great
loss to the business interests of the town an<l to the
Baptist Church, of which he was a valued and active
member. In this large family one especial trait is
noticeable — love of home and their native town ; they
all passe'l their lives and died williin a r;idius of ten
miles from the old homestead.
Clinton Spabling .Vverill, the only child of Calvin
and Eunice (Spalding) Averill, was born in Milford,
September 22, 1827. His primary education was
received at the district schools of Milford ; he then
attended Hancock ami I'embroke Academies, fitting
himself for the military .school, Norwich University,
N<irwicli, \'ermont, where he was graduated in 1849
with the degree of B. S.,and from which he allerward
received the honorary degree of M.A. After grad-
uation he became a tutor in the same institution ;
then was appointed professor of natural science,
which position he resigned in IXo.'i, as his health
would not permit him to continue bis work. In
December, 18.').'!, he went to Marietta, Ohio, as princi-
pal of the Western l..iberal Institute, but ill health
obligcil him again to relinquish teaching, and he re-
turned to New Ham|ishirc. This was a severe trial
68U
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAxMPSHIRE.
to a youiifr man who had tlie essential qualities of a
good teacher, — kiiowlcilgc and power, — that is, he
was master of his work, and had the power, without
which all knowledge is vaiu, to stimulate. As Pro-
fessor Tyndall says : " Both go together in the true
teacher ; a power of character must underlie and
enforce the work of the intellect. There are men
who can so rouse and energize their jiupils — so call
forth their strength and the pleasure of its exercise —
as to make the hardest work agreeable." It is a
remarkable coincidence in the lives of many good
teachers, those well iitted for this work, that ill
health forces them from their chosen field of labor.
On returning to New Hampsliire, Mr. Averill
studied law with Colonel O. W. Lull, of Milford, and
was admitted to the bar in 18.58. In 1801 the break-
ing out of the great Civil War created a large demand
for experienced military instruction, and his Alma
Mater again demanded his services as teacher. He was
there for a few moiiths only, the confinement proving
injurious to his health. In 18(i2 he opened a law-
office in Milford, but owing to his precarious health,
two years passed before he was able to attend to busi-
ness. From 1864 his office business has grown stead-
ily, and is now quite extensive, pertaining mostly to
matters of trust and probate. His interest in educa-
tion has always been warm, and he was sujierintendent
of schools for many years in Milford. He held the
position of tru.stee of the State Normal School for
several years. In 1873 he was elected superintendent
of schools of the city of Nashua, accepted the posi-
tion and held it for two years. The same love of
home and home surroundings which has been so
marked in all his family drew him again to Milford,
and, in connection with this, was an urgent request
from the officers of the Milford Five-Cent Savings-
Bank, of which he had been trustee since its incor-
poration, to return and devote his time and financial
ability to its affairs, which were in an unsatisfactory
condition, — a coiiseciucnce of the robbery so well
remembered by all citizens. He consented to do this,
returned to Milford, and in August, 1875, was elected
its treasurer, which office he still retains. He has
been connected with the Souhegan National Bank for
many years as director, vice-president and president,
being elected to the latter position in January, 1882.
Mr. Averill married, March 10, 18ol>, Catherine
Frances, daughter of Dr. Jonas Hutchinson, of Mil-
ford. They had but one child, who died in infancy.
Mrs. Averiil's death occurred April 4, 1878. During
all his active life Mr. Averill has been prominently
connected with the business, social and educational
affiiirs of his native town, and a large contriljutor to
its development and progress. A Democrat in politics,
he has always cared more for the triumph of right
principles and the election of good men than for
party or personal gain. Careful and conservative, but
always in favor of true progress, he has shown him-
self a successful financier and a valuable adviser in
business undertakings, and has ever commanded the
respect, confidence and esteem of a large range of
acquaintance. In private life he is especially marked
by his modest and unassuming manners, strong social
feeling and warm friendship for his numerous friends.
In public life he is the courteous gentleman to all
and a faithful and devoted guardian of all trusts.
D.WID HEALD.
David Heald, son of Oliver and Patty (Wright)
Heald, was born in Nelson, Cheshire County, N. H.,
October 6, 1832.
He is a descendant of two early New England
families, which in various ways have been connected
with the progress of the last two hundred and fifty
years. John Heald left Berwick, England, in 1635,
to make a home in far-off America, and settled in
Concord, Mass., where he died May 24, 1662. He had
eight sons, the oldest of whom, John', married Sarah
Dean, in 1661. Their oldest son, John^, married, in
1690, Mary Chandler. Of their six sons, John*, the old-
est, married a Hale, settled in Acton, Mass., where he
died in 1775, aged eighty-two years. Oliver^ his tliird
son, married Lydia, daughter of Deacon Isaac Spauld-
ing, of Townsend, Mass., and came as one of the first
settlers to that part of New Hampsliire now Temple.
The young couple experienced the hardships and pri-
vations incident to pioneer life, and it is written of
them and their companions : " Their only guide-
boards were marked trees ; they could keep no stock
of any kind for want of provender, and when they
went to church they were obliged to go on foot all the
way to New Ipswich, it being a distance of six statute
miles."
Oliver Heald was a man of strong and sturdy in-
dependence of thought and strict integrity, and won
the respect of all. Active and energetic, he held
various offices of trust. He was an official member
of the first church in Temple, selectman for several
years, and one of the patriotic baud of forty-six who,
upon the alarm of April 19, 1775, marched from
Temple to Cambridge to assist in repelling the British
troops. He died in 1790, aged fifty-six. His wife
survived him, dying at the age of sixty-five, in 1802.
They had eleven children, of whom Amos" was second
son. He was born June 16, 176.5, married, in 1789,
Sybil Brown, of Temple, and became a resident of
Nelson. They had seven children. Oliver', their
second son, born October 1,1790, learned the trade
of clotli-dre.'ser, to which he afterwards added those
of wool-carder and clothier, in connection with farm-
ing. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, a
soldier in the War of 1812, and was many times chosen
by his townsmen to fill places of trust. He had the
commission of justice of the peace for years. Of in-
dependent thought and positive character, and with
an innate hatred of all oppression, lie early identified
himself with the unpopular Abolition movement, and
I
I
MILFOUD.
581
became an active local leader of that party. He
moved to Milford in 1849, where his wife, Patty,
born March 28, 1794, whom he had married April 30,
ISlii, and who had borne him ten children, died August
19, 1854, aged sixty years. Mrs. ileald's mother was
of the celebrated Dunster family, the American brancli
of which originated with Henry Dunster, who came
ftom England in 1640, became the first president of
Harvard College, and was said to be "one of the
greatest masters of the Oriental languages that has
been known in the.se ends of the earth," and who ad-
ministered its atiViirs with eminent success. Mr. Heald
married, second, March, 1857, Relief Little, of Peter-
borough, N. H., in which town he died October 5
18tJ7, aged seventy -seven years. His children were
Addison, Albert, Sarah D. (Mrs. William Crosby),
Emily (Mrs. J. Q. A. Ware), Henry, Lydia (Mrs. M.
W. Harris), William (died in infancy), />((i.'(rf, .Vlmira
(Mrs. Alonzo l'"rencli) and Ivlwin. To show the deep
religious feeling of this family, we would state that
Addison and Albert were educated for the ministry,
and Albert is an eflicient minister of the Baptist de-
nomination. Emily's husl)and (Rev. Mr. Ware) was
also an al)le Baptist clergyman.
David Heald", by the force of circumstances, early
devoted himself to labor, receiving only the educa-
tional advantages of the old red school-house of his
district, summers and winters, until he was twelve, and
winter terms until he was fourteen. He worked botli
on the farm and in his father's dotli-dre.ssing shop up
to that age. With his Itrotlier Addison, who had
learned the trade, he tlien started the manufacture of
furniture or cabinet-work in the shops of his father,
but after three years' time the business was relinquished
as unprotitalde, and the family removed to Milfurd.
David then engaged as journeyman in tlie .same
estal)lishment of which heliecame proprietor in May,
1851). From that time to the present Mr. Heald has
been idcntilied with the manufacturers of Milford.
I'rom the small force of half a dozen men employed
in 1856 in making ch(!ap "cottage" bedsteads and
Iiiblcs, the number of employ<''s has increased to forty
»v fifty, and the ipiality of work to a fine grade of
iirtistic chand)er furniture made of ash, walnut, cherry
and chestnut. The main building of his factory is
•■ighty feet long, tliirty-five feet wide, three stories in
height, with an ell fifty feet by thirty-five feet, four
.ttories in lieight; besides this there is an engine-room,
drying-room, etc. An eighty horse-jjower engine
has just lieen put in as the force to run the factory
and the saw-mill and numerous a]ipliances necessary
in 80 elaborate an establishment, which has been
provided with the latest imi)rovements for the pro-
liuction of furniture, five thousand dollars' worth hav-
ing been added in the last (our years, making a com-
plete establishment for its purjiose. This large factory
and extended industry has been the product of Mr.
Heald's own exertions. He has steadily devoted liim-
Belf to his business, and has the satisfaction of know-
ing that it is one of the permanent and prosperous
institutions of the town. A workingman himself, he
understands the condition of other workingmen, and
the relations which should exist between employer
and employed. One man has worked for him for over
twenty-five years, several others from ten to twenty
years. His two sons, Edward and Frank, are his
active assistants.
Mr. Heald has been twice married ; first, November
27, 185i;, ti) Mary Susan, daughter of Ebenezer Frost,
of Ashburnhani, .Mass. She died November 9, 1858.
Their child, Ella F., b(n-u April 15, 1858, died Sep-
tember 21, 1858. He married, second, October 22,
1862, Mary E., daughter of Calvin and Elvira (Walling-
ford) Stone, of JIarlborough. She was a successful
teacher in Milford for several years previous to her
marriage. Their children are Edward S., Frank H.,
Florence M., Clara M. (deceased), Mary S. and
llattie L.
Although a member of the School Board of Milford
for several years, and of the Lower House of the State
Legislature in 1881, Mr. Heald ha.s never sought
office, but rather .shrank from official position. In-
heriting the Abolitiimism of his father, he has sup-
ported the Republican party in nearly every election
since its organization. Intensely radical by nature
that i)arty has not always come up to his advanced
ideas. He inherited a deeply religious character, has
been a member of the Bajitist Church for about
twenty-five years, and, with the sympathy and hearty
accord of his estimable wife, has given largely of his
energies to the causes of religion and temperance. In
fact, this worthy coujjle have generously contributed
both of their time and money to all good work tending
to the mental and religious improvement of the com-
munity. Mrs. Heald is much devoted to religious
interests, and jiroininent in efl'brts for the welfare of
tiic young. Mr. Heald is a valuable factor in the
Sunday-school. As superintendent and teacher for
years, no one in Milford has more thorougly impressed
himself upon the rising generation.
Esteemed as a citizen, of sterling honesty and per-
sistent energy, .Mr. Heald is one of the best types of
New England's "sell'-nnule" men, and justly holds a
high place in the regards of all who know him.
.IDII.N \V. llfTCIU.NMi.N.
The llutchinsons trace their ancestry to a.d. 1282,
when Barnard Hutchinson resided in C'owlan, county
of York, England. The family is entitled to bear
arms described thus, — "Per jtaie, gnles and azure,
semee of cross-crosslets or, a lion rampant, argent.
Crest, out of a ducal coronet or, a cockatrice with
wings indorsed azure; beaked, combed and mottled
gules."
The line of descent in England is Barnar<t',
.Tames', James', William*, Anthony', Thomas", Law-
rence', Thomas", Thonuis", Richard'".
582
HISTOKl' 01' 1I1LLSJ30110UGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Richard'", born in Arnold, England, in lii02, emi-
grated to America in 1034, with wife, Alice, and four
children, settling in that part of Salem, Mass., now
Danvers, in 1637. He became a large land-owner. His
son Joseph" lived through the historic period of the
witchcraft delusion of 1692. Jo.seph", Joseph", Jo-
seph" continue the line to Elisha'^ who, being
granted by liis fallur"s will a lot of seventy-four acres
of wild lands in tlie northwest part of Anilierst (now
Milford), N. H., moved thither in 1719, one of the
first settlers. This lot was bought for fifty-five
pounds, and, with subsequent additions, became the
beautiful farm which has been the fondly-cherished
home of the "singers."'
Elisha was well fitted for the privations and ard-
uous labors of a pioneer. He had been one of the
earliest to respond to the call of the colonies as a
private in the Danvers company of militia, which,
commanded l)y Captain Jonathan Page, engaged the
British trooi)s at Lexington on the memorable 19th
of April. He was chosen surveyor of Amherst March
12, 1787. He had three children, — Jesse '", Andrew and
Sarah.
Jesse and his brother Andrew, with the assist-
ance of Andrew Leavitt, built the first Baptist
Church in Milford village, and tliey were earnest
and conscientious members of it. Years before,
the brothers had purchased a violin. After join-
ing the church, anything that liad association
with dancing was repulsive lo them, and that the
violin miglit yet be of use, they sawed it in two and
made tobacco-boxes of the halves. .Jesse married
Mary, daughter of Andrew Leavitt, of Mont Vernon,
also a Revolutionary soldier, who did good service at
Bunker Hill. This worthy couple were residents of
Milford from 1777 to 1868. Uncle Jesse was very
popular with his townsmen; he had a large family,
and from tlieir |)arents they received religious in-
struction, which bore good fruit in after-life. These
children, sixteen in number, — .lesse, David, Noah,
Mary, Andrew, Zeplianiah, Caleb, Jesse, Joshua,
Benjamin, Judson, Rhoda, John, .\sa, Elizabeth,
Abby, — had l)y nature and inheritance musical talents,
which gave to the family a world-wide reputation.
Mary, the mother, was a sweet singer, and. whether
rocking the cradle, at the old spinning-wheel or in
the active duties of her household, her voice was
ever raised in sacred song. Of this large family,
three died in early youth, one lived to be seventy-
seven years, and only two are now living, John and
Abby (Mrs. Luillow Patton).
John W. Hutchinson", the thirteenth child, was
born January 4, 1.S21, "under a lucky star,'' and for
nineteen years he led the life incident to all farmer's
boys of New Hampshire, — that of unremitting toil.
His musical genius was developed at a very early age.
Before he could read the staft' he could sing his part
correctly, anil at tlie age of seven he could manage
any of the simple tunes then in vogue. When he
was ten years old he was admitted to the church, but
when, in later life, his soaring spirit could not endure
any restrictions upon his principles of freedom, he
withdrew. For some years he was a member of a
brass band, and with his stirring music aided in the
campaign of "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too," and from
that time to the present he has been in tlie vanguard
of reformers, and one of the ])romoters of all progres-
sive movements. But to the bold, daring, ambitious,
inflexible, gifted John there could be but one result
to any of his undertakings — success ; and, acting up
to the inspiration of his early-conceived and long-
contemi)lated ideas, he, with his younger brothers,
established a singing band, to travel and give public
concerts; and, with a brave heart and a jiersevcrance
that knew not the word fail, even when I'ailure stared
him in the face, he pushed forward and accomplished
the desired end, and through him and by him the
band became an established factor in the musical
world.
In the spring of 1841 they visited Massachusetts
and gave their first concert as a quartette in Lynn,
Jesse, Judson, Asa and John being the members.
But feeling the need of more culture and realizing
the necessity of gaining public opinion in their favor
before they could make their concerts remunerative,
John sought the advice of Professor Webb, of Boston,
who said, "Please yourselves and you will i>lease the
public." To earn the money required by them, these
brave boys sought and found employment in mercan-
tile houses, and their bodily wants in this manner
being provided for, they attended to the cultivation
of their musical powers. In the fall they were in
readiness for another trial, and advertised and gave a
concert in the village of Wilton, N. H., which netted
sLv cents. Failure and discouragement was depicted
upon the countenances of the three brothers, but
John insiiired them with hope and to "try again."
They visited New Ipswich, Peterborough and Han-
cock, and at the end of the week, after all expenses
were paid, there was thirty-seven cents in the ex-
chequer. This was disheartening, and John prom-
ised if another week did not prove more remunera-
tive, he would "comply with their desire and retire."
Their next week's concerts were given in another
section of old Hillsborough County. As the result ot
five they cleared twelve dollars. This was their first
step on the round of the ladder on which, in a brief J
: space of time, they mounted to the hill of fame.
During the twelve years that followed they gained
great favor with tlic public and were very successful
financially, and the name of Hutchinson, carried by
the sweet singers from "the mountains of the old
granite State," became a household word.
' In the autumn of 1845, John, with Jesse, Judson,
Asa anrl Abby, visited the mother-country to touch
the hearts of Old England with their sweet melody.
Success crowned their ctlorts, and the heart of Great
i Britain did beat and throb in time with their rhythm
n-K
fr ] ^J-'C.tAc^i^^^u
a-^r->-^
MILFORl).
583
and sentiment. During this tour they won the ad-
miration and warm friendship of many distinguished
people; were received with tokens of honor by the
nobility and crowned heads ; enjoyed the confidence
of Mary Howitt, Doufrlas Jerrold, Harriet Martineau,
Richard Cobden, John Bright and other eminent re-
formers, and completely conquered English coldness
and insular apathy. Their course was a continual
triumph. With sweetest melody rang out their en-
couraging words of " A Good Time Coming, Boys,"
and a fortune awaited them if tliey would remain even
one year in England. Seven thousand gathered in
one place to hear their songs, cheering with enthusi-
asm the glorious sentiment, " AVar and Slavery shall
be the Monster of Iniquity," etc. The " Tribe of
Jesse" had won a musical success never equaled.
On their return there was no cessation in their work
as exponents of the .Vbolition movement, which duty
had called them home. They .started on a campaign,
singing in various cities. What an ovation they re-
ceived! Their burning desire to see the curse of
slavery blotted out from this fair land of freedom
gave a power to their rendition which carried con-
viction and fire, eliciting warmest sym|)athy and
approval and also bitter wrath and denunciation. In
Musical Fund Hall, Philadelphia, a crowded audience
gave them a warm welcome. " The Good Time Com-
ing," "Song for Emancipation" and other songs of
burning elociuence created such indignation that the
mayor, who was under pro-slavery influence, ordered
the trustees of the hall U> refuse its use to the singers,
unless policemen were stationed to prevent their
utterances of freedom. Refusing to win the wealth
they might have acquired by sacrificing their
iprinci])les. they returned to their old home in the Old
Granite State.
The Hutchinson family wits now lully identified as
a leading force in the gigantic revohuionary move-
mentji of the day. For years the'f labored with the
great apostles of rctbrm. Garrison, Rogers, Phillips,
etc. Ten years witnessed [leriods of intense struggles,
many and diverse changes, which, though hard to
bear, were rich in results. Washington, lialtiniore,
Chicago, Cincinnati and many other places heard
their voices, gave their meed of praise to the tident
shown and cheered the anti-slavery sentiments of
their songs. During this time Jesse formed a com-
pany of singers and made a lour of the Pa<ific coast,
and on his return, in 1.H5H, died at Cincinnati. John,
at the request of his dying brother, moved to i..ynn
and took possession of that unique and pleasant estate.
High Rock, leaving his native town, around which
clustered so many sweet a.ssociations of yoiith and
early numhood.
While canipaigning in the West, in IK.");"), .lolin
and his two brothers founded the town of Hutchinson,
Minn., erected mills, improved acre upon acre of the
rich virgin soil and were the forerunners of a vast
tide of emigratiim. John cut the first tree, began the
cabin used in the pre-emption of the town site and
was one of the most active in building up the place.
In 1857 he gathered around him his little fiock,
which had matured during his absence and were
possessors of the family talent, and organized the
" Tribe of John." Henry and Viola won laurels as
they joined with their parents in hundreds of success-
ful concerts. The " Tribe of John " never forgot that
they had a musion. They continued to press home to
the hearts of the people " Oh I Liberate the Bond-
man." For two years Mr. Hutchinson traveled with
his lamily through New England with horse and
carriage, rejoicing the hearts of the faithful.
There was no more devoted or effective worker for
the election of Abraham Lincoln than Mr. Hutchin-
son. He had tlie pleasure of singing to him when, as
; President-elect, he passed through Xew York, and
was present at his inauguration. W'hen war came
Mr. Hutchinson was at the post of duty. He visited
the recruiting-stations, and, by speech and song, en-
couraged and inspired both oflicer and privates. After
the terrible repulse of the Union troops at Bull Run,
Mr. Hutchinson, with his son and daughter, visited
Washington, and, alter a series of concerts, was in-
vited to go to Virginia and sing to the troops. Obtain-
ing an appointment from Secretary Cameron, he
entered at once upon this service. At the firet con-
cert, at Fairfax Seminary, their allusions to slavery
were received with hi.sses, and a turbulent scene en-
sued. The ofl'ensive wonls were in the newly-written
poem of Whittier, which Mr. Hutchinson had wedded
to music as inspiring, —
" ^\^lat gives the wlieiit-fields blades of steel ?
Wliut points the relict cannon?
Wliat Bftn the wiirrinR rebel heel
On ttie ul(i star-HpuniiiU'tl pennon?
What l>real(s tin- uixth of tlie men of the South ?
Wluit whets tlie Itnife fertile Union's life ?
Hark to the answer ! SlaTery ! "
With the word "slavery " came a hiss. The oflicer
in command declared this act an insult alike to the
singers and the " old flag," and if the hiss was re-
peated the disturber should leave the church. A
young surgeon from New Jersey arose iind said :
" You had better commence on me." The major re-
plied, " I can put you out myself, and if I fail, I have
a regiment that can and will." Thereupon the two
thousand soldiers arose en masse, and the shout " Put
him out! put him out!" was heard in all directions.
The audience was soon i|iiieted, and the concert jiro-
ceeded to the close without further interrupti<in. The
attiiir was brought to the notice of General McClel-
lan. An order was issued expelling the " Hutch-
inson Family" from the lines. Mr. Hutchinson
did not silently submit t<i this act of arbitrary
tyranny, and appealed to the President. Salmon
P. Chase read the "obnoxious " song at the next Cab-
inet meeting. The President said, " It is just the
character of song I desire the soldiers to hear,"
and re-instated Mr. Hutchinson. The Hutchinsons
584
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
were also active in temijerance. From 1841, when
they sang "King Alcohol in Old Deacon Giles'
Distillery " in Salem, one or more temperance
songs have been included in their programme. At the
close of the war Mr. Hutchinson secured Cooper In-
.stitute, in New York, and, associating with him sev-
eral notable workers, inaugurated a series of very
popular "Sunday Evening Union Temperance Meet-
ings." These were continued for several years, and
effected a revival of the temperance cause. Mr.
Hutchinson's services were sought by the State or-
ganizations, and he conducted fully a thousand tem-
perance conventions under their auspices. He char-
tered three large connected parlors in Union Square,
New York City, and, Sunday afternoons and evenings,
conducted popular services, and established two active
and useful organizations, the Manhattan Society and
the American Temperance Union, which, even now,
are powers for good in this field. He also inaugurated
the temperance camp-meetings that for tea years
have proved so successful at Martha's Vineyard. He
took part in the Sunday temjierance meetings held
in Tremont Temple, Boston, where his quartette sang
with great effect, till the death of his son, Henry, who
sang bass. Mr. Hutchinson is decidedly in harmony
with the Prohibition party. In 1884 he unfurled a
large American flag, which bore the names of " St.
John and Daniels," to the breeze, from the staff at
" Old High Kock," and did good service in the cam-
paign, and, in connection with the Reform Club of
Lynn, he held Sunday temperance meetings, and
both by speech and song, from 1852, he has advocated
woman suffrage. In that year he attended the Na-
tional Convention at Ravenna, Ohio, and created
great enthusiasm by his song, " Right over Wrong, or
the Good Time Come." Relieving with all the in-
tensity of his nature in the justice of the cause, he has
lifted up his voice everywhere in favor of the emanci-
pation of women. His " suflrage concerts " were a
part of the organized forces that made Kausiis their
successful battle-ground. His associates were Mre.
Stanton, Lucy Stone, Susan B. Anthony.
Mr. Hutchinson married, February 21, 1843, Fannie
B. Patch, of Lowell, Mass. They have had three
children, — Henry J. (deceased). He sang for twenty
years with his father, was a vocalist of the highest
order, and left a widow and two sons, all possessing
great musical powers. Mrs. Lillie Phillips Hutchin-
son, wife of Henry, a lady of rare culture, a teacher
of piano, organ and the voice and eminent as an in-
structor, resides at High Rock with Mr. Hutchinson.
As a reader no one excels her. She has positions in
two churches, and her powers as a ballad-singer keep
her constantly engaged in her profession. Viola,
another musical prodigy, married Lewis A., son of
Judge William Campbell, who for fifteen years was a
judge of the Supreme Court in New York City. She
has three children, and resides in Santa Fe. Judson
Whittier resides with his parents. Mr. Hutchinson
has a wife who has been a constant aid to his genius.
Her high culture and delicate appreciation of melody,
with her practical common sense, have been of great
value to the husband whose home she has adorned.
Mr. Hutchinson is apparently in his prime. The
clear tones of his voice are just as full and sonorous
as when he accompanied the song-birds in his youth,
or tuned it to the tempest or the thunder in the " Old,
Old Home," conquered applause from the conservatism
of England or held audiences enraptured by its in-
tonations of freedom in the stirring days of the past.
Devoting his life to the amelioration of humanity, he
has dealt strong blows in causes which have made the
world purer and better. His forty-four years of public
life and eleven thousand concerts given, are evidences
of a glorious and well-deserved success. Perhaps no
person of the present generation has accomplished
more good, is held to day in higher esteem or can
attract larger or more enthusiastic audiences than the
veteran John W. Hutchinson. A history of the
Hutchinson family, with full incidents and historical
events of great value, and which will be of deep in-
terest to every faiflily in the land, is now in prepara-
tion by Mr. Hutchinson, who has devoted the spare
time of many years to properly chronicle the purposes,
struggles and achievements of this truly remarkable
family.
HISTORY OF NEW BOSTON.
BY XIEL McLANE.
CHAPTER I.
NEW BOSTON.
GRANTEES AND GRANT.
" In 1735, John Simpson, John Games, James Hal-
sey, John Tyler, John Steel, Daniel Goff'e, Charles
Coffin, Ebenezer Bridge, Daniel Pecker, William
Lee, Henry Howell, Job Lewis, Thomas Bulfinch,
Julm Indicott, John Ervin<,^, James Day, Andrew
Lane, IJyfield Lyde, John Hills, John Spooner, John
Read, Samnel Tyler, John Boydell, John Homans,
John Williaaxs, Jr., Joshua Henshaw, Jr., Benjamin
Clark, Jacob Hurd, James Townsend, William Salter,
Thomas Downs, /achariah Johonett, Daniel Lorinji^,
John C'rocker, William Speakman, Thomas Greene,
Gilbert Warner, John Larabee, John Green, Ruf'us
Greene, Thomas Foster, John Arbuthnott, James
Gould, Joseph Greene, Isaac Walker, Robert Jenkins,
Benjamin Bagnald, Richard Checkly, John Mave-
ricke, Joshua Thomas and Thomas Hancock became
petitioners to the Great and General Court or As-
sembly ol" the Province of the Miissachusetts Bay,
iu New England, for a grant of six miles stjuare for a
township.*' In looking over the records, we do not
find any reason why they should claim this grant ;
neither have we the petition, but must go wholly
upon supposition. The most probable and reasonable
is. that on the coast of Massachusetts it was so thickly
settled there must l)e some opening or avenue for the
young men. These grantees were all Bostonians, and
men of wealth and title ; hence it would not seem that
it was for themselves or descendants, but to improve
the new lands and encourage settlement. An(>ther
author writes that it was to pay descendants of soldiers
in tin- Iiulian wars: Mjtssacbusetts' treasury becoming
impoverished by these expeditions, bills of credit
depreciated and soon became nearly worthless, and
these soldiers laid claim for further remuneration.
Hence the grant of New Boston was given.
" .\t rt On/iit iiiul Oorn-ml Cuiirt or Awoinbly fur Hjh .>I«jeHt>'"« I'ruv-
lucc of Mn^ruicliudotta Hay, in New Kiiglniid, bugan and hold in Bo8ton,
upon WednesdHy, the 2Htli of May, 1735, and continued by several ad-
joiirnmenta to Wednesday, the I'.'tb uf November following.
" In tbe House of Representatives, December a, 1735, in answer to the
petition of .John Simpson and others, —
" Vi.tai, tlmt the prayer of the I'etition be granted, and tliat together
with Bucli as shall be joinod by the Honorable Board, be a Committee at
the charge of the Petitioners to lay out a Township of the coutentw of six
mik* square, at the place petitioned for, or some other suitable place ;
and that they return a platt thereof to this Court within twelve mouths
for confirmation, and for the more effectual bringing forward the settle-
ment of the said new Town. '
'* Ordeii-'d, That the said Town be laid mit into sixty-three equal
shares, one of which to be for the first settled minister, one for the min-
istry and one for tiio schools, and that on each of the other sixty shares
the petitioners do, within tliree years from the confirmation of the platt,
have settled one good family, who shall have a house built on his house-
lot of eighteen feet square, and seven feet stud at the least, and tiuished ;
that each right or grant have six acres of land brought to an<l ploughed,
or brouglit to Kngiish grat« and fitted fur mowing ; that they settle a
learned and Orthodox minister, and build and finish a convenient Meet-
ing-IIuuse fur the piiblick worship of God. And the said committee are
hereby directed to t:ike bond of each settler of forty Pounds for his faith-
ful complying with and performing the conditions of f^ettlenient, and in
case jiny of the sjiid bettlei-s fail uf pei-formiiig the aforesaid conditions
then his or their right, share or interest in said Town to revert to and
beat the disposition of the Province; and that tlie said Committee be
and hereby are impowercd to sue out the Bou(te and recover the posses*
sion of the forfeited Lottsfif any be) at the expiration of the three years,
and to grant them over to other persons that will comply with the condi-
tiuus within one year next after the said grant ; and the Bonds to be
nuide and given to the said Conmiittee and their successors in the said
Grant.
"Sent up for concnrronco.
".I. Oi'iNCY, Chairman.
" In Council, January 14, 1735.
"J. MiLLABD, Stcretati/.
*'J. Dklcheu.
"TiiAD. Mason, hep. .SVv'y."
In the House of Representatives, January 1(1, 173.'),
it was, —
'* Ordered, That Caplnin Willium CuIlingNnml Mr. Ebone/er Parker,
with sudi aa shall be joined by the Ilunornble Boar<l, be a committee to
take a platt of the within townsliip, ami effectual care the same, l>6
brought forwanl to alt intents and purposes, agreeable to tlie conditions
of the Grant.
"Sent up for concurrence.
"J. QuiNOV, Spfaker.
" In Council, January 10, 1735.
" Bead and concurred, and Willium Dudley, Esq., Is Joined in the af-
fair.
"TiiAn. Mason, Dept. S'c^y,
" \ trui- copy : examined by
"Thau. Mason, lMp*t. &c'y.**
686
" Bead mid euncurred.
" Consented to.
" .\ true copy, examiueil by
586
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Agree?bly to these acts, the committeo ajiiiointed
.leremiah Cuiiimings surveyor to lay out the townshi]),
with Zaclicus Lovewell and James Cuiuinings for
chainmen.
He performed the work and submitted his report,
accompanied by a rude map of the township, denoting
its boundary lines, rivers and Joe English Hill.
Here (bllows the report, —
"I, the subscriber, togetbor with Zacliens Lovewell ami .Tiiines C'ulii-
nilngs, have laid out, pursuant to the Grant of the General Court, to 3Ir,
John Simpson and other petitiouere with him, for a Township in the un-
appropriated Lands of the Province, of the contents of six miles square,
with a thousand acres added for ponds, that lye within the s'^ Township,
and have bounded it ttius : Beginning at a Beach tree, one of the Cor-
ners of the Nan-agansit town, No. 5, and in tlie north line of ye Narra-
gansit. No. ri; from thence running two degrees south of the west by yo
8** Narrgansit Town, No. 3, four miles and three-tjuartei> to the north-
east corner of the s^ Township; from thence, the Sixnie coiii>ie. one mile
and one hundred and twenty rods to a Burch tree marked ; th4*nce the
line turns and runs Nortli two degrees to the west, by Province Land, six
miles and forty-two rods to a white pine tree marked ; from thence the
line turns and Knns Kast two degrees north, by Province Lands, six miles
and forty-two Kods to a White Oak tree marked, from thence we run
South two degrees, east Partly by Province Lauds and partly by the Nar-
ragansit town afore s<i, No. .'», to the beach tree, the tirst mentioned bound,
with two rods in each hundred added for uneaveness of Land and Swagg
of C^lain.
'* Which said Lands Lye on the west side iMcrrimack river, on the
Branches of Piscataquog River.
"Jeremiah Cumminos,
'^Suri'eyor.
" February the 12th, 1735."
*'MinDLE6EX SS., Dunhtablc, January 28th, 17o5.
"Jeremiah Cimimings as surveyor and Zachous Lovewell and James
t.'umuiings as Chainmen, personally appearing before me, ye Subscriber,
one of Ills Majesty's Justices of the peace for the T'ouuty of 5Iid», made
Oath that in Surveying and measuring a Township, granted by the Gen-
eral Court to Mr. John Simpson and othei-s, they would deal truly and
faithfully in their respective trusts.
" ElEiZKK TYNG."
In the House of Representatives, March 19, 1735,
this report was read, and it was, —
"Toterf, That a Jilatt, containing six miles square of Land, laid out by
Jerenuah Cununings, Surveyor, and two Chainmen, on Oath, txj satisfy
the Gmnt aforesaid, Lying ac^oining to the Narragansit Towns, No.
three and No. 5, and on jsrovince Land, with an allowance of one thousand
acres of Lands for ponds Lying within sjiid IMatt, was i)resented for al-
lowance.
" Read and ordered that y" platt be allowed, and y* Land therein de-
lineated and described be and hereby are Confirmed to the said John
Simpson and the other Grantees mentioned in said petition, passed yo hu*t
silting of the Court, their Heirs and assigns, respectively, forever ; pi-o.
Tided the platt exceeds not the quantity of six miles square, and one
thousand acres of Land, an allowance for Ponds within the Tmct, and
does not interfere with any other or former Grant ; provided also the
Petitioners, their Heire or assigncs. Comply with y« Conditions of the
Grant.
" Sent up for concurrence.
"J. QliiNCV, Spiaker.
"In Council, March 2U, 1735.
"Read and concurred,
"Consented to.
" Simon Fbost, Iiepl. Sec'j/.
"J. Belchek."
Later on we find an additional act. Mr. John
Simpson was authorized to call the first meeting.
The pro)prietors now felt the way was open for ac-
tion, and accordingly a meeting was held April 21,
1736, at the house of Mr. Luke Vardy, in Boston,
One of the first acts was a vote instructing their com-
mittee, E'aniel Pecker, Andrew Lane, John Hill, John
Indicott and James Halsey, to build a saw-mill on
some convenient stream for the use of the proprietors
in said township.
In the surveyor's report appears the name m
Zacheus Lovewell as one of the chainmen.
This Zacheus Lovewell lived in the part of Nashua
that was then called Dunstable, He is said to have
attained the greate.st age of any man that ever lived
in Nrw JIam|ishire.
Masonian Heirs and New Addition.— Li 1G20
James I,, King of England, formed a council com-
posed of titled men and gentlemen to the number of
fort}'. They were known by the name of " The Coun-
cil, established at Plymouth, in the County of Devon,
for the planting, ruling and governing of New Eng-
land in America,"
Two of the most prominent membere were Captain
John Mitson and Sir Ferdinando Gorges. The land
under their control e.Ktended from the fortieth to the
forty-eiglith degree of northern latitude.
The prfiprietors " procured a further grant of all
the land from the river Naumkeag (now Salem), round
Cape Ann, to the river Merrimack, and up 'each of
these rivers to the tarthest head thereof, then to cross
from the head of one to the other," The following
year another grant was made to Gorges and Mason,
jointly, of all the lands between the rivers Merrimack
and Sagadehock, extending back to the great lakes
and rivers of Canada, which tract was called Laconia.
In 1629, Captain Mason procured a new charter for
the land " from the middle of Piscata(|ua River, to-
gether with all islands within five leagues of the
coast," This land was called New Hampshire, which
soon came under the care and go\ernment of Massa-
chusetts,
After much legal controversy in regard to these
claims, it was resisted until .lolin Tufton Mason con-
veyed, in 1740, his right and title to lands in New
Hami)shire, for the sum of fifteen hundred pounds
currency, to Theodore Atkinson, M. H, Wentworth
and thirteen others.
When the Mason heirs learned that these men were
in power, and only with the greatest difficulty could
they resist the claim, they were aroused and great
consternation followed. It appears from the follow-
ing resolution, passed by the Masonian proprietors in
the year 1751, that the above-named gentlemen were
disposed to be reasonable :
" I'oW, The Question be put whether tbb Propriety would chooae a
committee to nnike application to the Proprietoi-B of Mason's claim to
know upon what condition they will gmnt us their rights ; and that
John Hill, Robert Hoyel^, ^.^M-, and -lames llalsey, the standing com-
mittee, l>e empowered to settle with them on the best terms they can, if
they think proper, and they be desired to oITer tliis vote to each Proprie-
tor for their approbation."
This vote was passed, and the proprietors authorized
the committee to purchase of John Blanchard, as
agent of the Mason heirs, all right, title and interest
in Siiid jjroprietary.
NEW BOSTON.
587
Tins o.vteiision was ever after known as the " New
AilJition," and conlinueil to l>e till June 8, 1772,
when Fraucestowu was inrorporated.
" Province of New IIa>ii>siiike.
" Puntuunt to the power a nJ authority gniiited and vet<ted in me by
the pruprictore of Innil purchased uf Juhu Tunoii 3Ia».>D, Esq., iu tlie
PntviiRx- uf New IlHiii}>8hire, by their vote, paawHl »t their umeting held
At Porti«iiit»ulh, ill Slid Pi\)viiice, the ttnlh day of June, 1752.
"I dn, by thet«c pr«»ent«, on the terms and conditions hereafter ex-
pn:iwed, giv« utid grant all the right, title, properly and posaeisjtion of the
pn>prii'torH aforesaid uuto Job Lewis, Henry Uowtd, John Steel, Thomas
BullAm-h, Robert Jenkins, Juhu S|»ooner, Itenjumin Bugnall, Samuel
Tyley's heir«, Jame« TownsendV hein*, Isiiic Walker, Jo^epli Wright,
Eamizer Ik»yd, l>aniel Pecker. Williiiiii Hiidiey's heir*t, Kobert Boyet?,
Thoiua^ Smith, Thomas CochniTi, Patrick DimgUis, John Homamj, Jainee
Day, Jrtiiifn Caldwell, Gilbert Warner, Kiclitird Checkley's* heirs, James
Wilson, Jouathuu Clark, William Speakman's heii-**, Benjamin Clark's
hein*, John Erwin, Williain White, Jtdin Hill. Esq., John Taylor, John
AlcC^llister, Edward i>urantti heire, William Bant, John Maverick,
Rufu^ (Injen, Jauies Ilulsey, Daniel Loriiig's heirs, Joseph Green, James
Hunter, Thomas WiJson, ul, in and to that tmct of land or towni^hip
called New Bofton, in the Province of >ew Hamptihire aforesaid, of the
contents of six miles tiroad and ^.even miles long, bounded thus : Begin-
ning at a beech-tree the southeast corner, and from theuce north by the
needle, two degivcs westward, six miles, or until it comes unto the
northwest cnmer, formerly made under the Miissuchusetts grant, for the
DortbeasI corner of said tract ; and from theuce west by the needle two
degrees to the southward; and from the first bounds mentioned, the
•outbeuat corner afon-aaid. west by the needle two degrees southward,
«ix miles, or until it meet with Salem-Canadu line (so called), and turn-
ing and running north by the needle two degrees westward, two miles,
or until it come to tlie most nurlh-easterly corner of Salem-Canada
township, as formerly laid out ; then turning and running west, as afore-
said, two degrees southerly (wi far, and extending the north line of the
premises likewise westward, until a line parallel with the east line will
include the contents of seven miles long and six miles broad, as afore-
said. To have and to hold tt> them, their heirs and assigns, forever, ex-
cepting as afor(>said, on the following terms, conditions and limitationB
(that is to say) that as the greatest part of the Iract aforesaid lias here-
tofore bi-eii dixided ilitu !<ixty-three shareB, now, tlien-fore, that there be
re«erved for the unmlMrs, their lieii> and assigns forever,out of the lamls '
already divided, nine shares or sixty-thinl parts, an followelh, viz., The
home luts number four, numttur twonty-live. numbers thiily-ihree, nine,
twenty-eight, tlve, twenty-nine, eighteen anti ten, with the several lota
ftonexed to the sunie, as in the 8che<luli* hen'aftor ; also, so much of the
common lantl, i»r undivided, to lie laid out in that [latt of the sitid tract,
near the great nieuditWK, as shall be equal to one-half part of a share, ru-
iHT\'ed as aforetiaid, which half-Hhare is appropriated (o Jose]ih Blanchard,
Jr., with the Nurie proiH»riion of the ciiinmt>n land, each in that part for
niorly wilhiii the bc.unds lalled New Boston, exclusive and excepting
flvo hundred airen hereby granted and approjiriated to the grantees, to
be t>y them diH|s^ned of for encouragement for building ami supiKirting
milli in said (ownahlp ; also, res(<rviiig unto the gnintom, their heirs and
OMfigns, after the f\vo hundre^l acres aforesaid is laid out and completed
in the common, one-fourth part for quantity and quality of the lands by
this grant a<lded within the bounds of (hat called New Boston, as for-
merly laid out, the saiil grantors' |>art to be divided, lotted and coupled
t'lgether, and drawn forwlthlhe grantees, aceonling to the number of
shares iif. tH-fop' rcservfHl, wj as for (he urantora to have one full quarter
p4irt iw afortwnid ; said work to be linlshed within twelve nionlh.H from
tills dale, at the chargr^ of the granteeit only. Also, that tho gntntors'
right in three of the Hharaa lai<l out as afurosuid be and hereby is granted
and appr<q>riated, free of all charge, one for tho Unit settled minister,
one for th<> ministry and one for the dchoi^l there forever, as they are
sot down In the w-h'-dule hereafter.
"That (he aforcHaid resignations for the grantors, and as well for Jo-
seph Bliinehard Jr., Ih; free from all dulleo, jchargoA, taxeit or ox|>onfic8
whatsoevi-r, until Improved by the owner or owners, or stmie holding
under them.
"That all the lols in snid township be subject to have all necessary
roads or highways laid through them, its there shall Ihj neceaairy occasion
for, free fmm all charge of purehasing the same.
" That the gnintees, on their |Uirts, tiiake forty-Rve scttlcnienta In snfd
township in the following manner, vi/,. : I-^icli to have a huuso built of
iiue room, at leiwt sixteen feel square, fttted and finished for comfort-
a8
able dwelling in, and thi^e acres cleared, inclosed and fitted for mow-
ing and tillage, on each of the fcrty-tive shares, at or before tho tirwl
day of August, I7.'>4, and within one year afterwards, a family or some
pereon inhabiting there on each eettlement, and to continue residency
there for three years then next, and within that term to fit four acres
more each for luAwing or tillage, as aforesiiid.
"That the grantees build a meeting-house (here in four years from
this date.
" That the gmnloes, at their own expanse, make the settlement afore-
said, and within six months from this dat<' ascertain the [Hirticular gmu-
tecs whom they shall determine to make settlement an<l inhabit there, as
aforesaid, and certify the same under their clerk's hand in the grantors'
clerk's oflice, and in ciise any of the grantees be deIinc|uent.wlio shall be
enjoine<l the settlement as aforesjiid, on any partof duty eigoined by this
griiit, on such share hereafter ascertained, the whole share or right of
such delinquent shall bo and hereby is granted to such of the grantees
who shall comply on their parts, provided tliey fulftl such delinquent's
duty in two years after each period next coming, that such duty should
have been done, and on their neglect, then all such delinquent's right or
sharvs to revert to the grantors, their heirs and assigns, free and clear
from all future charge thereon.
" That the gmntees hold, under the conditions herein, the several lots
of upland and meadow already laid out in said township, as si-t forth iu
the schedule annexed, and the future divisions to be ascertained by and
according to the Massachusetts grant to them or their venilors,
"That one home lot (so called), viz. : number sixty, be set and relin-
quished unto John and Jonathan Simpson's assignee, Joseph Wright;
always provided, and on this condition only, that he build, clear, inclose
and settle a family on said lot, according to tho periods and several arti-
cles of duty enJoiuLHl and specified for ono of the forty-five rights afore-
said, and this settlement to be over and above the said forty-five, and in
case of failure or neglect of any part of the said duly, the said lot num-
ber sixty to revert to the grantees and grantore in common, to be appor-
tioned with the other common lands ; also, provided the said Wright, or
his assigns, pay the proportionable part of charge for that lot, in carry-
ing forward the settlement.
" That the gmntees, or their assigns, at any public meeting called for
that purpose, by a majority of votes of the interest present, gnint and as-
sei« such further sum orsumsof money as they shall think neccs-sary for
completing and carrying forward tho settlement aforesjiid, from time (o
time, and all other necessary charges, until tho same shall be incorp<»ra-
ted. And any of the giaiitees who shall refuse and neglect making pay-
ment of their respective sums and taxes for the space of three months
next after such tax or assessment shall be granted and made, that then
B»i much of said delinquent's right, respectively, shall and may bo sold as
will pay the tax or taxes, and all charges arising thereon, by a commit-
tee to be appointed by the gmntees for that puri>oso.
"That all white pine trees fit for masting His Majesty's i-oyal navy,
growing on said tmct of laud, bo and hereby are gnintod to His Majesty,
his heii-B and Bucccasora, forover ; and, as a ftirther con<lition of this
gmnt, that the gmntees herein mentioned, within three mouths from the
date hereof, signify their consi-nt and acceptance, as well as their fullll-
ment and conformity, to tho whole of tho conditions herein specified,
by countersigning these premises with their handsand seals, and, on fail-
ure thereof, to receive no benefit by tho afore wrilleii grant; always
provided there Ih? no Indian war within any of Ihe termrf and limitations
afiiresaid, for doing the duty conditioned in this grant, and in caw that
should happen, the same to bo alloweil for the respectlvo duties, matteiv
and thingw as aforesaid, after such iinpe<liment shall bo removed. To all
of which jiremises .foseph Blanchard, agent lor and iu bobalf of the said
grantors on the one part, and the grant' 's on the oilier part, have here-
unto inlenhangeably set their hands ;u..l sraln thi- i«eui\ -fourth day of
December, 17.1^.
" Signed an*l sealed,
"JoSKi-U Bl.ANCIIAKI'.
" In behalf of gmnlorwand gmntei*."
With this tleed was a Bchetlule of lite lots. Bc-
^riniiin^ at tho imrthwi'St rorner oi' tht' town, thence
westerly, in the suMie dfjrree as the north line, about
two anil one-hair miles; theiu-e southerly, parallel
with the west line of town, about tour miles- thenee
easterly to the west line oi' tlie lornuT ^^rant. It was
surveytni arul laiil out into tilly-one lots by Matthew
Patten, of Hedford, reserving for the grantors four
588
HISTORl' OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
liuadred and thirty acres in the northeast corner and
lour liuuiireil acres in the southwest corner of said
grant, and three liuudred acres near tiie centre of said |
tract, as a present to Colonel Joseph Blanchard, the
agent of the grantors, and as surveyed, included the
soap stone quarries.
Incorporation. — New Boston was incorporated by
the government of New Hampshire February 18,
17ti3. The charter was granted by Benuing Went-
worth, Esq., Governor and commander-in-chief of
the province of Xeiv Hampshire, and attested by
Theodore Atkinson, Jr., secretary.
By petition of the citizens, John Goffe was directed
to call the first town-meeting, which meeting was
required to be helil within twenty days after date of
charter; time and i)lace of meeting to be given in the
notice.
They were instructed by the charter that after the
first election " the annual meeting of said town for
choice of officers, and the management of it.s affairs,
should be held within said town on the first Monday
of March in each year."
Colonel Gofte being authorized to call a meeting,
immediately proceeded to perform his duties. The
objects of the meeting were specified in the call, —
" Ist. To choice all their town officeiy for the year ensuing, aa the law
directs, ^d. To see whut money tlic town will raise to defray the
chargejj of the town, and pay for preaching; for the year ensuing."
In accordance with the notice, the first meeting was
held March 10, 17G3, at the house of Deacon Thomas
Cochran. This place is now owned and occupied by
the great-great-grandson of Deacon Thom;is Cochran,
one of our most respected townsmen, Thomas R.
Cochran.
Record of the meeting is as follows:
Moderator, Thonuu4 Ooi'hrau. Voted, Alexander McCoUuni Town
(Jlork.
" Voted, There shall be five selectmen : Thomas Cochran, James Mc-
Kerson, Nathaniel Cochran, John .McAllister and John Carson, Select-
men.
** Voted, Thomas Wilson, Constable.
" Voted, dluttbew Caldwell, John Smith, James Wilson, George Cristy,
Thomas Brown, Snrv'eyors of Highways.
*' Voted, Abraham Cochran, Samuel Nickles, Tithingmen.
" Voted, William Gray, John Burns, IIog-Reevcs.
" looted, John Carson, Juine.*^ Hunter, Deer-Keepers.
" Voted, John Cochran, Invoice man or Commiasioner of Assessments.
" Voted, That a pound shall be built by the corn-mill, and that Deacon
Thomas Cot'hran shall be puund-niaster.
'* Voted, Matthew Caldwell, James Wilson, Accountants to examine
accounts of Selectmen.
" Voted, To raise l*¥t pounds to defray charges for present year, and for
]irt!aching."
Early Settlers.— The first settlement w;ts made by
Thomas Smith, of Chester, in the northeast part of
the town, on what is now known :is '' The Plain,"
where he built a cabin, cleared a small piece of laud
liy girdling the trees and burning the ground.
One day, after planting, he discovered tracts, evi-
dently made by a moccasincd foot, and knowing Indians
were still lurking in the vicinity, and were watching
an opportunity to either take his scalp or carry him
prisoner to Canada, he sauntered back to his cabin
witliout manifesting any alarm, secured his gun and
axe, and thinking Indians were in ambush in a direct
route, he proceeded in a northerly direction to the
north branch of the Piscataqiiog, thence up said river
some distance before he ventured to take an easterly
course, eventually reaching home in safety.
And the sequel shows he was right in his conjec-
tures in regard to the place where the Indians were
secreted, for that night they made prisoner of and
carried to Canada a man by the name of Worthley,
who had a cabin near what is known as Parker's
Station, Goffstown.
How soon he returned is not miw positively known,
but probably in season to harvest his corn, his family
coming with him. He cleared a farm and built a
frame house, which is now standing, the oldest in
town. It appears, in a few years, that he obtained,
by purchase or settlement, a large tract of land in
the northwest part of the town, near the Great Meadow,
now owned and occupied by George W. Sanders.
This laud remained in the possession of Smith's de-
scendants until within a few years.
The next earliest settlers were Thomas Cochran,
Thomas Wilson, James Hunter and James Caldwell
in the east part of the town ; William Blair and John
Blair in the north; John McAllister in the south;
and George Cristy in the west.
Between the years 1742 and 1748 the settlers were all
emigrants from Scotch-Irish colonies that first settled
in Londonderry, N. H., in the year 1719, excepting
.lohu McAllister, who came from Scotland.
The Scotch-Irish settlers were a new element in
the i)oiiulation of New England, difl'cring materially
in their customs, manners and inside life from the
English colonists of New Hampshire, but were not
to be classed with the Catholic Irish.
On the death of Elizabeth, the last of the Tudors,
James the Sixth, of Scotland, became King of Great
Britain, under the title of James the First. The
Catholic population of Ireland rebelled against him,
but he eti'ectually crushed them in a short time, and
then he proceeded to confiscate the estates of the re-
bellious chiefs, more particularly those of the
O'Donnells and O'Xeils in the north of Ireland,
granting the lands to his Scotch and English subjects
to settle on its crown tenants, at a nominal rent. This
stimulated a large emigration from Argyleshire,
Scotland, many of whom settle<l on the river Bon, or
became citizens of Londonderry.
Without doubt the English would avail themselves
of the same privilege, and when they met those
having a common initcrcst in the same religion, they
would naturally unite and intermarry, and in two or
three generations they would form an admixture of
the two nationalities, as is evident from the names of
the first settlers in Londonderry, N. H.
In this blending of the Scotch Highlanders with
the Saxon and Ncn-nian there was no intermingling
NEW liO^TUN.
589
of the native Catholie Irisli l)lf)()d, lor the most Litter
hatred existed on the part of the hitter toward the
former, as intruders wlio had usurped their rights,
aud taken possession of the fairest portions of their
country, and were heretics in religion ; the former, as
conijuerors looked down on the latter as an inferior
race, who, as Catholics, had no rij;hts which they
were bound to resjiect, and botli i)arties in after-years
gave vent to their iniplacalile animosity in the con-
flicts at the siege of Derry and battle of Boyne. This
same enmity continues at the present day between
the Orangemen, Protestants and the native Irish
Catholics.
Other emigrants followed from Londonderry, as the
Clarks, Crombies, Mct'idloms, JlcCurdys and others
but the settlement appears to have progressed slowly
until about the year 17G0. A census taken by the
proprietors from September 20th to the 24th of the
year 175G reported "twenty-six men, eleven women,
nine boys and thirteen girls," making a po|)ulation
of fifty-nine persons in all. The same committee re-
ported " thirty houses, one dam and one saw and grist-
mill, four frames and four camps, one house cut down,
with one hundred and forty acres of improved land."
Previous to this date they suffered all the hardships
aud privations necessarily attendant upon a new
settlement, living in log houses a long ilistaiice from
neighbors, with no roads except a bridlc-i)ath through
the forests, guided by marked or 8i)otted trees, with
the underbrush cut away, so that a horse might pass
in summer, but in winter the usual mode of traveling
was on snow-shoes. Tradition says that the snow fell
to a greater depth in the dense forest than at the
present time.
.•\.ny utensil, implement or article of household
furniture that they could not manufacture had to be
bprnght from the older settlements on the coast, and
until they cleared and brought a sufficient amount
of land to keep sheep and raise flax, every article of
clothing — in fact, every article of textile fabric — was
carried from one place to the other im the shoulders
of the meti.
Salt, an arti(!lc indi8])en.sable to civilized people
had to be trans])ortcd from Londonderry, a distance
of from twenty to twenty-five miles, in the satne way.
It is relatiMl of an early settler that he went to one
of the older towns to j)urchaMe some necessary articles,
which made (piite a i)ackage in weight and bulk, and
also a bushel of small grain for seed, either of which
would make a loail for a man ; he started with one,
and carried that some two or three miles, and then
returned for the other, and in that way managed to
convey botii to his home.
So far as animal food was concerned, it was pro-
cured from the forests. The deer remained in limited
numbers, and bears were numerous, and as every man
owned a gun, they could procure a supply of meat,
particularly of the latter, although not as palatable
as the deer.
Another source from which to vary their diet was
fish, with which the streams and ponds abounded to
the degree that in the sjjring, when the suckers left
the ponds for the brooks, in the spawning seasoD
they could throw them out with shovels.
The clearing of the forest rei|uired long and per-
sistent labor. First came the felling or lopping of
the trees, as it was termed. Usually one of two
methods were adopteil, — either to cut down the trees
separately and level the branches, or to cut a large
number on one side, so that they would fall in the
same direction, and as they fell, one would strike
another aud so on, carrying the whole down.
The next step after the leaves were dried was to
burn it over, and then came the most laborious i)art of
clearing the land, — first, the trunks of the trees must
be severed, which was done by cutting or burning
(the latter was termed nUjfjcring (hem off), then rolling
the logs in piles and burning.
After the seed was sown, it was raked or hoed over
to cover it.
In some instances, after burning over, they did not
want to clear ofT the wood, so planted corn between
tlie logs.
The rearing of domestic animals was attended with
considerable trouble and anxiety. To protect them
from the wolves and bears, every night they were put
in a secure i)en built of logs, so high that a wolf could
not easily get over ; but in one instance a wolf had
made his way in, and was found and dispatched in
the morning. Bears were voracious and tnmblcsome
in the spring, and would attack and kill cattle. An
early settler in the northwest 2>art of the town had a
cow killed by them. He caused traps to be set near
the carcase, one a log, the other a spring-trap, and a
bear was caught in each.
The dei)redations of these same animals in the corn-
lields was a source of great annoyance. But with all
their privations, liardsliips and self-denials, the settlers
had their ])astime and anuisemonts, such as wool-
breaking, log-rolling and raisings.
Socially and pecuniarily, they were on an equality,
and a friendly feeling i)ervaded the community.
Churches. — At a meeting of the jiroprietors, held
in Huston December !(, ]7.'{8, it was voted to .settle an
orthodox minister, also to build a meeting-house of
the following dimensions : thirty feet wide, forty-five
long and twenty feet stud.
The committee was authorized and empowered to
agree with some person or persons to luiild said house
as soon as they could, provided they did not exceed
the sum of six hundred ])ouiids ; that thej' have
power to call upon each proprietor to defray expenses
as often as they should think proper.
This house was built on what is now known as " The
Plain," nearly south acro.ss the highway /mm the
residence of the late Samuel Davis.
According to tradition, it wa.s burned; but there are
various theories in regard to the cause. One is, that
590
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
one of the early settlers set it on fire to procure the
nails to build a house for himself.
It is thought the inside of the house was never fin-
ished, and it is not ])robable that meetings were ever
held in it, yet there may have been an occa-siimal
preaching service during this period.
In 1757 the settlers again e.xpressed a desire for
public worship. The proprietors informed them that
"preaching could not begin until 1758." It appears
by the records that, November 28, 1758, " the proprie-
tors agreed to send a letter by John McAllister to
Thomas Cochran to convene the settlers, and agree
upon a site for the meeting-house and a suitable loca-
tion for a public Burying-Place." Lot 79, on the
northern slope of the hill, was selected as a desirable
spot for the meeting-house.
It also authorized said McAllister and said Coch-
ran to sell one hundred acres of land, near Andrew
Walker's, to defray expenses.
August 30, 1759, the proprietors met five of the
• citizens of New Boston at Dunstable, and then and
there agreed to send the sentiments of the meeting
in writing to the committee, and this committee at
some future time warn the people to meet and take
decisive action in the matter.
It seems there had been several places selected on
which to build, none of which were satisfactory to the
settlers.
The proprietors and resident proprietors met at
Steinrod's, in Dunstable, and " Voti-d to build a meet-
ing-house, near lot eighty-nine, fifty feet long, forty
feet wide and twenty feet stud, boarded and clap-
boarded, and shingled with short shingles." " Voted
to sell so much of the undivided land in the ' New
Addition' as necessary to defray expenses.' "
The Boston projirietors and settlers of New Bo.ston
agreed to refer tlie location to a committee composed
of the following-named gentlemen : Matthew Patten,
.lohn Chamberlain, Samuel Patten.
Below is given a report of the committee, —
*' To the Proprietors of .Verio Botton :
" Gentlemen :
"riirnimnt to the vole uml desire at the meeting licld at Dunstable, in
the Province of New nani|i«liire, the 14th of Septenil>er, 17C2, We, the
BQlwcribera, have attemleil tlie I>iisines8 tlierein mentioned at said meet-
ing, deslrinK us to choo»e a proper place to build a meeliUK-house in New
Doston ; we viewed the place or promises, heard tlio renwnings of the
Proprietors and inhabitants of said town and ilo report to the said Pro-
priety that Lot "9, in the second division and near the centre of said lot,
on the south side of l'iscatji<iiiog Biver, south of a Ked Oak tree marked
with letter C, near the grave of a child buried there, is the most proper
pluce or spot to build uieethig-house on in town, according to our Judg-
ment,
*' .Matthew Patten,
"John CH.\aiuERLAiN,
"SAWt;EL I'ATTEN,
*' CommiUet.
"Wltno«our band, .Inly U, 1763,"
At a meeting held in Dunstable September 28,
1763, it was voted to accept tlie report of the com-
mittee; this same committee were authorized to engage
some suitable person to build said house without de-
lay. They were still further instructed to sell any
unoccupied lands belonging to the proprietors for
building meeting-house.
James ITalscy, John Hill, Robert Boyes and Thomas
Cochran were a|>pointed standing committee of the pro-
prietors. Se])tember 30, 17G(), .lohn Hill and Robert
Jenkins were appointed a committee to make a con-
tract with Mr. Ebenezer Beard for building the
church. The proprietors becoming impatient at Mr.
Beard's delay in completing his contract, instructed
Thomas Cochran and James Caldwell, provided
Beard did not finish said house before July, 17t)7, to
employ suitable workmen to finish the house.
It seems there was a misunderstanding between
Beard and the committee in regard to inside finish ; but
it was soon settled, as they voted, September 15, 1767,
to give Beard one hundred acres of land in the " New
Addition," since Beard coni|)lained that he had a
hard bargain. The proprietors relinquished all right
in the gallery to the citizens, providing they would
assist in finishing said meeting-house.
One half-pew on the lower fioor was given to each
original proprietor. The house was now left to the
care of the town.
We cannot learn that there was any action taken
in regard to the church till the year 1768.
It was a large and noble edifice for those days, be-
ing fifty feet long and forty feet wide. There were
three doors, the front and largest being towards the
south. The high pulpit stood on the north side, with
its mysterious sounding-board above.
There were large square pews around the walls of the
house, a broad aisle in the centre with pews on either
side. The scats were hung with hinges, and as it
was considered very irreverent to sit during prayer,
these seats were raised to enable them to stand with
greater ease ; at the conclusion of the prayer the
seats were dropped, causing a great disturbance.
The singers' seats were located in the gallery oppo-
site the pul|)it. There was no way of warming the
church, and as the services were very long, the
women found it necessary to take what was called a
foot-stove. This was a small tin box set in a wooden
frame; inside was placed a dish for coals.
Not far distant from the church was a building
called the session -house, where the deacons held
business meetings.
The church was not completed till 1786, though it
had been occujiicd for many years. In 1767 the Rev.
Solomon Moor began his labors hero,
.He was born in Newtown-Llmavady, Ireland, 1736,
was a graduate at the University of Glasgow in 1758,
and was licensed to preach by the Londonderry
Presbytery, Ireland, July 26, 1762, and ordained
minister-at-large in 1766. He soon started for
America, and arrived at Halifax October, 1766, and
l>reached for the first time for the Rev. Mr. Moor-
head of Boston, Mass. The following Sabbath he
preached for Rev. Mr. Davidson, in Londonderry,
NEW BOSTON.
591
N. H. In tliose days the churches were so scattered,
and many of the early settlers coming from London-
derry, it was hut natural that they should turn to their
old pastor liir advice and assistance in obtaining a
minister. rriil)alily tluougli Mr. Davidson's influ-
ence, Mr. Moor was induced to visit New Boston and
spend a few months with them. Becoming aciiuainted,
they seemed well adapted to each other, and August
25, 17t>7, the people, with great harmony, gave him the
following call :
"We, the inbubitautti uf the town uf Nt-w Bueton, a^ sensible of tho re-
peated instancea of the goodnuM of our kind Uencfitctttr, |)articularl.v in
Btuiliiig upon our new settlement, ho that, fruni a very eniull, in u few
]rejira,iiruiucreaj4ed toaconsidcrable Dumber, und the \vildern)/S» by God's
Idnd influence, is in many places amongst us become a fruitful tield, af-
fording us a comfortable sustenance; we acknowle^lge that we are not
proprietors of our estates in the sight of (iod, but stewards, and therefore
they are to be improved fur His honor, the spreading and establishnieut
of his interest ; and being destitute of u fixed pastor, and having longing
and e&rneet iuelinntions to have one established amongst us, that we may
have the gospel mysteries unfolded and ordinances administered amongst
us, the appointed means in God's house below, that we and our seed may
be disciplined and trained up for his bouse in glory above. As the kind
providence of God hiis opened such a door by, sir, your coming amongst
us, we are led cheerfully to embrace the happy opportunity, being welt
assured, reverend sir, by une\>.-eptioiial credi-ntials ad to your ministerial
abilities to preach the gosi>el and likewise as to your exemplary life,
which gives force to what is preached, as also the suitjibleness and
agreeableness of what yon preach to our capacities, we earnestly implor-
ing direction from the Ileiug that atone can effectually direct us iu such
a weighty and soul-concerning matter, we, with liearts full of well-
guided affection, do, in the most hearty manner, invite, call and entreat
you, the Key, .Solomon 3Ionr, to undertake the oftice of a pastor amongst
us, and the charge of our souls forced upon your accepting this, our call,
as we hope the I,ord wilt move anil incline you so to do, we in a most
sulfinn manner, promise ycm all dutiful respect, encounigement and
oheilience in the Lord ; ftirther, as the laborer is worthy of his hire and
he that sorvcrt at the altjtr should live by it, as we have nothing but
what wo have received, we are willing to improve part of our portions
in this life that we may be nuule partakers of the everlasting portion in
the life to come, by the bhawing of tJod, under your uiiuiHtry, and for
your encouragement and teniptjral reward, we promise you yearly forty
[Hiuniis sterling per annum for the hret live years after your instalment,
and after that the addition of five jHtunils more sterling.
".\ugu8t the •-'ith, 17i;7.
"Subscriljed by .lohn .Smith, .Matthew Caldwell, William I'aldwill,
.le»*e Christy, Thomas Cochran, James FePHjli, Alexander McCollum,
William Clark, James tJochran, William Gray, Abraham Cochran,
James Wilson, James Crisly, Alexander Wilson, .Tames Hunter, Alex-
aniler liraham, Samuel 3IcAllister, Thomas McCollom, Xinian Clark,
Peter I'ochrun, Reuben Smith, Hardy F<*rson, John lllair, John Coch-
ran, Jr., Thomas Cochran, Jr., Alexander .Moi>r, William McNiel, Jr.,
Thomas Quigely, William Kelsey, John Cochran, 'M'itliam Boye-i, Paul
Femon, Jr., Thomas Wils4>li, William lllair, John Mc.Mlisler, .\naniaa
Mc.Mlister, Itnbert While, J<,lin Ilurna, Kobert Livingston, Nathaniel
• 'ochrau, William Livingston, John Gordon."
This call, given by individual.s, wiis adopted
and iDnfirmcd at a legal meeting held by the
town. Mr. Moor did not give a definite answer to
this call until July 1, 176«. Tradition has it that
Mr, Moor would not agree to .settle here until he
could gain the consent of a fair lady to share with
him the privations and trials incident to a settlement
in what w;ts then called in Londonderry "The
Woods."
The ministry lots not being near the centre of the
town, the town voted to exchange lot No. til for lot
No. ">.■}_ whicli had been designed for a school lot, this
being only about two inile-s from the meeting-house.
The people, feeling anxious that Mr. Moor should
remain with them, ottered to help clear the land,
which was then a wilderness, and assist in the erec-
tion of a suitable house.
March 7, 1868,—
'* Ib/ed, Thomas Cochran, James Fei-son, Thomas Qnigely, Daniel Mc-
Millen, William Clark, committee to treat with Rev. .Solomon Moor in
regard to his settling in New Itoston, and in case the said Moor will not
stay, to provide preaching some other way the present year,"
It would seem that there wasdonbt in the minds of
the people of Mr. Moor's acceptance of the call. He
had been with them nearly six months before it was
given, and they thought the time had now come for a
permanent supply.
Mr. Moor was installed September 6, 1768. It is
thought Rev. David McGregor preache<l the install-
ing sermon, and Rev. William Davidson gave the
charge to the pastor.
It is not certainly known when the church was or-
ganized. By some it is thought to have been the
same day of Mr. Moor's installation. There are
other reasons to suppose it was formed at a much
earlier date. In the proprietor's records we find the
names of Deacon Thomas Cochran and Deacon
Archibald McMilien previous to Mr. Moor's installa-
tion, while there is nothing to show us that they had
been deacons in any other church. It would hardly
seem reasonable that they, good Christian people, or
that their pastors would allow twenty-eight years to
pass without an organization.
It is said these ministers watched carefully and
tenderly over this flock, and there are many instances
recorded where tliey jireached lor them gratuitously.
The early records of the church were imperfectly
kept, .so that it cannot be ]iositively known when the
church was formed, but probalily many years pre-
vious to Mr, Moor's installation.
Mr. Moor commenced his labors in this place, then
a wilderness, with a strong desire and purpose for a
great ingalhering of souls. He was siiiiported and
aided in his work by the session, which, in the year
1768, was composed of Jlr. Moor, pastor; Thomas
Cochran, James Fer-son, John Smith, Archibald
McMilien, Jesse Cristy and Robert White, deacons.
July 16, 1770, Mr. Moor took unto himself a wife,
the daughter of Rev. Jlr, Davidson. The young
couple started immediately lor their new home on
horseback, accompanied liy many of Mrs. Moor's
friends. On their way they were met by a delegation
of their parishioners ; enough of the friends were
left at home to have all in order when they should
arrive.
The people were delighted to welcome this youth-
ful bride of only twenty years, and so great wius their
joy and love for her that she was borne in the arms
of these Scotch women from her steed to her cham-
ber, and in like manner to the reception-room, where
she was greeted by men and women of all ages, each
anxious to pay her homage.
Thus commenced the ministry of this great anil
592
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
good luan. He was a friend to the poor, spoke words
of comfort to tlie iiioiirning, was charitable towards
all ; in a few words, he had all the requisites neces-
sary for a true minister of the gospel. He lived
among this people thirty-four years, and was loved
and respected by all. He died May 28, 1803, aged
sixty-seven years.
Mrs. Moor lived to the good old age of ninety-six
years.
The children of Mr. Moor were Mary, Witter D.,
Frances, Ann, John and Elizabeth.
Mary married Samuel Cochran, of Londonderry.
Witter died when young. Frances married Captain
John Smith, of Goflstown ; she died May 7, 1807.
Ann died unnuirried November 23, 1859, aged eighty-
one. John married Mehitabel Ray, of Mont Ver-
non. Elizabeth Cunimings was married to James
McCurdy, March, 1813, and lived in New Boston until
her death.
Mr. Moor was succeeded by Rev. E. P. Bradford,
whose pastorate with Mr. Moor's fill a space of eighty
years.
The children have not followed the example of
their fathers, jis will be seen.
The next to follow Mr. Bradford was Rev. E. M.
Kellogg. May 5, 1846, he received a call from the
church, which was accepted, and he remained as
pastor of this ]ieoplc until April, 18.52. He is now
living in Manchester, N. H., having retired from his
profession many years since on account of failing
health.
Rev. Alanson Rawson then supplied the pulpit for
about two years, but refused to be installed on the
ground of imi)aired health.
Rev. E. C. Cogswell began his labors October .30,
1855. Aside from a failliful and etlicicnt ministry,
Mr. Cogswell will be long and grateluUy remembered
for his labors in compiling and writing the " History of
New Boston." He was dismissed November I, 1865.
Rev. D. C. Frink was installed by the Londonderry
Presbytery Noveni1)er 25, 1866, and remained pastor
of this church until his death, which occurred June
21, 1871.
Rev. William C. Bcssom was the ne.Kt settled pastor.
He was installed by the Londonderry Presbytery in
1872, and was dismissed in 1873.
After the dismissal of Mr. Bessom there was no
settled minister until October 16, 1879, when Rev.
Frank IL Allen was ordained and installed. He
closed his labors in April, 1882.
In 1874, by a donation of two thousand dollars
from George W. McCoUom, Esq., of New York, a
neat and commodious chapel was built for the use of
the Presbyterian Society.
History of the Baptist Church.— From records
which have been consulted, reaching back about nine-
ty-five years, it appears that the Baptist Church in
New Boston took its origin from one previously ex-
isting in Amherst, and entirely distinct from the pres-
ent church in Amherst. The Amherst Church was
organized December 6, 1787, and consisted of persons i
residing in New Boston and in those parts of Amherst
which were subseipiently formed into Mont Vernon
and Milford, few or none residing in what is now
called Amherst. In the course, however, of twelve
years it had become so diminished in numbers as to
aflbrd little hope that the enterprise would be per-
manently successful. In the mean time several persons
in New Boston had made a public profession of reli-
gion, and united with the church in Weare. Rev. Mr.
Elliott, of Mason, also baptized fourteen persons in the
town on the 4th of October, 1799, though at the time
they united with no church. In view, therefore, of
the number of Baptist professors that were resident in
New Boston, it was mutually agreed, by members of
the church both in Amherst and New ISoston, at a
meeting holden at John Whipple's, in New Boston,
November 23, 1799, that the Amherst Church should
in future be known by the name of " The First Cal-
vinistic Baptist Church in Amherst and New Bos-
ton." Whereupon those persons who had lately been
baptized, and those who had joined at Weare, united
with this church, whose number was also increased,
during the year 1800, by the additition of nineteen
others.
In the year 1801, Rev. Josiah Stone commenced
his labors with this church, and in this and the three
succeeding years fourteen persons were added to its
fellowship. In 1804 the church, by the advice of
council, took the name of "The Calvinistic Baptist
Church in New Boston." The same year the church
agreed ujwn the erection of a meeting-house, which
was completed the following year. This house
was located in the westerly part of the town, three
miles from the present place of worship. It« dimen-
sions were forty by thirty-two feet, and one story
high.
During this year the church united with the War-
ren Association, with which it retained its connection
until the formation of the Boston Association, when
it fell within the limits of that body. The same year,
also. Rev. Josiah Stone was installed as ])ermanent
pastor of the cliurch.
From this time to 1816 the niiinbtr received into
the fellow.ship of the church was twenty. .Vt the ex-
piration of this period a case of discipline arosewhich
resulted in the division of the church into two bodies,
the one being retained in the Boston Association, the
other uniting with the Salisbury.
In June, 1824, Rev. Mr. Stone resigned the pastoral
care of the church, but remained in the place until
his decease, which occurred in 1839.
Rev. John Atwood, then a licentiate, commenced
his labors with this people on the first Lord's day in
June, 1824. He was ordained the 18th of May, 1825,
and closed his pastoral relation the last Sabbath in
January, 1836. During his ministry ninety-nine per-
sons were added to the fellowship of the church.
NEW LONDON.
593
February 23, 1825, the two churches were dissolved
by mutual consent, and the members, forty -six in
numlior, reorganized into one body and united with
the Salisbury Association. In 1820 a pleasant re-
vival of religion took place, in which thirteen were
added to the church. In 1828 the chtirch was dis
missed from the Salisbury and united with the Mil-
fiird As.sociation.
.\ more central location lor public worship being
very desirable, in 1832 a mccting-house was erected
in the Lower village, and was dedicated to the wor-
ship of God on the 6th of February, 1833.
In 1835 a precious revival of religion was enjoyed,
during which fifty-three persons were added to the
rliurch.
In February, 1836, Rev. A. T. Foss became pastor
of the church, which relation he continued to hold
during eight years, till January, 1844.
On tlie first Sabbath in February, 1845, Rev. David
• iage commenced liis ministerial labors with this peo-
ple, and continued with them ten years, duringwhich
time sixty-four were added to the church. His pas-
torate closed in March, IS.")').
November 1, 1855, Rev. J. N. Chase began his jier-
manent labors in the place, was recognized as pastor
December 19, 1855, and dismissed May 1, 1859.
Rev. Franklin Merriani succeeded him in the pas-
toral oflice in May, 1859, and closed his labors with
this church October 5, 1862.
The piwtorate was then tilled by Rev. Thomas
I 'hirkson Russell, who entered upon his labors with
this church the first Sabbath in .Tune, 1863, closing
the same Novenil>er, 1866. His ministry was a strong
one ; tlie church enjoyed a revival and thirty-seven
were added by profession. Rev. Samuel Woodbury
succeeded, his pastorate extending to March, 1868.
Rev. R. G. Farley was tlie next pastor, serving the
church from July, 1868, to 1870. During his stay
nine were received by baptism.
He was followed Ijy Rev. .1. M. Col)uni, whose pas-
toral relations closed in .\ugust, 1871.
In .lanuary, 1872, Rev. (J. W. Kinney succeeded to
the pastorate, and remained with the church till Jan-
uary, 1876. During his ministry many of the old
members %yere called home, of whom (whose history
was closely allied to the church), perhaps, particular
mention should be made of Rev. .lohn .Mwood and
Mrs. Hannah Wliii)])le. .Vdditions by baptism,
seven.
Rev. Francis E. Cleares followed him, his pastorate
lovering from .faiiuary, 1878, to May, 1881. .\dditions
l)y ba|ttism, four.
In October, 1881, Rev. E. C Wliittemore com-
iiicnceil snp[)lying the cburch ; was ordained :i8 pastor
•luly 1, 1882, laboring as such till November, 1884.
It was a marked and successful era in the church's
liistory, — a constant interest and twenty-six added
liy baptism.
A valual)le circulating library w:is procured, ami
extensive repairs and improvements were made on
the church edifice. Mr. Whittemore removed to Au-
burn. Me., and at the present writing the church
is without a pjtstor. Total membership, one hundred
and twenty-three, of whom ninety-nine arc resident
members.
Graveyards. — The first account of the graveyard
is found in the proprietary record, in connection with
the building of a meeting-house, and is as follow> :
" To convene the Bettlore together and fix on the most proper pla«-e,
the centre of the town according to the old line, supposed to be iibont
lot "i), to build a meeting-houM' ; also to Hx on a suitable place for bury-
ing-ground near to said place, as shall lie inoat agreeable to the settleiM."
The next, we find, is referred to in the report of a
committee who were authorized by the proprietors
and settlers to select a site on which to build the
meeting-house, as follows :
" IJo report to said rruprietary as follows : that lot 71) in the second
division whj^ the centre of said lot on the south side of Piscataiinng
River, south of a Red Oak tree marked with the letter C, near the grave
of a child buried there, is the most projier place to bnild n meeting-
house."
According to tradition, the child referred to was a
daughter of Captain George Christie, the first settler
in the southwestern part of the town, and this pbn'e
of interment was selected, in all probability, with the
knowledge that it was then or would be inclosed in
the yard, and must have been near where the Brad-
ford monument now stands.
History and tradition are silent as to .iny other
interments within the limits of what is known as
the old yard, and the supposition is that there were
none at that period.
The time of laying out and setting apart a trad of
land for a graveyard is not now known, as there is
no record to be found, but the presumption is that it
would be immediately after the location of the meet-
ing-house; for, in accordance with the universal cus-
tom of the times, the land for the graveyard would
be inclosed in the ri^ar of, or in the immediate
vicinity of, the church.
The next recorded allusion is to be found in the
town records, Jlay 7, 1 7i)X, when a vote of the town
was taken or a resolution passed to the following
eflect: that each man work one day on the stone-
work in the graveyard. This was nearly six years
after the report of the committee, and the "meeting-
house was built and finislied outside." Doubtless
the wood was cut off at ibis time and the grouinl
cleared lor the yard.
The stone-work referred to in the resolution would
be digging and removing stone within tln> indosure
of tlie premises to make a stone wall.
M a town-meeting held February 14, 1777, a reso-
lution was jiasscd rei|uiring eacli man in town to
work one day at the graveyard, with the privilege of
expending the lalior in that part of the yani where
individually interested.
.\ period of nineteen years had now elapsed since
the first interment. The first moiiuiiiental record of
594
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
liurial is that of Alexander McCollom, who died
January 0, 1768, at the age of thirty-six years. He
came from Londonderry in 1757, and settled on the
farm owned by the late George Adams ; was chosen
town clerk when the town was incorporated, in 17G3,
and held the office at the time of his death.
The following-named are the earliest burials of
which there is any monumental record :
Thomas Cochran, October 6, 1770; Mrs. Jane
JIcNicl, April 2, 1772 ; Captain James Cochran,
April 21, 1772; Nathaniel Aiken, June 8, 1772; Joseph
Waugh, October 13, 1770; two children of John
Cochran, May, 1775; Afaurice Lynch, 1779.
In all probability, few were erected in comparison
with the whole number that died.
There does not appear to have been any addition
or improvement made until about 1840, when a small
triangular piece of land, lying between the yard and
the highway, w:u< added ; but in a few years that was
taken up, and it became ap[>arent that the town
would be obliged to furnish new ground for inter-
ment. The question was discussed at several towu-
meetings, and the selectmen were instructed to
j>urchase laud suitably located for a cemetery; but, in
consequence of inability to purchase and difference
of opinion in regard to locality, failed to accomplish
the object desired.
Mr. Elbridge Wason, of the firm of Wason, Peirce
& Co., of Boston, a native of the town, very gener-
ously oft'ered to give the town land for a new-
burial-place or an addition to the old. After a
consideration of the subject by the citizens, the latter
was thought most desirable, and Mr. Wason pur-
chased land on the north and west of the old yard,
and conveyed the same to the town by deed, under
certain conditions, one of which was that it should
be controlled by a board of trustees, to be appointed
by grantor, with power to fill vacancies as they
might occur. Since that time the trustees have
caused the erection of a town-tomb and brought water
by aqueduct into the yard, which is discharged by
two fountains. Great changes have been nuide by
citi/.ens in improving lots and erecting monuments,
81) that it will compare favorably with cemeteries in
neighboring towns.
Soil, Forest Growth and Productions.— The sur-
face of the town is very much like that of the neigh-
boring towns, crossed by hill and vale, although the
hills are not so steep and high as in Francestowii and
Lyndebo rough.
The soil varies. The hill lands are generally an
admixture of clay and marl, with the granite formation
on the south and east sides ; on the north and west
the formation is purely of granite, and with less depth
of soil and fertility; the valleys partake more of the
uiarl than of the granite.
The valley of the south branch of the Piscataquog
is alluvial, evidently tlie result of the glacier period,
as the extendeil morains and cairns along its banks
would tend to show, and during the melting of the
ice the water must have been from seventy-five to one
hundred feet deep where the village now stands, as at
that height on the hills on each side the sediment
settled in still water.
The meadow or bog land is of but small amount,
except what is known as the Great Meadow, in the
north part of the town, although now comparatively
worthless, except for cranberries.
It was of great value to the early settlers, having
been flowed at some period by the beavers, which
would destroy the timbers, and being abandoned by
them, their dam went to decay, and after the water
dried off, a kind of grass, known as the blue joint,
sprang up and grew luxuriantly, afiording a supply
of hay to keep cattle before there was a sufficient
amount of land cleared for that purpose.
The forest growth was principally oak and pine,
with a mixture of beech, maple and hemlock on
the hills ; oak, beech and pine grew on low lands.
The banks of the Piscataquog. its entire length, a
distance of ten miles or more, was lined with pines
of a large size and good quality. Some fifteen or
twenty years prior to the Revolution the British
government undertook to procure masts for the royal
navy, from Concord and vicinity, by floating them
down the Merrimack River to Newbury port; but in
going over Amoskeag Falls most of them were
broken. The project proved a failure, and was given
up. They next turned their attention to the Piscata-
quog and its branches as a better field of operation,
and to give even better facilities for conveyance, built
a road from Squog village (what was then Bedford)
to Oil-Mill village, in Weare. This road wsis known
as King's Mast road, and the King's surveyor went
through the woods and put the broad "R" on all
pine-trees suitable for masts for the royal navy.
It was a capital crime for a man to cut on his own
land any pine-tree twenty inches or more in diameter,
and was punishable with a fine and confiscation of
the lumber.
Tradition says that in 1774, Benjamin Whiting, of
.\mher.st, sherifl'of the county, laid an attachment on
all logs found at the mills in (iolistown over twenty
inches through, and then went to Oil-Mill, where
there was a large number of logs, and did the same.
He then went to a hotel to spend the night; after he
retired, a band of masked men broke into his room,
ordered him to dress, placed him upon his horse,
whose tail and mane had been closely shaven, and
compelled him to leave the place.
Being an obstinate, willful man, and highly exas-
perated at the treatment he received, he persuaded
Colonel Goffe to go with a company of soldiers to
execute the King's writ; but his assailant-s were not
to be found. No further effort wius made at that time
to arrest the offenders.
The next year, 1775, was the beginning of the
Revolution, and Sheriff Whiting was one of the small
NEW BOSTON.
595
number that refused to sign the Test Act; but his
towDsmen made it so uiicomt'ortable for him that he
removed to Xova Scotia, and never returned.
Allusion has been made to the size of the trees,
many of whieh, takiii" the stumps iis a standard, were
I'mm four to five feet in diameter at the rout. One
was cut down on the farm formerly owned by N. C.
Croinbie that was six feet in diameter at the stump ;
another, near John M. Holt's mill, nearly as large,
and the story is that a pair of o.xen, si.\ feet girth,
were turned around on them without stcpi)ing otf.
It is evident they could not be removed full length
fur masts, ami were therefore left to rot.
.\fter the Revolutionary period the business of cut-
ting and drawing the best and straightest trees to the
landing at Sijuog for masts was continued until all
.suitable for that purpose had disappeared. The man-
ufactured lumber prior to the building uj) of Nashua
and Manchester was drawn to the same place and
rafted to Newbury|>ort or Boston. At that time the
best boards sold at Squog for from five to six dollars
|ier thou-sand. When the town was laid out it con-
tained as much oak and pine timber as any town .six
miles square in the State, l)ut it is now nearly all
L'one.
The principal productions, excepting lumber, are
now and have been agricultural.
Of grains, corn is the leading one, being the stand-
ard crop.
Wheat, oals and barley are grown to a limited ex-
tent on the hill farms. The i)otato and turnip do not
grow as well now as when tln' land was new. The
farmer realizes more from bay than from any other
production.
Butter and cheese are made to a limited extent, as
many of tlu^ largest farmers are selling their milk.
The natural scenery of New Boston cannot be snr-
liasscd. Among the highest elevations in town arc
Clark's, Cochran's and Bradford Hills.
For weeks the traveler might discover some new
attraction in these abodes of nature. Nothing can
exceed the splendor of a sunrise on these hills in a
calm, summer mnriiing. The stillness of the place,
the varying positions of objects as the morning mists
rise and change and pass away before the sun, — these
and other features present to the mind a landscape
abounding in that wild beauty which exists where art
has not usurpecl dominion over nature. The eye
dwells with delight on the va.st country which is
spread before it.
Far as the eye can reach, it is met by a eon.stant
succession of hills and mountains, .sometimes swelling
gently in the ilistance ami sprinkled with setllemcnt.s,
again breaking into wild peaks; in summer crowned
with Icdgejf of granite, and in winter covereil with an
iiubniken mantle of snow, rising like monnment.s of
marble above the surrouTiding woods.
Joe English Hill is the highest point ol land in
town, and is alnio^l perpemlicular on the south side,
which appears as though it had been broken off by
some mighty convulsion of nature; the glacier period
may have had something to do about it. The west and
east sides are not so steep, and on the north the ascent
is very gradual.
The name is derived from a friendly Indian, who
lived with the English when Tyngsborough, Dunstable,
Chelmsford and Uracut were frontier towns. He was
a good hunter and warrior, and from the fact of his
living with the English the other Indians gave him
the name of ,Ioe English.
Becoming satisfied that he gave information of their
hostile designs to the pale-faces, they determined to
take his scalp, and, accordingly, laid in wait for him.
Soon after, about twilight, they found Joe hunting
near the south branch of the Piscataquog, and made
an att;ick on him, but he managed to escape, aiid be-
ing a good runner, be nnide Ibr the north side of the
hill, knowing that unless he had recourse to strategy,
they would capture him. He ran with great speed to
the base of the hill, then slackened his speed so that
his pursuers had nearly overtaken him ; when became
to the brink of the precipice, on the southern side,
he leaped down a short distance, and concealed him-
self behind a projection of the ledge, while his pur-
suers, having seen their prey, came on with renewed
energy to the point where he had disappeared, fell
headlong and were dashed on the rocks below.
Another account is that in one of his excursions in
this vicinity he was pursued by a native Indian war-
rior. On discovering bis enemy he ran for the base
of the hill, and after going around several times came
up with his pursuer in the rear, and shot him in the
back.
Joe English, in con.sequence of his fiiithfulness to
the English, came to his death in the following num-
ner: As he, with sonu> white men, were escorting
Lieutenant Butterfield and wife from Dunstable to
Chelmsford, .Tuly 27, 1706, they fell into an ambuscade
of hostile Indians. Butterfield and the other men
easily made their escape, as the principal object ol
the Indians was to capture Joe. lie started ibr the
woods, with all the Imlians in full pursuit, excei)ting
one, who was left in charge of Mrs. Butterfield.
When he found they were gaining ui)on him he faced
about, took aim, as if about to lire; the Indians, know-
ing that he was a fatal shot, dropped instantly to the
ground. Joe then ran tor his life, but, seeing his pur-
suers were gaining ground, repeated the action, which
he ilid several times, initil he had nearly rcacheil the
covert of the thick wood, when one of the Indians
fired. The shot struck his right arm, and hia gun fell
from his hand; but this impelled him to greater
speed, and he had just gained the wood when another
shot struck him in the thigh and he fell to the ground.
.\l the same limi' a yell of triumph expressed the joy
of the savages. Coming uj), they gave vent to their
hatred in no measured terms, as follows: "Now, Joe,
wo are glad you no tell English we come again."
596
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
" No," answered Joe ; " Captain Butterfit-kl tell that
at Pawtucket." " Ugh ! " exchiinu'ii the Indians ; the
thought just strikinfT them tliat the soldiers at the
bloek-hoases at Pawtucket or Dunstable, alarmed by
the whites who had escaped, would be upon them in
a short time, they did not delay, but burying the tom-
ahawk in tlie head of Joe Englisli, this Caithful friend
of the white man died.
The services of Joe English were considered so
meritorious that a -^rant was made to his wife and two
children, by the Legislature of Massachusetts, be-
cause, as the words of the grant have it, " he died in
the service of his country."
Roads. — The first road built in town, according to
the proprietary records. Wiis from where the first house
was built on the plain to the saw and grist-mill ; the
next was from Amherst line to John McAllister's
house, in thesouth part of the town ; and also one from
the plain to the Great Meadow. The first road through
the town began on Bedford west line, near Chestnut
Hills; thence, in a northwesterly direction, nearly
through the centre of the town, crossing the south
branch of Piscataquog River about one-half mile
below the Lower village, at a place now known as the
Ford-way ; thence it followed, in nearly the same di-
rection, to the south line of Weare.
.V large part of it has gone out of use and is fenced
up, the land reverting to the abuttors, and is known
as the old County road, ])robably designed as a leading
thoroughfare on which the cross-roads from east and
west would terminate. After the incorporation of the
town, the record shows a large number of transcripts
of new highways laid out by the selectmen, in doing
which they ap]>car to have had two things in view, —
first to so locate the road as to pass each settler's
house.
No regard being i)aid to straight lines, the roads
were circuitous and often nearly at right angles, being
built over the hills, seeming to avoid as much as
possible the level and low lands. According to tradi-
tion, one of the rcitsons for so doing is found in the
fact that most of the early settlers built on a hill, or
on the most elevated portion of their lot or grant,
being of the opinion that the soil was better and the
location more pleasant ; and when tliey had made con-
siderable advance in clearing of the forest, it gave
opportunity to see their neighliors' premise's.
Another reason was that it was difficult to build and
maintain a road in low and swampy land.
There appears to have been two leading ways to the
older towns, where they procured such articles of mer-
chandise and luxuries as their means would allow, —
one through the north part of the town to Goffstown
and Londonderry ; the other from the northwest part
of the town, over the Clark Hill, to the Lower village;
thence to the upper and over Bradford Hill, and, as
the road now runs, past the residcncesof G. A.Wason,
David Marden and Robert Kelso, to Amherst line,
and is known as the old Amherst road. It was the
route over which the merchandise was transported
from Boston and Salem for the stores here and those
in the southwest part of Weare.
About 1827 an event occurred which changed, to a
certain extent, the terminus of many of the old roads
and discontinued others: which was the building of a
new road from Newport to Amherst through the town
lengthwise, to avoid the steep and long hills over the
old turnpike, particularly those of Cork and Mont
Vernon. This changed the course of travel from
Windsor, Woodstock and Montpelier, Vt.,and a large
section that centred at Claremont and Newport. But
i the most visible change effected in the town by the
i building said highway was the removal of the l)Usi-
ness centre from the village on the hill to what is now
known as the Lower village, which then consisted of
three houses, a grist and a clothing-mill. The first
new buildings erected after the completion of this road
was a store by Micah Lawrence and Waterman Burr,
and a hotel and store by Dr. John Whipple.
Although it was of great advantage and benefit to
the town and public, the large expense of building
caused strong opposition on the part of many of the
citizens, two of whom reiused to travel over it, but
preferred the old circuitous road to reach the village,
nearly twice the distance.
In the year is;i9 a new highway was built from the
lower village to tTofi'stown, to connect with the <dd
Mast road in said town, known as the River road, and
is now the leading thoroughfare from the towns west
and southwest to the city of Manchester.
By this time the town had been at great expense
building new roads to accommodate the public. Two
had been built from the west line of the town, termi-
nating at the village, one farther south having its ter-
minus on the Amherst road, one in the northeast part
to Weare line, and another in the southeast to Bedford
line, varying in length from two and one-half to four
and one-half miles, beside many shorter pieces made
to avoid the hills and straighten old roads, the build-
ing and maintenance of which was a he ivy burden on
the tax-payers.
The presumption is that New Boston has more
miles of road than any other town of the same size in
the county or in the State.
Bridges. — The first bridge was on the south branch
of the l'iscata(piog. where the old County road crosseil,
and was built with log abutments; this wasetfecteil by
' placing a log well imbedded on each side of the stream,
then others fr(mi the bank notched on as headers, and
stretchers laid from one abutment to the other until
they had attained a suitable height. An incident is
related in connectirm with this bridge which appears
almost incredible, although related as a fact well
vouched. During a severe fre.shet the covering of the
bridge was carried away, leaving the stringers bare.
A resident of Francestown, returning from Ix)ndon-
derry on horseback in the evening, passed over, and
as it was unusuallv dark, concluded to call at the first
NEW BOSTON.
597
bouse and spend the night. The first question on his
arrival was, — "How did you cross the river?" His
auswer was,^" On the bridge," but was assured that
that was not possible, as it had been carried away by
the water. He refused to credit wiiat hi.s host related,
but in the morning went back, and, to his great sur-
prise, saw nothing remaining of the bridge from one
abutment to the other except one stringer, which was
aullicient evidence to convince him that his horse had
carried him over in safety, with no other surface for
foothold than the remaining cross-tie.
On the south branch of I'iscataqiiog there are eight
wooden truss bridges, varying in length from forty-
tive to sixty-five feet, and one bridge of iron in the
village ; on the middle branch, two wooden truss
bridges, from forty to fifty feet in length, and six with
stretchers laid across, iilank-covered.
Mills. — The first mill or mills w:is built by the
proprietors, as has been related ; the next by Andrew
Walker aliout the year 1751. As appears by the
records, the proprietors made an agreement or con-
tract with said Walker, on condition of certain grants
of land, to build a saw and grist-mill on the middle
branch of the I'lscatacpiog River, where Charles
Tucker's mill now stands, with a right to flow, for
the space of seven years, the low land farther up
said stream, so as to furnish a supj)ly of water for the
dry season, the proprietors to provide the mill-irons.
The fre<|Uent complaint of the settlers to the pro-
prietors would tend to show that he did not give
satisfaction. What the dilliculty was does not ap-
pejir, — whether he refused to saw boards for one-half,
according to the custom of the time, and demanded
payment in cash, or claimed more than a sixteenth part
of the grain for grinding. But it is ([uite evident it
was an infringement on the rights of the settlers, and
an abuse of the jirivileges granted him, or was so con-
sidered by the proprietors from the action taken at
several of their meetings. At one it was voted to sue
Walker and take the mill-irons if he was not more
accommodating; at another time tiiey authori/,e<l and
empowered Thomas Cochran ami .lohn Mc.Mlister to
take legal measures with .Viidrew Walker. At an
• arly period Deacon Thomas Cochran built a corn-
mill on a small stream known as the Cochran Brook,
anil prior to 1770, Hugh Oregg built a saw and grist-
mill on the middle branch of the Piscataiiuog River,
where Alvaro lladU'y's now stands.
Deacon .Jesse Christy built a saw and grist-mill on
the spot now owned by the l'a|ier-.Mill Coiiipany.
.Saw-mills were built in dilferent parts of the town to
the number of thirty-three, nine of which were located
on the south branch of the river, nine on the middle
branrh, four on the Marden Brook, one on Turkey
Brook, near the north end of the (ircat Meadow, one
on brook near Hiram Wilson's, two on Wood's Brook,
besides two on the south branch of the Piscataiiuog,
which were connected with grist-mills.
Manufacttires, — The first manufactory in town of
which there is any record was that of wire, and was
carried on by Holmes, Kendall & Crombie in a build-
ing nearwhere the paper-mill now stands. Not proving
remunerative, it was given up.
Axes and hoes were manufactured there about the
same time.
A year or two later Moses Wood erected a building
near the same place, and began the manufacture of
guns and rifles, which he carried on successfully for
a long ))eriod, until the breech-loader succeeded the
old nuizzle-loader.
Kentlall & .Mel-ane began the manufacture of
doors, sash and blinds in 1845, in a l)uililing where
John Gregg's shop now stands, which was afterwards
burned, and were succeeded the next year by N. & R.
McLane, who continued the business there until 1852,
when they erected a dam and building about one
hundred rods northeast of the Lower village, and
have continued the manufacture of doors there till
the present time.
The same year Nathan Farley commenced the
manufacture of ])iano-cases, which he has continued
successfully.
Fuller iS: Wisewell made looking-ghisses and pic-
ture-frames in the same building formerly occupied
by N. & R. McLane for two or three years.
They were succeeded by Mr. Smith, who put in
machinery for knit hosiery. After operating a few
months, he had the misfortune to have his stock and
machinery destroyed by fire.
For twenty years or more David N. Butterfield has
manufactured fancy boxes and toy furniture in what
was known as the Gage Mill, and has macliinery for
turning and jilaning iron.
Jlr. Brett for three or four years carried on the
business of making bobbins.
Jlorgan & .Vndrews for a time manufactured bed-
steads in the west part of the town. The premises
are now occupied by E. D. Morgan as a table-factory.
In 18-KJ, George D. Neville commenced and i)ur-
sued the making of edge-tools in the shop built by
Daviil Smith.
John W. Andrews' knob and chair-factory is now
owned and occupied by Mr. Alfred Wilder, wlio
manufactures toy carriages to quite an extent.
Abram Wason erected a steam-shop for the making
of barrel-heads in 1883. and is still in the business.
Soldiers of the French and Indian Wars.— There
is no e\ iileiiie, Irailitional or lii>i.iriral, that any resi-
dent of the town served in lliise wars from 1755 to
17()0.
Daniel Kelso eidisted from Derry in 1758, at the
age of sixteen years, and served till the close of the
war. He afterwards removed to this town.
.John Livingston, born in the year 1720, in the
parish of Learcastlc, County of Argyle, Scotland, inid
a more varied experience than any other citizen ol
his day. The year 175(i was, on the whole, more fav-
orable to the French arms in North America than the
598
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
British, and great efforts were made on the part of
the latter to put a sufficient force into tlie field, so as
to successfully contend with the fornuT ; and to do
that it was necessary to raise a large number of men
by enlistment to make up the quota of the standing
regiments and form new ones, and if the young men
would not enlist, they were conscripted.
In September of the above-named year, on Living-
ston's return from the grist-mill, he was met by the
recruiting sergeant and a file of soldiers, and was
forced to accompany them to the place of rendez-
vous, leaving the horse and hag of meal in the
highway, and at his home a wife and child. He
afterwards enlisted and sent his wife the bounty
money. The Highland Regiment, of which he was
a soldier, landed in Boston in the early part of the
year 1757, and was in service on the frontier that
year and the next, and in 1759 took part in the ex-
pedition under General Wolfe to take Quebec. He
was in the battle of Abraham's Plains and all the
other conflicts in which that division was engaged,
in every one of which he performed his duty faith-
fully. After seven years' service he obtained his
discharge, of which the following is a copy :
COPY OF JOHN LIVINGSTON'S DISCHARGE.
** His Majesty's 48th Regiineut of foot Whereof .Simon Fra/.er is Col.
"These are to 1'ertitie tliat tlie Bearer hereof .lolin Livingstou suMier
in Mayor Campbell's Company of the aforesaid Regiment. Born in the
parish of Leareaslle ami in the County of Argile, aged thirty-six years
and by trade a farmer.
"Hath served honestly and Faithfully in the said Regiment fur the
siMice of seven years. But by reason that the Regiment is to be reduced
is here by discharged, he having first received all just Demands of pay
Clothing etc. from his entry into the said Regiment to the Day of this
Discharge as appears by his Recept on the IJack hereof
"Given under my hand and the seal of the Regiment at Quebec in
Canada this Tenth day of September ITftCJ.
"James .\behcromhie,
"Maj. o/Wth Biyimetil."
After his discharge, in company with other High-
landers, he came to Montreal, and from thence uj)
the Mi.ssisqui River to Lake Champlain, along the
shore of this lake to the mouth of the Winooski, up
the last-named to Montpelier, where there was but
one log house. There were but few settlements in
Vermont then, except on the Connecticut River and i
Lake Champlain. I
He then went from Montpelier to Windsor, and
from there to Boston, where he worked in the sum-
mer season in a West India goods store and a steve- ,
dore's gang for the small sum of fifty cents per day,
and in the winter came to Bedford (or New Boston) !
and worked for his board. After three or four years
he had saved enough to purchase a lot of land in the
northwest part of the town, and clearing it, he built
a log liimse and frame barn, and in 1773 sent for his |
wife and daughter, whom he had not seen for seven-
teen years. They arrived in Xovfember of the same
year. By industry and economy he ac()iiired a large
landed estate in this town and Francestown. He
was a very successful farmer, raising a large number of
horses, cattle and sheep. He died .July Iti, 1818.
Soldiers of the Revolution. — .Vbner Hogg, son of
Robert Hogg, wa.-^ born in Londonderry in the year
1759. He enlisted in June, 1776, under Captain Barnes,
of Lyndeborough, and went with him to Ticonderoga,
in General Gates' division, and in December returned
home. He re-enlisted the next spring under Captain
Livermore, in Colonel Scammors regiment, the Third
New Hampshire, and was in frequent skirmishes in
the vicinity of Ticonderoga. He was in the battle of
Stillwater, and, later, witnessed Burgoyne's surrender.
He then joined Washington's army and was in several
conflicts; he came home in May, 1780. During his
term of service he was in ten l)attles, held a sergeant's
warrant for two years of the time and drew a ser-
geant's pay from government from 1831 to the time
of his death.
James, an elder brother, was in the battle of
Bunker Hill.
William Beard was also in this battle, and after-
ward received an ensign's commission. He was in
General Stark's army at the battle of Bennington,
in 1777.
Deacon Archibald McMillen was wounded in the
Bunker Hill conflict, but it does not appear that he
enlisted for a term of service, for he was elected
representative of New Boston and Francestown to the
General Court at Exeter in 1777.
Robert Campbell, Josiah Warren and James Cald-
well were taken prisoners by the Indians in the vicin-
ity of Ticonderoga, and left there some months. The
exchange or liberation occurred on tlie last Wednesday
of May, the day on which the Legislature of Mas-
sachusetts met, and they afterwards annually cel-
ebrated the event by a festival, called the feast
of Purim or deliverance, at which times they met
alternately at each other's houses.
Caleb Howe served long enough to draw full pen-
sion.
About the beginning of the Revolutionary War
there was a large addition to the population of the
town from Beverly, Windham, Hamilton and other
coast towns.
They were a people of purely English origin and
ancestry, having dill'jrent manners, customs and
usages from the earlier settlers, and a dilierent pronun-
ciation from the broad Scotch. As a body, thrifty,
frugal and industrious. As a rule, they came with
sufficient means to purchase many improvements over
the earlier settlers. This influx continued until about
the beginning of the present century, and added
materially to the wealth and |>ri>sperity of the town.
There were families of Dodges, besides the Andrews,
Obers, Danes, Morgans, Langdells, Bennetts and
Whipples.
From the beginning of the second immigration the
population increased rapidly, and reached the highest
in the .second decade of this century, it being about
NEW B08T0N.
599
1 700, and since that time there has been a steady
decrease. In 1870 it was 1241, iu 18S0, 1144,— an ac-
tual decrease of over o.50 in sixty years, due mainly
to the same causes that have diminished the wealth,
population and production of the farmin;! towns,
more particularly those that have no railroad facilities.
War of 1812. — There is not much known of this
town in cimneetion with the War of 1812. Nathan
Hall and Jonathan IJrowu are the only ones known
to have been engaged in it.
\AMKS OF VOI.UNTEEUS KKOM NEW BOSTON I.N THE WAK
OF THE KEIIELLION.
Koit TlIEEE SIUNTIIS.
Jamefl B. Whipple. Paul Wliipple, Puge Fox, Joseph K. Whipple, W.
B. Do<lge, Alfred Ealon, W. E. Taggart.
For Nine 3Ionth8.
I'erley IXxlge,* M. (.'olburn, Abner Lull,* Jacob Towns, George An-
drews,* C. H. l)icliey,« H. Pe«b.Kly,» J. Peabotly,* L. Peabod.v,* J. Liing-
dell, William Kel^>,* Page Fox, il. Fuirfield, Ilunice Langdell, Edward
Cudworth,* Calvin Aiidrewn, C. H. Murphy, E. I*. I>odge, iJeorge Mar-
den, LewiH Towns,* 3Io6es Cronibie, Beiijamin Wilson,* Frederick Lum-
lon.*
Fur Three Vears or the War.
Emerson .lobonnett, Edward Reynolds,* Samuel Putnam,* William C.
Kelso,* Jacob Carson,* W. Cornelius Beard,* Julian Dodge,* S. Dodge,
Jr., William B. Dodge, Robert Clark, Cieorge II. Chandler, Caleb Dodge,*
Paul Whipple. Henry Gage,* A. Carson, Everett Ober, John Corvan,*
George l>avis, Geoi-ge How, I-Mwin Barnard,* Levi W. Sargent, Charles
Brooks,* Rirhardson, Fnink Warden, John Buxton, Washington
Follansln-*'-, Henry .Shelby, .Vtldison Meade, i^harlos E. Daggett,* H. Fntuk
Warren, Elbridt;e Mansfield, J. H. Juhonnett, .\. J. Bennett, .Vustin
Morgan,* George Lawrence, John G. Kowell, William Dustan, George E.
Cochrane, Daniel Heuld, John H. Fjtton,* Alfred Eaton, Frank Carson,
R. Bartlelt, William N. Duiikleo, A. P. Brigham, Hoiw, J. Whip-
ple, Jr.,* George ^loulton, James Leel, Duncan Campbell. Edgar Rich-
ards, JoMph Rif hanis,* Oscar Richards,* Daniel F. Shedd, James Col-
burn, John Dickey, William J. Perkins, John H. Boynton, Robert
Bichards.
Note.—* Died in ser^-ice.
Lawyers. — There exi.stcd for a long time a decided
aversion to the legal profe.tsiou among no small part
of the community, but that soon di.iappeared ; never-
theless New Boston Una never been an inviting field
for this profession. Its location is not sufficiently cen-
tral to attract Ijusincss from surrounding towns, nor
has New Boston raised many of her sons to this calling ;
but of those she has given, there is no occasion for
shame.
William Wilson became the leader and rose to emi-
nence. Me was the son of Alexander Wilson, gradu-
ated at Dartmouth I'oUege in 1797, settled in Ohio
and became judge of the Supreme Court in 1823; he
was subsequently electe<l a member of Congress and
died ill 1827, aged lifty-five years.
.losiah Fairfield, the son of .loliii l''airficld, was born
.Vugust, ISOli, fitted for college al .Vndover, Mjlss., and
graduated from Dartmouth in 182.3. In 1827 he went
to Hud.son, N.Y.,and became principal of the academy
which position he held five years, studying law in the
mean time, and iu 18.'{2 began to practice.
Mr. Fairfield w:ls always a firm frii'iid of education
and an advocate of all righteous reforms. He died iu
Hudson, N. Y., respected by all.
Cliirk B. Cochrane was born in 18i;i, and wius the
son of .lohn Cochrane. He commenced fitting lor
college at Atkinson Academy in 1832, under John
Kelly, Esq., and completed his preparation at Fran-
cestown Academy and at Nashua.
He entered Union College in 18'{o, and graduated
in 1839, commenced practicing law at .Vmsterdam.
N. Y., and iu 1851 removed to Schenectady, thence to
Albany in 1855. In 1856 he was elected to represent
in the United States Congress the counties of Sche-
nectady, Schoharie, llontgomery and Fulton, and was
re-elected in 1858.
Mr. Cochrane gained a high position among his
competitors by his legal knowledge. He died at
Albany.
James Crombie was born in 1811, the third son of
William Crombie, Esq., removed from New Boston to
Otsego, N. Y., when only five years of age. Ill health
forbade a college course, but in 1834 he began the
study of law, and was admitted to the bar at Albany
in October, 1837.
Lorenzo Fairbanks is the son of Joel Fairbanks,
and was born March 16, 1825. He fitted for college
at Black River Academy, Ludlow, Vt., graduated at
Dartmouth College iu 1852, and immediately com-
menced the study of law in New York ; wits admitted
to the bar in 1863. He subsequently established him-
self in business in Philadelphia, but has since removed
to Boston, where be now resides.
Christojiher C. Langdell is the son of the late .(olin
Langdell. He fitted for college at Exeter Academy,
graduated at Harvard and afterwards i)racticed law
in New York City. He is now professor in the Law
School at Harvard College.
Perley Dodge was the youngest son of William
Dodge, who settled here in 1787. His ancestors are
believed to have come from the north of Wales, and
were among the early settlers in Mas.sachusetts Hay.
He fitted for college at Finkerton, Salisbury and Fran-
cestown Academies, entered Dartmouth in 1820, sub-
sequently went to Union College, from which he
graduate<l in 1824. In 1828 he was admitted to the
bar, practicing first at Francestovvn, then in New
Boston, but afterwards removeil to Amherst, where he
now lives.
John tiove, son of Dr. Jonathan Gove, was born in
New Boston, February 17, 1771, graduated at Dart-
mouth College in 1793, commenee<l the practicing of
law in Oollstown in 1797 and removed to Chillieothe,
Ohio, in 1802. He <lied the same year, aged thirty-one.
('harles Frederick (Jove was also the son of Dr.
Jonathan Gove. He was born May 13, 1793, gradu-
ated at Dartmouth College in 1817, read law with J.
Forsaith and commenced its practice in (iolfstown in
1S2II, where be remained till 1839, when he removed
to Nashville (now Nashua), and represented it in the
State L.'gislatnrcin 1830,'31,'32,'33,'34. He was presi-
dent of the State Senate in 1835, was solicitor from
1834 to 1837, Attorney-General from 1837 to 1842, and
appointed circuit judge of Court of Common Pleas in
1842.
600
HISTOllY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Robert Cliirk Cochran is the 8on of the hite John
1). Cochran. He was born Novenbor 4, 1813, and
resided in (iallatin, Miss., u]i to tlie time of liis
death.
Jesse McCurdy, the son of the late James MeCurdy,
graduated at Dartnioutli in the class of 1852. He is
now practicing law in (.^nitnian, Miss.
Seth Fairfield is the son of Benjamin Fairfield,
Esq., and a graduate of Waterville College, Me. He
went into MississijJiii to teach school, and is now in
the practice of the legal profession in that State.
Xinian Clark Betton was born in 1788. He studied
al Atkinson Academy, entered Dartmouth College
and graduated with the reputation of high scholarship.
He practiced in Boston up to the time of his death,
which occurred November 19, 1856.
(jreorge E. Cochrane, sou of Alfred Cochrane, was
born March 30, 1845. He studied law with Judge
Cross, of Manchester, afterwards settling in Farming-
ton, and from thence he removed to Rochester, where
lie now resides.
Charles S. McLane, the son of Rodney McLane,
was born November, 1854. He received his educa-
tion at Mont Vernon, Derry and Tilton schools, stud-
ied law witli Wadleigh & Wallace, of Milford, and
subsequently practiced in Dover, from whicli place he
has now removed to Wichita, Kan.
Doctors.' — The tirst doctor in town was Matthew
Thornton, one of the signers of the Declaration of
Inde])endence. When he came here and how long he
stayed is not known. He afterwards removed to a
place in Merrimack known as Thornton's Ferry, I
where lie dieil. i
The next was Dr. Jonathan Gove, who came here
in the year 1770. He was evidently a polished and
cultivated mau, as well as a skillful physician. He
held many town oflices, more particularly that of
town clerk, for a long period. After he had pa.ssed
middle age he removed to GoB'stown and dic<l there.
(Contemporary with Dr. Gove wsis Dr. Hugli Mc-
Millen, a self-educated physician and a good practical
chemist. By study and experiment he was enabled
to comijound and pre|>are medicines that were valua-
ble in diseases of the blood, and it is said he discov-
ered a cure for hydrophobia, if taken in season. The
secret he left to his .son. Dr. Abraham McMillen, and
it died with him.
The next in order was Dr. Eastman.
He was succeeded by Dr. Lincoln, a man of some
enterprise. He built mills on the premises now-
owned and occupied by Elbridge C. Colby ; but hav-
ing met with some reverses, he left town, and he, in
turn, was succeeded by Dr. Cutter, who remained a
short time, and returned to Jafl'rey, his former home.
Next in order was Dr. John Whipple, who began
practice in the year 1800. He was a good i>ractitioner
and a man of enterprise.
Dr. Brown, of Maine, came liere in 1813, and
stayed four years.
Dr. Oalton succeeded him in 1819. and remained
till his death.
Dr. Dalton was followed by Dr. Perkins. After
a few years' practice he abandoned this profession to
study for the ministry. Next came Dr. Bradford, who,
after some three years, removed to Montague, Mass.
His successor was Dr. Fitch, of Greenfiehl, N. H.
Dr. Danforth, of Weare, followed Dr. Fitch. He
retired after a jjractice of more than twenty years.
In the year 1848, Dr. Moses Atwood came here
from Concord. He began the practice of medicine
in North Lyndcborough in 1827 ; thence removed to
Deering, and from Deering to Francestown, where he
had a very extended practice, probably equal to that
of any i)hysician in the county. In 1841 he changed
from allopathy to homajopathy, and such wiis the
confidence of his patrons in his skill and judgment
that, almost without exception, they continued their
patronage. He was the first homa'Opathic physician
in New Hampshire. He died in New Boston April
28, 18.50.
About 1858, Dr. N. P. Clark came here from An-
dover, N. H., and was a successful practitioner for
more than twenty years. He died in 1881.
In 1865, Dr. Terhune came here from Hackensack,
N. J., and remained a few years.
Dr. Sturtevant was contemporary with Dr. Clark
i'rom 1875, and built up quite a lucrative business.
He was succeeded by Dr. Myshrall, and he, in turn,
by Drs. Gould and Weaver, who are now the resident
l)hysicians.
The following are the iiliysicians who have gone
out from here:
Dr. .Tames Crombie began practice in Temple,
N. H., in 1798. He removed from Temple to Fran-
cestown, and from thence to Waterford, Me.
Dr. William Ferson i)racticed in Gloucester, Mass.,
and died there.
Dr. Alexander JlcColloni |>racticed in Pittston,
Me., where he died in 1884.
Dr. Samuel Gregg studied medicine with Dr. Dal-
ton, of this town ; went first to Medford, Mass. ;
afterwards became homo'opathic, and went to Boston,
where he died.
Dr. Jeremiah Cochran studied with Dr. Daltou ;
removed to Sandusky, Ohio, where he died after sev-
eral years' practice.
Dr. Charles Cochran is a practicing physician at
Toledo, Ohio.
Dr. Horace Wason began the practice of medicine
at Manchester, Mass., and died there.
Dr. Thomas Cocliran took his degree at Harvard in
1840. He went to New Ipswich the same year,
where he remained until 1853, when he went to West
Rutland, Vt. In 1862 he received the appointment
of assistant surgeon in the United States army.
Dr. Daniel Marden studied with Dr. Danforth ;
began practice at Goshen, N. H.,and went from there
to Peru, Vt.
NEW BOSTON.
6U1
Dr. Nathaniel Peabody studied at Hanover, and
died in New Jersey.
Dr. E. G. Kelly atiulied medicine with Dr. Muzzy,
ol' ilanover, and graduated at Jetlerson Medical
College, Philadelphia, Pa., and now lives in New-
bury port.
Dr. J. K. Warren graduated at the Homa'opathic
Medical College, New York City ; began practice in
Palmer. Mass., and is now a physician in Worces-
ter.
Dr. George Adams graduated from the same college,
and commenced |-ractice in Webster, where he died
young.
Dr. Arthur Todd graduated at the Homceopathic
Medical School, Hoaton, and is now located in Kran-
cestown.
Dr. Eugene Wason graduated at Darlnmutli Medi-
cal School, and j)racticed at Londonderry, ajid from
there removed to Nashua.
Traders. — The first store in tow'n was openeil by
John McLaughlin, on the hill south of the Upper vil-
lage ; after he retired there were several traders in the
Upper village, viz., — Dr. Linc<>ln, Me.-*srs. Whitney,
IJixby, McCollom, Warren.
In the year 1824, Micah Law'rence and Waterman
IJurr began trade in the Upper village, and continued
there until 1828, when they erected a store in what is
ni)W the Lower village, and remained in company until
18;J4, when Mr. Lawrence retired. Mr. Burr contin-
ued in business some eighteen years longer. Both
were largely identified with the interests of the town,
— Mr. Lawrence as auctioneer, selectman, overseer of
the poor and two years representative ; Mr. Burr aa
justice of the peace for fifty years and doing a large
amount of writing in drawingwills, deeds, bunds, etc.,
and as executor and administrator, having settled
nearly or (juite one iiundred estates.
.\bout the year 1825, Amos W. Tewksbury suc-
ceeded Samuel Trull in the Upper vilhige, where he
was in trade till 18.30, when he removed to the Lower
and built a house an<l store; here he remained twenty
years or more, when he .sold to .James M. Gregg and
removed to West Kandoli)li, Vt., engaging in the same
l)usinei)8 under the firm-name of A. W. Tewksbury
.V Sons, doing an extensive busiuesa, said to be the
inrijest retail store in Vermont.
During the same period Stephen Whipple, David
I •. Fuller and .Mexander Dickey were in trade a shoil
time each.
Mr. Burr was succeeded by .1. M. & D. D. Smith.
.Iosei)h K. Wliipplc and S. D. Atwood commenced
Hade in the old brick store, and continued some five
or six years. Whippb- retired and was succeeded by
Henry Kelso. Kelsci withdrawing, the business was
continued under thi' name of S. D. .Vtwood & Co.
The Smiths were succeeded by Samuel M.Worthley
who was in business two years, when his house and
store were burned.
.\ short time prior to the destruction of Worthley'e
buildings, Charles and Clarence Dodge opened a store
on the premises (()rmerly occupied by A. W. Tewks-
bury ; the senior i)artner, on retiring, was succeeded
by George Warren ; since his withdrawal C. H.
Dodge has carried on business alone.
Kkv. John Atwood wa-s born in Hudson (then Not-
tingham West), October 3, 1795, where he united with
the Ba])tist Church at the age of twenty -one.
Soon after he began to study, with the ministry in
view, under the instruction of Bev. Daniel Jlerrill.
In May, 1817, he entered the Literary and Theological
Department of Waterville College, in which he re-
mained five years, under the instruction of Rev. Dr.
Chaplin.
He married, November 28, 1826, Lydia, eldest
daughter of Deacon Solomon Dodge. Being dis-
missed from the church in New Boston as their pastor,
after sjiending a short time in Francestown, he re-
moved to Hillsborough, where he remained seven
years.
In 184.3, Mr. Atwood was elected State treasurer,
which oflice he retained six years, a i)art of which
time he served as chaplain to the State I'rison.
In 1850, Mr. .\twood returned to New Boston, where
he resided until his death, which occurred on April
28, 1873, occupying his time in cultivating his farm,
and occasionally supplying churches destitute of jtas-
tors, enjoying the confidence and rej5|)ect of the com-
munity, whom he represented in the Legislature five
years, viz.,— lh<.32, '33, "34, "35, '69.
As a preacher, Mr. Atwood was evangelical and in-
structive, and as a pastor, faithful, alfectionate and
conciliatory; and his ministry in New Boston served
greatly to enlarge and strengthen tlu' church to which
he ndnistered.
He always cordially ^ought to advance the cause ol
education and to promote every enterprise that prom-
ised to benefit the community. And the government
an<l Union found, in their hour of peril, an unwaver-
ing friend and su])porter, planting no thorns for the
pillow of his declining years liy neutrality and op-
position to ajust government. Courteous, hospitable
and generoas, he bound to himself all good men, both
as a Christian gentleman and an upright citizen.
Mr. Atwood's children are Lydia D., Sarah E.,
.John B., Roger W., Ann J., JIary F., Solomon D.
and .hdiii H.
The latter and .bdm B. died in infiincy.
Sarah E. married John L. lilair, and resiiles in
Alton, 111.
.\nn .). became the wife of Rev. .1. L. A. Fisii ; she
died March 15, 1874.
Roger W. marrieil Emily Lareom.of Beverly, Mass..
and reside.i in .\llon. 111.
Solomon D. nnirried Flora A. Ilodge, of I'rances-
town, and resides in tins town.
Captain Daniel Cami>iiii:i,i,, son of .Thomas and
grandson of Robert Campbell, one of the earliest set-
tlers in the eiwt part of the town, now resides where
602
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
his grandfather settled in 1763. This is one of the
instances where property descends to the third and
fourth generation.
He has held the otfice of selectman longer than any
other person now living in town, four times represen-
ted the town in the State LegisLature, has exercised
great influence in town aflairs and enjoyed the conti-
deiiee of his townsmen for uprightness and integrity.
Now past the eightieth mile-post, he retains his intel-
lectual vigor unimpaired.
November G, 1834, he married SabriuaJloor, daugh-
ter of John Moor and granddaughter of Rev. Solomon
Moor, who died February 11, 1.S4G, by whom he had
five children, —
t'lark, born March 17, 183(3, and married Ann Per-
kins, of Mont Vernon, where they now reside.
Alfred M., born May 14, 1838, married Mary Abbie
Cochran, of New Boston.
John, born May 1, 1840, died November 17, 1840.
John and .Sal)rina, born February 11, 1846, both of
whom are now dead.
Mr. Cara])bell married, for his second wife, Decem-
ber 2, 1847, Matilda Moor, and they have two chil-
dren, —
Hamilton M., born August 29, 1848, married Hattie
Andrews, of New Boston ; they are now living in
Gottstown.
Mary Ann, born March 27, 1851, married Charles
Bales, of Wilton, where they now reside.
Hon. Roueut B. Cochrane was born in New^
Boston October 24, 1794. He was grandson of James,
of Windham, and great-grandson of John and Jennie
(McKeen) Cochrane, of that town. This John was
born in Londonderry, Ireland, 1704, and settled in Lon-
donderry, N. H. (part now Windham), in 1720. His
father, John, when not more than sixteen years old,
shared in the defense of Londonderry, Ireland, against
the Catholics, in 1689. He afterwards married Eliza-
beth Arwin, and died at the age of of forty-six years.
The John who settled in this country was known as
"Captain John," and was a leading and efficient man
in Windham till his death, in 1788.
The parents of Hon. Robert B. were Jolin Coch-
rane, of New H(jston (who died in Chester Feljruary
10, 184o, aged seventy-live years), and Jemima Davis,
who was called " a saintly woman." She died Octo-
ber 7, 1868, aged ninety-four. She was a daughter
of Benjamin Davis, a captain in the Revolutionary
army.
Robert I!, had only the scanty privileges of the
district school of those days, but titled himself to
begin teaching at the .age of sixteen (1810), and
tjiught winters for nearly fifty years, generally two
schools each winter; was justice of the peace for
about the same length of time. He was a surveyor
of land, and no other man in New Boston was so
familiar with lots and lines ; was representative fnmi
New Boston, 1835-36-37; was selectman about a
dozen years, most of the time chairman of the board,
and was chosen State Senator, 1854 and 1856. For a
long series of years he was largely in probate busi-
ness, Wiis a frequent referee, and wrote an untold
number of wills, deeds, contracts and various legal
papers ; was a Christian man most of his long life,
and was tor years an officer of the Sabbath-school
following its earliest org.inization in the town ; was
delegate from New Boston to the Constitutional Con-
vention of 1850 ; was a self-made man, of clear head
and strong natural abilities. He died May 7, 1878.
His brothers were Hon. Gerry W. Cochrane and
Hon. Clark B. Cochrane, A.M., several terras repre-
sentative in Congress from the Albany District, New
York.
Robert B. married Elizabeth, daughter of Captain
Robert Warren, of New Boston. Of their ten chil-
dren, four died young. The others were as follows :
1. Prudence, born March 10, 1824 ; a quick scholar
and good teacher; has been an invalid since 1847.
2. Annis C. C, born April 16, 1825; married .John
O. Parker, of Manchester, November, 1848; died
March 11, 1854. Her only surviving child, Willard
Boyd, was graduated at Dartmouth College, 1875.
3. Sophia P., born February 18, 1830 ; died April
30, 1851 ; a remarkably keen and accurate scholar.
4. Rev. Warren R., born August 25, 1835, was
graduated at Dartmouth College, 1859; tutor in Dart-
mouth College, 1861 ; pastor of the Presbyterian
Church, .\ntrim, N. H., nearly eighteen years; mar-
ried Leila C, daughter of William C. and Harriet
(Crombie) Cochran, June 14, 1864.
5. Elizabeth D., born April 28, 1837; nntrried W.
W. Story, of Antrim, November 6, 1870.
6. Clark B., born February 9, 1843 ; was graduated
at the .\lbany Law School, 1865; marrietl Mary E.
.\ndrews, of New London, N. H.
Casualties, Suicides, etc.— N.athan Merrill was
found di'ad in thr road. Tradition says that in the
early settlement of the town an erratic, visionary
sort of man was found dead in so small a pool of
water that foul i>lay or suicide was suspected. A
jury was called, on which was a broad-spoken son of
Erin, who acted as chairman, and when inquired ot
by the justice for the result of their investigation,
re[ilied, '' Yer honor, we brought in a verdict of
felonious wilful murllier! But, jest to soften it down
a little, we ca'd it accidental."
Tradition says that in the spring of the year, in
the early settlement of the town, the body of a man
was found near the (Jreat Meadow, in the west part
of the town. Who he was or how he came to his
death is not affirmed; his body was found near the
camp whore some cattle had been fed during the
winter, which had been driven up from Londonderry,
as was the custom for many years.
Ca])tain John McLaughlin, who resided on Brad-
ford's Hill, carrying on an extensive business in tan-
ning, met with some reverses of fortune, and w'iis soon
after found drowned in a well in the east corner of his
NEW BOSTON.
603
field. The late Luther Richards was on the jury of
iii(|ue.st, who, in speaking of the result of the inves-
tigation, said, — "As we could not say, as no one saw
him, that he came to his death intentionally, we
thought it would be most in harmony with the feel-
ing of the community to say accidental, and that was
our verdict."
The wife of Captain (iray hung herself on tin- night
"t the installation of Rev. Solomon Moor, in the house
niiw owned by John Kidder. Gray had been a sea-cap-
tain, and foul play was suspected, as the knot in the
rope around her neck was a genuine sailor-knot.
When asked wliy lie did not cut her down when he
first found her, he replied that "he put his hand to
her mouth, and her breath was cold, so he knew she
was dead."
In l.S.'j-i a young man sought to win the hand of a
\'iiing laily, and, being unsuccessful, resolved to take
her life, which he eti'ectod, and then took his own
with the same instrument, expressing a desire before
he died to be buried in the same grave with her
who had just fallen by his hand.
The following inscription on her tombstone not
only serves to preserve the historic fact, but to show
to what wondrous heiglits of sublimity the muse will
1 isc when so tragical an event transpires :
"Sevilla, daughter of G«orgo and Sarah JoDCa, murderodby Hfiiry N.
Sargunt, January V.i, 18.0-1, agud 17 yeani uud uio.
" Thus fell thin lovely, blooming daughter
By tlio revengeful bund — a nialiciutiB Henry.
When on her way to school be met her
And with a six Belf-eocked pistol shot her."
Charles Small was murdered September 7, 1840, by
one Thoma.s, of Amherst, near the McC'ollom tavern,
on the road to .Vmherst.
Mr. IJe.njamin Blaisdell, of (roffstown, came to
\ -w Boston, and bought a farm, now owned by
Charles Shedd. Ilis family consisted of his wife,
who was Clari.ssa J. Kimball, of Golfstown, their four
children and his mother. In the winter of 1849,
Letitia Blaisdell, an adopted daughter of the late
father of Mr. Blaisdell, who had been workingat Man-
chester after his removal to New Boston, came to visit
in his family. At her own request, the night after her
arrival she slept with her adopted nuither. The ne.\t
morning the old lady Wits taken sick in a strange way,
soon Ijccame insensible and died tiie next morning,
aged about eighty. After the death of Mr. Blaisdell's
mother Letitia went to Wentworth, and spent about
fiiur weeks, and returned February 10, 184!'.
Till' next day aftir her redirn, a son, a child about
two years and a half old, was taken sick, and alter
twelve hours of snil'cring, died, the physicians allirin-
ing that in some way the child must have been poi-
.soneil, yet no suspicions rested on any jierson.
Soon after the burial of the child Mr. Blaisdell and
his wife were taken sick while at tea, with every
symptom of poison, but by timely aid were relieved.
Suspiiions now began to rest on Lititia, and she soon
39
confessed her guilt, — that she had administered mor-
phine both to the aged mother and the little child,
and the same in the tea which Mr. and Mrs. Blaisdell
drank; and that she had provided herself with
strychnine if the morphine failed; that she held a
forged note against Mr. Blaisdell, and intended to
destroy the whole family. This was undertaken from
no ill will towards any member of the family, but
evidently with the impression that if they were all
out of the way she could take i)Ossessiou of the prop-
erty. To this horrid crime she affirmed she had
been impelled by the counsel and assistance of
another person. She was arrested, tried and con-
demned to be hung ; but this sentence was commuted
to imprisonment lor life ; yet, in 1861, she was par-
doned out by Governor Goodwin, and she subse-
quently married a man who had served a period in
the same prison.
Mrs. Hannah llines, daughter of the late Mr.
Rollins, was shockingly burned on Saturday evening,
December 12, 1863, about nine o'clock, by her clothes
taking fire at the open door of her stove. She sur-
vived, in great agony, until the next morning, and
died about seven o'clock, aged tliirty-three.
The spotted fever prevailed in New Boston greatly
in 1814 and to a limited extent in 1815.
SELECTMEN.
170.3.— Thomas Cochi-an, Nathaniel Cochran, John Carson, James Mc-
Ferson, John McAllister.
1704. — Thomas Cochran, Nathaniel Cochran, John McAllister.
17Co. — James Ferson, .lames Cochran, Jesse Cristy.
17UC. — William Clark, Jessie Cristy, .lames Cochrau,
17G7. — James Ferson. .\le.\ander fllcCoUum, Williaui Clark.
1768. — Jarncs Ferson, Ceorge Cristy, William Clark.
1709. — Nathaniel Cochmn, David Lewis, ,\llen Moor.
1770. — William Moor, Thomas Wilson, Iitivid Lewis.
1771. — William t'lark, .\rchibald McMilb'n, James Cochran.
1772. — lesse Cristy, Archibald MiiMilteii, Thomas Wilson.
177:i.^Iesse Cristy, Anliibald JIc.Milleii, Tlimmis Wilson.
177-1. — Niniaii Clark, .lohu Coebnin, Jr., Jumes (.ablwell.
1776. — Niuiun Clark, Jaiiuts Wilson, .lolin Coclirau. Jr.
1770.— Niuian Clark, Daniel .lloAllister. llobelt Hogg.
1777. — James Caldwell, Tliomiu) Wilson, Jacob Hooper.
1778.— Robert Campbell, Kobert I'uttersou (thir>l), Nehemhih Dodge.
1779. — James Caldwell, Solomon Dodge, Kobt-rt Campbell.
178(J. — James ("uldwell, Nehoiuiah Dodge, Kobci-t Climpboll.
1781. — Williuni Livingston, Daniel Dniu-, Josiah Warren.
1782. — James Calrlwell, .latues Wilson, Deacon Jeasu Cristy.
178;1. — Jum(-n Caldwell, .losiah Warren, Deacon Jesse Chlsty.
1781. — .lohn Cot-hnm. Daniel Dane, Ntiab Doilgo.
1785. — .James Wilson, Jr., Daniel Dane, Noah Dodge.
1780. — Josiali Warren, Daniel Dane, Niiali Dodge.
1787. — .loslah Warren, .lames Calrlwell, Solomon Doilgo.
1788. — Josliih Wai Ten, James Caldwell, Solomon Dodge.
1780.— Jonathan Cove, NInian < lurk, KoU-rt Boyd.
171HI. — Jtuuitlmn (Ji>ve, Ninian Chirk, Kola-rt Hoyd.
1701. — Jolnitbau Cove, .lames Caldwell, Noah Dodge.
17B2.— David SliiiB<ui, James Wils. Ir, Ifobert Clark.
179.\— James WIImmi, llolierl Clark, Jalues Campbell.
170*1. — .lames Wllstni, Hubert (.'lark, Juiih-s Caniplwll.
1705. — .lames Wilson, Hubert Clark, James Campbell.
17110.— ItolHU'l Clark, Jaiiu-s Wilsou, Jr., Kobert I'luupbell.
1707.— iUibert Chirk, James \\'ilsiui Jr.. Uolx-rl CamplsdI.
1798.— Iloberl Clark, James Wllwui. -Ir, William Croiiildo.
1709. — Kphralui Jom-s, Sjuuuel (Jri-gg, Livermore Langdoll.
I8u(l.— Kobert Clark, William Cnimbie, S^imuel Cregg.
1801.— Boborl Clurk, Wlllloiu Civmbie, Sumuol Urogg.
604
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1802. — Ensign Alexander McColloni, David Wilson, Geary Whiting.
1803. — Robert Clark, Captain Williuni Gronibiu, Lieutenant Robert
Christie.
1804.— Geary Whiting, Lieiiteuunt Robert Cliristie, Solomon Dodge.
1805. — Soloniuu Dodgf, LiLniteuiiut John Cochran, Captain William
Crunibio.
l^Uti.—Sol onion Dodge, .lames Wilson, Esq., Captain William Crombie.
1807. — Major William Ci"oinbie, Captain John Cochran, James Wilson,
Eaq.
1808.— Miyor William Crombie, Captain John Cochnin, Janu-s Wilson,
Esq.
1809. — Geary Whiting, Captain Joseph Andrews, Deacon Joseph
Cochran.
181'>. — Deacon Joaepli Cochran, Ensign Alexander BIcC<,)lli>m, Solomon
Dodge.
1811.— Deacon Robert (lark, Deacon Joseph Cochran, Lieutenant
Robert Wason.
1812. — Deacon Robert Claik, Robert M'ason, .Vlexauder McCuIlom.
1813. — Captain Robert Wusoii, Solomon Dodge, James Kei-son, Jr.
1814. — James Forson, Jr., Beiyaniin Fairfield, Joseph Cochran, Jr.
1815.— Joi*eph (Juchran, Jr., Benjamin Fairfield, Deacon Joseph Coch-
ran.
1810. — Robert Wason, Deacon Robert Clark, Solomon Dodge.
1817. — Solomon Dodge, Captain Robert Warren, Joseph Cochran, Esq.
1818. — .losepb Cochran, Esq., Solomon Dodge, Captain Rol-ert Warren.
18ly. — Solomon Dodge, Jacob Hooper, Jr., Colonel Samuel Dane.
1820. — Joaepli Cochran, Jr., Jacob Hooper, Jr., Captain Andrew
Beard.
1h21. Joseph Cochran, Jr., Jacob Hooper, Jr., Benjamin Fairfield.
1822. — Deacon Solomon Dodge, Deacon Robert Clark, Benjamin Fair*
field.
]S2:j. — Joseph Coclirau, Jr.. Deacon Solomon Dodge, Jacob Hooper,
Jr.
18:i4.— Deacon Robert Clark, Deacon Solomon Dodge, B<-njamin Fair-
field.
1825. -Joseph Cochran, Jr., Deacon Solomon Dodge, Benjamin Fair-
field.
1826. — Joseph Cochran, Jr., John Crombie, Benjamin Fairfield.
1827. — Joseph Cocbrun, Ji., John Crombie, Jonathan Cochran.
1828. — Solomon Dodge, Benjamin Fiiirfield, Jti.sepb Gregg.
1829. — Benjamin Fairfield, Samuel Trull, Robert B. Cochran.
18311. — Andrew Beard, la.-tarbar Andrews, Robert B. Cochnin.
18:jl. — Benjamin Fairfield, Ksq., Jesse Beard, Waterman Burr.
18;t2. — Beiyamin Fairfield, Waterman Burr, Benjamin S. W^oodbury.
1833. — Samuel Trull, Ko<in.:y McCollom, .Iiicob 11. Itirhaixls.
1834. — Ri^'lney McCollom, Benjamin Fairfield, Jacob H. Richards.
1835. — Jacob H. Riciiardh, Jame^ B. Gregg, John Dodge, (3d.)
183*>.— Beiyamin Fairfield, Esq., Solomon Dodge, Jr., Daniel Camp-
bell.
1837. — Solomon Dodge, Jr., Daniel Campbell, Asa McMiUen.
1838. — Asa McSlillen, Captain Horace Philbrick, Captain John Lam-
son.
1839. — Captain Horace Pbilbrick, John Lamson, Micah Lawrcnre.
1840.— Robert B. Cochran, Captain Millard Dodge, Daniel Campbell.
1841. — Robert B. Cochran, Captain WiUard Dodge, Daniel Campbell.
1H42. — Robert B. Cochran, Captain Willard Dodge, Daniel Campbell.
1.S43.— Daniel Campbell, N. C. Crombie, John Whipple.
1K44. — Ninian C. Crombie, Rodney George, Lemuel Marden.
1845. — Rodney George, Lemuel Blarden, John Lamaon.
IS^m. — Ninian C. Crombie, Buigamin Fairfield, Jacob H. Richards.
1847.— Jacob II. Richard'*, Ira Gage, John B. Warren.
1848. — Jacob H. Rfchanls, Ira Gage, John B. Warren.
1849.— Ninian C. Crombie. Horace Pbilbrick, William Beai-d.
1850. — Ninian C. Crombie, Horace PhiH>rick, William Beaixl.
1851. — Ninian C. Crombie, Willard Dodge, Benjamin Dodge (2d).
1852. — Willard Dodge, Manthall -\dam8, James McCnrdy.
18r,3. — Beniamin Fairfield, Beiijanun Dodge (3d), James Cristy.
1853. — Bonjannn Fairfield, Benjamin Dodge (3d), Daniel Gregg.
1865.— Daniel CiuuplMdl, <jeurge 51. Shrdd, James P. Todd.
1856.— George M. Shedd, James P. Todd, Samuel Langdcll.
IS.')?, — George M. Shedd, Benjamin Fletcher, Amos Lull.
1858. — Benjamin FleUher, Daniel Campbell, William Beard.
1859.— Daniel Campbell, William Heard, George W, UlcLano.
18*J0. — William Beard, Ceorge W. McLane, Steidieii F. Buridiam.
1901. — Robert B. Cochran, Stephen F. Bnrnham, Beixjamln Colby.
\StVZ. — Robert B. (\>chran, Daniel Camphell, Benjamin Colby.
18(>J. — Robert B. ('ochran, Daniel Campbell, Beiganiin Colby.
1864. — Robert B. Cochran, Daniel Campbell, Benjamhi Colby.
18(J5. —Robert B. Cochran, Benjamin Dodge, Almon Lul'kin.
18G6.— Robert B. Cochran, Benjamin Dodge, Alinon Lufkin.
1867. — Robert B. Cochran, Stephen F. Burnham. itavid Barnard.
ISfiS. —Benjamin Colby, David Barnard, William Woodbury.
18G9.— Robert B. Coebran, William Woodbury, Elbridge C. Colby.
187u.— Elbridge C. Colby, John M. Hult, Alln-d M. Campbell.
1871.— Elbridge C. Coiby, John M. Holt, Alfre.l M Campbell.
1872.— John yi. Holt, Alfred 31. Campbell, « itlium Orne.
1873.- .John M. Holt, Willmm Orne, George Langdell.
1874. — William Orne, (icorgo Langdell, David Marden.
1875. — George Langdell, David JMarden, Benjamin Goo<lhue.
18"(>. — David fliarden, Benjamin Goodhue, George H. Wilson.
1877. — David Marden, Benjamin Goodhue, George H, WiJson.
1878. — David Marden. Benjamin Goodhue, Thomas R. Cochran.
1879. — David Manlen, Benjamin (ioodbue, Thomas R. Cochran.
1880. — David Barnard, Albert Goodwin, Sidney H. Dodge.
1881.— Thomas R. Cocliran, Charles McLane, Eben Dodge.
1882.— Thomas B. Cocliran, Charles ."VIcLane, Eben Dodge.
1883.— Alfred W. Read, Charles F. Dfnige. John H. Lamson.
1884. — Charles Dodge, William E. Andrews, James McCurdy.
1885. — James McCnrdy, Henry Kelso, Charles Shedd.
TOMN CLERKS.
176:!-67, Alexander McCollom : 1768-76, William Clark ; 1777-85, John
Cochran, Jr. ; 1785-92, Jonathan Gove ; 1793-05, John Cochran, Esq. ;
1796-98, Robert Clark ; 1799, John Cochran ; 18(iO-l, Robert Clark;
1802-4, Gear>' Whiting; 1805-8, Luke Lincoln; 1SU8-11, Geary Whit
ing; 1812-14, Joseph Cochran, Jr.; 1815, Robert Wason; 1816-17,
James Ferson, Jr. ; 1819-23, Joseph Cochnin, Jr. ; 1824-29, John Dal-
ton ; 183(>-:t8, AmoB W. Tewkebnry ; 1839^2, Rodney McCollom ; 1843-
45, John D. Cochran ; 1844-48, James Danforth ; 1849-51, Waterman
Burr; 1852-70, George G. Fox; 1871-81, Clarence H. Dodge; 1882-83,
Benjamin Hall ; 1884-85, E. P. Fox.
REPRESENTATIVES.
1763.— Jonathan Gove, George Cristy and William Moor were chosen
delegates to a County Congress at Amherst, November 8, 1774.
17G4-65-6G. — Jonathan Gove was chosen delegate to Exeter, to choose
a delegate to represent this province in a Continental C^jngress to be
held in Philadelphia, May 10, 1775.
1767. — Thomas Wilson was chosen a delegate to a congress held at Ex-
eter, May 17, 1775.
1768-GU-70. — Benjamin Dodge, chosen representative in the assemblj
to he held at Exeter, on the third Wednesday of December, 1776.
1771-72. — Archibalil jMcMiUen, chosen reprfseiitative in the General
Assembly hoUlen ut Kxcter, third Wednesday of December, 1777.
1773. — Archibalil McMillen, chosen representative in the convention
to be holden at Concord, June 10, 1778.
1774-75. — William Starrett, ofFrancestown, representative in the Gen-
eral Assembly at Exeter, third Wednesday of December, 1778.
1776-77.— Lieutenant William Livingston, delegate to the convention
at Concord, September 22, 1779.
1778-79. — James Caldwell, representative in General .Vssembly holden
at Exeter, tbinl Wednesilay in December, 1780.
1780.— James Caldwell, representative in the General Assembly at Ex-
eter, 1781.
1781-82-83.— Benjamin Dotlge, Archibald McMillen, William Starrett
and James CaMwell rejtresented New Boston and Franccstown, being
chosen by the citizens of the t^vo towns at a special meeting called for
that purpose.
1784-88.— Jonathan Gove.
1789.— Not any.
179IJ-91-92-93. — Josiah Warren, delegate to the convention to revise
the Constitution of New Hampshire, holden at (\mcord, first Wednesday
of September, 1791.
1794-95.— Ninian Clark.
1706-97.— Not any.
1798.— Ninian Clark.
1799.— James Caldwell.
1800-2.— Ninian Clark, Esq.
1803-13. — Captain Kphraim Jones.
1814-17.— Lieutenant AVilliam Dodge.
1818.— Deacon Robert Wason.
1819-2;*.- Josejth Cochran, Jr.
1824-26.— Benjamin Fairfield.
1827-28.— Samuel Tnill.
1829-3f).— Anilrew Beanl.
^/L^y^cL
NEW BOSTOxX.
605
istl-a*.— John AtMood.
IIC&-3T.— Itolwrt Cochrau.
IffSO.- Beiguiuilt Flutclier.
IS40-4I.-A<« McMilk'U.
1842-43.— Solumuii Dodge, Jr.
1.^44-46. — Abner Hogg.
1 ^G-47. — Daiiit^l Campbell.
1^4^-49. — David »iui;e and ^licah Lawrence.
1n'»0-51. — .luhn Lain.'Mjn,
I 'i. j2--5.'t. — AiAiu Urcgg.
KH, — Uenjatnin Fletcher.
\<Vt-^')ij. — Santuel Langdelland Daniel Campbell.
lH.'i7.— Daniel CiiMi|ibell.
I -^ >8-^9. — Beiganiin Dudgo (2d) and Perry Richards.
l^t^ii. — John Alwuod and James Danfui-tb.
1>'JI. — James Danforth.
l-iC2-(B.— David lirugg.
W^. — iJeorge Fox.
l«iK'.-«li.— George M. Sbedil.
I MlT-tlW. ^Daniel liregg.
I>ii".tt-7il.— Andrew J. ISennott.
I-tTl. — Stephen F. Iturnhuni.
l-»T2-":i. — Samuel M. Chriftci.-.
I s74.— Stephen F. Biiriitnini.
H7i»-7»J. — <;eorge K. (.'ochran.
1177-78.— Alfred M. Campbell.
lS7tMiu. — Witliam W.xKUnn-y, elected November. 1878.
l<8i-*s-.i, — Tbomaii i.». Knuwltun, elected November, 1880.
HS.1-S4.—KI bridge C. Colby, elected November, 1882.
ISM.— Butler T. Hills, elected November, 1884.
GliADlATES OF COLLEGES.
.lohn Gove, Dartmouth College, 179:t ; William Wilson, Dartmontti
•^ge, 1787 ; William Ferwm, Dartmouth College, 171»7 ; Kov. Peter
liran, Dartmouth College, 17'J8 ; Nathaniel Peabody, Dartmouth Col-
, 180*1; Rev. Thoniaa Cochran, Brown University; Rev, Kobert
liran. Brown University: Rev. Samuel Clark, Dartmouth College,
: ; Charles F. Gove, Dartmouth College, 1817 ; Josiah Fairfield, Dart-
jlli College, IKil ; Clark 11. Cochran, I'niim College, 18:i'J ; Perley
!.:«, l-'nion College, 1824; Rev. Ilinini Wason, .\mherst College, 18.'>4;
Royal Parkinson, Dartmonth College, lS-12 ; Witter S. .llcCurdy,
J ln)ontli ) 'ollege, 184.') ; .lesse McCurdy, Dartmouth College, 1852 ; Amos
' .ooilhue, Dartmontli College. 184.'» ; .loseph A. Goodhne, Dartmouth
il'-'ge, 18-18; Lon'uzo Fairbank, Dartmouth College, 18.'»2 ; Rev. War-
ron R. Cochnin, Dartmouth College, 18.')!) ; Rev. William R. .\dams,
Dartmouth College, 18.10 ; William W. Colburn, Dartmouth College, 18til ;
Henry >l;irden, Dartmouth College, 1802.
Schools. — Tlic fiicilities of the early settlers for
filucating their chililren were very limited until after
the incorporation of the town. All the instruction
wjLs given by teachers hired by individuals, while
those who liinl tlie means sent their children to older
towns, wlif're pul)lic schools existed.
Ill 17t)7 a smtill buililing erected by the town near
tlu' meeting-house was occasionally used for schools.
Mr. Diinovan, an Irishman and a school-teacher
liv profession, taught five months in 1770.
Three years previous to this date, in 1773, the town
\uled to raise twenty-four |)iiiiiiils, and the selectmen
wi-re to divide it as they thought proper.
It appears tlial a teacher was employed a few
montlis in ditferent parts of the town. The follow-
ing year the same amount was raised, and an arrange-
ment had been entered into l)y the inhabitants volun-
tiirily dividing the money eipially l)etween the five
districts.
In 1788 the town voted to hire a grammar school-
master, with !us little expense as possible, the school-
master to be examined by the fi)llowing gentlemen :
Rev. Solomon Moor, Dr. Jonathan (rove and William
Clark, as regards his qualifications as teacher of the
languages and mathematics ; and it was voted that
this teacher keep an equal time in the five districts.
In 1792, Niuian Clark, Matthew Fairfield, Solomon
Doilge, James Caldwell and John Cochran were ap-
pointed a committee to re-district the town, which
they proceeded to do, making eleven districts.
After a time other changes took place ; new dis-
tricts were formed until there were eighteen. No
further changes were made until 1856, when two dis-
tricts near the centre of the town, including the two
villages, united in building a spacious and substantial
house in the Lower villiige, and adopted the graded
system. Since that time other districts have built
new houses and, with but few exceptions, none of the
old ones remain to disgrace the town. The school
system should undergo a radical change. The aver-
age number of scholars in each district is five and
two-tenths, and at the present rate of decrease in the
population in a few years some of the outside schools
will be devoid of scholars.
It is evident that the town, in order to expend the
money raised for the supjwrt of the schools judi-
ciously and profitably, should either reduce the num-
ber of districts one-half or adopt the town system,
which would be preferable.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ELBRIDGE WASOX.
There is a tradition that years and years ago some
old Vikings came from Norway to the north of Scot-
land, and conquering in battle, gave the name of
Wa-son Field to the place where the battle was fought,
which name it retains to this day. Later on, history
tells of Wasons among the Scotch Covenanters,
tlriven from their homes into the north of Irelan<l.
Tile first authentic history of thi.s particular branch
is that .lames Wason, who was born in the parish of
Ballymanus, County of Antrim, Ireland, in the year
1711, came to this country with his brother Thomas
in 1736, and was married the same year, at Portsmouth,
N. H., to Mannah Caldwell, from the same place.
To them were born sons and daughters, granil-
children and great-grandchildren, till the name was
known in many places in New England.
In 1781, Robert Wason, gran<lson ol' James, was
born at Nottingham West (now Hudson), N. H.,
and went in 1803 to live in New Hoston, N. II. (on
lot No. 30, near .T/ie English Hill), with his uncle,
Robert Boyd. He was nmrried, in 18118, to Nancy
Bachelder, of Mont Vernon, ami tlicy had a family
of nine children.
Elbridge Wason was the oldest of them, and faith-
fully served both lis son and elder brother. His ad-
606
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HA3IPSHIRE.
vantages of school were about the average of the New
England farmer-boy, suppleuiented by a few terms at
an academy, and afterwards as a teacher.
He came to Boston March 8, 1832, and entered as
clerk in the employ of Pierce & Goodnow, whole-
sale grocers, 29 South Market Street.
September 1, 1837, he entered into business in
Boston with Henry Peirce, of Lowell, under the firm-
name of Wilson & Peirce, wholesale grocers ; a few
years later the firm-name was changed to Wason,
Peirce & Co., and has thus remained until the present
time, and is one of the oldest firms in the city. The
present partners are Klbridge Wason, Henry Peirce
and Robert Boyd Wason, a brother of Elbridge.
Their success in business has been due to strict integ-
rity and promptness in all business relations.
Mr. Wason has been twice married, — his first wife,
Mary Stickney, daughter of Samuel Stickney, of
Lyndeborough, N. H., and his second wife, Mary
Isabella, daughter of Hon. Leonard Chase, of Milford,
N. H. They have two children, — Mary Isabell Wason
and Leonard Chase Wason.
Their home is in Brookline, Mass., and here they
obey the Scripture injunction, " Much given to hos-
pitality."
Throughout his busy life Mr. Wason has ever re-
tained a fondness for his old home among the hills,
and very often has he gone there for a change and
rest from business. He is always interested in the
prosperity of the place. A few years ago he gave to the
town of New Boston a lot of land adjoining the ceme-
tery, to enlarge the burial-ground, a.s a memorial to
his father and mother. It has since been embellished
by art; but nature has done her utmost to render it
one of the most beautiful places where " He giveth
His beloved sleep."
REV. EPHR.ilM p. BRADFORD.'
Rev. Ephraim P. Bradford, son of Captain John
B. Bradford, of Milford, afterwards of Hancock,
X. II., was born December 27, 1771). He graduated
at Harvard College at the age of twenty-seven;
studied theology with the honored and celebrated Dr.
Lathrop, of West Springtield, Mass.; was licensed to
preach at the same place in 1804. At this date the
Presbyterian Church of New Boston, N. H., was
without a pastor, its former and only pastor. Rev.
Solomon Moor, having died May 28, 1803, at the age
of sixty-seven, after a ministry of over thirty-four
years. They were seeking for some one to become
their pastor. By some means, which do not now
appear, they had heard of Mr. Bradford, and sent for
him to come and supi)ly their puJpit as a candidate
for settlement. After preaching for them for four or
five months, and making a very favorable impression
*Wo8t of tliiri Hketch )iu8 boon gleniied from Rev. E. C. CoggswcU's
•• History of (ho Towd of New Boston," published in 18G4.
on the minds of the people, by a vote of the town, he
was cordially invited to become their settled pastor,
at a salary of four hundred ddUars per annum, with
an additional sum of four hundred dollars as a "set-
tlement benefit."
To become the successor of the venerable and
poi)ular Rev. Mr. Moor was, in the mind of Mr.
Bradford, no small undertaking. But the cordiality
and unanimity of the call made such a favorable im-
pression on his mind that, after two or three weeks
of earnest and prayerful consideration, he decided to
accept. His ordination and installation occurred on
February 26, 180(5. This was an event which, at that
early period, awakened a widespread interest. It was
attended wilh most solemn and imposing ceremonies.
Besides the regular council of Presbyterian ministers,
it was decided to invite six Congregational clergymen
from the adjacent towns to join the Presbytery as
council ; and the town, by a kind of independent
action, and with a pleasing magnanimity, voted to
invite al! the neighboring ministers to be present.
The Rev. Jesse Appleton, of Hampton, N. H., after-
wards president of Bowdoin College, was invited to
preach the ordination sermon. His text was 1 Cor.
i. 20 : " Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same
thing, and that ye be perfectly joined together in the
same mind and the same judgment." The assembly
on this occasion was very large ; the services were
deeply impressive, and worthy of the men and of the
event. Nothing was wanting on the part of the town
to render the ordination of their chosen pastor
profitable and imposing. They planned liberally and
executed magnanimously. The 2()th of February was
cherished by that generation as the most delightful
event of their lives.
Rev. Mr. Coggswell, the historian of the town, says
of Mr. Bradford as follows: "To prepare himself
more etiectually to labor for the good of his jieople,
he |)urchased a small farm upon one of the loftiest
hills of New Boston, now known as the ' Bradford
Hill,' whence he could survey vast regions of country,
and witness such glorious risings and settings of the
sun as are seen from but few localities. Here he
provided a home, and, on September 1, ISOti, was
married to Miss Mary Manning, daughter of Deacon
Ephraim Barker, of Amherst, N. H., with whom he
lived for nearly forty years, greatly given to hospi-
tality, with a growing family, loving his people and
loved by tiiem in return."
His ministerial labors were highly ai)prcciatcd and
were profitable to his parishioners. The church, from
time to time, received large accessions to its member-
ship. In 1815 forty were added, and in 1826 thirty
more were received. During 1831 and onward, for
three or four years in succession, a very widespread
revival interest prevailed, when nearly one hundred
were added to the church. It was during .Mr. Brad-
ford's efficient ministry, and largely through his zeal
iX^^z...^ ^/X^^^^v^
NEW BOSTON.
GOT
and untiring: e(r)rts, that, in 1823, the old, incon-
venient and dilapidated meeting-house wasabandoned,
and a new one was erected, wliich still stands (1885)
as the majestic monument of the sivill and liherality
of the New Boston people who lived sixty years ago.
It wa-s dedicated on Christmas day, 1823. The con-
gregation filled the house to its utmost capacity, and
listeneil to an appropriate and talented discourse,
delivered l)y their own pastor, wliom tlie projirictors
had selected for the occasion. His text w:i.s 2 t'hron.
vi. 41 : " Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into Thy
resting-place, Thou and the Ark of Thy strength ; let
Thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with Salvation
and let Thy saints rejoice in goodness."
For elegance of style and finish, and for expeiisive-
ncss, this house was cipial to any structure of a similar
kind in the State. It is even to-day, after standing
for more than sixty years without essential repairs,
one of the grandest and most imposing public build-
ings of the county.
It is a little singular that, after suffering very much
from the cold in the old house, they should not have
jirovided for warming thi.s new and beautiful one.
Yet they continued to worship, winter after winter,
without any fire in the church, except what was
brought in the old-style foot-stoves, until 1835, twelve
years after the house was dedicated.
From this new iiuli)it Mr. Bradford proclaimed the
gosiiel truth unto the people for almost twenty-two
years, making an aggregate ministry in both houses
of worship of nearly forty years.
During all this period, so uniform and robust was
his health that his iiublic services were not inter-
rupted for more than four or five Sabbaths.
In the early part of 1845, however, he suffered a
severe illness, from which he only partially recovered,
when, taking a severe cold, he suddenly died of croup,
on December 14, 1845, aged sixty-nine, greatly la-
mented by old ami young throughout thewlude town.
Rev. Dr. W'liitton, in speaking of Mr. Bradford,
says, — "Alter his settlement in the ministry he
rapidly rose into distinction. Few men in the State
were equally acceptable in the desk. In the contro-
versy relative to Dartmouth College, from 1815 to
IXl'.l, he was one of a committee of three appointed
by the Legislature to investigate its condition. A
vacancy occurring in the presidency of the college,
his was among the names before the public as candi-
dates for the olfice."
In the town history, Mr. Coggswell .says of Mr.
Bradford, — "lie had a commanding person, a rich
Voice, cond)ined with a high f>rder of intellect and
great suavity of manners, lit' had the faculty of
making people/et7 ?/v// and to believe that be highly
esteemed them. And his love for them begat love
toward himself. Every crumb <d' bread was sweet,
wherever among his people it might be eaten, and
every home an<l every locality was pleasant and at-
tractive. Thus he was welcomed at every door by
gladdened hearts. Mr. Bradford was a fine classical
scholar, and had read much, so that in conversation
he was able to draw from rich and abundant stores,
which a retentive memory always commanded. His
fund of wit and anecdotes, of classic and historical
allusions, seemed never exhausted. Able readily to
read character and motives, he seemed always pre-
pared for all occiusions and to meet all persons,
knowing how to order his conversation aright."
Rev. Mr. Aiken, late of Park Street Church,
Boston, remarks, — " Mr. Bradford was literally one
of nature's noblemen; of princely person, with a
sonorous, commanding voice, exceedingly fluent and
accurate in sjieech, modeled somewhat after .Johnson's
style, so richly gifted in mind and heart that, with
little prcjiaration for his Sabbath services, he stood
among the first preachers of the St.ate."
It is not strange the people of New Boston became
proud of their minister, since he gave character to
them and distinction to the town.
Mr. Bradford was greatly aided in his ministry by
his very estimable wife, whose good sense and holy
influence never failed in the family circle. She
relieved him of all care for the interior of the house
and also of much anxiety for that which was without.
She manifestly excelled in her calm and dignified
deportment, in lier patient endurance of hardship, in
her carefulness of her household, and of the happi-
ness of her husband and his success as a minister of
Chri.st. With such a helpmeet, Mr. Bradford could
not fail to be happy in his home ; and it was here, as
well a.s among his people, that he found incentives to
])iety and consecration to his Master's service. Of Mr.
Bradford's children, — eight sons and four daughters, —
all lived to grow up except two, — one son and one
daughter. The family now (1885) are all gone down
to the grave except three, — a son and daughter
residing in Milwaukee, Wis., and one daughter,
seventy-two years of age, living still in New Boston,
the wife of Waterman Burr, Esq., who for many years
was a successful and popular merchant of the town.
LUKK SMITH.
The jierjietuity of American iustitutiuiis and a re-
publican form of government depend not upon the
strength of armies, mighty corporations or the wealth
of millionaires, but ui>on the unpretending imlivid-
uals who, with steady persistency and industrious
labor, have commenced life in humble circumstances,
with all the disadvantages of limited education, and
by perseverance, economy and long years of toil, both
of brain and hamls, liavi' conquered all obstacles, and
as a reward of their honest exertions, temperate hab-
its and a devotion to law and order, have acipiire<l
a competency of wealth and an honorable position in
the community. Nowhere in America is this class
more numerous than in New lOnglaiul, and no people
understand belter the deep meaning of the coU]>let :
608
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
'* Honor and glianio from no condition ric>e;
Act well your part, there all the honor lies.'
The farmer on his lew sterile aeres, the artisan and
manufacturer in their work -shops, the great masters of
tinanue and railroad kings, and the legislators in the
halls of Congress, all stand on the plane of equality,
and the life of one, as well as the other, may point a
moral or teach a valuable lesson to coming genera-
tions.
A little more than sixty years ago, in the spring of
1824, Luke, son of David and Ellen (Giddings)
.Smith, at that time twenty years old, having been
born December 29, 1804, at Acworth, N. H.,
left his father's home, carrying a small bundle con-
taining all his worldly possessions, to go to Boston,
there to find employment. His father was a farmer,
and Luke's school advantages were limited ; but by
his many years' work on the farm he had actjuired
vigor of health, habits of diligence and frugality that
were of practical use to him in after-life. He found work
at brick-makiug for the summer, then returiiwl home
and was employed in a saw-mill for the winter, re-
ceiving eight dollars per month. The next spring he
went to Utica, N. Y., then a small village, for the
summer, but again passed his winter in the hard la-
bor of the saw-mill. Returning to Boston, he
learned the trade of a nailer, and worked diligently
for four years, and with his strictly temperate and fru-
gal habits was enabled to save some money. In June,
1831, Mr. Smith removed to Hillsborough, where his
father was at that time residing, purchased a farm,
became a resident of Hillsborough, where he lived
two years. Here he married, .June 1(5, 18ol, Wealthy,
daughter of Deacon James and Susan (Senter) Eyres.
Mr. Smith interested himself in affairs of the town,
and being strong, vigorous, of fine presence and mili-
tary bearing, he was made lieutenant of the militia,
which position he resigned when leaving Hillsbor-
ough for New Boston. On coming lo New Boston, in
183.5, he purchased a saw, grist, shingle and clapboard-
mill, which he conducted for eighteen years successfully
and was one of the prominent manufacturers and
business men of the town, besides owning considerable
real estate. After so many long years of patient, dili-
gent and efficient labor, he disposed of his mill and
farm, and devoted a season to recreation, and traveled
through Ohio, Michigan and other Western States
gaining much enjoyment as well as information from
his journey. After his return to New Hampshire,
on account of his wife's delicate health, in 1854, he
purchased the place in Milford where he now resides.
Mrs. Smith died July 5, 1859. Their children were
Wealthy (died aged six years), Gi^orge L., Mark J.,
and Charles H. V. Mr. Smith married, January 4,
1860, his second wife, Mrs. Sarah G. Sargent, daugh-
ter of Issachar and Miudwell (Sillsby) Mayo, of
Lempster.
Mr. Smith has been a man of unwearieil industry.
He was trained to work when a boy, and luis never
I
been too proud to work, even during his days of
prosperity. Through many long years he has been
a worker, a producer, and not a mere consumer. And
he has taught his children to walk in the same steps.
He holds the old-school principles, such doctrines a?
were established and current in the periods of his
early manhood, for men rarely change their views
after they pass the boundary of middle life. So-
cially, he is plain and unpretemling, a kind hus-
band and father, a good neighbor and a worthy
citizen. Politically, Mr. Smith has ever re-
mained true to those old Democratic ideas of Jeffer-
son and Jackson. Religiously, he holds to the Bible
and rests his ho]ies on it. His theological views are
best expressed by his life, — in deeds, not words. He
has been a member of the Baptist Church at New-
Boston for many years, having never removed his
membership to Milford; but he has given generously
to the churches of his chosen faith of both places, es-
pecially to the latter, which has received fifteen
hundred dollars.
HON. GEORGE L. SMITH.
Hon. George Luke Smith, a worthy son of his
estimable parents, Luke and Wealthy (Eyres) Smith,
was born in New Boston, N. H., December 11, 1837.
He gave early tokens that he was possessed of an
active, keen and imiuiring mind. He had a ready
and retentive memory, a fondne-ss for books, and, his
father's means justifying it, he had the advantage of a
liberal education. He was fitted for college at San-
bornton, and entered Union College, N. Y., then in
charge of that veteran teacher. Dr. Eliphalet Nott,
and from which Ive was graduated. At the breaking
out of the War of the Rebellion, in IStil, he went
South, having engaged to furni.sh forage for the cavalry.
George L. Smith was a young man of energetic
business characteristics, and genial, social disijosition,
which made him many friends among the officers and
other hading men. His venture was a financial suc-
cess, and when, at the close of the war, having a large
amount of supplies on his hands, he opened a store at ,
New Orleans, and largely increased his business asso- \ I
ciations, he was further prospered, and afterwards had
a large commercial establishment at Hot Springs,
Ark., where his death occurreil July 9, 1884, in the
prime of business life anil an important political
career, in which he had already won high honors.
Cool, clear-headed, wide-awake, positive, energetic
and straightforward, he was elected to represent his
district in the Lower House of Cf>ngress in 1875,
where he served with marked ability, and was re-
elected by a very coin])limentary vote, but under the
programme of the Hayes administration was deprived
of his seat. In acknowledgment of his popularity and
executive powers, President Hayes appointed him
collector of the port at New Orleans. That office,
under his administration, was conducted on business
principles and for the best interests of the country.
NEW BOSTON.
609
Fttithful in duty, untiring in effort, earnest and
loyal in his |>(ilitic:il cnnvictioiis and attacliments, of a
generous, kindly and eourtcous disposition, lie leaves
a reeord of a line character and of work well done,
and had his life been spared, he would have made a
strong impress on his country's history, both in a
lK)litical and financial sphere. His body was brought
to New Hampshire, and lies liesiiU' his mother, in the
cemetery at Mil ford.
A leading Southwestern journal gave him this notice
:it the time of his death.
•' Hon. George L. Smith was at one time prominent
in political affairs in Louisiana, being a member of
the Legislature in 18iiS, and afterwards twice elected
to Congress from that State, and in 1870 was ap-
(lointed collector of the port of New Orleans. He was
:ilso offere<l a foreign mission by President Hayes,
lie wiis a man of wealth and shrewdness, and held in
high esteem by those who knew him best."
NISIAN CLARK CUOMBIE.
The subject of this sketch was born in New Boston,
N. H., January 20, 180L The family was of Scotch
rigin, having all the marks of vigor, .strength and
utivity peculiar to that race. This side the water
the record is as follows:
1. .John Crombie. He came from the Scotch coun-
ties in the north of Ireland and settled in London-
derry, N. H., in 1720. He married .Joan Rankin,
N'ovember 17, 1721, and had a large family. Was
one of the few honored with a notice in the "Genea-
logical Sketches" by the early historian of London-
derry, N. H.
2. .Tames Oombie, son of .Jolin and .loan (Rankin)
('rond)ie. He married Jane, daughter of Robert
( 'lark, of Londonderry, and lived in that town till
1783, when he moved to New Boston and settled on
one of the best farms in that town. Was shoemaker,
I iirrier, tanner, farmer and mechanic, and was a man
"f great activity, generous, higli-niinil(Ml and of great
wit and cheerfulness and Christian zeal. Died Janu-
ary 7, 1814.
3. John Crombie, son of .Tames and .lane (Clark)
t,'rond)ie. He wils born in Ijondonderry, July 30,
1770. He married his cousin, I^ydia Clark, daughter
of Ninian Clark, Ksq., of note in the early hist(»ry of
New Boston. .lohn Crombie livoil with his father on
the homestead, and died there April 4, 1830. Was a
master mechanic and builder. He built many of the
best ibnrches erected in Southern New Hampshire in
his day. His p.istor wrote of him a.s being a man of
remarkable common sense, sound judgment and well-
stored and discriminating mind; as being a noted
referee and peacemaker; generous to the poor and a
giver to every good object; and a Christian, straight-
forward and devoted to the last.
Ninian' Clark Crombie, son of .John and Lydia
(Clark) Crombie, i)assed his boyhood in New Boston.
He had, in addition to the common school, the advan-
tage of studying with an uncle (a clergyman) in
Princeton, Mass., a year. He was one of the leading
men in New Boston for nearly half a century, — one of
those practical and efficient men that so much help
and honor our country towns. He held nearly all
the town offices from time to time, was guardian of
the orphan, counselor of the widow, executor of wills,
administrator of estates and frequent referee where
sound and impartial judgment was required. He was
a man solidly honest, was faithful in every place and
every decision was marked by good judgment. He
was well informed in public affairs and was a positive
character therein ; in social life, a genial, witty and
attractive man, and a good neighbor. He was a
liberal supporter of the institutions of the gospel and
a constant attendant at public worship until pre-
vented by his last sickness. He lived the life of an
humble Cbrisiian, though, from distrust of his own
piety, he had not made a public profession of religion.
He bore with great ])atience the long and distressing
illness which closed his life, JIarch 14, 1880. His
end was peace, — one of the quiet, faithful lives that
will some time be counted great.
October 29, 1829, Mr. Crombie married Rebecca
Patten, daughter of Cajitain Samuel I'atten, of Derry,
N. H., who still survives, — a worthy comjianion and a
most excellent and benevolent Christian woman,
spending the evening of life amid the love and
respect of the whole community. Of the children by
this union, only three are living, —
Nannie-' Moor, who marrieil Henry N. Hall, of
Manchester, N. II., and has two ihildiiii.^llattie
James and Rebecca Clark.
John Clark', who lives in Elko, Nev., married
Maria E. Lee, of Toronto, Canada, an<l has one child,
Rebecca Patten.
Moses'' Colvard, married Carrie E. Bell, of Frances-
town, N- H., and has no children. They live in New
Boston.
The children who died were Samuel Patten ' (Ist),
Mary Eliza', Samuel Patten' (2d), Hattie Rebecca'
and .Tames Patten.'
HISTORY OF NEW IPSWICH.
CHAPTER I.
NEW IPSWICH.
Geographical — Original Grant — The Grant of 1750 — Incorporation of the
Town— The Charter of 1762, Ipswich— The Charter of I7CG. New Ips-
wich—The Firet Settlements— Names of Pioneers— Indian Alarms—
The Pioneer Mills— Early Votes— Tax-List of 1703- The First Town-
Meeting — Oificors Elected — Votes- Tax -List of 1774.
The town of New Ipswich lies in the southwestern
corner of the county, and is bounded as follows : On
the north by Sharon and Temple, on the east by
Greenville and Mason, and on the south and west by
Cheshire County.
The township was granted by the government of
the Ma.ssachusetts Bay, in 173(3, to some inhabitants of
I])swich, in that province, as surveyed by Jonas
Houghton. The settlement of the province bounda-
ries in 1741 severed a small portion of the Massachu-
setts grant fnmi the township. The Masonian pro-
prietors' claim, being confirmed in 1745, annulled the
aforesaid grant; but the proprietors under it, with [
others, applied to Colonel .Joseph Blanchard, agent
for said Masonian proprietors, and succeeded in pro-
curing a grant from them at a small e.\pense, said
grant being dated April 17, 1750. This grant varied
somewhat from the former, but covered much of the
same territory.
At a meeting of the proprietors, July 5, 17f)2, it
was
" Voted to apply to the General Court to git the Place called Now Ips-
wich Incorporated.
" Voted to imploy Capt. Kenben Kid.ler to go down to Court to got the
Incorporation etfected, aud that the said Kidder shall proceed in the af-
fair as he shall think best, and that the necessary charges shall be paid
by the Propriety."
He secured an act of incorporation bearing date
September 9, 1762.
The following is a co))y of the charter :
"Provi.n'oe of New IlAMrsHiRE.
"George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and
Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc. ; To all to whom these pres-
ents shall come— Greeting :
" Whereat our loyal subji-ots, Inhabitants of a ti-act of Land within the
Province of New Hampshire, known by the name of ^ew Ipswich, lying
ona bi-ani'h of (he Soubegan River, between No. 1 and Kowley Canada
(so called), have humbly petitioned aud requested that they may be erec-
ted and incorporated into a Township and infrancbised with the same
power and privileges which other Towns within our said Province have I
and eiyoy ; and it api>earing unto us to be conducive to the general good i
610
i
of our said Pro%-ince, as well as of tlio Iiilmbitiiuts in particular, by
maintainiug good order and incouraging the culture of the land, that
the same should be done ; — Know ye tbcreforo, that We, of our special
grace, certain knowledge, and for the encouragement and promoting the
good purposes and ends aforesaid,— by and with thi* advice of our truly
and well beloved Banning Wentworth, Esiir., our Governour and Com-
mander in Chief, and of ourCouncil foraaid Province of New Hampshire,
— have enacted and oi*dained, and by these Presents, for us, our heirs and
successors, do will and ordain, that the Inliabitants of the tract of Land
aforesaid, and others who shall inhabit and improve thereon hereafter,
the t^me being butted and bounded as follows, viz. : Beginning at a
white pine tree, being the southwest corner of the Town of Wilton ;
thence running west six miles ; thence running south to the Province
lino, five miles; thence six miles east ujiou the Province line;
thence running north five miles to tlie bounds tii-st mentioned, — Be,
and hereby are deflared and ordained to l)e a Town Cori)orate, and are
hereby erected and incorporated into a body politick and corporate, to
have continuance until the firet day of Januarj', 1766, by the name of
Ipswich, with all the powers and authorities, [irivileges, imuuinities and
franchises which auy other Towns in said Province by law have and en-
joy, to said Inhabitants, or who shall hereafter inhabit, their sucroseors
for Siiid Town. Always reserving to us, our heint and successors, all
White Pine Trees that are or shall be found growing on the said tract of i
Land fit for the use of our Xavy. Reserving also to us, our heirs and
successors, the power and right of dividing said Town when it shall ap-
pear necessary and convenient for the inhabitants thereof.
" /-VociJ^ff, nevertheless, and it is hereby declan'd, that this Charter
and Grant is not intended, and shall not in any manner be construed, to
extend to or affect the private property of the soil wirliin the limits afore-
said. And as the several Towns « ithin our said Province are by laws
thereof enabled and authorized to assemble, and by Ilie majority of the vo-
ters present to choose all such otticere and tratimct such affaii-sas in Laws
are declared, we do by these Presents nominati; and appoint Keuben Kid-
iler, Ksijr., to call the first meeting of said Inhaliitant*i, tobo lield within
said Town, at any time within forty days from the date hereof, giving
legal notireof the time and design of holding such meeting ; after which
the Annual meeting of said Town shall be lield for the choosing of said
officers and the purposes aforesaid, on the second Monday in JIarch an-
nually.
" In Testimony whereof, we have caused the Seal of our said Province to
be lioreunto alfixed. Witness, Benning Wentworth, Ksqr., our Gov-
ernour and Conmiander in Chief of our said Province, the ninth day
of September, in the second year of our Reign, Anno Domini, 17(i2.
**Bknning Wkstworth.
*'By Hia Excellency's command, by advice of Council.
'•Theohoue Atkinson."
The town wa.s chartered as Ipswich, and was to
have continuance until January 1, 17titJ.
Another act ol' inc()riK»ration was granted March
6, 17*36, by the same authority, "to have Continuance
during Our Pleasure by the Name of New Ipswich,"
The first permanent settlement of the town was
made in 17.'?8 by Al)ijah Foster, who. with his wife
and daughter, Mary, then one year old, came from
Old Ipswich. His son, Ebenczcr, was the first white
male child born in the town. Botii fatiier and sim
NEW IPSWICH.
611
were in the French War, and died near Crown Point
in 1759.
.Tonad Wdolson was one of the five earliest settlers,
and is said to have been liere in 1739, and to have
worked about three summers on his laud in company
with Henjamin Hoar, Jr., returning to Littleton dur-
ing the winter. It is supposed they both removed
tiieir families here in 1742, soon after his marriage.
He is mentioned as one of the resident grantees un-
der tlie Masonian charter. His name is often noticed
in tlie j)r()prietors' and town records, under botii of
which he was often api)ointed to important offices.
His farm was located on the east side of the river, on
"Town Hill." It was occupied by him and his de-
scendants for seventy years. Mr. Woolson was at
the taking of Burgoyne, where he lost a valuable
horse.
About the same time (1739) came Benjamin Hoar
and Moses Tucker. Mr. Hoar was from Littleton,
and came from Townsend by marked trees, before any
path had been cleared. He settled on the lot below
Woolson, near the river, near where the first bridge
was built and still continues. He was a blacksmith
and also kept a public-house, and was a very useful
citizen. He was the third settler, and his wife the
second woman in town. Captain Tucker settled on
the west side of the river, cornering on Mr. Hoar,
and his hou.se stood on the side of the hill near the
corner where the roads going to the river divide,
the farm long owned and occui)ied by Judge Champ-
ney. He also subsequently owned, and probably
occupied, a farm on the Town Hill, on the eastern
line of the town, as we learn from the record of the
laying out of a road to Mason lineinl'Oo, "going
on said Chandler's land ... to the corner of his
lott, then on the north end of his other lot to Captain
Moses Tucker's end line of his lott to the town line,"
etc. Along this old "country road," then, on either
side of the river, was the first neighborhood gathcreil.
The Bullards, Ebenezer and .lohn, next followed,
and settled on the Town Hill. In the records of the
town of Uroton is recorded the marriage of .Joseph
Stevens, of New Ii)swich, to Elizabeth Sawtell, No-
vember 10, 1743, showing that he, too, was at that
time a resident in the town. He settled on the Wil-
son Hill. Some of the .\dams' and other young
men, both married and single, came in, so that in
174.') there were a dozen or more inhabited houses in
the town.
This, to be sure, was not making any great ad-
vance towards a .settlement, — far less than the terms
of the grant rc(|nireil. The inherent difficulties in
effecting a new settlement are always ;rrcat, especially
when remote from othcre. But in this instance, be-
fore the five years' jirobation allowed them for set-
tling their lots had ex|)ired, the energy of the pro-
prietors had been paralyzed liy the running of the
lirovincc line in 1741, and by the consei|U('iit loss of
their righta under the Massachusetts grant; and
those few settlers who persevered in clearing and
occupying their lands must have done so under the
discouraging consciousness that they held thera by
no valid titles.
But a still more serious obstacle soon interposed,
which, for a time, entirely suspended further opera-
tions. This was the breaking out of the French and
Indian War, in 1744, which spread consternation
throughout all the feebler settlements, as well as in
the older country towns. The Indians soon made
descents from Canada, spreading terror and devas-
tation as they went, and the principal towns to the
north and west were attacked. The inhabitants ol
the neighboring towns either received garrisons for
their defense or fled to stronger places for refuge.
The settlers here, however, seem to have maintained
tlieir ground until an actual incursion upon our
very borders. In the summer of 1748 a descent of
a body of Indians, about eighty in number, was made
upon the settlement of Mr. John Fitch, which was
located in what wjis then Lunenburg, and near the
south part of the jiresent town of Ashby. He, with
his wife and five children and three soldiers, occu-
pied a garrisoned house. They were attacked one
morning when two of the soldiers happened to be
absent, one of whom was killed in attempting to
return. ,\fter a gallant defense, and tlie loss of the
soMicr with him, he surrendered, and with his wife
and children was carried to Canada.
There was a block-house in Townsend, at the foot
of the hill, above the West village, which still bears
the name of Battery Hill, on the south road, not far
from the southeast corner of New Ipswich. To this
place the inhabitants now Hed for protection, with
their families and valuables, with one exception.
Captain Tucker boldly resolved to remain ami make
such defense as he could, or otherwise take his fate;
and he did so. It is probable, however, that his
family accompanied the fugitives. In the course of
a month or two their fears were allayed by the re-
port of the scouts which had been .sent out, that the
Indians had retired beyond the Connecticut Kiver;
and they returned to their deserted homes. Captain
Tucker was found safe. They also found that their
meeting-house had been burnt; but whether by the
Indians or by fire from the burning forests was uncer-
tain. It w:us probably by the latter, however, as the
Inilians would not have been likely to destroy the
meetinghouse alone, while they left the private dwell-
ings unmolested.
The inhabitants of this town seem never afterwards
to have been seriously alarmed on account of the
Indians, though some of the neighboring towns were
led to feel the need of protection. In 17'>0 Peter-
borough petitioned for a block-hon.sc and soldiers,
pleading their great danger and exposure. Lveii as
late as January, 175."), when the Indians ravaged and
burnt the towns on the Connecticut lliver, the people
of Ipswich Canada (Winchendon) called for aid.
612
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
stating thiit Iiulians were about, and they could not
cultivate their ticlds, so that they were dependent on
Lunenburg, Lancaster and Groton for food. Nor
were their fears groundless, for traces of the visi-
tation of savages were detected near at hand by the
scouts.
But such was the rapid progress then being made
in this town that the settlers felt themselves in com-
parative security ; and when, at the proprietors' meet-
ing, in January, 1757, the question was put whether
"the Proprietors will build a fort or forts in this town-
ship," it was voted " not to build any forts in this town-
ship;" and again, whether they "will repair Mr.
Adams' flankers in order for defense against the
enemy," it was voted in the negative. This is the
only intimation we have that any means of defense
against the Indians were ever adopted in this town.
These " flankers " were a sort of breast-work of logs
and stakes, extending outwards and inwards from the
angles of the house, with a port-hole at the point of
meeting. Douglass, who wrote in 1748, says, indeed,
that there were two block-houses in New Ipswich.
Mr. Adams' house might have been one of those to
which he alludes and Captain Tucker's another. It
is probable that our forefethers were indebted for
their immunity from Indian intrusions to the moun-
tain barrier on the west. This opposed a serious
obstacle to a ready retreat with plunder; and hence
we find it to have been the custom of the savages to
confine themselves, in all their predatory incursions,
to the principal water-courses and low lands.'
The first meeting of the proprietors was held in
Dunstable April It!, 1749. At the next meeting,
however, it was
'* Voted, that all meetings shall b« hejtldat New Ijiswich for the futur ;
and Ihat tllu owners of five aliears shall he suflicient to request Mleetiligs
fur the time to com, ami that notificjitions being posted up at Xew Ips-
wich, Old Ipswich and Dunstable shall be sufht-eant warning for said
proprietore."
Thomas Dennis, Piaiuis Choate, Nathaniel Smith
and William Peters, who had been proi)rietors under
the Massachusetts grant, were admitted as proprietors.
The first saw-mill was built in 1750 and the first
corn-mill in 1751, by John Chandler.
March 21. 175.3, " Voted that Reuben Kidder,
E|>hraim Adams and Benjamin Hoar to be a Com-
mittee to take care of the (irudentials of this place;
also to layout a Burying-place, and clearsome their."
February 27, 1754, " Voted to give Joseph Kidder,
at the rate of twelve pounds an acre, for clearing his
land at the North West corner of his lott, to be for a
common, after three years and a halfe from the date
iiereof." The same vote was passed in relation to the
southwest corner of Joseph Bates' lot, and ten acres
were afterwards laid out "adjoyning to the meeting-
house, agreeable to y" grant of y" same."
The westerly part of the lot then laid out was sub-
1 Hifltoiy of New Ipswich.
sequently exchanged with Mr. Farrar for land "under
and about where the meeting-house " afterwards
stood.
November 26, 1754, " Voted that four neat cattle
shall stock a Right till such time as it shall be thought
proper to alter this vote."
August 25, 1757, " Voted that Timothy Heald shall
draw out of the Treasury forty-five pounds, old tenor,
for keeping Phiuehas Goodalc and carrying him to
Townsend."
The following is the tax list of 1763 :
MINISTEK'S RATE FOB THE YEAR 1763.
X. >. d.
" Captain Jonas Woolson 10 18 3
Captain Bei^jaiuin Hoar 10 8 10
Thomas Wright 3 11 3
Thomas I'arrett 1 19 4
Ebenezer Hcald 6 9 4
Jacob Adams ii 18 1
Samuel Kinney 4 7
Thomas Heald 2 14 4
Benjamin Gibbs 5 10 7
Samuel Whitteinore 7 9 6
Simeon Fletcher 4 5 1
Robert Campbell 431
Hezekiah fVirey 2 2 2
.\ndrew Conn 263
Joel Crosby 4 17 6
Thomas Adams 7 8 1
Simeon Hildreth 3 4 8
Stephen Adams 7 12 7
Jesse Carleton 2 5 6
John Chandler U 7
Pcletiah Wliittemcr* 2 8 9
Elias Stone 116 3
Thomas Spanlding 29 7
Stephen .\ilam8, Jr 2 1 2
Timothy Ilealil 7 1
Joseph Bullard 4 14 1
Ebenezer Bullard 7 13 7
Captain Jloses Tucker 11 3 10
James French 2 8 9
John Outlen 7 10 7
John Dutlin, Jr 2 13 1
Elyah Dutten 2 1 10
Deacon Benjamin Adams 7 5 6
Deacon Ephruim Adams 6 19 6
Abba Sevenince 3 6
Peter Fletcher ■ 3 17 7
Bei^aniiii Ivnowlton 7 10 9
Archibald White 5 18
Bei^janiin Procter 3 15 4
Ezni Towne 2 19 1
George Start 7 7
Ea". Joseph Stevens 83 1
Nathan Cuiter 5 16 3
Barnabas Davis 5 3 G
Simeon Uould 2 16 8
John Brown 200
Benjamin King 4 14 9
Benjamin Saffi.rd 7 4 9
Wido. Slary Foster 3 3 9
Wid". Elizabeth Fletcher 19 1
Joseph Kidder 463
Joseph itates 6 9 1
Isaac .\ppleton 9 4 6
Janiee Farrar 3 18 9
James Wilson 2
Reuben Kidiler, Esq 10 13 10
Robert Waugh 3 10
Samuel Parker 5 1 3
Abel Wright 4 11 10
Thomas Farnsworth 3 11 10
NEW IPSWICH.
613
£. •. d.
Kendall Briant 6 7 6
Audruw S)NiuIiJing '6 15
Jij«<Jah Croeby 4 6
Moeoa Tucker, Jr 3 16
Thomas Fletcher 6 4 1
Frauci!) Fletcher G 9 9
Willium Mcriury 4 IS
Wid*. rttiherini- McClury 1 13 9
Daniel SlcCJary 2
Aazun Kidder 7 7 4
Isaac IIuw . 7 '-i 10
William Brown 2 8 7
Benjamin Cutter •> 1 3
Silaa I'arker 200
Leonard Parker 2
Simeon Wright 2
Thoniiis Brown 2 8 9
William Spear 613
Natlioniol Carleton 2 10 3
Amoe Taylor 2 Hi 7
Reulwn Taylor 3 lii
Robert Trosby 3 6 7
John Pi-e§ton 3 15
Samuel Perham 2 00
IcbalMMj How 8 3 1
Aaa Bullard 2
Joseph Richardson 200
Georgt- Hewett 3 17 10
SilartRus»ll 2
Zacliariith Kmery 2
Zachariah Adams 7 12 3
Samuel Foster • 2
Joet-ph l>arker 2
John Mcintosh 2
Wido. Mary Brown 14
Total, £436 10j(. 8d.=^200 nearly.
"The above is a copy of the Minister's Rate for the year 17G3— the
<ii-«eannent wiw ou silverat £2 5i. per dollar, as they wore sot or valued
in the Maatachiisett.'t Provinces, in the currency of the said Province, by
rcaaoD that our contmct with y« Kev. Sir, Stephen Farrar was for Silver
art aforesaid.
"Timothy Healo, Toion Clerk.^^
First Town-Meeting, — Tlie Hist town-meeting was
held tfeptuiuhcr Vi, 1702, as follows:
" At tliG flrst Town-meeting held at lp«iwicli, in New Hamiiehtre, by
Voirtne of a Charter of Incorpomtion held in wiid Ijiswich.
"Capt. Jonns Wf'olson cho8(>n Modenitor of waid meeting.
** MuHeM Tucker, Dr. John Preston and Robert Crosby chosen Select-
men.
"Ebenezer Bullard choeen Constublc.
** Irhabod How and Thomas Heald chosen a Committee to examine the
Solectmen'R accountM, and niakti IU)i>ort of tlio same nt tho next annual
meeting.
"VoUd, thai the Selectmen slmtl serve as AiisetfAors.
'* Benjamin Knowlt«tn and Isaac Apph'ton chosen tithingnien.
" Joeeph Bales wo* chosen Sealor of Waits and MniKuni.
"Sami. Kinney, Simeon Gould and Aaron Kidder chosen deer keep-
"Joseph Stephens, Thomas Farn»worlh, Franris Fletcher, Kbonozer
lleald and Josoph Bnllanl chosen Survcirs of High wayx.
" Robert Croflby cliosen Snrvclr of Lumber.
'* Timothy Hp:ai.i>, TVju-pi clerk."
1763 —
'* VoU'd to chusc an agent to defend in behalf of this town, In Ihow
actions commenced against this Town by Capt. Kld[ler and Samuel
Parker.
" VoU'i to build a Pound of Wood, and to w^t It on Jo((c]>h Kidder's
Land, south of the road, on the oast side of the Brook that runs out of
mid Kidfler's meddow.
" Voted not to abatii Port. Preston's Rate for IiIk head und Iiors, nor
Rfdescf him from pay for his head and horn for the fiitun-."
1767,—
" Voted to chnse two Constables for the pros*Mit year.
" VoUd for calling town-meetings for the future the Constable DOtifie
at the Mill and the most public House in town.
" Voted nut to pay the Select men.
'• VoUd not to exact the fine of Lieut. Bates for his not serving Con-
stable for said year."
He had been regularly chosen, but refused to serve
this year.
1770,—
" irAar«a« sundry persons Imvc been licensed to sell spiritnous liquors
in this town, who have nut had the ApproViation of the Select men, which
we think has a bad Tendency, and hiut already bt-en to the damage of the
Town ;
'* Voted, that the Town Clerk, in behalf of the Town, prefer a Petition
to the Court of Quaiier Sessions, that noperBon forthe future be licensed
but what have the Approbation of the Selectmen.
** T'o/ed, that Commissions of profit and faculty^ and licensed Houses
be Rated by the Selectmen according to their supposed profits."
In 1770 an article was inserted in the warrant for
town-meeting, as follows :
"To pas« such further Resolves respecting the Don-Import-\tion agree-
ment of the Generous Sons of Liberty at Boston, as shall be thought
proper.
" Voted, that the Selectmen provide a Stock of Amunition, mutable
for the town.
" Voted to build a place for the Town Stock of Amunition on the Beams
under the Roof of the Meeting house."
1773,—
" VttUd, thut the Selectmen pR)vi<le Burying Cloths fur the Town's
U80."
An invoice of the town, taken ill 1773, was as fol-
lows: 109 male pulls, 3 slaves, 201 oxen and horses,
267 cows, 24(5 young cattle, 18 acres of orchard, 3118
acres of pasturage, 881 acres arable and mowing ; £66
lawful, the yearly income of stock in trade, money at
interest, mills, etc. ; whole number of inhabitants,
882.
TOWN TAX FOR 1774.
South List.
X. .. (I.
Stephen Atianis, .Ir 8 3
Silii»A<lnm» 8 3
Thoiniui .\(laniH 9 7
Riclnml Alexunilere 13 »
(Jhiirles Barrett 3 4 9
Siiniuel Burtlett 17 6
.lolni llreeil 1 15 7
John Brooks 12 1(1
Nutliiin Iktyntoii 1 2 8
Allen Breed (I 17 1
Duvid Brocks 2 (I
Jesse HiittcrneUI 8 3
llolicrt Cnmpbell 1 11 9
Niillmniel Carlto 12 2
Junies t.'hundler I 4 C
He/ekhih Corey 1 n li
Thonuu Cuninilngfl 9 7
Ephniini Clniniberluin 2 4
BelOnniiii Curver 2 3
Eplintint rninniinpi I> 2 3
Siininet t'nniniinp* n li; 3
Atiron Chnniherliiln (I 8 3
Bunker Chirk <l 8 3
Bononl Cory n 8 3
ThoniiM Da»h " 1 8
Jonndmn Piivis 1 7
Joslnll Diivin 12
Will", lUchel Flelcher 1 7 6
Thnolhy Kox 1 8 (1
Imac Kurnell « 12 2
Timothy Kiirwcll 11 11
614
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
£
«.
d.
£
t. d.
Wid". Mnrj- Foster
9
5
Henry Wright
...
8
9
11
8
8
9
7
8
3
3
S
James Wright
Henry Spaulding
...
...
8 3
8 3
Elijah Flagg
Total
...
. . . £88
15 1
Benjamin Gibbs
1
12 6
Captain iJeig. Hoar
Ensn. TliomiiA Heald
2
1
11
10
10
NoBTu List.
9
2
9
8
... 2
5 10
Dea". Benjamin .\dams
Lieut. Isiuu; Appleton
... 2
... 2
3 6
Saninul lloldun
1
3 6
1
12
19
11
2
8
Francis Appleton
Ephraim .\dams, jun'
... 1
...
11
Steptien llildretb
. . . . n
11 4
Simeon ilildroth
CI
Levi .\dams
...
8 S
•lonad H olden
1
G
1
Lieut. Stephen Adams
...
9 7
John Ja>|uitli
1
Phinelias Adams
...
8 3
Samuel Kinny
1
ir,
5
M'. Joseph .\dam3
...
8 3
Samuel Kinny, J'
10
3
Lieut. Joseph Bates
. . . . 1
1 5
Jacob Kendall . .
5
8
13
8
11
15
11
19
6
9
9
3
3
7
1
6
8
6
8
2
11
Lieut. William Brown
...
2 9
Steplien Lund
Thomas Brown
... 1
3 1
19 10
... 1
7 9
Thomas Barnes
. . . t>
9 7
(1
Joseph Baker
...
. . . .
9 2
11 2
Abel Miles
...
2 11
...
HI 3
John Boutwell
Ephraim Burge
. . .
...
:i 5
James Preston
3 5
Josepb Parker
Steplien Pierce
1
1
11
3
4 1
Joseph Brooks
...
12 4
Leonard Parker
18
8
16
2
3
4
John Brown, jun'
...
8 3
Jonas Brown
M'. Ebenezer Champney
. .
... 2
8 3
Joseph Pollard
1
18 1
Leonard Proctor
2
10
8
4
9
3
Eleazer Cummings
Nathan Cutter
William Clary
... 2
... 1
... 1
5 3
13
Abel Parker
5 9
Jonathan Parker
8
3
IsmiC Clarke
... 1
4
John Pratt
5
18
16
6
2
6
...
8 3
Daniel Clary
John Cutter
...
... 1
13 11
Jonathan Bobbins
n
15 3
David Uuuirill
14
5
Jonathan Cutter
...
8 3
Benjamin Satford
2
6
John Dutton
... 1
5 8
William Sbatluck
2
1
4
Dea°. Stephen Davis
...
1 4
Eplimini Severance
8
3
Stephen Davis, jun'
...
10 7
Thomas Sfmulding
18
1
Benjamin Davis
... 1
7
John Sawtoll
. . . .
15
9
Elijah Davis
...
11 9
David Saunders
1
11
8
10
11
3
Silas Davis
Capt. Davis Fletcher
Francis Fletcher
...
... 1
11 1
7 11
William Shattuck, Jun'
. .
11 11
John Scott
....
17
10
8
9
1
14
Thomas Sprague * • . .
Samuel Farrar
...
10 3
Thonioi* Sprague, Jun'
8
3
Thomas Farnsworth
... 1
9 2
Reuben Taylor
1
3
13
U
1
11
4
2
4
9 3
Odoardo Thomas
u
1
3 7
8 3
Sampson Tuttle
Daniel Farnsworth
...
in 3
Bloses Tucker
1
6
Adam Goold
...
9 7
Joseph Tenney
M
u
2
... 1
r. 8
Capt. Jonas Woolson
2
2
9
S
5
7
11
...
18 1
Peletiah \Vliille[nore
Isaac How
David Hills
... 2
... 1
4
Samuel Whittemore
2
13 5
Henry Woods
3
12
5
4
.
!l 7
Samuel Woods . . . . •
Robert Harkness
...
11
Peletiah Whittemore, Jun' ....
1
4
8
19
14
19
9
3
10
4
6
Charles Hinds
...
8 3
John Wheeler
. .
Thomas Holt
Elislm Hubberd
...
.
9 7
Joseph Warren
8 3
Simeon Wright
(1
Col. Iteuben Kidder
... 4
7 3
John Wilkins
1
12
14
11
9
6
13
6
8
11
5
1
6
3
4 3
Jonas Wheeler
Wid* Itju'hel Kidder
. .
18 4
8 11
OliTer Wright
8 3
Daniel Mansfield
Ezra Mansfield
Josiah Melven
... 1
...
...
3 2
Setll Wheeler
... 1
18 2
Nathan Wesson
2 11
NEW IPSWICH.
615
£ <.
ElUah Morw- 8
Ju<ie|>li Pcirte 10
Dot-t'. John Pri'ston 1 8
Su*liliun Parker U 18
Paul PriclmnI 3 5
BoiOatiijii PotliirJ 1 12
Samuel Parker 1 n
BeiOaiiiin Procter 1 f>
Amu6 PricliarJ U 9
Elra P«irc« 8
Butiort Keailing 13
Silan Richartlson 14
Doct'. Jease Rice 12
Jo«iah Kobt>eiis 11
Josiali Kogen* 1 7
Samuel Rogers 10
Kdso. Jo6cph Stevenfl 1 G
George Start 1 3
Lieut. N'athaiiicl Stone .1 19
Jonathan Stevcnb 8
Ahijah Smith 1 U
William Start 1 1
William Speur 1 6
Andrew Spauldiug 19
Thuma« Stow 1
JoMiph Stickney 10
E/raTown 1 11
Joseph Tucker 1 17
Edmund Town 12
Jottiah Walton 16
Bet^uniin Williams 11
Timothy Wheolock 19
Samuel Walker 9
John Warner 1 5
Jowph Wright 12
Jonathan Wheat 17
John Flynt 8
Samuel Soikt 10
Daniel Stratlon 1 6
Timothy Spaulding 3
Denjauiin Smith 8
Total £101'. K.
CJIAl'TKR II.
X K W I PS W IC H— ( Cunliimed).
MILITARY HISTORY.
Initial Kventa — The Lexington Alarm— Captain Hcald's Company at
Lexington — Captain Towne's Company— Captain Parkor'n Company —
.^ratoga and Stillwater— The Seneca Lake Expedition, I,i»tof .Sotilioni
—The Jlilitia of ITk:,- War nf \h\>, \,M of S,.l.li.i-«— W„r ..f Ihu Ro-
belllon.
Tinc first reference (in tlic town records to the
forthcoming struggle for Indepeiuleiice was under
date of December 6, 1774, as follows:
" Vot*d, That it it4 the opinion of thta Town that Kopreoentntion \t al>-
Holntnly neceSMury to logiil taxation or Legislation ; and whereiw thin
town haa, for a nuniher of yuara, been taxed to the Province, and have
had no Voice In Loglitlation, which U a great Grievance ; and in order
to obtain a ItedreM, that the .Selectmen of thin town do forwanl a Petl>
tlon and KenionHlnviico to hia Excellency, onr Governor, that we may
enjoy thoite privilegeM whirl) are ettrtential to thr> DritlHh Constitution,
and that they call u)Kin the ai^acent Towns to adopt the like nieafmrejt
anrl endeavor that the unrepresented Towns come into similar nieaaures
throughout the Province."
The iutelligence of the British advance on Lexing-
ton (says Kidder and Gould's " History of New Ips-
wich") reached this town about two o'clock in the
afternoon. The Committee of Safety immediately
assembled on the common, and fired three guns in
quick succession, the signal that had been agreed
on in case of a sudden alarm. The people rapidly
assembled, and in less than two hours a great propor-
tion of the male population met on the little common
in front of the meeting-house. After a short consul-
tation with the oldest and most experienced, it was
decided to prepare as many as jtossible and march for
Concord. The town's stock of powder and Icatl was
taken from the magazine, then situated on the beams
of the meeting-house, and distributed to such as had
not a supply, a careful account of it being taken by
the selectmen. In the mean time the alarm was ex-
tending through the remote jjarts of the town, and
some of the men who weie at work in the woods or
distant fields did not reach the usual training-ground
till sunset ; and as provisions had to be collected, so
much time was consumed that probably but few
commenced their march before dark. Several parties
proceedeil as far as Captain Ileald's, where they took
a few hours' repose, and others spent most of the
night in and near the middle of the town, but took
up their march before daylight ; and before the sun
rose the next morning not less than a hundred and
fifty men, the very bone and muscle of the town, were
pressing forward, some on foot and some on horse-
back, towards Concord. Provisions were collected
and forwarded in carts, under the direction of the
Committee of Safety.
Deacon Appleton, like Cincinnatus, had left his
plow in the lurrow at the moment of the alarm,
and soon after mounted his horse and carried the
news to Peterborough. The ne.\t morning a company
from that i)atriotic town, with Captain Wilson in
command, passed through New Ipswich, then nearly
deserted by the men, the deacon hastening on with
them, not even stopping to take leave of his faiiiily.
tliough he passed near his own iloor.
It has been stated that there was but little military
organization. Timothy Farrar was, perhaps, the
most prominent man, and had been the most active
in exciting a military spirit, though he did not as-
sume any command. Ezra Towne was an officer in
the militia, but acted as a subaltern on this occasion.
Captain Ilcald was recognized as the ctniiniander. and
paid the liill for the entcrtainmciil of the men at
Acton, where I bey Jirrivcd and remained during the
night of the 20th. On the succeeding day they ar-
rived at Concord, where they obtained reliable infor-
mation that the enemy had all returned to Koston.
Many of the elder men, after visiting the scene of
blood at the Xortli Uriilge, returned hiniie to make the
neces.sary preparations for a contest, which they now
saw was inevitable; and with what feelings we may
judge, when we consider that the scene of the con-
616
HISTORY 01- HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
flict was the natal soil of many of them, and that
many of those wiio hail fallen victims had been their
neighbors and kinsmen. By far the larger jiart,
however, proceeded to Cambridge, the headqnarters
of the army.
On the arrival of our men at Cambridjre they
found an immense concourse of people, rather than
soldiers, most of whom were occui)ying the colleges
for temporary quarters. At the request of the Com-
mittee of Safety, Captain Towne, on the 23d of April,
took orders for enlisting a company, and immediately
notified his townsmen ; and such was their confidence
in him, and in those who were to be associated in
office with him, that nearly thirty signed his roll that
day, and by the 10th of May it was increased to
sixty-five in number, including rank and file. Most
of these were citizens of New Ipswich, only ten
being from Peterborough and a few from Mason.
All the officers were of this town, and it was called
the " New Ipswich Company."
Piiij-Holl of Capl'iin Ezra Towne'a Company, in Colonel Jamt* Beed't
Segiinent, to the lU of August, 177o.
Kzra Towno, CAptain; Josiali Browne, first lieutenant ; John Ilarkness,
second lieutenant ; Benjamin Williams, Peletiah Whitteuiore, Elisha
Hubbard, Samuel Breeding, sergeants ; Supply Wilson, Elijah Jlot^e,
Stephen Adams, corpoi-als ; Jesse Carlton, drummer; "Wilder Kidder,
fifer. Privates. Phinebas Adams, Asa Adams, Jeremiah Andrew, David
.Avery, Timothy .\very, John Breed, Ehenczer Bullard, Peter Brown,
Benjamin Cutter, Archer Churcliwood, Nathaniel Carlton, Elijah Pavis,
Abraham Den[*niore, David Elliot, John Elliot, Joseph Felt, Ezra Fuller,
.Silas (jill, Samuel Griftin, .Samuel Hufchins, Daniel Hall, Benjamin
King, Peter Lowell, Samuel Milchel, David Melviu, David Marshal,
Farrow Miller, Thomas Morrison, .Varon Oliver, Thomas Pattison, Eben.
Pratt, Jeremiah Pritchard, Jonathan Stevens, John Start, Ebenezer
Severance, David Scott (killed June 17th), Abel Severance, Benjamin
Smith, Istuic Stanhoite, Ephnvim Stevens, William .Scott, Daniel Sever-
ance, Josiali Stone, Timothy Sterues, Samuel Soper, 'I'honuw Tufton,
Ezra Towne, Jr., .lohn Temple, Josiah Walton, Nathan Watson, .\rchi-
l*ald White, Daniel White, Levi Adams, — sixty-five rank and file.
About the 1st of June, Colonel James Reed arrived
at Cambridge with a commission from the Provincial
Congress of New Hampshire to command a regiment
of troops of that State. The next morning, he says,
"he was waited upon by Captain Towne, who intro-
duced to him some other ofticers commanding com-
panies from this State," and a regiment was soon
formed, consisting of eight companies, of which
Ca|)tain Towne's was called the First, and was
assigned the post of honor, being stationed on the
right.
In October, 1770, Captain Abijah Smith marched
towards New York with a company from this town,
Peterborough and the vicinity. Among them were
many of the principal men, — the two Deacon
Adams, Lieutenant Stone, Deacon Isaac Appleton,
John Cutter, .Jonathan Kinney, Jonas Duttoii, Jere-
miah Pritchard and otliois. They were present at
the battle of White Plains, but from their position
were not much exposed to the fire of the enemy.
They all arrived home safe before the end of the
vear.
Pay ItoU of Capltwi Stephen Parlcer'a Company, in Colonel Mo8ei XichoW
Itegiuietit, and Gairral Btarke^e Urign'te of Sew Hamjinliire Militia,
which Company mtirehed from iSVir Ipswich i^and joined the ConlitietiUU
Army under tieneral (i^Uet at Stiilwater) I9th July, 1777.
Stephen Parker, captain ; Benja. ('raggiri, T., Samuel Cunning-
ham, P., first lieutenants ; Benjamin "Williams, ensign ; Beiya. Ryan,
P., John Robb, !•., .\rcl)ibald "Wliite, Sam\. Mitcliel, P., sergeants;
Whitcombe Powers, Kphraim Brown, Thomas Morrison, P., Saml. Lewis,
corporals ; Saml. Lowell, drunnner ; Simeon Hildreth, titer. Privates,
.\llen Breed, Allen Breed, Jr., Saml. Walker, Benjannn Safford, Josiah
Walton, David Rinnrill, I'elatiali Whiltemore, Peter Fletcher, Epbraim
Stevens, Jona. Parker, Richard Wheeler, Amos Wheeler, Wni, Upton,
Edmund .Sawtel, Nehemiah Strattou, John Knight, Jothani Hoar,
Francis Appleton, Ebenezer Severance, James Fi>6ter, Caleb Bancrof,
Paul I*owerw, John Everet, Samuel Wheeler, Peter Wheeler, Daniel
Foster, Richard Stickney, Nat Sbattuck, Needham Drury, Beiya. Sever-
ance, Levi Spaulding, Henry Spaulding, Eli Adams, Abel I>utton, Benja.
Dunn, P., Ephi-aim Brockway, P., Jeremiah Proctor, P., Asa Rrockway,
P., Jesse Smith, P., .lames Mitchel, P., John Blair, P., Itenja. Mitchel,
P., Wm. Robbe, P., Thomas Little, P., Sargent Paige, P., Simpson
Hogg, P., Jeremiah Smith, P.. James White, P., Charles McC/oy, P.,
Wm. Blain, P., Saml. .Miller, P., Wm. Sloore, P., Joseph Heald, John
Steward, P., Silas Taylor, Abraham Taylor, Isaac Barret, P.
Note.— "T.," Temple. "P.," Peterborough.
In September a company of forty-two men was
raised, in which Simeon Gould was an officer, and
hurried off in great haste. Part of the men had
horses, and, no doubt, practiced " ride and tie."
They arrived in time to take part in the battles at
Stillwater and Saratoga, and to witness the surrender
of General Burgoyne and his whole army, an event
everywhere received with joy and satisfaction, more
especially by the people of New England, who were
thereby relieved from the fear of impending invasion.
In 1779 a number of men. joined the expedition
under General Sullivan to Seneca Lake, which re-
sulted in great disaster to the Indians there.
In JIarch it was " Voted, that there be a contribu-
tion taken up to defray the charges of bringing Eph-
raim Foster home from the army, and also for the
benefit of the poor of the town."
At this time the British held possession of part of
Rhode Island, and a company of thirty-one men
under Captain Joseph Parker proceeded to Provi-
dence, and afterwards to the Island. It is not known
j whether or not they fought in the engagements there.
It would appear that several jiarties went to Rhode
Island while it was invested by the British ; for, in
the following August, when a committee was ap-
pointed to make another average of the services of
the inhabitants in the war, their report was, " That
those who went to Rhode Island the first term be
allowed for six months; and those who went the
second term be allowed three weeks ; and those who
went the last term be allowed six months."
In obedience to another call in .\ugust, it was
voted "to Hier six men to go in the Continental
arm)-, agreeable to the requisition of the Court."
In June, 1780, a call for six men for the Continen-
tal army was made. A meeting was called, and it was
" Voted, that the Selectmen and the Captains of the
two Train Bands be a committee to hire the six men
for the town, in the cheapest and most expeditious
wav thev can."
NEW IPSWICH.
617
111 July a demand was made on the town for their
proportion of beef for the army. It was accordingly
" Voted to raise Fifty-five Thousand Pounds, lawful
money,' to procure Beef for the .Vrmy, and to pay
Soldiers now gone." It was also voted that any per-
son might pay his rates, in silver at seventy-five for
one, which shows the depreciated state of the
currency at this period.
The iie.xt year it was " Voted to raise £400 Silver
Money, for to pay for this Town's proportion of Beef
rate for the Army,'' and the constables were author-
ized to receive the old rates, on the scale of one silver
d'lUar to ninety of paper.
In February, 1781, a meeting was held to raise
twelve men for the Continental army, who had been
called for to fill up the iiuota assigned to the State.
These were raised by dividing the town into twelve
classes, iis recommended by the General Court, each
class to furnish a man, by hiring or otherwise.
In November a call was made for militiamen, and
the selectmen proceeded to hire them on the best
terms they could. The town " Voted to approve of
the Selectmen hiring the three months' militia, and
also to procuring this town's projiortion of Rum." It
is supposed that nine men went at this time to West
Point, of whom Isaac How was the leader.
'■ Voted, to pay those men who went on the late
alarm for Coos." A small party of Ikitish soldiers
made an incursion into Vermont, and at Xewbury
hail captured a Colonel .Johnson, and carried him to
• inada. An alarm was made in this region, and
t aptain Heald, with quite a number of men, were
soon on their way thither ; they were absent but a
short time.
.January, 1782, " Voted, that the Selectmen shall
procure clotliing for the former Continental Soldiers
against the next Town-meeting, if they can."
Six men were raised this year for the Continental
ivice ; one of these wa-s Mr. .lohn Gould.
During this summer or autumn a party of Tories
from Canada made an irruption into Vermont, and
proceeded a.s far as Royalton. It was supposed tliey
were the vanguard of a large detachment sent to lay
waste the towns on Connecticut River. An alarm
win sent to this town, and a large company of sixty-
five men marched immediately, but were absent only
a few days. This was Ihe laxt alarm that ever came
li>r Hcililiers. The capture of Cornwallis, with his
army, nearly closeil the active operations of the l{evo-
lution.
Of the persons who were officers or soldiers in the
-t-rvice during the war, it is to be regretted that no
entry was ever niaile on the town records, that there-
by their names might have been preserved. We have
already given two extensive rolls, and, after a
thonmgh investigation, we think the subjoined list
will contain tlie largest part of those who served
< Thia wonlil be oqiilvnlent. In allror, to 1733.33.
three years or more, besides those already named, but
not all, —
.lonaj^ Adanus Levi Ailunis, Juliii Aduiiis, PtiiiK'titu Ailnlns, Stt'plien
.\ilaiiis, IVIer Dullard, Juiiii Bullan), Atiius Baker, Joel Baker, William
S<utt, Jese Walker, William Ilewit!, .I<«eiili Prwter, John Thuiitas,
Samuel Potter, Silas Wliitm-v, Kzra Meriani, Kpliniiln Fu»^tor, N'atliailiel
Ha>'S, Silas Oill, NelK-iiiiali Straltuii, Illiamar Wheelock, Itawlina Co-
burn, Samuel Foster, Asa Pcrbam, William Pricbanl, Jobu Yomau,
Kpliraim Sevemnco, JInws Farnswortli, Ebenezer Fletcher, .\sbel Pow-
ers, Pavid Melvin, Jonatlian Davis, Lt. Nathan Wesson, Thomas Kidder,
Asa Severance, Is.tac Taylor, James SIcGensey, Joel Barker, Bunker
Clark, James Whipple, Hezekiah Sawtelle, Jonathan Parker, Hezekiah
Wetherbee, Zebcdee Wbitemore, Samuel Walker, Joshua Davis. Eleazer
Bullard, John Thomas, Joel Proctor, James Tidder, Henry Knowlton,
John Bri>wn, Jr., Jonathan Wheal, Isjiac How, Stephen Hildreth, Lt.
Jerentiah Prichard, Lt. Peletiah Wliittniinn-. Siiinnd Cunnnings, Whit*
comb Powere, NVilliam Hunt.
In addition to these were all those who turned out
on the various alarms, on the requisition of the Com-
mittee of Safety, making in all something like three
hundred and sixty enlistments, in numbers varying
from three to forty-eight men at a time, and for
periods of from one month to three years. Nearly
every man, from the highest to the lowest, sooner or
later took his turn or hired some one as a substi-
tute.
Of all these men, but one or two were killed in
battle ; eight or ten were very severely wounded,
among whom were Josiah Walton, Ebenezer Fletcher,
Jeremiah Prichard and Jonas Adams; and about
twenty died of sickness in the army, or soon after
they were brought homo, of whom were .John Adams,
Simeon Hildreth, Daniel Hall, Samuel Campbell,
Jonathan Wheat, Samuel Foster, Ephraim Foster
and Asa Perham. Quite a number of them had con-
tracted habits incident to the camp, which materially
afTected their respcetabilily and success in after-
life.
The country was drained of all its available means
by continual heavy taxes that were almost constantly
levied, in one shape or another, to carry on the con-
test. The projiortion of this town, in a province tax
of £1000, was, in 1773, £1.3 I.*. ; only sixteen towns
paid more. In 1777 it was £12 lie. Grf. ; only ten
towns paid more. In 1780 it was £12 5«. 2d. In
1781 an act was passed to raise a quantity of beet
for the army; the proportion levied upon this town
was 17,164 pounds; only twelve towns furnished a
larger quantity. .V levy was made by the State for
1(1,(100 gallons of rum ; this town's part was 122
gallons.
In 1781 Congress called on this State for thirteen
hundred and fifty-four men for the Continental
army ; our proportion was seventeen men, which were
promi)tly furnished. From this it is probable that
this town was relied on, and did supply a fraction
over one-eightieth id' all the men and other means
raised by this Stale ihiriiig the Itevolntionary War.
All the requisitions were supplied fully and promptly.
In 1782 a list was made out by the Legislature of the
deficiencies of the several towns ; and while there
were great delinciuencies in some places, New Ips-
618
HISTOKY OF illLLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAiMPSHIRE.
wich was found deficient two men only, which were
immediately supplied.^
The following lists of Revolutionary soldiers and
matters pertaining to the Revolution are from the
State archives and furnished by Isaac W. Hammond,
Esq., Deputy Secretary of State:
The following is a list of those who responded to
the first alarm, referred to on page 75, ** History of
New Ipswich" :
" /Vrjton* that went to Qimbridge in April, A. D. 1775, on the alai-m of
the battle at Concord, their time and expcn$€S :
Days.
"Thomas Heald, Capt . . . . 13
Ezra Town, Lieut (K)
Joseph Parker 13
He/ekiah Cort-y, Etisigu . . . G
Wiilium Start, Clerk 13
Isaac How, Seg't 13
Saml. Whitteuiore 3
Simeou Hililrith 7
Kben' Brown 2
Jesse Carlcton 13
Juo.Bn>\vn,Jr 7
Joseph Wright 7
Samuel Soper 13
Stephen Davis 5
Kobert Camhell 3
Thos. Brown 13
Jonas Wheeler 7
Josiah Brown, Sgt 13
Jona8 Wilson, Jr 7
Simeon Gould 4
Jona. Davis 4
Joseph Pollard 13
Francis Fletcher 10
Nath> Pnitt 9
Edmd Bryant 5
William Hcidgkins ,'>
James Cbiindlcr 5
Jon. Brookes Serj' 13
Jno. Cutter 11
Nathi Swain 9
Timo Wheulock 4
Joel Wheelock 8
Nath> Keud 5
Beiija Hour 7
Aaron (.'haniberlain 9
Kev. Stephen Farrar 3ii
Elijah Flugg c
Tim* Farrar 6
Jno. Wilkins 5
Dan' Manstleld 5
Peter Fletcher 5
Jno. Satrtcil 8
Abel Miles 23
W«n Speer 6
Elijah Davis 13
David Sanders 8
Joseph Warren 5
Moses Tucker 2
Thomas Flet<;hur 5
"Attest
Days.
Dani Clary 6
Isaac Farwi'U 5
Tim*" Farwell 5
Nath' Melvin 8
Jno. Walker 5
Wm Kendall 8
Danl. Stnitton 5
Janits Tidder 13
Nath' Carleton 13
BenJ. Williams 13
Josiah Walton 13
Leonard Parker 7
Joseph Tinuey 5
W™ Faris 7
Ephraini Foster 8
Daniel Foster 13
Samuel Foster 8
Timo Stearns 13
Benja (iibhs 8
Supply Wilson 13
Saml. Kinney 13
Jno. Melvin 5
David Melvin 13
Josiah Davis 5
Allen Breed 13
Jona. Wheet 7
M'liitconib Powers 13
Joseph Bates 5
Chas. Barrett 1
Isaac Appli'ton ..,,... .'i
Reuben Kidder 5
Jere'' l'nderwc>od 7
Benj. PoilartI 13
Abr™ Abbott 13
Josiah Kogers 5
Saml Haywood 5
ThoftFarnsworth 8
Stephen Parkor 5
Nathi Stone 5
Time. Fox 4
Nath" Farr 13
Saml Bartlett 3
James Barr 3
Amos Boynton 7
Elea' Cnmmings 5
Isaac Clark 5
W"B Shattuck 3
Eph™ Adams, Jr 7
Robert Ilarknoes 7
*' Tno« Heald.
"Statk of \kw IlAMi'.sH[iie. liiltsboroiigb ss. Oct'17"' 1785.
"Personally appeared Thomas Heald, Edmund Briant and Joseph
Parker and made solemn oath that this Account by them seventlly svib-
Bcribcd is Just and true according to the beat of (heir knowledge
"Coram '* Tim* Kabr.vb, Just* Pacis."
The whole account amounted to £124 16«.
1 Kidder ± Gould's *' History of Now Ipswich.'
" Persons that icent on ait alarm to lioyaUton, State of Vermont, their time
and expenses with horse*.
"Edmd Brjant Capt, Isaac Clark Lient, Benj Williams Lieut. Jer^
Pricbard, Tiios Brown, Josiah Walton, John Brown Jur., Silas Davis,
John Gould, Joseph SticknoyJr., Benj* Adams Jr., Jn<» Adams, Amos
Baker, Saml Speer, W" Speer Jr., Jno Cutter, W*^ Pricliard, Jon»
Fletcher, Eph"" Adams Jr., Elijah Davis, Josiah Brown, Tho« Kidder,
Tho« Fletcher Jr., Wa> Clai-y, Edm** Town.
*'Attes>t '« Er>MVND Beiant."
They went on horses, were out four days and trav-
eled forty-five miles. The account amounted to £34
10s.
"Cap Parker^s Company that went on toivarda RoijnUton on said alarm.
'* Tho» Hale Lieut Col., Joseph Parker Cap«, Moses Tucker Lieu', James
Chandler Ensn, Jn" Brooks Serg', Leonard Parker, Allen Breed Serg", W™
Faris, Eben' Knigbt, Enos Knight Jr., Saml Cumings, Eben' Fletcher,
Tho» Spaulding, Tim" Fox, W"* Shattuck, Jon* Twist. W" Hodjikins,
Levi Farr, Nath' FaiT, Isuar Bartlet, Jolham Hoar, Eph» Hildreth, Jo-
seph Warren, Jesse Walker, Amos Boynton, Joel Baker, Stephen Pierce,
Saml Fletcher, Stejihen Adams Jr., Jn-^ Prat, Kilw^ Prat, Nathi Prat,
Isaac Farwell, Edm-* Farwell, Jno iJowing, Robert Camhell, Thad Taylor,
Reuben Taylor, Hezek»> Hodg, Jn» Wheeler Jr."
The foregoing were out with hor.«es four days, trav-
eled thirty-tive mile^; and the account amounted to
£90 2s.
" Flower Grain and Meet Omt was sent by the Town of New Tpswick to Cam-
bridge on the alarm at Concord ichich was turned into the Publick o»
Continf^ital store there
£ «. d.
" 2000 weight Rie Flower 12
3 Barrels of Bread being 30i) W* 1 16
GuO Weight of Pork 20
four Bushels of Beans 1 4
30(1 weight of Chese o 6d 7 10
£42 10
to six Oxen and two Men to Cambridge with a cart &
Expenses 6
JlcrKe» lost in the American ]Var.
Cap* Charles Barretts horse lost when Tie was evacuated . 12
Jonas Wilsons horse at the alarm when Borgoin was taken 12
Cap* Francis Fletchers horse lost at the same time ... 12
Francis Appletons horse lost at the same time 15
Wn> Clarys horse lost for a year and expenses & time in
obUiining his horse 4
John Thonuis' Horse taken & impressed into the Conti-
nental Service 10
** .\ true account, attest
"Isaac Ai'PLeton,
*'Tho» HK.^i.n
"Joseph Paukkk,
"JosiAii Bitows
«.
d.
Committee.''^
The aggregate amount was £328 Ss. Orf.
account was sworn to before Timothy Farrar.
The
PETITION OF SUNDRY PERSONS FOR PAY FOR HORSES LOST
IN THE SERVICK, 1777.
" To the honorable Council and AMfmhly of (he State of Neir Hampshire :
*'The Petition of the Sul>scriber8, Inhabitauti^ of tlie Town of New-
Ipswich — humbly sheweth
**Tbat on the 2<i Day of October last past we began our March to re-
inforce the Northern Army, (agreable to the Order of the CenemJ Court)
in a Contpany under the C'onnnand of Cap' Briant ; that each of us took
an Horse to cany Packs for ourselves, and others in thw Company ; that
we joined the Aiiny and continued in the service till regularly dis-
missed ; that, during our said service, earh of us lost an Horse, which
we have not since heard of, notwithstanding the Pains we have taken.
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray your Honors to take the above
into cooBideratioD and nmke such compensation fur the loss we have
NEW IPSWICH.
619
8n!>tained 00 you in your WIsJom shall think fit— and your Petitioners 00
in tluty Ixniii'l ^lmll cv<>r pray
•* New-Ijiswich Dec' 'i^t^ 17T7.
"Fraxcis Fletciikr
"Jonas Woouon, .Jun'
""William Clart
"EruRAiu Akams
■* EXKTEK, Febf y« 19* 1778
■tiie Horse of Fnincis Fletcher I tliiiik was worth £-10 William
M*€lAry 28 Jonas Wool»on li5 Epbraim Adnnis 30 the Horses was ordered
forward by mo with the lulvimj of other oflicers
•'Tho« Healp, Letil CoV
PETITION TO PAY FOK A HORSE LOST IX THE SER^'1CE,
1777.
" To thf ItonhU the CouncU and Assembly of the SttUe of New Tfitmpthire :
"The Petition of the Sulwcribers, Select-Men of the Town of Xew-
Ipswich in said State
"liunibly sheweth
"That on or about the first Day of Ocf 1777 we pres8t*d on an Horeo,
the Property of Cap' Charles Ilarrett of said Xew-Ipewich (agreable to
the Laws of auid State) to carrj- Paclis for the Men who turned out Vol-
UDteerH, in Ordt-r to reinfonc the Northern Army under the Command
of Gen> GiUee; that the jwiid Horse was lost in the Expedition, and has
Dot since been heard of, notwithstanding the pains taken : which loss we
estimate at sixty Pounds lawful Money.
"Wherefore your I'etitioTiers humbly pray yon r honore to take the
above into Consideration and order such Compensiitfon for the said loss
a» yon in your Wisdom sliall think fit and your Petitioners, as in Duty
bound, shiill eTer pray &c
•' New-Ipewich, 23* Oct' 1778.
"WmSnATTUCK -j
"IsjiAC Api'LETON ySelect m#n
"JamesChandi.ee )
" Hillsboro' ss Dec 14««> 1778
" The above-named W"> Shattuck, 1 : Appleton and J. Chandler made
solemn Oath, that in .\ppniiKing the Honw above mentioned, they have
acted imiNirtially A according to their best Skill and Jud(rn»ent. Coram
"Tim* Fahhar Jmt: Pficw"
APPRAISAL OF ESTATE OF AHSENTEES, 1778.
"An Inventory of the FXate of John Tomlinson and John Tnflon
MiUHin t^i" (supjiosed to bo Inhabitants of Great Britain) lying in
N-Ipswich in the State of N-Hampshire, taken into Custody and apjiraised
by the Sulii*cribers,Select-3Ien of i*"' New-Ipswich by Authority of an Act
inlUled ,\n Act to prevent the Conveyance of I'^tate ic passM^l in the
Tear of our Lord 1777, which Estiite If owmd in Partnership, viz
" Lot Wt Acres fti Appraised at £41'*! Taxes due £1 2,
'* lfi4 " m " " im " " 13,
" lt;:j " t36 " *• 150 " " 11,
Total
212
7ao
G,
"The snliscribers charge for their Trouble in appraising ond renting
out the aiiid Land £4 Vl». (hi.
" Isaac Aim'Letos -j
"W" Shattitk ^Select men
"Jamks Ciianpler )
"Sworn to before Timothy Farrar, Oct, 24, 1778."
UKLATIVE TO MILITIA RKGIMKNT, 17H.'>.
■ T" tUf Ititnhle General Court of the State of .V*»f Itnitipthire :
The Petition of the SnbscrlberH, Selectmen and other Inbubitantsof
Tow nit of Nuw-I|iHwii:h, PeterlKtn>UKh, Temple, Lyndsl^orough, Wil-
I'-ii, >!iiimii, Peterlmruugh-Slip, Hancock, and Society-land, in behalf of
■ •iir-selveft atid the Towns we belong to
"Humbly sheweth —
"That by a vote of tho Gonoral Court pawed at their lust SesMion, the In-
lialiitnntfi of the Towns kliove mentioned were constituted the 2.T' Regi-
ment of .Militi.i: iind thattho Town^tuf Kindge, JulTrey, Dublin. Puck-
ersfield, Murleborough A Fit/willlum were constituted the IJ'*" llegliiient,
retaining the Number which they had when connected with the gn-ater
part of the Towns flr«t mentioned : which wo conceive t*< be injurious,
Inverting the onler which ought to have taken place In thi-ir Numl>ers.
And presuming that the General Court were not rightly informed as to
tho circunistancen of those two Regiments, beg leave to lay before your
llonora Some facts, in ortlor to procure an alteration in their NumlKTB
40
which we think ought to take place for the following reasons : —The
nine petitioning Towns an.- the oldeiit l«y about twenty 3earh, taking
their age upon an average; Cap* WouIhju of N-I[itiwich having a Com-
mission in the 6** Reg* Date<l in the year 1774 ; before there was a sin-
gle Inhabitant in any of the ^ix Towns al>ove name<l, and many years
before a Commission wiu given to any person within their limits. — By
means of being uniie<l with those Towns we losnt our Niuuher from 0, to
12 ; therefore ought not to lL«e from 12, to 'Si, by dissolving the Con-
nection.— By comparing their Numher» and wealth it will appear that
we pay £49-15 to the Thouaand ; they but £32-13 :— That there are
eleven hundred rateable p«dls in this Reg* ; and little more than ^ix hun-
dred in that :— That there are four field officers in this Ueg' who will
think it degniding to renew their Commiaslons in tho 23^ Reg* : and but
one in that : (and that a second Maj').
" Thus, Gentlemen, whatever we substitute as a Criterion to determine
the right of precedence ; whether Age, numbers, wealth, the residence
of Field oftlcera or wliatever else we can conceive to opemte in the
minds of the Legislature, the preference is, most clearly, on our side.
And as we would not be vainly ambitious for honour, to which we hud
no title ; so neither would we be thought so uiejin, as tamely to submit
to a sentence by which we are degraded below our Inferiors. We there-
fore apply to your Honours as the Guardiansof our rights, humbly pniy-
ing for a reconsideration of the vote complained of; and that we may
be permitted to retain the original Number. And your petitioners as in
duty bound shall ever pray Ac
"Jan'7 27** 1785
"PArLPRlCHARD]^'^""^
"Ei'H» Adams j **■'
J y'Ipeieich
" Tim® Farrar, Josiah Walton, Josiah Rogers, Ebenezer Jones, Daniel
Foster, Beiij* .Vdams J*^, Eph°» llartwell, Benjamin Knolton, Seth
Wheeler, Jesse Carlton, Luther Kidder, Nathan Robens, Tho* Noals
Reed, Amos Baker, Nath' IJodgkins, Nath' Farrer, John Wheeler. Rich*
Wheeler, James Tidder, Peter Fletcher, John walker, Simeon Wright,
John Pratt, Enoa goodale, Timothy Fox Ju^, Jonathan Fox, Utzarus
Cary, Elijah Newell, Eleazer Comings. George Start, Isaac Hartlolt,
Benj« Host, Jtweph Batcheller, Ithamar wheelock, William I'richanl,
Nehemiah Stratton, John Cutter, William Spcer, William SjwerJunr,
Jewe walker, Isaac How jr, John Cliampney, Samuel Bartlett, Timothy-
Fox, Peter Shattuck, Silas .\dani!*, John Shuttuck, Stephen .\dnmfl,
Tho* Spaulding, Thonuis Spauhling Jr, John Binney, Joel Raker,
OnesimuH newell, Caleb Campbell, Samuell Fletcher, Robert Campbell,
Eben' Fletcher, James Chandler, J^wph Warren, mosesCarleton, /ehubm
Conant, Simeon Blanchard, John Weeelerjnn, Samuel wheeler, William
Wheeler, Samuel Fletcher, Nathaniel melven, Beiyn Giblis, John Pratt
Ju', William Fariss, Stephen Hildreth, Joseph Baker, Reuben Taylor,
Tho* Fletcher, Peter Jones, James French, Joseph Briant, Jofeh
Fletcher, Thomas Fletcher Juner, William Wheeler, Willi^im t-'ury,
Francis Fletcher, Eben' Bullanl, Josiuh Walton Jur, Janus Walton,
Tlio* Brown, Joniis Woolstm Jun', Jonas Whiting, Sam'i Hcywood.
Sam'i Whiting. Fntn* .Vppleton, Nathan Parker. James Bjirr, Timothy
Wheelock Jr, Sim'-n Uoold Junr, Kbenezer Adams, John Champney .lur,
Dank'l Bartlett, Noah Bartlett, John Prichani, Daniel Mansfield, Ezra
Towne, Shiirmon Shattuck, Samuel Clumdler, Aanm Kidder, Joel Hil-
dreth, Nathan Walker, Joseph Parker Ju', Ruben Taylor Jr, Zebedee
Taylor, William Wheeler .Ir, Daniel Clary, David Clary, Ephmim
Fletcher, James Tldiler, Jonathan Fletcher, William lVla]>, Enos
Knight, David Knight, Khenezer Knight, Moses Trnker. Benj« Knight.
Samuel Parker, Jotluun Hoar, Josiah Rolibins, Daniel Parker. Samuel
BhKMl, .lohn pp'Mon, Eben' Parker, Beioamin Procter, Benj« Hoar jun,
Nathaniel Prentis."
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE OF SAMUEL WALKER, 17e2.
"This may certify that I the SuliscrilH'r one of the Sidectnien In New
Ipewich in the year 17WI did with the other Selectmen hy order of C<turt
hire Six men to serve Six luonihM In the Continental army of which
Number Samuel Walker of New Iiwwich wiu one who nuircht off and
returned with the others, and 1 never heanl but that he faithfully Did
the Service and wiu- proi»vrly Discharged.
"Now Iimwich .\ugn-.' 'T"' i"^ '
"liAAC How."
John Goold (.•(.•rtilifii ihat ho s(Tve<i witli hh'mI
WalkcT lor tlic tiTm of six inonlhs, ami that they
oaiBf home together.
620
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
I
SOLniKH'S BOrSTY.
"The Bounty r«iil to Iloukiali &irt«ell by llie Town of Now Ipswich
aniwiints to Eighteen ponudd.
"JOBIAH GlI.MAX Jt'N'.
"Exeter Sept' la"- 1780."
PETITION FOB JOHN THOMAS, 1785.
Ephniiiii Adams, of New Ipswich, states that John Tliomas was in the
Rhotle Island expedition in 1778, and lia<l a liorse impressed into tlie
Continental service ; and that said hoi-se was never returned to liini. Ho
asked to l»e paid for tlie s;»iue. Timothy Fox stated tliat .said liorse was
worth t;iO. Joseph Parlier and Peter Fletcher testified tliat they were
in the same regiment (Colonel Enoch Hale's), and knowing to the fact as
stated by Adams. He was allowed £10.
PETITION OF CAPTAIN EZRA TOWNE.
" T't the General Court of the Stitte of Xew Hampshire :
"The Petition of E/ra Town of New Ipswich in said .State humbly
shews that he in January, \.l*. 1776, commanded a company in the Ser-
vice of the I'nited States, and that his Men went into Canada then to
Albany in the same year and on the tirst of December in the same year
his company marched to Pennsylvania and continued there untill the
first day of Janr following and soon after his company was dismissed
without rations or any subsistance money to carry them home. .
"New Ipswich 30" JanJ I78C
"Ezra Towne."
The petition was dismissed, and he presented
another dated February 4, 1788, in nhieh he stated
that his company was in General James Reed's regi-
ment, and that the men were discharged February 13,
1777, at Morristown, N. J.
PETITION FOB AN ALLOWANCE FOB BOUNTIES PAID THREE
YEARS' MEN, 1785.
" Whereas it was Enacted by the Authority of the State of New Hamp*
shire upon January — 1781 —
'• That for every recruit raised and Mtistered to do three yean Service
in the Continental .\rniy— the Towns who raised said recruits should bo
entitled to receive out of the Treasury of sJiid State Twenty pouutls
equal in Valine to ludiiin Corn at four Shillings a fiusbel for each re-
cruit Si5 raised —
" it appeals to us that agreable to the foregoing Act the Town of New
Ipswich niised the following persons for said Service (viz) John Bullard
— Peter Bullapl -John .Vdams—Noh^ Straiten- Joseph Procter — Stephen
Adams— Phiuehas Adams— Sam' Walker — Jesse Walker— John Thomas
—Joel Baker— Amos Baker— Sam> Potter— W" Hewitt A W" Scott—
"We therefore desire your Honour the Treasurer for said State to pay
the Sums allow'd to the Town for raising the foregoing recruits to Dea-
con Epbraim Adams and his receipt Shall Discharge you for said Sum —
"New IpewichSIay 23* 1785
"Hos. J Tavloe Gilman' Esu'
" Jamks IIoslcv 1 Select men
"Pavl PiucHAHD y for sd
"Eph™ Adams Jr ^ .Yeir-ip«ipic/i"
War of 1812.— The War of 1812 met with but little
favor from the citizens of New Ipswich.
The follo>ving were in the service:
.\aron Barton, John Eaton, Kphraim Spoor, Peter Cuniings, Mr. Stcara,
Moody Blood, William Hall, .\bel <;ardner, Bela Ganlner, Sewell Spauld-
ing, James Spaulding, Ashby Brooks, Jonas Smith, John B. Wright,
Peter \Vilder, Silas Wheeler, Samuel Chickering, Nathan Severance,
Henry Keep (as a .tiil>siiiut.- r..r rtuirl..-* Walk.Ti, .Tames Spauldingand
Gould.
The town resixmded promptly to the call of an im-
periled country during the War of the Rebellion,
and its record during that conflict is an honorable
one. Its quotas were filled and money furnished
with the same patriotic spirit evinced by Deaccm
.\pi>leton as he left the place on that April day in
1775 and marched to the Concord fight.
CHAPTER III. ,
NEW IPSWICH— {Co„t!„ued).
ECCLESIASTICAL IIIKTORY.
Congregational Church — Methodist Church — Baptist Church — Unitarian . (
Church. '
Congregational Church.— In the original grant of i|
the town a reservation was made of a certain piece of
land for the support in part of the Christian min-
istry, and at the town-meeting in 1750 it was voted
" to choose a committee to provide a proper person to
preach in said town." Thev also voted forty-six
pounds, old tenor, "for preaching in the fall of
the year," and chose Joseph Stevens and Reuben
Kidder a committee " to provide a proper person to
preach." Two years afterwards (1752) one hundred
and fifty pounds, old tenor, were voted " to pay for
what preaching there had been, and to be laid out in
preaching for the futer," and also " to have constant
preaching hereafter." In 1754 it was voted " to hire
two months' preaching in six months next coming,
and no more."
It was voted, February, 1755, '' to proceed to settle
a minister," and subsequently, " that Mr. Peter
Powers be our gospel minister." Joseph Stevens and
Ephraim Adams were chosen to apply to Jlr. Powers,
" and make some jiroposals to him about his settling
with us, and hear his reply, and make Report at the
Adjournment of this meeting." They were also
directed " to hire Mr. Powers to preach with us hear ,
in this place till the adjournment of this meeting."
They voted to give four hundred jiouuds, old tenor, in
passable bills, for "a settlement," and also to give
him four hundred pounds, old tenor, ecjual to about
forty pounds silver, for a salary, with thirty cords of
wood yearly.
Mr. Powers accepted the call, but before the day
appointed for the ordination he requested to be re-
lieved from his obligation to become their pastor. The
request was granted, and, November 26, 1759, Rev.
Stephen Farrar was called, and ordained October 21,
1760, when the church was also organized. Rev.
Mr. Farrar remained pastor of this church until his
death, which occurred suddenly .Tune 23, 1809. He
was succeeded by Rev. Richard Hal), who was or-
dained March 12, 1812, and remained until his death,
July 13, 1824. Rev. Isaac R. Harbour was pastor
from March 8, 1S26, to September the same year;
Rev. Charles Walker from February 28, 1827, to
August 26, 1835; Rev. Samuel Lee fnmi May 5, 1836,
to 1862; Rev. Calvin Cutler settled March 12, 1862, dis-
missed April 11, 1867; Rev. Prescott Fay settled
January 1, 1868, dismissed October 6, 1869; Rev.
Benjamin F. Ray acting pa.stor from July 1, 1870,
until death, January 1, 1872; Rev. Thomas S. Robie
acting pastor from May, 1872, until March, 1874 ;
Rev. Bela N. .Seymour, acting jitistor from October
1, 1874, until March 15, 1878; Rev. Horace Parker,
NEW IPSWICH.
621
acting pastor from Aupust 1, 1878, until May 30,
1880; Rev. Sumner G. Wood settled December 31,
1880, dismi-ssed March 1, 1883; Rev. George F. Mer-
riam, acting pastor, April 15, 1883.
The first meeting-house was erected by the proprie-
tors of the town, but probably was never used as a
house of worship, and was destroyed during the de-
sertion of the town in 1748.
In 1752 it was voted to build a meeting-house,
which was completed in 1759, ami a committee was
appointed, consisting of Aaron Kidder, Joseph Bates
and Ichabod How, to "seat the meeting-house;" and
they were directed to " seete ten persons on each
Long Seat and four on each short one."
This was an unpretentious building, ami in 1762
it wa.s
"Votfft to buflil a Meeting-hoUAC 50 feet long, 40 feot wide anil 24 feet
l-rtt.
"Vott'l to chiwe a Committee to receive and provide stuff such as
l'<'iirdi', Hlit-work. Rliingli.tt, elnphoard tmd the like for the Mceting-houRo.
Chosen Mr. Rtihert Crowhy, 5Ir. John tTiandler, Dea. Benjamin .\tluni8
and Capt. Reuben Kidder."
A controversy arose respecting the location of the
house, which lasted until 1767, and after the location
had finally been decided upon, and the church erected,
another controversy occurred in relation to the distri-
bution of the pews. Some wished to have a com-
mittee " to prise the pew spotts and let the highest
]>ayers have them according to their pay," and others
wished to have them sold to the highest bidder at
public vendue. It wa.s finally agreed, November 18,
1768,
"That all |>e[>«onH who hath a mind to have his pro])o)-ti<>nable part in
the fiew ground in the New M. IT., prefer a Kequetrt to the Coni'** choHcn
t" <li-|M>8e of the PewH at Vendue, by the 'Z5th day instant at 9 o't-lock
In the niurning, shall have their prujiortioiiablc |iurt, arcording to their
pay, sett off to such as Reipiest it.
*^Vol«d, by Intrest, that all tile persons Inlre.sted in the New M. II.
shall «>ll the pews (that are not wrtt off to such tts Re4|uested their part)
at public vendue to the highest bidder, and have the benefit of the
money siiid i>ewscoma to, in pruisirtiun to their pay."
In March, 1769, it was voted that the committee
" proceed to build a pulpit and make the Body of
Scats, and Seal u[> the window stools, and lathe and
plaster to the <rallcry girts and. so under the (iallerys,
and Build the Stairs, and lay the gallery floor and
also the ministerial Pew, all to be conijileateil this
Summer coming."
In January, 1770, it was voted to finish tlie niect-
iiig-liouse this present year; to have a row of pews
around the gallery, sell them at auction and ai)])ly
the [irocecds towards tlic finisliing of the liousc.
They also voted to paint the interior as the commit-
tee should " think i>roper upon advise of men skilled
ill painting." The last recorded act in relation to
the completion of the house was to build seats on the
spacc-s over the stairs, " and the Negroes to set on
the Hindmost of said .seats in each gallery," though
l)y a sul)se<jueiit record it apj)cars that they had not
been built in 1774.
The fourth and present church edifice was com-
pleted in 1813.
February 22, 1759,
^*Vol€d to give Joseph Stevens £9 Its. in silver, old tenor, for going to
Conconl to hier a preacher, and to Townshend to wait on Mr. Karrar up ;
and for going to Cambridge, £7 4s. silver, old tenor ; £2 htn., like tenor,
for going to Clielmsfon) on the like business."
November 26, 1759. At a meeting of the jiropiie-
tors,
" Rev. Daniel Emerson presiding, and after solemn supplication, Voted
by Proxes, and chosen Mr. Steplien Farrar to be our Go«pel minister in
this place.
'* Voted to give Mr. Stephen Kiirnir £40 starling money of Grate Brit-
ton in addition t^t the flrst Minister Rite of Land in this Place, if he
settles in the ministiy in this place.
" Voted to give Mr. Stephen Farrur forty iHiunds starling, as afor-said,
for a yearly Sallery, so long as he contiuues a GosiKd minister amongst
us.
'* Voted to add to Mr. Farrar's Sallerj- five Pounds Starling, to be paid
yearly, wiien there is Eighty families ; and five Pounds starling more,
to l>e paid yearly, when there is one hundred famelies settled in tbie
place, said addition to continue so long as be does the work of a Gospel
minister in this place, and no longer.
"Voted to give Mr. .Stephen Farrar thirty Cord of good Wood, cord-
wood length, to be delivered at his house anualy, if he settles in this
place.
*^ Voted that the Com'*' apointed to hier preching shall inform Mr.
Farrar of our Call and the Conditions of the same."
The following signed the church covenant :
Stephen Farnir (pastor-elect), Kphniim .Vdams, .loseph Itates, Thomas
Fletcher, Andrew Sjifiulding, Jonah Crosby, Amos Taylor, Zechariali
Adams, Ste])hen .\dKUis, John Dutton, Reuben Kidder, Ebenezer Bui-
lard, Joseph Stevens, Hei^iamiu Hoar, llei^'amin Adams, Thomas Adanis,
John Chaniller, Joseph Ilullai'd.
To the.se were added, in the course of the succeed-
ing twelve years, thirty-eight others. Among these
were :
17ti4. — Itarnabas Davis, Nathaniel Carleton and wife, Rachel Kidder,
Cornelius Cook, Joel and Hannah Cri>sby, ^larshall Farnsworth.
17C-'i. — George Start and wife, Ichabod and .Sarah How.
17CtJ. — Edmund and .\bigail Itriaiit, Nathan Boyuton, Rebecca Melvin
and the wives of K/ni Town and .Vbijah Smith.
1707. — Seth Cobb and wife. Jonathan and Sarah Davis,
17GS.— Joseph and Ruth I'ollurd, and Rebecca, wife of John Preston.
1770. — Samuel and Bridget Brown, Silas Richiu-dson, John and Sn-
sannah Cutter, and the wives of Jonas Woolsou, Josiah Brown, Stoph«n
Brown and Kigali Mansfield.
1772.— Isiuic Clark, William Elliot and the wife of Simeon Fletcher.
According to Mr. Walton's memoranda, there were
added, in 1786, 88; 1787, 10; 1789, 5; 1790, 1 ; 1791,
2; 1792,3; 1794,2; 1800,5; 1801,3; 1806,1; 1808,
2 ; 180!», 3.
Ephraim and Benjaniin Adams were the first
deacons.
The Second Congregational Church was organ-
ized October 9, 1851, with fifty-seven members, but
witliin IcM years later miitcil with the old church.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized
in 1841. The liiUowing is a list of pastors from its
organization to the present time:
Horace Moulton, from Decemlwr, 1841, to June, 18-12 ; Jacob Boyce,
from July, 1842, to July, 1844 ; George W. T. Rogers, from July, 1844,
to June, 184.'> ; Henry Nulter, fr\»m June, 1H4.'% to May, ls4r.; J. W.
Grumdly, ftvui May, 1S4G, to June, 1848; Josojdi ilayea, from June,
1848, to May, 1840; Jonathan Hall, from June, 184», to May, 18A1 ; o.
622
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
H. Jasper, from May, 1851, to December, 1851 ; 0. P. Pitcher, from De-
cember, 1851, to June, 185*2 ; Jonuthnn Hale, from June, 1852, to May,
1855 ; J. P. Stincbfleld, from May, 1855, to July, 185C ; S. G. Kellogg,
from July, 185f>, to July, 18"»S; David Culver, from January, 1859, to
April, 1859 ; A. P. Hatcli, from May, 1S59, to April, ISUl ; George F.
Kalon, from April, 18C1, to April, 18152 : IraJ Taggart, from April, 187(1,
to April, 1872 ; Jacob F. Spaulding, from April, 1872, to April, 1K75 ;
IsraL'l Ainswortb, from April, 1875, to April, 1877 ; F. W. Johnson, from
April, 1877, to Sepleniber, 1877 ; G. M. Curl, from September, 1877, to
April, 1879 ; Geo. S. Wentworth, from April, 1879, to April, 1880 ; F. H.
Cor«on, from June, 1880, to April, 188:! : J M. Coburn, from June, 1883,
to April, 1884.
The cluircli lias im pa.stor at the present time.
An Unitarian Society was formed here and a
meeting-house erected in 1833. Among the ministers
were Kev. Mr. Harding, Rev. R. Bates and Rev.
Warren Burton. The church is now extinct.
CHAPTER IV.
NEW IPSWICH— fCoiKiiiucd).
APPLETON ACADEMY.!
We read in the " History ofNew Ipswicli," that though
the town Iiad made provision for in.struction in the
languages, it was for only a few weeks in the year;
and after the close of the Revolutionary War it was
not to be supposed that such men as the Farrars,
Champneys, Prestons, Barretts, Appletons and Kid-
ders, who had children growing up, would be satisfied
with the advantages enjoyed. In 1861, at a re-union
of the alumni of the academy, Hon. John Preston,
in resi)on(ling to the toast, " The Original Founders
of the Academy," said, —
" As early as 1787, when but one .\cademy bad been established in
this State, thirty-two men of New Ipswich and other towns in this vicin-
ity hound themselves by mutual covenants to contril)Ute tlieir several
proportions to the support of a school in New Ipswich, where the higher
branches of knowledge might be taught. In 1789 our Academy was in-
corporated. Some of the founders had been soldiers in the War of the
Revolution ;all were suffering from tlieemharrasaments occasioned by the
expenses of the war and a depreciated currencj'. Many of them were
involved in debt ; yet, for the sake of providing the means of educating
their children, they increased those debts and even mortgaged their
farms, firmly convinced that they could leave tboirchildren no legacy so
valuable as a good education.**
In tlie fall of 1787 the school opened in a district
school-house, with Jlr. John Hubbard for its first jire-
ceptor. The school flourished and outgrew its first
home ; so, in 1789, a building, now occupied as a
dwelling by Emerson Howe, was erected, and a
charter of incorjioration obtained. Trustees were se-
lected from those who had been members of the as-
sociation, all ])apers and money given to the new
board and the old association gave place to the new.
Rev. Stephen Farrar was chosen president of the
trustees, Dr. John Preston secretary and John Hub-
bard was retained as preceptor till his resignation, in
1795. The next year Mr. Samuel Worcester, who
had fitted for college under Mr. Hubbard, was se-
By John Preston.
cured as jireceptor, and remained two years, when he
resigned to begin his vocation of the ministry in 1798.
Mr. Worcester was succeeded by Mr. David Palmer,
who remained one year, and the school was closed
that winter.
The next two terms were under the charge of Mr.
Peter Cochran.
In September, 1799, Jlr. Warren Pierce took the
school for two years. At this time there seems to
have been a depression, and the school was closed for
two years, to open in 1803 under the care of Mr.
Joseph Milliken, who remained till 1807, when Mr.
Benjamin White was put in charge for a year. He
was succeeded by Mr. Oliver Swain Taylor, who re-
cently died in Auburn, N. Y., at the age of one hun-
dred. Under Mr. Taylor the school was prosperous,
and a goodly number of the daughters, as well as the
sons, of the town attended. At this time we find the
first lady assistant (Mrs. Mitchell, afterward married
to Mr. Peter Batchelder). Mr. Taylor resigned in
1811, and the next few years we find the school to
have been in charge of Messrs. Luke Eastman, Hart
Talcott, Jesse Smith and Elijah Demond.
In 1817 the town was about to build a new town hall,
and an agreement was made with the trustees by
which the town and trustees should, to their mutual
advantage, join in erecting a building.
In 1817 the school was moved to its new rooms, the
students marching in procession from the old Imilding
to the new. The music on this occasion was furnished
by some of their own number, among them being
Elijah Bingham and Joiias Chickering, whose name
has since been so well-known in musical circles
throughout the world.
From ISIS to 1820 Mr. Earl Smith was preceptor.
The school flourished at this time, and we find in a
letter from Mr. Charles Barrett to Mr. Samuel Apple-
ton that, besides the building, fifteen hundred dollars
had been added to the fund. Soon after this Mr.
Samuel Appleton sent some globes and one hundred
volumes toward a library, of which the school was
in need. At the same time Mr. Isaac Appleton
contributed a large and curious folio volume on
" Genealogy."
The next four or five years were under Messrs.
Amasa Edes, Rufus Putnam and Cranmore Wallace.
In 1827, under Mr. Seth H. Keeler, the school was
very small. Mr. Robert A. Coffin, assisted by his
wife, held the school from 1828 to 1833 with great
success. During this time Mrs. Dolly Everett, sister
of the Appletons, presented the school with a bell.
Mr. Coffin was followed by his assistant, Mr. Stephen
T. Allen, who was highly commended by the trustees
when he resigned at the end of the following year.
From 1835 to 1841, Mr. Charles Sliedd was jireceptor,
and from 1841 to 1844, Messrs. Josiah Crosby, James
K. Colby and Ahner Warner were in charge.
In 1844, Mr. Edward A. Lawrence began his suc-
cessful work, which lasted till his resignation, in 1851.
NEW IPSWICH.
623
At the meeting of the alumni in 1861 allusion is made
to him by the chronicler as follows:
"After a »eai*on raiim Edwanl, whoa' siirnaiiie waa Lawrence, a wise
Dian, who dealt uprightly and walked in his integrity. And liis days
wer« marked by geiitlenc«e and peace. Many eliildren of the people
drew nigh unt^i his h>ving-kindncs.s, and they took sweet counsel to-
gether and walked to the House of God in company. Now the rest of
the acta of Ed%vard, and his many kind words, and his goodness, they are
graveo with the point of a diamond on the tahlets of our meuoiy.^^
On September 11, 1850, the town celebrated its cen-
tennial, and many of its distinguished sons and
daughters were present. On account of great age and
infirmities, Samuel Appleton was unable to attend,
but sent a letter, in which he says, —
" .\8 a sentiment on the present occasion, I send you the following,
which 1 ho|>e will meet the approVtation of all ; 'The Litemry Institu-
tions of New Hampshire in general, and the Academy of Mew Ipswich
in particular ; ' and to enable that institution to assume its fornter stand-
ing and extend its future usefulness, I, Sanmel Appleton, of Boston, do
hereby promise to jMiy to the Trustees of l^ew Ipswich .\cademy, for the
benetlt of said Academy, five thousand dollara on denumd.^'
After the applause, which the reading of this letter
e.xcited, had ceased. Dr. Augustus A. Gould, of Bos-
ton, one of New Ipswicli's .sous, rose and promised to
give to the academy an extensive collection of shells,
plants and other objects of natural history whenever
the resident citizens would furnish suitable cases for
their arrangement and preservation. At the same
meeting a committee, consisting of Hon. Samuel
Batchelder, lion. Timothy Farrar, Jonas Chickering,
P^3i|., Dr. A. A. (ioulil and Frederic Kidder, were
chosen to solicit money for a permanent fund lor the
academy. Such an impulse had been given by the
donations of Mr. Appleton and Mr. Gould that the
resident and other friends of the school resolved to
erect a building suited to the future retiuirements of
the institution, and money for the purpose was given
bySiimuel Ap])letou, Nathan Appleton, Jonas Chick-
ering, the Kidders, Champneys, Barretts, Prestons,
Thayers and many others. Mr. Elihu T. (iulmby
took charge of the school after the resignation of Mr.
Lawrence. In ISoS the jircscnt acatlcmy building
was begun, a large two-story brick liuilding, situated
on fine grountis commanding an extensive view. In
the s])ring of 1854 the new rooms were ready for oc-
cujiation. The first Hoor of the building Wiut devoted
to recitation-rooms; by a broad, easy stair-way the
second story was reached, on which were situated the
large school hall, library, room for pliiloso|iliical ap-
jiaratus ami a museum (or the promised gift of Dr.
Gould, who, shortly alter the completion of the cases,
came to superintend the arrangement of the cabinet.
.Vmong other things is a very valuable and complete
geological collection, part of which was given to Dr.
(iould by his friend, .'^ir Charles Lyell, and many of
the inscriptions are in La<ly J^yell's handwriting.
.Vnother branch of the collection had been given to
Dr. G«mld by Colonel Ezekiel Jewett, a native of
Rinilge, who served in the War of 1812 and also in
the South American War. Still later in life he be-
came famous for his researches in minerals and shells.
In 1854 the academy received from the executors of
the will of Samuel Apjileton, who had recently died,
twenty thousand dollars, making his total girt to the
school fund twenty-five thousand dollars ; and at this
time, in recognition of his kindness, the name of the
school wiis changed to Ne wipswich Appleton Academy.
In the summer of 1861, at the rerpiest of friends of the
academy, Mr. Quimby, the principal, issued a circu-
lar, a portion of which follows:
**Tho Alumni of the Xew Ipswich Appleton .Academy will meet at tho
.Vcadeniy hall, in New Ipswich, N. If., on Wednesday, September 18,
18G1, for a social reunion, and to listen to an oration by B. B. Kingsliury,
Esq., of C'andjridge, .Mass. Timothy Perry, Kst|., of Brooklyn, N. Y., has
been engaged as poet, and W'illiam A. Preston, Esq., of New Ipswich,
N. H., as chronicler for the occasion. A dinner will be served and music
provided, and no pains will be spjircd to nuiko tiie day pleasant and
profitable to all."
We read in the record of that day that a large
number of the alumni and friends of the school met
on Wednesday, September, 18, 1801, at nine A..M., in
the old academy hall. The meeting wjis called to
order by Rev. Samuel Lee, one of the board of trus-
tees, and the following oflicers of the day were
chosen : President, Deacon N. D. Gould, of Boston,
Mass. ; Vice-President, Hon. Jcdin Preston, of New
Ipswich ; Marshal, Colonel John P. Clark, of New
Ipswich ; Chaplain, Bev. Perley B. Davi.s, of Andover,
Mass; Secretary, John N. Stearns, Esq., of New
York.
After the business of the day had been transacted,
a procession wius formed on the green in front of the
old academy in the following order:
The Mai-shal and Aids.
The Band.
.\n Escort of Students.
The Ollicers of the Day.
The Orator, Poet, Chronirler and Secretary.
Tlic Trustees.
Invited Guests.
Teachers (past and present) of the .\cademy.
Alumni.
The ]irocession moved through the principal streets
of the village to the large hall in the new academy
building, which was filled to overfiowing. The presi-
dent of the day. Deacon N. D. Gould, a vigorous man,
though in his eightieth year, upon calling the as-
semlily to order, mmle a short address, in wliicli he
said, —
'* Perha{m there is tm one now living who knows so nnich of ttio his-
tory of this Academy as myself, or who can aay, as I can, that of tho
tliirty. two original founders of the inslilntion, of the fifly-five difToifnt
gentlemen who have lieen from lime to tinu* its trustees, and of tho
twenty. eight prece|)torx who have succelxfully had its charge, 1 havo
known evi<ry one, and have been iutinmfely acpialnled with most of
Iheni."
An oration was then delived by l>. I!. Kingsbury,
Esq., entitled "True Heroism" and its connection
with the life of the scholar. The oration was fal-
lowed by a poem written and delivered by Timothy
Perry, which was received with great favor by the
auiliencc. The poem was followed by the " Word of
624
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOKOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
the Prophet Benammi," by William A. Preston. The
ancient and allegorical style in which the prophet
treated numerous incidents in the history of the
academy provoked hearty merriment among the
most dignified in the Jissembly.
It was in the first year of our Civil War, soon after
our defeat, when Bull Run and Manassas Gap awak-
ened sad memories in all hearths, and it was in allu-
sion to these events that the chronicler, who refers
to New Ipswich as Gilead and the academy as the
tabernacle, foretells the final triumph of the right,
and invokes the blessings of Heaven upon our cause
as follows:
"G. Aud the children of tlie Xorth habited and went down to tlie con-
flict, nnd anioug them were many from the land of Giletid, even children
of the tabernacle, men of might aud men of war, fit for the battle, that
could handle the shield and buckler ; whose facet: were like the faces of
lions, and were as swift us the roes upon the mountains.
"7. And they girded on their armor, even the glittering sjiear and tlie
sword, and were terrible as an armj' with banners.
**8. Aud they said one to another ; 'Gilead is mine, and 3Iaua8seh
Hhall be mine.'
"9. And they trembled not at the sound of the trumpets, the thunder
of the captaiuii aud the shouting, and they fought from the rising of the
Hnn to the going down thereof.
" 10. And, lo, even now their armor is not laid aside, and even now
can we hear the trampling of the chariots and the horsemen ; and the
midnight sky is red with the glare of the battle.
*'1I. But wo remembered how iu the days of old stood Phineaa, the
son of Eluazar, the son of Aaron, before the Ark of the Covenant, say-
ing: 'Shall I yet agaiu go up to battle against the children of Benja-
min my brother, or shall I cease?'
"12. And the Lord said : 'Go up, for to-morrow I will di-liver them
into thine hand.'
*' 13. And we were comforted, and bade our children be of good cheer,
for He who led his ]>oople with a pillar of fire by night, and a pillar of
cloud by day, would not forsake us in this our trouble, but would be our
rock aud our strong fortress, and a shade upon our right hand.
"14. *" But the ©yes of the prophet Benammi wax dim. Yet he seotli,
as if in a vision, that the laud of Gik*ad shall again How with milk and
honey ; that its garners shall be fvill to overtlowing;
"ir>. That this talR-rnucIe shall ijtill send forth blessings without num-
ber, and that our children and our children's children shall como up
hither to learn that which is good, aud shall do honor anti reverence to
those who, in old time, established this abode of Wisdom.
"10. Let them walk in their integrity, aud fear no evil ; neither the
|>estilcnc6 that watketh in darkness, nor the destruction that wasteth at
noonday : till, beneath their own vine, and among their own kindred,
tlio silver cord is loosed, and the golden bowl is broken.
"17. To thee, our foster-mother, Hail ! Peace be within thy walls,
and prosperity within thy palaces.
" 18. For my brethren and companions^ sake, I will now say : ' Peace
be within thee ! ' "
During the next few years many valuable philo-
sophical and chemical instruments were added to the
school laboratories. Mr. Ira Holden, of Baltimore,
Md., gave a fine air-pump; Mr. Jeremiah Prichard,
of Boston, a large electrical machine, and, from time
to time, many other instruments have been given by
other friends. Rev. E. T. Rowe succeeded Mr.
tjuimby in 1S(J5, and remained till 1868, when Mr.
Earl W. Wcstgate was put in charge of the school.
In 1872, Mr. John Herbert took charge of the school,
and remained till 1874, when William A. Preston,
Esq., became principal, and the school still remains
in his care. The school fund has, within a few years,
been increased five thousand dollars by the bequest
of the late Isaac 8palding, of Nashua, a native of
New Ipswich. Among the prominent men who have
been students at the academy are Chief Justice Ap-
pletou, of Maine; Levi Woodbury, of the Supreme
Court of the United States; Amos Kendall, Post-
master-General of the United States ; Marshall P.
Wilder, of Boston; Dr. George C. Shattuck, of Bos-
ton; the famous surgeon. Dr. Amos Twitchell, of
Keene, and many others. At the New Hampshire i
festival in Boston, in 1850, five of the twelve vice- '
presidents were sons of New Ipswich and former \
members of the academy. The following gentlemen
have, at various times, been trustees:
Uev. Stephen Farrar, Charles Barrett, K8«i., Ephraim Hartwell, Esq.,
Joseph Brown, Rev, Seth Payson, Rev. Daniel Kmerson, Henry Woods,
Jacob Abbot, John Hubbard, Dr. John Preston, Hon. Timothy Farrar,
Thomas Fletcher, Rev. Noah Miles, Jonathan Searle, Rev. Abel Fiske,
Robert Smith, Ebenezer Edwanls, Jeremiah I'richanl, Rev. Cornelius
Waters, Isaiah Kidder, Benjamin Champney, Esq., Dr. John Prei^ton,
Jr., Rev. Richard Hall, Samuel Batchelder, Rev. Ebenezer Hill, Rev.
David Palmer, Charles Barrett, X. D. Gould, Dr. James Crombie, Rev,
Thomas Beedee, Peter Felt, Jtiseph Barrett, Rev. Isaac R. Barbour, O.
P. Eaton, Rev. Charhs Walker, Rev. A. W. Buruham, Ephraim H. Far-
rar, John Clark, William Ainsworth, Ismtc Adauif*, John Preston, E^c|.,
Rev. Samuel Lee, David Perry, Rev. Fiederick A. Adams, William W.
Johnson, George Barrett, Stephen Thayer, W'illiam Olmstead, Supply
Wilson, Charles D. Gould, Augustus A. Gould, William A. Preston, Rev.
Calvin Cutler, Newton Brooks, Edward Spalding, Matthias S. Wilson,
Thomas H. Marshall, Frank W, Preston, Frederic Jones, Jeremiah
Smith, John V. Davis, Ira S. Holden, Thomas G. Appletuu, Henry A.
Whitney, Rodney Wallace.
CHAPTER V.
NEW IPSWICH— (Con/i»i«!rf).
The Slnnufacturers' Bank — The New Ipswich Bank — The Xew
Ipswich Siivings-Bank — The Press — Physiciuus — Pu8t-0ffice — Manu-
facturing—Bethel Lwlgc, F. and A. M.— Wntatic Loilge, I. 0. of 0. F.
— Civil History — Keprewentativcs and Town Clerks from Incorporation
of Town to ISSO.
The Manufacturers' Bank was chartered in 1820,
with a caijilal of $100,000. Tliu tirst president was
Charles Barrett, who held the position until his
death. Thomas B. Fearing was the first cashier.
He was succeeded by William Ainsworth, and Mr.
Aiiiswiirlli by (ieorge Barrett.
The New Ipswich Bank was chartered in 1848,
with a capital of $100,000. J. M. Minot was presi-
dent, and George Barrett cashier. William A. Pres-
ton succeeded Mr. Barrett as cashier in 1861. The
bank clo^^ed about ISiu.
The New Ipswich Savings-Bank was incorporated
January 3, 184;t. The incorporators were Isaac
Adams, Joseph Barrett, Jeremiah Smitli, Nathan
Sanders, John P. Clark, James Chandler, Ephraim
H. Farrar, George Sanders, William W. Johnson,
Su|)ply Wilson, George Barrett, John Preston, Hiram
Smith anil Stephen Smith.
The incorporators met February 10, 1849, and
chose the following trustees: William W. Johnson,
Joseph Barrett, James Chandler, Nathan Sanders,
NEW IPSWICH.
r,25
Jeremiah Smith, Supply Wilson, George Barrett,
Hiram Smith ami Steplicii Smith.
The trustees ahove-named met rebruary 24, 1849,
811(1 the liillowing oliieers were cliosen : Jeremiah
Smith as president, John Preston as treasurer.
The presidents in order and time of service are as
follows: Jeremiah Smith, 1849 to 1873, resigning on
account of ill health; James Chandler, 1873 to 1878,
resigning on account of ill health; William W.
Johnson, 1878 to 1883; George Whiting, 1883 to
188G.
The treasurers in order and time of service are
.Icilin Preston, 1849 until his death, in March, 1867;
William A. Pre.ston, sou of John Preston, 1867 to
1875; P'rank W. Preston, sou of John Preston, 1875
to 1886.
The present standing eoniniittee are George Whit-
ing, Henry O. Preston, Frederick Jones and Edward
O. .Marshall.
Present board of trustees are William W. Johnson,
George Whiting, William A. Preston, Ephraim F.
Fox, George W. Wheeler (2d), Frederick .lones,
Frank W. Preston, Henry O. Preston and Edward
0. Marshall.
The first three deposits were as follows: February
27, 1849, Charles Abner Chickering, $13; March 30,
1849, Joseph Howard Sanders, #6.50; March 31, 1849,
Frank Whipple Preston, $13.
The amount of deposits January, 1885, were $77,-
Hill.
The Press. — On New Year's morning, 1802, a small
|';ini|ihlet was found distributed at almost every man's
door. It was entitled "The New Year's Gift, or
Naughty Folks Kefornied;" by his Honor, Isaac
Iambic. The avowed object of the muse was to
*'liijjh the tinietf,
Ituviow tlio fully and the criiiieit
\\'liicli bavo transpired within the year, Ac."
The management of singing and singing-schools and
I lie preceptorof the academy are castigated, with sun-
dry hits at hard drinking, swearing and lying and
many other topics. The excitement produced was
very great, and the effect was highly beneficial in
suppressing the follies and quarrels of the citizens.
Every one stood in terror of Isaac, who had declared
that he should do liis duty, and that every New
^'ear they should have his gift, and moreover, that
he will
"tell the truth, hut will iiul »ii(ire
Little ur groat a Niiigle hair ;
And when yen tell a lie or HWear,
Kxpuet your frienil /am^tc there,
To write your name, and then to lift
It Into lliH next .Vmr }*wir'ji '.'(/■'■"
The threats of vengeance from those who had been
ilirectly alluded to were loud and long. The sin of
authorship was laid at many a door, but no satisfac-
tory clue to it was then obtained. Indeed, we believe
I he name of the author lias never yet been fully dis-
closed. His two coadjutors were faithful, and he so
artftilly diverted attention by castigating himself, as
well as liis father, hinting
-r, the younger.
fn an oration mtich diet blunder,**
that he escaped detection.
A somewhat similar coinmotiou was produced, a
dozen years or more afterwards, by the circulation of
some verses entitled "The Ladies' Looking-Glass,"
aimed at some of the prevalent follies of the day.
The Pkkss of Ni;\v Ipswich.' — Early in the year
1815, Simeon Ide, then in his twenty-first year, having
served an apprenticeship with Farnsworth & Church-
hill, publishers of the Vermont Bepublicdii, at Windsor,
procured of Monroe & Francis, of Boston, a small two-
pull Raniage press, a font of second-hand bourgeois
tyjie, weighing tliree hundred and fifty-five pouiuls,
badly worn, and other material necei-sary for printing
an edition of the New Testament. This he placed in a
blacksmith-shop on his father's farm, situated " over
the hills,'' in the southwest corner of New Ipswich,
ab<iut four miles from the Centre village and three
miles easterly from the village of Kludge. Having
procured pajier from the mill of Samuel Smith, Esq.,
of Peterborough, with the assistance of a sister not yet
twelve years of age, he completed an edition of five thou-
sand copies of the New Testament, in duodecimo form,
three hundred and seventy-five pages, in about five
months. — he doing the press-work at "half-|>ress,"
while his sister did nearly all the case-work. This is
believed to be the first edition of the New Testament
published in the State. In order that this, his first
pulilication, might be fis free as possible of errors, he
engaged the Rev. Dr. Payson, of Rindge, to read the
proof-sheets, and walked to the doctor's house, a dis-
tance of three miles, twice a week to read proofs with
him. To give greater currency to the edition, he
prevailed upon Dr. Payson to allow him to insert
upon the title-page, " Revised and corrected by Rev.
S. Payson, D.D." Some of the doctor's friends get-
ting the imiiression that he had been attemiiting a
new translation, he was not a little troubled; bill Mr.
Ide came to his relief by placing over the obntixious
line a printed slip, on wiiich were the words, " First
New Ipswich Edition." One thousand copies, in full
binding, were sold to the New Hampshire Bible So-
ciety for two hundred and eighty dollars— much below
the cost — in order to raise the money for liis supply
of i-aper. The remainder of the edition was retailed
at fifty cents a copy. Mr. Ide also |)rinted several
sermons, pamphlets and small books for the young,
during the term of about one year he remained with
his ftither at the liomestead. .\mong the latter were
"Franklin's Way to Wealth," "Prompter," " Sket-
ches of Franklin's Life and Character" (written by
Mr. Ide while an ai)preiiticc), "The Grave," by
Robert Blair, "Gray's Elegy," etc.
About the same time Solomon Wilder removed to
> By E. D. Boylaton.
626
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
New I|>sHich from Leominster, Mass., with a printing
api)aratus of the rudest sort, even for those days. He
did jobs in the way of posters for vendues, farm sales,
probate notices, etc. He also printed toy-books, with
cuts of a very questionable style of art, and an occa-
sional pamphlet; but beyond this he did not aspire.
He <iid most of the printing demanded by the locality
ibr many years.
The New Ipswich Register was iiublished by JIark
Miller in 1833, and had but a short life.
The News-Gatherer was published by King&Hewes
in 18.36.
The New Ijjswich Times, a small sheet, is now ]>ub-
lished quarterly l)y Emery & Allen.
George D. Burton commenced printing in New Ips-
wich in 1871. With a press seven by nine inches,
and a small stock of type, mostly purchased on credit,
he opened in a small room opposite the hotel. His
principal work was address and business cards, ])ro-
cured by advertising from abroad. Being successful
in this, and having paid oft' his indebtedness, in
1872 lie purchased more type and a plough paper-
cutter.
In 1874 he commenced the publication of the AVw
England Star, an eight-page, thirty-two column ama-
teur paper, published monthly, at fifty cents a year,
printed at the office of the Cheshire Republican, at
Keene. At first one thousand copies were issued, and
the circulation continued to increase monthly. The
advertisements so called in work that in the spring
of 187.5 an eight-inch Gordon press was purchased,
and more spacious quarters were found for the busi-
ness in the two-and-a-half story block opposite
Thayer's cigar-factory. Soon after a Hoe press, with
platen twenty-si-^i by twenty-eight, was added, and a
large outfit of wood and metal type. In the fall of
1875, Mr. Hurton received from the postmaster a cer-
tificate that he furnished and rcceivedmoremail nuitter
each day than all the other inhabitants ccnibined.
That the >Slar had some shining qualities is evident
from the fact thatin the spring of 1876 it had attained
a circulation of between five thousand and si.\ thou-
sand. In that year it was sold to William M. I'em-
berton, of Ansonia, Conn. In the spring of 1877,
such was the run of job-work from abroad that an-
othei- press was denumded and procured ; also a thirty-
two-inch Sanborn power paper-cutter and a four horse-
power engine. New shafting was put in, and the
business run by steam. Many large busine.ss houses
in Boston and other large places procured their print-
ing at this oftice. .\ machine-shop was also annexed,
in the rear of the building, for the manufacture of
small novelties. Everything continued prosperous
till the fall of 1877, when, on a calm, clear November
evening, the office having been run to a late hour to
meet the crowd of work, the owner and bis co-laborers
were summoned from their incipient slumbers to see
the whole establishment vanish as in an hour by the
insatiable fire-fiend. The amount of loss can be
judged from the foregoing sketch, and the fact that
seven hands were constantly employed in this office.
Physicians. — The first physician was John Pres-
ton, who came in 1762, and for some time was the
only physician in the town. He was followed by
Drs. Thomas Swain, Eben H. Goss, Nathan Breed,
Johu Preston, ,Ir., Timothy Preston, James Barr,
Moses Farwell, Calvin Brown, William Galleys, John
Clough, Henry Gibson, L. H. Cochran, Dr. Kitter-
edge, Frederick Jones,' Stillraan Gibson, George M.
Gage, James Emer.son, John M. Rand, Francis N.
Gibson,' John Cutler, Frederick W. Jones.'
The Post-Office at New Ipswich was established,- in
1800, with Samuel Batchelder, Sr., postmaster. The
following is a list of the postmasters from that time
to the present : Sampson Fletcher, Josiah W. Spaul-
ding, Charles Hastings, Jr., Charles Chickering, Ed-
ward M. Isaacs, John U. Davis, John G. Leonard,
Charles A. Whitney, Henry O. Preston (the present
inciunbent).
The first Cotton-Mill in New Hampshire was es-
tablished in this town, in 1804, by Charles Robbins,
Charles Barrett and Benjamin Champney. Robbins
was a practical manufacturer, and was to receive fi)r
his services and skill .S2.7o per day, and the others to
furnish the means for conducting the business. The
mill went into operation in December, 1804, and con-
tained five hundred spindles. Four and a half pounds
of yarn were spun on the first day, which was sold to
Charles Robbins for S3.42. June 11, 1805, the Legis-
lature of New Hampshire, on the petition of Charles
Barrett and others, passed an " Act to encourage the
manufacture of Cott(m Yarn in the town of New Ips-
wich, in this State."
Other factories were built from time to time; but
the only one now in existence in the town is the Co-
lumbian Manufacturing Company, which manufac-
tures cotton goods, denims, stripes, etc. The woolen
manufacture was also carried on at one time in this
town. John Everett commenced the manufacture ot
woolens as early as 1810; but it was abandoned in
1826.
Slavery in New Ipswich.— Slavery at one time
existed in this town, and the minister, the doctor, the
magistrate, the deacon and the captain all were slave-
owners. The first one owned in town was a man
belonging to Deacon Adams. Tradition says he was
very discontented when comparing the solitudes of
the wilderness with the cleared fields of old Ipswich.
Soon after. Colonel Kidder had two, one of whom
was a girl, who died young; Ca'sar, the man, was
purchased in Chelmsford, for ten pounds, when seven
years old. Scipio, owned by Captain Hoar; Patience,
by Rev. Stephen Farrar; Boston, by Doctor Preston,
Sr. ; and Grace, by Paul Prichard, died young.
The first Burial-Place in the town was near the
first niectiiig-bnuse.
' Now in pmctice.
NEW IPSWICH.
627
Watatic Lodge of Odd-Fellows was instituted
here :il)OUt 1<S40.
Bethel Lodge, No. 24, P. and A. Masons, was
■ liaricreil Au«.ai.<t 22, \Sl'>, and John Kvrrett was
first Master. The present membership is about
thirty-five, among whom is Sihis Wheeler, who re-
ceived his Entered Ai>prentice degree at the first
meetinjr held for work, September 12, 1815.
Civil History. — The following is a list of town-
clerks and representatives from the incorporation of
the town to 1886 :
1762. — Mo«*e8 Tucker, town clerk.
17G3.— Timothy IleulJ, town clerk.
1764. — Ichabod tlow, town clerk.
176.'>. — Ik'njiktiiin Adanis, town dork.
1760. — Interregnum.
1767. — Isaac Appleton, town clerk.
176f^. — Benjiiinin Adams, town clerk.
1769. — Benjamin Adauitt, town clerk,
1770. — Benjamin .Vdaiiis, town clerk.
1771. — Julin Preston, t.»wn flerk.
1772- — lienjamin Adams, town clerk.
1773. — Benjamin Adams, tuwn clerk.
1774. — Timothy Farrar, town clerk.
177.'i,— Williiim Sliattiick, representative ; Isaac How, town dork.
1776. — Joseph Bates, representative ; Isaac How, town clerk.
1T77. — Beigamin Adams, representative ; Isaa*: How, town clerk.
177«.— John Preston, repreeent^itive ; Isaiic Apploton, town clerk.
1779. — Ehonezor Champney, representative ; Isaac Appleton, town
derk.
1780.— John Brown, representative; Isaac How, town clerk.
17**l. — Tiniotliy Kamir, representatJTe ; Benjamin Adams, town
derk.
1782.— Kphraim Adame, representative ; Isaac How, town derk.
17H3.— Kplirutm .\dams. representative ; James Hon^Iey, town clerk.
171H-— Kidiruim Adams, representative ; Jamefi H'livK'y, town derk.
178.5. — EptiDiim .\danth, roprusentative ; Jumert Horsley, town clerk.
1780. — John Preston, representative ; Isaac .\p|ih'Ion, town <-Ierk,
1787. — 4'hurles Barrett, repret^eiilutive ; Isaac .\pple|Mn, town clerk.
l"e&. — Charle" Bjhti-h, representative ; Isaac Appletou, town derk.
1789. — Charles Barrett, representative ; Inutc .\ppletoii, town <lerk.
I79lt. — Charles Biirrt;tt, representative ; Isaac .\ppIeton, town derk.
1791.— Charles Barrett, representative ; Jeromluh Prichard, town
- l.-rk.
1792.— Cliarles Barrett, representative ;
clerk.
1793. — Charles Barrett, representative ;
• lerk.
1794. — Jeremiah Pridianl. repro*<-ntative
k-rk.
1795. — Jeremiah Prichard, representative ; John IIiib)>anI, town
clerk.
1796.— Cliarltw Hiirrutt, representative ; Jeremiah Pridiai-d, town
. l*rk.
17'.t7.— Jeremiah F'richard, repreitrntative ; Jon'mitili Priehard, town
clerk.
1708.— Charles Barrett, representative; Seth Wheeler, town clerk.
1799.— Jeremiah i'rldianl, repn'sentative ; Noah Barllett, town
clerk.
It^Ki.— Jeremiah Prlchnni, ropresontnlive ; Noah Bortlett, town clerk.
1801.— Khenozer Champney, representative; Noah Barilfit, town
' lerk.
Ificri. — .Tcremlah Prlchanl, representative ; Jnhii Pn-slon, town clerk.
IWj3._Xo«h Biirtlett, repreinentatlvt- ; Juhn Pnston. town clerk.
1814.— NmuIi Barileti, repn-seiitativo ; John Pn-Mon, town dork.
ISUV — Noah Itaith-tl, repp'rt.-ntiitive ; Ji'hti PreMun, town clerk.
1H»6. — Noah Bartlt'll, repreM?ntativi> ; Juhn I'reston, lowii rli-rk.
1807.— Niwh Bartlolt, mpresentativo ; John I'n'jtton, town clerk.
ISiw.— N.wh Bartletl, ri'presentative ; John Pnston, town clerk.
18(H».— Noah Bartletl, representative; John Preston, town clerk.
1810.— Inatah Kiilder, n-presenlativ*- ; John Prest«n, town dork.
ISll.-Samiiel Balrhelder, n>pros.'ntative ; Juhn I'reston, town dork.
1812.— Samuel Batcheldor, representative ; John Pn'ston, town d«rk.
Jercmiali Prichard, town
Jeremiah Prichard, town
; Jeremiah Prichard, town
Samuel BatcUelder, town
Samuel Batchelder, town
E. H. Karrar, town clerk.
1813.— Samuel Batchelder, representative ; John Preston, town clerk.
1814.— Samuel Batchelder, repn-sentative ; John Preston, town clerk.
1815. — Samuel Batchelder, representativu ; John Preston, town clerk.
ISlt;. — Samuel Batchelder, repretienlatlvo ; John Preston, town clerk.
1817. — N. D. Gould, representative; John Preston, town clerk.
1818. — X. D. Gould, reprosentativi- ; Samuel Batchelder, town clerk.
1819.— Charles Barrett, representative; Samuel Batchelder, town
clerk.
1820.— N. D. Gould, representative; Samuel Batchelder, town clerk.
1821. — Charles Barrett, represenUitivo ; Samuel Batchelder, town
clerk.
1822. — Charlea Barrett, representative ;
clerk.
1823.— Stephen Wheeler, representative ;
clerk.
1824. — Stephen Wheeler, representative ;
1825.— Charles Barrett, representative ; E. H. Farnir, town clerk.
1826.— Charles Barrett, representative ; E. H. Karrar, town clerk.
1827.— Stephen Wheeler, representative; E. H. Farrar, town clerk.
1828.— Stephen Wheeler, representative ; E. H. Karmr, t*)wn clerk.
1829.— Stephen Wheeler, representative; Jeremiah Smith, town clerk.
1830.— Charles Barrett, representative ; E. H. Farrar, town clerk.
1831.— George F. Farley, representative ; E. H. Farrar, town clerk.
18.12. — Stephen Wheeler, representative ; K. II. Farrar, town clerk.
1833. — John Preston, representative; E. H. Farrar, town clerk.
lg34._Seth King, representative; E. H. Farrar, town derk.
1835.— Seth King, representative ; E. H. Farrar, town clerk.
1836. — Stephen Wheeler, representative ; E. H. Farrar, town clerk.
1837.- Seth King, representative ; E. H. Farrar, town derk.
1838.— John Preston, representative ; John Gould, Jr., town clerk.
1839. —Jeremiah Smith, representative ; John Gould, Jr., town clerk.
1840.— Jeremiah Smith, representative ; John Gould, Jr., town derk ;
Edward >I. Isaacs to fill vacancy.
1841.— William Ainsworth, representative ; John Clark, town clerk.
1842.— William .Vinsworth, representative ; Henry Isaacs to till vacan
cy ; John Chirk, town clerk.
lg43._jolin Preston, representative; John Clark, town clerk.
1844._john Preston, representative; John Clark, town clerk.
1845.— John Preston, representative ; John Clark, town clerk.
l»4«._jylin Preston, representative ; John Clark, town derk.
1847.— John Preston and Jeremiah Smith, representatives ; John Clark,
t*)wn derk.
1848.- Jeremiah Smith auit Sumuel I.ee, representatives ; John Clark,
town clerk.
1819.— Samuel Lee ami Jeremiah Smith, representatives ; John Clark,
town clerk.
18:i0.— James Chandler suul Fntlerick Jones, representatives ; Jolin
Clark, town clerk.
1851.— James Chandler and John Preston, representatives ; John Clark,
town clerk.
1852.— Hosea Eaton and Jolin Preston, roprewentatives ; Charles A.
Whitney, town derk.
18&:i.— Hoseii Eaton and Jonathan Hall, roprcsuDtatives ; Charles A.
Whitney, town di-rk.
1H%4.— Hosea Eaton and Joimthan Hall, represontatlvce ; Charlee .\.
Whitney, town derk.
185:i.— HoHoa I-Jiton and Jonathan Hall, repn-wntalives ; Charlea A.
Whitney, town derk.
1856.— Christopher Whitn<'y and Stephen Thayer, n'pnssontativos ;
Charles A. Whitney, town derk.
18.'i7.— William W. Johnson and James Chandler, ropreaentutivea ;
I ChariesA. Whitney, (own derk.
1858.— E. SI. Iwuic* and William W. Johnson, npn-wntaliveH ; Charlw
, A. Whitney, town clerk.
I 1859.— CliarleM B. Mumhall and Henry O. Pnslon, repreaontativos ;
CliarleflA. Whitney, town clerk.
1860.- Charles B. Marshall and llonry O. Pri'ston, n-presentalives ;
' Charles A. Whitney, town clerk.
1861.— Nathan Sandent and George Baydeii, representatives ; Cbarica
, A. Whitney, town iterk.
I 1862.— Samuel Li'o, n'prewntative ; Charles A. Whitney, town clerk.
ISKi.- Hosea I-Iaton, n-prewiutativu ; diaries .\. Whitney, town d«rk.
1864.— .lohn V. Havis, representative; Charles A. Whitney, town
clerk.
! 180^).- John r. I)avi«, rcproacntative ; Charles A. Whitney, town
clerk.
! iMOtV— HoAoa Enton, representative ; Chaihs A. Whitney, town clerk.
628
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1807. — Hosea Eaton, representative ; Charles A. MTiitney, town clerk.
180S._IK,tH}ji Eaton, n-prt-arntalivo ; ("liaiios A. \VIiitnf.v, town rlcrk.
1869. — William A. Proston, representative ; Charles A. Whitney, town
clerk.
1S70.— William A. Preaton, representative; Cbarle* A. Whitney, town
clerk.
1871. — Francis N. Gibson, representative; Charles A. Whitney, town
clerk.
1872. — Francis N. Gibson, representative ; Charles A. Whitney, town
clerk.
1873.— Frank W. Preston, representative ; Charles A. Wliitney, town
clerk.
1874.— Frank W. Preston, representative ; Charles \. Whitney, town
clerk.
187o. — William W. Juhnson, representative ; Charles A. Whitney,
town clerk.
1876. — William AV. Johnson, representative ; Charles A. Whitney,
town clerk.
1877. — B. N. Seymour, representative ; Charles A. Whitney, town
clerk.
1878. — Peter H. Clark, representative ; Charles A. Whitney, town
clerk ; Henrj* 0. Preston to till vacancy.
1879. — Peter H. Clark, representative ; John W. Curamings, town
clerk ; Henry 0. Preston to fill vacancy,
1880. — Charles Wheeler, representative ; Earl H. Farweil, town clerk.
1881.— Charles Wheeler, representative ; Earl H. Farweil, town clerk.
1882. — Edwanl 0. Mai-shall, representative ; Earl H. Fanvell and
Kngone F. Adams, town clerks.
18KJ. — Edward O. Jlarshall, representative; Joseph E. F. Marsh, Jr.,
to till vacancy from February to town-meeting ; J. E. F. Marsh, Jr.,
town clerk.
1884. — Warren Pratt, representatire ; J. E, F. Marsh, Jr., town clerk.
1885. — Warren Pratt, representative ; J. E. F. JIarsh, Jr., town clerk.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
.JOHN I'KESTOX.
The first of the name of Preston to come to
New Ipswich was John, in 1760, at the age of
twenty-two, son of Captain Samuel, of Littleton,
Mass., who was a descendant of John, of Andover,
and the name John seems to be a family heirloom
from a time when the memory of man runneth not to
the contrary. Captain Samuel Preston was a brave
commander in the French and Indian War, and John,
— so family legends tell us — was a fearless young sol-
dier in his father's company. Little fighting was
done after the capture of Quebec by Wolfe in 1759,
and the next year John laid aside the sword for the
scalpel, and settled in this town as a physician. The
doctor was a fortuifrht younger than the new minister.
Rev. Stephen Farrar, who was ordained the .same
year, and the two young men became fast friends.
That tlie doctor's frequent visits to the parsonage
were not wholly due to his interest in theology is
evident by his marriage, in 1764, to Rebecca, the min-
ister's sister, of which marriage were born eleven
children, of whom the eldest son- of course, named
John — was born February 15, 1770. The doctor was
a stanch Whig during the Revolution ; succeeded his
brother-in-law, Judge Timothy Farrar, as member of
the convention to frame the State Constitution; w'as
one of the founders of the academy, and for many
years its secretary; his son-in-law, John Hubbard,
being its first preceptor. He filled the various town
oftices of town clerk, selectman and representative,
and till his death, in 1803, was a leader of public
opinion. The house which he built and always occu-
pied has remained in the possession of the family, and
is now owned by his granddaughter. Miss King.
His son John, born, as we have said, February 1-"),
1770, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1791, and,
like his father, was a physician, a portion of his
medical studies being with Di. Holyoke, of Salem.
He was a good townsman, was town clerk for sixteen
years, was, like his father, secretary of the academy,
and built the house now owned by his nephew, Henry
O. Preston. In 1798 he married Elizabeth, daughter
of Judge Ebenezer Champney, and of this marriage
were born ten children, of whom John, the subject of
our sketch, was born April 12, 1802. The doctor
died in 1828. His mother, Rebecca (Farrar) Preston,
died the following year. At the time of John's
birth, April 12, 1802, the doctor had not finished his
new house, and was living in the house built by Noah
Cooke, grandfather of Professor J. P. Cooke, of Har-
vard College, and now owned by the heirs of Edward
F. Preston. A few years later, when he was living in
the new house on the turnpike, and when John was
about ten years old, the store of Samuel Batchelder,
but a few rods distant, caught fire on a cold winter
night, and John sprang from his bed, and without
waiting for shoes or stockings, ran through the snow
to awaken the neighbors. A severe illness followed
this exposure, producing subsequent lameness and
disease, from which he was a constant and acute suf-
ferer for more than fifty years, resulting at last in his
death, on the 5th of March, 1867. He fitted for col-
lege at the academy, of which he, like his father and
grandfather, was for many years secretary ; and en-
tered Harvard College in 1819, in the time of Presi-
dent Kirkland ; a relative, Profes.sor John Farrar,
being one of the faculty. During the course he was
obliged to use the strictest economy, and one year re-
ceived but eighteen dollars aid from his father, earning
the balauce of his expenses by writing and school-
keeping. He was a member of the Institute of 1770,
of the Hasty Pudding and also of the Medical F^ac-
ulty, a noted society which was founiled a year before
he entered, and in which his ready wit made him a
leading member. His classmate. Rev. George Ripley,
of the J^ew York Tribune, writes of him : " In college
he was distinguished for his successful devotion to
study, the rare kindness of his disposition and his
friendly and winning manners." Other members of
his class were .lolin P.Robinson, humorously assailed
by Lowell iu the IJiglow Papers, and trovernor Dorr,
of Rhode Island, who, while in prison, read with
emotion a speech in his behalf by Mr. Preston in the
New Hampshire Senate. He was fond of his class-
mates and fond of his college, and in after-years de-
lighted to ramble through the college-grounds with
5^ /^^
/iH^
■
I
NEW IPSWICH.
629
hi« sons, pointing out the various rooms he had occu-
pied ; anionif them one in the noted Weasel Den, near
the present location of College House. After gradu-
ating he comnieneed the study of law, a portion of
the time with George F. Farkv, then at New Ipswich,
and also with Judge Samuel Hubbard, at lioston. It
was while in Boston that his winning ways, alluded
to by Mr. Ripley, attracted the attention of an old
Scotchman, who was but recently from Abbotsford,
who said to Mr. Preston : " Ye mind me, lad, of the
great Sir Walter, ye're aye sae chcerie." Wliilc in
the office of Mr. Farley, a fcUow-.student and towns-
man was John Appleton, Maine's famous chief
justice.
On October 27. 1S2S, Mr. Preston married Elizabeth
Smith French, born in Boston, Slarch 1, 1S08, and
the daughter of Abram and Elizabeth (Kidder)
French, and for two or three years practiced law in
Townsend, Mass., but in 1831 came back to New
Ipswich and purchased the house in the Centre vil-
lage once owned by his granilfather, Judge Champney ,
where he afterwards resided, and still later purchased
his grandfather's farm, lying along the river.
In this connection we will quote a paragraph from
the "Annual Reportoi the Trustees of the New Hamp-
shire Insane Asylum," in reference to him, published
soon after his death, he having been a member of the
boanl for eleven years : " He was very fond of agri-
culture, and the State had few more intelligent or
successful farmers than Mr. Preston. His eflbrts to
promote an intelligent, sound and practical agriculture
were earnest and con.stant, and their influence will
remain for generations to come."
Soon after his return to New Ipswich, in 18.'5I, the
f|uestions of temperance and anti-slavery began to be
iliscu.ssed,and both reforms found a warm champion in
Mr. Preston. He introduced and secured the adop-
tion of resolutions in town-meeting, as early as 1835,
to suppress the sale of liipior, was the president of
the first total abstinence .society in the town and his
zeal for the cause ended only witii his life.
In politics he was a strongW'liig, and especially fond
of Henry Clay, whose birth-day, like his own, was
April 12th ; but although to ally one's self to the
cause of anti-slavery at that time meant social os-
traci.sm and insult, which was jieculiarly trying to
one of his genial nature, yet he turned away from his
former a-isociates and was one of the little band known
as the Liberty party in 1M44, and never liiltercd in
the faith till he was rewarded by seeing the slave sys-
tem overthrown. He was many years in the Legis-
lature, was Senator from District No. 9 when all
other members of the Seinit<' were Democratic, was
the Free-Soil candidate for Congress in lS4.Sand was
supported by the Free-Soilers in the Legislature for
United States Senator in 1852.
Though not believing the course of WiUiam Lloyd
(rarrison to be wise in refusing to vote, he was a sub-
scriber to the Libenitur, and his house, ;is well as that
of his sister's husband, Elisha L. Hammond, was the
home for the long array of Garrisonian speakers that
went through the land arousing the sluggish con-
sciences of the people.
Mr. Garrison was his guest and entertained for him
a warm regard. A sonnet to Mr. Preston now lies
before us, written by Mr. Garrison, bearing witness to
his mental and moral worth. It perhaps should be
stated here that in all schemes of reform he was not
only supported, but perhaps incited, h\ his wife, who
was as warm-hearted, clear-sighted and fearless as
himself.
One who knew him well, being asked to give his
own ideas with regard to him, says : " You ask me to
describe Mr. Preston ; a pen-picture at first seems
easy, — there is his figure, rather below the middle
height, but broad-shouldered and muscular; quick
and alert in his movements, with a smile almost al-
ways playing round his features, — one whom Mr. E.
D. Boylston, of the Amherst Cabinet, paints in a
single line when he says ' He was a man whom the
boys and the birds all loved,'— with a warm and im-
pulsive nature, unable to harbor resentment against
his bitterest foe if he saw him sick or in want. Not
an orator like Gough, yet one of the readiest and
most effective speakers in the Legislature. Not so
deep a lawyer as Bell, Parker or Perley, but men-
tioned by a jndge of the Supreme Court as being a dan-
gerous opponent. Not such a classical scholar as
Everett, but helping his son with an ode of Ana-
creon that he hasn't seen for thirty years, or reading
French or Spanish with his wife. Not a professioiuil
musician, but ready with voice or fiute to plea.se the
home circle. Not a ]>rofessional philanthrf)pist, but
at the time of the famine in Ireland, leaving the
table, unable to eat till be had packed a bo.\ with ar-
ticles for the starving Irish; and seen one l)itter day
in winter toiling through the drifts to find if a poor
family were warm. Very fond of a cigar, but giving
up the habit for nearly forty years that his e.\ami>le
might be good for others. So fearless that there may
be a doubt if it should be called bravery or insensi-
bility to peril. College-bred, as were his ancestors,
but thoroughly democratic in his sympathy with the
poor and ignorant, of whatever race or country, and
with food and shelter for the slave on his way to
Canada. Taking great pride in his town and its his-
torv, and especially beloved and revered in the do-
mestic circle. In saying all this, while perhaps few
salient points arc presented, it seems to me that Mr.
Preston exhibited a well-rounded and wonderdil sym-
metry in all those points which go to nuike up a man
in the highest and nol>lest sense, — sucdi a type as. I
fear, iiuiy be growing rarer every day, in view of the
present craze for specialists."
As Mr. Preston advanced in life his sudcrings from
his lameness became more intense, until, as a bust re-
sort, amputation was performed, from which he ral-
lied, anil for more than a year seemed to enjoy vigor-
(J30
HISTORY OP HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
ous health and to be wholly without pain, a feeling that
had been unknown to him for n)ore than fifty years.
It is probable, however, that the seeds of the dis-
ease still lingered in his system, and were the occa-
sion of the brief but fatal illness that ended on the
.5th of March, 1867, in the sixty-fifth year of his age,
his mother following him to the grave a few months
later, at the age of eighty-eight.
Of seven children, two sons and a. daughter only
were living at his death, and the daughter died less
than two years after.
In closing this sketch we append the following
from the town records.
At the annual town-meeting in New Ipswich,
N. H., March 12, 18(57, the following resolutions
were unanimously adojited :
" WTierettt, It is fitting for public bodies to acknowledge the hand of
God, especially in the marked events of their history ; therefore
" Retolved, That ID the recent death of the Hon. John Preston this
town }ias lost a valued citizen, — one who had long been identified with
the leading interests of the people, and often honored with important
public trusts.
** lieiohed. That we remember with gratitude to God, and commend
to our young men as a worthy example, his energy and pensevenince,
his enterprising spirit, his love for his native town and country, his
active sympathy ii; the cause of e<lucation and reform, his cheerful hos-
pitality and the purity of his domestic life.
" Itetolvid, That these resolutions be entered on the Town Becords,
and that a copy of them be sent to the family of the deceased."
LEAVITT I.IXfOLN.
Leavitt Lincoln is descended from two of Massa-
chusetts' oldest and most honorable families, the Lin-
colns and Cushings. Among the branches of his
ancestral stock have been numbered men who have
achieved distinction in almost all the walk.s of life.
General Benjamin Lincoln, of Revolutionary fame, is
noted in history as the man who received Lord Corn-
wallis' sword upon the latter's surrender at Yorktown,
while Abraham Lincoln will always be regarded as
one of the most illustrious Presidents our republic
has had. The Gushing family has produced some of
our ablest jurists, statesmen and divines. On the
paternal side, Mr. Lincoln traces his lineage in a di-
rect line, through William, William, Jcdediah, S.im-
uel and Samuel again, to one of the tirst settlers of
Hingham, Milss. They have been an honest, upright,
-strong, hardy, long-lived race. His great-grand-
father, Jedediah, lived to be nearly ninety-two years
of age, while most of the members of both families
have been noted for their longevity and vigorous
constitutions.
Leavitt Lincoln is the son of William and Jael
(Gushing) Lincoln, and was born in Marlborough,
N. H., June I'i, 1797. To this jilace his father had re-
moved in 1792, and was a tanner and an extensive far- I
mer, owning a farm of more than three hundred acres.
Leavitt learned in his youth the trade of a clothier
and followed this trade until its decline, on account
of the rise and develo|iinent of cloth-making in the
large factories. He then learned shoeinaking with
his brother-in-law, and carried on this industry for
six years at Townsend, Mass. He then purchased a
farm at Ashby, and carried on both shoemaking and
farming for a period of more than twenty years.
While in Townsend he married, May 29, 1821, Sibyl
Heald, daughter of Colonel Thimias Heald, of New
Ipswich, N. H. They had eight children, five of
whom reached maturity, but only one, William L.,
is now living. He is a physician in Wabasha, Minn.
Of the others, Maria died when twenty-two years of
age; Henry Martin died in young manhood, after
having graduated in the Medical Department of Har-
vard College. He was at the time of his decease a
rising young physician in Westminster, Mass. Gyrus
Stone, another son, died at the age of twenty years,
while fitting for college.
About 1852, Mr. Lincoln removed to Winchendon
and purchased a farm, his jiriiKipal object being to
make a home for his son, William L., who had grad-
uated in medicine and chose that town to practice
in. He had been in practice there about two years
when his father removed there. The son's health
failed, however, and he went West, and was for three
years physician to a hospital for the insane in the
State of Missouri ; he then went to Wabasha, Minn.,
where he now resides.
Mr. Lincoln made his home in Winchendon about
twelve years, until the death of his wife. He then
came to New Ipswich, N. H., where he afterwards
married his deceased wife's sister Mary, who was
then the widow of Francis Shattuck. This Mrs. Lin-
coln lived about twelve years, when she died, leaving
no issue. In 187G, Mr. Lincoln married his present
wife, Delia McDouough. They have no children.
Mr. Lincoln has made farming his princii)al busi-
uess through life, and still conducts a farm, and he
can boast of having mowed more or less every sum-
mer for seventij-nglit years. He has been a man of
remarkable vigor, and has never had a serious spell
of illness in his life. He has been regular and prim-
itive in his hal)its, has led a quiet, unostentatious and
unambitious life, never liaving sought or held office,
and he has made it a rule through the long years of
his business life to always do unto others just as he,
under similar circumstances, should desire to be dealt
with. He was appointed Sabbath-school teacher in
1819, and held that relation for more than sixty
years, and in the various communities in which the
different periods of his life have been passed he has
always deserved and received the uncjualified respect
of his fellow-citi/ens.
J
■:^L^jt^t/-t7f^ ::^J,^6.i^(jx-^i^
i
.:
HISTORY OF PELHAM.
BY REV. AUGUSTUS BERRY.
CHAPTER I.
PELHAM.
LOCATION — SETTLEMENT -^ I NCORPOKATION — ECCLESIAS-
TICAL.
Pelham is situated on the southern border of the
State. It is bounded on the north by Windham and
Salem, on the east by Jlethuen and Uracut, on the
south by Dracut and Tyngsborough, on the west by
Hudson. It is inti-rsecled by Heaver River, — named
from the beaver, wliich formerly had large settlements
on it. This stream has, as tributaries, numerous
trout brooks. There are four ponds of crystal waters
and |iicture.H<]ue scenery, — the resort of si)ortsmcn
and iiiciiic-parties. The soil is well watered and i
generally fertile. The surface is diversified. The
natural scenery is romantic and beautiful ; much of
it truly grand.
Settlement. — The e.xact date of the settlement is
not known. Tradition gives it as 1721. Mr. Fox, in
the " History of Dunstable," says 1722.
The earliest settlers were Butler, Hamblet, Rich-
ardson, Wyman and Jaques, who came from Woburn
and vicinity ; also (Jage, who came from Bradford.
In 1721 or 1722, John Butler and David Hamblet
bought land two miles west of the Centre, at what has
since been known as the John (iage corner, on the
Mammoth road. They cleared land, sowed grain
and went back to Woburn for the winter, and returned
in the spring with their families. Mr. Butler's house
is said to have been on the site of the present .John
Gage house.
About two years previous, an<l two miles below,
where now stands the house of I'redcric A. Cutter,
Esfj., the first settlers of Londonderry built a block-
house to establish a line of communication between
theirsettlementand ISoston ; a few rods below the block-
house the Richardsons settled. Jaques .settled a
little east of the Centre, on what has since been
known as the David .\twood place. E.xactly where
(iage and Wyman settled is mere conjecture. In the
following years families came to this region and
generally located on the hills. The Baldwins and
Barkers settled on Baldwin Hill. There came, prob-
ably between 173') and 1740, four families of Gages
from Bradford, who settled on what is now known as
Gage Hill. These were Josiah Gage, Daniel Gage
and Amos (iage, sons of Daniel and Martha Gage, of
Bradford, and their nephew, James Gage.
About one mile and a half from the Centre, on the
road to Lowell, tradition points to the spot where the
first sermon was preached, — a high rock on the ledge.
A company going to some place above, having their
minister with them, encamped here over the Sab-
bath.
But while there is no evidence of any settlement
previous to 1720, extensive grants of land had been
made to gentlemen in Boston and vicinity, — one to
Mr. Kimble, known as the Kimble Farm, which
name is still perpetuated in a brook ; another as Mr.
Coburn's farm, which lay near Gumpius Pond ; and
another, a tract of four hundreil acres, purchased by
Governor Endieott, the deed of which was given in
1664. The present farm of Mr. William W. Butler is
a part of the Endieott farm. Mr. Butler has. in a
fine state of preservation, apian of the Enilicott farm,
surveyed and made by .lonatliaii Dan forth in 1774.
In the "Iii.story of Dunstable," Endicott's grant is
described "as lying in the westerly |)art of Pelham,
about six miles from Pawtucket Falls, and one mile
west of Beaver Brook, at a great hill called Masha-
Shattiick (Deer Hill), lying between two other great
hills and adjoining southerly on a great i"ind, called
I'inininMitli-(|U()nnit (Long Pond)."
Incorporation. — The incorporation and settlement
of the town was probalily very much delayed by the
unsettled condition of the line between the provinces
of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The old town
of Dunstable included a large territory. The north-
west portion of the present town of Pelham was
within this territory. In 17.'52 that part of L)uiistable
east of the Merrimack was set olf as the Nottingham
District. The boundary line between the provinces was
established in 1741, leaving a portion that was des-
ignated the Dracut District; this, with a ]i<irtion of
Nottingham, was incorporated in 1746. Nottingham
was incorporated the same year as Nottingham West,
to distinguish it from another Nottingham in New
Hampshire.
632
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUxNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
CHARTER.
"Province' of 1 Gt-orge the Second, by the Grace of God of Great
New Hampshiro.i Britain, Fmiice and Ireland, King, Defender of tlie
faith, etc.
** To all irhom titese pregenU fball come Greeting:
•* \Mtereat, Sundry of our Loyal Subjects, inhabitants of a tract of land
within the Antient Boundrares of the towns of oM Dnnstablo and Dra-
cute, in our Province uf Xew Ilanipshiie, two niik's and Kighty Rods
Kast of Morryniack River, herein hereafter described, have humbly
Tetitioned and Requested of ua that they may be Erected and lnc«>rpo-
rated into aTownshipand Infrauchised with the same Powers, athoritiea
and Privileges which other towns within our said Province by law have
and Enjoy, And It appearing to us to be conducive to the General good
of our said Province, lis well as of the said Inhabitants in Particular, by
maint^iining Good Onler and Encouraging the Culture of the Land that
the same should be done; Know Ve, Therefore, That We, of our Esjierial
Grace, Certain Kni'wledge, and for the Encouraging and Promoting the
Gooii I*urpo&es and Ends aforesaiil, by and with the Advice of our Trusty
and well beloved Benning ■Wentworth,Es(]., our Governour and Com-
mander-in-Chief, and of our Council for said Province, have Erected,
Incorpt)rated and Ordained, and by these Presents, for our heirs and 6uc-
cei>sors, Do will and Ordain, that the Inhabitants of the Tract of land
aforesaid, Bounded as follows : viz., Begining at the Boundary Pitch
Pine tree, made by M'. Mitchel, and Running ou the north Boundarj-
line of the Massachusetts until it Comes within two miles and eighty
rods of Merryniack Riv«-r ; then north twenty Degrees East to London-
derry; then by Londonderry East South Ejist five miles and one hundred
and forty Rods ; then South toMethuen line and to meet the Curve Line
Called Mitchel's Line ; then by said Curve Line to the Pitch Pine Tree,
where it began, and that shall Inhabit the Same, — Be and by these Pres-
ents are declared and Ordained to be a town Corporate, and are hereby
Errected and Incorporated into a Body Pollitick ami a Corporation to
have Continuance forever by the name of Pelhani, with all the Powere
and authorities, Privileges, Immunities and Franchies which other
towns within our S^ Province or any of them by law have and enjoy:
To Have and to Hold the said Powers, authorities, Immunities and
Franchises to them, the said Inhabitants, and their successors forever al-
ways, Reserving to us, our Heirs and Successors, all White Pine Trees
Growing and being, and that shall hereafter Grow and Vie, on the said
Tract of Land, for the use of Royal navy ; Reserving also the Power of
Dividing said Town to us, our heirs and successors, when it shall appear
necessary or Convenient for the Inhabitjints thereof. And as the Se%vrall
Towns within our said Province are by the Laws thereof Enabled and
authorized to assemble, and by the majority of Vuies to Choose all such
officers as are mentionwi by the Said Laws We do by these Presents
Nominate and appoint Zacheus Iiovewell, Gentleman, to call the first
meeting of the said Inhabitants to be held within said Town at any
Time within thirty Days from the date hereof. Giving Legal Notice of
the time, Place and Design of holding such meeting. In Testimony
whereof. We have caused the Seal of our said Province to be hereunto
affixeil. Witness. Beuning Wentworth, >:sq., our Governor and Com-
mander in Chief of our Said Province the oth day of July, in the year
of our Lord (,'hri»t one thousand seven hundred and forty-six, and in the
Twentieth Year uf mim Reien. By \u^ Excelencies Command with advice
of Council.
"Benxiso Wentworth.
"TiiEOhoKE Atkinson, ikcrH-iry.
** Entered and recorded, accorded, according to the Original, this six-
teenth day of September, 1747, Page 33 & 34.
" Theodore Atkinson, Swretari/."
WARRANT FOR THE FIRST T0WN-3IEETING.
"Pursuant to authority from his excellency, Benning Wentworth,
Esq., Governour, Ac. : or fixmi this, his msyesty's Province of New Hamp-
shire, to me given for the calling the first rueetiog of this town uf Pel-
ham ; These are therefore to notify the freeholders and other Inhabit-
ants in I'elham Qualitied to vote in the choice of town officers that they
assemble and meet at the house of Captain Henrj- Baldwin on Monday,
the twenty-first day of July currant at two of the clock in the afternoon
then and there to chuee all such town officers for the ensuing year as
tbo law directu.
"Zacukds Lovewell."
*' Dated 3\\\y y» ll^^, 1746."
PROCEEDINtIS OF THE FIRST TOWN-MEETING.
•* At a General town-meeting of the freeholders and other Inhabitints
of the town of Polham Regularly assembled July ye 21, 1746 : The town
then Procreiied to chuse town Officers as follows: viz., Cap* Henry
Baldwin, Modi*ratur; Eleazar Whiting, Town Clerk, Ac; Selectmen,
Joseph Hambli't, Henn.' Baldwin, William Richardson, Josiah Gage and
Eleazar Wliiting ; Tuwn Treasurer, Henry Baldwin, jur, ; Constable,
Thomas Wymaii; Surveyors of Highways, vi/., Jacob Butler, John
Baldwin, Daniel Gage and Simon Beard ; Tythingmen, viz., Henry Rich-
ardson and Amos Gage ; Fence-vewers and tield-Drivera, viz., William
Elliot and Hugh Richardson ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, viz.,
Henry Richardson ; Surveyor of timber, Ac, viz., Amos tiage ; Hog-
reafs, vi/.. Siin.tn Beard and David Jones."
Ecclesiastical. — At a town-iueeting in October,
1746, the second meeting after tlie incorporation of
the town, it was voted to hire as much preaching for
the coming winter as could be procured for sixty
pounds, old tenor; a pound, old tenor, equaled about
f(»rty-two cents.
In tlie following years appropriations were made
to support preaching and committees chosen to hire
ministers. At a meeting in May, 1751, there was " a
reconsideration of the vote . to call in two or three
candidates, as the town was willing to make choice
between the two last."
At a town-meeting, June 3d, the town voted to call
Mr. James Hobbs, of Hampton, '* to be their gospel
minister ;" also, to give him seven hundred pounds,
old tenor, as a settlement and four hundred pounds
as his yearly salary.
At this meeting a committee was cho.sen — viz.:
Henry Richardson, Esq., Captain William Kichard-
son, Mr. Joseph Hamblet, Lieutenant .josiah Gage
and Daniel Hutchinsion — '*to apply to the neighbor-
ing ministers for advice in the matter of the ordina-
tion of Mr. Hobbs."
At a meeting on the Oth of August, *'it was voted
to add one hundred pountls to the settlement of Mr.
Hobbs and one hundred pounds to his salary, twenty
pounds a year for live years, old teuor." It wits further
voted to give him *' twenty-five cords of fire-wood
yearly during his ministry." " The ftirnishing of
the fire-wood to commence when he has a family and
keeps house." At a subsequent meeting in the same
month, •' it was voted to state Mr. Hobbs' yearly sal-
ary so long as his ministry citntinued in town, Indian
corn at twenty-six shillings per bushel, pork at two
shillings per pound at the time of slaughter and beef
at sixteen pence per pound at the time of slaughter,
reckoned in old tenor."
Mr. Hobbs' acceptance of the call is as follows;
" Pklh.\h, Nov. 11, nfil.
'* Gentlemen. — Whereas yon have (i«en fit to give me an invitation to
wttle amongst you as your minister, and have made your proposaU to
encourage and enable me to settle and carry on the wurk of the luinistrj
amongst you, and have confinned the same as a legal vote, therefore, upon
the consideration of those proposals, and also when fulfilletl are found
iosulflcient to Ejupi>ort me in the ijuality becoming a minister of the
Gospel, that you will be ready to contribute all needed support, I do
accept your call, Ac.
" James Ho»bs.'*
November 13th, Mr. Hobbs was ordained and a
church was organized. The churches invited were the
Church of Christ, in ^lethuen, in Dracut, in Not-
tingham, in Salem, in Kingston, First and Fourth in
Hampton.
FELHAM.
G33
The Rev. Thomas Parker, of Dracut, was modera-
i irof the oouiR-il ; the Rev. Ward Cotton, of Hamp-
liiii. opened with prayer; the Rev. Peter Coffin, of
Kingston, |)reachiHl from Titus ii.lo: "Let no man
ilespise thee ;" the Rev. Nathaniel Morrill, of Notting-
ham, gathered the church ; Thomas Parker, of Dracut,
gave the charge ; the Rev. Christopher Sargent, of
Methuen, gave the right hand of fellowship; the
Rev. Abner Bagley, of Salem, made the last i)rayer.
The church consisted of ten members, — James
Hol)l)s, Joseph Hamblet, Henry Baldwin, Daniel
Hutchinson, David Jones, Henry Baldwin, Jr.,
Thomas Gage, Jonathan Kimball, Samuel Butler,
.\uios Gage.
Mr. Hobbs wils twenty-six years old. He proba-
bly married in .January, 1752, as the following
appears in the town records:
** The Rev. nir. .lames llubt)s and mis KHsabelh Baclit-liitT was Pub-
lishitU in pelliani I><>cembr y« 28, ITJl."
The following from the records of the church has
interest in this connection :
** April y" 8<^, ITo.*}, .\ilinitte(l to the full conimunion in this ch'h Elis-
' --til, wife of James Hobbs, Pastor of the Ch'li in this Place."
Mrs. Hobbs was from Hamjjton. Her maiden-name
was liatchelder. There is a tradition that her father
was unwilling that she should visit Pelham before her
marriage, lest she should shrink from making her
home in the wilderuess. The contrast between
Hampton and Pelham was very great. Mrs. Hobbs
endmcd many privations and hardships. But tlie
you ng woman of twenty-two, who lei t her father's house
to make a home for the husband of her love in this
newly-incorporated town, found it her home for
more than si.xty years ; saw, instead of the wilder-
ness, cultivated fields and happy homes, good roads
constructed, two meeting-houses successively built
and thriving schools established in the five districts
< 'I' the town. Mrs. Hobbs is said to have been a model
< t a housekeeper and to have abounded in ministries
■.iniong the people. She was sent for in sickness, at
births and deaths and she dis|)ensed charities from
lier own door.
At a town-meeting December 2, 1701, a committee
was chosen to buy a tract of land for Mr. Hobbs, so
that the young minister and his wife were probably
at once established in the parsonage as their home.
In less than a yciir from his ordination there was an
appropriation of four huiulred pounds to pay the
balance of his settlement. His salary was duly cared
for with each passing year. Committees were chosen
from time to time to treat with him about " stating "
it in the necessaries of life, as the prices of these
varied. The years passed. The jieople were sub-
duing their lands, eomrorts were increasing in their
homes, the institutions of the town were assuming
form and fixedness. There were births, baptisms
and funerals. The following record is one of in-
terest :
** March y* 28t\ 17Kt, baptised Phylliys, a negro sorrant of Edwanl
Wymun, jitnr., anil on .V|iril y« !•», 1753, bapliseil John and toward,
sons of Kdwuni Wyuian, jun."
Thirty-seven had come into the church.
There had been the vicissitudes and varying ex-
periences of human life, when, suddenly, the min-
ister, the sheidierd of the sheep in the wilderness,
was stricken down ; for, at a town-meeting held
June 5, 1765, "it was voted to hire one month's
preaching;" at another meeting, June 21st, " it was
voted to bury Mr. Hobbs at the town's charge," and
twenty pounds sterling, money of Great Britain, was
appropriated " for the funeral expen.ses and other
chai'ges."
William Richardson, Josiah Gage, Robert Evans,
Joseph Butler, Daniel Hutchinson, Amos Gage and
Benjamin Barker were chosen a committee to "see
that the Rev. Mr. Hobbs is decently buried." This
committee was also instructed to provide preaching
for the remainder of the year, and "not to bring any
minister to preach in this town without the ap-
probation of the association we belong to."
Thus the first pastorate of thirteen years and seven
months terndnated. There can be no question but
this pastorate did much in determining the future
character of the town. It was a period when founda-
tions were laid, when tendencies received their direc-
tion, when principles were established that were to
control the future ; and in this plastic period the gos-
l)el ministry formed the high-toned character for
which the town has always been distinguished.
There is a tradition that Mr. Hoblis was a man ot
great strength ; that once he overtojok a man taking
home a load of lumber from the saw-mill. One wheel
of the loaded cart had accidentally come oil'. Mr. Hobbs
saiil to the man, " You take the wheel and put it on
while I lift the end o( the axle-tree," and Mr. Hobbs
actimlly lifted so much of the load as was necessary
to replace the wheel. The descendants of Mr. Hobbs
have been, and are, among the most respected, influ-
ential and useful families of the town, and the first
minister lives not only in the continuous ministry,
but in a posterity identilied with the growth, develop-
ment, fair fame and sterling character of the town.
In October, 17G6, the town voted to provide grave-
stones for the Rev. Mr. Hobbs' grave.
There was no susiiension of the gospel ministry.
.\t a town-meeting, September .'W, " it was voted to
make choice of Mr. .\mos Moody, from Newbury, for
their minister." Seventy [lounds sterling of the cur-
rency of tireat Britain was voted to Mr. Moody as a
settlement, and fifty pounds sterling as his yearly
salary.
Mr. Moody was ordained November 20th. The
churches that assisted were Methuen, Newton, Not-
tingham, Kingston and Newbury.
'* At a town-mo<^tinK October 28, ITfVt, nuMlerator.'Captain RicliardBon.
" VoUil, at Nuiil muellnK tlieonlanitiun to )w on November tliu 'A) next
insning.
634
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
** Fo/€d, to Chuse a commitey to take care of the meeting-hou8« the
day of the ordauitton, to sea that the Doort* be sheat while Counsel it*
redey to migu, namely, Jonathan Stickney, Eben' Jaques, William El*
Hot, Uriah Abbot, James IJibson.'*
About three years from liis ordination Mr. Moody
married the widow of his predecessor. For several
years his pastorate was harmonious and pleasant.
During the hard times of the Revolutionary War his
salary was in arrears ; but this was attended to, and
once a consideration was made to him on account
of " the sink in money." After fifteen years a
dissatisfaction with his ministry began to be ex-
pressed. At a town-meeting in .Sei)tember, 1783, a
committee was chosen " to confer with Mr. Moody on
what niethod is best to be taken in order to remove
the unhappy uneasiness that now subsists between a
number of his parishioners concerning his continuing
or not continuing as the minister, and make report to
the town." At a town-meeting, January 25, 1785,
this vote was passed, — " The town to release all those
that think in conscience they can't attend on his min-
istry from any tax to him, according to his proposal he
made in writing."
June 23, 1786, it was voted "to request some of
the neighboring ministers to give their advice with
respect to the difficulties now subsisting in the town
between the Rev. Mr. Moody and some dissenting in-
habitants of the town."
At this meeting permission was granted to form a
" Pole Parish." This wa.s a parish of individuals in-
stead of territory.
October 2, 1780, a committee was chosen "to agree
with Mr. Moo(K on what terms he will leave of
preaching in said town ;" at an adjourned meeting it
was voted "not to accept of the proposition of Mr.
Moody sent in writing."
JIarch 5. 1787, it was voted that " the selectmen
should be impowered to discharge from paying their
tax to the Rev. Mr. Moody all those who can make
it appear that they are of a different persuasion from
the Congregation alists, at or before the first day of
May next."
July 5, 1792, it was voted " to pay the sum due
to Mr. Moody from the town, agreeable to his answer
to a committee sent to him from the old parish to
known on what terms he would resign the desk;"
it was also voted " to choose ji committee of two per-
sons to call upon those persons nominated by a
committee of both parishes to apj)rise the meeting-
houses."
Mr. Moody was dismissed by an ecclesiastical coun-
cil October 24, 1792. His pastorate was twenty seven
years, wanting twenty-six days. He received sixty-
one to the membership of the church. He remained
in town, a respected and valuable citizen, and co-op-
erated with his successor in his work. He was
delegate to the convention that adopted the Federal
Constitution, and was chosen rejjresentative a number
of times. He died March 22, 1819, aged eighty
years. Mrs. Moody died February 21st, preceding
her husband by one month, aged ninety years. She
had been a member of this church nearly sixty-six
years.
The town was now without a settled ministry for
six years. There were two parishes, but, probably,
only one church organization. Alter the dismissal
of Mr. Moody the parishes united. There was still
a division in doctrine, and the partisan sjiirit intensi-
fied this. Preaching was sustained during these
years. Calls were given to several different men ,
some of whom afterwards became eminent, of which
number was Samuel Worcester, afterwards Dr. Wor-
cester, pa-stor of the Tabernacle Church, Salem, Mass.,
one of the secretaries of the American Board of For-
eign Missions, whose death occurred while he was on
a visit to the missionary stations of Elliot and Brain-
ard. The records of Mr. Worcester's call and the
provision made for his settlement and salary would
indicate that the people were united in him.
The calls extended to several other gentlemen
gave rise to decided opposition and the expression of
a bitter partisan spirit.
In July, 1793, Mr. Eli Smith received a call by a
majority of seven ; but at a meeting a month latter
the article to make provision for his support was dis-
missed.
But the scene of the greatest excitement was the
attempt of the church to complete a call extended to
Mr. John Smith by his ordination. In March, 1796, the
town concurred with the church in giving Mr. Smith
a call, — forty-two yeas, twenty-nine nays ; also voted
to give him as a settlement the interest of one thousaud
dollars annually, and a salary of ninety pounds an-
nually ; but at a meeting the 17th of May, '^Vofed
not to compromise matters with Mr. Smith." " Voted
that all who are not agreed to settle Mr. Smith shall
be free from paying taxes to him." " Voted that all
those who are tlissatisfied with Mr. Smith shall have
their just proportion of the meeting-house and the
money the parsonage land was sold for according to
the last year's invoice." " Voted not to choose a
committee to join the church committee in appoint-
ing a day for the ordination of Mr. John Smith, and
j)roviding for the council." At a town-meeting in
June, " Voted to enter a protest against the proceed-
ings of the church in ordaining Mr. John Smith."
" Voted to choose a committee of seven persons to
lay the proceedings of the town in regard to Mr.
John Smith settling in said town as a minister be-
fore the council." A protest of sixty-nine i>ersons
was entered on thetown records "against Mr. Smith's
settlement and against ever paying anything for his
support."
The council convened, but did not proceed to the
ordination of Mr. Smith, and the day was called "flus-
tcration day " by the jiarty zealous for Mr. Smith.
Jlr. Smith afterwards became jirofessor in Bangor
Tlieological Seminary. He married Hannah Hardy,
FELHAM.
t>35
of this town, daughter of Adjutant Daniel Hardy,
and he subsc(|uently died. Later in life she married
(Jeneral Richardson, of this town, and was esteemed
among this pui>uhitiun sis a Cliristian lady of a large
public spirit and generous charities.
February lo, 1798, a call was given to Mr. John
Emerson, with a settlement of the interest of one
thousand dollars, and a salary of ninety pounds.
But at a meeting, April 23d, "to see, by vote, how
great the union among the pei))>lc for Jlr. John Em-
erson, with respect to his .settlinj; with tlieni in the
work of the Gosi)el ministry," seventy-uiue voted for
Mr. Emerson and twenty against.
At a town-meeting, August 11th, a vote was passed
to concur with the church in a call to Mr. John H.
Church. " Voted, To give Mr. John H. Church as a
settlement, witliin one year from the time of his or-
dination, live hundred dolUirs." " Voted, To give
Mr. John H. (.'hurch, as sahiry, three hundred and
thirty-tliree dollars, thirty-three cents and one-third
of a cent annually, so long as he shall supply the
desk, witli this (lualifiiation of the last clause [viz.),
that he rtlini)uisb no |)art of his salary, although he
should be sick and unable to sujjply the desk for six
months at any one time; that should he be unable
to supply the desk longer than six months at any
one time, his salary ccivse till he does supply the
desk."
Mr. Church was ordained October SI, 1798. Rev.
Dr. Backus, of Somers, Conn., preached the sermon.
The pastorate that had been vacant six years and
seven days was tilled. The unhappy division and
controversy about the ministry ceased. A long and
successful pastorate was commenced. An important
element in this division was tlieological. But other
element-s entered into it, and tlicse were kept active
by a partisan spirit, and lliis was intensiiied by every
disturbing bree/e of personal or social feeling; and
the one thing that saved the town from a permanent
division into religious sects, neither of which would
have been able to sustain religious institutions, was
the large number of level-headed, far-seeing men,
who, comprehending the misfortune of such an issue,
steadied and held things until the time of union
came. There were such men in each party. The
introduction of Mr. Church to the town was in a way
to pacify and prepossess in his favor. He was really
the candidate of the party tlie least in symi)athy with
his tlieological sentiments. Mr. Church wa.s invited
to preach in Pelham at the suggestion of William M.
Richardson, afterward chief justice of New Hamp-
shire. Mr. Richardson was his class-raate in college,
and knew him to lie a line schidar and of sterling
character. -Mr. Church was born in Rutland, 3Ia.ss.,
March 17, 1772. lie graduated at Harvard in 1797.
He studied theology with Dr. Backus, of isomers.
Conn. He married Thankful Weston, of Rutland,
May 7,1799. She died April 11, ISOG, aged thirty-
one years. In 1807 he married Hannah Farnham, of
Newburyport, Mass., who died July 9, 1837, aged
fifty-nine years.
Dr. Church wjis one of the ablest clergymen of his
time. He held important ecclesiastical jiositions.
He was actively engaged in all the missionary, phil-
anthropic and educational works of that lime. He
was for many years a trustee of Pinkerton Academy,
at Derry ; of Dartmouth College from 1820 till his
death ; of Phillips Academy, at Andover, from 1826
till his death. He was an associate of the professors
of Andover Theological Seminary. He took a promi-
nent part in all the theological discussions of that
period, and was considered high authority. He was
argumentative rather than persuasive. His logic was
irresistible. He was hyper-calvinistic in doctrine.
There grew up under his ministry men and women
of strong mind, marked intelligence and character.
The financial standing of the town at this time wsis
the best of any in the State. It had more taxable
property and a higher rate of assessment, according to
the number of its inhabitants, than any other town in
the State. The interest the town took in Mr. Church is
indicated by a vote passed in 180G, the year that the
first Mrs. Church died, — " To give Mr. Church two
hundred dollars to assist him in defraying his late
extra expenses."
Mr. Church had such dignity in his bearing as in-
spired fear. Children shunned him, were afraid ot
him ; but he was, nevertheless, interested in the
young,and all who yielded to that interest found him
helpful. He received the degree of A.M. from Dart-
mouth College in 1813, and D.D. from Williams
College in 1823. The town system of settlement and
supi)ort of the ministry, that existed in New England
in its early history, an<l was adhered to in Pelham for
eighty-eight years, had come to be supplanted by the
voluntary system. In the early liistory of the town
there were those who objected to supporting preaching
not in accordance with their sectarian preference. As
early as 17G3, Ebenezer Richardson jictitioned the
selectmen "that he might not be taxed for the sup-
port of the gospel, as he wjis a Baptist, and in full
communion with a Ba|iti»t Church in Boston." This
numlier had been increasing during all the years.
The fact that this system was in force in Pelham
longer than in most <if the towns of New Ham|ishire
and Massachusetts indicates the stability of the
people. TJie contract between Dr. Church and the
town wa-s terminated by mutual consent December
17, 1834, having existed thirty-six years, one month
and fifteen days, and the town never failed to pay
him his salary.
In May, 1832, at a meeting legally called for the
formation of a religious society of the Congregational
order, such a society was organized under the name
of the First Congregational Society in Pelham. Its
first legal meeting was helil July 4th; but it does not
appear to have raised money till after the termina-
tion of the contract of the town with Mr. Church.
636
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, iNEW HAMPSHIRE.
lu the year 183;"), on account of I'ailing health, JJr.
(Jhurcli resigned liis pastoral charge. On the .iOth of
September he was dismissed, and the same council
ordained Mr. John Keep. The pastorate of Dr.
Church wa-s thirty-seven years, wanting one day. He
continued to reside in town till his death, June 12,
1840, at the age of sixty-eight. He was buried, as
were liis two predecessors, in the old burying-ground
at the Centre. It is a matter of interest that the first
three pastorates should have reached so near the con-
clusion of the first century of the corporate existence
of the town, and the first three ministers, when they
rested from their labors, should sleep with their
peoi)le. During the ministry of Dr. Church one
hundred and ninety-nine came into the church.
Mr. Keep was dismissed October 13, 1841, — a pastor-
ate of six years, one mouth and thirteen days. Forty-
three came into the church under his ministry.
It is a matter of interest that from the settlement
of Mr. Hobbs to the dismissal of Mr. Keep, a period
of ninety years, there had always been a gospel
minister in town. ilr. Moody came during the sick-
ness of Ml . Hobbs, and was in town when Mr. Church
came.
Rev. Cyrus W. Allen was settled February 1, 1843,
and dismissed May 12, 1847.
June 21, 1848, the Rev. Eden 15. Foster was settled,
and dismis.scd .lanuary 13, 18.53. Mr. Foster was a
man of rare culture, a most interesting and fervid
preacher. It was with great reluctance and sorrow-
that the church and society relinquished him. Mr.
Foster received his doctorate from Williams College.
It is a noticeable coincidence that the two Pelhara
pastors honored with a doctorate should have re-
ceived them from the same college.
August 30, 1854, Rev. Charles Rockwell was in-
stalled as pastor. He was a man of ability, but not
adapted to this people, and, by the advice of an
ecclesiiistical council, was dismissed June 20, 1855.
The brevity of the previous pastorates, and espe-
cially the unfortunate experience in the last, created
some discouragement and hesitancy about the settle-
ment of another minister. During the next six years
the church was served by acting pastors. The Rev.
John E. Farwell sui>plicd from November, 1855, to
March, 1858, and the Rev. William F. Herrick from
September, 1858, to April, 18G1. October 30, 1861,
the present pastor. Rev. Augustus Berry, was settled.
As an indication of the spirit of benevolence in the
church and congregation, there has been given to mis-
sions and other causes of Christian benevolence, in
the last twenty-three years, twelve thousand dollars.
Thus hius the town, from the date of its incorpora-
tion, sustained the gospel ministry. Only sixteen of
the one hundred and thirty-four years, since the
organization of the church, has it been without a
settled pastor, and never without i)reachin"'.
Deacom. — To the year 1882, one hundred and thirty
years from the election of Deacon Amos (.iage, eight
ditlcrent men had held the office of deacon. There
has always been a l>eacon Oagc, a lineal descendant
of one or the other of two brothers, Amos and Daniel
that were among the first .settlers of the town. Amos
Gage and Daniel Hutchinson hlled the office till their
decease, — Deacon Hutchinson, May y, 17«5, and
Deacon Gage, September 8, 1702. Then Abel Giige,
a son of Deacon Amos Gage, and Henjamiu Barker
were elected deacons. They resigned in 1835, and
Daniel Gage, a grandson of Daniel Gage, the brother
of Amos Gage, and Jeremiah Tyler were elected
deacons. In 1853, Deacon Cage died and Deacon
Tyler resigned, and Daniel T. Gage, a son of the last
Deacon Gage, and Charles Stiles were elected dea-
cons. Deacon Stiles died in May, 1882. He was
succeeded by Elijihelct F. Woods, who died in No-
vember of this year, and was succeeded in the office
by Samuel Kelley.
Reformed Methodist and Fkee-Wili. Baptist
Chukcu. — Near the commencement of the present
century the Methodists commenced to labor among
the inhabitants of the northeast section of the town,
called Gage Hill, and the adjacent portion of Salem.
Meetings were held in school-houses and private
dwellings. Among their preachers was the Rev.
Joseph Snelling, who, with his family, resided in
that section of the town some years. By the uni-
versal estimate, he was an eminently devout and good
man. In his autobiography he speaks of the diffi-
culty he encountered In introducing Methodism into
Pelham. His converts either united with the Con-
gregationalists or went out of town to other denomi-
nations. At length he succeeded in forming a small
society of Methodists, and prejudice was so fai- re-
moved that they built a meeting-house that the
Methodists were to occupy a part of the time, and he
says, " I was invited to preach the dedication sermon,
and continued to preach there a part of the time
while I lived in Pelham." This house Wiis probably
built about 182U. It wa-s small, located near the
Salem line, and subsequently remodeled for a dwell-
ing-house, and occupied as a parsonage. It is now
owned by the Rev. Tobiiis Foss. This house was
built with the understanding that the diflerent re-
ligious sects rc]iresented by the i)roprietors should
occui>y it their resjiective shares of the time.
There was great embarrassment in finishing this
house. At length Mr. Robert Bradford look the job
and received his pay in pews, so thai he came to be
the chief i)roprietor.
There does not seem to have been any church or-
ganization till 1842. In this year, after a revival
under the labors of Rev. L. Harrington, there was a
Reformed Methodist Church, of thirteen members,
organized, — Robert Bradford, Mehitable Bradford,
Abner Kittridge, Mary Kittridge, .losepli Gage, Na-
than Clage, Mehitable Gage, Simon B. Webster, Relief
J. Webster, Olive Gage, Charles Butler, Nathaniel
Chase, Sarah Kittridge.
PELHAM.
637
The Rev. Isaac Dunliaiii became their pastor,
lliider tlie lead of Mr. Dunham, in 1844, a larger
ineeting-liouse wa.s built. After a pastorate of some
live years Mr. Dunham was sueceeded by Rev. John
M. Durgin, a Free-Will Baptist. Mr. Durgin was a
man of many fine iiualities. There was a rich vein
of humor in his make-up. Many of his bright say-
ings are still quoted. He taught sehool in connec-
tion with hi.s ministry and is |)lea.santly remembered
by his pupils. He was succeeded, in 1858, by Rev. T.
P. Moulton. At this time the church was admitted
to the Boston Quarterly Meeting of Free-Will Bap-
tists, and received the name of the Free-Will Ba|>tist
Church of Pelham and Salem. Mr. Moulton was
succeeded, in IH.Vi, by Rev. Tobiiis Foss. He was
.succeeded, in 1859, l)y Rev. S. M. Weeks, who left in
the spring of ISHl. For a few years there was no
stilted i)reaehing. In 1867, Mr. Foss returned to town,
and by his efforts preaching was resumed. In
.Tanuuary, 18()8, Rev. N. ('. Lathroj) became ptistor,
and remained till April, 1870. In 187l', Rev.
.lonalhan Woodman became pastor; but the
strength of this church and .society had been seriously
impaired by the formation of churches at Salem
Di'pot and the removal of families influential in the
support of i)ublic worship. Mr. Woo<lman rendered
most valual)le service for a few years ; but his age —
nearly eighty — and calls of duty elsewhere led him
to resign the charge. There was a fitness that a re-
ligious organization that had been productive of so
much good should have terminated its mission with
the labors of such a noble ( 'liristian man as Elder
Jonathan Woodman.
El'ls( oi'Ai, Mi;tiii>di.st. — In lS5i)-(i() there was a
deep religious interest in ecmnection with the labors
of Rev. Matthew M. Parkhurst, who was boarding in
the town for the recuperation of his health. Some
of the converts, with others who had a preference for
the Methodists, applieil to Conference for a minister,
and a clinrch was constituted. The preachers who
successively served them were Rev. Albert N. Fisher,
Rev. .\moM B. Russell, Rev. Charles Newell. Mr.
Newell left for another field in the latter part of 1863.
The friends did not deem it e.\])edient to have an-
other aiipoiiitnicnt. The membership of the church
was transferred to the church in Methuen, quite a
portion of whom have since connected themselves
with the Congregational Church by letter.
.MKKTiNVi-HorsKs. — .\t a town-meeting September
■i, 1746, " il was voted to build a meeting-house in
the centre of Land in this town, or the most con-
venient ])hiee." October 27th the report of the com-
mittee to find the centre was accepted, and the jtrevious
vote re-enacted with the s|)ecificati(ui, " the house to
be twenty-eight feet in length and twenty-four feet
in width." But the location was not satisfactory, for
Noveml)er 10th it was voted " to choose three good
men from out of town to come anil state a place for a
meeting-house." Captain Henry Baldwin, Ensign
William Richardson, Daniel Gage, Amos Richardson
and Hc/.ekiah Hamblet were chosen a committee "to
carry on the work in building the meeting-house,"
and the sum of twelve jmunds, old tenor, wius voted to
defray the charge of said house. This house must
have been a rude structure. March 6, 1748, " Voted,
to buy the Nottingham West Meeting-House of Mr.
Merrill."
April 10, 1749, a committee was chosen to take
down the meeting-house and bring it to Pelham by a
work-rate of twenty shillings per day, and any who
were delinquent in work were, if warned, to pay
twenty shillings, old tenor, for every day ofdelinquency.
" i'120, old tenor, were voted to defray the charges in
this business," and the town " Voted, to set the meet-
ing-house 18 rods from where the meeting-house now
stands."
But notwithstanding these decisive votes, nothing
was done ; for, October 2, 1751, it was voted to bring
the meeting-house to Pelham and " set it up." After
passing and rescinding several votes, it was finally
agreed " to set the house on the two acres of land that
Mr. Furgerson had negotiated with the town about."
This was probably near where the new meeting-house
stands. October 16th it was voted " to board and
shingle the meeting-house with convenient speed,"
and also that any one might furnish material "at
reasonable rates, — "indicating that the house was
moved and an earnest etlbrt was being made to get it
in readiness for worship the coming winter. There
was a work-rate at fifteen shillings i)er day, old tenor.
November 6, 1752, it was voted "to allow pew-
grounds in the meeting-house, on the lower floor,
round the walls, to (hirtcen highest payers on the list
being inhabitants of the town. They were to build
for the town a handsome or decent pulpit, with a
canopy over it; also a deacon's .seat." The men were
to obligate themselves to sit in these pews with their
families till they were filled, and if they did not in-
cline to take these pews, then the next highest in
their course to take them. It was also voted " to
grant four pews more in the two hind seats on the
lower floor of said meeting-house, men and women
side, to four men, the highest according to the above
said votes; " " i)rovided they will make three doors to
said meeting-bouse, and to hang them with good iron
binges and latches, det^ently, and be durable doors,
made of good boards," and a committee was chosen
"to see when the said pulpit and deacon's seat and
doors are to be made and completed."
Seplember 27, 1753, the town voted to raise three
hundred |iouiiils, old tenor, for the committee to use
in finishing the meeting-house; also that they should
take the money then in the collector's hands. They
were authorized to liuy a box of glass " to glaze the
meeting-hou.se," and to build the body seats; also "to
take out the middle post on the back side of the
meeting-house in order to build a handsome pnlpil
and provide for hamlsoine pillars for said house,"
638
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
i
This house wiis used as the meeting-house till 1785,
when the present town-house was built. Everything
in its finish must have been very plain. It had no
comforts. The seats were hard. There was nothing
to soften the light or mitigate the heat of the sum-
mer's sun. Nor was there anything to relieve the
oheerlossness and I'old of winter. And still the whole
population eame together in winter and summer and
remained through the protracted services. There
can be no question but this was an influential factor
in the formation of the institutions of the town.
The following is copied from the record-books of
the builders of the present town-house .
"February 10, IT85.
" At A meeting of a Number of the Inhabitants of tlie Town of Pel-
liam, they .\greed to Build a Meeting-House in Pelham by Proprietors.
Voted tlmt till- following .\rtical6 Should be ofered to the inliabitauls of
the Town of Pelliam to see wlio would sign for buililing s** House, viz. ;
•' We, the subscribers, being sensible of the unhappy situation we are
in at Present with Regard to a Comfortable and decent Place for Publick
worship, and the Meeting-house, in our Opinion, is not woiih repairing,
we hereby manifest our desire tti Build a Meeting-house by subscription,
and wish tliat every man that is a well-wisher to the Cause of Religion
and the Credit of the Town would Subscribe what they will give towards
Building a New Meeting-house, and, as soon as a Sufficient Sum shull be
Subscribed, Call a Proprietors' meeting and Conclude on what Method
we will take for Hiiihlins; the same.''
At a town-meeting, June 7, 1785, it was voted
" to give liberty to set a meeting-house on the com-
mon near the old meeting-house, which meeting-
house is now prepairing for building by propri-
etorship." This house was not finLshed for some
years, but was proVialily soon used tor public wor-
ship and town-meetings, as, May 27, 1789, it was
voted to sell the old meeting-house "at public
vendue, in such a way and manner as shall be
thought most likely to fetch its full value, in order to
pay the town debts with the same," and a committee
was appointed for this purpose.
It is a tradition that the year 1785 was remarkable
for the depth of snow, and that the timber for the
frame of this meeting-house was cut in April, and the
snow was so hard that the timber was hauled over
stone walls and other kinds of fence. About this
time there was a meeting-house built by tlie " Pole
Parish," and situated in front of the David (Uitter
house. In the town records this is designated as the
Little Meeting- House, and the proprietors' meeting-
house !is tlie Great Meeting-House. Upon the dismis-
sal of Mr. Moody and the union of the two parishes,
the town piircha.sed the meeting-houses.
.March 2G, 17i).3, it was " Voted, To sell the Little
Meeting-House and the land where it stands." James
Gibson, E.si|., Joshua Atwood, Josiah Uage, Esq., were
chosen a committee to make the sale; but they did
not sell it, as, December 22, 1794, it was voted to sell
the Little Meeting-House. This house is said to have
been moved to the spot where the parsonage now
stands, ami iise<l for a store, with a hall over the store.
Deacon Jeremiali Tyler owned it many years. He
traded in the store. The hall was known as Tvler's
Hall, and was used for singing-schools and religious
meetings.
January 7, 1793, it was " Votfd, That the propri-
etors of the old meeting-house should receive their
full pay when the pews are sold," — viz., the pews in
the new meeting-house. " Voted, To ciioose a com-
mittee of five persons to make a settlement between
the parislies, — Messrs. Jacob liutler, Jr., Neheniiah
Butler, Captain Eliphelet Hardy, Lieutenant Thomas
Spoflbrd, Lieutenant John Ferguson." " Voted, To
choose a committee to see what method is best to be
taken towards finishing the meeting-house, and bring
in their report next meeting." The committee were
"Dr. Aaron Grosvenor, Lieutenant .John Ferguson,
James Gibson, Esq." But the finishing of the Great
Meeting-House hangs. There are many propositions,
but none on which a majority agree. The subject
was brought before town-meetings in July, 1793, and
in August, 1794, and in each instance dismissed. But,
December 22, 1794, " Voted, To finish the inside of
the meeting-house in the manner prescribed by the
committee chosen for that purpose." " Voted, To
sell the pews in said meeting-house at public vendue."
" Voted, To sell the finishing of said meeting-house at
public sale." " Voted, That said meeting-house shall
be finished by the 1st day of Novembor next." There
is a spirit of determination in these votes that assures
something will be done. But though the purpose is
to have no set-back, the plan is to be changed. Janu-
ary 19, 1795, these votes were reconsidered. Then it
was " Voted, That Captain Jesse Smith be a committee,
with full power to receive money and finish the meet-
ing-house by the 1st day of November next." Also
" Voted, That Lieutenant John Ferguson be an assistant
committee with Captain .Icsse Smith for finishing the
meeting-house."
This action was final; Cajitain Smith and Lieuten-
ant Ferguson were the men to execute it, and the job
of ten years' lingering and uncertainty is completed by
them in a single season and at the specified time. At
this same town-meeting the selectmen ordered the
sale of the pews.
December 8th, the account of the (■ominittee to
finish the meeting-house was received, and they were
allowed five shillings jier day for their services.
Miirch 7, 1796, " Voted, that the money which was
left in finishing the meeting-house shall be loaned
to keep the meeting-house in repair." '' Voted, that
Amos Moody, Es(|., Captain Asa Kicliardson, be a
committee to take said money and make the best use of
it they can for the advantageof the town." lint though
the house, with its square i)ews and high galleries,
was considered finished, there were improvements
proposed from time to time. March 5, 1797, " Voted,
to purchase a cushion for the pulpit and a curtain for
the pulpit winilows, to build a cupboard in the lower
part of the puli)it and to. lay .some gravel by the un-
derpining of the meeting-house." March. 1803, the
town voted not to purchase a bell and build a steeple.
PELUAM.
C39
July 2, 1804, voted not to build a portico over the
t'nint door. September, 1805, the town again voted
not to build a ]i(>rti<i). In October of this year,
" Vo/tfrl, not to build a l)ellry and steeple to the east
end of their meeting-house." These votes indicate
thatthere w;is a minority of public-spirited, progres-
sive men in town.
In presenting the growth and development of the
town, it is necessary to thus sketch the history of the
meeting-house ; for it was about the meeting-house
that the New Enghind town grew, and the history of
a New England town cannot be written without the
recognition of this central fact.
There are in the records a few plain, homely things
that are very suggestive. They have a sweet touch
of nature and charm by their simple beauty. In the
study of the history of the town, the first meeting-
house, the meeting-house bought of Mr. Merrill, the
house moved from Nottingham West, the old meeting-
house, must be kept continually in view. Every-
thing associated with that house reveals some feature
in the life and character of the early inhabitants.
Little incidents connected with it mirror those ])lain
and frugal homes. In some thought for it, some pro-
vision for its care, the subtle, golden chain of faith
is traced, that steadied their lives heavenward. In
such items iw the following there is a resurrection of
the jiast, and scenes of one hundred and forty years
ago appear vivid and fresh as the life of this day:
" March ye 1, 17'>6, voted Jabcsh (Jage £10, old tenor,
for boarding workman at the meeting-house." " Voted>
-Vinos Richard.son 01-15-0, old tenor, forsweeping the
meeting-house." " Chose Joseph Butler, Levi Hil-
drith, John Uutler, James ( iilmore and Amos (Jage for
seating the meeting-house." " Voted, to leave it to
the committee to dignify the seats as they see lit."
For seventy-five years the people worshiped with-
out fires in their meeting-houses. The worship of
the winter sea.son might have been as pure as the
most perfect crystal, but an absence of warmth is
suggested. If there was beauty in it, this must have
exisli'd in tin- s])iritual light reflected from frosty
forms. To modern concejition there is a touch of the
comic in the audience mullled, their heads drawn
within the mutllers. Pulpit oratory was certainly at
a disadvantage. Stoves were put into the Great Meet-
ing-llouse alioiit 1.^20. I'.ut this wius not done without
opposition. Thcdreat Mccling-House was used by
the church and First Congregational .Society till 1842.
I>uring the last ten years the society had nuide sev-
' lal propositions to the town for the pur()08e of
iiiring some exclusive rights in the house. One
was the outright piiichase; another was to (iiiisli the
upper part for worship, which should lie the property
of the society, ami the lower part for a town hall,
which should be the town's. Hut the town was un-
willing to entertain any of these propositions. Ac-
cordingly, at a meeting of the First Congregational
Society in the hall of Jeremiah Tyler, February il.
1842, "to see if the society will procure a suitable
piece of land on which to build a house for public
worship, it was voted to procure such a piece, and
at the same meeting General Samuel M. Richardson
proposed, on certain conditions, to give the society
such a piece, which gift, subject to the conditions, was
accepted by the society."
At a meeting held February 24th, " it was voted
that the erection of the meeting-house be commenced
as soon as practicable in the ensuing spring, and
David Cutter, Moody Ilobbs, Joshua Atwood, David
Butler and Amos Batchelder were chosen a building
committee." At a meeting held October 17th, " Jere-
miah Tyler, Enoch Marsh and John M. Tyler were
chosen a committee of arrangemcnt.s for the dedica-
tion of the new meeting-house." The dedication
was ninety-one years from the time that the old
meeting-house was first used for]>ublic worship.
The Parsonage. — At a meeting of the First Con-
gregational Society, September 4, 1861, it was voted
" to accept the Tyler store lot, so called, purchased
by individuals for a parsonage-house of said society."
It was voted to proceed at once to build, and Colonel
Enoch Marsh, .\bel Gage, Esq., F. A. Cutter, Eliphe-
let F. Woods were chosen a building comnuttee. The
work was commenced at once, and under the enthusi-
astic lead of Colonel Marsh, who devoted his time
and energies to the enterprise, it was substantially
completed that autumn, and occupied by the present
pastor the next April. Richard 15. llillman was the
builder.
CHAPTER II.
PELHAM— (CoiijiMHfd).
EDUCATION— .MEN OK NOTK— I'll YSIllANS— MUSIC.
Education. — The town records show no ])ublic
action upon the subject of education till fifteen years
after the incorporation. But from this time there was
a gradual and substantial growth of the educational
sentiment. The school and school-house gave rise to
violent controversies. There were seasons of intense
excitement. At times there wa.s the reckless spirit that
would destroy all rather than not carry its jioint ; then
better counsels would prevail, harmony wouhl be re-
stored, bygones would be forgotten and ;ill would In-
united in the good cause.
March !), 17(!1, " Voted the iion-iisideiit money for
a school." .\t the March meeting of the next year
there was no appropriation for schools, but at a meet-
ing April,-
"iHt, VatiitliiA to l>ntl>liin,v iM-IiixiMioudOfl.
"2(1, I'o/i-rf fuiir iiumttin' (M-lnMiliiiif, lo l,t»Kl» In SoptoliilKT lipxt «iiiu-
hiK, nnci ■» un lill Uiu four iiiuntliii cxplrMl.
":iil, Volril loroiw tbi' sum of £25 M «clii«>l nil.'», t» >u|i|H>rl tin' iiboTo
Mitil w-tiuol."
March 7, 17(51), " i'oted two hundred [lonnds, old
640
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAiMPSHIRb:.
tenor, for a school this present year. Said school is
to be in four parts of said town, and each part to have
their portion of said money to be divided by the se-
lectmen."
March 5, 1764, " Voted two hundred pounds, old
tenor, for a school for this present year, to be provided
by the selectmen as they shall think proper."
March 11, 1765, "Voted not to raise any money for
a school this present year." For the next ten years
an average of fifteen pounds wits appropriated aiiiiii-
ally for schools.
March 4, 1776, " Voted twenty Pounds, Lawful
money, for Schooling this Present year."
" A Committee Cho.sen to Place the schools and to
Provide Masters and Mistresses — Dr. .John Mussey,
Ebenezar Parmer, Esq., Jesse Wilson, Amos Gage,
.Jr., Phillip Richardson, Jr. — Voted that Every Quar-
ter of the town should have the use of their own
money, and that Each Quarter should Enjoy the
Priviledge of their own and not Send from one to
another, and that when the School was Provided they
that would not Send Should Go without the Benefit
of the School."
During the next fifteen years, which included the
hard times of the Revolutionar)' War, the town failed
only once to make appropriations for the schools.
After 1790 the matter of an appropriation was no
longer optional, as the towns were required by legisla-
tive enactment to raise a specified sum. March 4,
1793, on the article " To see if the Town will vote that
Every Class shall have the Privilege of the School
when it is kept in their Class without being thronged '
with Scholars from other Cla.sses," '• Voted that
Scholars shall have Liberty to Go from one Class to
the other for the benefit ot Schooling." On the
26th of this month, " Voted to Raise One Hun-
dred and fifty pounds, L. M., in order to build
the School-Houses in s'' Town, Meaning that those
Classes that have built their School-Houses shall Re-
ceive an order from the Scloctnien for their proportion
of the aforesaid sum. Voted that James Gibson, Esq.,
be a committee to fix the Place where the School-House
is to be built in the Southwest corner of said Town."
December 8, 1795, Voted to dismis,s the article " to
see if the Town will vote to Empower Each Class to
hire their own Masters and Mistresses."
March 7, 1796, Voted to chuse a Committee — vdz..
Captain John Ferguson, Captain Thomas SpoflJbrd,
Lieutenant Ezra R. Marsh, James Gibson, Esq., David
Gage — to Cliiss the Inhabitants of s* Town for keep-
ing Schools agreeable to a former vote of s'' Town,
which was to be five classes."
March 6, 1797, "Voted to except the report of the
committee to class the town with five classes."
The number of families in each class was as follows :
Southwest Class, 34 ; Northwest Class, 30 ; Middle Clnss, 31 ; Northeast
Class, 31 : Southeast Class, 2G.
"David Gage, ^
"TiioMAS Sl'OFFORi), V Committee."
" Ezra K. Mau^ii, J
March 4, 1799, the generous spirit that the town
has ever since expressed towards the cause of educa-
tion commences to express itself, — " Voted to raise
thirty ])Ounds in addition to the sum commanded
by the authority of the State for the support of
schools."
The town was fortunate in the outset in aii
economical classification. There were few classe>.
The number of families in each class was nearly the
same. Hence an equal division of the school money
was the fair thing. This classification has remained
substantially the same to the present time, and the
money has, with few exceptions, been equally divided
among the five classes.
The spirit of a people is often shown by a move-
ment that is a failure. Minorities of even but one
in a cause that looks to enlargement and progress
give a people character. They are the little leaven that
will some time be the majority. The article in the
warrant of 1789, "to see if the town will vote to
have a grammar school kei)t in said town," thougli
dismissed, asserted literaiy tastes, intellectual life and
aspirations among the people. The town may not
have furnished as many for the professions as
some others ; but there are few towns that, according
to their population, could show as large a number
of men and women of good home-bred sense, of re-
fined taste, of such general information, of such
correct methods in business, and wh<i expressed them-
selves with more understanding and grace.
About the commencement of the century Mr. Dan-
iel Hardy, a graduate of Dartmouth College and an
accomplished scholar, taught an academy for several
years at the Centre, in the building since known at.
the Cottage, and occui)ied by tlie Misses Hastings for
many years. Mr. Hardy and his school had a healthy
influence upon the intellectual life of the people.
Here many youug men and women received instruc-
tion that i|Ualified them to be eflicient teachers in the
common sidiools.
During tlie ministry of Dr. Church there was a
literary association that owned quite an extensive
library of solid reading, comprising history, essay
and poetry, but no fiction as such ; this was exten-
sively and faitbl'nlly read.
During the first sixty vein's of the century the town
lycenm was an institution, furnishing not only the so-
ciability and wholesome diversion that a people need,
but also intellectual nurture and culture in speaking ''
and writing.
The following is a list, jierliaps imperfect, of edu-
cated men that the town has raised:
GltMH ATi;s OF D.MtTMOITII COI.I.KGE.
Diink'l lliiixly, IVM'.l ; Aiinm Hardy, 1704 ; Caleb Duller, 1800 ; Henl»li
Diinolid SIussc)*, lsn3 ; Isaac Hutler, entered but died in the course :
Stephen I. Hniilstreet, IMO; Barnabas G. Tenney, 18111 ; Calvin Butler,
18.'S4 ; Nutlianicl .\bbol Keycs, IS.l.'J : Charles nnrnhaui, 1S:1C ; Beiya-
niln Butler, 184:; ; Joseph II. Tyler, 18.-il ; Kliphelet Buller Gage, IS.'*,
at the Scienlillc School ; .loscph Kdward JIarah, 18,58, at the Scientifii
School ; Nathaniel Parker Gage, ISG'J.
I'KIJIAM.
C41
GRADUATES OF HARVARD.
Williiiiii M. Riolmnlson, 1797 ; Josiah Biillcr, 18U3; John Ciittor Gage.
KVi; KrtJoric W. Uatrlirliler, 180<).
Four of these "graduates hecanie clergymen, seven
lawyers. Eeulx-n Diiiunul Mussoy became eminent
in medicine, anil had a ri'putation that was European
:i-> well as American. William J[. Richardson repre-
sented the State in Conxre^s, and also became chief
justice of the Sni)rerae Court of New Hampshire.
.Tosiah Butler represented New Hampshire two terms
in Congress. Others became teachers and business
men.
PR0FKS.SI0NAL MEX NOT CMtAlHATKS.
Elijiih lluller, txirn .\pril 13,1765; stuilied niedicint* and pmcticod
many years in Weare.
Milton OroMvunor studied tneilicine.
Nelieiniab Rntlcr, a lawyer and judge of prohato for Merrimack
0*mnty.
.T<tliu Qninry Adanig ririflln, iit Iiiw death, in early tnatihortd, hiul at-
tained dlfltinetion at the har.
Benjamin Rneis*-!! Cntter, at his death soTenteen years principal of the
Wiishington Orainniar School, Chicago.
\\'illiam H- Gage studied medicine, and at his death had been many
veara assistant physician at the asylum, Taunton, Ma^.
Of gentlemen of the last generation noted as com-
mon-school tea<:hers were Moody Hobbs and Abel
• rage, both self-made men and po])ular teachers, with
a life-long interest in education. Mr. Hobbs became
a pul)lic man, and was associated with the distin-
guished men of the State. He was greatly interested
in agriculture. He was the magistrate of the town
and the civil engineer of this ami ncigliboring towns.
Mr. Crage led a cpiiet life on his farm, enjoyed his
library and took an intelligent and devoted interest
in all the philanthropic and missionary enterprises of
the age.
FEMALE TEACHERS.
!t(ias Hannah (Gutter, educated under Miss Grant, at Ipswich. Mass.,
was instrumental in founding a female seminary at Princevilje, III.
Miss Mary C. Richardson, educated at Bradford .\cadomy, Massachu-
setts, holding for many years a responsible position in that institution ;
a lady of superior intellectual powers and a popular teiurher.
Mlm Mary T. Gage, educated at the .\bbot Female Seminary, ,\ndover.
Maw., a teacher for n)any years. Her culture was marked. Hor life
was an ornnniont to the social stJite.
Miss Helen Cutter, a popular teactuir for many years at Arlington,
Maas.
Miss Emma I>. Cohurn, for a score of years holding impiirtant posi-
tions as teacher in Wi'Stern cities.
Of young ladies i>f the present cMiiploycd in the
cDinnioii schools of this and adjuining towns, two
may be namc<l for their Irmg and valuable services, —
Miss Susan M. Smith, great-granddaughter of .Tames
GibsDn, and Miss M. Amanda Cloyd.
Some Men of Note. — Deacim Amos Gage, born in
1717. l'n)l>al>ly came to this town in 173'.> or 1740,
from IJradlbrd, Ma.ss. Prominent in the church, in
civil ami military alfairs. Died in 1702.
Deacon IJarnabas Gilison, born near the coast of Ire-
land after his parent.s sailed for this connlry. His
father's name was .Tames. Among the old papers of
ihe family is a receipt for the passage-money of the
family, dated "I'ortrush, August 20, 17.'58."
.James (iibson, brother of liarnabas, for a series of
years a man of great jiroininenee in the affairs of the
town.
Jesse (iibson, a son of .lames, a life-long resident of
the town, often elected to town offices, for a long
series of years justice of peace, a man of unquestioned
integrity. He accumulated a large property. Died
in 187G, aged eighty-nine, wanting a few days.
Captain Henry Baldwin, at whose house the first
town-meeting was held, died in 1754.
Dr. ,Tohn Mussey, father of Reuben Dimond Mus-
sey, often chosen to oltices of importance in town.
James and Samuel Hobbs, grandsons of the first
minister, stirring men and otlen called to positions of
public responsibility.
General Samuel M. Richardson, a true gentleman,
a distinguished citizen, a member of a family that not
only adorned New Hampshire, but Mjtssachusetts.
He left a generous legacy to the First Congregational
Society, and also to the town for remodeling the old
meeting-house into a town hall.
David Cutter, for many years postmaster and a
justice of the peace. He was very exact in the trans-
action of all business, exemplary and strictly law-
.abiding, a i>illar in the moral and religious institu-
tions of the town. He died in 186;i, aged nearly
eighty-two years, and left two thousand dollars to the
First Congregational Society.
General .Toshua Atwood, for more than thirty years
moderator of the annual lowii-mecting. Tie died in
1872, aged sixty-live years.
Benjamin F. Cutter, a generous and public-spirited
citizen, was widely known in his horticultural and
nursery business. He died in 1870, aged sixty-seven
years.
Colonel ICnocli Marsli, who still survives, near bis
ninetieth year, in a "'green old age," a gentleman of
the truest type. Tie never sought or held offi<'e: but
to the support of the religious institutions of the
town and causes of Christian philanthropy he has
given his time, his strength and his property.
Misses I']li/.a an<l Caroline Hastings came from
Boston to T'clhani in 183o, to live on the small prop-
erty they had acquired by years of teaching, an
employment that they engaged in when financial
reverses came upon their father's business. They
were ladies of a true culture and a noble Christian
spirit. They rented the building once occupied by
Mr. Hardy for a sihoid, and aftcrwarils it was known
as the Cottage. Tliey employed their lime in the care
of their cultured natures and deeds of charity. They
loved to walk the dill'erent streets of the town and
make informal calls in all the homes. Families in
all parts of the town were wont to have them as their
guests. They made for theni.selvcs a large place in
the esteem and allcction of the people. They were a
great actiuisition to society. Their influence was
salutary. Miss Eliza died September 10, ISM, aged
seventy-one. The shock was great to Miss Caroline.
She endured it with Christian fortitude, and dietl
642
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
April 26, 1872, aged eighty-nine. Their graves are
with the people of their adoption.
Physicians. — The earliest was Dr. Amos Richard-
son ; tlien Dr. John Musscy, Dr. Aaron Grosveuor,
Dr. William Gage, Dr. Benjamin R. Skelton, Dr.
Benjamin F. Simpson, Dr. Edwin Grosvcnor, Dr.
Lmius Cirosvenor, Dr. Amos Batchekler.
Dr. 15atehelder commenced practice in town in
1837. He has been a studious man and liept himself
abreast of the times in his profession. He has also
been a careful observer and extensive reader in
natural history and general science, and he has a
cabinet of six thousand specimens of his own col-
lection.
Music. — The Pelham people have always been musi-
cal. The Gages, Butlers, Cutters, Gibsons, Atwoods
and Wilsons were musical families. Of those who led
the singing in the past, and sometimes taught singing-
schools, were Deacon Amos Gage, Deacon Abel Gage,
General Samuel M. Richardson, David Cutter, Jona-
than B. lireeley, Abel Gage, Jr., Jesse Wilson, Colonel
Enodi Marsh, Frederic A. Spoftbrd and, later, Wil-
liam Chase. In ihe years 1798 and 1805 there were
articles in the warrant for the annual town-meeting
to see if the town would appropriate money for a
singing-school. In neither instance was the appro-
priation made ; but in 1803 the town " voted to
purchase a bass viol for the use of the singers ; also
that Deacon Abel Gage, Samuel M. Richardson and
Doc' William Gage be a committee tn purchase s'*
viol."
In 18o9 an unusually fine-tcned |)ipc-organ was
purchased for the church. Since then Mr. Alonzo
D. (ireeley, an amateur in music, has played the
organ, led the singing and devoted much time and
expense to the culture of music in the town. When the
organ was procured there were but two or three jiianos
in town ; now there are a dozen, and parlor organ.s
in almost every house. Two of the school-houses
have musical instruments.
CH.VPTER III.
PELHA.U—(_Coiiliui,ed}.
CIVIL GOVERNMKNT— .MILITARY— GROWTH, DKVEI.dl-MKNT
.\ND CHANGE— PER-SONAL RKMINISCENCRS.
Civil Government.— The town from the first took
a thoui;litlul interest in the constitutions of both the
State and national governments.
.\t a town-meeting .\.pril 13, 1778, ".Mr. James
Barnard was then chosen as a member of that Con-
vention that is to meet at Concord on June the tenth
next, in order to form a Plan of Government for the
Peo|)le of this State for their future good and hap-
piness."
" Voted to chuse a Committee of Eleven men to
Give Instruction to said Barnard Concerning the
plan of Government, which are as follows : Messrs.
Maj. Daniel Coburn, Esq. Gage, Do" John Mussey,
Esq. Gibson, Dea. Barnabas (iibson, Dea. Amos Gage,
Thomas Spoflbrd, Nehemiah Butler, Capt. Jesse Wil-
son, Capt. Asa Richardson, Peirce Gage."
The plan that was submitted to the people by the
convention of .lune, 1781, was considered in the town-
meeting held in December, and " Voted to chuse a
committee to Take into consideration the plan of
Government, and make remarks on it and lay them
Before the town." " Chose the Committee ( viz.), Dea.
Barnabas Gibson, Aaron Wyman, Jacob Butler, Jun.,
David Butler, Abel (Jage, Joshua Atwood, Caleb
Butler, Doc' John Mussey, Josiah Gage, Esq., and
, Mark Gould." This plan was discussed on the re-
j port of the committee, by articles, at a town-meeting
I January 21, 1782, and substantially rejected by Pel-
j ham, as it wa.s by the State. The convention sub-
mitted another plan in August, 1782. At a town-
meeting December 2d this was referred to a com-
mittee, — Dr. John Mussey, Nathaniel Abbot, James
Gibson, Esq., Josiah Gage, Esq., Jesse Smith, Abiel
Barker, Jacob Butler, Jr., Dea. Barnabas Gibson and
David Butler. The meeting then adjourned till the
17th. " The town being Mctte, according to the above
adjournment. Voted not to accept of the Plan ot
Government as it now stands, by 60 Votes. Voted to
accept the Plan of Government with the Amendments
made by the Committee, by 52 Votes ; 7 Persons
Voted against it."
This plan was also rejected by the State. The con-
vention met in June, 1783, and submitted another
plan to the people. At a meeting held August 18th,
" Voti'd, to choose a committee of Nine Persons to
take under Cousideraticm the Alteration of the Eight
.\rticle of the Ci)nfiileration. Com., M^ David
Butler, M'. Uriah .\bbott, James Gibson, Esq., M'.
Joshua Atwood, Dcak" Barnabas Gibson, Josiah
Gage, Esq., M'. John Ferguson, Doct' John Mu.ssey,
M'. Aaron AVynian. Voted for the afore s'' Committee
to take under Consideration the .\ddress from Con-
vention."
" The Moderator Adjourned s'' Meeting Three
Weeks."
"Met According to tlic Above Adjournment."
" Voted, to receive a Verbal Report of s'' Committee
that is to alter the Eight Artical of Confideration,
(viz.), that is the Proportion among the United States
Shall be Laid by the Number of Souls. Voted, to
Receive a Verl)il Report of the afore s'' Committee,
that is not to alter the Executive Department."
This plan was adopted by the JState and ratitied by
the convention October 31st.
These quaint records show how carefully the under-
lying principles of both the national confederation
and the State Constitution were examined l)y the
citizens of Pelham.
PELHAM.
G43
TOWN CLERKS.
1741— IT, Eleazar Whiting; 1748-49, HoDry Iluldwin, Jr.; 1750-.V2,
.VuioeGage; 17.'i;t, Dnvid Jon«fi: 1T'4^*>7, .\nnw itage ; 17.'iS, Levi Hil-
dn^eb ; 1759-7>, .Vmus Gage ; 1773-74, .losiati Gage, Jr. ; 1775-«2, Dan-
l»»t Barker ; 1783-lH). John Ferguflon ; 1791-ltO, Benjatiiin Biirl<er, Jr. ;
1707-99, .^atwn Hardy ; 1799-18112, Beiyainin Barker ; 18o:i-4, Peter
Patereon; ISiJo-ln, William Hardy (-.id) ; ISiO-ii, William .\Uvood;
1824-211, Willium Hanly ; 1827-.'il, James Hoblw ; l.S.-)2, Reiilwn B. Gib-
ion ; lS:a-37, J.remiah Tyler; I8;t8-.'?li. Charles SpolTorJ ; 1S4<V41,
SIcHjdy Hobbs ; 1X4:!, Charles SpolTiird ; 1844-4.), Frederic A. Spoftord ;
1W5, David Spofford ; 184li-65, John Woodbury ; 18r,.'i, .\iiios liaUhelder ;
lKt3<WJ7, Joshua Atwood, Jr. ; 1808-77, .\mo9 liatclieldcr : 1878-82,
aiarles W. Hobbo; 1883-85, Daniel P. .\twood.
DKI.KG.VTES TO THK SKVERAL COSSTITl TIONAI, CX>NVEN-
TIOX.S.
t77K, James Barnard ; 1781, Jacob Butler, Jr. ; 1791, .James Gibson ;
Iltll, Joshua Atwood ; ISTO, F. M. Woodbur}'.
DKLEGATE TO THE COXVENTlll\ FOR THE ADciPTIllX OF
THE FEDEU.XL C>).S.STn TTION.
1788, Uev. .\mos 31oo<ly.
REPBESKSTATIVES.
1775, Aaron Wynian ; 177<i-78, James Gibson ; 1779-81, David Butler ;
1782, James Gibson : 178.t-8.''>, Jacob Butler, Jr. ; 178i;, James Gibson ;
1787-88, Jacob Butler ; 1789, voted not to send ; 17911, James Gibson ;
1791, voted Dot to send; 17lr2, James (;ibson; 1793-96, Kev. Amos
M.joily; 1797, Nellemiah Butler; 1798, Rev. .\mo8 Moody; 1799-1802,
James Gibson ; 18(».'l-0, Rev. .\mo8 Moody ; 1807, James Gibson ; 1808-
9, Josiah Butler; 181II-1I, Jamis Gibson; I812-2tl, JIa.i. Samuel M.
Kichardson ; 1821, Jlaj. William Hardy ; 1822, Nehemiali Butler; 1823-
2.'>, Capt. Jam<-s 11 obi is ; 182t»-27, Samuel M. Richardson ; 1828, James
Hobbs; 1829, Neliemiah Butler; 18.3il-:tl, SamuelM. Ricbard.«un ; 1832-
34, Jesse Gibson, Esq. ; l».V>, Samuel 91. Richardson ; I8:)G, David Ham-
blot ; 1837, James Hobbs, Esci. ; 18:i8-41, Jesse Gibson ; 1842-i.'., Joshua
Al«oo<l ; 184ii-47, Gill>ert Coburu ; 1848-49, Joshua Atwood ; 1850,
JoMse Gilison ; 1851, Darius Stickney ; 18.V2, Joshua .\twuod ; 1853-,'Vl,
John Richardson ; 185.'>-5ti, Joshua .\twood ; 18o7-i'i8, John Woodbury ;
1869-«U^ Amos Batchelder; 18in-ll2, Daniel JIarshall ; 18113-04, Warren
Sherburne; 18)15, Kimball Gibson ; Isiltl, George H. Currier ; 18(17-118,
Eliphelel F. Wo.k1; 18ili»-7o, William G. Butler; 1871-72, Nathan Gage ;
187.1-74, George H. Currier; 187.'i-7r,, John Wo<..ll.ury ; 1877-78, Na-
than Gage ; 1879, Daniel N. Atwood ; 1881, Luther V. Kichardhon ; 1883,
George S. Butler ; 1885, Rielmnl B. Hillman.
Military Record. — Tlio citizens of Pclliam have
always liccn |iiilri()tic. Tliey have enlisted in all the
wars of our country aiitl slioil their blood on nearly
every l)attle-ficld. Amos ( iatjc, an early settler of the
town, oneofthenritriiial nienibersol' the church and the
first deacon, was a captain in the French und Indian
War, and lost a son, aged twenty years, in that war.
In the olil rccorils of the town the following is
fiiund :
"In the year 17.>5 lU^guuc the HI'Msly war lltwevn Eliglulid and
fnince, and the wliola Country ol" Canaila wiu* surrenderi'*! to his
Majesty, George, in the year 17ilM.
•' till' account of the numlM-r of nieu thai wan lost bi-loiigint.' to Pelham
that dietl a Broad :
".lonathan \N'Hghl, l-Mwanl Wyman, E/ra Littlehail, Simon Boardf
Lieut. Thomas tiage, Josepli Giigi'. simnii Wymaii, Daniel Gage, John
W..|«r."
In tlie American Uevoliitioii, no oneof the colonies
exhibited a more resolute and determined spirit of
resistance to the o|>i)ression of (ireat Hritain than
New Hampshire, ami in mi town of llie State was Ibis
spirit more pronounced th;iii in relbam.
\t a town-meeling .\pril 1, 1777, " I'n/ril, twenty
]ioundg lawful money per man that sinill liilist for
three years into the Continental army."
.\pril 7th. " Vntfii. to anex Ten Pounds Lawful
money to the above Twenty pounds, to Each Soldier
who shall Inlist into the Continental army for the
Term of three years."
June 4tli, " Voted, that Each man who has served
as a Soldier in Defence of the United States of amer-
ica, shall be allowed sixteen shillings and Eight
Pence per month." " Those Persons who were in the
I service two months at Wintcrhill, Being Present,
agreed to take but twelve Shillings per month."
At a town-meeting February 2, 1778, " Voted, that
L'. John Bradford, M'. Aaron Wyinan, Capt. Asa
Richardson Be a Committee to Provide for the
Soldiers' Families." At this meeting the vote was re-
considered, " allowing each soldier sixteen .shillings
and eight pence per month for what he hath done in
the service more than his proportion," and a com-
mittee chosen to bring in under oath "how much
shall be allowed to those who have served as soldiers
in the several Campaigns that have been in the
Present War." This committee brought in at a sub-
sequent meeting that the year's men should be al-
lowed nine pounds and si.\tcen pence per man.
At this meeting " Voted, to chuse a Committee to
Instruct the Reiireseutative Concerning the Confed-
eration Eately Published by the Continental Con-
gress," which would indicate that the men of Pelham
had a nice perception of equity and justice and saw-
distinctly a wrong that has cimvulsed the nation and
drenched it in blood.
" At a meeting of the Freeholders and other inhabitants of the town
of Pelham, on Monday, the Ninth day of February, 1778, The Following
Instructions were reporter! by us, the Subscribere, a Conunittee appointed
for that puriwse, which were accepted by said town :
" jt\> ./iimcK GibtoH, £»»/., Hcpretttitalire for the Toicu of Prllntm {to the
Proriiicial Congraut at Ex-eler) ;
"Gentleman : — You being chosen by the Voice of the town of Pelham
to Represent them In the Great and General Court, and as it must be
agre4*able to you to kUiiw the luindsof your (.'onslituents in all iniportiLUt
matters, we think lit to give you the following instructions with n-gani
to the artich-s of colifedenitiolt : you are directinl to mttve for, and Exi*rt
youiuelf to get, an alteration of a part of the Ilfth Panigniph in the
ninth article, wlien^ tliey mention proportion in the Ninnberof land
forces by the white Inhabitants in VAicU Stale, which we conceive to be
nnci|Ual ; our reason is because of the viurt Disproportiouable Numls-r of
Black Inliabilants in this and stime of (he Southern Slates ; in them the
husbandry Labor is chietly done by blai-k men. when we in this Slate
have but few Labourers of that Colour, and whether these Blacks be
continued slaves or not, many of them make good Soldien* in the field ol
Battle; then-fore, making the ProiKtrtion of wildiers by Ilie while in-
habitants only, Leiives their tields full of LalHiiirere, wln-li oui>' are
eniply. You are also liirected to move for and urge the calling n full
and free repi'eS4'ntalioii of all the People in Ibis State to meet in Conven-
tion, at such time and place as shall Ir> apiMiintifl by the general asseiii.
biy, for the S4»le pui'iiose of fraiming and laying a permanent plan or
sisteni for the future government of this State. These matters, with all
othei-s that may come befiu-e the te'iienil Court, we leve to your flrmness
anil pnideiire, and trust your EM'rtfons in the coniiiioii cause will be
such as Shall Itecommcud you to all Lovers of freedom and LilsTty (anil
what is more) gain you the apppibatloii of GikI and your own conscience.
"M.iJ. D.lNlRl. CoulJlN.
"Josiah Gaoe, Esg.
" Dka. Barnaius GlliftON.
"Cait. Asa UiciiAitlwoN.
"Dn. John Mussrv.
" Lt. ROIIKHT Nevinh. ji'Mon.
'* I'T. JosiitA Swan.
"jACOn Bl-TI.ER, JUNIOB.''
644
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The records of the town during the years of the
Revolutionary War indicate a wliolc-hearted loyalty
to the cause and faithfulness to the soldiers. Some
of these simple records are a beautiful revelation of
the character of the men and spirit of those times.
March 2, 1778, " Voted, to pay Samuel Davis four
Dollars .in the Lieu of a Counterfeit Bill which he
received of the town tor his services in the war."
" Voted, to Pay Asa Knowlton Fifty Dollars for his
service three years in the war."
At a town-meeting April 13, 1778, " Voted, to hire
one man to go into the Continental service for nine
months, to make uji the town's proportion of the
three years' men. Voted, that Eng*. Nathan Butler
should hire the man and the town to pay the man
that s'' ISutler should hire."
Xt a town-meeting February 13, 1781, " Voted,
to chuse a committee of three men to hire soldiers for
three years to go into the war, (vis.): Asa Richardson,
Amos Gage, L'. Xevins."
At a meeting Marcli 13th of this year, tlie com-
mittee to average the expense of the war made their
report, which was accepted, —
" Voled, thjf corn should Be tlie spesha tu settlf this Eveiage iipuii, or
money to the value,
" Voled, to alow those uien that went to WinUT-hill for Eight months,
two Bushels of corn Per month, or the value in money.
•' Volfd, to alow the year's men live Bushels of corn Per month, or the
value in money.
" Voled, to alow those that went to Portsmouth one month, one Bu^^hel
of com Per mouth, or the value in money.
" Voted, to alow the five months' men that went to TiconUeroj?a, two
Bushels of corn Per month, or the value in money.
" Voted, to alow three months' men that went to York, one Bushel of
corn, or the vahie in money.
" Voled, to alow the two niontljs' men that went to York, one Bushel
of com Per month, or the value in money.
" VoM, to alow the two mouths' men that went to Bennington, four
Bushels of corn Per month, or the value in money.
"VoUd, to alow the year's men liaised in 1779, three Bushels of corn,
or the Value in money.
" Voled, to alow the one month's at Rhode Island, one Bushel of corn
Per mouth, or the value in money, I
" VoUd, to alow the six months' men that went to Rhode Island, Two i
Bushels of corn Per month, or the value in money.
•' Voled, to alow the Iw,. mouths' men that went to Portsmouth, one
Bushel of corn |icr month, or the value in money.
'■ Voled, to alow the .six months' men that went to York, four Bushels
of corn Per month, or the value in money.
" Voled, to alow the. three months' men Raised in the year 1780, four
Bushels of corn Per month, or thi' value in money.
" Voleil, to alow those Persons that went Voluut.-ers, that have Done
more than their I'roporlion in the war of time, have liberty to Dejioso of
it as they Pleas.
"Voted, t„ alow I,t. Ilanly for six mouths' time that he Ims l)..ne in
the war.
" Voled, to alow U. Hardy two Bushels of corn P.-r month, or the
value in money."
At a town-meeting .Inly !ith of thi.- same year-
" Voted, that those Persons Uiat has Paid their Beef rate
shall take it Hack again out of the Constables' Hands."
At a town-meeting on February 4, 1782, " Voted,
that the corn that was voted to settle the s'' averan-e
should be set at half a Dollar Per Buthel."
The town sent eighty-si.\ true men to tlie war; the
following are tlieir names:
Joshua .\twood, Uriah Abbot, Abijah Austin, Isaac Barker, Benja-
min Barker, Deacon Daniel Barker, Joseph Bailey, Simon Beard. Dauiel
Butler, Nathan Butler, .l;uob Butler, Lieutenant John BradfonI, Jlerrill
Coburn, Asa t'oburn, Benjaun'n Coburn, Kdwaixl Coburn, Seth Cutter,
Samuel Davis, James Farmer, James Ferguson, John Ferguson, Michael
Fitxgerald, John Foster, David, Abner and Dauiel tiage, of the same
family ; Captain Jonathan Gage, Asa, .\bel and Amos Gage, of the same
family ; Daniel Gage, Richard Gage, Deacon .\nios Gage, Josiah Gage.
Benjamin Gage, Deacon Barnabas Gibson, James Gibson, Phinelias
Goodhue, William Gordon, .\le.\ander Graham, Josiah Guttenson, .lona-
than Grilhn, Phincas llamblet, lieuben liambht, Xathaniel Ilaseltine,
Major Thonuis Hardy, Simon Hardy, Noah Hardy, Jedediali Har.ly,
William Hardy, Cyrus Hardy, James Hardy, James Hobbs, Enoch
Howard, .Samuel Howanl, John Hoyt, William .lohnsou, Phinehas
Kimball, Ziba Kimball, Benjamin Kimball, John Kimball, Thomas
Knowlton, Asa Knowlton, Amos Kemp, Jacob Mareh, Noah JIarsh,
John Marsh, Diulley Marsh, Zebulon ,'>lay, John Mills, Jonathan
Morgan, Lieutenimt Robert Nevens, Ebenezer Palmer, Daniel Richard-
son, Eitekiel Richardson, Thomas Richardson, Thomas SpotTord, Edward
Tenny, Jonathan Tenny, Thomas Thistle, Nathan Whitim. Captain
Jesse Wilson, John Williams, Joseph Wright, John Wyuian.
The same spirit of patriotism and alacrity in meet-
ing the calls of country was exhibited in the War of t
the Rebellion. Partisan spirit was intense. The dif-
ferences of opinion about the causes of the war were
pronounced ; hut when the flag was tired ujion at
Sumter, these were all sunk in one united de-
votiim to the integrity of our government, and the
dominant sentiment was most forcibly voiced in a
toast of a distinguished citizen on the 4th of July,
1861 : " Union first, compromise afterwards."
The following is the list of the soldiers from Pel-
ham :
Benjamin F, Beau, Joseph W. Bright, Willis G. Bnrnham, Edwin S.
Burnham, Frank E. Butler. Charles W. Butler, WilliaTU W, Butler,
James Carey, Kimball . I. Chaplin, Benjamin Chase, Isiiac II. Daniels,
Edward Dow, .\lon7o KllenwfXid, Frank M. Kllenwoorl, .losiahS. Everett.
Daniel B. Fox, (ieorge H. Gage, William II. liage, Ezekiel C. Ga^e,
Warren W. Herbert, Horace W. Humphrey, Charles W. Hobbs, George
C. Jackman, George B. Johnson, M. Charles Kent. Joseph F. Lamson,
David Lee, Sidney J. Lyon, David A. McCoy, James E. >IcCoy, tirlon
Moore, Charles L. Moreland, George Jlareh, Edwanl Jloran, 5Iichael
5Iuriiiy, Alexander Peaslee, Charles \V. Philbriek, Russell O. Ri, hani-
son, Silas Richardson, Charles W. Sleeper, .Mfred S. Smith, Neil South-
erland, Orlando W. Spalding, Thomas S. .Spi-ar, William B. Thom, Videl
L. Thom, Isaiah Titcomb, William H. Tilcomb, Frank E. Titconil.,
Charles P. Titcomb. .Michael Tulley, .\ndrew C. I'phain, Lyman 0. Web-
ster, Mark H. Webster, Charles Wheeler, (ieorge W. Wilkins, Oilman H.
Woodbury. .John M. Woods.
Growth, Development and Change.— For several
years after the incorjjoration of the town there were
deer wardens, surveyors of lirick and leather, cullars
of staves and fish wardens. Tythingmen were chtisen
till the year 1838.
Jn 17G4, " Voted to Reserve ail the limlier and wood
now Growing and standing in tlie liiglnvays in this
town for the me ami benefit of the Heparing the
highways iil said town."
In 1792 it was voted to work out jiart of the high-
way money in the winter.
In 179G it was voted that slieeji shall not go at large
from May till October.
In 1798 the town voted to clear the brooks so thai
the fish might have a " clear passage.'' The same
year there was an article in the warrant to see if the
town will vote to raise money to purchase ammuni-
4
1
PELHAM.
645
tion, and also provide a place to keep a stock. This
was defeated ; but iu 1809 it was voted to leave it
witli the selectmen to provide a niaprazine.
In 1800 tlie town voted "to i)ay the expenses of the
soldiers on muster-day."
The intensity of tlie ecclesiastical feeling is indi-
cated by another vote of this same year, which was
"not to pay Joshua .-Vtwood the expense of the din-
ner for the council .ibout Mr. Smith."
In 1807 the town voted not to buy a heai-se ; but in
1815 voted one hundred and fifty dolhirsfor a hearse.
8ome years after, the body of tliis was put on run-
ners for winter use, and a new hearse was built by
Mr. Asa Davis Hutlcr. In 18G5 a new hearse was
purcha.sed for six hundred dollars ; Major John Wood-
bury and Mr. Alfred S. Smith were the agents that
made the purchase. In 1882 a winter hearse was
purchased at an expense of two hundred dollars.
In the earlier days the farmers went with their ox-
teams to Haverhill, Old Salem and Boston to mar-
ket. Until within the last twenty-five years the ox
performed all the lalior of the farm. A yoke of oxen
and a horse hauled the wood to market. Now, labor
of all kinds is performed by horses. Twenty-five
years ago there were but twoor three covered i-arriages
in town. Now, every fanner has one. In the same
period there has been either a rebuilding or remodel-
ing of nearly every dwelling-house and barn in
town, and machinery has come to facilitate ail tiie
labor of tlie farm. In the earlier days of the town
the water of nearly every brook in town was utilized
for a saw-mill. Now, very often, steam mills are set
up in the wood lot, and the lumber of a number of
acres sawe<l in a few weeks. The first century of the
town's history was distinguished by the construction
of roads. In 182")-2i) two routes of public travel
from Lowell, north and northeast, were improved, —
the present Mammoth and (/cntral roads. — tlie one
constituting a public thoroughfare to Concord, the
other to Dover and Portsmouth. Lines of stjtges
went over each of these roails. At a later date the
stage over the Central road was called the " Chicken
Line," from the anumnt of poultry expressed over it.
On tlie Mammolh were some famous liostelries, nota-
lily the one at North Peiham, kept, for a time, by
the late Jesse Gibson, Esq. It was a satisfaction for
Mr. and Mrs. (iilison, in their old age, to tell how
President Jackson, I^evi Woodbury, Isaac Hill and
Daniel Welistcr had received tlic liosjiitalilics oftlieir
house.
The Centre luul two public inns and was the resort
of the neighboring towns for the recreations of elec-
tion-days. The speed of horses would be tried on the
plain, and the strength of parties tested in wrestling
inalclics. It also furnislicil favorable grounds for the
autumn musters.
On the ])lace formerly owned by Samuel Hoblis
and later by his son. Moody Hobbs, there is a stone
known as the "lifting stone." The early proprietor
of the place is said to have tested the strength of his
help by this.
That the Indians once had their homes here is evi-
dent from Indian names. Golden Brook, is so called
from an Indian who lived by it. The siteof his wigwam
is still to be seen, a little to the southeast of the
Moody Hobbs place.
Mr. William W. Butler has an interesting collec-
tion of Indian relics that he has gathered from his
farm. Dr. Batchelder has a large number and variety
in his cabinet, (iurapas Pond and Hill, as well as
•leremie's Hill, perpetually remind of the original in-
habitants of this town.
The first settlers not only endured the privations
and hardships incident to the making their homes in
the wilderness but perils from wild beasts. The wife
of lyieutenant Tlio. Gage, who was lost in the French
and Indian War, had been to visit a neighbor on the
other side of Beaver Brook from the Centre. On re-
turning to her home, on Baldwin Hill — there was no
habitation on the way — she was suddenly startled by
hearing footsteps behind her, which she discovered to
be a bear, and with difficulty kept him at bay till .she
reached her home. Mrs. (jage w^is a woman of great
energy. She went to Boston on horseback, and car-
ried thread and yarn of her own manufacture, and
bought nails to build a house, which is said to be the
house on the place owned at present by Mr. Under-
wood.
.lonathan, her son, a captain in the Revolutionary
War, was the first male child born after the incorpora-
tion of the town. Mrs. G.ige's life had severe ex-
periences. Besides the loiss of her husband in the
French and Indian War, her son, John Gage, a young
man with a family, perished in the snow, .lanuary 26,
17()"), aged twenty-seven. He had been, with his grist
on his back down in Dracut, (to what, iu these later
years, has been known as Lawson's,) to mill. He had
returned nearly to his home, where he was found the
next morning.
In the door-yard of the place where the late
Major Daniel Atwood lived, a bear was shot by
Simon Beard, the kiiol) of his firr-sliovcl serving in-
stead of a bullet.
There is a story of an attack upon the cattle of
Butler and Hamblet by wolves. The cattle of both
families ranged the woods west of their settlement,
in the direction of Guinpas Pond. One Sabbath a loud
bellowing was heard; a young man from each of the
families seized his gun and started in the direction of
the pond. Ujion entering the forest tliey met the
cattle coming in great haste, the cows ahead in single
file, then the young cattle in the same order, some
with their heads scratched and bloody. Following
these was a cow, also siratched and bloody, with a
young calf before her; behind her four oxen alireiusl,
with bloody heads, and in the rear of the oxen three
angry, growling wolves. The young men discliarge<l
their guns and the wolves fled.
G4i!
IILSTOEY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The old town records are exceedingly interesting
and suggestive. SulIi are the t'ollnwing:
" May the 27, 1700.
'* This Day Hujjh Tallt;iit Li^ft tlio mark ofaU his creatore, which is a
hole thruu the Riglit Kar."
" April y 5, 1777.
"Tliis Day the Rov<i. M'. Amo6 Moody I.eft the :\lark of all liis Crea-
tiiree, which is a Swallow's tale on the End of Both Kai-s."
So too is the following, which is very frequent in
the records of the first fifty years :
" I'Ki.iiAM, May the If., 1758.
".John Wehber and his wife and family, Late of metlmen, was warned
out of S^i town by Beiyanun Barker, one of the cunataMes for the present
year."
So too the following, several of which ai'pear in the
records of each year, from 1790, for twenty-five
vears :
" Peiham, Sept. the 8th, 1800.
"To all whom it may concern, the Subscribers recommend Moses
Whiting, of Pelham, Living a few rods east of the meeting-house in S**
town, on the road leading from Nottingham West to Haverhill, as being
well Qualilied for retailing foreign distilled spirits and wines. Approved
by lis,
*'WlLLl.\M Wym-VN, ) Selectmen
** Bl:sj.\. II.\MnLET, / of Pelham. .
" Bf,xj.\. B.^rker, Toten Clerl:."
March, 1752, the town " Voted to William Elliott
tour shilling.? a Dinner for Mr. Hobbs, upon the Sab-
bath." At the same meeting " Voted to Henry Bald-
win, Esq., thirteen pounds, old tenor, for finding
Licker for the ordation " (ordination).
1790, " Voted, to rectify the pound, but not to ap-
point a person to take care of it."
1791, the pound was moved into Mr. I'ergusou's
field, the back side of the meeting-house.
Quaint Persons. — The town prolialily has had the
usual projioi-lio]! of such. Trailiticju brings several
anecdotes of Preceptor Hardy. He was very scholarly
but possessed of little ]>ractical knowledge. He could
not harness or care for his horse. He had but small
estimate of the value of money. His father. Adju-
tant Hardy, had a nice pair of velvet breeches. On
going for them, they could not be found. The great
query with the family was. What had l)cci)me of them?
when Daniel remarked that a man had come along
begging for a pair, and he had given him those.
There is an authentic story of a good man who
lived on Baldwin's Hill, who was so scrupulous in
the observance of East Day that he gave his cattle
nothing to eat till night, and, on calling into a
neighbor's on his return Irom the religious services
of the day, remarked, " that nothing had passed his
lips that day but tobnccn, and nothing would till sun-
down."
The Faithless Lover.— In the long agii a school
mistress on Baldwin's Jlill used to knit going to and
returning fnini her dinner, nearly a mile distant, lor
a young man in college, who failed to make real the
expectations he had aroused.
The provincial rt>cords of New Hampshire con-
tain a few interesting census items of Pelham.
"1773. Unmarried men from 10 to CO 49
Blarried men from 10 to GO 95
Boys, ir> years and under 108
Men, 00 years and upwards 21
Females, unmarried 193
Females, married 114
Widows 12
Men slaves 1
Female slaves . 1
Total 684
"JosiAll Gaoe, .
"Moses Eaton, j *''«<""'"■"
" To the Honorable Ccmmiltee of Safety for the Province of New Namp-
ehire :
"Gentlemen, — In Compliance to a Resolve of Congress at Exeter, we
have taken an exact account of Every Soul belonging to the Town of iM
Pelham, viz., — *
" Males under 10 is 206
From 10 to oil is ii->
Males above ."iO is 40
Males in the army is 29
Females is 362
Total .
. 749
"X.B. — The Quantity of Powder taken, by estimation as near as possi-
ble, is 28 lbs.
Guns fit for use 110
Guns wanting is 40
" The above account taken by us this 12th day of Septr, 177.i.
".Iames GlHSON,
".\mos Gage,
" P. BicuARnsoN, Jr.,
SeUctmen
Pelham.
"Pelham, Scptr. y 12th. 177."..
'* This day Personally and Sevfiuliy Appeared before nie, the Subscriber,
the above-uanied Selectmen, And made oath to the contents uf the above
Number of Suiil^takyn by them to be a true account.
"D.KNiEL Harkeb, Toicn Clerk.'''
" Pelham, May 27th, 1786.
"The following is a True List of the Number of Inhabitants of the
Town of Pelham :
Number of mala aoA
Number of feniuls 20G
Number of children 4i>4
Total .
"D.\NIEL RlCHAUOSON,
"James FEnaueoN,
}/;
Selectmen
'or Pelham/
Mr. Warren Sherburne has this ancient paper, — a
highway list of 1709, —
" The pROviNCK ok New IIampkhuu:.
" To James Sherburne, one of the Burveyors uf the highways for the
Town of Pelham, Greeting: Yon are heix*by retjuirt-d, in his Mjtjejrty'*
Name, to warn all the Peivuns in the within list to work out their pro-
portion of the highway lUtes.
" Beginning at Nottingham lino by Jewell's, and so by your own house;
from thi-nci- to the meeting-houtte and to the road which comes from John
Itiitler'g, and if any Perstm or IVrsons Neglect or Refuw to work his or
their Proportion of the S'l Ilateit on the higtiwaye, you are to deal with
him or them according to the directions of Ihc Law, whereof fail not,
and make Ueturn of this warrant with your doings unto un. the sub-
scriWrs, at or l>efore the firet I'ay of March Next ensuing the date hereof,
(iiveii under our hand and seal thii<i twentyoth Day of March, and in the
niiiili year of his Majesly'n Keign, Domini, 17i»ii.
" Labor at three shillings Pr day for a nuin, and one shilling and six
penee I'r day for a Pair of oxen.
" Work to be done in June, September and October.
'*Sami*ki. Huti.kr, )
"BAUNADA8 Gibson J ^'^*^"""'-
"James Sherburne, Thoma-s Jewell, Benoni Jewell, Mark (Jould, Lot
Siuuldiiig, Joseph Wright, Joshua ILimblet, ('apt. William Richardson,
Asa M. Richardson, Kbenezur Parmer, William Wyman, Simeon Beard,
Kleayjir Whiting."
^^!<^>j
^^
£^
!
i
PELHAM.
647
**ALlstof tho highway Rate mado and coiniiiitti^d to colli>ct and
Mr. William W. Butler hius in his possession a ileed
01 his farm, jjivfii in 1732, and the property has since
been in the possession of the Butler family. The
mills at North Pelham, owned by the estate of Asa
Davis Butler, have been the property of that family
since 17;{7. They have an old deed of that date,
given by .lohu and Samuel to Joseph Butler, so that
it has really been the property of the Butler family
from an earlier date.
The farm in the west part of the town owned by
Mr. Warren Sherburne has been, with the exception
of a single year, in the .Sherburne name since 1751,
and Mr. Sherburne has a deed of that date.
The farm of (lajitain .lesse Wilson has been the
property of the Wilson family from about the time of
the incorporation of the town, and Captain Wilson
has in his possession a deed thus ancient.
There are a number of ancient houses in town.
The one on tlie Hadley farm has a tablet in it, placed
there by Mrs. Belinda Butler Hadley, certifying that
the house was erected in 1770, and was the home of
Daniel Butler and Molly Tenney, his wife, and tliat
thirteen children were born to them there.
The house where Dr. Reuben Dimond Mussey was
born (June 23, 17S0) is still standing on the place
owned by Mr. Daniel Pearsons. Dr. Mussey was
wont to yearly visit it.
Just below where Dr. Mussey lived, on the jilace
now owned by Mr. Underwood, there was an exten-
sive tannery, where a dozen hands were employed.
Captain Jonathan (Jage carried on the business.
Cooperage wius (|uite an industry of the town.
There wsis also the manufacture of pearlash.
Hats were manufactured in tcjwn. Deacon Charles
Stiles had a shop at his place on the Mammoth road
and worked at the business till 1870. Jesse Gibson
Esq., carried on the harness busine.ss at North I'elham.
At two dillererit times there has been a cotton-fac-
tory at Butler's Mills, which has had the misfortune
to be burnt. The last one was burnt in 1S71.
A short distance below Butler's Mills there w:ls a
carding-mill, which, in later years, wjis altered into a
woolen-factory. A few years since this was burnt
and hius not since been rebuilt.
Running across the easterly part of the town is a
ledge 111' granite. The working of this ledge has been
an important industry. The stone to build the dam
at Lawrence wsls hauled from Gage Hill, in the north-
east part of the town, and that to build the reservoir
at Lowell was taken from the ledge of Miss Sarah
Lyon, in the south part of the town. Just on the bor-
der of the town, mar .Mr. .Vbrabam Tallent's, there
was a brick-yard.
The cobbler with his kit of tools and the tailoress
with her goose, going from house to himse and tarry-
ing while they prepared shoes and garments for the
family, were inslitutions of the past.
BIO&RAPHICAL SKETCHES.
REV. AUUfSTUS BERKV.
Rev, Augustus Berry was born in Concord, on whikt
is known as Dimond Hill, October 7, 1824. His
parents were Washington Berry and ^laria Dale
Berry. His father was a native of .Middleton, Mass.,
which was the home of his ancestors. His mother,
of Salem, Mass., which was the home of her ancestors.
His father returned to his native place in 1828, and
moved to Hennikcr, to a farm in the southwest
part of the town, known as the .Judge Wallace place,
in 1833. This was the home of his parents for more
than thirty years. The a.ssociations of his boy-
hood, youth and early matihood are at Henniker.
In boyhood he had a passionate love of books, and
read much though laboring hard on the farm. Once
having severely wounded one of his limbs, the
thought quickly flashed through his mind, as an
ample compensation for all confinement anil sutler-
ing, " now I shall have time to read."
He Wits very desirous to get an education. He
walked, several terms, three miles to the village to
attend the academy. If he went to college he must
depend mainly upon himself for the means. He re-
solved to try. At an early age he commenced to
teach in the district school. He taught a number of
months at Amherst and made there many valualde
friendships. His studies, preparatory for college,
were ])ursued mainly at Francestown Academy. He
graduated at Amherst College in the class of 1851,
with a high rank in scholarshi[). During his college
course he taught four successful fall terms in the old
academy at Hennikcr. On graduating he accepted
the charge of the academy at Limerick, Me., and the
school goon had an unprecedented patronage. At
the end of the second year he left in the face of an
urgent invitation to remain. In the spring of 1854
he accepted the charge of the academy at Lyndon,
Vt., and remained till the summer of 1855, when he
became principal of .\ppleton Academy, at Mont
Vernon, where he remained five years, and left to
enter the ministry. He was a popular and successful
teacher. More than a thousand dillerent pupils have
been un<ler his inslruclion, a large mimber of whi>m
have filled and are filling important positions in
society. A brief (piolation from a private letter of u
pupil who has attained reputation at the bar, and now
has a high ]iosition in the .Tn<lieiary of the State of
New York, will indicate something of llie character
of his teaching. lie says, '" I h.ave learned to value
the ed'ort you always seemed (o niake to distinguish
between individual minds and to seek to meet their
special aptitudes. To my mind this is the secret of
all valuable instruction in school or elsewhere. I
can say with confidence that under your instruction
more than anywhere else I received that training and
648
HlSTOllY OF HlLLSBUliULfGH COUNTY, NEW HAMFSHIKE.
disci])liiie in bubits of thought \vlii( li liavc bien use-
ful to me in ail my pursuits."
In 1857 he received a license to preach, and fre-
•luently sujiplied the pulpit in Mont Vernon and
neighboring towns. In the autumn of 1860 he went
to Andover and remained during the .seminary year,
jind attended the lectures of the middle and senior
classes. In October, 1861, he was settled over the
church in I'elham, where he is still pastor. As a
writer he is distinguished for perspicuity and purity
of style. His pi-oductions are characterized by a ful-
ness of thought. A ministerial brother, pastor of an
important city church, and whose reputation its
scholar, critic and {)reacher is acknowledged, gives
the following estimate of him : " He is held in pecu-
liar esteem by those who have become familiar with
his mental qualities and habits. There is unfailing
freshness in his thinking, because he holds his mind
unvaryingly open to the acquisition of new truth.
With a sound scholarship and broad reading he holds
the field of knowledge a broad one and still open for
conquest. He evinces a remarkable spirit of candor
in dealing with the living is.sues of the day, and with
a commendable modesty in the estimate put upon his
own attainments, shows a jiower of penetration and
sound judgment not often surpassed. The fairness
and kindness of his consideration for others is re-
warded by a universal regard on the part of his
brethren in the ministry."'
He was married to Miss Dora Richardson Snow, of
Peterborough, November 24, 1853. She died March
15, 1873. January 30, 1877, he married Miss Mary
Currier Kiehardson, of I'elham.
Apart from the specific duties of his pastorate, he
has maintained a living interest in the cause of edu-
cation, and kept himself familiar with the new-
methods of instruction and the educational thought
of the present time. The subject of agriculture, both
practical and scientitic, engages his attention, and he
makes the social problems of the age his study.
Of a retiring disposition, he has never sought place
or position. With a passionate love of nature, and
courting the retirement that a country life furnishes
for study, he ha.s had no other ambition than to faith-
fully serve in the gospel ministry an intelligent, agri-
cultural population, who have ever been very chari-
table towards him and considerate of him.
■I<>HS WOODBURY.
The Woodbury family is of English descent, mem-
bers of which emigrated to America as early as the
year 162(), and many of them have since been promi-
nent in law, politics, &c. John Woodbury, of Som-
ersetshire, England, who was among the first settlers
of Salem, Ma.ss., has numerous de.scendants in New-
England. He wa-s a man of considerable ability; was
admitted freeman in 1630 and was a representative to
the general court in 1635 and 1638. A namesake,
.lohn Woodbury, of Salem, had a son, Isaiah Wood-
bury, who married Lois, daughter of Captain Israel
Woodbury, another branch of the Woodbury family
of Salem.
John Woodbury, son of Isaiah and Lois (Wood-
bury) Woodbury, was born in Cornish, N. H., March
25, 1819. His father dying when he was but eight
months old, under the pressure of limited circum-
stances, John was obliged, while but a mere lad, to
labor; and, at the age of six years, his mother re-
moving to Salem, N. H., he went to live with an
uncle in Haverhill, Mass., with whom he remained
five years, working on the lium ; from there he re-
moved to Salem, and was with another uncle for four
years. During this time his advantages for education
were limited to the district schools of the towns
where he resided. When he was fifteen he went to
Methuen, Mass., to learn the shoemaker's trade,
which he mastered thoroughly in all its details.
Here he remained for about two years, then came
to Pelham, where he worked at his trade oue year,
and continued at shoemaking and farming for a year '
or more in Salem and Pelham.
At this time, having saved some money and feeling
the need of education, he attended the New Hampton
Academy for the summer term. In the fall of 1838
he was employed in the famous Saxonville Mills,
where he continued three years. Returning to Pel-
ham he established himself as a butcher in the east
part of the town, and after being there a year and a
half, he came to Pelham Centre and carried on
butchering for four years. In 1847 he commenced
trade as a merchant in Pelham and continued mer-
chandising for over thirty years, when he retired
from business life and devoted himself to agricultural
pursuits, more from a desire to be active and to be
engaged in work than from any expectation of gain.
Mr. Woodbury married, December 26, 1843, Betsy
A., daughter of Captain Samuel Hobbs, a life-long
resident of Pelham. They have had four children, —
John Otis (who died December 11, 1871), Alice A., i
Mrs. Ezekiel C. Gage (she hiis one child, Frank P.)
Frank M. (the present postmaster, and who suc-
ceeded his father in busines-s), Eli/.a II., Jlrs. Wil-
liam H. Peabody, (she has two chiUlren, Harry O.
and Frederick H.)
Mr. Woodbury has been largely indentified with
the affairs of the town of his adoption ; has frequently
been called upon to discharge important local trusts,
which have been uniformly done to the satisfaction of
his con.stituents. He was town clerk twenty years
consecutively; treasurer for fourteen years; select-
man for six years; was moderator eleven, and post-
master for many years. In his political belief he is a
Democrat, and as such represented Pelham in 1857,
"58, '75 and '7(i. He is a prominent Freemason and a
member of Pilgrim Commandery of Lowell, Mass.
He has taken much interest in the military organiza-
tion of the State and has held important official
I'ELHAM.
(;4»
|M(»itioiis,— inljutant and major in tlie Eighth Regi-
ment llilitia and was a member of General Joshua
AlwDod's stall' and Inspector in Third Brigade, New
Hiiiuiishire Militia.
Mr. \Vocidl)iiry is liberal in religion, not a member
ol" anv church, and believes as long as a niau acts
according to his convictions and does his duty faith-
fully iu the station to which he is called or circum-
stances have [ilaced him, that the i>articular denomi-
nation is of little worth, but that we shall be judged
by deeds and m.i creed. He occupies a high position
in the esteem of the worthy citizens of Pclhani. He
is modest and nn|iretentious, social, genial, hospi-
table, upright and honorable, and possessed of great
sympathy and kindness of heart. A good citizen
and an honest man, he has always acted up to the
Scriptural command, "owe no man anything," and
by his own unaided exertions, perseverance and
ability, has acquired a comfortable independence.
HISTORY OF PETERBOROUGH.
CHAPTER r.
PETERBOROUGH.
Original Grant— Name of Town— The First Settlements— Names of Pio-
neers — Incorporation of Town — Finst Town-Meeting— Officers elected
— Town Clerks— Selectmen — Representatives.
The town of Peterborough lies in the western part
of the county, and is bounded as follows:
North, by Hancock and Greenville ; east, by Green-
ville and Temple ; south, by Temple and Sharon ;
and west by Cheshire County.
The original grant of this township was made by
the Legislature of Massachusetts to Samuel Heyward
and others, December 8, 1737, approved by Governor
Belcher, January 16, 1738, and surveyed in May fol-
lowing. The survey was accepted and the grant
confirmed June 14, 1738. Proprietors' meetings were
held in Boston until 1753. On the 26th and 27th of
September in that year a meeting was held in the
town, at which time the name Peterborough first
appears on the proprietors' records. It is probable
that it wa.s named in honor of Chailes Mordaunt,
Earl of Peterborough.
The settlement of the jirovince line in 1741 decided
the t(nvn to be within the limits of New Hampshire.
Being within the limits of the Masonian proprietors'
claim, a settlement with them became necessary, and
means were used which resulted in procuring a quit-
claim to all the territory in town but three thousand
four hundred iicrcs.
The First Settlements. — The adventurous spirits
who threaded their way through the wilderness, and
first located in what is now the town of Peterborough,
were William Robbe, Alexander Scott, Hugh Gregg,
William Gregg, Samuel Stinson, William Scott, Wil-
liam Wallace and Wallin Mitchcl, in 173*t. These
pioneers, however, made no permanent settlement.
The tract was subsequently visited by others, but no
permanent settlement was etfected until the year
1749, after the cessation of hostilities between Great
Britain and France and the settlement of the claims
of the Masonian proprietors.
The following is a list of the early settlers from
1749, taken from Smith's ''History of Peterborough:"
William Ritchie came from Lunenburg, Mass.,
where he paid a jioll-tax in 1746, to Peterborough
650
with his family, probably in 1749. and settled on the
Ritchie farm, so called, in the south part of the town.
His son John was born February 11, 1750, the first
child born in town.
Deacon William McNee moved his family here
May 1, 1752, and settled in the south part of the
town. He removed from Roxbury, in Massachusetts.
Deacon William McNee, Jr., was twelve years of
age when his father removed to Peterborough. He
removed to Dublin in 1760, and after remaining
there a few years, returned to Peterborough, where
he died. His oldest child, Robert, was the first male
child born in Dublin.
Joseph Caldwell (called Ensign), supposed to have
occupied the Pitman Nay farm, which he sold, and
which jiassed into the hands of Deacon William
MeNee, Jr., about 1765 or 1766. He erected the first
buildings on this farm. He removed from town
about 1770.
John Taggart came with his family, about May 1,
1752, from Roxbury, Mass., having bought a framed
hou.se that had been built on the Caldwell place, and
removed it to his lot in 1751. He is represented in
the "History of Duldin" as residing in Peterbor-
ough and Sharon till 1797, when he removed to
Dublin, where he died November 15, 1832, aged
eighty-two years.
Ciustavus Swan began the Samuel Morison place, in
the south [lart of the town, and came to town from
Lunenburg al)out the year 1750, before the birth of
his second child, Robert, in 1752. He went early to
New York to make Ijrick, and his father, "old John
Swan," came from Lunenburg and lived and died ou
that place. He wiis the progenitor of all the Swans in
this town. The place was sold liy his son. Lieutenant
John Swan, to Aaron Brown and a Mr. Stowell in
1774. Brown lived on it before the l{evolution. He
was one of the selectmen in 1776. The same place
was occupied a few years by JIathew Wallace, and
then sold to Samuel Morison in 1789.
William Stuart came from lAinenburg about 1750.
He was the father of Thomas and Charles Stuart.
He died March 15, 1753, aged fifty-three. He was
the first man who died in the town. He was buried in
the little cemetery on Meeting-House Hill.
AVilliam Smith, son of Robert Smith, of Lunen-
rETEKBOUOUGH.
651
burg, settled on the west side of the street road, in
the south jiart ol' the town, in 1751, or possibly in
1750, as he was married Deeeniber 31, 1751, and at
that time began lite with his wile on this place. The
estate remained in the family till 1873.
Samuel Miller (spelled formerly Millow), a race en-
tirely tlistinot from the other race of the same name
in this town, though both came from Londonderry, re-
moved to the town in 1753, before the birth of his
daughter Ann, in 1754. He settled on the ejist side
.if the street road and liad twelve children, the first
' Ight of whom w;ere born in Londonderry.
Tliomas Cunningham emigrated from the north of
Ireland, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He came
to Peterborough probably ab(jut 1750. He left a fam-
ily of eight children. He died in Peterborough, Sep-
tember 23. 1790, aged eighty-four. The name of
Cunningham was originally pronounced in Peter-
borough, " Kinnacum."
Alexander Scott was among the five who made the
first attempt at settlement in town in 173!i. He,
antl probably the others, came from Lunenburg or
Townsend. Little else was done e.xcept to purchase
the land and make a beginning. He settled on the
west side of the street road, south of the Captain
Wilson farm, in 1750 or 1751, and kept a tavern, as it
wa.s called in those days. The proprietors of the
town met at his lumse September 20, 1753. He was
a relative of William Scott, who came to Peter-
borough from Hopkinton. He afterwards lived eiist
of the old cemetery, and about 17(;0 removed to
Dublin. He was the father of Major William Scott.
.lames Uobbe, supposed to be a son of William and
.\gnes (Patterson) Uobbi', settled the Thomas Cald-
well place. After 1774 his name does not appear on
the town records, nor is anything known of him after
this. He has the births of three children recorded
in 17tiO, '02, '04.
.lohn White came about 1700. His first seven
chililren were born in I^unenburg, — date of the hist
birth, November 4, 1751). Two children were born
alter his removal to Peterborough ; viz., Susan (mar-
ried David Grimes) and Dr. Jonathan White. Jere-
miah Oridley and John Hill deeded to him the lot,
on whicli he settled, of two hundred and sixty-eight
acres, May 5, 1702.
.loliii .Morison, the progenitor of the Peterborough
Morisims, came somewhere from 174!i to 1751, and
occupied the jilace afterwards owned by Deacon
Robert Morison. He was one of the first settlers of
Lonilonderry, and resided there about thirty years
before his removal to Peterborough, and then became
one of the first settlers of this town, anil lived here
twenty-six or twenty-seven years before his death,
1770, aged ninetycight.
Jonathan Jlorison, his son, probably came at the
time his father did. He built the first grist-mill in
town, on the site of the " Peterborough First Kae-
lory," in 1751, and was for a time the owner of the
42
mill lot, so called, which he purchased of Gor-
don, of Dunstable, containing sixty-eight acres, which
he sold to James and Thomas Archibald, saddled
with a mortgage to Gordon and Hugh Wilsoiu
He was the first male child born in Londonderry.
He left Peterborough late in life. Supposed to have
died somewhere in Vermont, about 1778.
Captain Thom;(s Morison came from Lnncnliurg
in 174".i and built a house made of hard i)iiie logs
ten inches square, and moved his family in the fall
of 1750, and his son Thomas was born in town April
20, 1751. He occupied what was called the "Mill
farm," South Peterborough.
John Smith, son of Robert Smith, came from Lu-
nenburg in 1753 and settled on the place so long occu-
pied by William Smith, his son, in the south part of
the town. He raised a large family.
Deacon Thomas Davison wiis born in Ireland, and
first settled in Londonderry on his emigration, but
removed to Peterborough aljout 1757, soon after his
marriage. His first child was born December 20,
175X. He settled a lot in the .southwest part of the
town, and owned a large tract of land bordering on
Jaffrey. He had a large family; was a deacon in the
Presbyterian Church.
Thomas Turner was born in Ireland in 1725, and
was accompanied by his parents when he emigrate<l
to America, both of whom died in town. He came
probably in 1751 or 1752. When the proprietors of
PeterVdirough met in town, September, 1753, they
granted him fifty acres, or lot 92, adjoining his lot
No. 29, in consideration of his relinquishing to them
lot No. 7, of fifty acres.
Deacon Samuel Mitchell came in 1759. He bought
of James and Thomas Archibald the " Mill farm.'' so
called, of sixty-eight acres, on which had been built
some years before, by Jonathan Morison, the first
grist-mill in town.
William Scott emigrated to .\nurica, accompanieil
by his father's family, in 1730, and lirst lived in Ho|>-
kinton, and is represented as one of the very first
settlers of Peterborough. He took up his lot on the
north side of the road, and between Carter and Hunt
Corners. He left a large family. Me lived and died
on this place.
William Mitchell, father to Isaac Mitchell, began
the James Wilson place. Isaac succeeded his father,
and next (bllowed James Wilson.
Rev. Mr. Harvey, called "old Mr. Harvey," prob-
ably began what was afterwards known as the Hutit
farm. He Wiis aucceeded by James Houston, black-
smith.
Samuel Stin.son was one of the tirst settlers in town,
and probably took up his permanent residence in
1749, with his family. He settled on the John Little
place, north of the Meeting-IIousc Hill. Moor Stinson
was surveyor in 1707, and Jumcrs Stinson in 1773.
These are the only notices of the name on the town
records.
652
HI8T0KY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSUlllE.
William Robbc canu' lioin Lunenburg in 17:59, but
probably did little else but prepare lor tbe settlement.
He is the progenitor of all the Robbes in town. He
was driven away l)y fear of the Indian.s, and did not
return for a permanent residence with his family till
1749— ")0. He settled on land west and north of the
John Little place, afterwards called the •'Mitchell
tarm."
Samuel Todd, son of Colonel Andrew Todd, of
Londonderry, began the Todd plaec, so called. It was
the first improvement made in this part of the town.
About 1751 or 1752, SamuclTodd and Deacon Samuel
Moore came and purclnised a lot of land, at a crown an
acre, of the proprietors, John Fowle, John Hill and
Jeremiah Gridley, for four hundred and thirty-nine
acres, com|)rising lots Nos. 57, 58, 6(), (J7, 68, according
to a deed dated November 15, 1753. This lot was in the
nortlnvest part of the town, and comprised the Todd
and Spring farms. They held it in common about ten
years, but divided it a short time before Samuel Todd
was killed l)y the falling of a tree. In the division
Moore took the westerly part, while Todd improved
the easterly.
Deacon Samuel Moore came to town in company
with Samuel Todd, and purchased land, as related
above. Deacon Moore, on account of the Indian
war, returned with his family to Londonderry in
1754, and remained there till about 1762 or 1763. He
lived on the westerly part of the lot originally pur-
chased, — the " Spring place," long since abandoned, —
on which he built a house. In 1779 he exchanged
this place with Dr. Marshall Spring, and began the
farm where Benjamin and Jonatlian Mitchell lived,
and died there.
John Ferguson came from Lunenburg, Ma.ss.
Tradition has it that he came to Peterborough before
there were any inhabitants in town, and lived three
months in a log cabin. If so, he was among the very
earliest pioneers of the town. He purchased six
hundred acres of land This he divided among his
children. He probably came to town as soon as it
was deemed safe affer the close of the French war.
David Bogle was at one time the owner of farm B,
drawn by John Hill, one of the i)roprietors. He had
two sons, Thomas and Joseph, and one young
daughter, named Martha.
James McKean came from Londonderry about
1765, and began the David Blanchard place.
.lotham Blanchard. We know nothing of liis
family or his antecedents, or the man, any farther
than is recorded in the town records. He was a
selectman in 1777, '78, '79; moderator in 1776, '77,
'78, '80, '81. He wiis elected a representative to a
convention held in 1783. With all these offices and
honors of the town, not the least trace has been dis-
covered in relation to him, as to where he came from,
the time he first appeared, or whether he had a
family, or what became of him after 1783, when he
disappeared.
Major Samuel Gregg came from Londonderry and
took up a tract of land in the north part of Peter-
borough, constituting a part of farm C, extending to
the Contoocook River, about three miles north of the
present village; the precise time is not known, but
probably before 1760. It is the same farm afterwards
owned by John S. White. His name does not aj>pear
on the town records till 1768.
Lieutenant John Gregg .settled on the same lot 0,
on the east side of the Contoocook, and just south of
Major Gregg, where his son, James Gregg, lived. It
was deeded to him by his father,. John Gregg, of
Londonderry, October 8, 1765. He came about 1759.
It appears that the whole farm C was deeded to John
Gregg by John Hill, of Boston, December 6, 1743, as
land granted to Samuel Hayward and others, — " East
Monadnicks."
Hugh Wilson came to town for a i>ermanent resi-
dence in 1752 or 17.')3. He bought three lots a mile
long that made six hundred acres, nearly a mile
square, in the north part of the town. This land, in
the early settlement, was supposed to be the most
desirable in town, but wa-s found by experience to be
cold, wet and unproductive. This was among the
first settlements in the north jjart of the town.
William McCoy was an early settler, and made one
of the first settlements on the East Mountain, on the
farm afterwards occupied by John Leathers. He
probably removed here in 1752 or 1753. All his chil-
dren were born here; the oldest born July 2, 1753.
George McClourge was an early settler, and settled
somewhere near the hill now known as the SlcClourge
Hill. Nothing more is known of him or Iiis family,
except the record of the births of six children from
August 22, 1752, to January 10, 1760.
Thomas McCloud settled in the east part of the
town; had a family of eight children, all born in
town, beginning with September 2, 1769, and ixtend-
ing to July 29, 1783.
Captain David Steele came from Londonderry,
with family, in 1760, and purchased the farm where
he always lived, — the same afterwards occupied by
General John Steele.
Samuel Miller purchased certain lots of land in the
north part of Peterborough, for his sons, from the
thrift and earnings of his wife in the manufacture of
linen.
Joseph Ilaiiimill, not far from 1770, began the
farm at Bowers Mill, so-called; built a saw-mill in
1778, and a grist-mill in 1781, and was the owner of
considerable land in the vicinity.
Major Robert Wilson removed to Peterborough
from West Cambridge, Mass., in 1761 or 1762, soon
after his marriage, and bought tlie farm and suc-
ceeded to Alexander Scott in a tavern a few rods
south of the Captain Wilson place, on the west side
of the road.
Dr. John Young came to town in 1763, from Wor-
cester, Mass., as a physician. He lived and owned
PETEllBOllUUCiH.
653
land at farter's Corner, it being a portion of the Mill
lot, lying on the east side of the C'ontoocook. j
??aiuuel Brackett came to town from Braintrec, i
Mass., soon after his marriage, December 17, 1765, j
and settled on a farm sitiiled on tlie north border of i
the Ciiningliani Pond. He reared a family of thir-
teen children.
Tlioniiis Little came to town in 1763 or 1764, from
Lunenburg, and settled on a lot of land east of the
John Little farm, long since abandoned.
Abraham Holmes removed to town from London-
derry about 176A. He settled in the north part of
the town, near the mills. He raised a family of
eleven children.
.Vbel Parker was an early settler. He began land
nil the Kast Mountain, probably before 1760.
Elijah PuH'er came from Norton, Mass., in 1764.
He first located himself north of tiie General David
Steele farm, which he cNchangcd with General Steele
for wild land in the northwest part of the town.
Peterborough was incorporated January 17, 1760, " to
be in continuance for two years only ; " it was, how-
ever, rechartered in April, 3762, to continue until
disallowed by the King.
The first town-meeting under the act of 1760 was
held March 1, 1760, ius follows:
all tile f recliulden and other IoliBbitant« Being met on Rd day sccord-
i,,.^ to tliK time nppointivl in the Wjtrruiit ; the Charter being read and
the meeting iH'iiig opened .lolin Fnrgiic(8on wiw chiiweii town clerit and
then itie tfelei't men uliicli were as followetli liugh Willt«on thoiiiad
luoriaon Joualliun raoriMU Gent° Joseph Caldwell ^t John Swan,
Jiin'., were the Select men that weaiv Cliow-n by vote, ft waa also
'■■•\ that Hugh Willsun Tlioina^ iiiorinoii ic Jonathan niorison
lit" John Smith Tho" Cuningimm Jc John Itiihlie, Should he Siirveyre
'•r the high ways tliiit year. William Kobbe .liin' CunHtable .lamea
Robl>e Jc Hugh Diinlap tithingiiifti. Tlio> arrhable .t John Robbe Hogg
Beifs fence viewers and Prisen*. voted thai Sum' mitehel Alexander
Rohlie i: Williani Smith he a Cotnmittee to recken with the old Conimit-
te.'. vote'l under the same Iniad that Williani ni'iiee William Smith and
III Robbe lie a cuminittee to invite regular miniiileni to Preach this
u, Ac."
Town Clerks. — The following ia a list of town
c li-rks from the incorporation of the town to the ])res-
riit time:
111 Ferguaon, 1760, '01, 'OJ, '(C!,
■4, '05, -60.
Samuel Mileholl, 1707, 'flS, '(HI, '71,
'Ti, '":>. '74, '75, '70, '77, '78, '711,
*1.
Matthew Wallaee, ITKl.
William Smith. ITK'J.
.Siniuel Cuiiingliam, 1783, '84, 'UTi,
■wi.
Thomaa Steele, 1787, '88, '89, '90,
"11, ''J2, ".13, '94, '95, '96, '97, '98,
'M, 18110, '01, '02, 'lO, '(«, '13.
John Steele, ISO.'., '00, '07, '08, '(»,
'10, '11, '12, '14, "16, '17, '18, '19,
'20.
Paniel .Vbbot, ISI.'..
Nathaniel Holinea, Jr., 1821, '22.
I Stephen P. .Steele, 18'i), "i4, '24,
! '20, '27, '28.
CyruH IngalU, 182!l, '3(1, '31, '32.
RufiiK Korbush, I8;i:i, '34, ':io, '30,
'oO, '.-.1, :a, 'Xi, '64, •&•!, '.'.O, '57,
'68, '50, 'fin, '01, '1«, '(«, 'M, '05,
00.
i Houdy Davia, 1837, '38.
I A. (;. DIodgcIt, I83<.l, '40.
Saniuol (iatea, l»ll, '42, '43, '44,
'46, '40, '47, '48, '4il.
Kendall ('.. Scott, 1807.
Daniel W. Ijoiild, 1808.
Samuel N. Porter, I80!l.
tliarUw .\. Amea, 1870.
John II. Steele, 1871, '72, '73, '74,
j '76, '70, '77, '78, '79, '80, '81, '82,
I '83, '84.
Selectmen. — The following is a list of the selectmen
from the incorporation of the town to the present
time :
Hugh Wilson, 1700, (H, '72.
Thonian >lori9un, 1700, '05, '00,
'73, '7',i.
Jonathan Morioon, I70O.
Joselih Caldwell, 17C0, '07.
John Swan, Jr., 17r>0.
John Smith, 1701, '73.
Williani Mained, 1701.
W illiam Smith, 1701, '07, '69, '71,
'72, '73, 77, '78, '82.
John Taggart, Jr., 1701, '08.
Jamea Robbe, 1701.
Samuel .Mitchell, 1702, '60, '77, '78,
SO.
William Ritchie, 1762.
John Morison, 1702.
William Robbe, Jr., 1702, '00, '74,
'7.-I, '77, '78, '85, '80.
John Gregg, 1762, 'OI!, '67.
Samuel Sloore, 1703, '72.
Hugh Gregg, 1703.
Alexander Robbe, 1703, '69, '71,
■72, '8:!, '81, '85, '80.
Thomaji ('uniughaiii, 17(i3.
Samuel Todd, 1704.
John Cochnin, 1704.
John White, 1704, '73.
John While, Jr., 1787.
Henry Ferguson, 1704, '71, '77, '78,
'85, '88, "89, '90, '91, '92.
Robert Wilson, 17r,6, '71.
David Steele, t'apt., 1706, '60, '09,
'72, '73, '80.
Matthew Wallace, 1705, '80, '81,
82.
John Vonng, 1705, '06, '08, '74, '84.
Williani Miller, 1707.
John Wiley, 1767.
Samuel Gregg, 1768, '71, '80, '82.
Joeepli Hammill, 1774.
Thouuui Davison, 1774.
Robert .Morison, 1774.
JaiiieK Templetou, 177.'., '76, '83,
84.
William McNeo, Jr., 1776, '76, '79.
Samuel Cuninghiun, 1708, '76, '79,
81.
'rliomiia Turner, 1708.
Williani Moore, 1709.
Jaiilee Miller, 1709.
James Cuninghani, 177.'>.
Charles Stuart, 1775, '81, '84, '86,
•93, '94, Oa, '90, '97, '98.
Aaron Itrown, 1770.
Kel«.Gray, 1770.
Jolhaiii Ulanclianl, 1777, '78, '79.
Jonathan Wheelo<-k, 1779.
RolKTt llulliii>s, 1780.
Thomiia Stuart. 178.3, '84.
Robert Smith, 1785, '92.
Thoraaa Steele, 1780, '88, '89, '!K1,
'91, '92, 'i«, '94, '95, '90, '97, '98,
'iW, 18110, '01, '02, (O, '(M.
Nathaniel Kvaiis, 1780.
lanud Tuyliir. 1786.
John (Jmy, I7S7.
Nathan Dix, 1787.
(Jeorge Duncan, 1788, '89.
Jeremiah Smith, 1790, '91.
Aaa Kvanx, 179:1, '94, '95, '90, '97,
'98, '99, 1800, '01, '02, '03, '04.
Jonathan Smith, 1799, 18o(l, 'HI,
'in, '03, '04.
Hugh Miller, 1806, '00, '07, '08, '09,
'Ui, 11, '12, '13, '14, '16, '10, '17,
'18, I'J, '20, '21, '22, '23, '24, '25,
'20, '27, '28.
George Duncan, Jr., 1805, '06, '07,
'08, '09.
Jolm Steele, 1805, '06, '07, '08, '09,
•|(1, 'II.
John Scott, 1810, '11, '12, '14, '16,
'10, '17, 18.
Nathaniel Moriaon, 1812, '13.
Rolurt White, 18l;t.
Williani Wilson, 1814, '15, '10, '17,
'18, 'I'J, '20, '21, '22, '23, '27, '28.
Nathaniel Moore, 1819, '20, '21,
'22, '23, '24, '25, '20.
Alexander Robbe, 18'24, '25, '20,
'30, 31, ';i'2, ':i3, '34, '35, '43, '44.
Timothy Fox, 1827, '28, '29, '31,
'32, ':13.
Moses Dodge, 1829, '30, '31.
Samuel Holmes, 182tl, '30.
George W. Senter, 18:12, '33.
Timothy K. Ames, 1834, ':15, '30,
•:17, '42, '40, '47, '49, '52.
Isaac Edea, 183.">, ':)6, '37, ':«.
William Scott, 1830, '.37, '38, '42.
John Smith, I8:i8, '39, '40.
Williuiii M. White, 1839, K).
John Tu.ld, Jr., 1839, '40, '41.
Samuel Sliller, 1841, '50, '51.
Samuel .\dani8, 1841, '69, 60.
E/.ra Peavey, 1842.
Archelaiis Crugin, 1843, '44, '46,
'53, '54.
Abiel Peavey, 1.S4.3, '44, '45.
James G. White, 1845, '40.
John II. Steele, 1846.
James Scott, 1847, '48, '50, '50, '57,
'0.1.
Isaac Hadley, 1847, '48, '49, '61,
'62, '01, '0-2, 'o:i.
Robert Fulton, 1848.
Josiah S. ^lorison, 1849, '60.
Edwin Steele, 1851.
William 1). Kimball, 1^12, '63.
Eri Simuldilig, I8.'>:l, '54, '56.
Arani Chillis, 18.VI, '.16.
Diocletian Melviii, 18ri6.
Thomas Little, 18.'i6, '64, '65.
Samuel R. Miller, 1869, '60.
Asa Davis, 1856, '67, '58, '06, '07,
'08. •
Allien Frtwt, 1857, '68, '69.
Williani R. Heywood, 18.'>8.
Cliarh* II. Ilrooks 180O, '61, '62,
'03, '73, '75, '70, '77, '78, '79.
Ell S. Iliiul, 1861, •»■!, 'Bl, '04.
Franklin Fi.dd, 1804, '65, '66.
John M. Collins, 1800, '07.
Samuel I. Vomi, 1807, '08, '09, '77,
'78.
Mortior I, Morrison, 1868, '69, '70.
Charles llarlwr, 1»09, '70, '71.
John g. Adanl^ 1870, '71, '7'2, '74,
K. W. Mdnloah, 1871, '7-2, '73.
JohnCnigln, 1872, '7:i, '74.
Augustus Fuller, 1874, '76, '76.
William Moore, 1876, '77, '78, '79,
'80.
E. W. JonM, 1870.
Wm. K. Davis, 1880, '81.
J. T. NiMine, 188tl, '81, 'N2.
T. N. Hunt, 1881, '82, '83.
E. W. Smith, 188-2, '83, '84.
W. 8. Hyer, 188:1, '84.
0. W. Hunter, 1884.
654
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Representatives, — The
reprcseiitalivis Iroiii the in
the present time :
Samuol CuniDglmin, April 26, 1775, I
to 3il Proviiiciul Coiigretis at
Exeter.
Willmm Smitli, Mb.v 17, 1775, to
4th rroviuciul CoDgress at Ex-
eter.
Samuel Mooro, Dec. 21, 1775, to
5th Provincial Congres, at Ex-
eter.
Matthew Wallace, 1784.
Samuel Cuninghain, 178G.
Nathan Di.v, 1787.
.Teremiah Smith, 1788, '89, '90.
John Smilii, 17111, '92, '93, '94, '95,
'96, '97, '98, "J9, ISOO, '01, 02.
James Wilson, 1803, \)i, '05, 'OC,
'07, '08, '12, '13, '14.
Jonathan Smith, I»U9, '21, '22, '23,
'24, '25, '2G, '27, '28.
John Steele, 1810, '11.
Hugh Miller, 1815, "ir,, '17, '18,
'19, '20, '30, '31, '32.
John H. Steele, 1S29.
John Smith, 1869, '60
Andrew A. Fanisworth, 1800, '61.
Cornelius V. Dearborn, 1861, '02.
Granville P. Folt, 180:), '64.
Klljah Jl. Tulihs, 1864, '05.
Nathaniel 11. Moore, 1805, '66.
John Wilder, 1807, 'OS.
liilej- U. Hatch, ISCS, '09.
James Walker, 183.3, '34, '44.
.Alexander Robbe, 1835, '30, '43, '44.
John Todd, 1837, '.38, '39.
William Moore, 18:18, '.39, '40.
following is a list of the
corporation of the town to
Timothy K. Ames, lS4n, '41.
Stephen P. Steele, 1841, '42.
William Kollansbee, 1842, '43.
Luke .llill.-r, 181.% '40.
Josiah S. Morrison, 184.% '48.
Norton Hunt, 1847.
Samuel .\danis, 1847.
A. P. Miirrisun, 1N48, '02, '03.
Daniel McClenning, 1849, '50.
James Scott, 1849, '50.
Sanmel Stiller, 1851, '52.
Dauiel B. Cutter, 1852.
Isaac Hadley, 1853.
Person C. Cheney, 1853, '54.
Asii Davis, 1854.
Albert Smith, 1855.
Albert S. Scott, 1855, '57, '06, '67.
Samuel Edes, lai7, '58.
Asa F. Cowing, 1S5S, '69.
Charles Wilder, 1809, '70.
George Dustan, 1870, '71.
Ezra M. .^niitli, 1871, '72.
Daniel W. Could, 1872, '73.
Joseph Farnum, 1873, '74.
Levi Cross, 1874, '75.
Franklin Field, 1875, '70.
Charles Scott, 1870.
Samuel I. Poor, 1877, '78.
James H. Collins, 1877, '78.
Lewis P. Wilson, 1879, '80.
M. L, Jlorrisoii, 1879, '80.
Geo. W. Furmr, 1882, '83.
John H. Cutler, M.D., 1882, '83.
Frank G. Clarke, 1884, '85.
.I.jhn y. Adams, 1884, '85.
CHAPTER TI.
PETERBOROUGH— (Conn'nHerf).
THE HEROES OF FOUR WARS.
French and Indian War— The Revolution— War of 1812— War of the
Rebellion.
In four memorable wars has Peterl)orougli been
represented by her gallant sons. In the first, the
French and Indian War of 1755, were .Tanus Turner,
brother of Tliomas Turner, Samuel Wallace, William
Swan, son of old John Swan. Of these, James Tur-
ner died in camp at Crown Point, 1760. In 1756,
Thomas Cuningliam and Samuel Cuuingham. The
former, who was a lieutenant, died of small-pox.
In 1757, Charles McCoy, John Stuart, sun of Wil-
liam Stuart, David Wallace, son of Major Wallace,
William Wilson, bnjther of Major Robert Wilson,
Robert McNee, son of old Deacon McNeo, John
Dinsmorc, John Kelley, brought up by Rev. Mr.
Harvey. All the above, being enlisted in Rodgers'
company of Rangers, were killed in one unlbrtunate
moment, having fallen into an Indian amlmscade,
March Vi, 1758, near Lake George; while Samuel
Cuningham and .\lc-\ander Robbe, being of this brave
but unfortunate band, and in the same fight, escaped.
In 1758, William Scott. Jeremiah Swan, Samuel
Stinspn, Alexander Scott. Of these, Jeremiah Swan
died in camp.
In 175!l, Robert Wilson, Daniel AUat, John Tag-
gart, William Scott, George McLeod.
In 17t>U, Sainuel Gregg, John Taggart, Samuel Cun-
ingham, Willi:iin Cuniiighara, Moore Stinson, Henry
Ferguson, John Swan, William Scott, Solomon Turner,
John McCollom, John Turner, John Hogg, David
Scott. Of these, John Turner and John McCollom
died somewhere on the lake, and John Hogg and
David Scott, son of Alexander Scott, both took the
small-pox in returning, and died at home.
The whole number enlisted from Peterborough was
thirty-two, and fourteen were lost, a great number
from a settlement so small and weak.
War of the Revolution. — The following from this
town served in the \\':ir nl the Revolution:
D. Ames, served with Captain .\lexander Robbe, un alarm, from June 211
to July 3, 1777.
Thomas .\lexander, mustered December 17, 1777.
Benjamin Alld, discharged December 20, 1781.
Luther .\danis, discharged December 20, 1781.
John .Vlexander, mustered in April, 1777 ; (Lionel £. Hale's report.
Joseph Babb, alarm from June '29 to July 3, 1777 ; July, 1770,
five months ; mustered in April, 1777 ; report of Colonel E. Hale ;
served three years.
W. lilair, alarm June 29 to July 3, 1777 ; army at Cambridge, 1775 ; for
Bennington, Jtily 19, 1777 ; Saratoga, September 2Sth ; returned
October 25, 1777.
John Blair, raised July 19, 1777 ; discharged September 26lh ; army at
Cambridge, 1775 ; served in Rhode Island from August 28, 1778 ;
mustered April, 1777, of twenty-two men for Peterborough ; report
of Colonel E. Hnlc.
Zaccheus Brooks, mustered June 15, 1779, by Enoch Hale ; never
joined.
John Barlow, by order of Committee of Safely, July 12, 1782.
John Burns, discharged December 21, 1781.
Jacob Baldwin, discharged December 21, 1781.
John Hutler. served in the army at Cambridge, 1775.
Andrew llailey, in army 1776, one year's man ; army at Cambridge,
1775.
Ensign W. Cochran, in army at Cambri'Ige, 1775.
James Cuningtiam, mustered September 20, 1770, to serve two months ;
served in Hh.iile Island from August 28, 1778.
Sergeant Samiiel| Cnniiigbam, alarm from June 29 to July 3, 1777 ;
raise<l .Inly 11', 1777 ; discharged September 20th ; for Bennington ;
served in Hhode Island from August 28, 177^ ; alarm at Lexington,
April 19, 1775, one week.
Joseph Covel, from July to November 27, 1780.
W. De Cannon, among the claims ; of Londonderry.
John Cauatla, of twenty-two men mustered .\pril, 1777 ; report of Col-
onel E. Hale.
Samuel Caldwell, served in Rhode Island from August 28, 1778 ; Colonel
E. Male's regiment.
Thomits Davison, three months, spring of 1777 ; engaged July 7th ; dis-
charged October 21, 1780, three months, tifleen days.
Charles Davison, engaged .luly 9th : discharged December 26, 1779.
Solomon Dodge, engaged June 28, 1780 ; dischargeit in December.
Hicliard Emery, mustered September 20, 1776, for two months ; in army
at Cambridge, 1775.
Lieutenant Henry Ferguson, served forty-four days, at Cambridge, last
of 1775.
Jeremiah Fairchild, in army at Cambridge, 1775.
Thouuts Green, in army at Cambridge, 1775 ; engaged June 28, 1780 ;
discharged in December.
William tiraham, in amiy at Cambridge, 1775 ; of twenty-two men fur-
nished April, 1777 ; one year's men for 1770.
John (iraliHin, in army at Cambridge, 1776 ; one year's men, 1770 ;
mu8(ere<l by E. Hale, July, 1770, to serve five months.
James Gregg, served in army at Cambridge, 1775.
Samuel Gregg, alarm at Lexington, April 19, 1775, five tlays; alarm at
Walpole.
PETERBOROUGH.
655
A-Ums Gregg, alarm at Lexington, April 1?, 1775 ; army at Cambridge,
last of 177^ ; ud uluriii from .lunt- 2'.) to July :t, 1777 ; RIkhIo IslHntl,
from August 27, 1778, under Captiiiii Suniiiel I'uningliani.
Hugh (jfogg, alanii at Lexiiii;Iou, April 10. 1775 ; alarm from June 29
to July 3, 1777.
John Gregg, iilarin at Lexington, April 19, 177.'>.
K-Jlwrt Gray, itlarm ut Lexington, April Ut, 177o.
Kiclmid <'ilchrit(t, in iirmy ut ('uiubridgt', 1775.
William Gilclirist, one year'f* men, 1770.
Juliu Gray, in KhotU' Inland, August 28, 1778, company of Captain S.
Cuningtiiini ; on alarm at Walpole.
Jumes Gonlon, engaged September I'Jtb ; dtsniicecd November 27, 1781.
James Hockley, in army at Cambridge, 1775; of twonty-two men fur-
nisbcd April, 1777; one year's men, 177(;.
Joseph Henderson, of twenty-two mt-n fnrniMlicd April, 1777 ; raised
July I'J, 1777, for Ilennington ; diathaiged Januar>' 1, 1778.
John Half|>enny, one year's men, 177G ; iu army at Cambridge, 1775.
Nathaniel Holmes, nni»tered .September 2<), 177ii, two months.
•^imsim Hogg, for Bennington, July li>, 1777 ; discharged September 26th.
- Miiuet Hiit«ton, alarm, June 29 to July 3, 1777, five days; served in
Ilho<le Inland, August 2H, 1778.
l-^ic Huston, alanii, June 2'.i to July '.\. 1777, five days.
William Huxton, alarm at Walpole, 1777.
Idin Kennedy, mustered July, 177*^, five months ; town claims,— as
paid by town.
S^lotiiun Leonard, in army at (_'ambri<lge, 1775.
Suinuel Lee, of twenty-two men furnished April, 1777 ; alarm at Wal-
|>ole.
'riiomiid Little, In army at Cambridge, 1775 ; for Heiinington, July lH,
1777 ; discharged September 2fith.
K'jbert Lakin, engaged July 7th ; discharged OctolMir 21, 1780.
Timothy Locke, enlisted Captain Scott's ronipany August 9, 1780 ; en*
gaged June 28, 1780 ; ditteharged DecemlH-r ; served six months.
■■ -iiiuel Lewift, on alarm, in Capttiin Alexander Robbe's company, five
days.
iiiHs Miller, alarm of Lexington, April 19, 1775.
^^ illiam Mcls'ee, alarm of Lexington, April 19, 1775 ; alarm at Wal-
jmle ; to Sanitoga, SeptenilH-r UHtli ; relurtiL-d October 25, 1777.
.) •liii Mitehell, alarm of Li-'xington, April I'J, 1775; in army at Cam-
bridge, 1775 ; alarm at Waliwle.
-^ uniii-l Mitrhell, alarm of Li-xington, .\pril 19, 1775 jut alarm in Captain
.Vlexander Kobln-'s company, June 2'Jto July 3, 1777, five days ; of the
twenty-two men mustered v\pril, 1777 ; town claim for three yea re ;
alarm at Waliiole ; for Bennington, July 19, 1777 ; di^harged Sep*
temltor 20ih ; Saratoga, St-ptemlM-r 28tli ; returned October 25, 1777.
Ji.lin 5Iorifn>n, alarm at Lexington, .\pril 19,1775; nerved in Itbixle
I.-ilund, August 2"*, 177« ; on alarm, in Caplnin Alexandt^r Itobbe's
roiiipany, from Jum- 29 to July :t, 1777, five days ; Uonniugton
.hily 19, 1777 ; dincharged September 2('..
lUMijandn Mitrhell, alarnt at Lexingloit, April 19, 1775 ; mustered Sep-
tember 2ti, 177<>, to H«rve two monthtt ; for Bennington, July 19,
1777 ; discharged .Seplondier 2<>.
.loliii MtKtre, alarm at Lexington, April 19, 1776.
Thounis Morirtun, in army at Cambridge, 1775; mustered September 2n,
177'>, for two moiithn; ahinu at Wnljiolu ; itlarm. Captain Alexander
Uubbo's '•onipauy, Jiin-' 29 li- July :i, 1777, five days ; for Benning-
ton, July 19, 1777 ; diNi-harged September 20; Saratoga, September
28 to Octolter 26, 1777.
ICtitign Munro, in army at Cambridge, 1775 ; serve^l In army, 1770, one
year's nn-n.
I unes Mitchell, in army at Ciimbrldge, 177S ; idann at Lexington, April
19,1775; Biuiuiriglun, Jidy 19, 1777 ; discharged September 26 ; on
alarm, in (nptain Alexander Hobbe's company, from June 2tl to July
:i. 1777, tlvf dayn.
iMUir Mitchell, In army at Ciunbrldge, 1775 ; alarm at Lexington, April
19, 1775; of till! twynty-Iwo men furnished April, 1777 ; nlnnn at
Wal|nj|u ; reiurm-d fnun service April 2, 1781.
*■ imuel Moore, Jr., in army «t Cambridge, 1775 ; alarm at Lexington,
.\pril 19,1775; alarm, In coni|Hiny of Capt*»ln Alexandt-r Hobbo,
from Juno 29 to July :t. 1777, fivedays.
William Mitchell, in army at Cambridge, 1775 ; served in i^nny, 1770,
one year's nn-n.
Kiudall McAlister, in army at Condiridge, 1775; alarm at Lexington,
April 19, 1775 ; tbn-i' yearn ; town <IaiiiiN ; ol' the twt'iity-tw» sn
furnished April, 1777; alarm, in .■..rtir«i"v ..t \l.-\..ii.i.T ltol.l..>, June
29 to July 3, 1777, five days.
John Mather, ofthe twentj'-two men himishcd April, 1777 ; town claims ;
suppose three years.
William McCoy, in anny at Cambridge, 1775 ; served in Rhode Island,
August 28, 1778; E. Uak's regiment.
George McCloud, mustered July, 1770, for five months.
Timothy Mixter, mustered July, 1770, for five months ; alarm, in com-
IMiny of i'aptttin Alexander Robbe, from June 29 to Jnly 3, 1777,
fivedays; town claims ; Jackson's regiment, Maae^achusetts ; ofthe
twenty-two men mustered April, 1777.
Robert McCloud, mustered July, 1770, for five month;:.
Joliu Murpliy, musten-d July. 1776, for five months.
William McKean, nmstered September 20, 1770, to serve two months.
Peter McAlister, from Kecember 5, 1770 to March 15, 1777.
Joseph Miller, on alarm, in Captain Alexander Robbe's company, from
June 29 to July 3, 1777, five days; in Rhode Island from August
28, 1778 ; Colonel K. Hale's regiment.
Samuel 5Iiller, Heiminglon, July 19, 1770 ; discharged September 20 ;
alarm at Walpole, 1777.
William Mixire, Bennington, ,Tuly 19, 1777 ; discharged September 26.
Charlrh McCoy, in anny in Rhode Island, from August 28, 1778 ; Colonel
K. Uale's regiment ; at Bennington, July 19, 1777 ; discharged
September 24.
John Miller, Saratoga, September 28 ; returned October 25, 1777 ; alarm
at Walpole.
Daniel Mack, alarm at Lexington, April 19, 1775.
Charles McCIurg, engaginl July 7; discharged October 21,1780, three
months, fifteen days.
Robert Slorison, alarm at Walpole.
Sergeant Page, mustered July, 1770, to serve five nionths ;
Bennington, July l!», 1777 ; discharged September 20.
Abel Parker, engaged July 7 ; dischargt'd October 21, 1780.
Jedulhnn Itobert'j, enlisted in camp ; entered by onler ofthe Committee
of Safety, July 12, 1782.
John Ricliey, in army at Cambridge, 1775 ; died there.
Samuel Robl>e, Saratoga, S(fpteml)er28, 1777, di8chai*ged October 25 ; en-
gaged Seplemticr 19; discharged November 27, 1781 ; on alarm, in
; Captain -Mexander Robbe's company.
William Robbe, Bennington, July 19, 1777 ; discharged Septendtor 20 ;
I wrvice from December .'i, 1770, to March 15, 1777.
I Jameii Richey, in army at Cambridge, 1775 ; on alarm, in I'aptain Alex-
I ander ]^Jbbe's comjukny, five days.
, It. Richardson, in army at Cambridge, 1775.
I Captain Alexander Robbe, on an alarm, June 29 to July 3, 1777, five
days; mustered July, 1770, for five months.
William Swan, alarm at Lexington, .\pril 19, 1775; in army at Cam-
, bridge, 1775; on alarm, in compiiny of t'aptain .VIexander KobN',
I from Juno 29 to July 3, 1777, live days.
I .\lexander Stuart, alarm at Lexington, April 19, 1775.
Cliarles Stuart, alarm at Lexington, .April 19, 1775; in army at Ctaa-
■ bridge, 1775 ; eiigagetl from December 5, 1770, to March 15, 1777,
three months ; in Rhode Island, August 26, 1778 ; alarm ut Walpide,
1777, five (lays.
I William Scott, alarm at Lexington, April 19, 1775 ; in army at Cam-
[ bridge, 1775; alarm, in Captain Alexander RubU-'s comiwiny, fr^mi
I June 29 lo .lu!y 3, 1777, five days ; for Saratoga, S4<plemb4*r 28, and
' dinchargeil MctolM'r25, 1777; alarm at Walpole.
William Scott, Jr , alarm at Lexington, April 10, 1775 ; in army At
Cambridge, 1775; mustered Jnly, 1770, for five months.
Captain William Scotl, In army at Cambridge, 1775 ; served 1776, one
year's men
Lieutenant Wllllitm Scott, in army at Cambridge, 1775 ; serxiti In 1770.
one year's men.
Junn-B Slanfonl, alarm n( Lexington, April 10, 1775 ; in anny nt Cam-
bridge, 1775 ; o! the twenty-tw<» menrnrnished April, 1777 ; on town
claims; a three year's man.
Kphrnim Stevens, in anny at Cauibiiilge, 1775 ; of the Iwenty-lwo men
furiiiibed April, 1777 ; alann at Waljiole ; dliMl in the s<»n'ii-o.
Thomiut Scotl, In army at Cambridge, 1775 ; served In 1770, one year's
men.
James Stins<in, In army at Cambridge, 1775.
ThoniaA Sanders, ofthe iwenty-two men furnlHhed April, 1777.
Davirl Scotl, of the twenty iw en furnished April, 1777.
John Scoii, t.f the twenty-two i i furidsbed April, 1777.
John Smith, in uniiy at Cambridge, 177'> ; mustered to serve five months.
Robert Smith. musler\><) by K. Hale, to serve live months ; must«trod
SeptonilMT 2U, 1770, to Mirvo two months.
656
HISTOKY OF HILLSlJUliUUUU CULMl', NEW HA.Ml'tsHIliE.
i
Jaiues Sinitli, in alarm, of Captain Alexander Robbe's couipany, from
June 2il tu July 3, 17TT, five»1ay8.
Jeremiah Smith, raised fur Bennington, July 19 ; discharged September
26, 1777.
Thomas Smith, in Khodo Island, August 2S, 1778; served from Decem-
ber 6, 1770 to March 15, 1777, three months ; Saratoga, September
iS; returned October 25, 1777.
K. Swan, numtered by Colonel E. Ilale, for five months ; on alarm, in
Captain Alexander Robbe's company, from June 20 to July 3, 1777,
five days.
John Swan, Saratoga, September 28 ; returned October 25, 1777 : march,
on alarm of Captain Alexander Robbe's company, from June 20 to
Julys, 1777, five days.
Thomas Steele, on alunii, in Captain Alexander Robbers company, from
June 29 to July H, 1777, five days ; alarm at Walpole.
Captain David Steele, alurm iit Walpole.
Thuuiufi Sanderson, alarm at Walpole, five days.
Amos SpofFord, enlisted by Major Scott, August 9, 1780.
.Ninniel Speer, three years ; town claims.
John Stroud, town claims.
James Toggitrt, alarm at Lexington, April 19,1775; in army at Cam-
bridge, 1775 ; served from December 5, 177t», to March 15,1777 ; on
town claims ; three years ; of the twenty-two men furnished April,
1777.
S. Treadwell, in army at Cambridge, 1775 ; served in army, 1776, one
year's men.
Joseph Taylor, in army at Cambridge, 1775 ; died in Cambridge, 1775.
Thomas Temple, in army at CanilTidge, 1775 ; died in Cambiidge, 1775.
Isaiah Taylor, served in Rhode Island from August 28, 1778.
John Taggart, alarm at Walpole, 1777 ; of the twenty-two men furnished
April, 1777 ; served in Rhode Island; he died, Mount Independ-
ence, 1777.
t'ai)Iain Robert Wilson, alami at Lexington, April 19,1775.
John White, Sr.. alarm at Lexihgton, April 19, 1775 ; alarm, in Captain
Alexander Robbe's compaiiy, from June 29 to July 3, 1777, five
days.
Corporal John White, at Saratoga, September 28, 1777 ; returned Octo-
ber 25 ; Rhode Island, 1779.
Charles White, alarm at Lexiugtoii, April 19, 1775; in army at Cam -
briilge, 1775 ; served in New York from Dccenilwr 5, 1776, to
March 15, 1777 ; Rhode Islaud from August 28, 1778.
W. White, alarm at Lexington, April 19, 1775 ; in army at Cambridge,
1775 ; served in New York from December 5, 177G, to Mai-cli 15,
1777 ; Saratoga, September 2K ; returned October 25, 1777.
David White, alarm at Lexington, April 19, 1775 ; in army at Cam*
bridge, 1775 ; served in Rhode Island, August 28, 1778.
Titu«WilM>n, of the twenty-two men furnished April. 1777; alarm at
Wal[Htle ; a negro ; died at Mount Independence, 1777.
James 3Ioor, entered February 15, 1777 ; disnu!«ied December, 1781 ;
First New Hampshire Kegimeut.
Lieutenant John Taggurt was in Captain Inaac Farwell's company at
Bunker Hill, and wiis killed at Ticonderoga July 7, 1777.
Jonathan Wheelock, of the twonty-two men furnished April, 1777 ; Sara-
toga, September 28th ; ret\irned October 25, 1777 ; alarm, in Captain
Alexander Robbe's comixiny, from June 29 to July 3, 1777, five
days ; served in Rhode Inland, April 28, 1778.
31. Wooflcock, in anuy at Cambridge, 1775; mustered July, 1776. to
serve five months; servt-d in Rhode Island from August 28, 1778.
James Wilson, mustered from July, 1776, to serve five months.
Jiunes White, Bennington, July 19, 1777, to September 2Gth ; served in
Rhode Island, .August 2S, 1778.
Lue« Wliei'lock, engaged frum July 7th ; discharged October 21, 1780.
Thomas Williams, engaged from July 9 to November 27, 1780.
John Wallace, enlisted by Conmiittee of Safety, July 12, 1782.
.1 litto/liiote tcho volunteered on the 17(/i o/ June, 1775, to the Battle of
Bunker Uill.
Taptatn William Scott.
liieuteiiiint William Scott, wounded.
(ii'orge McLecid, wounded ; his name does not appear again.
James Hockley.
John Graham, wounded.
David Scott James Scott, Thomas Scott, David Robbe.
Randall McAlister, wounded.
John Tapgart, died at Mount Independence, 1777.
Samuel Mitchell, Thomas Murison.
David Allatt ; liin name does not appear again.
1
Thonms Greene, wounded.
Josi'ph Henderson, Richard Gilchrist.
Ensign William C<K-]iniu, John Swan and Jonathan Barnett ; these three
were on duty, but not in battle.
Rev. John .Morri.--L.n remained in camp, and excused himself from ac-
companying his friends, alleging that thi- hn^k of his gun was so in-
jiired as to be ut>eles8 ; shortly after he passed over to Boston and
joined the British.
McAlister and Greene were severely wounded ; Greene, in a fainting and
almost expiring state, was savt-d by his frien<l Gilchrist, who trans-
ported him on his back from Bunker Hill to Medford.
In addition to the al)ove, the following names: Wil-
liam Scott, father to James Scott, Esq. ; Joseph Green,
Dudley Taggart (known as Judge Taggart), William
Gilchrist, William Blair, William White, Charles
White, James McKean.
By the above aceount, one hundred and forty differ-
ent men of Peterborough were called for longer or
shorter periods during the Revolutionary War, and,
in addition to these, five more, viz. :
George McLeod, David Allat, Jonathan Barnett,
Dudley Taggart, Joseph Greene, who were in the
battle of Bunker Hill, whose names do not again
appear, making in all one hundred and forty-five
difierent pei-sons from this infant settlement who
rendered military service during the war.
Cominittees of Sti/ety for the ijeare 1775, '76, '77, '78, '79, a» they appear
upon the record.
1775. — Aaron Bp>wu, Henrj- Ferguson, Kelso Gmy, Alexander Robbe,
William McNee.
I77f>. — William Riilihe, David Steele, Jotham Blanchard, Samuel Mirch-
ell, Robeit Wilson.
1777.— John White, Jonathan Wheelock. Robert Gray.
1778.— David Steele, Thomas Davison, Matthew Wallaee, Matthew Tem-
pletou.
1779.— James Templeton, Samuel Gregg, James Cuuingham, Charles
Stuart, John White.
War of 1812. — A draft of soldiers from Peter-
borough for three nnmths was ordered in 1814, for the
defense of Portsmouth, and the following ofiicers and
men volunteered for the servite, viz.:
Colonel John Steele, Second Lieutenant James B. Tixld. Corjwral Ahi-
maz Jewett, John Gray, John T. Hagget,* David Miller, Robert Mor-
istm, Br<jw n Shattuck, William Cpton, St<'i»hen Warner, John Ames,
Nathanii'I Smith. Daniel Kiies. Riissel Nay, David Wilson, David .\.
Hatch, Joseph Wa.shburii, Nathan Wait, Nathan I'pton, David
Kvans, Andrew Holmes, Samuel Pettes, Sergeant Isaac Hadley.
The British naval force did not attack Portsmouth,
as was api)rehended, and the soldiers were discharged
without serving out their time.
The following vote was p:issfd in town-meeting
April 4, 1815:
" Voted, Tu givf tile 8oMk-r> tbat volmitccred to go to Portsmouth iHet
yeur five Uollurs per iiiontli in atldilioii to wh;il j^uIIowlhI Ijy the geuerul
and State goTcrnment/'
The town did not furnish niucli aid to this war,
except in the unequaled services of General James
Miller, one of her sons, whose bravery and military
exploits wore more than equal to a regiment of men,
and have afl'onled one of the brightest pages in the
history of tliat war.
War of the Rebellion. — The following enlisted
from tliis town during tlie late Rebellion :
PETERBOROUGH.
657
April 22, 18GI.— Georgo W. Rinen, agod 23. First Regimontf Company G ;
3 niuntli8.
May '20, 18tll.— KImor .1. Sturkey, urihI 21, Second Regiment, Company
G ; 3 years ; in second Bull Itiin biiltlo, suvurely wounded in the
thigh and left on the field of battle, wIiitc ho was taken prU(-
uner.
May l'», 18G1.— John Koagiin, aged 2;j, Second Itegimeut, Company G ;
3 years ; wounded at lirst Bull Run battle, and subsequently taken
prisoner at Glendale, Va.
May 20, 18t»l.— Alpha E. .Vmet), aged 20, Second Regiment, Company G;
3 years.
May 24, IWil.— Joseph Bolio, agod 28, Second Regiment, Company G ;
3 yean.
May 15, 1801. — Panlel W. Gould, aged 22, Second Regiment, Company
a ; 3 years ; wounded in battle at Williamsburg, and hail one arm
amputated near the i^huiilder.
Nicholtw Dufley, aged 'il. Second Regiment, Coujpuuy G ; 3 years.
Cltarles O. Collistcr, aged 23, Jiecond Itegini<-nt, Couipuny G ; 3 years;
in second Bull Run l>attlo ho was wounded in the bowels, left on the
field and reporte<l afterwards as killed.
Albert .1. Karnswurth, aged 10, Second Regiment, Company G ; 3 years.
May 24, 1801. — Abbot A. Forbush, aged 21 ; Second Regiment, Company
G ; 3 years.
May l.\ 18f>l.— Gilinan T.Gould, aged 24, Secimd Regiment, Company
G; 3 years; re-enlibted January 1, 18fi4 ; promoted to first Ueiiteu-
ant Febniary 5, I8t}5.
Alonzo >I. Ilannufurr], aged 20, Second Reginn-nt, Company G ; 3 years ;
wouniied jit Gettysburg, July 2, 18G3.
Nfwnian Uall, aged 29, Second Regtuient, Comiutny G ; 3 years; died
at Washington, December 11, 18G2.
May 24, 1861. — Nelson Hurd, aged 4(», Second Regiment, Company (J ;
3 years ; rc-enlistcd veteran.
May 2.'», 1801.— John J. Moore, aged 22, Second Regiment, Company G ;
3 years.
Blay 20, 1801.— James R. SaundoiD, aged 3o, Second Regiment, Com-
pany G ; 3 yi-are ; promoted to sergeant mf\jor September I, 1803 ;
re-enltsted June 1, 1804, auti promoted to captain.
August 0, 1801. — .James M. Hannaford, aged 28, Second Regiment,
Company G ; 3 years.
September 10, 1801. — Frank K. Howe, aged 10, Second Regiment, Com-
pany G ; 3 years: killed at Fair Oaks, Va., June 2:i, 1862
July i:., 1801.— Darius Iladloy, aged 19; George W. Hailley. aged 22;
William P. Coolidge, aged 23; Elihu Wit>ler, aged 21 ; 3 years;
Second New IIump»t)iire Rand ; mustered out August 8, 1862.
August 1, I80I.— Richard B. Richardson, aged 39, Third Regiment;
Company I ; 3 years.
August 9, 1801.— Charles Jowett, ugud 34, Third Regiment, Company I^
3 years; appointed armorer .June, 180;i; re-enlisted February lo,
18fi.'i ; I year ; First Now llumpghiro Cavalry.
August 30, 1801.— Frank Miittliews, aged 21, Fourth Regiment, Com-
jiany E ; 3 years ; wounded at Drury's BliitT.
Kmery Wyrnan, age<I 18, Fourth Regiment, Company E; 3 years;
woun«lfd May lOund .Xugu-it 10, l8tVI.
Lyman Wynmn, iigetl 22, Funrlli R4>gjmont, Company E ; 3 years,
AuguMt 20, 1801.- Stedman W. I'iper. aged is. Fourth Regiment, Com-
pany I; 3 years; discharged 1804; re-enlisted.
<ieorgo Welding, aged 20, Knurtli Regiment, roni|>any I ; 3 years ; killed
tn buttle July 24, 1801.
August 27, 1801.— Henry S. Gotild, ag(^ :i5, Fourth Regiment, Company
I ; 3 years ; disiJiarged for disability ; re-eulistcd, sulmtitute for Al-
bert Stevens, September 2, 1803, Eighth Regiment, Com|Uiny B.
\ugurtt 28, 1801.— Luther G. Crwby, ag.td 1», Fourth lU'glment, Tom-
pany C; 3 yean* ; dicul in hoHpitjd, Beaufort, N. 1'., AuguHl 20, 1803.
Septttiiibor 10, 1801. — George Wyniau, aged 28, Fourth Regiment, Com-
pany K ; 3 years.
\ugu8t 20, 1801.— German N. BroiHl, aged 20, Fifth Regiment, Company
K ; 3 years ; die^l at Fairfax Court-Jiuuse, of typhus fever, March 27,
1862.
October 12, iHGl.— Ancil D. Holt, aged :1K, Fifth Regiment, Comi>any K ;
discharged for diMibllity .^lay 27, 1862.
August 2h, 1801. — (ieorge M. Spautding, aged 23, Fifth Regiment, Com-
pany K ; 3 years ; kilUil In buttle itt iV>ld llitrbor, June 3, 1804.
><>ptember 2, 1801,^ — .lamt-s Nichols, age<l 28, Fifth Reginu<n(, Company
K ; 3 years ; wounded in arm at White Oak Swamp ; tmnsforrod tu
Inviilld Cor|)S January 1, lK03,
Nnvemltor 28, 1801. — Charles Scott, agod 32, Sixth Regiment; mi4jor,
and promoted to lioutonanlcolonel ; resigned Octol><>r 14, 1802.
John A. Cummings, aged 24, Sixth Regiment ; lieutenant, and promoted
to captain ; <lisclmrged for promotion April 'y, 1804 ; re-enlisted, and
appointed a major in the First New Hamjjuhire Cavalr>'> Comiiany
£, March 10, 18C4.
October 14, 1861.— John S. Smith, aged Zi, Sixth Regiment, Company
E; 3 years; pi-omoted from sergeant to adjutant March 20, 186.3;
wounded at Cemetery Hill ; a( expiration of his three yearb he was
recommended ua first lieutenant in United Stales Veteran Volun-
teers, and promoted to capiiiin in 1805 ; mustered out June, ISOtJ,
services no longer requireil.
October 4, 1801.— Henry C. Lakeman, age<l 1«, Sixth Itegimetit, Com-
pany E ; 3 years ; transfened to Invalid Corps May 13, ISfifi.
October 9, 1801.— Osgood Uadle.y, aged 24, Sixth Regiment, Com|Mny E;
3 years ; discharged, and rc-enlisted as vctenui December 20, lh03.
October 7, 1801.— George W. Hadley, agetl 20, Sixth Regiment, ComiKiny
E ; 3 yeai-s ; died March 3, 1863, at Newport News, Va.
September 20, 1801.- John P. Webber, aged 18, Sixth Itegimeiit, Com-
pany E; 3 years; wounded May 12, 1804 ; re-enlisted February Ift,
1804 ; transferred to Vetemn Heserve Cori>s.
September 23, 1801.— .\llieon G. Howe, aged 22, Sixth Regiment, Cout-
paiiy E ; had a lung fever at Roanoke Island ; was transferred to
hospital at Xcw|>ort News ; subsequently discharged.
October 11, 1801.— William H. Wallace, aged 2(t, Sixth Regiment, Com-
pany E ; 3 years ; died at Memphis, Tenn., September 15, lHO;i.
September 30, ISO'.- LuciuH U. Farwell, aged 21, Sixth Regimeiii, Com-
pany E ; 3 years ; died of measlet?, at Ilattenib Inlet, N. C, Jununry
29, 1802.
October 1, 1801.- Honry E. Badger, aged 18, Sixth Regiment, Comimny
E ; 3 yeara ; re enlisted December 30, 1803, a** veteran, and promoted
to second lieutenant January 1,1805; wounded June 3, 1804, and
July 30, 1804.
October 15, 1801.— Martin \Vhite, aged 21, Sixth Regiment, Coiupitiiy K ;
3 years ; wounded May 10, 1804, at Si)ottsylvania, Va., through Intth
tliighs ; ha«t gangrene in one leg, which wil« leatened in size and
weakened; r«-cnliwted as veteran Deix-iuber 24, 1803; had a fiixt
lieutenant coiumission sent him, but ileclinedit.
October 19, 1801.— Christopher Jl. Wheeler, aged 22, Sixth Regiment.
Company E ; 3 yeai>t ; died *>{ mi'jLsles at Ilatteras, N. C, February
20, 1802; inlerrotl in Peterborough.
October 6, 1801.— David I>. Page, aged 20, Sixth Heginiont, Company K;
3 years; diwdiurged for 4li8Jibility ; re-4'nlisteil August 9, 1804, Fiixt
New Hampshire Cuvuhy, Troop H.
October 3, 1801.— Munro A. Smith, aged 21, Sixth Regiment, Company
E; 3 years; chief bugler.
September 28, 1801.— Cyrus Henry Farmer, aged 21, Sixth Regiment,
Company E ; 3 years; dle<l August 17, IMiVi, at Covington, Ky.
October 7, ISOI. — David A. Cram, aged 18, Sixth Regiment, (3om)utuy E ;
3yeui-s; killed at second Bull Run baltb-, August 29, 1802.
September 24, 1801.— Allen T. Perry, aged 211, Sixth Regiment, Com-
Iiany E; 3 years; discharged for disability.
October 15, 1801. — Jackson Brackett, aged 2:1. Sixth Regiment, Company
K ; 3 years ; wounded in right arui, September 17, 1802; discharged
fordiKability NuvemVier 0, 1802.
October 28, 1801.— Alfred Perry, aged 18, Sixth Regiment, runi|iany E ;
3 yean*; wounded December 13, tS02, and died after the amputation
of his leg for injury to the knee, January 27, l>tO:{.
November 1, 18tll.— Jonathan Smith, agtnl IH, Sixth Regfnu-iit, Ctun-
pany E: 3 years; discharged for disiiblllty ; re-enllstQ4l August 16,
1804, in Firxt New Ham))nhire Cavalry, Troop R.
November 28, IHOl.— Timothy K. Ames (2d), ag<4l 24. Sixth Regiment;
sergeant- major ; promoteil lo first lieutenant August 5, 1802 ;
killed in second Bull Run Italtle, .Vugiisl 29,1802; liody never re*
covertMl.
NovomlMU'20, 1861. — Marshall K. Ametn, aged 20, Sixth Regiment, (Vmi-
pany E; 3 years; wounded in right arm, by which he hwl iho
rotatory nmtinn of Iho arm.
November 28, 1801.— Charles L. Fuller, aged 30, Sixth Regiment; 3
*yoar« ; stH^'oud lieutenant ; promoted to first lieutenant ; wounded In
HtHond Bull Run battle, AugUHt 29, 1802, and died In hospital
September 11, 180*j.
November 2, IHOI.— Jitmes K. Blake, ag*'d 4u, Sixth lU-gimeut, Com-
pany K ; 3 yearn.
Philiunon W. Cross, aged 37, Sixth Regiment, CVimpany K ; 3 ycara ;
i\ic*\ by collision of the sleament " West Point" and the " (niirgfi
Peal'ody," on the Potomac, August 13, 1H02.
058
HISTOKY OF HILLSUOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
^ovetiibor 2;J, 1861. — Johu M. Dodd, aged 24, Sixth Regiment, Company
K; ;i yearfl ; sergeaiit-miyor ; promoted to ttecoud lieutenant; died
May 14, 1804 ; enlisted iw vetoran.
November 7, IStil.— Charles H. Fay, aged 20, Sixth Regiment, Company
K ; :i years ; died January 10, 1862, at Alexandria, Va., of pneu-
niuiiia.
Novembtir 1, 1861. — Cliarlea Nims, aged 32, Sixth Regiment, Company
K ; a yeans ; discharged for disability August 12, 1873.
November «, 1861. — Alvarado Robbe, aged 3<i, Sixth Regiment, Com-
pany K ; 3 years.
November 2, 1861. — Charles C. Silver, aged 22, Sixth Regiment, Com-
I»any K ; 3 years ; discharged for disability December 22, 1862.
Novembtir 15, 1861. — Washington S wet t, aged 24, Sixth Ucgiment, Com-
pany K ; 3 yeare ; wounded in second Bull Run battle, and had his
left leg amputated.
Octol>er 28, 1861.— Henry C. Taggart, aged 35, Sixth Regiment, O^mpany
K ; 3 yeare ; killed at second Bull Run battle, August •!'.*, isr,j ; botty
not recovered.
November 8, 1861. — Thomas J. Vose, aged 27, Sixth Regiment, Com-
pany K ; 3 years ; sergeant ; died at New York Slay l(>, 1862.
October 28, 1861. — Charles F. Winch, aged 29, Sixth Regiment, Company
K ; 3 years ; sergeant, and promoted to firet lieutenant ; slightly
wounded at Fredericksburg, Va.
October 26, 1861.— George W. Woods, aged 25, Sixth Reginn-nt, Contpany
K ; 3 yeare ; discharge*! for disability ; returned homo and died of
consumption.
December 4, 1861. — Menville Bowers, aged 34, Sixth Regiment, Company
K; 3 years ; wounded September 17, 1862, at .\ntietani, in the side
and thigh ; discharged January 30, 1863.
December 11, 1861. — Luther Starkey, aged 24, Sixth Regiment, Company
K ; 3 yeare.
George S. Clark, ageii 26, Sixth Regiment, Company K ; 3 yeare ; dis-
charged fordirtiibility March 23, 1862.
December 14, 1861.— Wallace Scott, aged 21, Sixth Regiment, Company
K ; 3 yeare ; drum-ma,jor January 1, 1864.
October I, 1861.— Jiwiah P. Smith, aged 21, Eighth Regiment, Company
B ; 3 yeare ; killed in the battle at Port Hudson, La., June 14, 1863.
October 22, 1861.— Jonathan L. Powers, aged 44, Eighth Regiment,
Company I> ; died in Camp Parapet, La., October 20, 1862.
August 15, 1862. — .leremiah Regan, aged 2.'i, Tenth Regiment, Conqany
F : 3 yeare ; wounded at Drury's Bluff, May 16, 1864 ; seriously, at
Cold HarlK)r, June 3, 1864.
August 9, 1862.— Nathan D. Stoodley, aged 3f>, Thirteenth Regiment,
Company G ; 3 yeare ; captain : promoted tomujor October 28, 1864 ;
slightly woundfd at the siege of Suffolk.
Gnstavu.* A. Forbush, aged 30, Thirteenth Regiment, Company G : 3
j'eara; first lieutenant ; promoted to captain May 5, 1863 ; killed in
storming Fi>rt Harrison, September 29, 1864.
September 12, 1862.— Pereoii C. Cheney, aged 34, Tliirteonth Regiment,
3 yeare ; quartermaster ; discharged on account of sickness August
6, 1863.
AiiguBl 30, 1862.— Mortier L. Morrison, aged 26, Thirteenth Regiment,
3 yeare ; quartermaster's sergeant ; promoted to quartermaster
August 12, 1863.
August 12, 1862.— Henry B. A\nieeler, aged 28, Thirteenth Regiment,
Cum|Miny G ; 3 ycure ; sergeant, and ])romoteil tn second lieutenant
May 30, 1864 ; wouniled at Fort Harrison September 29, 1864.
AnpUHt 13, 1862.— tniver H. Brown, aged 34, Thirteenth Regiment,
Company G ; 3 yeare.
August 12, 1862.— Ira A. S|wrTord, aged 37, Thirteenth Regiment, Com-
pany (i ; 3 yeare ; accidentally wounded at Cold Harbor, Va.
John BmIio, aged 21, Thirteenth Regiment, Company F ; 3 yeare.
August 15, 1862 —John (Jafney, aged 18, Tenth Regiment, Company F ;
3 yeare.
August 12, 1862 — I'Mwaid Ilaskins, aged 32, Tenth Regiment Company,
F ; 3 yeare.
August 13, 1862.— John Kelly, aged 21, Tenth Regiment, Company F ;
3 yeare ; wounded at < "old Harbor, June 3, 1864.
August 12, 1802.— Thomas Mulheru, aged 28, Tenth Regiment, Company
F ; woundeil at C<»ld Harbor.
Nathan C. Forbush, agetl 24. Thirteenth Regiment, Company G ; 3 yeare ;
promoted from cor|K>ntl to sergeant.
August 13, 1862.— Albert M. Smith, aged 2.i, Thirteenth Regiment,
Com|>anyG ; promoted from corporal tosergoant.
August 20, 1862.— Jeremiah D. Smith, aged 20, Thirteenth Regiment,
Comnany G ; 3 year. ; (hs^'bargcd for disjibility May 21, lStj3.
Augii-^i 18, 1862.— Charles A. Ames, aged 2:1, Thirteenth Regiment,
Company G ; 3 years ; quartermaster's sergeant ; served as clerk tilt
promoted.
August 18, 1862.— Charles W. Bailey, aged 20, Thirteenth Regiment.
(xjnipany G ; 3 yeare ; ruptured at Fredericksburg, Va. ; transferred
to Veteran Reserve Corps.
August 12, 1862. — John A. Bullard, aged 38, Thirteenth Regiment.
Company G ; 3 yeare ; detailed as hospital nuree and clerk most <'f
his term of enlistment.
August 13, 1862. — Rodney M. Brackett, aged 25, Thirteenth Regiment,
Company G ; 3 yeare ; discharged for disability ; died at Peter-
borough.
Joseph A. Crosby, aged 22, Thirteenth Regiment, Company G ; 3 yeare ;
killed in storming F»u-t Harrison, September 29, 1864.
August 12, 1862.— Wallace Clark, aged 18. Thirteenth Regiment, Com-
pany G ; wounded slightly. Fort Harrison, September 29, 1864.
Jacob Chamberlain, aged 36, Thirteenth Regiment, Company G ; 3 yeare;
wounded at Fredericksburg, A'a., and died November 4, 1863, of
consumption.
August 18, 1862. - Harrison Evans, aged 26, Thirteenth Regiment, Com-
pany G ; 3 yeare ; quartermaster's clerk and store-keeper.
August 15, 1862.- Eugene G. Farwell, aged 29, Thirteenth Regiment,
Company G ; 3 yeare ; died at Hampton, June 1 J, 1864.
August 16, 1862. — Rufus K. Fmir, aged 18, Thirteenth Regiment, Com-
pany G ; 3 yeare.
Angust 9, 1862.— Henry N. Frair, aged 28, Thirteenth Regiment, Com-
pany G ; 3 yeare ; killed in battle near Petereburg, A'a., June 15,
1864.
August 12, 1862. — Kdniund S Greenwcwd, aged 42, Thirteenth Regiment,
Company G ; 3 yeare ; transferred to A'etentn Reserve Corjis.
August 13, 1862.— Charles W. Gould, aged 20, Thirteenth Regiment,
Company G ; 3 yeare.
August 12, 1862.— John J. B. F. Hardy, aged 30, Thirteenth Regiment,
Comi«iny (» ; 3 yeare.
August 18, 1862. —Herbert Lee, aged 26, Thirteenth Regiment, Company
G ; 3 yeare ; died of diphtheria August 31, 1863.
August 13, 1862— John Leatliere, aged 44, Thirteenth Regiment, Com-
pany G ; 3 years ; died of small-pox at City Point, Va.
August 12, 1862.— Henry K. McClenning, aged 20, Thirteenth Regiment,
Company G ; 3years.
August 18, 1862.— Robert Jf. McGilvniy, aged 18, Thirteenth Regiment,
Company G ; 3 years ; wounded through both legsseverely June 1,
18G4.
August 18, 1862.— Daniel W. Osborne, aged 22, Thirteenth Regiment,
Company G ; 3 yeare.
August 13, 1862.— Cortes S. Osborm-, aged 18, Thirteenth Regiment,
Company G ; 3 yeare ; died at Hampton, Va., October 31, 1864.
August 7, 1862.- Andrew J. Robbins, aged 26, Thirteenth Regiment,
Comjiany G ; 3 yeare.
August 13. 1S62.— John B. Stevens, ageil 30, Thirteenth Regiment,
Company G ; 3 years
August 15, 1862.— Samuel JI. Woods, aged 31, Thirteenth Regiment,
Company G; 3 yeare ; transfen-ed to United States navy April 28,
1864.
August 12, 1802.— Mark A. Wilder, aged 19, Thirteenth Regiment,
Company G ; 3 yenre ; discharged for disability January 16, 1863.
William H. H. Wilder, aged 22, Thirteenth Regiment, Company G ; 3
yeare ; serve<l as rjurtrtennaster's clerk.
October 23, 1802.— Francis S. I'ipt-r. aged 16, Sixteenth Regiment. Com-
pany I ; died.
September 9, 1862. — Leroy P. Greenw^iod, aged 24, Firet Company,
Sharpshootere, Company E ; 3 yeare; distbarged December 10, 1862 ;
drafted September 2, 186;t, Fourteenth Regiment, Company G.
January 1, 1862. — .1. Clinton McDuffle, aged 21, Third Company, New
Hampshire Cavalry ; 3 yeare.
August 25. 1862. — Jiwrtph Tatro, aged 38, Second Regiment, Company G ;
3 yeare.
Edwanl Btdio, aged 18, Second Regiment, Company G ; 3 yeare ; died
June 16, 1864, of w'ounds in the thigh, at Cold Harbor, Va., June 3,
1864.
January 6, 1863.— -Vlfonso E. Osbonie, aged IT, Third Regiment, Com-
pany I ; 3 yeare ; enlisted under the fictitious name of James Smith,
being under age, so that his friends might not reclaim him.
George A. Frost, aged 17, Thinl Regiment, Company I; 3 yeare; en-
listed under the fictitious name of George French, so his parents
might not reclaim him from service.
September 2, 1863. — David Burke, aged 3(t, Seventh Regiment, Company
C; 3 yeare ; substitute forGeoige K. Brackett.
PETERBOROUGH.
65y
l*atrirk Glancoy, aged 21, Kigbtb Reginu'nt, Company H ; 3 years ; a
BuUititute for Uiraui McCuy.
-ttauel Wiggins, af^ed 20, Kightli Ret^Iment, Conijtnny I; 3 years;
sulwtitutv for D. M. McClcnniog ; tninsferrod tu navy June 16,
18G4.
Jaine« Smith, aged 20, EigUtli Itegimcnt, Com|>»ny K ; 3 years ;
c'utwtitute for Joshua RichnnlMiu ; tnin»ferre(l to navy January' 18,
18C4.
Oekar KuM-nthnI, a^cd 21, Eighth Regiment, Company K ; 3 years ; sub-
stitiite for Kendall C. Scott.
^Villinm Mitchell, aged 21, Eighth IteginiL^nt, Company I ; 3 years ;
t>ulNttitute for Francis Cragin.
Thomas Worth, aged 31, Kighth Rfgimeut, Compjtny D ; su1i>stitute for
D. Lov^oy.
Alexander SlcLeiian, aged 18, Kighth Regiment ; substUutc for Henry
M. Brwd.
Catrick Carney, aged 20, Kighth Regiment, Company K ; sultstttute for
Samuel W. Vose.
October 20, l8t'>3. — Jamcd Fox, aged 10, Fourth Regiment, Company A ;
3 years ; sulMtituto for Kixlney M. Wilder.
August 23, 18li3. — John I*. JIansli, aged 21, Heavy Artillor>', Company
It.
December 21, 1863.— Charles O. French, aged :}3, Tliirtecuth Regiment,
Comi»any F ; 3 yeare ; drafted S<*ptenil>er 2, 18G3.
Deceml>er 22, 18tia.— Frank S. Ritter, aged IG, Xinth Regiment, Com-
pany G ; three years ; musician ; a hired recruit.
Decentber 24, l8t>3. — Richard Curr, aged 22, Ninth Regiment, Comimuy
D ; 3 yearn; a pritiuner of war; no discharge- furnishctl ; a hired
recruit.
John Smith, aged 19, Thirteenth Regiment, Company F ; 3 j-ears ; a
hired recniit.
DeceinbtT 20, 18i>t.— Frank Tliurstou, aged 18, Ninth Regiment, Com-
l>any E ; 3 yean* ; a hire^l recruit.
Thomas Kigtoy, ageil 22, Ninth Regiment, Company C; 3 years;
wounded January 17, 1854 ; a Iiire<I i-ecruit.
John Wiitters, aged 22, Ninth U<-ginien(. Comi>auy K; three yeara.
Daiiirl W. Kennedy, aged 10, Ninth Regiment, Company K; 3 years.
William Runsell, aped 32, Ninth Regiment, Company F; 3 years; a
hired n-cniit ; al>»ent from Hicknei«; transferred to Sixth Regiment,
Company F.
December •-£«, 186:1.— Peter Louis, age 18, Ninth Regiment, Company
li ; 3 years; a hired recruit; tnintdferred to Sixth Regiment, Com-
|kany U.
William A. Walk«T, aged 18, Ninth Regiment, Company K ; 3 years ;
wuundt-d May 12, 18*>4 ; tniusferred to Sixth Regiment, Company
E ; a hired recruit.
Jacob Jackson, aged ;t<>, Ninth Regiment, Company D ; 3 years ; died
September 10, 18W ; a hired n-cruil.
Abmhani Hemn, aged 10, Ninth Reginii<nl, Company G ; 3 yeare ; trans-
ferred to Sixth Kogiment, (V»ni|>ttny G ; o hireil recniit.
Peter I^ran, aged 10, Ninth Regiment, Company G ; 3 years ; tmns-
ferrod to Sixth Regiment, Coni|Niny G, June 1, 18tVl ; a hired re-
cruit.
Robert Warner, aged 3.'i, Ntntli Regiment ; prolwibly a hired recruit.
Samufi Woods, aged 2.'>, Ninth Regiment, Company H ; 3 years ; trans-
fen-ed to Sixth Ri-glmenl, Conipany G ; a hired recruit.
Decemb*'r31, iai»:i.— Jann-s Dinwidder, ageil 33, Sixth Regiment, Com-
pany I ; 3 years ; probably a recruit
liilin fJIover, agwl 2.'; Fir»t New Kngtand Cavalry, Trt>up I ; captured at
WinrheMer, Va., August 17, 1864; pr>diably a hind n-cniit.
William CullMTsnii, aged 22, Sixth Rfglment, <'ompany I ; 3 ycai-s; a
hirt'd reiTuit.
January I. iMiil.— tieorgf Wallace, nge*! :;8, Fir«t Nt>w Hi»m|whiro C*t.
airy, Tnwp D ; a hired n-cruit.
\Mgiist *>, 18tVI.— William l^>ftiM, Fourteenth Iteglment, New Hamp-
shire Infantry, Company E; 3 yeani ; Hulwtitute for Kdwin A.
Tiiwne.
August t;, lK(Vl.—>Tobn Uiggins, Fifth R<-glnient New Ham|«hlro In-
fantry, Company A ; suliHtltute fur Gt-orgt* F. Llvingntttn.
AugUKt 10, I8r4. — Don Negretla, aned4o, First Nt-w HunipNbire Cavalry,
Troop G ; 3 years ; substitute for Charb'S J. Smith.
Auguft.**, 1864.— James CnnniT, Fourt-'ciilh Rrglinent Infantry, Com-
pany C ; 3 yean*: sulistituti* for .MImtI C. Frost.
August a, iHtU.— William Mahoney, Fifth Ibglment Infantry, Com-
pany 1 ; sulistitute for llurace F. Wliltleiuore.
\uguct 12, l-^tVI.— .lames Bennett, Fifth lti>gim<nl I nfiintry, Company
B ; snlwtitule for George Bruce.
August lr», 1864.— George Hyatt, Fifth Regiment Infantrv ; sut>stitute
for William G. Livingston.
Jacob Williams, snlkslitutv for Richoid H. Koone.
Augiu^ 13, 1864.- John Walker, Fifth Regiment Infantry, Company 1 ;
sulwtitute for J. Frank Noooe.
August 10, 18tU.— John Welch, Fifth Regiment Infantr}-; substitute
for John D. Holmes.
Sopteml)er ir», 18(4. — Hans Nelson, Fifth Regiment Infanlr>', Company
C ; substitute for Charles llarbt-r.
September 9, 18(V4.—Osburn Anderson, Fifth Regiim-nl Infiiniry, Com-
luiny B ; substitute for Jones C. Dodge.
David Walker, substitute for Person ('. t.'heney.
September 7, 1864.— John Famd, Fifth Regiment Infantry, Company
B ; su))«litute for Sani|>son Washburn.
W'illiam McCoy, sut>slitute for Henry B. Kimball.
September 27, 18G4.—Frank Clark, Eighth Regiment Infantrj-, Com-
pany G ; representaiivo recruit for Thoinii!* Little.
Charles H. Robinson, representative recruit for Charles H. Brooks.
September 28, 1864.— Charles II. Littlefleld, Eighth Regiment Infantry,
Company £ ; 1 year ; representative recruit for Georgi- T. Wheeler.
Patrick Mullen, representative recruit for Andrew C. Cochran.
September 30. 1864. —George Adams, Fourteenth Regiment Infantry ;
1 year; rcprceicntativc recruit fur Eli S. Hunt.
William Sim|)6on, Fourteenth Regiment Infantry ; 1 year; representa-
tive recruit fur .\brahain P. Morrison.
Benjamin A. Sloodey, repreeentativo recruit for Albert Smith.
August 9, 18(V4. — (5eorge W. Cununings, First New Hampshire Cavalr>*,
Troop G ; 3ycars ; protnot^^-d to second lieutenant.
August 19, 1861.— <'harle8 E. Lakoman, Thirteenth Regiment, Company
G ; 3 yeare ; died March Hi, 1865.
August 9, 1804.— Daniel M. White, ogecl 21, First New llam|«hire Car-
airy, Troop E ; 3 yeare ; promoted to second lieutenant.
August 16, 1804.— Willis L. Ames, Firet New Hampshire Cavalry, Troop
F ; 3 yeare.
John Scott, aged 10, Firet New Hampshire Cavalry, Troop G ; quarter-
master's s<-rgeant ; accidentally wounded by a gunshot in foot
November 1, 1861.
August 10, 1864. — Albert ?tluson, aged 22, Firet New Hamiwhire Heavy
Artillery, M ; 3 yeare.
James B. Mooney, Firet Now Hamitshin- Heavy .\rtillory; 3 yeare.
Sei)teniber2, 1804. — Lewis V. Cheney, Firet New Hampshtro Heavy .\r-
lillery, C ; 1 year.
Frank A. Roblw, Firet New Hamijshire Heavy Artillery, C ; 1 year.
August 30, 18li-l. — Charles M. Moore, aged 18, Firet Nev** Hani|)shire
Heavy .\rlillery, K ; 1 year.
September 26, 1864.— Samuel S. Hanly, ogod 42, Firet New Ilamiishire
Heavy Artillery-, L ; 1 year.
Man-h 31 l8(VI.—Ervin H. Smith, apod 24, First Now llamiMliiro Cav-
alry, TnmpC; 3 yeare; captured Novoml>er 12, 1804, at Cc*Iar
Creek ; conflncd In Libby Prison, Richmond, and Sultshury, N. C. ;
ondure<I great sufferings in the above prisons.
March 30, imA. — Stilniaii Ihinn, aged 27, Firet New Hampshire Cavalry,
Troop D ; 3 yeare.
Allen R. Hood, aged 2^ FirNt New llanii>Hhire Cavalry, Trot>p B ; 3
yeare.
BcnJ. F. Whitcomli, Firet Now HampMhire Cavalry, Troop B ; 3 years.
Ambrose F. I'plon, aged 18, Firet New llam|H4hlru Cavalry, Troop B; 3
yeare ; raptured June 20, 1864 ; dliil at Andereonvllle Prison, Ga.,
Octolwjr 7, 1864.
Man h 2:1, 18tVI— William H. 11. Pritchartl. aged 2:t, Firet New Hamp-
shire Cavalry, Tionp A ; 3 yeare ; wounded on picket July 18. isiH.
Henry Field, agetl 4ii, Firet New llampshln* Cavalry , Tnnip A ; 3 yeare.
March 2:j, 18(V|.— John P. Farmer, aged 22, Firet New Hamiishire Cav-
alry, Troop A ; 3 yeare.
-March 31, 18(H.- William A. Hunlri'NS, agtnl 36, Firet New llamjidilre
Cavalry, Troop E ; 3 yeare; wounded In leg ; tiiinsferriHl to Veteran
R.wervn C .qiB April 17. Uil'*.
March 10, 18M.— George E. Whitman, aged 20, Firet New Hamiishire
Cavalry, Troop H;3 yeare; capture*!, and died at .\ndere*uivlllp
I'riMin, Manli 6, 186:>.
March :mi, IHCrl.— William H. Drinker, aged 19, Firet New Haniiwhire
Cavalry. Tnxip B; 3 yiMira; wuunde<l severely in I^urlc Valley,
Va., September 22. 1864.
February 15, 180iji.- Charles Jewctt, agiHl 38, Firet New nann»«bire
Heavy Artillery, K ; 1 year.
>Ian-h 10, 18)Vi.— Goorg»< D. Slay, FIrel New Hantjwhire Ih-avy Artillery*
K ; I year.
660
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
March 23, 18S5.— Charles S. Gray, aged 40, Firet New Hampshire Cav-
alry, Troop L ; 1 year.
George It. TiUlen, aged 42, First New Ilaiiipsliin' Cavalry, Troop L ; 1
year.
George N. Bailey, First New Hampshire Cavalry, Troop K ; 1 year.
February 2h, 1805. — AVollfl E. York, Fir«t New Huiiipghire Heavy Artil-
lery, M ; 1 year.
February 14, I860. — John C. Uichanlfloii, Eighth N^-w Hampshire In-
fantry, Comi>any .V ; 1 year.
W. H. II. Greenwood, First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery, >1 ; 1
year.
June 14, 18C:t. — John C. Swallow, navy : flrst-cla»i boy ; 1 year.
Soldiers' Monument.' — The soldiers' monument
erected in Pulnani drove, Peterborough, consists of a
bronze statue of a soldier, six feet seven inches high,
standiiifr in fiill dress, at rest upon his arms, upon a
granite pedestal seven feet in height. The statue was
designed by Martin Mihnore, Esq., of Boston, and
cast by the Ames Manufacturing Company, at Chico-
pee, Mass. The pedestal is of the Concord granite,
and was designed at Chieopee, and wrought by D. C.
Hutchinson, of Manchester. The statue and pedestal
are so well proportioned that the artistic effect of the
whole is very pleasant and admirable. Upon the
face of the granite pedestal, in front, is inserted a
bronze memorial tablet, bearing the following in-
scription :
"THK WAR OF TlIK liEBELLION.
I'ETF.RBOROUOH SOl.DIERg S.\C11IK1CED.
Capt. Gn8tavu8.\. Forbnsh, 13th N. H. Regt.
Lieut. Timothy K. .Vnies, Gth N. H. Ilegt.
Lieut. Charlea h. Fuller, 6th N. II. Kegt.
Lieut. John M. Dodd. r.tli N. H. liegl.
Charles (). Colli8ter,2dN. H. Regt.
Newman Hall, 2d N. H. Kegt.
Edward Bolio, 2d N. H. Bcgt.
Frank E. Howe, 2d N. H. Regt.
George Wilding, 4th N. H. Regt.
Luther G. Crosby, 4th N. II. Kegt.
German N. Breed, 5tb N. II . Regt.
George N. Spanlding, tith N. H.
Regt.
George W. Hadley, 0th N. II. Regt.
William H. Wallace, 0th N. H.
Regt.
Lucius H. Farwell, otii N. II. Kegt.
Cyrus Henry Farnum, 0th N. H.
Regt.
Christopher M. Wheeler, 0th X.
H.Regl.
David A. Cram, Cth N. H. Kegt.
Alfred Perry, i;th S. II. Kegt.
Philemon W. Cross, 6th N. H. Kegt.
Charles II. Fay, 0th N. H. Kegt.
Henry C. Taggart.Oth N. H. Kegt.
ThomnB J. Voso, 0th N. H. Regt.
George W. Wood, 0th N. II. Kegt.
H.
H.
Josiah 1'. Smith, 8th N. il. Kegt.
Jonathan L. Powers, 8th N. II. Regt
Kodiicy M. Brackett, Wth N. U.
Kegt.
Joseph A. Crosby, 13th N. H. Regl.
.lacob Chamberlain, l:jth N. H.
Kegt.
Charles E. Lakeman, l.^ith N
Kegt.
Eugene G. Farwell, l:.lth N.
Regt.
George J. Sloore, 13th N. H. Regt.
Henry H. Frair, I3th N. II. Ucgt.
Herbert Lee, 13th X. H. Regt.
John Leathoi-». 13th N. II. Kegt.
Cortes S. Osborne, 13th X. H. Regt.
Francis S. Piper, 10th X. H. Regt.
James L. Boyce, loth N. II. Kegt.
Ambrose F. I'pton, Ist N. 11. Cav-
alry.
Henry Jlooro, 11th III. Regt.
Joseph Clark, 2d Mass. Regt.
GeorgeM. Clark, .'ith Co!)n. Regt
John P. Cnini, l.'.th Conn. Vol.
Drowned, by Sinking of Steamer on Potomac River ;
.Sophia, Wifeof I.iout.-Col. Charles Scott.
Katie, Wife of Capt. John .V. Cummings.**
' Dedicated June 17, 1870.
CHAPTER III.
PETERBOROUGH— ( Co-i(ini<ed).
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
The I'nitarian Church — Union Evangelical Church — Methodist Episco-
pal Church — Baptist Church — St. Peter's t'burch.
Unitarian Church. — It is not known when the first
church in this town was incorporated, but the first
house of worship was erected in 1752. In 1761 sixty-
eight pounds were voted to repair the house and to
purchase the land on which it was located. The town
" Voted, To protect meeting-house from falling trees
and fire, each surveyor, with all his gang, should
work one day to clear about the meeting-housi>, and
clear the graveyard and fence it." " Voted, To enlarge
old meeting-house by an addition eighteen feet long
on south side, and as wide as the old house is long,
and join roof of addition to that of old house." In
1763, " Voted to lay a floor and build plank seats, and
glaze windows in meeting-house." " Voted, To de-
mand of Alexander Scott the ' neals ' given by the
proprietors." The old house is not again mentioned,
except in the following vote of 1774, viz. : " Voted,
To build a new meeting-house upon the ten acres of
common land, where the old one stands and some dis-
tance west from said house." Chose William Smith,
William Robbeand Henry Ferguson a committee to
carry the same into etl'ect. " Voted also one hundred
pounds toward the same, and that it should be framed,
boarded, clapboarded, shingled and glazed by the
committee one year from the date, which will be in
1776." The house was not raised till 1777, and re-
mained in an unfinished state a number of years.
In 1770 (says Mr. Smith) we learn that the town
released Mr. Comings with regard to the obligation to
build the meeting-house, and allowed him certain sums
for his labor, and at the same time voted to finish the
new meeting-house and lay the under floor and have
windows for the lower story. The house remained uii-
fini.shed till 1784, when a committee was chosen to let
out the building of the pews and the finishing of the
meeting-house, and in 1785 there was action of the
town in relation to the galleries, and after this there
was no more legislation, only votes to move the meet-
ing-house to a more convenient i)lace, in 1795; and
if the town cannot agree, the subject to be submitted
to a committee from out of town ; in 1797, also to
move meeting-house, if they can agree upon a place
to set it; in 1798 it was " Toierf to set the meeting-
house a little to the east of the house that Thomas II,
Blood (Dr. Blood) now lives in (Carter's Corner),
when built or moved." In 1S12 it was voted to make
a thorough repair of the meeting-house, and one hun-
dred dollars was voted for the same in 1813. In same
year, April 6th, " Voted, That the town be at one-hiilf
of the expense of purchasing a stove, on condition
that the other half of expense is done by subscription,
PETERBOROUGH.
OCl
5.iid stove to be the property of the town and to be
kept in the meeting-house." In 1816 it was voted
not to repiur meetinjr-liouse, so no repairs were made
on the house, nor, iiuieeil, did a stove ever get within
its walls.
An ctlbrt was made to fix upon a location lor a new
meeting-house in 1816, and a committee from out of
town was selected : viz., Nahum Parker, of Fitz-
williaui, Samuel Bachelder, of New Ipswich, and
Benjamin Pierce, of Ilillshoroufrh. It wa.s not till 1819
that this committee was callcil on to act. The town
chose David Steele, .Jonathan Kaxon, Thomas Steele,
Xathaniel Holmes, Jonathan Smith, James Ouning-
ham, Robert Swan, Hugh Miller, David Carter and
Adam Penniman to wait on committee of location
and see that all necessary admeasurements be made,
and all necessary information he furnished, and no-
tify them to come as soon as convenient.
This committee was iissembled in June. As pre-
paratory to their decision, the distances were accu-
rately meiisured from every dwelling in town to a
central point, with the number of each household:
'hose in the southciist to Hunt's Corner, those in the
iitlnvest to Carter's Corner, those in the west and
I'lrthwest to Smith's Bridge, those in the northeast
to John Little's Corner, the same being laid down on
a plan, now in good preservation, by Caleb Searle,
June lit, 181!l.
This committee, after a careful examination, fixed
the place of location for the new meeting-house
north of the house of .lames Wilson, on the west
side of the street road, about midway between the
house aforesaid and the old cemetery. The decision
did not prove satisfactory to anybody. At a town-
meeting, September 1.'5, 18l'.t, Samuel Smith, modera-
tor, " Voled, not to accept the report of the locating
committee." "]'oled, not to repair the meeting-
house." The old house continued to be used for
some years only during the summer season, the meet-
ings being held in school-houses in winter till 1825,
when it w:is finally abanilone<I. In 1^20 we find the
following vote, " Votiil, to sell the olil meeting-lnpuse
forthwith." Sold to William Scott for seventy-five
Hollars and twenty-five cents.
Rev. John Morrison, of a race entirely distinct
from the Morisons of the town, was the first settled
minister. Mr. Morrison was offered sixty pounds
■sterling and one hundred acres of lan<l. or one hun-
ilred (lollars in money, if he acce|iled the call. The
land was given by the proprietors. His yearly salary
was forty-five pounils in our currency, and an increase
when the number shall increase to one hundred fami-
lies. Then to be fifty pounds a year. It was voted
that his settlement be assessed forthwith. .Mr. Mor-
rison complied with the oiler, and was ordained
November 2<>, 17(U), no account of the ordination
having come down to us. It was an unforturuite
ministry for the town, and great uneasiness and dis-
satisfaction were soon nnmifested bv .some of the beat
men of the church. It appears that a petition was
made to the Provincial Legislature, dated November
27, 1771, |>raying to be released from the support of
Mr. Jlorrison, and was signed by the following per-
sons, viz. :
Williiuii McNe*', SttiiniL'l Stiller. .IaiiH>^ Cuiiinf^hiiin, W'illiani Cochnin,
John Wile.v, Matthew Miller, Juiiiea McKean, William Miller, JoiiieH
31iller, Xeal llaniniil, Saiitiiel Wilson, Hugh Wilson. Suntnel 3iitchell,
James Ta;;t;art, Wllliiim McNee, Jr., .\lexaniler Robbe, David Steele,
John Smith, Itobert Monson, Joseph liammil, Soinuol rnninghoiu,
Thomas Little, James Wilson, John Gregg, Jr., luhn Wilson, Daniel
Maek, Jasaniah <'n>»by, William Jlooro, John Milehell, Elijah Puffer,
Jolin Puffer, Hugh Uregg, .\bnilmui Holmes.
" Jo»mal C. tt Aivm. from Mtit/ 22 to hec. yl, 1771.
"The pi'tition of Snii(lr>- of the luhabitnntii of the town of Peterbttr-
ongh, setting forth that about 5 years ago the ItevM John Slorrison was
ordained to the work of the Ministry Ihere, since which ho has been
i-eiH*atedly gilty of ye gravest immoralities, such as Profiine Swearing,
Drunkenness, Lewdness, ,Vc., and Ihei-efore Praying the Interposition of
the Legislature to release them from their obligation to support him.'*
■I'C. Itead and sent down to the asst^mbly. Hearing onlereil by the house.
— l*roriui;inl Pttpera, t-oL cii pp. 2'Jl, 202.
The vote for a hearing in the Council was recon-
sidered, and December 18, 1771, it was ordered that
the petition be dismissed. And in the House of Rep-
resentatives. December 20. 1771, the above vote in the
Council being considered, it w;is proposed that the
petition should be dismissed; accordingly, the ques-
tion being put, it passed in the atlirmative. (Provin-
cial Records.)
Mr. Morrison relinquished his connection with the
society in March, 1772. During liis miuistiy his con-
duct became so scandah)us that at a Presbyterial meet-
ing held at this time he was lor a lime suspended from
his otiice. He is represented as possessing more than
ordinary talent. He wtis but twenty-three years of
age when he commenced his ministry.
The town was without a minister till 1778, the pul-
pit being supplietl by the town authorities with such
men as could then be procured, preaching, neverthe-
less, being pretty constantly maintained. The early
settlers had great faith in a regular maintenence of
the preached gospel.
Rev. David .Vnnan was called in 1778, having been
orrlainedat Walkill. N. J., October, 1778, with Peter-
borough for his destination. He was brother of Rev.
Robert .\nnan, a man of superior talent.s, who was tor
some time a pastor of the Federal Street Church, in
Boston. Mr. Annan came to .\mcrica wlien young.
He received his education at Rutgers College, New
Brunswick, X. J., where the ilegree of .\.M. was con-
ferred on him in 17.'<2. The pastoral connection of
Mr. .\nnan with the society in IVlerhoroiigh continued
fourteen years, until it w.is tli.-isolved, at his reipiest, in
1792, by the Presbytery of Londonderry. I n a c(nn)ilai n t
iigainst Mr. Annan l)y Klilcr Samuel Moore tti the Pres-
bytery of Lonilonderry, to be hohleii at Pelerborough
.\ugust HO, 17H.S, drawn up in Ihc handwriting of
.ludge .leremlah Smith, whether ever acted on we
have no means of knowing, it charges first, — " That the
Rev. Mr. Annan, as appe^irs from his private con-
versation, as well as his public performances, has
662
HISTORY 01<' HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
ueglected the study of useful knowledge, the reading
of good books, and especially of tlic Holy Stiijitures,
and hath not given himself to study, l)Ut has fre-
quently, as he himself confesses, gone into the pulpit
without any preparation, and thus hath served the
Lord with that which cost him nothing, and hath not
by his discourses edified or improved tlie flock com-
mitted to his care." That Mr. Annan's " conversation
and behavior and manners have l)een of a kind difter-
ent from those recommended by the apostle and
essential to the character of a gospel minister, who is
an example to the flock, — his conversation not sea-
soned with salt, but generally ujwn trifling subjects;
his behavior not being sober, but light and vain ; and
his conduct and manners irreverent, sometimes inde-
cent and unbecoming the character of a gospel min-
ister." " That he has attempted to extort from the
town two fifty -acre lots of land, which he knew were
never designed for liim, and were no part of the con-
tract the town made with him ; and to accomplish
his purposes respecting this land, he has not scrupled,
in several instances, to deviate from the truth." The
complaint then charges him with being intoxicated
on several specified occasions, viz. : at an entertain-
ment at the house of William Smith, Esq., about the
1st day of September, 1784, he became into.\icated
with spirituous liquors ; also the 1st day of February,
1785, at the marriage of Elizabeth Smith, he was in-
toxicated with liquor, and behaved very unbecomingly.
Several other instances are mentioned of his being
intoxicated, and reference is made to the names of the
witnesses to substantiate the charges. The complaint
ends thus, —
** Your complainant might Imve swelled the catalogue with Mr. An-
nan's faulta aa a minister, as a man and a Christian to a greater bulk ;
but if he should lif aide to justify the Presbytery that those which have
been enumerated arc- true, he is persuaded that they will think it ueerl-
less to adduce any mor* proofs to show that this people, as well as your
complainant, have just cause to complain ; and that Mr. Annan's labors
in Peterborough are without proi5t to the people, and that his conduct
has been irregular, and unbecoming bis station as a minister of the gos-
pel atid a member of your reverend Presbytery, and that you will pro-
coed to inflict such censure on him as the nature of the offences merit,
and AS your wisdom shall direct."
There wasa prejudice against written sermons in the
early settlement, as indicated by a vote in town-meet-
ing April 3, 1764,—" Votni, that the Rev. Mr. Mor-
row, lately come from Ireland, and is sliortly to return ^
should be our commissioner, and be invested with
full power and authority to send to us a faithful min-
ister of the gospel, a Galvinist of the Presbyterian
Constitution, a preacher of the word, and not a
reader .'"
" Watts' Hymns " were introduced by a vote of the
town at a meeting Ai)ril 10, 17it2. The following vote
was passed . " T o^'rf, That Dr. Watts' version of
Psalms be used in tiie congregation of Peterborough
for the future ; " also, " Vofrd, To choose a committee
to procure seats in the breast and front of the gallery,
decent and comfortable, to accnmmodate a sufficient
number of singers to carry on the singing in as good
order jis the circumstances of the congregation will
admit of; " also, " Vated, That Robert Smith, .lohn
Moore and Thomas Steele be said committee to buy
or hire said seats or pews as they shall think best ; "
also, " Voted, That Jonathan Smith, John^Gray, Oliver
Felt and Samuel Smith are to set the tune, and to in-
vite such persons to a.ssist them as they think proper."
The town continued without a psustor until 1709,
obtaining sucli su]q)lies of preaching as oft'ered, and
giving a regular call to two difierent indiviiluals. The
first was to Rev. Abram Moore, a graduate of Dart-
mouth College, 1789. September 25, 1795, a call was
extended to him, and was signed by fifty-eight of the
leading men in town, his salary voted, and Samuel
Smith authorized to prepare a call, and present it to
him or to the Presbytery to which he properly be-
longs. Nothing more is heard of this matter, whether
he accepted or declined, or what broke oft' the ex-
pected engagement ; and, with the exception of Mr.
Elihu Thayer, no one in town ever heard that such a
man existed. The following are the names of those
who signed the call to Rev. Abram Moore, September
21, 1795, viz.:
Moses Cuningham, Samuel Mitchell, David Steele, Samuel Gregg,
John Morison, .Joseph Ilanimil, William Alld, William Mulliken, Benja-
min Mitchell, John Todd, Peter Thayer, John Gmy, Robert Smith,
James Jliller, Nathaniel Holmes, Robert Swan, Jonathan Smith, Samuel
.\lld, .Samuel Moore, Janu-s Hicbey. Abner Raggett, John White, Rich-
ard Finch, John Waugb, Sanmel SIcNay, Pavid Ilovey, David Steele. Jr.,
Samuel Wiley, .Samuel Jliller, David White, Robert Morison, Ezekiel
Morison, William llowden. John Oregg. Randall Mc.\lister, Christopher
Thayer, William Moore, Matthew Templeton, Henry Crane, Robert
Richey, Samuel Gordon, John Ban-y, William Nay, .Vbrabanl Holmes.
Henry Ferguson, Henian Evans, .Samuel Smith, Nathaniel Moore, Wil-
liam Smith, John Steele, Bartholomew Thayer, Hugh Miller, Samuel
.Miller, Jr., William White, Richard Hovoy, Elihu Pennimau, Kelso
Gray, Thomas Steele.
Rev. Elijjih Dunl)ar was settled as pastor October
23, 1799, and remained until June 27, 1827. The
church edifice was repaired and rededicated Feb-
ruary 22, 1826. July 4, 1826, the " Congregational
Society in Peterborough " wiis formed, and the first
meeting held January 27, 1827, with General John
Steele moderator.
The following is a list of pastors from this time to
the present :
Revs. Abiol Alibot, D.D., Juno '27, 18'2", to September 0, 184S ; Charles
Robinson, December 4, 1801, to July 1, 1830 ; C. B. Fcny, Juno 13, 1660.
to December 1, ISG'.l ; Isaac F. Porter, Juno 8, 1870, to August 1, 187-2 ;
Abraham W. Jackson, January 2, 187:i, to 1881. Rev. William \V. Wal-
bridge became pastor September 1, 1S81, and is the present incumbent.
Th6 Union Evangelical Church.— The Presbyte-
rian Church was organized in 1822, being a secession
of members of the Congregational Church who were
not pleased with the Congregational form, and others
who could not adopt the liberal views of Dr. Dunbar's
society.
The fii-st liouse of worship was erected in 1825,
at Gordon's Corner, and was dedicated October
4th of the same year. This building was occupied
until 1S39. In 1840 the present cluircb edifice was
erected in the village.
PETERBOllOUGH.
663
The first pastor was Rev. Peter Holt, of Epping,
from March. 1826, to March, 1835. The society was i
without a ]>a!-tor I'roin 1837 to 1840. lie\. !i'. Pine !
was pastor from June 8, lS3(i, to January, 1837, and
Rev. J. Barrett supplied till February, 1839; J. R.
French was installed March 18, 1840, and remained ;
until 1847; Henry J. Lamb wsis pastor from July 14,
1847, to December, 1852. j
Durinjr the year 1851, much dissatisfaction existing i
with the preaching of Mr. Lamb, a number of the mem-
bers of the I'resbyterian (,'liurcii, by the decision of
the Presbytery of Londonderry, were recommended
to ditTerent churches in the vicinity. In 1853 the same
persons, with others, were, by advice of council, or-
ganized into a Confrregational Church, whose oflicers
were Nathaniel II. Moore, Joel Fay and Andrew A.
Farnsworth. ,\pril 21, 1858, the Congregational
and Presbyterian Churches, by mutual consent, and
advice of a reference committee for both parties, were
organized into a church to be known by the name of
the I'nion Evangelical Church.
Rev. George Dustan was ordained pastor of this
church in October, 185(1, and remained its elficient
pastor more than a tjuarter of a century. He was
succeeded F^ebruary 2t), 1885, by the jiresent pastor.
Rev. Anstin H. Bail.
In 18H0 the church eilifice was rcj)aircd and en-
larged at a cost of about three thousand dollars, and
in 1873 a neat and commodious chapel was erected
costing nearly two thoasand dollars.
Methodist Church. — Methodist services were first
held in this town by Rev. Z. Adams, in 1819. The
church was organized in October, 1824. The first
chiss consisted of .Vdam and I'hebe Penniman. John
Shearer, Jean White, Elizabeth and Fanny < >regg.
The society worshijied in school-liouses, private
dwellings and the town-house until 1840. Septeniber
IGth of that year their first house of worship was
dedicated.
The following is a list of the pastors to the present
time :
18:H-.i:., .losi.ph .Mien ; 183.1-37, Anicw KIddfr ; 18:i7-.')9, .lolin .Tones;
1*19-1(1, .1. (.'. Cioiiiii. k ; IMfMl, B. I). Hrcwslir ; 1841-12, C. II. Chaoe ;
1842-11, .luliiosAilunis; 1844-I,'i, Mos(;,-A. Ilowi'; 184.1-ti;, Klijull Mason;
1840-17, Franklin Kurber ; 1847-4!!, KnfniiTilton ; 1841t-cil, John lluyi" ;
IS-ll-'r:!, i:eorg<- S. Doarhorn ; 18.53-r)4, C. M. Iliniiniorc ; 18.'.4-:.5, Kim-
ball lliidlny; 18r..V-.J7, William H. .Iune» ; 18A7-.''>U, Linvillu .1. Hull;
18.VJ-C,(I, tiooriiO S. Ilarnes; I8f.i>-lj2, R. E. Uanforth ; 1802-01, S. L. l-jisl-
mun; 18(14-G'i, .Io«|ili rawcult ; 18l).'.-C7, L. Dra|)or; 18(17-138, Sll(u>
Qnimhy ; 18118-71, Frank l>. IliiniWot ; 1871-72, Suinncl Deodlo ; 1872-7.'J,
Saiiiiul I.. Ileilfr ; 1^7:l, Albert F. Baxter ; 1876, 1. II. Hillman ; 1877-78,
K. P. F. Dearborn ; 1878-'.l,,r. 1,. Ilarrimm ; 18711-80, .Mr. I'reab)-; 1880-81,
Mr. Wiiiil»..r; 1KH1-X2, varant ; 1882-S;t, J. X. Itow, 188:i-o.
Baptist Church. — The Ba])tist Church was organ-
ized Deeemlier 19, 1822. Jonathan Fa.xon was the
liist deacon and Moses Dodge the first clerk. Elder
.lohn Cunimings, who organized the church, sui)plie(l
them with preaching for several years. The first
regubir pastor was Rev. Asa N'iles, who remained
(luring 1825-2G. The fullouing have been his suc-
cessors :
Revs. John Peacock (supply), Z. Jones, 1840-43 ; J. H. Chick, 1848-
.12 : J. B. Breed, 18110-C7 ; W. 0. A.ver, 1871-74 ; V. K. .Myers, 1875 ;
Rev. David Gags, from November, 1880, to Jlay 1, 1881 ; Bev. E. M.
lien-ing, Trom May 1, 1881, to .lanuary, 1883 ; Rev. KUward Greene,
from March 1, 1883, to May 1, 1884, since which there has been a
vacancy.
The first church edifice was erected in 1822 on
High Street, and was enlarged in 1834. The pres-
ent house of worship, on Main Street, was completed
in 1842, and dedi(;ated in the summer of that year.
St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church. — Prior to
1874 Mass was said in this imvii by priests from
Nashua and Kcene. In that year, however, Rev. P.
Holahan located in the town as pastor, and remained
until 1876, when he was succeeded by the present
jiastor. Rev. Edmund Ruckle. The church edifice
was dedicated May 14, 1876. It was erected at a
cost of about live thousand dollars.
CHAPTER IV.
PETERBOROUGH— {<7on/.n.ie<0.
Medical History — Peterborough Academy— The High School — First Na-
tional Bank — Savings-Bank — The Press — Masonic — I. 0. of 0. F. —
Town-House— Manufactures— l'ost-(Jffice — Population.
Medical History.'— Dk. John Youn(; was the first
physician who practiced in Peterborough. His early
history and life is but little known. He wsus born in
Worcester, Mass., June 2, 1739, and studied his pro-
fession with Dr. Green, of that town. He was con-
sidered one of the best read men of his day, and the
community h(^ld him in very high esteem for his
medical knowledge and skill.
He came to Peterbonmgh about 1764. He there
sustained the reputation of being one of the liest
physicians of his day, and was extensively employed
in all this and the surrounding community.
Although Dr. Young contiiined in a lull i)ractice,
he became very poor, probably from two causes, — one
being the small fee and slow ]iay which he was com-
pelled to accept in the then new country, and much
of that must come in the way of farm produce, as
there was not much money in the community; the
other being the habit of intemperance, which be-
came strong with him, in conse(pience of which he
was obliged to ask help from the town in his latter
years. He had two wives and ten children, lledied
of a cancer of the face, ader a long illness, February
27, 1807, aged sixty-eight years.
Dli. Kr,Si>Al,l, Oscooii came to Peterborough in
1788. He was a well-educated gentleman, but was
not successful in his profession. The history of the
town speaks of him as being a man of considerable
means, ac(iuircd while acting as surgeon in a pri-
vateer during the last part of the Revolutionary War;
but his great pomp and show in dress, etc., led the
> By John H. Cutler, H.D.
664
lliSTUiU" Ui-' HlLLSJiUllOUGU L'OUNTV, MiNY llAMl'tJHlRE.
good people, clad in their coarse, home-spun material,
to soon tiro of him. He died August lit, 1801, aged
forty-five years.
Dr. Jonathan White, son of John White, Sr., was
educated as a pliysicion. He studied with Dr. John
Young, and completed his studies in Boston. The 1
blight of intemperance rested on his early career, and
closed his i>rofessional life almost iis soon as begun, i
He died miserable and degraded at (^'arlisle. Pa.,
having enlisted as a common soldier in the War of
1812.
Dk. David Smilev was born in Jlavcrill, Mass.,
April 10, 17()0, and came to Peterborough in 1782.
He married Miss Rachael .lohnson, of this town. In
1793 he began the study of medicine with Dr. Stephen
Jewett, of Rindge, and his practice commenced
almost simultaneously with his studies. Though not
fully educated, his practice extended over a large
country, and he enjoyed the contidence of the best
families. He retired from practice when the infirm-
ities of age compelled him to, and died October 3,
1855, aged ninety-five years and six months.
Dr. Thomas H. Blood came to Peterborough
some time previous to 1798, and left town about 1801,
and removed to Massachusetts, where he was State
Senator and brigadier-general in the State militia.
Dr. John Mussey came to town in 1800. He
never practiced much, though a regularly educated
man. He died January 17, 1831, aged eighty-five
years and four months.
Dr. Thokas Peahody is remembered by the
elder people as a " Tramp Doctor," with a secret
remedy which he called his "Arcanum," supposed
to be a preparation of antimony. With his secret
remedy he dispensed his skill equally to man and
beast. He died in Greenfield November (j, 1822,
aged fifty-seven years.
Dr. Willis Johnson was born in Sturbridge, Mass.,
December 21, 178(i, and came to town in 1808, and
remained till 1814, when he removed to Mason, and
died in 1859, aged seventy-three years. He always
enjoyed the confidence of the community.
Dr. John Starr graduated from Harvard Col-
lege in 1804, and came to town in 1808 or 1809, and
removed to Northwood in 1814, where he died Sep-
tember 8, 1851, aged sixty-seven years.
Dr. David Carter came to town in 1812, from
Marlborough, and removed to Dublin in 1820, where
he died in January, 1828.
Dr. Jarez 15. Puiest came to town in 181ti. He
married Fanny Mooro, April 4, 1820, and died August
17, 1826, of ejiidemic dysentery, survived by his
widow and two children. He attained a large prac-
tice and was quite successful as a physician, his
businc.'is extending over a large country.
Dr. Samuel Kicharhson came to town in 1820,
and was in active practice till he removed to Water-
town, Mass., in 1838. He was a successful physician.
Dr. William Follinsbee was born in Frances-
town December 12, 1800, and received his degree
from Dartmouth College in 1825. He came to Peter-
borough in 1826, and succeeded Dr. Jabez B. Priest in
his i)ractice. He was twice married, — first, to Hannah
J. Follinsbee, second, to Rachel P. Moore. He
was a man of influential stan<ling and wealth, wa.-;
president of the Peterborough Savings-Bank at his
death and was sent to the State Legislature in 1842-
43. He was endowed with fine practical ability and
enjoyed a large patronage until his death, which oc-
curred May 30, 1867, of heart-disease, aged sixty -six
years.
Du. Richard Steele received his A.M. and M.D.
degrees from Dartmouth College, began jiractice in
1826; not succeeding, left town and died at Durham,
1870, aged seventy-three years.
Albert Smith, M.D., LL.D., was born in
Peterborough June 18, 1801, and received his A.M.
from Dartmouth College in 1825, his M.D. in
1833 and LL.D. in 1870 ; also an honorary M.D. from
Rush Medical College, Chicago, 111., in 1875. He
commenced practice in town in 1838, and married
Miss Fidelia Stearns, of Jaffrey, February 26, 1828,
who survived him. He held the position of profes-
sor of materia medica and therapeutics in the
Dartmouth Medical College from 1849 to 1870, and
the same at the Vermont Medical College, Castleton,
for the term of 1857, and at the Bowdoin Medical
College, Maine, in 1859. He was always an active
member of the New Hampshire Medical Society, and
was an honorary member of the New York Medical
Society. He continued in practice until his death, in
February, 1878, iiged seventy-six years and eight
months.
Daniel B. Cutter, M.D., was born in Jafi'rey
May 10, 1808. He graduated A.M. from Dartmouth
College in 1833, and iVI.D. from Yale College in 1835,
and commenced |)ractice in town in 1837. He has
been twice married, — first, to Miss Clementine Parker,
of Jaffrey; second, to Mrs. Tryphena T. Richardson,
of this town. He has been for many years on the
Board of Education, and also intimately connected
with the Peterborough Savings-Bank ; was a member
of the State Legislature in 1852; he was made histor-
ian of Jaffrey in 1872, and compiled and published
an excellent history and centennial report of his
native town in 1881. He has had an active and success-
ful practice, and hiis accumulated a competency, but
has of late retired from active labor.
Dk. Seavey and Dr. Chase, hom(eoj)athists, were
in town for a short time, but no one remembers much
of them.
Dr. Geokoe Greely came to town and re-
mained for a short time.
Oliver L. Br.vdford, M.D., was born in Frances-
town. He graduated from the Jloniioopathic Medical
College at Cleveland, Ohio, and came to town in 1861.
He attained a large practice, but removed to Ando-
ver, Mass., in 18C7. He is a bachelor.
Fia'HRHOUOrcil.
liliO
JoHX HritD, M.l)., came to Prti-ibonmgh troiu
Kiiulge in 1860, tiiid iit'tcr ri'inaiuiug iu town for six
or ciglu uiontiis removed to IIillsl)oroutrh. He was
h man of good ability.
Levi Doixii-:, M.l)., was born in Francestown
January, 1819, and graduated from the Homieopathic
Medical College olNew York City in 1865, and came
to this town in 1867, where lie (iraetieed until 1873,
wlien he removed to Fall Kiver, Ma.s.s., and practiced
until his death, January I"), 1881, aged sixty-two years.
He was a man of education, character and sterling
ability, and attained a good practice.
WiLLARl) D. Chase, M.l)., was born in Claremont
December 4, 1836, and graduated from Harvard Col-
lege in 1S66. He settled in Greenfield, but removed
to Peterborough in the spring of 1808, where he
enjoys an appreciative ])atronage. He married,
December 30, 18611, Miss Josephine L. Clark, of Wil-
Imm. He is connected with the Peterborough Savings-
IJank ; has been a member of the Board of Education
and Public Library committee. He is an active mem-
ber of the New llam|>shire Medical .Society.
Maky Ann Tiieiu;.-;a Kimuali,, .M.D., was born in
New li)swich August 31, 1827, and removed, with her
parents, to town iu 1830. She graduated from the
lioston University in 1870, and immediately com-
menced practice in town where she died, June 20,
1882, aged fifty-four years and nine months; un-
uiarried. She wa.s a strong and consistent advocate
of homceopathy, and practiced it without deviation.
Chari.e.s F. OliElt, ALD., was born in Nashua
March 2, 1848. He graduated A.B. from Dartmouth
College in 1873. He married Mi.ss Jennie K. Fifield,
of Milford, in June, 1875. He followed teaching in
New York until lS7li, when he commenced the study
of medicine, and graduated M.D. from the I'niversity
Medical College in 187'J, and immediately commenced
practice in Lowell, Ma-ss., where he received the ap-
pointment of attending physician to St. .lohn's
Hospital, and also a membership on the staff of the
City Dispensary. He was elected Fellow of the
Massachusetts Medical Society in 1880, and came to
this town in November, 1881, where he now resides.
John H. Mayo, M.D., was born in Mooretown,
Washington County, Vt., May 18, 1857. He was edu-
cated at the State Normal School, Randolph, titid
followed teaching initil he commenced the study of
his profession, ami graduated from the Hahnemann
Medical College, Chicago, HI., February, 1882, and
1 ame to town in July, 1882, where he now enjoys an
appreciative patronage. H(> married Miss Alice M.
Gould, of Northfield, Vt., June 21, 1883.
John IlAititisoN ('iti.ki!,M.D.' — The Cutler family
is of Fnglisli origin, and wius rcpresenteil in this
country in the early part ni' the sixteenth century.
There is a tradition in the family, — and English rec-
ords, if they do not confirm, rather favor the posi-
> iij tlio editor.
tion, — that Sir Gervase Culler, who married a daughter
of the Duke of Bridgewater, was the ancestor of the
Cutlers who came to America, and from the records
we feel assured that as early as l(i35, James Cutler
was in Watertown, Mass., and was an original
grantee of land in the northerly part of the town, on
the road to Belmont, and in 164!i, James Cutler and
Nathaniel Bowman purchiised of Edward fioffe two
hundred acres of land in Cambridge, near the
Watertown line, and in 1651 he sold his share to Bow-
man for thirty-nine pounds. It is probable that Cut-
ler and, perhaps, Bowman moved from Watertown
about this time. Cutler settled at Cambridge Farms,
near the Bedford line ; a part of this farm was owned till
recently by the widow of .John and heirs of Leonard
Cutler. This house inust have been one of the first
erected in the precinct.
He W!is born about 1606, and jirobably married
before he came to this country. His wife, Anna,
died, and was buried September 30, 1()44, and he
married, second, March i), 1645, Mary King, widow
of Thomas King, of Watertown, wlio died December
7, 1654.
He married, third, Pliebe Page, daughter of John,
about 1662. He died May 17, 1694, aged eighty-eight
years. He had thirteen children, of whom Jatnea was
in the direct ancestral line.
James Cutler (2), of Cambridge F'arms, Wiis born
November (i, 1635, and married, June 15, 1665, Mrs.
Lydia Wright, of Sudbury. He died July 31, 16S5,
aged fifty years. He had seven children, of whom
Thomas was in the direct line.
Thomas Ctit/er{H), was born December 15, 1(!77, and
married Sarah Stone, daughter of Samuel and Dorcas
Stone. He Wiis constable in 1719 and selectman
in 1729, '31, '33 and '34. He had eight children, of
whom J)avid was in the direct line.
David Culler (4), was born August 26, 1705, and mar-
ried Miss Mary Tidd, daughter of Joseph and Mary
Tidd. They were admitted to the church .^pril 14,
1728. They resided on the idd homestead, near the
Bedford line. He was constable in 1746 and selectman
in 1749, '50 and '51. His will, dated Septcml)er 13,
1758, and proved February 9, 17(!1, mentions wife,
Mary, sons, — David, to whom he gave the farm in
Weston (now Warren), on which be then lived ; .losepli,
to whom he gave the place in Weston on which he
then resideil; Scdoniori, to whom he gave the south-
erly part of the homestead; and Thomas, to whom he
gave the rest of the home farm; and daughters, —
Abigail Hodgman and Mary Page.
He was a man of good property, his inventory of
pcrsomil properly being t37.'! 13^. 3(/. Me maile ample
[irovisions for bis widow, providing "that Solomon
and ThoMuis should sujiply her with a horse, two
cows, and furnish her annually witli twelve bushels
of corn, four of rye, one busliel of imilt, sixty pounds
of beef, one hundred and twenty poiinils of pork,
three barrels of ciiler and ten cords of wood, cut up
666
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
and fit for fire." He died December o, 1760, of
small-pox, aged fifty-five years. She died May 25,
1797, aged ninety-three years. They had eight chil-
dren, of whom Solomon, the sixth child, was in the
direct line.
Solomon Cutler (5), was born in Lexington, Jlay 10,
1740 (not May 1.5th, as stated by Drs. Bond and Hud-
son).
He married, December 23, ITtil, lieliecca Page, of
Bedford. They removed to Eindge, N. H., probably
in 1771, and were admitted to the church by letter
from the church in Lexington March 21, 1772. Cap-
tain Cutler lived many years as a farmer and inn-
holder about one-half mile from Rindge Centre, on
the Fitzwilliam turnjjike, on the farm subseciuently
occupied by Dr. Thomas Jewett. He was styled
lieutenant in 1775 and captain in 1777 and subse-
quently, on account of commissions held in the home
organizations. In 1777 he was a member of Captain
Stone's company, which marched in response to an
alarm at Ticonderoga. He was selectman in 1775,
'77 and '83. His wife, the mother of eight children,
died October 18, 1782, and he married, second, Hep-
sebeth Bush, of Stirling, Mass., by whom he had two
children.
Amos Cutler (6), the oldest son of Captain Solomon,
who was in the direct ancestral line, was born Sep-
tember 20, 1762, and married, December 29, 178.5,
Elizabeth Carlton, daughter of James and Elizabeth
(Sherwin) Carlton. He always resided in Rindge.
He was a farmer and held the offices of constable and
sexton for many years. Many of his (luaint, original
sayings are not forgotten by the aged, who remember
him. He died August 9, 1838, aged seventy-six. and
his widow died February 14, 1859, aged ninety-three.
He was the father of nine children, of whom Charles,
the fifth sou, W!js iu the direct line.
(,'harles Cutler (7), was born November 28, 179{), and
married, October 18, 1831, Mtlinda Wright, daughter
of Abel and Zilpha (Rice) Wright, of .Vshby, Mass.
She was born July 22, 1805, and died August 9, 1847,
having been the mother of three sons and four
daughters, five of whom (two sons and three daugh-
ters) survived her. He married, second, March 5,
1848, Esther Whitcomb, of Saxton's River, Vt., who
is the mother of one son, Virgil M., with whom she
now resides in Cambridge, Mass.
Captain Cutler wsis a farmer, and always resided on
the "Captain Asa Sherwin place," in the north part
of the town (Rindgc).
He died February 15, 1864, leaving three sons and
three daughters, the second of whom, Joint Harrison
... '
is the subject of this sketch.
John Harrison Cutler, M.D., (8) was born in Rindge,
Cheshire County, N. H., February 16, 1834, and
" after receiving a liberal academical education, he
commenced his professional stu<lies under the direc-
tions of Dr. O. H. Bradley, of East Jafl'rey, N. H., and
graduated from the University of Vermont in 1861,
having been indebted to his own industry for the
means which enabled him to pursue his studies.
After a brief practice in Greenville, N. H., he was
appointed assistant surgeon in the army, and remained
in the service until the close of the war, when he
located in Peterborough, where he has continually
enjoyed a liberal and appreciative patronage."
Besides his professional lalmrs, Dr. Cutler hits always
taken an active interest in public atiiiirs. As early as
1872 he became interested in the State militia, and
held a commission as major-surgeon from that time
until the organization of the National Guards, in 1877,
at which time he received a like commission in the
Second Regiment New Hampshire National (iuards,
and held it in active duty until he resigned, in 1884.
He has for several years been an active member
of the Peterborough Public Library committee,
making, with his associates, important improvements
in its entire system and valuable acipiisitions to its
literary standing. He has held the position of i)resi-
dent of Contoocook Valley Savings-Bank since its
organization, and for several years i)ast has been a
director in the Monadnock National Bank, at East
Jaffrey.
At the organization of the Peterborough Improve-
ment Company in June, 1884, he was made its
treasurer, and has held the office .since. He also
holds the position of secretary and treasurer of the
Monadnock Railroad Company, whose office is at
Peterborough.
He was elected a member of the State Legislature
for 1883 and 1884, and took an active part in its
transactions. He is also an active member of the
New Hampshire Medical Society. Professionally, as
well as in business transactions, Dr. Cutler is an in-
dependent actor, never hesitating to assume any legit-
imate responsibility which may result in good; this,
with the giiod judgment and cautious deliberation
always at his command, coupled with his acute pro-
fessional ability and generous synipathie« in the sick-
room and at the surgical table, renders him a success
in all of his associations.
In society associations he attends the Congrega-
tional Church, but possesses liberal views. He is a
member of Altemont Lodge, and an otticer in Peter-
borough Royal Arch Chapter of Ma.sons, and also a
comrade (surgeon) in Aaron F. Stevens I'ost, No. 6,
G. A. R., and a Fellow of the Webster Histori-
cal Society, while his skill in horticulture and
pomology has given him an early membership with
the Patrons of Husbandry.
He was married, .Tune6, 1865, — while in the army, —
at Dale United States General Hospital, to Miss
Martha Louise, daughter of Samuel and Hannah
(Shedd) Ryan, of JatTrey.
She was born November 30. 1845, and is the fourth
generation, paternally, from Daniel Ryan, M.D., who
came from Ireland a.-; surgeon of a vessel about 1750,
and settled in Tewksbury, Mass. His son, Samuel
Jo . C^t:^^^^:^-c^
t
i
I'ETERliOROUCH.
fiC7
livan, .\1.L)., came to Sharon, N. }I., in 17i«i. and his
son Samuel Ryan was a tarint-r and dealer in lumber,
and owner of the famous Ryan Steam Mills. He was
a leading man in town, holding all of its important
offices. In 1854 he removed to Jaflrey, and became
prominent as a leading citizen. He wa.s several years
a selectman, and represented the town in the State
Legislature in lK(i:5-G4. He was also for many years,
until his death (May o, IS/O), a director in the Mon-
adnock National Bank. .Mrs. Ryan was a daughter
of (icorge Shcdd, Esq., of Peterborough, and is still
a resident of .lafl'rey.
They have had five children, all of whom are
living, — Samuel liyan, born Ai)ril 29, 1866, a gradu-
ate from the Peterliorough High School, and now
at Cushing Academy, .Vsiiburnham, Mass.; Charles
Henry, born September "J, 1867, and Castella Melinda,
born November 21, 1869, both in Peterborough High
School ; Martha Evangeline, born October 20, 1875;
Anne Loui.se, born August 22, 1877.
The following is a list of the natives and inhabi-
tants of Peterborough who became physicians and
settled elsewhere :
RiciBEX D. Mf.ssEY, M.D., LL.D., wjts born in
Pclham June 23, 1780, and removed to Peterborough,
with his parirnts, in 1800. Graduated A.JL from
Dartmouth College in 1803, and Bachelor in Medi-
cine in 1805, having been indelited to his own in-
dustry for the means which enabled him to continue
his studies. He ])racticed for some time in Salem,
Mass., where he distinguished himself for hisseientific
attainments as well as skill as a physician and
surgeon. Leaving Salem, he pursued his studies in
I'hiladelpliia, and proved in one of his several experi-
ments, conclusively, the theory of "absorjition by the
skin," in direct opposition to a former theory of the
celebrated Dr. Rush, which was the .subject of his
thesis .'it his second graduation at Philadelphia.
In 1814 he was appointed to the chairs of theory
and [iractice and obstetrics at Dartmouth College, and
from tliat time tf) 1837 he filled all of the professor-
ships in the Medical Department of the institution,
in addition to all of the important surgical practice
in that region. He also during that time filled the
chairs of anatomy and surgery for four years at
Rowdoin (College, Maine, and the chair of surgery at
I he Medical College of Fairfield, N. Y., in 1837. In
ls;^8 he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and by invi-
i:ition took the leading part in the Ohio Medical Col-
lege, there located, for the next fourteen years.
lie then founded the Miami Medical C'ollege, and
labored assiduously in its behalf for si.x years, when
he retired from active professional life, though still
retaining all of his ardor for his chosen profession.
He now— in 1858 — removed to Boston and spent the
remainder of his days in the family of his daughter,
where he wrote the work entitled " Health : Its
Friends and its Foes." As an operative and scien-
43
tific surgeon he attaine<la national reputation, having
performed all of the capital operations in surgery.
He ojierated forty-nine times for lithotomy, with only
tour fatal results ; for strangulated liernia, forty
times, with but eight fatalities. He was the first sur-
geon who ligated both carotid arteries at once in
the same person with entire success, which opera-
tion gave him great fclal both at home and abroad.
He visited Europe twice for the purpose of profes-
sional and scientific improvement. As an operator
he was bold and fearless; as a teacher, impressive
and earnest, and always beloved by his students.
He married, first, Miss Mary Sewell, of Ipswich,
Mas.s., wdio survived the marriage only six months;
second, Miss Hitty Osgood, of Salem, Mass.. who died
May 14, 1866.
He died from the infirmities of age, June 21, 1866,
aged eighty-six years.
Dr. FltEDEKUK A. Miller was born in Peter-
borough .July 15, 1789; he studied with Dr. Starr, of
this town, and Howe, of JaU'rey, and attended medical
lectures at Dartmouth College, and died at Manches-
ter, July 28, 1869, aged eighty years.
Dr. David Mitchell was born in Peterborough
May 31, 1782. He studied medicine with Dr. Howe,
of Jatl'rey, and attended lecturesat Dartmouth College.
Lived at Bradford, and died January 21, 1821, aged
thirty-nine years.
Jesse Smith, M.D., wiis born in Peterborough and
graduated A.M. from Dartmouth College in 1814,
and M.D. from Harvard College in 1819. He
was appointed professor of anatomy at Dartmouth
Medical College in 1820, and soon after he accepted
the professorships of anatomy and surgery in the Ohio
Medical College, at Cincinnati, which he retained
until his death. He became eminent as a surgeon.
He was an independent thinker, with an indomitable
will that overcame all obstacles, and his wide proles-
sional culture ren<lered him an interesting and in-
structive lecturer. He nuvrried Eliza Bailey, of
Charlestown, who survived him. He died of cholera
in July, 1833, aged forty years, after fourteen hours'
.sickness, a victim to his iirofessional zeal iluring the
prevalence of the disease in that city.
WiLLlA.M Little, M.D., was born in Shirley.
Mass., October 20, 1753, and came to Peterborough
with his parents in 1764, and studied medicine with
Dr. Young. He settled in practice at Hill.sborough
Bridge, and was drowned in the Contoocook River.
Robert S.mith, M.D., w;is born in Peterborotigh.
He practiced in viirious places, and died in A'Idison,
Vt.
William II. I'laikuiv, .M.D., was born inOorhani,
Me., and came to Peterborough with his parents in
youth. He graduated from Dartmouth College in
1826, and commenced practice in (iorham, and died
there March 2, 1H43, aged forty-two years.
Hiram J. Ei>i:s. M.D., was bom in IVtcrboruugh
July 17, 1815; graduated from Hampden Sidney Col-
668
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
lege, Virginia, in 1844. He settled in Missouri, but
during the Kansas troubles removed to Cedar Rapids,
Iowa, where he now resides.
David YofxoMAX, M.D., was born in Peter-
boroufrh August 2(5, 1817. He 'graduated from Dart-
nioutli .\.M. in is:',!i, and M.D. in 184(i, and settled
in AVinchester, Mass., where he praiticed for ten
years, and then removed to Boston, wliere he is, now
in aetive practice.
Georgk H. Ingalls, M.D., wa.s b<nn in Peterbor-
ough March lo, 180.5, and graduated lioni Berkshire
Medical College in 1837, and located in Proctorsville,
Vt., in 1838. His health failed in 1848, and he re-
turned to his native town, where he died, of consump-
tion, May 2(), 1849, aged forty-tour years.
Luke Miller, M.D., was born in Peterborough
August 18, 181.5, and graduated from Norwich Uni-
versity in 1841 and Woodstock Medical College in
1844. He represented the town in 1845 and '46;
commenced practice in Troy, K. H., and afterwards
in Wiuchendon, Mass., whereheacquired a reputation
in surgery. He removed to Chatfield, Minn., in 1857,
wliere he was soon engaged in a laborious practice, in
which surgery had a special prominence. He was
elected eight successive years from 18()2 a Senator to
the Minnesota Legislature. He held appointments
under the Governor during the War of the Rebellion;
was on the board of trustees of the Asylum for the
Insane for several years after it was estalilishcd, and
has also held important offices in the railroads of
Minnesota. He now resides in Lanesboro', Jlinn.,
where he enjoys an active practice.
JOHX G. Parker, M.D., was born in Peterborough
July 2, 1818. He graduated from Norwich University
in 1847 and Dartmouth Medical College in 1852 ;
jiracticed in Dublin twelve years, and removed to
Warner in 1865, where he died September 12, 1869,
aged fifty-one years. He sustained a high reputa-
tion professionally and as a citizen.
E. CooLiDGE RiCHAKDSOX, M.D., was born in
Peterborough April 25, 1821, graduated from Harvard
College in 1842, and resides in Ware, Mass., in the
practice of his profe^^sion.
jA.\fES JI(>Riu>oN-, M.D., was born in Peterbor-
ough .June 20, 1818 ; graduated A.M. from Harvard
College in 1844 and M.D. from the University of
Maryland in 1846. He was resident physician of the
Ualtimore Infirmary until 18.50, when he removed to
San Francisco, Cal., where he practiced until 18.54,
when he spent two years in Euroi)e in the study of
his profession.
Returning to San Francisco in 18.58, in addition
to au extensive practice, he assisted in the organiza-
tion of the first medical school on the Pacific coast,
in which, for five years, he filled the chairs of theory
and practice of medicine and jiathology. He was a
trustee of the University of the Pacific and vice-
president of the California Medical Society. He left
.San Francisco in 1867 and settled in Quincy, Mass.,
in 1869, where he was chosen president of the Nor-
folk County Medical Society early in 1882, but died
May 20th of the same year, aged sixty-four years. The
positions to which he was elevated are the strongest
indications of his eminence. He was twice married,
his second wife surviving his death.
FuEDEKicK A. S.^nTII, M.D., was born in Peter-
borough June 18, 1830. He graduated A.M. from
Dartmouth College in 1852 and M.D. in 1855. He
was assistant at Blackwell's Island, N. Y., for one
year, and settled in Leominster, Mass., where he died
December 20, 1856, aged twenty-six years. He was
well fitted in taste and education for his profession,
and gave promise of eminence. He married Miss
Frances Gregg, of Belleville, N. J., June 18, 18.56,
who survived him.
Edward J. Cutter, M.D., was born in Peterbor-
ough July 5, 1855 ; graduated from Harvard Col-
lege in 1877, and resides in Boston.
Lawyers. — Jeremiah Smith, .lames Wilson, Ste-
phen P. Steele, James Walker, Artemas L. Holmes,
David J. Clark, Edward S. Cutter, Charles G. Cheney,
George A. Ramsdell, C. V. Dearborn, Albert S.Scott,
Riley B. Hatch, Eugene Lewis, Ezra M. Smith,
Frank (;. Clark, Daniel :\I. White, R. B. Hatch.
Peterboroug'h Academy was incorjjoratcd De-
cember 28, 1836, and in 1837 a neat school-house,
forty-seven by thirty, was erected in the village on a
beautiful and convenient site, presented by General
James Wilson for this purpose. The academy con-
tinued for many years and finally declined.
The High School was established in 1871, and was
opened in August, 1S71, under the instruction of
Thomas P. Maryatt, graduate of Dartmouth College,
1871, with about fifty scholars. Nathaniel H.Mor-
rison, LL.D., of Baltimore, Md., ])reseuted the school
with |)hiloso]ihical apparatus valued at about two
thousand dollars.
The Peterborough State Bank, with a capital
of lilly thousand dollars, went into operation Janu-
ary 1, 1855 ; A. C. Cochran, president, and Charles
G. Cheney, cashier. Mr. Cheney resigned May 16,
1862, and William G. Livingston was elected to fill
the vacancy.
This bank closed its operations May 27, 1865, when
the First National Bank of Peterborough was estab-
lished with a capital of one hundred thousand dol-
lars. The office of president becoming vacant by the
death of A. C. Cochran, Esq., June 27, 1865, Fre<l-
erick Livingston was elected to fill the same, which
office he still holds. William G. Livingston resigned
as cashier August 1, 1867, and Albert S. Scott was
elected in his place. Mr. Scott held the office till
April 24, 1871, when he resigned, and was succeeded
by the present cashier, (Charles P. Richardson.
Peterborough Savings-Bank was incorporated
in 1847. Il was oigaiii/.i'd in 1859 by the choice of
John H. Steele, William Follansl)ce, Timothy K.
Ames, AVhitcomb French, James Scott, Albert Smith,
PETERBOROUGH.
669
iJaiiiel B. Cutter. Saiiuicl Nay, Aliraliain 1'. .Morrison,
Al)ial Sawyer, Xorton Hunt and Samuel Adams as a
buard of trustees.
John H. Steele was chosen president and George
A. Ramsdell secretary and treiisurer. January 12,
1S63, John H. Steele resigned his position as presi- I
dent and trustee, and William FoUansbee was chosen
president of the board. George A. Ramsdell resigned
as treasurer .\pril 30, 1864, and Riley B. Hatch wiis
elected to till the vacancy. The otlicc of president
becoming vacant by the death of Dr. William Fol-
lansbee, Dr. Albert Smith was elected to this office, '
July <), 1867, which office he still holds.
The bank buildings of the Peterborough Savings-
Bank were erected during the season of 1870, and the
first meeting for business was held in the new rooms
February 20, 1871. R. B. Hatch resigned the office
of treasurer April .'), 1S73, and Mortier L. Morrison
was elected to fill the vacancy. He entered upon the
duties of secretarj' and treasurer .Vpril 17, 187o, and
still holds the office.
The Press.' — The first newsjiaper in town was
publislie^l by William P. & John S. Dunbar, and
commenced in the last part of 1829, which was called
the HilUboroiigh Republican and New Hampshire
Clarion. It was edited by Rev. Elijah Dunbar. It
was printed in the building near the bridge, on Main
Street, afterwards known as .Joel Brown's store. It
had a short chiration, for it closed April 29, 1831, with
the ninth number of its second volume.
Tlie second paper, a little sheet in pamphlet form,
called the Peterborough Messenger, was published by
Samuel P. Brown in the summer of 1847, and discon-
tinued after about ten months.
The first numlier of the Contoocook Tramcript,
jiublished by Miller & Scott (John R. Miller and
Kendall C. Scott), was issued .Tune 2, 1849, with four
hundred subscribers. It has been continued unin-
terruptedly to this time, the present proprietors hav-
ing early changed the name to that of The Peter-
borough TriiiiKCript, by which it is known.
During the first two years of its publication, for a
portion of the time, it was edited by Albert 8. Scott,
Smitb'a Histuiy.
lisq., ami they were also indebted for many valuable
contributions to the students of Harvard College.
At the expiration of two years, the subscrijition-
list in the me;in time having doubled, the paper ptissed
into the hands of K. C. Scott. Elias Cheney was the
next proprietor, who sold out to Charles Scott, and
by him it was again sold to K. C. Scott, and after
some years pa.ssed into the hands of the present pro-
prietors, Farnum iS: Scott.
Altemont Lodge No. 26, F. and A. M., was char-
tered .lune 14, isi'i, in liublin. It was subsequently
removed to Peterborough. Its charter was surren-
dered in 1840, and restored in 1849. The lodge is
now in a prosperous condition. Tliereis also a Royal
Areli Chapter in this town.
Peterborough Lodge, I. 0. of 0. F., was chartered
in February, 1846. There is also a Rebekah Degree
Lodge here and an encampment.
Town-House. — The first town-house was built in
1830, and the present one in 1860. It is a neat and
commodious building.
The Manufactures of Peterborough have been
quile extensive from an early day. The "Old" or
" Bell " was incorporated December 20, 1808. In ad-
dition to this, there were also the Eagle Factory,
South Factorj', North Factory, Phrenix Factory and
Union Factory. Woolen manufacture has also been
carried on here. There are also other branches of
manufacture which add to the importance of the
]>laee.
Post-Office. — The first post-office was established
October, IZO/). The following is a list of the post-
masters from tliat time to the present :
John Smith, appoiuted October 1, 179.5.
Samiiol Smith, appuint(.>d .July I, 1797.
J'tiiuthiiii Smith, H)ij>ainti>d Jiiiiu 13, 1813.
Sitiniiei Smith, upix'intoil Juiiiiury -1, 1817.
RIloy Uooilridgu, Oclobor 29, I83:i.
Samuel (iates, appointed February 10, 1841.
Hi'Ury Steele, app^iinlfd 31ay 1.% 1854.
Miw .S. M. (jaleo, appointed February 1, 1801.
.lolin K. Miliar, appointed .\uKiuit 17, 18G1.
W. K. I>nvi8, appointed .litnuary lo, 1882, priMont iocuDlbont.
Population.— In 1790, 861 ; 1800, 1333; 1810, 1537;
1820, loOO; 1830,1983; 1840,2163; 1850,2222; 1860,
2265; 1870,2228; 1880,2207.
HISTORY OF SHARON.
CHAPTER I.
Origin— Incorporation— Petitions— First Settlprs- Town Clerks— Ropre-
eentatives — Military Record — Population.
The territory in this town was formerly the wes-
terly portion of Peterborough Slip, anil retained the
name after the east part was separated and incorpo-
rated into the town of Temple. By an act passed Feb-
ruary 6, 1789, the inhabitants were invested with the
privilege of levying and collecting taxes for the re-
pair of highways, and the laying out and building of
the same; and by an act passed June 19, 1789, they
were authorized to levy and collect a tax of one penny
per acre annually, for the term of three yean-, for the
purpose of repairing roads and bridges. January 24,
1791, the town was incorporated by its present name.
Petition for Annexation to Peterborough : addressed
to the General Court, 1777. — " We the Inhabitance of
Peterborough Slip as Your Humble Petitioners do
Beg Leave to Aquant Your honors that we have Voted
to be Anexed to Peterborough and Are Verry Desirous
for the Same for our Number' Being So Small that we
Cannot be a town of our Selves Nor have Any towne
Privilidges while we Are in this Situation and we
humbly Pray that Your honors would take it into
consideration and if it be Your Minds to Grant Us
our Petetion Which we Now Request of Your lion-
ours let it be Don Soon as may be —
" And we Shall Ever pray &C
" Peterborough Slip May 27'" 1777
" John Taggart, Jn° Swan, Jon" Taggart, J', John
Swan, Jun', Samu' Milliken, John Whitemore, Gil-
bert m'cay, William Milliken, Jame-s Milligeu, John
m°allaster, James JPNee, Benj : Nutting, Josiah
Crosby, Sam' Gragg, Jn° Eliot, Andrew Conn."
Petition for an Act of Incorporation : addressed to
the General Court, 178f!. — "The petition of the sub-
scribers in behalf of the Inhabitants of a place called
Peterborough-Slip in the County of Hillsborough in
said State humbly sheweth,
"That the said Inhabitants have for many years
laboured Under great inconvcnicncies & difficulties in
not being vested with corporate powers —
" That the said place called Peterborough Slip is
<)-0
surrounded by incorporated places — Peterborough on
the north, Jaffrey on the west, Rindge & New Ipswich
on the South & Temple on the east — & that it cannot
with convenience be annexed to either of those
Towns —
"That the number of Inhabitants in said place
now Amounts to one hundred & eighty. And the
number of Families to forty : That the said Place
contains about seventy lots containing upon an aver-
age One hundred acres, & is capable of making fifty
good Farms or settlements — That your Petitioners
are very desirous of enjoying, in common with their
fellow Citizens, the Blessings resulting from a Gospel
ministry — publick Schools — good roads & all the
other Benefits that flow ft-om an organized & well
regulated Society — And your petitioners beg leave to
observe that should your Honours be pleased to en-
corporate them, in their present situation, that most
ot' the diilicultics & embarrassments which they now
feel, would still remain ; & that the only expedient
whereby your Petitioners may l)e relieved, is, as they
humbly conceive, that a small Piece be taken from
each of the Towns that join upon said Peterborough-
Slip on the north and west and be added thereto —
Your Petitioners hunilily conceive that if One mile
be taken otf the east end of Jall'rey tt one mile from
the south end of Peterborough, as far as they adjoin
upon said Peterborough Slip, that such an accession
would make them competent for all the purposes of
corporate Society, and in no degree injure the said
Towns of Jaflrey & Peterborough — Your petitioners
arc led to conceive thus of the matter from these con-
siderations ; That the said Town of Jaffrey is now
seven miles from west to east, it only five from Nm-th
to South ; So that, when that part of said Jafircy,
which it is the wish of your petitioners may be an-
nexed to them, shall be taken off, the remaining part
will he large enough for a Townshii) it will better ac-
commodate the Inhabitants than now.
" That as to the said Town of Peterb(U-ough your
petitioners beg leave to observe, that a tract of land
unincorporated, called Society, lies adjoining to Said
Peterborough on the North — that this Tract is also
surrounded by incorporate<l places And may very
SHARON.
671
ixiiveniently, At least a part of it, be annexed to said
Peterboroufrli, And will more than compensate for
that ]iart of Peterl)orou<rh whicli may be Annexed to
said Peterborough-Slip —
"Your petitir)ners Tlierefore pray that your Hon-
ours would be pleased to annex, One mile taken off
the east end of said Jaffrey, & One mile taken off the
South end of said Peterborough, to the Tract of Land
now called Peterbornugh-Slip, and incorporate the
whole into a Township vested with all the privileges
of corporate Societies in this State and as in Duty
bound your Petitionere shall ever pray —
"JoHX m'allaster") Committee
"Sam' Gkaug [■ of
"Sam' Mii.i.ikkx ) Peterborough Slip."
This petition was heard and dismissed.
I'fltlion for Authority to levy and collect Taxes for the
repair of Highways, 1787.
"The petition of the Inhabitants of a place called
Peterborough-Slip, in said State,
" Humbly sheweth,
" That your petitioners, by rea.son of their being
unincorjiorated, are subject to many inconveniences,
among which are, first. That they cannot lay out new
high-ways — Second, That they cannot tax Xon-resi-
deiits lands, nor lands unimproved, to help make and
repair highways — And, Third, That they cannot com-
|hI1 persons who are unwilling to labour on highways
to work on them at all: Wherefore, your petitioners
jiray that your Honors would enable, emi)f)wer and
fully authorize them to lay out high-ways in said
Place, where necessary — to tax the Non-residents
lands and lands unimjiroved, in said jdace, for the
making and repairing highways in said placi' — And to
compell the Inhabitants of said Place to make, mend
& repair sai'l high-ways — in as full and ami)le a man-
ner as the inhabitants of incorporated towns and
[daces in this State are by law authorized to act and
ilo in such matters —
"And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever
pray.
"June 25"' 17H7.
".loHN Pkextic'e for the Petitioners."
flic foregoing ])elition was granted by an act passed
I .lirnary 0, 17«'.i.
Uilative to Peterborough Slip, 1787.
" Jaffrey June "'2 1787
"This may certify that at a Legal meeting of the
Freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of
Jaffrey ((pialitied by Law to vote in town meetings)
meet on may the 10 — 1787 for the Porpose of Seeing
what the town would <lo in r<v'rard of Peterborough
Slip- haveing a mile oil' the cast Part of Julfrey. —
" Voted unanimous not to let Peterborough Slip have
any part off the east part of S'' town. Voted to
Cliuse a committee of five men to Petision and Re-
monstrate the General Court of tlii.s State that the
Prayr of the Petision of Peterborough Slip be not
Granted Chose M' Laban Ainsworth Esq' Roger
Gilraore, Lieu' Joseph Bates, Adonijah Howe, Col°
Jed" Sanger —
" Voted that the Committee make a Draught and
Lay the Same before the town at an adjournment of
this meeting Voted to adjourn this meeting to Thurs-
day ""24 of May instant at three O Clock atternoon
May "'24 1787 the inhabitants of S'' Jafl'rey being
meet acordiug to adjornment the Remonstrance
Draughted by the affore Said Committee being read
Voted to except the same. Voted that the remon-
strance be Presented to the General Court of this
State
"A true Coppy Attest
"AnosiJAH Howe, Town Clark of Jaffrey."
First Settlers. — Among the first settlers were Cap-
I tain William Taggart, Lieutenant ilcAlester, Samuel
Millican, Josiah Crosby, Thomas JIcNee, Gilbert
1 McCoy, Samuel Gragg, John Marshall, John Swan,
I Abjar Spofford, David Moor, Adam Conn, John
Whitman, Reuben Law, John Taggart, Joseph Barnes,
Josejih Miller, John Duncan and James McNee.
TOWN CI.EUK.S.
17'.ll-'JC, Siiiuiiel Jlillican ; 1707, William Tiiiipirt ; 170g-lSii:i, Sainuol
' Millican ; l8(M-7, William Taggart ; ISOS, Saiiii'l Millican ;.1809-11, BeD-
jamiu ItuKK-'ll ; ISl'i, .Km. Bunica ; isrt-l-l, .Suiiiut-l Ryan ; 1S1&-19, Al-
bert Millican ; IKJO, .\iia Barnes; 18:^1, Abial Sawyer; 1822-;!4, Janioa
Law; IS2.T-28, James Karnswortli ; 1S29, James Law; 183ii-:lC, Abial
.Sawyer; 18:i7-;i9, Samnel Ryan ; \MI\ William Livingston; 1841, Ben-
jamin Rnsnell ; 1842-18, Sotlian Muure ; 181'J, Thomas McCoy ; 1850-
.'.1, Henry McCoy ; IRVJ, Samuel Nay ; 18.W-.'>1, Nathan Moore ; 185S-
."iS, JamiD Taggart ; 18.'.1m;|, .Stcph.'n Bacon, Jr. ; 18U2-4B, Fred. A.
Taggart ; 18C4-08, Stephen H. Bacon ; 18li»-7(l, Nathan :M.».r.' : ts71-72.
I H. D. Erani; I873-S4, Bonjainio U. Sandera.
RKI'RESKNTATIVES.
1822, Soniuel Ryan ; 182:1-24. .Toiialhan Karn»worth ; 1S2.V2C, James
Law; 1827-28, .lonathun Karnswortli ; 1829-:iil, James Law ; ls:u, Sain-
uol Clark ; 18:12 :UI, James Ijiw ; 18:14-311, Abhil Sawyer; 18:i7, Asii
Barnes ; 1h:18-.T.i, Silas Siiwyer; 184", John McCoy ; 1841, Asa Barnes ;
1842-17, Samu.4 Nay ; IBIK-1'.I, .lames Taggart ; l8.'sl-.',2, Silas Sawyer ;
185.1-04, William Livingston ; 18 j,^, '.7, Pliine:is B. Toggart ; 1858-r.!l.
none sent ; ISIill, WIrlIng Gnigg; I8U1, none sent ; 1802-113, Stephen A.
Sawyer; 18IH-U.",, Fn,<l. A. Taggart ; 18li(l-(i7, John B. Sheild ; 1808,
John A. Iladley ; 18011-70, Stephen II. Bacon ; 1871-72, Nathan Moore ;
1873. John A. llndley; 1874-7.'., Benjamin II. .Samlers ; 1870, Derostos
P. Kinory; 1877, Henry E. Ilonil ; 1878, .Tohn A. Iladley; 188(1, V. B.
Taggnrt.
Military Record. — The following enlisted lioni
Sharon during the bite Rebellion :
Daniel Davis, Oliver O. Davis, Randall A. Davis, Luther Paris, Alfi-pd
n. NIchol., Wilder Rieil, Wllllani H. Hanley, .Vlfred C. Taggart, Jack-
son Bnicki'tt, Andrew J. Iladley, Emory 1.1. Iladley, William Millican,
Daniel V. Wilson, Henry HeanI, John IKinovan, Jackson Taggart, War-
ren Nicholas, Henry Nicholas, Ellsher H. Kre^lerlcks.
Population. — The priwnt popiibition of the town
is I wo liiiiidicd and tlirre. For inforniation concern-
ing this town we are indebted to Mr. .1. .\. ll:nlley.
HISTORY OF TEMPLE.
CHAPTER I.
TEMPLE.
Geographical — Orifjinal Grants — The Masonian Proprietors — Incorpora-
tion of Town — First Town-Meeting — Petition for Incorporation —
Second Petition for Incorporation — Documeiitary History — Various
Petitions — Lottery — Inliabitante in 1784 — Columbian Libmry.
The town of Temple lies on the southwestern part
of the county and is bounded as follows :
North, by Peterborough, (rreenfield and Lyndebor-
ough ; east, by Lyndeborough and Wilton ; south, by
Mason and New Ipswich ; west, by Sharon and Pe-
terborough.
This township embraced several tracts of land
granted to individuals by the government of Massa-
chusetts prior to 1740. The territory was granted by
the Miisonian proprietors in November, 1750, with
the usual reservations. For some years it was called
Peterborough Slip, and included the present town of
Sharon.
The town was incorporated August 2(5, 17('>8, and
included one tier of lots on the west side of Wilton
and the easterly portion of what was formerly known
as Peterborough Slip or Sliptown, and was named for
Hon. John Temple. Ephraim Heald was authorized
to call the first town-meeting, which duty he per-
formed, and the meeting was held at the house of
Zedekiah Drury, October 10, 1768.
A dispute concerning a strip of land between this
town and New Ipswich resulted in favor of Temple.
By an act passed January 12, 1781, a tract of land
containing about four hundred acres, lying north of
this town, called Borland's farm, was annexed to
Temple.
January 29, 1789, some territory was severed from
the southest corner of Peterborough, and annexed to
this town.
By an act approved June 11, 179G, a considerable
tract of land wiis severed from Lyndeborough and
annexed to Temple.
Petition for Incorporation. — The following is a
copy of the petition for the incorporation of the
town :
072
*' We, Ilie Iiihubilantp of a place CitUetl Pett'iboroiigh-SIip, in S'' prov-
ing iliiiubly petetion your Exct-llency and Honuure That where a? The
Monadniicka Mouutaius Runs a Cross our Towusliip, whirh is Impracta-
ble For Roads, So Tliat we Cannot Settle The public Worship of Go*l un
one side of the Mouutains so as toaComodatethe other «de of the Sloun-
tains, where fore we Humbley pray That we May Be InVested with Town
prevelidges To The following Bounds: To wit,— Be Gining atl pi'tt*r-
Iwrough, Southeast Corner, Running west on s^ peterborou>rh Line Til it
Conies to a Beech Tree marked, Being the Northwest Cornerof the Lt)Tr,
No Eleven, in the Eighth Range of Lots in S** Peterborough slip, Then
Running South Between the Eleventh & TweIveth;Lot8, on a Line marked
on the pinnacle of The Mountains til it Comes to tlie North west Corner
of the Lot Eleven, in the Sixth Range, Still Riinning on (he pinnacle of
the Mountain, Through the Lot* Twelve in the Sixth and fifth Panges,
on a Line marked to a Spruce Tree, Being the North west Corner of the
Lot Twelve in the Fourth Range, Still Ruiiing on the pinnacle of the
Mountain, Through the Lota thirteen in the fourth Range and fourteen
A tifteen iti t!ic Third Ranire, on a line marked on the pinnacle of the
Mountains to a white maple att the foot of the 5Iountain Called and
Known By The Name of SIofFttts Tree, Then Runing west about fifteen
Rods to the west Line of the Lot Fifteen in tlie second Range, Tlien Kun-
Diug Sotith on S*^ Line to New Ipswitch North Line, Then Running a
bout "East on New Ipswich North Line To the Southeaj^t Corner of Sd
potersboroughSlip, Still Runing East <>n wilton South Line the Length
of Two Lots, Then Uuning North Between the Eighth & Nineth Ranges
of Lots in S'' wilton, inCludeing Two Teer of Lots to Linds Borough
South Line, Then Ituning West on wilton North Line and Peterborough
Slip North Line T<t peterbonmgli Fast Line, Then Runing Soulh on
Peterborough Eaat Line to ttie South East Corner first mentioned — all So
we Humbley pniy your Excellency A Honours Tliat the Loss of Wilton
may be maid up To Them By your annexing a Tract of Land to Them on
the East Side of wilton Called ami known By The Name of The Mild
Slip, and we in Duty Bttund Shall Ever pray : & : C peterborougbelip :
11 : April, 1T6«.
'' Fr-wci-j Blood, "j
John Marshall^ ^ t'ommi//«e "
"John Marshall^ W
" Ei'HRAiM Hkald, J
This petition, however, was not granted, and on
the 10th of the following June a second petition wjis
presented, as follows:
** To Iii» ExceUtncy Governor Wctiluiorfli ntul IIU Mnjestys CouHcd in
the Province o/ .Wir Umnpt^hin- :
" Wliere as the Munudnock Mountains Kiins a Ci'ost our TownBhiji of
IM-terboroughslip wich is Impnicttcable for Roads so that wo Cannot be
acomadated to sett h- tliepublick woi-shipof God so as to be Conveanaut for
the Inhabetentson both sides of the Mountains we tho Inhabitants on
the East side of the Mountains Humbly pray your Excellency and
Honours that we may Have part of wilton anexe<l to us or that we may
be anexed to wilton from the penicle of the mountains a Greablc to the
Bounds set forth in the petition laid before your Exrellency and Honours
by our Committeo the fourth of may Ijist anrl we in duty Bound shall
Ever pray AC —
"Peterborough Slip Juno 10"> 17G8
*' /edokiah drury, Thoimw marshall, Seth Cobb, Jonathan Blood Jur.,
Joseph Hcald, Jonathan Drury, AlboServerance.JohnCutler, John Cutler
TEMPLE.
673
-m'', Beiu* Catler, JoDatban Drury Juner, Joeoph richerd sen, Jobo
iiuirgball, Kbcnezer Drury. yraiicis BUkmI, Zacheiis Riehurd^m, Oliver
Ilfjild, J<>rt{nli Kobiiiit, Arttiiiias Mayiianl, Juhti Ma.vnard, Stephen Cubb,
riiiul Spefforcl, IVtUrr IJouhl, Zvdckiah Uniry Juner, Xathau Drury,
.i-«boiu Drury, thonia8 Dniry. Stephen luirlin, John Iloald, Zechiiriub
Lui-ry, Daniel Drury, William Brewer, Ju^hua Tmld, AMjah Goold,
JuMhua Foster, E/.ekicl GiM^dule, James I-Vwler, Annw Kniery, Ebnezor
Dnirj- Junr, Eleazer Taylor, Aaron Felit, l*eter Fellt, John Brown. Jo-
I )i Bruulu, William Drury, Siliis Anger, Jonathan Avery, Benj*
'.^i^in, Joseph Reed, Epbmini Heald."
This petition was granted, and the town was iucor-
|»orated, as mentioned above, Au^rust 2(J, 170S.
DOCrMKNTARY HISTORY.
'■itivf to tome yew York TorUs: addre»t^d to the A$$embJy, or Commit-
tee of Safety, 1776.
'^Having providentially met with sonio Suapiciout! CircnmBtances in
the Appearance and Hehavtuur of four men passing thro' this Town —
We pursued and apprehended them — On examining them separately and
together it Appoannl plain from their own Account that they bad been
Bont from some part of N'ew York, by Committees in that Quarter, to Ex-
eter on suspicion ut leuat of unfriendtineKS to y« Cause of America — and
that thiiy had been allowM n large Liberty of Yaixl at Exeter, which tho.v
improveil in atteiitpting an escai>e — their Names by their own Account
an- Stephen Hunt, Asa Brown, Jacob Motts, Elitiha Rose— they do not
Itn-lend any of them to have done anything for America, but only a« ex-
pressly Called upc^in ; tho' they would excuse tbeniewlves from any direct
Opposition — We have sent 'em down to be dispoeed of as tho Hon* Court
shall think jiroper —
" The exiMsncesof Apprehemliugand Conveying them to this Town
We have expressed— in its particulars on a i>a|>er by itself — amounting to
VI: 19: 6.
"Temple Decern' :»0, 1770.
"Sam' Howaud -j
" David Stafford Commiitee for
"John Cram JU j. the Toien of
"Sam" Wkbsteh I Temple.''^
" El'IIRAIM HF.ALD J
"Receivedof the Town of Temple by the Committee the sum of
Ninety Two Dollars in full for enlisting into the Continental service as a
Mier In |Mirt of the Quota of the Town alxjvesaid of tho three Battal-
u4 raising in the State of Newbamsbtrc
"T.inple March 28, 1777
' Testis
'John Hillsgbove.
" Sam* Wkbster."
" Rec'd of the Town of Temple by the Committee the sum of Ninety
Two Dollan* in full for enlisting into the Contitiuutal service as afioldicr
in ]>art of the Quota of the Town abovesaid, of the three Battallions
raising in the Stjite of Newbam]wbire.
" Temple March -JH, 1777
"John Millet."
■' Rec'd of John Cragin, Oliver Ilcald and Sjimuol Howani Trcos" and
Iteceivars for tin- Town of Temple of the 8f»ldier Rate— The several sums
iifllxM t'l our Names for enlistment in y* Continental service — we wxy
Uec'd by us
his
"Jamcti T lliiU'hinson £10, 0, 0, &— Aaron Oliver 30, 0, 0, 6
mark
"Elijah MansfleM :«>, 0, 0, 7— John Drury :iO, 0, 0, 8
his
"James ^ IIutcbiDson 20, 0, 0,
mark
" Temple April the 1^ 1777
"Test "Sam' WKBsrr.n."
April *J, 1777, Josiah Stone signed a sinnhir receipt
r thirty pounds, and Benjamin Smith did tlie same
April 7th of* the same year.
lUceipt* from SoUlierii' WiveM,
" Roe'*! of the Selermen of Temple tew bushel of Rye at -I -J* per
liHbel, my Husband Elijah ManslUdd Inking a wddier In Col S<-Hnimlls
Uegiment — I say Rec* by nio
"RiiiiKKAH Mansfield.
"Temple Jan' 4 : 1778 "
" Then Received Ten dollars of Archolans Cummings one of the Com-
mite to provide for tlie faniiles of t}ie Continental soldior«, my lluslnud
Elijah MansfioUl being a soldier in Cor> Sriunils Regiment— 1 *<\\ Rec^
by me
"Rrbekah Massfif.i.ii."
"Temple June 29 day 1778"
" Refived of Benj* Tinney Jr of Temple one of y» Committee for sup-
plying y* families of y« soldiers in the Continental Army Kive Bushils of
Indian Corn at U-JS jxr bucbil £(i-lf>-4. Also one busbil of Rie at 4-8 pr
bushil (^t-t-J*— My HuslKiml Ebenezer Drur>* being a soldier in Col®
Scammils Rignt Recv<i by nio
"Miriam Ititrnv.
"Temple May 27— 177'.l"
Mrs. Driiry also signed receipts as follows:
"June 10, 1770, 1 bushel Com
July -iG, " 2V» " Rye. \14 of Com, 6 qts Salt
Nov. 29, " 4 " "2 " ofEphraini Brown."
"Received of Be^j* Cutter one of the Committee for Temple two
bushils of Corn at 3-S— i.l^l-i
and Nine pound of Cash ',t-tMt
" My husband being a Soldier in the Continental Army
"Mary Hilli»urove.
"Temple April 1-1779"
Mrs. Hillsgrove also gave receipts as follows:
"May 1779, bushel of Com of John Patten
July 2G, 1779, % bushel of Corn, ^ji busliel of Rye, and eight dollars
in cash, of Capt. Gershom Drury
Nov. 25, 1779, 72"» of beof at D* shillings of Oliver Heald
Oct 1 ** £3, 0, 0, cash " " "
Dec. 7 " £15, (i, continental money, 2!,::i bushels Com at 3->< i»er
bushel, 1% bushels Bye at 4-8 pr bushel, — of Oliver
Heald"
Pettii'in "J li (//mm Dnov/, 1778 ; addrewed to the (ieneral Aut^mbltf, or
Committee nf S/tfety.
" William Drury of Temple in Col" Enoch Hale Rig™ A Capt Cershoni
Drurys Company sheweth that be was i 'ailed upoji to go to the Relief of
Ticondero^pt on the alarm in June Last that hishors went on re4|uest to
carry packs and that at Cliarle«town No 4 the Horse was taken out or
brook out of Jotliam Wbit^tt |tastnrc ami it was three weeks lH>fi>re I
found him, and tliat I paid for .Vdvartisinfi; s^ liorMC and foramanand
hors to lio afeter him and forstmyinjianfl Keeping— £2-4M)
"Wherefore your |K;)itioner Humbly prays your Honoure that He may
be Ibipaiddnid sum i>f twopouixl six shillings as he wiis CalliHl u|Kin to
Go with his horse for the defence of that )><'-t and your i»etitioner as in
Duty Bound Shall Ever pray A : C
" Temple Fel^2»hl77s"
Sworn to before Francis BU>od, justice of the peace.
Capt. liobert Fletcher's Petition : uddrefMd to the Council and Aueinldtf^
1779.
"The iR'tetion of Cap* Robert Fletclier of Temple in tho County of
IHIIsborough and State aforesaid— Humbly sliewetb that your jt-b'tii-ner
C<unmiiiided a Com[uiny in the volentear in i.\t\" Kiioc Hab-M Rinement
on the Island of Koad iHlanrI in the Month of August hist— that n<nry
Spaulding of Stodard was in my Com|tany the whole time a soldier that
your |ietitioner carried a list of the Coni|uiiiy to the Conmiltteeoii Claims
and they maiti out a Muster Roll itiid Gave me an AI<Htnirt that I did not
comimir the Roll Nor Abdmct with my list Given in til I came home-
that said Henry S|ialdlug wiw not In the Roll Nor AlMtmct and tbnl I
dtrl [Niy his walges out of ."tly own iK>cket at IUh Retpiest as by his onler
May apjM'ar— Therefore ycuir petetlonor Humbley jimys that the wni^efl
of s*' Henry may be Ri-paid t-' Me ubi< h was tw.*lve |MM)nd two slilllingn
ami youriw'tetionei us in Duty Round Shall Kver pray Ac —
" RollKKT FLETtHRIt
"Temple MBrehy«2^ 1779"
Ufiit. Cooiiale'i I'ftititm, 17H0,
"The Humble Petition of EzeklelGmxIalr of Temple shewelh that your
Petitioner was Apindntcd a Lieutenant in Capt Fryn Comp< in C<d»SrHm-
nielt Ridg* the nii> of Feb' 1777 that he marebi-d with the flnit Devlsion
the flrst of April to Tlcomlartiiia- A- Discharged the duty of a l,eiu« to
acceptance: was (n the several Dls|intes with (h-u' llurgoyne and then
marched to renselvaiia : A Continued there til A|>r :KI 1778 when by
ronM>n of the Continued npplycations from my Family of their Df*-
' William Diu'RV
674
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
treesed Circumatancea I procuered a Discharge A Come home — your pe-
tetioDer Lost ut the vacuation of Tycondrogu Jia by the account £28-4-0
" That your p«tetioiier Never received a rartliing for it Nor for Pepre-
^hafiiou of uiony for liis waiges — therefore your petetioner pray? that
your Honours will take liis Case iuto your wise serious and Marcyful
Cooaideiiition and make him Much reward for s"* loss and waiges as your
llou" think Just and your peletioner as in Duty Shall Ever pray—
" Temple Feb' 14—178"
" £ZEKIEL GOODALE, Leuf
The committee reported in tiivor of allowing him
the depreciation of his pay.
Petition for -i LotU-ry.
" Exeter Jeiiury ilO' 1781
" A Petition of Rob' Howes of Boston to the Honourable Councel and
House of ISeproscntatives of the State of New Hampshire for the Fur-
ther Incouragcment of (Mass Manufactorj- sett by him in the Town of
Temple in this State —
" Tour humble I'efitioner I'rayeth, that as he has been at, so Great
Expenee and got the Manufactory so Nigh to Perfection and being I'n-
able to Procede further without Publick Incuuntgement a Lottery may
seeton foot, for the Raiseing a Sum of Jloney to bring it to Perfection,
as Speedily as Po6sil)le, for if uo Incouragement.— Can be Given Your
humi Petitioner will be Oblidged Drop the Knterprize and Lett his Work
men go to Connecticut, which Stands Ready to Receive and Imployc
them, but that the Honourable Court may do something to Inable Your
humW Petitioner to keep them here and Imploye them is the Sincere
Prayer of Your humb> Petitioner.
"Robert Hewes.''
Authority was 'jranted l>v an act pas.sed March,
1781.
Stalemmt uj the Mana.j.rs or the LMmj : nMre^ttd to the Gawral
Court, 1782.
"The petition of the sul>scribers humbly sheweth that in consequence
of the petition of M' R: Ilewes of Boston in the Commonwealth of j
3Iassach>;setts, an .\ct paia'd the General Court of said State of New-
Hampshire in March A : D: 17.S1, granting a Lottery for the benefit of
said Hewes in setting up and carrying on the Manufactory of Glass in
the Town of Temple in said State, and appointing your jietitioners. Man-
agers of said Lottery, That your petitioners, in pursuance of their trust,
immediately proceeded to advertise the Scheme of said lotterj', and priut
the Tickets, and began the stile thereof in Bills of the now-Emisaion i
agreable to said .Vet. So<m after which your Petitioners were obliged to '
take iMck the Tickets, by reason of the failure of the paper Currency,
and to give over the thoughts .)f drawing the same. And Jis your peti-
tioners wore appointed by the General Court without their previous
Solicitation or knowledge; and having expended a cmisiderable sum ol
money in printing said Tickets Ac- Therefore your petitioners humbly !
pray the Hoiiki" Court to onler the Treasurer to refund to your petitionere
such sums of money as they have been neiessitated to expend on account
of said lottery : and, for that purpose, that they may have leave to ex-
hibit an Account to this (Jourt for .\llowance, and your petitioners as in
duty hound shall over pray Ac
"Manh 22'! 17S2.
"T : F.VKRAR
'* T. .\bhot
"Kr.\ncis Hlood^*
Hcllo-H ;f RulabU /W/-, 178:1.
"Stale of New-Ham|i«hire Uillsliorough »
'■ Temple Dec' KKi" 1783
"There is in )•• Town of Temple one Hundiwl and fourleoo iwrsons
of Twenty one years of Age iiaying for tlioni selves a pole Tux Taken
by us.
" S.<M' Howard 1 Selertmen
"Francis Uloou I of
" Benja Cutter J Temple"
Sworn to hot'.ire Kianris Blood, justice of the peace.
Inhabitants in 1784.— The following were citizens
in 17X4:
"Jo«linaTo<M, Caleb Bancroft, .Samuel Howaixl, .Moses Stick nee, Wil-
liam Manser, Beiu> Cutter, Will" Drury, Abniham Shelden. I)eni'« Oa- (
gin, Sanisi.n Walker, Ephraim lliown, Ebone/.r Drury, Ezekil .lewet, I
Levi Peirce, Silas Brown, Isaac Butterfleld, Gideon powers, Jacob Foster,
.\bnor Felt, Ezekiel Goodalc, Elias Colburn, Job n Patten, Francis Cra-
gin, Asa .Severance, KIdad Spafford, John Stowell, .losiah Kisk, ^rilliam
Searle, Ju', .\aron Felt, Joseph Ileald, .\bniham llinsmoro, JohuCragin,
Jur, Peter Brown, Moses Lonel, Jacob Lowel, Andrew Lane, Jonas
Brown, Isaac Uanon French, Daniel Heald, Oliver Ileald, Kphmim Co-
nant, Josiah Stone, Abie! Holt, Joseph Kidder, John M'.MIastor, James
Milligen, Sum" Millikeii, W" Milliken, Josiah Sawyer, James M'Nee,
Joseph Barnes, Gilbeit M'Cay, .John swan, Joseph Miller, Nathan Boyn-
ton, John .Marshel, Reuben Law, Rob' Potter, John Taggart, Benjamin
Bacon, Reuben Cumings, .\nd'' Conn, David Moor, James Moor, Jere-
miah Andrews, John Taggart, Gershom Drury, David .Searl, John Ken-
dall, Nathan Wheeler, John Burnap, .««ml Holt, Ezekiel Jewett, i-'rancis
Blood. Sjiiiiu.-l Kinld. .\arou I'olman "
STjldier's Certificate, 1784.
"These may Certifie that Jeremiah Andrews is Father A heir to
Andrews a Jlinor late of Temple Deceas'd— who was a Soldier in the
Continental army— Hired by SJ Town of Temple—
" Dated Temple Dec 1, 1784.
"Sam* Howard") SeUdmen
" Kph" Brown ^ of
"F. Blood J Temple."
Uelative to SlUitia : addressed to the Gejural Court, 1785.
" Humbly Sheweth the Selectmen of Temjile in the County of HilU.
borough and the Inhabitants of S'l Town— That at the last .Session of the
General Court, a vote Jiast by which the 12"' Rig' of Militia was Divided
and the we.^t part Call'l N» 12 and the East part Call'' N» 2:!, The Real
situation A All the Surcumstances of the Towns that Now Compose the
East Rigiment we Suppose was not then laid before the Hon"' Court for
we beliveif they had it would Not have pased— wherefore we beg leave
to Sjiy That the East Keg' (viz') New Ipswich JIascm Wilton Temple
Peterborough Lyndsborough Society Hancock A Peterboroughslip wa.*
all formerly of the fifth Regiment— That they |my i:4'.i— Lis- llid to
everj- thousand of the State Taxes as will Api>ear by the last proportion
.\ct— and that the west or 12"> as by S'l v<.te (viz') Hinge Fitzwilliam
Jaffrey Marlborough Dubliu A Packcralicld jiays but i:;)2 : 1.3— which ie
not two thirds so much, or in other words we i>ay £17—28 lod more to
every £1<)0U than they which is more than half they jiay— That we are
Nine Towns to their Six— that more then 1100 poles was return'd in the
last Inventory in the Nino A but little more than «K) in the west Kig'
And that most of the Towns in the East Reg' was Settled (viz») New
Ipswich Wilton Mason Peterboroug A lyndsborough a Number of Y'ears
before there was one Inhabitant in the Six towns whi4-h now Takes
away our Number — .\nd that there is Now four Field olhcers within this
Reg' (to wit) Ileald Willson Abbot A Clark— (which Cjinn.it— by the
Militia Rules which is only Ilonnourj renew their Conuuition in the 2;}d
regim' — That in every point of view we consider our Selves .Vgreav'd by
Said vote— werefore we humbly pray your Excellency A Honnours that
the East Rig" (to wit New Ipswich Ac which is Now call'd the 23* regi-
ment may be ivstored to their former Number, or that The Division of s^
12 Regiment nniy be Made Nul A void— .ind be put to Gether as but one
regiment A as In Duty bound Shall pray
"Jany 27— 17S5.
"Moses Sticknee, Ab'» Shelden, Rob' Howrd, Ilenoni Venton, Jona-
than Stevens, (>ershom Drury, Ezra Drnry, .\bi-ahani Dinsmor, John
Stowel, Caleb maynard, George Conn, David Kmes. .loshmi T<t<ld, John
Todd, Joshua Toild Jun', Thomas Marshall, Jonathan Marshall, .\mos
Dinsmor, Caleb Bancroft, John Ball. Jonathan Lovejoy, Bei^amin Ten-
neyjur, Nalhl Biill, Nath" Ball J', .\bicl Parker, Moses Lowell, moees
Lowell J', .lacob Lowell, .losepli Heald J', Benj. Cragin, Eldad SpalTord.
Ezekiel Jewel, Nathaniel Jewel, William Jewct, Oliver Whiting, Nathan
Wheeler, Silus Brown, Daniel Lamson, .lohn Andrew..*. Tho' Dinstnore.
Tho» Sewell Feringtoit (his X mark), Samson walker, Levi Pein-e, Da-
vid Drury, W"' Fletiher, Josiah Fisk, .\mos Heald, Beii.ia Cutter, Peter
Felt, Zebadiali Dinsmore, John Woodward, Nathaniel Griffin, .lonatha:i
Avery, John Avery, Isiuic Butterfleld, Thomas Richardsiui. Danial fors-
ter, Samual Burnip, Bcngmon Severns, Abbe Severens, .Vsa .Severns,
Royal Blood, Francis Blood J'."
" Voted to answer tho Request of Joseph Itichanlsen and others Inhab-
itants of Lynsborough Relative to their being annexed to Temple Pro-
vided they will obligate themselves A heirs Not thereby to involve S**
Town itt any uiuiei-».ssiiry <'harges on account of tbier Being annexed or
on ace' of Moving the Meelini; house .tc
"Attest "SamI II. .ward, T. Clerk.
" Temple May o" 171H.
TEMPLE.
IJ75
COLUMBIAN LIBRARY.
/■ r an incftrporalion uf a Librani : adtlrift^tt to Vie General Courts 1707.
" Humbly Shews
"Noah Miles IWiguuiin Cni^zin k KlHiu^ t^lwanla inhabitants of Tem-
ple iu S** State unci otiior* thoir aKsociHtes* tliut tlicv hiivo Been at Great
expence in Collecting a Considerablt- Number of Valuuble Books fur the
purpoae of estublishin^ a Library in S'> Temple. But without the aid
and Patronage of the Ilon>'^ Legii^littnre they Hud tbemiM^lves under
Great Disadvantage Si their endeavors to prontote usefull Knowledge
alin<Ht in Vain — they therefore pmy that they nniy l>e incorporated into
a B"dy Politic ft<r the PnriMne of cflabti-hinjil S** Libnini- with Such
I'mwits a Priviledges as uro usually lirantcd to incorporations of a Siiui-
Viilure —
iind yonr Petitioners as in Duty Bound will over pray
•Temple oct' 2.5 1707
"NOAII 3HlLKS 1
"BknjaCraoin i- CoritiM."
*'Kus' Kdwards J
Columbian Library was inoorporated in 1785.
The following were residenU iu 1799 :
'JodhuaToeter, Peter Powers, John Kimball, Jon* Kimball, Aaron
Iljirns, Joseph Stone, Thomas Richardson, George Kimball, Benj» Cutter,
JixNt-ph'Searl, Royal Bl<K>d, Abraham Shelden Stephen Manser, Samson
Walker, John <^*r.igin. Nalli' Jewel, Stephen Cragin, Samuel Buriiap Ju,
Fraiiciei Cmgin Jr, Fnmris Blood .Ir, .b-sepli Hosley, Jacob Jewet, Moses
I'-rKins, Charles Kirk, St*>phen Austin, Jon» Spaulding, Soth Blood,
1 Webster Fell, .John BallartJ, Arteinae Wheeler, Samuel lloward,
kiel Jewel, William Jewel, Asa lloward, Benjamin Tenny, Benj»
kilhun, Elios Colburn, Levi Peirce, Nathan Wheeler, John Patten,
Peter Felt, Caleb Muyiuird, Daniel He.ild, Levi Adams, Daniel Searlu,
Nalh* Barrett, Benjamin Piirkg, Benja Cutter, William Searle, James
Walton, ElittS Boynlon, J^mab Fisk, Klislia Child, Sam" Killara, Aaron
Felt. Kliot Powers, Timothy Austen, Silas Slickney, Phinehns Carlton,
Oliver Whiting, John Brown, Zechariah Kmery, Jacob Jewel, David
Pattemon. Gideon Powers, Eben' Stiles, William Dniry, Joseph Towne,
Thomas Towns J", l>avid Towne, Aaron Avery, Peter Aveiy, John
Avery, Thomas Towne, Joseph Heald. Tliowler Barker, .John Rider,
Joseph -Killam, Samuel Biirnap, Joseph Heald J% .lames Ilenld, Ephraim
Heald, Richanl Palmer, Simon Farrar, Joel Avery, Eli Towne, .lonas
Brown, Eldad S|MifTord, Ezra Mansur, James Crombie, Oliver Whiting Js
Edward pratt, .b»seph Kid'ler J"'. Benj* Cmgin, Francis Cragin. Ar.-lielmis
Cummings, Gurshoni Drury, fsun Kimball, David fuller, John Winship.
Edward Willst>n, John Start, andrew Parkhurst, Silos Durkee, Willium
Miin^ur, Jnc»)Ii Foster."
(11 A I'l'KlJ I I.
TEMPLE— (Coiidiiiierf).
^^ irof tlio Rr'volmi.in—SoMi<*rH' Names — fli-nfrnl Fniiiciii Bloo<I— War
f tlio Rotullion— KcclfKiiutlcnl lII»lor)t— Connregutionnl f'hurcti—
lliiptiHt rliurch— I'nivcroalist Cliiinli— CnllciJij Gmilimt<.'8-(;lu»«-l''iu-
l-.n' — KiuiiMiti* — IMi>'!*lctunft — f'lvil HUlur)'.
Warof the Revolution.— Ill the Wnr of the Rev-
(iliiticiM Tt'iiiplc i<-!(|>(iii(lc(l |inniii)tly with nien find
niesiiis, iiiid the leci.rd nC tlic littlt^ tnwn diirii)(; that
strupirlc is one ill wliicli lur citi/.i'iis may justly foel
piitriotic pride.
General Franeis IJloml was a i>roiiiiiient man in
the town during the Revolution. ]Ie was a memlier
of the House of Representative.^ in 1777, and on Sep-
tember 27th of that year wius appointeil eomniissary
to attend a puard sent to eoiidiict prisoners of war to
I'lirtsinoulh. He was appointed January L'7, 17X1,
one of the two "eollcctor-generals of l>eef" for the
ariiiv ; memlier of the Couneil in 1784, and of the
Senate, 1784-85 ; judge of the Court of Common
Pleas, and held numerous offices in towu. He was
born in Concord, Mas.*., March 18,1735(0.8.), and
died in 1814.
As early as January 12, 177'), the town sent " about
40 bushels of rj-e " to " the Poor of y' town of Boston."
The following marched to Cambridge on the alarm
of April 19, 1775 :
Jommiah Andrc\rB, Francis Blood, Ephraim Browu, B<ii\iamin Byam,
Petor Brown, Siimui'l Bri'deen, Sotli Cobb, Jolin Cragin, Benjumin Cra-
gin, Uershom Drurj-, William Urnrj-, Daniel Drury. Z. Drury, Z. Drury,
Jr., Ebonezcr Drury, .\brahum Dinsniore, Jr., Zcbediah Dinsmorp, Zccb-
ariah Eiiury, Jobn KvcriCI, Robert Fletcher, Joshua Foster, Ezekiol
Goodale, Samuel Griffin, Samuel Un«ard, Ephraim Ueald, Peter Heald.
Oliver Heald, Joseph III aid, E. Jewett, .loseph Kidder, Benjumiu Killoni.
Andrew Law, Farrar MilliT, Aaron JlaiThull, William Mansur, John
Matthews, Aaron Oliver, Eliot Powern, Stephen Parlin, Joseph Richards,
John Stiles, David Spatford, Nathaniel Shattuck, S. B. Sticknoy, E.
Severance, Beivjaniin Smith, Benjamin Tenney, David Townsend, Samuel
Webster, Peter Wheeler, \. Wilson, John Uillsgrovc, Josiah Stone, E.
Cobb, Eno^ Ooodale.
The following were in the battle of Bunker Hill :
Jeremiah Andrews. Timothy .\vory, Samuel liredeen, Peter Brown,
Abraham Dinsmore, Z. Emery, Samuel GriHin, John Ilillsgrove, Samuel
Ilutchins, Wilder Kidder, John Matthews, Aaron Oliver, Benjamin
Smith, E. Severance, John Temple, Arthur Kirkwood, F. Miller, Josiah
Stone, Tbonuis Patterson.
The followiii'/ hilonged to the two months' militia
in 1775:
Jonathan Avery, s.-th I <.l.b, S. I'oljb. luini.l liriii.v, Peter Davis, Z.
Emcrj", Joshua Foster, K, Ooodale, Josi'ph Kidder, Eliot Powere, Gideon
Powers, Joseph Richanlson, Slle llich Stickney, Beiyauiin Suiith, .lohn
Todil, Peter Wheeler, David Townst^nd, '/.. Densmoro.
The following were in Captain Ezra Towne's com-
pany :
Samuel .\vory, Jonathan .\vcry, Samuel llrodeen, Zedekiali Drury,
.lobn Hillsgrove, Thoma» Patterson, James Hutchinson. Wilder Kidder,
William Mansur, John Matthews, Benjamin Smith, K. Jliller, Samuel
Wheeler, I'eter Felt, William Holt, K. Taylor.
Ill .Inly. 1777, the (oUowing marched to Benning-
ton :
Benjamin Bjam, Caleb Dauerofl, .lames Foster, Nathaniel Shatluck.
Joseph Heald, John Kvei-ett, Paul Powers, Ki'niauiin Sevoralue, K.
Bniwn, S. II. Sticknee, K. Soveroiue, Peler Wheeler, Samuel Wlieoler,
Nei'dhani Drury, William Iplon, Benjamin CraRin, Daniel Foster.
The following marched to .Saratoga, in Captain
Drury's company, in September, 1777 :
Fnineis I'ruBin, John CniKin. Petor Felt, William Drury,/.. Drury,
Joseph Kidder, Silas Angler. Josejih Itliharilson, Ablel Holt, Samuel
Ilurnap, Caleb Maynanl, Knos Ooislale, Stephen Purlin, .leremlah An-
dl-ows, Jcdin Todd, S<iluuel Howard, Pider Wheeler, Z. DIusinore, Cap-
tain G. Drury.
The following went to Rhode Island in 1778 ; absent
twenty-three days :
(iersh.mi Drury, Bolierl Fletcber, J.wph Kbider. Dalil.l Heald, Olileon
IViwers, Paul Powers, .liwliiia Foster, .losbua llbharilsoii. S. II. Slic knee,
Saiuuol Felt, David Townseiiil, Jonathan Mal-sliall, Benjamin .Severance,
Samnid Wlueler, James Perry, Nathaniel Jewett, Jonlah Stone.
Sixteen men, as follows, " marched on the alarm at
Coos, at ye time Hoyalston was burnt : "
Uotuhom Drury, Wllllnni Drury, Abiel Holt, Samuel Molt, Paul SlLk-
nee, Nathaniel Jewell, Frniicls Cmglu, S. 11. Stickiiw, 8. Parllii, D.
llould, Slnioon (.■nigiii, B. Cragin, John Biiniup. Z. Kmery, S. Walker,
A. Cnmlnga.
The above were absent four days.
671)
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
War of the Rebellion. — During the AVar of the
RelifUion Tem|ilt> iis|ioii(led promptly to the various
calls for men, and the record of the town through that
conflict wjxs an honorable one ; men and money were
promptly furnished.
Ecclesiastical History. — It i.s probable that
preaching was commenced in this town prior to its
incorporation. The first minister was Rev. Samuel
Webster, ordained October, 1771. He died August
4, 1777. After the death of Mr. Webster, various per-
sons filled the pulpit until October, 1782, when Rev.
Noah Miles was ordained " in y' new meeting-house
not yet finished." He died November 20, 18.31. His
successors were as follows : Revs. Leonard Jewett,
Walter Follett, George Goodyear, George Williams,
Isaiah P. Smith, Royal Parkinson, S. D. Clark,
W. L. S. Clark, J. S. Bassett, John W. Haley, John
Mellish.
An Universalist Church was formed here in
1832, under the name of the L^nion Society, and the
distinguished Hosea Ballon was the first pastor. A
church edifice was erected soon after.
Glass-Factory. — Mr. Blood, in his " History of
Temple," says : "Strange as it may seem to us, there
is little doubt that the first American manufactory of
glass was erected in the town of Temple." The
builder and owner was Robert Hewes, who was born
in Boston in 1751. He was a "celebrated bone-
setter and fencing-master." The factory was sixty-
five feet square. It was started in 1780.
Families. — The following family names, identified
with the history of the town, are taken from Blood's
" History of Temple . "
Ball, liarker, Blood, Boyntun (Captain Elias Boyntoii wna iu thebattlo
of Blinker Hill), Brown, Uurnap, Child, Coiburn. Cragin, Cronibie, Cuni-
ings. KdwardB (Captniii Kbenezer Kdwards waa with the company of the
.\L-ton Minute-Men at "the Bridge," when they met the British), Kar-
rar, Felt, Fiak, Foster, Gardner, Ileald (nunieronw family ; Peter Ileatd,
of the Deacon Peter Heald family, was the first male child born in Tem-
ple). Howard, Hawkins, .lewett, Kcyes, Kidder, Kingsbury, I>;iws. Man-
snr. Mason, Jlilet*, Miller, Patten, Pierce, Patterson, Piper. Powers,
Pratt, Searle, Shattnck, Shcrwin, Spalding, SpotTord, Walton, \\lieeler,
Wliytynge, and Whiting.
Physicians. — The earliest physicians in Temple
were l)rs. f^ilas Durkee, Brown and Taylor. Dr.
James Crombie located here in 1798, and remained
until 1820. Other jdiysicians have been Di-s. S
Fobes, S. Cumings, Nathan Jones, A. H. Wilder,
Raymond, Nathaniel Kingsbury, I). S. Prescott, G.
A. Phelps, Henry J. Young and J. .M. Blood. There
is no resident physician in the town at tli(> present
time.
Schools. — The first reference to educational mat-
ters is under date of March 4, 1771, when it was
" Voted to have schooling and voted to raise £8 L. M.
for schooling." From that early day to the present
time Temple has kept abreast with the rapid stride
of educationsil progress. The last sippropriation for
support of schools was seven hundred dollars. The
present Board of Education is as follows : Charles P.
Wheeler, Charles E. Rockwood, A. B. Davidson, .1.
0. Whitconib, Thomas Derbyshire.
Civil History. — The following is a list of rei)re-
sentativcs fioni 177() to the present time:
Francis Blood, 1776 to 17ax
Francis Cragin, 1784, '85, 'SO, '91),
'92.
Bei^ainin Cragin, 1788.
.\byah Wheeler, 1794.
K. Kichards, 1T!1G, '97, '98, 1800,
•01, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07,'08,
'09, '10.
Daniel Searle, 1811, '12, '13, '14.
David Patterson, 1815.
James Crombie, 181»J, '17.
A. Cummings, 1818, '19, '20, '24.
Jesse SpotTord, 1822, '23.
David Stiles, 182.% '26, '27.
Simon Farrar, 1828, '29, '30, '31'
'32.
Xathan Wheeler, Jr., 1833, '34,
'■.in, '36.
.lohn Cragin Jr., 1837, ^.s.
Nathan Wheeler, 1839, '40.
Nathan Kingsbury, 1841, '42.
Thomaji W. Smith, 1813, '44, '.M.
Isaac Kimball, 1846, '47, '48.
Herman Buss, 1849, '.'>o, '51.
George Whiting, 1852, '53.
E. G. Cutter, 1854, "50, '57.
Daniel Felt, 1855.
(Xo choice in 1858).
James Killam, 1859.
Elbridge Cutter, 1860.
.lame.- Killam, 1861.
Francis W biting, 1862-63.
Warren Keyes, 1864-65.
Elbridge Cutter, 1866.
Rev. George Goodyear, 1867-68.
Closes M. Batch, 1809.
Isaiah Wheeler, 1870, '71, '72.
Freeman J. Holt, 1873, '74.
George E. Coiburn, 1875, "76.
Supply W. Edwards, 1877, '78.
Charles X. Coiburn, 1879, '80.
Brooks M. Heald, 1883, '84.
TOWN CLERKS FKOM 1768 TO 1886.
Nathan Coiburn, Jr., 1838, '3:'.
'40. 41, '42, '58, '59.
Martin Heald, 1843, '44, '45, '46,
'47, '48,'49, •50,'61,'5'2, •53,'54.
'55, "56, *57.
Josiah M. Blood, 1860.
Charles P. Haywani, 1)S62 to pre-
sent time.
Captain Francis Blood,1768,"69,'70
.Samuel Howard, 1771-99.
Ebcnezer Edwards, 1799-1802.
Daniel Searle, 1802-20.
Xathan Wheeler, 1820, '21, '22,
'25, '26, '27.
David Stiles, 1823,'24.
Jonas Davis, 1829, '30, '31, '32, 33,
'34, '35, '36, "37.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
MAJOR .SVPI'F.Y W. EinVARPS.
Major Supply W. Edwards is the fifth child of
Nathaniel and Sarah (Wilson) Edwards and was
born in the town of Temple, N. H., April 9, 1817.
His grandfather, Captain Ebenezer Edwards, was born
in Acton, Mass., March 23, 1757. He was a member
of the Acton Company of Jliiiute-men under com-
mand of Captain Davis, and did service during the
War of the Revolution. He was on Dorchester
Heights at the siege of Boston, and after the evacua-
tion of that city worked as a carpenter on the fortifi-
cation of the harbor, at the same time doing military
duty. He removed to what is now Sharon, in 1777,
and to Temple, N. IL, in 1780. .Vbout 178(1 he liuilt
what is now known as the " General Jliller House,"
and resided there until about 1819. He was a man
of character and importance in the town, and the
records show that he held all the principal offices in
its gift. He was twice married, first to Lucy Wheeler,
of Lincoln, Ma.ss. They had eleven children ; jhe
died November 20, 1800. His second wife was Mary
Flint, also of Lincoln, Mass. She bore him four chil-
dren, — Captain Edwards died March 21, 182G. Na-
thaniel, his fourth child, was born May 26, 1785. He
i
TExMPLE.
677
married June 16, 1808, Sarah Wilson,of New Ipswich.
Their children were Sarah, Mary, Abby, Susan W.,
Supply W., Elizabeth, Xathaniel 1'. and Charles W. I
Major Supply W. Edwards had no advantages for
education in his youth beyond what the public school
of his native town could furnish, and his attendance |
to this was limited to the winter terms. Being one I
of a somewhat numerous family, in moderate circum- I
stances in life, he was taught to labor as soon as his I
growing strength could make his services of any
value. As soim as he was of sutlicient age he learned
the trade of stone-masonry, and this he has made the
principal occupation of his life. He made it a rule
at the beginning to do whatever he undertook con-
scientiously and well, and to that rule he has adhered
through life; and to this may be attributed the suc-
cess he has attained. His work may be seen in his
own and all the surrounding towns and villages. In
addition to his work at masonry, he purchased a farm
near his grandfather's old homestead, and has carried
iin farming quite extensively and with marked success.
His farm buildings are among the best in the county.
He married, December 10, 1840, Elizabeth Winn.
She was born August 2, 1820. Their chihlren are
John Wheeler, born May 28, 1844 ; Charles Warren,
born .lanuary 12, 1847 ; George Walter, born Febru-
ary 14, 1849 ; Edwin Brooks, born May .'5, 1851 ; Em-
nuj Josephine, born January 8, 1851! ; Alma Jane,
born January 13, 1856.
Mrs. Edwards died September 11, 1883. Major
Edwards has practically retired from active business.
His son-in-law, who resides with him, conducts his
farm for him.
lu 1876-77 he represented his town in the State
Legislature, and has, at difterent times, held various
minor offices. In 184(J he was chosen major of mili-
tia under Colonel Little, and served in that capacity
four years. Among the prominent traits of Major
Edwards' character may be mentioned perseverance
and punctuality. He is prompt in j>erforming what-
ever he promises or undertakes to do, and is a man
much respected by his neighbors, among whom his
life has been spent.
HISTORY OF WEARE.
BY WILLIAM LITTLE.
»
CHAPTER I.
Topography. — Weare is iu latitude 43° 4' uortli,
lougitudo 71° 44' west. It is fifteen miles from Con-
cord, the State capital, eighteen miles northwest of
Manchester and seventy miles from Boston. It is
bounded north by Hennikcr and Hopkinton, east by
Dunbarton and txoffstown, south by (Joflstown, New
Boston and Franeestown and west by Francestown
and Deeriug. Its area is 33,648 acres and it has 23,-
392 acres of improved land. The length of the town
is about seven and one-half miles, the breadth six
and one-half, and in territory it is the largest town in
the county of Hillsborough.
Weare has four mountains in the central part of
the town on a line running nearly northeast and
southwest, — Jit. Dearborn (1229 feet high), Mt.
Wallingford (1213), Mt. William (1108) and Mt. Mis-
ery (1026). There arc also thirteen hills, each about
1000 feet high, — Kuncanowet, so called by the Indians
from Kunnaway (a bear), wadelm (a mountain) and
et (a place), meaning " the mountain place of the
bear", Sugar, Burnt, Rattlesnake, Craney, Hogback,
Chevey, Mine, Toby, Odiorne, Boar's Head, Barnard
and Raymond cliff.
Two rivers How through the town, — the Pi.scata(juog
and Jliddle Branch. Tlie Indians gave the name to
the first, and it is from Pos (great), attuck (a deer)
and quoag (a place), meaning "great deer place," or
" a place of many deer." The correct spelling of the
word is '■ Poscattaipioag." In Dcering the stream is
sometimes called Xonikeag from Xaniaos (a fisli)
and keag (a jilace), meaning " fish place."
Twenty-nine brooks enter these two rivcr.s, — Cram,
Ferrin, Lily-i)ond, Emmons, Eight-Loads Meadow,
Currier, Peacock, Meadow, the Otter, Huse, Alex-
ander, Bassett, Choate, Felch, Cilley, Bog, Chase,
Huntington, Trinity, Getchel, Breed, Half-Moon
Meadow, Center, Dustin, Thorndike, Putney, .lolui-
son, Dudley and Hadlock.
There are three considerable ponds, — Ferrin, Duck
and Mt. William. The latter contains one hundred
an<l twenty-eight acres and is forty feet deep.
Geology. — The oldest rock in Weare is porphyritic
67«
gneiss. It forms what were once two islands standing
out of the sea, — North Weare and Raymond clifi'
Lake gnei-ss abounds in the northwest part of the town,
also near Clinton Grove, Mt. Dearborn, Odiorne Hill
and the east base of Mt. Misery. Mica schist forms
Rattlesnake Hill ; there is an outcrop of it two miles
north of Clinton Grove; also near Mt. Misery and
Odiorne Hill. Ferruginous schist is found on the
summit of Mt. Wallingford and throughout the west
part of the town. It reddens the mica schist rocks.
Fibrolite schist makes the top of Mt. Misery. Rock-
ingham schist forms the huge masses of Mts. Wal-
lingford and William, and it rests upon the lake
gneiss underneath. Mont Alban rocks are on the Kun-
canowet Hills. Steatite or.soapstonc crops out on the
east slope of Mt. Misery. Crystallized radiated
bunches of talc are disseminated through the soap-
stone and with it are minute bits of i)yrrhotite,
arsenopyrite, asbestos and crystals of feldspar.
There are numy remains of the glacial period to be
seen in Weare. Stri;e are on all the rocks. Lenticular
hills abound in the southwest part of the town.
Boulders by the thousands are strewn thick on the land.
The Elephant boulder on Mt. Wallingford, the Trav-
eler and the Dolmen on Barnard Hill, are curiosities;
some of them will weigh two thousand tons or more
each. Embossed rocks (Roches Muutenes) are abund-
ant. Precipices on the southeast slopes of the hills
show where the ice fell down like an avalanche. Ter-
races made of the material ground up by the ice sheet
are in the river-valleys. Kettle-holes are comnxm in
the great beds of drift, and pot-holes worn in the solid
rock are high up on the hills.
Flora — There arc thirty-eight native trees, — white
pine, pitch pine, red pine, black spruce, balsam fir,
hemlock, larch, red cedar, arbor vita% white maple,
red maple, rock maple, striped maple, beech, black
birch, yellow birch, white birch, gray birch, white
oak, red oak, chestnut oak, scrub oak, chestnut, elm,
bnUcrnut, walnut, hickory, basswood, white ash,
brown ash, leverwood, ironwood, poplar, white pop-
lar, willow, black cherry, buttonwood. Eleven or
more foreign ones have been introduced, — Lombardy
poplar, locust, horse chestnut, balm of Gilead, thorn,
WEARE.
679
quince, apple, pear, peach, plum and cherry. There
are a great number of shrubs and a multitude of other
plants.
Fauna. — In early times moose, deer, panthers,
wolves and bears were very plenty. These have dis-
appeared. Wolves at times were a great pest; the
State offered large bounties for their heads, and Weare
in 1780 wa.*) so much troubled with them that it was
proposed to offer an additional bounty for tbeir de-
struction. The otter, hedgehog, raccoon, with its
cunning, half-human face ; rabbit, two kinds ; red fox,
black fox, wooddiuck, skunk, mus(|uasli, mink, stoat,
weasel, squirrel, four kinds ; bat, mole, rat and mouse
now abound. Two or three kinds of wildcats occa-
sionally visit the town.
Indians. — The valley of the Piscataquog was a
noted hunting-ground for the Indians. It w'as their
great place for deer. Tlie tribe who occupied all this
region was the Xipmuck, a name derived from nipe
(still water) and auke (a place ), the letter " m " thrown in
for sound, and meaning " Fresh-water Indians." They
were divided into numerous clans, each clan bearing
the name of the particular place wliereit happened to
live.
The Indians built their wigwams on the meadows
by the streams, where they could plant, hunt and fish.
Many of their stone implements h.ave been picked up
by the farmers.
Moses A. Hodgdon found several arrow-heads on his
farm at the fork of the Peacock ; they were of a light
slate color; he also found a mortar pestle or stone to
dress hides and some stone axes. Mr. Gove, who lives
near by him, found a few arrow-heads. Thomas and
John Fi)llans1)ee, on their farm by the Piscataijuog,
found a stone-knife, spear-heads, a skinning-stone, a
mortar of stone in whicli they pounded tbeir corn, and
(m an intervale several old fire-places, paved with
stone. 'J'lie Felches found a stone axe near Hogback
Hill.
In the time of King George's War, 1744-47, Timothy
Corliss, a hunter from Haverhill, Mass,, had his
camp on the meadows of the Peacock, A party of
Indians, who were prowling about the border settle-
ments, found, captured and carried him away to
Canada. He came back after the war was over and
eviMitii:illy si'tlk'd in Weare.
Explorations. — The first white men to visit Weare
Were, no ddiibl, hunters and tra|>pers. Captives taken
by the Indians may have journeyed through the land.
During the Tliree Years or Lovewell War, Massachu-
setts offered a bounty of one hundred pounds for every
Indian scalji brought in. There is a tradition that
Captain .Inhri Lovewell, the celebrated Indian lighter,
marclie<l tlinjiigh our town with a party of scouts,
killing a black moose on the way, and went as liir as
Mount Lovell, said to have been named for him in
Washington, This was in 1723. He, with his men,
afterwards killed ten Indians in the night, by a small
pond in Wiiketielii, getting a thousand poun<ls for
their scalps, and was himself killed by Paugus and
his braves at Lovewell Pond, in Fryeburg, Me,
Lovewell's great success roused others to hunt the
Indians, and no less than seventeen scouting-parties
went marching through these northern woods.
Captain Daniel Pecker was captain of one of these,
and, as he and his company are the first recorded
white men who ever set foot in Weare, we shall give
his " Scout Journal " in full. The comiiany was raised
in Haverhill, Mass., and the following is the journal
of its march :
"C.\PT. PECKER'S JOCTtKAL, DEC. 12, 1723.
[The above is written on tlie back of the original].
'* A journal of my pi'oceedings in my Second March after the Indian
Enemy.
" 1723. NovK 33. — Victualed part of my Company —
"24.— Sabbath day—
" 25. — Victualed the other part of my Men —
**26. — Marched from Haverhill — Westward 14 miles —
" 27. — Marched further Westward — 12 miles —
"28. — We got to Duutitable, — 8 miles — Thanksgiving Day —
"2fl. — Lay by, by reason of bad Weather —
"30. — Starched to Nashua River, — 8 miles —
"Dec ; 1. — Marched up to Pennechuck Brook about Northwest, lieiug
10 miles —
" 2 — Marched about N : W : up to Soubegan & so crowed the River, —
12 miles —
"3. — Marched by Unhononuck hill, — 14 Milee —
"4. — Steering Korthward to a Great Mountain &, so sent out a Scout to
the hill to see what they coulil Discover, being 8 miles —
".5. — Steering about N'ortli & by ilust up to Poscattaquoag River & so
crossed Said River, — 12 3Xiles —
" 0.— Steering about X ; E ; over another part of Poscattaquuag River,
al>out 10 a Clock, I sent Eight Slen, under the ('omniand of Jonathan
Robin, up to Contoocoolc River A to return the third day to me at Sun-
cook River, and then went with the rest of my I'ompany to Black Brook,
—14 Miles—
"7 &S. — lay Still by reason of bad Weather—
"9.— Marched from Black Bnnik down to Merrimack River, against
Sunrook, being a Stormy Day uf Snow, the Scout returning to me at
night, & told uie they had marched up to some of the Southerly Brun-
ches of ConloiM-nok River do milest A Discovered Nothing —
" Marched fl"om Annahuokset hill, Crost Merrimack River A So Steer-
ing a South Easterly Course, Marched to Great ^liuMipisset pond, — lt>
miles —
"11. — Marched fVom Massapit^a^et |tond to the Xorthcrmoet part of Che-
shire, — Hi milee —
" 12.— JIarebed from thence to Haverhill, — 18 miles —
" l).^^l^.L Peckf-r."
Grants. — Previous to 1740 ajl the territory we.'^t of
the Mcrrimark Hiver was claimed by Miissachusetts.
New Hampshire also laid claim to a part of it, and the
case having gone on for a long time, Massachusetts be-
gan Uj think she might be beaten, and, to give her
citizens the profit that might arise from the sale of the
lands, about 17i') began to makcgrants. She tried to
hide her avarice by a show of patriotism, and on the
pretense that she needed a line of towns on the Iron-
tier to keep out the French and Indians, laid out and
gave granla of a ilouble row of nine towns from the
Merrimack to the Connecticut, and four more towns
on the east side of the latter stream.
Then she voted nine towns as a bounty to the heirs
of the men who fnught In the Indian War with King
Philip in 1675, and these were known as the nine
Narragansct towns, but only seven of them were laid
out.
680
HlSTOlir OF HILLSBOKOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
To reward the men who went with Sir William
Phips, in 1690, to tight the French and Indians in
Canada, a score or so of towns were granted, called
Canada townships, one of which was our town of
Weare. Those in New Hampshire were known as
Canada to Beverly, AVeare; Canada to Dant/.ick,
Bow ; Canada to Salem, Lyndeborough ; Canada to
Ipswich, New Ipswich ; Canada [to Harwood, I'eter-
Ijorough ; Canada to Sylvester, Richmond ; Canada to
Rowley, Rindge ; and Canada to Baker or Stevens,
Salisbury.
Weare was granted to Captain William Rayment
and company, on the petition of Colonel Robert Hale
and others, by the General Court of Ma.ssachu.'rctts,
May, 1735. The grantees had five years to settle
the town ; each one was to build a house on his re-
spective lot or share, eighteen feet square and seven
feet stud, plow and bring to English grass fit for
mowing six acres of laud, settle a learned orthodox
minister, build a convenient meeting-house for the
public worship of God, and each was to give a bond
of twenty pounds to do these things. The town was
to be laid out at once at the charge of the province.
Colonel Hale and John Wainright were a committee
to do this, and William Gregg, of Londonderry, sur-
veyor, with Isaac Gray and Jeremiah Butman as
chainmen, went to Weare and did it. They made a
plot of the town and returned it with a short descrip-
tion under oath February 17, 1736.
The town was divided into shares, many sales were
made and, that the deeds might be properly recorded,
"the township granted to Captain Rayment and
company," with other townships near by, were de-
clared to be a part of the county of Middlesex, in the
lirovince of Miissachusctts. This act was passed
February 2, 1737. Many deeds ctf lands in Weare
are recorded in the registry of that county. What
these proprietors ever did towards the settlement of
the town we have never been able to learn.
Halestown was the first name of Weare, so called
from Colonel Robert Hale ; " to Beverly " appears as
its name on Thomas Jafl'rey's map of New England,
and this name was given because most of the grantees
resided in Beverly. "Beverly-Canada," or "Canada to
Beverly" were other names for Weare, which are
found in " Dougla.ss' Summary," written in 1740-49.
The settlement of the line in 1740 between the two
provinces, located our town in New Hampshire, and
the JIa.sonian proprietors, who had bought out Robert
Tufton Mason, granted it September 20, 1749, to
Ichabod Robie and seventy-nine others. " Robie's
town " was, more or less, the fifth name for Weare
for the next.fideen yeai-s.
By the terms of the grant thirty tamilies should be
settled on said grant in four years, having a house,
sixteen feet square or jjiore, and three acres of land
cleared and fitted for mowing and tillage. Ten
families more should be settled in town in the next
two years. A meeting-house for the public worship
of Cod should he built in six years and constant
preaching maintained after twelve years. A good
saw-mill should be built and all white pine trees fit
for masting the royal navy should be reserved to his
majesty's use forever. If these things and some others
are not done in times specified the grant shall be
forfeited, but if an Indian war should break out the
time the war lasted was not to run.
Settlement. — The proprietors went to work at once
to comply with the terms of the grant. They laid out
the town into lots and divided them ; they cut out a
way to the Centre Square and built a bridge over the
Piscataquog.
Then they built two log cabins and hired two men
to go and live in them ; the men never went, but in
1750 they succeeded in getting one man to move into
town.
Nathaniel Martin was the first white settler ot
Weare. He was from Bedford and had married the
daughter of Colonel John ( Jofi'e, one of the proprietors
who probably got him to move into town. He settled
on the east bank of the Piscataquog, about fifteen
rods from the river and one and one half miles above
the present Oil-Mill Village. He built the first saw-
mill at the latter place about 1760.
John Jewell, from Old Derryficld, now Manchester,
was the second settler. He moved into town in May,
1751 and built his cabin in South Weare. The place
where it stood is still pointed out. It was on the
north side of the present road from Oil-Mill Village
to Dearborn's tavern and about one fourth mile from
the latter place. His sons, .lolin Jewell, .Jr., and
Jacob .Jewell, came to Weare with him. His daughter
was the bride of the first wedding in town and they
had a wedding feast consisting of bear's steaks and
Jotham beans. A wild bear from the woods was killed
for the occasion and the beans were ])rocured from
Jotham Tuttle, hence the name Jotham beans.
Thomas Wurthley was the third settler. He was
originally from Bedlnrd, but came to Weare from
GofTstown October, 1751. He settled on the west
bank of the Otter near a cold spring and a few
rods cast of the north road from Oil-mill to South
Weare. His old cellar is yet ]ilain to be seen, and his
wife's grave, ])aved with white pebbles, is near by.
By his cabin was an (ii)en meadow, where once was a
beaver's pond, and from it he got wild grass for his
stock. His sons, — Timothy, Jr., Jonathan and
Thomas, — came to Weare with him, and one of his
daughters married Jotham Tuttle, who found the
beans for Miss Jewell's wedding.
Moses (^uimby was the fourth settler. He came
from Derryfield to South Weare and built his house
near where the meeting-house now stands about April
8, 1752. He was born in what is now Danville (for-
merly Hawke).
Timothy Corliss, originally from Haverhill, Mass.,
came from Bedford about December (>, 175.'5 and sat
down in South Weare near where stands the present
I
WEARE.
681
liurili. ]1l- was the father of Timothy, Jr., who was ] Weare were out in the old French war, some of the
irricd away by the Iiuliari!: during King George's early ones going from Weare and others from the
War; and tlie son prolaldy came to Weare at the towns where they lived before they came to Weare.
-;ame time and they liveil together.
William Quimby came from Derryfield to Weare
late in the year 1753 and settled in South Weare
aliout one-half mile south of the church.
These were all who came in the first fouryears^ and
the grant would have been forfeited had not the old
French and Indian War, sometimes called the Seven
Years War, broke out. The exception in their grant
cf an Indian war saved tlicm.
Wliile the war was going on new settlers were few
and far between, but the following came on or about
tlie dates named :
Aarun Quimby, 1754; Jft-emiiih Corliss, 1T5T ; Caleb Kiiicry, 1758;
lliani Tiittlv, IT.Mi; Bond Little, 175« ; .losliua MaxfieW, 1700 ; Josliun
■ -rliiw. 170() ; Caleb .XtwooJ, 1700 ; ,Taiiies Enierson, 1701.
Mary Corlis.s, born .June 2, 1759, daughter of .lere-
miah C'orlis.s, was the first white child of Weare.
Miss Lydia .lewell, daughter of .John .lewell, and
were the first couple married.
Abigail Corliss, wite of Joshua Corliss, deceased
.March 17, 176.3, was the first one who died.
When the war was over then the tide of immigra-
tion flowed faster and these settled al)out the dates
•_'iven :
Sti-lilifii Kiiiei-»jn, 170*2 ; Sl'-'plieii Kiin;l'*jn, Jr., l~tV*; Mosck Gile,
1702; Paul Ilustin, 1702; Williiini Duetin, 1762; John Mudgol, 1702;
Avi Heath, 1702; William Iliilchina I7C2 ; EbcneMr Ba.vlcy, 1762 ;
-^.-unvif I Nutt, 1703 : ,Fohn Simoiib, 170'i ; .loimthun Clement, 1764 ; Kxro
' N'liient, 1764 ; Stephen tleorge, 17r4 ; BenonI Coburo, 176*1 ; Jeremiah
Allen, 171*4: .lonatliaii Mvciftj4i, 1704: Jutiiah Brown, 1761; .lanicti
I'ickey, 1704 ; .MuBet^ Iliise, 1764 ; Nathaniel Corlitti, 1704 ; Abraliam
l.liij. II, ITi'l: Joahua gniniby, 1704; William Darling, 1701.
Saw-Mill. — The proprietors, March 10, 1752, voted
to build a saw-mill on the twenty acres of land set
apart for that pur))ose, and Moses Blake took the
Their names are:
Captain Nathaniel Martin. l)aviU >loullon, Ebenezor Siucler, Joshua
Corliss, Hephen George, ,loIin Wortliley, .It*remiah Corliss, Jacob Jewell,
Joseph George, Ezra Clement, Asi Heath, Slows Iluw, William I>arling,
John Parting, Aaron Quimby, ThomanWorthley, Cornelius Itean, Joseph
Onlway, Itaniel Emerson, Caleb Emery, Bond Little, Benoni Coburn,
Saniuel .\yers, BeiOaniiii Collins, 2?athaniel Filield, Ithaiucr Eaton,
Thoiim*. Kii.-tman.
Meeting-House, — We are not certain about the
time the first mcetiug-house was built. There was
one in S(mth Weare about 1768, and we think the
proprietors must have built it several years before
that date to fulfill the conditions of their grant. It
stood at the fork of the roads about one half mile
west of the present church, south side of the Deering
road and west of that to New Boston. Jacob Jewell
probably gave the land on which it stood. It was
never completed, but both religious and town-meet-
ings were held in it. The Antiptedo-Baptist Church
claimed to own it and alterwards sold it.
Incorporation. — The town thus far had not been
incorporated, no town-meetings had been held, no
taxes raised, no highways laid out and no bridges
built. These things were sadly needed, and so they
got up the following petition ;
" PETITION OF INHABITANTS OF HALE'S TOWN, NOW
WEABE.
Province of 1 To his Excellency Boning Wintwortli, Eiq'
New Hampshire. ( Capt. General and Governor and connnander-in-
Chief in and over this his Miyest.v's I'rovenee of New Ham|«hier, the
Honnounilde his Majesty's Coun.^-I.
•Ihe liunible I'etlili.m of the Inhaliitants'of that Tract of land known
by tin* mime of Hails Town, otherw*is*' called Col» Weares 'I'own, Hum-
bly shewith :
"That your Pettitionors are uialer grate disadvantJigeii for want the
Prviligs of other 'I'owns in this Provence incliusinge Town oHicers and
laying out and liianding IliKh-Wiiys, gitting and supporting a Minister
I and iiianey other things that are Nulsetrj* txr the good and Beniitit of llie
contract to do the work and put in a strong dam for | Town: Wherefor your Petlitionern Humbly pray your Exielency and
seven hundred pounds (dd tenor. The proprietors """"" "' ''"n'raie us mto a Town, granting us mi the Pn.biiidgs and
,.,,.,,. , ,, ,. _ Immunilys.ifolher Towns in this Provence, and your Peltltionens ml"
were to find the mill irons, saw and all things to fit „„„, ,K„„id, .hall .ver pray.
the mill for work. It was built on the Piscataijuog, a
short ilistance above E;ist Weare, where Robt, I'easlee's
mill now stands. At this place there is almost a natural
dam across the stream. At a projirietors' meeting,
held October 24, 1752, Blake reported that he had got
the mill done and Moses Wadleigli, the man they had
chosen to judge of that fact, s;iid he had helped build
it in the two or three months just p;ist and that it wa.s
done in all things. This was such good news that they
voted to pay Blake and not hold him to do any more
work. It was good luck for the contractor that he
bail the work ilone and the money in his pocket. In
a very short time there came an immense freshet
which swept the dam and mill away. When the
■' I»ate<l at llailes Tow ii this .Id day of April, 1704.
"Asa Heath, Stopliin George, Caleb Emory, Thouiaj Worthly, Na-
thaniel CorliB^ John Miiilgel, Jeremiah Corlles, Favon (7) Quinlw,
William IliiUMiins, Joslah Brown, John Jewell, Jeremiah Allen, Slepheii
Kiiierson, Stephen Emerson, Jr., Ik-nony Cidmn, Bond Little, Jacob
J.'«ell, Abraham ,lohnson, Jonathan AIwiksI, John Simons, William
Parting. "
Benning Wentworth, Governor of the Province,
witli the advice and consent of his council, on the
21st <lay of September, 1764, issued an order, often
called a charter, whereby the inhabitants of " llailes
Town," as they called it, were "erected and I-ncorpo-
rated" into a township with town privileges.
The document recited the liounds making the town
six miles sipiare; ;iiinexed a slip of land on Ihe south
waters subsided some one gathered up the mill irons six miles long and one mile wide, belonging to tlie
and hid them under a great pine log on the bunk of I Masonian proprietors and often called the (lore ;
the stream. Robert Peaslee found them there more named the town Weare; gave the inhabitants all the
than tbrie-foiiitliMif:! century allerwards, 1.S28. I powers, authorit;-, (irivilegcs, immunities and fran-
The Old French War.— Manv of the settlers of' chiscs which other towns enjoy; reserved all white
682
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
pine trees fit for masting the royal navy, and also the
right to divide the territory of the town ; promised
that private property should be held inviolate by the
owners ; that they should choose their own officers
and transact their own town business ; appointed
John Gofte, Esq., to call the first town-meeting and
preside tliercin, and declared that hereafter the an-
nual town-meetings should be held on the second
Tuesday of March.
First Town-Meetingf.— Colonel John Goffe called
the lirst town-meeting September 28, 1764. It was
held at the inn of Lieutenant Jeremiah Allen on
Tuesday, October 9, 1764. John Goffe presided.
" Voted, to Except the f'harter.
" Voted that the UfTecers be chosen by Powl.
" The Si'lectmen that shalle be ctiosen tliis year shall have no allowance
for their labor Except charges born by the Town.
" Chuse Jeremiah Corlis:, Town Clark ; C'apt. Nathaniel Martin, John
Mtultret, Moses Quimbe, Jeremiah Corliss anil Moses Gile. Selectmen ;
Gnsine Jacob Jewell, Jonathan Clement, Thomas Worthley, William
Darling. Surveyora ; John Jewell Constable ; Josiah brown, Jonathan
Clement, (^ommity Men to Examine Selectmen's accounts ; Aaron Quim-
by, to take the invoice ; .\braham Johnson, Asa lleath. Hog Reafs; Ka-
thaniel Corlles, Titling Man.
*• Voted no money for preaching ; Forty-Eight pounds old Tenor for
Cornel Goffe's Troble and Charges in Gitting the Charter ; Eighteen
Pounds old Teuor for Cornel Goffe's Trouble for Swaring the ofiBcer« and
other Trobles.
" .\ true Keconl by me,
" J KREMIAH Corlles, Clark.
First Inventory. — Aaron Quimbe at once took
the invoice. The citizens were thus ta.xed :
£ s. d.
James Emerson tj 10
Jonathan Clement IJ 16 8
Ezra Clement (1 10 11
Jolhara Tuttlo 7 10
Stephen George 8
Thomas Worthley 6
.Tunathan Atwood 10 4 5
Caleb .\twood 11
Josiali Brown 8
Stoph«n Emerson 24 17 5
Stephen Emerson, .Ir 5
Moses Gille 15 10
Captain Nathaniel Slartin 17 y 5
Bcnoni Coburn 6
Moses Huse s 10
Joshua Corlles
Nathaniel Corlles 7
Caleb Emery 6
Timothy Corliss S 10
Timothy Corlles.Jr 11 10
Jeremiah Colles 11 10
Joshua Martin 1 Q
Thomas Worthly 16 4 5
Paul Dustin 6
Williatn Put<ttn IS 4 5
Jeremiah .\llen, Ksij 15 4 5
John Jewell 10 14 5
Moses tjuimbe 1-2
Samuel Nut 9 10
James l>icke 6 y
John Mudget 9 4 6
Asji Heath
John Simons g
William Hutching g
Ebenezer Bayly y
Insine Jacob Jewell 8 4 5
George Little • • . 1 I.3 4
Aaron Quimbe 10
£ ». <l.
William Quimbe y 10
Bond Little f.
William Sniilli 7 14 ."1
-Vbmham Johnson 6
Joshua Mackesfield 5
Second Town-Meeting. — The next town-meeting
was hclil Marcli 12, ITtl"). at .Teremiah Allen's inn.
The town otiicers were chosen by "hand votes," and
they were to have no pay for their labor except the
charges " borne " by the town. Voted to build a
pound ; that Insign Jacob Jewell and Asa Heath be
deer keepers ; that Jonathan Clement should keep
the charter; that eighty pounds, old tenor, should be
raised for preaching, which should be at the house ot
Esquire Allen ; fifty pouutls to defray town charges.
From 1764 to the present time AVeare has never failed
to hold its annual town-meeting.
First Church. — The vote of eighty pounds to pay
for preaching brought many preachers to Weare. In
1766 Samuel Haven, of Portsmouth; .Tohu Strick-
land, of Andover; John Houstim, of Bedford ; and
David McGregor, of Londonderry, were each paid one
pound four shillings for preaching. Elders Samuel
Hovey and Hezekiah Smith preached in South Weare
several times during the two years previous to April
19, 1768, and Elder Pelatiah Tingley came to town
January 9, that year. " God was pleased," says the
church record, " to follow with his blessing," and on
said April 19 the Antiptedo-Baptist Church of Christ
was gathered. They adopted a Covenant which hail
for its principal planks, first, the doctrine of election,
"That all y' Elect were personally chosen in Christ
before y° Foundation of the world ;'' second, that once
elected always elected, no matter what they might
do; they said distinctly the elect " can neithertotally
nor finally fall Irom the state of grace, but shall
certainly be kept by the power of God and be eter-
nally Saved," and third, that the wicked or non-
elect shall be turned into hell to experience misery
and torments tlirough all eternity. These were swi'ct
mild doctrines full of God's love.
The original members who signed the covenant
were: Caleb Atwood, John .''^imons, Ebenezer
Bayley, Elizabclli .\twood, J(diii .Vrdway, Enoch
Jewel, John JIudgct. William Ilutchens, Abigail
Hutchens, Sarah Mudget, Mehitable Ardway, John
Jewel, Mary Corlis, Louis Corlis, Betty Simons, Ruth
Little.
The above .signed their names with their own hands,
and the following liad their names written after-
wards :
Nathaniel Corlis, Mehitable Bailey, Molly Corlis,
Jr., Jonathan .Vtwood, John Jewel, .Jr., Hannah
Jewel, Dorothy Atwood, Martha Jewell, Josejih
George. These, with the first-mentioned, were baji-
tized and received.
The following were received by the laying-on of
hands : Pelatiah Tingley, ,lacob Jewel, Joshua Corlis
Samuel Bailey and John Mudgit.
WEARE.
683
This was the second Baptist Church formed in New
Hampshire, the first being at Newton, formed in
1755.
Elder Pelatiah Tingley was the first minister, but
he wan not settli'd. It was voted, at a meeting held
in July, 17G8, to notify the selectmen that they had
given Mr. Tingley an unanimous call, "in order that
they might have opportunity to do as the Lord might
direct them about it."
August 23, tliey met to consult about the settle-
ment, and "On Account of Some unsatisfactorious-
ness in ^[r. Tiriglcy's mind (A perhaps some others)
it was concluded this Day to determine y" Matter for
y' Present by Lot, Accordinly after Prayer & a public
Discourse on y' peaceable Kingdom of Christ & of
y' Nature of Casting Lots & in a Solemn Manner
commending the Decision of y' Matter to y" Lord
proceeded to draw: An<l y" liOt fell not to settle now
on y present invitation of y' Church."
Elders Hezekiah Smith, Shepard, Grecnleaf and
Hovey also preached with this church at intervals
till 1773.
The church did not get along very harmimiously ;
one-half of it was generally engaged in disciplining
the other half Letters of admonishment were plenty.
Brother Enoch Jewell, who had been admonished
November 17, 1769, met with the church August 3,
1770, and after prayer " Confised he had Dune ronge
to tiie Cans of Christ in Commiting fornifieation and
Such like sins and Desierd for giveness of the Chh
and h) l)e recvied in to you en again which thing
was granted to him."
August 24, 1770, the church heard the charge
lirought by Sister Mehetabel Rayley that she had
seen " Sunie of the otiier Sisters Do & She thought
it was not Lawful to Do which was this [lutting
Linnen and wooling yarn together. She wiis aM'rade
they jiut too much of it together." The church
found she had not commenced the action rightly and
dismi.ssed it.
Brother Calel) Atwood was admonished for '"gaging
.Fosepli tiuinihe maier." He confessed and was re-
stored.
Sister Ordway had brother .losepli Webster up.
Webster had charged brother Joiin Worth with
"Saying that if Sinners would do what they could
they would have an Esier place in hell than in a
Chh meeting" in South Weare. The church found
the;/ did not liear liitn say any such thing.
But soon a great schism arose. The point on which
they split wa.s "whether ministers should e.xhort
sinners to repentence, or should simply tell them
Ood's law, and then leave them to Cod." Brother
.Toseph Corles maintained the latter, "but it served
to be to no porpurees." Elder Samuel Hovey lield
another way. They had a great council to consider
the matter. Four ministers and three deacons from
abroad were jiresent and debati-d the point. They
made a report which did no good.
44
August 1, 1773, Elder Hovey preached his mind,
and then the storm burst. They held a meeting, got
mad, adjourned, and so full of pious wrath were they
that they did not meet again for eight years.
Schools. — The first elibrt made by the town for a
pulilie seliiiol wa.s in 1769. At the annual town-
meeting held March 14th, " Voted to raise money for
Schooling, and voted to the Nigitive." But, before
the meeting was dismissed, they " Voted to Reconsider
the Vot that was to Raise money for Scoling, and
Voted to the Negitive, and Voted five jiounds Law-
ful money for Schooling to hier a .«coll dame."
The next year, 1770, nothing was done at the an-
nual meeting for schools; but, August 16th, "by Verty
of a pettion from a number of Signers to See if the
town will Raise money to hier Scholing this year,"
the selectmen called a town-meeting to be held Aug-
ust .30th, when it was " Voted to Raise money for
Sc<ding.'' " Voted to Raise fifteen pounds lor Schol-
ing." " Voteil to divide tlie money into destrict.s."
In 1771, thirty-five dollars were raised for school-
ing.
In 1772, fifty dollars; this was divided as follows:
I : 1
: 12
:
;
£ a. d.
" piiiil t" the districl by Capt. Awoiiiln 3: 3;0
|mi(l to tlic now BoHton Rode 1:2:0
paid to the inoiintilig Itoad I ; 17 :
paid to Philbricks lioad 1 : 11 :
paid to .TtHliah Dow for the north Road 1 : 17 :
paid to .Tcdiah Dow for the Seiiter Koad 2 : 16 :
Paid the ctcleetnien for going after a gniminor School mas-
ter and getting him aprabated
paid to l)^H:tor Page for talking theChargo of the grammar
School
paid the Select men for Dividing tlie School money inttf
deHti-icts : &;(>:"
In 1773 and 1774 money was raised for schooling;
but in 1775, after the war began, voted June liMh,
"to Drop the Cliooling for the |>resent." Notliing
more was done for schools till 1779, when it was voted
to raise three hundred pounds, and "all Delin(|uent
Destricts Neglect or refuse to hire masters or mis-
tresses, their proportion of School money shall be
turned int<i the town Stock." Schools were kept this
year; for we iind that, in 1780, the town " Voted that
the mountain Destrict and the Destrict by (!!aldwell
Shall Draw theire Proportion of School money for
the year 1779."
Then there were no schools kept till 17.H5. Sixty
pounds, lawful money, were raised that year, and
"the selectmen are to Divide the town into Destricts
and to proviile tin- Schools." Since 1785, schools
have been regularly kei>t.
There was a grammar-school part of the time hold-
ing its sessions in dilferent places in town. Often it
was omitte<l, and in 17S7 the town was itidicled ami
fined for its neglect. Soon :ifler this the law compel-
ling towns tosui)port a griimmar-scbool was repealed.
The schools at first were kept in the houses or
barns of the settlers. In 1789 :i few school-houses
were built by the districts, and in 1793 the town
684
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
voted to biiil<l school-houses in eath <listrict by a tax
in proportion to the school-tax, and give credit to all
districts who have already built houses.
A coraraittee was chosen in 1806 to divide the town
into districts (the selectmen had done it Ijclbre), and
they reported the following:
"N. W. Corner, No. 1; Page District, No. i ; Sliu^^ir Hill, No. 3;
School Hill, No. 4 ; Hoit, No. o ; Mclviii, No. : Wortlile.v, No. 7 ; dipt.
Hadler, No. 8 ; George, No. !i : Bajley, No. 10; Hoilgdon, No. 11 ; To-
bie. No. 12; Center, No. 13.'
New districts were afterwards formed from time to
time, till there were twenty-six of them.
In 1853 a committee was chosen to "rebound and
make new school-districts;" they acted, reported,
and the town accepted the report ; then began a fight
that lasted several years ; dozens of petitions were
put in, dozens of votes passed, and but lew were sat-
isfied. Another committee was chosen to re-district
the town in 1866. They did the work, made a report,
the town accepted it, and for years every attempt to
alter it " was voted down with a rush."
Superintending school-committees were first ap-
pointed aliout 1829. In 1837 voted that they should
not visit the schools : in 1847, that they should visit
each school twice a year for one dollar a district, and
in 1850 that they should publish their school-report,
and that the town should pay for it.
Pine Tree Riot. — The Masouian jtroprietors, in
their grants, and Governor Benning Wentworth, in
all his charters, had a clause reserving to the king
all '"White Pine Trees" fit for masting the royal
navy. In 1722 the New Hampshire General Court
passed an act making it a penal oR'ence to cut such
trees twelve inches or more in diameter, — a law that
stood till the time of the Revolution. The fine for
cutting a tree twelve inches through was five pounds;
twelve to eighteen inches, ten pounds ; eighteen to
twenty-four, twenty pounds ; and twenty-four and
more, fifty pounds; and all lumber made from such
trees was forfeited to the king.
This law was not pojmlar ; farmers wanted such
trees for their houses, preachers for their churches
and mill owners to saw. In 1771 Governor John
Wentworth was appointed " Surveyor of the King's
woods." He had many deputies and tried to enforce
the law. They rode about the country, searched the
saw-mill yards and if they found any such trees they
affixed the broad "R" mark, libelled and sold them
and turned the proceeds into His Majesty's treasury.
A deputy went to Weare ; he found two hundred and
seventy logs, from sevcnteeu to thirty-six inches in
diameter, in Clement's mill yard at Oil Mill village.
They were marked, and complaint and warrant made
out against Ebenezer Mndget who had got them in.
It was [lUt into the hands of Benjaniiii Whiting, Es(j.,
of Hollis, sherilf of the county, for service. .Vpril 13,
1772, he went with his deputy, Mr. Quigley, of New
Boston, to Weare to serve it. Whiting arrested Mud-
get, who agreed to give bail in the morning. The
sheriff and his deputy then went to Aaron Quimby's
inn near by for the night. The news that the sheriff
had come for Jludget spread over town like wild-fire.
Scores of men said they would bail him. They got
! together at his house and made a plan huw to give it.
Mudget went to the inn at dawn, woke the sheriff,
burst into his room and told him his bail was ready.
Whiting jumped out of bed, chid Mudget for coming
so early and went to dress. Then more than twenty
men rushed in, faces blacked, switches in their hands
and went to give bail. Whiting seized his pistols and
would have shot some of them, but they took his
small guns away and with their rods beat him to their
I heart's content ; two on a side holding him up from
the floor by his arms and legs while the rest crossed
out their account of all logs cut, drawn and forfeited
upon his bare back much to his great comfort and de-
light. They made him wish he had never heard of
pine trees fit for masting the royal navy.
Quigley, his deputy, showed fight ; they had to take
up the floor over his head and beat him with long
; poles thrust down from the garret to capture him, and
I then they tickled him the same way.
Their horses, saddled and bridled, with ears, manes
' and tails cut and sheared, were led to the door and the
! King's men told to mount. They reftised ; force was
applied ; they got on and rode oft" down the road while
jeers, jokes and shouts rang in their ears.
They were mad ; they would give the Weare men
a dose of the law ; they went to Colonels Moore, of
Bedford and Lutwyche, of Merrimack, and from their
two regiments got a pofse comitn/iu. This with guns
and swords marched up to Weare ; but the rioters had
fled to the woods and not a soul of them could be
found. But soon after one was caught and put in
jail, and the rest gave bail to come to court.
At the Septeml)er Term, 1772, they were indicteil,
and when brought into court plead " that they would
not contend with our lord, the King ; but submit to
his Grace." Then the court imposed a fine of twenty
shillings with costs and they went free. Meshech
Weare, who gave his name to the town, was one of
the judges of the court, and the light fine imposed
shows tliat he did not like the law any better than the
men who cut the logs.
War of the Revolution.— The prohibition to cut
pine trees was ;is much an oppression as the tax on
tea, and the Weare riot was as great a feat as the Bos-
ton tea party and would occupy as iirominent a place
in history if only as well written up. Taxation with-
out representation, the stamp act, the tax on molasses,
the law that all exports should be sent to England
and that England should furnish all the imports, the
attempt to govern by force and the <piartering of
troojts on the people roused the colonists to armed re-
sistance.
The battle of Lexington woke up the land and hun-
dreds of New Hampshire men hurried to the scene of
action near Boston. Thirteen citizens of Weare
WE ARE.
685
iiiarclii'il :il ufRu In ( amlniilge. They were (.aiaain
Jniiiitliaii Atwood, Caleb Atwood, Nathaniel Weed,
Samuel Wortliiiitc, Mark Flood, 8amuel Caldwell,
Abraham .Melviii, Samuel Hroeklebauk, Philip lli>it,
Aaron Quimby. Marden Emerson, Ephraim Hanly
and Levi Hovey. But these men soon came home;
some of them enlisted, and the following were in the
battle of Hunker Hill ; Jonathan Page, Stockman
.Sweat, Reuben Trusell, Ebenezer Sinclear, ,Iohu
Flanders, .Jacob Flanders, Ephraim Hadley and Sam-
uel Caldwell, Jr. Tluye also went to Cambridge at
the time and might have been in the battle: Marden
Emerson, .Joshua Ma.xfield, Jacob Carr, Joseph Hunt-
ington, .Joseph Colby, Jesse Bayley, Asa Heath and
Daniel Watson. Captain Aaron (.Juimby, Ijieutenant
Henry Tuxbury, Jonathan Worthley and Moses I'^ol-
lansbee went to Canada ; others from Weare went to
< oos, to St. .Johns, to Mount Royal and La Prairie.
~ line tramped with Colonel Benedict Arnold's de-
laehment through the Maine wilderness to Quebec ;
twenty under Lieutenant Timothy Worthley marched
to Canada to join Captain Henry Dearborn'seompany;
five were in Captain Henry Clement's company at
New Castle and three were in the first New Hamp-
.shire regiment.
In order to learn who were true to the colonies aud
who were Tories the New ILimpshire Committee of
Safety, .Vpril 12, 177i>, sent out the following:
AS.S0CIATION TEST.
■■ Wi', ttietiii)>scril>ers, do hereby aoleninly oiipigf, and proniiiio, lliiit wo
will, lo thu iittnuftt uf our |»»wer, nt tlio rJMiuc oruiir lives innl fortunes,
with nrma, oppiMii the hotttih- proceedings of tlie British flcel>« uml iLrniie^
agniniit t)ie I'liited .Vmericun Culunies."
8ii/n€r» m llWrtf.— Tlioiniw Wortley, William Dusten, Siiru Culd-
well, John Uobie, Epiiralui Jonem, Siilvi-nus Eninl'y, Je88« Uluke, ,Jobu
BUke, Kzfkiel KiMilnttl, Tlioiiiiu. Kitubiill, Ezekiel Curr, Tlioniii« Evun^
Wiotroi* rltiiiKh, Itenjaiuiu Selly, .leretiiiiih PoRe, S.in)uel .\yer, Renja-
niln Pntf.-, Nathiiiiii'l Woe.!, E/ra l'ill«l>oi-y, David Pjiixui, Itliamar
Rulon, Heiiben 3Iartttiu, Samuel Straw, oLadiali (:iiton, Atiuer Iloyt,
Israel Straw, .Samuel I'aiRe, Lemuel J*ai(;e, .lonalhaii Pai^r;, Saniuol
Paige, .It., Knricli Sweat, Roliert Alcoik, Paul DuBleu, f'aleli Kniery,
John Muzzey, John Worth, .Towpli Kiruhal, Sam Pliillirick, .lahez Slor-
rill, Simou Peiirkins, Natliatl Cniiu, Jr.. Dudley Cluwe, Jonathan lllaodul,
John Welrtler, .fo^oph tieorge, El^ah (Jreeu, William Whiteker, Moaej*
Currier, Kniw Kerrin, .\i« Wliitlcker, Tiuiulhy Clou^'li, Tiinolhy Tux-
bory, Jaroh Sargent, Jonathan At\voo<l, Cab-b Atwood, FIben Mudgit,
.\aroii OuinlH', Iwuu- Tuxtnii-y, Clones Quimbe, Jenw Clement, .Samuel
Solly, .lonathan lladlu.-k, .Samuel Eaitman, Jonathan Worthley, Samuel
Ordway, John I'olby, .Ir,, Thomas I'^nion, ,b'(tHe llayh-y, Daniel Ilayley,
Timothy Worthley, stephiii Emer»on, K. Cram, Klyab f;ove, Caleb
Wbllaker, Inane Sargent, Thonini« Worlbly, Timothy tieorge, Joseph
Hu»e, Peter RogerK, .lr.,.Iaiihmi Mnifleld, .Samuel Ilrockelbank, Kphralm
Kruer»>n, fieorgi' Iloyt, M.~<w Iliiit, .Tonathan Clement, E/.ni Clement,
Jolham Tullb, Mark Kloo<l, Philip Sargent, Joneph lliullink. Jowpli
Quenla-', Dani.'l Iladb-y, ,S4.th ThonuMjii, Ik-njani Flaudeit., John
Jewell, Tlm..lby l'.irle«, J.,».ph lladlock, Jr., David Monllon. John Mud-
gut, J.jri'iph Kmonn, John Simonn, Ebeliexer Itayley, Phili|» lloit, Nathan
Cmtn, Daniel Oallii!.ba, .liteob Graveil, .larob KauiHilole, .loitiab Crown,
Joseph llunton, Mwes IloyI, .Ir., .laeob Tuxbury, Xh'oili'luui. Watson,
!<.imuel W.irlhen, .lohn Olilway, Daniel tionld, Joaoph Dalt», Mines
FoloiHhury, Jnaeph Wehntor, John (Vilhy, .buuillian Mnrtain, Nathan
Cond, John Huntington, Thoniaa Colby, Jeriiliah Cram, Timothy Corlls,
Jr., Moaes Flood, John Faar, Simeon llovey, James Kinenwu, Marden
Emerson, William tjin'mby,— l;i|,
"Coiosr OF Nbw IIaxi'smiiic—
" To Ui« IIini. t_^ummitUe of S*\fettj of Ibi* ' v>/oa»/ ;
" iVhtrctu wu the Sulectni'm of We.ire have causetl this Doclarotlon to
be Signed by a Kuinbor of men who apean to bo well aosociated, to De-
fend by arms the t'nitod Colonies aguinst the hostile attempts of the
British fleets and armies —
"John RoniE \S«Uctmtn
"J.MIEZ MoRttiLL f /or UVar*.
" Dated at Weare June 0* 177C."
"Colony of Nrw 11.\mi«iiirk.
" To Old lion. Commillte of Snfelij of lliit VnUmij :
"Okntlkbiks 1 K'Aereas we the Selectmen of Weare have Received a
Declaration from yon to be Sign by the Inhabitence of Said Weare, we
have acted acconling to the Orders of the Declaration we make Return
of all who refu»! to sign t.i the Declaration, a List of their namee is on
this paper.
"John Rooir \ Seteetmeti
"J.vnEZ BloaillLL J /or ir«nr#
" Dated at Weare June li, 1770 "
'* A list of men's name..^ called Quakers, which is, —
"Jonathan Dow, Daniel Page, Nathi Peasleo, Silas Peaslee, Beiy»
Peaslee, Ehenezer Peasleir, .lonathan Peasleo, Caleb Peaslee, Isiali Green,
Isiah tirc^en, .Tr., Elijah Purintun, Ilezekiah Purintun, Jeremiah Given,
Micah Gl-een, John Gove, John Gove, .Ir., .lonson (iovo, Stephen Gove,
Daniel Gove. Elisha Gove, Jedediah Dow, Eben' Bree<l, Zeph Breed, Jon-
athan Kiistes, Joiutlhan Osbom. JohnHodgdon, Enoch .lonson, Olniund
Jonson, James ])uxt<ui, Joseph Parkins, Samuel Colings, John Clnu»e,
Samuel llovey, Samuel Huntington, Samuel Bayley, Jolin Jewell, Jr.,
Gorge Uadley, Nathaniel Carlies, .\bmham Melvon, .\sjt Heath, Joseph
Webstar, Jr., 41."
As the war went on Weare furnished more men.
The town paid small liounties for volunteei's at first,
from two to ten pounds. And then there were drafts
and men furnished substitutes and paid fines. Larger
bounties were paid and as the value of tlie paper
money depreciated almost fabulous sums were given
for volunteers and substitutes. When the paper
money was worthless the government called for ta.xes
in corn and beef. The town of Weare hauled and
delivered her corn at .Salisbury, Mass. There were
beef collectors. Soldiers were hired aud paid in
corn or live cattle. The town's committee to hire
soldiers paid to Daniel Straw " Twenty I?ushels ot
(.ioiid Indian Corn Per Month." Robert Colens was
l>aid " Si.xteeii Middling three year old heifers with
Calf or Calvs By their Sides." David (ireeley was
paid " Fifteen Midling Heifers three years old with
each a Calf by her side,"
Weare, with only a po])ulatioii of eight hundred
iind thirty-seven, tiiid with one hundred and fifty of
these liuakers, who had scruples against fighting,
sent i>iic hundred and eighly-tbree men into the army
during the War ofthe Revolution. Netirly every |)rom-
inent citizen and even u few of the Quakers served
in the army at sonic time during the war.
When Cornwallis surrendered the people took
heart. Peace anil independence seemed a.ssnred, ami
a]))>ropriatioiis were made once more for schools and
pnaehiiig.
Churches — Baitlsis. — The Baptist church woke
up to life again and had the following pre.ichers :
Samuel Fletcher, 17S2 ; Eliphalet Smith, 1783 ; Amos
Wood, 1788-98, the most popular minister who ever
lived ill town ; Job Seaman, 1798 ; Thomas Rand,
1799; Isiah Stone, 1801; Thomas Paul, I.S02; .Sam-
uel Applebee, 180,3; E/.ru Wilmarth, 1801; Otis Rob-
inson, 180;"); Henry Veasey, 1800; William Ilerrick.
1807 ; George Evans, 1808-12 ; but none of these
686
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
after Amos Wood were settled. Elder Ezra Wil
marth came back in 1813 and preached till March 13,
1817. John B. Gibson, 1818 to April 21, 1822; he was
accused of intemperance and had great trials; Elder
Wilmarth returned in 1823,^ — he got up a great re-
vival, difficulties wore settled, backsliders reclaimed,
the church refreshed and sinners converted. He was
dismissed October 17, 1826 ; Joseph Davis, Ajiril 17,
1827 to September lo, 1830.
Up to 1829, the society had included the whole
town and the minister had preached alternately at
the meeting-house in South Weare and at the north
meeting-h(juse at East Weare. Then the East Weare
members desired to set up for themselves ; twenty-oue
members were dismissed from the first church and
formed the second Baptist church at East Weare.
Both societies, after this, were weak and the first so-
ciety had no regular minister.
Elder John .Vtwood administered the ordinance to
them once or twice; Nathan Chapman labored with
them one half of the time in 1832-33 ; Lewis E. Cas-
well made them an occasional visit ; S. G. Kenney
was with them q, few mouths in the summer and fall
of 1836 ; Ferdinand Ellis preached to them part of
the year 1839, and Caleb Brown was with them some
part of the time in 1842.
Abraham Morrill was one of the pillars of this
church ; he stood by it for nearly half a century and
was one of the last survivors. He was present at its
death, August 30, 1843, and made the sad record of
its demise.
Baptist C/ivrch at East ITVacf . — It was formed No-
vember 28, 1829. It had twenty-one members at
first. Rev. Asa Niles was the first pastor, 1830 ;
Nathan Chapman was ordained July 4, 1832 ; Lewis
E. Caswell, 1834-42; Caleb Brown, 1843-47; S. G.
Kenny, 1847-19 ; John Upton, 1849-51 ; E. H.
Smith, 1851.
In 1856 the cliurch contained seventy-two mem-
bers — mostly females.
CongregafionaliM$. — K church was formed at East
Weare, June 17, 1789. It was always weak. Rev.
William Sleigh was one of its fir.st preachers. Rev.
Mr. Shearer preached for it. Rev. .lohn Cbiyford,
from England, was ordained its pastor, October 20,
1802, and was dismissed May 4, 1808. It had some
preaching after that ; but it soon died, — one strong-
minded woman leading all its members into the Bap-
tist fold.
A Congregational ist Church was formed at South
Weare, February 1, 1876. Rev. X. B. Palmer was its
first pastor; resigned May 1, 1878. Charles IT. Taint-
or was pastor, March 25, 1879, April 22, 1880 ; John
A. Rowcll came July 16, 1880; left November 26,
1882. John Bragilon preached three months in sum-
mer of 1884. No preaching since. Whole number
of members, thirty-eight.
Free- Will HaptiMs. — \ church was established Octo-
ber 20, 1806. Their first ministers were Elders Timo-
\ thy Morse, Joseph Quimby, Elijah Watson, Joshua
Quimby, Eljenezer Chase and Moses Bean. Elder
Hezekiah D. Buzzell was pastor from March 8, 1813 to
1829. He was a man of good ability, and was a mem-
ber of both branches of the State Legislature. Many
other Free-Will Bai>tist ministers were about Weare
during his pastorate. David Harriman wa.s the next
pastor, 1829-37 ; David Moody, 1837-40; Sister Par-
ker, 1840^3 ; John G. Tuttle, 1843-48 ; Rufus Hay-
den, 1848-50 ; John Kimball, 1850-52 ; W. C. Stafford,
1852-53; Asa Rundlett, 1854-55; N. B. Smith, 1856-
61; David Moody, 1862-63; O. C. Lane, 1864-65;
N. Young, 1865-66 ; J. M. L. Babcock, 1866-68 ; N.
B. Smith, 1868-70; D. Moody, 1871-73; Sister Saul-
paugh, 1873.
Transient ministers who preached about this time
were J. M. Coburn, 1871; N. L. Chase, 1873; Jo-
seph Granvill, 1874, and D. J. Quint, 1875.
This church, often called the First Free-Will Bap-
tist Church of Weare, was the ])arent of four other
small churches. About 1877 it died.
Deering Church. — Many of its members were from
Deering, and May 5, 1830, they were " dismissed for
the purpose of forming a separate and distinct
church " in that town.
Free - Will Baptist Church in JVorth Weare. — Its
members were from the First Church. They were
dismissed March 29, 1838, and immediately organized.
The church at first consisted of seventeen men and
twenty-two sisters. They called themselves the Second
Free-Will Baptist Church in Weare. Their ministers
have been Revs. Amos Emery, Benjamin JyOcke, Ru-
fus Hayden, Plumer Chesley, J. J. Wentworth, David
Moody, N. B. Smith, Clarion H. Kimball, Sullivan
Cicero Kimball, Moses Folsom, Joseph Granville,
Daniel I. Quint, George W. Pierce and some
others. A Methodist minister is now preaching for
them.
Third Free- Wil/ B<iptist Church at East Weare.
''The Little Free- Will Baptist Church in the north-
west corner of this town " was formed before 1830.
LTxivER.'iALiSTs. — The Rev. John Murray, tiither
of Ilniversalism, preached in Weare some time in the
last century, .\hncr Kneeland, a hero of free thought
j who went to jirison for his ojiiniiins, lived in town in
1803, and ]>reached in private houses and school-
houses, for the Evangelists would not let him and his
followers into the meeting-houses. Hosea Ballou and
Walter Balfour preached occasionally, an<l in 1808 or
1809 a society was formed. Ministers who have re-
sided in town and preached are Sebastian Streeter,
180S)-12; Squiers Streeter, 1812-16; Russell Streeter;
Robert Bartlett; J. P. Atkinson, 1840; Elbridge
Trull ; Frederick Foster. Others who have supplied
the pulpit are Revs. Mr. Anderson (a Scotchman),
Walter Ilarriman, William Hooper, G. L. Deniarest,
Dr. Emerson, H. S. Fisk, Mr. Turner and Dr. A. A.
Miner.
Quakers. — The Quakers settled in Weare at an
t
WEARE.
687
early date botoro the Kevolutioii. They have two
meeting-houses.
The Skcoxd Advextists had a society about
1843.
Shakeks lived in town near Rattlesnake Hill and
held meetings early in the present century.
Meeting-Houses. — The first meeting-house in
Weare, as we have said, was ]irobably built by the
])roprietors before the incorporation of the town in
17<)4. The second w;is built at East Weare in 1786.
Its pews were sold in advance in September, 1785.
The third was at South Weare, built in the same
way, by selling the pews. They were sold in 1788
and the house built in 1781). The (Quakers also built
their houses about this time and the town-meetings
were often held in the one near the Center. A meet-
ing-hoase was built at North Weare about 1840.
The Universalists built one at Weare Centre, in con-
nection with the town-house, about 1835, and the
Calvinisti(- Baptists liuilt one at East Weare in 1836 at
a cost of eight hundred and fifty dollars. The Free-
Will Baptists also built a meeting-house at East
Weare, in 1840.
Weare ha.s had more religious societies and church
buildings than any other town of its size in the
State.
Small-Pox. — .V lios|iital was established at Dun-
barton in 17'.I3 for inoculating ])er.sons for the small-
pox.' Dr. Sawyer and Mrs. .Fimison kept it. .James
Hogg and others, of Weare, had children there sick.
Diinbarton |)eople were uneasy about it, and their
selectmen notified the parents that they should send
the children home to them February 27tli. Weare's
selectmen were informed and asked that the children
might have it at Lieutenant .Tames Hogg's house, or
that a place might be provided for them. There was
great excitement. February 28th a town-meeting was
called to be hebl March 2d to sec what should be
done. The town was wild. All came to the meeting
and they voted unanimously that Lieutenant Hogg
should be notified to remove all infected i)ersons and
infection of the small-pox out of the town forthwith.
.Jesse Woodbury and Philip Sawyer were chosen a
committee to see that it was done. The town in pass-
ing this vote did not seem to care what other town was
afflicted with the small-pox if they roubl only get rid
of it.
Hut the children and the small-pox did not go, and
a pest-house was built at once. It was located in an
out-of-the way place on Burnt Hill, and the patients
taken there. One died and was buried nearby.
The following bill shows the customs ol' those
times :
Wi.AKE, April, 171i:i.
'■ TIio Town Piio ro Obiiilliili Kul^'ii on uct;<iiiiit of thi' Siiiiill pox.
S. •. d.
•■To4 Dinni;™ 2
2 liiugM Kgg pop& 1 liuig W. I 2 10
' Several would ho inuculntoil unil go thniugll with tlio diaoiiw. Tbe)'
k'.-n' dillod It cliu«.
£ <. d.
keeping 7 horses k lAHlging 7 men 7
to 1 pint Sling A I mug Egg pop 1 10
to Iceeping 7 hurBcs «fc Lodging 7 men 7
to 5 mugs AV. I. tody 4 2
2 mugH Egg pop 2 U
8 meals Victuals 4
3 mugs Egg pop Jt 1 mug W. I 3 10
G quarts outs Sc 2 (|uurt8 meal U 1 4
I quart Wine Rfield had for Bean u 2
1 quart Wino 3
my Self and Aaron Burnham & four O-xen one Day . 10
IpairSheats&lqt. W. I. 4 1 qt. N. E 13
"£330
Samuel Bean's children were taken to the pest-
house, and he was much vexed. One night he stole
them all away. The selectiuen took the advice ol'
.John Prentice, a lawyer of Amherst, and then broke
open the house where the children were and carried
them back. Then they arrested Bean and made him
give a bond for good behaviour. The child that died
was Bean's.
Town-House. — The first one was built in 1707. It
was localcil on the road a short distance southeast of
Duck Pond, Befiire it was finished, but after they
had held one town-meeting in it, E/.ekiel Kimball, Jr.,
set it on fire and "it was burned to ashes." Ezekiel
ran away and hid in the great "Moose Bog" swamp.
Ebenezer Peaslee hunted him out by stratagem, had
him arrested and arraigned. He gave bail and his
fiither settled the matter by jiaying one hundred dol-
lars. The house finally cost four hundred and sixty-
eight dollars, and town-meetings were regularly held
in it for the next thirty-five years.
Minute-Men. — There was trouble with England.
She persisted in in.sulting the United States and im-
pressing her seamen. France despoiled our com-
merce, the Algerine pirates preyed upon it and the
Indians upon the frontier were hostile. Congress
wished for troops to be in readiness in every town,
and provided pay and bounties for "minute-men," as _
; they were called.
The town of Weare, November 27, 17S>4, being pat-
riotic, voted a bounty of two dollars to each soldier
that shall enlist to be in "Redness" at a moment's
warning indefenseoftheUnited States. December 11,
1797, voted a bounty of two dollars, and nine dollars
a month in addition to what Congress voteil, to min-
ulc-miii ulun in ailiial service.
The War of 1812.— In ISO'.I war was imiiiiiient
with England. Weare showed her patriotism again,
and, March 14th, votetl a bounty of two dollars each
to our proi)ortion of soldiers to make up the one liun-
(lrc(l thousand called fiir, and \\\i.' dollars per month
in aildilion to what the (iovernment allows them.
May 30th, they chose Daniel Moore and Captain
Samuel Eaton a committee to provide a magazine
and other military utensils for the town, the Legis-
lature at its last session having pa.ssed an act that this
should be done by towns.
In 1812 war came. Tlie Bepublieans of Weare
were in a imijority and were in favor of prosecuting it
688
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUxNTY, x\EW HAMPSHIRE.
vigorously. But there were some Federalists who
bitterly opposed it. A town-meeting was held, July
3d, to provide troops, and after much discussion,
some loud talk and a great deal of wrangling,
" Voted, To give and make up the wages of those sol-
diers who shall be drafted from the militia, or to so
many of them as shall enlist, as will make the town's
proportion of the one hundred thousand men to be de-
tached from the United Slates Militia, fifteen dollars
per month and two dollars bounty to be paid on en-
listment or draft and four dollars addition thereunto
when called for to march into actual service." After
l>a.s.-iing a vote that the expense of the militia be de-
frayed the present year by the selectmen, as usual
they adjourned, and Joseph Philbrick, the clerk, in
making his record, said, " Thus ended a clamorous
meeting."
The following men went from Weare: Ephraim
Philbrick and Isaac Grant were in Captain Benjamin
Bradford's company, Colonel Aquilla Davis' regi-
ment. Lieutenant Stephen Emerson, ensign Ninian
Follansbe, sergeant John Gale, corporal Thomas
Eastman, George Alley, Jonathan C. Butterfleld, Wil-
liam Clough, Daniel Emerson, Jr., Thomas Nichols,
.Vrchibald IStinson and Moses Wood were in Captain
Trivett's company. Colonel Steele's regiment. Ser-
geant Ebenezer Wilson, Jacob Barrett, Robert
Clough, Nathan Cram and Nathan Johnson were in
Captain Rollins' company (Captain Rollins was
from Weare). Phinehas Stone, of Weare, was cap-
tain of a company in the First Regiment (Colonel N.
Fisk's). His men from Weare were Richard W.
Cooper, musician ; Oliver Belcher, James Butter-
field, John Colby, Jonathan Flanders, David Grant,
William Gray, Luther Locke, Jonathan Ordway,
John Philbrick, George Philbrick, William Pope,
Nathaniel Pcaslee, Benjamin Tenny, Jr., and Cieorge
Woodman. The latter company went to Portsmouth,
September 12, 1814, did actual service for three
months and were honorably discharged.
Spotted Fever. — It occurred in 1815, '16 and was
prevalent throughout New England. Many died in
Weare.
Town Farm. — In 1824 Joseph Philbrick, William
Whittle ami Abraham Morrill were chosen a commit-
tee to report at the next annual meeting about the
support of the poor, and in 1825 they said a farm
should be bought. 'Being continued in office they
reported the ne.xt year, 1826, that they were not in
favor of buying a farm, they had changed their
minds, but of setting up " an establishment " for the
town's poor. They thought this was better than the
former practice of humanely putting them up at
auction and striking them off to the one who would
keep them for the least pay. There were eleven
I)aupers this year. Mary Bailey, aged ninety-two ;
Thomas Worthly, son of one of the first settlers, eighty-
nine; Hannah Flood, eighty-four and Sarah Collins
were among the oldest, and Mary Matthewson, aged
I
two, daughter of Sally Kinso'n, twenty-one, was the
youngest. They were all let out to a contractor to be
supplied by him and he was also to buy books and
send the children to school.
The question slept for twelve years. In 1838 Os-
good Paige, Abraham Morrill and Levi Gove were
chosen a committee to look up and report on the sub-
ject of a "Poor Farm." X\tx\\ 14th they rejiorted
they had examined the John Hobie farm and the
Abraham Morrill farm not quite so good. They
strongly urged that a farm be bought, and said, " We
are bound by every principle of virtue and religion to
mitigate, as far as possible, the sorrows and sufferings
I of the unfortunate poor," and that they could do it
best on a farm. The town was convinced ; they ac-
cepted the report, voted to buy a farm and to hire of
the agent the "Surplus revenue " and pay for it.
They also voted that the " poor farm " should be a
house of correction, and chose Amos W. Bailey,
Daniel Page, Jr., and Moses Peaslee a committee to
draft and report suitable by-laws for its proper man-
agement.
Surplus Revenue. — In 1837 the Government of
the United States sent to the several states large sums
of money, called the "surplus revenue." New Hamp-
shire divided the money among its several towns.
Weare voted to take the money, and chose Amos W.
Bailey agent to receive it from the State Treasury
and loan it in sums of not less than twenty-five dol-
lars, nor more than four hundred dollars, at six per
cent, interest, to be paid annually into the town
treasury to defray town charges, and that the agent
take good security subject to the approval of the
selectmen.
In 1838 a part of this was taken as we have seen
to pay for the i)oor-farm. In 1843 the citizens voted
to put one-half of it into their own pockets, in other
words, to take it to defray town charges, and that
Ebenezer Gove be an agent to take care of the rest
of it. In 1846 some tried to divide it among the
citizens, but the majority decided not to do it. The
next year at the March meeting they voted to distrib-
ute it equally among the legal voters, and October iUh
chose Cyrus E. Wood agent to do it and record the
names and amount each received. They got one dol-
lar and forty-five cents apiece. Thus went the Sur-
plus Revenue ; they could not be content to keep it
as a fund, and so spent it in just ten years.
Mexican War. — Only one man enlisted from
Weare, and lie was a citizen of Gollstown.
New Hampshire Central Railroad.— It was char-
tered .lunc 24, 1848. Its Board of Directors were
David Steele, president ; Moses Sawyer, North Weare ;
Charles Stinson, Dunbarton ; Perry Richards, New
Boston; Horace Childs, Ilenniker; Moses A.Hodgdon,
Abnerlloit Weare ; John S. Eldridgi^ Boston.— Lewis
Smith was clerk; Samuil H. Price, superinten<lont ;
Abraham Mitchell, roadmaster ; Joseph Knowlton,
freight agent ; and James Priest, wood agent. Work
WEARE.
fi89
was begun in 1849; the road was completed to Oil Mill
villafTc January ISoO, and in February l'f)llo\ving the
rars began to run regularly to the latter ))laee. They
reached North Weare in Novenilier and Hennikcr
December 10, 1850. The cars did not run above Oil
Mill till the road was built through to Henniker,
then regular trains were put on. The first conductor
was Robert Moore of Henniker, from December 10,
18.50, to September 1, 1853. Charles Henry llurlburt
conductor Se])teniber 1, 1853 to 1855, and Charles W.
Everett since that time. The road fell into the hands
of Joseph A. Gilmore about 1853, and the name was
changed to the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers
Railroad. Sunday, October 31, 1858, (lilmore tore
up the rails between North Weare and Henniker,
much to the disgust of every one living on the line,
.ind soon after the road l)ecame the ])roperty of the
I 'oncord Railroad.
Four trains now run daily l)et\veen North Weare
ind Manchester ami two trains on Sunday, and the
lad pays good dividends on the amount the Concord
railroad jiaid for it. There are tour stations in Weare
at the present time, — Oil Mill, ICverett, East Weare
and North Weare, — and the road is now known as the
Manchester and North Weare Railroad.
War of the Rebellion. — Fort Sumter was fired
upon .\pril 12, 18(11, and the war began. President
Lincoln ealled for seventy-tive thousand troops, and
New Hampshire sent her first regiment into the field.
Soon there was another call for more men, and, May
25, the town voted to pay each soldier who enlisted
from Weare nine dollars a month in addition to what
the government ])ays, and t« each nurse from tliis
town an amount sufficient to make the pay up to
twenty dollars a month. Also, those who en-
list in the navy before August 27, shall be paid
one hundred dollars — if they will count on the town's
■ [uota; the selectmen to hire all the money and pay
all the volunteers when they are mustered into ser-
vice. November 10, ISlJl, the town voted town aid
■'■r the families of volunteers, in addition to the
-■tate aid.
August 12, 18t;2, the town voted to |>ay tw<i hundred
ilollars to each volunteer, the money to be hired to
do it.
September 8, 1802, the town affirmed the acts of
tlie previous meeting and also voted to pay the nine
months men two hundred dollars each.
September 8, 1863, the town, by vote, paid three
liundred dollars to each drafted man or his sub-
-litute who shall be mustered into the .service. At
iliis time the States and the United States each paid
three liuiidre<l dollars for a soldier, makinir a bounty
of nine hutidreil doUai-s to every man who went to
the war.
December 2, 18(13, the selectmen were authorized
to hire money to fill up Weare's quota under the call
of the President October 17, 1803.
June 7, 18(34, voted to pay those who have enlisted
or been drafted to fill the last call, three hundred
dollars, the seleclmen to hire the money.
June 27, 18(54, the selectmen were authorized to
procure the enlistment of such number of soldiers as
will be needed to fill the next call of the President,
the selectmen to hire the money.
August 29, 1864, the President had called for five
hundred thousand more troops. The calls came thick
and fast. At a town-meeting held this day, voted to
pay to each volunteer who shall enlist from this town
for one year, one thousand dollars, for two years,
eleven hundred dollai-s, and for three years, twelve
hundred dollars, the .selectmen to hire thirty thousand
dollars to pay the volunteers or their substitutes. Si.v-
teen to eighteen hundred dollars was a good, substan-
tial bounty.
December 17, 1864, the town resolved that the
selectmen be authorized to pay to every man three
hundred dollars who may be drafted and accepted or
has furnished a substitute since the last call for five
hundred thousand men, and hire the money therefor.
This was the last of the bounties. One gigantic
effort was made to crush out the rebeilicm and more
than a million men were sent into the field. The
effort was successful. Had the war continued a few
years more, the North would have been bankrupt
and secession a success.
Weare sent one hundred and fifty-nine of her
citizens to the war as volunteers and her drafted men
put in fifty substitutes, — 209 men in all went from
Weare to the war.
Roll of Honor. — The following are the names of
the ]neii of Weare, who gave their lives to their
country :
KlbriilKD DuatiiJ, -Viiitli lii iriiiicnt ; killwl at Jiicknon, Mijs.
.todcpli II. (ircgg, Sevetitli ItLKiniciit ; killuii ut Fort Wagner.
I.iiulloy F<illuiii.l«v, Sixtli KirRiinuiil ; killcil 111 sccunil Dull Xiiii.
Cliarlea K. Pfaalei', killfilul WilliaiiiHbmv, Vu.
Pnrwhi W. Clias", I'ourtctnCli noKliiii'iil, klllml ut Wliiclicstir.
WnnliiiiKloii KolIiiMnljec, Kliiviintli lleitlminl, kllkdut I'clereliurt,-.
Cliarli'8 Iluiiiun, Kouiloniilli liugiiiiviit ; killed iil Winclioster.
\'iileiitilie ^I. Cliuiiu, Tliinl ItrKliiii'nl ; died ofwiniiulij.
.loxliim M. Nicholn, Nliilli Iti'gilliR'Ml ; died .if wimndM.
f'hiirlesC. Ciirr, KinirteeiiCli lli'Kliiient; di.d of ivnunds.
Wllliiun I,. llnniUlon, Kuurleeiith Hegliiieut ; died ofwiiuiidF.
('uBsliiiirii M. Moore, Ft.nrteenth llefjliiient, diwl of woiiiidH.
IlenlN Kiiiie, Nliitti llegiiiieut, died.
Kugonc Itrced, Nliilli Itej^liiicnt ; died.
.limienW. Iliiri-elt, NInlli lU'idliieut; died.
.loM'ph Tlitro, uliarpttluKjIer ; died.
K/r* Clenieiit, Sevenlh Ht>Khnent ; di<..l.
Ilmvey 11. Miiiilii, Sevenlh lii't'liii.'nl ; .lieil.
, l-:dwurd Tiitro, Niiilli KeKliiielil ; died.
I AliiiiwN. Wood, died.
I G. Knink I>iiy, Blmriwliooler : died.
I (ieorge W. 5lii/./.e>, Nliilh ReKlinenl ; dliKl III SttlUbiiry prlnui
FmiielK ihulley, SliiiriMliooter; tiled.
Wllllani II. Hojl, XlMlh Ileglment ; died.
Warren H. Kniery, Foiirl.'eiilli l[egllii.-l>l ; died.
Frank r. M.>rrlll, dinl.
Ihinire IleurlKini. died.
I.lelll. Col. Slark Follow*, F.airleenlli H.^l iil, died.
K<lwlii N. (*niiii, Slx(eentti itegiiueiil ; dle.l.
William \. While, SIxteenlli IteglnienI : .lli'il at llslon BniiKe.
(inrdlier (Jove, Slxleelitli Kegliiient ; died.
Ah.iixo Fwit, Sixteenth Kegiiiienl ; diml at New Orleaiii*.
G90
HISTOllY OF HILLSBOKOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMl'SlimE.
Elbndge Pearbom, Sixteenth Regimeut ; died at Concord, N. H.
Sumner B«>urd. Sixteenth Regiment ; died.
Alfrefl W. Chade, Sixteenth Regiment ; died at Baton Rouge.
Henrj- Clement, Sixteenth Regiment ; died.
Almon Dow, Sixteenth Regiment ; died.
George Felch, Sixteenth Regiment ; died at New Orleans.
Williuni Tliorpe, Sixteenth Regiment ; died.
Division of the Town. — Many attempts were made
near the close of the last century to divide the town,
but none of them were successful. There was an
effort to take portions of Weare, Goffstown and New
Boston and make u new town ; this failed, and, in 1876,
many i)f the inhabitants in the southeast part of the
town wished to sever a portion of Weare and annex
it to Goffstown ; this shared the fate of the earlier
efforts. Two parishes for religious purposes was a
favorite scheme of the East Weare Church, but they
never could accomplish it. The only thing of the
kind that met with any favor was the forming of two
military di.stricts for training purposes.
Stove to Warm the Town-House. — About 1840,
after building the new town-house at the Centre, the
town refused to buy a stove to w-arm it, and it was
only after voting on the question several years that
one was bought. The same peuuriousness was 'seen
in warming the meeting-houses. Ministers preached
with their overcoats and woolen mittens on and the
women kept their feet warm with the old-fashioned
foot-stoves, with a dish of live coals therein, for years
after the first efforts were made to put in stoves.
Money wiis appropriated for such purposes grudgingly.
Wealth. — But Weare's citizens are more generous
now. Each year the sum of fifty dollars is ap]>ropri-
ated to decorate the soldiers' graves ; the town-house
has been remodeled and modernized, a level floor of
Georgia pine has taken the place of the sloping floor
of spruce and hemlock, comfortable settees have sup-
planted the hard i)lank seats of former days and other
improvements have been made. A receiving tomb
has been built, a hearse procured, road machines
bought, and two thousand five hundred dollars apro-
priated, and paid for the reservoir at the head of the
Piscataquog. One item alone shows their prosperity ;
they have .*.3.57,742 in savings-banks, the tax on wliich
more than pays the State tax of the town.
Town-History,— About 1881 the town chose David
Gross, Abner P, Collins, Robert Peaslee, Josiah G.
Dearborn and Sylvester C. Gould, a committee to
prepare a history of Weare, From data in part furn-
isliecl by them this sketch has been written.
Temperance, — A few generations ago there was
a cider-mill at nearly every other house aud every
ordinary farmer put seventy-five to one hundred
barrels of cider in his cellar each fall. Some also had
a barrel of rum or other strong liquor with it. It was
a common thing for men to drink a quart of cider at
a draught without once taking their lips from the
mug. Now the apples are sent to market bringing a
good price. A little cider is made tor vinegar or to
be used in a proper manner and the old cider guzzlers
who went from house to house drinking are all in the
graveyard.
Education and Religion. — Better school-houses
have been built and better schools are had ; better
churches have been jirovided and they are kept in
better rei)air.
We W(juld not detract from the merits of our an-
cestors; they were patriotic, public-spirited and
virtuous. But the people of Weare to-day are much
better off; have more property, better houses and
furniture ; more intelligence ; are more temperate ;
have purer morals ; a truer and freer religion, and
live twenty years longer on the average than did the
inhabitants of " y' olden times."
Manufactures. — Weare is chiefly an agricultural
town, Imt a great variety of manufacturing has been
carried on. The following articles have been produced
in Weare: Woolen goods, cotton goods, lumber,
clocks, ready-made clothing, hats, linseed oil, pump-
kin seed oil, cotton yarn, woolen rolls, skimmers, nails,
hinges, wooden ware, starch, carriages, sleighs,
musical instruments, toys, boots and shoes, matches,
leather, barrels, tubs, kits, sugar, skivers.
The following aged persons have died in Weare :
In 1800 (or about that time), Thomas Worthley, aged
I0() years ; in 1843, Betsy Sargent, aged 100 years ;
in 1860, Hannah Peaslee, aged 101 years ; in 1869,
Fannie Jlorse, aged 100 years and nine months.
Census of Weare.— 1768, 268; 1773, 884; 1775,
837; 1786, 1574; 1790, 1924; 1800, 2.517; 1810, 2634;
1820, 2781 ; 1830, 2430 ; 1840, 2375; 1850, 2435 ; 1860,
2310; 1870, 2092; 1880,1829.
REPRESENTATIVES
Samuel Page, 177.').
John Worth, 177.i.
George Hadley, 1776, 1803.
Samuel Caldwell, 17711.
Ithamur Eaton, 1780.
.Samuel I'hilliri.k, 1782, '83.
.lonathan Dow, 1784, '8S.
John Ilodgdon, 1789.
Obadiiih Eaton, 1702, '93, '94, '95.
Samuel B. Tobie, 1796, '97, '98,
18IW, '01, 'Oi, U4, '14,
Ja1.ez Morrill, 1799, 1800, died in
ollire.
James Calcluell, 180S, '06, '07, '08.
Jonatlian Atwood, 1809, '10, '11,
Daniel Jloore, 1810, '11.
.Samuel Eaton, 1812, 'IS, '17, '18,
'19, 2(1.
Anui»a Foster, 1813.
He7.<^kiali D. Buzzell, 1814, 'lo,
•Hi, '19, '20.
Abraham Morrill, 181.-., '16, '17,
'18, '21, '22.
James Wallace, 1821, '22, '23, •24.
Josiali Dunforth, 1823, '24.
Amos W. Bailey, 182.^, '26, '27.
Tristram Eaton, 18-25, '26, '27, '28.
Sinion P. Colby, 18-28, '-29, '30, '31,
•32, '41.
Daniel Page, Jr., 1829, "30, '31,
'36.
Soth N. lllley, 183'2, '.13, '34.
John L. Hailley, 1833, '34, '35, '36,
'37, '.IS, '46, '47, '48.
Tlionins Muize.v, 1835, '37.
John Kilmunils, 18:!8, '39.
Je8.<e Whittaker, 1839, '40.
Williiim Woodbury, 1840, '41, '42,
•48.
Jonathan G. Colby, 1842, '43.
Daniel Page, 1843, '44, '45, '46.
'47, '56.
Ebenezer Gove, 1844. '45.
Abel I!. Cram, 1849.
Samui-1 ('. Eastman, 1849, '50.
Hinim Simons, ISoO, '59.
William H. Gove, 1851, '52, '5.'.,
'71. Speaker of the House,
1871.
Peter Dearborn, 1851, '52.
Josiah G. Dearborn, 1853, '54.
Ezra Dolv, 1853, '54.
David Gould, 18.'.5.
John llartlett, 1856, '57.
Robert B. Caswell, 1858, '60.
AII.U Morrill, 1S.-.S.
Jonathan 11. Moullou, 1859.
Simon G. Grove, 1860, '61.
Moses A. Cartland, 1861.
Moses A. llodgdon, 1862, '6.1.
Ziba A. Hoyt, 186'2, '63.
Abnihara B. Story, 1864.
Ira Gove, 1861, '65.
Abner P. Collins, 1865, '88.
^-2^^/^ xi)^///^/iA
WKARE.
691
Jonathan Biixtoo, I8G6, 'C8.
Mofl^d Sawyer, 180G.
Cliarle-8 0. Ballon, 18G9, '70.
Alonzo H. Wood, 18C9, '70.
Charl.«W. Everett, 1871.
George W. Colhv, 1872, '73.
John Thurnilike, 1872, '73.
Lindley M. Sawyer. 1874, '75.
Abner Frost, 1874, '7.1.
Albert B. Johnson, 187i;, '77.
Cyrus E. "\V._)t4i, l^T^l, '77.
Charles H. Jones, 1879, '80.
Cliarles A. Jones, 1879, '80.
Warren L. Collins, 1881, '82.
JauioB P. Whittle, 1881, '82.
William L. Morse, 1883, '84.
Alnion L. Sleeper, ISS.'J, '84.
Levi H. Dow, 1885, '86.
George W. Dearborn, 1885, 'f
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
IIIRA.M .SIMON'S.
IIir.A.M Simons, son of Christopher and Nancy
(Locke) Simons, was born in Wcare, Hillsborough
County, N. H., February 22, 1805. Being the eldest
of nine children, he wa.s necessarily ]ooke<l ui)on as a
help in the home duties and interests, and as school
advantages were not as easily attained as now, his
were consequently restricted to short terms. But his
naturally quick and keen perception in active busi-
ness matters raised him to a high degree of capacity
in all and every position in which he took an in-
terest. In early life be labored on liis father's farm, in
the southwest |)art of Weare. When about twelve
years of age, his father purchased a large lot of land
in the southeast part of Weare, where he carried on
the "oil-mill" business, buying large i|uantities of
flax-seed, which was converted into oil, after which
the meal was fed to cattle. They also owned a
saw-mill and wheehvright shop, all in very active
operation. After Hiram became of age, his father gave
him a small compensation for his labor for one year.
Then he went into mercantile business for himself,
taking for partner Harrison Hobson, of Oil Mill Vil-
lage. This village derived its name from the Simons
oil-mill, which was afterward converted into a
flouring-mill.
About 1833, Simons & Hobson moved to Weare
Centre, then quite a thriving little village, where
they continued in mercantile business, prospering
finely. Hiram engaged in liiMil)ering ipiite exten-
sively. .\fter locating at Weare Centre Hiram
Simons was elected postmaster, was also justice of
peace, Wivs very active in the town interests, took a
deep interest in the prosperity of the village, pro-
])Osed and helped build a church and support a pastor.
He will be remembered long l)y those who attended,
as one who took an active ]>art in its prosperity;
played bass-viol in church while he remained there.
He officiated as selectman, treasurer, collector for a
good part of his stay at the village, was Representa-
tive in 1S49, 1850, 1859,— all of which offices he filled
with great honor. In 181)0 be innve<I to Manchester,
X. H., where lie rciiiaincd until bis death, .lunc
1, 18S-J.
He married M. .Vliiieil.i ( 'Iimsc. .IniiL'hler nf .lohn
and Lydia Chase, of Weare, September 4, 1842. They
were blessed with a son, May 25, 1843, named Hiram
Augustus Simons. On October 11, 1847, another son
was born, named George Frank Simons, — treasures
which were not spared them long. Augustus was
sent to New London, N. H., school at fifteen years of
age, and was a very fine scholar. He came from the
school of books and enlisted in the school that tried
all people's souls — the Rebellion. He went out in
the first fleet to the Southern States, enlisted Sep-
tember 4, 18G1. He went as musician, served one
year of hardship, came home September 5, 1862,
stayed with his family one year; then, in 18(53, came
the loud and imperative calls for " more men ." The
noble boy responded once more, and as he bade his
dear ones good-bye, he said, " ilood-bye ! good-bye!
I'll come home all right ! all right .' " He did come
"all right" the next July. But voiceless was the
dear form that left home so short a time before. He
died in Washington, D. C, July 10, 1864 at Columbia
College Hospital, at the age of twenty-one years, one
month and a few days. This was a hard blow for his
parents and brothers. But they bowed submissively,
feeling that it was well with the dear one who had
"gone first," or, as he expressed it, "some one must go
first ; it might as well be me as any one." The next
summer dear Frank was called. He died August 9,
1865, aged seventeen years, ten months and a few
days. Then the parents were alone, feeling deeply
bereft, yet with a hope and trust of meeting their
dear ones again when they too shall pass over to
the shining shore.
Hiram Simons' life was a very active, industrious
one ; ever ready to help the needy, both in words of
kindness and deeds of charity ; <|uietly and unosten-
tatiously were his kind acts pertbrmed, but never
to be forgotten by the recipients. He had acquired
a handsome competency by his own industry, some
two hundred thousand dollars of which his four
surviving brothers, one sister and one niece, received
sixteen th<nisand dollars each of his i>riiperty ; of
the remainder his wife has control, and of which
she has bestowed liberally where needed. Hiram
Simons lived the motto of his heart: "This life it
short, and we should miss no opportunity of giving
hajipiness to others." His last days were the ful-
fillment of this aim. Never an ill wonl passed his
lips; if he could not speak well of a person he would
not speak at all. He passed hajqiily to rest on the
first dav of June, 1882.
LEWIS SIMOSS.
Among the many successful busintjss men of Hills-
borough County, no one is better entitled to conspicu-
ous mention than Lewis Simons, who has attained his
" threi'-score years and ten " within the county where
both he and liis father liefore him were born, and from
whose forests and tindiered wastes he has cut for him-
692
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
self a fortune, while by his industry and integrity he
has perfected a character as enduring as the granite
liills of his native State.
His father, Cliristopher Simons, was born in South
Weare, and lived on the family homestead until two
years after the birth of Lewis, August 12, 1815, when,
witli his family of seven boys and two girls, he moved
to the flourishing village in the same town, then and
since known as the Oil Mills, and purchased the mills,
which gave the place its name ami fame.
In the year 182.5 the business of the mills had so in-
creased, under the excellent management of the
senior Simons, aided by the efficient services of his
boys, that it was found necessary to rebuild and en-
large the capacity of the mills ; and the raising of
linseed and it,s manufacture into oil was a source of
prosperity to a large and thriving community. It
was not uncommon to see over five hundred bushels
of seed at a time in the bins, and so long as the rais-
ing of linseed was as remunerative as other branches
of agriculture, the business prospered ; but, with the
lack of material, it languished, and in 1832 the in-
dustry was abandoned ; the oil mill was leased to a
party who utilized it as a pail factory until 1847,
when it was totally destroyed by fire.
Upon leaving the oil business, the senior Simons
devoted himself to the care of his large farm, which
he had secured by his industry and economy, and car-
ried on also quite a thriving business in the saw-mill,
which he owned in the same locality. He was a type
of that invincible manhood which, in the early days,
could master obstacles that in the light of modern
civilization would seem overwhelming; and his suc-
cess was not less marked by the comfortable fortune
which he amassed, than by the hal)its of industry,
frugality and integrity which he instilled into all his
nine children, and especially his fifth son, Lewis, the
subject of this sketch.
Notwithstanding his limited opportunities for ob-
taining an education, young f^imons nevertheless
made the most of tlie means at his command, and,
with the same untiring devotion and patient applica-
tion which had characterized his life he mastered what-
ever he undertook. With only eight or ten weeks of
district school in a year, and one term of instruction
at the Henniker academy in the fall of 1835, where
he was a class-mate with the late ex-Governor Har-
riman, he became proficient in scholarship and
taught school with marked success in his own and
other districts in his native town for five consecutive
winters. When not thus engaged he worked in his
father's saw-mill, laying there the foundation for his
future business success in life.
In 1843 he went into trade at Oil Mill village, but
tills was not congenial to his tastes, and in 1845 he
abandoned it to follow the bent of his earlier inclina-
tions. In his father's saw-mill he had acquired not only
a thorough knowledge of sawing lumber, but a strong
desire to engage in the lumber business for a livelihood.
This desire had now fully ripened into a determi-
nation. The wisdom of his choice and the pertinacity
with which he has pursued his calling are fully evi-
denced in the splendid success which he has achieved
and the enviable reputation which he has won as a
man of broad judgment, of conscientious prudence
and of large business energy and integrity.
His first venture in the lumber business, in 1845,
was with his brother Hiram, with whom he remained
in partnership until 1853, living meantime in Weare.
In that year he sold his one-half interest in the busi-
ness to his partner and took up his residence in Man-
chester, having purchased a fine residence on the
west side of the river, in that part of the citj- then
known as " Squog," but now graced with the more ele-
gant title of West Manchester. Here he continued to re-
side until 1860, when he built his present spacious anu
attractive residence at the corner of Brook and Chest-
nut Streets, in one of the most desirable locations in
the city. Here for a quarter of a century he has
summoned the immeasurable influences of a happy
home to aid him in successfully prosecuting the
business of his earlier years.
He brought with him, to this new home, his wife
Hannah W., daughter of Charles Gove, of Weare,
whom he married in 1840, and her three surviving
children, — Laugdon, born July 20, 1841 ; Almeda,
born November 24, 1842; and Minot, born June 12,
1849.
Three other boys had previously been born to
them, but they had faded beneath the touch of the
grim messenger, early in life, and, in January, 1861,
the faithful wife and devoted mother was summoned
to join them in the better land.
Subsequently Mr. Simons married Mary J. Gilmore,
who still shares with him, in ha|)py contentment, the
fruits of twenty years of wedded bliss.
The youthful Minot fcmnd, in his new mother, all
the allection and devotion which he had lost, and,
through the few years which he was permitted to re-
main in this happy family, and especially through
the trying ordeal which preceded his death, no
greater love could have been manifested, no more i)a-
tient or self-sacrificing care could have been be-
stowed. To this most fortunate union much of Mr.
Simons' prosperity in life is due.
His son Langdon resides in Mancht'ster, engaged in
the jewelry business on Kim Street. He marrieil
early in life and has one son, a bright and promising
young man, the idol of his grandparents, at whose
request he bears the name of Minot, in memory of the
son, whose loss in early maturity so keenly aft'ected
botii Mr. and Mrs. Simons.
His daughter .Vlmcda is the mo.st estimable wife of
Darwin .V. Simons, one of Manchester's most enter-
prising and respected citizens.
In all departments of the lumber business Mr. Si-
mons has been exceptionally fortunate. His judg-
ment in estimating values, his thorough knowledge of
^^^yi'^
y / /^/ /,^
I
I
J.
WEAKE.
693
all the details of working and sawing lumber, his
large executive abilitv ami thorough personal devo-
tion to the management of his business, together
with his sagacity and prudence in putting his
merchandise upon the market at the right time, or in
preserving and holding his lumber until a better mar-
ket would ensure for him its full value, have won for
him not only liberal wealtli and the enviable reputa-
tion which his success financially demands, but with
this, and better than this, his strict, unswerving in-
tegrity in all his alfairs have ensured to him the ftill
confidence, appreciation and esteem of all with whom
he has come int^) contact. His counsels have been
widely sought, his methods scrupulously copied and
his influences largely felt.
For about eight years he owned the farm and mill
at the outlet of Lake Massabesic, with Gilman
Clough, who learned his trade of the Simons in
Weare, and in 1863 sold to Clough his one-half inter-
est. Since 185.3 he has been extensively associated
in the purcl):use and working of immense tracts of
woodland, with J. M. and I). A. Parker, of Gollstown,
and his active labors in the lumber business look back
over a period of forty years. In all this time, notwith-
standing his business was immense, furnishing to one
party in one year ten thnusanil cords of wood, yet he
never let the smallest detail escape bis attention. Out
of the many millions of lumber wlii('li he has handled,
oftentimes accumulating on his hands for a better
market, not five hundred feet were ever wasted. His
i-areer in this business, which, more than any other,
ta,\esthe judgmentand common sense, has been almost
phenomenal, and he justly enjoys, in his declining
years, the well-earned fruits of his life's labor.
As a public-spirited citizen lie has stamped his im-
press upon the history and growth of our city, and
many of the finest blocks and buildings are the results
of his industry. Besides his beautiful and valuable
homestead, he has been instrumiMital in building the
-Mercantile Block and Miisic-llall Block, Maiicbesler,
both beautiful and costly structures, situated on the
main thoroughfare and in the heart of the business of
this metropolitan city. He also helped to erect a large
l)rick block on Elm Street, known as Webster Block,
and a large tenement block on Pearl Street. In all of
these, and in other valuable pieces of real estate in
ibis city, he is a large owner, and few of Manchester
litizens have been more fortunate in tbiir liiiaiicial
alfairs.
Although ready ami willing always to aitsist in any
laudable enterprise, Mr. Simons has never simght the
honors of political favor, nor held other ollices of
trust than ju.stice of the peai'e, and, in IX.'i.'), alderman
in his ward, although the representative of the mi-
nority party.
The reasons are obvious. In his earlier years he
was too much engrossed in his own affairs to seek po-
litical prcrerincnt, and latterly fortunately, doubtless,
for liini, however much coniniunily may bavesuU'ered
' from the loss of his valuable services, he has be*n
a tenacious adherent of the old .leffersonian doctrines,
bringing him a multitude of unsought Democratic
I nominations, only valuable until election day. In
I 1884 he was the nominee of his party for Mayor, re-
ceiving in the caucus over twelve hundred votes, a
greater number than was ever given to any former can-
didate. For years he was a regular attendant and an
entbusijjstic worker in the Universalist Society, lend-
ing a willing hanil and open purse to the prosecution
of every good work for the benefit of the church and
society, and equally ardent and liberal in resisting its
persecutions. Of late years he has attended the
Unitarian Church and has been president of its
board of trustees.
He ha-s never yielded to the infatuating charms of
secret organizations of any kind, possibly on account
of his early interest in military affairs, which en-
grossed his attention and engaged his hours of re-
creation.
At the age of eighteen he picked bis Hint, shoul-
dered his musket and became a real soldier in the
Volunteer Militia Company of his town. He plucked
easily whatever of laurels for military achievements
I were obtain.able in the militia service, and, with ac-
cumulating honors, he joined, first, the Ooflstown
Light Infantry and after that he aciiieve<l distinction
in a rifie company of that time.
Every year, to the <late of the disbandment of the
State militia, he did military duty, in every rank
of the line, and was hence admirably prepared,
by instinct, education and e.xpenence to take
upon himself the high honor and supreme mili-
tary distinction of becoming a member of the
Amoskeag Veterans, then in its infancy, wiiich
he did in 1855. For thirty years he has been one of
its most useful and influential members, holding, in
succession, every oflice in its gift, until, at the last an-
nual meeting in 1885, he was honored by a unani-
mous election to the office of Commander, which he
I declined to accept, preferring to retain the conwnand of
Com|)any A as its captain, which position he has held
for several years andstill continues to fill most accepta-
bly. The prosperity and high standing of this famous
battalion, at home and abroail, is largely due to his
devotion, prudence and careful oversight in the man-
agement of all its affairs.
This brief history of the life of one of Manchester's
most honored citizens would be incomplete if dueem-
phiusis were not laid upon the sterling integrity and
innate mr)ral dignity of its subject in every walk in
life and un<ler all circumstances.
Erect in stature, elastic in step, fresh and well pre-
served, though bearing the weight of seventy years,
amiable, kind and always genial, his ae<|uaiiilanees are
universally bis friends, whose confidence anil approba-
tion noinan in community possesses to a larger extent.
,\bsolulely temperate as to intoxicants, he has also
abstained eiitirelv from the use of tobacco, in all it
694
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
t'oriii3, and no man ever heard from his lips a violent
or profane word. In short, Lewis Simons is, in the
broadest and truest sense, an honest man.
MOSES SAWYER.
Moses Sawyer was born in the picturesque little
town of Henniker, N. H., October 26, 1803. He was
the seventh generation from William Soyer, who
emigrated from England to America in 1632, and
commenced the hard life of a pioneer in the little
town of Newbury, now Newburyport, Mass. Some
of his children united with the Society of Friends, of
which religiou.s organization his descendants have
remained members to the present time.
The subject of this sketch was little indebted to
our public institutions for the unusual fund of in-
formation which he possessed. The world was the
school in which he was taught, and a few well-chosen
books constituted his early library.
At about the age of fourteen he left the home of
his childhood to learn the trade of dressing cloth,
and subsequently went to Amesbury, Mass., and per-
fected himself in the art of manufacturing woolen
goods. Here he made the acquaintance of John G.
Whittier and William Lloyd Garrison, and at the
solicitation of the latter subscribed for the first num-
ber of the Liberator, which is now in his possession.
When twenty-eight years of age he determined to
go into business for himself and bought a water
privilege in North Weare, N. H., where he erected a
mill and formed a company to manufacture woolen
goods. He had little other capital than his hands
and his natural energy of character, yet he started
one of the first, if not the first successful woolen mill
in New Hampshire, when Manchester contained only
one house, and Peter Cooper was trying experiments
with the fir.st locomotive.
.Vfter several years of prosperity a new company
was formed, of which he is still tlie agent. He has
always been known as a straightforward, honorable
business man.
A member of the Society of Friends, both by faith
and inheritance, lie has been prominent in Church-
work, particularly that which showed itself in deeds
rather than words.
He was an Abolitionist from the very first; in the
days when the name was as repugnant to what is
called " Society," as the name " Christian " was to the
Jewish Sanhedrin, or "Puritan" to the established
Church of England in the days of Charles the First.
No heart beat more ardently for the great subject of
human rights, or felt more keenly the injustice of
holding human beings as slaves ; and he let no oppor-
tunity pass to do his all in aiding the cause. His
house was one of the stations on the "underground
railway," and it was there that Frederick Douglass
commenced the writing of his autobiography.
The temperance movement, and every other philan-
thropic work has always had in him a strong advocate,
and he has given freely of his means for their support.
To cham|)ion wearisome causes and take the ])art of
the oppressed was his nature. It was never a burden.
But he never sought publicity in any field or held
political offices except at the earnest request of his
friends, yet he represented the town in the Legislature
in 1866, was the first president of the Hillsborough
County Bible Society, one of the trustees of our State
Orphans' Home, beside holding many other offices.
And now that for him the sunset hour has come, and
the activities of busine:*s life are over, he has leisure
for reading and study, and we trust he may be long
spared to gather the fruits of a well-spent life.
Mr. Sawyer has been twice married. First to Re-
becca B. Morrill of Seabrook, N. H., and, several
years after her decease, to Hannah Bassett .Tones, of
Gilmanton. He has three children still living: —
Henry Abbott, a graduate of Dartmouth College ;
Ellen Rebecca, wife of J. Fred. Smith, of Fishkill,
N. Y., and Marv Elizabeth.
I
^j£j zy^^^r//^^
HISTORY OF AVILTON
BY KEV. A. A. LIVERMOEE.
CHAPTER I.
WILTON.
THE TOPOGUAPIIY OK THE TOWN, ITS GEOLOGY, STHEAMS,
IlILI-S, TERRITORIAL LIMITS, SCENERY AND CLIMATE.
The town of Wilton is situated in the southwest
part of the county of Hillsborough, State of New
Hampshire, in latitude 42° 50' north, and in longi-
tude 5° 8' ea.st from Washington, D. C. The original
grant of territory by the Masonian proprietors in-
cluded forty-six shares of two hundred and forty
acres each, or one hundred and thirty-eight lots of
eighty acres each, or about twenty-eight square miles,
and not far from si.xteen thousand and seventy acres.
But, Aufrust 2i), ITtiS, a range of lots, half a mile wide,
was set otf to the adjoining town of Temple, on the
west, leaving Wilton an oblong parallelogram, seven-
teen hundred rods long from north to south and
fifteen hundred rods wide from east to west. It lies
eighteen miles from Nashua, forty from Concord,
thirty from ICeene and fifty-eight from Boston. It
is bounded on the north by Lyndeboroiifrh, on the
east by Lyndoborough and Milford, on the south by
Mason and (ireenville and on the west by Temple.
Its geological formation is chiefly granite and
schist, making a very uneven surface and Iiard but
strong soil, rising into lofty hills, which crop out with
extensive ledires, ami sinking into deep valleys, the
beds of whose streams are tilled with bowlders, large
and small. There are but few |)lains or patches of
sandy soil. The original forest growth was very thick
and heavy, and indicated a deep, rich soil. The most
valuable mineral products are clay, suitable for brick-
making, and Ijedsor large bowlders of granite, capable
of being worked for building materials.
Only a small portion of the town is covered by
water. There are no lakes or ponds, except artificial
ones, to create mill-power. The principal stream ig
the Kouhegan Hiver, said to be so called by the
Indians as "the River of the I'lains," which rises in
Great and Little Watatic Lukes, in Asbburnimm,
Mass., runs under the name of the South Branch into
New Ipswich, where it joins the North Branch com-
ing from Pratt's Pond, in .laffrey, passes through
Greenville and enters Wilton on the south, from
eighty to one hundred rods east of the southwest cor-
ner of the town. Thence its course is northeasterly
until it enters Milford. Two streams join it from the
west and north as it passes through Wilton, — Gambol
Brook, with north and south branches, and North
Stream or Stony Brook, which also has two con-
siderable branches. The Souhegan falls into the
Merrimack in Merrimack. These streams, with
smaller brooks falling into them, form the water-
courses of the town, and su|>ply the power for numerous
mills and factories.
The bold sand-hill bluffs at various points, especially
along the Souhegan Valley, indicate the points where
the great eddies left their deposits when immense
streams filled these valleys to their brim, after the
glacial period in the history of the earth gave way to
a warmer temperature. Owing to the granite forma-
tion, there are no actually perpendicular falls or cas-
cades in town, as in the limestone formations; but in
several instances there are rapids of considerable
height and interest, as Barnes' Falls, on a brunch of
Stony Brook.
While there are no mountains proper, there are
many high hills, commanding wide prospects and
separated by deep valleys. Such are Abbot Hill, in
the southeast part of the town, a long, broad eleva-
tion, sloping up griidually from the bed of the
Souhegan; Kimball's and Mansur's Hills, on the
southwest, the highest elevations in town ; Russell's,
or Lone-Tree Hill; Bade's Hill, near the Centre;
Flint's Hill, in the northwest; and Bale's Hill, in the
northeast. All are high eminences, commnn<ling a
complete view of the basin, which centres in the town,
formed by the Temple, New Ipswich and Lynde-
borough Mountains, called the I'ack .Monadnock.
] The climate of Wilton is the climate of New Kng-
land on itx northern hills and mountains, — a long,
.severe winter, usually with high winds and deep-
I drifting snows, a short and checkered spring, n hot
and luxuriant summer and a brilliant autumn, with
the foliage turned to brown, crimson and gold. It»
I climate is one of extremes of heat and c<dd, but vivid
and piclure.squc with the drifting snows of winter, the
green herbage and foliage of summer and the gor-
0U&
696
HISTOlir OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
geous colors of uutunin, and stimulating to body and
mind. In the early history of the town, autumn and
spring were more nearly merged into winter and
summer. The snows fell into deep forests, where
they lay comparatively uninfluenced by sun or wind
until a late spring, when the sun was high. Then
overflowing fre.shets rushed down the hills and moun-
tains and filled the valleys, sweeping everything
before them, and summer suddenly burst upon the
land. Then, too, the transition from summer to
winter was not less rapid, and not seldom the fruits
of field and orchard were surprised by sudden frosts
and snows. But since the heavy forests have been
largely cut down, or have been succeeded only by
slight second growths of young trees, and the surface
ha.s been more exposed to the direct sun and wind,
the seasons have become more changeable and fluctu-
ating, and rapid extremes of cold and heat succeed
one another. The cutting down of the den.se forests
has dried up the smaller brooks and meadows,
caused severer droughts and opened the way for the
more rapid descent of the rains and melted snows into
the water-courses, and sudden and more injurious
floods, as in the disastrous freshet of October, 1869.
But if we take all the features of the climate into
consideration, we shall come to the conclusion that it
is fitted to develop a hardy and vigorous race of
people, with great activity and endurance of body and
mind.
Of late years a marked social change has come, and
many people from the cities and the seaboard annu-
ally resort to the hills and mountains for health and
invigoration, in the summer months. From one to
two hundred boarders find accommodations in Wilton
during the warm season, and enjoy its healthful air, its
charming drives and walks and its beautiful scenery,
while not a few build here tasteful country cottages
for their homes nearly half the year.
CHAPTER II.
WILTON— (COTKiiiMerf).
KI.OKA AND KAUNA.
The vegetable and animal productions of the town
have not differed e.ssentially from those of the other
towns in this county already described in this work.
The original forests consisted of pitch, white and
Norway pines to a great degree, and furnished excel-
lent timber. White, black and yellow birch, beech,
white, red, yellow aud scrub oak, poplar (native and
Lombardy), chestnut, butternut, walnut, white, red
and rock or sugar maple, ash, willow, basswood, horn-
beam, leverwood, elm, cherry (white and red), hem-
lock, spruce and fir abound. While the first, and
even the second, growths of timber have been princi-
pally cut ott", probably more acres are now in woodland
than were fifty years ago, but the trees are, many of
them, only saplings.
The shrubs and flowers arc those common to a
northern climate and a mountainous country. The
fields, woods, pastures . and roadsides are gay with a
great variety of flowering plants, — from the wind-
flower and May-flower of the spring to the laurel,
daisies, lilies, primroses and buttercups of summer,
or to the golden-rod, John's-wort, life everlasting and
cardinal flower of autumn. Many exotics also have
become domesticated in the town. Numerous wild
berries — mulberries, sumac, bogberries, barberries and
others — beautify the summer and autumn scenery.
The herbage, too, of the northern temperate zone, the
fine, green turf and the many delicate grasses give
exquisite pleasure to the eye as compared with the
coarse grasses of warmer climates.
The wild animals were, at the time of the early
settlement of the town, the bear, the moose, the deer,
the wolf, the catamount, the muskrat, the mink, the
weasel, the woodchuck, the skunk, the rat, the rabbit,
the fox, the hedgehog, the red, gray, striped and fly-
ing squirrel, the otter, the raccoon, which peopled the
woods and fields.
Abiel Abbot, one of the early settlers, was treed by
a bear, which watched him till, wearied by the delay
and annoyed by a small dog, he withdrew. Lieuten-
ant .Vbraham Burton sometimes trapped bears. In
the winter wolves came down from the mountains in
search of food, and were killed by hunting-parties.
Tradition reports that two moose have been killed in
town, one near Mason and one near what is now-
French village. Beaver-dams are yet to be seen on
the W^hiting and the Dale farms. But the hunter
finds little now to raise his enthusiasm or reward his
toil. The aboriginal animals have departed with the
aboriginal men. Civilization has driven them from
their ancient haunt.s.
Of birds, the largest, the wild turkey, was shot in
town as late a-s 1797 ; but, owing to the absence of
ponds or lakes, few wild geese or ducks or loons have
been known, though the long, black lines of the for-
mer, ranged in harrow-like array against the blue sky,
may be seen making their semi-annual migrations,
and heard by their peculiar penetrating notes. The
eagle has been occasionally shot in town. The
smaller summer birds are numerous, and increase
rather than diminish by civilization, as their means
of procuring food are improved by the gardens and
grain-fields of the farmer. The robin, sparrow,
yellow bird, whippoorwill, thrush, crow, hawk, king-
fisher, woodpecker, oriole, catbird, blackbird, bobo-
link, pigeon, bluejay, snowbird, scarlet tanager, par-
tridge and butcherbird are found here, aud the sum-
mer woods and fields are musical with these natural
choristers.
Few or no reptiles of a venomous kind are known
to exist at the jjrcsent day. The rattlesnake has dis-
appeared. Tradition reports that one was killed on
WILTON.
697
the spot where the house of the late Mr. Ihasc Blanch-
arrl stands. The black-snake, striped snake, green
snake, the liousc adder and the water snake are the chief
species. Lizards are occasionally seen. Frogs and
toads are abundant. Hats are common.
The insect world is largely represented. Flies of
eighteen feet square and seven feet stud, at least; that
six acres of land shonld be cultivated; that the in-
habitants should .settle a lenrncd orthodox minister,
and build and tinish a convenient meeting-house for
the public worship of (iod.
Sewall Putnam, Esq., who is authority on all ques-
all species, wasps, bees, wild and tame hornets, ant«, ' tions relating to the early history of Wilton, says, —
spiders, mosquitoes, bugs of every variety and grass- ! ..^.^^^ ^^ „„ j,,„i„ „,„, „,^. ,,,„„„.,„, ,„„ of i,.vn.i,.iK.r..«Bi> «« the
hoppers, which, thougli small in size, oflen produce | aoutticiurtpiirt of sai.in-ciinuda. The old pcopk- uf wiiton, i
, iiiiiiiv vuans
serious results upon the harvest-fields of the fanner, I "?"• ""*"'' '" '"^ """ ""' »""'"' ""' "' S"'<""-t"""'i" »a» i..t«utii Mr.
^lark Holt'.* iind 5tr. Dih-'s timi(><«. \ continuation of the line In-tween
are abundant in summer.
Of fishes, the largest, the salmon, were caught in
the Souhegan a.s late as 1773 and 1774. The trout,
shiner, sucker, minnow, pike and pickerel were com-
mon in the streams, but seldom now reward the
angler's patience and skill.
CHAPTER III.
WILTON— (ConOn.i«rf).
. ilciPRIETAKY niSTORV — SALKM-CAKADA — THK INDIANS
—SO. 2— INCOKPOEATION— SLIP ADDED TO TEMPLE.
Thi: first movement toward the settlement of Wilton
was made in 1735. On the li'th of June of that year
a petition was presented to the General Court of Mas-
sachusetts, by Samuel King and others, for relief, in
consideration "of tlieir sufTeriiigs'' in the expedition
to Canada, under Sir William I'hips, in the year ItiOO.
Agreeably to the old Koiiian method of rewarding
military services, by colonizing the veterans, a com-
mittee was chosen, consisting of Samuel Wells, Esq.,
Samuel Chandler and John Hobson, to lay out a
township, containing six square miles, west of the
Narragansett town, called No. 3, and return a plat
thereof to the court, within twelve months, for con-
firmation.
This tract, including Lyndeborough and the north
part of Wilton, received then the name of Saleni-
< anada. The term Canada wa.s obviously given on
'ount of the remembrance of the expedition to
itiada. The prefix of Salem was, probably, due lo
the fact that, in the early history of the- country. Es-
>i'x County, Mass.,of which Salem was the shire town,
r capital, was represented as extending back, west-
ward from the sea-board, to the Connecticut River,
I overing. of course, as may be seen by the map, the
Irrritory now oiiupied by the towns of Lyndclmrough
uiid Wilton. It has also been suggested that the
>i'.;ners of the petition t(> the (ieneral Court, for relief,
may have been re-sidents of Salem and the vicinity.
Die town of Salem-Canada, six miles square, was to
lie divided into sixly-three equal shares, one of which
was to be for the first settled minister, one fi)r the
ministry and one for the schools. The conditions of
settlement were: that on each share, within three
years, a good family should be settled, a house built,
the sontheuHt part of Lyndeliorongl) and Milford to the west would run
near ^Ir. Harvey A. Whillng'r. hou^-, on tlie Ilopkine place, and as it
continued went would run between Mr. Mark Uolt's and Mr. Poo';* housed.
That shows that about one-thiril of the present town of Wilton was in
Salem-CanadH.
" In 17H!>. .lucob and Kphniini rtitnani, John Dale and John Badger
cuninieneed a settlement on the southerly part of the territory thus laid
Ota of Saleni-Crtuada. Kphruini Putnam locate<l on what is now lot No.
14, in the .''tth range, at the intersection of the roads near the north ceme-
tery, and a daughter of his was the flrst child born in Wilton.
"Jacob Putnam located on the southeast part of lot No. l.'», in the .Mh
range (the original bound of the lots wa^ a largo pine on the north bunk
of the stream, a short-distance below the old saw-mill). He built the
bouse where Michael McCarUiy now lives. It was two stories in front
and one back, the front rafters K-ing short, and the bock ones long.
Many of the old houses were buill in that style of architecture. The
house remained in that shape until it Wiis remodeled, with some addition,
by iMr. Joseph Wilwm, a few years before he sold it and removeil to West-
ern New Vork.
"John Dale's first camp was near where the roads cross, east of the
old house that he afterwards built, now owned by S. H. Dunbar, and is
said to Ite the first two-story frame house built in Wilton. It i-* lined be-
tween the outside and inside finish with brick, for protection against the
Indians. The farm reuutined in p4»ssession of John Dale, John Dale, Jr.,
and Jidm Dale (;ld), who dim April :t, ls-13, and was sold al auction by
the administnttor, in NovemlK-r, to Abel Fisk, Jr.
"John Badger located alKjut ono-thinl of a mile east of Dale. When
the winter came on, all but Badger and his family went to a bUK-k-house,
situated on the hill, northeasterly from the glass-works in LyndeKinuigh.
lie WHS tjtken sick, and with no medir«l aid or nuniing but what his wife
could supply, after two weeks' illness be died, February, ITIii, llie firwt
death In town."
Dr. Peabody gives a pathetic description of the sad
circumstances :
" He died in the night. The nenreol neighbor was three miles distant,
and the groiiml was covered tieep with siupw. His wife c»^mpos<tl him on
the bed, as for rest, left her children with their l»reakfast,and with strict
illjunctions not (o awake their father, as he wiis asleep, and putting on
her snow-shoes, prociiiled lo seek assistance. . . Neigblsini returned
with her. A tree was hollowt-^l out for a colllii, and so. In the solitude,
was he coniniittod lo the earth."
After her husband died, .Mrs. Ladger and her child-
ren, of whom she had three, the oldest but eight years
old, went to ilollis.
The remarks of Mr. Putnam I'ollow :
" August 27lh, after Mr. Badger's death, a daughter was bitrn lo Mrs.
Badger, named SInry. .she marrliil David fniin Their son Datldwas
the father of our re"|iecled townsman, David Cram. Mr. iJIdeon t'mni,
lale of Lyndetsiroiigh, was their s*ui, who was the father of Mn. Mary
Fettenglll, who was named for her gnimlmulher, Mary Ikiilger.
" At the time ot the first seltlemenl there was a conlrovei-sy between
the New Uam|whlre and MasHiicbusellsauthoritlns, relalluK t" the juris-
diction of the territory of Southern New llamiwhire. A 110011110 account
of the controversy and lis selllimenl is given in Dr. Ikuilon's 'History
of Conconl.' For ten years the inhnbltanls here were under the ailthori-
tlm of Miwaachusetts."
The first settlers were from Danvers, Mai«s. For
three years alter the settlement began, the wife of
698
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Jacob Putnam was the only woman who resided per-
manently in the town. During one winter, such was
the depth of snow in the woods, and such the distance
from neighbors, that for the space of six months she
saw no one but the members of her own family.
Indians. — The Indians of this vicinity consisted
principally of the Pawtucket tribe, who had their head-
qu.irters, and, perhaps derived their designation from
Pawtucket Falls, on the Merrimack River, near Low-
ell, Mass. The back country and the streams feeding
the Merrimack River were their chief hunting and
fishing-grounds. No permanent settlements of the
aborigines seem ever to have been made in Wilton,
though they traversed its territory for game. There
were no large ponds or rivers to attract them, and
they had no motive to make their habitual residence
on the granite hills. They left few, if any, traces be-
hind them, — perhaps a few arrow-heads, or hatchets of
stone. Mr. Putnam reports that on lot No. 13, range
4, in the jiine woods east of the Stockwell place, was
a place dug out some ten or twelve feet square, which
was sui)posed by many to have been an Indian camp,
occupied when on hunting expeditions. Hill and
valley, river and mountain, remain as the unalterable
features of nature, but the children of the ancient
wilderness have passed away forever, leaving scarcely
a trace behind them. The one certain memento of
their race is the name of the principal stream, the
Souhegan, or Sowhagon, as it was sometimes spelled,
signifying, as is said, in theirdialect, "the river of the
plains."
So far as is known, no person belonging to Wilton
was carried into captivity or killed by the Indians,
exce|)t Henry Parker, Jr., in the French and Indian
War, 1757, in the massacre of Fort William Henry, on
Lake George.
When apprehensions of attack arose, the settlers
went into neighboring garrisons. Danger existed for i
about ten years. One garrison was in Milf<ird, near
the Peabody place, on the north bank of t lie Souhegan
River. Another was in Lyndeborough, near Mr. Eph-
raim Putnam's. The anxieties of the pioneers were
such that, in 1744, they sent the following petition to
the Governor and Council of the Province:
PETITION FOa PROTECTION AGAINST THE INDIANS.
•* To his Excellency, Beiining Wentworth, Esq., Governor and Commander-
in-Chief of his .Miyesty'8 Province of Now Hampstiire :
"The petition of the Inhiihitants of Sttlem-Canaila, in said Province,
Humbly shows That your iietitioners live in a place Greatly exposed to
the Indians anil have not men Sufficient for to I>efend us. That tho* there
be but few of us, yet wo have laid out our estates, to bo^:in in this place,
80 that we sluill be cxtroniely hurt if we must now move off, furwe have,
by the Blessing of God on our labors, a fine crop of corn on the j^round
and tbo' we have a Garrison in the town, Built by Oi-dor of 3laj. Lovell,
yet we have noboily empowered so much as to set a watch among us, nor
men to keep it ; we would pray your Excellency that we may bavesome
assistance from the Government, in sending us some soutdiers, to Guard
and Defend us, as in your wi^lom you shall think proper,
"Though we are but newly added to this Government, yet we pray
your Excellency not to disregard us, but to assist us, that wo may keep
our estates and do service for the government hereafter. And your Pe-
titioners, as in duty Itound, will ever pniy.
" John Cram, Jr. Joseph Cram.
John Cram. Samuel X.eman.
David Stevenson. .lohu Stevenson.
John Dale. .Jonathan Cram.
Ephraim Putnam. Boigamin Cram.
Abraham Leman.
''Salom-Canadn, Jime 'Jfith, 1744."
No. 2. — The grant of Salem-Canada, in 1735, by the
Massachusetts General Court, and the settlements
formed in it, were followed, in 1749, by the grant of a
new township from the proprietors, holding under the
charter of John Tufton Mason, to a company of pur-
chasers, forty-six in number. JLiny of them never
resided on the lands, but afterwards sold them to
settlers coming in. These shares were drawn by lot.
The deed conveying the land was dated October 1,
1749, at Dunstable, and the lots were drawn on Octo-
ber llJth. The name first given to the new township,
which included on the north a part of Salem-Canada,
was Xo. 2.
The following conditions were prescribed by the
proprietors to the grantees :
I. Two lots of eighty acres each should be set apart to encourage the
building of mills.
'2. One share of two htuulred and forty acres should be given to the
first minister.
3. One sh.^re should be set apart for the Christian ministry.
4. One share should be given to schools.
f). The share-holders should make all roads.
G. The original proprietors should be exempt frtun all taxes.
7. The shareholders should build a church by November, 17.>2.
8. The share-holder* should settle and build houses on forty lots.
It. Each settler should pay $l:l,.3-'i to aid in building up the town.
lu. Those not fulfilling the conditions, except in case of an Indian
war, were to forfeit their shares.
II. White pine trees were to be reserved for the British navy.
This new township, which, with new territory im the
south, included a portion of Salem-Canada, received
the name of Xo. 2, as stated above. This name was
continued till 17(52, thirteen years, as the title of Sa-
lem-Canada had been for fourteen years, viz. : 173.5 to
1749. Xo. 1 became afterwards Mason, No. 3 became
Lyndeborough and Xo. 4, Charlestown, X'. H.
Wilton Proper.— In 1761, June 18th, the following
petition tor incorporation, was addressed to Governor
Penning Wentworth :
PETITION FOR INCORPORATION.
"To his Excellency, Benning W'entworth, Esq., Governor, Ac., in the
Province of New Hampshire, anil the Ilomtnible Mis Majesty's
<.'ouncil of said Province :
"The Petition of us, the subscrilors, being Inhabitants of a tract of
Land in said Province, of the contents of five miles square, called and
known by the name of Numtter 2, which Township bounds northerly on
Lyndoborongli, westerly and southerly on Peterborough slip and Number
1, Eiwterly on ye dlason^s Grant, not taken up ; which Tract of land is
consideniMy s^-ttled and improved, and is this yoarTaxedto the Province
with other Towns,
" We wouhl, therefore. Humbly request of your Excelly and Honors,
that we may bi- Inrorpontted into a Township, and lie invested with such
Privileges and Immunities as other Towns have, and do eiyoy in this
Province, for ye more easy carrj'ing on our Public atTairs. Ac, and tha^
the said Corporation may bo Bounded according to the Grant of the said
WILTON.
(J99
Tcwnship, auU yuur IVtitiuDer^, as iu duty bound, will ever pniy, itc.^
June 18, ITUl.
" Jaine« Mann. llL<nr>' Snow.
John Cram. Willittni l<il«on.
Juntitlian Stevens. AVilliuin Kiiikeid.
Ilttt'7.iali lliiiiiblct. M'illiaiu Miinsur.
Kle.\aiKU*r Milieeu. ]{u>>ert Smith.
John Peak'. William Vance.
John Burton. Kobert Kc-nker.
Philip Putnam. David ItiLiker.
KlH.'ue7.er Perry. John Davt«ou.
Jonathan Grccle. Benjauilu Tliompeon.
Uugb Smylie. Samuel Mansur.
Jacob Putnuiu.'^
The prayer of the petitioners was granted, and the
town was incorporated, June 25, 1762, under the name
of Wilton, derived from iin ancient borough in Wilt-
shire, England. This act of incorporation wiw to con-
tinue in force till .lanuLiry 1, 17C5. The first town-
meeting was held June 27. 1762. A second act of
incorporation was granted, January 2, 1765, signed by
Hon. Benning Wentworth, Governor of the Province
of New Hampshire, " to have continuance until His
Majesty's plea.-'ure shall be further known." As His
Majesty and His Majesty's successors have, so far as is
known, taken no exception to it, it is presumed this
act of iiU'or|iorati()n remains valid to the present day.
Addition of Part of Wilton to Temple. — In 1768
a petition wiis addressed to the Governor and Council,
by the inhabitant of Peterborough Slip, the pnrt of
Peterboroufrh lying east of the mountain.* called Pack
Monadnock. to have one mile of the west part of
Wilton, and extending the length of the town, five
miles, added to Peterborough Slip, to form an inde-
pendent town. To compensate for this slice of a
mile wide being taken off Wilton, the petitioners also
prayed that one mile wide of territory might be added
to the town on the cast. The i>eople of Wilton ad-
dressed the authorities with a counter-petition, asking
that Peterborough iSlip itself might be added to Wil-
ton, and deprecating any addition on the ea-st. I?ut
the petitioners of the Peterborough Slip prevailed over
the Wiltoiiians, and a tract hall a mile wide and five
miles long was taken from Wilton and added to Peter-
borough Slip, constituting the town of Temple.
Thus, after all these changes of names an<l bounda-
ries.of Salem-Canada; No.2; Wilton fivemiles.square;
and Wilton four and a half miles wide by five miles
long, as at present constituted ; we have the proprie-
tary and territorial history of the town of Wilton up
to the present time.
CHAPTER IV.
W I I.TON— ( Co»(in««rf).
TOWN I.NSTITITIO.NS — MEETINGS — OFKIlJEBS — DliBTS —
TAXKS— HOUSES— ETC,
It has been said that American liberty was born in
the cabin of the "Mayfiower" in 1620, when the
Pilgrims made a covenant with one another, and
45
signed it as the instrument of their civil and religious
polity. But its earliest elfective institutions were the
town church, supported by the taxes of all the peo-
ple, and the town-meeting, to which all freemen were
admitted and which regulated all municipal affairs.
Thus more than a century before a thought was enter-
tained of a free and independent nation, separated
from the parent country, the citizens of the colonies
were virtually put to school in the knowledge and
practice of public and othcial duties in State and
church, and were trained to administer the affairs of
the nation in peace and war.
De Tocqueville, in his " Democracy in America,"
the best work by a foreigner ever written upon our in-
stitutions, says, —
" In New Kngland political lifr had ilsoriRin in the towuHhipi., and it
may be said that each of them originally fiirm<Hl nn independent nation.
*' In the American townships jjovver has bt-en ilistributed with odudru*
ble skill Tor the purpose of interesting the greatest possible number of
persons in tbo common weal.
'• They possi-ss two advantages, which strongly excite tlio interest of
mankind, namely, — inde|>endence and authority. It is incontestably
true that the tastes and habits of republican government in the United
States were first created iu the townships and the Provincial Assemblies."
A good illustration of this public spirit and interest
in the coninion weal, which was strengthened and
cherished by the township system, is found in the
records of the town, dated July 15 and September 8,
1774, in which the inhabitants enter into a covenant
of non-importation and non-consumption of British
goods. This instrument is given iu full subsequently
in the chapter on the Kevolutionary War. It seemed
a trilling thing for this little community of farmer
people, perched on the granite hills of a sparsely in-
habited State, thus to fling defiance in the face of a
great nation, but it had it.s serious meaning and
weight. The act showed a determination to repel
unjust laws by sacrifices of comfort and peace, and to
vindicate the cause of freeilom at whatever cost. It
also showed sympathy and made common cause with
the sister colonies, who suffering from the stamp act
and taxation without representation and other invti-
sions of the rights of British freemen, needed the
su|>|)ort of their brethren. That same spirit ac-
quiring force as it proceeded sent "the embattled
farmers" to Bunker Hill and Bennington, ami finally
after a war of eight years with one of the greatet»t
powers of the old world, won the independence of
till' new.
Town-Meetings, Etc. — These were usually held
annually the second Tuesday of -March. A jmblic
notice was posted by the selectmen, informing the
people when, where, and for the transaction of what
business the meeting was called and summoning the
legal voters to assemble and discharge their legal
duties as freemen. The assembly in early times was
held in the church, but at the present tlay in a town-
house or hall, built for the purpose. A piesiiling
officer called, a moderator was chosen, and prayer was
otfcred by the minister of the church. A town clerk
700
HISTORY OF HILLSBOllOUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
was elected to record the proceedings. A board of
seleclmen, usually consisting of tliree men, was
chosen to administer the affairs of the town, relating
to schools, roads, the poor, taxes, etc. A representa-
tive was chosen to tlie General Court or State Legis-
lature, also town treasurer, town collector, superin-
tending school committee, tithing men, coustables,
etc. Reports were read by the officers of the preceding
year in relation to roads, schools, taxes, bridges, and
all matters pertaining to the welfare of the town. Thus
the town-clock was wound up to run another year.
It was really a democratic republic in miniature. All
power sprang from the people and was referred di-
rectly back to the people as the legitimate .source of
all human authority. In these political schools the
people were nurtured and strengthened for the days to
come, the " times that tried men's souls." And the
permanence and success of the republican system of
government depend to a considerable degree upon
the extension and efficiency of the public town-meet-
ing. This is the nest egg of the political system of
America.
One w'ho long filled important offices in town and
who has been a careful observer remarks, — " I am
unable to perceive where we have in our political
organizations any that are purely democratic, except
in the towns and wards. All our other organizations,
city, county. State, etc., are representative, and I
think only in New England is the pure town organ-
ization still retained."
Town Debts and Town Taxes. — The expenses of
the town for the church, schools, roads, bridges, pub-
lic improvements, the poor, etc., were met by taxes
levied on all propertj', real and personal, collected by
an officer appointed for the purpose and paid over to
the treasurer, to be disbursed by orders signed by the
selectmen. Unfortunately in many States since the
formation of the government the township system has
fallen into disuse, and so there has been in .some re-
spects a perceptible decline in municipal liberty and
spirit which augurs ill for the future of the country.
Reports of public aftairs are now printed, not read
before the assembly of the people and submitted to
their judgment. There is no discussion in the
presence of the legal voters of the interests of tlie
public and the caucuses cut and dry the measures to
be adopted and the men to be chosen in office, while
the town-meetings only ratify what has been deter-
mined on elsewhere. The restoration of the town-
meeting to its primitive place and power and its
extension to all the States of the Union would be a
most beneficial agency in the progress of America.
All hail to the town-meeting 1
Town Hall or House. — As already seen the earliest
town hall was the Congregational Church. The
civil as well as the religious meetings of the town
were held there. The moderator and town clerk oc-
cupied the " deacons' seat " in front of the puljiit, the
voters the pews and the spectators the galleries. The
burning of the church in 1859 led to the .subsequent
building, the next year, of the town hall, situated on
the common in the centre of the town, just south of
the site of the church, and in this hall the town meet-
ings were held until 18U8, when it was voted to sell
the town hall, and the meetings were held in the
depot hall at the East village. The town hall at the
Centre was sold to a company and called Citizens'
Hall, and is used for lectures, social meetings and
amusements. At the annual meeting in 1883, it was
voted by the town to erect a town house at the East
village " for the convenient transaction of the public
business of the town." The lot of land was given by
the Messrs. Whiting and the building was erected at
a cost of about twenty thousand dollars and dedi-
cated January 1, 1885.
Town Church and Town Schools will be treated
of under the respective heads of " The Ecclesiastical
Aflairs" of the town and " Education."
Town Officers, Census, Etc., will come under the
head of the chapter of Statistics.
CHAPTER V.
WILTON— ( CoiKiiiKerf).
ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.
No more important subject is connected with the
history of New England towns than that of religion
and religious institutions; for the general spirit and
motive which proiupted the first settlers to leave their
homes in the old world and brave the perils of the
wilderness in the new, was their desire to have free-
dom to worship God. However imperfectly they
carried out the idea, and however they may have
been at times inconsistent in trespassing upon the
religious freedom of others, their religious interests
were their supreme interests. For these they lived,
labored, prayed and suffered. If other lands and
climes may boast of richer soils, milder skies, more
precious mines, it is the glory of New England that
the motto of her homes and her churches, her States,
her schools and colleges was Cliristo et eccleske, to
Christ and the church.
Churches and Church Buildings.— AVe have al-
ready seen the origin of the religious history of the
town in the provision made by the original grantors
to establish a town church, as was customary in tliose
days by assigning one share of two hundred and forty
acres to the first minister and one share of the same
extent to the ministry in general. This town church,
to the support of which all contributed by annual
tax and on whose services almost all the inhabitants
regularly attended, was for many years the only church
in town, and went under the name of the Congrega-
tional church, that being the form of the church gov-
ernment.
WILTON.
701
The same grantors had also made it a condition in
tiie original instrument ol' settleniont, that a church
building should he erected by November, \l'>i. Tliis
condition was fullilled, and a log church was built
not far from the spot on the common, at the centre,
where the Unitarian church now stands. It continued
to be used for about twenty-one years, and was then
taken down. The first minister was llev. Jonathan
Livermore, a son of deacon Jonathan Livermore, of
Northborougli, Mass., born December IS, 172'J, grad-
uated from Harvard College, 17G0, was ordained De-
cember 14, 17G3, resigned February, 1777 and died
July 20, 1809. A sketch of his life and character is
given elsewhere.
The second meeting-house was a large two-story
building, situated a little to the north of the old one
on the common. It was built like the first one at the
expense of the whole town. It had a porch at the
east end and one at the west end. It had a high
pulpit, after the manner of the times, over which was
suspended a large sounding-board. Two rows of large
windows extended round the building. The pews
were square, with seats that turned up in prayer-time,
and were let down with a distinct emphasis at the
clo.se. In front of the pews, before the pulpit, were
open seats for the deaf and aged. Galleries were
built on three sides of the church, supported by pillars
planted in the church floor, divided into pews, and
opposite the pulpit provided with seats for the sing-
ers. In the early days, the attic, to which there was
an ascent by a trap-door, was the powder-arsenal of
the town ; the earthly and the heavenly ammunition
being thus stored under one roof. Originally there
was no bell, but one was placed in the east tower or
porch in the year 1832.
At the raising of the church on September 7, 1773,
a terrible accident occurred. When the frame was
nearly up one of the central beams broke and fell,
owing to the failure of a post that supported it, being
rotten or worm-eaten at the core. A large body of
timber, boards and tools, such as a.xes, iron bars,
adzes, etc., and upwards of fifty persons standing on
the beams all tumbled down, in the middle of the
building, some thirty feet to the ground. Three men
were instantly killed, two died soon after of their
wounds, others were crippled for life, an<l of the fifty-
three that fell not one escaped without broken bones,
terrible bruises, or cuts from the a.\es anil other tools.
As many of them were picked men from the town and
the vicinity and were heads of families, it can be
imagined what was the consternation and grief in the
sparse population at that day, and how great was the
loss not only at Wilton \ml to the neighboring towns.
Ui)on reflection on the event in later limes it has been
not unnaturally conjectured that possibly a previous
vote of the town may have had something to do witii it,
and that it was not altogether an accident, but the re-
sult of too much good cheer and self-confidence on the
part of the master workman and his associates.
At a town-meeting June 3, 1773, it was " Voted to
provide one barrel of West India rum, five barrels of
New England rum, one barrel of good brown sugar,
half a bo.\ of good lemons and two loaves of loaf-
sugar for framing and raising said meeting-hou.se."
The people recovered their courage and completed
the church, which was dedicated January 5, 1775.
The pastor. Rev. Jonathan Livermore, preached the
sermon (which has since been published), from
1 Cliron. .xxix. 14.
This church was struck by lightning on I'riday,
July 20, 1804, and, according to the narrative of Rev.
Thomas Beede, then pastor of the church, "one of the
middle posts at the east end was rent from top to
bottom, the windows were burst out, and pieces of
lath and plastering were sent from the east to the
west end of the house with a force sufficient to break
glass ; when the charge reached the ground it took a
horizontal direction and lefl visible marks upon the
surface for several rods before it was conducted into
the earth. There was no lightning-rod then attached
to the house." One was afterwards put upon it.
The second minister of the church wius Rev. Abel
Fiske, born in Pepperell, Mass., 1752; graduated at
Harvard College 1774; was ordained in Wilton No-
vember 18, 1778 ; and remained the pastor of the
church until his death, April 21, 1802.
He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Beede, born in
Poplin, now Fremont, N. II., 1771 ; graduated at
Harvard College 1708; and was ordained in Wilton
March 2, 1803, and resigned his charge, January 15,
1829.
The organization of the church was at first by a
covenant agreeably to the method of New England
Congregationalism, not by a specific creed. The first
church in I'lymouth, where the Pilgrims landed, was
organized in that way and still retains its covenant.
During Mr. Beede's ministry a creed was adopted, but
subsequently it was dropped and the church reverted
to the original method of a covenant. This caused
dissatisfaction among some of the members, and "a
Second Congregational Church " was formed .Inly 18,
1823, holding Trinitarian views. It consisted of
seventeen members at first.
Rev. Stephen A. Barnard was ordained over the
First church January 13, 1830, and resigned his office
April 25, 1833.
Rev. Abner I>. .Tones succeeded Mr. Barnard and
was ordained .lanuary 1, 1834.
He was succeeded by Rev. Nathaniel Whitman,
who was installed October 5, 183(5, and continued
p;istor of the church till 1843.
The following ministers succeeded Mr. Whilnmii, in
rapid rotation, as pastors:
R<iv. WMlliiMi S. WliltwcU, 1H43IO IMO ; Ilfr. Solll .Silllniimli, IWI
la IH.'hl ; Ituv. .luliii N. IIkIIuwh, InM to WMi ; I(i>v. SUninaii t'liirk, llVlV
to ISICI; Itov. Lufi W. lUiil, lixa to IHOI; Kor. WiUliiiii II. Iliixlou
IUn.'> lu 1807 ', Kvv. Rlclinnl f 'uldnnli, IKIIS lu 1H7U ; lU'V. I. Silliincr Llu-
ciilii, 18711 10 .Inly 1, 1K711; llor. I'liiirliM floury KIckAnls, 188U to ISHl ;
Iluy. Iliiury Dauu Klx, ISM lo .Vjirll, !«•«.
702
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
During this period several other ministers have, for
a short time, supplied the pulpit.
The Universalist Society.— The second religious
society established in Wilton was that of the Univer-
salists, in 1813 ; hut it had only occasional preaching,
no settled pastor and no meeting-house. It was cus-
tomary for them to meet in the Brick Hall, and in
later years they had their services in the First Con-
gregational Church.
Baptist Church.' — The Baptist Church in Wilton
was constituted April 7, 1817, with eleven mem-
bers: Pierce Gage, Joseph Holt, William Mansur,
Ebeuezer Chandler, William Howard, Jabez Gold-
smith, Joseph Smith, Abigail Smith, Lucy Smith,
Mary Goldsmith, Chloe Bales. The last surviving of
these was Deacon Joseph Smith, who died March 16,
1883, aged ninety-four years and five months. He was
made deacon very soon after the church was consti-
tuted, and held the otlice till his death. He was a
man of deep piety and fully consecrated to Christ.
Associated with him in the deacon's office, during
most of his active life, was Deacon Timothy Gray.
The same day the church was constituted, six were
added to its membership by letter and seven by bap-
tism. By letter, — William Goldsmith, Hannah Gold-
smith, Anna Upton, Betsy Holt, Ksther HoU, Sally
Mansur ; by baptism, William Bales, William L. Bales,
Timothy Gray, John Peabody, Susannah Smith,
Nancy Gray, Sally Peabody.
For some years previous to this a few residents of
Wilton had embraced Baptist principles and had
united with the Baptist Church in Mason. The pas-
tor of that church, Itev. William Elliott, freciueutly
visited Wilton and preached to the people assembled
in private hou.ses, the school-houses of the town being
closed against him. The truth, however, could not be
bound ; quite a number received it gladly and era-
bracing the same became consistent Baptists.
During the winter of 181(3-17 under the labors of
Rev. George Evans, the Spirit was poured out. Some
were converted and the desire to have a church in
Wilton, which had been for some time burning in the
hearts of the faithful few, was so much strengthened
that they resolved to organize a church and did so as
above stated. The church thus constituted had no
piistor for fourteen months, but was supplied a part of
the time by Brother Benjamin T. Lane. Eleven were
added to the church during this time.
In June 1818,- Rev. Ezra Wilmoth was settled as
pastor, the church then numbering thirty-five. He
baptized forty-nine.
He was succeeded in February 1823, by Rev. Beuel
Lathrop, who served one year. After this for a while
the church was supplied by neighboriug pastors.
From February 1823 to October 1827 twenty-five
were baptized.
In 1827, the church and society built its present
1 By Rev. George C. Trow.
meeting-house at Wilton Centre. November 7th it
was dedicated, and the same day Brother Simon
Fletcher was ordained. He served the church three
years and baptized three and was succeeded in 1830
by Brother Caleb Brown. He was ordained and
served the church two years, and during the time
eleven were baptized.
In 1833, Brother Harrison Strong was ordained.
He served two years and baptized nine.
He was succeeded in June 1835, by Rev. John
Cannon, who served one year and baptized seven.
After this Rev. Ezra Wilmoth again served the
church for a season and baptized seven. In August,
1838, Rev. N. W. Smith became pastor; he served
eighteen months and baptized two.
About this time fourteen members were dismissed
to form the church in Lyndeborough. Thus the
church at Wilton is a mother as well as a daughter.
In June. 184(1, Rev- J. P. Appleton was settled as
pastor. He baptized twenty-nine. He was succeeded
by Rev. Henry Tonkin, in April, 1843, who served
seven yeare and baptized eight.
In 1850 Rev. Horace Eaton became pastor. He
served four years and baptized eighteeen. From
1854 to 1860, the church had no pastor. During this
time three were bajjtized.
In August, 186U, Rev. Nelson B. Jones became
pastor. He baptized eleven and closed his labors in
1864. In December 18G6, Brother S. C. Fletcher was
ordained as pastor. He served the church seven
years and baptized forty-nine.
In 18(37, the church and society built a parsonage
at Gray's corner.
In 1874, Brother William Libbey was called to be
pastor and was ordained in October of that year. He
baptized four and closed his labors in March, 1877.
The church at once extended a call to Rev. J. H.
Lerned, who commenced his labors in May. He held
the pastorate sixteen months, but his health per-
' mited him to occupy the pulpit only a few months.
Two were baptized.
February 17, 1881, Brother George C. Trow was
ordained and installed pastor of the church.
The church has existed sixty-eight years and has had
sixteen pastors. It has winessed many precious re-
vivals and has had baptized into it« fellowship two
hundred and forty-four. Four of these are or have
been preachers of the gospel.
Second Cong:regational Church-' — The Second
Congregational Church of \Vilton was organized
July 18, 1823. It consisted of seventeen members,
five male and twelve female. It resulted from the
conviction that the views and teachings of the
pastor of the church of which these persons were
members were not in accordance with the Bible, the
chief difference of opinion being in re-spect to the
doctrine of the person of Christ. The new church
2 By Rev. Alfred E. Tracy.
M
WILTON.
ro3
retained the confession of faith and covenant of the
old church, tluis showing that tlicy were not dis-
senters, but lii.'l<l firmly to the olJ-tinie creed. Pre-
vious to the formation of the church an ecclesiastical
society had been organized, May 16, 1823. It con-
sisted of those men who afterward joined in the or-
ganization of the new church and some others. Public
worship was held for a time in what was known as
" the Brick Hall ; '' it was over a store at the Centre
of Wilton. The church was without an installed
pastor until December, 1830, when Mr. Wni. Richard-
son, of Andover Seminary, was ordained and in-
stalled pastor of the Second Congregational Church
of Wilton. DurinfT the more than seven years since
its organization, public worship had been maintained,
sometimes by the aid of a minister ; often a sermon
was read and other acts of worship conducted by
" the beloved jdiysician," Ebenezer Rockwood, M.D.
The first meeting-house of the Second Congregational
Society was erected in 1821}. It was dedicated .January
1, ).S30.
The pastorate of Rev. Wni. Richardson continued
till October 27, 1840. Rev. Dr. Humphrey Moore was
invited to become their pastor. He declined the call,
but served as acting pastor for nearly two year.s. Rev.
Charles Whiting, second [)astor of the church, was
ordained and installed January 4, 1S43; he wiis dis-
missed February l.'i, ]s.')0. Soon after his removal an
attempt was made to unite the two societies. This
jiroved unsuccessful, and the church again opened its
bougie of worship. In the summer of 1851 an invita-
tion was given this society to remove its place of wor-
shii> to East Wilton, where there was no meeting-
house. September 1), IS'jI, it was decided to accept
this proposal. A hou.se of worship was erected at
once, which was dedicated .June 10, 1852. Fi-om Rev.
Charles Whiting's dismissal, February 13, 1850, until
February 21, 18.5li, when Rev. Ebenezer S. .lordan
was called, the church was without a settled minister.
Rev. W. W. Winchester was with the church two
years of this time, but declined to be settled. Mr.
.Jordan resigned November, 18")!). liev. Daniel E.
Adams, of Bangor Seminary, was ordained and in-
stalled pa.stor December 5, ]S(!0. His was the longest
pastorate the church has had, terminating May 3,
187(;. Rev. .1. Newton Brown commenced labor as
acting pastor Dccendjer 1, IHTti, and served the church
till August 15, 1878. The present pastor. Rev. A. E.
Tracy, began his services September 1, 1879, as acting
]iii-<tor; was installed May 3, 18S0.
The deacons of the church have been: Burleigh
French, chosen .lanuary 11», 1H24 ; Abel Fisk, chosen
September 2, 1S.51 ; Oliver Barrett, elected September
2, 1831 ; Hermon Abbot, elected .lune (i, 18'>2 ; Wm.
Sheldon, elected .June (5, 1852 ; Chas. Wilson and Asa
II. (Jlark, chosen December 10, 1875.
Very soon after the formation of the church a
Sabbath-school was organized. About twenty mem-
bers comprised its whole number; now it includes
more than two hundred. It very soon collected and
has ever since maintained an interesting and useful
library. The whole number connected with the
church since its organization, up to January 1, 1885,
was four hundred and cif;hty-si.\. The membership at
that date was one hundred and forty-seven. An
addition of twenty pews was made to the meeting-
house in 1857. Again, an addition was m.ade to receive
the fine pipe organ, the gift of individuals to the
society.
In 1858 a vestry was built for social meetings. This
was sold, and made into the pleasant home now occu-
pied by X. D. Foster, Esq. The present two-story
chapel wa.s built in 18t>7.
liioGR.vi'incAL NoTicKs. — Rev. Wm. Richardson,
first pastor of the Second Congregational Church, was
born in Gilmanton, N. II., Miirch 4, 1801 ; graduated
at Andover Seminary, 1830 ; ordained pastor Decem-
ber 15, 1830 ; pastor from 1830 to 1840 ; acting pastor
at Lyndeborough 1840 to 1841 ; pastor at Deering,
N. H., 1842 to 184(5. His eyes failed him and he lived
in Manchester, N. H., from 184l) until his death there.
September 6, 18G9. His wife, Olive Tiltou, of Gil-
manton, is still living. She w.is a lady of superior
qualities.
Rev.Chas. Whiting, the second i)astor()f the church,
was born at Lyndeborough, N. H., July 23, 1813. He
graduated at Dartmouth College, 1839, and at And-
over Seminary, 1842; ordained January 11, 1843;
pastor from 1843 to 1850; acting pastor 1850 to 1851 ;
pastor in Fayettevillo,Vt., from 1S51 till his death, May
5, 18.55. His wife, Sarah Wyman, of Greenfield, N. H.,
survived him, but is now dead.
Rev. Ebenezer S. Jordan, third pastor of the church,
was a native of Maine; as also his wife. A graduate
of Bowdoin College, of Bangor Semiiniry ; for a time
resident licentiate at Andover; ordained at Wilton,
December 17, 1857 ; dismissed December 5, LSllO. He
is now settled at Biownsfiehl, Mc., where he has been
pastor since 1874.
Rev. Daniel E. Adams was burn at Camden, Me.,
1832; graduated at Bangor Seminary, ISlJO ; installed
pastor in Wilton, December 5, I.SOO ; dismissed May
3, 1870. He went directly to Ashburnham, .Mass.,
as acting pastor, and is there still. His wife, Ellen F.
Kingsbury, of Kecnc, N. II., die<l May, 1882. He was
married, l^'ebruary, 1884, to Miss Marion E. Center,
of Wilton.
Rev. Alfred E. Tracy, present pastor, was born in
West Brookficld, .Mass., July 2, 1845; graduated at
Amherst College, 18r.9, Andover Seminary, 1872; or-
dained and installed at Harvard, Mass, September 4,
1872; dismissed September 1.S74 ; jiastor in Ocono-
niowoc. Wis., from 1S74 to 1878; supjilied church in
North Springfield, Mo, from November, 1878, till
June, 1879; commenced as acting pastor in Wilton,
September 1, 1.S79: installed May 13, ISSd. His wife
■704
HISTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
is Kate S. Harwood, born in Bennington, Vt. ; her
home at tlie time of tiieir marriage, Nortli Spring-
field, Mo.
Liberal Christian Church.' — This church was or-
ganized ill tile Eii-st village of this town, two miles
from the Centre, in 1S()9. Its church edifice was
erected and dedicated the same year. It contains
the usual modern improvements, including a vestry
in the basement ; also a lecture-room, Sunday-
school room, ladies' parlor and kitchen, with all
its needful accompaniments ; also a furnace, a fine
organ and bell. Its site is very fine, being in every
respect one of the beht in town. The whole cost al)out
ten thousand dollars. In their organized platform the
words church and society are used in the same sense.
The following articles are contained in their plat-
form of fellowship :
**Art. I. We, whose names are signed beneath, unite ourselves in a
Christian Church aud Fellowship for our own religions improvement,
and OB a means of usefulness to others.
"Art, II. We thus declare and claim to be members of the great union
of all Cliristian disciples, of which Jesus Christ is the living Head, by
the will of God.
*' Art. III. • * Receiving Jesus as our divinely-given Teacher and
Guide, and earnestly seeking to have in us a measure of the Spirit that
was in him, we pledge ourselves to follow the truth as it shall lie made
known to our minds, both in belief aud in life.
** .\rt. IV. We will co-operate by contributing, of our time, interest
and means, in sustaining the institutions of religion, and in all Christian
work that shall be undertaken by this Union.
**Art. V. Any person may become a member of this Union by signing
thin form of association, no objectiou being made by those already mem-
bers."
The preceding is an extract from the records of the
Society.
Names of settled ministers : Aubrey M. Pendleton,
from March, 18(59, to 1875; Charles H. Tindell, from
April, 1877, to November, 1878; James J. Twis<, from
November, 1879, to April, 1884. Several others have
preached here as supplies for a limited time during
the pa.st si.xteen years.
Salaries paid ministers by the society hitherto about
one thousand dollars per annum.
The audience room of the church has sittings for
three hundred. The society is now free from debt,
aud has a good amount of pecuniary ability, though
its membershij) is not very large.
Catholic Churches.-— The first Catholic services
were held in Wilton in 1867 by Rev. Father O'Don-
nell, then residing in Nashua. The entire Catholic
population at that time was seventeen families. At
this period there was already a small Catliolic church
ill Mill'ord, where services were held regularly once a
month by Rev. Father O'Donnell.
In 1879 Rev. P. Holahan was placed in charge of
the Catholic populations of Milford, Wilton and
Greenville, then Mason Village. Father Holahan
resided in Milford. From that time Catholic services
were held in Wilton twice a month. In four years
the Catholic population of Wilton trebled itself. In
By B«v. I. Sumner Lincoln.
■ By Kev. Edmund E. Buckle.
1877 Rev. E. E. Buckle was appointed to the above
missions. Father Holahan going to Keene.
In the autumn of 1881 a Catholic church was built
in Wilton by Eev. E. E. Buckle, who took up his
residence there. The Catholic population at this day
is about five hundred souls.
Church Edifices.— The First Congregational Church
has had three houses of worship, all of wood : 1. A
log church, 1752-1772, which was taken down after
being used twenty-one years ; 2. The large old-fash-
ioned church which was burned after being in use for
about eighty-four years, 1775-1859; .3. The one now
standing, 18G1-1885.
The Baptist Church has had one brick edifice,
which has been in use as a house of worship for about
fifty-eight years, 1827-1885.
The Second Congregational Church has had two
houses of worship, one at the Centre, 1830-1851, and
at the East village, 1852-1885, both of wood.
The Liberal Christian Church has one house of
worship, built of wood in 1809, and still in use, 18G9-
1885.
The Catholic Church was built of wood in 1881-
1885.
Eight houses of Christian worship have been built
iu Wilton, first and last, of which five still remain.
Not far from fifty clergymen have been engaged in
the ministry here in all the various churches.
CHAPTER VI.
WILTON— ( Co„l!,n,ed.)
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS AND EARLY REMINISCENCES.
So simple, yet so graphic, a picture of the New
England manners and customs of the earlier times is
given by one of the honored sons of Wilton, Dr.
Abiel Abbot, that we give it entire. It is contained
in the miton Centennial :
*' I will say a word about Sunday of olden times. On Saturday even-
ing the work of the week was finished. My father, after washing and
putting on a skillet of water, would get his razor and soap, sit down by
the fire and takeoff his beard; after which he would take his Bible,
sometimes some other book. My niotln-r, after washing the potatoes,
etc., and preparing for Sunday fo<i<i. us^-d to make hasty pudding for
supper, which was eaten in milk or, if that was wanting, with butter
and molasses. The little children «ere i)ut to bed ; eitrly in the evening
my father read a chapter in the Hible and offeretl a pniyer, soon after
which the younger part of the family and the hired help went to bed —
indeed the family every night went to their rest soon afler supper, es-pe-
cially iu the summer. Saturday night antl Sunday and Sunday night a
Iterfect stillness, no play going on, no laughing. Those of us who were
old enough took the Testiiment, or h-arneil the Catechism or a hymn,
and reatl in the Testament or primer to fat her or mother in the morning.
For breakf.tst, when we had nnlk suflieient, we had bread and milk ;
when this failetl, bean and corn porridge was the substitute. Si>me time
after the Revolutionary war, for Sunday morning ti-a and toast were
often used. -\8 we lived at a distance from meeting (nearly three miles),
those who walked set out pretty soon after nine o'clock, and those wha
rode on horseback were obliged to start soon after them ; the roads and
pole-bridges were very bad, and the horses always carried double, and
often a child in the mother's lap and sometimes anotlier on the pommel
i
WILTON.
705
of the saddle before the father. All went to nieetiug except some one to
kei'p the huu^e and tnke cure of tlie children ^\^h^^ could nut take care of
flu-ineelveti. The one tluit stayed at home wiw tni^trncletl when to put
t)ie pudding, pork and vegfiables into the i>ut for supjier after meeting.
Those who wi'ut to meeting ut>ed to put into their |x>cket8 for dinner
(Hirno ehort-cake or dough-ftulo and clieese. We used to get homo from
meeting at four o'clock, often niucli later. Immediately the women set
t\n* table, and the nion tuuk care of the horses, and in the winter the
othtrr cattle, etc. In the tihort day8 it would often U< tjunduwn Itofore, or
vory w-'on after, we got liome. The sled with uxen wius often used for
meeting when the snow was deep, or by tlio** who did not keep a horse.
.\fter supper the children and younger part of the family were called to-
gether and read in the Testament and Primer, and, if there wad time,
said their Catechism (the Assembly's) and some short hymns and pntyers.
Soon after this, in the summer, before my father read in the Hihle and
offered prayer, the cows were brought from the pasture and milked. No
work wa** performed except what was deemed al>8oIutely necessary ; the
didhes fur breakfart and supiwr wore left unwiuihci till >londay. Every
pi-rsou in the town able to g<» to uieyting went ; if any werealjsenl it wan
noticed, and it was snppot^ed that sickness was the reason. If anyone
was absent three or four Siindays, the tithing man would make him a
visit ; this, howt-ver, was a rare case. The Sabl>ath was not unpleasant
to me ; early habits, I suppose, rendered the ret>traint by no means irk-
some. I do not recollect feeling gloomy or disposed to play, or wishing
Sunday was gone or would not come. I don't think of anything more to
say about Sunday, except that the met'ting- house was well filled.
"Now what more t^hall I say? A woni alNjut s*-hoo)s. These were
iK*<)r enough. We used to read, spidl, write and cipher after a sort. Our
tearliers Were nut taught. The primer, Dilworth's spelling-book and
till- Hitde or Testament wei-c the books. \o arithmetic; the ciphering
waa from the ma>4ter's nuiiiuscrlpt. My father became scn:jtb1e that the
•M-hools were usi-less, and in the winter of I7i^- lured Mr. Jolin Abbot,
who WHS then a Miphoniure in college, to teacli a month or five weeks In
his vacation, and invite<t the district to send their children gnitis. This
gave a new complexion to the school in the south district, and for a
number of yearn after qualified teachers wt-re employed .about eight
weeks in the wintLT, iistuilly scholai-s from college. Soon after the hn-
provcment in the s<Mitli «liB(rir-l, sume of the other districle followed in
the 8:tme course. To this impulse, I think, we may imi)ute the advance
of Wilton before the neighboring towns in filuoation, good monils and
sound theolog>'. I venegitc my father and mother, more than for any-
thing else, for their anxii-iy and Ktcrifices to give their children tbo bent
education, literary and religions, in their ii(»WL-r. And it givoa me, as I
have no doubt it did them and must you and all llo' re.si of their de-
sC4^>n(lants, the higln'Ht satisfaction that tht-ir desires were s«» well grati-
rt'-d and their htborr; successful. Their children, gnmdchildron and so on
to the twentieth genenttion will have rea^m to bless the memory of
pareutH of such true worth.
'* Now for *jmething else. For breakfast in olden times were bread
and milk, aa mmu as the cow8 were milked, for all the family. When
milk failed, iMjan i>orridge with corn. About nine o'clock there was a
hnitiiuj, or luncheon, of bread and chet«o or fried pork and iwtJitoes. For
dinner a gotul Indian pudding, often in it blue Irt-rries and suet ; iMjrk
and buef through the winter and spring, p(»ttitoe». lurnips, cwbbage, etc.
At four or flveo'elock, p.m. fn the summer, some bread and cheese or
the like. F'tr sur>per, bread and milk. When milk faileil, milk por-
ridge, hasly puclding and niohisseH, bread anil mohuwen, bread and beer,
ote. When there was com[Miriy to entertain, chiwolate for breakfiist, no
coffeo. Pewter Iwislnsor p<trringerM and sirmotlmca wooden bowls were
use<l when spwms were required. Trenchers or wood plates were used
at dinner; when a friend dined, |M.wter plalet were us*'d by father and
mother and the friend. You probably renie?iiber the pewter plattei-sand
plates UKually standing on the sbe|v(»s. None lail pewtvr upoons. The
cup for U'er wiw [M-wttT. .\fler which came the brown mug. If a
neighlHH-came in for any piir|MW he was it^kir-l to drink In'eror elder.
When women vlj»itwl their neighbors they went early In tlio afternoon,
carrie<I their work, and returned home Iteforo sundown to lake care of
milking the cows and so forth. Their onlertatnment was commonly
short-cake, l<aked by the fire, and tea, except In the early part of the
Itevolullonary war. For the visit they often put on a ckyin chefiucnHl
apran and handkerchief anrl short, UH>»e gown.
'* In ttio winter several of the neighbors would meet for a social even-
ing, and wouM have a supper. Thert' were no wkct iHirlles; all were
neighbors, in the Scripture sense. The maid and Im.v in Ihe family the
same as the chihlren in all respects. I do not recollect ever hearing a
pr\)rane word in my father's family from any of hts hiroil men, nor at
school at Wilton or Andover Academy. I do not think that profane lan-
guage was U6vd by any in the town till after the Revolutionar)- war.
Industry and economy were the order of the times. I <lo not n-nieniber
seeing my father or mother angry ; they were sometimee displeaM.H|, do
doubt. Sly father, in the winter, used to go to Salem or Marblehead to
nuirket with shook-hogshead strives, rye, i>ork, butter, etc., and pncure
salt, motai«es, lea, mm, etc., for the year, as there were no traders in the
new towns. Itnm was not \\f*-A. excejit in haying and harvet^t and on
particular occasions of hard service and exposure, such as washing frhecp,
burning large f>ieces of wood, etc. Intoxication was Tory nire. I do
not remcnd)er more than one man being intoxicated. Rum was coui-
monly.used at raising buildings; half a gill was a gootl dram. After
raising a building, if finir^hed before night, the amusements wen> wrestl-
ing, goal, coits, etc. Goal was the favorite play with boys the day after
thanksgi\ing and election daj's, wliich were all the lioHdays I remember.
Good humor and cheerfulness always previulod in our family, and it was
generally so, I believe."
Speaking of the mothers, the same writer as above
says:
"They came to liouses not finished, not iMiinted, not ceiled as wo eeo
them now ; they had no iwrlor, no cari>ut, no curtains, no sofa ; for some
of these every-day conveniences they had no wonI in their Tocabulary.
But they were happy, — happiness i-s theprojierty of tbemind. They took
good care of the household. They wrought flax and wool ; the canJ, the
sitinning-wheel and the loom were the furniture of the house. All were
clothed with domestic prmhicts ; articles were also made for the market.
They were healthy and strong ; they and their daughters were not en-
feebled by luxuries and delicacies, nor with working muslins and em-
broidery ; tea and cake were nirely used ; coffee waa unknown. Their
dress was plain, and adapted to (he seiuMtn and their business, — one dress
answered for the day and the wuek. Their living and drcM pixMluced du
consum]ttion im now.
"Our fathers and mothers were benevolent, hospitable and kind ; the
sti-angcr was receiveil, as in the nuwil ancient time, with a hearty wel-
come. In their own neighborhood and town they wer^- all brothers and
sisters. There was an adiuirable eipiality, a home-feeling and a hearl-
feeling among all. Their visits wen' not formal— ceremonious and
heartless, -btit fniuk, elieerfnl and conlial. Their sympathy for the
sick, unfortunate and distresM-d was expressttd by their ready aasislance
and kindly-affeclioned helji. When prusiM-roue, all partook in the com-
mon joy ; when sii-knesti or caliimity befell any, all were affected ; the
sorrow was mutual, and aid and relief, as far as |>ossibIe, were afTonlod.
They were indeed one family— all inembei>4 of one sympathizing Iwdy."
Tlie following reminiscences are bv Mrs. Achsah
Sawyer Allan, of Marion, Me., eighty-four years of
age:
" Receiveil a iMWial from Wlllon saying if sufilclent encouragement is
given It IsproiKised to publish a history of Wlltou. It would be very
jdeaslng to read the history. Ihul I the pen of a ready writer In nty ad-
vanced age, I sliould enjoy giving to the hlntory early recollections of
my llf" ft) llii^l town.
"The liltle I can give In my caiwiclly \n meagre cofnimred with ablo
writep., and what I write may Ik- written by other* that will give clearer
vIewK In a more concise manner. Yel, I will try to slate mww of my
early recollections from a child to twenty years of age, when I left for
one of the eastern counties of Maine.
"My father, Nathiiniel Sawyer, a Revolutionary sohller three years,
married, lame to WItton In 17«l, coiunn*nced on the farm now owned by
Henry Gray ; he tollM idghte«'U years on his farm. Hon. Jacob Abbot
tradeil in tin- town when my father movM there ; he kepi a full supply
of giMxls fiua country town ; he was a man of unbh-iidshed chantcter,
eviM reiwly for every g'Kxl work. Wlieii he left ihe town il wae con-
sldetT'd a gnat loss to the |«*oplo ; Ids gont<nd mime was E«»'i- -hicoh,
which I heani from my iwironts. lie cIihhmI his buNlnewialitnK 17l»7. My
f.ilher Iwgau in his steail, as a st>>n' was very much iMH-dwI. He built tho
store which, I presume, stands chxw to the dwelling houw of Mr (^ray ;
al»ont ITimor 17tt7. he fliled hit- Mon-. Tl Id Intoks whhli I have In
my iHNwmlon show that his tnide was r-hsI. I me nmny mime- fnun all
the surniun<Ilng or ailjolning towns which tmdod at his slon-, or rather
exchanged produre for goods, such as butter, cheesi', |Hirk, beans, rye,
oats, fiaxsei^l, iisln.-, etc. Here Is a »iuall •ample of a bill I t-«ok <<ff, of
cbnrgofl, etc., February, 180.3.
706
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
" ' Debtor to Xathaniel Satvt/er.
£ I. d.
'Feb. 3, 1 lb. of sugar, U. ; 1 mug of toddy, 1 J. . . .0 2
' C, 1 qt. new rum 1 s
' 10, }4 pt. braniij', 1 mug of flip 2
' 13, Credit to 2J<J bushels of ashes, at »d 111
' 14, 2 qts. of new rum, 2«. 9tl. ; 1 qt. Jloliwses, 1». 3
' 20, 2 yds. Calico, C». ; 1 fur hat 1 2 6
' 23, 1 qt. of gin, 2«. Cd. ; 1 lb. shells, U 3 C
' Credit by 27 bushels of oats, at I». M. per bushel ; 2 bushels of beans.'
"Federal money had not taken the place of pounds, fehillings and
pence, bnt came in practiee soon after.
"It was common to go to the store with small articles of produce to
exchange for goods ; it was nfteu a little stimulus would be called for,
with the mistaken idea that it would lighten the cares and labor would
be more easily borne ; very few accounts were entered without many
charges of the vile beverage. The mug holds a quart, the half mug a
pint. In winter flip was commonly called for, which was marie from
beer ; an iron, called the hollh, was kept hanging in the flre-place to
have it quickly heated to warm the beer. West India rum, with loaf-
sugar, a toasted cnicker and nutmeg grated over it, made a drink worth
the price ; toddy was a n>i.\ture of rum, sugar and water, with other fix-
ings if required ; blackstrap was simply mm and molasses. Spirituous
liquors were anciently much used iu good families ; no collection of
people, no partie*, no benefits to a neighbor such as huskings, etc., but
something stronger must be served than the precious ale which was
drawn from the well. Who would have thought of holding a glass of
pure cold water to thelipsof a poor, sick child or a friend sick of a fever?
Ko cooking-stoves were used before 1815 in the families, but fire-places
were large enough to admit a large log at the back, with another not as
laige on the andirons in front, with a good supply of wood on the top.
These made a fire that was a joy to all the family, and often a pine would
be an addition to make a little more light for the rbildren to study their
les-wns by for the morrow's school. Our brooms were made from the
yellow birch, stripped ; at times we had to use small hemlock twigs.
" The schools were well attended, considering the distance to walk;
there was some very cold weather ; it made cold bands and feet, to say
little of ears and noses. Such an article as a therm. uneter was not known
to us children ; no doubt we had zci-o weather with cpiite a number of
degrees below— cbil.lren were not |Uovided with the warm clothing that
they are blest with now, yet they were punctual at schoid. Teachers
many times boarded in different families to lengthen the school— the
sunmier schools passed off with little variation, sewing was taught with
reading and siwlling ; the lesson was learned from Perry's spelling book ;
this W.1S the guidingslar from 1807 to 1812.
"The larger schcdars in the winter schools required hell, from the teach-
ers more than the smaller ones ; they bad to be a giii.le by themselves.
The school-bouse that was built near the old meeling-bou.se is nearly
ninety years ol.l. I attoniled school in it seventy-eight years ago ; the dis-
trict was largo then.
"In 1810 a school-house was built on the extreme west jmrt of Mr. Gil-
man JIansur's field, .)n the north side of the road ; since then a new-
house ha« been built about half a mile toward the French village. Snch
a thing as bringing a pail of water into a school-room would have been
thought out of order ; how many times the scholai-s ha.l to run to the
well which belonge.1 t.. the house, later owned by Dr. ParkbursI ; how
sweet the water w..ul.l tiuste fern that ' moss covered bucket ' that hung
to the sweep rca.ly t.. .Irop into Ibe well ; we could rest it on the curb and
slake our thirst ; a dish or tinnbler was not piovi.le.l in those days.
" The old mecting-bouse on the common ! b.jw nu.ny have worshiped
in it ; I can sue them now, by imagination, alm..8t eighty years ago.
" I bear the voices of Mi. Joshua Blunchard, Deacon John Burton,
Mr. Jeremiah Abbot ; what alto souiuls Mr. Bl .nchanl and Mr. ,\bbot
pr.^luced ; Deacon Burton hud a strong tenor voice and the pastor, Bev.
Th.unas Beede, wasone that ronl.l perform bis part well.
"The old meeting-house where our forefathein w.,|-shii>ed, how sad
that it was destroyed with ruthless hands. How many times I have sat,
when quite a child, looking to the golden dove, wondering she did not
fly and fin.l some ..tlier resting place than on the souu.ling board.
•■ Many times I sal with cold ban.ls and feet wishing the long sermons
would end ; the foot-stove woul.l be passed from one to another, to keep
the feet comf.irtuble ; yet the pews were very well filled, very few stayed
from church in tb.«e days ; a warmer meeting-house wiia not conceived
of then. The town was m.jstly settled by farmers ; every family manu-
factured their own cloth ; they c.uld raise the wool an.l the female part
of the house could card, spin and weave it ; it was very bard work for the
shoulders to draw the wool through the cards, and not unfrcquently
there would be Jiartics among the young people to help each other in
breaking wool, which was considered half carded, «Iien they had fin-
ished their afternoon work.
" Then Uncle Nathan Martin would finil his way to the house. Though
blind he could fiddle. Very few iu those days but could trip the light fan-
tastic toe, if accompanied by Uncle Nathan's violin.
"Every day's wear was of home manufacture, such articles of comfort
as undershirts, drawers and even lined pants, 1 never heard mentioned
before 1812. The first ciirding machine near Wilton, was in New Ips-
wich, not earlier than 1808, wool was carried there to be carded. Flax
was raised by the majority of farmers, summer clothing was mostly
made from Flax and cotton.
"Anciently I never heard of any dissension of religious opinions until
1808. The first minister of the town asked dismission, why I never
heard, but always hear.I him spoken of as a truly gooil man, he never
wasted words, whatever ho sai.l be meant. He was once conversing with
a friend about the cost of a liberal education, said lie, • Had I known that
my son, whom I have educated, would have chosen a legal profession, I
nevershould have expen.le.l so much for him.' Hisfriend nuide answer
to hini, ' It is jiossible for lawyers to be Christians.' 'I believe it,' said
he, 'but it is very rare.'
"His death was very su.lden, soon after he retired something unusual
appeared in his breathing, his wife spoke to liijii, he made n.. answer, she
went for a light, when she returned life had departed. Ue was the first
person burie.l in the South Cemetery. Rev. Abel Fisk was the next min-
ister. I think he was very much beloved by the jjeople, and they felt
his loss. Kev. Thonuis Beede was the next ordained minister, some of the
people were so pleased that they expressed themselvesas having their
loss more than made up to theui.
"Mr. Beede was a gentleman who could win the youth by his teach-
ings in .scbo.il, anil out of school, his kindness iu various ways, his judi-
cious advice in little difficulties, ever rea.ly to render iissistance to the
needy, if it could not always be in deeds it was always iu words of
sympathy and enconragemcut which had the clfect to do good. How
many have, been blessed in their cdm-atioji by his efforts, not only for
minor schools, but many for their collegiate course. The few advantages
with which I was blease.l I owe to Mr. and Mrs. Beede. He was my first
teacher and my last in school.
" Mrs. B.'ede was a la.ly one could not get acquainted without loving
her as a friend, in every thing good she was ever active, in .lisappoiut-
mentsor crosses she ever gave a.lvice charitably. *To err w.is human,
to forgive ilivine.' In 1811 Mr. Beede inviteil all the children who would
like to learn to sing to meet at the school-bouse, near the meeting-house
and he would instruct them. .\t the day appointed there was a great
turnout, the school was quite a success, there were some most excellent
voices, it did not take long to learn the rules for vocal music in those
days, the risiugand falling of the notes were soon accomplished ; the first
tune was ' Little Marlborough,' the second was 'Plymouth;' when we
could call the notes to those tunes, we imagined ourselves iiuite singers,
with the praise of our instructors. Very few of that school are left to
remember it now.
" In the ministry of Mr. Fisk they had what is terme<l congregational
singing. They sang from David's Psalms ; the Deacon would read a
line, commence the tune, all the people woul.l f.dlow him, then another
lino and they w..ul.l finish the psalm in that way. At last the younger
singers wisheil to improve, and a Mr. Ilenrick was hired to teach. He
had three sessi.uis a day, the tulles were lively and they had a great inter-
est ill them. Alter a while they had adesire for instruiiielital music with
the singing; this was most bitterly oppostnl by a number ..f men a.lvanced
in yeai-s, they w.iuld leave the .hnrch every time singing commenced,
their prejudice was at such a length they did not stop to hear, one said he
did not wish to hear the devil's fiddle (base viol) played on at any place,
he could not bear to hear it in church, another did not like the devil's
baboon (bassoon). ,\t last one of the men joined the Ba]>tist Church in
Slason, it was some yean* before the Baptist Church was organized in
Wilton.
"There wiuoue veteran that was very much prejudiced against a cer-
tain minister who exchanged with Mr. Bee.li', the ..Id geiitlimian did
not niiii.l him when he seat.'il himself in the body seals. He started for
the door as soon as be found who was to preach, as he jMissed to the door
a man said to him. ' Slay and h.ar the rest.' lie replied, ' Thedi'el a bit of
it, I have lieartl enough of it already.' *•*•««*
" In 1815 there was a society called the Literary and Moral Society, for
the benefit of th.'y.)ung people. The exercises were writing themes, de-
claiming and the discussion of snch questions proposed as would give in-
struction to the members. Rev. Thomas Beede was the instructor, many
WILTON.
707
of his rem&rka have been a bleflsing to nio totbo prcaoDt <lay. Questions '
in Philosophy imJ " Mason, on Self-knowledge," were for our study. I |
believe it ended in a Lyceum.
" In 184)1 an epidemic visited the town somethini^like thutyphus fever,
many families were sadly afTlicted. Rev. Abel Fisk and tho physician,
Dr. Itockwoo«I, were the first whn were taken with it. I think there
were but two families that escapeil, they livoiJon thooutakirtaof thetown.
The physician Ibut attended whs Dr. Preston, Sr., of New ItMwich, ho
rode uight and day until Dr. ICi>ckwuod was able to assist, one family
I.»?t iiix (Simon Keyes), fiither, mother, three sons and one daughter.
Many suffered fur want of proper care, tliere were not enough to care for
f)u' sick who were able. Very few vm-ro. willing tocomo from out of town
r fear of the fever. The North cemetery will tell of the numbers by
h<- graveetoues which years have not obliterated. A jiedler was thought '
i<> have tntroiluced the disease. |
" In conclusion, T look back on the friends in tho town wliere I had
my earlieot aesociations, I know not if any near my own age are living.
Echo points 'over there,* or 'crossed the river,' the old land-mark, the
church on the hilt, hag gone from sight, where my iJarenU, brothersand
si-'tors wontliip)>i-d. Change, change is written on many things, and
Wilton has had its share.
"Although my ]nt has been cast in another locality, I still cling to
the memory of tlie eaily associations of my childhoiHl, and the boatman
will call forme to land ine on the slioro 'over there,' where many are
gone before, and not a great while hence it will be Diy lot to go as they
have gone."
CHAPTER VII.
WILTOX— ( Continued).
PAUPEKISM AKD INSANITY.
Ix the earlier stages of New Englaiul eivilizatioii
ihe eomlitiim of the abnormal meinliers of the com-
munity, such as paupers, the insane, orphans, slaves
and criminals, was a hanl one. Puritanism made
men and women stern, resolute, firm, severe, but not
]iarticularly gentle, compassionate, sympathetic or
humanitarian. God himself wa.s looked upon as
King and .ludge, rather than as the Universal
Father. If men sull'ered, the feeling was that they
ought to sutler. It was the Hebrew code, rather
than the Christian,— an eye for an eye and a tooth (or
a tooth. The Indians were regarded and treated as
the children of the devil and worthy of extermina-
tion. They were often sold into slavery. Slaves
were made even of white men. Little compa.ssion
was felt for those who fell out of line and <lid not
keep 8tei> with the march of .society. The poor were
sold at auction, for their maintenance, to the lowest
bidder. The insane were regarded with superstitious
nwe, and often shut up in cold and tilthy out-houses,
sometimes chained, without fire, suitable clothing,
proper food or medieval attendance. I knew, in one
town, where a man was confined in a cage lor thirty
years, from which he had never been out but once.
The treatment of criminals was harsh and vindictive,
and the condition of jails aii<t lock-ups was a reproach
to civilization and Christianity. Orphan children,
apprentices ami the friendless often experieiiceil little
mercy or commiseration frnm tlidse who had them in
charge, or from the community. Domestic and school
discipline, even to the more favored, wiis grounded on
the |>roverl) of "sparing the rod and spoiling the
child." Such Wiis the general character of the
times, to whicli there were, of course, many notable
exceptions worthy of all commendation.
But all these features are so changed now that they
appear as almost incredible to later times. There
have been no reforms more remarkable than those of
the amelioration of the condition and life of the
weak and suffering classes. The leaven of Christian-
ity has been leavening the whole lump, and reaching
out and down to the very outskirts of society. The
spirit of Him who came not to destroy men's lives
but to save them, and to seek and save the lost, is be-
coming the corporate spirit of States and cities.
When we consider the progress of the last one hun-
dred and fifty years in the direction of humane and
benevolent activity, we cannot but hope for still
greater and more beneficent changes in the near
future.
The Centennial Pamphlet tells us that
** The first pntiper in town was by tho nnme or Stratton, who receiTed
aid from the town Lefore tlie Revolution. From this tinio till 1M0 there
were but seven fumilie,.*— and these l)nt in part — who were supported by
tlie town. Some other individuals, but very few in nunil>er, have occa-
sionally receiveil aid. In 18yO a farm for tho poor was purchased and
was carried on by tho town for some years. The products of this farm
were nearly sufficient, in most year>*,to i>ay tho wageeof theoverseerand
family and for the support of the poor."
Town Farm.— At the annual tuwn-meeting iu
March, 1830, the town voted to purchitse a farm on
which to support the poor. Joel Abbot, Oliver Per-
ham and Daniel Batchelder, selectmen, and Jonathan
Parkhurst and Jonathan Livermore were appointed a
committee to purchase a farm, stock, tools and furni-
ture, and em|)loy a man and his wife to manage the
same.
The paupers were supiiorte<l on this farm thirty-
eight years. At the aiiiiiial town-meeting in March,
1868, the town
" VaUd, That the selectmen appoint a committee of three to dispow of
and s«ll tho town farm."
" Vulcl, Tlial this committee sell the |«nional pn.iierly on tho town
farm on the Ist day of .\pril next."
" VijUd, That this committeo lie authorized and em|io»ered to dispoM
of, sell and convey said farm and to Rive « dwil of Ihe «ime."
The farm comprised lot No. 8, in the eighth
range, and about three-fourths of lot No. 8 in the
ninth range of lots. The farm was formerly owned by
Nathan A. Whiting. After the town s(dd the farm
tin- paiiprrs wire piMvidid fur by contract.
Hillsborough County Farm.— Th.' increnso of
manufaclnriiig iil Maiieliest.r, Nashua and other vil-
lages in the county, and the law pa.sseil in 1.S41 mak-
ing void all ".settlements" gained in the towns prior
to 170fi, added much to the number of the paupers to
be suiiportedby the county.
The ciiunty judges— Hon. Jacob Wbitteinorc, of
Antrim, and 11. m. Jesse Carr, of (iotl'stown— at that
708
HISTORY OP HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
time had the superintendence of all matters relating
to the county paupers. For the purpose of lessening
the expenses to the county of maintaining the pau-
pers, in the latter part of the year 1849 they pur-
chased of Noyes Poor, Esq., of Gotistown, a farm, for
which was paid ten thousand dollars.
At the session of the Legislature of 1851 the Rep-
resentatives of Hillsborough County met in conven-
tion for the purpose of examining the financial af-
fairs of the county, and the following resolve was
passed :
"Btsolrtd, Tliaf Jonutl\an D. Clemont, of Weare, be atid is heipliy ap-
pointecJ, in behalf of this convention, to make examination into and
thoroughly investigate the financial affairs of the county fur the last five
years, and to make and report to the next county convention a general
statement of the affairs of each of said yearn, and a full and particular
statement of said affairs in detail, for each of the two last years, and that
said Clement have power to send for pereoDB and papere in making said
iuveeligation."
This resolution, having been considered by the con-
vention, was, on motion, adopted by unanimous voles.
Mr. Clement submitted his report to the Conven-
tion of Representatives of Hillsborough County, in
convention, June session, 1852. From that report
we take the following account of the expenses of the
county for paupers in the years named in the report :
Cash paid October term, 1841! $4,a28.13
Cash paid Janiniry term, 1847 .... ;t70.o:i
Cash paid April term, 1847 5,003.50
89,710.66
Cash paid October term, 1847 5,9.'il.l8
Cash paid April terra, 1848 4,008.83
10,030.01
Ca«h paid October term, 1848 f.,663.55
Cash pai.l .\pril term, 1849 0,096.76
12,000.31
Cash paid October term, 1849 7,518.94
Cash paid April term, 18.50 6,554.53
14,073.47
Cash paid October term, 18.50 2,.340.90
Cash paid .January term, 1851 214.58
Cash paid Apiil term, 1851 2,487.32
. 5,048.80
Cash paid for support of Comtlif Farm.
Cash paid October term, 1850 1,650.40
Cash paitl January term, 1851 1,71^4.77
Cash paid April term, 1851 1,707.70
5,122.93
Total for the years 1850-51 $10,171.73
In February, 1850, the judges notified the several
towns that the establishment in Goffstown was ready
to receive paupers.
In the report of 1850 is the account
For repairing and fitting up the building. . . . 548.3.73
For stock, farming tools and furniture 1,078.91
$2,162.64
Cost of Farm 10,01«).00
Total outlay S12,liiJ.r,4
The first rei)ort of the justices was dated September
3, 1850, the institution having been occupied about
six months.
At that time there had been one hundred and
seventy-six paupers at the farm, eighty-eight having
been the largest number at any time, and seventy-
seven being the average number.
The law passed by the Legislature in 1855 re-
modeled the judiciary, abolished the offices of county
justices and road commissioner.^, and created the
office of county commissioners, with the same duties
and powers of those of the county justices and road
commissioners.
In the report of the commissicmers, dated Decem-
ber, 1857, for the year previous, the expenses of the
paupers are as follows ;
At the county farm $4,546.33
Paid to towns for support of county p.aupers 5,544.73
To pay special contracts, New Hampshire .\8ylum, printing, etc. 014.32
Total $10,705.38
Whole number of paupers at the farm, 281.
Average number, 104^.
Number of weeks' board of paupers, .5434.
The Legislature, in 1860 or 1861, passed a law making
void all settlements gained prior to 1840, that threw
the support of most of the paupers upon the county,
and caused the sale of the farms that were owned by
the towns on which the paupers had been sujiported.
The next report we have is for the year ending
January 1, 1868, which was the year the paupers were
removed from Goffstown to Wilton.
Late in the year 1866 the buildings at the farm iu
Gofistown, with the exception of the barn, stal)le and
corn-barn, were destroyed by fire.
The representatives of the towns of Hillsborough
County, in convention at Manchester, in January,
1867, Instructed the county commissioners to sell as
speedily as possible, consistent with the interest of
the county, at public or private sale, the county poor
farm at Gofistown, in whole or in parts, and such
parts of the personal property connected with the
farm iis they deem advisable, and directed and author-
ized them to purchase the Whiting farm, in Wilton,
80 called, at an expense not exceeding the sum of
twelve thousand five hundred dollars, and directed
and authorized them to erect such further buildings
on said farm as may be necessary tor the accommo-
dation of the county, at an expense not exceeding
ten thousand dollars.
The county took possession of the farm April 1,
1867, and a building w;is erected of wooden materials,
eighty-two by forty feet, three stories high, with
cellar under the whole, cemented bottom, and par-
titioneil into rooms suitable for tlie purposes needed.
The farm is bounded on the west by Temple, and
the north line is one-half mile from the south line
of Lyndeborough, and contains four hundred and
thirty-six acres; also, northwesterly from the build-
ings, a lot of one hundred acres, tiiat is bounded on
the north l)y Lyndeborough line, is included in the
farm. Since the farm was i)urcha.sed by tlie county,
there has been expended in building, including the
WILTON.
7U9
boiler-house and boilers, over twenty thousand dol-
lare.
In 1884 a win<l-Miill, with the necessary apjiaratus,
was put in lor raising water into the Iniikling, at
a cost of five hundred and twenty-one dollars. This
arrangement has i)roved satisfactory.
.V nuinUer of years since the establishment was
made a county House of Correction, which adds to
the number of those that are able to work.
While Cajitain Rumpus was the superintendent,
twelve acres of the pasture west of the buildings, to-
wards the intervale, were cleared of rocks; and since
the ])resent superintemlent, Mr. Charles A. Stiles,
lias had charge, twenty acres north of the buildings
and ten acres east of the road have been cleared of
the rocks, with two acres that have been commenced,
which, when completed, will make forty-four acres
changed from rough pasture land to smooth fields.
The old walls have also been cleared off, making
but one hold on the west side of the road. On the
southerly i)art of the farm is a large orchard of nearly
all IJaldwin apples, from which, in 1883, were taken
twelve hundred bushels of marketable fruit.
We extract from the report of 1873 the following
statistics :
Kunitfer at tlio alnidtioiiMj jAiiuiiry 1, 1872, 108.
.\<iniitt«.<l (luring tlie yrar, 140.
Deaths iluriiiK tliu year, 11.
Weekly avLTuge 'luring llie year, 118.
Number at the utni-itiuuMu .January 1, 1H73, 120,
Of the one hundred and forty-si.K admitted during
the year, twenty-nine were sentenced to the House of
Correction.
<'o«t fur llie «u|i|iorl f jittupers at lliefamt , , ,
Fur flUl)lK>rI of jiaui>ent away fruni tliif farm , .
. 89,287,80
6,791,')2
T.ilal 815,079,32
From the report for the yc.ir emiing .Vpril 30, 1884,
we take the following statistics :
Number at the alm«lioui)o Jlay I, 1883, 241.
A.liiiiiua In May 1, 1884, 253,
IliKliarKeil l.i May 1, 1881, 213,
Su|i|H)rte4i auil partially supported, 497,
Illrths, 11,
Dealhn, 27,
WcMjkly average, Sfid,
Numt>er at the alm»-liouno 5lay I, IhN4, •-'•"'I.
For HUpp^irt nf p;iu|KTX at the aliiKthouw-' 82,3,43<l,4.'i
F>)r MupiHirt of paupent in town^ auJ cities 13.07.1.12
Total cmt of suiip'jrting paujieni In tho county of Ilillnbor-
ougli from Slay 1, 18K1, to May 1, 18M 8:17,Iip3,67
Since the county farm has been established in Wil-
ton, three chaplains have held oHice, — Kev. S. C.
Fletcher, Ucv. I.S.Lincoln and Kev. (Jeorgc ('.Trow.
Messrs. Fletcher and Trow are Baptists, and Mr.
Lincoln Unitarian. The last gentleman otKciated
for ten years, ending May 1, 1884.
There have al.so been two superintendents, — Captain
(i. (i. liuiMpiis unci ( '. .\, Stiles Esq.
Crimes and Punishments.— In the time of our
fathers, whipping was a common punishment for small
olfenses, such as petty larceny and assault and bat-
tery. This custom is revived in several States of
the Union, as the proper intliction for wife-beaters
and other despicable criminals. But cruelty in general
only begets more cruelty and barbarism. Wife-beaters
are almost without exception drunkards. To prohibit
li(|Uor-making and liquor-selling is the sure method
to sto|) wife-beating.
At the County Court held at Amherst October, 1771,
Jonas Stapleton was sentenced to be whipped twenty
stripes, and to be sold as a slave for seven years, pro-
vided he could not pay his fine. It is not stated what
his fine was.
An oak on the Wilton common was, in very early
times, the whipping-i)08t. A culprit, condemned to
this punishment for stealing clothes from a clothes-
line, while undergoing the lash, made his shrieks
heard across the valley, a mile away. An old lady
relates that, at a later period, a whipi>ing-post, eight
or ten feet high, stood at the southeast corner of the
common. Here justice was administered by the ofti-
cers of the town to all violators of the law. The
same post was also used as a bulletin-board for no-
tices.
Aggravated crimes have been very rare in Wilton
history. Robbing graves was at one time carried
on to some extent, but though the olfenders were
strongly suspected, and almost certainly identified,
no positive proof could be obtained sufficient for
an indictment and conviction. A document still
exists in which it is recommended to the town
to ferret out such heinous doings, and to re-
munerate a detective who had been employed to
visit Uoston and bring the criminals to justice. But
though some persons Hed from town, no arrests were
made, and the whole affair subsided. At another
time a native of the town, no doubt deranged, dis-
interred a body in the North Cemetery, and carried
the bones to another State and showeil them to some
persons.
In IHti,") a supposed horse-thief was passing through
town and was arrested and indicted, under the name
of W. J. Hunter, alian George Brown, but the evidence
failing to convict him, the man was discharged.
Some years ago an altiTcation took place on the pub-
lic street in East Wilton, on Siin<lay, in whicli Tliomas
Broderick, of Milford, struck one Doyle on the head
with the edge of a board. Doyle fell and died in
a few minutes. Broderick was convicted of man-
slaughter and sentenced to the State Prison for a
term of years, .\fter about one year's imprisonment,
he wius pardoned out by the (Jovcriior, (Ui a peti-
tion signed by a large numlier of the citizens of Mil-
ford.
About the year 18(i8 two young men — Newgent
and Howard — committed several burglaries at East
Wilton, but were arrested in Peterborough, and tried
and sentenced to the State Prison for three years.
710
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Less than a month elapsed between their crime and
their punishment.
About the year 1870 a young man by tlic name of
Barry was convicted of committing a burglary at
East Wilton, and sentenced to the State Prison for
two or three years.
The greatest shock ever given to tlic public morals
and the honorable repute of the town was by the
repeated crimes and public execution of Elwin W.
Major, January 5, 1877. Major was born in Gofts-
town and was about thirty years of age. He had
removed with bis jiareiits, at five years of age, to
Randolph, Vt., thence went to Manchester, N. H.,
when nineteen years old, where he worlied for some
time, then removed to Iowa, He returned East,
worked for a time in Gotlstown, and then went to
Wilton, working in a mill and cabinet-shop, and
finally on a farm for Moses Lovejoy, whose daughter
Ida he married in 1869. On the 20th of Decem-
ber, 1874, Mrs. Major was taken suddenly ill, and
on the evening of the same day died. Her sudden
death led the town authorities to investigate the case,
which resulted in evidence that led to the belief that
Major had purchased strychnine in Nashua a few
weeks j)reviously, and also of his criminal intimacy
with another woman in Wilton. These discoveries
were followed by other facts, which, added to Major's
questionable reputation, convinced people that he
wa.s a nuirderer.
Major was arrested, and, after two trials, was con-
victed of murder and sentenced to be executed .January
.5, 1875, on which day he was hanged at Concord, in
the precincts of the St.ate Prison, prote.<ting his in-
nocence to the last.
George Peacock, in 1878 or 1879, was sentenced to
the State Prison for three years for burglary at Ivist
Wilton, but after one year's imprisonment was par-
<loned out by the Governor on petition.
None of the criminals above named were natives of
Wilton.
Statistics prove that by far the greater i)art of the
jiauperism, insanity and crime in the community are
due to tlie use of intoxicating liijuors.
CHAPTER VIII.
WILTON— fC./ii/iiii/frf).
SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, EDUCATIO.V, ETC.
Schools.' — Wilton Wits first settled in 1739, and was
incorjiorated as a town in 1762. Recognizing the pre-
vailing sentiment of New England respecting the im-
portance of free schools, the grantors of the land con-
stituting the i)rincipal part of the township, in order
I By George L. Dascombe,
to encourage settlements, set apart one share, which
consisted of two hundred aud ibrty acres, for the use
of schools. This land was sold before the town had
become so fully [lopulated as to render it very valua-
ble, and the proceeds invested as a small fund, the
annual income of which was appropriated for the
puri)()ses for which it was designed.
The first record which we find respecting schools,
excepting the locating of the school lots of land, was
in 1767, when the town voted "to raise six pounds,
lawful money, for a school this year," and "chose the
selectmen a committee to provide said .schools." For
the next ten years about the same amount was
annually rai.sed, and the schools were kept in dwell-
ing-houses in different parts of the town, as would
best accommodate the inhalntants.
In the midst of the trials and embarrassments of
the Revolution the interests of education were not
neglected ; provision was made every year for the
maintenance of schools. From the close of the war
till the end of the eighteenth century a larger sum
was appropriated for schools than for town expendi-
tures ; and down to the present time the amount
raised for the free education of the children of the
town has always been largely in excess of that re-
quired by law.
School Districts. — In 1787 a committee consist-
ing of nine persons divided the town, which com-
prised twenty-five square miles of territory, into " five
districts for the purpose of building or repairing
school-houses at the expense of each district." In
1807 the selectmen, by vote of tlie town, recon-
structed the districts and constituted eight, which
were thenceforward designated by numbers. Subse-
quently two additioiuil districts were formed from
portions of these, so that the township now contains
ten districts, having eleven school-houses, containing
thirteen school-rooms.
School-houses. — The school edifices of the early
times seem to have been designed to withstand the
vandalism of the boys rather than to aftbrd comforts
and conveniences for the pupils. They were warmed
— so far lus they were made warm at all in winter — by
huge open fire-places, in which green wood ex-
clusively was often burned, and there was no need of
any special arrangements for ventilation. The seats
and desks were made of plank from an inch and a
half to two inches in thickness, the dimensions of
which, however, were soon materially diminished
under tlie operations of the busy jack-knives of idle
scholars.
The first school-house of im])roved construction was
built in 1842 in the district of which Rev. Warren
Burton was a native. The seats in this house consisted
of chairs, graduated in height and size to correspond
with the varying ages of the pupils, and firmly fixed
to the rtoor. Ample space was alforded, means of
ventilation were furnished and the house was at first
warmed bv a furniice in the basement. School-houses
WILTON.
711
ou a similar plan were soon after built at the centre
of the town and at East Wilton, the principal !
villages, and those in other districts have been re- t
placed by new ones or remodeled till, at the present
time, there are only two which are not adapted to the
purpose for which they were designed, and even these
are a decided improvement upon those of fifty years
ago.
Courses of Study and Methods of Instruc-
tion". — One hunilred years asro the branches of study
were limited to reading, spelling, writing and arith-
metic. The methods of instruction, even in these,
were extremely imperfect. The pupils had no text-
books in arithmetic. The schoolmiuster usually — not
always — possessed one. He communicated a rule
orally to his pupils, who wrote it out in their
•manuscripts," which generally consisted of a few
sheets of coarse i)aper stitched within a brown paper-
cover. Then an example under that rule was given,
which the scholars solved, and copied the operation
into their maniLscripts below the rule. When a suf-
licient number nf examples had been thus disposed
of, another rule was given, and so ou till the mathe-
iiuitical education of the student was completed.
The branches of study now pursued, even in our
rural schools, include reading, spelling and defining,
penmanship, arithmetic, grammar (including analy-
si.s), geography (including physical geography :is a
distinct branch,) history of the United .States, physiol-
ogy, algebra, geometry, book-keeping, natural philos-
oi)hy, and sometimes chemistry and botany.
Teacheks. — Until within the last thirty years
schoolmasters were almost invariably employed in
the winter and school-mistresses in the summer. If
a lady teacher was placed in charge of a winter
school, she Wiia always one possessing ma.sculine
traits. A change has gradually taken place, and at
the present time our schools, with very few excep-
tions, are taught by females.
Many of the teachers, both men ami women, who
have a.ssisled in forming the intellectual and moral
character of the successive generations of youth in
Wilton, have been eminently fitted for their vocation.
In 1782 an intelligent and public-spirited citizen of
ilie town, convinced that the schools were nearly
worthless, hired a student at college to teach during
his vacation, and invited his neighbors to send their
children to the school free of charge. "This," re-
cords the Kcv. Abiel Abbott, U.U., a son of the cit-
izen referred to, "gave a new complexion to the
school in the south district ; and for a number of
years after, fpialified teachers, usually students from
college, were employed about eight weeks in the
winter. Soon after tlie improvement in the south
district some of the other districts followed in the
same course. To this impulse, I think, we may im-
pute the advance of Wilton before the neighboring
towns in education and good morals."
Among those who, at various times, tmight in the
district schools of the town, and alterwards became
widely known as public men, were Professor John
.\bhott, of Bowdoiu College ; Benjamin Abbott,
LL.D., for many years principal of Phillips
Academy, at Exeter, X. H. ; Rev. Samuel Bar-
rett, U.D., of Boston; Rev. Samuel R. Hall, first
principal of the Teachers' Seminary, at Andover,
Mass. ; and Rev. Warren Burton, author of the
"District School as It Wiis," and in his later years
eminent for his labors in the cause of home educa-
tion. Of these, Mr. Barrett and Mr. Burton received
the rudiments of their education in the schools of
Wilton.
In 1803, Rev. Thomas Beede was installed as min-
ister of the town and remained in that capacity till
1829. He was a ripe scholar, a man of genial
manners, and deeply interested in the impnjvement
of the young. In addition to his pastoral labors he
sometimes taught one of the district schools, some-
times a select school, and also gave instruction to
advanced students at his home. His influence in
promoting the educational interests of the town was
incalculable. A remarkably large number of the
young men of Wilton acquired a liberal education
during his ministry.
Text-Books. — The text-books of a century ago, as
recorded by one who attended school at that time,
were the Bible or Testament, the Primer and Dil-
worth's Spelling-Book. As the wants of the schools
have demanded, new hooks have been introduced.
When improvements have been made, those improve-
ments have been adopted. But the town has never
been given to frequent changes. When a thoroughly
good book was in use it has not been ilisearded merely
because something new has been oll'ered. .\danis'
Arithmetic, under its successive forms of the Scholars'
Arithmetic, Adams' New Arithmetic, Adams' New
Arithmetic (revised edition) and Adams' Improved
.\rithnietic, was used for nearly .seventy years, and
Warren Colburn's Mental Arithmetic for about filty.
It is only within the last year that these works have
been superseded.
Sui'EKVisKJN ol" Scilooi,.s. — For more than twenty
years before the State nuide any provision for the
supervision of schools the town of Wilton annually
chose some of its best ipialified citizens a committee
to inspect the schools. It is worthy of note that our
ediicalii>nal interests have always been kept free from
any <-onnection with party politics. The citizens
have left the ai>pointment of superintending schocd
committee — since that oHice was established by the
law of the State — to the selectmen and those olli-
cials, to their honor be it recorded, have never seemed
to be intlnenccd by parti.san feelings in nuiking their
selections.
Sef.eit SrilooT.s. — At various times for seventy-
five years past skillful teachers have opened jirivate
schools, for one term in a year, which have partaken
more or less of the character of High Schools. These
712
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
hiive been largely iustruiueiital in raising the stand-
ard of education in the town. There has been for
-some time a select school at the principal village,
continuing through the year, which affords ad-
vantages equal to those which are found at respectable
acadoniies. This school gives promise of being a
permanent institution.
Literary Societies.— Under the inspiration of
Thomas ISeede, and aided by some intelligent young
men and women, an association was formed in 1815 or
181(), called the Wilton Literary and Moral Society.
One of its members has described it as follows:
" The members of this early society cousisted of young gentlemen and
ladies, and there were a few more iMjys like myself at the time, who had
a liteniry taste, such ati to admit them to a companionship with their su-
periors. We met at first once a week or fortnight, at Mr. Beede's house,
and then in a parlor of the Buss llouse, a^ it used to be called. We should
have l>een lost in the spaciousness of a hall. There our revered Pastor
presided overus under the title of Instructor, if I rightly remember. We
discussed literary and moral questions orally or by writing. Indeed, sub-
jects were given out at each meeting to be written upon against the next,
and read before the society and tbeu put into the hands of the Instructor
to be corrected. These were to me, and I doubt not to the rest, delight-
ful meetiugfl. Impulses were there given which, in the chain of causes,
must, I think, have been of valuable consequence."
The next step in the general enlightenment of the
town was the establishment of the lyceum and the
lecture course. Questions were debated and lectures
given, agreeably to the general practice of these asso-
ciations. The speakers and lecturers, generally of
home origin, gave their services without pay. It was
later that large sums were paid for lecturers from
aliroad, who made lecturing their special work, and
who wrote their lectures in the summer and delivered
them in the winter. A still later method has been the
Lecture Bureau, which sends out annual circulars of
eminent lecturers, humorists, singers, etc., with a list
of their subject.s or performances for the winter's cam-
paign.
Sunday-Schools. — The first Sunday-school was es-
tablished in May, 1816, in the Congregationalist
Church, of which the Rev. Thomas Beedewas pastor.
Two ladies, — Miss Phebe Abbot, afterw.ards the wife
of Ezra Abbot, Esq., of Jackson, Me., and the
mother of Professor Ezra .\bbot, D.D., LL.D., of
Cambridge, and Miss Sarah White Livermore — were
leaders in the enterprise. This school was one of the
first, if not the first, in the country, devoted especially
to religious instruction.
Seventy children attended the first season.
The book usetl was the Bible, and the Bible only.
Sunday-schools are now established in all the churches
in town.
The Columbian Library w.'js incorporated June 9,
1803. Ebenezer Rockwood, Jonathan Burton and
Philip Putnam were the corporate members. The
records of the library have not been found. About
the year 1820 the comiiany was dissolved, and the
books sold or divided among the stockholders. Among
the books which can be traced may be mentioned
Hunter's "Sacred Biography" and John Adams'
" Defense of the Constitution of the United States,"
in three volumes.
The Ministerial Library, belonging to the First
Congregational (.'hutch, for the use of the ministers,
was established in 1824 by Rev. .\biel Abbot, D.D.,
who gave a large number of books to it. It was in-
corporated and placed in the hands of five trustees,
who were to fill their own board. The library has
an endowment fund, the income of which goes to the
purchase of books. All ministers in town are en-
titled to the privileges of the library.
A Parish Library also belongs to the First Congre-
gational Church, consisting of several hundred vol-
umes, and open to all the members of the parish. The
Sunday-school libraries of the various churches con-
tain a large number of volumes, which are for the
use of the teachers and scholars of the several
.societies.
The Public Library. — By the efforts principally
of Rev. A. M. Pendleton, then pastor of the Unita-
rian Church in East Wilton, a public library was
established in town, consisting of about two thousand
volumes ; but in the great fire of December 29, 1874,
a considerable part of the library Wiis destroyed ;
partially insured ; and in the great fire of January
20, 1881, it waa almost entirely burned up. It has
been proposed to re-establish this library and open it
free to all the inhabitants of the town.
Doctors.— Dr. Ebenezer Rockwood, a graduate ot
Harvard College in 1773, and Dr. Timothy Parkhurst,
a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1813, were for
many years the wise and skillful physicians of the
town. Dr. John Putnam also practiced medicine
a long time in Wilton.
Dr. Crombie and Dr. Kingsbury, of Temple, Dr.
Twitchell, of Keene, Dr. Adams, of Mont Vernon,
Dr. Spalding, of Amherst, and Dr. Dearborn, of
Jlilford, have also been called upon to visit in their
professional capacity the sick ami suffering in Wil-
ton. Drs. Trevitt, Fleeman and Hatch are at present
the physicians of the town.
Lawyers. — For many years no lawyer resided in
town. Hon. Charles H. Burns, J. L. Spring, Esq., and
W. II. Grant have officiated iu that capacity.
Graduates of Colleges.— One of the tests of the
appreciation of the advantages and privileges of edu-
cation is the eagerness with which the higher education
of academies and colleges is sought and the sacrifices
made to secure it. Wilton h.is sent many of her sons
to colleges and universities. The following is the
list of college graduates, as near as we can ascer-
tain it:
The following persons have graduated at Harvard
College: Rev. Abiel Abbot, D.D., 1787; Rev. Jacob
Abbot, 1792; William Abbot, Esq., 1797; John
Stevens Abbot, 1801 ; Solomon Kidder Livermore,
Esq., 1802; Ebenezer Rockwood, Esq., 1802; Samuel
Greele, Esq., 1802 ; Samuel Abbot, Esq., 1808 ; Rev.
Samuel Barrett, 1818; Rev. Warren Burton, 1821;
WILTON.
713
Rev. Abiel Abbot Livermore, 1833 ; Hermon Abbot
was two years in Harvard College.
The following are the graduates of Dartmouth
College: Daniel Rockwood, Kscj., ISll ; Augustus
Greele, Esq., 1813 ; Timothy Parkhurst, .M.D., 1813;
Abuer Flint, Esq., 1821; D.Morgan, Esq., 1835;
Rev. Lubira Burton Rockwood, 1831).
The graduates of Bowdoin College are Professor
Joseph Hale Abbot, 1822 ; Rev. Ephraim Peabody,
1827 ; Ezra Abbot, Esq., 1S30 ; Abiel Abbot, Esq.,
1831.
Graduates of Yale College, — Rufus Abbot, M.D.,
1834 ; Rev. Alvah Steele, three years at Yale, but
did not graduate ; Levi Abbot, Esq., 1840.
Graduate of Amherst College : Charles Abbot, Esq.,
1835.
Graduate of ^liddlebury College : Samuel Flint,
Esq.
Rev. John Keyes and Rev. Nathaniel Abbot were
natives of Wilton, and received, after leaving town,
a college education.
William Barret, Harvard, 1859, practicing law in
St. Paul, Minn.; Jo.seph Chandler Barrett, Dart-
mouth; Charles D. Adams; Everard W. Dascomb
was one year at Oberlin, and graduated at Hobart
College, Geneva, N. Y., 1880, valedictorian.
CHAPTER IX.
WILTON-(Con(iHHerf).
INDUSTRIES, MILLS, MANCFACTDKES AND TRADE.
Benjamin' Fiianklin, when, more than a hundred
years ago, he traveled through New England, forecast
its destiny, for he saw its numerous and rapid streams
and its immense water-power and preilioted that it
would be a great manufacturing community.
Another feature leading to the same conclusion is
the character of the people, as distinguished by gen-
eral education, skill and inventiveness. The me-
chanical power and the intelligent population both
combine to make mechanics and manufactures lead-
ing interests. Water and wind will ever lie cheaper
propellents than steam and electricity. The course
of events since Franklin's time has justified his
sagacity.
The occupations of countries are largely deter-
mined by climate, geological formation and the race
of men. The sea-coast and islands make a commu-
nity of sailors, merchants and (ishemien. The [ilaina
and prairies destine men to husbandry; the hills
and mountains to grazing and mining; the brooks
and rivers to manufactures, and so on to the end of
the chapter.
The early settlers of Wilton ha<l to contend with
many dilliculties. Thi y ha<l no mills, no boards, no
clapboards, no shingles. The first burial was in a
rude cofRn hollowed out of a tree, with a slab hewn
from the same for a lid. The houses were built of
logs. Earth supplied the place of mortar. The axe
was the chief tool. For glass was used mica, for
floors the ground, for window-frames lead, for chim-
uies clay, for plates wooden platters, for roofs split
rails and earth, for paths blazed trees, and for roads
corduroy or logs and poles. At first there was no
mill to grind their corn nearer than Dunstable and
afterwards Milford. The pioneer must travel miles
and miles along his solitary path through the wild
woods with his bag of grain on his back or on a
sled to reach a grist-mill, and return the same weary
way to supply bread-stuffs for his wife and children.
The grantors of the town, in order to promote im-
provements, set apart two lots of eighty acres each
for encouragement for building mills.
The first mill in Wilton was the grist-mill at
Barnes' Falls, built by Samuel Greele, one of the
grantees of the town, the father of Major Samuel
Greele, and grandfather of Captain Samuel Greele.
It was on lot No. 15 in the fourth range, being one
of the lots drawn for mills.
The first saw-mill was that of Jacob Putnam, situ-
ated a short distance west of the northwest corner of
lot No. 15, and very near, or on the line between
lots Nos. 15 and 16 in the fifth range.
A saw and grist-mill wiis built by Hutchinson at
the East village, on the same spot where one stands
now.
On lot No. 20 in the fourth range, on the brook
that flows by the present glass-house at South Lynde-
borough, a few rods above where it unites with
Stony River, a grist-mill was erected by Deacon
John Burton. These mills were all erected before
the Revolution.
Near the knob-factory of Samuel Smith, at the
West village, on the Gambol Brook, there was, for-
merly, a grist-mill and fulling and clothing-mill
owned by Uriah Smith. It was burned in 1781 or
1782, but the remains of the dam may still be seen.
Rev. Jonathan Livermore built a saw-mill on
Gambol Brook about the time of the Revolution, on
the site now occupied by his descendants for a saw-
mill, with shingle and stave machinery.
At the time of the centennial celebration there
wiw the following record niailo of the industries of
the town: "There are now eight saw-mills in opera-
tion ; five grist-mills; three tanneries; two fulling-
mills; one bobbin-factory; one cotton-factory, burnt
in 183il and not yet rebuilt; one starch- factory,
owned and carried on by people from Wilton
(Me.xsrs. Ezra and Samuel Abbot), but itself in
Ma.son; four bhicksmiths; ten shoemakers, including
journeymen; two cabinet-makers; one hatter; three
stores; two taverns."
The Wilton Manufacturing Company w!i.s formed
in 1848 with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, and
Joscidi Newell, Elii)halet Putnam, Ziba Gay, Dan-
714
HISTOliY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
t
iel Abbot, Esq., William D. Reasom, Clark C.
Boutwell, Royal Southwick, Elbridge Reed and
Tappan Wentworth as principal stockholders.
The mill was built in 1849, and the wheel and
shaftinjj; jiut in in 1850, and commenced to make
carpet-yarn April 6, 3851. The mill was of wood,
ninety-eight by forty feet, two stories, with basement.
A wheel-house thirty-two by thirty feet, one story,
with basement for wa.shiug wool, and one-half of room
above for repair-shop. The wheel was a breast-wheel,
twenty-four feet diameter, with twelve-feet buckets.
There was also a dry-house, a wool-house and one
double cottage-house built. These, with the old
boarding-house, were all the buildings owned by the
company at the commencement.
The first lot of machinery consisted of six spin-
ning-frames, three twisters, drawing-frames, pickers,
and other small machinery to match ; also one set
of cards and one jack for making tilling. From
this small beginning new nuichiuery was added from
time to time, until the mill contained fourteen spin-
ning-frames, seven twisters and a corresponding
increase of new and modern machinery, including
English combers. The machinery was increased for
making filling from one set to four sets.
While this increase of machinery was going on, the
building had to be correspondingly enlarged. In 1858,
forty feet were added to the length of the mill, making
one hundred and thirty- eight feet kmg. In 1865 another
addition was made in L form, fifty by seventy-two
feet, and one of Swain's turbine wheels of one hundred
and thirty hf)rse-power took the place of the old
breast-wheel, and was run until the mill was burnt,
March 6, 1872.
May, 1851, there were on the pay-roll forty-nine
hands, and the pay-roll of that month was .'J788.34.
The pay-roll of .fanuary, 1872, one hundred and six-
teen hands, was .^^2371.41. The mill was in operation
twenty years and eleven months. A short time at
the commencement the superintendent was Mr.
Ripley. Mr. Elbridge G. Woodman was superin-
tendent the remaining part of the time the mill was
in operation.
One of the most serious changes in the industries
of the country has been the virtual abolition of the
system of apprenticeship. When our forefathers
came over the sea they brought the European method
of initiation into the industrial trades by a long
period, usually seven years, of careful training and
practice. When an apprentice or negro boy ran
away, it was customary to advertise him and offer
one cent reward. It is questionable whether me-
chanical work is as thoroughly done under the pres-
ent system as the old one, where years of careful
training and practice, under experienced master-
workmen, habituated the a]>prentice to accuracy and
skill in every detail of his trade.
Industries of Wilton according to the Census
of 1850. — Saw-mill, carding-machincs and cloth
dressing: Capital, $1200; boards, 100,000, $1000;
shingles, 50,000, $125; lath, 40,000, $80; carding
and cloth-dressing, $300. Benjamin Hopkins, saw-
mill : Boards, 50,000, $4.50; shingles, 10,000, $25;
lath, 24,000, $48 ; shuttle-wootls, 0000, $120. Nahum
Child, saw-mill and grist-mill : Boards, 125,000,
$1125; shingles, 100,000, $250; toll for grinding,
$300. John A. Putnam, saw-mill and grist-mill :
Boards, $4-50 ; shingles, 100,000, $250 ; table-legs, 4000,
$240; toll for grinding, $50. Willard French, saw-
mill: Boards, 200,0(»0, $2000; shingles, ioO,000, $220.
Jonathan Livermore, saw-mill : Boards, 75,000 ; shin-
gles, 30,000, $775. K. I'utnam & Co., bobbins, knobs
and machinery, $2650. William Shelden, bobbins and
spools, 125 cord timber, $11,000. Abijah Hildreth,
saw-mill and grist-mill : Boards, 120,000, $1200; shin-
gles, $80 ; grinding, .$75. Joseph W. Killam, furniture :
Stock, $1850; jjroduct, .$5500. John Burton, table-
frames : Stock, $10 ; product, $800. Jones, Lane & Co.,
boots and shoes: Capital, $7000 ; stock, $8000 ; num-
ber employed, 20 males, 12 females ; product, $17,700.
Manufactures of Wilton in 1885.— In 1882 the
site, where two mills had been burned, was purclia.sed
by the Colony Brothers, who erected a building of
brick, one hundred and seventeen feet long, fifty-tour
feet wide, three stories high, with basement ; boiler
and engine-room on the west side and dyeing-room on
the south.
The size of the mill is seven set. Early in 1883
they commenced the manufacture of woolen flannel,
medium grade ; color, blue and scarlet. Number of
hands employed, seventy ; the power, steam and
water; the mill is warmed by steam.
The Wilton Company. — Capital stock, thirty
thousand dollars. Charles H. Burns, i)resident ; John
A. Spalding, treasurer; Charles A. Burns, clerk.
MilKommenced January 1, 1883, the manufacture
of cotton warps, yarns and.twine. Number of hand.<
employed, thirty-eight; power, steam and water; the
mill is warmed by steam and lighted by gasoline.
Milk ha.s been one of the principal products of the
farmers of Wilton for the liist thirty years. A car
was started from Wilton in 1852 tor conveying milk
to the Boston market. At the present time I). Whit-
ing & Sons run four cars to Boston daily, — one from
Hillsborough Bridge, one from Wilton, one from
Milford and one from Concord, Mass.
Owing to the impossility of furnishing the right
quantity for the Boston market, the loss to the milk-
raisers by keeping a small quantity at home when the
quantity was flush, and the inconvenience to the
contractor to collect to supply the deficiency when
the supply was short, induced Mr. Whiting to con-
tract for more milk than the market took and work
the surplus into butter and cheese.
For a few years the Messrs. Whiting have deliv-
ered daily about seven thousand gallons at Boston
and the surplus has ranged from about two hundred
to three thousand gallons daily. For a few years
WILTON.
71.")
the months that have furnished the least railk have
been August and September.
The pay-day for the most of tlio milk they buy is
about the middle of the month, for the milk of the
preceding month.
The Messrs. Whiting have a saw-mill that they run
several months in the year, in which, beside the board-
saw, they have box-board and stave-saws and saws for
sawing wood, planing-machines and machinery for
making kegand-barrel beads, and for i)reparing the box
stock ready to be nailed together. They grind in their
grist-mill about one hundred and twenty-five car-
loads of corn annually, which, with about one hun-
dred car-loads of feed, is, a large part of it, sold to the
milk-raisers. In addition, they have a large run of
custom grinding. Their power is eighty horse-power
steam and seventy horse-power, water. They also
sell about live hundred tons of coal and three hun-
dred and fifty cords of wood annually.
Levi Putnam hiis a saw-mill, planing-machine and
turning-lathes, and manufactures trunk stock and
trunks. I'ower, water.
Daniel Cragin hiis a saw-mill and machinery for
manufacturing knife-trays, dry measures and sugar-
boxes. He employs about six hands. Power, steam
and water.
Nathan Barker, grist-mill ; Hermon Hopkins, saw-
mill, clapbnard and shingle machinery and turning-
lathe; J. it H. H. Livermore, saw-mill, shingle and
stave machinery ; Henry O. Sargent, saw-mill and
turning machinery ; James H. Holt & Son manufac-
ture knobs and milk-can stopples, and have a cider-
mill ; Samuel \V. Smith manufactures knobs; Flint
& Gray, wheelwrights anil carriage-makers; A. J.
Parker, wheelwright and carriage-maker; Bales &
Putnam, jobbing blacksmiths and carriage-smiths;
H. N. Gray & Son, jobbing blacksmiths and carriage-
smiths ; C. B. Smith, jobbing blacksmith and car-
riage-smith ; carpenters, C. A. & H. L. Emerson,
.lames L. Hardy, William D. Stearns, Jeremiah Dris-
coll, L. A. Tyler, Edson U. Frye, J. H. Hutchinson
and Albion Flint.
S. H. Dunbar, meat and vegetable market; S. A.
Spalding, meat and vegetable market; Joseph Lang-
dell, livery stable (has about twelve horses); F. P.
Kent, livery stable (has about eight horses).
Wilton Savings' Hank, — Josiah Fleeman, presi-
dent; Mose-s Clark, treasurer.
Druggists, Dr. Henry Trevitt and 11. ,\. Powers.
Stouix. — S. N. Center & Son, fancy and dry-goods,
boots, sillies and groceries; (ieorge A. Carter, dry-
goods, boots and shoes; David E. Proctor, flour, meal,
groceries, boot.s, shoes, hardware, — a general a.ssort-
ment store; (teorge W. Wallace, clothing and furnish-
ing goods ; Levi W. Perkins, clothing and liirnisliing
goods; MissS. A. Smith, millinery and fancy goods ; A
O. Barker, groceries; C. W. Edwards, groceries; E.
K. Hutchinson, groceries; M. P. Stanton, fish and
i;roceries; P. King & Son, variety-store; S. K. Fos-
4i;
ter, stoves and tinware ; Stickney, undertakers'
furnishings; Henry A. Holt, writing-desks and fancy
boxes (employs, on average, five hands); Henry W.
Hojikins and Francis B. French, writing-desks and
fancy boxes.
CHAPTER X.
WILTON— (Conliii lied).
ROADS— POST-ROUTES — CARRIERS— POSTMASTERS— STAG-
ING AND RAILROADS.
The facilities of travel, intercourse and the com-
munication of intelligence were, of course, in the
time of our forefathers, of the most meagre kind.
Roads — one of the tests of civilization — were few and
poor. It might be said, as in the time of the judges
in ancient Israel, that " the highways were unoccu-
pied," or, rather, that highways were not yet opened,
and that " the travelers walked through by-ways."
Foot-paths from house to house, trails through the
forests, marked by blazed trees, were the first con-
veniences of the settlers ; and as roads for carriages
were gradually opened, fords and ferries were slowly
succeeded by bridges, and logs and rails were laid
down for rough corduroy highways. The roads ran
usually over the hills and shunned the valleys, as the
settlers lived on the heights, and avoided the low-
lands, as being marshy and damp and subject to
floods, and more exiiosed tosurjirises from Indians.
It was rather remarkable, and showed the high aims
of the pioneers, that while they early set apart a por-
tion of the land beforehand for the support of churches
and schools and public improvements, that they left
the road and bridge-building to the immediate care of
the settlers and the tardy votes of the town. Roads
would come of themselves by stress of necessity, but
the minister, the teacher and the miller must be ]iut
beyond doubt or neglect. Bread for the body and
bread for the soul must be subject to no contingencies.
And in due time the roads came, as they were forccrl
upon the public attention. But as it was, there were
ten appropriations for the church and the schools
where there was one for bridges and roads. These are
some of the ancient records of economical appropri-
ations, —
" March 0, 1707. ,\llnwoil Tliiiiiltiy |iiili< four (lotiiiilH tvii flitlllntcH fll-
vor, old tunur, fur plankii fur cuvorin(( tliu briilgu near Jacob IMttnanrH
wiW'tiiin.
" April 27, 17ns. Till! flnii arlli-lo net;ntivi><] coucvrnliiK nililnR ninni-y
lonibuilil tbi' briilK« uiuirCnpl. Niitbnii llulcbiiiauirniiilll,"
But they soon thought better of it, and voted
*' .Inriy ii, 170ft, to niino nhu' iMiiindt., lawful TMniioy,tun>biilliJthi>britlp'
by I'apt. Nalhiiii lIuti'bfiiHuirH mill, anil (hat oiieli iioraull shnilli] havi*
tbi' librrty to work uiit IiIh rati" t«> Iho hiiiii afuroMibl.
"April -ft, 1770. y«U'i to nilxit twenty iHinnili to robullil thi' briiluo
uviT tliy rlvor knuwii by Iho naiiiu of Parkor'n briilKC
" Sept. 2H, 17711. Votett to ralwi tbfrlfen {hiuihIn, lawful iiiont>y, to n'-
bnlhl l'aik<T'» briilgr, KH:nlli>il.
716
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
'* The following bri<I)4es allowed to be iimiiitained by the town ; Par-
ker's bridge, the brjdgo by Capt. Nuthau fliitcbiusou'a iiiitl, tlie bridge
over the river by timothy Dale's, tlmbridgo to Lyudeborouglj, the bridge
by Jacob Putnam's saw-niitl, the bridge by David Kenney's and the
bridge over Ganibrel brook.
"April 14, 177*2. Voted to raise thirty pouudt^, lawful money, to re-
build and repair the town bridges in tuiid town .
** ro'«(/ that each i)cr8on tit.xed to Haid bridges should havi- two shillings
iwr day, and earh yoke of oven one shilling jier day.
" Voted that each person should begin their day's work at seven o'clock
iu the forenoon.
" I'o/sd to raise one liundreil pounds, lawful money, to belaid out in
making and repairing the highways the pre.sent year.
" Voted to allow each person tjixed in town two shillings and eight
pence, and each yoke of oxen one shilling and tour jjcuce per day, and
each cart and each plow eight pence per day.
" April 20, 1773. VotM to raise fifty pounds, lawful money, for high-
ways the present yeai-. Voted to allow tbe sjiinc per day for men, oxen,
plow and c&rt as the year before."
A.s an ilhi.stration, at a much later period, of the
heavy expense.s ot' maintaining tlie road.s and bridges,
and building new ones, the town expended in twenty-
one years, from 1825 to 1846, the sum of $23,924.41 in
extra sums for that purpose, besides the regular high-
way tax of from six hundred to eight hundred didlars
annually.
The first mail-route through Wilton was over the
old County road, through the north part of the town,
from Keeue to Portsmouth, about 1788. The first post-
rider, Ozias Silsbee, was succeeded by Messrs. Wright,
Phillips and Thayer. The latter died very suddenly
in Amherst, of injuries received in a playful scuffle
with Mr. Gushing, the editor of the Cabinet, August
4, 1807.
Mr. Daniel Gibbs succeeded Mr. Thayer, and car-
ried the mail on horseback some eight years. The
mail-pouch was about two feet long, and from eight
to ten inches wide, but amply siitiicient to carry the
jHWtal matter that passed over the road at that time.
In a pair of saddle-bags he carried news|)apers and
express packages. He pa.ssed down through Wilton
on Sunday and back on Thursday. During the War
of 1812 he was accustomed to call out the news, good
or bad, to those within hearing, as for instance,
" Glorious news ! Commodore Perry has captured the I
whole IJritish tleet on Lake Erie," or, if the news wjis !
the reverse, with a melancholy expression, " Bad
news I The British have captured and burned
Washington." He began to drive a wagon about
1816, and carried some passengers. He wa.s prompt
and faithful in the discharge of his duties. Mr. Gibbs
dieil in Peterborough at the .age of seventy-three,
September 2o, 1824, by l)eing thrown out of his wagon
at the great bridge over the Contoocook, on the rocks
below.
Before the establishment of the iiostofliee, in 1816.
a number of copies of the A'ew Ilampthire Patriot,
])ublished at Concord by Isaac Hill, and one or two
copies of tbe Xeir IJaiiipshire Sentinel, juiblished at
Keenc by .John Prentiss, were brought to subscribers
in Wilton by Mr. Gibbs. But the majority of the
peopletook the Farmers' Cabinet, |)ublished at .\mher8t
by Richard Bnylston. The subscribers in turn went
for the papei-s on Saturday, and they were distributed
on Sunday. Mr. Boylston kept the tally, and marked
the paper each week of the one whose turn was next.
Letters, too, were superscribed and forwarded to
"your turn next," and thus reached the post-office at
Amherst. Verily, those were the primitive times.
About the time of Mr. Gibbs' death the post-route
was changed from the north road to that through the
middle of the town. Mr. Gibbs' stm .succeeded his
father, and drove a two-horse carriage until 1828,
July 7th, when the four-horse coach-line from Keene to
Nashua was started. Ditt'ereut owners — Messrs. F.
Lovejoy, Joseph and John Holt, T. Smith and L.
Winn — were partners in this enterprise. About 1833
an accommodation line was established, and a coach ran
each way through town daily. On the opening of the
Boston and Lowell Railroad to Lowell, the line was ex-
tended to Lowell. As the railroad was extended
farther into the country, successively to Nashua,
Danforth Corners, Milford, and finally to Wilton,
December, 1851, the stage-line was shortened. The
successive drivers, well remembered by the older
inhabitants, were Messrs. John Holt, John Larch,
Benjamin P. Cheney and Captain Porter. The busi-
ness on this line was continued till October, 1870,
when the proprietors sold out to the railroad company.
The railroad to Greenfield was opened January, 1874,
which took the stsige-coaches on that line from Wilton
after a service of about forty-six years.
The Forest road, in the north part of the town, was
built in 1831. Mr. Joy, of Nashua, started, in 1832, a
line of stage-coaches, wliich ran to Charlestown, N. H.,
on this road. At various i)eriods, besiiles Mr. Joy.
other ])roprietors and drivers were concerned in this
enteri)rise, — Messrs. Woods, the Wymans, Pennock.
Dane. Tarbell, Morrill, Phelps. Hall, Harrison,
Howison and Prouty.
The drivers on the road, other than the proprietors,
were Messrs. Leavitt, Harris, Pettengill and Sanborn.
An accident to a .stage-eoach on this road at one
time cost the town over one hundred dollars.
-Vfter the river roa<l from West Wilton to East
Wilton was built, the stage-coaches from Keene to
Nashua ran on this route for many years.
The road from Gray's Corner to Greenville was
completed in 1843. Soon after, a mail-route was
established on this line from JLmchester to Now Ips-
wich. Coaches with lour and two horses have been
run at different times, but at present the mail is car-
ried with one horse. The drivers have been Messrs.
Porter, Thomas. Sanborn and Batchelder.
Soon after the r.ailroad was opened to Greenfield,
the post-route from West Wilton to East Wilton was
established, and Mr. .Vbiel Frye carries the daily mail.
The Wilton i)ost-ollice was established October 1,
1816. The following is a list of the postmasters, and
the date of their appointments: John Mack, October
1,1816; Elijah Stockwell, February 21, 1824; Harvey
Barnes, .\pril 4, 1826; Stephen Abbot, February 27,
WILTON.
ri7
1828 ; Ezra Buss, January 4, 1837 ; Timothy Park- |
liuret, Januarj' 3, 1838; Isaac Blaudiard, June 7, j
1845; Varnum S. Holt, February 11, 18ot3 (the title of ]
the office waj5 Wilton); Varnum T. Holt,. Vpril 10, 1855 I
(the title of the office was Wilton Centre) ; Varnum
T. Holt, April 23, 1856 ; Philander Ring, April 21, |
1858; Henry O. Sargent, December 10, 1877; Ballard
Pettiugill, February 24, 1831; William M. Edwards,
.Fanuary 4, 1833; John Merrill, January 19, 1835;
William M. Edwards, October 30, 1835 ; Ephraim
Hackett, February 14, 1830 ; James M. Dane, Feb-
ruary 17, 1842; Albert Farnsworth, July 22, 1S53;
Leonard Pettengill, February 28, 1S54 (the title of ,
the office was East Wilton) ; Leonard Pettengill, April
16, 1856 ; Nathan Flint, July 20, 1861 ; William J. |
Bradbury, December 14, 1869; Alfred E. Jaques,
August 4, 1875 (the title of the office was Wilton). |
CHAPTER Xr.
VflhTON— {Continued).
CEMETERIES, EPIDEMICS AND NECROLOGY.
BE8IDE.S the four cemeteries at present in Wiltou,
viz. : the North, Centre, and East and County Farm,
there are four other private burial-places, where a
few bodies have been interred.
The earliest is the spot where John Hadger was
buried, the tirst white person who died on the terri-
tory now included in Wilton, "a little north of the
road," as an intelligent informant stated, " running
east from the Dale place, either in the field or pasture,
probably in the pasture." The exact locality is now
unknown.
Philip Putnam, Esq., a few years before he died,
built a tomb near his house, in which he, his wife and
two sons were buried.
Lieutenant John Hutchinson, his wife and two
sons were buried in the lot back of his house, in the
East village.
Mrs. David Cram, who died of smallpox in 1853 or
18-54, was buried on the farm belonging to the
family.
The following measures were early taken by the
town to provide .suitable intcnnent for the dead:
June 27, 1771, " Voted to raise £1 U'». to provide a
burying-elotli for said town, and chose Nathan
HIanchard ami .Vbner Stiles a committee to provide
said cloth."
The first entrance on the town records relative to
the burying-grounds is found in a warrant for a town-
meeting, dated September 17, 1772, .\rticle 5, as fol-
lows: "To see if the town will vote to clear and
fence the burying-groiind in said town, and to raise
money and choose a committe<' for that purpose."
.Vt the meeting, October 5th, the fifth article was
dismissed ; but in a warrant for a town-meeting, )Iay
20, 1773, is the following:
** ICAfrrut, Mr. Joha Cram pro|Kwt*« to iimki- a jircfeeiit of one-half i-f mi
acre of land for a buryiii^-placo for said town, this ia, therefore, fourth-
ly, to ««e if tho town will itay Mr. -luhn Craiu oightceD •billin)t«, 1..
money, for one other lialf-acru v>f land aitioiuiui; the old bur>'ing-|ilace
in iiaid town, and for a privilegu of a road or highway to the miuie, on
his giving a conveyance of the same.
.\t a meeting, held June 3, 1773, it was voted to
allow .Mr. John Cram eighteen shillings, lawful money,
for one-half acre of land, adjoining the old burying-
place in said town, and the privilege of a highway to
the same upon his giving conveyance of the same.
The North Burying-Ground was occujiied from the
early history of the town, being enlarged and im-
proved from time to time.
The burying-ground near Mr. Henry Gray's was
first occupied in 1S09, the first interment being that
of the first minister of the town, Kev. Jonathan
Livermore.
Within a few years the cemetery near East Wilu>n
was opened, and improvements and additions made
to it. Many interments have been made in it.
The cemetery in the northwest part of the town
was established in connection with the County Farm,
and many burials of the inmates of that institution
have alreaily been made in it.
Epidemics. — Rev. Thomas Beede, in "A Topo-
graphical and Historical Description of Wilton," in
" Farmer and Moore's Ccdlections," Vol. I., No. 2,
.lune, 1822, pp. 69-72, says: " No uncommon sickness
has ever been known here except in the year 1801,
when a very malignant and contagious fever pre-
vailed very generally among the people for a number
of months, and in many instances proved mortal. It
is conjectured, perhaps not without reason, that the
contagion was introdueeil in a parcel of old feathers
which had been brought in and sold by peddlers just
before the fever maile its appearance."
The smallpo-x has appeared at several times in the
history of the town, but has not prevailed to any
e.\tent. Mrs. David Cram died of it in 1853-54.
Vital Statistics. — The first child bom in town was
a daughter of one of the first settlers, Ephraim Put-
nam, by the name of Hannah, March, 1741. She was
married to a Mr. Woo(lw:irtl, of Lymleborough, and
died there in October, 1801, in the seventy-first year
of her age.
The number of deaths in Wilton in 1851 was 21 ;
1852,20; 18-^3,26; 1 8,14, 27; 18.'').5, 20; 1857,26;
1858,26; 18.59,25; 1H6U, 25; 1861, !(!; 18(!2, 22 ;
1863,40; 1864,27; 1865,25; 1866,15; 1867,14;
1868,19; 1869,31; 1870,34; 1871,31; 1872,40;
1873,26; 1874,25; 1875,31; 1876,24; 1877,19;
1878,29; 1879,34; 18,80,25; 1881,23; 1882,22;
1883, 24; 1884, 38.
The healthlulne.Hsof the climate may be strikingly
illustrated by the low rate of mortality ami also by
the great longevity of many of the Inhabitants. In
718
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
a carefully-prepared list by Sewall Putnam, taken
from the public records, it appears that from 17'J1 to
1884 one hundred and thirty persons have died of
eighty years and upwards, twenty-four of ninety
years and upwards, and one, Mrs. Sarah A. Holt,
who died October 9, 1854, aged one hundred and
three years, two months and twenty-five days.
CHAPTER Xir.
WILTON— (Coniitiuerf).
KIBES, FLOODS, CASU.\LTIES, MISFORTnNES, KEMARKABLE
EVENTS, ETC.
Wilton has not escaped the destroyers which be-
fall our modern civilization. Especially her losses
by fire have been comparatively very great. Besides
the repeated destruction of single houses, mills or
barns, in two notable instances, in 1874 and 1881,
extensive conflagrations swept over the business centre
of the East village, laying waste the principal stores
and public buildings. But the sufferers have uni-
formly rallied, with fresh courage and energy, to
roi)air their losses and make the place more beautiful
than before. New stores and dwellings have filled
the vacant lots, and a substantial and elegant town
hall now occupies the site of the once spacious hotel.
But it has become, in general, a serious question
how the ravages of fire can be stayed in our modern
world. We have resorted to all the new measures and
inventions to arrest the fearful devastation, such as
steam fire-engines, paid Fire Departments, fire ex-
tinguishers, quick communication by telegraph and
telephone, fire signals, but millions upon millions
every month are destroyed by fire throughout our land.
No wonder that, with all the toil, industry and
energy of multitudes of human beings, there is still
so much {)overty and misery, when such wholesale
destruction is constantly taking place, and the fruits
of their labors are swept away in smoke and ashes.
The small annual gain of income over expenses,
averaging in the whole population, is said to be only
about four dollars to each individual. Only by this
narrow margin does our American civilization keep
ahead of utter want, starvation and nakedness. He
will be a great benefactor of society who shall rise
equal to the occasion, and, by some yet unai)plied or
undiscovered instrumentality or invention, say to the
devouring element, " Thus far shall thou come and
no further, and here shall thy fierce llames be stayed."
Fires. — He/.ekiah llamblet's house, on the west
side of the road southeiust of Abiel Flint's house.
James Dasconib's barn, 1774, on the south side of
the road northeast of Mrs. Francis Whiting's build-
ings. Wood's barn (by lightning), August 9, 1779,
on the place now owned by Mrs. Curtis Blood.
Uriah Smith's grist-mill and a clothing-mill, near
where Samuel Smith's knob-shop now stands, in 1781
or 1782. A school-h(Uise, near where Mrs. Henry
Newell's house now stands. Deacon John Flint's
house, April, 1810, northeast of Mrs. Charles White's
barn. Colonel Dascomb's shop, March 21, 1829.
John Parker's house. May, 1833. Wilton Company
factory, February, 1839. Simeon Holt's barn (by
lightning). J. Newell's first store at East Wilton.
Deacon Ezra Abbot's house, 1840. Deacon William
Sheldon's shop and dry-house at the West village,
1844; second fire, July 21, 1864. D. Whiting's barns
(by lightning), 1846. Theron Russell's house. John F.
Russell's house. Joseph Holt's house. The Batchel-
der house, on the hill east of Joseph W. Stiles.
David Whiting's Barrett House. Henry Putnam's
Eaton House. Mrs. Charles Howard's house and
barn. Abel Fisk's cider-mill, farming tools and
grain. May, 1853. Jonathan Snow's house. 1856.
The old meeting-house at the Centre, the second
built in town, was burned December 8, 1859. A
juvenile concert, given by Miss Mary Thurston, had
taken place in the evening. The fire, as generally
believed, set by some malicious person, broke out before
midnight, and ''our holy and beautiful house, where
our fathers praised Thee, was burned up with fire, and
all our beautiful things were laid waste." Mrs.
Chandler's house, opi)osite to Gardiner it Blanch-
ard's. John Frye's house and barn. Stock's house,
and two children were burned in it. Nahum Child's
building, where the butter-factory now stands. Wil-
ton Company factory, March, 1872. Peter H. Putnam's
.store-house. W. P. Dunklee's shop, where C. A. & H.
L. Emerson's shop stands. Spalding's cooper-shop.
John Herlihey's house. Freeman's mill, built and
fcrmerly owned by Philip Putnam. Mrs. Neil's house
and barn, 1873.
On December 2, 1874, a destructive conflagration
swept over the East village. Beginning in a store
and dwelling on ilain Street, it destroyed the spacious
Whitney Hotel, Masonic Hall, stores, houses and
other buildings. The cause of the fire was supposed
to be combustion of oil and painters* rags. Losses,
about one hundred and five thousand eight hundred
dollars; insurance, about fifty-five thousand dollars.
J. Newell's and S. N. Center's buildings, March 15,
1876. John H. Frye's stable, opposite to the depot.
Jeremiah DriscoU's house and barn, 1879.
As if one great fire was not enough, a second fire
broke out January 20, 1881, and swept away stores.
Masonic Hall, bank, library and houses along the
most thickly-settled part of Main Street, in the East
village, on nearly the same site ius that of the great
fire of 1874. The losses were estimated to be about
fifty thousand dollars and the insurance about thirty
thousand dollars. Goss Mills, formerly the French
Mills, 1882. Harvey A. Whiting's barn, June 27,
1883. Harvey A. Whiting's house, 1883.
Freshets. — The greatest flood ever known in Wil-
ton took place on Monday, October 4, 1869. Bain had
WILTUN.
719
fallen on Sunday and Sunday night and on Monday
lorenoon, but no apprehensions of a very high freshet
were felt until nuon, when the windows of heaven
seemed to be opened and poured down sheets of
water such as had never been seen before. In a very
short time the streams rose to a fearful height, sweep-
ing away bridges, dams, logs and mill stuffs, mills and
factories, gullying roads and flooding fields and
meadows. Brooks became raging mountain rivers.
Torrents swept down the hills. A cloud seemed to
liave burst over the devoted region. It continued to
pour until half-past three o'clock in the afternoon,
when the storm broke away and the sun came out.
Only one bridge in town escaped injury. Roads were
impassable for weeks. Travel was across fields and
by fording streams. The woolen-factory at French
village was undermined and swept down stream.
The cost to Wilton of repairing roads and bridges
was sixty thousand dollars.
Twenty thousand dollars of taxes were remitted to
the town by the State Legislature for damages done.
Other towns shared in the losses by the flood. Per-
manent marks were left in the hills and valleys of
the terrible deluge of 1869.
Many misfortunes have, from time to time, fallen
upon the inhabitants. The Daniels defalcation sunk
from eighty thousand to one hundred thousand dol-
lars. The Milford Bank robbery cost the people
of the Uivin some ten thousand dollars. The Pine
Valley Company failure lost its owners some sixty
thousand dollars, besides bad debts to grocers and
traders Ijy operatives.
Casualties. — At the raising of the house of John
Dale, one of the early settlers of the town, a man
was instantly killeil by an iron bar falling accident-
ally on his head from the bands of a man above him
on the frame.
The terrible accident and loss of life which oc-
curred at the raising of the Second Church have
already been related elsewhere. Three were killed,
and almost all more or less wounded of the more
than fifty men who were on the frame wlien it fell.
Some died afterwards and others bore the marks of
their injuries to tlie grave.
CH A PTEK X I 1 1 .
W 1 LTO N— ( ron^iii ri«d).
FESTIVAL.S, CEI.EURATI0N8, CE.NTENNIALS. ETC.
With all the gravity and seriousness of the New
I'.ngland Puritan, tlicre was always mingled no little
of dry wit iind a social, festive spirit.
He had his joke, and too often also his pipe and
his mug. The liuskings, the raisings, the wood-baul-
ings and bees, the <iuilting8, the weddings, the balls,
the sleigh-rides, the wrestling and hunting-matches.
the trainings and musters testify to the hilarious side
of the i)ioneer character. Many of these are now only
known in tradition. New customs have sprung up in
the place of the old ones. " New wine has been put
into new bottles." The old-fashioned sleigh-ride,
when a large part of the inhabitants took a fine winter
day to make an excursion to a neighboring town
and take dinner, perhaps have a dance and return
home in the evening by moonlight, is among the
things that were. If they go now, it is by railroad.
Balls and weddings are jiermanent institutions. Of
old there were no festivals like our modern Sunday-
school excursions, and the picnic was not known to
the fathers. Bees, quillings, huskings and raisings
and other neighborhood gatherings have chiefly gone.
Wood-haulings for the parson or a decayed brother
are superseded by donations and surprise-parties.
The " Willing Workers " and the " Cheerful Workers,"
the church " Benevolent Sewing Circles " and "Soci-
ables," have stepped in to occupy the place once
filled by more boisterous entertainments.
Children have more festivities than of old and go
earlier into society. Lodges, granges, societies, ex-
cursions are multiplying on every hand. The passion
of resorting to cities, and giving uj) the farm for the
shop, the exchange, the bank, and the professions, is
due chiefly to two things, viz. : the de."ire to make
money faster than the country farming or mechanic
life will allow, and tlien the eagerness to have more
society life. Tliese are the sirens that bewitch our
day. Besides, as communities have grown larger,
they have s])lit up into cliques and coteries, and the
old hearty neighborliuess has been exchanged for
fashion and gilt-edged snobbery. Wealth, not man-
hood or high character, is the open sesame to genteel
society, so reputed.
The fanner's frock, the nieihanic's ajiron or the
house-wife's honie-s|>un dress have no more any beauty
that man or woman should desire them.
Service is .still a long way behind show, as a key to
ojjcn the chief jdaces at fea-sts and the high seats in
the .synogagues. But even if society has grown more
exclusive, it lias, strange paradox '. grown more phil-
anthroj>ic. The humanities and amenities flourish
apace. A world of good is being done to the less
fortunate of our race.
If men and women have hardened into greater
selfishness and exclusiveness on one side of their
nature, they have softened into wider synijiathy and
hclpfulruss on the other side. Never probably did
wealth feel its responsibility more to society, or dis-
tribute its means with a more generous hand than
now, be it to schools, colleges, libraries, churches,
missions, philanthropies, hospitals, asylums or to the
humbler and more private duirilics of society.
.\s good a 8|iecinu'n of the ancient sleigh-ride as
could be selected is that which escorted Rev. Thomas
Beetle and his bride on their weddiiig-lrip from Har-
vard to Wilton. He was married to Miss Nanev
720
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Kimball, of Harvard, Mass., January 20, 1805. A
number of their friends after the ceremony accom-
panied them as far as Amherst, N. H., where they
stopped at the hotel. Here they met a large party
from Wilton, who had come down to meet their min-
ister and his new wife, and both companies dined
together. They then separated, the Harvard friends
returning to Massachusetts, and the Wilton company
taking Mr. and Mrs. Beede to their new home in New
Hampshire.
The silver wedding of the Hon. Charles H. Burns
wiis celebrated .January 19, 1881. A large number of
invitations were sent out and a great host of friends
and neighbors responded to the call. Many eminent
persons were present from abroad, including the
Governor, Nathaniel Head, and wife. Many costly
and beautiful gifts were bestowed on the honored
couple, and music, dancing and speeches made a
lively and enjoyable evening. The only pall upon
the festive occasion wa.s the breaking out of a terrible
conflagration, elsewhere recorded, a few hours later
in the same night, which laid a large part of the
business portion of the village in ashes, destroyed
Masonic Hall, the Public Library, stores, shops, offices
and dwellings to the amount, probably, of fifty thou-
sand dollars or more of total loss. The cause of the
fire was unknown.
Several other silver and golden weddings have
occurred in the town, as the new customs have come
in, of which a more particular account will be given
hereafter in a fuller history of the town of Wilton,
soon to be i)ublished.
As good a specimen of the old-time Fourth of .luly
celebrations as can be found is the following, which
occurred during Mr. Monroe's administration. The
account is taken from the Farmers' Cabinet, [uib-
lished at Amherst :
"The Annivyi-sary of .ViiiericHii IndepetKieuce was culobrateil iii Wil-
ton on Uio 4th inat. No previous arraDgenleiits Imviug bt-en nuide, a
company of geDtlexiieD in tlmt and from the adjoining towns ossombled
for the purpose of doing honor to the day which gave birtli to a nation's
freedom — and independence to those United States.
" .\fter liavini; Iieard tlie Declaration of Independence read, Slf^i. A.
Wilson was chosen to-isl-master, who, after having made a sholt, but
pertinent address, produced the following toasts, in whicli all parties
appeared to participate :
" Toasts.
" 1. The Ikiy we celthrate — May it be handed down from father to
son to the latest ]>ostority.
** 2. Jame* Monroe, —
*' Columbia guide with upright skill refin'd,
To check the nige, and cure the public mind ;
The North he visits, in the common cause.
That he may guard their rights with eijual laws.
"3. James MiidiMoti — O ye immortal powers that giuird the just, watch
over him in retirement ; soften bis repose — in fond remembrance cherish
hia virtues and show mankind that goodness is your care !
"4. Xew }{initj)i>ltire — Like her own native mountains — though storms
and tempests have thundered on her Itrow, faction lies prostrate at her
feet : She stands unmoved and glories in her height.
" .">. ]\'nt. Vintner — Discord and her Advocates may attempt to sub-
vert — but he has the power to mive, and Ibe constancy to preserve.
*' 6. Our rVuofi — May it be perpetuated till the moon shall cease to give
her light, and the bright sun himself he extinguished ; yea, till the
globe shall be annihilated, and, like the meteor's transitory gleam, be
lost in cliaotic darkness.
"T. The Soulier o/'7fi — Hemember, thisanniver^ry was purchased, as
it were, w ith the price of his blood ; then let us cherish his age, supply
his wants, and follow his example, in loving his country.
"8. The Star-spangled Banner —
" Before the stars and stripes shall ever cease to wave,
Land must turn to sea and sea into a grave.
"il. The Patriots of South yimcrtca— May they be reinforced by the
(iod of .\rniies, that the Kepublic in the North may greet her sister
in the South.
Volunteers.
"By A. Wilson, Esq.— The President of the f States. The profound
statesman ; we delight to honor great and good men. May his tour
through the t'nion have a happy iuliuence on the people.
"By Lt. John Stevens— The Government of the U. S. Firm as Atlas,
when storms and tempests thunder on its brow and oceans break their
billows at its feet.
*' By Capt. Benj. Ilutchinson. of Milford — The .Militia. May they in
time of peace prepare for war.
" By Deacon Jacob Putman — May the (lartition wall between Federal-
ists and Republicans be thrown down and all unite like brethren.
" By Mr. Oliver Whiting. — The Rev. Clergy. May they cease to preach
politics, and know nothing auKing their people, save Jesn^ Christ, and
him crucified.
"By ('apt. F. WTiitney. — The people of Wilton. May thatnobla spirit
of peace, unanimity and independence, which shines so conspicuous in
their character, be as permanent and Listing as it is pure and honoral'le.
" By Mr. Israel Herrick. — The fair daughtera of t'olimibia, being the
weaker vessel, may they be ' united to a man,' whereby they may be pro
tected.
" A well-served field-piece and a band of music resounded the senti*
nients of freemen to the distant bills, and was by them echoed back to
the <-onvivial multitude, who at an early hour retired to their several
homes in harmony and friendship.''
The centennial celebration of the town, in 1839, is
narrated elsewhere. The one hundred and fiftieth
anniversary, which will occur in 1889, will be ob-
served, it is to be hoped, in a manner and with a
spirit appro])riate to the occasion.
CHAPTER XIV.
WILTON— ( Con«t'ri«erf).
MILtTABY Ari'AIRS.
Five wars have called on (Hir people to supply
men and means — the French and Indian, 1755, the
Revolutionary War, 1775-83, that of 1812-15, Mexi-
can War of 184t)-48 and the Civil Rebellion, 18<Jl-(i5.
I. The French and Indian Wars. — These were
prolciiiged and revived frdin time to time from 1755
to 1773. The terror of these wars was that the In-
dians were readily seized upon as allies of the French
and officered by their European masters and em-
ployed to carry havoc through New England and
New York. They laid in wait as the settlers left
their block-houses to go out to their fields for their
day's work, or made night hideous as they dashed
into some lone settlement with their terrible war-
whoop, firing the houses, tomahawking and scalping
the men and carrying the women and children into a
captivity often worse than death. These incursions
of the savages kept the whole country in a state of
WILTON.
721
feverish alarm and terror and suspended all regular '
l)usines9. The pioneers, after great saerilices, were
often obliged to abandon their iinpnivements, made
at great cost, and talve refuge in tlie cities or in the
fortitied towns to escape their barliarities. It was a
guerrilla warfare of the most terrible character.
Nor were the early settlers of New England alto-
gether innocent in the matter. They regarded the
Indians ius the children of the devil, and their ex-
termination as in some measure a religious duty.
They superstitiously believed that in ridding them
from the land they were doing the same sort of ser-
vice to God that Joshua and the Israelites did in
driving out and slaughtering the Canaaiiites.
But, a-s elsewhere said, Wilton l)ore Ijut a small part
in the Indian warfare. No tribe jiermanently occu-
pied her territory. But few of her sons were engaged
in the proper French and Indian Wars.
Among the troops that were raised to reinforce [
tiie army after the battle of Lake George, .September,
17.">'), in Captain .lames Todd's company, is found tlie
name of Ephraiin Butterfield; time of enlistment,
.September 22; time of discharge, December 13, 17.')5.
In the campaign of 1757, in the roll of Captain
Richard's Emery's company, we find the name of i
Henry Parker, Jr., and Josiah Parker, whose father t
settled on lot No. "», in the seventh range. Ke was
massacred at Fort William Henry when captured by
the French and Indians.
In the campaign of 17-58, in the roll of Captain
Nehemiah Lovewell's company, is found the name of
.lames Mann, one of the earliest setlers in the south-
west part of Wilton ; also Philip Putnam, Epliraim
Hutteriield and Alexander Milliken. They were out
about six months in the service.
Tlie above enlistments arc all we find reconled in
the old documents iis belonging to Wilton. Hut the
following petition will show |>ainful apprehensions of
the inhabitants at an earlier period, and the measures
tiny took to insure their safety against these fierce
iliildren of the wilderness:
PETITION KoK PROTKCrlOX AliAlSST I.NDI.VNS.
"To His Kxc.'llency, Huniiing Woiilwortli. Eiw|., Gov(jriior hdcI Coiii-
iiiitn<ler'iii-Cliii.'f or Ui-> SlujMlv'i^ Proviiicu of Ni.'W ll(uii|Mliiro : Tlie
(•.■titioii of the inliiiMlAiitA of Saluiii Ontulii, in Haiil I'roviDcu, UuniMy
slieWH, — That yoiir p«titioiiertl live in a |.luce greatly i.'X|HjjM*'l to llio In*
■ liauH ati'l biivi^ not nioii Hiifllciont for to l)urou(l iitt, Tliiit tlio' tlien* b.*
liiil fi'W of 09, yi.'t we Imvt' liiiil out our f^tutea to bogiii in tliin pltiro ;
«■' tlial wo Hliult bt? .--xlrunn'ly hurt if we niimt now niovt- off, for wt;
have, by llio HluMing of Uod on our lubon*, a lino cr(i|i t.f corn on tbo
gninn.l ; ami tlio' wo havu a (jarriiktu in tlo' town, llnilt by OnliT of
M^j. Lovtill, y«>t wo bavo nobiNly t'in|iowi-n'il m> niucb uit to wit a watch
among u« nor men to keop it. Wo would |iniy your Kxovllonry that wo
may liav« tuimi; aiwitttjitu'o from the Government In wMltlIng ub m.uiu huU
.linnt to Ouaril ami l>efenil uh, an in your wiwiom you shall think jirojicr.
Though we oro but newly added to this Government, yet we pray your
Kxiellency not to dJHregar<l uk. but to owbit um, that we may keep our
.■..talea and do service for the government hereafter. And your I'etl-
tioners, iM in duty Hound, will ever pniy.
•■John Crnm, Jr., -loiM'ph Cram, .lobn Cmni, Samuel Leniail, I>avld
SteveuHou, John SteventH^n, John I>ab>, .lonatban Cram, noiOamln
Cniin, Kphraim Putnam, .\bmham l.euuin.
"Salem Canada, .Mine -tJth, 17-I-I."
II. The Revolutionary War.— We have tilreatly
seen,in theacciiiiiit ultlif public s|iirit and patriotism
of the citizens in reseiiling the unjust laws of taxation
and stamp duties in 1774, the jireparation of the town
to enter heartily into the final struggle for inde-
pendence. In fact, the Wilton declaration of virtual
independence of Great Britain takes precedence iu
point of time of the famous Mecklenberg articles of
North Carolina.
Many of the town recoriis of that period have, un-
fortunately, perished either by neglect or fire. We
are told in the centennial address and appendix that
" nearly every able-bodied man belonging to Wilton
was out in the war, and every man in the town either
did service personally or hired another to fill his
place for a longer or shorter period.'' At the battles
of Bunker Hill, liinniiigtoii, White Plains, .Saratoga
and others Wilton was honorably represented. Twen-
ty-two out of its sparse population were killed or
died in camp or hospital in the war. The whole
number enlisted was thirty-four known, and many
others whose names arc not recorded.
.\niong the names of those who were iu the war,
and in many instances several of the same name, are
Abbot, Ballard, Barker, Burton, Cram, Fry, Gray,
Greele, Hawkins, Ha/.leton, Holden, Holt, Honey,
How, Hutchinson, Lewis, ^Martin, Parker, Perry,
Pettengill, Peirce, Putnam, Reddington, Russell,
Sawyer, Wilkins.
Wilton i>aid at one time £396 10«., and at another
time £293 9«., as bounties to the soldiers. When the
Continental currency depreciated in value, in order
that the soldiers should get their dues, they were paid,
each, for three months' service, a bounty iu cattle,
twenty head to a man, estimated at eight dollars a
head. The sum paid instead of the Ciittle Wiis twelve
dollars in the depreciated money. Besides the regu-
lar pay by the government and the bounty by the
town, the town also paid for the clothing. In 1777,
lehabod Perry enlisled during the war. Ismic Fry
served through the war, and at it.s close was honored
with the brevet rank of major and a letter of com-
mendation from General Washington.
Nor did the women and children at home bear a
less honorable or patriotic part while their husbands,
sons, brothers or fathers were absent in the service of
their country. It fell to their lot to carry on the
work at home, not only in-doors, but on the farms,
and to provide means to support their households
and hel]> pay the heavy taxes anil bouuties for the
public service. We cannot be so forgetful of the
heroism displayeil in those days that tried not only
men's, but women's souls, as to |iass by uiireinem-
bered and unmentioned the soldiers' families at
home, tluir labor-, ilangers, anxieties and sull'erings.
III. War of 1812.— The sol.li.rs fr.iiii Wilton in
the War of 1812 were Lieutenant Abiel Wilson, Jr.,
Privates Timothy Mclntyre, Oliver Wilkins and
Aaron Wilkins. They were on the northern frontier.
722
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUxNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Mclntire was slain in battle in 1814 ; the others were
out during the war. Aaron Willcins was out about
two years.
At the first call for troops to defend Portsmouth,
August, 1814, Aaron Wilkins, John Currier, Aaron
HoUlen and Samuel Holt went from the South Com-
pany, and Abner Flint, .lames Wilson, Emery Foster
and Abner Shattuck from the North Company. They
were out about ten weeks.
At the second call, Seth P. Tyler, Benjamin N.
Fisk, Joel Severenee and Timothy B. Abbot from the
South Company, and Ensign Putnam Wilson, Eliab
Tapley, Ambrose L. Farnum and Asa Fletcher from
the North Company. They were out about seven
weeks. Foster died at Londonderry when on his
way home.
Those in the first call were in Captain Timothy
Putnam's company. Colonel Fisk's regiment.
Those in the last call were in Captain William
Gregg's company, Colonel John Steele's regiment.
The town gave to those in the first call a bounty of
ten dollars eacli, and to those in the last call a
bounty of six dollars each.
The custom of annual trainings and musters was ob-
served by Wilton, as by the other towns in New Hamp-
shire, and a more minute history will be given here-
after in the fuller annals of the town in regard to the
State militia.
IV. The Mexican War. — It is not known that
any soldiers from Wilton were out in this contest.
The popular impression in the North that this war
was waged in the interest of the extension of slavery
by the politicians of the South prevented any ex-
tensive enthusiasm for it among the masses of the
Northern |)cople.
V. The Civil War of 1861-65.— In this great
conflict Wilton did its honorable part by men and
money. The votes of the town were earnest and
patriotic in maintaining the Union, while the
mothers, wive.s, daughters and sisters at home bravely
and faithfully did their part to assist those in the
field by sending them clothing, food, medicines and
home comforts of every description, and by keeping
up the home farms and households.
There were four men in the First New Hampshire
Begiment, nine in the Second Regiment, one in the
Third Regiment, seven in the Fourth Regiment, ten
in the Fifth Regiment, two in the Seventh Regiment,
fifteen in the Eighth Regiment, three in the Ninth
Regiment, two in the Eleventh Regiment, one in the
Thirteenth Regiment, twenty-one in the Sixteenth
Regiment, two in the First Regiment Cavalry, five
in the First Regiment Heavy Artillery, and fifteen in
the Lafayette Artillery, — in all, eighty-seven. These
are independent of those who may have enlisted in
military organizations in other States from Wilton.
The town was generous in paying bounties, and
the nation has since been munificent in giving pen-
sions to those wounded, sick or crippled by the war.
and to their families. The sublime spectacle of a
great nation, rising at the emergency to maintain the
Union and destroy slavery, is one of the greatest
events in the history of the world, and cannot fail to
have its moral and political effect upon all fiiture
generations of the American republic.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOSEPH NEWELL.
Joseph Newell was born in Reading, Mass., in the
year 1794. His father died soon after, so that he
had no recollection of him. His mother married,
for her second husband, .lohn Cofran, of Charlestown,
Mass., where the family were brought up, consisting
of two sons and two daughters.
After leaving school Joseph was placed in a store,
and afterwards went into the West India goods busi-
ness in Charlestown Square under the firm-name of
Newell and Thompson, where they did an extensive
business with the country towns of Vermont and
New Hampshire, which in those days was done by
the slow process of teaming, the products of the
country to be exchanged for goods of various
kinds.
It was in 1823 when he was obliged to make a
change, on account of ill-health, to a climate free
from east winds and salt air, that liis stepfather, John
Cofran, who h.ad been obliged to take a place in Wil-
ton, New Hampshire, for debt, advised his son to go
to this place as an exi>eriment and see how it might
agree with him. He had nuirried Lavina Hopkins,
daughter of Colonel Samuel Hopkin.s, of Wilming-
ton, M.'iss., the year previous, and with his young
wife he started for New Hampshire, never once think-
ing that his stay would be more than temporary; but
his health became so much imi)nived by the pure air
and fine scenery that he concluded to remain for a
time, and ciunmenced business in the middle of Wil-
ton. At that time all the business of the town cen-
tred there, and the country store was the grand ren-
dezvous for all the town people, not only to exchange
their products but their sentiments and opinions on
all important (juestions of the day that might come
up, and as one can imagine they were many, and
then, as now, in political times were of the same vast
importance to the different contending parties, ever
watchful for their country's good. The hall over the
store was the caucus room ; adjoining was a large
Free-Masons' hall; the post-olfice was connected with
the store ; therefore, one may readily see the many
attractions of the central store of one of those old
New England towns, where not only the affairs of the
town but those of the State and nation as well were
discussed oftentimes in a most exciting manner.
^-^^^^^^ iyiZ-^^^-^-^-^^^
I
WILTON.
723
At this period New Hampshire seemed to have
taken a life lease of the Deinocnitio party. It was
the law, if not tlio gospel, of both town ami State for
many long years, while the struggling minority were
ever working to free themselves from the bonihigc of
the dominant party, occasionally encouraged but
only to be defeated.
Joseph Newell was always one of the stanch, hope-
ful opposition — a Webster Whig from the start. In
this he was decided and fearless, but annually on
town-meeting day was obliged to suecuud) to the will
of the majority. It will be seen that he occupied a
barren field for political [ironiotion, although his
tastes were not of that kind.
He clung to the old party to which he belonged
while it lasted with the tenacity of life, but when the
dissolving elements set in he took to what he consid-
ered the next best landing, the Keiiublican party, al-
though with many regrets and fond lingerings for the
|>:Lst old battle-ground. In 18G;3 and 186G he was
elected to the Slate Senate, which was the only polit-
ical olHce he ever held ; and, perhaps, here I cannot
better illustrate a jxiint in his character than by an
extract taken from the Nashua Telegraph :
"Tlirt lute lion. Jii»w»ij1i Nl-wcH, of "Wilton, whs h jKisitive iiiiin. U*.
Iitiil u niili.l of tiiH own, :u4 Uii; Kiyin^ it., iiml tliiHl<..il iti hie own judg-
nifnl. Aproji'ii, it iH rehitcd of liini tliut wiit-n in the Si'niitu rotniBo!
ilesin'U to nrguf) a ponding nieiujuru. " Von may argui. it iiU day, if you
lik*!," said y\T. Newell, "my mind in inildL- ujl ! " And it tnrned out
tliat it waa made up against Itie ronnsel."
He was a constant attendant and sui)j>orter of the
old Unitarian Society of the town, and in former
days his house was always o])en to the gatherings o(
the clergy, which were frei|uent in those times; and
if he did lint fully endorse the creed or bcliel' of that
ilciioiiiinatidii at that time, it must be confessed that
the gulf was not widened as time went on with the
develoi>ment of more liberal ideas.
When the railroail from Nashua was extended to
Wilton, it completely changed the (dd town, and all
the business forsook the old haunts of trade fur the
terminus of the railToa<l on tlie liver bank in the
eastern part ol' the town.
The subject of our sketch was not long in determin-
ing the only course left for him to take. He at once
erected a store and house and afterwards other build-
ings ami removed his business to this more thriving
situation, where he continued to take an interest in
the many enterprises of tlie town until IH.'iT, when
his wife died, and he then commenced to close up his
business.
While the old town was fast going to decay on
Mccount of its new rival, till it might have almost
iiiiiinded line of (lolilsmith's Iteserted ^'illag(', yet,
iiiil\\ itlislanding the fiirliirn and forsaken l(H>k which
everywhere presented itself from abandonment ami
neglect, he could never entertain the thought of part-
ing with his old home, stirrounded as it is with
charming scenery of woods and streams and with a
bold outlook (d' the granil old Temple Hills which he
80 much enjoyed to look upon in after life. Add to
this the old liomestead, built in IKiMl, where his four
children were born and the best and happiest days of
his life were spent.
With these feelings he was prompted to oiler the
old store and adjoining buildings to his younger son,
C. H. Newell, who immediately altered it into a spa-
cious summer residence. The old homestead he gave
to his eldi'st son, (ieorge A. Newell, who made exten-
sive repairs anil alterations, and al.so occupies it dur-
ing the suniiiier months. This, together with other
improvements, made the place an attractive home
during the last days of the old gentleman's life, and
one which he never failed to enjoy.
Josejdi Newell in any position in life would have
been called a character. He was, as has been said, a
positive man. His nature was not of a frivolims kind
— deception, he had none — but with a strong deter-
mination and decided opinions, strongly tinctured
with a true sense of justice. He might be regarded
among men like a bowlder on the landscape, firm and
immovable.
\n extract from the Tdeijrapli at the lime of his
death may not be inappro|iriate in closing this briet
sketch :
DKATIi or HON. JOSEPH NF.WKLL, KKIHteARV 17, IKKI.
" Hon. .losepli Newell (lied at liiH lioune in Wilton at 3::U) tlil)4 (Tliura-
day) morning ut the advanced age of more tlian '.lilyears. Tlio deeeiwed
wiiH a native of CharleMtown, Ma84. lie ralne to Wilton at an early ago
and wan a progremive citi/en and prominent mereliant for more than
fifty yearH. Hin p<ipularity wilk Hueh tliat lie could have held almost
any olfice in the gift of tiiti town or diittrict, hut he rtteadily refused until
following the war, when he was prevailed upon to acci.pl the nomination
of State Senator for the old seventh distriet, which inclinh-d N'asliiia.
lie was triumphantly elected and his course was such as to give him a
second nominatiitn and election. Mr. Newell was the founder and one
of the hi!aviest owners in the Newell Woolen Mill, and at dilTerelit times
wiw concerned In other eliterprisi* which he helieved to he for the advan-
tage of his town. A few years ago he met with a niilroad accident at
Lowell, while attending an agricultural fair, liy which hu lost an arm.
He did much to heautify and adorn his town and to enciaintge those who
have struggled to huild homes for themselves. Mr. Newell was an old
scIkh'I gentleman, a man whosu * wolil was ns good as his IhuiiI ;* a man
who iiiado frieniU and kept them to tlio very end of his life. Ilouest,
industrious, cheerful, ready to hear his |Mirt in all the hunlens of his
t •wnHiiien, seeking to he uik-fnl and encourage and footer a reciprocal
feeling in thobo whose |iatlis ill life wi.ri' paralli-1, he was a good citizen
whos<i inllnelii e will he fell in yeain to come— for hi» example was wor-
thy of emulation. He leaves a son and daughter."
llAVln WIIITINti.'
David Whiting is the son of Oliver and Faiiy (Stiles)
Whiting, and was born at theold Whiting homestead,
now the county farm in Wilton, New Hampshire,
August 2(i, ISIO. Oliver Whiting was a native id"
Temple, N. II., and a successful liirmer. He was a
strong, sensible, resolute man, and aciinired a compe-
tence. He had four children, of whom David was
the only .son. He located upon a large farm in Wil-
ton anil carried it tm until detdining years prevented
his giving active attention to it. when David timk cuii-
trol and ultimately succeeded to its ownership.
■ By C. H. Burna.
724
HISTOKV OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
David Whiting is therefore a native of Wilton, and,
with the exception of a few years, has always lived
there. His life has been one of great usefulness. He
received the ordinary instructions of the district school
in his neighborhood, — but the school was seldom, if
ever, over two months in length, and in winter. In
summer he did not attend but worked on his father's
farm. He began to work almost as soon as he com-
menced to walk, and he has never been idle since. At
the age of eight he did the chores and took care of the
cattle. Although his school days and the hours spent
in reading and studying books were few, he has.
through his keen observing powers, acquired a large
store of practical information, and has become a busi-
ness man of unusual intelligence.
With a body aglow with health, knit together with
muscles as strong as steel, and which has never been
hurt by intemperance or abuse, and with a mind
as clear and bright as sunlight, it is not strange that
we find him, at the age of seventy-five, full of vigor
and enterprise, pushing along with all the enthusiasm
of youth. It is usefiil to record the life of such a man.
It affords an instance of what perseverance, enterprise,
courage and fidelity will do. Mr. Whiting possesses
all these traits, hence his success.
Before he was twenty years old he kept a store in
Temple for awhile, belonging to his father ; subse-
quently he went to Fitchburg, Ma-ss., and there erected
a building in which he carried on trade for some three
years, and in the meantime built and sold three dwel-
ling-houses. He then sold out at Fitchburg and re-
turned to Wilton, and to his father's farm. He
bought the farm and carried it on for many years.
Mr. Whiting, October 5, 1830, married Emma,
daughter of Isaac Spalding, of AVilton. He was
more than fortunate in his marriage. In all of his
years since, and in every undertaking, lie has been
aided by the intelligent assistance of his wife, who is
a lady of rare beauty of character and who.se domestic
life has been the chief charm of Mr. Whiting's beau-
tiful home.
About two years afterhis purchase of the old home-
stead, the barn with one hundred and fifty tons of hay
wa.s burned. This was a severe loss. He had from
fifty to seventy-five head of cattle and winter was ap-
proaching. There was no time to be lost. In this
emergency Mr. Whiting's grit and courage were mani-
fest. Storms test ships ; so ditticultics and trials test
men. He secured a company of men, went into the
woods and cut the trees and turned them into lumber,
and in about one month completed a barn one hun-
dred and twenty by forty, which still stands, a monu-
ment to his courage and perseverance in the most try-
ing circumstances.
Mr. Whiting in time, made his farm one of the
most valuable in tlie State. It was one of the largest,
and possibly the largest dairy farm in the State, but
it did not satisfy him. He wanted more business.
When the railroad w-i-s built to Wilton, he, with
others, engaged a special car, and began to purchase
milk of farmers and carry it, with the product of his
own farm, to Boston. Previous to this time there had
been no outlet for milk in this section of the State.
It had to be made by the producer into butter and
cheese. The milk car was first started by parties in
Boston, but largely through Mr. Whiting's influence
and assistance. He was for a time employed on the
car, but finally purchased the business, at the same
time turning the management of the farm over to his
son Harvey, and from that time henceforward has
been engaged in this enterprise.
The farm was finally sold to the county of Hills-
borough and is now used for the county poor. In due
time Mr. Whiting's two sons, H. A. and G. O. Whit-
ing, joined him in business, and for many years the
firm of D. Whiting & Sons has been one of the rao-st
enterprising in southern New Hampshire. They are
engaged not only in the milk trade, but in lumber
and grain. Very soon after entering the milk busi-
ness, Mr. Whiting began the manufacture of butter
and cheese in Wilton. He now has a first-class fac-
tory full of modern machinery, and consumes two
thousand gallons of milk daily, making about eight
hundred poundsof butter and sixteen hundred pounds
of cheese.
The visitor to the thrifty town of Wilton can see on
every hand the evidences of the enterprise of David
Whiting & Sons. It is fair to say that to the indom-
itable enterprise of David Whiting the town owes
more than to any other person. His force an<l indus-
try have, for a full half century, been a source of en-
couragement to all with whom he has associated.
In 18G6 Mr. Whiting erected a large hotel in Wil-
ton. For years he was its landlord. He was a model
one. Under his management the "Whiting House"
became a famous summer resort. In 1874, in a dis-
astrous con Hagration which visited the town, it was
burned and was never rebuilt. The site was subse-
(juently presented to Wilton by Mr. Whiting, and is
now occupied by the new town house. He ha.s twice
represented the town of Wilton in the State Legis-
lature.
Mr. Whiting has five children, seventeen grand-
children and two great-grandchildren. His children
are Harvey A. and George O. Whiting; Mrs. Frances
E. Spencer, of Le.\ington, Ma.ss. ; Mrs. Maria .\. Van
Alstine, of Louisville, Ky. ; and Mrs. Lizzie M. Brad-
ley, of Chicago, 111.
October .'», 18S0, Mr. and Mrs. Whiting celebrated
their golden weilding. He was seventy, she was sixty-
seven years old. It was a memorable occasion. Chil-
dren, grandchildren and friends from far and near,
gathered in the charming home of the worthy couple
in Wilton, and all were received with genuine hospi-
tality for which Mr. and Mrs. Whiting are so well
known. More than three hundred people were |>res-
ent and entertained. The day and evening were spent
in plciisant reminiscences, in merry-making, song
I
</^^/^<-<:j<2r/
WILTON.
725
and dance. Many were the tokens of love and re-
spect that were left with them ; and these, with the
earnest words spulven, iridicated tlie esteem in which
they are held l)y their kinsmen and townsmen and
friends. David Wliitin;^ is a strong, earnest man.
The world needs such men.
DANIEI, C'RAOIN.
Daniel C'rapin, lonrth child of .\ugnstusand Almira
(Boynton) Cragin, was horn in the town of Merri-
mack, Hillsborough County, N. H., December 31,
1S36.
He is seventh in line of descent, iVoni John Cragon
(as the name waa then spelled), who was a Hcot by
birth, and whose life was rather an adventurous one.
The tradition is that at the age of sixteen he was
forced to join the army of llie " I'retender," and at the
disastrous battle of Dunbar he, with numerous others,
was made prisoner by the English troops, and in 1G52
he, with over two hundred and seventy others, were
sent by the TJritish (iovernment to America in the
ship " John and Sarah," to be sold into slavery as a
peinilty for their political offenses. We have not been
able to learn whether Cragon was sold in obedience to
this decree ; if .so, it was certainly a very mild form of
slavery, and he soon obtained liis liberty. At any rate,
on till' voyage he wa.s stricken with small-po.\, and
his life being despaired of, he was about to be thrown
overboard, Irom which fate he was happily saved by
the intercession of a young English lady named Sarah
Dawes, whom he afterwards married in Woburn,
Mass., in which town they resided till their death.
They hail eight children, of whom John was si.xth
(born September I'J, ItiTT, died January 21!, 1703.)
He married Deborah Hkelton ; they had three children;
the eldest also named </oAh, was born March 24, 1701,
married Judith Barker, of Concord, and settled in
that part of the town now called Acton, from which
l)lace he afterward removed to Temple, .N. H. He
had nine children. Francis, the seventh child, was
born in Acton, and came with his parents to Temple
where he grew to manhood ancl married Elizabeth
Law. They had a numerous family ; Francin, the
third child, was born (October 24, 1773 ; he married
Sarah Cumniings. Their son, Augustus, was born
'••.'... 1 J, 1H02 ; married December 14, 1«.30, Almira
lioynlon ; they had ten children, of whom Danirl,
whose portrait accompanies this sketch, wils fourth.
When Daniel was but six months of age, his father,
who Wits a farmer and mechanic, removed from Mer-
rimack to Temple. Voung Cragin wsis early taught
to labor, his boyhood being spent on his father's farm
till the age of .^teventeen, when he engaged with John
Newell, of Lyndeborongh, to learn cabinet-work.
.Vfter three years spent with him, he went to Wilton
where for a year he was employed in a furniture-shop.
Then rclnrning to l.yndcborough he, in company
with a partner, |)urchased the shop and business of
Mr. Newell, his first employer. Continuing here with
varying success something more than a year, Mr.
t'ragin disposed of his interest in the liusiness, and
came to what was known at that time as the " Pulmim
Corporation," in the mirth jmrt of the town id' Wilton.
This was in 1S58. -Mr. Cragin had just attained his
majority, and while, as before stated, he had had some
business experience, yet fortune had not favored him
with linancial success, and he began business in Wil-
ton as a nnmufacturer of knife trays and toys, on a
ca.sh capital often dollars.
He rented one room in the Putnam Bobbin Factory,
in which to carry on his manufacturing. Continuing
here two years and meeting with lair success, he i>ur-
chased a small building on the site of his present
factory, and removed his manufacturing there. Soon
alter this he built an addition to his shop, and from
that time to the i)resent as the exigencies of his in-
creasing business have demanded, he has made addi-
tions to the space and facilities with which he started.
In addition to the water-power which at the begin-
ning was sntlicient to operate his machinery, he has
since found it necessary to add steam-power, and now
both are in use.
About the autumn of 187(i, Mr. Cragin began the
manufacture of dry measures, which has since grown
to be the leading feature of his business. At the time
when he undertook this line of manufacturing, the
machinery in use for the purjiose was very crude, in-
deed ; in fact, the mesisures were bended and made
almost entirely by hand. And just here comes a
practical illustration of the genius or faculty, which
more than all others has made New England the
centre of capital and cradle of progress in .\nierica,
the faculty of invention, that iiredoniinant and dis-
tinguishing characteristic of the Yankee character,
which seeing a need proceeds at once to devise a way
of supplying it. With a singleness of purpose and de-
ternunation to succeed, coupled with an analytical
and practical turn of mind, Mr. Cragin began at onco
to devise simple and labor-saving machines to do
wliat had hitherto been done only by hand. (Inecon-
trivance after another was made, experimented with,
improved and perfected, until now, by the aid of
various ingenious, curiously contrived, yet simple
machines, the lumber is carried through the nnmifold
processes necessary to convert it into measures of
various sizes and capacities, in an amazingly rapid
and skillful manner, until the vessels are completed,
the whole work practically done by machinery. And
what is more, every piece of nuiehinery in Mr. Cragin's
factorv except a few of the simpler contrivances, is
the product of his own inventive genius. The im-
proved facilities which he has thus created for him-
self, have enabled him to produce first-dass work at
[iriees which have practically driven from the field
all competitors, so thid in the area which he nttempla
to cover, he has almost a monopoly in this specialty.
In addition to nninnfactnring he has dealt more or
726
UlsTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
less in lumber, real estate, etc., and made other in-
vestments. He has been selectman of the town of
Wilton five years, and chairman of the board tor
three years. He represented his town in the
Legislature two years, 1875-7(5, and in 1884 was
nominated candidate for Senator on the Democratic
ticket, but with no chance of election as the district
is strongly Republican. Mr. Cragia is a stanch yet
tolerant Democrat, broad and liberal in both political
and religious views. He is one of the directoi-s of the
Wilton Savings-bank.
He nuirried March 22, 1859, Jane L., daughter of
John and Lucette Dolliver, of Lyndeborough. They
have no children.
Mrs. Cragin's ancestors came originally from Eng-
land ; the name was then spelled " Dolebier." Her
grandfather was a master mariner and sailed for many
years in the China trade. Prior to the United States
treaty with China, Captain Dolliver was at one time
immured in a Chinese prison for quite a while for
some technical violation of some of their customs or
laws. Mrs. Cragin's father was a native of Marble-
head, M.iss., from which place he removed to Lynde-
borough, N. H., where he is still living at an advanced
age.
HENRY NEWTON GK.\Y.
H. N. Gray was born January 4, 1S26, at what is
known as "Gray's Corners," in the town of Wilton,
N. H. He is descended from Joseph Gray, who was
a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and partici-
pated in the liattle of Ticonderoga. Josej)!! Gray
was, by occupation, a farmer, and was a man of great
energy and force of character. He retained his in-
terest in military affairs, and after the Revolutionary
War was over he became adjutant of militia, which
position he held for many years. He was a man of
robust constitution, full of energy, an early riser, and
noted for his [lUsh and vigor. He lived to be more
than eighty years of age. His wife was C'hloe Ab-
bott, (klvin Gray was his son, and was brought up
on his father's farm. When about eighteen years of
age, he learned blacksmithing with James Means, of
Wilton, and followed that occupation as long as he
lived. He was a genial, pleasant man, and fond of
the jollities of life. He inherited his father's love
for military artairs, and rose to the rank of adjutant
of militia, the same rank his father had formerly
held. He married Clarissa King. They had three
children, who survived him: H. Newton; Harriet
N. (married Henry K. French, of Peterborough,
N. H., and died, leaving one child); Charles D.
(married Kate Spaulding, of Mason, and died leav-
ing no issue). Calvin Gray was born 1800, and died
1856.
H. N. Gray was brought up on the farm and in
the blacksmith-shop of his father, with whom he re-
mained until he attained his majority. He then
hired the shop of his father, and conducted business
for himself. Upon his father's decease, he purchased
of the other heirs their interest in the estate, and has
successfully prosecuted the business, to which he has
added carriage-building, to the present time. He is
the originator of what is known as the Wilton Wagon,
and has made a specialty of their manufacture for
several years. He has the reputation of doing thor-
oughly tirst'class work, and has that grandest of all
tributes paid him by his neighbors — that of being, in
all respects, an upright, reliable, truthful man. He
is a Republican in politics, and a Unitarian in re-
ligion.
He married, January 3, 1853, Mary Ann Heath, of
Barre, Mass., an estimable lady. They have three
children: Ella H. (married William H. Putnam, of
Wilton, and has five children), Charles N. (married
Mina O. Jones, of Wilton, daughter of Dr. Jone.s),
and William H. (married Minnie Follansbee, of
Wilton).
Mr. Gray is an industrious, pushing man, and has
made for himself and family a beautiful home. His
venerable mother, who is still living at the advanced
age of eighty-one, is, in many respects, a remarkable
woman, possessing a strong mind in a strong body.
She has been a woman of renuirkable activity and
industry, of clear judgment and sound common sense,
full of life and energy. She has, i)erhaps, done more
labor, and successfully carried through greater re-
sponsibilities, than any other woman of the commu-
nity. She has been a model New England house-
wife, neat, frugal, industrious and self-reliant. Such
mothers have given to the world the successful men
of the world. She has, all her life, prided herself on
promptitude, never failing to pertbrm to the letter
whatever she promised ; and this trait, inherited by
her son, has been the key-note of his success in busi-
ness, and his standing as a reliable man among his
fellow-townsmen.
It is a pleasure to be able to preserve on the i)ages
of history some record of the virtues of such wives
and mothers. All honor to their memory, and may
their descendants revere their name, and emulate the
example of their unselfish, noble lives.
C4^r^f^.
'7i
I
1
1
HISTORY Ol^^ WINDSOR.
HY .KIHX G. dodo:
CHAPTER I.
WixDsoii is situitted twenty-seven miles west from
Ooiicoid and has an area of five thousand three hundred
and tliirty-fiv(! acres. It is bounded on tlie nortlieast '
and east by Hillsborough, on the south by Antrim, on
the west and northwest by Stoddard, Cheshire County,
and Wiishington, Sullivan County.
The shape of the town is like that of a flat-iron.
This was caused by the old State survey and laying out
of the towns. They began at the east side, on the Maine
line, and ran west to the we.st side of Hillsborough,
stopped there, and began again on the west side of the
Connecticut Hiver, running east to the eastside of Stod-
dard and Washington, thus leaving this heater-piece,
as (lescribed, the same being granted to one Mr. Camp-
bell, and for many years |irior to incorporation it went
by the name of "Campbell's Gore." I)eccmber 27,
I7!I8, it was incorporated a town under its present
name, Windsor.
Its present population (1885) isaboutsixty-five. The
^oil is naturally very fertile, and there is but little of
what would be termed waste land ; yet, at present,
there is but a small portion of it properly cared for and
under a respectable state of cidtivation, ipiite a portion
being owned by a few whose attention is turned to
grazing.
There are three natural ponds. Black Pond is the
principal body of water. White ami Hagley Ponds
are smaller. Fish abound in each.
The writer is unable to get much of the early his-
tory of the town, iis in the year 1850 Mr. Samuel
Chapman was town clerk, and in June his hou8c was
burned, and all the town minutes and records, except
one book, were destroyed. This book dates back
to .Inly ISO'I, except by chance the incorporation of
the town in l~'.\X had been recordcil in it.
A Mr. .loshua Lovejoy, who once made potash here,
was authorized to call the first town-meeting.
John T. Ciibson was ( iovernor, and the first meeting
we have record of wjus March 14, IXO'J, at which there
were thirty-four votes cast. The present number of
polls is twenty-four.
An alphabetical list of all the repreaentatives on
record is as follows :
KEPRKSKXTATIVl'^s.
Hurmo .Vlwoo*!, I .vt'ar ; Clmrles A. Blanrtiitnl, 1' )'eai> ; Jiwph Cba|^-
miin, -I .vejira ; Ditvill Curtis, 4 ynins ; Suiiiui'l Cliiilmmll, 'Jyenre; Murk
eb&]>iimn, 2 yeare ; SilaH chupniiiii, 2 yeare ; .tuM-pli C. Cliapiiian, 2yt--ure ;
Fmiiciei:. Dn-eHtT, 1 yi'ar; .1. IS. Kiiiervoii, 2 .v«in*; Jolin G. Flint, 2
years ; Nflieniiuti .Junes, 'I years ; Oidmin Knuwlton, 2 yeara ; Jamoa Per-
kini*, 2 years ; Hy. 11. Swealt, :t yean* ; Jolin Swealt, 2 yeant ; Mark Sy-
nioiiilii, 2 ye ars ; Slaxiniitiun J. WebK-r, 2 years; Ja»ion 4. Wheeler, 2
years.
Nehemiah Jones wiu* the first representative, in
1817, and Francis G. Dresser was the last, in 1878.
TOWN CLERKS.
Samuel Cliapiiiuii, 2(i yearb ; l)avi<t Curtis, 3 years ; .lulin >l. Curtis, 3
yearv ; Juhu G. Flint, .S yeani ; Nelieiuiali Jones, 7 years; Alvliiluilit
Mi-CIintiick, 14 yeai-s ; .1. Warren I'erkins, 2 years; George 51. Kusttell,
S years; Hy. I*. Sweatt, 7 yeai>.
Archibald .McClintock was the first town clerk on
record, in 18U!), and George M. Russell the last and
present one.
SELECTMKN.
.S. Wells AtvviHsl, 2 years ; Horaeo .VIwikmI, :l years; Simeon Buek, 1
year; Charles .\. IManelmni, 2 yeare ; Joseph Clia|imiiu, 22 years; Oavld
Curtis, li years ; Jtitin Curtis, 1 year ; Pliilhriek Curtis, I year; Samuel
Chapman, 31 years ; Silas Ctiapniau, t> years ; Murk Chapman, 1 year ;
.lohn M. Curtis, 3 years; Jfdiu G. I>iMlg:e. 1 year; Frnneis tl. Pn-sser, 3
years; J. II. Kmerson, 2 years ; John 0. Flint, .'t yearn; Iru li. Folsom,
1 year; Franels Griuiea, 2 years; Nehemiah Jonevs 7 yeaiv; Gldoou
Knuwlton, fi years ; ArcliilsiM >l< Cliulwk, in y.ats ; James MeClilitm'k,
2 years; Therou MeClintcsk, 1 year; lliol Mi lliril.s k, I year; Jame*
Perkins, 12 years ; Siimuel Pn-slou, 1 year ; J. Warren Perkins, li years ;
lleuheu Preston, 4 yoara; .Sylve«ler Pnslon, I year; Suel Preston, 5
years; Freeman Pels4!y, I year; John L. Pitman, I year; lUrristm K.
Ilumill, 1 year ; Oeoriie >l. llussell, il years ; John Sweatt, 3 yearn ; Henry
H. Swi-alt, I'l years ; LaUKilon Swenlt, .'» yean* ; llauii'l SweatI, I year;
Oliver SweatI, 3 years ; Mark Symtuuls, f. years ; JaNUi 0. WhiM-ler, |H
years.
The present board are (Jeorge M. Rus,sell, Francis
(!. Dresser and Mark Symonds.
The whole amount of money paid soliliers during
the war of the Rebellion was ^Itil.t, a.s follows: John
C. K'nowlton,i?UIO; .loscphC. Chapman. :?100 ; George
W. Ciirr (a nine months' m;in). $100; Charles A.
Hlanchard, *:l()0 ; Charles A. Woods, ^.'iiiO; I lid Mc-
Clintock, $:(ll(l; .loseph Wright, ?-ll.'l. The l».«t I'.mr
sent HubHiitutes.
The town paid up its whole war debt in two years.
The first mill in town was built at the foot of Black
Ptmd, by .Mexaiider McClintock, about 17!K); was
owned mill optriitcd by him for several years ami then
passed into the hancls of Mr. Silas (iibson, who after-
727
728
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
wards built a new one and also a fldiir-niill a few feet
above. The part he built now stands, with an addi-
tion at each end. Mr. (iideon Kiiowlton bought the
mill from Mr. (iib.son, and for several years large quan-
tities of flour were made there u|p tu about 1<S.")0.
Mr. Knowlton operated the mill until he died, in
1863. It was then bought by Mr. Daniel (i. Dodge,
who put in a l.ell'ell water-wheel, which, under the
full head of water, gives seventy-two horse-power.
He also put inaboardcircidar-mill, planing machine,
etc., and did quite an extensive business until he died,
in 1872. It then passed into the hands of the present
owner, John G. Dodge, who, in 1876, leased it to New-
man & Co., of llillsboniugh. They put in a boiler
and engines, in a<l(lition to machines and fittings for
the mauufactuie of clothes-pins, and run it lor about
twoycars; but, being heavily in debt when they began,
and failing to secure funds, they were obliged to assign
their property for the benefit of their creditors. At
the assignee's auction, John G. Dodge purchased the
entire outfit, and, in 1880, began oi)erations in the
lumber business, after first having put in a cemented
stone dam that water will never move nor time decay.
He now employs a dozen hands on the lumber and
clothes-pins, and to utilize the whole power would re-
quire twenty-five men.
In 1S8;{, Mr. Dodge refitted the grist-mill with one
run of stones ibr coarse meal.
About the year 1819, Mr. Ezra Smith built a mill
about one hundred rods below, on the same stream,
for the purpose of dressing woolen cloth. A part of
the old dam remains, but the mill has long since de-
cayed. Mr. Samuel Chapman is the only man now-
living in town who was at the raising.
There are three other unoccupied water privileges
between the present mill and where the woolen-mill
stood, from which twenty to forty feet of fall might be
had, w'ith water sufficient to do quite a business, the
year round, in the manuladure of wooden-ware, and
there is an immense quantity of good lumber center-
ing here, with no feasible outlet lor it in the log.
In 1853 there was a steam-mill built at White Pond
by Mr. Joseph Lund, and until it was burned, in June
of 18fi8, he did quite an extensive lumber business.
Mr. Otis Chamberlin was chief manager.
The mill was located on the southeast corner of the
poud, and there were several houses built near by, giv-
ing it the appearance of quite a thrifty business place.
Nothing remains now to mark the spot, except part of
the mill foundation.
Mr. .hidkins built another steam-mill in the north
])art of the town, on the turnpike, about 1S.5G. Mr. ,J.
B. Emerson furnished logs for him, and he did quite
a business for four or five years. The mill was burned
and the watchman, Mr. lienjamin Case, was burned to
death in it.
Mr. J. 15. Kmerson afterwards built a little shop
beside the road, and for several years made bobbins
by steam-power. The building was then converted
into a dwelling-house, where Mr. Silas Blanchard, the
present owner and occupant, resided with his wife, a
daughter of Jlr. Nehemiah Jones, who has in her
pos.session some of her father's old account-books.
They are not dated, but were used when there were no
J's used. Jones was spelled Gones, and Jacob, Gacob.
She has his goose-quill pen and the inkstand he used
to carry in his pocket, together with other ancient
relics.
There was a brick church built by subscription in
1849, at an expense of one thousand dollars, under
charter of the Union Religious Society, and dedicated
April 24, 1850. Rev. Robinson, of Stoddard, Rev.
Powers, of AVashington, and Dudley, of Hillsborough,
presided. The first board of trustees were Hy. 15.
Sweatt, Daniel Sweatt and Suel Preston. By virtue
of his office, the chairman of the board of trustee.s
was always made treasurer. The building was situated
across the road, opposite the cemetery, near Black
Pond, and was used for a church until purchased by
Newman & Co., in l.'!77, who remodeled and fitted it
up for a boardlng-hou.se, to accommodate the em-
ployes in their clothes-pin manufactory.
The building w:is purchased by John G. Dodge, its
present owner, at the assignee's sale, and is now used
as a boarding-house for his employes.
There have been two stores and two hotels kept in
town. .Joseph Chapman kej)! a hotel and st ^re about
1800, for several years, near the Chapman corner. A
colored lady. Miss Hannah Hackett, carried on a store
a little above the corner, on the Washington road.
Mr. John Averill conducted a hotel on the turnpike,
(which was built in 1801,) for several years, about
18l>7.
There have been two blacksmith-shops in town,
where quite a business was once done. One of them,
near the Hackette store, was conducted by Irani Woods,
and the other, near Black Pond, owned and carried on
by Mr. Mark Symonds for fifteen years, from December
4, 1837, during wbiih time Mr. Symonds saved fifteen
hundred dollars.
Among the most noted justices we have had may
be mentioned Solomon Andrews, from about 1800 to
1810 ; Joseph Chapman, from 1810 to 1820 ; Nehemiah
.Tones, from 1820 to l.*^30 (Mr. .Foues wa.s custom-house
officer at Hillsborough before he moved here) ; John
G. Eliut, from 1830 to 1835 ; and Mr. David Curtis
from ISoo for about ten years. Mr. Curtis was also
road commissioner at one time. Several others have
held commissions as justices, but have never done
much bu.siness.
We have now only two school districts in town,
with about one hundred dollars of school money.
District No. 1 has about seventy dollars and District
No. 2 about thirty dollars. District No. 2 has no com-
fortable school-house. District No. 1 built a house in
18!<4 which i.s very creditable to those who favored
the enterprise.
Among the most noted men and farmers who have
WINDSOR.
729
lived here and are here now, beginning at the south-
west part of the town, were David Curtis, ii good far-
mer, active in business and higlily ri'S]ie(.ted ; Lemuel
Curtis' h<iuse stood in ^S'indsor and his barn across
the road in Antrim.
Mr. Simeon Buck was a good farmer, and on his
and the Lemuel Curtis place were founded the first
settlements in town.
The settlers selected this place on account of the
high land, from which they could overlook the valleys
and see the Indians' camp-fires at night and watch
their movements. They took their grain upon their
shoulders and went, by marked trees, to Litchfield and
Bedford, a distance of some forty miles, to have it
ground.
On the Mountain road, from Windsor to Antrim,
were the places of .lolui .Sweatt and his son Oliver,
also that of Samuel Curtis (who went to Contoooook),
who, with his son, Grosvenor, is now doing an exten-
sive mercantile business. They used to keep good
stock, and were good farmers. On the road leading
east to Hillsliorough was the place of James Perkins,
a good farmer and the owner of a rich farm. Down
at the foot of the hill was the farm of Reuben Preston,
extending to Black Pond. Of all the farms mentioned
in this part of the town, and several others not men-
tioned, there is but one farm at present occupied,
which is that of David Curtis, now in the pos-scssioii
of his daughter.
Mr. Asa Uoodell now owns what was formerly eight
good farms and two large pastures adjoining, lying
south of Black Pond, making one solid bo<ly of land,
where, thirty years ago, one hundred head of cattle
were shelt*'rcd from the cold blasts of winter; not a
single creature received shelter la-st winter. This is
not all, for, on the road that formerly led from Wind-
sor to Stoddard, he owns what wsis four farms in
Windsor and hundreds of acres on the edge of Stod-
dard, adjoining, llisson-in-law, .Melvin Temple, also
on this road, occupies the farm of Daniel Swe.itt,
which he has greatly imjiroved.
.lohn <i. Dodge hits a farm connected witli his mill,
to which he yearly makes improvenientH. Mark Sy-
monds hiis a good farm, which received his careful
attention for several years after he ahamloned black-
smithing; but for some years pa.st, as infirmities came
upon him, he converled considerable of it into pasture.
Harrison E. Russell has owned his place but a few
I years, and ha.s greatly improved the farm and build-
ings. The farm produces nearly three times as much
hay, and of a belter (piality.
On tlie road leading to Washington, .loseph C. Chap-
man has a good farm, and cares well for it. At the
Chapman corner is the farm owned by Samuel and
.Mark Chapman ; the soil is naturally good, but they
have never made any great improvements on the land.
Mr. Samuel Chapman has done more town business
than any other man that ever lived in town. He is
: now the oldest man living in the town, and can
I remember when fifty-two families lived in a place
' where not a soul is living now, and over one hundred
' and fifty families that have lived in town that are not
living here now. One-fourth of a mile to the north
ott'the road leading to Hillsborough, is the birth-place
of the writer, whose father, Daniel (i. Dodge, came
from Gofl'stown in 184.'). The farm was stony, but of
excellent soil, and he far surpassed any other man that
lias lived in town in the way of improving his farm
and buildings. He was a model farmer. In ]XM,
four years before he died, he built one of the best
barns in the county, upon a stone foundation, which
he often said (and very truly) would show his foot-
prints for many years to come. He would never ac-
cept a town office, but attended strictly U> his own
business. This place has an extensive landscape view.
The youngest .son, Perley H. Dodge, now owns the
farm and takes excellent care of it.
Next (and last) to the Hillsborough line is Nelson
St. Severn. He has a good farm and cares for it well.
In the northern part of the town, on the turnpike,
the soil is quite good, but a little more frosty. Here
may be found Mr. Charles ('. .loncs, .\lbert .1. (irey,
.liwon D. Wheeler, Francis t). Dresser and .Mr. Silas
lilanchard, all of whom have good farms atui are
thrifty farmers.
We now havr no {hurili, im minister, no lawyer, no
trouble, no doctor, no hotel, no drunkards, no post-
office (only in connection with Hillsborough, Upper
village), no store, no voice in legislutimi, no paupers,
and no prospect of having any. Taxes are very light,
being this year a little above the average, but still
bring only $l>.3(l on one thousand dollars. The roads
are kept in good repair, and the bridges are few and
inexpensive.
There h;us never been a settleil minister, a post-
ortiee or town library Iti town.
HISTORY OF MONT VERNON.
BY CHARLES J. SMITH.
CHAPTER I.
Descriptive. — Mont Vemon is situated geograph-
ically a little southward from the territorial centre o'.
llillsliorough County, being third in the tier of towns
norlliward from the Massachusetts line. It is
twenty-eight miles south by southwest from Concord,
fifteen miles southwest from Manchester, and fourteen
northwest from Nashua, .and four and one-half miles
north from the line of the Nashua and Wilton Rail-
road, at Milford village. The towns which bound it
are New Boston on the north, Amherst on the east,
Amherst and Milford on the south and Lyndeborough
on the west. It is irregular in shape, averaging four
miles in length and three and one-half in width.
The surface is hilly, the larger part of the town being
a lofty ridge lying between the valley of the south
branch of the Piscatacjuog River on the north and
that of the Souhegan on the south. It is emphati-
cally an upland t^iwn. The soil is rocky, but gener-
ally deep and fertile, well repaying careful cultivation.
It seems specially adapted to the apple, several thou-
sand barrels of this fruit being the annual product ol
its orchards, and the winter api)les grown here have
long been noted as not excelled by any for their keep-
ing ([ualities.
Its water-courses are limited to live brooks, four
of which flow southerly to the Souhegan and one
northerly to the Piscataquog. The largest of these
streams has its rise in the northeasterly part ol
the town, flows southerly some four miles — furnish-
ing, in the eiisterly part of the town, two mill-sites —
to Holt's Meadow, in Amherst, where it unites with
Ca.-sar Brook, which rises in Mont Vernon village,
two miles above, and unitedly form Beaver Brook,
which courses southward, and, after furnishing the
water-power to .\mherst village, makes ita conHuencc
with the Souhegan three mile-s below. A thinl
brook, known as Harwood's, rises in the meadow
northwest from Mont Vernon village, and after a
journey southward, from three to four miles, empties
into the Souhegan, one and a half miles above Mil-
ford. On this stream are situated Tmw's mill, in the
southerly part of Mont Vernon, and Harts Norris'
e.\tensive lumber-mill, in Milford, one-fourth mile
below the southern boundary of Mont Vernon. Black
or Purgatory Brook issues from Smith's Pond, one and
one-half miles northerly from the village, has a course
7;!0
of some five miles, and, after receiving a large tributary
from Lyndeborough, known as Curtis' Brook, empties
into the Souhegan about three miles above Milford
village. A fifth stream rises in the northwest part
of the town, and, after a course of two miles north-
ward, discharges itself into the Piscatariuog at Paper-
Mill village, in New Boston. Smith's Pond, a body
of water located one and one-half miles north from
the village, covers an area of twenty-five acres. Joe
English Pond is divided between Mont Vernon, New
Boston and Amher.st, the larger part being in Amherst.
Roby's Hill, rising at the northeast ])art of the
town, near Joe's Pond, forms the highest eleva-
tion. Other conspicuous i)rominenees are McColloni
Hill, on the northerly line of the town, Beach Hill, in
the northwesterly section, Carlton Hill, in the south-
westerly ]jart of the town, and near the village,
easterly and southeasterly, are Campbell's Hill and
Prospect Hill. From the summit of the latter, which
is a broad plateau, elevated some one hundred feet
above the village, is obtained a prospect most varied
and extensive. An expanse of country, forty miles
in every direction, is seen with the naked eye.
Hundreds of visitors are attracted here every sum-
mer to admire and enjoy the landscape which this
noble hill presents to view.
Mont Vernon village is situated on au eminence
seven hundred and seventy feet above mean tide-
water, with its church, academy and a number of its
elegant residences resting on the lirow of the hill,
looking southward upon a landscape stretching forty
miles away in beauty and grandeur. It is built
mainly upon one street, one-third of a mile in length,
and consists of a church, a spacious academy building,
church vestry, school-house and two stores. Here is the
Bcllcvue House, an elegant four-story structure, used
as the village hotel and accdnimodaling torty summer
guests. Four other large and elegant bnarding-houses
are fitted for the reception of summer visitors, having
accommodations for one hundred and thirty guests.
These are known as " Conant Hall," " Prospect House,"
" Hillsboro' House" and the " Deanery." Aside from
these, there are forty-two dwellings. The village,
though small, is one of the most beautiful in New
Hampshire, the elements of which are its well-kept,
shady streets, ita air of thrift and neatness (not one
of its dwellings being unpainted or in other than a
creditable condition), — characteristics which it has
MONT VERNON.
r31
well ni:iititained for ball' a niuiiry — ;incl. linally, ihe
graiiiUy beautiful prosix^ct which it i.(>iiiiiiaiuls in all
directidiis.
Thirty years since, its baais of support and gniwtb
was its mechanical industries, then of considerable
importance. There was a tannery employing ten
or fitteen hands, two large fancy-box shops, a
small steam mill for dre.ssing lumber and a small
organ-shop. The superior railroad facilities and
available water-power of neighboring towns have
caused the gradual removal of these industries. The
mechanical businessof the town is now of no account.
The box -factories, tannery and steam mill were burnt,
and the owners either retired from business or located
elsewhere. Fifty years since, the village wsis a centre
of considerable trade. Located on the second New
Hampshire turnjiike, a leading thoroughfare from
Boston to Vermont and Canada, the tide of travel and
transportation gave it life and stir, and supported four
taverns, three (and sometimes four) stores, one lawyer
and two physicians. Railway service has made the
.stage-coach anil si.x-horse merchandi.se wagon a tradi-
tion. The glory of the hill towns :us centres of busi-
ness has departed. In 18.30 the population of Mont
Vernon was 703, and in 1880, .516, — a decrease of one-
third. In 18o5, F. O. Kittridge, Esij., an active and
enterprising citizen, noting the advantage which the
scenic beauty and pure, dry, bracing air nf the place
would give it as a summer resort, purchased the old
Ray tavern, in the centre of the village, remodeled
and enlarged it, and fitting and furnishing it in an
elegant and tasteful manner, opened it for summer
company. For thirteen years it was thronged in the
hot sea.son, and w.m in all respects a signal success.
In 1848 the proprietor enlarged and e.\tended it to
more than three times its former size, giving it a height
of four stories and a length of one hundred and forty-
five feet, surmounted by a cupola in the centre. As
comideteil, it was a symmetrical, stately and beautiful
structure, the largest and best-appointed pulilic-hnusc
in New Hampshire. .April 20, 1872, it w;ls burned to
the ground by a fire which commenced in the attic.
It being then closed, the origin of the fire is an unex-
plored mystery. Not being rebuilt, its loss has been
a severe blow to the prosperity and growth of the vil-
lage. Other establishments, which had grown up
around it, have since been extensively patronized.
The average number of boarders for the last thirteen
years has exceeded two hundred. It is known tt>
thousands as a most delightful resort to the seekers
for health and rest.
The time is probably not distant when many o(
the beautiful sites for summer residences in Mont
Vernon will be improved. Three Boston gentlemen
have led the way, by jiurchasing and beautifying es-
tates, which they thus occupy. The most elegatit of
these is, perhaps, the beautil'nl |dace of Ucv. Dr. R.
R. Merclith, which, with its surrounilings, greatly
ornaments the south part of the village.
j About two miles from the village, near the westerly
edge of the town, is " Purgatory," a natural curiosity
which is much frec|Ucnted by visitors an<l excursion-
ists from all the neighboring towii.s. It is a deep
ravine, more than half a mile in length, through
which Black Brook makes its way. At the " Upper
Fall," the brook pluiigt's perpendicularly more than
fifty feet into a deep chasm or j)it, from which the
view upward, of solid wall of rock on either side and
dense, overhanging forest, is one of singular wildness
and grandeur. One hundred rods down this deep
gorge the stream makes several further leaps, known
as "Lower Falls." There is a fine grove neur the
L'pper Falls, which is fitteil up for i>icnic-parties.
The annual " Purgatory Picnic," in August, has be-
come an institution. The last gathering, in .August,
ISS.'i, numbered eight hundred persons.
Municipal and Ecclesiastical.— Most of the ter-
ritory uow Mont Vernon was included in Souhegan
West, which, in 17fJ0, was incorporated a.s .Amherst.
In 1781 Mont A'ernon was ecclesiastically severed
from the parent town by being made a distinct par-
ish. The separation w.as made complete by its incor-
poration as a town, in December, 1803. Its early
civil and religious history are so inseparably blended
that they must be traced together.
The first English settlement in what is now Mont
Vernon is believed to have been made by Samuel
Lainson about the year 1740. He came from Read-
ing, Mass., and first settled a mile south of Amherst
Plain. He lived here about twenty-five years, re-
moved to Billerica, Mass., and died there in 1779.
Tradition says that Lieutenant .loseph Prince, an orig-
inal grantee of Souhegan West, once owning a belt of
land extending from Bedford line weslwanl to Mont
A'ernon village, first located, about 1740, on the farm,
about one mile southeast from Jlont A'ernon village,
known as the Jones farm, for many years owne<l by
Samuel Campbell. He removed thence to the east-
erly part of .Andierst.
In 17<)0 there were certainly fourteen of the tax-
payers of .Amherst resident in what is now Mont
A'ernon. These original settlers bore the names of
Carlton, Cole, Curtice, (lonid, Harwood, Mills, Lam-
son, Braill'ord, .Averill, Smith, Steel, Wilkins.
From this date the growth of this .section of Am-
herst w:is rapid. Four siddiers who lived in what is
n()W Mont A'ernon served in the Frenili and Indian
War, closing In 1703. In the ReV(dntion the town of
Amherst furnished over three hundred soldiers, and
between fifty and sixty of this number are identified
as belonging to this section, and thi're were probably
more of those eidisting from Mont A'ernon. Two
were officers, — .loseph l''arnum, lieutenant of Captain
Bradford's company at Bennington, and Stephen
i'eabody, an adjutant at Bunker Hill, aid to (ieneral
Stark at Bennington, and lieutenant-colonel, com-
manding a battalion sent to Rhode Island. The pio-
neer settlers id" Mont A'ernon were a rough, hardy,
732
HISTORY OV HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
worthy people. In many of them the religious ele-
ment was strong. Their attendance at church was
regular, though the route was long and circuitous.
They early lot)ked forward to the time when this sec-
tion should become a separate parish. In 1777, Rev.
Daniel Wilkins, the first minister of Amherst, had
become so enfeebled by age as to be incapable ol
performing his duties acceptably ; the town sought to
obtain a colleague pastor. The people of the north-
west part of the town made this an occasion for a
strong and persistent effort for separation into a sec-
ond parish. In the winter of 1777-78 the church
and town extended a call to Mr. John Blydenburg to
become associated with Mr. Wilkins as colleague
piiator. Against this action seventeen citizens of
what is now Mont Vernon made a written protest,
demanding that it be placed upon the town records.
Mr. Blydenburg declined the call. In the spring of
1779 petitions were presented to the Genera! Court
by sundry persons belonging to the northwesterly part
of the town to be set ofl" as a parish. The town chose
a committee to treat with these petitioners in March,
1 779, and at a subsequent meeting, on the 31st of same
month, after hearing the report of the committee,
voted not to set them oft'.
In August, 1779, the town appointed an agent to
prepare and enforce reasons why this petition should
not be granted before the General Court.
December tj, 1779, sundry inhabitants of the
northwest part of the town asked to be voted otf as a
parish, on condition that the inhabitants of that part
of the town should pay their full proportion toward
the sui>port of Eev. Mr. Wilkins and every charge of
tke town, e.xcept the settlement of a minister, until
they could supply themselves with preaching in the
parish, but the town refused to grant their request.
In December, 1779, the church and town united in
inviting Mr. Jeremiah Barnard to become their min-
ister, whereupon thirty-two residents of the north-
west part of the town tiled a protest, setting forth
" That, having repeatedly petitioned to be set otf as a
distinct parish, and their petitions having been re-
jected, they enter their protest against Mr. Barnard's
being settled, or any other minister while they re-
mained in conjunction with the town and their re-
quest not granted." It would seem that their oppo-
sition to these ministerial candidates was almost
wholly ba.scd uiion their desire to be made u distinct
parish. Jlr. Barnard, having accepted his call, wiis
ordained March 3, 1780, prior to which a lengthy and
earnest protest was addressed to the ordaining coun-
cil by thirty-seven residents of what is now Mont
Vernon and a few others.
Another committee w.as appointed by the town,
September 11, 178(1, to show cause before the General
Court why the |)rayer of a nnmlier of the iidiabitants
of the town residing in the northwesterly part of the
same, asking to be set off as a separate parish, should
not lie granteil.
But the people of this part of the town insisted
upon having a ministry of their own selection, and,
in September, 1780, called a council which organized
here what was called the Second Church in Amherst.
No records of these transactions, or of the church,
for the first thirteen years exist ; but it is known
that the first deacons were Oliver Carlton, Nathaniel
Heywood and Richard Ward, all men of sound or-
thodoxy and fervid piety. Immediately after the or-
ganization of the church Rev. Mr. Coggin, of Chelms-
ford, Mass., preached to a large congregation, in
Major Cole's barn, upon the importance of immedi-
ately erecting a house of worship. This, in the poverty
of those Revolutionary times, was no slight undertak-
ing, but in the month of April following, each farm
in the community had contributed its free-will offer-
ing of timber for the frame and covering of the
edifice, which still stands on the summit of the hill,
a monument to those brave Christian men, — the only
church there is, or ever has been, within the limits of
the town. It is related that the heaviest timber was
drawn upon the snow-crust the last of April without
obstruction from walls or fences. Lieutenant .lames
Woodbury gave the land where the church stands,
and also another lot one-fourth of a mile above for
the burial-ground.
So urgent was the demand for the house that, as
soon as the frame was covered, and before the floor
timbers were laid, it was occupied without any formal
dedication. They finished the house gradually, as
they were able. The first worshipers here sat upon
rough benches with a single open floor, with nothing
to warm them but the glad tidings of salvation. The
old-f;ishioned, s(juare pews were constructed iis the
families felt able, the " pew-ground " merely being
deeded by the parish.
The organizati<ui of a church and providing a
place of worship were but preliminary to the renewal
of their efibrt to be legally set off into a second
parish. They, in March, 1781, presented to the
General Court, convened at Kxeter, an extensive
petition, setting forth their reasons in .asking for a
separation, in which the)' did not forget to say " that
your humble petitioners, in expectation of being set
off as a separate parish, did, some time ago, at their
own proper charge, build a commodious meeting-
house at said northwest part of Amherst, an<l have,
lor some time past, hired preaching, hoping, at the
.same time, to have enjoyed the ]irivilege of a minis-
ter of their own choosing, our local situation requir-
ing the same." The prayer of this |>etition was
granted, aad, June 30, 1781, fifty-two voters and
heads of families were set oH" and constituted the
Second, or Northwest, Parish of Amherst. Of the
names foun<l in the act of incorporation, some are
interesting as being the progenitors of present active
residents of at least the fourth generation. In the
same month the first parish meeting was held and
parish iilliccrs chosen. In March, 1782, a committee
MONT VERNON.
733
was chosen to lay the lower floor, sell the pew-ground
in the mt'etinfr-liDUse and use the money received
therefor in finishinj; the house; also to hire preach-
in)i; upon probation. In 1782 a Mr. Powers, and in
17S;j a Mr. AIUmi were ctMployi'd as |>ri'acher. In 17H3,
it was voted to raise fifty pounds to defray parish
charges. In December, 17S:{, it was voted to con-
cur with the church in calling Mr. Samuel Sar-
gent to the gospel ministry in said parish. The efl'ort
to settle Mr. Sargent failed, for, in the summer of
1784, Mr. John Bruce commenced preaching, and,
December 2!', 1784, they voted to concur with the
church in giving him a call to settle in the gospel
ministry in this parish. ,\lso voted to offer Mr.
Bruce one hundred and twenty pounds as a settle-
ment, and sixty [xmnds and twenty cords of wood
yearly, so long as he carries on the work of the
gospel ministry here, and thirty pounds and twenty
cords of wood annually, if he should become dis-
abled from carrying on the work of the ministry,
for so long a time as he remains the minister of the
place.
Nathaniel Haywood, Oliver Carlton ami Lieuten-
ant William Bradford were appointed a committee
to communicate the votes of the parish to .Mr. Bruce
and receive his answer.
Mr. Bruce accepted the call, and, after some delay,
was ordained November 3, 1785.
In 1701 the finishing of the meeting-house was
coni[ileted by a committee consisting of .Moses Kim-
ball, Lieutenant .loseph Farnum and Deacon Oliver
Carlton.
March 24, 1792, Mr. .Jonathan Conant, formerly of
Beverly, was designated, by a vote of the parish, as
the most suitable man to serve as a justice of the
peace in said parish.
May 25, 1792, " Vodd to build a wall by the high-
way against the burying-ground."
" VnUd, that the baas viol be not carried into the
meeting-house to be used in time of exercise."
October 25, 1792, it was voted to allow the bill of
the committee for building the gate in front of the
burying-ground, amounting to £4 19«. 5f/.
" Voted to build another piece of wall by the side
of the burying-ground."
March 18, 17ill{, voted the pew in the gallery of the
meeting-house to the use of the singers.
March 21, 170t), an article having been inserted in
the warrant calling the meeting boklen this day,
asking the consent of the pariah that the bona rial be
used in the meeting-house on Sundays to assist the
singers in time of public worship, failed of approval.
May .3, 1802, it was voted to take measures to effect
a separation from the town of Andierst, and a com-
mittee, consisting of Major William Bradford, John
Carlton, Cai)tain .lohn Batchclder, Captain .Joseph
Perkins, Captain Thomas Cloutinan, Deacon .lacob
Kendall, Lieutenant Benjamin Parker, Lieutenant
Joseph Farnum, Eli VVilkins, Parker Richardson,
Nathan Jones and Lieiitenant Timothy Hill, was
appointed to petition the town relative thereto.
On the htst Thursday of May, 1802, the parish
voted to petition the (Jeneral Court to incorjiorate
them into a town, with the same boun<laries as those
tirst established between the First and Second Par-
ishes; also, that a strip of land half a mile wide,
lying in the easterly part of Lyndeborough, extend-
ing the entire length of this [larish, and adjoining
it, be asked for as a part of the new town.
Nathan .lones, Eli Wilkins, James .Tose|ih Smith,
Langdell andCaptain .loseph Perkins were appointed
a committee to prepare a petition for that purpose.
On the first Monday of .Inne, 18tt2, chose Nathan
Jones, Captain Joseph Perkins and Captain Benja-
min Parker to present the petition to the General
Court.
November 21, 1803, it was voted to accept the
re])ort of the committee of the (iencral Court in re-
gard to the incorporation of the new town.
" Voted, that the name of the contemi)lated town
be Mont Vernon."
An act incorporating the town of Mont Vernon
w!is consummated by the signature of Governor John
Taylor (iilnian, December \'>, 18(i;}.
The verdure of the farms which cluster about the
eminence upon which the village is located sug-
gested the name of the town.
The number of ta.\-iiayers in the town thus in-
I'orporated was one hundred and thirty-five, April 1,
1804.
Thus was completed an entire separation from the
parent town. Twenty-three years before, this had
been partially effected by the formation of the Second
Parish, as religiously independent of the First, and this
had not tended to unity of feeling or action. Political
differences had succeeded the religions diversities
which induced the former ai-tion. In 178.'i, two years
only from the organization of the Northwest Parish,
one hundred and twenty-one residents of the First
Parish addressed to the Legislature a [letition ask-
ing that, as they had in part disunited the town,
and the result was variance, discord, contention,
that "separate interests established by law had
made their town-meetings scenes of confusion,
irregularity and vexation, therefore they asked
that the division of the body corporate be com-
pleted and those polls and estates set off in ministerial
matters be wholly separated from us in all matters
whatsoever." The Legislature took no action on this
doleful petition, but twenty years later the ile.sired
relief came, to the satisfaction of both communitirs.
In the party divisions which distinguishol the close
of the bust century ami the beginning of the present,
the ruling influences in the .Second Parish were as
intensely Republican or .lefl'crsonian as were those of
the First in an opposite direction. For Ihri'e years,
lsOO-02, Major William Bradford. ela.sse<l as an
"offensive Jacobin," represented the town at the
r3i
IIISTOKY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
General t'ourt by aid of the Second Parish vote, and
the Federal elements rejoiced to be free from the
connection.
The first town-meeting was held January 23, 1804,
at the Centre School-house. Joseph Langdell was
chosen moderator, John Carlton town clerk, and John
Carlton, Jos. Langdell and Jacob Kendall selectmen.
At the first annual town-meeting March 13, 1804,
the same town otticers were re-elected, and Major
William Uradliird chosen as representative.
Later Ecclesiastical History.— Rev. John Bruce,
the fii-st pastor, ministered to Mont Vernon Church
from 1784 to his sudden death of apoplexy, JFarch 12,
ISO!). He was born in Marlborough, Mass., August
31, 1757; graduated at llartraouth in 1781. Of
the first ten and last eight years of his pastorate
there are no church records. A list of the members
of the church, in Mr. Bruce's handwriting, about
1798, makes its membership one hundred and ten.
The next year fifty wvre added by ]irofession. This
revival was the first known in this section, anil it
awakened much interest far and wide. Mr. Bruce
was a successful minister. " He was meek, pious,
humble, kind and gentle. Among his distinguishing
traits, aside from these, were his solid sen.se, j)rudence
and discretion. All who knew him loved and revered
him." Jlr. Bruce married, in 1785, Lois AVilkins, of
Marlborough, who survived him with four sons and
two daughters. The sons were heads of families,
all worthy citizens and life-long residents of Mont
Vernon. Their united ages at their decease were
three hundred and twenty-two years.
On the decease of Mr. Bruce, Rev. Stephen Chapin
immediately received a call from this church, but was
not installed until November 15, 1809. Born at Mil-
ford, Mass., in 1778, a graduate of Harvard in 1804, a
pupil in divinity with the famous Dr. Emmons, of
Franklin, Ma.ss., his first settlement was in the neigh-
lioring town of Hillsborough, four years, from 1805 to
1809. Mr. Clia|)in was a man of positive convictions
and bold, unadorned and uncompromising in his style
of preaching. His earnest, able preaching and string-
ent disci|)tine made a deep impression upon his
people. During a i)astorate of nine years, one hundred
and fifteen were added to the church. On one Sab-
bath in 1817 fifty-one converts were received into
fellowship.
While all hearts were comjiletely united in him,
the day of separation came from a (juarler least sus-
pected. In October, 1818, the pastor suddenly an-
nounced a change in his views resjiccting the mode
and subjects of ba])tism. He renounced infant bap-
tism. He Wits a man sincere and true, and consci-
entiously embraced Calvinistic Bajitist views. He at
once resigned his pastorate and was dismis-sed in No-
vember, 1818. After a three years' pastorate as a
Baptist clergyman at North Yarmouth, he was, in
1822, called to a professorship in Waterville College,
Maine, and thence to the presidency of Columbia
College, at AVashington, D. C, which he occupied
for many years. The salary of Mr. Cbajjin was stipu-
lated at four hundre<l dollars per annum, and if, from
any cause, he was unable to preach, no al)atement, un-
less such absence exceeded six weeks.
After an interval of a little more than a year from
Mr. Chapin's dismission. Rev. Ebenezer Cheever, a
native of Reading, Vt., a graduate of Bowdoin
College, was ordained December 8, 1819. He con-
tinued pastor until April 8, 1823, with an addition to
the church, in the mean time, of twenty -two mem-
bers. He baptized thirty-nine children in less than
three years. In the spring of 1820 the first Sabbath-
school was organized here, being held in the school-
house and composed exclusively of children. After
leaving here, Mr. Cheever was pastor of a church in
Waterford, N. Y., and at other places, and died in
New Jersey. Two weeks after Mr. Cheever's dismis-
sion. Rev. Nathaniel Kingsbury, from Connecticut, and
a graduate of Amherst College, commenced his labors.
He was ordained November 8, 1823, and dismissed
April 6, 183(j. He removed West and died some
years since in Wisconsin. Mr. Kingsbury was not a
man of marked ability, but his ministry here was
prosperous, and during it one hundred and fifty-four
were received into the church. Two periods of pe-
culiar interest occurred, the former in 1828, when
thirty-four were added, the latter in 1831, when
nearly sixty united by profession. Those were re-
vival days, when the ministers aided each other in
what were called " protracted meetings," which were
often seasons of thrilling interest and great power.
Many of the converts of 1831 were persons in mature
life. It included the lawyer and the two physicians
then in practice here. Never, before or since, has this
church been the scene of such religious activity, —
scenesstill living vividly in the remembrance of many
among us.
It Wiis in 1830, during Mr. Kingsbury's piistoratc,
that the temperance reform began in the church, and
was vigorously and steadily prosecuted outside until
it expelled liquors from the town. The youth of the
present day can hardly imagine the condition of this
small community, with eight tavern licenses signed in
a single year. In some places they sold a hogshead
a week ; but a small portion of this quantity was dis-
pensed to residents, but enough to alarm the
thoughtful and virtuous. At that period two public
roads led northward, through dillerent sections of the
town. These were thoroughfares, thronged with
light and heavy travel. At all hours of the day lines
of canvas-covered merchandise teams might be seen
bearing their heavy freight from and to the seaboard.
To modify and control public opinion was no easy mat-
ter, — work which re<|uired strong heads and true
hearts. Dr. Daniel Adams may l>e named as one
early prominent in this movement of philanthropy.
He delivered convincing and effective addresses on
this subject in this and other towns.
MONT VERNON.
735
Rev. Edwin Jennison, a graduate of Dartmouth in
1827, succeeded Mr. Kingsbury, being instullcd April
6, 1836. He was a native of Waljiole, N. H., and
had been settled in the ministry in that place from
1831 to 183o. His pjtstorato in Mont Vernon con-
tinued until August lit, 1.S41, during which time
twenty-three were added to tlic church. As a ser-
monizer he exccUed, but visiteil little. During his
miuistry the iliscussion of the slavery que.stion agi-
tated the church and somewhat disturbed its peace.
In 1837 the church was removed westerly to the
opposite and more sheltered side of the street, en-
tirely reniodelc<l, being fmislied in two stories and
lurnished with a bell and organ. The town conveyed
to the Congregational Society all its right to this
meeting-house, reserving for a town hall one-half the
ground-floor. Also the town stipulated to finish the
town-hall appropriated for their use, and to sustain
the roof of the house, making' all repairs which might
be required from time to time, and that the Congre-
gational Society have sole control of tiie house, they
sustaining and making all needed repairs on the body
of tiie building excepting the town hall. This con-
tract has been scrupulously adhered to tiiese forty
eight years, and tiie church and town occupy the
edifice harmoniously within clearly-defined limits.
The failing health of Mr. Jenuisou compelled liis dis-
mission, and after a voyage to Europe he settled in
Ashburniiam. Mass., and subsequently, from 1847 to
184it, at Hopkint(jn, X. H. His frequent ill-health
at length compelled his retirement from jiastoral ser-
vice. He located as a farmer in .VIstead, N. H.,
supplying for a time one of the churches in that town,
and from 1852 to 1854 the church in the adjoining
town of Langdon, N. H. He deceased several years
since.
Mr. .Jcnuison's succe.s.sor at Mnnl Vernon, IJev.
Dezaleel Smith, was installed here August lil, 1.S41.
He graduated at Dartmouth in 1825, and had been
previously settled at New Hampton, N. H., and at
Rye, N. H. He labored in Mont Vernon nine years,
closing his ministry here in ]85(). He was a sound,
but not brilliant preacher, cautious and discreet, a
pastor who made no eueniies. Slave-holders were by
vote excluded from the pulpit and from the Lord's
table, and thirty-two persons added to the church
during his pastorate. He removed from here to Rox-
bury, N. H., and after laboring there two years was
called to the pastorate of the chiirch in New .Vlstea<l,
N. H., from thence to thechurch at Hanover Centre,
N. H. Some ten years since, the intirmity of (dd
age compelled his retirement. He died some years
since at Rutland, Vt.
Rev. Charles D. Herbert comnieiiced preaclving
here .luly 5, IS.'iO, and was installed November tJth.
He is a native cd" l^llsworth. Me., and a graduate of
Uowdoin. Coming here young and enthiisiiislic, he
devoted himself with singleness of aim and Christian
zeal to his work. His labors here exhibited him as a
kind, sympathetic and sincere friend, and earnest,
consecrated man. Under his ministry, in 1851 and
1852, quite a number of young people in the
.Vcademy and outside attaiiie<l the (.'liristian's
hope. The whole number aihled to the church
iluring his ministry wils fifty-five. He closed his
labors here early in IS.'iti, and was .soon alter si-ttled
over a church in West Newbury, jMass. After a
ministry there of many years he qualified himself
for the practice of medicine and labored in Rut-
land, Ma.ss., some years, both preaching and prac-
ticing. Scune years since, he was recalled to his
former parish at West Newbury, and now is in the
ministry there.
In the fall of ISolj the chuicli extended a call to
Rev. Charles E. Lord to its vacant pastorate, and his
installation occurred late in that year. His people
regarded his sermons as very well written. He
quietly puisutil the even tenor of his way until the
summer of 1801, when he re<piested and received a
dismission. He has since been in the ministry at
Chester, Vt., and some years since was a professor in
training-schools for clergymen in New York. He is
a native of South Berwick, Jle., and a graduate of
Dartmouth College.
Early in 18()2 the church invited Rev. George E.
.Sanborne to succeed Mr. Lord. He ministered to
them about three and a half yeai-s, until the summer
of 1865, when he resigned to accept a call to North-
borough, -Mass. Mr. Lord is a native of Reading,
Mass., and a graduate of .\mherst College. He is now
a reaiilent of Hartford, Conn. The niiidstry <d' both
Messrs. Lord and Sanborne was barren of noteworthy
incident, and the numerical increa.se to the church
slight. The Civil War was raging and public atten-
tion was concentrated upon it, to the e.xclnsion of
other interests. The clergymen of Mont Vernon,
like most of their brethren during that eventful
period, omitted no effort to set and keep the i>ublic
opinion around them in what they deemed (he riglil
channel, — the |(rosecution of the war for the ilestruc-
tion of slavery and the conipiesl of rebellion as the
only basis for a reunited country. They sought, in
and out of the pulpit, to stimulate the zeal and
sustain the courage of their people. .\nd the event
has justified (hi'ir patriotism as of (he true quality.
.\ peace, based on riirhteousnexs, was conquered.
In the summer of 1S|!5, Rev. 15. M. Erink, a native
of Jackson, .\. H., and a graduate of liangor Semi-
nary, began his ministry of two and one fourth years
with this church, sundering the coniiectiim in l>t(!7
'.o accept a call to Portland, Me. He is now set-
tled at Shelbiirno Falls, Mass. Mr. Krink is a man
of great vital force aiul activity and an engaging
speaker.
Though his slay iii Mont N'lrnon was brief, the
line, commoilious parsonage is a memorial of his
enterprise and energy. Early in 1866, appreciating
the need of a parsonage and having faith in bis
736
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
ability to secure the necessary means, he set on foot a
subscription, and, with others inspired by his ener-
getic spirit, collected, in a brief space, the requisite
construction fund to erect the elegant structure
which stands i>pi)osite the church and very near the
site formerly occupied by it, from 1780 to 1837. These
buildinjpi, with the stable since added, cost nearly
two thousand dollars.
Late in the winter of 1867-68, Rev. Seth H. Keeler,
D.D., became the minister of the parish without
pastoral charge. He continued preaching in Mont
Vernon nearly eight years, closing his ministry late
in September, lS7o, when he rcmoveil to Somerville,
Mass., where he has siuce r&sided. Though advanced
in years when his service to this people commenced,
he approved himself as an able, scholarly and faith-
ful religions teacher. In 1873 and 1874 some forty
persons united with the church as the result of
special religious interest in the community. Dr.
Keeler is a graduate of Jliddlebury College, and had
previously been a pastor at Windsor, Vt., South
Berwick, Me., and for many years at Calais, Me.
September 5, 1880, Dr. Keeler preached a cen-
tennial sermon, the church having been organized in
September, 1780.
In November, 1875, Rev. Wm. H. Woodwell was
engaged to supply the pulpit for one year, with
reference to permanent settlement, and his labors
continued nearly four and one-half years, he deliver-
ing his farewell discourse March 28, 1880. He is a
native of Newburyport, Mass., and graduated at Bow-
doin College. He is now in the ministry at Orient,
Long Island, N. Y.
The church employed various candidates during the
summer of 1880, and in October, Rev. Charles C. Car-
penter accepted their invitation to settle with them,
and began pastoral service November 1st, though his
installation was deferred until July 1, 1881.
In the summer of 1883 he was attacked by an affec-
tion of the throat, which threatened thesuspension of
his ministerial work. By medical advice he sailed for
Europe in September, in pursuit of relief. His ab-
sence covered a period of less than three months, and
was passed wholly in<ireat Britain, of which he made
a rapid but extensive tour. Returning much improved,
he resumed his labors and continued them until the
summer of 1885, when the condition of his health
com]>elled a resignation of his pastorate, which was
dissolved by a c(mncil .Inly 2Sth, having had a dura-
tion of four years and nine months.
He has removed his residence to Andover, Mass.
Mr. Carpenter performed his work here with energy
and fidelity, so diligently and thoroughly that the im-
press will long abide. That one wilh such varied
capacities for usefulness as a ]>astor and citizen, and
who had so readily identified himself with the com-
munity, should be abruptly withdrawn from it is an
event that causes profound and universal regret.
Mr. Carpenter is an able preacher; his sermons are
always original and Scriptural, and interest and edify.
They are never encundjered with superfluous verbiage,
but are simple and clear, concise and direct, with no
lack of fit illustratitm. Rev. Charles C. Carpenter
was born at Beriiardston, Mass., July 9, 1836. His
father was L)r. Elijah \V. Car])enter, a physician of
that town. Mr. Carpenter fitted for college at Willis-
ton Seminary, Massachusetts, and at Kimball Union
Academy, New Ham|)sbire. Failure of health obliged
him to forego a collegiate course. He studied the-
ology at Andover, and was ordained to the ministry
at Montreal in 1860.
He was in the service of the Canada Foreign Miss-
ionary Society, jirincipally at Caribou Island, Labrador,
from 1858 to 1867. In 1866 he wasappointed financial
superintendent of Robert College, at Lookout Moun-
tain, Tenn., where he remained until 1872. lu 1875
he became pastor of a church at South Peabody, Mass.,
resigning, in 1880, to accept a call to a less arduous
charge at Mont Vernon.
The honorary degree of A.M. Wiis conferred on
Mr. Carpenter by Hamilton College, New York.
The membership of the church is about one hun-
dred and sixty-five. More than one-third of these are
non-residents. The average attendance at Sabbath-
services through the year 1884 was one hundred and
fifty-one, and the average attendance at Sabbath
school was ninety. The entire average amount raised
and expended for support of church and purposes of
Christian benevolence for the last five years has ex-
ceeded one thousand dollars annually.
July 3, 1884, the new creed rec<mimended by the
National Council of Congregational Churches was
adopted by this church.
From the formation of this church up to the min-
istry of Dr. Keeler the uniform practice was to have
two sermons at the church on the Sabbath. About
1870 the new usage was introduced, of only one
preaching service, and that at half-past ten a.m., thus
very materially lessening the labor of the clergyman.
The salary of the minister at the settlement of Mr.
Jennison, in 1836, was fixed at five hundred dollars
per annum. In 1850 it was advanced to six hun-
dred dollars, and in 1856 to seven hundred dollars,
which is the amount now paid, with free use of par-
sonage.
Vestry.- — ^At the remodeling of the church, in
1837, a room was finished on the lower or ground-
floor of the meeting-house for use as a vestry. In
1855, when furnaces were introduced to the church,
this room was needed, and the second story of the
school building, a few rods northof the church, which
was used as an academy from 1850 to 1853, was ac-
quired by the society, and appropriated as a vestry.
De.\co>;s. — Appended are the names of those who
have served in the office of deacon from the forma-
tiim of the church, in the order of their appoint-
ment, — Oliver Carlton, Nathaniel Heywood, Richard
Ward, Daniel Smith, Jacob Kemlall, John Carlton,
MONT VKKNON.
737
John Bruce, Jusiiih Kittredge, William Conant, Joseph
A. Starn-tt, (teorfrf E. Dean, William H. Conant.
There have gone out from this church ten preachers
of the gospel, not all natives of the town, but mem-
bers of this church, and entering the ministry from it.
They are as follows : —
1. Joshua Hey wood, son of Deacon Nathaniel Hay-
wood, who was prominent in the organization of the
Northwest Parish and for some years a leading citizen.
Joshua graduated at Dartmouth College in 17!>o,
studied divinity, was ordained and installed at Dun-
stable, Mass., June 5, 1799, Rev. John Bruce preach-
ing the ordaining sermon. He continued pastor there
until he died, November 11, 1814, aged fifty-one years.
He was a large man, of dark complexion, and very
much in the esteem of all who knew him.
2. Daniel Weston, son of Daniel and Mary Harts-
horn Weston, born July 18, 171)4; graduated at Har-
vard 1797 ; studied divinity ; became minister at Gray,
Me., where he died May 28, 1837.
3. Solomou Kittredge, son of Josiah Kittredge,
graduated at Dartmouth ; studied theology, and set-
tled in the ministry in Indiana, where he died.
4. Charles B. Kittredge, brother to Solomon named
above, graduated at Dartmouth ; studied divinity at
Andover ; settled in the ministry, first at Groton, Mass.,
and at Westborough, Mass., where he died Novem-
ber 25, 1M84, aged seventy-eight.
6. Darwin Adams, born 1801, son of Dr. Daniel
Adams, graduated at Dartmouth in 1824 and at An-
dover ; settled at Alstead, N. H., and at Stow, Mass.;
now living at (irotoii, Mass.
6. James Woodl)ury Perkins, .son of Captain .Jo-
seph I'crkiiis, settled in Warner, N. H., and at .VI-
stead, N. H.; clicd in Wisconsin.
7. Henry Adams Kendall, son of Asa Kendall,
graduated at Dartmouth; settled in Dublin, N. H.,
184(J; dismissed in 1850; installed at Ea,st Concord,
N. II., .Fune 2G, 1S51; yet resides there, Imt without
pastoral charge.
8. James c;. Bryant graduated at Amherst College
and at Andover Seminary, 1.S40 ; settled at Littleton,
Mass., resigned to become a missionary to the Zulus
ill South Africa, where he died.
9. William (). Baldwin, son of Sanuiel Baldwin,
born August 25, ISi'l ; graduated at Amherst College;
is settled in the State of New ^'ork.
10. George W. Stinson, son of William and Lois
Stinson, did not pursue a collegiate course ; settled
in the ministry in Illinois and die<l there.
Kev. William Sliedd, a Congregational clergyman
of distinction ; was a native of Mmit Vernon, bill
left here in bciyhood.
Charles Pealiody, a Baptist, Ja s (iiliiuin Siiiilln
a Methodist, and William G. Cambridge, an Univer'
.salist clergyman, were all nativct of the town.
There ha.s been but a single church formed in
Mont Vi'rnon. There were several Baptist families
in former years in the South School District, who were
connected with the church in Milford, and there are
JlethcMlisLs and Baptists in the southerly and easterly
sections of the town who attend and aid in support-
ing their respective churches in Milford and Am-
herst.
Educational. — Mont Vernon, prior to the close of
18U3, was an integral part of .\iiiherst. Whatever of
schooling most of its adult iiilial)it;ints had received
they had obtained from the scliixd privileges provided
by the mother-town, and used by them as a part of its
its population. By the records we find that in 17(i2it was
voted " To keep a school in five divisions, the selectmen
to divide ;" but as no appropriatiim was maile, this was
only a prophecy of what they would do years later.
The first appro])riatioii was made in 1771, when the
town voted twenty pounds, lawful money, for school-
ing, and that " the school be kept some part of the
time in several parts of the town." Also voted that
the people of the town " keep as many schools as they
see fit, and each family that does keep a .school shall be
entitled to draw their pro|)ortion of the money above
grante<l." The ne.\t year twenty-si.\ pounds and
two-thirds of a pound were voted. But little attention
was paid to other than private instruction through
the years of the Revolutionary War. In 1778 it was
" Voted to keep a grammar school," and in that and
the year following the names of two teachers a]>pear
as thus employed. March 8, 1779, the town was di-
vided into "8i|uadrons" for schools, each to draw its
proportion of the money appro|)riated. They made
an appropriation this year, and gradually increased it
each subsequent year.
In 1781 it was voted that "the schools be kept
by each neighborhood da.ssing together." In 17S7
a graiiimar school in the Centre District was provided
for, conditioned "that the district shall make up to
the master in a private way what their proportion of
the school money falls short of an ade(|uate salary."
This year, at same meeting a committee, of whom
Rev. .loliii Bruce was one, was appointed "to examine
the ability of sehodliiiaslers and inistresses," aiitl
none should be employed in any district but those
recoiuniendeil by them. From 1787 to 1793 the an-
nual appropriation for schools was one hundrcil and
(iflv pr)iinils. Ill 17'<9 the town voted to " excuse such
as had united for the support of an academy from the
payment of any school tax, so -loiig as lliey should
sustain the proposed ai'ademy." The use of the (own-
house for school purposes was also granteii them.
Kebriiary 10, 1791, an act of incorporation was
granted for the .\iireaii Aeiulemy at Amherst. Twen-
ty-six of the thirly-one granlees were of .Vmherst
and live from oilier lowns. Nathan ("leaves was the
only grantee in llie Se<'oiid Parish. This school soon
after went into operation. Il hail an existence often
vears, and ten precept^irs, among whom were .T. Iley-
wood and Daiiiid Weston, from the Northwest Parish.
Ill 1801 this aeiulemy was tiiially elo.sed for laik of
funds.
738
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
At that time a law w:ifi in ett'ect re(miriiij.' that " in
shire and lialf-shiie towns a portion of the school j
money slioulil lie ajiplied for the support of a Latin ,
Grammar school," or a school in which that language
might he taught, if desired. This will explain the
following votes: April IS, 1801, " Voted that the
grammar school be kept eight months in the First
Parish and four months in the Second Parish thi.«
year."
JIarch 2, 1803, seven hundred dollars was appro-
priated for schools, three hundred dollars of which
was to be used for the support of grammar schools,
the Centre District of the First Parish to have two
hundred dollars, and that of the Second Parish to have
one hundred dollars; and it was provided that every
person in town have liberty to send to the grammar
school. These vote-s will explain the fact that for
several years immediately preceding the incorporation
of Mont Vernon a school of high character had been
kept in the Centre District, — a select school, open to
any in the parish. David Dodge and Ephraim P.
Bradford were two of its teachers.
At the first annual meeting of the new town, March
13, 1804, it was voted to raise two hundred dollars
for schooling and to choose a committee of twelve
persons to class the town for the convenience o1
schooling. March 27th this committee presented
their report, dividing the town into five school dis-
tricts (classes) and dehning their respective limits.
May 7, 1804, accepted report of committee and voted
to raise money to build new school-houses in three
of the districts; voted to raise one thousand dollars
for this purpose. March 12, 180."i, ajipropriated three
hundred dullars for schooling during the current year.
This sum was raised each successive year from that
until 1822, when it was increased to three hundred
and fifty dollars. In 1830, there having been a small
source of revenue (about thirty dollars) derived from
the literary fund a|)plied to schools, the town voted
but ihrce liuiidred iloUars, which was the amount ol
appropriati<jii until, in the year 18ol, it was increased
to tour hundred dollars, in 1853 advanced to four
hundred and filly dollars, and in 18.54 fixed at five
hundred dollars, which, being augmented by the lit-
erary fund, amounted to five hundred and sixty dol-
lars, the average amount devoted to schools between
1854 and 1870.
In the latter year two hundred dollars additional
school money was voted, and it has been continued
annually, making for the la.st fifteen years an average
of seven hundred and sixty dollars expen(le<l upon
the district schools annually. Additional to this,
since 1871 the town has given McCollom Institute
four thousand two hundred dollars. With the de-
cline of population has come a diminution of the
number of [lupils in our district schools. In 1859
the whole number was one hundred and forty-nine,
and in 1800 one hundred and sixty-seven; for the
years 1884 and 1885 it is less than one hundred of
total attendance. The school money has increased
in the ratio that the number of those receiving its
benefits have been diminished.
From 1803 to 1818 there is no record of any special
superintendence of schools by an examining commit-
tee. For ten years, inclusive, frimi 1818, a superin-
tending committee, consisting of three persons, was
chosen by the voters at the annual town-meeting.
Below are the namesof these, with the number ofyeais
they served: Dr. Daniel Adams, ten years; Jonathan
S. Adams, nine years; John Prentiss, one year; Ar-
temas Wood, four years; Rev. E. Cheever, three
years; A. F. Sawyer, three years. From 1827 to
1840-41 there is no trace of a superintending com-
mittee. The Board of Selectmen made the appoint-
ment from 1841 to 1877, since which the voters have
done it at the March meeting for the choice of the
town otlicers. The persons who held the office from
1841 to 1853 were Dr. Daniel Adams, Rev. Bezaleel
Smith, Samuel Campbell, Dr. Samuel G. Dearborn
and Rev. C. D. Herbert. Since 1852 the committee
has consisted of one person only : 1853-56, Rev.
Charles D.Herbert; 1857-59, Rev. Augustus Berry;
1860-64, Charles J. Smith; 1805-66, Charles A.
Towle; 1867, Joshua V.Smith; 1868-72, Charles J.
Smith ; 1873-77, George W. Todd ; 1878, J. W. Car-
son; 1879, Charles J. Smith; 1880, William H.Ray;
1881-85, Charles J. Smith.
The conspicuous feature in the educational record
of Mont Vernon since 1850 must be its academy, now
known as McCollom Institute. For nearly every
autumn from 1835 to 1850 there had been kept a
select school, usually by a fresh graduate from one
of the New England colleges.
Enterprising citizens of the town had long cherished
the hope that a higher institution of learning would
one day crown that noble eminence on which their
village reposed. The beauty of its scenery, the grand
outlook, stretching away to the distant horizon, the
pure, health-giving air and many other elements
marked it as a most desiralile locality for public
education.
In .Tune, 1850, an act of incorporation wjis obtained,
and they named the projected school Appleton
Academy.
A very opulent citizen of Boston bearing the name
had often visite«J the place, having a mother and
three sisters long resident here, and they hoped to
win an endowment by this recognition. They did
not consult him as to the name, and he did little for
their institution. Its first board of trustees were
eight citizens of the village, with Dr. ^'^aniuel G.
Dearborn as secretary. Its first term wa taught in
the fall of 18.50, in the hall over the district school,
in which its sessions were held until the completion
of its new building, in 1853.
Lucius B. Clough was its first jirincipal, iissisted by
John Odronaux. The first is a most res])ectable
lawyer in Manchester, and the last has long enjoyed
MONT VERNON.
739
wide celebrity for his ability as a public teacher of
law and medicine in the city of New York. After
thia there was no school until the fiill of 1851, when
George Stevens, who had some two years before
graduated at Dartmouth, commenced what proved to
be the placing of the solid foundation of an institu-
tion which, until then, was only an idea. He trans-
lated that idea into a fact. He had entered college
from Mont Vernon, to which place his parents had
removed in 1844 ; had taujrht district and private
schools in the place. He was among his kindred and
friends, and most fully in sympathy with those who
had undertaken the establishment of an academy
here. He left Pittsfield (N. H.) Academy to assume
the charge of this, and brought with him a dozen
students from that vicinity who had learned his value
as an instructor. He had for his assistants two ac-
complished ladies, and the second year Rev. John
Colby, a graduate of Dartmouth and a fine scholar,
was his associate teacher. It was mainly through
Mr. Stevens' iuHuence that the tine academy building
Wius erected in 1853. Ho drew the plan and per-
suaded the trustees and citizens that all difhculties
would vanisli before well-directed and persistent en-
deavor. The funds were but partially secured at its
commencement, but when completed, it was but one
year before it was free from debt. His enthusiastic
devotion to his work brought success. During the
fall term of 1863 one hundred and twenty-five pupils
attended.
After two and one-half years' service, Mr. Stevens,
in the winter of 1853-54, communicated to the trus-
tees his fully-matured decision to complete his law
studies and enter the legal profession. Removing to
Lowell, Mass., he, in a short time, commenced prac-
tice in that city, which he pursued successfully well-
nigh thirty years. His death occurred June 0, 1884,
aged fifty nine years.
As in the lives of individuals, so in the life of in-
stitutions, sharp viclssitu<Us occur. The disappoint-
ment and ve.\ati(jn of those wlio had hi)i)ed that Mr.
Stevens would continue here for many years was not
slight. The .school wiis suspended for one term.
Rev. Fenner E. King, the third preceptor of this
academy, a graduate of Wesleyan University, Middle-
town, Conn., came in the fall of 18.")4 and remained
one year with two lady assistants.
Tlie fourth principal was Rev. Augustus Berry, a
graduate of Amher.st College, and for many years the
esteemed pastor of the church in Pelham, N. H.
He, with two lady assistants, had charge of the
school five vcars, from 1855 to 1800. His adtninistra-
tion here;.jivas a successful one, and marked by the
ability of many of his students who have since at-
tained eminent success in varied callings.
The fifth principal was Rev. C. F. P. Bancroft, who
came here immediately after graduating at Dart-
month, and remained frimi August, 18(iO, four years.
He was young, genial and entliusiastic, witli conceded
ability and soundness in judgment. It was not a
favorable period for large schools. The colossal Civil
' War, then raging, engrossed the public thouglit. and
educational interests were in the background. The
institution suflered no loss of prestige through his
connection with it. When he commenced his work
here the fund belonging to the institution was seven
hundred dollars. Dr. Bancroft occupies a high rank
as an educator, having for the last twelve years been
at the head of the famous Phillips Academy, Aniiuver.
He is identified with this town by marriage ties, and has
ever manifested a cordial interest in its prosperity.
The si.xth principal was Rev. Charles A. Towle, a
graduate of Dartmouth, whose connection with it
continued two years from August, 18G7. The school
was fairly prosperous with him and two lady assist-
ants at its head. He resigned to study for the
ministry, and is now settled in Illinois. His suc-
cessor was Dr. Joshua V. Smith, who remained two
years, unfortunately to witness a decrease in num-
bers. He was a graduate of Bowdoin and now a
physician in Massachusetts.
There was a suspension of one year, until August,
1869, when Professor Lucien Hunt, a veteran teacher,
came from Falmouth, Mass., to become its eighth
principal, the number of i)upils during his stay of
one year ranging from twenty-five to forty.
Mr. D. A. Anderson, a graduate of Dartmouth and
now a teacher in New Jersey, was the ninth princi-
pal, remaining two years, from 1870 to 1872. The
school was not altogether unprosperous during his
connection with it.
Early in the year 1871, George W. McCoUom, then
of New York City, ofl'ered to the trustees, as a per-
manent endowment, the sum of ten thousand dollars,
provided they would cause the name to be changed
from Api)lcton Academy to that of McCollom Insti-
tute, and provided further that the town of Mont
Vernon should, for five successive years, raise and
pay to the institution the sum of three hundreil
dollars, being an aggregate amount of fifteen hun-
dred dollars. The conditions were complied with,
and now for fourteen years the school has enjoyed
the income from this valuable endowment. Mr.
McCollom was a native of New Boston, but came
with his parents to Mont Vernon to reside in early
life. He married tlie eldest daughter of ,\sa and
Marv \. A. Stevens, of this town. She died in New
York in 18li5, and her husband's donation was in-
tended as a grateful memorial of her. A marble
tablet i>laced by liini in the hall of the institute bears
this inscription:
"Kniluwrd by George W, McColIum, in nitmiury of hii wlfi-, Mury
Ann S. Mcf'tilUnu."
Mr. McCollom died in .New York September 4.
1878.
In 1872, Hon. George W. Todd, of Rindge, N. II.,
became the tenth principal, a man of untiring zeal.
740
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
great executive ability and large experience. He at
once associated with him as classical teacher Rev.
Charles P. Mills, an accomplished scholar, a graduate
of Amherst, and now in the ministry at Newbury-
port, Mass.
Mr. Todd held the office of principal six years, re-
tiring in 1878. His later assistants were Messrs. F.
A. Eldridge and G. \V. Putnam, graduates, respect-
ively, at Harvard and Dartmouth. Mr. Todd re-
moved from town in 1879, and died suddenly at
Norridgewock, Me., April 15, 1884, when he was in
charge of the High School in that town.
William H. Ray, a graduate of Dartmouth, suc-
ceeded Mr. Todd, as the eleventh principal of this
institution. He remained here three years, vacating
his position here to accept a more lucrative one in
Yonkers, N. Y. Professor Lucien Hunt, the eighth
principal, succeeded Mr. Ray in 1881, and contin-
ued at the head of the institute two years, when he
resigned. Mr. Arthur V. Goss, a graduate of Dart-
mouth, was his assistant here.
Hiram Q. Ward, from t^t. Johnsbury, Vt., a gradu-
ate of Dartmouth, was principal from 1888 to 1884.
His success not being marked, he was not re-engaged.
In August, 1884, Mr. Cassius S. Campbell, of Dart-
mouth College (1858), was engaged for five years, and
his diligent and energetic supervision promises a
bright future for the school.
The endowment of the school is respectable, but
more would be acceptable. There is a library of
some twelve hundred volumes, extensive and val-
uable apparatus for the illustration of physical
science and an invested cash fund of thirteen thou-
sand dollars.
For fourteen years past the town of Mont Ver-
non has raised each year three hundred dollars,
and given it to the institute for the tuition of its
resident youth, if their attendance is in such num-
bers as to absorb it ; otherwise any balance goes into
the general fund of the school. Thus it is used by
the town as a High School. The entire number of
students who have been enrolled as members of this
academy during the thirty-five years it has existed
is about fifteen hundred. Its foundations were laid
in an earnest desire to elevate the standard of intel-
lectual and moral culture in the community around
it. Its Christian character has ever been upheld and
pronounced, and it has been an ally to the church
near which it stands. Every three years its alumni
gather for a triennial reunion, — occasions which bring
together hundreds whose presence testify their at-
tachment and gratitude for the strength and help it
has given them for the conHict.s of life.
Beside the endowment fund of Mr. McCollom, other
friends have remembered the school. Among the larger
donations Hon. Samuel Appleton, of Boston, gave
about one thousand volumes of books for a library ;
Hon. William Appleton, five hundred dollars ;
Messrs. William H. and A. Conant, fifteen hundred
dollars ; and Hon. George Stevens, of Lowell, five
hundred dollars.
Poor Farm. — From the incorporation of the town
until 1837 it was the practice to sell to the lowest
bidder the board for the current year of such poor
persons as were wholly unable to maintain themselves
at the annual meeting. Such as required only partial
support from the town were to be provided for by the
selectmen according to their discretion.
In the year 1837 a farm was bought in Lynde-
borough, about three miles from Mont Vernon village,
by the town, and occupied by its poor until 1846, when
it was sold and another bought, a half-mile southeast
from Mont Vernon village, and occupied as a pau-
per farm until 1870, when the farm and contents
were sold in compliance with the vote of the
town.
Post-Office. — Jlont Vernon was not made a post town
until 182:>. Letters for its inhabitants were distributed
from Amherst. Appended are the names of the several
postmasters, with the year of their appointment :
Porter Kimball, 1828; Daniel W. Baker, 1829; Jesse
K. Smith, 1882; Daniel R. Baker, 188o ; Franklin O.
Kittrcdge, 1842; Thomas H. Richardson, 1849 ; Dan-
iel R. Baker, 1853; Nathaniel Bruce, 1861; Alouzo
S. Bruce, 1873 ; John M. Fox, 1885.
Military. — The people of Mont Vernon believing
that the War of 1812 was just and nece.ssary, ar-
dently favored its prosecution, and quite a number en-
listed for permanent service. Captain James T.
Trevitt, commanding a company in Colonel Steel's
regiment, was for sixty days at Portsmouth, expecting
an attack from a British fleet cruising near by. This
company was made up of men dratted for special
service. Dr. John Trevitt was a surgeon who con-
tinued permanently in the service after the conclusion
of peace, and died in 1821 at Augusta, Ga.,at his post
of duty. Dr. Rogers Smith was an assistant surgeon
on the frontier. In the days of "militia musters"
Mont Vernon was always well represented. For thirty
years a first-class company of infantry was sustained
here under the old militia law.
In the late Civil War this town was represented by
nearly forty citizen soldiers.
None of those who enlisted from this town were
lost in battle, but seven died of disease contracted
in the service. Subjoined is this list:
James C. Towne, Henry N. Metjuestion, William
H. Upton, Charles Robinson, Nathan Kendall, George
W. Brown and John .VlexanJer.
Wm. H. Ireland lost his life by drowning.
George N. Bruce went to the war a lieutenant and
returned a lieutenant-colonel.
C. F. Stinson went out a private and came home a
captain.
George A. Marden was quartermaster of Berdan's
regiment of sharpshooters.
There has been since its incorporation but one
territorial change in Mont Vernon. Through the per-
MONT VERNON.
741
Bistent efforts of a few individuals, and against the
remonstrance of tlie large majority of its citizens, a
tract exceeding one thousand acres of land was an-
nexed from Lvndcborougli to Mont Vernon at the
winter session of the Legislature of 1852. There
were fourteen families added to the population of
Mont Vernon by this change.
Mont Vernon is unquestionably a place favorable
to health. Epidemics are of rare occurrence. The
most notable instance of the prevalence of any malig-
nant epidemic was in January and February, 1812,
when the terrible disease known as spotted fever
visited certain sections of this county. It attacked
several faniiles here and proved fatal to some ten or
twelve per^ions, nearly all adults.
The salubrity of the breezes which fan these hills is
attested by the fact that over two hundred persons,
who either were resident in the town in 1820 or who
have lived here for the term of twenty-five years since,
have reached the age of eighty years.
Physicians. — The entire number of physicians who
have been in practice here is twelve, viz. : Henry
Codman, Zephaiiiah Kittredge, ' Rogers Smith,
John Ramsey, David Adams, Jesse K. Smith, Daniel
F. Hale, Samuel G. Dearborn, Alfred A. Gerrish,
Maurice E. Jones, Sylvanus Bunton, Frederic Chand-
ler.
Four of the above were natives of the town, viz.
Drs. Kittridge, Codman and the two Smiths.
Physician.s who were natives of the town other
than the foregoing, and ])lacc8 of residence, —
Dn». Stppliftn Ciirlton, Acwortli, N'. H. ; Joliii Poubtnly, Sulein, Mtiae. ;
Stephen Pealiody, Orange, Vt. ; Nutlinn W. CleHveM, .\litriiii, N. H. ; Ka-
tlian Cleuvos, inurOereil in Moxk-o; InpillA Kitlriti^^e, Hevt-rly, Miew. ;
.Iiisiah Kittridge, Peinliroke and Xiuliiia, N. II.; Chitrlett M. Kittridge,
K>nhkill-<>n-tlie-lli]d»>n, N. Y. ; I.ulher Smith, llillnliorough llridge,
N. H. ; Norman Smith, (.'roton, Mo. ; Iiu Weuton, Bradford and Wind-
ham, N. H. ; William Trevitt, Coluntbus, 0. ; John Trevitt, Unite<l
StAtw Army ', Daniel L. .\dani8, Kidgc&old,Conn. ; Ileni^' Trevitt, Wil-
ton, N. II. ; In'ing W. Hoitrdman.
Lawyers. — Two lawyers were located liere many
years ."iiicc, — .\aion G. Sawyer and Andrew Wallace.
Representatives. — The following is a list of repre-
sentatives sent to the Legislature from Mont Ver-
non :
William Bradford, three years, 18(H-06 ; voted not to Mud in 1807.
John Hatcheldcr, three yearn, 18()S-10.
Bei^amin Diinint, five yearn, 1811-15,
,\ndrew Wallarc, one ye«r, 1K16.
Kzeklcl Upton, Hvo y<»ir», 1817-21.
John Bruc«, five yearn, lH'.i'i-20.
Aaron K. .'lawyer, three yeftr>», IH'/T-L'it.
Nathaniel Bruce four yeani, lH:)0-.ia.
Ilaniel W. Baki.r, two years, 1B,!4-.16.
Porter Kiinliall, one year, lt*,'iG.
George Itaymonil, three years, 1837-39.
Nathaniel Itrnco, two years, IH40-41.
fjeorge Ititymond, one year, IH42.
/ephani&li Kittredge, one year, 1843.
William ConanI, one year, 1H14.
Leandor Smith, three ycuni, 184fi-47.
t Kxclnsivoly asurgeon
John .\vorilI, one year, 1848.
Joseph .\. Starretl, one year, 1849.
William Brnce, one year, 18.'S).
Leander Smith, two years, 1841-52.
Alonzo Travis, three years, 1863-65.
Charlw R. Beard, two yeftrs, 1866-67.
Ira Kendall, two years, 1868-59.
Charles J. Smith, two years, 1860-61.
Ira Itoby, one year, 1862.
William (i. Bruce, two yeare, lSti3-64.
Henry C. Dodge, one year, ISCi.
George A. Bruce, one year, 1806.
Charles F. Kittredge, one year, 1867.
Andrew W. Raymond, two years, 1868-69.
J. II. A. Bruce, two years, 1870-71.
James rpton,two years, 1872-73.
John Trevitt, two years, 1874-76.
Daniel P. Kendall, two years, 1876-77.
Clark ratnpbell, two years, 1878-79.
Elbridge F. Trow, two years, 1880-82 ; 1884, Toted not to Mnd.
LTnder the law, as it stood before 1877, with the
Senate consisting of twelve members, two citizens
of Mont Vernon held the otfice, viz. : 1839 and 1840,
Dr. Daniel Atlam.s ; lS(;:i and 1804, Charles J. Smith.
Population of Mont Vernon.— 1810, 762; 1820,
729; 18;i0, 703; 184fJ, 720 ; l,S.-)0, 722; 1800,725;
1870, 601 ; 1880, 616.
Hoted Citizens, — -Vmong the more conspicuous
citizens of Jloiit Wrnon, Dr. Daniel Adams is entitled
to remenibraiicc. Daniel .\dains was born in Town-
send, Mass., Sept. 9, 1773 ; graduated at Dartmouth
College in 1797 and at its medical school in 1799;
married, .Vugust 17, 1800, Nancy Mulliken, of Boston.
After rcsidingseveral years at Leominster he removed
to Boston. For a period was engaged in publishing
an agricultural journal in Hoston ; came to reside io
Mont Vernon in 1813, and was employed in prej)aring
his various luiblications and in his profession here
until his removal to Keene, in 184*!. His "Scholar's
Arithmetic," .Vdanis' "New" and "Revised," all
were in very extensive u.-se for many years. He wrote
and jmiilishcd several iianiiihlct.i. Dr. Adams was
very highly esteemed in Mont Vernon, and during his
thirty-three years' residence here he wielded a con-
trolling influence in behalf of temperance, education
and morality. In 1839 and 1840 he was a member of
the New Hanipshire Senate from the ilislrict where
he resided. He died .lime .H, 1S|')4.
A man whose noble cliaractcr and brilliant,
eventful |iublic life should give liiin a record as one
honoring the place of his birth was the late Dr.
William Trevitt ofColiimlms, Ohio. A sketch of his
immediate ancestry, as it relates to a family prominent
in the tcjwii, i.-i of interest. Ricliani Trevitt came from
I'jigland aiitl was killed by the Indians at Fort William
Henry. He left a little son, Henry Trevitt, born at
Marblehead, in 1755, who, at ten years of age, came
to Mont Vernon with his step-father, Amos Steel, and
here grew to manhood, engaged in active service in
the War of the Revolution and fought uniier Sl;irk at
Ik'iiniiigton. He moved to Ohio and died in ]..ii'king
County .\ugiist, 18.')0, aged ninety-six. Ilischililren
were nine, — seven sons and two daughters.
742
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
One son only remained in New England, — his eldest.
Captain J. Thompson Trevitt, who led a company at
Portsmouth in 1814. All the others, except Dr. John,
the third son, who died in 1821, at .\ugu.sta, Ga., either
I)receded or followed their father West. Captain James
Trevitt died in 1858, leaving two sons, the youngest of
whom is Dr. Henry Trevitt, of Wilton, N. H., and
the eldest. Captain John Trevitt, graduated from
West Point, 1844; served several years in Mexico and
on the Western frontier; returned to the old home-
stead in Mont Vernon after his father's death, where
he still resides, devoting himself to farming and civil
engineering. Dr. William, the youngest of the seven
sons, of Henry Trevitt, was born at Mont Vernon,
February 7, 1809. He pursued his preparatory
studies at Francestown and Amherst, and his pro-
fessional with Dr. Daniel Adams. He graduated
at Dartmouth College in 1830, and subsequently at-
tended medical lectures at the Pennsylvania Univer-
sity.
In 1830 he began the practice of his profession in
Fairfield County, Ohio, removing two years later
to Perry County, where he continued in his chosen
profession until 1840. During his residence here he
represented the county in the General Assembly of
Ohio for three successive terms, being but twenty-
five years of age when first returned. In the spring
of 1840 he removed to Columbus, having been ap-
pointed Secretarj" of State, to fill the vacancy occa-
sioned by the death of C. B. Harlan. .\t the expira-
tion of his terra he was appointed physician to the
Ohio Penitentiary, and served in that capacity until
1846.
At the outbreak of the Mexican War Presi-
dent Polk appointed liim surgeon of the army, and
he held that position until the last gun of the conflict
was spiked. During the la-st part of the war he ex-
changed services in the field for headquarters, and
was attached to the staffs of Generals Taylor and
Wool. In 1849 he resumed medical practice at Co-
lumbus. In 1851, on the adoption of the new State
Constitution, he was elected to the office of Secre-
tary of State, and w.is re-elected in 1853. In 1857,
President Buchanan appointed him consul at Valpa-
raiso, Chili, the most important mercantile post on
the South American Pacific cojist, and, subsequently,
advanced to the consulship at Callao, Peru, and
while there was acting American minister. In 1861,
at his own request, he was relieved, and returned
again to Columbus. Subsequently, upon the death
of ex-Governor Medary, he assumed the management I
of the Crisis that then had the largest circulation in I
Ohio. Afterwards, in 1867, he established another
paper. Finally, February 8, 1881, he closed, at the
age of seventy-two years, an active, eventful and }
very useful life. Dr. Trevitt was, politically, an
unswerving Democrat, though widely esteemed by
all parties. He was survived by a wife and three I
sons. I
The late Oliver Carlton, Esq., of Salem, Mass., was
another son of Mont Vernon whose life and character
shed lustre upon the place of their early training.
He was a grandson of Deacon Oliver and tlie fifth
son of Deacon John Carlton, and was born July 20,
1801, in the ancestral house, and on the same farm
which has been owned and wrought by five genera-
tions of the name. In 1818 he entered Phillips
Academy, Andover, and, in 1820, Dartmouth College,
from which he graduated in 1824 with the second
honors of his class.
Adopting the profession of teacher, he was, in 1825
and 1826, a tutor at Hanover; afterwards a teacher at
Haverhill, Mass., from 1827 to 1830 ; at Marblehead,
from 18.30 to 1832 ; and in 1832 was placed in charge
of the Latin Grammar School at Salem, where he
remained until 1856, — a period of twenty-four years.
Teaching from 1856 to 1860 at Portsmouth, N. H., he
returned to Salem, and from 1860 to 1867 conducted
a private school. For forty-three years a teacher, he
retired to private life, and died June 21, 1882. He
was a man of pure and upright character, and, as a
scholar and tutor, was equaled by few and excelled
by none.
Hon. Aaron Worcester Sawyer died in Nashua,
August 23, 1881, aged sixty-three. He was the
youngest son of Aaron F. Sawyer, who practiced law
in Mont Vernon nearly twenty-five years. Aaron W.
was born here in 1818 ; attended school at Hancock
and elsewhere; studied law with his father. He at-
tained a high reputation as a lawyer and jurist. He
was frequently honored by his fellow-citizens with a
seat in the Legislature ; was one year (18G0) mayor
of Nashua, and for some years a judge of the Su-
preme Judicial Court.
George Wilkins Kendall, eldest son of Captain
Thaddeus Kendall, a merchant of Mont Vernon, was
born at Mont Vernon August 22, 1809, and died in
Texas October 22, 1867. " He was a poet, journalist,
author and farmer," and eminent in all.
Hon. George Augustus Marden is the son of Ben-
jamin F. and Betsey (Buss) Marden, and was born at
Mont Vernon August 9, 1839 ; prepared for college
at the academy in his native town ; graduated at
Dartmouth College in 1861. In the following au-
tumn he joined the army, serving three years as
quartermaster of First Regiment of Berdan's Sharp-
shoi»ters. Returning to New Hampshire in the au-
tumn of 1864, he engaged in the study of law in the
office of Minot & Mugridge, in Concord, until the
following summer, when he became owner and editor
of the Kannwha Repuhlican, at Cliarleston, West
Virginia. Disposing of this interest in .\pril, 1866,
he was employed for the remainder of that year at
Concord in editing and jireparing for the press the
" History of the War Regiments of New Hampshire,"
published by Adjutant-General Natt Head. In Jan-
uary, 1867, he went to Boston as assistant editor of
the Dnihj Adcertiser. The i)ropcrty of the Lowell
1^ 1
^^^^liS-
MONT VERNON.
743
Courier being for sale, he, in conjunction with Ed-
ward T. Rowell, a college classmate, bought it, and
has continued to edit it for eighteen years. In 1873
he represented Lowell in the Massachusetts Legisla-
ture, and in 1874 was elected clerk of tlie House of
Representatives, a position which he held for nine
years, from January, 1874. Being returned to the
House the previous autumn, he was, in January, 1883,
elected its Speaker, and was re-elected in 1884. In
1885 was a Senator from the Seventh Jliddlesex Dis-
trict. In 1880 Mr. Martlen was a delegate to the
National Convention which [ilaced General Ciarfield
in nomination for the Presidency. Alwaj's a stanch
republican, Mr. Marden holds a prominent place in
political circles, and has a wide reputation as an able
journalist.
Hon. George Anson Uruce, son of Nathaniel and
Lucy (Butterfield) Bruce was born in September,
1839, at Mont Vernon ; fitted for college at Mont
Vernon ; graduated at Dartmouth in 1861 ; studied
law one year with Hon. D. S. Richardson, at Lowell.
Ill August, 18():2, he enlisted in the Thirteenth New
Hampsliire Regiment, and went to the front as first
lieutenant of Company B. He served with distin-
guished bravery until the close of the war, holding at
its close the position of brevet lieutenant-colonel. In
]S6.') he resumed his legal studies at Lowell. In 1866
lie represented Mont N'ernon in the Legislature of New
Hampshire. In 1866 he was admitted to the bar,
and ojiened an office in Boston, where he still pur-
sues his profession with an assured reputation as an
able counselor and advocate. Establishing his resi-
dence in the city of Soinerville, he was, in 1877, elec-
ted its mayor, holding the otiice three consecutive
years. In 1883 and again in 1884 he was in the State
Senate from his district, and the latter year was its
presiding officer.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
WU.l.IA.M STEVEXS, ES(J.
William Stevens is of the seventh generation from
Colonel Thomas Stevens, of London, who was orig-
inally from Devonshire, England. He was a member
of the company chartered in London for the settle-
ment of Massachusetts Bay, which, in 1628, .sent out
John Endicott and one hundred others to ])lant a
colony at Salem. He contributed fifty pounds ster-
ling to the stock of tlie c()m])any, and was one of tlie
signers of instructions to Endicott before liis coming.
His business was that of an armorer, and he fur-
nished a supply of arms for tlie colony. He did not
emigrate to this country, but "sent three sons and
his daughter, Mary, as his ailventure to our cause."
Tlie youngest of these sons, Cyprian Stevens, came
from London about 1660, being then a lad of fourteen,
He settled at Lancaster, JIass., marrying, January 22,
1672, Mary, daughter of Major Simeon Willard, of
that town. He was the father of five children, of
whom tlie youngest wa.s Joseph, born about 1682. He
married Prudence, daughter of John Rice, of Sud-
bury, Mass. ; lived in Sudbury, Framingham and
Lancaster; removed, in 1720, to Rutland, Mass., and
died there in 1746. He was one of the first settlers
of Rutland, and a leading man in its early history,
holding its various town offices. He was captain of
the militia and a deacon in its church. He was the
father of five sons and the same number of daughters.
On the morning of August 14, 1723, he went from his
house to the meeting-house meadows in Rutland to
make hay. Four sons followed him, Phineas, the
eldest, being sixteen, and Isaac, the youngest, but
four years of age. They were surprised by a company
of Indians. The father fled to the bushes. Phineas
was taken prisoner, and the two next youngest,
Samuel and Joseph, were slain. They were preparing
to kill the child of four years, Isaac, when the elder
brother, by signs, made them understand, if they
would s|)are him, he would carry him on his back,
and he carried him to Canada. They were held in
captivity upwards of a year, and were only redeemed
at great expense and trouble, the father for this pur-
pose making two wearisome journeys to Canada.
The elder of these boys became the famous Captain
Phineas Stevens, of Charlestowii, N. H., an able and
brave man, who rendered most important service in
protecting the frontier from French and Indian in-
cursions. He was born at Sudbury, Mass, in 1707,
and (lied in the service of his country in 1766. He
was the father of seven children. His younger
brother, Isaac, was l)orii in 171!'; married, first, in
1743, Mercy Hubbard, of Rutland, Ma-ss. She dying
in 1746, he married, in 1748, Abigail Parling. By the
first wife he had a son and a daughter, and by the
last three sons and a daughter. He removed in early
manhood from Rutland to Carlisle, Ma.ss., and died
there. His youngest son, Calvin Stevens, was born
at Rutland, January 27, 1763; removeil in infancy to
Carlisle. In 1773 he married Esther Wilkins, and in
1776 removed from Carlisle to Hillsborough, N. H.
Here he had his home forty-five years, and removed
thence, in 1821, to Mont Vernon, where four of his
children liiul settled, and died tlieie in 1834. He
was a soldier of the [{evolution, liaving been in the
battle of Bunker Hill. While at Hillsliorough he
was for many years a town ollicer anil magistrate, and
was known for u|)rightiie.ss, intelligence and rectitude
in all the relations of life. He was the father of
thirteen children, ten of wlioin surviveil him. Nu-
merous descendants honor his memory, of whom, of
the fourth generation, is Hon. George A. .Marden,
late Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Repre-
sentatives and now a member of its Senate.
Asa, the seventh child and fitlh son of Calvin
744
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
I
Stevens, was born at Hillsborough, February 5, 1787 ;
married, in 1811, Mary Ann, youngest daughter of
Rev. Joseph Appleton, of Brookfield, Mass., and a
sister of the late Hon. William Appleton, of Boston.
Soon after his marriage he settled in Mont Vernon,
and died there in January, 1863. His wife survived
him until November, 1867. They were the parents
of .seven children, of whom six survived them.
The subject of this sketch (William Stevens), their
third son, was born at Mont Vernon, July 28, 1816.
He passed the first twenty years of his life under the
paternal roof, alternating farm labor with attendance
upon the village school. His academical studies
were limited to two terms at an institution in Han-
cock, N. H., in 1836-37. His ftither was a thrifty
man and possessed of considerable means, but be-
lieved his sons more likely to succeed in life without
than with parental aid, and the large estates accumu-
lated by the three who grew to manhood proved the
wisdom of his judgment. In 1838, when twenty-two
years old, William travelled West, as far as Illinois.
In 1839 he sought and obtained employment at the
Stark Mills, in Manchester, N. H., then managed by
his cousin, the late John A. Burnham, Esq., of Bos-
ton. After a few weeks' service there he went to
Boston, securing a position as a salesman in a cloth-
ing-store under Faneuil Hall. He continued here
until 1841, when his elder brother, Calvin, who was
engaged in an extensive business in smoked pro-
visions at 13 Front Street, New York City, invited
him to a position in his establishment, where he re-
mained some eighteen months, when he purchased a
stock of ship stores at 116 Wall Street, and conducted
business there until the autumn of 1844, when he
sold out and located in Ludlow Street as a dealer in
smoked provisions. In March, 1846, he removed his
business to 76 and 78 Worcester Street, associating
with himself his younger brother, Asa, making the
firm of W. & A. Stevens, and here they conducted a
large and prosjjerous trade until June, 186.'i, when
William retired and returned to Mont Vernon.
By unremitting devotion to business for more than
twenty years he had acquired an ample and well-
earned competency, and to enjoy it wisely turned his
feet to his native hills. He purchased of his father's
estate the homestead, enlarged and improved the
buildings, added to his domain by the purchase oi
other lands, and now these twenty years has occupied
this elegant home in a manner befitting a gentleman
farmer of taste and means. Mr. Stevens is a fine
type of that increasing class of New England boys
who, obedient to the promptings of a self-reliant am-
bition, have gone forth from the country to the great
cities, and, by unflagging industry, enterprise and in-
tegrity, have won fortunes, and before the forces of
life are spent and decay overtakes them, lovingly
come back to their early home to beautify it by
liberal expenditure, to dwell there and to confer upon
the surrounding communit)' the benefits which opu-
lence enables the public-spirited and generous-hearted
citizen to dispense around him. Mr. Stevens is a
man of broad sympathies, always on the side of those
who need help and strength, and the voice of cheer is
always given where needed.
Politically, he is an earnest but not bigoted Repub-
lican. Repeatedly a candidate for the Legislature,
his personal pupularity has always given him a full
vote, and in the last State election his candidacy pre-
vented the choice of a representative in a decidedly
Democratic town for the first time in its history.
Connected with no church, he is liberal in his religious
views, confident of the wisdom and mercy of the
All Father, believing that in any case the dead are
safe, and cannot go where "the Divine law will not
protect them, nor where the Divine law will not en-
circle them." He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity.
Mr. Stevens has been twice married, first, to Louisa
W. Dye, of Newark, N. J., who left him four
daughters, — Mary Ann, now Mrs. Charles F. Wilkins,
of Omaha, Neb. ; Ella L., unmarried; Catherine, now
Mrs. C. Henry Hobbie, also of Onuiha ; and Frances
E., unmarried. January 4, 1876, he was again
married to Mrs. Helen L. (Ober) Wliipple, the widow
of John Whipple, of New Boston, X. H., who died
in a Confederate prison during the late Civil War.
They have one daughter, Helen Willette Stevens,
born September 3, 1880.
APPENDIX
MANCHESTER.
Freemasonry in Manchester.' — The liistory of
Cnift Masonry in tliis city ilates I'rom August, 1845,
when Lafayette Lodf^e, No. 41, wa.s iii<ned from Pis-
cataquog village (then a part of Bedford) to this side
of the river. A dispensation was granted to the lodge
June 9, 1824, with Brother Robert Dunhip as the first
Master. It was chartered and duly consecrated Sep-
tember 1st following, and commenced work in a lodge-
room provided by the late Brother (iencral William P.
Kiddle, who was the stanch and liberal frienil and
supporter of the fraternity during his life. Bro. Dun-
lap afterwards became the Grand Master of the State,
and many others of the twenty-three brothers who
assembled at the first meeting to consider the subject
of the formation of a lodge became prominent in the
order, an<l did noble work in its interest. They have
all been gathered to the Grand Lodge above, and
their memories are a valuable legacy to those who
now sustain the important duties of their member-
ship.
Lafayette Lodge wiis namiil in honor of the French
nobleman who rendered such great service to the can^e
of freedom in the .struggle of this country for her inde-
pendence. He was a Mason, and at the time of the
formation of this lodge was making a triumphal tour
through the United States.
Lafayette Lodge remained in Bedford about twenty-
one years, covering the most eventlul jicriod of its
existence, years which put to the severest test the
fidelity and fortitude of the craft in every part of the
country. The history of l/afayette Lodge is a proud
record of the brotherhood in this vicinity, and is evi-
dence of their devotion to the truth.
Speaking of this subject, a distinguished Ijrother
says: " The consecration of the lodge wits in ample
form, and the exercises of the day were intersjiersed
with appropriate music by the Bedford performers.
It was a gala day for Piscataquog village, then the
[irincipal place in these parts, for Manchester of the
present time was not dreamed of for years after
the.se events occurred."
For the four succeeding years the lodge wius greatly
prospered — the brethren "did walk together in love,"
■By J. W. Fallowa.
and Masonry was very popular. About this time a
new lodge was formed in Hooksett, anotlier in Mer-
rimack, down the river, and another in Derry. But
in 1828 the dark age of Masonry in this country com-
menced. A fierce and relentless anti-Masonic war
was waged. Their ceremonies were misrepresented,
their principles maligned and good M:ison8 them-
selves bitterly denounced. It was carried into church
and political parties. It found its way into families,
causing bitterness and alienation. The .shock that
thus agitated the country was felt by Lafayette Lodge.
For seventeen years no work was done — not a Mason
made.
Along the track of these years we find evidences of
the pressure brought to bear against them — meetings
became less frefpient. In 18.'31 the by-laws were so
amended as to re(iuire but four meetings a year.
From 18.33 to 1837 there was but one meeting a year;
then for a time meetings were more frequent;
meanwhile, the lodges in the vicinity went down, and,
yielding to the pressure, lost their charters. These
were signs of distress. But Lafayette l.,odge held its
meetings and |ireserved its charter. All honor to
those noble craftsmen who, so long subjected to the
assaults of persecution, maintained the right and kept
the faith.
When the lodge was moved to Manchester, it occu-
pied rooms in the so-called Duncklee Block, on Ehn
Street, hut soon became prosperous and able to im-
prove its place of meeting ami fiirnilure. In 1847, a
new hall had been prepared, and in December it was
duly dedicated, Brother Sylvanus Cobb, of Boston,
delivering the oration.
A few events in this lodge during the succeeding
years are worthy of passing notice. In December,
184.'*, Okah Tubbee, a chief of lh<- Choctaw nation
of Indians, resiiling on the borders of Arkansas, took
the three degrees of Masonry in this lodge, under
authority of adisjiensatioii for that purpose. In Sep-
tember, 18r)2, the centennial of the nniking of George
Wiusliington a Mason was duly celebrated. In 1854,
the anniversary of St. .Iidin was celebrated with im-
posing ceremonies, under the auspices of Lafayette
Lodge, assisted by nnmy lodges from other parts of
the State.
Soon the hall in Dum-klee Itlock became incou-
74r)
746
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
venient, and larger rooms were necessary. In 1856
Masonic Tempk' on Handon Street was erected and
the lodge transferred its place of meeting to that
liuilding, and occupieil it the first time April 25th of
that year.
Later in the season the belief that another lodge
should be formed began to be entertained. Ac-
cordingly, a petition was presented to the Grand
Lodge, signed by John S. Kidder, Isaac C. Flanders,
E. W. Harrington, Samuel G. Langley, E. H. Davis,
James S. Cheney, George W. Morrison, N. W. Cum-
ner, George B. Chandler and many others, asking to
be authorized to form a new lodge by the name of
Washington Lodge, No. 6L
January 1, 1857, the Grand Master granted letters
of dispensation, and appointed John S. Kidder the
i3rst Master of the lodge.
On the 10th day of January, 1857, Washington
Lodge held its first meeting, and its officers were in-
stalled by Deputy Grand Master George H. Hubbard.
At the annual communication, in June following,
the Grand Lodge granted a charter, and on June
25th the ceremonies of consecration were performed,
in ample form, and Washington Lodge, No. 61, took
its place among the regular lodges of the State.
From that day to the present the two lodges have
worked side by side with that harmony and fraternal
spirit which should distinguish all good Masons.
As Lafayette Lodge took its name from that high-
born patriot and friend of freedom, who was the friend
and companion of Washington in the camp and in
the field, so it was fitting that the newly-formed
lodge should take the name of the father of his
country.
In 1870 the great fire of our history destroyed, with
many other buildings. Masonic Temple. Nearly all
the furniture of all the Masonic societies was de-
stroyed, and the fraternity suflered great disaster.
But, Phienix-like, there arose from the ashes of our
former home a far more commodious and beautiful
temple. Even while the smoke and flame yet clung
to the ruins of the first building the enterprising
and energetic brothers who owned the property be-
gan to plan for a new temple, and in due time the
brethren had the satisfaction of seeing erected the
second temple, better than the first; and "so the
work shall not cease."
It was formally dedicated December 26, 1870, by
the Grand Lodge of the State, assisted by Lafayette
and Washington Lodges, the late Brother John R.
Holbrook, JL \V. Grand Master, conducting the
ceremonies. It was a very bajipy occasion. The
craft had w-atchod the building as it grew in com-
pleteness and detail, and their interest in its dedica-
tion was enhanced by the purimses to which it was to
be devoted.
The ceremonies were hapjjv and successful in every
particular. Besides the formal exercises usual on such
occasions, a very interesting and instructive historical '
address — from which much of the matter herein has
been taken- — was delivered by Brother John P. New-
ell, and an able and elaborate oration by Brother
Joseph Kidder. More than a thousand people wit-
nessed the exercises, and the fraternity entered upon
a new era of success. From that time Craft Masonry
in Manchester has maintained a high degree of pros-
perity. Its influence has been powerful, and its
works of charity have been countless. The lodges
have taken a front rank among the lodges of the
State, and have done a great amount of good work.
Lafayette Lodge now numbers two hundred and
ninety-four and Washington two hundred and eighty-
one members. There are also residing in the city
about two hundred more members of the fraternity,
part of whom belong to lodges in other places, and
part of them are unaffiliated. The institution of
Free-Masonry holds a prominent place in the history
of Manchester, and has made its impression upon her
people and customs. It has identified itself with
many public buildings by performing the ceremonies
of laying the corner-stone, or by dedication services.
Its growth and prosperity has been commensurate
with that of the city, and its future is even more
promising than its past has been successful.
Capitular Masonry was established in Manches-
ter November 15, 1847. A preliminary meeting of
nine Royal Arch Masons was held Se])tember 1st, at
which Daniel Balch was selected for the first officer
and appointed to present their petition to the Grand
Chapter of the State for a dispensation and charter.
This was granted under the name of Mount Horeb
Royal Arch Chapter, No. 11, and Daniel Balch was
appointed High Priest. This Chapterat once assumed
a prominent position among the Chapters of the
State. Its members were made officers of the Grand
Chapter, and its influence upon the condition of the
order was fully recognized.
In 1850 its membership was .'?4; in 1860, 113 ; in
1870,186; in 1885, 280.
In the fire of 1870 the Chapter suffered a financial
loss in common with the other Masonic bodies, but it
was well prepared to restore its furniture and bear its
part of the burden of refitting and occupying the new
temple. In all respects, the history of Mount Horeb
Chapter is full of honor and satisfaction. Its mem-
bers comprise some of the aldest and most respected
men of the State, — men who have been an honor to
every position where they have been called to act,
and whose names will be carried upon the rolls of the
fraternity with distinction, and whose examiiles will
rest in the memory of their brethren while life busts.
CRYPTir Masoxky. — Adoniram Council of Royal
and Select Masters No. 24, was established in Man-
chester September 11, 1856, by a dispensation granted
to Daniel Balch, Ira Bliss and Moses O. Pearson by
the Grand Council of Connecticut to form and open
a Council, etc., and on the 27th of the same mouth a
charter was issued.
xrPKVDIX.
74-!
Vo. 3 III
: WO hutuli
has been
I lit
11 onft of I'ontiniiP'l «iir'-
f we may judge I'roni ii
ion, thi» Council has the jt..
.ble prosperity.
. idi'l so tht
j'tic work, i'l
ind present condi-
iC long and remark-
11. It 18 now the largest conimamlery
..Tiiiiwiiii..- among its two hundred and
ii of deservedly high rank in
■ver nianir
• who L.'U
(<>w their iiiunim I'ur
estatili.sli'
I •(_■;■;
.'.Ill,' ■ ' ■
i.. V.nii-, \.,
Hutchinson Hnil {'<
The Kn
.M. E. Sii
conling t
4. liiHliillutiun
Sliurtlffl
ol' the o»K'i-ii4. lii..ta<i>ii
K. I The - Ity of character of its
: i.in. .ii...,ni of I member^, ,,. .. ,.. lo the commiinderj', their
r the United Staten, ; liberality and knightly courtesy at all times, th<-ir
Ii, 1824. The peti- , earnest devotion to the [irinciples of the order, hiive
,.R Fri'oman Puna, ' not only ronf rilnited lo its success in the past ami
I the high and honored name
attained in the coininunit>-, but
lory evidence of fiiture prosperity.
- "iTE.- In 1862 a disi ■ •'
i I of the Scottish Rii
Uuslon, \» ' ■■! to .lolin 1 >.
•ral othi 1 - .1 received the
■ to the tliirty-second, inclusive.
j_. liiL lispensation, which was lor a Lodge
of Perfection, many members of the York Rile were
elected and ?■ ' ' ' ■ ■>( this Ri:
thirtv-HOcoriil I cillipr i
.. h, 1824, by
■•remonies ac-
also art) II
The a
from thi
The CM I
contain
lish working
able niinibiT
the SupreiiH
•r, yet B
•es of the I.,..
I lie iifiial workid,
eiit ; bul we kii"
iU otiicerB in tli
■. Sir Charles W. A
in recording a brii.l m-.
: "In IHlJC and 1827 tin
for 111
anil
eineiit un- ■
annual int :.
I, and adds :
int down wi'
•tion of tlic '
nil uclive uiid iiiiliiculiul ineiuliets ••!
Ue I
.•••Hr ail
>iiii' esinliMMinirjiiM
iiE Rei> Ckoks of I
iicil of this Illustr:
.ed in 1873. The
i.iws and
iiruin ('"'I
I liisOrdci
- —A
1 was
d bv the
.: ill.-
W"
l.i,v imh, in the name "I
■ iiliallvCli
■^re and of other Sir
Mai "■•■ '" ■ • '
9)11
JUL lur liK
in then n
and eon
748
■^ISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Vinces " upon the banners of this and other Orders of
Knighthood. Tlie name of this Council, " Labaruui," is
of doubtful origin, but was undoubtedly the name given
by Emperor (Jonstantine to his banner, upon which
was inscribed tlie monogram composed of the first two
letters of the Greek work Kristos. This Council has
done but little work, and has not yet united with the
other Councils in this country, but contemplates taking
steps to form other Councils, and a Grand Council of
♦he Order as soon as members sufficient in number are
created to warrant the expense and labor necessary
to their support.
Masoxic Relief Association. — The fraternity
formed an organization, April 14, 1874, for the relief
of the families of jMasons who have deceased. It is
intended and jiractically docs atford a system of liffe
insurance for moderate amounts at a very low rate.
The plan is that each member shall pay one dollar
into the treasury at the decease of any one member,
so that the family of the deceased shall receive as
many dollars as there are members. A small sum is
paid to provide for expenses ; but the management
of the association i^very inexpensive and careful-
There is always kept in the treasury a sum of dollars-
equal to the number of members, ready to be paia
immediately ujjon the decease of any member. The
good faith of the fraternity is the guaranty fund, ano
it has never failed to respond when called upon toiry
so. The association now numbers near four hundnus-
and its popularity increases with every year, and it-*
grateful hearts of many who have been aided in l^'e*
hours of bereavement testify to the good it perforihe
Public Building'.— During "the 'last Congress a bill!
was passed appropriating two hundred thousand dol-I
lars for a public building in this city. V "if
HANCOCK.
John WHiitcomb, Esq., held the office of postmas-
ter here for fifty-four years, from the first institution
of the office, in 1812, until his death. His grandson,
Adolphus D. Tuttle, Esq., has held the same position
continuously since his death.
n
it
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