"774 '^54 History ( ) STODDARD CHESHIRE COL'MN, N. H. BY ISAIAH GOULD. rilSTORY OF STODDARD CHESHIRE COUNTY, N. H. From the time of its Incorporation in 1774 to 1854, A period of cSo years. With some sketches from its first settlement in 1768 BY ISAIAH GOULD. — o — I'UP.LISIIKI) ];y MRS. MARIA A. (GOULD) GIFFIN, Keene, N. H. MARLBORO', N. H. W. L. MI^yrCALF, STEAM .lOP, PRINTER. IS'.) 7. J3 Wf 9647 y7^3 ;3 n INTRODUCriON. — o — It was in the Autumn of 1852 the Author be no means of knowing. The place where Weeks & Gilson's Tavern and Glass factory stand was called "the city," from the same authority. A Turnpike was in agitation, call- ed the Hancock turnpike, and was to pass through this town, about the year 1807. The town voted to take one mile and a half of this road to build, begin- ing at the common, near the center schoolhouse, from thence running a south east course; and have it completed, as soon as the other part was made b)' the corporation. No part of it was made. As population increased, and business considera- bly enlarged; another road was built in 181 1 called the "County road." It came from Hancock, nearl)- on the same ground, of the former, to what is called Barrett's bridge, from thence to Charles Saw3/er's and continued a northerly course to Wm. Robb's and over mount Stoddard, with some alterations to the meeting house. Previous to this a road had been built across the "Bog" where it is now travell- ed. But still the road was not on the best ground, and the public were not satisfied. In 1830 the Forest road was laid by a courts com- mittee consisting of Phinehas Henderson of Keene: Samuel M.Richardson of Pelham and Joseph Weeks of Richmond. It was a continuous route from Charlestown, through Stoddard, Hancock and Greenfield to Nashua. It entered the towm, near the northwest part of it, passing through the middle and running a diagonal course to the south east ROADS. 23 corner by Rye poiul, inakin*^ l)ctwcc;n nine and ten miles of nearly all new road, at a cost of about $3625. The next year, 1S31, a committee appointed by the court, consistinij^ of Jonathan Gove of Acworth, Joseph Weeks of Richmond and Oliver Prescott of jaffrey. laid out what is called the Keene and Con- cord road. This road passes throu,irh the corners of the towns of Roxbury, Sullivan, Nelson and Stoddard, and through an almost uninhabited part of all of them, consequently, it was met b}' a power- full opposition from each town. It enters Stoddard at the head of F^actory pond, running a northeast- erly direction to Antrim line, making more than live miles of entirely new road. The ends of this road viz. from Nelson line to I. Ciould's and from the south village to Antrim line, were made in 1S34; the remainder was built in 1836. There have been many alterations in the roads of later years, to avoid hills, and better accommo- date the traveling public. In 1832 a road was made from Joseph Knight's to the road, east of Col. Wilson's also from near the brook east of Marshal Messenger's to the Bog schoolhouse; which was a great improvement from the old one, with several other smaller alterations in different parts of the town, that I shall not notice. The road from Mill X'illage to Antrim, was thoroughly repaired, and considerably altered, in 1852 and 1853, at a cost of over 2800 dollars. .\n arch stone bridge, was built across the stream near Antrim line, the only bridge of the kind in town. As the highways have been removed to lower ground, many of the back roads, were completely 24 HISTORY OF STODDARD. blocked up with snow during the winter season, and were not much repaired in the summer. The occupants, of many of the farms, found the necessity of leaving, and turning them to a pasture. The greatest misfortune the town ever exper- ienced has been, in so many of the citizens leaving town, and so much of the land, being in possession of non-resident owners. More than one-third of the lots, that were settled and occupied by families, forty years ago; many of them industrious and enterprising men, are now destitute of inhabitants and the farms turned to a pasture. SCHOOLS. The town is divided into ten school districts, which contain about 275 scholars each year. The people here, began early to provide means for the educating of their children. The first appropriation for that purpose, was in 1780. Voted, in town meeting, to raise 60 bushels of rye, or the value thereof, for schooling. In 1 781, voted to raise 1000 pounds continental money for schooling, equal to t,t,t,;^ dollars and ^2) cents. Appropriations were made most of the years afterwards, but not so large. The next year, voted to raise 30 pounds, for the use of schools. From 1800 to 1808, the town raised 100 pounds each year for schooling. In late years, it has been the practice of the town not to raise more money than is required by law. In 1816 the town raised 100 dollars in addition to the requirements of law. In 1840 raised 100 dollars to be divided equally among the several school districts. SCHOOLS. 25 For many years the town has received annuall}' something over fifty doHars, of a literary fund, which is a tax on bank capital to be appropriated for schoolinsy. This town usually divides it equally among the districts. We find nothing in regard to school houses till 1 7Q2. The town voted "that the town be squadroned anew, and build each squadron a school house." Previous to this, schools, were kept in private houses. How schools were kept, and who the teachers were, we have but little knowledge. Mas- ter Obadiah Parker is still spoken of, by some of our aged people, as a very excellent teacher, and a fine man. He was frequently employed to teach the schools; and inoneyear, kept out all the money in town; going from one district to another, till he had gone through the town. A sketch of some of the practices of school man- agement within the recollection of the writer, ma)' not be uninteresting. The first school I recollect of attending, was kept in a barn, the school house having been burnt a short time before, another was soon built, and the method of procuring firewood, deserves notice. About the time school was to commence, a gallon or two of rum was procured (paid for out of the school money of course) and notice given for the men and boys belonging to the district "to turn out and get wood for the school", some with axes and others with their oxen. Whole trees were drawn with a chain (twitched up) and left as they were drawn, for the large boys, to cut and split, as they were wanted for use. 26 HISTORY OF STODDARD. When this method was not taken; some one would engage to furnish wood for the school, for a certain price by the week. The wood was always green, and all the boys who were large enough to build the fire, would take turns in doing it, cut their own wood, and tend the fire through the day. The inhabitants took measures, early to provide some person "to look after their schools", but we find no school committees appointed till 1812, since then a variety of modes have been adopted for that purpose. The committee in 181 2 were Rev. Isaac Robinson, Mood}^ Cutter, Aaron Matson. 181 3, Isaac Robinson, Nahum Ward, Lucas Thompson. 1814, I. Robinson, Moody Cutter, L. Thompson. 1815, I. Robinson, L. Thompson, Nathan Gould. 1816, None appointed. 181 7, 1. Robinson, L.Thomp- son, Wm. D.Mathews. 1818, I.Robinson, M. Cutter, Hermon Fisher. 181Q, 20 and 21, I. Robinson and two in each district. 1822, Rev. Isaac Robinson. 1823, One man in each district, chosen by the district. 1824, I. Robinson and one in each district. 1825, 6 & 7, I. Robinson and two in each district. 1828, Voted that each district choose their own. 1829, One in each district. 1830, 31 and 32, None chosen. 1833 & 4, Voted to dispense with the services of the superintending school committee as far as examin- ing schools is concerned. From 1834 to 1843, ^""^ committees chosen, an alteration in the law was made, and in 1843, Rev. Wm. S. Cilley, Dr. Josiah Fleeman, Dr. Hervey Fisher, Com. 1844, Rev. I. Robinson, Dr. J. Fleeman, Dr. H. Fisher. 1845, H. Fisher, J. Fleeman, Sumner Knight, 1846, I. Rob- inson, Rev. Asa Spaulding, James H. Scott. 1847, SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND MEETING HOUSES. 27 I. Robinson, A. Spauklini^. J. Flecman. 1848, Isaiah Gould. Sumner Knight. John N. Whiton Jr. 1849, I. Gould. S. Knight, J. Flceman. 1850, Sumner Knitrht, Dr. Ira F. Prouty. Chester A. Blodget. 1851, S. Knight, Rev. J. Britton, J. M. Whiton, Jr. 1852, Sumner Knight. 1853, Dr. Frederick A. Car- penter. Dr. Carpenter died, Sumner Knight was appointed to fill the vacancy. In 17QQ a number of the citizens, formed an asso- ciation by the name of the Stoddard Social Library, for the improvement of the intellectual faculties of the people; and the next year (1800) it received an act of incorporation. The library was composed of about 175 volumes of valuable books. It was frequently enlarged, by an assessment on its members. It was under proper restricti(Mis. and good regulations, and was read with much interest; but as newspapers, became more common; Periodicals and other books much cheap- er; the lil)rary was neglected, the proprietors inat- tentive, the annual meeting was not attended; and in 1838, it ceased to exist, as a corporate body. The books, most of them, have been scattered among the proprietors and jjcrhaps others, without any regular di\ision. MKirriNCx HOUSES. The project of locating and building a meeting house, was before the town, at a very early period, in 1775 it was debated in town meeting. A house was built about that time, by Oliver Parker. It stood at the top of the hill 40 or 50 rods south of Gardner Towne's house, whether he built it for the 28 HISTORY OF STODDARD. town is uncertain. The town owned it, however, and in 1783, voted to move it, in front of the old Towne's house (where Gardner lives) and use it as long as they see fit; and then, Capt. Towne (Esq. Israel probably) agrees to pay what it is worth and appropriate the amount, towards building a new one. Whether it was moved or not is not known; but it was sold at auction in 1789. John Taggart was the purchaser, for nine pounds and two shillings (about 30 dollars) and converted it into a dwelling house and it stood a little north of Chester A. Blodget's house and is at the present time, a part of Sterns Foster's blacksmith shop. The proprietors of the town put up the frame of a meeting house, and covered the outside; but it was never finished. The people were much divided in their opinion upon the propriety of repairing the old meeting house or building a new one; previous to the time the old house was sold. In 1779 was a town meeting, to see if the town will accept the proposals of Oliver Parker, concern- ing the meeting house he built. The subject was before the town till 1784. Voted to build a meeting house the same bigness of the one in Packersfield, and have it finished within three years; and chose a committee of five to draw a plan, and empowered them to sell the pews, at the same time, petition the Legislature for some assistance, accordingly an act was passed, authorizing the town to lay a tax of one penny per acre, on all the land lying in town for three years; one half, to be appropriated towards building a meeting house MEETING HOUSES. 2Q They immediately went about building one. It was raised some time in September 1784, and the spectators were entertained at the expense of the town while raising it. That was the last that was said about building a meeting house. The next difficulty arose in regard to finishing it but this was not accomplished without much delib- eration and difficulty; and probably, had to resort to law. In 1 7QO the town voted to send to Peterboro for Jeremiah Smith, for advice on some dispute in regard to the subject. At another meeting, the town voted to finish the out side and paint it, and give the pew ground, to any man or men, who would finish the inside. It was taken by twelve men, citizens of the town, who completed the house for the pews. The old meeting house (as it has recently been called) was built by the town and finished by indi- viduals, consequently, it was both public and private propert}'. It was used by the town for all public business and kept in repair, at the town's expense. The Universalist Society claimed, as their right, the privilege of occupying it a certain number of Sabbaths in each year; which was a small number usually. They afterwards claimed a number, equal to their proportion of taxes; which was always granted by the town, and the society statedly occu- pying it. The Universalist society using it much of the time; the other society had no convenient place to hold their meetings; beside the house was getting out of repair, with no means of warming it; so much so that for several winters it was entirely unoccupied. With these difficulties in view, in 1835 30 HISTORY OF STODDARD. the Orthodox society took measures to build them- selves a new house. A committee was chosen consisting- of Isaiah Gould, Luke Joslin and Heman Evans, who were to report a plan, and location. The next year, 1830, the house now occupied by that society, was built on the spot reported by the committee, with a little alteration from the plan proposed; at a cost of something over two thousand dollars exclusive of the bell. The Universalist society not satisfied with using the old meeting house as it was, soon went about building one for themselves, and in 1838 they built the elegant brick church at the lower end of the village, with a basement story which in 1841 the town purchased for 400 dollars and fitted it for the use of the town, where all town meetings are held. This is the only brick building in town. The old meeting house, on the hill, stood some years exposed to the winds and storms, and was then sold at auction. Nathan Morse was the purchaser at about one hundred dollars, and con- verted it into his present dwelling house, STORES. The first store in town was kept by Col. Nath'l Evens' at his place of residence, two miles west of the village. It would be unreasonable to suppose, that he kept as great a variety as is found in most country stores at the present time. He sold his goods to Gardner Towne and they were moved, to what, then was called the middle of the town. About that time Esq. Emerson opened a store in his dwelling house; where Abner Knowlton, Esq. STORKS 31 now lives. Mr. Towne put his goods into what was long known "as the white house" nearly opposite to where Gardner Towne, Jr.'s house now is. He after- wards moved three-fourths of a mile farther east, where the middle of the town was finally established, and kept the only store in town for man}^ years. Joseph Emerson filled the store he left on the hill, and traded on a large scale, but failed, and left town. John Evens built a store between G. Towne's and A. Knowlton's house, which was filled by Asa Evens and his son (John) in 1803. He did not con- tinue in business but about two years. It was not filled again till 181 5. Wm. D. Mathews and Abijah Hadley, from Hancock, filled it; after trading a year Mr. Hadley left and went back to Hancock, and Erances Matson became a partner with Mr. Mathews, they however soon relinquished trade. In 18 1 8 David Lowe and Isaac Duncan, also from Hancock, filled the same store with a good assort- ment of goods. At the decease of Esq. Towne, Mrs. Towne kept his goods, and trad(;d some time, they were then sold at auction, and Lowe and Duncan moved their goods into the Towne's store. After trading a few years, Lowe left and returned to Hancock. Duncan continued business several years, then relinquished trade. Previous to this, a store was kept by John Bartlcn, on rather a small scale, in an old building, which was us(?d also for his dwelling house, on the spot where Scripture and Whiton's store now stands. Harden traded between 1803 and 1813 when he died. At the time Lowe and Duncan wert^ in trade. 32 HISTORY OF STODDARD. Reuben and Silas Biitterfield from Chelmsford, purchased the school house, standing between the old tavern stand and the burying ground, and fitted it up for a store. After trading some years, they enlarged the building and continued business several years longer; when they sold their goods at auction, and Silas left, and went to Dunstable (now Nashua) Henry Melville, Esq. from Nelson, filled the store, and Upton Burnap was sent as salesman. Their trade continued but one year, when Reuben Butter- field purchased the goods, and soon after sold to Otis Barden, and he to Joel W. Eaton. Mr. Barden built, and fitted, a store in 1830 at the place now owned by Luther Abbott; but his trade was not of long duration. Mr. Eaton continued trade in the Butterfield store till the business was moved to the foot of the hill, when he built the store connected with his dwelling house, which he occupied till his death. In 1833 Capt. J. F. Sanderson built the Tavern and store in the village. The store was filled by a Mr. Brainard from Washington; but did not remain any length of time. He carried his goods back to Washington. It was next filled by Cleon G. and Ebenezer B. Towne, they did business one year. Cleon left the store and Wm. H. Ireland became partner with Eben. After about another year Eben left and George W. Ireland took his place in trade. They finally left, went back to Boston their native place, and Gilman Scripture with Warren Walker commenced trade in the Ireland store. In about a year Mr. Walker left, and Scripture took John M. Whiton, Jr. as a partner. STORKS 33 Mr. W alkrr i)urchas('(.l a hiiiklin^, that was huilt ami occupied as a shoj), and constructed it into a store and took for a partner William Murphy from Paper Mill village, their race was a short one, they remained but a few months. The store has not since been tilled with goods, and is about to be made into a dwelling house. Shortly after Mr. b^aton wcmt into his new store, he took Jonathan Cireene as a partner in trade; after a few years Mr. Greene left and Mr. b^aton continued business till his death in 1845. After Mr Eaton's death, his stock of goods were purchased by John M. W'hiton, Jr. and George C. Duncan in oni- year they were sold at auction. The store was sold and Gilman Scripture became the owner, and business, is carried on under the lirm of Scripture, Whiton and Gurtice. When Scripture and Whiton left the Ireland store it was unoccupied for some years, when John Towne fitted it and traded about a year, then took Eben A. Rice a partner. Mr Rice afterwards become connected with the South Stoddard Glass Gompan3^ bought Towne's share of the goods, and moved them to the south part of the town. A store was built by the company in 1852. The Ireland store was purchased b)- G. A. Blod- g(;tt, who still occupies it. A store was built at the south part of the town about 1843 and filled with goods by James O. Reed from Townisend. He remained there four or five years, then moved his goods to New l])swich. The store was made into a dwclliuLT house. 34 HISTORY OF STODDARD, TAVERNS. Abner Knowlton's dwelling house was long used as a house of entertainment. It was built by Nath'l Emerson, Esq. and used for that purpose by him. After he left town, it was occupied by many different people, most of them kept a public house. Aaron Matson, Esq. bought the farm, and Frances his son kept a tavern when he died in 1834. It was used by Esq. Matson for the same purpose a short after. The old Towne's Tavern was built by Josiah Shapley many years ago. Esq. Gardner Towne became the owner of it, and it has ever been in the hands of his family. Isaac Duncan, Esq. kept it several years after the death of Esq. Towne, and until the business was done at the foot of the hill. Capt. J. F. Sanderson put up the large Tavern house in the village, in 1833 and partially finished it. I. Duncan purchased it, finished and kept it as a house of entertainment. It is now owned by Loyal Dodge, and occupied by David T. Petts. The old Tavern house, barns and out buildings have been taken down, the last seasons (1852 and 3) and new ones put in their places; all in a superior and thorough style by C. B. Towne of Boston. A Tavern was built at the South part of the town by John Robb about the time the Forest road was opened the owners and occupants since that time, have been numerous. It is now owned by Luman Weeks and Frederick A. Gilson and kept by Mr. Gilson. It is a noted place, and is known by the name of the Box. The name being so singular; the enquiry is often made. What was the origin of so POST OFFICES. 35 Strange a name? There are several causes given as to its origin; but which is the true one, is uncertain; hut the person, who had the honor of giving it its name, froze to death one night going home from "the Box." Otis Barden built the house where Luther Abbott lives, intending it for the "travelers' home," but he left town soon after, and it has never been ,used as such since. POST OFFICES. The first post office in town, was established in 1822, and Isaac Duncan was appointed post master. The mail was carried by Peter Jacobs a resident of Marlow. The mail was carried in a one-horse sleigh. The carrier provided himself with a large tin horn, and would blow several blasts upon it, before arriving at the offices. Previous to this, any person, receiving or depos- iting letters was under the necessity of going to Keene or Jaffrey and any one wishing to take a stage, must go to one of the above named places. A post office had been established in Washington, and a stage passed through that town that accomo- dated the people in the north part of the town. Those who have been appointed post masters are Isaac Duncan, Wm. H. Ireland, Ashley Jones, Isaac Duncan (a second term) John M. Whiton. Jr. the present incumbent. Since the Forest road was opened for travel a line of stages, has run over it constantly, from Charlestown through this town to Boston three times a week and back. Four, and sometimes six horses, have been used, with full freight. The 36 HISTORY OF STODDARD. business has diminished, in some measure since the opening of the Cheshire Rail Road. As soon as the Keene and Concord road was built a post office was located at the south part of the town known as the South Stoddard Post Office- Postmasters have been Nathan Bailey, James Wilson, Wm. L. Lewis and Manley W. McClure. A two horse coach has run over this road from Concord to Keene three times a week. MILLS. Many of the luxuries of life are derived from the grist mill. It is from that, we obtain our "daily bread." Stoddard was never much celebrated for the elegance of the mills. The first grist mill was built by Silas Wright, afterwards known as Major Wright, in what is called Mill Village. It has undergone many repairs and been several times rebuilt and owned by many diferent individuals; and is still the only one in town. It is owned by Israel F. Towne. A mill was built, and did considerable business among neighbors, by John Henry, at the outlet of the pond, called Henry's pond near the place where Luther Abbott's factory stands. It was in use about 1790. A small grist mill stood on the stream that empties into Factory pond, south of Nathan Nye's residence, about the year 1800 owned by Israel Abbott. It was afterwards rebuilt by Reuben Barrett, Jr. and did grinding for the neighbors. Capt. Samuel Robb, built a grist and sawmill, near the residence of his son James; and carried on business and did grinding for many years, but it MILLS AND FTRKS. 37 was not noted for much elegance and good order. A mill long known as Chandler's mill, was built by Daniel Foster, and did considerable business many years ago. A sawmill still stands on the spot. It has changed owners many times, and is about to be rebuilt, and is intended to do a good business yet. It is owned by Cummings Moor. There are six saw mills in operation in town, at present, owned by John and Ephraim Stevens, Edward Reed, Israel F. Towne, Samuel Robb. Moor, Robb and his son, have built in the last season (1853) a saw mill and pail factory, between Island pond, and Samuel Robb's mill, where they intend doing a good business. BUILDINGS THAT HAVE BEEN BURNT. 1. The first on the catalogue, since the com- mencement of the present century, was a building that once was a dwelling house, although not occu- pied as such; standing between Charles Worcester's house and the top of the hill. It took fire by drying flax by the fire place. 2. A dwelling house owned by Esq. G. Towne, standing 30 or 40 rods south of the old burying ground and was occupied by Mr. Samuel Dow. 3. A small dwelling house owned and occupied by Josiah Cram, being near the south line of the town, near the Jonas Wilson place. 4. An out house, and carriage house, of Esq. Matson was burnt in the day time. It took fire from an arch where they had been boiling sap. 5. Ebenezer Tarbox's house, barns, and all his out buildings, with his fences, were burnt in the day 38 HISTORY OF STODDARD. time during a severe drouth, and high wind, Sept. 1829. 6. The dwelling house, shop and all the out buildings of Isaiah Gould were burnt in the night, January 1839. 7. Luther Wilson's dwelling with all its contents was burnt in the day-time 1841. The origin of the fire is unknown. 8. A barn belonging to Edward Carrol was burnt by lightning. 9. A woolen factory, built by Otis Barden, stand- ing where Luther Abbott's factory is built, was burnt supposed by an incendiary. 10. A large two story house, was accidentally set on fire in the evening with a candle; owned and occupied by Marcus Richardson, 1842. 11. The Glass factory, owned by Scripture Whiton and Curtice was burnt in 1847. 12. Two dwelling houses, wood and carriage house, owned by Isaiah Reed, Esq. and his son were burnt 1848. 13. Two school houses in district No. 4, one in 1802, the other in 1810 or about that time. 14. A school house in district No. 3, near Col- Wilson's, 1839. 15. An old school house in the middle of the town owned by John Towne, 1848, supposed to be set on fire. 16. The Blacksmith shop at the south part of the town, formerly owned by Luther Wilson, 1845. rONDS. Stoddard is somewhat celebrated for the number PONDS. 3Q of ponds it contains; formerly there were fourteen, that bore the name of ponds, several of them have been drained and have grown up with grass and weeds, that they scarce deserve the name. The largest is the one lying between this town and Nelson, and is known as the Factory pond, from the fact, of a cotton factory standing at the outlet of it. This pond is more than a mile from east to west, and three-fourths of a mile from north to south, more than one-half of it lies in Nelson. Forty or fifty rods, from the eastern shore, is an Island of between two and three acres. Its bottom is sandy and its shores pleasant. It is stored with trout of a large size. Some have been taken, weighing live and six pounds. They are not easily caught. They never could be persuaded to bite a hook. They usually approach near the shore in the month of October (the spawning season) when they have sometimes been killed with muskets. West of the island, water is found to be no feet deep. The pond is fed by several small streams running into it, from all directions. Center pond, being three-fourths of a mile in a south westerly direction from the middle of the town. From its location, probably it received its name. It is of a circular form, of considerable magnitude and is surrounded by high hills. Former- ly considerable quantities of Pickerel, Perch, and and other fish, have been caught there; but in late 3^ears, few have been taken. Long pond extends from jNIill village into Wash- ington, and is the largest collection of water in town, but it is known by different names as Stacy's pond, 40 HISTORY OF STODDARD. Mud pond, &c. It is in some places merel}^ a river of two or three rods in width, to a half a mile. The bottom is muddy, and its shores mostly lined with bushes. Its waters are stored with a variety of fish, and in great abundance. Fishermen from the neighboring towns, and even from 40 miles dis- tant, resort there on a fishing excursion, and often carry off more than a hundred pounds of Pickerel, Perch, Horn pouts, &c. Island pond lying half a mile below Mill village is a large collection of water. It contains nine islands. This also has fish of various kinds and it is sought by many people to obtain them. The water in the above named ponds, run a south easterly direction, nearl}^ to the south village, when they unite with a stream, having its head in Nelson then running a north east course, and form a branch of the Contoocook river, and empty into the Merri- mac. Trout pond is situated in the north east part of of the town. It takes its name from the kind of fish, that are found in it. It is not large. Rye pond is at the south east corner of the town. It derived its name, from the waving of the long grass, that springs up out of its water. In it stands the land mark that bounds Stoddard on that corner of it. It is not noted for any thing in particular. It is mostly grown up with weeds, it has been admired for the abundance of white lillies it con- tained. Reed's pond, located near where Joshua Reed once resided, and still bears his name. It has been drained and is mostly grown up. It formerly pro- PONDS. 41 duccd lillies in abuiulance. Botx pond is near the residence of 1'.. Vox, Esq. It has been th'uined. and is covered with a jjoor kind of trrass, and is mowed in dry seasons. Henry's pond derived its name from the j^erson living near it, is not an extensive bod}- of water and is not memorable for an^'thing. Mills have been erected at the outlet, but the water privilege is not great. Taylor's pond lying at the south west part of the town is a body of water of considerable extent and derived its name from Esq. Taylor living near, and owning the land around it. All waters in the westerly part of the town empty into a branch of the Ashuelot river, and this river into the Connecticut at Hinsdale. The streams on the east part of the town empty into the Contoocook and on to the Merrimac river. The height of land between these two ri\'ers, passes nearly through the center of the town, north and south. The old Towne house now owned by (lardner, jr. stands so completely on the ridge, that watc-r, run- ning from the roof on the east side, goes into the Merrimac river; that on the west side, passes on, and goes into the Connecticut. The dam across the stream at Mill \illage, throws the water l)ack six miles, before coming to falls. New Hampshire has long been called the "Swit- zerland of America." Stoddard may with as much propriety be called the .Switzerland of New 1 lamp- shire. Eor no town has so high hills, so deep valleys, so ragged precijiices, or so huge rocks. 42 HISTORY OF STODDARD. The hills are mostly known, by the name of the owner or some person living near, for instance the Dakin hill, the Morrison hill, the Shedd hill, the Blood hill, &c. But no one is so high and so much celebrated as the Pitcher hill. This is on the high range between the Connecticut and Merrimac rivers and is the highest land in the county except the Monadnock. A monument of rough stones, was built on the pinnacle of this hill by Oilman Joslin, of Boston and his brother Edward, of Keene. By some accident it was thrown down. It was rebuilt by Oilman Joslin and Isaiah Gould in 1848. It consists of such stones as could be rolled together, and is in the form of a pyramid, the stones being square. It was built "without the sound of the hammer or any other tool being heard." Although it is but nine feet high, it is seen at a distance of several miles. Stoddard has ever been a healthy town. No disorder has prevailed to any great degree. The number of deaths for the last fifty years, have been about twelve each year, on an average, the greatest number in any one year was in 1S16, there were twenty-eight deaths that year, in 1824 there were twenty-three, and twenty-four in 1853. The small- est number in any year, was about 1830, the precise year is not known, four persons only died that year. In the spring of 1840, John Stevens and his wife died of the Small Pox. What has ever been con- sidered a mystery, is, by what means they took it; and what is still more mysterious, that no other person had it, although many were exposed. These circumstances were so unaccountable, that many OLD rKOl'LE. 43 were iinwillinij: to l)elieve the disorder to be Small Pox; hut Physicians, aiul others who had been extensively acquainted with that disease pronounced it to be Small Pox, of the most malignant character. One person onl3^ has ever lived to be one hundred yenrs old. That person was Antipas Dodge, who lived at the north east part of the town. He was married at the age; of ninety years. The ceremony was performed in the highway, in order to avoid the liability (as he said) of paying some debts that were standing against his wife. When he was ninety- five, he worked his highway tax on the road, and was allowed man's wages at the age of one hundrc;d and three years, he moved to Goffstouni where he died in 1835, aged 107. The oldest person ever died in town, was in the past year (1853) at the age of 97. Those who have lived to go yrs. and over, are: Mrs. Alexander Scott Died Aged 93 Isaac rhomi)son I )ied, 1 823 94 Enos Goodak; 1836 gi Peter Wright 1 843 g i Mrs. John Greene 1848 g3 Jacob Copeland, Esq 1837 gi Mrs. David Scott 1848 g2 Mrs. James Barden g5 Mrs. Ephraim Adams 1844 go Mrs. Daniel Locke 181 4 g3 Jonathan Thompson, died in Alstead 1845 g4 Mrs. Saniu(;l Dow 1853 g7 Mrs. Benjamin Davis 1853 gs There are eleven persons now living in town over 80 years of age viz.: Dan forth la^'lor, Esq. 84, Mrs. 44 HISTORY OF STODDARD. Taylor 84, Willard Corey 82, Mrs. Willard Mansfield 84;'Mrs. John Taggart 82, Mrs. Richard Richardson 88, Mrs. Ziba Richardson 85, Mrs James Wilson 82, Mr. Samuel Nickols 81, (since died) Mr. Elijah Dodge 85, Mrs. Jonathan Jefts 87 (since died.) CASUAL OR ACCIDENTAL DEATHS, WITHIN THE LAST FIFTY YEARS. John Wright, son of Stephen Wright, a lad of 16 years of age, was killed while at work in the mill yard, in Mill Village, by rags rolling over him about the year 1805. Grace Towne, daughter of Israel Towne was instantly killed, by the falling of a stub in the pas- ture. She with her brothers were after a bird's nest that was supposed to be in it in 1806 or 7. Jesse Barden was drowned while bathing in the pond below the mill, at Mill Village 181 2, aged 17. A daughter of Danforth Taylor, Jr. was scalded by throwing over a tub of hot water, she died the next day, March 1816. Jonas Wilson was thrown from his horse, and broke his neck. His sons, with the assistance of other boys, obtained a wagon and carried him to his residence about a mile before they discovered he was dead, in 1821, aged 42. Isaac Barrett an aged man, was flung from his horse, his foot held in the stirrup, his horse run with him in this condition, and was killed in 1822. In 1823 Joel Flint was handling some boards, in which were nails. He accidentally pricked the inside of his thumb with the point of a nail. It was soon painful, began to swell and inflame, which ACCIDENTAL DEATHS. 45 caused his death in three days. Hannah Booth, a maiden lady livin,(, Ebenezer Wright, The only record of enlistment or term of service I have been able to obtain, was made with David Joslin and is taken from the history of Leominster, by Hon. David Wilder; and as posterity seems to demand that all documents of that kind, should be preserved; I insert the contract verbatim. Leominster, April lo, I'jSi. I, the subscriber, do engage to serve in the Continental army, for three years, unless sooner discharged; for the class, that Capt. Joshua Wood is the head of, provided the class pay me two thousand dollars in paper money, or silver at the exchange before I go and eighteen three-year-old ENLISTMENT. 6 1 mitldlin<:^ cattle; j^rovitlccl I stay two yc^ars and six months, said cattle are to be two years old; and if I stay not one week, said cattle are to be one year old. S/^?iC(/, DA VI D JOSLIN. Lancaster, April 12, 1781. Then passed muster David Joslin for a Continental soldier, for the term of three years, and for the town of Leominster, and Capt. Joshua Wood's class. Before me Wm. Dunsmoor, Muster Master. Mr. Wilder further says, he staid his time out and received the cattle accorclin- found they had encircled three Wolves, a Bear and two Foxes. Two of the wolves were killed; the yO HISTORY OF STODDARD. Other and the Bear escaped. The next day, they surrounded another piece of woods, and killed the other wolf; the Bear again escaped. The third day they met again, and the Bear was killed. But the sport came nigh proving fatal, to a young man one of the party. Mr. Locke, carried with him a horse pistol for a weapon. After the hunt was over, he gave the pistol to his son, Enos, a lad of twelve or fourteen years old, without telling him it was loaded. On the way home another youngster (Samuel Howard) was a little forward of Enos when he pointed the pistol towards his head and said "if you was a Bear, how easily I could kill 3'OU," at the same time pulling the trigger, the pistol went off, and a ball passed through Howard's hat and grazing the skin on the top of his head. When John Wilson was a young man, he went one day to a pasture, his way led through the woods towards Hancock. He had not gone far, before he discovered a Bear and two cubs, across his path. He immediately returned home and with his brothers and a few neighbors, started in pursuit of them. On arriving at the woods they separated them- selves, in order to be more likely to discover them. They were provided with such weapons as hap- pened to come in their way. Some however had guns. They had not proceeded far before Joel Wilson saw the old Bear, and made chase after her. He had not gone but a short distance before the Bear turned, raised herself upon her hind legs, in order for an attack. He was provided with no weapon, but an axe, and remembering to have heard it said, that a Bear would strike it from a person's WILD ANIMALS. /I hand instantly, he looked for a tree that he could climb. When he started towards the tree, the Bear started towards him. All this time he was hallooing to his companions for heljj. Before he had ascended many feet up the tree, the Bear was at the foot of it. The tree being so small, she could not climb it, but would spring as high as she could, at the same time Wilson would draw his feet up as high as he could to keep them out of her reach. As she would slip down, he would climb a little higher. He was soon released from his perilous situation by the arrival of his companions. After receiving a few charges from the muskets she left the place and was soon out of sight. Their next object was, to capture the Cubs, they were found at the top of a high tree; where they could not be reached by musket balls, and the only way to get them, was to fall the tree, this was accordingly done and the Cubs caught, "and the captors bore them off in triumph. In 1818 it was supposed that a pack of Wolves, inhabited the large body of woods lying between Stoddard and Antrim, from depredations that were committed on flocks of sheep, bordering on this forest. Notice was given pretty extensively and men from Stoddard, Washington, Hillsboro, Antrim 1 lancock and Nelson, to a large number surrounded the wood. After a severe ramble, they returned home, weary, hungry- and disappointed; and found no wolves. A few years after the above an animal, supposed to be a Wolf (judging from the tracks) was started in Lempster and followed through Marlow. collect- 72 HISTORY OF STODDARD. ing the inhabitants on the way and driven into a piece of woods near FrankHn Richardson's. Notice was sent to the middle of the town, and a number of the people went to their assistance, the wood was surrounded and the animal killed, which proved to be a Wild Cat, or Siberian Lynx, of a monstrous size. Others of the same species have been killed occasionally, one by Jonathan Jefts, one by Col, Wilson and others, one by Mr. Parmenter, Willard Corey killed one under his barn having been driven there by hunger, and a severe snow storm. The Beaver was once common here, but now are entirely extinct. Perhaps there is no animal in the country that appeared to possess so much of the human skill as the Beaver. They would select some spot on a stream of water for a residence, and raise a pond by building a dam across it. They would fall trees and cut them of a suitable length, draw them across the stream with their tails, and with mud make it tight, using their tail for a trowel, which is broad and flat. A Beaver was once seen to work on her dam, by one of our citizens, while two young ones were at play a short distance off. She left her work went and caught, first the one, and then the other and gave them a severe flogging with her tail; she then went back to her work, and her idle children followed her. The Otter, Fox and Raccoon still inhabit the place, with most kinds of small animals subject to New England, WEATHER, STORMS, ETC. Stoddard has long been celebrated for cold SNOW. 73 weather and deep snows and many anecdotes have been told in reij^ard to the hitter. It was once said, that a traveler was passin^r through town, he saw a woman digging into a snow drift to a considerable depth, he inquired of her what she was after. She replied, that she was dig- ging to find snow that was seven years old to make soap, it was said to be better." It is evident that snows have fallen deeper in Stoddard, than any town in the same latitude. There have been cold days and snow storms, within the limits of these annals, that should find a place in a work like this; but so few are found on record that most of them must be passed over. Only a few extracts from a journal kept by the author, for the last 30 3'ears, will be noticed. February 20, 1S28, came one of the most severe snow-storms ever known. It commenced snowing in the night and continued through the following day. Snow fell to the de])th of two feet, and very much drifted. It extended through New England, it was more tedious in Massachusetts than any other place. It snowed again the 25th, 15 inches of snow fell at this time, another succeeded in a few days, till it was almost impossible to break through it. 4 feet of snow was upon the ground b)' these storms. 1S34, snow fell early in the month ot December to the depth of 18 inches, other snows came soon after, till the ground was covered 4 feet deep, which rendered business abroad, out of the question. Many people had to draw their fire-wood on a hand sled as but few had their stock of wood at the door. There were no thaws, nor much 74 HISTORY OF STODDARD. additional snow after the first of January. The snow went off early and suddenly. The first of April the snow was gone, and the ground dry. From the loth to the middle of the month, the weather was like summer. Cattle retreated to the shade, and people were riding under their umbrellas to screen them from the scorching rays of the sun. Notwithstanding, the spring was backward, the month of Ma}^ was cold and stormy, the i8th was a driving snow storm. Sheep that were out to pasture, were completely covered up, as they were sheltered by the fences. 1839, the winter was a singular one. The weather much of it was extremely cold, but not snow enough to make good sleighing at any time during the winter. 1841, Nothing remarkable in the winter, but the spring deserves notice. From the gth of April to the 20th of May was a continuation of cold weather and snow storms and blows. Sledding and sleigh- ing, during the whole time, cross roads are full of snow that bears teams. 21st of May, trees look like January; not a bud had started. From this time to the end of the month, was fine weather. 1843, Nothing worthy of notice till March. The month came in mild, but a tremendous snow storm the 13th, the 14th was town-meeting. But few horses, could be got through the snow to the middle of the town. From this time to the end of the month the snow storms and blows continued. First and second days were cold and stormy, 7th snow more than 4 feet deep and sleighing good, stone walls, in many places, are "under cover" WINTKUS. 75 i^rows warin, snow is mostly carried oil by the heat of the sun. 1844, Snow fell to the depth of three feet, the storms were light and snow but little drifted. April was a warm and mild month; the snow went off early in the month, vegetation immediately started, most of the plowing and sowing was done in this month. Moosebush and Sugarplumb in blos- som the 3rd of May. 1846, A fine winter, scarcely two feet of snow, and most e.xcellent sleighing, Spring forward, April a warm month ground dry and warm. Sugarplumb and Moosbush in blossom May 1st. 1849, A north-east snow storm, was not known this winter, snow gone, and travelling good the 8th of April, l)ut became cold and a backward spring. 1850, Snow came early and deep but little fell alter the first of January. April, a cold stormy month, fifteenth, roads were impassible. Sleighs were used constantly from 3rd of December to 20th of April, Stage on runners the iQ. 139 days of sleighing. May a wet and cold month, rain almost every day from the loth to end of the month. Pieces of ground designed for planting corn, was not plough- ed till June. Some farmers did not i)]ough a furrow till Election. 1 85 1, b'our or five inches of snow fell the loth t)l November. .Sleighs and sleds were used, some additional snows between this and the 25th which makes sleighing good. It continued (but being injured by thaws) till the 13th of April when about two feet of snow fell. .Sleighs were ust-d from loth of November till 19th of April which make 161 da\s 76 HISTORY OF STODDARD. of sleighing. Cattle and sheep were confined at the barn and had to depend for their whole living there, for full six months, the longest winter ever known. In addition to the foregoing, there happened on the 8th of October 1804, a snow storm of remarkable severity. It covered the ground to the depth of nearly a foot. A large part of the potatoes, apples and corn, were buried under the snow. In cold places that were secluded from the sun, the drifts lay till the next spring. January iq, 1810, is memorable for a severe cold day rendered almost intolerable by a driving wind. It is still remembered by aged people as the "Cold Friday," several people perished with the severity of the cold. In the summer of 1826, was a great drouth and a surprising multitude of Grasshoppers. It has long been referred to as the Grasshopper year. The crop of hay and grain was reduced nearly one-half, by these destructive insects, and the dry weather. The autumn yielded an abundance of grass; the cold weather was late -in coming and the ensuing spring was quite early; which rendered the short crop of fodder, a comfortable supply. Cattle, and some Colts, were driven from this town to Vermont to be wintered; which proved to be an unprofitable undertaking for the owners; for some of them were to poor to come back in the spring. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. In 1776 at a town-meeting, the question arose, whether it was the opinion of the town that Isaac MISCELl.ANKOrS irF.MS. 77 Kinney had perjured himself by being sworn into the office of Selectman and afterwards refused to serve. The town voted in the affirmative. 1777, was the first tax that was assessed upon the inhabitants, and they voted not to pay it. Whether it was paid or not, is not known. The first tax, found on record was in 1784, the first col- lector was chosen in 1781. 1778, a town-meeting was held to choose a dele- gate to attend a convention that was to hv. held at Peterboro and "to see how long the town would authorize him to stay." Chose Capt. Towne to attend the convention at Peterboro and left it with the selectmen how long he should stay. A caution to modern legislators. 178Q, a town-meeting to attend the drawing of one good and lawful man out of the jury box, to serve at the Court of Common Pleas. Drawed Caleb Hunt out of the box, &c. Grand jury-men, were chosen by the town and were to serve one year. Justices of the peace were chosen by the town till 1792. P^or many years this town, was classed with Camden (now Washington ) Packersfield (Nelson) and Gilsum, for the choice of a Representative to the Legislative Assembly. Afterwards Stoddard and Washington sent Jacob Copeland who was often chosen to the office. In 1794 Stoddard sent a rep- resentative independent of Washington, and Nath'l PZmerson was honored with the appointment. Early in the history of the town, little was know n of the political parties, which have characterized the people at later periods. 78 HISTORY OF STODDARD. In 1786, John Langdon had 32 votes for governor (President as he was called) all there were cast. 1 795' John Taylor Gilman received all the votes, 47- 1796, Electors of President had 25 votes each. The first we find two candidates for the same office was in 1803. John Langdon (Republican) had 21 votes for governor when John T. Gilman (Federalist) had 77. 1802, at the annual meeting, a town clerk and a board of selectmen were chosen, at an adjourned meeting "Voted to reconsider the vote of the former meeting, so far as town officers were concerned and a town clerk and an entirely different board of selectmen were chosen. Whether such proceedings had the stamp of legality, is not our present business to inquire. 1 81 7, early in the spring of the year. Pigeons were seen flying in vast multitudes about in town. They collected in the low-land lying in the south-east part of the town, there they built their nests and remained during the season of incubation. They would be seen flying (mostly in the morning) towards the west, in flocks, that would extend for miles, and return in the latter part of the day. W hen their young were sufficiently grown, they all moved to "the far west" or "to parts unknown." This is the only time that they have been known "to hatch and rear their young" in this part of the country. Stod- dard and Croyden in Sullivan county the only places they were known to have assembled at that time. l-CCLHSIASTICAL HISTORY. f^HE early settlers of this town, were like most of ^ the first inhabitants of New England; they respected and reverenced the ordinances of Religion, and spared no effort to maintain it. Their first acts, were to take measures to provide for the preaching of the Gospel. At almost, if not every town-meeting among the business, was an article to raise money to hire preaching and they were generally met by raising a generous sum, in fact, it appeared they thought on a faithful maintenance of a preached gospel, depentied all their prosperity. At their first annual town-meeting thirty pounds were raised to hire preaching; while at tlu^ same time, an article to raise money for schooling was dismissed. In 1779, the town voted to raise a sum of money to hire preaching. At a subsequent meeting, a vote was passed, "to reconsider that vote; and the com- mittee was instructed not to hire any more preaching than could be helped with decency", owing probably, to the scarcity of money and the calamities of the war, the}' were engaged in. The first minister we hear of, was a Mr. 1 lutchin- son who preached in town in i 77S. Some time after Mr. Houston preached here. We hear nothing who the ministers were again till 1787, when Mr. I^noch Fond officiated in tow^n and thepeoplegavehim a call to settle with them in the ministr\-. The conditions of his settlement were, to gi\e him seventy-fi\e pounds salary annually, and a hundred pounds as a 8o HISTORY OF STODDARD. settlement. The two above sums were to be paid in the following articles, viz.: "Rye at four shillings a bushel, corn at three shillings; fresh pork at four pence per pound, grass fed beef at twenty shillings a hundred, butter at eight pence per pound, flax at eight pence, and other produce of the farm, in like proportions. Mr. Pond did not see fit to accept the proposal, and was not settled. In this year (1787) the Congregational church was organized, and consisted of seven members, viz.: Ephraim Adams and his wife, Timothy Thompson and his wife, Dr. Ward Eddy and wife, and Mr. Eleazar Blake. Mr. Adams and Dr. Eddy were chosen deacons. Deacon Adams held the office till his death in 1823. Dr. Eddy resigned his charge, and moved to Vermont, but came back and died at an advanced age. 1791, "voted to settle the Rev, Solomon Adams as our minister." A committee was chosen to confer with Mr. Adams, they agreed upon terms of settle- ment, and made report to the town, the report was accepted; that is the last we hear of it, but he was not settled. In 1793, Rev. Abisha Colton was ordained. The town voted to give him the interest of one hundred and fifty pounds for the first year, by his giving the town a title to the ministerial land, and the town to sell the land and purchase a parsonage, to the value of one hundred and fifty pounds, to be occupied by Mr. Colton, or any other minister the town ma)' settle. Also voted to give Mr. Colton seventy-five pounds for the first year, as a salary, and to increase it annually, by twenty shillings, till it amounts to CHURCH ITK.MS. 8l eighty pounds; then to stop and increase no more. In reply to the foregoing proceedings, Mr. Colton gax'c the lollowing answer. To the Congrcgatiotial Church ami f^coplc oj (iod ill Sfoddard of iWrc Ha)uf^shirc. Gentlemen :— I have taken into consideration, the invitation, which you give me to settle with you, in the gospel ministr}- and have sought to Heaven for direction in this weighty affair; have consulted some of the ministers in the neighboring churches, together, with some of my friends and acquaintances, and have w^eighed the unhappiness of 3^our continuing, to live as you have done; like sheep scattered over the mountains, without a shepherd. And not with- standing, the many discouragements, that present themselves, that tends to prevent my compliance with your request. Having deliberated them matu- rely in my own mind, my answer is in the affirmative. Further, as 3'ou have voted me a parsonage to the amount of one hundred and fifty pounds, to be im|)roved by me. during my ministry among you. 1 propose to accept the annual interest of the parsonage, money in lieu of the parsonage. And although 1 give my answer to tarry with you, ujoon this plan, that if settled among you, I will resign m\' ministerial charge of )'ou whcncxcr th(^ society shall request it, or whenever 1 shall choose to resign it. \'et shall expect this privilege, that as I am settled in a regular wa\'; so ma\" 1 be dismissed in a regular way, viz.: by a mutual council. I do als(^ request, this favor of the town, that as I li\e at a consider- 82 HISTORY OF STODDARD. able distance from my friends and relatives; that they would allow me a sabbath or two annually, to visit them, without supplying the desk. Mr. Colton was dismissed, at his own request, in July, 1793 and died in Vermont, 1823. On the town book, in a warrant for a meeting, we find the following record, in regard to the dis- missal of Mr. Colton. "To see if ye town will concur in ye vote of ye church in granting ye request of ye Rev. Abisha Colton in regard to his asking a dis- mission from ye pastoral care of ye Congregational church and congregation in Stoddard as a Watch- man". Monday, loth day of August IJQS- The action of the town, on the foregoing article, was as follows: Ye town voted to dismiss ye Rev. Abisha Colton agreeable to his request; ye town voted to send for ye council to come on Wednesday ye ninth day of September next, to dismiss ye Rev. Abisha Colton in ye town voted to dismiss ye meeting. We hear nothing who the ministers were, after Abisha Colton was dismissed, till 1798 when Rev. Elijah Dunbar, preached in town. Rev. Stephen Williams was in town a short time in 1800; and in December of the same year Rev. Robinson Smiley came here as a candidate for the ministry. Each of the above named clergymen, had a call from the people, to settle among them in the gosfDel ministry; and each gave a negative answer. In 1802, Rev. Isaac Robinson from Hudson, N. H. came into town and was engaged to preach one year. c'liiKt II iii:ms. 83 At a l()\vii-iiu'ctin' Concluding prayer, by Rev. Walter Pullerton One person, only of the council or delegates who assisted at Dr. Robinson's ordination, are now living. Rev. Abner Newtdl, of Nelson still survives, and is over ninet\' years of age. It is sev(;ral years since he was discharged from pastoral duties, but he attends religious meetings constantly, and is a remarkable spry old man. It is fifty years since Mr. Robinson has ministered to the spiritual wants of the people in Stoddard. It has been very seldom, that he has been prevented from attending to pastoral duties on account of ill health, no storms, nor inclemency of weather, has kept him from the sanctuary on a sabbath dav; although for forty years, he resided a mile and a half from the middle of the town; for the last ten years, he has not failed in supjjlying the desk, a 86 HISTORY OF STODDARD. single sabbath day. On the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination (Jan. 5, 1853) the members of his congregation, to the number of about one hundred, waited upon him at his residence, to congratulate him on so uncomnion an event; and services suited to the occasion were held. As they were about to leave, Gilmon Script- ure, Esq.inbehalf of the friends assembled, presented him with fifty dollars and an elegant bible with the following inscription: PRESENTED TO THE REV. DR. ROBINSON, By the members of his Church and Congregation, on the Fiftieth Anniversary of his Ordination, January 5th, 1853. In the summer of 1842, without the knowledge of any one, and to the surprise of all, Mr. Robinson, at the close of his services on one sabbath, asked a dismission from his society in town, and that a council be immediately called. Accordingly a coun- cil consisting of Rev. Messrs. Whiton, of Antrim, Gerould, of Alstead, Atwood, of Sullivan, was held at the dwelling house of Deacon Joslin. All the argument offered by Mr. R. in favor of a dismissal was, "that he was doing no good." The council not finding sufficient reason for dismissing him, also the members of his church and society appeared and contended earnestly that he should remain with them. He was dismissed however on conditions. He should stay and preach as usual until February following, and then if terms were CIUKCII SOCIKTV. S; |)ro])osccl that should be satisfactory to pastor and people he should remain; if not he was considered discharged from further service. A meeting was soon called and a committee was chosen, who were to consult with Mr. Robinson and obtain from him terms, that would be satisfactory, and report at an adjourned meeting. The committee reported at the adjourned meeting; that Mr. Robinson had con- sented to remain with his people, if they requested, on condition that they pay him his original salary ($266.67) 'H'^d form a society, for the assurance of the payment of it. A society was soon organized consisting of 44 members, llis salary was raised by \-<)luntar\' subscription as usual till 1846, when it was voted to raise it by a tax on the members. This was found to give dissatisfaction to some of those whose taxes were high. Mr. Robinson, requested that the tax should be reduced one-fourth part, which would reduce it to two hundred dollars which is the sum raised annually since. At the annual meeting of the society, in Xovember 1853, the following resolutions were introduced by a member. "J^eso/zr(/, That while we fully appreciates the untiring zeal and faithful labors of Re\-. Isaac Robinson, over this church and society, for half a century, we are nevertheless admonished by his advanced age, physical debility and mental decaw that he is unable much longer to perform the amount of ministerial lal)or required among a peoi)le so remotely scattered." "Rcsoiz'cd, That the execulixe committee, of this 88 HISTORY OF STODDARD. society, be authorized to consult with Dr. Robinson in reference to the above resokition, and to express to him the determination of the society, to continue him as their pastor, so long as it shall be his pleasure to remain such; and that should he be of opinion that he was unable to the task; we will take such measures, as his judgement shall dictate in reference to a future supply. The resolutions were adopted and a copy trans- mitted to Dr. Robinson, by a committee appointed for that purpose; but they were not received by him in a friendly manner, which was unexpected by the committee and the members of the society. He considered, they conveyed to him a hint that his services w^ere not wanted, and that he should resign his ministerial charge; accordingly, on the second sabbath in January, at the close of his exercises, he asked a dismission from his society, to take effect the first of May, and a council be called at that time. The society held a meeting on the first of April and voted to concur in the request of Dr. Robinson; if it should be his wish to call a council, and chose a committee for that purpose. The committee held an interview with him; and the result was, that he should remain and preach as usual for one year. (See Appendix.) A society of Universalists has long existed in town. A large number of influential and wealthy citizens have been of that order. They have had no settled minister, a great length of time. Ebenezer Paine was settled over the society, at Stoddard and Wash- ington, in the early part of the present century. Wm. S. Cilley, a native of Gilmanton, a useful SorTH-WFST SCIinoi, DISTRICT. Sc) man and a LTOotl citi/.cn, was settled over the s()ci(;ty in iS^c) and was dismissed in 1843. Their ministers have usually been engaged for a season. Those who have officiated in town are Rev. Messrs. Willis, Balch, Barber, Skinner, Cooper, Smith, Britton, S|)auldintj:, W'riglit and others. llic South-west School District, Stoddard AS IT WAS, AM) AS IT IS. As the years are continually rolling away, achange in most of the circumstances of lif(; are continually taking place among the inhabitants. Perhai)s there is no place in this, or any other town, that has under- gone so great a change as the school district known in former times by the South-West District. This district, at the time the writer was one among a large number of scholars, contained twenty-seven families. To give a short history of the place and the change that has taken place in the neighborhood is the object of the writer at this time and shall take names and places at his earliest recollection. As it was said this was called the South-\\ est district, consequently it was located in the south- west part of the town. The first farm, we come at in that part of the town, is Ebenezer Tarbox's. 1 lis farm is still occu- pied by his son Mark Tarbox. 1 lis buildings and fences were all burned down during a severe drouth several years ago, but they were rebuilt; the farm has been set off from Stoddard and annexed to N(dson. go HISTORY OF STODDARD. Adjoining the above is Elias Mclntire, he died some years since, the farm is owned by Martin, his son, and is occupied by Augustus Howard, the old buildings are taken away, the present buildings some distance from the place. The farm of Reuben Davis was sold to Sewel Page many years since, who still occupies it. Davis moved to Charlestown. Page came from Fitchburg. Jonathan Petts lived a little north, he died many years since; the buildings remain, but the farm is mostly pastured. Mr. Petts raised a large famil}^ but none of them remain in town. A house and barn was built a little west of the last mentioned by Benjamin Felt, was subsequently sold to Solomon Easty and is now owned by Sterns Tarbox, but is not occupied. A little further north lived Jacob Blodgett and his son Nathaniel. The farm was sold and Mr. Blodgett lived in several places but died in Marlow. Nathaniel became involved in debt and "ran away" but came back and died in the north part of the town from a wound received while dressing a calf. He had a large family but they all di'ed of con- sumption, there is not a descendent from either family in town. John Brooks lived further east, he died while in the prime of life, his family returned to Princetown. his former residence; his buildings were taken away, the farm is a pasture and owned by J. H. Melville and M. Mclntire. Near by lived Samuel Gerould, he died the 3^ear 1824; the farm is owned by his son, Samuel and is pastured, some of the buildings remain. Samuel SOUTII-WKST SCHOOL DIS'IRKT. QI lives at the mickllc of the town. On the extreme north lived Joseph Dodge, he was one of the first settlers in the town; on the same lot lived Reiiel Dodge, his son. Reuel still lives with his son Loyal, at the middle of the town; the farms are still (occupied, the former by Dodge's descendants; the latter by I larrison Dunn; liis father lives with him. Ephraim Dakin lived up the hill farth(;r south. Mr. Dakin came from Concord, Mass. raised a large family, he moved to Roxbury and none of his family are in town. His farm is owned by j. Smith and is pastured. The old Dick Emerson place (as it was called) subsequently owned and occupied by Jonathan Emerson, is pastured, the buildings are gone and is owned by J. H. Melville; Emerson lives at the middle of the town. Moses luiierson's place is also pastured. A rem- nant of the buildings remain, the farm also is owned by J. H. Melville. Emerson went to Richmond. The John B. Flint place is mostly owned by George Wliite of Sullivan, and pastured. Mr. b lint died, 1816, the farm was owned and occupied for many yc'ars by his son John; he sold and went to I lancock. Joel Flint died in 1S22 or 3. Mr. Mint had a large family but no descendant of his, or J. B. I^Mint, are in town; his death was caused by a prick of a nail, he was handling some boards and received a wound on his thumb which caused his d(?ath, in three or four days. His farm was sold, Job Brooks, Jr. became the purchaser, the buildings were carried Q2 HISTORY OF STODDARD. away, the farm is pastured. Job Brooks, Senior, lived on the next farm. He also raised a large family. He went to live with Daniel, his son, and died at Charlestown. No descendant nor a relative remains in town. Gardner his son, was settled at home, he became involved in debt, he went away privately and died in Illinois in 1850; the farm was sold to satisfy creditors, it was purchased by Job Brooks, Jr. Both sets of buildings taken down and is used (most of it) for a pasture. The farm owned by James Wilson was also pur- chased by J. Brooks. Wilson came from Peterboro when quite a young man, lived here with his mother several years, he afterwards married and raised a family, moved to Keene where he died several years ago. The above named farm with the two last mentioned and a part of the John Flint place, are owned by the town, used to keep the poor belonging to the town. Isaac Fisher died, 181 6, he came from Wrentham, raised a family of six children, all have died. One however, by a second marriage, lives in Alstead. His farm was owned and occupied by Hermon Fisher his son, for several years, he left and went to Nelson Factory and died some years after. The farm was sold and Nathan Nye became the purchaser and still lives on it. The old residence of Joseph Wilson, situated near the above, was. purchased by Hermon Fisher and the buildings taken down. Wilson built on the north side of the pond where Rodney now lives. At the foot of the hill, farther south, stood an old grist-mill owned by Israel Abbott, afterwards occu- FARMS. 93 pied by Abncr Bennett; they both went to Charles- town and Reuben Barrett was the last occupant, he went to the state of Maine. In an easterly direction lived Reuben Barrett, Senior, he lived to a o^ood old age, his farm came into the hands of Job. his son. It was conveyed to Noah Blodgett and at this time is owned and occu- pied by Isaac Dunn. A little farther east, Benjamin Felt built and lived a few years, he left and went to Nelson Factory, the farm was purchased b}' Artemas Parker, he came from Chelmsford, he lived on it a few years and went back to Chelmsford; the farm is pastured, the buildings moved off. The homestead of Simeon Gould was the next in course, he came from New Ipswich and settled while the farm was a wilderness. Perhaps no man in town has been more engaged in town business than he. P'or 14 years he held the office of town-clerk and selectman, he died, 18 16. the farm has been occupied since by the writer of this sheet. The house was burnt in iS^g and the location has been changed. Enos Goodale lived near, he was a native of Shrewsbury, Mass, came here while in early man- hood, had quite a large family, he gave his property to his son Joel for a maintenance. They did not agree, Joel left, went West, the old man gave the use of the farm to any one that would board him. when this failed the town took care of him. he died at the age of qi, the farm after changing owners several times, was bought by Jo(d Shedd who still lives on it. 94 HISTORY OF STODDARD. The last on this list is Samuel Morrison, he came from Peterboro and went back there where he died. The farm is owned by William Robb, the buildings are taken away, and it is pastured. There is still one place that has not been noticed, one building that has not been registered in the catalogue of events. The history of the old school house remains yet to be told. It has stood neglected and unoccupied for years, the wreck of former days, exposed to the ravages of time, and the pelting blasts of the north-east storms. The windows broken in, the clapboards are falling off, the doors off their hinges, the chimney fallen down and the seats and benches torn to pieces. Instead of school boys and girls assembling there to receive instruction in the useful branches, it has been occupied by cattle and sheep as a shade from the scorching rays of the sun or a shelter from the chilling blasts of cold storms. But the old school house too is gone. In the last summer, 1852, it was taken down, and nothing remains but a pile of rub- bish to mark the spot where it stood. This was the third school house built in this district. The two preceding it, were burnt. 1 he first during a severe storm, February, 1802, the other about the year 1810, (this house built 1816.) As we said at the commencement of these pages, the district contained 27 families but at the present time they are reduced to 10, of course 17 farms or places that were occupied by families, are now entirely destitute of any inhabitants. As the inhab- itants moved away, conveniencies for schooling became more inconvenient and one after another, DISTKU'TS. Q5 were added to the district where the)' could be better accommodated. In the north part (the Dodges) were added to the middle of the town district. All at the west of the Brooks' hill were set off by them- selves, but have been to Nelson for the benefit of schooling. George R. Wilson has since been added to that district. The farms of Mr. Gould and Goodale have been added to the district, east, and at this time there remains but three families of that once large and flourishing school district. The question naturall}' arises, what has been the cause of so great a decrease of the population in this part of the town? It is a question more easily asked, than answered. When a place becomes desolate, when the build- ings go to decay, the fences and farms get out of repair, and the appearance of waste and ruin on every side, the cause is often, very often found in the use of intoxicating drink, but in this case I am not prepared to give that as the principal cause. It was here as in other places at that time, all used spirits and some to excess frequently. Yet I know of but two families who were made unliappy or much disturbed, and whose property was much diminished by intemperance. I. GOULD Stoddard, February 12, /S^J. STODDARD TAX-PAYERS IN 1800, WITH THEIR RESIDENCE AND THEIR SUCCESSORS. — O — Ephraim Adams, began a farm and occupied it during his life in the westerly part of the town. His son Ephraim settled with him, but died in early life, (lived on the farm but left and went to Sullivan, the buildings are taken down.) Another son, Stephen occupied the farm till his death, and Jonas also owned with him. John Adams, lived where H. Jerome Messenger lives. He gave his property to Hermon Messenger for a maintenance. Messenger died. His widow and her son own the place. Israel Aiuk)TT, lived at the foot of what is called Tolman hill, on the old road leading to Nelson. He went to Charlestown. The place was after- wards occupied by Abner Bennet, and subsequently by Reuben Barrett, Jr. the buildings have been gone many years. A grist-mill was in operation at the time. David Atlen, lived where Josiah M. Rice now lives. He left town and Aaron F'airbanks, afterward Aaron, Jr., owned and occupied it. The farm got into the hand of Amisa, Aaron's son, who sold it to Peter Rice, Josiah's father, he died and left it to his widow and family. John Brooks, lived on the place owned by Josiah H. Melville. It was began by Allen Spear. After tax-i'.\vi:rs in iSoo. q7 Mr. I^rooks cli(>cl, the i)lac(.' was occui)iccl by several persons tor a lew y('ars. but it is many years since the buildings have been taken down. ISA.\c Barrett, lived on the place now owned b)- Nathaniel Friend. He was killed by his horse run- ning wMth him. while one foot was held in the stirrup. The farm was afterwards owned by Samuel Ten- ney. Jesse Pike and Wilder Knight. Oi.iVKR Boi'TWKi.L, owned a farm joining Col. Evens, a part of it he sold to Nathan Gould who built on it and lived several years, he took the buildings down and moved them to the middle of the town. The Boutwell j^lace was presently owned by William Dutton. Job Brooks, owned a farm in the south part of the town, lived on it till age rendered him incapable of labor, w^hen he w^ent to live w^ith his son Daniel, and died at Charlestown. He settled his son Gard- ner, at home, but he became involved in debt, left town and died at Illinois near Chicago. The farm was sold in pieces and is now owned by the town as a home for paupers. Rfaiben Barrett, began on a farm the first lot in the 8th range. After becoming aged, he sold to Reuben Scripture but took it back and lived alone several years, but gave it to his son Job, for a maintenance. Job conveyed it to Noah Blodgett. After shifting ow^ners a few times it was purchased by Govenor McClure, who lives on it. Jacob Blodgett, lived at a place owned by Martin Mclntire. He left it many years ago and no one has hved there since. It is a pasture. John Brown, had no permanent residence, he gS HISTORY OF STODDARD. lived in several different places. James Ball, lived where William Robb lives. He sold to Robb, where he has ever lived. Edward Bates, lived off from the road south- west from the Joshua Reed place. It is not known whether any other person ever lived there. Nathaniel Blodgett, formerlylivedon the same lot with his father, afterwards lived and died on a place now owned by Elias D. Eliott, near Franklin Richardson's. Daniel Cram, lived on the road leading to Mar- low. His son Andrew, lived there many years after him and subsequently Andrew, Jr. After the build- ing of the Forest road, the buildings were moved to near that road and owned by Hervey Thompson and now owned by Harrison Dunn, who lives on it. John Barker, lived in what was called "Leomin- ster corner" on a farm owned by Frederick Picher, it was formerly owned by Samuel Farnsworth. Guile Barker owned, after his father's decease and sold to Picher. Noah Barden, lived at a place now owned by Isaac Duncan and is rented to some one. Noah, Jr. lived on it several years after his father's decease. Aquilla and Ebenezer Barden, lived at the east part of the town, the place not known. Philip Barden, lived where his son Lewis now owns. Abisha Colton, was the first settled minister in town who lived on the minister lot, the buildings were west from the residence of the late Rev. Dr. Robinson. Asa Chandler, once lived on the farm long owned T.W-l'AVKKS IX 1800. QQ b}- Rev. 1. Robinson but cxchan<^cd farms with Daniel Foster and went to the southerly part of the town, near where Cummings Moor's mills are. Wii.LARD Corky, lived on the same farm that he still lives on. For many years the buildings were away from any road, but new ones were erected after the Forest road was opened. Willard. jr., manages the farm. William Chambers, lived, while in town, on the farm where Elias Whitney now resides. It was purchased by Timothy Hunt, after Mr. Hunt left town, Sampson Jenkins occupied it a short time, subsequently Mr. Whitney became the owner. Wtlliam Corey, lived more than a mile about north from the middle of the town, no one lives there and no road passes the place. Jacob Copeland, li\ed where his son Asa, now lives. John D. Coi'ELand, lived where Timothy Hunt lives. Isaac Copeland, lived where Silas Messenger lives, he purchased the farm long owned by William Picher, where he still lives. Abraham Copeland, lived many years with John Spaulding. Cleon G. Towne became the owner and lived on it and is still in the hands of his descendants. N Isaac Carter', was at the east part of the town. APPENDIX. Rev. Isaac Robinson, D. D., died, July q, 1854, aged 74 years, and in the fifty-second year of his ministry. At that time Mrs. Robinson was laboring under a species of mental derangement, and his two daughters were at the insane hospital in Concord. Mrs. Robinson went to board with a family in the neighborhood but died on the first day of September after. The youngest daughter Emily, returned from Concord soon, and went to live with a sister in New-York, thus in less than two months the heads of this long respected family died, their family broken up, and their personal property sold at auction. Dr. Robinson was a remarkable man. In early life he educated himself in all kinds human and divine learning, without ever having been within the walls of a college, he made himself a more profound scholar than almost any one, who had spent his whole life in it. Although he labored on a farm till he was 18 years of age, the Latin, Greek and Hebrew languages were completed in early life, and having pursued a course of theological studies, was settled shortly after arriving to the age of man- hood. In 1847, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him, by Dartmouth college, and no man was more worthy. As a Theological writer Dr. Robinson was sur- passed by no one; and had very few equals, although not many of his works have appeared in public. The columns of the Congregational Journal, have APPKXDIX. lOI frequently been fax'ored with the liroductions of his pen. About the year 1815, he visited Acworth, during a powerful revival of reli^^ion in that town. The next sabbath, he preached a sermon from Luke 15, 10. "Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God, over one sinner that repenteth," in which he gave an interesting account of the revival, and many incidents connected with it; which sermon was printed, by the request of his audience, and was considered one of his most extra productions. In 180Q, a doctrinal controversy was carried on between Dr. Robinson and the Rev. Mr. Paine of Washington, and Rev. Mosea Ballou of Vermont. The origin of the controversy was as follows: Rev. Messrs. Paine & Ballou, addressed a letter to three Orthodox ministers, viz.: Rev. L Robinson, Rev. Reed Page, of Hancock and Rev. Stephen Chapin of Hillsborough, inviting them to a verbal dispute, on the subject of Universal Salvation. Rev. Mr. Chapin being out of health at the time, Messrs. Robinson c^ Page wrote a reply, in which, after declining, for reasons which they there stated, a verbal dispute, they informed Messrs. Paine & Ballou, that if either of them should see fit to publish on the subject, one or the other of them, would attempt a reply. Accordingly, Mr. Paine published a pamphlet entitled a "Doctrinal Controversy, «5<:c." to which Mr. Robinson published a pamphlet entitled "A Candid Reply." To this Mr. Ballou wrote an answer, but a very few of them w^ere ever circulated. Joseph Healy. Esq., immediately issued a pamph- I02 HISTORY OF STODDARD. let exposing the character of Mr. Paine. Mr. Ballou's attempting to vindicate him, turned the controversy into a different channel, and no answer appeared necessar}^ to Mr. Ballou's rejoinder. These works were widely circulated and extensively read. A similar controversy was began in 1826, between Mr. Robinson and Rev. Mr. Sullivan, of Keene, Unitarian clergymen, under the following circum- stances. Rev. Dr. Robinson preached a sermon at Nelson, "illustrating the human and official inferi- ority and supreme divinity of Jesus Christ," which was published by request of the audience. On this sermon Mr. Sullivan published "remarks." Dr. Robinson then published "a Review," on this review Mr. Sullivan published a "Reply," of this reply. Dr. Robinson published a brief examination. To this Mr. Sullivan replied in a pamphlet entitled "A brief exposure of Mr. Robinson's evasions, perversions, &c. On this last pamphlet, Dr. wrote "Strictures," which ended the controversy. The summer of 1854 was memorable for the excessive drouth, perhaps its equal has never been known. Streams of water were dried up, that was never known to be dry by the "oldest inhabitant." Grasshoppers, in some parts of the town, were numerous and made much havoc among the fields of grain, the crop of hay was light, being the third year, that the hay crop was reduced one-half, from an ordinary one. Fire too, madegreat havoc among the timber and woodland. In the early part of September, a fire was raging in a piece of land, covered with brush and other combustible matter. On the Forest road, towards Hancock, a three TOWN Ol'KICKRS. lO- horse team was passing at the same time, loaded with merchandize. The fire approached with such rapidity, that *^he teamster escaped to save his life; but the horses were left to perish and the wagon and goods were entirely consumed. 1855' — Tuesday, Feb. 6, a remarkably cold day, the coldest for 45 years, thermometer 33 degrees below zero. In Massachusetts it was much colder. TOWN OFFICERS. TOWN CLERKS. NO. YEAKS. NO. YE.\RS 774. 776, 778. 780, 781, 783, 785, 786, 787, 788, 789, 791. 792, 793. 794. 795. 1774. 1775. 1776. 1777, 1778. Oliver Parker, 2 1798, Isaac Temple, 2 1802, Ephraim Adams, 2 1803, Seth Wheeler, i 181 2, Nath'l Emerson, 2 1813, Ephraim Adams, 2 1814, Israel Towne, 1 1821, Eleazer Blake, i 1827, Ephraim Adams, i 1830, Ward Eddy, i 1832, Israel Towne, 2 1841, Nath'l Emerson, i 1844, Nathaniel Evens, i 185 1, Eleazer Blake, i 1853, Gardner Towne, i Ward Eddy, 3 Simeon Gould, Jonathan Davis, Simeon Gould, Aaron Matson, Isaiah Reed, Aaron Matson, Dan forth Taylor, Frances Matson, Danforth Taylor. J. W. Eaton, William S. Cilley, Jonas P. Reed, Eben A. Rice, Ches. A. Blodgett. SELECTMEN. Oliver Parker, .loiiatliaii lifiiiict. Sila.s Wrif^ht. Oliver Parker, Isaac Temple, Kpliraiin Adams. Alexander Scott, Nathaniel Kmer.«on, Isaac Kinney. L'*aac Temple, Silas Wright, .John Dntton. .Joseph Dodge, .lohn Farley. Ephraim Adams, .Xhrahain Morrison, .John S]>nnliliiig. I04 HISTORY OF STODDARD. 1779. Ephraim Adaniss, 1780. Seth Wheeler, 1781. Nath'l Emerson, 1782. Nath'l Emerson, 1783-4 Ephraim Adams, 1785. Israel Towne, 1786. Edmund Ingalls, 1787. Ephraim Adams, 1788. Ephraim Adams, 1789. Israel Towne, 1790. Israel Towne, 1791. Nath'l Emerson, 1792. Nathaniel Evens, 1793. Eleazer Blake, Nath'l Joslin, 1794. Gardner Towne, 1795. David Joslin, 1706. Isaac Fisher, 1797. Simeon Gould, Job Brooks, 1798. Simeon Gould, 1799. Simeon Gould, 1800. Simeon Gould, 1801. S. Gould, 1802. Jonathan Davis. 1804-5-6. S. Gould, 1807. S. Gould, 1808-9. S. Gould, 1810-11. S. Gould, 1812. Aaron Matson. 1813. Isaiali Reed, 1814-15. A. Matson, 1816. A. Matson, 1817. A. Matson, 1818-19-20. A. Matson 1821-2. D. Taylor, 1823-4-5-6. D. Taylor. 1827-8-9. F. Matson, 1830. D. Ta.ylor, 1831. D. Taylor, 1832-3. Jacob Taylor, 1834. Frances Matson 1835-6. Jacob Taylor, Seth Wheeler. David Haws, Ephraim Adams, David Scott, Israel Towne, Edmund Ingalls, Peter Wright, Israel Towne, Ward Eddy, Jacob Copeland, Jacob Copeland, Isaac Fisher, David Joslin, Nathaniel Evens, Gardner Towne. David Joslin, Nathaniel Joslin, Timothy Thom])son Asher Loveland, Enos Locke. Jacob Copeland, David Joslin, David Joslin, I). Joslin, Simon Greenwood, D. Joslin, D. Joslin, A. Matson. D. Joslin, Isaiah Reed, Nathaniel .losliu, D. Tayloi-, D. Taylor. D. Taylor, , Lucas Thom])son, L. Thomi)son, Frances Matson, Isaac Duncan, Jacob Taylor, L. Thompson, William Wilson, , William Wilson, I. W. Eaton, Jacob (Jopeland. Samuel Parks. Jam^'S AVilson. Bevioni Boynton. James Scott. I»eter Wright. Waid Eddy.. Isaac Thompson. Petei- Wright. William Osgood. James Soott. David Joslin. Isaac Fisher. Ednmnd Ingalls, Nathaniel Joslin. Nathaniel Evens. , John Spaulding. Benjamin Wright, Nathaniel Evens. Asher Loveland. Jacob Copeland. Simon Greenwood. Nathaniel Evens. .1. Copeland. Aaron Matson. Benjamin Wright. Isaiah Reed. Danforth Taylor. Moody Cutter. B. Wright. I). Joslin. Benjamin Wright. Daiifortli Taylor. Abraham Co])eland. Isaac Duncan. Isaiah Reed. Lucas Thompson. Bethuel Thompson. William Shedd. B. Thom])son. William Wilson. SELECTMEN. lO 1S3T. William Wilson, Isaiali Rivd, 1S38. Jai'ob Taylor, Isaiah Kcwl, 1885). J. Taylor, I. F. Towno, 1840, William Wilson, Silas Diiismoro, 18-41-2. S. Dinsmui-o, Jonas V. Koed, 1843-4-5. ,1. Taylor, Cleon G. Towne, 184G. William Wilscjii, G. Scrii)tnre, 1847. Ck'on G. Towno, I'^liphaleli Fox, 1848. E. Stevens, William Wilson, 1849. Jacob Taylor, E. Stevens, 1850. J. Taylor, ('. G. Towne, 1851. G. Seripturc, Lnman W'coks, 1852. William Wilson, A. Knowlton, 1858. Silas Dinsmore, E. Fox, REPRESENTATIVES Israel F. Towne. I. F. Towne. Edward L. Vose. Frederick Brooks. Eliphalet Fox. Gilnian Script nr(>. E. Fox. Epliraim Stevens. William F. Loomis. William F. Lo(Mnis. Lnman Weeks. Abner Knowlton. Nathan Morse. John S. Wilson. VKS. I 4 I 1794-5, Nath'l Emerson, 2 1828, F. Matson, 1797, Jacob Copeland, i 1829-32, D. Taylor, 1798-1801, N. Emerson, 4 1833, J. W. Eaton, 1S02, Gardner Towne, i 1834-5, Jacob Taylor, 2 1803, David Joslin, i 1836, Isaac Duncan, i 1804-5, Nath'l Emerson, 2 1837-8, Jacob Taylor, 2 1806-7, Aaron Matson, 2 1839, J. W. Eaton, i 1808-9, Gardner Towne, 2 1 840-1, Asa Copeland, 2 1 8 10- 1 3, A. Matson, 4 1842, Isaiah Reed, i 1 814-16, I). Taylor, 3 1843-4, J. Taylor, 2 1817, Aaron Matson. i 1845, J- ^^ • F^ton, 1 1818, Dan forth Taylor, i 1846, J. Taylor, i 1819, A. Matson, i 1847-8, A. Knowlton, 2 1820-2, D. Taylor, 3 1849-50, Wm. Wilson. 2 1823-6, Francis Matson. 4 1851 -2, Eliphalet l^'o.x. 2 1827, Aaron Matson, i 1853, Ebenezer Rice. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE, NOW IN COMMISSION. Jacob Taylor. Abner Knowlton, William Wilson, P^liphalet Fox, io6 HISTORY OF STODDARD. Jonas T. Reed, Gardner Towne, Isaiah Gould, Gilman Scripture, Ebenezer A. Rice. The Names of Men found on the Town Books, Who Hved in town between 1775 and 1800, and have no descendants left and the present generation know nothing of them. Nehemiah Adams, Thomas Adams, Zachariali Adams, Elec Adams, Jonathan Bennet, Amos Buttei-field, Thomas Rurdit, Aaron Blaisdel, Baruch Bolster, Joseph Brockway, Benoni Boyntoii, Andrew Boynton, James Crosfield, Jonathan Cummings, Jonathan Chandler, Thomas (^umminf^'s, Samuel McCloud, William Diitton, John Button, .John Davis, William Eaton, Samuel Farnsworth, William Frink, Stephen Greswold, •Toel Gilson, Patrick Grady, Joshua Hogg, David Haws, Richard Holding, Caleb Hunt, Joseph Hazel tine, Ambrose Hale, Jesse Howard, Jonathan Hamblet, Edmund Ingalis, James Jei-rett, Daniel Kenny, Moses Kenny, Daniel Keys, Jacob Keni](, Kzekiel Kingsbury, Isaac Kimball, .lohii N. Mather, Dennis Organ, John Ober, Snmuel Parks, Samuel Parker, Nathan Procter, Asa Parker, Phinehas Parker, Thomas Bobbins, Henry Spaulding, Allen Spear, Samuel Sever, Josiah Shapeley, John Stroud, .John Tenny, Isaac Tenijjle, Joseph Taylor, Ebenezer Taylor, Amos Taylor, Abraham Taylor, Isaac Taylor, Stephen Twitchell, .lohn AA'ilson, John Wasson, Jose])h Wheat, Abner Whitney, Samuel Wells, Joseph Woods, Paul Wright, Eleazer Wright. The First Tax Assessed in Town was in 1784. The Followino were those who Paid it. *Obadiah .lenkins, Lemuel .lenkins, •Tohn Walton, *Ephraim Adams, Phinehas Richardson, Sa.mue] Sever, nVilliam Robb, *Samuel Robb, John Morrison, Samuel Morrison, .lesse JaesoU; .lames Robb, Samuel Seward, *Josiah Seward, Ezra Ansgood, *John Greene, .laeob Kemp, *Da,niel Ivocke, *H}tve descendants in town. TAX-rAVERS IN 1 784. 10: Saiiuiol (Jniiistock, ^ EliiutliiUi Heed, Abiier Whitney, KIk'iu'zci- Craiii, *lMiilii) l$ar(U'ii, •Tt'sse Haywood, *.Iaines Bardon, Maaics Scott, 'Alexander Scott, Alexander Scott, Jr.. *Natlian Hardy, Isaiah Hardy, Jonas Hardy, Arthur ]'. Hardy, Ehenezer Hardy, Hciijaniin Hardy, *('ai>t. Sihis Wrij>ht, Caleb Wrig-ht, *T)aniel Stevens, *Saninel Geronld, Samuel MtiCiond, *Ricliard Emerson, Edmund Taylor, Stei»hen Twitchell, Andrew Robh, David Sr-ott. Nathan Piorter, Aaron Fairbanks, Samuel Eades. •Richard Richardson, *!>evi Spaulding', Mohn Spauldinu:, Jonathan Cninmin^,s, i. John Tau,f»art, Patrick Grndy, *Joshua Reed, Isaac Taylor, William Wilson, 'Nathaniel Evens, *()badiah Jenkins, Jr, Harb(n- Farnsworth John Adams. *01iver Hodp;man, *Saniuel Wilson, Samuel Farnsworth, Aaron Taylor, Samuel Evens, William Dutton, *J()se]»h Dodf;e, *I)avid Jenkins, Jonathan Burnam, "Ichobod Kieth, Nathan Bolster, *Jacob Co[)eland, Ei»hraim Brockway, Dan Brockway, James Jerrett, John Robb, Eli Adams, Isaac Barrett, Richard Holden, Eben'r I'^arley, John X. Mather, *John Henry, *John Henry, Jr., Ziba Henry, *Benja,min Dunn, *P.-ter Wrio-ht, *Enos Locke, Benoni Boynton, Thomas Nickols, Ebenezi'r Wri};ht, Monathan Shedd, Benjamin Howard, , Ezra Baker, Amos Taylor, Josiali Bobbins, Daniel Kej's, * James Wilson, David Morrison, *IMiinehas Parker, Benjamin Davis, Asa Parker, *Saniuel Parker, John I'^arley, Job Brooks, Allen S])ear, *Isaac Thomjjson, Joimthan^Tliomiison, Joel Gilson, *Noah Woods, Moses Kenney, Isaac Kenn(y. Daniel Kenney, Samuel Parks, John Dutlon, *William I'ii-her, Nathaniel Emerson, 'Israel Towne, 'Israel Towne, Jr. William Towrn-, Edmund Iiir()wn, '.lolm Barker, John Ball, Xoah I?aidtl, I'aul Wrij^lit, Peter Nilcs, -Jonathan Sliedd, -IVter Wright, John ()sji;oo(l, Ambrose Stac.v, Jolin WcHton, -Edward IMiclps. -Daniel Stevens, Joel AVrij;lit, •' -William I'ielier. -Ileni'.v Stevens, Ste|)lu'n Wright, -Ellis IMeher, David Seott, -Silas \Vrij;li(, -Joseph I'roeter, William Scott, Silas Wi-ifi,iit, Jr. -Jason Parmenter, -James Scott, -Benjamin Wright, Jonathan Petts, John Stroud, Ebenezer Wright, -Azariah Procter, Aaron Shattuck, -Noah Wood, -Samuel Robb, -Asa Stevens, -Samuel Wilson, -Samuel Uobb. Jr., Samuel Sever -James AVilson, Jonathan Thomi>son, William Robb, -James Wilson, Jr. Andrew Uobb. Timothy Tli()m])s()n,-Jose])h Wilson, Moor Robb, .\mos Thompson, -Jonas Wilson, -Joshua Reed, -Nathaniel Tuttle, -Joel Wilson, Eli;dcim Reed. -Renjamin Tarble, J()s(>|)ii Wood. -Isaiah Reed, -Jonas Tarble. T.)4 Families. lOO, no deseendeiits left. -Have descendants in town. IHijG, There are seven of the foregoing- number remaining in lown. viz.: Willard Corev, Isaac Copeland, Elijah Dodge. Samuel l'\)ster. Oliver Tlodgman, Isaiah RcimI, Danforth Taylor. Elijah Do.lge. died Mareh. IS.",?. .\ged, 1)5. Some of the F.aiiy Settlers. John Taggart, was tlic pioneer in the settlement of Stotlchird. 1 1(^ came from Feterhoro antl settled near the village in the center of the town. I lis log hut stood near where Nathan Morse's buildings arc. The well that is back of his shop, it is said Mrs, Taggart dug with her fire shovel. No one of the settlers suffered so much, none whose trials and hardships so great as was Mr. laggart's. While we attem|jt to chronicle sonu; of the events that transpired in the early days of our forefathers, the case of Mr, Taggart, deserves some- thing more than a passing notice. Me was born in no HISTORY OF STODDARD, Londonderry, Ireland, in the year 1722. He came to this country when quite a lad, at the same time, came the young lady that was his future wife. They landed at Boston, and both were bound out to ser- vice to pay the expense of the voyage. In after years they were married and went to Londonderry, in this state, where they remained till about 1760, then they came to Peterboro and in 1768 came to Stoddard, then a howling wilderness. Their nearest neighbors were at Peterboro, Wal- pole and Keene. Their provisions were to be brought from Peterboro by Mr. Taggart, on his back through the pathless wilderness and often through deep snows. On one occasion, the snow was so deep and the weather so extremely cold, that he delayed going for a supply of provision, till his whole stock was consumed, except the flesh of a Moose, Mr. Taggart then went for a supply. After arriving there another tremendous snow storm came, which made it impossible for him to return. Snow fell more than three feet deep in this storm. He remained there till the ninth morning before he attempted to return, then with a little meal and probably some other necessaries upon his back, began his wearisome journey through the wilderness to his starving family. After arriving within sight of his cot, in the early part of the evening, he was so much overcome with the thought of the fate of his family, supposing that every member of it must have perished, that he was unable to proceed. Having spent some time in reflection he approach- ed the house, but was still unable to open the door till he heard a voice within. On entering the house EARLY TIMES. 1 I I his first words were: "Be ye all alive?" In view of the sufferings and danger they had experienced and the joy of finding himself again with his family and by his fireside, so completely overpowered them that no other word was spoken for many minutes and their gratitude was expressed by a profusion of tears. Before his land was under cultivation his hay was cut on a piece of meadow land that was partly cleared by beavers, now owned b)' James Scott antl known as the Moor Robb meadow, and drawn to his residence in the middle of the town, on a hand- sled (after making a path in the snow, on some warm day, with snow shoes) a distance between 3 and 4 miles, also on another piece of land cleared in the same manner, formerly owned by Peter Wright. In this manner Mr. Taggart obtained a sufficient quantity to keep his cow through the long winter. He soon chaired his land and began to keep more stock, his sheep and sometimes young cattle were killed by wolves and other wild beasts. When he began to cultivate his land, his implements were of tlic rudest kind. The first plow evc-r used in town, Mr. Taggart brought from Peterboro, on his back. Mrs. Taggart brought at the same time, a foot spinning wheel. Scarce had he began to enjo\- the comforts of home and a release from the toil and hardship which he had experienced, before the war of the Revolution was about to commence. The domestic circle, his family and fireside were to be exchanged for the camp and the strife of contending armies. 112 PilSTORY OF STODDARD. His first service was with a party to cut a road that the army and military stores might be trans- ported through the wilderness to Burlington. He then entered the army, but how long he remained in it, we have no means of knowing, probably his service was not of long continuance. It is said he sold a pair of oxen for 40 dollars and paid the whole towards the support of the army. Mrs. Taggart, too was far from "eating the bread of idleness." She was accustomed to perform much out of door labor. In the absence of her husband, the whole care of the farm and stock was assigned to her and in the most busy seasons of the year, would accompany him to his daily labor from home and has taken her sickle and gone with him to Peterboro, on Monday morning, and returned on Saturday night, receiving the same wages as her husband did. Mr. Taggart died, 1792, aged 70 years. Their family consisted of ten children, none are in town. The widow of his eldest son is still living here, aged 82. Richard Richardson's, was the next family that came into town. They came from Townsend, Mass. in 1 77 1. He began the place owned by Isaac P. Howe, died, 1843, aged "i. His family consisted of ten sons and two daughters, all have died except a daughter who lives in Alstead, two grandsons are all the relatives in town. The first child born in town was a son of Mr. Richardson. The proprie- tors had promised a lot of land to the first child born there and John Richardson was entitled to it. Mr. Richardson was a soldier during the war of i:ari,n skitlkks. i 13 the rc'Nolution. :incl was with Cjcmi. Arnold as he went through the wilderness against Quebec, whose sufferini^s were extreme, their provisions were so reduced that each man's allowanct? was 3 ounces of bread and 3 of meat. riu' widow ot Richard Richardson, |r. is still li\- in^r in town, at the a.t^e of 8q years, the oldest person. RiunKN Walton, came here about the same Umc. and built near where Samuel Coj^eland lives. Mis house was made by splittin<^ ash lo^^s into boards and pinning- them on poles stuck into the ground. 1 le tlitl not remain in town long and little is known of him. Bknjamin DiXN. came from Chelmsford, in 1771, he began the place owned by Joseph Richardson but li\-ed in several different places, died. 1S23, aged jb. 1)a\ii) Wilson, from Peterboro, was the fifth family in town. He began the farm owned l)y the town as a Poor-farm. He died soon after, the family was broken up and Mrs. Wilson returned to Peter- boro. .She came back and John, her eldest son, attempted to clear up the farm, he died, and another son I)a\id, took the place but he left and went West and James the youngest, came and lixed with his mother. Circimistances made it necessary for lu;r to lea\-e and go and live with a son at the West, where she died. lew of the settlers underwent more hardshi|) than old lady Wilson. .She often trax'elled to l\'terboro and carried a child in her arms, on one occasion she carried herchikl and a half bushel of meal with the assistance of a small bo\ . 114 HISTORY OF STODDARD. John N. Mather, was in town as early as 1771. He came from Connecticut and began the farm known as the Cram place. He left town and went to Vermont. Joseph Dodge, from Winchester, in 1772 moved into the house with Mr. Mather, and remained there a short time and then went on a farm at the lower end of Center Pond. Mr. Dodge went into the Continental army in the early part of it and died at Philadelphia, in 1782, of the Small-Pox. Ephraim Adams, long known as Deacon Adams, a native of Chelmsford, came to town in 1772. Prior to his settling here, he came when quite young and assisted in laying out the town into lots. Died, 1823, aged 72. Deacon Adams was a worthy man, was chosen Deacon of the church at its first organization in 1785, and held the office till he died. Oi.TVER Parker, was quite an early resident in town. He came from Groton as early as 1772 or 3. When the town was incorporated in 1774, Mr. Parker was appointed to call the first meeting, and was chosen moderator, town-clerk and first select- man. Mr. Parker soon lost his popuhirity. At the breaking out of the Revolution war, his attachment to the mother country was so strong, that he found it necessary for him to leave town and took up a residence in the British dominions, off NewBruns- wick. He lived on the hill west of the village, built the house where Gardner Towne lives, and the town-meetings and religious meetings, for some years were held at his house. 1 his house is the oldest dwelling^ house in town. 1 AKIN SK rri.Kks. 1 15 J)a\ii) Haws, married a clau«j:htcr of Mr. l^arkcr and hey^an the tariii where Jesse Wilder hves, he left and went with Mr. Parker when he left town. jwii.s W'lLsox, came from Townsend, Mass. in 1774. lie be^an the farm where John Wilson (his son I li\es. He canie to town, cleared some land, raised i^^rain and set out some fruit trees, before briniring his family. 1 le raised apples from trees that he set out as earl\- as 177Q, the first that grew in town. Mr. Wilson soon became a large land-holder and a wealthy man. The only road leading through town, for many years, passed l)y his residence. He kept a house of entertainment, it was extensively known as Wilson's Tavern. His family consisted of U\c sons and a daughter, the sons all settled in town; land sufhcitMit lor a good farm was furnished by the father. Jonas lived a little south of the old homestead, he was thrown from his horse and instanti\' killed in iS2i,aged 43. No one of his family are in town. James lixcd and died where Hervey now li\'es. Joel lived many years where Deacon Luke |oslin lives and is the oldest person in town who was born here. |esse was ne\cr married. Mr. \\ ilson 1 senior 1 was a soldier in the brench war. He went back to Townsend in 171)7, died, iSog, aged 67. Bkniami.n I)a\ is, becaiutt a resident in town in 1772, he came from Chelmsford, lb- li\cd in several different places, but lor the greater part ol the time in the north-east part. He died, iS2g, aged (ii:s, li\ed on the iith I0I in i^^th range, long owned b\ Asahel Parmenter, subse- quently by John Josliii, now by Luther Picher. David IIoiximw, lixcd on the 15th lot and lOth range. ()i,i\i;r Hodoman, was 17th lot, i,:;th range. ()ii\i,R HoDOMAN, jr., Ii\('s on iSth lot in 14th range. |oii\ 11i:nr\'. was on 21st lot in 12th range. John, |r., li\-ed there after him, then J(;hn the third, when Benjamin Tarbcl become owner. P)1MAMIN 1 low ARD, settled on 12th lot and 12th ranu'e. W Orcester 1 loward, his son was settled at 126 IlISroRN' OK STDDDARI). home. The farm was sold to Gardner Towne. Towne sold to Marshal Messenger. Mr. Howard, senior went to Swanzey and Worcester, moved to Westminster, Vt. subsequently to Boston. GeorCxE Holmes, first lived on a lot in the west- erly part of the town, moved to 5th lot and 7th range, where Jesse Wilder now lives. RKriiKN Heath, lived on 24th lot and 13th range. Reuben. Jr., lived there after him. Nathaniel, his son occupies the place still with his mother. Jesse Hardv, was at the east part, lot not known. JosHiA H()f,n, lived on 22nd lot and 3rcl range. SrETHEN, JosEMi AND Aktiii'r P. Hardv, Were at the east part. IsAEMi Hardv, lived on i8th lot and 5th range, .Samuel Stacy afterwards owned it, Oilman, his son is cm it, 1858. Nathan Hardv's. was iQth lot and 6th range. Abel Stacy lived on it, after his death Daniel, his son lived there. Iesse Haywood, li\-ed at the 16th lot and 4th range. Mdmind .1n(;aes, was a blacksmith, lixcd at the middle of the town. ( )iiADiAi[ Jenkins, was on 12th lot, loth range. Abel Adams succeeded him, he moxcd to Dublin, 1857. David Jenkins, lived on 10th lot, loth range but left and went to loth lot and 13th range, the William 1 loward place, now owned by Asa Davis, Jr. loNA'iHAN Jenkins, was on 1 ith lot and loth range. John Farrar afterwards owned it, also Noah Blod- gett and lob Barrett lived there. i:.\Ri.\ sK'rii.i;Rs. Xaiiiamki. Josi.iN, o\viK;d loth lot in 15th ran^t". Stephen C his son inherited it but left ami went to Marlow . D.wii) josi IN, Ii\('(l on 14th lot and ihth ranij^e. Luke Joslin li\cd there alter him hut sold to lulward Reed and moved to the middle of the town. JoNA iiiAX JKi rs. ()\vned a large tract of land in the north-west corner ol the town, (dlhert, his son lives on the old farm. THE FATHERS OF NEW ENGLAND. Written for the History of Stoddard, by Norman A. Tuttle. — O — Afrciss the wild Atlantic's roar, Whose waters iiiiiiftle far and wide, And wash the fair New England shore, Of ours the gift, and ours the pride. Across the billowy sea of old. There lived a stalwart holy band, Who sought where they, in peace might dwell. And fled their own proud Fatherland. Though years have swiftly circled round. And quietly through their seasons run: Though ages gone and i)ast i-ecall. Will never more to eai'th return. Yet still methinks in fancy bi-ight [ see those bold find fearless few; in sacred councils gathered there. Their lives to i)ledge, their faith renew. liehold them leaving Eurojje's shore. Where j^ersecution's cruel rod Pursued, with unrelenting jiower. With prayers arising unto God. Behold them board that noble shiji, The Mayflower, sacred be the name. With hearts of living faith; to face The dangers of the stormy main. Be theirs, the story often told ; With songs of triumph, li]>s of ])raise: Yet let their deeds, forever l)e A monument whereon to gaze. .\nd as the generations pass, Like breaking c;louds befoi'e the sun; Pcrchancie 'twill wake some dying thought Of g'lories past, of l)attles won. THK lATlIKKS oK M'W 1:N( M .AN 1 ). 1 29 How ^sl<)\\ly <''.T tllf (I-Mi'klrss (lf.'p. That iii)l)lr sliip. bears on Iut way: The stormy winds in fury swee]!, And clouds liaiin- round in dark array. Yet centered are their liopt's in Him. Who stays tlie wild and wintery stoiin: Who ruleth o"er the waters dim. And bids the rolliiifj,- sea. be calm. Lon^' days ol' toil, and caie untold; l.ons months of hardships calmly bore, Pa.ssed o'er them, ere they hailed the coast, And pressed the wild and savage shore. On "'Plymouth Rock" at last they stood: lOnvelojied in its wintery shroud : Around them came the sweeping;- blast, The waters murmured deeji and loud. Ipon that cold and sterile shore. Ueneath the chilling wintery air. Those honoi-ed Fathers, lifted u\> Their hearts in c.irnest, thankful prayer. They reared their huts ui»on tlu' sand. With ji'lowing: altars, trustiuf;- fait h They |)lanted there, our Tiljirim land Amid Mil' .•^niiiid ;uid w.iil of death. Swift yeai-s s|ic(l on. yet still tho.se few. In whom a des|.ots wat<-hfull care Could ne'er the voice of cf>//.sc7>7ycc still. .\or .set the seal of silence there. Came onward oer the suruinji' wave To tread the rubified western shore: To dwell beneath the forest shade. And tli'f proud Albion cvermori-. 'I'hroutih tire and blood, throujih dauf-ers wil Throujih lilooniy forests, deep and wide. Those honored Katiiers. fought thr-ii- way. With heaven to help, and heaven to guide. Thf Indian f<-ll bfucatli t heir stroke, .Vnd backward rolled his steaily w:iy; The Pilgrim pressed his onward march. No power (■(uild stop, no hand i-ould stay. 130 HISTORY OF STODDARD. O ! shall their glory ever fade Their daring deeds e'er be forgot While sons can tell the fearful tale While their graves, the land doth dot? No, while every hill and every vale Is eloquent, though voiceless still ; And speak the words, no tongue can tell. Their memory lives, and ever will. Let Massacliusetts speak and tell Her tale of desolation, made By ruthless hands, and savage foe, Of sons in death forever laid. Old Deertield let her voice be heard. And speak her tale of tire and woe. Of death shrieks rising loud and high. Of hearts and homes laid sad and low. Ye state of hills, and mounts sublime, Ye state, whose rivers reach the sea; Whose towers of Granite ])ierce the sky. And stand, bold guardians of the free. "Old Granite State"' as speeds thy course Of honor, wealth and sounding fame: Forget not those of olden time, Who lived, and died with scarce a name. Forget not those of early days. Who fought and bled their homes to savi' Though, in quiet graves they lie. Let geiierations call them bi-ave. lict no jn'oud shaft of marble rise. Their deeds to tell, their tale imjiart Hut let their deeds, their names, their word:- Be dnejily gi-a V(>ii on the heart. New England! thou art worth the jtricc That bought thee; thine own soil Stands unpointed and uncursed. With galling chains, aTid driven toil. O! stand forever, firm and bold ; Stand from oi)]iression"s ])roud behest Then shall thy sons as ages roll. Rise up, and call thee ''ever blest." Persons Married by Isaae Robinson, (»F STODDAKI). N. II. Ainos Tlioinson and Liu-y Moliiies, iimirii'fl Mnicli 1"), 18()M .Icssf Hardy and .Iwiny Hardy Ian. I'l, 1804 William Henry and Lucy (Jilson Feb. 22, lfS()4 John Wilson and I'hebe Spanldin;; Ajnil 11, 1H04 Daniel Towne and Sukey Evans, May 30, 'l8()4 Jacob 8. HntchiiiKon and Lucy Jenkins Nov. 24, 1804 William Titcher and Betsey Adams, Feb. 17, l80r( Nathaniel Harrett and Leefe Stevens, Feb. IM, 180") Moody Cutter and Henrietta Fisher, Ai>ril 10, 180r. J o[i_n _ Baialen and Achsa Proctor, May 2, 180r( I'n'njamin Temple and Alsa Jenkins \tay lit, 180."> P^zra Snuth and Hannah Henry .May .'{0. 180;") .Asa Davis and Nabby Hodgnian, Inne (}. LSOf) Oliver Hodj>inaii and Lydia Towne, lune (J. 180.") .Vndrew Cram and Sally Towne Sejtt. MO, 180.") Abiaham Copeland and .\ima Sjianldiuii Nov. 24. 180."» Benjjimin Kiiifiht anil Lncy I'ai-dcn Dec. 10. 180.") Ephraim .Vdams and .\iiiia Kinney Dec. 2(), 180."> John Stevens and .\ziibali I'roctor I'\'b. 2"), 180() Silas Towne and Becca .loslin Nov. 27, 1800 Levi iilood and I'olly l{aymon. Isd.s 132 HISTORY OF STODDARD. Daniel Holt and Lydia Pike, Nov. 21, 1808 Andrew Hardy and Susannah Jenkins, Feb. 28, 1808 Jonathan Kmer.son and Polly Reed March 5, 1809 John Williams and Margrett Henry, March 16, 1809 Joel Sawyer and Sukey Davis, May 9. 1809 James Hathaway and Catharine Pitcher, June 4, 1809 Daniel Farnsworth and Polly Farnsworth July 13, 1809 Webster Ring- and Mary Nilson, June 14, 1810 Stephen Mead, Jr., and Sally Stevens, June 14, 1810 Charles Wright and Polly Barney, Sept. 24, 1812 David Copeland and Jerusha Gerould, Dee. 22, 1812 Lemuel Towne and Dolly Knight, Jan. 12, 181H Nathaniel Worcester and Lucy F'ox, Jan. 21. 1813 Gardner Hodgman and Cynthia Wood Feb. 24, L81H Jacob Ames and Martha Farnsworth, April 29, 1813 Thomas Spaulding and Sarah Champney, April 20, 1813 Obed Hale and Nancy Davis, Se])t. 7, 1813 Joseph Wood and Susannah Fisher .....Sept. 9. 1813 Samuel Stacy and Mary Hardy, Nov. 11, 1813 .Vrchilaus Towne and Clarissa. Gerould, Dec. 14, 1813 Nathaniel Evens and Rhoda Copeland, Jan. 10, 1814 William Tuttle and Rebecca Richardsoi ...March 22, 1814 William Wilson and Rhoda Gould May 3, 1814 Heman Fisher and Fanny Evans, June 2, 1814 Willinui Shedd and Mame Spaulding,.. lune 21, 1814 Sauiuel Gerould and Salome Keith Oct. 25, 1814 Isaac Fisher and Sarah iiarrett, Oct. 26, 1814 .\l|)haus Wright and Nancy Messenger, Dec. 22. 1814 Daninl Phelps and Mary Muuroe Ian. 22. 181 ."> Jose[)h Rrown and Abagaii Locke June 7, 1815 Richard Gould and Lydia Upton Se])t. 13, 1815 .lesse Pike and Anna Green, Nov. 8, 1815 Gardner Brooks and Sarah Howard, Dec. 7, 1815 .Vmaziah Carter and Margaret Scott, Dec. 24, 1815 Jonathan F. Sanderson and Christiana Towne Ian. 10, 1S16 Samuel Ui)ton and Lucy Towne, PVb. 13. I.SIG Samuel S. Blood and Emily Monroe, March 7. 181() Jonathan Sliedd and Patty Wright, May 1(5, 1816 Daniel Warren and Susan Sjjaulding, lune 3. 1816 .\ntipas Dodge and Mary Marvil, luly 18, I8l(> James Wood and Hannah Jefts, Sept. 19, 1816 Samuel O. Green and Mary Ball Oct. 22, 1816 Tsaiali Gould and Susan Joslin Nov. 5, 1816 MAkkIA(;i;s \)\ l, IHKi Joliii Wjitts and Sybil lUirn'tt Ian. 7, 1817 Jonathan Knij>lit and Dolly .loslin, Ian. 14, 1H17 Daniel Rnst and Susanna Towne, Ian. 14, 1H17 Joel Tennoy and Lavina Mes8enf>(>r, March 20, 1H17 Kimball Danforth and Tryphena F. Rrooks, Sept. -i, 1817 William Howard and Lucinda (liase Feb. 17, 1817 .Mlison Gilson and Orinda Richardson, Ai)ril 1, 1817 .Marcus Richardson and Anna Locke, April 1"), 1817 Josiah Henshaw and Elizabeth (ireene, May 27, 1817 J().sepli Knifiht and Ro.xaunii Pitcher, lune 19, 1817 Josiali Colony and Hannah Taylor, Auf?. 17, 1817 Enos Locke and Harriett Wilson Se])t. K), 1817 Samuel Hardy and Eunice Burbank, Se])t. 17. 1817 Theodore Rich.irdson ,iiid Rebecca Howard Sept. 18, 1817 .Moses Fiichardson and Electa Joslin Dec. 2, 1817 John Raymond and Lydia Davis, Dec. 4, 1817 Roswell Loveland and Luciiida Stevens Dee. 9, 1817 Nathan Gould and Zili)ha Carey, Dec. 23, 1817 John Joslin and Azubah Tarble, Dec. 23, 1817 -Vmbi'ose I/. ^'aIIlum and Rel»ecca Stacy Dec. 2u, 1817 .Xrchelaus Towne and Ruth Kenney, Ian. 22. ISIS Hervey Fisher ;ind Charlotte Copeland Feb. 1(». ISlS Reiijaniin .\dains mihI I.ucy Tuttle M.nch 22. iSlS Thomas Seward and Sally Dodjic Miiicli 31. 181S Timothy Mai-ney and Sally I'roctor \\>v\\ 14. 1818 Asa Stevens and Betsey Iv Thompson May 19. 1818 Elijah Dod^e and Patty Howard Sept. 17. 1818 Wilii.im W. Howard nnd Candac-e Brooks Oct. 29, 1818 iiimbod H. Fletcher and iMiifi Barden Oct. 29, 1818 J(.hn Ph.'lps and Electa (Jerould Dec. 1.",, Isls Samuel Smlrh .-ind Sojdiia Dowe F<'b. 19. 1S1<) I.rvi W.n-n'i, and Lncy Towne F.-b. Is. ISl!) D.ivid Joslin and Lucy Knij-ht .March 11. ISIK Asa Chandler iind Sarah Fisher Vpril <>. isp.) Abijah Jenkins and .Mary Wil.-^on May 20. isl'.l Gilbert Richards and Susan Joslin Sept. 23. 1819 John Henry iind Roxaniia Parnu'iitt-r Vpril 20, 1S2(> Noah Rlodyett and Fanny Joslin .\pril 27, IS-JO Eleazar Woodward and Hannah .Mears May 4. Is2(t James .Moor ami Catharine Cram May 11, lS2t) Samuel .Messen^,!'!' and .Nancy Phelps, June S. 1S20 .losiali l-'armon and Rhoda Manning July 12. lS2(t 134 HISTORY OF SrODDARI). Isaac Fislifi- aiul Mary 1). Coiiflaiul, Ian. '.), 1S21 ^-^ A.sa Adams Reed and Sarah Daviw, Ian. 1(5, 1821 Luther Barrett and Mary Greene Jan. 25, 1821 .lonathan .lefts and Almira Hodfiinaii, May 10, 1821 Henry Sawyer and Roxanna Eniernon, April 1, 1821 Jesse Wilder and Dolly Holmes Oct. 4, 1821 Timothy Barney and Theodosia King-sbury, Feb. 14, 1822 •loel Mansfield and Belinda lUrden, Feb. 27, 1822 Samuel Messenger and Sally Bend, June (>, 1822 .\bner Raymond and Clarissa Wilson June 25, 1822 Benjamin Fisher and Melissa, Woods, Oct. 8, 1822 Eber Pike and Mary Daken Dec. 14, 1822 Leonard Hoar and Pamelia Hodgman Dec. 17, 1822 Calvin Phelps and Sally Fox March 13. 1828 William Harndcm and Betsey Wilson, March 16, 1823 Otis Barden and Edy Farnuni, May 1, 1823 John O. Henshaw, and Mary Greene, May 4, 1823 I'ibenezer Towne and Tryphena Cory May 29, 1823 Collins AVhittemore and Sally Wilson, May 29, 1823 Asahel Hill and Hannah Barden, July 9, 1823 Stephen Wf)od and Maria Foster Nov. 4, 1823 Willard Spaulding- and Abigail Tayloi-, Nov. 23, 1823 Lewis Barden and Sally Stacy, Dec. 18, 1823 Levi Mclntire and Mary Tnttle Dec. 21, 1823 Nathaniel Friend and Sojihia Dow ...Dec;. 25, 1823 Ralph Dodge and Betsey Tarl»le Ian. 1, 1824 •lohn Waters and Olive Richardson Feb. 3, 1824 Caleb Colburn and Jane H. Kemp, .\|)iil 22, 1824 Sti'phen Wilson and Louise (Jould Miiy 31, 1H24 David .VIcQuestion and Pamelia Richardson Inly 15, 1824 .John (ii-eene and Sai-ah Brown, Oct. 5, 1M24 {{nt'us Wilson and Cynthia Richardson Nov. 11, 1.S24 Riifus Dodge and Cordelia Messenger Nov. 18, 1824 Luke Joslin and l.ydia Foster Nov. 24. 1824 Elviras Parmentcr and Electa Howard Dee. 30, 1824 Stearns Foster and Cynthia Wilson Feb. 3, 1824 Thomas Hodgman and Esthei- Shed March 3, 1S25 Nathan Atwood and Dolly Farnum, March 22, 1825 Thomas Richardson and Nancy Kemp Mar(*h 23, 1825 .instin Pease and Nancy Knight, .Vlaich 24, 1825 Thomas Colburn and Catharine Reed A]M-il 19. 1825 Samuel Royce and Mary Buss, lune 1, 1825 Thomas Sanderson and Sallv !{eed lunc 2, 1H25 MARKIACKS in KKV. ISAM' ROIMNSON. Kzt'kicI I'lfirdt'ii and Sopliia Iploii, Iiiiii' IG, Heiijainiii Jf>tt8 and Olive Reed, luly (i, John Smith and Irene Harden Ian. 22, Silas Warner and Ada Alexander Feb. H, Jesse Reed and Sally Mcliitin' Feb. 0, Moses Collins aiuJ Electa Temple Feb. 1(5, (Oliver (lould and Mary Upton Feb. 1(5, Franklin Marker and Retsey IJlood April 2(5, Cynis Harris and Lury Cary. April 20, Stejihen Tiittle and Snsaiina Wilson -^HK- 27, .\sa Whittemore and Lncy Rrown, Nov. 20, Calvin llollowel and Hannah Flint, \pril 15), John Rarns and Rachel Mansfield. Nov. 5, Olias Hardy and I.avinia Harden, Nov. 2!), Elijah Rlanchard and Polly Friend, Dec. 27, Lyman Cojieliind and Julia Richardson Feb. o, Zolva leaker and Sally Holmes May S, •lacoli Taylor and Mary llamden lune 2H, .lolm Joslin and Harriett Ireni- White, Inly 7. •lonali I'.all and .Mary Spanlding-, Sejit. M. Silas Messenf-er and .Arvilia li. CojM'land Se])t. 11, .\sa Taft and Nancy Riirnap Sept. W, Mark (Jillis and Elvira Wilson, Feb. •'?. Samuel Fpton and Louisa I'itchei-, \jii-il MO, Samnci Jenkins and Nancy Reed \njj-. IS, Samuel Keith and Rlioda S. (ierould -An"-. 2(5, Solomon .Maiit Sept. 22, I'aul (Jriswold and Laura Uolstei- .\<>v. 24. William Nay and Diadema Cram Nov. lit. .Melvin I'arney and .\'aMc\ .M. TJiompson .Nov. 2(». .Marshall Messen^i-r and .\an(\ I'l-iend Dec ."{. Thomas Mr.Mastcr ami L\flia C. Thom]is(Mi Dec. I's. Mark I'owers ami Sdina Foster I"eb. 1<>. Nathan .Morse and -lane Rohb \pril 1. .\lphens Kendall and Meroa Dodj-i- Vl'ril 2tl. .loseph Rii-liardsoii and Sally Dunn April 27. Harvey llealy and Elizabeth Richardson May 27, Isaiah Reed and Lu.-iml.i Dud^v Vu;:-. 12. Frederi<-k A. Cutter, and llep,s;ibelii IV Rutterfiehl... Vn^. 20, LolyiMis CirmeiitiT and risnl.i C. .Melli-n Sept. 2. John .\L I'.iy and .Mary lOvan-;, .\ov. 11. Nathaniel Joslin and .\nna Thompscni .Ian. I. Thomas CJiandlci- ,iml Lilev Towne T'l'li. ."l. 1^6 lllS'r<)l<\ Oh SroDDAKD. Stciinis Tarbox and Nancy Smith, April ."5, lH;n Joseph Waugli and Fanny Dow, April 4, 1881 Benjamin Tyler and Laura Taylor, May 80, 1831 Amos Robbins and Randilla Pike May 3, 1831 Jonas Taylor and Rhoda Evans, Oct. 2. 1831 Jonas P. Reed and Ann Waldron Oct. 20, 1831 Charles Foftfi; and Roxa Farnnm, Nov. 2, 1831 Franklin Richardson and Harriett Wilson Nov. 24. 1831 .lesse Sheldon and .Sarah Emerson Dec 2!>, 1831 (iilnuin Tenney and Sally Cram, Feb. 21, 1832 Nehemiah Richardson and Roxanna Howard Feb. 23. 1832 Jesse Reed and Clarissa Mclntire, March 15, 1832 Lavvson Belknap and Sally Monroe May 2, 1832 John H. Sawtell and Clarissa, Towne, Inly 11, 1832 Israel F. Towne and Lucretia Taylor Oct. '.), 1832 Samuel Hlaneha/d and Hannah Friend March 21, 1833 Henry Stevens and Hannah Scott June 2, 1833 Pienjamin F. Wliittemore and Sylvia K. Wilson, June O, 1833 Jeremiah Foster and Mary Temple Tune 11, 1.S33 Warren Mclntire and Harriett Underwood, Oct. 1,1833 Luther Richardson and Lucy T. Davis, Oct. 3, 1833 Edward Haywood and Emily Foster Oct. 10. 1833 David T. Petts and Phebe Stevens Oct. 22, 1833 Hosea Foster and Mary (i. Rice, Nov. 7, 1833 F*aui)oint Kendall and Betsey Wilson Jan. 7, 1833 John Stevens and Mary Stacy Ian. 16, 1833 Allen M. Wilder and Caroline Emerson March 24, 1834 F{euben Monroi^ and Marjiaret Dowe May 13, 1834 David Stacy and Louisa Custice July 0, 1834 Ira Brockway and Hannah Jefts \u<--. 21, 1834 Ephriam C. Hull and Lucy C. Locke Oct. S), 1834 Levi Barrett and Julia Thompson Oct. 23, 1834 (lilmaii Seriptui-e and Azubah Stevens, Xjtril H). 1835 .Vbraham P. Nichols and Althea Dodge Inly 27, 1835 David Preston and Belinda Davis. Oct. 22, 1.S35 Edward L. Vose and Aurelia Wilson, Oct. 2J), 1835 Chester Blodgett and Azubah P. Barden, Ian. 17, 183(5 Richard Knapp and Rhoda A. Dodge Ajiril 11, 183(» Daniel Upton and Mary Robb May 5. 183() Marshall Messenger and Fanny M. Holmes July 14, 183(5 Chauncy Blodgett and Esther Comstock Aug. 30. 183(> (Jilman Jones and Eliza Towne Se|)t. 28, 183(5 MARKIACKS HV RK\". ISAAC K()|!I\S()\. Williiuii Ilnstiugs jiiitl Lfstiiia KiniM'soii, Nov. IM, -Marcus Davis and Lydia L. WUhdii, Dec 27. (ieorj>e Riiifi; and Louisa Knowltou, Dec 2'.K Silas ('ram and Persis L. Dow Dec 2'.>, Eliphalet Fox and Mary Hnrkcr Ajiril IM, Alvin Wliite and Susanna Heath, May 4, Reuben M. Sawyer and Mary Preston May IH, Samuel (i. linrker and Sarah Towne, May 1H, l^eonard Jones and Hacliel Spanhlinfi,', Mine 7, Jonathan Clark and Soplironia Reed, Uiji'. 27, Mark M. Woodbury and Kmily Wilson, Sept. 20, Daniel Harvey and Fatima Shed Oft. 12, Griffin Wilson and Elizabeth Stevens, Nov. 24, Fllanson ('. Rrown and Nancy Davis, .\ov. 2H, Richard Razey and .\nn Metcalf Dec. 21. Ambrose Stanley and Susan Kmerson Dec. 2M, John Uarrett and Sally Dow Dec. Ml, K. I'.. Towne and Alnmda Wilson .Vnu. Josiah Fleeman and Candace (i. Knijiht Oct. 1, Joseph Thatcher and Nancy Joslin, Dec. 27. Franklin Knowltf»ii and I'ersis Stacy, .Ian. 24. Chauncy Jones and .Vhifiail liOveland Feb. .*), Timothy Hunt and Try|)liena Fisher .March .">. Dexter I>all and Hannah P>rockwa>' \\\iX. 2.">. .Varon Smith and .Martha .M. I'ap'. Sept. .".. Flijah Wet herbe*' antl Fanny F. Mnnroe Oct. ."{. Josejih (". Stickney and Rachel D. Cram Dec .".. William Dole and I>aura Dowe, ...Jan. Id. Jtmathan (ireen and .\bby 1). \\'orcester .Ma\ 7. Isaac 1*. Howe and L.iuiinda Jenkins Innc4. Kethuel (ireeiie and Fydia r|)loii Dec. 2J. Caleb I'. Woodbury and Fmily A. <'ullrM- Dec 24. Samuel Osfi'ood and Flizabeih K. Hunt i''eb, 2."). .Vzel Hatch and .Mary 1". Worccslci- Scjii. '.i. Daniel Downinu' and Lucy T. I'plon Sept. •■{(), Kdwin L. .Men-ick and Lucy R. Rice Feb. 1 .'i. D.-ivid Harron and Sabi-ina Kemp .Manh <'.. (Jardner 'I'. Riufj,- and Soplironia Knowltou .Manli lo. Charles Worcester and llai-rietl .N. I'arker lune Hi. .\ndrew Cram and .M.iiy llensh.iw .Nov. '.>. Nathaniel .Mitchd and Harriett Iv Knowltou Feb. 2(1. Sewell D;iy and Hannah Wilson .May Kl. .\sa Davis. Jr., and Soplironia L. (ioiild Nov. 2n. 138 HISTORY (^F STODDARD. Francis Jewett and Selina A. Dodge, April 4, 1844 Philip W. Wilds and Lucinda Loveland, April 4, 1844 Sumner Knight and Martha Phelps, June 2, 1844 Hartwell Frink and Sarah D. Jefts, Sept. 24, 1844 Alden Davis and Hannah E. Upton, Tune 5, 1845 Samuel L. Sloder and Mary L. Loomis June 11), 1845 Franklin B. Locke and Lucy B. Sanderson, Aug. 27, 1845 Edwin L. Merrick and Rhoda Ann Rice, Sept. 11, 1845 John B. Brown and Lavina B. Chase, Dec. 18. 1845 Gardner Towne, Jr., and Susan W. Locke Dec. 25, 1845 William Dodge and Sarah Ann Stacy, Jan. 20, 1840 Atwell C. Ellis and Nancy Adams, Feb. 3, 1846 Edward Hall and Harriett Robinson, March 10, 1846 John Mellen' and Rebecca AV. Phelps March 3, 1846 Winslow Royce and Susan R. liarden June 3, 1846 Josiah Grimes and Amy Dodge, lune 16, 184(5 K. (i. Dudley and Christiaima Dun(;an, Oct. 6, 184(5 Lowell Symonds and Mary Jane Barrett, Dec. 24. 184(5 Paschal P. Hodginaii and Susan A. Wilson Dec. 31. 1846 Nathaniel O. Osgood and Hannah Hunt, June 2, 1847 Franklin Kimball and Retsey Davis, Se]»t. 8, 1.S47 Joseph F. Moore and Lucy A. Davis Feb. S. 1848 Henry Perley and Mary Jane Stacy May 18. 1848 Jonas W. (loodhue nnd Pliel)e Wilson lune 7, 1848 Freeman W. Jet'ts and Electa Towne Sejit. 14, 1848 Leonard Harrington and Sojyhronia 1*. Henry Oct. 5, 184S J. (iuincy Jones and ('ynthia J. (lould Dec 31, ls4