^. ■'SWs 1-^ ' • / ^°^ 'f .0' o' ' W¥^ \/ '^0&-^ %.^ -^4^ \/ ' S>o Ao^ ^% 'yfm-y "5 ' . • s o V ^v ^^ K. ■■^ms s /\-m ./.•'M\\/ .«' "*. •.*5 ,^j^ii#;. ^•1°. ^'&,\)^/ .,/m^-' 'c, C •^'Svv., c,^^^ oT % ' -"-'. y..>a;-X >°*,-as;t^°-'... .A>^.X .'° .•^^:' 'Id mc- .^;... v*-'"/- ..„ '<' ^'j^ .^ ,^^:£v. ./^-.. r^ .^'% 'WW: /\ ^-0^ ^Mp;^ ^^•^-^ ^^m^: ^o V »: :--»■■/ -v-^V v--^->' %^^/.V---< n^ ,0"". -^o ..\- ^- ^-'-0^ cN^' "-^^^' .^^"-^. ^' :mMl ^^ ■•^Sft%' CONTENTS. MEERIMACK COUNTY, GENERAL HISTORY. I. ORGANIZATION AND STATISTICAL 1 II. BENCH AND BAR 2 III. STATE-HOUSE 3 IV. THE NEW HAMPSHIRE ASYLIM FOR THE INSANE 47 TOWN HISTORIES. CONCORD 57 BOSCAWEN 160 BRADFORD ISA CANTERBURY 221 CHICHESTER.". .^.._. ? 235 BANBURY 269 DUNBARTON. J^TTT"^ 29l FRANKLIN 310 ANDOVER 328 HENNIKBR 340 HOOKSETT 361 HOPKINTON 391. NEWBURY . . NEW LONDON LOUDON 477 NORTHFIELD 51B HILL 647 PEMBROKE . PITTSFlELD. SALISBURY . SUTTON . . . WARNER. . WEBSTER .-,- WILMOT, . . BELKISTAP COUNTY. ORGANIZ.^TION OF COUNTY— BENCH AND BAR TOWN HISTORIES. .\LTON BARNSTEAD BELMONT CENTRE HARBOR GILFORD APPENDIX LACONlA .... MEREDITH . . . NEW HAMPTON SANBORNTON . . TILTON ILLUSTRATIONS. Abbot, J. Stephe; Abbott, Williaiu. Aiken, Walter ... ., 231 Ames, JasouH 212 Amsden, Charles H 168 Bailey, Oliver 308 Baker, Aaron W 2S6 Barnard, Daniel , 31 Bartlett, Levi 676 Batchelder, Joseph 610 Bean, Abraham 159 Bickford, H. C 441 Bickford, Nathan 476 Blanchard, Hiram 215 Carter, Solon A 44 Carpenter, Charles H 253 Childs, Horace 359 Cilley.J. M 418 CTough, Colonel D. M 234 Cogswell, Thomas, Sr 793 Cogswell, Thomas, Jr 807 Cogswell, P. B 89 Clongh, Bev. J 509 Coc, John 728 Cole, B. J 773 Conn, G. P 162 Connor, Abel 355 Couch, Enoch 694 Cummings, George A 156 -Crane, John S., residence of 781 Crane, J. S 780 Crockett, S. C 827 Daniell, Warren F 324 ^ Davis, Curtis 219 Davis, Hon. Walter S 413 Deering, Major Arthur 260 Doe, Charles C 474 Downing, Lewis 140 Drake, Oliver 256 Durell, David 217 Durrell, Thomaa 806 Eaton, Joshua 211 Eaton, Frederick 651 Ela, Robert L 162e Ela, Richard 162d Ela, Joseph '. 865 KIh rieorge W 162b PACE Fife, Captain William 685 Fowler, Asa 15 Fowler, Winthrop 582 Fowler, TrueworthyL 682 Fowler, Winthrop, Jr 683 French, D. J 612 Gage, Converse 649 Gale, N. B 830 Gallinger, J. H 160 Gault, Hon. Jesse 389 George, Paul K 410 Gerriah, Enoch 158 Gilnian, James 808 Gillingham, Moody 419 Goss, William 470 Gutterson, John 358 Hall, Rev. K. S 777 Hall, Dr. A. B 542 Hart, George 216 Hartwell, H. H 167 Haynes, Martin \....i::. 779 Head, Nathaniel 385 Head, William F 388 Hill, James E 104 Benjamin Hoitt, Thomas L 715 Holden, Daniel 154 Holmes, H 218 Howe, Calvin 152 Humphrey, Moses 101 Hunt, Lucian 540 Jewell, D. L 576 Keneson, Randall S 729 Kenrick, Stephen 321 Kimball, B. A 146 Kimball, John 144 Kimball, John P 233 Knight, Elijah 163 Knowltou, Hosea C 255 Knowles, William V 546 Ladd, Seneca .\ 858 Lang, Joseph W 862 Lane,Robert 647 Larabee, George H 581 Little, George P 580 Jjittle, George P., residence of ../. 668 Little, T.D .'. 623 Lovering, Samuel B 511 Map Outline Merrimack and Belknap Counties I Marshall, Anson S .34 Marshall, John W 213 Maitin, Noah, M. D 408 vii .1 . ILLlSniATIONS. HHItill Snniilil Meserity 1U\ A B Moore J C Mooro McCuiiii 1 Moore felcj hen Mornll U« id Moree John W Mors Jowph Moulton Hon J >hii C Moulton Jolin 11 Kesmitli Gtorgo w New Himiwliire \"j1m Norris, J b Nutti r b S Osgood \dUi(jon N I'Hgo Lnoch Peabod) Siilviin U Pease Simeon D Pembroke Vciilimy Pbiltruk D M Pillsburj Gt ipt \ Plumni r (ihrauii Prescott D S Piituej Truman Rolft H iir> I BjIHiik, Amos 1 Sanborn Ctipt \\ A Saudi rs Gtorge Jr Sand re O S Keti kn SanduK O s lortr it 3.irgent J ( crett Sarg< DI Mos e "vargcnt >^terling 106 Sa»age MiyorGeorge D 708 SmjMl a,i;e employed, 3580; females, 1477; clnMivn :in,l > ,,utli, 628. Of the population of the county in 1880, there were 22,751 males and 23,549 females ; 40,521 were na- tives of the United States, and 5779 of foreign birth; 5116 males and 5075 females were from 5 to 18 years of age, 9380 males were bet^veen 18 and 40 years of age, and 14,286 males were 21 years of iige and above, and one-half of the whole population was over 26 years of age. Capital invested, $6,089,215; value of materials used, $4,974,224 ; value of products, $8,742,560. VAI-IATIOX ASD TAXATION. Valuation of the county, April 1, 1879 $24,882,580 Valuation of real estate 18,522,356 Valuation of personal property 6,300,194 State tax asBessed 568,552 County tax assessed 78,000 City, towu and school taxes 257,873 Whole amount of taxes 393,925 Total $50,169,025 Indebtedness of the county, city, towns and school districts in the count}', June 1, 1880. Bonded debt $956,400 Floating debt 158,602 Aggregate debt $1,116,002 Number of poBt-ofBces in the county July 1, 1883, GO ; compensation of postmasters the preceding year, $18,515.94. CHAPTER II. BENCH AND BAR. The first term of the Superior Court of Judicature in Merrimack County was held in Concord in January, 1824. This was the first time that Concord had enjoyed the presence of a duly established court of law. The members of the bar of the county at this term convened and were duly organized as the Merri- mack County bar, and during one of the first evenings of the session a bar supper was celebrated at the inn of J. P. Gass, which was located near the present site of Sanborn's block, on Main Street. The venerable George W. Nesmith, of Franklin, is the only surviving member of those present on that occasion. Peter Green, son of Nathaniel Green, was one of the earliest lawyers in the State. He was born in Worcester, Mass., 1746 ; opened an office in Concord, 1767. He was chosen State councilor in 1788 and 1789. He died March 27, 1798, aged fifty-two. Hon. Timothy Walker was the only son of Rev. Timothy Walker, and was born upon the paternal fiirm in Rumford, June 27, 1737. He is said, when a boy, to have been a great favorite of the Indians living in the vicinity. Entertaining a deep reverence and affection for his father, they naturally inclined to him, and, as tradition says, were wont to take him on visits to their wigwams, assuring his mother, who did not altogether relish such civilities, that " Indians no hurt minister's pappoose." This promise was never broken, and he was always returned in safety, although oftentimes modified much in appearance, from the Indians having painted his face in glowing colors, and garlanded his head with gaudy feathers. His father gave early attention to his education, and sent him, when fifteen years of age, to Harvard Col- lege. He remained there during the regular course and graduated in 1756. The two years ensuing he spent in teaching school .at Bradford, Mass. Upon BENCH AND BAK. leaving Bradford, having in the mean time chosen the- ology as his profession, he commenced a course of study and pursued it most probably with his father. Having completed his theological studies, he was ex- amined at the association meeting in Haverhill, Mass., and licensed to preach September 11, 1759. Mr. Walker was never a settled pastor, but preached occasionally for about six years. During the last ab- sence of his father in England, in 1762-63, he sup- plied his jmlpit in Kumford. He preached many times from 1761 to 1764 in Kludge, where he received a call to settle, which he declined. In the summer of 1765 he preached six Sabbaths at Pigwacket (now Fryeburg), Ble., which seems to have been about the last of his preaching, soon after which he relinquished the profession of the ministry. From his diary it appears that on the 25th of No- \ember, 1765, he concluded a partnership agreement with Colonel Andrew McMillan, and engaged with him in trade in Eumford, in the southerly part of the village. They continued in business together but for a single year. Soon after their separation Mr. Walker opened a store near the residence of his father, and there continued his mercantile pursuits until about the beginning of the Revolution. During this period he was also engaged in the manufacture of potash, which was disposed of in the lower towns of the prov- ince. Some portions of the works erected for this purpose remained until within a recent period, the well, stoned up from the bottom, being in good condi- tion to-day. Mr. Walker was married, some time previous to 1764, to his cousin, Susannah Burbeen, daughter of Rev. Joseph Burbeen, of Woburn, Mass., who died in Concord, September 28, 1828, at the age of eighty-two. They had fourteen children, ten of whom lived to mature life. Upon the commencement of hostilities with Great Britain, Mr. Walker, like his father, warmly espoused the patriot cause, and seconded with zeal the meas- ures adopted for the security of American liberty. His whole time seems now to have been devoted to tlie service of his country. The town of Concord chose him a delegate to the Fourth Provincial Con- gress, which assembled at Exeter, on the 17th of May, 1775, and he took an active interest in the very im- portant measures which came before that body. On the 20th of May he was appointed a member of the Committee of Supplies, constituted to act in con- junction with the Committee of Safety, and procure supplies for the New Hampshire troops, at this time in the vicinity of Boston. On the 20th of August he, with Ichabod Rawlings, Esq., was sent to the army to ascertain the losses sustained at the battle of Bunker Hill by each of the officers and soldiers of the New Hampshire forces, and in behalf of the province to make them compensation, as well as to secure to them supplies and advance a month's pay to such as had enlisted in the Continental service. The action of the Provincial Congress upon the report subsequently made of their doings aflbrds evidence that those du- ties were performed to their acceptance. About the 1st of September of this year the New Hampshire Congress passed an act creating four reg- iments of Miuute-Men equal in number to about one- fourth part of the then existing militia of the province. These were to meet to drill once in every two weeks, and to be ready for service at a moment's warning. Mr. Walker was commissioned colonel of the Third Regiment September 5, 1775, and exerted himself to train and fit for duty the forces under his command. From the 4th to the 16th of October we find him acting as paymaster of the New Hampshire troops at Winter Hill, commanded by Colonels Stark, Poor and Reid, and again, on the 27th of December, he was appointed by the Fifth Provincial Congress paymas- ter of the same forces. The Fifth Provincial Congress was succeeded, Jan- uary 6, 1776, by the first House of Representatives, organized under the temporary constitution and com- posed of the same members. Its journal shows Colonel Walker to have been one of the committee of three appointed by the House "to make a draft of the declaration of this General Assembly for independ- ence of the United Colonies." The committee re- ported a draft June 15, 1776, which was at once adopted and a copy of it sent to the Continental Con- gress, then in session at Philadelphia. At a date not long subsequent to this event Colonel Walker was made one of the committee to devise a systematic plan of finance, by means of which the payment of the debts of the State might be provided for and funds raised for present and future purposes. When, on the 14th of March, 1776, the Continental Congress sent out the Association Test, to be signed by all friendly to the patriot cause. Colonel Walker most cheerfully signed the copy sent to Concord, and it was through his influence, in part at least, that, of the one hundred and fifty-six to whom it was presented for signature in that town, not one declined subscribing to it his name. Colonel Walker was this year a member of the Committee of Safety and served in that capacity until the 20th of June, 1776. During the next three years —viz., from December 18, 1776, to December 15, 1779 — he was a member of the Council, associated with Meshech Weare, Josiah Bartlett, Nicholas Gilman and others of like character, — men of the purest pa- triotism, whose names New Hampshire will ever cher- ish. On the 26th of March, 1777, he was chosen by the Legislaturea delegate to the Continental Congress, and again, at three subsequent times, in 1778, 1782 and 1784, but it is not certain that he ever attended. He was sent from Concord a delegate to each of the New Hampshire Constitutional Conventions of 1778 and 1781, and also to that of 1791, to revise the con- stitution. In 1777 he retired from the more stirring scenes HISTORl' OF MERRIMACK COUiVTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. connected with the war, and accepted the office of a justice of the Court of Common Pleas, which he con- tinued to liold until 1809, being for the last five years a chief justice. The courts were held alternately at Exeter and Portsmouth, and Judge Walker made his journeys to and from those places on horseback. Upon the organization of the Republican party in New Hampshire, in 1798, Judge Walker was selected for its fii-st candidate for Governor, and was run against John Taylor Oilman, who had already been the in- cumbent of the office in previous years, and was one of the strongest men of the Federal party, at that time in large majority throughout the State. Governor Gilraan was the successful candidate, receiving nine thousand three hundred and ninety-seven votes out of the whole number of twelve thousand one hundred and fifty-three thrown, and Judge Walker seven hun- dred and thirty-four. Twice afterwards — viz., in 1800 and 1801— he was the Republican candidate for Gov- ernor, receiving the former year six thousand and thirty-nine, and the latter five thousand two hundred and forty-nine votes, the whole number of votes cast being between sixteen thousand and seventeen thou- sand. Although mingling largely in State affiiirs, Mr. Walker did not withhold himself from a participation in the management of the more limited business of his native town. In this sphere he was also promi- nent. He was moderator of the annual town-meeting in 1779 and every year.afterwards, with the excep- tion of ten, until 1809, serving in that capacity no less than twenty-one years. He was also town clerk from 1769 up to and including 1777, and one of the selectmen of the town for tweuty-five years between 1769 and 1802, beiug chairman of the board every year during this period except four. He ever took a lively interest in everything tending to advance the prosperity of Concord. Being a rep- resentative to the Legislature, which was holden at Exeter in 1781, and finding some dissatisfaction among the members relative to accommodations furnished there, he proposed to them that ifthey would adjourn to meet at Concord, they should be as well served and at one-half of the expense. The proposal was accepted, and upon his return home he informed his townsmen of the manner in which he had committed them, and they at once pledged themselves to make good his engagement to the best of their several abil- ities. The next year the Legislature assembled in Concord for the first time, meeting first at the meet- ing-house, but adjourning, immediately after coming together, to a hall prepared for them in a building now standing near the southwest corner of Main and Penacook Streets. In 1798 we find him greatly interested in the im- provement of the sacred music of the town, and the records of the Concord Musical Association show him to have been its first i)resident. Indeed, Judge Walker seems to have been intimately connected with most of the Concord enterprises of his day. He was one of the original proprietors of Federal bridge, which was incorporated in 1795, and crossed the Mer- rimac at East Concord village. Three years after, he became one of the members of " The Proprietors of the Concord Library." In 1806 the Concord Bank was incorporated by the Legislature, and irreconcilable differences of opinion arising at the meeting of the grantees for organiza- tion, two banks with different officers, but bearing the same name, were organized under the same charter, — one located at the north end and the other at the southerly end of Main Street. Each did a successful business for twenty years, at the expiration of which period they were organized under separate charters. Of the upper bank Judge Walker was the first presi- dent, and continued for several years. Upon most, or all, of the old subscription papers for procuring money for local purposes, which have been preserved, his name stands prominent, evincing his constant interest in the public enterprises of his native town. In 1774, largely through his influence and effi)rts, a township of land upon the Androscoggin River, in Maine, was granted by the General Court of Massa- chusetts to the proprietors of Concord or their de- scendants, to indemnify them, in part, for expenses and losses incurred in consequence of the long con- troversy with the alleged proprietors of Bow. This grant affi)rded good lands upon favorable terms to the children of the original settlers of Concord, and many emigrated to that locality and established the present town of Rumford. Of these lands Judge Walker eventually became a large proprietor and afforded substantial aid to many young fiimilies of limited means in establishing themselves in life. Some of these lands descended to hLs children and to his children's children, while some are still held by his great-grand- children, who are to-day among the prosperous fann- ers of Rumford. Notwithstanding his multitudinous avocations of a more or less public character, Judge Walker always kept and managed with care the large farm left him by his father. He increased, rather than diminished, its original area. Situated, as this was, upon the very edge of the village, it afforded him a convenient residence, and at the plain mansion which sheltered him and his family he dispensed, for a long series of years, a plain hospitality to multitudes of friends and acquaintances who sought his society. " My son, you must not pull down the old barn in my day," he said, on one occasion, to his youngest son and successor upon the farm. " You can build as many new ones as you like. That was Parson Walker's barn ; it has never failed to afford shelter and feed to the horse of the visitor who has knocked at our door ; let it stand as long as I last." And a new barn went up, but "Parson Walker's barn" re- mained standing until the worthy judge had rested from his labors a half-score of years and more. BENCH AND BAR. In person, Judge Walker was of medium size, being about five feet ten inches in height and having rounded and well-developed limbs. In later life he was a little inclined to fulness. He hud a placid, oi>eii countenance, a nose somewhat prominent and a full, blue eye. His walk was erect and his bearing dignified. He possessed an active, vigorous mind and a well-balanced judgment. He had keen per- ceptive faculties, which, aided by the experience gained by long intercourse with men, enabled him to form quickly correct opinions of the characters and motives of those with whom he came in contact. While cautious, he was yet of a sanguine tempera- niCMit ; hopeful, also, when others despaired, and rarely given to despondency. He had a cheerful dis- position; he was reasonable in his expectations and charitable in his judgments. Careful in the choice of his plans, as well as patient in their execution, he was generally successful. Democratic and affable, he was on familiar terms with all about him. Rejoicing in the welfare of his townsmen, he was ever ready to do them kind services. He manifested a particular interest in the young men of the town, and not a few, just starting in life, received from him counsel or en- couragement or pecuniary aid, which assisted them greatly in overcoming first obstacles and nerved them to exertions which secured the foundations of future prosperity. When at length old age came upon him, he met it cheerfully and manfully. For several years previous to 1822 he had been somewhat infirm, but still en- joyed life in a good degree. His children were pros- perously and respectably settled in their different avocations, a part of them near about him. He had frequent evidence of the respect entertained for him by his fellow-citizens ; he had an inward conscious- ness of having done what he could to be useful in his day and generation ; he hart entire confidence in the re- velations of the Sacred Sniplur.s and an humble hope that the infinite atoncnnni nf tln' Son of God might attach to him. On the -"itli of .Miiy, 1822, in the bosom of his family, he died, a virtuous and a happy old man, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. Truly, '■ The hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness." Edward St. Loe Livermore, son of Hon. Samuel Livermore, born in Londonderry, 1761, entered upon his profession in Concord, 1783 ; solicitor for Rock- ingham County, 1791-93 ; judge in the Superior Court of Judicature, 1797-99; then resided at Ports- mouth. He was also member of Congress from Slassachusetts. He was the father of the celebrated Harriet Livermore, born in Concord April 14, 1788. He died at Tewksbury, Mass., September 15, 1832, aged seventy-one. Thomas W. Thompsox, son of Deacon Thomas Thompson, of Boston, born March 10, 1766 ; graduated at Harvard University, 1786; was tutor in college, 1789 ; aid to General Lincohi at the time of " Shav's Rebellion ; " commenced the practice of law at Salis- bury, 1791 ; representative from that town in the State Legislature ; chosen representative to Congress, 1805- 07 ; in 1810 treasurer of the State, when he moved to Concord ; speaker of the House in the State Legislature, 1813 and 1814; Senator in Congress, 1814-17 ; elected trustee of Dartmouth College in 1801, which office he held till his death. Mr. Thomp- son was an accomplished gentlemsin, distinguished for the dignity and urbanity of his manners, for integrity and piety. He held the office of deacon in the First Church in Concord from 1818 till his death. He died of pulmonary consumption, October 10, 1821, aged fifty-five years. Arthur Livermore, judge, brother of Edward St. Loe Livermore, opened an office in Concord in 1792 ; soon moved to Chester, thence to Holderness. He died July, 1853, aged eighty-seven years. Samuel Green, judge, son of Nathaniel Green, born March 7, 1770, read law in the office of his brother, Peter Green, Esq. ; commenced practice in Concord, 1793 ; associate justice of the Superior Court from 1819 to 1840, when he retired on account of the constitutional limit of age. He was then ap- pointed to a clerkship at Washington, where he con- tinued till his death, March, 1851, aged eighty-one years. Philip Carrigain, son of Dr. Philip Carrigain, was born in Concord in 1772, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1794 ; studied law with Arthur Livermore, Esq., and settled in practice in his native town. He was Secretary of State, clerk of the Senate and was often employed in public business. He died March 15, 1842, aged seventy years. Moody Kent, son of Joseph Kent, was born in Newbury, Mass., May 22, 1779; graduated at II:uvai-.l College, 1801 ; admitted to the bar in 1804 ; pra.ticr.l in Deerfield nearly five years; came to Couidnl in September, 1809, where he remained in practice till 1832, when he withdrew from business. Isaac Gates, graduated at Harvard College, 1802 ; was in Concord a short time in 1814; died in Harvard, Mass., in November, 1852. Lyman B. Walker, from Gilford, while Attorney- General of the State, from 1843 to — , resided in Con- cord. Samuel Fletcher, born in Plymouth, July 31, 1785; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1810; opened an office in Concord, 1815 ; trustee of Darmouth Col- lege; trustee and treasurer of Phillips Academy and Theological Seminary, at Andover, from 1841 to 1850. Nathaniel Gookin Upham was born in Deer- field, N. H., .lanuary 8, 1801. His parents removed to Rochester the following year. He pursued his studies {preparatory to college at Exeter Academy; entered Dartmouth in 1816 ; was a faithful student, and graduated with honor in 1820. Immediately after his graduation, Mr. Upham com- menced the study of law. After being admitted to HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. the bar, he practiced his profession in Bristol until 1829, when he removed to Concord. Four years later Mr. Upham was appointed one of the associate justices of the Superior Court of New Hampshire. This honor was the more complimentary a-s he was only thirty-two years of age. With the single exception of Hon. Levi Woodbury, he was the youngest man who had been placed upon the bench of New Hampshire. He discharged with faithfulness and ability the duties devolving upon him until 1848, when he resigned and was appointed superintendent of the Concord Railroad. Some years later, the business of the road liaving greatly increased, he relinquished the superintendency and was made president. In the management of its affairs for twenty-three years he used great wisdom and judg- ment, giving to it liis best thoughts, his legal know- ledge and experience, ever planning wisely and suc- cessfully for the enlargement of its business, with remarkable prudence, foresight and perseverance. He held the office of president till 1866, when his connection with the railroad ceased. In 1853, Judge Upham was appointed commissioner, on the part of the government of the United States, to confer with a similar commissioner appointed by the English government, and to decide upon certain claims brought by citizens of either country against the government of the other. These claims had been growing in number and amount for forty years. This commission met in London in September, 1853, Ed- mund Hornby, Esq., acting on the part of Great Britain. They considered all claims presented, pro- nouncing upon each a deliberate and final judgment, and in accordance with these decisions the claims were paid by the respective governments, amounting in the aggregate to many millions of dollars. In 1862, Judge Upham was called to act in a similar service, that of umpire in the commission appointed by government for the .settlement of claims between the United SijI.s mimI \ew Granada. In politir^ .lihl'jr I pliain was a Democrat for many years. Tliouj;h duel Jed in his political principles, he was not a politician. His influence was exercised rather by private suggestions and the weight of his general character. In 1850 he was chairman of the business committee of the convention called to amend the Constitution of New Hampshire. In 1865 and 1866 he was a member of the Legisla- ture, and earnest in advocating the proposed amend- ment of the National Constitution. He was also at this time chairman of the committee to remodel the State-House. In the struggle between the North and the South Judge Upham took an open and decided stand at once on the side of the government, in the exercise of all the influence he could exert, by addresses delivered on public occasions, as well as by letters and essays published in the leading newspapers. He accepted heartily the emancipation proclamation, both as to its expediency and constitutionality as a war measure. There was in Judge Upham, beneath all the busi- ness and professional life, a strong literary taste. He wrote with ease, and wrote much. His style was clear and forcible, at times eloquent, and many valua- ble articles from his pen were published. For more than forty years he resided in Concord, and his name is associated with the growth and pros- perity of the city. He was interested in all wise measures for the public good, and his was a leading mind in devising methods of improvement, and very etticient in carrying them into effect. His fellow- citizens learned to place great confidence in his judgment, acknowledging his prudence and foresight, knowing that his opinions were given after a careful consideration of the subject. He was a man of up- rightness, true to his engagements, faithful to every contract, doing what he regarded as right in the sight of God and man. He was a leading member of the South Congregational Church from its organization, and did much for its stability and prosperity. Judge Upham was twice married, first to Miss Betsy W. Lord, of Kennebunkport, Me. She died in Concord, August 17, 1833, leaving two children, both of whom survive, — Eev. Nathaniel L. Upham, of Philadelphia, and Mrs. Joseph B. Walker, of Concord. His second wife was Miss Eliza W. Burnham, of Pem- broke. The children of this marriage are not living. An infant daughter died in 1844, and Mr. Francis A. Upham, April 3, 1867, aged twenty-nine years. Mrs. E. W. Upham died April 14, 1882. " But the ihost honored life must come to a close." Never a strong or robust man, yet with prudence anil care he was ever able to perform well the duties of the hour. A few days' illness terminated a useful life, and Nathaniel Gookin Upham died December 11, 1869, aged sixty-nine. Stephen C. Badgee, a native of Warner, born April 12, 1797 ; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1823 ; admitted to the bar, 1826 ; came to Concord from New London, 1833 ; was clerk of the courts of Merri- mack County from 1834 to 1846 ; police magistrate several years previous to the adoption of the city charter. David Pillsbi-ry, born in Raymond, whence his father soon removed to Candia ; a graduate of Dart- mouth College, 1827; practiced law in Chester from 1830 to 1854, when he opened an office in Concord. Several years was a major-general in the New Hamp- shire militia. Hamiltox Hutchins, A.m., son of the late Abel Hutchins, born July 10, 1805; graduated at Dart- mouth College, 1827; admitted to the bar in Concord, 1880; was highly esteemed for his amiable temper and liciillniianly manners. (!i"i;^,i Mix.n-, born in Bristol; graduated at Darliiioutli < nil, -e, 1828; admitted to the bar, 1881 ; BENCH AND BAK. practiced in his profession at Gilmanton, Bristol and Concord. He was cashier of the Mechanics' Bank in Concord. Calvin Ainsvvorth, a native of Littleton, born August 22, 1807 ; admitted to the bar, 1835 ; came to Concord from Littleton, 1843 ; register of probate for Merrick County five years, and first police justice of the city of Concord, 1853. Ephraim Eaton, a native of Candia ; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1833 ; studied law with Samuel Fletcher, Esq., and opened an office in Concord, 1837, where he continued in business until 1853. Nehemiah Butler, born at Pelham, February 22, 1824 ; studied law with Asa Fowler, Esq., of Concord, and at the Law School in Harvard University ; com- menced practice at Fisherville, 1843 ; was appointed clerk of the Superior Court and Court of Common Pleas for the county of Merrimack, and removed to Concord, 1852, where he resided until his death. Hon. Ezekiel Webster, elder brother of Daniel, was born in Salisbury, April 11, 1780. The first nine- teen years of his life were spent on his father's farm, and it was settled in the mind of Judge Webster that he was to remain at home and be a farmer, while Daniel, who had less physical strength in childhood, who seems to have had little inclination for farming, was to be educated to one of the learned professions. Daniel entered college in 1797. It troubled him, however, to think that Ezekiel was at home plodding on the farm while he was obtaining an education. He says in his autobiography, — "I soon began to grow uneasy at my brother's situation. His prospects were not promising, and he himself felt and saw this, and had aspirations beyond his condition. Nothing was proposed, however, by way of change of plan, till two years later. " In the spring of 1799, at the May vacation, being then a sophomore, I visited my family, and then held serious consultation with my brother. I remember well when we went to bed we began to talk matters over, and that we rose after sunrise without having shut our eyes. But we had settled our plan. "He had thought of goint:- ill! u.- n-u |mi l ^ r I|p. i -unti \ Tlmt broke up, or, rather, got up. ii- f -nli ^^ > M,,t I -'i .ri!.i |,i..] — i . my father that he, late as it was, sliould U_- sc-Tit tu s.hool, and also to .-olloge. This we knew would be a trying thing to my father .and mother and two unmarried sisters. My father was growing old, his health not good and his circumstances far from easy. The fai™ was to be carried on, and the family taken care of ; and there was nobody to do all this but him who was regarded as the main stay, that is to say, Ezekiel. However, I ven- tured on the negotiation, and it was carried, as other things often are, by the earnest and sanguine manner of youth. I told him that I was un- happy at my brother's prospects. For myself I saw my way to knowl- edge, respectability and self-protection, but as to him, all looked the other way ; that I would keep school, and get along as well as I could — be more than four years in getting through college, if necessary— pro- vided he also could be sent to study. ■' He said, at once, ho lived but for his children ; that he had but lit- tle, and on that little be put no value, except so far ae it might be useful to them ; that to carry us botli through college would take all he was worth ; that for himself he was willing to run the risk, but that this was a serious matter to our mother and two unmarried sisters ; that we must settle the matter with them, and if their consent was obtained, he would trust to Providence and get along as well as he could." The father laid the case before the mother. " The farm is already mortgaged, and if we send Ezekiel to college, it will take all we have ; but the boys think they can take care of us," he said. It did not take the strong-hearted, sagacious wo- man long to decide the matter : " We can trust the boys." The question was settled. Daniel went back to Hanover, while Ezekiel went, bundle in hand, to Dr. Wood's, and began the study of Latin. He spent two terms at a school kept at Salisbury, South Road village, and returned again to Dr. Wood's, where his expenses were about one dollar per week. While thus studying and taking recreation be- neath the magnificent beeches that stood before the house, he kept up a frequent correspondence with Daniel at Hanover. Ezekiel distrusted his ability to get on. Daniel made this reply to him, in a letter written April 25, 1800,— "You tell me that you have diffl' and the people. He declined a reappointment. In 1851 he was first elected a member of the Legis- lature from Wentworth, and served as chairman of the committee on incorporations. The next year he was re-elected, and was made chairman of the judi- ciary committee, and in 1853 he was again a member, and was nominated with great unanimity, and elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives. He served with ability and impartiality, and to the general acceptance of all parties. The next winter a new man was to be selected as a candidate for Senator in his district, and at the con- vention he was nominated with great unanimity, and was elected in March, in a close district, by about three hundred majority. When the Senate met, in June, there was some discussion as to a candidate for president, but at the caucus he was nominated upon the first ballot, and was duly elected as president of the Senate in 1854. He was renominated in the spring of 1855, but the Know-Nothing movement that year carried everything before it, and he was de- BExNCH AND BAR. feated, with nearly all the other Democratic nomi- nees in the State. On the 2d day of April, 1855, he was appointed a circuit justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the State. But in June of that year there was an un- wonted overturn, and the old courts were abolished, mainly upon political grounds, and new ones or- ganized, and new judges appointed. Judge Sargent was making his arrangements to go into practice again at the bar, when he received a request from Governor Metcalf that he would accept the second place on the bench of the new Court of Common Pleas. This ofl'er had not been expected, but, upon consultation with friends, it was accepted, and Judge Sargent was appointed an associate justice of the Court of Common Pleas. He acted as judge of the new Court of Common Pleas for four years, until 1859, when, by a statute of that year, that court was abolished, and the Supreme Judicial Court was? to do the work of that court in addition to its own, and one new judge was to be added to that court, making the number of Supreme Court judges six instead of five, as before. .Judge Sargent was at once appointed to that place on the Supreme bench. He was then the youngest member of the court in age, as well as in the date of his com- mision. He remained upon the bench of that court just fifteen years, from 1859 to 1874. In March, 1873, upon the death of Chief Justice Bellows, Judge Sargent was appointed chief justice of the State, which place he held until August, 1874, when the court was again overturned to make room for the appointees of the prevailing political party. Chief Justice Sargent, at the time of his appointment as chief justice, had become the oldest judge upon the bench, both in age and date of commission, so fre- quent had been the changes in its members since his appointment to that bench, less than fourteen years before. He was distinguished for his laborious in- dustry, his impartiality and his ability. His written opinions are contained in the sixteen volumes of the New Hampshire Reports, from the thirty-ninth to the fifty-fourth, inclusive, numbering about three hundred in all. Many of these are leading opinions upon various subjects, and show great learning and research. After the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and the attempt to make Kansas a slave State, Judge Sargent acted with the Republican j)arty. Upon leaving the bench, in August, 1874, he was solicited to go into the practice of the law in Con- cord with Wra. M. Chase, Esq., whose late partner, the Hon. Anson S. Marshall, had recently been sud- denly removed by death. He left a very extensive and lucrative practice, more than any one man could well attend to alone, and into this practice, by an arrangement with Mr. Chase, Judge Sargent stepped at once, and the business firm thus formed continued for five years. In 1876 he was elected a member of the Constitu- tional Convention of this State. In this convention he acted a prominent part. He received a large complimentary vote for president of the convention, but that choice falling upon another. Judge Sargent was made chairman of the Judiciary Committee, the same place held by Judge Levi Woodbury in the convention of 1850. He took an active part in the debates and discussions of that body, and wielded an influence probably second to no one in the con- vention. He was also elected by his ward a member of the House of Representatives for the years 1877 and 1878. It was evident from the first, so numerous and important had been the changes in the constitution, that there must be a revision of the general statutes of the State. Early in 1877 steps were taken for this re- vision, and Judge Sargent was appointed chairman of a committee, with Hon. L. W. Barton, of New- port, and Judge J. S. Wiggin, of Exeter, to revise and codify the statutes of the State. This committee at once commenced their work, and with so much dispatch was it prosecuted that they made their report to the Legislature of 1878, which report was, with various amendments, adopted by that Legislature. There was also much new legis- lation enacted that year, which the committee were instructed to incorporate with their own work, and this was all to go into effect the 1st day of January, 1879. The committee revised their work, making the re- quired additions, superintended the printing of the whole, and had their volume ready for distribution before the day appointed. It is the largest volume of statutes ever printed in the State, and it is be- lieved not to be inferior to any other in any im- portant particular. In the fall of 1878 Judge Sargent was invited- by a committee of the citizens of New London to prepare a centennial address, to be delivered on the one hun- dredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town. He at once accepted the invitation, and set about the work, and on the 25th day of June, 1879, he de- livered his address to a large assembly of the present and former citizens of the town and others, the occa- sion being distinguished by a larger collection of people, probably, than ever met in the town upon any former occasion. Being a native of New Lon- don, he took a peculiar interest in looking up its early history and in tracing the lives of its promi- nent men. The address was published in the Granite Monthly in the numbers for July, August and September, 1879, and has been favorably noticed as a work of great labor and research. About the 1st of September, 1879, at the end of five years from the commencement of his partnership in business, the question arose whether he should continue for five years more or retire. Having spent nearly forty years of his life in toil, he concluded to 22 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. take some portion of the remaining time for enjoy- ment, wliile he liad health and strength and capacity to enjoy. He retired from tlie practice of the law, finding that it was vain to hope for rest and recrea- tion while engaged in that profession. The judge has one of the finest residences in the city, and is enjoying life with his friends and his books. He has also traveled extensively in his own country, and been a close observer of men and things. In 1864 he was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of New Hampshire, and was re-elected the next year. After this he declined a re-election. Dartmouth College conferred on him the degree of Master of Arts, in course, three years after gradua- tion ; also, the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, at its centennial commencement, in 1869. He has for many years been an active member of the New Hampshire Historical Society, and for the last ten or twelve years has been one of its vice- presidents. For many years past he has been connected with the National State Capital Bank as one of its direc- tors. The Loan and Trust Savings-Bank, at Con- cord, commenced business August 1, 1872, and in the thirteen years since then its deposits have increased to over one million seven hundred thousand dollars. Judge Sargent has been president of this bank and one of its investment committee since its commence- ment, and has given his personal attention to its affairs. In 1876 the New Hampshire Centennial Home for the Aged was organized and incorporated, and, Jan- uary 1, 1879, a home was opened in Concord at which some ten to twenty aged ladies have since been supported. The funds of this institution are gradually increasing, and its work is being well done. For the last eight yeai-s Judge Sargent has been president of this institution, and has taken a deep interest in its prosperity and success. In compliance with a request from a committee of the trustees, he prepared and delivered, at the com- mencement at Dartmouth College, in 1880, a me- morial address upon the late Hon. Joel Parker, for- merly chief justice of this State, and afterwards professor of law in Harvard College. This duty Judge Sargent performed in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to the friends of the late Judge Parker. His address was printed, with other similar addresses in memory of other deceased judges, graduates of Dartmouth, by other distinguished sons of the college. He married, first, Maria C. Jones, of Enfield, daughter of John Jones, Esq., November 29, 1843, by whom he had two children. John Jones Sargent, the elder, graduated at Dartmouth College in 186G, and died in Oshkosh, Wis., October 3, 1870, just as he was ready to commence the practice of the law. The second, Everett Foster, died young. For his second wife, he married Louisa Jennie Paige, daughter of Deacon James K. Paige, of Wentworth, September 5, 1853, by whom he has had three children, — Marie Louise, Annie Lawrie and George Lincoln. The second died young; the eldest and youngest survive. Since he commenced the practice of the law, in 1843, his residence has been as follows: In Canaan four years, to 1847 ; in Wentworth twenty-two years, to 1869; and in Concord sixteen years since. As a lawyer. Judge Sargent was always I'aithful and true to his clients, a safe counselor and an able advocate. As a legislator, he has been conservative and safe. As a judge, he always studied to get at the right of the case, to hold the scales of justice evenly, to rule the law plainly, so that the party against whom he ruled might have the full benefit of his exception to the ruling, and to get the ques- tions of fact and the evidence, as it bore upon them, clearly and distinctly before the jury. Any one who attended the courts where he presided as judge could see at once that he was patient and pains- taking, industrious and persevering, vigilant and discriminating, impartial and fearless; and any one who reads his written opinions will see that they exhibit great research, learning and ability. Mason Weare Tappas' was born October 20, 1817, in the village of Newport, Sullivan County. His father, the late Weare Tappan, being a strong admirer of Jeremiah Mason, who, at that time, was in full prac- tice at the bar, named his son after him, and gave him also his own name and the name of his mother, who was one of the descendants of the celebrated old Weare family. Weare Tappan was a man of note and ability, prom- inent as a lawyer, and a main pillar in the com- munity in which he lived. He was born in the town of East Kingston, Rockingham County, and early settled in the town of Newport. He read law with the late Judge Ellis, of Claremont, who was one of the ablest and most accomplished lawyers in the State. Mr. Tappan was one of the marked men of his time. Taking an early position on the subject of slavery, he was an old pioneer in the cause. His house was the rendezvous of the anti-slavery lecturer and the home of the fugitive slave. A patriarch of the olden time, strong in his convictions when answering to his con- science, hehad determined that he was right; he died in 1866, but not till he had seen the fulfillment of his hope and prayer, that the curse of slavery might be blotted out and the authority of the government restored. The mother of Mason W. Tappan died only a few months after the decease of his father. The Concord Monitor, in noticing her death at the time, paid her the following tribute : " The deceased was a fine spec- imen of the old school of ladies, who maintained a lively interest in the present, which, added to her ' Walter C. Harriman. BENCH AND BAR. great intelligence, rare conversational jjowers, keen insight of persons, a strong moral nature and a cath- olic spirit, bounded by no creed or color, made her ju-eseuce a benediction and her life a pleasant recol- lection." At an early age Mason removed with the family to Bradford, Merrimack County, and here he spent his boyhood days, and here has he always resided. In his youth he displayed many of those strong traits of character which became prominent in after-life. He early formed a resolution to abstain from the use of intoxicating drinks, and that resolution has never been broken. In addition to the regular course of instruction which he received from his parents, he attended old Father Ballard's school, in Hopkinton, and the Hopkinton Academy, which was a noted school in those days. He also became a student at the Meriden Academy. Having chosen the profession of the law, he pursued the study of the same with his father and with the Hon. George W. Nesmith, of Franklin, who for a long time was one of the judges of the Supreme Judicial Court. He was admitted to the bar in 1841, and soon acquired an extensive practice in Merrimack and Sullivan Counties. In the eminent an ay of legal ability that adorned the bar in those dayi-, by his power as an advocate, he shortly obtained a promi- nent place. Down to the year 18.5.3 he had given his undivided attention to the law. His practice and his reputation as a lawyer were constantly on the increase. He had lielonged to the Whig, Free-Soil and American par- ties. Although his first step aside from his profession was only to represent his town (which was largely Democratic) in the Legislature, to which he was successively elected in 1853, 1854 and 1855, by his personal popularity among his townsmen, it was apparent, from the position that he occupied and the character of the times, that he would drift into broader fields. To turn from his profession and enter the arena of party strife, although a matter largely con- trolled by force of circumstances, was a step not to be taken without due deliberation. In Sullivan County, with always a formidable array of counsel against him, he had achieved some of his greatest triumphs, and had never failed to secure a verdict before a jury. It was with some misgivings that he turned from the certain pursuits of his professional career to tread the uncertain paths in the field of American politics. In the legislative session of 1854, Mr. Tappan was a candidate for Speaker of the House, and, notwith- standing there was a Democratic majority of about twenty, he came within two votes of an election. In the same year, forgetting past contentions, and moved by the prominent stand he had taken in the Legisla- ture, the Whigs, Free-Soilers, Independent Democrats and Americans came to his support and nominated him a member of Congress from the old Second Dis- trict, and he was elected. He was twice re-elected. breaking for the first time the long-established rule of giving a member of Congress only two terms, and served in the Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fifth and Thirty- sixth Congresses with distinguished ability, and es- tablished for himself, in those eventful times when " madne.ss ruled the hour," a reputation as an able and fearless champion of the cause of the Union and the great principles of the Republican party. In July, 1856, Mr. Tappan made a speech upon the subject of the extension of slavery into Kansas, the House be- ing in a committee of the whole on the state of the Union. " It was a rich treat," to use the language of the Jfezv York Tribune at the time, "and made some of the Southern chivalry ' rise to a point of order,' and ask questions and squirm, and look very uncom- fortable. It was a speech produced by deep research and much labor." In conclusion, Mr. Tappan said : " Mr. Chairman, let me say that we seek no quarrel with our brethren of the South. This is an issue ifiet/ have forced upon us, and, with God's blessing, we will meet it as becomes worthy descendants of patriotic sires ! You sometimes tell us that you want to be let alone. That is precisely what we intend to do ; we will interfere with none of your rights ; whatever is ' nominated in the bond ' that we will yield. In turn, is it too much for us to make the same request of you — that you will let ?ii ri 11, ii bis first term he served iinc.n the .lucliciarv ( ■uiuniittrr, ami in 1873 was chair- In 1875 be took up hisresidei ut continued his business i lected to represent the town ce in Henniker, N. H., 1 Concord. He was in the Legislature of 187(5, (hirinu; which session he was a member of the Judiciary Co]nmittee,and of several important special coniniittccs be was made chairman. Mr. .Vlbin has given much time and attention to Odd-Fellowship, and takes great interest in the mys- tic l)r()therhood. He has held all of the official posi- tions in the Grand Lodge of the jurisdiction, and at its annual session in 1879 was elected Grand Master. In September, 1881, he represented the Grand Lodge in the Sovereign Grand Lodge at its session in Cin- cinnati, and in that at Baltimore in September, 1882. At the session held in Cincinnati, September, 1881, a committee was appointed to prepare a Degree of Uni- formed Patriarchs, which consisted of William H. Crocker of Chicago, Theodore B. Elliott of Milwaukee, ,Iobn H. Albin, C. B. Colledge of Washington, B.C., and John Heeseman of Charleston, S. C. The labo- rious duty of preparing the work contemplated, fell to Mr. Albin, and was performed with great care ; he reported a Degree which was accepted by the commit- tee and almost unanimously adopted by the Sovereign Grand Lodge, at its session in Baltimore in September 1882. This committee was continued in existence, with full power over the Degree until it was dis- charged by the grand body at its session held in Providence, in September, 1883. At the September session of 1884, at Minneapolis, Minn., Mr. Albin was made chairman of the Committee of the Patriarchal Branch of the Order, and at the same session a special committee was appointed for the purpose of making any revision that might be deemed necessary so far as that Degree was concerned, and also to report such legislation as might be necessary to carry it into full effect. That committee was composed of Mr. Albin, e.x-Governor John C. Underwood of Covington, Ky., and Edward A. Stevens of Minneapolis, Minn., with instructions to report at the session of the Sovereign Grand Lodge, at Baltimore, September, 1885. To those who know Mr. Albin it is not too much to say, that he is one of the most active, industrious and well-read lawyers in the State, and, notwithstanding his constantly increasing business, he keeps himself thoroughly read up in the latest legal decisions, and makes it a point to provide himself with the best and newest text-books in the profession. No case comes to his hands but is first thoroughly investigated in all its legal aspects ; and in preparing and presenting his cases to the court, jury, or whatever tribunal are to hear the same, in fact, in the whole conduct of a trial, he takes high rank at the New Hamp.shire bar. No pains are spared and no labor is shirked which be considers will in any way tend to ailvancc the ciuise or the interests of his clients. Although actively engaged in his profession, Mr. Albin takes great interest in agricultural pursuits, and upon his farm in Henniker he spends many days of pleasant recreation. He was married, September 5, 1872, to Miss Georgie A. Modica, of Henniker. They have two children, Henry A., born February 5, 1875, and Edith G., born August 5, 1878. William La whence Foster is the only son of John and Sophia (Willard) Foster. His father was one of thirteen children of the Rev. Edmund and Pha?be (Lawrence) Foster. Edmund, the grandfather of Judge Foster, was born at Groton, Mass., in 1754. He graduated at Yale College, studied for the ministry and became quite prominent as a preacher. He was settled over the church in Littleton, Mass., and continued to be its pastor until his death, in 1825, a period of more than forty years. He was at one time a member of the Massachusetts State Senate. In 1783 he married Pha>be Lawrence, of Littleton. She was the daughter of Colonel William Lawrence, of Littleton. Through his paternal grandmother Judge Foster traces his descent from Robert Law-rence, of Lancashire, Eng- land, who was born about the year 1150. Attending his sovereign, Richard Coeur de Leon, in the war of the Crusades in the Holy Land, he so distinguished himself in the siege of Acre that he was knighted Sir Robert, of Ashton Hall. The sixteenth in descent was John Lawrence, who came to America in 1635, and settled at Watertown, Mass. The great-grandfather of Judge Foster was Abra- ham Foster, whose father came from England about the middle of the seventeenth century, and settled in Groton, Mass., where Abraham, Edmund and John Foster, the ninth child and third son of Edmund, was born. John Foster, in early life, removed to West- minster, Vt., where he married Sophia Willard, and where his only son, William Lawrence Foster, was born, June 1, 1823. John Foster removed to Fitzwilliam, N. H., in 1825, and from thence to Keene, N. H., in 1834, where he died February 7, 1854. He was a captain in the old New Hampshire Militia, and was for many years high sherifi' of the county of Cheshire. While resid- ing in Keene, John Foster was many years a trader, and his son assisted him in his store. Judge Foster, when a boy, attended the common schools and afterwards studied in the Keene and Walpole Academies. When about seventeen years of age he commenced the study of the law in the office of Levi Chamberlain, Esq. In 1844 and 1845 he at- tended the Law School at Cambridge. In 1845 he was admitted to the bar in Keene, and for a short HLSTUKY ur iMElllUiMACK CUUNTV, .NKW JIAMPSHIHK time sustained a partnership with John N. Baxter, and afterward with Mr. Chamberlain. From 1845 to 1849 he was postmaster at Keene. From 1849 to 1853 he was clerk of the New Hampshire Senate. He was a member of Governor Dinsmore's staff, with the rank of colonel, by whom, in 1850, he was ap- pointed State reporter, holding that office till 1856. During his terra of office he edited Vols. 17-19, 21- 31 inclusive, of the New Hampshire Rei)orts. In January, 1853, he married Harriet Morton, daughter of Hon. Hamilton E. Perkins, of Hopkinton, N. H., and in April of that year he removed from Keene to Concord, where he entered into partnership with Colonel John H. (icorge. Hon. Charles P. San- born subsequently became a member of the firm, and upon Colonel George's retirement therefrom, in 1867, the partnership was continued by Messrs. Foster & Sanborn till October, 1869. In 1854, Colonel Foster was appointed commis- sioner of tlic Circuit Court of the United States, which office he held until his election to the New Hamp- shire House of Representatives, in 1862. He was a member of the Legislature in 1862 and 1863. In 1863 he received from Dartmouth College the hon- orary degree of Master of Arts. He was appointed a judge of the Supreme Judicial Court October 1, 1869, and held that office till October 1, 1874, when, upon the reorganization of the courts, he was appointed chief justice of the Circuit Court, with the late Judges Stanley and Rand as his asso- ciates. October 1, 1876, he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court. He resigned that office July 1, 1881, and resumed the practice of the law. In 1884 he was reappointed an United States commissioner. Judge Foster was very highly esteemed while a member of the court, and, as a lawyer, is noted ior his legal attainments. He is a graceful writer and an eloquent orator, and has frequently been called upon to preside at public meetings and to deliver commem- orative addresses. His post-prandial speeches have been especially happy. He is a strong advocate before a jury. John Hatch George.' — The man who makes his way to the front rank at the bar and in politics, and holds his position without dispute for more than a quarter of a century, must be a person of ability, energy and sagacity. Especially is this true in New Hampshire, which, from the earliest period of our na- tional history, has produced some of the ablest law- yers and the keenest politicians known to the country. Such a man is Colonel John Hatch George, of Con- cord, whose name has long been a household word at every Democratic fireside in the State, and whose eminent legal position is recognized throughout New England. He was born in Concord, where he has ever since esided, November 20, 1824. His parents John My H. H. Mctcalf, in "Clarke'8 Succcseful New HampBhilo Men." and Mary (Hatch) George, the former a prominent, respected and energetic citizen, who, though a native of Hopkinton, located in Concord in early manhood ; the latter, a daughter of Samuel Hatch, a leading citizen of the town of Greenland, among whose grand- children are included the Hon. Albert R. Hatch and John S. H. Frink, Esq., both also known as eminent lawyers and leading Democrats. Gaining his preliminary education in the excellent public schools of his native town and in the old Con- cord Academy, Colonel George entered Dartmouth College in 1840, being then fifteen years of age, where he diligently pursued his studies for about three years. until the death of his father compelled his return home and the non-completion of his college course. The faculty subsequently conferred upon him his graduating degree, which was followed by that of Master of Arts. Among his classmates at Dartmouth were several who became prominent at the bar and in public life, including the late Hon. Harvey Jewell, and Hons. A. A. Ranney and Horatio G. Parker, ot Boston, and ex-Governor Charles H. Bell. If young George was unfortunate in the loss of his father, and in the failure to complete the college course consequent thereon, he was especially fortunate in being favored v/ith the kindly regard of that brilliant son of New Hampshire, General Franklin Pierce, who, as a friend of the family, had become conversant with his qualities and characteristics, and readily dis- cerned the line of action best calculated for the de- velopment and successful exercise of his powers. Fortunate as he was, however, in the enjoyment of the friendship of General Pierce at this time, it may safely be assumed that he never would have been the recipient of such favor had he not given evidence of the possession of abilities above the common order. The really great lawyer has a lofty regard for his pro- fession, and will never be found influencing any one to enter upon its pursuit who is not likely to honor the profession and bring credit to himself. When, therefore, upon the invitation of General Pierce, young George entered upon the study of the law in the office of the former, — as he did soon after leaving college, and at the time when that distinguished man was in active practice, — it was under circumstances every way propitious to that ultimate success credit- able alike to each. During his three years of legal study under such tutelage, he made that rapid progress which characterizes the advance of the ambitious and enthusiastic young man, well equipped, mentally and physically, for the work in hand, thoroughly in love therewith, guided by wise counsel and inspired by brilliant example ; and when, in 1846, he was ad- mitted to the bar, and entered upon the practice of his profession in his native city, it was with unusual thoroughness of preparation. At the opening of his professional career, Colonel George was again particularly fortunate. General Charles H. Peaslee had long ranked among the most BENCH AND BAR. 29 careful lawyers of the State, and had acquired an ex- tensive practice. He was a warm friend of General Pierce, professionally and politically, and, like him, an intimate friend of the George family. Entering largely into public life, its engrossing duties withdrew his attention more and more from professional en- gagements, rendering desirable a partnership alliance with some active and competent young man. Such alliance was offered to and promptly accepted by young George, who thus auspiciously commenced his professional career. The limits of this sketch will not permit a detailed account of the progress and success of its subject; but it may be stated, that from his entrance upon legal practice to the present time, all his energies and facul- ties have been heartily devoted to the labors and duties of his profession, in whose performance he has won a high measure of fame, as well as a fair amount of that substantial reward which the world largely regards as the prime object of human effort. His con- nection with General Peaslee continued about five years, and was followed by a professional alliance of a similar character with Sidney Webster, Esq., then a young lawyer of fine abilities and brilliant promise, who has since become distinguished in legal and dip- lomatic circles. This partnership continued till Mr. Webster left Concord to become private secretary to General Pierce, upon the accession of the latter to the Presidency, in 1853. Soon afterward. Colonel George formed partnership relations with Hon. William L. Foster, who subsequently became, and long remained, a judge of the Supreme Court of the State, and with them Hon. Charles P. Sanborn was also for a time associated. Not only in behalf of an extensive private client- age have the professional services of Colonel George been employed, but for many years, also, in behalf of the public, — he having been appointed solicitor for Merrimack County in 184U, and re-appointed in 1854, discharging the duties of the oflSce until 1856, when he was removed for partisan reasons, the Republican party signalizing its ascendency by a clean sweep of Democratic ofiicials. From 1853 to 1858 he was United States attorney for the district of New Hamp- shire, appointed by President Pierce. There are, undoubtedly, many men at the bar, in this and other States, as well grounded in legal prin- ciples as tJolonel George, and even more familiar with the text-books, who have fallen far short of the suc- cess he has attained. It is one thing to be able to state abstract legal principles, and quite another cor- rectly to apply those principles to the facts in any given case. It has ever been the habit of Colonel George, in the conduct of a cause, to thoroughly fam- iliarize himself with all the facts and circumstances connected therewith. The mastery of the cause itself leaves little difficulty in the determination of the law bearing thereon, and it is the strongest guaranty of success in its management before a jury; and It is in the conduct of jury causes tliat Colonel George has won the greater measure of his success. Gifted with great perceptive powers and a ready knowledge of men, and familiar as he ever is with the cause in hand, in all its bearings, he is never taken at a disad- vantage, no matter how able or alert the opposing counsel. In handling witnesses, and especially in cross-examination, he has shown unusual tact and ability. He reads the mind of a witness almost intu- itively, and understands bow to bring out the essen- tial facts even from the most reluctant, and to do so in the manner best calculated to make the desired impression upon the minds of the jury. As an advo- cate, he is equaled by few and excelled by none of our New Hampshire lawyers; yet his power in this regard consists in the systematic, logical and intensely earnest presentation of all the facts which go to make up and strengthen his cause, and to destroy or weaken that of his opponents, rather than in the oratory which abounds in eloquently rounded periods and impassioned appeals. In this connection may well be quoted the words of one who, knowing Colonel George from youth, has written of him as follows: " Intense earnestness, and a faculty of an Immediate and ixiwerful concentration of all bis mental faculties on any subject which interested him, were the predominant peculiarities of the early manhood of Mr. George. When he came to the bar, he manifested a power of felicitous language, and a largeness of vocabulary, which were rarely to be seen even in the most practiced speakers. He never prepared beforehand the words of his spoken utterances, either at the bar or on the stump. Whatever he could see and understand at a and understood clearly. The strength of his feelings, the power and range of his vocabulary, added to this c made mere verbal preparation unnecessary for hit made up of a clear perception of the turning-point of his case, and then of pungent epigram, sparkling parado.\, rattling attack, vivid repartee, hearty humor and, when occasion called for, of a fearlessness of denun- ciation of what he believed to be wrong or unjust or unfair, which made him, even at the outset of bis brilliant career, a dangerous antagonist for the most practiced and powerful members of the New Hampshire Though not retiring from general practice, Colonel j George has devoted his attention largely to railroad j law for many years past, having accepted, in 1867, the position of solicitor for the Boston and Lowell Railroad, and established an office in Boston for the transaction of business in connection with that posi- tion. He retired from this position in 1884. For nearly twenty years previous to that date he had served as clerk and counsel of the Concord Railroad corporation, and had already become famiiiar with the law of railways and their general relations to the public. To-day there is no higher living authority upon railroad law in New England than Colonel George, — no man who understands more thoroughly or can state more clearly the respective rights, duties and obligations of railroad corporations and the peo- [ pie in relation to each other, a general understanding of which is becoming more and more essential to the fullest measure of our national prosperity. His pub- lic addresses upon the subject, his arguments before legislative committees, courts and juries, are models 30 HISTOKY OF MEKRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. of clearness and cogency, admirable in construction and convincing in eftect. Notwithstanding bis uninterrupted devotion to the law. Colonel George is no less generally known in politics than at the bar. Wei) grounded in the faith of the Democratic party in his youthful years, his intimate association with Pierce, Peaslee and other distinguished leaders of that organization in his early manhood served to intensify his feelings and convic- tions in that regard; so he has ever been a ready and zealous exponent of Democratic principles and a champion of the Democratic cause, contributing his services without stint in conventions, in committee work and upon the stump, doing able and brilliant service in the latter direction in all parts of the State, and in almost every campaign for the past thirty-five years. He long since came to be regarded as one of the most powerful and effective political debaters in the State. His efforts upon the stump are character- ized by the same earnestness, the same sledge-hammer logic and the same comprehensive array of facts as at the bar. His mode of warfare, political as well as legal, is of the Napoleonic order. He never assumes the defensive, and if placed in such jiosition by any combination of circum.stances, he soon transforms it into one of active aggression. From 1851 to 1853, inclusive, Colonel George served as chairman of the Democratic State Committee, and again in 1856. In 1852 he was also selected as the New Hampshire member of the Democratic National Committee, and he was especially active in the cam- paign, both in the State and the country at large, which resulted in the election of his friend, General Pierce, to the Presidency. His service upon the National Committee continued until 1860. He was a member of the Democratic National Convention in 1856, and chairman of the State delegation in the National Convention at Cincinnati, in 1880. At the Stale Convention of liis party, in September of that year, he presided, delivering, upon assuming the chair, one of the ablest addresses ever heard upon a similar occasion. His party having been in the minority in New Hampshire for the past twenty-five years, he has been comparatively little in public ofiice. Aside from the non-partisan positions heretofore mentioned, he was for three years — in 1847, 1848 and again in 1850 — clerk of the State Senate. In 1853 he was chosen a member of the Legislature, but resigned his seat to accept the office of United States attorney. In this connection it may be mentioned that in 1855 he was tendered, by President Pierce, the office of sec- retary of the Territory of Minnesota, which he at first was inclined to accept, but, after deliberation, determined to forego the chances for political pro- motion ordinarily involved in an appointment of that character, and remain with his friends and his law practice in his own State. In 1859, Colonel George received the Democratic nomination for Congress in the Second District, and again in 1863, when he made a vigorous canvass, and was defeated by a very close vote. In 1866 he received the votes of the Demo- cratic members of the Legislature as their candi- date for United States Senator. Had he deserted his party and allied himself with the majority when the Republicans came into ascendency, he might readily have commanded the highest honors in the gift of the State, as others less able than himself have done ; but his position in the honest regard of the people, irre- spective of party, is far higher to-day for having remained true to his convictions and steadfast and active in their maintenance. His military title comes from his service as chief of the staff of Governor Dinsmoor from 1848 to 1850. He was also for several years .commander in the brilliant and popular organization known as the " Governor's Horse-Guards." As a popular orator, outside the domain of law and politics. Colonel George also takes high rank. His oration upon Daniel Webster, at the centennial celebration of the birth of that most illustrious son of New Hampshire, under the auspices of the Webster Club of Concord, is surpassed in power and felicity of expression by none which the event anywhere called forth. Colonel George was united in marriage, in Septem- ber, 1849, with Miss Susan Ann Brigham, daughter of Captain Levi Brigham, of Boston, who died May 10, 1862, leaving five children, three sons and two daughters, — viz. : John Paul, Charles Peaslee, Ben- jamin Pierce, Jane Appletou, Anne Brigham. In July, 1864, he married Miss Salvadora Meade Graham, daughter of Colonel James D. Graham, of the United States engineers, by whom he has one child, Charlotte Graham. The family residence of Colonel George is the old paternal mansion on North Main Street, in Concord, wherein he was born. He has also an excellent farm a few miles out of the city, in Hopkinton, where he makes his summer home, and where, in his little leisure from professional labor, he indulges a fond- ness for rural pursuits, and especially for the breeding and care of domestic animals, which was one of the characteristics of his boyhood. Incidental as this may be, his farm is known as one of the most highly cultivated in the section where it is located, and his horses and Jersey cattle are the admiration of all lovers of good stock. As a citizen. Colonel George is public-spirited, and freely devotes his time and energies to the further- ance of every movement and the advocacy of every measure which he believes calculated to promote the material or educational welfare of the community. No man in Concord has done more than he to advance the prosperity of the city in every essential regard. The efficiency of the public schools has ever been an object of deep interest to him ; and as a private citizen, as a member of building Committees and in the Board of Education, he has given his services y^£U Q^'^y^^^?^^ BENCH AND BAR. freely in perfecting the admirably-equipped public- school system, which is far from the least of the at- tractions which render our capital city one of the most desirable places of residence in New England. The general extension of the railway system of the State, to which most that has been accomplished iu the development of its material resources for the last twenty-five years is due, has ever found an en- thusiastic supporter in Colonel George, who has been and still is directly connected with several railroad enterprises in different sections, which have proved of great local and general advantage. Few men have more or warmer friends than Colo- nel George. A man of positive opinions, frankly aud honestly delared, he commands the sincere re- spect of those with whom he comes in contact in all the relations of life, private, social, public and pro- fessional. Formidable as an opponent, he is never- theless fair and honorable, as he is true and faithful as a friend and ally. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, having attained the rank of Sove- reign Grand Inspector-General of the Thirty-third Degree, and a member of the " Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of the North- ern Jurisdiction of the United States." This brief sketch can, perhaps, be no more appro- ately concluded than in the following language of the gentleman (Sidney Webster, Esq.) heretofore quoted: , while they have diniiiiiBhed somewhat the energetic temperament and the exuberant animal spirits of Colonel George's youth, and hare naturally softened his once blunt and almost brusque manner in debate, have not diminished the real force and strength of his genuine character, for character is just what Colonel George haa always had. As the ripples of his experience spread over a wider and wider area, he may have less and less confidence iu the infallibility of any man's opinions, and less belief in the importance to society .of any one man's action; but Colonel George has reached and passed his balf-cen- tury with his mental faculties and his moral faculties improving and strengthening year by year. New Hampshire has to-day very few among her living sons better equipped to do triumphant battle for her in the high places of the world." Hon. Daxiel Barnard. — 1. John Barnard was among the earlier settlers of Jlassachusetts. He came to this country in 1G34, in the ship "Elizabeth," from Ipswich, England, and settled in Watertown. 2. John Barnard, son of the pioneer John Barnard, had two sons, — Jonathan and Samuel. 3. Jonathan Barnard, inn-holder in Amesbury, who kept "The Lion's Mouth" in provincial days, was a captain in the colonial militia, and was prominent in the affairs of the town in which he lived. His name heads the list of the sixty original grantees, in 1735, of the township of New Amesbury, or " Number One," which was afterwards granted, in 1767, by the Masonian proprietors, as Warner. 4. Charles Barnard, son of Jonathan, was a soldier in the patriot army of the Revolution, and settled in Warner. 5. Thomas Barnard, son of Charles Barnard, wa.s born in Warner in 1782; married, first, Ruth East- man, of Hopkinton ; second, Phebe, his first wife's sister. In the fall of 1826 he removed, with hLs fam- ily, from Warner to Orange. He died January 29, 1859. His wife, Phebe, died June 30, 1845. 6. Daniel Barnard, son of Thomas and Phebe Bar- nard, was born in Orange, N. H., January 23, 1827. This town, though it received some settlers under its original name of Cardigan as early iis 1773, was in 1826, for the most part, still an unbroken wilderness. When Thomas Barnard went up there and planted his home on his lot of three hundred acres on the highlands dividing the waters which flow into the Pemigewassett from those which flow into the Con- necticut, the whole territory was still covered by the primeval forest. The church and the district school stood together more than three miles ofl', and so con- tinued till the subject of this notice, the fifth child of the family, was fourteen years old, no regular school being established nearer till he was eighteen years old. But the father being a man of sense and intelligence, and the mother an uncommonly bright, capable woman, they not only made the utmost exertion to give their children the full benefit of the meagre chances of the district school, but also systematically supplemented these opportunities with regular study and teaching in the long winter evenings at home. The father, a good mathematician, managed the flock in arithmetic, and the mother handled them in other branches. At the age of seventeen Daniel was at the academy in Canaan, several miles from home, during the winter, and subsequently continued to work on the farm iu the summers and study at the academy in the winters till he became of age. During this time he was anxiously endeavoring to secure the advantages of a college education, and with this end in view, pursued his preparatory studies at the Canaan and Boscawen Academies, and at the Normal Institute at Reed's Ferry, under the tuition of Professor William Russell, teaching during the Wheu he arrived at man's estate he took his stand with the Free-Soil Democrats, and was elected to rep- resent the town of Orange in the popular branch of the Legislature in the years 1848, '49, '50 and '51. Mr. Barnard was well known in the House from his first appearance iu that body, not merely because so youthful in appearance, but because, also, of the un- common capacity, the sincerity and sagacity with which, in unassuming, almost diffident ways, he met all his duties ; and in the latter sessions of the four years' service he became a leader of the Independent party in the House, an influential member of that body. At home during the same period he was sleep- less in his vigilance contriving by sagacious manage- ment to hold the little band of Free-Soil Democrats in a solid column, and annually to carry the town till he left, in the autumn of 1851. His legislative experience causing him to materially change his plans for the future, he decided to enter at once upon the study of law, and at the close of the 32 HSTORY OF MKRRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. legislative session of 1851 lie entered the law-office of Nesmith & Pike, in Franklin. In 1854, on admission to the bar, he became at once the junior partner with Mr. Pike in the office in which he had read his profession, Mr. Nesmith at that time retiring from the office and extensive busi- ness which he had so honorably founded and built into its large proportions. In 18()3, Mr. Barnard withdrew from the firm and established himself alone in his profession in the same village, rapidly rising into the very large, wide and lucrative business which for more than fifteen years has allowed him not so much as a week or scarcely a day of vacation in the year. During this period he has had as many stu- dents in his office constantly as the circumstances of his office would admit, and has nearly all the time had a partner in a temporary way. His partner now is his eldest son, who was graduated at Dartmouth College, with superior rank, in 1876, at the age of twenty years, studied his profession in his father's office and at the Boston Law School, and was admitted to the bar and into partnership with his father in 1879. In relation to tite business of the office, it is perfectly safe to add that there has been no time within the last ten years in which there has not been a formida- ble amount of business piled up awaiting attention, notwithstanding the most sleepless, indefatigable in- dustry which Mr. Barnard has brought to his duties. For many years he has not only regularly attended all the courts in the counties of Merrimack, Belknap, and the Plymouth sessions of Grafton, but has con- stantly attended the United States Circuit Courts, practicing in bankrupt, patent and revenue cases. The reports of the courts fully support the statements here made on this subject. The esteem in which Mr. Barnard is held by the immediate community in which he lives has been casually mentioned. Though never seeking office, he has been often chosen to places of responsibility by his townsmen. In 1860 and 1862 he represented the town in the Legislature, and in all political con- tests in the town in which he has been candidate for the suffrages of his townsmen he has always run much ahead of the party ticket. In 1865 and 1866 he was a member of the State Senate, jiresiding over that body in the latter-named year ; in 1870 and 1871 he was a member of the Governor's Council, and in 1872 was a member of the National Republican Con- vention at Philadelphia. He was solicitor of Merri- mack County from 1867 till 1872, when he declined a reappointment, again declining the position in 1877. He was a firm, earnest supporter of the homestead- exemption law of 1850, which was opposed by most of the legal profession in the Legislature, and introduced the resolution in the House which first gave the members a daily paper. As a member of the Senate in 1867 he took a profound interest in the amendment of the Federal Constitution prohibiting slavery, making an able and effective argument, which was published at the time, in its support in that body. In the cause of education he has always been a foremost friend in Franklin and throughout tlu- State. His own early struggles have doubtless con- tributed to make him peculiarly a friend of the com- mon school, and his experience as a teacher in his early years gives him practical wisdojn in the cause. While studying his profession in Franklin he was, from year to year employed in the teachers' institutes, which did a large work in awakening higher ideas of the mission of the common school in New Hampshire during that period, and in that business he was in nearly every county of the State. Sensible of his own personal misfortune in having so little early chance for schooling, his voice and his open hand are always on the side which aims to give enlargement to the edu- cation of the masses of the people, and in his own family is seen his appreciation of the higher grades of education. In 1867 the honorary degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by Dartmouth Col- lege. Mr. Barnard has been prominently identified with all the leading industries which have been established in Franklin, and which have so remarkably built up the town within the last twenty years. He procured the charters and helped organize all the large cor- porations; has been a continuous trustee of the Franklin Library Association since its establishment, more than fifteen years ago, and a trustee of the Franklin Saviugs-Bank since its establishment, in 1865; legal counsel of the Franklin Falls Company from its organization, in 1864, and for many years its local agent, and is, and has been from the first, a director and vice-president of the Franklin National Bank, organized in that town in 1880. As a lawyer Mr. Barnard ranks very high in the profession, his advice being eagerly sought by all clas- ses, but no person, however poor, with a meritorious cause was ever turned away from his office to make room for a richer or more powerful client. His client's cause becomes his, and his whole energy is directed to winning for him what he believes he should have. His terse and logical arguments are especially powerful before a jury, and his eloquent voice has often been heard in legislative halls, leading and guiding the law-making assemblies, and in po- litical meetings sustaining the motives and policy of his party In the social, humane and religious work of the community he has always been active and efficient, generous almost to a fault in every good enterprise, and in these spheres of duty he has ever had the efficient co-operation of a cultivated and, it is not too much to add, a model Christian wife, — Amelia, only child of Rev. William Morse, a Unitarian clergyman, of Chelmsford, Mass., at the time of the marriage, — to whom he was married November 8, 1854. Mr. Morse, now deceased, was one of the pioneer clergy- men of the Unitarian faith in this country, was many BENCH AND BAR. 33 years pastor of the Callowhill Street Church, Phila- delphia, and an able and excellent minister. His wife was Sophrouia, daughter of Abner Kneeland, of Boston, an able and upright man, whose trial on the technical charge of blasphemy, but really for the publication of heretical religious doctrines, was a most noted episode in New England forty years ago. Mrs. Morse was a noble woman. Mr. Morse and his wife resided during the last years of their pleasant lives in Franklin, near their daughter, who watched with singular tenderness over the closing years of the parents to whom she is indebted for superior train- ings, as well as superior ability. Their union has been blessed with seven children, six of whom — four sons and two daughters — are now living. William Morse, the eldest son, has been mentioned. James Ellery, the second son, entered Dartmouth College, but left at the end of his sophomore year, and is in business in Boston. Charles Daniel and Frank Eugene are both at school, the former being a student at Phillips Exeter Academy. Emma Sophronia, the elder of the two daughters, is married to Captain Samuel Pray, of Portsmouth, N. H. Mary Amelia was graduated at Smith College in 1881, and lives at home. Joseph B. Walker is the son of Captain Joseph Walker, and the great-grandson of Eev. Timothy Walker, the first minister of Concord. He was born on the paternal farm June 12, 1822. He was fitted for college largely at Exeter, and graduated at Yale in 1844. He studied law in the office of Hon. Charles H. Peaslee, of Concord, and at the Harvard Law School, and was admitted to the New Hampshire l)ar in March, 1847. A year or two after liis admission to the bar he re- linquished his profession, and has since been devoted to general business. He inherited the family farm, one of the largest in Concord, which he has greatly imjjroved by working, draining, fertilizing, etc., thereby trebling its produc- tiveness. From 1845 to 1866, when its third charter expired, Jlr. Walker was a director of the Merrimack County Bank. This was a State institution, and its managers not caring to continue it as a national bank, its exis- tence ceased with its third charter, after a successful career of sixty years. In 1865 he was elected presi- dent of the New Hampshire Savings-Bank, in Concord, one of the oldest institutions for savings in New Hampshire, and remained at its head until 1874. Upon its organization in 1880 he was elected one of the directors of the Mechanics' National Bank, and is still a member of that board. . About 1847 he was elected clerk of the board of directors of the Northern Railroad and, a few years later, a director, which two offices he held for several years. Some twelve or fifteen years ago he became a director of the Concord and Portsmouth Railroad, a position which he still holds. Mr. Walker took an early interest in the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane, and became one of its trustees in 1847 and its secretary in 1848. These positions he still occupies, having held them for nearly forty years. Being a resident trustee, he has had much active service in connection with the outside business of that institution. Since his con- nection with it, its accommodations for patients have increased from those for ninety-six patients to ample ones for three hundred and fifty. He has ever taken an active interest in the New Hampshire Historical Society, of which he became a member in 1845 and has since served it in various ways, acting as its librarian from 1845 to 1850, its recording secretary from 1849 to 1853, its second vice-president from 1860 to 1861, its first vice-presi- dent from 1861 to 1866, and its president from 1866 to 1868. He was also active in the successful efforts to procure for it a permanent habitation of its own and in fitting this to meet the wants of the institu- tion. He also took a deep interest in the founding of the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Me- chanic Arts. He was chairman of the special com- mittee of the House of Representatives, in 1866 to whom this subject was committed, drew and reported the bill establishing it, which, with some modifica- tions, passed both branches of the Legislature, and after its organization was for a year or two one of its trustees. His name now stands upon its catalogue as lecturer to its students upon the subjects of drainage and irrigation. Mr. Walker has always felt a deep interest in the welfare of his native city. Twice — in 1866 and 1867 — he has represented it in the Legislature, and for two years he was a member of its Board of Aldermen. The educational interests of the city have also received his earnest support. Up to about 1850 the schools of Concord had been as poor as those of any other large town in the State. The consolidation of the three districts in the central part of the city into one, since known as Union School District, was the first important step in their improvement. The second was the establishment of a Board of Education in this district. These two steps subsequently secured a new interest on the part of its people in the welfare of their schools. A systematic grading of the schools and a rebuilding of all its school-houses, with such additional buildings as the wants of the schools re- quired, were the third and fourth in this important work, which required large expenditures of money by the district and large expenditures of time, skill and patience on the part of the Board of Education. The result has been the elevation of the schools to a level with that of the good schools of New England, and the placing within the reach of all the children 34 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. of this district tlie means of attaining a respectable English or classical education. Mr. Walker was one of the original members of this Board of Education, and by successive elections was continued such for thirteen years, at the expira- tion of which period he felt that he had contributed his share of work in this direction, and retired. Mr. Walker was one of the original members of the committee appointed by the city for the purchase of a new cemetery, and took an active part in laying out the grounds of Blossom Hill Cemeter)-, in 1860, and in securing a proper ordinance for the regulation of its aflairs. After a service of ten years he retired from this position, in 1870. . He has ever been a good deal interested in agricul- tural and liistorical subjects ; from time to time has written papers, and on various occasions has delivered addresses upon these. All the fourteen volumes of " Reports of the Secretary of the Board of Agricul- ture " contain one or more of these, with the excep- tion of the thirteenth. Before the New Hampshire Historical Society and the New England Historic Genealogical Society he has repeatedly read papere upon historical and biographical subjects ; many of these latter have been printed. Anson Southard Marshall' was born in Lyme, New Hampshire, December 3d, 1822, and died in Concord on the morning of July 5th, 1874. His father was a farmer, and young Anson's boyhood was passed on the farm, wbere his naturally delicate constitution became strong and vigorous and thus en- abled him, in the succeeding years of his busy life, to bear its fatigues and worriments without seriously afl'ecting his health. At an early age he inclined to- wards reading and study ; and, although he did not neglect the sports incident to his gleeful disposition, young Marshall found time to indulge iu a course of reading somewhat unusual for one of his years. With an ambition like this, it was but natural that he should turn his eyes towards that venerable seat of learning only a few miles distant from his father's homestead. Accordingly, he entered Dartmouth College at the age of twenty-one, having fitted himself in the space of eighteen months while at the academy at Thetford. Among his classmates were the Hon. James W. Pat- terson, now superintendent of State instruction, the Hon. Henry P. Rolfe, Albert H. Crosby, M.D., and many others since distinguished in their various walks of life. He was graduated in the class of 1848, and, like many a young graduate of that time, sought his immediate livelihood in the vocation of school- teacher. In this he was singularly fortunate. About the year 1849 the town of Fitchburg, Mass., estab- lished a High School, and the committee having the selection of teachers in charge chose Mr. Marshall from a large number of applicants. To the wisdom 1 By Charles R. Corning. of this choice the old people testify to this day, ami his name is held in most affectionate regard by thosi who attended the school during his principalship. As a teacher, he was remarkably successful; his method of instruction was such as to interest tin scholar without the tediousness of an unchanging' routine. As an illustration of his originality as a teacher. In once dismissed his class and went with it to a circus, in order, as he said, that his scholars might see the exceeding suppleness and perfection of the human body as shown by the performers. As a practical lesson in anatomy, this deviation from the truly or- thodox regulation may have proved productive <'l much good. While in Fitchburg, Mr. Marshall entered hi- name in the law-ofiBce of Wood & Torrey, but Ui> school duties must have prevented any serious or deep researches in the literature of that professiim, to which he afterward dedicated his life. He often referred to the time he spent in Fitcli- burg as one of the pleasantest of his life, and when- ever, in after-years, business called him in its neigh- borhood, he was sure to visit the old scenes and to receive the hearty welcome of those of his old friends who yet remained. In 1851 he left Fitchburg and came to Concord, where he lived to the day of his death. Entering the law-office of President Pierce and Judge Josiah Miuot, he made good progress in his studies, and tlu' next year was admitted to the bar. A partnership was formed with his former cliuss- mate, Mr. Rolfe, which continued until 1859, and was then dissolved, Mr. Marshall remaining alone until 1863, when AVilliam M. Chase, Esq., became associated with him under the name of Marshall & Chase. There is, probably, no State in the Union where politics are more assiduously cultivated than in New Hampshire, and especially by the lawyers; so, when Mr. Marshall found himself again in his native State, his active mind inevitably turned to party questions. He came from a stanch Democratic family, and his later associations were of the same political faith. One of the eminent lawyers with whom he had studied was President of the United States, the other was one of the wisest counselors in the Democratic camp, and it is not surprising that the young man just entering into life should take an active part in the management and detail of the campaigns. He was elected assistant clerk of the House of Representatives, and, later, was appointed district attorney by President Buchanan, which office he held until the advent of the Lincoln administration. The fascination of politics never wore off, and he continued to render his party efficient service on the stump and in the council-room. In 1867 he was chairman of the Democratic State ifu/rrtJ // 7r.A 'A^C BENCH AND BAR. 35 Committee diirinji; one of the most exciting cani- paigns ever waged. Andrew Johnson had broken with the Republican party, and as New Hampshire then held its election in March, the great eye of the nation was fixed on the Granite State to see if she wavered in the fidelity to those principles which had so long guided her. The fight was bitter and hotly contested, but Mr. Marshall and his party were beaten. His genial nature, however, did not suffer from the defeat, his cheery ways were not lessened, and there lurked in hia generous mind no feeling of resentment or of revenge either toward his own party or his opponents. In the spirited contestbetweenthe Northern and the Concord Railroads Mr. Marshall was an active factor, and about 1870 was elected clerk of the latter corpo- ration, a jiosition which he held at the time of his death. But law was, most truly, Mr. Marshall's forte, and to it he devoted the best years of his life. He was not a learned, nor was he even an unusu- ally well-read lawyer, but few, indeed, excelled him in getting at the pith of the case or in applying the necessary legal principles. He possessed a confidence and courage that helped him to conquer difficulties which otherH might have deemed insurmountable, and, above all, a tact which never failed him. He was uniformly polite not only to the bench and to the bar, but to the witnesses arrayed against him. Nor was his manner of cross-examination severe except when he knew the truth was held back ; and even then he depended more on worrying the wit- ness than on vehement denunciation. His knowledge of human nature was large, and he knew almost by intuition which juryman needed his l)articular attention. But it was as an advocate that Mr. Marshall attracted the public notice, for he so invested his arguments with wit and humor that the court-room was sure to be filled whenever it became known that he was to address the jury. His manner of speech was quiet, but he never failed to indulge in invective and sar- casm if the cause demanded it, and with these weapons he was counted a most dangerous adversary. He rarely, if ever, wrote out and committed his speeches, either political or forensic ; but he care- fully thought them out as he walked the streets, and this, together with bis exceeding readiness, both of words and of apt illustrations, often misled his hearears as to the method of his preparation. One element that distinguished him was his habit of putting himself in his client's place ; he seemed to feel his cause and to make it his own. His law practice increased year by year, and at the time of his death had become one of the largest in the State. Mr. Marshall was one of those happily organized men who enjoyed life and its blessings to the utmost ; he could lock law cases in his office and go forth among society with a seeming forgetfulness of his morrow's labors, and it was in this way that he found that temporary recreation so indispensable to the brain-worker. He was exceedingly fond of nature and loved to roam round the beautiful drives of Concord, whose beauty he so keenly appreciated. Indeed, it was the love of such outings that led him to his terrible death. He was one of the most charming conversational- ists that ever lived, for his vast reading had made him a full man, and there was no subject upon which he could not entertain his hearers. His quick wit and readiness at repartee gave his conversation a sparkle and lustre that never failed to delight even those whose opinions were at variance with his own. But one of his most beautiful traits was his liking for boys and young men. They were attracted to him by his politeness, for Mr. Marshall made it his habit to bow to everybody, no matter how humble, and aside from this, he often paused in his walks to inquire of them about their studies or their pas- times. He took much pleasure in recommending courses of reading to the young, and willingly lent his own books to encourage them. His taste in reading was excellent, and his library contained the works of the great writers and poets. It may not be out of place to say that his favorite author was Scott, and his favorite poem " Gray's Elegy." He had a strong memory, and oftentimes, while in his company, I have heard him quote long passages from Shakespeare, Milton and others, and so accu- rately that he seldom halted for a word. In religion Mr. Marshall entertained very liberal views of man's duty and man's reward, although for the last years of his life he was an attendant at the South Congregational Church, and his funeral ser- vices were conducted by its minister. He retained the respect of his fellow-citizens, for he was active and full of public spirit, and it was with heaNy hearts that those with whom he had lived so long learned of his tragic death. On the bright morning of July 4, 1874, he drove with his wife and young son to the grove at the head of Lake Penacook, where he intended to lunch. A militia company, encamped on the grounds not many rods away, suddenly began firing at a target. Mr. Marshall heard the bullets whistle near and called out to the men to be careful. He then rose to his feet and was instantly shot in the abdomen. The wound was mortal, and death ended his agonies a few hours later. His funeral was largely attended by all classes of society ; the bench and the bar and the State gov- ernment were all represented. He lies in Blossom Hill Cemetery, on the ridge facing the north, and near him lie his friends Ira Perley, Charles C. Lund, George G. Fogg, John Y. Mugridge and Asa Fowler. HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. At the next term of the Supreme Court after his death the following resolutions were entered upon the records : " Itaolved, That in the recent sudden and untimely death of Anson S. Marehali, Esq., a prominent membev of tliis bar, struck down in the vigor of life and the full possession of all his powers, tliroiigh the culpable, if not criminal, carelessness of others, we regret the loss of a frank and courteous gentleman, a kind and genial associate and companion, a gen- erous and public-spirited citizen and an active, zealous and able lawyer, always untiring in his devotion to the interesta of his clients and ever laborious and patient in the practice of his chosen profession. " Baolved, That we tender to the family of our deceased brother our sincerest sympathy in the afflictive dispensation which has deprived them of an aifectionate husband and indulgent father. " Resolved, That these resolutions be presented to the Court, with a re- quest that they be entered upon the records, and their clerk instructed to transmit a copy of them to the family of the deceased." Mr. Marshall was married to Mary Jane Corning April 9, 1861. Anson Southard Marshall, Jr., was born March 29, 1863, and is now studying law in the office of Chase & Streeter. Hon. George Washington Nesmith, LL.D.'— One of the most aftable and genial gentlemen of the old school is Judge Nesmith, of Franklin, or, more widely, of New Hampshire. His years sit lightly upon him. An honorable man,a just judge, a kindly neighbor, a good citizen and a ripe scholar, he can calmly sit in his well-appointed library, surrounded by his well-loved books and mementoes of the past, and review a well-spent life, crowned with honors. He is of pure Scotch-Irish descent. In him are united the families of the old Covenanters, the de- fenders of Londonderry, the hardy pioneers of New England, the heroes of Bunker Hill and the strict Presbyterians ; the Nesmiths, the McKeans, the Dins- mores and the Dickeys. He comes of a brave and cultured race. (lnmd(i and re-elected in 1869. During his mayoralty he instituted various reforms and improvements, the most notable being the adoption of the present sys- tem of sewage. This was almost the first real and substantial improvement that the people had been called upon to make, and it is not surprising that he met with determined opposition in this needless out- lay of expenditure, as many deemed the movement. He paused not, however, to listen to the words of opposition, which, in many instances, were exceed- ingly severe, but proceeded fearlessly to carry on the improvements which the health and beauty of the city demanded. The wisdom of his course soon be- came apparent, even to the most strenuous opponent. He is now, and has been for a long series of years, identified with various leading interests of the city. He has been a director in the National State Capital Bank since 186S, and president of the Merrimack County Savings-Bank since its organization. He is also president of the Board of Trade, and a director in the Page Belting Company. He was appointed by Governor Gilmore to adjust the suspended war-claims of New Hampshire against the United States accruing prior to May, 1863, and also to attend the dedication of the National Ceme- tery at Gettysburg, November 19, 1863, as commis- sioner from New Hampshire. His interest in charitable objects has led to his appointment as vice-president and treasurer of the New Hampshire Home Missionary Society. He was also a trustee in the Kimball Union Academy and Boscawen Academy. He has served on the school committee, and been a member of the city Board of Education. Politically, Mr. Stevens is a Republican, and has been since the organization of that party. He has been called to various positions within the gift of his townsmen and fellow-citizens. He was city solicitor in 1855 and 1856; a member of the House of Repre- sentatives in 1860, '61, '66 and '67, and was elected Senator in 1884. He was one of the Presidential electors in 1872, and was also a member of Governor Bell's Council. Mr. Stevens is a member of the South Congrega- tional Church and one of its most active and ener- getic supporters. August 21, 1850, he united in marriage with Ach- sah Pollard, daughter of Captain Theodore French, of Concord, by whom he had two children, — Margaret French and Henry Webster. Mrs. Stevens died July 2, 1863. January 20, 1875, he married Frances Child Brownell, of New Bedford, Mass., and they have two children, — Fanny Brownell, born January 10, 1876, and William Lyman, born April 5, 1880. The present members of the Merrimack bar are as follows : John H. Albin. Benjamin E. Badger. Bingham & Mitchell (Harry Bingham, John M. Mitchell). Chase & Streeter (William M. Chase, Frank S. Streeter). Warren Clark. C. E. Clifford. Charles R. Corning. Sylvester Dana. Daniel B. Donavan. Samuel C. Eastman. George M. Fletcher. "William L. Foster. John H. George. John P. George. Fred. H. Gould. S. G. Lane. Leach & Stevens {E. G. Leach, Henry W. Stevens). Wells H. Johnson. Nathaniel E. Martin. Luther S. Morrill. A. F. L. Norris. Henry Robinson. Henry P. Rolfe. Charles P. Sanborn. Harry G. Sargent. Everett J. Sargent. Arthur W. Silsby. Lyman D. Stevens. Reuben E. Walker. Edgar H. Woodman. Willis G. Buxton. David F. Dudley. C. E. Carr. Shirley & Stone. M. W. Tappan. A. F. Pike. Isaac N. IILSTOIIY OF iMKKRIJIACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Daniel Banianl. E. G. Leach. G. W. Nesmith. G. R. Stone. W. M. Barnard. F. N. Parsons. J. B. Hazclton. George S. Blanchard. A. F. Burbank. T. H. Thonuiike. A. W. Bartlett. E. A. Lane. Samuel Davis. A. P. Davis. S. K. Paige. W. W. Flanders. Walter C. Harrinum. CHAPTER IIL THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE-HOUSE. liY IS.\.VC W. HAMMONn. Thr first session of the Legislature that was held in Concord convened in March, 1782. Prior to that time, and subsequent to the commencement of the Revolu- tionary War, legislative sessions, with two exceptions, •were held in Exeter ; those two exceptions being the September session of 1777 and the October session of 1 780, which were held in Portsmouth. From 1782 to 1808 the Legislature was a movable institution, and held its sessions in Concord, Exeter, Portsmouth, Charlestown, Dover, Hanover, Hop- kinton and Amherst, — -at whichever town the members of the next preceding Legislature voted to have it held. The matter of deciding at what place the next Legislature should sit came up at every session, and often occasioned consider- able strife among the members. A vote in favor of one town was occasionally reconsidered and another town finally decided upon, in consequence, probably, of some of the members having been " seen " and persuaded that a change would be for the best in- terest of the State. Since 1808 all legislative sessions have been held in Concord, although not permanently located here un- til the completion of the State-House, in 1819. In 1814 the matter of having a permanent habitation came up in the Legislature, and the members wisely •concluded that the wandering life theretofore led by the honorable body and the exposure of its records to loss in consequence of frequent removals, as well ;us to dcstrurtion by fire for want of ]iroper vaults, was not conducive to the best interests of the State, and accordingly, on the 6th day of June of that year, a committee was appointed by the Legislature " to take into consideration the expediency of building a State-House, and report where, and the time when, it will be expedient to commence the building," etc. Said committee reported that, so far as they could learn, all of the States in the Union, except New Hampshire, had provided themselves with a State- House and located a "seat of government ;" and also, " That it is justly considered derogatory to a respect- able and independent State to sutler the officers of its government to sit and transact the business of the State in a building mean in its appearance and desti- tute of suitable accommodations. That your commit- tee are deeply impressed with a sense of the propriety, expediency and even necessity of providing fire- proofrooms for the safe keeping of the public rec- ords," etc. The committee further reported that a State-House might be built upon reasonable terras, and advised the appointment of a committee of three persons to sit during the recess of the Legislature, designate a location, prepare plans, ascertain the probable exjieuse and receive proposals for erecting the building, and report to the next Legislature. The report was accepted, and a committee, consisting of Hon. John Harris, of Hopkinton, Benjamin Kimball, Jr., of Concord, and Andrew Bowers, of Salisbury, was appointed. On the 13th of June, 1815, said committee re- ported that they had prepared a plan and ascertained that the probable expense would be about thirty thousand dollars if built of stone; that Stuart J. Park had made a proposal to complete the building for thirty -two thousand dollars ; that a majority of the committee had designated a location in Concord west of the court-house ; and also reported that the inhabit- ants of Salisbury had otfered to contribute seven thousand dollars if the Legislature would locate the building in that town. The report was accepted, and another committee was appointed to inquire whether any donations would be made by the town of Concord or its citi- zens if the building was located in the place desig- nated by the committee. The citizens of Concord were agreed as to the propriety of having it in their town, but were not agreed as to the lot upon which to locate it. Subscription papers were circulated by each faction ; the people at the north end favored the site of the present court-house, and tho.se resid- ing at the south end ftivored the " Green lot," which was the one finally selected. A sufficient amount of money was pledged by each party to meet the re- quirements of the legislative committee; but the disa- THE STATE-llOUSE. greement as to location and the lack of funds, par- tially in consequence of the then late war with Great Britain, carried the matter over to the next June session. On the 21st day of June, 1816, the matter came up in the House of Representatives, and the following resolution was passed : ** Resolved, That a State-Houae, agreeably to the plan communicated by Stuart J. Park at the last June session, be erected in the town of Con- coi-d and county of Rockingham ; the spot of ground to be selected, and the place on which to erect said State-House to be located by his excel- lency, the Governor, and the Honorable the Council." That board was also authorized to appoint a com- mittee to make the necessary contracts and superin- tend its erection ; and said committee was to be in- structed to commence, as soon as practicable, and to employ the convicts in the State Prison in preparing the stone. By the same resolution, the sum of three thousand dollars was appropriated to commence the work, and it also contained a provision by which it was not to take eflect unless the town of Concord, or its inhabitants, would donate the land, level and prepare it to the acceptance of the committee, give all the stone needed for its construction and convey the same to the lot free of charge. The inhabitants residing at the north end were ready to give a bond to comply with these require- ments, providing the Stickney lot (site of the present court-house) was selected ; and those residing at the south end would do the same, providing the Green lot (site of the present State-House) was decided upon. The advocates of the north end location claimed that the Stickney lot was elevated and dry, and had been selected by the committee of the Legis- lature as being the more eligible of the two; that the Green lot was low and wet, and that it would cost a large sum to put in a substantial foundation. The other side urged that the Green lot was more central, and for that reason the most eligible. William Plumer, of Epping, was Governor, and Benjamin Pierce, of Hillsborough, Levi Jackson, of Chesterfield, Samuel Quarles, of Ossipee, Elijah Hall and Enoch Colby composed the Council. Messrs. Pierce, Jackson and Quarles fevored the Stickney lot ; the Governor, with Messrs. Hall and Colby, favored the Green lot. Consequently, with all pres- ent acting in the capacity of a committee of the Legislature, as some of them subsequently claimed they did, the result would have been a tie. On the 2d day of July, Colonel Quarles asked leave of absence until the 4th, to attend to some matters of his own, and went away, as he afterward stated, with the understanding that the matter of locating the State-House should not be decided until his return. On the following day, July 3d, at a meeting of the Governor and four members of the Council, the mat- ter was brought up, and they proceeded to examine the two locations, and then returned to the Council chamber. The Governor then asked the councillors, severally, if they were "ready to proceed in selecting a plot of ground for said house." Mr. Colby an- swered that he was ready, but asked whether it would not be best to wait until the return of Colonel Quarles. According to the statement of Mr. Colby, no one else expressed any desire for postponement, and a ballot was taken, which stood three in favor of the Green lot and two in favor of the Stickney lot, the Governor voting with the Council. Had all of the councilors been present, and acting in the capacity of an executive board, as I think was the intention of the Legislature, the vote would have stood three in favor of the Stickney lot and two in favor of the present location, in which case the Governor could have used his privilege of negativing the vote of the majority of the Council, thus leaving the matter un- decided. It was, therefore, fortune for the friends of the Green lot location that Colonel Quarles was called away at that time. On July 4th, Colonel Quarles having returned, the Governor and Council held a meeting, the proceedings of which were recorded in the Coun- cil records in the same manner as were those of the 3d, or any other meeting of that board, the caption of the record being as follows: "At a meeting of His Excellency, the Governor, and the Hon'. Council, July 4, 1816, The whole board present," etc. At that meeting some one moved a reconsideration of " the vote of yesterday, select- ing a lot of land whereon to erect a State-House." The question being put, the vote stood three for re- consideration — Messrs. Quarles, Pierce and Jackson, — and three against, the Governor voting with the Council, as before, and claiming subsequently, in vindication of his action in so doing, that they were acting in the capacity of a committee of the Legisla- ture. If that was the case, and so understood at the time, it is not quite clear why they convened as "a meeting of His Excellency, the Governor and the Hon'. Council," or why their proceedings in that matter were recorded in the Council records, with other acts done at the same meeting, which could not have been legally done by any body of men except the Governor and Council iu executive session. On July 5th the Governor and Council met and ap- pointed Albe Cady, William Low and Jeremiah Pecker, all of Concord, as a committee to superintend the erection of the State-House. Messrs. Hall, Colby and Jackson acted with the Governor in making the appointment, a record of which was made by the Secretary of State in the same book and manner as the record of any executive appointment. The board then adjourned and did not meet again until Septem- ber 18th. The Legislature adjourned on the 29th of June, to meet on the third Wednesday of November following. During the recess the work of construction progressedi as also did the strife between the " north-enders" and the " south-enders." Charges of unfairness, on the 42 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. part of the Governor and Council, were made by the defeated north-enders, the principal charges being that the matter was acted upon in the absence of Colonel Quarlcs, contrary to an agreement to delay it until his return, and that the Governor voted with j the Council, as he had no right to do, if they were acting in their official capacity as an Executive ! Council. j The Legislature assembled on the twentieth of No- | vember, 1816, and the State-House matter was taken I up on the ninth of December, at which time a com- mittee waa appointed to "request such information | of the Governor as he possesses relative to the location of the State-House," and report to the House of Rep- resentatives. Said committee called on the Governor, made the request verbally and on the following day he communicated in writing a statement of the action of the board in making the selection of a lot, etc. This not proving satisfactory to the House of Repre- sentatives, the committee called again on the evening of the thirteenth, and requested copies of " all the votes and proceedings of the Governor and Council" relating to the matter, which request he complied with by furnishing attested copies from the Council records, covering said proceedings, and suggested, in his letter of transmittal, that if either branch of the government considered it necessary to make any inquiries of the other, whether it " would not bet- ter comport with the dignity of both that the inqui- ries and answers should be in writing." Whereupon the House of Representatives formulated several questions, and sent a copy to the Governor, and one to each of the councillors. The substance of the Governor's answers was : That on the third day of July, 1816, Charles Walker, Esq., presented a bond to furnish a lot ; and the required amount of stone, provided the building was located on the Stickney lot ; that William A. Kent and Isaac Hill, Esqrs., pre- sented a bond to do the same, provided it was located on the Green lot ; that in the afternoon of that day, he and four of the councilors examined all lots that any one requested them to see, and then returned to the Senate chamber and made the selection, as here- inbefore stated. The Governor also stated, that lie did not understand that any agreement had been made to wait until the return of Colonel Quarles before making the selection. Mr. Pierce, Mr. Jack- son and Mr. Quarles stated that there loas such an agreement. The Governor further stated that, in making said selection, they acted as a committee appointed by a resolve of the Legislature, and not in their executive capacity ; and in this his answer was sustained by a majority of the Council. But no attempt was made to explain why their transactions as a committee were acted upon in a meeting of " His Excellency, the Governor and the Honorable Council," at which meeting executive appointments were made, and the proceedings of which were embod- ied in one record, by the Secretary of State, in the same manner as was the record of any meeting of the Governor and Council. December 20th the investigating committee re- ported in full, from which report I extract the follow- ing: " Your committee would further report that, in their opinion, the general location of the lot whereon to erect the State-House never was made agreeably to the true meaning and provisions of the resolve aforesaid, inasmuch as that they have never seen any evidence that a majority of that Honorable board ever did agree to such location." December 25th the investigating committee re- ported a resolution repealing the resolution of June 22, 1816, which placed the appointment of a commit- tee to superintend the erection of the State-House in the hands of the Governor and Council, which failed of a passage. On the same day a resolution appropriating four thousand dollars toward the erection of the building passed, ninety-one to seventy. December 27th the investigating committee re- ported a resolution providing that the committee to superintend the building should consist of one man, instead of three, and that Albe Cady should be that man. As no complaint had been made by the com- mittee against any of the men composing the build- ing committee, the presumption is that the resolution was introduced for the purpose of taking the matter from the control of the Governor and Council, by making the building committee an appointee direct of the Legislature. The resolution passed the House, but was defeated in the Senate. At the June session, 1817, the sum of thirty thou- sand dollars was appropriated to continue the work, in accordance with a report and recommendation of the building committee, who stated that they desired to complete the outside that season. I In 1818 an appropriation was made for necessary furniture, and the building was first occupied by the Legislature at the June session of 1819, but the build- ing committee was not discharged until June, 1820. The building as completed was one hundred and twenty-six feet in length, including the wings, and forty-nine feet in width, with a projection of four feet in the centre of each front, and cost as follows, in- cluding fencing and furniture : Amount appropriated from the State treasury, $67,372.44; stone-work done at the State Prison by convicts, $10,455.16 ; lot and materials given by citizens of Concord, $4,000, — total, $81,827.60. The building, as thus erected, was occupied without any material change until remod- eled, in 1864-66. In 1854, Governor N. B. Baker, in his address to the Legislature, at the June session, called the attention of that body to the insecure manner in which the pro- vincial and State records. Revolutionary War rolls and other valuable documents belonging to the State, were kept, stating that they were liable to destruction by fire at any moment and advi.sing the construction of fire-proof rooms in the State-House, or of a separate THE STATE-HOUSE. fire-proof building for their safe keeping. A com- mittee of the Legislature, appointed to investigate the matter, reported a resolution providing that the ( iovernor be requested to employ some suitable per- son to estimate the expense and make necessary phins for erecting a fire-proof building of sufficient capacity to accommodate the Secretary of State, State treasurer, State Library and the standard weights and measures. The resolution passed, as also did another calling for a plan and an estimate of the cost of enlarging the Representatives' Hall, and, iu accordance therewith, a report was made to the Legislature of 1855, plans pre- sented and the expense estimated at $37,000 for en- larging the State-House and hall, and $17,500 for a separate fire-proof building. That report not being acceptable to the Legislature, the matter was post- poned to the next session, and no material progress was made until 1863. At the June session of the last- named year the Legislature passed a resolution setting forth the fact that the largely increased business of the State government imperatively required an en- largement of the State-House ; that the city of Con- cord derived considerable benefit from the location and should contribute materially to the expense of en- larging the capital. The resolution authorized the Governor and Council to cause new plans and esti- mates to be made, receive propositions from the city of Concord or any other city or town having necessary railroad facilities and " desirous of having the State- House established therein." In other words, the lo- cation of the capital was again for sale to the highest bidder, regardless of the fact that it had once been sold, paid for and delivered. Bids were to be made to the Governor and to be by him presented to the Legis- lature of 1864. The city of Manchester submitted a proposition to erect and complete a building without expense to the State, providing it should be located in that city. Concord, by action of the City Councils on the 23d day of May, 1864, voted to raise and appropriate $100,000 to the work of enlarging the building then in use, and subsequently raised $50,000 more in the precinct. These propositions were transmitted to the Legislature by the Governor, June 6th, and referred to a select committee of one from each county. A sharp contest between the two cities ensued ; the citizens of Manchester used every means in their power to obtain the prize, and the citizens of Concord as earnestly strug- gled to retain it, believing that, as they had once pur- chased the location, it ought not to be taken from them without cause ; and believing also that no cause existed to warrant its removal, as Concord was nearer the centre of the State than Manchester, and had equal railroad facilities. A majority of the Legisla- ture decided in favor of Concord, and the location of 1816 was confirmed by an act approved July 16, 1864, the act requiring Concord to bear the entire expense of the work, which amounted to nearly $200,000. A contest of this kind between neighboring muni- cipalities is much to be regretted; the placing of citizens in hostility to each other creates enmities which time alone can allay; and in this case, the twenty years that have elapsed have failed to oblit- erate the scars caused by that menKjrable contest. The proposition made by the Legislature of 1863 was wrong in principle, and should never be repeated. When a public building is needed for the use of the State, let the Legislature decide upon its location at such place as in their opinion will best accommodate the majority of the people, and then cause the same to be erected, and paid for from the State treasury. A new steam-heating apparatus was placed in the building in 1879, and valuable improvements were made in the basement in 1883, and the State-House, as it now stands, is an artistic and substantial edifice. The halls and offices are well lighted and roomy, with the exception of the room used for the library, and, as a whole, the structure is a credit to the State. The porch on the east front is two stories in height, each story being supported by eight granite columns of massive proportions, which present a fine appear- ance as viewed from Main Street. The Council-room contains the portraits of all the Governors of the State, except the first, of whom no likeness is known to exist. Portraits of many presidents of the Senate are hung in the Senate chamber, and the Represent- atives' hall contains portraits of Revolutionary offi- cers and other eminent New Hampshire men. Doric Hall contains the battle-scarred flags of the regiments from this State who participated in the late war, some portraits, a bust of Hon. Amos Tuck, and a raised map of the State. In (he Secretary's office are portraits of two Provincial and two State Secre- taries. In 1876 a fountain was placed in the front walk of the park, but proving to be a nuisance there, it was removed, in 1879, by order of the Legislature, to the southeast quarter of the grounds. A statue, in bronze, of New Hampshire's most gifted son, Daniel Webster, presented to the State by Benjamin P. Cheney, is soon to be placed in the park, on the side adjoining Main Street. It will be seven- teen feet in height, including the pedestal, which will be of granite. Mr. Cheney was a native, and for many years a resident, of this State, and the gift which he is able to make from the abundant accumu- lations of an honest, sagacious and industrious life is a credit to himself, an honor to his native State and the renowned Webster, whose reputation as a states- man is second to that of no other man, and whose name will be familiar to future generations, when this statue shall have crumbled to dust. IIISTOIIY 01' MEllRIMAl'K COUiNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. COLONEL SOLON A. CARTER. Solon Augustus Carter (7) was born in Leominster, Mass., June 22, 1837 ; seventh generation from Rev. Thomas Carter (1), who was born a.d. 1610, graduated at St. John's College, Cambridge, England, in 1629, and came from St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England, in the " Planter," embarking April 2, 1635. On his arrival in this country he was admitted an inhabitant of Dedham, Mass. ; thence he removed to Watertown, Mass. He was ordained the first minister of the church in Woburn, Mass., November 22, 1642, which office he filled to the acceptance of his people until his death, which occurred September 5, 1684. Johnson, in his " Wonder- Working Providence," says, "He was a reverend, godly man, apt to teach the sound and wholesome truths of Christ." Tlu' subject of this sketch traces his descent from Eev. Thomas (1), born 1610; Rev. Samuel (2), born 1640; Samuel (3), born 1677-78; Josiah (4), born 1726-27; James Carter (6), born 1768; Solon Carter (6), born 1801 ; Solon A. Carter (7), born 1837. Josiah (4), his great-grandfather, married, at the age of eighteen, Tabitha Howe, aged sixteen, and settled in Leominster, Mass., clearing the homestead where the three succeeding generations were born and reared. He served in the Revolutionary War, attain- ing to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He was with the army under General Washington in the disas- trous campaign in New Jersey, previous to the retreat across the Delaware. He died at the ripe age of eighty-four, on the farm his own hands had cleared, and in the house his own hands had reared. At the time of his death he had living more grandchildren than he was years old, several of the fourth degree and one or two of the fifth, so that he could without fiction say, " Arise, son, go to thy son, for thy son's son has born unto him a son." James Carter (5) reared and educated a family of eleven children. James G. (6), the eldest son, gradu- ated from Harvard in 1820, and was engaged in educa- tional enterprises, being contemporary with Horace Mann and a co-worker with him in educational matters, notably the establishment of the system of Normal Schools in Massachusetts. Solon (6), the second son, succeeded to the home- stead farm, which he cultivated successftiUy until his death, in 1879. He was an active participant in the social, religious and civil affairs of his town, being called upon at different times to fill the various town offices within the gift of his fellow-citizens. Solon Augustus Carter (7), the eldest son of Solon (I)) and Lucretia (Joslin) Carter, was born upon the farm cleared by his great-grandfather, educated in the l)ublic .schools of his native town, completiui;- his education in the High School at the age of seventeen, working upon the homestead farm hetween terms, and also during term-time. The winter succeeding his seventeenth birthday he taught a district school in Leominster. The superintending committee, in his report of the school, said of the teacher, " It is evident he does not need to learn to teach — it is in him." The next winter he taught in the neighboring town of Lancaster. The summer of 1857 he spent in Chicago, in the employ of an uncle engaged in the lumber trade ; but the panic of that year had such a depress- ing effect upon business in general that a commercial life had few attractions for him and he returned to the farm, teaching during the winter months. He entered the employ of the Keene Gas-Light Company as its superintendent in December, 1859, and has since that time considered Keene his resi- dence. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Fourteenth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, and was com- missioned captain of Company G, serving with his command until July, 1863, when he was ordered upon recruiting service at Concord, where he was assigned to duty as acting assistant adjutant-general upon the staff of Brigadier-General Edw. W. Hinks. In the spring of 1864, General Hinks was assigned to the command of a division of colored troops near Fortress Monroe, and Captain Carter was, at General Hinks' request, by a special order from the War Department, directed to report to him for assignment to duty. Captain Carter was announced in General Orders as acting assistant adjutant-general of the Third Colored Division, Eighteenth Army Corps, and remained on duty with that organization until the close of the war, having received a commission from the President as assistant adjutant-general of volunteers, with the rank of captain (July 25, 1864). He participated with his command in all the skirmishes and battles in which it was engaged before Petersburg, on the nortli of the James, at Deep Bottom, Newmarket Heights and Fort Harrison, and in both expeditions to Fort Fisher and the subsequent campaign to Raleigh. Ht was subsequently breveted major and lieutenant- colonel for gallant and meritorious services during the war. Brevet Major-General Charles J. Paine, in recom- mending him for brevet commissions, wrote, — " Captain Solon A. Carter, late assistant ailjutant-general United States Volunteers, served as assistant atyutant-general of the division which I commanded for about a year, from the beginning of August, 1864. "First, in front of Petersburg, under constant fire day and night; then across the James, in front of Richmond, taking part in a very severe and succejssful assault by the division on the enemy's lines on the Newmarket road, September 29, 1864, and in other engagements ; later, in both Tort Fisher expeditions. At the taking of Wilmington and in the march in pursuit of General Johnston's command, never for a moment away from his post, and never neglecting his duties, which often were quite as severe as those of any officer of the division. " He was a brave and faithful offirer of great merit, and I always ex- ceedingly regretted that he was not promoted. There is not, within my knowledge, an instance of equal desert without greater reward." I After his discharge i'rnm the service he returned to .J^ //-rc^ .(j/^/'M. TlIK STATE-HOUSE. 45 Kecne and engaged in tlie furniture trade. He was a member of the House of Representatives from Keene in 1869 and 1870. . In June, 1872, he was elected State treasurer, which office he has held since that time, with the exception of oneyear (1874-75), receiving the nomina- tion by acclamation, and without opposition, in nine j successive re-elections, and also the commendation of successive auditing committees for the satisfactory manner in which the duties of the office have been performed. He is an active member of the Unitarian organization, having been for several years president of the State association, and is also identified with the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the Grand Army of the Republic. He has taken an active part in Masonic organiza- tions, having passed the chairs of the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch Chapter and Commandery, and also the chairs of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, serving as Most Worshipful Grand Master for two years (1878-79), and as Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery in 1875. He was married, December 13, ISfiO, to Emily A. Oonant, of Leominster, Mass. HOX. OLIVER PILLSBUEY.' William Pillsbury, from whom most and probably all of the Pillsburys of this country have descended, emigrated from Dorchester, England, in 1631, and settled in old Newbury (now Newburyport), Mass., in the year 1641. It will be seen that the family belonged to that brave old Puritan stock that had been ground and sifted in the mills of God for generations, and had been prepared to go forth in the fulness of time and take possession of a continent in the name of liberty and truth. In such mysterious ways the progress of government, church and society is evolved from the seed of the dead ages, and we move upward by the providence of Him who " works within us to will and to do of His own good pleasure." The families that planted our nation were not the sport of fortune, drifted by an accident of history to these shores, but were preordained and guided to their destiny. Oliver Pillsbury, the subject of this sketch, sprung from this line. He was born in Henniker, N. H., February 16, 1817. His parents, Deacon Oliver Pillsbury and Anna Smith Pillsbury, were both per- sons of unusual physical and mental strength. The writer recalls distinctly, after a lapse of more than thirty years, the amiable expression and serene dig- nity of Mrs. Pillsbury, and the masculine thought and deep, solemn voice of the deacon, as he led the devotions of the religious assemblies of the people. He was one of the strong men of the town and a pillar in the church. Others might veer and drift, but we all knew that the deacon was anchored within ' By Hon. J. W. Patterson. the vail, and was as sure to outride the storm as the hill upon which he had fi.\ed his home. He was a mau of strong powers, a stern will and constant de- votion to the great ends of life as he saw them. The qualities of both parents were transmitted in large mciisure to their children. Our State has produced but few men who were the peers in intellectual strength and moral courage to their first-born, Parker Pillsbury. Not many men in our country, indeed, in the years that preceded the Civil War, struck heavier blows for, or clung with a more courageous, self-sacrificing devotion to, liberty than he. Those of us who knew him could hear the deep undertone of the deacon's voice in his, and knew he would conquer or die. In the roll-call of the imperishables in the great struggle for liberty his name will be heard among the first. The subject of this sketch, during the first seven- teen years of his life, experienced the usual fortune of the sons of New England farmers, — a maximum of hard work and a minimum of schooling ; but at that time, having been overtaken by a lameness which threatened to be permanent, he was sent to the academy that he might prepare for duties suited to his prospective infirmity. He entirely recovered, but this circumstance gave a new drift to his life. For nearly five years he pursued his studies with unabated interest and industry, giving thoroughness and a practical character to his acquisitions by teach- ing during the winter months. Mr. Pillsbury had few equals and no superiors among those who taught at that time in our public schools. He was master both of his school and his studies, and had the faculty of inspiring his pupils with his own spirit. Many who have since done good work in life look back with gratitude to those years of pupilage. j In 1839, Mr. Pillsbury left New England and went to New Jersey, where he opened a tuition school, j there being no free schools in the State at that time. There, though an entire stranger, he gained the con- fidence of the community and held it during eight years of successful work. During the last six years of this time he taught the academy at Bound Brook, Somerset County. While there he married Matilda Nevius, who died in 1847, leaving a young daughter, an only child. The position which Mr. Pillsbury acquired among the educators of New Jersey may be learned from the fact that he was prominent among the few gentlemen who held the first school conven- tion at the capital, over which he presided, and which was followed by similar conventions in other cities. The movement thus begun resulted in the establish- ment of pul)lic instruction in that State. At the end of this time, Mr. Pillsbury's health having become impaired, he returned to his native place, where he purchased the paternal homestead and entered again upon the work of his boyhood. For seventeen years he followed the life of a farmer, but did not move in iu old empirical ruts. He ap- 46 HISTOKY OF MJ]11RIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. plied the knowledge and improved methods which modern investigation has given to agriculture, and in a little time doubled the productive power of his farm. The successl'ul factor in every industry is brains, and in this case even New Hampshire farm- ing proved no exception to the rule. Mr. Pillsbury contracted a second marriage, in 1850, with Miss Sarah Wilkins, of Henniker. Though assiduous in the pursuits of agriculture, his benevolent instincts led him to take an active interest in the causes of temperance, anti-slavery and whatever else the public welfare seemed to de- mand. His efibrts in this direction, in co-operation with those of others, produced a change in the poli- tics of the town, which resulted in his introduction to public life. He was elected to various town offices and to the Legislature three times. As a legislator, he did not seem anxious merely to shine, but to be useful and to advance the interests of the State. Such qualities and service commended him to public favor, and in 1862 he was elected a councilor for the last year of Governor Berry's administration, and re-elected to the Council of Governor Gilmore. This, it will be remembered, was while the hardships and horrors of the Civil War were upon us, and when questions that could not be settled by precedent, and that tested the authority and resources of the State, were brought daily before the Governor and his Council for decision. The exigencies of the gov- ernment would not sutler delay. Not only great permanent interests, but the very life of the nation was in peril, and large and frequent demands were made upon the States for supplies of men and money, when every resource seemed exhausted. In such times means must be invented and resources created. Criticism becomes silent, and waits for the return of peace to awaken into unreasoning activity. Under the pressure of such events, weak men are likely to be paralyzed, avaricious men corrupt and bold men to abuse power. The qualities which Mr. Pillsbury developed in these trying circumstances ought to make his name historic. The writer has received communications from two gentlemen who were associated with him in the Council, and whose services to the State are uni- versally acknowledged, and, jis they express more forcibly than any words of mine can do the part which the subject of this sketch took in that event- ful period, I take the responsibility to publish such portions of their respective letters as bear specially upon the subject of this paper. The known char- acter of the writers will give additional weight to their strong language of encomium. Hon. John W. Sanborn, of Waketield, writes as follows : " Learning that you are to prepare a biographicivl sketch of Hon. Oliver Pillsbury, I take pleasure in saying that I formed acquaintance with him in 1803, being then associateil with him in Governor Gilmore's Council. His great executive ability, patriotism, honesty and integrity won the respect and admiration of all his associates. At that time the country was engaged in that terrible war for the support of the govern- ment and its own salvation, and grave questions came before us relative to the prosecution of the same. Although an ardent Eepublican, lie never let partisan feeling warp his judgment in his official acts, lie had strong convictions of riglit, but was always ready to discuss aU questions witli frankness and fairness, and ho fully appreciated the opinions of his opponents. I had the honor to serve with him on the military com- mittee of the Council, which had important matters to consider, — ques- tions involving tho rights and interests of the soldiers, their families, and the State. The duties of this committee were arduous and often diflicult, but 1 can attest to the fidelity and untiring energy with which he performed his part. He took great interest in the welfare of the sol- diers, particularly the sick and wounded, and was ever ready to min- ister to their wants. In a word, he a in which he served, and the future hi L model councilor for the t Hon. John W. Noyes, of Chester, who was also in official association with Mr. Pillsbury, says : " I was with him a very considerable portion of the time for two years, while we were members of Governor Gilmore's Council during the war. He was the most important member of the Council, on account of his ex- perience and familiarity with the duties of the situation ; in fact, his in- formation and good judgment were exceedingly valuable to the Governor and all the other members of the Council. "I regard Mr. Pillsbury as one of the best informed and most compe- tent business men in this State. I hardly think there is another man in the State that could fill his present position as well as he does. I said to Governor Stearns, before he made the appointment, that, if he knew Mr. Pillsbury as well as I did, he would not need recommendations, but wuiild urge his acceptance of the place.*' It would be idle to add anything to such commen- dations. In 186!», Mr. Pillsbury was appointed insurance com- missioner by Governor Stearns, for a period of three years, and has been reappointed, from time to time, to the office which he still holds. Soon after his appointment he drafted and secured the enactment of the present law of the State relative to insurance companies of other States and other countries. This law cstrililisliiil I he department of insurance, and has given iM ilu |iii.|ile a degree of protection against the frauds ;iri.l impositions of unreliable companies never before enjoyed in this State, and has brought into its treasury, by tax on insurance premiums, nearly one hundred and thirty-eight thousand dollars, in addition to the compensation of the commissioner. During the whole term of his office Mr. Pillsbury has worked quietly, but a.ssiduously, to eliminate un- reliable companies from our borders, and has care- fully avoided the admission of all such as are not regarded as perfectly trustworthy. It is universally affirmed, by men familiar with the insurance busi- ness, that the commissioner of this State has admin- istered his office with unusual skill and success, and his reports are much sought for and often quoted and referred to as authority in other States, The State may well congratulate itself on having had the continued services, for sixteen years, of one so able and experi- enced in an office so intimately connected with the material interests of the people. In 1871, Mr. Pillsbury moved to Concord, and the estimation in which he is held in the community is attested by the fact that, during the fourteen years of his residence at the capital, he has twice been elected THE insanh: asylum. 47 to represent one of its wards in the Legislature, and has been a member of its Board of Education for seven years, and was president of the board at the time he tendered his resignation. When a member of the LegisUiture, Mr. Pillsbury was eminently practical, and whenever he spoke, was listened to with marked attention, for he only addressed the House on subjects that he had thoroughly considered, and it was understood that his remarks were likely to aid the members in reaching wise and just conclusions. As one of the supervisors of the educational inter- ests of Concord Mr. Pillsbury was exceptionally intelligent, conscientious and pains-taking. His views on the general subject were comprehensive, and he kept himself informed as to all real improve- ments in methods of instruction. He discountenanced shams and superfluities, and labored faithfully to make the schools sources of knowledge, of discipline and of virtue. To the other public trusts so honor- ably held by the subject of this sketch we may add that of president of the board of trustees of the State Industrial School. He has had a deep and abiding interest in this institution since its found- ing, and has given to it an active and efficient sup- port. We can only realize how pure and unselfish his labors of this character have been when we reflect that Mr. Pillsbury has no children of his own to kindle and feed his sympathies, but that they spring from a general benevolence toward all children, of whatever condition in life. His only child was a daughter of rare mental activity and attainments, and of unusual sweetness of temper. She married Mr. J. S. Eveleth, of Beverly, Mass., where, after a residence of nearly two years, she died of consumption, in the flower and promise of early womanhood, leaving two homes stricken and desolate. In this brief sketch we have unconsciously drawn a model citizen, — a man in all the relations of life faithful to the claims of duty ; in the family, society and the State, blameless; benevolent without osten- tation, patriotic without the claim of reward and true to every trust. CHAPTER IV. THE NEW HAMPSHIRE ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE. About the year 1830 the condition of the insane of New Hampshire began to awaken a deep interest in the hearts of philanthropic persons in all sections of the State. The feeling rapidly increased that some- thing should be done for their benefit, and that, too, upon a scale commensurate with the magnitude of their numbers. But what, by whom and in what way? This was a question of difficult solution. As the public inter- est in the subject deepened, a settled conviction was formed in leading minds that the State should take the initiative in whatever measures might be adopted. Influenced in part, perhaps, by this general senti- ment, but feeling deeply the importance of the enterprise. Governor Dinsmore, in his message to the Legislature, in June, 1832, thus called attention to the condition of the insane, — "I feci no apology need bo mi:.^1. in .n,., li liiisuished forits pub- lic and private charities, for rail. > ■ I I I'd to a subject which has so much reason and huiii;iiiii i-asure for the secur- ity ami recovery of the lunatit "i n,- 111. I,r-irtlature of the state has never yet recognized these iinlL>rtnu;tt.- li.-iiit,^s as entitled to any special favor from government." After alluding to the belief once entertained of the incurableness of insanity, he contrasts the en- lightened and humane treatment afforded by well- regulated hospitals with that in use throughout the State. He then asserts the curableness of the malady, in a large percentage of cases, under proper and timely treatment, and cites, in proof thereof, statistics gathered from the reports of some of the best-managed institutions in England and the United States, thereby showing the importance " of having, in some convenient part of the State, a place where patients of this description can be received with as little delay as possible after the commencement of the disease and before improper management shall have aggravated its character and lessened the chances of cure." He also recommended, as a pre- paratory step, the institution of an inquiry "to ascertain, with as much exactness as practicable, the whole number of insane within the State, distin- guishing paupers from others, the number which have been committed to jail within a given time by authority of court or by their friends or others with- out the order or sanction of judicial proceedings, and the length of their respective terms of confinement ; and to ascertain, in like manner, the actual or proba- ble amount of costs of court and jailer's fees and expenses of their support and maintenance in cases of confinement." In accordance with this recommendation, the Gov- ernor was directed, by a resolution introduced by Mr. Hugh Miller, of Peterborough, and passed on the 22d day of June of that year, "to take proper means to ascertain the number of insane persons in the State." In his message at the opening of the winter session, in November following. Governor Dinsmore further said, — " I addressed letters of inquiry, containing copies of the resolution, to the selectmen of the several towns in the State, requesting them to fur- nish me seasonably with the information desired. In one hundred and forty-one towns, being all from which returns have been received, the whole number of insane is one hundred and eighty-nine,— ninety males and ninety-nine females,— one hundred and three of whom are paupers. The whole of those now in confinement is scventy-si;!, of whom twenty- five are in private houses, thirty-four in poor-houses, seven in cells and HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. cages, six in chains and irons and four in jails. Of those not now in confinement, many were stated to have been at times secured in private houses, some have been handcuffed, others have been confined in cells and some in chains and jails." In pureuance of the Governor's recommendation, a bill was introduced into the House of Representa- tives by Mr. Samuel C. Webster, of Plymouth, on the 26tli day of December, providing " for the es- tablishment "of the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane." This was read twice, laid upon the table, and on the 28th of December, on motion of Mr. Samuel E. Cones, of Portsmouth, indefinitely post- poned by a vote of one hundred and thirty-nine to .seventy-eight. Upon the assembling of the next Legislature, in 1833, Governor Dinsraore again alluded to the sub- ject in his message, and said, in relation to the es- tablishment of an asylum for the insane, — " Although your predecessors did not feel prepared to sanction the measures recommended, I have never lost the hope of seeing at an early period a zealous co-operation of the several branches of the government with the friends of suffering humanity, in promoting a charity so phiinly recommended by the principles of our religion and by every considera- tion of justice and philanthropy." On the 20th day of June of this year a resolution was introduced into the House of Representatives by Mr. Arthur Livermore, of Campton, authorizing the appointment of an agent to examine and inspect sundry asylums for the insane and "report a plan for an asylum in this State." The resolution passed to its third reading, when, on the 2.5th day of June, its indefinite postponement being moved by Mr. John L. Hadley, of Weare, the yeas and nays were required by Mr. Hadley, and its postponement was lost by a vote of fifty-four yeas and one hundred and five nays. The resolution was then passed and sent to the Senate, where, a few days afterwards, July 1, 1833, on motion of Mr. Cyrus Barton, its further consideration was postponed to the next session of the Legislature. A resolution was also passed by the House " That each member of this Legislature instruct their respective towns to report by their members at the next session the number of insane, and their wishes in relation to the State building an hospital for the use of the insane; " but, on the 4th day of July, this, on motion of Mr. War- ren Lovell, of Meredith, was also indefinitely post- poned by the Senate. On the 26th of June still another resolution was introduced to the House by Mr. Charles H. Peaslee, of Concord, appropriating ten thousand dollars " for the erection of an insane hospital," the further consideration of which was, on the 3d day of July, on motion of Mr. Zenas Clement, of Claremont, postponed to the next session of the Legislature by a vote of one hundred and eight yeas to eighty-seven nays. The use of the Representatives' Hall was granted to Dr. William Perry, of Exeter; on the evening of the 20th of June, for the delivery of a lecture upon the subject of the insane. Upon the opening of the session of 1834, Governor Badger warmly urged in his message the importance of taking some measures for alleviating the existing condition of the insane, and on the 11th of June so much of the Governor's message as related to the deaf, dumb and insane was referred to a special com- mittee of the House, consisting of Messrs. Charles H. Peaslee, of Concord; John L. Perley, of Mere- dith; Hugh Bartley, of Londonderry; John Sulli- van, of Exeter; William Gordon, of Charlestown ; Otis Amidon, of Chesterfield; and Gideon L. Tirrell, of Shelburne. On the 24th, Mr. Peaslee, for the committee, pre- sented to the House an able report, accompanied by a resolution for an appropriation, by the State, of the sum of twelve thousand five hundred dollars for the erection of an asylum for the insane, which, on the 30th of the same month, on motion of Mr. John Rogers, of Exeter, was postponed to the next session of the Legislature. The resolution "authorizing the appointment of an agent for the inspection of certain asylums for the insane," which was postponed in 1833 to the next session of the Legislature, was reported, on the 18th day of June, to the Senate from the committee on unfinished business, and the same day, on motion of Mr. Austin Corbin, of New- port, was indefinitely postponed. Twelve days after- ward, however, a resolution, introduced to the House by Mr. Jacob Taylor, of Stoddard, was passed, which required the selectmen of the several towns to make return to the Secretary of State of the number and condition of the insane in their respective towns and districts. Further evidence of the activity of the friends of the insane is found in the fact that the House granted the use of their hall a second time to Dr. William Perry for the delivery of a lecture upon the condition and wants of the insane of the State. On the 29th of June the next year (1835) a resolu- tion was introduced in the House by Mr. Charles H. Peaslee, of Concord, " appropriiiting twenty-five bank shares for an asylum for the insane," which subsequently, on the 2oth of June, on motion of Mr. John Woodbury, of Salem, was postponed to the next session of the Legislature. The next day, however, the House passed a resolution, introduced by Mr. George W. Kittredge, of New Market, provid- ing for the appointment of a commission, to consist of one from each county, to ascertain the number and condition of the insane in the several counties of the State and make report to the next Legislature. At the next session of the Legislature (1836) the subject of an asylum for the insane was again brought forward by Governor Hill in his message, and on the 7th day of June a select committee of ten was appointed "on so much of the Governor's message as relates to insane persons in this State, the memorials and petitions praying for the establishment of an insane asylum and the statistical returns from the towu.s of the number :md condition of the iusane." THE INSANE ASYLUM. 49 This committee consisted of Messrs. Charles H. Peaslee, of Concord ; Luther V. Bell, of Derry ; Thatcher Bradford, of Hancock ; Augustus Jenkins, of Portsmouth; Benjamin F. Folsoni, of Guilford; Benjamin Pettingill, of Salisbury ; Cyrus Frost, of Marlborough; James Breck, of Newport; Henry H. Lang, of Bath ; and Aaron Potter, of Milan. To this committee were referred the petitions of sundry inhabitants of the towns of Richmond, Fitz- william. Nelson, Winchester, Gilsum, Keene, Exeter, Sullivan, Dover, Roxbury, Portsmouth and Clare- niont, besides others of individuals whose residences are not mentioned. At the autumn session other petitions of like purport to the foregoing were in- troduced and similarly referred. On the loth, Dr. Luther V. Bell, for the committee, made to the House of Representatives an able report, whereupon the House postponed the further consideration of the sub- ject to the next session of the Legislature. Immedi- ately after, on motion of Mr. Joel Eastman, of Conway, the clerk was ordered to procure one thou- sand printed copies of this report for the use of that body. Early in the June session Samuel E. Cones, of Portsmouth, was granted the use of Representatives' Hall for the delivery of a lecture upon insanity and the insane. A few days later, on the 15th, a resolu- tion of the previous Legislature appropriating twenty- live bank shares belonging to the State for the erec- tion of an asylum for the insane was referred to the select committee above mentioned. Upon the same day Mr. John L. Hadley, of Weare, introduced to the House a joint resolution, which soon afterwards passed both branches of the Legislature, that the Governor be requested to issue his precepts to the selectmen of the several towns, to take the sense of the qualified voters upon the question, "Is it ex- pedient for the State to grant an appropriation to build an insane hospital ?" At the opening of the November session Governor Hill, in his message to the Legislature, remarks, in relation to the returns made in conformity to this resolution, that " less than one-half of the legal voters of the State have expressed any opinion, and the official returns, so far as received, would indicate that the vote had been nearly equal for and against the proposition." In 1837 neither the message of the Governor nor the proceedings of the Legislature contain any allusion to the subject of an asylum for the insane. Great financial depression, extending throughout all parts of the country, may possibly have discouraged efforts in this direction, which, under other circumstances, would have been active. The friends of the enterprise, however, were not disheartened, nor were their efforts abandoned, as they cherished a belief that these efforts must ere long be crowned with success. And in this anticipation they were not disappointed. On the 21st day of June, 1838, a bill was reported to the House from the select committee, to whom had been referred so much of the Governor's message as related to insane persons in this State, and petitions praying for the establish- ment of an insane asylum. This passed to a third reading, when a motion was made by Mr. Reuben Wyman, of Albany, to iJostpone it to the next session of the Legislature, and " that the Secretary of State be required to notify the selectmen of the several towns in this State to insert an article in their war- rants for holding the annual March meetings, to take the sense of the qualified voters upon the subject of granting an appropriation for building an asylum." Upon the yeas and nays being called for by Mr. Warren Lovell, of Meredith, it was found that the motion did not prevail, the yeas being eighty-five and the nays one hundred and forty-four. The bill was then passed, and in a few days its passage was con- curred in by the Senate. Thus, after a severe struggle of six years, during which period they encountered a most obstinate op- position, its advocates at length succeeded in obtain- ing for the asylum a charter. We would be glad to recount the names of these early and devoted friends to whose protracted and unwearied efforts the insti- tution owes its existence, but our limits forbid. But for their efforts in its behalf in the Legislature, the pulpit, the lecture-room, by the way and wherever an opportunity offered, it might not have been erected to this day. In its success they afterwards had proof of the correctness of their early foresight of its im- portance, and in its usefulness, their reward. By its charter the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane was constituted a corporation, with power to hold real and personal property in any amount neces- sary for its maintenance and support, " provided that its annual income from real and personal estate should not exceed thirty thousand dollars." The institution was placed under the management of a board of twelve trustees, the offices of three of whom should become vacant annually, eight to be chosen by the corpora- tion and four by a board of visitors, consisting of the Governor and Council, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, for the time being. It also provided that when the sum of fifteen thousand dollars should be secured to the asylum by individuals, then the State should make over to it, in aid of its benevolent aims, thirty shares of New Hampshire bank stock, worth at that time about eighteen thousand dollars. Some six months after the passage of this act a controversy arose between the corporation represent- ing the subscribers to the voluntary fund and the board of visitors representing the State, relative to certain powers of control assumed by the former, and different interpretations of the act were urged. The questions involved were settled not long after by an act of the Legislature, " in amendment to and ex- planatory of the incorporating act," which provided 50 HISTOKY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. that " the direction, management and control of all the property and concerns " of the asylum should be vestnl in llif trustees, without power of interference l>y till' (■<.i|..ii;iiiiHi. And it was ere long thought best tliat tlic irisliiiition should be placed entirely under tlic control of tlie State, which, in accordance with an act passed l)y the Legislature in 1840, assumed its sole management through a board of twelve trustees, to be appointed by the Governor and Council. An- other act, jiassed the same year, pro\'ided that all contributions by private individuals, previously made, should be refunded to them if claimed within a speci- fied time. The location of the asylum at some point in the town of Concord was left to the trustees, who, on the 21st day of January, 1841, selected that which it now occupies, the town of Concord having previously voted to give to the asylum the sum of nine thousand five hundred dollars, provided it should be located within its limits ; private citizens of the town having jjreviously pledged a considerable amount in addition upon the same condition. A building committee, previously appointed, now entered upon the discharge of their duties and pro- cured the completion, in October, 1842, of the front portion of the present centre building and the adjoin- ing north and south wings, which afforded accommo- dations for ninety-six patients. From the trustees' report of 1844 it appears " that the whole amount ex- pended in the erection of the hospital, barn and out- buildings, for the farm, consisting of one hundred and twenty-one acres, supply of water, furniture, farming tools, stock and other property was $35,266.70 ; " and that of this sum, nineteen thousand dollars only had licen ijaid by the State, the balance having been re- ceived from contributions by the town and citizens of ( 'uncord, the Society of Shakers and other benevolent individuals or realized from the board of patients. A few years later an additional building was erected in the rear of the main structure, for the use of excited patients, which, upon the completion of the original Peaslee building, in 18o-5, was converted into a laundry. The asylum was opened for the reception of patients on the 29th day of October, 1842, under the superin- tendence of Dr. George Chandler, who, in June follow- ing, reported to the trustees the admission of seventy- six patients during the previous seven months. Dr. Chandler remained at the head of the institution for about three years, and to him it is largely indebted for the initiation of a wise routine of management. He was succeeded in 1845 by Dr. Andrew McFarland, afterwards superintendent of the Illinois Asylum for the Insane, who discharged the duties of superintend- ent for about seven years, and resigned in the summer of 1852. In 1849, three years before he retired from his office, the Chandler wing was built. He was succeeded by Dr. John E. Tyler, who helil the office for a period of about four years and a hali'. During his superintendency the first portion of the Peaslee building was erected in 1854, steam fixtures for warming the, halls and other parts of the house were introduced in 1855, and, in consequence of in- creasing applications tor admission, the Rumford wing was erected the same year, thereby increasing the limit of accommodations to two hundred and twenty- five patients. In consequence of impaired health. Dr. Tyler re- signed in 1857, and was succeeded by Dr. Je.sse P. Ban- croft. His period of service was a long one, extending from 1857 to 1883. It was also an active one, during which no less than seven important buildings were added to those previously in use. The first of these, in the order of construction, was the Kent building, erected in 1867. This is the cor- responding building, on the female side of the asylum, to the Peaslee building, on the male side. It embod- ies most of the advanced ideas pertaining to the cus- tody of highly-excited patients prevailing at the time of its erection, and is still well abreast of the present period in this respect. The very greatly-enlarged number of patients in 1868 rendered necessary a new kitchen, bakery, cellar, dining-room for employes, sewing-room and chapel. These wants were aU supplied in the present chapel building, which was built this year and de- signed to meet them. The ventilation of the old buildings proved more and more defective as time elapsed and numbers in- creased. In 1869, Dr. Bancroft devised a new system for the halls and rooms in these, and from time to time, as fast as practicable, it has been introduced with gratifying success. The enlargement of the asylum structure on the south brought into very objectionable contiguity the barn and stable of the institution. The necessity for larger structures of this character, better planned and more remotely located, was met, in 1871, by their removal and reconstruction upon the sites which they now occupy. In 1874 the Peaslee building, originally occupying a foremost rank among buildings of this description, was found to have become of insufficient capacity and wanting in some important conveniences, which the experience of the period following its erection had suggested. Its accommodations having become insufficient rather than unsuitable, it was enlarged to double its size and furnished with such additional conveniences as the most advanced treatment of highly excited patients required. Three years later it became apparent that the asylum had outgrown its boiler-house and repair-shops, and that a new structure to meet these wants had become imperative. After a careful consideration of these and of the most desirable way of providing for them, the present boiler-house and work-shops were con- structed in 1877. Twice since its erection has the central building of THE INSANE ASYLUM. 51 the asylum been enlarged. Its accommodations were lirst increased, in 1860, by an addition of some thirty- six feet upon the west. The greatly-enlarged num- ber of employes calling ere long for still more room, an additional story was put upon it in 1879. These additions have doubled its original capacity. The last addition made to the asylum structure was that of the Bancroft building. This was sug- gested partly by the need of additional room on the female side of the asylum, and partly by a desire, on the part of the friends of a somewhat limited class of patients in the State, for more ample accommoda- tions and a more private life than is usually found practicable at institutions for the insane. To meet this want the comely structure designated as above was erected in 1882. Such has been the growth of the asylum structure up to the present time (1885). Its accommodations have been increased from those at first provided for ninety-six patients to those which can now more amply accommodate three hundred and fifty. The whole amount expended upon this structure, from first to last, by the State has been but two hun- dred and fourteen thousand dollars, or, considering the character of the accommodations afforded, the very low sum of six hundred and eleven dollars per patient. Whatever the asylum has cost beyond this amount has come from sources other than the State treasury. It is located in the very heart of the city of Con- cord, upon a tract of ground, highly improved, of about one hundred and twenty-five acres. Some twenty- five acres of this are occupied by the various build- ings and airing courts; the remainder by the pond, farming areas, groves, avenues and paths. In addi- tion to the ground about the house, the asylum owns a pasture, about a half a mile distant, of fifty acres. One of the greatest boons enjoyed by the institution is that of an unlimited supply of purest water. This comes from a well sunk by Dr. Bancroft upon the premises in 1880, which has a diameter of fifty feet and a depth of fifteen. It is drawn upon daily for about fifty thousand gallons, and is capable of yield- ing a much larger supply. Never since its construc- tion has it shown the slightest indications of failure, even during the severest droughts. In 1855, as before stated, the furnaces, which had been previously employed, were discarded, and ap- pliances for warming the buildings by steam were introduced. Up to 1870 wood was the fuel used. But this growing more and more dear in price and its supply more and more uncertain, it gave way to coal, and for the last fifteen years the steam for heat- ing, washing, cooking, etc., has been made by this. After an active service of twenty-five years. Dr. Bancroft resigned the superintendency in 1882, and has been succeeded by his son. Dr. Charles P. Ban- croft. Familiar with all the traditions of the insti- tution and thoroughly equipped by education and experience for the high responsibilities of his post, he is maintaining its usefulness and continuing it in the front rank of American asylums for the insane. Its success thus far hils been due very largely to the entire absence of partisanship in its boards of visi- tors and of trustees, to the patient and devoted efforts of able superintendents, to the liberal benefac- tions of earnest friends of the insane, to timely aid from time to time rendered by the State and to the full reports made annually to the public of its con- .dition and operations. It is an interesting fact in its history that devoted friends of the insane have ever watched the i>rogress of the asylum, and made, from time to time, liberal contributions to its funds. It has been deemed just and proper to put on record here the names of these generous patrons. "Before its opening, even, in 1837, Miss Catharine Fisk, of Keene, a lady of high culture and benevolent impulses, bequeathed to it alegacy of nearly six thou- sand dollars, charged with certain temporary an- nuities, since terminated. By the terms of her will, this bequest was not to be paid to the asylum until the expiration of fifty years from the time of her decease, and, consequently, no part of this has yet been received. At present, held by the State as trustee, it is increasing by the annual addition of the accruing interest, and now (1885) amounts to twenty- three thousand four hundred and seventy-six dollars and seventy-one cents. It will become payable to the asylum in'the year 1887. In 1846, and at subsequent times, the State, as trustee for the Jisylum, received, in partial payments from the estate of Jacob Kimball, of Hampstead, a legacy amounting to six thousand seven hundred and forty-three dollars and forty-nine cents, the interest of which is annually paid by the State treasurer to the asylum. Again, in 1847, the Hon. Samuel Bell, of Chester, made to the asylum generous donations of money, to be expended in the purchase of books for the use of such patients as might be benefited by the perusal of them. With this some two hundred and fifty volumes of standard works, well suited to the purpose intended, were procured. These formed the nucleus about which the present asylum library has grown up. The important additions since made have re- sulted from numerous smaller and later gifts. This collection of books, now containing about eighteen hundred volumes, is of great value as a curative agency in the treatment of large numbers of con- valescent and mildly affected patients. Two years afterwards, in 1849, the institution re- ceived, as a contribution to its fund, the sum of two hundred dollars from John Williams, Esq., of Hanover. Abiel Chandler, &q., of Walpole, the founder of the Chandler Scientific School at Hanover, who died in 1851, bequeathed to the asylum two legacies, one 52 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUxNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. of six hundred dollars, charged with the life-estate of a niece, and another of one thousand dollars, at the same time making the institution his residuary lega- tee. The several sums paid "to its treasurer and financial agent, from time to time, by bis executors amount to twenty-seven thousand six hundred and thirty-one dollars and fifteen cents. The ultimate amount of this fund, which bears the name of its donor, has been fixed by the trustees at thirty thou- sand dollars, and already, increased by the addition to it of interest, stands upon the books of the institu- tion at twenty-nine thousand eight hundred dollars. The Countess of Kumford, who died at Concord in December, 1852, was also a benefactress of the asylum. Feeling a deep interest in this and other benevolent institutions in her native State and elsewhere, at her decease she left to such a very large proportion of her estate. To her kindness the asylum is indebted for a legacy of fifteen thousand dollars, which was paid to its treasurer in 1853. Mrs. Mary Danforth, of Boscawen, who also died in 1852, after making other specific bequests, left to the asylum the residuum of her estate. From this the sum of three hundred and forty-seven dollars and ninety cents was realized by the institution. One of the early trustees of the asylum was Mr. William Plumer, of Londonderry, who ever mani- fested a deep concern for its welfare. It was found, after his decease, that, retaining this interest to the last, he had left to it a legacy of five hundred dollars, which was paid to its treasurer in 18G3. Still another benefactress of the asylum was Mrs. Peggy Fuller, of Francestown, from whose estate it received, in 1862-63, the sum of eighteen hundred and fourteen dollars and forty-two cents. In 1862 the institution received from the executors of the will of Mrs. Fanny S. Sherman, of Exeter, a lady of great excellence of character, a legacy of five thousand dollars, the annual income of which is, by her direction, given to indigent patients, to assist them in paying the necessary expenses of their sup- port, and is the first bequest ever received by the asylum to which any particular direction has been attached by the donor. Some five years later the sum of two hundred and two dollars and ten cents was paid to the asylum, by his executors, as a legacy of Mr. Horace Hall, of Charlestown. The largest bequest ever made to the asylum was the munificent one of Mr. Moody Kent, who died in 1866. Having watched its progress with great interest for a long series of years, he left to it, at his decease, the residue of his property, after the payment of numerous legacies to relatives and friends. From his estate the institution received one hundred and forty- nine thousand four hundred and fourteen dollars, which sum, increased by a small addition derived from ac- crued interest, now constitutes the present Kent fund of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The Rev. Dr. Charles Burroughs, of Portsmouth, who, for about thirteen years, had held the office of president of the board of trustees, left at his decease, in March, 1868, as an evidence of his deep interest in the asylum, a bequest of one thousand dollars, to be paid to the institution at the close of the life of Mrs. Burroughs. Isaac Adams, of Sandwich, after having served the institution for several years with signal ability as one of its trustees, upon retiring from the board, in 1868, accompanied his resignation with the liberal gift of one thousand dollars, requesting that the interest might be expended in aflx)rding means of in-door recreation to male patients so situated as to be de- prived of it in the open air. This fund, which has been accumulating, will be used at an early day as the foundation of active measures to secure the im- portant result suggested by its donor. In 1872, John Conant, of Jaffrey, the constructing agent of the first asylum building, for many years a member of its board of trustees, and for six years its president, gave expression to a deep interest long en- tertained for the institution by a generous donation of six thousand dollars, as an addition to its per- manent funds. The third on the list of female patrons of the insti- tution stands the name of Miss Arabella Rice, of Portsmouth, who died in 1872 and left to it a legacy of twenty thousand dollars as a proof of her deep interest in the welfare of the asylum and of the un- fortunate class to whom it ministers. Hon. Isaac Spalding, of Nashua, for many years a member of the board of its trustees and from 1868 to 1875 its president, died the latter year, leaving to the asylum a legacy of ten thousand dollars as his con- tribution to its permanent funds. In 1883 the asylum received a legacy of one thousand dollars from the estate of Miss H. Louise Penhallow, of Portsmouth, being the last whii'h li:is come into its treasury. The whole amount of the asylum's permanent funds on the 1st day of June, 1885, was two hundred and seventy thousand three hundred and eighty-four dollars and five cents. The settled purpose of the trustees as to each of these, and to every other fund which may hereafter be given to the asylum amounting to one thousand dollars or over, unless otherwise ordered by the donor, is to maintain the principal thereof intact, and so to expend the income, from time to time accruing, as the greatest good of the patients and of the asylum shall suggest. The following votes of the trustees, regulating their action in this regard, will present more in detail the rules by which they are governed : "Toted, That the several fundR that have been, or may hereafter be, given to the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane, unless otherwise ordered by the donors, be entered upon the books of the aaylum as per- manent funds, be set apart with the names of said donors attached to each, to be forever kept intact, and that the income thereof be expended In accordance with the conditions upon which they are given, or, in the THE INSANK ASYLUM. 53 .bseuce of 8uch, in auch manner as the trustees shall deem most for the ntereat of the asylum and its patients. "Voted, That if, at any time, the principal of any fnnd be impaired, he income thereof shall be at once devoted to its restoration and continue be thus appropriated until the said fund shall attain its original From the foregoing sketch of the rise and progress of the New Hampshire Asylum it appears that, from the first, there have been successive demands for ad- ditional buildings and other facilities for the care and treatment of the insane. This demand has arisen, in part, from the constant increase in the number of persons requiring hospital care ; but this has not been the sole cause of the demand. There has been, as the result of experience, an advancing idea of the requisites for the proper treatment of in- sanity, and, as a result, there has been, from time to time, demands not only for new buildings, but for radical changes of old ones. Experience has been constantly bringing to light the insutficiency and de- fects of the earlier ideas and usages, and calling for facilities for utilizing the fruits of that experience,— a common fact in all fields of progress. The history of the asylum has been one of progressive develop- ment, which has found uo resting-place. It germinated in sympathy for the insane, the depth of which was shown in the patience and per- sistency with which the first movers in the enterprise resisted the obstacles thrown in their way, and re- newed their determined efforts from year to year. The results of their efforts have been an emphatic vindication of the soundness of their judgment as well as of the benevolence of their sentiments. It would be impossible to form a just estimate of the benefits which have followed, unless by a comparison of the condition of the insane prior to the founding of the institution and that at the present time. A few words in regard to the old notions of insanity may be allowable here in contrast with present views, as illustrating the amount of good accom- plished. Before the opening of this century the in- sane were regarded and treated as outcasts, looked upon with horror, as culprits or possessed with evil spirits. Execution or imprisonment was their por- tion. Those who escaped these were subjected to measures for the expulsion of demoniac possession, incantations or vile compounds supposed to possess virtue against demons. Holy water, to which salt was added, was a famous prescription for this pur- pose, on the theory that the devil abhorred salt. Binding the subject to a cross was another remedy supposed to possess great efficiency. An old medical writer records this as the treatment of a case of active mania, which he witnessed: A priest entered the room of the person and said, "Thou devil of devils! I adjure thee by the potential power of the Father and the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the virtue of the Holy Ghost that thou do show me for what cause thou dost this woman." Recovery was the result reported. Prior to the year 1797 almost no rational and scientific provision for the insane had been attempted. The few institu- tions then existing differed little from prisons. Pinel, with an insight deeper than others, saw that disease, and not the devil, wjis the cause of insanity ; and his logical inference was that treatment of it as of other diseases was the remedy, rather than binding to a holy cross or the expulsion of the devil. After much effort, and against violent opposition, he obtained the reluctant permission of the authori- ties to try the experiment of treating insanity as dis- ease, but only on condition that he be held personally responsible for any harm which might ensue to the public from this supposed hazardous measure. He removed the insane from dark and foul prisons into hospital care, much to their relief and joy. This was the first step in rational and scientific treatment. Out of this germ has grown the grand results of the present period. But the hospital of to-day was not the immediate product of this radical change of theory. For a long time after this there was no in- stitution seen which could compare favorably with the hospital of the present. Even Pinel himself had little conception of the possibilities lying in the di- rection of liberal usages in the care of the insane. The best practice of that day would now be regarded as crude and insufficient, affording little worth copy- ing. The way out of the strange vagaries in opinion and practice, so long entertained, was not short or sudden, but, of necessity, through a long series of cautious observations and careful practical trials. Old traditions and hereditary prejudices, however absurd and unreasonable, are never quickly eradi- cated. But one great advantage was immediately realized: insanity at once begun to be studied and dealt with from a new poiat of departure. Pinel had transferred it from demonology and crime into the category of disease, to be henceforth investigated as other bodily affections. This was an immense gain. Henceforward the sciences tributary to general medi- cine were to contribute in explanation of the intri- cate mental phenomena dependent on cerebral le- sions. Physiology and pathology came at once to be consulted, rather than the changes of the moon. In the light of these, careful observation of the phenom- ena of insanity as disease has been the increasing practice. From this point progress has been uninterrupted, but especially rapid during the last half-century. The breaking away from old traditions and prejudices has been much more apparent in this period, as shown in changing hospital architecture and the adoption of a vastly more liberal type of organiza- tion. If the progress seems, at first thought, slow, it is to be considered that, in the nature of the case, the full extent to which it is now found that liberal and common-sense methods can be safely applied in 54 IIISTOUV OK .MKKIU.MACK COUNTV, NKW 11 A. Ml priictico with the insane could be only gradually apprehended. It wns only by cautiously conducted trials, even at some supposed risks, that the now genornlly accepted conviction became established that the insane, as a class, could be intrusted with a larger liberty and controlled more by moral influ- ences than had, in earlier times, been deemed safe. These resnlt.s of experience explain the great dif- ference apparent between the architectural features of the old and the later structures of the New Hampshire Asylum. These latter show that much more self-control ia expected on the part of the patient than wns supposed possible when the former were constructed ; and also provide a larger latitude for the exercise of independent volition and the free exercise of personal tastes. A careful examination of the features of the series of buildings, in the order of the time of their erection since the first, will attord a very correct illustration of the gradual evolution of ideas and methods of practice with the insane. This evolution is most gratifying to philanthropy, and, by the most intelligent alienists, is not believed to have yet reached its limit. They look confidently forward to that hapiiy adjustment of residences and other auxiliary inlluenccs which shall reduce to a minimum the real sacrifices inviilvcy the asylum could not be fairly appreciated vvilhoul taking into account the condition of the insane in the Stalcwhcn it commenced operations, a conditicm which it is dif- ficult to realize at this day. It cannot be described more briefly or better than by Dr. Hell, in his report made to the Ijogislature in .lune, 1830, to which refer once has already been n\ade. He says, — " Tlio conimiltoo fwl tlint iioltlior Iho tiino nor llio ocowlon iwiniro tliom to ulUulo to iuiitniu'ivi of tho tiggmvHtpil aud aliiioat iiicixhI bio »uiroliligs of tlio lne iwor wlilcli Imvo conic to tlvcir kno\vlc; tllcy ui-c convinced tltnt the LoglttlHturu require no (lie vari»tlona of hitouse mloery to which the | oxtomling fVoni the time of his incurcoration iu tho cold, narrow, sunlesij, lireleta coll of tho almshouse to the scarcely moro human dl«iK»nl ol hini by ■ soiling at auction,' as it is called, by which ho fell Into the tender niorciiw of tho moot abjoct and worthless of society, who alone could bo excited by cupidity to such a revolting charge, Sultlce it to miy, on this point, that your comudttoo are Batisllod that the horrors of the present condition of tho inMino in New Hamiwhiro aro far from Imving been exiiggeratcd. Tliey have found that public officers auil eitixens of towns have naturally twon unwilling that tho extent and particulars uf wluit many of thoin doubtless sincoix-ly believe a noceesary. or at leju»t, .ni hum i I il t. . v.iify, should be blazoned forth to the public; tiK'-. 1.1^1 . I t iiiKjxne fViends have been found often unwilling <'\ri. 1 I II ! :i> uuiliulies, still less to speak of the treat- ment and coiiiiiti ill wln.li ili.> ronscieutiously think nmvvoidable in their circumstnn.es . . . In view of this immense mass of unmitigated and nndilutod misery, tho (|ueation will spontaneously occur, what can be done for its alleviation and prevention ? " The enacting of the law founding the asylum was the manner in which the Legislature answered this grave question of their committee. The same com- mittee thus set forth the results to be secured by this legislation, — That these objects have been secured, in an emi- nent degree, can hardly be questioned at this day by any one who has intelligently watched the progress of the institution from its foundation. But the full measure of relief from suffering which it has secured to the objects of its care, as well as the amount of misery it has saved by its preventive measures, can be known only to those who have been personally conversant with, or interested in, its personiil histories. A brief review nf the histi.iical rcccrd of its work. as derived tnun its statistics, will be gcrniaiii to the objects of this article. From the time of the adnii.s- sion of the first patient, October 29, 1842, to March 31, 1885, a period of forty-two years, five months and two days, four thousand seven hundred and fifty-two persons were admitted to the asylum and received its care. Of this number, seventeen hundred and thirty- four went forth restored to reason, prepared to resume their places and trusts in society. This fact alone has much significance when taken in connection with the statement of the committee already quoted from, that " We found no more than an occasional instaiui of amendment under the common treatment." It further appeai-s that eleven hundred and se\ en pel-sons, under care and treatment, but who did not fully recover mental health, lelt the institution so much improved as to render life among friends prac- ticable, safe, and generally more or less useful. Of this class, a considerable number were convalescent on leaving, and fully recovered afterwards. The rec- ords show only eight hundred and thirty-eight dis- charged whose diseases were not either removed or mitigated. But even with those whose maladies ilid THE INSANE ASYLUM. not admit of relief, tlie ministrations of the institu- tiim were by no means of little value. This will be li 111 11(1 emphatically true when the hospital life of siuli persons, with its systematic regulation of things ami its sanitary provisions, is compared with any pos- sible life without a hospital. The incurable insane, whose lives, to a great extent, could otherwise be only misery, are here brought within the reach of every domestic comfort, and even convenience, and the moderating and steadying influences existing secure andthrn iii;ill\ II ii impn .\ c.l, I h. re « .1 .■ I Ii..m- who (lied. Of Ibis chiss, from the oi.ening of the asylum to April, 1, ISS"), iliere were seven hundred and forty- eight. The attentions diie and rendered to these have not been among the least of the benefits accruing to these .sutlerers. Kind ministrations to the hopeless and the helpless are ever held among the highest and best of human acts. They exalt and dignify human nature. We think only with a shudder of the hope- less victims of disease dying in lonesome neglect. It is a bright feature of Christian civilization that it tenderly cares for tiiose who fall in the race ; it is the trait of the savage to abandon to their fate those who can no longer do service in the ranks. To bring to the bed of the dying all suitable tokens of respect, and to make the last days of these as far as possible from solitude or neglect, has ever been the studious effort of the management of the institution. What these ministrations may have been worth to the immediate objects of them, and to the sorrow- ing homes to which they belonged, it is not the province of words to show, — their full bearings can- not be made written history. This glance at the statistical records of the work of the asylum from its foundation is only a naked out- line. To bring the extent and value of this work to the full apprehension of the reader would be to re- view, in detail, the busy, laborious and oftiii painful hours of forty-two years. Through these years all plans and all work have aimed at one object, and that, to make the treatment of mental disorders rational, thoroughly human and free of all superstition and all needless interference with the rights and privileges of the patient. Fol- lowing, in the adoption of plans, this principle, the history of tiie institution has been one of evolution. Out of what, at first, bore great resemblances to im- prisonment there have been evolved conditions of life for the insane lacking none of the necessaries and comforts, and few of the privileges and even the amenities, of ordinary domestic life. Tlie space allowed for this article will not admit of remark upon the medical treatment of insanity, fur- ther than to say that mental derangement, in some instances, is the reflex effect of disorder in some bodily organ other than the brain, and that in such cases treatment is directed to that organ. What re- mains to be said must have reference to the general, or so-called moral, treatment, having reference largely to those influences which address themselves to the mind, and involve such a regulation of hos|)i- tal life and activities as best to antagonize morbid processes, restore normal habits of thought or to yield the largest benefits where restoration is impos- sible. The same general system of measures contrili- utes to both these ends. In other words, expcricnci- has shown that, in adjusting surroundings and shaping domestic and social influences for the average of the insane, the usages and methods most agreeable to the sane are most conducive to the recovery of the cur- able, and most congenial to the iiiiiids of those who cannot recover. This is eqiiivah m [,, >:is m^; that in- sanity introduces no new ami spiiial ilcincnts of its own requiring the suspension of ordinary customs. Tastes, personal proclivities and the conditions of pleasure and pain remain unchanged in kind, even when modified in action by disease; and are respon- sive to the same stimuli. The recognition of this fact has been a modern achievement, and is in agreeable contrast with older ideas and practice. The latter made the insane some unreal being, endowed with exception- al traits not amenable to ordinary influences, and hence to be treated as an exception. This error led to every absurdity and wrong in ])ractice, the most conspicuous of which were inactivity, repression and confinement, shutting out most of the health-giving remedial stimuli. Comparatively speaking, this was the practice at the opening of the asylum, when hospi- tal life, as compared with that of the present, was a gloomy monotony, embracing little calculated to arrest the morbid currents of thought and feeling, and invite them into healthy channels. The institution, during its forty years of activity, has been steadily illustrating the incorrectness of those ohlcr iioiions, ami making its cautious way towards thooppn-iic iImoiv and prac- tice. This later method is cspei i.illy rharac-lerized by varied activities and the least practicalde departure in the same from the style of social intercourse, and the usages and rules of ordinary life. The study and effort, in the direction of affairs, has ever been and is, to make the institution in the smallest degree possible a peculiar place, but, on the other hand, to give it the aspects of home-life, and to fur- nish it with attractive and pleasant activities, calcu- lated to arrest the attention and draw the thoughts from self and morbid themes. This end has been steadily kept in view in all the movements of the management, whether in building new or reconstruct- ing old, in furnishings or equipments, or in invent- ing the various methods of occupying time and atten- tion. All have sought this one object till scarcely any resemblance could be traced between the original and the later institution life. Attractive surround- ings, associations and occupations have come to take the place of the gloomy and depressing monotony, in the ways of living, which characterized the first stages HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. of the enterprise. The application, in detail, of the underlying principle could not be the work of a day or a year, but the result of long-continued study of the symptoms, tastes and wants of many individual cases, and of the effects of these agencies upon them. This has shown that, next to a natural and attrac- tive domestic adjustment, occupation is the great de- .sideratum of successful treatment. This applies both to body and mind, and should be varied almost with- out limit to adapt it to individual capacities and tastes. To provide such occupation in sufficient variety is at once the foremost and the most difficult of the duties of the administration. It lays under contri- bution every practicable agency within reach, — the farm, the shop, the laundry, the kitchen, the sewing- room, the carriage-drive and the walk in the coun- try ; and in-doors, the library and various public ex- ercises of instruction or entertainment. All these are drawn upon with increasing diligence, to the ex- tent of available resources, so that none, except the few who, from bodily weakness, require absolute rest, are left without an external stimulus designed to an- tagonize the morbid introversion ever present in men- tal disease. It requires no argument to show the rea- sonableness of this practice, even if ample experience had not faithfiilly demonstrated it ; and it may be af- firmed that, aside from strictly medical treatment, the value of hospital residence is now largely meas- ured by the ability of the institution to provide these agencies. With a view to multiply and vary these, a large shop is now being fitted up, to be supplied with facilities for introducing many forms of light, safe, and attractive mechanical work. These forms will be so chosen as to meet the largest practicable variety of tastes and qualifications for work on the part of the patients, with a view, at the same time, to being as easily conducted and as inexpensive as possible. The income of the Adams liind is available for the .support of this department. Our limits will not allow us to extend remarks on this subject. Another, and the last we shall notice, of the pro- gressive steps taken to render the treatment of the in- sane as liberal and complete as possible was the erec- tion of the Bancroft building in 1882-83. In its plan of construction, this was an advance on all the others ; and not simply to increase accommodations, but also to occupy new ground in treatment. Previ- ously, the more agitated and irresponsible classes had been amply provided for in the older buildings, but not so amply the convalescent and those not needing restraints. The partially self-sustaining patients have hitherto been associated with more or less incompat- ible classes for lack of sufficient variety in apart- ments. So, also, persons with ample means, and need- ing no other than moral restraints, have not found, in the older buildings, sufficiently liberal accommoda- tions to satisfy their habits and tastes. Both these classes have been provided for in the construction of this building. The trustees, seeing no reason why tte tastes of the insane should not be recognized in their treatment, have here prepared to do so by furnishing the facili- ties for individualizing attentions Without incon- venience to others, a patient can have one, two or three rooms, and such private attendance and service as may be desired, with all the privacy and independence of private residence. At the same time those not able to provide so liberal an outfit, or not desiring it, can have single rooms, with the general attendance, and secure all the benefits of the retired and quiet situa- tion without burdensome expense. The practical working of this detached and retired building has already been most gratifying, and has done much to remove any real objection to hospital residence, since it has done away with almost the last vestige of departure from the forms and usages of private life, at the same time that it has retained all the sus- taining and remedial influences of hospital organiza- tion. Sufficient has been said to give the reader an idea of the tendencies and most prominent characteristics of the hospital care and treatment of the insane at the present time. When this method is compared with the confinement, the inactivity and monotony which characterized the earliest usages, it is not diffi- cult to form some adequate estimate of the influence the New Hampshire Asylum has had upon the con- dition of the insane, or to see how far it has realized the hopes of its early advocates ; and proved a suc- cess and an inestimable blessing to the State. HISTORY OF CONCORD. CHAPTER I. Geographical — iDdian Occuiiation — The Penacooks —Original Grant, 1725— First Meeting of Proprietors— The Pioneers— Enrly TJvilcs and Regulations — Grant of Bow — The Controversy — Tli. T\i I ^. tdrrnnitf; — List of Proprietors and Settlers — Tncorporatimi l: : i i- poration of Concord Parish — The Firat Parish M ■ i :- ted— Indian Troubles— Garrisons in 17i6—Th.- il . i i In l.i"l- ley Monument. CoscouD, the county-seat of Merrimack County, and capital of the State of New Hampshire, lies in the soutliern part of the county, and is bounded as follows : North by Webster, Boscawen, Canterbury and Lou- don ; East by Loudon, Chichester and Pembroke ; South by Pembroke and Bow ; West by Dunbarton, Hopkinton, Webster, Boscawen and Canterbury. This territory was originally occupied by the Pena- cooks, a powerful tribe of Indians, who, when first known by the English, had their headquarters here, and numbered four or five hundred men. Their chief was named Passaconaway, " the child and the bear," and was regarded with the highest veneration by the Indians, filling the office of chief, priest and physi- cian, and, as they believed, having direct communi- cation with the Great Spirit. The township was granted January 17, 1725. The petition for the grant was as follows : '' To the Hont*'" Wm. Dnmmer, Esq'., Lieut. Governor, and Commander in Chief in and over His Majesties province of y« Massachusetts Bay, in New England, to the HonWe His Majesties Council and House of Representatives in Gen. Court or Assembly convened at Boston, June lY"", 1726. " The petition of Beiy'. Stephens, Andrew Mitchel, David Kimball, Ebenezer Eastman, John Osgood and Moses Day, a Committee ap- pointed by and in behalf or the petitioners formally for a Tract of Land at a place called Pennycook, — " Humbly Sheweth, That whereas y petioners have at two sev«i times petitioned the Great and Geu«i Court for a grant of the aforesaid tract of Land at Pennycook, with resolutions fully inclined to make a speedy settlement there, wb they conceive, under the divine protection, they are able to go on and through with ; and the Hon^'e House of Rep- resentatives having been pleased twice so far to take their petition under consideration as to grant the prayer under such conditions as by y<= vote of the s"* HonWe House may more fully appeitr, which conditions, though they be expensive, yet y petitioners have well weighed the same, and would willingly have undertaken the settlement, if it had been the pleas- ure of the HonWo Board to have concurred in the aforesaid vote. But as y petitioners are informed it did not meet with a concurrence ; Wherefore, y petitioners are emboldened, with great submission, to renew their pet» to y Honour, and this Great and Gen' Court, that you would please to take the premises again into y wise and serious consideration ; and as the building a Fort there will undoubtedly be a great security within and on Merrimack River, and y' your petitioners are still willing to build and maintain it as afore proposed, at their own cost, yt they may have the countenance and authority of this Court therefor, and that they woud pledge to make them a grant of it accordingly. "Yf petit" wou'd also suggest to y Honnours, that many applications have been made to the Government of New Hampshire for a grant of the s"i Land, which, though it be the undoubted right and property of this Province, yet it is highly probable that a parcel of Irish people will ob- tain a grant from New Hampshire for it, unless some speedy care be taken by this great and HonWe Court to prevent it. If that Government should once make y^ a grant, tho' the pot" conceive it wou'd be without right, as in the case of Nutflcld, yett it wou'd be a thing attended with too much difficulty to pretend to root y™ out, if they shou'd once gett foot bold there. Tour petitioners therefore pray that the vote passed by the HonWe House may be revived, or that they may have a grant of the Land on such other terms and conditions as to the wisdom of this Court shall seem best. And for y Hon^*, as in duty bound, y petitioners shall ever pray, etc. " Henja. Stephens. ".\NnREW Mitchell. "David Kimbel. "Ebenr. Eastman. "John Osgood. "Moses Day. " In the House of Representatives, June 17"", 1725. "Read, and the question was put whether the House wou'd revive their vote above refer'd to, — "Resolved in the affirniiitive. "Copy examined per "J. WiLLARD, Sec' I/. The first meeting of the proprietors was held at the house of Ebenezer Eastman, in Haverhill, for the pur- pose of admitting settlers. At a meeting of the proprietors, held at Andover February 7 and 8, 172G, the following settlers drew lots: Enoch Coffin, John Peabody, Richard Trann, Andrew Mitchell, Mr. Samuel Phillips, Samuel Ayer, John Grainger, Henry Holfe, John San- ders, Jr., Thomas Page, William Barker, Isaac Walker, Joseph Davis, John Coggin, Benjamin Parker, Edward Claike, Stephen Osgood, Benja- min Gage, Moses Day, David Kimball, Benjamin Stevens, John Chand- ler, Ebenezer Virgin, John Pecker, Moses Hazzen, William Gutterson, Joseph Hale, Ephraim Davis, John Wright, Jacob Eames, Jacob Abbott, Christopher Carlton, Nathaniel Page, Samuel Kimball, Nathan Simonds, David Dodge. Robert Pcaslee, Richard Coolidge, right drawn by Samuel Jones, Thomas Wicomb, Robert Kimball, John Saunders, Nathaniel Clement, Ebenezer Lovejoy, John Osgood, Zerobbabel Snow, Ebenezer Eastman, .Tonathan Shipley, John Austin, Edward Winn, Ebenezer Stevens, Joseph Page, Samuel Davis, Ephraim Hildreth, James Parker, Nathan Lovejoy, Samuel Reynolds, John Foster, James Simonds, Joseph Parker, Nathan Fisk's right drawn by Zech. Chandler, Zebediah Bar- ker's right drawn by Edward Abbott, John Bayley's right drawn by Samuel While, William Whittier, .Tosbua Bayley, Ammi Bhuhamah, William White, Nathaniel Peaslee, Thomas Colman, John Jaques, Oba- diah Ayer, Abraham Foster John Mattis, John Merrill, Thomas Pearley for Nathaniel Cogswell, David Wood, Nathaniel Abbott, John Ayer, Na- than Blodgett, Benjamin Carlton, Jonathan Ujibbard for Daniel Davis, Ephraim Farnum, Stephen Emerson, Timothy Johnson, Nathaniel Bar- 57 HISTORY OF MERUBLYCK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. ker'6 right drawn by Solomon Martin, Nebemiah Heath, Nathaniel Sandere, Nathaniel Jonps, Samuel Grainger, Thomas Blancbard, Nicholas White, Jonathan Pulscpbcr, Kichard Hazzcn, Jr., Samuel Toppan, Moses Itordman, Bezaliel Toppan, Tbouias Learned, Joseph Hall, Nohemiah Carlton, Benjamin Niccols, Minister's lot. Ministerial lot. School lot, N. At this meeting it was also, — • Agreed niui Foferf, That a Wock-Iiouse of tueutj-live feet in breadth and forty feet in length be built at Penny Cook, for the security of the ■' Argeeil and Voted, That John Chandler, Moses Hazzeu, Nehemiah Carlton, Nathan Simonds and Ebenezer Stevens be a committee, and they are hereby empowered to build, either by themselves, or to agree with workmen to build, a block-house of twenty-five feet in breadth, and forty feet in length, as in their judgment shall be most for the security "Agreed and Voted, That Beniamin Stevens, Esq., bo treasurer for the " Agreed and Voted, That Timothy Johnson, John Osgood and Moses Day be chosen, appointed and empowered to examine the charges that shall arise in building a block-house at the place called Penny Cook, or any other charges that shall arise in the bringing forward the settlement and to allow, as in their judgment shall be just and equal, and also to draw money out of the treasury for the defraj-ing of said charges. "Agreed and Voted, That the sum of one hundred pounds be raised and paid by thesettlers into the hands of Benjamin Stevens, Esqr., treasurer, for defi-aying the charges that are past, or that shall necessarily arise in bringing forward the intended settlement, to be paid in to said Beiijamin Stevens, Esqr., by the first day of March next, in equal proportion. " Enoch Coffin dissented. "Agreed and Voted, That a committee of five pei-sous on oath, three whereof to be a quorum, be chosen out of the number of the intended settlers, to lay out the remaining part of the interval at the place called Penny Cook, that is not yet laid out, so that the whole of the interval already laid out, or to be laid out to the settlers, shall be equal in quan- tity and quality. "Agreed and Voted, That John Chandler, Heniy Kolfe, William White, Richard Hazzen, Jnnr., and John Osgood be a committee, chosen and empowered to lay out the interval at the place called Penny Cook, that is not yet laid out, so that the whole of the interval already laid out or to be laid out to the settlers shall be equally divided among them as to quantity and quality. ** Agreed, That Jonathan Hubbard be admitted a settler in place of Daniel Davis, who was admitted a settler of Penny Cook by the Honora- ble General Court's Committee, appointed to admit pei-sons to settle Penny Cook. " Agreed and Voted, That three pence per tail for every rattlesnake's tail, the rattlesnake being killed within the bounds of the township granted at Penny Cook, be paid by the intended settlers ; the money to be paid by the settlers' treasurer, uponsight of the tail. While thi' proprietors were thus arraDging the aftairs of the new plantation. May 20, 1727, the government of New Hampshire made a grant of the town.ship of Bow, which covered a large por- tion of the Penacook grant, and these conflicting grants led to a length)- and expensive controversy, which was carried to the Court of St. James by the Hon. Timothy Walker, as agent for the Rumford proprietors, and decided in their favor by the King in Council, December 27, 1762. Rev. Timothy Walker.' — More than any other person, Rev. Timothy Walker is entitled to the ap- pellation of Father of Concord. He was the son of Deacon Samuel Walker, of AVoburn, Mass., was born July 27, 1705, and graduated at Harvard College in the class of 1725, of which the Rev. Mather Byles 1 This sketch of the life of Hcv. Timothy Walker was prepared by Mr. .1. B. Walker, though derived largely from the sketch of Mr. Walker by Bev. Dr. Bouton, in his " History of Concord." was the most eccentric and perhaps the most distin- guished member. After his settlement, in 1730, he first lived in a log house which stood on the brow of Horse-shoe Pond Hill, but in 1733-34 built the two- storied gambrel-roof house in which he afterwards resided until his death. The house, with some modern improvements, overshadowed by the stately elm-trees which Mr. Walker set out in 1764, is well represented by the fine engraving in this volume. Mr. Walker was of full middling stature and size, not corpulent, but portly in form and of dignified manners. He had blue eyes and a light comple.xion. Naturally, his temper was quick, but well restrained and governed. If, at any time, he wa.s betrayed into hasty expressions or acts, he was prompt to acknowl- edge the fault and ask the forgiveness of any one injured. He was exact and precise in all his domestic arrangements and business transactions, keeping a diary in a little book done up in the form of an al- manac. Though not talkative, he was agreeable in social intercourse and occasionally facetious. Accord- ing to the custom of the times, he wore a large pow- dered wig and a three-cornered cocked hat, short clothes and shoes with large buckles. He was held in high regard by all his parishioners. After service on the Sabbath, both morning and afternoon, the whole congregation stood until Mr. Walker went out, he respectfully bowing to those on each side as he passed down the broad aisle. Mr. Walker served the town as a wise counselor in relation to every matter of public interest, and, in connection with Benjamin Rolfe, Esq., who married his eldest daughter, drew up the first petition for help against the Indians addressed to the governments of both Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and also many of the papers in the long controversy with the proprietors of Bow. As fully related in Dr. Bouton's " History of Concord," he thrice visited England as agent of the town in that vexatious litigation, and through his judicious and persevering eftbrts and his personal influence with his counsel, Mr. William Murray (afterwards Chief Justice Mansfield), secured forever the rights of the proprietors of Rumford (now Concord). As a preacher, Mr. Walker was instructive and practical, dwelling more on the duties than on the doctrines of religion. He was calm and moderate in his delivery ; his sermons, of which a few still exist, were written out in full on sheets of paper, folded in the 18mo form, and would occupy about thirty minutes each in their delivery. His style was good, perspicuous and didactic, with but few illustrations, but well supported w^ith quotations from Scripture. In his theological views Mr. Walker was orthodox, according to existing standards. He received the Westminster Assembly's Catechism, which was then also used in the families and schools of the town. In distinction, however, from the preachers who, in his day, were called " new lights," he was accused of being an Arminian, but called himself a Moderate Oalvinist. He was highly conservative as regarded innovations and new measures. Hence, in the period of the great reformation, under the preaching of Rev. George Whitefield and others, Mr. Walker was among those ministers who did not favor the excite- ment which was generally awakened. In January, 1743, he preached and published a sermon to his people entitled, " The Way to fri/ all Pretended Apostles," from the text Rev. ii. 2. In this sermon he dwelt at length on the evils produced by itinerant preach- ers, especially the divisions they caused in established churches and societies. Hence, he warned his people not to go after them or hear them preach. " Nothing," he says, " I am well satisfied, has so much contributed to the evils that do so cloud the present day and look \vith such a direful aspect upon us as the indulging an unmortified itch after Novelties, and having the Persons of Strangers, whom we know nothing of, in Admiration, and setting them up above the Place of Instruments. If, therefore, you would not become accessory to the guilt of those who are endeavoring the subversion of our religious constitution, keep out of the way of temptation as much as may be ; ponder well the first step that leads to a comjiliance with these errors." At this time all of Mr. Walker's hearers were of one way of thinking in religious matters, and his object was to keep them together and make them steadfast in the " religion and church order which was very dear to our forefathers." Conscious of the power he had over his people, he not only charged them not to go after or to hear these pretended apostles preach, "but," said he, "if any of you think yourselves un- able to manage a controversy with them, invite them to accompany you to my house, and I will gladly undertake this, or any other service I am capable of, for the benefit of your souls." In 1771, Mr. Walker felt called on to give his people another warning against innovations and what he called disturbers of the peace and order of the churches. .V Baptist elder, Hezekiah Smith, had preached in the vicinity, and awakened much interest in his peculiar views. To counteract this influence, Mr. Walker preached a discourse, May 12, 1771, entitled, "Those who have the form of godliness, but deny the power thereof, described and cautioned against." The text was 2 Timothy iii. 5. The sermon was " published at the desire of many of the hearers." It is dedicated " to the church and congregation under the author's pastoral care, having been composed and j delivered solely for your benefit, without the most : distant view of its farther publication, is now respect- ftiUy inscribed by him who esteems it his highest honor and greatest happiness to serve your best in- terest. "Timothy Walker." During his ministry of fifty-two years there is no regular record of church proceedings after 1736 ; but in his memoranda there a who owned the covenant, j munion, baptized, married and died, togeth notices of private affairs, the weather, jc e entries made of those were admitted to com- ther with journeys, From the memoranda kept by Mr. Walker, it appears that his interest in his people did not cease I upon their removal from Concord. About 1764-65, considerable numbers of them became first settlers of Conway and Fryeburg, in the Pigwacket country, on Saco River. These he was in the habit of visiting until they had established religious teachers, preach- ing to them, giving them pastoral counsel and bap- i tizing their children. Many of them were members j of his church, many of them he had married, many of them he had known from infancy. His big heart yearned after them, and he considered them a portion ofhis own home-flock until he had seen them securely established in the care of another shepherd. Mr. Walker was largely dependent for the support ' of himself and family upon the farm given him by the proprietors of the township as an " encouragement I to his settlement with them in the wilderness of Pena- cook. His salary as pastor was at one hundred pounds per annum, to " rise forty shillings per annum until it i comes to one hundred and twenty pounds, and that to be the stated sum annually for his salary. Mr. Walker j was twenty -five years old at the time (November 18, 1730) of his settlement, and the prudence and fore- sight of his people is clearly seen in the farther pro- vision relative to his salary, that " anything to the contrary above mentioned notwithstanding, that if Mr. Walker, by extreme old age, shall be disenabled from carrying on the whole work of the ministry, i that he shall abate so much of his salary as shall be rational." Mr. Walker was an ardent patriot as well as a de- voted Christian minister. Upon the breaking out of the Revolution it was a great grief to him that circumstances be3'ond the control of either compelled his son-in-law. Major Benjamin Thompson, after- wards Count Rumford, to join the royal cause, in October, 1775, and retire within the British lines at I Boston. But it was at the same time an exalted gratification that his only son, Timothy, afterwards Judge Timotliy Walker, was intensely earnest in his devotion to American interests. His family, like many others of that period, was represented in the ranks of the patriots and royalists both. But this fact never abated in the least degree his own patriotic zeal and activity. And it is a fact, of which all his descendants feel proud, that in all contests from that time to the present in which their country has been a party, they have ranged themselves instinctively and deliberately on the side of its friends. The news of the battle of Lexington reached Con- cord in the evening and spread like wild-fire through- out the town. The next morning, before daylight, his neighbor, Esq. John Bradley, seeing a bright light in the pastor's study, went at once to learn the occa- 60 IIISTOKV OF MKKUIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. sion of it. As he approached the house, through the uncurtained windows he saw his venerable pastor striding back and forth across the room, apparently absorbed in deepest mental anxiety. As he entered the room he was immediately accosted with the re- mark, " There is no other course left us but to fight, .lohn. Yes, John, we must fight, we must fight." It is unnecessary to say that the good parson voiced the spontaneous sentiment of the province, which did fight, losing more soldiers in the Revolution than it had male cliildren born while it lasted. One Sunday in .July, 1777, when in church and in the midst of his afternoon sermon, his quick eye ob- served the unexpected entrance of Colonel Gordon Hutchins, Concord's representative in the General Court, which had just adjourned at Exeter. Pausing abruptly in his discourse, he turned to him and said, "Are you the bearer of tidings. Colonel Hutchins?" Upon learning that forces were wanted immediately to check the progress of Burgoyue and his army, he remarked at once to his congregation, "Those of you who can go had best retire and get ready to march to-morrow morning;" upon which a portion of the audience went out, while with the remainder the service went on to its conclusion. The following night was a busy one in Concord, and in the early morning of the next day their aged minister invoked God's blessing upon a well-equipped band of brave men, and dismissed them to Bennington and to vic- Jlr. Walker possessed a quiet humor, accompanied by a strong common sense, which manifested itself on not infrequent occasions, -some of which have been remembered. As an instance of these, tradition says, that, going out to work one day, with John Evans, his hired man, and with an ox-team and cart, they had to pass a very wet and muddy place. In passing it John sat on the cart-tongue while Mr. Walker sat on the rear end of the cart. When about midway of the slough, John slily pulled out the pin which held down the front end of the cart and dropped it, to make his employer think it worked out accidentally ; up went the cart and out went the worthy minister into the mud and water. Getting on to dry land, he said to his man, " John, this is a bad accident; but never mind, drive on and I will go back." A few days after, he went, late one afternoon, into the field where John was at work. When it be- came time to go home, he told John that he would drive the team home. Upon coming to the slough, he quietly seated himself upon the cart-tongue while the unsuspecting John took to the seat formerly oc- cupied by the minister. Upon reaching the spot where the mud and water was deepest, Mr. Walker pulled out the before-mentioned pin, up went the cart and John was suddenly unloaded. When he had struggled through to hard ground, his master, hold- ing up the pin, quietly said to him, "John, John, here is the pin ; I didn't throw it away a.s you did." Tradition furnishes another instance of the display of mild humor and sagacity on his part. A worthy young couple, who were members of his church and whom he had recently married, happened to be blessed with an increase of family at an earlier day after that solemnity than was deemed decorous. Some worthy church brethren, whose sense of duty surpassed their charity, immediately reported the fact to the pastor, in painful anxiety as to what means should be taken to protect the fair fame of the church ; at the same time inquiring "what was to be done about it ?" The pastor, seeing atonce the situation of afiairs, and knowing well the previous good char- acter of the parties, quietly replied to his zealous brethren, " This fault of our young friends gives me great pain ; but, as we all know, it is their first oflense. I think, therefore, we should forgive them this time. Should it be repeated, I should advise their summary expulsion from the church." The tradition is that it never was. As another specimen of his prudence and good sense, it is related that the Rev. Elijah Fletcher, of Hopkinton, once requested an exchange with him on the Sabbath, and that he would preach upon the subject of witchcraft, which at the time was making trouble with some of Mr. Fletcher's parishioners. Mr. Walker accordingly prepared a sermon for the occasion and preached. He told the people, "that the most they had to fear from witches was from talt- ing about them ; that if they would cease to talk about them, and let them alone, they would disap- pear." The hint had the desired efiect. But, underneath all this bonhomie, was a quiet so- lemnity of purpose.which was never absent, and always apparent. His dignified deportment and manners were such as to command universal respect. Ephraim Colby, Concord's noted fighter and champion of that time, who worked much for him upon his farm, used to say that "Parson Walker was the only man the Almighty ever made that he was afraid of." During the intervals of peace between the French and Indian Wars Indians frequently called at his house and were hospitably entertained. On one oc- casion a number of the warriors encamped near by, and were to have a powwow the night succeeding. Mr. Walker being absent, Mrs. Walker was under great apprehensions of injury. Upon learning this the Indians remarked, " Minister's wife afraid," at the same time delivering into her possession all their guns, as an assurance of her safety. They called for them the next day, having kept in fidelity the promise made to her. From first to last, he seems to have been highly respected by his wild neighbors of the woods, and in no instance to have received personal injury at their hands. During his long ministry , of more than half a century, Mr. Walker enjoyed remarkable health. Tradition says that he was able to preach every Sabbath except the one i)revi(ius to his death. This, there is reason CONCORD. 61 to believe, is not quite correct, but is doubtless true in the main. For convenience, in his old age, he .slept in the north, lower front room of his house, :iiid his hired man, Philip Abbot, was near by, to assist him when necessary. On Sunday morning, September 1, 1782, he woke early and asked that his fire be built, for he was tired of lying and wished to get up. Shortly after he arose, and having partly dressed himself, sat down in a chair. Mr. Abbot, seeing him slide forward in bis seat, went immedi- ately to assist him and found him dead. Just as the morning sun began to mount the heavens his spirit rose to the presence of Jehovah, whom he had served long and faithfully. If a long and successful dis- charge of the duties pertaining to the station in which one is placed entitles him to the commendation of his contemporaries and of his posterity, Mr. Walker, by his protracted service, clearly earned it. The first settlements were made in 1727 by Eben- e/.er Eastman and others. "The spring of 1728" (says Br, Bouton in his "History of Concord,") ■ opened upon the new plantation with most favorable auspices. Eager to fulfill the conditions of their grant, and to become settled in their ■ hosen home, a large number of the proprietors were early engaged in Ijuilding houses, clearing, fencing and plowing their lands. The block, 111 meeting-house, was finished; canoes constructed for navigating the river; the new way to Pennycook from Haverhill was improved, and tlui First Division of interval ordered to be completely fenced by the last . if May. Messrs. Joseph Hale and John Pecker were chosen a commit- ti.'f* to agree with a minister to preach at Pennycook, — to begin the 15th , ,f May, — biit they were not to ' assure the gentleman more than after the rate of one hundred pounds per annum for his service.' "In answer to a petition presented by John Osgood, in behalf of the ^•'ttlers, — praying that an allowance might be made them for the five hundred acres formerly laid out to the right of Goveror Endicott,— the (iimeral Court, on the 6th of August, this year, authorized them 'to ex- tend the south bounds of the township one hundred rods, the full lireadth of their town,' and the same was confirmed to them as an ' equivalent for the aforesaid five hundred acres.' " Arrangements were also made for building a saw-mill within six months, a grist-mill within one year, and to establish a ferry at the most convenient place. The first ffrist-mill stood at or near the bark-mill now owned by Robinson & Morrill, in the East Village, and the saw-mill, on the same stream, about half a mile above. The mill-crank was brought upon a horse from Haverhill. Soon after commencing operations the crank was broken. How to remedy the evil they knew not, as there was no blacksmith nearer than Haverhill. One of the men, who had once been in a blacksmith's shop and seen them work, undertook to mend it. Collecting together a quantity of pitch-pine knots for a fire, they fastened the crank with beetle rings and wedges, and then welded tlie disjointed parts. The crank was afterwards used many years. For the grist-mill fifty pounds were allowed, and fifty acres of land granted to Nathan Symonds, as near to the mill as was convenient." The following is a list of the proprietors and early settlers : Nathaniel Abbot was about thirty years of age when he came to Penacook. His house lot was where the North Congregational Church now stands. He was the first constable of Penacook (1732-33),— an efficient, enterprising, useful citizen, and member of the church. At the commencement of the French War (1744) he entered the service, and joined the rangers under Major Robert Rogers. He held a lieutenant's commission in 1755, in Captain Joseph Eastman's company, in the expedition against Crown Point, and was a lieutenant in Captain Richard Rogers' company of rangers, in Fort William Henry, at the time of the massacre, 1757. In 1746 he had command of a company in defense of the town against the Indians. He died in 1770, aged seventy-four. Edward Abbot, cousin of Captain Nathaniel, was one of the first selectmen of Rumford. In 174(3 his house was a garrison. Edward, his son, was the first male child born in Penacook (7th of January, 1731), and Dorcas the first female child. Jacob Abbot, cousin of Nathaniel and Edward, died in the French War, 17GU. John Austin, probably a descendant of Thomas Austin, from Andover, where was Samuel Austin (1714), who died 1753, aged eighty-three. Obadiah, Samuel and John Ayers, or Ayer, were from Haverhill. Obadiah was a graduate of Harvard College, 1710 ; was employed to "examine the General Court's records, to see if there be any former grant" of the township ; was one of the principal inhabitants of Haverhill. Samuel and John were of the same family, and were among the most active and enter- prising settlers. Thomas Blanchard, the proprietor of Penacook, died in 1759, aged eighty-five. William, Nathan and Zebediah Barker came from Andover. Captain Joshua Bayley is named in the proprietors' records as " one of the principal inhabitants of Haver- hill." Moses Boardman — unknown. Nathan Blodgett was probably from Woburn. Nathaniel Clement was from Haverhill. John Chandler was a leading and influential man ; was a powerful, athletic man, of great muscular strength and cool, indomitable courage. The Carltons^Benjamin, Nehemiah and Christo- pher — were relatives, probably from Andover and Haverhill. Richard Coolidge. John Coggin is believed to have been of Woburn. Edward Clark was from Haverhill. Rev. Enoch Coffin accompanied the honorable committee of the court and surveyors when they came to Penacook to lay out the land, in May, 1726, and preached twice on the Sabbath after their arrival, in a tent on Sugar Ball Plain. The first settlers of the name in Concord, after the death of Rev. Enoch, were William and Peter, sons of John, of Newbury. Peter afterwards settled in Boscawen, from whom those of that name there have descended. Thomas Coleman was of Newbury, probably a descendant of Thomas Coleman. Coleman forfeited his lot, by not paying, to Henry Rolfe, Esq. Nathaniel Cogswell's right was drawn and carried on by Thomas Perley. Moses Day was trom Bradford. One of the same name was deacon of the church in the west parish of Bradford 1730 and also 1750. Probably one of them was the proprietor in Penacook. 62 HISTORY OF MEllKIMACK COUNTY, XKW HAMl'SllIRE. Ephraira, Joseph aud Samuel Davis were from Haverhill. Ephraim was the only one who finally settled in Concord. David Dodge— not known from whence he came. Captain Ebenezer Eastman was from Haverhill; one of the most enterprising and useful of the pro- prietors. He settled on the east side of the river. His house was a garrison in 1746. Jacob Eames was from Andover. Stephen Emerson was from Haverhill. John and Abraham Foster were from Andover. Ephraim Farnum, from Andover, was son of Eph- raim, son of Ralph Farnum, who married Elizabeth Holt in 1658. He died in 1775, aged about eighty. John and Samuel Granger were brothers from Andover. Benjamin Gage was from Bradford. William Gutterson Wiis from Andover. Nehemiah Heath was from Haverhill. Ephraim Hildreth was probably from Chelmsford. Joseph Hale was troni Newbury. Moses and Richard Hazzen, Jr., were from Haver- hill. Deacon Joseph Hall, from Bradford. He was deacon of the church in Concord more than forty years, a benefactor to the poor and an example of Christian virtues. During the hostilities of the Indians his house was a garrison. He died April 8, 1784, aged seventy-seven. Timothy Johnson, of Haverhill. John Jaques is believed to have been iiom Brad- ford. Nathaniel Jones — unknown. Robert, Samuel and David Kimball were from Bradford. Probably the latter only finally settled in Concord. He wsis the father of Captain Reuben Kimball. He died November 20, 1745. Nathaniel and Ebenezer Lovejoy were brothers, and sons of John Lovejoy, of Andover. Thomas Learned was probably from Woburn. John Jlerrill, deacon, is believed to have come from Haverhill. John Mattis. His origin is not known. Andrew Mitchell was from Newbury. Benjamin Nichols. His origin is not certainly known. John and Stephen Osgood were cousins, from Andover. Benjamin, .James and Nathan I'arker were brothers, from Andover. Nathaniel Page was from Haverhill, and, probably, Thomas and Joseph also. Nathaniel and Robert Peaslee were from Haverhill. Rev. Samuel Phillips was minister of the South Parish Church in Atidover. His right in Penacook was carried on by William Peters. Jonathan Pulsipher's origin is not known. John Pecker is believed to have come from Haver- hill. He was a leading and useful man in town. John Peabody was probably from Salisbury, Mass. Samuel Reynolds— unknown. Henry Rolle, Esq., was from Newbury ; was one of the commission appointed by Massachusetts in 1737, on the question of the boundary line between Massa- chusetts and New Hampshire. John Sanders, John Sanders, Jr., and Jonathan Sanders — the two former, father and son, were from Haverhill ; probably also Nathaniel Sanders. John Sanders was one of " the Committee of the Great and General Court " for the settlement of Penacook. Benjamin and Ebenezer Stevens were brothers, from Andover. James and Nathan Simonds were probably from Woburn. Zerobbabel Snow. From whence he came is un- known. Jonathan Shipley. Whence from not known. Bezaleel and Samuel Toppan were from Newbury. Rev. Bezaleel Toppan was born March 7, 1705. Bezaleel preached a while at Penacook. Richard Urann, it is believed, was from Newbury. Ebenezer Virgin, probably from Salisbury. .John Wright. Nicholas and William White were from Haver- hill. Ruhamah Wise. Isaac Walker was from Woburn — a relative of Rev. Timothy Walker, from the same place. Isaac Walker was father of Isaac, Jr., grandfather of Abiel, lately deceased, who lived on the spot where his grandfather built bis log house. Isaac Walker, Jr., died on the same day that Rev. Timothy Walker died. In 1746 the house of Timothy Walker, Jr., was a garrison. He was a son of Isaac Walker, Sr. David Wood. This is a Newbury name. William Whittier was from Haverhill. Thomas Wicomb. Edward Winn, from Woburn. Abraham Bradley was not an original proprietor, but came to Penacook as early as 1729. Stephen Farrington, not an original proprietor, Mu an early settler, from Andover. Jacob Sbute came to Penacook with Captain Eben- ezer Eastman. Jeremiah Stickney came from Bradford about 1731 —not an original proprietor, but became a valuablt- citizen. Rumford Incorporated. — The town was incor- porated by Massachusetts February 27, 1733, under the name of Rumford, and was a "new town within the county of Essex, at a plantation called Penny Cook." This civil organization continued until June 7, 1765, when it was incorporate! as a parish with town privileges, by the name of Concord, probably with a hope that thereafter the inhabitants might live in peace and concord with their neighbors in Bow. The following is the petition for the incorporation of the town : CONCORD. '■ To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"" Capt» Geutsral Governor ind Commander in Chief in and over His Majesty's Province of New Hampshire, The Honble His Majesty's Council and House of Repre- sHntatives in General Assembly Convened. April 11th 1764 "The humble Petition of Timothy Walker on behalf of himself and the Inhabitants of Kumford (so Called) in said Province She\velh» That the Affairs of the said Inhabitants (so far as relates to Town matters), have been in great Confusion Ever since the Year 1749, for want of the Power which tliey had 'till .then Enjoyed ever since the year 17-11 by the District Act (so called) which this Honble Court say in July 174(1 when it was received had been found 'Convenient both for the Government of •his Province in General, and also the Inhabitants incorporated thereby u particular.' " That altho* it has been pretended that they might still have Enjoyed tlie same priviledges (as Inhabitants of Bow) yet they never understood Mattel's in that Light ; And for this their Opinion and Practice conse- quential thereupon, they humbly conceive they could give reasons which wo-i be satisfactory to this Court, were they permitted. — But to pass over uU this— This Power or the Exercise of it has been lost to them (if Ever (hey had it) Ever since March 1756, for want of a first Meeting — •' That by the Year 1760 they were so heai'tily tired of such an unsetr tied State that they would have been glad to have acted Even under the [ ncorporation of Bow, if they could (altho' highly inconvenient for ■ lum as it blended part of three Towns together whose Interests had al- ■s.iyn been separate, and would Consequently be apt to create Strife and ■ That this Court was apprized of their utter Incapacity of doing any ' 'ipurate Act (Even as Bow) by a Letter signed 'Jeremiah Stickney,on 'Imlf of himself and others,' now on File, together with their dutiful & • i.iy disposition to Comply with every motion of this Court to the ut- N.»t of their Powers. • That thesaid Inhabitants conceive themselves greatly aggrieved by a itt- Act of this Government, imposing a heavy Tax on the Inhabitants i Bow as Arrears &c — a Tax which Nobody has Power to assess and ll'-ctatyf Time when y^ s^ arrears became due and which if now done, MKst be laid in many Instances on wrong Pei-sons. - That what they suffered for want of the Powers they had Enjoyed by the first mentioned District Act, was unspeakably more to their Damage, than to have paid their Proportion of the Province Expence. " That the Incapacity complained of all along, still continues and yet the people are subjected to pay their part of the Current Charge but no- body has power to assess or Collect it. "* They therefore most humbly Pray That your Excellency and Hon- ours will take the Matters complained of under Consideration, and either revive the said District Act so far as relates to Kumford, or (which woe ono Garrison, and that Ihe following inhabitants, with their familys, viz. : Col. Benjamin Rolfe, Joseph Hall, Elienezer Hall, David Foster, Isaac Waldron, Patrick Garvin, Joseph Pudney, William Pudney, Henry Pudney, John Morrill, Thomas Merrill, John Merrill, jun., Moses Merrill, Lot Colby, Jacob Potter, be, and hereby are, ordered and stated "Also, that the Garrison round Timothy Walker, jun. 's, house, be one Garrison, and that the following persons, with their familys, viz. : Timolhy Walker, jun., David Evans, Samuel Pudney, John Pudney, jun., Matthew Stanly, Isaac Walker, Abraham Colby, Jacob Shute, Daniel C'huse, Daniel Chase, jun., Abraham Kinil)atl, Richard Hazelton, George Abbot, Nathaniel Uix, Boiyamin .A.bbot, Stephen Farrington, Nathaniel West, William Walker, Aaron Kimball, Samuel Gray, James Kodgers, Samuel Rodgcrs, 1)0, and hereby are, stated at that GaiTison. "And, inasmuch as the inhabitants who resido in the Garrison round tho house of Mr. George Abbot, tho Garrison round the house of Mr. Edward Abbot, and the Garrison round the house of Mr. James Osgood, have, as yet, made no provision for house-room and conveniences iu the respective Garrisons where they are placed, for themselves and familys, and the season of tho year so much demanding their labor for their neces- sary support that rendere it dilticult to move immediately— Therefore that they, for the pres*'nt, and until January next, or until further or- der, have leave, and bo continued in the several Garrisons in which they now are, and so long as there stated to attend the ueccessary duty of watching, warding, ic, equally, as if tho same had been determined "Rumford, May l'.th, 1740." Such w:u« the state of the settlement of 1746. Indians were now in the vicinity, and an attack was daily feared. At the earnest solicitation of the inhabitants, a company of soldiers, under com- mand of Cai)tain Daniel Ladd and Lieutenant Jona- than Bradley, had been sent by the Governor, from Exeter, for the defense of Rumford and the adjacent towns. This company had been ranging in the woods and scouting in the vicinity about three weeks previous, and a part of them were in Eumfordon the Sabbath, August 10th. On that day it appears that the Indians had meditated an attack upon the inhab- itants while engaged in worship, and the night pre- vious had secreted themselves in the bushes adjacent vo the meeting-house, to await the favorable moment. One party of them was concealed in a thicket of alders back of the house where Dr. Samuel Morril now lives; another was hid in the bushes, northwest, between the meeting-house and where Ebenezer S. Tovvle, Esq., now lives. Some few of the Indians, it is said, were seen in the time of worship by a little girl, — Abigail Carter, sister of the first Dr. Ezra Carter, — but she did not make known the dis- covery until the meeting closed, when the people marched out in a body with their guns. The pres- ence of Captain Ladd's company, it is believed, pre- vented the Indians from making the designed attack. Thus thwarted in their bloody purpose, they retired and lay in ambush till next morning, in a deep thicket, about a mile and a half southwest of the main village, in the valley, a few rods beyond where the Bradley monument now stands. The Massacre, August 11, 1746.— For the par- ticulars of the tragic scene which now follows we are indebted to the journal of Abner Clough, clerk of Captain Ladd's company, which is published in full in the fourth volume of the " Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society," and to the story related by the aged Reuben Abbot, five years before his death, which was taken down in writing by Hon. Samuel A. Bradley and Richard Bradley, Esq., grand- sons of Samuel Bradley, who was one of the killed. The manuscript is now in the hands of Richard Bradley. It was taken August 29, 1817, when Mr. Abbot was in the ninety-fifth year of his age. FROM ABNER CLOUGH'S JOURNAL. when they had gone .ibuut a mile and a half, they were shot upon by thirty or forty Indians, if not more, as it was supposed, and killed down dead Lieut. Jonathan Bradley and Samuel Bradley, John Luf kin and John Bean [and] this Obadiah Peters. These five men were killed down dead on the spot, and the most of them were stripped. Two were strip- ped stark naked, and were very much cut, and stabbed, and disfigured ; and Sergeant Alexander Roberts and William Stickney were taken cap- tive. ... It was supposed there was an Indian killed whore they had the fight ; for this Daniel Oilman, who made his escape, saith that ho was about sixty rods before these meni when they were shot upon,' to shoot a hawk, and th e nnd, he says, the Indians shot three guns first. He says he thought our men shot tit a deer ; he says that he run back about forty roils upon a hill, so that he could see over upon the other hill, where the Indians lie, and shot upon the men ; and, he says, as ever ho came upon the hill so as to see over upon the other hill, he heard Lieut. Jonathan Bradley speak and say, ' Lord, have mercy on me :^Figltt ? ' In a moment his gun went off, and three more guns of our men's were shot, and then the Indians rose up and shot a volley, and run out into the path, and making all sort of howling and yelling, and ho did not stay long to see it, he saith. It was supposed that John Luf kin was upon the front, and Obadiah Peters on the rear : and they shot down this Luf kin and Peters the first shot, as they were in the path, about twelve or four- teen rods apart ; and they shot Samuel Bradley, as he was about twelve feet before where this Obadiah Peters lay, and wounded [liim] so that the blood started every sti'p lu- tonk. He went about five rods right in the path, and tliey ^1 1 I impi luljr ili .ii_-li his powder horn, as it hung by his side, and .-^u til, ,i, i luii there lay these three men, lying in thepath— ;.Ti I I I uii out of the path, about two rods, rightin amoiii.'>i 111. Id-iMn 1 1, was shot through his wrist. It was supposed he killed tlit' Indian ; it was supposed that he fought (as he stood there in the spot where he was killed) till the Indians cut his head almost all to pieces ; and John Bean run about six rods out of the path, on the other side of the way, and then was shot right through his body ; — so that there were none of these men that went one or two steps after they were shot, excepting this Samuel Bradley that was shot as above said. And there seemed to be aa much blood where the Indian was shot as there was where any one of the men were killed. It was supposed the men laid there about two hours after they were killed, be- fore any body came there. We did not go till there came a post down from the fort, three quarters of a mile beyond where the men lie and were killed. The reason we did not go sooner, was because we did not hear the gtins. I suppose the reason that we did not hear the guns, was because the wind wa'nt fair to hear. We went up to the men, and ranged the woods awhile, after these captives, and then brought the dead down to town in a cart, and buried the dead men this day. These men, when they went away in the morning, said they intended to be at home about twelve o'clock, in order to go to Cauterbuiy in the afternoon, or, at least, to get fit to go. It was supposed that these men, some of them, rid double on horses when they were killed. On the twelfth day, early in the morning, went up and took the blood of the Indian, and followed along by the drag and blood of the Indian about a mile, very plain, till we came within about fifteen rods of a small river, and then we could see no more sign ot the Indian ; but we ti-acked the Indians along the river, about twenty or thirty rods, and there were falls where they went over. ... It was supposed there could not be less than fifty or sixty Indians." The initials of those massacred were inscribed on a large tree standing near the spot, which remained a number of years. August 22, 1836, a monument was erected on the site of the massacre, bearing the fol- lowing inscription : Ob.idiah PETEns, John Be.\n .vnh John Lufkin, Who wtre massacred .\ug. 11, 1V4 by the Indians. Erected, 18.i", by Richard Bradley, of the Hon. John Bradley, and grandson of Samuel ] adley. CHAPTER TI. CONCORD— ( Cmitinuet/]. ECCLESIASTICAL niSTORY. First Congregational Church— ^South Conprefiatinnal church— Congrega- tional Church, East Coiirm-.l rn„.-n :-,ifi, Tiril I'l,.;;, 1,, West Concord —Congregational Ohurrli, !■ i ,i, - ..i h-St. Paul's Church— Universalist I'lm^ n l.i i ^i ,,! Iji .,|,al Church- Baker Memorial Method!- 1 I |.i- [ d < ii m I, ^l. :m ii^i rburch, Peu- acook— First Baptist Chur.li— Pl.;u«aMt St reel liaptist Church— Free- Will Baptist Church- Baptist Church, Penaconk— St. John the Evan- gelist Roman Catholic Church— Catholic Church, Penacook. First Congregational Church.'— The history <>l' the First Congregational Church in Concord runs parallel with that of the town. At a meeting in Andover, Mass., February 8, 1726, the proprietors of the town voted to build a block-house, which should serve the double purpose of a fort and a meeting- house. The first public assembly in the township was one for public worship, held May 15, 1726, and composed of a committee of the General Court, sur- veyors and some of the proprietors who had arrived two days before. Eev. Enoch Coffin led the service in their camp. Early in 1727 the first family moved into town and Rev. Bezaleel Toppan was employed to preach one year. Rev. Messrs. Toppan and Coffin, both proprietors of the town, were employed to preach till October 14, 1730, when it was resolved to establish a permanent ministry. Eev. Timothy Walker was at once called to be the minister of the town. A council met No- vember 18, 1730, in a small log building "in this remote part of the wilderness," and organized a church of nine members, and Rev. Timothy Walker was installed its pastor. The church was orthodox and stable in its faith, and during the ministry of Mr. Walker — fifty-two years — it was united and prosperous. Strong in the confidence and aflection of the people, the pastor actively opposed anything that threatened division in the church or the town. It is not possible to state accurately the growth of the church during this period, a.s the records are incomjilete. No continuous record is found after 1736, and the names of those who owned the covenant are gathered, only in part, from entries made in his diary.' The names of only one hundred and twenty-seven who united with the church are known, though many more must have been received, for at the pastor's death one hundred and twenty members were living. Rev. Timothy Walker was a native of AVoburn, Mass., and was graduated at Harvard College in the class of 1725. His salary at settlement was one hundred pounds, to increase forty shillings per annum till it reached one hundred and twenty pounds; also the use of parsonage. He died suddenly, Sunday morning, September 1, 1782, aged seventy-seven vears. HISTORY OF MKURIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. The deep impress of this early ministry has never been efl'aced, and the influence of Mr. Walker, to a large degree, decided the moral tone and habits of tlie town. For more than half a century his clear convictions and hold utterances directed the thought of the early settlers. He served the town as well as the church. His wise counsel and judicious action in relation to every matter of public interest were of great benefit to the people and made him their leader. Three times he visited England as agent for the town to confirm its endangered rights, and was enabled to make secure forever the claims and privi- leges of the settlers. Nearly seven years now passed without a stated ministry. Rev. Israel Evans was called by both the church and the town to settle as minister September 1, 1788, and wiis installed pastor July 1, 1789. His ministry continued eight years. No records of the church for this period can be found. There were one hundred and twenty-four members of the church at the close of this ministry. Mr. Evans was a native of Pennsylvania, and was graduated at Princeton College, 1772. He was or- dained chaplain in the United States army at Phila- delphia in 177t>. He resigned his pastorate July 1, 1797, but resided in town till his death, at the age of sixty years, March 9, 1807. The church, without delay, chose to the pastorate Rev. Asa McFarland, and the town concurring in the choice, he was installed March 7, 1798. The growth of the church was, from this time, rapid and steady. Seasons of deep religious interest blessed it, and four hundred and twenty-nine were added to the membershiji. His ministry continued twenty-seven years and closed March 23, 1825. Rev. Asa McFarland, D.D., was born in Worcester, Mass., April 19, 1769. He was graduated at Dart- mouth College in 1793. He died, by paralysis, Sun- day morning, February 18, 1827, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. He possessed a vigorous mind, was sound in judgment and diligent in action. His perso- nal character and position secured to him a wide influ- ence in the State, and eighteen discourses, delivered by him on public occasions, were published. The council which di-smissed Dr. McFarland, March 23, 1825, installed as his successor Rev. Nathaniel Boutou. Bible classes and Sunday-schools were organized in diflereut parts of the town, and the a.ssembly of the people in the single place of worship was large and united in spirit. In connection with the meeting of the General Association of New Hampshire in 1831, a deep work of grace began. Soon the whole people felt its power and more than a hundred were added to the church. In the following years "protracted meetings" were frequently held and always useful. Large accessions were received in 1834, 1836, 1842 and 1843. During the forty-two years of Dr. Bouton's ministry seven hundred and seventy-two were added to the church. For years the church grew with the town, but in 1833 it was called to a new experience. The very prosperity and growth of the town, the religious habits of the people, the great spiritual harvests that had been gathered made necessary the provision of new and other accommodations for worship. The residents of the West Parish, living on an average nearly five miles from the meeting-house, decided that they ought to seek greater conveniences for worship and build a house unto the Lord. A house was built and eighty-eight members of this church were dismissed and organized into the West Parish Church, April 22, 1833. The old house was soon full again and the church membership five hundred and thirty-nine. The vil- lage growing towards the south, the brethren thus located erected a church edifice and sixty-seven members were dismissed. Bearing with them letters and the love and prayer of the mother-church, these were organized into the South Church February 1, 1837. March 30, 1842, forty-four n\embers having been dismissed, were organized into the East Church. All these were dismissed and the churches organ- ized, prompted by love to Christ and His cause, and the mother-church gave many of her devoted and useful members with regret at the parting, but every one with her blessing. True were the words of the pastor, that "the church history of New England does not furnish a parallel to this experience of three churches going out from a single church within ten years without so much as a ripple of discord." Besides these losses, a large number was dismissed to the churches of other denominations which were organized here, and thus began to be realized the change that had come over the community, as from one great congregation, gathered weekly at the same place from all parts of the town, there were now different congregations, and the people were no longer one assembly in the delightful service of worship. All this had aftected the strength and relations of the church, but in harmony and under the favor of God it went on prospering and continued to be a positive and aggressive power for good. Rev. Dr. Bouton resigned his pastorate at his forty- second anniversary, March 23, 1867. He did this under the conviction that the changes in the people and in all about the church might be met best by a change in its ministry, and that he might accept another oflice. His love to the people, as their love to him, was unabated. Few men have been permitted to fill a pastorate so happy and useful as was this; few have transmitted one to a successor under such a wealth of affection as, from this whole city, had been won by the years of faithful Christian labor. Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, a native of Norwalk, Conn., was graduated at Yale College in 1821. Not only was he a faitliliil minister, but a citizen of valued infliieuci', wlio Imre for more than a genera- CONCORD. 6? tion an active part in all that advanced the weal of tlie people, both at home and abroad. He was a friend of learning and its institutions, and performed an amount of intellectual work that alone would have marked his long life as busy. Thirty-four of his sermons and addresses were published, and many articles written for periodicals. In 1856 he published the " History of Concord." Five other vol- umes are from his pen. He was appointed to the office of State historian in 1866. To the duties of this office he devoted himself with fidelity and zeal for eleven years, and compiled ten volumes of the Provincial and State Papers. In the ecclesiastical bodies of the State and the benevolent organizations of the land he bore an active part. Industry, fidelity, system were his. With the completion of his historical work his labor seemed done. He attended church service on the fifty-third anniversary of his settlement, but was una- ble to preach, as had been his annual custom. He died June 6, 1878, aged seventy-nine years. Soon after the resignation of Dr. Bouton a call to this pastorate was extended to Rev. Franklin D. Ayer, a native of St. Johnsbury, Vt., a graduate of Dartmouth College, 1856, and of Andover Theological Seminary, 1859. He was installed pastor by the council that dismissed Rev. N. Bouton, D.D., Sep- tember 12, 18G7. The church, so long used to the ways of the vener- able pastor, welcomed the new one, and have labored unitedly with him. The church has been blessed with seasons of revival, and during the present pas- torate two hundred have been added to the church, making the total number uniting to the present time, one thousand six hundred and fifty-three. The one hundred and fiftieth anniversary was observed November 18, 1880. Historical Discourse, by Rev. F. D. Ayer ; History and Description of our Four Meeting-Houses, by Hon. Joseph B. Walker ; History of the Sunday-School, by John C. Thorn ; History of Music, by William G. Carter, M.D. This church has taken a positive and decided part in all the great moral reforms of the past years. It has lived in peace at home, in hearty fellowship and co-operation with churches of other denominations, and has exerted, both in this community and the State, a controlling influence. From its location, its pastors and its efficient membership have had much to do with the ecclesiastical gatherings and the benev- olent societies of the State and the land. It has borne its full share in the great benevolent enter- prises of the day, and its contributions have been constant and generous. It has given to benevolent objects during the past fifty years $48,000, for the support of worship not less than $85,000, and more than $80,000 for houses of worship and parsonage. The Sunday-school was organized in 1818, and has always been well attended. The houses of worship demand a separate notice. The first meeting-hou.se was built of logs in 1727, and was occupied twenty-seven years. The second was that so long known as the "Old North." The main body of the house was built in 1751. In 1783 it was com- pleted with porches and spire, and in 1802 enlarged so as to furnish sittings for twelve hundred people, and a bell was placed in the tower. Central in its location, it was for a long time the only place for public worship in town, and was used by this church for ninety years. It served the State also. In this house the Convention of 1778 met " to form a perma- nent plan of government for the State." The first time the Legislature met in Concord, March 13, 1782, it assembled in this house, and not less than fifteen sessions of the General Court was held here. Here, with religious services, in 1784, the new State Consti- tution was first introduced ; and here, too, in June, 1788, the Federal Constitution was adopted, by which New Hampshire became one of the States of the Union. This being the ninth State to adopt the Con- stitution, that vote made it binding upon the United States. Many of the political gatherings, historic in the State, were held in this house. After another church was built, 1842, this was used by the Method- ist Biblical Institute till 1866. When it was de- stroyed by fire, on the night of November 28, 1870, there passed from sight the church building which had associated with it more of marked and precious history than with any other in the State. As the church was about leaving the " Old North " as a house of worship, it was voted to invite all the churches formed from this to unite in a special religious service. These farewell services were held Thursday and Friday, October 27 and 28, 1842. On Friday afternoon, after a sermon by the pastor, about five hundred and fifty communicants of the four churches sat down at the table of the Lord. " It was a season of tender and affectionate interest. Many wept at the thought of separation from the place where they and their fathers had worshiped." So happy was the effect of this meeting that the next year one of like character was held in the New North Church on November 18th. Since that time an annual meeting of the Congregational Churches in Concord has been held, and the meetings have been precious seasons of Christian union and fellowship. The third house of worship, situated on the corner of Main and Washington Streets, was dedicated No- vember 23, 1842. It was enlarged in 1848, and de- stroyed by fire June 29, 1873. A chapel was erected in 1858, and enlarged in 1868. The fourth and present house of worship was erected on the site of the third, and dedicated March 1, 1876. It was paid for as built, and is a beautiful and com- modious church building. The total cost of it was $50,883.36. A new chapel, connecting with the church, was completed and opened with appropriate services January 20, 1884. 68 IILSTOUY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. In grateful memory of the relation of his parents and family to this church, William Abbott, Esq., gave two thousaiiil five hundred dollars towards the erec- tion of this building, which is called "Abbott Me- morial Chapel," and the people promptly added to this fum five thousand dollars more, which com- pleted it. The present otlicers of the church are : Pastor, Rev. Franklin D. Ayer, installed September 12, 1867; Deacons, John Ballard, Edward A. Moulton, Andrew S. Smith, Robert G. Morrison. The things to be noted in this history of more than one hundred and fifty years are : 1. That there have been but five pastors, and that all but the surviving one have died and been buried among this people. The church has not been without a pastor for an hour since 1798. 2. The church has lived in peace and grown. It has never had a serious misunderstanding or called for the advice of council on account of diffi- culty. It has called but one council for sixty years. 3. It has paid its bills as it went on, and kept free from debt. 4. "The Lord hath been mindful of us." South Congregational Church.— The first meeting of individuals iVir ilic purpose of forming a religious society was held at the house of Mr. Asaph Evans, May 9, 1835. Samuel Fletcher was chairman and Amos Wood secretary. At this meeting a committee was appointed, who purchased a lot of land at the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets, for twelve hundred dollars, as the site for a meeting-house. At an ad- journed meeting it was voted to form a religious body, to be known as the "South Congregational Society." Also a constitution and by-laws had been prepared, and a committee of seven had been procured, who were to build the church edifice. On the l.st day of August, 183.5, the constitution and by-laws were adopted, and thirty names were signed thereto as members of the new society. In the summer of 1836 a new church builiiiiifj; was erected on the lot purchased for that i)urpose by the committee of seven. It was of wood, seventy-seven by sixty- four feet, with two stores and a vestry on the first floor, with the church edifice on the second floor, and cost, with the land, about ten thou.sand dollars. The house was dedicated on the 1st day of February, 1837, in the afternoon. The pews were sold in the afternoon. In the evening of the 1st day of February, 1837, the South Congregational Church was organized with sixty-seven members, all from the First Congregational Church in Concord, as follows : Thomiw Chailbourne, Cliiriesa [Green] Cliadboi.i-iio (Thon.iu)), John B. Chandler, Sarah Chandler (Timothy) Ilnth [Wilson] Chickcring (El- liott), Abigail Clement (Joshua), Esther W. Cnrrier (Ira U.), M. A. H. Eatal.rook (Wm. W.), Asaph Evans, Almira B. Evans (Asaph), Samnel Evans, Sarah C. Evans (Samuel), Samuel Evans, Jr., Henry Farley, Mary T. [Farley] Colburn, Martha 0. Farrand, William Fisk, Margaret 0. risk (William), Samuel Fletcher, Nancy B. Fletcher (Samuel) Ituth W. Fletcher, Eliza M.Fletcher (Daniel H.), Lydia French (Theodure), Hannah Gould (Xalhan), Oecrgo Hutchins, Sarah B. [Tucker] Hutchins (George), Bets)' Holt (William), Charlotte M. [Hurd] Davidson. Georse Kent, Lueia A. Kent (George), David Kimball, Elizabeth E. Kimball (David), Marj' Ann Kimball, Fanny A. Low (Joseph), Grace O. Low (William), Clarissa J. [Chase] McFarland (Asa), Mary Mills (Charles), Emily Moore (.r. W.), Asa Morrill, John Nilcs, Olive Niles (John), Betsy [Kobinson] Osgood (David), Caleb Parker, Abigail D. Parker (Caleb), Lucy Robinson (Josiah), Mercy G. Robinson, Benjamin Kolfe, Sarah H. [Sargent] Pill6bui7 (Parker), Samuel Shute, M. H. Tenney (David), Roswell W. Turner, Elyah Tuttle, Hannah S. Tuttle (Elijah), Zurviah Tuttio (Jesse C), Mary J. [Tuttle] Tarlton (John), Sarah S. Tnttle, Niitbaniel G. fpham, Eliza W. [Burnham] I'pham (Nathaniel i;.), Ilati- nah Upham (Ephraim), Philip Watson, Mary W. Watson (Philij,), Snw.u Weeks (John), James Weeks, Mary L. Weeks (James), Sarah S. Wil»uu (Thomas), Amos Wood, Louisa W. Wood (Amos). In March, 1837, the church and society extended a call to Rev. Daniel J. Noyes, then tutor in Dartmouth College, to become pastor. This invitation was ac- cepted, and Mr. Noyes, a graduate of Dartmouth and of Andover Theological Seminary, was ordained and installed May 3, 1837, — sermou by Rev. Dr. Bouton, of the North Church. Mr. Noyes had a very successful pastorate of twelve and a half years, to November, 1849, when he resigned to accept a profes- sorship in Dartmouth College. Rev. Henry E. Parker, of Keene, who was then preaching at Eastport, Me., commenced his pastorate in April, 1850, but was not installed until May 14, 1851,— sermon by Rev. Nathan Lord, D.D., president of Dartmouth College. In 1857 the meeting-house was repaired and improved, but in 1859 (June 12th) it was totally consumed by fire, with no insurance. Public services were held in PhcEuix Hall uutil No- vember, 1860. After much discussion, the society purchased the property on Pleasant Street, many years occupied by the Hon. William A. Kent, as the site for their new house of worship. A building com- mittee was appointed, and work was commenced on the foundations in the fall of 1859. The corner-stone was laid, with appropriate exercises. May 3, 1860, and the house was completed and dedicated Novem- ber 27, 1860. The house, land, furnaces, stoves and bell cost twenty-four thousand five hundred and forty-five dollars. Mr. Parker's pastorate of nearly sixteen years was attended by the most salutary results. He had leave of absence on two occasions, — from June, 1861, to August, 1862, when he was chaplain of the Second New Hampshire Volunteers, and from September, 1865, to February, 1866, when he went on a European excursion. He resigned while abroad, and a council held in March, 1866, after his return, dissolved his relation with the church and society. There was no installed pastor of the. church from March, 1866, to January, 1869. Rev. William F. Y. Bartlett, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was called, and accepted conditionally ; but his health failing, he was not in- stalled, though he preached for more than a year, up to May, 1867. In 1868 an invitation was extended to Rev. Mr. Hamilton, of North Andover, Mass., and a little later to Rev. John V. Hilton, of North Bridge- water, Mass., both of whom declined. But the society was not inactive in the mean time. The house of worship, as first constructed, had noJ < In 1867 all the slips were occupied, andj CONCORD. there seemed to be a call for more room. To provide this additional space, the plan of erecting galleries was suggested. The consent of the society being ob- tained, galleries containing forty slips were built by twenty-five gentlemen, members of the society known as the Gallery Association. There was no organ in the church until 1868, but in the summer of that year the society purchased the one now used, at an expense of four thousand dollars. About twelve hundred dollars more was expended in repairs and iniljrovements on the house and chapel. In December, 1868, the church and society ex- tended a call to Rev. Silas L. Blake, of Pepperell, Mass., to become pastor. This call was accepted, and the services of the pastor-elect commenced the first Sabbath of January, 1869. He was installed on the 27th of the same month, the sermon being de- livered by the Rev. Professor Park, of Audover Theo- logical Seminary. Mr. Blake's pastorate of nearly nine years proved very successful. Sunday, February 4, 1877, was observed as the fortieth anniversary of the formation of the church. In the morning the pastor preached a sermon giving an historical sketch of the material growth and prosperity of the church and society, and in the afternoon he gave a history of the spiritual growth and progress of the church during these forty years. In the morning he was as- sisted by Rev. Dr. Noyes, of Hanover, the first pastor, and Rev. Dr. Bouton, of Concord ; and in the after- noon Rev. Mr. Ayer, of the North Church, Concord, was also present, and assisted. In the evening Dr. Noyes and Dr. Bouton occupied the time in most in- teresting and profitable personal reminiscences. The house was crowded, and the occasion was one of great interest. In the fall of 1877 Mr. Blake, having re- ceived a call to become pastor of a church in Cleve- land, Ohio, resigned, and he was dismissed by council October 14, 1877. Rev. Dr. Wallace, of Manchester, was employed to preach regularly in the church for some six months after Mr. Blake's departure, and continued until another pastor was called. At the close of his services the church jiassed resolutions expressive of their deep appreciation of his faithful services, and of their affectionate personal regard. In the spring of 1878 the church and society in- vited the Rev. Charles E. Harrington, of Lancaster, N. H., to become their pastor, which call was ac- cepted. He began bis labors in March, and was in- stalled by council April 18, 1878, Professor William M. Barbour, D.D.. of Yale College, preaching the sermon . April 19, 1882. Brother Franklin Evans gave the church two hundred dollars " as a nucleus for a fund" to aid the needy members of the church and congregation. This was in memory of his late wife, Mrs. Sarah E. Evans. The church took action on this subject, and the result was that a society was formed of the members of the church, known as the South Church Relief Society, for the purpose of accumulating a fund, the income of which should be applied to the aforesaid charitable object. Mr. Harrington's pastorate, although short, was a profitable one. He resigned his charge as pastor, and was dismissed by council August 31, 1882. Rev. William H. Hubbard, of Merrimack, Mass., was called to be pastor in the spring of 1883, which call was accepted, and he was installed June 4, 1883, Rev. William J. Tucker, D.D., of Andover Theologi- cal Seminary, preaching the sermon. His resignation has been accepted to take effect September 30, 1885. In October, 1883, the National Council of Congre- gational Churches for the United States was holden in the South Congregational Church in Concord, the North Church uniting in making the arrangements and in entertaining the delegates. The council con- tinued nearly a week. The meetings, day and even- ing, were well attended, and were very interesting and profitable. The interest of the Gallery Association has now been purchased by the society, so that now the society owns all those pews, and many others in the body of the house. For nearly twenty years past the pew-holders have voted to assess a tax upon the pews to defray the larger part of the expense of supporting the gospel, but at their annual meeting in January, 1885, they refused to assess any tax upon the pews, so that hereafter all moneys for the support of the gospel must be raised by subscription until some better way can be devised. Present membership of church, three hundred and eighty-four. DE.\CONS. Samuel Fletcher, elected May 25, 1837. John Nilea, elected May 26, 1837. Aiuos Wood elected August 16, 1830. David Kimball, elected March 3, 1842. Epps Burnham, elected August 31, 1843. Nathaniel Evans, elected August 31, 1843. Asa McFarland, elected August 31, 1843. Caleb Parker, elected August 31, 1843. Joseph French, elected July 18, 1850. George B. Chandler, elected November 4, 1852. Greenough McQuesten, elected October 29, 1857. Levi Lisconi, elected December 31, 18.57. Hazen Pickering, elected December 3(1, 18G3. George G. Sanborn, elected December 30, 1863. William H. Allison, elected July 5, 1872. Charles W. Harvey, elected July 6, 1872. Charles Kimball, elected January 28, 1875. Albert S. Hammond, elected May 5, 1876. Frank Coffln, elected January 31, 1879. Henry A. Mann, elected January 25, 1884. William A Stone, elected February 8, 1884. The South Congregational Church, Concord, has sustained a Mission Sunday-school near Richardson's Mills, about five miles east of the city, since 1870, a period of fifteen years, contributing some one hun- dred dollars per year, besides supplying them with teachers and a superintendent. It is called the Me- morial Sabbath-School. This .school is in a prosper- 70 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. 0U9 condition, having an average of about one hundred members. There is a Union Church con- nected with this Sabbatli-school, wliicli was formed some ten or twelve years ago. The cliurch has always been small, and numbers only about from twelve to fifteen monibers. Congregational Church, East Concord.— Thi.s church WHS organized March SO, 1842, with forty-two members. Its history is thus related by Dr. Bouton : In the year 1841 a new house for public worship was erected on the east side of the Merrimack River, principally by members of the First Congregational Church and Society there residing. In March, 1842, a request was presented to the First Church, signed by forty-four members residing in that part of the town, requesting letters of dismission and recommen- dation, for the ])urpose of being organized into a new church, which request was granted. The East Con- gregational Church was organized by a council of neighboring churches on the 30th of March, 1842, and Rev. Timothy Morgan, from the Theological Seminary at Gilmanton, was engaged to supply the pulpit. Mr. Morgan continued his labors about a year. Rev. Hiram Freeman was next invited to settle, and was ordained September 27, 1843, and was dismissed in .lune, 1845. March 24, 1847, Rev. Win- throp Fifield was installed pastor. Mr. Fifield con- tinued his services about three years. June 25, 1851 Rev. Henry A. Kendall was installed pastor, who continued until May 1, 1858. His succe.'-sors as pas- tors and acting pastors have been as follows : Revs. E. O. Jones, A. 0. Baker, Norton Smith, George Smith, H. R. Hawes, A. Burnham, W. G. Schoppe, C. L. Tappan, A. F. Dunnels and James T. Pyke. The lattiT wa.s installed [.nstor Ortcher Iti, 1874. " Congregational Church, West Concord.— The first church editice was coinidctiMl ami dedicated January 15, 1833. The building was of wood, sixty-three by forty-three feet, with a projection of three feet in front, and cost two thousand dollars. The formal organization of the church occurred April 22, 1833. with eighty-nine members dismissed from the North Congregational Church for the pur- pose. On the same day Rev. Asa P. Tenney was installed pastor and so continued until his death, March 1, 18G7, a term of thirty-three years and eight months. During his pastorate three hundred and eleven were added to the church. His salary ever remained at four hundred and fifty dollars per year. After the death of Mr. Tenney the jmlpit was supplied for one year by Rev. Dr. Bouton. Mr. Hiram B. Putnam supplied the puli>it from August 9, 1868; was installed October 28, 18(i8; re- signed and dismissed December 15, 1873. Rev. Irving D. Adkinson supplied the pulpit from March 1, 1874; was installed May 6, 1874, and con- tinued until his death, February 25, 1875. Mr. John W. Colwell supplied the pulpit from June, 1875; was ordained September 22, 1875; iii- ' stalled February 28, 1877; dismissed April, 1879, and I during his pastorate fifty-seven were added to the [ church. Rev. Cyrus M. Perry supplied the pulpit as acting pastor from July, 1879, to July, 1882. I Mr. Charles B. Strong was ordained as pastor Sep- I tember 6, 1882; resigned July 13, 1884, and dismissed March 30, 1885. The church is at present (April, 1885) supplied by C. H. Roper, of Andover Theological Seminary. Deacons.— Abiel Rolfe, from 1833 until his death, in 1840 ; held the same office in North Church pre- viously, from 1811 to 1833. Ira Rowell, from 1833 to 1875; resigned on account of extreme feebleness; died 1876; held same office in North Church previously, from 1829 to 1833. H. Runnels, from 1840 until his death, in 1859. From 1859 until 1875, Deacon Rowell was the only deacon. Stephen Carleton, from 1876 until his death, in 1884. Edward S. Barrett, from 1876 to present time. Cyrus Runnels, from 1876 to present time. This first church was burned September 21, 1879, after having been thoroughly repaired, at a cost of fiteen hundred dollars. A new church was imme- diately commenced, built of granite and cost fifteen thousand dollars, and was dedicated June 14, 1871. Penacook Congregational Church. — The Con- gregational Church in Penacook was organized No- vember 6, 1850. Rev. Mr. Knight and other ministers were employed as preachers till 1857, when Rev. Albert William Fiske was installed pastor May 20th, and re- mained in that relation till October 16th, 1836. The second pastor, Rev. William R. Jewett, was installed September 16, 1863, and dismissed Septem- ber 10, 1874. The third pastor. Rev. Marvin D. Bisbce, was installed September 10, 1874; dismissed April 10, 1877. Rev. John H. Larry was installed December 21, 1882; dismissed May 15, 1883. In 1876, Hon. John Kimball and Benjamin A. Kimball presented a bell to this church, which bears the following inscription : " MEMORIAL BELL : PRESENTED TO THE CONUREG.\TIONAL SOCIETY July 4th, 1876, BV John anb Benjamin Ames Kimball, THE LATE BENJAMIN KIMBALL Let him that Jieayelh my, Come." Benjamin Kimball, whose name is inscribed thereon, was a native of Canterbury, born December 27, 1794, and remaining most of the time on the old home- stead, with his father, until he was about twenty-five years old. He resided for a time in Nortlifield, whence, in the spring of 1824, he removed with his family to Boscawen, and settled on High Street. 71 Being inclined to mechanical rather than agri- cultural pursuits, and having made the acquaintance of Mr. John Clark — sometimes called "Boston .Tohn " — while at work on the new State-House in Concord, and other places, resolved to abandon his t'arni, and devote more of his time to mechanical labor. In 1824 he was employed by the late Nathaniel Roll'c to build a saw-mill on the site now occupied by Mr. Blanchard's Excelsior Factory, which was the only saw-mill ever erected on that spot. It was here that he became acquainted with, and saw the advantages of, the great water-power on the Contoocook River. His means were small, but after the failure of Mr. Varuey, who had commenced to improve the water-power here by building the upper dam, he sold his farm, and in the winter of 1829-30 bought of Hon. Jeremiah Mason, agent for the United States Bank, the property owned by Mr. Varney, which comprised all the water-power formerly and now owned by the Contoocook Company, the farm of Captain John Sawyer and the dwelling-house and lands now owned by the heirs of the hite Ephraim Plummer and others. He removed here with his family in November, 1830, and commenced immediately to make further improvement of the water-power by erecting a dam and building a grist-mill, which was successfully ac- complished at the close of the next year. He was a member of the Congregational Church at Boseawen Plain, and always took an active part in all that was essential to the general and religious welfare of the town. He died July 21, 1834, aged thirty-nine. Unitarian Church.'— Early in the year 1827 several citizens of the town, who were dissatisfied with the Calvinistic doctrine preached in the churches of the place, met together, and, after consultation with each other, on the 4th day of April of that year, associated themselves together, agreeably to the laws of the State, under the name and title of the Second Congregational Society in Concord. The formal organization took place, as we learn from the records, on the 8th day of August, 1827, at which time Richard Bartlett, INIoses Eastman, Wil- liam Kent, Sampson Bullard, Stephen Brown, John Leach, Woodbury Brown, William M. Virgin, Elijah Mansur, Joseph Manahan, Washington Williams, James Wilcomb, Joseph C. West, Timothy Chandler, Benjamin Grover and William Francis met at the court-room in the old town-house, and organized by the election of Major Timothy Chandler as chairman, and William Kent clerk. Moses Eastman, Richard Bartlett and Jacob B. Moore were chosen a com- mittee to prepare by-laws and regulations for the society, and report at some subsequent meeting. " Vofed unanimously, That this society assume the powers and privileges of a corporation, under and from an able historical ; prepared by Daniel F. pursuant to an act of the Legislature passed July 3^ 1827, entitled 'An act empowering religious associa- tions to assume and exercise corporate powers.'" The clerk was directed to give public notice of the formation of the society, in the usual form. At an adjourned meeting, held August 25, 1827, a code of by-laws was reported by the committee chosen to pre- pare them, and accepted. At an adjourned meeting; held September 4, 1827, Moses Eastman, William Kent and Stephen Brown were elected a prudential committee, and Captain Jeremiah Pritchard treasurer. Thus the organization of the society was conipUlcd. It being deemed desirable to secure preaching of the liberal faith so far as the means of the society would allow. Colonel William Kent visited Ports- mouth, and arranged with Rev. Dr. Parker, of that place, to come to Concord and preach two Sundays during the session of the Legislature in June. The use of the Representatives' Hall was secured for the services, and there, on the 17th day of June, 1827, ■was preached the first professedly Unitarian sermon ever delivered in Concord. The services (says Colonel Kent) were highly appreciated, and the audience was highly respectable in numbers. Dr. Parker preached at the same place on the following Sabbath. A wish being expressed to hear more of the liberal preaching. Colonel Kent visited Boston, and secured the services of several pastors of Unitarian Churches in that city and the adjacent towns for a Sunday each, the court-room being secured as a place of meeting. Rev. Dr. Barrett, of Boston, commenced under this arrangement July 8, 1827, and was followed by Rev. Messrs. Gannett, Pierpont, Tuckerman, Whitman and Ware. Messrs. Christopher T. Thayer, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Moses G. Thomas then preached with reference to settlement. April 3, 1828, the society voted to raise three hun- dred dollars, by tax on the members, for the support of preaching the ensuing year. Rev. Moses G. Thomas was ordained pastor February 25, 1829. On the same day, previous to the ordination, a church consisting of eight members was formed. A minister having been secured, the want of a permanent place of worship was felt. To encourage the effort to erect a church, Hon. William A. Kent proposed, if a sum of money sufficient for its erection could be raised, to donate a piece of land to the society on which to build it. After a thorough canvass, three thousand dollars, just one-half of the amount needed, was secured, — a liberal subscription for those times in a society few in numbers and of limited pecuniary means. In this emergency, Colonel William Kent was dispatched to Boston to solicit aid from the wealthy friends of the cause in that place. Spending a fortnight in the work, he succeeded, to his great satisfaction, in raising the amount required. This being done, measures were at once adopted to secure the accomplishment of the object so much desired. HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, XEW HAMPSHIRE. John Leach, Esq., a member of the society, was employed as master-builder, and under his direction the work went rapidly forward. The corner-stone wiiB laid May 2, 1829, with appropriate services, and on the 11th of November followinj? the church was dedicated " to the worship of the one living and true God." On this occasion the introductory prayer was offered by Rev. Ralph Waldo Emerson, the dedi- catory prayer by Rev. Mr. Parknian, and a discourse was delivered by the pastor, Rev. Moses G. Thomsis. The house thus dedicated stood on the spot occu- pied by the present ediiice. After doing service as a place of religious worship for the space of nearly twenty-five years, it was destroyed by fire on the evening of November 2, 1854. Measures were at once taken to replace the church edifice. Plans having been procured, the services of Henry M. Moore, as builder, were secured. The foundation was laid under the direction of Luther Roby, Esq., and the work went forward. In eighteen months, lacking one day, from the time of the fire,' the new house was completed and dedicated. January 14, 1834, " Voted, That the sum of seven societv for chosen hundred dollars annually be raised the next five years." April 1, 1834, Jeflerson Nov. brarian. April 4, 1837, Simon Brown, since Lieutenant- Governor of Massachusetts, was elected clerk of the society, in place of Colonel William Kent, who had filled the office from its first organization. Mr. Brown left town shortly after, and at the annual meeting, held in April, 1838, Colonel Kent was again elected, serving until April 1.5, 1841. At the same meeting, " Voted, That R. H. Sherburne be requested to take a .seat in the gallery a few Sundays, and apply a corrective to the boys." " Voted, That Mr. Thomas be released from his duties to the society for the term of four Sabbaths for the year 1837, at such time as he may desire, and that the society supply the desk during said term." yir. Thomiis resigned January 28, 1844, May 15, 1844.— At a special meeting held this day, " Voted, That the society are .so well pleased with Rev. :Mr. Tilden, of Norton, Mass., as a preacher, as to en- gage him to supply the desk for three or six months;" and the standing committee were directed to visit him and secure his services for the coming month of June. April 1, 1845, an article having appeared in the CoDrjregational Journal, entitled " Parkerism in Con- cord," reflecting somewhat severely on the opinions held and preached by Mr. Tilden, a series of resolu- tions expressing the confidence of the society in him as a preacher was introduced by Lewis Downing, Esq., and i>assed by a unanimous vote. April 25, 1845, the prudential committee were authorized to procure the services of Rev. Mr. Tilden I year from the 1st of Julv next. for „i April 7, 1846, Mr. Tilden having expressed a wish to terminate his connection with the society at the end of his present engagement, the society, believing that a misapprehension existed on his part in regard to the true state of feeling existing towards him. Voted unanimously, that it is their earnest desire that his resignation be withdrawn, and that he continue with them for the coming year." Rev. Mr. Tilden's services as pastor, which com- menced in 1844, of the society closed July 1, 1847. He was never formally installed. From this time forward, for more than two years, the desk was filled by various clergymen. Rev. Mr. Putnam officiating for several months, by temporary engagements. Mr. Augustus Woodbury was ordained August 1, 1849. July 27, 1851, " Voted, That an alteration be made in the gallery," and a committee was appointed to raise the money necessary to defray the expense of the same. At the same time, " Voted, That Mr. Wood- bury's salary be increased to eight hundred dollars per annum." Mr. Woodbury's connection with the society closed August 1, 1853. Rev. Artemas B. Muzzey was installed ^lart'h 29, 1854 The pastorate of Mr. Muzzey occurred during a time of trial to the society, — the destruction of the church edifice in the month of November following his settlement, and the building of the present one taxing their resources severely. But in all their efforts they met with the cheerful and hearty co-oper- ation of the pastor and the members of his family, whose services deserve a lasting and grateful remem- brance. October 18, 1857, the prudential committee were authorized to invite Mr. Silas Farrington to preach to the society for one year ; and the invitation being accepted, he was ordained early in the month of December following. October 3, 1858, Mr. Farrington was requested to continue his services another year. October 5, 1858, a legacy left the society by the late Timothy Walker, Esq., of twenty-one shares of stock in the Northern Railroad corporation, was accepted, and Benjamin Grover was appointed agent to receive and manage the same. April 25, 1859, the society voted that the treas- urer be directed to sell and convey the railroad stock left the society by the late Timothy Walker, Esq., and invest the proceeds in the purchase of pews num- bered 21, 23, 30, 56, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71 and 73, in the church, the same to be owned by the society, and the rents received therefor tn be approijriated annually to the support of preaching, agreeably to the provisions of the will of Mr. Walker. December 25, 1859, Sir. Farrington was requested to continue as pastor another year. November 25, 1860, Mr. Farrington resigned the office of pastor, the resignation to take efiect January CONCORD. 73 1, 1861, and his resignation was accepted by the soci- ety at a meeting held December 2, 1800. For some time after the withdrawal of Mr. Farring- ton the desk was filled by such supplies as could be obtained, Rev. Liberty Billings among the number, who, without formal installation, officiated as minister for about two years, until, having received an appoint- ment as chaplain in the Fourth Regiment New Hamp- shire Volunteers, he resigned, and the desk was again left to be supplied by candidates. December 27, 1863, Rev. T. J. Mumford received an invitation to take the pastoral charge, which he declined. February 7, 1864, Rev. Junius L. Hatch was in- vited to become the minister of the society, which invi- tation was accepted, and he was installed in the month of June following. June 24, 1865, difficulties having arisen between Mr. Hatch and the society, it was voted that the rela- tion existing between them be at once terminated, and the committee were directed to notify the minister of this action of the society. January 23, 1866, the society voted that Rev. J. F. Lovering be invited to become their pastor, which- invitation he accepted. The formal services of instal- lation took place February 27, 1866. Mr. Lovering's labors with the society closed April 1, 1875, after having continued nine years. At that time the society voted him the use of the parsonage for the term of three months, free of rent. The resig- nation of Mr. Lovering opened the way for the employment of temporary supplies and candidates for a long time. January 24, 1876, " Voted, That the committee be instructed to extend an invitation to Rev. W. G. Todd to become the pastor for one year." The call was accepted, and Mr. Todd entered upon the duties of his office without any formal introduction. During this season the church was repainted, and some neces- sary repairs were made. March 1, 1877, Mr. Todd retired. November 24, 1877, an invitation was extended to Rev. Samuel C. Beane, of Salem, Mass., to assume the pastoral care of the society. The invitation was accepted, and the services of installation took place January 9, 1878, and he is the ])resent pastor. The church organized February 25, 1829, and re- ceived gradual accessions to the number of its mem- bers, from the first of whom. Miss Ellen Louisa Tucker, afterwards Mrs. Ralph Waldo Emerson, it received a present of a set of vessels for the commun- ion service. On the 19tli day of July, 1829, the first communion service was observed, prior to which, as we learn from the records. Brother William Kent was elected dea- con, and accepted the oflSce. Although his resignation was once offered, its acceptance was refused by the church, and he remains to this day its senior deacon. His services in the formation of the socictv and church entitle him to the grateful regard of the pres- ent members. A Sunday-school connected with the society was organized by Colonel William Kent and others prior to the building of the first church edifice. Colonel Kent was for a long time its superintendent. The Concord Female Benevolent Association was formed by ladies of the society, January 5, 1835, for the purjjose of doing something towards relieving the wants and multiplying the comforts of the indi- gent and suffering members of the community. Of the good done by these organizations, those who have been taught, and those whose wants have been relieved by them, can bear witness. Of the ladies who planned them, and by whose exertions they have been sustained, it may be truly said, their works praise them. By the will of Lewis Downing, Esq., dated Decem- ber 27, 1872, the society after his death became, after deducting some small legacies, the recipient of one- sixth of the income of his estate annually, the same to be appropriated to the support of the preaching of the Christian religion as taught by the late Dr. Chan- ning, — the amount of the legacy being increased from time to time as the deaths of his children should occur, until at last the society should receive the . income of two-thirds of the estate ; the balance, over two thousand dollars annually, to be devoted to the support of a minister-at-large of the Channing-Unita- rian f\iith, and in aiding and strengthening feeble societies of that faith in the State of New Hampshire. St. Paul's Church.' — The first meeting of individ- uals friendly to the organization of the Protestant Episcopal Society was held at the house of Albe Cady, on the 5th of January, 1817. At this meeting the basis of an organization was presented by a commit- tee appointed for the purpose, which was subscribed by thirteen gentlemen, among whom were the Hon. Samuel Green, Albe Cady, the Hon. Isaac Hill and John West, Jr. They gave the organization the name of St. Thomas' Chapel. On the 24th of March, 1818, Rev. Charles Burroughs was chosen rector. It does not appear whether or not Mr. Borroughs ac- cepted the rectorship. He, however, frequently offi- ciated here, giving to the new parish whatever of service he could bestow in connection with his minis- trations in St. John's Church, Portsmouth, of which he was rector, and in many ways, by advice and in- fluence, contributed greatly to encourage and sustain the infant parish in Concord. During 1817 and the three succeeding years the Rev. Messrs. Andrews, Searle, Herbert and Marshall held occasional services here, but the greater part of the time the services were conducted by lay readers. In April, 1821, the Rev. John L. Blake was cho- sen rector, and for more than two years officiated historical sketch prepared HISTORY OK MEKRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. here, at the same time serving St. Andrew's Church, Hopkinton. For a part of the first year after the formation of the parisli the services were held in Masonic Hall, over the Conrord Bank, the present location of the First National Bank. Subsequently the town hall wa.s oc- cupied by the parish as a place of worship for about two years. Afterwards the services were held in a commodious hall, fitted up by Hon. Isaac Hill, in the upper part of a store occupying the present site of the opera-house. This hall was used during the week by the Rev. Mr. Blake as a school-room. Several ineftectual attempts were made during these years to build a church. As far back as 1819 a subscription was commenced for this purpose. The cost of the edifice was not to exceed six thousand dollars, and one-half of this sum was subscribed by twelve individuals. In the spring of 1823 the Rev. Mr. Blake resigned the rectorship and removed from town, and for about twelve years services of our church were only occasionally held in Concord, Rev. Moses B. Chase, of Hopkinton, now and then sup- plying a single service. It appears that divine worshi]) according to the forms and rites of the Protestant Kpiscopal Church was conducted here, almost without interruption, from the beginning of 1817 to the spring of 1823, a lay reader being employed when the ministrations of a clergyman could not be procured. In 1819 a committee on the state of the church in the Diocese of New Hampshire, appointed by the Diocesan Convention, reported thirteen families and ten communicants in this parish. During its con- tinuance as St. Thomas' Chapel the rite of con- firmation w;is administered to seven persons, and there were about twenty bajjtisms. On the 13lh of July, 1835, St. Paul's parish was or- ganized, and the Rev. Moses B. Chase was chosen rector. Mr. Chase held services once each month in this parish, from May, 18.35, to March, 1836, and each Sunday evening during July and August of the latter year. He resided in Hopkinton, and was rector of St. Andrew's Church. Rev. Petrus S. Ten Broeck became rector in Novem- ber, 1836. The services at this time were held in the court-hou.se, which occupied the site of the present city hall. At this time there were ten communi- cants. In the summer of 1S36, John West, a gentleman devotedly attached to the church, set himself about obtaining, by subscriptions and donations, funds to build a church, but had hardly more than made a be- ginning when sudden death brought his earthly labors to a close, and one of the first offices which the new rector was called upon to discharge in the parish was the sad duty of consigning to the dust the mortal remains of this warm and active friend of the church. The first church edifice ^ was completed near the close of the year 1839, and on the 1st of January, 1840, it was consecrated to the worship of Almighty God by the venerable and beloved Bishop Griswold, bishop of the Eastern Diocese, of which New Hamp- shire was a part. Bishop Griswold also, on the fol- lowing day, instituted the Rev. Mr. Ten Broeck rector of the parish. July 16, 1843, Albe Cady, for many years senior warden of the parish, deceased. Mr. Cady was among the first to move for establishing the church here and labored earnestly and faithfully for its success. In October, 1844, Rev. Mr. Ten Broeck, on account of failing health, resigned his charge of the parisli and removed to Danvers, Mass., where he resided till his decease, in 1849. He was a faithful minister. The number of communicants at the close of his labors in the parish was about forty, as against ten at its com- mencement. Rev. Darius R. Brewer succeeded Mr. Ten Broeik, having been elected the 25th of November, 1844. Mr. Brewer reported to the convention, the following June, forty-five communicants, thirty families, and the number of persons attending public worship from one hundred to one hundred and fifty. After two years of faithful and devoted service, he resigned to take charge of Trinity parish, Newport, R. I. He has since died. Mr. Brewer was succeeded immediately by the Rev. Thomas Leaver, from the Diocese of Rhode Island. Mr. Leaver's ministry in the parish was very brief. He commenced his labors here on the first Sunday in December, 1846, and conducted his last service on the first Sunday in December, 1847. After a severe illness of a few days, he died on the 23d of the same month. Daring the brief period of his ministry Mr. Leaver proved himself a faithful shep- herd, and his death was a deep afHiction to the parish. On the 27th of February, 1848, the Rev. Newton E. Marble, of the Diocese of Massachusetts, was elected to the rectt)rship, and soon after entered upon its duties. At this date the number of communicants was forty- four, the number of families thirty. During Mr. Marble's ministry, of a little more than nine yeai-s, the parish had a steady growth in numbers and a correspondingly widening influence in the com- munity. Mr. Marble resigned the rectorship of the parish April 1, 1857, and soon after moved to Newtown, Dio- cese of Connecticut, to assume charge of Trinity par- ish, which relation he sustained during the remainder of his life. He died about three years since, much beloved by the people of his charge and by every one who knew him. From Easter, 1857, to Easter, 1858, the parish was ' The buiWing rommittee consisted of Albe CaJy, L. C. Virgil nnd CONCORD. without a rector. For the first two months or more of this time the Rev. Dr. Henry A. Coit, either by him- self or by the Rev. Francis Chase, his assistant at St. Paul's School, kindly supplied oneserviceonSundays. For the balance of the year the Rev. Edward Ballard, then residing at Hopkinton, filled the position of minister of the parish, accepting therefor, without stipulation, such compensation as the parish could of- fer. The ministrations of these clergymen, as well as their helpfulness in many ways, is gratefully re- membered by the church people of those days. Rev. James H. Eames, D.D., entered upon his duties as rector on Easter Day, 1858, and continued until his death, which occurred December 10, 1877. The parish had granted Dr. Eames leave of absence for the winter, and, December 7th, in company with Mrs. Eames, he started from New York for the Bermudas, and died on the 10th of the same month, just as the vessel dropped anchor in the harbor of Hamilton. Very soon after Dr. Eames began his work here signs of a new and deepening interest in the church's work were visible, and soon it became evident that the little church would not long accommodate the congre- gation. The following appears on the parish records : " At a meeting duly notified, and held in the church, May 24, 1858, a committee was appointed, consisting of Rev. J. H. Karnes, David Davis, E. Symmes, A, V. Pierce, John M. Hill, William L. Foster and Charles P. Gage, to take into consideration the expediency of enlarging the old church or building a new one, to report at an adjourned meeting to be held in one week." It was finally decided to build a new church, and the following were appointed a building committee: Ebenezer Symmes, Augustine C. Pierce, George Minot, John M. Hill and Abel Hutchins. Of these gentlemen, John M. Hill survives. On Wedne,sday, the 2oth day of May, 1859, Ihe cor- ner-stone of the new church was laid. Two excellent addresses were delivered on the occasion, — one by the Rev. Dr. Burroughs, of Portsmouth, the other by Hon. Josiah Minot. Under the watchful supervision of the building committee the new church went on to com- pletion, and on the loth day of December, 1859, was consecrated to the worship of Almighty God by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Carlton Chase, of this diocese, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Clark, of the Diocese of Rhode Island, preaching the consecration sermon. The cost of the church and furnishing was about seventeen thousand dollars. A chime of nine bells was placed in the tower of the church in 1868, through the liberality of members of the parish. Three of these bells were given by the ladies of the parish ; the others were personal gifts from John H. Pearson, Mrs. Eliza C. Davis, Edward L. Knowlton, Edward A. Abbott and Mrs. William Butterfield. They werefirst rung on Easter morning, April 12, 1868. In the summer of 1877 extensive repairs of the church were made. While these repairs were going on services were held in Rumford Hall, kindly offered bv Jlr. Franklin Low, junior warden. It had been arranged, by vote of the parish, ])re- vious to the departure of Dr. Eames, that the bishop of the diocese should have charge of the matter of supplying the services during his absence. This ar- rangement continued till the 24th of the following April, when, at the annual parish meeting, it was " Vuletl, That the Kt. Kev. the Bishop of the Dioccsu be invited to ac- cept the rectorship of St. Paul's parish.'' At a subsequent meeting the bishop nominated the Rev. Daniel C. Roberts, of Brandon, Diocese of Ver- mont, to be vice-rector, and the clerk was directed to notify the bishop that the wardens and vestry ap- prove of the nomination, and that he is desired to communicate with the Rev. Mr. Roberts accordingly. The Rev. Mr. Roberts, having accepted the vice-rec- torship, entered upon its duties in .lime of the same year. On the 2d day of December, 1879, the ceremony of unveiling the beautiful window to the memory of the Rev. Dr. Eames, which had been procured by the parish and placed in the front end of the church, was held. John M. Hill, in behalf of the committee ap- pointed to procure the memorial, made an appropri- ate address and unveiled the w'indow, after which Bishop Niles and the Rev. Mr. Roberts also made addresses. At a meeting of the wardens aud vestry, held No- vember 14, 1882, the subject of a chapel, which had been discussed at the previous annual meeting of the parish, was further considered, and the Hon. Josiah Minot made a proposition that, with money then in the savings-bank belonging to the ladies of the parish, and designed originally for a like purpose, amounting to about $1000, he would agree that a chapel should be built, the cost not to exceed $3000. The wardens voted to accept the offer of Mr. Minot, and the follow- ing summer the chapel was completed at a cost of $3,926.86, Mr. Minot contributing $2,233.75 ; Mr. James R. Hill, for land, $300; Mr. John H. Pearson, for steam-heating, $.300 ; Mr. John M. Hill, for gas- fixtures, etc., $147.50 ; ladies' fund in savings-bank, $945.61. Other individuals have contributed for set- tees for the chapel, and recently Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Stevens have contributed a beautiful lecturn. During all these years the parish has had, without stint, the services of members of the congregation in the important department of music. We have avoided, as far as possible, mentioning names, particularly those now living, who have contributed in their several ivays to the church's work and worship, and that restraint is upon us now. But they are gratefully remembered by those who have witnessed their faith- fulness and profited by their unselfish devotion. In the latter part of the summer of 1883 a choir of boys was organized, under the direction of Mr. Frank E. Brown. The cost of the necessary changes in the chancel was defrayed by special gifts from generous friends, notably that of Mr. Henri G. Blaisdell, who gave the avails of an entertainment given by him with 76 HLSTOIU- UF MEKKIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. his orchestra, assisted by ladies and gentlemen and children of the parish. On the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity, September 23, 1S83, the choir of three men and twelve boys, vested in cassocks and surplices, came into church at morning prayer, singing the 232d hvmn,— 'Onward, Chrial The choir was formally presented by the vice-rector, and received by the bishop of the diocese, the same being also rector of the parish, with a short service of benediction. From that date to the present time they have continued the good work with augmented num- bers, increasing interest and zeal on their part, and growing favor on the part of the congregation. This service is rendered without salary, and has been given with enthusiiism and constancy. During the last twenty-five years there have been three hundred and ninety-five baptisms, — two hundred and sixty-six infants and one hundred and twenty- nine adults. Three hundred and six persons have been confirmed. Present number of communicants in the parish, two hundred and sixty. The contributions of the people for missions, through the offertory and otherwise, have been $.5054.07, distributed as follows: Diocesan, S3851.61; domestic, $848.60 ; foreign, $353.86. There has also been given within the twenty-five years, for other objects, about $50,000. Of the latter sum, probably about seven thousand dollars was devoted to objects within our own parish, such as the chime of bells and church repairs ; the bal- ance has been given to church and charitable work, for educational purposes. Orphans' Home and sufferers l)y fire and flood, etc. This sum includes very little, if anything, for the maintenance of public worship here during these years. Hon. Horace A. Brown, the senior warden of the church, was born in the town of Cornish, X. H., near Windsor, Vt., October 3, 182,3, and is consequently fifty- four years of age. When but a few months old, his parents moved to Windsor (now West Windsor), Vt., where he lived till he was nine years old. At this early age he started out in life, working on a farm for his board and clothes for several years. Undoubtedly becoming imbued with the idea that agricultural pur- suits were not adapted to his tastes and a desire to learn a trade, he first entered the office of the Demn- crnlic Statesman, at Windsor, in January, 1837, as chore-boy. Peing of an industrious turn of mind, he also learned the art of type-setting, and acquired such other information about the business as the facilities of the office presented. In September, 1838, he be- came a " printer's devil " in the office of the National Euijk, published at Claremont, X. H., by Weber & Warland, where he served an apprenticeship of four years, remaining two yejirs longer as a journeyman in the same offi.-e. In September, 1844, we find him in the employ of the Claremont Manufacturing Company as compositor, and occ:tsionally running power-presses. ■ It was in this office that he first gained an insight in the most important branch of the " art preservative," press-work, which subsequently became his constant emploj-ment. In November. 1847, he commenced, in connection with Joseph Weber, Esq., the publication of the Northern Intelligencer, but remained only a feu months in that cai)acity. The following year he lit- came foreman, for a short time, of the Granite Stat- ^nig, after which he printed for the proprietor the Philharmonic Journal, a semi-monthly musical quarto. In September of the same year he became employed in the office of the National Eagle, where he remained three years. During the winter of 1851-52 he engaged himself as pressman for the Claremont Manufacturing Company, running an Adams press. In June, 1852. he entered the employ of McFarland & Jenks, former proprietors of the New Hampshire Statesman, and in August of the same year was appointed foreman of the press department, in which capacity he has been constantly employed up to the present time, a period of more than a quarter o/ a century. Mr. Brown long ago acquired the reputation of being one of the best pressmen in the State, and at the completion of twenty-five years' service receive*! many flattering notices from the press of New Eng- land. A conscientious workman, of noble aspiration? and character, he has won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he is intimately associated. Hi- hasbeen a prominent member of the Protestant Epis- copal Church for many years, and was elected secre- tary of the Diocesan Convention in 1857, which office he has since held. An Odd-Fellow and Mason, high in the respective orders, he has done much to elevate and promote the interests of these organizations. Mr. Brown is well-known to the public as a high- minded citizen ; they have shown their appreciation of his many accomplishments by electing him, from time to time, to many positions of trust and honor in the city government. He was elected mayor in 1878 and re-elected in 1879, and discharged his duties with eminent ability. He long acted as secretary of the Republican City Committee, and was elected to the State Legislature in 1875-76. By strict economy in business relations, combined with untiring industrj-, he has acquired a reasonable competence, which will smooth the downward path of life, and afford rest and comfort in his declining years. There is an Episcopal Church Mission, which wor- ships in Merrimack Hall, on East Penacook Street. Rev. Mr. Roberts is rector in charge, and Colonel J. S. Pecker, warden. TJniversalist Church. '—The Universalist society was organized January 5, 1842, although there wiis occasional preaching by clergymen of this denomina- tion, the services being held in the old court-house room, the building then standing near the site of the present city hall. Among the earliest of the preachers 'ByBev. A. P. SeiD. CONCORD. were Eev. J. G. Adams, now residing in Melrose, Mass., Rev. Thos. J. Whitemore, late editor of the Trumpet, one of the earliest religious papers of the New England Universalists ; Eev. Hosea Ballon, Rev. Messrs. N. R. Wight, G. W. Anderson and William Bell. In 1841 a vigorous attempt was made to sustain regular preaching services all the time, a thing then not easy to do, as there at this time were not many professed Universalists in Concord. Success, how- ever, attended the effort, and Rev. N. R. Wight and Rev. G. W. Anderson supplied the society for one year. In June, the first Sunday, Rev. Dr. Ryder, now of Chicago, 111., then a student at the Gymnasium Academy, in Pembroke, preached for the society. Subsequently, and because of the impression then made, Mr. Ryder was settled as permanent pastor. The following article may be regarded as the basis of the society : " Article 2. The object of this Societj- shall be the promotion of truth and nioralitj' among its members, and also in the world at large ; and as the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is calculated above all truth to in- spire the heart with the emotions of benevolence and virtue, this Society shall deem it one of its main objects to support the preaching of the Gospel, according to the Society's abilitj-, and to aid in any other practicable manner in spreading a knowledge of it among men." Among the most active and efficient of the early lay members of the society were S. S. Sweet, who was the society's first moderator ; J. C. Danforth, the first clerk; A. B. Currier, Chase Hill, Aaron Carter, W. H. Wyman, J. Fox, Nathaniel White and others. The wives of these gentlemen were equally active and efficient in every good word and work. December 28, 1843, under the ministry of Rev. Mr. Ryder, the church organization was formed, with about thirty members. Rev. Ezekiel Dow, for a short time prior to Mr. Ryder's regular pastorate, served the society as a sup- ply. Simultaneously with the organization of the society was a movement to secure the erection of a meeting-house. The first meeting-house was erected on the site of the present church edifice, and com- pleted and dedicated in October, 1842, the dedica- tory services occurring October 6th, Rev. Otis A. Skinner, of Boston, preaching the sermon. The new meeting-house cost four thousand dollars. Later, the society outgrowing its church-home, the building was sold to the Free-Will Baptist society, a new brick edi- fice taking the place of the frame one sold, at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. The clergymen who served the society as supplies and as pastors were Rev. Messrs. N. R. Wight, G. W. Anderson, E. Dow, J. F. Whitherell, Rev. W. H. Ryder (1843, the first pastor), Thompson Barron (1846), John Moore (1850), familiarly known as Father Moore. He was suc- ceeded, in 1855, by his son, J. Hawly Moore, whose pastorate continued for eight years. In order, Rev. A. J. Canfield, 1862 ; Rev. Rowland Connor, in 1865 ; Rev. F. E. Kittridge, 1867 ; Rev. E. R. Sanborn, 1869; Rev. E. L. Conger, 1873; Rev. A. P. Rein, the present pastor, who began his settlement January, 1881. In 1841, Mr. and Mrs. Joel C. Danforth organized a Sabbath-school with but six members. The school now has grown to be oue of the most efficient in the city. In 1869, at the lime of holding the annual meeting, an important departure was made in the management and membership of the society, ladies then, for the first time, being allowed to become eligible to mem- bership in the parish and society organizations, Mrs. Armenia S. White, wife of Nathaniel White, be- coming the first lady member of the prudential committee. The Universalist society has always been an active and influential factor in the life of Concord, and its pastors, or the most of them, had many friends out- side of their immediate parish and church associates. Rev. John Moore, who suddenly died in the street, of heart-disease, was a man highly respected and dearly beloved, and when his funeral w;is held, the trustees of the Baptist society offered the use of their church edifice in which to hold the funeral services, the auditorium of this church being larger than that of the Universalist Church. . During the anti-slavery agitation, and during the progress of the Rebellion, the friends of this society were loyal friends of the North, and advocates of the rights and helpers of the enslaved and unfortunate. Rev. J. H. Moore took an active part in the work of advocating the rights of the enslaved. The Universalist society is at present in a most healthy and prosperous condition. The church edifice has just been remodeled at an expense of four thou- sand dollars, the improvements giving a chapel, a ladies' parlor, kitchen and dining-room and other necessary rooms, all of which have for some time been needed to keep pace with the wants and activities of the society. The parish at present contains many who are active in the commercial and active pursuits of life. Its church and Sunday-school organizations, and its Ladies' Aid Society, incorporated early in the history of the society, as well as its minor bodies, are large, active and efficient. The First Methodist Episcopal Church.— The first Methodist services in this vicinity were held on the east side of the river as early as 1816. In 1822 the first class was formed on Stickney Hill by Jotham Horton and E. Stickney. March 12, 1825, the first Method- ist society in Concord was formed, and among its first members were Stephen Webster, A. Webster, Philbrick Bradley, Timothy Bradley, B. H. Weeks, John Sherburne, James Goodwin, Richard Flanders, John Johnson, John Clough, David Culver and J. Abbott. Meetings were held only occasionally, how- ever, until 1830, when S. Kelley was appointed pastor, who was the first Conference preacher sta- tioned here. He was chaplain of the prison, and received for his services one dollar per week. HISTORY OF .MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. In 1831 the first church edifice was erected on the site occupied by the present building. It was dedicated December 1, 1831, and was about tbrty-two by fifty-lour feet in size, with sixty pews. The church has .several times been repaired and improved. The following is a list of the pastors from its or- ganization to the present time : Revs. Samuel Kelley, 1830-31 (D. C. Robinson, 1831, supply) ; John G. Dow, 1832; George Storrs, 1833-34; S. Hoyt, 1835; J. W. Mowry, 1836 ; J. M. Fuller, 1837-38 ; W. H- Hatch, 1839-40; John Jones, 1841-42; C. L. Mc- Curdy, 1843; E. Smith, 1844; C. C. Burr, 1845; E. Peaslee, 1846-47; Charles Adams, 1848-49; F. A. Hews, 1850-51; W. F. Evans, 1852-53; S. Kelley, J854-55 (Professor S. M. Vail, supply, 1855); S. Beedle, 1856-57; Elisha Adams, 1858-59; O.H.Jasper, 1860; J.H. McCarty, 1861-62; D. P. Leavitt, 1863-65; S. Holman, 1866; E. Adams, 1867-68; E. A.Titus. 1869-70; A. E. Drew, 1871-73 ; M. W. Prince, 1874' Leon C. Field, 1875-76 ; O. W. Scott, 1877-78 ; E. C. Bass, 1879-80 ; L. C. Field, 1881 ; J. H. Haines, 1882-84, present (Febraary 26, 1885) incumbent. The present membership is about two hundred and fifty. Baker Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church.'— The organization of a Christian Church in any com- munity is an event worthy of note. The good in- fluences it may exert in the formation of the charac- ter of the people in the place where it is located, the elevating power of the pulpit, together with the teachings of a Sunday-school in the giving of correct tone and purpose to the young, will be found salutary in every part of the world; truly radical in its op- position to vice, immorality and sins against the life and property of the individual, and strongly con- servative in all things pertaining to faith and doc- trine, such a church will materially assist in giving permanence, stability and peace to all. For several years previous to the organization of Baker Memorial Church it had been manifest to all that something must be done to give additional church facilities to the increasing Methodist element in this city ; the old church was small, the vestrj- accommo- dations bad and insufficient and the location of the church was loo far from the centre to accommodate the Methodist families iti the south part of the city. Several attempts were made by some of the zealous friends of Methodism to have repairs made, — enlarge- ment of the old house, or a new church built in a more central part of the city. To this end the Rev. Alfred E. Drew, then preacher in charge, by a strenu- ous effort, obtiiined a subscription of thirty thousand dollars for a new church, and many felt that relief was at hand. But some of those who opposed the measure sought to show that the subscription was faulty in many particulars, and so earnest and per- sistent was the opposition on the part of the minority. ■ Lutlier P. Durgin. that the whole scheme failed, and all other efforts in every direction met a like fate. But early in the autumn of 1874 the following agreement was drawn up and circulated among the people : " We, the umlcrstgned, incmbfra of the Methodist Kpiecopal Churcli in the (it}- of Concord, believing that the cause of Christ and Ihe liesi interests of Methodism in our cit}-, as well us the pointinjis uf I'rovi- donee, demand that a new Methodist Society he established in i V.ijciir.l, and in order to test the feelings of our people in some tangible fonu, k« agree that when one hundred or more of the membership of the churcli now existing, twenty-live of whom shall be adult male members, shall sign this agreement, we will ask for letters of dismission from the first Methodist Episcopal Church for the purpose of forming a new The requisite one hundred was obtained, and on the evening of October 30, 1874, they met in Rumford Hall for the purpose of being organized. At this meeting. Rev. Theodore L. Flood, presiding eider of Concord District, officiated, making some appropriate remarks, setting forth the wishes of Bishop Janets, after which the people assembled, by a vote, accepted the conditions, and the church organization com- menced by the appointment of Maurice W. Prince as preacher in charge, and he appointed Luther P. Durgin class-leader. Immediately the first Quarterly Conference was held, — Present, Theodore L. Flood, presiding elder; M. W. Prince, preacher in charge; Rev. John W. Merrill, D.D., a superannuated Methodist preacher ; and Luther P. Durgin, class-leader. L. P. Durgin was chosen secretary, when the following board of stewards was nominated and confirmed : Rensselaer 0. Wright, George W. Marden, Robert Ramsdell, Jacob B. Gage, Henry C. Sanborn, Luther W. Durgin, A. C. Nash, Charles T. Wason, Hinman C. Bailey. The following board of trustees were also nominated and confirmed : Jacob B. Rand, George L. Reed, Daniel Widmer, Osmore R. Farrar, Charles H. Rus- sell, Daniel E. Howard, Peter W. Myers, William E. Hood, Timothy R. Elwell. Additional class-leaders, Frederick Ruggles, William S. Davis, Alexander Lane ; treasurer and district steward, Henry C. Sanborn ; recording steward, George W. Marden and the usual church committees. At this first meeting it was voted unanimously to take the name of " The Baker Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church," in commemoration of the la- mented Bishop Osmon C. Baker. We think it not only proper but important to this history to speak briefly of the life of Bi.shop Baker. Osmon Oleander Baker was born in Marlow, N. H., July 30, 1812. His father, Isaac Baker, M.D., was eminent in his jtrofession. The bishop entered the academy at Wil- braham at the age of fifteen ; Middletown in 1830 ; was principal of Newbury Seminary ; entered the ministry; preached at Rochester and Manchester, and, after one year's service as pre.siding elder, was made professor at the institute in Concord, N. H. In 1852 he was elected bishop at the session of the General Conference, held in Boston, being the youngest of the Board of Bishops. For nineteen CONCORD. 79 years he filled the office of superiutendent in the church. Great in head, good in heart, pure in life, liigh in position, but humble in spirit, wise in counsel, yet modest and childlike, not given to show or ego- tism, he was dearly beloved most where he was best known — ^at home. On Wednesday, December 20, 1871, he quietly fell asleep in Him whom lie fully trusted. And it seemed just, appropriate and timely that a Methodist Church, organized so soon after his decease, in the city where so many years of his life had been spent, — the home of his now bereaved family, — should have the privilege of perpetuating his memory by a memorial church, which, it is hoped, will endure longer than monuments of brass or marble to bless and gladden the world. It was voted to organize a Ladies' Benevolent Society. The first public service was held in Phoenix Hall on the Sunday following the organization (November 1st), at 10.30 A.M., and at the close of the morning service all persons desirous of forming a Sunday- school were invited to remain. Rev. M. W. Prince took the chair, and the following pei-sons were elected officers of the school : President, Maurice \V. Prince ; Superintendent, Luther P. Durgin ; Assistant Super- intendent and Chorister, Robert Ramsdell ; Secretary, Ezra B. Crapo ; Treasurer, Rensselaer O. Wright; Librarian, Timothy R. Elwell. The persons present were organized into classes and the work of a Sunday- school begun. November 30, 1874, a committee was appointed to secure a lot, looking to the building of a church. On the 28th of December of the same year it was voted to secure the lot on the corner of State and Warren Streets, — the same that is now occupied by the chapel and parsonage. In January, 1876, the church received the offer of the free use of the chapel on Green Street, the prop- erty of Theodore H. Ford, Esq., and immediately transferred its place of worship to that house. This was the first of very many helps, counsels and finan- cial assistance received from the same Christian gen- tleman. In the spring of 1876 the board of trustees chose a building committee, and proceeded to erect a chapel on the lot on the corner of State and Warren Streets, and on December 21, 1S76, the house was dedicated by suitable services, the Rev. Bradford K. Pierce, of Boston, preaching the dedication sermon; and the dedicatory prayer was offered by the venerable Rev. John W. Merrill, D.D., of this city. Some incidents of encouragement are worthy of mention in connection with the history of this church : As the stated occasion for the celebration of the Lord's Supper came for the first time, the church was without a communion service, and the Unitarian society, through one of their officers, kindly volun- teered the use of theirs ; and at the service persons from nearly all tlie Christian Churches in the city were present, making it truly the Lord's table, to which all that love him were invited. Subsequently J. B. Stanley, Esq., a member of the Unitarian Church of Concord, volunteered and did present to the church a valuable communion service as a memo- rial of his mother, who was of the Methodist faith. A fine pulpit Bible and hymn-book were the gift of Mrs. Jacob B. Rand. The pulpit was made by John B. Watson, Esq., and presented to the church. The altar-chairs were the gift of the children of the Sun- day-school. The money to meet the various obligati(ms of the church have all been voluntary offerings. In the dark days when financial difficulties arose, when doubt and uncertainty met the church officials on every hand, friends were raised up, the needed funds provided and the good hand of the Lord was plainly visible. Among the valuable contributions in aid to the work was the gift of the frescoing of the chapel, by Rev. M. W. Prince, the preacher in charge. At the close of the Conference year, in 1877, came one of those occurrences usual to a Methodist Church, a change of the pastorate. The relations between Rev. M. W. Prince and this people were very tender, and it was with feelings of deepest regret that they surrendered to the inevitable rule, and bade good-bye to one that had labored with and watched over this little branch of God's church very zealously and effi- ciently, and left it growing and prosperous, with a membership of one hundred and sixty-one, in full, and fifteen probationers. At the beginning of the Conference year the society welcomed its new pastor. Rev. William Eakins, who for two years filled the pastorate very acceptably. During his labors a very profitable revival occurred, and a goodly number were added to the membership of the church. In April, 1879, the church was fortunate in secu- ring the appointment of Rev. Charles E. Hall as their pastor. During the two years of his work on the charge the Sunday-school was reorganized, and a reduction of two thousand dollars on the church debt was secured. At the close of the Conference year, in the spring of 1881, Rev. C. E. Hall gave notice of his intention to make a change in his relations to this church, much to the regret of a large portion of the church and congregation. Through the effort of Presiding Elder John W. Adams, Rev. Charles Parkhurst, of the Vermont Conference, was transferred and stationed with this church. Mr. Parkhurst brought many excellent qualities of head and heart to bear upon the work. The congregation was enlarged, the Sunday-school increased, two thousand five hundred dollars of the church debt canceled and a good spiritual inter- so HISTORY OF MEKKLMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. est manifested. But the sickness of his esteemed companion caused a breaking up of the pleasant relations that were then existing, and in August, 1882, Mr. Parichurst removed to Washington, D. C, for the benefit of his wife's health. For twelve weeks the church was without a regular preacher. In the latter part of October the Rev. W. M. Sterling, of Minneapolis, was appointed to sujiply the remainder of the Conference year, and did re- markably good work for the time given him. But feeling called to return to his old Conference (Maine), Mr. Sterling declined a very decided vote to remain another year. On the first Sunday in May, 1883, the Rev. George W. Norris commenced his labors with this people. He came with an excellent reputation as a preacher and man of God, and during his two years' stay here hisprevious reputation was more than realized in building up the spiritual life and power of the church. In the spring of 1885 he was called to the office of presiding elder, and Rev. David E. Miller was transferred from the Vermont Conference, and is now preacher in charge. The present condition of the church is as follows : Church property appraised at sixteen thousand dol- lars, upon which there is an indebtedness of five thousand dollars ; church membership, one hundred and eighty-five in full, nine probationers; a Sunday- school of two hundred members, with a good and increasing congregation. The location of the church property is good, its field for usefulness large, and with God's blessing it will fulfill its mission. The system of voluntary contributions by the peo- ple, for current expenses of the church, was among the earliest measures adopted, and hiis been main- tained to this day, making it as truly a free church as any can well be. A building fund association was organized Fel)ru- ary 26, 1884, to aid in the erection of a prospective church edifice. During the entire history of Methodism woman has held a prominent place in points of privilege and duty in her churches, materially assisting in the car- rying on of all her great enterprises and endeavors to Christianize the world. In the department of missions this church has not been behind her sister churches. October 16, 1877, the women of Baker Memorial Church united in forming an auxiliary to the Women's Foreign Mission Society, which luis been increasing in numbers and efficiency until now. Mrs. Rachel O. Badger has filled the responsible position of teacher of the juvenile class in the Sun- day-school for nearly eleven years. Mrs. Emily H. Merrill filled the place of class-leader for a long time. The Ladies' Benevolent Society has been an im- portant factor in the various financial enterprises of the church, and in the promotion of tlie social ele- ment in the society. Women have been very efficient as collectors of funds in times of emergency, and foremost in the various enterprises for spiritual growth and seasons of revival. The First Methodist Episcopal Church in Pena- cook, N. H., was organized October 28, 1847, under Rev. Silas Quimby as presiding elder and Rev.Eben- ezer Peaslee preacher in charge, he being the first regularly appointed Methodist preacher in the place. For several years after the church was supplied by students from the Concord Theological Seminary, after which the following persons have received ap- pointments to this charge: Revs. Ebenezer Peaslee, John McLaughlin, Mr. Knapp, H. Loud, W. D. Cass, Mr. Sanborn, D. J. Smith, James Pike, J. C. Emer- son, D. C. Babcock, Samuel Roy,N. P. Philbrook,N. Culver, S. P. Heath, W. H. Jones, L. E. Gordon, L. P. Cushman, H. Woodard, E. R. Wilkins, C. W. Tay- lor. Of its early members, many have passed away. They were earnest, faithful men and women, who dared stand for the truth as they believed it. Its present membership is about one hundred and sixty. With a full board "f stewards and trustees and a good church property, they are considered a prosperous organization, with future years of usefulness. Pastor, 1885, Rev. C. W. Taylor. First Baptist Church.' — On the 20th of May. 1818, a number of persons residing in Concord, and belonging to different churches, met at the house of Richard Swain, iu said town, for the purpose of ascer- taining what degree of fellowship existed among them in the faith of the gospel, and also to consider what the prospects were of forming a church agreeable to the principles and practices of the Apostles of our Lord. After a free and full consideration of the first object before them, the following persons gave to each other an expression of their Christian fellowship, viz. : James Willey, John Holt, Sarah Bradley, Deborah Elliot, Sally Swain and Nancy Whitney. Soon after others joined them in fellowship and by the advice of brethren from the church in Bow, they being present by invitation, and having well con- sidered the subject, unanimously recommended the small band of disciples, fourteen in all, to embody and organize. Accordingly, an ecclesiastical council, composed oi members from neighboring churches, assembled at the house of Rev. William Taylor and there effected the organization. The council was composed of the following : Pas- tors, — Ottis Robinson, of Salisbury; John B. Gibson, of Weare ; Henry Vesey, of Bow. Deacons, — Gate and Severance, of Salisbury ; Wood and Barnard, of Weare; Bryant, of Bow. Brethren, — Kensington and F'ifield, of Salisbury ; Samuel Gale, of Weare; Cains and Gile, of Bow. J A. J. Preiicc.tt. CONCORD. 81 Prayer was offered, and the articles of faith adopted by the brethren seeking recognition, being read and considered, were approved by the council, and the body was unanimously declared to be a Church of Christ duly formed. The public services were as follows: Sermon, by Rider John B. Gibson ; hand of fellowship, by Elder Otis Robinson ; prayer, by Elder Henry Vesey. The church has settled seven pastors. Rev. Win. Taylor served for seven years, to 1825, during which he received thirty into fellowship. The records prove him to have been a good minister, "a self-sacrificing man, the very kind needed to lay broadly and strongly the foundation of a new enterprise." Rev. Nath. W. Williams followed and served the church five and a half years, taking in the goodly number of fifty-four. It was said and recorded "He was a man of God, dis- creet, humble and spiritual." Rev. E. E. Cummings followed in 1832 and continued for eighteen years, during which nearly five hundred came into member- ship. The long continuance and abundant fruits ol' this pastorate must be regarded as especially favored, as one revival followed another through the very faithful efforts of all, with God's blessing, and the community around rejoiced indeed. As many enter- prises of the church were carried forward under the leadership of Dr. Cummings, it must be a great pleas- ure to him, still living in his chosen home in Concord, at the age of eighty-four, to recall the past and con- teni|ilutc llie prisinl |>r(>s|MTily of his long-time charge. ]\r\, ( '. W. I'liiinl. 1^ -IK (1. .Ir.l !is fourth to minister to the chiiich |irnii;inriitly in 1 S")(), remaining sixteen years, and for the most j)art they proved to be years of the right hand of the Lord in our Zion. Revivals were enjoyed by the church at intervals not distant and souls saved through his faithful appeals from the pulpit, and in his pastoral ministrations, tender and timely, many will rise up in the sanctuary above and call the dear, good man blessed, while there remain others here below who yet cherish his memory with true and deep affection as their spiritual father, their ready and tender comforter in affliction. The fifth. Rev. D. W. Faunce, D.D., present pastor of the E Street Baptist Church, Washington, D. C, and the sixth, Rev. W. V. Garner, retiring in July, 1884, had each of them about nine years of efficient service with this church, and are regarded by their brethren as among the abler preachers in our Baptist ranks to-day. Rev. Garner has good reports from his present field of labor at Bridgeport, Conn. At the present time this church are listening with attention to the instructions and rejoicing in the min- istrations of Rev. C. R. Cram, D.D., late of the First Baptist Church, Boston, with every token of favor and success in a happy and useful pastorate. The church has buried eight good and faithful deacons: Willey, Gault, Crockett, Damon, J. O. Gault, Pres- cott, Winkley and Elwell, the first in 1853, the last in 1872. The five living and serving during the last 6 five to thirty years are Brethren Flanders, Norris, Humphrey, Prescott and Fairbanks. Number of members reported at last association, three hundred and two, September, 1884. Whole number received in sixty-six years, eleven hundred and ninety. In conchision, we sliould state the fact that the Pleasant Street Church was formed in 1853, embracing thirty members dismissed from the parent church, and if a fair and full report should be made of all that has been sacrificed and accomplished through the Divine aid in sixty-seven years, we should have fresh courage and patience in laboring according to the plan set forth in Christ's Sermon on the Mount, (Matt. V. 16) : " Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Pleasant Street Baptist Church.'— This church began its career in the spring of 1853. The original members had formerly been identified with the First Baptist Church, of which Rev. E. E. Cummings had, for years, been the successful and beloved pastor. These brethren, from various causes, feeling that the time had come for the formation of a new Baptist interest within the city proper, undertook the arduous task of erecting a new house of worship. This work, begun and carried on in the midst of peculiar diffi- culties, was at length completed in January, 1854. Rev. E. E. Cummings was, at this time, preaching in Pittsfield. So successful had his labors proved, and so strong a hold had he secured upon the hearts of the people in Concord, that they very naturally and unanimously turned toward him as the man who should be invited to the pastoral charge of the new church. Accordingly, an invitation was extended and accepted, the new house opened, and Mr. Cum- mings publicly installed January 11, 1854, at which time the church, consisting of thirty members, was publicly recognized. Great prosperity followed the church under the leadership of Dr. Cummings. For thirteen years he labored with untiring energy in this, his second pastorate in the city of Concord. His wise counsel, his faithfiil preaching and his devotion to the people whom he served marked this second chapter in his history as a minister of the gospel in New Hampshire as most eventful. Dr. Cummings resigned October 6, 1867 ; but the resignation was not accepted until April 12, 1868. On the 18th of May following. Rev. H. G. Safford, of Amesbury, Mass., received from the church an invitation to become pastor in the field lately occu- pied by Dr. Cummings. Mr. Safford's pastorate be- gan June 7th, and continued seven years and six months. During his labors, which were highly effi- cient, the church increased considerably both in numbers and influence. Sound and logical as a preacher, thoughtful and sympathetic as a pastor, By Rpv. Jame, 82 HISTORY OF MKRRIMACK COUNTY, NEW IIAMI'SIIIUM. Mr. Safford made for himself a host of friends not only in his own society, but throughout the entire community. His piistorate ended October 31, 1875. Following his resignation was an interim of eight months, when, in March, 1876, a call was extended to Rev. E. C. Spinney, of the Newton Theological Institution. Having accepted this call, Mr. Spinney entered upon his labors in June following. His pas- torate continued four years, and was eminently suc- cessful, (.'ailed to the church when the membership numbered one hundred and fifty-five, he succeeded in greatly augmenting its numerical strength, and left it, at the close of hLs pastorate, numbering two hundred and fifty-eight. Mr. Spinney labored ar- duously during his four years' residence with this people, and greatly endeared himself to a large circle of friends. During his pastorate the house of worship wjis thoroughly renovatc^d and beautified, and ren- dered more attractive and comfortable. Mr. Spinney resigned April 31, 1880, to take effect on June 1st following. On the 11th of July, of the same year. Rev. L. G. Barrett received and accepted a call to the pastorate. Mr. Barrett, who had previously preached in Massa- chusetts and New York, entered upon his labors Sep- tember 1, 1880, and, after a pastorate of four years, resigned July 12, 1884, to take effect September 1st following. Mr. Barrett was an able preacher and an ardent advocate of temperance reform. He left a membership of two hundred and seventy-five, the church having been built up and enlarged in its efliciency during his term of service. The present pastor. Rev. James K. Ewer, entered upon Ills labors in tliis field January 1, 1885. Free-Will Baptist Church.— (See appendix). Baptist Church, Penacook.^iSce appendix). St. John the Evangelist (Eoman Catholic). — It is impossible to give the exact date when Mass was first said in this city, but it was probably in about the year 1845. It was visited occiisionally by various l)riests, among whom were Rev. Father McDonald, of Manchester, and Rev. Father O'Donnell, of Nashua. Very Rev. Father J. E. Barry, V. G., the first resi- dent priest, came to Concord in September, 18G5, and has remained to the present time. Services were first held in Ph(enix Hall. Father Barry at once started the movement for the erection of a church building, which was rapidly pushed forward, and March 13, 1868, the present large and substantial brick struc- ture was dedicated. The church now numbers about two thousand souls. Very Rev. J. E. Barry, V. G., was born in East- port, Me., in August, 1836. He wiis educated at Holy Cross College, Worcester, Mass., and spent nine years at Sulpician College and Seminary, at Montreal. The first year of his service in the priesthood he was as- sistant at the Cathedral in Portland, Me., under Rt. Rev. D. W. Bacon, D.D., bishop of Portland. Upon the death of Dr. Bacon, Father Barry became the ad- ministrator of the diocese. June 10, 1875, he was appointed vicar-general by Rt. Rev. J. A. Healey, bishop of Portland. At the time of Father Barry's set- tlement here there were no Catholic Churches in New Hampshire north of Manchester, and his labors prac- tically extended over the entire northern portion of the State. Father Barry is untiring in his church- work, and his sterling qualities and genial, courteous bearing have won for him hosts of friends, and he is one of Concord's most honcjred citizens. He has a commodious and pleasant residence, adjoining the church, which is tastefully furnisiu'd and lepktc with all the conveniences of the age. St. John the Evangelist Church (Catholic), at Penacook, was organized in 1S.)4, and the present church was dedicated in 1868. CHAPTER III. CONCORD— (Co>,(/«i,e TliB ortitof acknowledges his iudcbtedness in the preparation of this chapter to the late Asa McFai-land, also to D. F. Secomb, P. B. fugs- well, H. H. Metcalf and George E, Jenks. mouth Gazette, ill IImmumt. mm.I csiiouscmI tlir l-'rderal >iilo, Russell stvliiii;- l>avis iIh' " rll»iw-cliiiir editor." T/ir Conrrn;! (Inzelle, by Hoit & Tiittle, was com- moneefl July \i, 1806, and discontinued with the thirty -seventh number. Mr. Hoit resided in Concord many years, but finally died in Pembroke, December 24, 1854, aged seventy-one. His body was brought to t'oMcord, and buried in the Old tVmotory, where a o|- this city. .luiic 11, I.SIJT, Jesse C. Tuttle rcsuiijcd thr imblica- tion (if the Concord Gazette, omA continued Ihr |i.i|iri until alter the close of the war with iMmland, in IslTj, when it passed into the hands of VV. S. Spear, and thence to Spear & Thayer, who continued it until 1S19, when it ceased to be published. Mr. Tuttle died in Concord, December 10, 1834, aged fifty -five. After leaving the Gazette, Mr. Hoit commenced the American Patriot, October 18, 1808, which he pub- lished until Aprill8,1809, when Isaac Hill, who, twelve days before, had completed a seven years' apprentice ship in the office of The Farmers' Cabinet, at Amherst, became its proprietor, and changed the name to Nev Hampshire Patriot. Walter R. Hill and Jacob B. Moore, brother and brother-in-law of Mr. Hill, were at times associated with him, but Mr. Hill was at all times its controlling spirit. He was a vigorous writer, an earnest Democrat, an honest man, who stamped his character upon the columns of the paper, and made it a power in the State as an exponent of the principles of Jeffersonian Democracy. Its patronage increased and its influence extended until it excelled all other papers in the State, and was recognized throughout the country as one of the ablest advocates of Democratic Republican doctrines. In March, 1829, he received an appointment in the Treasury Department at Washington, and the paper passed to Horatio Hill & Co., and April 27th, that year, their names appeared as publishers, Dudley S. Pal- mer being editor. July 6, 1829, Cyrus Barton, of Newport, became a member of the firm, and finally the editor. October 6, 1834, Horatio Hill retired, and Colonel Barton became sole proprietor. Novem- ber 21, 1840, Henry H. Carroll became associated with Colonel Barton in the ownership and manage ment of the Patriot. December 9, 1841, Colonel Barton retired from the establishment, having sold his interest to Nathaniel B. Baker, who, with Mr. Carroll, conducted the paper until November 6, 1845, when Mr. Baker retired, and his associate continued alone in the paper till his death, August 4, 184(3. December 3d, same year, William Butterfield became proprietor of the establishment. May 27, 1847, HiWs New Hampshire Patriot was united with the New HampMre Patriot, and William Butterfield and John M. Hill became the proprietors. May 18, 1853, Mr. Hill retired, leaving Mr. Butterfield as the owner until September 2, 1857, at which time Joseph W. Merriam became associated with him. This arrange- ment continued until August 17, 1859, when Mr. Merriam retired, and Mr. Butterfield was alone until May 6, 1868, when Mr. Hill re-entered the firm, and the firm-name was Butterfield & Hill until February 20, 1873, when Edwin C. Bailey purchased the estab- lishment and continued as proprietor until October, 1878, when it was purchased by the proprietors of The People, and the two papers were united under the name of the Peop/e and Patriot. In March, 1888, upon the death of Charles C. Pearson, who had been the active manager of the eslal.lislnaent, the paper passed to the proprietorship and control of John H. Pearson and Lewis C. Pattee, by whom it was conducted nnlil April l(i, 1885, tlu^ direct management being in the bands of Mr. Pear- It then passed into the hands of the New Hamp- shire Democratic Press Company, by whom it is now published. The People, mentioned above, was establislied here June 10, 1868, by John H. and Charles C. Pearson, under the firm-name of Charles C. Pearson & Co. The New HampMre Magazine, probably the first magazine published in this State, was commenced June, 1793, in Concord, and discontinued the follow- ing November. It was a small octavo, each number containing sixty-four pages. Rev. Martin Ruter, then a resident of Canterbury, is said to have been the editor. Hill's New Hampshire Patriot was commenced August 14, 1840, and conducted with the zeal and ability so obvious in the New Hampshire Patriot during the entire period that journal was in charge of its founder, Hon. Isaac Hill. In May, 1847, Hill's New Hampshire Patriot was united with the New Hampshire Patriot. The Farmers' Monthly Visitor, commenced by Isaac Hill, January 15, 1839, and conducted by that gentle- man several years, was an interesting and usefid pub- lication, in pamphlet form. Its publication in Con- cord ceased with the number for December, 1849, when it was transferred to Manchester. The New Hampshire Courier was commenced by Palmer & Odlin, December 14, 1832,— Dudley S. Palmer, editor. August 8, 1834, it appeared as the Courier and Inquirer, printed and published by Odlin & Chadwick, — D. S. Palmer, editor. This paper was continued under various proprietors until May, 1842, when it was discontinued; but was revived October 4, 1844, by Augustus C. Blodgett, who had been for a time one of the proprietors of the New Hampshire Statesman. January 9, 1846, the Courier was united with the Concord Gazette, a journal then recently commenced by Charles F. Low. The connection of Mr. Low with the paper ceased October 21, 1846, and thenceforth, until its union with the Independent Democrat, May 6, 1847, Mr. Blodgett managed the paper. 84 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. The New Hampshire Observer was commenced in Concord, January 4, 1819, by George Hough, and was then entitled Concord Observer. March 25, 1822, it passed into the hands of John W. Shepard, who [ changed its name to Kew Hampshire Repository. Rev. John M. Putnam succeeded Mr. Shepard, changing the name of the paper to New Hampshire Observer. July 12, 1827, Mr. Putnam sold out to Tobias H. Miller, of Portsmouth, and the paper was transferred to that town. It was printed there and at Portland, Me., under several publishers and editors, until May, 1831, when Edmund S. Chiidwick purchased a half- interest in the paper and returned it to its birth-place. June 11, 1831, ex-Governor David L. Morrill became half-owner. August 4, 1833, Charles H. Little pur- chased the interest of Governor Morrill, and the Observer was published by Chadwick & Little until February 6, 1835, when, Mr. Little having died, Rev. David Kimball became a.ssociated with Mr. Chad- wick, who retired March 25, 1836. January 4, 1839, the name was changed to Christian Panoply. Jan- uary 1, 1841, the paper became the property of David Kimball and Henry Wood, Congregational clergymen, and the name was changed to Congrega- tional Journal. After several changes, during which Rev. Benjamin P. Stone and Benning W. Sanborn were pro])rietors, December 25, 1862, its subscribers were transferred to The Omgregationalist and Boston Recorder. Mr. Stone afterwards issued a small monthly publication, and continued it two years, with the title Christian Reporter. The first number of the Abolitionist, published by D. D. Fisk and E. G. Eastman, appeared January 24, 1835. After four numbers it was published by Albe Cady, George Storrs, George Kent and Amos Wood, and issued as the Herald of Freedom, the first number being dated March 7, 1835. Joseph Horace Kimball became editor and Elbridge G. Chase printer. The connection of Mr. Kimball with the Herald continued until disease forbade his longer continuance. His valedictory appeared March 24, 1838, and he died on the 11th of the following April. N. P. Rogers then assumed the editorial management, and remained in that position until, in 1844, a misunderstanding arose between him and the managers of the New Hamp- shire Anti-Slavery Society, in regard to the property in the concern, which resulted in the appointment ol' Parker Pillsbury as editor and Jacob H. Ela publish- ing agent. Their first paper appeared December 20, 1844, and this arrangement continued about one year. In the mean time Mr. Rogers started another herald of freedom, with a prefix, — The Herald of Freedom. In this sheet he su.stained his side of the controver.sy. This paper he continued until near the time of his death, which took place October 16, 1846. August 13, 1841, the first number of the People's Advocate made its appearance, — Alanson St. Clair, publishing agent; G. J. L. Colby and A. St. Clair, editors. This was the organ of the political anti- slavery party in New Hampshire, and in those years met small encouragement. It seems to have been printed some time in Hanover, by J. E. Hood ; for in the report of the Liberty Party State Convention, held June 5, 1844, it was stated that Mr. Hood had received no compen.sation, and was liable for debts contracted by former publishers to the amount of three hundred dollars. Nearly two hundred dollars was contributed at that meeting to discharge this liability. I'he paper was probably discontinued in January, 1844. A little sheet — the Family Visitor— was commenced at Hanover by Mr. Hood, February 7, 1844, and continued a short time in its place. Mr. Hood also started the Granite Freeman, a political anti-slavery paper, June 20, 1844, and continued the same until May 1, 1847, when it was united with the Independent Democrat. Ihe New Hampshire Stalesmnn ' was founded by Luther Roby, who moved from Amherst, N. H., to Concord, and became its printer and publisher. Amos A. Parker, in practice of law at Epping, was engaged to conduct it. The first number bears date Concord, January 6, 1823. Mr. Roby published the paper until June, 1823, when his connection with it ceased. He continued many years in the business of book-printing, until he abandoned it and engaged in developing the granite quarrying interest in Concord, in which he was the pioneer. In the later years of his life he engaged in the manufacture of glasswares in Lyndeborough, N. H. He returned to Concord, where he died February 22, 1883. He was born January 8, 1801. June 1, 1823, the Statesman became th'> property of Amos A. Parker, its conductor during the five months of its infancy. June 1, 1824, George Hough commenced and pub- lished the Concord Register, which was edited by George Kimball. Mr. Parker, October 17, 1825, tranferred the Statesman property to George Kimball, to which he united the "list" of the Register, and continued the publication of a paper under the united name of the New Hampshire Statesman and Concord Register, the first publication bearing date October 22, 1825. Mr. Parker still lives, and resides in Glas- tonbury, Conn., at the age of eighty-nine. December 3, 1825, Thomas G. Wells, publisher of the Amherst Herald, purchased an interest in the Statesman and Register, to which he united the sub- scription list of the Herald, and the paper was [lub- lished by Kimball & Wells. February 11, 182(3, Mr. Wells sold his interest in the paper to Asa JIc Far- land and Moses G. Atwood, and the publishers were Kimball, McFarland & Atwood. July 29, 1826, Mr. Kimball disposed of his newspaper property to George Kent, and the publishers were Kent, McFarland & Atwood. July 28, 1827, Mr. Atwood conveyed his interest in the paper to Kent & McFarland, who con- By George E. Jenks. tinued its publication until May 21, 1S31, on which date a paper called the Xew Hampshire Journal, established September 11, 1.S26, by Henry E. & Jacob B. Moore, was consolidated with the Statesmmt and Register. These papers, united, assumed the title of The New Hampshire Statesman and State Jour- nal, and became the property of Asa McFarland and George W. Ela, who were its publishers until Janu- ary 1, 1834. The paper bore this title for twenty years. George Kent died at New Bedford, Mass., November 8, 1884, in the eighty-ninth year of his age. January 1, 1834, Mr. McFarland sold his interest in the Statesman and Journal to George W. Ela, who became sole proprietor and publisher from said date to May 0, 1888. Mr. Ela then entered into a part- nership with John W. Flanders, which existed until July 11, 1840, when Mr. Ela again became sole pub- lisher to August 14, 1841. From August 14, 1841, to May 1, 1842, the Statesman and Journal was published by George W. & Jacob Hart Ela. From May (J to June 25, 1842, the names of George W. Ela and Augustus C. Blodgett appeared as its publishers. From July 1, 1842, to April 14, 1843, the names of George W. Ela, Augustus C. Blodgett and John P. Osgood appeared upon the paper as its publishers. From the last date, for three numbers, no names ap- peared on the paper as publishers. From May 5, 1843, to February 23, 1844, the names of John P. Osgood and Frank S. West appeared as publishers and A. C. Blodgett as editor. From March 1 to July 18, 1844, the firm-name of Blodgett & Osgood appeared as publishers. Mr. Ela is understood to have retained an interest in the paper from April, 1843, to July 19, 1844, when it was by him conveyed to George W. Odlin & Co. Mr. Ela, now at the age of seventy-seven, is an active business man, and holds a residence in Concord. The firm of George O. Odlin & Co. (John C. Wil- son and John R. Osgood being the company) began the publication of the Statesman July 26, 1844, and continued it until July 4, 1851. Mr. Osgood remained one of the firm about three years. Asa McFarland was its political editor to July, 1850, and corresjiond- ent, while making a five months' trip in Europe, to January, 1851. In July, 1851, Asa McFarland and George E. Jenks (firm of McFarland & Jenks, book and job printers) purchased the Statesman and assumed its publication under the title as above, — Asa McFar- land, editor. The first publication under said pro- prietors bears date of July 12, 1851. January 1, 1858, Henry McFarland became associated with the said firm. January 1, 1868, Asa McFarland retired from the editorship of the paper, and January, 1869, the name was changed to The Republican Statesman. January 1, 1870, Rossiter Johnson purchased Asa McFarland's interest in the establishment, and the paper continued to be published under the firm-name of McFarland «& Jenks, to October 1, 1871. The paper was then purchased by a corporation known as the "Republican Press Association," who consolidated with it the weekly Independent Demo- crat; the same purchase included the Concord Daily Monitor. The weekly issue of the paper from the press of this corporation has, since October 1, 1871, borne the title of the Independent Statesman. Rossiter Johnson, P. B. Cogswell, George G. Fogg, William E. Stevens, Allan M. Jenks and Edward N. Pearson have been members of its editorial corps since Octo- ber, 1871, and Edward A. Jenks has been its business manager. Of those the longest idenlilied with [he Slulesmnn, Asa McFarland was the veteran. His iHiblication ol' the paper dates from February 11, 1S26, to January 1, 1834, and from July, 1851, to January 1, 1868,— about twenty-five years. To this term of service may be added six years as political editor and correspon- dent while the paper was published by George O. Odlin & Co. After retiring from active service, he was a frequent contributor to the columns of the Statesman to the time of his death, December 13, 1879, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. George E. Jenks was for more than twenty years a publisher of the Statesman, and Henry McFarland fourteen years. George W. Ela was a proprietor of the Statesman thirteen years, and George O. Odlin and John C. Wilson each seven years. Of the men who have, at various times, been en- gaged in the earlier publication of the Statesman, there are living, a.d. 1885, Amos A. Parker, now of Glastonbury, Conn., aged about eighty-nine; George W. Ela, Concord, seventy-seven ; and George O. Od- lin, Union Grove, 111. The Statesman came into existence after the decease of the Federal party, and espoused the cause of Levi Woodbury as an independent candidate for Governor against Samuel Dinsmoor. Mr. Woodbury was suc- cessful against his rival. Subsequently it supported the Whig party, -and became the leading exponent of its principles; and later, an effective supporter of the Republican party, when it came into existence in 1856 from the wreck of the old Whig and Free-Soil parties, and since. The Independent Democrat was commenced at Man- chester, May 8, 1845, by Robert 0. Wetmore. Subse- quently it was transferred to Concord, where George G. Fogg, State Secretary, engaged in its editorial management, and May 6, 1847, the New Hampshire Courier, published by A. C. Blodgett, and the Granite Freeman, published by J. E. Hood, with their sub- scription lists, were merged with the Independent Democrat, and Mr. Hood became one of the editors and publishers of the consolidated journal, under the name of Tlie Independent Democrat and Freeman. July 29, 1847, Mr. Wetmore retired therefrom, and the paper was published by J. E. Hood & Co. Feb- ruary 22, 1849, Mr. Hood retired from the paper, and James J. Wiggin became a partner, when the paper UISTOllV OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NKW HAMPSHIRE. again assumed the name of The IndependeHl Democrat, ' and appeared ]>ul)lislied by Fogg & Wiggin. January 1, 1S;')2, Cyrus Barton, a former publisher ] of the New JliimpMre Pntrivt, commenced tlie publi- \ cation of a semi-weekly paper, called the State Cap- ital Itepnrler. Jlay 20, 1853, Amos Hadley became associated with Colonel Barton. A weekly edition of the Reporter WAS commenced July 10, 1S.')3, and the j semi-weekly Reporter was discontinued September 5, ' 1854. Colonel Barton died February 17, 18.55, and j Mr. Hadley conducted the establishment until Jan- j nary 8, 1857, when the paper was merged in The Indepenilrnt Democrat, which Wiis thereafter jiublished and edited by (reorge G. Fogg and Amos Hadley. May •;:{, 1864, Parsons B. (Cogswell and (Jcorge H. Sturtevant commenced to publish the Concord Daily Monitor. October 14th a weekly edition of the Monitor W1U5 published, and continued until Jaiiuiiry 5, 1867; but January 20, 1867, The Independent Democrat and the Monitor establishments were united, and the Con- cord Daihi Monitor and The Independent Democrat were published by the Indejiendent Press Associa- tion until October, 1871, when The Independent Dem- ' ocrat and Repnhllcnn iStatesman establishments were consolidated. The combined weekly paper ajipeared under tlie name of the Independent Statesman, and the daily issue continued under the name of the Concord Daili/ Monitor. The new business combination was incorporated under the style and title of the "Re- publican Press Association." Such have been the changes and affiliations of half a century, through which the Independent Statesman came into existence October 6, 1871. From this date there has been no change. As connected with The Independent Democrat, Inde- pendent Statesman and Daili/ Monitor, (reorge G. Fogg held a service of twenty-seven years. He died October 5, 1881. P. B. Cogswell's service with these papers has been continuous since May, 1864. Amos Hadley had a ten years' connection with the liepoi'fer a.nd Democrat. The Independent Democrat was established to pro- mulgate the i)rinciples of the Free-Soil party. Sub- sequently, from the consolidation of the o])ponents ol the Democratic organization into the Republican party, in 1856, it gave firm supjiort to the new organ- ization, which embraced the principles of the Free- Soil party. These two leading papers, the Slatemian and the Democrat, having accomplished their separate work, are now consolidated in one, to represent the great principles for which the two .so long battled, side by side, in the city of Concord. T.,ong may its name be a synonym for the rights of all mankind ! January 5, 1832, the Olive Branch, a small quarto, issued once a week, made its appearance. It bore the name of Jacob Perkins, but was discontinued on the 21st of the following June. November 21, 1832, Hill & Barton, proprietors of the yein HamjJshire Patriot, commenced issuing that paper in semi-weekly form, which, after trial of a year and a half, ceased to appear as a semi-weekly sheet. The Star in the East and New Hampshire UniversalM was first issued on April 12, 1832, by Kimball & Adams. It was conducted by Rev. John G. Adams until August 5, 1837, when it was merged in The Trumpet, a Universalist paper, published in Boston, by Rev. Thomas Whittemore; Rev. Moses Ballon, of Portsmouth, was assistant editor. The Balm of Qilead and Practical I'liifrmilixt \v:is commenced July, 1842, and continued two years or more, — J. F. Witherell, publisher; C. Philbrick, printer. It was a small weekly quarto paper, and advocated the principles of ibc nligicius denomina- tion whose name it bore. On March 1, 1831, Henry 1".. and John W. Moore commenced the Concord Adrrrliser, but the pa])er was soon abandoned, and J. W. Moore, May 10, is;{4, commenced a semi-monthly called The Chameleon, but that also was short-lived. Moses Eastman and Albert G. Chadwick, June 16, 1833, commenced, and published more tluui a year, a paper styled The Spirit of Enqmrii. The New Hampshire Baptist Reijisfer, Rev. Edmund Worth, editor; Eastman, Webster & Co., publishers, was issued here several years before and after the year 1834. Priestcraft Exposed, a semi-monthly publication, was issued here in 1833, 1834 and 1835 by Hayes & Kimball, a part of which time it was published in an enlarged form as The Expositor. The Literary Gazette, published weekly by D. D. Fisk, Asa Fowler and Moody Currier, was commenced August 1, 1834, and published about two years. Cyrus P. Bradley was also associated fur a liiiic with the paper. Temperance Herald was the name of a paper pub- lished by the New Hampshire Temperance Society, at Concord, and furnished free one year to every family in the State in 1834 or 1835. E. S. Cha.hviek continued the publication of the paper one year after the State society relinquished it. Mr. Chadwick also published the White Mountain Torrent, a triii|.ii;nice .sheet, about three years prior to July l'o, IS4i;, when it was united with the Massachusetts J'n/ij'rrmirr S/.md- ard, and published in Boston. The Loco-Motive, a small semi-weekly papi r, was commenced May 20, 1842,— John K. I''r( iieh, pul)- lishcr; George Kent, editor. Only ;iIhiiiI Iwciily numbers were issued. The Crusader of Reform, commenee.I .hnuiary, 1S52, was published al)0ut two years by Rev. Daniel Lan- caster. Rev. Daniel Lancaster and Charles L. Wheeler com- menced, early in 1853, and published a few numbers of a paper bearing the name Northern Indicator. The Undercurrent, a monthly paper, was commenced November 1, 1848, by Lewis Tower, but was soon discontinued. CONCORD. 87 The Democratic Standard was comnienced .Time, 1856, by John B. Palmer, and continued until August, 1861, when, on account of its alleged disloyalty, the (itfioc was assailed by a mob, and the printing material destroyed. Its publication was not resumed. Ed- mund Burke, of Newport, was understood to have been a frequent writer for tlie Standard. The Mnnifar, the organ of the Unitarian dc liiia- tion in New Hampshire, eommeneed at Duvrr in 1881, was removed to Concord Blay 7, 1834. It was conducted until May 6, 1835, by a committee of the I'nitarian Ministerial Association. Rev. Moses G. Thomas occupied the editorial chair at that tiiuc, ami conducted the paper until it was discontiniud, jirnli- ably with the close of Vol. 5, May 20, 1886. The Xew Hampshire Phwnix, a temperance sheet, conducted by D. & J. Lancaster, was commenced January 7, 1854. February 10, 1855, E. H. Cheney appeared as editor and proprietor. It was finally united with the Weekly Chronicle, at Portsmouth, and published there by Miller & Gray. Campaign Papers. — These have been issued by several concerns, especially previous to the establish- ment of daily papers in Concord. These sheets had various titles, of which the following are specimens: Spirit of the JiepiMican Press, from the office of the Patriot, in 1829, D. S. Palmer, editor; The Concord Patriot, by S. O. Dickey, 1835; The Tramcript, 1835; The Adfocdie of Democracy, from the office of Hill's JS'ew Hiiiiipxliii-r I'idriot, 1843, Joseph Kidder, editor; The True WIti.j. 1). S. Palmer, editor, 1847; The Wil- inot Vrof !■•:<•. IMS, Frank Barr, publisher; the Rvuyh and Readji. i ir H fiih' Osgood, publisher; the Concord 7' , i i, i, , |„ Wheeler, publisher ; the Voice of th' \' ■,',.-', , l.y E. E. Sturtovant, 1855; and the T„n,,k ,u,d Slmdy, to match tlie l,'n,n/h and Ready. October 6, 1828, Moore & Patch commenced, but iniblished only a few weeks, a paper entitled Time's Mirror. Mr. Moore afterwards published a paper at Meredith Bridge (now known as Laconia). He died in Amherst, his native place, February 13, 1837, aged twenty-eight. The Keiv Hampshire Workman, devoted to Labor and Political Reform, was commenced at Concord, March, 1870, and continued a short time. No names appeared as publishers. S. G. Noyes publishes a weekly paper in Fisher- ville, entitled Rays of Liyht. The Veterans' Advocate was established January 1, 1884, and is devoted to the interests of the Grand Army of the Republic. H. F. W. Little and Ira C. Evans, editors ; Ira C. Evans, publisher. Amateur's Monthly Magazine, 16 pages. Edited and published by Frank A. Knight; commenced January, 1873, ceased April, 1S74. The Daily Press of Concord.'— The history of tlie 1 By P. B. Cogswell. daily press of Concord must necessarily include llic papers which have been published during the sessions of the Legislature, and in political campaigns, cover- ing short periods of time usually. Files of most of these are preserved in the newspaper oilices of the city, and an examination of them will well re])ayany person inlcreslcil in the progress of typography and lIiM.'s Daily Patimot.— The first prospectus f„r a daily paper in Concord was issued by William P. & John M. Hill, publishers of Hill's Mew Hampshire Patriot, May 12, 1841. It provided for the publica- tion of a paper during the session of the Legislature. six days in a week, to contain the i)roceedings of the Legislature as reported by Governor Hill, assisted by the publishers, and also the proceedings of Congress, then in session, having been called together in con- sequence of the death of President Harrison. Its terms were two cents a copy, delivered by stage- drivers and mail-carriers. The first number was issued June 3d, with a printed page measuring eleven by seven and a half inches, and presented a neat typographical appearance. It was continued until the close of the session, July 3d, making a volume of twenty-eight numbers. Vol. 2 wa.s published in 1842, beginning January 1st and ending June 24th, the day of the close of the session, making twejity- one numbers. The Daily Patriot was first issued ,)une 2. 1841, by Barton & Carroll, and was continued through the ses- sion of the Legislature every morning, except Friday and Sunday. It was a small folio, the jniges twelve by eight and one-half inches, with three columns of mat- ter, and the subscription price was twenty-five cents for the session. The volume closed July 3d with the 24th number. The volume for 1842 is missing, but it was of the same size as Vol. 1, and published by Carroll & Baker. There were two sessions of the Legislature that year, the first beginning June 1st aud ending June 24th, and the second beginning November 2d and end- ing December 23d. Vol. 4 (probably a mistake) begau June 8, 1843, and ended July 1st, with the 21st num- ber— Carroll &Baker, publishers. The volume for 1844, by the same publishers, is numbered Vol. 4, and covers two sessions of the Legislature, the first be- ginning June 6th and ending June 19th, with the 12th number, and the second beginning November 21st and ending December 28th, with Nund)er 33. Vol. 5, by the same publishers, beginning Jnne 5, 1845, and ending July 3d, contains twenty-five numbers. Vol. 6, beginning June4, 1846, aud ending July 10th, contains thirty-one numbers, and was published by H. H. Carroll. Vol. 7 appeared in an enlarged form, four columns to a page, and the pages sixteen by twelve and one-half inches. It began June 3, 1847, and ended July 5th, with the 27th number— Buttertield & Hill, publishers. In 1848 there were two sessions of tlie Legislature and two volumes of the paper, — Vol. 8, beginning June 8th and ending June 24th, con- HISTORY OK MKKKIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMl'SHTRE. taining fifteen numbers, and Vol. 9, beginning No- vember 23d and ending January 5, 1849, containing thirty-two numbers— HutterHeld iS: Hill, publishers. In 1849 the paper took the name ut" Let/istative He- porter, and was published by N. H. Baker, as Vol. 1, beginning June 7tli and ending .July 7tli, willi the 2.')th number. Vol. 10 of Th,! Dai/;/ I'alrwt began .fuiie tJ, 1S''0, and ended July 13tli, containing thirty-one numbers, and was publishe.l by IJutterlield & Hill. During this year the Consiitulional Convention was held, and the formed Oct. 1, 1871, bought the papers and business ul the Independent Press Association and of the Repub- lican Statesman proprietors, and consolidated tlie two offices. The publication of the Concord Daili; Monitor has ever since been continued by the Repulj- lican Press Association, and its circulation has yearl\ increased, and bids fair to continue to do .so in tlu- future. At the time of the consolidation of the papers, George G. Fogg was chosen political editor, Rossiter Johnson managing editor and P. B. Cogswell local editor, with Edward A. Jenks business manager. Early in 1872, Mr. Fogg retired from editorial labor and from the association, and in October 1st of the same year Mr. Johnson also retired. No one was selected to fill his place for a few months, Asa Fowler, then president of the association, perform- ing considerable editorial work. In January, 1873, William E. Stevens became managing editor, and so continued until the middle of August, 1882, when he retired to accept the United States consulship at Smyrna. Allan M. Jenks was local editor during the absence of Mr. Cogswell in 1878-79, a period of more than a year. At the present time the editors are P. B. Cogswell, who has been connected with the paper from the first number, and Edward N. Pearson. The Monitor was enlarged for the second time March 28, 1882, and a third time March 15, 1884, when it commenced a morning edition, also, which was con- tinued till November 15, the same year. Of the struggles of the paper during its early years it is not necessary to speak in detail. Com- menced, as it was, when war prices ruled in every- thing, — white paper costing from twenty-seven to thirty cents a pound, and composition by the piece reaching a higher price than ever before or since, — nothing but hard work and a great deal of it carried it through successfully, and made it the first perma- nent daily paper in Concord. Concord Dah,y Blade was started by the Blade Publishing Company September 1, 1880, and discon- tinued December 7, 1880. Subsequently, the Weekly Blade was published by»E. P. Gerould, lor some time, when it was suspended, and afterwards resuscitated as the Concord Tribune, since which it has been pub- lished in Canaan and Concord. CONCORD. 91 CHAPTER CONCORV~(C ET(,'. The C',> State HiiTik— The Jleehanics' Niitional Bank— Nal Capital Hank— Fii-st National Bank — The New Hampahire Savings- Barik— The iMerriniaek (Vmnly Savings-Bank- Loan and Trust Sav- ings-Bank— Penaeuok Savings-Bjink— Count Runifurd — Countess of EumtoiJ— The Uc.lfe and Kunifold Asylum- The New Hampshire Bihlc S.tcicly— Physicians — City Hospitjil— Fire Department — Water Works— r.Miacuok— Concord Horse Rjiilroad— Centenarians- Slavery in t'onconl— Manufacturing Interests — Misceltaneons. The first banking institution in this town was the Concord Bank, which was incorporated June 18, 1806. "Timotliy Walker, Caleb Stark, John Bradley, John Mills, Robert Harris, Ebenezer Peasley, Richard Ayer, William Whittle, William A. Kent, Jo.shua Darling, Thomas W. Thompson, Aquila Davis, John Chandler, Baruch Chase, Joseph Towne and Joseph Clough and their associates" were incorporated "by the name of the President, Directors and Company of the Concord Bank." In proceeding to organize for the transaction of business under their charter, special difficulties were encountered, growing chiefly, it is said, out of ques- tions of location and management. Already there was a "north end" and a "south end" interest. In the former was Hon. Timothy Walker, and in the latter Colonel William A. Kent, with' whom, respectively, others took sides, according to their own ideas of interest. The result, however, was, two banks went into operation under the same charter, one called the Upper Bank and the other the Lower Bank, each claiming exclusively to be the Concord Bank. 01 the Upper Bank, Timothy Walker was first president and Samuel Sparhawk, from Portsmouth, cashier. 01 the Lower Bank, Joseph Towne, of Hopkinton, was pr&sident, and William A. Kent cashier. For several years a disagreeable competition existed between them. On the part of the Upper Bank a run was made upon the Lower, for the payment in specie of their bills. By the Lower Bank, or by persons inter- ested therein, suits were commenced against the other for issuing bills contrary to law ; and hence a litiga- tion as to which was the lawful Concord Bank was continued for a considerable time. In 1808 one Nehemiah Jones commenced a suit against Timothy Walker, containing more than a hundred counts, which embraced all the questions at issue. In these suits the late Jeremiah Mason was employed as Jones' counsel. Tradition says that, after a while, Ma-son, perceiving the difficulties of the subject, and disposed to adjust the matter between the parties, signified to his client "that as he had got into gentle- men's company he must expect to pay a gentleman's price." Soon after, the rival banks came to an agreement, at least so far as to cease from vexing one another; both obtained credit with the public, and continued to do business under one charter till the expiration of twenty years; then the Upper Bank obtained a new charter and took the name of Merri- mack County Bank. The Lower Bank obtained a modification and exten- sion of its charter in 1826, and continued to do busi- ness till 1840, when it failed. The Mechanics' Bank was incorporated July Ti, 1834, and charter extended June 22, 1853. Incor- porators: Peter Renton, Abner B. Kelley, Horatio Hill, Joseph M. Harper, Nathaniel G. Uphara, Abel Baker, Benjamin Evans, William Low, Joseph Low, Cyrus Barton, Ralph Metcalf, Nathaniel Curtis, James Minot, Arnold Carroll, Moody Kent, Ezra Carter, William Richardson, Isaac F. Williams. Original officers: Nathaniel G. Upham, president; George Minot, cashier. Original directors: N. G. Upham, Peter Renton, Horatio Hill, J. M. Harper, N. Curtis, A. B. Kelley. Original capital, .$100,000. Closed its affiiirs, 1865. Last officers: Josiah Mi- not, president; Charles Minot, cashier. Minot & Co., bankers (Josiah and Charles Minot) commenced business .January, 1866. Reorganized as Mechanics' National Bank January 3, 1880. Capital, $100,000. Officers: Josiah Minot, president; B. A. Kimball, vice-president; James Minot, cashier. Directors: Josiah Minot, Benjamin A. Kimball, Joseph B. Walker, Edward H. Rollins, Chas. H. Amsden, John M. Hill, Sargent C.Whitaker. Officers, 1885: B. A. Kimball, president; Joseph B. Walker, vice-president; James Minot, cashier. Directors: B. A. Kimball, Joseph B. Walker, Josiah Minot, Charles H. Amsden, Edward H. Rollins, John Kimball, John M. Hill. National State Capital Bank wa.s originally or- ganized as State Capital Bank January 26, 1853. The first directors were Samuel Butterfield, Abram Bean, R. N. Corning, Hall Roberts, Ebenezer Symmes, Asa Fowler, Enos Blake. Hon. Samuel Butterfield, president; Edson Hill, cashier. Capital stock, $100,- 000 ; increased to $150,000 August 28, 1854. Presidents.— QanvxeX Butterfield, to 1860; Hall Rob- erts, from 1860 to 1862; John V. Barron, from 1862 to 1865. C'«4-/jiVri-.— Edson Hill, to 1858; Jonas D. Sleeper, from 1858 to 1859 ; P. S. Smith, from 1859 to 1865. January 1, 1862, the capital stock wiis reduced to $120,000 ; January 1, 1863, to $100,000. The bank was reorganized as National State Capi- tal Bank January 2, 1865, with the following direc- tors : John V. Barron, Robert N. Corning, James Peverly, Jonas D. Sleeper and James S. Norris. President, John V. Barron ; Cashier, Preston S. Smith. Capital stock, $100,000; increased to $150,- 000 April 17, 1865; to $200,000 May 31, 1872, by purchase of bonds and right of circulation of Carroll County National Bank, at Sandwich, N. H. John V. Barron, president to 1878; Lewis Down- ing, Jr., from 1878 to present time. HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. P. S. Smith, cashier to 1872 ; Henry J. Crippen, from 1872 to 1882; Josiah E. Fernald, from 1882 to present time. The present directors are as follows: Lewis Dow- ning, Jr., James S. Norris, Lyman D. Stevens, J. Everett Sargent, John H. Pearson, John Jones, Henry J. Crippen. The First National Bank of Concord was or- ganized in March, 18G4, with Asa Fowler, Enos Blake, Edw. H. Rollins, William Walker, Benning W. Sanborn, (ieorge A. Pillsbury and Moses Hum- jdirey as directors. The first president wjjs Asa Fowler, who continued in office until 1867, when George A. Pillsbury was elected as his successor. In March, 1878, Mr. Pillsbury being about to leave the State for a permanent residence at the West, resigned his office and A. C. Pierce was elected to fill the vacancy, which position he occupied until Decem- ber, 1882, when, at the advanced age of eighty-two years, he resigned, and William M. Chase was elected and held the office until January, 188.'), when William F. Thayer was chosen his successor. Woodbridge Odlin, the first cashier, held his posi- tion but one month when he resigned to accept the appointment of assessor of internal revenue. William W. Storrs was elected to the office, and filled the position until January, 1874, when he was succeeded by William F. Thayer. The present board of directors are Thomas Stuarl, William M. Chase, Solon A. Carter, Charles H. Roberts, AVilliam F. Thayer, William 1'. Fiske and E. H. Woodman. The bank has a capital stock of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and a surplus of nearly the same amount after having paid dividends of over three hundred and twenty thousand dollars. The report of the comptroUor of the currency shows this bank to have the highest per cent, surplus of any bank in the State. William F. Thayer, one of the leading financiers of New Hamjishire, wiis born in Kingston, N. H., March l.S, 1846. His grandfather, the Rev. Elihu Thayer, D.D., was pjistor of the church in Kingston for a period of more than thirty years, and was a leading and influential citizen of that portion of Rockingham County. The parents of William F., Calvin and Sarah Wheeler (Fiske) Thayer, removed to Meridan, N. H., in about ISSf). William F. re- ceived his education at Kimball Union Academy, and in 186.5 came to Concord and accepted a position as clerk in the post-office, Robert N. Corning being at that time ])ostmaster. He soon became chief clerk, and remained in that position four years. He then spent a few months in the West, and upon his return to Concord entered the counting-room of the Elwell Furniture Company, where he continued about eight months. He then became a clerk in the First National Hank in this city, ami his strict integrity. conservatism and financial ability won for him rapid promotion in this institution. He was appointed assistant cashier in 1873, and cashier in 1874. He remained in this position until January, 1885, when he was chosen president. Mr. Thayer is clerk and director in the Contoocook Valley Paper Company ; director, clerk and treasurer of the Concord Cattle Company; director in the Lombard Investment Company ; treasurer of the city of Concord since 1879; and treasurer of the Concord Shoe-Factory and of the Hospital Association. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the South Congregational Church. Mr. Thayer is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Blazing Star Lodge and Mount Horeb Commandery. October 20, 1874, Mr. Thayer united in marriage with Sarah Clarke Wentworth, daughter of Colonel Joseph Wentworth, brother of Hon. John Wentworth of Chicago, and their family consists of two children, — Margaret and William Wentworth. Mr. Thayer's career as an officer and manager of the leading discount bank in the city and State (the First National) has been remarkable and highly cred- itable to his ability as a financier. Entering the in- stitution in 1871, in the subordinate position of clerk, his faithful and efficient service led to his promotion to assistant cashier, in 1873, and to the responsible position of cashier the following year. His industry, good judgment and pleasing address won for him the favor of his employers and the patrons of the bank, and under his management, as its execu- tive officer, the institution soon attained a leading position among the national banks of the State. After ten years' service as cashier he was, in Janu- ary, 1885, elected to the presidency of the bank, in recognition of his great ability and eminent fitness for the position. There is probably no other instance in the history of similar institutions in New Hampshire where so young a man as is Mr. Thayer has won such a position as he occupies at present, solely upon his merits, which are universally acknowledged by his associates and thei-oinnmiiity where he luis made his reputation. The New Hampshire Savings-Bank was organ- ized in July, l,s;iO, the iiieorporalors being Samuel Green, Timothy Chandler, Joseph Low, Nathan Bal- lard, Jr., Samuel Morrill, Nathaniel .Miliott, William Low, Jonathan Eastman, Jr., Nathaniel liouton, Moses G. Thomas and David L. Morril. At a meeting held the 21st day of July, 1830, the bank organized with Hon. Samuel Green as presi- dent, and Samuel Morrill clerk, with a board of eighteen trustees, viz. : Timothy Chandler, Nathan Ballard, Jr., Samuel Fletcher, Francis N. Fisk, Samuel A. Kimball, Jonathan Eastman, Jr., Nath- aniel G. Upham, Isaac Hill, Richard Bradley, Wil- liam Low, Robert Ambrose, Ezekiel Morrill, Hall Burgin, William Gault, Stephen Brown, David George, William Kent and Richard Bartlett. r CONCORD. The bank has had six presidents — Samuel Green, Joseph Low, Francis N. Fisk, Samuel Coffin, Joseph B. Walker and Samuel S. Kimball — and four treasu- rers, — Samuel Morrill, James Moulton, Jr., Charles W. Sargent and William P. Fiske. The present organization is as follows: President, Samuel S. Kimball; Treasurer, William P. Fiske; Trustees: Samuel S. Kimball, Joseph B. Walker, Jesse P. Bancroft, Francis A. Fiske, Seth Eastman, Enoch Gerrish, Sylvester Dana, Moses H. Bradley, John Abbott, John H. George, Mark R. Holt, Charles T. Page, John H. Stewart. George H. Marston, Par- sons B. Cogswell, Oliver l*illslmi-y, William G. Car- ter, John C. Thorn. The deposits of the bank amount to $2,350,000, with six thousand one hundred and twenty de})ositors ; a guaranty fund of $125,000, and an undivided surplus of $118,000. The bank has paid its depositors, during tlie fifty-five years of its existence, $1,343,09.'). 30 in dividends, and $156,321.32 in extra dividends, the rati' of interest being .it four and five per centum per The Merrimack County Savings-Bank was in- corporated .luly 2, 1867, and organized May 3, 1870. The first oflicers were as follows: President, Lyman D. Stevens ; Vice-President, David A. Warde ; Sec- retary and Treasurer, John Kimball ; Trustees: John M. Hill, Abel B. Holt, Woodbridge Odlin, George A. Cummings, Calvin Howe, Moses T. Willard, E. W. Woodward, William M. Chase, Henry McFarland, George W. Crockett, Daniel Holden, Isaac A. Hill, Benjamin A. Kimball. Lyman D. Stevens is the only president, and John Kimball the only treasurer, from the organization to the present time. The first deposit was made June 1, 1870, by Isaac Andrew Hill, of Concord. The amount of deposits, June 1, 1885, was $797,6(55.17; the amount of sur- plus, June 1, 1885, was $60,000. The present board of trustees are Lyman D. Ste- vens, William M. Chase, John Kimball, John M. Hill, Woodbridge Odlin, George A. Cummings, James L. Mason, George W. Crockett, Daniel Holden, Isaac A. Hill, Leland A. Smith, Lysander H. Carroll, Ben- jamin A. Kimball, Henry W. Stevens, Charles H. Amsden. The present offieers are : President, Lyman D. Stevens ; Vice-President, William M. Chase ; Secre- tary and Trea-surer, John Kimball ; Teller, Frank P. Andrews. Loan and Trust Savings-Bank was incorporated at the June srssion nf 1^72, witli the following incor- porators: J. Kverett Sargent, As:i. Fowler, George G. Fogg, William Butterfield, John V. Barron, James Peverly, Nathaniel White, James 3. Norris, Calvin Howe and others. Hon. J. Everett Sargent was elected president at the first meeting of the bank, and has held the office ever since. John V. Barron was first treasurer, holding the office till 1878. CJeorge A. Fernald treasurer from 1878 to present time. The present trustees are J. liverett Sargent, James S. Norris, Lewis Downing, Jr., John F. Jones, Silas Curtis, Howard A. Dodge, John H. Barron, George A. Fernald, Leander W. Cogswell, William K. Mc-. Farland, Paul R. Holden and Howard L. Porter. Committee of investment, — Sargent, Norris, Down- ing, Jones and Dodge. The amount of deposits May 2, 1885, wiis $1,564,- 828.17. The amount of assets, same date, was $1,689,758.25. The Penacook Savings-Bank was incorporated in ISl!'.). The original incoriiorators were Isaac K. tiage, Henry H. Brown, Calvin Gage, Henry H. Ams- den, John S. Brown, Nehemiah Butler, William H. Allen, John C. Gage, David A. Brown, Ezra S. Harris, John Sawyer, Austin G. Kimball, Moses H. Bean, John S. Moore, John A. Holmes, Healy Morse, Samuel F. Brown, George Hepler and David Putnam and associates. The following were the first board of trustees : Nehemiah Butler, Henry H. Amsden, Henry H. Brown, Isaac K. Gage, John C. Gage, John A. Holmes, John Sawyer, John S. Moore, Ezra S. Harris, W. H. Allen, Enoch (i. Wood, John C. Linehan, David Abbott, Moses II. Bean, John S. Brown. The first meeting to organize was held August 14, 1869. Henry H. Brown was chosen president, and held the office until his death, in September, 1873. Isaac K. Gage was chosen president October 13, 1873, and is the present incumbent. Samuel F. Brown was chosen treasurer and secre- tary at the organization of the bank, and has con- tinued in that capacity to the present time. The present board of trustees are Isaac K. Gage, John S. Brown, Charles H. Amsden, Charles E. Foote, Thaddeus O. Wilson, John A. Coburu, Rufus D. Scales, Charles H. Sanders, William H. Allen, John C. Linehan, Nathaniel S. Gale, Charles M. Rolfe, John E. Rines, Abial W. Rolfe. In December, 1878, on account of losses by a failure in the place, also a law-suit pending, the court ordered a scale down of deposits of thirty per cent. In July, 1881, fifteen per cent, of scale down was re- stored to the depositors. Depositors continued still to withdraw their deposits, so that in April, 1884, the bank commis- sioners petitioned the court to appoint an assignee to close up the bank. The court appointed E. H. Wood- man and S. F. Brown assignees. After the scale down of the old account in 1878, a "new account" was opened to those who wished to deposit, which is operated by the officers of the bank at the present time ; this new account has never been large, never exceeding thirty-five thousand dollars, and is gradually being withdrawn, the depositors receiving their principal and interest in full. 94 HISTOllV (IF MHllRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Count Komford, — A history of this town would not be complete with the name of Major Benjamin Thompson (afterwards Count Rumford) omitted. In 177') the spirit of liberty ran high, and Major Thomp.son seems to have fallen under suspicion ol' Toryism, which finally resulted in his flight from the town. He was a native of Woburn, and in 177;") had been in Concord about three years engaged in teach- ing school. He married Sarah, widow of Colonel Benjamin Rolfe,' and daughter of Rev. Timothy Walker. In 1774 he received a commission as major in the New Hampshire militia from Governor John Wentworth ; but as Governor Wentworth was known touudar.v cumniisaion, appointed to detormine the line between the two provinces. Ue was also for many yeara town clerk, a colonel of the provincial nlililia and a representative in the General Assembly. He I larpo business capacity, and was over active nut only in bis own those of his town and proviuce as well. iner residence. Under the patronage of the Elector. Charles Theodore, he introduced great improvements in the condition and discipline of the army. At Munich, in 1790, he suppressed the system of men- dicity which widely prevailed, and provided houses of public industry, in which beggars were supported and required to labor. Two thousand and six hun- dred of this class were put in in a single week, and the industrial establishment for them, which at first was supported by voluntary contributions, camo to yield to the State a net income of one hundred thou- sand florins. In grateful remembrance of his ser- vices and benefactions, a monument is erected in .Munich to his honor. Inscribed beneath his bust is the following : "To him Who rooted ,itil (1,.- -1. al,..sl „f public evils, On the other front is inscribed, — "Stay, Wanderer ! At the creative fiat of Charles Theodore, UUMFORD, the Friend of Mankinrl, By Genius, Taste and Love inspired, Changed this once desert place Into what thou now liehoUIest." He became almost the object of idolatrous regard by the poor. At one time, when dangerously ill, they formed processions, and went to the church to pray for his recovery. When sick at Naples they devoted an hour each evening to join in supplications for his restoration to health. About 1794' he sent to this country for his daughter, who met him in England, accompanied him to Munich, and for several years afterwards shared his fortunes. For his services in Bavaria the Elector settled on him a pension for life of nearly two thousand dollars, one-half of which descended to his daughter, as Countess of Rumford, during her life. Returning to England, he assisted in putting in operation the .society known as the Royal Institution, in London, about 1799. He after- wards located himself at Paris,- married the widow of the celebrated chemist, Lavoisier, and with her resided at Auteuil, on the estate of bci' Ibriner husband, where he died of fever, Augu.st 'll. 1814, in the sixty- second year of his age. He bequeathed the annual sum of one thousand dollars to Harvard College, with other reversions, to found the Rumford professorship. To the American Academy he also made a liberal bequest. Sarah, Countess of Rumford, was born in Con- cord, October 18, 1774. A portion of her early life was spent with her paternal grandmother, at Wo- burn. After the death of her mother, in 1792, she • Perhaps as early aa 1792. CONCORD. went to Europe, at her father's invitation, and was introduced into the polite and fashionable circles of I5avaria, of Paris and of London. Between the death of her father and her own decease she visited this country two or three times ; but her principal resi- dence was at Bromptou, near London, in a house which she inherited from her father. A portion of her time she spent in Paris, where she had funds invested. In 184;") she returned to the spot where she was born, to live and — to die. Occasionally the countess attended public worship at the North Church, and visited her family relatives and friends, liut spent most of her time in adorning the grounds uliout her house. By her habits of strict economy the |iin|ierty she inherited, together with her pension of al>nut "lie thdUsaiKl d"ll;ii>, had accumulated to a very cdiisidcriiMe sum at the lime of her decease, all which she disposed of by will, partly to family con- nections, but mostly for charitable objects, as follows: To the Rolfe and Rumforil Asylum, in Concord, wliicli slie foinidrd, s:,oO0 ; with all her real estate, appraisr.l :il s.'.oiio; i,, the New Hami)shire A.sylum for till' liisaiii , sl.'i.iKMi ; to the Concord Female Char- it al.lr S.M i, ly s2(iOO ; to the Boston Children's Friend S..ii.i\, si^ ; for the Fatherless and Widows' So- . i.t\, I'.ostol,, SL>()IJO. Several rare paintings, which she inherited from her father, were given to Josejdi B. Walker, Esq., of this city. The Rolfe and Rumford Asylum was opened for the reception of beneficiaries January 15, 1880. Its benefits are confined to native female children of Concord. The (germinal idea of this institution may probaldy be found in a circumstance which occurred more than eighty years ago at Munich, in Bavaria, where Count Rumford, then in the service of the reigning Elector, was living with his daughter. One of the most important enterprises which the count had originated, and carried to full success in that country, was the establishment of an institution known as the House of Industry. Through its agency large numbers of idle beggars had been con- verted to respectable and self-supporting citizens. It became very popular, and excited much interest in all Europe. To pay her respects to her father, on his forty- fourth birth-day, the countess called upon him on the 26th of March, 1797, accompanied by a dozen boys and girls from the House of Industry. The count was so much affected by this incident that he re- solved that it should not be forgotten. He made the countess a present of two thousand dollars in three per cent, stock of the United States, the income to be appropriated to clothe, annually, October 23d, for- ever, twelve poor and industrious children. The count and countess decided that the place for the bestowal of this charity should be the town of Con- cord. Some correspondence took place with the selectmen of Concord in relation to the subject, but nothing further was done during the life-time of the count. His daughter cherished through life the purpose of ultimately carrying into ctl'ect the original design of her father, or of establisliing some er|uivalent substitute for it. By her will, she gave to it all lu-r real estate ajid a cash endowment of fifteen thousand dollars. The latter, deemed inadequate for the support of the in- stitution contemplated, has been carefully cared tor, and now forms a fund affording an income sufiieient for its support. The building thus far used was tormerly the man- sion-house of the Rolfe and Rumtbrd families. In it the founder was born, October 18, 1774. In it, after a long and varied life in this country and in Europe, she died, December, 1852. About 1764, Colonel Benjamin Rolfe erected on the west bank of the Merrimack, at the Eleven Lots, the house now occupied by this institution. For that time and this locality it was an elegant nnmsion, and the best, doubtless, in this section of New Hampshire. Soon after its completion, wearied of his bachelor life, he married Sarah, eldest daughter of the town minister, Rev. Timothy Walker, and set up therein his household gods. At the time of their marriage he was some sixty years of age, and his wife about thirty. They had lived together but two or three years when Colonel Rolfe died, leaving to his widow and their only son, Paul, the largest landed estate in Concord. The asylum was incorporated as the Rolfe and Rumford Asylum, July 3, 1872, the following per- sons being named a body corporate: Joseph B. Walker, Ebenezer S. Towle, Enoch Gerish, Jesse P. Bancroft and Francis A. Fisk. New Hampshire Bible Society.'— The suggestion to form a Bible Society for the State of New Hamp- shire was first made at the meeting of the General Association of Congregational Ministers, at Exeter, in 1810. The next year, at the meeting of the same body, at Dunbarton, it was decided to form such a society. A committee was appointed to prepare an address to Christians of all denominations, inviting them to unite in such an organization, to draw up a constitu- tion and to call the first meeting of the society. This meeting was held in Concord, June 3, 1812. The constitution reported was adopted, and the fol- lowing officers were chosen: Hon. John Langdon, president; Rev. Seth Payson, D.D., vice-president; Rev. John H. Church, secretary ; Jonathan Wilkins, Esq., treasurer; Daniel Emerson, Esq., Rev. Joseph Smith, Major John Mills, Rev. Reed Page, directors. The object of the society was "to promote the more extensive distribution of the Holy Bible." This ' By Rev. F. D. Ayer. 96 IlISTOKY OF MKiailMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. was to be pursued by distributing, gratuitously, among tlie destitute and needy, and by selling at re- duced price to all, Bibles and Tcstiinients. The ineth()i rectors, Rev. G. W. Norris, John C. Thorn, Moses H. Smith, A. J. Prescott; Secretary, Rev. F. D. Aver; Treasurer and Depositary, Hon. John Kim- hall; Superintendent, Deacon W.G.Brown; Andit- .irs, W,K,(lliridge Odlin, Hon. L. T>. Stevens. Physicians. — The iirst physician in what is now Concord was Dr. Ezra Carter, who settled here in about 1740. In 1742 he married Ruth, only daughter of (■aptain Ebenezer Eastman, who, at the time of her marriage, was but thirteen years of age. Accord- ing to family tradition, their first child was born before she was fourteen years old. After marriage Ruth retained her love for childish sports; and, on one occasion, the doctor, on returning home, found his wife playing with other children on the hay-mow. A Dr. Emery resided here a short time, and moved to Fryeburg, Me. Dr. Ebenezer Hander Goss, of Holton, Mass., settled in Concord about 1770, and married a daugh- ter of Rev. Timothy Walker. He lived at the north end of Main Street, where Mr. Charles Smart resides; set out the elm-trees before the house ; held important offices in town; was surgeon in the army under Gen- eral Stark; a man of eccentric habits; tall, and of strongly-marked features. He moved to Brunswick, Me., where he died at an advanced age. Dr. Philip MacCarrigain, of Scotch descent, born in the city of New York, 174(5 ; studied medi- cine in Haverhill, Mass.; came to Concord, 1768; died August, 1806. He married a daughter of the late Thomas Clough, Esq., of Canterbury. Dr. Carrigain had an extensive practice, and was famous for surgical skill. Dr. Peter Green came to Concord in 1772. Dr. Samuel Adams, from Lincoln, Mass., was a resident in Concord about 1796. Dr. G. Gridley was in Concord about 1798; mar- ried a daughter of David George, Esq. Dr. Zauok Howe, from Franklin, Mass., wiis in practice in Concord about twelve years prior to 1814, when he relinquished his business to his partner, Dr. Thomas Chadbourne, and moved to Boston. He was distinguished for scientific skill. Dr. Thomas Chadbourne, son of the late Dr. William Chadbourne, of Conway, came to Concord, 1814; married a daughter of Dr. Peter Green. Dr. Benjamin ParIvER, from Bradford, Mass., was in Concord a short time — not far from 1818. He lived in a house on Pleasant Street, afterwards owned by Samuel Fletcher, Esq., where the Baptist Church stands. Dr. Alexander Ramsey, a native of Scotland, delivered lectures on anatomy and physiology in Concord and other places in New Hampshire from 1808 to 1823. He died at Parsonsfield, Me., 1824. Dr. Moses Loxc, a native of Hopkinton, N. H., commenced practice in Concord Riist village, in 181.3. He moved from Concord, 1824. Dr. Henry Bond was a native of Livcrmore, Me.; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1818; was tutor, 1815; received his medical degree in 1817. He practiced in Concord from 1816 until 1820, when he removed to Philadelphia. Dr. Moses Chandler, a native of Fryeburg, Me., commenced practice in Concord, 1816 ; wiis a surgeon on board of a privateer that sailed out of Portsmouth in 1813. He was a tall, stout, athletic man, and devoted to his profession. He died Sep- tember 2, 1825. Dr. Peter Renton came (Vom Sculhiml ami set- tled in Concord, 1822. His practice soon liecarae very extensive, both in Concord and neighboring towns. He removed to Boston in 1843 or 1844, where he has an extensive and lucrative practice. Dr. Samuel Morrill, a brother of Hon. David L. Morrill, came to Concord, 1819, from Epsom, where he had practiced nineteen years, and held important offices. In 1826 he received the honorary degree of M.D. from Dartmouth College; was ap- pointed justice of the Court of Sessions for the county of Rockingham, 1821 ; register of deeds for the county of Merrimack, 1823, which he held till 1828, when he was elected State treasurer. In 1829 he was chosen treasurer of the New Hampshire Branch Education Society; in 1830, treasurer of the New Hampshire Savings-Bank. He was a deacon of the First Congregational Church. Dr. Richard Russell resided in Concord about three years previous to 1824, but spent most of his life in practice in Wakefield and Somersworth, at which latter place he died. May 22, 1855, aged about seventy. Dr. Eli.tah Colby, son of Isaac Colby, of Hop- kinton, N. H., born June 18, 1798; graduated at the Medical College in Hanover, 1823, and the same year commenced practice in the East village of Con- cord. In April, 1838, he moved to New Bedford, Mass. Dr. Ezra Carter received the medical degree of M.D. at Bowdoin College in 1824; commenced prac- tice in 1825, in his native town; next year he removed to Loudon; returned to Concord in 1828, where he has remained in large practice till the present time. Representative in 1836 and 1837. He was commissioned justice of the peace in 1837 ; in 1844 and 1845 was president of the Centre District Medical Society, and in 1852 president of the New Hampshire Medical Society. He was father of Dr. William G. Carter. Dr. Edward B. Moore, of Lancaster, practiced in Concord about six months, in 1828. Dr. Joseph Reynolds came to Concord in 1828. Dr. Nathaniel Wheat came from Candia to Concord in 1834, and remained till 1837. Dr. Josiah Kittredge came to Concord in 1837, remaining a year or two. HISTORY OF MERRIiMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Dr. Rohekt Lane, of Sutton, csime to Concord about 1837, hut remiiined only a short time. His daughter married (ieorge W. Eia, Esq. Dr. Tho.mas Brown was in practice in Concord from 1S:51 till 1837. Dr. Timothy Hayses, a native of Alexandria, X. H., horn September 5, 1810; took his medical degree at the Jeflcrson Medical College, in Philadel- phia, 1836, and immediately after commenced the practice of medicine and surgery in Concord, where he resided until his death, a short time since. Dr. Chaki-es Pixckney Gaue, born in Hopkin- ton April 5, 1811; took his degree at the Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio, 1837, and remained in that city a year, when he came U> Concord, where he still resides in active practice, and is the oldest physi- cian in the city. Dr. Henry 0. Stone, from Salem, Mass., had an office in Concord in 184.'), a!id remained f(mr or five years. Dr. Damki. .1. lliiVT studied mclirinc with Dr. Peter Reiitoii, and n.niiiiciucd pructi<'C in Concord in 1840; next year he removed to Maiuhcster, where he died July 13, 1847. Dr. Isaac Coi.uy came to Concorcl in the fall of 1839, and remained about one year and a half. In 18.54 he returned to Concord. Dr. Mose.>< Carter came to Concord, in iioor health, 1842. He had a large experience in small- pox, and was usually emph)yed as town physician for persons in that disease. He resided in Concord till lSo4, when he moved to Sanbornton Bridge. Dr. Jonathan C. Prescott came to Concord in 1843. He died, after a most distressing sickness, of disease of the kidneys, February 13, 1844, in the forty-ninth year of his age. Dr. Ekesezer (i. Moore, a native of Dorchester. N. IL, came to Concord in 1S44, where he resided until his death. Dr. George Ciiamh.ek came to Concord, from Worcester, Mass., in October, 1842, jis the first super- intendent of the New^ Hampshire .\sylum for the In- sane, and continued in charge of that institution until 1845, when he was appointed superintendent of the State Lunatic Hospital of Massachusetts. Dr. Ben.tamin H. Thii-p came to C -ord in 1843. He left in 184!). Dr. William Phescott, born in Sanbornton December 29, 1788. He came to Concord in 1845. Dr. Moore Russell Fletcher opened an office in Concord in 1845. Here he remained two years. Dr. Andrew McFarland was appointed superin- tendent and physician of theNew Hampshire Asylum for the Insane in August, 1845. In 1850 he made a tour in Europe, and after his return published an entertaining volume, called "The Escape." Dr. Mc- Farland resigned his office at the a.sylum in 1852, and in 18.54 was appointed superintendent of the State Lunatic Hospital of Illinois, at Jacksonville. Dr. James F. Sargent, born in Warner July 4, 1810 ; came to Concord 1847. Dr. ErHHAiM F. Wilson came to Concord East village, 1849. In 1854 he removed to Rockville, Conn. Dr. Willia.m H. S.mart was born in Hopkintcjii April 8, 1810 ; came to Concord 1849. Dr. Edward H. Parker, son of Isaac l':nkcr, I'^q., of Boston, opened an ollice in Conconi IS.M); removed to New York. Dr. Alpheus Morrill, a native of Canterbury, came to Concord 1849. He was the father of Drs. Shadrack and Ezekiel Morrill. Dr. Benjamin S. Warren, a native of Peacham, Vt. ; graduated at the Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio ; came to Concord in 1849, and is still in prac- tice. Dr. John Eugene Tyler was superintendent of the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane, at Concord ; was born in Boston December 9, 1819. William H. Hosmer graduated from Dartmouth College in 1838; has practiced in Fisherville thirty- seven years. C. A. LOCKERBY, Dartmoiitli Medical College, set- tled here in 1864. J. P. Bancroft graduated lioni Dartmouth ^Medi- cal College in 1845 ; wassupciinicndciit of the State Insane Asylum for years. C. C. ToPLlFF, Fisherville, since IS'is. H. G. McIntire graduated from ILirvard .Medical College ; settled here in 1860. J. H. Gallinger graduated from Ohio .McdicMl College in 1858 ; settled here in 1862. S. C. Morrill graduated from Harvard Medical College in 1862, and ha.s practiced here since. G. P. Conn graduated from Medical College in 1855 ; settled in 1863. A. H. Robin.son graduated from Yale Medical College in 1863 ; practiced here since. A. H. Crosby graduated from Dartmouth Medical College in 1857 ; settled here in 1864. H. B. Tebbets, Harvard Medical Cidlege in 1835 ; not in practice. J.C. W. Moore graduated from Bowdoin Jledicnl College in 1865, and has practiced here since. R. W. Abbott has been here about twenty years. Moses W. Russell graduated from Dartmouth Medical College in 1863 ; settled here in 1867. J. W. Varney graduated from University of N'cr- mont in 1841 ; settled here in 1869. William G. Carter graduated from llaivard Medical College in 1869, and has practiced here since. E. H. Foster graduated from Bowdoin Jlcdiial College in IsilC, : settled here in 1872. F. A. SrtiiiM.- -r;eliiated from Dartmouth Medi- cal College ill 1N7II; located here in 1872. E. Morrill graduated from Castleton (Vt.) Medi- cal College in 1857 ; settled here in 1874. COxXOOIlD. (iEOK(iE Cook graduated from Dartmouth Medical Collegf in 18()8 ; located in Concord in 1875. B. R. Ben.neu graduated iroiii College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, New ■^'orlc, in lX7."i; was assistant pliysieian at Insane Asylum. .\. H. I)K,M;n(il!X graduated IVom It,, wdoin Medi- cal College; settled here in lS7i;. C.R.Walker graduated from llarvanl Mediial College in 1877, and settled here soon alter. D. E. Harriman graduated from Dartmouth .Medi- cal College in 1877. Charles I. Lane graduated from Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelpliia, in 1878. E. O. Piersons graduated from Dartmouth Medi- cal College in 1878 ; was assistant physician at asy- A. E. Emery graduated fr,,m Ihiiv,Tsily ,,f \'er- mont in 180.5; located in Fisherville in ISTlt, where he is still in practice. Henry M. French graduated rr,,m I)arlm,,utli Medical College in 1878; settled in (•,,n,-,,rd in 1882. The following is a complete list ,,! the present physicians : E. W. .Abbott, Anson C. Ale.\ander, Jesse P. Bancroft, William G. Car- tel, Joseph Chase, Jr., A. P. Che.sley, G. P. Conn, George Cook, A. H. Crosby, Herbert C. Cummings, Alfie.l E. Kmery. K,hv„r,l JK F.«tL-r, Ileni-y M. French, C. P. ''^.■•^. . ■<■'■.'! II '. ■ < i Im i: <.i,t,i,,-y, E. E. Graves, Mrs. Lncinil:, - II nl i: i i II. I: i \ II W II. Hosnier, S. U. Marden, H;ii \ ■ ■ ' M hir i i > w \| . I -l^i.'l Morrill, S. C. Morrill, N. C. \hii,i,, M.i.H, ;. l.m Wal- lace Russell, M.ises W. Rosscll, F. .\. Stillilins, lli,a„i 11. 'I'.liheta, Charles R. Walker, Benjamin S. Warren, Irving A. Watson. City Hospital. — The first meeting of the citizens of Concord interested in the establishment of a hos- pital was called July 3, 1884. At a subsequent meeting the Hospital Association was organized, a board of officers elected and a committee appointed to find a suitable location or house for a hospital. The house situated on the corner of Allison and Turnpike Streets was eventually leased for that pur- pose, for a term of two years from October 1, 1884, with the privilege, during that time or at the expira- tion of it, of buying the house and land for six thou- sand dollars. Early in October work began upon the premises, and changes and improvements have been made since, from time to time, as the necessities of the hospital required. The hospital opened October 20th, and nine pa- tient.s have been treated since that time. The present oflicers are as follows: Oliver Pills- bury, president; Francis L. Abbot, clerk; William F. Thayer, treasurer. Trustees r For the term ending January, 1886, Henry J. Crippin, P. B. Cogswell, Mrs. Elizabeth P. Schiitz; for the term ending Jan- uary, 1887, John A. White, Joseph C. A. Hill, Mrs. F. C. Stevens; for the term ending January, 1888, Samuel C. Eastman, Mrs. Mary Stearns, Mrs. Lydia P. Lund. Fire Department— In about the year 1825 the Fire Department was managed by what were called "fire wards," appointed by the town, who, on occasions of fire, bore aloft the distinguishing badge of tliciroliice, a staff' five feet long, painted red and headeil with a bright spire six inches long, with a blue ril,l„,n streaming from the apex. In 1825, and lor s,,iii,> years later, there were only tw,, siikiII lir,-engines in the main village, one of them ,all,',l tli,' " Literary," which was worked by a brake, six men on each side, with a hose from twenty to thirty feet in length, without any suction hose. Among the engine-men of 1827 were Francis N. Fisk, John George, John Nast, Dr. Moses Chandler, Jeremiah Pecker, Orlando Brown, Richard Bradley, Robert Davis, Samuel Collin, Charles Herbert, Richard Herbert, Ltitlier Boby (chief engineer, 1827), James Busliiu'll am! ,S. A. Kimball. The present Fire Department is one of the most efficient in the State. It is under the management of the Hon. John M. Hill, than whom there is no more capable or eflScient fire officer in New Hampshire. The force of the department is as follows: In the precinct, at the Central Station, two second-class Amoskeag steamers, — "Kearsarge," with "Kearsargc Hose" (sixteen men), and "Governor Hill," relief .steamer, with "Eagle Hose" (thirteen men). The hose-carriages are both of Amoskeag manufiictnre, first-class, and drawn by horses. Hook-and-ladder carriage, "City of Concord" (twenty men). All the men in these companies are call men. The perma- nent employes are steward, assistant steward and three drivers. There are six horses, besides the steward's horse, always held within reasonable dis- tance to respond to an alarm. The "Alert Hose" (twelve men), at the north end, and the "Good- Will Hose" (twelve" men), at thesouth end, are each provided with a horse, kept constantly at a hack-stable adjoining the hose-houses. The "Alert" uses a modern department wagon, and the "Good- Will" a second-class Amoskeag four-wheel carriage. Each has the swinging harness. The men are all call men. The "Pioneer" steamer, at Penacook (thirty men), is a fourth-class Silsby, with a second-class Amoskeag hose-carriage. The steamer can be drawn by horses or by hand, as necessity may require. Horses are held available. The "Old Fort," at East Concord, and the "Cata- ract," at West Concord, are baud-engines, with jump- ers for hose. Their complement of men is thi rty each . The board of engineers consists of chief and three assistants in the precinct, and one assistant each at Penacook, East C!oncord and West Concord. The entire force numbers one hundred and seventy-five men. The following is the list of officers of the depart- ment for 1885 : Chief Engineer, John JL Hill. Assistant Engineeis : l',vci,„t, Jc- seph S. Slerrill, Baniel B. Newhall, Benjamin F. Tnck.-r ; Ward 1, HISTOKY OF iMKIUUiMACK COUNTY, NKW HAMPSHIRE. WiUium W. AUon ; WnnI 2, John K. Kryo ; Wiird :l, Hurrisuii I'artridgo ; D. B. KewbuU, clork of boord : Kbon F. ItichanUon, steward Central Fire Station and 9ii|jerintendent Sro alarm ; George I,. Osgood, oaslstaiit at Ceutnil Station. Keursarge Steam KIro-Engine and Hose ComiJiiiiy, Ko. i.— Jolin J. McNulty, foreman ; diaries 0. lllanchani, ossUUiiit forcnmn ; William C. Green, clork; Jamoe II. Sandora, engineer and treoanrer. Steamer "Kearaarge" i» a sccond-claas Amoskeag, drawn by double liorsca Boae.carHoge in a four-wheel flr«t-cla«8 Amoskeag, drawn by single Eagle HoM Comiiuny, No. 1.— Relief steamer "Governor Hill," No. 1, is assigned to this company, Charles H. Sanders, engineer. John II. Toof, forenun ; George W. Johnson, acsietant foreman ; James Hoit, clerk and treasurer. Steamer *' Governor Hill " is a second-class Amos- keag, drawn by double hoisos. Hose-carriage is a four-wheel flrst-cliuis Amoskeag, drawn by a single horse. Alert Hoeo Company, No. 2.— Charles A. Davis, foreman ; Henry Tucker, assistant foreman ; Fred. Leighton, clerk ; Fred. S. Johnson, frcasurer; Fred. Earl, steward. Ilosowagon is a modern department wagim of Concord monufacturc,— W. S. Davis & Son. It is drawn by Good-Will Hose Comiany, No. ;t. — William A. Bean, foreman ; John 0. Mills, ossistant foreman ; Frank II. Blanchard, clerk ; Samuel D. McOloughlin, treasurer. Hose-carriage is a four-wheel second-class Amoskeag, drawn by a single horse. City ot Concord Hook-and-Laddi-r r,,N; 1 ,1 in N i vmImuI i.au.-, foreiuan; Napoleon B. Burleigh, us^-i i , i I I m. , clerk ; Frank T. Bean, treasurer, II : i nl manufacture,— Abbett-Bowning Coiiiiui li i. Iium, li ,l,,iil.l.. Pioneer, Steam Fire-Engine Company, No. 3, Penacook. — John II. Rolfe, foreman ; D. Warren Fox, assistant foreman ; John B. Dodge, clerk and treasurer ; John \\\ Powell, foreman of hose ; George S. Locke, engineer ; Enoch E. Kolfe, steward. Steamer "Pioneer" is a fourth-class Silsby ; hose-carriage is a four-wheel Amoskeag; both drawn by hand or horse. Old Fort Engine Company, No. 2, East Concnnl T -, |,1, V rl,, ,.r, foreman; Harrison H. Carpenter, assistant for. lu . .i : I I ;>.!.- inson, clerk; John C. Hutchins, treasurer; ( hi , ' mi. -l.■\^. ard. Huunemann five-inch cylinder hand-en^'iin v\itli Imm nnuini ; Cataract Engine Company, No. :i, West Concord. — James M. Grossman, foreman ; .Simeon Partridge, assistant foreman ; John E. Gay, clork and treasurer ; Williau) A. Martin, foreman of hose ; Abial C. Abbott, steward, llunnenmnn six-inch cylinder hand-engini-, with hose Jiimiicr ; drawn by band. SUMMARY OF MEMBERS. Engineers 4 Steamer an Hose meml Hook-and-loilder members 20 Steward, assistjint steward and regular drivei-s (:i) . .'i — 82 Engineers :i Members at Penacook ;i(i Mcmbera at East Concord ;;o Members at West Concord ;10 — ;i;! Total 17.', Fisherville (or Penacook, as it is now calleil) is a thriving village, about six miles from the eity, and is named in lionor of tlie Fishers, who erected the first mill at this point. It was on an island near here where Mrs. Hannah Dustin, in 1G97, killed and scalped ten Indians. The following account of this daring exploit is tlius related by Dr. Pouton : Mrs. Hannah, wife of Mr. Tliomas Dustin, was confined to her bed with an infant child, seven days a choice, and, keeping in their rear, he retreated and fired, sometimes with ftital effect, till the Indians gave over their pursuit. In the mean time a small party of Indians entered the house, took Mrs. Dustin and nurse prisoners and set the house on fire. The babe was snatched from the hands of the nurse, and its brains dashed out against an apple-tree. Feeble, and with but one shoe on, Mrs. Dustin was compelled to travel through the wilderness, in this inclement season, till they reached the home of her Indian captors, on the island above named. The Indians on the island were twelve in number, — two men, three women and seven children, — and with them an English boy, named Samuel Lan- nardson, who was taken prisoner about a year befori' at VV^orcester. After a few days the women were informed by the Indians that they would soon .start for a distant settle- ment, and when they arrived there would be obliged (o submit to Indian customs, of which one was to run the gauntlet, naked, between two files of Indians. On learning this, Mrs. Dustin formed her deadly plan. She told the boy Lannardson to ask his master where he would strike a man if he wished to kill him in- stantly, and how he would take off a scalp. The Indian laid his finger on his temple. "Strike 'em there," said he, and then instructed the boy how to scalp. Engaging the nurse and the boy in her plot, Ihey waited the midnight hour for executing it. With tomahawks in hand, they struck the fatal blows on the heads of the Indians as they lay fast aaleeij. Ten were killed at once. Mrs. Dustin killed her master, and Samuel Lannardson dispatched the very Indian who told him where to strike and how to take off a scalp. A favorite Indian boy wits spared, and one of the squaws whom they left for dead jumped up and ran into the thicket. Mrs. Dustin, gathering up what provisions there were in the wigwam, taking the gun of her dead master and the tomahawk witli which she killed him, and, to prevent pursuit, scutt- ling the Indian canoes, except one, she embarked in that, with the nurse and boy Lannardson, on the waters of the Merrimack, to seek their way to Haver- hill. They had not proceeded far, however, when Mrs Dustin, perceiving that they had neglected to take the scalps, and fearing lest her neighbors — should she ever arrive at her home — would not credit her story, hastened back with her companions to the scciic of death, took off the scalps of the slain, put tlicin " into a bag, and, with these bloody witnesses a^o-e^ CONCORD. lUl of their feat, hastened again on their downward course to Haverhill. There they safely arrived." On the 21st of April following, Mrs. Dustin and her two attendants went to Boston, carrying, as proofs of their exploit, the gun, tomahawk and ten scalps, and received, as a reward from the General Court, fifty pounds, besides many valuable presents from others. The Dustin Memorial. — On the island at the mouth of the Contoocook River stands the granite memorial erected to commemorate this achievement. The statue was erected mainly through the eftbrts ol' Robert B. Caverly, of Lowell, and E. S. Nutter, of Concord. The first step to that end was the convey- ance, by Messrs. John C. and Calvin Gage, to Rev. Nathaniel Ronton, E. K. Nutter and R. B. Caverly, in trust, all of the land lying east of the Northern Railroad, upon the island, for the purpose of establishing a memorial. Funds to the amount of six thousand dollars were raised by subscription. The statue and pedestal are of Concord granite, after a design by William Andrews, of Lowell. The sculptors were Andrew Orsolini, James Murray and Charles H. Andrews ; the builder. Porter E. Blanchard. The monument was unveiled June 17, 1874, with appropriate ceremonies. There was a large gathering of people. Addresses were made by Rev. N. Bouton, of Concord; R. B. Caverly, Esq., of Lowell; Hon. G. W. Nesmith, of Franklin ; Major-General S. G. Griffin, of Keene ; D. O. Allen, of Lowell ; Hon. B. F. Pres- cott, of Eppiug ; Colonel J. H. George, of Concord ; Rev. Ellas Nason, of Billerica ; Charles C. Coffin, of Boston ; Rev. W.T. Savage, of Franklin ; ex-Governor Onslow Stearns, of Concord, and others. Governor James A. Weston accepted the deed, in trust, IWr tlic State. The Concord Horse Railroad.— This road was or- ganized in 1880, and was running in April, 1881. The road was started with five cars, and now has ten. In 1885 the company added to their stock two steam motors, which are designed to supersede the use of horses. The line extends from South Main Street, or the " South End," as this part of the town is called, through West Concord to Penacook. Hon. Moses Humphrey is president and superintendent. Hon. Moses Humphrey, ex-mayor and one of Con- cord's leading citizens, was born in Hingham, Mass., October 20, 1807; son of Moses Leavitt and Sarah (Lincoln) Humphrey, who were descendants of the first settlers of that ancient town. He attended the common schools of his native town until 1821, when he commenced following the sea, at that time a lead- ing branch of industry of Southeastern Massachusetts. He continued in this occupation twelve years, seven of which he was master of the schooners " Ann " and " Climax," of Hingham, and other vessels. He then, in company with his brother, engaged in commerce, — owning a number of vessels, — the mercantile business and cooperage on an extensive scale, and the |)racti- cal management of the business devolved upnu Mr. Humphrey. He was the originator of the manufac- ture of "kits" by machinery, and upon his removal to Croydon, N. H., in 1843, commenced their manufac- ture, which was continued there until 1851, when he removed the business to Concord, where he hits con- ducted it to the 'present time, and from that time to the present htvs been prominently identified with the progress of the city. He was a member of the first City Council in 1853, and in 1854 was elected presi- dent of the Council; in 1855 was elected to the Board of Alderman, and during Mayor Clnncnt's sickness for several months, Mr. Humphrey was chairman of the board and acting-mayor. He was re-elected in 1856. In 1857 was a memljcr of the House of Representatives, and chairman of the com- mittee on towns and parishes. In 1860 was elected |)resident of the Merrimack County Agricultural Society, and held the position several years. He was chosen a director in the First National Bank in 1864. In March, 1861, Mr. Humphrey was elected mayor, and, in March following, upon the eve of the break- ing out of the Rebellion, was sworn into office. Presi- dent Lincoln's first call for troops occurred soon after, and Mayor Humphrey at once suggested to Captain Sturdevant, a jirominent police officer, that he recruit a company for immediate service, which was done, and mustered into the United States ser- vice as Company A of the First Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers. Concord subsequently be- came the headquarters of the army for the State, and was also the general recruiting station. Here were rendezvoused the First, Third, Fifth, Ninth, Elev- enth, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Regiments. This brought together different elements of society, and devolved great responsibility ujjon the head of the city government. The June session of the Legislature in 1861 passed an act authorizing cities and towns to pay State aid to vol- unteers. The cities generally appointed agents to disburse this fund, but in this city the duties were assumed by Mayor Humphrey, who paid out the sum of $23,330.29. He discharged the duties of this trying period with courage and to the welfare and honor of his adopted city. In addition to the duties which the war devolved upon him, he was also overseer of the poor, superintendent of highways and bridges, etc. He was, also, the city's authorized agent for filling the quotas in 1861, '62 and '65, and, at the close of his administration in 1862, he had eighty- two men credited to the city above the quotas. He was also chairman, in 1S63, of the High School building committee. He was re-elected iimyor in 1865. He was foremost in the movement which resulted in the rebuilding of the State-House in 1865, and in the following year he was appointed by Governor Smyth one of a committee to build the State-House fence, beautify the grounds, etc. The labor of this 102 HISTORY OK MERlilMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMI'SHIRE. committee, however, chiefly devolved upon Mayor Humphrey. He was a member of Governor Stearns' Council in 18()!», and was an earnest advocate of the movement for building the new State Prison, and also for changing the method of appointment of the warden, transferring the power from the Legislature to the Governor and Council. He has also repre- sented Ward Five in the Legislature, and has been chairman of the Board of Agriculture since 1870. Mayor Humphrey is the present president and super- intendent of the Concord Horse Railroad, and the succe-ss of this enterprise is largely due to his untir- ing elforts. Although beyond the scriptural age of three-score and ten, he still retains the vigor and elasticity of youth. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Universalist Church. In 1831, Mayor Humphrey united in marriage with Lydia Humphrey, and they had one daughter, who died in 1850. Mayor and Mrs. Humphrey cele- brated tluir "golden wedding" in 1881. Centenarians.' — The following is a list of centen- arians who have died in Concord: Elizabeth (Abbott) Haieltine, died February 25, 1834; daughter of Nathaniel Abbott, one of the original proprietors of Concord (then Penacook), where she was born July 1, llii'i. Mrs. Willey died in Concord April 14, 1847, aged one hundred yeare, three months and seventeen days. Theodosia Smith died in (Vnudrd, IS.lii, aged one hundred and one years. Lydia (Goodwin) Elliott died .fuMc 24, 1856, aged one hundred and three years, four months and twenty- five days ; born in Newton, Miuss., January 30, 1753. One of her brothers died at the age of ninety-seven ; one sister at ninety-nine years and eight months, and one at ninety-.seven ; another wiis living in Janu- ary, 1853, at the age of ninety-six ; four of her chil- dren, seventy grandchildren, one hundred great- grandchildren, and at least eight great-great-grand- children were living at her centennial. JIargaret (Sargent) Evans died March 28, 1877, aged one hundred anil one years, eight months and twenty-one days. She was born in Chester July 7, 1775 ; of her eight children, four survived her, two of the number being over seventy years of age. She bad lucn a resident of ('oncord nearly eighty years. Slavery in Concord.— In the early days slavery was not unknriwn in this section, as the following docu- •Ilncoheiluf AnJiow McMil " CoNcORu, March 4, 17G7. lie wuin of forty-sevon poundy ten iileratton for my Negro Boy slave ■s, wliicli Xegro Hoy I liave tliij^ omtHo to warrant ami ilefeiid thi' tliu said McMillan, and hig heire ^ t.f any other person or jjersons '* In witne»Ft whereof 1 iiave heren and date atwve meiitioneiii'i-r\.r , and have put her, the said Negro Garl, into his, the said Andr. u McMillan's, possession, by delivering her unto him, the said >I,-Mil Ian, at the time of sealing hereof. In witness whereof I have her.- unto set my haiid and seal, this 24th day of May, and in the eighth year of His Majesty's reign, A.D. one thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight. "BII.I.F.K1C-A, May 2, 1761. " Know ,tlt Mm l>y time. I'resetils, That I, Hannah Bowers, of Bil- lerica, widow, have sold unto Lot Colby, of Uumford, in the Province of New-Hanii>shire, a mulatto Negro Boy, named HoJem, and have received forty-five shillings sterling, in full consideration for the said boy, as witness my hand. "Hannah B.iweks. The "Negro Garl Dinah" lived to an advanced age, and was known as " Mother Osgood." The "Boy Ctesar" died in 1847 or 1848, in the ninety-second year of his age. Aaron Stevens had a negro man who was the town " dog-whipper," it being his office to scourge dogs out of the meeting-house on the Sabbath, for which he received a few pennies from such as were disposerded fine ainuseiiiciit for tlie children during Sab- bath hours. Captain John Roach also owned a negro woman. Deacon Joseph Hall, Sr., had a slave womau who had two children, one named Lois and the other John Brown. John was given to Deacon Jonathan Wil- kins, who married a granddaughter of Deacon Hall. John was tion compos, and gave the deacon so much trouble that at last he threw him on the town for support. At one time John was put to hoeing potatoes alone; but it was found he skipped over every other hill. Being asked what he did it tor, he said, "So as to keep up." He was once sent to turn out calves from the stall, but, not succeeding in unfa.stening their yokes, the deacon's hired man turned the calves out and yoked John up. Of other slaves in Concord about this time, tradi- tion has preserved some interesting reminiscences. Ephraim Farnum, grandfather of Moses H. Farnum, and living on the same spot, owned a black boy . named Cwsar. ] CONCORD. Abraham Bradley had a negro slave named Pompey — commonly called " Pomp " — for whom he paid tliirty bushels of corn. "Pomp" was quite a favorite ill the family. He was the attendant and sort of life- fiuard of John Bradley in his boyhood. In his last will Mr. Bradley gave Pomp to his grandson, John, and ordered his executor " to take especial care that my said negro be not wronged by my aforesaid grand- son in any ways, and if he should wrong him, I give him power to do him justice." Mr. Bradley also gave Pomp " the use and improvement of one-lialf acre of l;inil," near his dwelling-house, during his natural ( 'olonel Benjamin Rolfe owned a negro, who, in 1772, wlieu the inventory of Colonel Rolfe's property was taken, was valued at fifty-five pounds, lawful William Coffin, the grandfather of Samuel Coflin, Esq., owned a negro woman named "Lucy." "Samp- son," a negro belonging to Archelaus Moore, of Canterbury, wanted her for his wife, and there was an agreement that Sampson should work one year for Mr. Coflin to pay for her. A man's wages at that time were about forty dollars a year, or the price of a yoke of oxen. Sampson was a famous fiddler, and for many years afforded fine fun for frolicsome fellows in Concord with his fiddle on election days. Rev. Timothy Walker had three .slaves, — a man called Prince and two women. Luce and Violet. Lieutenant Richard Herbert had a slave named Nancy, who was said to have been born in Boston about 176G, and when nine days old was given to a man resident in Bow, who, wishing to remove from the vicinity, brought her to Rumford, and, in 1768, sold her to Lieutenant Herbert for about five dollars. Manufacturing Interests. — The Page Belting Company is a representative establishment. The goods manufactured by this company have taken high rank in the commercial world, and branches for the sale of the goods are now established in Boston, St. Louis, New York and Chicago. This company was incorporated in 1872, and has a capital of two hundred thousand dollars. The offi- cers are as follows: George F. Page, president; Charles T. Page, treasurer; George F. Page, Charles T. Page, Theodore H. Ford, Lyman D. Stevens, John Abbott, Benjamin A. Kimball, E. G. Wallace, direc- tors ; Daniel Barnard, clerk of corporation ; L. D. Stevens, clerk of the directors. Porter Blanchard's Sons make the celebrated " Blanchard Chuck," which has been manufactured since about the year 1855. The business of chuck- making, however, has been carried on by the Blan- chards, fiither and sons, since 1818. Ja.mes R. Hill, a man who, entirely by his own ef- forts, rose from the humbler rank of an apprentice to affluence and social position, and through all the changing events of an active business life preserved his integrity unimpeached, well deserves the pen of the biographci-. The lilc "The comparative suddenness of tlic d.'iitli of Jaiii.s li. Hill iinik.-- il impo«aihle for us fully to realize tb.- iTii|. I !,. :l. j iiin uli ' he occupied in this community. Itis'ii^ ' ' ■'" ' > ' ""' us, attending to his customary avociitiMi. n;,,! . i_> i ; ,i . ness for which he was particularly n..t, a i .l,.^ I- -i,.|,-ii,, .l,.| il h " His life was no exception to the rule that nothing comes without olforl, and to his persistout labor and indomitable will we may largely accredit his IniKincss |.r..spiTitv. lln was. in truth, a scll-inade man, and his success Im- i-ll.-l tui.f.i i.iiu ri tip- -!>.uii, .ui.i -.I'i hjmii ..( onrcity. Th.- v..n-.i 1..i-h,, -- n... k, « l,„ IMi.a . !.•.., 1 _-l, The resolutions were seconded by several gentle- men, the first of whom was Hon. J. E. Sargent, who spoke as follows: "Mr. Chainnau,-! reccive.l an invitati.Mi from yuur .ommittee to be present this evening, and have gladly accepted the invitation. We meet for the purpose of expressing our respect for the memory of the late .lames B. Hill, who died on the lOtli day of November instant, at his home in this city. With the circumslances of |ieculiar sadness to his family and to the public, whirli nitrfirlr,] hi^ -t'-Mth. we are all familiar. We have seen and read a lui' i ' . i i i' ' ' '"■" in the daily papers, which I am informed is buIim i > li ' . v. ,pt that when he was asiuall b"v, liis fiitlier ;inublic affairs. His keen perceptions, unyielding courage, busi- ness sagacity ami untiring energy fitted him for any duty which be James B. Hill." John M. Hill, Esq., odered the following resolu- tions : "Bok^erf, That we arc deeply sensible uf th.- luss l,> this cum lity of our late associate, Mr. .Tanies H, Hill, wl.us.. .unii., ii,.ii with the busi- ness interests of Conconi lui .. ].. ii...i ..t m.. t. ili,.ii i..ii\ y.-iiiv, has been marked with great iudusti>. i.i ilnv m. I ni. i |.i i . ..ni \\li.i, struggling unaided through the advn^ili. . .1 ,iil> hi., li\ l..i.. and energy of character, initiated and ilevvluptnl a lai^<: luiiuuraclutin^ business of wtdespr ()f our city, thereby adding largely to its jMLSt, present and prosiiective growth and advancement. "/fciwtrcd. That the chairman anil secretary of this meeting he di- > the family of the deceased with the ympathy and regard." owes him for her substantial busin Is main business street, and too m I those particulare. But I do not p "One suhjecl I think is particularly worthy of mention, and Ihal the relations that Mr. Hill always maintained with his help in Ilu- sin He knew what good work was, and when he found a man that ...'iiM good work and undeintood bis business, he kept him. lie «as willi to pay him siudi a price that he could alTord to stay, and his re;^iilai in became attached to him and ho always treated them with great kiiidii. and respect. There were no strikes among his men. A man lliat i not suit him ho discharged at once, but if a man suiteil him, he was » i ing to make it for his interest to stay with him. 1 am told that I relations between him and his workmen have always been of the m. friendly ami iulimate kind, and this accounts for the fact that such m the last fifteen years, since 1 . am. 1. 1 .m .n I l. In .■ '1. n \...u- n-.. I I to occupy an oflice in his t.l... i,. n ml , ..niu in- j.iui. \ i.. years, was hiscounsel in 8ev,.|.il imi .uu -m]- .lu.l li.iv. . \. i • on terms of intimacy witli lum. W i- iu-m-i e.\clian;;cil an iini-U woi-d. I always found him prompt and ready to do everything agreed, and nothing would make him more angry than to have h whom ho had trusted deceive him and forfeit his word and his h Mr. Hill had his faults, otherwise he would have been more "The young men and youth of to.day nuiy profit by his exam this, that any calling or trade is honorable if it is honest and useful, cA er laboiions, and whother mechanical or agricultural. II is m trade or occupation that makes the man honorable, l.ur IIh- iiianii which ho follows his occupation. ande " When Mr. Hill entered the shop as an apprentice to learn his trad, how iminy of the boys and young men of his ago here in Concord w(nil have been willing to have done the same ? They look for sometbin that they call highei-, because it was less laborious, forsooth. But ho ^^.^^^ /I, M:^ CONCORD. 105 II >ii lohn Kinihil! | I I ili i jiti m »Iii Ii I Iml htlil with Mi Jlili isliiuiuL)li lUichoiil III \V iiiei Cijiiiuiissiuucis, Kir Heveiai years. He was a valuable member, taking active and earnest interest ill the business of the board. When it wjis found necessary to increase the water-works of the city, lie was among the first to give his support to the en- largement. Mr. Hill's aim was to build up the city rather than break it dowu. He was in favor of the liest thing to be had at a fair and reasonable expense. Jle had strong ability to make business, even from small beginnings, to overcome difficulties and win sui-iess where many other men with the same oppor- tuiiities would fail. He had a love for construction of luiililiiisjs and of making improvements, and in giatityiiiir this love he did not remove good buildings, liut built up waste places with new blocks. We are indebted to his ability, industry and strength of char- acter for many of the beautiful buildings that adorn our .Alain -Street. Mr. Lewis Downing, .Ir., said, — ".Ml*. Chairman,— I cull ;iild only a w.inl tu wliat h.os .alreatly beonsaiii, ami from which the city ot < i Ih i- ^h 1 1\. .1 -.. miii li hcuefit. The business in which I have Iicn >jii-,i,-. <1 lui i1k j.i^l lurly-.^cven years has liccn more or less connected \\ itli .llr. Hills, and pcrhaiw it may not be unjust to say, that in all probability, but for the success of the one, the other would never have dovelnpeil itself as it has, as the interests of both were iiiiitii:il. Tli.' fiiiii.l, i ; ,.f tli. ,r< ., i,f \M .iMlowuiuE Com- pany «.tv, !,.,„,,,, ,,l„- [,:.,,„ .,:1.- . ■ -M.- Where car- iie cxprciw our appnriiitioii ol, and grati- nferred on us by our lioparled friend, .Fames ily join in jiassing the resolutions offered William M. Chase, Esq., spoke of his relations with Ml-. Hill for a period of nearly twenty-one years, liming which time he had occupied his present law- iillice, as Mr. Hill's tenant. He had seen a good deal of the man, and he desired to call attention to one important trait of his character, and that was that while he was attentive to the greater interests of business, he was also attentive to the little things. eiiU mom to nijit. Kvcrything received it.s due ittLiition Irom him. lie has bciidited this city not only b\ buildin^' up line busimss blocks, but even more by cstiblishing and continuing the firm of J. K. Hill iV. Co thus bringing men to our city and giving Ihmi unpl.nnunt whereby the city was the gainer. \\[iiiv\[ 1' I OHD & Co., iron founders, manu- luturt stovts 1 mges and agricultural implements, etc. J OKP iV IviMi Vi.L, bniss and iron foundei-s, are doing a Luge business. This establishment was founded in 1865. The firm consists of Theodore H. Ford and Henjamin A. Kimball. Concord Machine-Wobks, Colonel .John \. White, proprietor, were established in 1S77. .Manu- facture wood-working machinery. Other iron founders are Clapp & Co., Concord A.xle Company, Hobbs, Cxordon & Co., N.P. Stevens. Thk Prescott Orcjan Company was incorporated in .January, 1880, with a capital of thirty thousand dollars. This business is one of the oldest established of its kind in the United States. It originated in 1836, although the founder had made musical instru- ments as early as 1814. The present officers of the company are A. J. Prescott, president ; George D. B. Prescott, treasurer ; D. B. Corser, superintendent. The Concord Axle Company, located at Pena- cook, was organized in 1880 with a capital of fifty thousand dollars. Its oflicers are as follows : C. H. Amsdeu, president ; D. Arthur Brown, treas- urer ; Edmund H. Brown, clerk ; Charles H. Am.sden, D. Arthur Brown, E. H. Brown, John Whittaker, J. C. Pearson, directors. This company iiianiirai'tures (he nriuiiiial Concord axle. (■|i\ii.i:i. Ci.AMii: i,M \i:ries.— The quarries of the eeleliiaieil (_'i me. in 1 granite are located on Rattle- snake Hill, which is literally one vast bed of granite. The superior value of this granite is due to its free- dom from all mineral impurities, which so often mar the beauty of this stone. ' Among those engaged in this business are Concord Granite Company, Patrick Crowley, Crowley & Quiun, Donogan & Davis, Fuller & Co., Asa L. Gay, Granite Railway Company, Abijah Hollis, M. H. Johnson, Lyman Knowles, Putney & Nutting, Sargent & Sullivan. The Concord MANUi'ACTURiNG Company, of West Concord, was incorporated in 1873. Capital, one hundred thousand dollars. Manufacture all- wool flannels and heavy twilled goods. Cajtacity, eighteen thousand five hundred yards per week. A. W. Sawyer is president; G. F. Blake, clerk; Daniel Holden, treasurer and agent; P. R. Holden, superin- tendent. The Contoocook Manufacturing and Me- chanic Company is located in Penacook ; manufac- turers of print cloths. Cotton used annually, ;{il(),- 000 pounds; numberof yards of cloth made, 1,<)0I),0I)(( ; number of looms, 163 ; number of spindles, 0200 ; number of bands employed, about 100. 106 HLSTOIU- Ul' MEIUIDIACK COUNTY, xNEW HAMPSHIRE. The Penacook Mill is located in East Canal Street, Penacook ; John S. Brown, proprietor; manu- factures print cloths. Number of pounds of cotton used per year, 525,000 ; number of yards of cloth made per year, 3,000,000; number of looms, 330; number of spindles, 13,064 ; number of hands em- ployed, 190. WiLi.i.xM B. DCRGIN, manufacturer of solid silver- ware, commenced this business in 1854, and it has grown from small proportions to rank among the representative establishments of the city. The Concoud Shoe-Factoky has a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. Its officei-s are George .\. Cummings. president; W. F. Thayer, treasurer ; N. E. Martin, clerk ; Oscar V. Pitman, W. G. Shaw, L. D. Brown, Edward Dow, directors. The Co.vfoui) Cattle Com i-axy was incorporated in February, 1883. The Concord Gas-Liciit Comtaxy was incor- porated in 1854. Capital, one hundred thousand dollars. John Kimball, president; Sylvester Dana, clerk; John M. Hill, treasurer and agent; William Badger, superintendent; Seth Eastman, John Kim- ball, John H. George, Josiah Minot, Edward H. Rollins, Sylvester Dana, Josiah B. Sanborn, directors. The company has laid more than seventeen miles of main-pipe. There are about eleven hundred con- sumers and one hundred and ninety street lights. Town Accounts.— The following are extracts from aeeuunts from 1771 to March, 1775: £ .. John Blancluu-d's order for boarding a school mistress . 7 fi Kobert Hogg, for keeping scliool two years at £30 . . . 60 II Daniel Abbot, for a woirs head 10 l)r. E. H. Goes, for taking caro of Jacob Pilsbury and wife ... '2 7 S Rev. Sir. Timo. Walker, for procuring the incorporation of Concord 5 5 10 Joseph Eastman, jr., for a wolf 8 head 4 o Timo. Walker, jr., for a set of measures, 53 crows' heads, articles supplied Pilebury, and his service as select- man and clerk 7 1 fj Abiel Chandler, for surveying G BciU' Emery's order for carrying out a lame man, and bis services as selectman 2 8 1772. To the Rev'd Mr. Timo. Walker, for preaching from 2Cth day of Jan'y, 1772, to 2Cth Jan'y, 1773 .47 1 () To John Kimball, for making 5 staves for the tything To sundry articles supplied Elizabeth Buss and Samuel Walker 1 7 3 To Noah Parker, for one now weight, and scaling the To Gilman West, for making nails for the meeting-house 5 5'" Fbom 1774 TO 1775. " To .\liiel Chandler, for sun-eying riMile and taking th** numtK'r of the people 3 10 r> John Kimball, for mending the meeting-house, and for nails for do 13 ,\ndrcw Mc:Millan, Esq., for petitioning the General Court, and assisting in settling Sir. Walker's salary. 6 John Kimball, for a cofliu for the body of Samuel Timothy Walker, jr., for his bill against the parish the £ year past Do. for journey to Exeter, to alteud the Congress, 5 days at 5«., travail 13». 4rf 1 1» To cash paid John Giddinge, for the support of the dele- gates at the Continental Congress, as per rec't . . . G 4 Rev'd. Mr. Walker, for three journeys to Exeter, to attend the Congress ^ IG To cash paid John Giddinge, for the support of the dele- gale To a hoi-sti the above four journeys, at G« 1 4 To cash paid Mr. John Eowle, for taking care of Dr. Carrigin, when sick of the small pox, as per rec't . 3 To 711 feet of plank for bridges 'i I n Abated Nath'l Chandler .\bbot -' « ' In 1762 the principal merchant in the new town (then Rumford) was Andrew McMillan, whose store was located on the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets. Illustrative of the price of various com- modities at that date, the following charge-s from his ledger are subjoined : "-Ben. Mr. Timolhji Walker, jtiiim;' [>r. To 1 lb. of Coffey " 1 scain of silk " % yd. of bear-skin, at 8s. " % gall, of wine, at Os. . . " H gall- "f W. I. rum . . " 1 lb. of coffee, by John Co •■ I [iHii -I iMiilv, li_\ .lohu Colby, 2- " I .^ a y\. nf lous Uiwn, by Judith . " 1 baiiilkcrchief, by Judith .... " I pint W. I. rum ■■ 1 gall. W. I. rum, by John Colby •• 1., m. i.r ptpwihT, by John Colby . " llmaiH Farimm, I>r. 'I'o Sundries brought from olil ledger, p. " 14 gall, and pint of N. E. rum . . " 1 lb. of colToy, at 26s 04 " 1 glass o " Iqt. ofwiue,af25« ' }4 gall, of brandy . " 1 pint of brandy . . ' 1 glass of brandy 03 " 2 lbs. of brown sugar, at 14b 1 08 " 1 gliiss of brandy 04 " li.^gall. of brandy, at lis 4 10 " 14 n>. of raisons 1 00 * 5 pare of men's gloves, at 50b 12 10 ' 2 pare of woman's black do., at 50*. . . . 5 (to ' 1 pare of woman's white do 2 13 ' 3 yds. of hat crape, at 50b " 10 Itumford, January 15, 1703. Cr. f sundries brought from old ledger ... 150 08 8 ralker, Jr., was licensed to preach, September 1 Concord, and wa.'iawhilc in company with .\udre CONCORD. 107 Jan. 22. *■ )^ gall, of brandy . 4 in " its. " i^gall. of brandy 4 iii " 27. '* 14 "*•'• "f brandy 4 HI " 28. " J,^ gall, of brandy 4 10 " 20. '* y^ gull, of brandy 4 U) " 31. " 1^ gall, of brandy (for medicine ?) . ... 4 10 " 5 lbs. of sugar 2 Ifi Feb. 4. " ^gall. of brandy .... • 4 lo " S. " 5 nots of thread, at 3s n l.-i " •• " C, slu-i-ts of |a|»M-, at 1«. lirf 09 " II- ■ ' _ - "I -I " t nnn 3 00 " ■■ ■ ': .-ll '< ' I •■■• "-'I'T 3 15 •'John ClmmlUr. br. .lunil?,. To4 buttons 1 mo " ^ bowl of tody o OT Jlar 11. " II4 yds. of blue broail cloth, ITs 2.i 10 " 2 doz. buttons, at 30ii 3 00 " 8 jacket do lo " V/i yds. of blue camblet C (mi " 1 qt. of rura, at 24s., and 2 bowls of tody , 2 12 July 22. " Igall. of W. I. mm, 6» (1 00 "Rev. Timothy Walker, Dr. 1703. £. ,. Dec. 9. To the balance of your account 26 15 " 3 yds. of red shoe-binding, by Judith . . 09 Dec. 8. " 1(4 lb. of chalk, at 40s 2 10 " " " 2 qts. rum 3 00 Jan'y 2. *• J<^ lb. of pepper, 18s IS Feb'y2. " 1 c|uart of W. I. rum, .•»« 1 l.'i " *' *' \i °^ buckram 12 " 10. " 1 gall, of W. I. mm, by Mr. Tim. . . . IKI June 2. " % yd. of cambrick, by Judith, at 11<. . 1 OS *' *' *' 1 punch bowl, at 158 15 " " " V^ yd. of gauze, and to 34 skeiu of silk. 1 04 .\ug. 9. " sundries paid Mr. Paul Burbeen. . . .50 Ou Concord Railroad, — The first passenger depot of the Concord Railroad was erected in 1849. The pre- sent depot building was completed in 1885, and is a large and commodious brick structure, and is supplied with all the modern improvements. The Penacook Academy was established in ISOG. Hon. William H. ttage generously contributed a large lot of land, and the .school was opened No- vember 6, 186(5, the same year. The first board of instruction consisted of M. Weed, A.M., Mrs. Mary A. Weed and Miss Eliza T. Moore. The New Hampshire Historical Society' was formed at Portsmouth, May 20, 1S23. The number of original members was thirty-one, of which George Kent, Esq., the last survivor, died at New Bedford, Mass., in the winter of 1884-85. An act of incorporation was passed by the Legis- lature June 13, 1823, and the first meeting of the members under its provisions was held in the council chamber in the State-House on the evening of the same day, when a constitution was adopted. A code of by-laws was adopted at a meeting held at Exeter September 17, 1823. The object of the society is to discover, procure and preserve whatever relates to the natural, civil, literary and ecclesiastical history of the United States in general and the State of New Hampshire in particular. John Farmer, Esq., the noted antiquarian, historian and genealogist, was one of its original members, and to his exertions as its corresponding secretary much of its early success is due. Hon. William Plumer was its first president; his successors have been Levi Woodbury, in 1825; Icha- bod Bartlett,1826; Salma Hale, 1830; Matthew Har- vey, 1832; Charles H. Atherton, 1834; Joel Parker, 1838; Nathaniel Boutou, 1842 ; Nathaniel G. Uphani, 1844; Samuel D. Bell, 1847; Charles Burroughs, 1849; Levi Chamberlain, 1852; William Phimer, Jr., 1854 ; Chandler E. Potter, 1855 ; Edwin D. Sanborn, 1857; Joseph Dow, 1860; William H. Y. Hackett! 1861 ; Joseph B. Walker, 1866; Charles H. Bell, 1868. The semi-centennial of the society was celebrated May 22, 1873, at which time the society's building — then recently purchased and fitted up— was dedicated to its use. A dedicatory address was delivered by Joseph B. Walker, Esq. Addresses were also made by other honorary and resident members, and an ode written by George Kent, Esq., of Washington City, was sung. The semi-centennial address was delivered by the president of the society, Hon. Charles H. Bell, and a poem written by Edna Dean Proctor was read. Eight volumes of valuable historical matter have been published by the society, and a ninth is in course of publication. The library now contains about eight thousand volumes, twelve thousand pamphlets, one hundred thousand newspapers, a valuable collection of manu- scripts and a large number of ancient and curious articles, which are kept at its rooms, 212 and 214 North Main Street. The present number of resident members is about one hundred and fiftv. CHAPTER V. CONCORD— (Ponfiniicrf). uited States Court-ITouse and Post-Ofhce— School 1 By D. F. State Prison. — The old State's Prison, on Main Street, was erected in 1811 or 1812 on land given by Joshua Abbot. The location was thought to be se- cluded, quite out of the way of business and of popula- tion. It was erected under the supervision of Stuart J. Park, and was built entirely of granite, quarried from Rattlesnake Hill. It contained originally thirty- six cells. Its cost was about thirty-seven thousand dollars. It was subsequently greatly enlarged and improved. > See appendix. niSTOKY OK MKIUUMACK COUNTY, NEW I1A3IPSIIIKE. The present prison is locatwl about two miles north of the State-House, on the road to Penaeook, and was eonipleted in 1878 at a cost of al)out two hundred and thirty tliousand dolhirs. It is a mas- sive and imijosiiig structure. It was erected under the supervision of Prison Commissioners John Kim- ball. Albert M. Shaw and Alpha .1. Pillsbury. The whole number of convicts in i)rison is 127, —116 white and 11 black, ISO males and 1 female. Only 35 persons were committed to the prison during the past year, being the smallest luiiulicr for twelve years. The earnings of the institution for the year were J!18,7.'')4.24, and the e-xpenses have been $20,34i).2r), leaving a balance against the prison of $],i>9!>.0l. The number of prisoners discharged during the year was 48,-7 being pardoned, 36 released on ac- count of the expiration of their terms of sentence and 5 died. Of the 127 inmates, April .^0, 1885, 43 were jnar- ried and 84 single ; 33 claimed to be temperate, and the remainder admitted themselves to be intemper- ate; 12 were under 20 year^i of age when committed, ()(') between 20 and 30, 31 between 30 and 40, 8 be- tween 40 and 50, and 10 over 50 ; 109 can read and write, 11 can read only and the remainder are unable to do either ; 23 were convicted in Rockingham County, 10 in Stratford, 5 in Belknap, (5 in Carroll, 4 in Merrimack, 33 in Hillsborough, 7 in Cheshire, !• in Sullivan, 7 in Grafton, 5 in Coos and 18 in the United States Courts; 4 are serving time for murder in the second degree, 4 for numslaughter, 5 for at- tempt to kill, 2 for rape, 3 for arson, 1 for liighway robbery, 29 for burglary, 11 for horse-stealing, 3 for stealing cattle, 3 for forgery, 4 for breaking and stealing, 9 for breaking and entering, 28 for stealing, 1 for stealing from jierson, 1 for obtaining goods by false iiretences, 1 for poisoning cow, 7 for robbery, 3 for attempt to rape, 1 for assaulting officer, 1 for robbing iiosl-oflice, 3 for being tramj)s, 1 for false entry in bank ledger, 1 for false affidavit to obtain money and 1 for falsely personating another to ob- tain money. Ninety-eight are nativ.'s oC the I'liilc.! States, 11 of Ireland, 4 of England, 1 of Scotland, li of Canada, 2 of Nova Scotia, 2 of Sweden and 3 of Germany. Four were sentenced for 30 years, 1 for 25, 4 for 20, 1 for 15, 1 for 13, 5 for 10, 1 for 9, 4 for 8, 7 for 7, 1 for 6, 15 for 5, 2 for 4.5, 13 for 4, 35 for 3, 3 for 2i, 20 for 2, 1 for U, 1 for 1] and 7 for 1 year and a day. The smallest number committed during any twelve- month was 1 in 1812, and the largest 'li, in 1878. Tiie total commitments aggregate 230(i, of whom 1211 were discharged, (533 pardoned, 14!) removed to the asylum for the insane, 189 died and 20 escaped. The last escape was in 1870. The financial statement is as follows: Earnings, — labor of convicts from May 1, 1884, to May 1, 1885, $17,456.75; visitors' fees, $302.10 ; rent, $202; board. United States prisoners, $392.31 ; gain in inventory, $401.08. Total, $18,764.24. E.xpcnses, — deputy warden's salary, $1000; jdiy- sician, $500; overseers, $9764.17 ; clothing, $1 ri:!ii.23 ; di.scharged convicts, $126; furniture, $154.(i:; ; miK- sistence, $39(Ki.36 ; light, fuel and water, ¥11 .'Ml-' : hospital supplies, $261.09; funeral expensi >, s.;s ; repairs, $867.87 ; incidentals, $(J90.88. Total, $20,- 349.25 ; excess of expenses over earnings, $1595.01. The officers of the prison are as follows: Warden, Frank S. Dodge; deputy warden, Thomas A. Pills- bury ; physicians, H. M. French, M.D., C. R. Walker, M.D. ; chaplain. Rev. E. R. Wilkins ; over- seer of cook-room and hall, V. L. Robinson ; over- seers of shops, F. J. Sanborn, David Sanborn, M. B. Smart, J. B. Greaton, W. H. Stevenson, Fred. Peas- lee; guards, S. N. Allen, Fred. L. Sabin, J. E. Mor- rison, J. A. Pillsbury, Joseph Martin, George M. Colby ; night watchman, J. L. Jones, N. W. Mi- Murphy. ' United States Court House and Post Office.— June loth, 1SS2, Congress made an appropriation of two hundred thousand dollars for an "United Stales court house and post office" at Concord, N. H. Owing to vexatious delays in securing a satisfactory site and acceptable plans, very little visible progress has been made at the present writing (August 27, 1885). A lot satisfiictory to all the citizens of Con- cord was secured. It embraces an entire square, and is two hundred and twenty-three by two hundred and sixty-seven feet. It fronts on State Street, and is bounded on the north by Park Street, on the west by Green Street, and on the south by Ca|)itol Street. The building is designed to be Gothic in style ot architecture, with pitch roof and dormer windows. It will have a frontage of one hundred and seventeen feet. Giles Wheeler, of Concord, is the superinten- dent, and received his appointment from Secretary Manning. An excavation for the cellar has been made, and a ccmcrete floor laid. The contiaits Inr the building arc not yet awarded. Public Schools. — The history of the public schools of Concord for the first century of its existence as a town is not unlike that of other towns of its popula- tion and wealth. Up to 1805 there was no such or- ganization as a school district known to our statutes. The several towns, by their selectmen or by com- mittees, had been divided into sections for sclmnl purposes, as convenience required, and the school money raised by law was parceled (lilt to lluiii. In 1805 an act was passed which authorized the division of towns into school districts, to be accurately defined and bounded, and empowered to hold meetings and raise money for the purchase, repair and erection of school-houses. The first school established in Concmil was in 17;ll, and its support was assumed by the town in 1733. it was taught by a master hired by the selectmen, and for many years was kept in four different sections of CONCORD. 109 Wrsl ,1, llop- Iviiiloii i-oa.l uiiil :\l:iiii Slioct. Altor iniil uiiitw wliodls were suppoiti'd in each of tliose localities. The first school -liouse in Concord was built in 1742, and stood at a point near the northeast corner of the Slate-House park. There it remained until near the close of the last century, and at the beginning of the [irescnt century there were only about nine school- houses in Concord owned by the town. As early as 1800 an unsuccessful edort was made by the town to divide the territory of Concord into -cliool districts and to raise money for the building 'it school-houses iu such districts. This ettort was successfully renewed in 1807. The town appointed a committee of twenty, with the selectmen, to divide the town into school districts, in accordance with the law passed two years before, and that committee re- ported sixteen districts definitely described. The first committee to visit schools, appointed by the town, was in 1818, and the report of such com- mittee was first ordered to be printed in 1827, for distribution among the inhabitants. In 1845 the Legislature passed a law for the estab- lishing of High Schools, and in 1848 the Somersmith Act. In the compact part of the town there were at that time three school districts, numbered nine, ten and eleven, and the school-house accommodations were very limited. An unsuccessful attempt was made, in 1847, to unite the tin. .■ .lisiri( is for the sup- port of a High School. In 1 sM'. I n-i 1 1, t No. 10, the central one, adopted the Sniiiiisiulth Ait, and estab- lished a High School in a brick building erected in 1846, on the site of the present High School building, School Street, and which was taken down in 1863. In 1866 the eflbrt to consolidate the three district.s proved successful, and the result was the e-stablish- ment of Union School Districts, from which date there was rapid improvement in our schools and school build- ings. At that time the management ofthe schools was placed in the hands of a prudential and superintending school committee. In 1859 an act was passed by the Legislature authorizing the election, by the district, of a Board of Education, to consist of nine persons, the terms of office of three of whom should expire each year. The object of this was to secure more permanent management of the schools, and avoid .sudden change in teachers and methods of in- struction. The Board of Education ilisiliari;eil the duties of both prudential and suiiiiiiiliiiiliiiu coni- raittees, through a financial agent ami suli-cniiiiiiittee. Their duties becoming onerous with the increase of schools, two attempts were made to place a large share of the work' in the hands of a superintendent of schools. In the fall term of 1862 and winter term of 1863, Henry E. Sawyer, principal of the High School, was directed to spend part of his time in the lower grades of school, and did so, pertVirming efficient service in the grading of these schools. In the fall term of 1873, Amos Hadley, a nu-mber of the Board of Education, was elected as principal of the gram- mar schools, with power to supervise the schools of other grades, and continued in that position until March, 1874. In July, 1874, an act was passed au- thorizing the appointment of a superintendent of schools, and the office has been filled by Daniel (;. Allen and Warren Clark, respectively, to August 1st, this year, when Louis J. Rundlett entered upon tlic discharge of the duties of superintendent. The following gentlemen have served u|iiiii the Board of Education since its creation, the first nine named being elected September 10, 1859, and having their terms of oflice determined by lot: Henry E. Parker, David Patten, Josiah P. Nutting, Caleb Parker, John P. Bancroft, Peletiah Brown, P. B. Cogswell, Asa Fowler, Joseph B. Walker, Samuel C. Eastman, Hazen Pickering, John V. Barron, Lyman D. Stevens, Abraham J. Prescott, Amos Hadley, Elisha Adams, William M. Cha.se, Henry J. Crippen, Albert H. Crosby, Oliver Pillsbury, Charles P. Sanborn, Samuel B. Page, Daniel C. Allen, Warren Clark, J. C. A. Hill, A. B. Thompson, S. C. Whitcher, John H. George, Everett L. Conger, (xeorge W. Crockett, Daniel B. Donovan, John C. Thorn, Charles R. Corning. The present memluis of tin- Imard are P. B. Cogs- well, Henry J. CripiH-iL, Williaia j\I. Chase, George W. Crockett, Charles R. Corning, Daniel B. Donevan, J. C. A. Hill, A. B. Thompson and John C. Thorn. The oflicers are P. B. Cogswell, president, and Daniel B. Donevan, secretary. Since the creation of Union School District there has been almost a total revolution in the school- houses of the district. At the present time only three rooms are occupied which were in existence previous to 1856, — two on Union Street and one on Spring Street. In 1858 the Merrimack and Rumford Grammar School-houses were erected ; in 1863-64 the High School building and the Bow Brook house; in 18t>5 the Franklin Street house; in 1870-71 the Penacook house; in 1873 the Plains and Fair-Ground house; in 1873-74 the Walker house; in 1878 the Chandler house. The cost of these houses has been about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, all of which has been raised and paid by the district, so that it is free of debt. There were 32 schools in (he district the |iast year, viz. : 1 High, with 4 teachers ; lu grammar, 9 inter- mediate, 11 primary and one mixed, with one teacher each. There was also also employed 1 teacher of drawing and 1 of music. The High School has three courses of study, — English of three years, and academic and clerical of four years each. The number of pupils in the several grades the past year were, — High, 199; grammar, 495; intermediate, 447; pri- mary, 675; mixed, 26,— total, 1842, which is about nine-elevenths ofthe whole number of pupils attend- ing the public schools in the city. The graduates of no I11SH)UV OF MKKKl.MACK COHNTV, NEW IIAMl'SHIRK. the 1 1 ifrli Schools take ami liold guod lead in the colleges and other institutions of learning which they enter, and the school is steadily increasing in rei>uta- tion for thoroughness of instruction. Nearly two- thirdaofthe teachei-s now employed in the district are graduates of the High School. The average expenditure for the stdiools, exclusive of free text- books, is about twenty-five thousand six hundred dol- lars a year, of whieli sum the district raises one-fourth or more by extra tax l>eyond what (lie law requires. It also furnishes text-books free to th.' [.uiiils of liir school. Out.side of Union School Di.strict tluTc arc llircc dislriu«inr-ss, including thorough inlrll.ri„.il 1v-ii.iin_- in llic- U) |.r.-s.-rv.- hi-iillli HM.lslMMi^'th 111.' pli.VKirnl o.ii.lii .1 u 1 11 , iil- This brief statement is itself worth a passing no- tice lor its modesty and reticence. There are not a few occasions when " the unsaid is better than the said." There are here no grandiloquent promises (so easy to make on paper) of the great results that are going to be accomplished; no baits thrown out to en- tice parents and pupils. The church (which was to be the corner-stone of all) is not only not thru.st prominently forward, it is not even mentioned. Only such matters are spoken of as all judicious parents would agree upon as desirable. In short, it is implied that deeds, not words, are the only lest, lor "every tree is knowna by his own fruit." With these general views. Dr. Shattuck, in the year 1855, devoted what had previously been his country- seat to be the nucleus of the school which he con- templated. But it need hardly be said that no build- ings, however costly or commodious, can make a school. There can be no school without a master, and the master is useless unless boys coiue to be taught and trained. After several attempts to satisfy himself, the founder at length succeeded in securing, to preside over the first organization of the scheme, the Rev. Henry Augustus Coit, M.A., now Doctor in Divinity, by diploma from Columbia College, New York. This gentleman, the present head-master — or, as he is called, rect kcei>iug up their ow n love lor the " happy hills," 113 " Where once their careless childhood strayed A stranger yet to pain," and encouraging in the younger generation a proper j and pleasing pride in their Alma Mater, the ett'ect of which is every way beneficial. The present number of pupils is about 280, the 1 number of masters 20, many of them graduates of the school. Among the masters now resident at St. Paul's, and who have for many years past been iden- i tified with its history and prosperity, may be men- tioned the Rev. Robert A. Benton, M.A., of Trinity, Hartford; the Rev. T. G. Valpey, M.A., of Yale; Mr. Charles S. Knox, M.A., of Columbia College, Xew York ; the Rev. Charles A. Morrill, M.A., of Harvard; the Rev. Thomas J. Drumm, M.A.; Mr. James C. Knox, M.A. ; the Rev. John Hargate, M.A. ; Mr. James Miluor Coit, Ph.D. ; the Rev. Edward M. Parker, M.A. (Keble College, Oxford) ; Mr. Augustus M. Swift, M.A. The last five of these are graduates of St. Paul's. The terms of admission were originally three hundred dollars per annum ; then four hundred ; they are now, and have been for some years, five hun- dred. There are a few scholarships (which the authori- ties are anxious to increase), the holders of which receive all the benefits of the school free of charge. The terms for board and tuition are not considered excessive by the families from whom the scholars are drawn, and, considering the comfortable s'.yle of living which is both expected and maintained, it is really moderate. The average cost of a boy's education at Eton may be safely put down as not less than one hundred and seventy-five pounds, or eight hundred and seventy -five dollars. At schools like Marlborough and Wellington (where there is a common hall for meals), the cost more nearly approaches, but still j somewhat exceeds, what has been mentioned as the \ charge at St. Paul's. ] It has been said that no school ought to be regarded as a well-established public institution until it has been tried long enough to see whether its own pupils, when they become fathers, retain their attachment and their belief in the methods pursued, so far as to send their own sons to the old place where they themselves were educated. This final test St. Paul's ! has already met. For some time past there have been ; on its roll pupils whose fathers were themselves old | St. Paul's boys twenty years ago and more, and the • number is certain to increase as each year goes by. \ The long list of its alumni, moreover, includes the \ names of not a few of the rising young lawyers, physi- cians, clergymen and business men in most of our great cities. Looking, then, at these various and really remarka- j ble results, and calmly weighing the excellencies of the system of St. Paul's, there is every reason to hope 1 and believe that Dr. Shattuck and Dr. Coit have suc- ceeded in founding in the United States a distinctively church school, which gives every promise of enduring, and will prove, in time, worthy to be compared with i those famous English schools which enter so deeply into the very heart of the national life and character. The foundations have been so well laid that, under the protection of a good Providence, it seems that they cannot easily be overthrown. Xo doubt in this case, as in all similar undertakings, it may be truly said much must be due io the personal influence and magnetism of the present and first head master, which seems, in its way, to resemble that of the celebrated Dr. Arnold at Rugby. It is plain enough that lie must be a man -of peculiar gifts and powers, and not only such as impress and charm the young. To bring St. Paul's to its present high efficiency and celebrity, the rector must necessarily have been able to work harmoniously with a large corps of masters, themselves men of culture and acquirement, with the distinguished gentlemen who are the trustees of the school, and with the numerous parents of the pupils, not a few of whom are known among the most inllu- ential people of the land. But after making all due allowance for these personal ciualifications, which it might indeed be diflicult to replace, it is quite certain that if anything like the wise judgment and unselfish labor of the past quarter of a century shall mark the administration of Dr. Coit's successors, St. Paul's, Concord, will more and more take a leading rank among those noted places of education which, af er all, are the true glory of our country, because they are the best security that we have for the cultivation of those virtues which lie at the foundation of the safety, honor and welfare of our people. Concord Water-Works.' — The supply of water for Concord, previous to 1873, was obtained from springs near the base of " Sand Hill." As early as July 2, 1829, William Low, Jacob B. Moore, Stephen Brown, Joseph Low and associates were constituted a corpo- ration, with a capital of two thousand dollars, called the " Concord Aqueduct Association," empowered to take water from the springs before mentioned and deliver it to takers on Main, State and other streets, and charge such price as they deemed expedient. It is not now known that the association ever did any business. Soon after, Mr. Amariah Pierce supplied water, through an aqueduct made of logs, to the distillery which was located near the iron-store of Walker & Co., and to other customers. Mr. Nathan Call suc- ceeded Mr. Pierce, and being desirous of extending his works, and needing more capital, he obtained a charter, July 7, 1849. incorporating himself, George Hutchins and others under the name of the "Torrent Aqueduct Association," with a capital of twenty thou- sand dollars. Mr. Call was made agent and treasurer of the company, and, being a man of great energy, he made the enterprise successful. After his death the affairs of the association were conducted by his son, Horace, until the stock, owned by his heirs was sold 1 By John Kimball. 114 HISTOKY OF MERKIMAC-K COU-VTY, X£W HAMPSHIRE. to James R. Hill, who carried it on for several years, when he sold his interest to Xathaniel White. HenrTi- M. Robinson had commenced to supply water fium what is now " White's Park." After his decease. Mr. White purchased the rights of the heirs, and thus be- came the owner of nearly all the water property- in the city. Mr. While increased the capacity of the works by adding more springs, but the demand for water being more than he could supply, he sought to increase the amount by pumping from Merrimack River, but, on account of the expense, the plan was Dnsuccessful. After the great fire of ISol there was an increased anxiety among the people in regard to the limited supply of water, so much so that the City Council ap- pointed Joseph B. Walker, John .\bbott and Benjamin Grover a committee "to inquire as to the feasibUiiy and cost of abundantly supplying the compact part of the city with water for fire and other purposes.'' This committee made a report December 16, 1859, in which they say that they have endeavored to ascer- tain , "Flrit, The wants of this part of the city in respect to water. " Second, The best means of securing a fiill supply of it." Under the first head they say that " Our popnlarion is at present supplied in pan from wells, and in part by several aqueduct companies, the two principal of which are the ' Torrent Aqueduct Association ' and that of Xathaniel White. In addition to these, are several others of more limited capacities, each sup- plying from one or two to forty families." Under the second head they say : " Five different sources of supply have been examined and consider- ed, viz. : Merrimack River. Horse-Shoe Pond, Ash Brook, Little Pond and Long Pond, and they give the last the preference." ■'■ Long Pond is distant three and one-half miles froai the State-House, has an area of two hundred and sixty-five acres, and is, in some places, seventy- five feet deep. Several small brooks enter it, but it is fed principally by springs. The land about it is of a granite formation, and rises pretty rapidly to a height of from three to four hundred feet, and is mostly cleared. The pond is surrounded by a water-shed of some three thousand acres in extent. Its bottom is of white sand, overstrewn with granite boulders, and is free from sediment and aquatic weeds. There are no boggy meadon-s on its shores. Its water is soft, pure, perfectly transparent and abundant in quantity." It is one hundred and twenty feet higher than Main Street in front of the State-House. They estimated the ccBt of the introduction and distribution at $172,475.35. and say " The most serious objection that presents itself to the immediate accom- plishment of this project is the cost of its execution." Eleven years passed. The War of the Rebellion had besiun and ended. The population and woilth of the city had increased. The people had become accustomed to a high rate of taxation, and the de- mand for an abundant supply of water was imperarive. July 30, 1870, the City Council appointed Lyman D. Stevens, Josiah Minot and fifteen others, known as the Committee of Seventeen, to report to the City Council "' the proper coarse to be taken to seciue the early introduction of an adequate supply of pure, fresh water fiDm the Long Pond." This action of the City Council was supplemented by a mass-meeting of citizens at I^le Hall. October 1, 1870, at which they ''Eeioked that the safety, health, prosperity and growth of onr city absolutely demanded a greater and better supply of water than it now has." The report of the Committee of Seventeen bears date October 29, 1870. They recommended that measures be taken, on behalt of the city, to obtain the necessary legislation at the next session of the Legislature, and that in the mean- time plans and details be prepared ready for the work when the proper lime came for commencing it. Their recommendarion was referred to a special committee, consisting of Josiah Minot, Benjamin A. Kimball, John M. Hill and David A. Warde. August 10, 1871, the special committee repyoned that they had procured from the L^islature "• An Act to authorize the city of Concord to establish water- works in said city," approved June 30, 1871. The same committee submitted the form of an ordinance, which was adopted by the City Council December .30, 1871, providing that the management and direction of the water-works in the city shall be vested in a Board of Water Commissioners, consisting of six citizens and of the mayor for the time being. January, 1872, the mayor and aldermen appointed John M. Hill, Benjamin A. Kimball. Josiah Minot, David A. Warde. Benjamin S. Warren and Ed- ward L. Knowlton, commissioners. The board was organized by the elecrion of Josiah >Iinot president, and Edward L. Knowlton clerk. James A. Weston, of Manchester, was appointed chief engineer and Charles C. Ltind, of Concord, assistant engi- neer. The organization having been completed, necesary steps were taken, as required by the en- abling act, by virtue of which there was obtained from the owners of the water-power at West Concord the right to draw fix)m the pond one million gallons daily, for which the city paid sixty thousand dollars. Contracts were made with the " American Gas and Water-Pipe Company," of Jersey City, to construct, in all respects, complete for operation, the main Une from " Forge Pond " to the northerly end of State Street, and of all the pipes for the distribution of the water therefit)m throughout the city, together with the setting of gates, hydrants and other appendages. The amount paid was $143,882.74. The stock of the " Torrent Aqueduct Association " and all the water- rights owned by Xathaniel White were purchased by the city, October 1, 1873, for §20,0<:K); also the sum of §16,311.21 was paid tor other water-rights and for hmJ damages. The total cost of the works, Decem- ler 31, 1874, was $351,293.45. Mr. Vincent C. Hastings, who had been employed - an inspector during the construction of the works, .1- elected superintendent, and is still in office. Water was admitted into the pipes January 14, 1 >7?>, being only eight months from the time the con- ii.iitors commenced work. The commissioners, in • eir report for 1875, say, — We are gratifled to state that the expectations of the Boaixl, as ex- •<^l in our last anQual report, hare be«D realized. The deiuand for . r supply has gradually iucreased, which gives assurance that the . is not far distant when the receipts will be sufigcient to pay the in- -- on the funded debt (S350,000) and the expense of maintenance.'' 1 !i their report for 1877 they say, — Kive years have elai^ed since water was supplied through these k^, and the test of time has been exceedingly favorable to both the ; and character of the work," the residence of Joseph I n their report for 1879 they say,- of the works ; that After an experience of eight years, it was found I that the demand for water had so increased that the f"urteen-inch main-pipe was not .sufficient to furnish ; ontinuous supply of water to the higher points of ■ Precinct. The board, after a thorough investiga- II and careful consideration of the subject, voted lay a second and larger main-pipe of eighteen , lies in diameter from the dam to State Street. I ontracts were immediately made, and the pipe :ii])leted, ready for use, during the summer of 1882, a cost of forty-seven thousand dollars. I >ther additions and improvements have been made I from time to time, and the water-works are nearly y complete, at a cost of about four hundred and twenty- live thousand dollare, supplving two thousand two r.dred and fifty families. -ince the settlement of the town no improvement -.hin its limits has been made that has brought to - itizens greater blessings than this. Pure water n Long Pond now flows in abundance to almost •c> cry dwelling, not only supplying their necessities, but fiirnishing the means of beautifying their sur- ri.undings. The following mayors have held the office of water commissioner: Abraham G. Jones, John Kimball, George A. Pillsbury, Horace A. Brown, George A. Cummings, Edgar H. Woodman. The following citizens have been appointed com- missioners by the mayor and aldermen : Josiah Minot, Benjamin A. Kimball, John M. Hill, David A. Warde, Edward L. Knowlton, Benjamin S.Warren, John Abbott, Abel B. Holt. John S. Kuss, Samuel t. Kimball, Luther P. Durgin, John Kimball, William M. Chase, James L. Mason, James R. Hill, Joseph H. Abbot and George A. Young. The following have been the officers of the Board : Jcsiah Minot (president), two years ; Benjamin A. ■ Kimball, three years; John Kimball, nine years; Ed- ' ward L. Knowlton (clerk), three years ; B. A. Kimball, I one year ; John M. Hill, two years ; William M. Chase, eight years; V. C. Hastings (superintendent), thirteen yeiirs. The Walker House, B. Walker. In the Concord Directory for 1850, Mr. David Wat- son says that this house is the oldest two-storied dwell- ing-house now standing in the Merrimack Valley between Haverhill, Mass., and Canada. It was erected by Rev. Timothy Walker, on the house-lot drawn to the first minister, in the year 1733-34, the town hav- ing generously voted him " fifty pounds for building a dwelling-house in Pennycook." Its dimensions were twenty by forty feet, two stories in height, with an ell adjoining on the east of one story, both parts being covered by a gambrel roof. The chimneys were very large. One of them, which remained as origin- ally built until 1847, was found, upon its removal, to be about five feet square and constructed of flat ledge stone.*, laid in clay mortar and plastered on the in- side with a composition of clay and chopped straw. Another, of brick, was still larger. Only the ell was entirely finished at first, and con- tained but three rooms on the first floor. The front part remained in an unfinished state until 1757, when, with the assistance of Lieutenant Webster, of Bradford, Mass., a joiner of higher repute in those days, it was also completed. Then arose, as appears from a letter dated September 9, 1757, addressed by Rev. Mr. Walker to his son Timothy, then teaching school at Bradford, a grave question as to the propriety "of painting ye outside." The decision arrived at is not now known, but either at that time or a few years sub- sequent, it was painted alight yellow, which continued to be its uniform color for at least seventy years. The interior was finished in a style similar to that found in the better class of dwelling-houses of that period. Most of the partitions were of wooden panel-work ; the front hall was dadoed with paneling, and the front stairs were in three short flights, conducting to broad landings, being guarded by a moulded rail supported upon curiously-wrought balusters. The rooms were painted in various colors, the north parlor and south parlor chamber being green, the south parlor blue, the north parlor chamber and the old people's bed-room white and the kitchen red. Thus constructed and finished, it remained without outside alteration, with the exception of an enlarge- ment of the ell, until 1848, when it was modified in some particulars, both outside and within, and thor- oughly repaired by its present proprietor. A few other alterations have been made at subsequent dates. With the exceptions above mentioned, it remains as originally built. The timbers of this ancient house, now one hun- dred and fifty -one years old, are mainly of white oak and pitch pine. The posts, sills and first-story floor- 116 HISTOKY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, xNEW HAMPSHIRE. timbers were dressed by the broad-axe. The oak floor- joists of the second story afford evidence of the exist- ence of good saw-mills in Pennycook at this early day. The outside was covered with wide, feather-edged white pine boards, such as our forests no longer sup- ply. The clapboards, riven from the logs and shaved, were laid about four inches to the weather and with scarfed joint.s at the ends. Both boards and clap- boards were held in place by wrought-iron nails, made, doubtless, by a local blacksmith of approved skill. The cracks between the boards of the roof were battened by strips of birch bark before it was shingled. These are still in position, and in ;i> jin.i.l . iin(Iitir,n. npp.ir- entlv. as when tir^t tnni h than the other. The lire-places, with one of which every important room was furnished, were of exceedingly generous proportions, and must have aided largely in the important work of reducing the forest area of the township. The old granite hearth-stone of the kitchen, still in constant use, is nine feet and nine inches long by two feet and six inches wide. In 1746 this house was " appointed " a garrison-house, and fortified " at the town's cost" by the erection about it of a wall of timbers lying in contact, one upon another, and held in position by tenoned ends let into perpen- [ dicularly grooved posts set in the ground. Smaller trmporarv dwellintrs were at the same time built with- in ,1,;- ;„"l,,-!i,.^ ri-I.I r:n, ,ilir-l,r>i,]r. ^Ir. Walk.-rs rl ij CONCORD, N. H. The panel-work of the niinierous partitions, doors and window-shutters of the interior was all made by hand, and represented the faithful labor of many men for many days. The door fastenings and hinges were all imported from the fatherland, where the dutiful colonists of George II. were expected to procurethem. If strength were the only standard of excellence re- quired, these were surely first-class. Stone quarrying was little understood in the Merri- mack Valley a century and a half ago,and the stones of the cellars of this house of the first minister were broken fragments of the upper sheets of the Rattle- snake ledges. They bear no marks of drill. The chimney bricks, so far as used, were thinner than the bricks of the present period, and thicker on one edge were assigned to this garrison, viz.: that of Cap- tain John Chandler, of Abraham Bradley, of Sam- uel Bradley, of John Webster, of Nathaniel Rolfe, of Joseph Pudney, of Isaac Walker, Jr., and of Oba- diah Foster. These occupied it more or less of the time until the close of the second French War. When, in 1782, the Legislature met in Concord for the first time and held its sessions in the hall over the store lielong- ing to Judge Walker, which was near by, the Pre.'sident of the State, with his Council, occupied the north par- lor of this house, while the south parlor served as a general committee room, and the room above it as the office of the Treasurer of State. Many prominent persons have, from time to time, enjoyed the hospitalities of this old mansion. In early days General John Stark and Major Robert Rogers were frequent visitors to its inmates. So was Benja- min Tliompson, afterwards known as Count Rumford, who married Rev. Mr. Walker's oldest daughter, Sarah ; as was also, at a later date, Professor S. B. F. Morse, of electric telegraph fame, who married his great- grimddaughter, Lucretia Pickering Morse. Passing clergymen and men in official life often stopped there; while to the humblest of its neighbors' occupants, its iloors were always open and a welcome awaited their approach. This plain house, now rendered venerable by past anil passing years, which presents a type of many of the better class of dwellings orf the middle colonial period, was occupied by the Rev. Mr. Walker until liis death, in 1782, — a period of forty-eight years. It was the home of his son. Judge Timothy Walker, during most of his life, and of his widow, who sur- vived him until 1828. During the next twenty years its tenants were parties not of the Walker family, but .'iince 1849 it has been in the occupancy of Joseph B. Walker, a great-grandson of its builder, and its pres- ent proprietor. For reasons obvious to the reader further mention is forborne of the condition of its in- terior, of its library, paintings and various historic me- morials. The round flat-stone, about eight feet in diameter, just seen within the yard, is the old " horse- block " of the First Congregational Society, which was used by the early fathers and mothers of Concord in alighting from and mounting their horses at the meeting-house, when the roads of the township were indifferent and carriages were rarely used. Tradition says that it was procured from subscriptions made by the good women of the parish of a pound of butter each. It was presented to its present owner by the society. The elms in front of the house were transplanted from the intervale by Rev. Mr. Walker, May 2, 1764, as appears by his diary of that year. The largest repre- sented in the cut herewith apjjended, measures sixteen feet and eight inches in circumference at three feet from the ground. It was sixteen feet in 1856, and has increased eight inches during this intervening period ofjwentynine years. It is still in good health, although, during the period just named, the circum- ference of its top, unlike that of its trunk, has some- what diminished. It is an interesting fact that the life of a single, un- pretending, wooden dwelling should span so important ajiart of our colonial and all of ourRevolutinnuiy and modern history. Odd-Fellowship— Grand Lodge I. 0. 0. F.— The following is a list of Grand blasters nf the (irand Lodge of Odd-Fellows : David Philbrick, ^ Granite Lodge, No. 1, Jfashua, seasion of 1844-45. Samuel 11. Parker, i Wecohamet, Xo. 3, Dover, session of 1845-4G. Nathaniel B. Baker, White Mountain, No. o, ronconi, session of 1846-47. George W. Towlo, Piscata.iua, No. G, PoitamoiUli, Bosaion of 1847-48. John C. Lyford, Mechanics' No. 13, Manchester, session of 1848-l:i. TimotliyG. Sentcr, 1 Piscalaf|un, No. n, Poil»in.iiith,He.sHion..f ls.|'.i-5ii John T. Stevens, 1 Watnti. , X.. i i, \. ■ i; -m i,, ,, ,„„,i .i i> . i. John Peabody,^ Slonad I '• l: M. li ■,--;. i. i i- i ,j Stephen BroU. "untain. No. 5, foncord, session of 1850-00. .is', No. l:!, Manchester, session of 1800-01. k, No. 28, Kranltlin, session of 18G1-G3. iNscataqua, No. G, Portsmouth session ot William P. Bucll, i Granite, No. 1, Nashua, session of 18g:)-04. Jolin S. McFarland, White Mountain, No. 6, Concord, session of 18G4-0.1. Ira Doe, Motolinia, No. IS, Kocbester, session of 1805-66. John L. Spring, Custos Morum, No. 42, Milford, session of ISC0-G7. True Osgood, 1 Wliite Mountain, No. 5, Concord, session of 181.7-68. Charles H. Brown, Mechanics', No. l:i, Manchester, session of 1868-Git. Joseph U. Gardiner, New Hampshire, No. 17, Portsmouth, session of 1869-70. Orlando P. Smart, Granite, No. 1, Nashua, session of 1870-71. Amos Jones,i Mascoma, No. '20, Lebanon, session of 1871-7'2. Thomas L. Tibbltts, i Wecohamet, No. 3, Dover, session of 187-2-73. Marvin T. Tottingham, Beaver Brook, No. 36, Keene, session of 187.3-74. Samuel J. Osgood, i Winnipiseogee, No. 7, Laconia, session of 1874-75. Hon. George A. Commings, White Mountain, No. 5, Concord, session of 1875-76. .•llonzo F. Craig, 1 Pifcataqua, No. C, Portsmouth, session of 1870-77. Henry A. Farrington, Wildey, N o, Ht, Manchester, session of 1877-78. Rev. Luther F. McKinney, Fraternity, No. 50, South Newmarket, session of 1878-70. John H. Albin, Crescent, No. 60, Henniker, session of 1879-80. George A. Robie, Friendship, No. 19, Hooksett, session of 1880-81. Frank A. Rawson, Sugar Hiver, No. 55, Newport, session of 1881-82. James W. Odlin, Sagamore, No. 9, Exeter, session of 188-2-83. Hon. Horace A. Brown, Eumford, No. 40. Concord, session of 1883-84. Kev. Lewis Malvern, Winnipiseogee, No. 7, Laconia, session of 1884-85. The following is a list of Grand Secretaries of Grand Lodge of Odd-F'ellows: George H. H. Silsby, -White Mountain Lodge, No. n, Concord, session of 1844-03. Joseph B. Smart, White 3I'iMit.-:ii, V ., - . i,. .i I, „ -.i .i: ,,• l - .| r.::. Mitcliell Gilmore, White II \ > i : : ,; Joel Taylor, > Hillsboroimli , '> M . l : : Joseph Kidder, Hillsborou_-l:. N J M n 'i -: ; i I :- •.. Penacook Encampment, Xu. 3, was instituted Xo- vember 26, 1844. White Mountain Lodge, Xo. 5, was instituted Feb- ruary 7, 1844. Tahanto Encampment, Xo. IS. Contoocook Lodge, No. 26, was instituted in 1846. Rumford Lodge, No. 46, was instituted December ■2H, 1867. Merrimack County Odd-Fellows' Relief Asso- ciation. U. 0. of P. F.— John Carver Colony, No. 10, was organized February, ISSO. Knights of Pythias. — Concord Lodge, No. 8, was iii.stitutcd November 18, 1870. EndM-.vnicnt Rank, Section No. 11. Ancient Order of Hibernians.— Concord Lodge. A. 0. of U. W.— Equity Lodge. I Dvrejiseil. 118 HISTORY OF .MKllRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Knights of Honor. — Granite Lodge, No. 225, K. of H., was (irfrani/Aii Jliirch 2.3, 187G. Kearsage Lodge, No. 270, was organized May, 187-j. Grand Army of the Republic— E. E. Sturtevant Post, No. 2. William 1. Brown Post, No. 31, Penacook, was organized May, 1875. Davis Post, No. 44, Wost Cjncord, was organized July 3(1, 18711. Temperance. — Woman's Christian Temperance Union. State Capitol Lodge, I. 0. G. T., No. 42. West Coneord Temperance Reform Club. Crystal Fount Division, No. 16, 8. of T. Merrimack Division, No. 20, S, of T., was organ- ized April 22, 1872. Penacook Division, No. 58, S. of T., was organized September 8, 1878. Concord Commandery, No. 84, U. (). G. C, was instituted November 14, 1879. Dustin Island Lodge, I. O, of G. T. Penacook Lake Lodge, No. 10, I. (). of G. T. St. John's Catholic Total Abstinence Society. Other Societies.— Centre District Medical Society. Concord Female Charitable Society was estab- lished in 1812, and is the oldest benevolent associa- tion in Concord. The officers are elected for three years, with a board of twelve directors, four of which go out each year. Eastman Association. Concord Female Benevolent Association was or- ganized in 1835. Concord Y. M, C, Association. Fisherville Library Association was organized in August, 1865. Penacook Y. M. C. Association was organized in 1875. Northern Mutual Belief Association rated in November, 1863. The Rolfe and Rumford Asylum was founded in 1852 by the Countess of Rumford, and was opened' for the reception of inmates January, 1880, It is situated on Hall Street, near Water. This asylum is for destitute native female children of Concord. Joseph B. Walker, president; S, S, Kimball, treas- urer; Enoch Gerrish, secretary; Francis A. Fisk, Joseph B. Walker, Jesse P. Bancroft, Enoch Gerrish, Samuel S. Kimball, trustees. New Hampshire Dental Society was organized in New Hampshire Pharmaceutical Association. Provident Mutual Relief Association was incorpo- rated in July, 1878, New Hampshire Honireopathic Medical Society. New Hampshire Medical Society. Orphans' Home is situated on Dutibarton road near Millville. New Hampshire Centenai il Home for the Aged was incorporated in 187G. corpo- New Hampshire Home Missionary Society was instituted in 1801 and incorporated in 1807. Women's Auxiliary Society. New Hampshire Branch Concord Auxiliary of Women's Baptist Missions. Ministers' and Widows' Charitable Fund of New Hampshire wsis organized in 1813. St. Patrick's Benevolent Society was incorporated June, 1873. French Canadian 8ocietv. CHAPTER VI. CO^COB.r)— (Continued). flVIL HISTORY, The Firet Town-Hmise— City Hall— Jail— Plantation, Pni-ish and Town Clerks from 1732 to 1885— Representatives from 17T5 to 1885— Incor- poi-ation of the Cit.v— Fii-st Charter Election— Officers Chosen- dr- ganixation of City Government— Mayors, Aldermen and Memhevs of Common Council from 18.5a to 1885, Civil History, Etc. — The old town-house and court-house was built in 1792 and enlarged in 1823. A county building of brick was erected in 1844. These were occupied until the erection of the present city hall, in 1854 and 1855, for the joint use of the city and county. The north wing is used for the county and the south wing for the city. It is a large and commodious brick structure, located on the north side of Main Street. The present jail was erected in 1852 at a cost of about eleven thousand dollars. It is located near the junction of Pleasant and Washington Streets. Prior to this time the county used the Hopkinton jail, which, previous to the organization of Merrimack County, had been the county prison of Hillsborough County. The following is a list of plantation, parish and town clerks from 1732 to 1885: Banj. Kolfe, 1732 to 1747, and in 1766, '07 and '08. Ezra Carter, 1747-48.' Timothy Walker, Jr., 17G0, '70, '71, '72, '7:1, '74, '75, '76, '77. John Kimball, 1778 to 17S6. Caleb Chase, 1787 to 1795. John Odlin, 1790 lo 1819. Francis N. Fisk, 1819 to 1829. John West, 1829 to 1833. Samuel Coffin, 183:i to 1830. Jonathan E. Lang, 1836-37. Robert E. I'ecker, 1838-:J9. Jacob C. Carter, 1840, '41, '42. John P. Johnson, 1843, '44, '45, '40, '.10, '5.', -53. Geo. H. H. Silsby, 1848-49. Wm. D. Robinson, ISnl. The following is a list of Representatives from 1775 10 1885: Timothy Walker, 1775, '76, '78, 'SI, '82, 'SA, '84. Colonel Thos. Stickney, 1777-79. 1 About this time the rights and privileges guaranteed by the District Act ce««ed, and Rumford, already involved in controversy with the pro- prietors of Bnw, was destitute of government. There is a chasm iu the COiNCORD. liilgf l)iiiion<], Siihiu iiry S. Sliattiick, Duv Dan It, 17 ISOI Jucob AblMt, 171IS, -'JIl, 18011. Samuel Greeu, Isoij, '07, '08. Steven Ambrose, IS.ll, '10, "U, '12, '13. Thoma."! W. Thompson, 1813-14. 1815.— Itichai-d Ayer and George Hough. lsir>.— George Hough and John Odlin. 1-^lT.— John Odlin and William A. Kint. IMS. — T. W. Thompson and William A. Kent. l^l'.i.— .\bial Walker and Nathan Ballard, .)i . l'-j! r.iiil. '1, Ti l.L Fi. in I, and David George. 1> - I', . w . I . ■ : : ~ lu.nel A. Kimball. Is ;1 I !^'l— I! )■ ,^1 • , I. I . In; ii. 1. . !,. 1 and Joseph P. Stickney. 1S3).— Cliarbs H. I't-aslef, .Icivniitili I'lrker and Isaac Emery. 1S36.— Charles H. Peaslee, Ezra Carter, William Doiv and Ebeuezei Eastman. 1837.— Ezra Carter, Ebenezer Eastman, William ro«- and Luthei Boby. 1&38.— Joseph Low, George Kent, Cyrus Robinson and Abiel Rolfe. 1839.— Abiel Rolfe, Cyrus Robinson, William Kent and Im Perley. 1840.— Moses Shute, .\biel C. Carter and Jacob Hoit. 1841. — Joseph Robinson, Moses Shute, .\biel C. Carter and Jacol Hoit. 1842 -No cho: 1843.— No choice. 1844.— No choice. 1845.— Jacob Carti and William Page. 1S4G.— Jacob Carti 1847.— Edmund W Joel C. Danforth ant e, Asa Fowler, Cyr Charles ir. Herbert, Henry S. Shatti Lyman D. Stevens, Benjamin Green. 1802.— John Whittaker, William Pecker, Ira Rowell, John Y. Mug- ridge, William L. Foster, Enos Blake, William E. Chandler, Charles !'. Sanborn, Heniy T. Chickering, Benjamin Green. 1803.- Samuel Mcrriam, William Pecker, Hiram Farniim, John Y. Mngridge, William L. Foster, William E. Chamller, Henry P. Rolfe, Charles P. Sanl i II. nn T n,i,Uering, James Thompson. 1S04.— Samuel M n : - I I 111. ichins, Hiram Karnum, Isaac El- well, Cyrus w. r I w h, I .handler, Henry P. Rolfe, Stephen Webster, Charl.s w |i,im.. lim ~ Thumpson. isfki.— John BatelieM.r. .Samuel Hutchius, Daniel Holden, Isaac El- well, Cyrus W. Paige, Henry C. Sherburne, ^alhaniel G. Upham, Charles W. Davin, Lewis Downing, Daniel Knowlton. 1800.- John Batchelder, Sylvester Stevens, Daniel Holden, Joseph B. Walker, Ezra Ballard, Nathaniel G. Ujiham, David A. Warde, Lewis Downing, Lyman D. Stevens, Daniel Knowlton. 1807.- John S. Brown, Sylvester Stevens, Stephen Carlton, Joseph B. Walker Ezra Ballard, David A. Warde, James E. Larkin, Lyman D. Stevens, George Hutchius, Robert Hall. 18US.— ,Tohn S. Brown, Cliarles Smith, Stephen Carlton, John A. West, Benjamin E. Badger, James E. Larkin, Augustine C. Pierce, George Hntchins, Joseph W. Prescott, Robert Hall. 18G!).— William B. Allen, Charles Smith, Henry Farnum, John A. West, Benjamin E. Badger, .\ugustine C. Pierce, Ephraim W. Wood- ward, Joseph W. Prescott, Calvin C. Webster, George F. Whittredge. 1870. — William H. Allen, Harrison Bean, Henry Farnum, Ira Perley, James N. Lauder, Samuel M. Griffin, Ephraim W. Woodward, George A. CummingS; Calvin C. Webster, Bet^aiuin .\. Kimball, George F. Whittredge. 1871.— Robert B. Hoit, Stephen C!ark, Benjamin F. Holden, James N. Lauder, Samuel M. Griffin, Benjamin S. Warren, George A. Cummings, George .\. Pillsbuiy. Asa Fowler, Sanmel B. Page, Lyman T. Flint. 1872.— Robert B. Hoit, John A. Holmes, Albert Stevens, Benjamin F. Holden, Benjamin S. Warren, Jacob H. Gallinger, George W. Emerton, George A. Pillsbury, Parsons B. Cogswell, John H. Albin, Asa Fowler, Geolge E Todd, Charles P. Virgin, Lyman T. Flint. 1873. — lohn A. Holmes, David A. Brown, Albert Stevens, Jacob H. Gallinger, George W. Emerton, Charles P. Blanchard, Pal-sons B. Cogs- well, John H. Albin, George E. Jenks, George E. Todd, Charles P. Virgin, Henry «'. Sturtevant, Daniel Wyman. IsTl \ ,11; ,11 I 1, ,11. II. ; «il.,.i,i H.Bell, Charles W. Blake, Augus- tii... . Ill . ,1.1. Luther P. Durgin, Ebenezer S. T.iul. ., !_ I I i. w. .. ids, Heui7 C. Sturtevant, Charles nth, AsaFoiv iRobii I Chase Hil 1840.— Luther Eoby, Perley Cleaves, Cyrus Hill, Charles H. X..rt..ii and William Page. 1850.— Perley Cleaves, Cyrus Hill, Charles H. Norton, John L. Tal- lant, George F. Sanborn, Nathaniel B. Baker and Ebenezer Symmes. 1851.— Nathaniel B. Baker. 1852.— Nathaniel White, Shadrach Seavey, Benjamin F. Gale, Nathan Chandler, Joseph Eastman and Caleb Parker. 1853.— Jeremiah S. Soyes, John H. George, John Sawyer, William H. Page, James Frye, .lames Moore, Henry P. Rolfe and Benjamin F. Dow. 1.H.".4.— .Jeremiah S. Hui'iiin. .lames Frye, Joseph Eastman, Shadrach Sea\' \ ' !. II . ^ . II I, l; i.il N , i,,i,i. I.avid M. Dearborn, Caleb Pari,. ; .. _ . I . - \ 1- I . - |. . . . \ ;. 11.. George W. Brown, E.l- war.l 11 l: :!.| . ^^llll^,, l.,l!it.i l; i,i,\ <■. .ruing, Lucius B. Morrill, George Clougb, I'.-ter ^anb,,rn, James M. I His. 1856.— Abiel Rolfe, .Abraham Bean, George W. Brown, Edward H. Rollins, W^illiam Ballard, Lucius B. Morrill, Henry A. Bellows, Peter Sanborn, Joseph L. Jackson, James M. Otis. 1857.— Abiel Rolfe, Abraham Beart, Moses Humphrey, Edward H. Rollins, Charles Smart, Henry A. Bellows, James Sedgley, Joseph L. Jackson, Napoleon B. Bryant, William G. Whitney. 1858. — Albert H. Drown, s,,,,,,; j i' T,,il.ii., Moses Humphrey, Asji MacFarland, Reuben G. W . , i , - l^Iey, John Kimball, Na- poleon B. Bryant, Geo. j;. r >» I J.Whitney. 1859.— Albert H. Dnnvi., - I I; I . lui, Elbridge Dimonil. Asa MacFarland, Reuben G. Wvn.an. J..|.n Kimball, Gilbert Bull..ck. Xa- poleon B. Bryant, George B. Wallace, Charles E. Thompson. W |. F. .M... »•. Blake, Daniel Brown, Dutton V. Moore, Samuel .nnimin F. Gale. . I : , Charles P. . w . Jiickermau, 1870.— David Putnam, William II. n :i Hollis, Horace A. Brown, John Hi.ll... . .! Sanborn, Moses Humphrey, Stillman ll,...! ;.;. , Joseph C. A. Hill, John C. Kilbun., l;ei..iai„iu t. t.alc, John H. Lamprey. 1877.- Rufus Cass, Timothy C. Rolfe, Cyrus R. Kobinson, Wyman W. Holden, Oliver Pillsbury, George A. Young, WiUiani E. Stevens, Stillman Humphrey, Jonathan E. Sargent, Edward Dow, Moses W. Dickerman, Joseph C. A. Hid, John C. Kilbnrn, John H. Lamprey, An- drew S. Smith. 1878.-TimothyC. Rolfe, William W. Allen, Henry F. Campbell, Wy- man W. Holden, George A. Young, William E. Stevens, Jonathan E. Sargent, E.iward Dow, Joseph Wentworth, Charles C. Lund, Jonathan L. Pickerin;;, Andrew S. Smith, Moses Critchett. 187!l-80.— William W. Allen, Henry F. Campbell, John Thornton, William D. Ladd, Henry Robinson, Charles C. Danforth, Edgar H. Woodman, Charles C. Luud, George E. Lawrence, John B Flanders. 1881-82. — Nathaniel S. Gale, Rufus Virgin, Henry Robinson, Enoch Gerrish, Howard A. Dodge, William E. Chandler, Walter Harriraan, Leland A. Smith, Jeremiah S. Abbott. 1S83-84.— John P. Locke, Moses H. Farnum, Frank E. Brown, Siimuel C. Eastman, Charles U. Jones, Charles R. Corning, Wentw orth G. Shaw, John H. Carr, George Ckiok, Ebenezer B. Hutch- 120 HISTORY OF MKKKIiMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. TallsDI, Clmriea L. Ruwe, J. I'erry Kittrodge, Frank S. Strwter, Charles T. Huntoon, Lyman Jackman Prescott F- Stevens, George CTougli, Henry W. CSapp, Kobeit A. Kay, Leonidas H. Clougli. Concord was incorporated as a city July 6, 1849. but the ciiarter was not adopted until March 10,1853. The first charter election was held March 26, 1853, with three candidates for mayor in the field, — Richard Bradley, Asa Fowler and Joseph Low. The vote was as follows: Bradley, 644; Low, 749; Fowler, 126. Low not having a majority, a second election was held April 5th, when he was chosen by a majority of 192, his opponent being Mr. Bradley. The following officers were chosen at the March election : .l', Simeon .\bbot, Hiram Farnum, Jerfnn.i I - \ i " nA. W.ilker, Thos. A.Ambrose, Jas. H. 11^. ^' i , ■ _ „i, Benj. Coffin, Jr., George A, Pillsbur^ ; \v i mi - i I mi ,l .m|i1i H. Mace, Caleb Parker; Ward 7, Atkinson -WebstLi, Isajn- Abbott, School i?o(ir(l.— Ward 1, Edmund Worth ; Ward 2, Henry A. Kendall ; Ward 3, Asa V. Teiiney ; Ward 4, Eleazer Smith ; Ward 6, Chas. P. Cage; Ward 11, Jas. W. Sargent ; Ward 7, Josiah Stevens. The city government was organized April 6, 1853. The oath of office was administered to the mayor by ]iou. Josiah Minot. Cyrus Barton was chosen presi- dent of the Common Council and W. H. H. Bailey clerk pro fern. At an adjourned meeting, held April 9th, John F. Brown was elected city clerk, Wm. H. Bartlett city solicitor, and Amos Hadley clerk of the Common Council. The following is a list of mayors, aldermen and members of the Common Council, prepared expressly for this work by Deacon Daniel F. Secomb: MAYOBS. lga:i. — .loseph Low, died August 28, 18.')li, aged sixtj'-nine years. 185.5.— Rufus Clement, died Januaiy 13, 1850, aged fifty years. 18.iO.-.Iohn Abbott 1859.-Moacs T. Willard, died May 30, 1883, aged e ISCI.— Moses Humphrey. 1803. — Buiijamin F. Gale, died December, IH79, ay 1865.- Moses Humphrey. I800.-John Abbott. 1868.— Lyman D. Stevens. 1871).— Abraham G. Jones. 1872.— John Kimball. 1870.— George A . Pillsbury. 1878.— Horace A. Brown. 18811.— Ceorce A. Cuniniings. IS82.-E.lgiii II. W.mdman. 1799 ; died October 21), died December C, 1853.— John Batchelder, bom September 1870, aged seventy years. 1854.— Henry H. Amsdei 1855.— Albert H. D.own. 1867.— David A. Brown. 1859.- Jacob B. Band. 1801.- Samuel Merriam. 1803.- John A. Holmes. 1807. — Jeremiah S. Durgin, died January, 18G8, aged fifty-seven yeai-s 18G8. — David Putnam, died 1870. 1809.— William H. Bell. 1871.— John Whittaker. 1872.— John S. Brown. 1874. — Charles H. Amsden. 1870.— John Whittaker. 1877.— John C. Lineham. 1878.— Franklin A. Abbott. 1879.— Nathaniel S. Gale (resigned) and John H. Rolfe. 1880.— John Carter. 1882.— J. E. Marden. 1884.- Henry F. Bnnvn. W.IED 2. 1853.— John L. Tallant. - 1855.— Samuel ClilTord, died Febniary 6, 1879, aged eighty-si.\ years. 1856. — Ebenezer Eastman. 1858.— Jacob A. Potter, died April 28, 1865, aged sixty-six years. 1860. — Samuel Eastman. 1862.— Thomas D. Potter, died March 2, 1873, aged seventy-sevei 1804.— Timothy W. Emery, died May 29, 1875, aged sixty-one years. I860.— John P. Locke. 1868.— Thompson Tenney. 1870.-^o8eph T. Clough. 1872.- George H. Curtis. 1874.- John B. Curtis. 1870.— John G. Tallant. 1878.— John T. Tenney. 1879.— Cyrus B. Robinson. 1880.— Josiah S. Locke. 1882.— Charles H. Clough. 1884.-Charles H. Sanborn. 1853. — Joseph Eostman. 18.i4.-John Abbott (mayoi-, 1856). 1855. — Moses Humphrey (mayor, 1861). 1857.— Elhridge Dimond. 1859. — Ira Rowell. died .Tuno 14, 1870, aged seventy-nine years. 1861.— William D. Colby. 1863.— Henry Martin. 1865.- John V. Aldrich. 1867.— George W. Flanders. 1809.— William H. Brown. 1871.— Alfred C. Abbott. 1873.— Daniel Hnlden. 1875.— Andrew J. Holmes. 1877.-Jehiol D. Knight. 1878.— Benjamin T. Putney. ! — Robert Davis, died March 19, 1861, aged seventy-one yeai-s. I. — Samuel Coffin, died September 27, 1805, aged seventy-one yea >.— William Prescott, died October IS, 1875, aged eighty-six yeai r.— Moses T. Willard (mayor., 1859). ).— Shadrach Seavey, died January 31, 1880, aged seventy-t !.— Ezra Ballard, died May 7, 1872, age.l sixty-nine years. I.— Joshua B. Merrill. ).— Charles H. Heibert. S.— Horace A. Brown (mayor, 1878). ;i.— Luther P. Durgin. ^.— Joseph B. Walkei-. CONCOKD. 121 1874.— Aimer C. Holt. 1876.— Samuel \V. Shattuck. 1878.— Samuel M. Griffin. 1880.— Emory N. Shepard. 1882.— Oliver Pillsbury and John C. Thorn. 1884.— Bichai-d M. Ordwayand Frank L. Sanders. Waeu o. 1853.— Edson Hill. 1S,-|4.— True Osgood, born January 21, 1814 ; died February 24, 1884, aged seventy yeai-s. 1855. — John Brown, died March 4, 18G3, aged sixty-two yeai-s. 1857. -Eno9 Blake. 1859.— Hobert N. Corning, died June 13, 1866, aged forty-seven years. 18C0.— Bradbury Gill, died December 13, 1881, aged seventy-five years. ISM.— Wcntworth G. Shaw. 18i;:).— Nicholas Quimby, died August II, 1873, aged seventy-seven yeare. 1,S65.— C"\U'tis White. 1SC7.— Abraham G. Jones (mayor, 187()), 1809.— Daniel F. Secomb. 1S71.— Stillman Humphrey. 1873.— George A. Pillsbury (mayor, 1876). . Cummiugs (uiayor, 1S8U). . Cochran. 1879.— William H. Buntin. 1880.— Edward Dow. 1882.— Heury A. Mann. 1884.- Albert B. Woodivorth and Irving S. Ring. Ward 6. 1853.— Matthew Harvey, died .\pril 7, 1800, aged eighty-four yeai-s. 1854.— George B. Chandler, died at St. Josephs, Mich., October 28, 1878, aged seventy-five years. 1856.- William Kent. 1858.— Ebenezer G. Moore, died March 2, 1870, aged seventy-three 1859.-Caleb Parker, died January 18, 1874, aged sixty-three years. 1861.— Benjamin F. Gale (mayor, 1803). 1803.— Abraham J. Prescott. 1865.— Edward P. Prescott. 1867.— Henry T. Chickering. 1870.— John D. Teel. 1871.— Enoch L. Childs. 1873.— Albe J. Hall. 1874. — James L. Mason. 1876.— Byron G. Merrill. 1878.— Henry W. Clapp. 1880.— John T. Batchelder. 1882.- Joseph H. Lane and Gardner B. Enimoiis. 1884.— Loland A. Smith. Ward 7. 1853.— Josiah Stevens, died April 17, 1869, aged ievcnty-four yeai-s. 18.")4.— Moses Shute, died March 13, 1858, aged sixty-eight years. 1855.— Samuel Pease. 1857.- George F. Whittredge. 1859.— Joseph Hazleton, died December 31, 1880, aged eighty-ono jeare. 1861.— Josiah Cooper. 1863.— William Walker, died November 22, 188i, aged seventy-two 1865.— Daniel S. Webster. 1867.— Isaac Clement, died May 30, 1875, aged seventy-one years. 1869.— Nathan W. Gove, died August 8, 1871, aged fifty-four years. 1871.— Andrews. Smith. 1873.— Jacob E. Hutchius. 1875.- Isaac X. Abbott. 1877.— Henry Churchill, born in Brookficld, N. H., died March 18, 188."). 1879. ^Charles E. Thompson. 1880.— John H. Lamprey. 1884.— Daniel B. Smith. CITY CLERKS. 1853.- John F. Brown, died July 26, 1878, aged sixty-three years. 18.54.— David Watson, died March 26, 1867, aged seventy-eight years. 1862.— William A. Hodgdon. 1865.— Charles F. Stewart, died October 14, 1869, aged sixty-four years, 1879.— Joseph A. Cochran. ^34, COMMON COUNCILMEN. Wa in 1867) aud Ebeu F. Elliott. .■I C. Elliott. Rand, 1856 (alderman 1859). niber7, 1884, aged sixty-six years) 1 October 9, 1808, aged forty-four 18.53.- Jeremiah S. l>uri; 1854.— Rufu.s n s il.^ ,1 18.55.- Robeil l; M II . 18,57.— Timolliv I I, i Hud Jeremiah F. 1; u, years). 1859.— Andrew P. Bennett and Cynis W. Lincoln. 1861.— Alfred A.Eastman (died September 3, 1861, aged tweiit.v-ciKlit years) and Hiram Simpson (resigned) and Nathaniel Rolfe. 1802.— George P. Meserve. 1803.— Harvey Chase. 1804.— Amos Holt (died February 3, 1876, aged seventy-six yea?-si anil Ilazen Knowlton. 1806.- Edward Runnels and Hezekiah S. Durgin (alderman 1807). 1867. — Hiram F. Simpson (died September 5, 1807, fifty-four yeai-s) and John Whittaker (alderman 1871). 1868.— William A. Bell (alderman 1869) and Cyrus Runnels. 1809.— Cephas A. Fowler. 1870.— Job S. Davis. 1871.— Franklin A. Abbott (alderman 1878) aud Daniel G. Holmes. 1872.— John 0. Linehan (alderman 1877). 1874.— Rufus Cass. 1875.— Andrew P. Bennett. 1876.— Frederick G. Chandler. 1877.— Edward Runnels. 1878.— John Carter. 1879. — Jerome S. Runnels. 1880.- Henry Rolfe and Sherwin P. Colby. 1882.— John W. Powell. lS8i.-David F. Dudley. 1863.— Samuel B. Larkin (died August 8, 1863, aged sixty-fi and Heman Sanborn. 1855.— Charles Sanborn and Ephraim S. Colby. 1856. — James Locke and William Pecker. 1858.— Timothy W. Emery (alderman 1864) aud Isaac Virgil 1860. - Zebulon Smith and William Abbott. 1862.— Sylvester .Stevens and John B. Curtis (ald.-nnan 1874 187: A. Ilea 1873.— John G. Tallant (alderman 1876). 1874.— Zebina C. Perkins. 1875.— Elbridge Emery. 1876.— John T. Tenney (alderman 1878). 1877.— John T. Batchelde.-. 1878.— John E. Frye. 1879. — John B. Sanborn. 1880.- Charles H. Sanborn and John N. Hil 1S82.— Fales E. Virgin. 1884.— Samuel L. French. Ward 3. uphrey (alderman 18.55). , aged sixty-eight 1853.— George W. Brown and ] 1855.— Moses M. Davis and Hiram Farnuni. 1857.— Benjamin F. Holrten (died November 5 ■ears) and Henry Farnum. 185!).— Stephen Carleton and William D. Colby (alderman 1861). 1861.— Moses H. Farnum and Henry Martin (alderman 1863). 1803.— George W. Flanders (alderman 1807) anil John V. Al alderman 1805). 1805.— Henry Farnum. I860.— Harrison Partridge. 1867.— Jacob N. Flanders. 1868.— John Thornton. 18o9.— Beiyumin Farnuni and Reuben K. Abbott. 1870.— Charles H. Farnum. 1871.— Franklin J. Emerson and Jehiel D. Knight (alderman 18" 1872.— Charles H. Farnum and Daniel C. Tenney. 1873.— Andrew S. Farnum. 1874.— Lyman Sawyer. IgT.i.—Charles H. Merrill. U18T011V OK .Mi;iaa.\IA('K COLMV, new IIAMl'SHIRE. , ISOI, ngoil im.v- 187n.— Ik>qjiunln T. Putney (aMornuui 1H78). 1*77.— Sloplicn W. Kdlom and ImC. lMillll|w. 1878.— An>crt Sallmareli, 1870, and AMiil C. Alil I8e«l.— J»niM Franc-Is iiml George B. Dinic.nd. 1882.— Jcronilali Ijuinn. l8.Vt.-E2raCnrlornndGuurKoMinut (dUd .March four yoATB). 1854.— Joseph P. Slickney (dieil April 1!), 1877, aged eighty jcard) un, uged seventy-nine years) and ("yniB W. Pago. IS-W.-John I'.BrigKS. 1859, dii-d .llay lin, ISCS, iigiKl forty-one yeors. 1869.— John C. Pillsbnry. ISliC-Eura Ilallui-il (alderninn 18 -2). 1801.— Moses A. Bradley. 1802. -Jefferson Noycs, dieil April, 1877, ageil sevcnty-foin- yeiiin. isn.-).— Banlol A. Hill, died June 7, 187s, aged si.vty.iieven yeai-K, IBM — John A. West and John Ilallurd. 186fi. — George \V. Euicrton. 18c7.-Danlel Farnuni. I8(j«.— John Iloyt, dlo >- III i.liun (.,11 .alderninn 1800). '^ Mi ■ , Mjuw, 1800 (alderman 18nl). '~' *' ' '•■■ " l'"iiiin,18Bl (alderman 1879). '"'I ^' 11 '- ;ii!iiiliy inldcnnan 1803). l.sr.J.-Al.niliiiiu G. Jones, 1803 (mayor 1870). ISOS.-CharlesT. Lane. I8fi4.-r,irti» White (nldermnn 1805). isilj _\„,\,,,nj,.| I Mnnde and Emery T. Staniels. '-' '■'''! ' ' ' ' '' ISOn, and Daniel F. Seconib (alderman 1809). '" ' ~ "iiiK-ys, 1870 (nldermnn 1871). 1872, died September 17, 1.S82, ngod seveiity- 187 i— Cyrus N. Corning. 1873.— Joseph A. Cochran (alderman 1877). 1874.— Moses B. Critchett. I87S.— George A. Foster. 1870.- George F. Uuderhill. IS77.-A. B. Smith. 1878.— Homy A. Mnnn (alderman 1882). 1879.-rrank J. Batchelder. I88u.-Irvin S. Ring and Benjamin F. Caldwell. 1882.-Franklin S. Abbott. I88-I.— Fa>eborn S. Abbott and Warren II. Coriiii I8.Vt.-KlK.nezer G. Moore (alderman 1858) and Thonins Dailey 18,M.-Willl„m P. Hardy (di«l November 1, 1850, nged fifty-flie 1865.— Nathan Farley (died May 16, 1809, aged eighty years) Dovid Winklcy (died June 29, 1870, aged sixty-tht«e years). ISilC— William Hart. 1857.— Stephen Webster. 1868.— Thomas II. Newhull, died Jnnuniy 21, 1800, aged flfly. yonni. 1859.— Benjamin Rolfe. ISiiO.- Abraham G. Jones (mayor 1870 j. 1801.— John D. Tcel, 1802 (alderman 1870), and I.oreuzu K. Pcaco. 1803.— Charles P. Virgin and Thomas W. Stewart. 1805.- Henry T. Cliickering, 1800 (alderman I8(i7) and Edward ] (alderman 1880). 1807.— Lewis L. Slower, 1808, and Nathan H. Haskell. 1809.- Cliarles H. Abbott. I870.-Proscott F. Stevens. 187l.^IoshuaT. Kendall. ; 1872 — John L. T. Brown and Moses B. Smifli, 1871. 1874.— Alonzo Downing, died July 3, 1877, aged fifty-four veaix. 1875.— Calvin C. Webster. 1870. — Lewis B. Hoit. 1877.— Timothy Colby, died December 19, I8811, aged 6i.vty-four vm 1878.— Joseph C. A. Hill. 1879.— Joseph 11. Lane and George H. l-:moiy. 1882. 1882.- Horaces. Fairbanks, Leonard W. Hinii, Hiram ('. Marsh : Frank J. Batchelder. Ward 7. 1853.— Moses Sliute (alderninn 18.54) and Giles W. Oidway, died Ma 20, 1873, aged si.\ty-one ycara. 1854.— Joseph S. Lund (died December i7, 1882, agedeiglity-twoy.-i and Isaac Abbott. iai5.- James Thompson and Charles A. Reed. 1.8.'>7.-Jo8iah Cooper and Isaac Clement (alderman 1807). 18.50.— John B. Flanders and Moses B. Abbott. 1800.— Jedcdiah C. Abbott. 1801.— Isaiah Robinson, died .lanuary 25, 1875, aged scventy-.i yenre. 1807, died August 4, 1,S75, aged i- 1809.- Andrews. Smith (alderman 1,'*71.) 1870.-.lacob E. Hutchins. 1871.- George W, Chesley. 1872.— James B. Fellows. 1873.- John Hazeltine. 1874 — .lames Thompson. 1875.- William Stevenson. 1870.— Henry Churchill, 1870 (aldcnnan 1877). 1877.- E. A. F. Hammond and James W. Lane. 1879.— Charles H. Peacock and Jeremiah S. Abbott. 188li.-Hcnry F. Evans (resigned) and Daniel B. Sm 1884.-Ceargc H. Mills. CLERKS OF COMMON COUNCIL 1853.-Amo8 Hadley. 18119.— Lewis L. Mower. The present city govcinmciit lows : rgaiii iV/nyor.— Edgar H. Woodman. ^Wermc.-Wanl 1, John E. Marden ; Ward 2, Charles H. dough ; Ward 3, Albert Saltmnrsh; Ward 4, Emory M. Shepard, Oliver Pillsbuiy and John C. Thorn ; Ward 6, Edward Dow and Henry A. Mann ; Ward 6, John T. Batchelder, Joseph H. Lace and Gardner B. Emmons ; Ward 7, John 11. Lamprey. CUg C(eit-.— Joseph A. Cochran. Ommon Coiuidf.— President, George H. Emery ; Ward 1, John W\ Powell ; Ward 2, Fales P. Virgin ; Ward 3, Jeremiah Qninn ; Ward 4, James F. Roonoy, Edward A. Moulton and Harrison A. Roby ; Ward 5, Irvin S, Ring and Freeborn S. Abbott ; Wardfl, George H. Emery, Hor- ace S. Fairbanks and Leonard W. Bean; WanI 7, Daniel B. Smith. ' ncil, Lewis L. Mower. CONCORD. '.'Uij TretiMurer.- of. k'illiani F. Thayer. Ilritird »/ lylucitmi.—Vnion School Dtotrict : Jolin C. Thorn, term lher Districta : William W. Flint, Charles B. Str.ing,t Abial Rolfc,= ' rge H.Curtis. Tritaat Offictri. — John Connell, James E. Rand, Charles H. .Tonee. POBUC LtEEAEV. TVujArCT.— Ward 1, Ahial Rolfe ; Ward 2, Joseph T. Clongh ; Ward 3, Paul R. Holden ; Ward 4, William L. Foster; Ward .5, Henry W. Stevens ; Ward 6, JamesS. Norris; Ward 7, Rev. Thomas G. Valpey > and William W. Flint.s Librarian. — Daniel F. Secomb. ASSE^SOBS. Ward 1, Abial Rolfe; Waul 2, John G. Tallant ; Wards, Harrison Partridge ; Ward 4, Gilbert H. Seavey ; Ward 5, Curtis White ; Ward 6, George S. Dennett ; Ward 7, Jonathan B. Weeks. Chainnan, Gilbert H. Seavey ; Clerk, Abial Rolfe. CiTT Water-Works. Charles C. Danfortli ; Ward 0, George O. Dickerman ; Wiu.l 7, Harry G. Sargent. S(!(ec/m«;i.— Ward I, William H. Jloody, Martin Solan, Ikuic I'. Kur. gin ; Ward 2, Isaac F. Potter, Edward J. Lyie, William P. Curtis ; Wnr.l 3, George Trickey, George B. Little, Alvin C. Powell ; WnnI 4, Cliarl.- H. Jones, George F. Eelley, Nathaniel Bond; Ward ."<, Augustus II. Wiggin, Warren H. Corning, Charles T. Lane ; Ward 0, David I,. N.iil, George L. Theobald, George L. Reed ; Ward 7, Joaeph E. Hutchiiison , Alfred Clark, Charles H. Critchett. Ward Cfert..— Waul 1, Frederick M. Morse ; Ward 2, Frank P. Ciirti- ; Ward 3, Fred. A. Eastman ; Ward 4, Charles A. Davis ; Ward 5, George W. Lincoln ; Ward 6, Howard M. Cook ; Ward 7, George B. Whit trcdge. STATISTICAL. Population of the city (census ISSfJ) 1.1,84) Valuation of the dty S'J,877.S74.00 Tax assessed for the year 8148,200.20 Bate of taxation 81.15 per SlOO .11 per 811)0 additional for Union School District. .3U per 8100 additional for precinct tax. -Edgar H. Woodman, mayor, tr-officio ; Samuel S. Kimball, term expires March 31, 1885 ; Luther P. Dorgin, term ex- pires March 31, 1885 ; John Kimball, term expires March 31, 1886; Wil- liam M. Chase, term expires March 31, 1886 ; James L. Slaeon, term expires March 31, 1887 ; Joseph H. Abbott,2 term expires March 31, 1887. President, John Kimball ; Clerk, William M. Chase. Saperinlendad of Water-Worl!t.—\ . Charles Hastings. FiBB Department. Chief Bnj.nwr.— John M. Hill. AmsUuit Engineert.—ToT Precinct : Daniel B. Xewhall, Joseph S. Mer- rill, B. Frank Tucker. For Penacook : William H. Allen. For East Concord : John E. Frye. For West Concord : Harrison Partridge. Steaard Cenlral Fire SUiUon. —TSben F. Richardson. AuUianl Steward Central Fire StaCion — George L. Osgoo«I. of Fire Alarm.— Eben F. Bichardson. POllS, VALUATION, I on the real au'l jier^fjnal es- PoLicR Department. Police JuViM.— Sylvester Dana. Special Police Jvtlice. — Benjamin E. Badger. Cilg S.ficitor.— Robert A. Kay. CTeri of Police Court.— Rufus P. Staniels. City Jl/orjAa;.— John Connell. Ateittaid City iforsfcrf.— George W. Corey. Street Department. Commistioner of HiyAicaj*.— Edgar H. Woo.lnmn. Superintendent of Streets. — James H. Rowell. Overseers of the Pooh. For Ward 1 : J. Edwin Mardcn, Penacook. For Ward 2: of int. l'«.vaLlc. Junuiir? 1, 18M. April l', 1S85. XoTember I, 188.'i Jaiiiuiry I, ISST. OctoUtT 1, 1887. January 1, 1S88. iPcloberl, I8«(. January 1, 188lt. October I, 18S'J. January 1, 1890.- October 1, 1800. January I, isai. October 1, 1891. November 1, 1891. October 1, 1892. KoToniber 1, 1892. October 1, 189.1. NoTeniber 1, 1893. October 1, 1894. Noremberl, 1894. annually. 1,500 Bomi-annually. 10,000 annually. 1,000 10,000 annually. 2,000 semiannually. 10,0(W annually. 2,000 Bomi-annually. 8,500 annually. 1,000 semi-annually. 0,250 semi-annually. 6,000 semi-annually. 2,000 semi-annually. 10,(X10 semi-annually. 4,250 semi-annually. 8,000 of park and Capitol 8 Bond^ OTerdue, not pre8eDte! ' ' ! l;ix, Jonathan Chase, Ebenezer Copps, Asa KimlMll I i i \i^in, Ebenezer Simonds, James Farnum, Judah Trunil>l' 1-.^ n w Jk. i, John Webster, Reuben Simonds, Joseph Eastman, Josliua Aliln.t isunof Lieutenant Nathaniel Abbot), John Shute, Daniel Abbot, Benjamin Hannaford, Amos East- man, Nathaniel Eastman, Benjamin Bi-adley, Stephen Hoit, David Evans, Stilson Eastman and Philip Kimball, sentinels. War of the Revolution.— The record of Concord during the War of the Revolution is one in which her citizens may justly feel a patriotic pride. The news of the battle of Lexington had scarcely reached the town before Captain Abiel Chandler had raised a company of thirty-six men and marched to Cam- bridge. There were three companies from this town in the battle of Bunker Hill. These were commanded by Captains Gordon Hutchins, Joshua Abbot and Aaron Kinsman. At the meeting in March, 1776, "Philip Eastman, Colonel Thomas Stickney, Timothy Walker, Jr., Joseph Hall, Jr., and Richard Harbut were chosen CONCORD. 125 a committee of safety for the parish of Couconl for the year 1776." The foUowiug citizens of Concord signed the "As- sociation Test : " "We, the subscribere, do hereby soleiuDly engage aud promise, that we will, to the utmost of our power, at the ris - I ...111, Daniel Far- num. I'l ' i ' I, i . ' .li.seph Clough, Rich.ii , II, I i" ir^ I .!, jIu: !i:i,-. ,1 i; I ■ 1 1 i-. 1. 1 h. . w 1 Ilium Haseltine, Sinion Trumbi-1, John Chase, John Shiite, Jacob Sliute, Joseph Hall, John Trumble (his X mark), Joseph Colby, Ephraim Fisk, Kathaniel Green, Thomas Wilson, Isaac W^alker, Ezra Badger, Richard Flanders, Timothy Farnham, Ezekiel Dimond, Joseph Haseltine, Phineas Kimball, Robert Ambros, Benjamin Sweat, Abiel Blanchard, Benjamin Elliot, James Stevens, Joseph Eastman, jr., Richard Potter, Timothy Symonds, Philip Kimball, Timothy Kimball, John Farnum, Ezekiel Carter, Richard Hood, Henry Lovejoy, Lemuel Tucker, Jacob Goodwin, George Graham, Jeremiah Wheeler, Zephaniah Pettey, Zebediah Farnum, Samuel Gootlwin, Abuer Farnum, Thomas Eaton, — 156." Not a single name was returned as "disaffected;" still, as will appear from the proceedings next year, some were " suspected," and, whether justly or not, were severely dealt with on that account. Many of the soldiers in service at Bunker Hill enlisted for eight mouths, and marched this year to join the Continental army in New York. Captain Joshua Abbot and Captain Benjamin Emery had command of companies. Captain Gordon Hutchins was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in Colonel Na- hum Baldwin's regiment. On their march to New York many of his soldiers were taken sick, and no medicines being provided in the public stores, Col- onel Hutchins purchased a quantity for the use of his soldiers at his own expense, being moved, as he said afterward, in a petition to the General Assembly for remuneration, with " pity and humanity towards the unhappy sufferers, aud also actuated from zeal for the public service." March 4, 1777, Messrs. John Kimball, Thomas Stickney, Reuben Kimball, Benjamin Emery and Richard Harbut were appointed a "Committee of Safety." Colonel Gordon Hutchins was chosen rep- resentative, and a vote was passed "to reconsider tlie former vote of the parisli, passed March 7, 1775, for leasing the eighty-acre lot belonging to the school- right to Oliver Hoyt for nine hundred years, — lie paying the parish six dollars annually;" and it was voted, "that instead of said Hoyt paying six dollars ^ITnually, the selectmen are directed to receive of him one hundred dollars, in full consideration for said lot;" and "that the selectmen be directed to lay out the one hundred dollars which they shall receive of Oliver Hoyt for the eighty-acre lot for a town stock of ammunition." About this time certain prominent individuals were suspected of disaffection to the American cause, notwithstanding they had signed the "Association Test." Hence the following votes were passed March 4th: " Toted, That this Parish will break off all dealings with Peter Green, Esq., Mr. John Stev.n~, Jlr. Xatljiinicl Gn-iii and Dr. I'liilip Caragaill, until theygive sail.] u iinn ,,: ii,, i-,,,,], t ,,■ ,i,,.,, ;,.,i . ..M.lm-t ; and that they be adverti^. ' I l ,i , i ,, ,;, i :,, I'nited States of .\inerica, uul. - • I i i : n i in thirty days from this date ; .mliii .• ri. ,i ■.. r, :- h- i, .i,-, 1 l.y the Committee of Safety until tliey give satisfactiou to the Public. " Voted, That the Committee be directed to instruct Col. Gordon Hutchins to apply to the Courts of Judicature of this State to dismiss Peter Green, Esq., from all Business henceforth and forever. *' Voted, That if any Persons have any Dealings with PeterGreen, Esq., Mr. John Stevens, Mr. Nathaniel Green and Dr. Philip Caragain, before they give satisfaction to the Public, that they be looked upon as Enemies to their Country by this Parish. '• VoUd, That the Committee of Safety be directed to instruct C'ul Gordon Hutchins to apply to Capt. Parker, the Sheriff for the County of Rockingham, to dismiss Mr. Jacob Green from the office of Deputy Sheriff. " A true copy — " Examined by Timothv Walker, Jr., Clerk " In accordance with the spirit of the above votes, some of the zealous liberty-men of the west part of the town meditated somethiugalittlemore^crso«a?. About nine o'clock one morning Colonel Timothy Walker had just mounted his horse to ride away on business, when he observed a considerable number of West Parish men walking with quick steps by the meeting- house, towards Main Street; and behind them, at some distance, John Bradley, Esq., with a more deliberate step, and apparently in deep thought. Meeting at the corner, by Mr. Hanniford's house. Colonel Walker said, " Good morning, Esq. Bradley ; what's going on ? " " I thought I would walk down and see," said Mr. Bradley. They followed on, and found the West Parish men at " Mdther Osgood's " tavern, in high excitement, threatening to go at once aud pull down Esq. Peter Green's house. On the arrival of Colonel Walker and Mr. Bradley, they entered into a discussion with the West Parish men on the merits of the case, and detained them from executing their purpose till near sun-down. Then, inviting them all into " Mother Osgood's " tavern, they called for bowls of punch, and treated the com- pany liberally. All being by this time in a better mood, Colonel Walker made a brief speech, which he HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. closed by saying, "Every man to his tent, O Israel ! " and they quietly dispersed without tearing down Esq. Green's house ! However, soon after this, Peter Green, Esq., John Stevens and others were arrested, carried to Exeter and confined in jail. Liberty was granted them to take the oath of allegiance, as a condition of release, which all did except John Stevens. He swore he was as good a friend to his country a.s any who had caused his arrest, and he never would take the oath required. He was finally discharged from jail, by special order of the Legislature, in 1778. The town also voted, March 4, 1783, to "consider the vote formerly passed tu break off all dealings with Mr. John Stevens, and that said vote be made null and void." Jlay 22d a committee was chosen to carry into exe- cution an "act for regulating prices of sundry articles." July olh, Lieutenant-Colonel Gerrish, of Boscawen, raised a company in Concord and adjacent towns for the relief of the garrison at Ticonderoga. News of the evacuation of the fort soon arrived, and the com- pany was disbanded. The year 1777 is memorable on account of the battle of Bennington, in which General John Stark, with his New Hampshire volunteers, defeated Colonel Baum, and thus ultimately led to the defeat and cap- ture of (Jencral Burgoyne. Belonging to Stark's brigade, at Bennington, were twenty-eight men from Concord. They did not, how- ever, all arrive in season for the fight, which i.ssued in so glorious a victory. Colonel Thomas Stickney, Lieutenant Richard Herbert, Jesse Abbot, John Abbot, Elias Abbot, Abner Flanders, Samuel Kink- son, John Peters and Timothy Johnson were in the bat- tle. Col. Stickney particularly distinguished himself. Colonel Gordon Hutchins, who raised a volunteer company of about thirty men in Concord, hastened as fast as possible towards Bennington, but did not arrive in time to share in the battle. The names of the volunteers in his company cannot be definitely as- certained. Captain Joshua Abbot had command of a company in Colonel Gerrish's regiment, " which company marched from Concord and towns adjacent to rein- force the Northern Continental army at Saratoga, September, 1777." On the 8th of September, this year, the selectmen, tngether with' Lieutenant Joseph ILall, Timothy Walker, Jr., and Ezekiel Dimond, were appointed a cdinmittee " to settle with all persons who have done service in the array." It was voted, " that the ex- pense of the Continental soldiers raised by the Parish of Concord shall be paid by the Parish," and that " the sum of four hundred and sixty pounds, lawful money, be raised upon the ratable polls and estate" of the inhabitants for Ihat purpose. The lollowing i< a list of Kevolulionary soldiers In Captain Joshua Abbot's company i 1775,— Joshua Abbot, captain ; Abiel Chandler, Hecond lieutenant ; Jeremiali Abbot, .Samuel Davis, sergeants; Nathaniel C. Abbot, Stephen Abbot, Ecuben Abbot, Amos .\bbot, Jonathan Bradley, Ephraim Colby, Ezekiel Dimond, Moses Hall, Stephen Hall, William Mitchell, Richard Flood, William Straw, Peter Chandler. Hutchins' company at Bunker In Captain Gordo Hill,— Gordon Hutchins, captain ; Daniel I.iverniore, ensign ; Beiyamln Abbot, sergeant ; Suneon Danfoith, William Walker, corporals ; Robert Livingston, Isaac Johnson, Abraham Kimball, Thoniss Chandler, Joseph Grace, Peter Johnston, Samuel Straw, Levi Hutchins, flfer; Michael Klandors, drummer ; Ezra Badger. In Captfi Hill,— Aaron Kinsman's comoanv at Bunker lieutenant ; Samuel Note.— Most of Captain Kii Concord, February 26, 1776, — " A return of those men who were in the Continental army last year, and have engaged to tarry the present year," etc. Signed by Timothy Walker, Jr., and Benjamin Emery, selectmen , viz. : Jeremiah Abbot, Nathaniel C. Abbot, John Kinkson, \Villiam Straw, Andrew Stone. William Walker, Nathaniel Eastman, Jr., Moses Hall. In Captain Benjamin Sias' company (of Loudon), 1776, of Colonel David Oilman's regiment, des- tined for New York, and mustered by Colonel Thomas Stickney, muster-master and paymaster of said company, were, — Philbrick Bradley, Peter lilanchard, Amos Abbot, Jr., Daniel Carter, Richard Flood and Stephen Suttou. The latter perhaps of Canterbury. In the Continental service, under Captain Joshua Abbott, 1776,— Abiel Chandler, lieutenant ; Ephraim Colby, ensign ; Timothy Hall, Jonathan Haseltine, Philip Page, Amos Barnes, Florence McColley, Beriah Abbot, Stephen Hall, Peter Chandler, John Merrill, Seth Spring, John Blanchai-d, Benjamin Powell, Hezekiah Colby, William Walker, Phineas Stevens, Jonathan Johnson, Samuel Worthen, Moses Abbot, Moses Hall, Peter Carey, Jonathan Bradley, Ephraim Fisk. In Captain Benjamin Emery's company (Colonel Nahum Baldwin's regiment, of which Gordon Hut- chins was lieutenant-colonel), to reinforce the Con- tinental army in New York, 1776, — Beiyamin Emery, captain ; Aaron Kinsman, ensign ; Israel Glines, Ezra Badger, John Carter, Jonathan Currier, Simeon Colby, Ephraim Kinsman, William Stickney, Ezekiel Stickney, Jacob Carter, Solomon Gage, Benjamin Elliot, Bruce Walker. The following men served in Colonel Timothy Bedel's regiment and Captain James Osgood's com- pany, and were at Fort Cedars, Canada East, May 19, 1776, some of whom were taken prisoners, stripped of most of their clothing and all their equipments and utensils for the camp or field : Richard H. Osgood, Hubbard Carter, sergeants ; Joshua Dauforth, corporal ; Nathaniel C. Abbot, Nathaniel Walker, Joseph Lund, Joseph Giles, Ezra Abbot, Elias Abbot, Philip Abbot, Benjamin Fifield, Ezekiel Eastman, Nathan Kinsman, Benjamin Kenniston, Daniel Chandler, Samuel Danford, William Siinonds. In Captain Ebenezer Green's company, — I«rael Glinoe, Ebenezer Hall, Joseph Chandler. CONCORD. Amoug those who were taken prisoners at Fort ( eilars were Elias Abbot, Ezra Abbot, Philip Abbot and Benjamin Fifield. In Captain Daniel Livermore's company, 1777, Third New Hampshire Regiment, who enlisted for three years, or during the war, — K..tMit Livingston, sergeant; Amos Floixi, corporal ; Abner Uogg, riiiij.M> M.\uu8, Daniel Chandler, Philip Rowell, Samuel Wortheu, AIiilI Mi.\cns, Solomon Fisk, Obailiah Kimball, Abner Farniim, Boriuli Al.liot, William Kastniau, Jacob Eastman, John Straw, Ebenezer Far- iium, Samuel Colby, who enlisted for one year. In Lieutenant-Colonel Gerrish's regiment, raised in tlio town of Concord, and towns adjacent, which '■ marched July 5, 1777, for the relief of the garrison at Ticonderoga, on the alarm, and marched seventy miles when the news of the evacuation of the fort" arrived, were from Concord, — l;-.li,u.l ll-!i.rTi, li. 111. ■! .n; , WiliiiiM -11.11,:, Tiiiiothy Bradley, I I ,1 II-. ,l:i 'III', I .- -. || I 1. 1. Abbot, Joseph I .-III, . I., I'. ;. I- I I II ■.III. I III. r N.I rlianiel Eastman, LL..:u.:z.:i r.ii niini. 1 ^.l 1 1 .1 1 ii i I i-K,.li , \1.|. I H.ill, I -.i.i.rhandler, Israel Gliues, John Eastmau, Phimra^i Stevens, Stilsuu Eastman, Ezekiel Di- mond, Benjamin Rolfe, Jacob Heath (?), Stephen Haines (?), John Cross (?) Peter Blanchard (?). This company marched July 5th ; were discharged the 12th. In General Stark's brigade, at Bennington, Colonel Thomas Stickney, 1777,— Richard Herbert, lieutenant; Jesse Abbot, John Abbot, Timothy Johnson, Ephraim Abbot, Ezra Abbot, Stephen Abbot, Benjamin Am- brose, Philbrick Bradley (was wounded), Simeon Danibrth, Reuben Dimond, Benjamin Elliot, Theodore Farnnm, Richard I^lood, Elias Abbot, Abner Flanders, Samuel Kinsman, John Peters, Ephraim Fisk, Ephraim Fisk, Jr , David George, Solomon Gage, Israel Glines, Abial Hall, Anthony Potter, Phineas Stevens, William Symonds, Simon Trum- bull, Gilman West. '■A return . if the man's Xaiiifs belonging to my Company, in Coll. ■ i . ,1 .... .1 \\ I I .1 I vl ,,t, Kubeu Blanchard, Eph- enirii I 1-1., .1. liM li.w, ,l..-..|.!i r.l HI. h ii.l, K..\e3 Bradley, Josier Flanders, Eheuezer r;ray, Heii.ianiin lirailley, Eliaha Virgin, William Eastman. " Aaeon KiNSM.lN, Capt. Concord, July, 11, 17811." [Copied from the original.] "Concord, July 17, 1781. " We, the subscribers, do voluntarily Inlist ourselves as Soldiers in the service of New Hampshire for the Parish of Concord, for the term of three months after our arrival at the place of rendezvous, unless sooner discharged ; and we promise obedience to our officers, and to be subjects to the Rules of the Army during said term. As Witness, our hand,— "jEEEMIiH VlKGlN. "Jeeemiah Chandler. '* MosES Read. " Phineas Ayer. "Joseph Blanchard. "David Eastman. " MiLlEN Kimball." At Ticonderoga, 1777, Colonel Thomas Stickney's regiment. Captain Ebenezer Webster's company [Captain Webster was the father of Daniel Webster] : Richard Herbert, lieutenant; William Symonds, Timothy Bradley, Simeon Danforth , Isaac Abbott, Elias Abbott, John Abbott, Ezra Abbott, Phineas Stevens, Ezekiel Dimond, John Peters, Nathaniel Eastman, Ebenezer Farnnm, Ephraim Fisk, Jr., Abial Hall, Isaac Chandler, Israel Glines, John Eastman, Stilson Eastman, Beiyamiu Rolfe. In Captain Joshua Abbott's comininy of volunteers that marched to reinforce the norlherii army in Sep- tember, 1777, were, — Reuben Kimball, lieutenant; James Mitchell, Moses Abbot, sergeants ; Amos Abbott, corporal ; Jacob Carter, drummer ; John Farnum, Moses Eastman, Stilson Eastman, Jonathan Eastman, Ezekiel Dimond, Phineas Virgin, Joseph Eastman, Daniel Farnum, Chandler Lovejoy, Enoch Coffin, James Johnson, Reuben Abbot, Ezekiel Stickney, Philip Abbot, Timothy Ilall, John Peters, Michael Flanders, Isaac Dimond, John Sill- away, Benjamin Rolfe. In Colonel Stickney's regiment, raised for the de- fense of Rhode Island, 1779,— Peaslee Eastman, Jacob Flanders, Jtisiah Fl aised in 17.S0, and New ' months. 1 Chaudlei about a ■'"-III 1 1 '.I 1 1 I -ventoen; Thomas Carr, age twenty- three; Dan- iel >ti I I. . I I I .11 ; Aaron Eastman, age twenty ; John Peters, at' I ■ I I I I ■■ Wyman, ago twenty ; Benjamin Thompson, age ei^ht. . II , I 11 .III .11 M.iulton, age — ; Peaslee Eastman, age — . In Captain ^Yebster's company of Rangers, for the defense of the frontiers, 1782, — Abner Flanders, sergeant, engaged July 9th, dismiased November 11th ; Henry Eastman, private, engaged July 9th, dismissed November 8th. The following persons were ;tl-M in 111.- .service : David Davis, flfer ; Moses Cha-. I .1 -.dj.uel Walker, Thomas or Benja. Powell, Salem Cm] I., \ . . I i .. i i ii-nvell, Nathan Shead, Thomas Pitts, Jos. Hale, Eplu.um ll.jji, -N.uh.m Stevens, Timo- thy Abbot, David Blanchard, Jonathan Chase, Peter Manual, Joshua Abbot (of Hooksett), Beiyamin Chase, Enoch Badger, Moses Reed.i BOUNTIES PAID 10 SOLDIERS FROM CONCORD. Men. .\mount. Lexington, Capt. Abiel Chandler's com- pany, 1775 36 £:Vi 3 li Wingateaud Wyman's regiments, in 177G, 18 108 U Continental, 1777 29 442 14 C Stark's brigade, 1777 28 252 14 6 Rangers, Coos, 1782 2 33 14 6 Saratoga, 177.7 27 243 14 New levies, 1780 '.I 159 U Nichols' regiment, 1780 12 264 10 Frontiers, Co6s, 1780 2 46 12 Reynold's regmient, 1781 7 73 10 New levies. 1781 4 82 10 Continental, 17S1 r, 101 18 Continental, 1782 5 296 11 3 244 Deduct for depreciation ; Florence McCauley, paid Ja John Merrill, paid Dec. 7, 1 The following are the names of soldiers cord who lost their lives: William Mitchell, killed at Bunker Hill, June 17, 1T7.'.. Lieutenant Abiel Chandler, died of small-pox at Ci..« n P. 1776. Peter Chandler, died June 25, 1776. Abiel Stevens, died of wounds, October 20, 1777. Phineas Stevens, died .April 21, 1778. Obadiah Kimball, killed in battle, October 7, 1777. Solomon Fisk, died of yellow fever at Horaeneck, August Samuel Worthen, died November 10, 1778. Timothy Hall, died of fever and dysentery. 128 HISTORY OF MKKllIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Jeremiah Abbot was in the battle of Bunker Hill, a sergeant in the company of his brother Joshua, and lieutenant in the service at Ticonderoga and in the expedition against Canada. After the close of the war he married Elizabeth Stickney. She died Sep- tember 10, 1836, aged eighty-four years. He moved to Conway, N. H., about 1787, and there endured many hardships and privations by frost and flood. He kept a house of entertainment, where the few travel- ers who visited that part of the country found a home. They were industrious and energetic, beloved and respected by all who knew them and kind and hos- pitable to all who had claims on their benevolence. They were early supporters of religious worship and order. John, born June 23, 1756, died August 31, 1779. John Abbot was six feet seven inches without shoes, and said to be the stoutest young man ever raised in Concord, though not quite so tall as Samuel Baker, uncle of the Governor, Nathaniel Baker. He received a ball at the battle of Bennington, on his breast-bone, which fell harmless at his feet. He died aged twenty- two, weighing two hundred and thirty pounds. War of 1812.— In 1812 Concord was designated as a military rendezvous, and the number of soldiers here in 1812 and 1813 was about five hundred. At the town-meeting in 1813 a number of soldiers attempted to vote, contrary to the decision of Colonel William A. Kent, who was moderator. This proce- dure created some excitement at the time, and is thus referred to in the records: " VoUd, That the conduct of one McCoy, a volunteer in the service of the United States, and not belonging to this town, iu attempting, yoster- daj*. iu defiance of the moderator of the meeting, to vote for State and County officers, desePi-es severe censure ; but his act of coltarimj the moderator while in the exercise of his ofHcial duty- we consider an out- ntge of the most destructive character. " VoUd, That tlio thanks of this meeting be given to William A. Kent, Esq., the modenitor, for his temperate, resolute and judicious conduct upon that occasion." )f the soldiers who died of scarlet fever in 1813, as recorded by the late John were, — The names in this town Farmer, Esq., -March 6th. .T.isliiia Il.lknap ; :\r;ir(li Ictli, KcMidriiU M,.»glit..Ti ; Starch 17th, John ('. r."_i f \|.nl nil, .i.-liii l,,j_iil .f lh!:-i. I. 'I..:!; \|,ril 7th, Samuel H.i ' 1; . , ,:, M ■ \, :i ;■. N;,. than Stearns, <■• I ■ ■■■ :. \' mI iI' i ■ :. \' \^ ■ w.-... \ ,-|i,)\is, Bow ; April Iltli. -u' .1 -, \y-.\\ :.ih, \l.\.,.,i.i w til., i -[..,nii, Bridgewater; April ICilh, Isiuic Smitli. (insliiMi ; April ITlli, Williiiiu Gage, Wendell ; April 18th, Ebenozcr Woodbury, Dunbarton, Robert Crawford, Bridgewater, ; April 19th, Whitney, Henniker. David Patch, Sew Boston, David Hart, Goffslown. Of soldiers belonging to Concord who marched to the northern frontiers, the following were in Captain Flanders' company, P'orty- fifth Regiment, of which Marshall Baker, of Concord, was first lieutenant: Ebenezer Frye, James Emerson, John Uran, Daniel Arlin, Jonathan Uran, Jonathan B. Worth, Na- thaniel Parker, James Elliot, Samuel Emerson. In the Fourth Regiment were John Elliot, Jonathan Uran, John Dunlap, .lolm Virgin and .lames Duiilap who died. James Elliot re-enlisted in the Fourth Regiment Asa Hardy served in both the Forty-fifth and Fourth Jonathan Elliot was on the peace establishment, and died at Rock Island, in the Mississippi River, Illi- nois. Timothy Abbot, of Andover, was a Concord recruit. In 1814, August 29th, the selectmen were author- ized " to hire all soldiers which may be called for in lieu of drafting." In March, 1815, they were di- rected to pay four dollars per month to each soldier detached for the defense of Portsmouth in the service of the United States. As Portsmouth, the only sea- port in New Hampshire, was in peculiar danger from armed vessels of the enemy, public attention was particularly directed to that quarter. Captain Peter Robertson's volunteer company of artillery, that was in service twenty days, from Sep- tember 10th to 29th, marched from Concord on the Sabbath, passing the old North Church, over Fed- eral bridge, thence on the turnpike to Portsmouth. But the spirit of patriotism was not confined to the men who actually marched to the field of danger. Venerable, aged men, some of whom had served in the War of the Revolution who were exempted from active service, offered themselves for the defense of their country. Some time in September, 1814, at the instance of John T. Oilman, the then Governor of New Hamp- shire, a public call was made for volunteers of that class of citizens who were by law^ exempt from mili- tary duty, in the ranks of the militia, to form them- selves into companies for the purpose of home defense, in case of necessity from invasion. Some of the most respectable citizens of Concord immediately responded to the call, held a public meeting, and organized a company for that purpose, numbered the Sixth Company of volunteers. The officers chosen by the company were Stephen Ambrose, Esq., captain; Samuel Sparhawk, Esq., first lieutenant, then Secretary of State; Nathan Ballard, Esq., second lieutenant; Ezra Hutchins, ensign; Moses Long, first sergeant, orderly and clerk ; G. W. Rogers, ex-captain, second sergeant; William Davis, West Pari.sh, ex-captain, third sergeant; Samuel Runnels, fourth sergeant. Corporals not recollected. There were some over an hundred privates enrolled in the company, many of whom had held offices, both civil and military, as the secretary of the State and treas- urer, seven justices of the peace, one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, one major and nineteen captains. Quite a majority of the company were made up of some of the most respectable citizens and yeomanry of the town, among whom were the elder Esquire Bradley, Esquire Charles Walker, William Stickney, inn-keeper. Captain Richard Ayer, Major Timothy Chandler, Captain Edmund Leavitt, Captain Charles Eastman, Captain Jacob Eastman, Jeremiah Pecker, Millen Kimball, Asa Kimball and Asa Graham. The meeting preliminary to forming the above CONCORD. company was held September lOtli, at Stickney's Hall — Colonel William A. Kent, chairman ; Seth Tucker, clerk. A committee, consisting of Colonel William .V. Kent, Stephen .\mbrose, Jonathan Eastman, Isaac Dow and John George, reported the following pre anihle and resolution, which were adopted : ' ' ir/jcrctw. In defousti of uur altars aud firc-sidcs, uur property ami our r.iiiiitry, Americans can have but oue opinion, — "/u >../(■,./. That it is expedient to form a military assouiatiun iu the l.^Mi ,'t' I'-'imtrd, of such persons OS are not enrolled iu tho militia, to be 111 iiaiiiiii^s. ;it a moment's warning, to act under the direction of the i;.iiiini;iii.I.T-iii-Chief, for the defense of the State." Captain Richard Ayer, Captain John Eastman, Hon. William A. Kent, Mr. Isaac Dow, Mr. Phil- l)rick Bradley, Mr. Daniel Clark, Ballard Hazeltine, Esq., Mr. John Garvin, Captain Samuel Runnels, Nathan Ballard, Jr., Timothy Carter, Esq., aud Cap- tain Pearl Kimball were appointed a committee to give information and form a plan, etc., for the as.so- ciation, which was duly organized. This company of venerable men, fully armed and equipped, paraded in town October 1st, and marched through Main Street. "Their appearance was ac- companied with the proud conviction that this nation can never be conquered when such defenders shoulder the musket." A squad, or small company, of volunteers was also formed in East Concord, in consequence of a rumor that the British intended to destroy the United States seventy-four gun ship " Washington," then on the stocks at Kittery, Me. This company was also under drill by Dr. Moses Long, and consisted of about twenty men, of whom General Isaac Eastman, Gen- eral Simeon Stevens and Colonel Robert Ambrose are recollected. Names of Soldiers. — In Captain Leonard's com- pany of artillery, 1812, who served from August 17th to November 30th, were, — KeyesB. Powell, sergeant; Samuel Powell, corporal; Solomon Maun, Ebenezer Tlanders, musicians ; Jonathan Stevens, coriwral ; James Fos- ter, Abiel Bradley, Jonathan E. Elliott, Jonathan Elliott, Jr., Benjamin C. Waldron, Ebenezer Frye, Francis K. Powell. * In Captain William Marshall's company, 1814, who were stationed at Portsmouth, and served from August 6th to November 11th, — Nathan Carter, Frederick Elliott, Ebenezer Flanders (sergeiiut), Jede- diah Frye, Samuel Kimball, Josiah Robertson, Thomas B. Sargent, John Stevens, Benjamin C. Waldron, John Whitney, William Shute (lieuten- ant from July 3Uth to November 10th). In Captain Nathaniel G. Bradley's company, 1814, who served from September loth to November 12th,— Nathaniel G. Bradley, captain ; Amos .\bbot, Benjamin Bradley, Enoch E. Bradley, Hazen B. Elliott, Robert Hayncs, Joseph Hutchinson, Elijah Munsey, Keyes B. Powell (sergeant), Loammi Reed, Willey Tasker. In Captain Edward Fuller's company, 1814, who served from September 29th to November IStli, — Ephraim Abbot, John Blanchard, Ja«eph F. Dow, Baruaril C. Elliott, Joseph Glinoe, William Hoit, Jr., Jeremiah N. Howe, David Knowles, 9 llnzen Kimball, Reuben Osgood (corporal), Epiimlm Pottingill, Peter Powell, Isaac Runnels, Joseph Tusker, Jerry .\bbot, John Famham. In Captain Peter Robertson's company, artillery, volunteers, 1814, from September 10th to September 29th, or twenty days. I'his company marched from Concord on the Sabbath, — Peter Robertson, captain ; Samuel Herbert, firet lieutenant ; Cliandler Eastmiin, second lieutenant : 'Walter R Hill. Jacnli ITdsiimn, John Rob- Samu.-I llliinclianl, Jun.li Carlc-r, JI.jbm lli.k.inian. J..bn Gould, Josiah Knowles, Robert Rogcre, John Stanyan, John Wheeler, Charles Wait, Charles Wniipple, Charles Herbert, privates. War of the Rebellion.— Immediately upon Presi- dent Lincoln's first call for troops, Moses Humphrey, at that time mayor of the city, after consultation with a number of citizens, suggested to Captain E. E. Stur- devant, a prominent police officer of the city, that he recruit a company for the service. His response was, "I am ready," and immediately commenced recruit- ing a company which was soon filled, and became Company A. of the First Regiment of three months' men. The second company was recruited by Captain Leonard Drown, of Fisherville, which was attached to the Second Regiment of three years' men. During the war Concord was not only the head- quarters of the volunteers from this State, but was also the general recruiting station. Here were en- camped on the fair-grounds the First, Third, Fifth, Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Regiments, besides cavalry aud sharp-shooters. The following is a list of soldiers from this town, from August, 1862. There is no recorded list prior to that date: Oliver B. Abbott, Seventh Regiment ; mustered in August 21, 1862. George W. Abbott, Seventh Regiment ; mustered in August 2li, 1862. Michael Arnold, Seventh Regiment; mustered in September 15, 1862. Charles E. Austin, Sixteenth Regiment ; mustered in October 2o, 1862. .\lvah Atwood, Sixteenth Regiment; mustered in October 25, 1862. Levi C. Abbott, Sixteenth Regiment ; mustered in October 25, 1S62. James H. Anderson, Second Regiment ; mustered in September 10, .1863. John Adams, mustered in September 23, 186;i. .\ndrew .\nderson, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 21, 1863. John .\-.vman, mustered in September 28, 1863. Imri Arlin, Third Regiment ; mustered in January 19, 1864. Warren S. Abbott, Third Regiment ; mustered in March 27, 1864. Daniel Anderson, Second Regiment ; mustered in March 24, 1864. Fi-auk W. Alden, Second Regiment ; mustered in in 1864. John Allard, Fourteenth Regiment ; mustered in August .5, 18(>4. William Anderson, United States Cavalry ; mustered in .\uguBt 12, 1864. James Anderson, United States Navy ; mastered in December 1, 1864. Charles S. Abbott, mustered in February 4, 1865. .Tames Allison, Post Band ; mustered in February 10, 1863. James Anderson, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in November 18, 1863. Charles Anderson, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 18, 1863. Henry Anderson, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 2.'i, 1863. Charles Adams, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in October 1, 1864. Abial 0. Abbott, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 7, 1864. .Mbert Aspinwall, mustered in September 23, 1864. Amos S. Abbott, Second Company Sharpshooters. Joseph M. Abbott, Eighth Regiment. Horace Ames, Fifth Regiment. HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Louis C. Avory, Fourth Kegimcnt ; muetcred in May 18, 1804. E. C. Babb, Nintb BegiuieDt ; niuslored in August 16, 1802. cmiirlca H. Illaisdell, Nintli Begiinuiit ; mustered Id August 10, 1802. Thomas Boyd, Fifth Kegimont ; mniil«r«l in August 18, 1862. Sloeni W. Illanchard, Kinth Regiment; mustered in August 19, 1862. William II. Ilarllett, Tenth Regiment ; musteofd in August 21, 1802. John Breonahan, Fourth Regiment ; musterixl in September 16, 1862. Charles Duckloy, Tenth Regiment ; Sewall I), llniley, Ninth Regiment ; Alrin B. Ilatchelder, Sixth Reginii- Jusiah ftilchelder, Siith Rcgimiiii George Durus, Thirteenth Renhii-r George F. Butters, Thirteenth K. ; Heavy An a Septemlwr 16, 1862. 1 .September 20, 1802. ^t.r,-,l ill .September 23, 1802. M.I Ml -. ,....,iiI..t23, 1802. I ,: - |Miilier23, 1802. muM. ;■ 1 ill September 23, ipluiul..! 0, 1,^04. ; mustered in Soptorabcr 26, mustered in September 26, Albert A. Baker, Fourteenth 1862. William H. Baker, Fourteenth Regiment 1862. George W. Brown, Fifteenth Regiment ; Jusi>ph R. Boucher, Sixteenth Reginiei Samuel N. Brown, Sixteenth Regiment ; mustered in October 25, 1802. Juflerson Barnes, Sixteenth Regiment ; mustered in October 2.% 1862. Reuben D. Buswell, Sixteenth Regiment ; mustered in November 1, George Brown, nmsteiei! in ^. |,(, miIh i I", l^i;.;. John BUset, mustered in ^ i ' ■ Henry Burnham, muet-r. - i l-, Isixt. John Benny, mustered iu .-■. (.uiui^^i . ■, 1-,,; Jnmos Butler, mustered in October j, ISG-i. Thomas Bush, mustered in October 6, 186:i. George W. Boyden, Ninth Regiment ; mustered in October 20, l«6;i. John Bresnahau, Jr., Tenth Regiment ; mustered in April 5, 1861. Tliuiniis I*. Bean, mustered in July IS, 1864. Jtdin Bnisson, Heavy .\rtillery ; mustered in .\ngust 17, 1863. George J. Barnes, United :: 2.-I, 1863. John .1. Burke, Seventh Regimen Thomas B. or James It. Bary, Sixth Regit .liiiiii-ii liiinira. Nintli l:. - ;. i i. .1 m .\iij-u8tl8, ISG-l. .lumes Hell, i'irtli UetniiH iil i,,n,hi,.| ,,, September 1. 1S04. Robert A. Bnnvn, Seventh Kegiiii.nl ; niinitered in September, 180:). Orland C. Bryant, Eleventh Regiment Heavy Artillery ; mustered in August 11, 1864. Francis Burnes, United States Navy ; mustered in September 19, 1804. George F. Batcheldor, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in December 3, 1864. William Barnes, mustered in December 3, 1804. George Brown, mustered in December 13, 1804. Samuel C. Bruce, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in January l.'i, 1865. Edwin 0. Brooks, United States Navy ; nnistered in February 1, 1865. Henry Boyle, Eighteenth Regiment; mustered in February 11, 1805. Stephen C. Bailey, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in February 9, 1865. Leander C. Barnes, Ninth Regiment. Thomas A. Brickley, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in November 12, 1803. Jobe Butler, Second Regiment ; mustered in Novemt>er 18, 1863. Joseph Bickford, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 20, 1863. William Burnett, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in November 21, 1803. Thomas Baker, Third Regiment ; mustered in November 21, 1863. John Brown, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 23, 1863. John II. Brown, Second Regiment; mustered in November 23, 1803. John Brown (Ireland), Second Regiment ; mustered in November 23 1863. Thomas Burke, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 24, 1803. James lioyham, or Bryhcn, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in November 24, 1803. William Boyor, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 2.5, 1803. Lewis Bronson, Ninth Regiment ; mustered in August 6, 1804. James Burns, Cavalry ; mustered in August 6, 1864. John Bradford, Cavalry ; mustered in August 5, 1864. John Belmont, Cavalry ; mustered in August 9, 180-1. Elbridge Barr, Veteran Reserve Corps; mustered iu August 18, 1 04. Lucius D. Burunell. Fifth Invalid Cor])s ; mustered in September 5, 1864. Henry J. Brackett, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 7, 1864. Snmuel N. Brown, Sixteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 17, 1864. Nathaniel E. Baker, Eighteenth Regiment; mustered in September i:i 1804. William Bennett, Second Regiment; mustered in September, 1804. Samuel H. Ballon, Heavy Artillery; mustered in September 7. 1864. James C. Brown, Veti'niu Reserve Corja ; mustered in September i'., 1804. Thomas Bailey, Heavy .Artillery ; mustered in September 27, 18C4. Enoch W. Bradley, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 27, 18l>4. George A. Brown, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 27, 1804. William Burt, or Burke, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in October 12, 1804. George W. Batchelder, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in Septeml er 28, 1864. John W. Bateman, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 28, Frank Balsch, Joseph y. Brui George W. Be. George F. Bet Sidney T, ILilr ISOl ber 3, ■tober 17, 1804. September 7, 1804. nnistered in Augupt 1 Darias K. Bean, Veteran Reserve Corps ; mustered in August 29, 1804 Samuel F. Bl-uwn, Tost Band ; mustered in April 6, 1803. John Bickfonl, First Cavalry ; mustered iu February 15, 1804. Freeman D. Batchelder, Tenth Army Corps Brigade Band ; mustered in February 1(1, 180:i. .lames Bush, mustered iu October 5, 1803. .lohn Ureniner, mustered in November 21, 1803. .Iiilin liyne. Jaeub II. look. Fifth Regiment ; niiisteiea in .UiL'ii>t i:., 1S02. .Niilli'un l>. Colivereo, Se.Mu.l I:. .:nu. m , iMu. I in \u-iist 12, 1,S62. Henjaniiu I'uoU, Fifth Kr- ,.■ ,„„ i.,..l n, \nM,-i n, isi;;;. I'liiiiiesCui-tel-, Fifth i.-e^ ni -I, lin \.i..i.| !-, Im;2. Ilaniiltdll Cariienter, Nililli j:.^iiii.iir ^ nin-t-i.,! ni An-ljst 19, 18t'.2. Richard Culleu, mustered in .\ugut't 21, ISO'J. Lorenzo F. Comer, Seventh Regiment ; mustered in August 21, 1802. Charles H. Currier, Third Regiment ; mustered in August 21, 1802. Hiram P. Caldwell, mustered in August 21, 1862. William W. Critchett, Eleventh Regiment ; mustered in August 21, 1802. Samuel H. Chilsc, mustered in September 0, 1802. Thomas C. Cross, mustered in September 0, 1802. Jeremiah Callahan, Tenth Regiment; mustered in September 10, 1862. John Callahan, Tenth Regiment ; mustered in September 16, 1802. Horace D. Carter, Thirteenth Regiment ; mustered iu September 23, 1802. LJideon CassavainI, Thirteenth Regii in 1802 Carter, Thirteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 23, Sejitember 23, Michael Cassavaiut, Thirteenth Reginu 1802. Michael Callahan, Eiijhteenth Regiment; mustered in September 23, 1802. John 0. Corner, hm.l.in.i in uirnlier 14, 1802. George W. Cru.iiin.ii, iinei. i,.l m iietoherio, 1802. Joel A. Cushon, .sivh, mli l;. unnenl ; mustered in l.tctober 25, 1802. George H. Cushon, .sixteenth Itegiment ; mustered in October 25, 1862. Frederick J. Carter, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 9, 1863. John Clark, mustered in Sei.lenil.er 111, ISlB. CONCORD. IIS II. CIkiim:. :, - , III!, l:. _ :, -. , I ,, 1 . Ill iiiiryas, 1864. I Campl»;i;, Nii.Ui K. ^iiu. Ill , UMi,,l. i.,l II. .lull, .1, lf,r,i. les Clark. Cavalry ; luili^turud iu J uiie 2, 1804. Cross, First Qivalry ; mustered ia June 27, 18G4. k-aH. riiir.v, Eiglitli Ri-giincnt; mustered in January 4, 1804. H . ( l,,i\. I"..liili i:.-iMiPiit ; mustered in January 4, 18))4. ,1 r . I I in ,liiK 1, 1864. Cliiiil. ■ I . ■ I I - ml i: .11 E.hv,,r,| , Ink, I l;,.. , ,,i . Geurge Campliell, Secoiiil H.-n , John F. Cunimings, Fifth l:. ^ i , i i..I in January 1, 1864. Dennis Curran, Eighth Iti^iiiii 111 , nni-i.ii.liii November 12, 18l«. James M. Cross, Veteran Kesciie r.-ii-s , nmateied in August 9, 1864. Mark Chase, Heavy Artillery ; nuititered in September 7, 1864. Jackson Crosby, Heavy Artillery ; nnistered in September 7, 1864. Walter Crockett, T'liit.-.I stiil.s Xm v ; imisti.red in August 19, 1864. Daniel Cuttiii-. II. m \iiill n iihih. ,. .] in September 7, 1864. John Curran, Ii_ I, i' ■ i .1 in October S, 1864. James A ('ill.,. I 1. nn.lin October 1, 1864. Andrew J. Clall..\. Ii_iiih I; im m iiin.i..i..il iu October 1, 1864. William H. Collins, Il.nvy Artill.ry ; niust.-ml in September 27, 1S64. George E. Crumnictt, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 24, 1864. John H. Clark, Eighteenth Regiment; mustered in October 11, 1864. William Campbell, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in October 15, 18fi4. Michael Callahan, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 30, 1.S64. John H. Caswell, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 7, 1864. George H. Chesley, United States Navy ; mustered in August 3(i, 1864. H. R. Clough, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September7, 1864 William J. Cheney, United States Navy ; mustered in August :il, 1864. Cyme C. Currin, Second Brigade, Tenth Army Corps. Jame.s dishing, Sixth Regiment ; mustered in May 31, 1864. Albert P. Davis, Ninth Regiment ; uiustercd in August 19, 1862. William E. Dciw, Seventh Rigini.nt ; mustered in August 21, 1862. Albert H. Davis, Ninth l;..L-iin..|it ; mustered in August 22, 1862. (^harles A. liirw I, i.:l I; _ m. m , mustered in September 16,1862. Daniel Driscol 1 . I I: nnistered in September 16, 1862. Cornelius Dri-i ill I I: i ni ; mustered in September 16, 1862. William S. D;iM- I i m,, iit ; musteredinSeptember2.3, 1862. NathanM. D.i^^, I ml l: i . i 1 1 1 ; mustered in October 24,1862. Nathaniel W. Ill ,i , I . j i ment ; mustered in October 24, 1862 . Oilman H. Dii I, -im- I. .munt; mustered in October 25, 1862. James Durgin, mii»c.T..il iii is<-ptinitifr 8, 1863. John F. Delany, mustered in September 10, 1863. Lewis Dow, mustered in September 21, 1863. Henry Dale, mustered in September 25, 1863. James Dillon, mustered in September 26, 1863 John Davis, muBleifd in Oituboi .V I.Mi;;i. Dani.-l li.m , I. .mill l:._ nt , 1 1 in M;,r<-hS George W. ll.iw. Heavy Aitilleiy ; miml.n-.l in .lunii 8 William A. Dow, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in .Inly 1 George W. Drew, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in July Charles Dubois, Eleventh IteL^imeiit ; iinist,.r..,l in .Inl, Samuel Dunn, Kill). Iti.nn.iit inni.T.,! m \i,..|' I I Rodney Dodge, Nimli l: 'ii ■ n i, i, ,i .n \.| ,, Roberts. Davis, 11. .i, . \iiiil. i > , - I m ^. , Freeman F. Day, Second Regiment ; mustered in Novi Frank Davis, nmstered in January 2, 186.'j. George S. Davis, mustered in Jaiiiiiirv l'!I, Isi',.'i. Arch. Douglass, mustered ill r. I. mil \ ;, i ^i , .Tames L. Downing, First I'.n.ii I ^ nii-i iiuM.utI Lewis W. Dorr, nmstered ill \|.iil I. I . . Charles A. IIi.iil'Iuss, First i i i i i. I m Ki-lir lary 20, 1865. I I n \.iveuibor20, 1863. 1 III Noveiulior 20, 1863. liii ^ul ember 21, 1863. iiu.stured in November 25, 1863. mustered in October 16, 1863. 1861. , 1864. u November 16, 1863. .1. Siott lliirgili, Eiglite.- November 12, 1863. Gilman 11. Dimoii, Heav n November 13, 1863. llaviill'. Ililiiliiii, Ileavv November 12, 1863. Pain.. I'nil.. . . 1I...I, . \i HeiiM II h M 1 iu November 18, 1S63. .lai I'l 11. 1 . N.iveiiilier 24, 1863. Timi.llii iMw.. li. 1. ■ii' . 1 Jl, 1.S63. Edwin F. Pe.vt.r, Eiglitl 1 1 J... 1863. Frank P. Drew, Heavy A \ , n,l„.r2.5, 1863. Thomas Darnly. Cavalry \..|inil.r|. ■-,, 1S63. Cnrtev. lie Irish. IlenVV A II Nux ember 2,'., 1863. Nelsi.hi; |. I.I 1 III Hall F. KUuitt, Sixteenth Regiment; mustered in October 30, 18G2. .lohii H. Elliott, Sixteenth Regiment ; mustered in October 30, 1862. .Asa Kuii.iy, mustered in October .ill, 18112. Jam..- I I. H,-iM..iiii l:. .1 nt nin-l.i.il in November .3, 1862. I,.-«i- I. \ ■ ■ - I I, ! I ,1 ml ill Novembers, 1862. Keiili..n ,1 1 ,i.|in,Hi,r,lili K, _ ii .1 ! i n October 12, 1863. James W. Khvards, luiislered in i;i. t..l»r s, lsr,:>,. P. Chandler Ea.stman, Second Regiment ; mustered in March 29, 1864. Aaron G. Estabrook, First Cavalry ; mustered iu August 17, 1864. Robert L. Ela, Sixth Regiment; uinstere.l in No\eiiil,ir ;io, 1864. Edson .\. Eastman, Eighteenth Regiiin III -ii i im i, unary, 1865. Asa Enny, United States Navy ; must.. I. I I' I ii i ivn,-.. John Edwards, Second Regiment ; niii,-i '. , ...i i jii, 186.3. John Eipper, Eleventh Regiment ; niiislei..-,l m N-.i.-mii.-i 2ii, 1863, John Egin, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 23, 1863. John Ericson, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 24, 1863. Cliarles Edwards, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 25, 1863. Randall Eastman, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in October 20, 1864. Israel L. Emerson, United States Navy; mustered in August 19, 1864. Curtis W. Elkins, United States Navy ; mustered in .\ugust .30, 1864. Oren A. Edgerly. William H. Eaton, First Cavalry ; mii.-ti I I III Mh h I-. 1 sr,4. Asa Folsom, Fifth Regiment; must.-i .I i i i i i Freeman Ferren, Seventh Regiment ; im, i \ , i jl, 1862. John A. or Joseph Flanders, Seventh Ii. .^. m , ni-i ml in September 15, 1862. Robert K. Flanders, Thirteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 23, 1862. Rotheus E. Flanders, Fifteenth Regiment ; mustered in October 13, 1862. Andrew S. Faruum, Sixteenth Regiment ; , 1862. HISTORY OF MKRKIMAOK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. n September 18, 1803. Henry or Thomafl Klynn, Eightta Regiment ; miistorcd in October 10, 1803. Mark Floyd, HeaTj Artillery ; mustered in August 2.1, 1SC3. James S. French, Soveutli Regiment ; mustered in April 29, 1SG4. James Fnwer, mustered in May 23, 1864. John C. French, Eighth Regiment ; miwtered in January 4, 18C4. John Ferguson, Eighth Regiment; mustered in January 4, 1804. Patrick Fitzgerald, Fifth Regiment ; mustered in August 22, 18G4. John Forrest, United States Navy ; mnstorod in November 10, 1804. John Foster, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in December 0, 1864. Owen Fagan, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in February 18, 1805. Henry A. Flint, Oivalry ; mustered in Fobniary4, 1865. Thomas Flinn, mustered in November 12, 186.X Garrat Flen, Third Regiment ; mustered in November 20, 1803. William Fox, Second Regiment; mustered in November 20, 1863. Amos Fuller, Second Regiment ; muelcred in November 23, 1803. Richard E. Foster, mustered in August 2, 1804. John S. Farnum, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 0, 1804. A. C. Forren, United States Navy ; mustered in August 19, 1804. W. H. French, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 7, 1804. Cyrus F. Fletcher, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 7, 1861. Henry H. Farnum, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September?, 1804. Hiium B. Frost, Seventh Regiment ; mustered in October 1, 1S04. Sidney A. Foster, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in October 18, 1804. Patrick Finell, Eighth Regiment; mustered in October 1, 1864. James E. Ford, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in October 18, 1804. Charles W. Fifield, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered iu Soptomlier 23, 1804. Edwin R. Farley, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 3(1, 1804. ' Charles C. Fernald, mustered in September l.'i, 1804. J. L. French, Heavy Artillery; mustered in September 7, 1804. Edward W. Forrest, Second Regiment; mustered in February 19, 1801. Edwin C. Gilmore, Fifth Regiment ; mustered in August 5, 1802. George Gordon, Ninth Regiment ; mustered in August 18, 1802. Andrew Goodwin, Seventh Regiment; mustered in August 21, 1802. Edwin Green, Ninth Regiment ; mustered in August 21, 1862. Michael Gannon, Tenth Regiment ; mustered in September 10, 1802. James Gallagher, Thirteenth Regiment ; mustered iu September 23, 1802. Charles F. Glover, Thirteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 23, 1802. Augustus L. Gale, Fourteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 20, 1802. John S. Griffin, Fifteenth Regiment ; mnstei-ed in September 22, 1802. Edward Gerald, Sixteenth Regiment; mustered in Novembers, 1802. William Gibson, niusl. r..! in September 10, 1803. William n.i:r:i> luu i.i.i ,-, -. i.tcinber 2.3, 1803. Luke Garv.-> , h I: ~. ptember 26, 1863. Edward Gill.-, m,, : , , , - i 1. i tl, 1802. William G. l^ovu, i.i„hil. i:. „.aiiiit; mustered in November 10, 1803. Flunk E. Gerald, Third Regiment; mustered in April 4, ISOi. Charles H. Gove, Third Regiment ; mustered in March 28, 1804. Charles Goo1. Ocvi-, r.ist Band ; mustered in February 10, 1863 ; re-enlisted ill; 1 : ' . ' ' ' . first Cavalry ; mustered in February 28, 186.'j. Kir 1 I !i Cavalry ; mustered in March 28, 1804. W I . ' - I, 1 K.giment; mnsleied iu November 17, 1803. n, , ' -'.,' , I ■ ::i l:. jitii. 1,1 , mil. 1.1. ■.! iuNovember 12,1863. I.. . ■ 1 I I 11. r.tlin November 11, 186 n. . ... 1 - 1 1 . 1.1. il in November 2;j, 1803. William George, l^ocond Itegimeut ; mustered in November 24, 1803. George Guild, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in August 6, 1804. Richard K. Gatley, United States Navy : mustered in August 19, 1804. Albert G. Gardner, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 27, ISH. Edwanl H. Grimes, Eighteenth Regiment ; nuistored in September 3i Clinrlos Goodwin, mustered in October 17, 18(j4. Dennis GriiTm, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in October 17, 1 Nathan W.Gove, Eighteenth Regiment; nniatered in ! John Hanson, Second Regiment ; mustered in August 12, 1862. Charles H. Hayes, Second Regiment ; mustered iu Augiurt 12, 1862. George H. Hill, Second Regiment ; mustered in August 12, 1862. Francis S. Hoyt, Second Regiment ; mustered in August 12, 1862. Rufus R. Haselton, Ninth Regiment ; mustered in August 18, 1862. Moses C. Heath, Fifth Regiment ; musterod in August 18, 1862. Daniel B. Hill, Ninth Regiment ; mu-tu.l in \112nct n, isiv.'. Francis Hall, Sixteenth Regiment ; lim " A.i 11 s] . l.'ic.-. Frank Harivell, Eighth Regiment: 111 - , 1 . 1 1. l.siij. Frank E. Haines, Eleventh Reginu-Jii ; 11-. i. I m >. |.li nil-ir 111, lsr,2. Byron C. Hill, Twelfth Regiment; musteroil iu .September 11, 1802. Thomas B. Heath, Seventh Regiment; mustered in September 15, 1862. James Haley, Tenth Regiment ; mustered in September 10, 1862. Ilufus H. Haselton, nine months; mustered in October 14, 1862. .r.din H. Heath, Fifteenth Regiment; mustered in October 20, 1802. Knink P. Hall, Seventh Regiment ; mustered in October 25, 1802 ; n- enlisted in Eighteenth Regiment. Charles J. Hall, Sixteenth Upsrim,-iit : mu»t,ie.l iu October 2.5, 1862. Samuel E. IIoIdon,Sixto.iiMi 1.. m 1 i.r.-.l in October 2.1, 180J. .lames Helsly, mustered in >. ; - i 1 . ; Frank Howard, mustered 11. - ji ...i.i ,1., 1,-1..;. .Alfred Halleday, mustered ii. .•mi.i.iuIhu :;i.. l,M,:i. .fohii Harrell, mustered in September 29, ISO^J. Charles Hall, mustered in October 8, 1863. Robert Hart, Third Kegiuieiit ; imistcrecl in O.tobc-r 11. 1SC3. William Hix, Third Regiiii. 1.1 , nm im \|.iil 1, I-.. I. Geo. H. Hoyt, Fourth KcMiii iiii: im,4. William Ii. Hook, Fifth lii- 1 1.1 ... \ ; 1 1; 1 1, l.si;4. Peter Hughes, Heavy Artill'i \ imi-ii. im \ii.ii.rt, isi,:;. William H. Horner, musteiid in .Iiiiii- 11, lisol. Joseph Harris, Sixth Regiment ; mustered in June 3, 1864. James Harland, Seventh Regiment; mustered in August 8, 1864. Austin W. Hadley, mustered in September 9, 1804. ('buries F. Hosmer, Heavy Artillery ; mustered iu September 21, 1804. Henry L. Harris, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 24, 1864. Ralph Hayes, mustered in November 30, 1864. Carls Haaselyren, mustered in December 5, 1864. Peter Hon-o, mustered in December 5, 1864. Francis Hanrutty, Third Regiment ; mustered in December 10, 1804, George Harvey, Third Regiment; mustered in December 17, 1864. David Hardrick, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in December 2:), 18m. James R. Happenney, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in December 28. 1864. Charles M.Hayden, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in January 20, 1805. Charles Hagan, Third Regiment ; mustered in Becember 15, 1804. Frank S. Hunt, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered iu February 21, 18(h5. Jiirikson liillou {or Hilton), Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered iu Itlarch 7, 180,5. William Haines, mustered in April 1, 180.1. Clijirles Hiliker, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 17, 1803. Henry Holt, Second Regiment; mustered in November 17, 1863. Peter Iloyt, Sixth Regiment; mustered in November 17, 1803. Samuel Home, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in November II, 1803. .lull 11 Hendrich, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 19, 1803. .Vuios Holt, Second Regiment; mustered in November 18, 1803. .lames Howes, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 19, 1863. Charles Howard, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in August 8, 1864. William Hide, First Regiment Cavalry ; mustered in August 5, 1864. Charles Hanks, First Company Sharpshooter ; mustere:j, Alb-n F K.-ni, K..ortli liegimeut ; mustered in .\pril 11, l,sii4. Jiini. II >: t:.-iment; mustered in Augusts, 1864. J, ,1,1, I , ,1, August 20, 1864. N;,lh.i,,, i ,, Ki ,1,, l.ighteeuth Regiment ; mustered in February IS, Henry A.-Klemier, Second Regiment ; mustered in November I'J, 1863. Martin Kelley, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in August 5, 1864. Peter Kenney, mustered in August 19, 1864. Willis G. C. Kimball, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in October 1, 1864. John A. Kendall, United States Navy ; mustered in August 31, 1864. William H. Kenny, United States Navy ; mustered in August 30, 1S64. Charles Kerley, United States Navy ; mustered in in 1864. .\ndre\v C. Libbey, Thirteenth Regiment ; mustered in .luly 2il, 1863 ; rc-enlisled in Fourth Regiment. Charles F. Libbey, Fourth Regiment ; mnste)-ed in July 2il, 1863. George A. Lear, Third Regiment ; mustered in August 11, 1863. Gilman Leavitt, Ninth Regiment; mustered in August 19, 1863. Rob.rt K. I.ungci\ Ninth Regiment ; mustered in August 2,S, 1863. Blaini -^ I,:,i,,|iii ^, 'r.Mitli Regiment; mnstered in September 4, 1863. 1 Septendier 23, 1863. Regiment ; •nibcr 16, 1803. II November 11, I86;i. Novemlter 1"2, 186:1. umber 19, 1863. ■ •■inber 18, 180:). uvend)cr 24, I86:i. 11 November 24, 1863. Andri l.eng.iin, Kightb l;< .,,.,, John Lang, Second Regin,, , Alfred Lee, Second Rcgiii,, 1,1 John Lynch, Second Rc^mti, , : , ,,,, William Laeltey, Second K, . , ,i Joseph Loalhers, nmstered ii. .\.,>. ml Simeon N. Lascombo, Kighteunth Iteginient ; mustered in (ictober 2! 1864. John Lindscy, mufctercd in October 19, 1864. Rob.rt l,I,,y,l, II, ,t\ \ \rlillery; mustered in October 17, 1864. Anius s 1.,,, k, , 1 i,i,, ,1 siutes Navy ; mustered in September 15, 1864. •lonall,-,!, I I ,11,, l..,,,,l ; mustered in September 2;t, 1864. l)i,zu 11 1,111. ,, 111, ll.,,vj .\rtillcry ; mustered in September 8, 1,S(U. E. S. Liiuoln, liriivy .Vrtillery; mustered in September 7, 1864. John Leary, Heavy .\rtillery. .\ndrew L. Lane, Second Brigade Rand, Tenth Army Cor])s ; mustere in February 10, 186:i. Addison S. Martin, Second Regiment ; nioslcred in August II, 1862. Nathan Mansm-, Fifth Uegilnerit; mustered in August 11, 1862. Charles T. Mucli, Soron.i licKiniciil ; mustered in August 12, 1862. Alfred L. Miinlin, ~^. ■ 1 li. ,-iin.iit ; mustered in August 12, 1862. William E. 51,1 . ~ ' i: it ; mustered in August 12, 1862. Daniel S. Marin,, -, , i l: , ,,i . mustered in August 12, 1862. Peter L Morri,,,n \,i.,i, i; ,, i,i , mnstered in August 16, 1862. Charles A. Ml, in;: -. ,i,l; t ; mustered in August 21, 1862. Asa A. McKii,-i, 1, ,,,ii.4 23, 1862. Charles Malm-, ,, 1 , i. ,i ; mustered in September II. 1862. Michael Moran, I, i,i1, ];, ,,„ ,,, ; mustered in September 13, 1862. .Fohn Murphy, Tenth Higiin.iit ; mustered in September 15, 1862. Patrick Mctjuade, mustered in September 1.5, 1862. Henry W. McSIichael, Thirteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 'Z Mistered in Februarj' 25, John McMa Augustus Marx, mustered John Main, must.'nd in ?^ ^1 ptember 12, 186:1 William H. Libbey, Thirteenth Regimen Charles W. Lang, Sixteenth Regiment ; mustered in October 24, 1863. Mateland C. Lamprey, Sixteenth Regiment ; mustered in October 25, 180:i. Edward Lnseay, mustered in Seiit.-inlier 17, 1.S63. Lndwig Lucht, mustere, t in >, pi. i,,),, , j,,, l>r,:i. William D. Locke, mu.st. i, i - ; ( ,, ; : ,. i,m3. E. A. Larkin, mustered in - i i - -, ;, John Lewis, mustered in s, ii, i,,i„ i :<\ 1-,,,'., William Lotter, mustered in O.tulier 7, 1Sg:i. Walter E. Lougee, Second Regiment of Sbarjishooteiy ; mustered in April 1.5, 1864. John L. Lear, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in April 22, 1864. George M. Leavitt, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in October 15, 1863. Stephen Lamprey, Sixth Regiment; mustered in in 1864. John Laughton, United States Navy ; mustered in November 16, 1864. John Landress, mustered in Novendjer 18, 1864. Henry Leaman, or Leonard, Seventh Regiment ; mnstered in November 17, 1864. Charles Leroy, Seventh Regiment ; mustered in November 19, 1864. Charles Louis, mustered in December 2, 1864. Clarence S. Lamprey, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in Decemher 28, Jonathan D. Leavitt, mustered in January 23, ] Thomas M. Lear, Eighteenth Regiment ; nmst Joseph W. Lowell, Eighteenth Regiment ; m , l,,,il, - • P ip„ ,:,,, ,,i,,-t, :, ,l ,1, -.1,1, inl.,.| -J,-,, 1863. Jubii J. Mondl, llcavv Aililliiy mn.stered in September 17, 1863. Francis Martin, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in November 19, 1863. John E. Mitchell, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in November 10, 18ti3. George H. Mills, Third Regiment ; mustered in April 4, 18fi4. George A. Mitchell, Heavy Artillery; nmstered in May 4, 18f»4. IJeorge E. Sloore, Sixth Regiment ; mustered in May 23, 1864. John T. ~M. Main, II, miistere.l in July 20, 1801. J, .1,11 Ar, G,,i,, , Pirn, t:, _i i , nn.-i, ,, ,i i,, .Vngust 8, 1864. 20, 1864. ncs Mu mustered in November 17, 1864. Josi-ph Jlarrh, mustered in II. ti.bi-r 20, 1804. John JIcDonnell, .Seventh Itegiiiient ; mustered in November 18, 1864. .lohn Melville, Seventh Regiment ; mustered in November 29. 1864. James McKeeue, or McKeever, Twelfth Regiment ; mustered in No- vember 25, 1864. .lohn Macarion, mustered in Decembers, 1864. David Mardin, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in December 26, 1804. Thorana Martin, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in December 31, 1804. William McEwen, Fourth Regiment; mustered in January 5,1865. TliomafiBIc.\loon, Eighteenth Regiment; mustered in February 13, 186.5. Thomas McGee, mustered in March 22, 1805. James McDonnell, Fourth Regiment; mnstered in January 7, 1865. Riiel G. Morrill, United States Navy ; mustered in February 9, 1865. William H. Moody, First Regiment Artillery ; mustered in February 28, 1865. HISTORY OF iMERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Jacob C. Slaiiio, Rigbtecntli Regiment; mustered in Febniarj' 7, 1S05. Suiiuel McC»ir»e, Ninth Rcgimont ; niuBlcred in Moy 20, 1804. J.«.|iiin Martin, United States Nary ; miutered in October, 18«4. Tiiiiolliy c;. M.«<<'9, Second Regiment; mustered in August D, l»i;2; re- •Milialt-d in Kighteontli Regiment February 24, ISCJ. DaTi I ('., or K., Mareton, mustered in February 24, 1804. .lanie« O. Mally, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 13, 18K). Owen, iirOrvlllo, McDonougb, Second Regiment; mustered in Novem- ber 17, I8«:t. Paul SIcNeil, Second Regiment ; nmstered in Noveinber 17, 180.'). Niles Minimis, mustered in NovemlKr 17, WH. Thomas Martin, Fourth Regiment ; mustered in November 11, 18(a. Aurolius McGuire, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in Novemlwr n , 1863. Daniel B. McKinnon, Second Regiment; mustered in November 21, ISC!. Adallwrt 3Ior»)ricy, mustered in November 19, 18C3. John McLean, Eiglith Regiment ; ninstered in November24, 18«). Peter Mullen, Second Regiment; mustered in November 23, 1803. Abraham Myers, .Second Regiment ; mustered in November 24, 1863. William Slarks, Second Regiment; mustered in November 24, 1804. Andren P. Jlerrill, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in November 25, 1803. George Blareh, or March, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in Septemlwr 7, Charles H. Merrill, Cavalry ; mustered in August 9, 1804. Guy, or George, McAlister, United States Nary ; mustered in October2a, 1804. John Slarshall, mustered in August 10, 1804. Peter McCoy, Eighth Regiment ; mustered iji August 16, 1804. Wilson E.Morton, Eighteenth Regiment; mustered in September 24, John 11. Murphy, Eighteenth Regin mustered September ; L September 2!l, 1864. I in October 18, 1804. William C. Mahuran, Heavy Artillery ; mustered J. P. JIv«»r, mustered in September 16, 1804. IVt.r W. Jlyers, Eighteenth Regiment; mustered in October 4, 1804. Henry C. Minot, mustered In October 4, 1864. James E. Mosher, Heavy Artillei-y ; mustered in September 27, laot. Thomas Murphy, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 7, 1804. Joseph F. Merrill, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 7, 1804. Frank Mitchell, Heavy Artillerj' ; mustered in September 7, 1864. William D. Moores, mustered in August .30, 1804. John H. Nichols, Second Regiment ; mustered in August 12, 1802. Henry B. Nealy, Thirteenth Regiment ; mustered in September23, 1802 George Noycs, Sixteenth Regiment ; mustered in October 25, 1862. IIoTiry Ni.rlnn, ii.iiBl.'ivd in Su|il.-mlK!r 22, 1803. W. ii.-iiry NViil. KiHirtcrntli K<-j:iinent ; mustered in October 27, 18G;i. Williiiiii K. Xorloii, F-iurtli Itefiiinent ; mustered in April 0, 1804. .leinmy Nudd, Si.xth Itegimcnt ; mustered in June 3, 1804. Daniel B, Newhall, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in January 4, 1S64. Daniel E. Nichols, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in January 4, 1804. Thomas Nathans, Seventh Regiment ; mustered in November 30, 1864. Lewis Naffiewus, mustered in November 12, 1803. .\ndrew Neil, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in November 11, 1803. William Nash, Third Regiment ; mustered in November 2P, 1803. Frank Norton, mustered in November 19, 1803. Charles Newman, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 24, 18011. Charles Nash, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 24, 1803. William H. Orne, Si.xteenth Regiment ; mustered in October 25, 1802. Thomas O'Nalley, mustered in N.>veml) i i i , inly 14, 1804. .lames Price, Fifth Regiiii.nl , i , •. i ]„, \ n^ust 11, 1802. Simeon Partridge, Second K.giiii.-nl ; muslcivd in August 12, 1802. James Prindebell, Ninth Regiment ; mustered in August 16, 1802. Daniel Pottcngill, Seventh Regiment ; mustered in August 21, 1802 Alfred D. Powell, Tenth Regiment ; mustered in September 10, 1802. John C. Palmer, Thirteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 21, 1802. Jerould Perkins, Sixteenth Regiment ; mustered in October 25, 1862. Oliver C. Powell, Sixteenth Regiment ; nmstered in October 25, 1862. Sylvester H. Powell, Sixteenth Regiment; mustered in October 25, 1802. Benjamin Pevier, Jr., mustered in September 12, 1803. Benjamin F. iviors, mustered in Septemlwr 14, 1863. John Paul, mustered in September 30, 1863. l->lgar V. Parsons, mustered in October 8, 1863. Charles B. Prentis, Cavalry ; mustered in April 11, 1804. Robert H. Potter, Sixth Regimout ; mustersd in December 19, 186;!. William Philli|i8, Eleventh Regiment ; mustered in July 19, 18G4. John Proronchor, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in January 4, 1804. Joseph P. B. Pope, Sixth Regiment ; mustered in in 1864. Bourdeau Pierre, Eleventh Regiment ; mustered in July 23, 1804. Alfred W. Parker, United States Navy ; mustered in August 31, 1804. George Price, Second Regiment; mustered in December 2, 1804. Charles Perry, United States Navy ; mustered in October 1 , 1864. Thomas F. Powers, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in January 6, 1865. Severe Pelren, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in January 3, 1805. Charles Porter, mustered in February 7, 1805. Henry Pearson, Cavalry ; mustered in February 25, 1805. George Perkins, Second Regiment; mustered in November 23, 1863. Joseph Pierce, SecoudRegimcnt ; mustered in November 24, 186:). George Parker, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 24, 1803. John Powell, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 25, 1803. Leonard L. Perry, Veteran Reserve Corps ; mustered in August 8, 1804. Walter Perry, mustered in August 11, 1864. James H. Parks, mustered in September 8, 1804. .\lvah K. Potter, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 20, 1864. .Foeepli Pidgeon, mustered in .\ugust 19, 1864. Charles W. Piper, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 30, 1804. Charles Pace, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 22, 1804. Robert A. Packard, United States Navy ; mustered in August 31, 1864. Charles H. Peiffer, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 7, 1804. Felix Proroncher, Heavy .\rtillery ; mustered in February 15, 18r,5. John Parker, Sixth Regiment; mustered in May 23, 1805. Walter Perley, Cavalrj- ; mustered in March 1, 1865. Ransom S. Quimliy, Tenth Regiment ; mustered in September 1, 1802. Moses M. Quimby, Tenth Regiment; ninstered in September 16, 1802. P. D. Quimby, Heavy .\rtillery ; mustered in September 7, 1804. Peter (Juinn, Fifth Regiment ; mustered in September 26, 1803. Hiram M. Uuimby, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in August 25, 1863. Jeremiah Quinn, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in Septembers, 1864. Elisha L. QuiiTiby, Veteran Reserve Corps ; mustered in August 8, 1864. Parkhurst Quiniliv. ~^;m , ifi i; Jin.-iit: mustered in October 2.% 1602. Horace Rolfe, Xiiiil I i ,l.n-d in August 10, 1862. Charles D. Row . 1 1 l. i , mustered in August 21, 1862. George A. Bunisrv I I mli I: j iiifiit : mustered in August 21, 1802. .foseph Ray, mustored in Se|.tenil.i-r 111, 1803. .lames Reid, mustered in September 10, 1863. Tliomas Ratray, Third Regiment ; mustered in April, 1864. u'iment ; mustered in November 24, 1803. 1 : I in.nt ; mustered in November 25, 1803. 1 .^.ll^y: mustered in Novemtier 14, 1863. II, >. , ,,nd Regiment ; mustered in November 18, James Riley, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in August 6, 1804. James Ryan, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in August 10, 1804. Patri.l, i; CONCORD. 135 Tlioiiias Kyaii, Eighth Regiment; niuslorod in Auguat 10, 18G4. David B. Rowe, Votemn Reserve Corps; niugtered in Augiiiit 31, 1864. William H. Rubintjun, Kighteenth Regiment ; mustered in Soptoniher 2, 1.SG4. .lames Robinson, Eighteenth Regiment; mustered in September 28, 18U4. Curtis B. Kobyi-tson, Eighteenth lEegimont; Chail' > I : l:utuient ; mustered in August 2, 1862. Frank \^ - 1 i:'.'imeut; mustered in August 12, 1862. ■Willuuii .-l> V, i.., n, .-, Mii.l Regiment ; mustered in August 12, 1862. Do Witt V. Sanburu, Second Regiment ; mustered in August 12, 1802. Carroll Simborn, Ninth Regiment ; mustered in Atigust 19, 1862. George P. Sylvcstrr, Ninth Ht-simi-nf : miistorr-d in August 20, 1862. Edwin Sanborn, Tliin. . nil, K, ,i, I , nni-t-r. •! in ^. ]t,-mher23, 1862. Edward Shank-, T-: .1; . ., ii- i i nii.er 23, 1862. FrankSargenI, 111 I i. I; - m ;-,,-■, : - , i mlifr 23, 1862. LeroySniith, l-L l: . i :ini...i .-I m -M'M"l»-r 2.% 1862. Cliail.- I - i \ i> . unist(;red irKAtol.er 24, 1802. All" 11 11 -: I - I . lit ; mustered in October 25, 1802. n October 25, 1862. n October 25, 1862 ; n-. iihsi.-.l II.LH V ArtilliMj ; Septembers, 18C|. David \V, Sarmnt, sixteeuth Regiment ; mustered in October 26, 1862. Joseph E. Sargent, Fifteenth Regiment ; mustered in October 27, 1862. David Stevens, Sixteenth Regiment ; mustered in November 4, 1862. Hiram Stevens, Sixteenth Regiment ; mustered in November 5, 1862. John Smith, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 9, 1803. Thomas Smith, mustered in September 9, 1803. Victor Stunan, mustered in September 10, 18(a. John W. Swair, mtistered in September 14, 1863. John Stevens, mustered in September 21, 1863. Peter Spellman, mustered iu Septeuiljer --, 1.SG3. CharlesSmith, mustered ill .^. I iinit. ! j. I^i ; NortouStoddard, nmsterril 111 - ; i l-^l. Peter Smith, mustered iu >■ i i i ' , James Scott, mustered iu .^.I'hMilM I j i, l-. : Charles Stevens, Seventh Regiment ; niiistcrej in September 26, 1803. Daniel J. Sanders, Fifth Regiment ; mustered in October 2, 1803. John Snow, mustered in October 7, 1803. Thomaa Smith, mustered in October 8, 1863. Andrew Saltniarsh, Fifth Regiment ; mustered in September 30, 1863. (Charles Smith, mustered in October 7, 1863. Abel H. Stone, Fifth Regiment ; mustered In October 3, 1863. John W. Shepard, Cavalry ; mustered in March 30, 1864. Matthew Storin, Third Regiment; mustered in April 4, 1864. John Scott, Heavy Artillery ; mustered iu July 2, 1863. Morris Sullivan, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in October 17, 186.3. Leonard speed, mustered in December 2,5, 1863. William F, Speed, mustered in March 22, 1864. Charles Stevens, Seventh Regiment ; mustered in February 28, 1864. John Shejiard. Sixth Regiment ; mustered in June 9, 1864. John H. Sexton, Eighth Regiment; mustered in January 4, 1864. Medad Strong, Fifth Regiment ; mustered in in 1804. Frederick D. Sprague, Eleventh Regiment ; mustered in July 27, 1804. Robert J. Smith, Fifth Regiment ; mustered in August 13, 1864. Edward P. Smith, Fifth Regiment ; mustered in August 8, 1864. Henry Sweet, United States Navy ; mustered in September 19, 1804. James Smith, Seveutli Rep imeut : mustered in December 2, 1804. Join. >1 Cliiiil' 1 - I '111 I.' ,:i[iient ; mustered in January 6, 1865. Jo~i.l, i -I I I.I. iitli Regiment ; mustered in January 7, 180.5. Willi., - I l:_-iment; mustered in Februarys, 1805. Geoij. 1 - ...iistered in February 13, 1805. Ralpli ~li nil. -, I ,_M . iith Regiment; mustered in March 20, 1865. William Smith, Second Regiment ; mtistered in November 20, 1803. Prudent St. Pierre, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 24, 186;i. George W. Small, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 24, 1863. William Sullivan, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 23, 1863. Joseph Simpson, Second Regiment ; nmstered in November 24, 1863. Charles Seymour, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 24 1863. Th-M.i I 1 - . I -nth Regiment; nmstered in September 28, Jului Miiiili li^hili I,. ,;Hiieut; mustered in August 5, 1804. John Sniitli, Heavy Ariillci^ ; mustered in .September 7, 1864. Daniel E. Smith, Eighteenth Regiiuent ; mustered inSepU-mbor 30, 1804. .\lbert W. Smith, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 30, 1804. Benjamin Severance, Thirteenth Regiment ; mustered in July 18, 1804. Leroy A. Sweatt, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 7, 1864. Frank Stevens, Eighteenth Regiment ; luustered iu September 17. 1804. James M. Shepard, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 27, 1804. Edward Sanders, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 29, 1864. James H. Stevens, Heavy Artillery; mustered in September 7, 1804. Joseph I. Shallis, mustered in September 7, 1861. Charles T. Summers, Sixteenth Regiment ; mustered in September 10. 1864. J. .Sidney Sargent, Heavy Artillery ; nmstered in September 7, 1864. A. L. Sanborn, Heavy Artillery ; nmstered in September 7, 1864. Benjamin Severance, Veteran Reserve Corps. William Sanborn, mustered in September IU, 1864. George Stearns, mustered in October 8, 1864. Franklin L. Tandy, Fourth Regiment ; mustered in August 12, 1862. Josiah Tandy, Fourth Regiment ; mustered in August 1.5, 1862. .losiah Teel, Ninth Regiment; mustered iu September 23, 1862. George W.Tucker, Fourteenth Regiment; mustered in September 24, 1862. George S. Tufts, mustered in September 14, 1803, Robert Trimble, unister.jd in Se])tei.il..T :■:;, LSO!, John .lohii I October 23, 1803, in April ,5, 1804, d in July 26, 1864. I Decembel . Thompson, mustered Thoiij.i^ 1... I . I I ■! ,1 - \., I. I i . I 111 November 16, 1864. Heini 1' - I. - I ".. ill November 26, 1864. William l.il..i, l.i„hr,...ulii ll.-„iui' "l , 111'.-'. "•I in Decembers, 1804. Thomas Ta W illiam H Joseph Thompson, United States Cavalry ; mustered in .January 3, 1865. Elisha Thomas, Navy ; mustered in November 14, 1803. Edward Trayuor, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 19, 1863, Edward Tobin, Second Regiment ; nmstered in November 17, 1863. Francis Turner, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 17, 186:1. James Tryou, Second Regiment ; mustered in November 13, 181^1. Joseph P. Thompson, United States Navy ; mustered in August l;i, 1804, Charles Thompson, mustered in October 19, 1804. Charles H. Tallant, mustered in September 2, 1864. William S. Thurstou, Cavalry ; mustered in December 21, 1803. William Tilton, Heavy Artillery ; nmstered in October 2,5, 1803. James Thomas, Fifth Regiment ; mustered in August 11, 1802. Charles W. Underbill, Niuth Regiment ; mustered in August 16, 1862. William W. Virgin, Thirteenth Regimcut ; mustered in September 23, 1862. John S. Vogler, United States Navy ; mustered in September 3, 1864. John White, Fifth Regiment ; mustered in August .5, 1862. William D. Wallace, Fifth Regiment; mustered in August 11, 1862. William Woods, Ffth Regiment ; mustered iu August 12, 1862. William B. Wadleigh, Seventh Regiment; mustered in August 21, 1862. George W. Worthen, Eleventh Regiment ; mustered in August 21, 1802. James H. Walker, mustered in August 23, 1862. Harrison Webber, Eighth Regiment ; mustered in September 5, 1862. George H. Weeks, Thirteenth Regiment ; mustered iu September 23, 1862. George A. Wilder, Thirteenth Regiment ; mustered in Septcnibor 2:1, 1802. William Williamson, Thirteenth Regiment ; mustered in Septcmlier 23, 1862. Charles W. W'ilson, Sixteentli Regiment ; mustered in Octulicr 25, 1S02. HSTORY OF MKKKIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. OorliM Wheeler, Fifth RegiDlont ; mustcn-d in October 1, 1863. Charlea E. Wmiam^ mustered in Septemlier 23, ISKi. Jolin B. White, mustered in ScptonilKT 10, 18(a. Samuel Wiitson, mustered in October 7, 1803. George E. Watson, Third K.^gliiiont ; niusterod in February 11, isnl. Thomas C. Weeks, Fourth Uegimcut ; musteie.! in April 8, I8IH. Cliarles B. Wallace, Seventh Regiment ; mustered in April 30, ISM. John Ward, Ninth Regiment; niustcreil in .June '.», lSO-1. Thomas E. Wilder, Sixth Regiment ; mu tercd in in 1801. James While, Cavalry ; mustered in October 0, 1802. George Winston, United .States Cavalry ; mustered iu August 18, 1804. Jeremiah Williams, niiiBlered in September, 1804. Rensellaer Wright, Heavy Artillery ; mustered in September 15, 1804. Henrj- .\. Walsh, Cuviilry ; mustered in November 11, 1804. Alfred Wells, Seventh Regiment ; mustered iu November 2.'., 1804. Robert Williams, Navy ; niuslercd in Deieniber 0, 1804. Thuiu;i> NNiird, mustered in Ilecetnlwr 9, 1804. \\il]i;uh \Mlm)n, Thinl Regiment; mustered in December 14, 1864. K.hcir.l U ilker. Heavy Artillery ; mustered in December 24, 1804. William li. Webb, Kiglitli Regiment; mustered iu January 2, 1865. Frank Warren, Third Regiment ; mustered iu in ISM. Walter A. Webster, Tnited Stales Navy ; mustered in January 3, ISO... Ilenrj- Wilson, Fourth Regiment ; mustered in January 5, 1805. John or Joseph Walch, Eighteenth Regiment ; mustered in February : ISCi. Peter Woods, Eleventh Regiment ; mustered in March 1, 1S0,'>. John Wilson, Fifth Regiment; mustered in Fehrniiry 7, ISiI.'i. William F. Wallace, Eighteenth Kegimont ; mu ii i 1 in Mm li i. isr,: Ceirrpj A. Whitlier, Tenth Regiment ; musleiv. I i -, ;,( ,,i,. iv isi,' Cliark-s Wood, Second Regiment ; mustered ill N .!■ I : i ' ; Nelson Whitney, Fourth Resiment ; mustei. : 1,1,1.1., .-I ,„ -, ii.:„l„L, IfiiA. Clarion F. Whittier, Eij;l,l, , ,,il, 1; - l , 1, ,,1 n, n,-loI,er 1, ISO- William F, Winn, Heavv Aii,li.,> . -1- 1..I 1,, .,, i.u.r 17, 1804. Richard K. Welsh, Heavy Arlill.-iy ; niiislen^.i in .Si.|,teiiiber 24, 1864 George H. Wilkins, Heavy Artillery ; mustered iu September 7, ISC4, Horace G. Wyman, United States Navy ; mustered in August 24, 18M. Frederick J. WUloughby, Cavalry ; mustered in October 0, 1803. Frank Walker, Fourth Regiment ; mustered in January 2, ISO."). Thomas Young, Seventh Regiment ; mustered in November 2.3, 1864. 3Iichael York, Second Regiment; mustered in November 17, 1803. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Niithaiiiel White, oldest eliild of S;iimiol and Sarah (Kreemau) White, was born in Liineaster, Feb- ruary 7, 1811. His childhood was passed under a tender mother's care, and to her striet religious train- ing was Nathaniel White indebted for his noble character, which led him untainted amid the tempta- tions of youth, and unspotted through a long career of usefulness. At home were those i)rinciplcs of integrity, honesty, temperance, philanthroi)y and generosity inculcated which led to a long life rounded by Christian virtues, adorned by humanitarian graces and free from vices. At the age of fourteen years he went into the employ of a merchant in Lunenburg, Vt., with whom he remained about one year, when he accepted employ- ment with General John Wilson, of Ijanca.ster, who was just entering upon his duties as landlord of the Columbian Hotel, in Concord. His parents the more readily consented to his taking this step on account of the many noble qualities of Mrs. Wilson. To her CHre he was entrusted by his solicitous mother. In the employ of General Wilson, Nathaniel White com- menced life in Concord at the foot of the ladder. He arrived in Concord, August 25, 1826, with one shilling in his pocket. For five years, or until he came of age, he continued at the Columbian, rendering a strict account of his wages to his father, and saving the dimes and quarters which came as perquisites, until by his twenty-first birthday he had a fund of two hundred and fifty dollars. This may be understood from the fact that he com- menced life with certain virtues and with no vices. He was prudeitt, economical, temperate. He never used intoxicating drinks as a beverage, nor tobacco in any form ; nor did he gamble or bet with dice or cards. Business success he preferred to pleasure, and to his work he carried enterprise, energy and will. In 1832 he made his first business venture, negoti- ating the first and last business loan of h's life, and purchased a part interest in the stage-route between Concord and Hanover, occupying the "box " himself for a few years. In one year he was free from debt. Soon after, he bought into the stage-route between Concord and Lowell. In 1838, in company with Captain William Walker, he initiated the express business, making three trips weekly to Boston, and personally attending to the delivery of packages, goods or money, and other business entrusted to him. He was ever punctual : he never forgot. In 1842, upon the opening of the Concord Railroad, he was one of the original partners of the express company which was then organized to deliver goods throughout New Hampshire and Canada. The company, under various names, has continued in successful operation to the present day, and to Nathaniel White's busi- ness capacity has it been greatly indebted for its remarkable financial success. In 1846, Mr. White purchased his farm, and has cultivated it since that date. It lies in the s I In «.ii hancement of its prosiwrity. His iml : ; I il and he wti« foremost in cnto^^^^is^-^ t : i - ii > A good man has gone to his rewar.l. ml it ..m I. (nil world is better for the jmrt he bore in it." Mr. White's marital relations were ula n character, and Mr. H. P. Rolfe truly said,- •* In alt liis aspinitiona to make himself an honorable ni good to his kindred, his friends, his country and his race, Mr. "WTiite was mo.st fortunate and happy in that ho had the early suggestion, the prompt encouragement, the ready co-operation and the ardent sympathy of her who, for nearly half a century, kept his homo constantly blooming with the sweet-scented flowers of affection." HON. ONSLOW STEARN.S. A large pro|>ortion of the men who have been elected to the chief magistracy of our State were, to a greater or less e.\tent, engaged in political life during a con- siderable period of their existence. The men of essen- tially business tastes and occupation, who have been called to the gubernatorial chair, have been excep- tions to the general rule. Nor is our State different from others in this regard. Everywhere, as a rule, the public otlices which the people have at their disposal are conferred upon men who have devoted their time and attention to poliliis and partisan management. Among the more conspicuous excep- tions to this rule in this State is the case of the late ex-Governor Stearns, who, although a man of de- cided political convictions, was, in no sense of the word, a politician, and was never in any degree concerned in party management. Mr. Stearns was a business man in the full sense of the term; and, thoroughly identified as he was with the railroad interest of the State from its inception till the day of his death, he was unquestionably, from first to last, the mo.st conspicuous representative of that interest in New Hampshire. Onslow Stearns was born in Billerica, Mass., August 30, 1810. The farm upon which he was reared, and which still remains in the family, being now owned by an older brother, Franklin Stearns, was the property and homestead of his grandfather, Hon. Isaac Stearns, a prominent and influential citizen of Middlesex County, and a soldier in the old French War, who was, at one time, a member of the Executive Council of the State, and held other honorable and responsible offices. His father, Jtdin Stearns, w'ho was also a farmer, and succeeded in pos.session of the homestead, was killed in the prime of life by a railroad accident at Woburn. William Stearns, a brother of John and uncle of Onslow, was a soldier in the Kevolution, and fought at the battle of Lexington. Onslow Stearns remained at home, laboring upon the farm, and availing himself of such educational privileges as the public schools aflorded, until seventeen years of age, when he went to Boston and engaged as a clerk in the house of Howe & Holbrook, afterward J. C. Howe & Co., where he remained about three years, and then left to join his brother, John O. Stearns, since famous as a railroad contractor and builder, who, then in Virginia, was engaged in the construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Subsequently he be- came interested with his brother in contracts for the construction of various railroads in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, upon which he was engaged until the summer of 1837, when he returned to Massachusetts and engaged in contracts upon the Charlestown Branch and Wilmington and Haverhill Railroads, now, respectively, portions of the Fitch- burg and Boston and Maine roads. Soon after, he engiiged in the work of completing the Nashua ami Lowell Railroad, then in process of constructi(]ii from Lowell to Nashua. This road was completed in the fall of 1838, when Mr. Stearns was made its superintendent, holding the position until July, 1846, when he resigned to become agent of the Northern Railroad Company of New Hampshire, for the purpose of constructing its road from Concord to White River Junction. His first efforts in the interest of this road were directed toward obtaining the necessary legislation for securing a right of way for the road over the land where it was to pass, tlii> law of 1840 having reudered it impossible. This /St* ^^^i. cy--^.-^-^,£^*-^^'iLZ-^-jai^,.^^^^ 13!> k'jiishitidii was secured in 1844, by which the State wus ciniiowered to talce the hind of the owners, making them compensation for damages, and leiusing the same to raih-oad corporations, tliey repaying to the State the amount paid for damages. Under the personal supervision of Mr. Stearns, the roa CONCORD. they all worked still stuniis as then, in tlif town of Lexington and just below the celeluatcd " Miinroe Tavern." lu the year 1800 Samuel removed from Lexington, Mass., to Newburgh, N. Y., and thence to Montgom- ery, intending to continue his occupation as a car- riage-maker at that place. Owing to the bad state of his health at Montgomery he returned to Newburgli, where he established, on the corner of Broad and Liberty Streets, about the commencement of the ]>resent century, a shop for the manufacture of wagons and carriages. WMiile yet in the early stages of this undertaking failing health led him to engage in the more healthful business of market gardening and the cultivation of a nursery, which he planted on the property adjoining his shop. As early as 1810, he offered for sale, trees grafted or inoculated of apples, pears, peaches, apricots and cherries, and was the first to conduct the business with such suc- cess as to secure its continuance. He led an indus- trious and sober life, and died in Newburgh November 1, 1822. Of the children by his second marriage, Charles and Andrew J. were very celebrated for their knowledge of horticulture and landscape gard- ening, having published various works, among which are " Downing's Fruits and Fruit-Trees o( America," "Downing's Country Houses," and also " Landscape Gardening." Andrew J. Downing, as an architect, has no su- perior. His creations were always appropriate to, and compatible with, their surroundings. So much so, that one was often fain to wonder whether the scen- ery was made to fit the edifice, or the edifice to crown and ennoble the scenery. As a horticulturist, flori- culturist add pomologist he had no equal ; his knowl- edge in each of these departments was profound and exhaustive, and his taste both exquisite and unerring. As an author, he was prolific, genial and attractive; always at his ease, and always a perfect master of his subject and the English language. He was for many years editor of the HoHiculturist, a monthly magazine of large circulation. It is very rarely th.at a man of such varied talents, each so perfect in its kind and all capable of combination to a certain and practi- cable end, appears in this world of ours. He laid out the grounds of the Smithsonian Institute, in Washington in 1851, and a monument was afterwards erected on them to his memory. He perished in the burning of the steamer " Henry Clay," on the Hudson River, July 28, 1852, while on his way to superintend the erection of some villas at Newport, R. I. Charles Downing was always in complete sympathy with his gifted brother, Andrew J., and had many qualities in common with him. He devoted his life to his favorite pursuits of horticulture and pomology, and re-edited Andrew's Work on " Fruits and Fruit- Trees of America," adding much new matter, the results of his own observation and experiments, finally completing a work which is considered the highest authority on this subject both in England ami America. He died at Newburgh, N. Y., .Jannary IS, 1885, at the age of eighty-two years. On the nia- ternal side they are of the same lineage as the late President Garfield, the common ancestor being .lohn Bridge, the Puritan, one of the earliest settlers of Cambridge, whose statue in lnon/.e stands on Cam- bridge Common. Lewis, the subject of this sketch, son of Samuel and Susanna (Brown) Downing, was born in Lexing- ton, Mass., June 23, 1792 ; married Lucy Wheelock, only child of Jonathan and Lucy (Beaman) Wheelock, at Concord, Mass., May 25, 181 5. Jonathan Wheelock was a soldier in the Revolution, doing service for his country, from Bunker Hill to Yorktown, especially sharing in the sufferings of the American army at Valley Forge. He was for many years a noted stage- driver between Boston and Concord, Mass., spending the last years of his life with his daughter, dying at her home, September 5, 1 845, at the age of eighty- six years. The children of Lewis and Lucy (Wheelock) Downing, all born in Concord, were, Lucy Maria, born September 19, 1818; Lewis Downing, Jr., born December C, 1820 ; Alonzo, born December 28, 1822; Mary Ann, born January 25, 1826 ; Emily and Ellen, born July 28, 1828. Lewis moved from Lexington, Mass., to Concord, N. H., in May, 1813, and com- menced the carriage business, first at the north end of Main Street, but in 1816 purchased the "Duncan Es- tate," at the south end, and moved his shops there, where they remain at the present time. For the first few years he only made the " Concord Wagon," w^th some freight-wagons, used at that time for freighting goods from Boston to towns in New Hampshire and Vermont, and the two-wheel chaise, used extensively then instead of the four-wheel buggy, as at the pres- ent time. The first wagon made was in November, 1813, and the first chaise he made w.is .=old to the Rev. Dr. Bouton, and was used by him a great many years. In the year 1826, Mr. Downing, foreseeing that there must eventually be a great demand for stage-coaches, concluded to commence the manufacture of them, and with that in view, he went to Salem, Mass. and arranged with J. Stephens Abbot to come to Concord and build three coach-bodies. Mr. Abbot was then at work for Mr. Frothingham, a celebrated coach-maker in Salem, but left and arrived in Con- cord on Christmas eve, and made the first coach- bodies ever built in New Hampshire during the spring of 1827. The first coach was completed, and went out of the shop in July, 1827, and was sold to John Shepherd. From that time on, the demand for coaches increased, and before the advent of the rail- roads they could be found in all parts of the world. In 1828, Mr. Downing took Mr. Abbot in with him as a partner, and the firm-name was Downing & Abbot until September, 1847, when it was dissolved, and Mr. Downing and his two sons built new shops H:: HISTOHV () [KIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. oil -Miiiii Street, opposite the I'lienix Hotel, con- tinuing business under the nanie of L. Downing & Sons, wliile Sir. Abbot and his son Edward A. carried on the same at the old shops. January 1, I860, Mr. Downing, Sr., retired from the business, and a new firm was formed under the name of Abbot, Downing & Co., consisting of J. Stephens, Edward A. and Joseph 11. Abbot, Lewis Downing, Jr., and Alonzo Downing, and the works at the soutli end greatly en- larged for the i)Urposo. January 1, 1873, they pur- chased the works of Harvey, Morgan & Co., and reorganized under the general laws of New Hamp- shire asthe Abbot-Downing Company, and so continue at the present time, with a cajjital of four hundred thousand dollars, a force of two hundred and seventy- five men, their shops occupying about six acres of ground and their carriages sent in all directions. In this connection it may not be improper to say that it is a very remarkable circumstance, probably without a parallel, that from the time Samuel Downing com- iiiciKiil li-arning his trade, in 1772, until the present time, 1.S8.'), it will be one hundred and thirteen con- secutive years of service in the same business by the father, son and grandson, and a total of one hundred and forty-four yeai-s' active service by the same per- sons, viz.: Samuel Downing from 1772 until 1810, thirty-eight years; Lewis Downing from 1807 until 1865, fifty-eight years; and Lewis Downing, Jr., from 1837 until 1885, forty-eight years. The latter is still in active business and president of the Abbot-Downing Company. The original shops, established by Lewis Downing seventy-two years ago, occupy the same ground they have occupied the past sixty-nine years. Mr. Downing visited California twice in connection with his business, and wiis well-known on the Pacific coast, where he had a large market for his carriages, so celebrated the world over. He earned and main- tained a high reputation for skill, sagacity and in- tegrity, probably doing sis much as any other man for the prosperity and growth of Concord. The Concord Daily Monitor, in an interesting sketch of his career, January, 1865, says: " Mr. Downing, Sr., retires from business, after active participation in it for nearly fifty-eight years, and we think we express the general sentiment of the community when we say that during that time, his integrity having never been questioned, he is entitled to be called Concord's best benefactor." Mr. Downing, though not an active politician, was a thorough-going Republican, and represented Ward 6 in the State Legislature in 1865-66. He not only sought to build up a business for his own advantage, but he was keenly alive to whatever afl'ected the pub- lic welfare. So far as his influence could avail any- thing, he endeavored to have the business afl'airs of the community and State conducted on principles of strict justice to all concerned. Po.sitive and self-re- liant in his own convictions, he opposed, with blunt sincerity, whatever seemed to him ill-considered and blamable. No one had a more thoughtful concern for whatever tended to strengthen public character and elevate public life, and his personal integrity in business gave character to the whole community and made the city of Concord famous. His coaches being known the world over, are regarded as fair represen- tatives of the average moral worth of her citizens. In religion, so far as any creed is concerned, he was a strong Unitarian, being one of the founders of that society in the city of Concord, and in his will gives his entire estate, at the decease of his children, to that society, the income of which is to be expended by them annually for the spread of liberal Chris- tianity, as represented in the writings of William Ellery Channing. After a long and severe illness \u- died, March 10, 1873, in the eighty-first year of his age. His life was faithful, just and true; his death peaceful, serene, full of faith and longings for the " beyond." J. STEPHENS ABBOT. In the beautiful town of Andover, Mass., situated on the bank of the Merrimack River, is the cemetery in which may be seen a cenotaph bearing the follow- ing inscription : "GEORGE ABBOT, boru in England, was one of the firet settlere Thus it appears that the ancestors of th* subject of this sketch were of that sturdy and valiant race of pioneers who laid the foundation of this great .'Vnglo- Saxon nation. J. StephiMis Abbot was b(.ni in Albany, Me., on the 22d of February, 1804. While yet an infant he was deprived of both his parents, and his uncle, General Abbot, took him to old Salem to his aunt, Mrs. Cliasf, liy wlinin lir w:is ;i(liipted, and for whom he alwiivs rhcrishiW I he iimsi alli-ctionate regard. At Salc-iii Ik' i-iijiiycd siii;b I'lliirational advantages as generally fell to the lot of boys destined to earn their own living in a new country at that eai'ly period of the present century. His school-days over, he was apprenticed to Frothingham & Loring, of Salem, who were then celebrated chaise-builders, and some years afterward he was induced by Mr. Lewis Downing, Sr., to accompany him to Concord, N. H., to aid in the introduction and manufacture of the now famous Concord stage-coach. It was here that he built the first eoaeh-bodies which were ever constructi-d in the State of New Hampshire. In 1828 he became associated with Mr. Downing as a partner in the firm of Downing & Abbot. Together they planted, with skillful hands, that tree which has "-K. fS^ifS. ^^^^m^9^ 143 taken such deep root in thesoil that, to-day, hundreds of industrious families find sustenance and shelter under its vigorous branches. Many an old man in New England and the Canadas I an well remember the first yellow, oval-shaped, Cou- (iird stage-coach which came rattling into his native village, creating more excitement than the train of railroad cars does now, rushing into the depot with its ponderous engine. A description of the running jiart of the Concord stage-coach would he supertluous, because the saying has become proverbial that " the Concord running parts do their own talking." The superiority in the running parts was a peculiarity in tlie Concord staije-eoach that called for the exercise of the utnicis^i iiitclliiiriHe, combined with no small degree of inai iir;il ami scieutilic knowledge. The same ailmiralilr .lualitiiations were displayed by Mr. .\hbot in the construction of those old-fashioned om- nibuses then in vogue. For several years the business continued to enlarge and prosper, until, in 1847, Mr. Downing retired from the firm, leaving Mr. Abbot to carry on the business in his own name, and in lSo2 he took his son, E. A., into partnei-ship, under the firm-name of J. S. & E. \. Abbot, who brought out the justly-celebrated American ambulances, which rendered such priceless service in our Civil War and also in the conflict be- tween France and Prussia. So greatly were they appreciated by the French nation that the provisional government decorated with the Cross of the Legion of Honor three enterprising Americans who intro- duced these humane accompaniments of war into France. It is thus that at all times, especially when great emergencies arise, the genius of New England in the mechanic arts finds so vast a field of usefulness at home and abroad. In I860 the firm-name was changed to that of Abbot, Downing & Co., by the introduction of Lewis Downing, Jr., the sou of Jlr. Abbot's old partner. The new firm turned their attention to the manufac- ture of the celebrated Concord wagons, which manu- facture soon became remarkably successful. There are very few on this continent who do not know what is meant by the expression "a Concord express- wagon." Besides the various specialties of their own invention here manufactured, they built lor the New York Transfer Company fifty of Dodd's "Patent Crystals " for use in New York City. riie whole establishment is so admirably arranged iliat the extensive business at Concord contributes simultaneously to the prosperity of the firm and the i;eneral comfort and happiness of the employes and their families. Indeed, Mr. Abbot was remarkably successful, not only in commanding their respect, but in gaining their affectionate good-will. Possessing a fine figure, a noble j)resence and a countenance at once beautiful and beaming with goodness and benev- olence, they regarded him as a friend a benefactor, rather than as an employer, in the ordinary accepta- tion of the word. If proof of this were called for, wc have it in the fact that no such thing as a strike was ever liearcf of in the factory at Concord, and whenever dilliculties occurred among tlie workmen his word and look were suflieient to remove them, while his friendly counsel rarely, if ever, failed to effect the object for which it was given. He was, es.sentially, " a master-workman," being thoroughly conversant with every branch of the manufacture and every detail of the business. Often have the hands been astonished to note with what judgment and skill he could walk into the forest, and at a glance, as if indued with intuitive perception, select and blaze the trees which were best adapted for his purpose. In all the relations of life the deceased was con- fided in and beloved, while a word of praise from his lips exercised the same magic power in his Imnn' circle as in the work-shop. He attended the Episcopalian Church and adorned its doctrines in all things, and was more a Christian, and less a sectarian, than many who make a louder profession of religion. In politics he was "an Old- Line Whig," one of the Daniel Webster school. He enjoyed the intimate friendship of some of the best and foremost statesmen in his adopted State; was a warm, personal friend of the late ex-President Franklin Pierce, and a member of the old Salem Cadets, at whose reunion, in 1870, he was present contributing to the general enjoyment on that happy occasion. With the ample means at his disposal, he was never backward in promoting, as fitting occasion presented, the welfare of his relatives and friends. He had never known sickness until the illness over- took him which, in three short weeks, terminated his earthly career, March 16, 1871, in the sixty-eighth year of his useful and honorable life. It is pleasing to know that he bore his sufl'erings with Christian patience and with manly fortitude. When the spirit left its tenement of clay to return to the God who gave it, the clock had just struck the hour of six, and as the signal of work was sounded for others he received the summons to rest forever from his labors. But no sooner had the tidings of his departure reached the factory than the implements of labor fell from every hand, every arm was relaxed, every heart was saddened and every eye was dimmed, H hile the widowed wife and mother, with her sorrow- ing children, relatives and friends, felt that a cloud had overshadowed their happiness. The cloud, how- ever, was not without its silver lining, for was there not something of the chastened "joy of grief" in the thought that the loss thus mourned by the living was the great and eternal gain of the dead ? How truly doth the good Book say : " The memory of the just is blessed! " December 15, 1829, Jlr. Abbot married tTrace, daughter of Sherburne and Margaret (Sargent) 111.^ )I!V OF MKIiKIMACK COTTNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Wiggiii, who was born October 6, 1806, and still sur- j vives. Their family consisted of five children, viz. : Edward Augustus, Margaret .Vnn, .Io,se|>h Henry, ■ Francis Lewis and Mary. ! •lUll.X KIMHAl.L.' An honorable ancestry is a source of gratification, if not of merit, and from it noble traits of character are undoubtedly often inherited. It is therefore to be noted in considering biography. 1. Richard and Ursula Kimball, with seven chil- dren, came from Ipswich, England, April 10, 1634 (0. S.), and settled in Watertown, but in 1637 moved to Ipswich, Mass. He died June 22, 1675, having had eleven children. From this Puritan family have sprung most of the Kimballs of New England. 2. Their son, Richard, was born in England in 1623 ; settled in Wenliam, Mass., as early as 1656 ; married Mary Gott, had eight children, and died May 26, 1676. 3. His son, Caleb, was born in Wen ham April 9, 1665. He was of E-teter, N. H., having moved there from Wenham. He married Sarah , had eight children, and died in Wenham January 20, 1731-32. 4. His son, John, was born in Wenliam December 20, 1699; settled in E.\eter, and married Abigail Lyford, February 14, 1722-23, who was the mother of si.x children, and died in Exeter February 12, 1737-38. He married Sarah Wilson, of Exeter, Sep- tember 18, 1740, who had nine children. 5. His son by his first marriage, Joseph, was born in Exeter January 29, 1730-31. After an early mar- riage, the wife and two children of which died, he married Sarah Smith, who gave birth to nine children, and died March 1, 1808, and he died November 6, 1814. He had moved to Canterbury as early as 1788, and settled on a farm just north of the Shakers. He had the misfortune to lose his eyesight before he left Exeter ; consequently he never looked on the town of Canterbury, where he resided twenty-six years, and six of his children were born after he became blind. 6. His son, John, was born in Exeter November 20, 1767; married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Moulton, of Kensington, November 21, 1793 ; moved to Canter- bury February 14, 1794, and settled on their home- stead, north of Shaker village, where they resided nearly sixty years, having nine children, the wife dying April 30, 1853, and he February 26, 1861, at the age of ninety-three years, three months and six days. To farming he added the business of a wheel- wright and manufacturer of agricultuiMl iiiiplcnu'iits, and occasionally that of a builder. 7. His son, Benjamin, was born in Ciuitcrlmry De- cember 27, 1794; married Ruth, daughter of David Ames, February 1, 1820. After continuing two years with his father on the farm, and two vears on a farm IBy WiUiam E. Clinmlloi in Northfield, he settled in Boscawen in the spring of 1824, on the farm known as the Frost place, on High Street; but in November, 1830, having pureha.sed of Hon. Jeremiah Mason, of Portsmouth, attorney for the United States Bank, its land and water-power at the south part of the town (now Penacook), he moved there, and resided in the house he had bought, situ- ated next eiist of the hotel, where he died July 21, 1834. Although dying at the age of forty, he had become an active and influential business man. In 1831 he erected the dam across the Contoocook River, and the brick grist-mill standing near the stone fac- tory. He also engaged in manufacturing lumber. He took ati active part in all that was essential to the general and religious welfare of the town, and was elected to the Legislature in the March preceding his death. Ruth Ames was the ninth of the ten children of David Ames and Phebe, daughter of Thomas Hoyt, who died in 1777, in the War of the Revolution. David, born May 27, 1749, was one of four children of Samuel Ames, one of the first settlers of Canterbury, who was born February 13, 1723-24, and died January 16, 1803. Ruth Ames was born in Canterbury July 29, 1797, and died in Concord October 22, 1874. She was a fine type of the strong but liberal New England woman. John Kimball, son of Benjamin Kimball and Ruth Ames, was born in Canterbury April 13, 1821. \Vhen he was thirteen years of age his father died, leaving, also, a daughter (Elizabeth) nine years old, and an- other son (Benjamin A.) less than a year old. The widowed mother had already buried two children in infancy, and six years later lost the daughter; but she lived forty years longer, and enjoyed the highest felicity of a mother, seeing her two stalwart sons grow prosperously to man's estate, achieving riches and honors, unblemished in life and character. The early home duties and experiences of the elder son naturally aroused in him tender devotion to a mother and brother so dejjendent upon him, animated him to earnest and persistent effort, developed in him strong self-reliiuice, and laid broad and deep the fbundatinns of those qualities of heart and mind which now dis- tinguish him. He attended the town schools of Boscawen, and during the year 1837 the Concord Academy. In 1838 he was apprenticed as a machinist to William Moody Kimball, his father's cousin, then engaged in con- structing mills and machinery at Boscawen, and in four years he mastered his trade. His first work after coming of iige was, in 1S42, to rebuild the grist-mills in the valley near the north end of Boscawen Plain, which are still in use, and he worked at his trade in Suncook, Manchester, Lowell and Lawrence. In 1848 he took charge of the new machine and car-shops of the Concord Railroad, then building at Concord, and in 1850 became master mechanic ol' that corporation, continuing in the position until 1858. ^i 'aAi>Mpfn^^/tJ. CONCORD. 145 Twenty years of unreinitting work in mechanical construction had hrought him to tlic summit of his vocation, possessing thorough, practical skill, having ac(|uired an unusual share of common sense in human affairs, and with habits of industry, temperance and self- reliance, sure to give him a fair measure of suc- cess in any new calling which he might choose. Henceforth his life's work was to be in different liclds. His neighbors and friends had discovered his inirgrity anil caiiuc-ity, and they commenced to utilize lliciii in [Uililic employment. In 185(j, Jlr. Kimball had been elected a member of the Common Council of the city of Concord, and re- elected in 1857, and chosen president of the Council. In Is.'iK he wa.s elected to the State Legislature, was rr-clcotcd in 1859, and served as chairman of the committee on the State Prison. In 1859 he relin- ([uished other employment to serve as city marshal of Concord and collector of taxes, from which olKce he was, in 1862, appointed by President Lincoln to the post of collector of internal revenue for the Second District of New Hampshire, consisting of the counties of Merrimack and Hillsborough, and served until he resigned, in 1869. His collections, wdiich included the ta.x on manufactures from the mills of Man- chester, were very heavy for a country district, and amounted in the seven years to nearly seven millions of dollars. No revenue district in the country estab- lished a better reputation. His methods of collection, wiiilv lliorough, were quiet, and gave no offense, and his administration was in all respects faultless. In the office of the commissioner of internal revenue, at Washington, his record has always been referred to as one of the very highest. In 1870, Mr. Kimball was elected treasurer of the Merrimack County Savings-Bank, then first organized. He has held the office ever since, and now conducts its business, for which he has been largely respon- sible, the bank being a profitable and successful in- stitution. Mr. Kimball was elected mayor of the city of Con- cord in 1872, and re-elected in 1873, 1874 and 1875. The duties of this honorable, responsible, but per- plexing office he discharged with zeal and firmness, and to the satisfaction of the citizens. It fell to his lot to construct an unusual number of public works, which will long endure to testify to his capacity and fidelity. A freshet having carried away or rendered impassable five of the seven wooden bridges spanning the Merrimack and Coutoocook Rivers, the work of rebuilding devolved on him as the superintendent of roads and bridges. The new structures are of the most substantial character, — two, the Federal Bridge and that at Penacook, being of iron, of modern de- sign. The central fire station, built by him, is also an edifice attractive as well as commodious and con- venient. Complaints of the cost of Mr. Kimball's con.structions as mayor have long since ceased, in view of the universally admitted integrity of all ex- 10 penditurcs upon thera, and their solidity and per- manency, as well as of the credit which they have brought to our beautiful city. During his adminis- tration the Long Pond water-works were constructed, bringing to the centre of Concord a copious supply of the purest water, at a cost of four hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, economically and skill- fully expended. He became cx-officio one of the water commissioners, and in 1878 president of the board, in which position he has ever since been kept. Blossom Hill Cemetery was doubled in size, the streets of the city were improved in accordance with modern re- quirements, the system of sewerage was enlarged, new and attractive school-houses were constructed, and, without any discredit to other mayors, it may be claimed that it happened to him to render more im- portant and lasting service than any other official from the adoption of the city charter, in 1853, to the present time. For his success he must have been largely indebted to the skill acquired during his long and laborious experience in the practical business of his youth and early manhood. In 1877, unexpectedly, and without solicitation or suggestion from any one. Governor Benjamin F. Prescott and his Council appointed Mr. Kimball as chairman of the board of commissioners to build the new State Prison at Concord, with Messrs. Albert M. Shaw and Alpha J. Pillsbury as his associates. In 1880 the edifice was completed within the limits of the moderate appropriation of two hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars, a model in its design and construction, remarkable for the honesty and cheap- ness which had characterized the establishment of a penitentiary superior, all things considered, to any prison of other States. No more than just praise was uttered concerning the chairman of the commission, on the ceremony at the opening of the prison, by the speaker of the occasion, one of Concord's most de- voted and public-spirited sons, Colonel John H. George, who said, — "It is a matter of further and wami congratulation that its erection lias been intnisted to a competent commiK^^'^'^ 147 Considering the smallness of the number that was to graduate, the trustees thought the department could not well afford to have a steel plate engraved for the diploma at that time. From this decision the class appealed tlirough its principal instructor, — then, as always, a firm friend of tlie doinirtment, — John S. Woodman, to the board of visitors, John A. Dixwell and Francis B. Hayes. The visitors saw at once that the class, having completed the prescribed course, could demand all they claimed, and that to withhold it might injure the department, and tiiey said to Prof. Woodman : " This department shall not be behind other departments of the college in honoring its graduates." The diplomas were conseiiuently ordered and ex- ecuted with a pen on parchment by N. D. Gould, of Harvard College, and were fine specimens of artistic penmanship and faithful testimonials of the justice then secured and since maintained for the Chandler Department by the board of visitors. August 1, 1854, Mr. Kimball entered the employ of the Concord Railroad as draughtsman and machinist, and was promoted, April 1, 1856, to be foreman of the locomotive department. January 1, 1858, he suc- coedid his brother as master-mechanic at the age of twenty-six yeare. A suggestion was made to the directors as to the propriety of appointing him, on account of his age and limited practical experience, to an office involving responsibilities so important, but from their knowledge of him in his previous em- ployment by the company they did not hesitate to make it, and by his untiring energy and application he soon proved his fitness for the position and con- tinued successfully to occupy it until April 1, 1865, when he resigned. At this time he became a member of the firm of Ford & Kimball, manufacturers of car- wheels, etc., which business is still successfully car- ried (m by them. In 1870 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives from Ward (!, Con- cord, but declined a re-election in 1871. He was a member of a special committee appointed by the City Council of Concord, in 1871, to procure plans and specifications for an aqueduct to bring a supply of water from Long Pond, and, in January following, was appointed a member of the Board of Water Commissioners to construct the works sub- stantially upon the plan and under the ordinance submitted by said committee. He continued an ac- tive member of the board for six years and was its Iiresident for three years. In 1876 he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention to revise the Constitution of the State, and proved an eflicient and valuable member of that assembly. He has been connected with the banking interests ot the city for many years. He was trustee and president of the Concord Savings-Bank until comiiellcd to resign by ill health, and is a trustee of the Merrimack County Savings-Rank at this time. He has been a director in the Mechanics' Xational P.:ink from its organization, and is now its president. January 11, 1879, he was elected to fill the vacancy in the board of directors of the Concord Railroad caused by the death of Hon. Onslow Stearns, and has since been closely connected with it,s system of roads. In No- vember, 1884, he was chosen councilor for the Second District and accepted the office June 4, 1885. This is the brief, but honorable record of one whose life has been devoted to industries and enterprises which are the source of general prosperity. He has not coveted official stations, but, quietly mastering the principles and details of his business, has ad- vanced by the force of personal merit to stations of large public responsibility, and has always proved equal to the demands which have been made u)ion him. His mind naturally and easily grasps the reasons of things, and hence he is thoroughly practical in his work and affairs. He is a good example of that honorable and valuable cla-ss of our citizens whose natural abilities, cultivated and imjiroved by study and practical experience, make them successful in business for themselves and influential and useful members of society in the communities in which they live. In an age distinguished for mechanical skill and the application of force to the development of material resources, men of the quality of Mr. Kimball are indispensable and appreciated. Metaphysicians and theorists are relegated to seclusion, and practical thinkers and doers are advanced to leadership. The right of the subject of this sketch to a foremost place in this class has been clearly recognized and his place assigned at the front in the line of social progress. The people have learned that he is not one " To cozen fortune, And be honorable without the st.inip of merit." HON. GEORGE A. I'lLLSBlR Y.' The prosperity of the great West, a subject almost too vast for comprehension, certainly too extensive to be treated of in these pages, is one in which all sections of the country must, necessarily, be deeply concerned. Particularly is the proposition true as re- gards New England, for there are binding ties of relationship and identities of interest that render separation or indifference upon the part of the latter impossible. New England has claimed, justly, it is conceded, to have contributed very largely in men and money to build up the West to its present flourishing condition, but certainly no State h.is done more, pro- portionately, towards accomplishing this end than New Hampshire. National or sectional prosperity is as much due to the energy and enterprise of men as to capital, and to-day, there is not a State in the wide West that does not show the fruits of the )>luck and iny sn.w n. 118 HISTORY OF MHIirvIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. perseverance of New Hampshire men. A glorious inheritance was the energy, industry and self-reli- ance which seem to have been transmitted from the settlers of the Granite State to their descendants; for it is to these traits of character that the State owes tlie credit reflected upon her by the success of her sons. Well may the State regard with pride the roll of names that have achieved distinction abroad, for it is as bright as a constellation, and, iis a New Hampshire statesman and scholar recently said, " as long as the milky way." Not alone in literature, the professions and politics, but in industrial pursuits, and, in fact, all the walks in life, have they become distinguished. Hardly a village in the common- wealth but boasts of some representative abroad who has won honor and distinction. High in the list of honored names, in this and other States, is that of Pillsbury, and in the subjoined it is attempted to sketch, briefly, the life of a member of this family, who recently left New Hampshire to make hi.s home in Miiuiesota. Brief and unsatisfactory, in point of detail, as it is rendered by limited space, the writer feels assured that the facts will be read with interest by the many friends of the gentleman mentioned. The branch of the family to which this sketch directly relates has been traced back to William Pillsbury (sometimes spelled Pillsberry and Pills- borough), who was born in the county of Essex, in England, in 1615. He came to Dorchester, in the colony of Massachusetts Bay, in 1640, where he married Dorothy Crosby. In 1651 he settled on a farm in Newbury, Mass. (now a part of Newburyport). The same property has remained in possession of the Pillsbury family from 1651 to the present time. In England the coat-of-arms of the Pillsbury family is described in heraldic terms thus : "Per Jesse sable and azure on an eagle displayed argent : three griffins' heads erased of the second." Crest, an esquire's hel- met; motto: "Labor Omnia Vineit." William Pills- bury died at Newbury, June 19, 1686, leaving ten children, — seven soils and three daughters. Moses Pillsbury, second son of William and Dorothy (Crosby) Pillsbury, was born in Dorchester, Mass., and in 1668 married Mrs. Susanna Whipple, of Newbury. To them was born six children. Caleb, second .son of Moses and Susanna, was born in Newbury in 1681, and married Sarah (Moras), in 1703. Caleb, son of Caleb and Sarah (Morss) Pillsbury, was born in New- bury, January 26, 1717; he married Sarah Kimball, of Amesbury, Mass., July, 1742 ; to them were born seven children. Caleb Pillsbury, Jr., was, for several years, and at the time of his death, a member of the Massachusetts General Court. Micajah, fourth son of Caleb, Jr., and Sarah Kimball, was born in Ames- bury, Mass., May 22, 1761, and in 1781 married Sarah Sargent, of Amesbury. Sarah Sargent was born in 1763. To them were born eight children, — four sons and four daughters. MicHi;ili Pillsbury and family moved from Amesbury, Mass., tu Sul Ion, N . 1! ., I in February, 1795, where he remained until his death, in 1802, occupying various offices of town trust. His wife survived him several years. Stephen, the oldest son, Wiis a Baptist clergyman ; the other brolluis, in- cluding John, the father of thesubjcct of this sketch, were all magistrates of the town of Sutton, N. H. John Pillsbury, who died in Sutton in 1856, aged sixty-seven years, was a {prominent man in that town, having held the office of representative and select- man, and filled other positions, always acceptably. He held a captain's commission in the militia, ami was known as Captain Pillsbury. On the 2d of Apri 1, 1811, he married Susan, youngest daughter of Ben- jamin Wadleigh, of Sutton, who settled in that town in 1771. She was born March 23, 1793, and died in 1877, at the age of eighty-four years. She was a de- scendant of Captain Thomas Wadleigh, of Exeter, a son of Robert Wadleigh, of the same place, who was a member of the Provincial Legislature of Massachu- setts. The maternal grandmother of the Pillsburys was a daughter of Ebenezer Kezar, whose father hid the girl he afterwards married under a pile of boards at the time of Mrs. Duston's capture in Haverhill, Mass., in 1697. Ebenezar Kezar, the great-grandfather, lived in Eowley, Mass., in 1752, where he was a black- smith, .shoemaker, tavern-keeper, wig-maker and dealer in earthenware and other merchandise. The old wig-box and implements, which have been in disuse for more than a century, are now in the town. Ebenezer is said to have been a relative of " Cobler Keyser," referred to in one of Whittier's poems as possessing the " magic stone." He was of German origin, probably. InHarriman's "History of Warner," Mr. Kezar is spoken of as being moderator of a meeting held in that town, in 1778, for the choice of representatives from the classed towns of Fishers- field, Perrystown, New Britain and Warner. He called the first meeting of Sutton, after its incorpora- tion, in 1784, and presided over it. He went to Sut- ton in 1772, and worked as blacksmith, shoemaker, farmer and trapper. The first bridge in Sutton f)f which there is any record was built by him. His descendants, who are numerous there and elsewhere, own most of the pond in the town mentioned, which bears his name, and nearly a thousand acres of land in its vicinity, extending to and embracing the upper falls and mills above Mill village. Both John and Sarah Pillsbury were professors of religion, and lived exemplary lives. They had four sons and one daughter, — viz. : Simon Wadleigh Pills- bury, born at Sutton, June 22, 1812 ; George Alfred, born at Sutton, August 29, 1816 ; Dolly W., born at Sutton, September 6, 1818 ; John Sargent, born at Sutton, July 29, 1827; Benjamin Franklin, born at Sutton, March 29, 1831. All the brothers had a good common-school educa- tion. Simon W., the oldest, was a remarkable young man, both phy.siciilly and mentally. He was a supe- rior scholar, being considered one of tlie best matlie- niatitians in tlie State at the time of liis deatli, whicli occurred in January, 183(5, and wliicii was superin- (Uiced by dose application to study. When attacked by the sickness that caused his death, lie was pre- [lared to enter college two years in advance. He i;nve the first public lecture on temperance in an old Mhool-house in Sutton, it being considered, fifty yiiirs ago, sacrilegious to use the ineeting-house for such a purpose. His success was most marked, for nearly every sober man was ready to sign the pledge. At the age of sixteen, John Sargent Pillsbury went to Warner as a clerk for his brother, George Alfred, who was then engaged iu business in that place. He remained there till about the year 1848, when he en- tired into a business partnership with Hon. Walter llarriman in the same town. He was subsequently ill trade at East Andover and Concord. In the year 1 854 he visited the West, spending nearly a year in Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. He finally established his home at the Falls of St. An- thony, and at once went into the hardware trade, and by his energy and honorable dealing he succeeded in building-up the largest hardware trade in the State. He took an active interest in the prosperity of the then Territory of Minnesota and the city of his adoption. From 1863 to 1875 he served as Senator from his district, notwithstanding the fact that the politics of a majority of the district did not accord with his. In 1875 he was elected Governor of the State, was re-elected in 1877 and again in 1879. The elections in Minnesota occur biennially, and this is the only instance in which a person has been elected to the office of Governor for a third term. Dolly W. Pillsbury married Enoch P. Cummings, and their son, Charles P. Cummings, was recently sergeant-at-arms of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Benjamin F. Pillsbury remained in his native town till 1878, when he removed to Granite Falls, Minn., where he is conducting an extensive business in build- ing and dealing in real estate and lumber. During his residence in Sutton he filled many offices of trust and responsibility. He was select- man and town treasurer quite frequently, and in 1877- 78 he was a Representative to the General Court. He has always been an active business man, and is a highly- respected citizen in his adopted home. The subject of this sketch, George Alfred Pills- bury, a son of John and Susan (Wadleigh) Pillsbury, was born in Sutton, Merrimack County, N. H., on the 29th of August, 1816. He received a thorough common-school education in his native town, and be- ing of an active temperament, manifested a desire to enter business at an early age. Accordingly, at the age of eighteen years, he went to Boston and ob- tained employment as a clerk with Job Davis, who was doing business at that time as a grocer and fruit- dealer under the Bovlston Market. He remained 149 in Boston but little more than a year, when he re- turned to Sutton, and engaged in the manufacture of stoves and sheet-ironware in company with his cousin, John C. Pillsbury. He continued there lor a few years, doing an extensive business. On the 1st of February, 1840, Mr. Pillsbury went to Warner as a clerk in the store of John H. Pear- son, in which capacity he served till July of the same year, when he purchased the business ; and from that time, through nearly eight years, he was actively en- gaged, eitheronhisownaccountor in partnership with others. His partners during this time were Henry Woodman and H. D. Robertson. In the spring of 1848 he went into a wholesale dry-goods house in Boston, and in 1849, having leased the store of Ira Harvey, iu Warner, and bought his stock of goods, he returned to that town and engaged in business, where he remained till the spring of 1851, when he sold back his interest to Mr. Harvey, and went out of mercantile business entirely. In 1844 he was appointed jiostmaster at Warner, and held the office till 1849, there being at that time but one office in the town. In 1847 he served the town as selectman, in 1849 as selectman and town treasurer, and in the years 1850 and 1851 he was elected Representative to the General Court. During the session of 1851 Merrimack County de- cided to build a new jail at Concord, the old one at Hopkinton having become dilapidated and unfit for use. The convention appointed Mr. Pillsbury chair- man of a committee with full authority to purchase lands, perfect plans and erect the building. The site selected by the committee was that occupied by the jail in present use. This lot contained ten acres. The general superintendence is given to Mr. Pills- bury by the other members of the commitee, and he devoted his whole time to the work, which was not completed till the spring of 1852. At the time of its erection it was considered one of the best build- ings of the kind in the State, and the thoroughness of its construction is shown by the fact that now, after twenty-eight years of service, it will compare very favorably with other like institutions. In November, 1851, Mr. Pillsbury received from the Concord Railroad corporation an appointment as purchasing agent for the road, and entered upon the duties of the position in December of the same year, having, meantime, moved his family to Concord. He occupied this position continuously until July, 1875, a period of nearly twenty-four yeai-s. During his administration of the office, which wiis always most satisfactory, his purchases amounted to more than three millionsof dollars, and hesettled more cases of claims against the road for personal injury, result- ing from accident and fire, than all other officers combined. In all his long term of office his relations with the oflicers of the road were of the most agree- able character ; no fault was ever foutid or com- plaint made of his transactions by the management. 150 HISTORY OF MKRRIMACK COUNTY, NEW IIAMI'SIIIRE. During a residenccof nearly twenty-seven years in Concord Mr. Pillsbury was called upon to fill many important positions of honor and trust, and he did much toward building up and beautifying the city. He was one of the committee appointed by Union School District to build the High School buildingand several other school buildings that now stand monu- ments of credit to the enterprise of our people. He was interested in the erection of several of the hand- some business blocks upon Main Street, and several fine residences in the city were built by him. In 1864, Mr. Pillsbury, with others, organized and put iuto operation the First National Bank of Con- cord. He W!is elected a member of the first board of directors, and in 186() became its president, and continued in that oflice until his departure from the State. He was also instrumental, more than any other person, in securing the charter and getting into operation the National Savings-Bank, in 1867. He wa.s the first president of this institution and held the position till 1874, when he resigned. Dur- ing his connection with the First National Bank that institution became, in proportion to its capital stock, the strongest of any bank in the State, and its stand- ing is equally good to-day. Up to December, 1873, when the treasurer was ilisd.s.nMl t.i I ir a defaulter to a large amount, the \;itioMil Suvinii^-liank was one of the most prosperous iiistilutimis of its kind in the State; but the defalcation, coupled with a general crash in business, necessitated its closing up. During the first year of its existence it received on deposit nearly seven hundred thousand dollars, and at the time of the defalcation of its treasurer it had nearly one million six hundred thousand dollars on deposit; its total deposits during the first five years of its existence, up to the time mentioned, amounted to more than three millions of dollars. The bank eventually paid a large percentage of its indebtedness. While a resident of Concord, Mr. Pillsbury was identified with most of the benevolent and charitable institutions of the day, and he was always ready to assist, by his advice and contributions, all organiza- tions that had for their object the relief of the unfor- tunate and suffering. He was ever a liberal supporter of all moral and religious enterprises. To his generosity is the city of Concord indebted for the fine bell which hangs in the tower of the Board of Trade building, and for this donation he was the recipient of a vote of thanks from the City Council. The large, handsome organ in the First Baptist Church was a gift from Mr. Pillsbury and his son, Charles A., both gentlemen being at the time mem- bers of that church. He was actively engaged in instituting the Cen- tennial Home for the Aged, in Concord, made large contributions to aid in putting it into operation and was a n\ember of the board of its trustees. He also contributed largely to the Orphans' Home, in Frank- lin, and was one of its trustees from the time of its establishment till he left the State. Mr. Pillsbury was, for several years, a member of the City Council of Concord; was elected mayor in 1876, and re- elected the following year. During the years 1871- 72 he represented Ward Five in the Legislature, and in the latter year was made chairman of the speci:il committee on the apportionment of public faxe.s. In 1876 the Concord City Council appointed hijii chairman of a committee of three, to appraise all ol the real estate in the city for the purposes of taxation, and in the discharge of the duties thus devolving upon him he personally visited every residence with- in the limits of the city. The position is a very responsible one, requiring 'the exercise of sound judgment and great patience, and the report of the committee gave very general satisfivction. In the spring of 1878 he determined to leave Con- cord and take up his residence in Minneapolis, Minn., where, with his two sons and brother, he was extensively engaged in the manufacture of flour. Probably no person ever left the city who received .so many expressions of regret as Mr. Pillsbury. Complimentary resolutions were unanimously pa.ssed by both branches of the city government and by the First National Bank, the latter testifying strongly to his integrity, honesty and superior business qualities. Resolutions passed by the First Baptist Church and Society were ordered to be entered upon the record.i of each organization. The W^ebster Club, composed of fifty prominent business men of Concord, passed a series of resolutions regretting his departure from the State. A similar testimonial was also presented to Mr. Pillsbury, which was subscribed to by more than three hundred of the leading professional and business men of the city, among whom were all the ex- mayors then living, all the clergymen, all the members of both branches of the city government, all of the bank presidents and officers, twenty-six lawyers, twenty physicians and nearly all the business men in the city. On the eve of their departure Mr. and Mrs. Pillsbury were presented with an elegant bronze statuette of Mozart. Such tributes, however worthily bestowed, could but afford great gratification to the recipient, showing as they did the great esteem in which he was held by his fellow-citizens. Mr. Pillsbury is now very pleasantly located in the beautiful city of Minneapolis, having built one of the most elegant residences in the city, and during the short time that he has been there he has fre- quently been called upcjri to fill places of honor and trust. Mr. Pillsbury is a nicnihcr of the firm of Charles A. Pillsbury & Co., of Minneapolis, Minn., the largest flour manufacturing firm in the world. This firm have in operation three mills, with a capacity of nine thousand barrels of fiour per day. One of these mills has a daily cai>acity of six tbcjusand f S^./h/T^' CONCORD. 151 barrels, and manufactures more flour each clay than any other two mills on the globe. The three mills grind each day forty-four thousand bushels of wheat, which is equal to the production of about three thousand acres of land. The annual consumption (if these mills is eleven million bushels of wheat, which is equal to the production of one million acres of land. It requires about two hundred cars each day to take wheat into, and flour and oflal out of these mills. The firm has a world-wide reputation as honorable and fair-dealing men, and their brands of flour are well known in all the markets of the world. The following extract, taken Ironi the January, ISSo, number of The Northicest, a popular monthly magazine published at St. Paul, Minn., will perhaps best show the estimation in which the subject of this article and the Pillsbury family are held in Min- neapolis and in the State of Minnesota : "The Mayor of the City. — Slore than a year ago, the writer said in the columos of The Northwest, that if any man in Minneapolis wasasliecl to whom the city chieliy owed its prosparity, there wonld be no hepita- tion in his answer— 'the I'lllsburys.' Since then the people of Minne- apolis have had no cauae to change their opinions, while last spring they gave a somewhat emphatic utterance to them by electing one of the members of this remarkable family— the Hon. George Alfred Pillsbury— to the mayoralty of the city by an overwhelming vote. A liking for hard work and a belief in its virtues seem to have been early rooted in the Pillsbury family, for, in England, more than two centuries and a hall !Lgo, they bore for their motto the words * Labor Omnia VincU,' But in all the generatiniis lit rillsl.iir.vs fiinf tlu-u wli,. have lived and worked from Kn-h-h I -. x i- \l i-i, Ih,-, u^ N,,^ 1 1 unpstiire and Min- nesota, it uia.\ I- ■ I ' i' • > .1 r ,- li.-tter deserved to bear the iiinii. ; ' : M i, |. n- It was Lord Brougham « lii. \\ ,i ^l\ i ■ .! i^ i i n. ni i iIhk I -.If, if possible, to the work of live ordinary men;' lint his tuil-lovinj^ lordship himself might have been envious of the amount of downright hard work which Mr. Pillsbury has got through in his life. Setting his early life aside for the present, the mayor has only been in Minneapolis six years as yet. Puring that time he has been president of the Minneapolis Board of Trade, of the City Council, of the Homoeopathic Hospital and the Minne- ai>olis Free Dispensary ; and is still president of the Chamber of Com- merce, of the Pillsbury & Hulhert Elevator Company, of the Board of Water- Works, of the St. Paul and Minneapolis Baptist Union and the Min- nesota Baptist State Convention ; vice-president of the Minnesota Loan and Trust Company ; member of the Board of Park Commissioners ; di- rector of the Northwestern National Bank, the Manufacturers' National Bank, the Minneapolis ElevatorConipany and a trustee of institutions innumerable. AW Ilii.-J besides mayor of the city ! 'Here's a small triRe of work ! Eleven trusteeships and nine presidencies is a simple coming- in fur one man.' Ami in spite of the diversity of his duties, there bae not been one jiost among all those wliicli hf has filled wherein he has brought into connection witli him. The niuie ditticult kinds of work he has to do, the more he appears to be able to give his umlivided attention "Mr. Pillsbury has shown a cupat-ify, almost a genius, for hard and honest work almost incnmii . h^ ii-!l I. t ~l men. This alone would compel the respect of tii- i ! v m tar, by his generosity, his warm-heartedness aud i m[\, he has also won theii affection. No stranger can i li I hi- inlli -id without atlmiring the man who could live such a life ; Imt it is a sIi.m- ' i ii Mii. i !ii--iiar- acter that no acquaintance can see the details Mt i. i fhunt his admiration growing to something warnn r ^^ i > ; i.\rt only sixty-eight years of age, and it is safe to pi- li i (Kh m .i)".lis will yet be grateful to him for much good work t! fui Ini ami many benefits received at his hands." Mr. Pillsbury married Margaret S. Carleton, May 9, 1841. To them were born three children,— Charles , .Vpril ; .2. Mil A., born October 3, 1842 ; Mary Adda, Ix 1848; Frederick C, born August 27, Adda died May 11, 1849. Both sons are now associated with him in busi- ness, and are excellent business men. Charles, the elder son, graduated at Dartmouth College in the class of 1863, and basliecii it member of the Min- nesota State Senate. George A. Pillsburj is a gentleman of great per- sonal maguetism, genial and all'able in manner and possessed of entertaining and attractive conversa- tional powers. Warm-hearted and generous, he was ever ready to respond to calls of distre,ss, not only with good counsel, but with more substantial aids, as many an unpublished charity in Concord will attest. All who approached him were sure of a kindly greet- ing, and any petition for favors received a patient consideration and a courteous reply. With tiie young he was very companionable, and with his conserva- tive and liberal views of life, he was able to impart much valuable advice and information. His mind was well disciplined and evenly balanced, and his habits very systematic. He was possessed of sound, practical judgment and great executive ability, (^uick to grasp a point he seldom erred in action, and by a faculty of reading character, he seemed always ready to meet any emergency that might arise. In early life he received a thorough business training, and in his dealings with men he was straightforward and lib- eral. In his enterprises he looked beyond the present, and results seldom disappointed him. In public life his administration of affairs was most satisfac- tory aud able, and won for him the esteem of all with whom he came in contact. ELIPHALET SIMKS Nl'TTER. Eliphalet Simes Nutter was born in Bariisteail, N. H., November 26, 1819, being the second son of Eliphalet and Lovey (Locke) Nutter. His grand- father, John Nutter, settled in Barnstead in 1767, and served in the Eevolution as major of Colonel George Beid's regiment. Major John Nutter's son Eliphalet — father of the subject of this sketch — was a farmer, living in the southeast part of the town, and owning a large amount of real estate. Like his father, he was an influential citizen, prominent in town aftiiirs, and held various oflices conferred by the confidence of his townsmen. He was, in his time, the principal trial justice at Barnstead, and, with clear head, pious heart and upright intention, adjusted the controversies of his neighborhood. In 1807 he married Lovey, daughter of James Locke, one of tlie first settlers of Barnstead. The worthy pair left, at decease, a large family. Their son, Elijjhalet S., spent his boyhood on his father's farm, where he was trained to those habits of industry and thrift which were to characterize so eminently his maturer years. He enjoyed the advan- 15:i HISTORY OF MKRKIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. tages of the common school, and improved them so well that he became an efficient and acceptable teacher. He inherited military tastes, and, at the age ol eighteen— in the year 1837— he received from Gov- ernor Isaac Hill his commission as lieutenant of a company, under the militia system of the period, and, in 1830, from Governor John Page, that of captain. In 1844, he commenced that active business career, in which he still continues, by opening a country store at Barnstead Parade, where he carried on a prosperous trade for eleven years. During eight oi' these years he was postmaster. In 1855 he moved to Concord, which has ever since been his place of rasidence. In course of the time since his removal to the capital of the State he has been five years in business in New Y'ork City; has owned, for seven years, a leading grocery-store in Lawrence, Mass.; has been engaged five years in the drug business in Concord, and also has had a store in Boston. He was formerly president of the New Hampshire Central Railroad. He is now (1885) engaged in several im- portant business enterprises: being one of the direc- tors of the Francouia Iron Company, with capital stock of $200,000 ; a large owner in the Atlantic and Pacific Railway Tunnel Company, Denver, Colorado, capital stock, $7,000,000; president of the New Hamp- shire Democratic Press Company, capital stock, $25,000 ; president of The National Railway and Street- Rolling-Stock Company, capital stock, $500,000. Thrift has not failed to follow wisdom, energy and perseverance in the prosecution of his varied busi- ness ventures. He now enjoys the fruitful accumula- tions of well-directed industry in a home blessed with the presence of a worthy wife, to whom, as Sylvania M. Blanchard, of Lowell, he was united in marriage in 1845. Years ago their happy home was darkened by a great sorrow, when their only child, a lovely daughter, Ada, was, at the age of seventeen, snatched away Ijy death. Mr. Nutter has found (.jiiMirtiiiiity, amid other engrossing cares, to manifest piihlic spirit in devoting time and effort to assisting in the commemoration ol events pertaining both to the history of the State in general and to that of his beloved native town in particular. His patriotism begins where it should— at home. To the erection of the monument in mem- ory of Hannah Duston and her heroic deed of rescue from cruel captivity, on the little island at the mouth of the Contoocook, his generous and untiring exer- tions were a prominent and essc?ilial contribution. Upon his call was held the meeting of the sons and daughters of Barnstead living in Concord which resulted in the reunion held at Phtenix Hotel, Febru- ary 28, 1878, at which he presided. That reunion paved the way for the Barnstead Reunion, held August 30, 1882, to which he generously contributed, and the published proceedings of which are a valuable con- tribution to the history of the State. In the foregoing statements are summarized the leading events, doings and characteristics of a busy and useful life, — a life whose fruitage of success is the honorable reward of sagacious, earnest, persevering activitv. Calvin Howe was born in Enfield, N. H., March 20, 1806. His boyhood was passed in his native town, from whence, early in life, he went to Kingston, as clerk in a store. He quickly developed a taste for mercantile pursuits, and from this time until his death was identified with the mercantile interests of the community wherein he resided. From Kings- toir he went to North Barnstead, in the store of Samuel Webster, and later went into trade on his own account at Lower Gilmanton, where he rriiKiiiud several years. He was also agent of the (iilniniilun Mills, in what is now Belmont. He removed to ( 'un- cord in 1855. Upon his removal to this city he entered the employ of Warde & Humphrey, as book-kee|)er, which ])osition he occupied until 1862. In that year he engaged in the fiour and grain business as a member of the firm of John V. Barron, Dodge & Co., and later of Howe, Moseley & Co., and of John H. Barron, Moseley & Co., retiring from business in July, 1881, with a handsome competency, acquired through long years of faithful devotion to business and upright dealing. He was an excellent financier and business man, of sound judgment, prudent, cau- tious and reliable, and his advice was niucli sought after by his fellow-citizens. Mr. Howe was identified with the banking interests of the city for a long series of years. He w-as a direc- tor in the old Union Bank, also in the National State Capital Bank, and was vice-president of the Loan and Trust Savings-Bank, being one of the finance committee. Although a life-long Democrat, Mr. Howe never sought political honors ; he was pre-emi- nently a domestic man, enjoying home and fi-iends. He was a member of the South Congregational Church, and was one of its most active and generous supporters. July 26, 1836, he united in marriage with Miss Eliza H. Judkins, of Gilmanton, and their family consisted of one son. Mrs. Howe died while they were living in Gilmanton, and the son after Mr. Howe removed to this city. May 2!', 1850, be mar- ried Mrs. Clara N. Evans, dau-htcr of William Fisk, of Concord, who survives him. Mr. Howe Wiis an earnest supporter of the move- ment which resulted in the founding of the Home for the Aged, and was one of the first, if not the first, to oft'er substautial aid for its establishment. He gave five hundred dollars towards the purchase of the house, and by will bequeathed an additional sum ol five hundred dollars to its permanent fund. He was a trustee of the Home from its inception to the day of his death, tiuiet and unostentatious in the be- ./^ W^': S^'r^A ^J^2i^.^€r^ CONCORD. 153 ^towal of his charities, and an upright business man, ( alvin Howe died as he had lived, a consistent Chris- tian :iiid (iiu- (irCiiiK-ord's most honored and esteemed nli/rii.s. llc.liid August 13, 1882. The subject of this sketch— a son of lienjuiiiiii and Lucy (I-.aker) Knight— was hnni in Haiieoek, lliUs- horoii-h (.'ouuty, N. H., March Hi, ISV,. (See town hist.iry of Hancock.) His father was a farmer, and Elijah worked ul home until eighteen years of age, where the incidents of his boyhood were such as were common to the sons of farmers of that lime, — assisting in the farm-work in summer ami atlnnliiit; llic district school in winter. His educational advaiila.nes, in addition to the district school, were one term in the academy at Stoddard and one in Hancock. At the close of his school-life, being of a mechanical turn of mind, he spent two winters at the trade of clock-making, returning in the summer to assist in farm-work. He then taught school two winters, — one in Alstead, N. H., the other in Hancock, his native town, his object mainly being to improve his own mind. Attaining his majority, he went as a journeyman clock-maker to Goflstown, Nashua, Charlestown and Boston, Mass., in each of which places he worked at his trade for some time, during which he became etiicient as a clock-maker and also learned to repair watches. In July, 1837, having, by prudence aud economy, saved some money, he was prepared to realize, in a small way, the hopes of earlier years, by going into business on his own account as a jeweler, at Amoskeag, a small village on the opposite side of the river to the present site of the city of Blanchesler. In 1839 he moved across the river to Manchester, at a time when there were only three buildings on Elm Street. Here he re- mained two years, doing a successful business, and in the fall of 1841, having a touch of the "Western fever," he sold out aud took a trip West, but, liking the Ea.st better, soon returned to his native State and settled in New Market, went iuto business, where he renuiined twelve years, the only jeweler there, and did a prosperous business. He has always continued in this business, hits worked diligently and faithfully at it, and, being a good workman, hsis earned a good living. August 28, 1842, Mr. Knight married Mary Jane, daughter of James and Jerusha (Palmer) Griffln, of Manchester, N. H. From this union there were two children. Mr. Knight was commissioned, by Governor Martin, a justice of the peace, and also was solicited to act as trial justice, but declined to act in the petty disputes between his townsmen. He was recommissioned and hold the office for ten or more years. He had the honor of being chosen a member of the convention which assembled in Con- cord, December, 1850, to revise the constitution of the State. He also held a commission of major in M, the New Hampshire State militia. Tin Knight, while in New Market, was a diligent and peaceful one, and he enjoyed the coiifiilence and respect of the community. Of robust and nigged constitution and of temperate habits, Mr. Kiiight has always had good health, and is particularly blessed with a happy disposition. Desiring to be nearer the old friends and acquaintances of himself and wife, he sold out his business in New Market in 1854 and moved to Concord, N. H., where he purchased a business which he h;is carried on successfully for thirty-one years in one location, and thoroughly en- joyed life while amassing a very comfortable property and maintaining a happy home. Mr. Knight has always been just, open and frank in his dealings with all, nuiintaining an uutaruislied re|)utation. He has always been a stanch Democrat, and has ever taken an active interest in political afl'airs, always an.\ious that right principles should triumph. He has been the candidate of his party for various ottices since coming to Concord ; but the party being in the minority he was never elected. He has been a close observer of men aud events, both in public and private life, keeping well informed of current events. He has formed his own opinions and is always ready to maintain them by argument. He was brought up under the teachings of the Presbyterian faith and has always attended worship with that church. In 1844 he became a member of the fraternity of Odd-Fellows, and was prominent in the order, liolding all the various offices in the subordinate lodge and eneamp- luent. He is also a member of the Masonic fralmiity, having taken the degrees to that of Royal Arch Ma^on. He is a good citizen, social and genial, possessing sound qualities of mind and heart, and is truly one of nature's noblemen, and this modest sketch pays but a faint tribute to the real worth of the man as a kind neighbor, a valued citizen of sound judgment, having the best interests of the community at heart and blessed with an extended circle of appreciative friends. DANIEL llOLDEN.' Daniel Holden, the subject of this brief sketch, was the sou of Asa and Nancy (Wyman) Holden, and was born in IJillerica, M:iss., April 20, 180!>. Being one of a family of nine children, he went away from home at the tender age of nine, as was the custom in those days, to work for Dr. Sylvanus Plymiitou, of Woburn, Mass. Up to that time he had been to the district school regularly for several years, liut, after leaving home, was only allowed to attend during the winter terms, until he was thirteen, which finished the meagre education then furnished to boys who had to earn their own living. Harsh treatment and scanty fare were the fate of such youth, aud there was no exception in this case; indeed, so utterly * Written by a friend. HISTOlty OF MKKKIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. did the boy despise the position which he held in the venerable doctor's family, that, when thir- teen years old, he ran away to his home, and no amount of persuasion could induce him to re- turn and finish out the period which had been agreed ujjon for him to stay. After this he was em- ployed for several years by various farmers in his native place. Having a great desire to own a farm, he came to the conclusion that the easiest manner in which to obtain the money nece.'^ary therefor would he by working in a mill; so, with the intention of returning to agricultural i)ursuits very speedily, he again left his home, being at th is time twenty years old, and began work in the flannel mill of H. (t. Howe, in Belvidere, Tewksbury (now a part of Lowell, Mass.), May 19, 1829. He engageursuit. The deer was tracked to what is now known as " Horse Hill Bridge," and from there into the great "swamp woods," as that region through which now runs the Bog road was then called. Mr. Abbott, catching a glimpse of the deer through the tangled bushes, blazed away with his flint-lock, and the deer fell dead. It was dragged home, dressed and three quarters were divided among the crowd and cooked at the farm of Moses Carter. The other quarter was exchanged for West India rum. At this feast people gathered from iar and near, and at the Carter homestead there were heard the "sounds of revelry by night." Mr. Abbott's first wife died in 1867, and he has since been twice married. His second wife wa.s Mrs. Betsy Jones Davis, of Warner, N. H., who died in 1876, and his present wife was Mrs. Vasta Morrison Dolby, of Pembroke, N. H., widow of the late Albert T. Dolby. Mr. Abbott lias no children, and willi bis death this l.raucli of the Abbott family will bec,)nie extinct. fiEORfiE A. CTIMMINGS.' Much has been said and written of the success of men who were born in affluence, wlio, by their care- 1 By Charles E. Cummings. fill management and good judgment, have retained the fortunes left them by their kindred. Such men are entitled to much praise ; but if they should re- ceive the approval of their fellow-men, how much more should those who started life with nothing for a capital but a brave heart, an honest purpose and a strong determination to overcome all obstacles in their pathway to success in life ! The subject of this sketch is among the latter class. George A. Cummings is the fourtii son of Alvali and Polly (Grout) Cummings, born in Acw(>rth,N. 11., June 13, 1833. His grandfather. Rev. David Cum- mings, a descendant from Scotch ancestry, was born in Swanzey, N. H., February 20, 1775; moved to Acworth in 1814 ; was a Baptist preacher, well versed in Scriptural knowledge, and an earnest advocate of his chosen calling. His maternal grandfather, Colo- nel Ebeuezer Grout, was born in Watertown, Mass., and moved to Acworth in 1782. The family were noted for their military fame. He was colonel of his regiment in the State militia, his brother William was an officer in the War of the Revolution, and his son Benjamin was an officer in the War of 1812. Colonel Grout also held many offices of trust and responsibility in his town, having been elected several times to the Legislature. He wa.s one of tlu^ iiioiuer settlers of Acworth, making his way tbiduuh the wilderness by the aid of marked trees. He was a man of great ability and much respected by his fellow-townsmen, and they named that part of the town where he settled "Grout Hill." Alvah Gumniings, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Sullivan, N. IL, January 22, 1799. He moved with his father to Acworth in 1814, where, in 1825, he married Polly Grout, daughter of Colonel Ebenezer Grout, and settled in that part of Acworth called Grout Hill, and engaged in farming, and they lived together thirty-six years. His wife died in 1866, having reared a family of eight children, five boys and three girls,— Dr. A. R. Cummings, Clare- mont; Dr. E. G. Cummings, Concord; Oscar Cnm- mings (deceased) ; George A. ; Mrs. Mary J. Young, Concord ; Mi-s. Sally Ann Young, Acworth ; Mrs. Laura Smith, Acworth ; and Milon D. Cuminiiigs, Concord, each of whom have been successful in lile and blessed with comfortable homes. Alvah Cummings was a man of strong and vigor- ous constitution, and, with his prudent and faithful wife, succeeded in .securing and maintaining a com- fortable home for themselves and their large family, and he continued to manage his entire farming bu.si- iiess until about two years ago, being now eighty- seven years old, hale and hearty. George A. Cummings' youth was s|ient at the old liomestead, and the active duties of farm-life did much to strengthen and mature liini for the struggles of future years. He remained at home until twenty years of age, enjoying the advantages of the district school, and subsequently attended the academy at 15C HISTORY OF MKUIU.MAOK COUNTY, NKW HAMPSHIRE. South Acworth. While at home he received from his faithful mother early instructions in Cliristianity, and he is largely indebted to her careful training for thus early forming a Christian character. His father, by precept and example, impressed upon his mind the importance of a life of industry and integrity. In 185.3, at the age of twenty, he left his native town and went to Franklin, N. H., where he and his brother Oscar formed the co-partnership of O. & G. A. Cummiugs, marble dealers. Then it was that the struggle of life began ; having no capital, and his brother but little, it w;is with great effort that they established themselves in business, being strangers in the place. But by i)erscverance and strict applica- tion to their duties, they succeeded in gradually building up a large business, which exceeded their expectations, and it became necessary to estaldish a branch at Lebanon, and after conducting the business in these sections of the State and a part of Vermont for several years, it was thought best to establish a central business at Concord, which was done in March, 18G1, and they took up their residence there. This was about two weeks prior to the opening of the Civil War, and the financial crisis which came, placing tlie business of the country in a very trying and crit- ical condition, did not seriously affect them, and they were successful in carrying their business through. In November, 18(i4, his brother Oscar died. He be- ing a man of sterling business qualifications, his death was a great loss to the business interests of the firm, thus leaving George to assume the rejsponsibili- ties and conduct the business of the firm. This he succeeded in doing, and the bu.siness increa.sed so that in 1868 he took his brother Milon as partner, and the firm was established as Cummings Brothers, and con- tinues the same at the i)resent time. During this period llie firm have conducted a large and flourish- inj; liusiness throughout Central New Hamp.shire and K.i^lcrii Vermont, and in this time having opened an- other l.rancli in Pittsfield. In ISTii he and his brother. Dr. E. G. Cummings, purcliased the Williams estate, on the corner of Main and Freight Streets, and erected a fine brick block, the two lower stories of which, being fitted for the marble and granite business, and being very large and conven- ient, are tlie best arranged and furnished memorial marble-works in the State. In 188.5 they erected on the adjoining lot one of the finest business blocks in Concord. Cummings Brothers' monumental business has increased and extended throughout New Hamp- shire and to many towns in the adjoining States. The subject of this sketch has been in the marble business for over thirty-two years, and is one of the oldest in it, there being no firm in existence to-day that was doing business when he began. Mr. Cummings is a Baptist and a liberal .supporter of his church, but he is very charitable to those of other denominations; is a firm believer that a cor- rect life is what makes the Christian more than a be- lief in any particular creed. He became a member of White Mountain Lodge, I. O. O. F., March 2, 1866; was elected Noble (Jrand of his loilge in 1870; is a member of Pennacook Encamjjraent, and served as Chief Patriarch. He is a member of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, and served as G. W. and D. G. M., and was elected Cirand Miister in 1875-76, and representative to the S.ssisting her husband in his life-work. Two children have been born to them, a son and daughter. Frank G., the eldest, is a part- ner in the firm of C. H. Weeks & Co., marble and granite dealers, Haverhill, Mass., — a young man of integrity and rare business ability, having inherited a share of his father's good judgment and business qualifications. Ida E., who died in 1876, at the age of nineteen years, attended the High School at Con- cord, and entered the Female Academy at Bradford, Mass., in 1874, and would have graduated in about a year, had her health permitted. She wiis a young lady of culture and refinement, and of great promi.se, much beloved, uol only by her own family, but by all c^^l *# "^^£y ^M-^^.u^o^/'A^^ CONCORD who knew her, and her early ilealh was iiicmnuil liy a large circle of friends. Cteorge A. Cumniings is a soll-mailc man. Ho ln- Liaii life with nothing and gradually worked his way to a position of respect and influence, and he is trusted and honored by his fellow-citizens. He is a mail of noble qnalities of mind and heart; no worthy |it>i-son soliciting aid was ever refused assistance. He i-i ever encouraging and helping others in the strug- uli' of life. Given to hospitality, guests are always wiU-ome. Now in the prime of manhood, it is hoped lliat his life may be spare.l for other fields of useful- u.-ss and h.mor tliat he mav vet be called to Hll. JOSKl'H WENTWORTII. Joseph Wentworth was born in Sandwich, Carroll County, N. H., January 30, 1818, taking his first Itsson in life among the hardy sons of that moun- laiuous region. He was educated at the academy at New Hampton in 1835, at Hopkinton in 1836 and South Berwick in 1837. He was a successful mer- i hunt thirty years in his native town, not only con- ■ liii liiii: :i general country store, but dealing largely in rati li' and horses. He was town clerk, selectman and ii-pie^roniinently identi- fied with Merrimack County, and particularly with the town of Boscawen. Captain Stephen Gerrish was one of the original proprietors of Boscawen and one of the leading spirits in the new settlement. His eldest son. Colonel Henry Gerrish, was a distin- guished citizen and held many jiositions of trust and responsibility. He Wiis chosen the first grand juror to His Majesty's Superior Court, 1773; delegate to the convention for the choice of members to the First Continental Congress in 1774; the same in 1775; represented tlie towns of Boscawen and Salisbury in the General Court in 1779, and Boscawen in 1790. He was captiiin in the militia at the breaking out of the Revolution, and marched with the Minute-Men to Medford upon the receipt of the news of the battle of Lexington. He w.is lieutenant-colonel of Stick- ney's regiment at the time of the Bennington cam- paign, but, having been detailed to other duty, was not in the battle. He wjus present at the surrender of Burgoyne, being on the left Hank of Burgoyne at Battenkill, where he acted as clerk at the sale of some of the plunder taken from the British. The me.ss-book used on that occasion is still in existence. He often acted as the town's agent during the Revo- lution, performing the duties assigned him with the same care and energy that characterized the manage- ment of his private affairs. Major Enoch Gerrish, third son of Captain Stephen, was born in Boscawen, June 23, 1750. When eighteen years of age he built his log cabin on the east side of the road now called High Street, where he cleared five acres of land, being part of the homestead where he and his posterity have since resided. He had a love for military parade, as his title indicates. Dur- ing his life he was chosen to fill the offices of moder- ator, selectman and representative to the General Court nine years. A man strictly religious, he joined Dr. Wood's cluirih in 1781, and w;»s elected deacon in 1783, an ollicc wlihli he luhl until his death, May 1,1821. His son, Isaac Gerrish, father of Colonel Enoch, was born in Boscawen, November 27, 1782. He was an honored citizen and a leading member of the church in that town. Colenel Enoch Gerrish, the subject of this sketch, only son of Isaac and Caroline (Lawrence) Gerrish, was born at the old homestead, on High Street, July 28, 1882. He obtained his education at the acade- mies in Boscawen, Franklin and Meriden. On the death of his lather he inherited a large portion of his estate, and with it, at the age of twenty, came the care and management of an extensive farm. .Vn addition of more than one hundred acres made it one of the 15S IIISTOKV OF iMKllUIMACK COUNTY, NEW llAMrSHIRE. largest in MerrimiiL-k- County. For twenty years ho flevoted his lime to the cultivation and improvement of his soil, successfully developing its resources by raising live-stock, liay and wool, when its heavy growth of wood and timber attracted tlie attention of the lumber manufacturer, to whom it was sold in 180"). Possessing a love for military parade and drill, ho was promoted from the lowe-st rank to that of colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment New Hampshire IMilitia. He was often elected to fill the various offices in town, the dutie-< of which were well iierformcd. A friend to the church whore liis ancestors worshiped, and to religious institutions generally, he manifested an interest in all mea.suros that cMutrilinted t), born 1790, died Sep- tember 16, 1817. He married Annie Saunders, of Mason, N. H., March 8, 1814, had two children. Henry Hubbard (7), son of Hubbard (6), born Sep- tember 14, 1816, married Mary Muzzey, of New Ips- wich, N. H., August 6, 1840. He died at Fisherville (now Penacook), N. H., December 6, 1869. Children of Henry H.and Mary Amsden, — Georgo Henry, born July 7, 1841, died January 16, 1872; Charles Hubbard, born May 20, 1846, died October 29, 1847; Charles Hubbard, born July 8, 1848 ; Kd- ward, born December 10, 1853, died June 9, 1858. Charles Hubbard (8), son of Henry (7), Hubbaid (6), .Tonas (5), Jesse (4), John (3), Isaac (2), Isaac ( I ) and Mary (Muzzey) Amsden, the subject of tliis sketch, was born in Boscawen, N. H., July 8, 1848. In early life he attended the public schools, and in August, 1863, went to New Ipswich, N. H., where lie attended the Appleton Academy, remaining there until the spring of 1865. On returning home he entered the employ of Cald- well it Amsden, furniture manufacturers, and con- tinued with them until December, 1868, when the firm of 11. H. Amsden & Sons succeeded to Caldwell & Amsden, the same being composed of Henry H. and his two .sons, — George H. and Charles H.,^aiid Charles H. Allen, of Boston. December 6, 1869, the senior member of the firm died, and the remaining partners continued the busi- ness until the death of George H., which occurred January 16, 1872. After that the two remaining part- ners conducted the business until January 1, 1880, when Charles H. bought the interest of Mr. Allen, and since that time has conducted the same alone under the same firm-name. Mr. Amsden is also associated with John Whitaker, Esq., in the lumber business, they having one of the best mills in tlie southern jiart of the State, the product of which is u.sed by Mr. Aiiisdoii in the manufacture of lur- niture. Being of ibo opinion that New Hampshire is a good State for manufacturing, it has been his policy to encourage and aid it all he could, and to this end has engaged with associates in other branches oi' business, being at the present time the president of the Concord Axle Company, also a director iu the Con- toocook Manufacturing and Mechanic Company, of Penacook, the B. W. Hoyt Company, of Eppinn, N. H., and the Mechanics' National Bank, of Con- cord, N. H., and also State director of the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad. Nothing of a public nature but that has his encouragement and assist- ance so far as possible, and he is a liberal contrib- utor to benevolent objects. In religious views he is a Baptist, having become a member of that church and society at an early age. and is to-day one of the most liberal supporters of tlic cluinli with wliicli bo is connected. October 29, 1870, he married Helen A., daughter of David A. and Martha A. (Daggett) Brown, of Pena- cook. Of this union there were born to them, July 15, 1872, a son, Henry Hubbard, who is now living; also, January 31, 1878, a daughter, Mary Ardelle, who died October 20, 1883. C^e^'CT-a^ t^^^^-^-^^-s//^^ ^ ,^ ^^ CONCORD. 159 Being of a retiring disposition, and having his time so much taken up l)y business cares, lie has never sought public honors to any great extent. He represented his ward in the Board of Aldermen of tlie city of Concord in the year 1874, and was unani- mously returned in ISJo; was also a member of the State Senate in 18s;!. Mr. Anisden is now in tlie prime of life, ami owing to force of circumstances, his business career has alnady been m.>ic extended than the average of men at his aire. filling various po.sitions of trust and responsibility with commendable acceptability, it has been his peculiar aim to merit and receive the es- teem and confidence of his associates and constitu- ents. .VBK.iH.^M BE.iN. Abraham Bean was born March 14, 1789, in Lou- don, X. H. His father, .John, was a farmer in Gilmanton, who, shortly before the birth of the sub- ject of this sketch, moved to Loudon, and there continued as a farmer. Abraham had very limited opportunities for obtaining an education, as his father lived two miles from the school, and his atten- dance being only during the winter terms; he often had to break his own path through the deep snows ibr the entire distance. He was a hardy boy and grew rapidly, so that at twelve years of age we find him leaving his home and engaging with Esquire Jon- athan Eastman, of Concord (then a small farming town), as a farm hand. Here he remained tor several years and became known as a trusty and competent workman, and commanded the highest wages paid at the time. December 17, 1810, he married Sally, daughter of Ezekiel and Mary A. (Sanborn) Clough, of Lou- don. From this union there were two children, — Mary Ann, born July 1(5, 1812 (who married Herman Sanborn, of Boscawen, and had four children), and Sarah Jane, born October 12, 1818, who married John L. Tallant, of Canterbury, January 21, 1835 ; they had thirteen children, seven of whom are now living. Mr. Bean, early in life, became interested in civil affairs, and was called to positions of trust and honor by the citizens of the town. He was for over twenty years the collector of taxes for Concord. He repre- sented the town of Concord in the General Court two years. He also held the positions of deputy sheriff and constable for over twenty years, and be- came greatly interested in the growth and prosperity of Concord. In these various positions Mr. Bean showed himself to be a man of good sense, was ener- getic and ftill of enterprise, and in the collection of the revenues of the young city wa.s peculiarly suc- cessful. In politics Mr. Bean was a Democrat, and acted with that party with but one exception during his life, the exception being his favoring the election of his friend, John Quincy Adams. Mr. Bean was a member of the Congregational Church at East Concord, and it was largely through his influence that the first church there was built. He was one of the original grantees of a charter for the State Capital Bank, and one of its board of direc- tors for many years. He was an earnest advocate of the temperance cause, a mac of great deci.sion of character, and a valued citizen who was ever ready to lend a helping hand in any good cause. He led an active life, and died April 7, IStil, beloved and rc- spectc(l. HON. JACOB H. (iALLINGER.' Dickens remarks, in one of his novels, that it is not likely to be forgotten that Alexander wept because there were no more worlds to conquer, "the circum- stance having been somewhat frequently mentioned." For the same reason, there is little danger that the reading public will forget that "New Hampshire is a good State to emigrate from." Let us for once amend this tiresome and unpatriotic old proverb, and rejoice that at least one highly successful man has found New Hampshire a good State to immigrate into. And may not the honors which the old State has bestowed upon the child of her adoption suggest, if not a rebuke, at least a wholesome lesson, to her own recreant sons who have wandered from her side? Jacob H. (lallinger, the subject of this sketch, was born in Cornwall, province of Ontario, March 28, 1837. He was the son of a farmer and the fourth in a family of twelve children. His parents were of German descent and were possessed of but moderate means. Like so many others who have achieved high success in afler-life, he was forced, at an early age, to rely upon his own resources. At the age of twelve lie entered that incomparable political train- ing-school, a newspa|)er-otfice, served an apprentice- ship of four years and made himself master of the "art preservative." Afler working at his trade for (me year, in Ogdensburgh, N. Y., he returned to Cornwall, and, for a year, edited and published the paper on which he had served his ap2)renticeship. During this time he was under the charge of a private instructor, and endeavored, in such spare moments as a country editor may snatch from his numberless duties, to supply the deficiency caused by the unfortunate lack of educational advantages in his early boyhood. In 1855 he began the study of medicine in Cincin- nati, Ohio. During the vacations he eked out his scanty means by working in the office of the Cincin- nati Gazette as reporter, proof-reader or compositor. He completed his medical course iu May, 1858, grad- uating with the highest honors of his chiss. He practiced his profession in Cincinnati for one ye:»r, devoted the next year to study and travel, and then, in July, 18()0, came to New Hampshire. A year later he associated himself in practice with Dr. W. B. 1 By Allcu J. Hackelt. 160 HISTOKV Ol-^ ISIKRIUMACK COUxNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Chamberlain, at Keene. About this time he joined the homreopathic school of medicine, to which he has since adhered. In the spring of 1862 he removed to Concord, where he has since resided and where he ha.s built up a large and lucrative practice. As a medical practitioner he stands in the front rank of his profession in this State. For seven years he was president of the New Hampshire Homceopathic Med- ical .Society, in 1868 he received an honorary degree from the New York Honueopathic Medical College, and he has been elected an honorary member of .several medical societies. He hits also been a fre- quent and valued contributor to medical periodicals, and was surgeon-general of the Stati', uitli the rank of brigadier-general, on the stall' of (iuvciiinr lltad, during the years 1879 and 1880. But it is in political life that Or. Gallinger is best and most widely known. To use a homely and hack- neyed expression, he is a "born" politician. He possesses, in an unusual degree, the executive capa- city, the iinickness of perception, the promptness in action, the courage, the conibativeness and the shrewd knowledge of human nature, which are the most important requisites to success in political life. Such a man having entered the field of active politics, it was inevitable that he slimild work liis way to the front. He has always been an active Republican, and has long ranked among the leaders of his party in this State. He was first elected to the House of Repre- sentatives in 1872, and served as chairman of the committee on insurance. He was re-elected the next year and was appointed to the chairmanship of the committee on banks, and also as chairman of an important special committee. His service in the lower braiiili of the Ijcgislaturt was characterized by iiidiistry, business and ilistiiiiruished abili debate. In 187() he was elected a member ol' the Constitu- tional Convention. This convention will always be historic by reason of the large ntnnber of able men that it contained and the iiiipurtanl refornis (hat it inaugurated. Dr. (jallinger took a prominent part in liie debates, and wiis a valuable and intluential im iiilur. His plan for representation in llie l,e;;islatnn' on the basis of population, although op]ii)sed liy many of the older members of the convention, was adopted by a large nuijority. The very general satisfaction with which the system is regarded sulliciently attests the wisdom of its author. In March, I87S, be w:is eleeleil In the Slate Seriate from the old Fourlli Distriel, and served as eliairman of the comiuittoe on eiluealion. lie w.-is re-eleeled in the following November, and U|.nn llie ennvening of the Legislature, wa.s eliosen to the pre-sidency of the Senate, an ollice whose duties his rare parliamen- tary ability enabled him to discharge to the entire . Legisl attentii readin. satisfaction of the Senators, as was attested by the exceedingly complimentary resolutions unanimously passed at the close of the session, accompanied by a valuable testimonial. Dr. Gallinger had long been an active and influen- tial member of the Republican State Central Com- mittee, and in September, 1882, he was made its chairman. The campaign which followed was one ol exceeding bitterness and beset with exceptional ditli culties. Republican disaffection was rife throughout the land. The tidal wave which, two years later, carried the Democratic party into power in the nation, had already set in. New York, Pennsylvania and even Massachusetts chose Democratic Governors, and a Democratic Congress Wius elected. In addition to these general discouragements, the Republicans of New Hami)shire were called upon to face serious obstacles of their own, which are well known to all. and which, therefore, need not be discussed here. It is only just to say that, with a less adroit manager at the head of the Republican organization, the Re|mb- lican victory which followed would have been impos- sible. Dr. Gallinger was re-elected to the chairman- ship in 1884, and again demonstrated his especial fitness for the place. In the Second District (convention, held at Con- cord, September 9, 1884, Dr. Gallinger was nominated Ibr member of Congress, receiving on the first ballot one hundred and seventy-one out of a total of three hundred and twenty-nine votes. The nomination was subsequently made unanimous. His competitors were Hon. Daniel Barnard, of Franklin, and Hon. Levi W. Barton, of Newport — two of the ablest men in the State. He was elected in November following, running several hundred votes ahead of his ticket, lie will take his seat at the opening of the first session of the Fiftieth Congress, in December next. Dr. Gallinger has been prominent in politics other- wise than in an official capacity. He is one of the most popular and successful campaign orators in the State. As a speaker, he is rapid, direct and practical, has an excellent voice and always commands the close attention of his audience. He is also a facile and effective writer. He has frequently prepared tlu' resolutions for State and District Conventions, and has written, to a eonsider.able extent, for the daily jiress. He has also perlnnned eonsiderable literary labor of a general cbaiaeler. lie lias frequently lec- tured before lyceums and other literary soeicties, and Dartmouth College has conferred upon liim tlie licm- orary degree of Master of Arts. In August, 1860, he married JIary Anna Bailey, daughter of Major I.saac Bailey, of Salisbury, N. H. Of their six children, four are living, — Alice M., Kate C, William H. and Ralph E., aged respectively twenty-four, nineteen, sixteen and thirteen years. In religious faith be was reared an Episcopalian, but for many years has been identifud with the liaiilist denomination. J CONCORD. IGl Dr. Gallinger is slightly above the medium height, :iud is somewhat portly. He has always been strictly temperate iu his habits, and the happy results of his abstemious lite are apparent in his cheery and health- ful countenance. He has a fine presence, a cordial, hearty manner, and a pleasing, winning address. His rare social qualities, abundant good-nature, keen sense (if humor and excellent conversational powers make him a most agreeable companion, and few men in the State enjoy a higher degree of personal popularity. His many friends rejoice in his advancement and will watch his future with interest and sympathy. In the prime of manhood, in the full tide of health and .strength, about to abandon State aflairs for the wider arena of national politics, a sketch of Dr. Gal- liuger's life, written at this date, is necessarily incom- plete. The record of the most important and event- ful part of his life-work must be left to the pen of some future biographer. If the achievement of the past may be taken as an index of the probabilities of the future, he has before him a career of eminence, honor and usefulness. .TAJtES SHEPARD NOERIS. Among the families whose names are prominent in the colonial history of New England, and who have .shown energy, force of character, business acumen and persistent industry, which have impressed themselves oil the present era by the perpetual labor of several generations, must be particularly mentioned the Norris family. The name appears frequently in the annals of Epping, N. H., showing them to have been active in the pioneer, colonial, Eevolutionary, civil and religious history of that town. In 1741, as signers to a petition to His Excel- lency, Benning Wentworth, HLs Majesty's Council, for incorporation into a separate parish, are found the names of James Norris, James Norris, Jr., and Samuel Norris. As members of a Committee of Safety are found the names of Joseph, John and ;\Ioses Norris. The town of Epping was incorporated February 12, 1741, and the first town-meeting was convened at the farm-house of James Norris. In the War of the Revolution James Norris was a soldier, and in 1775 was promoted to rank of captain. In 1779, Josiah Norris was chairman of the com- mittee to audit the accounts of the town, and to pay to the soldiers the sums raised as bounties. In the list of representatives to the General Court, in the ecclesiastical history of the town and in the various records of public acts the name of this family frequently appears. These men were tillers of the soil, and became owners of large tracts of land, which have been handed down from father to son, each succeeding generation leaving thereon its im- press of improvement and increased fertility. The life of a plain farmer, with no startling events or 11 famous acts, is apt to be uneventful so far as the pur- poses of a biographical sketch are concerned, and yet these lives are the foundation and superstructure of society. The line of descent is from John (1), James (2), Thomas (3), James D. (4), to James Shepard (o). Thomas (3) was born February 14, 1743, and died in 1840. His son, James D. (4), was born in Epping April 23, 1785, and married Mary Pike Norris, who was born in Epping July 2, 1785, and died October 6, 1828. The children of this union were Maria H., born June 16, 1809; James Shepard (5), born Decem- ber 4, 1812 ; Mary E., born August 22, 1825. James D. (4) succeeded to the farm of his father, Thomas (3), and became one of the successful farmers of the town, besides carrying on the lumber business and the manufacture of barrels and shoe-boxes. He was active in doing good, greatly interested in educa- tional and religious matters, was a regular attendant on public worship and lived a useful and exemplary life. In his family relations he was tenderly affec- tionate, as a friend and citizen was trusted and true, and justly meriting the good opinion of all. He died at his residence in Epping, August 9, 1857, and was buried on the old homestead. James Shepard (5), the subject of this sketch, passed his boyhood on the old homestead farm, where his lot was much like that of the farmer-boy of that time, assisting in farm-work in the summer and attending the common school in winter. His educa- tional advantages were such as were afforded by the district school, supplemented by two terms of private instruction. At the age of twelve years young Norris had become useful in general farm-work, and as time progressed also went into the woods with his father for timber, which was converted into lumber at the saw-mill, owned partly by his father. Being active in business, he was soon entrusted with the re- sponsibility of hauling and marketing lumber, which was tran.sported by ox-teams to Newburyport, Mass., twenty-five miles distant. The teams were loaded and ready for the start at three o'clock in the after- noon, the journey being kept up through the silent hours of the night and the journey's end reached about sunrise the following morning. The lumber was marketed during that day and the return journey commenced after the load was sold out, and ordinarily the arrival home would be in the afternoon of the third day. Such was the routine during the lumber season. In addition to these duties, he took charge of the manufacture of lumber at the saw-mill, and, during the absence of his father, was intrusted with all the responsibilities incident to this varied busi- ness. About the year 1838, Mr. Norris commenced the manufacture of shoes in Epping, which he continued until 1847, when, by reason of the business, which was too confining, his health failed. He came to Concord and entered the employment of Ebenezer Symmes, as salesman in the bread, cracker, pastry 162 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUxNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. and confectionery business, at a salary of twenty dollars per month. This out-door occupation was beneficial to his health, and in a short space of time, having become thoroughly familiar with the selling department of this business, and more or less con- versant with the general business, he, in 1850, pur- chased the business of Mr. Symmes and carried it on so successfully that in the course of a few years it became necessary to put up additional buildings, which were, when completed, supplied with modern improvements for the economical transaction of the business on a large scale. In 1859, Mr. Xorris sufi'ered the loss of his build- ings by a disastrous conflagration. Transferring the larger part of his business to an unoccupied bakery at Warner, N. H., he at once, with characteristic energy, set about rebuilding, and in the brief space of six months completed the work, and relinquishing the Warner bakery, opened anew in Concord. In May, 1864, Mr. Norris took into partnership Mr. George W. Crockett, of Sanbornton, N. H., and con- tinued under the firm name of J. S. Norris & Co. until 1875, when Mr. Crockett retired, disposing of his in- terest to Mr. Norris, who, the same year, transferred it to his son, James C. Norris, and they continued un- der the firm of J. S. Norris & Son for three years. Having thus been actively and continuously engaged in this business for thirty-one years, the unremitting cares of which had undermined his health and made rest and quiet imperative, Mr. Norris sold his interest in the business to Mr. Crockett, his former partner, and retired, and the firm since that date (1878) has been Norris & Crockett. Mr. Norris, during his successful business career, has acquired valuable real estate in Concord, and is now passing the evening of life surrounded by com- forts and conveniences that are the legitimate fruits of his careful and prudent business habits. Mr. Norris has never been active in politics nor a seeker after place or position, but since his first vote has acted with the Democratic party. In religion he is a Baptist, a member of the First Baptist Church of Concord, and for many years one of its deacons. In the improvement of this church building he made a very liberal gift, and also contributed to the churches in Epping and Suncook. Mr. Norris is a valued member of the I. O. O. F. and is also a Free-Mason, being a member of Blazing Star Lodge, of Concord. A man so successful in the management of his own atl'airs would naturally be sought for counsel in the financial affairs of his community, and we find him acting as a director in the State Capital Bank, to which position he Wi(s elected February 10, 1863. He was also elected director of the National State Capital Bank January 2, 1865, which position he has held continuously to the present time. He is a trustee and vice-president of the Loan and Trust Savings-Bank, of Concord, and one of its investment committee, and a trustee of the Centennial Home for the Aged, the existence of which institution is largely due to his exertions. He has done much for the im- provement of Concord, and has been ready to assist in every good work, and has ever been a true friend to the poor. He has been interested in education and liberal in support of schools. Such a life, unostentatious though it be, has a value not to be easily measured, and the world is nuuh better for such living. In November, 1840, Mr. Norris married, first, Caro- line M., daughter of Dr. Timothy and Sarah Hillard. (if Northwood, N. H., who died June 27, 1847, aged thirty-one years, leaving a daughter, Ellen G., born May 1, 1844, who married George W. Crockett. September 24, 1850, Mr. Norris married, second, Mary E., daughter of Wesley and Harriet Palmer, of Concord. She was born January 23, 1829. From this union there was born James C. (6), April 3, 1854, who has succeeded to the business of his father and is now at the head of the firm, and stands as one of the flourishing and intelligent young business men of Concord. July 5, 1876, James C. (6) married Minnie Parker, daughter of Augustus and Mary Jane Wiggin, of Concord. She was born May 13, 1856. From this union there have been Mabel Parker, born February 9, 1877; Orra, born November 24, 1878; Ethel, born February 13, 1881; and James Shepard (7), born No- vember 20, 1884. Of the first wife of Mr. Norris (5) it may fittingly be said that she was a help-meet, frugal and indus- trious, and with untiring devotion and Christian love aiding to the utmost in establishing a home in its truest sense. She was devoted to her husband, her child and her Saviour. It was at the time when Mr. Norris (5) started out for himself in the wider field at Concord that he married Mary E. Palmer, and of her it may be said that, while attending to the manifold duties of the household, she has aided and encouraged her husband in his struggle from poverty to affluence, and now shares with him the confidence and love of a large circle of friends. She is a tender, loving wife, a true Christian mother and a member of the First Baptist Church of Concord. GRANVILLE P. OONN. Granville P. Conn, A.M., M.D., Concord, w;is born in Hillsborough, Hillsborough County, January 25, 1832, and was the youngest of eight children of William and Sarah (Priest) Conn. The paternal ancestry was of Scotch-Irish origin, while on the maternal side it was of English descent. His father being a farmer, he resided at home until sixteen, at- tending the common schools and in doing farm-work. After this a few months at Francestown and Pem- broke Academies was followed with two years at ^^z^^r^//^ ^r w^^-^i^iJ <':i[it;aM Aldeii Partridge's Military Institution, at Norwich, \'t., with an occasional term of teach- iiii; common and select schools in New Hampshire ami Vermont. At this time, and until 1852, he de- voted his attention principally to fitting for the pro- fession of civil engineering, which myopia and ncMcral ill health compelled him to relinquish. From this time until 1850 he read medicine in the ollice of Dr. H. B. Brown, of Hartford, Vt., and leaching mathematics several months during this period at the academy in that village. After attend- ing two courses of medical lectures at Woodstock, Xt., and a third course at Dartmouth Medical Col- lege, he received the degree of M.D. from the latter institution in the class of 1856, with the late Professor A. B. Crosby, of Hanover. In 1880 Norwich University conferred the honorary degree of A.M. In 1856 he located at Kast Eaudolph, Vt., and re- mained there until 1861, when he sold out and re- moved to Kichmond, Chittenden County, Vt. He was commissioned assistant surgeon of the Twelfth Eeginient Vermont Volunteers, August 19, 1862, and was ordered to rendezvous at Brattleborough at once, and, in connection with the late Surgeon Phelps, of Windsor, Vt., instituted a United States hospital of one thousand beds. A month later his regiment came into the field, and with it he served in Virginia during its nine mouths' service, first in the Twenty-second Army Corps and afterwards with the Second Vermont Brigade, was transferred to the First Army Corps and was mustered out of the service with the regiment at Brattleborough, Vt., July 14, 1863. In the fall of 1863 he came to Concord, locating in Ward 4, on North Main Street, where he has re- mained ever since. For several years he was a partner of Dr. Charles P. Gage, of Concord, and a member of the local Board of Health. Afterwards, for five years, he was city physician. Very soon after commencing the practice of medicine he be- came firmly convinced that a great many deaths occurred from preventable causes, due in many in- stances to ignorance of the laws of health, and that physicians were often disappointed in obtaining satisfactory results, by reason of ineflicient nursing and lack of attention to the hygiene of the sick-room. Believing the State owed to the people a care of their health, as well as of their morals, he commenced, in 1866, to agitate the question of cleaning up the city, and there being an epidemic of cholera in Europe at the time, he brought the matter to the attention of the city ofiicials, who passed an ordinance, drafted by him, that secured a house-to-house inspection, the first in the State. This was made under his direc- tion, and a full record of the sanitary condition of every building in the compact part of each ward in the city was made early in the season, which resulted in a general cleaning of courts, alleys, streets and yards. The city at once took an advanced position in sanitation, which it has always maintained, for with the introduction of a water supjjly in 1873 came the necessity for a system of sewers, that was promptly met by the city borrowing a large sum of money to practically complete the system in 1876. While city physician, circumstances occurred to show that more care should be exercised in the burial of the dead, and, in company with the city solicitor, he advocated that a burial permit be reijuired from the city registrar before a body could be lawfully in- terred. The City Council passed an ordinance to that effect, and since then substantially the same ordi- nance has become the law of the State, and New Hampshire undoubtedly secures quite as accurate registration of deaths as any State in the Union. His intimate connection with the hygiene of the city of Concord rendered him more and more convinced that the State should have and maintain an eflective supervision over the lives and the health of its citi- zens, and that a State Board of Health was fully as necessary an adjunct of the executive department of New Hampshire as a bank, railroad, insurance or fish commission ; for, while it is acknowledged by all that the material interest of the State should be fostered and pushed forward to compete with the industries of other municipalities, yet, unless the causes of sickness are reduced to the minimum, but little pro- gress will be made ; therefore the watchful care of a health department becomes a necessity in order to render good health possible to the greatest number, whose energy, vitality and working capacity become the capital stock of the State, whose par value and dividends can only be attained by having a sound mind in a vigorous and sound body. For many years he labored, with others, to secure for the people of New Hampshire a State Board of Health, and to this end he read papers on sanitation before the medical profession, as well as contributed articles to the news- papers on the necessity of hygienic reform ; for it was evident to his mind that the State must be progres- sive in matters pertaining to the health of her citi- zens, else it would be impossible to retain her prestige among other commonwealths, and in 1881 he had the great pleasure of having the Legislature pass an act giving his native State a Board of Health. The bill establishing the board was drafted by him. and is in many respects a model for any State of the population and diversified interests that characterize New Hampshire, while the few years the board has been in existence proves that the whole subject was thoroughly and carefully considered before being presented to the Legislature ; for, while there is but the slightest appearance of arbitary power, which is so distasteful to a free and enlightened people, yet, with the statute law then existing in the State and the enactment of the bill establishing a Board of Health, it is doubtful if there is another State in the 1G2 b HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Union whose health department creates less friction in its practical work tlian it does in New Hampshire. This is largely accomplished by taking it entirely out of the domain of politics, and in making the secre- tary a permanent officer so long as his efficiency con- tinues. He was at once appointed a member of the board for four years, and upon its organization was elected its president, which office he now holds. Although in active practice of his profession, he has, by his industrious and systematic habits, done eousiderable work for the board, contributing articles upon ventilation and other subjects intimately con- nected with hygiene, and lie has represented the board several times in conferences with sanitary au- thorities and public health meetings. At this time it may be considered an endorsement of his work on the board, that he has received a re- appointment for four years. AV'hile a resident of Vermont he became an active member of its State Medical Society, and a few years since he was elected an honorary member of the same association. He became a member of the New Hampshire Medical Society in 1864, and in 1869 was elected its secretary, which office he has, by the un- animous vote of the association, held ever since, except in the years 1880-81, when he was vice-presi- dent and president of this venerable society, which was organized in 1791. It is well known that in voluntary associations of this kind very much of their prosperity and efficiency depend upon the executive ability and energy of its secretary, and it is a matter of satisfaction to all who know him that since he became its secretary the New Hampshire Medical Society has increased in the num- ber of its active members from sixty to over two hun- dred and twenty-five, with an annual average attend- ance of one hundred and twenty-five in place of less than fifty in 18C5. He is a member of the Centre District and an honorary member of the Straffiard District Medical Society, as well as a member of the American Public Health and the American Medical Associations. He is also a member of the var-ious Masonic associations in Concord, and of Post E. E. Sturtevant, G. A. R., of New Hampshire. In 1877, and again in 1879, he was elected by the people on the Board of Railroad Commissioners for New Hampshire, this being the only time he has taken any active part in politics. While railroad commissioner he made two reports to the Legislature, in which he strongly advocated re- forms in the commission and in the manner of the roads making returns, that have since been adopted. His early education as a civil engineer has always made the construction and management of railways a matter of interest to him, and he has always believed that tlie progressive spirit of our country will yet ad- vance American raihvnys until tliey will become an cxiimpU" to the world of Viusiiu's> prnsi.ciitv. In this connection it may be mentioned that, believing that the prosperity of the State and its railroads depends very much upon its being a summer resort for the whole country, who come here for the purpose of health and recreation, he has instituted a system of railway sanitation and inspections that the manage- ments of the roads nobly second, and which, by the watchful care of the State Board of Health over the railway stations, cars and hotels, will increase the confidence of the traveling public in assuring them that it is the desire of the people of New Hampshire to keep the hills and valleys of the Granite State free from the contaminating influences of waste and eft'ete matter, in order that the summer visitor may return to his home with firm health and renewed vitality in return for the pecuniary consideration of a few days or weeks in the State. In 1858, while a resident of Vermont, he married Miss Helen M. Sprague, of East Randolph, in that State, and has two children. GEOKGE W. ELA. George W. Ela, a native of Portsmouth, N. H., born January 18, 1807, was the third son of Joseph and Sarah (Emerson) Ela, and the sixth of a family of nine children. The first sixteen years of his life were spent at his paternal home, occupied, when not attending the town schools, on his father's farm and in the tannery which his father carried on as a reg- ular occupation. This period of his life was without noticeable incident, if we except what he insists was the foundation-stone of his future, — when, in his fifteenth year (1822), he was taken from school, and, by an arrangement of his father with other land- owners in Grafton County, was sent to Lisbon, with his surveying instruments, to confirm or correct the lines of the original survey, involving titles to lands in that town, and, to some extent, the boundaries of the adjacent towns of Littleton and Lyman. The object was accomplished alter much labor, and in that season a plan made and returned to the pro- prietors, much to their satisfaction ; and their entire approbation and their flattering praise of his per- severance and success gave him confidence in his own powers and secured theirs in his executive ability, which never abated while they lived. In that year, by an arrangement with Hill & Moore, publishers of the Ne\o Hampshire Patriot, at Concord, — the famed Republican organ of that day, afterward more famous as the organ of the Jackson portion of that party, — Ela was to enter their office as an apprentice in the printing trade. The latter part of that year the copartnership of Hill & Moore was dissolved, Isaac Hill retaining the Patriot and Jacob B. Moore establishing a new printing-office — subsequently establishing tlie New Hampshire Journal, as the organ of the Adams wing of the Republican party of that day. In .January, 1823, Mr. Ela entered !(;•_> c tlic office of Jacob B. Moore as au apprentice and continued there during his niinorily, excepting a lew months of the last of his term, wlien, by an arrangement of all parties interested, he went to Dover, N. H. He then started the Dover Enquirer, which the supporters of Mr. Adams in the na- tional political contest, then beginning to be inter- I'sting, had determined to establish in that locality. After a few months Mr. Ela became, by degrees, the |iroprietor, publisher, printer and editor, continuing ill that relation — the latter part of the time in con- nection with the late lamented George Wadleigh — for a period of about three years. Many of the present generation of politicians will remember the influence which that paper exerted in political circles in the State, which was well maintained by Mr. Wadleigh, who succeeded Mr. Ela and continued in its manage- ment for a long series of years. Mr. Ela then re- turned to Concord for the purpose of consolidating Uie Statesman and Concord Begutcr and the New Hampshire Journal, as a political measure, and, in the year 1831, commenced the publication of the States- man in connection with the late AsaMcFarland, who retired after about two years. Mr. Ela continued the paper, as sole proprietor, for several years, and sub- sequently in connection with the late Hon. Jacob H. Ela, who had, in the mean time, served an apprentice- ship in the Statesman ofBce, which was commenced :iiid continued while he remained a member of Mr. Ilia's family. Thus Mr. Ela was brought into the lorties, — after unremitting labors of more than twenty years in the printing-office, with all the duties and customs connected with the public press and political parties — before the days of the last two generations. He commenced with these duties when the printers' ^-T^^&/a^- 162 e ceptions, he was the ouly officer with his company. The monotony was at length broken by an expedition towards Savannah. It amounted to but little, how- ever, save to plant the first Union flag on Georgia soil. Soon after, in an expedition to the mainland, Lieutenant Ela was ordered to cut off and capture the enemy's pickets at a certain station, which was accomplished. The next day the regiment moved further inland, and his company, deployed as skir- mishers going up and rear-guard in returning, had -i'lrae sharp skirmishing with the enemy. "This," he .-.lys, " was the first time we had heard the whistle of rebel bullets." During April, 1862, the regiment was doing guard duty on Edisto Island, and on the 15th of the month Lieutenant Ela was promoted to a captaincy and assigned to Company G. Three months later he was given command of his former company (E). The following June he participated in the battle of Seces- sionville, and being knocked down by a passing shell was reported killed, but he was soon able to contra- dict the report. About the 1st of July the regiment returned to Hilton Head, and he was assigned to the command of the forces on Pinckney Island. In September he returned to Hilton Head. Sick- ness prevailed to such a degree that for atiniebutone captain, besides himself, was on duty. His health suffered severely, and in November he was given leave of absence for twenty days, the most of which he spent in Florida. In March, 1863, he was assigned to duty as second in command of provost guard at Hilton Head, where he continued until April, when he returned to his regiment. He was with the first expedition against Charles- ton, and participated in the fighting on Morris Island in July. When the siege of Fort Wagner was begun Captain Ela was detailed to organize and command a battalion of sharpshooters. He was stationed at the front and held the post of danger throughout the siege, doing effective and important work towards the capture of the tort. In March, 1864, the regiment returned to Hilton Head to be reorganized as mounted infantry. It was then sent to Florida and there dismounted, and sent to Virginia to join in the operations against Rich- mond. The forces were gathering for the last great struggle with the Eebellion. Captain Ela felt that serious work was ahead. His last letter to his father was dated at Gloucester Point, Va., April 30, 1864, and says : " We are crowded dovi^n to the lightest pos- sible marching order. You need not expect to hear from me again until I find an opportunity to write from Richmond." Thirteen days later he fell in the charge which captured the first of the outer defenses of Richmond. In the desperate charge at Drury's Bluff he led his men to within twenty paces of the enemy's breast- works and died. The adjutant-general's report says. "The fighting lasted but twenty minutes ; but in those twenty minutes more than two hundred of New Hampshire's bravest and best fell dead or wounded. Among the foremost fell the gallant Captain Richard Ela, while in advance of his men, leading them in the charge. He was shot through the brain, and expired almost instantly." His body was buried on the field of battle, where it lies awaiting the last reveille. Captain Ela was a brave and faithful soldier. He had few opportunities to distinguish himself in bat- tle; but in a less conspicuous way his merit was even greater. Although just across the line from boyhood and fresh from student-life, he performed the work of one or more other ofiicers besides his own during almost the whole of his time of service. From the time of entering active service the complement of officers was never full ; he was always on duty, and work of absent ones therefore fell upon him. Much of the time, also, he was detailed for special work in addition to his regular duties. Officers and men alike bore testimony to his ability, his faithfulness and kindly thoughtfulness of others. He bore the hardships and disappointments of his. lot without complaint, and seemed only anxious to do his work well. With the exception of leave of absence at one time of twenty days, he. was never away from his post, and though sometimes sufl'ering from ill health, he was never marked off duty. At the end of two years and a half of service he was the only one of the original officers who had not been home. When on the march to the fatal battle-field a com- rade found him — usually so cheerful — now sober and thoughtful In response to a question, he replied that he had a presentiment of death. They were going into a fierce battle, and he felt that he should be numbered with the slain. The comrade urged him not to go into battle if such were his' feelings. He replied, " If it comes to that, I never shrank from duty, and though I know this to be my last battle, my duty to my country shall be well done." That was the key-note of his character. Had he lived, it would have made him a useful and honored citizen ; dying, it made him a hero. 1>R. ROBERT LAKE ELA. Dr. Robert Lane Ela, the eldest son of George W. and Adelaide L. Ela, was born at Concord, N. H., April 17, 1838. When he was five years old his mother died. His childhood was spent in part with his grandfather. Dr. Robert Lane, at Sutton, and in part with his father at Concord. He was educated at New London, Pembroke and Meriden Academies. On completing his studies at these schools, he was employed on his father's farm at Allenstown, and 162 t HISTOllV OF BELKiVAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. subsequently went to Stoneham, Mass., wlicre he engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, which he continued until the spring of 18G1. When the War of the Rebellion broke out he responded to the President's call for volunteers, and, returning to Concord, recruited a company for the Sixth New Hampshire Kcgimeut. He was com- missioned a captain, and, joining the regiment at Keene, was mustered into the United States service November 30, 1861. He went with his regiment to Washington, D. C, where they remained in camp a few weeks, and early in January, 1862, they joined Burnside's expedition to Hatteras, Roanoke Island and Newbern, N. C. In July they were transferred by water to General Pope's command in Virginia. They participated in the battle of Cedar Mountain and the second battle of Bull Run, August 29, 1862, where Captain Ela was severely wounded in the right arm. He went home on a furlough, and remained until he had partly recovered the use of his arm, rejoining his regiment in March, 1863, while it was on the way to Kentucky. He was with the regiment through the Kentucky campaign, and went with it to Vicksburg, where he was present during the siege and at the sur- render of that stronghold, and also in the operations against Jackson, which resulted in the capture of that place. The regiment then returned to Kentucky and was stationed at Frankfort, where Captain Ela acted as provost-marshal. On the reorganization of the army under General Grant, in 1864, he went with his regiment to Virginia, and participated in the Wilder- ness Ijattlos of May r)th and Gth ; the battles of Spott- sylvania, May 12th and 18th; North Anna River, May 20th ; Cold Harbor, June 3d and 4th ; then moving across the James River to the front of Peters- burgh, and engaging in the battles of June 17th and 18th, and being under fire every day until the explo- sion of the mine, .luly 30th. Captain Ela was in command of the regiment at this time, and, the Sixth New Hampshire being one of those selected to charge the enemy after the blowing up of the mine, he led it into the crater, and in the fight which followed was wounded by the explosion of a spherical case shot in front of him. Both legs were partially paralyzed, causing injuries from which he has never fully re- covered. He was afterwards detailed for duty as acting adjutant quartermaster, at Camp Gilmore, Concord, N. H. He returned to his regiment and was promoted to the rank of major before the close of the war. He was mustered out of the service with his regiment July 17, 1865. Major Ela was popular with the men under his command, for he was thoughtful of their comfort and watchful of their interests. He was intimate with but few of his brother officers, but with those he was especially friendly and always ready to give them a cordial greeting. As an officer, he was prompt and faithful in the discharge of duty and performed well his part in the War for the Union. After his return from the army he studied medicine and surgery with Dr. Crosby, of Concord, and at the Dartmouth Medical School and Bellevue Hospital, New York, taking degrees from both schools. For the past ten years he has resided in California. HISTORY OF ALLENSTOWN. CHAPTER I. Geographical— Original Grant— Named in Honor of Gen. Samuel Allen —Incorporation of Town— Copy of Charter— First Town-Meeting— Officers Elected— First Settlements— Names of Pioneers— Indian Depre- dations-Capture of Robert Buutin and Others— Documentary History — First Justice of the Peace — Roman Catholic Church. The town of Allenstown lies in the southeastern pi s-iion. June 18, 1789, an act passed granting the ii'.|uest. First Justice of the Peace. "To His Excellency the President of the State of New Hampshire and the Honorable Privy Council Convened at Exeter May 1790. "The petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Allenstown in said State Humbly Shews — "That your petitioners are desirous that a Justice of the peace may be appointed in said Allenstown (as they never have as yet had the privilege of hav- ing one in said Town) and they beg leave to recom- mend to your Excellency & Honors Capt. George Evans as the most suitable person in said Town for that office and we pray that your Excellency & Honors would take the matter under your wise Con- sideration & appoint him ye° said Evans a Justice of tlie peace in and for the County of Rockingham. And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever liray. "Allenstown 5"> Feby. 1790. " Ede Hall Bergin, Josiah Morse, John Clark, John Woodward, John Bergin, John Leonard Juner. Na- thaniel Smith, John Johnson, Benjamin Mathies, Ze- bilon Daves, .Joshua Cates, Samuel Kinneson Sr, Icha- bod Clark Jr, Walter Bergin, Hall Bergin, Amos Carl- ton, Capt. Staren Sargent, John Leonard, John Hayes, John Hartford, federch Luies [?], James Hartford, Samuel york, Daniel Daves Jr, Ichabod Clark Sr, Jo- seph Y. Bergin, Robert Bunten, Philip Sargent, Theod Shackford, Josiah Allen, Samuel webster. Samel fisk, Samuel gooken, Nathaniel Smith, Charles Bamford, Samuel Kinneson Jr." This petition was granted, and Evans became Al- enstown's first magistrate. Captain George Evans was a prominent citizen of the town and held various offices. He was born May 31, 1755, and died November 2'A, 1804. Plis wife, Louisa Williams, was born October 17, 1757. They had four- teen children, viz.: John, Daniel, Andrew O., Nancy, Eleanor, Betsey, George, Alfred, Samuel W., Robert, Asenath, Sophia, Alfred and Lucy P. Captain Robert Buntin was also a prominent citizen. He was born December 1, 1767, and his wife (Betsy Hutchinson) was born January 20, 1770. Their first child, Mehitable, was born June 15, 1791, at " six o'clock in the forenoon." The following petition relative to building bridges over Suncook River was presented in 1798: " To the Hon*"" the Senate and House of Representa- tives in General Court convened at Hopkinton, on the first Wednesday in June, A.D. 1798. " Humbly Shews The Inhabitants of Allenstown in the County of Rockingham that in the year 1759 a Township was incorporated in said County by the name of Pembroke bounded westerly by Merrimac & Sowcook Rivers, Northerly upon Chichester & Epsom, & Easterly & Southerly by Suncook River: that when said Pembroke was incorporated, about one mile was taken off from the Westerly part of Allenstown & included in Pembroke : That the Inhabi- tants of Pembroke have unreasonably refused and still neglect and refuse to build or keep in Repair any part of the Bridges over Suncook River under pre- tence of their not being liable by Law to build said bridges nor any part of the same, said Town being bounded by Suncook River in the act of Incorporation ; by reason whereof your petitioners are in danger of being Compelled to build & keep in Repair all the Bridges across said Suncook River, a burthen which your petitioners in their present situation are wholly unable to bear on account of the fewness of their Number & the great expence of maintaining & keep- ing in repair the other Roads & Bridges through their town — that the public have a long time suffered much inconvenience and Danger for want of good Bridges over Suncook River, and that said Bridges are now in a Ruinous Condition, the lives of passengers being daily endangered in passing the same: Your peti- tioners further shew that if that part of Pembroke which was taken oft" from Allenstown with the In- habitants was to_be Re-annexed to said Allenstown it would not be more than their Just proportion of the Highway tax of said Town to Build and keep in Repair the Bridges over Suncook River ; Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly pray that that part of Allenstown with the Inhabitants thereof, which is included within Pembroke, by said Act of Incorporation, may be Disannexed from Pembroke, and Joined again to that Tract of land known and called by the Name of Allenstown, That they nuiy 16G HISTOKY OF MEllKIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Thereby be Enabled to build and keep in repair the Eoads and Bridge-s aforesaid,— or that such other re- lief in the premises may be afforded to your peti- tioners as your Honors shall think just and Proper, And they as in Duty bound will ever pray " Allenstown June G'" 1798. "Israel Harden, John Leonard, Samuel Webster, Samuel Fisk, Philip Sargent, John Johnson, Robert Bunten, John Leonard, Jr., Moses Lcavitt, Theod. Shackford, Jr., Simon Johnson, David Webster, George Evens, John Hayes, Theod. Shackford, John Fisk, James Bunten, John Hartford, James Clark, Daniel Kinneson, Nathaniel Smith, John Gate, Samuel Daris, Nathaniel Smith, Junr., Hall Burgin, Samuel Wells, Jur." The result of this petition was an act extending the easterly and southerly line of the town of Pem- broke to the eiisterly and southerly bank of Suncook River. This act was approved December 24, 1798. The "Now Hampshire Gazetteer," published by Farmer & Morse, in 1823, says : "There is no settled minister in Allenstown ; their meeting-house is open to all religious sects, and they occasionally have preaching. Population, 433." Roman Catholic Church. — There is but one church in Allenstown, the Catholic Church in the village of Suncook. The church building is a large and elegant edifice, beautifully located, and was erected at a cost of about forty thousand dollars. The church is under the care of Father J. H. C. Davignon, who is energetic in all efforts to advance the welfare of his people. He is a popular pastor, and his influence is widely felt. BTOCxRAPHICAL SKETCHES. MA.IOR STERLING SARGENT. -Major Sterling Sargent was born in Allenstown March 20, 1794. He was the son of Philip and Sally Peirce Sargent. He early manifested a great interest in music, and became quite proficient as a drummer. When only sixteen years of age he wasstationed, with others, at Fort Constitution, in the War of 1812, and commissioned drum-major. He always resided in the town of his birth, and for many years was chosen to represent the same in General Court, and to fill various other offices in the interests of his fellow- citizens. He was born on and inherited the farm now owned by the China Manufacturing Company. He made the brick and built the house in which Colonel D. L. Jewell, the agent, now resides. In 1843 he sold this place to the Pembroke Mills Comi)any, moving a short distance to land he owned, where he built a house and fitted uji a home, in which he lived and died. Mr. Sargent was always a decided Democrat, and was intensely loyal to the government. He lived to see the triumph of the Federal army over the Rebellion, and died in the hope of peace and abounding pros- perity to every section of our fair country. He was for many years an honored member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, contributing freely for the build- ing of the late chapel in Suncook village, for the purchase of the organ, and for the support of the various institutions of religion. His democracy and piety were always well illustrated in his liberality and justice. Being for many years an esteemed mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, he met all men " on the level, and parted with them on the square." He was married, in 1815, to Sally Gault, of Hooksett. She proved to be a woman of uncommon domestic ability, and every way well qualified to preside over a family and a home. She died May 10, 1863. He died June 4, 1868. They lived together nearly fifty years. There were born to them eleven children, — seven sons and four daughters. Three sons died in infancy, and two became young men and then de- ceased. Six children are now living, — two sons and four daughters. Philip Sargent, the eldest son, re- sides in the finest brick mansion in the town, which he has erected close by the place where he was born. Warren Sargent inherits, and now occupies, the old homestead, which is regarded as one of the best fiirms and pleasantest situations in Allenstown. These brothers are known as the firm of P. & W. Sargent, brick-makers, Suncook, N. H. Sallie S., the eldest daughter, first married George Hirsch, who soon after died, and she married Rev. H. H. Hartwell, a Methodist minister and mem- ber of the New Hampshire Conference, and now owns and dwells in a fine " cottage home," near the place of her birth. Elsie K. is the esteemed wife of Henry W. For- bush, Esq., a merchant in Philadelphia. Mary H. is the honored wife of W. F. Head, Esq., of Hooksett, a brother and a life-long partner in business, and now occupying the .splendid residence of the late ex-Governor Natt. Head. Abbie H. is the true and faithful com))anion of Natt. B. Emery, one of the long-known firm of Emery Brothers, and has a palatial residence in Suncook village. These six children all revere the memory of their departed parents, and in talent and character are living to honor the family name. REV. HENRY II. HARTWET.L. Rev. Henry H. Hartwell was born in Hillsborough, N. H., October 18, 1819. He was the eldest son of William and Betsy Wilkins Hartwell. They had nine sons and two daughters. Of these, six died ill infancy, while five lived to reach manhood. The family was poor, and at times destitute. When xw .^- ALLKNSTOWN. lie was about eight years old, young Heury was sent to Vermont to live with a friend (iu order to lighten the l>urden of family expenses), where he remained for more than four years without seeing his mother, to whom he was greatly attached. He then returned to Ids native town, and found employment in ditterent places, working during the summer and utlcndiug school in the winter-time. When fourteen years of age he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, working, as before, in the busy season, and attending school or teaching in the fall MiicI winter. At the age of eighteen he made a pro- losiori (jf religion and united with tlie Methodist i;iiiscnpul Church. Immediately becoming very active in all the social meetings and interests of the church, he was greatly impressed that it was his duty to take upon himself the work and oiBce of the Christian ministry. He found two barriers in the way : the opposition of his father and friends, and his deep consciousness of unfitness for such an important work. Still, he kept steadily on in the discharge of what he felt to be his duty, and in the improvement of every opportunity, until in the spring of 1840, his zeal having daily increased and his father being less opposed to it, he gave up all, and, leaving home and friends, sttirted on horseback, with saddle-bags, to carry the 'And tidings to lost men. He joined the New Hampshire Conference in 1841, and for thirty-five years performed effective work in the ministry. His educational advantages were lim- ited, but he was a ready extempore speaker, very original, always selecting some object in nature or some fact in history with which his hearers were familiar, that he might more clearly illustrate and forcibly apply the truth he sought to inculcate. He was full of what is called "mother wit," and has ever been regarded as a good student of human nature. He inherited a peculiar eccentricity, which added not a little to his popularity as a preacher. During his active ministry he filled many of the best positions in the Conference, and was always happy in his charge and his work. Under his ministry thousands have been converted and added to the Church of Christ. Physically he was perfect, and the early muscular training he received was of much benefit at times during his ministry. He was assailed, when in his prime, by three men who had taken offense at some- thing he had said in a temperance-meeting, and with much profanity they informed him of their intention to thrash him. He replied solemnly, " Boys, I don't want my ministerial coat soiled ; allow me to take it oflT and I am ready." When his coat dropped from his hand, the better of the three went to the ground also, and the second was treated in a like manner. Mr. Hartwell then said to the third, " David, if I strike you, you will never rise without help I " And David gave him his hand, and the two together got the others up, washed off the blood and assisted them to their homes. This c.\pcrience was to the tluve in after-years a source of merriment wlien tlicy met together. When Mr. Hartwell was pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Nashua, in 1858, one night, iu the midst of a powerful revival, some one made a disturbance in the back part of the congregation. He called upon an officer to still or remove the offender. The officer went to the man while Mr. Hartwell de- layed reading the hymn. At length he came back to the pulpit without his man. Mr. Hartwell then said, " The officer informs me that this is a desperate fel- low ; that he has a revolver and swears he won't go out. Now let all be perfectly quiet," and, turning his hymn-book upon the Bible, he walked decidedly up the aisle and said, " Jack Burns, will you go with me quietly out of this house?" The reply was, " Yes, Henry, I will ; but there ain't another man in this crowd that can take me out! " He led him out and down into the street, and returning to the pulpit, said, "Now let us worship God.'' More than thirty years ago Mr. Hartwell was Jour- neying from New Market to Concord iu a sleigh with his wife and little daughter. In the town of North- wood he saw three young men from the leading fami- lies in Concord coming driving at a break-neck speed, and their sleigh lapped his about three inches. The driver said, "What now? my horse won't back." Mr. Hartwell said, " My horse will back if I want him to." After a moment one of them said, " What are you going to do?" Mr. Hartwell replied, "I will show you if you like to see," and, stepping out into the snow, he took hold of their sleigh aad tipped it, with the men, into the ditch and then drove on. These are only a few of the many reminiscences of his life. He was never a bigot, but was an outspoken, old-fashioned Methodist minister. He spoke of heaven and hell and called things by their proper names. He was of a very positive na- ture, making many warm friends and some bitter enemies. He cast his first vote in 1840 with the then despised Anti-Slavery party. His father wept and said to him, "I should rather have buried you than have you vote the nigger ticket ! " But he replied, in his own peculiar style, " Old man, you have al- ways told us boys never to be anything because your father was, but investigate and then act as you con- scientiously believe to be right. That I have done." And his father never said anything more to him on that subject. Mr. Hartwell always seemed sanguine in the belief that he should live to see the doing away of American slavery, as the sum of all vil- lainies. After the abolishing of slavery he drifted into the Eepublican ranks, and for many years has been an earnest worker on that line. He has always been a most decided temperance advocate ; has been associated with nearly all the temperance organiza- tions for the last fifty years, believing that all of them have done good. But his great stress has been on 16S HISTOllY OF MEHKIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. prohibition. He has always believed, preached, jirayed and voted with the hope, and only hope, of the full and final suppression by law of this great curse. On account of his outspoken opposition to this traffic he has suffered in person, reputation and property. He has been greatly slandered, waylaid, horse-sheared, wagon and harness mutilated and an attempt lias been to burn his house by night. But for his faithful dog, he and his family might have gone through the flames of his own dwelling to the rest promised to the people of God. For a few years past he has been so wounded with the duplicity of professed temperance men, and so disgusted with some of his brethren in the ministry who have preached temperance and voted for rum, that he has not taken as prominent a part in public demonstra- tions as formerly. A now prominent man has said: "To be duly ap- preciated he must be thoroughly known. I have known Mr. Hartwell for fifty years intimately, and } would trust him with uncounted thousands of dollars." He was married, in May, 1842, to Flora Ann Sweatt, of Webster, N. H., who proved every way worthy of his hand and heart. They toiled together for sixteen years, and she died November, 1858, leaving three sons and one daughter. The sons are all living. The daughter was Jlrs. Charles T. Daniels, of Lawrence, Mass., who, with her only son, nineteen years of age, was lost on the ill-fated steamer " City of Columbus," off Gay Head, January 18, 1884. In April, 1861, he married Mrs. Sally Hirsch, a widow, and the eldest daughter of Major Sterling Sargent, of Allenstown. They have one daughter, Mrs. Pork Mitchel, now of Manchester. He has been for more than a quarter of a century a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the I. O. O. Fellows, having regularly passed the chairs and been Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of the State in both of these orders. In 1868 he became a citizen of Allenstown, where he now resides. Although he has never acted or voted with the predominant party, he h:is been kept in office most of the time, showing the respect for and confidence reposed in him by his fellow-towns- men. He is now a man of sixty-six years, hale and hearty, and weighs two hundred pounds. HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN.' CHAPTER I -Firet Sottlere lau Troubles— <■ of thu Pence The town of Boscawen is located near the centre of the county, and is bounded as follows : North by Salisbury ; East by Northfleld and Can- terbury ; South by Concord and West by Webster. The original grant of this town was made to John Coffin and eighty others, by the government of Mas- >:ichusetts Bay, June 6, 1733. It was named Contoo- cook, and bore that name until it was incorjiorated as a town, April 22, 1760, for a term of two years, by the government of New Hampshire, and given its present name in honor of Admiral Edward Boscawen, of the British navy. This charter was continued for an indefinite term, by the same authority, October 7, 1763. The first proprietors' meeting was held in Newbury, Mass., in 1733, and thirty-three of the proprietors commenced settlements in the town tlu' following spring. Mr. Richard Hazen, an experienced surveyor, who had been employed by the proprietors of Penacook to survey that plantation, was engaged to make the first survey of Contoocook. The original plot, as laid by him, is on file in the archives of the Secretary of State, Boston. During the year 1734 thirty-three settlers came to Contocook, to begin, as it were, life anew in the wil- derness. Rev. Mr. Price has handed down the names of twenty-seven only ; but from a deposition made by Moses Burbank in 1792 the number is stated as being thirty- three, as follows : David Barker, Sinkler Bean, John Bowen, Josiah Bishop, Andrew B>ihon- non, Moses Burbank, Philip Call, Thomas Cook, John Corser, William Dagodon, William Danforth, Nathaniel Danforth, Joseph Eastman, Edward Em- ery, Edward Fitzgerald, Jacob Flanders, Richard Flood, John Fowler, Stephen Gerrish, Ambrose 1 The following history ie condensed from Charlft " History of Boscawen and Webster," an excellent wt and sixty-six pages, published in 1878 Gould, Richard Jackman, George Jackman, Joel Manuel, Nathaniel Meloon, William Peters, Nathan- iel Rix, Daniel Rolfe. It is not' probable that many of the settlers' fami- lies came in the spring, but most, if not all, were there before the close of the year. November 8, 1734, a meeting of the proprietors was held at the house of Arehelaus Adams, in New- bury. It was voted tliat a saw-mill .should be built at the charge of the proprietors, and Daniel Hale, Joseph Gerrish and Thomas Thoria were chosen a committee to attend to the matter. The same com- mittee was empowered to rectify any mistake made in the laying out of lots, and John Brown, the sur- veyor, was engaged to go to Contoocook to show the proprietors the location of the lots. Five of the proprietors — Joseph Luni, John Coffin, Thomas Thoria, Benjamin Lunt, Benjamin Coker, and Edward Emery — entered their dissent in regard to the power of the committee. December 18th another meeting was held. It was voted that the intervale should be fenced by the 15th of May of the following year, at the expense of the owners of the lots, and any proprietor neglect- ing to build his proportion should make satisfaction. It was also voted that Joseph Tappan should obtain a grindstone for the common use of the proprietors. At this meeting further action was Uiken towards building a saw-mill. " It was put to vote by the moderator where [whether] there should be a grant of [land] made to those men hereafter named, of the little sfieani [Mill ItomU] at Ccul-"" onk iifar tlu- upper end of the lots or U.un H..1 i.Ui (1.- riMi.l I, 111 iMir. <<1i<'itiing to the mill for rom- iw I ' r . ; I' I uiil alf^o one whole right till. M '" ' r ' I'l iirinii they build a saw-mill rli.i. l\ til. Ill ' f- ]i.iiiii! iiiM . I! iiim;; the (late hereof, and a gun.i u'li^f-iiiill Bu (?o.>n as tliriH is srtti-d twenty families on the said pliintation in case tln3re is water enough to acconmiodate both mills and the mills be built, and iu the length of time by clearing the land or any other way it shall be judged that there is not water to answer the cud for said mill or mills or that the men an obliged to niiwj the dam so high to save water to saw or grind so as to be judged hurtfull: then the proprietors shall pay the men that built the mill or mills for tliem ihe price of what they shall then lie accounted worth, or else procure for the men that built the mill or mills the stream coumionly called or known by the name of [Mill brook] Conl«iocook i the privileges thereof as was reserved as by record may appear— they taking the laud as it was reserved by each [of the] falls for couveniency of the mills for part of their righu."— (from Uie Becords.) 169 170 IIISTOKV OF MKKKIMACK COUNTY, NEW IIAMI'SIUU The above, evidently, was not drawn by the clear- headed clerk, Joseph Coffin. The year o[)ened auspiciously to the settlers, for, on January 7th a daughter was born to Nathaniel i Danforth, the first birth in the plantation. The j infant was named Abigail, grew to maidenhood and married Thomas Foss, whose name frequently appears in the records of the town. From action taken in regard to the discharge of the bond given by the fifteen who obligated themselves to build the saw-mill, the evidence is conclusive that the mill had been erected. " Valtd that Uie bonds of (ho ineu, which have built the saw mill be delivered * to lay out the bonds for building eaid mill acrording to vote It was the pioneer mill of this section of the Mer- rimack Valley. The saw-mills of that period were such as any carpenter might construct. This mill had no " nigger" wheel to move the "carriage" back after the saw had passed through the log ; that labor was done by a man treading upon the cogs of the " ratchet-wheel," — labor exceedingly fatiguing. For many years it was the only saw-mill in the town, and .several of the houses now standing on King Street are covered with boards which were .sawn in this first mill. The First Fort. — It was voted that a fort should he erected at the expense of the proprietors, the in- closuie to be one hundred feet square, built of hewn logs, seven feet high and eight inches thick when hewn, '■ to be built three feet above the logs with such stuft" as shall be agreed upon by the committee." From this record it may be inferred that there was an upper work, — a chevaux-de-frue of jjointed, pro- jecting timbers, designed to prevent the enemy from climbing over the wooden walls, which undoubtedly were loop-holed for the use of musketry. It was voted to locate the fortification on the " school lot." The probabilities are that it was erected a few feet south of that lot, near the spot upon which the first framed house was subsequently erected by Rev. Robie Morrill. It being found that the iiiclosure was not large enough to accommodate the entire community, another fortification was erected during the winter. No record has been preserved in regard to the dimen- sions of this garrison, but it probably was somewhat smaller, and designed as a retreat for the settlers on Queen Street in case of sudden surprise. Through the years of trouble with the Indians these garrisons served to protect the resolute men who, during the most exciting times, when other fron- tier settlements were abandoned, never thought of yielding the ground to the foe. The first attack of the Indians ujjou Contoocook was made about 1744, though the exact date is un- known. Josiah Bishop, who was at work in his field at the lower end of King Street, was surprised by a party of Indians. They took him into the woods, probably up the rocky hill west of the lower end of King Street. He made an outcry, and quite likely preferred death to captivity. As was subsequently learned from the Indians, he resisted bravely, and they dispatched him with their tomahawks. The capture naturally threw the settlement into com- motion ; but the citizens having located their homes, determined to defend them. The summer was one of great anxiety. The families took refuge in the gar- risons, while sentinels were ever on the watch while the citizens were at work. The chief item of interest in the call for the annual meeting of the proprietors in 1752 was the erection of a second fort. The meeting was held May 20th, and the followinL' vntp \v:is i>:isscd : lit- laid out in building a garrison or i =.-1 on Samuel Gerrieh's lot which 1 tireenough, said fort to be one hun- ing said building to cover the land." This second fort was erected on the hill. Messrs. Stephen Gerrish, Jacob Flanders and Richard Jack- man were placed in charge of the work. It is prob- able that this fortification stood on the site of the smaller fort, erected during the previous troubles. We have not been able (says Mr. Coffin) to ascer- tain what citizens of Contoocook enlisted in the war against the French and Indians. It is not likely that their names would be found on the proprietors' rec- ords. It is known that Philip Flanders was killed at Crown Point. He was a ranger in Major Rogers' company. He was the son of Jacob Flanders, one of the first settlers, and lived at the south end of Water Street. He was brother of Deacon Jesse Flanders, who was in one or more of the campaigns against the French and Indians. Andrew Bohonon, one of the first settlers of Con- toocook, also served in one or more campaigns. He was brother-in-law of Philip and Jesse Flanders, having married their sister, Tabitha. The First Town-Meeting. — The first town-meeting was called by the proprietors' clerk, Joseph Coffin. "This may inform the Free holders & other inhabitants of the plan- tation, formerly called rontoncoMk, Tc now l>y his e\.._-llency Benning Wentworth, ilsq.. Govern. >r, a. i i, \ . m i II i m ,i'-' v ^ I'mvinceof New Hampshire made and Inc.r[ !■ - m I v' n privileges and the nominees thereof ir^ I- H l :■ > i ji Lll.ii Boscawen, the said Freeholders and IiihUitiii'- .:'.■ 1: ! i ; n tij.. I t^ meet at the Meeting-House in said Town on the third Wednesday In June at Sine of the clock, before noon, to choose a town clerk, assessors and all other Town officers for the year ensuing as the Law Dil^cts. By order of His Excellency. " Joseph Coffin. " April 30, 1760. ■' June 18th, at the meeting thus called, Joseph Coffin was chosen moderator, George Jackman, Jr., town clerk; John Webster, Ensign John Fowler and Captain Joseph Eastman, selectmen and assessors; Benjamin Eastman, constable ; Andrew Bohonon, surveyor of highways; and Deacon George Jackman and Moses Burbank, fence-viewers. It was voted that the selectmen furnish a town pound. BOSCAWEX. The First School.— At the first annual meeting after the organization of the town an appropriation of thirty pounds was made for a school, to be kept two months. The teacher employed was Mr. Varney, who had preached for a short time after the death of Rev. Mr. Stevens. He was the first teacher employed in the town. If a school was taught prior to this date, it was a private aftair. Probably none was taught, and the instruction received by the children was given by their parents. The hardships had been too great, and the country too much disturbed by the frequent Indian alarms and the marchings to and from Ticonderoga and Crown Point, to admit of any organized eflbrt in educational matters. It is gratify- ing to know that almost the first appropriation of the town w-as for public instruction. It was a significant indication of its future prosperity. The first action in law, in which the town was a party, occurred in 1765. At the regular town-meet- ing, which was held on this day, besides choosing officers, a committee was appointed — George Jack- man, Jr., and Thomas Carter — "to answer to the action commenced by Major Samuel Gerrish against said proprietors, also for any other suita that may be brought." What the question in dispute may have been does not appear. In Rev. Mr. Price's history it is stated that George Jackman, Jr., was appointed justice of the peace in 1760, by His Majesty's authority, George II. We have not been able to verify the statement. George III. was now op the throne, and from the petition given below, it would seem that George Jackman re- ceived his appointment under George III., in 1766 : " Tu His Excellenct/, Benniiig WenitBorth^ £c. : " IVIiereas the Town of Boscavven, in aaid Province, has, evur since its first settlement, been destitute of a commissioned Jiis(i.-L- of the peace, such an office being often needed (more esperi:ill\ -In.. ..m I,. it. \\i\ot able Incorporation by your excellency), we tin -ni. . r ,t i n -i h.li.il.ir- unta of aaid town pray your excellency tu i i i, u. ^ll li. . r^.- Jackman, junior, of said Town, to be justice i>l ilii !■, ,, , (m Iki\ III- de- served well for several years Last past in the accejilnl.K- discharge nf public Trust to him committed and your petitioners will ever pray for the granting of their prayer. "Uoscaweu, January '20, 17li6 : ' ' Eziu Carter. Thomas Cui ser. John Fowler. Eplfa Woodbury. Thomas Carter. Jesse Flandei^, John Webster. Stephen Call. John Flanders. Moses Foster petitions, William Emery. tho' nut an Inhabitant John Corser. of Boscawen." ITEMS FROM THE SELECTMEN'S ACCOUNT— ITiiC. £ s. a. " Paid to the selectmen for perambulating the line between Bos- cawen and Almsbury [Warner] II 4 paid Nathan Coiser for wolf's head 1' 4 Paid Capt. Eastman for entertainment for the council at M.V. Morrill's Dismission 1 4 Paid Mr. Thomas Foss the Sum of Savin shilling for his Sarvice toward Laying out highways & perambulating between Bos- cawen & hopkintou 7 Paid mr. William Jerome for preaching two Days 2 h u paid Capt. fowler to expense of town In thehouso(»lr Fowler's) 3 at another time paid him for two how Is of punch 1 8 at another bowl of punch for the Justice «u o paid Capt. fowler for entertaining UevJ mr. ware after preach- '"K -.i paid him for keeping mr, morrill's horse some time 4 also paid Capt. Fowler for entertaining Som of the Committee that ware chosen to appoint a place for a meeting-houao . .Coo Remaining on his Book not settled Savrill person's Rates who call themselves churchmen, the whole of the money being . 9 ITEM FROM CUNSTAHI.I TIIiiM.\S I'AllTKU'S ACCOUNT. £ >. d. Population in 1767.— A census of the province was taken during the year,— the first, so far as is known. The population of Boscawen is thus given : Unmarried men between sixteen and sixty ...... 17 Married men 45 Boys under sixteen 77 Men si.xty and above g Females unmarried 83 Widows ;i Male staves Female slaves (I Total 28S Other towns in tlie vicinity — population: Concord 752 Salisbury 210 Canterbury yo:i Dnnbartou 271 Now Boston 29(i Hillsborough Hi Canaan 19 Plymouth 227 Newport 29 Haverhill 172 The First Physician.— During the year Dr. Daniel I'l'tiTsoii took up his residence in Boscawen — the first ifsiileiit physician in the town. He built tlie house now standing — the firat building north of the academy, on the Plain. The growth of the State anil the development of northern section indicated that sooner or later the capital would be moved from Exeter to some more central locality. The matter was strongly agitated iluring the year 1802-3. Pembroke, Concord, Bos- cawen, and quite likely other towns, took measures toward securing it. The citizens of Boscawen took liold of the subject zealously, as the following docu- ment shows : "We, the .111 1. I I I ■ j I ill! 1.1 pay the sums set against out names fur thepiirpii- m. . ' . tor the Legislature of New Hamp- yround will ailiiiiH 1, t..ivv.. n r..l Joseph Gerrish and Mr. Somei-sby Pearson, by a coiiiiiiittt-e that shall hereatler be appointed to compleat the said house, provided the General Court of New Hampshire shall en- gage to hold their sessions in said Boscawen in seven or ten years, as " December the 2IJ"i, 18l«. HlSTOllY OF MKRRIMACK COUNTr, NEW HAMl'SHIKE. lioack Cl.ai.dlM- . . . . . 75 Caleb Putiioy . . 200 Deni.ison Boweia . . . . . . 100 Sathai. rnrlcr .... . . . ISO Siimonibv l'i»nii.n . . . . . . 100 . . .w JoBfp). II. M..rrill . . 30 Jereli.ii.l. .Moirill . . . . . 20 Jolin Cill . . 2:, Ji..i« Hnl.l.iiison . . . . . . 26 Simp.... Il,ii.f..rll. . . . . . . -1 W» Ci. Kmoii»M .... . . 10 Enoch Oeriish, Jr. . . . . . 10 . . . 10 Joshuii Carlton . . . . . . . 10 Timothy Dix . . . so Sanil. Pcteraon ... . . . 6 James L'ran . . . 10 John S.Abbott. . . . . . 20 Winthrop Carter . . Humphrey Webater . Tho> Carter .... Qftorge Perkins. . . Charles Kastman . . Joseph Atkinson . . EnoL-h Danford . . . Henry Gerrish . . 8ila» Iltilfc Beuj. UiAfe, Jr . . . Samuel Burbank . Josiah Burbank . Julin Flanders, J David Biirbank . ve Subscribei-b, du hereby engage tn pay the naiuetj in case the Gen' Court should adjourn only. ' Henry GelTish. Benj. Rolfe, Jr. Caleb Putney. John Gill. Tin- i„il,li.- wh,,., tavern. The ..iily i an olfender nceurred CHAPTER II. iMILlTAEY HISTOKV. In 1744, at the outbreak of the French War, Richard Flood served the provincial government in some capacity in the expedition to Canada. It is not known that he went as a soldier. The only rec- oril of his service is a notice of his petition for aid from the government, in the reec.nls of tlie provin- cial committee, for service rendered in the expedition to Canada. The same year Philip Call served as a scout in Cai.tain .leremiah Clough's company, from .lanuary 21st to March ISth, reccivins two pounds ten sliil- lings. Captain Clough lived in I 'aiiterlmiy, and was a leading citizen of that town. Captain John Clough connnaiided a emniiaiiy in Penacook at the same time, of which Nathaniel Rix was a scddier. In 1746, Captain John tiolfe, of Bedford, com- manded a company of scouts, in which Joseph East- man, Jr., Deacon Jesse Flanders, his brother, John Flanders, Jr., and William Corser served as privates thirty-seven days, having been called out by the attacks of the Indians on Penacook and C'ontoocook, killing Thomas Cook and capturing Caesar, Rev. Mr. Stevens' negro. Later in the season Captain Ladd arrived with a company, in which Philip Flanders, Joseph Eastman and Jacob Flanders enlisted. In this company was Robert Rogers, afterwards the celebrated ranger. At the same time Philip Call was doing duty in Captain Clough's company, being out one hundred and fifty-four days, receiving £8 13«. Sd. In 1747, Captain Clough, of Canterbury, was out from the f)th of January to the 12th of November. Philip Call and John Manuel served under him, re- ceiving £1() 10s. lOrf., besides provisions and ammuni- tion. Upon the return of this company, Captain Ebenezer Eastman, of Concord, began a winter cam- paign, being out with his company from November 14, 1747, to May 9, 1748. Rev. Phineas Stevens served as a private. In all probability he preached on Sunday to the soldiers in camp. In 1748, Captain Goffe was scouting the frontier with a company in which William Corser served as a private. At the same time, Captain Moses Foster, of Suncook, was ranging the frontier with a company, of which Rev. "Mr. Whittemore, minister of Pembroke, was lieutenant. Ezekiel Flanders, killed in 175(> at Newfound Lake, by the Indians, served in this eom- |iany one month, from June 6th to July 7th. Peace having been made between England and France, there was no further need of military service till 1754, when the Indians again began their depre- dations, killing William Stinson, and taking John Stark and Eastman prisoners on Baker's River, cap- turing the Meloon family of Salisbury, and killing Mrs. Philip Call and Timothy Cook, in Stevenstown. Military service was no longer confined to the .MerrimackValley, — the theatre of war was transferred to the Upper Hudson and the lakes. Colonel Blanchard commanded a regiment, in which Benjamin Eastman, of Boscawen, enlisted under Captain John troffe, .serving from April 24th to October 28d. One company was commanded by Captain Thomas Tash, of Durham, in which John Corser enlisted. Cajitain Josej.h Eastman commanded another com- pany, in which Winthrop Carter, Moses Manuel, Samuel Manuel, Joseph Eastman, Andrew Bohonuon, William Jackman and John Fowler served. Another regiment was commanded by Colonel Xathaniel Folsom. Upon the muster-roll is the name of Nathaniel Meloon, son of the first settler of that name in C'ontoocook. Ill the Crown Point expedition John Fowler, Joel Miiiuel and Jo.seph Eastman served, under Captain ,lohn Oofte. In 1758, Daniel Shepherd and Philip Flanders served in Captain Ladd's company, Colonel Hart's regiment, sent to Crown Point. Nathaniel Meloon served in Captain Todd's company. In Rev. Mr. Price's history, it is stated that Philip Flanders was killed at Crown Point in 1756, which is BOSCAWEN. 173 manifestly an error, his name appearing on the muster-roll from April 24th to November 1, ]7/)S, on which day he probably was killed. There is no record to show the military organiza- tion ill the town from the close of the FrenchWar, in 1760, to the beginning of the Revolution, in 177.'5. The law required all able-bodied men, between six- teen and sixty, to be enrolled in the train-bands. A town containing thirty-two men liable to do military duty could have a military organization of its own. There being more than that number of soldiers in the town, it hail a " train-liaiid." War of the Revolution. — The news of the attack of the British at Kexington reached Boscawen on the 20th, and on the 21st sixteen men were on the march under Captain Henry Gerrish. They were, — Henry GeiTish, captain ; Silns Call, lieuteuaut ; Winthiop Carter, gergeaut ; Samuel Fowk-r, Esq., Edmund Cbadwick, Jolin Flanders, John Stephens, Nathaniel Burliank, Samuel Jackman, David Flanrtora, Charles Greenfield, Peter Roawell .Stevens, Israel Shepard, Isaac Davis, Edward Gerald, Nathaniel Atkinson. We may think of them as assembling at Fowler's tavern, at the lower end of King Street, with their guns and powder-horns, and possibly, here and there, a citizen carried a knapsack. They fill their canteens with rum at Mr. Fowler's bar, and take a parting drink with their neighbors. We see them crossing " Town-house Brook," and hear the tramp of their marching as they pass over Coutoocook bridge. The news must have reached town on the morning of the 20th. Captain Peter Coffin saddled his horse and started for Exeter, where we find him on the 21st, in consultation with sixty-eight other delegates — " to consult what measures shall be thought most expe- dient to take in this alarming crisis." At a meeting of the town the following votes were passed : " Voted to buy one barrel v»f Gunpowiler, one hundred wiMKht of lead and one hundred flint**. " Voted that Capt. Stephen Gerrish buy the stores at as reasonable price as may be, for the use of the ttvwn. " Voted to adhere strictly to advice of the Continental Congress." A committee was appointed " to see if the afore- said laws of Congress be obeyed." The Committee of Safety consisted of Benjamin Jackman, Joseph Atkinson, Ebenezer Hidden, John Elliot, Captain Henry Gerrish, Lieutenant Moses Call, George Jackman and Ensign Peter Kimball. March 14th a committee was appointed to procure a preacher, and was instructed to apply to Mr. Levi Frisby. Twenty-five pounds was voted for school inuposes, and it was also voted to employ Mr. Morrill (Mr. Robie Morrill) as teacher. Twenty pounds was voted for jn-eaching. The Association Test. — Every citizen of Bos- cawen, with one exception, signed what was known as the Association Test. From this document, we have the name of everv male adult in town in the spring of 1776, not military service, — ■ ;luding those who were doing Gerrish, .Samuel III ephen Gerrish, Stevens, Willi, dn I'nii.ii.i Ni. i ,..i * Nathaniel Aikm ..n i, i, i mi. \ ,i, ,., Fowler, John ll.il. j , r. lii ('lilliu. iM,, . , liul.i .Lilm Howley, John Bowley, Jr., John Corser, Jr., George Jacknuin, Saniuel Agaton, John Uran, George Jackman, Jr., Cutting Noyes, John Elliot, Joseph East- man, — total, one hundred and eight. " To the honorable Council and Ilnn.,. if n. ,„■. r ni^uivra for the Col- ony of New Hampshire, or Comiiiiit. . I .1 '- IIm limy certify that the within Declaration have Been i.n I. I I ih I I. ii jiiiiLiof Bosciiweu I the » ' June 3, 177(i.' " George Jackmaa "cuttino noyes, It is probable that Mr. Flanders' refusal to sign was not from any hostility to the cause of liberty, nor from fear of consequences, but from his temperament as an individual. He wa.s a peraon who found pleas- ure in being on the side opposite the majority, no matter what the question. It is not known that his fellow-citizens abated their confidence in his loyalty from his refusal to sign this declaration of indepen- dence. March 29th the citizens deliber;>l«d on the state of the country, and ].ms-.im1 llic follinNiiiL' |i;iiiiiiilr \otes: 'Thii K,ii, I.ieut lielij Jacknmn, Ml .l-liii I 1 .ml, i -, .v . ,. . i ■ ,, l« a coniniittec to propose a pliui .iiiil l.i) l.iluU' ih^- l\uiiJ..i pi... uiiii^ liie men to go into the service of thu United States of Auieriut agreeable to onler of Court." "Voted, That the war for time past & for future be maintained by « tax on the Inhabitants in the same manner as the Law directs for Prov- ince Tax, allowing a man no more for four months' service on his credit in the Southern army than for three monUis in the Northern army and " Voted, To give fifty dollars as a bounty or hire from this Town to each iiiiiii Willi shall engage to go into the service of this Town for three 1 the sel e shall enlist." April 2.'')th the citizens again assembled to take measures to push on the war, — " Voted, To carry on the war by a tax in equal proportion, on the in- habitants according to interest in the same manner as for their town A committee was api>ointed, consisting of George 174 IILSTOHV OF MP^RRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Jackman, Captain Peter Kimball, John Elliot, Lieu- tenant Enoch Gerrish, Mr. John Flanders, Samuel Muzzy, Captain Samuel Atkinson anil Isaac Pearson, " to enquire into the state of service already done in the war, and make a just and equitable e.stiinate of each TiMiu that has been done and make report." lil.\RY OF f.\PT. HENRY GERRISH. "Si't out for CHinlirirlgn vrith Lieut. Call, Sarn.iii i .n.i i:-i Kmw- ler, Etlmuml Cliiulwick, Jolin Flanilcre, John Si. \ .1. .1 . . r.ui bank, SaluuclJuokmnn, naviil FUndera, Charlf ! I • I:., well Slovens, Israel Sheimi'l, I*""- lUvis K.hva.l i ,1 \ uio-.lnt Cauil)riilgeonSnndn.v i :ill 1 iMi.l Mil 1 n. . 1 ^ -, ii, 1 ,, luwlersot Atkin: j,ii,„.,| ,, ,, ,,, , , ,, \i ,1,1 inng William Forrest, Timothy JV,,, ,i, I In \ II ii -^ n. lilt, John Been, John Rains, Abra- ham VMi. M .1 It. i . Mil -^l— W.-lsh." These la.sl were probably citizens of Salisbury. Some of the Boscawen soldiers, in common with those of other towns, soon returned home, while others hastened to Cambridge to fill their places. Those from Boscawen enlisted in Captain Joshua Abbott's company. Colonel Stark's regiment. Cap- tain Abbott was a citizen of Concord, well-known to the Boscawen men. He had served in the French War, and was a brave and gallant officer. Samuel Atkinson was elected lieutenant, and Samuel Corser and Nathan Davis corporals. They had all confi- dence in their colonel, John Stark, who had seen hard service in the last war against the French and Indians. Roll of honor at Buxker Hill.— Those en- gaged ill the battle of Bunker Hill from Boscawen were, — Oj^cert. — Lieut. ' " 1 \ 1 k ms.jn, Lieutenant Moses Call, l^or- poral Samuel i-'.'i. I ' . 1 . i \ . 1 1. .n Davis. Privates. — PiiM.i r.ii n.i. \ u-.tii.-l Burbank, Moses Burbank, Jr., John Bowley. Eiiuuu.J i 1..i.iuj._l, W illiam Comer, Asa Corser, Isaac Davis, Joshua Danlorlh, John Eliot, John Flanders, DaviJ Flanders, Deacon Jesse Flanders. In Captain Aaron Kinsman's company, John Man- uel, who was killed ; in Captain 's company, Jos- eph Crouch, who was wounded on the retreat by a spent cannon-ball. The following receipt is in possession of Luke Cor- ser, Esq. : " Boscawen May W 1775 " Uecieved of Duvid Coi-ser of Boscawen a Gun nmrked on the Britch W. C. B. which Gun I have Recieved for the use of the soliera Now in the County Sarvice who wont from Boscawen under the connnand of Capt Abbott in order to Defend the country against the Troops under General Gage Now at Boston. Recievsd by me " W. C. B." undoubtedly means William Corser, Boscawen. He was an uncle of David Corser, who gave him one hundred acres of land, on Pleasant Street, for the gun. In September volunteers wore called for to join Arnold's expedition to Quebec up the Kennebec River — an e.Kpedition attended by terrible hardships, resulting in failure, the capture of nearly all of Arnold's command and the death of General Mont- gomery. Deacon Jesse Flanders, John Flanders, Jr., and Nicholas Davis enlisted in Captain Henry Dearborn's command, and were captured in the attack upon Quebec. They were kept in irons a short time, liber- ated on parole in Augu.st, 177G, and reached New York by sea September 25th. In December, 1775, additional soldiers were called for, and Nicholas Elliot, Moses Burbank, Benjamin Webster and David Carter served during the winter in the siege of Boston. During the year 1776 soldiers were called for for the defense of Ticonderoga from the threatened attack of Sir Guy Carleton, and twenty-three men enlisted,— Lieutenant Enoch Gerrish, Thomas Carter, Daniel Carter, John Jackman. James Gerald (diedl. J.iseph IV-aisun. J-.lm Muz/.y, John Flandei- 1 ii.ii.l l.iiil.. 11 1,,- li.,,.il.. .1.,,. |,l. Ml.ii,..,i., Nathaniel Hale, tiiiiNuil ,1.1. kiM„i,. Ili.i,,,!- Mul..,.- ..lii.l,, .N,,il„i,,el Burbank, Joseph Couch. Upon the evacuation of Long Island by General Washington the militia were called out in the eastern colonies. Boscawen sent eight soldiers, — Captain Peter Kimball, Lieutenacit Benjamin Jackman, Ensign Sam- uel Ames, Bitfield Plummer, Moses Morrill, Daniel Richards, Samuel Jackman, Cutting Noyea. Boscawen furnished three soldiers for the winter campaign on the Hudson, — Lieutenant Winthrop Carter, John Urau and Samuel Burbank. Colonel Henry Gerrish was in the service of the State obtaining supplies. " Boscawen February 1, 1770. " Received of Henry Gerrish one Hundred & sixty six Blankets, Fifty seven tin Kittles & one Barrel of spirits which I promise to Deliver M^j' Cavis of Ruiuney for Col Israel Moi-ey. "Elisha Bean." **Reced of Coll Henry Gerrish one TTundred and eighty one pounds fourteen shillings L ni [la« fill m. 1. 1 ' 1. |. , 1 Thirty Three Men which I am ordered to raise out ol 11. ' I . ni'ice the army at New York their advance pay an.! 11 ' i.i. 1, are to serve till the fii-st day of March next unl.-^. - ... 1 .ii, 1. u , .i " December lO* 1770. " Thomas Stickney." At a town-meeting held the last Monday in May, 1777, voted "to raise sixty pounds to pay the four men hired by said town to serve in the Continental Army for the term of three years." A committee was appointed " to join the military officers in making draughts of men its may be wanted from time to time for the Continental service." The selectmen addressed a letter to the Committee of Safety,— "Bosr.\wEN May 17, 1777 " Genttemen : — '* In consequence of Express orders, the Town of Boswacen is this Day assembled He called on by the Capt of said town that each man be imme- diately a tiuipt according to law and as there is found wanting a Number of Fire Arms Ammunition ic we have Imployed Capt Samuel Atkinson and Mr. Joseph Gerrish to procure the same. We Desire your favor if BOSCAWEN. 175 rliarf^ be any guns in store to be purchased that you would give Capt At- kinson your advice & assistance & also a quantity of lead. Mr. Atkinson will be able to inform you of the Number of arms & Quantity of leml "Huted to a Quip fnid Town A your Favor herein will Greatly oblige "To the Comuiitteo of Safety at Exeter." Orders from Colonel Thomas Stickney, who lived in Concord, reached Captain Kimball July 1st, to 1)6 ready with his company to march at a minute's warning to oppose General Burgoyne, who was ad- vancing from Canada to Lake Chainplain. Captain Kimliall's company marched July 4th. r\PTAIS KIMBALL'S DIAKY. iiih 1. 1 I ,7 , (l.i^came fr->m Gol. Stickney to me, to muster and ' saterday we marcht to perrytown [Sutton J, and Loged thare. ' Sunday 6, we marcht to Unity and Loged thare. ' Monday 7, we marcht to iso. 4, and Loged thare & drawd 4 Pay ' tu.-s'biy .s, we marcht to Cavendysh aud Loged thare. ' W.-iid>-^y 0, we marcht to No. 4 again. ' Ihurwlay lotb, we marcht to Tnity and Loged. ' fryday 11, we marcht home." The men engaged in this service lere,- Peter Coffin, Colonel Henry Gerrisli, Captain Peter Kimball, Captaii Lieutenant Enoch Gerrish, Lieutenant Moses Call, Nathan Corser. Sam- uel Clifford, Deacon Je^e Flanders, Enos Flanders, Nathaniel Atkinson, Simeon Atkinson, George Jackman, Jr., John Morrill, Deacon Isaac Peai-son, Daniel Clark, Daniel Shepherd, John Manuel, Michael Sar- gent, James French, Benjamin Sweatt, Moses Jackiuan. Men were called for to go to Coos and six men sent as the town's quota, — Captain Samuel .\tkinson, Jeremiah Hidden, Muses Morse, William Panforth, Jedidiah Iianforth, George Jackmau. A full company consisted of Kimball marched from Boscawen with twenty-two, but four others joined him, making twenty-six from Boscawen. The Concord soldiers, under Lieutenant Richard Herbert, joined him on the march. The company was thus organized, — Captain Peter Kimball, Boscawen ; Lieutenant Richard Herbert, Con- cord ; Ensign Andrew Pettengill, Salisbury ; Sergeant Jesse Abbot and Sergeant .\bner Flanders, Concord; Sergeant "William Danforth and Sergeant Nathan Davis, Boscawen ; Corporal Richard Flood, Concord ; Corpornl Richard Burbank, Boscawen ; Corporal John .\bbot. Corporal Theodore Farnum and Fifer Elias Abbot, Concord ; Drummer Asa Cor- ser, Boscawen. P,ii-.>'«.— Stephen Abbot, Ezra Abbot, Benjamin Ambrose, Jonathan Ambrose and Peter Blanchard, Concord ; Wells Burbank and Thomas Beedle, Boscawen ; Philbrick Bradley, Concord ; Jonathan Corser, David Corser, Daniel Carter, Nathan Carter and .\bner Chase, Boscawen ; Simeon Danforth, Concord ; Elknah Danforth and Timothy Danforth, Boscawen ; Reuben Diamond and Betgamin Elliot, Concord ; James French and Jesse Flanders, Boscawen ; Ephraim Fisk, Jr., Israel Glines, Solomon Gage and David George, Concord ; Charles Greenfield and John Ilutchins, Boscawen ; Samuel Hickson and Abial Hall, Concord ; Jedi- diah Hoit, Timothy Jackman, William Jackman and John Jackman, Boscawen ; Timothy Johnson, Concord ; Benjamin Little, Friend Little, Samuel Morse and Isaac Pearson, Boscawen ; John Peters, Anthony Pot- ter, Phineas Stevens, W'illiam Symonds and Simon Trumbull, Concord ; Daniel Cran, Boscawen ; Gilman West, Concord,— fifty-seven. Continental Soldiers.— Three regiments were raised by the State at the beginning of the war for the Continental service. The muster-rolls of v'^tark —the first— give the names of six citizens of Bos- cawen, with the date of enlistment and discharge,— m. 1777, Di» 1 Jan. 178.1. died 8 Aug. 177H. Ho wa. iken to Canada. 7, Discharged 1 Dec. 17SI. 77, Discharged 1 Jan. 17H;i 1777, Deserted 9 July, 177- in. 1777, Discharged 1781.' These, with the exception of Halcomb, took part in the battle of Stillwater, September 19th, and of Sara- toga, October 7th. In the first battle three New Hampshire regiments and Dearborn's battalion of two hundred aud fifty New Hami)shire troops were attached to Morgan's riflemen, and with them did all the fighting from one o'clock till nearly four in the afternoon, sustaining the brunt of the battle. The Sixty-second British Regiment of six hundred men was nearly annihilated by their withering fire. The call for troops during the year was for the de- fense of Rhode Island. Below are the names of the soldiers who served in that campaign : FROM THE SELECTMEN'S BOOKS. "The Men Hereafter Named have Received the Savrill siuiis set against each of thare Names in Consequence of thare going to Rhode Island at the request of the Committee of Safety,— " Enoch Gerrish lu li Joseph Gerrish 10 Daniel Shepard 10 (1 Joseph Flanders lu o Moses Burbank 10 Thomas Gordon 10 Nathau Davis 10 John Flanders 10 ' Isaac Pearson 10 Wells Burbank In I) Humphrey Jackman In Samuel Morrill 10 u Jedidiah Hoit 10 U £130 "Totht I'r ensure)- of the Stale of Neie Hampshire : "Sir, please to alow Winthrop Carter, Constable for Boscawen, the above sum of one hundred A thirty pound nut of the State Tax for Bos- cawen, assessed to order of the committee of safety. "GF.oRfjK. ,I,\CKM,\s, I SeUctmen ■'ClTTl.Nu NoYES, i for Boecatren, "Boscawen, Sept, 3, 1778." The war having been transferred to the Southern States, there was no further call for the militia. Sev- eral citizens enlisted in the Continental service, but. their names are not known, except those serving in the First Regiment. In 1798, in consequence of the interference of French war-ships with American merchantmen, seri- ous trouble was apprehended between the United States and France. Congress established a provisional army of eighty thou.sand men, and appointed Wash- ington lieutenant-general. Nathaniel Green, Esq., was commissioned a cap- tain, with Moses Sweat, of Concord, first lieutenant, and Israel W. Kelley, of Concord, second lieutenant. Eight citizens of Boscawen enlisted, — HISTOUV OF MKIIRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Sergeant Joseph Flandere, MimiS Jackman, Daniel Colby, Ite^jamin Fisk, MoecB Coreer, NaMian Daiifurtli, Bernard Young, Joshua Sawyer. The company assembled at Concord, having their quarters for a few days at Csgood's tavern, and from thencem;ir( lied to Ox ford, Masss., the rendezvous for the New Entxhind Imops, Nc-gotiations were entered into and a \v:ir iivirtcil, :iiiil I lie soldiers discharged. War of 1812. t •,,!,, ,ul Timothy Dix commanded a United States regiiiiciil on the frontier, and died in the service. Several British shijis of war made their aijpoaiancc on the coast, and it was supposed that Portsmouth would be attacked. The militia was called out to defend it. There were two drafts, — one for three and the .second for two months. Those serving under the tirst draft were, — m SIoliL', Muses Call, Kuoch Burbn Stejihc n Uanfurtli, Johu Eastuiau, .la Joseph 91 1.! Eusifu Kicliard Samuel Btirhank, Mi Flanders, Jusiah Gale, Nicholas Gookin, Simeon Jackl Daniel Shepard,— fourteen. Under the second draft for two months,— Captain Silas Call (who died in service), Eleazer Burbatik, Jesse Sweal. Benjamin Severance, AniosKolf, William Haines, Ouy C. Flandere, Abc| Eastman, .Samuel Watson, Ephraim Noyes, James Noyes, Theodore George, Ebeuezcr Moody, Amos Sawyer, Samuel Jackman,— fifteen. Of those enlisting in the regular service, the names of a few only are known, — Benjamin Jackman, Moses Jackman, Edmund Day, killed; Benjamin Fisk, died ; Fisk, died ; Chellis Eastman, died ; George liittlelield, died ; Eliphalel Burpee, died. Military Record, 1861-65.— The following is a list of the soldiers from Boscawen who served in the War of the Rebellion : Fisher Ames, enlisted in CnmimTiy E. Seventh Regiment. Henry H. Ayer, .■Ti'i t. .| m r |,,nv i- Tlm.l It.ginicnt. Daniel C. Abl'cl ' I ' ■ i 1 , .i), Kcgimenl. Edmund W. All > -ivteenth Regiment. James W. Bent, . 1.1 , • I, i . , li,„jters. William H. Brmni ... . p i ■ i .. . .... ii F..iirth Regiment. Jonas T. Boyntmi, . . i. i, .] -i ,„ ., ,, John H. Brown, • ..I. I. i .-. . ...|.... I N ...rl, lu-imeut. fyrus B. Bidwell. . i,l,-...l m r ,..,,., r. .v. ,..,,,i, Regiment. George F. Bidwell, pnliste.l ni Coiiiiiany E, Seventh Regiment. Lieutenant Henry W. Baker, enlisted in Company E, Seventh Regiment Lieutenant William W. Ballard, enlisted in Company B, Second Regi- Thomas Brannan, enlisted in the navy. Samuel Chandler, enlisted in Company E, Seventh Regiment. John Clancy, enlisted in Company E, Seventh Regiment. Patrick Clancy, enlnl..) m ■■,,„, ,:,„,- i; \ii.,i, Regiment. AlonzoChase, enli ■ i ., . i . r I .. i:. uiment. Edwin H. Chadu. i . i, ,«. George Coffin, CI. I.. . .|, i ...i ili Regiment. Geor^i. ' .11 , . 1. 1 . . , I ,, II l.iirterntii Regiment. Hale • I. I. . ... , r. Seventeenth Regiment. Albfii I . I , . d Massachusetts Regiment. sylvanuK f,. |i.iiil..itl., enlisted lu Company A, Fifth Regim George Damon, enlisted in Company B, Second Kegimeiit. George Day, enlisted in Second Heavy Artillery. Wilson Day, enlisted in Second Heavy Artillery. Isaac C. Evans, enlisted in (^mipnny E, Seventh Regiment. CorUe Flanders, enlisted in Company I, Tenth Regiment. David A. Flanders, enlisted in Company E, Tenth Regiment. Frederick If. Fav.ir, enlisted in Third Regiment. Jr«i:.li ir Vliiii.l.i. ...ti-l.'cl in the cavalry. Da\i.l ' I i I . . ,,r. ,1 in the navy. Hiniii ■ ' riipany B, Third Regiment. John M > . I . 1.1 it .1 Ml r„m|>any C, Seventh Regiment. .lohn Mitihi II, .idi-d.! in Third Regiment. .luhn .Muzzey, eiili,any, — -a precious memento of that signal battle. Captain Kimball was a valuable citizen, a much- esteemed neighbor and consistent man." The diary kept by Captain Kimball in the cam- paign of 1776 and at Bennington, is given iu the body of this volume, in connection with the events of the Revolution, from which it will be seen that he was a prompt, efficient and brave soldier. He barely mentions that he was wounded in the battle of Ben- nington, — leaving it to others to speak of his bravery. He moved from Queen to Water Street after the Revolution, and continued till his death, at the age of seventy-two, a useful and honored citizen. It may be said that Captain Peter Kimball and Colonel Henry Gerrish were leading spirits in the town dur- ing the Revolutionary period. Both were military officers; and the promptness with which they ordered out their commands, when called upon, attests their efficiency. Benjamin Thurston Kimball, the youngest son of Captain Peter Kimball, was born in Boscawen, May 4, 1784. He had no opportunity for educa- tion except the meagre instruction of the district school. He resided on the homestead where he was born, and built the house now occupied by Mr. Wade. He was an influential citizen, and a member of the Congregational Church and society. He was an early advocate of anti-slaverv, and cast his influ- ence and his vote in its behalf. He longed for the day when the slave would be a freeman, — a consum- mation he was not jiermitted to see. He died July 9, 18u2. He was ho.-uilding as he might deem necessary. E.\tensive al- terations were made, and the school became widely known as the Elmwood Institute. In 18(;S the lease was canceled by mutual agreement. In 1872, " Voted to sell the bull. ling ;ui(l gmunds for $21)00, with the condition that the bell .shall not be (lis|iiiscil (if, liut kept in the building as at present." Cons^regational Church. — The Congregational Church in this town was organized October 8, 1740. One of the conditions of the grant to the proprietors of Contooeook was that one eighty-fourth part of the land should be set aside for a parsonage, and one ad- ditional eighty-fourth for the minister, and that a " learned and Orthodox minister" should be settled At their Miireh meet iiii;-, I7:'ii. the pi-o|irietors voted that .I.wc.pb (ieirish, Henry Holfe and .Joseph Stick- ney be a eoniniittee " to treat with some suitable man & a Christian learned to preach at Contooeook the eumniing summer, and in order to settle the aforesaid Gentleman, if he can be rationally agreed with, to serve us in the ministry." Two hundred pounds were raised for preaching, and the assessors were directed to make the town-house convenient for the use of the minister and people ou the Sabbath. The committee secured the services of Eev. Phineas .Stevens, who remained pastor fifteen years, and had taken an active part in all of the affairs of the "Plan- tation." The expenses at the ordination of Mr. Stevens were as follows: " An .\cconipt of the Expenses for the Oidiniition of the Rev. Mr. Phineas Stevens at Contooeook Oct 29, 17411, For which Charge tlie Pro- prietors are indebted " To Mr. Edmird Emery, " For live Busjiels of Wheat at 12> per Imsli' ... 3 n; Ihs Porlc at IS'i I 4 2 11« Susar II 4 '> for Craiiibuirys Cabbage & turnips 10 Kggs 1" 64 Trouble of his house 3ll» ... 1 11 C Charge he has been at 20' & Trouhle 12" . 1 18 U For liriugiug up the Boat 1 The query arises, How a boat could be used at an ordination? The answer is plain. There was no bridge across the Merrimack. The ministers from the lower towns would come by the road leading up the east side of the Merrimack : hence the need of a boat. '• To Mr. George Jtichmav. "For Edward FitzGerald'sService 1 C for 2 women 2 da.vs each (I 12 aBushelof wheat 12«& a Bushel of Indian f,« 18 His Trouble 3ii» CabbagesuSi Turnips 5> . . 1 l.'i u " To .ln,tpl, Gcn-Wi Fmi " Fori niioils . .'. u i; IVihiinheliiof Wheat lS"TurniiM4c.V . . 1 ,s ii S Turkies at .'.f, at '.IP pir III 42". Unliving the Boat 2li" :i 2 n Carting IOC His trouble :lii- II in ii " To Mr .Mm CoJJin " KorllH ll,,.i„n,utterG0'4bu8l|lof l\lalt4ll' .. .'. II ll 411^^ lbs Sail I'ork GU" '.IP & 211 lbs of clieuae at 2S«2P 4 S 11 8 Oeeso .ii;4 at 8P 34' ll' A Ins trouble ,k charge 0U> 4 14 4 fl4 3 3 " To Mr John Noifet Jun " For2l'iisesor Knives 40" for 10 liis Sugar 20- & one lb pepper 9» 3 " To Mr Daniel Ooilhi •' For 111 11)8 of liaisins 35" ."> lbs Currentn l.'i" 11 Iha of loaf Sugar .%• 4 b'l 3ii lbs of Flower 10» (i Drinking glasses 8' . 1 8 Biscake2ll8, Idoz Mugs 1*2" Carting Stores 12" 2 4 111 Gallons Khum at 10' per Gal 8 10 flO 17 " To Mr John Admm " For 20 lbs Sugar 30', SP Chocolate IVj lb 21«|JP . 2 18 5 Nutmegs 5« Op. Allspice 4> Pipes 4 doz S> . 17 C £3 15 11 " To Mr Join, IlolfJ,,,, " Forone half barrel full hound &a 4 gallon Cask 12 " To John Broiim " For Spices 9" Pipes & Tobacco 12«ep 1 1 li For a .50 gallon cask & a 4 gall bottle il 7 For bis trouble & charge 3 " To Mr Ehen'r Chonle "For Wine 1 10 " To Mr. Moses Gerrvh " For 5 lbs of Sug.ar II HI " To CuUinij Lmit '• For four Gallons of Molasses 1 S " To Ilkhards <{• Tttcowh " For Carrj'ing lip their Fanils Each 20" 2 .tlll4 " A inie Acconipt Errors Excepted Newbury No\ r,a 1740 "John Brown." He died January 19, 1755. The following is an in- ventory of his estate : "Wethe Subscribers lieiiic appointi'ila I'ciiMiMitlie to apprize the Eb- t.ate real & personal of th- l;, i i M' llmi. h ,, Si, >. n-. late of tlie Place railed Contooeook within I. >! 1 ■ i N'W Ilanipsliire, Clerk Deceased, being 111 : ., i ,, i ,i :.ii ,i I' lnngo of the said Trust have taken the I"..Uo\>iu^ iii.i iih'i,v "I tin .>.iul L.^late. '* Of personal Estate — " Imprimis. To Books— E. ». d. M' Pool's Synopses Criticorum in five volumes in Folio 7 10 other books the whole of them 1 5 Item, To a Swivel Gun 2 10 item. To Beds, Bedding & Bedsteads 4.'* 12 6 Item, To Pewter 12 10 item, To two warming pans 3 2 6 item, To two Brass Kettles 4 IIISTOKV OF MKUi;i.MA('-l<: COUNTY, NEW HAMI'SHIIIK. item. To a toaeliTig-Ii-oii A Gridiron Item, To a Spit • ■ ■ To«Sl>oo! wheel :t8m. To a Culilwanl tem, T.ilwo Cuggs • tein, To a groat Wheel torn, To Andirons teni. To Tongs teni, To another JMir of Tongs & fire sliovel & , To an iron Kettle item. To two iron Tmminels . . . tern. To a little Tot tom, To two Box irons & Heater . tern. To five Chairs at 3" DP apiece tem, To a Frying Pan tern. To an iron Pot tern, To a pair of liund-Bcllows . . tem, To a Ijitws Skillet tfc Fmmc . To three tables at 5" ap; To a Cradle To hay at the Meddeo To 2 Tobes Chaffing Dish .... To a CiMt To a great Coat . . . , To a pail' of Leather Hre , To a Jacket , To a Hat , To a p;iir of Boots . . . , To Shoes , To a Morter Pestel . . . , To a Razor , To Shirts , To a half Bnshel&Sive , To one old Siuidle & Bri.l , To Tea Furuilure . . . , To two Chests , To an old I'ortniantle . , To Salt , To Glass Bottles .... '* To ft Mare . . . item, To two Cows . . item, To a Heifer . . item. To a Calf . . . item, To five Sheep . item. To three Swine ' Imprimis, To the Uonse-Lot, Honae & H.irn . . item, a House in the Garrison item, To a iive acre Intervale Lot item. To a House Lot adjoining to Ensign Jos- eph Eastman's item. To one eighty acre Lot, half an eighty acre Lot, A two House-Lots all joining together '1 item, To one hundred acre Lot item. To one common Right item, To half a hundred acre lot, & half a com- mon Right item. To one eighty-acre-Lot in the Township of brd 62 Mr. Stevens was succeeded by Rev. Robie Merrill, who was ordained December 29, 17G1. He was dis- missed December 9, niUi. Rev. Nathaniel Merrill wxs ordained [lastor ( )(-t(ilier 19, 1768, and resigned April 1, 1774. Ivev. Sannu'l Wood, of honored mem- ory, was ordained pastor of this church October 17, 1781, and for more than half a century his life was identified with the history of the church and town. Dr. Wood's civil contract with the town wiis dis- solved May 7, 1802, though his pastoral relation with the church still continued. In 1804 the Second Church was organized in the western section of the town, and Rev. Ebenezer Price settled as its pastor. Rev. Mr. Wood, during these years, prejjared a number of young men for college. Among them was Daniel Webster. From 1809 he was actively engaged in promoting the cause of education, and acted as visiting com- mittee for twenty years. As early as the year 1797 he endeavored to secure the establishment of an academy, but, failing in that, was the means of starting a library. Thirty years later the project of an academy was revived, and through the energy and liberality of Hon. Ezekiel Webster, and the hearty co-operation of the citizens, Dr. Wood had the gratification of seeing the realiza- tion of his early plans. He contributed liberally to establish the institution, — giving the shingles, which he had shaved with his own hands. The Boscawen Church, nominally, was Presbyte- rian till 1828, when Dr. .John Rogers was appointed to see what its relations were to the Presbytery. He could find no such organization, and the church passed a vote readopting the Congregational polity. On October 17, 1831, Dr. Wood completed a half- century of ministerial labor, and noticed the event with appropriate services. He stated that he had re- ceived into the church, by profession, four hundred and eighty, of whom one hundred had severed their relation, one hundred and nineteen had died, thirty had been excommunicated, leaving a church at that time of two hundred and thirty-eight members. He remained pastor until his death, 1836. In December, 1832, Rev. Salmon Bennett was in- stalled as junior pastor. By the terms of settlement, Mr. Bennett was to have a salary of three hundred dollars and one-fourth part of the time for service elsewhere, which, proving inadequate for his sup- port, resulted in his dismissal, October 25, 1836. The death of Rev. Dr. Wood occurring soon after, the church e.xtended a ca,ll to Rev. Caleb B. Tracy. He was installed September 12, 1837. Large additions were made to the church in 1842-43. The organization of the church in Fislierville re- sulted, however, in the transfer, about this time, of thirteen members to that body. Mr. Tracy remaineil jiastor till IS')], when he was dismissed by mutual coiisiut. During the year l.s.")2 the church was under the charge of Rev. Mr. Slocum. On June 15, 1853, Rev. Ambrose Smith was in- stalled pastor, remaining till his death. Rev. Milton L. Severance was installed February 16, 1864, dismissed December 22, 1S68. BOSOAWEN. Rev. Joseph A. Freeman installed June SO, lS7r), dismissed July 3, 1877. Rev. Frank Haley installed Ue-tober 11, 1S82, dis- missed June 11, 1885. The first meeting-house was built of logs, forty feet long and as wide as Rumford (Concord) meetiug- house, only two feet higher. This was occupied until 1767, when it was therefore voted that a new meeting-house should be erected, and a committee was appointed to select a site. It was voted that, pending the erection of the meeting-house, the meetings should be held half the time at the linuse of Jesse Flanders. The committee appointed to select a site reported as follows: " BosciWEN, Sep. 8. 1767. " We ilo liereb.v deliver it as our boiicst and impartial judgment that it be erected on that saplingpine land about ten or twelve rods from the road towards Jesse Flanders, from that knowl above Ephraini Wood- bury's, which was the last voted place, and that this meeting-house be placed for those only that live on the Easterly side of Battle street, so railed, and that those who live on the Westerly side of said street be ex- I'lnpted from any cost in building said house. • .\s witness our hands, " KZEKIEL Morrill, ■. The site finally selected for the new meeting-house was near the northwest corner of the cemetery, west of Woodbury's Plain. It was " Voted To Raise two hundred & fifty pounds old tenor Toward De- fraying the charges already arisen in building the meeting-house frame, to be paid in Labour at fifty Shillings a Diiy, and whoever Don't La- bour when Notified, or pay Stuff fit for the use of the house, to pay " Voted To begin & Go on with the finishing said meeting-house as far JL-; the pew privileges will go, together with the money as above voted. "George Jackman, Jun., Mr. Joseph Atkinson, Ens. Peter Kimball, Mr. Benjamin Eastman & Deacon Jes.se flanders ware chosen and fully luipowered as a committee to carry on the finishing said Meeting- The old tenor currency had so far depreciated that fifty shillings was only equivalent to about forty-two cents lawful money, a shilling being less than one cent. The committee appointed to appraise the pew privi- leges reported the apprai.sal and articles of sale as follows : " Is' The pews to be sold to the highest bidder, " 2 — The money bid is to be understood, Hampshire's old tenor. "3'' That no person bid less than 20 shillings a bid. [About sixteen " That every purchaser shall pay one-fourth part thereof in money & the remainder in labor or lumber, as said committee & purchaser shall agree, ^/jrow'Wed the same be at Cash price & when wanted for the use of said house. "5»*» That Each pew be forfeited unless the purchaser pay the sum for which the same was bid off at in the following manner, viz. : ** The money to be paid in three months from the time said pew was bid off and the other to be paid when called for by the committee for tliu use of said house. "6. That every person shall forfeit his pew privilege except that the purchaser have the same well finished within twelve months from the time said pew was bid off. "7. That any purchaser shall pay down or give security for one-tenth part of the value of what said pew was bid off at— which sum shall be forfeited unless the articles are fulfilled " Voted by the town, that no wall pew bo raised more than 12 in.heH aliove the meeting-house Door, * that no body pew lie raised more than There is no writing that sets forth the dimensions of this first framed meeting-house. It was nearly square and had a gallery, which was not finished till .several years later, even if it was ever wholly fin- ished. There was a pile of boards in one corner of the gallery, behind which the boys used to secrete themselves!, greatly to the annoyance of the tithing- man. The present town-house in Webster was modeled after this house. Tbere was a porch at each end and a front-door. It was built after the prevail- ing style of the time, — a bo.x-like edifice. This meeting-house was subsequently burned, and the next house was erected on King Street. Population. — The first census of the town was that of 1767,— 285 inhabitants. In 1783, when the first census after the Revolution was taken, the number was 756. The first census of the general government was in 1790. The returns are as follows : 1767. 285 ; 1783, 756; 1790, 1108; 1800, 1414; 1810, 1829; 1820, 2116; 1830, 2093 ; 1840, 1965 ; 1850, 2003; 1860, 1458 ;' 1870, 1637 ; 1880, 1380. Civil History.— The men who have been selected to represent the town have been citizens of high character. Colonel Henry Gerrish, George Jackman, Captain Joseph Gerrish, Major Enoch Gerrish and Captain Benjamin Little were the representatives of the last century. These five men represented the town from 1760 to 1801. During the first quarter of the present century such men as Timothy Di.v, Caleb Knight, Ezekiel Web- ster, Joseph Little, Jeremiah Gerrish, Major Enoch Gerrish and Colonel Isaac Chandler acted as legis- lators. Their successors in the next quarter were such men as Hezekiah Fellows, Colonel John Farmer, Captain Joseph Ames, John Greenough, Moses Fel- lows, Thomas Coffin, William H. Gage, Benjamin Kimball, Nathan Plummer, Abraham Burbank, Rich- ard Gage, Simeon B. Little, Joseph Morrill, Rev. Eberiezer Price, Elbridge F. Greenough, Abiel R. Chandler, Nathan Pearson, Jr., Thomas Gerrish, Luke Corser, Caleb Smith and Calvin Gage. TOWN OFFICERS. 1700. — Joseph Coffin, moderator ; George Jackman,'- clerk ; John Fowler, .lohn Webster, Joseph Eastman, selectmen. 1761. — lohn Webster, moderator; John Welwter, Knos Bishop, George 1762. — Joseph Eastman, moderator; George Jackman, John Flanders, Joseph Hoit, selectmen. 17r,rt. — John Fowler, moderator; Joseph Iloit, Ephraim Plmnmer, 1764.— John Fowler, moi tlliver Fowler, selectmen. 1765.— John Fowler, luo Jesse Flanders, selectmen. r ; George Jacknn Jesse Flanders, '■ From 1760 to 1796 he was i IIISTORV OF MEKKIMACK COUiNTV, NKW IIAMI'SIIIIIK OSes Burbaiik, Moses Call, 182 17GC.— Joeeph Eaatmun, Henry Gorrisb, eelectiiieu. 17fi7._Jea8o Flnnders, moderator; Henry Gerrish, George Jackman, Jease Flanders, Bclf* tmeii. 17B8._John RnvltT, iuod«nitui ; Henry lierrisli, Peti-r Kimball, Oliver Fowler. sflrctiiK-u. 1769.— Moses Murst-, motienitor ; Captain Henry Uerrit^h, Moses Morse, George Jackuiun, seleclmen. 177()._Ilev. Robio Morrill, moderator; Moses Morse, Henry Gerriali, Peter Kimball, selectmen. 1771.— Moses Morse, moderator; Winthrop Carter, Moses Call, Moses 1772.— Captain Henry Gerrish, moderator ; George Jackmau, Deacon Jeaw Flandew, Samuel Muzzy, selectmen. 1773. —Henry Gerrish, moderator; Ebenezer Hidden, Samuel Gerrisb, George Jackman, seleetmen. 1774._Peter Cortin, moderator; Samuel Muzay, Peter Kimball, Jesse Flanders, selectmen ; Henry Gerrish, delegate to State Convention. 1775._Stepheu Webster, moderator; Moses Call, Enoch Gerrish, George Jackman. selectmen ; Henry Gorrish, delegate to State Conven- tion. 1776.— Robie Morrill, moderator; George Jackmau, Cutting Noyes, John Eliot, selectmen. 1777.— Henry Gerrish, moderator ; George Jackman, John Eliot, Cut- ting Noyee, selectmen. 1778. — Henry Gerrish, moderator ; George Jackmau, Lieuteuant Enoch Gerrish, Cutting Noyes, selectmen ; George Jackman, delegate. 1779._Ueury Gerrish, moderator ; George Jackman, Enoch Gerrish, Samuel Muzzy, selortiiu-n ; fit-i'ig.- Jackman, Henry Gerrish, delegates. 1780.— Peter Kimi ,11. i,i.,.i, i n r , iirovge Jackman, Stephen Webster, Cutting Noye^, -. ; . . 1 1 ' ■iiiflh, representative. 1781.— Haury '. i ! i i i ; Ueorge Jackman, Cutting Noyes, Captain Peter Kni ,;l i n,,. ,, 1782. — Peter Collin, mmlcf.itnr ; Georgo Jackman, Joseph Jackmau, David Corsor, selectmen. 1783.— Ebenezer Hidden, moderator; George Jackman, Isaac Pearson, David Corser, selectmen. 1784.- Peter Kimball, moderator ; Enoch Gerrish, Peter Kimball, George Jackman, selectmen. 1785.— Ebeuezer Hidden, moderator ; Lieutenant Enoch Gerrish, Ben- jamin Sweatt, George Jackman, selectmen ; George Jackman, represen- 1786.— Samuel Fowler, moderator ; George Jackman, Benjamin Sweatt, Lieutenant Benjamin Jackman, selectmen ; George Jackman, representative. 1787.— Henry Gerrish, moderator; Joseph Gerrish, Peter Kimball, Bei^amin Little, selectmen. 1788.— Henry Gerrish, moderator; Joseph Gerrish, Cutting Noyes, Peter Kimball, selectmen ; George Jackman, representative ; Heni-j' Gerrish, delegate to Convention. ^ 1789.— Peter Coffin, moderator ; Joseph Gerrish, Peter Kimball, Ben- .ny t John Chandler, selectmen liii LKtle, Enoch Gerrish, li i";,iij^|i, i.-jiresentative. ' I ! . !;■ iiiamin Little, i;imin Little, jioch Little, George Jackman, ■ h Mm. n i n... i, i., 1795.-^osfi'li '■ George Jackiiini. ! 1796.— Thoiu:,- I I,.., I,, iM.-i. ,.,i.., Cai-ter, Thonnm Tlmrbi, lOnoili Littl.', resentative. 1797.— Thomas Tliorla, moderator ; Tristmm Noyes, clerk ; Winthrop Carter, Thomas Thorla, Daniel Shepard, selectmen ; Enoch Gerrish, I7;)S. — Enoch Gerrish, moderator; George Jackman, clei'k; Enoch Gerrish, Timothy l>ix, Jr., Joseph Little, i representative. 1799.— Major Enoch Gerrish. moderator Enoch Gerrish, Timothy Dix, Jr., Joseph Little, selectmen ; Major Joseph Gerrish, representative. 18(X>.— Thomas Thorla, moderator ; Samuel Choate, clerk : Benjamin Jackman, Joseph Couch, Caleb Knight, selectmen ; Enoch Gerrish, representative. 1801.— Nathaniel Green, moderator ; Samuel Clioate, clerk ; Bei^'nmin Jackman, Joseph Couch, Caleb Knight, selectmen ; Timothy Dix, Jr., representative. 1802.— Nathaniel Green, moderator ; Fhinehas Bailey, clerk ; Joseph Conch, Nathaniel Green, Samuel Muzzy, selectmen; Timothy Dix, Jr., representative. ISlKl— Enoch Gerrish, moderator; Joseph Couch, clerk; Nathaniel Green, Nathan Davis, Benjamin Jackman, selectmen ; Timothy Dix, Jr., 1SU4.— Nathaniel Green, moderator ; Joseph Couch, clerk; Benjamin Jackman, Isaac Chandler, Joseph Little, selectmen; Timothy Dix, Jr , representative. 1805.— Colonel Joseph Gerrish, moderator ; Caleb Putney, clerk ; Ben- jamin Jackmau, Joseph Little, Major Isaac Chandler, selectmen ; Caleb Knight, representative. 1806.— Joseph Gerrish, mmlerator ; Samuel Choate, clerk; Joseph Little, Daniel Pillsbury, Joseph H. Morrill, selectmen ; Benjamin Little, representative. 1807.— Joseph Gerrish, moderator ; Joel French, clerk; Daniel Pills- bury, Joseph Little, Captain Somersby Pearson, selectmen ; Benjamin Little, representative. 1808.— Joseph Gerrish, moderator; Joel French, clerk; Captain Somersby Pearson, Ezekiel Morse, Stephen Gerrish, selectmen ; Enoch Gerrish, representative. 1809.— Joseph Gerrish, moderator ; Joel French, clerk ; Stephen Gei- rish, Joseph H. Morrill, Peletiah Peasley, selectmen ; Enoch Gerrish. representative. 1810. — Joseph Gerrish, moderator ; Samuel W. Lang, clerk ; Stephen Gerrish, Joseph Little, Thomas Coffin, selectmen ; Ezekiel Webater, J811.— Colonel .Toseph Gorrish, moiierator ; Samuel W. Lang, clerk ; Thomas Coffin, Benjamin Little, Joel Frencli, selectmen ; Ezekiel Web- ster, representative. 1812. — Isaac Chandler, moderator ; Samuel W. Lang, clerk ; Nathan Chandler, Joseph Ames, Captain Moses Gerrish, belectmeu ; Ezekiel Webster, representative. 1813.— Ezekiel W*ebat©r, moderator ; Samuel W. Lang, clerk ; Captain Moses Gerrish, Joseph Ames, Nathan Cliandler, selectmen ; Ezekiel Webster, representative. 1814.— Ezekiel Webster, moderatoi ; Samuel W. Lang, clerk; Captain flloses Gerrish, Joseph Ames, Isaac Gerrish, selectmen ; Ezekiel Web- 1815.- Ezekiel Webster, moderator ; Samuel W. Lang, clerk ; Isaac Gerrish, Jesse Little, Joseph H. Morrill, selectmen ; Joseph Little, rep- resentative. 1816.— Ezekiel Webster, moderator; Samuel W. Lang, clerk ; Major Moses Gerrish, Daniel Pillsbury, Nathan Chandler, selectmen ; Josei)h Little, representative. 1817.— Enoch Little, moderator ; Hozekiah Fellows,! dprk ; Major ^'c JackmanjS Moses Gerrish, Daniel Pillsbury, Nehemiah Cogswell, selectmen ; Jere- "lerator ; Colonel Moses Gerrish, Nehemial ■lectmen ; Jeremiah Gerrish, representative No.l.ijitur ; Xelwniiiili Cogswell, Josepl: Isaac Pearson, sri. i w . i,- , 1823.- Ezekiel WM.-i.,^ n,...|. ,,,i.., . c.i,.!,.! M.>-. ^ lim-ish, Julin Farmer, Thomas Geniwli, sel.iiiiirii ; K/,iki.-l Webster, lepiesenUtive. 1824.— Ezekiel Webster, moderator; John Farmer, Nehemiah f'oggs- well, Moses Fellows, selectmen ; Ezekiel Webster, Hezekiah Fellows, representatives. 1825. —Ezekiel Webster, moderator ; John Farmer, Moses Fellows, William H. Gage, selectmen ; Ezekiel Webster, Hezelciah Fellows, rep- > From this date to 1854 he was re-elected. BOSCAWEN. — Ezekiel Webster, moderator ; Moses Follows, William II. Gage, Couch, Jr., selertmen ; Ilozekiah Follows, Joseph Amos, repro- 1 Farmer, moiierator; Moses FpHowb, William H. Gago, , Jr., selectmeu ; Ezekiel Wobstcr, John Fai*mer, ropreseu- 1 Webster, moderator ; Moscs Fellows, lieuben Johnson, , selectmen ; Ezekiel Webster, John Farmer, represeu- iz.-kifl Webster, moderator; Moses Fellows, Simeon B. Little, errish, selectmen ; John Farmer, JohnGreonongh, ropresonta- ). — John Farmer, moderator ; Moses Fellows, Simeon H. T^ittle, as Gerrish, selectmon ; John Groenougb, Moses Fellows, represen- [. — John Farmer, moderator ; Closes Fellows, Simeon B. Ijittle, as Gen-ish, selectmen ; Moses Fellows, Thomas f'oftin, representa- 1853.— Simeon B. Little, moderator ; rish Hale Atkinson, resentativrs. isse.—ftloses Fellows, moderator; Sii . Cogswell, selectmen ; Nathan Plumi I Little, Bloses Fellows, John William 11. Gage, represen- 1837.— Moses Fellows, John C. Cogswell, selectmeu ; Natli representatives. 1838.— Moses Fellows, moderator; Simeon B. Little, .feremiab Noyes, William M. Kimball, selectmen; Abraham Burbank, Richard Gage, representatives. 18;i9.— Simeon B. Little, moderator ; William M. Kimball, Moses Fel- lows, Thomas Little, selectmeu ; Richard Gage, Simeon B, Little, repro- Thomas Little, Wyatt Boyden, J. Little, Joseph Morrill, repre- 1H4I.— Simeon B. Little, moderator ; Wyatt Boyden, Abiel Chandler, Nathan Pearson, selectmen ; Joseph Morrill, Rev. Ebenezer Price, rep- 1812.— Simeon B. Little, moderator ; Abiel B. Chandler, Nathan Pear- son, Wyatt Boyden, selectmen ; Rev. Ebenezer Price, Elbridge F. Greenough, representatives. 184.J.— Simeon B. Little, modei-ator ; Benjamin F. Kimball, Tbomjis Klliot, William H. Gage, selectmen ; Abiel K. Chandler, Natlum Pear- son, Jr., representatives. 1844.— Simeon B. Little, moderator ; Caleb Smith, Samuel M. Durgiu, Friend L. Burbank, selectmen ; Nathan Pearson, Jr., .■Vbiel R. Chan- dler, representatives. 1845. — Moody A. Pillsbury, moderator; Caleb Smith, Thomas Elliot, Eliphalet Kilburn 1847.— Simeon B. Little, moderator; Hale Atkinson, Samuel M. Dur- gin, Calvin Gage, selectmen; Abraham Bm-bank, Caleb Smith, represen- tatives. 1848.- Caleb Smith, moderator; Eliphalet Kilburn, Abiel R. Chan- dler, Friend L. Burbank, selectmen ; Abraham Burbank, Caleb Smith, representatives. I840.-Simeou B. Little, mod.-r;ii..f . 11*1. \fk-M-..n, \t.i.l i: fh. Mi- dler, Albert Danforth, selectmen ; ' 1 1 r i ; 1S50.— Simeon B. Little, mod-iH. ii, m: \ Simeon B. Little, selectmen; Calvin v,i^^ , I'ml r. m p,, i. i i ■ ■ nf u , ^ - ~ 1851.— Simeon B. Little, moderator; Simcuu B. Litilc, l_iauirl 8. Balch, Daviil A. Gerrish, selectmen ; Paul Pearson, Abiel Gerrish, rep- resentatives. 1852. — Simeon B. Little, moderator; Simeon B. Little, David A. Ger- rish, Hale Atkinson, selectmen; Abiel Gerrish, Fii.-ml L. Itiirbiuik, I'l" I M h <; liih ■., I r . David E. Burbank, clork ; Enoch c-Tii-h. .i.irtrii.ili > w.hin.i, MiiiMTi Hiim's, sclectmen ; Moses Whjt- 18G1.— Isaac K. Gage, moderator ; Isaiah H. Arey, clerk ; .\lmon Har- ris, Francis S. French, Halo Atkinson, selectmen ; Luther Gage, repre- sentative. 18G2.— Nathan B. Greene, moderator ; Isaiah H. Arey, clerk ; Almon Harris, Francis S. French, Peter Coffin, selectmen ; Luther Gage, repre- eeniatives. 1863.— Jonathan Tenney, moderator ; Isaiah U. Arey, clerk ; Nehe- miah Butler, Peter Coffin, George Knowles, aelectmeu ; Almon Harris, representative, 1864, — Franklin C. Morrill, moderator ; Isaiah H. Arey, clerk ; Nehe- miah Butler, George Kuowles, Samuel Choate, selectmen ; Almon Har- ris, representative. 1865.— Franklin C. Morrill, moderator; Calvin M. Chadwick, clerk ; Nehtniiah Huth^r. Gt-orge Knowles, .Samuel Choate, selectmen ; David |M - I , ,, : , I MMirill, moderator; Charles Smith, clerk ; Enoch (i. W 1 II I V \i I -■, .lames H. Gill, selectmen ; David A. Gerrish, l.SC,7._Isn(tc K. Gage, moderator; Charles Smith, clerk ; Enoch G. Wood, Healey Morse, James H. Gill, selectmen ; Franklin C. Morrill, representative. 1868.— Franklin C. Morrill, moderator ; Charles E. Chadwick, clerk ; Nehemiah Butler, Ezra S. Harris, Bradley Atkinson, selectmen ; Franklin C, Morrill, representative. ISfiy.— Franklin C. Morrill, moderator; Charles E. Chadwick, clerk ; Ezra S. Harris, Luther Gage, Bradley Atkinson, selectmen ; Nehemiah Butler^ representative. 1870.— Thaddeus 0. Wilson, moderator ; Charles E. Chadwick, clerk ; Nehemiah Butler, Hamilton P. Gill, Joseph G. Eastman, selectmen ; Nehemiah Butler, representative. 1871.— Thaddeus 0. Wilson, moderator; John Seavoy, clerk; Calvin Gage, John E. Rines, Enoch G. Wood, selectmen; Enoch G. Wood, rep- resentative. 1872.— David F. Kimball, moderator; Charles E. Chadwick, clerk ; David F. Kimball, Marcus K. Howser, Samuel B. Chadwick, selectmen ; Daniel Y. Bickford, representative. 1873. —David F. Kimball, moderator ; Charles E. Chadwick, clerk ; David F. Kimball, Marcus K. Howser, Samuel B. Chadwick, selectmen ; Daniel Y. Bickford, representative. 1874._David F. Kimball, moderator; Charles E. Chadwick, clerk ; Nehemiah Butler, Marcus K. Howser, Samuel B. Chadwick, selectmeu ; Marcus K. Howser, representative. 1875.— David F, Kimball, moderator; Charles E. Chadwick, clerk ; N.-lieiiiiali Butler, Joseph G. Eastman, Austin G. Kimball, selectmen ; \l II. II- l\ Howser, representative. I ,' ' ilwn Gage, moderator; George - . , I , ii c. Wood, Caleb C. Hall, sclectnn IsTT.— Thaddeus O. Wilson, moderator ; Charles E. Chadwick, clork ; John (-'. Gage, Caleb C. Hall, Luther Gage, selectmen ; Nathaniel S. Webster, representative. 1878.— David F.Kimball, moderator; Charles E. Chadwick, clerk ; Luther Gage, Charles W. Hardy. Manus K. IloMser, Hclectmen ; Peter Coffin, HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUiNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. 1879.— John C. Poarson, niwlcnilor ; Charles E. Chadwick, Luther Gage, Charles W. llarily, Marcus K. Howser, selectmen. 186().^ohn ('. Pearson, mralenitor; Charles K. Chadwick, John C. Peanwn, Samuel Choate, Frank L. Gerrish, selectmen ; Choatc, roprcsenlatlvc. 1881. — John C. Pearson, moderator; Charles E. Chadwick, John C. Pearson, Samuel Choate, Ftsnk L. Gorrish, selectmen. 1882.— John C. Pearson, umderator ; Charles E. Chadwick, John C. Pearson, Frank L. Gorrish, William P. Abbott, sole Charles J. Kllsworlh, renrcseutative. 1883.— .John V. Pearson, luoderul.ii ■linl. - I 'iKulwick, JohnC. Pearaou, Frank I,. Gurrisli, W 11: M I mi i -rl,,lmeii 1881.— John 0. Pearson, moder^it. > > I i liuinick, William P. Abhutt, Sanniel B. C1kmI«i I., 1 n, ,l..hu O. representative. 18g.f,._johu C. Peai-son, moderator ; Charles K. Chadwick, John C. Pearson, Samuel It. c:hadwick, William P. .\bl BIOGH A PHIC AL BK ETCH . EPHRAIM PIATMMER. The ancestors of Ephraim Plummer came from England in 1663 and settled in Newbury, Mass. His grandfather, Bitfield Plummer, was one of the early settlers of Boscawen ; married Priscilla Rich- ardson, of Chester, N. H., October, 1769. He was a signer of the People's Declaration of Independence before that of the Continental Congress was issued, and upon the evacuation of Long Island by General Washington responded to the call for additional troop.s and served for a time in the Continental army. His son Ephraim was horn 1771; married Rachel Choate Cogswell, May, 1792; lived on the homestead and died May, 1793, three months before the birth of his son Ephraim, the subject of the present sketch. The mother of Ephraim was a native of Essex, Mass, relative of Rufus Choate, — a woman of rare qualities of character, of discriminating mind and marked executive ability. To the future of her only child she bent all her energies. With the heritage of toil, the son had the benefits of a better education than sometimes falls to the lot of boys in his con- dition. The years of his childhood were uneventful. So, too, the earlier years of manhood; only as the external influences and processes of thought, de- veloped the man, of a logical turn of mind, a sincere respecter of law, loyal to his convictions, of un- doubted integrity. He was a person of quick sensi- bilities, frank and hospitable. He gave with liberal hand for school and church. Unassuming, he never desired place, nor influence in public affairs. His time was devoted to the cultivation of the farm. He married Lucy Gerrish, of Boscawen, who was the efficient counterpart to whatever of success that came to him. His death occurred on the 20th of July, 1872. ^mH-far77x (J Ci< r HISTORY OF BKADFOKD. BY .(. M. HAWKS, M.I). C H A P T !•: R I . The ideal chapter of a coiiiity history wnuM lie an epitome of an ideal history of a town. I'.iiL us r.o such town history has yet been written, we must still look for the eoming of the model. As the art (which we may set down as one of the fine arts) of writing town histories improves, more at- tention will be given to personal records, and prob- ably an entire new feature will be added, viz. : a de- scription of every house and farm in the town, giving tlie particulars as to who first settled on a farm, who built a house and who have owned or occupied these since. The more interesting such histories are to the general reader the better, provided the great practical lessons of history are not lost sight of. One of these lessons is tliat the law of human progress has its con- ditions. According to the way we meet those con- ditions, we may as a community progress, stand still or slide back. As a means of self-preservation, the future town must see that insanity, idiocy, crime and pauperism grow less and less from generation to generation. The first step toward any reform is to feel the need of it and the assurance of its practicability, then the means will be discovered and adopted. The work going to press a month earlier than the writer expected will account for the unfinished con- dition of some of the matter and the omission of much that was considered important. The thanks of the writer are due and hereby tendered to Hon. M. W. Tappan, Wm. M. Carr, Hon. John W. Morse, Mrs. J. P. Marshall and many others for special assistance in procuring lists of business and professional men. The list of lawyers was handed in complete as printed, with the exception of the little word "Hon." which the compiler had modestly omitted from before his own name. Unlike our neighbor Warner, we have no con- troversy as to how or for whom our town was named, but the old stereotyped sentence, " Bradford was first settled in 1771 by Deacon Wm. Presbury," is being called in question. Some of the descendants of Isaac Davis believe that he wai- as 1762. A little search ( ing in this town as early rhboriiiir town rds will readily settle the question. It is to be regretted that no more histories of homesteads and families can be furnished for this chapter. Boundaries. — Bradford is bounded on the north by Newbury and Sutton, east by Warner, south by Hennikcr and Hillsborough and west by Washington. The north, south and west lines are straight. The town is longest east and w^est. If about one-fourth of the eastern portion were cut off, it would leave the remainder an exact square. All these adjoining towns were settled before Brad- ford, and have contributed of their citizens from time to time towai-d building up our little commonwealth. This movement has not been one-sided, however. A sort of reciprocal movement has taken place, in which every town has exchanged its citizens with every other town in the neighborhood. But in the "long run," Bradford has come off second best in these exchanges, she having given more than she has received. When the towns along the Atlantic coast of New Hampshire and Massachusetts were a hun- dred years old most of the country a hundred miles in the interior was a dense forest. Men who were am- bitious to acquire homes and farms of their own very naturally moved back from the old into the new towns. Those who had money bought lands on speculation ; those who had none bought their lands on credit, and with their own hands carved their farms out of the primal woods. The same process has been going on ever since in the newer regions farther west and south. Natural History— Geological Formation.— As New Hampshire is the " Granite State," so Brad- ford is a granite town. The backbone and ribs of all her hills are of the primitive rock, just as it crystal- ized and cooled when the world was bekig made. The soil of the hill-sides and the plains is composed of this same kind of rock, disintegrated by frosts and crushed and ground to powder by the slow-melting avalanches that traversed this part of the continent toward the close of the ice period. The progress of the ice-sheet is shown by stria;, or scratches and fur- rows plowed across the smoothed face of ledges of rock in Bradford and the surrounding towns. One of tliCKC, mentioned in Hitchcock's "(icology of 185 186 HrSTOKY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. New Hampshire," is on a ledge near the Baptist Church in Bradford ; others are mentioned in Hen- niker. These ancient records on the pages of geology fur- nish a fine play-grouud for the imagination. It is an accepted theory of scientific men that the northern part of the continent was once covered with ice thousands of feet thick; that it began to melt, and .streams of water to flow from it on the south and soulheiist sides, and that a general movement of the slieet was in the direction of southeast. Thus, at the suggestion of science and by the aid of fancy, we can see the huge avalanches or mountains of ice melting and sending olf large rivers that filled the valleys along which our brooks now so tamely flow. It was indeed a great " freshet " that piled up the Moody Gilliugham farm and other similar places along the valley of Todd's Pond. And what a flood of water there was when the " Burying Hill " was washed into its present place and Bradford Plains ! The same thing is true in relation to the moraines and sand heaps along the valley of Warner River. VVhen those sand-hills were formed on Cummings Pierce's land, at the north end and east side of Massa- seecum Lake, and on Fred. Cheney's, on the west side, the waters of the innocent-looking Pond Brook were surging along with irresistible and terrible fury from the side of Cheney's Hill, clear across to the Goodwin Hill, and were fifty feet deep or more, all over the intervale. Imagine, then, the mighty rush of waters along the swollen valleys of Warner River, the Contoocook and the Merrimack at the time that Concord claims and similar tracts of land were de- posited along all the valleys of the New England rivers. Our highest spring freshets, from long rains and sudden thaws of the snow, are but very feeble imita- tions and faint reminders of those early floods. Slight as they are, these modern spring freshets bring down every year small portions of the hills and mountains, making the water turbid or soily. It is estimated that this process, if continued, will bring all the eleva- tions of land to a level of the sea in two hundred million years. During the melting of the ice-sheet, and its movement across the country, fragments of rock that had been imbedded in the ice were carried many miles, acting as the upper mill-stone, while the lower one was composed of the solid ledges of the hills. In this mighty mill rocks were ground to sand, gravel, cobble-stones and smooth boulders. Every acre of our town went through this mill, — was, in fact, a part of the mill. Whatever metals and gems of value may have drifted within our borders, they were buried so deep that they have not yet been discovered. Every acre of land in town bears testimony in some manner to the part it took, whether active or passive, in smoothing off the angular ledges of the hill-tops, and with these broken or crushed or ground to powder, filling up deep chasms and valleys, laying the foundations for fertile intervales and making sterile plains, and scat- tering boulders for the farmers to make their stone walls with. Vegetable Productioss. — These are about the same as prevail in this latitude across the State. Of the forest-trees, the evergreens are a marked feature ; the whiteand pitch pines, the hemlock, the spruce, the cedar and the fir lend their aid in beautifying almost every landscape. The oaks are here in variety, the white and red principally. The maples, from the dwarf striped variety known as Moosewood to the large red and white varieties, which delight in a moist and generous soil, to the towering rock or sugar ma- ple, that grows on nearly every kind of soil, and fur- nishes quite a large portion of the sugar and sirup used in town. Of the ash, the brown grows in swamps, and is used for basket stuff' and chair-bottoms; the white grows on dryer land and is used in carriage-making. The elm seems to be a half-domesticated tree, delighting in intervales and along the borders of streams; this, however, is a second growth. Beech selects the hill- sides. Of the birches, the gray prefers good land, but the white is contented almost anywhere. The bass- wood prefers a moist soil and is not very common. Chestnut hardly grows wild in the town. Several farmers have planted them in their pastures, and a few small ones are growing along the roadside north of the Pond meeting-house, planted there by some thoughtful person. Of the sassafras, it has Ix'cn saiil that a few bushes once grew on the south side of Ouilcs' Hill. The black cherry can hardly endure the competi- tion of tree-life in the forest here, but it grows well in old fields and pastures; but the small wild red cherry is thankful for a foothold anywhere, and is rather a nuisance everywhere. The sumach grows mostly about the ledges of the sides and tops of hills. The butternut, or oil-nut, so common and wild in Vermont, only grows under cultivation here. The tamarack, or larch, is confined to swamps. The mountain ash is grown for ornament. The poplar is more common in second-growth forests, while its cousin, the Balm of Gilead, requires to be jilanted, and grows readily from cuttings, as does also the wil- low ; the latter is a rapid grower. A tree at the road- side below Cummings Pierce's, at fifty years old, was four feet through. The locust is an imported tree. The alders grow along the brooks, and furnish a great many temporary fish-poles. Of the bushes and shrubs, the button-ball likes to have its feet in the water; the high cranberry bush is not plenty — it grows about six feet high along the edges of brooks that run through meadows or swamps ; blackberry, raspberry, red and black blueberry and huckleberry bushes are quite common. On rocky hill pastures the ground savin, or cedar, forms a low-spreading shrub; the ground hemlock is confined to moist, shady woods BRADFORD. — it is a trailing shrub. Grape-vines are common. Of all our native trees cultivated for shade and or- nament, perhaps the augUr maple is most preferred ; the elm stands next in public estimation, while a few liave spruce and larch. The one specimen of red oak in town, as an ornamental tree, at Sharron Jameson's, furnishes an example that should be followed. The .:,., \,i I iiKuia, wild black cherry; piiliii, L !i i: ':i ; V I .l;! nmbcllata, pipsissewa ; ruiium lilu- .iL n^, I'liti'i. Ill' , ihn^ ;^,l,i In iini , -iiiiiach ; rhus toxicoden- dron, poison oak ; rosa, ruse ; rubiui slligosiis, nispbori-y ; R. trivialis, dewberry ; B. occidcntalis, thimblcberry ; riimex acetoua, sbiusp surril; R. agrcaticus, water dock ; B. crispus, yellow dock ; ruta gniveoliMis, salix alba, white willow ; S. nigra, pussy willow ; salvia i Canadensis, sweet elder ; satnreja bortensis, summer savory ; Scutellaria lateriflora, skull-cap ; sempervivum tecto- nim, house leek ; sinapis, mustard ; solidago, golden rod ; spiram to- nientosa, hardback ; Symphytum officinalis, comfrey ; tanacotum, tansy ; thymus, thyme ; trifolium, clover, red and white ; trilliuni, betb-rool ; tussilago, coltsfoot; veratrum, Indian poke ; vorbascum, mullein. Orasses. — Clover, herdsgrass and red-top are most common on uplands, both for liay and for pasture. On the low grounds are foul meadow, blue-joint and other varieties that are apparently native. An excel- lent custom of growing corn in drill for forage is very generally followed. Meadow hay is made up of a variety of wild grasses, brakes and polypods, with occasionally stray stalks from the cultivated fields. Every farmer has his little spot of switch-grass. Weeds. — These are plants that have strayed away into fields and garden-bedSj or road-sides, where they are troublesome or unsightly pests. The pests of old pastures are in part rather shubs than weeds. These are sweet fern, hardback, mullein and brakes. The pests of the fields are thistles, yellow dock, sorrel, white- weed and burdock. In the garden we find " pusly," (purslain), rag-weed or Roman worm- wood, all the up- land grasses and pests of the fields. May-weed and plantain, catnip and mother-wort keep close to the house and barn. A new weed, the chicory, has with- in a few years become quite common about our houses and along the roads. Domestic Animals.— None are natives. They are horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, dogs and cats. Of the varieties of fowl, every farmer keeps hens, probably one in fifty keeps turkeys, and one in two hundred keeps ducks and geese. Wild Animals. — The largest of these that lives here is the fox ; then, as to size, come the raccoon, woodchuck, rabbit, the muskrat, skunk, gray squirrel, hedgehog, mink, red and striped squirrel and weasel. It is, perhaps, seventy-five years since wolves in- habited our woods and beavers the brooks, and, more than that, about a hundred since deer and bears felt at home in these forests. Tradition has it that a moose was slain in town. Biiuw. — Of the birds, the partridge is the great game-bird ; the quail is sometimes, tiiough more rarely found. Tlic woodcock is comnum. Several varieties of the b:i\vk niid owl aie native, also the kingbird, bluebird, blue-jay, marten, sparrow, lark, oriole, wren, pewee and robin, the most common of all. Ducks often stop overnight, and wild geese sometimes do on their journey south. The name " Loon Island," in Mstssasecum Lake, is evidence that the great northern diver once frequented the waters of that lake. It is now occasionally seen there. Fish are not numerous. The pickerel, perch, chub, horned pout, sucker, pond-shiner, flatside and speckled trout nearly make up the list. Eels are found with tlie pouts on muddy bottoms, trout in the mountain brooks and "falls" of the rivers. The black bass is a modern imported novelty that promises well. Reptiles. — The green and striped snakes, the speckled or water-adder, and the water-newt, toads and frogs are most common. None are ])rol)ably poisonous. Insects. — The house-fly is universal and rather on the increase, so that it is quite common for farmers, as well as town-people, to guard their doors and windows with wire screens. The blue or maggot-fly is always on hand when there is a chance to spoil a piece of fresh meat or fish ; gnats or black flies are most troublesome in the spring; mosquitoes stay near moist grounds, by the borders of ponds, brooks and marshes. There is a good supply of horse-flies in their season ; ants are not entirely unknown, but they are not numerous. The borer threatens to kill the ap])le-trees ; a worm ruins the fall sweet apples ; the Colorado beetle, unless prevented, will destroy the potato crop. Arsenic, in the form of paris-green, is very eflfectual, and is generally applied. Spiders are not numerous or hurtful. A sort of beetle, known locally as the " daw-bug," has, within a year or two, made sad havoc with the hay-fields by eating the grass roots. Caterpillars build their houses in our apple-trees, and of grasshoppers the supply is never short. The hornet builds a large, round nest, sus- pended from the limb of a tree or bush. The yellow- jacket wasp builds a cheaper house than the hornet, but he is always ready to defend it, whether a boy injures it by accident or design. The mud-hornets or " dirt-daubers," build their mud cabin, deposit their eggs and the food for the young when they hatch out. The bumble-bees are insects of more importance and value ; they use for a hive a deserted rat's nest, and contrive to have on hand about a tablespoonful of honey to console the lad who gets a thick upper lip while storming the fort and capturing the honey. The common honey-bee deserves mention among domestic animals. Very few investments pay as well as tliose made in bee-keeping, but that industry has not made much headway in this town, perhaps not one farmer in twenty keeping bees, although a native of this town now in Florida counts his colonies by the hundred and markets his honey by the ton. BRADFORD. Civil and Political History. IlilliiborouKh riON t'OK AN Al"l' (11.- INl'i Vow Haiiipahiro, 1 " T.> I 5. May y 3()th, [ Roin-csvi, J be coiiv four Ho iirs' IKstitionorsinosi liniiit.l,\ >ii..\v.iii It.-ing iuhubitante of said State in tlie towiisliip of New Hrinilord, Bo-called, liiliniiring tindor many and great inconvenioncetj for want of being incorporated into a town, we, yonr Honours^ humble petitionortt, I'iii-nestly desire that said township of New Bradford, together Mitii a part of the town of Washington, and a part of Washington <_iore, BO called, be incorporated into a town by the name of Bradford, witli all the privileges and immunities of a town, iiml be iiniiexnl to Iln' C.uut.vof Ilillsborougli, ci>nt4iining all the hiii.l- « iililn M,, f.llMuin^ bi.ujuls: IVfiiiniiig at ii l.cfch-trcoun Ilill^li-i. I I'iRbty-fciur rods til a lii-iulofk-tiw ; thoui-e, thv s | I ...,„,, ,,.- to the southwest corner of Warner ; thence north st^vi-nteen dcgn-.-s west by said Warner four miles and two hundred and thirty-one rods to Sutton south line ; thence westerly by said Sutton line to Fishersfield east line sixty rods from said Sutton southwest corner, being a white-oak tree marked ; thence by Fishersfield line to a beech-tree marked, being the northeast corner of Washington Gore ; thence north seventy-eight de- grees west three miles three hundred and ten rods to a small beech marked on Fishersfield line ; thence south two degrees west two miles one li iindred and fifty rods to a black ash-tree marked ; thence south twenty- seven degrees east two miles and one hundred rods to the beech first men- (ioned, And in granting these, our desires, your Honours will much oblige your Hononre' humble petitioners, and we, as in duty bound, sh.-ill " Ebenezer Katon, Ebenezer Colby, Daniel Cressey, .Toseph Prosbnry, Stephen Ward, Nathaniel Presbury, Jr., James Presbury, John Brown, Abram Smith, Nehr. How, Peter How, Nathaniel Presbury, Enoch Hoyt, William Clements, Daniel Eaton, John Stanley, Isaac Davis, .loshua Andrews, Abner Ward, Moses Bailey. " May y« 30th, 1787. " We, the subscribers, being inhabitants of that part of Washington inchided in the witbiu petition, desire the prayer thereof may be granted. " Sanmel Crane, Martin Brockway, Uzziel Batchelder, Asa Brock- way, Simeon Hildreth." The act of incorporation was passed by the Legis- lature September 27, 1787. No time was lost before organizing the town government under the act of incorporation, as the warrant calling for a town- meeting was issued in eight days after the act was passed. FiR.sT Town-Meeting after the Incorpora- tion OK the Town. — THE WARRANT. "Stiite of New Hampshire, llillsb.iro' [Co.]. "Agreeable to an Act of the General Coui-t, at Charleston, Sept. 27tli, 1787, for the incoiiwration of New Bradford by the name of Bradford, I, the subscriber, do notify and warn all the freeholders and other in- habitants of Bradford to meet at the house of Nathaniel Presbury, in said town, on Monday, the 22nd day of this instant October, at ten of the clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following arti- cles, to wit : *'lstly. To choose a town clerk. "2ndly. To choose a constable. "3rdly. To choose three selectmen and all other necessary and cus- tomary town oflicers. " 4thly. To see if the town will raise money to repair the highways. "5thly. To act on any article that is thought proper when met. •■Wm. Peesburv, " Bradford, Oct. 5tli, 1787. " By order of the General Court." THE TOWN-MEETING. " Bradford, Oct. 22n(l, 17S7. ling of Wm. Presbury, appointed by the Gen- l Court. PROCEEDINGS ( " Voted, Ebon^ Eaton town clerk. " Voted, Daniel Cresey constable. *' Voted, Ebeu'. Eaton, James Presbury and Si " Voted, to choose all other town oilicers by liaii " Voted, Dea. Presbury, Reuben Whitcomb, I,i Simeon llildretlt sinvevors of liigliwa.vs. Isaac Davis i ' highways, twenty pounds. 1-0 to lay out roads for the town, urried to the quarter sessions by year 178(i one pound. " Voted, That all the highway rates be worked out by the l;wt day of November next The foregoing " warrant," or legal public notice of a town meeting, and the town clerk's report of the proceedings of the meeting held pursuant to the call, being the first work done under the new town charter, is of historic interest. These documents are given as types of their class, samples of hundreds of others similar in form, which make up the bulk of the " records " of this and other New England towns. The New England town is a pure democracy. There every citizen has a right to speak and to be heard on the business affairs of the little coniraonwealth. The town is the unpretentious foundation on which the more showy political structures of county, State and national governments are all built; the super- structures might be wrecked and destroyed, and the foundation still remain. In copying from these old records, the writer has thought it best to correct all grammatical errors. The custom very generally prevails of copying all the bad spelling in these and other ancient records and documents. This is bad taste. The rule should be, in copying an ancient document, not to attempt to modernize the sense or the spelling in the slightest degree, but to follow the author exactly in his expression of his statements, but spelling his words correctly for the age in which he wrote. Bad spelling was not a peculiarity of any past age. It is probable that the samples of war- rant and record of proceedings given above are suffi- cient for the general reader, and that a copy of a town ordinance under the title of " voted " will be as interesting as the whole proceedings would be. Under the head of "annals" will be given the most important incidents of each year from the incorpora- tion of the town to the year 1800. Annals.- CENSUS OF 178fi. ■ "NewBrj I return of the number of souls in New Bradford, so-called. State i Hampshire, County of Hillsboro". The whole number, one hui and twenty-eight of white (128), 2 negroes. "James Pray, 1 Selectmeti "Enoch Hoyt, I of "Isaac Davis, lirudford.' HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. PETITION FOR ALTHOKITY TO EAISE MONEY TO BUIM) ROADS, 1788. "To tlie Honorable Soimte and Hoiisc of Representatives in General Court convened at Concord on the finst Wednesday of June, 1788. The petition of the inhabitants of Bradford, in the state of New Hampshire and county ..I llillsli.ini', humbly showetli : that they being but few in nunili. r. Hill II I I ( IV extremely bad, notwithstanding they have donr nil, ' ihiTefore, the prayer of your petitioners is, tlintviH > : , : ; .! I I 1 1 1 " ity to tax all the land in Bradford one penny peran. I r tin ji. ! 1 line years, which money shall be laid out for the purpose uf repairing iind making roads in Bmdford, and we, as in duty Iwund, shall ever pray. " Knocu Hoyt, ) for Bmilford. "Bradford, June 2ud, 17SS.' The above was granted by an net passed January 20, 1789. Tlie first mention of Federal money in the town reeords occurs thi.s year in the records of the annual meeting, March Uth. At that meeting a bounty of four dollars was voted for every "wolfs pate caught within this town." At an adjourned meeting in May the width of the public roads was estiiblished at two and a half rods. It was also voted "That people who have bars or gates across the roads be allowed to keep them till the last day of October next." It was voted to build a " pound near the corner of James Presbury's land," near the " long cassey," so called, James Pre4sbury having agreed to give the land for said pound. At the annual meeting, March 10, 1789, the votes for President of the State (John Pinkney) numbered twenty-five. Nehemiah How was elected " clerk of the market," which seems to have been a new town office. The appropriation of roads was thirty-five pounds. The wages allowed for working out taxes on the roads was three shillings per day until the last day of September, then two shillings per day. " Vottd to divide the districts for schooling the same as for highways work." The annual appro- priation was nine pounds. It was " Voted to build the pound thirty feet square." The contract for building was given to Nathaniel Presbury, at two pounds twelve shillings. Mr. Presbury also elected pound-keeper. In 1790 it was " Voted to raise eight pounds for schooling." " Voted that the selectmen provide rum for raising a bridge, and that the men give their time at the raising." " Voted to raise money for preach- ing." " Voted to raise two shillings on a single poll and estates accordingly." " Voted that the people in this town shall have liberty to hear such preaching as suits them best, and pay when they have their proportion of the money raised." " Voted, Stephen Hoyt, Simeon Hildreth, Ebenezer Eaton, committee to hire preaching the present year." In 1791 it was " Voted, that the money to hire preaching the present year be in grain, at four shillings per bn.shel." " Voted, that the selectmen should see that the town is centered, and provide a place for ililic meetings the present year." Mr. holdi Josiah Carpenter's name as a minister appears for the first time in the town records. He began this year to hold public meetings at the house of Daniel Cressey. At a town-meeting held July 1st, it was " Voted to hire Mr. Carpenter longer on probation." Town appropriations for the year 1792 were: For schools, twelve pounds; for repairs of roads, forty pounds; for town charges, four pounds; to build school-houses in the several districts, thirty pounds. " Voted, that each district should be centered." In 1793 there was appropriated for repairs of highways, fifty pounds; schooling, fifteen pounds; for finishing the school-houses, fifteen pounds ; for preaching, ten pounds, to be laid out in hiring a young candidate on probation. At a special meeting called at the school-house near the pound, January 1, 1795, it was " Voted, to make up the soldiers eight dollars a month, when called into service, until their return." " Voted, to give each soldier one dollar bounty when they list." At a special meeting, held October 5th, " Voted, the spot for the meeting-house be on the hill, a little east of the school-house, in the Center District." It was also voted to build a meeting-house, and that " Eben'. Eaton should draft a subscription-paper, and get as many signers as possible." This meeting adjourned to November 2d, when it was " Voted, to build the meeting-house 42 feet wide, 50 feet in length, with two porches," and that "the timber fit for framing .should be collected the following winter." The selectmen were instructed to hire Mr. Wood to preach. At a special meeting, December 1st, it was " Voted, to give Mr. Benjamin Wood a call to settle .as a minister in this town, and to pay for his first year's salary 40 pounds, and to increase the sum an- nually 3 pounds until it reaches 70 pounds." The committee for the meeting-house consisted of Isaac Davis, John Brown and Simeon Hildreth. March 8, 179(5, the collection of taxes was bid off by Enoch Hoji;, at four pence half-penny per pound. Twenty pounds were appropriated for the purpose of raising the meeting-house. The voters of Fishersfield united with those of Bradford in the latter town to choose a representative for the two towns. Ebenezer Eaton, Esq., was unanimously chosen. August 20th it was " Voted, to have a county road laid out througli Bradford to Henniker, from Fishers- field." August 29th, " Voted, to give drink and victuals to the raisers and spectators at the raising of the meet- ing-house on the town's cost." At the annual meeting, March 14, 1797, " Voted, not to clear the Baptist Society from the minister tax." " Voted, to raise 40 pounds for schooling." " Voted, not to raise money for preaching." " Voted, that the selectmen lay out a road petitioned for by Josiah Melvin and others." July 3d a committee of three was appointed to build a pound with stone walls, near the meeting-house, in a convenient place, the BRADFORD. pound to be two rods each way, the walls six feet high and four feet thick at the bottom. March 13, 17!)S, the first town-meeting in the new meeting-house was held. Humphrey Jackman, of I?radford, was elected as the representative of Fishers- tield and Bradford. March 20th, at an adjourned meeting, " Voted, to fence the burying-yards." " Voted, to have Brown's district fence their own burying- yard." At a called meeting, on April 18th, Ebenezer Eaton was elected to serve as a grand juror, and Humphrey Jackman and Captain Nathaniel Eaton were drawn to serve as petit jurors. " Voted, to Vendue fencing the burying-yards," and that " the boards should be 15 inches wide and 16 feet long, and three boards high, and the posts within 8 feet of each other. Struck oft" to Nathaniel Presbury, Jr., at 3 shillings 3 pence per rod." A part of the fence around the burying-yard on " Burying Hill," near Bradford Corner, answers the above description, and, being considerably decayed and covered with moss, is the original structure referred to above, and is now (1885) eighty-.->oven years old. April 20th the selectman laid out a road " Begin- ning at the main road, about two rods southerly of Mr. Daniel Young's house ; thence easterly to the brook that runs out of the pond ; thence to the bounds between Mr. Marshall's and Mr. Melvin's, on the west end of their lot ; thence easterly on the line between sd. Marshall and Melvin to Warner line; said road to be three rods wide, and to remain a bridle- road till paid for." This is the road that leads from Nathan R. Marshall's old place, on " Bible Hill," down by Cummings Pierce's to " Pond Brook," and crossing the brook at " Massasecum Bock," leads up a sandy hill to the Henniker road, called in the town records the " Main road." A cart-road across the field of Frederick Cheney, near the junction of these roads, leads to where Mr. Young formerly lived. At the annual meeting, March 12, 1799, it was "Voted that there shall be a new district for school- ing where Capt. Eaton lives." At a meeting held July 15th it was " Voted to lay out the remainder of the minister money on Mr. Colton." Federal money seems to have been more fully adopted in 1800, as at a sale of land for taxes the amounts are carried out in dollars and cents. Visit of General L.^fayette. — The account of this visit is well told in the following letter of the late Captain Miner Hawks, of this town, written for a Manchester paper : " Editor of the Budr/el : "Thinking that some of my comrades would like to learn a little more about that visit of General Lafayette to Bradford, this State, in the early days of the century, a brief sketch of which has been the rounds of tlie press, I interviewed Attorney-General Tappan recently upon the subject. He was present at the reception -in Bradford and related to me the scene as he recalled it. I give it nearly in his own words, and will only add that lineal descendants of the gallant Corporal Blood now reside in Man- chester : 'I was of just the right age to receive an indelible impression from an excitement of that nature. You have no idea what a furor there was. It seems as though the people loved the French general even more than they did our own Washington. Lafayette waa driven from Concord in the most elegant turnout the country could boast. The driver, a man of splendid physique, was named Norton, and he fully appreciated the honor of his position. It was known about what time the honored guest would arrive and everybody was in waiting. A line of couriers was platted along tli.. Wain,-r r.)ad from the hotel to the top of the hill, to give noti..>.r lit. „ 1, I'rescntly word was passed down the line, "He's. m^ II, - ,,,:„,„^'- and everybody yelled, The bustle now was tu I,., „, lu, -,,i . ,iiz,.us along the roiul. Cor- poral Blood, commonly r:,ll ,1 .Ml c ,1 lt|„od," by way of compli- ment, a hero of Monnu.nili m-l 1;. .n.h vMn.-, became so elevated and elated at the idea of niw-iin^ lu- .11 , .,i,i„i,,inlcr after a lapse of forty yeani, that the combin.-.I -iLir^fh ,.| il,,.,. „ien was reqiured to keep " ' As Lafayette approached, Blood, with a teniblc struggle, broke from his attendants and rushed into the centre between the lines in front of the house, dressed in a full suit of the old regimentals, swinging his old cocked hat. Norton pulled up the horses, when Blood called out at the top of his voice, "General Lafayette" (with a sban) accent on the last syllable) "see my old cocked hat '." at tli.i siHii<. lim,. ibniwing the hat, which struck Lafayette fair in tli. I... . .i.l « , i. i .m...] l,y him till hi- entered the hall. In the centre oi il, ,, ii n i «.i..< seated on a platform, where the presentations \. . . i . ,.iji.,ng the fii>it, and being a child, he took me un III i i ... l. ilin.ugh much of the ceremony. I shall ij..\.i l..i_ i .i i... wh.-n old General Blood was presented. Lafayeti. - i I il . i.iun with both hands, and the two men broke iii|.. . i . i l.s as they were mutually reminded of the old dark .1.1.1- ..I ih. I.. i..liiii„n. The utmost silence prevailed in the hall, wliih. many a Imle incident and reminiscence of the scenes of courage and privatiuus they had shared were culled to mind." "M. H." Occupations and Industries— Farmers. — Brad- ford is a farming town. Whatever other occupations men may follow here, for profit or for pleasure, a part of their time is taken up on the farm or in the gar- den. From the first settlement of the town the citizens have been industrious, economical and gener- ally thrifty. Some of their fields have been twice cleared, — first of the original growth of forest-trees, and again of rocks that covered the surface of the ground. These rocks are piled up in walls that sur- round or partition ofi" the farms, or lay in great heaps on the hillside fields. These huge stone piles and walls will long remain as monuments of the in- dustry and energy of the builders, and, perhaps, to excite the wonder of some future race of people that may come here, after our own race and nation, with our literature and traditions, shall have passed into oblivion. These farmers are the most independent class of men. The first of our race must have been farmers, and the last will be the same. The farmers may have enougli to eat, though there be not enough to " go clear round ;" for they sit at the first table at nature's feast, and help themselves to whatever they like best. What they leave is sent to market to spread the second table for the rest of the world. Many privileges and luxuries of city life the farmer is deprived of; but many of these he can aftbrd to do without. He need not care for paintings of domestic animals or landscapes with sunset views, for the best of such paintings are but copies on canvas, dead and cold. Their animals, their light and shade, do not move ; their clouds never change shape or color. But out on every farm one can see the grand originals 192 HlSTOliY OF MEKIUMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. of these fine paintings. There are the horses, cattle and sheep cropping the honeysuckle, drinking at the brook, lying down in the shady woods. No painting of scenery or of landscape can equal these. The best of paintings look very tame compared with nature's grand panorama of dissolving views, which she puts on exhibition in the country every day. The stars of the night slowly fade through the dawn, until they are lost in the glory of the opening day. The many-shaped and many-tinted clouds of sunrise, more brilliant than gold or diamond, give way to the fervor of noon, and high noon hastens down- ward to the clouds that are trimmed with hues of silver and gold and precious stones. These sparkle and dazzle the beholder, take on more sombre shades, fading into the gray twilight, and the stars look out again. These sublime forms and hues no limner can portray. Besides this, the farmer owns a slice of the great round world, for his farm is the base of a pyramid, the apex of which touches the centre of the globe itself The farmers are no middle men. They are a deputy Providence, standing nearest to the Divinity who makes agriculture possible ; they plant and tend :nid gather the harve,sts of bread and fruit and meat, the iiitton and wool, that feed and clothe mankind. Altbuugh farming is the only occupation that is absolutely necessary to support life, there are a great many trades necessary to support our present civili- zation. In nearly all of these the demand will regu- late the supply, and we may safely trust the matter to regulate itself But it is not so in the so-called learned professions, especially those of law and medi- cine. Doctors and lawyers should be p:iiil :i siiitcd salary, and not by fees. This would immedinii ly . Iiaii^r the duties of the doctors,— they would l)ir<.iiic -unitary inspectors and advisers, and in this way they would lessen greatly the amount of sickness and premature death in the community. Comparatively few would be required ; the others could find some other employ- ment, and so many would not crowd into the profes- sion. Lawyers would in this way become peace- makers, and the number of lawsuits grow beauti- fully less. Will Bradford lead off in this matter, and thus take a long step ahead of the rest of the country towards the millennium? Lawyers in Bradford. — Weare Tappan came to Bradford in 1818, and was in the active practice of his profession until within a few years of his death, which occurred at Bradford in 18G8, at the age of seventy-eight. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College in the chiss of 1811. Hon. Mason W., son of Weare Tappan, was born at Newport, N. H., October 20, 1817. Fitted for college, but was not a graduate, j)referring to enter upon the study of his profession without a college course, which study he pursued for five years, and was admitted to the bar in 1841. He was a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1853, '54 and '55. He was elected from Second District, and served in the Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fifth and Thirty-sixth Congresses of the United States; colo- nel of the First Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers in the War of the Rebellion, and has been Attorney- General of the State since 1876. He has received the degree of A.M. from Dartmouth College. Lawrence D. Bailey, born in Sutton, read law with M. W. Tappan, and was his law-partner from 1855 U) 1857. He afterwards went to Kansas, where he was for some years one of the judges of the Supreme Court, where he still resides, publishing a newspaper and practicing law. Moses K. Hazleton, born in Lisbon, commenced the practice of law in 1857, and was a partner of M. W. Tappan until he went to the war with Colonel Tap- pan, in 186L He was appointed paymaster in the regular army, and died in the service. E. B. S. Sanborn was law-partner of M. W. Tappan from 1863 to 1868. He removed to Franklin, N. H., where he is still in the active practice of his profes- sion. He has been frequently in the Legislature from that town, and is at present one of the railroad commissioners of the State. Robert M. Wallace was born in Hennikcr, N. H. ; read law with M. W. Tappan, and was his law-part- ner from 1868 to 1871. He is now a rising young lawyer in Milford, N. H. ; has been in the Legisla- ture and is at present county solicitor for the county of Hillsborough. Bartlett G. Cilley, of Andover, N. H., was in com- pany with Colonel Tappan in the practice of the law in 1861 and 1862, and until his death, which occurred at Bradford. Hon. Bainbridge Wadleigh, son of Evans Wad- leigh, of this town, read law with Colonel Tappan. He commenced the practice of his profession at Mil- ford, N. H., where he still resides, was frequently ;i member of the Legislature from that town, and after- wards United States Senator. Physicians. — The first physician in town was Dr. Lyman, a skillful and noted surgeon. He came from Warner and returned there. Dr. Jason H. Ames was Dr. Lyman's successor. He came to the Corner, settled there and ha.s lived there ever since. (See genealogical notes. ) Dr. David Mitchell, of Peterborough, settled at the "Middle of the town," built a house aud lived there, and practiced about ten years and died there. He married Hoyt, and had three children ; one was drowned in the well at Hoyt's. Dr. Frederick Mitchell came to town soon after the BRADFORD. 193 ilt'Hth of his brother David; family riune witli iiim. lie did not remain very long. Dr. Harvey Stiidley came soon altir Mitehell left, and lived and died in the first liouse west of the " Uncle Bill Sawyer " place. He was in practice, probably, ten years. He died October 1"), 18;{0, aged forty-one years. Dr. Colby, of Henniker, came to (lie sann' part of town and lived a year or two in the Eben C^ressy house. Dr. Weston was the next. He lived there in the ('ressy house about ten years. His family came and went away with him. He was succeeded by Dr. (Jeorge H. Hubbard, of Sutton. He married Sally, daughter of Samuel Jones, of Bradford. They had one son, George, a druggist in Manchester, N. H., where he died. Dr. Hubbard was a graduate of the Vermont Medi- cal College. He was a skillful surgeon and a success- ful and popular physician. He removed to Manches- ter, and for some time edited the New Hampshire Journal of Mcilicine. He went into the army as surgeon of a New Hampshire regiment, and was soon promoted to the position of a brigade surgeon. After the war he had charge of a hospital on the Hudson, above Troy, N. Y., where he died from the result of an injury sustained while alighting from a street-car. Dr. Daniel F. Hale died at Bradford December 7, 1848, aged twenty-nine years. Dr. Morgan lived a year or two iu the Mrs. West house. Dr. Stickney also practiced a short time in this town. Dr. Fisk lived at the " IMills " fifteen or twenty years and practiced his profession. He sold out to Dr. Clark, who sold out to Dr. Raines, who still re- sides at the Mill village. Dr. Carleton, from Webster, practiced a while here before going to Salem, Mass. Dr. Fitz lived at the Corner, and owne, saiuly road across the valley or intervale brings the traveler to Adoniram .Tameson's on the riglit. This is a new place, and seems like an intruder amongst the old veterans. From here the road ascends a sandy bill not steep hill, though probably the hardest (or teams on the whole road. At the top of the hill a road branches off' on the right, labeled "Melvin's Mills, 2 miles." This is the road that was laid out by the selectmen in 1787, and ordered " to remain a bridle- road till paid for." It crosses the bridge over the Pond Brook, and pas.ses up by Cninniings Pierce's, Nathan 11. Marshall's old place, wliicli lic< partly in Warner; here, turning iiorlbrrly, niiiiiing over Bible Hill by the Hawks homestead, and down the hill to Melvin's mills. On Bible Hill the town line runs along in the road, and the houses of the lute Enos Collins' (now Herbert Evving's), Moses (now Frank Collins'), Mrs. John H. Brown and Mrs. Harvey Brown arc all on the Warner, or east side of the road. As soon as the road crosses the Pond Brook at Massa- secum Rock, a branch leaves to the left and passes the Timothy Dowlin, or Nathan Pierce, or Leonard Jameson place on the right, and on up to the top ol the hill to the old T. L. Dowlin homestead, since owned and occupied by Amaziali Hall; then down the hill to the Samuel Wheeler place, on the left, across the bridge over the united streams from Todd's Pond, Presby's Brook and the Pond Brook, which somewhere along here must begin to wear the name of Warner River, and out on to the Warner road, at Edward Cressey's old tavern-stand. All this, from the top of the hill near Add. Jameson's, is a digres- sion ; we are on the Henniker road, at the top of a sand-hill, at the north end of the lake. Did a great avalanche, checked in its progress by the firm ledges of Guiles' Hill, melt away there, and scoop out the deej) basin of the lake and pile up the sand, making this hill? The second hou.se that William Y'oung built in town stood west of the Main road, and ou the "old" llcniiiker road. Descending the hill, and passing a peat-bog on the left, and the field and in- tervale of Cumniings Pierce on the right, we soon reach the houses of George and Pierce Sargent, near together on the left. Down a slight incline and pa.s8ing a narrow woods on the right, we come out to John H. Collins' place, on the right, — a well-kept and productive intervale farm. Close by, on the same side of the road, lives Mr. Woodbury; then Collins' iiarn on the intervale at the left ; then the covered l)ridgc over Presbury Brook. At the bridge, before crossing, the road forks, and one branch goes up to A n- drcw Jones' place and to the old Deacon William Presbury place, said to be the first place settled in Bradford. A little beyond the bridge the road crosses the track of the Concord and Claremont Railroad, then the Hiram Davis house, then Mrs. Dane's, Bard P. Page's and Marshall's tin-shop, at the "Corner," and on a corner of the Warner road. This is the village square. Gillis* Hotel stands at the left sis v,e entered. Across the street, in front, is the old Farley & Chase store, now finished olf into a dwelling-house, owned by J. P. Marshall, occujiied by John French. Next is the old Kimball stand, the stove-shoj), now owned by Bates. A little farther along, guarded by an iron fence, is the fine residence of J. P. Marshall, on the old Raymond estate. The old brick schocd- house has been changed to a residence. On the same side of the street (the right) is the fine old residence of Dr. Ames, with its grove of evergreen trees near; the house and grounds have been attractive and jironi- inent I'ealures in the village lor aliimst lil'ly years. Personal History and Genealogical Notes. Dii. .Fason H. Ami;s, born Decendjcr Iti, \TM, in Fairlee, Vt. He was a pupil of the famous Dr. Lyman, who lived awhile in Bradford in the house next to the tin- shop at the Corner. Dr. Ames married, December 20, 1827, Clara George, of Warner, and settled in Bradford, taking Dr. Lyman's business and living in a house purchased of David Brown, and built the house where he now resides in 183(i. Dr. Ames was tor many years the only physician in town. Hun- dreds of men and women, now past middle life, re- mendier that when sick how much better they felt when the doctor's white horse was reported iu sight. He heard the last dying groan of a lai;;e portimi of three gener.ations of our people, and the wiledinc birth-cry of as nuiny more. He was an active and leading member of the Democratic party. He was selected by his townsmen to deliver the address of welcome to Lafayette when the general visited Bradford, in 1824. His wile died December 5, 18(58. Their children were, — 1. George, horn Septendier ID, I82.S; died Septem- ber 8, 1834. 2. Henry (jeorge, burn t'eliriiary (1, IS.'iii; mairied Mary G. Stoddard, of Perry, N. Y., in I,S,-)4, and settled at Mt. Morris, JM. W, where he now resides. 3. Martha Jane, born June 30, 1832; married, June nUADrOHD 8, 1862, Bartlett G. Cillcy, of Andover, N. H., who was born January 4, 1835, died August 21, 1867. He wiw a law-partner of Hon. M. W. Tappan. Children: (ieorge Ames, born November 24, 18()3; Winfred B., born October 18, 1865. Daniel Cakr, son of Moses Carr, of Newbury, Alass., born August 2, 1801. He nuirried, first, Febru- ary -M, 1827, llhoda, daughter of Joseph, a desccnd- Hiil of Kichard Bartlett, who came from England to Newbury, Mass., in 1635. They had one son, Wil- liam A., born January 10, 1828. Mr. Carr came to Bradford in the latter part of the year 1836 and en- gaged in the business of a dealer in general mer- chandise. He married the second time, January 1, 1839, Caroline L., daughter of VVcarc Tappan, of this town. Their children were, — 1. Frank Tappan, born October 28, 1811. He married, September 10, 1872, Helen Frances, daughter of John H. and Esther Pierce Collins, of this town, and engaged in trade with Wm. A. for awhile. 2. Kate Elizabeth, born November 2, 1846 ; mar- ried, December 25, 1872, Dr. Charles Augustus Carle- ton, who settled in Bradford, but soon removed to Salem, Mass., where he has become a noted and very successful physician. They have one son, Frank Carr, born June 10, 1879. William A., son of Daniel Carr, iiiairi(ni .May 10, ISCi'; ,li,.,| June 6, 1K(;4. Mrs. Carr died July 30, lS(i.5. He married, second, Mary E. Proctor, of East Washington, N. H., June 21, 1876. In July, 1854, Mr. Carr was admitted as a partner iu business, under the firm-name of D. & W. A. Carr. This firm continued until July, 1875, twenty-one years, when the elder member retired and the business was continued by William A. Carr, who has been postmaster about twenty-eight years. Jonathan Cheney came from Londonderry and settled toward the east part of the town. His chil- dren were Daniel, Stephen (a famous fox hunter, who lived on the Hcnniker road, on the west side of Ma.ssasecura Lake, where his son Frederick now lives), Lydia, Jonathan, Eben, Hannah, Calvin Ly- man and Simon. Richard Cressy was born in Beverly, Mass., Sep- tember 5, 1737. He removed from Hopkinton to Bradford February 11, 1794. He married Susan Evans, of Methuen, who was born .lanuary 28, 1741. Mr. Cressy was a soldier in the War of the Revolu- tion. A pass from General Stark is still in possession of Addison Cressy. He died September 9, 1797. His children were, — 1. Jabez, born Seiitcmbcr 3, 170 ; married Stephen Ward; lived in Bradford. II. Molly, born May 31, 1762; married Abner Ward, of Bradford. III. James, born February 24, 1704. IV. Daniel, born February 4, 1706; married Mary Brown. V. John, born December 21, 1768 ; died young. VI. Susan, born January 7, 1770 ; married Moses Bailey, who settled on the farm now owned by Shar- ron Jameson. Mr. Bailey afterwards removed to Washington, Vt. VII. Sally, born April 17, 1772; lived with her sis- ter Betsy ; unmarried. VIII. John, born August 14,1774; bad his name changed to John Washington Davis; married Sally, sister of Stephen and Abner Ward. Their children were John S., Gardner, Harrison, Calvin, Hannah, Julia, Fanny and Preston. James, son of Isaac, born February 24, 1764; mar- ried Brown. Their children were, — 1. Daniel, married Betsy Davis, of Charlestown, N. H. 2. Polly, married Samuel Jackman, of P^ufield. .3. Catharine, married Isaac Ward, son of Abner. 4. Betsy, unmarried. 5. Sally, married John Ward; settled in Clare- mout. 6. Dolly, married Heman Burpee, of Enfield, N. H. 7. James, married Lucy, daughter of Joshua Davis, of Charlestown. 8. Stephen. He was one of (Jencrul Scott's staff" of- ficers in the Mexican War. He was in the Union army in the War of the Rebellion, and lost his life there. 9. Sophronia, married Benjamin, son of .Joshua Davis, of Charlestown, Mass. Daniel, son of Isaac, born February 4, 1766 ; mar- ried Mary Brown. She died January 11, 1851. He died November 6, 1842. They had,— I. Samuel, born March 19, 1790. Enoch, born August 22, d March 22, 3. Enoch, born January 6, 1793; removed to Cam- bridge, Mass. Soap manufacturer there. Died Sep- tember 17, 1832. 4. Dorcas, born January 23, 179r); died February 28, 1876. 5. Eliphalet, born December 16, 1796 ; removed to Cambridgeport, Mass., in 1811 ; he was a soap manu- facturer, and acquired a fortune and a world-wide re- nown in that business. 6. Lydia, boni January 4, 1799; died August 20, 1821. 7. Dimond, l)orn A|>ril 2.'), 1802; died in .Sutton, December 5, 1861. He was a noted and successlul physician there. 8. Hiram, born I^ebruary 24, 1.S07 ; died in Febru- ary, 1872. 9. Lyman, born October 11, ISO',); died .April 1, 1860. 10. Isaac, born June 18, 1811. Successful soap manufacturer in Cambridge, Mass. 11. Curtis, born February 11, 1814. Sueeessful soap manufacturer in Boston. The only survivor of the family. The marriage of Daniel Davis, who was born in 1766, to Mary Brown, born in 1771, was an unusually good combination of the physical and mental forces. Out of eleven children, ten grew up to mature age, and were, as a family, remarkably intelligent, indus- trious, honest, economical, and consequently prosper- ous citizens of the various communities where they lived. Of the sons who remained in Bradford, Sam- uel lived at the south end of Lake Massasecum, near the Warner town line. His children were Ebenezer Harriman (mentioned among the physicians ^of Brad- ford), Gilbert, Lydia, Elizabeth and Franklin, who inherited and occupied his father's farm. Eliphalet is represented in this town by his son, Charles Frederick Davis, who owns and occupies the original homestead of Isaac Davis, mentioned else- where. Charles P'rederick was born in Cambridge- port, Mass., January 30, 1837. He married, January 29, 1860, Frances Sawyer, daughter of William and Jeannette McKeith Wilson George, who was born in Topsham, Vt., December 7, 1838. Their children are : — 1. Clara Jeannette Allen, born in Cambridge, Mass., March 26, 1861 ; she died March 19, 1868. 2. Florence Bartell, born in t!ambridge, Mass., August 7, 1863. BRADFORD. 201 3. Lewis Warner, born at Deer Isle, Me., August 21, 1865. 4. .Arthur Wilsoii, iMini in (.'lar.'iiiunt, N. II., JIareh 7, 1867. 5. Ida Carleton, Ixirn in UrMdlonl, A|iiil 6, lS(;i». 6. Marian Frances, born May 29, 1871. 7. Sarah Wentworth, born March 28, 1878. 8. Marshall Graham, born February, 1882. The last-montioned three were born in Bradford. Hiram Davis, born February 24, 1807; married, November 28, 18:^2, Marietta Ferrin, who was born December 27, 1809. Children,— 1. Caroline Salome, born September 6, 18;!.S; mar- ried, November 8, 1858, Frederick Martin. 2. James Warren, born December 28, 18;i4 ; died February 5, 1835. 3. Mary Jane, born February 1, 1830; married Jacob Jones. 4. Harriet Newell, liorn Febiuarv 17, l.SHil; mar- ried, March 8, 1858, Ira Sargent, of Bradford. Lyman Davis, born October 11, 1809 ; married, January 20, 1841, Mary Eliza Palmer, who was born August 11, 1826. Mr. Davis was named for the cele- brated Dr. Warren Lyman. His children are, — 1. Curtis, born August 6, 1842; died November 11, rn November 27, 1845;die( 2. Homer Elipli July 12, 1865. 3. Dorcas Jane, born February 14, 1848. 4. Walter Farsons, born June 6, 1850. 5. Caroline Elizabeth, born October 20, 1852. 6. Samuel Dimond, born December 31, 1854. 7. Joseph Hiram, born March 28, 1857. 8. Lydia Frances, born March 5, 1859. William Dowlin was born in 1720, and came to New England in 1753. He married Sarah (probably daughter of John) Norris, of Epping, N. H. He died February 24, 1811. His children were, — I. Anne, born November 16, 1755. II. Timothy Leavitt, born February 4, 1762. III. Elizabeth, born May 15, 1764; died November 22, 1768. Timothy Leavitt, son of William Dowlin, was born February 4, 1762. He married, July 24, 1790, Elizabeth Collins, and lived on the farm lately occu- pied by Amaziah Hall. He was a thrifty farmer and large land-owner. He gave his sons each a farm and his daughters money instead of land. They had tvi'elve children, — The first (born December 14, 1791) and the second (born March 11, 1793) lived but a few days. 3. Samuel, born I^ebruary 11, 1794; had a farm on Goodwin Hill. 4. Deborah, born March 25, 170(5. 5. Dolly, born March 17, 1798; died Decemlier 30, 1798. 6. Timothy, born October 8, 1799 ; married, June 7,1824, Catharine, daughterofFarrington Hawks. He settled on the farm since owned by Nathan Pierce, near the Pond Brook. Afterwards the family lived where William Cressey now lives. He died there March 24, 1844. His wife died March 30, 1872. They liad nine children,— I. Elizabeth Collins, born January 3, 1826 ; she married, February 10, 1848, Moses E. Gould, of War- ner. They settled at Mill village. One son, Fred., attorney-at-law, Concord, N. H. II. Timothy Leavitt, born February 17, 1828; he nnirried, November 17, 1868, Sarah Jane Ingraham, and first settled in Warner. III. John Hawks, born July 17, 1829; married, De- cember 14, 1853, Ella Frances Colby, of Warner, and settled and now resides in that town. IV. Sarah Jane, born March 2, 1831; married, March 3, 1851, Alfred Colburn Smith, and settled at Robin- son's Ferry ; they afterwards removed to Barnstead, wliere Mr. Smith died. They had three children, two of whom reside at Pittsfield, N. H. The other, a son, perished in a snow-storm on the Western plains. V. Mary Ann, born August 20, 1832 ; married Flanders, of Manchester, N. H., and settled there. \'I, Alil)y Hawks, born August 24, 1834 ; married, December 31, 1854, Ezra Dow Cilley, of Manchester, N. H. She died there May 3, 1869. One son, who lives with John H. Dowlin, of Warner. VII. George Washington, born September 23, 1836 ; has been a miner in various States beyond the Rocky Mountains ; also saddler and collar-maker in Con- cord, N. H. VIII. Marshall Richardson, born September 15, 1839; married Sophia Ann Magoon ; harness-maker and saddler, Westfield, Mass. IX. Louisa Catharine, born November 11, 1841 ; married Bradstreet, and resides in Rowley, Mass. 7. (Resuming the list of William's children) a child born January 20, 1803. 8. William, Jr., born April 9, 1805. He removed to Lempster, N. H. 9. A child born March 23, 1807. 10. Polly, born February 14, 1.S09 ; died March 5, 1810. 11. Caroline, born May 11, 1811 ; married Cum- mings Pierce. 12. Irene, born September 9, 1813. She was a very successful teacher of the winter and summer terms of district schools. She was a pious and active Christian worker, and an earnest exhorterin religious meetings. She married Patrick Scully and lived at Mill village. John Feloh, born in Weare, N. H., June 27, 1794. He married, March 18, 1818,Sally Clark, of Hopkin- ton, who was born January 6, 1789. He settled on the farm adjoining that of John Brown, near the Cor- ner. He had an excellent farm and managed it well. He died May 22, 1858. His wife died November 17, 1870. Their children were, — I. Horace C, born April 28, 1824. He married, in 202 lUSTOKV OF MKIUUMAOK COUNTY, NEW IIAxMPSIIIKE. 1856, Helen H. White, of Stanstead, P. Q., and settled in Bradford. Have two children, — 1. Fred. R., born July 15, 18G0 ; married, Decem- ber 25, 1884, Jennie L. Lund. He is an attorney-at- law and resides at Derry Depot, N. H. 2. Emma B., born October 18, 1870. Offin Fkencu was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. On his return from the army he mar- ried and moved to Bradford, making the journey on horseback. He bought a lot of wild land and cleared a farm, and built the house where he spent the re- mainder of his days, and where all his twelve children were born. The ftirm is a little east of the centre of the town, next beyond that of Joshua Jewett, and is now owned by the widow of Elder Holmes. Some of his neighbors were Timothy Emerson, Captain Sawyer, Josiah, father of Rial Rowe, Nehemiah Colby and Mr. Hale. Ten of his children lived past middle age; two died young. His children were, — 1. Offin, married Phebe Eaton ; lived awhile in Canada; removed to Newbury ; had four children. 2. Ruana, married Jonathan Muzzy, of Weare; they liad three children. ;?. Paskey, died unmarried. 4. Sceera, married James Gilmore, of Hillsborough ; died there. 5. Daniel, married Abigail, daughter of John Cressy, of Bradford; lived on his father's farm till 1833. He then bought a farm of Hazeltine, who moved to Ohio. He afterwards sold this farm to Eben Wright, and moved into the village. His children were, — Mary Jane, married Joshua P. Marshall. Ira, married Hester Goewey, of Lansingburg, N. Y. ; was engaged in trade in Bradford several years ; removed to Lansingburg, and died there in May, 1883. His only daughter, Hattie, was born in Bradford. Sabria A., married Frederick, son of Stephen Che- ney ; they live on the west side of Massasecum Lake. Christina P., married Thomas Little ; settled in Bradford. John, married Emma, daughter of Ward Day ; live at the Corner. 6. Phebe, became second wife of Jonathan Muzzy, of Weare. 7. Susan, married Jonathan Peaslee, of Weare. 8. James, married Hannah Eaton ; settled in Alex- andria; afterwards removed to Michigan, and died there. 9. Judith, died in Hillsborough ; unmarried. 10. Aaron, at the age of twenty-one, removed to Charlestown, Mass.; removed from there to Provi- dence, R. I., where he deals in honey ; unmarried. Farrington Hawks, sou of David and Sarah Colburn, of Dunstable, Mass., was born in that town April 21, 1770. He married, first, Sarah, a sister of David Knowlton, of Newburyport, Mass., by whom all his children were born. He first settled in Hud- son, N. H., where his oldest children were born. In 1796 he removed to Warner, having purchased of Reuben Gale, of " Almesbury," " lot No. 7, in the second division of 80-acre lots." This is probably the Shepard Davis place, near Massasecum Lake. Here he lived in a log house, procuring water from a spring near by, and threshing out his grain on a smooth, flat ledge of rock, still known as the " thresh- ing-rock." He probably lived there about two years, sending his two oldest children to the Pond school-house, near the Daniel Sargent place. He then purchased an eighty-acre lot of wild land in the westerly edge of Warner, next to the Bradford line. On this tract he had cut down fourteen acres of the forest, when he sold the whole lot to Enos Collins, of Warner. In April, 1802, he bought half of lot 43, in Bradford, of Richard Marshall, the half lying south of the road to the pond, and west of the Bible Hill road. The next purchase made by Mr. Hawks was the place where he spent the remainder of his days. The deed was given by John Pierce, of Ports- mouth, December 4, 1802, in which the tract is de- scribed as follows : '*.\ certain lot of laud in Bradford, containing one hundred acres, more or less, and is lot number forty-two in the original town as first laid out, and was drawn and recorded to the right of .loshna Pierce, as may be found by the records uf tlie Masonian Proprietors, reference there- The price paid was three hundred and fifty dollars. Mr. Hawks built and occupied a log house on the northeast corner of his lot, near where the present house stands on Bible Hill. Mr. Hawks was tall, erect, strong and healthy ; he was in his day a cham- pion mower and wrestler. He was very fond of hunting, trapping and fishing. His first wife had a good edu- cation for a woman at that time. She died in August, 1829. He married, second. Widow Sarah Young, of Pelham, N. H., April 12, 1831. He died November 15, 1859. His children were, — I. Abigail, born May 5, 1792 ; married Nathan R. Marshall. She died March 11, 1867. II. Colborn, born April 14, 1794. III. Farrington, born June 5, 1796 ; removed to Cambridgeport, Mass., where he died March 31, 1832. His widow and sou Henry still live there (1885). IV. Catharine, born August 11, 1798 ; married, June 7, 1825, Timothy L. Dowlin ; she died March 3(1, 1872. V. John, born October 26, 1801 ; removed to New York ; married, and removed to Ohio. He was a farmer. He died November 20, 1868. His children,— Abigail, born August 11, 1834, and Elhanan Win- chester, born July 8, 1836— lived in Norwalk, Ohio, in 1885. VI. David Knowlton, born May 7, 1804. VII. Daniel, born August 25, 1806. He was a farmer and worked in Massachusetts. In the Mexican War he was a member of Company K, New England Regiment. lie died in hospital in tjan Angelos ; unmarried. BRADFORD. 203 VIII. Moody, born February 25, 1809. He was a fanner ; worked in West Cambridge, Mass. ; married there and removed to Kirtland, N. Y. He was in the same regiment with Daniel in the Mexican War. He died September 11, 1849. His wife died October Ki, 1848. Their children were Frederick Henry, Abigail Lamira, Albert Winn, Sarah Hall. Albert was killed in battle in 1862. Colburn, son of Farrington, born April 14, 1794, in Hudson, N. H. He married, March 7, 1826, Clarissa, (laughter of Dudley Brown, of Wilmot. He died July 26, 1869. He was of slight frame and below the medium in stature, his usual weight being one hundred and ten pounds. He was a farmer, industri- ous, economical and fairly successful. He bought his father's farm, and built the house now standing in 1823. From this homestead can be seen Kearsarge, Sunapee and Lovell's Mountains, and hills in Warner, Sutton, New London, Newbury and Washington. Mr. Hawks had surrounded and partitioned oft' his rocky hillside farm with several miles of stone walls, some of them of great thickness. His widow still survives (1885). Fully half the credit of acquiring and saving a competency is due to her prudence and economy. Their children were all burn and reared on the homestead above mentioned, are, — I. John Milton, born November 26, 1826. Educated in the district school and at the "High School" at the Mill village. He taught school in New Hampshire, New York and Georgia. Read medi- cine with Dr. G. H. Hubbard, of Bradford Centre; attended lectures at Woodstock, Vt., and gradu- ated at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1848. He practiced medicine in Manchester, N. H., from 1848 to 1861, having, in the mean time, visited Florida twice and the West Indies once. In March, 1862, he went out to the Sea Islands of South Carolina as a physician to the freedmen. From July till October, 1862, he was acting assistant surgeon United States army on General Saxton's stafl". In October was commissioned assistant surgeon in the First Regiment of South Carolina Colored Infantry. This was the first colored regiment ever mustered into the United States service, and was afterwards numbered Thirty-third United States Colored Infantry. In October, 1863, Dr. Hawks was commissioned as surgeon of Twenty-first United States Colored Infantry, where he served until December, 1865, when he resigned, since which time he has lived most of the time in Florida. He married, October 4, 1854, Esther Hill, of Brentwood, N. H. She graduated at the Boston Female Medical College in 1857; assisted in the military hospitals at Jackson- ville, Beaufort and Charleston ; is a successful prac- titioner in Lynn, Mass. II. Bartlett, born March 3, 1828 ; died young. III. Robert Bartlett, born October 16, 1829 ; a farmer. On the old homestead he salts the sheep and cattle on the same granite ledges where his father and grandfather salted them, and cultivates the same fields they first cleared and then cultivated. Invalid ; unmarried. IV. Helen Maria, born June 26, 1832; married, November, 1853, Prescott Colby, of Bradford, and lives on the Moses Colby farm. They had four children. The first, a daughter, was poisoned in infiincy by chewing friction matches; the second. Belle, married J. Currier, of Bradford, and settled on the David Durrell farm, and now live near it; the third, Jesse Prescott, married Clara, daughter of Moody (Jilling- ham, and first settled on the Gillingham place; re- moved to Danvers, Mass. ; the fourth, Flora, resides with her parents. V. Sarah Knowlton, born September 17, 1835 ; in- valid ; lives on the homestead. VI. Miner, born January 28, 1845 ; married, first, Georgia, daughter of Edwin Bailey, of Bradford ; they had one son, Ralph, born July 30, 1869 ; died October, 1883. She died of consumption. Second, Medora, daughter of Wellman George. They had Mertie, who lives in Manchester. Mrs. Hawks died of internal tumor. Miner died June 22, 1884. The following biographical sketch is copied from the Manchester Daily Mirror : '* Captain Miner Hawks, of Bradford, whose death, on the 23d of June, was mentioned in this paper, has an excellent, and, in some respects, an exceptional military history. He enlisted as a private in Co. K, 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, Oct. 31, 1861, when but little over 16 j-eare old, and served with that regiment until his discharge from a general hospi- tal in Washington, Dec. 21, 1862. A part of the next year he attended the academy of New London ; but on the invitation of the surgeon of the 3d Keg't S. C .Colored Infantry he left his studies and enlisted as hospital steward in that regiment, then stationed at Hilton Head, S. 0. On M:iy 24, 1864, he was promoted as 2d lieutenant in Co. D, 34th Keg't, U. S. colored troops, commanded by the noted Col. James Montgomery of Kansas, and June 17, 1865, he was commissioned a^ Ist lieutenant ; Nov. 6, 1865, as captain of Co. E, in the same regiment. For a portion of the time till the muster out of his regiment, Feb. 28, 1866, Capt. Hawks was commander of the post at Palatka, Fla. At the expiration of his mili- tary service Capt. Hawks, then but 21 years old, commenced the study of law in the office of Cooper & Bisbee, Jacksonville, Fla. Having lost his available funds in an unfortunate investment, he entered the employ- ment of a company at Port Orange, which failed soon after, and Capt. H. returned to Bradford, where he married a daughter of E. M, Bailey, and removed to Council Bluffs, Iowa. In 1864 he returned to Bradford, where his wife died the next year. In 1873 he engaged in the druggist's business in Allston, Mass., and afterwards in Manchester, where lie re- sided until the death of his second wife.. For the last five years he has carried on the farm of his aged mother. Capt. Hawks was a fluent and '.graceful speaker and writer. He was at various times rt'iM>rtor for the Mirror and American and the Union. He wrote sketches of tnivel in Florida for the Saturday Timet and has contributed articles to the Holclen Rule, I'oiKA'j Companion and other Boston periodicals." David Knowlton, son of Farrington Hawks, born May 7, 1804; a competent cabinet-maker. He married, about 1825, Susan Straw, and lived a while at the old homestead on Bible Hill. Then for several years in the "Farrington house," which he built at Ray- mond's Corner ; then several years at the Mill village, where his wife died of cancer, October 10, 1854. Mr. Hawks enlisted in the Seventh New Hampshire Vol- unteers at the age of fifty-six. His children were, — I. Emeline, born about 1826; married Orlando Bailey ; died in Manchester, N. H. 204 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. II. John, a hatter by trade, died in Derry, N. H., April 18, 1855. III. Hartwell, a teamster, died in Boston. IV. William, a seaman, married an English wo- man ; lost at sea. V. Frederick was in the United States navy during the Rebellion; married; has a daughter; lives in New Y'ork. VI. Esther, worked at Manclicstcr; removed to Boston. VII. Helen, married Burke Belknap, of Newport. They live in Lawrence, Mass. One son, Lawrence. John Howlet, of Henniker, married Phebe John- son, of that town. Their children were, — 1. Mary, died unmarried. 2. Betsy, married Nehemiah Knight. .3. Enoch, married, second, Hannah Metcalf, and settled in Freedom, N. Y., where his family still resides. 4. Sally, married Benjamin Flint, and lived in Hillsborough. 5. Thomas, married Eunice, daughter of Enos Collins, of Warner. Their children were John, Perley, Enos, Elizabeth and Sarah. 6. John, born July :i2, 1793 ; married Phebe Cressy. Mr. Howlet is probably the oldest living ni:in in town. 7. Alice, married Israel Andrews. 8. Stephen, removed to Sutton and married there. 9. George, married Marinda Cram ; died on the home farm. 10. Perley, died at twenty years of age. 11. James, married Dorcas Stevens ; lived and died in the next house to John; no children. 1 2. David, died young. 13. Benjamin, died at twenty-one ; unmarried. 14. Caleb, died at two years of age. 15. Phebe, died an infant. Stephen Hoyt was born in Hopkintou, N. H., August 30, 17()9 ; he married Phebe, daughter of Deacon William Presbury, born July 20, 1772. " She was the first white child born in the town of Brad- ford." She died July 29, 1847. General Hoyt, as he was usually called, was a man of marked ability and activity. He built and operated mills, cleared up farms, built houses and in various ways left the im- press of his energetic spirit on the social and busi- ness life of the town. His children were, — 1. William P., born April 4, 1794; -lied .laiuiary 19, 1867. 2. Stephen, Jr., b.)rn August 27, 179.'.; died No- vember 10, 1859. 3. John, born October 3, 1797 ; died at sea Sei>tem- ber 28, 1851. 4. Hiram, born l)eceml)er 17, ISOO; died October 26, 1825. 5. George W., Iiorn January 12, 1803; died October 10, 1826. 6. Olive P., born May 18, ISOG. 7. Elisha E., born October 12, 1808. 8. John Raymond, born September 2, 1811 ; died December 24, 1858. 9. Elbridge Gerry, born September G, 1814; he married, December 20, 1843, Mary Anne Spauldiug, of Warner, who was born November 30, 1814. He lived on his father's homestead ; died August 29, 1879. SAMtTEL Jones, son of John Jones, was born in Hopkinton May 12, 1786. He came to Bradford about the year 1809, and taught a district school there. He married Elizabeth Andrews, of Sutton, April 17, 1810, and had seven children. His wife died March 23, 1849. He married, second, Amanda Eaton, of Bradford, April 10, 1851. He died February 12, 1867. "Esquire" Jones, as he was familiarly called, was one of the leading men of the town in his day. He represented the town in the State Legislature for several years. He was also a member of the State Senate and of the Executive Council. He rei^resented the town in the State Con- stitutional Convention of 1850, and the year following was one of the Presidential electors. He built, and for a while kept, the hotel at the Mill village. The children of Samuel .and Elizabeth (Andrews) ■Jones were, — I. George, born April 9, 1811 ; died May 3, 1882. The following biographical sketch appeared in a Con- cord paper at the time : "CoNCOKD, May 3, 1882. — Hon. George Jones, whose death from paral- ysis occurred at his home in North State Street this morning, was born in Bradford, April 9, 1811, and vras a son of Hon. Samuel .Tones, who was president of the State Senate in 1838. The deceiued had held various local offices aud represented the town two years in the Legislature. lie was chosen register of deeds of Merrimack County in 1848 and subso- «iuently re-plect«d for several terms. During the administration of Pres- ident Pierce, Mr. Joues was connected with the postal service, and was cashier of the old Warner Bank many years. Wliib- leaiditi;.: in that place he represented the Eighth District in the St;df ^. mtii ii..nil-TI ti. 1873. IIo removed to this city in 1874 and wu- . i i i..l treasurer of the National, afterward Concord Sa\ifi- r ^ , , i i. lion he lilled most acceptably for over two yeart!. \\<- i I ,i -imiI- nership, March Ist, with John E. Robertson and Cluirlvs P. 1!.>\vl11, fur the purpose of conducting an cvtensive wood, coal and ice business, and was on his way hoTrie from his office last evening when he was attacked with the fatal illnea*. Atr -I.-iii--^ um^ n. .■i,t.T[.rUiri'; and public-spirited citizen, honest ;in. I i-" 'i ■ m i i,,,) highly esteemed for his sterling -worl h u i ^ i i i i i : i i i > haracter . He leaves a widow aud two d.niLl.i I , I, 1. 1. , i.i ii. , I Ho.iiliy P. Jones, of Brad- II. Timothy Peaslee, born April 15, 1813; married, April 4, 1839, Mary, daughter of Nicodemus Watson, of Warner, and settled in Bradford, where he spent nearly his whole life. He took an active interest in the welfare of the town and took part in the manage- ment of town affairs, having many times held offices of trust. He represented the town in the State Legis- lature in the years 1874 and 1875. His children were Wilbur Fisk, born July 24, 1840, died Novem- ber 9, 1841; Prudence Elizabeth, born November], 1842, died October 19, 1869; Mary Augusta, born August 6, 1842, married, November 15, 1876, George Harvey, son of Elder Eleazer Steele, of Bradford; BKADFOKD. Samuel Nicodeinus, born January 1, 1850, died No- voinber 8, 1852; Frank Woodbury, born February 19, 1854, died June 20, 1873. III. Fanny, born April 28, 1815 ; married Francis ; lived at the Corner; she died June 7, 1807; hiicl two cbil'lrni, who removed to Massachusetts. I\'. I'.li/a. I.nrn April 10, 1817; married Edward ( 'ii»y uihI xuled in this town, near Melvin's Mills. Of her three children, James, the eldest, married, for second wife, Antoinette, daughter of Savory Cheney, and lives near the centre of the town. Mariette, mar- ried George Denny, lives in Gloucester, Mass., six children ; Elizabeth, married Edward Richardson, lives at Contoocook, no children. V. Seth Straw, born April 4, 1819; died June 23, 1.S56. He " fitted for his profession under the direc- tion of George H. Hubbard, M.D., of this town ; graduated at the Vermont Medical College in 1847, and settled in Effingham, N. H., in June, 1848, where lie resided until 1854, when he was obliged by his failing health to leave his large circle of friends in that place. Few men have in so short a time acquired so strong a hold on the confidence of the commu- nity as did Dr. Jones. He was eminently the 'good |)hysician.' " — New Hampshire MedicalJonrnal, July, 1858. VI. Samuel Woodbury, born December 21, 1821 ; died Julv 11, 1878. (Biographical notice under the bead of Physicians). \'ll. Sally Martin, born September 27, 1825 ; mar- ried Dr. (iciirue H. Hubbard, of Sutton, and first settled at Bradford Centre. One son, George, a suc- cessful druggist in Manchester ; died there. Richard Marshall married Esther Pierce, and came to Bradford probably with Josiah Melvin before the year 1787. He bought the land and cleared most of the farm where Cummings Pierce now lives, and re- mained on it twenty years. In 1787 he owned the land on the south side of the road that leads up the hill from C. Pierce's and Melvin on the north side. He afterwards bought a lot at the top of the hill in Warner and built a house on the edge of that town, southeasterly from where the old buildings of Nathan R. now stand. This house was probably afterwards moved down to Na- than's, but the site of the old house can still be traced. " Bill" Sargent may have lived first in that house, or possibly north of Nathan's, near the old well at the side of the road. He lived in that im- mediate neighborhood before Marshall did. The hist years of his life he lived in a small house close to Nathan's. His children were : — Richard, who spent most of his life in Ma.ssachu- setts, but died in Bradford ; has no descendants in town. Esther, married Josiah Melvin. Sarah, married Asa Sargent, of Warner. Nathan Richardson, born June 10, 1792. Nathan Richardson Miirihall, son of Richard, born June 10, 1792, probably in Bradford, purchased his father's farm and maintained his parents in their old age. He married Abigail Plawks, of Bradford. He was intelligent, thoughtful and progressive. He examined into the claims of phrenology and became a believer in its doctrines. He was a methodical and systematic farmer; a subscriber to and reader of HiWs Farmers' Frsifor for many years. He kept a daily journal for half a century. He and his neighbor, C. Pierce, were the first farmers in that locality to substitute hot coffee for rum in the hay and harvest-field and at "huskings." He and his wife were patterns of in- dustry, economy and kindness toward neighbors, and the world is better for their having lived. Before he gave up work he left the old homestead and fitted up a comfortable residence, where his daughter Esther and her husband, John H. Collins, now live. A neat monument marks their last rest- ing-place, not far from the house, at the foot of the Goodwin Hill. She died March 11, 18(57. He died December 6, 1872. Their children were, — I. Sarah Knowlton, born February 2, 1812: mar- ried. May 8, 1849, John Furnald and settled in Lou- don. One son died at twenty. She lives in Boston. II. Catharine, born December 19,1814. Invalid; lives at John H. Collins'. III. Mary, born June 1, 1815; m.arried Sumner Kittredge and lived several years in Massachusetts; then on the Captain Hoyt farm in Warner. They now live at the Corner. One son, Everett, who owns and lives on the John Felch farm, has two chil- dren. His wife died in June, 1885. IV. Joshua Pierce, born February 18, 1818; mar- ried Mary Jane French ; lived several years in Ma.ssa- chusetts, carrying on a wholesale glassware store in Boston. Residence at Bradford Corner, on the Ray- mond place. Their children were, — 1. Daniel Richard.son, married Vilona L. Simonds, of Washington, N. H. He entered business near the depot in this town. Now lives in New York City. 2. William, died in the West. 3. Addison Joseph, dealer in general merchandise, and is postmaster at Hawks Park, Fla. 4. Mary, died in Bradford. V. Betsey B., born September 28, 1818 ; died June 28, 1824. VI. Esther, born April 18, 1820 ; died .hily 23, 1821. VII. Esther Pierce, born August 19, 1821; married ,fohn Harriman, son of Enos Collins, of Bible Hill, Warner, and settled on the Collins homestead. This couple have had a rare and remarkable experience in taking care of the father and mother of both. They first lived with his father and mother; then, some years after the old people died, John and Esther moved over to her parents' home and took care of them. Twochildren, — Abigail, married Blaisdell, died in Sutton, leaving one son ; Helen Frances, mar- ried Frank Carr, of Bradford. They live at the Mills. 206 IIISTOUV OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW IIAMI'.SIIIKE. VIII. Joseph Addison, born July 7, 1826, married, first, Mariette C.Page; second, Sarah M. Chapman. He first settled on the old homestead, his father moving over to his new place on the Ilenniker road. After the death of his wife he left the farm and engaged successfully in trade in Sulfolk Market for several years. He was in a large wholesale business with his brother, J. P., on Congress Street, Boston, on the site of the new city post-office, and was burned out there in the great fire of 1872. The business wils afterwards carried on in John Street, lastly undei the firm-name of Marshall & Wanchard. Ill health has compelled him to retire from active business. While living in Bradford he was several times a member of the Board of Selectmen. He died in Brad- ford, July 12, 1885. His last work was to make out the list of soldiers from Br.adford, in Ihe late civil IX. l^uella, born March 2i', ISiiS; niurricd Kdwin M. Bailey; lived at Mill village; died October 2;i, 1854, leaving two daughters, Georgia and Florence. X. Farriiigton Hawks, born August 23, 1829; mar- ried a Miss Farrington, and resides in Boston, where for several years he has been a wholesale dealer in country produce. They have three children, — Walter, married, lives in East Boston ; Minnie and Fred. JosiAH Melvin came to Bradford before the year 1787, at about the same time with Richard Marshall, whose daughter Esther he married. Their farms, east of Bradford Pond, were adjoining. But Mr. Melvin's fame was acquired not as a farmer, but as a miller. He owned and operated the grist-mill at the Mill village for several years, living in the house since owned by Samuel Jones. He removed just over the town line into Warner, and bought the grist and saw-mills that had been built by Lieutenant Hoyt and owned by Simmons and others, and run them successfully many years, instructing his five sons in the same business; all have tended those mills, and they well deserve the name Melvin's Mills, in honor of which the post-office and railroad station are named. To every one who knew the "Old Judge," as he was latterly called, the sight or men- tion of his name will bring up a crowd of pleasant memories. Since the death of Nathan Melvin the mills have changed owners several times, and have worn rather a doubtful, not to say dilapidated, look. But they are all right now. In 1884 the old mills came into the possession of Weare Tiiiipnn. y.puiii^r^i child of Josiah Melvin, and he has niii.\;iiiJ (i^ix thing from the dam foundation to llu' saiMI. lioanU; new outsides, new insides. The hand ol the nuist'.r is there; the mills are good for another century at lesist, aud they will add ten per cent, to the comfor and health of the neighborhood for miles around. From the old family Bible, Miss Ellen M. Straw, o) Claremont, N. H., a granddaughter of Josiah, kindly furnishes the following record of the family, giving no other particulars only dates of birtlis; 1. Esther, born October 11, 1795. 2. Richard, born October 5, 1797. 3. Mary M., born December 19, 1799. 4. Sarah P., born June 25, 1802. 5. Hartwell, born August 9, 1805. (i. Nathan R., born January 15, 1807. 7. Susan M., born October 4, 1808. 8. Lucy M., born May 22, 1811. 9. Ruth, born November 9, 1815. 10. Jonah Galusha, born November (!, 1817. 11. Weare Tappan, born June 22, 1820. Richard Melvin was the only one of Josiah's children who settled and remained in this town. He was a miller by trade. He built the house now owned and occupied by Parker S. Whitcomb, near the Cheney bridge which spans the Warner River, within one-third of a mile of his father's mill. Ho married Betsy Straw. Their children were, — 1. Proctor Darling, born November 5, 1817; rail- road builder and contractor. Married, March 25, 1845, Harriet, daughter of David Bagley, and settled at Melvin's Mills. He died March 4, 1865. Four children, — Margaret F., born 184(), married Holmes and settled at Melvin's Mills; Ricliard Edson, born October 25, 1849; Betsy A., born December 14, 1854, died young; Walter, born October 18, 1856. 2. Grosvenor Stickney, born August 29, 1819; died 1826. 3. Harriet Maria, born November 13, 1821; mar- ried, July 25, 1844, Clark Whitcomb, of Hillsborough, and settled there; lived several years in Lake village. In May, 1882, they bought the Ebenezer Cheney farm, near Melvin's Mills, and have removed there. Of their three children, two daughters died unmarried. Frank Lawton, born June 7, 1851; mar- ried Ida .lennett, of Rockport, Mass.; engineer; lives in Concord, N. H. ; has four children. 4. Benjamin Franklin, born February 15, 1824; married, Febi-uary 7, 1850, Hannah D. Colby, of Warner, who was born February 11, 1827. They lived in Warner. He died February 10, 1873. Chil- dren, — Frank Otis, born January 26, 1857; Celia Addie, born September 4, 1860 ; died July 23, 1863 ; Maud Muller, born August 19, 1866. 5. Elizabeth, born July 31, 1827; married. May, 1853, Eben Wright, engineer, and settled in Bradford; removed to Concord. 6. A son, born July 29, 1829; died young. 7. 'Sl.ny Ann, born 1831; died 1832. s. INilii r Maria, born October 18, 1835; married ll.iMir ('(iiliMan, of Hillsborough. She died March 3, 1869. 9. Henrietta, born September 3, 1838; married George W. Page; lives in Nashua. 10. Josiah, born March 3, 1841 ; conductor Concord aud Claremont Railroad ; has been twice married; lives in Contoocook. Nathan Pierce, bom September 7, 1765, probably in Hudson, N. H. He married Phebe Cummings BRADFORD. 207 (born July 8, 1768). He removed from Hillsborough 1(1 Antrim, where he remained about a year; then, in 1820, he removed to Bradford, and settled on the farm near the " pond," where he died. Several fam- ' ilies, among whom was that of George Maxfield, had t lived on the farm. Riehard Marehall cleared most \ of the farm, and lived on it twenty years. The main 1 front of this farm lies along on the east side of the Henniker road, from the land of Frederick Cheney to that of J. H. Collins. Extending easterly, the farm includes the north end of Massasecum Lake and a part of Guiles' Hill. Probably no other farm in town has such a variety of landscape scenery and soil. Its sheep pasture on Cheney's Hill and its noted and lar-famed blueberry patches at the top of Guiles' Hill all overlook the Lake Massasecum and the great val- ley on the west. Its soil embraces every variety from the strong, disintegrated granite of the hill-sides to tlie tine sand of the pine land and the rich intervale and cranberry meadows along the "pond brook." Ik'fore the country was settled by white men, this region was a favorite resort of the Indians. Several of their concave fire-places, lined with stones and con- taining bits of charcoal, have been found on this farm. Curiously-wrought stone implements have also been plowed up near the lake, such as axes, gouges, mortar-pestles and flint heads of arrows and spears. Tradition says that a moose was slain at the brook below the barn by Deacon Presbury, the first settler in town. Mr. Pierce's children were as follows: I. Nathan, born August 15, 1787 ; married Abigail Graves, of Washington. During the latter years ol his life he lived on the farm first occupied by T. L. Dowlin. He had two children, — Benjamin Franklin and Cynthia. The former lives in Stoughton, Mass.; the latter married Leonard Jameson, and lives on the farm. II. Susan, born May 23, 17112; died Sei.tembcr 13, 1797. III. Mary, born July 12, 1794 ; died unmarried. IV. Cummings, born December, 179(); died Decem- ber, 1801. V. Susan, born February 7, 1799 ; late in life she became the second wife of Enos Collins, of Warner. She was a tailoress by trade, and for many years she worked in families, cutting and making men's and boys' clothes. She worked for twenty-five cents a day and board, and usually worked fourteen hours a day. She was very economical as well as industrious, and out of her earnings she purchased the farm for her brother, Nathan ; also the lot and house w^here she died, now (1885) occupied by Charles Burrill. She possessed a vigorous intellect and clear moral perceptions. She was a warm advocate of emancipation, and for many years a subscriber to Garrison's Liberator. She was also a free and fearless thinker and speaker on religious subjects and a reader of the Boston Iti- vestigator and Free Religious Index. On giving up work, she gave her property to Parker Whitcomb for the support of herself and husband during the re- mainder of their lives. She died January 8, 1873. VI. Daniel, born July 17, 1801; married and lived in Eden, Vt. ; died August 26, 1848. VII. Cummings, born May 22, 1803; married, February 14, 1833, Caroline Dowlin, of Bradford, and lived on his father's farm, taking care of his par- ents. He has been, for several years, one of the se- lectmen of the town. He has been one of the earliest risers and most industrious and frugal of farniei-s, and consequently he has been very successful and pros- perous. His children are, — 1. Lucetta, born May 12, 1838; married John Her- bert Ewins, of Warner, farmer. 2. Anna, born August 18, 1849; married iMccman H. Gillingham, of Bradford, who carries on the Pierce homestead. VIII. Stephen Chapin, born November 4, 1807; married Martha, daughter of Enos Collin.s, of War- ner, and first settled in the Timothy Flanders house at Melvin's Mills. He was a skilled mechanic and an ingenious inventor. He has had some very nar- row escapes from making a fortune. His inventions have made other people rich ; but thus far he has steered clear of such worldly incumbrances. He has been through life a " free thinker " on theological subjects. He has one son, Daniel, a mechanic, who lives in Warner. Nathan Piper, of Hopkinton, married Hannah Smith, of Bradford, and for a' time lived in Bridge- water, N. H. They came to Bradford about 1808, and bought fifty acres of wild land on the west shore of Bradford Pond. He was a carpenter by trade and built the house where his son Trueworthy now lives. He also framed most of the houses in that locality. He died in 1821, in the thirty-ninth year of his age. His wife was over ninety-six years of age at her death, and was the oldest person in town. She died in 1877. Their children were Trueworthy, born in Bridgewater, N. H., in 1805; (he took care of his parents and in- herited the homestead) ; Sally, born in Bradford in 1809; Keziah, born about 1812, died about 1814; Henry, born 1816. Elijah West, blacksmitb, came fnim Henniker in 1808. His children were,— 1. Betsy, married Joseph Shattuck. 2. Polly, married James Presbury. 3. Timothy Kendall, born March, 1800. 4. John, born 1802 ; died 1817, of .spotted fcv.'r. 5. Sally, born 1804; died at same time and fmni same disease as John. 6. Emily, born 1806; married Joshua Wright, of Warner. 7. Leonard, born 1808 ; married Mary Ayers. 8. Elijah, born 1810; married Jane Albe, of Ver- mont. Timothy Kendall, son of Elijah West, had the fol- lowing children : niSTOKY OF MEUHLMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. 1. Daniel F.,bom March 6, 1824 ; died April 22, 1825. 2. Abigail Eaton, born December 19, 1825. .■?. Rufus Fuller, born January 26, 1828. i. Timothy Kendall, Jr., born August 22, 1830; married Polly Wright; died June, 1874. 5. Mary Elizabeth, l.orn July 18, IS;^2 ; married Addison Cressy. 6. Daniel Fuller, born October 11, 18;i4. 7. John, born November 4, 1830 ; died July 31, 1880. Eaton. — The ancestors of the Eaton families ii: this town came from Hopkinton. There were foui brothers, as follows : I. Ebenezer, born April 1, 1757; married, Decem- ber 7, 1780, Hannah French, born October 12, 1759, died June 29, 1823. PJe died January 5, 180(j. Theii children were Abigail, born April 1, 1783 ; married November, 1804; died September 8, 1839. Samuel, born June 1, 1785; married 1810; died August 1, 1864. Elisha, born April 11, 1788 ; married Octobei 20, 1811 ; died March 24, 1862. Hannah, born April 4, 1792; married November 25, 1816 ; died Septeiiibii 21, 1824. E. H. Eaton, son of Elisha, born Septembei 22, 1816 ; married, March 17, 1840, Roena F. Ayer. born December 22, 1818. She died December, 1882. II. Nathaniel, born March 20, 1761 ; married No- vember 9, 1786; died January 24, 1837. He came to Bradford March 22, 1792, and returned to Hopkinton February 20, 1805, and was probably the first of his name in this town. III. John, born July 14, 17(15; nuuried I'hebi Brockway, born April" 29, 1770; died February 12, 1851. He died January 19, 1844. IV. Joshua, born February 25, 1768 ; married, first, Sarah Hoyt; she died April 17, 1815. He was captiiin of the Fifth Company, Thirtieth Regiment New Hampshire Militia. The commission, now in possession of his son Joshua, is dated July 22, 1806, and signed by John Langdon, (iovernor of the State of New Hampshire. A commission a.s major of tlu First Battalion in the same regiment is dated June 1, 1809. The family moved to Bradford about 1795. Their children were, — 1. Moses, born April 9, 1793 ; married Polly Pres- bury, born 1796, died July 1, 1868. He died Novem- ber 23, 1858, 2. Mary, born June 5; 1795 ; married, April 6, 1815. John Brockway, born June 18, 1793 ; died Decembei 27, 1874; he died November 24, 1870. 3. William A,, born April 2,1800; married Han nah Morse ; he died July 5, 1874, 4. Sarah, born February 16, 1805; married Simeoi, Shattuck; she died January 14, 1831, 5. Martha, born December 7, 1808 ; married, March 14, 1833, Osman Bailey, born September 6, 1806; sht died December 12, 1878. Joshua married, second, January 23, 1817, Anna Blaisdell Hill, of Amesbury, Mass., born February 7, 1788, died January 15, 1861; he died Ajnil 11, 1850. Thcv had, — I. Joshua, born December 22, 1817; married, first, February 20, 1840, Alzina E. Gillingham, of New- bury, born April 17, 1823; she died October 6, 1851. He has served as one of the selectmen of the town for eleven years ; wa.s re|)resentative in the State Legislature in 1856 and 1857; has been one of the justices of the peace in Merrimack County since 1859. He was captain of Second Company of riflemen in Thirtieth Regiment New Hampshire Militia for four years. Their children were Alzada, born January 5, "l841; married, April 1, 1866, B. F. Hoyt. Alzina, born .fanuary 5, 1841 ; died February 26, 1841. Al- verton, born July 27, 1843; died July 2, 1846. Alzina, born April 10, 1848; married, July 4, 1870, F. G. Greeley. Joshua married, second, October 28, 1852, Louisa A. Niel Plumer,of Weare, born October 17, 1823, and had Joshua Willis, born December 24, 1856 ; married, .March 18, 1877, Nettie E. Boyce, born November 10, 1858. They have one daughter,— Ethel E., born Aiiril 7, 1S78. II. .lohu Hill, burn November 22, 1819; married, first, April 8, 1841, Hannah T. Twiss, of Newbury, born August 29, 1823 ; she died September 8, 1850. Their children were, — 1. Roxana B., born ,Alay 27, 1846; died July 25, 1865. 2. Ellen M., Ijurn Febru:iry 20, 1848; married, August ]8. 1880, Charles E. Palmer. 3. Hannah M., born August II, 1S.')0; married, August 3, 1879, Frederick A. Messer. John Hill, married, second, February 24, 1852, Mary J. Lawrence, born at Alstead May 8, 1823, and had, — 1. Martha J., born March 11, 1853; married, March 26, 1879, Lawrence E. Davis. 2. Louisa L., born December 2, 1854; married, No- vember 1, 1881, Dolman C. Hoyt. 3. John Henry, born October 31, 1858. HI. Roxanna B., born March 20, 1823; died Janu- ary 31, 1842. IV. Daniel, born September 24, 1S27 ; died ,lune 7, 1828. V. Albert, born April 22, 1830; married, Novem- ber 22, 1851, Augusta Colby, of Sunapee, born July 2, 1832, died August 15, 1882; he died March 2, 1885. They had,— 1. Joshua A., born August 21, 1854; died August 15, 1855. 2. .Mary J., born July 17, 18.')t). 3. Ardell, born December 6, 1862; died Alarcli 22, 1880. John W. MoRSii, born in Henniker, August 10, 1806 ; married, August 16, 1835, Lucy Ann Gove, of Acworth, boru November 21, 1812. Mr. Morse worked on a farm until he was seventeen years old, then learned the clothiers' trade and followed' it until 1833. In that year commenced trade at Weare and renuiined three years ; llicn sdid nui nti ber 3, 1829. IL Eliza S., born October 19, 1828; died June, 1829. III. Julia M., born January 24, 18.30. IV. Emily M., born Sei>tenibcr 9, 1831. V. George, born August 31, 1833; died August 12, 1834. VI. George, born April 13, 1835; died in infancy. VII. Ellen Ophelia, born March 31, 1837; died May 2, 1837. VIII. George Harvey, born May 24, 1839 ; married, November 15, 1876, Mary Augusta, daughter of Timo- thy Pea.slee Jones, of this town, and lives at the Mill village. He is the only one of the elder's family (five of whom are living) who remains iu Bradford. IX. Eliza Ann, born July 5, 1841 ; died July 23, 1856. X. Caroline Kimball, born August 28, 1844. XI. Harriet Clara, born October 11, 1847. Military Record— Hrvoutkinary War.— The follouiiin-nuiiieil men of liriidford were in the Ameri- can army in the War of tlic Kcvolution : Private An- drew Aiken, Corporal Abel Blood, Richard Cressy, John Eaton, Offin French, Jonathan Knight, Abra- ham Sweatt, Abrani Currier. War op the Rebellion.— The following are the names of soldiers who enlisted in our late Civil War from the town of Bradford, Merrimack County, N. H.: O.iInii.I W. >r. T.ii.iuui, Pr, OyniR M. FisI;, Moses .1. Soavey, Willis Cr('.-.sr\, I..I111 I \ nil. i1i,u '.- ^1 c.iiM, "M.iii I 1 IMMv Hiir.ioe Benton, Ha.il.-y, Ai Li'Vi Ward, Hoyt, Fniiiklin ri.^rc-, W il! ■' 1 I 1 '» HaU, Peter Craig, Charli- T . I 1 Hawlcs, Minor HawltB, Gil- ' >\ ' Cnrtis Davis, Albert \V,,i.li.nv II iii l:- :. 1 . iini^'e Dm Woodbury Barnes, Timothy Z. Sniitli. War of 1812.— The following is a partial list: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. JOHN W. MORSE. To no man is the community more indebted than to the one who, by diligence, attention to business and years of labor, has risen by his own inherent force from poverty to competency, and is acknowl- edged a "self-made " man. Perhaps no one is more entitled to this appellation in Bradford than John W. Morse. Certainly no man has done more during his nearly fifty years' residence in the town to help its advancement. 210 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Prior to 1635, Anthony Morse was a resident of Newbury, Mass., and one of his lineal descendants, Josiah, married, February 18, 1773, Lois Webster, of Chester, N. H., a member of the same family which produced America's statesman and orator, Daniel Webster. Their son Josiah, on reaching his majority, went to Henniker, where he settled, and married, December 2, 1798, Betsey, daugliter of Thomas and Persis (Gibson) Brown. Mr. Morse was a saddler, tanner and currier. He died December 15, 1833, and his wife died June 12, 1856. John Webster Morse, their son, was born August 10, 1806, at Henniker, N. H. From the straitened condition of his father's family, John was forced to labor from his earliest years, worked for neighboring farmers while very young, and the most of his small wages went to defray the family expenses and pay the debts of his father. Concluding, when about six- teen, that he could not gain anything by this manner of working, he learned the trade of wool-carding and cloth-dressing, and when twenty-one years old found himself possessed of what was then a good trade and a capital of " fourpence half-penny." A year after he was able to attend school for a term at Derry and part of a term at Hopkinton Academy, and made diligent use of these advantages. He worked at his trade in Weare for six years, in the mean time keep- ing up his studies, and taught school four winters, in Weare, Henniker, N. H., and Essex, Mass. At the age of twenty-eight, in 1834, Mr. Morse had accumu- lated six hundred dollars, and he commenced his mercantile life in Weare with James Wallace, under the firm-name of Wallace & Morse, and continued for two years, when he sold out his interest and returned to Henniker and established himself in trade, where he remained for a year, and in 1837 came to Bradford. BIr. Morse married, August 16, 1835, Lucy Ann, daughter of Hon. Jonathan and Polly (Fisher) Gove, of Acworth, N. H. [" Jonathan Gove was the grand- son of Jonathan, brother of Edward, member of the General Assembly of the province of New Hamp- shire, who was imprisoned in the Tower of London for three years for heading an attempted revolution against the arbitrary proceedings of Governor Cran- field in 1682. Hon. Jonathan Gove settled in Ac- worth in 1808, and was widely known on account of the many public offices which he held, and also for his high reputation as a skillful and accurate land surveyor. He was elected treasurer of the county of Cheshire when Sullivan was a part of the county ; he was several times a representative to the Legislature, twice a member of the Governor's Council, and was offered the office of judge of Probate. His abilities were of a superior order, and his sterling common sense, affability and genial nature made him very popular in all the public positions he filled."] The children of John W. and Lucy Ann (Gove) Morse are John G., born in Henniker, June 7, 1836, an energetic and successful business man (whole- sale grocer) in Boston, firm name — Morse Bros. & Co. ; Charles W., born in Bradford, February 11, 1839, is in business with his brother (he mar- ried, November 21, 1865, P. Josephine Merrill, of Plymouth. Their children are Alice, born October 6, 1860, and Florence, born February 26, 1869); and Mary E., born July 14, 1843, married N. F. Lund. Mr. Morse has been engaged in merchandising in Bradford for nearly half a century, dating back to 1837. The country stores in those days were the exchange bureaus of the farmers. There the produce of the farm was exchanged for the necessary articles of clothing and household supplies, and the enter- prise of the merchant was the factor tending most to increase the wealth and prosperity of the section, even while enhancing his own prosperity. To deal with men year after year, to keep their custom and good-will, required not only a high degree of business ability, but honesty of purpose and integrity, and also a facility in reading character, combined with a prac- tical common sense, that would insure success in a different sphere of activity, and when we say that Mr. Morse was successful, we endow him with all the characteristics of a good country merchant. Mr. Morse is a Democrat in politics, and his first Presidential vote was in 1828, for Andrew Jackson. He has always been of independent thought, decided in his views, acting up to the full standard of his con- victions, and has given his most active energies to the support of the Constitution and the principles he deemed founded in truth, and for many years kuew every voter in town and how he voted. During his busy and laborious life he has creditably filled many positions of trust and honor, having held every office in the gift of his town. He was town clerk for many years, and re-elected until he resigned, selectman and town treasurer; was appointed postmaster by Frank- lin Pierce, and served eight years ; again appointed by President Cleveland this present year (1885); representative to the General Court; in 1865 and 1866 he represented the Eighth Senatorial District in the State Legislature, receiving more than his party vote, and when nominated for counselor, twice in succes- sion, in a district of more than two thousand majority against him, he ran far ahead of his ticket, even in a heated political campaign, thus showing the respect and confidence in which he was held in the com- munity ; he was a member of the State Constitutional Convention in 1868 ; attended the National Democratic Convention in 1880, as alternate with John H. George. Mr. Morse is a public-spirited man, always inter- ested in anything of advantage to the citizens. He was the first person to advocate the building of the stone bridge at the " Corner," the moving of the town hall from the " Centre " to its present location, and the laying out of the beautiful Pleasant Hill Ceme- tery. The town is indebted to Mr. Morse and Colonel Tappan for the movement which resulted in bringing the railroad to Bradford. [ VJ /t_ / t c(, u e< //-^ A ^ BRADFORD. 211 He is prudent, practical and honest, and has al- ways lived within his income, and, as he says, has had the satisfaction of being able to pay one hundred cents on a dollar of all claims presented him. He is a sound and safe adviser on any subject, and his ad- vice ha.s often been called for and found of much value. During this long period of successful labor Mr. Morse has been aided and blessed by his industrious and faithful wife. After having completed a full half-century of happy married life, they are now passing down the declivity of age with the esteem of a large circle of friends, and leading lives that their descendants may worthily emulate. JOSHU.i EATON. Among the one hundred and two passengers of the " M.iyflower," which arrived in Cape Cod harbor two hundred and sixty-four years ago, were Francis Eaton, Sarah, his wife, and Samuel Eaton. Hence the Eaton family is one of the earliest in America, and Francis was one of the signers of the first compact in the nature of a constitution of government. That Puritan l)and were strong and religious men with undaunted courage and bold hearts, and New Englanders of to- day are justly proud of their ancestry. Francis Eaton died in Plymouth, 1633. Samuel Eaton was among the twenty-six men who purchased what became the First Precinct in Middleborough, of the Indian sachem, Wampatuck. Said purchase was made in the month of March, 1662, and said Samuel also became one of the pioneer settlers of Middleborough, Mass., where he died in 1684, leaving descendants. Some of the family settled in other parts of Massachusetts. Previous to 16.50, Thomas Eaton came to Haverhill, and was the ancestor of the Eatons of Hillsborough aud Merri- mack Counties of New Hampshire. Thomas Eaton married, for his second wife, a Massachusetts lady, Eunice Sangletery, of Salisbury, December 16, 1658. They had nine children, of whom Job, born April 22, 1671, married Mary Simons, January 10, 1698. Of their four children, the second was Thomas, born Feb- ruary 20, 1701. He married Mehitable . They had three children, — John, born June 18, 1733; Tim- othy and Mehitable. John married, first, Abigail Peasley. She was born September 16, 1734, and died February 23, 1772. The children of this marriage were Ebenezer, Mehitable (Mrs. Daniel Cressey), Nathaniel, Daniel, John and Joshua. He married, second, Sarah Clarke, and had three children, — Thomas, Abigail (Mrs. Benjamin Colby) and Eliza- beth (Mrs. Nathaniel Gould). He died January 10, 1823. Nathaniel Eaton was the pioneer of the family in Bradford. He came here in the spring of 1792, settled on the old "Sawyer place," and continued until Feb- ruary of 1805, when he returned to Hopkinton, his former place of residence. Ebenezer, the oldest, emi- grated here about the same time, and made a i)er- manent settlement. Joshua, born February 25, 1768, in Haverhill, Mas.s., came with his wife and two chil- dren to Bradford in the spring of 1795, and settled on land which is now occupied by his descendants. Mr. Eaton's first wife was Sarah Hoyt. The children of this marriage were Moses, Mary (Mrs. John Brock- way), William A., Sarah (Mrs. Simeon Shattuck) and .Martha (Mrs. Osman Bailey). He married, second, Mrs. Anna (Blaisdell) Hill. Their children were Joshua, John Hill, Roxana (deceased), Daniel and Albert (deceased). Joshua Eaton, Sr., was admirably fitted by nature and temperament for the hardy life of the early settler, having a rugged constitution and a well-developed physique. He devoted himself to the cultivation of his land and the raising of stock, and became one of the prosperous farmers of the town. In 1810 he built the house which is now occupied by his son, John Hill, and at the time of its erection was the best house in Bradford. Industrious and frugal, he man- aged his affairs with discretion and always had corn to sell and money to lend to a neighbor in an emer- gency. When the first Orthodox church was erected, he was one of the first purchasers of the pews, of which he owned three. For several years he took an active part in the military organizations of the State, and was commissioned captain of militia in the Thir- tieth Regiment, July 22, 1806, and major of the First Battalion of the same regiment, June 1, 1809, by Governor John Langdon. His resignation was ac- cepted September 13, 1814. Mr. Eaton's politics were of the Jeffersonian school. He was a man of influence, good judgment, not given to many words, deliberate in forming his conclusions. His death occurred April 11, 1850. Joshua Eaton was born at Bradford, N. H., Decem- ber 22, 1817. His educational advantages were more liberal than many of the farmer's sons, he having had opportunities of supplementing his district school attendance by High School and academic instruction at Bradford, Henniker and Franklin. He was brought up a farmer's boy and was early accustomed to labor, and continued on the home place with his father until after his marriage, February 20, 1840, to Alzina, daughter of James and Elizabeth Gillingham. (See biography of Moody Gillingham, Newbury, for an- cestry.) In 1842 he purchased the place which has since been his home. At his father's death he in- herited some fifty or more acres of the old home- stead farm, and at present he owns about two hun- dred and twenty acres of land. The children of Joshua and Alzina (Gillingham) Eaton were Alzada and Alzira, born January 5, 1841 (Alzira died Februarj' 26, 1841. Alzada married Ben- jamin F. Hoyt; has Frederick G., born January 10, 1867; Warren A., born September 2, 1868; Nettie A., born November 8, 1870 ; Carrie A., born October 27, 1873 ; and Chester F., born January 26, 1879) ; Alverton, 212 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW UAMPSdlRE. born July 27, 1843, died July 2, 1846; Alzina, born April 10, 1848. Mrs. Eaton died October tj, 1851, and Mr. Eaton married Jlrs. Louisa A. Plunier, daughter of Samuel and Lois (Clark) McNeil. She was born in Weare, N. H. They have one son, Joshua Willis Eaton, bom December 24, ISriG. He married Nettie E. Boyce ; they have one child, Ethel E., born April 7, 1878. Mr. Eaton has inherited many qualities from his Puritan forefathers, and is a man of weight and in- fluence in the town. He is a Democrat in politics, and as such represented Bradford in the Legislature of 18.56 and 1857. Since 1849, when he was first elected and served jis selectman, he has been connected with public aft'airs,— been selectman twelve years and first selectman ten years, and filled many other official positions. He was commis-sioncd justice of the peace as follows: June 17, 1859, by Governor Goodwin; June 9, 1864, by Governor Gilmore; June 9, 1869, by Governor Onslow Stearns ; May 19, 1874, by Governor Straw ; May 20, 1879, by Governor Prescott ; April 29, 1884, by Governor Hale. He has also been interested in the militia, and when quite a young man he was employed as marker or guide. In February, 1837, he was appointed sergeant, and in the June following received a commission as lieutenant in Second Company of Riflemen from Gov- ernor Isaac Hill, and afterwards that of captain of the same company, which position he held for several years, when he resigned. Mr. Eaton is a man of integrity, sound judgment, energy and efficiency, and to him hjis been entrusted important affairs, — the settling of estates, probate busi- ness and other mattere requiring a cautious, careful, conservative man. He is a good and useful citizen, a kind husband and father, and stands high in the confidence of the community. Like his father, he is a pronounced liberal in religion. JASON HOWARD AMES, M.D. Hardly two decades had pas.sed after the landing of the ship "Mayflower" on Plymouth shores when William Ames emigrated to this country and settled in Braintrce, Mass., 1638. Of his many descendants was David. The exact date of his birth is unknown, but it was near the close of the seventeenth century. He married Mary Penniman, and resided in Braiutree some years after his marriage, then emigrated from Massachusetts, and his death occurred at Cardigan (now Orange), N. H. They had three sons,— David, John (probably father of Hon. Oliver Ames, of Eiiston, MiiBS.), Elijah — and two daughters. David, the oldest, was born at Braintree, Mass., April, 1726, and married Irene Waldo, who was born at Scotland, Conn., April 18, 1738. He died at Roy- alton, Vt., April 11, 1821, and his wife died August 18, 1811. Their children were (1) Thaddens, born at Norwich, Conn., May 18, 1755, married Judy Clark ; (2) John, born at Norwich, Conn., September 11, 1756 ; (3) David, born at Norwich, Conn., October 11, 1758, married Ruth Anin; (4) Nathaniel, born at Scituate, R. I., April 25, 1761, married Sally Anin (he died in Oregon, Wis., in 1863, at the age of one hundred and two years. He was a soldier in the Revolution, having enlisted when seventeen years old, and consequently lived at the time of the three great wars of our coun- try. When one hundred years old he attended a Fourth of July celebration in Madison, Wis., going fifteen miles for that purpose); (5) Susanna, born at Killiugsly, Conn., October 8, 1763, married Joseph Daniels; (6) Abigail, born at Killingsly, Conn., August 14, 1766, married Nathaniel Briggs; (7) Anna, born at Killingsly, Conn., March 28, 1769, married Peter Per- kins; (8) Jesse, born at Killingsly, Conn., February 12, 1772, married Patty Howard, of Munson, Mass. (he died at Mt. Morris, N. Y., March 10, 1862) ; (9) Ebene- zer, born at Cardigan, N. H., March 23, 1775, married Chloe Osborn, and died at Hamburgh, N. Y., Feb- ruary, 1862. The children of Jesse and Patty (How- ard) Ames were Jason H., Polly, Pamelia, Roxanna M., Ruth, Cynthia, Martha L., Lyman I), and Loren J. Jason Howard Ames, M.D., son of Jesse and Patty (Howard) Ames, was born December 16, 1796, at Fairlee, Vt. He is a descendant, paternally and ma- ternally, from families of consequence in the Old World and the New, and inherited, in an unusual de- gree, qualities which made him pre-eminently a man of mark. After pursuing his medical studies until he obtained his M.D., he commenced the practice of his profession, in company with Dr. Lyman, in Warner, N. H., where he continued for a few years, and then, with Dr. Lyman, removed to Bradford. Dr. Ames purchased the David Brown place, and soon after married Clara George, December 20, 1827. Mrs. Ames was of a prominent Miissachusetts family. She was born in Warner, N. H., June 25, 1798, and died December 5, 1868, at Bradford. (For ancestry, see George family of Hopkinton.) She bore him three children,— (1) George, born September 19, 1828, died Septembers, 1834; (2) Henry George, born February 6, 1830, died June 7, 1885 (he married Mary Graves Stoddard, of Perry, N. Y. Their children are Clara George Ames, born March 12, 1860, and Harry Stod- dard Ames, born May 21, 1861, at Mt. Morris, N.Y.); (3) Martha Jane, born January 30, 1832, married Bart- lett G. Cilley, of Andover, N. H. (he died August 21, 1867. They had two children, — George Ames, born November 24, 1868, and Winfred Bartlett, born October 18, 1865, at Bradford). Dr. Ames has been a resident of Bradford for nearly sixty years, and for half a century his life was that of the faithful, hard-working physician. The work of a medical man fifty years ago was nearly double that of the present time. Almost all able practitioners made and compounded their medicines, and visits to |)atients were generally made on horseback, with well- ^:^^-a^ c^^^^ ^1^^^;?^ ^i^ BRADFORD. 213 tilled saddle-bags, traveling late at night and great distances. As learned and skillful men of the medi- cal fraternity were few, Dr. Ames' labors extended to a circuit of many miles. In addition to his large practice and earnest studies in the directi(m of medi- cal science, he was interested in the public att'airs of the town, and this, of course, claimed time, which deprived him of his much-needed rest and recreation. When comparatively a young man, scarcely thirty years of age, he delivered the semi-centennial oration, July 4, 1826, at Bradford, in an able and fitting man- ner. The document is preserved, and the power, patriotism and piety it contains must have stimulated those who listened to it to good thoughts, good deeds :nid good conduct. Dr. Ames' ability was recognized by the citizens, and they elected him to the Legisla- ture ; and, if his profession had permitted, or inclina- tion had led him into the arena of public and political life, he would have ranked high as a legislator. He was one of the first presidents of the Warner Bank, and filled other official positions. Many of the old inhabitants remember Dr. Am&s' first advent among them, and describe him :us a gentleman dignified and courteous, of few words, and yet social with those with whom he wa.s personally connected in family or medical relations, of rare intelligence and a most successful physician. But his life-work is accomplished. Some five or six years since, this venerable gentleman, after a long and u.seful career and unremitting professional duties, succumbed to the infirmities of age, and now, at the age of four-score and ten, he, who for so many years cared for others, receives the loving care and attention so well deserved. Dr. Ames has done enough to keep his memory green, while the record of this laborious life remains, and we continue to e.steem and honor the men who have devoted themselves physically and mentally for the good of humanity. .lOHN W. MARSHAL!,. The study of human life is a study of the deepest in- terest. " No one liveth to himself, and no one dieth to himself." Each is a vital part of the history of the world ; but there is an infinite divereity in the kind and degree of individual action. Even in the nine- teenth century we have not fathomed the occult in- tiuences controlling the destinies of each child of mortality, and it is well to place upon the pages of history, for the perusal, instruction and advancement of coming generations, what we may secure of the environment, characteristics and education of those who have worthily lived lives of usefulness, and who have shown marked traits of character, and who, out of the lowest and poorest conditions, by diligence, patience and untiring labor, have constructed a life- edifice of more than ordinary value. In this record the peculiar educational influences and advantages the individual may have had should be most clearly shown. The world has other schools than those of scholastic renown and moneyed endowments, — schools where the influence of wealth is never known and could never bring advantage. Many are educated by poverty, self-denial and stern necessity, and, in spite of their environments, the graduates of this school have oftentimes outstripped those of the most famed schools of liberal culture. Among those that New Hampshire has just reason to claim as worthy sons of the last half- century is John Webster Marshall. He was born in Salisbury, N. H., February 9, 1835, and was the .son of John Webster and Judith (Jackmau) Marshall. At the early age of seven yeare he was left motherless, and the lad began his years of accountability with little to cheer or elevate him. Poverty hung around his father's house, and the surroundings were illy calculated to bring content. Before John was thir- teen years old he had had two stepmothers, and the boy had never known maternal care or love since his own mother was carried to the grave. In the fall of the year, when he was scarcely thirteen, he obtained his father's consent to earn his own living, and with barely clothes enough to serve as a covering, and not even underclothing, he went out into the world. Com- ing to Bradford, he secured a jdace with his uncle, Benjamin Marshall, to work for his board and attend school. He was more than an ordinary boy, quiet and retiring in his manner, kind in disposition and possessed of a strong will. He early showed a fond- ness for machinery and an aptness for tools. He gave diligent attention to his studies, developed a taste for mathematics and made rapid progress. He labored in the summer for his uncle and other farmers of the neighborhood to acquire a respectable wardrobe, and after two years thus passed he en- tered the employ of G. W. Wadleigh, of Fisherville, :is clerk in his store. After a year of hard work in the store and on the farm, John went to Manchester, ;ind for another year was engaged in the gun-shop of a Mr. Fogg. His natural inclination for mechanics «as fostered by this avocation, and it decided his life-work. Determined to become a machinist, he secured a situation in the Manchester Locomotive- Works, where he was employed for about six years. Here life was pleasant, his occupation was congenial, and in the intervals of labor, and during the long winter evenings, he continued his studie.s of mathe- matics and drawing, never wasting his time in frivolity or idleness. He had even then marked out tor himself a career of steady and persistent prog- ress, and knew that to accomplish it he must be an unceasing laborer and student. In view of this, his thoughts were turned to Boston as the place where a widening sphere of opportunity would be revealed to him, and removing to that city, he worked a year for the Boston Locomotive- Works, and after another year in the employ of a Mr. Osborne, in a locomotive 214 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. repair shop, he engaged as a machinist in the Atlan- tic Worlis, at $1.50 a day. The same devotion to his studies he liad sliown in Manchester was continued in Boston. The alhirements of the great city had no charm for him ; his evenings were consecrated to im- provement. He became proficient in mechanical drawing and engineering. He was ready for a higher position, and it came unsought, and as a most pleas- ant surprise. One day the machinists of the shop wen- asked to vote for one of tlieir number to bec-ome tlie superintendent of the drafting department. Mr. Marehall cast his vote for one he deemed qualified, and little dreamed that he would be the chosen one. This was a fortunate financial change, the salary being twelve hundred dollars a year. Exercising the same diligence and studiousness which had so sig- nally changed his life, he thoroughly qualified him- self for the post of mechanical engineer, to which position he was advanced in about two years' time, with a salary of two thousand five hundred dollars. His patience and assiduity, his modest and unassuming way.s and the painstaking accuracy and promptitude with which everything which came in the line of his duty was done, early won the approval and es- teem of hLs employers. This was strengthened with passing time, and, as a further proof of their confi- dence, he was appointed superintending engineer, and sent to Europe to study the construction of iron vessels, and he passed three months in the leading shipyards of England, Scotland, Belgium and France, adding much to his store of information. Nine months after his return to Boston, the famous firm Peter Wright & Co., Philadelphia, who had learned of his abilities, engaged him to superintend the con- struction of the vessels which should constitute the Red Star Line, at a salary of three thousand dollars and expenses. He remained in England two years and ten months, his wife visiting him in the mean time, and during this time the three pioneer vessels of the line—" Vaderland," " Nederland " and " Swit- zerland " — were constructed at Jarrow-on-Tyne. The vessels demonstrated that Mr. Marshall thoroughly understood the principles underlying an intelligent knowledsre of his work, and he took the final step in the ladder he had started to mount by being made superintendent of the two lines of steamships owned by his employers, — the Red Star and American. Thus had diligence and application, coupled with energy and improvementof opportunities, and unfail- ing cheerfulness under all circumstances, brought the unknown youth of poverty to a high position in the great world of business, and to competency and honors, with strong and influential friends. In 1878 he again went to England to personally superintend the building of the " Belgenland " and " Rhyneland," of the Red Star line, at Barrow-in- Furness. This occupied him about one year. The contiiuied api)lication and overwork for so many years had worn upon a delicate pliysieal organism. and only an indomitable will kept him up. Return- ing on the "Rhyneland" to America, he tendereil his resignation as superintendent, which was not accepted, and this was repeated three times in the course of a few months. The firm valued his ser- vices too highly to dispense with them, and he was in their employ until his death, which occurred .Janu- ary 6, 1882, in Boston, after an illness of two years and a half. Up to the hist the plans and specifica- tions of the vessels under construction were sub- mitted to him for approval, and it is noticeable that he had just concluded the examination of the last set of papers of the last vessel he had designed when he was seized by the hemorrhage which preceded his death. Mr. Marshall married, February 11, 1864, Martha J., daughter of Benjamin E. and Olive (Chandler) VVadleigh, of Bradford, a descendant of two early and honorable New Hampshire families. She was a schoolmate of his in his early school-days at Brad- ford. Both were proficient in the same studies, both worked the hard examples, both "spelled down " the school ; but the nature of each was so retiring that they never formed a personal acquaintance until twelve years after, when their congeniality of taste soon drew them together. She was especially adapted to be his companion, entering heartily into his labors and a.spirations, and was a true adviser and frienfi:RRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Mrs. Blanchard survives her husband and has the esteem and friendship of a large circle for her ster- ling worth. By the reading of this memorial sketch many striv- ing youth may see what may be accomi>lished by dili- gence, good habits and an honest, manly life. Better than column.s of stone and monuments of marble are the records of such a life. GEORGE HART. George Hart, the grandson of Nicholas Lawrence (a native of Weston, Vt., who was a very prominent man, and one of the veteran heroes of the Revolu- tionary War), and son of George and (Lawrence) Hart, was born at Landgrove, Vt., May 23, 1811. As so many New Englanders had done before him, early in life he was obliged to earn his bread, get his edu- cation and wrestle with the world. The condition of his parents was humble. The incessant toil required in a new and sterile land had but served to provide the barest necessities of life, and from his earliest years he struggled with adverse circumstances. His boy-heart yearned to know something of the great world of books in which so many found enjoyment ; but he had no money, nor could his parents meet this demand ; so he went into the \voods, gathered dry trees, stumps, brush, etc., and burning them, he se- cured the ashes to exchange for the much-desired school-books. But the rains descended, and the prospective capital was lost, as George thought, when his mother came to his relief, dried the ashes in the oven, and his first school-books were purchased. He improved his time in labor and study, and, with the assistance of. his brother, while yet a young man, had the satisfaction of seeing his parents in a home which the two boys had provided. Thinkingto find a larger field of labor, and one more remunerative, in a man- ufacturing place, he left his native town and went to Lowell, Mass., where he took a contract for the heavy stone-work required in one of the mills, and thus found employment for a time. He then went to Tewksbury ami became the foreman on a farm, and resided in Dracut for a short period. But Mr. Hart's ambition for a better position and advantages for adding to his stock of learning soon carried him to Boston, where he engaged in one of the tide-mills for manufacturing lead pipe. Here he continued diligent in business and saving his earnings, when a desirable opportunity offered, and he invested his little capital, and went into partnership with Messrs. Crosby & Cannon in the trucking business. He remained in Boston for more than three years, when he removed to Mt. Ta- bor, Vt., purchased a farm and devoted himself to agriculture for the next five years, and became a good citizen of the town, interesting himself in its public affairs, serving as town clerk, selectman and also held a commission as justice of the peace. He then removed to Boston, resumed his old luisiness, was financially successful, and having sold out his entire interest, he came to Bradford about 1850, and was a resident here until his death, in the last night of the year 1879. Mr. Hart married, April 5, 1835, Louisa, daughter of Cyrus and Martha (Millet), Bailey, native of Salem, N. H. Mrs. Hart has been a resident of Bradford since her third year, and is a Christian lady of intelligence and refinement. Their children were Louisa A., born at Mt. Tabor, Vt., January 11, 1838, married Arthur T. Morse, of Newbury, N. H., and has two children, George H. and Arthur A. ; Almendo, born at Mt. Tabor November 7, 1840, died in infancy; George A., born at Mt. Tabor December 17, 1841, died in Boston, aged eleven months ; George Herman, bom at Boston April 17, 1S44, died aged two years ami four months; Edwin A., born at Boston July 12, 1849 (he married Eugenia 0. Delaplaine, and has an adopted daughter, Bertha, now living at Minneapolis, Minn.); William S., born at Bradford September 25, 1851, now living in Florida, is engaged in bee cul- ture, in connection with orange-growing, in which he is successful. About 1860, Mr. Hart left his Bradford matters in charge of his wife and a trusty man, and went to Enniskillen, Canada, and engaged in boring for oil and dealing in oil lands quite extensively, and this enterprise resulted profitably, as also other business transactions. We have written thus far concerning Mr. Hart as a bu.siness man, and we will now speak of him in the words of a friend, who knew him as friend, citizen and neighbor, of one who saw him in his home, which he had made so beautiful by his own care and artistic taste. He was a man of grand presence, reserved in his manners, of few words, carrying on conversation for the purpose of gaining or imparting knowledge, but never condescending to trivial details, but when the occasion demanded, his influence, means and friend- ship were offered freely ; kind, sympathetic and be- nevolent, but always choosing the objects of his charity ; unostentatious and unassuming, yet bold and fearless in the cause of the oppressed ; a strict partisan, but never intrusive or arrogant ; impatient of shams, but a firm friend of all philanthropic under- takings; of a strong and positive will, as is often the case with self-made men; refined, cultured and with a taste for the beautiful in nature, of which he was a great lover, iis was evidenced by the adornment and cultivation of his home-place, much of which was the labor of his own hands ; a strong temperance man and a zealous worker in the cause, ready with his advice and financial aid ; an Abolitionist at the time when to openly avow those sentiments almost amounted to social ostracism. When Garrison was mobbed in the city of Boston, Mr. Hart was one of the foremost to stand forward and oiler his strong \ lllaAru/.(l}c.^u/l 21-; lectured in the chuixli at Bradford in tlie interest of tlie anti-slavery movement, and, at the elose, asked for some one to take up a collection, and waited for a response, not a person in the whole congregation re- sponded until Mr. Uart, with his dignified and cour- teous mien, arose, and complied with the request, ile was a keen observer of human nature and had a won- derful power in reading cliaracter. He had a strong sense of justice and was no respecter of persons. In politics he was a Republican, and his being twice I'lected selectmen in a town largely Democratic shows the esteem in which he was held. He was thought- ful and tender of his wife and family, even to the MTV la.st, when pain and suflering had claimed him for their own. Mr. Hart was not a professor of (Uiristianity, but his wife was a member of the Baptist Church, and he .•ontributed liberally for the support of the cause she loved. But he was a believer in God, read the Bible carefnlly and had been heard to remark that " all nature gave evidence that there was a God." A few days previous to his death, on bidding farewell to a friend, he said, — " Good-bye, I hope we shall meet in a better world, if there is one, and I believe there is." All in all, Mr. Hart was an honest, upright, con- scientious and moral man, and the world was better for his having lived in it. DAVID DURKEI.t.. The Durrells are of English descent, and the he of the family is a knight, who lived in a house, whose erection dates back to the fourteenth century. (See biography of Thomas Durrell.) Among the men of note in America bearing the name may be mentioned Judge Daniel M. Durrell, of Dover, N. H., and the yet more famous Judge Durrell, of Louisiana, who are nearly related to the branch th.at settled in Bradford. Nicholas Durrell was born in those days, just sub- sequently to the Revolution, when the depreciation of Continental currency had caused a stringency of times and a shrinkage of values of which we now have not the faintest conception. The young lad was reared in the midst of the diffi- culties incident to a pioneer life. He came to Brad- ford with his young wife, Polly Batchelder, of North- wood, on horseback, over the rough roads, in which rocks, logs and swamps caused slow and tiresome progress, and with brave hearts they set themselves to make a home out of the wild piece of land on which they settled. Not idle were they, but coura- geously and industriously they devoted themselves to the task before them, and, as the result of their labors, there was developed a splendid farm — the finest in many miles. He was a model farmer, with an eye for a good animal, and took pleasure and pride in his flocks and herds, his fields and his buildings, and many remember the time when " no one raised so good produce, no one drove so fine horses, no one owned such broad lands as Nicholas Durrell." The old homestead is near Bradford t.'cutre; it has now (1885) passed into other hands, and his descend- ants are scattered ; but " Nicholas, his wife and others of his race now sleep in the small iron-picketed grave-yard on the opposite side of the road, and no male of the name resides in the town." Nicholas Durrell was an old-time Whig, a man of fine appearance, of social ways ami courteous bearing, esteemed by his acquaintances, loved by his family, a happy, honest, successful agriculturist, and, although unable to write his name, left the impress of his strong character, which cannot be effaced. He was a prominent member of the First Congregational Church, for which he did and gave much. He died in September, 1844, at Saratoga, N. Y., aged sixty- five. His wife survived him many years, dying at the advanced age of ninety-two. Their children were Samuel, David, Levi (now living in Surry, N. H.)and Mary (Mrs. Levi O. Colby). David Durrell, son of Nicholas and Polly (Batchel- der) Durrell, was born July 20, 1807, on the home- stead of his father in Bradford, and was a life-long resident of the town. He had a good common-school education, his quick mental powers making such rapid advancement that when only sixteen years old he was qualified to teach school, and for ten consecu- tive years he taught winter terms with flattering results and great popularity. Inheriting in an intensified degree his father's love of agriculture and fine stock, he remained on the home place until he was of age, and purchased the farm, which became his home, for six hundred dollars; married Elvira French, who died, leaving one daughter, Lavinia (Mrs. George Baker). He married, November 15, 1836, Polly P. Colby, daughter of Samuel and Sally Patch. They had three children,^ — Lizzie S. (Mrs. Walter S. Leach, of Methuen, Mass., whose only child, Lizzie Etta, married William W. Spalding, resides in Lawrence, Mass., and has two children : Helen D. and .John W.), Mary Elvira (deceased) and Helen F. G. (Mrs. J. J. Crippen, now residing in Salina, Kan., having three children : Henry D., J. J., Jr., and Helen E.). Mr. Durrell was an enthusiastic laborer in his favorite andchosen field, agriculture; worked withall theardent energy of the Durrell nature to e.Kcel, made a specialty of raising fine stock, added acre after acre to his orig- inal small possessions, until, in a very short period of time, he had acquired much real estate, and owned and gave his name to Durrell's Mountains. He had at one time in his possession as many as seventy- three blooded cattle, was noted for having one of the best stock farms in the State, and had many fine horses, whose reputation for speed and quality stood in high favor among Bosttin horsemen, who highly valued the " Durrell breed." In all his operations, so successfully conducted as to make him wealthy when only in the prime of life (for when his death oiinrred, 3 generally spel 218 IIISTOliV OF MMltRnrACK COUNTY, NKW HAMPSHIRE. September 15, IHTA, at the iige of forty-seven years, his property inventoried about twenty-four thousand dollars), he was not an idle spectator of public af- | fairs. The same qualities shown in his private busi- i ness were called by the citi/.ens to administration of town nnittcrs ; he w:ls school committeeman, select- ! man and filled other offices for various and continued terms, and was one of tlie ablest and strongest men in j Bradford, whose advice and counsel was sought and i gladly received, and he was often selected as an ad- : ministrator, guardian smd for other weighty trusts. I His opcrati(ms wore large; he employed many men, and the oversight of them in the various departments of his labor made liim the busiest man in town. Mr. Durrell was social, warm-hearted, tender and kind in family and neighborhood relations, generous to all deserving charities, but so quiet in his benefactions that many of them were unknown to all save the giver and the recipient. A load of hay would be sent in the long winter to the poor man whose fodder had failed ; a cow would be driven to the house where " many children played around the door," and its use given for the season. In these and similar ways was his liberality scattered, like sunbeams, bringing glad- ness and light to many destitute homes, and when he was called away by death the hearts of many were shrouded in gloom. The vigorous constitution of Mrs. Durri/ll, in spite of her active labors of many years, has preserved her intellect unimpaired, and her sallies of wit and ap- preciation of humor would do credit to a much younger person. Her appearance does not indicate that she has attained her age of seventy-lour years, and, blessed with the care and sympathy of three generations of worthy descendants, she is passing down towards the "twilight" of life reverenced and beloved. There h;us been no stronger type of character shown among the settlers of Bradford than that exhibited by Nicholas and David Durrell, and none of its inhabit- ants have done better service in the develop- ment of the town, or left more sub.^tantial tokens of their existence, or whose memory is, to-day, more sincerely cherished. REV. HIRAM HOLMES. Rev. Hiram Holmes, for many yeare a useful and faithful minister of the gospel, was born in Rochester, N. H., October 3, 1806. He was tlie son of Joshua and Polly (Cater) Holmes, and the circumstances of his birth only afl'orded him the benefit of the edu- cation that could be acquired at the common schools of his native town. At a very early age he was deeply impressed with the importance of ivli-iciis inlcrests, and at the at'e of twenty-one he !»•. jiiir ilic stivunt ofC'lirist.uml An.t(list:i, ISiS, w:lsb;i|.liz..|alSli:i(i;,nl (Cn.wn Point) l)y Kev. E. I'liiee, and jdincl tlie I'ree- Will Unplist Ohureli. 8o(,m ari.r he was ecnvinced that he should become a religious teacher, and, with a few others, established a prayer-meeting, which in a short time bore good fruit and much awakening of the spirit. He now felt that preaching was the vocation to which he was called, and henceforward his life- work was that of a preacher of the Word. In 1829 he commenced holding meetings, and, in January, 188(1, the New Durham Quarterly Meeting "gave him approbation to improve as a licentiate," and Feb- ruary 8, 1831, his ordination took place in Strafford, Rev. B. S. Manson preaching the sermon. Previous to this, and afterwards, he traveled in various towns, holding meetings and going from house to house, and his heart was made glad in that many turned to the Lord. He made Wolfborough his home at this time, and in that place did much of his work. He was clerk of the Wolfborough (Quarterly Meeting from its organization, August 6, 1831, to 1835, when he re- moved from the town. He perceived a change and a quickening in religious interests while a resident there, and baptized thirty-seven in Wolfborough and the neighboring towns. He then went to Hopkinton, remaining there from June, 1835, until the following February. His next field of labor was Wearc, in 1836, afterwards supplying the church in Epsom for a year. In October, 1837, Mr. Holmes married Su- sanna, daughter of Josiah and Lydia Brown, of Weare, the marriage ceremony being performed by the Rev. David Moody, the well-known Baptist clergyman. His next pastorate was in Raymond, where lie con- tinued for a year or more. His final settlement was in Bradford, which lasted from 1839 until his death, which occurred suddenly May 1, 1863, — a period of twenty-four years. On coming to Bradford, Mr. Holmes purchased the " French farm," ami niaile it his home during his life here, and hi- wiiiow -lill re- sides there. Jn all these years he supplied Sun.ipee, Newbury, Wilraot Flat, and did much pastoral work in many places, and was also appointed by the Weare Quarterly Meeting an " itinerant" to visit the desti- tute churches. His health, however, was feeble, and he was unable to preach constantly ; but whenever or wherever an opportunity occurred he " fought the good fight " and labored zealously for Zion's cause. His activity, zeal and persevering endeavor caused him to be respected and esteemed by the people of Bradford, and, in 1860, the Congregational Chureli being without a pastor, he was invited to fill the pul- pit, which he did alternate Sabbaths, "to good con- gregations and to much acceptance." He was a dele- gate to the Sixth General Conference, held at Mere- dith, N. H., 1832; the Seventh, at Strafford, Vt., 1833 ; and the Eighteenth, at Hillsdale, Mich., 18(i2. Mr. Holmes was a public-spirited citizen, interested in reform movements of the day, and in all enter- prises tending to further and promote the welfare of the community. The most ai)propriate and fitting tribute to this good man is that of his frieml ami Christian bmther, .luscpli Kiill.mlou : -luall his '/;n.^ XjP C^(-^i^i^± BKABFORD. 219 ministry he answered well the qualifications Paul sets forth as requisite in a minister of Christ : ' A lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, soher, just, holy, temperate.' He was firm in his convictions of right, conscientious in all his duties and of strict integrity in all his business concerns. His heart wiis in the benevolent enterprises of the age, and in all proper ways he labored to promote them. Coming forward without the benefits of the schools, as many have since enjoyed, he developed preaching talents of good quality. He labored by sound doctrine to convince gainsayers and to persuade the sinful to turn to God. He presented the great truths with such clearness that all could understand ; and in all his work he gave the impression that love to God and love to men con- strained him to make earnest efforts to win the way- ward and perishing to Christ, and with such earnest- ness, deep feeling and evident sincerity that good results followed. God's people were instructed and comforted, the desponding encouraged and the sin- ful directed to the Lamb of God. His ministry was successful, and he has entered upon a glorious in- heritance in heaven. ' The memory of the just is blessed.' " JOHN ISROWX. John Brown was born in Heuniker, N. H., in the year 1777, and, when a child, removed to Bradford, where he ever afterwards resided. He married Sarah Gregg, of New Boston, N. H. ; was a farmer, and died March 27, 1866. His wife died October 14, 1849. They had six children, viz. : Hannah, Jerusha, Livonia, Joel H., Jeremiah and Nancy. Hannah married Erastus F. Brockway, lived in Bradford for many years, and afterwards removed to Boston and died there in Feb- ruary, 1869, at the age of sixty-two. Her husband is still living. She never had any children. Jerusha died, unmarried, May 8, 1838, at the age of twenty-nine. Livonia married Francis T. Simpson, lived many years in Manchester, N. H., but afterwards returned to Bradford and died there May 18, 1854, at the age of forty-two. She had no thildren. Her husband died before her. Joel H. graduated from Dartmouth College in the class of 1841, and became a physician and settled in Newton, Mass., where he died March 18, 1865, aged fifty-three. He married Sarah R. P. Richmond, of Boston, who survives. They had one child, a daugh- ter, who died in childhood. Jeremiah graduated from Dartmouth College in the class of 1842, was a lawyer, and practiced for many years in Boston, where he died December 26, 1881, aged sixty-seven. He married Mary H. Talbot, who died before him. They had no children. Nancy married Ambrose S. Brackett, and resided in Bradford, where she died May 14, 1862, aged forty- five. Her husband died in Bradford July 23, 1878, aged sixty-three. J. Q. A. Brackett ia their only child, and the only living descendant of his grandfather, John Brown. He was born in Bradford June 8, 1842; graduated from Harvard University in the chiss of 1865, and from the Harvard Law School in 1868 ; wsis admitted to the bar in Boston the same year and has been en- gaged in the practice of his profession in that city ever since. Ho married Angeline M. Peck, of Ar- lington, Mass., June 20, 1878, and has one son, John Gay lord Brackett, born April 12, 1879. He was a member of the City Council of Boston four years^ and president of that body in 1876 ; has been a mem- ber of the House of Representatives seven years, and at present is its Speaker. CURTIS DAVIS. The prosperity of New England is largely indebted' to its self-made men, who have continually added to the wholesome wealth of the community by their persistent and unwearied efforts, have been workers, producers, and not mere consumers, obeying the an- cient law of our race, — " By the sweat of thy brow shalt thou gain thy bread." Conspicuous among these, and worthy of mention, is Curtis Davis, the soa of Daniel and Mary (Brown) Davis. He was born in the beautiful farming town of Bradford, N. H., Feb- ruary 11, 1814, and was the grandson of Isaac Davis,, whose eight children were Betsey, born December 29, 1760; Mollie, born May 31, 1762; James, born February 24, 1764; Daniel, born F'ebruary 4,1766;: John, born December 24, 1768 (died young) ; Susan,, born January 7, 1770 ; Sally, born April 17, 1772 ;^ and John, born August 14, 1774. Daniel married Mary Brown and had eleven children, — Samuel, born March 19, 1790 ; Enoch, born August 27, 1791 (died young) ; Enoch, born January 6, 1793 ; Dorcas, born January 25, 1795 ; Eliphalct, born December 16,. 1796; Lydia, born January 4, 1799; Diamond, born April 25, 1802; Hiram, "born February 24, 1807; Lyman, born October 11, 1809 ; Isaac, born January 18, 1811; and Curtis. Curtis Davis was the youngest of eleven children, and although his father was a well-to-do farmer, yet with such a large family to support, frugality, ecoi- omy and industry were essential characteristics for the development of the resources of the farm, and the children were well grounded in the principh's which lead to success, and formed those habits of perseverance and diligence that have ever been their prominent traits. In 1832, Curtis left his plensant home, a poor boy and unacquainted with the ways of the world, his education being that afforded by the common schools of the period ; but his courage and determination were strong, and his ambition was to engage in some business and follow it. He went to Cambridgeport, Mass., then comparatively a small place, and engaged for a ven,' moderate compensation with a firm in the soap business, of which his brother HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. EHphalet was a partner. He continued in their em- ploy for a short time, and then returned to Bradford, where he remained for a year, and in tlie fall of 183.3 he removed to Cambridgeport and resumed his for- mer position, where he worked faithfully and devoted himself to acquiring the details of the manufacture, with a view to establishing himself on his own ac- count, which he carried into effect in 1834 by pur- chasing the business of Hiram Davis. This estab- lishment he sold in 1835, when he bought another factory of greater capacity, and, in 1837, took into partnership Alexander Dickinson, with whom he was connected until 1851. Mr. Davis then bought and enlarged the buildings he now occupies, and at pres- ent (1885) the entire plant covers about one acre of ground, and is the most noted factory in Cambridge, and, also, the largest one of the kind in New Eng- land. In tlie main building are sixteen kettles or boilers, twelve of which are for the stocking and fin- ishing of soap, and have a holding capacity of over two hundred and fifty tons, and still the increasing demand for their manufacture calls for more space, and an enlargement of the works is in contemplation. The soap manufactured by Mr. Davis is a pure article, and the Peerless, Welcome, Extra and Gold Dust brands are used throughout the country, and their quality and superiority are too well known to need further mention. In 1864, Mr. Davis received into his business, as partner, his son-in-law, James Mellen, who has the superintendence of the sales-rooms in Boston. They avail themselves of all the new ideas, are progressive, and their manufactory is provided with the best and most improved machinery. They honestly aim to make a good article, and conse- quently, are successful. Mr. Davis married, November 29, 1835, Martha Kemp, a native of Pomfret, Vt. She was born April 1, 1818. Their five children were Christina Van Ness, born April 15, 1840, married James Mellen, Jr. ; Ermina Frances, died December 25, 1854, aged twelve years; Curtis Rockwell, died February 24,1876, aged thirty-one years ; Mary Lizzie, born December 7, 1846, married Samuel Noyes, Jr. ; Edwin Alberto, died July 8, 1851, aged twenty -two months. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have passed nearly fifty years together, and have experienced many joys and many sorrows ; yet amidst them all each has been cheered and encouraged by the sympathy of the other, and now, at the twilight of life, they can look back to duties well performed and forward to the bright beyond. With all his devotion to business, Mr. Davis has not neglected his civil relations towards the place which has been his home from boyhood. He has kept pace with the growth of Cambridgeport, hav- ing been identified with its manufacturing interests for half a century, and is one of the solid men of that city. High-minded and honorable, he possesses the respect and esteem of the citizens. Unassuming and retiring in his manners, he has never sought oflice, but the office has sought him. His integrity and honesty of purpose have been shown in his meth- ods of business, and as director in the Citizens' Insur- ance Company, and also in one of the Cambridge banks for several years, he has proved himself qual- ified for important trusts. His political aflSliations from boyhood have been with the Democratic party, and the Jefiersonian and Jacksonian principles and methods as indorsed and carried out by President Cleveland find in him hearty support. He has been a member of the Common Council, served as alderman for two years and for three terms represented Cambridge in the State Leg- islature. Mr. Davis embodies and exemplifies those qualities which distinguish what we call our self-made men. He commenced life with no vices ; he was prudent, economical and temperate ; business success he pre- ferred to pleasure, and to his work he carried enter- prise, energy and will. He was essentially a moving force in his work, and this review of his life is of value to our young men, who can see from what Mr. Davis has achieved what can be accomplished by in- dustry, fidelity and an honest purpose. In all these years his heart has held a firm grasp of his native town, and the home of his parents has ever been tenderly cherished. He has a pride in its scen- ery, its associations and in the noticeable men it has produced, and Bradford has never had a native who more loyally prized its worth, or who, in the far-reach- ing realm of business, has done her greater honor. HISTORY OF CANTERBIIKY. ,.«m,>hi «1— •iginal Grant-Towu rrivilcgea— Fii-st Si-KUmiiiii(s~ r I'i, R-is - Tii.liiin Tn.-ui-si HIS — Cnplure of .Inrkmaii ami lii'li^iii Trading Post-War of M.li-~ I'ompany -Captain James ThI'; town of Canterbury lies in the eastern jiart of the tiiunty, and is bounded as follows: North, by Northfiekl; east, by Helknap County and Loudon; south, by Loudon and Conrord ; wvsi, by Boscawen. This town was granted. May 20, ^727, to Richard \Valdron and a large number of associates, and em- Ijraccd, in addition to its present territory, the present towns of Loudon and Northfiekl. March 19, lr41, an act was passed granting the inhabitants town privileges. The original area of the town was increased, by an addition on the south- west side, June 13. 1765. It retained this area until January 23, 1773, when Loudon was set off, and June 1!', 1780, it was still further decreased by the incor- poration of the northwesterly part of the town as Northfield, Rockingham County. A small portion of the town was annexed to Concord, June 2, 1784, and a small portion was also annexed to Loudon, January 7, 1853. Settlements were made here soon after the granting of the town, in 1727; but in consequence of its ex- posed condition on the frontier, it was slowly settled. Among the early settlers were James Scales, Thomas Clough, Thomas Young, James Gibson, William (tlines, Ezekiel Morrill, Samuel Ames, Joseph Sy- nionds, John Moor, Richard Blanchard, Jeremiah Clough, Josiah Miles, Ephraim Clough, Samuel Shep- herd and Samuel Sias. Indian Incursions.— The early settlers of Canter- bury were not exempt from Indian depredations. For a long series of years the country was in a con- stant state of alarm, and various towns, or settlements, and Canterbury among the number, erected garrison- houses, where the whole settlement would gather in lime of danger. In 1757 five Indians appeared near (he house of Thomas Clough, which they entered, and took from it a small quantity of meal ; Imt their object being to take captives, they concealed them- selves behind a log fence. They soon perceived a young lad, mimed Moses Jackman, a neighbor of Mr. Clough, and Dorset, Mr. Clough's negro man. They gave chase and captured them. They were taken to Canada. After a tedious cajitivity, Jackman was released in 1761, and returned. The colonel man was redeemed for a sum of money paid by Mr. Clough. While returning from captivity he lost both his feet, but was comfortably supported by Mr. Clough till his death, which occurred at an advanced age. At the time of the capture of these young men Mrs. Clough, also, came near falling into the hands of the Indians. On that same day she went from the garrison to her house to bake and prepare for the return of the family. Going directly to her meal- chest, she discovered traces of Indians. She stepped to the door and called loudly for the boys. She fled to the garrison, screaming as she ran, and gave the alarm. All exertions to recover the captives, how- ever, were in vain. During another incursion Shepherd and Blanchard, two of the settlers, were surprised a short distance from the garrison-house by a party of seven Indians who rose from behind a log within a few feet of the whites. Both parties fired. Shepherd escaped, but Blanchard was mortally wounded. During the hostilities this garrison-house, or fort, was garrisoned by a company of volunteers and wiis the headquarters for the various scouting- parties who ranged in search of the enemy be- yond the line of settlements. This company was (•ommanded by Captain Jeremiah Clough. There was a trading-post in this town in the early days for traffic with the Indians, and the following, concern- ing this traffic, was voted by the (ieneral ("ourt, in 1743: "In the House of Eeiir9si-ntativc5 X' the 'i2'i 1713 " Voted That M' Jotham Odioin J' & M' Ilunking Wentwoith lie a Coniittcc to Pnrcliase tbii-ty iKnnuis wortli of Goods to Send u,i to Cnn- terbury for a Sujiply to Trade with the Indians which Shall bo laid out in the following Manner viz' "for Rum :i 15 for Blankets In fur Cloth Suitable for Indian Stoekiugs :i ir. for Linen for Shirts !> n 221 MACK COUNTY, NEW HAMl'SHIRK " And that thp Treasurer pay the gaid Sum of thirty Said Coniittee for tlie Ends afuresiid out ut ll..' M.>ri.-y ih: tlio TnyiBury for Contingencii's aftei lli. in-t il,(\ nt i And whi-n Slid Comittee imve purchiis.il _ .1 ih. v ^tv Same to the Town of Canterbury A It'll* ' I Un-m i M the Pay in furs .Vr ;.i ^k. Ii I'n.-- ^i- -Ik. II i- -. i i . - " i that the Comitl..- I i.ii...l n. Il.iiiiu ih. •.•• I- * Prices that are S. I h> Ih- M.i--... '..i- ii- • .-> .■ i. ". i i The following is the roll of Cnptaiii James 8hep- Scales, Johu P. Sweat, Abraliaui T. Sweat, JttuieB Urali, Jolui Kuberl^on, Knocli *i8Uop, Jolm Lapi»li, Stephen ISctUcl, Joseph Farnum, lienj" Heath, liSiaf Fitts, J.:.l.-.liali Pnnf.ii-.I .I.is.iih Mc-ko.™,-, Epbraiiu Davia, War of the Revolution.— The town of Canterbury respoiitleil promptly to the colonial cause, and the record of its soldiery during that arduous struggle is an honorable one. In the first two years of the war there were thirty-one from this town in the service. The officers were Captain Jeremiah Clough, Captain James Shepherd, Lieutenant Joseph Soper, Lieuten- ant Laban Morrill and Dr. Josiah Chase. Most ot those from this town were under command of Captain Clough, who " first dared to lace tlie English troops in the vicinity of Boston." Captain Shepherd ami his command were iu the battles of Bennington ami Saratoga. The whole number of soldiers from this town was about seventy. Of these, one was killed and six died. The following is the roster of Captain Clough's company, August 1, 1775: Lieu'. ; .loBiah < Ii:.s.-, ^. I i.nt < i^ I . i i..![im. ~,!..i.i i,.i.,ii,... Heath, SorjenI : ■ - ..h ,.| ., -. • • i •■ . l .Foseph (llougti, t '..I |.i , >,.ii.ih I ll.\ir '. !■ \.ii.,', I ,, K.t , . ..(J Tayl. l);ui T. I'i' mt 1/ Ward, Tone Boston, Privaten." Captain Clough was of ( ':i Sanborn of SaMbornloi, and I Northficld. Among other soldiers from this town were Edmund and David Colby, Samuel Danford, Phineas Fletcher, Nathaniel and William Glines, William- Rhines, Micliael Sutten, Merrill Shcjijiard ami William Walker. Lovit Clough,' Ueury Clough, iloiekiali young, I I.'laclier, .Iu»eplt Sanborn, Jeremiah Ladd, Ben.): Widier, Edniond Kizer. Br-ii.inui.ui Siiuboni, > wealis, Williaui V. ■ I ,i i -> i 1. . -i:!' i ("urry, Jonathan w i i . w , r. i i Ulancliard, Jo.l I n i M "■l'..il . ; : , I :..ii;,l SticUuey Reguujii l.ik' u li,\ U-, .i.iiu' ^li._|Mi.l, . ..i.i' l.jii. I! iii.jMjIl, Ijivt James Glines, Li\ I JureuLiah ILnket, Eji". •' the Number of Guns in the Second Company is y6 iu Number." I 'ANTKTiBriiY •' TRATX -HAND" ASP "AT.ARM LIST." Witche David Soyor, Nathaniel \ w illl.ini Glinee, Benjmin Blauchard, Lieu'Charls .1 I .1. lI'Mtli, Shubal Derhon, Ensi .\rchehiU8 mile^. I!..|urn " F'er Me, Ebwakd Bl,.4NcH>Rn. r„,,)„ii,." ENLISTMENTS. 1776. "Canterhury, September y*" is"., ITTti. 3 .Sul«criberB tio hereby Ingago our selves In the C(.nt[rii.|ilal 1 forthwith to March to New York and joyn the C..iitiMciital e ami Ciuitinue therein untill the first day of Deeciiili.r .N. ,\t iner Discharged. " SaiiiM.-l (Jerrish, Joshua W.'elis, r'ANTKKlUTRY. 223 "A i;.tii[ii Ml ilh N.iiiu'sot' tlio Coutiueiitiil ijolUiore litlisk-d fur Hit- '.'w ri ..( r.MiirHMir_\ III (hu State of Now Hamiis' for the 'IVnn of Thrcf JmIiii MoMiii, uf Ciiuterbtiry (Tho Capi irnknown). . . . 1 Hlkiiis Mnort- (rupt iiobbenson) 1 I'ai-sMii Kiisliriiiri I iJ.'orj^i! Slu'iH-nl (in i'ap'StouesCompmiy) I Kobort Hastings I ■ Jame^Uastingt) f I NichoIaH Hall I Joliu Ko«inp (ill CaptOrnys Company) 1 An.livw liouiii- 1 Al.mrKnul.T T* Tlinrii:i,s ll..it iiii ('apt Livermoro''sComiMtiiy) 1 Wnltcr Mains (in ('apt Frye's Company) 1 Prince Tboinpson 1 Ebeni'x'Vaniuni of Conway (in CaptLivennorc-'sCuniijanj) 1 Pratt Chase, of Concord 1 Loyd Jones 1 William Walker (in Capt Fryi''s Company) I Aaron Habt,of BoBcawen (the Captuiu ITnUnuwn) . ... 1 John Mills, of Nottingham 1 " X.VTii GUNES, CaI'I Fa\K, Cump Cuntin.-ntiil Sol.li.-rs "Sami'kl Danpord, Buscnwen IMili-" "Pursuant to the precept from the Honomail I i im i ; i . . i Vv do hereby make a true Return of the Ai > M hn i - i Iwy bcin^ Inlistt-d for theTnwn of Canterbmy uit-l .ni,,!, ,.i N, ^^ ILunp " James Shei-aud, i " Edward Blanciiarp, / ^'"i^'*'""--"' "CANTEunuitv, .Inly 4"', ITSO. " We the BubBcribers hereby acknowledge to have Voluntarily onlistod ' serve the United States of America for three Months from the time « c luill Join the Army of the s^ Unitetl States at the pla<'e aptiointed for LendesvoUB by the Currimamier in I'hief t)f wiid Anny. " Witness onrllamie- "Castehbiky, 24"' Jxily, 1781. " We whose Names are underwritten hereby acknowledge to have lentarily inlisted to serve as Militia in tlie Continental Army for the ■m of three IMcnths from the time of our joining said Army On the couragement given by the Town of Canterbury at a Muster for the rptise of raisings'' Men, And engage to equip, and march whenever ' shall rereive ordei-s. CHAPTER II. CANTERBURY— (C'o«(/,i,,€./). Tuwn-House— Vote for Organization of Loudon I'ariBli— Petition for Same— Town-Meeting of 177:)— Officers Elected— Various Resolutions, etc. — Northlield Incorpoi-ated- Petition to lie annexed to Hills- borough County— Ratable Polls in 17R7— Ivln.aticmal Interests—Phy- sicians— Longevity — Pojndation- The Town-House.— As the history of the Canter- burv town-house is a record of the historic first meeting-house, it is deeineil advisable to treat it in detail. The following sketch of this historic build- ing is from the pen of Miss Mary E. Clougli, being ail able address delivered by her at the (Icdicadoii nf the present town-house, in l>i>! 1 : ! tluin they kn -house is done, viz. ■■ \ ,- |.| ri A I I n.i ti' for the inside finishing. The pew- piil.lh I. 11. hi, i:,i. I, yu, 1,,,-ri, iniisl. witliin Iwo y,-ar8, build his pew iu alinjiilsonie and worlilnan-lilie n.:iiiii. i I iihi,_ i ■ 1.. IliiB he forfeited Ills pew-ground, or if he neglected !■ I 1 " ' ' ,' i '^" Lzronnd at tlH- spfcifiod time, it becanic again the i" i I I'' I I Mr. in*. The house was ready for occuparn_\ in t),, nnin i IT'-';, fortherec- ords give, under date of .\ugust 0, the folio" i if^ : "•The committee to receive the meeting-house, having first viewed and found it finished according to a vote of said proprietors, at said Can- terbury, the 21st of September, 1743, have this day received the same for the 1 > of the proprietors and inhabitants of said Canlerbur *"J.\MES TilNDSKV, 1 ' Signed, Thomas Ct.oitou, ^ OommiUM.' '.loiiN Gibson, j "The house asthusfiuishedseems to have served the double purpose of ■hurcli and town-house, without change, up to the year 17S.''i, at which time tlie matter of repairing or Imildinp new wju* brought up. We will my, in passing, that this was not the first meeting-house in town ; the HIS'I'OHV (»F MKi;i!IMA('K ("OUNTY, XKW II AM I'SHIKE. carliust uuc, built in 17m, stood un tlio hill bu^uiid wlioru Juliu I*. Kim- bull now livetj, was mado of logH and was duubtlegg a riidc atfair. " Tbc tKM.'Oiid and tliinl articles ju the town-meeting warrant of Febru- ary 1,1785, are to (tee if tho inhabitants will take any measures for repair- ing the niet-ting-houtic, and if so how much thoy will do towards repair- ing ami nnishing it, and if not, see if they will take it down and build a now one. At tho meeting called by this warrant it was voted t«i raise money for repairing ; also to move it across the road northerly, jiruvided it be done by subscription. •• The orisiual site waa within the present limits of the burying ground. Also voted ' to shingle and clapboard the fireside of the meeting-house, ami clupboiird the west end and i-epair the oast end and lay tho gallery Itoor and jxit rai Is on the breast of the galleries and put pillars under the g.illery girths.' "The wurk do'^s ti ,t iji . r,i t Iim,' l.ecn effected at this time, for again, • pew-holdors shall jwy he same year money that came from the sale of pew- disposed of, and from the sale of several pews, was voted r hvM pnnhea, one at each end. Again, the 22d day of the it^ ^ M [K.uiuis was voted for reiiaiiB. This seems to have 1' . Ml 1 i!j<' then old bouse was not disturbed again by u, i iMtiii.i.T for uvtT thirty years. ) effect.' Latere pow-hold town-house and adopt i in ' a committee was apiwintt^d to confer witli what tonus they will relinquish their right as pew-hol.l. t- .\I;in h J Mil, the same year, it was voted that 'the tuwn- houisc Ik- I .1 1. I M nil III 1 1 II ity rods of tho old meeting-house, that the uls:iry for silling and drawing said house shall be provid- ed by the town, and .also after tho lower part of said house slmll he cleared out by the town— shall cut said house down to one story, new the place where the com expense, which ough ;' jilso votod*thatacommitteeofsi .\nd HO it would.seem as if the matter not 60 ;a petition of thirty ■iimi n _ iug the 18th of the following; \; il . also to sec if the town will \. I i work until the committee to locate shall report.' We the town clerk ever attended to this duty or that the y i thought I engaged in , JMr. I'atrick was great-giandfuther of the Cody . about the year 1823, when tho building was J the meeting-house, the south meeting-house and the ^ ■ed to the youn;; people that rcligie cords of fire-wood. a Sunday. luiv i|. Ni tu twenty-hvo cents), Il I 1 in- .uws pastured and his • \- t > .-.iljiy was seven hundred i»L- ui tlie itarsonago and thirty , had six bushels of Indian corn 11- fur ihr last I Nty > order to lit it for town purposeM called out pr*. special meeting upon special meeting. The more spare it ; tho radicals tear it down. The matter >ear8 before anything deflnifi' m-ivs ncr-ntuplislind in couree of building, • (luaint^ old-fash iiu led il from hehiud the rml CANTKUBUKY. muutiiigslux;ks for another lilty yean* j the spsicc uiKh-riiualh wi nitth u waim md con eiucnt hI oltcr foi howps thio igh tho long i olourUeak wmtcre (wo will 1 onoiahly t\cojt I tl Thiirwl i> o\ L unj; t irnishe 1) It m ruw I ui 1 I of u 1 1 joctiig v\ 8ti\eit II o loin nil ;s siis[ cioumI} gold n of tho b \^xi id H1 1 " ^ ' ! i iits of history may form a truer idea of its ageand l> I I I ] I. in walls and fresh paint if we glanco briefly at 111 ■ ^ I '- '' '' 'i iK' 11 place in our nation since its heavy timbt-ra were lii-t III ill >i.l riation, bnt yoH will observe that we were Uritish snl.j. . 1^ I .: II; ii; ■ luiiity years of its oxistfnco. Tt aviis a youthful .sii.xi.itor ii, (lu 1 1. iicliaiid Indian V.'^\v Tf ^il.-ntlv witnessed the up- rising when the odious Stump Act U.I I I II ' t' t (\ laidonteaand glaas, and it saw seventy brave men II i nlrd town leave their homes and families to tight til. i; n, Imp nn^ i iiil.-s. Tt was past tho age for doing military service wli.-n tin- \V;n ni isi.i took other strong men to the defense of imtiunal rights. Again, in 1861, when our nation was startled by tiie report of bloodshed at Fort Snmter, it was worn and was made after another, nnlil it saw about one hundred and forty of our gallant sous go forth to quell the civil strife. It has taken part in twenty- seven exciting Presidential campaigns. It stood here in silent wonder while all the world talked of the first locomotive and steamboat, of the telegraph, the ocean cable and the telephone. " History repeats itself, and human nature will be human nature to the end of all time ; so in onr town-house story, tliero came another year, lS;t3, when some thought tho house needed repairing again, and the fol- lowing year there began a war, which, in tho to-be-wiitten history of Canterbury, may be known as the third town-liouse war. The active bi-ains of active men set to work devising the best plan for getting a sub- stiintial house. These timbers were examined and found firm and sound, —good for another half century,— so, as twice^before, the old fnuue was spared. Now for the repairs. One party would have the outside made rnin-in-oof and the inside remain intjict ; a sr-cond tbouLjht it hvUw to re- new both outside and inside, letting; rh^ i-nillMi- -i.nul .n ih. unr tV-uu- dation; some wouldraise it a few Ir. I, iii : :i; i i .mlon aline with the church; the part> li * | i i \|Mri-ill originating the plan) wouldruiscit'.'ii i:_li [ I Miin i ii i il under- neath, and put the whole building in gou'l cuiiditiun. " The work is done, and all now seem inclined to adopt the spirit of the proverb, 'All's well that ends well,* and so amiable and sensible a way have our people of submitting to the inevitable that the current of good- will seems now to flow on as smoothly as if nothing had ever disturbed "A good word for our now building will not, we trust, bethought out of place here. You remember how the early chroniclers useefore their eyes. It would have been indeed a cheerful task in this way to have watched the progress of the work, but, unfortunately, we had no saddle-horse, and home duties prevented uafrom acting on the before- connnittee, so our opportunity to view the building came last week, when we took an hour from the study of musty record-books for this purpose. " We were firet shown to the basement. Hero the foundation appears firm and solid enough to resist the effects of rain and frost and March ^\ ^1 I li I ) ass irL o Noh oc th it ^ t ire st L VI il 01 bricis re ins igj .r\ii„ ts 1 1 nl to coi i cct the With tl e I resent -tl e 11 vtith tl c with I istory m I with tho [last fur this cion " Many who have been actors in this work have toiled up the eastern slope, the meridian sun has shone on them and now they are fast de- scending the westward side of life. The young men are coming to the " Would that it were in the jwwer of pen and voice to speak to-night words that should echoand re-ecbodown theyeara. They would urge you to copy only the virtues of the men whoso work we have been reviewing. They would entreat you to form correct ideas of truth, of honor, of honesty, of temperance, of morality and of religion. Tboy would stsk yun, with all earnestness, to banish from political contests bribery and evtM'ytlitiig dishonest and dishonorable. They would beg you to regard tho motto, so fitly chosen, ' Peace be within thy walls, ' jis a prophecy of a new and better day, for the fulfillment of which you are indiviilually responsible. "Would that it were urn- t- ni-hi i- .|. .iji ,,i. ih, -, ^^:^]\s to pure po- litical sentiment and actimi i IJ ■ i > i | . . I, i : n . ^ ut iunnKemenls, to social intercourse (divr-t. I i m m .; i: ;ni ; -h, tolii;,'b inU-l- lectual culture, to what.v.i i-im. .kiI :. ll. u, l _ I :ind true ; and, if ever tho house goes back tu its piiinitivc use, t.. tli.- tiiic :ind revi-ivnt worship of God ! " The first move for the dismemberment of the old town was the following vote in 1722 : "At a Regular Town Meeting held at the Meeting House in Canter- bury on Monday y*> 5^*^ day of October 1772 — Then Agreable to the fourth article in the above Warrant — ''Voted that the Southeasterly end of the Town of Cauterbnry be Set off as a distinct Parish, begining at the corner of tho Town, at tho bucks- horn beach tree, then runing Southwest acrost the Easterly end of Said Town to that corner bound— then Northwest upon the line between Canterbury and Bow, five Miles— then Northeast to Gilmantown Line- then southeast to the first bounds mentioned. "A True Coppy taken from Canterbury Town Records " Per Me Arcuelaus Moore Toirn Clei-k. " Cauterburj' December y«> 26tJ» 1772." The following ia the petition for the parish : "To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq' Governor and Commander in chief in and over his Majesty's Province of New Hampshire The Honorable his Majesty's Council and House of Representatives in Genei-al .\ssembly convened the 5*^' day of January, 1773 "The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitwnts of the North Eiiift part of Canterbury in siiid PiovIikl- Imnibly -^iMweth "That your r, i in.ii. i li\ ■ n ili. li-i,,-,. i ,.r ton and twelve Miles (as the Roads n<>" -■ i; i I ^l i ■■ 'i m -aid Town That the Roads are very bad ;ui I I i ;> i ii -reat ditTicuUy attend the public worshii. .1 -. I til. 1 n i .hmhU. .ii.iii-; of the Town for which reason tht^y have pcti(i.'ind lb- sai.l T.-wn for their leave to be set off into a distinct parish inconsequence of which the said Town have voted HISTOllV OK MKKKIMACK COUNTY, NEW llAMPSHIKE. at public Town iiieotiug as follows viz*. ^Vot«d that tlio South Easterly end or the Town of Ciutterbui-y be set off as a distiuct pariah bcgining ttt the Corner of the Towu at the Buckshorii Beech Ti-e© then nuining Southwest acroai the liaaterly end of said Town to that corner Bound tlien Northwest upon the Line between Canterbury and Bow, five Milu« thou Xoilh EaBt ti. Gilniautou Liue then South Ka>it to tlio th-st Bunnds.' Wli.'ur.M yu\ P< tiiloiit-rs humbly pray Ihiil _\iiiii Mm i'1I'-im y jiimI II I - \*. i.ii -IV. v"i'' ''t-'titioners liberty to iinic- m ^ r.iii im n.ii ill- ,1 .ii-iiiL> I i',,M-h uiih the Privilegesof otln-i i'.Mi-ip- in (Ik. I'l.iv ill. .■ \Mii,ir, !Im I I. ml- .1 1. .ix'said. And your p.'tiii-n.i'v;!-- in ilui.v i"-iiiiii Ml, II 1',. Ill Hi, hiiiti.d BacheMor, Ezokiel MorrUI, Jun', Marston M.n.il I iii 1 ;.l. I K iliriH, Nath' Batchehler, Sainuel Banforth, licnrv ' Voted to give tlie Collector Six S Proprietors i'ui -. jidjourned tc tin of August next two oclock after- ly on the forth Bay of August tht- uui^e according to nfUournmcnt i^ Augnst S oclock the forenoon at (•tors be further adjourned t( I- oclock affernoon—ou the f s of Canterbury i •lied to the tirat Wednesday of Jiinowary Ne Churles Sias, ify'd II. 'II., 11 1 I, ■ ,1 , r -iirw no Cause why the South Easterly ICihl . 1 I iiii 1,1 I t Mff iia a Distinct Parish according tu tlic I'liiii'ii 1- 11 I I t. 1. yniL 11, , Hours for that pmimse — " John Hoyt. ] "William Ellison, !««'«'"»««/'»• "Jonathan Clovoh, J Oanterburv. "Canterbury, Jan. 12*'', 177:t." The parish was set off by an act of the General Assembly, passed January 23, 1773, and erected into a parish by the name of Loudon. Towii'Meeting in 177^. *'At a Meeting of the Proprleiors of Canterbury Huld at the Meeting house In &"* Canterbury on Day of may 1773 " M' Ezekiol Morrill chosen Moderator for s'' Meeting David Furster Chosen Clerk to s^ Proprietors — *' Voted Tn Chus.! a Committee to Serch thf Pn'pri.tois I^.u.ks ..f Kotorda to Sft^ if tluTc be iiiiy oiiiissiuii ur Mistak. s in (Ij. n, a r., i \,Mi . i 'lay uf January the X'roprietore afoi*'i mot according U> \ utud iw folio weth lur Ilov-i Abiel Forster bo a committee man or agent to un to the General Court & to lay their Proprietors Books t the £ " Thu nii;uting aijjourned to the iirat Wednesday of April Next at o oclock afternoon "A True Coppy Test Daviu FoRSTEa Prop elk Power of Attorney gi'atited to John Meloutj. ^'■Whei-em an advertisement has appeared in the Now Ilampshi Gazotti- of the ridU' uf July 177:J N-difyinj,' the Pruj.ii.-toi-w .>r <'aiiterl.ii Therefure Wi; do appoint John Melony of (.'uulti to be our Lawful Attorney in our Uehalf &. stead t and there to vote according to our Interest (in tht mitteu apply to the General Court if it shall be tound Necessary lor Power to Kecord any of 8*^ Proprietors Papers which have heretofore been neglected— '* Voted Colo John Gage Archelaus Moore & m' Asa Forster Committee for that purpose — " Voted Jeremiah Clough Esq' Cap John Gage & ni' Asa Forater be a Committee to Settle accompts with any person or Persons who have Traiisai^twl any business for s"* Proprietore which liave not yet been Settled with— " The meeting adjourned to SecomI wednesdiiy in June Next at one "ut a meeting of the Proprietors of Canterbury held by adjournment at the meeting house in s^ Canterbury on Wednesday 0*'' of June the following Votes ware pas'! — '* Voted that John Grirje Jtm' Esq' be Ctioson a Committoo man in the Room of his li.ur' r iMj. i ''I .T.I.ii Cage who is unable to attend the Voted \ Charges of til' < to Itnisc the iibu •' Voted that ii mentioned Kate r rit'- Asa Forster & David Forster be a iiM-H for the future— |.ii.-loi-s Shall be Called upon Aplica- ■ -lins Shall be Published in the New Milting house in s'l ('auterbury — ,M «-ach original Right to Defray the iiH;ile8into Execution— 'billing meetings bo also one tho and !. "witness for Jon* Warner ¥&^\^ Chas. K. Warner No riglits Tho Davis 1 Seth Jacobs for Nath" Loniex 1 right Sam' Emerson 1 right Kphraim Davis! right Geo : JaftVey 1 right H Weutwoith -1 Itiu'bts Jonallniii \\:u.,. 1 '1 Ki^hls Join. rrnl,.,il..u 1 i;,_l,N Wn» Appletou \ right N" rights James Davis 1 Samuel Davis 1 D" Sarah Hicks \ Joseph Hicks PKightB John Woodman 2>iJ Rita Jonathan Woodman IJ^ rights Smith Emei-son 1 right Simon Rondel one Kit & a ball Benj Jones three Rights W» Jenkins one Kit Richd Jenness one Right Robert Leathera 1 Right Joseph Stevens I Right " Province ot Newhampshiri Straflbrd ss august y<= loih 1773 Then Jam" Davis Sami Davie Thoi Davis Seth Jacobs Sam' Kniei-son Ephraim Davis Wh dow Sarah Hicks & Joseph Hicks all above and Witln Appeared Before me the Suliscriber and Acknow edged the Within Written Instrument t aug*t iti^ 1773 Thou John Woodman, Jonatlum Woodman, Smith Emerson, Simon Rendell, Benjamin Jones, and William Jenkins acknowledged tlie ahu\ e iiHul to be their free act and deed " Before Ebenezek Tuomi-son Jus Peace F CANTEKBURY. 227 w Hamp' I Russell LiDgbam ss befon- ■ before 1 Daniel Rogers J« ■ Tlion Jonathpvn Wai-ner and Peter Gilmau Esci"- aud Wm Appleton pvisoiially appeared before me aud acknowledged the witbin Instru- liiunt by them Subscribed to bo their free act & Deed " Daniel Rogers Just Peace ' Province of New Mamp' J Augt20, 17";i then Richard JeneBS and Robert Leathei-s iil^teared Before me and acknowledged their Instrument to be their free :u t and Deed "Joseph Atkinson* Jus' Peace " Province of 1 August the 21" 1773 Then m' Joseph Stevens pereon- New Hampr L ally appeared & acknowledged the foregoing Instrument Strafford ss I to be his act and Deed ** before me Js" Sullivan Jus* peace." Pi-omedinge of Towii-Meeling, 1773. "On the Twenty fifth day of August instant the Proprietorsof Canter- bury being Legally Woi'iied Met at ye meeting house in Said Town and PasM the following Votes Viz— "r.'(f.(/ That John Gage Esq'' bo Moderator for s^ meeting " Vo/ti/ To Prosecute a writ of Review in the Action originally Brought by RiL-h'd Mclony of the County of Clare in the Kingdom of Ireland against George Kezzer of Uampstead in the County of Rockingham for Two forty acre Lots in Canterbury So far as Sixty Dollars will go— " Voted To Raise Sixty Dollars Toward Defraying Charges of the above Lawsuit — '* V:Ud that' John Gage Esq' be a Committee man or agent to Prosicute the above said action & to take Care of the above s*i money — " Voted that John Gage Esqf hire said Money aud the Proprietors pay him the Interest for the same till it Can be Uais'd— Then the Meeting ad.iourued to Wednesday the Sixth Day of October Next two o'clock ufleruoon — " The Same Day John Melouy Objected To the Foregoing Proceedings in Behalf of himself and a number of PropritorB absent as Illegal " Canterbury august y« 25'*" 1773 "A True Coppy "P' uie David Fobster Prop Clk. " On the Sixth Day of October the Proprietors affor 511 Meet at the meeting house aforesaid according to adjournment and Voted as foUoweth " Voted that LotN»5in the forty acre Lots shall be Returned to Daniel Davis for his first Division Lot— " Voted To Establish & Confirm the Transactions of former Votes and former Committees Except those Imployed in Chichester Lawsuit — " Voted That Ephraim Clough be a Collector to gether the above Rates— "Canterbury October y 6'i> 1773— "A true Coppy P^ me " David Forster Prop. Clerk." Report of Committee ReUttic ! letic : Canterbury and Chichester^ "The return of the division Line between Canterbury old Town & a Parish proposed to be set off at the North west part of s^ Town, run by the Subscribers a Committee chosen for that purpose. — Begining at a Beech Tree standing by the southeast corner bound of a hundred acre Lot in the second hundred acre division laid out to Joseph Dearborn numbered forty two ; runing south seventy seven degrees west, to a "White Pine spotted standing by the turn of the River above Gerrishes " Canterbury June 24* 1779 " Edward Blanchard 5 Coppy s Arckelaus Moor Town Clerk.' Abstract of Abner Miles' Petition, Soldier, 1778.— In a petition dated November 2, 1778, Abner Miles, of Canterbury, yeoman, state.s that he "Turned nut as a Voluutier in the service of his Country on the Expedition to Rliode Ishind under the command of Capt. Benj" Sias & served there untill tlio Company Came otr the Island ; " was taken sick and confined at the house of Joseph Goffe, at Rehoboth, and re- mained there until September 24, 1778. lie asks that the bill of said Goffe, amounting to £39 14«. lawful money, and the bill of Dr. Joseph Bridgeham of £9 6s., may be paid by the State, and the said bills were allowed by the committee on sick and wounded soldiers. Miles also states that he lost a horse valued at two hundred and fifty dollars in the service at Rhode Island, and Captain Sias certifies to said loss ; aud Miles introduces the following to prove the value thereof, which was sworn to before Archelaus Moore : " CANTERBt'RY March y« 8" 1779 " We Jeremiah Ilacket aud Obcdiah Clough both of Canterbury being appointed by the select men of said Canterbury, to apprize a Horee which .\bner Miles of said Town Rode to Rhode Island ajid Lost Last august when he went a Volenter in Cap< Siases Company under Col" Moses Nichols in Gen' Whiples Brigade— We therefore agreeable to the trust Reposed in us do truly honestly and Impartily apprize Siiid Horse to tho best of our Judgment at £75, Lawful Money as witness our hands "Jeremiah Hacket "At i 1779- ) Canterbury." Annual Meeting held at Canterbury on tho ISib of March " Upon application of the Inhabitants of the Northwest part of the Town to be set off as a separate Parish— Voted to set off the s'l Inhabitants accordingly, and that Cap' Josiah Miles, David Foster, Cap' Edward Blanchard & En" Archelaus Miles be a Committee to run a Lino of division, & make return to the Town at the adjournment of this Meeting for their acceptance "A true Coppy attes' ".4.RCiiELAi's JIooiiETown Cleik." ying For ST PR J The Number of Polls in Canterbury 21 years old & ;homselvcB a Poll Tax for 1783—143 Selectman for Canterbury." NORTHFIELD INCORPORATED. Petition for a Dimion of the Town. " State of Now Hamp' Rockingham ss. Canterbury March SO" A. I). 1781) The Humble Petition of y Subscribers Inhabitants of y« North part of s" Canterbury to y« Honourable y» Presidant and members of Council & house of Representatives of Said State, we your Humble Pe- titioners Living at a great Distance from \"* Center (.fy^- Town Some of us at nine or ten Miles, & Consequently at a \. i \^i. u li . i, .mlage in Join- ing with them in all Publick Town aftaii - i I _ : ll'artlybyour Living in that Part of ye Town that wa> I , : ,■ was called y© upper Parish & Partly by ye Kind Rcc.-i.tin i;i I:. ,i;. i initi with which we made to ye Town for adismission but more Particularly by our Confi- dence in your Honours desire to Promote ye Happiness of every part of this State Humbly Pray that your Honours would take our Case into your Serious Consideration and grant that we togatber with all who Live in 8^ upper Part may be Erected & Incorporated into a body Politick .fe Corporate to have Continuance by ye name of Nolthfield— with all such Powers & Authorities Privileges Immunities and Franchises which other Parishes or Towns in this State in General hold & Enjoy which your Pe- titioners as is duty bound Shall forever pray "Willin Kenistone, James Blanchard, Daniel, Ben» Blanchard, Tho< Clomrb Blanchard, Simon Sanborn, Tho" Giliua-i, ' ' ■' ' '■ u, John Dear- born, Joseph Levitt, Shubal Dearborn. .):, \\ 1 ■ r >hubalDear- born, Jacob Morrill, Aaron Stevens, Jun', -mi >l;i -, I ,[i[i Forrest, Nat' whitcher, Tho' Clough, John Cross, Jon" W a.ll.i.ulj, .\lmor .Miles, Jacob Heath, George Hancock, John Simons, Joseph Hancock, Benj"* Collins, HSTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Abra" Dearborn, Will" Hancock, Nat' Perkins, James Lid Perkins, Archelus Miles, Edward Blanchard, Will" ad Perkins, David Blanchard, Aaron Stevens, Reuben Whitchor, Will's Sanborn, Job u M«Dauiel, Eben' Kimball, Gedeon Levitt, Matbiaa Ilaius. The petition was granted. The northwest part of the town was set off, and incorporated by the name of Northfield. Ptiition to be ameied to HilUborough County. "State of 1 To the Hon''i« the Senate & House of Representatives Kew Uanipshire. j of said State in General Court convened. "The petition of the Subscribere being Inhabitants of the town of Can- terbury iu the county of Rockingham humbly shews ; that they labour under great disadvantages, by reason of their distance from Portsmouth & Exeter where the Courts are held & publick records kept for said County— Wherefore they pray that the town of Concord in said County togather with the said town of Cauterbuiy may be annexed to the Coun- ty of Ilillsboro, k and that for the future half the Courts for said County of Hillsboro may be held at said Concord, and your petitioners, as in duty bovnd shall ever pray &c ".T.i.iiniili rluiifli, ArchelauB Moore, Thomas Clough, David Morrill, >;,n, 1 II, I li ! M I :i,'.ii 1 Bartlett, John FoiTest (bis X mark), Iii\ I I h 11 .Sutton, Ezekiel Moore, John moore, J 1^ , , \' ■■ 1' I i.imin Sanborn, Zebadiah Sargent, Shu- IhihI ^iii!,, I II, I ill, ill >,iij. )ii, .li hn Carter, William Hazeltinc, Obadiah Hall, .Simuu KiiiiK's, Jubn B.jiin, Joseph Clough, John Moore, jr., William Foster, Jonathan Bradley, Hasten Morrill, Jesse Stevens." Orders from several Soldiers, 1781 to 1785. "Caxterbi'rv March 7'i' 1781. To Nicholas Oilman Esq' Treasurer for the State of New Hampshire. S' plase to pay the Select Men for Canterbury the Sum Total of what shall be made up to Us in the pay Roll as Soldiers in the Six Months Ser- vice the Summer past and their Receipt shall Answer the same to the Subscribers. ■ Thomas Hoyt, Ebenezer X Chandler " Benjamin Glines Ebenezer foss '■ Thos. Hoit £0.17. t) — order granted & Roll signed by A Foster — T "Please to pay thi- ballance of the within order to Abiel Foster Esent a few months at N. Parsonfield's seminary, under the instruction of Rev. Hosea Quimby, U.D., holding meet- ings on the Sabbath several miles away ; was ordained June 22, 1837, at Corinth, Vt., where he held his first membership. In July following became pastor of the First Free- Will Baptist Church in Dover, N. H. A precious revival followed ; more than one hundred were baptized and united with the church. Mr. Smith's health failed the second year of his pastor- ate, and he returned to the hills of Vermont to recup- erate, but he was soon able to resume his work. July 2, 1838, he married Emily B.True, of Corinth, and they had two children, — Josephine E., who mar- ried S. W. Sanders, of Laconia, N. H., and Alpheus D., a practicing physician of Manchester, N. H. In 1839, Mr. Smith became pastor of the Second Free- will Baptist Church of Corinth, which relation con- tinued until 1844. He then spent one year in East Randolph, Vt. ; then returned to Dover, N. H., and continued his labors for four years. Spent a few- months at Farmington ; from there he went to Con- cord, N. H., where he remained two or three years ; assisted in raising a church-debt of twelve hundred dollars; from there he went to West Fairlee, Vt., where a new church was organized and he remained in charge for about two and a half years ; from here Mr. Smith was called to Lyndon ; from there he went West for some time, but not liking the climate, returned to New England, and was called to Laconia, N. H., the second Sabbath in July, 1857, where he remained nearly four years. Next to East Tilton for three years; but re- turned to Laconia, where he resided until April, 1873. Mrs. Smith died in October, 1872. Mr. Smith found, after traveling for some time and supplying destitute churches, the need of a regular home and place of service. He married, for his second wife, Mrs. Mary E. Clough, of Canterbury, in January, 1874, and since that time he has supplied the First Free-Will Baptist Church of the town, with the exception of one-fourth part of the centre of the town. In 1883 his health fidled and would not admit of his preaching, but he has been able to re- sume his labors in the last year. He is now inter- ested in the Kezer Seminary, with a fund of fifteen thousand dollars to build the institution and pay expenses of running the same. Mr. Smith has ever had the esteem and confidence of those with whom he has been brought in contact, always trying to do all within his power to promote the welfare of his fellow-men. LORENZO AMES. Among the early settlers of Canterbury, and of its hardv stock of tillers of the soil, was (1) Samuel, the 232 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. The time of his arrival is not known, but it was probably about the year 1745. He became the possessor of a large farm near the meeting-house, and was noted for the thrift and energy displayed in the management of his business. He was born February 13, 1723-24, married Hannah Daloff, and died in Canterbury Januan,- 16, 1803. His wife, Hannah, was born Jan- uary 18, 1728-29, and died January 23, 1804. From this union there were four children. (2) David, the grandfather of Lorenzo, Wiis born May 27, 1749, and succeeded his father in the possession of the large farm in the " borough." He married Pha?be, daughter of Thomas Hoyt, who was a Revolutionary soldier, and they had ten children,— three sons and seven daughters. David died in Canterbury September 22, 1812, and Phrebe in 1836. (3) Samuel, the father of Lorenzo, was born at the old homestead July 29, 1784. He married Myra, daughter of Jonathan Ayres, of Canterbury, and lived on the homestead inherited from his father until his death, June 30, 1870. His wife, Myra, died October 14, 1873. From this union there were seven children, the eldest of whom was (4) Lorenzo, who was born at the homestead May 22, 1814. His boyhood was spent at home, assisting in farm-work in summer and attending the district school in the winter. That he might assist his father more effectually, and having a taste for trade, he, at an early age, went to Boston, and engaged in the whole- sale mercantile business. Remaining there for a few years, during which time he developed a capacity for business, he returned to his native State, and was for a short time in business in Concord. In 1845 he went to Albany, N. Y., and with his brothers, Sam- uel F. and Jeremiah F., engaged extensively in the flour and grain business. They were successful, and won an enviable reputation for thrift and honesty. A local writer ha-s recently said of this firm: "Some forty years ago there came over from New Hampshire three brothers of the name of Ames, and settled in Albany, where they have been carrying on an exten- sive produce business. They have well maintained the name of honest Yankees in an honorable and successful business. They are among the land-marks of the capital city, where they have made records which would form pleasant reading, not only for the young, but for men of every age." Business integrity and enterprise, fairly and fully established, insured social position in the city of their adoption. Lorenzo was deacon of the Congregational Church there, of which Rev. Ray Palmer, D.D., was pastor, and was interested in religious, educational and civil matters. Mr. Ames has retired from the active business at Albany to his farm in Canterbury, where he is dea- con of the Congregational Church and a much es- teemed and highly-valued citizen. October 14, 1852, Mr. Ames married Lydia Page, daughter of Hon. Ezekiel Morrill, of Canterbury. From this union there are four children. The young- est, (5) Samuel Patten, born May 29, 1865, alone DAVID -MORRILL. In the early history of Canterbury few names are more conspicuous than that of Ezekiel Morrill, who came from South Hampton to this place about the year 1750. He was a deacon of the Congregational Church, his name appears many times on the old record-books as town clerk, and he often served on committees appointed by the town to attend to mat- ters of importance. To this Ezekiel Morrill, David, the subject of this sketch, traces his ancestry in di- rect line. Ezekiel was the father of fifteen children. His second child was David. David's eldest son was Reuben, who married Miriam Smith. These were the parents of Captain David, as he is familiarly called. He was born in Canterbury August 12, 1798, on the place where he now lives, and was the third of nine children. His education was obtained in the district school, which he attended till he was twenty- one years old. At this time he began to teach win- ters. His first school was in Northwood ; here he taught two terms, then two winters in Pittsfield, one in Madbury, one in Londonderry, and three terms in District No. 1, Canterbury. In 1828 he built a saw- mill. The management of this and of his large farm have occupied him through his long life. He has a fine set of buildings ; his farm is well situated^ and by care and industry he has brought it to a good state of cultivation. Mr. Morrill is in many respects. a man of the old school, — a working and thinking farmer. Without doubt, many a business problem has been thought out while his hands have been occupied with the hoe and scythe. In town matters the cap- tain has always been on the side of progress and reform. He has held the office of selectman several times. In 1859 he represented the town in the Leg- islature. In 1860 and '61 he was a member of the Senate. While here his opinions were respected and even sought for by his colleagues. He is a Republi- can in politics, though not a partisan. He was early in the anti-slavery movement, being associated with Stephen S. Foster and his co-workers. He has al- ways taken an active interest in the educational affairs of the town. Ahhough a scholar of the olden time, he adheres only to what is good in the old methods. He is a Congregationalist in religious faith, having united with that denomination when a young man. Mr. Morrill has been twice married, — in 1825 to Comfort, daughter of Marsten Morrill, and in 1843 to Mrs. Sally Kimball. By the first marriage he had seven children, six sons and one daughter ; by the second, two sons. Three of his sons were in the Civil War. He is a man of strict integrity, of sound judgment, of great firmness and of practical common sense. At the advanced age of eighty-six. -^ e^^ f ^;>,^4:^,,^A-^^^v^^^^^^^^-^>^ e/'^Jfi:^,/..^ CANTERBURY. 233 his mind is clear and he retains an active interest in public aftiiirs. JOHX PEVERLEY KIMIi.VLL. Richard Kimball was born in Canterbury Jlav 31, 179S. lie married Sally Sanborn, daughter of John Peverley, of Canterbury, October 24, ISSC. They moved to Boscawen the next day and settled on the Kolfe farm, near his brother Benjamin, where they resided until Mr. Kimball's death, which occurred September 30, 1829. Their only child, John Peverley, the subject of this sketch, was born in Boseawen December 23, 1827. After the death of his father he moved with his mother to his grandfather Peverley's, where he resided until he married Mary Eliza, daughter of Samuel Hill, of Canterbury, June 3, 1852, and settled on the homestead of her father, near the centre of the town. Here he resided until her death, November 6, 1874. Deprived of a father at the early age of three years, young John experienced many of the difficulties of other boys in like circum- stances. At the same time there were advantages. His mother was a judicious, energetic woman, and he became industrious, persevering, resolute and self-re- liant. These elements of character, thus early formed, have done much toward making him success- ful in all his business affairs. His education was gained mostly in the common school. After leaving this he attended Gilmanton Academy and the New- Hampshire Conference Seminary two terms. During his partnership with his father-in-law, they devoted themselves chiefly to agriculture, and the fine ex- hibits of corn, grain and vegetables made annually at the town and State fairs were good proof of their success. Mr. Kimball has in recent years made stock-raising a specialty, and his excellent Herefords have attracted much attention. He has made great efforts to improve and multiply this stock in Canter- bury and in neighboring towns. For several years past he has sent fine herds to the State and New England fairs. He has always been a fancier of good horses, and several of his own raising have made a very creditable record on the turf at the county and State fairs. With a view to comfort and convenience, the homestead buildings were, some years ago, put in excellent condition. A large barn was built, having modern improvements, and the house was made com- modious and attractive. Mr. Kimball has always shown a good degree of interest in the educational affairs of the town, and has at all times advocated good schools. His disposition is social, he is prompt to do a kindness, and has many warm friends. He is a prominent member of the town and State Grange, and a member of other societies that have for their object social and educational improvement. He has contributed much to make Canterbury's annual fair successful and creditable to the town. He is a Re- publican in politics, and a Congregationalist in his religious sympathies. Mr. Kimball had, by his fir-st marriage, four children. The eldest, George Edwin, died at the age of six years. The second and third, Frank Edwin and Ida Grace, were born May 13, 1859. The youngest, Georgianna Eliza, was born October 10, 1867. He married for his second wife Mrs. Mary A. Kilton. Mr. Kimball traces his paternal ancestors back to the eighth generation. His grandfather's name was Richard. Richard's father's name was Caleb, then John, Joseph, another John, and still another, this last John making the eighth. COLONEL DAVID MORKILL CLOUGH. A town depends more upon the character of its in- habitants for fame than upon its natural advantages. Canterbury was originally settled by strong men, who have left their impress on the present generation. They were the Cloughs, Gibsons, Fosters, Blanchards, Mor- rills, Kimballs, et al., of the present generation. Col- onel David M. Clough is one of the most energetic, enterprising, successful and noted farmers within the Granite State, and has deservedly earned the title of " the Corn King " of New Hampshire. The colonel is the great-grandson of Jeremiah Clough, who set- tled in Canterbury in 1727 and built the old garrison. Here the hardy pioneer raised a family of five boys and three girls. He was a man of superior ability and great physical force and energy. The children all became prominent, and were noted for building large two-story houses, carrying on large farms and having much influence in their day. The oldest boy, Jeremiah Clough, succeeded to his father's home farm. Henry Clough joined the Shakers and became a leading man in that denomination, being one of the founders of Lebanon (N. Y.) Community. Thomas Clough settled on Bay Hill, in Northfield, and left no issue. Abner settled on " Clough Hill," in Loudon, giving name to that section of the town, and has left numerous descendants. Joseph Clough settled on the farm now owned by Colonel Clough ; he married a Lawrence, from Epping; had no children, but adopted his wife's niece, who married a Gerrish and be- came owner of the farm. Leavitt, the grandfather of the colonel, settled on the farm lately owned by Ed- ward Osgood. One of the sisters married a Gerrish, of Boseawen, and left a numerous progeny. Leavitt Clough married, first, Hannah Fletcher, of Loudon ; second, Peggy Mason, of Chichester. Leavitt was a re- markable man — powerful physically, strong intellectu- ally, energetic, prompt to keep his engagements, trusted by the community, a devout Christian, a successful and wealthy farmer. Sally, his oldest daughter, married Abner Clough, of Loudon Hill. Hannah, another daughter, married Josiah Haines, of Canterbury, and Susan, the third daughter, married Jeremiah Clough. Leavitt, Jr., was their only son. Leavitt Clough, Jr., was born October 30, 1778 ; married, October 27, 1800, Abigail Morrill, the youngest daughter of Deacon David Morrill, and aunt of Hon. David Morrill, a prominent citizen of Canterbury. She was born February 8, 1779, and died May 10, 1853. He was held in high esteem by his townsmen, was a justice of the peace, selectman and representative when he died, August 13, 1825. She was a woman of great natural ability and skill, and took great interest in all that 234 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, xNEW HAMPSHIRE. was happening in tlie outside world. Like his father and grandlatlier, Leavitt Clough was orthodox in creed and carefully attended to religious observances. Toward the close of her life Mrs. Clough was liberal in her views. The children of this couple were (1) Henry Clough, born September 17, 1801, graduated from Dartmouth College in 1823, and died in Mary- land August 28, 1824; (2) William Patrick Clough, born October 25, 1802, married and settled first in Canterbury, but later in life moved to Andover, and for many years lived with his only daughter, Cornelia, who married the late Rev. Howard Moody ; (3) Mary Ann Clough, born January 8, 1804, married, .in April, 1825, Deacon Jonathan Brown, of Gilmanton; (4) David M. Clough ; (5) Merinda Clough, born February 14, 1 SOS, married Jonathan Prescott, of Gilmanton ; (6) Leavitt Morrill Clough, born September 10, 1809, who went South and disappeared about the time of a noted steamboat explosion, and never having been heard from, was supposed to have been lost ; (7) Thomas Carmel Clough, born February 16, 1812, a promising young man, who married Martha Emery, of Concord, and was one of the first settlers on the Western Reserve (Ohio), he died in early manhood, and left one daughter; (8) Daniel Webster Clough, born August 17, 1814, is unmarried and lives in Hill. Colonel David M. Clough was born on his grand- father's farm June 9, 1805, and succeeded to the home- stead on coming of age. His education was received at the district school, supplemented by three terms at Gilmanton Academy. What he was taught he was able to impart to others, for at the age of eighteen he was engaged in teaching winter schools ; at the age of nineteen he was commissioned in the State militia, promoted to captain at twenty-one, and to the rank of colonel after five years' service. At his father's death it devolved upon him to help settle the estate, and thus early in life he became immersed in business. In 1832 he settled in Gilmanton, re- maining there ten years, when he returned to the neighborhood of his old home. In 1848 he took a trip of inspection and discovery through the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, and after an absence of several months returned with the firm conviction that New Hampshire offered as many inducements to the farmer as any State in the Union, and accordingly purchased a small farm near his early home, which he brought to a higher state of cultivation and sold in 1856. He bought, that very fall, the farm he now owns on the Merrimack Intervale, between the Can- terbury and Boscawen stations, paying four thous- and six hundred dollars, it being the same farm that his great-uncle, Joseph Clough, formerly owned. To this farm of some five hundred acres he gave work and capital. In thirteen years he brought its market value up to seventeen thousand dollars, and its supporting capacity from twelve cattle to that of over one hundred. He has added outlying pieces as they have come into the market, until he now owns about twelve hundred acres of land. His average crop of corn on the ear is some three thousand bush- els. He has now one hundred and twenty head of cattle, one hundred and fifteen sheep and six horses. He has served the town of Canterbury as selectman for four years, and as representative two years. Three times he received the nomination of the Democratic party for member of the Governor's Council, and was elected during Governor Weston's first term. During his term in the Legislature he was a strong advocate for the establishment of the Agricultural College and was one of the board of trustees for several years. In politics the colonel has been a Free-Soil Democrat, attending the National Convention which nominated John P. Hale. After the abolition of slavery he gravitated into the Democratic party. In agricultural, rather than in political circles has Colonel Clough been most prominent. He was a charter member of the Merrimack River Grange and a charter member of the State Grange, of which he was treasurer for six years and for a long time one of the executive committee. He is a member of the Merrimack County Agricul- tural Society, for two years its president, and a life- member of the New Hampshire Agricultural Society. A great aim and ambition of his life has been to give dignity to the farmers' vocation, and, by experi- ment, to develop the science of farming in his native State. By precept and example he has been a cham- pion of the farmers' rights and a pioneer in every ad- vance. He has been a prosperous and successful farmer; he has made two blades of grass grow where one grew before. In 1832 he, with his wife, joined the Free-Will Baptist Church of Canterbury, and for many years was clerk of the society. He has always been a tem- perance advocate, abstaining from cider as well as from stronger drinks, and also from tobacco all his life. As a citizen in his neighborhood, in his town, in the county and in late years throughout the State, he has enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellou- citizens. He has been thoroughly upright in all liis dealings, scorning dishonesty in politics and in busi- ness, and in his ripe old age is surrounded by com- forts and luxuries well earned and well deserved. He married, first, October 25, 1828, Almira Batchrl- der, daughter of Ebenezer Batchelder, of Canterbury. She was born June 7, 1805; was the mother of five children; died November 5, 1851. He married, second, June 17, 1856, Mrs. Caroline (Gibson) Tal- lent. His children are as follows : 1. Ann Maria, born in 1830 ; died August 9, 1838. 2. Henry Leavitt, born February 17, 1834 ; has been prominent in business and political circles of Con- cord; a candidate for high-sheriff of Merrimack County, and now resides with his father ; unmarried. 3. Mary S., born in 1836 ; died August 2, 1838. 4. Edwin Davis, born October 5, 1843; married Eliza Couch, daughter of Elder Couch, of Concord ; has had two children (one of whom is living), and is a member of the firm of E. D. Clough & Co., of Con- cord. 5. Charles Newell, born January 15,1849; married Emma T. Morrill, and has one child,— the colonel's only grandson, David Morrill Clough, Jr. "2). -y^ HISTORY OF CHICHESTER. CHAPTER I. Chichester, Jlerrimack County, is bounded on the north by Pittstield, on the east by Pittsfield and Epsom, on the south by Pembroke and on the west by Loudon. It is about six miles long and three miles wide, and contains about eleven thousand nine hun- dred and seventy-eight acres. Distance from Concord to centre of town, eight miles. It is watered by the Suncook River, which forms its eastern boundary for about one mile, atibrding excellent water-power at several points, only one of which is at present util- ized. Another small stream, known as Lynxfield Krook, flows out of a pond by the same name, sit- uated in the southwesterly part of the town, and fur- nishes the power to drive Sanders' board, shingle and luth-mills, and flows into the Suncook in the easterly [lart of the town. Another small stream flows through the northeasterly part of the town, known as Gilman- ton Brook, and furnishes the power to drive Fellows' mills, and also flows into the Suncook. It was upon this stream that the first saw-mill in Chichester was erected by the early settlers. There are no mountains in town, and the only hills of note are Bear Hill, situ- ated in the westerly part of the town, and Garvin's Hill, situated in the southerly part of the town, from the top of which, on a clear day, the White Mountains can be seen. The original growth of wood is pine, hemlock, chestnut, beech, birch and maple. When the town was settled, a large proportion of its surface was covered with a very heavy growth of wood and timber. For the first fifty years after its settlement the original owners devoted a considerable portion of their time to cutting down and burning up the growth of wood and lumber, preparatory to breaking the soil and fitting it for cuhivation ; and within the last twenty-five years, more especially, the lumbermen of this and other towns have invaded our forests, and are making sad havoc with the original growth of pine, hemlock and chestnut until, to-day, there is but little of it remaining in town. Looking from the summit of the surrounding hills, the surface of this town appears to be much broken and uneven ; still, there are many highly-cultivated farms, especially that of Charles H. Carpenter, Esq., lying on both sides of Suncook River, which is one of the largest and most productive farms in Merrimack County. The soil is generally good, and in some parts is very fer- tile. Farming is almost the only employment ; trade, manufacturing and mechanic arts are carried on to a very limited extent. Population, seven hun- dred and eighty-four; number of polls, two hundred and sixty-four. ORIGIS.\L GR.\ST OF TOWN. "George, by the Grace of Hod, of Great Brituine, Fmnce and Ire- land, King, Defender of the Faith, Ac. "To an People to whom these Presenta thall come. Greeting : Know ye that we of our Special Knowleidge and mcer motion for the Dew En- couragement of Setling a new Phintation By and with the advise and Consent of our Councill have Given and Granted and by these PresenU as far as in us Lies do Give and Grant in Equall Shares unto Sundry of our beloved subjects whose Names are Entered in a Schedule hereunto anexed that Inhabit, or Shall Inhabit, within the Said Grant within- our Provence of New Hampshire all that tract of land within the fol- lowing bounds, viz. ; To begin on the South west Side of the Town of Barnsted, and from thence Riming South westerly on the head of the Town of Nottingham uutill Eight miles be accompiished. and then North west Eight miles, and then North East Eight miles, and then South East by the said Town of Barnstead to the Place where it first began, and that Ye same be a Town Corporate by the Name of Chichester to the Persons affore Said for Ever. To Have and To Hold the Said land to the said Grantees and their heirs and assigns for ever, and to such associates aa they shall admitt upon the following Condition : (1) that the Pro- prietors within three years Buld, or Cause to be Bult, Sixty Dwelling Houses and Settle families in the Same, and Cleare three acres of Ground Fitt for Planting or mowing, and that Each Proprietor Pay his Propor- tion of the Town Charges when and so often as occasion shall Require ye same. (2) That a meetting house be Built for ye Publick Worship of God within the Tearm of four years. (3) That upon Default of any Per- ticular Proprietor in Complying with the Conditions of this Charter upon his Part, such Delinquent Proprietor Shall forfeit his share of ye said land to the other Proprietors, which shall be disposed of according to the major vote of ye Said Proprietors att a Legall meetting. (4) That a Proprietor's share be Reserved for a Parsonage, and another for ye fil-st minister of the Gospell that Shall be there settled and ordained, and another Proprietors Share for ye Bcnnifitt of a Scoole in ye Said Town, provided nevertheless that ye Peace with ye Indians continue for ye Space of three years, but if itt Should happen that a warr with ye In- dians Should Commence before the E.-ipiration of the affore Said Tearm of three years that then ye Said Terme of three years Shall be allowed the Proprietors after ye E.\piration of tlie warr for ye Performance of ye affore Said Conditions Hendring and Paying there- for to UB our heirs and Successors, or Such officer or officers 06 Shall be appointed to Receive the Same, the anuall Quitt Rent or Acknowledgment of one Pound of Hemp in ye Said Town on ye last wendsday in march yearly for Ever if Demanded. Reserving also unto us our heirs and Successors all mast Trees Growing on Said Tract of land according to acts of Parliment in that case made and Provided and for ye beetter order Rule and Goverment of ye Said Town we do by these Presents and for our Selves, onr heirs and Successors, Grant unto the Sai.l men Inhabitants, or those that Shall Inhabitt Said Town, that 235 IILSTORV OF MEKllIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. yearly and every yeare upon tlio Second Wondsday in march for Ever Shall meott to Elect and Chuse by the major part of the Proprietors then Present, Constable, Selectmen and other Town officers according to ye Laws and ujeages of our afloresaid Province with Power, li u. 1. il^. - and authority as other Towns and Town ofllcers within ..in i.i ... -...I Province have and Enjoy, and for ye Notifiing and Cullii.-^ ■: > i.i-' Towumectting we do hereby appoint Peter Woure, Esq'., .I..I.1. S..iiti. rn and Jacob Freese to be the first Selectmen, and thay to Continnr; in .S.ii.l Bespeclive office as Selectmen untill ye Second Wcndsday in ye month of march, which Shall be in ye yoaro of our Loid one thosand Seven hundred and Twenty Eight, and untill other Select men Shall be Chosen and appintcd in thare Stead in Such manner as is in these Presents Ex- presed. In Testimony where of wee have Caused the Scale of our Said Province to be hereunto affixed. " Wittncss, John Wentworth, Esq'., our Liueftenant Governor and Coraandcr in Cheife in and over our Said Provence att our Town of Portsmouth, in our Said Provence of New Hampshire, ye Twentieth Day of may, in the thirtenth of our Keigne, anno Dominc 1727. *' By order of his honour the Leifteuant Governor with the advice of theCounsell. "Jonx Wentworth. "RlcuARD M'ALbON, Clerk of ye ComiselL"* On the 13th day of March, 1728, the original pro- prietors of the town of Chichester held their first annual meeting at the house of Captain Wingate, in Hampton, and elected William Stanford clerk, and Benjamin Perkins, Benjamin Lambrc and Jethro Tilton selectmen, chose Peter Gilman, Captain John Oilman and Nathaniel Healey surveyors, and Deacon Weare, John Sanborn, Peter Gilman, John Robinson and Samuel Martin a committee to lay out the town. For some reason this committee did not act. They held other meetings, and chose other men w-ith no better success, until December 24, 1728, when they held a meeting at the house of Captain Wingate, and chose Simeon Martin, Samuel Martin, Jeremiah San- born, Captain Tilton and William Stanford a com- mittee to lay out the town, and Ichabod Roby a surveyor ; the committee to have ten shillings per day, and the surveyor fifteen. This committee, it seems, attended to the business assigned to them im- mediately; for we find them back to Hampton again January 28, 1729, when another meeting of the pro- prietors was held at the house of Captain Wingate, to pay them for services rendered. Their pilot, William Hill, received five pounds, seventeen shillings. Cap- tain Tilton six pounds, Simeon Martin six pounds, Samuel Martin six pounds, Jeremiah Sanborn and William Stanford six pounds each. This committee run what they supposed to be the line between what was then Nottingham and Chichester, and Pembroke and Chichester. Beginning at a birch-tree at the south corner of Barnstead, which they found marked with "B" and other letters, they run eight miles southwest to a beech-tree; this tree they also marked. They then run eight miles northwest to a white oak tree; having marked this tree and others near by, they returned. This running, although according to their grant, took in a part or all of Epsom. We can account for this only in this way: When the county was mostly covered with forests, grants were made without any definite ideas of exact locations. Char- ters often overlapped each other or left irregular strips of land between them. In this case it seems that the same territory was granted to Epsom and Chichester; but as the grant to Epsom antedated that of Chiches- li T by a few days, Chichester lost, and Epsom gained I 111- laud in dispute. It seems by the record that the pniprietors of Chichester did not willingly relinquish their claim to this portion of the territory embraced within their grant; but it was the source of a great deal of perplexity and vexation, if not of actual liti- gation, and committee after committee were chosen to settle the matter with Epsom, and finally a com- mittee was chosen to represent their situation to the Governor, and, if possible, get him to grant them new territory equivalent to what Epsom took from them ; but their efforts in this direction seem to have been fruitless, as there is no record of any territory being annexed to Chichester afterward. At their annual meeting, held March 12, 1729, a committee was chosen to lay out a bridle-path through the town of Nottingham to Chichester, and also select some desirable site for a settlement. This committee employed a surveyor, and reported as fol- lows : They took their departure from the end of Bow Street, in Nottingham, at a great white pine tree; thence running northwesterly through Notting- ham; thence northwest about two miles to little Suncook River (now Epsom); here they concluded was a desirable place for a settlement. Soon after the return of this committee the proprietors held a meeting, and appointed a day upon which to come up through the way just laid out, and fell the trees, and clear up the rubbish, and prepare a bridle-path, and those men who went were to receive six shil- lings, and those who remained were to pay six shil- lings. After the bridle-path had been prepared, Peter Weare, Jabez Smith, Ichabod Robey, Josiah Moulton and Jasper Blake were chosen a committee to fix upon a spot for a settlement, lay out house-lots and highways to accommodate them, locate a block- house, etc. This committee came uj) and laid out the following road: *' Beginning at the Suncook River, about forty rods below where little Suncook runs into tho main river, and run east-southeast three hun- dred rods, thence southeast one hundred rods, thence east two hundred and forty rods, thence southeast one hundred and seventy rods, thence east-southeast four hundred and twenty rods." They then selected a spot for a centre, or meeting- house lot, "about one mile upwards, on the fifth course of the above highway." They then laid out around this centre twenty-acre lots, one for each proprietor, and numbered them. This location for a settlement was in Epsom, but probably made before the proprietors Were aware of the fact. The commit- tee then returned to Hampton, made a plan of the highways and house-lots, with the numbers of each lot, submitted their plan to the proprietors, who ac- cepted it, and immediately drew their lots; but none were allowed to draw their lots until they had paid their proportion of the expenses incurred in paying them out. At a meeting held at Hampton, March 11, 1730, it was voted that "ye proprietors build a CHICHESTER. 237 meeting-house thirty-five foot long and twenty-five foot wide, and to be eleaven foot stud;" said house to be uonipleted on or before the last day of Novem- ber next. " Vo/ed, that Daniel Weare, Captain Win- gate and Nathaniel Healey l)e a committee to let out ye meeting-house." January 30, 1731, it was voted "that the meeting-house should be twenty-five foot long and sixteen foot wide, with nine foot stud, licing built with timber six inches thick, and shall be .ailed a log house." The price to be paid for this li"use was fifty pounds. The proprietors found no difficulty in finding men who, for pay, would come n\) and survey house-lots and highways, locate meet- ing-houses and forts; but when they looked for men who were willing to leave their comfortable homes in Hampton and vicinity, and come up here into the forest to fell the huge trees, and break the untried soil, and build for themselves rude log houses, through the ci-acks and crevices of which the snows of winter and rains of summer would beat, surrounded, in many cases, by hostile savages, and endure all the privations and hardships of the frontier settlers, they were not very plenty. So we find them holding meeting after meeting and taxing their inventive faculties to the uttermost to devise some plan wdiich should offer suflicieut inducement to families to settle in the new town. At one of the meetings they voted that if sixty men of the proprietors, or men procured by them, should forthwith settle in said town of Chichester, and continue here for the space of three years, they should receive two hundred pounds the first year, to be paid upon their first settlement, and one hundred and fifty pounds yearly for the next two years. May 3, 1733, it was voted "that if fifteen men, or under, would go and speedily settle in Chichester, they shall liave a full Proprietor's share throughout ye town of Chichester." There is no evidence that any one ac- cepted this otter of the proprietors. For several years we find them holding their annual and other meet- ings and discussing different plans for settling the town, also the difticulty with Epsom in relation to the dividing line between the towns. Finally a com- mittee was chosen to petition the General Court to establish the line. The committee carried the matter to the court, and the line was established, which gave the original twenty-acre house-lots, meeting-house lot and highways which the proprietors laid out soon after the grant of the township to Epsom. This made it necessary for the proprietors of Chichester to start again; hence we find them, with characteristic zeal, pushing ahead and making preparations for another survey ; and on the 26th day of June, 1749, they chose Obadiah Worth, James Prescott, Jeremiah Sanborn, Nathan Clough and Jonathan Swett a com- mittee to come up and lay out a fifty-acre lot for each proprietor. The committee employed a surveyor, came up and laid out the first division of lots in Chichester asfolli.ws: mii 1 each of Said l>uiu Nuillnvfst from a No. Olio. Then from said trees, which trees are four rods distant ooch from tlio otlier, on u North East and by North and Southwest and hy Soiitli Point of tlio com- pass, which ia tlie course that divides one lot from tlio otliei- lliron^li tlio whole division, Wo run Northwest and half of one point mure Nurlh- erly up said Canterbury road, That Ijcing the courec of mm] r.juil nciiresi, mid when w.- lind sj luii lifty rods, then we nuirki-d ii tm- tlmt sto.-J (■' . f ;■ li-: ,1 : N. Mil. 1 I iii.t Ity North from the aCun-Huid North ■^^'-i '■' '"' '■ ' ' ' I iiiiinT one again, aud then four imlB Ainl.i,,' I I i II ■■ South west and by Soiitli w.. mini- fifty roils and iiKirliod a tr.-.- tliiil stood two rods distant from said North- west half North Hue with number two, and over against said tree, two rods from said line, we numbered another tree with number two, and then fifty rods and numbered two other trees standing, in course and dis- tant as tlie trees as before described, with number three on each of said trees, all the numbers are in figures, and we layed out seventeen lots on each side of said Oanterbm-y road, ' The numbers inrroasiiiK friini one to mentioned in this return, and run South weal nil I :i i, mlr.il and sixty six rodsand there marked a tree Willi !:■ ii ^ in^li- way, then four rods for said way, then measuiiil "li' l Ii. I h.i si\ty six rods, and then marked a tree again with the letlei-s II. W., imd thim run up North west half North a tree before we began to run North west half North with the numbers one, two, both numbers on one tree, the number one on the North East side of said tree, and number two on tlie South west side of said tree, and then run fifty rods and marked another tree with one, two, as before, then fifty rodsand marked anotlier tree w ith the numbers three, four, then fifty rods and marked a tree five, six, and so on to number thirty four, and the road hereof four rods wide, it lays on the South west side of the numbered and spotted trees, aud then we re- turned again to the trees first mentioned in this return standing on Can- terhiu^' road, and from the tree that stands on the North East side of said Canterbury road, we run North East and by North one hundred and sixty six rods, and marked a tree with the letters H. W., and then measured four rods on the road ; all the roads that are upon the North East side of Canterbury road, which is the road bct\v,-,.|i tlif third and fourth range, lays on the North East side of tin [ n lui.l ininihi-n'd trees. .411 the eight ranges begin their nuinb.i- mil i i i .ml thereof and increase their numbers as they v ■ \ m. i The fifth range are all eaven numbers from two to Dm u im I h -..mid from number one to thirty three all odd numbers. R,iiii,'e tin- third is numbered from one to seventeen, both even and odd nnmbei-s. Range number four is likewise. Range number five is numbered from two to twenty-eight, all even numbers. Range number six is numbered from one to twenty seven, all odd numbers. Range number seven is num- bered from two to twenty eight, all even numbers. Range number eight is numbered from one to twenty seven, all odd ntunbers. All the lots are numbered at each end, and are one hundred and sixtj six rods long and fifty ro Is wide The ranges aie numbered from the Southwest to the North Ei»t K^nge numbei one is the South westerly range Then next IS range numl ei fu Tl n \t i i n„ thre «hirh li>s on Cantiiburj load, on tl 1 I 1 r N rth Eistn ud The first cr I turn the sjuthtdstcih ' 1 cross I id which IB foil I ' 's foul lods broad tndwheresuli il ti s ( ii t iliir\ i I tl i is a centei squaie of about foul acres, which takes olf a cornoi fuiii ta h )1 the foui lots adjoining to said loads the center square is ti exttii 1 twenty five rods on the end of each of the four lots, and twenty five rods on the side of each of s.aid four lots adjoining to said roads, and then ex- tending a straight line from the end of said twenty five rods, in a tri- angular form. The third and last cross road is four lots distant Norlli Westward from the last mentioned four rods road, and is two rods broad, and in all of this return we have regard to a Plan of said division drawn by Walter Bryant and received this day. "Walter Brjant, Obcdiah Worth, James Prescott, Nathan Clough, Jeremiah Sanborn, .Tonathan Swett, committee.' The following ia a list of the original pmprietors and the lots which they drew : ; John Odliii, range G, lot 25 ; Chris- 238 HISTORY OF MEKIUMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. fopher I'agc, ninge 8, lot 3 ; Peter Weaie, range 5, lot 20 ; Edward West. range 2, lot 21 ; Nathaniel Healey, range S, lot 12 ; Jabez Smith, range 6, lot 17 ; Josiata Bachelder, range 1, lot 32 ; Jonathan Fifield, range 1, lot 24 ; Pain Wingale, range 3, lot 17 ; Nicholas Gilinan, range 8, lot 21 ; Nathaniel Locke, range 4, lot 12 ; William Stanford, range 2, lot 25 ; Shu. ball Sanborn, range 7, lot 24 ; John Webster, range 8, lot 11 ; Benjamin Thomas, range 4, lot 1 ; Joseph Taylor, range 2, lot 5 ; Samuel Martin, range I, lot 4 ; Mathias Plant, range 3, lot 11 ; Jonathan Garland, range 2, lot 33 ; Jacob Freese, Jr., range 2, lot 16 ; Beiyamin Sanborn, range 4, lot 15 ; Daniel Wcare, range 1, lot 22 ; John Prescot, range 2, lot SI ; Minister Whipple, range 2, lot 13 ; Joshua Wingate, range 6, lot 13 ; Nathaniel Weare, range 8, lot 27 ; John Sherburn, range 6, lot 11 ; Jonathan Philbrook, range 1, lot 28 ; Beiyamin Perkins, range 7, lot 2 ; Charles Steward, range 4, lot 16 ; Charles Treadwell, range 5, lot 4 ; Nathan Longfellow, range 6, lot 7 ; John Swett, range 5, lot 14 ; Mosea Blake, range 7, lot 26 ; Jacob Freese, range 3, lot 15 ; Abram Drake, ranges, lot 25 ; John Rodman, Jr., range 3, lot 11 ; Nathaniel Drake, range 5, lot 24 ; Samuel Thyng, rauge 1, lot 2 ; Samuel Oilman, range 1, lot 20 ; Thomas Webster, range 1, lot 12 ; Peter Gilman, range 8, lot 5 ; James Leavitt, range 7, lot 12; Joseph Dearborn, range 3, lot C; John Robinson, range 5, lot 18 ; Beiyamin Lambre, range 6, lot 19 ; Jo- siah Moulton, Jr., rauge 7, lot 6 ; John Bachelder, range 6, lot 21 ; Samuel Palmer, range 5, lot 16 ■, Bezalcel Tappan, range 2, lot 31 ; Jarius Ringe, Jr., range 4, lot 14 ; Eben Weare, range 6, lot 15 ; Thomas Perce, range 2, lot 11 ; Winthrop Hilton, range 2, lot 29 ; Joseph Redman, range 1, lot 18 ; James Jaffrey, Jr., range 4, lot 11 ; John Redman, range 3, lot 14 ; Thomas Cram, range 4, lot 6 ; John Dearborn, Jr., range 4, lot 17 : Henry Russ, range 6, lot 5 ; John Gilman, Esq., range 8, lot 15 ; Andrew Wiggin, range 7, lot 8 ; Captain John Gilman, range 1, lot 2 ; John Downing, range 8, lot 17; William Fellows, range 5, lot 20; Samuel Tibbets, range 8, lot 1 ; Epraham Dennis, range 4, lot 3 ; Wil- liam Odion, range 3, lot 4 ; William Peperell, range 1, lot 34 ; Joseph Frost, range 3, lot 16 ; John Tuck, range 7, lot 4 ; Colonel 'Mark Hunk- ing, range 1, lot 8 ; David Currier, range 3, lot 7 ; Cyprym Jeffrey, range 8, lot 9; Benning Wentworth, range 1, lot 14; Hunkin Wentworth, range 4, lot 13 ; John Wentworth, range 7, lot 18 ; William Wentworth, range 5, lot 6 ; Jeremiah Sanborn, range 8, lot 19 ; Jethra Tilton, range 5, lot 8 ; Batholomew Thyng, range 4, lot 5 ; John Cram, range 1, lot 12 ; Bradstreet Wiggin, range 6, lot 27 ; Steven Sanborn, range 6, lot 1 ; Benjamin Cram, range 7, lot 28 ; Richard Wibbard, Jr., rauge 6, lot 3 ; George Jeffrey, range 3, lot 10 ; Richard Waldron, Jr., range 3, lot 3 ; Beiyamin Gaudin, range 8, lot 13 ; Jonathan Chusshing, range 2, lot 17 ; John Bradford, range 4, lot 7 ; John Jennis, range 7, lot 10 ; Hezekiah Jennis, range 3, lot 2 ; John Gerrish, range 2, lot 23 ; Peter Weare, Esq. range 3, lot 1 ; John Piaster, range 5, lot 10 ; James Davis, range 4, lot 4 ; Theodore Atkinson, range 1, lot 26 ; ^Eben Stevens, range 2, lot 19 ; Captain Paul Gerrish, range 6, lot 9 ; Richard Jennis, range 7, lot 14 ; James Jeffrey, range 4, lot 2; John Sanborn, range 1, lot 6; George Frost, ranges, lot 23; Col. Shattuck Walton, range 7, lot 16 ; George Jeffrey, range 5, lot 2 ; Richard Wibeud, range 2, lot 27 ; Colonel Thomas Westbrook, range 1, lot 16 ; Archibald Mackphedus, range 8, lot 7. John Frost, lot 30, first range ; Jothani Odiorn, lot 7, second range; Henry Sherburn, lot 20, range?; Governor Belcher, lot 10, range 1 ; each a proprietor's share, with a home lot and five hundred acres to Hon. Samuel Sbute and Governor Wentworth. The proprietors seemed anxious to know how much land they possessed up here ; so, on the 19th day of March, 1750, they chose Jeremiah Sanborn, James Prescott, Jonathan Swett, Samuel Drake and Jo- siah Shaw a committee to run the line around the town, and also lay out two fifty-acre lots to each of the proprietors. This committee employed Simeon Dearborn as surveyor, who came up and laid out the second and third division of lots ; but as this land, with the exception of one range in the third division, is now in the town of Piitsfield, it is not proper that I should give an account of the doings of this com- mittee. A large proportion of the township was now surveyed 'and lotted off, but as yet no permanent settlement had been made, although the proprietors had offered, what seemed to them, very flattering inducements. The Indian wars in which the people had been engaged and other causes no doubt pre- vented an early settlement. But in 1756, Paul Mor- rill, for five hundred acres of land, was induced to come up into the woods and commence a clearing, and make for himself and his posterity a home and a name. The tract of land which he selected was in the southwest corner of the town, and has ever since been known as " Morrill's Grant." He cleared up a piece of land and built a house near the residence of John F. French. At the " Horse-Corner " Mr. M.ir- rill cleared up a farm, upon which he spent the remainder of his days, He settled several of his sons near him, — one upon the place where John F. French now resides, another upon the place where James F. Towle lives, and still another on the C. H. Staniel's place. John Morrill, one of the sons of Paul Morrill, was born about the time his father settled in Chichester, and is supposed to be the first child born in the town, as we find that the proprietors gave fifty acres of land to the first child of Paul Morrill, born in Chichester. The proprietors continued for several years their efforts to induce others to settle here, and thereby create a demand for their land, but very little was accomplished in this direction until about 1770, when John Cram, for a grant of land and the water-power which he had discovered on the great Suncook Eiver, in what is now Pittsfield, built a saw-mill, — an institu- tion of great importance in those days, and without which no extended settlement could be made. The rich soil, favorable location and heavy growtli of timber induced the ambitious young men of Hamp- ton and vicinity to emigrate; and soon we find the Dows, Sanborns, Drakes, Davis', Hilliard.s, Browns, Hooks, Lakes and many other young men of pluck and strength coming up here, and settling in diflerent parts of the town to hew peaceful homes and fruitful farms from the wilderness, and provide a competency for themselves and families by arduous toil and rigid economy. Those of the original proprietors who had not already sold or lost their shares in consequence of not paying their taxes still remained in Hampton, selling their lands as they had o>>portunity, and hold- ing their annual meetings from year to year for the election of town officers, in accordance with the terms of their grant. Colonel Simeon Hilliard came up and settled on Brown's Hill, near the residence of the late Abner P. Brown. He had a large family of children, but none of their descendants remain in town now. About the same time came Jonathan Leavitt, Esq., who ]jur- chased a large tract of land situated on both sides of Canterbury road, a portion of which isowned and occu- pied by his grandson, Hazen K. Leavitt. Captain John Langmaid settled on the farm now owned and occupied by Samuel W. Langmaid, and the farm has CHICHESTER. 239 been in the possession of the Langmaicl family ever since. About the same time came David Brown, who bought the farm now owned and occupied by David T. Brown, who is the fourth generation from the orig- inal settler. Thomas Lake settled ou the farm where J. T. Lake now resides, Irom which the large family of Lakes descended. Joseph Dow and his brother settled on Loudon road, the former on the farm now owned by Thomas Berry and sons, and the latter near " Kelley's Corner." Joseph Dow was proprietors' clerk and afterwards town clerk, and thereby acquired the name of Clerk Dow. Soon after, Joshua Lane, Esq., and Jeremiah Lane purchased land in north part of town, and erected houses where Arthur Deering and S. R. Wat- son now reside. Captain Dyer Hook and Peter Hook purchased the intervale farm now owned and occupied by Charles H. Carpenter, Esq. The house, which Mr. Carpenter moved from its original location a few years ago, before building the new and elegant resi- dence which he now occupies, was built by Captain Dyer Hook, and is thought to be the first frame house built in town. Deacon Ebenezer Lane came to Chi- cheister in 1790, and settled on a part of the Governor AVentworth grant, in the southerly part of the town. George W. Lane, his grandson, still owns and occu- pies the farm. Joshua Lane, another grandson, resides near by, upon the farm formerly owned and occupied by his father, Eben Lane. But in 1797, John Hilyard, Joseph Dow, Joshua Lane, Jacob Sanborn, John Bickford, Thomas Lake, Timothy Prescott, Asa Lane, Daniel Tilton, James Drake, Robert Tebbetts, Jonathan Perkins, Joshua Berry, Abram Greene, John Cram, William Chase, Enoch Butler, Joseph Sanborn represented to Abram True, a justice of the peace, that they were pro- prietors, owners and grantees of more than one- sixteenth part of the township, and requested him to call a meeting for the election of proprietors' officers at the house of Lieutenant John Hilliard, in Chi- chester. This meeting was held the 25th day of July, 1797. Joseph Dow was chosen clerk, and Robert Tebbets, Esq., and Abram True, Esq., were chosen a committee to bring the record-book of the proprietors up to Chichester. It was accordingly brought up by this committee on the 4th day of December following. Another meeting was called by Abram True, Esq., agreeable to a petition of pro- prietors, on the 29th day of May, 1800. A board of officers was chosen and an attempt made to raise a tax to pay up the indebtedness of the proprietors, but not much was accomplished, except to adjourn their meeting from day to day until they had ad- journed nine times ; the last adjourned meeting was never held. These adjourned meetings occupied about three years' time, during which a large part of the proprietors' rights had been sold to pay taxes and claims. Governor Shute's five hundred acres included. Thus ends the recorded doings of the original propri- etors of our town. We have followed them from the time they obtained their grant, in 1727, to 1803, — a period of seventy-six years, — and given an epitome of their votes and transactions relative to the set- tlement of Chichester. We would be glad to give a more extended and particular account of thenu but the limited space allowed us in this work forbids. We are fortunate in having in our possession the complete records of all meetings of the proprietors, written in a legible hand and in a good state of preservation. Having said all that our limited space allows about the original proprietors, we will now go back several years and take up the " original settlers ; " and we find that on March 18, 1773, they presented a peti- tion to John McClary to call a meeting of the legal voters for the election of town officers. General Mc- Clary issued the following order : "Peovince of New Hampsuibe, Rockinqiiam, SS. ^'Whei-eas, applicatioa ib made to me, the Subscriber, one of hU Majes- ties Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid, in a petition signed by a number of the freeholders and inhabitants of the township of Chiches- ter, to call a town meeting as soon as may be, at some convenient place In Said Town, to Choose Town officers as the law Directs. Therein they Complain of never having had the advantage of any legal meeting in Said Town heretofore. Pursuant to the aforesaid application, I Do hereby notify and warn the freeholders, and other Inhabitants of the township of Chichester, qualified by law to vote at Said Meeting, to meet at the Dwelling house of John Loverin, in Said Chichester, on Thursday, the first day of April next, at ten of the clock, forenoon, then and there to Choose a Moderator to govern Said meeting, also Town Clark, Selectmen, Constable and all other town officers as the law di- rects, and to pass votes for the same. "John McClary, Justice PeacL\ Agreeable to the above order, the citizens of Chi- chester held their first town-meeting and "elected John McClary moderator and John Cram town clerk ; John Cram, Samuel Davis, Ebenezer Barton, select- men ; Samuel Prescott, Jonathan Leavitt, assessors ; .Tohn Worth, constable or collector together; Ed- ward Sargent, Edmon Rand Leavitt, John Blake and Elijah Ring, they all surveyors of highways." The settlers had scarcely got started in the new town when the difficulties which had for a long time ex- isted between the colonies and the British government assumed such formidable proportions that war seemed almost inevitable. Already people in the lower towns ofthe State were almost driven to overt acts, but were restrained by the prudence of leading patriots. The settlers, though far removed from these scenes, caught the spirit and began to make preparations for the coming storm ; for, early in 1775, they voted to enlist four Minute- Men to be ready at a moment's warning for any emer- gency, and to pay each man two shillings per day, and raised one pound, six shillings to purchase pork and bread, and store it in town for the use of the Min- ute-Men. January 23d of this year Elijah Ring was chosen as a deputy to go to Exeter to choose dele- gates to represent this province in a Continental Congress proposed to be held in Philadelidiia in Mav next. On the 8th of May, John Cram was chosen 240 HISTORY OF MKRRTMACK COIT.XTY, NP^W HAMPSHIRE. deputy to represent the town in the Provincial Con- gress to be held at Exeter on the 17th instant, with full power to "act and adopt everything according to a letter from the Provincial Committee." In 1776 the town chose Simeon Milliard, Jonathan Stanyan, Thomas Johnson, David Knowlton, Israel Hook a ■Committee of Safety, and in 1777 voted to give thirty pounds, lawful money, to each man who enlists into the Continental army for three years, and chose Jon- .athan Leavitt, Jeremiah Sanborn and Jeremiah Gar- land a committee to hire the men. They also chose John Cram, William Chase, Elijah Ring, John Lang- maid,Simeon Hilliardto regulate the prices of articles in town, so as to correspond with prices in other towns. They also voted to purchase a good supply of gun- powder, lead and flints, and store them at the house of Captain Dyer Hook for the use of the Minute-Men. In 1778 the town raised one hundred and fifty pounds, lawful money, to hire men to fill the quota of the town in the Continental army, and chose James Cram, Jon- athan Leavitt, Edward Sargent a committee to look after the families of those who had gone into the army, agreeable to a resolve of the General Assem- bly. In 1779 a convention of delegates was held at Exe- ter to draw up a new system of government, and John Cram, Esq., was chosen to represent the town. This convention met and proposed a new form of gov- ernment, which was submitted to the people and re- jected. This year a convention was held at Concord to regulate the price of articles, and Ensign Elijah Ring was chosen as a delegate from Chichester, who received twelve i)Ounds, lawful money, for his services. In 1780 the people were thoroughly aroused, and deter- mined to do all in their power to aid the Continental army and secure the independence of the colonies. They chose Captain Jonathan Leavitt and Ensign Elijah Ring a committee, with instructions to furnish all the men that may be called for during the year, from this town, as soldiers in the army; and the selectmen were also instructed to furnish the commit- tee with the money to pay them and to assess a tax upon the ratable polls to raise it. It was no easy task for farmers, at this period, with but very little of their land under cultivation, with a distant market and the difticulties attending transportation, to raise money; yet they did raise it to the extent of their ability, and when they could not raise money, they furnished beef and corn, and conveyed it to Hampton with horses and oxen. The town furnished this year six thousand five hundred and twenty pounds of beef and delivered it. In 1781 the Continental Congress asked them to furnish eight thousand one hundred and fifty pounds of beef and forty-eight gallons of rum for the army, and it was raised and forwarded. They also voted to raise all the men wanted from this town for the army during the year, and passed the following very singular vote, which not only shows the ingenuity of the people, but shows to what ex- just cause had driven tremity poverty and zeal them : *' Voted to go to raidug young stock, and that each and every citizen of tlie town who enlisted for the term of three yeani, or during the war, and actually went iuto the service, should receive, at the expiration of his term of service, twenty three-ycAr-old heifers, and chose Jeremiah Sanhorn, Captain Jabez Uaskel and Joshua Berry a committee to hire the soldiers, and voted to pay this committee forty dollars per day for time spent in furuishing the men, and thirty dollars per day for use of horse." We do not know liuw many men accepted this ofier and received the heifers; but we find the town, some time after, taking measures to procure them. This was the last vote passed by the town, as no more soldiers were called for after this year. The people of Chichester should ever remember that their ances- tors performed well their part in the great struggle of the colonies for liberty, and that no town rendered more willing and eflScient aid. If men were wanted, she furnished them without a murmur. If the fam- ilies of volunteers needed help, their wants were sup- plied, and everything that the circumstances of the people would allow was done to bring about the glo- rious consummation of the war. The Revolutionary War left the country deeply in debt. Congress had no power to establish a system of imports ; consequently heavy taxes were levied on polls and estates. This, in connection with other circumstances, produced a season of distress and suffering, from which Chiches- ter did not escape. The war over, the settlers began to talk about dividing the town ; for John Cram and his numerous friends, aided by that great civilizer, the saw-mill, had already built up quite a settlement around the water-power (now Pittsfield village). Paul Morrill and his family and friends had settled in the extreme southerly portion of the town ; so, when an attempt was made to fix upon a centre for a church, etc., a difficulty. arose which they could not surmount. The people at the north part of the town wanted it there, and those at the south wanted it there. So, on the 26th day of December, 1781, they voted to divide the town as follows : That the second division of land below Suncook River in Chichester, with that part of the third division below the river, and the six nor- therly ranges above said river in the third division, with all the privileges and proportion of public land belonging to said divisions, may be incorporated into a town or parish by themselves, with all town priv- ileges as other towns in this State. And John Cram, William Chase and Jonathan Leavitt were chosen a committee to petition the Legislature to confirm the above vote. This was done, and in 1782 the General Court created the town of Pittsfield, in accordance with the previous vote of the town. During this year the town business of both towns was carried on together; but in 1783 they divided their books. The town of Pittsfield took the " law-book," which had been the guide of the town officers hitherto, and Chi- chester took the record-books of the selectmen and town clerk. These books are in the town clerk's CHICHESTEll. 241 office in Chichester, and are iu a good state of preser- vatiou. In 1784 the town voted to purchase lot No. 3, in sixth range and first division, for a town centre and parsonage, upon which to build a house for the transaction of town business and public wor- ship on the Sabbath. This lot was purchased, and twenty acres of trees were felled preparatory to build- ing ; but they afterwards decided to build elsewhere, and sold all but two acres, which they reserved for a town cemetery. In 1785, Simeon Hilliard was chosen as a represen- tative to represent the towns of Pittsfield and Chi- chester in the General Assembly. In 1788 the new Constitution, which had been formed at Philadelphia the year before, was presented to this State for adop- tion. Considerable opposition was manifested toward it. A convention was called at Exeter to consider it, and Benjamin Sias was chosen as a delegate to repre- sent this town. This convention, after considerable discussion and delay, ratified it. New Hampshire being the ninth State to accept it. Thus the number necessary to put it into operation was complete. We have now brought our •' Historical Sketch " down to the adoption of the Federal Constitution. From this time onward, for many years, the town steadily progressed in wealth and population and all that adds to the comforts of civilized life, though we are sorry to say that there were then, and have ever been, those who were unable to support themselves and families. We think that the first man to apply to the town for help was Daniel Perkins. The town immediately held a meeting and chose a committee to aid him at the expense of the town. Other appli- cations followed. The town, for several years, either aided them at their own homes or furnished small farms for them to live upon. Afterwards, for several years, they were set up at auction, and their board for the current year struck off to the lowest bidder. In 1839 the town voted to purchase a town farm, upon which to support their paupers, and chose a committee to select a suitable one. This committee recommended a farm on Canterbury road, now owned by James B. Towle & Son. The farm was pur- chased by the town, and fitted up for the convenience of the poor. An agent was employed annually by the town to carry on the farm and take care of the paupers. This custom was continued until 1866, when the town farm was sold to its present owners, since which time the town has had but very few pau- pers, and these few have since then been boarded in town. In 1845 the town voted to build a town-house, the old meeting-house having become ruinous and unfit to hold meetings in, but for a long time were unable to agree upon a location. Several meetings were held, and considerable excitement engendered. It was finally voted to locate it on the "centre lot," near the Methodist Church. A committee was chosen, and the building framed and erected ; but before it was finished, the people at the north part of the town rallied the voters and got the former vote rescinded, and the location changed to where it now stands. Accordingly, it was taken down, moved back, erected and finished, and has ever since been used for town purposes. The next event of importance in the history ot' the town is the War of the Rebellion, and on the 14th day of December, 1861, the town passed the first vote in relation to soldiers, viz.: " Voted to aid the wives, children or parents of any inhabitants of the town who have enlisted into the military service of tlie United States agreeably to an act of the Legislature of New Hampshire, authorizing towns and cities to aid the families of volunteers, and also instructed the selectmen to pay a bounty of two hundred and fifty dollars to each volunteer who may enlist up to Sep- tember next, to fill the quota of this town under the call of the President for volunteers." At a meeting held September 21, 1862, the town voted to pay a bounty of three hundred dollars to all those who may hereafter enlist to fill U]) old regiments, and l\v(y hundred and fifty dollars to all those who may enlist into new regiments prior to September 15th, and one hundred dollars to those enlisting for nine months to fill the quota of the town. September 20, 1862, " Voted to raise twelve thousand dollars to encourage voluntary enlistment, aud voted to pay a bounty of two hundred dollars to those who may or have en- listed for nine months to fill the quota of the town under the last call of the President." September 12, 1863, " Voted to raise a sum of money to pay a bounty of three hundred dollars to those who may be drafted to serve in the military service of the United States, or to his substitute who shall be mustered into the army of the United States, and that the selectmen be authorized to borrow, on the credit of the town, the sum of five thousand dollars therefor." December 8, 1863, " Voted to raise six thousand dollars to encourage voluntary enlistment in the town of Chichester, and that the selectmen are authorized to apply the same, or such parts thereof as they may think proper, to pay bounties to soldiers to fill any quota that may be assigned to this town." June 14, 1864, " Voted to raise the sum of ten thou- sand dollars to encourage voluntary enlistment in this town, to fill any quota of the town under any call of the President during the present political year, and that the selectmen pay such bounties as they think proper to each volunteer who may, at any time during the year, enlist into the military service of the United States, and also that the selectmen pay a bounty of three hundred dollars to all persons who have been, or may be, drafted or conscripted into the military service from this town, during the existing rebellion, or to any substitute for such conscript." " Voted to raise fifteen thousand dollars in addition to the sum already raised, and that the selectmen be authorized to enlist twenty men immediately, and put them into 242 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. the service, for a reserve to fill any quota of the town during the current year." August 24, 1864, " Voted to raise twenty-five thou- sand dollars to encourage voluntary enlistments in the town of Chichester, and that the selectmen be author- ized to pay a bounty of one thousand dollars to each and every man who shall enlist from this town, and be mustered into the service of the United States for the term of one year, to fill the quota of the town under the call of the President of July 18, 1864." Sixteen men of the town enlisted under this vote, and received one thousand dollars each. December 10, 1864, the town passed its last vote in relation to raising men for the army. " Voted that the selectmen be authorized to pay a bounty of three hundred dollars to any one who has been since the date of this warrant, or may be hereafter, mustered into the military, naval or marine service of the Uni- ted States for three years, as a substitute for any enrolled man in the town of Chichester." In accordance with the above vote, Jacob S. San- born, David T. Brown, S. W. Langmaid, C. C. Shaw, John Shaw, James B. Clifford, Thomas B. Lane, Ho- sea B. Langley and James Hook furnished substi- tutes. Drafted men who furnished substitutes, — Geo. M. Munsey, Abram M. Drake, Stephen P. Perkins, John Y. Lane, Freeman H. F^gg, Moses E. Lake, Edward Langmaid, Jr., Franklin O. Kelley, George W. Towle, James P. Hook, John W. Severance, Ira Sanborn and Nathaniel S. Edmunds. Citizens of the town who enlisted and were mus- tered into the service of the United States during the Rebellion,— George S. Sanders, Elbridge G. Locke, James McGuire, .\lbert Hook, William H. Jackson, John P. Haines, Hiram E. Locke, William Spiller, Joseph C, Munaey, Frederick Brown, William Buzzell, Chellis E. Call, Charles H. Edmunds, Joseph C. Perry, Samuel M. Perry, Ira B. PeiTy, Henry M. Sanborn, James Stanyan, Charles H. Towle, Cyrus Sanborn, James H. Haines, Thomas Haines, Peter Mebier, Thomas Ames, Wil- liam Stanley, Hugh Burns, Alfred Langmaid, Charles Robey, Charles H. •Staniels, John A. West, Hiram Hook, Levi Hook, James M. Meserve, Joseph Cilley, Warren Langmaid, Jonathan H. Leavitt, William San- born, Hiram Stanyan, Edward West, George H. Haines, Herbert T. Sanborn, Charles L. Brown, Charles H. Greene, Alonzo P. Hall, James P. Hook, George P. Haines, Charles H. Johnson, James Bachelder, George A. Lear, Sewel B. Bailey, John M. Haines, James J. Locke, Joseph M. Walker, Tnie Sanborn, Jr. (enlisted September 20, ISM, Fourth Regiment, second lieutenant ; promoted to first lieutenant June 12, I8G2 ; promoted to captain November !», 1864), Jonathan P. Leavitt. The following is a list of men who were hired by the selectmen to fill the quotas of the town, under different calls of the President, and substitutes for drafted and enrolled men, — W^illiam Walker, George U. Pearson, John Ames, Thomas Eagan, John Friar, Edward Morris, Joseph Miller, William Robertson, James Noble, Wiliiani K. FhMuiiiLi. Charles Hogan, John Smith, James Johnson, John Tli.in-,. riiiL. I, -A, in I lA, ml Anster, Joseph 0. Perkins, Charles H. M . \'. - I I II L. Carr, George Johnston, Joseph Juli:, !. : ' M ,1 -. ]ih G.Johnston, Lewis Woodbury, John w .;. 11, "i;;ii 11. w-ko, William Sinclare, George W. Dwinnel, Patrick U. Garitis, Joseph Murry, Minor Smith, Peter White, Andrew J. Oilman, James Wilson. Martin Johnson, James Smith, Richard Rod- gers, Charles Anderson, John Rodgers, Thomas Williams, Nathan Munsey, George W. Fitch, Francis Bolan, William D. Locke, William Cook, John Cats, John .\mcs, John F. Stanyan. The town responded to every call of the President of the United States for men to go into the Union army, and promptly filled every quota assigned to it, paying bounties ranging from one to ten hundred dol- lars to each man. To do this, the town borrowed the money from year to year, as it was needed, and at the close of the war had incurred a debt of thirty-six thousand six hundred dollars. This amount was in notes, ranging from fifty to three thousand dollars. The interest and part of the jwincipal was paid each year until 1881, when it was found that about sixteen thousand dollars of the original indebtedness of the town remained unpaid. The town, this year, voted to fund the town debt, and authorized the selectmen to issue bonds bearing four per cent, interest annually, with one thousand dollars payable each year until the debt should be paid. The bonds were issued and sold ; hence, in about twelve years the war debt of Chi- chester will become extinct. Schools and School-Houses.— The people of Chi- chester early turned their attention to the subject of education. We find, that a few years after the settle- ment of the town, when there were but few houses, and these very much scattered, that a few pounds were appropriated " for schooling." There were then no school-houses in town, and the scholars met at private houses, and were taught to " read, write and cipher " by Joseph Dow, one of the first settlers of the town, who also filled the office of town clerk for many years, and is now remembered by the old peo- ple of the town as " Master Dow and Clark Dow^" It does not appear that the subject of education was ever lost sight of, though the poverty and distress of the people, occasioned, or at least increased, by the heavy taxes imposed upon them to raise men for the Conti- nental army during the memorable struggle of the colonies for independence, prevented the full accom- plishment of their laudable design. In 1788 the town built four school-houses, — one near the mouth of Loudon road, one on Bear Hill, one on Canterbury road and one near the settlement of Paul Morrill. The school-house last mentioned was burned in 1840, and the present one in that section of the town (Dis- trict No. 5) was erected in 1841. A school-house in the Lane District was built about 1790, which was burned in 1815, and the present house erected in 1816. In 1842 a union district of Chichester and Epsom was formed, and in 18 — , a union district of Loudon and Chichester was formed, and a school- house located on Pleasant Street. Another union school district of Chichester and Loudon was formed and a school-house built on Canterbury road, making eight school districts with as many school-houses. The money appropriated for the support of schools is divided among the several districts, according to the appraised value of property in each district. CHICHESTER. 243 The Revolution.— The following men were fur- nished by the town for the Continental army : Josiiili Harton, Epliraim Garvin, .Tonatban Locke, John Itickfoni, Nathaniel Martin, James .\hearu, Bei^aiuiu Brown, Bot\jHlnin G. Berry, Jacob Abbott, Ephraim Conner, Daniel Paige, Neil Cate, Joacph Morrill Daniel ?ieavey, Joseph Brown, Joseph Dow, Joseph Goes, Jeremiah Abbott, Eliphalet Conner, Simeon Lovering, Dudly Swain, Joshua Smith, Kiel, rd Smith, John Chase, John Maxfleld. War of 1812. — The following men were furnished by the town for the War of 1812: Joseph Dearborn, Isaac Stanyan, Samuel Drake, Theophilus Mason, Christopher Page, Jonathan Maxfield, Benjamin W. French, David P. Shaw, Edward Edmunds, David M. Carpenter, Mathew Sanborn. POPILAK VOTES OF THE TOWN. In IStXI.— For Eepresentatives to Congress : Abel Foster, 33 ; Michael WcCTary, 40 ; Samuel Tenney, 40 ; George B. Toppan, 36. ISIO.— Jonah Bartlett, 80 ; Samuel Dinsmore, 80 ; John A. Harper, SO: David Morrill, 80 ; ObedHall, 80; George Sullivan, 33 ; William Hale. 33 ; James Wilson, 33 ; Roger Vose, 33 ; Daniel Blaisdell, 33. 1820.— For Governor : Samuel Bell, 173. For Counselor; John Bell, 173. For Senator: Isaac Hill, 87 ; Ezekiel Morrill, 83 ; John McClary, 1. For Treasurer: 'SVilliani Pickering, 173. For Register: Seth ■Walker, 173. 1830.— For Governor: Mathew Harvey, 136; Timothy Upham, 36. For Counselor; Francis N. Fisk, 137 ; John W. Parson, 36. For Sena- tor : Joseph M. Harper, 135 ; Samuel Morrill, 37. For Treasurer : Jona- than Eastman, 136 ; John 'Wilson, 37. For Register of Deeds : Samuel CofBn, 133 ; John West, 34. 1841.— For Governor: John Paige, 147 ; Enos Stevens, 34 ; Daniel ' Hoyt, 10. For Counselor; Moses Norris, 146; Arthur Breams, 35; Frederick Sanborn, 9. For Senator: Peter Renton, 144; Simeon B. Little, 36 ; Samuel Forrest, 9. For Treasurer : Caleb Morrill , 147 ; D. K. Foster, 35 ; Samuel Morrill, 9. For Register of Deeds : Mitchel Gil- more, 147 ; Joseph Morrill, 35 ; John T. Morton, 9. i 1850. - For Governor : Samuel Dinsmore, 133 ; N. S. Berry, 37 ; Levi Chamberlin, 16. For Counselor : Greenleaf Clarke, 133 ; Edmund "Worth, 33. For Senator: Samuel Montgomery, 133 ; John S. Fumald, 15 : Charles E. Bartlett, 16. 1860.— For Governor : Asa P. Cate, 143 ; Ichabod Goodwin, 88. For Railroad Commissioner : Frederick Vose, 143 ; Jeremiah C. Tilton, 88. For Counselor : James Butler, 143 ; Reed P. Clarke, 88. For Senator ; Henrj- P. Rolfe, 142 ; David Morrill, 88. 1 187U.— For Governor; John Bedell, 70 ; Onslow Stearns, 74 ; Lorenzo Burrows, 5 ; Samuel Felm, 73. i 1880.- For Governor : Frank Jones, 137 ; Charles H. Bell, 90 ; George ] Dodge, 1. I Congregational Society. — From the settlement of i the town until 1791 but little is known concerning the preaching of the gospel in Chichester. We find that before and after the Revolutionary War appro- priations of a few pounds were made occasionally at their annual meetings to hire a gospel minister to preach a part of the year, but who was employed or where they preached .we have no means of knowing; but as the business meetings of the town were held alternately at private houses in different parts of the town, the presumption is that the religious meetings were held in the same way. But during the memor- able struggle for independence through which the colonies passed, although the subject was brought up at almost every annual meeting, the people were so much engaged in furnishing men for the military service, and were taxed so heavily to raise funds to procure these men, that no appropriation was made for the support of the gospel. In 1791, Kev. Josiah Carpenter, a Congregational minister, came here from Vermont and preached a part of the time, and the town raised fifteen pounds to pay him for his services; and on the 7th of June of this year the people, who for several years had contemplated building a house for public worship, but could not agree upon a loca- tion, decided to build a meeting house, which should be used for the preaching of the gospel and the busi- ness meetings of the town ; the house to be forty feet wide and fifty feet long, and fixed upon a spot a few rods east of where the town-house now stands for a location. The building committee were Abram True, Captain James Marden and Jeremiah Sanborn. The records do not tell us just when the house was completed, but they do tell us that the pews were sold at auction in 1794 to the highest bidders, at prices ranging from two to fifteen pounds. At a meeting held at the barn of Captain John Langmaid, July 23, 1791, it was voted to set apart August 3, 1791, as a day of humiliation and prayer to Almighty God for his direction and presence with them in all their undertakings; also, to call a council of neighboring ministers to establish a church in this town, in order to have an ordained minister, and Jonathan Leavitt, Hillyard Shaw and Joseph Morrill were chosen a committee to call the council and make preparations for their entertainment. The council convened August 3, and was held in connection with the exercises of fast-day. This council established the Congregational Church in Chichester. On the 3d day of September following, the town voted to extend a call to Rev. Josiah Carpenter to settle with them in the gospel ministry upon the fol- lowing terms: Salary for the first year, fifty pounds; for the second year, fifty-five pounds; for the third year, sixty pounds; for the fourth year, sixty-five pounds, and that the last-named sum of sixty-five pounds should be his stated salary each year during the time he should remain with them in the gospel ministry ; said salary to be paid yearly, as follows: One-third part in specie, computing six shillings to the dollar ; the other two-thirds in beef, pork, corn and grain at the following rates: Good grass-fed beef, at seventeen shillings nine pence per one hundred pounds ; stall-feed beef, at twenty-five shillings per hundred ; pork weighing from nine to twelve-score, four pence per pound, from twelve-score upwards, five pence per pound ; corn, three shillings per bushel ; rye, four shillings ; and wheat at six shil- lings per bushel. That until the parsonage lot should be cleared and put in condition to produce grass suf- ficient to winter and summer two cows, one horse, six sheep, the town would furnish Mr. Carpenter annually and every year with six tons of good English hay and pasturing sufiicient and convenient for the above stock ; then he was to cultivate the parsonage lot himself and to have all of the income. They also agreed to fiirnish him annually with twenty-five cords of good birch-wood, delivered at his house ; also to give him boards, shingle and clapboards to the amount of fifteen pounds and labor to the amount of forty 241: HISTORY OF MERKIMACK COUxNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. pounds, towards building him a house. Mr. Carpenter accepted the call and was soon ordained, and re- mained in the gospel ministry about thirty-five years. During these thirty-five years a tax was assessed an- nually, and in a majority of cases cheerfully paid, to pay his salary, but from the start there had been dis- senters, some on account of the location of the meet- ing-house, and some on account of conscientious scruples, not believing in compulsory support of the gospel; these dissenters became more numerous as time rolled on. The town had been accustomed to abate the minister tax of those people who furnished certificates from Kev. Ebenezer Knowlton and Eev. Benjamin Sargent, Free-Will Baptist ministers of Pittsfield, that they were regular attendants upon their meetings. After the law was passed by the State allowing individuals to form religious societies, with power to admit members, make rules and by-laws for their government. and collect taxes of its ibers the support of a minister of their own denomina- tion, it became exceedingly diffcult to collect the taxes assessed for the support of Mr. Carpenter, some posi- tively refusing to pay their taxes, and there is a tradition that in several cases the goods and chattels of delinquent tax-payers were taken by process of law and sold to pay their proportion of the minister's salary. It now became evident to the people that something must be done to dissolve the contract made in 1791 between the town and Rev. Josiah Carpenter, as his salary was still going on and the town already in arrears with him. Consequently, the town, in 1826, chose a comnuttee to make a final settlement with him. The committee attended to their duty, and on the 11th day of December of this year the following agreement was signed by both parties : u;,-,„ 1! ,„ ', 7'.f-c prfseiife; That I, Josiali Carpenter, of Chi- gl,^^,,., , : ^I .tck, and State of New Hampshire, Minister, for;,i,,l li, , ,-,!,; ,! , .1 live hundred dollars paid by the Selectmen of Cl,i, l,,.,t. ( , ,1 _ni M|., relinquish and forever abandon the made with iin-, tht said ,r.,siah Carpenter, and the town of Chichester the year 1791, being in full for my support for the term that I have maiued the minister of said towu of Chichester. ".^BEAM Drake, Thus ended the long and successful pastorate of the Rev. Josiah Carpenter in this town. Of the particular results of his public and private ministrations we know but little, as our ancient records of the church are supposed to have been burned in 18-10 ; but we have no doubt that the religious sentiment that has existed in our town during the present century is largely attributable to the pure life and wise counsels of this godly man, who for so many years " went in and out before the people." During these years the popula- tion of the town nearly doubled, and we have no doubt that the number of church-going people corre- spondingly increased. It is said that the people came from all sections of the town to attend church on the Sabbath, some of them coming four or five miles, and as there were no carriages in those days, they eithei walked or rode on horseback, not unfrequently two or three upon the same horse, and in winter to sit all day in a cold house, without any fire or any other means of artificial warmth, except in some cases the ladies carried a little tin stove, about ten inches, square, in which were deposited a few coals, which diffused a little heat in their respective family pews. Those of our people who ride to church in richl\ upholstered sleighs, to sit only half a day upon a nicely- cushioned seat, in a warm room, hardly realize the hardship and physical endurance it cost ourancestor^ to attend church. The contract between the town and Rev. Josiah Carpenter being dissolved, and universal taxation to support the Church done away with forever, we trust, the people of dift'erent religious proclivities were left free to form societies of their own, admit members, adopt rules and regulations for their government, assess and collect taxes for the support of a miuistci of their own denomination, build and repair churches, etc. Consequently, a few individuals, who were in favor of forming a Congregational society in Chiches- ter, met at the hall of David M. Carpenter, in said town, on the 20th day of December, 1826, and chose Nathan Harden, Benjamin Emery and Nathaniel Sherburne a committee to designate a title by which the society should be known. At a subsequent meet- ing the committee reported, and the meeting adopted the following title : '" The Union Congregational Soci- ety of Chichester, in the County of Merrimack." At this meeting John Chandler was elected clerk, Abraham Drake, Nathaniel Sherburne and Abijah Lane were elected assessors. For several years the church was without a settled pastor ; money was raised by the society almost every year, and expended by the committee in supplying the pulpit in the old meeting-house. Although duringthistime several can- didates were tried, it was not until 1832 that a call was given to any one to settle in the ministry. This year Rev. Rufus A. Putman preached for a while, and the church and the society were so much pleased with him that the church, on the 30th day of July, 1832, voted to give him a call to settle with them in the gospel ministry, and chose 'Deacon Enoch Tilton, Deacon Ebenezer Lane and Joshua Lane, Esq., to present the call. On the same day the society voted to concur with the church in regard to giving a call to Eev. E. A. Putman and settling him in the min- istry, and chose D. K. Foster, E. K. Webster and John Slarden to act in unison with the committee chosen by the church. On the 6th day of August following, the Rev. Ru- fus A. Putman accepted the call, and remained the settled pastor of the church and society for twelve years, and with the exception of his illustrious predecessor, Mr. Carpenter, the longest pastorate any minister ever had in Chichester. Mr. Putman is CmCHKSTKR. remembered by the old people of the town as a man of sterling qualities and undoubted piety, and noted more for his depth of thought than for brilliancy of oratory. The old edifice, which had been used for so many years as town-house and church, was now in rather a dilapidated condition, and must either be repaired or a new church built. As is always the case under such circumstances, the society were divided in opinion, some being in favor of repairing the old house and others in favor of building a new one ; finally, the latter class triumphed, and David M. Car- penter, J. N. 0. Leavitt and Simeon Stevens were chosen as a building committee. But here again the question of location, which had disturbed the fathers so much almost a half-century before, when contem- plating building the old church, presented itself again ; but after holding several meetings and discus- sing the matter thoroughly, Stephauus Kelley, Chas. H. Staniels, Jonathan Mardeu, Benjamin Farring- ton and Samuel S. Moultou were chosen a committee to select a location for the new church. This committee, after considerable delay, reported in favor of the spot where the Congregational Church now stands. A plan was procured and estimates made, and the con- tract to build awarded to Newell Sanborn for one thousand eight hundred dollars. The house was finished the latter part of 1838, the majority of the pews sold, the bills paid, and from that day to this the society have had no debts of any amount existing against them. Although the church has had new blinds and been several times painted and otherwise repaired, the bills have always been paid by the soci- ety. In 1843, the people no longer desiring the services of Rev. Rufus A. Putman, he was dismissed. In 1844, Rev. Ezekiel Dow preached a part of the year, and on September 1st of that year Rev. Chas. Willey commenced preaching, and preached one year on trial, when the church and society gave him a call to settle with them in the gospel ministry. He accepted the call, and on October 15, 1845, he was ordained, and continued to preach and labor among us until Decem- ber 3, 1860, when a council was called and he was regularly dismissed. The church and society were without a settled pastor for several years. During this time several candidates were employed, among them Rev. Thomas Kidder, until, in 1853, Rev. Silas Blanchard commenced preaching, and preached for about four years. In 1858, Rev. Joshua Gay com- menced preaching, and preached for five years. The society was without a pastor for some time. In 1865, Rev. Mark Gould commenced preaching and preached until 1872. In 1873, George A. Foss preached for a while, when the church and society, on January 26, 1874, voted to give him a call to settle with them in the gospel ministry. He was ordained February 24, 1874, and preached for about three years, when a council was called to convene at Chichester Septem- ber 7, 1877, and dissolve the pastoral relations exist- 16 ing between pastor and people. The church was without regular preaching for a time, during which time several candidates were tried, when the assessors secured the services of Rev. John F. Aiken, who commenced preaching in 1879 and preached until August, 1880, when, after a brief illness, he died. This was a sad day for the Congregational Society in Chichester, for, within my recollection at least, no man in our town ever had the respect and love of the people, which amounted almost to adoration, that was manifested for Rev. John F. Aiken. The church was without a pastor until 1882,when Rev. H. W. L. Thurs- ton commenced to preach, and remained until the fall of 1884, when he resigned and went away. Free Baptist Society.— In 1824 and 1825 an ex- tensive revival of religion prevailed in Chichester, as the result of a series of meetings held in difl'erent sections of the town by Rev. William Swain, a Free- will Baptist minister from Pittsfield. Up to this time there had been no Baptist society in town, although there were many favorable to that denomination, who had attended meeting at the Baptist meeting in Pitts- field, at which Rev. Ebenezer Knovvltou and others preached. During this revival, at the meetings and on other occasions, the expediency of forming a Free- will Baptist Church in Chichester was discussed. Finally they laid the subject before the Eldere' Con- ference of the New Durham Quarterly Meeting, held at Loudon in May, 1825. The Conference, after duly considering the matter, decided in favor of forming a church, and appointed Elders Winthrop Young, Samuel Dyer, Ebenezer Knowlton, Arthur Caverno to organize the church. On the 27th day of May the above-named elders, with the exception of Elder Dyer, met the people at the house of Benjamin Kaime and organized by choosing Elder Winthrop Young as moderator and Elder Arthur Caverno as clerk. A church was here formed, consisting of the following baptized members: Benjamin Kaime, Ebenezer Fel- lows, Stephen Robey, John Fellows, Samuel B. Miller, Dearborn Mason, Levi Staniels, Sarah Fellows, Mary Miller, Sally Kaime, Rhoda Page, Mary Mason. xVt this meeting Benjamin Kaime was chosen clerk of the church. The church was now organized and ready for Christian work, but had no church edifice in which to hold their meetings. So the next thing to claim their attention was the raising of funds for this purpose. They set about it with characteristic zeal. Benjamin Kaime gave the land upon which to set the church, and many others contributed generously ac- cording to their means, so that in 1826 the house was built and dedicated, Elder Caverno preaching the dedicatory sermon. Jeremiah Lane, Joshua Lane, Stephen Perkins, Stephen Robey, Benjamin Kaime, Simon Mason, Edmund Mason, Nathaniel Bachelder, Josiah Page, Obadiah Marston, Eben(^zer Fellows, John Fellows, Henry Robey, John Berry and Amasa Kelley were the principal tontributors. The church IllSTOllY OF MEKKIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIKE. completed, they then set themselves to work in earnest to procure a minister, but it was not until December, 1827, that they succeeded in obtaining one. Then Elder William Swain, of Pittsfield, was settled as pastor, who continued to preach and labor among them for six years, at the close of which, although he ceased to be their pastor, he continued to preach occasionally in the church during the remainder of his life, and also attended many funerals of former parishioners and friends, and to the close of his life was always deeply interested in the [jrosperity of the B:i|itist ( 'hurch in Chichester. He spent the last years Tohn Moulton, clerk ; John flioulton, Joshua James, Jeremiah Laue, selectmen. 17>I- ^' - 1 u n clerk ; selectmen same as previous year; Alinni. !■ . ■ ; mim-. US],: - ^1 " '*:. I'l^vii clerk; selectmen same as two previous years; Moses f^'-iivf^, representative. 814. — Jacob Moulton, town clerk ; JosephSanborn, Jacobs. Moulton, John Marden, selectmen ; Moses Seavey, representative. 1815.— Jacob Moulton, town clerk; selectmen same as last year ; Moses Seavey, representative. 1816. — Jacob Moulton, town clerk; Joshua Laue, Asa Lane, John Marden, selectmen ; Moses Seavey. representative. 1817. — Joshua Lane, John Marden, James Hook, selectmen ; Samuel Langley, representative. 1818. — Jacob Moulton, town clerk; selectmen same as previous year ; Samuel Langley, representative. 1819. — Jacob Moulton, town clerk ; Joshua Lane, Enoch Tilton, Moses Seavey, selectmen ; Joshua Lane, representative. 1820. — D. M. Cari>enter, town clerk ; Joshua Lane, James Hook, James Blake, selectmen ; no representative. 1821.— D. M. Carpenter, town clerk ; Josiah Mason, Jacob S. Moulton, Nathaniel Sherburne, selectmen ; Joshua Lane, representative. 1822.— D. M. Carpenter, town clerk; Henry Robey, James Batchel- der, Ephraim Leavitt, selectmen ; David M. Carpenter, representative. 1823.— D. BI. Carpenter, town clerk ; Henry Robey, James Batchelder, John Marden, selectmen ; D. M. Carpenter, representative. 1S24.— D. M. Carpenter, town clerk ; selectmen same as previous year ; D. M. Carpenter, representative. 182;"(.— D. M. Carpenter, town clerk ; Henry Robey, James Batchelder, Cal.'b Parker, selectmen ; D. M. Carpenter, representative. 1826.- D. M. Carpenter, town clerk; Joshua Lane, James 1 John Marden, selectmen ; D. M. Carpenter, representativi 1827. — Cheney Reed, town clerk ; Benjamin Emery, Jan Daniel Kelley, selectmei 1828.— Cheney Reed, t Carpenter, representatii 250 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NE\V HAMPSHIRE. 1829.— D. JI. Carpenter, town clerk ; Henry Robey, James Batcbelder, David Drake, selectmen ; .Samuel Sargent, representative. 1830.— D. M Carpenter, town clerk ; David Drake, John True, Uenry Robey, selectmen ; Samuel Sargent, representative. 1831.— D. M. Carpenter, town clerk; Benjamin Kaime. James Bntcli- elder, Abrani Drake, selectmen ; Henry Robey, representative. 1832.— Satlianiel Sb.Tl.iii n. t ■« n Irk: \brani Drake, John True, Beryainin Kaiiiii". seltTlijj. I, II I: : ■ i-ii-sentative. 1833.— Niitlianivl Sli.rin:: 1 1. tiry Robey, John True, Abram Drake, seiectnit-ii ; .N.^rljnn. 1 ^Ij^ it iuji. i-epresentative. 1834.— Nathiiniel SllcH.iirn, lovm .UtK ; J. N. C. Lcavitt, James Batcbelder, Henry Robey, selectmen ; Nathaniel ISi). I siiirbnrn, town clerk; D.R. Keiley, D. M. Carpen- r - !■ rtmen ; John True, representative. e as previous l,s,;7 Niih. I -h. 1 1. Tiro, town clerk : D. K. Foster, G. S. Mason, William ^Wiiii), sclectiin-n ; James Batcbelder, representative. 18.38.— Nalhiiuiel Slierburu, town clerk ; selectmen same as previous year ; James BatchcUIer, representative. 1839. — Nathaniel Shorburn, town clerk ; Nathaniel Sherburn, John Baily, H. C. Knowltou, selectmen ; J. N. C. Leavitt, representative. 1840.— E. Langnmid, town clerk ; selectmen same as previous year, J. N. C. Leavitt, representative. 1841.— E. Langmaid. town clerk ; D. R. Keiley, James Batcbelder, H. C. Knowlton, selectmen ; John Bailey, representative. n clerk ; D. M. Carpenter, Nathaniel Seavey, D. R. Keiley, seleclnni 1843.— E. L:nip .1 C, Knowlton, ^-l, i,, 1844.— E. Liiii, I Hail '■ - Miison, D. M. Carpenter, H. - . I . ] .1 esentative. I I ni^iiil, D. M. Carpenter, G. I ' ivii'iwlton, Malachi Haines, Ki ■ u- 11, representative. 1 i Hi^iiiaid. Malachi Haines, lijw ,l_ij, representative. i. i E. Langmaid, D. E. Keiley, J. N. C. Leavitt, selectmen ; George S. Mason, representative. 1848. — H. C. Knowlton, town clerk ; selectmen same as previous year ; George S. Mason, representative. 1849.— H. C. Knowlton, town clerk ; H. C. Knoivlton, Peter J. Hook, G. S. Mason, selectmen ; Edward Langmaid, representative. 1830.— H. r. Kiwwlton, t,.vvn clnrk ; 11. C. Kiu.wUmd, P,.ter .F. Hook, George S. Mason, select n li 184C.— H. C. Knowlton, i G. S. Mason, selectmen ; ll'^-.-i 1847.— H. C. Knowlton, town , J. C. Joshua Laue. Thomas , Thomas Berry, John 1853.— E. Langmaid, t"iM. I 1 Berry, selectmen; John l,:tl. i : i 1854.— E. Langmaid, tcvvnlil, I: S. Durgin, selectmen ; John Lake, n-i'ieseiitative. 1855. — E. Langmaid, town clerk; H. C. Knowlton, James Blake, Beixjamin F. Leavitt, selectmen ; Charles H. Carpenter, representative. 1856.— E. Langmaid, town clerk ; H. C. Knowlton, B. F. Leavitt, Hiram Bachelder, selectmen ; Charles H. Carpenter, representative. 1857.— William F. Locke, town clerk; Charles H. Carpenter, Hiram Bachelder, JIadison Bailey, selectmen ; Benjamin F. Leavitt, represen- tative. .9.— William F. Locke, town clerk ; J. N. C. Leavitt, J. L. Bachel- L'harles H. Carpenter, selectmen ; Joshua Lane, representative. III.— John Fellows, town clerk ; J. N. C. Leavitt, J. L. Bachelder, J. erburn, selectmen ; Joshua Lane, representative. 18C1.— John Fellows, Stephen Perkins, 1862.— David T. Brown, Stephen Ferkins, selectmen 1863.— David T. Brown, i 1805.- clerk ; J. N. C. Leavitt, J. S. Sherburn, homas Berry, representative, ■n clerk ; J. L. Bachelder, Amos Hoyt, homas Berry, representative, n clerk ; J. L. Bachelder, C. H. Carpen- ter, Amos Hoyt, selectmen ; Moses R. Lake, representative. 18C4.— David T. Brown, town clerk ; C. H. Carpenter, G. S. Mason, D. A. Farrington, selectmen ; Moses R. Lake, representative. Charles Lake, town clerk ; C. H. Carpenter. D. A. Fnninston, ion, Keleetnien ; MatU-»on Bi 1866.— Charles Lake, town clerk ; D. A. Farrington, David T. Brown, C. 8. Stevens, selectmen ; Madison Baily, representative. 1867.- Charles Lake, town clerk ; David T. Brown, C. S. Stevens, -Augustus Lea\itt. selectmen ; Hiram Bachelder, representative. 1868.— Charles Lake, town clerk; A. Leavitt, Charles C. Shaw, John Fellows, selectmen ; Hiram Bachelder, representative. 1869. — John C. Leavitt, town clerk ; selectmen same t- s previous year j John S. Sherburn, representative. 1870.— John C. Leavitt, town clerk; A. Leavitt, Charles Lake L. W. Towie, selectmen; John S. Sherburn, representative. 1871.— G. W. Lane, town clerk ; Augustus Leavitt, Charles Lake. Lewis W. Towle, selectmen ; no representative. 1872.— G. W. Lane, town clerk ; Charles Lake, James S. Greene, L. W. Towlo, selectmen ; Samuel Langmaid, representative. 1873.— George W. Lane, town clerk ; Augustus Leavitt, S. Ambrose Brown, Asa F. Hutchinson, selectmen ; Samuel W. Langmaid, represen- 1874.— G. W. Lane, town clerk ; S. Ambrose Brown, Asa F. Hutchin- son, Jeremiah L. Perkins, selectmen ; John Fellows, representative. 187S— Charles Lake, town clerk ; David T. Brown, Hiram Bacheliler, .lacob S. Sanborn, selectmen ; John Fellows, representative. 1876. — Charles Lake, town clerk ; J. S. Sanborn, John Shaw, George M. Warren, selectmen ; Carpenter S. Stevens, representative. 1877,— C. A. Langmaid, town clerk ; .John Shaw, George 51. Warren, Horace Carpenter, selectmen ; Charles Lake, representative. 1878,— C. A. Langmaid, town clerk ; D. T. Brown, G. Munsey, Horace Carpenter, selectmen ; Charles Lake, representative. 1879.— C. A. Langmaid, town clerk ; D. T. Brown, George Munsey, Stephen R. Watson, selectmen ; George W. Lane, representative. 1880. — C. A. Langmaid, town clerk ; A. Leavitt, .\lbert Sanborn, Jacob S. Sanborn, selectmen ; Geo. W. Lane, representative. 1881.- C. A. Langmaid, town clerk ; .\ugustus Leavitt, Jacob S. San- born, .\lli..-rt Sanhi.rn, seliTtmeu ; David T. Brown, representHtive. is.^j (■ \ 1,11,^111 111, town clerk ; G, M. Warren, Noah Eihnunds,, Ben.|:iiiii - . M ; DavidT, Brown. IN-: \ i: -M.T, town clerk ; George M. Warren, Noah G^ Edniuiil-, C,ii,,.i:iiiu --li,i\\, selectmen; Hiram Hook, representative. 1884.— Nathaniel Bachelder, town clerk ; Noah G. Edmnnds, Benja- min Shaw, Nathan Fitts, selectmen ; Hiram Hook. 1885.— Walter S, Langmaid, town clerk ; N. G. Edmunds, John S. Sherburn, ,\brain 31, Drake, selectmen ; Charles C. Shaw, repiescnta- Manufacture of Carriages and Sleighs.— .A.bMit 1857, Mr. Eeubeii Locke and four sons, all journeymen carriage-painters, came here from Gilmantowu ami erected a commodious shop for the manufacture of carriages and sleighs, and for some five years carried on quite an extensive business in that line, especially in the department of carriage-painting ; but the war for the suppression of the Rebellion coming on, the sons all enlisted into the Union army ; the father,^ left alone, soon sold out and left town. Not much was done in the carriage business for several years, but, in 1867, Mr. George H. Haines, a Union soldier,, began the carriage business in a small way in the shop formerly occupied by the Lockes. From the commencement Mr. Haines' business steadily in- creased, so that in 1869 it became necessary to occupy more commodious and convenient buildings; he there- fore erected his main shop, the lower story of which he uses for a wood-shop and the upper story for a paint-shop and trimming-room ; also erected a black- smith-shop, and soon after built a large two-story building for storing stock and finished carriages, in which can be found at all seasons of the year a large variety of carriages and sleighs of different styles and values. A few years ago Mr. Haines built a second blacksmith-shop, and more recently purchased the old Advent Chapel and fitted it up for a salesroom CHICHESTER. for his wares, making in all five large buildings, all of which are used to their uttermost capacity in his increasing business. Mr. Haines not only has a home trade, but is shipping his goods to Boston and other cities of New England. Turnpike. — The construction of a turnpike road from Concord to Piscataciua bridge, in Durham, tlirough the town of Chichester, was one of the greatest events of the eighteenth century to the original settlers. For, previous to the building of this turnpike, Canterbury road had been the great tlioroughfare upon which the people traveled, who had occasion to pass through the town. The road was very cheaply built, and without sufficient bridges, so that at times it was almost impracticable for travel. This was the first constructed turnpike in New Hampshire. The company building it was in- corporated in 1797. Upon its completion and for many years afterward there was an extensive travel upon it. Merchants from Central New Hampshire and Vermont transported their goods from Ports- mouth up over this road, and immense (juantities of lumber, beef, pork and farm- produce was carried down to exchange for goods. Toll-gates were estab- lished at different points along the line of the road, and gate-keepers appointed to collect toll of travelers using the road. The extensive travel upon the road made a demand for hotel accommodations. Consequently one was erected in Chichester, and kept by John T. Leavitt, who did a flourishing business. This house is still standing and owned by Charles C. Drake. After Leavitt, Benjamin Emery and John Langly kept the house. In 1817, when President Monroe passed down the turnpike from Concord to Dover, he halted here for a while to rest his horses; and many were the calls made by Daniel Webster and other distinguished jurists and public officials when going to and from Portsmouth. Creneral Lafayette, when he visited this country (1824), passed over this road. In 1807, Gen- eral James Blake erected a hotel and blacksmith- shop, and carried on an extensive business until 1838, when he left, and his son, James M. Blake, contin- ued the business until 1844, when he closed up. The lucrative business which hotel-keepere and toll-gate keepers had done on the turnpike was now at an end; for other routes and means of transportation had been discovered. The railroad and steam-engine were already taking the place of the turnpike and horses and oxen. The company that built the turn- pike gave it up ; the town took it up, and have ever since kept it in repair. A. J. Sherburn kept a hotel here, on the Blake place, from 1862 to 186S-, when his hotel was burned. Country Stores.— The first store was kept on the turnpike by a Mr. Bradley, in 1800. Next came Benjamin Emery, in 1817, who remained for several years. Then Jonathan Pierce and Olive Smart com- menced keeping store in 1825, and did business four or five years, who were succeeded by Philip Kodgors, who also remained tour or five years. Then Jon- athan Pierce again, from 1833 to 1839. Benjamin Leavitt & Son kept a grocery-store for a while about 1870. Nathaniel Seavey commenced keeping store in 1833, and did a successful business until December 4, 1851, when he was suddenly seized with violent hemorrhage in his store and died. Mr. Seavey was a man who carried into the business transactions of every-day life all the Christian virtues, and was known, far and wide, as the honest merchant. Messrs. Fisk & Fellows kept a grocery-store at '.he Pine Ground from 1830 to 1835. Mr. Charles Hop- kinson also kept a store a while there. Henry Robey did business for several years; then Sumner Spaul- ding traded a while, when Joseph Morse purchased the store and goods in 1863, and has kept a country store since. George P. Haines commenced trading at the Pine Ground in 1847, and carried on the man- ufacture of matches, in connection with his store for several years; then kept hotel for a while; he also carried on quite an extensive shoe manufacturing a number of years, since which time he has continued his store only. Mr. Haines is a veteran merchant, having been in trade longer, and sold more goods tlian any of his cotemporaries or predecessors, and is celebrated throughout this section of the county for honesty and fair dealing. In 1857 a union store building was erected at Chichester Centre, near the Methodist meeting-house, and Carter Wilder kept a country store for several years, when John S. Drake bought the goods and continued the business for three or four years, when he sold out to Jonathan H. Leavitt. Mr. Leavitt remained in the grocery business several years, when Charles L. Brown purchased the stock of goods and continued the business for a while. Next came Jon- athan Kendall, Jr., son of Jonathan Kendall, of Lowell, Mass., who remained several years in trade, when Augustus Sheldon purchased the goods and leased the store building. Mr. Sheldon kept a gro- cery-store and also the post-office for two or three years, when Herbert T. Leavitt, son of Hazen K. Leavitt, came here from Tilton, N. H., where he had been in successful business for several years, and purchased the stock in trade of Mr. Sheldon, filled up the store with a choice line of groceries and dry- goods, and has ever since done a flourishing business for a country merchant. Mr. Leavitt is quite an extensive dealer in corn and flour, having last year leased a building erected for the purpose, at the Chi- chester railway station, for storing his corn, flour, grain and other heavy goods which he is constantly receiving from the West by the car-load. Cemeteries. — There are five public cemeteries, besides several private ones, in town. For the first fifty years of the town's history the dead were buried upon their own land or that of their neighbors, or, in some cases, several families would unite in inclo- 252 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. sing a small piece of ground for a cemetery. Due of these is located on Brown's Hill, in the north part of i the town, in which many of the early settlers in that ] section of the town are buried. We find that one hundred or more are buried in tliis cemetery. Many of these graves will forever remain unknown, as no marked stone has been erected. In fact, we find i upon no grave-stone in town an earlier date than 1804, and this ui>on the grave-stone of Jonathan j Leavitt, Esq. Another cemetery is located near the hearse-house, on Canterbury road, in which were buried several of the early settlers of the town. The first settled minister of the town, and several mem- bers of his family, including Hon. David M. Carpen- ter, were buried here, and a fine marble monument marks their final resting-place. Very few persons have been buried here during the past forty years. Another cemetery is located near the former resi- dence of H. C. Knowlton, Esq., in which were buried the early settlers of that section of the town, — the Leavitts, the Lanes, the Staniels and othens. The yard has recently been enlarged and improved. The town cemetery, situated at the Pine Ground (so called), containing two acres, was set apart by the town for a public burial-place, and is one of the most suitable locations for such a purpose to be found in town. There are over one hundred aud fifty persons buried here, a large proportion of whom have died within the last twenty-five years ; and about a dozen marble and granite monuments are erected. Among the most expensive and beautiful, are the granite ones erected by Charles H. Carpenter, Esq., and Charles C. Shaw, Esq. Reuben Lake and the Hook family have fine marble monuments. The new cemetery, situated on a beautiful swell of land, a few rods west of the Methodist Church in Chichester, was built by a stock company incorpo- rated at the session of the Legislature in 1854. The original stockholders were Hazen K. Leavitt, Solo- mon Leavitt, Jacob P. Leavitt, Benjamin F. Leavitt, G. W. West, Moses W. Page, Richard Locke, True Sanborn, True Sanborn, Jr., and Benning Sanborn. This company purchased several acres of land, in- closed it with a neat and substantial fence, constructed a beautiful drive-way across a valley to it, divided it ofl" into lots, set out shade-trees and otherwise im- proved it. Many of the lots have been sold, and one hundred and thirty persons of all ages are buried here. Some very fine monuments have recently been erected, notably those of Hazen K. Leavitt and Benning Sanborn. The following persons paid taxes tci the amount of ten dollars and over in 1812: .lohn MaxSeld . . Ebenezer Lane . David Miller . . MiciOali Morrill , John Borry SUI.97 Peter Hook 19.40 James Hook 15.40 Malachi Haines 11.00 Joshua Lane 12.7(i Jeremiah Lane n.fiO William Lake 13.03 Mmund R. Leavitt . Samuel Sargeut . . . Abram True . . . Samuel Langley John T. Leavitt . ten dollars and upwards in .\bram True S10.27 • Moses Soavey 10.61 John Stanyan 11.49 Stephen Perkins 10.90 John T. Leavitt 10.41 Thomas Lake 12.65 Simeon Lane 11.20 1 Joshua Lane 13.74 Amaaa Kelley 10.33 James Hook 11.26 David Brown 11.78 James Blake 12.03 Caleb Peai^on . . . . . . .S10.66 Jacob Stanyan . . . .... 10.47 Josiah Shaw . . . . .... 11.27 John Stanyan . . . .... 12.73 David Brown . . . .... 12.34 id taxes to the 1820' amount of Benjamin Shaw . . . . . .511.20 Jeremiah Sanborn .... 11.00 Caleb Parker . . . .... 10.27 Samuel Langley . . .... 10.19 Jonathan Leavitt .... 11.32 William Lake. . . .... 18.48 Jeremiah Lane . .... 14.35 Philip C. Kelley. .... 13.74 Malachi Haines . .... 11.27 Peter Hook . . . .... 12.35 James Brown . . .... 10.72 The following persons paid taxes to the amount of ten dollars and over in 1830 : Jami'S Blake . . . . David M. Carpenter . Samuel Langley . . . Peter Hook $20.12 William Lake 13.97 Stephen Perkins 14 61 Jacob Perkins 13.33 | The following persons paid taxes to th ten dollars in 1840 : John Berry James H. Blake . . . David M. Carpenter . Abram Drake . . . . L C. Greenough . . . , S13.39 . 15.06 . 19.54 . 13.75 Peter Hook . . Jeremiah Lane Isaiah Lane . . Joh. John Lake (2d) 10.99 David P. Shaw 11.09 The following persons amount of ten dollai-s : James Brown $11.58 Thomas Berry 11.32 Nathaniel Bachelder . . ■ 10. ,57 James Blake 12.76 Charles H. Carpeuter. . . . 12.42 Ahram Drake 1U.86 Edward Edniumis 12.17 Nathaniel lidgerly Joshua Lane .... Moses G. Lane .... Isaiah Lane Edward Langmaid. . 10.11 . 11.85 . 22.13 . 23.06 . 1231 . 14.37 n Kaime 10.27 Perkins, Jr . . . . 24.32 Shaw 20.70 iw 10.04 itauyau 12.66 Stevens 10.50 John Lake . . . True Lake . . . J. N. C. Leavitt . Richard Locke . Harris Marden . . Nathan Marden . Daniel P. Maxfiel Robert Munsey . Nathaniel Messer Jacob Perkins . . Stephen Perkins . William Swain . .\bram Stanyan . The following persons p; in 1860: The following persons paid taxes to the amount of fifty dollars in 1870: L. A. Foster S.M.SI S. Ambrose Brown . Thomas Berry .... Charles H. Carj^enter Chandler Hutchinsou E. Langmaid .... Samuel \V. Langmaid John Shaw J. S. Sanborn .... $56.07 104.24 272,50 50.50 52.12 00.80 69.55 64.01 William Lake 72.07 M. R. Lake 78.64 Josiah Lake 65.50 Nathan Marden 50.85 Oliver Messer .5.5.90 Stephen Perkins 139.40 Benjamin Shaw 60.05 ^iM' ^. 'Le CHICHESTEK. 253 The followiug persons paid taxes to the amount of tifty dollars in 1880: 1 h-iiia- lli'iry $73.0(1 Charles H. Car|ieiiter . . .5:100.42 I I I ....... 60.18 Charles Lake 12:!.2G I kins 99.40 JohuShaw nsi.3r, I !. -hjw 55.40 J. S. Sanborn .',3.(i(i ■I ^-il.-Muure 68.96 Samuel \V. Langmaid .. . .',0.4G l-.ilali Laue 50.60 ISM.— Amount of money tax, Sl;i7."i.l;i ; school mone.v, S3G3.22 ; poll i;.\, 51.T:; ; salaries of town officers, S;i4.18. 1 - \ iiiMunt of money ta.\es, Slo:i2.54 ; school money, S370.83 ; : :: . - 1 :r. -. salaries of town offlcere, Sni.:J7. \:ijuunt of money taxes, S1S87.03 ; school money, S626.32 ; I j; ux. ;l.o'J ; salaries of town officers, $123.06. 1 ~T0.— Amount of money ta.tcs, $5934.76 ; school money, $CO4.80 ; I 'U tax, S3.00 ; salaries of town officers, $283.70. 1 SJO.— Amount of money taxes, $4867.86 ; school money, $726.38 ; 1 .11 tax, $1.6-2 ; salaries of town officers, $356.75. 18S4.— Amount of money taxes. $3833.43 ; poll tax, $1.26 ; salaries of tnwn officers, $279.92 ; amount of school money, $907.03, divided among ttie several school districts as follows: District No. 1, $127.77 ; No. 2, >1 .:j.l8 ; No. 4, $115.24 ; No. 5, $105.76 ; No. 6, $178.31 ; No. 7, $63.03 ; Xm. S, $139.16 ; No. 9, $52.58. Tuwn property : Town-house at cost, $475 ; hearse-house and hearse, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. CHARLES H. fARPENTEK. Charles H. Carpenter was born in Chichester, De- ' mber 18, 1818. He had an illustrious and patri- tii- ancestry, which is traced in a direct line to Wil- Imih Carpenter, who emigrated from England in lo3S, and settled in Weymouth, Mass. From his son Joseph the line of descent is easily traced to Josiah, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who was born in Stratford, Conn., October 6, 1762. Though but fourteen years of age at the breaking out of the War of the Revolution, himself and three brothers served in the patriot army, and one of the brothers was killed at Rosbury Neck. After the war Josiah entered Dartmouth College and graduated in the class of 1787. He then studied for the ministry, and on November 2, 1791, he was installed as pastor to the first organized Congregational Church in Chichester, where he remained for nearly forty years, when he died, beloved and respected by all. He ever labored earnestly and diligently for the public good, and was highly esteemed as a citizen and minister of the gos- pel. He married, April 13, 1790, Hannah Morrill, of Canterbury. They had six children, David Morrill being the second one. He was the father of Charles H. David Morrill Carpenter was born in Chichester November 16, 1793. He received a good academic education and commenced active business in his na- tive town as a country merchant, and followed it, with much success, for a number of years. He then turned his attention to agriculture, purchased an exten- sive farm and cultivated it for several years in a most successful manner. Nothwithstanding the constant de- mands of his private occupation, his services were con- stantly claimed by his fellow-citizens, and fortweuty- five years he held one or more of the various town offi- ces and for several years represented his native town in the State Legislature. He discharged all his official duties with ability and fidelity. He also held county office as one of the commissioners for Merrimack County. He was for a long time one of the directors of the Mechanics' Bank of Concord, and for more than thirty years one of the trustees of the Merrimack County Savings-Bank, in the same city, and rarely failed to attend the weekly meetings of the boards of both institutions. He was married, J:inuary 13, 1818, to Mary Perkins, daughter of Jonathan Cliesley Per- kins, who settled in Loudon in 1788, where he cleared a large farm and became a prosperous and influential citizen. The children of David M. and Mary (Per- kins) Carpenter were Charles H., Josiah, Clara A., Sarah L. and Frank P., besides two daughtere, who died in early life. Subsequently, Jlr. Carpenter re- moved to Concord, where he died December 9, 1873, his wife having died seven years before, on November 4, 1866, at the age of sixty-eight years. He was a man of wide influence and univereally respected in the community where he was known. Charles H. Carpenter, whose engraving appears on another page, received a common-school and academic education. When he was ten years of age his father gave up his store and bought a farm at Chichester Centre, where young Carpenter remained till he was of age, working on the farm summers, attending school at other seasons, and teaching school for sev- eral winters. The homestead where he was born has since been used as a parsonage. Young Carpen- ter possessed the military, patriotic spirit of bis an- cestry, and became actively interested in military af- fairs while yet a young man. He received a lieuten- ant's commission at the age of nineteen, and was subsequently commissioned a captain in the Thirty- eighth Regiment. He had his company uniformed, and it became an object of much pride to the young captain as well as to the whole regiment. When he became of age he went to live with his uncle, Jacob Perkins, a brother of his mother, who lived on the large farm that, as it happened. Rev. Josiah Carpen- ter moved to in 1791, and where he lived until the parsonage had been erected. Mr. Carpenter has al- ways continued to reside there. Mr. Perkins was one of the wealthiest and most influ- ential citizens of the town or county. He was an active, energetic business man, and accumulated considerable property for those times. Although he carried on a large farm, his principal business was in connection with trading and financial matters, and he largely engaged in the cattle business, buying in Northern New Hampshire and Vermont and driving them on foot over the Indian trail by Baker's River and the valley of the Pemigewassett and along the turnpikes and highway.s to a market at Brighton. Behind large 254 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. droves of cattle, young Carpenter would walk from beyond Montpclier to Boston, gaining health and strength with every day's exertion, and strengthening and improving a naturally good constitution. When the Pittstield Bank was formed, in 1851, Mr. Carpenter was chosen its cashier and acceptably held the position for about five yeare, when Mr. Perkins' failing health compelled him to resign his position and devote a larger share of his time to the duties at his home in Chichester. He has always maintained a connection with the Pittsfield Bank, either as cash- ier, director or president, having held the latter office since 1870. For the last thirty years Mr. Carpenter has been placed in responsible positions in the interests of the town. He was called to represent the town in the State Legislature in the years 1855 and 1856, and ac- quitted himself with honor and credit. He is a life- long Democrat, and has ever taken a deep interest in national affairs, always anxious that true men should triumph and right measures prevail. During the trying days of the War of the Rebellion he stood manfully at the helm in directing the afl'airs of the town, providing the town's quota of troops and meet- ing the extraordinary burdens which the war pro- duced. During nearly al^ those years he served as chairman of the Board of Selectmen and town treas- urer, and received all the money paid into the town, and disbursed the same with rigid honesty and correctness. He was one of the projectors of the Suncook Valley Railroad. He contributed of his means to the first survey of its route, was actively interested in locating and building it, and contributed five hundred dollars of his private means towards its completion, and has served on its board of directors since its organization, where his judgment and busi- ness experience have proved of value to the interests of the corporation. Mr. Carpenter has a model farm in the rich valley of the Suncook, — the homestead farm, consisting of seven hundred broad acres in one body, with over one thousand acres in woodland and pasturage out lying. He cuts one hundred and fifty tons of hay and winters one hundred head of choice cattle. For the past twenty years a cross between the Devon and Durham has been his favorite breed of stock, and his beef animals find a ready market at good prices. Though he has carried on farm operations extensively, he is largely engaged in financial matters and in trading in live stock, besides doing a large lumber business, buying on the stump and manufacturing and handling annually large amounts of lumber. He has large interests in Pittsfield, where he has in- vested considerably in real estate. He was actively interested in starting the Pittsfield Aqueduct Com- pany, and holds much of the stock, and he is part owner of the New @pera-House Block. He was one of the promoters of the Farmers' Savings-Bank of Pittsfield, chartered in 1883, and is one of its trustees. His farm buildings are models in their way, being among the finest in the State. His residence is newly erected, spacious and elegant, commanding a fine view. With all his business and multitudinous cares he finds time to entertain his friends and give valu- able advice and counsel to many who often seek it from a man of his large business experience and ripened judgment. Mr. Carpenter is an active member of the Congre- gational Society, though he has never connected himself with the church. He takes a deep interest in its affairs, and contributes liberally for preaching the gospel and forwarding its philanthropic works. Mr. Carpenter married Joanna Maxfield, the adopted daughter of his uncle, on October 28, 1841. She died July 5, 1882. She was noted for her gener- osity and hospitality. She was an exemplary wife, an efficient help and adviser to her husband and a tender and loving mother to her children, of whom there were five, viz. : John T., Mary J., Electa A., Sally P. and Clara A. The Carpenter family has been prominent in the political, social and business circles of Chichester and the county of Merrimack for three generations. They have been the leading citizens of the town, strong, energetic and successful. Charles H. has done his full share towards heliiing achieve this reputation for the family name. CH.4.ELES C. SHAW. The first of the Shaw family in Chichester was Benjamin Shaw, who was born in Hampton, N. H., December 25, 1766, and came to Chichester when a young man. He was twice married — first to Abigail Paige, who was born 1773 and died January 17, 1831. She had two children — John and David P. John died March 6, 1819. Benjamin married as his second wife Ruth Sherburne. She died May 4, 1849, leaving no issue. In politics Mr. Shaw was a Democrat. He was a member of the Congregational Church of Chichester. David P. Shaw was born May 27, 1797 ; was edu- cated at the common schools of Chichester and at Pembroke Academy. He married Clarissa, daughter of Rev. Josiah and Hannah (Morrill) Carpenter, of Chichester. Rev. Josiah Carpenter was a native of Connecticut ; born October 6, 1762. He came to New Hampshire and was installed first pastor of the First Congrega- tional Church of Chichester, and retained that pas- torate for a period of nearly forty years. He married Hannah Morrill, of Canterbury, April 13, 1790. David P. Shaw was much interested in militia mat- ters, and was appointed, April 17, 1826, captain of mi- litia in the Thirty-eighth New Hampshire Regiment. He also served in the War of 1812, and was stationed at Portsmouth. He was like his father, a member of the Congregational Church and a Democrat. •"^; r^, /^ ^i. CHICHESTER. 255 He married Clarissa Carpenter, October 16, 1823. Their children were: John, Josiak C, David C, Charles C. and Benjamin. Josiah C. and David C. live in Concord, while John, Charles C. and Benja- min own large farms in Chichester, on which they reside. Charles C.the fourth son of David P. and Clarissa, was born at the old Shaw homestead in Chichester May 4, 1830. He received his education at common school and at New Hampshire Seminary, at Sanborn- ton Bridge (now Tilton), N. H. He learned the trade of machinist and was em- ployed in that capacity in the Concord Railroad shops nine years. Previous to this — in the years 1851 to 1853, inclusive — he was employed as a machinist in Sandusky, Ohio. Returning to Concord, he remained there until 1862, when the declining health of his aged parents induced him to return to the ancestral home and assume their care — ^a duty which he faith- fully performed to the close of their lives. Mrs. Shaw died November 9, 1881, and Mr. Shaw, April 2, 1884. Charles C. married Sophia F., daughter of Hon. Aaron and Arieannah S. (Barstow) Whittemore, of Pembroke, N. H., June 2, 1861. They have one (adopted) son, John Langdon. Mr. Shaw is one of the most prosperous farmers and most highly respected citizens of Chichester. He is a large owner of real estate, and, in addition to his farming operations, has been engaged several years in lumbering. He has served as justice of the peace several years ; was selectman of his town in 1869 and 1870, and November 4, 1884, he was elected from Chichester to represent the town in the State Legis- lature. In politics he has not departed from the faith of his fathers, but is an earnest Democrat. He attends the Congregational Church. He is of an earnest, sanguine temperament, active, pushing and enterprising, and is one of the solid, successful men of his town. HOSEA CHASE KXoWLTOX. Hosea Chase Knowlton, whose portrait, which accompanies this sketch of his life, was taken when he was in the eighty-seventh year of bis age, was born in Northwood, county of Rockingham, State of New Hampshire, March 31, 1799. He comes of a hardy, long-lived family ; was one of nine children, himself being the seventh, and on the paternal side is of English descent. His grandfather, Thomas Knowlton, came from England to Portsmouth and settled in Hampton, afterwards in Kensington, and in 1769 moved with his family to Northwood, where he was one of the first pioneers and settlers ; that region, until his day, being a wild, unbroken forest. Ebenezer, the father of the subject of this sketch, at the time of this removal to Northwood, was about ten years of age, and fittcen years hiter, in 1784, then at the age of twenty-live, he married Elizabeth Raw- lins, of Vermont, built a log cabin on his fifty-acre lot of wild land in Northwood, a short distance from his father's, commenced clearing, and in time had it converted into a productive farm, with improved and substantial buildings. Upon this farm Hosea C. was born, and here he worked as a farm-boy until the age of sixteen, receiving in the meantime the facilities and privileges of the district school, which, at this early period, was limited to yearly terms of but three months. He then desired of his father aid in ac- quiring an academical education. But his father refused all help, though he gave him liberty to go and try his fortunes at any institution he pleased on his own responsibility. Hosea readily accepted this condition, and on the morning of April 10, 1816, with his little pack of clothes and not a dollar in cash nor promise of help from any one, he started afoot and alone to Hampton, a distance of thirty miles, and there procured a boarding-place with Mr. Simeon Shaw, and entered the academy. Being penniless, he borrowed money of his new-found friend, Mr. Shaw, with which to purchase books and pay his tuition, and this money, together with his board-bill, was due Mr. Shaw when Hosea was through at the institution. Soon after this academical term at Hampton he com- menced teaching school in the town of Brentwood, where he taught four months at twelve dollars per month, eagerly pursued his private studies in his spare time, received his forty-eight dollars, returned to Hampton and applied it in payment of his obliga- tions to his kind benefactor, Mr. Shaw. In the month of April, 1817, he commenced teach- ing in the town of Kensington a term of ten months, and at the close of his school entered the Academical Institution at Newmarket, under the care and tuition of Martin Renter as principal and Closes White as- sistant, and there completed his English studies, attending especially to trigonometry and the art of surveying. In the following April, 1818, he returned to Kens- ington, where he resumed and followed teaching for two years, a calling for which, by natural gifts and acquirements, he was eminently adapted and fitted. He then engaged himself for one year as clerk in the store of Ebenezer Coe, of Northwood ; but he loved the school-room, and in the ne.xt two years was en- gaged in teaching in his native town of Northwood. For one year, about 1823-24, he was employed as book-keeper and clerk with Captain Obadiah Wright, a retired sea-captain, in a wholesale store of general merchandise, on Long Wharf, Boston, where he gave the highest satisfaction to his employer, and could have remained at increased wages ; but he returned to Northwood, where for some years he followed school-teaching and farming. For two years — 1832-33 — he was employed as head clerk in the counting-room of Hon. Isaac and Horatio Hill, editors and publishers at Concord. Here, aside 256 HISTORY OF MEKia.MACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. from his official hours in the counting-room, he edited and compiled " Welch's Revised Arithmetic," which, in the vastly improved edition, found great accept- ance with the best teachers of New England. May 2(j, 1820, he married lietsey Seavey, daughter of Moses Seavey, Esq., of Chichester, and resided at Korthwood (except his two years' counting-room ser- vice at Concord) till the autumn of 1834, when he purcha.sed the right and interest of the heirs to the estate of his father-in-law, in Chichester, and moved upon this farm with his family that same fall of 1834. Here he not only actively and successfully worked his farm and improved his home, but for a number of years taught school winters, and in all public and educational matters ever took a prominent, active in- terest. In 1832, while in the employ of the Hill Brothers, at Concord, he was duly appointed justice of the peace, and by regular renewals of his commission has held this office continuously to the present writing, — a period of fifty-three years. His services as a most reliable and accurate surveyor of land were largely sought, not only in Chichester, but also in all the adjacent towns. He served twelve years on the Board of Selectmen and as town treasurer, five years as town clerk, two years as representative in the State Legislature and two years as county commissioner. Besides these positions of public trust and confidence, ever most faithfully and ably filled, he executed a great many deeds, wills and other public and private documents, was executor and administrator of nu- merous estates, and all to the entire satisfaction of all his patrons. He had born to him four children, — Eben, Melissa, Alonzo and Sallie S., only the latter ger Drake, D.D., of St. Peter's, London, an author and most excellent man, who sutfered much for his non-conformity ; Francis Drake, M.D., surgeon of York, F.R.S., and who was a great antiquary ; Nathan Drake, M.D., of Hadleigh, in Suff'olk, the well-known essayist and most skillful and successful annotator and biographer of Shakspeare ; and before him in point of time was Dr. James Drake, F.R.S., whose discoveries in anatomy are not surpassed in importance to those of Hervey. From this old English stock, notably a branch of the family of Ashe, came John Drake, a member of the Council of Plymouth, England, who was one of the original company established by King James, in 1606, for settling New England, and from whom sprang most, if not all, the earlier families of Drake in America. Several of his sons came to this coun- try. It is known that one of them, John, reached Boston in 1630, with two or more sons, who fin- ally settled in Windsor, Conn. Also, Robert, brother of John, with two or more sons and one daughter, who was settled in Exeter sometime Cu^uJi^^.<^ytJ (M^.Ka CHICHESTEK. prior to 1643 ; for that year the name of Abraham I'rake, sou of Robert, with twenty others, was signed ti) a petition to tlie General Court of Massachusetts against the encroacliments of settlers, and it is therein set forth that tliose people " knew we long since pur- chased these lands and quietly possessed them." We can learn but little of Kobert Drake's personal history, except that he was born in Devon, England, in 1580 ; came to this country before 1G43 (possibly, we think, with his brother John in 1G30, or with Rev. John Wheelwright's company in 1638); that March 15, 1650, he bought of " Francis Peaboddie hou.se and lands lying and being within the bounds of Hamp- ton," and removed thereto from Exeter early in 1651, and acquired in Hampton a considerable estate ; that he wiis then called "auld Mr. Drake;" that he left a will — a full copy of which is extant — dated May 5, 1663 ; that he was a man of eminent piety and highly respected, and " departed this life " January 14, 1668, at :! the great age of eighty-eight years. His son, Abraham, already mentioned, was also a very prominent man of his time, capable of any business, a good penman and forward in all public service. In 1663 he was chosen to lay out four thousand acres of land " west of Hamp- ton bounds and away to the great pond;" and in 1668-69 was chosen to run the town lines ; also in 1673 was appointed marshal of the county of Nor- folk, in which office he probably continued till the separation of New Hampshire from Massachusetts, in 1679. He lived to a very advanced age, being alive in 1712 and at that time eighty-four years old. But the year of his death is not definitely known. Dim and distant as this early period of New Eng- land may seem, it is known that most, and probably I all, the Drakes of New Hampshire are the direct de- scendants of Robert Drake (1), of Hampton, N. H., through his son, Abraham (2), already named, and so on in the generations that have followed to the pres- ent time. Many members of the family name have been very prominent and leading citizens of their times, in the varied affairs of church, military and civil life. The generations of one branch of the Drake family in New England have descended, as shown by the in- dices, in the following order : Robert (1), Abraham (2), Abraham (3), Abraham (4), Thomas (5), Josiah (6), Thomas (7), Oliver (8). Passing over the third and fourth generations, of whom much could be laudably written, we have to say I if Thomas (5) that at some period of his life he was M-ttled in Epping, N. H., where he owned lands ad- joining the farm of his brother Simon ; butfinally re- ! moved to Chichester,— though in what year the writer has been unable to determine,— where he owned a farm and lived some years, and where he died August 16, 1816, aged eighty-three years. Josiah (6), grandfather of Oliver, was a life-long resident of Chichester, and succeeded to the fiirm of i his father in the southeasterly quarter of the town, where he led an exemplary life and died August ■>, 1832, aged seventy. Thomas, Jr. (7), Oliver's father, was born in Chi- chester October 12, 1796, and reared to farm-life, which in his day, even more than now, implied hard, persevering labor and the closest economy. A few years, however, in his early manhood he worked at last-making and nail-cutting in Maiden, Mass. He fixed the " Jr." to his name, and was so known by his townsmen, because of another Thonnis Drake (a senior cousin of his), who also lived in Chichester. He was a careful, painstaking man in all he did, and withal of a mechanical, ingenious turn of mind ; was a great lover of music, an excellent player on the violoncello and had a rare musical voice, with which he ever loved to aid in the services of the sanctuary. He was an upright, public-spirited citizen, ever ready with his share of effort in the furtherance of any good object or purpose. About the year 1829 he ijought the farm next south of his father's in Chichester (now owned by Mr. Wilder Hall, in School District No. 4), and soon had his future home improved by the erec- tion of the good buildings which have since been further improved and are still thoroughly preserved. He married Mehitable Seavey, youngest daughter of Daniel Seavey, of Chichester, of Welsh extraction— a man of less than medium stature, but possessing a genial, happy spirit, and of a tough, hardy constitu- tion, which prolonged his years in general soundness of health to the end of his life, which occurred December 27, 1853, at the great age of ninety-two years and eight months. They soon moved to their new home referred to, where they spent the re- mainder of their lives, devoted to their young and growing family, which, in 1839, when all were living, consisted of three sons and three daughters, and in whose young minds they sought, by precept and ex- ample, to inculcate truthfulness and rectitude of con- duct and character. The parents lived and died con- sistent members of the Congregational Church. In the midst of his days the father came to his death by quick consumption, April 11, 1844, aged forty-seven years and six months ; and on November 5, 1 847, the devoted mother died of pleurisy fever, also at the age of forty-seven and one-half years. Oliver Drake was born in Chichester, Merrimack County, N. H., August 18, 1830, and, as already shown, is of the eighth generation of the family name in this country. His brothers were Simon S. and Francis, though the latter in his adult years is called Frank ; his sisters were Samantha T., Sallie and Joanna M. Two of the family are no longer of earth, — Sallie, who died in 1839, aged two years, and Simon S., a most estimable man, who died February 22, 1885, at his home in Vallejo, Cal., in the fifty-fourth year of his age, lamented by all who knew him. By the death of their parents the children were called to meet the stern realities of life at an early, untried age. Up to the death of his father, young HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUxNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Oliver, then thirteen, had been raised a farm-boy and | so was inured to toil. By his comrades he was called a strong boy, and was seldom sick or ailing. The lit- tle farm, at his father's deatli left to his mother, was indeed a precious home for the family. His brothers mainly did the work at home with their mother and young sisters till the mother's decease, while for two years Oliver worked out at farming, except winters, when he was at home attending the district school. In the spring of 1847, the year of his mother's death, in November, he apprenticed himself to Deacon Jacob S. Sanborn, of Chichester, with whom he faithfully worked and learned the trade of shoemaking, intend- ing to set up shop for himself at the old home with his mother, when through with his apprenticeship, for this was in an age of shoe manufacturing, when little single and double-handed shops were scattered all about this part of the State, with Lynn, Mass., as the head-centre, and not, as now, merged into the gen- eral factory system of manufacture with machinery. It was then a leading, lucrative trade for many hundreds of young men at their homes in the country. But the death of his mother shattered the fond hopes of Oliver's coming home, and so the little family was soon scattered, and to Oliver, the oldest of the family, there came a burden of solicitude and care not often experienced by one of his age. Continuing his residence in Chichester, he followed his trade steadily till December, 1849, when he went in search of a better education than he had as yet had the privilege of obtaining ; and his aim was to do so at as small expenditure of his limited means as possi- ble. December, 1849, found him at the Walnut Grove Boarding-School of the veteran teacher, Moses A. Cartland, in Lee, N. H., a most excdlent school, wholly unsectarian, though rather of the Quaker per- suasion, where the willing mind was led and vastly aided in broader, deeper channels of thought than those contained in the text-books. Here Oliver obtained board and tuition till the following March, paying his way by all sorts of work nights and mornings, while in all respects making good progress with hi.s studies. Returning to Chichester, he worked at his trade till December, ISoO, and then took up his studies again at Walnut Grove School, in Lee, where he remained continuously till August, 18.51, working, as before, for his board and tuition to the full amount, excepting four dollars, which he thankfully paid in cash. Octo- ber, 1851, he commenced his first school as teacher in Straflbrd, N. H., in what was known as the " Caverly District," a term of nine weeks ; and while here he was engaged by Prof. J. C. Cram (the veteran singing- school teacher) to take the school of his district, in Deerfield,N.H. He commenced teaching on Monday following the close of the school at Strafford, the Friday previous, and taught the winter term of eleven weeks, thus making for him a continuous run of twenty weeks. In both of these schools he met withthe hap- I piest success. Immediately following these, he taught a private school at the " Pine Ground " (so-called), in Chichester. A few weeks later, while on a visit to friends in Lee, Oliver received by letter, from his old Walnut Grove School " chum " and esteemed friend, Benjamin Chase, Jr., of Auburn, — who now for many years has been an active citizen and prosperous manufacturer in Derry, K. H., — a proposition thatthey" take a voy- age at sea." They had together read Dana's "Two Years Before the Mast," and in their young enthusi- asm had discussed many an " ocean tale," till, with their natural love for adventure, they felt a strong de- sire to be upon the " rolling wave " and tread another shore across the "ocean blue." The proposal of his friend was readily accepted. As a matter of business combined with their pleasure sought, and also to learn about real sea-life, they planned to go as part of some ship's crew. It would have seemed too tame to have gone otherwise ; at all events, one object of the two adventurers was to meet expenses. An able seaman's pay was then fourteen dollars per month. Going to Boston and donning their young sailor rig, they at last succeeded in shipping as " boys," at ten dollars per month, " before the mast," on the noble, square-rigged, one-thousand-ton ship "William Wirt," commanded by Captain Erastus Samson — one of "na- ture's noblemen " and one of the best officers that ever trod a quarter-deck. The points of destination were not fiiUy known to the men before sailing, only " to one or more southern ports of the L^nited States, thence to one or more European ports." They set sail April 27, 1852, and the voyage proved to be to Mobile, Ala., loading there with cotton, — slave cotton, no doubt,^ — thence to Liverpool, Eng., and then returning to Boston with a load of two hundred and eighty-seven immigrants, in the old shipping line of Enoch Train, arriving in Boston, Oct., 1852. The " boys' " duties of course, were those of common sailors before the mast, with whom they lived in the fore- castle and worked the voyage through. It was to them a new phase of life with but slight embellishments. Resolutions repeatedly formed, however, during the trip, not to " follow the sea " as a calling, alone or chiefly, resisted the fascination of making, as sailors say, " one more voyage." The voyage was devoid of serious accident, but replete with many a lively in- cident. Lying six weeks in the docks of Liverpool, though living and working aboard ship during the day, the privilege of evenings and Sundays, and now and then a " liberty day " ashore, gave fair opportunity for seeing much of English life and considerable of its scenery. Returning to Chichester from his sea-voyage, Oliver was soon called by hisold teacher, Moses A. Cartland, to assist him in a school that he had recently opened in North Weare, N. H. Here Oliver remained most of that winter (1852-5S) and spring, pushing on with his CHICHESTER. 259 own studies as well as acting as tutor in the school. With an aptness for learning, a great love of study has been a marked feature of his life. The following May (1S.')3) he became a student at the New Hamp- shire t'l inference Seminary, at Northfield (since moved across the river to Tilton), and continued here till the close of the fall term, November 9, 1S58, when he took a very creditable part in the examination exercises. He was a member of the V. A. S. Association (a lit- erary society of the seminary), and was ever an earn- est factor in promoting its welfare, New Hampshire's future United States Senator, Henry W. Blair, being at the same time an active brother member, whose talents and sterling qualities gave bright promise of his future career. Eeturning from the seminary, Oliver taught a pros- perous private school in his native district, No. 4, in Chichester, and continued his services with the win- ter term of the district ; and then immediately fol- lowed with the school in the adjoining district, at the " Horse Corner" (so called) ; after which, and run- ning into the spring of 1854, he taught the term in the Union District of Chichester and Loudon, on the Chichester north road. Teaching was to him a pleasure, and the best of success rewarded his efforts. But as a business, he de- sired some more lucrative calling. During these years of 1852, '58, '54 the Northeast Pro- tective Union stores were having their day. One wasor- ganized in Chichester in 1854, and opened in thepresent store building on the corner opposite the Methodist meeting-house. Oliver Drake was chosen its agent. But organizations of this class all through New England, though for a time popular, were waning, and in some two years after, or a little longer, had all gradually passed into private hands. As agent, he conducted the affairs of the store to the best advantage possible, under the impracticable circumstancesthatprevailed, till the spring of 1856, when he resigned. With regrets to himself and many friends, he then left his native town to try his fortunes in a broader sphere. For a year thereafter he was employed as book-keeper by the large teaming firm of Critchett & Oilman, in Eiist Boston, Mass. The three following years, 1857, '58, '59, he was vari- ously engaged in the grocery and provision trade in Boston, where for a time he worked in Faneuil Hall Market. In 1860 and '61, till spring of '62, he was employed as first accountant in the wholesale grocery business of John G. Kaulback, Jr., 196 Water Street, Boston. Here, fi'om the sedentary confinement of the counting- room, his health became much impaired, for which reason, as a more physically active employment, he betook himself again to the market. But that autumn (1862) he was taken down with a slow, lingering fever, from which the following spring did not find him fully recovered. He then accepted a situation as book-keeper for the ship-building firm of Curtis & Tilden, of East Boston, actively en- gaged at that time in building war steamers for the United States government. He remained here till the autumn of 1863, and then became proprietor of the West Lynn Market, in the city of Lynn, Mass., and at once entered upon this branch of trade, which he steadily and successfully followed for the succeeding six years. Just at this period (1868-69) the White I'ine min- ingexcitementof Nevada was atfever heat,8uch, prob- ably, as the world before never saw. The famous Eberhardt, in which his brother Frank was a fifth owner by location, was turning out its hundreds of thousands of silver. Naturally of an active, hopeful temperament, Oliver was thus drawn westward. Sep- tember 1, 1869, he sold out his West Lynn Market, and soon completed arrangements for an inspection of the Nevada mining business. He reached Trea- sure City, Nev., where his brother was, on No- vember 5, 1869, and from that date to the present has been actively connected with mining interests, shar- ing with others some of its vicissitudes as well as its fortunes. " White Pine " was first the name of the mining dis- trict, but has since become the name of the county in- cluding the district. Except a three months' visit home in the fall of 1870, Oliver remained at White Pine till November, 1871, when, with his family, he moved to Greenville, Plumas County, Cal., where he soon be- came superintendent of the Indian Valley Gold Mine, having in that vicinity also mining interests of his own. He was thus engaged till September, 1875, when he was called to become secretary and cashier of the Eberhardt Mill and Mining Company, which was ex- tensively and prosperously engaged in silver-mining at Eberhardt, White Pine County, Nev., his brother Frank having been appointed the company's mana- ger, — positions of great responsibility and trust in which the two brothers have been retained continu- ously to the present writing (August, 1885,)except the years 1879-80, when Oliver had withdrawn himself to engage in an extensive milling enterprise of his The Eberhardt Company (Limited), with which the Drake brothers so long have been connected, is an English incorporation, with its directors and head of- fice in London. August, 13, 1862, Oliver Drake married Sallie S., youngest daughter of HoseaC.Knowlton, Esq., of Chi- chester, whose likeness and sketch of life are given in this book. Four children have been born to them, — one son and three daughters,— the youngest of whom, Alma K., born in California, alone survives. Save in the loss of children, his domestic life has been emi- nently a happy one. Keligiously and constitutionally, he is a Congregationalist, regarding the polity of this church as possessing the very spirit of genuine de- mocracy. Whether East or West, he has ever allied himself in some way with church life, so long as it HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE^ visibly existed in his community. Music has been to him one cherished source of recreation and delight. Of a cheerful, social turn of mind and heart, and in all respects of correct and abstemious habits, his gener- ally excellent health through life hjw been but little disturbed, and his near associates and warm friends have been of the good and true. Though politically an ardent Republican, he is no partisan. His only votes for a Democratic candidate for the Presidency were for Stephen A. Douglas, who was defeated, and James Buchanan, which vote he has ever since regretted. Political office he never desired, sought nor accepted, though repeatedly urged to con- sider it. As inculcated by his venerated parents, one trait and motto of his life has been, that " whatsoever thy hand findeth to do," do it well. The amities of life, with strict fidelity in all posi- tions of trust, have brought their reward in the confi- dence and respect of his fellow-men, which he long has largely shared. 5[AJ0R ARTHUR DEERIXG. The origin of the Deering family was English ; as far back as the French and Indian War two brothers came from England, from whom have descended all the Deerings in this country. The elder brother in all English families inherited the estate, and it often happened, as in the case of these two brothers, that the younger brothers came to this then new country to carve out a fortune for themselves. One of these brothers was killed during the French and Indian War, and a son of the other, by the name of Isaac, settled in Scarborough, Me., at Blue Point. This son had a son named after himself, who was the father of the subject of this brief history. Isaac Deering, the father of Arthur Deering, married Sarah Sawyer, whose ancestors came from Scotland, and were descendants of the old Marr family, of whom " Lady Helen " Marr was one. To Isaac and Sarah Deering were born eleven children, — three girls and eight boys, — of whom Arthur was the youngest, who was born March 24, 1820, the year the State of Maine was admitted into the Union. Mr. Deering had a common-school and academical education, and then graduated at the Free Baptist Theological School, at Whitestown, N. Y. He entered the gospel ministry at the early ageof twenty, and preached his first sermon at East Parsonsfield, Me., and had his first settlement at Bath, Me. From Bath he went to Central New York and preached in several places ; he was ordained in Philadelphia, Jef- ferson County, N. Y., June 18, 1853, after being re- fused an ordination three times on account of more advanced views on moral and natural depravity and on the atonement. He did not believe that moral de- pravity, or sin, could be transmitted from parent to child, or charged upon any human being before com- ing to years of intelligence and human accountability; but sin is an intelligent, voluntary, intentional viola- tion of a known moral law, and that sin, or moral de- pravity, can never pertain to man's nature, but to his character. And as to the atonement, he did not believe that Christ suttered any penalty of any law in our stead ; did not believe that He died to help God out of any diihculty in which Adam's transgression had involved Him ; but that all that Christ did and suftered was wholly and entirely for man's benefit. He be- lieved that God always was able to pardon penitent sinners, and that He was always willing to pardon penitent sinners, and all the reason He did not pardon them was because they would not repent ; and that Christ's mission into the world was to be a mighty moral power to induce men to repent. After spending some nine years in New York he returned to Maine, and settled with a church in China; he afterwards preached in West Waterville, Richmond and several other places in Maine, and in 1871 came to Pittsfield, N. H., and preached with the First Baptist Church there three years, and in 1871 purchased the old Foster farm in Chichester, where he now resides. Mr. Deering has always taken an active part in politics; when but eighteen years of age he embraced the anti-slavery cause and often addressed public meetings upon that question. In 1840 he took the stump for James G. Birney, who was the candidate of the Liberty party for President, and in 1841 cast his first ballot ; there being no candidates at that election in his town, he wrote upon his ballot " Abolition " and put it in the ballot-box. He often attended the Lib- erty party County and State Conventions, was fre- quently on their committees on resolutions, and always kept well posted upon the question of slavery, and was one of their able and popular speakers. In 1848 he was a delegate to the Free-Soil National Convention at Buffalo, and earnestly advocated a union of all the anti-slavery elements into one party to oppose the extending of slavery into free territory ; and, with other members of the old Liberty party, assisted in the organization of the Republican party in Maine in 1855. He took an active part in the Presidential campaign in 1856, and spoke with Josiali H. Drummond and A. P. Morrill for Fremont and Dayton. And again, in 1860, when he was president of the Republican Club in Richmond, Me., his club accepted the challenge of the Democratic Club, and chose him to meet their speaker in public dis- cussion of the political issues, the result of which, as freely admitted by his opponent, was the changing of twenty-five votes to the Republican ticket. In the fall of 1863 he was elected to the Legislature by the town of Richmond, where he was several times called to the Speaker's chair in his temporary absence, and was appointed Speaker to conduct the proceedings of the "mock session." Being at home from the army in 1864 on a short furlough. Governor Coney vohui- ' .^^-1>M^UA. 3( ^-M^^^-T^Z-^^. CHICHESTER. 2(11 tiirily obtained from Secretary Stanton an extension of his furlough for twenty days, that he miglit talse part in tlie September election ; and a few days after he was requested by Hon. J. G. Blaine, then chairman of the Republican State Committee, to take the stump until election; which he did, with other speakers ; and on his return to Philadelphia, where he was or- dered on detached duty as member of a military court, he was made an honorary member of the Union League, and as his military duties occupied but a few hours of his time during the day, he was on the stump most of the time until the November election. He spoke in Philadelphia, Reading and other places in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Mr. Deering acted with the Republican party until 18G8, when he became satisiied that all of the political diffi- culties growing out of the war had been settled, and that the next great question before the American people was the liquor traffic ; he left the Republican party and helped organize the Prohibition party in Maine, since which time he has been an earnest ad- vocate of its principles. In 18G8 he was appointed by the Grand Lodge of Good Templars in Maine as State lecturer, and during the year spoke in every county but Washington in the State, in doing which he traveled more than eight thousand miles, speak- ing every evening from one and a half to two hours. He was again employed in 1869. In 1870 he was em- ployed by the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, and lectured some time in that State, moving to Pitts- field, N. H., in March, 1871. In 1874 he commenced the publication of the Pittafield Times, a local non- partisan papei', and in 1875 he took charge of editing and publishing the Prohibition Herald, which had been published and edited by Rev. Mr. Millen, and continued their publication until Feb., 187(3, when bis office was burned and their publication discontinued. In 1875, Mr. Deering was nominated by the Prohi- bition party for Senator in the Fourth Senatorial Dis- trict, and again in 1876, which resulted in a great deal of political trouble in the State. He received votes enough to defeat an election in the district, but the Democratic candidate had a plurality of the votes cast, and it was soon ascertained that the law required that a man, to be eligible to serve as Senator, must have been a citizen of the State seven years, and that Mr. Deering had only been in the State a little over five years. This fact coming to the knowledge of the Governor by the affidavit of Mr. Deering, which the Governor caused to be taken, the Governor and Coun- cil threw out Mr. Deering's votes and thereby gave the election to Mr. Proctor, the Democratic candidate, and by Mr. Proctor's election the Senate was Demo- cratic. At that time many of the county offices were appointed by the Governor, and removed by an ad- dress of the Senate and House. The Governor dur- ing 1876 was Mr. Weston, a Democrat, who had filled many of these offices with Democrats, who, unless re- moved by address of the Senate and House, would 17 hold over, and in that case the money and whiskey spent by the Republican politicians in the several counties to carry the election would be lost. And this was the only issue in the case, and, although Mr. Deering was entirely innocent, knowing nothing of the provisions of the State Constitution, yet unlimited abuse was poured upon him because of this affiiir. The Bonton Journal said that he did it knowingly, in- tending to defraud the voters of their votes. But no man who knew him ever supposed that he would do such a thing intentionally. Mr. Deering then told his enemies, jokingly, that "he would steal' the whole government next time;" and fulfilled the prophecy in the fall of 188-1, in go- ing to New York and speaking for the Prohibition party, which rolled up a vote of twenty-five thousand for St. John, taking a large majority from the Rei)ub- lican party, and thereby giving the State to Cleve- land and making him President. He was the only Prohibition speaker who canvassed Jeflerson County, which only gave Dow thirty -six votes in 1880, and gave St. John six hundred and thirty- six in 1884. When the war broke out it found Mr. Deering at Richmond, Me. As he had been an earnest opposer to the extension of slavery, so he was now ready to meet the result of that opposition ; he had been ready to pray, preach and vote against American slavery, and as slavery had now arisen in arms to rend the Union asunder, so he was just as ready to fight against the extension and existence, even, of slavery, if need be, as he was to talk against it. In August of 1862 he held patriotic meetings in the towns of Richmond, Dresden, Bowdoinham and Topsham, and enlisted one hundred men for a company in the Twenty-fourth Maine Regiment, and was by them elected captain. When the regiment was first organized he was the ranking captain of it. The regiment left Augusta, Me., in November ; went to East New York and remained there until January, 1863, when it went to New Orleans. Remaining in the city a few weeks it then went to Bonnet Carre, forty miles up the river, to form a part of the outer defenses of the city, between the river and Lake Pontchartrain. The regiment remained here until June, when it marched to Port Hudson and took an active part in the siege of that place, after which it re- turned, by the way of Cairo and Chicago, to Maine. While the regiment was at Port Hudson, Corjjoral William Lancaster, of his company, being some- what deranged by sickness, stabbed and killed Lieutenant Newell, of Captain Deering's company, and was tried the day the regiment left for home, so that no testimony could be presented in his behalf. After the regiment returned to Maine, Captain Deer- ing gathered the facts in the case and personally laid them before Vice-President Hamlin, and secured his pardon. Some years afterward this same William 1 They said ' ! stole the Senate.' 262 IILSTOKY OF MEEIUMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Lancaster saved the son of Captain Deering, William A. Deering, from drowning in the Kennebec River at Richmond. After tlie regiment returned, and was mustered out of service, Captain Deering was ai)poiuted recruiting officer and enlisted recruits for the old regiments. During his term of service in the Legislature, in the winter of 1864, another call was made by the Presi- dent for more men, and two more regiments were or- ganized, the Thirty-first and Thirty-second, and Cap- tain Deering was commissioned a major in the Thirty- second Regiment. At the close of the session of the Legislature he went into camp at Augusta and took command of the six companies then formed, as no other field officers could be commissioned with that number of companies. The regiments then raised in New England were assigned to General Burnside, and their destination was then expected to be to North Carolina. In April, Major Deering received orders to take the six com- panies and report to General Burnside at Annapolis, Md., but when he reached Baltimore his destination was changed to Washington, as General Burnside had been ordered to report with the Ninth Corps to Gen- eral Grant, in Virginia. On arriving at Alexandria the Thirty-second Regiment was assigned to Second Division, Second Brigade, Ninth Army Corjjs, and reached the Wilderness on the second dav of the fight. The regiment was not much exposed the next day, which was Saturday, and at night started for Chan- cellorsville, which it reached Sunday morning, and Major Deering was detailed brigade oiBcer of the day, and had charge of the picket line, and turned it over to Geuei-al Pararro, who had charge of the Third Di- vision of the Ninth Corps, which were colored troops. The regiment was severely dealt with at Spottsylvania, where it was exposed to the rebel fire all day without any protection, and fifty out of three hundred were either killed or wounded ; and in the second attack on the enemy's left fiank, sixteen more were killed and wounded. The regiment was under severe fire at the Tolopot- omy, where Major Deering only escaped death by the narrowest chance. In the evening he went to the front to push out the picket line, which was sta- tioned too near the main line, and as he was returning, while but a few rods in front of his breast-works, firing commenced upon the left and soon came down the line, one regiment after another joining in the rapid firing, which soon reached his own regiment ; supposing that an attack had been made upon the line, they too opened fire, and in a moment the air was full of whistling bullets ; some of the picket line were killed, but, as fortune would have it, ho escaped unharmed. At another time two men were shot down, one on each side of him, as he led his men into the fight. lie was hit once on his spur and once on the scabbard of his sword, but finally came out of every fight without a soar. He was in all of the fights, from the Wilder- ness to Petersburg, in which his corps, the Ninth, was engaged ; and so much had his regiment be- come reduced by killed, wounded and sick, that when it mustered, on the 1st of July, 1864, in frontof Peters- burg, there were but fifty men for duty. The col- onel, Mark F. Wentworth and the lieutenant-colonel J. M. Brown, joined the regiment at the North Anna, but soon after it arrived at Petersburg, one was wounded and the other was sick, so the command again devolved upon Major Deering. But constant working and fighting, the climate and the unwhole- some water, by the middle of July, brought on the di- arrhoea, and after remaining a while at the front hospi- tal, he was sent to the oflicers' hospital at Philadelphia. By the last of August becoming able to do light duty, he was detailed on court-martial duty, where he served for six months, trying during that time one hundred and ten cases ; and, what was unprecedented in any other court in the army, every finding and sentence in each case was approved by the com- manding general of the department. The court was then dissolved, and Major Deering received notice that some two mouths before his regiment had been consolidated. with the Thirty-first Maine Regiment, and all of the field and a part of the line ofiicers had been mustered out of service, and this order made him a private citizen again, and he returned home. Since his return he has spent his time in the ministry, on his farm and in the lecture field. He was employed during the Presidential campaign of 1884 by the Prohibition party in Jefferson County, New York, where the vote of the party was increased from thirty-six to six hundred and thirty-six, and the vote was carried in the State up to twenty-five thou- sand, which determined the result of the i HISTORY OF BOW BY HARRISON COLBY. CHAPTER I. History satisfies the desire which naturally arises in every intelligent mind to know the transactions of the country or town in which he lives. Facts interest our curiosity and engage our attention. The early history of Bow is an anomaly in the history of New Hampshire towns ; it is a triune township, — Bow, Pennacook and Suncook, three in one. Prior to the settlement of New England by the English, Passa- conaway, the powerful chief of the Pennacooks, held absolute sway over the country bordering on the Merrimack, from Lake Winnipiseogee to Pawtucket Falls. In 1631 they were estimated at about five hundred men, having been greatly reduced by sick- ness about twenty years before. The Mohawks were hostile to them, and tradition says they had a terrible fight near Sugar Ball, on the east side of the river, northeast of the main village of Concord. Passa- conaway was regarded with the highest veneration by his tribe as chief, priest and physician. He died about 1665, supposed to have been nearly one hun- dred years old. He left four sons and two daughters. AVonalancet, his second son, succeeded him as sachem of the Pennacooks. In 1670 he moved to Pawtucket, near the south line of the State, and built a fort there. He embraced the Christian faith under the influence of Elliot, the Indian missionary, in 1674. During King Philip's War, in 1675, he withdrew to the woods in the northern part of New Hampshire to avoid being involved in any way in the war, and it being good hunting-ground for moose, deer and bear, he remained there all winter — at this time there was not over one hundred of the Pennacook and Naum- keag Indians, whereof he was chief. Wonalancet returned from his retreat in 1676, bringing from captivity a Widow Kimball and her five children, whom he was the means of saving alive after they had been condemned to death and fires made ready to burn them. We last hear of him in 1697, placed under the care of Jonathan Tyng, of Dunstable, and the General Court allowed twenty pounds for keeping him. The time and place of his death is unknown. The last sagamore of the Penna- cooks was Kaucamagus, or John Hawkins, as the English called him, a grandson of Passaconaway. He, with the Pennacooks, went to the eastward in 1685. The last we hear of him is in a fort on the Androscoggin, which was destroyed by Major Benja- min Church, September 12, 1790, and a sister of Kaucamagus was slain. On the 29th of November, 1690, a treaty of peace was made by the government of Massachusetts and the eastern sagamores, among whom was John Hawkins, and this is the last we know of him. The Pennacooks existed as a distinct tribe for many years, and, finally, it is supposed those hostile to the English mixed with the Penobscots in Maine, and others with the St. Francis in Canada, and some remained here until 1725 and after, and were useful citizens. Wattanumon was the name of the Indian chief that cultivated the field near Horse- shoe Pond when the Pennacook settlers arrived there. It is quite probable that portions of the alluvial lands on the banks of the Merrimack have been cleared of the growth by fires, for the cultivation of Indian corn and grass for grazing of deer and moose, for a long period of time. By virtue of her original charter, obtained in 1628, Massachusetts claimed all lands lying between three miles northward of Merrimack River to the source, and three miles to the southward of Charles River, and in length of the described breadth from the At- lantic Ocean to the South Sea. Men were sent to discover its source in 1638, who found it to extend north of forty-three and a half degrees. In 1652 the General Court of Massachusetts ordered a survey to ascertain their northern boundary and appointed commissioners for that purpose, who, with Indian guides and a nineteen days' voyage in a boat, found the head source of the Merrimack to be in latitude forty -three degrees and forty minutes at a place now called the Weirs ; the whole expense of the expedition amounted to eighty-four pounds. The General Court of New Hampshire claimed that the said territory was within their patent and jurisdiction, founded on a grant from the Council of Plymouth to John Mason, dated November 7, 1629, which conveyed the land "fi-om the middle part of Merrimack River to the Piscataqua, along the sea-coast, and up said rivers to the fiirthest head thereof; and to extend sixty 263 IILSTOIIY OF MERIUMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIKE. miles up into the land westward from the sea coast, together with all islands within five leagues' distance of the premises." In 1641, there being but few settlements in New Hampshire, for their better defense and security against the Indians, agreed to place themselves under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, which continued until 1C80. Edward Hilton, of Exeter, a friend of Governor Winthrop, favored the usurpation and was made a magistrate. Hence, being under one govern- ment, in 1659 inhabitants of Dover and Newbury petitioned the General Court at Boston for a town- ship at a place called Pennacook, which was granted on certain conditions. In 1663 inhabitants of Chelms- ford and Salem were granted a plantation six miles square on condition of getting twenty families on it in three years. The conditions not being fulfilled, the foregoing grants were forfeited. In June, 1714, the people of Salem again peti- tioned that the grant to them at Pennacook in Octo- ber, 1663, be confirmed to them. In 1679, Charles the Second commissioned John Cutt, of Portsmouth, to be the first president of the Council, saying, — "Wliereas, our Colony of the Massachusetts have taken upon them- selves to organise a government and jurisdiction over the iuiiabitants of the towns and lands in the Province of New Hampshire, not having any legal right or authority to do so, now be it known that We, by and with the advice of our Privy Council, have thought fit to appoint a President and Council to take care of the said Tract of land called The Province of New Hampshire and the inhabitants thereof, and to order, rule and govern the same, and do hereby appoint Our trusty and well beloved subject, John Cutt, Esq., of Poi-tsmouth, to be first President of said Council, to continue in office for one year, or untill We or our successors appoint some other person to succeed him." A question may arise in the minds of some whether, if Massachusetts had no legal right over the lands in 1679, had they in 1663, or subsequently? In May, 1721, over one hundred of the inhabitants of the county of Essex, claiming to be straitened for accommodations for themselves and their pos- terity, petitioned the honorable Council and House of Representatives of the Massachusetts Bay for a grant for a township extending southerly seven miles from the mouth of the Coutoocook and three miles east of Merrimack River. June 9, 1724, a committee was ordered to view the land, which had been previ- ously surveyed. June 17, 1725, a petition, signed by Benjamin Stephens and others, a committee appointed by and in behalf of the petitioners formerly for a tract of land at a place called Pennacook, was pre- sented to the "Hon"". Wm. Dummee, Esq., Lieut. Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesties province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, to the Hon''". His Majesties Council and House of Representatives in Gen. Court convened at Boston, Humbly Showing That they had at two several times petitioned for the aforesaid grant of said tract of land at Pennacook, and are informed it did not meet with a concurrence, wishing to renew our petition, hoping you will please to take the premises again into your wise and serious considera- tion, and make them a grant of it accordingly; and suggesting that applications had been made to the Government of New Hampshire for a grant of the said Land, which undoubtedly belonged to Massa- chusetts; yet it is probable that a parcel of Irish people from Nutfield, who have built a fort there, will obtain a grant from New Hampshire for it, un- less speedy care be taken by your Hon"''. Court to prevent it. If New Hampshire should make them a grant, which we conceive would be without right, yet it would be attended with much difficulty to pretend to root them out if they should get a foot hold there. We therefore pray that a grant of the land may be made to us on such conditions as to the wisdom of this Court shall seem best." The petition was favor- ably received and was successful. The court decided it would be for the interest of the province that lands seven miles square be set apart for a township, " be- ginning where the Contoocook empties into Merrimac river, and to extend east seventeen degrees, north three miles, and west seventeen degrees, south four miles, to be the northerly bounds of the said townshiji ; and from the extreme parts of that line to be set oil' southerly at right angles until seven miles shall be accomplished from the said north bounds." A committee was appointed to see that the rules and conditions of the grant be punctually observed by those admitted settlers, — "The tract to be divided into one hundred and three equal shares ; that one hundred persons or families be admitted, such as the commit- tee supposed to be able to pui-sue and biing to pass the settlement of their lands within three years, five pounds to be paid by each settler to the committee for the use of the province at the time of drawing his lot ; to build a comfortable dwelling for his family, and to break up and " As soon as one hundred accepted persons a are to notify a meeting to make such rules as they may think best to carry forward the settlement, the whole Charge of the Committee to be paid by the settlers, and the committee to execute deeds in behalf of the Court to all admitted settlers for the aforesaid tract, for the sole use of them, their heii-s and assigns forever, saving of former grants. " Read and concurred January 17, 1725." A meeting was held February 7th, at which the settlers unanimously agreed to fulfill the conditions and orders of the court respecting the settlement ; and having a .strong prejudice against the Irish peo- ple, they agreed that no alienation of any lot should be made without the consent of the community. Sur- veyors, with chainmen, were appointed to proceed to Pennacook to lay out the land in to lots. May 12, 1726, they started from Haverhill, sur- veyors and chainmen, with a number of the admitted settlers, attending them, to proceed to lay out their town. They arrived there on the 13th, about five o'clock, and encamped on Sugar Ball Hill, east of the river. They organized their number the next morning into two divisions, one to survey the west side of the river, the other the east side. About twelve o'clock on the 14th, a committee, consisting of Messrs. Nathaniel Weare, Richard Waldron, Jr., and Theodore Atkinson, appointed by the Lieutenant- Governor and Council of New Hampshire, came to their camp, attended by about half a score of Irish- men, who kept some distance from the camp. The New Hampshire government, being then a wealc community, were very attentive to the Scotch-Irish jieople of Londonderry, and did much to please and encourage them, for which they were very grateful. The aforesaid committee informed them that the govermeut of New Hampshire, being informed of their business here, had sent them with a request not to proceed to appropriate their lands, for they lay in the province of New Hampshire, and Massachusetts' making a grant might be attended with very ill con- sequences to the settlers, and ordered them in an amicable way to withdraw themselves forthwith from the said land and their pretentions to it by virtue of the vote of the General Assembly of Massachu- setts, and assured them that their proceedings were highly displeasing to the government of New Hamp- shire, and that they might depend upon it, when the boundary between the two provinces should be de- termined, the poor, misled people who might be in- duced to settle there under the color of a Massachu- setts grant would be dispossessed of the said lauds or suffer some other inconveniences equally grievous ; and that the message on which they were sent, and the fair forewarning they had given them, would take away all occasion of complaint when they should be compelled to leave the said lauds, and lose the benefit of their improvement. The Massachu- setts people were pleased to reply, — that as they were sent by the government of New Hampshire, so were they sent by the government of Massachusetts, and that when they returned home they should lay be- fore their General Assembly the order of Council of which they had delivered them, who would, without doubt, pass thereon as they, the General Assembly, should think proper. Lieutenant-Governor Wentworth, in his speech to the General Assembly, held at Portsmouth, April 11, 1726, says, — " The Massachusetts are daily encroach- ing on us. A late instance we have in voting a township should be erected and settled at Pennycook, which will certainly be in the very bowels of this province, and which will take in the most valuable part of our lands." Pursuant to which, the afore- said committee was appointed to immediately report to Pennacook, and forewarn them from laying out or taking possession of or settling at that place. They still persisted in making the survey of their grant. It was ascertained, on making the survey, that a five hundred acre grant to Governor Endicott, east of the river, at Sewell's Falls, afterwards known as the Sewell farm, came within their township. The committee appointed to look after the settlement petitioned the Great and General Court of Massa- chusetts that a like number of acres of the unappro- priated lands joining the township might be granted to the settlers as an equivalent therefor. August 6, 1728, the General Court of Massachu- setts, " Besolved, That in consideration of the 500 acres of land formerly granted to Governor Endicott, which falls within their boundaries, the settlers are allowed to extend the south bounds of that township one hundred rods the full breadth of their town, as an equivalent for the aforesaid five hundred acres," which was read and concurred in Council. The de- termination of the Massachusetts government to establish their claim to all that part of New Hamp- shire west of a line three miles east of Merrimack River is apparent in the above proceedings ; they had located a township on territory that had been coveted by people of old Essex for three-score years. A cart-path had been cut through the forest, a sur- vey of lots had been made sufficient to accommodate the admitted settlers, and preparations were being made to inhabit the township within the next two years. May 20, 1727, the New Hampshire government, in order to maintain their claims to the territory on both sides of the Merrimack River, granted to Jona- than Wiggin and many others, including the mem- bers of the Council and the Governor's friends, the town of Bow, to be nine miles square, covering over three-quarters of Pennacook and the territory imme- diately south to below the mouth of the Suncook River. August 6, 1728, in answer to a petition of volun- teers, under the command of Captain John Ijovewell, the Massachusetts government granted a township on both sides of the Blerrimack, " to begin where Penacook new grant ends, which is 100 rods to the southward of their first Grant, and thence to extend the lines of the East and West bounds on right an- gles untill six miles square of lands shall be com- pleted," which extended nearly one and a half miles below the junction of the Suncook River wdth the Merrimack, taking in the Gault and Head farms, east of the river, in what is now Hooksett. Tradition says the first permanent settlers in the Suncook parish, in Bow, were Francis Doyne and wife, who built a log hut north of the road lead- ing from Pembrook Street to Garvin's Falls, in 1728. James Moore made a purchase there in 1729, and it is supposed Samuel Gault and others, whose descend- ants afterwards settled west of the Merrimack, were there about that time. The first meeting of the Suncook proprietors was held at Chelmsford De- cember 10, 1729. It was voted that a committee of five, with an able surveyor, should view the lands of the township, and lay out sixty lots of not less than forty acres each, and an additional lot for the first set- tled minister. These lots were east of the river, ex- tending from Garvin's Falls to the southern limits of their township. April 10, 1733, " Voted to build a log meeting-house, twenty-four by thirty, as soon as may be." The house was built and answered the purpose for several years. In the fall of 1734 money was raised in Rumford HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. for building a bridge across Suncook River, " one-third part of the expense to be at the cost of the town," and appointed a committee to take care that the bridge over the Suncook be well done. The next spring the Suncook proprietors voted thirty pountls for the same purpose. The first meeting of the proprietors at Suncook was held at the meeting-house September 17, 1735. A bridge was built across the Suncook in 1737, near where the Concord railroad bridge now is, and a road laid near the river to the great bend, where a ferry was established in 1738. A minister was to be settled. The Presbyterian element predominated; but the organization being in the hands of the Orthodox party, Rev. Aaron Whittemore was given a call, which was strongly protested by the Presbyterians of the town, some fifteen in number. The Orthodox Church was in the minority at the time. In 1739 the proprietors' clerk not having taken the oath of office before a qualified olEcer, a committee was chosen to lay the case before the General Court of Massachusetts, and ask that their acts be legalized. The favor was granted. On March 5, 1740, the pres- ent southern boundary of New Hampshire was estab- lished, and Suncook and Pennacook was found to be outside of the province that had granted their charter. As before stated. Bow was granted by Lieutenant- Governer John Wentworth, with advice of Council, May 20, 1727, in the following words, viz. : "George, by the Grace of God of Great Britaine, France and Ireland, Defender of the faith, 4c. "To all People to whom these Presents shall come Greeting : Know ye that we, of our special Knowledge and nieer motion, for the Due Encouragement of Settling a new Plantation, By & with the advice & Consent of onr Councill, have given & granted, and by these Presents, as far as in us lyes, do give and Grant in Equal Shares unto Sundry of our beloved Subjects, whose names are Entered in a Schedule hereunto annexed, that Inhabit or shall Inhabit within sM Grant within our Province of New Hampshire, all that Tract of land within the follow- ing Bounds, viz. ; Beginning on the South East side of the town of Chichester & running nine miles by Chichester and Canterbury, and carrying that Breadth of nine miles from each of the aforesaid Towns Southwest nntill the full Complyment of Eighty-one square miles are fully made up, & that the same be a Town Corporate by the name of Bow to the Persons afores'd, and their associates forever. To have & to hold the said Land to the s'd Grantees and to such associates as they shall admit for ever upon the Conditions following; "1. That the Proprietors build, or cause to be built, seventy-five Dwelling- Houses on S'd Land, & settle a family in each House, & clear three acres of Land fitt for mowing or plowing within Three years, and that Each Proprietor pay his Proportion of the Town Charge when &, so often as occasion shall require. "2. That a meeting-Houso bee built for the Public Worship of God within the Term of four years. "3. That upon Default of any Particular Proprietor in Complying with the Conditions of the Charter upon his part, such Delinquent Proprietor shall forfeit his share to the other Proprietors, which shall be Disposed of according to Major vote of the s'd proprietors at a Legal Town meeting. " 4. That a Proprietor's share be reserved for a Parsonage, another for the first settled minister of the Gospel which shall be ordained in S'd Town ; Provided, nevertheless, that the Peace with the Indians continue During (he space of three years ; but if it should so hai)pen that a war with the Indians shall commence before the Expiration of the S'd Three yeare, then the term of Thl-ee years shall be allowed the Proprie- tors after the Expiration of the war for the Performance of the aforesaid Conditions. Rendering & Paying, therefore, to us, our heirs & succes- sors, or such officer or officers as shall be appointed to receive the same, theannual quit rent or acknowldgement of one ear of Indian Corn in the s'd Town on the first Friday in December, yearly, forever (if De- manded), reserving also unto us, our heirs and successoi-s, all the Mast Trees growing on s'd Land, according to acts of P.irliament in that case made & Provided, & for the better order, nile & Government of the s'd Town, We do, by these Precepts, for ourselves, our heirs & successors. Grant unto the s'd men & Inhabitants, or those that shall Inhabit the 8"d Town, That yearly, & every year, upou the first Thursday in ApM, for ever, shall meet to elect & choose, by the major part of the Proprie- tors then Present, Constables, Selectmen and other Town Officers ac- cording to the Laws and usages of our S'd Province, & we do appoint Andrew Wiggin, Esq., George Veasy and William Moor to be Selectmen our s'd Town until the first Thureday in April, which will be in the year of our Lord 1728, with full Power & authority, as other Town select, men have, to call a Town Meeting or meetings as there may be occa- sion, and to continue untill other Selectmen shall be chosen in their stead in such manner as in these Presents expressed. In Testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of our s'd Province to be here- unto affixed. Witness, John Wentworth, Esq'., our LieutenantGover- nor and Commander-in-Chief in and over our s'd Province, at our Town of Portmouth, in our s'd Province, the Twentyeth Day of May, in the thirteenth year of our Keign, Anno Domine, 1727. "J. Wentworth. " By the The Lt. Gov., Concured with advice of the Council. " KlCBAEn Waldkon, Clerk of the Council. " A Schedule of the Proprietors of the Town of Bow. "Jonathan Wiggin, Thomas Wiggin, Samuel Piper, Thomas Veasey, George Veasey, William Moore, Edward Fifield, William French, James Palmer, Jonathan Chase, Moses Leavitt, Joshua Hill, Thomas Rollings, Richard Crockit, Isaac Foss, Thomas Piper, Richard Kelly, Saninei Goodhue, Joseph Mason, John Hannaford, Joseph Rollings, Satchel Randlet, John Mead, Joseph Morrill, Nathaniel Stevens, David Robin- son, Jonathan Dearborn, Joseph Morril, Jr., John Piper, Samuel Vea- sey, James Thompson, J.iljn Sinclair, Say^usi^csjj, William Burley, Benjamin Hn;i- ^, I [iiii,[,. \|,;ih. >. I hi 'uijison, Benjamin Palmer, Owen Runii. I-, i . , . in h , Nathaniel Piper, Joseph Jewett, Jolin 11 I ,. i i .1,1,1111 Sti.ckbridge, Richard Colley, Jr., T - I .;!i Mi-.n, Jr., Edward Fifield, Jr., William French, Jr., Epluuim Lc-aviit, Beuja. Veasey, Thomas Veasey, Jr., Nathan Taylor, Jon'a Clark, George Veasey, Jr., John Leavctt, Tymon Wiggin, Sanmel Stevens, John Sachel, John Speed, Thomas Wiggin, Jr., Saml. Piper, Jr., Chace Wiggin, Thomas Wiggin (3d), Beiya. Mason, .loshua Keniston, Walter Wiggin, Caleb, Rollins, Joseph Palmer, Edward Taylor, Benja. Norris, John Green^. Joshua Stevens, Thos. Piper, Jr., Nathan'l Folsom, Hc'iiry ATfrJin, Joseph Peavey, Jeremiah Folsom, John Palmer, . Wiggin, Theoph. Smith, Stephen Joseph Hoey, Benja. Taylor, Jr., ning Wentworth, Hunking \\\ Wentworth, Richard Wibbard, . Cyprian Jatfrey, Ebe Sheaf, George Long, Richard Waldn I, \l r, 11 'Morgan, Brad'st ': v .,.„, John Avery, iiM White, Ben- \\ Ml \\ iiitworth, Mark ; J:il)V.,y. Jr., Henry Rust, Bobt. JVuchmuty, John Reed, .«amson 1 Jr. "Admitted . " His Excellency and Hon'r« Samuel Shute, Esq. and John Went- worth, Esq., Each of them 500 acres of land and a home lot. Col. Mark Hunking, Col. Waldron, George Jaffrey, Rich'd Wibbard, Col. Tho's Westbrook, Archibald McPhedris, John Frost, Jonathan Odiorno Esquires, Each a Proprietor's Share. Peter Wear, John Plaisted, James Dnvis, John Oilman, Andrew Wiggin, Capt. John Downing, Cnpt, I liii'liliiiiii. Siml. Tibbets, Paul Gerrish, Ephraim Dennett, John Saul, I Mkiiison, Eben'r Stevens, Capt. Wm. Fellows, .full,. I . .1 i ! I,.,verin, Daniel Loverin, Zachr. Hannaford, Jos- the Lt. Govn'r and Council. " Clerk of Cwn.ril ah Iliiker, George Clark, Daniel 1 I: Hin^. Benjamin Tyler, Ilold- luiir., Abigal Powell, Mary Ni. hihts Wiggin. These six- till' schedule added By order of Rlcu'D Waldron, Clr. Council. 267 J Copy taken off the Proprietors' Book. "Attest Moses Leavit, Propr's. Clk. •• liy TiiEODonE Atkinson." Peunacook was granted by Massachusetts January 17, 1725. Bow was granted May 20, 1727, by New Hampshire. Suncook was granted August 6, 1728, by Massachusetts. Bow included nearly all of both Massachusetts grants, which was to have the suprem- acy. If New Hampshire's claim sixty miles inland was valid, the Bow proprietors were the rightful owners of the territory; if Massachusetts' claim three miles north of the Merrimack extended to Lake Win- nipiseogee, then the Pennacook and Suncook propri- etors were included in the province of their choice. Their first meeting, at Pennacook, was October 14, 1730, at the meeting-house. March 29, 1731, the conditions of the original grant of the plantation being complied with, the pro- prietors petitioned to the General Court of Massachu- setts for the rights and privileges of a town. The court ordered a meeting to be called for the choice of town othcers. Nathaniel Abbot was authorized by a justice of the peace of Essex County, Mass., to call a meeting to be held at the meeting-house, September 14, 1732, for the choice of a clerk, and to transact any business they should think best, which was done, and, Februarj' 27, 1733, Pennacook, in the county of Es- sex, Mass., was incorporated as a township by the name of Eumford, the inhabitants having equal powers, privileges and immunities of other towns iu Massachusetts. They had thrown off their plantation garb and were permitted to assume the responsibili- ties of a town, but they were fearful they might not be subjects of the Massachusetts government, which could not be known until the line was established be- tween the two provinces. Massachusetts claimed the lands from three miles north of Merrimack Eiver, thence running parallel with the river as far as the crotch at Franklin, and thence due west to the sea. On the other hand. New Hampshire claimed that their southern boundary should begin three miles north of the middle of the channel of the Merrimack where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean, and from thence should run on a straight line west up into the mainland until it met His Majesty's other govern- ments, or New York. An appeal was made to the King, who appointed a commission to settle the con- flicting claims as to the boundary between the two provinces. August 1, 1739, this commission met at Hampton. Their decision was unsatisfactory to both parties, and the subject was, by means of agents, referred to His Majesty's Council in England, who decided, March 5, 1740, the present southern boundary of New Hamp- shire, viz. : a similar curve line pursuing the course of the Merrimack River at three miles distance to Pawtucket Falls, thence due west till it met with other governments. In accordance with the above decision of the King, New Hampshire extended her jurisdiction over all the inhabitants within her bounds, and Rumford and Suncook were henceforth no longer subjects of the government of Massachusetts Bay. The inhabitants of Eumford being strongly attached to the Jlassachu- setts government, petitioned to the King praying to be annexed to Massachusetts, but to no purpose. They found they were living on territory belonging to individuals instead of the State; that the title to their lands, which they had received from Massachusetts, was disputed by the proprietors of the town of Bow. They could get no redress from New Hampshire courts, for judges and juries, and nearly all govern- ment officials, were among the Bow proprietors, and had warned them at their peril to desist in their at- tempts to establish a town at Pennacook under a Massachusetts grant, as it might be attended with very ill consequences to the settlers. April 28, 1742, the proprietors of Suncook parish voted not to urge the demand for town privileges, but wished their rights to be respected, without the sac- rifice of their homes, lands and the labor of years. A committee was appointed to look after the inter- ests of the proprietors against the claims of the in- habitants of New Hampshire in the province courts, or in the courts of Great Britain, and undivided lands were sold to pay the expense of defending their prop- erty. In 1744 a committee was empowered to come to an absolute agreement with the Bow proprietors, if it could be done on reasonable grounds. Many of the settlers being of the Scotch-Irish stock of London- derry, whom the Lieutenant-Governor had cherished and defended from encroachments that would have disturbed their settlement, they were permitted to go on with their parish as best they could under con- flicting titles and plans. The Bow proprietors were willing that those who had made improvements should enjoy them. The court was called upon to remove those impediments, to annul the survey of the home lots of Bow so far as they interfered with the Sun- cook survey as far as executed, and a new survey of the undivided land to order. The call was favora- bly received and answered ; they got all they asked for, and the inhabitants became, for the time being, cit- izens of Bow. The war between France and England had extend- ed to their respective provinces in America. The French in Canada had instigated the Indians in that region to make depredations on our frontier. Block- houses or garrisons had become necessary for a refuge for the inhabitants in most every town. Several were established iu Eumford in 174G, and men with their families were assigned to their respective garri- sons for protection from the Indians. Scouting-par- ties were organized, — one at Canterbury, an extreme frontier; one at Runilord, under Captain .John HISTORY OF MP:RIIIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Chandler; and Captain Ladd's company was scouting in Pembrook and vicinity to warn the people of the approach of Indians that they might fiee to theirgarri- sons. The New Hampshire government looked upon Rum ford and Suncook as outlaws, and were slow to pro- tect them ; but Canterbury was the favored town on this frontier, not merely on account of its position, but because it was a New Hampshire town, settled by New Hampshire people and granted by the New Hampshire government. In the spring of 1747, and in the course of the summer, the Indians made fre- quent attacks. On the 20th of May they made an attack on the people of the Suncook parish, in Bow. Robert Buntin, with his son Andrew, a lad of ten years, and James Carr, were plowing near the west bank of Merrimack River. Towards night Indians that had been concealed in a thicket rushed on them. Carr, in attempting to run to the river, was shot, and fell dead on his back. As they ran up to scalp him his large dog attacked them, but was stunned by a blow of a tomahawk and left for dead. The people in garrison at Suncook heard the firing, but it being near night, did not venture an immediate pursuit for fear of being taken by the ludians. The dog, having revived during the night, was found the next morning with his nose laid in the hand of the corpse of his master; nor would the faithful animal permit any one to touch the body without flattery and some force. Carr is said to be the only person killed by the Indians in Bow. Buntin and his son offered no resistance, and were hurried into captivity through the wilderness to Canada and sold to a French ti'ader in Montreal. The father purchased his freedom in about eleven months, but the son was a captive nearly three years, when he returned safely home. The General Court of New Hampshire soon ordered a gar- rison of eight men to be stationed at Suncook for the protection of the inhabitants. Owing to the dual governments of Rumford and Suncook (two Massa- chusetts towns included in a New Hampshire town), the collector was unable to collect the minister tax; the New Hampshire government would not interfere. The Massachusetts government, that gave them their charter, was petitioned for authority to compel each one to pay his share towards the support of the minis- ter, which was granted in the case of Suncook, it hav- ing two churches nearly equal orthodox and Presbyte- rian; but Rumford, being unanimously orthodox, needed no compulsion. Although the attacks of the Indians were less fre- quent, the government did not relax its efforts for de- fense, as they sent out scouts and reinforced garrisons. Ebenezer Eastman had a company of fifteen men on duty at Pennacook in the winter of 1747-48, and Captain Moses Foster had a company of twenty-six men guarding the fortress at Suncook in 1753. In 1754, John Chandler had a company of nine men eight days scouting in the neighboring towns. February 7, 1749-50, George Veasey and Abram ' Tilton, selectmen chosen by the proprietors of Bow, remonstrated to Governor Benning AVentworth and Council against a petition of inhabitants on a tract of land, called Pennacook, to be incorporated with town privileges, as the bounds mentioned make great infringement on land belonging to the town of Bow. Walter Bryant, of New Market, who, with eight assistants, was employed by the New Hampshire government to mark the boundary between New Hampshire and Maine, perambulated the town line of Bow about the year 1749. He says in his report, — " I began at the Eeputcd Bound of the town of Chichester at the head of Xotingham, and from thence Bun northwest four miles to the head of Epsom, there marlied a maple tree with the word Bow and Sun- dry Letters, and from the said tree, which I called the Kast Corner of said Bow, I Run northwest four miles to the west corner of Chichester, tlien north east one mile to Canterbury South Corner, then north west five miles on said Canterbur}', then South west nine miles, whicli Runs to North west of Rattlesnake Hill and most of the Pond that Lays on the north west side of said hill, and said Line Crosses Hopkinton Road, so called, and takes part of said town in ; then we marked a tree and Run South East five miles and marked a tree, then one mile South west, then South East four miles, then north east nine miles to where we be- gan. I Crossed Merrimack River within two mile of Canterluirj- Line and found all the Inhabitance to the South of Canterbury and East of the Merrimack, which are in Rumford to bo in Bow. "1752. "•Wii.TZK Bkyast." September 23d a committee of the Suncook pro- prietors divided into lots of about twenty acres each the intervale on the west side of the Merrimack River, extending from the southerly line of Bow to the head of Garvin's Falls. Vexatious law-suits were instituted by the jiro- prietors of the common and undivided lands in the town of Bow. A suit in an action of ejectment against Deacon John Merrill, who occupied a tract of eight acres of land, with buildings, at the lower end of Main Street, which was claimed by them to be in Bow. This suit was brought to test the right of the pro- prietors of Bow to the lands included in the Penna- cook grant. ' The Rumford settlers were united in their j)urpose to maintain their right to their township. Common lands were sold to meet the expenses of the suit. Impartial trials were impossible in New Hampshire courts, as judges, juries, councilors and all were in the interest of the proprietors of Bow. May 30, 1753, the selectmen of Bow were ordered to raise and levy, upon the ratable polls and estates within said town, the sum of sixty pounds in new tenor bills of credit on this government, and, July 26th, a further levy of thirty-one pounds, four shil- lings was ordered, both to be paid before the last of December; a list to be committed to the constable for collection in bills of credit, or in the products of the soil at stipulated prices. The selectmen ]ictition to the Governor and Council, saying, — " They are ready to obey every older of Government, yet are at a loss as to the boundaries of Bow. One of the purchasers of Capt. Tufton Mason's right is of the opinion that their South East side line should be carried up about three quarters of a mile further towards the north west. The Pennacook sottlcra allege that they do not lay in Bow, and many would refuse to pay their tax, and consequently they should be thrown into many Law suits that would irobably ruin them as to llieir estates, asking tliut the Boumliiiies bo tixed, or to give such iliix^clions as they shall think proper, which, if followed by them, they may obey the commands laid by the court without the least detriment to themselves. Signed by— "Moses Fostek, "( "John Cokiin, ** Richard Easua ' Sekclmeii I of Dow. The persons on whom those taxes were to be as- sessed were, with three or four exceptions, inhabitants of the Kumford and Suncook settlements. They deputed Rev. Timothy Walker to represent to His Majesty in Council their grievances by reason of the law-suits commenced against them by the proprietors of Bow, and solicited of the Massachusetts govern- ment such aid as they should in their wisdom see fit. One hundred pounds was granted. July 25, 1754, Clement March, Zebulon Giddings, Daniel Peirce, as agents in behalf of the proprietors of the township of Bow, petitioned the New Hamp- shire government, saying, — "That the said proprietors commenced an action of ejectment against one Slerrill for the recovery of eight acres of land lying within the said Town of Bow ; that the said action was carried through the Law here and said proprietors recovered judgement at the Superior Court of Judi- cature ; that the said Merrill had complained to his majesty in Council, who was Pleased to order a hearing of the action before him in Council in October next, and they Humbly pray for a Loan of one hundred p..iin.l?, .St.-rling money, to defend their title to the said land, and they are I'-aiiy t^- give such security as the Assembly shall order. " Wii.;reupon, Voted that a bill be drawn in favor of the petitioners on John Thomliuson, Esq., agent forthis Province at the Court of Great Britain, for the sum of £100 Sterling of the interest in his hands be- longing to this Government." In the spring of 1765, Jonathan Lovewell was ap- pointed to call a town-meeting in Bow, on the 22d of April, for the choice of officers, which he accordingly did, and reported to the General Court that he at- tended at the time and place appointed, and but one inhabitant of Bow attended. In contempt of the law •ind in defiance of the government, they refused to elect the necessary officers to levy and collect the taxes, which was resented by the government. May 25th it was enacted that " Ezra Carter and Moses Foster, Esq., and John Chandler, Gent., all of said Bow, assess the Polls and Estates within the said town of Bow, as the Limits were run by Walter Bryant iu 1749, in a just and equal proportion, the .sum of £580 16s., New Tenor Bills of credit." Timothy Walker and John Noyes were appointed collectors, with all the powers of constables for col- lecting public taxes. If said assessors neglected or refused to collect said tax, the province treasurer was directed to issue his warrant to the sheriff to levy said tax, together with damage sufficient to pay the extra expense of collecting. In 1756 the committee appointed by the proprietors of Suncook to settle with the Bow proprietors were successful in their endeavors. January 1, 1757, a petition was presented to the General Court of New Hampshire by Daniel Pierce, Thomas Wiggin and Daniel Marston, gentlemen; William Pottle, blacksmith, and Benjamin Norris, yeoman, as a committee of the proprietors of the town of Bow, — "Shewing that there are many persons claiming lands by titles not de- rived from Bow Prop's ; that they hod made improvements and had ex- pensive law suits with said Proprietors which had impeded their progress ; that many of the settlers who hold their titles under the proprietors of Suncook are desirous of a settlement of these disputes, and were willing to become not only inhabitants of Bow, but to hold their titles from the Bow Proprietors, who were desirous of having the question settled with- out further expensive law suits, by reasonable concessions on their part ; notwithstanding the willingness of the parties, impediments existed. The Homo lots, or first Division in Bow, which were laid out for 40 acres, fall short some of them nearly one half, and the lots laid out by the Prop's of Suncook run across the Bow lots obliquely, so that one of those interferes with several of these in many places ; that they conld see no way to quiet the possessors unless the laying out of some of the said Home lots should be annulled and a(^judgcd common land so far as re- lates to those claiming under them, and they ask to have liberty to bring in a bill accordingly. " Head in Council Jan. C, IT-OT. "Theodore Atkixso.v, Stc. " In the House of Representatives Jan. 7, 17.57.— And ordered to be printed two weeks successively in the Xeiv ITampthirt Gazelle. "Andrew Cj.arkson, Clerk. " February 3d. The petition being read in the House, and it appear- ing that the order of Court had been comply'd with, No person appearing against it, and the Bow Committee, the petitioners being fully heard, have liberty to bring in a BUI accordingly. " In Council concured. "Andrew Clarksox, Cleri. "R. WmiiAItD, Secrelary." The small lots both sides of the Merrimack River were annulled and adjudged common land. Forty acres immediately south of the Suncook were sold to Henry Hemphill and a tract above the same river to the Garvins. In 1758, John Noyes, in behalf of the inhabitants of Bow living east of the Merrimack, petitioned for parish privileges, which was granted November 1, 1759, by the name of Pembroke. April 6th the selectmen of Bow remonstrate against the petition of John Noyes for the reason, — " That a great majority of the settlers came on there without right and have endeavored to hold the lands from the Proprietors of Bow, the lawful owners thereof, as appears by many actions that have been brought against them and many more now depending, and as there is proposals of accommodation made on both sides, wo Humbly conceive that. If they should be favored with their request, it would strengthen them in their error and weaken our just right and prevent the proposed agreement from being vigorously pursued ; we humbly conceive that they ought not to be so fully disunited from the town of Bow and ex- empted from subjection to it as they ask, But that they be a Parish in the town of Bow, for we cannot Conceive what end it can answer to make a township and grant privileges to a society to regulate theme lives ac- cording to the Laws of the land when we are putting the same Laws in to Disposcss them ; for these and many other reasons we :ibly Beg the prayer of the said petition may not be granted. " John Stockbridoe, 'John Dearborn, | "Joseph Clark, J Selectmen Notwithstanding the foregoing remonstrance, the Council and Assembly thought it would not only be agreeable to the town of Bow, but would be of great service to them, as well as the petitioners, and would promote the settlement of the land there.abouts. Ac- cordingly, November 1st, it was enacted by His Ex- 270 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. cellency the Governor, Council and Assembly that all that part of Bow east of the Merrimack River and between the Soucook and Suncook Rivers be incor- porated by the name of the parish of Pembroke, in- vested with all the powers and privileges of other parishes in the province. This territory included most of the settlers of the Suncook grant, and their troubles with the Bow proprietors were at an end. But it was not so with the people of Rumford ; they were obstinate and determined not to give in their invoice or pay their part of the public charges until tlio\- were given town privileges, which the New Haiiipsliire government was slow to grant. A like ditticulty respecting taxation existed in that part of Hopkinton claimed by Bow. About twenty-six families had settled there who wished to be taxed in Hopkin- ton, and permission to do so was granted in 1763. November 7th the sheriff of the province of New Hampshire was ordered to attach the goods or estates of Benjamin Rolf, Esq., Daniel Carter, Timothy Simonds and John Evans, all husbandmen of Bow, to the value of one thousand pounds, and for the want thereof, to take the bodies, if they may be found in the precinct, to answer unto the proprietors of the common and undivided lands lying within the town- ship of Bow in an action of ejectment, wherein the plaintiffs demanded possession of about one thousand acres of land and appurtenances, " beginning at a stake on the South west of the Great River in Bow, 116 rods below John Merril's Ferry ; thence running west to Turkey river until it comes to within 20 rods of Nathn'l Smith's Grist-Mill ; Thence south to said river; thence on said river to where it empties into the great river ; thence up the great river to the first- mentioned bound," said proprietors alleging they were entitled to the one thousand acres as part of the eighty-one square miles of their grant. These suits of ejectment were brought to test the right of the Bow proprietors to the lands claimed by them. The cause was brought on trial in the Inferior Court Sep- tember 2, 1760. The jury gave a verdict in favor of the Bow proprietors. The Rumford settlers prayed for an appeal to the next Superior Court, which was allowed. On the second Tuesday of November, 1760, in the Superior Court, the jury again gave their ver- dict for the respondents. The appellants, conceiving themselves greatly aggrieved, prayed and were allowed an appeal to His Majesty in Council. Rev. Timothy Walker was deputed as their agent for that purpose, and succeeded in getting the verdicts of the New Hampshire courts reversed, and the appellants he re- stored to what they had lost by means of said judg- ments, "Whereof the Gov'r. or Commander-in- Chief of His Majesty's Province of New Hamphire for the time being, and all others, are to govern them- selves accordingly." December 20, 1762, this final decision was made. In 1761 the order for taking the inventory of the polls and ratable estates in Bow was delivered to Colonel Jeremiah Stickney, of the Rumford parish. He refused to act, saying : " We never understood we had power to act under the incorporation of Bow, in which, if we were mistaken, it was our unhappiness." It is difficult to see why he had not power to act, and retained the remaining part of Bow in one town- ship. The selectmen of Canterbury were appointed in April of the same year to take the inventory of the polls, stocks and improved lands in the township of Bow, which was nearly all in the Rumford grant. Samuel Rogers, Francis Carr, Ephraim Foster, John Noyes, Jr., Samuel Welch, Ebenezer Carlton and Reuben Currier lived on the territory now included in Bow. The invoice consisted of 154 polls, 91 houses, 341 acres planting-ground, 498 of mowing, 16 of orcharding, 16 oxen, 222 cows ; 85 cattle, three years ; 90 cattle, two years; 103 cattle, one year; 77 horses, 37 under four years; 150 acres pasture land, 6 negroes ; 6 mills, yearly income, £125. The valuation was £4828 10s. and £1000 damage. Signed by Ezekiel Morrill, Thomas Clough, selectmen ot Canterbury. We have no means of knowing that the tax was collected. The Rev. Mr. Walker visited England for the third time in the fall of 1762 to attend the trial of the cause, which was yet pending. It was finally decided on the ground that whoever settled under a grant from either side, if he happened to be on the wrong side of the line when it came to be settled, his pos- session should be his title, and what a man claimed under a certain title, part of which he improved, was his property. In 1764, Solomon Heath, Edward Russell and Thomas Chandler, lately settled in the northwest part of the present township of Bow, petitioned the General Court June 12th, saying they " understand there is a very great Province Tax laid on the in- habitants of Bow the last year, this present year and the next year for their Delinquency for the past seven or eight years last past, which would almost ruin them if obliged to pay any proportion of it, and wish to be relieved from so doing." Said petition was read in Council and House June 14th, when it was voted that a hearing be had next August, and the selectmen of Pembroke and Ezra Carter, Esq., and Captain John Chandler, assessors of Bow, be served with a copy of the petition and the order of court, and they stated to His Majesty's Council " that there are 41 polls, with the estates they possess, within the limits of Bow that are exactly similar to these peti- tioners, and also sixty or more Polls and estates of minors, and so not liable to be taxed when the rates were due for which this Tax is ordered, but have since come of age; many have left town and some the Province since these taxes were assessed and are ex- empt from our power of taxing them, and they ask whether there is not the same reason that these others should be freed as that the petitioners should. which, if the Case, we are well assured that it will be impossible for the small remainder to pay the whole of said tax." In the House of Representatives, Jan- uary 9, 1765, this petition was read and it was " Voted, tliat the prayer be Granted, and that the petitioners have leave to bring in a bill accordingly. In Council read & concurred Jany. 10th." The inhabitants of Bow outside of Kumford felt the oppression of taxation in arrears. It is stated in tlie petition of Timothy Walker in behalf of the inhabitants of Rumford, April 11, 1764, that "they would have been glad to have acted even under the incorporation of Bow if they could, although highly inconvenient for them, as it blended part of three towns whose interests had always been separate ; that they conceive them.selves greatly aggrieved the heavy tax in arrears that nobody has power to collect. They therefore most humbly pray To be Incorporated by their former known boundaries, and that the In- habitants may be abated at least one-half of the ar- rearages." In answer to this petition, the House of Representatives reaffirmed that " what the town of Bow is now in arrears for the Province tax shall be collected, and all the inhabitants on lands between Canterbury, Bow and New Hopkinton shall be taxed and pay their proportion." May 25, 1765, " fT/jejeas there are sundry arrearages of taxes now due, which the inhabitants aforesaid apprehend they cannot levy for want of sufficient au- thority, and several of them praying they might be erected into a town or parish and enjoy the common privileges of other towns in this province : Be it en- acted " (here the boundaries of Concord are inserted, beginning at the southeast corner of Boscawen at the mouth of the Contoocook; thence running south, sev- enty-three degrees west, four miles; thence south, sev- enty-three degrees east, seven miles and one hundred rods ; thence north, seventy-three degrees east, about four miles to Merrimack River — this last the present line between Bow and Concord ; then crossing said river the same course to the Soucook River, etc. ) "that the polls and estates within the same bounds be made a parish by the name of Concord with all the powers of other towns in this province excepting the laying out of roads, when application shall be made to the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Province." The selectmen of the new parish were to unite with John Noyes and Edward Russell to assess the arrearage taxes. The triune township of Bow no longer exists. The New Hampshire government has tenaciously adhered to their original purpose of giving Bow the pre-emi- nence, and disallowing all the claims of Rumford as incorporated by Massachusetts. The idea advanced in the order of the government to the surveyors of Pen- nacook, in 1726, that the Massachusetts government granting a township there might be attended with very ill consequences to the settlers had been verified. All concerned are heartilv tired of this state of things. and pray for a reconciliation, which can only be done by giving the Rumford settlers their township. The Bow proprietors were not actual settlers, and, living in the eastern part of the State, held their annual meetings at Stratham, independent of tlie Rumford and Suncook settlers, and the few families outside re- fused to act. Their feelings can be best known by the following, which also shows who the actual set- tlers were at that time : "To His Excellency, Bcnning ■Wcutworth, Esq., Governor and the Hou'bl, His Majesty's Council and House of Representatives in General Assembly. The petition of sundry of the Inhabitants of the town of Bow not within CJoncord, Humbly shcwcth that Great Difficulty and hardship hath arose by our being Bated with old Arrairages (in years past) Willi roriLurd Pi-upl,- iiiid niiim- Difli.iiUy arisen with ourbeing any LoriL'tT, as your ExcelU-iiry .t luiinim-a j^liall in y.air Great Wisdom and Clemency See fit, and your Petitioners, as in Duty Bound, Shall ever Pray. "James moor, Joseph Rogers, James Buswell, John Cliace, antony manuell, Eliezer Emerson, Will'm Robertson, Samuel Rogers, John ., Noyes, Jr., Samuel Alexander, Thomas Eatton, Elisha Clougb, Jr., Francis Carr, Solomon Heath, Edw. Carlton, William Parker, David Merrill, .Joseph Baker, Jr., Samuel Smith, jun'r., Samuel Welch, EUsha Clough, Edwd. Russell, Thomas Chandler, Ephraini Foster, John Robert- son, John Grushe, Ephraim moor, Benjamin Noyes. " In Council, July 2, 17G6. — Read and ordered to be sent down to the Hon'bl house." The first enumeration of the people of the province was made in 1767 by order of the General Assembly. The return from Bow was as follows, viz. : Unmarried men from sixteen to sixty 17 Married men from sixteen to sixty ;i:J Boys under sixteen 50 Men sixty and upward 2 Unmarried females on Married females 3:J Total JST The Rumford parish being granted town privilege.* by the name of Concord, those living outside, not yet acting in the capacity of a town, a petition, of which the following is an answer, was presented to Jeremiah Page, Esq., of Dunbarton, "In answer to a petition to mo Presented by fourteen of the inhabi- tants of Bow who are not set of into any Parish ; Humbly Shewith that they Should be warned to meet at the Dwelling House of William Rob- ertson of s Inhabitants should act in Town ;ift;iirs srp:irate from the Propriety, it is therefore by 8*1 Proprietors voted, i}i;> liiir.i mil are ready and willius tu lis-.- il' I! I'l '!. II ■ I I'lilliiU charses with givitli III-. I I, I I . l:i:i i ■■> :i. I .1 1, I'lir Thfir Selectmen are till' -I |i.i: .1 lii.. ,.- . --..I- .mil I'r > make the rate as they see hi w . I ;! - ] -ii I- II Ml and Earnestly Pray your E\i.;|ii!\ 111! I li. ;. I- Ti t.iki ih, II |ii~in-ssed Carcomstances under considciati.'ii, ami Uulieve them frLim being Rated any longer with Concord, in such manner as your Honors shall see Pitt, and your Peti- tioners, as in duty bound, .Shall Ever Pray— • (Signed) " Samuel Kooers, 1 g^,^^.,^^„ ■ • Samuel Welsh, J. "Ephbaim Mook, J "■'' ^°"-" " In Council August 28, 1707.— Read and Ordered to be sent down to the Honorable House. "T. Atkinson, Jr., ISecretai-y."] September 30lh the selectmen called a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of Bow, to be held at the house of Ephraim Foster, in said town, on the 19th of October, when it was " Voted to allow what roads the selectmen have laid out, and that no more be laid this year." " Voted to work three days' work on the highway this year." The road from Concord down the Merrimack River to the northerly corner of Samuel Welch's land was laid prior to 1757. A drift-road, two rods wide, was opened " from that by s'* Welch's land, through John Noyes, Jr.'s, land to the ridge about forty rods above John Noyes, Esq.'s, House, following .said Ridge till it strikes the river; thence down the river to Starkestown line; thence Beginning at Benjamin Noyes' Ferry, forty rods above his house, crossing the river to the mouth of Suncook River & up s'' river to Allenstown line." In 1768 the annual meeting was held at the house of Joseph Rogers. He was chosen moderator ; William Robertson, town clerk ; Edward Russell, John Rob- ertson and Aaron Kinsman, selectmen ; James Moor, constable; Caleb Buswell, William Robertson and John Hemphill, committee to examine selectmen's accounts. "Voted ti) build a Pound near Ephraim Foster's House, s'' Foster to be Pound-keeper," and " Voted forty Dollars to repair highways, to be worked at forty shillings per day." Roads were returned from Tom Merrill's bridge, west of Seriah Morgan's, easterly by John Robertson's house to Baker's ferry, to be two rods wide ; also from Samuel Welch's land northwest- erly to Thomas McConnell's land, two rods wide, thence to Kinsman's Mills, thence northerly to Con- cord line, keeping the breadth of four rods; also a road from Kinsman's Mills at Turkey River bridge (to be four rods wide) to Tom Merrill's bridge, thence to the meeting-house near Elisha Clough's land, thence to White Rock Brook, over Wood Hill, by Samuel Rogers' house, to Duubarton line. It is supposed the line of travel from one settler's dwelling to another was on or near the newly-re- turned roads, — first a foot and horseback path, perhaps, then a cart-road, and finally a formal high- way. Turkey River bridge and Tom Merrill's had been built previous to this date. The amount of ratable estate in town at this time was £1500 ; the tax £3, 10s. on £1000. There were forty-eight ratable polls over sixteen years old. In 1769 the meeting warned by James Moor, constable, in the name of His Majesty, met at the house of Francis Carr. Edward Russell was chosen moderator, Wil- liam Robertson, town clerk ; John Noyes, David Clement and Edward Russell, selectmen ; Joseph Rogers, constable. " Voted to accept the road from Dumbarton to Concord over Wood Hill." At an ad- journed meeting, "Voted to accept the road from Wm. Parker's house to Merrimack River." The State being divided into five counties. Bow was included in Rockingham. At the annual meeting in 1770, Edward Russell, Ephraim Foster and Moses Garvin were chosen select- men. " Voted sixty dollars to be worked on the high- way at forty shillings per day." At a meeting called by Samuel Welch, constable, by order of the select- men, to be held at the meeting-house, " Voted to pay Mr. Wooster thirty dollars for preaching this year."' The annual meeting at the meeting-house in 1771, chose Edward Carlton, Benjamin Noyes and Joseph Baker selectmen, and other town officers. " Voted thirty dollars for preaching," and " Voted not to raise money to hire a School-Master this year." " Voted to buy a town-book and Pay William Robertson for drawing of the records." ''"^■ In 1772, Edward Russell, John Grushee and Leon- ard Harriman were chosen selectmen. " Voted thirty dollars for preaching and thirty dollars for a town school." " Voted to sell all right or title to a forty-acre lot in Pembroke, as laid out by the Proprietors, to Ebenezer Frye." " Voted to release Stephen Kinsman's and Francis Carr's minister tax. 273 they giving the town a discharge for boarding tlie minister." Benjamin Noyes, Leonard Harriman and James Buswell, a committee chosen to settle with the selectmen, find the ibllowing notes due the town : c s. d. One signed by Ebeuuzer Fry 3 One signed by Joseph Uogei-s 1 ;i (l One signed by Samnel Welch II One signed by James Moor Old s Fourteen of the past selectmen signed a paper, giving all their services as selectmen. At a meeting called for the purpose, February 24, 1773, Aaron Kinsman was chosen to serve as a grand juror to His Majesty's Superior Court of Judicature, to be held at Portsmouth in and for the county of Rockingham. At the annual meeting, Edward Rus- sell, Ephraim Foster and Benjamin Noyes were chosen selectmen ; John Grushee and Leonard Harriman, deer-reeves; Edward Carlton, town clerk. The new proportion, settled by the General Assembly, gave Bow sixty-four polls, sixty-eight ratable estates ; tax on £1000 : £3 5s. According to a census taken by order of Governor John Wentworth, Bow contained 308 inhabitants, — 58 married men and women the same, 101 unmarried females, 5 unmarried men from sixteen to sixty, 84 boys sixteen years and under, 2 men sixty years and upward. Signed by Benjamin Xoyes and Solomon Heath. In 1774, Timothy Dix signed his name as town clerk at a meeting called for choosing a grand juror to the September court; James Buswell was chosen. At the annual meeting James Buswell, Enoch Noyes and John Carr were chosen selectmen. "Fo^erf that the meeting-house be on the Hill, where it now stands, and not at the Centre." " Fo^erf to give Mr. Fessenden an Invitation to settle with us in the ministry, giving him one thousand pounds. Old Tenor, in Lands for his settlement, besides a yearly' salary of forty pounds, and to advance his salary as the town grows able, and chose a committee to Treat with him." He was probably their settled minister for three years ; he then preached for the Presby- terians in Pembrook one year ; then, with Rev. Mr. Pearsons, supplied in Bow. The church at this time was mixed, — Congregational, Presbyterian and Bap- tist. A decade had now passed since the British Parlia- ment made a law that it had a right to tax the colonies. The Stamp Act was passed, which provided that all deeds, notes, bills and other legal documents should be written on stamped paper, at certain fixed rates. Americans denied that Parliament had a right to impose taxes on them, and expressed their opinion in the sentiment that " Taxation without representa- tion is tyranny." Public meetings, protesting against the Stamp Act, were held in all the colonies, and public opinion nullified the law and it was repealed. Parliament then put a tax of three-pence a pound on tea ; but the people determined not to import any tea. The press, the pulpit and Colonial Legislatures denounced the acts, and an attempt to raise a revenue in America by taxation proved a failure. British troops were stationed at Boston and New York. Tlie colonists resolved to consult together, and the First Continental Congress was called at Philadelphia September 5, 1774, which recommended the suspen- sion of all commercial intercourse with England, and agreed to meet again in May, 1775. The General Assembly of New Hampshire sent letters to the several towns in the province requesting them to send deputies to a convention, to be held at Exeter, to choose delegates to a General Congress to meet at Philadelphia. Accordingly, a meeting was called, to be held January 12, 1775, "to see if the town of Bow will vote to Chuse a man to go to Exeter to set with the Provincial Committee to Chuse delegates to go to Philadelphia to the Congress in May next. Vofed not to send a man, but voted to Buy a town stock of ammunition ; also to get the money due from Lieut. Fry soon as they can without cost." At the annual meeting, April 6, 1775, Benjamin Bean, John Noyes and Leonard Harriman were chosen selectmen. " Voted to raise 30 dollars for schooling, also to divide into districts as last year, and to raise eight dollars to repair highways. Bought a town-book for fifteen shillings." On May 11th, pursuant to call, a town-meeting was held, and it was voted to send Benjamin Noyes as a delegate to the Fourth Provincial Congress at Exeter the 17th of May ; it was also voted to drop school and highway rates for the year, probably on account of the war. Aaron Kinsman received a captain's commission, March 2d, for the Seventh Company, First Regiment, Colonel John Stark. June 23d the town militia was organized by the choice of Ephraim Foster, captain ; Ephraim Moor, lieutenant ; Ralph Cross, ensign ; and Esquire Bryant, James Moor, Samuel Rogers, John Noyes and Benjamin Bean, a Committee of Inspection or Safety. An order was sent to the several towns in the prov- ince, by the Provincial Congress, August 25th, for the taking of an exact count of the number of in- habitants by the selectmen of the several towns. The following is the return from Bow : " Males nnder IG years of age SS Males from 16 to 50 47 Males above 50 years of age 11 The Persons gone to the army 17 Females 1S9 Total 350 "Gnns in Bow, 33 ; Uuns wanting, 14 ; Powder, 13 pounds. " Bewamin Bean, 1 „ , , „ , „ Selectmen "John Noves, > . „ "Leonard Harriman, J " Sept. 6th, 1775, Sworn to Before "John Bkiaxt, J. P." February 3, 1776, Edward Russell being appointed a justice of the peace by the House of Representa- tives, the selectmen and Committee of Safety remon- HISTORY OF MERKIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. strated against commissioning him until the town had an opportunity to recommend another man. Febru- ary 14th a meeting was called for that purpose, to be held tlie 22d, when Ephraim Foster was chosen as the man. At the annual meeting, April 4th, John Bryant, Benjamin Noyes and Ephraim Foster were chosen selectmen, and " voted to raise 50 dollars for preach- ing, to be proportioned above and below Merrill's bridge, according to money raised, and 50 dollars for schooling." Captain Caleb Page was representative at the September session from Bow and Dunbarton, and John Bryant at the December session. In Congress, March 14, 1776, "Resolved that the Committees of Safety of the United Colonies im- mediately cause all persons to be disarmed who refuse to associate to defend, by use of arms, the United Colonies against the British Fleets and armies." April 12th the Committee of Safety of New Hampshire requested the selectmen of towns to desire all males above twenty-one years of age to sign the following declaration, called the Association Test: " We, the subscribers, do hereby solemnly en- gage and promise that we will, to the utmost of our power, at the risque of our lives and fortunes, with arms, oppose the hostile proceedings of the British Fleets and Armies against the United American Colonies." The act of signing the above was similar to that of the patriots who signed the national declaration, July 4th. The signers in Bow were,— Ephraim Foster, Joseph Rogers, Nathanel Collier, John Brj-ant, Ralph Cross, John Brown, Benjamin Bean, Antony Manuell, Paltiah Clement, James Buswell, Timothy Dix, Richard Clough, Jr., John Carr, Samuel Dow, Henry Hemphill (his X mark), Stephen Eastman, Elisha Clough, Joseph Baker, David Carr, Elisha Clough, Jr., Samuel Welch, John Grushe, Thomas Hardy, William Robertson, Jonathan Clement, Edward Carlton, Aaron Noyes, Solomon Heath, Samuel Rogers, Jr., John Noyes, Edward Russell, Aaron Kinsman, James Reddell, David Foster, Reuben Currier, John Garven, David Elliot, Hi l.iid I'l^vrh, i: in Hr-mphill, John Colby, John Robertson, Ji'liTi ^\ \' ' . ' " i :— Moor, Samuel Alexander, Willaby CoHvv, I .11, , , - , 1 w.-lcli, Jr., Eligah Colby, John Sulliway,.l;i> i. -(>- Mi i.. ,1. . |.l, lu.^ns.Jr., Enoch Noyes, Jonathan Clough, Kplinuin ."Moor, Sanuu-l \\ inslow, Ben- jamin Noyes, Amosa Dow and Simeon Heath,^Total, 63. '* Errors excepted, " Samuel Roof.hs. *' I not being satisfied, Errors excepted, "William Rogers. " Bow, September y» %^, 1T7C. " Returned to the Committee of Safety by the Selectmen." Heretofore the annual meetings had been called by the province of New Hampshire, but the meeting for April 3, 1777, was warned by the State of New Hampshire to the inhabitants of the town of Bow. In 1777, Edward Eussell, Edward Carlton and Jonathan Clement were chosen selectmen, and Cap- tain Bean, James Moor, Esquire Bryant, John Noyes and Joseph Baker were chosen a Committee of Safety. No money raised for preaching, schools or highways. John Bryant, representative for Bow and Dunbarton at the session to be held at Exeter, June 4, 1777, and Jeremiah Page, Esq., of Dunbarton, at the December session. The State ta.K was £40,000. £118 6s. 8A, Bow's proportion, was paid by Edward Evans, con- stable. In 1778, AVilliam Robertson, David Carr and Samuel Alexander were chosen to do the town busi- ness for the year. " Voted to hire a man to go to Stratham to get a copy of the names of the Proprie- tors of the unimproved lots in town. Joseph Baker, James Buswell, Edward Carlton, John Bryant, William Robertson, Ephraim Foster, Edward Russell, Benjamin Bean, Leonard Harriman, John Noyes, Enoch Noyes and John Carr gave to the town their services as selectmen from 1768 to April 1, 1778, and Timothy Dix gave his services as town clerk since. In 1774, " voted 100 dollars for preaching and 100 for schools, and to exempt John Garvin from paying his tax this year, on account of his loss by tire, and also Reuben Currier, he having lost his horse and cow." " Voted the invoice be taken the second week in April this year, and to send John Bryant to the convention at Concord in June next." In 1779, Edward Russell, Benjamin Noyes and Ephraim Foster were chosen selectmen. The meet- ing-house built in 1770 was probably a rude struc- ture. The inhabitants now began to feel the need of a better one. We now find them voting to build a meeting-house at the centre, and choosing a committee to find the centre, by measuring from where the line between Bow and Concord strikes Merrimack River to Dunbarton, near Samuel Welch's, where Alfred A. Elliot now lives; then beginning at Bow and Dunbar- ton line, near Benjamin Noyes', and running to the outside of Solomon Heath's land. John Noyes was commissioned captain of the Eighth Company in the Thirteenth Regiment, March 17, 1779, by M. Weare. The Continental and State tax was £267 lis. 6d.; school tax, £33 2s. 5d. ; minister tax, £27 5s. id., — total, £327 18s. lljrf. Ephraim Foster and Leonard Harriman were appointed a committee to settle with the selectmen. " Voted to accept the Bill of Rights and Plan of Government established at Concord; 30 pei-sons present, 18 voted yea, 3 nay." Joseph Rogers was chosen grand juror to Portsmouth. In 1780, Edward Russell, Benjamin Noyes and Jacob Green were chosen selectmen. After choosing other town officers, it was " Voted to allow the Con- stable sixpence upon the pound for collecting, and the selectmen Ten dollars per day for their services." Owing to the depreciation of the currency in April four thousand pounds " Continental money " was equal to one hundred pounds silver. There was no money raised for schools or preaching. " Voted to work on the highways 150 days or pay an equivalent." By the charter, the annual meeting was to be held on the first Thursday in April, which was found to be too late for the selectmen to enter into oflice, as the inventory was to be taken in that month. October 24th, John Bryant, Esq., on behalf of him- self and other freeholders of Bow, petitioned the General Assembly that the time may be changed to BOW. 275 the first Tuesday of March annually, which was granted. Jeremiah Page was chosen rei^resentative for Dun- barton and Bow. In 1781 it was " Voted to give the selectmen, Edward llussell, Beuj™ Noyes and John Brown, 30 dollars per day for their services," seventy-five hundred pounds being equal to one hundred pounds silver. The tax for 1780, collected this year, was, — ' Continental and State DittoforBeef and County Ditto for Corn and money for soldiers At a meeting held the 28th of May, 1781, it was " Voted to send Esqr. Bryant, as agent of the town, to the General Assembly, to remonstrate against a Pe- tition, preferred by Concord, to have their town In- corporated, and voted 1000 dollars to defray the expense." Bryant promised to give his time, and if an attorney was necessary, he would pay him, the town to pay Bryant's expenses while he was gone. Mr. Russell was chosen delegate to the convention to be held at Concord. Timothy Dix gave his services as town clerk since 1774. At the annual meeting in 1782, Enoch Noyes, Richard Dow and James Robertson were chosen selectmen, and James Robertson clerk. " Voted 50 dollars for schools and 50 dollars to Repair highways, at 2 shillings per day." "Voted not to accept the plan of Government as it now stands, by 37 votes." " Voted to accept of an open road from William Robertson's to Esqr. Benj"" Noyes, as Laid by the selectmen in May, 1778, and to recomeud John Bryant to the General Court for a justice of the peace." " Voted five dollars' bounty for each wolf killed in town for the year, and to abate John Miller's tax on the steer he lost." "Money raised last year, — New Emission State, £368 16s. 2d. 2q. ; County, £21 19s. Gd. iq. ; Silver money, £160 Os. Od. 2q." " Agreeable to an act of the General Court, John Eobertson, Constable for the 1780 for this town, hath lawfully advertised to be sold to pay the taxes for said year, on the first Wednesday of Oct., 1782, the following "in Oie 2d BfowioB.— Nath'n'l Stevens, Lot Ko. 7, Range 11, sold to Epbraim Moor, 18 acres. Benjamin Palmer, Lot No 11, Range 12, sold to Benj« Xoyes, 5G acres. '•r/ijrd DiiMiou.—Holdiidge Kelly, Lot No 3; Richard Waldron, Lot 19 ; Mary Jones, Lot 27 ; Eben' Weare, Lot 49 ; Bradstreet Wiggin, Lot 17 ; Tbos. Smith, Lot 21 ; Rob't Wilson, Lot 37 ; Jona"> Wiggin, Lot oS ; John Frost, Lot CO ; Thomas Piper, Lot 61 ; Beiy" Hoag, Lot 71 ; Daniel Davis, Lot 83 ; John Merrill, Lot 84; John Leavitt, Lot 8.5 ; 14 Iota sold to Ensign Benjamin Noyes ; Benj" Mason, Lot 33 ; Joseph Merrill, Lot 30 ; Edwi Fifleld, Lot 41 ; Samuel Hilton, Lot 02 ; 4 lots sold to Walter Brj-ant, Esqr., father ot John Bryant, Esqr. ; (Lot 92 is the lot north east of the mill lot on the Londonderry turnpike) ; Nathni Stevens, Lot 36 ; Joseph Wiggin, Lot 120 ; Thos. Veazey, Lot 122 ; Col. And" Wiggin, Lot 131 (north of the old Runell lot) ; 4 lots sold to John Bryant, Esq. ; Rev. Henry Russ, No. 86 ; William French, 88, two lots sold to Mr. Leonard Haniman ; George Clark, Lot 97, sold to James Robertson ; The Ephraim Leavit Lot, No. lOS, sold to Lieut. Ephraini Moor; Abraham Morgan, Lot 146, across the river, sold to John Garvin ; Thos. Wostbrook, Lot No. 4, 2d Division, 18th Range, and Lot 1(J0, third Divi- sion, sold to Mr. Aaron Whittemoro, in bcbulf of Charles Collin. " It took tlie whole of the aforesaid lands to pay the aforesaid taxes with intervening charges. Attest, „.„,-„.. "James Robektson, CTcri. "Bow, Oct. 2,1782." In 1783, James Robertson, Enoch Noyes and Ben- jamin Noyes were chosen selectmen. " Voted to raise 75 dollars for repairing highways. State and soldiers taxes, £495 17s." " Voted to accept of tlie new Consti- tution," which became the Constitution of the State in June, 1784. "Sworn to Before *Sasi'l Daniell, Juat. Peace.'' In 1784, the independence of the United States being acknowledged, a Constitution of the State was formed and accepted by the people, the chief execu- tive to be styled President. Meshech Weare was elected, but the voters in Bow, in their characteristic manner, cast twenty-two votes for Hon. Woodbury Langdon and nine votes for Hon. Josiah Bartlett. " Voted to raise 200 dollars for work on the highway at half a dollar a day." James Robertson, Solomon Heath and Enoch Noyes were chosen selectmen, James Robertson clerk. The following unimproved lands were sold for taxes this year, viz. : "The Nathn' Stevens Lot, No. 7, 11th Range, 80 acres, and the John Piper lot, No. 3, 17th Range, 40 acres, sold to Lieut. Ephr" Moore ; 30 acres of the Nicholas Wiggin lot, No. 8, 12th Range ; 20 acres of the Benjamin Palmer lot, No. 11, 12th range ; 30 acres of the Joshua Hill lot, No. 4, 17th range ; 50 acres of the Saml. Tibbets lot. No. 3, 14th range. In the 3d Division the Isaac Foss lot. No. 1, 20 acres, the south west corner lot in town ; the John Sanborn lot. No. 144, 20 acres over the river ; the Gov. John W'entworth lot. No. 18, all sold to John Biyant, Esq. The Col. Mark Hunking lot. No. 5, 15th range, 29 acres ; Hon. John Wentworth, 29 acres of lot No. 6, 15th range ; 31 acres of the Noah Barker lot. No. 8, 18th range. In the 3d division the Sol. Cotton lot, No. 6 ; the Saml. Tibbets lot. No. 35 ; the Joshua Stevens lot, No. 81 ; the Col. Mark Hunking lot. No. 54 ; twenty-acre lots sold to Ens. Bety" Noyes ; 50 acres of the Catherine Wiggin lot. No. S, 16th range, sold to Solomon Heath ; 30 acres of the Joseph Jewett lot. No. 6, 18th range, sold to James Moor ; the Joseph Loverin lot, 3d Division, No. 142, over the river, sold to John Robertson, and the Catherine Wiggin lot. No. 95, sold to James Robertson. (This sale was made May 25, 1784, it took the whole proceeds to pay the ta:;ies and charges.) On the third Tuesday of December the following lands were sold at Public vendue : The Wiggin lot. No. 3, 12th range ; Hill lot. No. 4, 17th range, and the James Robertson lot, 128, 3d Div. ; 20 acres from each lot sold to John Bryant, Esq. 15 acres of No. 6, 15th Range ; 21 acres. No. 6, loth R. ; 30 acres. No. 8, 18th R. ; and 2 acres. No. 110, sold to Benjamin Noyes. 20 acres, No. 6, 18th R. ; the Pierce Long lot. No. 57, 3d Div., sold to Enoch Noyes. The third division lots. No. 121, and 4 acres of 126 sold to James Moor. 25 acres of No. 3, 17th range, sold to Capt. John Noyes. Part of lot No. 129 sold to Jonathan Currier. " Enoch Noyes, Vendue Cleric. In 1785, James Robertson, Jacob Green and Solo- mon Heath were chosen selectmen. " Voted to work fifty days on the Soucook Bridge." The meeting- house built in 1770, we suppose, was a rude structure, built of logs, and has now become unfit for jiublic meetings. " Voted to raise 500 dollars in labor and lumber to build a meeting-house on the Hill where the old one stands, and that Solomon Heath, David :'7(i IIISTOliV Ol'' MI'lltUIIMACK COIINTV, NI'IW llAMI lll'owii, lli'li,)'" NiiytiH, .liiliii llryniil mikI .Imuli (Jncii lio a I'liiiMiilttKo Id |ii'iivIiIi< luiilciiiil lor llir IIiilMiii^:." " IVri/ fiO ildllai'H liir iirninhliin', In lii) ill llio lioumi ill' .liilin Itiyaiil, iikiii' ,liiHt<|ili Kuxi'Im'." TIiIh hoimit Ih nti|i|MiH IUkIi IIohhi', " y<>lnl M ilolliUH I'm' Nrliiiolliip;." .liiiiit'H Hulit'i'trtiiii wiiHgiaiiliul tliii liKJit nf a I'l'iry uviT llm Mi'iiiiiiack Uivnr, aiiy- wlioni Imtwooii Mo'or'N Hniiik iiiiil HiiiiiMiiik Uivor. Ill IVHil, alhT iiiakliig I'liolnv of Kihvanl UummoII, .liiliii lliyaiit anil 'riiiiolliy Dix I'or mi'Iih'Iiiu'Ii, "I'otfd XiiO, al iln, pur ilay, I'l'i' IliKliwiiy, ami 7t> tlollai'M in liii'o lii'hniilliiK iIiIh yi'iir," .liihn LaiiKili>n liiul lAVKiily-rmir volrn lor I'lcniilfiil ol' Ilir Slali-; no (ip- liimlliiMi. A IM.i'liciiKir 111.' iiiluiliitanlrt WMiilr.l llio illi-ol.inn'- ani llU'P lliiil IliK colli ri', wlilch llii'v I'i'ptii'liMl iippiii/r(/ to ImiM a iioimu iim laigiMiH Ml', Collii.'M, llii'ii niiiiidlorat IVinlii'oko, ami to lalHo .CIOO ill iiialt>rial« ami lalinr I'or »•' lloiiao," Ml', Solomon lloalli, Lionliniant Hnoi'li Noyih ami Ml', l>aviil lliown woro appoinlcil a I'ommitli'n lo Imilil Willi lu.ii«i\ •• W'Uil lo liiiv Ml', liiailloi-.l lo proai'li iMH'ht ilay«," How anil l>iinliarloii hail Imcii I'lamioil I'or nloi'ting' I'opi'iwontativo ami ilt'li>j);ato,i sinro \nC>, .laiuiiiry ;!S>, 17S7, a mooliiifj; ol'tliiLso qualiUi'il to vote ill lovMi-iii(it>lingn of lioth towiiM iiiot at Ihu lioiiao ol llfiiiy rutm'v.in l>uuliartoii, ami niailoehoioo of Jacob (ii'ccii, ilclcn'alo to llio convention iitKxolcr.to act on a new plan of ^ovci'iiincnl, wliicli had been |iri>po.ieil by the I'liilinlclpliiii Convention ami alreaily atloptcil by ein'lit Slattw, nine beinn' ucei^saary to make it the law of llie lami, ll was ailopleil by the convention ;/' Jacob (.ii'cen voleil nay. In 17S7,Ji>lt'> Hryani, John tinishee ami ICnoch iNoyea were chosen seleelinen. In 17SS, Solomon llealh, Jame^i Koberl.soii ami Joua, I'leiiienl were chosen aeleclmen. The votes for Slate Prerienliilive to Conn'rivss, Joshua .Vtherlon, Ksi],, hail 17 ; Nathaniel I'eaboily, Ks.],, 1 1 ; I'aine WinK'ate, Rsq., US; ami 8 for olhei's. In W-**'.', James Uobevlson, Solomon Heath ami Jonn, iMemeiit were cluwcu selectmen, lii answer to an article " lo see if llie town will vote to be iliviilcil ami be amiexeil lo Uunbarlon, roncoitl ami Pembroke, or to set oil' any part of liow to saiil town, voteil not to set olfor iliviiie ihc town." Ill setllim? with the Iviimfonl piopricloi'^ in 1771, lliey were lo (my to lli,' ll„w pi'oprirloiM hii |...uiiils for eiich liiiii.lnMl-ai'i'c Int wlii.'li wiim IiikI mil Ky |I,nv III llie Uniiil'oril uranl. 'riiomiiH Stiekiiey, Amlrow McMillan ami Abiel ('liiimllcr were appointed a com- iniltee by the proprielorH of Uiiiiil'nril In receive a iinil-claim deed from llie Mow proprietoi's and givo them a bnml on interest I'or llic ten ponmls for each one hundred acre lol. In 1773 they voleil to raise six hlimlred pounds by assesHinentfi, which was Hupposed 111 lie siilllcieni to pay the proprietors of How, and lo give sixty poiimls to the Masonian proprietors for their ri^'lit to ihe liiml, 'J"he tax not being all col- leetcil, an act wiw passed in 178!) empowering Tinio- tliy Walker to collect tlie remainder, and to fully dis- charge llie bond, III 171KI thcHiibjeetof a division of the town met the same fate as it did the previous year. Jacob (ireeii, Siimuel (limit and James Uob- erlson were chosen selecliiien, " Yukd to allow Cap- tain Jacob Oreeii three pounds for allemlence at the convention at Kxeler in 17S8." At a mecling of the voters of How and Dnnbarlon, Major Caleb Shirk was chosen delcn'iito to a convenlion to revise the Coiistitulion. The votes for represciilntive to Coii- gress was, for John S. Slierborn, 80 ; Abial Foster, :!-l; Jeremiah Smith, 8, " VufeJ forty pounds for building a pound and repairing highways, ami none forschool- iug," The following tax-list was cimimiltcd lo Capliiiii JohliNoyes for collcdioii, Seplcmbcr II, 17',KI, he be- ing coiislalilc : •• Nmlliili N...vo« . . , I.I. Joii«. ripnioiil . . . «, .f. Km. lloi\|«. N..,v.w . , I.I. Jullll lil'IDlltW , , , ■ « OK I.I. Kllocll Nii.viii , . Julin Xlt'ulii . ! S>i ('ii|i|. .U.liii N»)'iw , , Joliii Onlwuy . .1 11 .lohii Ni.j'iHi, .liiiir , , Snm>nu|(»ra. . . . SiiiH> AIu.nuiuIki' . . . '. '. 11 llVi Siiiiii Woloh . :i II T,t. Ki.li- M.wr . , , K.lw«iil UiiwoU . , , . K|ili«< MiH.r, Jr , . , . . a «M .Inmioinnuoll MwwMuor Will" lltltfln A«ii.nMli Itnkor . 7 avi K.™ llmlg..!' .U-liii Itekw . a «H John tli',v.mt, K>i.,r. ; ", III s\,i Jniin'H linker I 8 Dttiitel Uitk«r Will" till}' W, Kiln, lioniiililll . . Kli'linn) OKxigli , , . ', ; 4 8V4 Jolui l)«nl« ■ 4 OK ThPiiHwWKwml. , , , Jullll Oni'Vlii. Jr. . . . : ". a m Wlll» Hnrvlu SliiU'Oii Soiviiit . , . I.I. TliuiKlo' mx . . . .'. « 7X ,lu(H.t. liU'lmulwu . , Skiiuu'I Oi\l\v«.v . . . ,l«mn» J!i.Wil«>ii . . , , , (1 i.H Ahum rioinont. . . . llmVJN 'rii...,,,*... , . S..i«U(.%Mi». Jr . . . ." 7 e>S V>«vW!*ti'V»ii», . , , l»««. Tl.«' «oWim.« . , iVvt. Rlili'i !>..» , , . - • * lii Tliiv Kobliimm, Jr. . Si.lm" IVtt JniHva llnawell . . . . y David C'lough . . . . Levi Cloiigb Jonatlmu Cloiigh . . Lt. Ellplialel BowlII . Ainasii Duw Joliii Dow Hi'Dry Ik'iiiplilll . . Henry lUiiiphill, Ji Will. Molly Uro» u . . Jubn IlouiphiU ' . . 1 1014 ■I 3^ Son JCesitleiU Iitx-IM. Dr. Philip CarrlKali . . . 1 Lt. Joaoph Hull : Ciipt. Jonhua Abbott . . . ( Koubcn Welch • Baruct Harvey .lobii Colby * Abmni Colby ; •Ion* Colby Lt. Wlllaby Colby . FMJulU Colby . . . Tho- Colby . . . John Sulloway . , W. Itcuy tlcnicnt . . . John ^'arter Neheniiab Slerrill . . . Clement N'oyes .... Nathni Uall Solomon llcath . . . . C^lcb Heath Capt. XuthniCavw . . Mosea N'oycs William Walker .... Samuel Walker .... Abial Walker Samuel Webb, Jr. . . . Capt. Jacob Creeu . . . Anthony 3Ianucl . . . "Thcalxive is a true 1 1790. Errors Excepted. I Dow 2 IH .11 6 David Lufkln 2 2 Wid. Jennet ISuutln ... 7 Mrs. Sarah 'rhonii«Norrta. ... 2 1 .fobn Whito 10 Joel Farnam 10 Bcnj» JellnesB 10 Will" Currier U C Lt. Samuel Noj'es .... 2 made by us on Bow for the year "Jacou GttEEsr, -V *'Ja«. Robeqt^ok, /-;?efcc/m«i." "Samuki. Gaili, J There were one hundred and ten resident tax-payers. The number of inhabitants at this time was five hun- dred and sixty-eight. The following names of signers of the Association Test have disappeared from the town records of to- day : '• Captain Aaron Kinman, Capt. Ephraim Foster, Italpli Crow, Capt. Benj" Dean, John Carr, David Carr, Samuel Wfnslow, Thomas Hardy, Leonard Harriman, Pcltiah Clement, John Brown, James Reddell, James Gariin, Edw" Carlton, David Foster. In 1791, after making choice of James Robertson, Timothy Dix and Jonathan Clement for selectmen, and choosing other town officers, thirty-three votes were cast for Josiah Bartlett for President of the State ; no opposition. " Voted ,£30 for schooling, each district to hire a master or mistress, as they see fit." The road from Wood Hill easterly between land of Abraham Colby and Willaby Colby, thence ex- tending by John Colby's to Dunbarton line, was laid out this year. Mr. Samuel Alexander was paid for boarding Mr. Stone and wife, five shillings. John Noyes was allowed six shillings for carrying them out of town and five shillings for warning persons out of town. An act was passed giving Jacob Green and Enoch Noyes, of Bow, and William Duncan and Daniel Livermore, their heirs and assigns, exclusive right to build a bridge at any place one mile above or below Isle Hooksett Falls. January 11th, Benjamin Noyes petitioned the Gen- eral Court, "Shewing that he has kept a ferry over the Merrimack River, near the mouth of Suncook River, ever since the year 1764, in all which time he has endeavored to give constant and satisfactory at- tendance, which he conceives bus been greatly for the benefit of the people of tiiis Slate ; and likewise thinks that a continuance of said ferry will be of great utility. And as he, from long occupancy, hath acquired, as ho humbly supposes, a natural right to the privilege of owning and keeping said ferry, he humbly prays the Honorable Court to grant him, his heirs and assigns, a right to said ferry exclusively." The petition being read, was referred to a committee who reported ftivor- ably, and February 14th, an act was passed granting said Noyes exclusive right to a ferry in any place within one mile above or below the mouth of the Sun- cook River. In 1792, James Robertson, Benjamin Noyes anil Eliphalet Rowell were chosen selectmen, and Jacob Green town clerk. Josiah Bartlett had twenty-seven votes for State President and John Pickering one. A committee was chosen to regulate the school districts, which numbered four, — No. 1, Heath District; No. 2, Centre; No. 3, East; No. 4, Wood Hill. A committee, con.sisting of Jacob Green and John Bryant, was appointed to carry on a pauper suit which Concord had brought against Bow for the mainten- ance of Sarah Stone, widow of Andrew Stone, who was in the French War in 1750 in John Gofl's com- pany, in 1757 in Jacob Bayley's company, and in Cap- tain Joshua Abbott's company in 1775. Stone resided in Concord, near the Ira Abbot place. While in the war his house was torn down because his daughter did not behave as well as some of the neighbors thought she should, and they took refuge in Bow and became a public charge. In 1780 the town of Concord " i'o/at to abate Andrew Stone his rates that are due, and ex- empt him from paying taxes for the future." She was the first pauper in town, and was set up tf> lie kept by the lowest bidder, who was Jonathan Clough, at four shillings per week The subject of building a meeting-house came up again this year. " Voted to reconsider all former proceedings concerning wild house, and that Lieutenant William Page, of Goffs- town, Colonel Henry Gerrish, of Boscowen, and Ben- jamin Wiggin, of Hopkinton, fix on a place to set said house, and chose Jacob Green, Ensign Benjamin Noyes and Mr. John Carter a committee to wait on them, and to draw papers obliging the inhabitants to put up a frame, and board and shingle and lay the under floor." The meeting was adjourned two weeks, when they " Voted that Captain Nathaniel Cavis and Lieutenant Willaby Colby be added to the aforesaid committee." They then adjourned to the 12th of No- vember, when it was voted to accej)! the report of committee — Page, Gerrish and Wiggin — that the house be built on the hill near where the old one stood. .Jacob Green was then chosen to set up the building of the house to the lowest bidder, who was Eliphalet Rowell, for £60 12*., lawful money. " Voted that Enoch Noyes, Willaby Colby and Timothy Dix be a committee to accept of the meeting-house." " Voted 278 HLSTOKY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. to raise 202 Dollare to defray the charges of building the house." "Chose Benj'". Noyes to defend the town on account of a complaint concerning Sowcook Bridge, near Foster's Mill, also to attend Court to shew cause why the town should not maintain the road laid by the committee on the westerly side of Merrimack River, near John Carter's mill." The vote for Presidential electors was thirty-two, unanimous lor the Federal candidates. Isaac Moor, Isaac Shepard and Ensign Benjamin Noyes were approbated for tav- ern-keepers, the first in town. In 1793, Benjamin Noyes, John Grushe and Eichard Clement were chosen selectmen. Hon. Josiah Bart- lett had fifty-eight votes for President of the State; no opposition. " Voted £45, L. Money, to repair high- ways, one-third of each surveyor's tax to be worked on the river road, the party to work all theirs as usual." The probability is that a freshet had damaged the road badly. Samuel Alexander kept Sarah Stone for 15s. 2d. a week. Paid Benjamin Noyes for services to Portsmouth to prevent the road fi-oni being laid ; also the expense of building Soucook bridge, £7 8s. 2d. Paid the committee to " Perfix a place to build the meeting-house " upon, £2 8s. The dissatisfaction of some at having the house on the hill instead of at the Centre is apparent in an article in the warrant to see if the town will vote to set off those that request it, for the convenience of the gospel, which was negatived. May 21st there was a meeting " to see if the town will vote to be divided by lines in order to be annexed to other towns, or to set ofTpartsof thetown by themselves, that they may consine themselves in other towns for the benefit of the Gospel," all of which was negatived by thirty voting against by way of poll. Richard Merrill was "approbated to sell or Retale Liker." No money raised for preaching since 1781. At the annual meeting in 1794, Benjamin Noyes, Nathaniel Cavis and John Carter were chosen select- men. At " a meeting warned by the selectmen of Bow and Allenstown, holden at the house of Benj" Noyes, for the purpose of choosing a man to represent said towns in the General Court the present year, Benjamin Noyes was chosen the selectman of said towns to petition said Court that said Noyes be al- lowed a seat." November 3d a meeting was held " to see what method the town will take to raise eleven men to hold themselves in readiness to march at a minuite's warning." " Voted to make, with what the state and continental gives, seven dollars a month, with one dollar as a bounty, and if called for, two dollars more." It is supposed they were never called for. The probable cause for the order for these men was the resistance to the collection of taxes on dis- tilled spirits in Western Pennsylvania, called the Whiskey Rebellion. For representative to Congress Abial Foster had twenty-three votes ; Paine Wingate, Mav 29lh the selectmen issiu ept to John Carter, constable, " requiring him forthwith to notify and warn the following persons to depart out of Bow to the last places of their abode within four- teen days after said warning, viz.: Kimball Colby and Sarah, his wife, and three children ; Widow Hannah Foster; Hannah, wife of Jacob Chisemore, and her daughter ; Jacob Perkins Buruham and Sarah, his wife ; also one James Clements ; all of wliom came into Bow to reside from Dunbartou less than one year ago ; also Jacob Wheeler, and Betsy, his wife, and Sirus Bradford, the said Wheeler's ser- vant from Deering; also Thomas Chandler and Sarah, his wife, and Sarah Goodnough, their grandchild, from Concord, less than one year ago, and have no visible means of support." This was done in the name of the State of New Hampshire, and the con- stable was to make return to the next Quarter Ses- sions for Rockingham County. By warning new- comers out of town he deprived them of gaining a residence, and the town was not liable for their sup- port if they became a public charge. In 1795 the selectmen were Thomas Robertson, Benjamin Noyes and Caleb Heath. " Voted that the lowest bidder be collector of taxes and constable." Willaby Colby bid three pounds and was chosen for the year. John Taylor Oilman had thirty-nine votes for Governor ; no opposition. In 1796, Jacob Green, Willaby Colby and Samuel Clement, Jr., were chosen selectmen ; John Carter, Jacob Green and James White, fish wardens. John T. Oilman had forty- nine votes for Governor. Jonathan Freeman had twenty-one votes for member of Congress ; Peleg Sprague, none. Benjamin Noyes was chosen to rep- resent Bow and Allenstown in General Court. In 1797, Enoch Noyes, Jacob Green and Willaby Colby were chosen selectmen. Governor Oilman had forty- four votes this year; no party lines yet. " Voted the selectmen lay out the school districts and report at an adjourned meeting; also provide Guide Posts in town." "Paid Willaby Colby 14 shillings for a coffin and expense of burying Mrs. Stone, and Is. M. for Jury Box." American vessels had been captured by the French ; men were called for by Congress. A town-meeting was called January 1, 1798, "To see what method the town will take to get 16 men ordered by Congress." " Voted to give them a hansom treat for listing and ten dollars a month, with what Congress gives them, if orders come for marching, and one month's ad- vanced pay." It is not known that any went from Bow. At the annual meeting Enoch Noyes, Jacob Green and John Grushee were chosen selectmen. Forty-five votes were cast for Governor Oilman, and sixty pounds were ordered to be raised for the sup- port of the gospel, the first raised since 1781, proba- bly owing to the different views respecting the meeting-house and religious faith. " Voted that each district shall build a school-house, and that the selectmen build a pound near the Brook by the Cross house; Esqr. Bryant agrtes to give the hiud." At an adjourned meeting, 2>ai"ty feeling having been aroused, " Voted to reconsider the vote for Governor," and Timothy Walker had thirty-nine votes; Oliver Peabody, five. Then it was voted that the selectmen " purchase rum to give each man a good drink of grog, and each one to do as much as he sees fit to build the pound." Deacon James Robertson was chosen representative for Bow and Ailenstown. JIarch 2, 1799, " Then Lieut. Enoch Noyes re- ceived of John Grushee, Treasurer, five dollars, four of which was used to buy four gallons of rum to Iniild the pound, as by vote of the town. Chose Enoch Noyes, Caleb Heath and James Robertson selectmen. Jacob Green is yet town Clerk." John Taylor Gilman had forty-six votes for Governor ; Timothy Walker, one ; Oliver Peabody, one. Wil- liam A. Kent had fifty-five votes for recorder of deeds; ■ Brooks, two. "Voted that the selectmen purchase a burying-cloth and locate school-houses." There were seven school districts in town, viz. : Heath, Centre, two on the River road, Woodhill, South and Bogg. Number of inhabitants, seven hundred and nineteen. In 1800, Enoch Noyes, Jacob Green and James Robertson were chosen selectmen ; William Walker, pound-keeper; and nine-pence bounty was voted on crows killed in town. There were five licensed public-houses in town. In 1801 the selectmen were Enoch Noyes, Samuel Clement and James Robertson. Timothy Walker had twenty-nine votes ; John T. Gilman, twenty-eight; and John Langdon, eight. The meeting-house hav- ing been boarded and shingled and under floor laid, the town-meetings were now held there. In 1802 a meeting was held at the house Benjamin Noyes to choose a representative for Bow and Ailenstown ; no record of proceedings. At the annual meeting, March 2d, John Carter, Samuel Clement and Jona- than Clement were chosen selectmen. For Governor, John T. Gilman had twenty-eight votes, and John Langdon forty-five. " Voted to raise a sum suflicient to build school-houses in town, but not to build them this year, the selectmen to locate them and purchase the lands." In 1803 the selectmen were the same as the year before. For Governor, Gilman had thirty- five votes ; Langdon, twenty-nine ; whole number of votes, sixty-four. Jonathan Clement, Deacon Simeon Heath and Deacon James Robertson were chosen to lay out the thirty pounds for the support of the gos- pel. "Voted one shilling a head for crows, and three dollars for grey wild-cats killed in town or followed fi-om this town to any other town." Benjamin Noyes was chosen representative for Bow and Ailenstown. In 1804, Cxovernor John Langdon had fifty-three votes for Governor, and His Excellency John T. Gilman, twenty-seven. Joseph Baker, Samuel Clement and Jacob Green were chosen selectmen. The burying-cloth was ordered to be left at Jacob Oreen's. The heaviest tax-paver at this time was I Esquire John Bryant, the owner of mills and nearly one thousand acres of land ; next came Benjamin Noyes, Esq., the owner of one thousand acres. George Evans, of Ailenstown, was representative for that town and Bow. The electoral vote was forty-three and twenty-six. " Voted to Petition the General Court to make a county charge of Soucook bridge, and chose Joseph Baker to take charge of the matter." Eli Eastman was paid three dollars bounty for killing a wild-cat. June 20th, John Prentice, John Philips, Thomas W. Thompson, John Montgomery, William A. Kent, James Pinkerton, John Dinsmore, Isaac Thom and George Reid and their associates were authorized to build a turnpike road from Butler's Corner, in Con- cord, to the State line, near Andover bridge, four rods wide, on the most practicable route. The road was two years in building, taking a straight course through Bow from Main Street, Concord, to Hooksett bridge. The principal roads in town at this time was the River road and the road from South Street, Concord, to Bow Illills, over Meeting-House Hill and Wood Hill to Dunbarton line, at the Elliot place. Branch roads had been built from the meeting- house to Solomon Heath's, from Tom Merrill's bridge to the River road, from near the centre to Benjamin Noyes' ferry, from Wood Hill easterly to Dunbarton line. Au- gust 10th, John Bryant sold to Jacob Carter, of Con- cord, the land from Badger's Brook to Isaac White's and between the road past Isaac Moore's and the river, about thirty acres, with a small island in Garvin's Falls, ea.st of said land. John Carter had a grist-mill at the falls the year before. December 13th the north- erly Bow gore and the southerly to the Soucook were annexed to Concord, and that part southea.st of the Sou- cook was annexed to Pembroke. These gores were caused by the easterly line of Bow crossing the east- erly line of the Pennacook grant at an angle of about thirty degrees. A charter was granted for a bridge across the Merrimack, below Garvin's Falls, to John Carter, Philip Carrigan, Jr., and Nathaniel Cavis and their associates and successors. The bridge was built, but was of short duration. In 1805, Samuel Clement, John Carter and Jona- than Brown were chosen selectmen, and Nathaniel Cavis representative for Bow and Ailenstown. Philip Richardson's widow, Manuel, became a town charge. Isaac Moore, Masters Wood and Hardy are men- tioned as teachers this year. Votes for Governor: John T. Gilman had thirty-two and Governor John Langdon sixty-four. " Voted, To hire Rev. Thomas Waterman to preach in the meetinghouse one year from the first of May next. Chose Joseph Jones to search the proprietors' book to know if there is any ministerial land belong- ing to Bow." In 1806, Samuel Gault, Joseph Jones and John Colby, Jr., were chosen selectmen. Governor John Langdon had sixty-five votes, and John Taylor Gil- HISTORY OF MERIUMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. man eiglit for Governor. " Paid Thomas Waterman three hundred and sixty-four dollars for preaching last year." In 1807, Samuel Clement, George Colson and John Colby, Jr., were chosen selectmen ; John Carter, Esq., representative of Bow and Alleustovvn. John Lang- don had seventy-two votes for Governor, and John T. Gilman one. In 1808, John Langdon had fifty-three votes for Governor, and no opposition. Samuel Clement, Sam- uel Gault and John Colby, Jr., were chosen select- men, and John Evans, of Allenstovvu, representative. At the June session Israel Aldrich, George Colson^ John Carter, Jonathan Eastman, Richard Ay er, James White, Benjamin Noyes, John Eastman and their associates and successors were authorized to build a canal at Garvin's Falls, and to hold land adjoining Garvin's and Turkey Falls, as to them may appear necessary, not to exceed twenty acres ; also to con- struct such locks and dams as may be required to ad- mit the passage of boats, rafts, masts and lumber, the fish not to be obstructed, or lumber not intended by the owner, the canal to be completed within five years. In 1809, Samuel Clement, John Johnson and Andrew Gault were chosen selectmen, and Samuel Clement representative. John Langdon had sixty-five votes and Jeremiah Smith thirty-nine for Governor. Lieu- tenant Thomas Colby, Joseph Jones and Nathaniel Cavis were chosen fish wardens. In 1810, Samuel Clement, John Johnson and John Colby, Jr., were chosen selectmen. The census shows seven hundred and twenty inhabitants. Eight persons were licensed to sell spirituous liquors and keep pub- lic-house. John Carter paid nine dollars for getting the proprietors' book. Hall Burgiu, of Allentown, was chosen representative. On July 4th citizens of Bow, Concord, Pem- broke and Dunbarton assembled at the house of Ben- jamin Noyes, Esq. General Nathaniel Head was chosen president of the day and John Carter vice- president. The Declaration of Independence was read, an appropriate address was delivered by Obadiah Carrigan, a procession escorted hy the juvenile artil- lery of Pembroke (Captain Martin), under the direc- tion of Captain Whittemore and Lieutenant Gault as marshals. They marched to the bank of the Merri- mack, where they found a table furnished by Esquire Noyes with all the luxuries of the country. After dinner they drank to the following sentiment, by Dea- con Samuel Gault, a volunteer: " The American Eagle, may she soar over her foreign and domestic enemies." In 1811, for Governor, John Langdon had ninety- one, and Jeremiah Smith twenty -nine. John Brown^ Daniel Parker and Joseph Jones were chosen select- men, and Nathaniel Cavis, Esq., representative. " Voted, to pay the fourteen men ordered in 1807 ten dollars a month, when they are called for." In 1812, William Plumer had eighty-six votes for Governor, John T. Gilman thirty-three, and John Brown one. John Brown, John Johnson and Daniel Parker were chosen selectmen. War was declared between Great Britain and the United States this year. Nathaniel Cavis was chosen repre- sentative. The branch turnpike from Hopkinton to Hooksett Falls, through Bow, was chartered June 17th. In 1813, John Colby, Jr., Daniel Parker and John Johnson were chosen- selectmen. William Plumer had one hundred and seven votes for Governor and John T. Gilman forty-three, — one hundred and fifty votes in all. Samuel Clement was chosen represen- tative from Bow, which was no longer classed with Allenstown for that purpose. In 1814 John Colby Jr., Jonathan Cavis and Philip Colby were chosen selectmen, and Nathaniel Cavis re- presentative. For Governor, William Plumer had one hundred and seventeen, John T. Gilman forty-two. In 1815, Samuel Clement, Daniel Parker and John Johnson were chosen selectmen, and Nathaniel Cavis representative. " Voted to sell twenty-acre lot called the Lane land." It sold for one hundred and eighty dollars. A road was laid ft-om Bow centre to Captain William Walker's this year. That part of Bow south of the Suncook River was annexed to Allenstown. In 1816 the same board of selectmen served. Sam- uel Clement was chosen representative. For Governor, William Plumer had one hundred and fifteen, and James Sheaff' thirty-seven votes. This was the coldest summer ever known, — snow squalls the 6th and 8tli of June and heavy- frost on the night of the 11th ; the corn crop was nearly spoiled. In 1817, Samuel Clement, David White and Nathan- iel Cavis, Jr., were chosen selectmen ; Samuel Cle- ment, Esq., representative; Jeremiah Heath, collec- tor. In 1818 " Voted that Elder Henry Veazey he in- vited to open the town-meeting by prayer," the first instance of the kind on record. The selectmen were the same as last year. In 1819 the selectmen were Samuel Clement, Philip Colby and David White. " Voted unanimous for the new county of Merrimack." For Governor, Samuel Bell had thirty-six votes, William Hale seventeen, William Plumer forty-three, and 'Daniel L. Morrill twenty-six. In 1820, Philip Colby, John Johnson and Jonathan Cavis were chosen selectmen. Samuel Clement had been representative since 1816. The seventy-five votes cast for Presidential electors were all for the Republi- can candidates. In 1821, " Voted to build a pound, the selectmen to locate and let it out by vendue to the lowest bidder." William Pickering had the whole vote, one hundred and forty-five, for treasurer. In 1822, Gates & Rowell were paid forty-nine dol- lars for building the pound, and William Walker was chosen pound-keeper. In 1823, Rev. Henry Veasey was chosen insjiector of B(»\V 281 schools and to take care of the key to the meeting- liouse, for which he was paid nine dollars. " Voted that any one have liherty to put a stove in the meet- ing-house at their own expense." In 1824, Jeremiah Russell, Philip Colby and David White were chosen selectmen, and Stephen Webster collector. A road was laid out from Page corner to Farrintou's. John Brown was representative in 1822, '23 and '24. In 1820 there were no party lines. David L. Mor- rill had one hundred and forty-six votes for Governor, and Ruth Heath one. Jacob B. Moore had one hundred and forty -seven votes for register, — the whole vote. Samuel Clement was representative. The road south- west from the Bog, and from John Colby's to Hook- .«ett line, was laid out. David White, James Morgan and Edward C. Clement were chosen selectmen, and Jeremiah Russell collector. In 1826 David White reported the road laid out from the Cheever road to Wiliiani Walker's. In 1827, Samuel Clement, John Parker and Nathan- iel Goodhue, Jr., were chosen selectmen; Jonathan Cavis, collector; Isaac Clough, a merchant at the Cen- tre, town clerk. The removal of the meeting-house to the turnpike, near Clough's store, began to be agitated. In 1828 South School District was organized. John Parker, Nathaniel Carter and David White were chosen selectmen ; Jonathan Cavis, representative ; Philip Colby, collector. The electoral vote was as follows: one hundred and fifty-three Democratic, thirty-five Whig. In 1829, " Voted to divide the literary fund among the school districts, unless it can be used lor the es- tablishing of a public college." In 1830 the census returned one thousand and sixty- five inhabitants, the maximum number for the town. Philip Colby was chosen representative, and Mendel Samson collector. The first check-list used this year. Nathaniel Goodhue, Jr., Isaac Clough and Moses Mc- Cutchins were the superintending school committee, the first appointed. The ^Vood Hill District, No. 10, was formed. In 1831 the vote for Congressmen was as follows : one hundred and forty-seven Democratic, twenty- three Whig. David White was chosen representative. In 1832, John Farnum was choseu representative. Caj>tain John Brown, James Green and William Boynton were appointed a committee to lay out eighty dollars, with what had been raised, to repair the out- side of the meeting-house for a town-house. In 1833 the Baptist meeting-house was built at the Centre, at an expense of about sixteen hundred dollars, by Deacon Walter Bryant, Nathaniel Cavis, Obed Gault, Aaron Nichols, Robert W. Robertson and others. The Congressional vote was as follows : one hundred and forty-eight Democratic, twelve Whig. A weekly mail-route was established from Concord to Goffstown, through Bow, and Isaac Clough, a merchant of Bow Centre, was appointed postmaster and held the office until 1840, when Robert W. Robertson, another mer- chant near, held the office till 1842; Willaby C. Had- ley was postmaster from 1842 to 1850; John T. Mor- gan from 1850 to 1868; James Green 1869; George H. Elliot from 1870 to 1873, when Jonathan C. Ham- mond was appointed, and now holds the ofliee. .lona- than Brown, Jr., and James McCauley alternated in carrying the mail for what they could make as com- mon carriers. Our citizens had received their mail through the Concord office to this time. In 1834 the subject of buying a poor-farm was agi- tated, and Nathaniel Carter, Esq., John B. White and John Brown were appointed a committee to in- quire into the matter of the expediency of the pur- chase. William R. Parker was chosen representa- tive. In 1835 the Congressional vote stood : one hun- dred and fifty-two Democratic, twenty-four Whig. Isaac Clough has been town clerk from 1826. " Voted a road be laid out around Wood Hill." In 1836, Jonathan Cavis was chosen representa- tive. " Voted to lay out a road around Wood Hill whenever Dunbarton and GofFtown open a road to meet it," which was never done. " Voted to appropri- ate the non-resident highway tax for post guides, and to purchase the Branch turnpike through Bow of the proprietors and lay out a highway on the same." In 1837 it was voted not to buy a poor-farm. John Parker was chosen representative. lu 1838, David Putney was chosen representative. The vote for making town clerks register of deeds stood : fourteen for to eighty-three against it. " Voted to hire fifteen hundred dollars to defray the expense of the suit. Sandwich against Bow, in regard to the Matthew Gault family." In this year the Bog Dis- trict was divided. In 1839, " Voted to divide District No. 4, the river road to be one and the turnpike the other." Oliver Messer was chosen representative. In 1840 the electoral vote stood ." one hundred and eighty Democratic, twenty-four Whig. " Voted to au- thorize the selectmen to hire a sum, not exceeding ten thousand dollars, to carry on the law-suit between Bow and Sandwich," which was changed to one thou- sand dollars at a subsequent meeting. In 1841,AVilliam Messer was chosen representative. A road was laid out to the Quimby place, in the south part of the town. In 1842, Amos Morgan was chosen representative. The first vote for road commissioner stood one hun- dred and sixty-three to seven. In 1844, James Morgan was chosen representative. "Voted not to have capital punishment abolished." Tlie electoral vote stood one hundred and sixty to seven. Schuyler Walker had been town clerk since 1838. In 1845 the boundaries of school di.striets were de- fined. In 1846, Samuel R.Green w:is chosen representa- HISTORY OF MEKRIMACK COUiNTY, x\EW HAMPSHIRE. tive. A road was laid out irom Brown's Mills to Turkey Falls. In 1847 all but two voted in favor of buying a county farm. " Voted to raise six hundred dollars to build a town-house, forty-four by thirty-four, the se- lectmen, with William Messer and George Wheeler, to be the building committee. Colonel James Green offers to give the land for the house to stand on, as long as wanted for that purpose, if the town will fence it. Voted to pay him thirty dollars, he to re- linquish all claim and extend the lot one rod on the southeast side, which he agreed to on condition that all sects and parties be allowed the use of the house when not interfering with previously posted notices on the door of the house." " Voted that the selectmen take a deed of the lot on the conditions specified." The electoral vote stood : one hundred and fifty-five Democratic, thirty-one Whig, nine Liberty, the first anti-slavery vote. Daniel K. Gault was chosen representative. In 1649, "Voted to raise seventy-five dollars more than the law requires for schooling." Enoch Alexan- der was chosen representative. By the census returns in 1850 there were one thou- sand and fifty-five inhabitants in town, ten less than in 1830. Some of the soldiers did not appear at the May training in consequence of the small-pox being in town, thus forfeiting the dollar due them ; but the town voted to pay them their dollar. "Voted one hundred and thirty-nine to thirty-six not to alter the Constitution ; " but the State voted otherwise, and Schuyler Walker was chosen delegate to the Consti- tutional Convention. In 1851, Amos Hadley, Jr., was chosen representa- tive. An emphatic nay was voted on all the amend- ments proposed by the convention. " Voted, that the selectmen purchase a hearse and harness, and erect a building for the same on the town-house lot." Eighty- three voted in favor and twenty-five against the home- stead exemption. In 1852 the electoral vote stood : one hundred and forty Democratic, twelve Whig, twenty-seven Free- Soil. There were fifteen school districts, with boun- daries defined. In 1853, Archibald Stark was chosen representative. In 1856, " Voted, that the selectmen purchase a poor- farm, to pay one thousand dollars down and pledge the credit of the town for the balance." Their be- ing so much opposition, a meeting was called, and it was voted to reconsider the former vote, ninety-one to thirty-two, and not to purchase a farm. In 1859, " Voted to buy a poor-farm," which was done, and in 1866, " Voted to sell the same." The representatives from 1864 to the present time, 1885, is given, viz. — 1855, Benjamin A. Noyes; 1857, .\nclr6w Gault; 1869, Samuel E' Green ; 1860, Frederick Clough ; 1862, James ThomiMon ; 1804, John W' Goodhue ; 1866, William P. Short ; 1868, Benjamin Noyes ; 1870, Samuel C. Clement ; 1871, James Thompson ; 1873, Kidiard W. Goodhue ; 1874, Guilford Upton ; 1875, Ira Woodbury ; 1876, Iliram Colby; 1877, John Brown (2d) ; 1878, Sivmuel Gile ; 1879, Horace H. Parker ; 1880, Cains U. Brown ; 1881,1 Henry C. Clough ; 1883, Leonard Kendall ; 1885, Andrew Xoycs. In 1860 the census returns give 909; 1870, 745 in- habitants. In 1882 the town voted to exempt from taxation for ten years capital exceeding ten thousand dollars invested in manufacturing purposes. Brown, Moore & Co., built a pulp-mill the uext year at Garvin's Falls, which is doing an extensive business. The town of Bow, reduced to its present dimensions contains about sixteen thousand acres, bounded on the north by Concord, east by Merrimack Kiver, which separates it from Pembroke, south by Hooksett and west by Dunbarton. Its extent on the river is about five miles. The Concord Railroad runs through the town a few rods from the river; the Robin.son's station is the only stopping-place in town. Several fine farms are situated on the river. West of the river about a mile is the Parker range of hills, extending from Turee Pond to Hooksett Falls, aftbrding several excellent farms in a healthy location, overlooking Pembroke Street ; then comes a depression, called the Bog, — land fertile, but stony ; very well adapted to the growth of fruit. A range of hills extends the whole length of the westerly [lart of the town, the liiirliest elevations being about five liuiulrtd tV-et :il)ove tlie sea-level. Military History from 1767 to 1785— Bow pkior TO AND DURING THE KeVOLUTIONAEY Wak.— The military history of Bow prior to 1767 is comprised in the military history of the parishes of Pennacook and Suncook before town privileges were granted them. But few families occupied the soil now con- stituting the town of Bow. No military organization had been effected. Several who had served in the French War afterwards became residents, viz. ; Ephraim Foster, in Joseph Blanchard's compajiy, in 1755 ; Andrew Stone, in the Crown Point expedition , in 1756 ; Samuel Winslow, in Captain Fogg's com- pany ; Henry Hemphill, in Crown Point expedition, 1758; Samuel Clement, 1760, in Captain Harron's company ; and Amasa Dow, in Captain Ladd's com- pany, at No. 4. In 1773 Concord, Bow, Pembroke, Loudon, Canterbury and Northfield comprised the Eleventh Regiment, commanded by Colonel Thomas Stickney, with Benjamin Thompson (afterwards Count Rumford, as major. January 12, 1775, the town voted to buy astock of ammunition. After the battle of Lexing- ton, April 19th, pursuant to call, " Voted to send Benjamin Noyes as delegate to a convention, to lie holden at Exeter, 17th of May." Said convention voted to raise two thousand men besides those already in the field, and appointed a committee of supplies for the army. John Stark was commissioned colonel of the First New Hampshire Regiment, of ten com- panies. March 2, 1774, Aaron Kinsman was com- missioned captain, Ephraim Moor lieutenant, and BOW. R;i,l|ili Triiss rn-.ii;ii. When the First Regiment was ioriinil. ( 'M|.i:iiii Kinsman was selected as captain of tlif Seventh ( 'nni|Kiiiy. When the town militia, June •2:'j, 1775, cliose Ephraim Foster captain, with lieu- tenant and ensign the same, several of the citizens of How enlisted in Kinsman's company. Among them were David Clement, Ebenezer Bean, Benjamin Cotton, Jonathan Currier, Samuel Rogers and John Manuel, for three months, ending August 1st. Manuel was killed at the Bunker Hill, June 17th. Barnet Harvey and John Robertson were in Joshua Abbot's company ; Benjamin Bean, Jr., Ephraim Garvin and William Robertson, in Captain Parker's company; Colonel Bedell's regiment of rangers, in the north- ern Continental army ; Thomas Colby, in Captain Noyes' compamy ; James Moor (a fifer) and Moses Noyes, in Daniel Moor's company ; Reuben Currier and John Moor, in Captain James Osgood's company, of Conway, July 28, 1775. Samuel Winslow was in Captain Dearborn's company ; William Robertson, in Colonel Reed's regiment. In Colonel Baldwin's regiment the following Bow men were enlisted and were at the battle at White Plains in October, 1776 : Ephraim Moore, Ralph Cross, Ralph Cross, Jr., Aaron Kinsman. The officers of the town militia at this time were Captain, Benjamin Bean; First Lieutenant, John Grushe ; Second Lieutenant, Timothy Dix ; En- sign, William Rogers. Solomon Farley was returned as among the sick in Colonel Poor's regiment. Moses Cross was in Captain Shepherd's company April 3, 1777. Captain Bean, James Moor, Esquire Bryant, John Noyes and Joseph Baker were appointed a Committee of Safety, and voted " to raise two hundred and seventy pounds to hire our proportion of three years' men for the Continental service, and give each man fifty dollars upon his enlisting." John Riddle, Stephen McCoy, Jonathan McCoy, Daniel McCoy, James Bowes, James Reddell, John Sulloway and Aaron Noyes accepted the offer. Early in July a party of eight men, consisting of David Carr, Willaby Colby, Richard Clough, David Clough, Benjamin Bean, Peter Manuel, John Dow and Samuel Manuel, all of Bow, marched for the relief of Ticonderoga. On their arrival at Charlestown they met the news of its evacuation and orders to return, being in service seven days, under Captain Bean, who soon died. Eli Colby was in Colonel Wyman's regiment, to re- inforce the army in Canada, in August, 1776. In 1777 there were sixty-four men in town from sixteen to fifty years of age. Benjamin Noyes, Captain Ephraim Foster, Amasa Dow, Solomon Heath and David Elliot were appointed to set prices on sundry articles. Eliphas Reed was in Captain Wiggan's company. In 1778 the town " Voted 500 dollars to hire Con- tinental soldiers, and Chose Edward Carlton, Esqr. Bryant and Timothy Dix to provide for the families of those who hath or shall enlist." In 1779 seventy pounds were jmid to volunteers who went to Rhode Island. " Voted to raise •'iOO dollars as a bounty to the two men that will go into the army for this town during the war, and to give Moses Noyes 40s. Pr. month in produce, at the stated price, and the town receive his wages." John Noyes was commissioned as captain of Eighth Comi)any, Thir- teenth Regiment, March 17th, in consequence of the death of Captain Bean. Mr. Enoch Noyes hired Benjamin Cotton for three years' service, and Captain John Noyes hired Jonathan Sargent and Robert Martin to go to Portsmouth for two hundred and twenty dollars, in Colonel Stickney's regiment. Cap- tain Frye's company, June 2, 1779. Eliphas Reed and Stephen McCoy enlisted, during the war, in Captain Frye's company. In 1780, " Voted to pay Enoch Noyes 140 dollars for the depreciation of his money paid to Benj". Cotton, and to pay the soldiers hired this summer in Corn." John Robert- son served two months at Winter Hill, for which he was paid £1 Ss. 6d. In 1781, " Voted to give Benjn. Cotton SJ.J, Old way, annually, as long as he serves for the Town ; that the selectmen assess the town sufficient to buy our proportion of beef, and to hire a man to serve in the Continental army, and give him 20 neat cattle, 3 years old, for 3 years' service, 2 years old for 2 years' service, and 20 yearlings for one year's service ; also, that Lieut. Moor have the benefit of the services of his son James in the war, and that James Moor have the benefit of his son Ephraim's services in the war." The six months' men were paid seven hundred and twenty pounds. The three soldiers that served three months were paid one thousand and eighty pounds. " Voted that Capt. Noyes hire two soldiers cheap as he can, and that Ensign Noyes go to the committee on claims to prove our right to Benjamin Cotton and others who were non-residents, serving for the town of Bow." " Voted, that Enoch Noyes collect the corn due to his brother, Nathan Noyes." July 27th, " Voted the selectmen hire a soldier to serve 6 months in the Con- tinental army." The tax for corn and money for the soldiers was £2085 14s. 4d. ; three thousand five hun- dred and fifty weight of beef had been furnished at an expense of £4474 10s. Benjamin Jenness was a six months' man. James Moor and Moses Moor enlisted for three years, July 15, 1782; the town to pay tliem fifty shillings per month, in stock, at silver money price. In 1783, Benjamin Cotton was paid seventeen pounds and a half for three years and a half service, at five pounds per year, in the Continental army. In 1785, Peter Manuel was paid for services in the war, £1 7s. 2rf. NAME.? OF TUE REVOLrTIONARY SOI-DIEBS THAT HAVE SERVED FOB BOW. Aaron KinBiimn, David Clement, Ebeuezer Bean, Benjainin Cotton, .lonathan Currier, Samuel Eoget^, John Manuel, Barnet Harvey, John Robertson, Beu,iamin Bean, Ephraim Garvin, William Robertson, .Tames Muor, Moses Noyes, Reuben Currier, John Jloor, Samuel Winslow, Eliphas Reed, Stephen McCoy, Ephraim Moor, Ralph Crow, Ralph Cross, IISTOKY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY. NEW HAMPSHIRE. Jr., .Soloiiiuii Farley, Moses Cross, Joliu Kiddle, Jonathan McCoy, Daniel McCoy, James Bower, James Beddell, John SuUoway, Aaron Noyes, David Carr, Wlllaby Colby, Hichard Clough, David Clongh, Benjamin Bean, Jr., Peter JIanuel, John Dow, Samuel Manuel], Eli Colby, Jonathan Sarp;out, Robert Martin, Moses Moor, Nathan Noyes, Uel^amin Jenness, Thomas Colby, Ephraim Kinsman and Jacob Rogers. Captain Aaron Kinsman settled in Bow prior to 17G7. He was one of the selectmen in 1768 ; a grand juror in 1773 ; received a captain's commission March 2, 1774; signed the test oath in Bow in 1776; from tliat time he was in the war to its close. July 31, 1786, he sold his real estate in Bow, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres of land, bounded as follows : " Beginning on Concord line, 20 rods from Turkey river, runs easterly on said line 100 rods to the road; thence on the road southerly to opposite Reuben Currier's house; thence on Currier's line to the 8d Division lots ; thence westerly 140 rods ; thence to the first-mentioned bounds, with dwelling-house and barn, all the mills and privileges, except one- fourth part of an old saw-mill and one-fourth part of the privilege where the mill now stands." The pur- chaser was John Bryant, and the purchase included the lands where the village of Bow Mills now is. Captain Benjamin Bean, of Epping, bought of Kahum Larey, of Stratham, lot No. 5 and half of lot No. 4, in the thirteenth range, September 6, 1770, it being the farm at the foot of Wood Hill now owned by Cyrus Hadley (1885). He served in the French War and rendezvoused at Dover, and contracted an acquaintance with Mary Baker, of Brookfield, whom he married in 1753 ; she was born in 1725 or 1726. He was at the capture of Louisbourg and distinguished himself there. He was captain of the militia in 1776, and very active in obtaining recruits and furnishing supplies for the army. He, with his two sons, — Ebenezer, born in 1755, and Benjamin, born in 1757, — was at the capture of Burgoyne. Captain Bean died in 1777, aged about fifty years. Soon after the close of the war his son, Ebenezer, with his mother, went to Conway, N. H., where he died March 3, 1846. His mother died in 1826, lacking ten days of being one hundred years of age. Benjamin, the second son, married Susan Carr, of Bow, after the Revolution ; went to Piermont, where he died in 1835. Captain Bean was son of Benjamin Bean and Mebitable Mahew. Military History from 1785 to 1864.— By an act of the Legislature, in 1792, each regiment included two battalions. Bow, Concord and Pembroke formed the First Battalion in the Eleventh Regiment. Jacob Green was captain of the militia at this time ; also Captain Richard Dow is mentioned and Nathaniel Cavis. In 1794 eleven men were called fur, and in 179S sixteen ; but we have no means of knowing whether they were needed for active service. In 1807 fourteen men being called for, to be ready at a minute's warning, " Voled, to give each one dollar on enlisting and to make up ten dollars a month when called into actual service, each soldier to equip him- self." Fourteen dollars was paid, but to whom does not appear. In 1812, soon after the declaration of war, men were called for to defend Portsmouth harbor. August 17th, Governor Plumcr ordered a company of artillery from the Third Brigade, which was to be under the com- mand of Captain John Leonard, of Londonderry. The draft was for six months, unless sooner discharged, which was done November 30th. Bow was repre- sented by Corporal Elisha Clough, Samuel Robert- son, William Clough, John Carter, Jr. John Rowell and John Silver, Jr., had joined the Fourth United States Infantry, and were in General Harrison's army, in the West, at Vincennes, Prophetstown and Tii>- pecanoe, and were j^resent at Hull's surrender. The regiment was under command of Colonel Miller. June 27th the town voted to make up to the soldiers who were drafted the last time ten dollars a month. John Thompson and Moses T. Willard were in Captain John McNeal's company. Eleventh United States Infantry, from July 1 to August 17, 1813. James Goodhue was also in the service. Moses T. Willard was in the service, in Samuel Gordon's company, five years, from June 11, 1812. In Jonathan Buttcrfield's company, from April 1st to May 31st, was Ensign Wells Carter, Sergeant John Carter, Corporal John Elliot and George Colson. Joseph Flanders became captain January 1, 1814, when Isaac Silver, Richard Silver, Parker Brown and Benjamin Bailey enlisted until February 28, 1814, for the northern army at Champlain. In 1814, Alexander Colby, Benjamin Noyes, John P. Rowell and Andrew Buutin were in Captain Bart- lett's company ; John Nichols also. Bartholomew Heath, Samuel Quimby, James Bunting, David Mor- gan were, from August 6th, for three months, in Wil- liam Marshal's company; Robert Ordway, Willaby Colby; Benjamin Buntin, Jonathan Corliss, three months, from September loth. Aaron Colby, William Elliott and Asa Goodhue went as substitutes for Dun- barton men, for sixty days, from September 27th, in Captain Trevet's company. On the tax-list in 1790 those bearing the title of captain are Jacob Green, Richard Dow and Nathaniel Cavis; 1799, John Thompson; 1801, William Walker; 1811, John Brown ; 1814, Walter Bryant; 1816, Na- thaniel Cavis; 1820, Aaron Colby ; 1824, Obed Gault ; 1826, Francis W. Rogers; 1827, John Parker; 1832, Willia^ R. Parker; 1836, Enoch Clough; 1839, Isaac Whit^;. 1841, Emery Clough; 1842, Moses Colby; 1845,iamuel Gile; 1850, Elijah Upton, Jr.; 1851, Joseph C. Kelly, when the Legislature enacted, "That the militia shall be subject to no active duty except in case of war." The above William R. Parker was promoted major of the Eleventh Regiment in 1836 ; lieutenant-colonel, 1837; colonel, 1839; brigadier- general of the Third Brigade, 1841 ; major-general of the First Division, 1S49. BOW. August 12, 1820, a liHe company was formed in liiuu. John Carter was commissioned captain, Zenas Wheeler lieutenant and Samuel Bnrnham ensign, who was promoted to captain in 1824 ; Samuel Gault was captain in 1827; Simeon Heath, in 1829; John r.rown, Jr., in 1831; Samuel Alexander, in 1S32; ( n Mige W. Bancroft, in 1833; Benjamin A. Noyes, in I -;•'.: Enoch Alexander, 1838; Benjamin Page, 1839; :\u:\ I?eujamin J. Gile wheu the company was dis- bau.led. At the breaking out of the Eebellion our town re- sjiondcd nobly. Those who enlisted from this town wore as follows : FIRST REGIMENT. Chiiiloa L. Hall and Isajic A. Parker enlisted for tliree months ; niusterod ill Mav 4, ISOl 1 ru-unlisted in Fifth Regiment and dischiirged in REGIMENT. .\ugn9tus B. Farmer, Company B, mustered June 1, 1861; promoted to tl -at sergeant Febr an 1S62 wo nded June 3, 1S04 ; mustered out T e 1 l&6-t e-enl sted as fir»t 1 eutenant in Company A, Eigh- tee tl Te^ It 1 114 promoted to captain April 4, CI Ilol lanj I e three years from November 20, 1864 no discharge furnished. ed November 11), 1803 ; pro- luLe 1 lb 4 transferred to Company 1 eutenant Mav 1, 1865. i n \o en ber 14, 1803 ; transferred to ed f No e iber 20, 1803, to June f om No e le-20, 1863, to December THIRD RECIMENT Ha Ito first clasu m can se ed from August %, l.sol, 4 186 \ug t 3 ISri lied a FOIRTH BE&IMENT SIXTH BEGIMENT. John W. Wilkinson, Company D, mustered in November 27, 1861 ; dis- charged for disability at Newport News September 22, 1863. SEVENTH REGIMENT. Aloiizu Clougli, Company A, mustered in October 29, 1861 ; discharged for disability at Beaufort, S. C, July 28, 1862. William W. Gile, Company A, died of disease at St. Augustine, Fla., October 3, 1861 Chinie.s H. Ordway, Company H, served from December 14, 1861 ; wounded July 18, 1363 ; discharged on account of wounds at Mc- Dougall General Hospital, N. Y., November 0, 1863. .\Iiiiond Mark, Company K, served from November 17, 1863. EIGHTH REGIMENT. Joseph Hall, Coini ,i:i\ \, iji-i 1 November 11,1863; discharged for disability ;il \ i 'i . ^ M . Jt. 1864. Eustace Le I'l;iiit, 'i i : I i v t.-ran battalion Eighth New Hamp- shire Voluiit. .1- .1 i:,ii H > I, l-i;;, ; mustered out October 28, 180.>. Cliarles Olsen, Coiniaiiy A, serveJ from November 11, 1863 ; transferred to the navy June 18, 1864. TWELFTH REGIMENT. Ciiarle= H. Taylor, Company C, mustered in September 5, 1802 ; wounded May 3, 1863 ; died of wounds at Potomac Creek, Va., May 2l8t. THIRTEENTH REGIMENT. Charles E. Putney, Company C, mustered in September 19, 1862 ; pro- moted to sergeant Jlay, 1865 ; mustered out June 21, 1805. John W. Austin, Conipany C, served from SeptemlKT, 1S02, to .J\ino 1865. Harris Clough, Company C, served from September, 1862, to 1805. Henry Dwinnels, Company C, died February 24, 1803. Harris K. Frost, Company C, served from September, 1802, to June, 1805. John F. Guild, Company C, transfeiTcd to Invalid Cori>9 September 7, 1803 ; discharged by order July 7, 1805. Nathan Harfly, Company C, died of disease in New Hampshire January 15, 1805. Carter S. Morgan, Company C, discharged for disability September 7, 1804. I/ewis Silver, Company C, discharged June 1865. William Morgan, Company F, served from SeptembL-r 21, lsr,2, 1.. June 21, 1866. James ijnhvay. Company I, mustered in September 20, 1862 ; discharged for di.sability at Washington, D. C, March, 1863 ; re-enlisted in First Regiment Heavy Artillery in .\uguBt ; muatorod out Septem- ber, 1865. FOURTEENTH REGIMENT. Erastus W. Forbes, Company E, served from September 23, 1862, to June 8, 1865. CharlesF. Heath, Oomp.iiiv II s.-rv « »i.| e.>nnf from 1864 to July, 1805. George H. Buiitm i .i,m,,> II .-. I i„ September 24, 1862; woundediirt I ; !■ i I , : I ' ' .ii.'ord July 26, 1865. William P. Paik.i , . mi.on l!,i,n, i, .-.iitember 24, 1862 ; pro- moted tOSergeaul i.^tj4 ; aisrli;irj;eii l.xi.i. David 0. Russell, Company H, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corpe, March, 1864, to June 30, 1865. Alonzo P. Saltniarsh, Company H, served from 1862 to July 8, 1865. FIRST NEW HAMPSHIRE CAVALRY. Lewis Porter, Troop B, mustered in March 24, 1864 ; missing in June ; gained from missing ; absent, sick, July 15, 1865. Joseph Slevin, Troop G, served to July 15, 1865. Frederick A. Chase, Troop K, served from Jlarch to July, 1SG5. In 1863 the town voted to authorize the selectmen to borrow five thousand eight hundred and eighty dollars for the encouragement of the enlisting of volunteers. Several furnished substitutes at a great expense. HEAVY ARTILLERY, SECOND COMPANY. Jiuiies Ordway and James ]' \\ ,1;,. i , . in ■. i \m;:i;-i i^, Isil.'j; trans- ferred to First Regiment \. II \,: I Christopher French, John I li ^i I : I'm.I A.Stevens and Edward T. Parker j-iir I n,- _ m, ; ■ -. | |. ml . , ;,. IS64. Charles H. Brown, enlisted as s-jr^eant in the Filial IleKiiiient of Sharp- shooters September 9, 1861 ; was killed at Bull Bun August 30, 1862. Joseph S. Austin, Company E, discharged for disability at Portsmouth Grove, R. I., March 4, 1863. William H. Shattuck, not officially accounted for. The enrollment contained 114 names, our quota under all calls being 52 ; number furnished, (50 ; sur- plus, 8. Samuel Alexander was born in Londonderry, N. H., in 1730 ; came to Bow in 1762 ; purchased fifty acres of land of John Koyes, now occupied and owned by his grandsons, Eli and Enoch, bounded on the east by Merrimack River. His children were Martha, born November 6, 1760, and married Jonathan Colby in 1783, died October 28, 1844; William, who married Polly Putney, of Dunbarton, and went to Tunbridge, Vt. ; Enoch, born January 6, 1771, and married Merriam Colby (born March 16, 1775) on July 14, 1797 ; and Polly, who married James White. The children of Enoch were Betsey, horn November 2, 1797, and married Andrew B. Sargent, September 30, 1819; Samuel, born IILSTOllY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. January 19, 1800, and married Mary Nutt, March 26, 1825; Sarah S., boru June 21, 1802, and married Sewell Haselton, May 8, 1828; Philip C, born August 22, 1804, and married Mary A. Taylor, May 19, 1828 ; Merriam, born August 1 9, 1807, and married Jabez Glines, April 16, 1840 ; Enoch, born April 18, 1810, and married Lois P. Hadley, November 27, 1832; Eli, born August 6, 1812, never married; James G., born February 12, 1815, and married Aurelia Veasey, January 28, 1841 ; Willaby C, born May 18, 1818, and married Sarah Ann Blood, April 13, 1848; Adaline, boru December 21, 1821, and married Aaron A. Samson, August 23, 1846. The children of Andrew B. Sargent (born January 31, 1797) and Betsy Alexander are Merriam E, born January 23, 1822, and married Daniel Messer Novem- ber 30, 1843; Samuel A., born September, 1826, and married Adaline B. Holt, of Wilton, April 30, 1863 ; Simeon, born December 5, 1828, and married Mary E. Thorndike, October 14, 1858 ; Enoch A., born Feb- ruary 9, 1831 ; Lucy Jane, born May 28, 1833, and married John Morgan, January 22, 1852 ; Philip J., born May 6, 1839, and married Sarah E. Messer, September 14th, 1870. Andrew B. Sargent died September 28, 1868. His ivife Betsy died August 9, 1872. The children of Samuel Alexander and Mary Nutt (born April 7, 1797) are Eliza Jane, born January 4, 1826, and married Allen T. Hubbard, October 26, 1856 ; Mary A., born October 25, 1829, and married C. Waterman Pratt, January 22, 1853 ; J. Bordman, born December 15, 1834, and married Mary Nyland, December 14, 1870 ; S. Judson, born June 23, 1837(he was captain of Company B, Ninth New Hampshire Regiment ; wounded severely in action July 13, 1863, at Jackson, Miss ; died of wounds July 23d). Samuel Al- exander died August, 1879, and his wife, Mary, died May 14, 1843. The children of Sewell Haselton (born January 7, 1798) and Sarah S. Alexander are Rufus R., born August 13, 1831, and married Lydia S. Farnam, May 13, 1834; and Sarah M., born March 30, 1835, and married David Roberts, February 11, 1855. Ru- fus R. Haselton was a soldier in Company B, Ninth Regiment. Frank Manard, born April 2, 1853, mar- ried Harriet Rockwood. The children of Philip C. Alexander and Mary A. Taylor (born September 9, 1808) are George Warren, born May 9, 1829, and married Harriet Appleton; Elvira S., born December 2, 1830, and married John C. Morrison, November 30, 1854; Rosantha A., born October 14, 1832, and married Asa Strong, July 10, 1855 ; Sarah R., born May 27, 1834, and married James N. Wright, July 16, 1854 ; Merriam A., born May 11, 1836, and married Horatio B. Shoals, April 9, 1857 ; Lois P., born March 2, 1840, and married Justus Ly- man ; Dolly T., born April 20, 1842, and married Ze- diah Cooley, November 24, 1872 ; Ella J., born Sep- tember 4, 1850, and married Oscar Ward, August 25, 1868; Edward F., twin of Ella; and Nettie Maria, born December 3, 1854. The children of Jabez Glines (born April 12, 1811, died June, 1867) and Merriam Alexander are Eras- tus O., born October 18, 1841, and married Rebecca J. Bunker, November 27,1862; and Alonzo W., born September 7, 1848, and married Hattie E. Corey, No- vember 17, 1867. He was delegated as drum-major to accompany the Third Regiment and band, as escort to Governor Bell and staff, to the Yorktown, Ya., centennial, in 1881. Enoch Alexander, the third son of Enoch, is a man of sterling integrity, enjoying the perfect confidence of his townsmen and all with whom he is acquainted ; was captain of the militia in 1838, a member of the House of Representatives in 1849 and 1850, repeatedly chosen one of the selectmen, was town treasurer a score of years, and one of the most accurate surveyors of wood and lumber the countiy affords, and the town may well be proud of the por- trait of himself he has contributed to its history. The children of James G. Alexander and Aurelia Veasey (born March 20, 1816) are Charles H., born August 27, 1844, and married Sarah Abby Marsh, Sep- tember 30, 1870 ; he was register of deeds for Merri- mack County 1882 and 1883, and keeps a public-house in Henniker, N. H., since 1884. Edwin G., born June 22, 1849, is the only child of Willaby C. Alexander and his wife, Sarah Ann Blood, born November 21, 1S26. Willaby died April 8. 1884. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. AAKOX W. BAKER, ESQ. The early settlers of New Hampshire were sturdy pioneers from the mother-country or came from the older colonies, principally Massachusetts. Some of those who came from the colonies were originally from England, but many were native born. Of the latter class were the ancestors of the Bakers who settled in Bow. Their progenitors emigrated from Englaud to Massachusetts during the last half of the seventeenth century, and at once grappled with the difficulties and dangers of frontier-life. They were active, hardy, industrious, honest, pious and progressive citizens, and were prominent in the church and in the state. From that ancestry came the sub- ject of this sketch, Aaron W. Baker. His great- grandfather. Captain Joseph Baker, was a surveyor, and surveyed several townships in New Hampshire, among them Pembroke, where he settled in the early part of the eighteenth century and raised a family of eleven children. He was the first of this name to re- side in New Hampshire. His son, Joseph Baker, was born November 7, 1740. He married a descendant of the Scotch Covenanters and settled in Bow. Ten children blessed their home. One of tlicr^e. .James .^7/VV7 Wf/^^^^ t£J:- i "^^ ■i •M?' /&^,^^^5T5<^ f^.-^^7^^;Lrrz^/<2^ 187 Baker, married Juditl^ Whitteiuore, of Pembroke. He subdued a farm from the wild lands adjoining his father's estate, and resided there until he died, forty- three years old, from injuries received accidentally. He left a family of six children, the eldest of whom was Aaron W. Baker, who was born April 10, 1791), and was only twelve yeai-s of age when his father died. The farm was new and rough and required hard and continuous labor. This Mrs. Baker and her small children were compelled to render. Thus, from boyhood, Aaron W. Baker was accustomed to the hardest of farm-work. Early morning found him in the field, and darkness closed the labors of the day. His advantages for education were very limited. During the winter terms only could he secure even an irregular attendance upon the public schools. By the instructiou there received and by his home- studies he acquired a fair common-school education. To this he added a knowledge of vocal music, which he taught for several terms. He had a good voice, which he retained until old age. As he attained manhood he helped his brothers and sisters to better educational op[)ortunities than he enjoyed, and by constant labor improved and enlarged the cultivated portions of the farm. He bought out the heirs and became its owner. In later years he added to it un- til his farm included nearly all of the land originally owned by his father and grandfather and many acres besides. He married, March 10, 1825, Miss Nancy Dustin, who was born in Concord September 2, 1801. She was a descendant of the heroic Hannah Dustin, and was a lady of excellent character, good education and natural refinement. In politics Mr. Baker was first a Whig. When the Democratic party became the exponent of more liberal principles he joined it, and when it became allied with the slave-power of the South he as promptly abandoned it. He was an original Aboli- tionist, and acted with the Free-Soil party from its organization. When the Republican party was formed he, with the Free-Soilers generally, united with that party and ever after remained a Repub- lican. In religion, as in politics, he was thoughtful, studi- ous and progressive. He was trained in the faith of Orthodox Congregationalism, and until middle life never attended any but Orthodox preaching ; but as he read his Bible and pondered over the great ques- tions of duty and destiny he found both heart and mind protesting against its harsh doctrines, and in- adequate statements of the goodness, mercy and love of the Infinite Father. He became a Universalist. His wife, who had been educated a Baptist, joined him in his studies and reflections, and she, too, be- came a Universalist. Both died consoled and sus- tained by that cheering faith. Long before total abstinence, or even temperance principles were popular, Mr. Baker became their earnest advocate. He aided the circulation ainl adoption of temperance pledges, and by his influence many signed them. His example and encourage- ment assisted in the maintenance of jjledges and helped to render social or habitual drinking disrci)u- table. In all the transactions of his life Mr. Baker was noted for his honesty, integrity, energy and faithful- ness. He followed his convictions of duty, the logic of events and of principles, to their legitimate con- clusions, and did not flinch from their results. He enjoyed society, liked company and loved his friends and relatives. Although in the political minority of his town, lie held the offices of selectman and treasurer and tiMl I'ojiyof said act herewith exhibited, and (hut till' ^'rliH-tnien of said Danbury, by virtue of said act, assessed said Tax, and directed a warrant for collection thereof to the Collector of said Town for the time being, and that a part of said Tax has been collected and appropriated to the beneficial purposes intended by said act; and that certain clauses of said act not being sufficiently explicit and defined, your Petitioners are apprehensive that the said Collector has not proceeded according to the tnie spirit and meaning of said Act, whereby he is now unable by law to enforce the collection of the remainder of said Tax: Wherefore your Petitioners pray that the said Collector may be further empowered according to law to proceed to the collection and appropriation of the remainder of said Tax, agreeably to the true meaning and intent of said Act. As in duty bound, your Petitioners shall ever pray — " Danbury, November 26, 1798 — "Anthoxey Tayler, ) Selectmen " Samuel Pilsbdry, J of Danbury." In answer to the foregoing, an act was passed De- cember 7, 1798, authorizing the completion of the collection of the tax, and directing that it should be laid out on the road through " twelve-mile woods." Petition for a Town,— " State of New Hampshire. "To the Honb' the Senate and House of Repre- sentatives for said State, Convened at Concord, December 24•^ 1794, Humbly Shew. "The Subscribers, Inhabitants of the Town of Alexandria, that they labor under many Inconven- iencies by reason of the disagreeable form or manner in which said Town lies ; also by reason of a Large mountain that crosses said Town about midway of the length thereof— Said Town is nine miles in Length and about six miles in breadth, which makes it large enough for two towns, and the mountain in the middle of said Town renders it almost impossible for the inhabitants of the South part and those of the North part to assemble on any occasion whatever, without travelling a great length of way to get by said Mountain. They therefore pray that your Honours HISTORY OF iMERRIMACK COUxNTY, iNEW HAMPSHIRE. would take their ease under your wise consideration, and grant them relief by making a division of Said Town at or near the middle thereof, which your Pe- titioners conceive would be of public utility, as well as greatly contribute to relieve the embarrassments of your Petitioners, and as bound shall pray. "Anthony Taylor, Athmore hosking (his X mark), Daniel Reynolds, Peter Smith, George Niles, Samuel Pilsbery, John Tolford, Isaac Favour, Levi flanders, Samuel Piugry, Jonathan Tolford, Joseph Atwood, Obadiah Judkins, Ebenezer Williams, Daniel Wearc| John sinionds, Benjamin Emerson, Daniel Corliss, Enos Ferren, Samuel jr. Simons, David Atwood, Peter Ladd, thomas Reed, Robert M°Murphy, Chris- topher Bartlet, Jonathan Clark, Benj" Pinter, William Martin, Eleazer Taylor, Timothy Emerson, William Simonds, David M'Murphy, Moses Simonds, Eben- ezer Siraonds, Joshua Tolford, Jonathan Burpe, Wil- liam M'Murphy, Ziba Townsend, James Taylor, Eben Carletou, Sandrs M''Murphy, Josiah Emcreon, John Moor Corliss, Timothy Simonds, Jorg Corliss, Isaac Ladd, Jeremiah Ladd, Peter lugalls, Stephen Gale, David Morse, John Emons.'' Votes Relative to Division of the Town.— "Alexandria, March 30"' 1795. " then met agreable to said warrant " lly voted .roslma tolford, Modrator to govern said Meeting. " 21y voted to Divid the town. ' Sly voted to Divid the town betwen the first and second Ranges of the second Divishion. '41y voted to Divid the town, begining at New Chester Line betwen the first and second Division, from thence to Run w&sterly at Right angle from' New Chester Line to the Patten Line. '51y voted to Divid the town betwen the second and third Ranges of the second Divishion. ■ 61y voted to reconsider the two Last votes in Respect of Dividing the town, and that the first vote shall stand that is to Divid the town betwen the first and second ranges of the second Division— " a tru Cooppey, Attest, "Na.sox Cass, town Clark." In House of Representatives, December 29, 1794, a hearing was ordered for the next session ; mean- while, a notice was to be published in the New Hampshire Gazette, and one posted in some con- spicuous place in the town. June 18, 1795, an act passed dividing the town and incorporating the southerly part into a town by the name of Danbury. There are three churches in the town,— Baptist, Congregational and Christian. Danbury is thirty miles northwest from Concord ; on the Northern Railroad. Postmasters.— T>s,n\imy, G. H. Gordon; South Dan- bury, Alfred Sleeper. HISTORY OF DUNBARTON. BY COL. \V. CHAPTER I. ri fair Scotia's land of story, Noar the ocean's swelling tii tauds H castle, grim and hoar By the watere of the Clyde. ' Here within New Hampshii-e's border, 'Mong her mounts which proudly rise, And in wild, yet grand disorder. Lift their summits to the skies ; ' Here was our Dunbarton foinuletl, By such sceneries surrounded, "SVliose resemblance gave her unuit —II. E. BlUNHAM, in I The first mention of the tract of territory after- wards called Dunbarton is-in the journal of Captain Pecker, who, with a small company, traversed the country late in the autumn of 1723, in a second journey after Indians. The next mention of the territory, and probably the first grant as a township, was in 1733, when it was granted and surveyed as a township, known as Narragansett, No. 6, by the General Court of Massachusetts, to soldiers in the French and Indian War. The surveyor's report is as follows : "This plan describeth a tract of Land Laid out for the Narraganset Soldiers, Being the Second Township for Said Soldiera' Land Laid out on Maramack, and contains the Contents of Six miles square, and fiftj' Acres Allowance for Fishing at Amoskeag Falls, and Three Thousand and Seventy acres allowed for Poor Lauds and Ponds. In the whole place is 20,lt»0 acres bounded as follows: Beginning at a pitch pine tree standing on the westerly side of Maramack Rirer at the foot of Hannah Hooksett's Falls, Being in Suncook Line, and running on said Suncuok Township four miles West, Seventeen Begrees South, to a white pine tree, being the South-West Corner of SuucooU ; Then Run- ning West four miles and 40 Rods, on a Township on the West of Sun- cook and Penycook, laid out for the Narragansett Soldiers (to a heap of stones ; then running North Five miles and one hundred and foity Rods on Province Land, to a white pine Tree, being the North-West Corner of ye 1st NaiTagansett Town on Maramack River ; then Kun- ning on Said Township Six miles and one hundred and ten rods (east) to Maramack River ; then on Maramack River, as s'd River Rune, Eight miles and 145 Rods to the pitch pine Tree at the foot of Hannah Hook- sett's falls before mentioned. "Sur\-eyed and Plan'd by order of the Great and General Coiu't's Committee. In October, A. P. 1733, pr. The grant lapsed to the commonwealth, and two years later, or in 1735, Captain Samuel Gorham, of Plymouth, England, obtained a grant of the same tract of territory, had it surveyed and affixed to it the name Gorhamtown. He afterwards relinquished his claim. In 1752, Archibald Stark and others purchased the same tract of territory from John Tufton Mason, and named it Starkstown. A transcript of the record of this first meeting is as follows : "At a meeting of the proprietor of the lands purchased of John Tuf- ton Mason, Esq , at Portsmouth, hold on Monday, the second day of Miirch, ill the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty- two, therefore, voted, That tht-re be and is hereby granted unto Archi- bald Stark, William Stark, John Stark, Archibald Stark, jr., all of a place called Amoskeag, iu the province of New Hampshire, the Rev. n Rankin, William Stinson, ,John McCurdy, John Carr, nil, Joseph Scoby, Matthew III Cochran, Dr. Alexander IV id Leslie, George Clark, David McGregor, Robert McMurphy, \ John Cochran, James Evans, Hugh Pu John Cochran, Hugh JatiH-.[i, linvil Thornton, Daniel McCuni^ ' Todd, William Hogg, J:.in. \| .: William Ranldn, Wniiam Siin-.t,, I, i;M::rr3, JanK-s CoL-hiau, John McDuffie, James McGrego re, Samut-I Todd, li;n i.] i in.. ,i:i ii .ndi.n- derry, in said province ; Thomas Mills, Sannni m > i ■. ir, Samuel Richards, Thomas Follansbee, jr., all oi il : , i. n . i pi.-v- ince ; and Jeremiah Page of said place, M'illj;iiji I :ii 11,1 h„ Hull, Adam Dickey, all of Derryfield, in said province ; Joseph BUuchard, Esq., Joseph Blanchard, jr., both of Dunstable, in said province ; Joseph Putney, James Rogers (their eldest sons for one right), all living on a tract of land hereby granted, William Putney and Obadiah Foster, of the same place, for one hundred acres, and the remaining part of the share or right of Hugh Ramsey of said Londonderry, John Morten of Portsmouth, in said province, and George Mussey of said Portsmouth, William Stark (William Stark above-named having three rights, being the same man), and Archibald Stark above-named, Samuel Kmei-son, Esq., Janifts Varnum, both of Chester, in said province ; John Campbell of Haverhill, Willi;uii HYslop of Bor^toii, both in the province of Massn- clni-3. "By His E,vcellency*8 command with t I the seal of our said Province r Wentworth, Esqr., Our Gov- or our said Province of New 1 the fifth year of our reign, ' * B. Wkntworth. "Province of New Hampshire. "August 10, 1703, Kocordod in the book of charters, No. 1, Pagos 280 and 281. "T. Atkinson, .lun'r, S«>." The boiind.s as made by the survey in 1803 are as The town of DuMbartoii is si(u:il(Ml in ilie cxtrnue .southwestern part of Merrimack County, but pre- vious to the incorporation of Merrimack County, in 1852, it formed a part of Hillsborough County ; its latitude is 43° T)' ; its present area is twenty thou- sand nine hundred and sixty -six acres; there are many hills, but no mountains. Among the highest are Duncanowett, Mills, Putney, Prospect, Jameson and Abbott. The highest point of land is seven hun- dred and seventy-nine feet above the level of the sea. The situation is elevated, the air pure and the water good. The soil is of the best quality, and well adapted to agricultural and horticultural products. No river runs through the town, but several large streams drain it, among them Harris, One Stack, Leach, Teuny, Ray, Settlement and Chisamore Brooks. The largest pond is Gorham, having an area of eighty acres ; the other ponds are smaller, and bear the names of Woodbury (or Kimball), Long, Stark and Purgatory. Concerning the geology of the town. Prof. C. H. Hitchcock divides the formations into distinct groups, viz. : — 1, porphyritic gneiss; 2, lake gneiss ; 3, montalbon series, including the Con- cord granite ; 4, ferruginous schist ; 5, andalusite mica schist, with coarse granite veins; 6, Rockingham mica schist ; 7, Kearsarge andalusite group ; 8, ]\Icrrimack group, including a little clay slate. No minerals are found, but an arsenic mine exists in the eastern part. The arsenic ore is included, as a bed, between a strata of mica slate, resting directly in granite. It is from six to eight inches in thick- ness, and is very heavy and rich in arsenic. The bed with the strata is to the south 80°, east 20°, and runs north and south. Large quanties of loose pieces of the ore may be easily obtained on the surface and in the soil. Associated with the arsenical pyrites the green arsenic of ore is found, forming investing layers on the ore, andscorodite, or yellow arsenic of iron, occurs in concretionary masses and thin crusts between the joints and cavities. A little argentiferous galena was also found in dis- seminated branches and crystals. Radiated block tourmaline exists in the mica slate, and quartz crys- tals are found in the vein and in the soil. Kaoline, or clay from decomposed granite, fills up many spaces between the rocks. In 182.5, by act of the Legislature, the part border- ing on the Merrimack River was disannexed for the purpose of forming a part of the town of Hooksett. 294 HISTORY OF MKRKIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. The first census wiis taken in 1767,— Unmarried men, 16 to 60 years old, 25 ; married, 16 to 60 years old, 39 ; boys from 16 years and younger, 70 ; males over 60 years, 6; females unmarried, 80; married, 45; widows, 4; male slaves, 2. Census, 1775, — Males under 16, 144; 16 to 50 not in the army, 92; over 50, 14 ; in the army, 14; females, 232; slaves, 1. 1790,917; 1800,1222; 1810,1256; 1820,1450; 1880, 711. The first saw-mill Imill in the town was by (ienenil John Stark, in the northwesterly section, a lot being granted him with this provision understood. The property and estate is still in the possession of the Stark family and owned by a granddaughter of the illustrious general, who resides in the grand old mansion. The family have a private cemetery near the estate where the remains of Jlajor Caleb Stark, a son of .Itiliii Stark, lie buried with those of other descendants. As a farming town Dunbarton holds an even rank, whose well-tilled farms and good farm-houses and buildings speak volumes for the thrift and enterprise of the people. On the 13th of September, 1865, the town cele- brated its centennial of incorporation with exercises of great interest, and the sons and daughters located in other states and sections came home again to mingle in and enjoy the festivities of the occasion, and the event will long be a treasured one to all who were present, and notable in the history of the town. CHAPTER II. DUNBART0N-(Oj„(t,i« RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION.? Closely identified with the town is the religious review, and first we give the History of the Congregational Church.— The history of the Congregational Church is largely the religious history of Dunbarton, for this organization is at once the oldest and largest Christian body in the town. The ancestors of many of the early in- habitants were men and women who, in 1619, had left fair Scotland, their native land, because of religious persecution, and had settled in the north of Ireland. Heing strict Prcsbx Inians, tlicy did not find there the freedom wliicli ili(\ li:i.l r\|.rcted, but were forced to contribute towar.ls i lir Mipport of the Established Church. A century later their descendants sought in America a home where they could freely worship God, and their children who came to Dunbarton brought with them the religious spirit of their fathers. They early felt their need of the preaching of the gospel and of public means of grace. In 1752 a vote was passed at the second meeting of the proprietors that a meeting-house should be erected ; but for some reason it was not finished till about 1767. This building was located at the Centre, in what is now the public common, and was a low- I'ramed structure, furnished only with seats of rough plank and a pulpit of rough boards. It was thirty feet square, and had no means by which it could be warmed. This house remained the only place of public worship for twenty years. Previous to the completion of this building the people enjoyed oc- casional opportunities of hearing the Word. The first sermon is said to have been preached by Rev. Mr. McGregor in the open air. At diflierent times several ministers were employed to preach ; but not till nineteen years after the erection of the first meet- ing-house was there a settled ministry. In 1773 an attempt was made to settle a minister. Rev. William Fessenden, but previous to his confer- ence with the committee which had been appointed by the town he had become established in another place. The Revolution placed a check upon religious effort. From 1780 to 1783 only twenty-four days' preaching were hired. In 1785 an attempt was made to settle Rev. Mr. Bradford, but his doctrinal views proved unsatisfactory. Again, in 1786, an unsuccessful at- tempt was made to settle Rev. Mr. Williams. On October 30, 1788, a committee was appointed to en- gage Rev. Walter Harris " for one year, or a shorter time, to preach on trial." On the 26th of January, 1789, it was voted to extend him a call. On June 18, 1789, the Congregational Church of Dunbarton was organized with ten members. A church covenant was framed, and the Westminster Confession was adopted as the standard of faith, in the following words : " We do profess a firm belief of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, and understand them for the most part as they are ex- plained in the Westminster Confession of Faith ; at least, we view that as the best human system now ex- tant." Rev. Walter Harris was ordained and in- stalled pastor of the church on August 26th of the same year, and he held his charge for more than forty years, the leader of the people, not only in spiritual matters, but in all things essential to their welfare. So largely was Dr. Harris instrumental in moulding the character and determining the prosperity of the inhabitants of Dunbarton that no history of the town is complete which does not give him prominent notice. He was born June 8, 1761, in Lebanon, Conn. His father died shortly before his birth, and he was left, with his brother, to the care of his pious mother. Each day, taking her boys by the hand, she held them at her side while she read from the Bible and offered her fervent prayers to God. Thus was the seed of piety sown, afterwards to spring up and grow into a pure and noble character. When he was sixteen years old his mother died, and he and his brother were left to care for themselves. The War of the Revolution soon breaking out, the brothers en- listed to defend their country, and fought side by DUNBARTON. 295 side till the elder was killed by a British cannon-ball. Dr. Harris served uninjured in the war for three years. Having recei\'fcd an honorable discharge, he luirchased a lot of land in Lebanon, N. H., and began to clear it. While at this work the thought of a higher sphere of usefulness came to him. One day he sat down upon a tree which he had just felled, and there argued aloud his case. At length he declared, " I will go to college," and striking the axe into the tree, he left it there, a present to the finder, and started to execute hia new resolve. In 1787 he graduated with honor from Dartmouth College, having the Hebrew oration. He then studied theol- ogy under Dr. Emmons. In mental power and in ability to defend the truth he was nearly the equal of his illustrious teacher. On coming to Dunbarton, he found the people greatly needing instruction in evangelical doctrines, and he began his work by setting forth and expounding these. During his en- tire ministry his preaching was characterized as doctrinal, — " God's sovereignty, man's depravity, salvation through the blood of Christ, by the eflec- tual working of the Holy Ghost ; standing on this foundation, he preached." He was a natural orator, possessing a voice of great power and pathos. At first he would carry the judgment of his hearers by his convincing logic, and then persuade them with his eloquence. He possessed the power of impressing himself as well as what he uttered upon the people, and so had the two great essentials for leadership. All reverenced him. The inhabitants came to him for advice upon all matters. Rev. S. S. Parker says: " The impression he made upon my heart in child- hood was that God Almighty was first and Dr. Harris was second." Not only did he teach by word, but by example. In all things he tried to be a pattern for the people. His life was bl.ameless. He cultivated his farm with great care, kept all things in order and was a model farmer. As a winner of souls his Master owned him. In the third year of his ministry there was a great outpouring of the Spirit, and eighty per- sons were ad.Jed to the church. Dr. Harris believed in revivals and worked and prayed for them. In ISlti forty new converts were added to the church, and again, in 182G, eighty persons became members. Dr. Harris was always deeply interested in the cause of education, and for many years visited all the schools in town twice annually, and it was a long time before the people appreciated his labors and thought to thank or recompense him for this work. Dr. Harris' influence was felt throughout the State. In church aftairs and in the defense of evangelical doctrines he was an acknowledged leader. Declining health compelled him to resign his charge in 1830, but he still remained in Dunbarton an inspiration and a power. He died December 25, 1843. He was succeeded in the church by Rev. John M. Putnam, who was installed pastor by the same council that dismissed Dr. Harris, .Tuly 8, 1830. Mr. Putnam was born irf Sutton, Mass., February 2(), 1794. From eight until fourteen years of age he worked on a farm. Then he worked as a jeweler and in a printing-office till he was twenty-one. He studied at Kimball Union Academy from ISlo to 1817, and entered Brown Uni- versity at the age of twenty-four. Ill health pre- vented graduation. Having studied theology under Rev. Jacob Ide, D.D., of Medway, Mass., he was ordained December 13, 1820. His first pastorate was at Ashby, Mass. He remained there five years, and then became editor of the Repository and Observer. From 1827 to 1830 he was settled at Epsom, N. H., from which place he came to Dunbarton. He was a worthy successor to Dr. Harris, and for thirty-one years labored faithfully for both the spiritual and temporal welfare of the people. Under his ministry the church greatly prospered. Only eight months after his installation there was a revival which brought fifty new members into the church. In 1858 another revival resulted in an addition of twenty- three persons to the church. These were nearly all heads of families. Mr. Putnam, like Dr. Harris, took great interest in education. For many years he visited the schools throughout the town. He also published two works on English grammar. His other publications are "Helps at the Mercy Seat" and several sermons. As a preacher, Mr. Putnam differed somewhat from Dr. Harris. His preaching was less legal, though scarcely less effective. He was a powerful speaker and a most excellent pastor. He resigned his charge from ill health, and was dismissed October 9, 1861. On the same day his successor. Rev. Sylvanus Hay- ward, was installed. He was pastor till April 12, 1860. Thus for more than seventy-seven years the Congregational Church has the remarkable record of not being one day without a settled pastor. Rev. George I. Bard was installed pastor November 20, 1866, and was dismissed December 3, 1872. The next pastor was Rev. William E. Spear, or- dained and installed October 16, 1873. His letter of resignation was accepted August 1, 1S7S. Mr. Spear is now a practicing attorney in Boston. Rev. James Wells succeeded him as acting pastor for nearly two years, and gave much acceptance. The present pastor, Rev. Tilton C. H. Bouton, was ordained and installed July 14, 1881, coming fresh from Andover Theological Seminary, and is an earnest preacher of the Word and a beloved pastor. In 1860 there were one hundred and twenty-nine members. Now the church-roll presents one hundred and twenty-three names. In the early years of the church the discipline of its members was of the strictest character. Many of the cases of church discipline would seem almost in- credible to the present generation. The following is quoted from the records : 'Jan. 27, 1794.— A compla — agaiu^t uur brother, — for uucbristiau-like bebuv HISTORY OF MKRRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. light atid vaiu mauifer, upon : The church accepted this complaint, and sumnioned the brother before it. He appeared and confessed his fault and was pardoned. In 1789 it was " Voted to erect the second meeting- house." This vote was carried into effect. The building was erected on the spot where the first log church was built, at the centre of the common, where it still stands, now used a.s the town hall. In 1836 the present church edifice was built, which covers the spot where the house of Colonel William Stark, a brother to General John Stark, was located. It was repaired and remodeled in 1884, furnished with an elegant and costly set of pulpit furniture by repre- sentatives of one of the earliest families, and is now one of the most pleasant houses of worship to be found In our State, outside of the cities. The chiirch also owns a good parsonage, built in 1883, and a vestry. In the early years of the church the minister's salary was obtained by a tax levied upon all ratable polls and estates in the town. This system, in time, led into much difficulty, and was abolished. It was succeeded by a tax upon all members of the society which exists in connection with the church. It is now raised by subscription. The church is at present in a prosperous condition, and, with the blessing of God resting upon it, it will continue to be in the future, as it has been in the past, a mighty instrument for the teiiipmal and eternal good of the people. The Baptist Church.— In 1795, as the result of the visits of Rev. Hezekiah Smith, D.D., of Haverhill, Mass., there was a Baptist Church formed in Bow, several members of which lived in Dunbarton, and when the Bow Church disbanded, in 1816, the Dun- barton members united with the Baptist Church in Gofl'stown. In 1827 a young man who was working at Araoskeag village began to hold meetings in a school-house near Montalona on Sundays, attending to the work of his trade during the week. Soon the school-house could not contain his hearers, and a large, unfinished blacksmith-shop was floored and provided with seats for a congregation, which soon filled them to overflowing. Encouraged by these meetings, the r.aptists of Dun- bart(iii met November i), 1828, and voted to obtain letters of dismission from the chui'ches of which they were luendiers, and to petition the Baptist Churches of Uollstown, Bow, Weare and New Boston to send delegates to a council to be held December 15th, at nine o'clock a.m. Joel Wheeler and Jonathan Colby were chosen deacons, and Isaac Westcott (the young man who for several months had been their preacher and leader) was appointed to receive the hand of fellowship. To the request for a council were the signatures of nineteen persons. Two other subjects were also under consideration at this time, viz.: buildinga new meeting-house and the ordination of Mr. Westcott. The former was acted on immediately, and the new house was finished in the summer of 1830 ; the latter was postponed a few months, and though a council was called in the autumn of 1829, Mr. Westcott was not ordaiiied until after he left Dunbarton. The council of recognition met according to invita- tion at the liouse of Joel Wheeler, the churches o( Gortstown, Bow and Wcare being represented, and chose the Rev. Joseph Davis moderator, and Mr. Joseph Peacock clerk. It having been voted to ex- tend the hand of fellowship to those desiring it, ser- vices of recognition were held. Rev. Joseph Davis, of Weare, preaching the sermon. Immediately after the recognition services the church retired and receivel ■ .. I'.in.'IMc- Cin-dv. Calrl. I', . ,1 I, |;,,n ,t.i -,|,i . .1 1 - ,:,,i n ..i,-icol- tban Smith, Benjiiniiii 1 .11 '. 1. 1 '1 r. . 1, ' ■ 1 \ - . ' 1 1 1 i: < Preston, Ebeuezer I'li.i-.. I. hh II. - N I 11 \,.,l gent, Archelas Peikins, Abfl Siiig'iit, Nalliiiiii.i \\ t l.-i, \\ Wheeler, Winthrop Sargent. The following enlisted in time of peace, 1810 : Robert Miller, Nathaniel Hemphill and Jonathan Colby. The following enlisted in 1812-15 : Dr. James Stark, Thomas Ayer, Joseph Collins, John Mill.lui,i.,i ,1,1 -iil.stitutes one hundred and one different men, three of wli.nii re enlisted after serving out their " According to the Adjutant-Oenerars Report, this gives an excess of eight men over all required by ttie i;„v.Tmi.ent. By the fur- 5 is only one. nished the selectmen from (li. i^Muiti "The whole amount ol in n. \ 1 til m i-wii bounties has been twen- ty-four thousand eight IiiiihIi..! :in,[ n in. ■i\ -live dollars, of which tw'o thousand and twenty-two dollars hits nln-adybeen received back — eleven hundred dollars from the State and nine hundred and twenty-two dollars from the United States. From one to three thousand dollars (how nmch cannot yet be exactjy told) will be paid back by the general govern- ment, and several thousand dollars are still claimed from the State, ol receiving which there is s.mii- doubt. A large portion of this has been paid to substitutes picked up here and there, whiwe names I have not thought best to look up, as they can he of no interest to Dunbarton. The separate sums paid to Dunbarton volunteers I have given as shown by receipts in the hands of the selectmen. Two Dunbarton men, Henry S. Hammond and Frederick Waite, enlisted in Manchester,! the former of whom served his time out and returned in safety. The latter died of measles at Newborn, N. C, April 20, 1863. The following volunteered and received no town bounty : "Alonzo Barnard, enlisted in Second Regiment Sharpshooters, Com- pany F, November, 1861 ; re-enlisted December, 1863 ; promoted to cor- poral ; wounded May, 1864, and died soon after in the hospital at Phil- adelphia, Pa. " Peter Barnes, enlisted in Second Regiment, Company D, November, 1863. *' Ira Briggs, enlisted in Sixth Regiment, Company I, November, 1861 ; discharged for disability, 1862. " Wilbur F. Breni, enlisted in Second Regiment, Company B, June, 1861 ; captured at Gettysburg, July, 1863, and died of starvation in An- dersonville prison, 1864. " Henry M. Caldwell, captain of Company F, Second Regiment of Sharpshooters, enlisted September, 1861 ; died of fever at Falmouth, Va., July 12, 1862. " Horace Caldwell, orderly-sergeant, same company, enlisted Novem- her, 1861 ; discharged for disability, 1863. J This is evidently a mistake, and should read Massachusetts. "Jeremiah Ulongh, enlisted in Second Regiment Sharpshiwters, Com- pany F, NoTomhor, 1861 ; discharged for disability, 1862. "William C. Flanders, enlisted in Fourth HcKimenI, Company K, September, 1861 ; discharged for disability January, 1862 ; nflerwarda re-enlisted and served three years. "Peter Gravelin, enlisted in Second Regimout, Company E.June, Hegil I lsr,4or'6,'i. •-harpshootors, III ijled in hosjii- t Sharpsliootors, '1-raiilvl!. -Mill.,, . I. liftlcd iu Second Regiment Shariishooters, Com- pany F, November, 18U1 ; wounded JIarcli, 1862, and discharged for disability May, 1862. " George Noyes, enlisted in Second Regiment, ComiMiiy C, Juno, 1861 ; discharged for disability July, 1861. "Daniel Ordway, enlisted in Seventh Regiment, Comiiany I, Decem- "MciKcs K. iinhiav, enlisted in First Regiment Sharpshooters, Com- pan.v i:, >i I I "I, i-'l , deserted and went west. "I I, III! \ I'liiii I .nil, ted in Fii-st Regiment Sharpshooters, Com- iiiety days and served in the Na- N. H. .Seventh Regiment, Company K, October?, 1864. Ii Regiment, Company U, .septem- 1SI31 First Regiment Shari'shooters, Coin- "HenryA. Waite, enlisted liany E, September, 1861. " Edward j;verett Whipple, enlisted in Second Regi; ers. Company F, November, 1861 ; died at home of consumption 3, 1862. "David II. Wliipple, cnliMed in Tliinl r<.-t;iiiieiit, <\,mpany guBi, l^m , iln 'I "I ill-.. I-' II r :. ■■ j i.i . i i -■ "These two received one hundred dollars town bounty each, viz. ; "Bradford Buuhani, enlisted in Sixteenth Regiment, Company D, October, 1862. " David F. Heath, enlisted in Fourteenth Regiment, 1864. "The following individuals received a town bounty of two liiindred dollars each ; "Amos C. Bailey, enlistpl in K.init. . nth Regiment, Company H, September. 1862; wouudc.l in M i m I 1 i . "James .\. Baker, enlisti I I . -n ' I. l: iit, Company D, Octo- iM 1 I Kpiil 14, 1863. h He^iiiient, Company K,.\ngu6t, npany H, Fourteenth Regiment, " John R. Emerson, enlisted in Fourteenth Regiment, Company 11, .September, 1862 ; promoted to corporal. "Joseph H. Healey, enlisted in Sixteenth Regiment, Company D, October, 1862. " Marcus M. Holmes, sergeant in Fourteenth Regiment, Comitany H, September, 1862 ; promoted to lieutenant May, 1864. "Marceller A. Merrill, enlisted in Tenth Regiment, Comjiany C, September, 1862. " Chester L. Page, enlisted in Fifteenth Regiment, Company K, No- vember, 1862. " Wilson E. Poor, enlisted in Fourteenth Regiment, Company H, Sep- tember, 1862 ; promoted to corporal. " Daniel B. Roberts, enlisted in N'inth Regiment, Company E, May, 1862. "John B. Samtou, enlisted in Tenth Regiment, Company H, Septem- ber, 1862 ; captured at Fair Oaks, Va., October, 1864. HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUxXTY, XKW HAMPSHIRE. " Andrew J. stone, captain Comi»any F, Ninth Regimont, euliiited August. 18ti2; died of wi.un.lsal Krc.li' ■ i li " i- "Kolievt K. Wlicrl,.,, . ..I I, I ml, I;. , m. i ..i,,|.;ui.v II, September, I ^'■. |i i i '|]'"|m1. September, l>i . i : ' i iMr-sergeaiit. "Lysander U.sja.m, ,'i.li.-(..l m Tllirteelli October, 18li2. '•The following are tliuse who received thr. from the town : •'Timothy Clarll, enlisted in Fiflli Regin 1863. "John D. Houlihan, enlisted in Kilth liegii e wou a name and position in their ve give a brief slcetch of a few. rinii'nt. Company E, i Hired dollars bounty 'Lemuel N. Barnard, t'harles W. IJrom, leaac P. Citllbrd, Alfred I \\ illirnii V l''lli"lf, Lanron P. Hadluy, .\aron Lurel, Johnson C. : iiv, i,l,„. Mill ,,l..|inMills, Nathan W. Wheeler, Jr. ' I 1m 1 ii ■! 1 ■ i|i ' ting the above statistics lias not been small, i I - .III li iiiii li — I ill niauy errors and omissions, but it is as accui ' Dunbarton, N. II., April 7, 18G6.' CHAPTER IV. ]>VNB\KTON-{Co„tl,u,ed). Few towns have graduated from college and sent out into the world a more worthy list of sons tlian Dunbarton ; iifty-one natives have graduated from colleges, as follows: Dartmouth 41 ; Wabash, Indiana, 3; Union, N. Y. 2; Haivaid 2; Yale 1 ; Brown University 1 ; Amherst 1. Among the ministerial graduates we Bud Isaac Garvin, Abraham Burnham, D.D., Hosea Wheeler, Amos W. Burnham, D. D., Thomas Jameson, Har- rison 0. Paige, Charles H. Marshall, Abraham Burn- ham, Leonards. Parker, Ephraira O. Jameson, Oeorge A. Putnam, John P. Mills. Among the teachers, Samuel Burnham, William Parker, Prof. Caleb Mills, Prof. Charles (i. Burnham, Josejih Gibson Hoyt, LL. D., Prof. Mark Bail.y, William H. Burnham. 01 journalists, William A. Putney, Henry I\I. Putney. John B. Mills. In the legal profession, the names of Jeremiah Stinson, William Stark, John Burnham, John Whip- ple, John Jameson, John Tenney, James H. Paige, Walter Harris Tenney, Caleb Stark, Jr., Amos Had- ley, Joseph M. Cavis, David B. Kimball, George H. Twiss, Wm. E. Bunten, Henry E. Burnham, Newton H. Wilson appear, while many others have made a good re(!ord in their chosen walks. It will be pardonable if, out of the honored list of those who hav chosen walks. Prof. Mark Bailey was born in Dunbarton May 20th, 1827, and worked on his father's farm until he was fifteen yeans of age; he attended the academy at Pembroke, also at Danville, Vt., and was grad- uated at Dartmouth College in '49, in the same cla.ss with Judge Doe and the late Judge Stanley. His time was occupied winters by teaching, andhis elocu- tionary gift was further cultivated by training received from the late Prof. William Russell, of Reed's Ferry, and afterwards he became a partner of Prof. Russell's son in teaching the art in New York City. Prof. Bailey taught in the Andover, Bangor, Union and Princeton Seminaries, and in most of the New England colleges during the years 1852 and '53. In 1855 he was appoiiilcd iiislruclor of clocutinn in Yale College, New llavni, Coiui., :i po.si(ion .-till re- tained. In 1863, Prof. Bailey lectured before The American Teachers' A.ssociation , and also prepared the " Intro- ductory Treatise on Elocution " for the popular Hill- iard readers ; his lessons on " Sound and Sense " have awakened a large degree of interest in the art. Several courses of lectures have been given before the public teachers at Washington, D. C, and at Cin- cinnati. In 1856, '60, and '61 he was active a-s a Re- publican, on the stump, for " Free Territories. " the " Union " and the freeing of the slaves. Prof. Bailey has a delightful home, and has accomplished much in his work in develojjing good readers and speakers, is one of the best elocutionists in the cnuiitiy ami re- tains a fond regard for his native town. JosF-PH G1B.SON Hoyt, LL.D., was born in 1815; graduated at Yale College in 1840; he won a high reputation iia a (dassical scholar and accurate teacher; was chancellor of Washington University, in the city of St. Louis, and in the midst of his splendid career he died suddenly, in 1862. He is spoken of as the most brilliant son of Dunbarton. Rev. Geouge' A. Putnam, born in 1835, has achieved renown in the clerical profession. Another worthy son is Rev. Ephraim O. Jameson, born Jan- uary 23, 1832. He prepared for college in Gilman- ton (N. H.) Academy, and graduated from Dartmouth in 1855, and Irom the Theological Seminary in An- dover in 1858. He was ordained to the gospel ministry March 1, 1860, and installed pastor of the East Congregational Church in Concord, N. H. He resigned and was installed November 9, 1865, pastor of the Union Evangelical Church at Salisbury, Mass., where he labored until July, 1871, when he resigned and was installed as pastor of the First Church of Christ in Medway, Mass., in 1871. The esteem in which this pastor is held by the people, is evidenced by his conti nuousserviceof nearly fourteen years among them. In addition to his duties as pastor, Mr. Jame- son does some literary work. He published, in 1844, a volume of family history, " The Cogswells in DUNBARTON. America. " The " History of Medway, Miiss.," he has ready for the press. Mr. Jameson married, Se])tember 20, l.sr)8. Miss iMary Cogswell, eldest daughter of tlie late l\cv. William Cogswell, D.IX, of (Jilmantun, X. II. Mr. .lameson is now settled at Millis, Mass. Henry Eben Buknham, son of Henry L. and Maria A. Burnham, was born in Dunbarton, N. H., Nov. 8, 1844; attended district school ; prepared for college at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H. ; graduated at Dartmouth College in the class of 1865 ; sliidied law in the offices of E. S. Cutter, Esq., and .lodge Lewis W. ("lark, in Manchester, N. H., and in the office of Minot & Mugridge, in Concord, N. IL; admitted to the bar in Merrimack County, April term, I 1868 ; began the i>ractice of law in the fall of 1868 at Manchester, and has continued in law practice at Manchester to the present time. He has been a part- ner for several yeare of Hon. David Cross, and is now in business with A. O. Brown, Esq., under the firm- name of Burnham & Brown. He has represented one of the wards of Manchester in the Legislature two terms, has held the office ol' treasurer of the county of Hillsborough two years, and was judge of Probate for that county in 1876, 1877 and'l878. Mr. Burnham is one of the most pleasing public speakers in the State. A thorough lawyer, popular, honored, and most highly esteemed by his host of friends. His poem at the Centennial of the town was a model in arrangement, word and sentiment, from which we quote at the opening of this town sketch. He married Lizzie H. Patterson, daughter of John D. Patterson, Esq., of Manchester, October 22, 1874, and has three children,— Gertrude E., Alice M. and Edith D. Burnham. Colonel Carroll D. Wright, of Reading, Mass., was born in Dunbarton July 25, 1840. He is a son of Rev. Nathan R. Wright, a prominent Universalist clergyman, who was settled at different places in this State for many years, but has of late resided in Lynn, Mass. He attended the academies at Washington, Alstead and Chester, Vt., and in 1860 commenced the study of law in the office of the latc' II. mi. Williani P. Wheeler, of Keene, continuing tin' -:inii , -iilis,- quently.with P2rastus Worthington, of I )r.|liaiii, Mass., and Tolman Willey, of Boston. In August, 1862, while on a visit to Keene, and before completing his legal studies, he enlisted as a private in Company C, Fourteenth New Hampshire Volunteers, but wns commissioned second lieutenant before leaving for the seat of war. He filled various responsible posi- tions in the service; was appointed adjutant of his regiment in the fall of 1863, and was assistant adjutant- general in Louisiana and during Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, at the close of which cam- paign he was commissioned colonel of his regiment, but resigned in the following spring on account of ill health. He subsequently resumed the study of the law, and was admitted lo the bar at Keene in October, 1865. Recurring ill health preventeil his engage- ment in active practice until the fall of 1867, when he opened an office in Boston, and soon succeeded in establishing a profitable business, making his resi- dence in the town of Reading, which has been his home up to the present time. In 1871, Colonel Wright was elected to the Massa- chusetts Senate by the Republicans of the Sixth Mid- dlesex District, and was re-elected the following year, serving with ability as chairman of the committees on insurance and military affiiirs, and secretary of the Judiciary committee. In 1873 he was appointed by (xovernor Washburn chief of the State Bureau of Statistics of Labor, which position he still holds, and io the work of which office he has devoted his atten- tion since that time, winning a reputation as a thor- ough statistician, excelled by that of no man in America. Colonel Wright was supervisor of tlic Icclcral cen- sus in 1880 for the State of Massachusclt.s, iierfonniiig his work with characteristic fullness and accurac y. He prepared for the Census Bureau an exhaustive special report upon "The Factory System of the Uni- ted States," visiting the principal factory centres of this country and of Europe in securing the informa- tion necessary to its thorough preparation. He also prepared, under authority of the Boston (/ity (\)uncil, a large volume embodying the .social, conmiercial and industrial statistics of that city, which was issued some two years since. Colonel Wright is a graceful and eloquent speaker, and won distinction as a popular lecturer upon war and other topics before entering upon his statistical work. He was prominently brought forward as a candidate for Congress by the young Republicans of his district in 1876, and received an earnest support in the nominating convention, which was only over- come by the peculiar influences brought to bear in the interests of a wealthier asjMrant. In December, 1879, he delivered a course of lectures on social topics before the Lowell Institute, in Boston, and in 1881 was chosen university lecturer on the factory system at Harvard College. After the passage of the measure by Congress, in the winter of 1885, instituting the United States Bu- reau of Labor, Colonel Wright was appointed the commissioner, and has rendered service of great and lasting value in inaugurating the initiative work of this valuable agency to aid the industrial and labor- ing interests of the country. Henry Larcom Burnham. — The only State Sena- tor the town hits furnished is Henry Larcom Burn- ham, son of Bradford and Hannah Dane (Whipple) Burnham, who was born in Dunbarton November 25, 1814. He attended the district school, summer and win- ter terms, until twelve years of age; then only winter terms for six years. He commenced teaching when eighteen years of age, and continued teaching some 302 JIISTORY OF MHRRIMACK COUNTY, NEW EIAMPSHIRE. part of each year for thirty years. He generally taught winter terras and was engaged in farming the rest of the year. He was a student at Blanchard .\eademy. at Pem- broke, N. H., one and a half terms; was employed in land surveying more or less for forty-five years; was a justice of the peace nearly forty years, writing a large number of deeds, w ills and other legal instru- ments; has held nearly all of the various town offices; represented the town in the House of Repre- sentatives in 1858; was on the Board of County Com- missioners from 1860 to ]8t)3; a member of the State Senate in 1864 and 1865, and was sheriff of the county of Merrimack from 1867 to 1872. In March, 1842, Mr. Burnham married Maria A. Bailey, only daughter of Josiah Bailey, late of Dun- barton. Their only child, Henry E. Burnham, is a lawyer in Manchester, N. H. By reason of failing health, Mr. and Mrs. Burnham left the farm at Dunbarton nearly four years since and now reside with their son in Manchester. The scenery from our hills is extensive and grand, the air pure and invigorating, and those who have gone out to light the battle of life in other parts of the country and amid other surroundings ever remember their old ancestral home with kindly feelings of love and delight to return and revisit the scenes of their childhood, which can never, never be forgotten. In the hurried preparation of this sketch we ac- knowledge the kindly aid of Rev. Mr. Bouton, also of Rev. Mr. Hopkins, who have proved themselves friends in need, and for our many omissions we ask the reader's indulgence. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. MAJOR CALEB STARK. On the 20th of August 1758, Captain John Stark, of His Britannic Majesty's corps of American rangers, while on :i tiirlough from the army, was married to Elizalietli, daughter of Caleb Page, Esq., who also held His Majesty's commission as captain of provin- cial militia, and was one of the original grantees of Starkstown (now known as Dunbarton, N. H.) In the spring of 1759, his furlough having expired, and a new company having been enlisted, the hardy soldier returned to his post at Fort Edward, prepared to perform his part in the next campaign, which, un- der the vigorous direction of the Earl of Chatham, was destined to reduce Louisburg and Quebec, and open the way to the entire conquest of Canada. His wife was left at home with her father, one of the most prominent and wealthy pioneers of the settle- ment, under whose hospitable roof the subject of this notice was born December 3, 1759, during the absence of his father. The capitulation of Canada, in 1760, ter- minated the war in the north, and the provincial troops returned to their homes. Soon after these events, there being no immediate pro8j)eet of active .service. Captain Stark resigned his commission in the army and withdrew with his wife to his paternal acres at Derrvfield (now Manchester), N. H. The good Captain Page, entertaining a strong af- fection for the child who had been born under his roof, and had received his Christian name, was desir- ous of retaining and adopting him. To this propo- sition his father made no objection, and he remained under the indulgent care of his maternal grandfather until June 16, 1775.' The best works of the time were procured for his improvement, and he oljtaiued a good education for that period. The two principal books were Fenning's Dictionary and Salmon's Historical Grammar, which are still preserved in the family. The tragedy enacted at Lexington on the 19th of April, 1775, having aroused the martial spirit of New England, Captain Stark abandoned his domestic oc- cupations, and hastened to the theatre of action, in the vicinity of Boston, followed by most of the old corps of rangers who had served under his orders dur- ing the previous war, and others from the province who were eager to prove their devotion to the cause of liberty. The daring acts of valor which had so frequently distinguished the career of the veteran Stark, com- bined with his military experience and success, left him no competitor in the minds of his countrymen- in-arm.s,by whom he was unanimously elected colonel, and in a few hours a regiment of nearly nine hundred men was enlisted for one year. These proceedings were soon known in the north- ern settlements, and his son, then under sixteen years of age, whose memoir we are writing, made an earn- est application to his grand-parent for permission to repair to the camp at Medford. The latter remon- strated with him on account of his extreme youth, saying, that although his father was familiar with scenes of strife and carnage, the camp was not a fit place foroneofhis years ; and t here the matter for a sho rt time rested. Not, however, dissuaded by these repre- sentations, the young man resolved to go at all events ; and, having secretly collected his clothing in a valise, without the knowledge of the family, and before day- light on the morning of June 16, 1775, he mounted a horse which had been given him by his grandfather, and, with a musket on his shoulder, started for the American camp. After traveling a few miles he was joined by an- other horseman. The stranger was a tall, well-formed, 1 This interest in the child of his adoption continued unabated until the close of his life, and in the division of hie large estate his favorite i\"a8 assigned an equal portion with his own children. 4m^£a. DUNBARTON. 303 line-looking person, wearing the undress uuilbrm of a British officer. He inquired, politely, of our young adventurer wlio he was and where lie was going, and upon beinginfornied that he was proceeding to the camp at Medford, to join his father, Colonel Stark, the stranger said : " You are, then, the son of my old coiu- rade. Your father and I were fellow-soldiers for more than five years. I am traveling in the same direc- tion, and we will keep company." The stranger was the celebrated Major Kobert Rog- ers, of the " French War" notoriety. As they jour- neyed on, the major insisted on defraying all the road expenses, and toward evening took his leave, trans- mitting to his old associate-in-arms, Colonel Stark, a mess:i.jc s.ili. itiiii: an interview at a tavern in Medford.' I'l I lir :ii I ual of our youthful patriot at the reg- iuK'iilal 111 ail.jiiaiters, his father's first greeting was : "Well, sun, what are you here for? You should have remained at home." The answer was : "I can handle a musket, and have come to try my fortune as a volunteer." " Very well," said the colonel ; and, addressing Captain George Reid, he continued : " take him to your quarters; to-morrow may be a busy day. After that we will see what can be done with him." The morrow, in truth, was a " busy day." A force, composed of detachments from the Massachusetts and Connecticut lines, under the command of Colonel William Preseott, moved on the evening of the 16th of June, with instructions to fortify Bunker Hill; but, misapprehending their orders, proceeded about one mile farther, and commenced an intrenchment on Breed's Hill, a lesser eminence, which was commanded by the guns of the opposite battery on Copp's Hill, in Boston, as well as exposed to the fire of the ships-of- war at anchor in the harbor. At daylight on the 17th a furious cannonade opened upon the half-tinished " redoubt," and soon after, in compliance with an order from General Ward, two hundred men were de- tached by Colonel Stark to support the parties em- ployed on that rude field-work. Later in the day (about 2 P.M.) another order was received, directing him to march with his whole regiment to oppose the enemy, who were landing in great force at Morton's Point. As previously stated, the New Hampshire line, under Colonel Stark, formed the left wing of the American force on this ever-memorable occasion, and gallantly repelled the reiterated attacks of some of the choicest battalions of the British light infantry. 1 We bave reason to suppose that the object of Major Rogers' visit to America, in 1776, was to sound public opinion ami asccrtuin the relative strength of the opposing parties, to enable him, in the choice of service, to make the best pei^sonal arrangement which circumstances would per. mit. At this interview, as we have been informed, Colonel Stark assured him that no proffers of tunk or wealth could induce him to abandon the cause of his oppressed country. " I have," he said, "tjiketi up arms in her defense and, God willing, I will never lay Ihcm down until she has become a free and independent nation." The veteran lived neaily forty years after this object of his most fervent wisbps and Uiboi-iuus luil^ in the field of honor had been accomplished. Our young volunteer proceeded with the company under Captain George Reid (to whose care he had been so summarily assigned by his father the previous evening) to the position occupied by the regiment at the rail-fence, extending from the redoubt to the beach of Mystic River, where an opportunity was soon af- forded for testing the skill and facility with which he could "handle a musket" in his country's cause. Side by side with some of the veteran rangers of the old French War, he stood at his post on that event- ful afternoon ; and when their ammunition was nearly expended, and the occupation of the redoubt by the British marines and grenadiers had decided the fate of the day, he returned, unharmed,^ to Winter Hill, where the regiment subsequently intrenched. On this pleasant eminence, a few miles from the city, were located the handsome residences of several wealthy Loyalists, whose opinions having rendered them obnoxious to the American party, on the com- mencement of hostilities, had abandoned their dwell- ings, and taken refuge in Boston. Among them was a gentleman named Royal, who, on retiring to the city, had left his lady with a family of beautiful and accom- plished daughters, in possession of his abode. The mansion being conveniently situated for his head- quarters, Colonel Stark called upon the family, and proposed, if agreeable to them, his occupancy of a few rooms for that purpose, to which Madame Royal most cheerfully assented, being well aware that the presence of an officer of his rank would afford her family and premise.s the best protection against any possililc insult 111 encroachment, not only from those under his iuiiiinliatr command, but also from other detucliiiii-nts III tlif patriot forces. His proposal was made, not with the tone of authority, but rather as the request of a private individual ; and it is almost unnecessary to add that, during the intercourse which ensued, the family were always treated by Colonel Stark and his officers with the utmost consideration and respect. During the remainder of this campaign our young soldier was acquiring, as a cadet in Captain Reid's company, the principles and practice of the military discipline of the day ; and when not actually engiiged with his new duties, many of his leisure hours were naturally passed at the headquarters of his father, where his association with the reiined and well- educated ladies of the house could not but exert, at his age, the most favorable influence over the forma- tion of his habits and manners; and when referring, in afler-years, to this period of his life, the subject of this memoir has frequently acknowledged the advan- tages-derived from the intercourse it waa then his privilege to hold with this amiable and interesting family. On the reorganization of the army, early in the i reported to 304 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. succeeding year (1776), young Stark received his first commission as ensign in Captain George Beid's com- pany, and proceeded with the regiment, which con- stituted a portion of Sullivan's brigade, to New York, and thence, in May, to Canada, where our New Hamp- shire troops, under that able and resolute general, rendered important service in checking the advance of Sir Guy Carleton, and covering the retreat of the force, which had invaded that province the preceding season under Montgomery and Arnold. The retrograde movement of the army, always dis- couraging to the young soldier, was rendered more so on this occasion by the accompaniment of a dangerous and loathsome malady, the sraall-pox, which, as in- oculation wiis not in general use in those days, rap- idly spread among the officers and men, converting the camp into a vast hospital. Among the victims of this contagious disease was the adjutant of the First New Hampshire Regiment, who died at Chimney Point in July ; and Ensign Stark, who had been pre- viously performing', during a portion of the campaign, the duties of quartermaster, although then under seventeen years of age, was deemed qualified to suc- ceed to the vacancy, being already distinguished for his energy of character and promptness of action, as well as for the proficiency attained in all details of military discipline and duty. Promotion to the grade of lieutenant accompanied this appointment. After the retirement of Sir Guy Carleton to winter- quarters in Canada, the regiment, with others from the Nortliern Department, marched to reinforce the dispirited remnant of the main army, under General Washington, iTi Pennsylvania. Cheerfully sharing all tlie hardships and privations which were endured by the army at this gloomiest period of our Revolution- ary struggle. Adjutant Stark was also an active jiar- tioipatnr in the brilliant operations at Trenton and rrincetoii, with which the campaign was so sncccss- fiilly closed in New Jersey. In January, 1777, the army being cantoned on the high lands about Morristown, the First New Hamp- shire Regiment was dismissed, the term of enlistment of the men having expired. In company with his father, young Stark was now enabled to revisit his native State, where the next few months were em- ployed co-ojierating with the other officers of the reg- iment in raising recruits for the ensuing campaign. Several junior officers having been promoted to the rank of brigadier overthe heads of some of the veteran colonels of the army. Colonel Stark could not, con- sistently, with a decent self-respect, continue to retain a commission which compelled him to serve under officers of less experience than his own. On his resignation, the command of the regiment was assigned to Col- onel Jose|)_h Cilley, an officer of undoubted courage and firmness, in every respect qualified to succeed him; and Lieutenant Stark, having been reappointed adjutant, repaired with (lie troojis to Ticoiideroga in the spring of 1777. Those who are conversant with militaiy affairs will readily appreciate the important bearing of the adju- tant's duties on the discipline and efficiency of the regiment. It is no disparagement to the individual courage and conduct of the officers and men compos- ing the same to remark that the steadiness and precision with which all the evolutions of this reg- iment were performed, wlien in the presence of the enemy on various occasions during this campaign, afforded satisfactory evidence of the faithfulness with which the duties of his office were discharged by the subject of this memoir. After the evacuaticiii of Tii'innbTiiga, and tlie re- treat of the American army to tlie North River, Gen- eral Schuyler was superseded in the command of the Northern Department by General Gates. Y'oung Stark hap|iiri4il l.> 1m' |ircsent, on duty at the headquarters of tliiil L'l III i:il,' ulien the intelligence of the Ben- ninL'tcin siu'.i -, w.is received by express, and being permitted to accompany a small party sent to open a communication with General Stark, he was soon en- abled to congratulate his father, personally, on that brilliant achievement ; and after a few days' absence, rejoined his regiment, which was the first to come into action on the 19th of September. In the action of October 7, 1777, he was wounded in tlie left arm. Soon after the capitulation of Sara- toga, General Stark, having received from Congress the commission of brigadier-general, which had been justly due to him the year previous, selected his son for his aid-de-camp. During the years 1778 and 1781 he discharged the duties of aid-de-camp, brigade major and adjutant-general of the Northern Depart- ment, then commanded by General Stark. He was a good writer for one of his years, and from the period of his appointment as aid-de-camp wrote the letters of the general's official correspondence. In the cam - liaign in Rhode Island, in 1779, he acted as aid-de- i While General Gates was rejoicinc at the reception of tidings nncing the flret success in Uic north, an aid-ile-camp meutionei in thar .H soil of ileiieral Stark was awaiting an interview with a ;i-liiiii-l Iiill.\ " Is he?" said Gates; "callhiinin." W ■ III II , I! i.il tiaid : "I'm glad to see you, my boy. 1 ]i. I I I i ■■, I 1 ^^.l\ for US nobly. In less than thsi thu ailillery lit lias taken fur the brush 1 sunn ex|.i-.t to have with 1 goyiie." lie pl-oceeded with the iMirty. The houses along their rt were deserted by their ownei-s, but abounded in materials for pood ch From the residences of fugitive Toriei rti-y ..i.t mm...i .uMfl.' ^MpiilieM themselves and horses during tlieii mn h Mi i ih i 1. 1 accompanied General Stark on a vi.si I f, i m iii m; -i 'i In (liiarters was introduced to all the Ibili-li i.ni . i i [.mi. smi ^s ■ i il assembled as the guests of the .\merii-aii ^eiuTtii-iii rhi.-l ol tlie iiMitb army. He said that Major Ackland and General Burgoyne were jiereonal apiiearance, two of the best-proportioned and haudfiumo.st i of their age he had ever seen. General llurgoyne held a long ronve lion with General Stark, apart from the other company, on llie eiili of the French War, of which the former then stated that he inteudei write a history. DUNBARTON. 305 camp to his father, in which capacity lie was iMescnt at tlie battle of Springfield, in 1780. After the close of the Revolutionary War his atten- tion was directed to mercantile pursuits, — first, at Haverhill, Mass., and afterwards at Dunbarton, N. H. He was for a time con(erne8hire Kegiment ; \v;i^ .ii,i«m|. u\ i of the same, and subsequently brigade-major and ,11 i I. . .| ' i. Stark. Hewaspresent at thebattle of Bunker's llill .11 : •> h i- in 1776, at Princeton, and in the actions of SepteiMlu I l.ll. .u.,1 u, i,Im 7, 1777, which immediately preceded the surrender of Burgoylie. " Born December 3, 1769 ; died August 26, 18:i8." In person, Major Stark was rather above the middle height, of a slight but muscular frame, with strong features, deep-set, keen, blue eyes and a prom- inent forehead. He much resembled his father in personal appearance. His characteristics were in- domitable courage and perseverance, united with coolness and self-possession, which never deserted him on any emergency.' He was the youngest survivor of the action who appeared to witness the ceremony of laying the cor- ner-stone of the Bunker Hill Monument by the Marquis de Lafayette, by whom he was recognized at once as a fellow-soldier. During his tour to New HaiMpsbiic the illnslrions guest of the nation and his suite wcie entcrtaiiied at his mansion in Pembroke. Major Stark was one of the twelve Kevolutionary veterans who stood by General Jackson at the cere- mony of his fir.st inauguration as President of the United States, and was personally aciiiiiiiiitcil with all the Presidents from General Wnsliinolmi to General Harrison, inclusive. 1 Starlc, nf New Hampshi ' the regiment im who fell in 'illey, grandfather ol He afterwards was "At the close. .r ilu 'All h. (. ti(, I I. |.i e.\ten8iveiy engiiged as an inip.irtiiif; ni.T.liant at Boston, and subse- iiuently as a manufacturer of cottons at Pembroke, N. H. He owned and cultivated a large farm, and contributed the resultij of many agricultural ■' i!r p. ,....-.,., I ,, iii-hiv , ,iiiiv;.t.-.l Hhln.tn.' mind, for the improve- '■ llin HI, iiiii \ \. I- -ii.irj, ..hI Im- ^h.i. - -1 iiHnrmation, derived from travel ui f\lt:iiant-- ii-aihiiy, v\eie f\ei at cuinruanii. He had the repu- tation of being one of the best military critics of the nation, and was often consulted, especially during the War of 1812, when our army had hut few exiicriemej ofBiers. carried out. "Major Stark, in all his acts and movements, exhibited the prompt decision and encrgj- of the soldier. Indeed, his whole course appeared to he influenced by the habits accjnired while lighting the battles of freedom in the war of the Revolution. At the sca.son of life w hen habits are genei-ally formed, his education waa acquired in the tented held, in fhi' lil.i.ri-i: niari-hes, counter-marciies and privations of that fearful 'I ! tiii^ his moments of leisure to useful study; unci in his 1)1 1 ir.'ssing forward with indomilable resolution and cuuti- 1 Wlien the pension act of 18211-21 brigade-major) being pei-sonally ku issed. Major Stark (as a all the otiicers and 306 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. and suspeiiBiuii of hia faculties, and purse were ever open for their relief. No appeal tweiiu- ' ^''^^ ®^'^'' '""*^® '° ^^'" **• 1"^ benevolence ; he was most emphatically what Pope calls " the noblest work ! of God, — an honest man." -^a.^tC^f--c/^!^^^ Caleb Stark, Jr., sou of Major Caleb Stark, was born in Dunbarton, N. H., November 24, 1804 ; died Feb- ruary 1, 1864. He was buried in the family cemetery, near the old Stark mansion, a most beautiful resting- place for the dead. He was a graduate of Harvard Colleare of the class of 1823. After completing his collegiate course he entered the Law School in Connecticut, where he remained about one year and then entered the law- office of Charles G. Haines, Esq., in New York City, where he finished his legal studies and was admitted as attorney-at-law. He soon after went to Ohio and opened an office iu the city of Cincinnati. The We-stern climate did not agree with his constitution, and his health becoming impaired, he closed his business there and returned to his native State and opened an office in Concord. Finding the practice of law unsuitedto his quiet, unobtrusive disposition and domestic habits, and being under no pecuniary necessity to continue the practice for a livelihood, he abandoned his profes- sion and returned to the old family homestead in Dunbarton, where he passed the remainder of his days in retirement. Although not engaged in active business, he was in no sense an idle man ; he represented his township in the State Legislature from 1834 to 1837, and was al- ways an earnest .and stremioiis advocate of the Demo- cratic principles, whicli lu- l\:id ;i(lo]ited at his first entrance into public lilc. He was an extensive reader, a closeobserver of men and of the events of life and a deep thinker, and was one of the finest classical scholars of his class, a writer of great ability and a liberal contributor to the politi- cal and literary journals of his day. He is the author of several works of great historical value ; among them is the "History of Dunbarton," and a valuable memoir of his illustrious grandfather, General John Stark, whose victory over the British and their Hessian and Indian allies at Bennington, Vt., in 1777, made his "one of the few immortal names that were not born to die." The subject of this sketch inherited from his an- cestors their patriotism and love of country. In private life he was justly and highly esteemed for his genial and social qualities ; for the poor and distressed his sympathies were ever alive, and his heart COLONEL JOHN STIX.SON.' As early as 1751 we find the name of Captain William Stinsou, the first settler in the south westerly part of Dunbarton, associated with the earlie.st settlement and records of the town, and whose original the possession of a grandson estate, in part, is i by lineal descent. Captain Stinson was born in Ireland March lo, 1725, his parents, with other families, having removed from Scotland to escape the persecutions there en- dured, and which following them, they took passage for the New AVorld, where, on arrival, they went to Londonderry, N. H., where others of their people had settled. From this rugged ancestry came the subject of our sketch. Colonel John Stinson, who was the third son of James and Janette (Allison) Stinson, and born at Dunbarton November 13, 1789. James Stinson, the father, was a cousin to the Cap- tain Stinson mentioned, a man connected with the town's early history, as the records indicate, and known for his well-grounded and industrious character and habits. He inherited many of the Scottish traits and characteristics, and particu- larly was it noted in speech, while the reputation of the people from the land of Wallace and Bruce for honesty, uprightness and integrity of character were prominently upheld in all his walks and associations. A farmer by profession and occupation, his estate was cleared, cultivated and improved, and the home which had been established by his industry and economy, and in which he delighted, witnessed his closing days and was handed down to his son John, of whom we write. At the age of twenty-nine years John Stinson was married to his cousin, Betsey Stinson, the ceremony being performed February 18, 1819, by Rev. Walter Harris, D.D. From this union of hearts three chil- dren were born, — two daughters and one son. Mary Jane, the eldest daughter, married David Story, a representative farmer of the town. At her decease, and in the course of time, Mr. Story married the re- maining daughter, Nancy Chase, who died August 12, 1865. The son, John Chase, completed his education at the High School in town, and subsequently went to Gloucester City, N. J., where he found employmeiu in the wood, lumber, hardware and coal business, and afterwards was admitted to the firm, where he still continues in business. iBy Wil >rNI{.\|{TON. 307 On May 2, 18(17, ho iiiairitHl Alice I!. tJo'iill, of Gloucester City. Colonel Stinson wjus a thrifty farmer, active in local affairs, a true Democrat and a town officer for many years; was selectman in 1846-47, and town clerk in 1824, serving continuously in the latter office from 1833 to 1845; and was commissioned colonel of the Ninth Regiment New Hampshire Militia, which po- s,ition he filled with much acceptance. The stirring times incident to old State musters and trainings had much interest to him. His truly hospitable home was ever free and inviting, and his fund of wit, humor and good-cheer rendered it a tempting place to call or visit; while his wife was a most excellent lady, and noted for those endearing traits of character which place woman high in our reverence and de- votion. Colonel Stinson survived his wife several years, and died at the old homestead where his life had been spent, and where his son had provided for his every want, on August 13, 1874, in his eighty-fifth year, respected and beloved by all who knew him. CAPTAIN CHARLES STINSON. The subject of this sketch was born April 18, ISOO, in Dunbarton, N. H. He was grandson ofWilliam(l) Stinson, one of the early settlers of this town under the Masonian grant of 1751 ; was born of Scottish parents in Ireland, March 15, 1725. From that country, while young, he emigrated with his father to Londonderry, N. H. In the year 1751-52 he com- menced a settlement in Starkstown (afterward Dun- barton), where for a time he lived alone in a log cabin, in which, on one occasion, he received as a visitor the Rev. David McGregore. " Not having a table," says the historian of Londonderry, "nor anything that would answer as a better substitute, he was obliged to make use of a basket, turned up." The Rev. Mr. McGregore, in asking a ble.Sbing, pertinently implored that his host might be " blessed in his basket and in his store." This blessing was literally fulfilled, as Mr. Stinson became one of the most wealthy persons in the vicinity. He was prominent in the settlement of the town- ship, and filled with credit many offices of trust and importance, and by industry and economy became one of the most substantial freeholders within twenty miles of his residence. William Stinson was married to Agnes Caldwell, March 26, 1754, and died August 21, 1803. She was born June 17, 1734, and died July 23, 1818. By this union there were twelve children. William (2) Stinson, Jr., second son of William Stin- son, Sr., born March 4, 1762, married Jane Cochran, of New Boston, N. H , who was boru in 1776. He was an excellent farmer and intelligent man. He was often employed in town affairs, was liberal and hospitable, especially to the jioor. In him they found a frieud. His wife was a superior woman, who looked well I to the ways of her household, and their house was one of the most agreeable visiting-places in town. From this union there were five children. William Stinson, Jr., died April 8, 1822. Jane C. Stinson died April 28, 1820. Captain Charles (3) Slinson was the oldest son of William Stinson, Jr. At an early age he displayed a love for farming, and made progress in tin .li-ni, i school. At Bradford Academy, Massacliu- 'i h. ultimately acquired what education it was his |.i i . 1 1.-. to obtain. When eighteen years of age he was a|)pointed commander of Dow's Troop. He was an active officer during the celebrated (ioffstown muster, where he obtained the title that followed him through life. He was well known in this section of the State for his good judgment and his sound integrity. As a farmer he was active, and naturally of a strong constitution, he was able to carry on a great amount of work, and as a reward of his industry, he added to his original inheritance a good property. Asa resident of Dunbarton, N. H.. he was active and prominent in its affairs. He was county com- missioner, selectman, treasurer and twice elected to the Legislature. In 1867 he sold his large estate and moved to Goffstown, where he spent the remainder of his days in quietness and attending to his business affairs. Captain Charles Stinson married Susan, (laughter of Robert and Prudence Cochran, of Sharon, Vt., May 15, 1831. Susan was born October 27, 1803, and died March 23, 1838. He married, second, Mary Ann, daughter of Moses and Sally Poore, of Goflstown, N. H., May 29, 1839, born August 28, 1811. Captain Charles Stinson died .\ugust 8, 1878. There were three children by the first union, and one by the second. Children. — Jane Stinson, born October 5, 1833, married Wallace Caldwell, Byfield, Mass., July 15, 1858. Letitia C. Stinson, born March 9, 1835, married John M. Parker, of Goflstown, November 30, 1854. Susan C. Stinson, born October 22, 1837, married George Byron Moore, November 29, 1860. Mr. Moore died of pneumonia April 11, 1872. On aiay 17, 1877, she married Judge Edwin S. Jones, of Minneapolis, Minn., where she now resides. Mary A. Stinson, born August 1, \M\, married Charles A. Pillsbury, September 13, 1866, of Minue- lis, Minn., where she now resides. iipoi OLIVER BAILEY. Oliver Bailey was one of the independent farmers and substantial men who constitute the chief glory of a State. He was boru in 1797, in Dunbarton, N. II., and died in 1880, eighty-three years okl. His father, Captain Oliver Bailey, a man of great UlSTUItY OF MEliKlMACK COrNTV. NEW IIAMl'SHIRE. vigor and thrift, was descended from tlie Scolcii who migrated to the iiortli of Ireland to better their for- tunes, and thence to Londonderry, N. H., in tlie New World. His mother, Mary Thompson, was of ster- ling English blood and worth, from Charlestown, Mass. She was eight years old when the battle of Bunker Hill was fought, and saw, from their house-top, and remembered well, that famous struggle. liurn of this thrifty and hardy stock, young Oliver inherited a vigorous constitution, a fearless, active spirit, good brains to see and plan for himself, and the best muscle and nerve to execute his resolute will. Brought up on wholesome farmer's fare, beseemed to thrive best on the hard work and rough sports which added skill and .self-reliance to his growing strength, till, at opening manhood, he yielded to none in the field or the wrestling-ring, with the scythe or the drumsticks. He had little schooling, but karned to read the al- manac and the Bible, and had an apt use, always, of the wise sayings of " Poor Richard " and of Solomon ; learned to write a note, to keep his accounts and to figure in his head better than most can with pen or pencil, depending mainly, through life, on " A spark o' Nature's fire," which the poet Burns prized above all learning. In person, he was of medium stature and weight, with a large head, broad, high forehead, sandy hair and grey-blue eyes, with broad shoulders, a stout, straight back, strong, lithe limbs and a hand-grip from which nothing could escape, — a body, indeed, which seemed modeled to give hira the utmost strength and staying power, consistent with his natural quickness and ease of action. Thus favored by nature and home discipline, he set out at twenty-one for himself, with no capital but a few acres of tough, rocky laml, 1ml pMitly paid for, and an irrepressible ambition to earn lii^ ciwii inde- pendence in the world. By his untiring toil he soon cleared new fields, dug some of the rocks out of the old ones, built huge stone-walls, a small house and big barns, and was ready for a home of his own. Much of his pros- perity and happiness he made sure of by marrying wLsely. In 1821, at the age of twenty-four, he mar- ried Jane Mills, but seventeen, daughter of James and Jane Fulton Mills, of his native town. She was a wise and winning helpmate, comely in person, even-tempered and amiable, blessed with equal good sense and good nature, and, though so young, well trained in hou.seliold duties, apt at work and willing beyond her strength. Of this union four children were born, — a daughter, who died in infancy, and three sons, yet living, to bear grateful witness to her never-failing love and worth. In her unselfish devotion to her family she sacrificed, ere many years, her health, and life itself at the age of forty-five. Yet, in sickness and in health, she was ever the good angel of the home and the neighborhood. In 1850, Oliver Bailey married Mary D. Ryder, daughter of Ezekiel and Betsey Ryder, of Dunbarton. She had been trained in the best school for her new duties,— in that of an enlightened farmer's home. She was unusually well educated in the schools, too ; had been a teacher and enriched her house with good books, pictures and flowers, and to the essential vir- tues of u good wife she added the rarer grace of a good stepmother. Of this union one gifted son was born, — George, who died at eighteen, in the full spring and blossom of a ]>romising manhood. By the hardest work and the most careful saving on the smaller farm, Oliver Bailey was able to buy the large, old homestead when his father. Captain Oliver Bailey, had outlived his three-score years and ten. This larger place, with its many hay-fields, natural runs, greiit meadows, large pastures and wood-lots, gave him a better chance to prove his superior man- agement and to keep a large stock. His judgment, at sight, of the weight and worth of cattle was extraordinarily accurate. This gift, with a persuasive tongue in his head, enabled him to luiy and sell to advantage. With plenty of hay and barn- room for the winter, and mountain-pastures for sum- mer, he wa.s able to hold his stock over, and so to take .advantage of the changing market, buying at the low- est and selling at higher prices. No very small part of his gains at this time came from the growth I and exchange of cattle. His wise policy was to en- rich the farm also by selling less hay and grain and more fatted cattle. He had a sleight-of-hand at all kinds of work, and could get more out of his boys and hired help than most farmers ; tor he led them himself, giving them more than enough to do to keep up, and his restless forethought kept ahead of any execution in plans for the morrow, so that no odd hour or stormy day caught him without some bit of side-work to fill the time. But it was not driving work and shrtwd liargains alone which made him comparatively rich ; it was the continual saving and wise investing of his small earnings for so many years. He bought only what he could not get on well without, and could pay down lor. He put his name to no man's paper. He took no stock in wild land .speculations or railroad prom- ises, however tempting. He invested his money in growing property, or loaned it on good mortgages, or put it into the soundest banks, rather than into those paying the most interest. Hence he lost none of the principal, and as he rarely disturbed the interest, his small sums naturally cumulated in the long years to a goodly amount lor a Dunbarton liirmer. But he was thus saving only to be liberal in a larger way. To his second son, Mark, when sixteen years old, he gave the choice of a farm at twenty-one or a college education, and he gladly took his chances in the schools. In 1859, ^ i^^^^-i^ ^lycc^l'^'^ DUNHARTON. 309 when only sixty-twu, he divided the great farm lie- tvveen his oldest son, Oliver (who iiihoritti with his father's name much of his stirring ambition and luleiit to get on in the world), and his youngest son, .lames M. (who has a happy genius for living easier), hihI bought a small farm at Bow Mills, near Concord, built a nice house on it and deeded this place to his wife; here he spent the rest of his days, "merely phiying farmer," as he used to say. At his home he was hospitable to all comers. A good liver, though a light cater hiniselfaiul tenl]^er- ate in all things save only in hard work. He never had a doctor for himself till late in life, when he suffered greatly with the asthma. Though a private citizen, always devoted to " minding his own business," he was in his own way public-spirited an [ pinion, greatly overbulanced by other juul uun>- imi 1 . i : . n-m fnvoi .>fth6 p:irycl with tin- ii(lviuilat;.-s vvlii.li will 11. rnie (u>m tin- pn.)i..s.il i;hunge. Within the limits iirujiiwed for the new town there is already a popula- rinn e«iu;il tu tb;it i.f the average number given by more than one-half of the towns in the St:ite. The nnmber of rateable polUi, as near as the committee could iiscertain, is 187, of which number 75 belong to .Salis- bury, 48 to Sanbornton, :i7 to Northfield and 27 to Andover. There have recently been erected on the banks of the Winnipissiogee river, within the limits of the proposed new town, a paper-mill and cotton manufac- tory, both of which are now in full and successful operation. From the great falls in this and other streams in that vicinity and the inexliausti- ble supply of water, there is reason to believe that very e\teiisi\ t- manu- facturing establishments and other works requii in- u.it'] piun will, at no distant period, be erected at or near this-^p't m ..iiiu n i.. those already there. Even without these conteraplat-il itii[.i.'\ r-m. ui-, \\ liich would of course bring along with them aconsidnail.' in< mi-.' .>i inhab- itants, the number at this time living within the proposed limits, ami the amount of business transacted at the villages along the river, seem tu entitle them to the ordinary privilege of being incorporated into a town by themselves. " Many of the petitioners live at a great distance fi"om the centre of business in their respective towns, and have far to go over rough roads to attend the annual and othfr public town -meetings. Their local situ - ation, on th.- >'ontrnry, i- <\h'h that they come easily and frequently lo- Lietli'M 111 Ml. . -nt-, .1 i.(, 111. ,i( I he village near the bridge. \i this , the bridge might be swept certainly true ; but it i both by po<)plp in the \ any doubt as to its beii inents on the Meninnu The opinion, on the paititf the tumuiittee, that tlie prayer of the petitioners is reasonable and ought to be granted. With respect to the several towns, out of which it is proposiMl that the now town should be taken, it may be stated, as the result of the committee's inqniries on this point, that those parts of Salisbury, Sanbornton and Northfield which are without the limits of the new town are generally opposed to the division I ! 1 I ^ ji, I institution to entitle towns I < I I ill- objection would have had I II I M,. ii ili,\ ii,ul found it well supported '. I I'.iit llRM-eitilicatf of the town clerk of North- I ;!i ih.k liHts, used at the annual meeting in that town M Miiril I lie names of 265 voters. From the same certi- .tli.il. ..1 this number, only thirty -seven voters live within limits of the new town, which would leave, after the > hundreil and twentj-eigbt legal voters in Northfield. Much woa also said before the committee res|>ecting the injury which would result from the division of farms and the destruction of school districts in the old towns by the incorporation of the new. That some- thing of this kind should occur in every new arrangement of town lines 18 perbapy iuevitable. Tn deavoreil, as fai- as possili! they have so far siiccooil.-. injurious to the owner. 'VUr. oUl sclionl distriru in the several towns uro also left, for the most part, without change, and where any altomtion will become necessary in any of them, it can, without diftioulty, he eftect.'.i. I '■ ' I : III |wrt« of tho oKi townsof Sanbornton, Siilis- nil :i i:. \ihlMV(T. A survey of the territory inchuliiil within . ,'1 III. i.i..(.w.MHi now town, as doHipnated by the t'ominlttee, uiatlu luulei' their direction and i 'All which ia respectfully submitted, 1 KVM The towns of Salisbury, Andover, Saubornton iind Northfield then engaged E. X. Woodbury and peti- tioned the Legislature to be put back. Parker Noyes protested to the proceedings, as the town had not been notified. A committee reported in favor of the peti- tioners. Noyes then moved for an order of notice and postponement, which he secured. The following is a copy of the report of the coinmiltoo on towns and parishes for 1828 : "The standing Commitii > -u I . \^ n i^. i I'm Ih hiving had under their consideration the i"iiii h > > ! - i - i Mihei-s, praying for a new town to be tnUi II 1 1 I i. ! i .ni ii\ \iidover, San- bornton and Northfield, luil il ■ -mi.li_\ m, m. m li iih) r.- monstrances against the petitions and uthcr papui-^ ciiunifctuLl thi-nwitli, Report : "Thatnotii-e of tlip jirndenry of s.iid petition has been published, *' Stalemcut of Farts : "The original petition is signed by two hundred and t the petition which was refeiTed to is signed by thirty voters, making two hundred and forty petitioners i the whole, all, or nearly all of whom reside within the limits of the pn 'The number of V 1 Salialmry is 425 in Noi-thfield . from Salisbury . , from Andover . . from Sanbornt«n . from Northfield . . included within the limits of tlie new town, of whi agaiuiJt the prayer uf the petition, and leaving the uld i of the new one, the following nuni n the event of incorporation oters, Tiz. : Salisbury . Sanbornton Northfield . "The wholes t of State ta,x, assessed i 1 Andover, 1828 I inbiibitant^ uiihin pr.. posed 1 1 Sanborutuii, isiiS $11(3,79 . 91.2G . 248.(K) . 21.r.:t I II .11 I Nurtlitluld isHunu'what above tho lii^ I'll iuis of tho rMjKH-tive towns. Ill I.) th.i committocthoyurosatisnod that lie limits uf tho new town contains a popu. .vill entitle It to a respectnblu rank among t. That this population is increasing, ap- January, 1820, the whole number of voters iialST, shewing un Increase of nearly one- 1 less than throe years. io s:Uisfn'd that tin vithii tJiblishnieiilb, uu tl iif the proposed nei meeting in Northfi Ml I I II-.-.1 new centre, and most of them I I 11 Ml' meeting in that town. InNorth- iuiiKMiL, i^uiinected with the manufacturing es- \ji uf tho Winnipissitigee. This is within a mile e, and a little over four miles from the place of itv.rHi. I . 1 t- ih'M)i.w\pen»e of makingand I I ~ ' i ! I II 11. It was objected, cd . ll^lve r.Kul ill t!ie matheast part would be left u II, whereas it ought to be supiwrted by that . !i;ls petitioned to he set otf. It did not api>ear I, tlijit tlu- mei;t;re expense of repairing roads ■ !■ ■iiii 1 1 I 1. IK' lu-w town, ia not equal to I I I iitidittee is »>pposcd to ex- VI .'Ml III. liiiuL i...i,it,.d out by the petition- " The fact being established that the proposed territory contains a popnlatinn and resources which entitle the pmyer of the petitioners to a respectful hearing, and that there are inconveniences which they at present suffer which ought to be redressed, the committee have proceeded lu the only remaining inquiry which seemed tv them necessary to be nuide, ill i.ider f.. i-..tne to a correct result as to the subject matter re- 1 1 ^ riiiences can be removed, and these grievances H!i;idne regard to the interests and rights of til Ite affected by tie' iii'.i~.iii ■■ pntpused. remark, tlial Mi. |.i n ■■! ■ i il.. j.. ni i< <- .[■■ ferrei not pi-L>l>abb- iliut any arrangement, in i >< ^ i 'i i ^ . i the inliubitunlw of those towns, livini^ t ii,- j . ^ 1 \^un^■, i -i division. The town of Andover, also, oppuM.js tht- t-etitiun, unless tho line of the new town should extend north to New Chester, in which event, aa tho committee were informed, that town would make no fur- ther opposition. "The objeitions made by the several towns were urged by their agents, who were before the committee, with much zeal and ability. The com- mittee liiive utt>-ntivel.v considered these objections and the testimony iu tbeii -nipii ml uj^ i, ,, \ i,-\v of the wludu subject, a niiyority of the coiiiiiiin 1. I I u n iliHt the objections to the proposed measure are 11 .1 it'i . ' 1 uraeibalance the obnoufl benefits which would "1. The {general objection against all » This nbjecti(»n. in the opinion of the committee, ought to prevail only when a town is subjected to a losw, either in influence or resources, and when a party seeking a redress for grievances can find a different rem- edy. In this case, however, the committee have the satisfaction of believ- ing that a new town may be incori>orated and the old towns may still re- main, as they have always been, highly respectable in point of numbere, (haracter and resources of their inhabitants. The committee is further HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. of opiiiiun that tu constitute t\ new town I of each of tho towns mentioned. "2. Aiiotlier objection ni-.u'--i \v:us— Thii > take a portion '• It may !«■ liiTc ifrii.ii 1 i 'in •" - > ' i-imry and Antiov^r no sc)iool (li^tiict i> afl.Ttfil I.y til.' I.. ' .1 I n 1 ■ j .i.i lo Snnhornton and North- tk'UI, thp propu^.-ii hn<'eti- tiouery have leave to bring in a bill for that purpose. 'Levi Chamberlai r the Com III if tee. 'Decembers, 1828.' Franklin December The town was ineorporat 24, 1828. What i)ertains t(» the setting off of the southwest portion of the original town, to form the town of Franklin (says Rev. Mr. Runnels, in an account of the action of Sanbornton in relation to this contro- versy), may now be safely treated as a matter of history; but in alluding to the later division, or at- tempts at division, we shall be treading upon delicate ground, and shall therefore confine ourselves almost exf^lusively to the recorded action of the town from time to time. The Sanbornton people were no doubt honest in their earliest strenuous opposition, though we now smile at tho arp:uments used, the fallacy of some of which, valid in tlu-ir diiy, is being proved by the lapse of time. In town-meeting, March 9, 1825, the subject of "setting oH" the southwest corner of town " first came up in the warrant, "by petition of Ebenezer Eastman and others, to form a new town." A *' polling of the House" resulted in "yeas, 4; nays, 402." At the same time a similar movement for the "northwest part of the town, on petition of Ebenezer Kimball and others," was disposed of in nearly as summary a way, — "nays, 379; yeas, 7." Next, from the Strafford Gazette of October 22, 1825, we obtain this document, — "The inhabitants of the southwest part of this town presented to the appointed by the Legislutuiv to lay uut a new town, agree- ably to the petitii of Ebuiiezer Ettstmun and others, the "The undersigned, inhabitants of tluf town of S;iul... mioii, i.'hidu- strate against being setoff into a lu-u Imwi., .-i..,ii.|. i ■ il,. |i ■mi..n of K. Eastman and othoi'9, and rupros' lit ih.i n, \ u i, i ^ii i i^ auy great 'inconvenience,' nor do they Hiin r ,i,^ p ,i : ^ i lud re- ligious privileges by reason of tlifn >li-.i,in. > ir .m iIj< [.uMi. i.mMing' ill this town ; but, on the contrary, bfliovc ihi-ji * ivil an.) rehf^ious privi- leges are now far superior to any they might expect to ergoy in the new "That they now live in =■ t..un in wl.i.l. rh.-r.. i^ an.i l-.tiL' }.a^ iMjen an uncommon harmony In t w i, ii, iin, ,, ,,i ,, n , n. - n.-ither can they believe that lliii l ii i i i ^ unused ]>,v their becoming meuilx'i- ..i iK- n.u imuh, .i,m.i..i ,.- iiu- u,m i,« by a large river, extending mm- imlrs iliionuh tin- i.:i-iurf .•! lii.- louri, im- passable but at one place, their neighborhoods divided in like manner, Ihe wants of its seveml parts unknown to the other in consequence of unfriendly dis|.ii-iii..ri .iril I n..Mu|. I' tu. I II ii.s several parts, not only in their civil ;uiil ii- >! i, .in- i m iui.!,i liU.-vvise engender the seeds of hatred an.i nniii.-it. m n-.u i. h. - .luti.-s. "That the t.iu II Hi ^\lMiii 111 1^ I. ^. In. ii .\.- it Mrhuul and piti-Bonage fund amounting Iuiumi, ii.n, ■ i, ,i,i i, i t ^^ l.n l. i- .nnnally appropriated towards ill' nii .i i n j i i ,i, [ ,i!i.four religions societies. K. tn ^ . i >i. i ^ n j.h.re us in a town having no fuud:^ , iii.i m-i. ._l..i .■! .. -ni.iun- a lu\ '>i, you im- pose upon us a tax annually exceeding our proportion of a S400() State tax. Remove us, and you deprive us of a rich legacy, fostered and en- larged by the parental (?) [obscure] and tender care of our fathei'S, and Mt by them not only for the instruction of our children in their civil and political duties, hut by it the vital principles of piety and evangeli- i!il knowledge are enforced, which are the only sure foundations of our jiresent, and the only hope of our future happinrs.-,. "That they now live in a town mostly sm i i, hi. I \.^ m r.iiTn<-nt8 treated from the foundation of the world, will. I. . , .. i i mibula- (iim, admit of no doubtaud subject us to n. li \ - i ii.^ their authenticity. Remove us, and you subject vi-M i ■-> i. n. I . i.lii .iiffer- t-nt sets of selectmen to the expense of perambulating ..vei twenty-five miles of a zigzag line on this new town where we now have natural boundaries. "That we liavL' located and accommodated our farms to our seveml Willi- .1, I , 11. tiiN-i ,n, .-. Remove us, and you divide them, and leave a]t;iit 111 .iiflni I >Mi, tu be taxed as non-resident, depriving our chil- .ln u Hi 1 I hii. u 1 . 111. loss of our school and parsonage money, of the iHiiciii ol ii.« ^. loK,| tux of that partofour property, and giving it to f*trrtngei-s. Remove us, and you divide our school districts, subjecting those who now live near the school-house to travel more than two miles to attend school ; y«>u will lo.atf many of us fai-ther from our public building; you \\'\U lujiu.ni .>ur taxes; you will give us a great share of bridges ; >..ii \m1I ui.i.i n^ i.. the maintenance of several miles of highway, ill .1.1. liii 1, I .1,1 ■ miii. mi highway tax ; and we never have greater advantage to son 10 ambition and pride of t Abraham Cross. David Clark, Jr. Dearborn Sanborn. Jonathan SanlMirn, Jr. Jonathan Prescott. William Thomi)son. David Gage. Nathan S. Morrison. Ebenezer Morriaun. Bradbury Morrison. Satchel W. Clark. Dearborn Sauboi'n, Jr. Da\ Joseph Tliompsur John Thompson. Levi Thompson. Joseph Sanborn.' FRANKLIN. 315 It would appear from the foregoing that the legal voters in that part of Sanboruton which is now Franklin were then, almost to a man, opposed to the division; while it must he remembered that Mr. Eastman and the few others who petitioned in its favor were living upon the west side of the river, in what was then Salisbury village. Accordingly, for three years longer, while eflbrts were continued for the formation of the new town, the dismemberment of its own territory was iis steadily opposed by the town of Sanbornton. Even " at the last moment," November 3, 1828, it was voted, on the motion, "that part of the town petitioned for be set oil' for the for- mation of a new town," yeas, twenty ; nays, three hundred and eighty ; and Charles Gilman, Esq., was chosen as an agent to oppose the petition of Dearborn Sanborn and others (for new town) before the com- mittee of the Legislature on towns and incorpora- tions. When, however, at the next annual meeting, March 11, 1829, the town of Franklin had been constituted, there was a display of will, pertinacity and almost obstinacy on the part of the Sanbornton citizens, which seems hardly justifiable, in that they " would do nothing " in respect to " the proportion of the town funds claimed by Franklin, the town paupers of Sanbornton belonging to Franklin, or the annex- ing to most convenient schools districts of those dis- annexed by the forming of the new town." The controversy continued for several years, as in March, 1832, a special agent was chosen — Nathaniel Holmes, Esq. — to make arrangement with the town of Franklin and to obtain able counsel, whether the town of Sanbornton is holden to pay to Franklin any of its fund; and if holden, to make ftirther arrange- ments and lay the matter again before the town. At a meeting in October (same year) it was voted that the town agent and selectmen " obtain further coun- sel whether Franklin has a legal claim upon San- bornton for a proportion of the School and Parsonage Fund." The above agent never reported to the town (as appears from records) ; but at a special meeting, January 20, 1834, an action having been brought by the town of Franklin against Sanbornton to recover part of the funds belonging to said Sanbornton, Charles Lane, Esq., was appointed agent to attend to the suit, with instructions to continue the action so long as any probability of gaining it may exist; or otherwise, that he have power to settle the action and agree on a committee to say " how much of the town funds Franklin shall have, and what part of the poor it shall take." The Sanbornton fathers of that day were honest in the belief that no other town could ju.slly claim the funds which were left to their town ; hence they were sincere in resisting the claims of Franklin. But it was ultimately decided against them, as in 1836, of the "School and Parsonage Fund," whicli liad amounted to $6(558.78, $633.03 was paid to Franklin as "the share belonging to those persons who had been set off," leaving a balance of $6025.25. CHAPTER III. FKANKLlN-U'oNfuiuf,/). ECCLESIASritAL HISTORY. The First Unitarian Congregational Society of Franklin' was organized the 6th of December, 1879, " For the purpose of establishing and sustaining the worship of God in public and social religious ser- vices, and to secure for ourselves and our children the benefits of religious instruction, and as a means of illustrating and extending rational and practical Christianity." Fn the second article nl' tlie cimstitiilinti llieuh- jects of the society are dn-larcd to be "the cultiva- tion and diffusion of useful knowledge, the promotion of fraternal justice, and of a serious and intelligent public spirit, and the earnest endeavor to supply a centre and home of religious sympathy and of all good influences to those who seek and need our fel- lowship." On the occasion of the organization of the society the constitution was signed by the following persons: Rev. J. B. Harrison, Mrs. W. F. Daniell, Mrs. R. G. Burleigh, A. W. Sulloway, W. F. Daniell, Daniel Barnard, Charles H. Gould, R. G. Burleigh, G. B. Wheeler, F. H. Daniell, R. E. Bean, E. B. S. San- born. The following persons were elected officers of the .society: Clerk, George B.Wheeler; Treasurer, Alexis Proctor ; Pastor, Rev. J. B. Harrison ; Trus- tees, Warren F. Daniell, Daniel Barnard, A. W. Sul- loway, E. B. S. Sanborn, R. G. I5urleigh, Alexis Proctor, Frank H. Chapman. The board of trustees was constituted a cdniiiiiiiic to procure plans and consider other matters pcrlMin- ing to the building of a church. At a meeting of the trustees, held .\pril JOih, a communication was read by the pa.stor informing the trustees that Mrs. Persis Smith, of St. Loui.s, had offered the society the sum of four thousand dollars toward the erection of a church an;iiiiel Barnard and Hon. Au.stin F. Pike, presumably with an idea of helping assist Pike to a re-election to Congress. He was defeated. The ostensible proprietors, whose names stood at the head of the paper, were Moses B. Goodwin, a Washington journalist, lawyer and " literary feller," and Frank M. Galley, a printer. In 1874, Omar A. Towne pur- chased Galley's interest, and in 1875, D. T. Elmer bought the paper. His successors were F. K. & G. B. Wheeler, who bought in May, 1876. G. B. Wheeler bought his brother's interest in 1877, and sold to Russell P. Eaton, who had published the New Eiujlaitd Fanner twenty-five years, in May, 1880. In October of the same year it was purchased by the present proprietor, Roscoe E. Collins, a practical printer and journalist of wide experience, who made it an inde- pendent paper in all things. It had been a twenty- eight column paper from its start. In May, 188.3, he enlarged it to a thirty-two column paper. It is read by six thousand pmple every week, and its circulation embraces most of the States and Territories of the Union. The Franklin National Bank was organized November 22, 187!l. Alvali W. Sulloway, Daniel Barn- ard, Warren F. Daniell, Isaac N. Blodgett, Walter Aiken, John Taylor, all of Franklin, and George E. Shepard, of Andover, were elected directors ; Alvah W. Sulloway was chosen president, Daniel Barnard vice-president and Frank Proctor clerk and cashier. The capital ($100,000) was fully paid on December 6, 1879, and the charter of the bank (No. 2443) was issued December 20, 1879. The bank opened for business January 1, 1880, in the rooms of the Franklin Savings- Bank, which occu- pancy has continued to the present time. At each successive annual stockholders' meeting the same board of directors has been unanimously re-elected, and the officers of the bank remain the same as at the date of organization. The surplus and undivided profits of the association now aggregate one-fifth of the capital stock. Franklin Savings-Bank was incorporated June 30, 18C9, with the following incorporators : Walter Aiken, N. H. Sanborn, Warren F. Daniell, Austin F. Pike, Jonas B. Aiken, Daniel Barnard, John Taylor, Frank H. Daniell, George W. Nesmith, James Tay- lor, Alexis Proctor, David ( ;ilclii i-t, Fdwiii C. Stone, Frank H. Aiken, Levi HiilKinUon, Sici.hcn Kenrick, John W. Sweat, Ephraim (J. U allar,-, A. S. Nesmith, A. W. Sulloway, John H. Ruwell, William Russell, William A. Russell, I. N. Blodgett, E. B. S. Sanborn, .\sa B. Glo.sson, Henry Burley, Benjamin S. Hancock, Orin B. Davis, Watson Dickerson, John Proctor. The following were the firet officers and trustees ; President, Austin F.Pike; Secretary and Treasurer, Nathaniel H. Sanborn ; Tru.stees, Austin F. Pike, George W. Nesmith, Daniel Barnard, David Gil- chri.st, AVarren F. Daniell, Watson Dickerson, Wil- liam A. Russell, John Taylor, Walter Aiken, Alexis Proctor, Joniis B. Aiken, Stephen Kenrick, A. W. Sulloway. Present officers : George W. Nesmith, president ; ,\lexis Proctor, treasurer. Present trustees : George W. Nesmith, Daniel Barnard, Warren F. Daniell, John H. Rowell, Milton Gerrish, John Taylor, Wal- ter Aiken, G. C. Kenrick, A. W. Sulloway, H. A. Weymoutli, I. N. Blodgett, E. B. S. Sanborn, F. L. Morrison. The first deposit was made October 1, 1869, by Harry Hinds, of ten dollars. Deposits, April 4, 1885, $593,930. Presidents, Austin F. Pike and George W. Nes- mith ; Treasurers, N. H. Sanliorn and Alexis Proctor. Military Record, 1861-65.— The following men enlisted from Franklin under the call of 18G2 and subsequent calls : K. ('ochiani!, S. H. Cliiy, K. .Stcvons, G. U. Stevens, .1. L. French, A Pettongill, J. P. Simons, R. Kejsnr, .lames Rate, L. M. Clark. John »s..ll, .1. H. 'nioni, K. li. Ash, 1', l.ul/, A. K. 11..W,., G. s. Katon, |■..\]^ I l; 11 ,\l !■ I>,i ,,,:, I » r.,,1. ..in-e Green, J. H. Il.hi . II, \ r < n. I' 1 . ,1 - ' II II |i,,, IK \V. Fairhanks, .h.. il. 1. i,.u liiM. \\ . li K ,v-z, i_. I . \1 iii-.a, i'. \\. Parare, Joseph Tbomp»un, 1). K. NVuuJwaid, T. 1'. WhiUii.r, C. K. Thompson, J. P. .San- horn, H. n. Sargent, H. B. Ingalls, S. J, Sawjer, W. J. Foster, 0. Gard- ner, J. M. Otis, Thomas KeUey, J. Oinnoley. Joseph Bennett, Charles t'rawfonl, John Clanoey, George M r;;t,r l-i-.:il; c.ile, Thomas Ford, IVter Pliillips, J. O'Brien, Han> I I I <' I : I n , .lames Martin, John .Murphy, John Smith, J..-. |,l, i \\ ird, Henry Wil- liams, James W'hite, Thomas Ciilknu \ im ii\ I 'Im (Jardner, John /7//;., M...-''i^ 321 Huatore, William Hen Max Solnary, William \ John Flynn, P. Kell.v. ' WillLini lii-iJbo. 11. iM.i^ Ki.lM. Milli.i^ii \, Iv «,, J, in, "1.1 Hajes, JoUn Maxwell. WiUiaui Haivej , John Wued, JoliU Ha O. H. Merrill, R. G. Burleigh, H. J. Williams, Patrick Sawyer. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. SSTEPHEX KEXRIf'K.' Stephen Kenrick, Esq., one of the oldest and most influential citizens of Franklin, died on the morning of the 4th of August, A.n. 18S4, after a lingering illness of several months. He wa.s born in Haverhill, Mas.s., June 15, a.d. 1806; his age, therefore, e.xceeded seventy-eight years. He was the youngest member of a family of nine children, born to John Kenrick and Sarah Col- by. They were both natives of Amesbury, but be- came citizens of Haverhill .soon after their marriage. The husband was born December 10, 1764; the wife January 25, 1771. John died by a casualty in 1806. His widow subsequently became the wife of David Marsh, and the mother of two other children, viz.: Nathaniel, of Staten Island, N. Y., deceased, and Mary, wife of Rev. G. W. Kelley, resident in Haver- hill, Mass., now deceased. The name of Kenrick, or Kendriek, or Kendricke appears to be of early English origin. The name of John seems to have been adopted as an early fa- vorite by the family. We find the name of John Kendriek, sheriff in London, in 1645. The same name appears as Lord-Mayor of London in 1651. John Kenrick was in Ipswich, Mass., in 1657. John Kenrick, John Kenrick, Jr., and Elijah Kenrick were among the petitioners, in May, 1678, to the Leg- islature, to set off part of Cambridge and to establish the town of Newton. John Kenrick, Jr., of Newton, marched from that town, and was engaged in the Lexington battle, April 19, 1775. Among the many immediate descendants of John Kenrick, of Ames- bury, Ma.ss., who were distinguished in the walks of business and professional life, were Professors Henry L. Kendriek, of West Point Academy, and John Kendriek, of Marietta College, Ohio, both first cou- sins, and James R. Kendriek, superintendent of the Old Colony Railroad, who was also second cousin of Stephen Kenrick, Esq. These gentlemen were all natives of the town of Lebanon, in this State, and we might enumerate many others of the same family, and their "kith and kin," or collaterals, in diflTerent parts of the Union, as being prominent and successful Hon. Geo. W. Nei business men, and highly respected in their respective localities. Early in this century, and prior to 1820, Timothy Kiiuick, the elder brother of Stephen, had immi- iiiMird 111 (lie town of Lebanon, and established there :i pnititalile mercantile business. He had acquired early a good education, and was known and honored by his fellow-citizens as a man of integrity by several public trusts. He was town clerk thirty-seven con- secutive years, and was several times elected their representative to the Legislature. He was often em- ployed in the settlement of estates of his vicinity, and was for many years director of the Northern Railroad. He well discharged these important trusts. In the mean time his brother Stephen was with his kind father-in-law. Marsh, in Haverhill, where he received good paternal protection and the benefits of the best schools found there until he arrived at the age of fifteen years. He then was committed to the care of his brother Timothy, then of Lebanon, and was employed in his brother's store. Here he received that valuable systematic instruction which proved useful to him in after-life. We next find him for a short time in Bangoi-, Me. Afterwards he was en- gaged in trade for himself with Mr. James Howe, at Barnet, Vt. ; next, for a short time, at Boscawen Plain, N. H. Then, in 1831, he formed an advanta- geous co-partnership with Mr. Brewer, of Mclndoe's Falls village, Vt., and there continued in business until 1836, when he came to Franklin, and ever since has made his permanent residence here, identifying him- self with the business of this town, and becoming one of its most active and prosperous citizens. For many years he was largely interested in various railroad projects and contracts, in connection with Joseph A. Gilmore and John A. Lyon. From these enterprises he derived much profit, and became a large proprietor in several railroads. He was president of the Concord and Portsmouth Railroad from about 1861 to the time of his death. For many years before his death he was president of the national bank lo- cated at Hillsborough Bridge, and was interested in its stock. He was also trustee of the Franklin Sav- ings-Bank. He took also a deep interest in the man- agement of the prudential and financial matters of the town, occupyingmany of the official stations, conferred by his fellow-citizens. He was elected one of the selectmen of the town during the years 1849,1850, 1851, 1854 and 1872. In 1859 and 1861 he represented the town in the House of Representatives in this State. For many years he was a member of the Con- gregational Church in Franklin, and was one of its most generous supporters. In 1833 he married Clarissa A., youngest daughter of Captain Ebenezer Blanchard, lateof Franklin, who still survives him. To them were born seven children, four of whom were removed in infancy by death. Another, Dr. Timothy G. Kenrick, died in Naples, Italy, January 29, 1879. He was born July 8, 1849 ; HISTORY OF iMERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. graduated at Dartmouth College in 1871; studied the medical profession, graduating at the Bellevue Hos- pital Medical College, New York, June 1, 1874. With much enthusiasm he applied hini.self to the study of insanity, and to the best mode of treating and man- aging those afl'ected with this unfortunate disease. His mild temper aud great power of self-control, united with his skill and learning, gave him signal success in this department of his profession. He was fortunate in early securing the patronage and friend- ship of Dr. I. W. Barstow, the eminent manager of the SandfordHall Asylum, at Flushing, X. Y. He had the full confidence of Dr. Barstow, and was em- ployed by him, to the mutual advantage of both par- ties, up to 1876, when Dr. Kenrick was called into a larger sphere of duties as assistant surgeon in the New York State Lunatic Asylum, at Utica. It is enough to say that his success here met the expecta- tions of his friends, and that his professional attain- ments commanded the respect and confidence of his associates and the managers of that institution. His life was sacrificed to the malarial climate of Naples while, in devotion to duty, he was traveling for the benefit of the health of one of his diseased and wealthy friends, who was very wisely committed to his profes- sional care. His early, premature death brought extreme sorrow to the hearts of his parents and his many friends, who had witnessed his progress and reasonably indulged high hopes of his future success in life. The lamentation over his loss at home was most sincere. Abroad " he was by strangers honored and by strangers mourned." Of the two surviving children, Stephen, the eldest, many years since removed to the West, where he has been extensively engaged in various railroad enter- prises. We find him now in Wisconsin, married, but without children, and prosperous in other respects, enjoying the income of the office ofgeneral .superinten- dent of the Fort Madison and Northwestern Railroad. He is cheerful, and apparently enjoys life well. The remaining child is a son, in the full vigor of life, under the name of Charles C. Kenrick, now very active, doing the labor of two men, being exten- sively engaged in building houses, barns, stables, shops. As a farmer, raising more hay and corn than any other person in town, improving largely, by judi- cious cultivation, his lands; selecting good breeds of cattle and horses, and increasing their number; giv- ing promptly a fair day's pay to a fair day's labor, thus rewarding a large number of laborers, and ex- pending profitably a good amount of capital daily ; improving the condition of his estates, and augment- ing the wealth of the town. We might here also, with propriety, refer to the extensive trafiic in wood and lumber recently canieil on Ijy him, not without profit. During the long life of his father, Charles has en- joyed the benefit of his advice, and followed it. There- by he gained his father's confidence, and before his death he received from him the conveyance of a large estate, under the sole obligation to render all needed aid to his aged mother in sickness and in health. This obligation his kind nature prompts him to obey to her entire satisfaction. We now leave the history of the children and again refer briefly to that of the father. While Mr. Kenrick was a citizen of Franklin we found him interested and well informed in the important interests of the town, State and nation. He had leisure and opportunity to inform himself .so as to discharge intelligently his own private trusts and duties, as well as those belonging to the good citizen. His knowledge and experience, acquired by him in trade, banking and railroad aft'airs, were of much value to himself and useful to others. We have already alluded to his great ability in acquiring and retaining successfully a large estate. We must not forget to give due credit to a diligent help-meet, in the name of his wife, who brought to him a considerable pecuniary inheritance that descended from her paternal estate. This inher- itance, coming down from a worthy ancestry, would, of course, be highly appreciated. It constituted a valuable accession to the estate, now constantly in- creasing through the harmonious action, kind care and economy of both husband and wife. It is an ac- knowledged fact that the accumulation of property generally requires much patience and great mental resources ; but a critical world tells us that a wise appropriation or disposition of a large estate requires the exercise of still more sagacity, good judgment and wisdom. HON. A. W. SULLOWAY. From an industrial as well asa political standpoint, the town of Franklin has long occupied a prominent position in the State. Highly favored by nature with the facilities most conducive to the development of manufacturing industry, there has grown up within its limits, or been attracted thereto from other locali- ties, a large class of citizens possessing the enterprise, energy and sagacity requisite to the most advantageous use of those facilities. There are, indeed, few among our New England towns of corresponding size which include among iheir inhabitants a larger number of active and suc- cessful business men, or whose progress has been signalized during the last quarter of a century by a more substantial industrial development. Alvah Woodbury Sulloway is one of the best known, most practical, energetic aud public-spirited among the enterprising business men of this prosperous and progressive town. While the State of Massachusetts has drawn from our midst a large proportion of the men whose labors have brought the prosperity and distinction which that proud old commonwealth enjoys, she has given New Hampshire, in return, some of her own sons, \ I'eier Bowing's huuso, in said Stevenstown, aud from thru, i, ■ ,ii i, mImw (so-callod), and from thence the spotted way to I n r ;. , , \. u' Breton, and from thence to tho Centre Square, unJ i . , i , I in the southeasterly part of said Loon Pond, and li M. m i- nlniiy round said pond till we come to where said pond .-inpti^'B itself, and from thence down said stream to the first falls, next to Loon Pond, where wo apprehend to bo the most convenient place that we can find in said township of Now Breton for a saw-mill." The report of this committee was accepted, but no further action is recorded in regard to clearing the road thus spotted. The records indicate that the first road cut and cleared was known as the Centre road, leading from the Pemigewasset River to Chance Pond, around the northerly end of this pond, and from thence to the mill privilege and Loon Pond. At a meeting held November 3, 1762, a committee consisting of Anthony Emery, Nathaniel Healy, Jr., and Jeremiah Lane, who had been appointed at a previous meeting, reported the above-mentioned road completed, and were voted three hundred and eigh- teen pounds ten shillings, old tenor, in payment for cut- ting and clearing the same. As the town became settled, roads were necessary, and soon were cut in various directions through the forest, and their location has been a subject of con- troversy and contention as often as a new road was projected, even to the present day. In many in- stances roads were abandoned after a short time as some better way was suggested. Damages were awarded the owners of land through which roads passed, and frequently the range-ways adjoining the farm were voted in exchange for the land taken. The famous Fourth New Hampshire turnpike was surveyed through the town in 1804, and opened to travel in 1806. One of the most important toll-gates on the route of this turnpike was that at West Andover, where this road was in- tersected by the Grafton turnpike. This gate for many years was in charge of Thomas Clark, Esq., a man of some renown in hotel and store business, and also in public affiiirs. The turnpike was made a free road in 1839, and the town was required to pay the corporation five hun- dred and sixty-six dollars in consideration of the same. The early settlement of the town progressed very slowly. It required no little courage and powers of endurance to brave the dangers and privations of the wilderness. A narrow path cut through the forest was the road over which a man must bring on horse- back his family and household goods. 330 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Reminiscences of the exploits and adventures of the earliest inhabitants would fill a lengthy chapter. Different sections of the town bear names taken from hunting adventures which are still fresh in memory and often told by the olde.^t inhabitants as related to them by the first settlers. Money was voted at the proprietors' meetings for the encouragement of those who first settled here; but not until 1761 did any one venture to make a home within the limits of the town. During that year Mr. Joseph Fellows moved from Boscawen into that part of Andover known as Flaghole, and settled on what is now the Royal Stone farm. Mr. Fellows died March 14, 1811, and his daughter, Peggy, was the first child born in town. Elias Raino was the next settler, building a house near the Joseph A. Rovve place. The house was long since destroyed, but traces of the cellar can still be seen. Mr. Raino died September 20, 1787. The third man to settle in the town was William Morey, who cleared the farm now owned by Jonathan Cilley, and built a house a few rods south of the one at present occupied by Mr. Cilley. Mr. Morey died in 1814. Edward Ladd was another of the early settlers. He lived upon the farm lately occupied by James Marston, and died in 1818, at the age of eighty-two years. With no inhabitants on the north from whom as- sistance could be had, and being unable to obtain supplies without a journey of a dozen miles, and then bring them home on their backs, it is no wonder that the early settlement was slow. In 1775 the number of inhabitants in the town was one hundred and seventy-nine. In the minds of the proprietors, next in importance to the clearing of roads seems to have been the building of a saw-mill, and the mill privilege was one of the first things looked for in the survey of the town. The place selected was where the Busiel hosiery- mill now stands, and here the first saw-mill was erected by Nathaniel Prescott in 1766. The proprie- tors of the township voted Mr. Prescott forty pounds, lawful money, towards the erection of the mill, he agreeing to keep it in good running order and to saw all logs hauled there by the inhabitants of the town at the halves for the next ten years. A large num- ber of .saw-mills have since that time been built in town, and in 1820 no less than five were in active operation. At this early date they were usually built on small streams, which now would not fur- nish sufiicient power, and upon very small streams do we frequently find traces of dams, mills and rude machinery in places now entirely given to the growth of wood and lumber. A grist-mill was needed, and its location was con- sidered at several meetings. Various places were favorably reported. In 1769, Mr. Prescott moved the saw-mill farther up the stream, and a committee contracted with Anthony Emery to build a grist- mill at the foot of the falls, and also made a contract with Mr. Prescott for drawing water for said grist-mill from his saw-mill gate for a period of twenty years by payment of seven pounds, lawful money. At a meeting February 2, 1774, this grist-mill, built by the proprietors of the township, was voted to be sold to Joseph Fellows for thirty-five pounds. It was used for many years, and was but one of sev- eral grist-mills in operation in the town a few years later. Carding-mills, clothing-mills, bark-mills and tanneries were built in various sections of the town, and in 1820 no less than two of each mentioned were operated. The first business meeting called in New Breton was by authority of the province of New Hampshire and for the purpose of choosing officers for assess- ing and collecting the province and county tax. This meeting was held at the house of Joseph Fel- lows, June 21, 1773, but after this, were annually held at the meeting-house. But little business was transacted, except the election of officers, which in- cluded a man to take care of the meeting-house, until the incorporation of the town, June 25, 1779, at which date the town took the present name of Andover. The first town-meeting after the incorporation, was held at the meeting-house July 13, 1779, and the fol- lowing were elected the first town officers: Moderatcjr, Samuel Blake; Clerk, Jonathan Weare ; Selectmen, Joseph Philbrick, Samuel Blake and Jabez Moriil ; Assessors, Peter Weare and Joseph Chandler; High- way Surveyors, Robert Wise, John Row, Joseph Phil- brick and Joseph Fellows; tithingmen, fence-viewers, surveyors of lumber and hog constables were also chosen. Meetings were held on August 16th and September 1st to consider various questions for advancing the settlement of the town. Action was taken for the support of both school and church, and the incorpo- ration of the town marked a new era in its develop- ment. During the next years the town became rapidly settled, and all worthy objects of a public nature were supported. Old roads were repaired and new roads laid out and cleared. Bridges were built. Land was cleared and cultivated, and the large two-storied houses were erected. A new meeting-house was built, and a church organization established. Appropriations were almo.st annually made for schools, and later the school districts were formed and school-houses erected. In 1790 the town had six hundred and forty-five inhabitants, and in 1820 the people of Andover numbered sixteen hundred and forty-two. October 10, 1828, Joseph C. Thomson was elected agent for the town in the formation of the new town of Franklin. Mr. Thomson was instructed to favor the formation of the contemplated town, pro- viding the tract of land taken from Andover for its formation should extend entirely across the town. A strip of land bordering upon the Pemigewasset ANDOVER. 331 River was taken from the easterly end of Aiulovor and incorporated in the town of Franklin by an act dated December 24, 1828. Following will be found the list of representatives and town clerks serving in the town to the year ISSt), and after this are given the more important events in the history of the leading interests of An- dover : KEPRESENTATIVES. lT!ii;-lsii.>, .Tuseph Philbrick; 1803, Jonathan \\ .n , l-"l i -i pli Pliill.riik, isd,-,, Jonathan Weai-o I 1800, Jacob I : M i ' ' i nu- tlmn \V..ar(. ; lSlO-12, James Tucker ; 1813, JoiKiiliu, w . u h l-U, Ja.in-s Tii.U.-i- ; 1815, Jonathan Wcare, Jr. ; ISlr-l., hi v ■ v.- ; ISIS. S:irtMP 1 (iraves; 1819, no representative: I ~ -' I l; I ii Tar- hi r ; Isjj-jl, .■A : I I.L.. 1,1! ,~, IS4',l-an, Saimw.l 5[orrill ; ls.-.l-;-,2, K ■ I h. il.y K. Langley; 1855-56, Caleb T. >!.,,-, w I' I, ; 1659-60, John M. Shirley; 1801- (Ij, K.l,:, I'l 1 I , 1- I, ~ 1 Suftt; 186.5-66, Aaron Cilley, 1807- 68, Georiit; W. Tlionisou ; ISO'i-T", Henry A. Weymouth; 1871-T2, John F. Emery ; 1873-74, John P. Can- ; 1875, Ziba Severence ; 1870, Ziba Severence and Clark Durgin ; 1877, ('lark Durgin and Gerry Morgan ; 1878, Gerry Morgan and Clarence E. Carr ; 1870, Clarence E. Carr ; 1881, William E. Melendy; 1883, Robert C. Carr; 1885, George W. Stone. TOWN CLERKS. [At the organization of the town government, in 1773, Paul Smith Marston was chosen town clerk, and continued in the otfice until the incorporation of the town, in 1779.] 1779-92, Jonathan Weare ; 1793-04, Silas Rirnard ; 170,-., jMhathan Weare ; 1790-97. Jacob B. Moore : IT'i^ ■ >, r, i, ,il, ,,, w ,,. i;ir-l, Jacob B. Moore ; 1805, Jonathan M.:i! < l '> l>11, Willard Emery; 1812-18, Robert Bail- ^ l : - I, l-i.",- 31, Jesse Craves; 1832-33. NeheniiM, 1' - ■ I I - I ' . ,,, i. 1!. White ; ls:i7, Ivh.iii M--' 1 1 , 1 - : - . ' - . i .• ' - i: I ■> II Jiirub C. Hanson ; Is I i :-.,.,..■ • i v\ .,. 1; I ■.:. i > I.-47- 48, Henry A. W -. J ■ i I i ■ '. '. . I l : II, nry A. Weymouth ; l-l ■ . J ,. •'■ I K.n.-.i,, I ■ ; -.-, M.,i I, lhn.t;in ; 1SG1-(H, Nathan Woodbury ; IbCJ, lleiiiy 51. Boswurth ; lsi;(;-72, John W. Keniston ; 1873-79, George H. Jlorrill ; 188(1-84, Henry M. Bos- worth ; 1885, Nathan Woodbni-y. Ecclesiastical History— Church Building.s.— The early settlers inmiifested much interest in es- talilishini;- and supporting a religious meeting, and we tiiid action frequently taken during the period in which the religious affairs were controlled by vote of the town. Doubtless, it was the intention of the grantees to locate the first meeting-house at the Centre Square, for, being the geographical centre of the town, it was supposed that it would become the business centre also, and a vote was passed at onetime to build a meeting-house there. The "mills" having been located at the place now known as East An- dover, the proprietors of the township, for the better convenience of the inhabitants, decided to locate the first meeting-house there, and at a meeting held May 18, 1772, the following action was recorded . " Voteil, That a meeting-house be built in said township of New Breton for the public worship of God ; said bouse to be 20 feet wide and 30 feet long and 9 feet stud ; to be one story high and well boarded on the sides and ends with feather-edged boards. The roof well boarded and shingled. Proper doors made, and double floor laid over the whole frame below. Plank laid lor the people to sit on and a decent desk for the minister." Benjamin Tilton and Benjamin Eaton had previ- ously agreed to furnish all material and build this house for sixty-four dollars, and were appointed a committee, with instructions " to locate said house as near to the mills now built in said township as they shall think most convenient, and to have it com- pleted in a workmanlike manner within one year." One-half of said amount was to be paid in six months and the remainder when the house was completed. It was located and built on the opposite side of the road from the school-house now standing, and within twenty rods of the first saw-mill and grist-mill built ill town. This building was used for religious meet- ings and for the business meetings of the town until 1795, when, for some unknown reason, it was de- molished. Tradition says it was destroyed in the night, and it may have been done with the object of hastening the building of a new meeting-house ; for, as early as 1782, this subject was considered by the voters of the town, but they could not decide upon the place to build it. The location of the second meeting- house was a difficult question to settle, and for several years was agitated by the voters at each annual meeting. Various places were accepted and as often rejected by a reconsideration of the vote. At one time "it was voted to build a meeting- house on the hill by Captain Bachelder's." A com- mittee was appointed to build the house and settle for the land. Afterwards it was voted " to set a meeting- house on the plains near Mr. dough's," and at another time " on the plains near the pond." A vote was passed to build two meeting-houses. A commit- tee was chosen from outside the town, who located the house "near Mr. Nathan Row's," but the report of this committee was rejected. The house was finally built according to a vote passed May 10, 1790, " to build a meeting-house on the hill in Mr. Hilton's lot." This was on the exact location of the Congrega- tional Church at East Andover to-day, and the frame now in that building is the same as was originally raised May 3, 1796. The first sermon was preached in the house July 3d of the same year, and the church formally dedicated February 5, 1797. The building has been frequently remodeled, and at the present day has but little resemblance to that first erected. The greatest development of the re- sources of the town was made in the years following the erection of this building, and for more than twenty-five years it was the only church edifice within the limits of Andover. But very few records have been found regarding the third meeting-house built. It seems to have been erected by people of different religious beliefs, and was known as the Union Church. The frame was raised in June, 1822, and the building soon after completed. It was located at Andover Centre, and, as remodeled, is the present academy building. It was for a time regularly used for the meetings of the Universalist, Methodist, Congregational and Chris- 332 HISTORY OF MERKIMACK COUxNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, tiau Societies, each occuijying it a stated Sabbath in a mouth. It was afterwards only used occasionally, and a fine hall finished in the building erected by Hon. John Proctor became the more usual place of holding religious meetings. The former church structure was divided into two stories, and the upper floor for many yeais used for the annual meetings of the town, and at present the entire building is devoted to the needs of Proctor Academy. The large and commodious hall in Proctor Block, Andover Centre, was fitted up by Mr. Proctor ex- pressly for religious services and furnished with pul- pit, organ, chairs and all necessary appointments and conveniences of a house of worship. At his death a provision of his will bequeathed the use of the hall for religious purposes to his native village. By this wise and generous forethought a most attractive place of worship is provided, rendering a church edifice unnecessary. The fourth meeting-house in town was built by the Free- Will Bapti-st Society of East Andover in 1839. The building committee were James Severens, Josiah Bachelder, Jonathan Cilley, James Bayley, Simeon Rollins, Dearborn Cilley and A. J. Tucker. The building was dedicated December 25, 1839, with appropriate exercises. A bell was purchased in 1841. The building was entirely destroyed by fire May 23, 1871, and soon replaced by the present structure, which is neatly furnished and affords a very pleasant audience- room. In 1879 a building was commenced at West An- dover by the Union Enterjirise Society for religious meetings. The building was completed in March, 1882, and dedicated August 31 of the same year, Eev. William Morrill preaching the dedicatory ser- mon. The society is non-sectarian and its members entertain different religious beliefs. The object of the society is the worship of God, and for this pur- pose was the building dedicated. The pastors have been : William Morrill, Christian ; William Love and James D. Legro, Methodist. A building was erected at Andover Centre by the Congregational Society during the summer of 1882. It is known as the Chapel, and built for religious worship by this church. This building was dedicated September 26, 1882, and affords the fifth place at present in the town where religious services are con- stantly held. Religious Societies. — According to the terms of the grant, " One of the said shares shall be for the first minister of the gospel who shall be settled on the said land, and continue there during his life or until he shall be regularly dismissed, to hold to him, his heirs and assigns ; and one other of the said shares to be for and towards the support of the gospel ministry there forever." This condition seems to have been complied with in the drawing of the lots, and we find lots numbered 19 and 62 reserved for these purposes. The income of these, known as the minister and parsonage lots, was appropriated to the support of preaching, together with such sums as were voted by the proprietors of the township. The entire amount was necessarily small, only at first enough to secure preaching a portion of the time. The noble character of the earliest settlers is in no way so clearly demon- strated as in the sacrifices made for the support of the gospel ministry. Whatever privations were endured, the minister was supported, not barely to clear the terms of the grant, but freely and generously, as will be seen. The first minister preaching regularly was Eev. Mr. Brown, of whom but little is known. He was here in 1774, two years after the building of the meeting-house, and it seems, for some reason, that the liberality of the inhabitants was not well tested this year, for he received but thirty dollars for his services. Congregidional Society. — Rev. Joaiah Badcock preached his first sermon in Andover, August 19, 1781, and this commenced a new era in the religious history of the town. Mr. Badcock was called to Andover to preach regularly July 8, 1782 ; was or- dained October 30th of the same year, at East An- dover, and on that day the first Congregational Church was organized with six members. At the time Mr. Badcock was called to the town it was voted to give him one hundred and fifty dollars for the first year, with ten dollars added yearly until it should amount to two hundred dollars per year. It was also voted to build him a house " the bigness of Mr. Samuel Blake's," to give him the use of the parsonage, to give him twenty cords of wood yearly, to clear for him two acres of land each year for five years, to allow him to be absent three Sabbath days in each year. This was the contract under which Mr. Bad- cock came, and doubtless was a low compensation for a man of his- fine education and superior natural en- dowments. He was a graduate of Harvard College in 1772. It would also seem a liberal sum to be raised by the people of the township, who probably at this time did not number more than three hundred. The minister lot is now known as the Horace Clay farm, on Taunton Hill. The frame of the house now standing is probably that raised for Mr. Badcock, and there he lived the remainder of his life. The church over which he was the pastor increased to about thirty members, and during his pastorate the second meeting-house in town was built and occupied by this society. Mr. Badcock was an active and influen- tial man in the business affairs of the tow^n, and his bold signature is often found in the records. Perhaps no name in the early history of the town is more familiar than that of Rev. Josiah Badcock. He was formally dismissed as pastor in 1809, and died Decem- ber 7, 1831, at the age of seventy-nine years. After the dismissal of Mr. Badcock there was only occasional preaching, and after a time the Congrega- tional Society informally united with other denomi- nations, under the name of the Vnion Society. Juue 14, 1810, the town voted to sell the parsonage light. This right consisted of three lots, each num- bered 62. One was in the second range and sold to Elijah Hilton for nine hundred and seventeen dollars. The remaining two were in the fourth range. One was sold to Moses Fuller for five hundred dollars, and the other, containing eighty acres, to Philip Cilley for one hundred and ninety dollars. The amount re- ceived was sixteen hundred and seven dollars. The interest on this sum was voted for various purposes at subsequent meetings, and the disposition of both principal and interest frequently considered. Its proper division among the various religious denomi- nations soon after represented in town was a difficult question to determine, and finally, on March 8, 1831, the town voted to appropriate the parsonage fund, both ()rincipal and interest, for the use and benefit of the town, and this ended all controversy. January 13, 1829, a Congregational Church was formed, consisting of ten members, and Mr. Samuel Kingsbury settled as its pastor. At this time the church formerly organized was represented by its venerable pastor and one aged member. No records or church documents of any kind could be found. Mr. Kingsbury was dismissed by an ecclesiastical council January 11, 1831. June 25, 1841, another Congregational Church was formed. May 23, 1843, Eev. Nathan Howard was ordained pastor over the Congregational Churches of Andover and Wilmot, and remained until 1850, at which time the Congregational Society united with others, and employed Rev. Reuben Kimball, who re- mained two years. In January, 1853, Rev. Nathan Howard was again employed. He remained until the close of the year 1 >"4. after which only occasional Congregational I'li'iiching was had until the organization of the First C 'iiigregational Church, at Ea.st Andover, in the early part of the year 1868. In January, 1869, Eev. Howard Moody was called to the pastorate, and a portion of the preceding facts in regard to the Congregational Church in Andover are taken from a historical sermon, preached July 9, \ Congregational Church was formed at Andover ' litre November 16, 1880, with eighteen members. John R. Bates, George J. White and William Wood- bury were chosen trustees; Willis D. Thomson, clerk. Eev. Howard Moody was formally installed pastor of this and the church at East Andover September 26, 1882, remaining until his death, April 20, 1885. During the year 1885 both churches were supplied by Rev. F. G. Chutter, of Andover, Mass. The meetings of the Congregational Society have been held in different parts of the town. 'Sir. Kingsbury preached at Taunton Hill a portion of the time, and Mr. Howard at Andover Centre. It seems that this society, organized by Rev. Josiah I'.iulc'ock in 1782, has, with brief cessations, held re- ligious meetings in some section of the town since that date. Mr. Jloody reports one hundred and six united with the church previous to 1876, and several additions have been made since. Free- Will Baptist Society. — During the noted revi- val among the Free-Will Baptist denomination, in 1801, interest was manifested here by those of this belief. The formation of the society was made and first meeting held in 1803, the association then organ- ized being known as a Monthly Conference, which existed and held religious meetings at East Andover. This association, although not bound by any secta- rian creed, was sustained by those of the Free-Will Baptist belief, and was productive of much good by the sincere worship of its members. The great revival of 1810 brought encouraging success to the work and numbers of this society, — forty addi- tions being made at one time and many others during the year. It was at this time that traces of a second Free Will Baptist Society are found in town, but the records are so meagre as to specify but little regard- ing its location and existence. Elder Elijah Watson was ordained here in 1803, and was afterwards a zealous worker in this society and church. Ebenezer Chase was also ordained and preached for .several years, beginning in 1810. He was afterward.s the editor of the only paper ever pub- lished in town. The Free-Will Baptist Church was formally organized at East Andover by Eev. Elijah Watson and Eev. Samuel Eobbins, January 7, 1830, with eighty-one members. Elder Watson was for many years the settled pastor, meetings being held in the same church with the Christian denomination until a house was built by this society, in 1839. The name- of Elder Watson is very familiar to those ac- quainted with the history of this church, and, per- haps, no one of the early preachers contributed more to its success. He was born in Nottingham, N. H., in 1777, and died in 1857. The preachers in this church since Mr. Watson have been as follows: Ebenezer Fisk, Cummins Paris, E. G. Knowles, D. Sidney Frost, Oliver Butler, D.Sidney Frost (second pastorate from 1856 to 1859), Uriah Chase, Samuel T. Frost, Alvah Buzzell, N. L. Eowell, W. M. Jenkins, J. F. Smith, C. B. Griffin, F. E. Davison and J. G. Munsey. Preaching has been held almost continually since the organization I of the church, in 1830, to the close of 1884. March 18, 1854, was organized in connection with I this church, a Free-Will Baptist society and due no- tice of the organization appeared in the Independent I Bemocrat, published at Concord, April 20th following. ! "Notice is hereby given that Henry D. Cilley, Ziba I Severens, Henry A. Weymouth, Thomas Haley and their associates have formed themselves into a Reli- I gious Society to be known as the Free-Will Baptist I Society at East Andover, N. H., assuming all the ' responsibilities, rights and privileges of the laws of HISTORY OF MERllIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. theState made and provided." William A. Baelielder was chosen clerk and a board of directors have been annually elected. William Emery, James Connor and Daniel Weymouth were the directors elected at the organization. This society has a large representation in the families of this community, and during its prosperous seasons has exerted a broad influence for Chris- tianity. Unitarian Society. — In September, 1879, the First Unitarian Society was organized in Andover. Pre- vious to this time there had been occasional Unita- rian preaching, but no organized society. John P. Carr, Amos H. Proctor, Joseph Baker, Calvin Camp- bell and J. W. Scales were elected as trustees of the organization, and Frank W. Proctor, clerk. The constitution declares the object of the society, "united eftbrt for the study and practice of Chris- tianity." Rev. Calvin Stebbins was the first pastor. Under his ministrations the interest and attendance increased and the society became firmly established as a religious organization. Mr. Stebbins continued with the society for two years, and was then called to a large and important field of labor. The society parted from him with re- gret, and he has continued to manifest an interest in its welfiire and prosperity, and to give it the benefit of his experience and counsel. Mr. Stebbins was succeeded by Rev. Crawford Nightingale, who remained with the society a year. For the next year the pulpit was supplied, and at the end of that time Rev. T. Thomson was settled. From its organization the society has sustained preaching continuously. About sixty families are represented in the society. The Sunday-school has a well-selected library. The Ladies' Industrial Society has rendered inval- uable assistance, having raised and contributed to the support of the society the sum of six- teen hundred and sixty dollars in six years; its social and benevolent work has been effective also. The choir, a well-trained quartette, is under the effi- cient direction of Professor Buswell ; few societies have expended so much upon the musical depart- ment of worship with such excellent and helpful results. The society has raised and expended for all purposes an average of twelve hundred dollars per year. The meetings of this society are held in Proctor Hall. Its present condition is good and its future well assured. Its influence and opportunities are in- creasing and it bids fair to continue an enduring power for the development and fostering of the moral and spiritual growth of the community. Methodist Society.— The Methodist Society was or- ganized at Andover Centre in 1827, Major William Proctor being a leading member at its organization and zealous in its support. Meetings were held in the meeting-house on certain specified Sabbaths in the year, and were largely attended. The church membership is estimated at thirty during the years in which the society was active. The first preachers were Matthew Newhall and Richard Newhall, in 1827. Following is the complete list of preachers located in this society from 1827 to 1838: 1828, William Kimball and SerenoFisk ; 1829, John Adams and Caleb Bede , 1830, J. B. H. Norris and Sylvester Williams ; 1831, J. B. H. Norris and S. Harket ; 1832, Nathaniel Ladd an4 S.P.Williams; 1833, J. W. Morey and M. Quimby ; 1834, Jonas Scott and H. Clark; 1835, E. H. Ladd; 1836, John L. Smith (Hallelujah .lohn); 18.37, John L. Smith; 1838, .\. Folsom and D. Jones. Occasional preaching wa.s held for several years later, but no great prosperity was witnessed by the society after this date. In 1832 the Andover Circuit was formed, which em- braced the Andover and Boscawen Churches. A grand camp-meeting was held in June, 1S34, on the plains near the school-house, by the societies of this de- nomination. Many tents were pitched, a large num- ber of speakers present, and the meeting continued four days. During the prosperous daj's of the so- ciety in Andover it was widely known for the zeal and interest manifested. In 1818 a Universalist Society was incorporated. In 1819 the first church was gathered in Andover, under the name of the Christian Denomination. The numbers of this society were large, and at its forma- tion had one hundred and seven members. A second church of this denomination was formed in May, 1820, with twenty-five members, and these churches were under the pastoral care of Elder Peter Young and Elder Nehemiah Sleeper. A third Christian Church was organized at Andover Centre August 19, 1843, with seventeen members. The meetings were held in the meeting-house in connection with other societies, and Elder Elijah Shaw will be remembered as a leading man in this church during its early days. The creed to which their signatures were attached was, "To recognize each other as the Church of Ood, receiving the New Testament as the rule of faith and practice." Other religious denominations have been represented in town, but if ever formally organized here, their records have not been found. Schools.— Perhaps no town in the State, with no larger population than Andover, has had better school advantages. Whatever diflference of opinion may have existed regarding other public atfiiirs, the necessity of providing for the intellectual training of the rising generation was realized by the original grantees, and the means of instruction have since been fully supported by the inhabitants of the town. We find in the grant of the township certain lots of land reserved for the maintenance of schools, and in the early days of the settlement of the town, be- fore school districts or school-houses had an exist- ence here, schools were kept in dwelling-houses and in barns. 335 Tlie character of the first settlers was such as to perceive the necessity of at least the rudiments of an education, and the first instructor in these prinutive schools is familiarly known as Master Randall. He taufjht school in the winter season, usually in barns, without the comforts of a fire or the luxury of doors to the building. Various places are pointed out as the location of these schools. This first instructor is buried in the southeastern part of the town, and in an unmarked grave. Other instructors followed Mv. Randall, and as early as 1783 the town voted seventy dollars for the support of schools, and for several years following, appropriations were almost annually made for this purpose. The division of the town into school districts, probably, was not contem- plated by the proprietors at the time of the grant. It was not until 1799, or nearly fifty years after, that the selectmen were voted a committee to divide the town into school districts, each district to build its own school-house. The town was divided into seven districts, and was afterwards kept in a state of con- stant perplexity by the changing of district lines. In 1779 the town voted to sell one of the .school lots at public auction, and expend the money for school- ing. Whether a school lot was sold and the money thus expended we have been unable to determine. Undoubtedly it was, for the second lot was sold in 1810 for one hundred and ninety dollars, and the remaining lot in 1829, the proceeds of both being appropriated for the support of schools. In 1829 the town received its proportion of the literary fund, which, added to the amount realized from the sale of school lots, was placed at interest. In 1835 this had amounted to $1219.37, and the in- come of this has been annually expended in the sup- port of schools. At the time of districting the town, in 1799, eight hundred dollars was raised for building school-houses in the several districts. In 1808 the town was re- districted into eleven, and in 1863 into fifteen dis- tricts. In 1875 Districts Nos. 14 and 15 were annexed to No. 12, and Di-strict No. 6 was abolished by being united to the several districts adjoining. In 1884 Nos. 12 and 13 were united, and eleven is the number of districts existing in the town to-day. The first superintending school committee was chosen in 1809, and consisted of Rev. Josiah Bad- cock, John Weare and Ephraim Eastman. A com- mittee was only occasionally elected until 1846, since which time they have been annually chosen by the town or appointed by the selectmen. The annual report of the superintendent of schools was first published in 1858, again in 1860, since which time they have been annually issued in printed form. In 1875 a history of the schools of the town was prepared by Rev. Howard Moody, the committee of that year, and published in the annual report of the State superintendent. For several years following 1858 the schools of the town were under the super- intendency of Hon. John M. Shirley, who brought to them such invigorating discipline and system as to produce beneficial eflects for many years. Per- haps no superintendent has taken a greater interest or given more time to the welfare of our schools than did Clarence E. Can- in 1876. The citizens of the town have manife.sted great liberality in later years by appropriations for the support of schools, and have otherwise shown such a kindly interest in their success as to produce most gratifying results. At various times local schools have been successful and well supported. The Noyes High School, liber- ally endowed by Mr. Joseph Noyes, was, for a time, noted and prosperous in that part of the town now Franklin. Schools at East Andover, Taunton Hill, Andover Centre and West Andover have at different times been successful in aiding the district schools and academies in advancing the standard of education within the limits of the town. Proctor Academy. — The school association, from which Proctor Academy originated, dates its first for- mal meeting July 8, 1848, a list of thirty-six names having been previously obtained and duly chartered for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a school. Hon. Samuel Rutterfield was chosen pres- ident of the corporation, Wolcot Hamlin secretary, and the school named Andover Academy. The noted instructor. Dyer H. Sanborn, was the first i)riiicipal, and Miss Eliza Wingate preceptress. Four terms of twelve weeks each were held annually, and the in- struction included the languages, drawing, painting and needle-work. A catalogue, published at the close of the first term, gives an attendance of one hundred and five scholars. Professor Sanborn re- signed during the second year, and Moses L. Morse, A.M., was chosen, remaining in the school until August, 1851. The duties of preceptress were per- formed by Miss Louisa J. Clark and Miss Hannah J. Sanborn. During the two years of Mr. Morse's man- agement the school was exceedingly prosperous. Among those fitted for college was John Wesley Simonds, who entered the sophomore class from this school, graduated with honors, was afterwards an instructor here and a leading educator of the State. Two hundred and fifty-two scholars are reported for the two years. Thomas W. Bruce, A.B., was then chosen principal, and Miss Marcia E. Foster precep- tress, and at the expiration of two years Mr. Bruce was snr,,',.(l(d l.\ (Jeorge Dustan, A.B. The school was w. II -ii~i:iiii. il, the names of two hundred and five stii'li Ills :i|.iiriiiing in the catalogue issued April, 1854. Jolm W. Allard, A.B., was the next principal, chosen in August of this year. Sickness soon after caused disturbance and excitement in the school, and finally produced its discontinuance. In July, 1856, the property and appurtenances of Andover Acad- emy, by vote of the trustees, were transferred to the members of the New England Christian Conference, HISTORY OF MKKlllMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. and the name changed lo tlio Ntw Kiiglaiid Christian Literary and Biblical Institute. On the ISth of Feb- ruary, 1857, school was opened under the new or- ganization with John W. Simouds principal, 0. D. Barrett, A.B., and Miss D. E. Payne assistants. At the close of the first term JMr. Barrett and Miss Payne were succeeded by George O. Dodson, A.M., and Miss Mary J. Amljrose, who remained one year. The students number one hundred and ninety-six at this time. Mr. Simouds remained at the head of the school until the fall of 1858, effecting a thorough and systematic organization in the various departments of instruction. Rev. S. W. Whiting was principal until November 10, 1859, and was succeeded by John M. Haley, A.B. In October, 1860, the management of the school was restricted to the New Hampshire Christian Conference, and the name changed to the Andover Christian Institute. Rev. John Burden was chosen president of the trustees, and Rev. Thomas Bartlett elected principal. Mr. Bartlett retained his position until 1865, when the school was discontinued at Andover, and soon after removed to Wolf borough. This academic institution had been in operation in Andover, with only brief cessations, for seventeen years; and, although controlled by difierent parties and under different names, its methods and operation were not materially changed. It was well supported by the citizens of the town, and had an average an- nual attendance of one hundred and thirty scholars. For several years no school was regularly sustained. In 1874, having closed its work in Wolfborough, the liberality of the citizens of Andover induced the officers of the corporation to return the school to its former location. The school buildings and four thou- .sand dollars for repairing and enlarging were pre- sented to the a.ssociatiou, which was incorporated by the Legislature of New Hampshire, June 24, 1874, under the name of Proctor Academy. It was named in honor of Hon. John Proctor, a wealthy citizen of the town, one of the grantees of the charter and a liberal contributor to the school. It was organized here and managed, for a brief time, by Hon. J. W. Simonds. Following are the names of the principals in this academy since its reorganization in Andover: 1874, Miss Annie P. Little; 1875, Frank P. Adams; 1875-76, Alvah H. Morrill; 1876-77, Alvah H. Mor- rill; 1877-78, Alvah H. Morrill; 1878, Henry Mel- ville; 1878-79, B. A. Field; 1879-80, George W. Stone; 1880-81, Herbert B. Dow; 1881-82, W. J. Loyd; 1882-83, Herbert B. Dow; 1883-84, Herbert B. Dow; 1884-85, Herbert B. Dow. During this time one or more assistants have been employed. Mr. Dow is a graduate of Dartmouth in 1879, and his earnest efforts in this school are bringing gratifying results. Highland Lake Institute. — In the early part of the year 1850, citizens of East Andover, interested in education and emulated by the success of the school at Andover Centre, raised by subscription a sufficient fund lor the erection of a building for school purposes. The paper, to which about fifty people attached sig- natures, was dated March 23, 1850, and read as follows : " We, the subscribers, will pay the several sums set against our names respectively for the eroctiou of a building at Kast Andover of suitable size, furnished for an academy and other pui-poses, to be divided into shares of five doUare each, each shareholder to be entitled to vote, ac- cording to number of shares, in all matters in relation to the building and locating said house, and all other matters touching the interest of the same. No subscription to be paid unless a sufUcicnt amount be subscribed." The sum subscribed was paid either in money, labor or material, for which certificates of stock were issued. A deed of the land, on which the building still remains, was given May 28th, and an organization formed about this time known as the East Andover High School Association, with the following officers : President, Rev. D. Sydney Frost; Secretary, Geo. E. Emery ; Treasurer, Joseph Osgood ; Executive Committee, Jeremy Y. Bryant, Joseph A. Rowe, Ca- leb Cross, Thomas Haley, William A. Bachelder, Joseph Osgood and George E. Emery. The building was immediately erected, and in the fall of the same year the first term of school was held, known as the Highland Lake Institute, with instruct- ors as follows : Principal, Lyman Marshall, A.B. ; Preceptress, Miss Eliza Wingate ; Teacher of Chirog- raphy. Rev. D. Sidney Frost. The examining com- mittee consisted of N. B. Bryant, Esq., Bristol ; Rev. D.Sydney Frost, East Andover; David Cross, Esq., Manchester ; Rev. Reuben Dearborn, Andover ; iZ. G. Emery, Esq., Danvers, Mass. Connected with the institute was a reading-room containing a selection of daily and weekly papers, to which a library of considerable extent was afterwards added. Three literary societies were in prosperous condition, — "The Mountain Club," "The Y'. M. D. Society " and the young ladies' literary society, " The Conjunct* Germanse." Instruction was given in drawing, music and painting, and no pains spared for a first-class school. The natural attractions of the place, the interest of the citizens and energy of the officers of the association contributed in making the school a most gratifying success, the names of eighty- six scholars having been enrolled at the close of the first term, November 5, 1850. Willard Emery was chosen president of the associ- ation at this time. Rev. Reuben Dearborn and Watson Dickerson vice-presidents. To the faculty were added Thomas Marshall and Milan Graves as assistants ; George W. Murray, teacher of music; D. P. Putnam, M.D., lecturer on anatomy and physiology ; and Wil- liam P. Hammond was chosen teacher of chirography. A normal class was formed for instruction in the science of teaching. Various other advantages were offered, and the school continued to prosper, having one hundred and forty-three scholars, representing thirty towns of New Hampshire and four New Eng- land States in the year 1851. During the following year changes were made in the board of instruction. Eev. C. M. Dinsmore, A.B., was chosen principal ; Miss Letitia J. Shaw, preceptress ; George S. Rawson, M.D., lecturer on anatomy and physiology ; and S. G. Haley, teacher of penmanship. The previous prosperity of the school continued, the number of scliolars was slightly increased and its enviable reputation became more extended during 1852. At the close of the school year in November, W. A. Bachelder was elected secretary, to succeed Mr. Emery, and several changes were made in the execu- tive committee, Mr. Willard Emery still continuing as president of the organization. Nathan F. Carter, A.B., succeeded Mr. Dinsmore as principal. Miss Shaw remained as preceptress, assisted by Miss Mary J. Cross during the fall term, and Miss Marilla J. Butler was teacher of music. The catalogue issued in November, 1883, indicates the same thrifty condi- tion of the school, and the elevating and educational influence upon the entire community surrounding its location is conceded by all familiar with its history. Public meetings by the literary societies were fre- quently held and widely known for the drama- tic talent displayed. At this time, those interested in its organization, having either sought a higher education or entered business life, were compelled to relinquish further interest here. The school was not supported by others, and, after a lingering exist- ence, this institution, which had been successful and very productive of good in many ways, was entirely discontinued, and the building only occasionally used for a school by some transient instructor. In 1867 a majority of the stock held in the building was purchased by C. A. Durgin, Esq. A litigation fol- lowed between Mr. Durgin and other owners in regard to the disposition to be made of the building, and was decided in 1873, the building having re- mained on its original location and used for such purposes as the needs of the town require. Religious Informer. — The Religiow Informer was published at Andover Centre by Rev. Ebenezer Chase. The first number was issued July 20, 1819, and commenced with a subscription-list of one hun- dred and forty. It was a small sheet of eight pages, published in pamphlet form, twice a month, at sev- enty-five cents per year. At the expiration of six months it was enlarged to sixteen pages, issued monthly and the price reduced. It soon after reached a circulation of eight hundred. It was de- voted to the interests of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and did valuable service in securing regu- larity and uniformity in the churches and Quarterly Meetings of this denomination. Mr. Chase was a practical printer. He owned the press and type, and, with the assistance of a journeyman printer, the labor was all performed by himself and family. This was one of the first religious papers published, and at the expiration of four years was removed to Enfield, and continued under the same management. 337 Various books and pamplilets were issued from tliis ofiice, and the ingenuity and skill of Mr. Chase as a printer are higlily commended by the newspapers of that day. He not only learned the trade without assistance, but made the press himself upon which his first work was executed. Physicians.— The first physician settled in An- dover was Dr. Silas Barnard. He was born in Bol- ton, Mass., a son of Francis Barnard, the common ancestor of the distinguished men of this name famous in early New England history. Dr. Barnard came to Andover in 1792 and practiced his profession here until his death, June 25, 1795. Dr. Jacob B. Moore, the second physician settled in Andover, was born September 5, 1772, at George- town, Me., and was of Scotch descent. He was a man of culture, and is said to have acquired a fine education by his own industry. He came to the town in 1796 and practiced his profession with great success until 1812, when he received the appointment as surgeon's mate in the United States army. He continued in the service until December of that year, when he returned to his family, his health destroyed, and died January 10, 1813. His two sons, Henry E. and Jacob B. Moore, are quite extensively known. Dr. Moore was a musician and poet of some note, and his remains are buried at East Andover. Dr. Silas Merrill moved to Andover about 1811 and was the successor of Dr. Moore. Dr. Merrill was born January 16, 1784, in Salem, N. H., and studied his profession with Dr. Morrill, of Epsom. He built a house, in 1819, on the place where Dr. H. A. Wey- mouth now lives, this place having been occupied by a physician since that time. Gaius Jenkins, who was deliberately shot by the Kansas Senator, Jim Lane, was a son-in-law of Dr. Merrill. Dr. Merrill remained in practice in Andover until 1837, when he moved to Peoria County, 111., and his house and practice were taken by Dr. James M. Buzzell. Dr. Buzzell remained until 1839, when he was suc- ceeded by Dr. .Jacob C. Hanson. Dr. Hanson re- mained until September, 1843, when Dr. Henry A. Weymouth moved to the town and to the place where he has since resided. This seems to be the line of physicians in direct succession since Dr. Barnard came to town, in 1792. Others have been located in town. Dr. Tilton Elkins was at West Andover from 1820 to 1854, except two years at Concord, about 1835. Mr. Elkins was born at Andover Centre in 1790. Dr. J. Allen Tibbetts was at Taunton Hill from 1842 to 1844. Dr. John P. Elkins, Dr. Nelson P. Clark, Dr. Simpson and others have been located in the town for brief periods. The earliest physicians, Dr. Barnard and Dr. Moore, were located at East Andover ; Doctors Merrill, Buz- zell, Hanson and Weymouth at Taunton Hill. Dr. Henry A. Weymouth has been in the practice of his ijrofession in xVndover fortv-two vears. It has not HISTOKY OF MEKMMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIKE. beeu confined to the limits of the town, and students of the profession in his office are now successful physicians in other sections. Dr. Weymouth is a member of the New Hampshire Medical Society and of the National Medical Association. He enjoys an extended acquaintance, has received all honors within the gift of the town and is still in the vigor of life. Lawyers. — The legal fraternity were first repre- sented in Andover in 1817 by John H. Slack. Samuel Butterfield opened a law-office at Andover Centre in 1829. In 1852, Wolcot Hamlin came to the town and formed a partnership with Mr. Butterfield, under the firm-name of Butterfield & Hamlin. Mr. Hamlin moved from town, and the partnership was dissolved in 1855. John M. Shirley came to Andover September 11, 1855, and October 1, 1855, formed the partnership known as Butterfield & Shirley, and which existed until the death of Mr. Butterfield, in 1860. Mr. But- terfield was also connected with an office in Concord during the later years. John P. Carr, Jr., entered the firm with Mr. Shirley, January 1, 1867, and re- mained until May 8, 1869, Frank Kimball came to the town in the fall of 1869 and remained two years in the oflice of John M. Shirley. Clarence E. Carr was admitted to the bar in Au- gust, 1879, and a partnership was formed January 1, 1880, under the firm-name of Shirley & Carr, and existed until January, 1882. George W. Stone was adniitt(:'d to the bar in August, 1882, and entered into partnership with Mr. Shirley, January 1, 1883, with the firm-name of Shirley & Stone, and this remains as the firm at the present time. Frank W. Proctor was admitted to the bar in 1876. Mr. Proctor was afterward in Kansas two years, when he returned to the town and practiced his profession at Andover Centre until near the close of 1881. At this time he moved to Boston, and is now in the prac- tice of his profession in that city, as a member of the firm of Upham & Proctor. Several students have beeu connected with the law-office at Andover and admitted to the bar elsewhere. Centennial Anniversary. — The one hundredth an- niversary of thf inrorporation of the town of Ando- ver was celebrated at Kast Andover June 25, 1879. It is estimated that two thousand five hundred people were in attendance, and it was the most noted day in the history of the town. Clark Durgin was chairman of the committee of arrangements, and the following were the permanent officers of the day : President, Hon. J. W. Fellows ; Vice-Presidents, William Dyer, James Marston, Henry D. Cilley, Joseph A. Kowe, Samuel Morrill, Ziba Severence, Herod Thompson, John Keniston, Silas C. Fifield, John Wadleigh, Elias Davis, Benjamin F. Scribner, Gilbert C. Kil- burn, Warren Rowell, Andrew J. Cilley ; Secretary, Henry M. Putney. Prayer was offered by Rev. Howard Moody. Mrs. K. G. Burleigh sang " Hurrah for Old New England," after which the president of the day made appropriate introductory remarks and felicitously introduced the speakers. George E. Emery, of Lynn, Mass., de- livered the historical address. The school children of Andover sang ''America." Hon. N. B. Bryant, of Boston, delivered an oration. The Gilford Cornet Baud was in attendance and furnished music for the occasion. A fine collation was served to all, after which the literary exercises were resumed, and the following toasts, announced by the president, were ably responded to by the persons named : " The President of the United States"— Hon. A. F. Pike. "The State of New Hampshire"— [A letter of regret was read from Governor Head, who was to respond to this sentiment, and an original poem by Edna Dean Proctor was read by Miss Mary A. Brown.] "The fnited States Nayy"— Prof. John R. Eastman. "Tlie Judiciary System of New Hampshire. "—Hon. N. B. Bryant. "Highland Lake Institute and Andover Academy "—Rev. C. M. "The Common-School System of New England" — George W. Stone, Esq. The exercises were held in the grove near the village, and perfect order prevailed throughout the day. A valuable and interesting collection of historical articles was exhibited in Academy Hall, and was visited by hundreds of people. It comprised a great variety of ancient articles, the oldest of which was a book loaned by George E. Emery, of Lynn, Mass., printed in 1546. The hall was in charge of Walter B. Durgin, and proved one of the most at- tractive features of the centennial. The occasion was a grand success and worthy the day cele- brated. Secret Organizations. — Kearsarge Lodge, No. 81, F. and a. MAsdx.s. — The first meeting was held under a dispensation, April 28, 1866. The lodge was constituted, hall dedicated and first officers elected and installed June 23, 1866. Officers as follows : Master, George Sleeper ; S. Warden, Charles W. Quimby; J. Warden, William H. Huntoon ; Treasurer, Moses P. Thomson ; Secre- tary, George H. Morrill. The society has an elegantly furnished hall at An- dover Centre, and a good sum in the treasury. Pres- ent number of members sixty-three, and following are the names of the masters in order of service: George Sleeper, Charlton W. Woodbury, John B. Wadleigh, Joseph D. Philbrick, George H. Morrill, Frank P. Goss, Herbert B. Dow. Highland Lake Grange, No. 88, P. of H. — This society was organized December 14, 1876, with twenty-seven charter members. Officers elected : Master, J. B. Wadleigh ; Overseer, O. E. Eastman ; Lecturer, E. G. Emery. Masters, in order of service, J. B. Wadleigh, N. J. Bachelder, G. H. Haley. Present number of members, fifty-eight. The hall is located at East Andover, conveniently furnished, and meetings are held twice a month during the year. The Proctor House was erected at Andover Centre in 1874 by Hon. John Proctor. It was a magnifi- eoiit hotel, built and furnished in elegant style at ail expense of over one hundred thousand dollars. It became a noted summer resort under the manage- ment of W. S. Thomson, the popular landlord, and was patronized to its greatest capacity. This house vas destroyed by fire March 23, 1882, and proved a severe loss to the business interests of the town. ilany individuals of local note and eccentricities have livetfin the town whose personal history would prove interesting, while those of a broader influence juul reputation are already known to some extent. Richard Potter, the celebrated ventriloquist and juggler, resided in the town, and is buried at the Potter Place, a village named in his honor. Audover has representatives among the leading minds of the country in all honorable professions at the present day. Successful business men in the ac- cumulation of wealth, and professional men of dis- tinguished honors refer to Andover as their native town. Leading educators, noted authors and eminent jurists could be mentioned. Edna Dean Proctor, whose fame as a poetess is world-wide, has resided in the town. Napoleon Bona- parte Bryant, a power in the legal fraternity of Massa- chusetts and the country, was reared ou a farm in Andover. Perhaps there exists at the present day characters equally as grand, which the power of de- veloiunent will disclose. Present Condition.— The town of Andover is bounded by the towns of Hill on the north, Franklin (^ w.- appr.Iuiid are to be directed and impowered to admit si V, 1 1 mii.i in ... 1, 'i'> a n l,i], and take their bonds payable to the (. i ; . i ,„ the said trust, to the use of theJ'ri^i. i i i; i . ; il,.- Conditions of the Grant, viz.: That earl, i ., mi. . iinl,] ,, ,i ,, liin_ I,, .m' of eighteen feet square and seven feet stud at the lea-^t on tln-ir respective House Lots, and fence in and break up for ploughing, or clear HISTORY OF .MKKIUMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. and stock with English Gross, ttve Acres of Land within tliiee years next after their admittance, and cause their respective Lots to he inhab- ited, and that the Grantees do, within the space of three years from the time of their being admitted, build and finish a Convenient Meeting- House for the publick Worship of God and settle a learned Orthodox Minister— and in case any of the Grantees shall fail or neglect to per- form what is enjoined as above, the Conunlttee shall be obUged to put the bonds in suit and take possession of the Lots and Bights that shall become forfeit, and proceed to grant them to other Persons that will ap- pear to fumi tlie conditions within one year next after tlie said last- mentioned Grant. And if a suflicieut number of Petitioners that have hid no Grant within seven years as aforesaid, viz.: sixty to each Town- ship, do not appear, others may be admitted, provided they have ful- filled the Conditions of their former Grant, the Conmiittee to take care that there he sixty-three House Lois laid out in as regular, compact and defensible manner as the Land will allow of, one of which Lots shall bo for tlio fii-st settled Minister, one for second Minister and one for the Scliool, to each of which an equal proportion of Land shall accrue in all future divisions. Per order of the Conunlttee. "EDMUxnQl'ls-cv." This was concurred in in tlie Council the same day, J. Belcher, Governor. The loUowing order wus passed the same day : "Ordered, that Joseph Gerrish, Benjamin r: i:, J -i li « illard, .lob Almy, Esqs., Mr. Moses Pierson and i .,]. •■■\i such as tile honorable Board shall join, be a ' i ;.iiisaiid Purposes, to effect the business projected by Hit i i jii _! th i_ uniiiitteo of both Houses, to Consider the Petitions for Townships, which passed this Day, viz., on the proposed Line between Merrimao and Con- necticut Rivers, and on both sides of Connecticut River ; and that there be granted and allowed, to be paid out of the publick Treasury after the l-ate of fifteen Shillings per diem to each one of the Com- mittee fur every day he is in the Service in the Woods, and subsistence ; and ten .Shillings per diem for every day to each one of the said Committee while in the Service in admitting Settlers into the said Towns, The proposition to oblige the petitioners or grantees to give a bond for fifty pounds was nlicTwards stricken out, and the commonwealth a-siiuicd all expense under that sum. This coiumitler cai-fd the necessary survey to be made in accordance with the above order, and made their report at the next session of the Pro- vincial Assembly. The townships thus surveyed were assigned to the several parties petitioning, and this township, known then as No. 6 in the line of townships, was assigned to John Whitman, Esq., and others, of Stowe and Marlborough, as witness the following : "On the petition of John Whitman, Esi]., mi ..ilni-. ■■! ~l,.\ve and Marlborough, &c., praying for Lands, as , [ii. i I ili. ji .1 I'.rnubcr, 1732, and referred, which was read ami iii,.pi,,l, ,1.1 ;!,. ll..n-i came into the Grant of aTownship of the contt■llt^ at.H'-..nl, in ~' m.- suitable place on the Coiltoocook Kivor, on the .same Cuu.lilious of .Seltlenifnt with the former. Sent up for Concurrence Dec. l;ith, 1735." Upon this order the grant was made as above given. Before completing all the necessary arrangements for the settling of this township the Provincial As- sembly adjourned, and it was not until December 4, 173(J, that the following order was passed : The petitioners met at Concord, Mass., in Sep- tember, 1737, at which time sixty grantees were ad- mitted. Thus, after a delay of some ten years after the petition of Mr. Whitman and others was received by the Provincial Assembly, this tardy act of justice was done. These petitioners were well advanced in years when the grant was made, for nearly hall' a century had passed away since they were soldiers in the ill-fated expedition in which they were engaged. John Whitman was a grandson of John Wliil- man, of "Weymouth, Mass., who was in New England before 1633, and was the ancestor of the Whitman family in America, and settled in Stowe, Mass., about 1675-80. He was a prominent man of the town, being a justice of the peace, and was empowered by the General Court of Massachusetts to settle all difficulties arising amongst the settlers about him, particularly those relating to land titles. He died in Stowe shortly alter reiei\ ini; this grant, and was the immediate an- ce-i'M III ihe Whitman family, which has existed in this town, lleiiniker, for nearly a century. There is no record yet discovered of the action taken by these grantees, but as will be seen further on, improvements were made in No. 6, — roads were laid out, which were "paths" through the wilderness, and preparations were made to erect a mill, and tradition says one w^as operated for a short time, but there is no definite proof of it. A few settlers came into the township, but theexact locality of their settlement is not known. Mr. Crane, with a large family, resided on the north shore of the pond south of Craney Hill, which hill was named for him ; but he, as well as the other set- tlers, were driven from the township by Indians. One or more settlers made a clearing in the southeast part of the township, and others in the southwest part, near Hillsborough line and in close proximity to the few settlers then in that town. None of the grantees of the township ever settled within its borders, and they were evidently deterred from doing so be- cause of the dispute between Massachusetts and New Hampshire as to the southern boundary line of New Hampshire which was in dispute from the early part of the eighteenth century until its final settle- ment, in 1740 ; and the French and Indian War followed so closely upon this settlement that perma- nent settlers were deterred from entering the township. By the terms of the settlement, all of the line of towns that had been surveyed were inclosed in New Hamp- shire, nearly all of the land in dispute being claimed by the heirs of Captain Mason, who finally succeeded in establishing their claim, and then disposed of their interest to a company of gentlemen of Portsmouth and vicinity, who were known afterwards as the " Masonian Proprietors." After the trouble between New Hampshire and Massachusetts had been adjusted, some of the grantees, whose titles to township had been vitiated by the cession of lands in this State back to the State, petitioned the General Court for township within its jurisdiction. Among those who made application were the heirs HENNIKER. 343 and assigns of the first grantees of this township. Under date of February 20, 1774, they petitioned the General Court of Massachusetts, as follows : " Pbovince or THE Massachusetts Bay. " To his Excellency, Thomsis Hutchinson, Captain General uiul Com- niamlor-in-Cbief in and over this Province. To the HononiliU> His M LM'>ty"s Council and to the Honorable House of Representatives in 1.1 ii.i.il Court aforesaid Assembled, Feb. 2Gth, 1774. The petitions of Ml. subscribers in behalf of ourselves and othere, grantees of the town- »Jiip No. 6, in the line of towns, humbly showeth that the great and general Court of this Province, at their session 1735, granted a township of the contents of six miles square. No. 0, in th< the Connecticut and Slerriniack Rivers; that tb Mii.-ial.I-' i\j.rii-r in cl.aiiug Its roads, building nulls, Ac, in said ti -iM|. ; iliat ly i!,r 1,11 ■ I OS of the line between this government 1(1. J. IV. I m . i Ni \v Hampshire the said township was taken lines of towns betwv-.' mouth to " Get a Charter." These men attended to their duty at once, and on July 16th, three days after, the following grant of hind was obtained, called No. 6: PROPRIETORS' GRANT. "PuovixCK ov New Hampsiuhe.— At a Mooting of the Propriotors of the Lands Purch.ised of .lohn Tufton Mason, Esqr., In the I'ruvenco of Newliainpshire, held at Portsmouth, in said Provence, on thti Six- teenth Day of July, in the year of our Lord ono thousand seven hundri'd man ; John Reside in the eastward part of the Province, oners as your excellency and your houi : proper, and your i)etitioners, as in duty I In answer to this petition was the following : "lifol.vedfTh&t in lieu thereof there be granted to the proprietoi-s and legal representatives or assigns of the original grantees, who were sufferers by losing their lands, a toivnship seven miles square in the un- appropriated lands belonging to this Province." This town is now known as Waterford, Me. The Masonian Grant and Charter. — November 29, 1748, a meeting of the inhabitants of London- derry was held at the house of Joseph Scobey, to take action relative to a grant of land upon which to settle. At this meeting Captain Todd was chosen moderator. Captain Barr treasurer, and Robert Coch- ran clerk. Sixty-one persons joined the organiza- tion and paid the fee required of them towards defray- ing the necessary expenses that would be incurred in procuring the grant. Twenty more were admitted as members shortly after. The names of these men were, — "John McMurphy, Esq., Capt. And». Todd, Cap«. Sam". Barr, S. Will- son & Son, James Todd, Sam". Todd, Alex'. McCoUom, Joseph Willson, John Hillands, Henry Erwiu, William Forest, Rob'. Parkison, Sam". Alli.-i.n, jun'., Rob'. Wicar, Jo.*ph Hammell, John Robie, Tho«. Coch- ! I II. Wm. Nickels, Ja». Thompson, Joseph Stewart, Black James w illson, » rge Addison, James Addison, rourge Robertson, James Rola-rtsoii, Nat". Hoalms, John Scolirv, .i.-hu I'inl . . lo,, J.Imi !iui,.aii, -.lur Taylor, Sen'., The'. Davidsn I ,, - -, m I- I' i , i ;. Bell, James Cochran, Joint \ i ' ^ ' I i : lines Petter- Fairservice, l.'. RodKcrs, lU.ice, Sen'., Joseph Boyes, James Smith." At a meeting of these proprietors, held at the Contano as foil. ■ l:. • 1 _ hopUi.,1 ConiL-r . iliii- i-ii. -o illsboroui'li Lnu: 1 posed to be Six Miles; then said Ne« hopkiutowu ; thei the Said Lines being suppos the said Granted Premese Shares o 1 the following tci tliat the whole Tract of La Rights I ■ K,|ual Slmif.s. an beso>o for I Mia "■■■'■''';' ■' ■" '" ' Laid oil "nZ Lol-'loai'i Made ai d lUllUUed lo til ations : that is to say Divided into Eightey le Lots, which are to ipiall as Posibal Both i-en the Lots for Con- and so Devided and in Kxact Plan therof months from the Deat 'ts to be Oiuwn for in aforesaid, under the i o I. otf belonging ^In.tebl Place ' : 'le hereafter house of William Blaii ran and James Walla July 13, 1752, Robert Coch- • were chosen to go to Ports- hearof, and upon the Retui the Cusloinary maner in sii Derection of the Grantors \ to one of ths Reserved Sha for Setting a Mill, and be Disposed of as the Grant" be and hearby are Reser\ that one of the SaidShair- shall be Regularly Settled i I V.I II II I ^ ^ii.ires for theuse & Mentananceof a 1 : I - i I. 1 III .-^hall be settled, to be kept thei-e i.,i, VI 1, tia.t Ilia 1-1 lU. Ivl^vi iliv ^haro for the use of the Ministrey be laid out in the Most Convenient Place for Building a Meeting hous Without Drawing for it, and the Meting hous to he built thereon, and Round about the Meeting hous. or near to it (as will be best, having Re- gard to the Place and quality of the Land), there shall be Left ten acres of the Said lot as a Common field for training, a Burying Place and any other Publick use ; that Eighteen of Said Shares be Exempted and Wholly E.vonerated of and from all Charges, Cost & Expenco in Making the Settloniont. and whatever charges may arise for the Suport of the Gospel, or otherways by auy means or ways whatever until the Same or Some part of Bach Respective Share Shall be Improved by the owner thereof; that the owners of the other Fifty Nine Shares make settle- ment upon the said Tract of Land In Maner following, vi/,. : that there be one acre of Laud Cleared, lit for tilling or mowing, on one of the Lotes HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Belonging to Kach of Said Shares nitliin one jear from the time of Drawing the Baid Lots so Cleared and fited within one year after that, and an hous bnilt on the same lit for a family to Dwell in, not less than Sixteen feet Square, or Eqiiall to that Donionshon ; that in one yeare after that one acre more on Each of the Said Lots be so Cleared and filed, and In one year after that there be a J'amily Living in Each of the Said houses, that is, a family on a Lolo belonging to £)ach of Said Shairs ; that a Sleeting hous be Built there, fit for the Publick worship, within one yeare After that ; That there be Constant Preaching Men- tained theire within Six years from this time ; That each owner of the said J'iftey nine Shares do Duly pay All such Sumc 4 Sums of Money as Shall be at uuey time Voted and agreed by the Jtajor part of the said owners to be Haised on Each Shaire to such Person or Persons as they Shall order to Carey on the Setellment, and Shall Do and Perform his Kespective Part and Dutey toward Malting the same in maner aforesaid, and in Default of so Dowing, his Right and Shaire who Shall be De- linqutnl llRTiiii ,-liaU be and beavby is Declaired to bo forflted to the .-111. ■ ;. 1^ .! -Ill siiitirs who Shall have duly Down and Performed rli ! i iiidDuley Conserning the same in Maner afore- N.i.i ,, I . ■ :i, i> inordor toCarey onandPerflct thosaidSettle- iiiiiii iiM , II. II. t.. time, as a occasion Shall Require, Make choice of a ilai k, u K.sivlt of the Money to be Raised as aforesaid, and any other Persons to aney office, duty and trust Necessary for the Purpose aforesaid, and when Aney of the Said Shares Shall be so forfited for Neglect & omission as aforesaid, the Said owners to whom the same shall be forfited May Proceed to Enter upon and Dispows of Such forfited Share as they or the Major part of them Shall agree. " That all the White Pine trees fit for his Majesties use & Service for Masts are hearby Reserved and Granted to his Majesty, his Heil-s & Successors forever, and in ease the Owners of the said fiftey nine Shares Shall fail of Making the Said Settlement of the Siiid Number of familes Within the tearm Hrant.d for that Purpos, and having the houses Bult and Land I'l.ai. .1 li\ tli.t nui... as alrove mentioned, then the Said tract of Land, will. .>!, u. ■. i ^h.ll )..■ .ju there on Short of the Completing the Said .Siltl. i i :ii -L.il : - i..rr..ited to the Grantors, their Heirs & Assigns, aii.l il >li..ll ;iii I ^l:i> l"- Lafull for thuin ur aii.-y IV-rsoii or Per- sons, in there Naai.% by their Oiilitr, into an. 1 uh n m- \\ LI .i an.-y partThereofIn the nameof the Whole, to H. . 1 . ■ i- ul-i-.n thereof as tho' this Grant had Never bei-ii m ' ,. ,,.ii Granted Premises Shall be Recovered from ll. 'in ■ , : i:i.yi.ait thereof, by any ways or means Whatsoever, llie GraulL-utf :;hall Keceive Nothing over against the Granlore for any Improvements or Labour by them or any of them don or that Shall Be-Dou thereon. But the Gran- tors hearby Promis and Ingage, upon being Properly Notified, to take upon them Selves the defense of aney action that Shall bo brought for the Recovery of the said Premises and aney Pairt Theiroff by any other title than that un.U-r Whitli tli...y hold or from which theirs is Derived against th.' *'i I: . ■ li,. i th.-iu. •'Thatln'i ,1 ., . t shall happen before the Experation Of aney of th.' >:.' i u. I.: , I i.i Doing Aney of the Said Mattel's and things aluiiwiil, ii: ' u. i in uf time Shall be allowed after that Im- pediment Shall !.<• K.-nu.vi..l. " Lastly, the Granthes Shall, as soon as may be Don with Convenience, hold a Regular Meeting and pass a Vote In Writing that they agree, assent and Consent to Accept of this Grant to hold the Premises on the Terras hcarin Expressed, and to Ratify and Confirm this agreement and Ingagement on their Parts and Behalf Accordingly and Transmit an attested Copey thereof to the Grantors. " Copey of Record Ecamined and Attested per G". Jaffroy, Prop'. Clerk. " Recorded and Examined feberaary the T", 1754. "Pr. Robert W.iLi.ACE, Grantees^ Clerk.^' Upon the receipt of this grant, the grantees held a meeting July 20, 1752, and took action as follows : "At a legal meeting. Legally named and held by tho Grantors of No. 6, the 20>'' day of July, lTo2. " 1. Voted, for Moderator, Cap'. And". Todd. "21y. Voted, that tho Grantees Do Accept off and Consent to Receive their Cliarter on the tearnis prescribed and set forth in the Charter. •'31y. Voted, for Clerk, Kob'. Cochran. "+ly. Voted, that Cap'. Barr bo treasurer this year, and he is to be al- lowed Reasonable wages for his trouble. "fily. Voted, for Counters, John Duncan, John Mack and Robert Wallace. "61y. Voted, that their shall be a Com'**, now Chosen to Lay out the town, and their wages is to bo 1 P, 10«. old tenor p'. Day each of them while they are Gone, they fitting and finding themselves ; their is to be five men in the Com'" Besides a survior, and the Com'«. must agree witli tho survior, and they are to have Liberty to hire a band some Days if needful ; the Com'**' Chosen to cary on Said afair is Cap'. And". Todd, Cap'. Sanii. Barr, David .Archibald, James Willsoii & Sam'. Todd. " 7ly. VotctI, that this Com"", is Impowercd that in case that any of them (viz.), the Com'"., shall be taken sick or lame, that then the Com'**, shall hire hands to finish the Bussiness before they Come home. "Sly. Voted, that each Grantee Shall pay five pounds old tenor in the following manner, viz. : two pounds ten shillings by the last of .\ugust next, & two pounds ten shillings more by the Last of September next. "9ly, VoJed, for a Comitee to call or warn meetings, Robert Cochran." The surveyors employed were Matthew Patten, of Bedford, and Daniel Leslie, of Londonderry. Several meetings of the grantees were held before the sur- vey was completed, and on July 11, 1753, the committee drew the lots at Portsmouth. Some changes had been made in the number compo- sing the grantees, but the lots were drawn for sub- stantially those petitioning for the grant. Prepara- tions were at once made for erecting a saw-mill and making settlements in the township ; paths were cleared, but the French and Indian War, which in- volved the colonies in all the calamities of a war with the Indians of Canada and the neighboring tribes, suspended operations for years. Up to 1761 no settlement had been made in the township. A good many of the original proprietors were dead, some had disposed of their rights, while others still took but little interest in the grant. It is a singular fact th:it but one of the proprietors, James Peters, rvi r settled in the town. In the spring of 1758 a Icjuiidatiiin was laid for the first saw-mill in the township, to use the water from Long Pond. Tradi- tion says that when the mill was near its completion Indians appeared, and the workmen left for their homes in Londonderry, and the project was aban- doned. First Settlers. — In the spring of 1760, Kev. James Scales, having come into possession of some land in the easterly part of the township, built a log cabin under the hill known as Foster Hill. Mr. Scales was a native of Roxford, Mass. He graduated at Harvard in 1733, settled in Rumford in 1737, and was teacher of the first school taught in that town. He was shortly afterwards licensed to preach, and was the first min- ister at Canterbury. He moved from that town to Hopkintou, and was the first preacher in that town, being ordained as pastor of the church there Novem- ber 23, 1757. It was while he was residing in Hop- kinton that he built his log house in this town. He resided here some six months, then disposed of his claim and resumed his residence in Hopkinton. The hill near his cabin was known for half a century as " Scales' Hill." In the spring of 1761, Mr. James Peters and his family moved into town from Hopkin- ton, and built a log house near the one occupied by Mr. Scales. There were no neighbors nearer him than on Putney's Hill, Hopkinton, and no mill or store nearer than Rumford, fifteen miles east. To the westward a few families had commenced a settle- HENNIKER. 345 nu'iit in Hillsborough, while to the north it was an uiibioken forest for fifty miles. In this wilderness Mr. Peters made his home. In June, 1763, Eliakim Howe, Amos Gould and Thomas Stone moved into town from Marlborough, Mass. They settled in the southeast part of the township, and were joined, in September of the same year, by Jonas Bowman, of Lexington, Mass., who settled near them. In the same year William Peters, a sou of James, the first settler, moved into town from Hopkinton, and settled easterly and near his father. He was killed by a falling tree July 5, 1775. Josiah Ward and his family moved into town from Marlborough, Mass., in September of the same year, 17G3. In 1764, Deacon Ebenezer Harthorn came from Marlborough, Mass., and was the thirteenth set- tler in the township. In 1765, Annas Campbell came from Hawke (now Danville) and became a large land- owner. He erected the first two-story frame house in the township, in 1766, Deacon Harthorn erecting the second one in 1768. Eliakim Howe erected the first frame house in the township, one story and a half in height in front, with a long, slanting roof on the back side, reaching near to the ground. In 1765 came Alexander Patterson and his family, including his sons Joseph and Isaac, who settled on what is known as " Goss Hill." Ezra Tucker and family came in this year and settled in the westerly part of the town. Mr. Tucker was from i\Iarlborough, Mass. Cornelius Bean settled near him during the same year. In 1764, Charles and Jacob ^Vhitcomb moved into town from Stowe, Mass., and Timothy and Jesse Ross, also from Stowe. Francis Withington, also of Stowe, came this same year. In 1766, William Pres- hury came from Stowe, Mass., and settled in the southwest part of the town, where he resided a few years, and then removed to Bradford and was the first settler there. During this year came the three brothers, Ebenezer, Xoah and Joshua Gile, from JIarlborough, Mass., and settled in the southeast part of the township. Ezekiel Smith and Solomon Childs came from Grafton, Mass. ; Hezekiah Newton came from Marlborough, Mass., and Ephraim Merrill from Stowe. The brothers Adouijah and Jephthah Tyler came from Marlborough in 1767. Thoma-s Howlett came from Stowe in 1766 ; also William Powers from the same town, and William Eastman ill 1765. David Connor settled in the northeast part ' 1- "n L.y.-i I subjects, in- habitant- ' 'I' t I !' I > : ., r • r \.vv Ibiinpshire, knou II li . I !. : -ir : ^ . ' ^ ..:.■'. !::.' : 1 . .\ ;. ni'l r,,iitaining six iiiil.-s -.lu.ni. .11.-1 I-., ,.- h. I In. 1,11 ■. I. i]a\e humbly Petitiolie'l iV l;*-^ iiI^iiowOil, nitil ultli ItlMACK (lOHN'I'V, NKW 11 Wll'Sl (if tliu uitiuil inil'pniioit I Ti'iiNly aittl witlMiolii .liitiH WitiHwiiiili. Kiti|.,i»n' lliivt>ntiii'uiiilOuiiiii)Hii>li'r-lu>('l(liil'tiriMii'Hii I'i'tivliiiMi, mill uC iitii' (Viitiii'll iif llui MUiiii, tiiivii unH'ti'il unit iiitliiliiiMl, hy iliiii.li I'liwxniK, Hii' 11", 1)111' luilni iiinl 8iioiJii»«ii«, |)u will ,V oiiliilii, tin lliii liihiililliiiila iif Mm Tl'iinl III' I.11111I iil'iiiioiilil, .tiilliiua Willi uliiill I linlill iiiiil liii|iriivii lliiimiii lioruftnui', tliomiiiiiilinliiiiliiilliiiluiiil Iniiiiiili iw riilliina, vU.i lliiKliiiiliiK III till! Niirlli Wiml (Hiriiiir (iiuiiriiiiO iif Nii llupliliiiii nillint, lliiHii'ii on 11 Kli'iill lliiii lu lliii iiiii'lli iwal uiii'iiiii' IIIIM imh nii'i'illliill, IlKlllls li.V ualllimlliill «l\ llllllia ; tllim li.V aii UIIInI tiKh llliti lu tlioaiiUlll fllal iioninl' iliui'iior, Imltiu alipiHWiiil to 1 aU inll.'n; lliiUl ull II almll liliu In lllu aiilltll w>>al liiiniiir of allUI Nuw llu titiilnii I lliiui liy lliiil III lliii iwiiiu' nliKi'o II Imtilna, iill iif Hill wilil llii Imllllt alipiiiiHint III lilt alx lillli^a uiuiti, bii iiliil linl'iiliy iil'u iIocIiu'ikI tii tm liiwii l'ur|iiiiiilii,.V iini Imroliy liiiii'lnil lulu ii lloily I'ullllu .t: I riiiii, I lliii I'hla.'. Iiwia wlili'li mil III' aliitll III! Iiiiiiiil uriivviiig miil linlui,' uii (liu aiilit Triii'i l.miil ni liiilliu iiao nf .1111' lliiyiil Nnvy, nwni'vliiK In ii«, uiii' lioli'a i «uii>twai>i'», Mm piivvoi' iiiul I'ltslil i>l' iIIvIiIIiik wIiI 'I'uwii wli.ui II alinll liDiii' iiiwaaiiry mill I'liiivi'iilniil riir tlu' liilmlilliiiila lliomil'. I'l'nvtit iiHvtirlliiiliiMi, iV 'llu li.iroliy ilurliiriiil, lliiil llita rlimU'r iiiid kiiiiiI la llllliilil.itl iilitt aliilll lint III iiuy lillllllinl' Im I'tiiiHtrilntl In ilft'm'l lllo prlv |ll1i|ni|'tvV lit' I till anil wlllllll lllu l.llllllH iil'nriwilil I Ami lia llin aovi Tiiwiia wlllllll iillV Willi I'liivlliw lll'ii by Mill l.liwa IIiki'iiiiI' iiiuiIiIiuI i miUi.ii'lmut III Aaaiiiulilii, luul by Ilin iiiiijiirlly nf Itii' Viilnrn |iii'»i.ii xllllan illl litlli'Klil .« llllllMtlil alinll illllilra lia In Mm niIiI Iiivvm ilnnliiiinl, iln by Itnwi lu'iianllla liiiliilimlu llll.t ii|i|inlllt Kllilkllil llnw, In null tlln I lliin' Miililn llirnn iiiniillin hnlll llin iliilii llnrnnl', kIvIiik l«K"l >'i Ml'. III.,: Ill mill Tnwil aliilll lin linlil I'lir lllu uhnl' |>lll'|niau»iil'ni'naillil, nil Iliu lll'nl Mullilliy nf Mllivl " lll'rualliunliy wliui'tiuf \vu Illivti nilllaiJil tllii Sii '* NN'lltiiinM mil' iil'ni'uHiitil Ouvurimi' iiiiil (Viiiimiii: liny III' Nnvi'lubuv, In tlln Miilli yniii' nf niii' UuIk l.nl'il Clillal. rillH, ",l, WKNU'Willmi mil, Niiv, 10, 17IW, ('iilidiiti Kliiiliiiii lliivM' |ii',i|Mw of 111.' ii.'W li.vvii 111- N.'W Alm'llii orMiii'll.i.i'i.nuli, MiixH., iV.iiinvliii'li W.'iilw.ii'lli iivi'i'iuli'il hiiii mill IVi.'iiil .ii.liii lli'iiiiikn, I-;-!, ,n uc'ii Liiii.li.ii. lull (iiivot'imi' ii'il i( lor lii.s , llU'll'lllllll 111' lliiil>l' W'iiiIhWiiI'IIi wi't'x .vmiiiK HU'ii iiliollt In lui iiiiiii'it'il. 'I'lii' liml cliilil liorii ill llid lii\vtiHlii|i \vm IVrniN, iliiiiniili'i' ill' (!ii|iliiiii I'',liiikltii iiiul Kolu'i'cii llowo, Dcrcmlirf;!, 17i;:!. Shi. iiiiiifi.'d iMirliiiiiilim WIiocUt. Ill' Miii'IImii'oukIi, Miihh.. iiti.l M'llli'.l ill llill>4liiii'<>ii)(li. 'I'll.' Ill'Kl lllm'lill); III' Ihc illllllllillUlIrt III' Illl' lilWII nam' ilK iiu'iii'iiiii'iiliim wim liclil Nnvi'iiilirr 'jr), I7ii'raiiiilit'.s:l{t'v..lan>li Uii'c, Di'ai'iin Kht'iio/.tM' llarlhoi'ii, ('ajitain Kliakiin llowo, K/.okii'l Smilli, TlioiimM Slotio, Amos OoiiUI, Mom's lliir..', K/ia ■l-iuk,'i', .loliii .lolinson. Ailonijah TvK'i', .l.'iililliah ■{') l.'i', .laiiU'M IVI.'i's, William IVIvrs, .loniuli Waiil, Cliai'K'S W'lliU'onili, .liu'oli Wliitvonih, Tiinotliy lloHH, .liw.10 \Umh, Klioiu'/.m' Oilo, .liwlniu Olli', KriMU'iM WithinKtoii, Silaa nanios, 'rhumii« I'opo, .loiias liownmn, Aloxamlcr l'iilti>i'Him,Saiiiiiol I'owoll, Annas ("ain|.lu'll, William I'owi'i-s, William l'i'.'Nl.iii-y, Momvs l>ii«toii, William K.istmati, Daviil I'oiinoi',— II . .null. Itiiit.lnii» 'l'uin|ilii,iil' Mmlbiii'ii', In III ^. .1 mill I'uinplniuil II (liinilXiiw Mill lu Willi lIuuiilK.'i, II I.. Ml,. Uii' lir.l Huw Mill 111 Willi liiwii; llii'au iiro tlii'll'iiIVii'u tu alunll'y mil' u|i|iruliiillun uf Siilil Mill, iiiiil In ICnlltlu aiilil 'l'iini|ilu III llio I'lulil nf liinil iilvoii I'.v liiiint, Wo iictini'.lliiKly niHlur tlio 'I'oM'ii (lliii'k 10 H.iooril tlila In lliu Town Honk of Hm'oiila «a wllii.'«« .'iii' " KllltNlt«l!ll lliut, 'I Stlwl ".toNAa IIOWMAN, > t.l " SVlM.lAH I'llRaiU UY, /faflMlA. < Tlio to\vtlMlii|i HCttli'il ullilii rapiillv, mill wlu'ii tlio livHt ci'iimiH was taken, in 177^'', I In' |'o|iiilaiioii was I'onii.t 111 1..' Illl'.',' Iitiii.li'i'il aii,l sixli s.'viii ; in 17S!!, Hi'v.'ii liiimlml ami lnrly iiiii,'. lUiiiiin' lli.'s,' ycai-s willi'in il, im'Uulinn Uo' Wallac's of Lomloiiil.'tiy, llio (JilwoiiM, ll\,i Kii'i'saml Wanls from W'i',tlliof,iiinli, MiiMs,, ami vii'iiiily, Sawyor.i, CloiigliH, Ailams, Kim- lialls, liowmans ami ,.|li,''i's. Eoolesiastioill,- In aci'iii'ilam,' Willi 111,' ti'iiii'^ III Illl' n'l'iiiil. III,' in'oiirii'tiii's lii'lil 11 iiii'i'linn' in May, 17lili, al whicli it was voli'il lo ra'iso lialf a ,l,illai' on ,'ai'li liKliI in li.H'iHlii|. to hiro pi'oiidiinK i" ll«" town, ami in .Iiiiio, 171)7, it wii.s " voli'il to riiisoiiix sliilliii^ss on cai'ii I'i^slil lor llu' siiiiply of llio jiospol lor tlio your I'lisiiln^." Itiit il \va.-< not until tho siiininor of I7U8 lliat iho sotllors snlisoriliotl a sum of iiionoy to liiro a [n'oaolior, ami ('a|itain Kliakim llowo sooiirod Iho sorvioosof Kov. .laool. Uiio, of Northlioroii)-'h, Mass., a rolalivo of his, li> |iroai'h to Iho sottlois of Iho town- .sliip. Sovoi'nl nuH'tiiifis wor,i liohl at tho hoiisos of Silas Itanios ami t'aplain llowo, ami ill n moolinn' of Iho sotllors, holil Soptomlior 1:2, l7tiS, Mr. Uioo was inviloil lo hooomo tlioir sottlotl pastor, to which li,' rolnnu'il an allirmativo answor Ootohor 20, 17ti.s, pr,i- viiloil Iho tonus of lii.s salary, yot to lio ilotormiiuil upon, shoiilil ho satisfaotory to him, Chiiroh ami sUito woi'o not yot .soparato. Miniators woio sottloil liy tho town, ami ovory porson taxoil for his siipporl ; hut if any poi'son ilissoiiloil from sottlinj;; this or llml imin as a proaohor, ho was roliovuil from payiiitc n\\\ :m7 minister's tax at liis uwii ]ci|iir,sl. To Ik^ viilul, his dissent must be given :il llir iiuctiMf; at wliieli siicli action was talcen and nidnlcil npnii iliere(X)rds oftlic I own. SlOTTLEMENT OF FlKST Mr N ISTHlt.— At a nicclillg lifld Novendjer 2.'5, 17(iS, Mr. Uicc's saliu-y wits ostaldislied as follows : " Tho conrlltioils of liln soUIomcnt. iiro, thirty puunils «rtlli'iiumt anil thirty potniilB salary for tho first four yciirH, and thon thirty-llvo iioutiilH for four yours riioro, ami tlioli forty pomulrt it yoar till tlioro 1m Movouly fiiiiiiiic'H in town, and tlion to Im Hfty puundii yoarly till tlioru Ik ninety fntiillioN ill town, thon Wf will civo hlin «lxty ponndn yearly tilt there The terms were satisfactory, save in iiniUcr ol' the standard of silver, Mr. Rice wishing his salary to rise or fall as silver rose or fell, which was quite an iin|)ortant item in those olden days. The town acieded to his re(]ucst, and at a meeting held De- cember 16, 1768, Silas Barnes, Ebenczer Harthorn and KbenezerGile were chosen a committee "to agree anil appoint with Mr. Jacob Kice for his Solom Or- ilination in this town." June 7, 1769, was the day lixiil upon for that purpose, when a council was con- vi!ncd, a church embodied, consisting of nine male iiictnbers and six female, and Mr. Kiec was duly ordained their pastor. The names of the nine males were Rev. .fac^ob Rice, Silas Barnes, Ebenezer Harthorn, Thomas Howlett, William Presbury, Timothy Ross, Josiah Ward, < 'liarles Whitcomb and Ezekiel Smith ; the names of (he females are not known. A church covenant was adopted and signed by all of the members, which continued in use without amendment or alteration until April 1, 1835, a period of sixty-five years. In the spring of 1773, Mr. Rice experienced a severe al lack of measles, which impaired his eyesight and othtTwise incapacitated him from ministerial labor, and he only occupied the pulpit a portion of the tiiiK! until his dismissal, February 20, 1782. Difl'erent persons were employed to preach for many years, months passing at a time without any meeting until aftir Mr. Rice's dismissal. Among the clergymen that efforts were made to settle were Rev. Aaron lliiirliiiison, of Grafton, Mass.; Rev Ebenezer Allen, ol KiiiL'sioM, this State; Rev. Josiah Carpenter, Rev. Mr. Williuiiis, Rev. Jabe/. P. Fisher and Rev. Xa- Ihaniel Hall. None of these eflorte were succe.ssful ; but at a meeting of the town held August 12, 1801, Ri;v. Moses Sawyer was invited to become the minister. More than one-third of the voters of the town dissented from this vote, and another meeting was held, December 9, 1801, to reconsider the vote, which was not done, allhough the majority in favor of the seltlcmeiit ol' Mr. Sawyer wius small. In con- sequence of the large number of people opjiosed to settling Mr. Sawyer, his friends determined to sepa- rate church from state, and on this same day formed themselves into a society to be called "The Calvin- istic Congregational Society of Ilenniker." Over this society and church Mr. Sawyer was regularly ordained May 20, 1802. Those dissatisfied with Mr. Sawyer held another town-meeting, and voted nintni- mously to give the Rev. Pliny Diekerson a (tail ; but he did not see fit to accejit it, and that was the last effort made by them to settle any minister. Mr. Sawyer continued as pastor of the chiireli and society until April 9, 1820, when he preached his farewell discourse, having sustained his relation with the church for nearly twenty-four years. Rev. Jacob Scales, of Colchester, Ct., was ordained pastor of the church January 17, 1827. Rev. Justin Edwards, of Andover, Mass., preached the sermon, having woolen mittens upon his hands because of the severity of the weather. Mr. Scales was dismissed January 2, 1839, after a pastorate of twelve years, and the pulpit was occupied by difl'erent clergymen, none of whom saw fit to accept a call. July 12, 1841, Rev. Eden B. Foster, of Hanover, received a unani- mous call to become pastcn-, which he accepted, and was ordained August 17, 1841. He was dismissed at his own request January 7, 1847, and December 1, 1847, Rev. Richard T. Searle was ordained, and was dis- missed February 1, 1850. January 6, 1851, Rev. J()se|ib M. R. Eaton, of Fitchburg, Mass., received a ciiU, which he accepted, and was installed Feliruary 0, 1851, and disinissed May 14, 1808, after a pastorate of over seventeen yeai'S. September 1, 1870, Rev. Stephen S. Morrill, of Hillsborough, was installed pastor, and dismissed, at his own request, August 18, 1873. Rev. George H. Moss, of Townsend, Mass., occupied the pulpit from November 21, 1873, lo .Inly 30, 1870, but was not settled. Rev. John H. Hoffman commenced jireaehin^- lor the church June 10,1877; ordained August 27th,. same year, and installed pastor .lune 7, 1878, and dismissed October 6, 1884, and Rev. F. L. Allen, of White River Junction, was installed pastor. During the first one hundred years from the em- bodiment of this church more than five hundi-eil [ler- soiis became members of it, and .raiinary 1, I8K0, the total number then belonging Lo the church was om; hundred and seventy-six. Baptist Ciiuncii,— Shortly after the Jievoluiion a Baptist Church was formed in this town, which was considered as a branch of the church at Sutton. It prospered for a while, but soon became extinct. February 23, 1832, an ecclesiastical council was con- vened to consider the ex[)ediency of forming another Baptist Church in this town, and, after due delibera- tion ten persons were embodied as a branch of the church of Bradford. In Sejitember of I8:i3 this branch was severed from tin- chureh at BiadCord, and 348 IIISrORV OK MKRRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMrSHIRE. became kuowu as the Baptist Church of Hcnniker, and Rev. Enoch T. Winter was duly installed as pastor, which position lie held until 1838, and was succeeded by Rev. Jairus E. Strong, who remained one year ; and the ne.xt settled pastor was Rev. John Peacock, who remained but a short time, and Rev. David G. Mason became the pastor, being ordained May 15, 1845, and was dismissed in 1847, being the last settled minister the church had. The whole number of communicants of this church during its existence was one hundred. Mktiiodist. — During the summer of 1814 the first Methodist meeting was held in this town by Rev. Mr. Bates, the preacher upon the circuit that included Henniker. Meetings were occasionally held at private houses and at school-houses until 1832, when the first church was formed, consisting of ten mem- bers, — six males and four females. Rev. George Pickering was the second preacher, followed until the present time by Caleb Duston, Michael Quimby, Moses Chase, William T. Cass, Abram Folsom, John C. Haseltine, Samuel Prescott, Joseph Palmer, Abram M. Osgood, John Gould, Elijah R. Wilkins, William Iscariot, G. W. S. Rogers, L. H. Gordon, G. W.Norris, Josiah Hooper, N. M. Bailey, Otis Cole, H. S. Maid, William H. Jones, Watson \V. .Smith, George C. Powell, George H. Hardv, .f<>hn H. [Steele, W. W. Le Seur and E. L. House. The whole number admitted to communion in this church has been about three hundred and seventy- five, with a present membershipof nearly one hundred. Quakers. — A Friends' Meeting was established in this town, as a branch of the Weare Meeting, in 1799. Timothy Peasley, Pelatiah Penington, Nathaniel Chase, Aaron Foster, Daniel B. Alley, Joseph Huzzey and Samuel Morrison were the founders. The meet- ing flourished for more than half a century ; but the older members died, many of the younger ones moved from the town, and others still partook of the ways of those outside of the sect. Meetings are still regularly held, though the numbers are few. The whole num- ber of members of the meeting has been about three hundred and forty, with a present membership of about twenty. UxiVERS.iLlSTS. — Meetings connected with this sect began to be held here as early as the eommence- uieiil of the present century by Revs. Mr. Murray, Sebastian Streeter and Edward Evans ; still later by Revs. Adam Ballou and Alonzo A. Miner. In 1876 and 1877 meetings began to be held at intervals until 1880, when regular preaching was had, and in 1881, Rev. W. H. Fiske became pastor of a society then formed, which is still in a flourishing condition. Meeting-House.s. — Before the incorporation of the town, steps were taken to erect a house of worehip, aMtcd, that said house shall be thirty feet long and twenty feet wide. "Voted, twenty dollars to build said house. "V;tcd, KbeupKer gile, thomas stono and William presbury is a Com- nietc to SCO tlie work done on said house. " Voted, th&t the men shall have two shillings and sixpence per day and find themselves, lawful monej', that work on said house." The house was built the same .season, of log.s, and it was used for public worship some weeks be- fore it was covered with a roof. All the religious meetings, as well as meetings of the town, were held in this humble log house for ten years, when, on or about the 19th of May, 1780, the evening of the " dark day," it was burned to the ground, having been fired, as is supposed, by an incendiary, as no fire had ever been in the little house, save what was carried in in little foot-stoves upon the Sabbath, which were then in use by those who could afford them. Several eflbrts were made to erect another meeting- house, which proved of no avail; but at a meeting of the town, held January 9, 1786, it was " Voteil to Build a Meeting-House." Committees were chosen for the purpose; but the same difliculty arose that had so long hindered a house being erected, and that was the proper selection of a spot upon which to erect it which would best accommodate the people of the town. As early as 1783 efforts were made to select a place, — by far the larger part desiring to have it built upon the centre lot,— and it was finally agreed that a committee of three disinterested persons out- side of the town should determine the place, and they made the following report at a meeting of the town, held October 27, 1783: "We, the Subscribers liiiim n,,,..n l',_\ 'I lir 'I'-iuii . -f ll.rniiki-r .\ (Jomity to Examine andai;.- \v I., i. .i 11. . 1 1,,^ l,>,ii,. >l ,i l'„. Set To Commode tlie S'l Town <.r llrniuK.i \\. Ii,(v. Ihi-ll:i\ :ir liri-ly Mot to repoi-tc that ll i-.m ..|.| .i, i !.,,i .| i- li,. I ing'HoUSO Tm ' : M , ,!.,[:,: ; \ ; I tcr Lot on tli.- r: .i, ■. ,^ : .i ;- -: meeting By AdjnuMPn. Ml, .>i,,, h ,. .,,11 These three men were residents of Warner. But a portion of the people were not satisfied with this re- port, and, as a last resort, the following petition was sent to the General Assembly of the State, then in session at Exeter : "[5-nO.] [Pelition for tlie .\]>i)i.intiiiiMit of ii Couimitteo to locate a i>.Msai.l .Meet- HENNIKER. 349 tho Monourablo Senate and Iloiiao of Representatives of tlie New llainpshire, now setting at Exeter, in Said Stote, , the Snbscribors, Inhabitants of tlic Town of Houniker, Ilnni- the storms and blasts of nearly a century, with its timbers as perfect as the day they were raised. It was used for religious meetings by tlie tdwii until the separation that took place in 1801 and more or less for that purpose by diflerent de- nominations for half a century afterwards, and has :ilu;iv-, Ih I'll used by the town in wliicli lo hold its iiirHiMLj,-. cilice 1787. ice, Josliua Heath, Nathan Putney, Duvid McKillip, William Sargent, -lit, John Campbell, Jesse Campbell, I, HavidPoop, Isaac Putney, Stephen ^ y.s, David Clough, .John Chadwick, lehas Ward, Nalium Nni " iam Morrison, Jolin 1:1111]' , 1 .L.siah Waitl, Tini,.tlij K' -, K II H. of Eep., September 13, 1"SC, iMiiiff of the following men : Majo; III AikcD, Ksq., of Ilomng ; and ! I committee was appinted, con- Isaac Chandler, of Hopkinton ; Xo report of the action of this committee, if any was ever taken, has been found. Whilst the dispute as to location was in progress, 1 1 reparations for the erection of a meeting-house were lieing pushed actively forward, and at the time of this action by the General Assembly the frame of the building was nearly ready for raising. At a meeting of the town, held August 30, 1786, it was " Voted, to Provide three Barrels of Rum to Raise the Meeting- house with," and with this and the aid of the strong arms of the men of this and neighboring towns the fi-ame was raised early in the month of October of this yi'ar, 1786, upon the spot that had been originally selected. The other place selected was nearer the centre of the township, but not as good a location for building. Nothing more was done to the frame until the next season. At the annual meeting, held Jfarch 5, 1787, it was voted to pay the men who as- sisted in the two days' work of raising the meeting- house, and amongst other items the town voted to pay were the following: " Voted Gideon Adams tl 4». for Sugar. " Voted Sam. Kiniliall ,t5 los. for Beef. " Voted Ilr. Hunter i;i'3 5s. 1 2-4 P. fc fiuartor of Kum and tliree empty Barrels." The work upon the building progressed rapidly, and the first meeting held in it was on November 14, 1787, for the purpose of choosing a grand and petit juryman. The ground floor was marked off and sold, each purchaser to build his own pew ; but this was reconsidered, and a committee chosen to build the jiews and sell them. The inside was finished in ac- cordance with the style then prevalent, and when I'liiipleted was a noble structure, and has withstood Ooiigi'cgalional Church and Society, finding tlicm- selves without a regular place in which to hold their meetings, resolved to erect another mecting-huuse. A committee was chosen to take the matter into con- sideration and decide upon what should be done. A spot was selected, and in 1804 a meeting-house was erected, and dedicated in 1805. This house was about the length of the town's meeting-house, without the porches, and about its width, sixty-five by forty- five feet. There was a porch at the south end, surmounted with a low belfry, the first one seen iu the town. In this house the meetings of the church were held until its destruction by fire, August 23, 1833, when the church and society found itself again without a church-home. In 1834 the present structure was erected, and dedicated August 27, 1834. This house was furnished with a bell, the first one in the town, a clock and an organ, and with a new communion ser- vice in place of the one destroyed by fire when the church was burned. This building has been kept in excellent repair, and in 1882 was thoroughly modern- ized, and is at present one of the most complete and commodious churches to be found in any rural dis- trict. Baptist ChuPvCH Meeting-House.— The Baptist Church held their meetings in private houses and in school-houses until 1834, wheu they erected a very neat and commodious building of brick. This house was finished very comfortably, and was used as a house of worship as long as the church existed. In 1856 it was purchased by the Methodist Church, who still occupy it. Methodist Meeting-Houses.— Like their breth- ren of the Baptist Church, the members of the Meth- odist Church were without a church-home until 1834, when they, too, erected a meeting-house. This house was very plain in its architecture, without any bel- fry or ornamentation whatever, but very substantial. The pews were straight slips without doors; there was a very small pulpit at one end, and equally small seats for the choir at the other. Meetings were held in this building until 1856, when it was sold and con- verted into a large and commodious barn, and the society purchased the brick church, which has been their home since. In 1882 the building was modern- ized in its interior, and provided with an organ and very hepy and elegant memorial windows. Univeksalist Meeti-vg-IIouse.— This society lield its meetings in the town-house, in Academy HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Hall and other halls until 1883, when it erected a very neat and substantial building for its home. This building is of the Gothic style, with a seating capacity of upwards of one hundred and fifty. It is supplied with an organ and heated with a furnace. FiUExns' MEKTiX(;-Hor.sE. — For three-fourths of a century the Friends have had a meeting-house. These people always having lived in the south part of the town by themselves largely, have always had their meeting-house in their neighborhood. It is a plain structure, partaking severely of the simplicity of the sect who have ever been some of the best farmers and most worthy citizens of Henniker. Military History. — The settlers of Henniker were in strong sympathy with the efforts made by the colonics to throw oif the tyranny of the home government, that was continually seeking new means to oppress them. When the fight at Lexington took place, April 19, 1775, and help was called for, several of the sturdy settlers of this town responded by hastening to the scene of action, leaving their plows in the furrow and their oxen unyoked; one man who was mending fence, laying down his axe, and seizing his gun left his home never to return, having been killed at Bunker Hill shortly afterwards. Joseph Kimball, Esq., one of the prominent citizens of the town and one of the selectmen of the town at the time, was suspected of disloyalty and charges were preferred against him. His case was referred to the Committee of Safety, who ordered him to appear before them and make answer to these charges. The meeting was held in the log meeting-house, where a hearing was had, and this was their report,^ " Hen.vikek, June ye V>, 177.5. " The Resolves of the Committee met to discouree Joseph Kimbnll, Ksquire, concerning bis political principals in the dispute betwixt Brittain and this North America. Accusations as follows, viz. : the sii Kimball did say that he did not hlame General Gage for coming to this North America, But did not justify or approve his evil conduct since he has been in j.- Country. Turther, the s'' Kimliall is for keeping up civil aulhu]ii> l!:;i1i. 1, II;. s' Kimball being accused of speaking favorably -.1 '■ v^ ;: i.iit discoursing the Committee before the body (.1 111 ' ,:nu- the people disaffected, tile sM\ iIm; ih | . |.l'' ;ire uneasy with liim, and that he is sorry if hi- luitli given any provocation of offence, But means to do all, i\s far as lies in his power, to Propegate ye liberty cause, and we, the 8l.iriil. N. mum Newton, Isaac Paterson, Lemuel Rose, Jl.jscs suutli, Bi!iioiii luikcr, Ruben Whitcomb, Samuel Wadsworth, Abcathal Bowman, Moses Huse, Benj" Currier, Robert Campbel, Aaron Eastman, Timothy Gibson, .lohn Hartliorn, Joshua Kimball, Ephraim Morri;!, S;iiiiu.l M-.n-isun, Ilavi.l Pope, Jesse Boss, Daniel Rice, Samuel Srnii'i .1 ■ '• \^ 111 I'. ,1 I'" NMiitriiige. • I , ; ( I , , 111 ii.:e to your orders, I have warn'd my i;,M„,,.,iu I , \[, ,1 ,11 1, jl In.ii.iit to view the Cituation of the Com- j,aiij, but til.- iii.Ti- piirt did ji..t Apear, but, Acording to the Best Acoinpt Tlio f(illi>wini;-n;uned men were at the battle of I'.uiik.r Hill, June 17, 1775: .MrxiLii.l.i- Patterson, James Dunlap, John Gordon, Johu Stone, <:uiiii. I llavlinan, Cornelius Bean, Joseph. Marsh, Charles 'miiteombe, ICIij.ih l;ii;c, George Beniain, Samuel Wadsworth, Amos Gould, Isaac I'atturson, James Carr, James Palmer, Johu Barues, James Stone, Joseph Clough, Abraham Kimball, Ephraim Goss and James Reed. These men, twenty-one in number, were in Captain Hutchins' company and General Stark's brigade. Alexander Patterson and Abraham Kimball were Above half I :Xot ' Aarok Adams, Cap"." " Henniker, May the 21", 1776. "Alarm list for said Henniker : Ecclesiastical Clark, Jacob Rice, Cap- tain Eliakim Howe, Lieutenant Jonas Bowman, Ensign William Heath, Captain Josiah Ward, Esquire Joseph Kimball, Coroner Samuel Kim- ball, Thomas Stone, John Putney, Alexander Patterson, Uriah Amsden, Timothy Ross, Thomas Pope, Stephen Simlding, Francis Withington, James Peters, Elyah Rice, John Estman, Deacon Ebenezer Harthorn." A.ssociATiON Test.— The " Association Test " was a pledge of loyalty for the citizens of each town to afiix their signatures or not, as they were disposed. " To the Seleclmen of Haumieor : " Colony of New Hampshire, in Committee of Safety, April ye 12th, 1770 in order to carry the underwritten resolve to the Hon'ble Continen- tal Congress into execution, you arc requested to desire all males above twenty-one years of age (lunatics, idiots, negroes excepted) to sign to the declaration on this paper, and when so done, to make return hereof. HENNIKER. 351 together with the Name or Names of all who shall refuse to sign the same, to the General Assembly or Committee of Safety of tlio Colony. " M. We.vke, Clitiiriiian. " Is CoSORESS, March 14, 177G. " Besoliied, that it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Conven- tions and Councils, or Committees of Safety of the United Colonies, immediately to cause all persons to be disarmed within the respective I iiirs who are notoriously disaffected to the cause of America, or who not associated, or refused to associate, to defend by arms the Vnitcd lii. s against the hostile attempts of the British Heetsand armies. ■ t I .py extract from the minutes. " C«.\Ri-ES Thompson, Scc'ry, " In consequence of the above resolution of the Hon. Continental Con- gress, and to shew our determination in joining our American brethren in defending the lives, liberties and properties of the injiabitants of the United Colonies, we, the subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage and promise that we will, to the utmost of our power, at the risque of our lives and fortunes, with arms oppose the hostile procot-dingri "f the Urit- iah fleets and armies against the United Americiin ■ i -.- I; i\ i ,-..!, Bice, Thomas PoiM, Alexander Whitney, Jonas r.\ ^> I w- ers, Ebenezer Harthorn, Amos Gould, Elijah Kir-.' i - ni*, David Pope, Eliakim Howe, Jonas Alexander, A-i 1'i,iim\. n ii l.nii.l Joslyn, Abel Gibson, Ezekiel Stone, Samuel Twizzel, David Campliell, Thomas Hewlett, James Joslyn, Joseph Williams, Ephraim Morrill,.rcsSB Ross, Thomas Townsend, Phinies Ward, William Clark, timothy Ross, William Heath, Stephen Spalding, Ezekiel Smith, Alexander Patterson, Moses Smith, Timo. Gibson, Jr., Joseph Lewis, Joshua Heath, Samuel Wadsworth, Francis Withington, Jacob Wliitcomb, Benjamin Whitcomb, Reuben Whitcomb, Uriah Amsdin, ,Tanu:s Peters, Otis How, Thomas Stone, Jonathan Wood, Is;.;., n, I-. I .;;.: l:;.., John Putney, Eliphalet Colby, Benjamin Clark, Tim , :, ;...nenames. "Those Persons Refus. t i i in Declaration are under- written : Joseph Kimball, -l.-l.u,. ImihImI', William Kimball, Corporal Suiiiii-I iviiiii.iil, \\ illi:.!.. Chambers, S;tniu«_'l Morrison, Ezra Tucker, 11.. .r I: ,11, ,1,1. ^l - Howe, Captain James Duston, &xmuel Bar- -',.. ll.iii,!- -■ ! ■ li,. Ebenezer Haraman, Josiah AVard, Sergent ll.jlli--, Ensi^'ii r..:i.j .i.iin Currier, Nathaniel Merrick, Amos Eastman, Noah Gile, Robert Campbell, Aaron Adams, Captain James Stone, — twenty-one names. "Jox.\s Bowman, ■) Setectmt^n " Samuel WAnwoEni. ) of Uenmlier." Of the twenty-one who refused to sign, over two- thirds of them were afterwards in the American service, and did their duty faithfully, and to the honor of the town it can be said that although upon a ques- tion of expediency there were various and conflicting opinions, yet upon the main question of defending their homes and supporting the cause of liberty against any and all ibes the people of this town were a unit, and obtained for themselves the reputation of being amongst the most patriotic in the State. The following-named men were in the battle of Bennington, August 16, 1777 : Cap< Jonas Bowman, Serg< Peter How, .ny. -. ^[ -,^ Uruwn, Robert M. Wallace, Artemas Rogers, Enoch Dar- liii_-, J..... I. Kite, William L. Woods, Lewis Smith, James Straw, Oliver PiUsbury, Harris Campbell, Carleton S. Dodge, Israel P. Chase, Lean- der W'. Cogswell, William E. Cogswell, Henry A. Kmei-son, John H. Albin, Cii-orge W. S. Dow, Col. Imri Woods, Jacob Straw, Daniel C. Gould, I'arrott Marsh, Micah'Howe, Zebulon Foster, Jr., John S. Craig, Kathan Sawyer, Titus Wadsworth, Oliver C. Fisher, Alfred W'insbip, Jeremiah Foster, Jonas Wallace, Cyrus Goss, Zadok Duston, George W'. Rice, Oliver H. Noyes, Walter B. Barnes, Harrison Menill, Francis Hills, Daniel F. Wyraan, Leonard M. Peabody. TOWN CLERKS FROM 1768 TO 1885. Silas Barnes, Amos Gould, William Presbury, Aaron Adams, Timothy Gibson, David Clough (nineteen years), William Wallace, Joshua Darling, John C. Proctor, Isaac Rice, Josiah Morse, Imri Woods (sixteen years), Daniel V. Gould, James Caldwell (sixteen years), Horace Gibson, Hiram ?Iarsh, William E. Cogswell (twelve years), David S. Carr, George C. ri-tou, Walter!. Sargent. PUYSICIAN.S. • .lorge Morgan, Dr. Roberts, John Hunter, Amos Whitney, John rlements, Thomas Eaton, William Dinsmore, Jacob Whitromb, Thomas D. Brooks, Daniel Hough, Zadok Bowman, Dr. Cook, Paschal P. Brooks, John Stafford, Dr. Barnard, Dr. Johnson, Solomon Warde, Dr. Tubbs, George W. Cook, William H. Hackett, Nathan Sanborn, Jacob Straw, Israel P. Chase, John Hul-d, William Gaylord, WVsley W'. Wilkjns, Leonard "W. Peabody, George H. Sanborn. GRADUATES. TilliusHowe, Elisha Morrill, Benjamin Darling, David C. Pioctor, .Jacob C. Goss, Aaron Foster, Nathaniel B. Baker, Josiah \V. Pillsbury, tJiibert Pillsbiny, William Wood, Socrates Saiitli, .Vdihson P. Foster, James W*. Patterson, Henry E. Sawyer, Nathan F. Carter, Edward P. Scales, Thomas L. .Sanborn, William B. Fisher, Frank B. Modica, Robert M. Wallace, Solomon Warde, Timothy Darling, Augustus \\. Berry, Oliver Gould. Clergymen. — The following natives or resiiU'iits became clergymen : Tillius Howe, David C. Proctor, Solomon Wanle, Jacob C. Goss, Parker Pillsbury, Stephen Whitaker, Joshua Colby, Silas Gove, Aaron Foster, Josiah Hill, Nathan Page, James W. Patterson, Nathan F. Carter, Addison Childs, Richard T. Searle, Addison P. Foster, Augustus M. Berry, Henry E. Sawyer, S. Knight. MISSIONARIES. Timothy Darling, William Wood, Socrates Smith, Elizabeth Darling, Cassandra Sawyer, Mary L. Wadsworth, M.D., Emma Sanborn, Abigail Hill. TEACHERS OF MUSIC. Samuel MansBeld, John Connor, Imri Woods, Daniel C. Gould, Fred- erick Whitney, Imri S. Whitney, Harris W. Campbell, John Jackman, Enoch L. 0. Colby, Oliver Pillsbury. LiLWYEES. John Kelley, Artemas Rogers, Samuel Smith, Lewis Smith, Jolin H. Albiu, John J. Prentiss, Timothy Darling, E. B. S. Sanborn, Warren Clark, Robert M. Wallace. JUDGES. Robert Wallace, Luther J. Howe, William Conner, .lo.^hua Oarliug. TRIAL JUSTICES. Jonathan Sawyer, William Wallace, Imri Woods, David Clough, Jacob Straw, Oliver C. Trisher and William 0. Folsom, who was also the very ethcient i-egister of deeds for Merrimack County from April, 18G7, to April, ISOn, and High Priest of Woods Chapter, No. 14, K.A. Masons. Social Organizations. — Aurora Lodge, No. 43, A. F. and A. Mason:^, was instituted June 24, 1825, and has been in continuous existence since. Enoch Dar- ling, first W. M. Woods Royal Arch Chapter was instituted June 7, 1867. Judge Horace Chase, First High Priest. Bear Hill Grange, No. 39, was instituted December 4, 1874, and is a prosperous organization. Crescent Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 60, was instituted July 28, 1876, and an encampment was instituted in 1879, both of which are prosperous organizations. Heuniker Division, Sons of Temperance, is a flour- ishing organization. Business Industries — Contoocook Valley Pa- per Co.MPASY. — This company purchased the water- power at West Henniker in 1871. Extensive im- provements were made, including a large, new dam and an entire new mill, at an outlay of fifty thousand dollars, and the company was incorporated June, 1872. Large additions have been made to the prop- erty since, and although some changes have been made in the members of incorporation, it has, with the exception of a few months, been substantially under the management of Henry A. Emerson, one of the three original owners of the property, assisted, since 1881, by William N. Johnson, a member of the company. The goods manufactured at this mill have taken a high rank in the markets of New England and the Middle States, their book-paper being pronounced by experienced and competent judges to be of the very first class. The value of the goods manufactured yearly is fully one hundred thousand dollars. 354 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. This company now own the entire water-power at West Henniker, which is one of the most valuable on the Contoocook River. Flouuixo-Mills. — John Gutterson purchaseil the lower mill property in 1862, and erected thereon a first-clas.s grist and flouring-mill. In November of 1864, Mr. Gutterson purchased and brought to town a car-load of corn, containing four hundred and six- teen bushels, the first car-load of corn ever brought into the town. He now averages sales of corn of seven tliousand to ten thousand bushels, and fifty tons of shorts. Connected with his mill is a saw-mill, where half a million feet of lumber are manufactured yearly. CouRSEK & Son are owners of a first-class mill on the upper inill Pond, disposing of large amounts of grain and shorts yearly. Connected with their mill is a thresher, with which they thresh several thousand bushels of grain yearly ; and also they make cider, and saw shingles and clapboards. They are also owners of the water-power on the opposite side of the river from them, upon which they have erected a building used as a saw-mill. The largest part of the wheat raised within a radius of fifteen miles is manufactured into flour at these two flouring-mills. Dry MEAsrRES. — Gage & Co. have a large mill near Long Pond, at which a very large amount of dry measures, nest boxes, piggins, covers, etc., are manufactured yearly, which find their way into the far West and South, as well as to the nearer home markets. The saw-mill attached to their mill man- ufactures half a million feet of lumber annually. Kit Manufactory. — George W. S. Dow has a large, first-class mill and machinery, in which seventy-five thousand kits are made yearly ; he also has machinery for dressing lumber and for sawing shingles. George E. Barnes has a shingle, clapboard and cider-mill, near Long Pond, at which two hundred thousand shingles and a large amount of clapboards are sawed yearly, and hundreds of barrels of cider made. James Wilkinh & Daniel E. Putney have carriage-shops, manufacturing and repairing carriages and sleighs. C. C. Richards has an extensive tin, iron and cop- per establishment. Traders.- William O. Folsom, G. C. & A. G. Pres- ton, Oliver H. Noyes and Samuel M. Currier, as traders, dispose of goods to the amount of one hun- dred and fifty thousand dollars yearly. The several industries of the town furnish employ- ment for a large number of hands, and manufacture and dispose of goods yearly to the amount of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Tlie productions of the soil amount annually to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The inhabitants of the town have on deposit in the different saving-banks of the State two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, are the ownere of rail- road bonds and stocks of the value of thirty thousand dollars, and have invested in government and State bonds and other securities not mentioned above fully one hundred thou.sand dollars, and the people receive yearly from summer tourists several thousand dollars. Any improvements of the water-power or any en- terprise bringing capital and business into the town is exempted from taxation for ten years. Early Families. — In addition to the early families already mentioned, are the following: Adains, Alley, Bowman, Breed, Brown, Cha^, Connor, Cogswoll, Colby, Clough. Dodge, Darling, Foster, Tnichem, Gove, Gould, Gilit^ou, Goodnow, Gordon, llarriinan, Howe, Huntington, Kimball, Livingston, Merrick, Marsh, Morse, Morrison, Newton, Noyes, Page, Fatten, Pear- ley, Pillsbury, Proctor, Pluniincr, Ray, Rogers, Rice, Sawyer, Simmons, Temple, Tucker, Wallace, Whitney, Wilson, Whitman, Wood, Woods. Cemeteries. — At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town held March 26, 1770, it was " Voted that the burying-place shall be upon the Senter lot." " Voted that Josiar Ward, Ezra tucker, Silas Barns is a Com- mete to look out the spot of ground to bury the Ded in." " Voted that Josiar Ward should Dig the graves this year." The lot selected was the only burial-place for many years, and in it lies a large number of the early settlers, very many of them having no tablets to mark the spot where they are buried. Burial- yards in the southeast, southwest and northeast parts of the ^own were established : but the old cemetery, near the old meeting-house, which was laid out in 1810, was the chief place of burial until the new cemetery was laid out. In this old yard lie the re- mains of a larger number than the entire population of the town at this date. The Friends have a burial- place near their meeting-house, in the south part of the tovpn. New Cemetery. — An effort was made, in 1862, to enlarge the old burial-yard by adding to it a portion of the common adjoining it ; but no favorable action was taken, and a number of individuals incorporated themselves into an organization known as the Henniker Cemetery Association, and purchased several acres of land east of the main village, of which association Jeremiah Foster was president, George W. Rice vice- president, William O. Folsom clerk, James Straw treasurer. The lot was laid out into avenues and burial-lots, a large proportion of which have been sold. A large receiving vault was erected, and the associa- tion voted that it should be forever under the control of its membere. The members of the association are never to exceed thirty. A large sum of money has been expended in monuments and improvements, and it is indeed a place " beautiful for situation." Census. — The first census of the town was taken in 1775, and the population was three hundred and sixty-seven. In 1783 another census was taken, and there were found to be 749; in 1790, 1127; in 1800, 1476; in 1810, 1608; in 1820, 1900; in 1830, 1725; yLi^^.... HENNIKER. ill 1S35, 1709; in 1840, 1715; iu 1850, 1690; in 1860, 1500; iu 1870, 1288; in 1880, 1326. The mortuary records of the town show the average of deaths, yearly, since 1775, to be twenty-five; that one-third of the deaths have been children under ten years of age, and more than one-half under thirty years of age. Hannah Hardy died at the age of one liuadred and three years; Mrs. Kuth Hemphill, one hundred years and three months; Jeremiah Crocker (colored), one hundred years. Nearly or quite fifty persons have died in the town aged over ninety years, and nearly two hundred persons have reached tlie age of eighty years and upwards. Musicians. — Christopher C. Gibson, the emiuent viulinist, was a native of this town. He gave concerts in his best days in many large cities of this country, and at the Peace Jubilee held in Boston, in 1872. Mr. Gibson was the only American first violinist re- tained through its entire session, receiving many encomiums for his wonderful melody, which fully earned for him the title given him,— the "Ole Bull of America." Emma Abbott. — Seth Abbott, the father of Emma Abbott, the celebrated prima donna, was born iu Henniker, resided there many years, and then settled ill lUiuois. Her grandfather. Dyer Abbott, was a . .li-brated singer and teacher of music and chorister i-i ( Ducord and Henniker very many years. Henniker has furnished one Governor of this State — Hon. Nathaniel B. Baker ; one United States Sena- tor— Hon. James W. Patterson; two Representatives in Congress for the Stateof Maine — Hons. Eufus King Goodenow, in the Thirty-first Congress in 1849, and Eobert G. Goodenow, in the Thirty-second Congress in 1851. Another brother, Hon. Daniel Goodenow, was Speaker of the House of Eepresentatives in Maine in 1830, was Attorney-General of the State in 1838, aud a justice of the Supreme Court of the State from 1855 to 1862. Two other brothers, John B. and William G , were eminent lawyers in Maine. Henniker has furnished several State Senators for other States ; one judge for Michigan, aud one for New York — the former, Hon. William Conner, and the latter, Hon. Luther J. Howe. Hon. Robert Wallace was a judge in this State I'rom 1803 to 1815, and Hon. Joshua Darling was a judge for many years, from 1816. Hon. Timothy Gibson, Hon. Robert Wallace and Captain Jonas Bowman were prominent men in the councils of the town aud the State during the Revolutionary war. Hon. Samuel Tyler, a son of Henniker, made his home in the Argentine Republic, in South Amer- ica, aud was the pioneer of the South American trade, and shipped the first cargo of wool brought from Buenos Ayres to an American port, amassing a large fortune in the trade, and settled in Portland, Me, where he died in 1879. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. William (1), the original ancestor of the Connor family, came from England in the ship "Fortune" in 1621. The Plymouth records mention his division of land in 1623. The name was then spelled Coner. Cornelius (2), his son, was in Exeter in 1637. Thence removed to Salisbury, Mass., and married Sarah ■, by whom he had Sarah, born August 23, 1656 ; John, born December 8, 1G60 ; Samuel, born February 12, 1662; Mary, born December 27, 1663; Elizabeth, born February 27, 1665 ; Rebecca, born April 10, 1668 ; Ruth, born May 16, 1669 ; Jeremiah (3), born No- vember 6, 1672 ; and a daughter, probably Ursula. Jeremiah (3), one of the proprietors of Exeter, mar- ried, July 3, 1696, Ann Gove, daughter of Edmund Gove, and their children were Jeremiah, Jonathan (4), Philip, Samuel, Benjamin, Hannah and Ann. Jonathan (4) married Mehitable Thing, born July 19, 1706, daughter of John and Mehitable Thing. Their children were Anne, born September 15, 1724; Mehitable, born December 5, 1726, died August 30, 1736 ; Jeremiah, born February 8, 1730-31 ; Jonathan, born October 14, 1737 ; Anne, born December 10, 1739; Mehitable, born July 27,1742; John Thing, born July 18, 1745. These two daughters became Mehitable Thing and Anne Giddings. Jeremiah, sou of Jeremiah the proprietor, settled with his family iu Gilmanton, January 19, 1763, and was the eleventh family in that township. Jonathan (4), his brother, was a practical surveyor of lands and gave much assistance in surveying the lots in Gil- manton. Jonathan (4) was born in Exeter Decem- ber 5, 1699. He was commander of a scouting com- pany during the French and Indian Wars. Thursday December 4, 1746, the Houseof Representatives, then in session at Portsmouth, passed the following vote " Yoted that there be allowed eight pounds, eleveu shillings & three pence in full, to Capt. Jonathan Connor A fourteen others under his command, scouting at JSfottingham ten days from ye 7th Aug. last, to be pa out of ye money in ye Treasury for ye Defence of yo Government." John (5) Thing Connor, son of Captain Jonathan (4), born in Exeter July 18, 1745, married Susanna Kimball, of Exeter, and removed to Hopkinton, where ' his children were born, and where he resided until near the close of the Revolution, when he came to Henniker and settled upon the farm where his grand- son, A. D. L. F. Connor, now resides. He was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary War, and the powder-horn carried by him is in the [lossession of his grandson, . John K. Connor. We copy his discharge from the service, — "Corp. Jn» thing Connor, a soldier of the first N. Uampshire.Kegt., for- merly an Inhabitant of Hopkinton, County of Hillsboro, and State of N. Hamiishire, having honorably and faithfully served Three years in the service of the United States, being the term of his inlistuieut, is hereby HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. discharged from the Army and is permitted to return to the State of N. Hampshire. ".fx». ClLLEV, Col. " Camp Danbury, April 5, 1780. To whom it may concern." The children of John Thing and Susanna, born in Hopkinton, were Mehitable, born April 13, 1770; George, born August 9, 1773 ; Anna, born July 9, 1775 ; John, born September 28, 1779; Abel (6), born November 23, 1782; Susan C, born March 8, 1789, in Henniker. Abel Connor married, April 2{), 1808, Hannah, daughter of Alexander and Lois Whitney, of Henni- ker, who died November 23, 1828, and he married, September 27, 1830, Martha Greeley, of Hopkinton, who died November 13, 1831, and he married. May 3, 1833, Mary L. Nichols, also of Hopkinton, who died July 11, 1881. His children were by his first wife, and were Hannah, born January 18, 1809, died February 9,1809; John Thing, born December 9, 1809, died June 20, 1816 ; Liva, born June 26, 1811, married Solomon Heath, of Bow ; Liza, born April 25, 1813, died September 18, 1838 ; Alexander W., born Feb- ruary 6, 1815, married Harriet Spoilbrd, of Barre, Vt., died December 11, 1880; Alvira, born January 8, 1817, married J. G. M. Foss, of Hopkinton, died August 9, 1882 ; Eunice C, born November 26, 1818, married E. P. Leach, of Dunbartou ; John K., born June 6, 1820, married Mary J. Darling, of Henniker; Hannah C, born March U, 1822, marriedP.M. Flan- ders, of Hopkinton ; and Abel De La Fayette, born April 16, 1824, married, first, Louisa Bacon, of Henni- ker, who died June 27, 1859, and, second, Lucy S. Goodell, of Hillsborough. Daniel Connor, of Exeter, once warden of New Hampshire State Prison, was a cousin of Abel Connor. Abel Connor was no ordinary man. Future genera- tions have a right to know what manner of men pre- ceded them, who, by their genius, thrift, energy and enterprise, gave form and stability to the town in which they lived. Henniker has had many of these men, but, perhaps, among them all, no name is more closely identified with the prosperity of the town than that of Abel Connor, who, by his honesty, energy and upright Christian character has left a history which will continue far into the future. When all who knew him personally shall have passed to the other shore, his name will be fresh in the minds of the generations left, for his life stamped its impress on the town itself. The youngest son of the family, he remained with his father upon the homestead, caring for his parents while they lived, performing his share of the hard work required upon the farm in clearing the forests and turning the land into fruitful fields, and his chances for acquiring much of an education from books were very limited, a few weeks at the district school, during the winter term for a few winters, being his only opportunity ; but his innate force of character early developed his wonderful observation, and his aptness to benefit himself by what he saw and heard assisted him vcrv much to form those habits and fix within him those principles which were the guide of his life. In his mature years, recognizing his individual re- sponsibility to God, humbly and cheerfully consecra- ting liimself and all that he had to Christ, he, Novem- ber 13, 1831, publicly confessed his faith and united with the Congregational Church in Henniker. For several years preceding this event he had been a strong support of the society connected with thi* church, holding many responsible positions. From the time of his union with the church till the day of his death he was an earnest Christian worker, atteml- ing the meetings of the church punctually upon the Sabbath and upon week-days, giving words of encour- agement and admonition without stint, often presiding at the meetings of both church and society, serving as collector and treasurer (treasurer seventeen years, which position he held at the time of his death). A man of strong and right convictions, he was prompted to corresponding actions. His question al- ways was " What is my duty under existing circum- stances?" So far as man can, he marked out his own course, seeking light from every possible source, and then, acting upon his best judgment,generally accom- plished his object. Without seeking to be popular, he was respected by all who knew him. He possessed the knowledge of human nature in a marked degree, and usually read the true character of those around him. His biographer has said of him: "Mr. Connor was not an isolated man ; he was a citizen. And a man of his promptness and precision in transacting his own private business would, almost as a matter of course, be called out from the retirement of private life to look after the interests of others. A very large pro- portion of the public moneys of the town for a third of a century passed through his hands. He transacted the business of the public with such perfect accuracy as to secure the utmost confidence of all." Mr. Connor never sought preferment at the hands of his fellow-townsmen ; but they knew him well, and, becau.se of this knowledge and the confidence reposed in him, great responsibilities, requiring sound judg- ment, skill and great executive powers, were placed upon him, and he always handed back these trusts after their execution, accomplished in so faithful a manner that the only answer that could be given him by his fellow-citizens was, — " Well done, good and faithful servant." Presiding ofiicers of town-meetings often called upon him to assist in preserving order, and he was always obeyed promptly. He was an abiding law and order man ; indeed, his whole life was one system of order. He did what his hands found to do with a pre- cision almost remarkable, allowing nothing to swerve him from the line of duty marked out by him when any responsibility was placed upon him, and no obsta- cle was too great for him to overcome when once he saw the end desired. He was collector of the taxes of the town for over HENNIKER. 367 twonty years, ;iiiil though the collector's book was never eorrcet wlieii placed in his hands, it was always i'oiiiid correet when he returned it, and this position, at the time Mr. Connor held it, was one of great re- sponsibility. He ever proved true in this, as in all other business intrusted to him. Though many people sought his advice and as- sistance in the placing of money in safe and remun- erative investments, and his advice was ever freely given, yet it is remarkable that no loan he advised proved a poor or losing investment. To him, more than to any one else, were the poor and unfortunate of the town indebted for the comfort they enjoyed in their declining years, for it was largely through his etlbrts that, after years of discussion, it was finally voted to have a town farm, where all could be well jirovided for, instead of being sold to the lowest bid- der yearly, as had been the custom for so long a time. Mr. Connor was chosen one of the committee to purchase a farm. The one bought was objection- able to some, and in a few years it was thought wise to change it. Mr. Connor made no objection ; but when it was suggested that the committee paid too nmeh for the first farm, he offered to take it at what it had cost, in order that the poor could be better provided for, which offer the town accepted and re- ceived the money. He was, ])erhaps, more conver- sant with the landed property of Henniker than any other man, having assisted in measuring and lining a large portion of the town, being especially fitted for this work by his well-known habits of accuracy. His life was full of little incidents that illustrate the marked characteristics of the man and the principles he had laid down for the government of his life. Promptness and decision were two great traits of his daily action. While collector of taxes he met at one time, at a store, a strong, stalwart man, who de- fied his authority to execute the law then existing in regard to taking the body for taxes. After listening for a few moments to the talk and threats of the man, he asked all present to assist in placing him in his wagon, and in an almost incredibly short space of time the man found himself within the walls of the county jail. In 1833, when some of Mr. Connor's friends, earnest workers in the cause of temperance, were endeavoring to persuade some hard drinkers to give up the cup, they were met with the objection, " If we had Uncle Abel's cider orchard, we would give up drinking rum." When this was reported to Mr. Connor, he immediately said : ' ' Does my cider orchard stand in the way '? It shall be cut down !" and, suiting the action to the word, he passed through his orchard, marking every tree whose fruit was fit only for cider, and felled them all to the ground, heavily laden with half-grown apples. Another incident illustrates the generosity and jus- tice that governed him. He had many chestnut- trees, the nuts from which he always gathered him- self; but one season two needy young men applied for the privilege of picking them on equal shares. It was granted, and when all (several bushels) were gath- ered, Mr. Connor was called upon to divide them, and did so, giving the young men too-//«Vrf.< instead of one- half When reminded that they expected only one- half, he said: "You have gathered these chestnuts and have requested me to divide them ; I am satisfied with the division and I have done you no harm ; you have been faithful." Mr. Connor became an early friend of the cause of temperance. In the earliest years of his life it was the custom of almost every one to indulge in the use of intoxicating drinks, and he was not an exception ; but having some conversation upon the matter with true and trusted friends, he resolved to do what lay in his power to stay the demon of intemperance, and was one of four men and eight women who organized the first temperance society in Henniker, July 6, 1829. When the Washingtonian movement swept over the land, in 1843, Mr. Connor was among its earliest and most ardent advocates, and, largely through his un- bounded zeal and great personal interest in the cause, Henniker was moved as never before in this work, and good effects were produced that have never been effaced. Besides all he did for the church and Sab- bath-school, with which he was connected, he was a warm advocate of, and dispenser of many gifts to dif- ferent charitable organizations engaged in missionary work, both in this and foreign lands, and a certain portion of the products of his farm was set aside yea;-ly for this generous purpose. One of these ob- jects was the Colonization Society, which assisted slaves who could obtain their freedom to establish homes in Liberia. As early as 1824 his attention was called to the raising of grafted fruit, and in a few years his orchards were bending with their luscious burden, and Mr. Connor was known throughout this and the neighbor- ing States as one of the first to introduce grafted fruit into Central New Hampshire, and one of the most successful raisers of good fruits in 'New England at that time ; and when it found its way to market, it was only necessary to say by whom it was raised to secure for it a ready sale. Living and dying upon the old homestead, Mr. Connor was a progressive, hard-working farmer, .se- curing his bountiful harvests by earnest, f>iithful labor, and it was in the privacy of his own home that he, as a husband and father, was the best-known, setting an example to his family safe for them to fol- low. The first act of every day was to acknowledge his dependence upon the overruling power of God, and to seek His guidance. That he had faults need not be said ; for had he not, something more than hu- man must he have been ; but he knew them all, and, through the grace of God, sought to overcome them, teaching his children to shun them, and by so doing became the loved and honored head of the fivmily making his home one of comfort, peace and happiness. 358 HISTORY OF MEREIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Mr. Connor died October 20, 1854. On the day preceding the night in which he was attacked with his last illness he was in his accustomed place in the church, and addressed the Sabbath-school in his usual earnest manner. The progress of his disease was rapid, and he passed peacefully away, surrounded by his loving family, to whom he gave faithful ad- monitions to be prepared to follow him. And not only in his own sorrowing family, but throughout the town and community where he had been so long known and highly respected, there was great sadness and a feeling that a faithful, aflectionate husband and father, a trusted, reliable, honorable citizen, had passed on to his reward. JOHN GUTTERSOX. John Gutterson was born June 16, 1832, in Dun- liarton, Jlerrimack County, N. H. He is the son of Nathan and Sarah (Atwood) Gutterson, and grandson of Josiah and Rachel (Sawyer) Gutterson. Josiah was born in Pelham, N. H., while his wife, Rachel, was a native of Draout, Mass. He was by occupa- tion a blacksmith. When a young man, soon after his marriage, he went to Francestown, and remained there ten or twelve years, when he removed to Weare, N. H., where the remainder of his life was spent. He died aged fifty-seven. Mrs. Gutterson lived to be sixty-nine years of age. Nathan Gutterson was born in Francestown March 8, 1796. He learned blacksmithing with his father, and remained with him till twenty-one years of age. His tastes did not incline him to follow blacksmith- ing as a pursuit, and for some years after attaining his majority he clerked in a store, and at intervals taught school. He also did a considerable business at potash-making, which in those days was quite an industry. He married, March 25, 1821, Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Cross) Atwood, of Atkinson, N. H. In 1825 he removed from Weare (whither he had gone with his parents) to Dunbar- ton, N. H., where he engaged in farming and butch- ering till 1830, when he took charge of Stark's Mills, and continued in charge till 1856, and from 1844 to 1850 he also had charge of the Stark farm; he then removed to a farm of his own, but still re- tained charge of the mills. In 1863 he removed to llenuiker, N. H., where he resided in the village, and spent his time — whenever he chose to be em- ployed — in tending his son John's grist-mill. In his younger days he was a captain of militia, and retained the title among his acquaintances as long as he lived. He was frequently chosen to town offices, and in 1841 and 1842 was representative to the State Legislature. He was a life-long Democrat, and in religious belief was a Universalist, although he never united with any church. He had four children : William W., resides in Menniker. Sarah J., married, first, Alfred L, Boynton, of Weare ; had two children ; married, second, Otis Hanson, of Henniker; no issue; she died May 25, 1871. Maria L., married David S. Carr, of Gofistown ; now resides in Henniker ; has three children. John whose portrait accompanies this sketch. Natliaii Gutterson died December 2, 1872. Mrs. Gutterson died November 22, 1873. John Gutterson received his education at the com- mon schools, supplemented by an attendance of three terms at a select school. When a lad he assisted his father in the mill and on the farm. When in his nineteenth year he went to Lynn, Mass., to learn the carpenter's trade, and remained there most of the time for about three years. In the spring of his twenty-second year lie went to Goftstown, and engaged in a sash and blin.— Present, The HonU* William Tailor, Esq'., Jno. Wainwright, Esq'., Capt. .In". Shipley, Eleazer Tyngs, Esq'., and M'. Joseph W'ilder. This day the Committee received, of several of ye SettleT-s, forty shillings each, a list where of was taken ; being to defmy the charge of surveying the Lands, &c., and prepared the necessary pro- visions for their Journey and their Attendants to Penny Cook. " Thuraday, May 12.— liowry Weather with some rain ... At .\moskeag Falls we found several Irisli people catching fish, which that place aflbrds in great abundance. We travelled in a cart path from Nuttield to Anioskeag, but it was very indifferent travelling. Cloudy Wealli.-r. ■■ 1 n iix \| i\ I :''' -This Morning we proceeded on our Journey. \'i II : \i inifiiinouB Land. About Eight a Clock we passed by a 1 ' kline, in Merrimack River, which is taken from a llill I I' i I II h uii. , Abi-ut Nine a dock we forded a pretty deep HruiiknrKivulettrall.il i Mm i i.|- after we came upon a large Tract of Intervale Latiil i ■ k liiver, where we baited and refreshed our selves aiiil II \ i, ti ur eleven a clock we forded Suncook River, which i^ i iini I -n im, and many loose Stones, of some Considerable Bigness in it, making it dificult to pass. One of our meu going over, having a heavy load on his Horse, was thrown off into the River and lost one of the Buggs of provisions which we lost, not hav- ing time to look after it. Another of our fell into ye River. Here we met with two men Col". Tyng sent up before us with stores (Ben" Nicolls and Eben'. Virgin, two of ye Settlers), and about one a Clock we passed Penny Cook River (alias Shin Brook or Sow Cook), pretty deep and very We find, by reading the above description, tliat the name Onna Hookline is applied to the falls, and other points are familiarly described in this journey. Again, in the year of 1638, eighty-eight years before the above, and only nineteen after the landing of the Pilgrims, the General Court of Massachusetts or- dered a survey of the Merrimack River to be made, which was done by Nathaniel Woodward in the HOOKSETT. spring of 1639, and made out as Gardner's map. On this mapi the Pinnacle or hills in the vicinity where Hooksett village now is was called Hanna-ko-Kees Hills. According to the map the whole country from the mouth of the river to the Lake Winnipiseogee is almost a perfect survey, and to the familiar eye, ex- cepting the early names, it looks reasonable. Thus we find, by the names early given our falls, that they were derived from Hanna-ko-Kees, a mountain in this vicinity. The hills of Hooksett are not prominently numerous, but in some parts of the town quite an elevation can be reached. In the early history of the State the Peunacook Indians were numerous and powerfiil. Their hunting-grounds were in the Merri- mack Valley. They were a very harmless people naturally, and friendly to the settlers. The writer of this has heard of some old people speak of recollect- ing of their fathers' telling about a number of Indian families living within the limits of Chester. The race has become extinct, excepting the transmitted inter- mixture of Indian and white blood. There are a few cases in this State where fiimilies have multiplied and become numerouii and noted by partially spring- ing from the Pennacook Indian tribe. In the southeast part of the town, near the boun- dary, is Hall's Mountain, which is elevated, and can be seen from the west a great distance. In the western part of the town is Hacket's Hill. At the south, east and north sides a very extended view can be obtained, reaching as far as Mount Chicorua, in Albany, Sand- wich Mountains and Mount Moosilunke. From an eminence called the Pinnacle a delightful view of the Merrimack Valley is seen. At your feet is the thriving village of Hooksett, which makes an en- chanting scene. On the east side is an abrupt preci- pice more than two hundred feet high. At the foot of the mountain, on the west side, is a beautiful sheet of water, transparent, with a greenish tinge, and show- ing no visible outlet. In the year of 1859-60 about seven thousand dollars was expended in blasting anle- reading went right on wit)i iln -.Minr [.miouiMl regard for its teachings and Puritanic nspcci l.irtlic Sal)liath. Nathaniel Head died October 4, l.S,30. He was a trial justice, and many cases of litigation, etc., were left to him for decision. Noah M. Coffran, of Pembroke, now over eighty years old, relates that at one time, when a mere boy, he was drawing logs with oxen to the Merrimack River. Esquire Head was there unload- ing some logs, but became greatly troubled about landing them. Young Cotfran helped him out of the difticulty, and the esquire frankly acknowledged it was the first time in his life that he had learned any- thing from a boy. Mr. Coffran relates that he was surprised in receiving such a compliment from the respected, dignified man. There was a family by the name of Lakin, which Chase, in his " History of Ches- tcr,"overlooked. Theirsettlement was on the east side of Lakin's Pond. Some of their descendants live in Hooksett at the present time. The pond was a famous one for pickerel. The original Lakin always spoke of it as his " Pork Barrel." Just above the Head settlement was S. Gault's. He was born in Scotland ; married Elsie Carlton, of Wales. They had three children born in Scotland. He moved to Londonderry, Ireland, and had two children born there. He came to this country, and settled on the land now owned by his great-great-grandson, Norris C. Gault. The original house was a garrison, and the land was on the Suncook grant. The descendants of this fam- ily are numerous, becoming successful and noted. On the west side of the river, which was formerly Dunbarton, according to a plan drawn by David Ten- ney in October, 1803, and one drawn at Portsmouth in 1749, the lots were allotted as follows: 1st lot, 11th range, Mark H. Wentworth ; 12th range, lots 1 and 2, Jeremiah Page ; 13th range, lots 1 and 2, com- mon lot 3, John Wallingford and John Wentworth ; 1st lot sold in 1764 to Bond Little ; 2d lot sold in 1764 to Martin ; 14th range, 1st lot sold to Alexan- der Todd ; 2d lot, school lot ; 3d lot, John Went- worth ; 4th lot, vacant. Lots running along the bank of the Merrimack : owners, Jacob Green, Jeremiah Page, Thomas Upham ; sold in 1795 to Benjamin Noyes. The proprietors' meeting September, 1704, " Voted HOOKSETT. Jeremiah Page, Thomas Caldwell and John Hogg be a committee to plan out the common that lays on the Jlerrimack Kiver." In June, 1771, " Fote/, that Caleb Page go to Portsmouth and try to make a settlement with the Lords Proprietors about their common lands in Duubarton." The most of these common lands were situated in what is now Hooksett. On the 11th day of September the proprietors of more than seven rights in the common and undivided lands in Dun- barton called a meeting " to see if the proprietors would vote that every proprietor who is settled on common land in said town shall have his share or shares laid out when they have done their work in quantity and ijuality as said proprietors shall vote, or that the proprietors shall make a division of the common lands as they shall think best when met." This was signed by Thomas Cochran, William Cochran, James McColley, James Cochran y° 3d, James Cochran, William Page, William Wheeler, Nicholas Dodge, Ephraim Kinsman, EbenezeivHacket. These men were mostly inhabitants where Hooksett is now located. From 1751 to 1802 the proprietors were constantly having meetings, the records showing the names of those who were residents of the territory of Dunbarton (now Hooksett). Among the proprietors' rights were Thomas Coch- ran, four rights of land where he lived, near the river (supposed Merrimack), fifty-one acres each, one hun- dred and three acres, two rights including the Hooksett Falls; Deacon Cochran, one right of land adjoining Thomiis Cochran's land, thirty acres ; Farrington and Abbot, five rights where Abbott lives, seventy acres. This was one of the original settled places, called the Joshua Abbott place, near the head of Hooksett Falls, on the lot where the John Prescott place is nf)w situated. In the year 1813 the selectmen of Dunbarton notified Eobert Cochrane, a surveyor in what is now west village of Hooksett and outskirts, which composed Dunbarton, to give notice to the fol- lowing tax -payers of the amount of their highway tax : Eobert Cochrane, Eichard H. Ayer, Joshua Abbot, Philip Abbot, Henry Moulton, Captain John Hoyt, Lieutenant John Baker, Ensign Samuel Flanders, Luman Lincoln, Josiah Barnes, Sirus Baker, Abel Dow, Samuel Hosmer, Winthrop Knight, Samuel Martin, Luther Shattuck, William Otterson. The whole amount assessed was $05.15. A valuable collection of papers that have been kept in good condition, that belonged to the Cochrane and Abbot families, the first settlers in above district, are interesting on account of their age and curiosity. An original deed as follows : " Phovince of New Hamp. : At the annual meeting of the Proprietors of Bow, in said Province, lield at Stratham, in said Province, on Tues- day, the 30th Day of May, 17(;9, By adjournment from the first Thurs- day in April last past, Voted to Thomas Cochran, his Heirs and assigns (for and in Ctonsideration of Thirty-six Shillings, Lawful money, paid at the meeting), a small Island Lying at the mouth of the Suncook River, in Bow, containing one acre and Sixty-Six Rods, be it more or le&s. " A true copy from said Proprietors' Record. "Attest, Sam'l Lane, Prop* Clerk." "Know all men by these presents, til ;if I, !:■ in the Province of New Hamp., in N('\\ i ■ Pound five Shillings, Law full money, > i i ■. in the Province affor«aid, yooni;iii, in lull ' ; Presbyterian meeting-houss in !■ mi t house, it Being that Pertiniiii i'. i , ,; i i Daniel moor and SamuoU im' i 1 ' i It.: of Lt. Samuel Connor, in s;ii>i IViitta^uk, lu hereunto set my hand and Seal this 13th Day c i< Imsed of .lohn Bryaul I; N'endue at the hous Wituoss whereof I havi January, 17G0. " Besja. Habris." " LrrcuFiEtn, August 2G, 1765. 'Sir. Thos. Ooffrin, please to pay toThos. Russ two Shillings, LawfuH ney, and this shall be your Discharge of all Demands from yours, sir, " Obadiau Uawse." AHENSTOW.V, Sept. 29, 17G5. shillings, Lawfull money, ither Debts from ye Begining of ye " This Day Received of it Being in Full of this or World to this Date. " Witness whereof. Tlic following is a copy of a letter written to Eobert Paterson, of New Boston, N. H., from a soldier in the Revolutionary War : "Meuforo, Juneyeia, 177.-.. " Honored father, — I take this opportunity to let you know that I and brother Samuel is well — Blessed Be God for it!— hoping you all enjoy the Same Blessing. I have Reason to Bles god at all times For preserving Mercies, But especialy in the Day of Battle, when I escaped So near. I have nothing Remarkahle to write to you, But I like my Uving very well and we enjoy pease and plenty at present. Remember My Love to Thomas Colum and his Famely and all enquiring friends. Not forgeting Tlio I'retoy gearls, So Sad no more but Remain you Dutyfull Son till death. " Ai.exandeu Paterson." The above papers, consisting of aboxfull, containing receipts, deeds, contracts and two or three copies, sys- tematically kept, of account-books, with dates from 1764 to 1800, are in the hands of the writer. They contain interesting references to our early settlers, which want of space will not allow us to publish. The following documents, which were found in the New Hampshire State papers compiled by Hamond, relate to Hooksett anterior to the organization of the town. PETITION 01' JOSHUA ABBOTT FOR A FERRY IN 1782. " To the Honorable the Council and House of Representatives of the State of Now Hampshire, in General Court Convened at Concord, the nth Diiy of June, 1782. " We, the Subscribers, inhabiting near Isle a Hucksett Falls, on mer- rimack River, apprehend a Ferry is much wanted at or near said Falls, which would greatly accomodate the Public ; and Joshua Abbott, having purchased a Piece of Land and bargained for a Boat, in order to keep sjiid FeiTy. "Wherefore your petitions humbly pray that your Honors would make a Grant of said Ferry to said Abbot, and your Petitioners, as in Duty bound, shall ever pray : " Laban Hariman, John Hart, John Carter, Ephraim Kinsman, Abner nandcrs, Moses Moor, Richard flanders, Joshua Abbott, N. C. Abbott, David guoge, Stephen farington, Nath. Greene, John Blanchard, WilUam Mestin, Juner, Joseph Hazeltiue, Sam. Davis, Joseph Carter, John Brown, Robert Davis, David Carter, Thomas Cochrane, Jonathan , Daniel Brown, Eben' Hall, Timothy Hall, Richard Banders, Tim» Walker, Jun'., Phines , Joseph Abbott, Benj. Hanaford, Enoch Brown, Enoch Coffin, Nathan Green, Moses Carter, Thomas Stickney, Samuel Farring- ton, James Walkar, Stephen Kimball, Simeon Carr, Sm. Willard, Fran- cis Mitchel, Nath« Abbott, James Moore, Ephraim moor, Luther Clay, OUve flanders, Daniel Abbott, Rob. Harris, Aaron Stevens, Timothy Bradley, Daniel Hall, Richard Ayer, Stephen Hall, John Odiin, Brnco Walker, William Brown, Benja. Fifield, Micah Flanders, Philip Abbot Patiah , William Fifleld, Thomas Chandler, Ephraim Colby, Stephen Abbott, John Lear, Dau. Stickney." HISTORY OF JIERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. In the mean time Dustin an Bank ..rilcrrinmck Biver, In such a situation for keeping a Fen.v i- ;- v, n t,v. uliiit to accomodate a great Number of the InhabiUml- M . i : i > ,i.i..irton and of many other towns above who have 0'<:i; m L.^wcr Part of this and the uiassachusette State, that hi 'l. ..^, h n i,.,, i.uid out by the town, Joining on both sides of the River to said Placo, and well made and Kepaired, and that Your Petitioners has been at a con Biderable Kxpence In building and maintaining of boats and giving con- stant attendence to Fen-y People across for more than sixteen years when tbe profits was Very Inconsiderable and In No wise Equal to the Expense, and that there is now Considemble travilling and dayly in- creasing. Being found to be Very advantageous to tbo Public, and that your Petitioners suspects that a petition will be prefered to your Honors for a Licence to Keep a Ferry on said River, about two or three miles up said River, from where your petitioners Keeps their ferry (where there is no Koad Laid out on neither side of the River to the place), with an Intent to prevent your petitioners from any profit by their ferry, where- fore your petitioners humbly prays that you would grant them a License to Keep a Ferry where they now Does, and that if a petition shall be prefered, as suspected, that you would Dismiss the same or appoint a Com- mittee In tbe vicinity to view the place proposed for a ferry with the place for Koads on both sides of the river, as well as your petitioners' ferry and the Roads leading to and from the Same, and make Report that your petitioners may have an opportunity of appearing on Any future day you may appoint to shew cause, and your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. ' Chester, June 14th, 1782.' 'John Dustin. 'Da.viel Marti In the House of Representatives, November 19, 1782, a committee having viewed the premises, re- ported in favor of establishing the ferry asked for by Dustin and Martin instead of the one asked for by Abbott, et ah. A vote giving leave in accordance therewith passed the Assembly. The locality is still called Martin's Ferry. The following is a copy of the McGregore and Dun- can petition for the exclusive privilege of locking Hooksett Falls, 1794 : ! and bouse of Representiitives for the State of J at Exeter on Wednesday, the 25th of Dec, petitioners that they conceive tbo advantages riMiud the falls of Rivers in a Country of such at a great distance from the S«a porls, to bo the enterprise and public spirit .i ih. i i . i,i •oofs of this and have inspiri'il \ i m imencinp a work of such uiir> 1 ' ' I'l I i Ainoskeag Falls, the bouev- ! iMlered quite useless unlessa I I M' " ' i'> i-' '! ksett Falls, upon the said ilisol Anioskeag. Your petitioners are sensible iture is hazardous and expensive, and attended le difficulties. But that the public may be ac- lispatcli, and that they would allow them such reasonable toll to coiupeusate tlieir trouble and exponce as they think proper, and that they may have leave to bring in a bill accordingly, and, aa in duty bound, will ever pray. "Robert MoGreoore. "Exeter, January 1st, 1794." "William Duncan. " To the Hon! the Senat New Ilampshire, convent 1703. Unmbly show youi vast extent as ours, and almost Innumerable ; thai age have afforded ample p with an intention of coi That, should the River n; for boats, timber, etc., fn olont intention of the li-i canal was also cut for tliut river, and above the said 1' that undertaking of this n with safet. In the House of Representatives, January 4, 1794, the petitioners were granted leave to bring in a bill. Subsequently the privilege asked for was granted, and the same was extended in 1797. This canal, or " locks," as it was sometimes called, was a very im- portant enterprise in those times. It facilitated mer- chantable traffic between the people above and the country below. They were kept in general use until about 1840, when the railroads commenced to be built into the central part of New Hampshire. Hooksett Falls, since the earliest settlements along the river, have been considered important. They have also been dangerous to boatmen who plied the river in the capacity as common carriers. The chan- nel and ragged rocks through which the water flows was deceitful and very precipitous. About fifteen lives have been lost on these falls. One of the saddest ac- cidents that ever occurred on the falls was about the year 1840. Three children, the oldest about ten years, in the temporary absence of their mother, wandered to the head of the falls, finding an unlocked boat, and while innocently playing in the same, the boat was cast upon the waters and floated into the stream and went over the falls. They were all three lost. These children belonged to Milo L. Whitney, lately deceased. The annual "drive" of logs, which at the present time is not so large, sometimes receives a se- rious "set back" at these falls. Huge jams have oc- curred, when it would take weeks to get them oft'. Quite a number of log-drivers have been killed and drowned while working on them. The descent of the water is about eighteen feet in a distance of thirty rods. They afford excellent facilities for additional manufacturing. Only about two-tenths of the power is at present utilized. The Concord Railroad built, about the year 1868, three spans of bridges over the fiiUs to the east side of the river. This gives to the occupants of the cars a grand, romantic view. In the year of 1799 an attempt to have the upper end of the town of Chester annexed to Pembroke was made through a petition of Nathaniel Head ami others, on account of long distance from church ami I own business privileges. In 1818 a petition wius 1 'resented to the legal voters in the north part of I liester and the east part of Dunbarton and Aliens- town, but was not acted upon. In the year of 1818, Henry Moulton and thirty others of Dunbarton petitioned the Legislature for a new town. In the year of 1821, Samuel Head and thirty-two others presented a petition ; also Nathaniel Head and seven- ty-two others, inhabitants of Chester, Dunbarton and the easterly part of Gotfstown. These petitions, 80 strongly representing the inhabitants of the above locality, were presented to the General Court. The committee on the part of the House reported to postpone action until the next session, and the report was accepted. It was voted by the House of Representatives, m this session, 1821, "That the petitioners be heard nu. 367 I lu'ir petition before the standing committee on in- (•(.(■[lorations on the first Tuesday of the next session oitlie Legishxture, and that the petitioners cause the selectmen of the towns of Chester, Goffstown and Omibarton to be notified of the substance of the peti- tion, etc." At the next spring meeting the towns of Dunbarton and Chester voted to grant the favor, and ( Mtllstown voted to remonstrate, by a majority of one hun(h*ed and ten legal votes against twenty-two in fa- vor. The selectmen accordingly sent in a remon- stnince in long detail. Caleb Austin, Caleb Her- si'v and Daniel Straw, of Dunbarton, put in a remon- stance. Their principal reason was that the river ni lining through the town would be a great inconve- nience, and that it would derange school districts. Hugh J, Taggart and Andrew Mclntire, of Goffs- town, also sent in a remonstrance, voicing, in the main, the same objections that those from Dunbarton gave. On June 20, 1822, the standing committee on incorporations, after hearing all the parties interested, reported favorably to the project, and that the peti- tioners have leave to bring in a bill. The following is the copy of the original bill, as passed by the legis- lature— "State of New Hampshire. " In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two, Ad act to incorporate the town of Hooksett. ^'Whereas petitions signed by a number of the inhabitants of Chester, Dunbarton and Goffstown have been presented to the General Court, praying to be incorporated into a separate town, and the prayer thereof appearing reasonable, Therefore, Section 1st. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened that all the lauds and inhabitants within those parts of the towns of Chester, Dun- barton and Goffstown herein described, to wit : Beginning at the north- easterly corner of Manchester ; thence on a straight line to the south- east corner of lot No. 60, in the fourth range of lote in Chester ; thence on the easterly line of said lot No. 60 and lots No. 71 and 80, northerly to the southeast corner of lot No. 95 ; thence across a part of said lot No. 95 and lot No. 94 south, 70 degrees east, to the south head-Iiue of said lot No. 9i ; thence north, 23 degrees east, to the southwest corner of Candia ; thence northerly on Candia line to AUenstown south line ; thence west- erly on AUenstown to Merrimack river ; thence across said river to the southeasterly comer of Bow ; thence by Bow line to the southerly cor- ner of said Bow; thence running a line due south until it strikes the northerly line of Goffstown ; thence westerly on Goffstown line to the northwest corner of Hugh J. Taggart's land ; thence southerly to the southwest corner of lot No. 4, in Goffstown, formerly owned by Col. Robert McGregore ; thence easterly on the southerly line of said lot No. 4, and continuing the same course, until it strikes the highway leading from Samuel Poor's to Merrimack river ; thence by said highway, and including the same, to said river ; thence by said river to the northwest corner of Manchester ; and thence to the place uf bt-sinning, be and the same hereby are incorporated into a tnw II Iv ih. tj, f Tlnoksett, and the inhabitants who now reside, or h ,i .. ■ .ir, within the aforesaid boundaries are madeand cuTi-hiii i i link and corpo- rate, and vested with all the powers, |iii^il : ~ I'll iiiniiiiities which other towns in this State are entitled to ..-njuy, to remain a distinct town and have continuance and succession forever. '•Section 2d. And be it further enacted that all names that are assessed for schools in the towns of Chester, Dunbarton and Goffstown shall be divided between the said towns and the several parts of the said town of Hooksett, disannexed from said towns, according to their pro- portion of the public taxes, and all funds belonging to said towns of Chester, Dunbarton and Goffstown shall be in like manner divided, re- serving to said town of Goffstown the donation given by James Aiken to said Goffstown, and the inhabitants of the town of Hooksett shall pay as a)l taxes now assessed on them by the towns of Chester, Dunbarton and Goffstown respectively, and the said town of Hooksett shall, after the next annual meeting, support all the present poor, including all those who are supported in whole or in part who have gained a settlement in the towns of Chester, Dunbarton or Goffstown, by living in that part of either of said towns that is now included in the town of Hooksett, and shall support any poor now residing in any other towns, which by law the towns of Chester, Dunbarton and Goffstown may respectively bo liu- ble to rcliiivc or support that Iiave gained a settlement in either of said towns by residing within the boundaries now constituting the town of Hooksett, provided, nevertheless, that this act shall not effect the inter- est of any of the inhabitants of Chester, Dunbarton and Goffstown, or of the town of Hooksett, in any school-house now erected within the piirpu.r ..I . lM...-nij ,ili t ".iix |..^^^ -.11,.. . -. 1 ;i.. ■ ill ■ uiMil theaniUKil meeting of said town in Maixh n.Nt , ,n,. i , ,i l,.i ,,| ilnni may preside in said meeting until a moderator slml I hr . h. -. n i>. ji^irii the same, which meeting shall bo holdcn suiim' Inm m \\u- mh .j September next, and shall be warned by pastinji^ up ' mi in :ii i-n iiMmi days pi-ior to the time of holding the same at Niillinii. i ii. i i, i-. , in Chester, at William Hall's house, in Dunl.ari.i, i , i ■ i-, \\,- bott's house, in Goffstown, provided that all town .iih. ■ . m i i. ._ Mihm the limits of the town of Hooksett, who were (.iliuson hy the lown of Chester, Dunbarton or Goffstown, shall continue in their respective offices during the time for which they were elected, with full powers to execute the .same, and provided, further, that all the public taxes which the towns of Chester, Dunbarton and Goffstown .sliull -t miv i mprlh-d to assess before a new act for proportioning tlir | ., ir i , nj tlie several towns in the state shall pass, may be a.s- 1 i ^ . i IKrtedbythe proper officers of the said towns of <'Ih-i.i . iMini.ii n ;nid Goffstown upon the inhabitants of the town of HooUsetf in ease the selectmen of said Hooksett neglect to assess, levy and collect their proportion of such public taxes and pay the same seasonably unto the treasurers of the towns of Chester, Dunbarton and Goffstown in the same way and man- ner as if the act had not passed, anything herein to the contrary notwith- standing. "Section 4th. And be it further enacted that said town of Hooksett shall be, and hereby is, annexed to and considered a part of the county of Hillsborough, and that said town be annexed to Senatorial district number three and to the eleventh Regiment of Militia in this State. "State of New Hampshire. " In the House of Representatives June 25th, 1822 : This bill, having had three several readings, passed to be enacted. Sent up for concur- " Charles Woodman, Speaker. " In Senate, Je. 29, 1822 : The foregoing bill was brought up, read a third time and enacted. "Jonathan Harvey, President. " July 2d, 1822, Approved, "Samuel Bell. "A true copy. Attest, "Samuel Si-arhawk, Secretary.^'' The following is a copy of the petition and a list of the signers. " To the Hon. the Senate and the House of Representatives of the State of New Hampshire, in General Court convened, Humbly shew— The petition of the undersigned that they are inhabitants of the nortli- westerly part of the town of Chester, in the County of Rockingham and the easterly part of Dunbarton, and the easterly part of Goffstown, in the County of Hillsborough, that their places of residence are at tin- distances of from ten to sixteen miles from the places establicih'd for tin- transaction of town business and for holding public woiiship in said towns. By reason whereof they are in a measure deprived of the ccni- mon rights and privileges enjoyed generally by the good citizens of this State. They therefore pray the legislature, in their goodness, to relieve them of the inconveniences to which they are now subjected by granting an act incorporating all the lands and inhabitants of said Ches- ter, Dunbarton and Goffstown hereinafter described to wit : beginning northerly and northwesterly of a line drawn from the northeasterly corner of Manchester, in the County of Hillsborough, across said Chester, in such course as may be thought most proper, to the southwesterly cor- ner of the town of Candia: thence by Candia line to AUenstown line ; thence by AUenstown line to Mei'rimack river ; thence across the Merri- mac river to the southeasterly corner of Bow ; thence by Bow line to the southerly corner of said Bow ; thence running a line due south until it strikes Goffstown line; thence through Goffstown southeasterly till 3G8 ITTSTORY OF MP^RRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRH it strikes Merrimack river oppusite the „ortl,wo8terly corner ofthe tow.; ur Manchester ; thence from the northwesterly corner of the town of Manchester to the bounds first mentioned, Into a town, with all the powers, privileges and immnnitii* to which other towns in this state are l,y law entitled, and to be annexed to the County of Ilillsborongh, and as in duty bound, will ever pray. ■' Nathaniel Head, Samuel Head, Henry Moulton, Jno. Whipple, Wni. Hall, .lames Ottel^on. .Ir.. Sle,,l,.-n .:o.,dridge, Jno. Johnson, Joseph Whitier, Joseph AVinn,., i, i. '.- U.bott, Daniel Allen, Richard Straw, David LakiiO I. i .: l ..luT Shattnck, Wm. Ottorson, Winthrop Knight, .r. I., u i '■ .,„,, Mitchell Josiah George, Nath-1 Mitchell, Job,, .i.,„„l., .I..> i'U JU.wu, Knos Ela, Wells Carter, James Oughterson, George A. Louchli,,, James Brown. Nathan Hawse, Joseph Hawse, Richard Head, John Kimball, Simeon Bradlord, Mark Johns. Wheili-,. -^iroli M. Farnum, Joseph Mitchell, James '" I. - I', . , Tiiohard Davis, John Prescott. Kimball, licnman Lincoln, David Lakii Samuel Lakii Benjamin ^li' Henry Mimli- 11, Samuel Martin, Israel Ela, riHon, Peter C. Bowell, Josiah liordon, Samuel Huston, E/.ra Jr., John M. Farnum, Henry Mitchell, Mroham Jlihl' n ' - ' '-' (Jharles Flanders, SiuiM. i Taggart, .Tones HiKki, ' i M .John Head, Robert lli i t, i i.i '. " Rowell, JohnKno.\, Matln-w liuult. Asa Kimball, Roger Dutton, Joshua Martin, Dutton, Elijah Colby." We see, by producing the names of the signers of theabove'petition, whothe principal residents were at the time the town was incorporated. It contained all the principal real estate owners, with the excep- tion of a few living in these parts who would not be di- rectly benefited. In the southeast part of the town a few inhabitants were indifferent to the matter, as they were, perhaps, as near Chester proper as they would be at Hooksett village. Hooksett village, as origi- nally located, was almost to the extreme limit in the northwest part of the town, which, fortunately, ac- commodated the major part of the population, and since the formation of the town, people in the remote sections have quite a distance to travel to do town business. For post-office accommodations and com- mercial transactions the people living contiguous to Manchester patronize that city. In the year of 1823 the following persons, residents in town, were assessed for taxes. It was the first inventory taken, and will show the complete family record in the whole town at that time, — Kichard H. Ayer, Joshua Abbott, Caleb Austin, David Abbott, Daniel All m.'^ W.'i- William .U.bott,Dominicus Abbott, James Brown, 1 'i'-" i\ 111. 'ill I'i "" Robert Brown, James Buntin, Samuel John l.^':^ I > j,^_^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^ |,^^^j,_ WellsCarter, ''°"' I I ' ^> i, , , I . Juhn Clay, James Calbert, Moses Collins, ■'"" , F , !, I '••. r I, ,.iiL„ Gushing, Richard Davis, John Davis, ^"""''n i luni-l IHvi. Roger Dutton, Henry Dutton, Joshua Dus- «risrael Ela,'Enos Ela.'paniel Ela, Stephen Eames, J"™* «■ F"" wVlliam Farnum, Nathaniel Farnum, Moses Fnren, Frederick Ceh "^en L. O^odridgh, Robert Gordon, Mathew Ganlt Asa r rdon Je^e^GaiUt, Joseph Glines, James W. Hubbard, Nathaniel « dSamu^l Head, William Hall, John Head, Richard Head, Nathan- ^, Hill Moses Hill, Caleb Hearsey. Samuel Heai^ey, James Hacket, JamTs Hacket. Jr., Moses Hacket, Nathan Hawse, Samuel Huston, James Hutchison, Otterson, James OtUnnul,, .1,,, \\ ,lhaiilULU:l=L;i,, i^.i-1 *- -- I- 1. Parker, Jonathan Prescott, Samuel i'oor, John I'rescutt, James Prescutt, Ira Poor, Eri Poor, Jesso Poor, James Putnam, James H. Page, David Page, David Page, Jr., Richard Palmer. CIVIL HISTORY. 1822. -The first meeting of the legal voters qualified to vote was held on the ICth day of September, 1822, at the house of William Wall. "Chose Hon. Richard H. Ayer, moderator; Gideon Flandere, town clerk ; chose Hon. Richard H. Ayer, Samuel Head and Samuel Poor, selectmen ; chose Captain Daniel Sawyer, Colonel John Head, Captain John Prescott, constables ; chose Abram Mitchell. John Clay, hog reefs ; chose Josiah McGoon, Roger Dutton, surveyors of lumber ; chose Jacob T. Wallace, John Begley, cutters of staves; chose John Whipple, Robert Davis and Nathaniel Mitehell, school committee ; chose Robert Brown, „.>;„.=... James Hawse. Benjamin Hill, Larheriah Heath, Thomas Johnson, Richard Quimby, John Quimby Samuel Rowell wfRowell, Peter C. Rowell, John P. Rowell, Daniel Rowe, I,ev, Bo„e William Roach, Benjamin Ring, Nathaniel Rea, Benjamin Saw- yer Abbott Saltma«h, Thomas Saltmarsh, Daniel Straw, Daniel sawyei-, » Sherman, -^^^ <-»n,a„h. Josiah Shipley, Hugh J. Taggart, William Taggart, Tarbox, John W 182;i.— The first annual meeting was held at the house of Samuel He.ad, March 11, 182:i. Elected Hon, Richard H. Ayer, moderator ; Gideon Flanders, clerk ; for Governor: Samuel Dinsmore, 7:! ; Levi Woodbury, 07 ; Hon, Richard H. Ayer, representaUve ; Rich- anl H. Ayer, Captain Daniel Sawyer, Samuel Poor, selectmen; Samuel Head, treasurer; Dr. Samuel H.mston, collector of taxes; Gideon Flanders, Dr. Samuel Houston, William Hall, school committee. "Folerf, that two days' labor be raised on a single PoU and other prop, erty in proportion for a highway tax, one-half of which to be worked out in the winter." "Voled, to accept the road laid out by the Select- i„in r,oi., the SAutb end of Hooksett Bridge to the highway that leads I,,,,,, l,,,i, -ih o land to the saw-million Hooksett Palls." "Voted, II,, , 111 1 , ,f .lacob M. Farnum and Richard H. Ayer be con- „,,, 1 I, , Jacob M. Farnum and Roger Dutton were ap. lsi;4.— IticharJ H. Ayer, moderator ; John Head, clerk ; for Governor David L. Morrill, 71 ; Levi Woodbury, 36; Samuel Head, representative Richard H. Ayer, Daniel Sawyer, Samuel Poor, selectmen ; Sainue Head, treasurer. 1825.— Richard H. Ayer, moderator ; John Head, clerk ; Richard H Ayer, Daniel Sawyer, Thomas B. Taggart, selectmen ; for Governor Benjamin Peirce, 76 ; David L. Morrill, 50 ; Samuel Head, lepresenta live; John Head, treasurer; Dr. Asa Sawyer, Henry Moulton, Samue Head, school committee ; Asa Gordon, tax collector. 1826.— Richard H, Ayer, moderator ; John Head, clerk ; R. H. Ayer Thomas R. Taggart, Jonathan Davis, selectmen ; for Governor: Benji, min Peirce, 86; David L. Morrill, 53; Dr. Asa Sawyer, representative Samuel Head, Thomas R. Taggart, Asa Sawyer, school committee Joseph Mitchell, tax collector, 1827 —Ri.hanl 11. A.vii, moderator ; John Head, clerk ; B. H. Ayei Thomas K. I ' _,ii i iii'ii D.i vis, selectmen ; for Governor: Benjami Pei„e, liM I 1 I ;, i ; Dr. Asa Sawyer, representative ; San uel Henil I I I ' I itterson, tax collector; Hiram Browi AsaSan\, I r i. 1^ i ,irt, school committee. "Voted, to Uy o\ thepul.lii I I 1 ■" I ' ■ "' ' liiwn-House, and that the Selectmen r, ^gj,,g ,„,,|. rtsaid houseon and lay the same befoi the Town .•: .1 I "f 'h'S meeting that may adopt the be place to lot,ii. il). =,.ii.'.. At the adjourned meeting, .\pril 2, 1827, i the Boston and Concord Boating Company's store-house, it was voted locate the ground on the west side of the river. The vote stood 74 : favor 47 against. Henry Moulton, Samuel Head and Samuel Poi were 'chosen committee to build the town-house, of brick, fifty by six feet and they were authorized and empowered to collect all the pub) money due the town to defray the expense of said building, and th the said committee be authorized to cut wood on any land belonging the town to burn brick for said house. On the 15th of September meeting was held to see if the town would reconsider the previous vol relative to the location of the town-house, and see if the town would locc on a piece of land, to be given by Nathaniel Head to the town, near t south end of the Hooksett bridge. It was voted not to reconsider, was voted that the committee should build a town-house not lees th forty feet wide, nor less than fifty feet long. Samuel Head was excus of the committee and Asa Sawyer was elected in 1 Jr., \N , Walton, John Wicom, Daniel rn Whittier, James from being lliam Wells, Gilbert place. ,,,nn Welch. Thomas 1828.— Town-meeting was held ;;;;:bairJohnC.Kim. I H. Ayer, moderator; John Head, clerk ; Thomas R, Taggart, Hir. I of Rowe & Da Ilrnd 82 against. It was vuti-.l tu linisli tlio insiiie witli pews ami sfll tlu.-m at public vendue on conditions not less than forty dollars, tlio town reserving the right for town-meetings. 1829. — Thomas R. Taggart, moderator ; Mathew Gault, clerk ; Thonuw R. Taggart, William Otterson, Robert Davis, selectmen ; for Governor : John Bell, 56; Benjamin Peirce, 108; Dr. Asa Sawyer, representative; Henry MoiiUon, tnusurer; Isaac C. Otterson, tax collector. IS?.'< r,i . !i I' r, I ri.s, moderator ; Mathew Gault, clerk ; Hiriun Bfnwh I; I 1 ll.-nry Moulton, selectmen; for Governor: Miitlh u II I ^ iniiothy Upham, 50; Thomas R. Taggart, rop- 1>;U.— Enucl' B. Baiuos, moderator; Mathew Gault, town clerk; Ijhuli B. Barnes, Henry Moulton, Philip Jones, selectmen; for Gov- -I nor: Samuel Dinsmore, 95; ilchabod Bartlett, 51; Thomas R. Tiig- u.irt, representative ; William Otterson, tax collector. 1S32.— Enoch B. Barnes, moderator ; Mathew Gault, clerk ; Philip Jones, William Otterson, Thomas Shannon, selectmen ; for Govenhn-: Samuel Dinsmore, 88 ; Ichabod Bartlett, 39 ; Enoch B. Barnes, repre- sentative ; Henry Moulton, treasurer; Joseph Poor, tax collector. " Voted at this meeting and chose a committee, consisting of Thomas R. Taggart and Samuel Head, to examine the Wicom Farm, or any other une that ran be bought cheaper, for a poor farm, and report at an ad- I ! h M ], ij. Barnes, moderator ; Mathew Gault, clerk ; Thomas i; I i_ Ml llinim Brown, John P. Rowell, selectmen ; for Governor ; s ii/iu-l iMn-iJiMre, 104; and 5 scattering; Mathew Gault, representative; luiia (iile, tax collector. 1834.— Philip Jones, moderator ; Mathew Gault, clerk ; Philip Jones, John P. Rowell, Retype Mitchell, selectmen ; for Governor: William Badger, 111 ; Foster Gowns, 2 ; Mathew Gault, representative ; Henry Moulton, treasurer ; Manly H. Brown, tax collector. 1835.— Amos C. Gale, moderator; Seth K. Jones, clerk ; Mathew Gault, Retyre Mitchell, Hiram Austin, selectmen; for Governor: William Badger, 86 ; Joseph Healey, 48 ; Mathew Gault, representative ; Henry Moulton, treasurer; Isaac C. Otterson, tax collector. 1836.— Amos C. Gale, moderator ; Seth K. Jones, clerk ; Mathew Gault, Hiram Austin, Thomas R. Taggart, selectmen ; Thomas R. Tag- gert, representative; for Governor: Isaac Hill, 88; scattering, 11; Setli K. Jones, treasurer ; Isaac C. Otterson, collector. 1837.- Mathew Gault, moderator ; Seth K. Jones, clerk ; Thomas R. Taggart, Mathew Gault, Hiram Brown, selectmen ; for Governor: Isasic Hill, 50 ; Frederick G. Stark, 19 ; Thomas R. Taggart, representative ; Seth K. Jones, treasurer ; Isaac C. Ottereon, collector. 1838. — Richard U. Ayer, moderator; Seth K. Jones, clerk; Thomas R. Taggart, William H. Mitchell, Joseph Blanchard, selectmen; Seth K. Jones, representative ; Seth K. Jones, treasurer ; Isaac C. Otterson, col- 1839.— Richard H. Ayer, moderator ; Seth K. Jones, clerk ; Thomas R. Taggart, William H. Mitchell, selectmen ; for Governor : John Page, 134; James Wilson, 72 ; Seth K. Jones, representative ; Richard H. Ayer, treasurer ; Isaac C. Otterson, collector. 1840.— Richard H. Ayer, moderator ; Seth K. Jones, clerk ; Thomas R. Taggart, Isaac C. Otterson, John P. Rowell, selectmen ; for Gov- ernor : John Page, 113 ; Enoa Stevens, 53 ; Richard H. Ayer, repre- sentative and treasurer; Isaac C. Otterson, collector. 1841.— Richard H. Ayer, modeiutor ; Seth K. Jones, clerk ; Thomas R. Taggart, Isaac C. Ottei-son, Eri Poor, selectmen; for Governor : John Page, lOG ; Enus Stevens, G2 ; Rirhard H. Ayer, representative ; Seth K. Jones, treasurer; Isaac C. Otterson, collector. 1842.— Nathaniel Ambrose, moderator ; Seth K. Jones, clerk ; Isaac C. Otterson, Eri Poor, Henry Saltmarsh, selectmen ; for Governor: Henry Hubbard, 95 ; Enos Stevens, 52; John H. White, 30 ; Hiram Austin, representative; Seth K. Jones, treasurer; Isaac C. Otterson, col- 1843.— George W. F. Converse, moderator ; Amos G. Gale, clerk ; Henry Saltmareh, Benjamin J. Gile, William Parker, selectmen ; for Governor: Henry Hubbard, 80 ; John H. White, 50 ; Anthony Colby, 68 ; Richard H. Ayer, representative; Samuel Head, treasurer. " Voted to purchase the Jabez Green farm for two thousand dollars." 1844. — George W. F. Converse, moderator ; Amos G. Gale, clerk ; Thomas R. Taggart, George W. F. Converse, Samuel Melvin, selectmen ; for Gover- nor: John H. Steele, 129; Anthony Colby, 57 ; John .H. White, 14 ; i K. Ayer, moderator ; Amos G. Gale, clerk ; Thomas rge W. F. Converao, Isaac Lewis, selectmen ; for Gov- Steele, 114 ; Anthony Colby, 65 ; William H. Mitchell, Samuel Head, Jr., treasurer; John H. Mitchell, col- 1846.— .Tosoph Blanchard, moderator ; Mathew Gault, clerk ; Eri Poor, Isaac Lewis, Jesse Gault, Jr., selectmen ; for Governor : Jared W. Williams, 134 ; Anthony Colby, 73 ; N. S. Bony, 20 ; Samuel Head, Jr., treasurer; John H. Mitchell, collector. " 7o(erf not to send representa- tive." 1847. — John Marshall, moderator; for Governor: J. W. Williams, 159; Anthony Colby, 84; William H. Mitchell, representative; Seth K. Jones, clerk; Mathew Gault, Stephen Kimbull. (moi-.- W. Davis, select- men ; Roger Dutton, treasurer ; John I! ^i m r.i ii .:i. i.>r. 1848.— John Marshall; modeiutui ; i > i w . Williams, 1G6; N. S. Berry, 100 ; John H. Mh > ji ;iiM.';Soth K. Jones, clerk ; Mathew Gault, Stephen Knu ill, („ I'.ims, helectmen ; Roger Dutton, treasurer. 1849.— John Marshall, moderator ; Seth K. Jones, clerk ; John Mar- shall, John H. Mitchel!, Eri Poor, selertmen ; for Governor: Samuel Dinsmore, 160 ; T.--vi Oli;nni'fr!;thi -; - .t.lm U '\Trtrlinit. representa- tive ; SethK. .h')\' II ^ II I \ ill...- .■! \lii. I,. !■ . ..r. . lur. 1850.— .John .Mh . I I >i ,,.,,,,,, ,.„tative; f..r Governor: Samiir I hm-iii i., m.. ; l..\ i ih.Mni.. ) i.iin, >.,. ; Kri Poor, John L. Garland, Horace Cage. seleitnuMi ; 8eth K. Jnnes, treasurer ; Jesse Gault, Jr., clerk. On October 8, 1850, Jesse Gault, Jr., was elected a delegate to the convention to revise the Constitution. 1851.- .ln3oph Blanchard. moderator; for Governor: Samuel Dins- more, iji. , .1 .liii \iN\ i, 70; Thomas E. Sawyer, 69; George Thomp- son, M. i ■ ' ' i.M^ p. Ela, selectmen ; Jesse Gault, Jr., clerk ; Setli K I ;. Nathaniel Mitchell, collector; John Marshall, repreMiii.iii\. , ■ l / Mo pay the soldiers of the Eighth Company of infantrj' filly cents, and as returned by Captain Converee." 1852. — Joseph Blanchard, moderator ; for Governor: Noah Martin, 133; Thomas E. Sawyer, 68 ; John Atwood, 54 ; John Marshall, repre- sentative ; Mathew Gault, HoraceGage, Francis B. Watson, selectmen ; Seth K. Jones, clerk and treasurer ; Eri Poor, collector. 1853.— Horace Gage, moderator ; Nathan W. Gove, clerk; Jesse Gault, Jr., Samuel Head, Jr., Stephen Kimball, selectmen ; for Governor: Noah Martin, 123 ; John H. Whit«, 49 ; James Bell, 46 ; Joseph T. Gosb, treasurer ; Nathaniel Mitchell, collector ; Eri Poor, representative. 1854. — Joseph Blanchard, moderator; Savory T. Burbank, represen- tative; for Governor: X. B, Baki-r, 117; Janu-^Bell, .'m'; Jared Perkins, G5;N. W. Gov, I'-.. L- rh V .,..^^. \ II.m.I. Ilm.m Kimball, 1855.— Joseph i;; .. i i i i.,:i , . I. ik; Josei.h T. Goss, Nathani-I 1 1. ,..L 1 1 u .mh KiliImM, ..i. , nn. n , s. T. Burbank, representative ; for Goveruur : Ralph Metcalf, VK* ; Nathaniel B. Baker, 103 ; James Bell, 16 ; Asa Fowler, 10; Joseph T. Goss, treasurer ; May- hew Clark, collector. 1856.— Joseph Blanchard, moderator ; Roger A. Dutton, clerk ; John B. Hall, John W. Prescott, Mawhew Clark, selectmen ; Jesse Gault, representative; for Governor: John S.Wells, 139 ; Ralph Metcalf, 124 ; Joseph T. Goss, treasurer; Isaac Lewis, collector. 1857.— Joseph Blanchard, moderator ; John W. Prescott, clerk ; Joseph T. Goss, John W. Prescott, Enoch Johnson, selectmen ; voted not to send representative; for Governor: William Haile, 1.38 ; John S. Wells, 117 ; J. T. Goss, treasurer ; A. H. Converse, collector. 1858.— Joseph Blanchard, moderator ; John W. Prescott, clerk ; Samuel Head, William Shute, Enoch Johnson, selectmen ; J. T. Goss, treasurer ; A. H. Converse, collector ; Jesse Gault, representative ; for Governor: William Haile, 155 ; Asa P. Cate, 110. 1859.— Joseph Blanchard, moderator ; John W. Prescott, clerk ; Samuel Head, William F. Head, Henry Saltmarsh, selectmen ; Joseph T. Goss, representative ; for Governor: Ichabod Goodwin, 129; Asa P. Cate, 99 ; Joseph T. Goss, treasurer. 1860. ^esse "Gault, moderator ; John W. Prescott, clerk ; Samuel Head, William F. Head, Henry Saltmarsh, selectmen ; Joseph T. Goss, representative ; for Governor : Ichabod Goodwin, 132 ; Asa P. Cate, 106 ; Joseph T. Goss, treasurer ; Isaac C. Otterson, collector. 1861.— Jesse Gault, moderator; John W. Prescott, clerk ; Jesso Gault, William Sanborn, Nathaniel Mitchell, selectmen ; Nathaniel Head, representative ; Joseph T. Goss, treasurer ; Isaac C. Otterson, collector ; for Governor : N. ^. Berry, 102 ; George Stark, 97. HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. 18G2. — Joseph Blancbard, moderator; Poor, William Suiil~.in, Cli^irl.s \V, .I:iiiie Robie, clerk ; Eri ; Thomas J. Otter- iriii'l Head, repre- i.nU, 87. 1863.— .Imb^ii I:;., ,, I , \ i;"i.ii-, clerk ; John L. Gai-lau'l, i' \v - II mv I'l^ni -. i,, inn-n ; Thomas W. Nicholson, representative; I'm- 1 \| 1 't I',.. I \ Kimball, selectmen ; Amos G. Prescott, n.|.Tv.. „i,,i,, ,1 ,K.|,]iG. Sinclair, Kill; F. Smyth, 119; ..rge I . ■ . .1 ■ - • • - l.'Ml.ie, clerk ; Eri Poor, .John \s I I i, 1 M :,:,, I :.M Norris C. Gault, 125 ; Daniel M". Garland, eullcctor ; Geurge 11. L. Head, treasurer. 1868.— J. Blaiichard, moderator ; George A. Robie, clerk ; John W. Prescott, A. W. Prescott, J. F. Putnam, selectmen ; B. J. Gile, repre- sentative ; for Governor: J. G. Sinclair, 135 ; W. Harriman, 157 ; J. T. Goss, treasurer ; A. F. Davis, collector. 1809. — Joseph Blancbard, moderator ; George A. Robie, clerk ; J. F. Putnam, R. L. Pingree, J. H. Mitchell, selectmen ; B. J. Gile, repre- sentative ; for Governor : John Bedel, 101 ; Onslow Stearns, 134 ; H. B. Otterson, treasurer; Henry H. Gile, collector. 1870. — Joseph Blancbard, moderator ; George A. Robie, clerk ; J. F. Putnam, R. L. Pingree, J. H. Mitchell, selectmen ; H. B. Otterson, treasurer ; H. E. Robie, collector ; W. F. Head, representative ; for Governor : John Bedel, 77 ; Onslow Stearns, 142. 1871.— J. H. Mitchell, moderator ; George A. Robie, clerk ; R. L. Pin- gree, J. H. Mitchell, A. T. Martin, selectmen ; W. F. Head, represen- tative ; for Governor: James Pike, 102 ; James A. Weston, 135 ; H. E. ILiliii', collector; H. B. Otterson, treasurer. 1S7J.— X.athaniel Head, moderator ; Seth Mitchell, clerk ; Jesse Gault, A. \V, Prescott, D. A. Kimball, selectmen ; George A. Robie, representa- tive ; for Governor: J. A. Weston, 122 ; E. A. Straw, 158 ; H. B. Otter- son, treasurer ; H. E. Robie, ;collector. 1873. — Nathaniel Head, moderator ; George A. Robie, clerk ; Jesse Gault, A. W. Prescott, D. A. Kimball, selectmen ; H. B. Otterson, treasurer ; Henry E. Robie, collector ; George A. Robie, representative ; for Governor : J. A. Weston, 112 ; E. A. Straw, 142. lN7t.~Nathunii-I Head, moderator; B. A. Ham, clerk ; George A. HmI I. |i \ K fiiii ill, A. Y. Martin, selectmen ; H. B. Otterson, treas- 111. I! II ' II. rtur ; Hiram Kimball, representative: for Gov- .|. I . > i, 1 1 7 ; Luther McCutchions, 143. I-. \iii. i Iliad, moderator ; for Governor: P. C. Cheney, 179 ; n. B. Roberts, 131 ; H. Kimball, representative ; B. A. Ham, clerk ; George A. Robie, D. A. Kimball, A. F. Davis, selectmen ; H. H. Gile, collector ; H. B. Otterson, treasurer. 1870. — Nathaniel Head, moderator ; for Governor: Daniel Marcy, 122 ; P. C. Cheney, 193 ; B. A. Ham, clerk ; Samuel Head, representative ; George A, Robie, A. F. Davis, M. L. Whitney, selectmen ; H. B. Otter- son, treasurer; H. H. Gile, collector. 1877.— Nathaniel Head, moderator; James W. Convei-se, clerk; Samuel Head, representative ; George A. Robie, M. L. Whitney, J. S. Cole, selectmen ; H. B. Otterson, treasurer ; II. H. Gile, collector ; for i;..v.rn.ir; B. F. Pnsintt, ISC; Daniel Many, '.15. I.anti7, treasurer ; Joseph O. Ingalls, representative ; for Governor : George D. Dodge, 14 ; Fiauk lunes, 120; Charles H. Bell, 168. 1881.— Jess,, i: III, I III I Hi.-liard A. Lantrj-, clerk; M. L. Ot- terson, R. IV N V I .' ■ V, selectmen ; R. A. Lantry, collector. 1882.^Je!-. I . r K. A. Lantry, clerk and treasurer; George A. Kill ii, I: I: Ni ii I 1 1 use, selectmen ; R. A. Fass, collector; Nathaniel Clark, ni.res.ntati v.- ; for Governor: Samuel W. Hale, 119 : M. V. B. Edgerly, 104. 1883.— Edwin Pronk, moderator; R. A. Lantry, clerk and treasurer; R. B. Neal, Edwin Pronk, James Huse, selectmen ; R. B. Fass, col- 1884.— Edwin Pronk, moderator ; R. A. Lantry, clerk and treasurer ; Edwin Pronk, N. C. Gault, E. G. Libby, selectmen ; R. B. Pass, col- lector ; Josiah Clark, representative ; for Governor : Moody Currier, 191 ; J. M. Hill, 93 ; L. D. Mason, 13. 1885.— Edwin Pronk, moderator ; R. A. Lantry, clerk and treasurer ; Edwin Pronk, E. G. Libby, E. J. Robie, selectmen ; W. II. Otterson, collector. CHAPTER II. IIOOKSETT— (Co«/i,i»erf\ ECCLESIASTICAL. The Congregational Church was the first es- tablished society in town, but Methodism was proba- bly preached by itinerant ministers at as early a date. Early in the history of the first settlers of our locality church privileges were enjoyed only by traveling a long distance to Chester, Dunbarton or Pembroke. As early as 1770, Samuel Martin, Daniel Martin, John Martin, Caleb Dalton and Daniel Foster had their parish rates given in on account of living so far from the meeting-house. This was an important reason, prior to the formation of the town, for its incorporation. Rev. Joseph A. E. Long first minis- tered to the people of Hooksett in the year 1824. He held meetings in different places in town, at periods up to the year 1828. He then being called very eloquent, and in the capacity of an evangelist, was instrumental in forming a sentiment to organize a Congregational Society. Bo, accordingly, on Janu- ary 22, 1828, an organization was perfected. The following proceedings occurred at the council : "Hooksett, Jan. 22, IS2.'i. "At an Ecclesiastical Council, convened by virtue of letters from sev- eral individuals in Hooksett for the purpose of taking into considenitiun the expediency of organizing a church of the Congregational order iti this place. "Present: Rev. Abraham Burnham, Josiah Kittredge, delegates from church in Pembroke ; Rev. Roger C. Hatch, from church in Hop- kinton ; Rev. William R. Talhert, Elder Foster Towns, from church in Nottingham West ; Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, Rev. Nathaniel Abbott, fi-om church in Concord ; Rev. Henry Wood, Elder Jonathan .\iken, from church in Goflstown. Nathaniel Head, 193 ; D. A. Kimball, representative. 1879.^e8se Gault, moderator ; J. W. Converse, clerk ; B. A. Ham, A. T. Martin, M. L. Whitney, selectmen; H. B. Otterson, treasurer; R. B. Fass, collector. 1880. — Jesse Gault, moderator ; J. W. Converse, clerk ; B. A. Ham, A. T. Martin, M. L. Wllitney, solectnien ; R. B. Fass, collector ; R. A. I ..I .|iM,ii--i. I ii. 11.1. II II..III III. . Iiiii. Ii III Weld, Mrs. Zeliial] anil Miss Jleliitable Hersey l.resented a letter of and recommendation from the church in Dunbarton. Sarah Head and Mary Otteraon communicated their Christian experience in writing. Susan Moulton expressed the reasons of her hope in Christ and Arria Mitchell did the same. Whereupon, ' Vottd, unanimously, that it is expedient to embody the above individuals into a church of Christ." " Agreeably to the foregoing vote, the above-named iinlividuiils were acknowledged as a regularly consti- tuted Church of Christ in connection with the follow- ing exercises. Hymns were sung and prayer offered by the Rev. Mr. Hatch. Sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Bouton from Acts ii. 47. Confession of faith and covenant administered by Rev. Mr. Burnham ; the fellowship of the church expressed by him. Tlu' Rev. Mr. Talbot offered the concluding prayer. " ]'<)lrd, that the council be dissolved." It was voted by the above council that J. A. E. Long act as modera- tor of the church. The following members composed the church at its organization who subscribed to the Articles of Faith and Covenant: Roger Button^ Susan Moul ton, Sarah Head, Zebiah Hersey, M. Her- sey, Mary Ottersou, Arria Mitchell, Mrs. Poor, all of whom have since deceased. The following have since been admitted : 1S28.— Feb. 15, Nancy Towns by profession ; Feb. 17, Eachel Button and Rebecca Batchelder by profession ; Feb. 23, Marj- Sawj-er by profes- sion ; Mar. 29, Hugh Taggart, Elizabeth Taggaii. 1 > I- li i , Ihim Jl, .Toanna Saltmarsh, Sally Sawyer, by letter; Autr, ; ' I: \^ ' r. Phebe Hawee, and Eunice Kimball by letter; C»i t. - ^l M . < il. h Johnson, Jason Johnson and Foster Townes, by Irtii I , h _-, \i.u-;i- ret Brown and .\una Poor by letter, and Hannah Ipliani by pr..fissi,in. 1829. — Hannah Taggart by profession ; Joseph Blauchard, Polly Blanchord, died July 4, 1843 ; April 26,; Dolly Ames, died Aug. 3, 1829; June 28, Nathan Kimball, excommunicated, and Maria Davis, Mary Abbott Austin and Ann Brown ; July 25, John Osgood and Mary Osgood, by letter. 1830.— April 25, Sarah Brown, died April 3, 1831, Hiram Brown and Mary Brown ; June 25, Sally Head ; June 27, Ruth Baker ; Oct. 24, Dolly Whittier and Dollof. 1831. — April 24, Nancy Bradley Cleasby ; Sept. 4, Martha Otterson. 1832. — Jotham D. Otterson. 1833.— Jan. (i, Malvina Straw, Sophronia Tucker and Clharles Bayles and Harriet Bayles. 183G.— Hazeu Saltmarsh ; Nov. 5, Mrs. Hazen Saltmarsh, died Jan. 17, 1855. 1837. — July 14, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Simpson, letter from church in Dorchester, N. H. ; Oct. C, Calvin Guild, Jr., letter from church in Uxbridge, Mass., and Margaret Guild, letter from church in Ux- bridge, Mass ; Oct. 13, Parla P. Warren, letter from church in Na.shua, N. H. 1838.— June 3, Willis Ann Chase, died ; An Parker. 1839.— Feb. 10, Mra. Mary Ann Gage ; Mar. 3, Charles Gault and wife, by letter from church in W'est Parish, Concord. 1844. — April, Nancy Whittemore, by letter from Lowell, Mass. 1846.— Aug. 29, James W. Perkins and wife, by letter from Warner, N. H. ; James Putnam and wife, by letter from Goflstown ; Mrs. Sam- uel Noyes, by letter from Pembroke ; Oct. 30, Charles A. Daniels, by letter from FrankUn, Mass. ; Mrs. Nugul, by letter truin .Vlexandria. 1847.— Jan. 1, Mrs. Charles A. Diiui. 1- l\ i li i h .m Pembroke; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ballard, by lei I. \ I i>s. 1848.— Feb. 17, Mr. and Mrs LutheiM I i i : ,i mAmoskeag; Miss E. Shedd, by letter from New V.il. , I . i. ji, Mrs. .Tulia Ann Head, by letter from liowell, Mass., Sirs. Sarah Sultmui-sh and Miss Abigail L. Goss ; May 14, Mrs. Jabez Green, by letter from Pembroke ; Mrs. Lydia S. Goss, by letter from Winchendon, Mass.; Mrs. Ann l^rown, by letter from Amoskeag ; June 25, Miss Mary M'hinden ; July - Miss Nancy Brown, by letter from Milton, Vt. I vMi.— Mar. 10, Mr. J. C. Gile ; July 14, E. A. Saltmarsh. l^'.-J,— Mr. and Mrs. Edwin A. Russel ; May 2, Mr. and Mrs. John Dnua, Miss Anna M. Eastman, Jane Whidon, Elizabeth B. Saltmarsh and Rebecca \V. Saltmarsh. 1856. — .Ian. 5, Wm. Forbes and wife, by letter from Oakham, Blaas. ; Thomas M. Bacon and wife, by letter from Franklin, JIass. ; July 6, Martha Noyes ; Nov. 9, Elizabeth Converse. 1857.— Mary Young, by letter from Dcerfield, N. II. ; Jlay 3, Mrs. Mrs. Phirbo J. Ku 1802.— Sept. 7, Mrs. Lucy A. Morgan. 1SG3.— Oct. 30, Mr. and Mrs. James P. Kla, by letter from Mi'tliodiM Church in town. 1804,— Mr. and Mrs. William 0. Gordon, from church in Danbury. 1866. — May 6, A. Burnham and wife, from Haverhill, Mass. ; Nov. 2, Mra. Sarah M. Russel, from Chichester. 1872.— March 18, Mrs. Susan G. Goss and Mrs. .Mai7 B. Otterson, from church in Chichester. 1S8U. — July 1, Mrs. Persis Ciiurch and Mra. Sarah Pronk, from Campton, N. H. ; Sept. 2, Mrs. Eliza Sykcs, IVoci JIaiiclR-stcr, N. 11. ; Sept. 12, EH Walker; Nov. 4, W. H. (ni.i .m, limii rlmivl, m w ,.>i Concord ; Mi-s. Ida W. Lakin, from chill, h m I'liiii.M, s II , \ Ordway, Nellie Gordon, Lucy Hammoui I :ui 1 Mi .1 w li. ...it. p.. 30, Mr. Pierce Porter, Frank II. Colby, -Mi.s. ^.uuh 11. urau,i.\, .N.mtj (.'. Converse, Mary C. Walker, Nettie M. Colby, Nettie K. Jouus, Nora .11. Kimball and Lizzie E. Thompson. 1881.— March 3, Charles A. Tenney, letter from Nashua; Mrs. Emery Austin, letter from Henniker ; Mrs. Lizzie J. Tenney, Miss Lydia J. Wyman, Miss Myra J. Gordon and Miss Nancy C. Rowell ; April 28, Eben C. Chase ; July 3, Maria A. Clark. 1883.— Mrs. F. E. Stevens ; April 29, John C. Kolline and Mis. M. L. 1884.— Jan. 0, Orrin J. Prescott and wife, Mrs. Eben J. Bucket ; July 6, Miss Susan C. Eowell ; Sept. 7, Rosetta M. Ordway and Angelina D. Mitchell, from church in Manchester ; W'infield S. Head, Mr. and Mrs. Mr. L. Otterson, Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Towle, Mrs. Julia A. Hazeltine, Mrs. Ruth Head, Mr. Henry Otterson and Mr. Geo. A. Lakin. All the above is a complete record, as far as can be ascertained, of the membership of the Congrega- tional Church since its formation. Of the clergymen who have ministered to the church a full account cannot be given. Sometimes, at periods intervening between the resignations and ordinations of differ- ent pastors, the pulpit was supplied for a year or less by clergymen of whom there is no record. The first clergyman was the Rev. J. A. E. Long. He was born in Amesbury, Mass., and was a son of Nathan Long. He graduated at Harvard College in 1818, and afterwards at the Cambridge Divinity School ; was ordained as an evangelist in Kensing- ton, N. H., in April, 1822. After preaching a year he removed and labored as an evangelist in different places, and quite successfully in Hooksett a few years prior to the formation of the Congregational Church, when he was accepted as a settled jireacher. He was in Lyman, Me., in 1836, and afterwards la- bored a short time in Kensington. He afterwards settled in Hooksett, and for a number of years was a conspicuous person, known as "Priest Long." Many people living can relate pleasing anecdotes of his suave temperament, polished manner and somewhat eccentric habits. He died suddenly in 1859, leaving a wife, son and daughter. His widow is now living at the age of eighty-seven, in Chelsea, Mass. Mr. Long wa-s succeeded by Rev. Charles Boyter. Mr. Boyter was a missionary and was first installed at Springfield, N. H.. in June, 1828. After preaching there two years, he preached at difterent parts until his location in Hooksett, in 1833, where he labored until 183-5. He afterwards preached in Acworth, X. H. April 30, IS.i-'), Rev. Humphrey 372 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Moore was ordained as pastor, and acted until 1836. He afterwards preached in Merrimack, Amherst, Greenfield. He was succeeded by Rev. W. C. Green- lief, iu 1837, and he, in 1838, by Rev. S. E. Jewett, who preached an indefinite period with some other cler- gymen of whom no record is made. On the last Sabbath of February, 1846, Rev. James W. Perkins commenced his labors. August 30, 1846, the present house of worship was dedicated. It was erected this year by contributions, the largest contributors being Samuel Head and wife. The Rev. Mr. Perkins labored until 1848. He preached in Francestown in 1844 ; in Alstead, 1846 ; Hillsborough in 1852, where his health gave out June 16, 1852. Rev. John Lawrence became pastor in 1848. He ministered to the people until 1850. Mr. Lawrence is still living at an old age iu Cambridge, Mass. On December 5, 1850, Rev. J. W. Tarlton was ordained. Mr. Tarlton was a son of William and Comfort (Wallace) Tarlton; was born in Epsom, N. H., February 19, 1817 ; prepared for college at Homer, N. Y. ; gradu- ated at Dartmouth College, 1842; teacher in Boston 1842-44 ; student at Yale Theological Seminary two years and Andover Theological School one year. He was without charge at Boston, Mass., 1855-68, and Watertown, Mass., from 1868 till death. Sometimes en- gaged in evangelistic labors, and acting pastor at North Chelsea (Revere), two years. Married, February 3, 1854, Betsey Dutton, daughter of Deacon Roger and Rachel (Sawyer) Dutton, of Hooksctt, N. H. Died in Watertown, of congestion of the liver and lungs, February 27, 1883, aged sixty -six years. Rev. William Forbes was ordained November 8, 1855, and was supported until May 2, 1857, when he sent in his resignation, but continued to serve until December 23, 1858, when he was dismissed. He afterwards preached in Deerfield. Mr. Forbes was succeeded by the Rev. E. H. Caswell, who occupied the pulpit one year, until May 31, 1860, when he ceased his labors. On July 8, 1860, Rev. Marvin Leffingwell commenced to supply the pulpit ; after preaching two years Sab- baths, was engaged for one year. Mr. Leffingwell preached until the year 1865. During this time he strongly advocated the cause of the Union in the pulpit and out. He was succeeded by Rev. A. Burn- ham, who jierformed the duties of pastor from July 16, 1865, until March 31, 1872. Mr. Burnham was a devoted Christian, a thorough scholar, and his memory is indelibly imjjrinted on the minds of many who live in Hooksctt. He died a few years ago in West Stewartstown, N. H. The church was supplied by diflerent preachers until the year 1873, when the Methodist and Congregational Churches were united. This departure wns fdllowivl In- nn ora of great suc- cess, whenchun-li nnih i~ :iihl ;iii( inhiiice were greatly enhanced. Thr • '■nm. L;,iiiMii:ili-t in.inbers earnestly acquiesced in supimrliiii;' Mrlliudial preachers. The Rev. J. E. Robbins was the fii-st pastor under the new order of things, he serving until 1876 with great success. Mr. Robbins has preached in Plymouth, Lebanon and Portsmouth since, and is now presiding elder in the Claremont District. The next Was Rev. B. W. Chase (Methodist), who served one year, after- wards j)reaching in Sunapee and the West. Mr. Chase was succeeded by Rev. S. G. Kellogg (Metho- dist), three years. Rev. Mr. Kellogg is a distinguished minister, has been presiding elder, and since has preached in Marlow three years, and is now at Suna- pee, N. H. The next call was made to Rev. Charles H. Taintor (Congregationalist). Mr. Taintor preached in Weare, N. H., one year, before locating in Hook- sett, and prior to that period was an evangelist. Mr. Taintor's administration, from 1880 to 1882, was a fruitful one. He labored with much zeal and earnest- ness. The records show more accessions of new members by profession than under any administration of his predecessors. His estimable wife was an earnest colaborer in the cause. Mr. Taintor, after deliberate consideration was very pronounced and earnest, and he did much towards shaping and perfecting the affairs and records of the Congregational Church. Mr. Taintor was called to Milford, N. H., where he labored with his usual success for two years. He is now secretary of the Congregational Church Building Society in the West, with headquarters at Chicago. Mr. Taintor was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Rollins, who commenced to supply the pulpit in November, 1882. He was previously located in Webster two years, supplying the Methodist Episcopal Church. In June, 1883, he received a call from the Union Church to set- tle with them as their pastor, being ordained and in- stalled June 27, 1883. Rev. C. W. Wallace, D.D., preached the sermon. In the words of one of the council, "the examination was more than satis- factory.'' During ^Mr. Rollins' term the church was remodeled inside and out at an expense of about fifteen hundred dollars, and before the close of his work every cent of debt of church, society and Sunday- school was paid in full. Mr. Rollins was called to the pa.storate of the Milford Church December, 1884, and was installed February 27, 1885. Mr. Rollins' service in Hooksett was successful, displaying rare talent as a preacher of power and worth. His ministrations in Milford are successful, and large congregations assemble to hear his brilliant pleadings. Since the building of the church numerous improvements have been made. A bell was given the church in the year 1852 by a number of contributors. In the year 1879, Deacon Hiram Austin, Martin L. Otterson and Frank C. Towle were appointed trustees to receive a legacy of five hundred dollars bequeathed to the church by Mary Young. In the year 1882, Jabez Green presented a deed to the society of the parsonage lot and building, valued at about fifteen hundred dollars; also, Mrs. Jabez Green, the same year, donated a silver communion service, costing seventy- five dollars. These monuments of philanthropy speak praises to the noble benefactors, who are still living :{7;{ at this time. The following ilraiims have sorveci the church : Roger Diitton, Hush ragninl, l.iilhor Shedd, Hiram Austin, Sfartiti L. Oltrrson. Methodist Church.— The earliest reeollectiou of Methodist ]ireacliing was between the years 1820- 30. An (Jrlhodox sentiment had been established before any organization took pbicc in the Methodist creed. Methodism, with its customs and forms of worsliip, in the olden times, was somewhat generally ridiculed by believers in Ortbodo.xy and I'resby- terianisni. \ healthy senlinienl had generally become aroused in the Methodist faith, and a large society was organized. The first preaching that wa.s regularly sustained was held in the brick building now owned by George A. Colby. It was then owned by Hall & Rowe. Afterwards meetings were held in the hall of the old tavern-stand, now the residence of Widow M'alter B. Jones. After the town-house was built, in 1828, the inside was fitted with pews, and a great many came into possession of members of the Metho- dist Society. As there was no accessible record, a complete history of the society cannot be given. In the year 18.S1, Rev. Orlando Hinds was the pastor. In the year 18.32, Rev. Nahum Howe supplied the church. Again, in the year 1835, Rev. Mr. Hinds sui^ilicd the puljiit. The church was for a number of years sui)plied from the Methodist Episcopal College at Concord. In the year 185(5 there was a great re- ligious revival, conducted by a man by the name of Fox. Many accessions to the church membership took place during this period. In the early history of the church Rev. James Pike supplied the pulpit for two years. While he acted as pastor a camp-meeting was held in the woods formerly standing on the tVirm of the late Thomas N. Head. It was an important event at that time. In the records, of which there are only some fragments to be found, the names of the following persons asi' members of the board" appear: Alvah Colby, George Davis, Nathaniel Mitchel, C. H. Wheeler, J. R. Hall, Simeon Batchelder, Sum- ner Ordway, Josiah Prescott. In 1857, Joseph Scott and Gilbert H. Winans supplied the church with forty-three members. In 1858, preacher in charge, Rev. Truman Caster ; membership, sixty-three. In ISGO, Rev. Charles H. Vinton, pastor; member- shij), .sixty-seven. In 1862, Rev. C. R. Haman, pastor; membership, fifty-four. In 1863, Rev. Jos. T. Hand, pastor; in 1864, S. Donaldson, pastor ; in 1870-71, Rev. H. H. Hartwell, pastor ; in 1872-73, Rev. C. W. Taylor, pastor. In the year 1873 the Methodists joined with the Congregationalists and formed a Union Society. On May 18, 1885, Rev. N. M. Learned, late of Los Angeles, C'al. (Methodist), was engaged to supply the Union Church in Hooksett for one year. He is now the acting pastor, and has met with a kind reception. TTniversalist Society. — There was no regular or- ganized society of the Universalists until the year 1858. There were meetings held previously, and such noted clergymen as Rev. Silvanus Cobb and Rev. i 24 I'hilip Brooks have [ireachcd herein Hookseltin earlier days. The first regular settled pjistor was the Key. Samuel Thompson. He was a native of Nova Scotia, and was a preacher of ability. He resided in town until 1863. The meetings were held in the company's hall. The composition of the society embraced many of the best people in town. Mr. Thompson had two sons, who enlisted in the War of the Rebellion, and were credited to this town. There are many residents who arc firm believers in the Universalist creed, but wor- ship with other sectarian denominations. Adventism. — The Advent doctrine has been preach- ed in town about thirty years. In the year 1858 there were a few people in town who prepared for the second coming of Christ. There is no organized so- ciety, but preaching has been held publicly in halls, school-houses and groves in different sections of the town. Many remember the local expounders of this doctrine in the persons of Enoch Holt and wife, Or- lando Marshall and wife, and, at the present time, Daniel C. Elliott and others. The Bible is their study, and passage alter passage can be repeated by the fol- lowers of this religious belief. Catholic— There is no Catholic Church in town, but there is an estimated population of over six hun- dred who are followers of this faith. About two miles from Hooksett village is a Catholic Church. It is in the limits of Allenstown, more properly called (South Side) Suncook. In the erection of this church, the expense was approximately borne by the Catholic l)eople in this town. Since the establishment of this church the moral standard has improved, and the \vh(de community is more law-abiding. Physicians.— The first regular doctor who resided within our boundaries before the formation of the town was Dr. John Dustin, who lived at Martin's Ferry in 1775. His widow lived there in 1818. He was a physician of some note, and traveled considerably to find pa- tients. The next of whom there is any record was Dr. Samuel Huston. He located some time before the town was incorporated, about the year 1817. He had an office in the house of Hon. Richard H. Ayer, and lived in his family. He continued to practice, with great succe.ss, until 1824. After the town was incor- porated, in 1822, there arose two political factions in the dominant party, called the Ayer and Hall factions. Dr. Huston was an active supporter of Ayer, but through some family trouble he left the house of Ayer and went to William Hall's to live. In the mean time he supported Hall. This bitterness of feeling was carried into politics with much earnest- ness, which created family fetuls. Scandalous reports were soon circulated about an irregular intimacy be- tween Huston and Hall's wife. One morning the fire of the Hall family became extinguished, and as it was the custom in those days to borrow fire, a member went to the house of Henry Moulton to procure the same. A feeling of hatred existed previously between the families. A nephew, whose name was Moulton, who HISTOKV (IK MKKItlMACK COUNTY, NEW HAM lltK. W!is a blacksmith, nccosted the borrower of the lire with the insinujition that Dr. Huston was paying too many attentions toMr. Hall's wife. This was immediate- ly reported to the Hall family. Soon afterwards William Hall, Dr. Hu.ston and iSamuel Roach and other mem- bers of tlie family repaired tothe Moulton blacksmith- shop, armed with hoop-poles, to castigate him for cir- culating such stories. A bloody fight ensued, when more than a dozen men became involved. No lives were lost, but .some serious flesh-wounds were made. The result of this fight ended with a complicated law- suit between the Moultons and Halls. The Halls were embarrassed financially by this litigation, and quietly, iu the year 1824, the Halls, Dr. Huston and Samuel Roach disappeared, and were uot heard from afterwards. Jt is supjjosed that they emigrated to Ohio. This ended the most noted family fight that has ever occurred in Hook.sett. Dr. Samuel Huston was called a skillful ])hysician, with a fine physique, aftii- ble iu manner, and in the ))rime of manhood when living in town al that time. The next regular physi- cian was Dr. Asa Sawyer. He was born in Sandown, N. H., and educated at the Atkinson Academy, and studied nii'iliiiiir willi Dr. Amos Gale, of Kingston. He conniiciHcd to |,niclice in Dillsburg, Pa. He practiced there liftteu years, selling out his practice, and came to Hooksett with a competence, and bought the McCounell farm in How, on the River road, after- wards purchasing the Hall land in Hooksett. He afterwards purchased the Merrill place, in Pembroke, where he moved to educate his children. He went into business in Pittsfield a short time. He then moverl to Keysville, N. Y., where he was engaged in the brewery business, when he died about the year 185!). Dr. Enoch B. Barnes practiced in Hooksett until the year 1834. He was a successfiil practi- tioner. Dr. Barnes, like Dr. vSawyer, was a public- spirited man. He held many offices in the gift of the town. He married a daughter of Hon. Richard H. Ayer. A complete sketch could not be made, as in- formation regarding him could not easily be collected. Dr. A. B. Story practiced after Dr. Gale, in the years 1845-46, and was succeeded by Dr. Horace Gage. Dr. Amos G. Gale was the next established doctor. He was a son of Dr. Amos Gale, of Kingston, and was born in that town February 17, 1807. He was a grandson of Dr. Josiah Bartlett, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and one of the ear- liest (iovernors of New Hampshire after the adoption of the State Constitution. His grandfather on his paternal side was also a physician. For over one hundred yeais his ancestors were connected with the medical profession, and each of his four brothers were practitioncre. The subject of this notice studied medicine with his brother, Dr. Ezra Gale, of Kings- ton, and Dr. Levi B. Gale, of Boston, and took the degree of M.D. at the medical school connected with Dartmouth College. He commenced practice in Hooksett in 1833 and remained here until 1845. During his residence in town he married Mary Greene Ayer, a daughter of Hon. Richard H. Ayer. He removed to Manchester about the year 1846, where he was in active practice until his death. Dr. Gale while in Hooksett was beloved by all, was in- terested in town afiairs, was postmaster from 1833 to 1845, and was actively engaged in business with Mr. Ayer. The following appeared in the Daily American on January 25, 1861 : " Ah a physician, Dr. Gale wmt among the highest in rank, and wa« a vcrj' HucccBeful pnictiUoner. As a niun and a citizen, he was upright in all his dealings, and in all his intercourse with others he was remarkably simple in his manners and courteous to all, whatever might be their rank iu life. He was always ready to rosiHind to all reasonable demands ujion his gcncTOBity, unci tmdc .i livil.v int. rout in (lie pruhpi-rily and rop- !"■ ^' ■' '■■I"'-- ■ ' " • ■' II ..i I !■ . ■' t .11, rights, lii'i III I'll i.i-i 1' " > ■'■ ■■ ' ■ !■■ I- I',', i, •- • i.ri.,1 wiUi -i'l> I It. I, ^'. li.i... M ,1. ,. I Imjh from making a candid ;|\.'^^ il -I ill ...MM nil- II. II. \. I V. i-.h...l to be esteemed beyond it is but jiuitice to sjiy that our city hjw lost one of its most worthy citizens, and the poor and unfortunate a beucfactorand friend." Horace Gage, M.D., succeeded Dr. Gale about the year 1845. He was born in Hopkinton, N. H., Feb- ruary 14,1811. He was left an orphan at the early age of four years. He was bound out to farming a few years and then learned the wheelwright trade. He worked at this business a while in Lowell, Mass., then went on a voyage to the South ; was on a whale- ship. He had then a good common-school education, but on' his return from sea spent two years at the Hoi)kinton Academy and in teaching school. In 1835 he commenced the study of medicine; attended a course of lectures at the Berkshire Medical College ; also, in 1837, attended a course at the Cincinnati Medical College, and was in the hospitals in that city one year. He afterwards returned to Berkshire College and took another course of lectures and graduated in 1838. He then commenced to practice in Wilmot, N. H. ; afterwards settled in F2ast Weare. He settled in Hooksett in the year 1845, where he remained until his death, in the year 1875. He married Miss Louise Putney, of Duubarton, by whom he had one son, Horace P. Gage, now living. Dr. Gage was all his life a close student, and at the time of his death there were few better read medical men in the State. He was a sympathetic man, indu.strious, in politics a strong Democrat, and acquired a large practice, leaving a snug little fortune. During Dr. Gage's residence in town a number of physicians located for the purpose of business, but their stay was transient. On April 7, 1872, Dr. .Vlvah M. Dam opened an office in town. He wjis born at Springvale, Me., on February 10, 1851. Graduated at the University of New York (Medical Department) February 21, 1872. HOOKSETT. 375 He coiitiiiueil here until the fall of 1873. He was a native of Maine, and a young man of ability. He moved from here to Sutieook, where he gained a wide ! reputation as a teniperanee orator and agitator. He is now in business in Boston as manager of a medicine company. Ira H. Adams, M.D., bought out the practice of Dr. Dam, and commenced to practice in Hooksett November 17, 1S74. He was born in Pom- j fret, Windsor County, Vt., August 10, 1841J ; attended the common schools ; took a course of study at the ; State Normal School, Randolph, Vt. ; was licensed to teach in that State, and followed the business five years. He again entered school, as a pupil, at Kim- ball Union Academy, where he graduated in the class of 1872. He studied medicine with Hubert Sleeper, M.D., of Meriden, N. H.; also at the Dartmouth Medical College, from which he graduated in Novem- ber, 1874. He immediately commenced to practice in Hooksett, where he remained until March 15, 1882, when he moved to Derry Depot, N. H., where he is still in active practice. August 31, 1875, he was married to Louise S. Perley, of Lempster, N. H. They have two children born to them. Dr. Adams was public-spirited, took an interest in public schools and was a valuable man in the community. He has a large practice in Derry. Dr. Adams was succeeded by Francis D. Randall, M.D. Dr. Randall was a native of Deerfield, and was educated at the Pembroke and New Hampton Academies. He read medicine with Dr. E. S. Berry, of Candia, and grad- uated from the Burlington Medical College in 1880, He practiced in Deerfield one year, and located in Hooksett in March, 1882. He is considered a skillful physician, and promises to rank high in the medical fraternity. He married Fannie Prescott, of Deer- field. Schools. — Schoiils were suiiportcd as early as the exigencies of the times demanded. Long before the incorporation of the town, Chester amply supplied the inhabitants within her jurisdiction with school privileges. The early settlers in New England, as long back a.s November 11, 1047, enacted laws in the interest of schooling. In the year 1759 £10.00 was allowed for the expenses of a school in what is now District No. 1, in the selectmen's ac- cnuiits of the town of Chester. This was probably the first school established in our locality. In 177(1 Joseph Brown was paid £10 10«. for services as school teacher for what is now Hooksett (formerly Chester) In the year 1805 an act was passed authorizing towns to divide into school districts. In the town of Ches ter (in that part now Hooksett) Districts No. 18, 11 and 21 composed the districts that make now Nos. 1 2, 3 and 4 in Hooksett. The first school-house built in No. 1 wa.s probably erected in the year 1805, ami was burned in 1808. A tax was assessed of two hun dred and fifteen dollars, and the house was rebuilt in 1808. This building was burned in 1839, and a good brick one was built in its place, costing five humlred dollars. About the year 1845 the Factory District was made from No. 1, and a house built in 1848, cost- ing over five hundred dollars. This district was called No. 7. In 1858 another district was made from No. 1, called No. 9, and a house built at a cost of six hundred dollars. In the year 1872, Nos. 7, 9 and 5 were united, and a school building erected at a cost of seven thousand dollars. This includes the whole of Hooksett village. The old buildings were sold at auction, and afterwards fitted into private houses. The original school-house of No. 1 was torn down and a new one erecteil near the Hooksett Cemetery. The first house in No. 2 was built in the year 1808 at a cost of one hundred and eight dol- lars. Before that time there was a log school-house near Martin's Ferry that accommodated that part of Chester. In this district at the present time there is a convenient new building recently erected at a cost of about fifteen hundred dollars. In No. 3 a house was built in 1821. There have been two buildings burned in this district. At the present time a conve- nient house exists. On the west side of the river, near Hooksett Falls, the first school was kept in pri-, vate buildings. There was a school kept in the old "Locks "house a number of years. The family of Joshua Abbott, the first settler near the falls, had to travel by foot-path through the woods into the town of Bow for school privileges. After the town was in- corporated, Joseph Wilkins, of Suncook, deeded a piece of land for a school-house lot and a building was erected. This district was afterwards consoli- dated with Nos. 7 and 9, and formed the Village Dis- tricts. Nos. 5, 6 and 7, which now constitute the re- maining districts of the town, have commodious buildings. This territory was formerly Dunbarton and Goftstown. The estimated value of the school-houses and lots in town is thirteen thousand five hundrc Ha iiwli re \ ul 1 Dlcci il er '0 18G1 pr n t d serg ant 1 td of ^ HISTORY OF MKKRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. tered in Doceiiibcr 2U, 18C1 ; disclmrgcil i Francis Lakin, Company H, Eighth New Hampshire Volunteera, nms- terei] in December 31, 1861 ; Irauflferred to Veteran Reserve Corits May, . French, Company F, Eighth New Hampsllii u December 20, 1861 ■, discharged for ( Amos Baker, Company H, Eighth New Hampshire Volunteers, nn tered iu December 20, 1861 ; dibchnrged at Camp Kearney, La., Septei ber 12, 18C2-, also served in the Me.vican War ; died in Hookactt 1868. Hiimpshii Joseph St. John, Company H, Kightli N mustered in December 20, 1861. Samuel Poor, Company H, Second New Hampshire Volunteers, mus- tered iu June 5, 1861 ; promoted corporal ; captured at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863. Sullivan Silver, wagoner, Second New Hampshire Volunteers, mus- tered in June 1, 1861 ; discharged for disability July 10, 1861. Charles L. Tabor, Company C, Second New Hampshire Volunteers, mustered iu June 1, 1861 ; discharged Februarj- 4, 18G3. Horace Dearborn, Company C, Second New Hampshire Volunteers, mustered in June 1, 1861 ; dis. on account of wounds September 26, 1862. Woodbury Brooks, Company E, Second New Hampshire Volunteers, mustered in June 3, 1861 ; missing in action February, 1863. Daniels. Martin, Company H, S'-'-mthI \-.\v H:iiii[.sin're Volunteers, mustered in August 12, 1SG2; di. I I' ' i i- !'J Frederick Martin, Ck>mpany I :, I ;. . n Hu[...hire Volunteers, mustered in Si-iitcinJiiT IS, isr.l , t.. , i i , : ^ i mhi-r 27, l«t'.4. Jolin A :M.,.in,'' |..ui\ < )..i,iiL \ \> II iiii|..sbire Voluiiteei-s, ■.sliire Voluntooi-s, lisubility July 14, George H. Robertson, Company F, Fourth New Hampshire Vol mnstered in September 18, 1861 ; ro-onlistud February 17, 1804. Dennis Keafe, Company G, ered in September IS, 18111 ; ( Edwu Third New Harapshii nUod slightly May 14, 1 Allien l; '.--.;. ' nmstered iu .\ii;;ii...l J.l, 1 Joseph Oruiston, Comimny A, Third New Hampshire Volunteers, nms- tered in August 23, M, Teiitii New Hami>8liire Volunteers, September 1, 1802 ; died nt F.ilmouth, Va., January 2, npany D, Tenth New Hamiiahire Volunteers, nms- ripany D, Tenth New Ham]whire Volunteers, .Silvaims B. I'ntnam, Coini>any D, Tenth New Haniiahire Volunteers, nustered in September 1, 1862 ; wounded severely June 3, 1804. Silas T. Goodale, Company D, Tenth New Hami>shire Volnnteei-s, nustered in September 1, 1802 ; promoted sergeant ; wounded sevei'ely rune 3, 1864. John A. Hall, Company D, Tenth New Hampshire Volunteere, nuis- ered in September 1, 1862 ; promoted to fii-st sergeant ; killed in action lune 27, 1864. Iliihis K. George, t^ompany D, Tenth New Hampshire Volunteer>i, \* iiii i". H . ill , ill, Cc.mpaiiy D, Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers, w \l K II \ ' iiijuiny 11, Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers; cap- I'iiiil pericii. Tenlli New Hampshire Volunteers, Company D, mustered II September 1, 1862. Stephen Dunbar, (.'umpany D, Tenth New Hampshire Volunteere, imstored in .September 1, 1862; discharged for disability Nov. 27,1802. Lewis Terrier, Company D, Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers, iiius- ered in .September 1, 1862. William R. Kistnmn, Com]iany D, Tenth New Hampshire Volunteei-s, III! I i . I :,, J |,|. :„),, I 1, 1862 ; wounded severely May 16, 1864. \1 I ^1 ■ nii'iiny D, Tenth Now Hampshire Volunteers, mus- l.i I II r |.iiny D, Tenth New Hampshire Vcduuteers, li'! ^1 I ;: ' I' liiilh New nauipshire Vi.luntei'rs. rims- - II !i,iiL;ed for disability March 2:1, 1S0:{. • e, 1.1 ,i , i h l. nth New Hampshire Volunteers, mus- M i .. I , , . i:,,.,,.. Iv, Tenth New Hampshire Volunteei-s, mil. e. ;. a .1. .-. J 1. lulj. 1 __, l.M.j, wui.nded severely June 4, 1804. Warren G, liuwell. Company K, Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers, mustered in September 22, 1862. S, Stone Smith, Company H, Twelfth New Hampshire Volunteers, mustered in September 22, 1802, Otis B. Lincoln, Company H, Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers, mus- tered in September 4, 1862. HOOKSETT. 377 A. Eugeue Fisk, Tliirtoenlb Kfgiment Maaaacliusetts Volunteer John S. Wattles, Fourteenth Regiment Now Hampshire Volu Company H ; died at Poolesville, Md., January 11, 1803. John Bennett, Second New llampahi tered in November 13, 1S(>:J. John liavtlett. Second New llaninslii Miiber 13, 1S03 ; re Vdlunteerrt, rnnipany A, mus- ire Volnnteers, Company D, mufl- lune,3, 1804. le Volunteers, Company D, mus- pshire Volunteers, Company H, n- Volunteers, Company K, mus- iipshire Volunteer, Company F, .uii il. lU..ilv^, .N, ...ii.l ,Nci* lliimpshire Volunteel-s, Cnjnipany K, ■d in November 13, 18ti3 ; pi-omuted to corporal ; promoted to lieutenant Thirty-sixth United States Colored Troops, December \S illiam Smith, Second New Hampshire Volunteers, Company E. mus- tered in November 13, 18D3 ; discharged for disability September 7, :wm\ V'lwnrd Cltirk, Second New flampshi t.nd in January 1, ISM. -\lden G. George, Third New Ham]>shirc Volnnteei-s, Comp.any A, niiis tered in August Si, 1801; wounded slightly May 14, 1SG4 ; missing lu ' Volnnteers, Company B, lSfi4. w Hampshire Volunteers, Company H, mns- Ilampshire Volunteers, Company C, nnis- ■ " M ""I'-i \ '! ' i- Tompany E, I : . !■ i 1 t. 1SG2. > 1 1 r ' ,11 . \ il, ' , < '..mpany G, Peter White, Company D, Seventh New Hampshire Volunteers, mus- tered in August 19, 1863 ; missing at Olustee, Fla., February 20, 1864. Christopher Abbott, Company E, Eighth New Hampshire Yolunteei-s, mustered in September 1, 1863 ; captured at Sabine Cross-Koads. La., April 8, 1864 ; died of disease in hands of enemy. John Howard, Ouiiipany *', KJLiliIh New Hampshire Volunteers, mus- tered ill \n J II I I I I • ■ ;■(!!. I ill\ accounted for. Willi I - .1:1: hih New Hampshire Volunteers, Jiiiii. - I M III 111 [ l: I X.'w Ilimipshire Cavalry, mnster- ■■il ill .III I - I, i -111 , I i|i I li w III. liiMi r, Vh., AngristlT, 1864. rill,-.. .1 \\.iii,> Il I iin \ ; iiiri.-nt New Hampshire Il..iiv> \ l>, Xalli.iii h. L.r.' Artillfiy, iiui.-lLii Edward P. Kii Artillery, nmstfr. Charles H. Ini;. tillery, nmstereil Ch.irlesN. Dim tillerv, niiist.-icil i.ii.|..u,,i Iv, N..U ll.iiiiinliire Volunteer Heav i>ii)|iany K, New HainpHliire Volunteer Ileiiv itembi'rlT, 1864. i|.iii\ TC Xi'W Ham]whire Volunteer Heavy Al III ! \. ^^ Ilauipsbire Volunteer Heavy Al I \ M.iiiipshire Volunteer Heavy Art! I I ^ u Hampshire Volunteer Heavy A] Benjamin F. Funiiun, rnmpiiny K, New HampBhire Volunteer Heavy Artillery, mustered in September 17, 1864. Clinton Jones, Company K, New Hampshire Volunteer Heavy Ar- tillery, mustered in September 17, 18C4. Frank C. Jewell, Company K, New llamiishire Vol tillery, mustered iu September 17, 1864. John B. Leightou, Company K, New Hampshire Artillery, mustered in September 17, 1804. Charles H. Moulton, Company K, New Hani|>shire Artillery, mustered in September 17, 1804. Frank D. Ordway, Company K, New Hampshire Volunteer Heavy Ar tillery, mustered in September 17, 1864. John H. Prescott, Company K, New Hampshire Volunteer Heavy Ar- tillery, mustered in September 17, 1864. Franklin Senior, Company K, New Hampshire Volunteer Heavy Ar- tillery, miistenil in September 17, 1804. John liii 1 I V < iii|.in\ >], New Hampshire Volunteer Heavy Artil- lery, mu-i ■ I \ > ■..■! 13,1863. JeioMi I: I I in M, New Hamiishire Volunteer Heavy Ar- tillery, - I III \ii,ji.i -II, 1863. Henry A. T,:iwii'ii.e, I'nited States service. Fort Constitution, mus- tered in July 25, 1804 ; commissioned second lieutenant Heavy Artil- lery Septomhor 15, 1804. Henry H. Oile, United States service. Fort Constitution, mnstered in July 25, 1804. Horace P. Gage, United States service, Fort (_'onstitution, mustered in July 25, 1804. Edward A. Uobie, United States service. Fort Constitution, mustered in July 25, 1864. The following soldiers who served in the late Re- bellion are prominent citizens of Hooksett. Ehenener H. Nutting, Company C, Fourth New Hampshire Volun- teers ; eiilisleil September 18,1801; promoted sergeant; mustered out Si-iiiiiiili. 1 :':, iMil Mr N'utting is the resident agent of Hooksett Edwin Pronk, a native of Boston, went from Boston to Oxford, when eight years old ; lived there twenty-five years ; held I has held .1 September 18, 1801, Company K, Fourth mustered out September 18, 1864. Mr. Psr- hi- year 1881 ; he represented the town of .1 held other important offices. He is an erved in First Company Heavy Artillery, Vermont, an active business man in town. Company G, Thirty-sixth Maine Regiment ; an Henry C. Cai through the wi Nathan B. i active farmer in town. William H. Robinson enlisted in the Eighteenth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers in 1864, and was discharged on the 29th day of August, 1805. He is Commander of Geo. W. Gordon Grand Army of the Reimblic Post, Suncook. LIST OF PENSIONERS CREDITED TO HOOKSETT IN 1883. Ward M.-,s.«r, wi.ii.ideil in left kn.e ; Sin on ; Arthur I. Lawrence $8.00; Sarah Osmm \i. r i. i ' -,ii> A. Ordway, widi-'" nl I - 1 _'. - - n ' i' .!i ;. \ n ii . .\ \| i . .m v\ . j. .-, ..i 1 -]■_■, m.m. Of the families in Hooksett, concerning which a war record can be produced, is the Poor family. Samuel Poor was born iu Rowley, Mass., December 13, 1758, when that part of the town was called New Rowley, and in 1838 incorporated with the name of 378 liisroUV OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. (ieorgetown. He was a brave lievolutionary soldier, and served with lieiieral Gates at Saratoga, N. Y., October 17, 1777, wlieii tiiey took General Burgoyue. Resettled in what was originally Gortstown, and his farm was in the southwesterly part of the town, made, in 1822, from a portion of Dnnbarton, Gotl'stown and ancient Chester, and called by the name of Hooksett. He married, October 21, 17S4, Anna liriilgcs, of Row- ley, born February 1, 17()2 ; tiiey lived Ujgether a long time. He died August 21,1841. She survived him until she reached ninety -one years, dying April 21, 1858. Mr. Poor was a good citizen with sound judg- ment, and honored with being called to hold office in the management of town affairs. Eri, son of Samuel Poor, was born November 21,1800; married, April 14, 1825, Susan Sallmarsh, of Gollstown. He died January 28, 1874; she in 1879. He wiis county com- missioner three years, and held all the important offices in town. Of his large family of children, he had two sons in the war of the Rebellion. Samuel Poor eil listed in Company H, Second Regi- ment, New Hampshire Volunteers. He died in the Andersonville prison. At the battle of Bull Run was not wounded, although a man was shot down on each side of him and two bullets passed through his clothes. Eri Poor, enlisted in Company A, Seventh Regi- ment of New Hampshire Volunteers, June 14, 1862- Only five men of his company of one hundred and one came home, and he was one of those five. He was in the army four years, and was always on duty there, excepting when he received a thirty days' fur- lough to cdinr home mid visit his family ; partici- pated in :ill llir li:illlrs (illhr Srvriilb Regiment; was a bcilil snl.li,!, :ui.| liMik the rrbcl Hag at Fort Fisher ; was commissioned corporiii. and advanced step by step to first lieutenant before he left the ser- vice. Governor Natt. Head, before and since the Rebellion, has employed liir\i for his biick burner. (See Poor genealogy.) Among other families in tnwii with an old war record are the Olterson ami Head families (sec adju- tant-general's report). In the late Rebellion William H. Otterson served in the Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers, and was a -..nd soldirr. (ieorge H. J.. Head ros,. In ih,- iMiik nf ca|.liiin, Iveing a brave officer. LIST OF SOLDIKUS THAT AliK HUHIKI) IN IIOOKSKTT. Houkselt C«we(*T//.— Gooi'geW. Gonloii, (captain) Socom] Now Uainpsliire VoIiiii()M*fs, Kl-HHtiis W. Farmer (Cumiiuiiy T), Telitli New Ilainiialiire Voliuitoei-H), AiiiljroHo Jones. WarriMi IC. Rowull (Tuntli New Iluin|>sllire VoUuiteors), Jolm Laiigley, Klliw Taj-lor, Daniel A. Wells, .losepli Lewis, Ilein-y W. Sargent, AnguHtim P. Emery, John Berry, Jame8 Ordway (1812), Parlinf/«;i^.— Daniel J. George anil Aiun'zt) I*. Saltmai'tili. Itim R„.i,l i„ \l„„k^rll. rlimlos W. Kiiss (OomiwMy D, Tenth Now II I'-liij. I, fill \ II ill i.Hiv P r.'iitl) New Hampshire), Daviil " ' ' ID, .loshiia Martin (1812), Ed- \\Af\ l.iiiL I. \ iijin l: nhiiIi n. .V I hinipshiro Volunteer). ('(„,/ Ji„(,i,r ,„ tlM,k,ell.- WAM riiiy I1S12), George Cuswell (Kighlh New Uampshire Volnuleers). In the Wars of the Revolution and of 1812 the true character and history of the participants can only W found in the records concerning the towns from which Hooksett was made. Many residents who live at this time can recall the names of ancestors who took part in those struggles. In the year 1840 pension- ers were living in Hooksett as follows : Ebenezer Currier, aged seventy-seven years, living at home : James Otterson, aged eighty-three; Alice Mitchell, aged seventy-one, living with .loseph Mitchell; Samuel Poor, eighty-two years old ; Anna Abbott, aged seventy-three years. Currier was a son of Thomas Currier and Sarah Coburu, married a Dresser for first wife, and for second wife Nancy, widow of Ehen Blaisdell. James Otterson married Mary Chase, of Sutton ; died December 22, 1846, aged eighty-nine; his wife died in 1845, aged eighty-three. He was a soldier in Rhode Island, 1778. Hooksett responded promptly to the calls for troops during the Rebellion, and furnished nearly one hun- dred and thirty men. The spirit of true patriotism early in war was the incentive for scores to enlist without any inducements of large bounties. The im- pulse stirred all alike, and representatives of families of both political parties who were the social and mater- ial leaders in forming local history, went to the war. The town was liberal throughout the whole war in pro- viding town aid to soldiers' families and in voting boun- ties. On AugustO, 1862, " Voted that theselectmcn be authorized to pay one hundred dollars to each volmi- teer." On September 26, 1863, " Voted to pay eiub drafted man or his substitute the sum of three hun- dred dollars." On December 22, 1863, " Voted to have fifty-six hundred and twenty-eight dollars to pay for our quota of men." " Voted that the selectmen be authorized to pay the recruiting ofticer four hundred dollars apiece for each man recruited." On the 6th day of Angiist, 1864, " Voted that the selectmen be authorized to hire sixteen thousand dollars to fill the quota under the call of the President for five liiiii- dred thousand volunteers, made .Tuly 18, 1864." " Voted that the selectmen be authorized to fill the quota and act :is agents ; " also " Votwl that T. B. Wattles and Jesse Gault act with them." On September 1, 1864, " Voted to pay our citizens who may enlist live hundred dollars for one year, six hundred for two years and seven hundred dollars for three years." On December 28, 1864, " Voted that the town furnish volunteer substitutes for any call that may be luade upon said town for troops." " Voted, that the town pay one hundred dollars for one year, two hundred dollars for two years, three hundred dollars for three years." " Voted to pay any inhabitant of said town who shall furnish a representative substitute three hundred dollars." On March 14, 1865, " Voted to pay Chase Wentworth, C. W. James, Byron Richardson one hundred dollars as a bounty, if it be legal." "I'd/iv/td pay all who never received any bounty the HOOKSETT. 379 llouksett, if it is legal." The town of Hooksett wvnt Id the expciise of about tweaty-five thousand ilollais ill ilelrayiiis the expense of bounties, etc., whiili iiRurii'il a heavy debt, but, by judicious mau- a5,'enicnt, the debt has since been wiped out, and in the year 1.885 the treasury had a balance in favor of the town. Within a few years the town has voted fifty dollars annually for the decoration of the graves of soldiers who have fallen by the wayside of life's jour- ney since the war, and of those whose bodies were brought from the scene of the great conflict. There was no full company recruited in this town during the Rebellion ; but in September, 1862, upon the call made by the President for troops, enthusiastic pa- triotism jiervadedthe community and a great number of men enlisted from Hooksett. These men com- bined toi;;ether and joined the Tenth New Hanip.shire Volunteers. A company was formed, and from the Hooksett squad a captain wjus elected, who was com- missioneil September 17, 1862. This officer was War- ren M. Kelly, captain of Company D. He served throughout the war and commanded the regiment three months the last part of the service. Captain Kelly was a direct descendant of fighting stock, with good war records. He was born in the town of New Hampton, N. H., in 1821 ; wa.s a grandson of Lieutenant Samuel Kelly, a Revolutionary officer, and a near relative of Captain Thoniiis Sampson, who commanded a company at Bunker Hill. He was a son of Michael B. Kelly, a member of Light Artillery in the War of 1812. Mr. Kelly has been a citizen of Hooksett twenty-eight years. He was a brave ofli- cer, frank and generous, and beloved by all his com- panions-in-arms. There were twenty-one men who enlisted under Captain Kelly from Hooksett. These men acquitted themselves with honor to their country. On the 10th of September, 1885, the annual reunion of the Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers was held in Hooksett. This gathering of war-searred veterans, in commemoration of the sad past, and in exchanging kind greetings of the present, was a day long to be remembered by the people of Hooksett. A kind re- ception was given them, which brought to memory the sad " good-byes " given them when they departed from Manchester on that bright September morning for the seat of war, twenty-three years ago. Since the formation of the town of Hooksett the local military history is not without interest. Hook- sett's quota of men who were liable to do military service were generally given opportunity to train at the annual trainings. The last muster held in town was about the year 1850. It was held north of Hooksett Falls, on the west side of the river. This was under the old military regime. New Hampshire could muster then four brigades of well-drilled militia. Hooksett formerly mustered some crack companies. One of the first companies which displayed merit was the Hooksett Light Infantry. One of its last captains was A. H. Converse ; he was a military genius and a thorough disciplinarian. This company was disbanded before 1850. Many recollect their gaudy uniforms. Another company was organized since the war, also called the Hooksett Light Infan- try. It had for officers : Captain, George H. L. Head ; First Lieutenant, William H. Otterson ; Second Lieu- tenant, Silas T. Goodale. This company was organ- ized in 1866 and became a part of the State militia. It was disbanded in the fall of 1869. In 1859 an en- gine company was organized, called the Eagle Engine Company. It was composed of the best young men in the village. It paraded on important occasions and did whatever service it had occiision to do at tires. About the year 1842 there was organized a baud called the Hooksett Brass Band. It had at one time for leader Alonzo Bond, who has since become famous as a band-leader and director in Boston. Ex-Gover- nor Head was a prominent member, and was its leader before disbanding. In the year 1861, in September, a band was or- ganized with sixteen members, under the leadership of Benjamin A. Ham. Five members enlisted in the Tenth New Hampshire Regiment, but it con- tinued to play until 1868, when they disbanded. At one time the band was called one of the best in the State. October 6, 1884, a band was again organized, which is also called the Hooksett Cornet Rand, with twenty- two members. Professor B. A. Ham is the leader and director. The citizens of the town contributed a sum of money to defray the cost of procuring instruments, etc. This association is based on local interest, and the instruments, etc., are always tu be kepi in town, in the hands of the association. Temperance reform has more or less been agitated in town since the incorporation. Early in the history of the town Hooksett was called a great place for liquor. There was a number of taverns and dram- shops. In the old stage-times from ten to fifteen stages arrived every day. Boatmen who plied the river rendezvoused at Hooksett. Dram-drinking, which was a custom in those days, and gambling was carried on to a large extent. Hooksett was sometimes called the " Second Vicksburg." Between the years of 1840 and 1850 a Sons of Temperance Society was formed, which aroused a temperance sentiment. This or- ganization was sustained a number of years. About the year 1854, when the Maine Liquor Law created a wide-spread interest, the sentiment struck this town. Liquor-selling was indefinitely suppressed. Later on the matter was constantly agitated. Savory T. Burbank, a prominent co-worker in the cause, was persecuted by having a large, fine apple orchard girdled by miscreants of the opposite belief. This was in the year 1861. A large gathering of people assembled at his house afterwards, regaled by stirring music from the Manchester Cornet Band, and re- placed the orchard. Soon afterwards the interest HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. waned, and during the war reformatory questions were out of order. The suppression of the Rebellion was the main thing in the minds of the people. After the war a space of great business prosperity was enjoyed. In the year 1875, December 30th, a Reform Club was organized in town. Noted agitators from differ- ent parts of the country spoke to the people. The sentiment permeated most every household, until the pledge was signed by over six hundred. Much ap- parent good was accomplished. Heads of families, who, prior to the movement, had not seen many sober days for years, took the pledge. They became sober men, and from that time until now are respected for their sobriety. A larger portion went back to their cups, becoming again intemperate. The club kept up their meetings for about five years. One of the out- comes of the Reform Club was the Good Templars' Lodge, which was organized April 5, J876, with Joseph <). lugalls and wife, C. H. Ingalls and wife, N. C. Gault and wife, K. T. Head and wife, W. H. Robinson, H. P. Gage and others as charter members. They increased their membership up to one hundred and three. This organization flourished for a number of years. They gave up their charter in October, 1883. In the year 1873 a Patron of Husbandry Grange wiis instituted with Natt. Head as Master. This society flourished for a season, but soon became defunct. A number of people who reside in town are members of this society in Manchester. Political.— From the commencement of the his- tory of the town up to the year 1853 the Republican Democratic party was in the ascendancy. Since that time, for thirty-two years, the Republican party, de- rived from the old Whig and Abolition, ha.s con- tinually ruled the town. After the town was first formed there was not a strong opposing vote against the dominant party. In the year 1833, Mathew Gault was elected as representative without an opposing vote; William Badger, candidate for Governor, had all the votes but two. Since the Republicans have ruled the town the Democrats have, in the years of 1867 and 1882, been able to elect representatives in the persons of Norris C. Gault and Nathaniel Clark. In the year 1871, James A. Weston, Democratic candidate for Governor, had more votes than the Re- publican standard-bearer. Longevity.— The following is a record of some of the people who have died at age above seventy years: ThomM Wicom, died 1853, aged 101 ; Peter Williauw, died 1«63, ngcd 79 ; Samuel Head, died 185.'), aged 77 ; Saraii Uead, died 185.% aged 71 ; Mary llndj;.-, dud 1S,'..h, ug...l T:i ; .I"lin I)avi«, died ISOli, ;i|;ed Wl ; Sam- L:ndcrliill, died ISOl, ageil 74 ; .Mosea Collins, i b Kimball, died 1863, aged 84 ; Aiiua Kolly, Sarali Shuto, died 18G7, aged 72 ; Polly .\blK)tt, died 1869, aged 81 ; Betsy Silver, died 1869, aged 77 ; Nicholan Dollof, died 1869, aged 75 ; Josejih Fuller, died 1869, aged 86 ; Eri Poor, died 1874, aged 73 ; Susan G. Goss, died 1873, aged 78 ; MaMiew Gault, died 1873, aged 70 ; Dolly Gault, died 1873, aged 79 ; Lucy B. Morgan, died 1872, aged 73 ; William Otteraon, died 1873, aged 84; Isaac C.Ottorson, died 1874, aged 76 ; Han- nah 0. Colby, died 1875, aged 76 ; Peter C. Rowell, died 1876, aged 83 ; Plui-lie Taggart, died 1880, aged 96 ; Joseph Ordway, died 1881, aged 72 ; J. (lark, died 1881, aged 77 ; Aldon George, died 1882, aged 77 ; Edwin E, GoodHle, died 1883, aged 71 ; Stephen C. Eaatraan, died 18f3, aged 80 ; Kecia Wheeler, died 1883, agod 70 ; James Fisk, died 18SJ, aged 77 ; Polly O. Morgan, died 1884, aged 86 ; Darius Wilson, died 1881, aged 8li ; Joseph Blanchanl, died 1884, aged 87. Postmasters. — The first establishment of a |)ost- office in town could not easily be ascertained. John Whipple wiis postmaster in 1822-23 ; William Hall, 1824; Richard H. Ayer, 1825-29; Hamlin Davis, 18.30-31; Dr. Enoch H. Barnes, 1832; Dr. .Vmos G. (iale, 1833 to September 30, 1842 ; Richard H. Ayer to April 1, 1843; Amos G. (iale, 184-5-47; Seth K. Jones, 1848-51 ; Samuel Head, Jr., August 31, 1851 ; Albert S. Rowell, 18.55; Walter B. .Tones, 1859-fil ; Joseph T- Goss, 1861-73 ; Frank C. Towle, 1873-82 ; George A. Robie, 1882-85 ; John Wheeler, August 20, 1885. When John Whipple was postmaster, in 1822, the salary for services amounted to $7.32, and in the year 1884 to between five and six hundred dollars. A post-oftice was established at Martin's Ferry in 1883, with Thomas Blanchard postmaster, which is called Mai-tin-s. Brick-Making.- Brick-muking in HoukMtt is a very important industry. The composition of the clay and the singular location of this aluminous de- posit along the banks of the Merrimack River make it an object of thoughtful study for the geologist. The brick manufactured from day in Hooksett has gained a re])utation for hardness and color not excelled any- where in New England. Early in the primeval period of the earth's formation the disintegrated crust, through the constant action of the waters, left a de- composition" of sandstone, mica and feldspar, which gives us a rich deposit of sand and clay. This valu- able deposit of clay, on the east side of the Merrimack, was discovered in the early settlement of the town. About the year 1810 the late Captain Rice Dud- ley, of Pembroke, who had worked at brick-making in Massachusetts some, prospected, in company with Samuel Head, the clay-banks now worked by Jesse Gault and W. F. Head. Mr. Dudley prophesied that the banks would be developed some time, but Jlr. Head scouted the idea, for the reason that it would be difficult to transport them to market. Since that time the clay-banks have been utilized ; a railroad, with its side-tracks, has been extended up near the kilns, and it is no uncommon thing to see twenty-five cars of brick loaded in one day. The first brick made in town was about the year 1820, at the Ayer brick-yard. At that time it was not a special industry, but different individuals united together to make for home use. In the year 1828 a kiln was made, which was used to Iniild the town- house, and the town voted to cut wood from off the HOOKSETT. 381 town lots to burn the same with. When the city of Manchester commenced to grow, a great demand for bricks occurred. A Mr. Saltmarsh was the first extensive brick-maker in the Ayer brick-yard. Richard H. Ayer was the principal pioneer in extensive brick -making, employ- ing David A. Leach as his foreman. Millions of bricks have been made from this yard, and the mills in Manchester were erected principally from material manulactured in Hooksett. In the year 1837, Jabez Green, now living in Aliens- town, was the pioneer in brick-making in the Head brick-yard. Mr. Green was a native of Westford, Mass., but came from Bedford, prospecting for clay- banks. He had made a contract with a Mr. I>owell, agent of the Amoskeag Company, to supply one hun- dred thousand bricks. The old Manchester House was made that year with brick furnished in thiit con- tract. These bricks were boated to Manchester, loaded above the falls and locked over through the canal. Charles Stark was then lock-keeper. Peter C. Rowell and Henry Saltmarsh took the contract to boat them to Manchester. A Mr. Wallace and Sam- uel Prescott made bricks afterwards in the yard. Mr. Wallace went to California during the gold fever ex- citement, and since died there. Mathew Gault and Philip Sargent also operated this yard. About the year 1850 the late ex-Governor Head commenced to operate, and since that time, in company with his brother, W. F. Head, they have gradually developed the capacity, and they make on an average seven million a year. Jesse Gault commenced about the year 1842. He has become a successful manufac- turer, and makes annually about six million. About three thousand cords of wood are now annually con- sumed in burning bricks. The large area of wild woodland that a large portion of Hooksett is made up of has been profitably utilized in furnishing wood for this purpose. The descendants of the early settlers who gained jiossession of these tracts of land were mostly made affluent by the rise in value of this natural growth. Other brick-makers have done busi- ness rather extensively in late years, — Charles Daily, Samuel Head, David A. Kimball, John Shirley and Joseph O. Ingalls. This important industry furnishes labor to about one hundred men annually. The help are mainly French-Canadians. In -some seasons it necessitates sendingagents to Upper Canada to pro- cure help. Early in the history of this country, when brick-making was profitably done in the vicinity of Boston and New York, the help was principally fur- nished from the hardy sons of our forefathers. At that time, as well as now, it required specimens of vigorous manhood to stand the strain, and, there- fore, it is necessary to procure men with sound con- stitutions to do this work. The advantages of machine- work have weakened the physical inclinations of the rising generation to perform this service, and it is necessary to look to Canada for reinforcements. There are two men — Nathaniel Clark, the foreman of Head's yard, and Charles Rowell, of Jesse Gault's yard — who have been constantly making bricks for over thirty years. Mills.— The first mill built at Hooksett Falls was about the year 1770 ,by Thomas Cochrane, then of Dun- barton. Mr. Cochrane was an extensive dealer in lumber at that time. According to his books, kept at that time, numerous charges for salmon were made to different people. He caught them by the barrel when they would come up into his sluice-way to the mill. This mill was afterwards carried away by a freshet. Rufus Harriman afterwards owned the privilege. William Reside and Isaac Rowell after- wards built two mills, one on each side of the river, which they owned in 1803. William Reside was afterward drowned in the falls. William Otterson afterwards bought and sold to the Hooksett Manu- facturing Company, in 1823, when they built a cotton and grist-mill. About the year ITM the Browns built a mill below where Head's mill is now. In 1790, Nathaniel Head and Dr. James Brown owned it together. In 1802, Nathaniel Head built above the road, and since that time improvements have been con- stantly made on it, where W. F. Head now owns a complete improved lumber-mill. Probably the first mill built in town was by John Talford. about the year of 1750. This is at what is now the Sawyer place, and, in 1834, Captain Asa Sawyer added a grist and shingle-mill. In 1789, Nathaniel Martin and Laban Harriman built a mill on Lansy Brook. About the year 1790 there was a saw-mill built on the same stream, near Martin's Ferry, by a man named Thompson, for John Stark, a son of General Stark. Benjamin Hall had a mill on the stream just above the Chester turnpike previous to 1800. It passed in- to the hands of James Sargent and went down. In 1822 it was rebuilt by a Mr. Greer and afterwards burnt. Joseph Whittier built a mill on Dalton's Brook about 1810. The most extensive mill ever erected in town was the steam-mill by Samuel Head ; it cost about eight thousand dollars. It contained a grist-mill. About the years 1857 to 1801, John Dennison was largely engaged in kit manufacturing in this mill. This mill was afterwards sold to a Low- ell manufacturing company, which they operated a year or two, when the machinery, engine, etc., was removed, shipped to Florida, but lost in the ocean on its way. Manufactories. — Cotton manufacturing in Hook- sett dates back to 1823, when, in July of that year, the Hooksett Blanufacturing Company was organized. The original mill is supposed to be the oldest one in the State. Among its grantees were more eminent men than were ever connected with any other cotton-mill in the State. In the organization of the company may be found the names of Governor John Bell, Isaac Hill and Samuel Bell, who have since been Governors, and Hon. Richard H. Ayer, a former resident ; these men 382 :V or MKKKIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. were some of the most prominent that New Hamp- shire has ever produced. This mill continued to run, sometimes under difficulties, under the agency of Gov- ernor l?ell till 1834, lie then being succeeded by Hon. .John Ncsmith, .iftcrwards Lieutenant-Governor of Massacliu.setts. In 1835 it pjussed into the hands of the Amoskeag Company, which continued to run it, excepting a short time in the commencement of the late Hebollion. uj) to the year 1865. In that year it was purchased by Robert M. Bailey and others, of Boston, when it Avas enlarged and a new mill was finished in lS(i6. This company has continued to run the mill since, and now owns the entire water- power at this point. The capital of this ct)mpany is two hundred thousand dollars, and the annual pay- roll is about eighty thousand dollars. They manu- factured in the year 1880 about five million yards of cloth, tlie annual value of which is three hundred thousand dollars. The company employ about three h iindred hands. A mong the agents who have been res- idents of the town and who deserve mention were Joth- am D. (Jttei-son, afterward a successftil manufacturer in Nashua, mayor of the city and since deceased ; Stephen Ballard was agent from 1846 to about the year 1859. Mr. Ballard is now a successful business man in New York City. Thomas B. Wattles was agent afterwards and continued to serve until the company changed hands, in 1865. Mr. Wattles is ufiw agent of the Chicopee (Mass.) Manufacturing Company. In 1866 Charles Nealley became agent ; he continued to serve until about the year 1867. Mr. Nealley was a prac- tical manufacturer, and since his removal from town has died. Mr. Nealley was succeeded by Eben H. Nutting, who continues to act and is interested in all questions appertaining to the moral and religious welfare of the town. The company which operates the mills in Hooksett at the present time offer flatter- ing inducements to manufacturers to utilize the un- improved water-power. They will build buildings and furnish power at low rates of rentals. Granite Quarries. — Themanufacture of cutgranite and the opcratinn of (|uarries was formerly carried (m to a large extent in this town. Previous to the build- ing of the Concord Railroad it was boated down the Merrimack River to all the large towns below. Some of the old buildings in Boston, especially the Faneuil Hall, was partiilly erected from granite taken out of our ledges. The most extensive and successful dealer was the late Moses D. Stokes. He commenced about the year 1854, and followed the business a number of years. He constantly employed a large number of men, and did a business of many thou- sand dollars a year. He was succeeded by a Mr. Gay, who operated up to the year 1875, when the New Hampshire Granite Company was organized with fifty thousand dollars capital. This company operated extensively, with a Mr. Wait as business manager, until the year 1878, when it succumbed to financial embarrassment. The granite ledges are remaining unoperated at the jircsent time. The Amoskeag Com- pany, of Manchester, are owners of the principal quar- ries that have been worked. On Silver Hill, on the west side of the river, is an important ledge, which has been worked up to within a few years. The time lite will be orclathers, inhabited, uer, which is not far distant when again Hooksett grai sought and the industry flourish. Roads. — In the early history of our I when the settled sections was sparsely highways were built in an economical mar simply answered for a horse or cart-path, but as the population increased, stage travel was heavier and improved roads were built. Probably the first road that was made through the town of Hooksett was in the year 1726. At a meeting held at Ipswich, September 9, 1726, John Chandler, John Ayer and William Barker were chosen a committee " to go out and clear a sufficient cart-way to Penny Cook the nighest and best way they can from Haverhill." Ac- cording to Bouton's " History of Concord," Ebenezer Eastman, with six yokes of cattle and cart, was the first that crossed the wilderness from Haverhill to Penny Cook. This road, in passing over Hooksett's territory, passed the White Hall, following a direct route alongside of Lakiu's Pond, by Head's saw-mill, through Suncook, etc. This was a traveled road to Penny Cook up to 1738. On January 8, 1762, at the reqviest of Joseph Brown and others, the main road now from Suncook, ria Hind's tavern to Chester, was laid out. This road went farther west ; and, in 1801, on account of the banks of Peter's Brook being gullied out, it was laid out east of the pond, with a direct course to Lieutenant Joseph Whitcher's house (now the Stearns Hotel). The road leading to Hooksett village from this road was made in 1816. The road leading from Ottersim's to the mills in Hooksett was laid out April 4, 1804. The White Hall road, leading from Martin's Ferry to Candia High Street, was laid out December 26, 1805. It was indicted September, 1815, discontinued Sep- tember, 1816, to evade the indictment, and laid out again as a private way October 13, 1820. The Chester turnpike was incorporated June 19, 1804. It cost twenty-seven thousand dollars. On July 4, 1838, the Legislature passed an act repealing the turn])ike, which made a public highway of it. The Londonderry turnpike was built in the year 1806. The Mam- moth road was laid out in the year 1831, and it cost the town of Hooksett between three and four thousand dollars. The road leading from the Factory village to Natt. Head's was laid out in 1840. It was impossible to get the dates and facts concerning the highways on the west side of the river. Hook- sett has at the present time an improved system of highways, and owns a road-inachine. Hooksett Bridge. — Hooksett bridge wiis built about the year 1805. In 1836, when the Londonderry turnpike was laid out as a free ro.-id, Hooksett bridge was reserved bv them, which the town purchased, in 1853, for sixteen hundred and forty dollars. This was a toU-hridge up to that time. On the evening of September 30, 1857, this bridge, with the Concord Railroad bridge, was consumed by fire. It also burned the store building occupied by Joseph T. Gos.s. This was the most extensive conflagration tliat ever visited Hooksett. The total loss was about thirty thousand dollars. The bridges were replaced by better and more substantial ones, the town bridge costing seven thousand dollars. On March 20, 1859, this bridge was carried off by an ice freshet. A new one was built at a cost of eight thou- sand dollars, wirK-li remains to the present time. Friendship Lodge, No. 19, 1. 0. 0. F.,' was institu- ted Septt-inber 2i!, 1870, by George A. Cummings, of Concord, (Jrand Master, assisted by his associated Grand Officers. The petition for the charter of the lodge contained thirty-onenames, the most of which were members of Howard Lodge, No. 31, of Suncook. The lodge wa.s instituted in what was known as Com- pany's Hall, and continued to hold its meetings there until the Odd-Fellow.s' building was completed. The first oflicers of the lodge were James W. Converse, Noble Grand ; George W. Haselton, Vice-Grand ; Warren C. Saltmarsh, Secretary ; Daniel W. Peaslee, Treasurer. The first lodge-meeting was held in the new hall January 31, 1877, and was dedicated to the business and purposes of Odd-Fellowship, February 20th, by Grand Master A. F. Craig, of Portsmouth. The present membership is one hundred and three. The lodge is free from financial embarrassment and has a cash investment of eight hundred dollars, and five thousand dollars invested in lot and buildings. The men who compose the lodge are properly included among the best citizens of the town. As an organi- zation in the field of benevolent labor, it has few equals, and perhaps none superior in the State. Never were its prospects for future useftilness and honorable position mure liriUiant than at the present time. United Order Golden Cross.— On the evening of October JS, issi. by the earnest effort of C. F. Pres- sing, I). G. C, a number of residents of Hooksett as- sembled in the Odd-Fellows' Hall to listen to an ex- planation of the benefits derived from the United Order Golden Cross, from Sir Knight Joseph Kidder \ and othei-s, of Manchester. The result of the meeting was the institution of a Commandery with eleven charter members. The oflicers elected were Ira H. Adams, P. N. C; John W. Prescott, N. C; C.Juliette Colby, V. N. C; Samuel Head (2d), W. H.; Minnie M. Head, K. of R.; David A. Colby, Prelate; W. M. Davis, F. K. of R.; Benjamin J. Gile, Treasurer ; W. H. Putnam, W. of I. G.; James B. Ordway, W. of O. G. The membership at the present time is twenty- five. The following members have become Past Noble rmrimanders : Ira H. Adams, John W. Prescott, Samuel Head (2d), David A. Colby, Warren M. Davis, By lieorge A. RoWe, P. G. M. Jacob F. Martin, George A. Harriman, James 15. Ordway. D. Juliette Colby, Minnie M. Head and Nancy M. Davis are Emeritus Past Commanders. The present Noble C'ommander is Dr. F. D. Randall. Justices of the Peace. — In the year 1825, Samuel Head and Xatluiniel Head were justices of the peace. In 1829, Samuel Head, Foster Towns, Hugh J. Tag- gart, Enoch B. Barnes, Thomas R. Taggart. In 1833, Samuel Head, Foster Towns, Hugh J. Taggart, Enoch B. Barnes, Thomas R. Taggart. In 1834, Thomas R. Taggai't was justice of the peace and quorum. In the year 1840, Richard H. Ayer, Thomas R. Taggart, Samuel Head, Hugh J. Taggart, Xatlnin Gault, John Parker, Philip Jones, Amos G, ( iiilc, .lolni V. Kowrll, Charles Stark. Lawyer. — Hooksett never had but one lawyer settled in town, and his name was John Whipple ; he located in town prior to the incorporation. He Wiis in Hooksett in 1822, '23, '24, '25. He afterwards practiced in Concord, and was there in 1835. Taverns. — Hooksett has been famous in the early days of this century as having a number of taverns. In the village near the falls were located a number which received considerable patronage from boatmen, who were constantly plying the river. The sale of spirituous liquors was one of the principal sources of income. About the year 1780, Thomas Cochrane lodged people, and his books show a systematic list of charges for liquors, etc. Joshua Abbot, who lived at the head of Hooksett Falls, entertained strangers. He afterwards projected the tavern which came into the hands of John Prescott. One of the first tavern- keepers in the village was a Mr. Jackmun. He kept in the house now occupied by Mrs. AV alter 15. Jones. He was succeeded by a man named Rix. A man named Simmons has kept the house since ; also, Inda Gile. William Hall and Henry Moulton were tavern-keep- ers in the village. One of the most famous tavern- keepers in town was Sanmel Head. " Head's tavern " was known far and near as a model one. It was opened about the year 1805. Jlr. Head was the pioneer in building and rslaMi^liinii ilic same. He continued to run the hoii.-.- imlil thr Near 1 s:;.->. This point wasachanging-placelorliorscs. HI llir Ki.stonand Concord stage-line. Mr. and Mrs. Head were widely known as people of worth and great social qualities. Their extensive acquaintance attracted many visitors to the house, and it was the constant scene of great activity. Mr. Head was aji active business man, dealing in lumber, speculating in lands, etc., and when he died, in 1854, he was called one of the largest real- estate owners in Merrimack County. Some time about the year 1848 he projected a large steam mill, which was completed at a cost of about eight thou.sand dol- lars. He continued to manage it until September 29, 1854, when he was accidentally killed. He was in the act of reaching for something and fell upon the circular saw. His left hand was sawed in an angle c(mimencing on the lower side near the wrist and end- 384 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. ing through the knuckle of the forefinger, which was thrown twenty feet. The right arm was also com- pletely sawed oft" near the elbow-joint and his right leg cut nearly otV directly near the knee-joint. He lived about two hours. Drs. Crosby and Gale, of Manches- ter, were called, but he was dead before they arrived. His widowsurvived him until the next November, when she suddenly died sitting in a chair. She was seventy- one years old. Mrs. Head was a lady of sincere piety, kind and generou.s, with great conversational gifts. Other taverns were kept by William J'arkor on the River road, also one by Joseph Mitchell. In the year 1S23 the selectmen gave their approba- tion to the following parties to mix and sell spirituous liquors at their places of business: Captain Aaron Carter, .lacob I''. Farnum, Gideon Flanders, Josiah Magoon, Benjamin Hill, Israel Fla, . I r., Samuel Head, William Hall, Cha.se & Rowe, Henry Moulton, Robert Davis was permitted to mix and sell spirituous liquors, at or near Samuel Head's, on the 9th day of March. On June 2(i, 1824, the selectmen approbated the Hook- sett Manufacturing Company to sell spirituous liquors. One of the prominent taverns of recent years is the Clark tavern, or the Branch Hotel. This was the original Whittier tavern. It has been kept by Eben- ezer Clark. Horace Bonuey leased it of Clark in 1858. It was kept by Bonney & Brother up to 1864, when Mr. Bonney opened the Ayer House, on February 18, 1864. Since, it was kept by Clark, and recent years by John Stearns, and called the Stearns House. Since the opening of this house Mr. Bonney has continued to be its proprietor, excepting the year of 1883, when it was leased to Mr. Frank Richards for one year. In the fall of 1882, Mrs. Bouncy died, which directly was the reason of the change. This house has gained a reputation which is wide-spread for its excellent management, the ewisine and generous tables and the great hospitality and social enjoyments that the surroundings afford. Mr. Horace Bonney was born in Winthrop, Me., in 1815, which was a part of Massachusetts at that time. He enlisted in the United States army September 26, 1833 ; was honor- ably discharged in 1836 ; afterwards went to Texas and served under Sam Houston ; served in Florida about two years, and then went into the dragoon ser- vice for five years, with headquarters at New York most of the time. Mr. Bonney kept the American House from 1855 to 1859, in Manchester. The Ayer House is the original homestead of Hon. Richard H. Ayer. During Mr. Ayer's residence, and since, it has been the abode of great social cheer. Many distin- guished people visited Esquire Ayer, among whom was Governor Isaac Hill and family, who sustained intimate relations. Another prominent hotel proprie- tor was Edwin E. Goodale, of the Pinnacle House. Mr. Goodale came to Hooksett in 1840. Previous to that time he was engaged in the teaming business between Canada and Boston. He was proprietor of this house for twentv-five vears, and in 1865 took in his sign. During the time between 1848 to 1858 he was proprietor of the stage-route between Pembroke and Hooksett. This Pinnacle House was the old original Hall stand. Mr. Goodale built an elegant hall with an arranged spring floor, which was con- stantly occupied with balls and dances, being well patronized by people from the neighboring towns. Mr. Goodale died November 22, 1883, aged seventy- one years. In June, 1833, President Andrew Jack- son, with other distinguished men, psissed through this town. He came direct from Nashua, leaving there in the morning and arriving at Inda Gile's tavern about 11 A. M. The party made a short stop at Hon. Rich- ard H. Ayer's, who accompanied them to C!oncord. At Gile's tavern the horses were changed and six mag- nificent white horses were hitched up. Mr. Benjamin J. Gile, now a successful business man, was barten- der at the time, and he had the honor to make Presi- dent Jacksr)n two glasses of lemonade. The reception given the President was entirely unconventional. Mr. Jackson stepped into the kitchen, where the cook was frying some doughnuts, and he a-sked the liberty to eat some. She offered him some cheese, which he took, and stepped to the back side of the house to look at Hooksett Falls. Mr. Jackson was given a rousing reception at Concord, and a committee of reception met the party between Hooksett and Concord. lu the summer of 1877, President Hayes, accompanied by a part of his Cabinet, made a short stop at Hooksett. A large crowd of people a.ssembled to see them. Mr. Hayes was introduced by ex-Governor Natt. Head, who, in return, introduced William M. Evarts and David M. Key, members of his Cabinet. The resources of the town of Hooksett in the year isso aiv 11- t'oU.iu^ : Airricultural products, $125,000; iii(( liMiiinil ImIm.i-, .-^ins^ddO ; stocks and money at in- Icnst, .^|:;,4iMi: ,l.'i.(isit in savings-bank, $116,217; stock in trade, $52,816. Among the manufactur- ers is the harness-shop of B. J. Gile. He established the business in 1837. Mr. Gile gives constant em- ployment to from ten to fifteen men. His goods are sent to all parts of the country. Gile's collars have a reputation for durabililty that equal any other make. Among the natives of Hooksett who have become pro- minent was the late Hon. Henry W. Fuller, judge of the Roxbury Municipal Court, Boston ; he was the son of David G. and Jane Fuller and was born in this town June 30, 1839. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College, served during the war and was breveted briga- dier-general by President Lincoln. He was a mem- ber of the Massachusetts State Senate. He died in Boston, in 1884, of pneumonia. Hon. Richard H. Ayer was born in Concord Janu- ary 12, 1778; died in Manchester February 5, 1853, aged seventy-five. He settled near Isle Hooksett Falls, within the limits of Dunbarton, in the year 1807. He was a man of great strength of will and force of character. He represented the town of Dun- barton in the Lesislature seven vears, Hooksett four "^^ly/ attl^Wca.^^ HOOKSETT. years; was moderator of Dunbarton fi'om 1812 to 1823 ; in Hooksett a number of years ; Presidential elector in 1816 and 1848; councilor five years; was the first high sheriff of Merrimack County, from 1823 to 1 828 ; naval store-keeper at Portsmouth from 1829 to 1837; delegate to the convention for amending till' Constitution of New Hampshire in 18r)0. He was the principal agent in organizing the town of Hooksett, anil establishing the county of Merrimack. Richard H. Aver moved from this town, in 1845, to Afanchester. He was a good citizen, generous to the poor and public- spirited. He accumulated a large property, and was extensively engaged in the lumber and brick business. He left a legacy of .seven thousand . New Hampshire has raised up within her borders and sent abroad many noble men who, by their char- acter and energy, have reflected honor upon their na- tive State. Among those who have been thus active and deserving and who attained positions of promi- nence, the subject of this sketch has place. Most men have friends, but few have gone to their graves leav- ing so many as Natt Head. Wherever he went, among all classes of people, without effort and seem- ingly without purpose, he won the hearty and lasting friendship of all with whom he came in contact. He had a warm heart and a face always beaming with good humor, and was ever courteous, genial and gen- erous. He was of Scotch and Welsh ancestry, John and Nathaniel Head, brothers, bavin" emiyratcd fri)m Wales and settled in Bradford, Mass., afterwards moving to Pembroke, N. H. James Head, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, became an influential and patriotic citi- zen of his adopted town. Early in the period of trouble with the mother-country he enlisted in the military service, and served with fidelity and bravery through the war, and was killed at Bennington in 1777, holding the rank of lieutenant-colonel. His son, Nathaniel Head, born in Bradford, Mass.. March li, 17ol, was llie irrandfitiier of(iovernor Natt Head. When a young man, the son paid his addresses to Miss Anna Knox, daughter of Timothy Knox, of Pembroke. She was of Scotch- Irish blood, and one day, as the father and son were ploughing, the former said, "Nathaniel, do you intend to marry that Iri.sh girl?" The reply was, firmly, but decidedly, "Yes, sir." Added the father, "Then understand you can never share in my property." Young Nathan- iel's answer was, " Very well, I can take care of myself." And dropping the goad-stick, he left the paternal roof in a few hours to take up a farm in the wilderness and build a home for himself. The father made good his threat, leaving, at his death, one dollar to Nathaniel and to the other brothers the remainder of his property. Nathaniel built a log house, carry- ing Anna Knox to it as his wife. He soon rose to po- sition and influence. The reports of the battle of Lexington show him to have been a second lieutenant in the Ninth Company of Volunteers from New Hamp- shire at Winter Hill, in the cold season of 1775-76 ; ensign in Captain Sias' company. Colonel Nichols' regiment, in the expedition to Rhode Island in 1778, and captain in Colonel Reynolds' regiment in 1781. After the close of the war he became prominently connected with the State troops and was colonel of the Eleventh Regiment. His seventh son, born May 30, 1791, was the father of the subject of this sketch. He remained at the homestead, being associated with his father in the works of the farm and mill, and after his death, by purchasing the interest of his brothers, succeeded to the estate. He inherited the military spirit of his father and w.is elected lieutenant-colonel of the Sev- enteenth Regiment. Colonel Head married Anna Brown, whose home was near his. She was a woman of great energy and executive ability, a member of the Congregational Church in Pembroke and was much beloved by all who knew her. Her father was a sea-captain who made numerous voyages round the world. By the death of her husband, August, 1835, the widow was left in the management of a large and val- uable estate, as well as the care of a family. She died April 3, 1849, leaving five children— Hannah A., Sallie B., Natt, John A. and W. E., the latter the business partner of Natt, who for many years carried on a suc- cessful business in the manufacture of bricks, and also HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. a very heavy lumber traiie. Jnheriting military traits from his father, we find Xatt following in the footsteps of his (liatinguished ancestors. He was one of the first members of the Hooksett Light Infantry, which was one of the best in the State. He served four years as drum-major of the Eleventh Regiment, being elected September ], 1847. He was an original member of the " Governor's Horse Guards " and chief bugler during the existence of the corps. He was many years com- mander of the Amoskeag Veterans of Manchester, an honorary member of the Boston Lancers, also an ex- sergeant of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery. He was chief on the statfof Governor Joseph A. Gilmore and the Head Guards of Manchester. A military or- ganization formed at tlie close of the war was named in his honor. When the Soldiers' Asylum wa-s burned at Augusta, General Head wa.s appointed to the charge ofthe institution during theillncssot I he I >( |>iily Gov- ernor, and subsequently herebuili iIk r-iidili.-liment. He built several miles of Concmil ami I'mtsniouth Railroad between Suncook and Concord and also the branch line from Suncook to Pittsfield. He was elec- ted to numerous town offices and commissioned dep- uty sherift'and representative in the Legislature from Hooksett in 1861-62. In 1863 he married Miss AbbieM. Sanford, of Low- ell, Mass., an accomplished and educated lady, who ever dispensed, with her husband, the generous hospi- tality of their home and ever encouraged him in all good work. Three children were born to them, — Annie Sanford, Lewis Fisher and Alice Perley, — of whom tlie eldest only remains, Lewis having died in 1870, at the age of foiir years, :ind Alice in IS7!I, at the age of nine years. In 1864 Natt rccciv.-d llir ai'piiintment by Governor Gilmore of adjiilnni in-piitur and quartermaster- general of the Stall', uliirli jiiisition he filled with acceptance until 1S70. Ouring his term of office as adjutant-general he accomplished the work which was to him the proudest and noblest of his public life, and in this capacity he made his most brilliant and enduring record. The war had already lasted three years when he was called to that office, and the nation was in one of the most important crises of its history. The loyal North was straining every nerve to answer the President's proclamation for more men to recruit the depleted ranks of the Union army. New Hamp- shire had up to that time sent to the front twenty-six thousand soldiers, and yet not a complete set of the muster-rolls of a single organization could be found in the adjutant-general's office, nor was there any rec- ord of the heroic deeds of New Hampshire's sons upon the battle-fields of the South, whicli had won for them and her imperishable renown. General Head brought to his work a natural love of the military and everything connected with it, as well as business methods formed during his life of activity in the marts of trade, wliich he brought to bear in brimriiig "order out of chaos" in his new tield of labor. Entering at once upon his duties, he employed three clerks upon his own responsibility, procuring the necessary outfit, trusting in the Legislature to reim- burse him, which it promptly did, and made liberal appropriations for continuing the work. It is scarcely possible to conceive the magnitude of the task which General Head had undertaken, nor its apparent hope- lessness. He had no data from which to work, no record, no files of correspondence. Beginning at tlie very commencement of the war, the records of every officer and every enlisted man was persistently hunted up, special clerks were dispatched to Washington, and after repeated rebuils, overcome only by the jicrsist- eucy of the adjutant-general, permission was obtained from the War Department to copy from its records the needed information, and forseveral weeks these clerks labcred in sea.son and out of season until they had secured the records sought. This information was compiled in the office at Concord, corrected as far as possible, and now appears in four volumes for the years 186r) and 1866. These reports give the name and the military history of every officer and soldier who went from New Hampshire to serve in the Union army Crom 1861 to 186.'). They also contain biographical sketches of all the field officers from the State who were killed in service or who died from disease or wounds during the war, brief sketches of all the regi- ments and battalions in wliich these men served, their date of departure, principal movements, battles en- gaged in and date of return home and final "muster- out." These reports are invaluable, not only as a con- tribution to history, which the State could not affiird to lose, but also to the thousands of soldiers, their wives and children, as a positive help in securing the information necessary for the procurement of pensions and bounty-money. Had his labors ended here, Natt Head would have richly earned the warm feeliugs of admiration and love which every true soldier enter- tains for his memory. But he supplemented the cler- ical labors of his position by active and earnest per- sonal work in behalf of the-soldiersand their families during the latter part of the war and at its close ; and betook a pardonable pride in gathering all the precious relics of " the bitter struggle " which he could obtain, and placed them under the dome of the State-House in Concord. The significance of the labor of love was fully rec- ognized by Governor Smyth at the time, and in his valedictory address to the Legislature in 1S67 he paid General Head the following tribute: " In the difficult adjustment of our military all'airs. yon will agree with me in a warm ajqinival of the energy and efficiency of the adjutant-general, whose work has been, in all cases, well performed. When it has been my grateful duty to extend a welcoming hand, in behalf of the people of this State, to our brave returning soldiers, he has forwarded my purpose witli unflagging interest and zeal. You will not tbr- L'ct that around bis department all the memories of HOOKSETT. 387 tlu' contest now cluster. The long roll of honor is there. There are gathered the blooil-stained battle- flags and there will always be (bund those associations which should inspire us with love of country and an appreciation of those who gave their lives and shed their blood for the blessings which God bestowed when he gave us the victory." In addition to the compilation of the I'ivilWar records General Head, not satisfied with what he had accom- plished, proceeded to compile the military records of the State from 1823 to 1861, and amid discourage- ments that would have deterred one less persistent, the records were completed and jmblished in the report for 1866. This part of the report is a valuable con- tribution to the military history of the State and nation, and of priceless worth to posterity. In 1867, General Head conceived the idea of issuing the "Sol- dier's Certificate " to the honorably discharged soldiers of the StAte, and to the families of those who had fal- len, and to-day thousands of these memorials in mail}' homes bear mute but touching testimony to the truth and earnestness of the love born by the defend- ers of the flag by that generous and patriotic heart now stilled in death. Nothing ever plensed him more tlian to be present with the cnniradcs of the Grand Army at their social gatherings, llcunuld sacrifice every other engagement to meet tlii'iii. He had a personal acquaintance with Generals Grant, Sherman and Sheridan, and was several times invited to join them in their trips through the coun- try. In the financial world Governor Head stood high, and he had established for himself a reputation for energy and tact in business which gave him at all times the confidence of the people- Associated with I his brother, William F. Head, and Frank Uoust, of Manchester, the firm have taken some of the heav- iest building contracts ever made in New Hampshire. In the financial world Governor Head was chosen to many responsible positions. He was director of Sun- cook Valley Railroad, First National Bank, Manches- ' ter, also of Merrimack River Savings-Bank,M.anches- tci. He was a prominent member of several secret iiiLiaiiizations and was especially active in Free-Ma- sonry, being a member of Washington Lodge, Mt. Horeb Royal Arch Chapter, Adoniram Council and Trinity Commandery of Manchester. He was also a member of the Supreme Council, having received all the degrees of the " Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite " and all in the Rite of Mem- phis : also a member of the Massachusetts Con.-iistory, ^ r. E. S., 32°, Boston. He was a member of Friend- -liip Lodge, Hooksett, Hildreth Encampment, ofSun- k, I. O. O. F., Oriental Lodge, K. of P., Alpha l.nijcre, K. ofH., of Manchester, and had been Master nl Hooksett Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. As a leading member or president of the State Agricultural j Society, he labored zealously to promote its interests, and originated the plan of holding farmers' conven- tions, the first one being held in Manchester in 1868. In 1875 he was a candidate for the State vSenate, when the controversy occurred over the spelling of his name upon the ballots. He was, however, elected to that body in 1866-77, in the latter year becoming the pre- siding ofticer, discharging the duties of that office with admirable tact and ability. This position added to his popularity and gave his name such a prestige that in September, 1878, at the Republican Gubernatorial Convention, he was nominated on the first ballot by a decided majority and was elected for two years, being the first Governor to serve in the biennial term, and so was not a candidate for re-election. During his term of office there were many important questions which arose whose consideration demanded good sense, wis- dom and impartial judgment, and it was generally acknowledged by all that his term was eminently suc- cessful, creditable alike to his own ability and fidelity and to the fame of the State in which he so honorably served. The well-known Buzzell murder case, wliirh linnlly became one of the most celebrated in the criininal records of the world, had been tried twice when Gov- ernor Head took the executive chair. His R.xcellency gave a long and patient hearing to counsel for State as well as defense, and denied the prayers of the pe- titioners for a commutation of his sentence. Buzzell suHered the " extreme penalty of the law," and the conclusion in his case was sustained alike by legal and public opinion. The project of anew State prison, inaugurated by his predecessor, was successfully car- ried forward to its completion. The commissioners selected to superintend the work consulted with the Governor at every step, and the building stands to-day, in thoroughness of structure and excellence of arrange- ments, second to none in the country. During his term of office Governor Head made many official trips, and wherever he traveled he received marked attentions, which he personally, and as chief executive of the State, merited. He was usually accompanied by his start'ofticers, of whom he was justly proud, as they were all gentlemen of high standing and of irreproachable character. Their names were Colonel W. N. Dow, of Exeter; Colonel D. L.Jewell, Suncook; Colonel Charles E. Balch, Manchester ; Colonel F. C. Church- ill, Lebanon ; General B. F. Rachley, Dover; Gen- eral J. W. Sturtevaut, Keene; General C. H. Burns, Wilton ; General Cruft, of Bethlehem ; and Generals A. D. Ayliug and J. H. Gallinger, of C(mcord. Among other occasions, the Governor and staff were present at the inauguration of President Garfield, the two hundred and fiftieth aniversary of Boston, and military encam]>ments in different States. It was also his pleasure to entertain Govirnors Tal'iiot and Long, of Massachusetts, Governor Van Zandt, of Rhode Island, as well as many other distinguished persons, being invited to join in traveling, at differ- ent times, Generals Grant, Sherman and Sheridan, Admiral Farragut and others. And so, although he seemed to have almost every HISTOKY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. office of any value in the Slate, the work which he had done as adjutant-general seemed to make him the happiest, so dearly did he love the soldiers. The many years of public life and close attention to business gradually impaired his health, and the last two years of his life were marked by weariness and inability to attend fully tu business. Physicians of known ability were called to prescribe, kind friends and loving ones at home cared tenderly for him, but of no avail. He passed away November 12, 1883, at the age of fifty- five years. His funeral was largely attended by people from Concord, Manchester and adjoining towns, and many hundreds came to look for the last time upon the face of one " who had many friends." The most distinguished citizens of the common- wealth were present and joined with neighbors and friends in expressions of sorrow for the departed. Dif- I'erent JMasonic bodies were present, and Sir George P. CUuves, of Mt. Horeb Commandery, officiated as liintnil director. At twelve o'clock the sad rites began. The remains rested in a rich casket of black, stationed in the lower hall-way. Upon the casket were the Tem- plar chapeau and sword of the deceased. Beautiful floral offerings were about the casket. Mrs. Head's tribute was a large wreath bearing the word " Hus- band " in the centre, while from the daughter Annie, was a handsome ])illow with the inscription " Father." Colonel and Mrs. Balch sent a crescent. General iSturtevant a bouquet, employes of Head & Doust an anchor bearing the word " Rest," and many others from friends. Rev. Mr. Rollins, of Hooksett, performed the ser- vices, consisting of a touching prayer, and a male quartet furnished the music. The singers were J. J. Kimball, D. J. Hurlbert, J. F. Gordon, F. Y. E. Rich- ardson. The selections were of a Masonic character: " Our days on Earth are as a shadow," " Heavenly Father, wilt thou lead us?" Peace to the memory of the dead ! Many Masonic organizations were present and delegations from different parts of the State joined in the funeral |)rocession to the cemetery, about a half-mile from the house. At the grave Trinity Commandery conducted the Ma.sonic burial .service, the office being performed by Sir B. (J. Cumner, E. C, and Sir. L. F. McKinney, Prelate. The pall- bearers were selected from Trinity Commandery, and were Sirs Daniel F. Straw, David O. Fernald.John Hosley, George S. Holmes, David B. Varney and James S. Briggs. And so passed away nnc whu li;id many I'riemls. Letters of sympathy and kiinlly c.\piessions of the worth of the departed were received by Mrs. Head, but space allotted here will not allow their publication. The editorial of Colonel John B. Clarke, of the Man- chester Mirror, is perhaps an expression of the people generally throughout the State, which we quote below, — " Other men may have been greater and stronger than he ; may have lived longer and accomplished more ; have died and been respectfully buried. Their death has been counted a loss to the State, to the profession in which they were leaders; but it caused no deep grief among those who were not bound to them by family ties. They are remembered as Gov- ernors, Senators, millionaires, not as men, and when once their places arc filled and their estates distributed they have been well-nigh forgotten. The hold they had was upon the brain, not upon the heart. It was not so with Natt Head. People who knew him loved him while he lived and mourn for him because he is dead." Colonel Moore, editor of the Manchester Union, one of the leading Democratic organs of the State, in al- luding to his death, spoke of him as one "generous to a fault." His life was flavored with that quality in all those relations where he touched the concerns of oth- ers and in his attitude towards all public institutions that encompassed the betterment of society. He never did anything by halves, and that cause which attracted his support received the benefit of his able and untiring efforts. As a public officer, he could say with Othello, " I have done the State some service and they know it." No man in New Hampshire knew .so many people personally, and few, if any, had so strong ahold upon the popular good-will. His word needed no writing to make it gooil. He is survived by a widow and uno daughter, .\nnie S. Head. WILLIAM FERXALD HEAD. According to a tradition of the family, the Heads are descendants of Welsh ancestry. They originally settled in this country, in Bradford, Mass. Tradition also asserts that the pioneers were two brothers, John and Nathaniel Head. Certain it is that at lea.st two families of the name had settled in Pembroke some years before the Revolution. On the northerly side of Pembroke Street, and to the west of a cross-road leading to the site of the old town-house, is a field ou the side hill in which stood the Head garrison-house, one of the four of the town, where the inhabitants sought protection from marauding bands of savages in the old French and Indian Wars. James Head was in command of the jiost and was of a military turn of mind ; for, some years afterwards, we find him commis-sioned lieutenant-colonel in the forces under General John Stark. He was killed at the liattle of Bennington while dciirig noble service lor his country. Nathaniel Head, son of Colonel James Head, was born in Bradford, Mass., March 6, 1754. On arriving at man's estate he married Anna Knox, and settled in what was then a part of Chester, now in Hooksett. Here he built a log house, cleared a farm and com- menced life's battle. At the breaking out of the Revolution his patriotic zeal was aroused, and the old muster-rolls of the State-House show that he was at 'j^rc a c ,u^^ TTOOKSETT. Winter Hill, as second lieutenant, tliirini; the sici;c ol' Boston; as ensign in Captain Sias' company, Toloiul Nichols' regiment, in the expedition to Klimle Island in 177S ; and asca|)tain in Colonel licynolds' rcirimcnt in I7S1. Willi lln' ivIuiM ol' |nMfo his fniidiiiss for iiiililui-y pursuits led him to take a deej) interest in the mililiu, and he rose in rank to the command of a regiment. His military ardor, however, did not interfere with his Imsiness. He soon hecame extensively engaged ill lumbering, at the same time carrying on his large liiriM. He was a justice of the peace, which in those days was an office of high trust, responsibility and honor, and was held in the highest esteem by his neighbors and fellow-citizens. .lohii Head, seventh child of Colonel Nathaniel and Anna (Knox) Head, was born May 3U, 17!U ; married Anna Brown, daughter of William Brown, a ship-master, famed for his early voyages. The mili- tary fever developed in John Head, and he, too, be- came colonel, having command of the Seventeenth Kegiment. At the death of his father he bought out the other heirs, and carried on the home farm and the lumber business inaugurated by his father. He died in the prime of life, August 7, 1835, leaving his family and large property to the care of his widow. She accejited the responsibility, and with fidelity and conscientiousness attended to the duties until her death, April 3, 1849. She was a member of the Con- gregational Church of Pembroke, and took a deep interest in religious and educational afl'airs. William F. Head, sou of John and Anna (Brown) Head, a brother of Governor Natt. Head, was born in Hooksett, on the old Head homestead, September 25, 1832. In early childhood the boy lost his father, and was guided through the perils of boyhood by his mother's care. Well he repaid her, lor he was a duti- ful son, eager to jilease her. He attended the district school in the little red school-house, and pursued his studies for a few months at the Pembroke Gymnasium ; but his education as a man has been acquired by con- tact with men and reading, — a fondness for books all through life being a trait. His mother died when he was seventeen ; but the character which she had moulded was founded on good principles, and the habits of industry, acquired in youth under her teaching, were well established. At the age of twenty years — in 1852 — he went into business with his brother, Governor Natt. Head, and for over thirty years this business relation existed, or until the death of his brother and partner. Mr. Head is a quiet, unostentatious business man, — a man who plans great business enterprises and suc- cessfully executes his undertakings. He has men at work in his brick-yards, in his mills, in his fields, in j his woods and on extensive contracts ; each carry out ! the ideas of their employer, who directs them for the j common good ; yet, to meet him on the cars, in his j office, on the street or in his library, one would sup- ' 25 Ills cares wear upon mm. In lS5il, Mr. Head wa.s chosen s.^lccl 111:111, :iiid was re-elected the following year. He wus chosen to represent the town in the State Legislature in the years 1869-70, and in 1876 was a member of the Con- stitutional Convention. He is a director of the Sun- cook Valley Kailroad Company, atid a trustee of the Merrimack River Savings-Bank, of Manchester; also trustee of the New England Agricultural Society. Mr. Head has been for many years prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity. He joined the Eagle Lodge, of Manchester, in 1863, and was a charter member of the Jewell Lodge, of Suncook. He is also a member of the Council, Chapter and En- campment, at Manchester. The mansion where Mr. Head resides occujiies the site of the log cabin where his grandfather settled with his bonnie Scotch-Irish bride. The home-farm, of some two hundred and fifty acres, extends along the banks of the Merrimack River for about half a mile, and includes rich intervale land and fertile hill- side fields. The chief crop is hay, of which two hundred and fifty tons are cut annually. There are kept on the farm seventy-five head of neat stcjck and twenty horses. The lumber business, commenced many years ago by the grandfather. Colonel Nathaniel Head, has grown to large proportions, under the firm-name of Head & Doust. Mr. Head has been engaged in many large building contracts. In times past he has bought many hundred acres of forest-land, from which he has cleared the timber and cord-wood, and still owns the land, utilized for pasturage or for pro- ducing a second growth of trees. On the home-farm are the celebrated Head clay- banks, from which six million bricks arc made aiiiiu- idly. Mr. Head was maYried, November 4, 1858, to Mary H. Sargent, of Allenstown, daughter of Major Ster- ling Sargent. Their children are Eugene S. Head, now actively engaged in business with his father^ and Sallie Head, who is being educated at Lasell Semi- nary in Auburndale, Mass. HON. JESSE GAULT.' Hon. Jesse Gault was born in Hooksett, N. H., Sep- tember 20, 1823, and is a direct descendant, in the fifth generation, of Samuel Gault, who was born in Scot- land, and emigrated to the northern part of Chester, now included in Hooksett, and settled on the " Sun- cook Grant," so called. Matthew Gault, who was born in 1755, on the old Gault homestead in Chester, and who married Elizabeth Bunton, was the grand- father of the subject of this sketch. They had twelve children, nine living to be married, of whom 1 Written by J. E. Peclier. HISTOKV OF MHHIUM ACK rOUXTY, NKW HAMl'SinUK. Jesse, the second son, who was born October 22, 1790, while the family was temporarily residing in Springfield, N. H., and who died in Hooksett Sep- tember 2.0, 1855, aged sixty-five, was the father of Hon. Jesse Gault. He was a successful farmer and a man of property, and his homestead was one of the finest in his town or county. He married Dolly Clement, who wa.s born in Pembroke April 21, 1794, and died March 30, 1873, her father being Joshua Clement, who was born in Goshen June 12, 1764, and died in Concord December 26, 1840. Mr. Clement was a clothier, and was many years in business in what is now Suncook, where he was a large owner of real estate, including considerable water-power. He married Abbie Head, daughter of General Nathaniel Head, of Pembroke, September 26, 1790, and on the nuiternal side was of English descent. Jesse Gault, 8r., luul four cliilclrcn, two sons and two daughters. Matthew, the older son, was born September 23, 1817, and died December 2, 1846. Of the daughters, Almira C, born December 2, 1819, and died February 20, 1853, married Harlan P. Ger- rish, of Boscawen. She left a son, John C. Gerrish, now living in Missouri. The remaining sister, Martha H., was born July 3, 1828, and died April 23, 1863. Hon. Jesse Gault was brought up on his father's farm, and his opportunities for obtaining an educa- tion were the public school and Pembroke Academy. 4t the age of sixteen he began teaching in his own district, where he taught the winter school for four consecutive years, working on the farm in summer. Subsequently he was an instructor in Suncook and Hooksett village. On reaching twenty-two he left home to commence life's work for himself, and went to Baltimore, Md., where he engaged as a book- keeper and surveyor for the Messrs. Abbott & Jones, ship lumber merchants. His health becoming im- paired, he was forced, in less than a year, to relin- quish his situation, which had already become a most promising one, and returned home. After regaining his strength he, upon the solicitation of his aged parents, consented to remain in Hooksett. April 23, 1846, he married Miss Martha A., daughter of Isaac C. Otterson, of Hooksett, whose wife was Margaret Head, an aunt of ex-Governor Nathaniel Head. The same year Mr. Gault opened a brick-yard in Hooksett on a small scale, which he has developed until its production is about six millions yearly, affording employment to sixty men. This extensive business nece.s.sitatcs the purchase of large tracts of woodland for obtaining fuel, while the lumber is sold in the market. In this way he has bought some three thousand acres of forest domain. In addition, he owns several farms, the one upon which he lives cutting seventy-five tons of hay annually, and producing largely of other crops. His residence on the old stage-road from Concord to Haverhill, Mass., was built some five years ago, and is one of the most expensive in that sectiou. Mr. Gault was early active in civil affairs. Aftei filling various local positions, including chairman ol the Board of Selectmen for many years, he was chosen delegate from Hooksett to the Constitutional Convention of 1851, being the youngest member ol that body. Mr. Gault was then a Whig, and Hook- sett was at that time Democratic by more than twc to one. In 1857 and 1858 he represented his town ir the lower branch of the Jjcgislature, and in 1867 was elected a railroad commissioner for a triennial term being chairman of the board the last year. In 187f he was a delegate to the Republican National Con- vention at Cincinnati, and has, for many years, been a member of the Republican State Committee. He was chosen from the ].,ondonderry District to the State Senate in 1885, and was chairman of the com- mittee on claims, and a member of those on tht revision of the statutes and the asylum for th( insane. Mr. (iault, by great industry and persever ance, has accumulated a large property, and is exten sively interested in ownership and officially in rail way, banking and other corporations. He is a regu lar attendant at the Union Church in Hooksett, ii universally respected in private life for the purit; and uprightness of his character, and is a member o the Masonic fraternity. Of the five children, (tw( sons and three daughters) born to Mr. and JIrs Gault, four have died, the oldest, a son, reaching sixteen. The surviving child is the wife of Frank C Towle, a young business man of Suncook. Senato Gault is a gentleman of commanding persona presence, is a fine speaker, and often presides ove public assemblages. Possessing executive abilities o the highest order and excellent judgment, his opin ion upon important matters, both private and public is often sought. Although, as will be seen above he has already filled many responsible civil offices yet his host of friends are confident that higher po litical honors will hereafter be bestowed upon him His home, presided over by his refined and accom plished wife, is widely known, no less for its ele gance than for its generous hospitality, and attract many visitors. HISTORY OF HOPKINTON. BY C. C. LORD. CHATTER I. Geography of the Town.— Tlip town of Hopkin- toii is located in the smitheni portion of Merrimack County, touching its southern liorder in a middle posi- tion. Hopkinton is bounded on the north by Warner and Webster, on the east by Concord, on the south by Bow, Dunbarton and Wears, and on the west by Henniker. The area of Hopkinton is said to be 26,967 acres. The town lies nearly square. Its sur- face is irregular, but undulating rather than rugged. Its scenery partakes more of the picturesque than of the sublime and grand. Near the geographical centre of the town is an elevated ridge of land, about three miles in length, running somewhat northeasterly and southwesterly, and having a slight depression in the middle, making two brows, tlic southerly of which is known as Putney's Hill, the northerly being called Gould's Hill. In the eastern part of the town, and partly included in Concord, is another ridge, some- what parallel to the first, and which is known as Beech Hill. These two ridges aftbrd the highest elevations of land in the town. The scenery from many points of these elevations is very attractive and beautiful. The view from Putney's Hill, on a clear day, showing land in every county of the State, is extensively known to and admired by tourists. There are numerous minor elevations in the township. The soil of Hopkinton is granitic, and for the most part fertile. In the northern portion of the town is some sandy, plain land of inferior quality. The soil is well watered. The Contoocook River enters the town of Hopkinton near the middle of its western boundary, traversing it in a tortuous course and passing into Concord near the north- eastern corner of Hopkinton. On its way, this river receives numerous tributaries, the most important of which are the Warner and Blackwater Rivers on the north, and Paul and Dolloft's Brooks on the south. Numerous acres of valuable intervale land lie on the Contoocook River in Hopkinton. There are several natural ponds in this town, as Smith's Pond, near the centre, and Clement's and Clough's Ponds, in the northwest. Most of the natural drainage of Hopkin- ton finds its way into the Contoocook River, which, with its tributaries, affords a large supply of water power. Most of the surface of this town is under- laid with a hard, clayey subsoil, and in various por- tions there is a small distribution of granular iron. There is much less solid rock in Hopkinton Ihan in many other New Hampshire towns. Hopkinton is to-day pre-eminently a rural town, and its surface is principally devoted to agricultural purposes, being divided mainly into field, pasture and forest land. All the staple crops of New Hampshire are raised here. We shall speak further of the in- dustrial and popular situation of the town hereafter. Primitive Facts.— Previously to the occupation of the territory of Hopkinton by white settlers, there was little primitive life that was locally distinctive. There were heavy forests of mixed growth, in which oak, a.sh, beech, birch, chestnut, maple, pine, hem- lock, spruce, etc., — trees everywhere indigenous to New Hampshire, — were in various degrees of admix- ture intermingled. Upon the lower, plain lands there ] was a greater predominance of the softer woods. j There wa.s also more or less wild grasses of inferior { quality. The streams and ponds abounded with i fish. The streams were also in some instances larger j than now. All the wild beasts and birds indigenous to our State probably roamed more or less over this 1 local wilderness. The same may be said of reptiles, among which the rattlesnake was the only venomous i one.' ! The wild red man was also here before the advent j of civilization. The regular Indian inhabitants of I this locality appear to have belonged to the tribe of I Penacooks, or Pawtuckets. They had their favorite j local haunts. On the intervale land of the Warner ! River, near its entrance into the Contoocook, w.is a famous resort. Numerous Indian relics have been I recovered from this locality. On the northern bank of the natural outlet of Smith's Pond (now known a.s Chase's Brook), at a point near the present main I village of the town, was formerly a huge rock, cleft in such a manner that an additional rude contrivance j afforded considerable shelter from the weather. It is said that here was a somewhat favorite winter re- 1 In tlw yeai- 1740, the town of Hopkiutown " Voted that Hierc be ^ight shillings pr. Bay allowed to those that have spent tlieir time in killing Kattlesnakes in sd Town." In 1782 it "Voted that ovei-y Pei-aon liis town that sliall kill a wulf shall have five Tj- Such wolf Head that be Shall Kill Paid By this 391 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMrSHIRE. sort of some of the Iiiilians of this vicinity. Scat- tering Indian relics have been picked up in various parts of the town, but, upon tlie whole, the local traces of the [last uncivilized human life are meagre. White Settlement of the Town.— The town of Hopkinton was settled by virtue of an act of the "(treat and General (/ourt or Assembly for His Majesty's Province of Massachusetts Bay, in New England." On Thunsday, January 15, 1736, Edmund Quincy, for a committee of both Houses, rendered a report "on the Petitions for Townships." Among others, the " Petition of Hopkinton " is mentioned in this report. The climax of this matter, so far as it relates to the township now known as Hopkinton, N. H., i.s expressed in an act of which the following is a record : bet ■ 111.- ' velie the Uruiitiies, or J'rupnet* in tlie Line of Towns bntweon tlie Riven* of Connecticut and Merri- mack, in Biidi Place ns tlioy .Shall lie N.itified and Warned to Convene and Assenilile at, iu Order to CliuBC a Moderator and Clerk, and Com- mittee to Allot and Divide their Tjjnui, and to Dispose of the same, aTid to Pass snch Votea and Orders as liy them may be thonglit Condncive fur till- .«|«Mly fidnilnienl ..f lli.- Cciidilinnii uf Uie Grant, and also to each was voted to Daniel Claflin and Richard Potter, provided that they settled before winter. There is a tradition that Potter was the first one of the grantees to begin domestic operations in the new territory. A call for a meeting, dated at Hopkinton, September 30, 1738,_declares,— " These are to Notify all the Projirietora of tlie New Township Num- ber Five, bordering on Kumford, to meet at the house of Mr. Henry Mellen.in the said Townslilp, near the Meeting-house Spot, on Thiraday, the nineteenth day of October next ensuing, at nine of tin- Clock in Ibe morning, there to act on the following articles," etc. This call evidently anticipates the first public meeting in the new township Number Five, whicli soon began to be euphoniously known as New Hop- kinton and to be indicated in the public records as " New Hopkinton (so called)." A prefatory note to the incorporating charter declares as follows : •■Tliiw Township was taken up to be settled, after it was granted A ill I > I iider of the General ftjurt of the Province of Masaai^husetta if Hopkinton, in .said Province, under the name ine of Towns, and was by them called New The following is proprietors of Nunil p list of the original bonded Five: Township Number Five wasnruMil'a line oftduiiships extending in a line from Runii'ord (now Coiiconl), on the Merrimack River, to the Great Falls, on the Connecticut. Each township wa.s decreed to be six miles square. Briefly expressed, the conditions im- posed upon the grantees by the court's committee were as follows : There were to be sixty settlers in a township, bonded to the committee for the perform- ance of certain conditions, as that each grantee build a dwelling-house eighteen feet square, and of seven feet stud at the least, on his lot, and fence in for plowing, or clear and stock to English grass, five acres of land within three years after being admitted to settlement; and the grantees together were to build and finish a suitable meeting-house, and settle a learned and orthodox minister within the same num- ber of years. In every sen.se of the term, settleraent.s were to be actual. In pursuance of the conditions above described, a meeting of the proprietors of Number Five was held at the tavern of James Morris, in Hopkinton, Mass., on the 14th day of February, 1837. Captain John Jones was chosen moderator ; Charles Morris, clerk ; Ebenezer Kimball, treasurer. It would seem that at this time the township had been surveyed and located ; but the several lots of the grantees had not been established. The projirietorship was for some time ociiijiied with the preliminaries of settlement. On the olst day of May, 1737, a gratuity of five pounds Troubles Incident to the French Wars.— The new settlement in Number Five was early subjected to various trials. One of these was incident to the pros- ecution of the so-called French Wars. The conflict known as King George's War lasted from 1744 to 1748 ; that sometimes called the Seven Years' War from 1754 to 171)3. The English residents of the New England colonies were involved in an interest adverse to the French nation, in common with the mother-country. Consequently, in addition to the liability to active military service, the colonies were subjected to attacks from the Indians, instigated by the French, in the hope of securing captives, to be redeemed by their friends, thus aiding the treasuries of the French cap- tors. The St. Francis Indians performed an import- ant part in the work of securing English captives. These Indians were located upon the border of, or in, Canada. In anticipation of predatory incursions by Indians, three forts, or garrison-houses, were early built in Number Five. They were Kimball's, Putney's and Woodwell'a garrisons. The first of these was located about a mile from the present village of Hopkinton, on the road to Rumlbrd, near the present residence of Mr. James K. Story, and was built by Aaron and HOl^KTNTON. 393 Jeremiuh KiinbiiU. The second stood uiioii tlii' lop of Putney's Hill, near the present house of the de- sceiidiiut-s of Moses Rowell, and was erected by Sam- uel and John Putney. The third occupied a spot about half a mile from the present village of Contoo- cook, in the north part of the town, and^ near the present residence of Mr. Ebenez.er Morrill, and wa.s constructed by David Woodwell. The situation in Nunjber Five during the period of the French War.s was more or less unsettled. On this account, im- portant changes were made in the plans of some of the proprietors. Doubtless, some transferred their interests ; some settled and then returned to Massa- chusetts ; others stayed in the new township. One thing is certain : domestic and social life were never suspended wholly in the new settlement, though in- dividual circumstances, doubtless, were in many in- stances modified. In consequence of the disturbed condition of aftairs, there are no proprietary records extant for the years from 1743 to \~!>0, inclusively; nor for 1752 ; nor from 1754 to 175G, inclusively ; nor for 1759; nor for 1762 to 1764, inclusively. Tlie inhabitants of Number Five also suft'ered per- sonal violence at the hands of their Indian enemies. On the 22d of April, 1740, Woodwell's garrison was surprised by a party of Indians and eight persons were taken captive. The captives were David Wood- well, his wife, two sons, Benjamin and Thomas, and a daughter, Mary ; Samuel Burbank, and Caleb and Jonathan, his sons. Woodwell and three children returned to Boston under a flag of truce. Mary Woodwell was held captive three years and was then redeemed, after spending six months with the French, at Montreal,, waiting for a passport. Samuel Bur- bank and Mrs. Woodwell died in captivity. Jonathan Burbank was redeemed, but wa.s afterwards killed by the Indiana, who mistook him for the famous Robert Rogers. Mary Woodwell, in 1755, married Jesse Corbett, of Uxbridge, Mass., and they settled in Number Five (or New Hopkinton), on the .scene of the capture of 1746. In 1759, Mr. Corbett was drowned in the Warner River, then called Almsbury River. In 1761, Mary Woodwell Corbett married Jeremiah Fowler, who died in 1802, and his widow immediately joined the Shaker community at Canter- bury, when she died in 1829, in the one hundredth year of her age. By her first marriage, Mary Wood- well had two sons, and by her second, five children. A detailed account of the capture at Woodwell's gar- rison was written by the late General Walter Harri- man and published in vol. iv., No. 6, of the Granite Monthly. On the 10th of November, 1746, a Mr. Estabrooks, of Number Five, was killed by Indians, on his return from Ruraford, where he had been for the medical services of Dr. Ezra Carter. Estabrooks was killed about a mile from the present Concord Main Street, on the present highway to Hopkinton. On the morning of April 13, 1753, Abraham Kim- ball and Samuel Putney was captured by Indians. Their capture occurred on the eastern slope of Put- ney's Hill, not far from Putney's garrison. Kimball and Putney were both young men. They were taken to Contoocook (afterwards Boseawen), on their way to Canada, when, on the next day after the capture, the Indians were surprised by some famous Indian hunters of the name of Flanders, and both the cap- tives escaped. Putney escaped by the aid of a dog that seized the neck of an Indian who attempted to tomahawk Putney. Abraham Kimball was the first/ white male child born in NiiimIkt Five, he being a son of Jeremiah Kimball. The military records oi' colonial New Hampshire, during the period of the French Wars, contain the following n.ames of residents of Number Five, though the identification of the parties is not sure: JoBeph Eastman (probably of Eumford), Stephen Hoyt, Matthew Stanley, Ebt^nezer Eastman, Joseph Putney, .Tohn Annia, Enoch East, man, John Burbank, William Peters, Nathaniel Smith, Sampson Colby, Isaac Chandler, Tlionias Merrill, Samuel Barrett, Jame.s Lock, John Nntt, John Jones, Thomas Eastman. The Mason Claim. — A second source of trial to the proprietors of Number Five resulted from the Ma-son claim. The original royal patent, given to Sir Ferdinando Gorges and John Mason, embraced all the line of the Atlantic coast between the Merri- mack and St. Lawrence Rivers, and extended many miles inland. The country was named Laconia, and the patent was given in 1622. Subsequently, Mason obtained a second patent of a considerable territory lying between the Merrimack and Piscataqua Rivers, and which he called New Hampshire. Having at- tempted settlement and a development of resources, Mason failed, and, dying, his heirs at length realized nothing but the naked soil. In the year 1691, the Mason estate passed into the hands of Samuel Allen. The original title became involved in dispute, and subsequently, by a fiction of law, that the estate might be under the command of the King's Court, the land wa,s assumed to be in England, and, by the con- nivance of the Massachusetts colonial authorities, John Tufton Mason, lineal descendant of John Ma- son, laid claim to the whole. John Tufton Mason was successful, and at length sold out to twelve lead- ing men of Portsmouth for fifteen hundred pounds. The new proprietors were liberal in disposition, and made regraiits of townships upon favorable terms, usually reserving fifteen rights for themselves. The conditions upon which Number Five was regranted are briefly expressed as follows : The township was granted in equal shares to Henry Melien, yeo- man, Thomas Walker, cooper, and Thomas Mcllen, cordwainer, all of Hopkinton, in the county of Middlese.\. K reservation of one-fifth, in the westerly part of the township, was set otf fur the proprietors. One whole share in the remaining four-flfths was to be set off for Uic first settled minister, to be his in fee simple. One whole share of the said four-fifths was to be set off for the use of the ministry forever. One whole share in the said four-fifths was to be set off for the use of a school forever. HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. That thirty acres of laud, and tbo served for a saw-mill, 'at the iiluce wham t that the gmnteea and their associates huild Tliat there be thirty families in the township within three years, each liouse being at least sixteen feet square, and provided with a cellar ; and that there be Ave acres of land cleared and fitted for mowing or tillage in each case. That there be sixty families within seven years, with other condi- That a meetiug-house be bnill uithin tlii.-e vftirs, and constant preaching be maintained at th.- . \| n-. ,.i tl,, .1 uii^.-s. That all the suitable pine in. 1 1 : , hi^ Miyesty's use. That in case uf an Indian >vnr 1 . 1 u.v time limited for the pei-formanco of conditions, tli.- i.iu.; ^li.uid 1 . . xit-nded to the close of the war. That in case Bow took any territory from the township, the loss be made up from other and ungranted lands. Tlie foregoing conditions were by an act of the Mason proprietors on the 30th day of November, 1750. The reservation of one-fiftli in the western part of the township suggests the remark tliat the earlier settlement.s liad not extended far in that di- rection. The reservation ultimately reverted to the inhabitants of the township, but upon what specific terms the writer does not know. In November, 1762, the following parties were de- clared legal grantees under the conditions of the Mason grant. The figures given indicate instances of a plurality of shares in possession : John Jones, Esq. (2), Joseph Haven, Esq., Rev. Samuel Haven, John Haven, Thomas Byxby, Peter How, Joseph Haven, Timothy Townsend, Pill before 1765. Adjudged in the New Hampshire courts, the controverted points seemed to be decided in favor of the local colonial interest. It seemed as if Bow wa.s to win her case. This was the condition of things on the 7th of May, 1761, when Deacon Henry Mellen, Adjutant Thomas Mellen and Timothy Clement were chosen a committee of Number Five, " to go down to the land proprietors and the proprietors of Bow to see if the matter can be agreed upon." However, largely by the activity of the inhabitants of Rumford, the matter was brought before the King's Court. At the Court of St. James, on the 29th day of September, 1762, the King and his counselors reversed a judgment of the Inferior Court of the Common Pleas of the prov- ince of New Hampshire, of the 2d of September, 17G0, and also one of the Superior Court of Judicature, of the second Tuesday in November, 1760, and the principle was established that defeated Bow and gave the other townships their land. In 1763, on the 13th of December, an act of the New Hampshire Legislature joined the following per- sons and their estates to tlie " District of New Hop- kinton," thus acknowledging the validity of their claim as residents of the disputed territory of Num- ber Five : \^il h';iTi>.-.ll, Tliii Up Kiinl ,1' T:.,,..tl., .'! ,...u! T'l] 1, ,I.'t Colby, '■'■ ■ " ' I • 1. 'i I .li :, ' I, ..I , I I, \ 1 . lI, I , L ,,, ■ , I , I ,:, jwmball, lUill O'clls), How, Jr. (2), 1 and Ezra 1 Mellen (4), Walker, The Bow Controversy. — The reader will remember that, in discussing the Mason grant, an incidental mention was made of Bow. The Bow controversy agitated the residents of Number Five during a period of years. The origin of the trouble will be briefly stated. We have already seen that Number Five was originally granted by the authorities of Massachusetts Bay. Bow was granted to Jonathan Wiggin and others, in 1727, by the government of New Hamp- shire. A conflict of boundaries ensued between Bow and Number Five. Bow was also in controversy with several other townships upon the subject of bounda- ries. Bow claimed a section of Number Five in the southeast part of the township. The disputed section was wedge-.shaped, with its apex lying very near the present village of Hopkinton. The contest between Bow and Number Five was, in a sense, a conflict of colonial governments. It was but natural that both Massachusetts and New Hampshire should be zealous of their prerogatives. All the boun- daries involved in this ciiiitroversv were not adjusted I .11, Parker Flanders, Isaac Colby, Thomas Hoitt, Widow > Kimball. ill 1772, in consequence of the incorporation of the county of Hillsborough, of which Hopkinton was a part till 1823, it became necessary for the provincial authority of New Hampshire to enact that the ]ior- tion of Hopkinton formerly claimed by Bow should be disannexed from Rockingham County, of which Bow was once a part, and annexed to the new couiily. CHAPTER II. HOPKINTON — (CoiiMniiei/). Incoi'poratioii of Hopkinton and Incidental Mat- ters. — The legal incorporation of Number Five, by the name of Hopkinton, was efl'ected in 1765. The in- corporating a('t passed the New Hampshire Provin- cial Legislature on the 10th of January. The ap- proval of the Council and the consent of Governor Benning Wentworth were given the next day. Hop- kinton was a town with all the implied legal rights and privileges. The subject of the legal incorporation of the township was agitated as early as 1757. On October 27th of that year a petition for incorporation was addressed "To His Excellency, Benning Went- worth, Esq., Captain-General & Governor-in-C'hief in aiith of January, 1775, Joshua Bailey was chosen delegate from Hopkinton to a second convention at K.teter, which convention chose John Sullivan and John Langdon as delegates to another Provincial Congress. On the same day the town voted " to accept what the Grand Congress has resolved." t)n the Uth of December, 1775, (\aptain Stephen Harriman was chosen a representative to Exeter forone year, in anticipation of the convocation of the 21st of the .same month, designed for the elaboration of a plan of civil government. In 1775, in compliance with the demand of the local colonial authority, an enumeration of people and of war materials was taken in Hopkinton. The following is the official rclurii : " MjiIos under Hi yoare of Age :i;i2 Mules from 16 years of .\ge to 50 not in Uie Army . . 160 " Males above r>il years of .\ge 31) Persons gone in the army 42 ' All females 619 Negroes and slaves for Life i 2 lllS.'i " Gnne that are wanting are Hlly-six. *' Powder, six pounds in town. "The above account taken by us, tiie subs'-ribei^, is true, errors ex- ".InNATUAN STRAW, i Selcfiineu " lsA\.' CnAxm.ER, ) jor Hoiikiiiton." On Ihc lib (if Maiili, 177(i, Major Chandler, Joshua Bailey and Moses Hill were made a local Committee of Safety. On the 14th of the same month, the Colonial Congress |)iujsed a resolution, recommending that all assemblies, conventions, councils or Committees of Safety immediately cause all persons " notoriously disaft'ected to the cause of America" to be disarmed. In view of compliance, Mesech Weare, chairman of 1 There were never but two slaves in Hopkinton. One of these was owned by .Ins.'j.b Hstnun-.l ; the otiier belonged to Thomas Webber. They were I'.'Mi u> il ^. l - H.unaixl, as ho waa called, on the event of hisenti^ir^i Im i i i . the vicinity af Amesbury, Mass., mar- ried and hpi'm. i r m, !■. ifii. - rM.-.i. (Vsar \VeM>er, as be wa* known, renirtin<-d in H.'i'ktuMn iilt tn> ileatli. He wssa member of the (?ongre- the New Hampshire Committee of Safety, issued a circular, requesting the signatures of all males over twenty-one years of age, " Lunaticks, Idiots and Negroes excepted," to the " Declaration on this Paper," and also desiring the names of "all who shall refuse to sign the same." This circular was dated April 12, 1776, and was presented to the select- men of towns. The selectmen of Hopkinton returned one hundred and sixty-one name's subscribed to the declaration, and the iianu's of fourteen who " refused to sign." On the 14th of January, 1777, the town voted to procure shovels, spades, one hundred pounds of gun- powder and lead and flinte. An existing law reipiired each town to maintain a regular supply of one barrel of gunpowder, two hundred pounds of lead and three hundred flints. On the 31st of March an ai>proi>ria- tion sufficient to raise twenty-six men for the army was voted. On the 14th of April it was voted that service already done should be considered equal to service to come; on the 9th of June, that militia should have the same pay as soldiers ; on the 15th of January, 177S, that the selectmen be agents to pro- vide for the families of non-commi.ssioned officers and soldiers; on the 1st of March, 1771>, that the sol- diers " should be made good as to the depreciation of money;" on the 20th of November, 1780, that sol- diers' rates should be payable in corn as well a-^ in nu)ney; on the 5th of February, 1781, that Major Chandler and the commissioned officers have author- ity to employ soldiers and hire money for the purpose. The following votes, passed on the 15th of May, 1777, shed some light upon the [irice paiti for Kevolutionary soldiers from this town : At home and in the Held, Hopkinton diil her part well during the trying Revolutionary times. A num- ber of the soldiers from this town lost their lives in the service. Hopkinton men were in nearly, or (piite, every important campaign of that war. Their names are now only imperfectly remembered. In attempting to recover the names of the Revolutionary soldiers of Hopkinton, we have been greatly assisted by Hon. George W. Nesmith, of Franklin, to whom we are indebted for many of the particulars given below. The following were at Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775, in Captain Gorden Hutchins' company: Nathaniel Clement, Abraham Kimball, William Darling, Thomas Mathews, Jonathan Judkins. John Gordon, Elisha Corliss, Nath. Perkins and Micha Flanders are of doubtfur residence, though some of them were proba- bly from Weare. Most of the Hopkinttiu men at Bunker Hill were enrolled in the company of Cap- tain Isaac Baldwin, of Hillsborough, who wa.s killed upon the field, and whose. command devolved upon HOPKINTON. Lieutenant John Hale, of this town, who served witli 1777, at Saratoga). Most of these men were enlisted the following others: Second Lieutenant Stephen in April, some for less than three years. Hoyt, Sergeant Moses Kimball, Corporals Moses Bailey, Moses Connor, Reuben Kimball and Moses l>:irling; Moses Tru.ssell, ,Tohn Putney, Samuel Hil- , 1777), Sergeant John Chadwick, Moses Colby, Daniel Crea.sy, ,Iohn Eastman (killed July 8, 1777, at Hubbardton), James Edgerly, William Hodgkins, Jonathan .Judkins, Samuel Stocker, Enoch Hoyt, David Smith (died August 4, 1778), Caleb Smart, Elijah Smart, Jonathan Sawyer, Benja- min Williams, Joseph Eastman (died October ,30, land : Lieutenant Thomas Rowell, Sergeant Moses Darling, Sergeant Abner Chase, Corporal Reuben Kimball, Corporal Levi Hildreth, Oliver Dow, Moses Hills, Joseph Hastings, Jacob Choat, Jona- than Straw, Ezekiel Straw, Samuel Hoit, Timothy Darling, David Kimball, Samuel Chase, Richard Smith, William Putney, Timothy Farnum, David Howe, William Barnard, Joshua Morse, .fohn Clem- ent, William Ayres, Moses Clark, Joseph Currier, Moses Clement, Jacob Tucker, Ezekiel Goodwin, Ira Waldron. These men were in the regiment of Col- onel Moses Kelley, of Goftstown. Corporal John S. Farnham enlisted into the army on the 5th of May, 1779 ; John Eaton and Timothy Farnham, on the 5th of April, 1781 ; they were all discharged in Decem- ber, 1781. Benjamin Creasy enlisted on the 6th of April, 1781, and was discharged on the 17th of March, 1782; he was claimed by Henniker. The following men were new levies from and for Hopkinton, en- listed before or during 1781, and distributed among different Continental regiments : Sergeant Isaac Clem- ent (died December, 1780), Richard Smith, Ebenezer Dustin, David Howe, Daniel Eaton, Alvaro Currier, .Mose-s Chase, .Jonathan Howe, Daniel .^tickney, Moses 'Flanders, Benjaniin (^iiimby. Samuel Howe, Kpbraim Hildreth. The following are additional names of Hopkinton men engaged in the Revolutionary War: Abram Currier, Samuel French, Michael Stocker, John Rob- Moses Flanders, Benjamin Flanders, Daniel HISTORY OK MKKHI.MACK COUNTV, NKW HAMPSHIRE. Kimball, Stephen Putney, Jeremiah Tyler, William Stocker, Isaac Walker. Captain Jonathan Straw waa at Cambridge in 177r). and diiw a pay-mil ot'£{jO 17». 9(/. During the Revolutionary inriod the people of Hopkinton were zealous of the public honor and im- patient of the conduct of the Tories. The following act, passed in 1770, illustrates the prevailing state of mind : " T'ofefl, tliat oiir Rupresenlalive Should Use his Eiifliiclico that the two Greens Should Bo I'ul Down from thiire offlco anil that if any Per- son Should go to I'etcr Green to git a Kit ho Should lie Looked niK)ii an ineniy to h's Country." In common with the rest of the people of the Amer- ican colonies, the residents of Hopkinton suflered in consequence of the depreciation of the colonial currency. In 1775, the Continental notes were nearly at par with gold, but very soon fell to a most insignifi- cant value. Tlie effect of the collapse is amply attested in the records of this town. At a town-meeting in 1781, it was voted that the price of a day's work by a man on the highway should be thirty dollars ; the price of the same, by a yoke of oxen, also thirty dol- lars ; the price of a plow and cart one day, ten dol- lars each. The salary of the Rev. Elijah Fletcher, minister of the town, was voted tllii)l May. 1778, Captain Harriman waa chosen a delegate to the approaching Constitutional Convention ; but, on the •22d of July, 1779, the town "Tryed a vote for receiv- ing the Plan of Government— none for, but one hun- dred and six against it." On the 30th of May, 1781, Joshua Bailey was chosen a delegate to the Constitu- tional Convention of that year. A numberof attempts were made to decide the attitude of this town towards the work of the convention before a final result wius reached. On the 8d of June, 1782, it was voted to pass over the article taking cognizance of the matter. On the nth of November, the work of the convention was rejected. This action was reversed on the 23d of the next December. On the .3d of March, 1783, Joshua Bailey, Deacon Kimball, Captain Moore, Mr. Aaron Greeley and Mr. Nathan Sargent were chosen a com- mittee to examine the plan of government and rei>ort to the town, which accepted the plan on the 8th of the following September. Esquire Greeley, on the 8th of August, 1791, was chosen a delegate to the Constitu- tional Convention of that year, but the work of the Assembly was rejected in toio on the 7th of August, 1792. It is a singular fact that both on the 7th of May and on the 21st of the same month, 1792, the town appears to have considered proposed amend- ments to the Constitution, but there is no record of the result. The Constitutional Convention of 1781, wbicli was in existence two years, proposed lostreiintbeii the arm i]|' State government by creaiiiiL' the i.llieeof President. It was not until an ameiicliiieiit to the original plan made the chief executive elective by the peo]ile that the work of the convention was accepted by the State. In 1783, under the new condition of aflairs, Mesech Weare, of Hampton Falls, was elected President of the State of New Hampshire. The vote of Hopkin- ton that year was fifty-six for Josiah Bartlett, of Kingston, two for Timothy Walker, of Concord, but nonefor Weare. The great struggle with the problem of local constitutional government was apparently over. The records of the town give few hints of the actual objections to the various phases of constitutional plans during the period from 1778 to 1792. Our conclusions upon this jioint are general. They are already ex- pressed. Controversy over the Meeting-House.— The local events recounted in the last division of this sketch cover a period in which an excited controversy over the meeting-house occurred. The meeting-house was a town institution ; consequently, the entire population was interested in its location, erection and manage- ment. As we have seen, the meeting-house was erected in 1766, or about twenty years after the grant of the township by the Legislature of Massachusetts. In the first instance, it was intended to locate the meeting-house as near the geographical centre of the town as was practicable. "Meeting-house lot" was laid out on Putney's Hill, The "minister's lot" was also located there. The minister's house was HOl'KTNTON. there ereclwl. However, in the year 1766 the title ol circumstances and events had a])piirently located the business centre of the town at the site of the present village of Hopkinton, where the meeting-house, as we have seen, was erected. A public act often incurs controversy, and a public controversy is a hard thing to quell. The meeting- house, being erected, became a constant source of dis- pute. The subject of a new location was at length mooted. On the 2d of Febuary, 1789, a select com- mittee of the town reported upon the subject in con- troversy. The committee were Nathan Sargent, Samuel Farrington, John Jewett, John Moore, Isaac Chandler, James Buswell, Benjamin B. Darli.ig, Enoch Eastman and Joshua Morse. The following is their report : " AfttT wo hjivo considoriMl ttir iii.illrr r.s|M-. tin;; II l^etiIlg-lutll^.■ -v.' h iM- .■Miminorl tho rates, aiul \vu lllul tlu' ami vm\ of the town iin>> it., ut iijltt i".iiri.N ill fifty in tho ministor tux more thiiu thu wost oml, ,i,,li .i^iii I .11, ill numlicr more. .\l80, tho tvavol is thirty-six lllill■^ I, Mill. I I.. 11 i.iiiinon lot on tho hiU, so callotl, than whero it now stauiis, arconluig to our computfttion. Xa thoso two places ai-o tho only ones picked upon by tho committee, therefore we think tho nieetinp:- houBC ought not to be moved." Three day.s after the presentation of this report u young man set fire to the meeting-house and it wius burned to the ground. The meeting-house destroyed, the old controversy revived afresh. In three days more the town held a meeting at the j)ublic-hoi.ise of Mr. Babson, which meeting, it is presumed to accom- modate the attendance, was adjourned to the " barn- yard." By this time at least four sites were proposed for locations for the meeting-house. The town voted to refer the matter to the " chairmen of the select- men " of the towns of Gilmanton, Linesborough and Washington. These gentlemen, — being Peter Clark, Ezekiel Hoit and Jeremiah Biicon," — on the 20th of February, reported that they had examined foursi)ots, — " the Common near Mr. Burbank's, the Hill, the Spot by the School-Huuse and the old Meeting-House Spot," — and decided that they were " unanimous of the opinion that near the Spot wheare the old Meet- ing-Hous Stood will be the most Convenient Place fur you to build a Meeting-House upon.'' The meeting-house controversy practically ended here. The new building was promptly erected upon the old site. The edifice was sixty-two feet long and forty-six feet wide. A tower twelve feet square stood at each end. There were seven entrances to it, — two in each tower and three in front. Inside were a high pulpit, a sounding-board, a gallery on three sides and pews built square. A few front pews, designed for the use of church dignitaries, were of better finish than the others. About 1811, a belfry and bell were added. In 1829, the structure wa.s remodeled into the present church, and a clock was put in the steeple. 1 Peter Clarke was from Lyndoborongh, Ezekiel Hoit from Oilmanton, and Jeremiah Bacon from Washington. There seems to be a doubt that in each particular instAnro the numbers of the committee were ebair- men of their respective Boards of Selectmen, though they may liavc been. iJuring the time in which there was no niecling- liouse, on account of the fire of 178'J, the church wor- shiped in the barnof Benjamin Wiggin.on the premises now between the Episcopal Church and the old post- office building, and in front of which are the two largest elms in Hopkinton village. In front of these premises, in the open air, on the :2r)tli oT l<'cl)ruaiy, 1789, the Rev. Jacob Ciuin, tbc tliird iiiiriislcr in the town, was ordained. The meeting-house was used l)y the town for its public meetings till the 4th of March, 1799, when a meeting was adjourned from the meeting-house to the " upper Part of the Town-house in Said Town, to meet at that Place again in one hour." The "town-house" in this instance is identical with the old Hillsborough Countv court-house. CHAPTER III. HOPKINTO.N AC, The Begiiming of a New Century.—Tbe Uni- ted States census of the year l.HOIl found the population of Hopkinton to be two thousand and fifteen, thus demonstrating a decided advancement in public prosperity since the complete legal establish- ment of the township. A number of circumstances combined to produce this prosperity. Hopkinton occupied a position upon a great line of travel. It was one of the most important st.iliniis Iictwcen Bos- ton, in Massachusetts, and Moiiiir.-il, in I'miada. It was also an important place of \r:u\v. I'.isiiies being a local commercial centre, it w;is an important point of trade and market exchange to the more northern townships that were less advanced in local privileges. Itwas, further, an important judicial location. Upon the incorporation of Hillsborough County, Hojikinton became one of it« shire-towns. A court-house was built here, occupying the site of the present town- house. Hopkinton had also become a political centre. When the State of New Hampshire had no fixed capital town the Legislature met here four times, — in 1798, 1801, 1806 and 1807. In anticipation of State legislative needs, an addition was made to the court- house. At the beginning of the present century Hop- kinton had become a point of attraction for persons of all professions and callings, as it were, and a fair number of them had here found a residence. The local business enterprise had also become fairly dis- tributed over the town. The present village of Con- toocook, once known as Hill's Bridge, was in a pro- gressive stage of growth. Contoocook largely resulted from the water-power there afforded by the river of the same name. About 1787, Eliphalet Poor built the first mill at this place. In time, Poor was succeeded by numerous others. Population, trade' and other 'Ebenezer Wyman, now of Hennikcr, traded longer in Contoocook than hM any ntherpcrson, beginning in 1831 and continuing almost with- out interruption for over forty years. Mi;i:i;i.MA('K cocnty, nkw Hampshire. lornis of enterprise lolluwcd a- a inatU'r ul lonse- <)uence. Previous to 17!M, Alirahani Rinvell luid a mill on tlieCoiitoocook Kiver, at the place once known as RoHcU's Hridjre, but now more commonly called West Hopkinton, where there is a hamlet result- ing from the continued utilization of the water- |50wer at this [loint. Lastly, there were various mills, taverns, shops, stores, etc., of greater or less import- ance, in various .sections of the township. Upon the whole, Hopkinton, at the beginning of the present century, was advancing to a degree of prosperity of wliicli we sliall say more alter noticing an occurrence The War of 1812.-rhc War oC I.SIJ aroused the patriotism of the people of Hoi)kinlon to deeds of sa. rilice and valor that made the public record credil- al)lc. The war had hardly begun when public steps were taken for a vigorous prosecution of local warlike preparation. On the Glh of July, 1812, the town voted to allow a compensation of seven dollars a month to all soldiers detached from their regiments as a relay corps, by order of the government. It will be re- membered that at this time all able-bodied males of military age were enrolled and regularly marshaled and trained as militiamen of the State. Ten dollars of each man's wages was to be paid in advance by the town to each detached siddier, who was to receive two dollars upon "signing his name." On the oth of October, 1814, twelve dollars a month was voted to all soldiers put under special governmental requisition, with two dollars upon entering actual service. The last clause of this provision, however, was afterwards rescinded. Numerous Hopkinton soldiers were engaged in the ,-( rviri during this war. The First Regimeutof New lliiiiipsliire Infantry, commanded by Colonel Aquilla DaM-, of Warner, went into camp at Concord early in February, 1813, and early in the spring marched to Burliiigton, Vt., in anticipation of service on the northern frontier. On its way to Burlington this regiment marched through Hopkinton. In this regi- ment were Hopkinton soldiers, as follows : Thomas Bailey, ilrum-major. In Captain Joseph Smith's company were Jeremiah Silver (musician), (Charles Colby, Zadoc Dow, Stephen G. Eaton, Moses C. Eaton, David Hardy, James Hastings, Richard Hunt, Isaiah Hoyt, Ezra Jewell, John Morrill, Samuel G. Titcomb, all enlisting on the 1st of Febru- ary, 1818. In Captain Elisha Smith's company were Moses (?) Eastman, Amri Foster, James Hastings, Samuel Straw. Eastman died in the service. These men were probably also enlisted on the 1st of the same month of February, and, like the others, for a service of one year. We remark, in this connection, that the above names of Hopkinton soldiers of Captain Elisha Smith's company do not appear in the roll of the company published in the report of the Adjutant- General of New Hampshire. The nanios were given us by an aged resident of this town, JMr. John M. Bailey, who remembers the fact of their enlistment and the location of their command. The First Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers was soon disbanded. On the 2!)th of January, 1813, Congress repealed the V(dunteer .\cl, and the soldiers enlisting under it were re-enlisted into the regular United States army, or reformed into new regiments, to serve till the time of their enlistment expired. The soldiers of the First New Hampshire Regiment who were not re-enlisted into the United States army were consolidated in Cohmel Denny McCobb's regiment from Maine. The following Hopkinton men were in this regiment: In Captain Benjamin Bradford's company were Isaiah Hoyt and Stephen G. Eaton, corporals, en- listed December 15, 1813, for one year ; Jonathan Burbank, April 15, 1814, for the war; Henry T. Hildreth, January 24, 1814, one year; James A. Hastings, December 15, 1813, one year ; John Morrill, December 15, 1813, one year; Benjamin Putney, February 28, 1814, for the war, and died in service ; Buswell Silver, March 23, 1814, for the war ; Moses Tenney, .January 14, 1814, one year. The record of enlistments in Colonel McCobb's regiment appears to show that some Hopkinton soldiers renewed their obligations before their original terms had expired, while others were recruits. The operations of the British fleet off the Atlantic coast of the United States during the winter of 1813 and 1814 created much alarm. On the night of June 21, 1814, an alarm at Portsmouth, occiwioned by a report that the British were landing at Rye, induced the Governor of New Hampshire to order out detach- ments from twenty-three regiments for the stronger defense of Portsmouth, when the detachments were organized into a brigade of five regiments and one battalion, under the command of Brigadier-General John Montgomery. The following Hopkinton soldiers were in Lieutenant-Colonel Nathaniel Fisk's First Reg- iment, in Captain Jonathan Bean's company: Thomas Town, first lieutenant, acting quartermaster from September 18th; Moses Gould, sergeant ; Robert A. Bradley, Samuel Burbank, Barrach Cass, David C. Currier, Amos Eastman, John J. Emerson, Ebenezer Morrill, John Morey, Isaac Pearce, Hazen Putney, Jacob Straw, William Wheeler. These men were all enlisted for a term of ninety days from September 11. 1814. The following men from Hopkinton were in Lieu- tenant-Colonel John Steele's Second Regiment, in Captain Silas Call's company : Nathaniel Morgan, sergeant; Jacob Chase, Amos Frye, John Johnson, John Hastings, Alvin Hastings, Francis Stanley, James Eastman, Amos Sawyer, Jonathan Gove, William M. Crillis and John Burnham. These men were all enlisted on the 2d of October, 1814, to dates running from November 8th to November 19th. Stanley died in service. None of the men ordered from this town to Ports- HOPKTNTON. 401 enemy. The Acme of Local Prosperity. — \\\- h-.iw alnaily mentioned tlie progressive prosperity of Hopkiulon from the time of tiie complete Icgul establishment of the township to the beginning of the present century. We also noted the causes of this prosperity. We will now observe with reference to its culminating point. Hopkinton once became what it had never been, aa well as what it is not now. In 1830, the United 8tates census found the inhabitants of Hopkinton to be 2774. In 17()7 there were only 47.3. The increase till 1830 appears to have been constant, l>iil sinic then there has been apparently almo.st a slrady dc dine. In 1880 there were 1836. In the time of Hopkinton's greatest prosperity there were multiple signs of activity and enterprise. In the main village were as many as seven stores, with a corresponding number of miscellaneous shops. Some of these stores were places of wholesale trade. Among them were the business-houses of Towns & Ballard, Nathaniel Curtis and Thomas Williams. Wholesale trade and barter were extensively carried on in Hopkinton village. The teams of those who came from other places to traffic often filled the large village square. The position of Hopkinton as a .seat of county judicature, a position it held till the for- mation of Merrimack County, in 1823, made it an important centre of legal professional interest and influence. Here lived Baruch Chase, John Harris, Matthew Harvey and Horace Chase, lawyers. The local prosperity also demanded places of public entertainment. There were several hotels in the vil- lage, kept by Birasley Perkins, Theophilus Stanley and others. Bimsley Perkins' tavern, which stood on the now unoccupied site just west of the village square, was one of the best-known public-houses in the State. There was also about this time a tavern in Contoocook, kept by Daniel Page, and soon after another erected by Sleeper & Wheeler. On Putney's Hill was a fam- ous rustic tavern, kept by .loseph Putney. According to the demands of this busy time, post-oflices were established. The lirst iwst-office in town was estab- lished in 1811. John Harris was the first post- master. A post-office was established in Contoocook iu 1831. Thomas Burnham was the lirst postmaster. During this prosperous period a bank existed in Hop- kinton a few years. This institution was known as the Franklin Bank, and was incorporated in 1833. The grantees were Horace Chase, Nathaniel Gilman, Isaac Long, Jr., William Little, Joseph Stanwood, Matthew Harvey, Andrew Leach, Moses Gould, Ebenezer Dustin, Timothy Chandler, Stephen Darling and James Huse. The management of this bank seems to have been of a bungling character, and the insti- tution finally settled with its creditors at a discount. The Franklin Bank ocLUjiied tlie old jiost-oftice building. At the time of which we speak, there were three churches in existence in Hopkinton village. They are also now in existence. We have already given some account of the Congregational ("hurch, which ceased to be under the special patroiuigc of the town about 1811. A Baptist Church had been formed in 1769.' A meeting-house was partially completed in 171>5. It stood about a mile southwest of the village, near the present residence of George W. French. In 1831, the present Baptist Church was built. An Episcopal Church was formed here in 1803. It was known as Christ's Church, and the congregation worshiped in the court-house. In 1827 , a new or- s^aiiization, known as St. Andrew's Church, was Icii iiR'd. The same year, the erection of the present cliiircli was begun, and the edifice was dedicated in 1828. In 1823, a Free-Will Baptist Church ' was organized at Contoocook, and a church was erected in 1827. About 1803, a West Congregational meeting- house was built at Campbell's Corner, but no regular .society appears to have been formed. This meeting- house stood but a few years.^ The Universaiists had an active foothold in Hopkinton in its most prosperous period. In 18.36, a small church was built in the west part of the town, near the present residence of Charles Barton. In 1837 a second church was erected in Contoocook. There appears to have been no regular church membership in either instance.* In its palmy days, Hopkinton had a creditable edu- cational record. In the earlier part of the present century, considerable attention was paid to improved public instruction. Select tuitional schools were fre- quently taught in the old court-house. A famous select school of about twenty-five years' duration was taught in Hopkinton village by John 0. Ballard, better known as Master Ballard, who lived and taught in the house now used as a Congregational parsonage. Master Ballard was a native of Warner, who came to Hopkinton and engaged in trade, and, in consequence of the war of 1812, failed in business, and thereafter devoted himself to teaching. The branches taught in his school were mostly English, but something of the classics was introduced in later years, when he was assisted by his son, the Rev. Edward Ballard, a late widely-known Protestant Episcopal clergyman of I The Baptist Church was gathered by Dr. Hezokiah f aiich of tlie Haverhill (Maes.) Church II h.'.ain.- 71. In consequence of a laxnegs of il." T ii -. p ate Asiociation. Iu 1822, Sev. Michar I i n 1 1 1 1 i. i Hied the Calvinistic element, hy whieli ii h i- ■ i ■ -This church wa^ tl -nil -f i -■ lii-i ■ !• 1 1 n i this town. The I- 1 '> l' r i ■*The Kev. J. F. Witherel, a resident Universalist luiuistcr at Contoo- cook, in company with Kev, J, Sargent, of Sutton, for a time published the riiiiieritalM Family Vfst/or, a monthly periodical of twelve [Mges of a common tract size. The flrst number was issued in .\pril, 1841, HISTORY OF MKKKIMACK COUNTY, NKVV HA^II'SHTRE. Brunswick, Me. Master Balliird's pupils came from far aud near, and his sdiool was of re|)Ute abroad as well as at home. John O. Ballard died April 27, 1854, aged eighty-six years. His remains lie in the old village cemetery of Hopkiiiton. Hopkintoii Academy wtis established in 1827. The first organization of trustees was as follows : Ebenczer Lerned, president; Abram Brown, Stephen Sibley, Matthew Harvey, Phineas Clough, Roger C. Hatch, ^Michael Carlton. The old court-house was re- modeled and its uiiper story reconstructed for the use of the academy. The first term of school began on the first Wednesday in Miiy. Hopkinton Academy was incorporated on the 26th of the next June. The first teacher was (leorge Peck, who remained but a short time. The catalogue of the fall term an- nounced the following board of instruction : Jeremiah Russell, A.B., preceptor; Mr. Jeremiah Gates, as- sistant preceptor; Mr. Luther Cro.ss, lecturer on chemistry. The whole number of pupils was seventy- three, — gentlemen, forty-seven ; ladies, twenty-six. The next year separate male and female departments of instruction were established. The catalogue ol the fall term then announced the following instruc- tors : Rev. John Xash, A.M., preceptor; Miss Judith D. Peabody, iireceptress. The students were : Gen- tlemen, forty-five; ladies, thirty-two, — total, seventy- seven. Hopkinton Academy advanced rapidly in success and popularity. In 1830, there were one hun dred and thirteen students; in 1831, one hundred and fifty-nine ; and in 1835, one hundred and sixty-two. In the list of teachers were Enoch Colby, Enoch L. Childs, Moody Currier, MLss Caroline Knight, Miss Mary L. Childs, Miss Lucy Adams, Miss Mary Y. Beau and many others ; in later times, M. B. Steb- bens. Dyer H. Sanborn, William K. Rowell and others. In 1843, Hopkinton Academy experienced a heavy reverse, its financial affairs showing a deficit of over seventeen hundred dollars, arising from bad notes and expenditures above the income. The in- stitution took a new lease of life in 1851, when a new charter was secured ; but the old and famous institu- tion succumbed again to modern innovations in public educational plans, ami the structure it occupied went u]) on the wings of thiiue in .March, 1873.' Incidents of the Prosperous Period.— For the sake of the convenience of the narrative, we will say that Hopkinton was in her palmy days from 17!)0 to 1840. The turning-point of the tide of prosperity was the effect of an act of the New Hampshire Legis lature of 1814, the progressive result of which was the location of the State capital at Concord. Hop- kinton had hoped for the honor of becoming the seat of State government. The organization of Merri- iThe town-Iiunsu aiul thu aciuU^niy were burned on the onrly morning of the 29tli of March. \ new building, including Ljclmuu Hall, con- etnicted by private contributione, wa« soon erected by an appropriation of twcnty-nve hundred dollars by the town. Tlie new edilico was didi- cated on the evening of the 3d of Marrh, IsTl. mack County, in 1823, and the location of the county- seat at Concord, was another blow to Hopkinton's prosperity. Yet this town exhibited many of the traits of an active and prosperous community for years after its population began to decrease. One of the incidents of the prosperous jjeriod was the improvement of the accommodations afliirded by public highways. In 1805, an important accommoda- tion was effected by constructing the present main line of highway from Hopkinton village to Putney's Hill, greatly improving the traveling connection be- tween the two villages, Hopkinton and Contoocook. In 1815, the so-called turnpike was constructed, being a ])art of a main line to Concord, avoiding toilsome Dimond Hill on the east and north. In 1827, the so- called new road from Hojikintou to Dunbarton was built to accommodate a stage-line from Boston, Mass., to Hanover, N. H. The Basset Mill road, from Con- toocook to Weare, was made in 1836. The so-called new road to Concord, was opened about 1841, to shorten distance and also avoid Dimond Hill on the south and west. Hopkinton was upon the routes of several important stages till the introduction of the railroad, of which we shall speak hereafter, and many of its roads were projected with reference to this fact. Though Hopkinton ha;s been a centre of judicial and legislative influence, this town can hardly be said to have had a local political history of very great importance. In the early days of the independence of the United States, Hopkinton conceived a pref- erence for the Republican, or Jeftersonian party, and the principles of that party were dominant in all State questions till 1865, when a majority vote was given to Walter Harriman for Governor. Till this time, whether called Republicans, as at first, or Democrats, as in later times, the reactionary party never yielded in Hopkinton, except upon mere local or subsidiary questions. The agitation caused by the repeal of the Missouri Compromise seriously affected the old Democratic majority, but the War <)f the Re- bellion was in its last year before Hopkinton gave a majority to an anti-Democratic candidate on the Slate ticket. Since we had occasion to speak of the part this town has borne in earlier wars, wc may now say something of the local militia. In the year 1792, a State law was enacted for the government of the State militia, and, with some modifications and amend- ments, it continued till the abolition of the old militia system, in 1851. In I si;), ih,. militia of Hop- kinton was cliissed in a Twenty- First Regiment; in 1842, in a Fortieth Regiment. There were, in the palmy days of this town, two companies of infantry, with uniformed oificers. There was also a company I of uniformed riflemen and another of uniformed in- fantry, known in later times as the "Cold Water I riiMbuix." There was also a section of uniformod ' cavalry, known as "The Troop," of the same regi- HOPKINTON. 403 mental classification as tlie other town militia. Dur- ing the existence of the local militia, training-days and muster-days were notable occasions to the popu- lace. A large number of military titles were locally incurred. Some of the militia officers developed considerable efficiency in a peaceful way. A few of the old commanders are now living. Perhaps the oldest of these is Captain Moses Hoyt. Jonah Campbell was celebrated as a drummer of the former days; he died in May, 1880, at the age of eighty- four years. George C'hoat, a celebrated lifer, is now living at an advanced age. There are several financial- incidents that may be mentioned in this connection. One of these was the purchase of the town poor farm, in pursuance of a vote of the town, in 1833. This purchase was made by a committee consisting of Stephen Sibley, John Silver and Daniel Chase. The poor farm was the former property of Mr. Chase, of the committee, and was located on Dimond Hill, where now lives Walter F. Hoyt. The town sold the property in 1872. In 1837-38, Stephen Sibley, a committee for the town, received the " surplus money," being paid $2.17 for his services the first time and .|4.31 for the same the second. The sum of about six thousan'i wiMuiglit all Imvc the pleasure of shaking in^li.'l ;i |ii-rsonage. His aiiis were Ignutins Sar- Miss Eaton afterwards became Mrs. Stephen B. Sargent, and later, Mrs. .Fohn Brockway. The Ma.sonic fraternity was influential in Hopkin- ton in the earlier part of the present century. In 1807, Trinity Chapter was formed, being the second in priority in the State. In IH'irj, Masonic Hall was dedicated. It occupied a position on the corner of Main Street and South Road, its site being on the lot now occupied by Willard T. (ireene. Trinity Chap- ter was transferred to Concord in 1847, and Masonic Hall was soon afterwards moved to Fishersville (now Penacook). The Railroad.— Til p Cniiconl and Claremont Rail- road passes throu;.di this town. Its chief business station is at Contoocook, where there is a junction with the Concord and Peterborough line. Cars first ran regularly to and from Contoocook in the fall of the year 1850, in anticipation of a line of travel that at first extended only to Bradford on the one hand and to Hillsborough' on the other. There was a day of great festivity in Contoocook on the opening of local railroail travel. A subscription was raised, a public dinner provided and music and artillery employed. A thousand persons sat down to eat. The tables were spread under a temporary shed. A free ride to and from Concord was given by the railroad officials. The Warner Artillery came with music and one gun to do the military honors. The gun was posted on the in- tervale on the north side of the river and just below the railroad bridge. vSpeeches were made, the band played, the cannon thundered and people were happy. Many people of this town paid dearly for this en- joyment. The assessments on original stock made an indescribable consternation. To be rid of their obliga- tions, stock was disposed of at ruinous rates. Disap- pointment and chagrin was on every hand. Yet the railroad has been a public benefit, though apart of its intrnductnrv m.TnatroniPiit was disastrous. C H A r T E 11 I \- . IlnPKINTON ~(C„„ti,u,e,l). The War of 1861.— Fort Smnter w.as bombarded April 18, ]8(il, and the North flew to arras to suppress the great Rebellion. The town of Hopkinton sustained its share of the excitement of the time. Bells sverc ^ The rlivision of railroad extending from Contoocook to Hillsborough, I distance of fifteen miles, was built by Joseph Barnard, of Hopkinton, :iow living, and one of our iuHncntial citizens. Ml-. Garuiird coliBtruded ;hi8 line in 1K49. rung, flags suspended, processions formed and speeches weremade. When President Lincoln asked for seventy- five thousand volunteers, a response was heard from Hopkinton. Joah X. Patterson, of Contoocook, a volunteer, soon began enlistments in town. The first man he enlisted was James B. Silver; he was enlisted in Deacon Nathaniel Evans' store, where Kimball & Co. now trade. One or more parties from Hopkinton had already enlisted in Concord. Patterson enlisted a considerable number of men, who were stationed at Contoocook till they were ordered to the camp of the New Hampshire Second Regiment, at Portsmouth. The Hopkinton Cornet Band escorted them to camp. Previously to departing by a special train, the volun- teers marched through the main .street of Contoocook from the square to the P'ree-Will Baptist Cliureh and remarched to the depot. Their departure was wit- nessed with many tears by a large collection of peo- ple. During the progress of the war, Hopkinton did her part towards maintaining the cause of the Union. On the 29th of October, ISlil, the town adopted the pro- visions of an act of the State Legislature of the pre- vious June, authorizing towns to iissist the families of volunteers. On the 2()th of August, 1862, the town voted to pay one hundred and fifty dollars each to all soldiers who had enlisted for the war since the last call for troops ; to all who, subsequently to the 1st of August, had enlisted to fill up the quota, two hundred dollars each ; to all who would enlist for nine months, seventy-five dollars each ; and to all who would from that date enlist for three years, or during the war, two hundred dollars each. By two calls in July and one in August, the government had asked for six hundred thousand men. On the same 26th of August, a vote was passed to assist the families of soldiers to an extent not exceeding twelve dollars a week, — a sum equivalent to four dollars for a wife and the same amount to each of not more than two children. Soon after, Patrick H. Stark and Daniel E. Howard were made enlisting officers. On the 2d of October of the same 3'ear, another vote was passed, giving one hun- dred and fifty dollars each to all soldiers enlisting for nine months, or two hundred dollars if the entire quota was filled. In 18(54, during the intense con- cern for the Union then prevailing, the town voted, on the 4th of June, to raise forty thousand dollars for the encouragement of voluntary enlistments, juid also to pay three hundi-ed dollars eat^h to drafted men or their substitutes. The bust public action of the town, in anticipation of the future needs of the war, was on the 8th of November, ].St!4, when the town anthor- ized the selectmen to nilisl m- (.llierwisi' joM.ciire men in prospect of any in II. The sums approjuiated by this town during the war, excluding benefits to soldiers' families, amounted to something over one hundred thousand dollars. The report nf the Adjiitiiiil-t ieneral of New Hamj)- shire for 1i]i...~ II. uli, \\.,,,,„ K. Ki Warren Lewis, Kilmuurl C. Lewis, Jiust'i.ii t 1,. \m^, \\,iii-'ii K. ] THIRTEENTH NEW H.\MPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY SIXTKKNTII NEW IIAMrSIItRI' (.'liarlos Ash, Au^^u-^tu^ li.ii ti.ii'l i -. t Orriu Cliaae, Gourg<' I: t ( .^v.ll, i .TRY. II, I \ ( MMHi, [i;i, K. Diniond, El)on II. Dustin, Hansun I' Ihm, .n,h .> ,.mI i, aptain), Ilyron E. K.-iiiptnii, Tliomiis K. I i| Ml. ihnl. N. Ke'/,ar, Donjaniin l.M„.^,N,.ul.,n (i, 11, \I,H,. ,.,. , I M. K.^n/,io, George W. MilN ,.Mi|».rali. .1.1111. - I Mill ,1.. I. H M .. ■ .1 1, lleury E. Moulton, |.;.l«:inl c, l:Mini..l-, ll..i:i.. >iii.,M, J., u. Smart, Brnckett B. Wi..-lis, William H. Weeks, N. Oi.gswcll W eck-s .iacol) Wlilttier {mu- EIGHTEENTH NKW IIAMRSHIllE VOI.UNTKKIl INFANTRY. David M ••\v,'-, F.lw.inl F I'h-.i-^'-. Hinun i'mH.t (."r|...i-U), Charles F. Hanii.Li ., .-.,...' .'! II K,im1.,.I1 .. .|.i ,.n . Tii,Hith.y G. Muoresi..... . il .1 li I 11.1.1... II .itiirir ,,.n I i . i . K ,~l . > ,.|is, MoSCS C. Tyleri...i|...i..l. I..I-..I, 1 iii..H Mi„iH.,;n,i, ll,.il..« iiiM.sician). iVAl.l AIon-/.o Burlianit, Williaiu H. Dowuiug, John 11. Kiiiiliall, liyioii E, FIESr NEW UAMPSIIIRK HEAVY ARTILLERY. Samuel B. Orowell, Hanson D. Emerson (corporal), George W. Jlills, .loseph r. Morrill, Adoniram J. Sawyer (sergeant), Frederick 1". Scott, Horace Smart, William S. Smart, George H. Straw (corporal). Barlow L'plou, George N. Watkins (sergeant). FIRST UNITED STATES Sll A Rl'SIIOl ITERS. George N. Wjttkiii.;. FIFTH MAINE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. Frederick G. Sanljoru (See Biographical Notices). FIRST .AIASS.\(:H|ISKTTS VoMVTKFH INFANTRY. Hurati.. l: 11 ,, |, , , , ,.,! TWKNTV-FOl RTU MA.SSM IM I I I- \.i| I \ TliER INFANTRY. Edgar ri....^!, ,.i,..„i. „.,.,! , SECOND MASS.^CHUSET'K LIGHT IIA'I'TKRY. Ezra Folsoni. ELEVENTH MASSACIU'SETTS VOLINTEHR INFANTRY. Jouathan G. Enierson. OM.; IILNDRED AND FORTV-SEGOND ILLINOIS VOLUNTEEB INFANTRY. .L«..|,l, B. Dustin (sergeant). Later Facts and Incidents.— The town nt Hop- kinton is to-day, iu an eminent sense, a rural one. Possessing a soil favorable to cultivation, its agricul- tural standard is a high one. The i)roxiinity of the markets aflbrded by Concord and Manchester and their suburbs has encouraged specialties in products. The dairy interest of this town is a in-ominent one. The farmers of Hopkinton have adopted most or all of the improved kinds of stock, iraplemciits and vari- eties of produce that are ada|)ted to this soil. There is very little manufacturing in Hojjkintou at the present time, if we exclude the various mills and shops that are always considered necessary ap- purtenances of a complete rural community. There are a machine-shop, a grist-mill, a hub-factory and a lumber-mill on the water-power at Contoocook, and a kit and pail manuftictory is there run by steam. There is also a kit-mill and hub-factory on the water- power at West Hopkinton. In 1873, a fire was very disastrous to the manufacturing interests of Contoo- cook, in burning all the works on the south side of the river. The Contoocook water-power is now owned HISTOKY OF MKIlllTMACK COUNTY, XKW HAMPSHIKE by Colonel Edwin C. Bailey, who, in Lss;;, Imilliincw clam across the river. The proximity of Mopkinton to large markets , affects local trade to its damage. There are two gen- eral stores in Hopkinton village and four general and special ones in Oontoocook. There is one hotel in Contoocook. There are three post-offices in the town, — Ho])kinton, Contoocook and West Hop- kinton. There arc three railroad stations in town,— Contoocook, West Hopkinton and Tyler's. There is a telegraph-oflice at Contoocook, first opened in 1866. There are two telephone-offices, — at Hopkinton vil- lage and Contoocook, opened in 1884. There is a Congregational, a Baptist and an E[)is- copal Church at Hopkinton village, and a Free- Will Baptist, a Svvedenborgian and a Methodist at Contoo- cook. A Swedenborgiau Church was organized in Contoocook in 1857,' but it is not now active. A Methodist Church was organized in Contoocook in 1871.'' A grange was organized in Hopkinton in 1875 ; a lodge of Odd-Fellows in Contoocook in 1876; a lodge of Good Templars in Hoi)kiuton in 1878 ; a Grand Army post in Hopkinton in 1882 ; a Kebecca Degree lodge in Contoocook in 1884. These societies are all now active. In June, 1880, the Hopkinton Times, a weekly news- paper, was started in Hopkinton village by H. Sumner Chase. In the fall of the same year the office was moved to Contoocook. In January, 1885, the paper was consolidated with the Kearsarye Independent, of Warner. A job printing office is still at Contoocook. The Contoocook Library, founded in 1871, has over one thousand volumes. The Hopkinton Village Library, established also in 1871, has nearly nine hun- dred volumes. The New Hampshire Antiquarian Society, incorporated in 1875, has its headquarters in Coutoocook, where it has very many thousands of an- tique and curious articles, besides numerous volumes of books and also pamphlets and papers. In Jones' building, where this society has rooms, there are nearly fifty thousand collected articles of all kinds. Among the present residents of Hopkinton are Joseph Barnard, commissioner of forestry for Merri- mack County; Herman W. Greene, solicitor of Merrimack County from 1876 to 1881 ; Carlos G. Hawthorne, formerly assistant United States pro- vost-marshal and attorney for the board of enroll- ment at Dubuque, Iowa, during the late war; John Stevens Kimball, register of deeds for Merri- mack County from 1879 to 1881. In Contoocook are Colonel Edwin C. Bailey, formerly a proprietor and editor of the Boston Herald; Edward D. Burnham, 1 This church waa the result uf the missionary activity of tho Rev. Abiel Silver, a native of this town, and tho congregation occupied the old Union or UniversaliBt house, liuilt in 1837. s There was a Methodist society operative for a brief period in Hopkin- ton village. The academy was used as a plncp of worsliip. rrcaching was in part supplied by the stiulents of tho Biblical liistituto at Concord. This society ceased active work about ISoO. member of the E.xecutive Council in 1875 ; Captain Grovenor A. Curtice, State Senator from 1881 to 1883, and member of the Executive Council from 1883 to 1885 ; Walter S. Davis, State Senator ; John F. Jom s, treasurer of Merrimack County from 1881 to 1883. The inventory of Hopkinton, taken in the spring of 1885, showed 397 horses, 177 oxen, 780 cows, 355 neat stock, 710 sheep. The total value of real estate wa> s,i,.in.ii; ,,( ^tock in trade, $12,776; of mills and mi' Imn i\ , -1:^.776 ; of cash and miscella- neous invL>uii. ill-. -1 1 .,7'.i8. The total valuation of the town was sl,iiui;,33.) CHAPTER V. HOPKINTON— (Co«i7„.W). Biographical Sketches.— Jamks Sc.\ij;s, being the first minister of Hopkinton, is entitled to further men- tion. He was a graduate of Harvard College in 1733. He canie from Boxford, Mass., to Rumford, where he was received by letter into the Congregational Church in 1737. He afterwards became town clerk of Canter- bury. Being licensed to preach, in 1743, he was paid twenty pounds for preaching in Canterbury. Being ordained in Hopkinton in 1757 he continued here as minister till 1770, and is said to have died in 1776. He was of versatile mind, and practiced, with greater or less regularity, both medicine and law'. Being public-spirited, he was prominently influential in se- curing Hopkinton's charter of incorporation, being paid twenty-five pounds by the town for his services. In his later years he preached in Henniker. His re- mains are said to lie in the old cemetery on Putney's Hill, in this town. James Scales had a wife, Susanna. In the clerk's record of this town are the follow ing data of tlieir children : John, born in Rumford, August 4,1737; died at Canterbury, August 13, 1752. Joseph, born in Rum- ford, April 15, 1740; died July 10,1740. Stephen, born in Rumford October 16, 1741. Susanna, born in Canterbury, October 26, 1744. Rev. James Scales' first salary in Hopkinton was the equivalent of sixty Spanish milled dollars. While in Canterbury in 1746 he was twenty-three days in the colonial military service, under Captain Jeremiah Clough. John Clement was tlie first public physician in Hopkinton. He was a former resident, and perhaps a native, of Haverhill, Mass. The site of his first Hopkiuton home is on Putney's Hill, a few rods south of the graveyard, on the opposite side of the road. It is indicated by a slight depression and a quantity of stone. Later in life. Dr. Clement, in con- nection with a son, built a two-storied house on the western slope of the hill, on the road from Hopkin- HOPKINTON. 407 tiiii village to West Hopkinton, a little farther north than hia first residence. He seema to have been a populiir physician, as his practice is said to have ex- tended to fourteen towns. He had five sons, — John, Timothy, Phineas, Benjamin and James ; also four daughters, — Ruth, Polly, Sally and Betsey. Socially, he is said to have been genial and mirthful. His wife, Molly, was probably from Salisbury, Mass. Dr. Clement died November 20, 1804, aged sixty-one. His wife died February 12, 1817, aged seventy -two. Their remains lie in the old cemetery on Putney's Hill. BARrr'H Chase was probably the first lawyer res- ident in Hopkinton. He is said to have been a native of Cornish. He came to Hopkinton before 1785. He was solicitor of Hillsborough County from 1808 to 1817. He built the house now occupied by Mrs. Louisa A. P. Stanwood, next east of the Episcopal Church. He married Ellen, daughter of Benjamin Wiggin, of Hopkinton. T.wo sons lived to old age, — Samuel died March 12, 1875, aged seventy-one ; Ben- jamin Wiggin, January 6, 1878, aged eighty-two. Baruch Chase was an uncle of the late Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase. He died March 5, 1841, aged seventy-seven. His wife died March 17, 1868, aged ninety-two. Benjamin Wiggin was the most noted of the early taverners of Hopkinton. His tavern stood next building west of the Episcopal Church. He began business here as early as 1744, coming from Stratham. He was landlord, merchant, justice and public servant generally. He gave the site of the old Hillsborough County court-house, where now is the Hopkinton town-house. In a time of scarcity, he sold corn cheaply to favor his poorer neighbors and townsmen. He was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Clement ; I his second, Mrs. Sarah Holt. He had children, — i Timothy, Benjamin, Mary, Ellen, and Joseph and ; Elizabeth, twins. He died October .31, 1822, aged eighty ; his first wife, May 24, 1782, aged thirty-one ; his second, Ojtober 31, 1824, aged sixty-five. Mrs. Ellea C. Ciroeiie, now living, is a grandchild of Es- quire Wiggin. Herman W. Greene is his great- grandchild. Joshua Baii.ey has already been mentioned as a captain in the Revolutionary War. Captain Bailey was a native of England, and was born about 1738. He came to Hopkinton from Massachusetts, and lived about a mile east of Hopkinton village, where now resides Carlos CI. Hawthorne. He was one of the most useful citizens of the early times, holding nearly or quite every important office within the gift of the town. He seems to have been twice married. The following were children of Joshua and Anna Bailey: John, born February 23, 1769; Joshua, born November 13, 1770 ; Elijah, born Feb- uary 27, 1773; Betty, born May 8, 1780; Rachel, born August 16, 1782 ; Esther, born March 18, 1785. Joshua Bailey died Ai>ril ii, 1800, aged sixty-eight years. Sarah, his wife, died January 29, 1816, aged sixty-four years. Mrs. Seth Webber, now living, is a grandchild of Captain Bailey. William Weeks was a native of Greenland, where he was born in 1755, being a son of William and Eleanor Weeks. He was a graduate of Harvard College, and adopted the life of a merchant and farmer. He came to Hopkinton about 1792 and re- mained there till he died, in 1843. He was a soldier of the Revolution, entering the army as a quartermaster and leaving as a major. During a considerable por- tion of the time he was an aid-de-camp of General Washington. In Hopkinton he built a house that is now standing in the district known as Farrington's Corner. Deacon Thomas J. Weeks, a son, is now living in the same neighborhood. Major Weeks was twice married. His first wife was Abigail Rogers, whom he married in 1780 ; his second wife was Sally Cotta Cotton Weeks, daughter of Dr. Ichabod Weeks, of Greenland. There were thirteen children of Major Weeks. Their names were William, George, Charles, Abigail Rogers, Mary, Jacob, Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Sarah Ann, Susan, Hannah, Emily, John. Ebenezer Leened, a native of Medford, Mass., was born October 6, 1762, being a son of Thomas Lerned and Hannah Brooks. He graduated at Har- vard College in 1787; studied medicine with Dr. E. A. Holyoke, of Salem, Mass. ; received the degree of M.D. from Dartmouth College. He practiced a short time in Leominster, Mass.; and then came to Hopkinton, where he practiced medicine and pursued trade. He was the first delegate to Dartmouth Col- lege from the New Hampshire Medical Society, of which he was vice-president at the time of his de- cease, in 1831. He founded the New Hamphire Ag- ricultural Society and was its first president. He was active in all the public interests of the town of Hopkinton, and left bequests to its schools and to its poor, and to the town itself. He was the first liber- ally educated physician in town. He was twice mar- ried. His first wife was Mary Hall, of Londonderry, whom he married in 1802. They had four children, — Louisa, Mary Eliza, Margaret, Brooks Holyoke. His first wife died November 22, 1813, aged thirty-two. His .second wife was Catharine, daughter of Timothy Perkins and Hannah Trowbridge, whom he married in 1814. They, had five children, — Catharine Crosby Perkins, Edward Augustus, Hannah Brooks, Lucy Ann, Elizabeth Trowbridge. His second wife died September 30, 1869. Mrs. Mary Eliza Flanders, his daughter, is living in this town. Misses Catharine C. P., Hannah B. and Lucy A., his daughters, occui)y his former residence in Hopkinton village. John Harris, a native of Harvard, Mass., was born October 13, 1769, being a son of Richard Har- ris and Lydia Atherton. He graduated at Harvard College in 1791 ; read law with Simeon Strong, of HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Amherst, Mass., and Timothy Bigelow, of Groton, Mass. In 1794, he came to Hopkinton ; in 1799, he married Mary Poor, a native of Hampstead, and daughter of Eliphalet Poor and Elizal)eth Little. They had four children, — George, Catharine, Eliza Poor, Ann. Catharine became the wife of Timothy Wiggin Little, of Hopkinton. John Harris lived in the hoii.se now occupied by Reuben E. French. In 1810, lie was inade captain of the Fourth Company of the Twenty-tirst liegimerit of New Hampshire Militia. He was the first ])ostmaster in Hopkinton, holding office from ISll 10 1825. In ISIO, he was ni.ade a trustee of Dartmouth College. He was solicitor of Hillsborough County from 1817 to 1823, judge of probate from 1812 to 1823 and the same of Merri- mack County from 1823 to 1843. He was a.ssociate justice of the Supreme Court of New Hampshire from 1823 to 1833. The probate laws of Hillsborough County were revised by Judge Harris and Charles H. Atherton, the commission being established in 1820. In June, 1814, Judge Harris was made chair- man of a committee of the Legislature to locate a state capital. He was a prominent Free-Ma.son. He was the founder of Trinity Chapter in 1807. He was also founder of Tyrian Council and of the Mount Horel) Commandary of Knights Templar. He was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, Crrand High Priest of the Grand Chapter at its formation, in 1819, and first Grand Ma.ster of the Grand Encamp- ment of Knights Templar of New Hamp.shire at its formation in 182(5. He was one of the sub.scribers to the ecclesiastical constitution of Christ's Church in 1803, and was one of the first wardens of St. An- drew's Church in 1827. He was a skillful farmer. Judge Harris died on the 23d of April, 1845; his wife died March 6, 1843, aged sixty-four. There is no descendant of theirs living. Samuel Greene, son of Nathaniel, was born in Concord, March 7, 1770. He read law with his bro- ther Peter, and began practice in Concord in 1793. He was associate justice of the New Hampshire Su- preme Court from 1819 to 1840. He came to Hop- kinton about 1883 and remained here till about 1837. After leaving the justice's bench he accepted a clerk- ship in Washington, D. C, where he died in 1851, aged eighty-one. His remains are buried in Hopkinton village, in the old cemetery. He was thrice married. One wife, Ann N., who died in 1834, is buried by his side. Herman H. Greene was a son of Judge Greene, and was born in Concord in 1802. In early life he entered the counting-room of Alexander Ladd, of Portsmouth. Soon after he became a sailor, rising to the command of an East Indianman. He left the sea about 1838, and then traded in Bangor, Me., a few years, and next came to Hopkinton, where he died in 18G2. In 1851, he took a company by sea to Califor- nia in the ship "I^eonora," also taking along the first steamboat used on theC'alifurnia i-oasl. In ( 'aliliiniia. Captain Greene gave attcntidii to iiniiiuL'. Imt inadc one trip to Australia. He returned to Hopkinton after four or five years. He married Ellen C. Wiggin, of Hopkinton, in 1837, who is now living. Herman W. Greene is his son. Matthew Harvey, a son of Matthew, was born in Sutton, June 21, 1781. He prepared for college under the tuition of Rev. Dr. Sauuiel Wood, of Bos- cawen, and graduated at Dartmouth in 1806. He studied law with John Harris, was admitted to the bar in 1809 and opened an office in Hopkinton. He was thirteen years a moderator of Hopkinton's town-meeting. In 1814, he was elected a State rep- re.sentativc from Hopkinton, and continued one for seven successive years ; was Speaker of the House from 1818 to 1820. In 1821, he was sent to the United States House of Representatives, where he served four years ; he then entered the State Senate and served three years, being president of that body the whole time. In 1828 and 1829, he was a member of the New Hampshire Executive Council. In 1830 be was Governor of the State, and was the same year appointed a United States district judge. He was a prominent member of the Episcopal Church, and was a trustee of Hopkinton Academy. He was vice-president of the New Hampshire His- torical Society from 1829 to 1831, and its president from 1832 to 1834. Judge Harvey moved from Hop- kinton to Concord about 1850, and died there Ajiril 7, IStiO, aged eighty- five. His wife was Margaret Rowe, a native of Ncwburyport, Mass. They had two children. His only daughter, Margaret Elizabeth, died in 183(5; his only son, Frederick, in Louisiana, in 18t;f). Grace Fletcher, noted for her personal beauty, and celebrated in being the first wife of Daniel Web- ster, is said to have been born in Hopkinton in 1781. Her Christian name was Gratia. She was the daughter of Rev. Elijah and Rebecca Fletcher. Her father was a native of Westford, Mass., and the pas- tor of the Congregational Church in Hopkinton from 1773 to his death, in 178(5. Grace Fletcher's Hopkinton home was about a mile east of the village, on the road to Concord, the ancient house being now occupied by Mrs. Stephen Abbott. Grace was edu- cated at Atkinson Academy, leaving that institution in 1801, her mother having married the Rev. Chris- topher Paige. Grace married Daniel Webster at Salisbury in 1808, while making a home with her sister Rebecca, the wife of Judge Israel Kelly. Her monumental record at Marshfield asserts that she was born January 16, 1782, and died January 21, 1828. Horace Chase was born in Unity, December 14, 1788. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1814. He studied law with Matthew Harvey, of Hopkinton, and opened an office in Goshen in 1818. He returned to Hopkinton in 1821 and formed a law partnership with ;\latthew Harvey. He represented Hopkinton in the l,ci;islatnrc in 1829, and was assistant clerk of HOPKINTON. the House from 1830 to 1832. He was postmaster of | Hopkinton from 1829 to 1850. He was judge of probate of Merrimack County from 183.3 to 18.55, and published tlie Probate IHreclorij in 1845. He was casliier of tlie Franklin Bank. He was prominent in Free-JIa.sonry ; he was made a Master-Mason in 1815, | aKoyal Arch Mason in 1817 and a Knight Templar ' in 182(j. He was Grand Recorder of the Grand Com- mandery from 1860 to 1870. He compiled and pub- lished the records of the Grand Lodge from 1789 to 1856. He died March 1,1875. He was thrice mar- ried. His first wife was Betsey Blanchard, of Hop- kinton, by whom he had four children, — a daughter ■.\\u\ three sons. His second wife was Lucy Blan- (•liaid, sister of his first. His third wife was Mrs. Ruhama Clarke, of .Manchester, who is now living. His only daughter, Mary Elizabeth, died in 1843, aired twenty-one yeai-s. Samuel B. and Charles (1, his sons, reside at Wright's Grove, 111. ; Horace G.. al-o his son, resides in New Haven, Conn. C\KLTON Chase, the son of Charles Chase and Sarah Currier, was born in Hopkinton January 20, 1794. He finished preparation for college at Salisbury Academy in 1813, and graduated at Dartmouth in 1817. While in college, he became an Episcopalian. After leaving college, he studied theology with Bishop Griswold at Bristol, R. I. In 1818, he was ordained a deacon at Bristol, and, in 1820, a priest, at New- port. He first became rector of Immanuel Church, Bellows Falls, Vt., in 1819, where he remained about twenty-five years. He received the degree of D.D. from the University of Vermont in 1839, and was subsequently admitted ad eunclem at Bishop's College, Lenoxville, Canada. In October, 1843, he was chosen bishop of New Hampshire, and was consecrated in Philadelphia in October, 1844. His diocesan resi- dence was at Claremont, where he had accepted the rectorship of Trinity Church, and which he held till 1863. He died January 18, 1870. Bishop Chase married Harriet, daughter of Dr. Cutter, of Bellows Falls, in 1820, by whom he had eight children. Dyer H. Saxbors, a native of Gilmanton, was born July 29, 1799, being a son of David E. Sanborn and Hannah Hook. He was educated at Gilford Academy and Dartmouth College, from which he re- ceived the degree of A.M. He followed the profes- sion of a teacher the larger part of his life, assuming numerous responsible positions in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He came to Hopkinton as the preceptor of Hopkinton Academy in 1854, and he re- sided here till his death, in 1871. He held numerous civil offices. He was commissioner of schools of Sul- livan County in 18-50 and 1851. He represented Sanbornton in the Legislature in 1845 and lS4fi, and also Washington in 18.50, being also a member of the Constitutional Convention of that year. He was many years a local Methodist preacher. He was chaplain of the New Hampshire House of Repre sentatives in 1S46. He was a Roval Arch Ma.son, and chaplain of the Grand Lodge from 1849 to 1856. In 1836, he published an " Analytical Grammar," which piissed through seven editions in ten years ; in 1846, he published a " Normal School Grammar," which passed through eight editions in five years. He was postniiister of Hopkinton from 1858 till his death. During the Presidency of Franklin Pierce, he was for a time a clerk in the Interior Department of the gov- ernment. Professor Sanborn wa.s twice married. His first wife was Harriet W. Tucker, of Deerfield ; his second, Mrs. Abigail Glidden, of Sanbornton Bridge (now Tilton). He had one son by his first wife; he died at Washington, in 1852, aged ten years. Franklin W. Fisk, a son of Ebenezer T'isk and Hannah Proctor, was born in Hopkinton in 1820. He lived in Hopkinton till the age of thirteen. From 1835 to 1841, he was a student at Phillips Academy, Exeter, being at times a teacher. He was in Yale College from 1845 to 1849 ; in Yale Theological Sem- inary from 1849 to 1852 ; tutor in college in 1851 and 1852. He wa-s licensed to preach in 1852; was a stu- dent in Andover Theological Seminary a portion of 1853 ; traveled in Europe the same year. While abroad he was appointed to the position of professor in Beloit College, Wisconsin ; was professor of rhetoric and English literature from 1854 to 1859. He was ordained to the ministry in 1859. He was Wisconsin professor of sacred rhetoric in the Chicago Theological Seminary from 1859 to 1869. In 1871-72, he visited Europe again and attended lectures three months at the University of Berlin. He has the degree of D.D. from Olivet College, Michigan. He is now professor in the Chicago Theological Sem- inary. Professor Fisk married Mrs. Amelia Allen .\ustin, of Woodstock, Ct.,in 1854 ; she died in 1881 ; they had three children. Jo.4B N. Patterson, son of Joab Patterson and Mary Lovering, was born in Contoocook January 2, 1835. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1860. In 1861, on the breaking out of the war, he enlisted and took out papers as an enlisting oflicer. He en- listed a company of men at Contoocook and took them to Portsmouth, where they were massed in the Second Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers. Patterson was commissioned a first lieutenant; in 1862, he was promoted to captain ; in 1864 to lieuten- ant-colonel ; in 1865, to colonel ; in 1865, also, he was made brevet brigadier-general of United States Vol- unteers. In 1866, he represented Hopkinton in the State Legislature; in 1867, he was appointed United States marshal of New Hampshire. Tn 1866-67, he was colonel of the First Regiment of New Hampshire Militia, and was brigadier-general of the First Bri- gade from 1868 to 1870. He became colonel of the First Regiment of the New Hampshire National Guard in 1878. General Patterson married Sarah Cilley Bouton, daughter of Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, D.D., of Concord, in 1867, and by whom he has three children. He has resided in Concord since 1868. 410 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COITNTy, NFAV IIAMI'SHIUK. Silas Ketcham, a native of Barre, Vt., was born December 4, 1835, being a son of Silas Ketcham and I Cynthia Doty. In 1851, his father moved to Hopkin- ton, where the son learned the trade of a shoemaker, following it till 1858. He then entered Hopkinton Academy and began a course of intellectual study, which he continued till his death, in 1880. He was prevented from entering collcfre by ill health, but he graduated from Bangor Thc<.ln^i,al S.iniiKiry in 18()3, pursuing the full course un.l -u,.,. "niu I, is family by his trade. He studied hi-li. i imitli. nuuics and ac- quired a knowledge of French, Spanish and Italian. He was first settled atWardsborough.Vt., and also oc- cupied pastoral charges in Bristol, Maplewood, Mass., and Windsor, Ct. He at one time resided in Brattle- borough, Vt., and was lussociated editorially in the conduct' of the Vermont Weekly, and Semi- Weekly Record, and the Vermont School Journal, leaving Brat- tleborough to go to Bristol. He was chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Free-Masons of New Hamp- shire from 1871 to 1875. He was an omnivorous reader and collected thousands of books and pamphlets. He was connected with various societies devoted to benevolence and the promotion of historic and genealogical research, and published numerous dis- courses and pamphlets. He was the founder of the New Hampshire Antiquarian Society and was its president a short time before his death. He left an unfinished" Dictionary of New Hampshire Biogra- phy." Rev. Mr. Ketcham died in Boston, Mass., while on a temporary visit to his friend. Rev. Harlan P. Gage. His remains were buried in Contoocook, where his brother, George H. Ketcham, now lives. In 1860, Silas Ketcham married Georgia C, daughter ol Elbridge Hardy, of Amherst, N. H.,by whom he had twosons,— George C. and Edmund. Mrs. Ketcham now resides in Newport. Frederick G. Sanborn, a native of Sanborton Bridge (now Tilton), was born January 22, 1836, be- ing the son of Eliphalet and Abigail Glidden. His father dying, his mother afterwards became the second wife of Professor Dyer H. Sanborn. Frederick Glid- den received an academic education and became a clerk in a store in Hopkinton and afterwards a book- keeper in Chicago, 111. Again he became a clerk in Sherbrook, Ct., and a commercial agent for a com- mission-house in Portland, Me. Upon the event of the war of 1861, he enlisted in the Fifth Maine Vol- unteers, and was promoted through all the grades of non-commissioned office to the position of captain. He was detailed as brigade inspector and adjutant-gen- eral oftheSecond Brigade, First Division, Sixth Corps, and was in all the principal battles of the Army of the Potomac. In 1S64, in autumn, he had charge of eighty men in Tenne.ssee, getting timber of the Cum- berland liiver for General Sherman's bridges. He was in the F'irst Battalion of Massachusetts Cavalry ill tlic winter and spring of 1865, and was transferred, bv order of the Secretary of War, to the United States army, and detailed for duty as clerk in the Surgeon-General's office at Washington, D. C. He was wounded at Gaines' Hill and Cold Harbor. Since the war. Captain Sanborn has resided much of the time in Hopkinton. In 1880, he married Sophia W. Rogers, of Ho]>kinton. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. CAPTAIN PAII, R. GEORGE.' The New England of the early part of this cen- tury, and its men and events, are naturally subjects of a sort of filial regard to its resident sons, as well as to the men of New England descent in whatever part of this broad land they may be citizens ; for New Eng- land, to borrow the phrase of Hawthorne, is to all intents and purposes the "Old Home" of a vast fraction of the energetic population of the Western and Middle States. To them it is historic soil, in which lies the dust of their ancestors, and whither they make pilgrimages of sentiment and recreation. The New England of the first part of this century was a homogeneous community. Its people were mostly of English stock, but with such peculiarities and traits as generations born and reared in a New World environment would naturally take on and ex- hibit. There was not then the constant intercourse with Europe which is now so seriously sophisticating and affecting a multitude of Americans. In the early part of the century there was the genuine Yan- kee, pure and simple, the true son of the New World soil. Immigration had not then seriously diluted the population, which wsus socially, morally and intel- lectually of a higher average than any other commu- nity ever attained. It is no wonder, then, that this old-fashioned New England and its noteworthy men have become the subjects of so much historic and bio- graphic thought. They were then, indeed, New Englanders who were racy of the soil. Every section of Yankeeland then produced its quota of remarkable characters who deserved commemoration ; for old- fashioned New England was as rich and fertile in its productions of such original characters as Scotland has been at any period of its history. It is the duty of the ready writei-s of to-day to see to it that every such character of native growth shall have its due meed of biographic notice, so that future generations may know what manner of men preceded them on this Novanglian soil, who hav.' made it famous by their genius, thrift, energy :imiI enter- prise. Prominent in this class of New England men was Captain Paul Rolfe George, who Wiis born in Con- cord, N. H., on the 2.5th of August, 1807. He was ^^^f^^^X-^ HOI'KTNTON. iiaiinid for I'aul liulle, son of Beiijamiu Uollo, both very promiuent citi/.enfe in the early days of Concord. The latter married Sarah, eldest daughter of the Rev. Timothy Walker. After hi* de:ith lii> widow mar- ried Benjamin Thoinpsoii, widi'ly known as Connt Kuinford. Captain fieorge's father, John (ieori^'e, Ivsq., lived in early life in the adjoiuiug town of Hopkinton, where he wa.s born May 2(), 1780. His grandfather moved to that town after the middle of the last cen- tury from Haverhill, Mass., to which place his ances- tors had emigrated from England in the preceding century. Early in the present century his grand- father, having in 1784 moved' to Warner, N. H., lo- cated in Topsham, Vt., then a wilderness, with such of a large family as were then too young to be self- supporting. He cleared and subsequently cultivated a large farm on what is known iis " George's Hill," in that town, where he died February 4, 1822. Captain George'.s paternal grandmother was the daughter of Captain Harriman, a retired sea-captain, who settled in Hopkinton from Salem, Mass., about the time his father came from Haverhill. These ancestors, on both sides, were noted for self-reliance, persistence and force of character. Captain George's mother, Ruth Bradley, was a de- scendant of one of the representative families of the early settlers of Concord, from whom he inherited, with a somewhat delicate constitution, a quickness and brightness of intellect and clearness of percep- tion which became in after-life his almost marvelous characteristics. His father was from childhood thoroughly self-de- i pendent. Learning the hatters' trade, he followed \ that vocation through his early life. He was also for many years an inn-keeper, a director of a leading i bank, a deputy-sheriff, an administrator of estates and a practical farmer, displaying in all his business ■ affairs great energy, fidelity and unswerving integrity. He had by his first wife three children,— Paul Rolfe, i the subject of this sketch ; Clarissa Bartlett, wife of Hon. Hamilton E. Perkins ; and Susan Emery, who died in early life. By his second wife, Mary Hatch, I he had one son, John Hatch, who still resides at the i family homestead. He died at Concord, N. H., ' where he had lived for nearly fifty years, January 9, ; 1843. I Captain George was educated in the public schools I; of Concord, but he was too nervously restive in his boyhood and early youth to devote himself to study. |i His love of trade, embracing in its subjects his jack- '. knife, clothing and boots in daily use, as well as the i most valuable property he possessed in after-life, w.is I a passion with him. An intimate friend and associ- ate of his youth says that after he was fifteen years ' old he had scarcely ever the same suit of clothes or Ij i)air of boots two days in succession. Many ludicrous anecdotes are told of this marked peculiarity, which was apparently founded not so ranch in a desire for gain as in the love of trade. Among his purchases and swappings before he was twenty -one years of age could be reckoned, besides almost innumerable horses, carriages and various kinds of other property, an en- tire circus and its accompanying paraphernalia. Soon after he came of age he leased the old Co- lumbian, then the most noted hotel in Concord, which he himself kept for a considerable time. His clerk was Nathaniel White, and Charles H. Norton had charge of his stable. The former subsequently be- came one of the proprietors of the United States and Canada Express, distinguished alike for his great wealth and liberality, while the latter was owner for many years of the principal livery st;il)le in Concord. Messrs. White and Norton were through life intimate friends and neighbors, and it is not exaggeration to say that no two citizens of Concord ever died more generally beloved or more sincerely lamented. Their afi'ection for Captain George was lifelong and unwa- vering, and wiis heartily reciprocated. Soon after the sale of his interest in the Columbian Hotel he removed to Lowell, then rapidly growing in- to importance as the chief manufacturing locality of New England, and there opened a large dry-goods store in company with his cousin, Charles L. Emery, under the firm-name of George & Emery. Subse- quently his health began to fail, and he disposed of his store, and by the advice of his physician went South to avert the tendency to pulmonary consump- tion, with which he was seriously threatened, and from which his pluck and will-power alone rescued him. He spent several months at Washington, where he made the intimate acquaintance of many men of i)rominence from all parts of the country. Upon his return he was appointed to a position in the Boston custom-house, under the collectorship of Hon. David Henshaw. Captain George had a natural taste for politics, and a special love for the excitement incident to political controversy ; and the bitter quarrel which followed the veto of the bank charter by President Tyler gave him the special opportunity to display his peculiar power. He became an ardent defender of the Presi- dent and the intimate of Caleb Cushing, Henry A. Wise and other young and vigorous statesmen who constituted what was then known as the TylerGuard. He was appointed by the President naval store-keep- er at Brooklyn, N. Y., a position which he held until his active and openly-expressed sympathy with the employes of the navy-yard, in their opposition to an official order that a government vessel should be sent elsewhere for repairs, caused a quarrel with the de- partment which resulted in his removal from office. Subsequently, in company with Caleb Cushing, Robert Rantoul and a few other intimate friends, he made the journey up the Mississippi River to the present sites of St. Paul and Minneapolis, then a wilderness with scarcely a single white inhabitant. They also visited St. Croix Falls, and continued their ',y/;n^C^^^ ?7>' IIOPKINTON. 413 Iriiiids and associates of his boyhood and youth. It u:is his farewell visit to his birth-place. Soon after hi.M return home he was taken suddenly ill, and on thi' l"Jth of February he closed a life of constant ac- tivity at his farm in Hopkinton, surrounded by his relatives and friends, in the fifty-seventh year of his iim>. He was buried in the family lot, in Blossom 11 ill Cemetery, in Concord, where a fine granite nion- iiiiunt marks his resting-place. Such is a brief account of the life, and some of its iiiciilents, of the subject of this sketch. It will be s. .11 that Captain George's career was a checkered iihI varied one, full of the variety of pursuit, specu- lative ventures and political incidents which mark till' career of an able and energetic American during till' period in which he lived. But, after all, he was cliii'fly interesting on his own personal account, aad fur himself, for he was, in his psychological organi- zation, a man of genius. He had an element of -Miking individuality which differentiated him from ' \ iivbody else. There was no mistaking him for any Hi li.r person than himself. His conversational powers were remarkable, and as a talker on the current men .Tiid politics of his time he could not be surpassed. His talk was like the effervescence of champagne. It sparkled with wit, sarcasm and irony. llut he was not merely an eloquent and most inter- esting talker. He was full of practical sense and Kiidwledge, the result of a life's experience in both peace and war. He was the intimate friend and asso- eiate of such remarkable public men as Franklin I'ieree, Williarn L. Marcy, Caleb Gushing, Levi ^Viiodbury, Robert Rantoul, David K. Cartter, Hen- ry A. Wise, Isaac Hill and B. F. Butler, and it is n it too much to say, that though they were his supe- riiirs in reputation and in social and political influ- eiiee, they were under special obligations to him for sii^Lrestions and advice which his almost intuitive knowledge of the state of public feeling at any given emergency enabled him to give, and which they fully appreciated. He was in every way qualified to be the "guide, philosopher and friend" of great political ■ami party leaders, for he thoroughly understood the varying moods of the people, being a man of the I pie himself. He was not debarred from popular intercourse by too much personal greatness and con- ceit of himself. His wit and brilliant conversational ])owers made him a favorite in all places of popular resiirt : thus he knew the masses from his own knowl- edsje, and not at second-hand. A list of his life-long friends and associates will best convey a proper idea of the appreciation and es- timation in which he was held by those intimate with him. In addition to the distinguished men already mentioned, the late Theodore H. Sweetser may be in- stanced, who, in his day, had no superior at the Massa- chusetts bar. Mr. Sweetser's face was wont to be liirhted up with a glow of pleasure whenever Captain I ie.irge was a visitor at his office. He would listen with delight while the captain indulged in his bril- liant arrow-flights of comment on current men and events, if he happened to be in one of his effervescent moods, which, indeed, constituted his normal mental state. Richard S. SpofTord, of Newburyport, himself also a man of brilliant intellect, and therefore well quali- fied to appreciate intellectual brilliancy in his a.ssoci- ates, cherishes the memory of his whilom friend. Cap- tain George, with peculiar tenacity and warmth of recollection and regard. Among his intimate friends still living, whose youthful recollections of Captain George are cher- ished with special tenacity, the names of Charles Levi Woodbury, of Boston, Sidney Webster, of New York, and Daniel S. Richardson, of Lowell, — all representative men of marked capacity, — should not be omitted. Among his friends and associates, who, like himself, have departed to that " still country whither all are bound," may be mentioned Charles H. Peaslee, mem- ber of Congress, and Ira Perley, chief justice, of New Hampshire ; James S. Whitney, remarkable for his political as well as business capacity ; the genial and witty Isaac O. Barnes, whose intimacy with Captain George left a doubt in the minds of their personal friends which excelled in brilliancy of conversational powers ; Tappan Wentworth, prominent as a lawyer and member of Congress ; and Fisher A. Hildreth, the cool, philosophic politician, — all of Massachu- setts. Captain George's life covered a period of only fifty- seven years, but it was a most eventful one in the history of the country. He was born in the adminis- tration of Thomas Jefferson, and died during that of Abraham Lincoln. When he reached his majority John Quincy Adams was in the White House. Mean- time in his childhood had occurred the War of 1812 with Great Britain. He began to take personal in- terest in political affairs during the administrations of Jackson and Van Buren ; but during the administra- tion of John Tyler he was himself a power in federal politics. He lived to see the agitation of the slavery question culminate in a gigantic civil war, near the close of which he ended his career. The United States, as it was in the early part of his life, is now a tradition ; for what may be called the better and purer as well as the younger days of the great repub- lic were over in 1845. We .ire as a nation unspeaka- bly greater, richer and more populous and powerful than we then were; but greatness of wealth and power is by no means synonymous with popular hap- piness and national honor. HOX. WALTER SCOTT DAVIS.' Captain Francis (4) Davis, "The Pioneer," w.is born in Amesbury, Mass., October 26, 1723. He was r Colonel L. \V. Cogswell. HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. the son of Francis (3) and Joanna Davis, who was the son of Francis (2), who was the son of Philip (1), who, when a lad of twelve years of age, sailed from Southampton, England, for New England, April 24, 1638, in the ship " Confidence," of London, Eng., John Jobson, master, as servant of John Binson, of Cavershara, Oxfordshire, Eng., husbandman. Francis (2) Davis took the oath of allegiance and fidelity at Amesbury December 20, 1(577. Captain Francis (4) Davis married Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Ferrin, who was born February 20, 1724, and their children were Gertrude, born December 22, 1746 ; Zebulon, born June 2, 1748; Jeremiah, born October 22, 1751; Wells, born March 22, 1753; Ichabod, born February 21, 1755; Francis, born May 27, 1757; Elizabeth, born February 1,1759; Aquila, June 27, 1760 ; Paine, born March 28, 1762; Nathan, born November 9, 1764; all born in Amesbury, Mass. Captain Francis (4) cameto Warner amongst the earliest settlers, and loca- ted at what is now known as Davisville, and was the foremost man in that town from the time of his arrival to the time of his death. His name appears upon al- most every page of Warner's history from 1768 until 1785, being prominent in all town affairs, in church matters, and in all industrial, mechanical, milling and landed interests. He was the foremost military man of the town, his commission as captain of the militia beingdated A.D. 1773, and signed by John Wentworth. He had three sons in the Revolution, two of whom were at Bunker Hill. He was a man of the strictest integrity, and pos- sessed the confidence of his fellow-townsmen in a re- markable degree. His was the first grist-mill in the township. He was one of the committee to secure the incorporation of the town, which was incorporated in September, 1774, and assisted in the division of the lots of the township, and was chairman of the Com- mittee of Safety in 1775. In Harriman's "History of Warner " is this paragraph : " In this first legislative body, chosen by the suffrages of a free peoj>!e, Francis Davis appears the accredited representative of the town of Warner. It is a distinction and an honor to be remembered with pride by his numerous descend- ants." Captain Davis was at this time in the vigor of his manhood, being fifty-three years of age. The Legis- lature was composed of men of rare ability, John Langdon being Speaker of the Assembly, and Me- shcch Weare president of the Council. In 1781 he was chosen delegate to the Constitutional Convention which framed the Constitution which was in force, with slight amendments, until 1878, a period of nine- ty-four years. He was chosen representative the last time in 1784, and served in two sessions in that Leg- islature, one at Concord in June, the other at Ports- mouth the October following, and whilst on his way home from this session he lost his life, which date was November 26, 1784. A heavy rainstorm had swollen Beaver Brook, in Derry, so much that the bridge, which was safe at nightfall, had been swept away when he arrived, later in the evening The horse which he rode plunged into the stream, and Mr. Davis was drowned. When the body was found, several days later, a mark on the temple showed that the horse had struck him with his foot while strug- gling in the water ; otherwise he would undoubtedly have swam ashore, as he was an expert swimmer. He was buried at Davisville, and just one hundred years after his death a monument was erected at his grave, bearing this inscription, "Captain Francis Davis, the Pioneer, and Warner's First Representative. Born Oct. 26, 1723; Died Nov. 26, 1784." This monument was erected by some of his great-grandchildren, prin- cipally by Walter Scott Davis and his uncle, Charles Davis, who, in the summer of 1883, agreed to erect it upon the one hundredth anniversary of his death. Charles died suddenly before the work was begun, but at his funeral his heirs agreed that the work should be done, which was finished agreeably to the original design. Captain Francis Davis had five sons, amongst whom was Aquila (5), who was born in Amesbury, Mass., June 27, 1760, and came to Warner with his father. He enlisted as a soldier of the Revolution at the age of seventeen years, and saw much hard service, being present at the surrender of Burgoyne, and was honorably discharged May 10, 1780. After the Rev- olution he took an active part in the State militia, commanding the Thirtieth Regiment from 1799 to 1807. and was brigadier-general of the Fourth Brigade from 1807 to 1809, and in 1812 raised the first regiment oi' men for one year enlisted in the State, of which regi- ment he was chosen colonel. He was a man of sound judgment and of marked ability, and was often chosen a representative from his town. He resided in the homestead built by his father, his new brick residence not being completed at the time of his death, which occurred Feburary 27, 1835, while on a journey to Sharon, Me., where he had large landed interests. He was buried at Davisville with Masonic honors. His wife was Abigail Stevens, daughter of Theodore and Abigail (Watts) Stevens, of Concord. Abigail Watts was a cousin of the celebrated Dr. Isaac Watts, and the general's wife possessed and exemplified the Christian virtues to a degree that w-ould have done honor to her celebrated relative. Sally Watts, a sister of Abigail, lived many years and died at the general's. A brother, John Watts, was killed in the Revolution. The general's children were Paine, born 1786, dicil 1822; Sarah A. (married a Virgin), born 1788, died 1822 ; Abigail W. (married a Davis), born 1790, died 1869; Theodore S., born 1792, died 1835; Nathaniel A., born 1794, died 1866; Persis H. (married a Cur- rier), born 1796, died 1841 ; Nathan, born 1799, died 1841; female child, born and died 1801; Charles, born 1803, died 1883 ; Aquila, born 1806, died 18G6 ; James, born 1809, died 1842. HOPKINTON. U4 a Nathaniel (6) A., married Mary Clougli, of Bos- cawcu, and their children were Stephen C. and Lucretia A., born 1830 ; Walter (7) Scott, born 1834 ; Oilman, born 1836; Lucretia A., born 1842; Mary E., born 1844; Stillman C, born 1846; Henry C, born 1850. Lucretia (1) died in 1840, and Oilman who was killed in Calilornia in 1883 ; the others survive. Nathaniel A. was of a roving disposition in his earlier years, and having learned the trade of a silver- smith, he made a tour of the United States, working at his trade in the largest cities, making gold beads and silver spoons. Passing through Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana, as far as New Orleans, he retraced his steps to Mobile, and then turned northward and remained some time at Nash- ville, and whilst at work at the forge at this place he was attacked by a drunken half-breed Indian, and only saved his life by using in his defence a heated bar of silver. He was at Louisville and Cincinnati several years, and then returned, in 1824, to his native town, and engaged in the lumbering business. After the death of his father the mills owned by him were distributed amongst his sons, and Nathaniel, with his brother James, became owners of the saw-mill. Amongst the most interesting and important sub- jects which the historian in New Hampshire is called upon to investigate and chronicle is the early occu- pation, later development and improvement of the numerous water-powers contained within the borders of the State. Though not the greatest, yet, in some respects, as remarkable, perhaps, as any in the county, is the water-power at Davisville. The use, occupation and ownership of this power has been in the uninterrupted possession of the Davis family for one hundred and twenty years, although portions of the property have at times been in the hands of other parties ; at the present time, and for several years past, the whole falls have been in the possession of this family. Among the earliest industries at these falls were the saw-mill erected by Francis Davis in 1763, a grist- mill built by him in 1768, a clothing-mill built by Moses Carleton in 1796, afterwards occupied by Nicholas Fowler, and carried away by the August freshet of 1826. An iron foundry was also carried away at the same time, and other property destroyed by that rise of water were the bridge and the black- smith-shop, and the lower dam, built by Charles and one other son of General Davis. There was also a mill for grinding lead, a plaster-mill, a brick-yard and a tannery near by. A woolen-mill was contem- plated at one time at the eddy ; a dam was built and a canal partly dug, but upon the death of the gene- ral the scheme was abandoned. The grist-mill was rebuilt, together with the old house erected by Cap- tain Francis before the Revolution, making it a tavern. James died before the work was completed, and Natlianiel took the whole and carried on the work to completion. The grist-mill was a model for the times, and its reputation for making good flour was widespread. The saw-mill was sold to Samuel H. Dow, who operated it extensively for several years, and sold it to Daniel Milton, who operated it several years as a custom mill, and finally disposed of it to the Messrs. Davis. The grist-mill was sold to Henry C. Carter for a paper-mill, who operated it as such until it was burned, in 1869. Nathaniel A. Davis was of a judicial mind, and made the laws of the State a practical study, and no man ever enjoyed the confidence of a community for honesty and good judgment to a fuller extent than he. As an administrator of estates, a justice in petty trial cases, a conveyancer and drawer of legal documents, a guardian of minors and un- fortunates, and an adviser in legal proceedings, espe- cially of the estates of deceased persons, he was largely sought. His inherent love of justice, and belief in the equality of all men before the law, were so outraged by the barbarisms of slavery which he had observed in his travels through the South, that he became a pronounced Free-Soiler and consistent Abolitionist. His sympathy for the oppressed rendered more substantial aid than cold senlimentalism would offer, and to him the consummation of the age was the proclamation of Abraham Lincoln of January 1, 1863. He moved from the Fowler house to the old homestead of his ancestors in 1843, and died there October 24, 1866, from the effects of a fall from a pile of lumber, which dislocated his neck. His widow survives and lives on the old place. The subject of this sketch, Walter Scott Davis, was born in Warner July 29, 1834. In his early boyhood days he was a lad of prominence amongst his associ- ates, full of life and good humor, and became a leader in all boyish sports, — roguish in the extreme, without any thought of malice, yet doing many things that subjected him to a free application of the birch from his ever-faithful parents ; but the inbred generosity and honesty of his heart never suffered the punish' ment to rancor in his bosom for a moment, and the justice of his father's punishment was never ques- tioned by him. Born and reared in close proximity to the river, it was natural that he should be in the water about as much as out of it, to the constant ter- ror of his mother's life, who often followed him with unremitting vigilance in his aquatic sports, securing his clothes at one time and marching him home with- out them, amidst the jeers of his comrades. When four years of age a circumstance happened that came near proving the fallacy of the adage " that a Davis could not be drowned." The saw-mill had been rebuilt, and a plank was laid to pass from it to the shingle-mill, directly over the flume. Making an excuse to get some oven-wood for his mother, he passed his Uncle Nathan, who was at work on the front of the mill, and crossing the plank, was unseen by him. shortly after, the uncle hearing a splash in \ 414 b HISTORY OF MERllIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. the water, went below to see wliat produced it. Seeing nothing, he returned to liiswork ; but, feeling uneasy, went down again, and was just in time to see the boy fast sinking out of sight, and was undoubtedly sink- ing for the last time when rescued ; and when taken to his home, his mother, to show that her word must be obeyed, as he had already been in the river once that morning, and was promised a whipping if he ven- tured in again, kept her promise, though it seemed quite hard on the lad who had come so near drowning; but he never laid it away in his little heart, but loved his mother all the more for her watchful care over him. His inventive genius began to develop at a very early age, mending his mother's dust-pan with a piece sawed from the handle of the barn shovel, for which act another punishment was liis. He was strong, robust and healthy, though tall and slim, and was proof against the usual epidemics so prevalent amongst children, never having them at all ; or, if at all, in so slight degree as never to be noticed. In his youth he was a good scholar ; not studious, be- cause his mind readily retained the lessons set before him, so that he did not require so much study, but was always ready to do his part, mindful of the dis- cipline, assisted in this to" a large degree, perhaps, by the admonition of his father as to what would take place at home if he was punished at school ; for he knew exactly what his father meant, for with " Squire Nat " his word was sufficient, as all knew who knew him. His father being extensively en- gaged in milling and lumber business, his sons were not kept steadily at work, but were brought up under as perfect an example of honesty, fidelity and justice as was ever set by a father to a family of children, and not the least prevarication or dishonesty was al- lowed, and although no ceremonial forms of religion were inculcated, yet the cardinal virtues of Christi- anity were rigidly adhered to, as in the home of the most Pharisaical, devout professor. From the age of three to thirteen the summer and winter terms of the district school were attended by Walter, supplemented by several terms in the High School at Contoocook, after ten years of age. The summer he was fourteen years of age he worked on a farm at seven dollars per month, and earned money enough to pay the expense of a term at Gilmanton Academy the same fall of 1848. Teach- ing school in winter after he was sixteen years of age, working at haying in the summer and tending the grist-mill the balance of the year, he was enabled to attend school one term at Washington Academy, in 1850, a term at Thetford, Vt., in 1852, and three terms at New London in 1853 and 1854. This finished his schooling, but not his education. He has been a constant student, as his Cyclopedia, Dictionary, Geography and mathematical books show the marks of every-day usage. He has a remarkble faculty for mathematics, every rule and formula be- ing as fresh in his mind as though he had the books before him ; and yet, he cannot repeat a single rule of arithmetic, and never wishes a child of his to learn one, his policy being to establish the principles of analysis, fixing in the mind the proportions which certain things bear to each other, storing the mind permanently with as many stubborn facts and figures as can readily be recalled, as, for instance, the weight of a cubic foot of water, the specific gravity of the more common metals, the pressure of the atmos- phere, etc., and let the rules be manufactured as they are needed. Mr. Davis had excellent success as a teacher, but discontinued teaching at the age of twenty to enter business for himself, forming a partnership, in the winter of 1854-55, with Samuel H. Dow, under the firm-name of Dow & Davis, for the purpose of carry- ing on the bark, lumber and wood business, and they were in partnership ten years, their business being large and successful, with the exception of 1860, which proved disastrous. The general depression in business, and loss incurred from investing in alarge tannery in Lowell, Mass., resulting in a law-suit, in which B. F. Butler and William E. Chandler were counsel, swept away all the savings for the five years previous, leaving him penniless, with a wife and young child to care for; but without a murmur, and no one but himself knowing the extent of his loss, he kept steadily at work, and when the partnership ended had recovered what had been lost. In 1865 he formed a partnership with Paine Davis, under the firm-name of W. S. Davis & Co., for the purpose of carrying on the same business, with farming added. In 1866 the old mills at Davisville were taken down, and a large circular saw mill was erected, with ma- chines for sawing clapboards, shingles, laths, etc. This mill was burned in 1869, and a new one was im- mediately erected. This firm was dissolved in 1872, W. S. Davis retaining the mills and Paine Davis the farm. In 1871, Mr. Davis formed a partnership with George W. Dow, of Bristol, under the name of Dow & Davis, purchased the ruins of the burned paper- mill at Davisville, and erected a straw-board mill capable of making two thousand five hundred pounds of board per day in the summer-time, drying it in the fiekLs by sunshine. This business, so depend- ent upon the season and the weather, and requir- ing so much help at certain times and so little at others, proved very unsatisfactory, and the mill was changed to a steam-dried mill. A Fourdrinier ma- chine and three large driers were added in the fall of 1872 ; the machine was run through the day, the driers during the twenty-four hours. This was an improvement on the air-dried process, but it was slow and tedious work, only about one ton being manufactured daily. In 1873, Henry C. Davis and Lestou Rollins were admitted to the firm, and improve- ments made in the machinery, by which nearly double the amount of board was made daily than HOPKINTON. 414 c lormerly. In 1875, Mr. Davis became the owner of the entire mill, and formed a partnership with his brother, Henry C. Davis, under the name of Davis Brothers. The entire mill was rebuilt, making of it a tirst- class mill, capable of making six tons of lined straw- board per day. The rebuilding was begun in 1879 and completed in 1883, though the mill was kept running the larger part of these years, and so perfectly has it been changed that scarcely a vestige of the old mill is to be seen save the foundation. The power at the mill has been doubled by using the water at a distance of three hundred and fifty feet below the mill and connecting it with a line of shafting. The gate of the water-wheel is operated in the mill by w^ires as easily as though it was situated there. The mill at the present time is capable of making six tons of lined board per day, consuming ten tons of straw and employing fifteen hands. The lumber business carried on by Davis Brothers is quite large, having sawed half a million feet this year for their own use for boxes, which is a new enterprise they are about engaging in, hoping to make employment for a large number of hands in the near future. In Mr. Davis we find the sterling characteristics of his ancestors fully perpetuated and maintained. He has the absolute confidence of the entire community as a gentleman in every respect, and has not a known enemy in the world, and his business correspondents all bear high testimony to his integrity as a business man, and are unbounded in their expressions of pleasure in associating with him as a genial, whole- souled, upright man. He has unbounded generosity and kindness of heart; his patience is proverbial; no unkind word or look ever escapes from him. No matter how great the provocation, he has a good word for all ; is strictly temperate in all things, not a glass ofliquor, ale or beer even, or the useof tobacco in any form ever polluting his breath. He is a consistent member of the Swedenborgian denomination of Chris- tians, and carries his religion into every transaction of life. Amidst all the cares and burdens of his busy life he has not been allowed to sit idly by in the field of politics, but has been sought out by his fellow-towns- men and friends for political promotion. Descended from Free-Soil, Whig, Republican stock, and from one of the most patriotic families in Kew Hampshire, he has always been a stanch Republi- can from principle. Whilst residing in his native town of Waruer he was often voted for for prominent and responsible positions, and, although the majority of the opposite party was large, yet, because of his great popularity, he at one election came near being elected a representative from the town. He held many minor oflices, — was one of the committee to locate and build the Kearsargc Mountain road; was line of the committee to locate the High School build- in-, and was one of the first prudential committees and organized and started intheHigbSrhnnl I theSymond- lli-li S, 1 1. He was Worsliipliil Muster of Harris Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, in 1882-3 ; E. King in Wood's Chapter, No. 14, of which he has been a worthy mem- ber for many years, and is also a member of Horace Chase Council at Concord. In all of these Masonic bodies Mr. Davis is held in the highest esteem for his exemplary life and his daily practice of the great tenets of Masonry. Mr. Davis took up his residence in Contoocook in 1874, and since his residence there he has been for many years president of Contoocook Academy and one of the property trustees; has been curator of the New Hampshire Antiquarian Society and is now its honored president; has been the pre- siding officer in the town-meetings of Hopkinton many years, always being elected without opposition, and is an admirable presiding ofiicer, prompt in his decisions and rapid in the discharge of business. He was chosen a representative from Hopkinton in 1878 and took an active part in the Legislature in revis- ing and preparing the General Laws ; was chosen county auditor and was one of the building com- mittee to rebuild the buildings at the County Farm, and opposed the extravagant plans for the present buildings, because the expense was unauthorized by the convention, but was overruled by a majority of the committee. In 1884, Mr. Davis was placed in nomination as a candidate for State Senator in the Merrimack District, and was handsomely elected, making a net Repub- lican gain of nearly one thousand over the vote of 1882. In the Senate he became at once an active member, and took a prominent part, serving upon several important committees, and was efficient in procuring the passage of several important measures, and in defeating others, and was the only Senator who refused to vote for the bill entitled, "Purity of Elections Bill." He was called to preside over the Senate upon several occasions, and did so with marked ability, and won the esteem and confidence of his associates to a degree that will ever be a great pleasure to him. Mr. Davis is a man of great ingenuity and mechan- ical skill and engineering. His is the mind tliat made all the plans and laid out the work for all the mills at Davisville and for all that have been re- built there within the last quarter of a century, and has made many valuable inventions and improve- ments in machinery. He invented and patented an ingenious and valuable gate-arrangement for turbine water-wheels, and is now perfecting a complicated machine for making paper boxes. He has spent many leisure hours in the past few years inventing a calculating device composed of adjustable concentric circles, divided into nine spaces each, the spaces being in inverse ratio to each other as the ratios of the nine digits, and .subdivided decimally. The soapstone ledge at Davisville, which was dis- 414 f HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. loaded for another voyage. All this I have done in four days, during which time, you will allow, I must have been very busy. Our returns are molasse.s and specie ; my sales of molasses amount to over three thousand dollars, besides what I want to retail ; I had returned in specie one thousand five hundred and seventy five-franc pieces, amounting, in our money, to one thousand four hundred and sixty dollars, which gives us a very good profit, amounting to something like one thousand dollars each." In 1832 he changed his place of business and took a store at the wharf, where he continued to do a profitable business for several months; but, early in 1834, he writes of misfortunes in business; the last voyages of his vessels proved unprofitable, so that, owing to these losses, the scarcity of money and the depression of business, he was compelled to make an assignment of his projierty for the benefit of his creditors. He writes : " Mother must not be an.xious on my account, for 1 am as happy as ever, and shall have the same courage to commence again as if I had met with no misfortunes." In April, 1834, he writes that he never saw business so dull ; people are failing every day, so that he is not alone in his misfortunes, and he has no de.sire to engage in business immediately ; he also refers to ofiers to send him as supercargo, and wants to know what his mother and other friends think of his going to sea for a voyage of six months. He thus briefly defines the duties of a supercargo : " My duty would be to dispose of the outward cargo and purchase a homeward cargo ; on the voyage 1 should have no- thing to do, but could carry books and amuse myself in reading." In May, 1 834, he sailed as supercargo on a voyage of seven months, and his first letter on his return refers to his good health during the entire voyage and to his grief at hearing of the death of his brother Seth. About the middle of 1835 he is fearing a war be- tween France and the United States, and says no in- surance on vessels can at present be secured. He writes a little later, that when he goes to sea again he intends to be owner of the ship and cargo. Still later in the year, he considered a proposition from Mr. David Pingree to go to the Bay of Bengal and, locating at Madras, to buy goods, consisting of goat- Bkins,-cow and buffalo-hides, cloths and silk goods, difl'erent kinds of gums, etc., and ship them to this country. December 23, 1835, when about to sail for Calcutta, he writes that Mr. Pingree agrees to insure his expenses from the time of leaving until his return, and to give him a good share of the commissions, and adds : " I shall carry with me, in specie and bills on London, about fifty thousand dollars, and he is to send me more." After a voyage of almost five mouths he arrived safely in Calcutta, and found the city much more im- pressive in its size and splendor than he had antici- pated ; to him it seemed " well worthy of the ancient appellation, the City of Palaces." The thermometer ranged from eighty to eighty-six degrees above zero, but in an airy house and with plenty of servants, he managed to keep comfortable, never going out except in a carriage or palanquin. He was much interested in the manner of living made necessary by the climate, the superstition of the native servants and the beautiful country-seats of English noblemen. He found several Americans, agents of merchants in the United States, and soon became well acquainted with them. When he arrived there were four American vessels in the harbor which were goon to sail for the United States. • The observance of the Sabbath was as strict as could be expected among such people, and he was told by English gentlemen that our missionaries stood in very good repute in India. He soon become absorbed in business and enjoyed his new life, the climate thor- oughly agreeing with him. The expense of living at this time, including servants and table, with house- rent, palanquin, etc., he estimated at not more than eighty-seven dollars per month. He was much im- pressed by the contrast between the condition of the rich and poor, the former princely in their living and the latter miserable in their poverty, with no possible chance of improving their condition. He described a visit he made upon invitation of one of the rich natives. " It was," he wrote, " a splendid place in all respects ; the floors of his house were all of marble, and his rooms were furnished in a costly manner. He had for natural curiosities four rhinoceroses, which were tame and feeding about his house, one elephant, one ostrich, one ourang-outang and numerous other small animals." The wages of the coolies or laborers who, in crowds, were to be found in the bazaars beg- ging for work in weighing or transporting goods, amounted to nine cents a day. He attended the Scotch Church, so called there, and found all the churches fitted up so as to be comfortable, each one having punkas in all parts of the house. " These are machines fitted above the heads of the congregation, throwing the air upon them, and answering instead of fans." October 18, 1836, he sailed from Calcutta to Madras, where he remained less than six months, the facilities for business not suiting him. While there, however, he made a visit which he believed would greatly interest his mother. " Tell her," he wrote to his brother, " that there is no doubt but what I have stood ujjon the very spot where Saint Thomas of old was crucified. It is a small mountain, about ten miles from Madras, called Saint Thomas Mount, said to have derived its name from the cir- cumstances of the crucifixion. The place is made of great account by the Roman Catholic Church as a place of worship, and they have an old cathedral on the pinnacle of ihe mount." He described Madras as "crowded to overflowing with the natives ; the streets are common thoroughfares for loaded elephajili'. HOPKINTON. 414 k camels and the natives riding on bullocks and in carriages drawn by bullocks, all of which presents a very ludicrous appearance to the eye of one who has been in the habit of viewing the clean-swept and open streets in the cities of the United States." After bis return to Calcutta he availed himself of an oppor- tunity to visit the interior of the country, and in three months traveled seven hundred and fourteen miles on the river Ganges, as far as the celebrated city of Benares. In 1839, in response to an inquiry of his sister, he gave the following description of his manner of life: "I am at present living with an American from Philadelphia, each paying one-half of all the expenses; our house is comfortable and aiuy, built of brick, two stories high, with good verandah, one large dining-room, two large sleeping-rooms, one >itting-room and other convenient apartments; rent, eighty rupees, or forty dollars per month. Our ser- vants consist of one head man (native title, khan- sumer), who purchases all our daily provisions and superintends all concerns about the house ; one cook, one butler, one sweeper, two boys to wait upon the table, two bearers or servants to do errands and have the (charge of our sleeping-rooms and wearing apparel. All our servants are males, no females about our establishment, and each has his regular daily work allotted him. We keep one horse and chaise, and every afternoon, about sunset, we ride two or three hours upon the strand, a fashionable resort for all European ladies and gentlemen. It is a beautiful road along the bank of the river Hoogly, commanding a tine view of the water on one side and the city on the other. One or two hundred carriages usually assemble here about one hour before sun.set and drive up and down along the river until dark, this being the most pleasant recreation we have in this country.'' In the latter part of 1889 he went to Singapore, and on his re- turn stopped at the island of Penang, where he made arrangements to join the firm of Revely & Co. as soon as he could close up his business at Calcutta. The contract was for two years, with the provision that if either partner died, the other was to have full control of the business. He thus describes Pulo Penang: "Pen- ang is a delightful little island near the coast of Malac- ca. All the level land upon the island is cultivated by Europeans with nutmegs. These nutmeg orchards are inclosed by a green hedge, which makes the scenery beautiful, and the high mouutain in the centre of the island, with a road winding around it to the top (sufficiently good to enable a little Burmese pony to carry a man with ease), makes a fine retreat in hot weather. The roads about the island are very >,'Ood, and every European keeps his carriage and lives in the same style as in Calcutta. The climate is the most healthy of all India, and much more so than that of the United States. I am altogether much jileased with the place." He went to Penang early in February, 1840, and his only partner, Mr. John Kevely, with his family, sailed immediately for Eng- land on board the ship " Embassador; " nothing was ever afterwards heard of the vessel or any one on board. After a sufficient time had elapsed Mr. Revely's will was opened and his estate administered upon, and from that time the whole business, with its cares and profits, came into Mr. Currier's hands. During the next few years his life was uneventful, except that his business steadily increased, so that he constantly had in his care from three to five English, French or American vessels. His old friend, David Pingree, began to send his vessels to Penang, and that business continued to increase until it attained to large proportions. Upon the increase of his American .shipping busi- ness he received the appointment of United States consul at Penang, which office he held until his re- turn to the United States. In the summer ot 1847 he received the sad news of his mother's death, and wrote a very tender and ap- preciative letter in return. April 8, 1849, he writes a bit of interesting news concerning himself, as follows : " 1 have just received a present from the king of Den- mark of a very valuable gold snuff-box, with the royal cipher set in diamonds. It is the most beautiful thing I ever saw, and all who have seen it say the same. It was presented to me by the king, through his Minister of Commerce, as a token of His Majesty's approbation of my conduct as agent for his ships engaged here in the establishment of a colony at the Nicobar Islands during the last three years. The colony is now given up and his ships called back to Denmark." The following is an exact copy of the paper which accompanied the gift : I .'ssed hiinself in Im-ps with which [jiicity of agent to "Sir ; In presenting to nie a lep-i t i i ■ Nicobar Islands, now given up, ;iii I : at IVnang connected with it, Oapt.ii II \ i tlif most favorable terms of the /<.il 'I'i ' you have rendered valuable services to him the ship under his command. "Considering the claim which particular zeal in the public service has to the attention of the King's Government, I have most humbly sub- mitted a proposition to His Majesty, that a token of His august appro- bation of your conduct might be conferred upon you, and His Majesty has been most graciously pleased to resolve that a gold snuff-box, bearing the royal cipher, should be presented to you as a nmrk of the satisfac- tion which your exertions in His service have afforded Him. " By remitting to you the annexed box, I am happy. Sir, to have an opportunity of congratulating you on a distinction so well deserved, and expressing to you the feelings with which I appreciate the zeal evinced by you in His Majesty's service. "Minister of Commerce, Copenhagen, the 16th October, 1848. 'SCHN Phr "To C. C. CCKKIER, EsQ'e., CoMiif of the. Vniltd Slates at Penang." The royal cipher is mounted upon an oval, elliptical- shaped stone, resembling an amethyst, set into the gold cover of the box. This stone is about two and a half inches long. On the lower portion is a monogram containing the letters F and E, with the number VII. in the lower part, and above is a diadem. The sur- face of the gold cover around the stone is studded with fourteen large diamonds, while in the monogram 414 h HISTOKY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. and diadem are eighty-six small diamonds. The King of Denmark, at this time, was Frederick VII. For a period of twelve or fifteen years he wrote in almost every letter that in one or two years, he hoped to revisit the United States ; but his business was so large and so exacting in all respects, that he could find no one, for a long time, sufficiently acquainted with the details, and at the same time possessing the necessary executive ability to carry on the business in his absence. Several times he thought he had found the right man, but in each case some accident or fail- ure in some important requirement prevented his con- fiding the important interests to other hands. His letters were always cheerful, however, and fre- quently, indeed, contained numerous pleasantries. After an absence of more than twenty years he com- pares himself to Rip Van Winkle, and gives a very interesting description of his personal appearance. His simplicity of character is seen in his constant references to the surroundings of his early days, and in his deep interest concerning every member of his family and every change in his native town. Not a word of impatience, or of unkind criticism concerning any one, is to be found in his letters, and yet, judging from his oft-repeated anticipations of re- visiting his family in his native land, his disappoint- ments must have been many. His letters, also, are distinguished for their reverent and tender spirit, and the impression left by them, individually and collec- tively, is that they were written by a man of marked nobility of character. His anticipation of a return to the United States were not realized until the summer of 1859, when after suffering several months from asthma, he com- pleted arrangements for embarking on board ship to London and thence to New York. When about to sail he wrote : " I am very anxious to be with you as soon as possible. As the time of my departure draws near, I feel that every day I am de- tained here is encroaching on the time I should spend with you." He arrived in New York September 27, 1859, and proceeded as soon as possible to Hopkinton, where he received a cordial greeting on all sides. He was much amused on the journey from Concord to Hopkinton; by the manifest curiosity with which the people aloug the road regarded him. He was obliged by his business to be in New York much of the time during the winter, but was anticipating much pleasure in traveling over the country during the next sum- mer. Early in March, however, he was taken down with the measles in Hopkinton, and after less than a week's illness died suddenly on the morning of March 13, 1860. During a very successful business career of a quarter of a century, he had accumulated a large property which was equally divided among the three surviving members of his family, his brother and two sisters. HISTORY OF NEWBURY BY NATHANIEL C. LEAR. CHAPTER I. Newbuiiy i.s bounded ou the north by New Lon- don, east by Sutton, south by Bradford and west by Goshen and Sunapee. Its area is 19,332 acres. Dis- tance from Concord, the county -seat, thirty-four miles. This town was first settled in 17G2 by Zephaniah Clark, in that part of the town now called Chandler- ville. Deacon Joseph Chandler being his first neigh- bor in town. The township was granted by the Ma- sonian proprietors, February, 1772, to John Fisher, of Portsmouth, and called Dantzick^ until November 27, 1778. The population in 1775 was one hundred and thirty. In 1778, February 8d, the inhabitants of Dantzick petitioned the General Court for an incorporation of the town. The namesof the petitioners were as follows: Joseph Chandler, Charles Emerson, Eliphalet Chand- ler, Zephaniah Clark, Ephraim Bradbury, William Emery, John Clark, James Muchmore, William Em- ery, Jr., Jonas Hastings, Oliver Emerson, George Hadlcy, Paul Towle, Samuel Gunnison, Nicholas Dodge. The act of incorporation was passed November 27, 1 778, and the town took the name of Fishersfleld iVoni John Fisher, above named, and was annexed to Hillsborough County. Zephaniah Clark was the first town recorder, being authorized by the General Court to call the first town- meeting, the annual town-meetings being held on the third Monday of JIareh until 1803, when they were changed to the second Tuesday of March. CIVIL HISTORY. 1778. -The first town-meeting was held in 1778. Jonas Hastings was chosen town clerk ; Zeph. Clark and Jonas Hastings, selectmen. 1770.— On the third Monday in March, 1779, Zeph. Clark, town clerk ; Jonas Hastings, Zeph. Clark, Joseph Chandler, selectmen. 1780. — John Russ, town clerk ; John Lane, Joseph Webster, Cornelius Bean, selectmen. At this meeting the town " Voted to work at the high- way for fifteen dollars per day each man." At a subsequent meeting " Voted to recind the above vote, and voted to work at the highway for lifty dollars per day each man." a clerk ; Timothy Clement, William Gunnison, 81.— Paul Towle, toi 1 Towle, selectmen. 82.— Paul Towle, town clerk ; John Harve , Joseph Webster, Willia Dantzick is also said to havt * "Histoi-y of Now London.' 27 been the origin ! of New Loniio 1783.— Paul Towle, town clerk ; Zebulon Getchel, John Cntler, William Dodge, Paul Towle, Joseph Webster, selectmen. 1784.— David Webster, town clerk ; Jonas Hastings, William Dodge, Joseph WeT>ster, selectmeD. 1785.— William Dodge, town clork ; selectmen not changed. William Dodge held the office of town clerk to 1704. 1786.— William Dodge, William Gunnison, Thomas McWilliams, select- men; Zephaniah Clark, representative ; the first sent by this town. 1787. — Jonas Hastings, William Gunnison, William Dodge, select- 1788.— Jonas Hastings, WiUiam Dodge, Paul Towle, selectmen. 17S9. — S;uuuel Gunnison, Joseph Webster, David Webster, selectmen. 17911.— William Dodge, Paul Towle, Joseph Webster, selectmen. Pop- ulation in this year was three hundred and thirty-one. 1791.- Bond Little, William Leach, Joseph Chandler, selectmen. 1792.— William Dodge, Joseph Webster, Paul Towle, selectmen. 1793.— John Hogg, Bond Little, Phineas Batchelder, selectmen. 1794.— Paul Towle, town clerk (Mr. Towle held this office .until 1810, being elected annually) ; Joseph Webster, Bond Little, Paul Towle, select- men. This year there were eighty-seven persons paying a poll tax to the 1795.— Paul Towle, Samuel Gunnison, Joseph Webster, selectmen. 179C.— Timothy Morse, Paul Towle, Joseph Webster, selectmen. 1797.— Samuel Gunnison, Timothy Morse, Phineas Batchelder, select- 1798.— John Burns, Paul Towle, Joseph Webster, e 17!)9.— S;imuel Gunnison, John Burns, Timothy Moi-se, selectmen ; John Burns, representative. isoo.— Suiiiuel Gunnison, Timothy Morse, Paul Towle, selectmen. In this year seventy polls were taxed, ISOl.— Paul Towle, Samuel Gunnison, Jonas Hastings, selectmen ; John Burns, representative. 1802. — Paul Towle, William Gunnison, Samuel Gunnison, selectmen. 1803.— Paul Towle, William Gunnison, John Baker, selectmen ; Samuel Gunnison, representative. 1804.— William Gunnison, William Leach, William Rowe, selcct- 1805. -Pan Towle, Samuel Gunniao son, representative. Timothy Moi-se, Paul Towle, John Baker, John Mortie, selectm 180G and 1807. Enoch Hoy t, representative in 1807. ISos.— Paul Tuwle, John Baker, Daniel Cheney, selectmen. From 17«0tulS0S this town was classed with Perrystown (now Sutton) and Bi-atifoid in choosing representatives to the General Court. ISiiD.— Paul Towle, William Gunnison, Daniel Cheney, selectmen ; Samuel Gunnison, representative. 1810.— John Baker, town clerk from 1810 to 1815 ; Samuel Gunnison, Klijah Peaslee, James Giliiugham, selectmen ; Samuel Gunnison, reprc- 1811.— Klijah Peaslee, Jacob Carr, Daniel Cheney, selectmen ; Samuel Gunnison, representative. 1812.— Elijah Peaslee, Jacob Carr, William Gunnison, selectmen ; Jacuh Carr, representative. Number of polls laxed, one hundred and two. At a special meeting in July the town *• Voled ten dollars per month in addition to the Soldiers' wages while in actual service." *^ Voted to appropriate eight dollars as a bounty to those who have enlisted.'* The following are the names of a part of the enlisted men from this town in the War of 1812 : Authoruial Cross (lost one arm at Plattaburg, N. Y., 415 HISTOllY OF MKllllIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Moses U. Ring, Dftiiiol Morse, Alphous Crous, Ismol Monill, Kdnmnd P. Dodge, .Tolin Eaton, Juuatlmn Collins, Samuel Morgan, Obadiuh Wolls, John Stevens, AmosKmory, Ilozokiah TliissoU. Total number, eighteen ; the nnmes of tho others I am unable to furnish. 18l3.-^ohn Baker, TaulTowlo, William Uunnison, selectmen ; Samuel Gunnison, ropresontative. 1814.— John BuU.r, P;iiiioI (Jillingham, Jonathan Perkins, solect- 1816.^ II : I ^MJ liork; Timothy Morse, Daniel Gilling- ham, J.'Ti.tn, ,; r^ nni-n ; Timothy Morse, representative. 1817,_Siiiinii Ay.T «asi-lrrtcdtown clerk and held the office for twenty years, until 1837 ; Timothy Moreo, Elijah Peasloo, Simon Ayer, select- men ; T. Morse, ropr.^sentative. 1818.— Timothy Morse, DauiolGillinglmm,Ebono/.or Chase, selectmen; T. Morse, roprescntative. 1819.— Daniel Gillinghiun, Jonathan Perkins, .John llakor, selectmeu ; John Bttkor, rt-prfscMilativo. 1820.^I>nni.I Ciniii-h^im. Klijah Peasluo, Caleb Twiss, solcctmen ; Timothy "Mi , i p- m iijvr. Polls taxed this yearwero onehundred and t\vt.'iii\ ■■!'■ 1 in'uiti .i;j:ht hundred and seventy-four. 1821.— I 'nil. 1 <.iihii-ii,iiii, J.ihii Baker, James Gjllingham, selectmen; Timothy Mor.-io, rcpr(!S(Mitiitivt>. 1822.— Elijah Peaslee, Daniel Moree, Simon Ayer, seluctmon ; Elijah Poaslee, representative. 1823.— Elijali Peaslee, Jonathan P. Dodge, John Stevens, selectmen ; Elijah Peaslee, reprosontative. 1824.— Jonathan P. Dodge, Jnmes Gillingham, Cyrus Bailey, solect- IBon ; no representative 1825.— J. P. Dodgo, Cyrus Bailey, Daniel Morse, selectmen ; J. P. Dodge, representative. 1826.— Elijah Peaslee, Joseph Murshuli, Simeon Stevens, selectmen; Elijah Peaslee, representative. 1827.— Jonathan P. Dodgo, Joseph Marshall, Niithan Baker, Jr., select- men ; Jonathan P. Dodge, represontative. 1828— John Baker, Cyrus Bailey, Nathaniel Chandler, selectmen ; Israel Putmim, representative. 1829. — John Baker, Cyrus Bailoy, Joseph Marshall, selectmen ; Israel Putnam, reproseuttitive. 1830. — Nathan Baker, Joseph ManslmlljMosesBly, selectmen ; Ismel Putnam, representative ; ono huudi-od and fifty-one jwlls taxed. Popu- lation at this timo was seven hundred and ninety-eight. 1831.- Nathan Baker, Moses Bly, Jeremiah Morse, selectmen; Israel Putnam, representative. 1832.— Jonathan P. Dodge, Jeremiah Moree, Stephen B. Peaslee, select- men ; Israel Putnam, representative. 1833.— Officers the same as previous year except i-epresontative, who was Jeremiah Morso. 1834 — Selectmen same as previous year ; Simeon Stevens, representative. 183r..— Selectmen the same ; Simoon Stevens, ropreeentutivo. The town -voted not to ho annexed to Sullivan County. 183G.— Jonathan P. Dodge, Moses Eaton, Joseph Farmer, selocttnon ; Jeremiah Morso, representative. 1837.— Ezra Cilloy, town clerk, and held tho office throe years ; select- men samoas in 183G; Jonathan P. Dodge, representative. Tho town " Votcdto petition the L.^iMlahnv fm- a h.-m nume." " Voted tho name bo Madison," but it \\;i- Ini.illv ■ .i Mr l N. vv Ihh \ 1838.— Jonathan r i' i ' > i ■ > i .;ili Bailey, selectmen ; Simeon Stevens, n'i>r> . mi! , , i \-\\u " Voted to make town clerk's rogistn m[ 1 I ^ i^ i,, i i, i i ml twenty-one ; najs ■lectuion ; Simei 1830. — Daniel Morso, Isaiah Hailey, Natlui Slovens, representative. 1840. — Eli Dodge was elected town clerk ; hold the office thi-ee years ; Jonathan P. Dodge, Moses Bly, Jesse Carr, selectmen ; Simeon Stevens, representative, 1841. — Selectmen same as above ; Jacob Gibson, representative. 1842.— Moses Bly, Jesse Carr, Moody Gillingham, selectmen ; Jacob Gibson, representative. 1843.— Lucas Nelson, town clerk ; Jesse Carr, Paul Sawyer, Cj-rus B. Leach, selectmen ; Stephen B. P.asl.-t', r.i.iv^ M. Sawyer, Frederick S. Muzzoy, select- , Frederick S. Muzzey, Harvey C. Jlorse, Curtis MessL-i 18G9.-S \ Jamos M. > i 1870.— Iwi. I Uowe, Benjamin R. Mo > ,- >>ii.l:. (lilos Boi-tlett, Edmund P.Dodge, select- men; Juhn iv. t.ii)int;iiiiiiii, niiresontative. Population this year wna six hundred and ono. 1871.— Eziu Cilley (second), E. P. Dodge, Betijamin F. Gillinghum, selectmen ; James M. Sawyer, representative. 1872.— Curtis Messer, Bo«jamin F. Gillingham, Kzokiel Barnard, selectmen ; Ezra Cilloy (second), ropi-esentativo. 1873.— Curtis Messer, William H. Sawyer, Carlos F. JJtirtlott, select- men ; Ezra Cilley (second), representative. 1874.— Ezra Cilley (second), William H. Sawyer, C. F. Bartlett, solect- uiL'U ; Spiiigue A. Morse, representative. ISTo.— Ezra Cilley (second), C. F. Bartlett, B. R. Morse, selectmen; Sprague A. Moree, representative. 1876.- Beiyamiu R. Morse, Daniel M. Perkins, Thomas J. Loach, selectmen ; Harvey C. Moi-ae, represeutativL'. 1877.— All the same officers as 1S7G. 1878.— Ezra Cilley (second), William Ayer, Milton U. Clark, select- men ; Osman Bailey, representative. In November of this year Benja- min F. Gillingham was chosen reprosontative. 1879.— Ezra Cilloy (second), William Ayer, M. H. CTark, 1S80.— Daniel M. Perkins, C. F. BorUott, Charles C. Messer, Frederick S. Muzzoy, representative. Population this year was five hun- dred and nijiety. 1881.— Daniel M. Perkins, C. F. Bartlett, Charles C. Messer, select- NEWBURY. -Joimthan Havre, 1883.— Jonatlmn Rowo, 0. J. Blodgott, Wcsloy E. Cillcy, solcctincii. 1884. — Saiuo ea in 1883 ; Daniel M. Perkina, ri^prewjnttttivo. 1885.— Ezra Cilley (nocuiidl, Cliarlc8 C. .lIcmcT, licorge J. Mcuscr, Bolecliiien. War of the RebeDion.— The- town of Nc-whury furnished voliiiitetis lor the: War of the Itebellion, from 1861 to I860, as follows: David CroM, Fiftli Itcgiinent, Now llanipaliirc Volunteers ; destiny un- Uoracc Clark, Company F, Eighth Regin Sew Uainpshiro Volu Fninci« Dodge, Company F, Eighth Bcgiment, New Hampshire Volun teers ; died at Ship Island, Louisiana. Enoch C. Gillingham, Company F, Eighth Regiment, New Hampsliin Volunteers. Ira Gillingham, Company F, Eighth Bcgiment, New Hampshire Volun teers ; died in La. Elbridge F. Smith, Company F, Eighth Regiment, Niw Ilamiishiri Volunteers ; died at Ship Island, La. George H. Dodge, Company G, Ninth Regiment, N'-w Hampshire Volun- Albert B. Creasoy, Company G, Ninth Regiment, New HanijKihirc Volun- teers ; died in hospital at l>a. Wellman SI. George, Company K, Ninth Regiment, New HampBhirc Elijah T. Grace, Company H, Tenth : nt, New HamijBhire Volu John A. Eaton, Company H, Tenth Regiment, New Ilamiwliire Volun- teers ; lieutenant. Alfred S. Eaton, Co. H, Tenth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers. David B. Follows, Company F, Eleventh Regiment, Now Hampshire Volunteers ; destiny unknown. Captain Nathaniel L. Chandler, Company I, Fourteenth Rogiment, New Hampshire Voluntoern ; died at Bradford, N. H., in 1804. Simeon S. Dodge, Company I, Fourteenth Regiment ; New Hampshire Waller F. Cobum, Company I, Fourteenth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers, Jason A. Perkins. Company I, Fourteenth Itegiment, New Ham[jshire Mark W. Cheney, Company H, Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers. Luke Cheney, Company 11, Sixteenth Regiment, New Hanii>sbiro Volun- teere ; died in the army. William N. Dunfield, Company II, Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer!), Israel Ailama, Co, H, Sixteenth Regiment, Now Hampshire VolnntectB. The following is a list of volunteers not residents of Newbury to fill the quota of Newbury : .lohn Willson, William Brown, Michael Willson, William C. Loeib, Michael 0. Brine, William Crawther, George Gray, William Magoon, Thomaa Green, James Emery, John Clark, John Raleahn, Calvin Kent, John Doneley. Substitutes were furnished for conscripts as follows : SubgtUuUt. Ezra Cilley (second). Alfred Elson. .\ddi90n Ayer, Andrew Tucker Page Blake, Hugh Murphy. Benjamin F, Peasloy, James Carroll, Virgil C, Brockway, WilUam Fayan fharlcs Davis. David Jackson. Austin Goings. William Smith, Joel liagley. John Willson, Olradiah C, Bartlett. John Griffin, Ail«rt S, Baton, John Small, FredenckS, Mot«. Dennis Lynch, Joshua H, Blodgett, Richard Wall, Lemuel C, Twiss, paid commutation Substitutes were furnished for enrolled men as fol- lows : Enrolled Men. SiiMiluteo. Richard T. JIuzzey. Il.nry Thomas. Lorenzo D. Muzzey. John A. Brocklehank, Aurcn Pcasleo, Charles F, Foster, Frederick S, Muzzey, John O, Day. Alfred H. Nichols. Albert C. Brown. Bprague A. Morse. William Spencer. Joseph E. Muzzey. Thomas Cummings. George W. Blodgett. Henry Mansargh. Silas W. Dana, Michael Fanagan, The total number, including one paying commuta- tion during the late war, from 18(51 to 1865, was fifty- eight. Churches. — At the present time there is only one organized church in town ; that is of the Free- Will Baptist denomination. One Union Church edifice at Newbury and one at South Newbury. Industries.— They are mostly farming. S. L. Lowe has a mill for the manufacture of lumber; also the Fowler Brothers have a very fine mill, where they manufacture all kinds of lumber ; also clothes-pins, pail-handles, etc. In the year 1883 they manufactured 3,640,000 pail-handles; in 1885 they make about 1,000,000. There are three general country stores in town and three post-ofiices in town ; Newbury, South Newbury andChandlerville are the addresses. The first postmsis- ter in town was John Burns; second, Samuel Jones ; third, John Straw ; fourth, John Kelley ; fifth, Moses Cilley; sixth, Eli Dodge; seventh, Esek. Young; eighth, Mary Lear; ninth, N. C. Lear, who is the present incumbent. In the year 18-50 the post-office was established at South Newbury, with Josiah Morse, postmaster; second, John Cutler ; third, Eli Dodge; fourth, Darius Kidder ; fifth, Jeremiah Morse ; sixth, Mary P. Morse; seventh, Wesley E. Cilley ; eighth, F. A. Messer. In 1871 the post-office was established at Chandlerville, with Benjamin Chandler postmaster; Mr. Chandler is the present postmaster, and is a grandson of Deacon Joseph Chandler, who was born in 1747 and settled in the town in early life; had a family of fourteen children, — seven sons and seven daughters, — and educated them in the evenings by the light of burning pitch-pine knots. The surface of this town is generally hilly, the soil hard and rocky. Sunapee Mountain extends through the western part of this town, the range running nearly north and south. Near the base of the mountain the land is well adapted to grazing. This mountain is about two thousand .seven hundred feet above tide- water. There are no noticeable streams in this town, but many small ones that take their rise on the eastern slope of the mountain, forming at Bradford a large tributarj- of the Warner Branch of the Contoocook River. Chalk Pond, lying in the northeast part of this town, is about one hundred and twenty-five rods long and fifty rods wide. It takes its name from being under- laid with a very fine quality of white chalk. The 418 HISTORY OF MEKRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. waters from this pond run intoSunapee Lake, thence to the Connecticut. Todd Pond, in the southeast part of the town, is about three hundred rods long and ninety rods wide. Gillinghani Pond, in the south part of the town, is perhaps seventy-five rods long; and last, but not least in note, is a pond nearly on the sum- mit of Sunapee Mountain that is sixty rods long by thirty rods wide, with clear water and no visible out- let except in high water. It is not inhabited by any of the finny tribe, as all our other ponds are. Sunapee Lake. — This lake lies within the limits of the town to the extent of five miles. Its water is pure and clear, and it is inhabited by land-lock, salmon, trout, black bass, pickerel and many other kinds of fish, which afford great pleasure to the tourists dur- ing the summer months. There are two steamboats plying between Sunapee and Newbury,- — one the "Ed- mund Burke," is about eighty-five feet over all and eighteen feet beam, rated to carry four hundred per- sons ; the other, " Lady Woodsum," which is about forty-eight feel long and carries about one hundred persons. These boats run regular trips between Newbury and Sunapee Harbor and other points around the lake, connecting with trains at Newbury Station three times a day. On leaving the station, the first point or land- ing made by the steamers is at Pine Cliff, th of June, 1779, the Great and General Court of the State of New Hampshire passed an act incorporating the town of New London out of a tract (if hind that had previously been known as "Alexan- dria Addition." The town, as at first incorporated, cimtained much territory that does not now belong to it ; and, also, it did not contain considerable territory wiiich now constitutes a part of it. But although the town was not incorporated until 1779, it had been inhabited several years previous to that, and in giving a historical sketch of the town it will be not only interesting, but proper and necessary, to go back as far as we can trace any step of the white man ; and it would be in- teresting also, had we the means of doing so, to go even back of that, and to describe what savage tribes, what sons of the forest, what race of the red men for- merly frequented these hills and mountains, and tracked their devious ways through the dense forests that then covered these hillsand valleys; who hunted their garne in these regions while the woods were yet unbroken ; and sailed upon our glassy lakes and ponds in their bark canoes, when as yet their waters had never mirrored forth the forms or the features of any of the race of pale-faces, the descendants of the English. But all the facts in relation to these times have perished from human memory, and all the tra- ditions in regard to former races of men who may have once, in the ages of the past, inhabited these re- gions, are forgotten and have passed away forever ; and we can only draw upon our imaginations to pic- ture the races of men, the modes of living, the habits, pur-suits and characteristics of the people who may, at some distant day in the far past, have lived and labored, loved and hated, enjoyed and suffered, in these places which we now occupy. Indian settlements in this town were far back be- fore any white man bad knowledge of these localities. The Indian wars were over and the few scattering remnants of the race that remained had retired from the unequal contest, had ceased their depredations and left the State (except perhaps in the extreme northerly portion) before this town was settled, and we look almost in vain for any trace of them in this region. The only name I found anywhere in the neighborhood that indicates that the Indians ever dwelt here is the name of " Sunapee " Lake. That name is unmistakably Indian. It means in plain English " Goose," and Sunapee Pond meant simply Goose Pond. The theory is that at some time in the past this lake was found to be a favorite resting-place for the Canadian wild geese, as they migrated from the regions of Hudson Bay southward at the approach of winter, flying, as they always do, at a great height, and, like a well-trained military company, following their leader in such a way as to describe the sides of a triangle with the angle in front, or, as our farmers would familiarly express it, in the shape of a harrow. The size of the lake would cause it to be seen from a great distance on either side, and thus it would be sure to be sought as a place of rest and refreshment for a time by the wild geese, as they went southward in the autumn and northward in the spring, and we infer that the Indians were familiar with this fact, and hence the name " Sunapee," — Goose Pond. Doubtless the Indians were also familiar with the Little Sunapee Pond, in the northwesterly part of the town, and Messer's and Clark's or Harvey's Ponds, in the southerly part, and crossed the height of land and descended to Pleasant Pond, in the northeasterly part of the town. But, however that may be, one fact remains, which is that New London is the high- est land, or furnishes the dividing line between the Connecticut and the Merrimack Rivers, and it is said there are buildings in town from the roofs of which the water descends from one side to the Merrimack and from the other side to the Connecticut River. I find this account of traces of the Indians in Sut- ton, near Kezar's Pond, in the northerly part of the town and not far from the line of New London. Sutton was then known as Perrystown and was settled first in 1767, some eight years before this town was settled, and it was stated of the early settlers there, that though no Indian was seen by them, yet it seemed as though he had just put out his fire and gone away as the white man came. His track was still plain and visible. On the west bank of Kezar's Pond were several acres of land which appeared to have been cleared by them of their original forests. Here were found several Indian hearths built with 421 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. stone, with much skill and ingenuity. Here was found au Indian burying-place. Gun-barrels and arrows have also been found here, and near the pond were found stone mortar-pestles and tomahawks. It is certain that these regions were once, and that not long before the advent of the pale-faces, inhabited by the red man ; he hunted his game over these hills and encamped and lived on the banks of our Great Lake— Sunapee — and of our smaller ponds, nestling as they do in beauty among our hills. Large numbers of Indian utensils and arms have been found by Mr. James M. Pike and Mr. Amos Currier in the west part of the town near Sunapee Lake, leading us to believe that the Indians had a settlement on the border of the lake in that neighborhood, and that they had a track or path from such settlement down by Harvey's Pond to North Sutton, to Kezar's Pond. They also visited Little Sunapee Pond and had a settlement in the summer season on its easterly shore, and had a track or path from thence easterly over the height of land to the upper end of Pleasant Pond, where they also had another settlement, and where they had cleared up the forests on the intervale; and this clearing was the first place occupied by the white man in that part of the town. They were in the habit of hunting in summer all, over our hills, and their arrow-heads of stone have been found by General McCutchins, by Mr. Nathan Pingree, Mr. Ransom Sargent and others, and a few years since Mr. Asa Ray plowed up an Indian gouge in the path leading from Little Sunapee to Pleasant Pond, which is now in possession of Mr. S. D. Messer. New London was first settled in 1775, some four years before it was incorporated. James Lamb and Nathaniel Merrill were the first settlers, and they were soon followed, in the same season, by Eliphalet Lyon and Ebenezer Hunting. The next year, 1776, the first child was born within the limits of the town, a son of James Lamb, and they called his name John. James Lamb is said to have made the first settlement on the farm known as the Ezekiel Knowlton farm. It is also related that Moses Trussell came up from Hopkinton in 1774, and camped in the wilderness and felled several acres of trees on the Morgan farm, so-called, adjoining the Knowlton farm ; that he burned off" the land and planted it with corn ; that in the autumn he returned again to harvest his crop, but finding that he had been anticipated by the hedge-hogs and other wild animals, he returned to Hopkinton, and the next spring, instead of coming to New London, he went to Bunker Hill, where he lost an arm and did not get back to New London until 1804, just thirty years after his first visit. Soon after 1775 came also Mr. Samuel Messer, Benjamin Eastman, Nathaniel Everett, Nathaniel Cxoodwin, Ephraim Guile and John Austin, with Jedediah Jewett and Thomas Whittier and others, and in March, 1779, these citizens petitioned "the Honor- able General Court of the State of New Hampshire, then sitting at Exeter," that they might be incorpo- rated into a town. The following is a copy of the petition : " To the Hono" Council and house of Representatives Convened at Exe- ter tlie Secont Wednesday of march Next "The huDtble Portion of a number of inbabitetants of a Tract of land in the State of Newhampshire Known by the name of Alaxandria addi- tion or newlondon Sitivat Between old Alaxander and fishers field and Parrytown : humbly Sheweth that your Portisherners Labour under a Grat Disadvantage Being Joyined to Old Alaxander on the accout of Tax Sation the Distance being Seven or Eight miles threw the Woods wharo there is no Road, nor Cannot be aney Easley had the Grouud Being so KufFand mountanies, and your Portisherners being Wholy Deprived of anney Privilege of assessing ower Selves as Selectmen Can be Expected in the Sitovation we are in at Present among us Tharefore your Portish- erners Prayer is that we may be incorporated into a Town and have the Same Privileges that other Towns in this State have your Portiehernei-s ar willing Cheeiffiillv t > I'lv w-r r-iniirPorportion of Taxes with aney other Town in lii: -i i I' - i i t we are in Capasety to assess ower Selves and like \^;- i ; ~ i.. is at Present Laboure under Grat Disadvantages* iniu i l.iiiiu and Repairing highways among us, as your Portisherner in Duty Bound Doth Ever Pray— "January ye 22 : 177S) — " Samuel Messer Ephraim Gile Nathan Goodwin Jedidiah Jewett Noah Kidder Israel Huntting James Lam Jacob Hadley Ebn' Huntting Nathaniel Stevins. Benjo Eastman The act of incorporation was as follows : " In the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy- 'Sta' Ham I of Alexandria, i "An act to incorporate a place calle county of Hillsborough. " M'hereas, a petition has been prefered to the General Court in behalf of the inhabitauts of a tract of land called .\ddition of Alexandria, in the county of Hillsborough, setting forth that they labor under great in- conveniences for want of iucoi-poration, and praying that they may be incorporated, of which public notice has been given and no objection has been given. " Bfi i( therefore ettncted by the Council and House of Represenbitives in general court assembled, and by authority of the sjune, that there be and hereby is a township erected and incorporated by the name of New London within the following bounds, viz. : Beginning at the south- westerly corner of Alexandria, aforesaid, on the patent line, and running on said patent line to Fishersfield Corner in Great Sunapee Pond ; from thence east on the northerly side line of Fishersfield four hundred and seventy-two rods, to Perryatown Corner; then north, eighty-five de- grees east, about four miles to a beech tree marked on Perrystown line ; from thence north, thirty-nine degrees east, about sixteen hundred and seventy-two rods to a beech tree marked in Alexandria Corner ; from thence north, twelve degrees west, to the patent line aforementioned on the westerly side of Alexandria. " And the inhabitants of said township are hereby erected into a body politic and corporate, to have continuance and succession forever, and invested with all power, and enfranchised with all the rights, privileges and immunities, which any town in the state holds and enjoys, to hold to the said inhabitants and their successors forever. " Mr. Samuel Messer is hereby authorized to call a meeting of said in- habitants, to choose all necssiiry ali.l cusloniary town ulli.fre, giving fourteen days' notice of lln- nm.- m.'\ i i i- in.l .i. -un -i mh h m. -tiii}; and the officers then cho^^ II i ' ■ ■■ ^ i ■ i k ;...\\er of such officers in any otlh I ■ i i.: ■ . .ii,i:ii.iiug which shall bo annually hel'i i;i =,Lil ;-\ n 1. i Hi, a iini.,.-- -li ill l.,- on the second Tuesday of March forever. "State of Now Hampshire. lu the House of Representatives, June 24th, 1779. The foregoing bill having been read a third time, ^voted that it pass to be enacted.' ".Sent up for concurrence. (Signed) "John Languun, Speaker. NEW LONDON. 423 'lu Couucil June 25th, 1779. Thi H€d that the same bo enacted.' (Signed) ' Copy examined by E. Tiicmpson, Secretary." ' M. Ware, Pre. Mr. Samuel Messer called a meeting of the free- holders and other inhabitants qualified by law to vote in town affairs, on Tuesday, the 3d day of August, 1779, of which he gave due notice, for the following purposes, viz. : ' Firslltj—To choose a Town Cleric. ' Secondly — To choose Selectmen. ■ 27(fi>urllili/ — To see what method the town will talve to have roads. "Fijthhj — To know what sums of money shall be granted to pay the tnwn charges for the present year. "Sixthly — To see if the town will vote to hire preaching. **Seventhly — To see if the town will hire any school for children." In compliance with said warrant, the inhabitants of New London met at the dwelling-house of Mr. Samuel Messer, at which time was read the copy of the act of incorporation of this town, Mr. Messer's power, given him by said honorable court, to call said meet- ing, after which was read the notification for said meeting, of which Mr. Messer was considered as moderator, and then proceeded to act on the business of the day. Town ofiicers chosen by written votes : Ebenezer Hunting, town clerk ; Mr. Samuel Messer, Mr. Ben- jamin Eastman and Mr. Nathaniel Everett, for select- men ; and Mr. Nathaniel Goodwin, for a constable ; Mr. Nathaniel Everett, for town treasurer; and Mr. Benjamin Guile and Mr. John Austin, for surveyors. All of whom were duly sworn. " Voted, To choose " VoUd, That Mr. Samuel Messer, Mr. Benjamin Eastman and Mr. Nathaniel Everett serve as a committee to lay out roads this year. '* Voted, That roads be laid out three rods wide. " Voted, To purchase the land for said roads. ** VbUd, That four hundred and fifty pounds be raised for clearing roads, and that labor shall be three pounds per day. " Voted, That one hundred and eighty pounds be raised to pay town " Voted, Kot to hire any preaching this year. " Voted, To hire three months' schoohng this year.'' The meeting dissolved. It will be observed that the act of incorporation of this town was pa.ssed about midway during the time of the Revolutionary War. The first settlements were made in the year 1775, the same year that wit- nessed the commencement of the war at Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill. The first child was born here in 1776, the year in which, upon the 4th of July, the ever-memorable Declaration of American Inde- pendence was adopted by the Continental Congress. This year was also noted for another event which no son of New Hampshire should forget, — that is, that on the 5th day of- January of that year a temporary constitution was adopted by this State, which was the first written Constitution adopted by any of the States now constituting the xVmerican Union. Under this constitution the State was prosperously governed for eight years, and until the new Constitution of 1784 went into effect. The form of government was not much changed by the Constitution of 1776. Before that the government of the State consisted of a Royal Governor, appointed and commissioned by the King of England, with a Council, also ap- pointed by the King, and an Assembly elected by the people of the several towns in the province. After the separation from the mother-country the State elected their Council and also their Assembly or House of Representatives, and the Council elected their presiding oflScer, who acted for the time being as Governor; hence the act of incorporation was passed by the House of Representatives, then by the Council, and was signed by M. Ware, president. This was the form of government until the new Con- stitution of 1784, when we had a president and an advisory Council, with a Senate and House of Rep- resentatives, all elected by the people. Meshech Ware was president of the Council for the eight years that the temporary constitution continued, and one year under the new Constitution. It will also be ob- served that the town was incorporated some two years, nearly, after the Articles of Confederation had been adopted by the American Congress, that having been done November 15, 1777. By examining the boundaries of the town as incor- porated, we see that it was of very ample proportions as compared with its present size. It began at the southwesterly corner of Alexandria, on the patent line, etc. Alexandria was formerly much larger than it now is ; for, besides several other pieces that have been taken oft" from it, the whole township of Dan- bury was incorporated June 18, 1795, out of territory that before was the southwesterly portion of Alex- andria, so that when New London, in 1779, began at the southwest corner of Alexandria it would be the same now as beginning at the southwest corner of Danbury on the patent line. But what was this patent Kne ? New Hampshire, as it seems, was granted by the Council of Plymouth, England, to one John Mason in 1629. This patent included the land "from the middle of the Pascataqua River, and up the same to the farthest head thereof, aud from thence northwestward until sixty miles from the mouth of the harbor were finished ; also through Merrimack River to the farthest head thereof, and so forward up into the land westward, until sixty miles were finished; and from thence to cross over- land to the end of the sixty miles accounted from Pascataqua River, together with all islands within five leagues of the coiist." This tract of land was called New Hampshire. In 1768 the Masonian pro- prietors procured one Robert Fletcher, as a surveyor, to run out their territory, claiming that their line should be a curve line drawn from the point on the south line of the State sixty miles west from the sea- coast, to a point on the east line of the State sixty 424 HISTORY OF iMERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMI'SHIRK. miles north of the sea-coast, in such a way tliat it should, at every point, be sixty miles from the coast. This claim of Mason, and after him of the Masonian proprietors, to this curve line had never been dis- puted by the government of England, and so Fletcher run the line as requested, starting on the south, on the west of the town of Fitzwilliam, and so running northerly and northeasterly through Marlow, Sulli- van, Goshen, and so on what was afterwards the ' northwest line of New London and Wilmot, and thence, through Hebron, Plymouth, Camptoin and Sandwich, to the town of Conway. This was known as the westerly line of the Mason patent, and is hence called the patent line. So New London, after starting at the corner of Alexandria (uow Danbury), on this patent line, was to run on this patent line to Fishersfield Corner. Fish- ersfield had been incorporated theyear before New Lon- don (November 27, 1778), and is bounded on the north- west by the same patent line. Its name was changed to Newbury in 1837. Then the line of the town runs easterly on the north line of Fishersfield to the corner of Perrystown (now Sutton), thence on Perrystown north line a given number of rods to a marked tree, and there turning off and running north, thirty-nine degrees east, to Alexandria corner (now Danbury south corner), and thence on Alexandria (now Dan- bury) to the place of beginning. This patent line remained unchanged, though un- decided, marking the claim of the Masonian proprie- tors, until after the termination of the Revolutionary War, in 1783, when, various disputes arising relating to the titles to the land, several parties petitioned the Legislature to locate and establish this line. Where- upon, by an act of 1787, the bound on the south line of the State was fixed near the southwest corner of Rindge, and thence running a straight line instead of a curved line to the bound on the easterly side of the State. This line run through Peterborough, Frances- town, Hopkinton, Concord, Gilmanton, and so across the lake through Ossipee, making a difference here in the centre of the line of some thirty miles between the two lines. Having thus ascertained what was meant by the patent line, the next question that arises is. How came the territory now known as New London to have been called "Alexandria Addition?" or the addition of Alexandria? It is so called in the petition of the in- habitants for their act of incorporation, and is so des- ignated in said act of incorporation. But why was it so called? I have looked in vain for an answer to that question among all the books of charters and acts of incorporation and other records in the office of the Secretary of State at Concord, where such records should be found. Upon going to the records of the town of Alexandria, we found that the town had been granted by the Masonian proprietors to Joseph But- tcrfield, Jr., and others, March 13, 1767, including much of what is now Alexandria and all of Danbury. But the conditions upon which this grant was made were not performed by the grantees, and so the grant- ors, the Masonian proprietors, re-entered upon the land, and thus became legally seized and possessed again of the lands. On the 7th day of July, 1773, the Ma.sonian pro- prietors, at a meeting held at Portsmouth, issued a new grant of Alexandria, including the same land wliicli Ii;h1 l.rrn included in the former grant, to Jo- iia- MiiiMi. >l;[Uhew Thornton and others. This grant was ill St ri 111. I as bounded on the northwest by Mason's patent line. The said Masonian proprietors, at the same time, July 7, 1773, voted that there be, and there hereby is granted unto the before-named Jona Minot, and others, upon the terms, conditions, limitations and reservations hereinafter mentioned, " VoUd thiit there be, and there hereby is, granted to the before-named Jona Minot, and others, upon the ternts, condi- tions, limitations and reservations hereinafter mentioned : A certain tract of land situated in the connty of Hillsborough and Province of New Hampshire, bounded as follows, viz.; beginning at the southwesterly ^corner of Alexandria, aforesaid, on the patent line, and running on siiid patent line to Fishersfield Corner in Great Sunapee Pond ; from thence east on the northerly side line of Fishersfield, 472 rods, to Perrystown Corner; thence north eighty-five degrees east, about four miles, to a beech tree marked on the Perrystown line ; from thence north, thirty nine degrees east, about 1672 rods, to a beech tree marked in Alexandria Corner; from thence north, 12 degrees west, to the patent line aforementioned on the westerly side of One of the terms and conditions of the grant was, that •' within ninety days from this date the lots of said grantees shall be drawn or divided, and a sched- ule of the numbers returned to the said grantors within that time, witlithe list of the settling lots and the lots thereto belonging ; and that said grantees, within said ninety days, shall vote an acceptance of both said grants, and make a record of such acceptance." There was a meeting of the grantees of these lands holden at Londonderry September 7, 1773, at which it was voted " that the proprietors accept of the grant agreeably to the condition of the charter granted to them by the proprietors of Mason's patent, bearing date July 7th, 1773, which grant includes the town- ship called Alexandria, in the county of Grafton, and the land called the 'Addition of Alexandria,' lying in the county of Hillsborough, both in the Province of New Hampshire." Here we have the origin of the term Addition of Alexandria, \\\\\v.\i addition was bounded precisely as the town of New London was when first incorporated. We also find that all the lands in the town of New- London and much of Wilmot were lotted and drawn to the proprietors while it was thus known as the Addition of Alexandria, and probably within the ninety days after the date of the grant, for the records of Alexandria show the drawing of these lots, and among the different lots drawn by one Robert McMur- phy was lot No. 108, and at the end of his drawing it says, " and all the common land adjoining the lot 108, by Little Sunapee I'ond." The records of the proprietors of Alexandria, to whom this addition was NEW LONDON. 425 also granted, have been destroyed by fire, from 1779, the year New London was chartered, down to 1793. After this hitter date I find that the Addition is often spoken of as the Alexandria Addition, alias New Loudon, and a number of meetings of these proprie- tors were held in New London, after 1793, at the house of Joseph Colby, Esq. Thus we see that the lands in New London were originally, and are still, held under this grant of the Masonian proprietors to Jonas Minot and others, of this territory as an addition to the town of Alexan- dria, and all the plans of the town are based upon that grant, and upon the allotments and drawings or purchase of lots under that title. But these grants of the territory gave only the title to the lands, and did not give any political or municipal rights, and hence, when the inhabitants desired to act as a body politic, to lay out highways and build the same, to elect town officers, to impose taxes for town purposes, for schools or for preaching, they needed an act of incorporation by the State govern- ment, which was obtained in 1779, as has been seen, and the town organized and making progress under the same. I find a difference of opinion in regard to the original name of New London. Some say its first name was Dantzick, others that it was firet called Heidleburg. Which are right ? The earliest w-riter I have been able to find on that subject is Dr. Belknap, the author of the early history of New Hampshire. In the third volume of his history of this State he gives lis a table of statis- tics, in which, on page 235, he mentions Fishersfield (now Newbury), and says of it " First called Dant- zick," and on page 236 he mentions New London, and says of it, " First called Heidleburg." He men- tions these both as facts that were to his mind well authenticated, and concerning which there was no dispute or doubt. The "New Hampshire Gazetteer" of 1823 (Farmer & Moore's) says that Fishersfield was first called Dantzick, according to Dr. Belknap, and that New London's "first name was Dantzick; Dr. Belknap says Heidleburg." But they give us no reasons why they differ in opinion from Dr. Belknap in this re- gard. Dr. Bouton follows Farmer & Moore and says that New London was first called Dantzick, but says nothing of Fishersfield. Fogg, in his " Gazetteer," says that Newbury (formerly Fishersfield) was orig- inally called Dantzick, and says the same of New London. No one of them, subsequent to Dr. Belk- nap, has given any reason for differing from him, nor do they refer us to any books, maps or records to substantiate their claim. I have been able to find nothing in the office of the Secretary of State bear- ing upon the question. In the State Library are many maps and charts, which I have consulted. Carrigain's Map of New Hampshire, published in 1816, shows nothing on tliis point, but it shows the curve line which was for manv vears claimed as the western and northwestern boundary of the Masonian grant. Neither does Dr. Belknap's map, in the first volume of his history show anything upon the point in controversy, while it does show the straight line, that was established in 1787 by the Legislature, as the northwestern boundary of said Masonian grant. Holland's Map of New Hampshire, published in London, Eng., in 1784, from a survey made about 1775, gives us no aid in this matter. But I find a large Atlas of Maps in the State Li- brary, published in London, Eng., in 1768, in which is a map of New Hampshire, which is said to have been made from surveys of the State, made by Mitchell and Hazzen in 1750. Upon this map we find put down Protectworth (now Springfield), Alexandria, Heidelburg, Dantzick and Perrystown (now Sutton), and judging from that map, and comparing it with our modern maps, it would seem to leave no doubt that Dr. Belknap is right. Dantzick, on the map, covers nearly all the territory now covered by New- bury, and extends easterly so as to cover a consider- able part of what is now Sutton ; but it does not ex- tend farther north than the north line of Newbury and Sutton, and Heidleburg lies north of Dantzick, and covers very nearly the ground afterwards covered by New Loudon. I also find another map of New Hampshire in the same atlas, prepared by Colonel Joseph Blanch- ard and Rev. Samuel Langdon, at Portsmouth, N. H., in 1761, and engraved and published in London with the rest, in which the curve indicating the claim of Mason on the west and northwest is well marked, and showing all the towns in the vicinity within that curve line, and scarcely anything outside of it, show- ing New Chester, Alexandria, Heidleburg, Dantzick, Perrystown and other towns around it on the east and south ; from all which I am led to the same conclusion, as to the location of Heidleburg, as before. There is one other circumstance which has great weight with me. My father was born in Hopkinton in 17G8, and removed thence to New London in 1781, when thirteen years old, and he was eleven years old when the town was incorporated as New London. He used to tell me often about his moving to New London with his father ; that his father had been talking of moving there several years before he did go, and that this tract of land was known in Hopkin- ton as Heidleburg until the time of its incorporation, and that in 1781, when he moved there, the name of Heidleburg was quite as frequently applied to it as New London, though both were used indiscriminately in common conversation ; that Dantzick was the name applied to the region round the south end of Sunapee Lake, while Heidleburg was to the northeast of it. The only trouble with these old maps is that Suna- pee Lake, being put down without regard to any ac- tual survey, is often represented on them as extending HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. much farther south than it should be, as compared with the surrounding territory. All the authorities agree that Newbury (formerly Fishersfieid) was orig- inally called Dantzick ; and I think, upon investiga- tion, it is equally well settled that the original name of New London was Heidleburg. I have no parti- ality for one name more than the other, and have only endeavored to get at the truth in this matter. I am incliucd to think that the first settlers were wise in selecting the plain English name of New London in preference to either of them. CHAPTER II. NEW LONDON— (CojKmKcrf). Let us now return to the records of the town and see what progress our new municipal corporation has been making. They held their meetings an- nually for the choice of town officers, and many spe- cial meetings were also holden ; one wa;* notified and heldFebruary 12, 1781, "tosecwh.il mclliod tlic^ town will take to procure a man for tlu' ( '.ntiiicnt:!! Ami) , " and it was " Voted, That some man \n_- jir.niinil li>r the Continental Army," also that " the selectmen be a committee to hire a man for this town to serve in the CoDtineutal Army for three years." Also, at a meeting held September 24, 1781, " Voted, to raise silver money to pay for beef purchased for this year, and to pay the soldier hired for this year." At the annual town-meeting, held in March, 1782, after choosing town officers, etc., they " Voted, Twenty bai-d doUivi-s to be raised for towu cluirges. *' Voted, To gnmt monoy for school,— twelve hard dullara granted. " Voted, Seventy-five dollars for highways ; work to be three shillings per day. " Voted, To do ^ i i.-.il H,- ^..i, i Mi \iiiliros«, preaclier. Chose a : ii|i|.l.v ac- cording to ovir piti| ■,, ii . :, , I , ' I M^ made. The committee was Nath.Luiii j.\lilii an'i ^h. ^.iiulilI _\li- li. " Voted, To join Perryatuwn and l-'ialicralicld, and ijctiliun tlie General Court that these towns may be joined in representation." We find nothing to show that New London was ever classed with Perrystowu and Fishersfieid to send a representative, but it was soon classed with Perrys- town, which was incorporated as Sutton in the year 1784, April 13th. The town records do not show wlio was jirocured as the soldier in the Continental army ; but I find in the Adjutant-General's office, among a mass of old papers and records, one with the following heading : " Return of Soldiers mustered in the years 1781 and 1782, to fill up the Continental Army, with the towns and places they engage for, and time when mustered in, for each of whirh a l)ounty of twenty pounds was promised by Ihr .■nls .nnl resolves of the General Court." Upon this paper the names of the i^> tu such dismission, " ^d. Th« church and town should wholly surrender, give up and re- linquish his ministerial services in church and town, and he would sur- render, give up and relinquish his salary, so that it shall be a matter of judgment and conscience between them, he to serve them as much in the work of the ministry as his judgment and conscience should dictate, and they on their part to communicate of their temporal good things toward the support of himself and his family, as much as their judgment and cuuscieuce should dictate to them, and that, too, in such a way as they "3d. But if neither of these offers Bliould prove satisfactory, then he requests the town to unite with him in calling a mutual council to look into any matters of dissatisfaction between IIkmii on i.'illR-r sidi-, iiud de- cide upon the whole whether it was not bett I i ', in i i , .n. i i-i iliiui to give him such a dismission and recoranii II I I i n, niiniu-.l ; and if such council should bo in favor of snr! I ,, iliiiihrv should also settle the conditions, afterbeingiiil III .1 i.hii ili i..\\iil,;id done for him, and of hiii services in return, wli''tlii_-r the tuwn should pay him hissalaiy in part or in full or give him something more, or whether he should relinquish his salary, which shall be then due either in part or in whole, or shall give the town something more, for reasons which to the council may appear." It was very evident that it was of no use to seek a controversy with a man who was so willing to settle in any way, and the towu, by vote, accepted of his second offer, by which the town gave up all claim to his ministerial services and he gave up all legal claim to his salary, and after that his support was derived mainly from the church and from voluntary contribu- tions. The town at the same time voted not to unite with him in calling a council. In 1797 they also voted that those inhabitants of the town that do not belong to the Baptist Society, so called, have a right to invite preachers of the gospel into the meeting-house to preach such part of the time as shall be in proportion to the interest they own in the meeting-house, and this was so voted for several years. Almost every year there was an article in the warrant to see about finishing the singing-pew or to see about finishing ofl!' the meeting-house, but there seemed a great reluctance to complete the house, and the town refused to act. Thus we come down to the year 1800, the close of the eighteenth century. By the census of that year it appears thatNew London then had six hundred and seventeen inhabitants, having gonefrom three hundred and eleven to six hundred and seventeen in ten years. But while they had been thus prosperous in that par- ticular, their meeting-house was still unfinished. It was only partially glazed, the gallery was not comple- ted, the singing-pew was not built, nor was it plastered or painted at all. A controversy between Levi Har- vey and the town had arisen about his mills, which was still undisposed of, and many were the articles in the warrants for town-meetings, and many were the spcrial iiiwii-iiiertings called to consider and act upon llicsi. i\Mi -uliji'i-ts, but the town never seemed ready t(/ liIli^ll uiihii the meeting-house or this controversy. Captain J ohn Mason, of London, to whom the grant ot New Hampshire was made in 1629, as we have seen, died in 1635, and his heirs held and tried to en- force his claims to the land till about 1692, when they sold and conveyed the same to one Samuel Allen, of the same London, who came to this country to enforce his claims. But Allen died in 1705, and the lands de- scended to his heirs, who prosecuted his claims vigo- NEW LOiNDON. 429 rously for a time, until the heirs of Mason found some defect, either real or pretended, in Allen's title to the lands, and set up a claim to them for them- selves. One John Tufton Mason, a descendant of Captain John, the first grantee, came to this country, claiming to own the Masonian patent, and sold his rights to certain parties in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and conveyed to them by deed in 1746. The names of these purchasers were as follows: Theodore Atkin- son, Mark H. Wentworth, Richard Wibird, John Wentworth (son of the Governor), George Jaffrey, Na- thaniel Meserve, Thomas Packer, Thomas Walling- ford, Jothara Odiorne, Joshua Pierce, Samuel Moore and John Moflat. Atkinson had three-fifteenths, M. H. Wentworth had two-fifteenths and all the rest one- fifteenth each. These men were afterwards known as the Masonian proprietors. The persons to whom they granted the town of Al- exandria and also the Addition were as follows : Jonas Minot, of Concord, in the county of Middlesex, gen- tleman ; Jonathan Bagley, Esq., and William Bailey, gentleman, both of Amesbury, in the county of Essex and all in the province of Massachusetts Bay ; Matthew Thornton, Esq., and Kobert McMurphy, gentlemen, both of Londonderry ; JohnTalford, Esq., and William Talford, gentlemen, both of Chester; and Daniel Eindge, of Portsmouth, all in the county of Rockingham and province of New Hampshire; and Joshua Talford, of New Chester, in the county of Grafton, and province last mentioned, husbandman. In the deed of the Addition of Alexandria the original grantors, the Masonian proprietors reserved one-third part of said laud to themselves, their heirs and assigns forever ; one-half of the balance, or one- third of the whole, was conveyed to said Minot; and the other half of the balance, or third of the whole, was conveyed to the remaining gran teesin the following proportions, viz. : To Matthew Thornton, twelve forty- ninths; to said J. Bagley, five forty-ninths ; to the -aid W. Bailey, five forty-ninths; to the said John lalford, seven forty-ninths and one-third ; to the said ^\'illiam Talford, eight forty-ninths and one-third ; to -aid Robert McMurphy, eight forty-ninths and one- tliird; to the said Daniel Rindge, two forty-ninths ; anil to the said Joshua Talford, one forty-ninth. The uiantto said William Bailey was conditional upon his accepting the rights granted him in the new char- ier of the town of Alexandria in full for his claims under the old charter, which he refused to accept, and therefore he drew no lots in the Addition, which was afterwards New London. The addition was surveyed and laid out in one hundred and thirty-seven lots of one hundred and fifty acres each. Certain lots were reserved for schools, for the first settled minister, etc. There were reserved for the Masoniau proprietors forty-five lots and two fractions ; and drawn to Captain Joseph Minot, forty- tliur lots and two fractions; to Colonel Matthew Thornton, ten lots and a fraction; to Robert McMur- phy, seven lots and two fractions ; to Deacon William Talford, seven lots and a fraction ; to Major John Talford, six lots and a fraction ; to Jonathan Bagley, Esq., five lots and a fraction ; to Hon. Daniel Rindge, two lots; and to Joshua Talford, Esq., one lot. These lots were diawn 8eptomber 7, 1773. I have a plan of the drawing, with the numbers of the lots drawn to each owner. Having gone along in the order of time for the first twenty-one years' of the town's history, up to the year 1800, let us now go forward for a simiUir period of twenty-one years, to the year 1821, and there make a stand and from that stand-point look back over the space of time, — that second period of twenty-one years of the town's history. Let us select our time now with some particularity — well, suppose we call it the 9th day of September, 1821. It is one of the earliest days that I can remember, and, yet, though I was then only five years of age, I shall never forget it. The day was Sunday. The morning was bright and sunny. The air was soft and balmy. The day was hot, and espe- cially in the allernoon was still and sultry. About five o'clock there were signs of a thunder-shower: dark clouds gathered in the west and soon overcast the sky. The stillness that precedes the storm was soon interrupted by the mutterings of the distant thunder, the clouds grew darker and blacker, until presently a strauge commotion was seen among them in the west ; vivid lightnings light up the dark and angry masses, the roaring of the distant tornado is heard as it ap- proaches, and anon the most terrible whirlwind ever known in the State burst upon the terror-stricken in- habitants of New London. I gather the following facts from a description of the great whirlwind of 1821, as found in the " Collec- tions of the New Hampshire Historical Society," volume 1, page 241. The whirlwind entered the State in Cornish, and moving easterly through Croyden, demolished the house and barn of Deacon Cooper, thence through Wendell (now Sunapee) to near Sun- apee Lake, where it blew to pieces the house, barn and out-buildings of Harvey Huntoon, destroying and blowing away all the furniture and other property in his house and the contents of his barns and other buildings, and blowing an infant nearly a year old, that was lying on a bed in the house, away into the lake, where the mangled body was found the next Wednesday, on the opposite side of the lake, and the feather-bed on which the child was sleeping was found in Andover by a Mr. Durgin and restored to Mr. Hun- toon. A horse was blown up a hill a distance of forty rods, and so injured that it was necessary to kill him. No human lives were lost in that town except the child, though the other seven members of Mr. Hun- toon's household were injured, and some of them very severely. From Wendell the hurricane passed across Lake Sunapee in a most terrific manner, assuming the 430 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. form of an inverted pyramid in motion, and drawing up into its bosom vast quantities of water. Its appear- ance on tlie lake was in the liighest degree sublime and terrible : apparently about twenty rods in diame- ter at the surface of the water, it expanded on each side towards the heavens, its vast body as dark as midnight, but occasionally illuminated by the most vivid flashes of lightning. From the lake it passed into New London and through the southerly part of the town, destroying property to the estimated value of nine thousand or ten thousand dollars. But fortunately no per- son in the town was killed. The house and other buildings of John Davis, standing directly in the path of the tornado, were entirely demolished. Not a tim- ber nor a board was left upon the ground where the house had stood, and not a brick in the chimney re- mained unmoved. A huge hearth-stone weighing some seven or eight hundred pounds, was removed from its bed aud turned up on one edge ; all the fur- niture of the house, beds, bedding and clothing was swept away, and not the value of five dollars of it was ever found. The family chanced to be absent from the house. Three barns belonging to Josiah Davis, with their contents, were blown entirely away, and his house much shattered and damaged. A house be- longing to Jonathan Herrick was unroofed, the win- dows broken out and much furniture and clothing blown away, but fortunately none of the family were injured. A new two-story house frame, nearly cov- ered, belonging to Nathan Herrick, and two barns, were blown down. A house and barn of Asa Gage were unroofed, and two sheds carried away. Anthony Sargent had one barn demolished, another unroofed and two sheds blown away. Deacon Peter Sargent had a barn blown down, another unroofed and a shed blown away. A barn of J. P. Sabin was torn to pieces ; another barn of Levi Harvey was blown to pieces, his saw-mill demolished and some twelve thousand feet of boards in the mill-yard carried away ; his grist-mill was moved some distance whole, and was left standing on dry land, and a hog-house, containing a hog weighing from three to four hundred pounds, was carried away whole several rods and dropped on thetop of astonewall,where it fell into fragments, and the hog, released from his prison, walked away unhurt. A pair of cart-wheels, strongly bound with iron and nearly new, with the spire and axle, w-ere carried ten rods, the spire broken off in the middle, all the spokes but two broken out of one wheel and more than half out of the other. All the trees in an orchard of one hundred, without a single exception, were prostrated, and one-half of them were wrenched up by the roots and carried entirely away, root and branch. The trunk of one of these trees, divested of its principal roots and branches, was found half a mile distant and at the top of a long hill ; near the top of this hill was an excavation some forty feet long, and in places two to three feet deep, partly filled with mangled boards and broken timbers, apparently made by the peri)en- dicular fall of the side of a barn, which must have been blown whole at least eighty rods. The track or path of the whirlwind in New Lon- don was some four miles long, and varied in width from one-fourth to one-half a mile, as the column rose and fell, and passed off upon the north side of Kearsarge Mountain. In passing, it seemed to hug to the mountain, so that its course was changed more to the south, and it passed down the mountain on the easterly side into the Gore, touching a corner of Sal- isbury, and into Warner, and finally terminated in the woods of Boscawen. A great amount of property, many buildings and several lives were destroyed in the Gore and in Warner. The track of the whirlwind is thus described : " It appeared as if a rushing torrent had been pouring down for many days; the dwellings, buildings, fences and trees were all swept off in its course. The earth was torn up in places, the grass withered, and nothing fresh or living was to be seen in the path of the desola- tion." It is difficult for us to conceive the horrors of that instant — for it was but an instant — when horses, barns, trees, fences, fowls and other movable objects were all lifted from the earth into the bosom of the whirlwind, and anon dashed into a thousand pieces. Probably no event has occurred in this town during the hundred years of its existence that was so well calculated to teach man his utter impotence, and to impress upon his mind the awful sublimity, the terri- ble grandeur of the scene, where the hand of Omnip- otence, even for a moment, displays its power, as the great whirlwind of September 9, 1821. Let us now look back and briefly review the events that have occurred since the year 1800. June 9, 1801, the Social Library wafe incorporated, which had about one hundred volumes of very valuable books. The library was kept at the house of Josiah Brown, Esq. I recollect that from about the year 1825 to 1833 I obtained most of my reading-matter from this library, and found it very profitable and interesting. Whether this institution yet remains I do not know. In 1803 the town first had the necessary number of ratable polls to entitle it to send a representative alone, and Joseph Colby, Esq., was elected as the first representative of the town, and he was re-elected every year until 1816. In 1817 there was a political revolution in the town, and everything was changed. Daniel Wood- bury, Esq., was the moderator, first selectman and representative for that and several succeeding years ; and the dominant party held a celebration over their victory in the spring of 1817, at which, as I am in- formed, the liberty-pole wiis erected, which used to stand in front of the old meeting-house, around which the people in the olden time used to congre- gate and spend their intermissions between the fore- noon and afternoon services on Sunday. My first recollections of attending church are associated with NEW LONDON. 431 hearing Elder Seamans preach and Elder Ambrose pray ; of riding to church in the wagon with father and mother, — standing up behind and holding on to the back of the seat in order to preserve my perpen- dicular equilibrium. This I did until, growing older, I preferred to walk rather than to ride in that way. It was the fashion in those days for the whole family to go to church as soon as the children were large enough to be carried. In 1804 a committee was appointed to cause an ac- curate survey of the town to be made. This was in pursuance of a law requiring each town in the State to make a plan of the same and return it to the Sec- retary of State, with a view to the making of a State map, which was afterward published by Philip Carri- gain. This committee consisted of Green French, Levi Harvey, Jr., and Anthony Sargent. The meeting-house was still asubject of contention. Articles were frequently inserted in the warrants for town-meeting to see if the town would vote to finish glazing the house, or to plaster the house, or to paint the house, or to finish ofi' the house, but the town uniformly voted in the negative upon them all. Probably some of this work was done by voluntary .subscri])tion or contributions, and the house was occupied for all purposes. Finally, in 1818, at a special meeting holden for that purpose, June 1st, it was voted to raise three hundred dollars for the purpose of repairing and finishing the outside of the meeting-house in this town, and Joseph Colby, Esq., was appointed, as agent of the town, to see to repairing and finishing the outside of the meeting- house, and I find no further articles in the warrants for their town-meetings relating to finishing the meeting-house. Thus, the house which was com- menced in 1786 was finished in 1818, having been thirty-two years in building. The controversy concerning Levi Harvey's mill privilege and flowage rights arose in this way : Away back in 1780 an article was inserted in the warrant to see if the town would adopt any method to build mills in said town, but the vote was that as a town they could not do anything as to building mills. But it seems that some individuals gave said Harvey a bond that they would purchase the land on which he was to set the mill, and would defend him against claims for flowage by the owners of land around and above his mill-pond,if he would erect a saw and grist-mill upon a certain lot of land owned by some absent propri- etor; and in 1783 the town, at their annual meeting, voted to clear those men that were bound in a bond to Levi Harvey to purchase land and for defending of privileges, as mentioned in said bond ; also, that the present selectmen be empowered to give security to said Harvey for the purchase of land and the de- fending of privileges as mentioned in the former bond. The selectmen for that year were Samuel Brocklebank, Levi Harvey and Ebenezer Hunting. In compliance with this vote of March, 1783, said Brocklebank and Hunting gave to said Ilarvey a bond conditioned like the previous one, and the former bond was canceled. The mill and the dam were built and everything went ou smoothly for several years. But after a time a controversy arose about the land where the mill was located, and the owners of lots above the mill began to claim damages for flowage by the dam, and Harvey appealed to the town, and Brocklebank and Hunting also claimed to have the town act in the premises, but the town declined, and, upouone excuse and another, refused to act. In 1802 the town appointed a committee to act in the prem- ises and to make a final settlement between said Harvey and the town; but in 1804 they again voted to let the matter take its due course in law. An ar- ticle was inserted in the annual warrants for town- meetings on this subject, and special meetings were called to act upon it, but the town would not act. Finally, suits were brought by the parties aggrieved against Harvey, as of course they must be, and dam- ages recovered against him for flowage by the owners of lands above his mill and by the claimant of the land where his mill was located. These damages were collected of Harvey, and then he called on his bondsmen. Hunting and Brocklebank, to respond. They called on the town, but the town was still deaf to the call ; so, after various town-meetings, Harvey sued Hunting and Brocklebank on their bond. The town still refusing to come to their rescue, they defended themselves as best they could in the suit, but were finally beaten and a judgment recov- ered against them for the whole amount that Harvey had been obliged to pay. Then there were more town-meetings, but the town was still persistent in doing nothing. Probably in the mean time Brocklebank had be- come irresponsible, and as Hunting was good, Harvey at length arrested Deacon Hunting and lodged him safely in jail for the non-paymeni of the debt. Hunting was stubborn, and Harvey was reso- lute ; so Hunting laid in jail over a year; but finding that Harvey would not yield, he finally paid the money and went home to his family. Then he called on the town, and the town refusing to act, he brought his suit against the town, and then more town-meet- ings followed ; out the suit went along, and the town in the end was beaten, as it deserved to be, aud a judgment was recovered against the town. On the 24th day of May, 1808, a special meeting was called on that matter, and the town "' Vofed, that there be assessed upon the polls and estate in this town, aud that part of Wilmot which was taken from this town in June last, a sum of money sufiicient to satisfy the judgment rendered against the town in favor of Deacon Ebenezer Hunting, at the last term of the Supreme Court in this county." They do not state how large the sum thus raised was ; but it is reported that the amount of his claim had by this HLSTOEY OF MEKHIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. time, wilh all the costs of the various suits, reached the sum of nearly fifteen hundred dollars, which for those times was a large amount. In 1801) there was an article in the warrant " to see if the town will pay Deacon Ebenezer Hunting the amount of interest which he has been obliged to pay on the execution which Levi Harvey, Esq., obtained against him." But the town passed over the article. Again, on the 13th January, 1812, a special meeting was called "to see if the town will pay to Deacon Ebenezer Hunting a sum of money equal to the amount of interest which he paid on the Harvey execution, and also to see what compensation the town will make Deacon Ebenezer Hunting for dam- ages he sustained by being imprisoned on said execu- tion." But the town made quick work of it by voting at once not to do anything about it. This ended the controversy, which had been in agitation more than twenty years in town. Let us now look for a moment at the boundaries of the town at diflerent periods of its history. When the town was incorporated it was, as you have seen, in very regular shape, extending from Alexandria to Fisherfield and Sutton in length, and of about equal width between the patent line and Kearsarge Gore. June 19, 1793, the Legislature disannexed lots No. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 from the northwesterly part of Kearsarge Gore, and annexed the same to New London. By this change the southerly line of New London was extended east to the northeast corner of Sutton. The piece thus annexed was a triangle, with its base resting on Sutton north line. December 11, 1804, the Legislature disannexed a large number of lots from Wendell and annexed the same to New London ; and on the 19th of June, 1817, another tract was taken from Wendell and annexed to New London, so that the line between these towns was described as follows : Beginning at a point in Sunapee Lake, which is described, " thence running north, 16° east, 108 rods to Otter Pond, and thence on the same course across said pond to Springfield south line." By these two additions to New London, it was intended to make the line between Sunapee and New London one continuous straight line from Fish- ersfield (now Newbury) northwest corner through Otter Pond to Springfield line. The old patent line run over the top of Burpee Hill, a little above the house where Nathaniel Messer and his son lived and died. The old school-house that used to sit there on the top of the hill, on a ledge of rock, was on the patent line which originally divided this town from Wen- dell. By these additions another triangle was added to the town on that side, with its base resting on the (lid |i:itcMt line, and bounded west by Wendell and nurll. l.y Si.ringfleld. Oil llir isih of June, 1807, the town of Wilniot was incorporated out of the northeasterly part of New London, a part of New Chester and all that jiart of Kearsarge Gure that laid northerly of the summit of Kearsarge Mountain. The part taken ott' from New London was described as follows : " Beginning at the southeasterly corner of lot No. 22, and southwesterly corner of lot No. 21, on the southeasterly line of said New London ; thence running westwardly across said New London on the northerly sides of lots numbered 22, 35, 54, 70, 78, 90, 112 and 130, over to Springfield line," so taking all the land that lay northeasterly of that line in New London. This part of the town thus set off to Wilmot contained about nine tliousand acres of land. From 1812 to 1815 the country was engaged in its second war with England, which was substantially closed by General Andrew Jackson, at New Orleans, on the 8lh of January, 1815. In 1819 the Toleration Act, as it was called, was passed by the Legislature and became a law, which separated the civil and religious elements in our organization, so to speak. It took from the towns, in their corporate capacity, the power to raise money for the support of preaching of any kind, or to build meeting-houses, or for other religious purposes, leav- ing it to religious societies to do this work, each to suit its own views of propriety and duty. But this act did not affect religious matters in New London at all. The town had, in fact, anticipated the law many years. They had raised no money as a town, for preaching, since 1795, as I can find, and they had voted to let each denomination in town occupy the meeting-house according to their interest therein, each sect being thus left free to advance their own views in their own way, and at their own expense. This has been the policy of the law ever since, and was the policy of the town long before the law was passed. From this time forth we shall find the history of the town and the history of the church entirely separate and distinct. Yet every one knows, whether he believes in the doctrines of a church or not, that wherever a church has been long established and has been made up of any considerable portion of the people, it lia.'f and will have its influence upon the community to such an extent that no his- tory of the town would be complete without a history of its church, or its churches, where there are more than one. Particularly is that true of a country town like New London, where there has been, from the earliest times, a leading and influential church, which has taken the lead in all moral ques- tions and reforms. The church had, in this period of twenty-one years seen two seasons of revival under the preaching of Elder Seamans. In 1809 some forty were added to the church, and in 1818 and 1819 occurred what was long known as the great reformation, in which be- tween eighty and ninety were added to the church. But during all these years there was much hard NEW LONDON. and disagreeable work to be done ; many labors with the brethren were instituted, and many were the letters of admonition and expulsion that were issued and recorded on the church records. In the year 1801 the first Baptist society was formed in town, which was kept up and had its annual meetings down as late as 1846, when its records cease, and the church has gone along so far as appears, without the aid of the society. Within this period, too, the institution of Free- Masonry had arisen and flourished in this town quite extensively. King Solomon's Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, No. 14, was chartered and located at New London, in the county of Hillsborough, on Jan- uary 27, 1802, by the Most AVorshipful Grand Lodge of the State of New Hampshire. The lodge flourished well here for many years, and had become quite numerous previous to the anti-Masonic wave that swept over the Eastern and Middle States about 1826, when the excitement ran so high and the opposition was so strong that the Masons, thinking that discre- tion was the better part of valor, suspended their meet- ings for a time altogether, and the lodge, in fact, never did much more work in its old locality; but in June, 1851, it was removed to Wilmot, where it remained in good working order until 1878, when it again removed and located at Scytheville, in New London, where it now remains, enjoying a fair share of prosperity. The population had gone on increasing since 1800, though somewhat irregular. In 1810 the census showed six hundred and ninety-two, gaining only seventy-five in that decade; but in 1820 there were nine hundred and twenty-four, a gain of two hundred and thirty-two in that decade, and the town had also made rapid progress in education, wealth and posi- tion, and was now enjoying a large share of the com- forts and conveniences of life for that day. The county of Merrimack was incorporated July 23, 1823, and consisted of twenty-six towns from Eockingham and Hillsborough Counties. New Lon- don, which had been a part of Hillsborough County hitherto, now became a part of Merrimack, of which it still forms a part. On July 4, 1826, the new meeting-house was raised. The corner-stone had been placed with appropriate ceremonies before that, at a' public gathering, with a procession, music and religious ceremonies. The Fourth of July was a plea.saut day, and at sunrise the work of raising was commenced, and it was substan- tially finished the same day, except what could be done with the force that was to be permanently em- ployed upon it. From that time forward the work was prosecuted with vigor, so that before the winter closed in it was completed, with steeple .ind bell; the slips were disposed of and the house ready for use, and all that I find in the records concerning it, any- where, in either church or society, is the following vote by the society at their regular meeting, on the third Mondav of December, 182o, viz. : " Voted, to accept of the new meeting-house, built by David Everett and Anthony Colby, and the com- mon around the same. Chose Joseph Colby and Jonathan Greeley to take a conveyance of said meeting-house and common." It seems that it had been arranged that the house should be appraised so as to cover expenses, and a sufficient number of the society had subscribed, or in some way became responsible to take the slips at the appraised value, so as to secure those who did the work in the first instance ; and then those two built the house and conveyed it to the society. After it was completed the people used to alternate between the new house and the old, one Sunday at each in turn for many years. In the old meeting- house were the square pews, with the seats on all four sides of them, with the high pulpit and the great sounding-board over it, which would be sure to fall upon the minister's devoted head should he depart but the breadth of a single hair from the truth. In the new meeting-house there was some improvement: the slips were all facing the same way and towards the pulpit, which originally was at the other end of the house, directly in front of the singing gallery, and but little lower than that. On May 30, 1830, Rev. Samuel Ambrose died. He had for several years been a member of this church, the original church at Sutton having become at one time nearly or quite extinct ; and on October 4th in the same year Elder Seamans died. Thus these two men, who had labored side by side so long in the cause of the Master, were called very nearly together to their reward. In 1830 the population was only nine hundred and thirteen, a loss of eleven from 1820. In 1831 and 1832 the church was visited by one of its most remarkable revivals, under the preaching of the Rev. Oren Tracy. The whole town seemed to be reached and affected by it. During the fall of 1831, and the next winter, evening meetings were kept up in the different parts of the town, in the school-houses and in private houses, on Sundays and on week-days, to which large numbers were drawn, and the interest in religious matters was deep and wide-spread. On the first Sunday of January, 1833, which was the first day of the week and of the month and of the year, an addition of forty-three was made to the church ; on the first Sunday of March thirty-six more were added, and during the followingsummer several more, making between eighty and ninety in all. In the fall of 1832 another event took place which was at the time of great interest to the people of New London. During that autumn the first stage-coach took its regular trip through New London, upon the route from Hanover to Lowell. This new road had been before the public for several years in one form and another, and was strongly favored by one party and opposed by another. But it had finally, through the efforts of Colonel Anthonv Colljv more than of 434 HISTOKY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. auy other man, probably, been laid out and built, and a stage company had been lormed, horses and coaches purchased and arrangements made for staging. This fall of 1S32, J. Everett Farnum was teaching a private school for a term in the red school-house at the four corners, and it was announced that on a cer- tain day in October the stage-coach would make its appearance. It was to go through here in the after- noon to Hanover, and start the next morning early for Lowell. As the expected event drew nigh, study was out of the question, and the teacher gave all per- mission to gaze for a time for the long-expected stage-coach with its four horses in hand. It finally came and went, as all things come and go ; but it took some time to fully comprehend and realize the im- portance of the fact that New Loudon was henceforth to have a daily stage and a daily mail both ways. In 1837 the New London Academy was incorpor- ated and went into successful operation, and continued prosperous under different teachers for several years, up to about 1860, when its operations were suspended for a time. It commenced in 1837 as a ladies' school, with Miss Susan F. Colby as principal. In the au- tumn of that year Professor Dyer H. Sanborn became principal and Miss Colby continued as principal of the ladies' department. After some years Mr. San- born resigned, and Truman K. Wright succeeded him as principal ; after Mr. Wright, a Mr. Meserve, a Mr. Averhill and a Mr. Comings followed. Then Mr. Alvah Hovey, now president of Newton Theological Institution, taught one year; then Mr. Joseph B. Clarke, now of Manchester, followed for a year ; then a Mr. V. J. Walker followed, who was the last, or among the last, who taught under this arrangement. In 1840 the population of New Loudon reached one thousand and nineteen, — a gain of one hundred and six in. the last ten years, and this was the largest number that were ever in the town at the time of any census, and the town was in a condition of prosperity, wealth and influence perhaps equal to that of any other period in its history. CHAPTER III. NEW LOXDON-(CV In 18-13 Joseph Colby, Esq., died. He had passed most of his life in New London, and few men have had a wider or a better influence in the town than be had. He was born in Plaistow, N. H., March 24, 1762 ; moved to Hopkinton, N. H., about the time he became twenty-one years old, and lived there a few years; while there he was married to Miss Anna Heath, of Hampstead, N. H., December 21, 1785. They moved to New London March 10, 1786, and at first lived in a log-house on the shore of Pleasant Pond, at the upper end, near where Stephen Sargent now lives, where the Indians had formerly cleared up a few acres of the intervale, to raise their corn and beans. He enlarged this clearing and made a valua- ble farm. He moved from there and lived at other places in town ; built the house on the Elder Sea- mans' place, opposite where the buildings now stand, which has since been burnt down ; then moved on to the road that leads from here directly to the low plains, where Anthony and the youngest daughter, Mrs. Burpee, were born ; and then moved to the farm on Main Street, in the year 1800, where he ever after lived, and where he died April 19, 1843. He was for many years the agent of Jonas Jlinot, one of the original and the largest of the proprietors of the grant, and in that way he had opportunities for learning more of the situation and value of the land in the different localities than most other men. He dealt largely in real estate in the town. He served the town well in various capacities : for many years as one of the selectmen, and was its first representa- tive to the General Court, and was re-elected every successive year from 1803 to 1816, inclusive. He was early a member of tlie church, and I think the records will show that he acted on more committees in the church than any other man during the same period of time. He was also a leading magistrate in the town for many years. In 1846 Anthony Colby, of New London, was elected Governor of the State. He was a native of this town, the son of Joseph and Anna Colby, born November 13, 1792. He received his education mainly in the copimon schools of his native town. But he had a wonderful capacity for business, and was always active in matters of a public character. He built the original stone dam at the outlet of Pleasant Pond, and built a grist-mill there, which was a great public benefit. He was largely instrumental in getting the new road laid out and built, and started the line of stages upon it, that for a long time ran through from Hanover to Lowell in a day, a distance of one hundred miles or more ; and he readily lent a helping hand to the en- terprise, started by another son of New London, of establishing the business of manufacturing scythes, where the same has been so successfully carried on ever since. He was one of the two men who built the new meeting-house; in fact, few men have ever lived a more active life than he did. He was a friend of education and of the common school, and for a long time was one of the superin- tendents of the schools in town, and was among the earlier advocates of the temperance reform. He went through all the grades of military promotion, from captain to major-general, and had represented the town in the Legislature in the years 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832, also in 1837, 1838, 1839 ; and in 1846 was the chief magistrate of the State. His administration of the affairs of the State government was character- ized for integrity, true economy and a spirit of jiro- gress and reform. In the position in which the politi- NEW LONDON. 435 cal parties then stood it was simply impossible that he could be re-elected. He was again elected to the Legislature in 1860, from New London, and was appointed by Governor Berry, in 1861, as adjutant-general of the State, at a time when the best man in the State was needed for that responsible positition, made so responsible by the great importance of the struggle in which the coun- try was then engaged. He performed the duties of this office in a manner entirely satisfactory to ihegov- ernment and the people, and resigned in 1863. He was long an active and influential member of the church here, as well as a leading member in the de- nomination in the State. He died July 20, 1873. He always lived in this town, and always, except the first eight years of his life, in the house into which his father moved in 1800, and where both father and son have died. No man ever devoted himself more fully and constantly to the building up of what he believed to be the best interest of his native town than he did. He married for his first wife. Miss Jlary Everett, of New London, and for his second, Mrs. Eliza Richard- son, of Boston, who survived him. In 1847 the union meeting-house, sometimes called the Free Church, was built at the Four Corners. This remained for several years, but was finally sold, and removed and converted to other uses, it being wisely concluded that one good, strong church in a place is far better than two or three feeble ones, and that one meeting-house well filled is far better than several empty ones. In 1850 the population was nine hundred and forty- five, being a loss of seventy-four from 1840. Benja- min E. Andrews was the delegate from New London to the Constitutional Convention of that year in this State. In 1853 the new town-house was built near the new meeting-house. There was quite a struggle upon the question of removal, the subject having been voted on at no less than three town-meetings, held in rapid succession, in the spring and summer of that year. In 1853, when the academical and theological school, under the patronage of the Calvinist Baptist denomi- nation, was removed from New Hampton to the State of Vermont, it left the denomination without a school in this State. They soon resolved that this state of things ought not to be, and they at once looked about for the best place to locate theirseminary of learning. The friends at New London offered to give the de- nomination their academy, and put it in good repair, and build a ladies' boarding-house, and furnish vari- ous other accommodations. This proposition was fav- orably considered by the denomination, and the preference was given to New London. Accordingly a new act of incorporation was obtained in 1853, and " The New London Literary and Scientific Institute " was incorporated that year, and the school put Unsuc- cessful operation that fall, and in course of its first year enrolled upon its catalogue some three hundred and thirty-five scholars. The property of the New London Academy was transferred to the Institute. In 1855 an alteration was made in its name, changing the word Institute to Institution and modifying some of the provisions of its charter, and its name has re- mained unchanged from that time to the year 1878, when it was changed to that of " The Colby Academy " at New London, which name it now holds. In 1854 the old town meeting-house was sold, by vote of the town, and removed to this neighborhood and converted into a boarding-house for the use of the academy. Benjamin P. Burpee, of New London, was elected a county commissioner for Merrimack County for the years 1852, 1853 and 1854. He was also the repre- sentative of the town for the years 1853 and 1854. In 1856 George W. Everett, of this town, was ap- pointed solicitor of Merrimack County, which office he held for five years, until 1861. He was the repre- sentative of the town in the years 1852 and 1856. Richard H. Messer was elected a member of the Governor's Council for the years 1857 and 1858. He was a native of the town, the son of Isaac and Mar- tha Messer, born October 20, 1807. He received a common-school education only, and when of age he went to Massachusetts and learned the trade of manu- facturing scythes ; he then came back to New Lon- don, and uniting himself with Mr. Phillips and An- thony Colby, introduced the business here, at the place w^here Colby had early built the second' grist-mill in town, and where the enterprising village of Scytheville has since grown up. The town is greatly indebted to Mr. Messer as being the origina- tor and the active agent in introducing and building u]) this great industry in the town, and the gen- tlemen who first were associated with him in the business were also benefactors of the place. He was elected to the Legislature in the year 1858. He con- tinued in his favorite occupation, devoting himself to business with all his energies, until he died, May 15, 1872, aged sixty-five years. In 1860 the population of the town was nine hun- dred and fifty-two, a gain of only seven in ten years. In 1860, Governor Colby was again elected repre- sentative, and in 1861 he was appointed adjutant- general of the State, which place he held until 1863, when he resigned, and his son, Daniel E. Colby, was appointed to the same place in August, and held the place till March, 1864, when he resigned the position. He had been representative of the town in the Legis- lature in 1857, and was afterwards a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1876, and still resides upon the old homestead of his father and grand- father. 436 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. The academy, as organized in 1873, had been doing a good work and doing it well, and had been jjrospered. At first a fund of S25,000 was raised, which for a time seemed to meet the demand of the institution, but presently the need was felt of more ample accommo- dations and a better location ; and it was a grave question where the funds were to be obtained to meet this new want, this growing necessity. In 1866, Mrs. James B. Colgate, a daughter of Governor Colby, of- fered $25,000 towards establishing the necessary fund, provided that the amount should be made up to $100,000 within a given time. This was accomplished by the aid of the Eev. W. H. Eaton, D.D., who had assisted in raising the previous fund of $25,000, and at the anniversary in 1867 the subscription was filled and the object secured. The present site was then obtained and the present buildings were erected, and in 1870 they were com- pleted and dedicated, upon which occasion Rev. Dr. Cummings, of Concord, the president of the institu- tion, delivered an able and interesting historical ad- dress. This school has been placed under great obligations to Mrs. Colgate, of New York ; ex-Governor Colby, of New London; John Conant, Esq, of Jaffrey; Messrs. H. H. & J. S. Brown, of Fisherville ; Nahum T. Greenwood, Esq., of New London, and many others, by their liberal contributions to its fund. In 1853, George W. Gardner was appointed princi- pal, who continued in that place seven years, and was followed by Rev. George B. Gove, for three years, who was succeeded by Rev. A. W. Sawyer, who remained about seven years, to 1870. Then Horace M. Willard was appointed principal, who was fol- lowed in 1872, by Laban E. Warren, w-ho was suc- ceeded by A. L. Lane in 1875, who, in turn, gave place to J. F. Morton in 1876, who remained two years, till 1878, when E. J. McEwan was elected. The present principal is James P. Dixon. Several have held the place of lady principal. Miss Mary J. Prescott, from 1853 to 1857, Miss Har- riet E. Rice, Miss Julia A. Gould, Miss Adelaide L. Smiley, Miss Lucy Flagg, Jliss Mary A. Davis, Jliss Mary O. Carter (who became Mrs. Warren in 1872), Miss Hannah P. Dodge, and in 1877, Miss Smiley was again appointed, and holds the position at the present time. Mr. Ephraim Knight w;is appointed associate prin- cipal and professor of mathematics at the commence- ment in 1853, which place he held down to 1873, a period of twenty years, when, in consequence of declining health, he resigned the post, and died here March 4, 1878. In 1870 the population of the town was nine hun- dred and fifty-nine, a gain of seven from 1860, and just the same made in the last previous decade. Since 1870 but few matters of general interest have occurred in New London. In 1874 the town came very near furnishing another Governor for the State. General Luther McCutchins was born in Pembroke, N. H., in 1809; first came to New London in 1837, and remained two years ; then went to Connecticut for some four years, returning to New London in 1843, where he has since lived. He received the Republican nomination for Goveriinr in 1874, and received the full strength of his party, and a vote very complimentary to him, and only failed because, as the issues were then made up and the parties were then organized, the Republicans could not elect anybody that year. He has been your rep- resentative in the Legislature in 1850, 1851, 1873, 1878 and 1879. He is a practical farmer, who takes a deep interest in whatever is calculated to advance the agricultural interests of the State. In 1875, George M. Knight, Esq., of this town, was elected county commissioner for the county of Merrimack, which ofiice he held for the term of three years,— 1875, 1876 and 1877. Of the facts of the first century of New London's history we have endeavored to give you a fair and impartial statement, without any attempt at embellishment. There are a few other facts that may properly be alluded to before we close, and first, the patriotism of the town. We have seen that the town voted at once, after it was incorporated, to furnish a soldier for the Continental army ; thi.s they did furnish, and paid him, as we have seen, through the war until its close. We have no evidence that the Mr. Coums who went from the town was an inhabitant of the town : our impression is that he probably was not, but was a substitute, or a man hired by the town to fill the place. But New London had its Revolutionary heroes in abundance. In fact, it seemed a favorite resort for those soldiers who had gone from other places and served through the war, and then looked about for the most desirable places for settlement in the new country. The fresh breezes of its hills, and the views of the noble mountains in its neighborhood, are all congenial to a love of freedom and independence. Hence we find that im- mediately after the war many who had been in the Continental army came at once to New Loudon and settled here; others came later. There was Thomas Currier (known as Captain Kiah), Edmund Davis, Jo- siah Davis, John Dole, Jesse Dow, Levi Everett, Pen- uel Everett, Eliphalet Gay, Zebedee Hayes, Ezekiel Knowlton, Thomas Pike, David Smith, Moses Tnissell and Eliphalet Woodward. Most of them came Irom Massachusetts, — from Attleborough, Dedham, New Rowley (now Georgetown), and Bradford ; but Moses Trussell came from Hopkintou, N. H., in year 1804. Captain Currier not only served through the Revo- lutionary War, but no sooner was the War of 1812 declared than he entered the regular army. He went through the war, fought in several battles and came safely home when the war was over. I rememlier him as he used to come to church on Sunday and other (lavs, lor he was a man who loved his God NEW LONDON. 437 as well as his country, and he knew no fear in the service of either. Levi Everett was another man whom I well remember. He lived near my father, and I never wearied of listening to him when lie was telling his stories about the wars and the bat- tles he had seen. Then there was Moses Trussell, with one arm gone from below the elbow. I knew him well. I understood that he lost his arm in the war, but did not know where or when or how ; but a paper has recently been found that explains these matters. (I'his paper is published at length in the second volume of the Granite Monthly, page 270.) Such were some of the men of those days. Mr. Trussell, you will remember, was here in 1774 and cleared a piece of land ; the next year he went to Bunker Hill, and in thirty years from his first visit he returned to live and s-peud the rest of his days here, and died in Xew London. So in the War of 1812 New London did her full proportion. At the first alarm of war many left and joined the regular army and followed its fortunes through the war, like Captain Currier, of whom I have spoken. But few, comparatively, were called into active service from this State in that war; but whenever the call came the men were ready. I find that among the companies that were called out and ordered to Portsmouth there were in Captain Jonathan Bean's company, one sergeant, Robert Knowlton from New London, and four privates,— John Davis, David Marshal!, Nathaniel Messer and David Gile; and that in Captain Silas Call's company, Stephen Sargent was first lieutenant, and Captain Call having died before his term was out, Sargent was in command of the company for a time. There were in the same company, as privates, Samuel Messer, Zonas Herrick and Nathan Smith, all from New London. And in the late War of the Rebellion New London did not falter, but promptly met the call of the country and sent her sons to the conflict without re- serve, as they were needed, furnishing such ofiicers as Captain Andrew J. Sargent, Major George W. Everett, of the Ninth Regiment, and Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Clough, of the Eighteenth Regiment, who, since the war was over, is doing good service in our State militia as a brigadier-general. The town also fur- nished men for the ranks in the various stations and places where they were needed, who were true as steel and faithful unto death to the trust reposed in them. The reputation of the town for patriotism is estab- lished beyond a peradventure. That the town is a place of good morals would follow almost naturally from the fact that the people of the town are an agricultural people, who have always believed that a good education is of the highest consequence, and have had good schools, and for the last forty years a very good academy. These facts, in connection with the religious training of the people under such men as Elder Seamans and his successors, could hardly fail to make the population what it has been, — an industrious, intelligent, patri- otic, moral and happy people. Wherever the crimi- nals come from that fill our jails and prisons, very few of them have ever come from New London, or ever will, until the town forgets the lessons of the first hundred years of its history. There are a few more general tacts and a few more individual notices that I desire to refer to. The following persons have graduated from college, who were natives or residents of New London at tlie time, with the year of graduation : .Tohn H. SI ek, llartn vuth ('( lejre, 1811. Benjamin \ J. Everett Daniel P \ Francis A. th College. ISl r,, liege (now C .11, 1833. J liege, 1831!. IlaniL-1 E. Colby, Daituioutll C^iUege, 1830. J. Everett Sargent, Dartmouth College, 1S40. Kobert Colby, Dartmontb College, 1S45. Physicians in New London. — Samuel Flag« was a traveling doctor, who.se route extended from Pembroke and Dunbarton to Enfield, through Hop- kinton and New London, usually coming this way two or three times a year, but irregularly. He al- ways traveled on foot and carried his saddle-bags of medicine over his shoulder. He had no fixed resi- dence, but wandered from place to place ; a man of considerable skill, but intemperate, and took great delight in making himself a terror to children. He was found dead in a mud-hole, into which he was supposed to have fallen in a fit of intoxication. JoHX CuSHiXG was a resident of New London fin- many years ; came here before the year 1800 ; was a skillful physician, and for a time was quite jiopular here. He was engaged to be married to Phele Messer, the daughter of Samuel Messer. The day was appointed for the wedding; the friends were in- vited ; the guests came ; the bride, in expectancy, was attired, and the waiting-maids in attendance. The only absent one was the bridegroom that was to be, who did not put in an appearance, and as there could not be much of a wedding without a bridegroom, the result was that the wedding did not come off ac- cording to programme. This was in 1802 or 1808. But this disappointment proved a blessing in disguise to the intended bride, for Cushing, who was then somewhat given to drink, went on from bad to worse and became very intemperate ; lost his practice and the confidence of the community, and finally moved to Fisherfield and died there in poverty. He always rode on horseback to visit his patient*. He never married. Robert Lane came to New London, from New- port, about the year 1808, after Cushing had lost his practice and moved from town. He lived here some two or three vears, then moved to Sutton, where he HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. was living and in practice in 1811, and remained there a few years. He then returned to New Lon- don, where I find that he was residing in 1814, and he remained in town through 1815-16, for he was one of the selectmen of the town in these latter years. After this he went to Mobile, Ala., and was absent a year or two, when he returned and stopped a short time at New London, and then tooli up his perma- nent residence in Sutton, at the north village, where he ever afterwards lived. He had an extensive prac- tice ; became quite distinguished in his profession ; was much respected, and died a few years ago at a good old age. Charles Pinney came to New London about 1810, when Dr. Lane first went to Sutton. I find that Pinney was here and in full practice in 1811, when Lane was also in full practice in Sutton. Pin- ney married a daughter of Mr. Edmund Davis. After Dr. Lane returned to New London they both remained awhile, and then Pinney moved away. He returned to live here again after several years, and remained here, I think, till his death; at least he is buried in our cemetery. I knew him well after his return, but he was not then in practice as a physician. Isaac Colby followed Dr. Lane, coming soon after he left, in 1817 or 1818, and remained till about 1821, when he removed to Hopkinton. Herbert Foster was here in the year 1822 ; may have come in 1821, but did not remain but a year or Jonathan Dearborn came soon after this, per- haps in 1823 or a little later ; was a skillful physician, but left town suddenly in 1829. Samuel Little followed Dr. Dearborn, coming about 1830, and remained till 1838, or thereabouts ; was town clerk several years; then moved to Thet- ford, Vt., thence to Lebanon, and thence to Rumney, N. H., where I used to see him frequently when I lived at Wentworth. He afterwards moved West, where he died a few years ago. Robert Copp was here for a few years, during the time that Dr. Little was here. I remember him well. He was here in 1836, but left soon after; may have been here some three or four years in all. Reuben Hosmer followed Dr. Little in 1839, and remained till 1848, some ten years. Hezekiah Bickford came back in 1848, for he was a native of this town, and remained till 1851, some four years. S. M. Whipple came into town in 1849, and re- mained longer in town than any other physician. He was a native of Croydon, N. H. ; attended medical lec- tures at Dartmouth College, and commenced practice at New London in the year 1849. Since he came to New London several others have been here for short periods, as follows: Oti.s Ayer, from 1855 to 1857, tlirec years. Levi Pikhce (homa>opatliic), Cnmi 1861 to l.S(;4, N. T. Clark, from 1870 to 1871, two years. R. A. Blood, from 1871 to 1873, three years. J. P. Elkins (at Scytheville), from 1878 to present There have also been several physicians raised up in town, from its native-born or adopted citizens, who have gone to other places. Jonathan E. Herrick, son of Esquire Jonathan and Rhoda Herrick, who is now in practice in New York. George H. W. Herrick, son of Deacon Jo.seph C. Herrick, who was in practice at Charlestown, Mass., and who died abroad in 1877. Charles Pike, in practice in Peabody, Mass. Ashley Whipple, son of S. M. Whipple, of New London, now at Aslilaud, N. H. Ministers of New London.— Job Seajians was born in Rehoboth, Mass., May 24, 1748; was the son of Deacon Charles Seamans and Hannah, his wife. His father was a farmer at Rehoboth; moved to Swansea, Mass., when Job was about a year old, re- siding there about four years; then removed to Provi- dence, R. I., where he lived about ten years. He then moved to Sackville, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, where he lived about eight years, and where he died in the year 1771, aged seventy-one years. Job, the son, followed the farm until the father died. He was about fifteen years old when he moved from Providence to Sackville; and on August 10, 1769, he married, at Sackville, Miss Sarah Esterbrooks, a daughter of Valentine Esterbrooks, Esq., and who was born at Johnson, R. I., April 14, 1750. He began to preach at Sackville, having united with the Bap- tist Church there, when about twenty years of age, and about one year before his marriage. Soon after his father died, in 1771, he returned to New England, and in 1772 he was preaching to the church at Nortli Attleborough, Mass., and on the 15th of December, 1772, he was ordained as its pastor. He continued a successful ministry there for about fifteen years. In 1787 he first came to New Hampshire. The entry in his diary is as follows: "Lord's day, June 17, 1787, I preached in Sutton, in the State of New Hampshire." The next entry is, — "Lord's Day, June 24, 1 preached in New London, in the same State." He came to New London again in February, 1788, arriving on the 22d at Deacon Hunting's, and remained some two mouths, preaching from house to house. Many of the early settlers of New London were from Attle- borough, Mass., and the towns in that neighborhood, who had long been acquainted with him there, and it is not strange that they should be anxious to ob- tain him for their minister here, and so we find him listening to their call, and willing in the end to cast in his lot with these old friends; and after consider- ing the .subject fully, he started, with his family, for New London, June 20, 1788, and arrived there July 1st, and he says in his diary: "Went into a very poor house of Mr. James Brocklclnuik. The same night NEW LONDON. 439 Dur youugest child (Manning) was taken sick." He was, as you see, twelve days in moving from Attle- borough to New London, a distance of one hundred aud thirty or one hundred and forty miles perhaps; as long a time as would be necessary to go to San Francisco and back again, — time enough now to go to Loudon or Paris. His first work here was to found a church. This was done October 23, 1788, the churches from Sutton and Wendell being present, by their ministers and delegates, to counsel and assist. The church con- sisted at first of eleven members, and Mr. Se.amans was installed as pastor of the church and minister of the town January 21, 1789. Of the exercises at his installation, the gathering at the unfinished meeting- house, and the salary paid him by the town, we have already spoken; also of the seasons of reformation in the church from time to time under his preaching. The church records also show a vast amount of lalior done in the church. Those were days for lay- ing foundations, and Elder Seamans laid his founda- tions for church order and discipline deep, broad and permanent. AVere members guilty of any immoral- ity, they were dealt with. Did they absent them- selves from the communion of the church, that was cause for labor. All members were required to do tlieir share, according to their means, for the support of the gospel. Many were the labors, frequent the let- ters (jf admonition, and not unfrequent the final let- ters of expulsion sent to members of the church for the sole reason that they were unwilling to pay their due proportion, according to their ability, for minis- terial sujjport. While all the poor were welcomed to the privileges of the gospel, without money and without price, yet it was held to be the duty of those church-members who were known to be able, and could not deny the fact of their ability, to pay accordingly; and if they would not, no amount of profession, no quantity of apparent sanctity and long-facedness, was sufficient to screen the delinquent miser from merited expulsion. The Christian of those days evidently believed that no amount of grace was sufficient to save a man, unless it was sufficient to sanctify his love of gain as well as his other aflections, and that a man's conver- sion, in order to be genuine, must reach not only his head, but also his heart, and not only his head and heart, but also his pocket-book. For the last years of his life he was not able to preach, except occasion- ally; he did not preach much after the year 1824, though, so far as I can find, his pastoral relation to the church continued up to 1828, some forty years. That year Mr. Tracy was ordained as his successor in tliat office. Elder Seamans died October 4, 1830, aged eighty-two years, four months and ten days, auiong the people with whom and for whom he had labored. He married, for his second wife, November 30, 1819, Mrs. Mary Everett, widow of Jonathan Everett. Elder Seamans was a man of medium stature, light complexion, marked features, and in advanced life had a commanding and venerable appearance. It is said that he never wrote a sermon in his life. Yet he always preached his two sermons on Sunday, and frequently a third, besides many on week-days, and was always acceptable and interesting, and an earnest preacher of the gospel of the Son of God. His long ministry in this town was no insignificant element in advancing the temporal and spiritual welfare of the people and the church of New London. Joseph Davls moved into town in November, 1824, aud commenced preaching at once. He re- mained in town about three years, as a stated supply. Then Oren Tracy was called; but having some en- gagements that detained him for a while, his brother, Leonard Tracy, preached here one season, and until his brother was prepared to come. Orex Teacy was born at Tunbridge, Vt., June 18, 1798 ; was the son of Cyrus and Hannah Lillie Tracy. He was educated at Waterville College, Maine, but did not graduate. He took what was then termed the short course in theology, and was ordained at East Stoughton, Mass., in October, 1825. He was married there during the first year of his ministry to Miss Marcia Billings, of Eoyalton, Vt. After remaining there some two years or more, very pleasantly located, his physician recommended his removal from the sea-board, and he accepted the call from New London and moved there in the fall of 1827, and was ordained as the successor of Elder Seamans, January 30, 1828, and remained there till 1836, a period of about nine years. Under him the cause of education received a new impetus in town. Teachers were more thoroughly and systematically examined, and a higher standard in our common school education was at once at- tained; all our schools seemed to catch an inspiration from his spirit and efforts. He had great sympathy with and great influence over young people. All the children loved Elder Tracy. I was twelve years old when he came here, and no man did so much as he to arouse in me a love of learning and a determina- tion to obtain a liberal education, at whatever cost. Mr. Tracy, I need not say, was my favorite minister; and Mrs. Tracy was a good, kind, pleasant, motherly woman, who seemed to take as much interest in the people and in the children as he did. He was also a pioneer in the cause of temperance . When he came here it was the fashion to set out the decanter of liquor, with sugar and water, whenever the minister made a friendly call. It would have been considered almost disrespectful not to have done so. This fashion was soon changed under his admin- istration, for he would not taste of distilled spirits at all, not even wine or cider, as a beverage. I remem- ber that he delivered a course of lectures on temper- ance on Sundays, at the intermission between the forenoon and afternoon service ; and, besides, he usually held hiri third meeting on Sunday, also. I 440 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK I'orXTY. NEW HAMPSHIRE. have spokea of the revival of 1831 and 1832 under his preaching, when nearly a hundred were added to | the church. Many who are here to-day will never forget that I first Sunday in January, 1832, and also the first Sun- i day in March of the same year, upon each of which I occasions about forty, standing on both sides of the broad aisle in the old meeting-house, received the right hand of fellowship from Mr. Tracy, on being re- ceived as members of the church. On these occa- sions Mr. Tracy seemed to be inspired. I was absent at school for the last year or two of his residence here, and entered college in 1836, the year he moved awa}'. I have never found and never expect to find another minister who, in all respects, would quite fill Mr. Tracy's place with me. From New Loucou he went to Newport, N. H., thence to Townsend, Mass., afterwards to Fitchburg, Athol and Greenfield, in that State. From 1847 to 1849 he was agent of the Ainerican Baptist Mission- ary Union in New England, residing at Springfield, Mass., and Hartford, Conn. From 1851 to 1862 he was agent of the American Baptist Home Missionary Society, residing at Concord, N. H. From Concord he went to Greenfield, Mass., where he died Septem- ber 6, 1863, aged sixty-five. Mrs. Tracy still survives him, residing with her daughter, Mrs. Elliott, of Bos- t )n. Reubex Sawyer was born in Monkton, Vt, March 11, 1798 ; was married to Laura Wyman, at West Haven, Vt., in 1819. After this he was con- verted and baptized by his father. Rev. Isaac Saw- yer, of Brandon, Vt. In 1822 he entered the Theo- logical Seminary at Hamilton, N. Y. ; but owing to failing health he did not complete his course. He was ordained pastor of the Baptist Church in West Haven, Vt., in 1824. He remained there as pastor until he came to New London, early in 1836, where he became a member of the church, and was received as its pastor July 3d, which place he held uutil April 8, 1844, when he resigned his pastoral charge, but re- mained with the church in the service of the New Hampshire Baptist Convention until autumn, when he removed to Chester, Vt., where he was pastor of the church for some ten years. From there he re- moved to Leyden, N. Y., where he remained as psistor of the church for some ten years, when he returned to Vermont for a few years, at Hinesburg and in that vicinity, when he returned to Leyden, where, after a protracted illness, he died June 29, 1869, in the seventy -second year of his age. He gave the prime of his life, the vigor of his man- hood, to the church here. Large additions were made to it during his stay. Tlie demands upon his time and strength were such as in these days would be deemed severe, with three preaching services on the Sabbath most of the time, and two or three other meetings during the week. In speaking of these arduous du- ties, his son. Rev. A. W. Sawyer, D.D., president of Acadia College, N. S., in a letter to me, says : " But he was strengthened by the sympathy and affection of his people. The memory of the kindness he there experienced and the friendships he there formed were cherished by him to the last, and lightened the bur- dens of his declining years. His last year in New London was less pleasant to him because of his oppo- sition to the anti-slavery agitation ; but liis views afterwards changed somewhat, so that he firmly held the conviction that the United States should be a laud of freedom." He took an interest in whatever bene- fited the people with whom he lived. He was one of the founders of the original New London Academy, and always was deeply interested in the school. But first of all he felt that he was called to preach the gospel. This work he loved. He enjoyed most the presentation of those doctrines termed evangelical. Feeling the strength and comfort of these truths in his own soul, his presentation of them to his peoide was often with remarkable clearness and power. The ministers who have followed Mr. Sawyer are as follows : Mark Carpenter, came in 1844, left in 1849, six years. Ebene: 1S49, left in), , 1849. Ic 1854, left in 1857, four Dodge, came years. Peter M. Hersey (Christi 1853, five years. H. F. Lane (C. B.), came years. Lucien Hayden, came in 1857, left in 1869, twelve years. Asa Randlet (F. W. I!.), came in 1859, left in 1861, three years. F. D. Blake (C. B.), came in 1870, left in 1873, four years. S. C. Fletcher, came in 1874, and still remains. The church frequently, and I think generally, de- pends as much upon the character and conduct of its deacons for its standing and reputation with the world as it does upon its ministers ; so I have exam- ined your church records to see who have been the deacons in New London, and, so far as I know, the the of church has been very Ibrlunati its deacons. Ebenezer Hunting, elected January 8, 1789. Matthew Harvey, Zebedee Hayes, elected July 5, 1793. Jonas Shepard, Peter Sargent, Jr., elected April 3, 1812. David Everett, Dexter Everett, elected June 16, 1825. Joseph C. Herrick, :\Iir.iJab Morgan, elocterni - i i ^i-. "Butif it should happen that a war with tli- in i ,i ,- -I uM _.jiii- nience before the aforesd term of four years be expired, there shall be al- lowed to the aforesd Proprietors the term of four years after the expira- tion of the War to perform the afores<* conditions. " Rendering and paying therefor to us, our heirs aud successors, or such other officer or officers as shall be appointed to Receive the same, the annual quit rent or acknowledgement of one pound of good merch- antable Hemp in s^* town, on the first day Decembf yearly, for ever, if de- " Reserving also unto us, oi ing on said Land, according ■'And for the better order, Rule and Government of the said Town, we, by these Presents, Grant for us, our heii-s & successors, unto the afores* Proprietors, and those that shall inhabit the said Town, that yearly and every year, upon the first Wednesday in May, they may meet at any place within our Province of Newhampshu-e afores^ until the settlement of the afores*! Town is perfected, and afterward in the said town, to elect and chuse by the Major part of them constables, Select men and all other Town officers, according to the Laws and usage of our aforesi Province, with such power, priviledges and authority as other towns and town officei-s within our afores* Province have & enjoy, and we appoint our Loving Subjects, Theodore Atkinson, Joshua Foss A Capt. Samuel Weeks to be the selectmen to manage the affairs of the said town for the Present year and untill others are chosen in their Room by the afores ■ -.. !:nri-. " I'o(e i 111-'' l)e finished; and then to begin at the North eii'l •■! I - Ml I. II ii-, i- to be numbered to the Southward till the Sl'i- I l:i:i-i 1. iiiii-li.-cl ; and then to begin at the S'l Range at the Sontli una & liiHi toward the North till that Range be finished ; and then to begin at the North of the fourth Range and Run to the South- ward, still Reserving Roads between as many of the Letts as may bo tho* convenient. '* Voted, That there be a meeting-house of thirty foot Long and twenty-four feet wide, Imediately Built at the charge of the Propria*, & that Mr. Joshua Brackett, Mr. Will" Lock & Theod. Atkinson, Esq., be a committee to a Gree for the same with any Parson or Parsons shall do it soonest and cheapest. *' Vuled, Kach Propria*, before he Draws his Lott, pay into the Select- men as much money as their several Rates are, by which the town is to be Divided, & likewise to pay all their arearages; other ways they shall not be allowed to Draw. " Town-meeting ended. "J. Simpson, Cferi." In 17.32 the selectmen of Epsom received a notice from the selectmen of Nottingham of a desire to " perambulate the bounds." Accordingly, Lieutenant Samuel Wallis, Mr. Richard Goss and Mr. Samuel Weeks were appointed a committee to act with the committee from Nottingham. COMMITTEE'S RETURN'. "We, whose names are under writen, being appuinl.d :iii(l liir.jj by the selectmen of the town of Epsom to perainliiii, II. th lin, i irliiig to bounds, viz. : Begining at Notingham hem 1 In i i , \,,ith east ward from Chester Line, at a maple tree HI II I i . ; i in iinN, on the East side for Notiugham, &Ep, onthe Wi ■^l i li i-i I p- .m - iruiu thence riming West, North West four miles, to a larg.- pin., trci-, which is one mile Westward from Suncook River ; from thence Runing North erambvdated this twenty-third day of Scpteb", one tliousand uiidredand thirty-two. " Walter BayANT, tiiirvcyo]-/' At a proprietors' meeting, held the 6th of Novem- ber, 1732, a committee was chosen to take a list of the proprietors of Epsom, then living in New Castle, Rye and Greenland, the committee consisting of three persons, one in each of the above places. Upon the 9th of the same month the above com- mittee reported forty-seven proprietors in New Cas- tle, thirty-three in Rye and sixty-three in Greenland ; in all, one huiidie.l and forty-three. The pro]irietois Ihi II in-oceeded to draw tlieir sev- eral lots, as lollows: No. 1, Nathaniel White ; 2, James Seavey ; 3, John Odiorne ; 4, Ben- jamin Ball ; 5, Israel Mark ; 0, Samuelllaines ; 7, John Foss; S, Joshua Walliii.i, .,7, -.1111.1.1 i.li.iiiiii,:,. -j,„;,a >.. J, j^,^ jjj,^ 1.^ ,, •III Ring; :;b, John Curd; U'J, John Xuclicrma i; iO, Jam. s I!li r.v ; 43, Willian Ilai Reuben Mace; 4r., John Lencli ; 4«, Niithanii Berry ; 47, Sailin ■1 Hill 4=1, John BlaU.i; I", Jnl.n n,ill.r,...h : -|. Joshua Week* ; 7 , ,i i i I i i 7., Solomon Doust ; 77, Barnahy Cruse; 78, James Wbiil -I ,' Jni^ r ' 1 1 1 1 lut ; 80, Joseph Maloon ; SI, John 85, Philip Pauo ; SO, Williiiin K. II v , .^7, lli.liii.l V.mI.', ^^, W illiuiii Bucknell, Thomas Berry, Im.h I i-- , ■■', Willi.nii r.il.in-, .lulm Kiir.v; yo, Thomas Rand, Jr. ; 91. .lulm "i .nu. h , i,, .^.iiuii.l lln^.iii-, N.nh.ioit'l Huggins; u:i, Eoster TrefellR-n , ;i4, i oloin-l Sliuaiacli \Will..ii , :l..,.^.tlllull- iel Johnson ; aii, Benjamin Seavey, Jr. ; y7, Joseph Vouren ; ',».>, .Matliias Haines ; 99, Samuel Frost ; 100, Deacon John Gate, William Catc ; 101, William Seavey; 102, Ehc-iii-z.r r.ony ; lOH. Matliias Ilaiii.-.-; 104, Bolyamiu Unserve; lOo, J.i!i:i Wi,; ,. II 1"... II, III. J'.ii, I 7, ,1 i ..ihan odiorne, Esq.; 108, Waltci .\ i i i - i ' illill; 111, William Wallis ; llj, li . .M , . I: i , 111, William Jones; 115, Wnl.' I. n '; WiilL.m Minliii: 117. Na. thaniel Watson; lis, Siimni , l-i. l: i I ' i m. I Orccuoiigli ; 12ii, Joshua Haines; 121, Samuel Sein.\ , il . ,, l; i I ; 123, Benjamin Seavey ; 124, Captain Samuel Wei-'l,- i \tkinson; 12fi, James Ran- dall ; 127, JohnNcale; Vl>, \ .i 1 M, mil. The lots numbered 1 to 41, inclusive, are in the first range upon the easterly side of the town, beginning at AUenstown line; Nos. 42 to 73 are in the second range, beginning at Northwood line; 74 to 107 are in the third range, beginning at the southerly end of the town, and the remainder in the fourth range, num- bering from the north. 446 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, iNEW HAMPSHIRK. It appears that there was left after the above lots were laid out two thousand acres in the southerly end of the fourth range, which, with some smaller lots at either end of the twenty lots that were first laid out and known as the "home-lots," were known as common lands. In response to a petition of the inhabitants of the town, the General Assembly of the province of New Hampshire, in the year 1765, by a special enactment made, gave the town the privilege to sell all the com- mon or undivided land in the town, and the money arising from such sale was to be applied to the build- ing of the meeting-house, and John McClary, George Wallis and Ephraim Locke were appointed by said Assembly to advertise and sell the same at public auction, which was done Monday, August 19, 1783. This common land at the southwestern part of the town was laid out differently from the original lots, being only one-half as long and wide enough to con- tain "one hundred acres. Lot No. 1, in the south- west corner, was sold to John Follensbee ; No. 2, the next north, to John Blake; No. 3, Reuben Sanborn; No. 4, Reuben Sanborn ; No. 5, John Hubbard; No. 6, Ephraim Locke; No. 7, Andrew McGaffey; No. 8, Andrew McClary; No. 9, Andrew McClary; No. 10, Amos Morrill. No. 1, in the second range of common lands, being the most southerly lot, was sold to John Follensbee; No. 2, John Follensbee; No. 3, Thomas Bickford; No. 4, Abraham Wallis; No. 5, Nathan Marden ; No. 6,' Nathan Marden; No. 7, Israel Gilman; No. 8, John McGaffey; No. 9 and No. 10, Amos Morrill; but I find no account of the amount that was received by the town from such sales. ''Voted, January H, 173.3, that the name of the Street from the Mcet- ing-HouBe upward West Street H Down ward to Xotiugham from s^ Meeting-house East Street. " July y le", 1733, The Propria"' meet acording to Xotiflcatipn. " Voted Theodore .\tkin6on, Esq., Moderator. " Voted Joseph Simpson, Esq., Messrs. Charles Frost, Kichi Goss, Sami Wallis, Joshua Brackett, Will" Haines a Committee to Lay out to each Propria' his Lott or Shier of Land in the town of Epsom according to tho Hate he paid in tho year 1723, and if one or more of the s* committee fail, the selectmen to appoint others in their Boom. " VUed that the committee Doe the Besiness ahove s* by the tirst Novem' and make Return by that time. "ro(€lf, his w lie anil i discover t EPSOM. s they cuiihl aud all i iijrhtwitli tli.-in i ofaUthc ,Voko of . Wallac*.''! i-rty of tliu iiiliM McCoy's, r.^' "TliL- feiuL-ily amlcniclty of tlir s;iva,-. averted by a friemlly, coHciliating course c towards them. This was iiarticuhirly the c the escajM.', kii'vv . h i ,. h- were not loaded, aud that oiil'tless 1>.- kii-i ii i[i \ i) iiii>;uhed. Thoy accordingly w'Oinis and made ih«-ir rscapc lu the garrison. This took pUuv Aiigimt 21, 1747. " The Indians then collecttxl together what booty tlicy could obtain, whii'h ronsisted of an iron tntmmel, from Blr. George Wallace's, tliu apples of the only tree which bore in town, which was in the orchaixl now owned by Mr. David Grillin, and some other trifling articles, and prepared to i "Before they took their d. place nearthe little Sun i I young Indian, while iii> ascertained to be Plans:i\\.i, - foreonictime al«ent. LMiui attempting to make her escapt she might disjiatch the young ■ for Canada. other til hey conveyed Mrs. McCoy to a t li. y left her in the care of the ' names were afterwards i.:M_n*e Mre. McCoy thought of . opportunities when she thought kvith the tniuiniel, which, with In,, perhaps av.ml sun.e slrange f. ! ii.ii:-.-! !<,ii.i. 1. 1, HI ili.;i Mrw, of the highest order— lie soon se- Mi : : , : 1,1^1 11 -e uf kind treatment, he secured their i;i i i l:i[ ! i L 1 1 _i Mill, thniigh they had opportunities, they •'The first he ever saw of them wasaconipany of them making towards his house through the opening from the top of Sanborn's Ilili. lie lied to the woods and there lay concealed till tlicy liiul made a thorough search about his house and im li-me^ ;niii Ii;id ■^one off. The next time vitb his visitors c he them aud to treat them \\u\i : i towards the close of the day m dining sun suddenly threw : ground before him. He had nt found himself in the company i \s he was busily engaged ard for his cow, the do- ornious sluulows on the tu sec the cause thau he stately Indians. Seeing his perturbation, they patted him on the head aud told him afmid, for thoy would not hurt him.' They then went with his house, and their fust business was to seiU'ch all his bottles t had auy 'ocaipee'— rum. They then told him they wore ver; and wanted something to eat. He happened to have a quarter which he gave thcui. They took it and threw it whole upui and very soon begjiu to cut aud eat from it half raw. While tto I le wars the Indians built several wigw the conrtuonce of Wallace's Brook with the (ireat Suncook. On a little island in this river, near the place called 'Short Falls,' one of thenj livetl for a considerable time. I'laueawa and Sabatis were finally both killed in time of iicace by (me of the wiiites, after a drunken quarrel, aud buried near a cerluiu biifok in IV>6cawcn. " MnrNTAiNs.— The siirfaee .if iho town is gouerally uneven, the land In .|u. liilv ii-it(- IiiIm , >.ii-i.li I. (Mr hills. Four of tho highest ( McCoy, . of the first settlers, : the Indians frequently visited the y great depredations. Tho greatest ( or St. Francis tribe. (See Bolknap'e River, tiuctly 8 ing CO! "Nut's Mount 'rom its summit, in a clear atmosjtheru, the ocean ma ^u, though distant about thirty miles, in a diix'ct line twenty miles the beholder hasa very full view of the si s situated about half HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUiNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. tiunt'd ono. It wtia so uaincci from the of McCoy's cbilclreii, who had been \o ICO that Kathauiel, one woods while searching was found H|ion it. It is said ho was absent several days, ilunug that time upon berries; and tliat, when fii-stdis- as disposed to Bee from those wlio came to his relief. am !t[ouutai[i, so named from its beiuR crossed by tlio an- ham (now Doerliclil) line, lies about half a mile easterly from Fort MounUiin II, on the Veerflcld side, ii twenty or thirty persons a the ,.i Iiu, i,il\, mill.- with the Merrinnudc at Pembroke. The !,inl -I 1, . III. I.- ih. Imwu from the east, a few rods below the pond ul ill.. .,iuic n.ini. , lujui wliiiili it runs ; and, proceeding in a pretty di- rect course westward, near the centre of the town, unites with the river fii-st mentioned. "Ponds.— There are but three in the town, and these are small. Their names are Chestnut, Round and Odiorno's Pond." The following is fouiiti in the Records of the Leg- islature of 1762 : "PitoviNCEOF New Hampshire. " To his Exelency Benning Wentworth, Esq., Capt. General, Gove- nour & Commander in Chief in ami uver his Maje.vtv'> Province of New Hampshire, aii.l 1. il.. II 1...11. . .m. iMa ,-. .1 1:. |.ri-senta- tives now Convened ^ 1 "thePetitionof hi- ^1 .. ' . .. . 1.1 lili.. town- Very Poor Distressing circum=lauces to your C'umpabSi...u, & Most Eamstly Crave your Pity, and pray your Honours to Relieve us from our unsuportjtble Burden of Province tax under which we are made to Grone, and Which we think we Cannot Possibly survive Under unless your Honours will be Pleased to Mitigate and free us from. *' Gentlemen our Numbers are Very Small & wo are very much Exposed to Lilies ; our y.iung Cattle, Sheep and Swine are often Destroyed by w III 1. I I -, .III. further, we have Lately Selected a minister among us I I wo shall not lie able to Support; by Reason of the I - we are now under wo are not able to Build a Meet- that we liux. (, .' I .: ;. .1- r.M \ .... n...> in.i. I, 11, .1. 1,1 I li IMS to en- treat your llououre to take of the hea\y tax which we now Labour under, & Restore us the money we Paid Last year, & your Petitioners Shall ever Pray as in Pnty Bound ; "John Hl.i'liirv, (:.-..r._-,. Walles, Nathan Warden, John Black, Ephraiiii 1... 1 , 1: '■<■■ " - 111I...1T1, .lun., Kliphlct Sanborn, Reuben San- born, .Iiii.i - \\ I, M nil Ijobbee, .\hraham Wallea, Benjamin Blake, Til. Ill . Ill I .. I. ebbee, Isaac Lobbee, Juu., Reuben Leh- bee. Am.':, ri 1 . in I I iM. nil, Samuel Black, Thomas Hills, John Blaso, 1 |.l'. I ^ ^^ III, nil Blake, Benson Ham, John McGatfey, ' " In (_''iiiii 1 1.111, -liii ITi.'J: Read & ordered to be sent down to the Uoiii'i" Ass. ly, "TiitoiioiiE Atkinson, Ji'N., Sec." At it meeting failed January 7, 1781, to consult in regard to adopting the plan or form of government that had been prepared by Congress for the govern- ment of the people, the matter was referred to a committee consisting of Major Morrill, Mr. Francis Lock, Captain Gray, Lieutenant Locke and Thomas Babb, to make such amendments as they should deem necessary in said plan and report at an ad- journed meeting, at which time they presented the following objections, which were adoiited by the " 1st. The twenty-third article of the bill of rights, as exhibited in said plan, is objected to and inadmissible Because such Laws have been necessary in the present revolution, A may t-e in the future ; There- fore, we submit the making of sinli L.iws 1., ih.. 1. -i-IhIim- |...\\. 1 . "2d article of objection is rcsi il.. 1 .n n ,1 . , n .i..i n- li-lii .1 I li.l [..111, I:, ..light not to be excluded of the piivi- years successively, wh^ise oer\ ice shall be found salutary to the piihlick Weal, is the most Capable of serving as long ss he may be found ser- viceable to the State in said office. "5lh article of Objection is to a person's not having a Voice in the choice of a Delegate, Representative, Senator or Governor unless pos- sessed of a Free hold in his own right of one hundred pounds, accord- ing to the proposed plan. Because, according to the first article in the declaration of the rights of the people of the State of New Hampshire, all men are born equally free and Independent. Therefore, all Govern- ment of right (Originates from the people, and is founded in ciniselit. Therefore, the freeman, with ever so small pecuniary abilities, ought to have an equal Voice in the legislative Choice with him who is possessed of the most accumulated fortune." There was a lengthy contest with Chichester rela- tive to the boundary line between tlie towns, which was finally settled by arbitration. At the annual meeting held March 13, 1810, it was " Voted to accept Joshua Laue, of 8anbornton ; Samuel Shepherd, of Gilmanton ; and John Lane, of Candia, a committee to settle the contested line between Epsom and Chichester." And at the follow- ing March meeting it was voted to accept the report of the above committee, whirh established tlie line Before the building of railiuads there \Mi.-i a huge amount of travel and teaming thmugh this town from the northern part of New Hjimpshire and Vermont to Portsmouth, Newburyport and other sea-board towns, and, consei|uently, a number of inns or taverns were required for the accommodation of the travelers. The selectmen of the town for 1827 gave license to the following persons to keep an open tavern ft>r one year, eac^li paying two dollars for the privilege: William Yeaton, Jr., Colonel Daniel Cillcy, Abel Brown, Samuel Whitney, Robert Knox, Captain lieii- jamin L. Locke, Captain Simon A. Heath, Joseph Lawrence and Abram W. Marden. There is no tavern or public-house kept in tnwn at the present time. Mr. Curtis says: ''The hilly surfiice of the town and numerous streams rendered it very favorable for that kind of machinery which requires the power of water. Within the limits of the town are eight grist- mills with twelve runs of stones, ten saw-mills, three carding-machines, three clothiers' shops, and four bark-mills." Al the present time there are two saw-mills, three grist-mills, one sash and door raaniifiictoiy, one box factory and the shoe-factory, all situuted upon the Great and Little Suncook Elvers. In the spring of 18S1 the matter of building up some kind of a business that would be of a benefit to the inliabitants of the town wa.s discussed, and on the 4th day of May of that year a company was organ- ized, called the Epsom Shoe-Factory Company, with a capital stock of three thousand dollars, divided into shares of twenty-five dollars each. The stock was soon taken and operations at once begun. A dam was made across the little Suncook River, near the Free Ba]>tist Church, and a twn-story building erected. The fall of that year the factory was rented to Hill & Puffer, of Lynn, Miiss., who at once commenced the making of shoes. Their practice was to take stock from Lynn or other manufacturing towns that was partially fitted and make the shoes. In 1883, Mr. Hill left the firm, and Jfr. Nathan Goss was associated witli Mr. Puffer in the business. In the spring of 1885 they sold out to parties from Haverhill, Mass., and a new firm went into the busi- ness, known a-s Mitchell, Finney & Co. They are now manufacturing shoes, cutting ami making entire. At present they employ abf>ut seventy-five hands and make six cases per day. Their pay-roll for labor is about one hundred dollars per day. School and Parsonage Lots.— In accordance with the rci|uireiiients ot the grant of the town, two lots were set apart and known as the school and parsonage Irtta. The school lot was located at the westerly end of the "home lots," running from the turnpike up on Sanborn Hill, and was sold June 10, 1815, Cap- tain Gray, B. M. Towle aud others being purchasers. The amount realized from such sale, as nearly as can be ascertained from the records, was about twelve hundred dollars, which the town kept as a school fund and divided the interest of it annually among the several school districts according to their valua- tion. The parsonage lot was near the "Old Centre," on the southerly side of the highway, on which the build- ings now occupied by Addison Davis are situated, and was formerly known as the " Dr. Dickey place." The lot was sold by vote of the town about 1817, and the Rev. Jonathan Curtis was the purchaser, for one thousand and five dollars, which sum was invested by the town as a parsonage fund, the interest thereof being annually distributed among the several reli- gious societies in town, in proportion to the taxable property of its members. This was done until about 1848, when the select- men, first obtaining counsel, decided the same to be unnecessary and refused to distribute the interest of said funds, and they were appropriated to the general expenses of the town. Soon after this the " Esq. Hersey " farm was pur- chased for a poor liirm. Prior to this the keeping and care of the paupers was annually sold to the per- son who would do it for the smallest sum. The farm was kept until 1865, when the county built an alms- house and took all the paupers chargeable to thera that could conveniently be moved, which left but few to be supported by the town, and the farm was sold to James Yeaton aud is now owned by Daniel Yeaton. The first assessment or inventory that we find re- corded was made in 1793, and contains the names of one hundred and seventy-eight persons that were rated as residents and fifty-nine that were non- residents, in which list there were only three that contained any middle letter, although there were several that had Jun,, or 2d or 3d attached to their names. The land being clas.scd according to its various uses, we find that year fifteen acres of orcharding, one hundred and fifty-one and one-fourth acres of tillage, five hundred and fifty-eight acres of mowing and eight hundred aud nineteen acres of pasture, the remainder being rated as unimproved lands. There were taxed that year sixty-five horses, one hundred and thirty oxen and two hundred and five cows. At a town-meeting held March 12, 1839, a resolu- tion was introduced by Joiuithan Steele, Esq., which was adopted, — "that an agent be chosen by the town to receive from the town treasurer and select- men all the permanent funds belonging to the town, and invest them in some safe institution for the benefit of the town, and pay the interest annually to such parties as the town might direct, viz. : the interest from the parsonage to authorized agents of the several religious societies, and the interest from the school fund to the several prudential com- mittees." Frederick Sanborn was chosen agent, as above re- quested, and gave a bond in the sum of twelve thou- sand dollars for the faithful performance of the trust, Thomas D. Merrill and Samuel Cafe being his sureties. The bond stated the several permanent funds to be as follows: School fund, $1958.28; parsonage fund, $1005; and the surplus revenue, $3079.05,— total, *(!042.33. Canterbury Bridge.— In the journal of ibe Ilou.se of the Provincial Legislature, February I'M, 1744. is the following: "Tlie within PetiHon Liwn of Canterbury Bti !i; IT' to notification datod June the 20, tho tm} li. I b i lication and thns "1. F()(fi(K'ai>t. Jolin Mof 'lary moderator. " 2. I'oto; Mr. .Totin Tnrlte to ho tlleir goHpel fied that call and confirmed further offers. And now, after a v<-ry serious, mature and most delil>erate consideration, and fervent loolcing- np to Heaven for direction, luuistance and God's bleissiiig, and hoping lliat tliere is a good prospect of doing good service among you, and in liuilding yon up in His most lioly faitli ; 1 now, confiding in ami rely- ing on the strengtii of divine Rniee for :i.sai«tance, as God linth graciously allowed .^ serving 11 "4. I'. other Citi in sonu) Conve >f a meeting house ami i ■ uiado up in the other 1 rig .IS a salary for the t doler 1 hauled to his '*.5. r..^f./ I iiii htii'h mI" live poundE after the tii.-l i«..\.mi. ;i]. .spired. " G. Voled That thirty eorils of wood he an "7. Voted ahraham lehee, Isaac leheesen., .lohn Blake, genrge wallis, cap. John mcclary, nphraim Locke, Samuel blake, L-ft. Kliphlet Sanhorn, natban marden be a coiumittee I*) present a call to Mr. .lohn tiicke. honso, to be ])ai'l in Labour if he accepts the call. "N.VTHAN Mauukn, f'tark." .Vugust 14, 18in, it was " Vofed That the meeting house shall stand on the same I>ot where the old meeting hou.se fornieily stood, at or near tbe lUiryiug place." August 12, 1761, it was " Voted Nathan Marden, Oeorge Wallis, ens. Thomiis lllake, Kpbraini Locke ho a committoo to proviile for the onleruftliiui and to render ac- count of the same to the Select nu-n. '• Voted that tho charge of tho ordernation be p.aid by the town. " Voted Iloniman Dlakc, benaon ham, amos Idazobe a comuiittec to as- sist the constable and tithing men in keeping order on the ord»rnatiou The following is a copy of Rev. Mr. Tncke's aceciit- ance of tbe call to be (heir first minister : me by you, that you have I: say with the apostle in Colos. 1, 9 : il to ilesiro that we might he filled dl wisdom and spiriluni nudei-staud. ' Rpsom, .\ugust 17, 17r.l " April in, 17(;4, it w; llng-honse bo built in K|»om, thc' length fifty feet I'V, Sen., Thotn-as Blake, John Mct'lary, George pinilege 1 '■ Voted, shall call for the same." We are unable to find any rejiort or account from tbe above committee. There wa.sa meeting at the house of Caj>taiu An- drew McClary on the ir)th day of May, 17(>4, when twenty-one privileges for pews were sold by auction. We also find that the annual meeting, agreeable to the charter, for the year 1706 was held in the meeting- house, and for the greater part of the time tbereal'ter, while the same remained standing. It was occupied by the Congregational Church ami Society for religions purposes until about 1820, when, other denomiuations having been organized in town, who cliiiraed the right to hold their meetings ther<' a piirt of the time; the following votes were passed by the town: November 15, 1819, it was " Vnfnl, tb.it the Toleration Society in Epsom have tbe use of tbe meeting-house in said town one-half tlie time on Sundays until the next annual meetino-." March 14, 1820, it was " IW(W, lli:il I lie town oc- cupy the meeting-house one half tlie lime on Sun- days, and the Ctmgregational Society the other Inilf, until some accommodation be m.ade respecting llie same, the Congregational Society to occupy tbe meeting-house the ne.xt Sabbath." There seems to h.avc arisen a ditlieuhy between Rev. Mr. Tucke and bis peojile, tor in I be records of a meeting held at tbe nieetiug-boiise on :\loiidMy, I lie passed : Tuck ! shouhl be ; , respecting t EPSOM. " r..tell, Cilli', \iul,v„ MCI:, IV. 1 Prescott to bv u , ..niiiiilh ,• I,, I Ih.il jiin At a nifclillj; lull! .I;lllllal\ "Fo(<.rf, tliiUll.,i.-.-~l...uM iH.io.Lii, tie tho Ditflcnilic's Subsislijjg l..l\v.-. Inliabitiints of tbo Town of KiMcuii. " ri>te(i, that ti" Shoiilil bi- a coniiiiil Behalf of the InhabitJints of salil town, nienclioned, till thore is a (iiiiil Oet^isioi contmvoi'sieB. " Voted, f>P'. Andrew M'^Clary, D'. 01 Hhoulil bo ooniinittuu for that pnrpose.' June IS, 1774, at a meeting called " to sec if (lie Town when assembled will pass a vote to dismiss the Rev. Mr. Tiicke from his Tastoral and Ministerial Relation to the Inhabitants of the Town of Epsom, agreeable to the Result of the Counsel Convened in said Epsom, March 15, 1774, by the request of the pastor, church and people," it was July 25, 177- voters called tii at a meeting ot that purpose, — 1 from liis 1'a.stoi-al C Notiflcation. int up till tllP town : Rev. Beni.Mmin Thur.ston Tiilv si.xty pounds, lawful money, for the first year, sixty- live pounds for the second year, and seventy pounds for the third year, with the use of parsonage and the usual supply of wood, etc. Ihit for some reason Mr. Thurston declined the call. March 21, 1781, it was " Void! to raise money enough to Hire eight days' preaching." After the call had been given Mr. Thurston to settle in the town as their minister it was ' \oled that thn: I Parsonage house atul 1 s^onago lands, where it shall be thought nu)St proper, of tin- rollo\\iii^ |)i- niensiona, viz. : tho House to be 4(1 by ;iO feet, and 2fltorv high ; Mie bam to be ^5 by 30 feet, and onr elected Pastor to be consulted as to the tiii- inhing the Parsonage House as to convenience. " r.i/c./ that Mr. Thurston he allowed by tho town the keeping of one liMi-i , I w w iri.l i III -It. I'll, from llii- time of his settlement until till III I . .1 , i.M 1 In — liiiU li\', \\ ill produce hay and grass -nil I I - ! ii til' ■ \|" II- uMiii- town, allowiugsi.v and oue- . pi the call) he en or twelve wore, at BAperlb. M„llv, after the follow 1, Uve, beef and Pork lOpxoni." Ill 1784, Rev. Ebenezer Haseltiiie AhlSS., of the ihureh and town and was uniaii Mr. Ilaseltine was a native dl Mi a graduate of Dartmouth ( icllc-c, hnik liciais.- In preach from the (inil'toii I'rrsbvlny .Inly 24, 17711. He remaine.l in Idwn till liis dealli, Ndveiiibcr Id. 1813. ( )f him it is said : "He was a man of great mod- esty ami diffidence, unassuming in his carriage among his own jieople and others; a man of strict integrity, and uprightness in all his dealings ; a man of a quiet spirit, a promoter of peace and love among all ; a man of hospitality and charity so far as his ability permitted, kind and friendly to all mankind, and in consequence of his virtues was respected by all bis acquaintances." After his death the ti)\vn " VoleJ to bear the funeral expense and also pay to his widdw his salary for the remainder of the year, and Ibe privileges of the par- sonage." About a year after the death of Rev. Mr. Haseltine the church gave Rev. Jonathan Curtis a call to be- come its pastor, but the town refusing to unite, an organization was formed and chartered known as the "(Congregational Religious Society nt tin' Town of Kiisoni." The following is a copy of the papers presented to the ordaining council, enibiaeim; the call lA' the church and congregation to llev. Mr. Curl is, and his answer : " At a meeting of the Congregational religions Society, in the Town of Kpsom, duly holdeu agreeably to adjournment, on Saturday, the let day of Oetiiber, Anno Domini 1SI4, the following votes were passed : ■■ r-'. .', J. -nil. Sihl V|..l..iatiir, Pro. Teni. " I ' ', I 111 1. nil, 1.. Lii. Mi. .lonathan Curtis a fall to settle in .siiiil S..1I, i\ Ml Ml'- Mull, mI til-' (Mirtpei Ministry. "t I , III nil- h \ietrill, Sam'. Morrell, Moses Osgood, Joseph l,:iu I 1 ' - I iil'orn a Committee to draught projjosals for the liiiij ' I I ' Ml .lonathan Curtis, and present the same to the " Epsom, Oct. 5th, 1814.' lid Cimgregation in the Town of Epsom, 'iiial religions Society in said Town, being .- the preached Gospel ill 'said 'I'mmii, aod this Call." "At a Meeting of the Congregational religions Society, of Epsom, duly holden agreeably to adjournment, on Sati day of October, Anno Domini 1814, the following votes niously passed : HISTORY OF MKinUMACK COUNTV, NEW IIAMI'SHIRE. "l8t. ]'..(. rihil It Ml .1 ii..lli;iliClirtisHln>iil(laccepta(.'nlI tiXH'ttlem Epsom as tli-' '. i- i ^Imm i i ..I ihe Congrugiilional religious Society in eaid Town, In^ ~i:ii<-S0M, Jany. 14tli, 1815. " To the CommiUee/or Ihe Omigregalioiial Religions Society in Efxovt : " Gkntlkmkn,^A considerable time has elapsed since I bad the honor to receive from yon an invitation to settle in your Society in the work of the Gospel Ministry. "The undertaking presents a sitnation the most arduous, responsible and important In this \ i.w of it, 1 hope I have not occupied an un- nece»»ar\ l.rt^tli .i i m ^ .■iisiiir iiivita1i.>n to settle with yon in the - Gospel Ministry. And if it shall ho the appointment of I'l establish me in that Sacred I'rofessi.m, lot cun- uniteil prayei that CimI who is the great fountain of all wi8.l.>ni and g.>.>.liH blessing may attend such a connection, "With high ; of the Sofiely 1 ing-hoiis time otii 1 helml/qf iiut IS-Jil the ('(iii;;i-ogatioii;il Cliiiirli and i Ihe IVcc anil inidisiiutetl use of the meet- IkiI was liiiill liy the town; but at this l.n.iiiiiiiatiiiiis liail made tlieir appearance , and demanded and obtained the ])rivilege 111: the meeting-liouse a portion of the al the OiinsrreL'ationalists were obliged to A.aor.lingly, a meeting of the soeiely was ealied A|>ril 10, 1820, at the house of Simon A. Heath, when a committee, consisting of Ira. Sanl)orn, Thomas I). Merrill and .lames Hriiwn, were ajipointed "to |,r,,vi.l,' a snilaMc i.laee I., .assemble fnr public wor- shi|. lliecaisuings.^asoH." At the annual meeting of the society, lield May 1, 1820, the above committee reported " tliat Captain Heath's Hall is the most proper jjlace for public worshi]! for the present season." Al the same meeting it was also " Vafetl, that it is expedient to erect a meeting-house in the town of Epsom for tlie Congregational Society." At a meeting held the 7th day of May, 1821, llie society chose Josiah Sanborn, Thomas D. Merrill and John Cate a committee to meet a committee ap- pointed by the town to effect a settlement of the existing difficulties between the Congregational Society and the town, which committee presented the following report at a meeting of the society held the 27th of April, 1822, which was accepted: Iruln the sjile of the parsonage alore6;iid thi at the expiration of each and every year 1 to the war.l.-lis of the s...i..|y af..reKii.l tluii of the illt.-iv-l ;,r..M..:n.I, V,,. I ■ il, 1 aggregate of the i said Town may hav.- or shall luivc i,-,,nr,l ;. the six yeai-s aforesaid, and lM>tli of said p;iii i— - lie bound to divide said interest in the manii. i r. shall not at any time hereafter claim or be enliil. than their proisuiion in the manner aforesai* when ratified by said Town of Eiwom and said i mise, if iwssible, among the lelvesand re]K>rt to the town. "JosnH Sanborh, 1 " TnoM.ls D. Mehrh.1., [ "John Cate, J " Hanover Dickey, 1 "Jonathan Steele, i The Congregationalist.s continned to occupy the old meeting-house a portion of the time until ii<4'>. when they built a church at what was known as Slab City, and the old niecting-hmise was sol.l and re- moved to Concord. The Rev. .Tonathan Curtis remained with the ihurch until January 1, 1825, when the Rev. A. D. Smith was employed as a stated supply for a year, respecting whose labors among them the society iiassed a vote of high commendation. EPSOM. 453 The Rev. A. Burbank was here for a short time in 1827, but (III the 1st day of November, 1829, Rev. John M. Putman was installed pastor of the church, and sustained that relation some two and a hall years, when he was dismissed at his own request. Following Mr. Putman, the Rev. Abel Manning was here some two yeai-s and the Rev. Francis R. Smith a little longer period, with occasional supplies by differeut ministers. January 1, 1837, Rev. Winthrop Fifield commenced preaching here, and so well was he liked by the church and peo])le that a call was given him to sottle with them, which he accepted and was ordained the 10th of May, 1837. Mr. Fifield remained with the church nearly ten years, through the trying period of locating and building a new house of worship, but left very soon after the church was dedicated. Rev. Rufus A. Putman, a native nf Sutlt)ii, lMaj-s., and a graduate of Harvard College, was the next minis- ter, being here from September, 184(i, to May, 1852. The following two years the church was occupied only a portion of the time. Revs. M. B. Angier and C. C. Durgin being the supplies. R. A. Putman and E. H. Blanchard then sii|i|ili..d the pulpit for one year each. February 22, 1856, a call was given the Rev. J. Ballard to settle with them, which he declined, and the Rev. Charles Willey was engaged as a stated supply. He remained about three years, and was succeeded by Rev. A. B. Peffers, who remained until 1866, and was followed by Rev. (ieorge Smith for three years. Rev. Charles Peabody was the next preacher, and his stay was but three years. During the following four years there was only occasional preaching, largely by students from the Theological Seminary. December 1, 1876, Rev. E. C. Cogswell, of Noitli- wood, commenced jueaching here Sundays ami com- tinued until June, 1881, since which time, with tlie exception of six months of the summer of 1882, when Rev. L. U. Chase supplied, the church has been with- out regular Sabbath services. The removals IVoin town and by death have nearly depleted the cliuirli membership. There is a fund of one thousand dollars given by the widow of the late Thomas D. Merrill, the interest of which is to be used for the support of Congrega- tional preaching in the town of P^jisom. The Free-Will Baptist Church of Epsom.'— This church was organized June, 1824, by Rev. E. Knowl- ton, of Pittsfield, and Rev. Arthur Coverno, of Straf- ford, consisting of eight persons, the same number that entered into the Ark of old, and these are their names, — Rev. Arthur Coverno, Nathan Bickford, Daniel Philbrick, Ephraim Locke, Lucretia Tarlton, 1 Prepared by Rev. M. A. Quimb^. Mary Marden, Elizabeth Currier and Sally Osgood. Rev. Arthur Coverno, under (iod, was its founder and first pastor, and by his earnest and faithful lahors this little band of disciples continued to gniw, and its membership increased to lifty that season. Ii \v:is like Joseph's fruitful bough by a well, whose lniiricjus run over the wall. Union has very gcmially ].n- vailed, and the church has been ready to cii-opcrate with the pastor in revival edbrt and benevolent work, and the Lord has often blessed his people with re- freshing showers of grace and precious accessions to her numbers. The church has been enterprising and energetic in her labors. She ha.s built two houses of worship,— the first in 1833, the latter, larger and more commodious, in 1861. She bus .i nice ((iMnlry parsonage, with two acres nf LumI. wIumc iIm- pastur tinds a pleasant home. The clnnrh li:is lakni lii;;li ground on the gieat ni.i]:il .|iH>tioris of thu age. The cause of mis>i,)ris, Sini,srli..,,ls, education, freedom, temperance and mm-A rclmiu have received due at- tention and encouragement. Some "born in Zion " have been called to preach the everlasting gospel, —the Rev. Daniel P. Cilley, of Farmington, long a suctli ol .Ulnc inst., at the same place, at uliieh lime llic Ibllowing votes were passed : " I r..(../ Ih.il (In- wlioul-lmuw bo built uii till' I,ut loiuonlj riilK'il tin- ■'■1. !../..( Ilial Ml.' ...stof *' lumoc bolmid in L,:mil or moli(;y. " :i. Valt'tl th;tt s-i lumse be bill of at vaiulo. '■Vuled Nalliiiil MiiKlon, Viiiidu lunster, s^ house bid ,if to Klis. .Mega fey, at 312 O. T., to raiiiu bord, shiuglc, clabold & floio." A complaint being made to Lieutenant F.phiaiin Lock, grand juror, that the town had negleeteil to kee[i a stated school, a meeting of the inhabitants was called May 22, 17S(I, at which it w^as " Vuleil that the second article in the warrant respecting a school shall be left to the discreti;i, it was " Ve ill Miid lOpsom be this day sold at pnldiek wihlue In ilie Highest Biilder, & the purchased siiin lie a[iproprialcd to the use of the town." " To the. Sekvlmeii of the Toii'ii "/ K|>»o/ii : " .\ iiuiiiber of Uif lulmbilantii of the WcBlirn dislrirt in Kiis..iii Iniiii- bly slifW- "Tiiat »o cvor liavo boou & sliU mo tlMinms to iiroiuolo public scbooln ill said Town for tho Inslniction of our cbildroii, and of lute wo have used overy exertion in our liowor to have a suitable school house ill the district coiupleted for that design, but every such cflbrt proves alwrtive, disregard to the best Inteiei.l6 of EPSOM. their faniilioB, by ilepriviug tlioir cbiWren of the means of Instruction and tliereby rendering them, in a great degree, useless member of So- ciety, and by such conduct of theirs, we being classed with tliem, are debaredof that for our children, which wo esteem an inestimable bless- ing. "Tliis is our grovianco, and in this situation we cannot rest easy, to see our uuiiieiuus olTf^pring, which we are lustnniieutal uf bringing into e\ist;u.. . . n. i up liUoso many heiithenor hiiiirs m ,i > i\ ili,. ,1 world. AV.> I'liiM Imi. s.rU hi I ho Town for redress, :u^"- Ioi"\\ ii.M.iliri irmi-dy, and iinij' tiial a iiircting uf sjlid Town may be wanud as s.mn a(^ may be, tliat this our greviancn may be considered, and some inethud adopted & put in Execution tliat sliall reninve tlio .\clian out of tlie camp and givi- us speedy relit'f iti tinistiing the Scliool-housc already begun, that a seliuul may be Iiad soasonaldy for the purpose aforesaid. " Ki.s,.rn, l,Mh ..f .Tilly, 1793. ".lames (iray, (Ice Yewriu, Reuben Ycwrin, Thomas Biekfoiil, Simeon Towie, Sami Itiekford, Sylvanus Moses, Richard Rand, John Prescott, JereJ Preseott, Jr., Abraliam Wallace." In response to the foregoing petition the selectmen called ii meeting at the meeting-liouse in said town, the 5th day of August, at four o'clock in the afternoon, the second article of the warrant being as follows : "To see what method the Town will take to remove the Achan out of the camp," which article was dismissed at the meeting, and ten pounds voted to be raised from the inhabitants of the western district, to be e.Kpeaded in finishing the school-Iiouse in said district. "And should there be a surplusage, the same shall be laid out for school-keeping for the ben- efit of said district the year present." The division of the town into districts for school purposes was by common consent or an occasional vote of the town until May 11), 1808, when the se- lectmen were instructed to make such division, " and affix metes and bounds to the same, and make a re- turn thereof to the clerk, to be by him recorded," and was substantially as follows: District No. 1 contained all that is now comprised within its limits; also that portion of Di.strict No. 7 on the turnpike, below Warren Yeaton's, and from Yeaton's to Deerfield line. DiMiict No. 2 contained all on the turnpike from the east side of the New Orchard road to Chichester line, and all north of the turnpike; also from the shoe-factory to " Cyder Brook " (so called), just south of the house of John Spurlin. Bistricl No. 3 was composed of what is now Districts Nos. 3 and I) (New Rye and the Mountain), and ex- tended to the corner at Short Falls. District No. 4 contained all on the west side of the Siincook River lying .southerly of the turnpike, and from Short Falls bridge to the Mountain District, near the Short Falls post-office. District No. 5 contained that portion of the " North Road " District northerly from the turnpike, and on the turnpike from the Northwood road to the mile- post near Henry Knowles' house, and also what is now united with Pittsfield in forming No. 6. District No. 6 was the New Orchard District, very nearly as it now exists. "HViorcns, the undersigned were, on tile flret day of Noveiuljer, 182 1, appointed by a vote of the towu of EiKsoni a coi the propriety of altering the school districts thereon to said town at their annual meeting, it fere, rclHtrt that in nor npiniiit many iiirliviilnri aud do not lia\-' iIimi |>r >|>.'| n.n 111" III.' )m I, 1-ebri.ary loth, 182.3. ' IlANOV ' Wl.NTll Fowl In January of 1833 the school-house in Disliict No. 3 was burned, and the following season the dis- trict was divided, forming the New Rye and Moun- tain Districts, the former taking No. 9, the "Fowler District" having been taken oft' of No. 4 a few years before, and numbered eight. In 1851 District No. 10, " Marden's," w:is taken from No 2, iiud there are two union districts, — one with Pittsfield, No. (i, and one with Chichester, known as the Union District. Three new school-houses have been built within the last few years, aud the others reiiaireil, so at the present there are nine very good school-houses in the town. :\lnivli I.-., |s20, it was ■ I II., V due the Town of Epsom fioiu tile Hiv'i .Ii.iia- I suppoit of a free Euglish There is no evidence that the above vote was ever car- ried out. Although the scholars of the town have never been favored with any special advantages for an education, yet, during the summer of 1854, the town hall was fitted for a school-room by certain interested citizens purchasing the scats that had been removetl from Pittsfield Academy to make room for more modern furniture, and the 3d day of August, of that year, Samuel G. Lane, now a prominent lawyer of Concord, began a school which proved to be both interesting and profitable ; and for the next six years a school was kept there every autumn, taught by the following persons : James Webster, now one of the leading teachers of Boston, taught two terms, and the tbllowing persons taught one term each : Cyrus O. Brown, George W. Morrill and Thomas M. Chase. Since then there has occasionally been a school taught by some of our local teachers. Of the early teachers it is impossible to get any accurate information. Among some old papers we find the following receipt: " Received two pound Eight Shillings for Eight weeks' .School keeping Over the river, in 1781, by me, " JosKen Goss. "Epsom, March Sth, 178.3." 456 HTSTOllY OF MERRIMACK COITNTY, NKW HAMPSHIRE. James Gray is said to have been a school-teacher here before the Rcvohitiohary War, and tradition tells of School- masters Sutton and Casey, and the same authors tell that the former became impoverished in his declining years, and was assisted by the town, and the latter, for some iiiilawful :ut, was obliged to leave the town. At a later period we learn of Thonuis D. Merrill, for many years a leading man in town affairs and a successful trader, as a school-master; also "Master Batchelder," noted for the severity of his punish- ments; "School-master Ham," "Gen. Locke," John Chesley, the Dickeys (Hanover, David and Abram), James Hersey, Esq., Andrew M. Heath and many others. The following list comprises those sons of Epsom who have received a college eduention or have be- come professional men : Dr. James Babb studied with Di. Josiah C'rosby and succeeded him in his practice. He lived for a time in the parsonage house on the hill, and then built the house now owned by Hosea L. Hilliard, in "Slab City." He left town about 1840, and moved to Manchester. He married Maria, daughter of Captain Bickford Lang. David Dickey graduated from Dartmouth College, and studied law. Hanover Dickey graduated from the medical college at Hanover, and practiced in his native town until 1845, when he went to Lowell, Mass., where he died in 1873, and was brought back here for burial. Abram Dickey, also a graduate of Dartmouth Medical School, studied dentistry also, and practiced in Lyme several years, and then removed to Wor- cester, Mass. While on a visit to Lyme, in 1882, he rode with Dr. Marshall, of that town, into Vermont, and both of them were found drowned in a pontl, their team being also in the water. John M. Steele graduated from Dnrtnioulh, class ol 1844, became a minister and went West. He died in New York in 1857. Joseph W. Tarleton gniduatcd fnnu Kartmontli at about the same time as Mr. Steele, and adopted the same profession, and preached several years at Hook- sett and afterwards in Massachusetts. He died at Waverly, Mass., February 27, 1883, aged sixty-six years. Daniel P. Cilley became a Free- Will Baptist minis ter, and now lives at Farmington, N. H., suft'ering from diseases incident to old age. Jonathan A. Knowles, after farming several years upon the old homestead, felt it his duty to preach the gospel ; so he fitted himself at the Methodist Biblical School, at Concord, and was ordained a Free-Will Baptist minister, and preached at Lake village, Man- chester, Danbury and other places in New Hamp- shire. Silas Green wms .i prnmiuent minister in the Methodist dcnoniinatidii, arid was located at Man- chester, Rochester, Salmon Falls and Candia, where he died November 10, 1874. John Malvern came into town from England wlicii a boy. After working at shoemaking a few years he attended school and entered the ministry. He is nnw settled over the Free Baptist Church of Lynn, Mass. Orren S. Sanders, at present one of the leading physicians of Boston, Mass., and Henry Sanders, of Chicago, sons of Colonel Job Sanders, will be remem- bered by the older residents of the town. They :it- tended school at Pembroke Academy. The foruR-r began his practice in Chichester. The latter was for several years a school-teacher, but afterward studied medicine and went West. Frank H. Wallace and Andros P. Chesley, both graduates of Dartmouth College, are both in medical practice, the former in Boston, Mass., and the latter in Concord, N. H. Edwin B. Harvey, a graduate of Wesleyan College, ipf ^Iiilill( town, Conn., is a practicing physician of Wi-tli .iM . Muss. He has been a member of the .M.i->;i. hiisi tis Legislature from Westboro'. Charles W. Tarleton, a graduate from Brown Uni- versity, Providence, R. I., after teaching a few years in Worcester, Mass., was obliged to come home to care for his parents, where he still resides. Andrew J. Goss, class of 18H1, Dartmouth College, became afflicted with asthmatic troubles and went to Florida, and from thence to San Diegn, Cal., wlieif he still lives, a great sufferer. Charles A. Towle graduated Irom Dartnionlli in 1864; studied theology at Andover .ind Cliiiago; preached at Sandwich and Soutli Ciiiiiigd, 111.; at present at Monticello, Iowa. Walter H. Sanborn, class of 1867, Dartmouth, taught school at Milford, N. H., then went to St. Paul, Minn., studied law and entered practice with his uncle, John B. Sanborn. Almon F. Cate, of the same class, taught school in the West several years, then went to Manchester, N. H., where he now lives. He is now in business as an architect, contractor and builder. Harry F. Towle and Edward 1'. Sanborn graduated from Dartmouth in 1876. The latter went to St. Paul and entered the law-firm with his uncle and brother. The former hsis been a i)ublic teacher. He taught at Hollis, N. H., Abington, Mass., and Yonkers, N. Y. At present he is teaching in Brook- lyn, N. Y. Samuel O. Griffin became a successful physician in Pascoag, R. I., but died suddenly while on a visit to his parental home. John M. Moses graduated from Dartmouth, am) divides his time between teaching and farming. He lives in Northwood, N. H. John B. Tarleton graduated from Cornell Institnli-, studied architecture and is in business in Dclmit, Mich. Thomas L. Steele graduated from Dartmouth in EPSOM. 457 1847, studied law, practiced in New Ycnk iiiid is now at Montreal, Canada. Albert L. Marden gr:idiiat(. Marden graduated troni the same school and is in practice in Concord, N. H. Daniel Lincoln Locke, son of Captain A. C. Locke, took his degrees from a medical school in Vermont and is practicing in his native town. Willie F. Wallace, son of William Wallace, went West in early life, became a teacher and editor, and afterward returned East and practiced medicine at Epsom, Loudon and Milton. Henry F. and John B. Sanliorn, sons of Deacon Frederick Sanborn, entered college, but did not finish the course. The former returneil to the old home- stead, became a successful farmer and prominent in town atliiirs, having represented the town in the Legislature and a member of the State Senate two years; was sii|ii-iiiilrrn]iiig school committee a long time, and ::Lii-lii v,v,ial terms of school. He re- moved to I'liiirrtiMi, Mass., in 1882. John B. studied law, went West, and settled at St. Paul, Minn., where, with his two nephews, he has an extensive and profitable practice. Charles H. Griffin, son of Nathan Griffin, and Ed- ward H. Sanders, son of Edward T. Sanders, both died while pursuing their studies at Dartmouth Col- lege. Edward J. Burnham entered Bates College, of Maine, but circumstances prevented his graduating. He learned the printer's trade and now has an im- portant position on the editorial staft' of the Mun- ches fer Uninn. Military History. — The patriotism of the citizens of the town has never been called in question. The events that made the War of the Revolution necessary had aroused the people, and when the bat- tle at Lexington wa-s announced " by a swift rider, hhrwing a hnrii, who passed through Nottingham and reached Epsom, it found Captain Andrew McClary plowing in the 'old muster-fteld.' Like Cincinnutus of old, lie left the plow in the furrow, and liastcncil l(. obey the summons. With little prciiaration, h,- s. i/.d his saddle-liags, leaped into the saddle, sui-aiiiii;' as he left that he would kill one of the devils before he came home I " "Jocky Fogg," who was his servant in the army, used to speak of his horse as "a large, powerful iron- gray, four-year-old stallion, so exceedingly vicious that no one could mount or govern him except the captain. He could spring upon his back, and, by the power of his arm, govern him with the greatest ease.'' He was accompanied by his nephew, the young and chivalrous Michael McClary, wdio served with credit four years ; Amos Morrill, the- first selectman of the town, lieutenant, then captain, then major, serving in the armv four vears, with honor to himself and town ; also James Gray and Andrew McGafi'ey, who became officers of distinction, and many more of the sturdy yeomanry of the town. It is impossible to give a correct list of the men that went from this town into the Revolutionary Army, as the town records give no account of them, and the rolls do not in every case give the residence ; while if we depend upon the memory of our oldest inhabitants, we find them unreliable, because some who were in the army went from other places and moved here after the war closed. The following is as nearly correct as we have been able to obtain : M.-Kjor Andrew McClary, killc.l at Imllle of liunker Uill. William McCrillis, killed at battle of llviiikel- Hill. .lolm Wallace, killed at battle of Bunker Hill. Lieutenant Andrew McGatfey, wounded at battle of Hunker Hill. Benj;imin Petlinsxilt, fulisted in rii|.tain Morrill's company. Abraham Pettingill, enlisted in Captain Morrill's company. Neat McGatTey, enlisted in Captain McClary's company. .Tobn Mason. Jethro Pettengill, enlisted in Captain Frye's company. John Bickford. Samuel Goss. Samuel Bickford. Eliplialet Sanborn. James Blake. Samuel Lear. The following is a copy of votes passed by the town relative to the men in the Revolutionai-y War. March 21, 1781, it was " Voled, a Gift or Consideration to ea. li of lb,,s,> s..l,lirrs wli,, are en- gaged during the war in 111.- i',,nlinrhl ,1 ~.n M .■ I,.i lln.|..«n<,l Kjisoni. iiltri 1.1 these soldiers die or be l.il I. .1 in (li. , i * i. ,( ,i l,i , , h ■ in m ..t Hill'.- \.Mj-s, the heirs of such, iipi.ii ] In, mj ;i .nnii, ii, ,.| ih,. death or deaths of such to the selectmen of Ki>si.m lor tbr tiiiii- beinii, shall receive fiom said town the aforesaid consideration, coin]iiited ac- cording to the time of service." A meeting was called by the selectmen, to be held at the meeting-house the 30th of July, 17.S1, " To seo what steps the Town will take to procure the icniiiindet of the Town's proportion of Beef for the f'ontinental Army ibis i.ri-.senl year. Whereas, the present selectmen find from experience Ilial Ibe sum already raised in Continental currency for thjit ptn-pose is alto-;.'tliei insufficient to answer the end ; "Therefore, it is expected that every voter will come projierly pre- pared and be ready to give instructions to the selectmen how to proceed in procuring the residue of e«i beef. E.xperience has taught that silver money is the principle object of those persons that have beef-cattio to dispose of." HISTORY OF MPmRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. At a meeting the following vote was passed : "This Towu's proportion of beef, not yet furnished for the uso of tlie Oontiuontal Army for tho year current sl)iill lie bought on the following conditions, vi/.. : " That the present seloctnion for the Town be & are hereby Tmpow- erod to buy the same, and ungiigo therefore Silver money, Indian corn, rye, wheat or Continental currency at the oonmion exchange ; and also it is hereby voted Tlmt the price by them given for s^ Beef shall bo agreeable to the minds of the Town Univei-sal." At a meeting of the inhabitants of Epsom, duly warned and held November 3, 1794, — ** Voted, That the Town of p]p8oni make up to those soldiers belong- inj; to Hiiid Town who are required to goe into the Service of the Unitod St;iir-, imi.t ;iMv to a hito requisition of Congress, the sum of eight dol- 1 II I I. 111. « all what is or shall be given by the United States for ■' I'IkiI 1 ill liiidii 1 enconragement to said soldiers to Inlist, Voted to give to each soldier that shall inlist the sum of two dollars, to be iiaid at the expinition of eight months from this date, unless they should be May, 1770, it was " Vulcil, That all the men when the Battle was at Co The following is a list of the men from Kpsoni wlui served in the War of the Rebellion : FIIIST REGIMENT NEW IIAMI'SIIIRE VOMINTKERS Joseph R. Cilley, Company 11. .SECOND IlEOIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOM'NTEERS William n. Weeks, Company C ; discharged and re-enlisted in Eigh- teenth Regiment, William Walbice, Company B ; discharged August ft, ISfiti. N. Dana Wallace, Company B ; captured at Gettysburg. T NKW H.\MPSniRE VOLINTEERS. THIRD Andrew IM. \\ id of wounds August 2,1864. IIAMPSHIllE VOLUNTEERS FOUKTii Ki:i:iMi. •fohn T. Bu/.y.cll, Coinpauj E. George S. Bixby, Company 11. John H. Goodhue, Company H ; niissioK at Deep Ri 1SC4. FIFTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLIINTEERS James DowBt, Company I ; killed at Antietani, September 17, lxi;'2. SIXTH IM.IIMKVT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLIINTEERS ; December 11, 1 n. llayues, Compivny I ; died of disease Deeeml ose n. Hayncs, died of disease January 21), ]8li2. W. Munlen. 18G-I liilin .S. Ham, Company I. lohn M. Weeks, Comiiany I. SEVENTH REGIMENT NEW IIAMI'SIIIRE VOLUNTEERS iVilliam Yeaton, (Vimpany 11. NINTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS, riiomas W. Emei-sou, Company F ; captured May 12, 1SH4 ; jiaio December 1, 1864. ELEVENTH REGIMENT NEW C.iptnin \. C. Locke, (Aimpany E. II. TiiiiiHii lli.hf t!, Company E. ' r 1 ' I i . iiiipanyE. ll'SllllilO v'TKl III Captain Samuel Collim^ l^mpantf. Beckford Lang, lii-st lieutenant, enlisted September 1 mouths. James Haynes, musician, enlisted September 12, 1814, Sanniel Chapman, private, enlisted .Septeinber 12, miauy E ; wounded severely Jn my E ; wounded Septemlier :itt, i:inv E; wounded November 2(1, uuded December 13, l.Sr,2. ied of disease Novemlier 2.5, 18r.2. lonnded slightly May 6, 1SB4. oliliHCaBe March 2, 1863. i'illiam S. Morrill, Coii EPSOM. 459 Will^u.l ]■. M .-. r,.ii,|.;m.v E; iluHlofw, ils Jhi.v '^P, ISM. CI], III. ^ viuii,,!.,. . ,,,|.,uiv E. 1,1 -i :. ' :|,.i.v K; .lie.l..f,lis.-n»-M:..rlilT, lSC,:i. K.I«1M A. Ul.u, . . ..M.ii.uijK. BeujuiMiii 11. V,-;iu.i., rolii|.:ili.v K. Levi G. YomiK, ilioci of ilis,.;use l)rr,.riil.er V.I, 18fi2. Stuniiel T. Bickfonl, (.'urii)):iiiy F. FIFTEENTH REGIMENT NEW II \MP.-, .Tames Gray ; 17'M;-!)S !»Ii,-lmol M 173i;.-John WilUou, William Haines, Sauinel Walli, 1737.— John Willson, Samuel Wallis, John Blake. 17:i8.— Samuel Wallis, Henry Pain, Ensign Haines, 173!).— Samuel Wallis, Henry Pain, Ensign Haines. 17i\\ I vl la si ato S OIQ 18St-t IM r S m Ij Ja s II n 1884 -s 1 M K II 1 1, I 1 9 1 188 -11 ( W 11 1 k»i LI 11 tl It! I HI iM\ini 1 \ 1 M 1 lol M u J DFIhC ATh ! TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 178S f a| I Ta js Gray ; 1791-92, Juliii McClary ; 1850, JaiiicB Mar 18 1 r II ilbiick. The f 11 Will? residents of K]isnni lia\ e been iiiciii- Idif I the NtiV Hampshire Senate: John MeOlary, til M 11^ (president of the Senate, 1784) ; Michael M ( lii\ Imp years; James H. McClary, one year; I I 1 Suil rn, three years; John McClary, one year; II I \ 1 ^ Mil orn, two years. Population - The number of iiih:il>il:iiils in the I n tl s ral years when the lensiis was taken l\ til Tlniti 1 States were as follows: 1767, 1!H; I II -n 1 SOD, 1034; 1810, 1150; 1820, 1336; ISIil), 14 is 1811 1 >0,'i; 1850, 13(i6; 1860, 1216; 1870, 003 ; Issl 1 Postmasters.— James H. McCUtiy was postmaster 1 ISO) Si ij1 Morrill, 1813; J.)siab Crosby, 18111; Iim s l?abl 1824: Robert Knox, 1840; Benjamin I I tk(. 1S44; Robert Knox, 1846; John Walla.c IS 5 I ion 111 W. Peabody, 1862; Captain A. C. L)cki 18( ) Dr. L. W. Peabody, 1870; Jcibn T. ( tterill 18 2 ; Henry S. Knowles", 1885. Tlu I st th^e was established at Short Falls in IS 1 with I lines B. Tennant postma.ster. An th roll e was established in town in 1882, at ( 11 I 1 Liulrew J. Silver appointed postmaster. Seciet Societies.— It is reported that several of tl I I 1 n of the town in the e.arly part of the (leent ntuiy were members of the Ma.sonic lia- teinit\ in 1 we find that Michael McClary was Mas- tei ( I the 1 Ige at Nottingham. But we can learn of I such e ret organization iu the town until about Is 4 will n the " Americans," or " Know-Nothini;s," I ( in t-) h >n their mysterious gatherings in the ball M I I ( itlin's store, the result of which gatlier- tl it the town was captured by them at the I I 1 1 til springof 1855, electing all the otiiceis; I ut its lilt iiid strength were transient, for at the ( l( iti n the following year they were defeated, and tlie Dun 11 its successful. I \ 1 K( IU 1 s Lodge, No. 53, I. O. O. F., was oi- „ inizt 1 in tilt New Rye Church, Friday evening, M i^ 10 Is > by a delegation of the (Trand Lodge of th '^tlt \ii s Jones, Grand Master. 461 The charter members of the lodge were Paran Philbrick, Warren Tripp, James B. Tennant, John H. Fife and Charles A. Chapman. It held its meetings in a hall over the store of James B. Tennant for a few years, but finding them- selves outgrowing their accommodations, they built the commodious and convenient building that they now occupy, which was dedicated to the purposes and uses of Odd-Fellowship Tuesday evening, Sep- tember 5, 1876, by the officers of the Grand Lodge, George A. Cummings, Grand Master. The lodge has received, during the thirteen years of its existence, one hundred members, and lost by death six ; has paid more than one thousand dollars for relief, and received upwards of three thou- sand dollars in the way of fees and dues. The lodge has held a levee every year, which has been fully at- tended, and has always been a success financially. The officers of the lodge for the term beginning July 4, 1875, were as follows: James F. Towle, No- ble Grand; Morrison S. Bachelder, Vice-Grand; John H. Dolbeer, Recording Secretary ; Samuel Mar- tin, Per. Secretary; George W. Lane, Treasurer; AVilliaiii IT. Siiaw, Junior Past Grand. Its meetings art' lii'M c\.i\ Saturday evening. (ioiHi I'loi I'l, Ai;s, — There have been various tem- perance organizations in the town from time to time, but their existence has been brief until, on the 22d day of February, 1882, Grand Worthy Chief Templar of till' Siatr. tJrorge A. Bailey, of Manchester, as- sistc'l iiv oili, , i~ IVom Catamount Lodge, of Pittsfield, institute.1 l.iriwd.Ml Lodge, No. G2, 1. O. G. T., and in- stalled the I'ollowing persons as officers lor the first term. John T. Winslow, Worthy Chief Temjilar; Mrs. Mary C. Swain, Vice-Templar ; Mrs. Emily G. Bickford, Secretary; .lohu T. Cotterell, Financial Secretary; Mrs. EmnuvL. Robinson, Treasurer ; Rev. N. A. Avery, Chaplain ; Albert L. Sanders, Marshal ; Ijilla A. Robinson, Deputy Marshal ; Mrs. Emma F. Winslow, Inside Guardian ; Fred. Marden, Out- side Guardian; Sadie D. Swain, Right Supporter; Annie M. Marden, Left Sui>p^ Knliiiisun enlarged their store building, and finished a hall, which is known as Grand Army Hall, and was dedicated by the post September 20, 1883, in which they have since held their meetings. The post has had fifty-six (lillrnail nicmlnTs, and lost only one by death. Comrade Klliridge Baclielder. It has observed Memorial Day, having public ser- vices in their post-room, and the memorial services in the cemetery at Gossville, which have been very generally attended by the citizens of the town. At the March meeting, 1885, the sum of fifty dol- lars was donated by the town to the post for the expenses of Memorial Day. The services of the Gossville Cornet Band were obtained for this day, and the Rev. Mr. llillman, of Concord, was the orator. The Relief Corps was organized in April, 1884, by Mrs. Foster, of Milford, Sirs. Deering, of Chiches- ter, and Mrs. Greene, of Pittsfield, and the following officers installed : Mrs. R. W. Heath, President ; Mrs. Jennie Leighton, Senior Vice-President; Miss Lizzie Roberts, Junior Vice-President; Miss CJrace Edmonds, Secretary; Miss Ida Leighton, Treasurer ; Mrs. Qldis Dotey, Chaplain ; Miss Carrie Yeaton, Conductor; Mrs. Mary Hill, Guard. McClary Grange, No. 102, Patrons or Hus- bandry, was instituted at Short Falls by George R. Drake, of Pittsfield, District Deputy, October 10, 1884, and the following officers installed: Warren Tripp, Master ; George Saiideis, ,fi-., Oviiseei- ; Hor- ace Fowler, Secretary ; William I'^uwler, Treasurer; William Goss, Chaplain. They meet in Odd- Fellows' Hall I lie siciind and I'durth Tuesdays of each month. No historical sketch of Ei>som would be eoinpkte or satisfactory without more than a passing notice of a family that figured so conspicuously in its early history as did that of the McClarys. From a sketch of the family, printed in the >^iincook Valley Times in 1868, the following has been selected by permission of the author, John C. French, Esq.: Historical Notes— The McClary Family.— The old town of Epsom luis furnished many worthy men during the past hundred and fifty years, who have held prominent positions of trust and honor in the State and nation ; but none stand out in so bold relief, or are more worthy of remembrance, than the Mc- Clarys. In fact, no family in the Suncook Valley fills so large a space in its history or the hearts of the people. For nearly a century the McClarys were the lead- 462 HISTORY OF JIERRTMACK COUNTY, NKW HAMI'SHIRK. ing, influential men in all our civil, political and mili- tary aflfairs, and were identified with all tlie important events and measures that received the atlciitioii and governed the acts of the successivegencralioiis dining' that long period of time. There is something mournful in the thought, lunv- ever, that a family and name once so tamiliar in our midst is but a record of the past, and that no lineal male descendant is living to inherit tlic honors so dearly won by a noble ancestry, or to transmit the name to a grateful posterity. A nd it is passing strange that so little has been written or preserved concerning their noble deeds and many years' service in public. life, and that no testimonials are in existence, except public records, to aid in preserving their memories. We know of no instance in ourState, where history has so sadly neglected to do justice to a family which has rendered so efficient service in defending the rights, and promoting the interests of our common- wealth and nation, as in this instance. The only ofiicial eflibrt made to perpetuate the name, as of national interest, has been to honor one of the fortifications of Portsmouth harbor with the name, — Fort McClary, — and a privateer, which had but a short existence. The name of only one. Major An- drew McClary, appears in our printed histories, while several others of the family are equally deserving of mention. The early proprietors and settlers of Epsom were of good English stock, though there Wiis a small com- pany of Scotch-Irish from Londonderry who bought lands here about 1 788. Among the number were the McClarys, McCoys, McGafl'eys, Dickeys, Wallaces, Knoxs etc. Among the number who felt the wrongs and oppres- sions, and sought an asylum for himself and children in the wilderness at Londonderry, was Andrew Mc- Clary. He soon died, but two of his .sons, Andrew and John, grew to manhood and settled in Ej)Som, where they carved for thcnisolvcs a farm and for- tune. Hy the recorils, we find that AM(hc\v McClary held town oftice in 178!», and for eighty-three successive years some members of the family were promoted to positions of trust and power by tlieir townsmen. This forcibly illustrates the poi)ularity and apprecia- tion of this family by their kinsmen and townsmen. Kpsom, at that time, was a frontier town, with a few scattering pioneers, striving to find a " local habi- tation and a name" in the unbroken forests. Theodore Atkinson, a wealthy land-holder, was the leading spirit, among the proprietors, in inducing a few families to push a settlement so far into the woods. None of the adjoining towns were settled till many years afterward. This was nearly thirty years before Chichester, Pittsfieldor Barnstead were settled, twenty years before Concord received its present name, twenty years before Northwood and Deerfield were incorporated and thirty-six years before the Revolu- tion. The first settlement in the 8uncook Valley was here, and not a tree was cut between this and the Canadas, and not a clearing, or friendly smoke, or any signs of civilization to break the monotony of the unbounded forest or cheer the loneliness of the early settlers. The sentiment that prompted the line, " I Hi ! fur a lodgu in Homo vast wildenifW)," conld have Ixcn here gratified. Meagre, indeed, are the records and traditions concerning these hardy Ibr- esters during their many years of border-life, before the Revolution. Nottingham fort was the nearest neighbor and (be asylum for safety. The Indians fre(|uented the valley, and bears, wild- cats, deer and (■atuMKinnls riianu'd tlimnjih the forest undisturlicil. The [iropricturji built a l)lock-housc, or garrison, for refuge in case of danger. It was built near Andrew McClary's, and the old foundation was disturbed last summer by building the new house for Augustus Lord, Esq. Mrs. McCoy and family were hastcniuL' to and had nearly reached this garrison, when cap- tured by the Indians in 1754. Though the Indians were generally fiiendly, the inhabitants were greatly annoyed, and the t;rii\vtb of the settlement slow and difficult. Andrew and .lohn McClary were the leading iu- ttuential men in all town or military affairs. During the French and Indian War, commencing in 1756, Epsom was one of the frontier towns; the people lived in fear ofthe scalping-knifc and toma- hawk, and suftered by the imnrsions of ihc provvline savages. Garrisons were e.stablislucl at Kps(nn, lUnk IStrect, Pembroke, and a fort at Canterbury. Govern mint frequently sent small detachments of troops up through this section scouting for the enemy and in |)rotect and encourage tiie settlers. Cajitaili Andrew McClary W!us the leading man in this region in all military nuitters, and rendered the colony eHicicnt service during these perilous times. He had the ]>cr- sonal acquaintance ofthe highest officials of the col- ony, and such noted fighters and rangers as Stark, Gofle, Rogers, etc. His name frequently appears on (lie State records. In 1755 he applied to Governor Wentworth and ob- tained a company of troop to go in search of the Indians that committed the massacre and captund the Mc(-all family at Salisbury. At another time he obtained a small company to aid in doing garrison duty at Epsom while the Indians were seen lurking about. As an officer, he wius ever ready for any ex- posure or danger, while his men had the most implicit confidence in his ability and integrity. His com- mand was authoritative, and no man refused obedience. In case of an emergency he could swear enough for a EPSOM. 463 battalion, enough to frighten the Penacooks out of the Suncook Valley and cause the Old Scotch Cov- enanters to hold up their hands in holy horror. He built a one-story frame house, and kept tavern on the height of land on the road leading from Epsom village to Pleasant Pond. The place is now owned by Jo- seph Lawrence, better known as Lawrence's " muster- field." His home was the common resort of the set- tlers, proprietors and scouts, and all who had occasion to travel in this direction. Town-meetings were held here until the "new meeting-house" was built, jurors were drawn here for His Majesty's Court, training of His Majesty's soldiers, and many rude frolics and exciting incidents which have long since passed into oblivion, never to be recalled. His wealth increased as well as his popularity. He owned all the land on the north side of the road to Deerfield line. He had the advantages of a fair English education. He served as town clerk, and his records on the town-books indicate a thorough knowledge of business, a good use of language and a style and beauty of penmanship seldom found at the present day. His last writing on the town-books, the year before he was killed, evinced care, accuracy and precision. He took a lively interest in the aflairs of the colo- nies, and early espoused the cause of the people against the arbitrary encroachments of the mother- country before the commencement of the Revolu- tionary War. His ancestry, education and experience would naturally lead him to take sides with the people in defending their liberties when assailed by British oppression. Frequent meetings were held at his house, and measures taken to co-operate with adjoining towns for mutual rights and protection. The Seven Years' War, which closed in 1760, had completely aroused the military spirit of the province, and organizations, with experienced olBcers, had been maintained up to the time of the Kevolution. A new regiment was then formed, the Twelfth, comprising the towns of Nottingham, Deerfield, Epsom, Northwood, Chichester and Pittsfield. " Coming events cast their shadows before." The people were expecting a serious conflict. The location of McClary's tavern made it a common resort for the rustic foresters to meet and talk of the difficulties, while the popularity and ability of the jovial landlord rendered him the political and military oracle ofthe Suncook Valley. The battle of Lexington, on the 19th of April, 1775, sounded the tocsin to arms. Signals flamed from the hill-tops, and fleet messengers transmitted news from town to town. The sturdy yeomanry of the Suncook Valley snatched their trusty firelocks and powder-horns, and started for the scene of hostilities with spirits as brave as ever animated a soldier, and with hearts as noble and honest as ever throbbed in the cause of liberty and freedom. 30 They were governed by one common impulse, and came from blazed paths and crooked roads that wound through the forests and thickets. They were all known to each other as brothers and townsmen. Each soldier represented a household, and they and their cause were commended to the protection of heaven at the morning and evening devotions, and in the service of the Sabbath ; donations of food and clothing were freely sent to them by the families at home. The men from this section reached Nottingham Square about one o'clock, where they found Captain Cilley and Dr. Dearborn, with a comj)any of about sixty men, making, with themselves, about eighty men. Who would not like to see those men— some with broad-tailed black coats, worsted stockings, three-cor- nered hats ; others in coarse homespun ; all with long stockings, knee and shoe buckles, and thick cow- hide shoes? Their guns and equipments were as various as their costumes. Some had the old Queen Anne that had done service in the French War; some, long fowling-pieces; some, a fusee; only one had a bayonet. Powder-horn and shot-pouches took the place of cartridge-box. If we were to choose a subject for a historical paint- ing, we would prefer the scene on Nottingham Square, April 29th, where were paraded the noblest band of pa- triots that ever left New Hampshire to vindicate her honor and protect her liberties. We would like to hear the roll-call, and see a photograph of these heroes. Captain Andrew McClary was by common consent the leading spirit of this noble band of patriots, though there was no previous organization. There is much to be written concerning the achieve- ments and adventures of this distinguished company, and many of the able men composing it, but the most remarkable and thrilling incident in this connection was their famous march to Cambridge. There is not a parallel in the annals of all the war.s in our country, and such wonderful powers of endur- ance by a whole company of men excites our surprise, as their patriotism does our pride and admiration. No other locality can boast of sending braver hearts or tougher men to aid, by their valor and persever- ance, in establishing the noblest republic that ever cheered and blest a prosperous people. This noble Spartan band opened a series of brilliant exploits by performing one of the most remarkable physical feats ever recorded in our nation's history. Dr. Dearborn gives an account of it, and Bancroft a passing notice, and tradition relates it from generation to generation, but it should be familiar to every son and daughter of New Hampshire as one of the brightest testimonials of our devotion to the cause of freedom and inde- pendence. Accustomed as they were to life in the open air, and trials of strength by long journeys, hunting, trap- ping and scouting, they knew little of fearand fatigue Leaving Nottingham Square at one o'clock in the HISTORY OP MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. afternoon, they pushed on at a rapid pace, as if the destiny of the province or hopes of the nation de- pended upon their alacrity and speed. At Kingston they took a double-quick or " dog-trot," and followed it without a halt to Haverhill, crossing the Merrimack River in a ferry-boat at sunset, having made twenty- seven miles in six hours. But this is not all, — they halted at Andover for supper, and then started for a night march, and on the morning of the 2lsf, at sunri/e, they were paraded on Cambridge Common, "spiling for a fight." Those from Epsom had traveled seventy miles in less than twenty-four hours, and the whole company from Nottingham fifty-seven miles in less than twenty hours. Did bone and muscle ever do better '? That was the " spirit of 76 ; " that was the kind of stuft' the men were made of who lived in the Suncook Valley one hundred and ten years ago. Upon the organization of the New Hampshire troops John Stark was unanimously chosen colonel and Andrew McClary major. Conspicuous for his coolness and bravery. Major McClary moved among the men encouraging and calming them by his own example and word. When, after a hard fought-battle and their ammu- nition all gone, the American forces were compelled to leave the field, the New Hampshire troops retired in excellent order. They were the last to leave the field, and Major McClary was in the rear maintaining order and discipline. As the Americans retreated across the neck Major McClary was remarkably animated with the result of the contest. That day's conflict, and the glorious display of valor which had distinguished his country- men, made him sanguine of the result. Having passed the last place of danger, he went back to see if the British were disposed to follow them across the neck, thus exposing himself to danger anew. His men cautioned him against his rashness. "The ball is not yet cast that will kill me," said he, when a random shot from one of the frigates struck a button- wood tree and, glancing, passed through his abdomen. Throwing his hands above his head, he leaped several feet from the ground and fell forward upon his face — dead. Thus fell Major Andrew McClary, the highest American officer killed at the battle, the handsomest man in the army and the favorite of the New Hamp- shire troops. His dust still slumbers where it was lain by his sorrowing comrades in Medford, unhonored by any adequate memorial to tell where lies one of the heroes that ushered in the Revolution with such auspicious omens. Major McClary had a splendid physique and soldierly appearance. With all the bravery of Stark, he possessed greater mental endowments and culture. With the natural ability of Sullivan, he possessed the magic power to incite his men to nobler deeds. With the popularity of Poor, he was more cool and discreet. In fact, he combined more completely than either the elements that tend to make a popular and successful com- mander, and had his life been spared, he would doubt- less have ranked among the most able and noted officers of the Revolution. He married in early life Elizabeth McCrillis, a strong-minded, resolute Scotch- Irish girl, who proved a valuable help-meet and capable mother to his seven children. After her husband's death she kept the farm, tavern and store alone, assisted at first by her husband's partner in business, John Casey, and afterwards by her eldest son, James Harvey. Rumor says she was at one time published to be married to the above-named John Casey, but the match wa.s prevented by the interfer- ence of a younger rival and the advice of her friends. After the children had grown up and nineteen years of widowhood, she married Colonel Samuel Osgood in 1794. She died in 1800, aged sixty-seven. The oldest son, James Harvey, was born in 1762, and as he grew to manhood, continued the business of his father and rendered valuable service to the family. He prose- cuted an extensive business for those times, having two stores and a potash-factory, besides the farm and tavern. He was highly respected, exemplary in his habits, early promoted to offices of public trust and honor, which he held for a series of years. He wasone of the leading spirits in the organization of the Eighteentli Regiment, and one of its first commanders, afterwards promoted to a brigadier-general of the militia. He married Betsey Dearborn, of North Hampton, an estimable lady, in 1789, by whom he had six chil- dren, but the whole family have gone to their long home except one daughter. The second son, Andrew, born in 1765, was smart and active ; he received a good education, but had a wild, roving inclination. He entered the regular army, was soon promoted to the rank of captain, served for a time on the frontier, and for several years was clerk in the War Department at Washington, where he died in middle life. The third sou, John, born in 1767, a man of fine abilities and credit, followed his brother into the regular army, and also rose to the rank of captain, served on the frontier ami died at Fort Gibson. He married Abigail Pearson, of Epsom, in 1791 ; they had one son, Charles, who went to Stanstead, Canada. The fourth son, William, was a blacksmith hy trade; he married Isabel Dickey in 1795, and in company with quite a number of young men from Epsom first settled in Stanstead, Canada. There were also three daughters, — Elizabeth mar- ried Captain Simon Heath, well-known in Epsom and vicinity ; Margaret married Rev. Mr. Haseltine, who was the pastor of the Congregational Church in Ep- som for thirty years; Nancy, the youngest daughter, married John Stevens. No family record or papcr.t have been found to aid in this humble sketch, l)ut we EPSOM. 465 have given many official and well-autlieiitieated tacts which are rescued from oblivion, and may be inter- esting to some of the readers of the times, and may aid the future historian in giving this family more ex- tended mention than they have yet received in our written histories. But in this connection we earnestly desire to call attention to one great duty yet to be rendered to Major Andrew McClary. The family, town or State have shown little patriotism, gratitude or aH'ection in neglecting to erect some monument or stone to mark his burial-place. He was buried near the encampment of the New Hampshire Brigade at Medford, near some two hundred New Hampshire soldiers who died of disease and wounds. John McClary was born in Ireland in 1719, and emigrated with his family to America when he was thirteen years old, A. D. 1733. His father and the family settled in Epsom in the year 1738. John became industrious, methodical and exacting, :i stern Presbyterian, as rigid as the old Scotch Cov- enanters, — very different from his jovial, rough, im- jiul.sive, convivial brother, Major Andrew. He had no advantages of schooling ; still he pos- sessed a large share of common sense, a strong mind and good judgment. He early became one of the leading men in Ep- som, was chosen moderator and for over forty years was one of the principal officers and advisers in town affairs. He was justice of the peace under the provincial government, and all cases of litigation in this vicinity came before Esquire John McClary for trial. He was well versed in Indian affairs, was called out to do scouting duty in the French and Indian War, was a captain of the militia at that time and rose to the rank of colonel before the Revolution. Though closely connected with the Royal govern- ment, he took a decisive stand with the colonists to resist British oppression ; and while his brother rep- resented the military spirit of the Suncook Valley, Esquire John represented the civil authority both un- der monarchical and republican rule. The towns of Epsom, AUentown and Chichester (including Pittsfield) were classed together, and Es- quire John McClary was annually chosen to repre- sent them at the convention at Exeter. With such men as Colonel Joseph Badger, of Gilmanton, Es- quire John Cram, of Pittsfield, and Hall Bergen, of Allenstuwu as leading spirits, the hardy settlers of the Suncook Valley were true to the cause of inde- pendence. Not a single instance of Toryism is recorded. Es • (juire John McClary was a prominent member of the first convention to organize a colonial government and afterwards in framing our State government, and was an active member nearly twenty years. He held the responsible office as one of the Com- mittee of Safetv from 1777 to 1783. This committee had power to call out troops at such time and in such numbers as they deemed necessary and expedient. In 1780 he was elected to the Council, and annually for the four succeeding years. In 1784 he was chosen to the Council and also to the Senate, and served as member of that honorable body three years. He was tall, erect, commanding, dignified and made an excellent presiding officer. In early life he was married to Elizabeth Harvey, of Nottingham. She was also born in Ireland, and came to this country in the same ship with the Mc- Clarys. They had four children. The oldest son, John McClary, Jr., who had many of the character- istics and promising qualities of his father, entered the army of the Revolution and was killed at the bat- tle of Saratoga in 1787, while serving as lieuten- ant in General Whipple's brigade (" Adjutant-Gen- ral's Report " says Lieutenant Michael, which is an error). The second sou, Michael, will be the subject of another sketch. The third son, Andrew, was sent to Dummer Academy to be educated, and died there during the war, aged sixteen. He was buried at Medford, by the side of his uncle. Major Andrew McClary They had but one daughter, Mollie, who mnrried Daniel Page, of Deerfield. Captain .lohn McClary had three sisters, who set- tled in Epsom, besides his parents and brother An- drew. The eldest, Margaret, married Deacon Samuel Wallace. The second, Jane, married John McGaffy, and the third, Ann, married Richard Tripp. After a long and useful life, he died at the green old age of eighty-two, A.D. 1801. The McClarys owned a very large landed estate, which was divided into several valuable farms for the sons and daughters. They are of good soil and loca- tion, commanding a fine prospect. Esquire John built a one-story house on the south side of the road. The house was enlarged at various times and be- came a venerable-looking mansion. It is now owned by Michael McClary Steele, of the fifth generation of the McClarys and great-grandson of Esquire John. The old mansion is a place of peculiar interest. Here, for many years. Esquire John received the friendly and official visits of the leading men of the province. Here civil courts and military tribunals were held, and here, for half a century following, his son. General Michael, dispensed his hospitalities to his townsmen and the distinguished men of the times. Among the number were such as Generals Sullivan, Dearborn, Stark, Governors Gilraan, Langdon, Plum- mer. Smith, etc. That honorable and distinguished body, the New Hampshire Branch of the Society of the Cincinnati, held three of its annual meetings at this house. Near by, the huge liberty-pole was erected in 1783, at the close of the Revolution, on the declaration of peace, when the scattered settlers of the Suncook Valley met to celebrate the hap]iy event which they 466 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. had so uobly strove to win. Good speeches, good- ' cheer abounded ; but " tell it not in Gath," publish it only in the local " Times," the glorious occasion j wound up in a glorious drunk. ' In fact, no house in the valley, or all the section around, hiis so many rich historical associations con- nected with it as the old McClary homestead. The arrangement of the interior is reverently pre- served, and as one passes through its spacious rooms, viewing the relics of the pa.st, and reflects upon the large number of honorable and distinguished men who have met within its walls, reason seems to lose its bounds, and one fancies he is wandering through some ancient baronial hall or old Scottish castle built in the age of chivalry, rather than viewing a spacious farm-house in the ilull, quiet, old farming town of Epsom. General Michael McClary, second son of Esquire John McClary, was born in Epsom in IToH. He received the advantages of a fair education, was a smart, active lad, and, in common with other members of the family, had very decidedly a military turn. At the age of twenty-three he joined the army, at the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, and was appointed ensign in Captain Henry Dearborn's com- pany, in Stark's regiment. His company, mostly from the Suncook Valley, rendered heroic service at the battle of Bunker Hill. In 1777 he was promoted and made captain in Colonel Scammel's regiment. He served four years in the army, taking part in some of the most decisive engagements of the war, and suifered with his men some of the severest priva- tions and fatigues. Many interesting incidents per- taining to his company ought to be published. His soldierly qualities, engaging manners and family con- nection gave him the acquaintance and friendship of the leading officers of the Revolution, and by a severe experience in the army he gained a thorough knowl- edge of men and national affairs, which proved of great practical advantage in after-years. On returning from the army he at once took a prom- inent position in social and political life, which he held for half a century. He took an active part in the organization of the State government, and being well versed in military affairs and of good executive ability, he was appointed adjutant-general for the State of New Hampshire. He organized that depart- ment, and held the office twenty-one consecutive years. In 1796 he was elected Senator, and was a member of that body seven years, and such was his popularity that the votes in Epsom were unanimously in his favor, and nearly so in the adjoining towns. He was United States marshal for a long time, which, during the last war with England, with the large amount of privateering prosecuted at Portsmouth, was a very responsible office. He was tendered the nomination as candidate for Governor, but declined to accept. Though well known throughout the State, and with positions of honor and trust at his command, his pofi- ularity, power and influence in his native town wns the most remarkable. He seemed to control the affairs of Epsom with almost universal consent. For over fifty years he served his townsmen in some ca- pacity, either moderator, town clerk, representative or auditor. He was decidedly the most popular and influential man that ever lived in town. Said an old Federalist: "If I had a family of children who would obey me as well as the people of Epsom do Gencial McClary, I should be a happy man." Though once a Federalist, he cast his lot with the Democratic party and carried the town with him al- most unanimously. One year, only one Federal vole During the last war with England party feeling ran high, and party lines were clearly drawn. Governor Plummer, through Adjutant-General McClary, called out detachments of the militia without calling together the Council or Legislature, which provoked a great deal of controversy. General McClary procured sup- plies for the troops, made preparations for the defense of Portsmouth, purchased cannon and munitions of war, but in 1814, when the Federalists rallied and elected John T. Oilman as Governor, General McClary resigned with virtuous indignation his office, which he had filled with credit and ability, and in which capacity he had reviewed every regimentin the State. The town of Epsom strongly supported the war. A full company, under Captain Jonathan Godfrey, volun- teered for the defense of Portsmouth. Michael McClary also did much business as justice of the peace and probate judge. Most of the court business for this vicinity was done at Epsom, and most cases of litigation were brought before him for trial. He took an active part in organizing the New Hampshire Branch of the Society of the Cincinnati ; he was the first treasurer, and held the office twenty- five years. This honorable body of Revolutionary officers met annually on the 4th of July ; three of their annual meetings were held at the house of Gen- eral McClary. This society is worthy of more ex- tended mention, and their annual meetings probably called together more noted men than ever assembled on any other occasion in the Suncook Valley. He was also a zealous Free-Mason. As is well known, many of the officers of the Revolution were Masons. While in the array young McClary had met in secret conclavesuch men as Washington, Lafayette, Sullivan and other brothers of the mystic order, and became an earnest worker in the craft. In connection with other ex-officers, he was instrumental in organizing a lodge at Deerfield, and in honor of General Sullivan, it was named Sullivan Lodge. He was the first Senior Warden of this lodge, and afterwards Worshiji- ful Master. In appearance General McClary was tall, command- ing, well-proportioned and prepossessing. He made EPSOM. a tine appearance as a military officer, either ou foot or in the saddle, which, with his position, means and hospitality, rendered him exceedingly popular. He was remarkably affable and engaging in his manners, interesting in conversation, graceful in his movements, convivial in his habits, generous, hospitable and pub- lic-spirited, possessing the elements of popularity, though fond of power, and when opposed, displayed some traits not recorded among the Christian graces. His acquaintance and correspondence was remarka- bly extensive, embracing many of the most distin- guished men of the country. He married, in 1779, Sally Dearborn, an intelligent, interestiugand accom- plished lady, daughter of Dr. Dearborn, of Northamp- ton. The marriage was a happy one. They entered company with style and grace, and around their fes- tive board have been many happy meetings of the prominent men of the times. They had five children that survived the perils of childhood. The oldest som, John, born in 1785, was of great personal beauty and accomplishments. He was early promoted to offices of trust, — Representative, Senator and a clerkship at Washington. He was killed by a falling building when but thirty-six. He was the most popular and promising young man in this region, and his death caused great demonstra- tions of grief The funeral was the largest ever held in the Suncook Valley, and was attended by Eev. Jon- athan Curtis, an able divine, especially on funeral occasions. The second son, Andrew, born in 1787, was also unusually smart and prepossessing, but was wild and roving. He entered the army in the War of 1812, and served as captain. He married Mehitable Duncan, of Concord, in 1813, and had one daughter. Shortly after this event he sailed for Calcutta, and was lost at sea. General McClary also had three daughters of rare attractions. The oldest, Nancy Dearborn, born in 1789, married Samuel Lord, of Portsmouth, whose ability and wealth are well known. One of his sons, Augustus, has purchased a large part of the old McClary estate. The second daughter, Elizabeth Harvey, born in 1791, married Jonathan Steele, a lawyer from Peterborough. They settled on the home- stead now owned and occupied by their son, Michael McClary Steele. The third daughter, Mary, born in 1794, married Robert Parker, and is still living in Fitzwilliam. General McClary and wife both lived to a good old age. The sad fate of their sons fell with crushing and disastrous weight upon the parents, wearing away by inches their life and vitality, and their poig- nant grief was only assuaged by the grave. He died in 182.5, aged seventy-two, and was buried with his ancestors in the old burying-ground in Ep- som, where rests the dust of mauy heroic dead, whose lives and deeds are fast fading from the memory of passing generations. The papers following are copies of votes, receipts and other papers that are interesting as curiosities : " To the Honorable Genl Assembly Convened at Exeter 19(fi April, 1780 : " The petition of Michael McClari' Humbly Sheweth that your peti- tioner WM, by the authority of the State, appointed to the Command of a Company (in Defence of his Country) the eighth of November, 1T7C, Continued in his command till Sept., 1773. Then, by reason of a bad State of Health, was obliged to resign his command. And Notwithstanding the many Fatigues k hardships he has been obliged to encounter (which has ruined his Constitution), he is by a late resolve of the Genl Assembly deprived of having the depreciation of his wages made good. Therefore prays you would take the matter under your wise Consideration and make the depreciation of his wages good up to the time he left the ser- ■* .\nd your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray. " MiCHL SIcClauv." The above request was granted April 25, 1780. A warrant beginning "State of New Hampshire : The Government and People of said State : To the Selectmen of Epsom, in the County of Rockingham, in saidState," and issued by M. Weare, President of Coun- cil, and John Langdon, Speaker of the House, requir- ing the saidselectmen to notify the legal inhabitants paying taxes in the towns of Epsom, Chichester and Allenstown, to meet at the meeting-house in said Ej^- som, on Monday, the 8th day of December, 1777, for the purpose of electing one person having a real estate of two hundred pounds, lawful money, to represent them in the General Assembly to be held at Exeter in said State, on the third Wednesday of the same De- cember, was signed by ''John Cate, selectman, in be- half of the others, who are absent in the service." At the meeting called as above, Ede Hall Bergen, of Allenstown, was chosen moderator and Colonel John McClary represeijtative. May 11, 1778, Colonel John McClary was chosen to convene at Concord on the 10th day of June follow- ing " for the purpose of forming and laying a per- manent plan or system of Government for the future Happiness and well-beingof the good people of this State." March 17, 1779, "i2a-sed $600 for the repair of High- ways in labor at three Dollars per day." August 23, 1779, it was " Voted to send a man to Concord, in this State, to meet in convention in order to regulate the prices of the Necessaries of Life ; " also " Voted Lieut. Samuel Osgood be appointed for the above purpose."' May 22, 1780, it was "Voted that a committee of safety be chosen for the town of Epsom the ensuing year, whose business it shall be at all times to consult the good and welfare of this Town. Said committee shall consist of the five following persons, viz. : Lieut. Benj". Goodwin, John Casey, Capt. Jerem'' Prescott, Thomas Babb and Eben' Wallis." "State of New Ham«, Eockingham, S.S : "This may certify that Amos Morrill has within twelve months past wrought in his own Blacksmith Shop in Epsom one Hundred Thousand of Ten penny nails, and that he islntittled to a bounty agreeable to a law of this State. "TUOJIAS Babb, {Select Men "GEottoE Sandebs, i of Epsom.' •• Epsom, 16tb March, 1791." HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NKW IIAMKSFIIRE. " Itockiuglmui, S.S., Maldi 10, 171)1 : "ThisMay Certify that Amos Morrill Ims nmdK it iiiMJ.;ir to me that be bait within twtlve months paat wruuglit one Hundred Tliousand ut Ten penny Naile in his own Blacltemith Shop in Epsum. •Attest: MicHi Mri'LAEy, J. P." " Aug. 12, 1791. *' Uecieved an order on the Treasurer for five pounds. " A.. MORSIT.I.." " Uecieved of tlie Selectmen Seven pounds Eight Sliillings, it being in full for Seventeen Thousand of Shingles and twenty-three hundred of Boards Delivered att the niecting-liousc in Jany. 13, 1785. "John Cass. " Epsom, March 15, 1785." ** IleH of the Selectmen of Epeom an Order on Tlio". Babb for one pound Eiglit Shillings, which order wlien paid, will be in full for tinve thousand of board nails which I Obligated to purchase, and did purchase for said Town. " Moses Look. ",Ep8om, 8th March, 1785." "Epsom, October 2, 1783.— Uecieved of .Michael McUlary the 8uu\ ol five hard dollai-s for pn-achiug one Sabbath. " By me Oliver Xoble." " ErsoM, March 13, 1789. " iteceived of M r. Josiali Sanliorii, .\gent for the town of Epsom for ye year 1788, eight Bushels of Wnieal, thirty-nine Bushels * 14 of Eye \ thirty Bushels of I'otatoes, " Ebene/jir Haseltinf. JC. «. d. " 8 bushels wheat (^,-/fi,.-..//t,Q). EPSOM. a few rods of the present railroad slatiou at Epsom. Siuce that time, owing chiefly to Mr. Goss' enterprise, a villiige has grown up around him and bears liis name, being called Gossville in his honor. He has lit'cn a prudent and industrious farmer, making a siock-farm of his acreage, trading a great deal in cattle, dealing considerably in real estate and in various ways adding to his income. He Inis built most of the houses in the village of Gossville. He |iiircha.sed the house in which his father was born, and also the one in which hehimself was born, moved tliem over to Gossville, fitted them up, and they arc .si ill used as residences. He bought the old Baptist Church building, moved it into the village and con- verted it into a store. In this way he has constantly and assiduously labored to build up a prosperous- village around his chosen abode. In the building of the new church in Gossville too much credit cannot be given Mr. Goss for the energy, perseverance and persistence with which he advocated and assisted the enterprise. When others were dis- ciiurascd and ready to abandon the matter altogether he took the leadership and bore, for the time being, t lie burdens himself, and carried it forward to com- pletion, and this same spirit has characterized him through life. Like other men who undertake and achieve diffi- cult enterprises, he has met opposition, and borne heavy burdens, — burdens under which one less res- olute would have faltered ; but being of stern stuff, with vigorous mind and body, Mr. Goss kept up cour.-igc and endeavor, and has lived to see the " waste places made glad," and the barren hills dotted with comfortable and cozy homes. They have now in the village a shoe-factory, which has employed as many as sixty or sixty-five hands. This wa.s built by a stock company, but Mr. Goss was the prime mover in the enterprise, and now owns more than half the stock. His sou, Nathan J., is the agent and manager of the shop. Mr. Goss has twice represented his t(nvn in the State Legislature, and has been a selectman of E\t- soni. Mrs. Goss died May 3, 1873. She was the mother of four children : .lohn Abbott, born August 26, 1847, married Electa Ann, daughter of Charles H. Car- penter, of Chichester. They have two children, — Charles C, boru February 9, 1871, and Clara H. M., born July 11, 1874. Mr. Goss is cashier of the Pitts- field, N. H., National Bank, and manager of the Gpera-House in that town ; also treasurer of the Farmers' Savings-Bank, and also treasurer of the I'ittsfield Aqueduct Company. Elizabeth J., born Sc ptember 2, 1849, married .Vlfred Porter Bickfi)rd, of . Fiisom, January 2, 1870. They have four children, —William P., born February 15, 1871 ; Nathan A., born July 17, 1872 ; Alfred G., born February 4, 1875; and Harry, born May, 1883. Noah William, born July 12, ISlil, now in the grain and grocery trade at Pittsfield. Nathan Jonathan, born September 13, 1863. Mr. Goss married, as his second wife, December 23, 1873, Mrs. S. Rebecca Crockett {n^e Ranilall) ; no issue. Mrs. Goss had by her first husband one daughter, — Annie R., who married James Yeaton, of E|)som. She has three children,— John C, Helen E. P. and George H. Mrs. Goss is u native of Deerfield, but most of her life has been spent in Concord. In politics Mr. Goss is a Democrat, as were his father and grandfather. He is a member of the Bap- tist Society. In all the relations of life, as son, husband, father, neighbor or citizen, Mr. Goss has been a true man, and probably no man in the com- munity is more highly respected by his fellow-towns- ORREN STRONG SANDERS. Orren Strong Sanders, M.D., Boston, Mass., was born in Epsom, Merrimack County, N. H., September 24, 1820. He is the eldest son of Colonel Job and Pollie Sanders, being the senior of four sons. The palms of his hands were hardened before he reached bis teens in handling the implements of an industrious fanner. At the age of thirteen years and a half he went to live with General Joseph Low, Concord, N. H., for one year as a servant, receiving for his services two mouths' schooling and fifty dollars, the whole of which sum, with the excei)tion of live dollars, liefiave to his father. The succeeding year he served seven months as a farm-hand with Judge Whittemore, Pembroke, N. H., for nine dollars a month, rising early and working late. During the following winter he attended the town school in his father's district. In April, when fifteen years and a half old, he went to Northwood, N. H., to learn the trade of a carpenter with the late Luther and William Tasker, receiving fifty dollars and three months' schooling that year. In March, 1836, as soon as the district school closed in Epsom, he decided to change his purpose in life, and, with his neighbor and friend, Henry F. Sanborn, went on foot, with a bundle of clothes, a few books in hand and seventeen dollars in his pocket, seven- teen miles to Gilmanton, N. H., where he commenced in earnest to obtain, in the middle of the spring term, an education. In the summer term he again went to Gilmanton, boarding himself, with three other stu- dents, for ninety cents each a week. In the autumn of the same year, a younger brother desiring to attend school, he changed bis plan, and went to Pembroke, N. H., it being less than half the distance to "Old Gilmanton," and there he contiiuied his studies for several successive terms, practit-ing the economical method of "playing house-keeping." Shortly after he had attiiined his sixteenth birth- ilay he commenced his first school in Cliiche.«ter, N. 11., known as the Meeting-House,or Reed District, HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. for the sum of eight dollars a month and " boarded round." This school had about thirty scholars en- rolled, and the sixteen dollars appropriated to the object of education for the winter months secured for thcni the benefit of young Sanders' earnest efforts to stiniiilalc lliom to increased mental activity, to make up Inr lircvity of opportunity. The rullowing winter this persevering youth was re- engaged to instruct in the same district, and at the termination of this school term he commenced teach- ing the school in Bear Hill District, and at the end of twelve weeks clo.scd his efforts with a brilliant ex- hibition. In the following autumn be spent fourteen weeks in Northwood, teaching in the lowerpart of thetown; fallowing this school, he served as teacher in the " Young District," in Barriugton, returning to North- wood the succeeding winter, and gave another term of service in the same locality as before. His bisi ami final experience as "school-master" was III ihc Cillcy District, in his native town, where he was raviiriMl with a large attendance and. secured a successful result. Six months after he had passed his nineteenth birth- day he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Hanover Dickey, Epsom. In the autumn of 1841 he attended his first course of medical lectures at Dart- mouth College, after which he pursued his medical studies in the anatomical laboratory with Dr. Haynes, Concord. When he had completed his studies in an- atomy, pliysiology and hygiene with Dr. Haynes he filtered llie oflii-e of Drs. Chadburne and Buck, with lour iilber students, forming an interesting class, with daily recitations, taking up several branches of the medical course. In the spring of 1843 he went to Lowell, Miuss., and entered the ofRceof Dre. Wheelock, Graves and Allen. In this new relation he bad not only the assistance of Dr. Allen :vs a private medical tutor, but saw nmch pniclice with Dr. ( iraves. In the fall of 1X48 he grad- UMte.l .It the then very populnr niedieal eolK-e, ( 'astle- loii, \-|. Oil tlie ■17l\\ of November, ISlo, he united in matri- mony with bis present wife. Miss Drusilla, eldest daiii^liler otS. M. Morse, Eshases of political life, to thoroughly comprehend the tendency of each polit- ical movement and to give his intelligent support to every meiwure which he has regarded as conducive to the public welfare. His judgment has frequently been appealed to, his influence solicited and nom- inations to office have been tendered him by apprecia- tive friends; but hitherto his i>rofessional tastes and pear in the list of political aspirants. Within the pale of his profession, however, honors have been thrust upon him, and on the medical plat- form he has been a frequent and eloquent speaker. In 1872 he delivered, before the Massachusetts llomceopatliic Medical Society, a masterly oration on "Progress without Change of Law." In 1875, before the same body, his address on " Dy nami/.ation " was pronounced to be an able production; and in 1878, when elected president of the society, his oration on " Hoinceopathy, the Aggressive Science of Medicine," was received bv the audience as a new revelation ol 473 the triumphant pi-ogress of s'unUia simill/nis curtin/ui: He has fro(nuMill.v U'cdirrd licloiv llic Ladirs' i;,istiin Physiological Socidy, mimI his liiciil expositions ol hy- gienic law were always lislcncil (o willi iiiaikcil appre- ciiitiou ; and the rei'onls of other medical societies will hear witness to his readiness to contribute his (juota of original thought to the medical knowledge of the day. His article on cholera, which appiarcil in the Boston Globe July 5, 1SS5, is exhaustive ol Ihe subject and has attracted much attention. As a speaker, he is forcible and earnest, and his appearance on a platform is such as to at oiiee win the sympathies of an audience. As a writer, his style is vigorous and terse; and his clear-cut sentences make it peculiarly attractive. If his studies had been so directed, he might have excelled as an orator or obtained a conspicuous place in the ranks of literature. We give an engraving of his present commodious residence, at 511 Columbus Avenue, Boston, which was finished in 1872. This house, which is his own property, and which was erected at a cost of some hundred thousand dollars, was' designed throughout by himself, and seems to indicate that, if he had not been a doctor, he might have become eminent as an architect. The sanitary appliances are perfect, the decorations in excellent taste, the arrangements for comfort and convenience the best possible, and from basement to attic it bears testimony to the high devel- opment of the doctor's constructive faculties. The lion, life-size, which is placed in couchanf atti- tude on the corner of the house, and is a conspicuous ornament to the avenue, was carved from a bloi:k of granite selected by the doctor himself, and, as a work of art, may compare favorably with the famous lions of Landseer, which adoi-uTrafalgarSquare, in London. To my own knowledge, the benevolent deeds done by this physician during his residence in the city of his adoption are sufficiently numerous to fill a volume, but in such an outline sketch as this it would be im- possible to enumerate them, and I can only say, in closing, that what Dr. Banders has done for God and humanity is but an exampleof what other young men may accomplish, if they will only model their lives after his perseverance, self-denial and unblemished habits. "M." GEORGE SA>fDERS, JR. One of the representative agriculturists of this section, whose keen practicality, industry and devo- tion to that science well deserves more than a mere mention, is George Sanders, Jr. He is a son of George and Polly (Twombly) Sanders, and was born in Epsom, N. H., November 6, 1832. The ancestor of the American family of Sanders was Christopher Sanders, who came from England prior to 1671. We cannot fully trace the line to George, nor tell from which one of the sons of Christopher he is descended. The great-grandfather of the one of whom we now write was George Sanders, a resident of Rye, N. H., where he passed his days, a quiet and useful citizen. His son John, the pioneer of the family in this town, was born in Rye, and when a young man came to Epsom, m;inieil and I leeame a resident. He was a stalwart mail, vij^c irons and ctnergetic, and devoted him- selfto his farm with all the force of his strong nature, and as a citizen was much respected. About ISrwi lie removed to Concord, where he resided until his death, March 13, 1870, aged nearly eighty-nine years. < leorge Sanders, Sr., son of John and Anna Sanders, married Polly Twombly, of Barrington. They have had three children, — George and Mary (twins), and John. Mr. Sanders, inheriting the strong pln'sique and hardy nature of his father, became a farmer, and in 1S32, shortly after his marriage, he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and by his unremitting labors and constant care he brought the land into such a state of cultivation that it soon became remunerative, and he was able toiucrea.se his first ownership in land some hundreds of acres by ailding to it at various times, and at present the Sanders family have five hundred and thirty acres in their jiossession. It is located in different tracts, but the home-farm is considered one of the best farms in the town of Epsom. Mr. Sanders, Sr., has been selectman, and held some minor town otBces. His religious convictions are in accord with the Free- will Baptists,of which church he has been a mem- ber about twenty years. He is now living, at the age of eighty-one. Mrs. Sanders died Ili^cember 22, 1884, aged eighty- one. George Sanders, Jr., could hardly have consistently followed any other vocation tli;iii that id' the farmer, having been born and passed his cliildlmod days where everything about him revealed the bounteous gifts of Mother Nature, and also inheriting, in some mea.sure, from his father and grandfather the charac- teristics of a good agriculturist. He received a good common-school education, suiqilemented by a term at Pembroke Academy. He has always resided on the old place. He married, January 5, 1875, Nancy A., daughter of David and Mary Ann (Carr) White, of Antrim, N. H., a descendant in the fifth generation from John White (1), of Ireland, whose son, Patrick (2), studied for the priesthood ; but renouncing his faith in the doctrine of the Catholic Church, he was obliged to flee to this country, where he made a home. David (3), son of Patrick, married Sarah Button, of Peterborough, and when the clarion notes of the trumpet called the brave and the willing to their country's defense, he responded and proved a faith- ful soldier to his father's adopted land. David (4) married Mary Ann Carr, a descendant of William Carr, a prominent man in the early days of Gofls- town. Mr. Carr, in 1787, went to Antrim and built the house and settled on a farm which is now occu- pied by David White. He married Ann Boyce, of Bedford, and died at the age of eighty-three years ; 474 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. his wife lived to be ninety-three. Mary Sandei-s, (twin sister of George) married Nathaniel Twomhly, of Harrington. They have four children. George Sanders, Jr., has always pursued that oldest and most honorable calling among men, farming, and has proved himself the right man in the right place. To be convinced of his wisdom and care, you have only to look on his fields and meadows, his walls and buildings, his barns and stalls, his stacks and cribs. But, with all these cares, he has identified himself with the civil and religious interests of the town, has been selectman for several years, and is an earnest and liberal member of the Free-Will Baptist Church. Democratic in politics, he represented Epsom in the Legislature of 1874-75. This family, for several generations, have been mostly " tillers of the soil," industrious, careful, prac- tical working people, doing their duties well in the sphere of life to which they were called. They have been men of good judgment, active temperament, strong physique, and have i)erformed their share of the public matters of the town, and discharged their social, public and religious duties conscientiously. CHARLES f'URKIER DOE. Charles Cnrrier Doe was born in Durham, N. H., July 21, 1823. He is the s(m of James and Patience (Langlej') Doe. and grandson of John Doe. His fa- ther, James Doe, was a farmer, and when Charles C. was but two years of age removed to the town of Lee, in Strartbrd County, where he resided ten years. He then spent about a year each in Newmarket and Nottingham, when he removed to Barrington, where he made his home for several years. He then moved to Grafton, and there his wife died (1845). Mr. Doe continued to reside there, making his home with his eldest son, till 18-56, when he came to Pittsfield, wherehe died (1862). He reared a family of eight children, — John, married Abby Davis and resides in Pittsfield; has two children, a son and daughter. Nancy, married John Garland, of Nottingham. Tliey have one daughter. Drucilla marrieil, first, L. Kimball ; no issue. Sec- ond, Mo.ses Brown, of Andover. By this marriage she had two children. She is now deceased. Abigail, married John T. tiilman ; resides in Deer- field ; has two sons. Charles C, subject of this .sketch. Gilman L., married Nancy Kllcnwood. They reside in Iowa ; have three sons. Mary J., married David (iarlaiul. of Nottingliam. They have one son. Hezekiah H., married Sleeper; had portunity he enjoyed. Being one of a somewhat numerous family, in very moderate circum- stances, he had to contribute his share of labor to tlie support of the family as soon as he was old enough for his services to be of any avail. When he wassix- teen years of age he hired out away from home to work on a farm, and from that time till he attained his majority his wages went to the support of his par- ents. December 15, 184.5, he married Mehitablo P., daughter of Amos and Nancy (Libby) Davis, of l".]i- som, N. H., and went to reside with his father-iii-l:nv and manage the farm. Mr. Davis lived but a few months after his daughter's marriage. There still re- mained, however, three old people in the family. — Mi-s. Davis, her mother (Mrs. Libby) and a bachelor £ brother of Mrs. Davis. Mr. Doe took charge of the farm and assumed the care of the old people, a trust which he most faithfully performed to the time of their death. He has followed farming as his chief occupation through life, and has been successful. In addition to farm labor, however, he ha.s usually emi)loyed the winter months in teaming and lumbering; and for many years, while his sons were growing up to man- hood, they employed their time at shoemaking and thus added to the family exchequer. Mr. Doe represented his town in the Legislature during the two years of 1865 and 1866. He has been selectman of his town and has been a member of the Christian Church for more than forty yeai-s. Mrs. Doe's ancestors, both on the paternal and ma- ternal sides, came from Rye, N. H., to Epsom, about a century ago, when this country was almost an un- broken wilderness. Her grandfather, Davis, settled on the spot where Mrs. Doe now resides. The old homestead has never been out of the possession of the family. Her grandfather, Libby, was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and her uncle was in the War of 1812. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Doe are, — Walter C, born November 12, 1846; married Klva Cass, of Epsom; resides in Lynn, Mass.; is a shoe- maker by trade. Amos, born September 11, 1S49; married Mcllic Hobnan, of Dixfield, Me.; resides in lloston ; is by trade a carpenter. James A., born March 7, 1852; married Augu.sta Ladd, of Deerfield, N. H. ; resides in Manchester ; is a surveyor of lumber, etc., in a large sash and blind- factory and lumber-yard. Sarah A., born November 1, 1 854 ; married Calvin D. Clark, of Barnstead, N. H. He was for four years engaged in the grocery trade in Pittsfield, N. II., but in 1884 he sold out his business and went to reside with his father-in-law on the farm. tieorgc W., the voungest of the familv, was born ^ ^ 'l \^ ^(SA^O-J^j^ . ^ ^:^^ .Sit.z^ J6^ (J^'J^U^ 475 August 24, 1857; died December 17, 1883; unmar- ried. He always resided with his parents. He was a young man of bright intelligence and more than ordinary ingenuity in mechanical matters. Mr. Cliarles C. Doe is an honest, upright, sincere man ; unobtrusive, attending strictly to his own af- fairs, and of a generous, manly, frank disposition. The world would' be better f,ir more sueli men. n.wiD sroRuiLr, piiii.BurfK. D. U. Philbrick w.-us born August 2G, 1S2.3, in the north part of the town of Epsom, N. H. He is the son of Daniel and Polly (Locke) Philbrick, and grandson of Daniel and Ruth (Morrill) Philbrick. His paternal grandfather was a native of Hampton, liockingham County, N. H., and moved to Epsom when a young man, and when tlie virgin forest of tlie " Catamount" and surrounding hills w.is almost un- broken. The Philbricks belong to that sturdy, self-reliant and self-contained class of men who liave played so important a part in the rise and progress of civiliza- tion in New England. In the county of Rocking- ham, and in other parts of Eastern New Hampshire, the name is a frequent one, and all bearing it show unmistakable evidence of descent from the same com- mon progenitors. They are calm, earnest, industri- ous, persevering men and women, with the reputation of being law-abiding and just, useful citizens. Daniel Philbrick, Sr., became quite a large land-holder in Ep.som. He had a family of twelve children, of whom Daniel was one. Daniel settled on a part of his father's farm, where his son David M. now re- sides, and was a tiller of the soil all his life. He had a family of eight children, of whom David M. was the only son. The names of the children were Abigail, died in childhood. Ruth, married first a Mason ; second a Merrill; has four children. Mary, unmar- ried, r&sides with David M. Asenath, unmarried, re- sides with David M. Abigail (2d), married E. B. Sargent ; has four children. Betsy, married Stephen F. Ring; no issue. David M., subject of this biog- raphy. Peggy Almira, married txeorge Buffum ; has one child. David M. Philbrick m.ay be fairly said to stand as a representative farmer of his town and section. He hits all his life made agriculture his chief pur.suit, and by constant and intelligently directed efi'ort he has made it a success. He owns, in various tracts, about six hundred acres of land, a very large farm for New Hampshire. He is probably the largest land- owner in town. In the winters, after work on the farm is impracticable, he has employed his time in cutting and hauling wood and lumber. He is a man who is respected and confided in by his neighbors and townsmen, and was chosen to rep- resent them in the Legislature in 1876 and 1877. He has been selectman of Epsom two vears, and sur- veyor of higliways twenty-live years. In politics he is a Democrat. He n\arried, NovcMibcr L'7, Is.M), S:inili A., dautrbti-r of John and Margaret (Wallace) Steunis, of Deerlicld, N. H. Their children are: A babe (unnamed), died in infancy. Clara I., married Frank Buffum, of Ber- wick, Me.; has five children. Daniel. David F., died aged seventeen. Mary A., married George Giles, of Pittsfield, N. H. ; no offspring. John S., Susan M.. George H. and Augustus T. Mrs. Philbrick's grandparents were John and Ruth Stearns, both natives of New Hampshire, and de- scended from the early Pilgrim stock. NATHAN lilCKKORL). Nathan Bickford was born in Epsom, N. H., De- cember 2, 1797. He was the son of Thomas and Olive (Haynes) Bickford. Thomas was a farmer, shoemaker and tanner, and at one period of his life was quite a prosperous and successful man ; but most of his substance was spent before his death. He liad a family ot seven children, viz., — John, Mehitable, Samuel, Nathan, Daniel, Olive and Dearborn. Nathan was born at the old Bickford homestead, near the present village of Gossville. When lie was a lad of sutficient age he went to serve an apprentice- ship as clothier with a Mr. Currier. His service ex- pired when he was nineteen, and he then went to Bos- ton, where he remained till his twenty-third year, when lie returned to his native town and bought out a clothing and carding-inill on Suncook River. He met with success in this enterprise and continued it for more than a dozen years, when, leasing his mill business to another party, he embarked in the lumber trade. At this he did, for a period of about ten years, quite a large business, rafting down tlie Sun- cook and Merrimack Rivers. In the mean time he conducted farming on a considerable scale, having purchased, about 1830, a farm lying adjacent to his mill. After he relinquished the lumber business he gave his entire attention to his farm, and added to the original tract at intervals during his life. He was a man who was held in high esteem by his fellow- townsmen, and he had ample proof of their confidence by the various positions of oHice and trust in which they placed him. He was selectman of his town for many years and held various minor offices. He was a member of tlie State Legislature in 1836, and througlnrnt a long and busy life he retained the im- plicit confidence and sincere respect of those who knew him. In politics he was an advocate of tlie Free-Soil party, and upon the organization of the Republican party and up to the time of his death he affiliated with that party. In religious matters he w.as a Fiee-AVill Baptist. and contributed largely to the support of that chunh. 476 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. He was a man of large benevolence and generosity, Morrill 1)., born October :i, 1836; married Eliza J. and gave of liis means freely and with unstinted hand Hoyt, of Epsom, November 28, 1862. They have two to all worthy charities. bright and accomplished daughters,— Susie A. and He niarri'ed, M.ay 12, 18-.>.'^, Kli/.:i W.. dauiihl.r of Addie E. He wns clc.tc.I licpresentative of Epsom Robert .and Hannah (Osgoo.l) Dirkey, of K|.s.,mi. to the State l,c,i;islalinc In 1885. He has always They had five children,— kept up tlie luMilu-r trade which w.as started by liis Susan (i., born February 2.'). 1S24 ; niiiiiicil IJcv. father. Jonathan A. Knowles. They have Iw.. .Inl.hvM :au\ Alfrc.1 P. marricil l.i/zic .1., dant'lilcr of William reside in Manchester, N. H. and Maryctt (loss, of Kpsi.m. Thev have four diil- S.'iliu:! ()., br.rii All-rust r,, 1S2II; married Captain dren,— William 1\, Nathan A., Alfred G. and Harry ArlhurC. I,,.rlcr. ( tnc child liviiiiT. She di.'d .Inn.. M. He has always conducted the form of his father. 2, 1S77. Nathan Biekford died .Tanuary !.'>, 1879, aged Kliza A., born .Inly 2'., 1S;«; dicil, unmarried, De" eighty-one. Mrs. Bickford still survives (188.5), aged M^ ',9~cy HISTORY OF T.OITDON. BY HENRY J. OSGOOD. c H A p T r-: R I. The name Loudon is of Scotch origin, and means " Low Hills." The hills in this town are but a few hundred feet in height, and the general configuration of the surface suggests that it is a hilly town. Bear Hill in the southerl-y, Oak Hill in the westerly and Brown's Hill in the northerly are the highest, witii Clough's Hill in the centre of the town. Brown's Hill is the highest of all, and, a few years since, the United States Signal Service erected upon it a signal, to be used in the survey of llic Slate; liul its height was not sutKcient to be of praRON, (■Icrkof fiWiKl/." The Town incorporated in 1773.— The following is !i copy of an act U) set ott' part of the town of Canterbury into a tlistinct parish l)y the name of Loudon, ;t.s passed in the House of Representatives, January 22, 1773 : " Whereat, a nunibcr of the inliabilHiits of Onnterbury, in the county of Kockingham in tbi- I'l- .li,,<, I,,,, |.lilioMud thelieneiul Assembly to be set off ami . !■ i ! i i said town set forlli mil i i n Riven, no person liiilli iiii n. I t yy~i- tbi- s;inie, ;niil lin> same ii|>- pearing for the public ;;i>i>il- I li i.i i. i. u . n.n t- I l* Mi \'iri"i. i'ouucil and .\ssembly, that :ill ' i i ■ i ' i' ' ^ ' i ' mi (tmN beginning at the northeast cm ! t I i r.i. i i ■ n I: h ti- thence southwest on the head hii' 1 t til. h. -r. 1 . i-lil mil. - 1.. 111.. Iiiir between Canterbury and Bow ; tbciMc on tli.- line bctui-rn SiUiU'antcr bury and Bow, live miles; thence acros said Canterbury, northeast eight miles, to Gilmanton line ; and by that to the liounds first men tioned, bo and is hereby set off fmni said town of Canterbury, and erected into and established to he a distinct and separate |>arish by the name of London, and that the Inhabitants thereof he invested with all powers and privileges by law invested in any Parish within this Prov- ince, and are fully exempt from (laying further lax to the town of Canterbury. "And Nathan Bivchelder of saiil Parish, is hereby Authorized and em- powered (o r^ill ibf liist im.ctiii;; of Kiid Parish of Loudon for the choice ot r.iiili iiiii.,i i.\ .tiiii_ lip It notification thereof in some public jilii .1 I I .1 i .1 . . .i,i\s beforohand, and to govern said ni'ii 111 i . ^l i . . n. and then they are to proceed Honi "Proviii.e of New Haiiiiisbir.- JanuaiT 22nd, 1773.— This Bill 1 That it iiaes lobe enacted. " In Council January 22d, 177U passed to be enacted. "Theopoke .\tkinso.v, iiet--ietary. " Consented, "Ceorc.e KiNi:, llciiij. Saretaru." First Meeting. — The first meeting of inhabitants of the paiisli ol' LoikIoii was called and held at the house of .MiiahiUM I'.a.heldor, Jr., on tlie 2Hd day of March, 1778, by a Nvurraiit under the hand and .seal of Nathan nacluidcr. Tlic Imsiiicss to lie transacted was as follows: *' Ist. To choose a Moderator for said Meeting. ■'2nd. To choose a Parish (;lcrk, Selectmen, CoiisUblc and all ollic-i Parish officers as the law directs for the ensuing year. " Srd. To see if the said Fnwholders and Inhabitants will agree u|ioii and vote to raise a sum of money this pi-esent year for the lioneht of the GoBiicl in said Parish. shall b,. ...11... ,,,1 l._N ,. I.I..., .ir Iiii.. |.. III.. I'l. II- ..ml i;,lalcsill Kli.l Parish. "6th. To see if the said Freeholdere and InhabitJints will vote tlie sum of thirty-two dollars, which his Excellency John Wentworth was pleased to give in when signing the clmrter of the Parish of Loudon, the same having been worked out on some blgliway in sjiid Parish. I .11 .._! ... -..ill Parish. I ill I ! i Ml. rs and Inhabitants will agree iilKin and i..i. 1,. Ill] 111. ni.v .1 I,. I ii,.,-„ on the Pannnage lot this present year " 9lll. To see if said Freeholders and Inhabitants will agree npuii and vote to build two school-houses the present year. " lOth. To sc-e if the Freeholders and Inhabitants will agree uih.h and choose one set day to hold the Annual Meeting in said Parish, and I.. transact any other nuitlcr or thing that may bethought advisable for tin- interest of said Parish." The proceedings were as follows: " Cliose Mr. Jcthro Bachclder Mwlerator for said meeting. " Vhote Nalhaii lla. h.-l.l.r Parish Clerk. " Chos, ,1, ill! I.i I.. I I I M.ws Holniau and Jacob Towle Selectmen. ** Cho^t' \! . . Ill, ticrshoni Matlies, Lt. Benjamin Sias, Jethro l!ai 1. i - 1 ll.-lnvavs. '•C*,.i. .v.i I .1 I -1,1.1. r.1 kins Hog reeves. "(Vio,--,i.. I ..II,. I .1.1- i.ll.o.ke as Field drivers. ■ ' I .1 . I .. -M ii , I I. II 1 1 oyt, surveyors of Lumber. ' .. .1 I - .1 .. 1' .1.1. I liachelder, I>eer keejiers. ■■II,.-. Ml ill. mi 11,1. li. li. t --aler of weiglits and measures. "t7i„..,-J..s.-pli Smith scaler of Leather. " Vliote Nathaniel Bachclder and John SanlKirn to settle the Select- " Toted To raise fifty dollars for the bcneflfof the gospel in the Parish of London the year ensuing. "Voted That the thirty-two dollars given by lii.s K\. .-lli-ncj .lidiii Wentworth be laid out on the highway that leads fruiii tiiliiianton to Jethro Bachelder's. " Voted To raise forty-five pounds to amend the highways the cnsimig year. " Voted To fall twenty acresof trees on the Parsonage. •To/cd To give Benjamin Sias twenty-two dollars to fall twenty. two acres of trees on the Parsonage, to be iKiid iu Corn at Cbristnnu* at mai- ket price. "Voted That the Selectmen be a Coinniittee to lay out the money tor the benefit of the gosiiel. "Voted To buy two Books for the benefit of tin- Parish, one tor the Clerk and the other for the Selectmen.' A meeting was held this same year at the house of Stephen Perkins, and it was "Voted That Nathan IJachehier and Jethro Biu-lieldei- In- a Coiiiniillcc to fix uiwii a place for a Burying-ground. ■"Voted That the Meeting House stand on the Southeast corner of the School lot, part or all in the road, as the land may ho thought best.'* The First Tax-List Committed.— The following province, county and parish rate was coniiiilttcd to Jethro Bacliclder, constable for said parish, for the year 1774: X. .. ,(. / TboiiiasWai-d 1.') Ill 1 Al.niliaiii liaclielder, Jr 1) U 7 2 .M.l-al.aiii liacliclder M .■> .^ .loscpli Smith 11 1" II 2 Kliphalc-t Kawlings 1 II .s 2 llanici I.add (Ill 12 M.«-s Jloi-rill " 7 7 1 James l.yford "12 ;, 2 John Drew " l:! s :i Cel-shoiii Matlies " II 2 Tinioi LOUDON. .TuriutlKin Smith 10 5 3 .John Surgel.t II 4 Thomas Sweat o 8 8 2 John Stephens Ii n Samuel Carter li 4 3 Samuel Locke 12 11 Jonathan Clough ll 13 3 5 Hannah Magoon 1 2 Samuel Dow 6 6 E/tkii-l Moiiill 16 7 Masttii JloiTill n 5 13 Jainrs ShfTburiie 6 GO Iluillcy Sweasy 8 8 2 Willium Davis 12 5 3 William Boyeuton 8 8 Jothro Bachelder, Jr 2 10 2 Paul Morrill 1 6 2 Samuel Morrill 14 3 3 Isaar Morrill 82 lliarlfs Sias o 14 7 John Glines (1 12 5 2 Tlioiiias Clough 5 11 2 J'.hu Hoit 1 60 Samuel Danforth 1 6 Samuel Chamberiin, Jr 10 11 Samuel Chamberiin 1 2 2 Jethro Bachelder 1 4 8 2 Daniel Bachelder 10 11 Stephen Kimball 2 7 William Knox 1 2 Moses Ordway 15 11 2 Moses Ordway, Jr 9 5 2 George Barnes il 14 4 3 Thomas Magoon o 1 3 Nathaniel Moor 2 6 Oliver Blaisdel 6 Moses Holman 4 10 o Moses Rawlings S 8 Stephen Oilman 13 10 Amount £31 5 1774.— This meeting was called at the house of Nathan Bachelder, Esq., March 20th, at twelve o'clock, noon. " Article Second was to choose a clerk and other parish officers. ^'ArticU Thirds to see if the Inhabitants vill raise a sum of money this year for the benefit of the Gospel in said parish and for schooling. 'Mriicie FoHrlh was to see how much shall be raised for highways. " Article Fifth, to see whether the officers of the parish shall be allowed anything for their services. "vlrtici«Su:(ft, to see if the town will vote to build two school-houses and do any other thing thought advisable." At this meeting John Hoit was chosen moderator, Nathan Bachelder, clerk ; Jonathan Clough, Moses Holman and Nathan Bachelder, selectmen ; Jethro Bachelder, constable; Samuel Carter and Samuel Lock were chosen tythingmen. ** Voted to raise fifty dollars for the gospel and none for schooling. •' Voted to raise sixty pounds, to be laid out on the highways at three shillings a day for man and beast. " Voted, the Constable is to have five pence per pound for gathering " Voted that Lieut. Benjamin Sias and Lieut. Daniel Ladd be a com- mittee to lay out the money for preaching. " Voted to build a Pound this present year, and to set it before Abra- ham Bachelder, Jr.'s, door. 31 " Voted to lend Mr. Ephraim Blunt six tlioiiaand feet of pine boards, if he will give from under his hand that the parish may have the use of his chamber to hold meetings in when wanted. *' Voted that the boards be four dollars a thousand, and that the Belect- men take security for them. " Fbfcd to take three and one-half dollars from the minister's money for Congress. 1775.— The meeting was held at Colouel Joseph Tilton's. Jonathan Clough was chosen clerk, John Hoit, moderator; Jonathan Clough, Nathan Bach- elder and Timothy Tilton, selectmen; John Hoit, constable ; Thomas Ward and Charles Sias, tything- men ; Moses Morrill, Jacob Tole and Thomas Drake Howards. ' Voted to raise money to buy i for tiie selecin to keep their ** Fo(ed to take the money for expenses of the war. " ro(erf that fifty shillings be laid out iu pro and schooling to defray the for the use of the s of powder and sixty pounds of ball < Voted that Abraham Bachelder, Jr., and Mr. Ward be a lovide the provisions that was voted, and keep the same Bachelder i to Exeter and stand " Oiose Natha " Cftose a Committee of Safety for said parish as follows: Ephrahim Blunt, Abraham Bachelder, Nathan Bachelder, Esq., John Hoit, Eaph- alet Rollins, Abiah Chamberiin and Jonathan Clough as the com- '* GhoHC as a Committee of Correspondence, — Jethro Bachelder and Gershom Blathes." 1776.— The meeting was held at Joseph Tilton's. Samuel Chamberlain, moderator; Jonathan Clough, clerk; Nathan Bachelder, Samuel Chamberlain and John Drue, selectmen ; Jonathan Clough, constable. " Voted to pay the soldiei-s that went part of the way to the Concord tight from Loudon two shillings a day. •' Voted to take the money out of the minister's. ''Chose Nathaniel Bachelder to collect the last year's rates by reason of the old constable being gone in the service. " Voted to raise money to buy hay-seed to sow on the Parsonage." 1777. — Abraham Bachelder was chosen moderator of this meeting; Jonathan Clough, clerk; Nathan Bachelder, Esq., Abraham Bachelder and John Hoit, selectmen; Nathan Bachelder, constable; William Boyenton, tythingman. The following order for men was received by IMr. Clough : '^ToMr. Clough, ComUible: " Sir : This day received orders from Col. Stickney forthwith to warn a parish meeting to call upon the train Board and alarm List to raise eleven able-bodied, efifective men, the same to be engaged three years or during the war. This is Board and alarm List to m on Thursday, the seventh i tthe you to immediately warn the train if Joseph Tilton, in Loudon, It nine o'clockin the forenoon, to cou- the aforesaid eleven men. 'Nathan BiCHELnER, 'John Drew. J SeUctmen. "March 24,1777." The parish voted to accept the two men that N:i than Bachelder and Captain Sias hired at Epsom. " Voted To pay the expense they were s " Chose the Selectmen, Capt. Benjamin i s a committee to raise the men. HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. " Voted Five pounds jicr month, with the State Wages, for a certain number of men that started out forTiconderoga. " Voled fifteen dollars per montli for the men that went to Saratoga. " Voled that those men who went to Bennington be brought into a " Voled to give each man that went to Bennington last year forty dol- lars, with paying back the money they have received. " Voted that William Chamberlin's and llenrj- Tebbetts' rate for 177T be taken off for their going to Cambridge. " Voted not to give Ezra Blaisdell the money he lost when ho was taken prisoner at Bennington. " Voted to give the Volunteers that go to Khode Island, if they should not receive enough from the State, sufficient to make them whole, both in horse-flesh and other ways." The following is a list of the names of the Revolu- tionary soldiers who went from Loudon : David Greely, Lieutenant Samuel Chauiberliii, Eliphelet Rawlinge,Dnd- ley Swoasey, William C'haiiiln 1 1 n. M.l ' h i mlirrlin, Moses Morrill, Ensign Ezekiel Morrill, Gcui^i i ' I ilti.n, Ensign Bachel- der, Libby Bacholder, Jere. Ai I i niiijamin Siaa, Thomas Drake, John Sanborn, Caleb Till- i:i: , ' ^ i -I" il.urne, Thomas Haines, Thomas Bachelder, Henry Tebbett.-!, .Ii^hii Pavis, William Boyington, Isaac Morrill, Moses Ordway, Timothy Trench, Ezra Blaisdell, John Hoit, Phineas Bachelder, Richard Bachelder, Nathaniel Bachelder, Jon- athan Clough. Beside those who went as volunteers, several oth- ers furnished substitutes to fill the places of themselves, as they were liable to be called out as soldiers in the war. £. «. " Paid Ensigu Morrill in part fori soldier 1) IJ Paid Nathaniel Hawlings in part for 1 soldier .....■! Paid "William Chamberlin in part for 1 soldier .... 3 11 Paid Samuel Chamberlin in part for 1 soldier .... 3 Paid Jacob Towle in part fori soldier in 12 Paid Libby Bachelder in part for 1 soldier 2 .■> Paid George Sherburne in part for 1 soldier . - ... 4 10 '* 1779. — The annual meeting for this year was held at Ephraim Blunt's house. Nathan Bachelder was chosen moderator of this meeting ; chose Jonathan Clough clerk, and Nathan Bachelder, Jonathan Clough and Ephraim Blunt, selectmen ; Joseph Tilton, con- stable; Lieutenant John Sanborn and Thomas Bach- elder, tythingmen. *' Voted four thousand dollars be mised to be laid out on the highways the present year, at eight dollai-s a day. " 7oted three hundred dollars for preaching. " Voted two hundred pounds for schooling. " Foted to give Nathan Bachelder, Esq., fifteen dollars for his services at the convention at Exeter." 1780. — The selectmen for this year posted up a war- rant notifying the inhabitants to meet at the meeting- house, to act in conjunction with the towns of North- field, Canterbury and Loudon in choosing one suitable person for the term of one year to represent these towns in the General Assembly at Exeter, to vote for delegates in the Continental Congress, and "it is also recommended to empower such person to join in call- ing a convention to settle a plan of government for the State. Each voter to bring in five votes upon one piece of paper." Abial Foster, Esq., was chosen as delegate. The town was required to furnish to the soldiers necessary clothing and provisions for their subsist- ence, which consisted of Indian corn, beef and, in some instances, wheat. The town chose, at a town- meeting, several persons, living in the different sec- tions of the town, to receive and convey all such articles to the army. The record contains the follow- ing : "The quantity of Indian Corn to be raised by the Parish of Louilon, for Soldiers going in the present war, and to buy Beef-Cattle for said Parish for the year 1780. " John Sinclair Gibson to furnish corn 160 Bushels. Merrill Clements " " 132 " William Forrest 72 Bushels Wheat equal to . . 180 of Corn. .\. Potter 48 of Indian & 24 of Wheat " ..108 " Peter Blaisdell to furnish of corn ....... 00 Bushels. Enoch Bagley " " 90 " Levi Shaw " " 90 " Timothy Bachelder " " 50 " Dudley Swain " " SO " " Beef Cattle to Isiah Harvey 1 Yoke of Oxen, equal to .... 120 of Corn. Joseph Moulton *' *' " .... 120 " John Sanborn " " " .... 118 Capt. Tilton " " " .... 100 " Jere Abbott Blunt " " " .... 00 Paul Morrill Yoke Cattle, equal to corn ... 80 Bushels. " To pay all expense of getting said Beef to Soldiei-s, for getting them to the collector and shortage on measure, and collecting loss, or of any being over mted." Mr. Samuel Chamberlin, who was constable and collector for 1780, is credited by the selectmen as fol- lows : ISush. Qle. " Paid to Captain Tilton corn for beef 100 " Enoch Bayley, soldier 20 " Joseph Moulton, for beef 35 " Joseph Moulton - " 14 20 " John Sanborn, by order of "Tanner John" 22 (1 " Peter Blaisdell, a soldier 5 " Timothy French, for fish 15 '* Captain Tilton, for service getting beef cattle and soldiers, and keeping beef cattle 16 " For collecting the corn tax 30 " Eliphalet Rawli'ngs for keeping oxen . . 4 " John Sinclar Gibson, corn 97 " Daniel Feasher's tax given in 6 " Charles Sargent's " " 12 " Tsiah Harvey " " 10 o " Tanner John Sanborn by Lieutenant Chamberlin 11 " Paid Nine Hundred dollars by Samuel Chamberlin, it being for Obadiah Clough's corn tax." " Received of Lieutenant Samuel Chamberlin twenty-six dollare of the Now Emission in lieu of fifteen bushels of corn." The selectmen paid for soldiers and e.xpeiise ol getting them as follows: " Paid Ephraim Blunt for going to Epsom to hue soldiers o 12 Paid .\braham Bachelder, Jr., for horse two jour- neys after soldiers Paid for one Continental soldier 21 10 Paid Nathan Bjvchelder for four journeys to Epsom to hire soldiers 2 1 Paid Nathan Bachelder for four and a-half days self and horse to Exeter to hire soldiers .... 1 17 Paid same to Pembroke two days " 9 Paid Abraham Bachelder one day o Paid .lohn Hoit for one day hiring soldiers ... " 9" The selectmen paid soldiers that went to Uhoilc Island forty-nine pounds. LOUDON. £ s. ((. " Paid ill part for t'ontineutal suKliei-s . . , . Enoch Wood's List Samuel Ayer Samuel Wales JohnKenney an dough's List. . 3.17 . 2.;)9 . .810.46 William Tenney . . . Jonathan Perkins. . Abraham Bachelder, .lonathan Bachelder . Jeremish Clifford.. . . . .83.07 James Palmer . . . X John Sargent John Sargent, Jr . . . Isaac Sargent Jonathan Smith .... Elisha Buswell .... William Tilton .... EliphletWood . . . . Isaac Smith . . . 3.81 . . 1.31 . . 1.69 . . 10.13 . . 6.24 . . 5.73 75 Ir. . . 1.12 . . . 1.12 Daniel Ordway . . . . . . . 5.51 Stephen Clark Nathaniel Emery.. . . Davis Bachelder .... Elijah Moulton .... Levi French, Jr . . . . John Emery oore's List. Willabee Lovering . . . Moses Lovering .... Osgood Lovering .... John Fletcher Joshua Fletcher .... Samuel Neal veg-s List. Samuel Cnrrier . . . . 1.43 . 4.26 . 2.85 . 1.5:1 . 2.46 . .75 . $2.37 . 2.32 ■iz . 3.1s . 2.31 . $4.70 Samuel Carter . . . . Daniel Ordway, Jr. . .\mos Currier . . . Nathan Clough . . . . . . 1.96 . . . . 2.69 . . . 4.93 . . . . 2.89 Thovu,, M . . . .$5.17 . . . . 3.33 Abel French .... Jonathan Smith, Jr. . . . . 4.02 Thomas Sweatt . . . . . . 5.34 ■> -> Timothy French . . Joshua French !•-- John EoUins Jr . . . 5 30 ,, , Thomas Moore . . . William Wheeler . . Charies Sargent .... William W. Berry . . . Daniel Lane . . 4.62 . . 2.02 Nat. Weeks .... . . . 1.69 Eliphalet Rollins . . Jonathan Rollins . . . . 1.96 . . . . 2.96 . . . . 2.47 haiah Ha, . . . .$3.62 . . . . 4.68 .... 2.22 75 Joseph Olo . . . .8.150 . . . . 7.35 . . . . 1.16 . . . . l..)4 Theophilm S . . . .$4.19 . . . . 1.94 2 57 Joseph Palmer . . . John Osgood Abraham Bachelder . . . . 4.81 m George Peverly . . John Morrill .... Daniel Ladd Estate . Isaiah Harvey . . . True Palmer 1802.— Samuel Wood, selectmen Paid John Ladd collector's service 1803.— Charles John Ladd, selec Amount of mone time became invo ing to collect the minister's salary, when the law wa ing on lawsuit, .142.80. Paid Joi Ing tax, .$16. Pa cents. Paid for a 1804.— The sa Thomas Sargent raised, $1229.40. Smith, Bachelder collecting taxes Charles Sargent, Chamberlin, .$16 $36.20. Keceivec paying Esquire P . . 1.16 Piper, J Eliphh.i ; Samuel Neall, collector for rum at Bennett Bridg s, $15.50. Sargent, Moses Chambe tmen ; Jonathan Kollins, f raised, $878.78. The tov Ived in several lawsuits in tax raised in previous yea the last one being assessec 5 repealed. Paid this year $92. Paid selectmen for lathan Rollins for service i id for two quires of paper, chest for use of the town, ^ me selectmen were chos for collector. Amount c Paid for carrying on laws and Sleeper, '$92.40. The was $26. Selectmen's s( $17.20 ; John Ladd, $23.33 .45. Money in the tow on Isaac Smith's execut iper's bill, $23.60. of taxes. ;, $1.62J ; ■lin anil Oliver Blaisdell, Jr. Joseph Clough . . . Jloses Ordwav, Jr Samuel Currier, Jr , . . cgh'sList. Joshua Sargent .... John Sanborn . .92 . $1.13 Moses Ordway (3d) . .lethro Bachelder . . Willard FiBeld .... John Hoit . .76 . 3.116 collector. n\ at this Theophilus Sanborn Oliver Morrill . . . nhoni's List. William Gibson .... JohnPhilbrick .... . $2.97 . i.os attempt- rs for the 1 in 1801, Samuel Osgood or carry - Jesse Sanborn Thomas Sargent .... Captain Thomas Sargent Charles Sargent, Jr . . . . '. 1.96 services. Jonathan Kowi-11 . . Enoch Rowell . . . .... 2.44 . . . . 1.82 . . . .11.91 1 collect- forty-six Sanborn's List. Stephen Jacobs .... Stephen Pickering . . . James Palmer Samuel Haines Samuel Jacobs ench's List. James Thompson .... .$1.6'i . . 2.01 . . l.-« . .$2.22 2.50. John Sanborn.. . Samuel Drew . . . Abraham Bachelder Thomas Bachelder. Capt-iii John . . .$14.83 . . . .93 Esq.. 1.26 . . . 2.51 en, with f money nits witii bill for rvices, — Captain n chest, Sanrael FrenrI, . . Snmml Fr . . .$10.02 . . . 1.41 . . . 3.61 John L. French . . Ebenezer Lowell .... Joseph Drew . 4.7,-, on, after HISTOEY OF MERKIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. 1805. — Stephen Wells, Samuel French, Jr., and David Eastman, selectmen ; Thomas Sargent, collector. Paid Stephen Wells, services, $12.80 ; Samuel French, Jr., $13 ; David Eastman, $11.44. 1806. — Paid David Eastman for service as select- man, $16.06. Paid Samuel French, Jr., for services, $15.84 ; Elkins Moore, $10.72. Thomas Sargent collector. Amount raised, $1170.37. Paid Captain Ohamberlin for examining selectmen's accounts, .50. Money in chest, $2.80. 1807. — Samuel French, Jr., Thomas Brown and Elkins Moore, selectmen; Isaac S. Sargent, collector. Money raised, $1012.46. Paid Levi Brown for rum drank while repairing Dearborn bridge, $1.25. 1808. — Samuel French, Jr., Thomas Brown and Moses Flanders, selectmen ; Stephen Ordway, collector. Money raised, $1399.92. Paid Jonathan Kollins for providing for soldiers, $5.78. Paid Enoch Wood for a burying-cloth, $7.75. Paid Joseph Baker, for provid- ing for soldiers, $4.08. Paid for powder, $14.40. Paid Enoch Wood for a gallon of rum, $1.34. Paid Esquire Piper for carrying on lawsuit with Isaac Smith, $78.- 86. Paid Esquire Brown for service as selectman, $20.29. Paid for paper, .25. Paid Samuel French for providing meats and drink and five pounds powder for soldiers, $34.92. Paid for weights and measures, $47.90. Paid Moses Flanders, services, and Samuel French as selectmen, $34,54. Paid Stephen Ordway for collecting tax, $8. Paid Esquire Piper for expense when settling public accounts, $7.21. Paid Captain Ladd for carrying on lawsuit with Oliver Morrill, $25. Paid Lieutenant Stephen Wells and Dr. Tenney as witnesses in the Smith case, $24.64. 1810. TAX ASSESSED FOK BUILDING THE ORDWAY SCHOOL-HOUSE. Jethi-o Biichelder 813.90 .Joseph BlaisdeH 6.12 Oliver Blaisdell 2.36 AmoB Currier 8.01 Jeremiah Clough 13.% John Emery 5.03 Thomas Emery 7,74 Samuel Haines 3.10 John Kenuey 4.21 Jonathan Morse 5.52 Daniel Ordway 7.97 Lemuel Ordway .'.... 5.93 Samuel Ayer . $8.38 David Bachcldor . 1.87 Nathan Bachelder (3d) . . 2.90 Jeremiah Bennett .... . 6. 06 David Clough . 6.48 Samuel Cliflford . 16.96 Dr. J. Eastman . 3.33 Isaiah Harvey . 8.45 David Harvey . 1.99 Moses Morse . .43 Daniel Ordway, Jr . . . . 7 Jo.ses Ordway 10.5') Jloses Ordwny 15.64 Stephen Ordway 1..^'.' M^-r^ ni,h\;,y, .Ir .... 6.03 Enoch Osgood '.f.7J i .ipi _^1 .-.- iJuwoll . . . . 17.17 Josiah Osgood I.'' Uiul - ^,m ^.nt. Jr . . . . 7.52 Bart. Winslow '.iTi « .lli.ini M. i. i.s 2.96 Enoch Wood, John Ladd and Samuel Elliott, se- lectmen ; Jonathan Rollins, collector. Money raised, $1526.28. Paid Captain Samuel Osgood for providing for his company on muster-day, $19.52. Paid Joseph Baker for same, $5. Paid Samuel Elliott for powder, $45.51. Paid Enoch Wood for powder, $13.33. Paid for lawsuits, $147.58. Ciish in town chest, $9.59. Paid Jonathan Kollins for building a stone pound, $71.50. TAX ASSESSKO EOR BUILDING A SCHOOL-HOUSE IN DI STRICT NO. 4 (CLOUGH'S HILL). Ebenezer Bachelder . . . . S1.3B Moses Caverly . Sii.oi John Clough . . 8.04 Levi Chase . 1.5.15 Abner Clough .... . . 19.42 Leavitt riough . 4.37 Samuel Gate, Jr ... . . 7.23 Jonathan Clough, Jr . . . 21.46 Nathan Clough .... . . 9.78 Nathan ClDUgli, Jr . . . . 1.1- Stephen Clarli .... . . 1.17 Josiah Emery . 7.52 John Farnum .... . . 8.80 Levi French, Jr . . . . . .'1.53 John Oilman . 3 74 John Haines . . 1.17 ... 1.39 Samuel Haiup.s .... Natbani.l Martin . . . Mu.scs JIurse, Jr . . . . . 1.17 Jonathan Jlerrill .... . 1.39 En,« li Morse . . 2.47 Samuel Piper . 6.41 Jonatlian Piper . . . . . . 3.78 Benjamin Piper .... . 5.34 El islia Sanborn . . . . . . 12.90 John Sanborn, Jr . . . . . 1.17 TA.X ASSESSED FOR REPAIRING HOUSE IN DISTRICT NO. 1-.. Richard Bachelder . . . . S8.62 William Bachelder . . . . S3.71 Peter Bragg William Bragg . 1.47 Robert Bragg 2.02 Ephraim Currier .... . 2.2S Jeremiah CI itrord . . . . . 1.38 Isaac Dimond . 8.13 Gould Dimond .... . . 4.04 Reuben Dearborn . . . . . 2.30 Nathaniel Flanders . . . . 7.00 Moses Flanders . 2.02 Thomaa Furnald . . . . . 8.19 David Furnald . 1.20 Lewis Flanders . . . . . . .35 John Hill . 1.84 Dudley Leavitt .... . . 6.74 John Moore 5.66 Jacob Moore .... . . 4.42 John Moore, Jr . 1.20 . . 7.19 . . 2.81 JohnNeal Caleb Sleeper 11.33 Moses Stevens .... . . 7.01 Isaac Smith 6.96 Jonathan Smith, Jr . . . . 6.42 Theophilus Shaw .... 1..56 Charles Sargent . . . . . 7.03 Becgamin Wells .... 7 77 Cash in town chest for the year ending 1810, thir- teen cents. 1811. — Samuel French, Jr., Nathaniel Martin and Isaac S. Sargent, selectmen ; Jacob Perkins, collec- tor. Money raised, $1460.46. Paid for carrying law- suit with Isaac Smith, $58.26. Paid for powder, and delivering it to soldiers in quarters, $33.00. Paid for soldiers' rations on muster-day, $36.18. Paid Enoch Wood for services as town clerk, and for horse lost, $5.68. PaidNathaniel Martin for services, $16.65. Paid Samuel French, $15.95. Paid Isaac S. Sargent, $12.40. Cash in town chest, $97.34. 1812. — Jedediah Tucker, John Ladd and Samuel Elliott, selectmen ; Jacob Perkins, collector. Money raised, $1234.05. Paid Samuel Elliott for powder, .$53.67. Paid Enoch Wood for services as town clerk, and for a book, $10.00. Paid Jacob Perkins, services as collector, $4.00. Paid Samuel Elliott, services se- lectman, $12.53. Paid John Ladd, $14.67. Paid Jedediah Tucker $12.40. 1813 — Selectmen, Jedediah Tucker and John Ladd. Stephen Gate, Jr., collector. Amount of money raised, $1377.28. Paid Captain Gate for his services as collector, $6.36. Paid Esquire Wood for his ser- vices as clerk, and for a chest, $9.75. Paid Mr. Tuck- er, services, $17.54. Paid John Ladd for money and services, $140.22. 1814. — Selectmen, Jedediah Tucker, Captain Shad- rach Gate and Nathaniel Martin ; Collector, Stephen Gate. Amount oftaxes, S'.i'.il.ilt. .M;i,stcr Henry Jack- son was chosen town clerk. :iih1 \\:is |i:iiil for services, $5.00. Paid for twenty-ninr >..Mi, r- al Portsmouth, $100.62. Paid Eliphlet Wood, as agent in the Smith LOUDON. 437 cause, $18.00. Paid Isaac Sargent for spirit for his soldiers at Canterbury, $1.07. Paid John Kenney for services in the Smith cause, $14.67. Paid for six soldiers at Portsmouth, $21.65. Paid Captain Shad- rach Cate for services as selectman, $7.84. Paid Na- thaniel Martin, $15.25. Paid Jedediah Tucker, $18.67. Paid Stephen Wells, services in the Smith cause, $20.40. Paid George B. Johnson and Nathan Tilton, services as soldiers at Portsmouth, $6.66. Paid Daniel J. Smith and Jonathan Smith, Jr., services as soldiers, $5.59. 1815.— Jonathan Rollins, Joseph Baker, John Ladd, selectmen ; Henry Jackson, town clerk ; Thom- as Sargent, collector. Amount of ta.x, $1606.11. Paid Captain Cate for meats and drinks for soldiers, $34.48. Paid expenses in the Smith cause, $81.20. 1816. — John Ladd, Jonathan Rollins and David Ciough, selectmen ; Jonathan Bachelder, collector of taxes. Money raised, $2269. Paid Joseph Baker for meats and drinks for soldiers, $28.64. Paid for expenses in the Smith lawsuit, $48. Paid Henry Jackson, services as town clerk, $10. Paid Jede- diah Tucker, for note against town, in part, $663.68. 1817. — Jonathan Rollin.s and Samuel French, Jr., selectmen ; Jonathan Bachelder, collector of taxes. Tax raised, $1384.08. Paid the collector for serving two years, and summons for jurymen and other ser- vices for the town, $9.75. Cash in town chest, $19.10. " "We, the subscribers, having been appointed a committee to examine t he fielectmen's accompt.t, find them, in our opinion, correct. (Signed) "JoH.v Sanborn, " WllLUM Tennby, "Caleb Sleeper." 1818. — Isaac S. Sargent, collector. Amount of tax committed, $1470.81. Selectmen, Jonathan Rollins, Isaac Smith. Paid Jonathan Rollins for plank, sur- veyors' warrants, paper, quills, etc., $6.84. Paid Samuel French, Jr., for services as selectman, $25. Paid collector's services, $5.50. Paid Nathaniel .M:ir- tin for services as town clerk, $10. 1819. — Jonathan Rollins and Sanuicl French, Jr., selectmen ; Isaac S. Sargent, collector. Amount of taxes, $1591.14. Paid Captain Sargent for providing for soldiers, $33. Paid Samuel French, Jr., for ser- vices as selectman, $23.25. Paid same for services as town clerk, $6. 1820. — Israel Davis, collector. Money raised, $1518.77. Nathaniel Martin, Richard Brown and Philip Brown, selectmen. Paid Major Zephaniah Bachelder for victualing soldiers, $12. Paid Cyrus Tucker for services as town clerk, $6. Paid Richard Brown for services as selectman, $28.14. Paid Philip Brown, $23.94. 1821.— Jonathan Rollins, Philip Brown and Rich- ard Brown, selectmen ; Israel Davis, collector; Cyrus Tucker, town clerk. Money raised, $1401.68. Paid town clerk's services, $5. Paid for victualing sol- diers, $28. 1822.— Josiah Siirgeut, collector; Eliphlet Wood, .lohn Rowell and Jonathan Rollins, selectmen. Voted to raise in money this yc:ir sl7:'.i;.S4. Paid (lideon Ladd, formakinga collin lor Snimirl Johnston, $1.25. Paid Jonathan Rollins lor docioiiiiir the town poor, $8.50. 1823.— Nathan Bachelder, Kliphlrl \Vhn S. Rollins, collector of taxes. Services, $22. Amount of tax committed, $3254. Joseph C. Harper, clerk. Services, $14. True Brown and J. T. Clough, school committee. Paid services, $20.75. Paid Pierce & Fowler for counsel, $117. Received for sale of old pulpit in meeting-house, .$3.02.- 1848.— Theophilus B. Martin, John S. Rollins and Joshua Emery, selectmen. Services, $143. Joseph C. Harper, clerk. Services, $12. True Brown, T. B. Martin, school committee. Services, $29. Harmon E. Bachelder, collector. Money committed, $2S1S. 1849.— Theophilus B. Martin, Joseph C. Harper and Samuel P. Calef, selectmen. Services, .TtlJi). Sl eominittce, Zcbina C. Perkins, J. T. Clough and LOUDON. 489 Henry J. Osgood. Services, $'.i(). Benjamin F. Neal, collector. Amount of lax committed, $27S-2. Paid fur collectiug, $20. 1850. — Joseph C. Harper, Elliot Oarr and William K. Holt, selectmen. Services, §97. John Fellows, clerk. Services, flO. School committee, E. F. Ab- bott, T. N. Jones, William A. Sargent. Charges, $30. Gould Dimond, collector. Tax committed, $2550. 1851.— John L. French, William K. Holt and Gould Dimond, selectmen. Services, $106. John Fellows, clerk ; Gould Dimond, collector. Tax committed, $2709. Services, $30. E. F. Abbott, T. F. Jones and William A. Sargent, school committee. Services, $38. Indebtedness of town, $178.49. 1852. — Ira Osgood, Luther Haynes and George W. Neal, selectmen. Services, $155. Joseph B. Sanborn, clerk. Services, $11. Jeremiah Clough, collector. Tax committed, $2776. Cash on hand, $336.28. 1853.— Ira Osgood, Benjamin F. Neal and Ozni P. Hamblet, selectmen. Services, $128. Joseph B. San- born, clerk. Services, $13. School committee, Theo. B. Martin, True Brown and Henry J. Osgood. Ser- vices, $40. Jonathan Bachelder, collector. Tax committed, $2045. Ciish on hand, $48.85. 1854. — Hiram French, Elliot Carr and Harmon E. Bachelder, selectmen. Services, $157. David Putnam, clerk. Services, $15. School committee, T. B. Martin, True Brown and Henry J. Osgood. Services, $49. Collector, Jonathan Bachelder. Amount committed, $3395. 1855. — Luther Haynes, Jeremiah Clough and Jos- eph C. Ordway, selectmen. Services, $219. School committee, Zebina C. Perkins, Nathaniel Shannon and John B. Moore. Services, $53. Theo. B. Martin, collector. Tax committed, $3361. Cash on hand, $247. 1856. — Selectmen, Benjamin Cate, Jeremiah Clough and Joseph C. Ordway. Services, $200. Robert S. Perkins, clerk. Services, $20. Theo. B. Martin, col- lector. Tax committed, $3732. 1857. — Benjamin Cate, Joseph B. Sanborn and E. H. Robinson, selectmen. Services, $176. Henry J. Osgood, clerk. Services, $15. Nathaniel Shannon, school committee. Services, $45. Jeremiah Clough, collector. Tax committed, $3977. Cash on hand, $7.96. 1858. — Benjamin Cate, Joseph B. Sanborn and E. H. Robinson, selectmen. Services, $167. Henry J. Osgood, clerk. Services, $15. Nathaniel Shannon, school committee. Services, $45. Collector, Jere- miah Clough. Tax committed, $3882. Indebtedness, $586.64. 1859.— Joseph B. Sanborn, E. H. Robinson and Timothy F. Smith, selectmen. Services, $150. Orrin D. Kimball, clerk. Services, $15. John W. Morrill, collector. Amount committed, $3524. Silas Green, E. G. Knowles, school committee. Services, $46. In- debtedness of town, $271.15. I860.— Ira Osgood, Timothy F. Smith and Samuel I!. LoviTiiig, sflcclnieii. Services, $164. Orriii 1). Kimball, clerk. Services, $23. School committee, Silas Green, E. G. Knowles and John B. JSIoore. Ser- vices, $53. Indebtedness of town, $58.83. John W. Morrill, collector. Amount committed, $4217. 1861.— Ira Osgood, Perley W. Rowel 1 and Levi F. Sleeper, selectmen. Services, $153. J. T. Clough, clerk. Services, $16. John W. Morrill, collector. Amount committed, $4367. Cash on hand, .'5183.50. 1862.— Ira Osgood, Levi F. Sleeper and Samuel D. Morrill, selectmen. Services, $146. Abraham B. San- born, clerk. John B. Moore and William Emery, school committee. Services, $55. John W. Morrill, collector. Amount committed, $4082. War account : the town borrowed money to hire soldiers amounting to $14,792.79, which is indebtedness. 1863.— Theophilus B. Martin, Samuel D. Morrill and Jeremiah Blake, selectmen. Services, $159. Wil- liam W. Cate, Moses C. Stevens and Alvah H. Bach- elder, school committee. Services, $51. Levi F. Sleeper, collector. Amount committed, $5864. Cash on hand, $2124.07. 1864. — Tiieophilus B. Martin, Jeremiah Blake and John Wheeler, selectmen. Services, $277. William W. Cate and Moses E. Stevens, school committee. Services, $56. Collector, Levi F. Sleeper. Tax com- mitted, $8094. Whole indebtedness of town, $47,780.- 10. 1865. — Jeremiah Blake, John Wheeler and Henry J. Osgood, selectmen. Services, $311. Alvah H. Bachelder, clerk. Services, $30. William S. Col- lins, Moses E. Stevens and C. Frank Cate, school committee. Services, $74. Elijah B. French, col- lector. Tax committed, $10,367.32. Actual indebt- edness, $46,232.61. 1866. — Jeremiah Blake, John Wheeler and Henry J. Osgood, selectmen. Services, $308. C. Frank Cate, clerk. Services, $25. Actual debt of town, $46,283.85. 1867. — Jeremiah Blake, John Wheeler and Henry J. Osgood, selectmen. Services, $327. C. Frank Cate, school committee. Services, $26.75. Elijah B. French, collector. Amount committed, $9749.38. Actual debt, $38,714.29. 1868.— Benjamin Cate, Alvah H. Bachelder and E. B. French, selectmen. Services $286. True W. Center, town clerk. Services, $30. Tax com- mitted, $9956.90. Actual .debt, $38,679.73. 1869.— Benjamin Cate, Alvah H. Bachelder and E. B. French, selectmen. Services, $315. True W. Center, clerk ; Samuel Neal, collector. Amount committed, $9248.33. Actual debt of town, $39,775.18. 1870. — Jeremiah Clough, John Jones and Jacob D. Osgood, selectmen. Services, $219. William S. Collins, school committee. Services, $75. James F. Nelson, clerk. Services, $35. Samuel Neal, collector. Amount of tax, $8916.63. Actual debt, $41,720.25. 1871. — Selectmen, Jeremiah Clough, John Jones HISTORY OP MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. and Jacob D. Osgood. Services, $230. (Jharles E. Sauborn, school committee. Services, $82.75. Sam- uel Neal, collector. Amount of tax, $7738.58. Debt, $39,710.54. 1872.— Jeremiah Blake, Nathan C. Clough and Samuel Neal, selectmen. Services, $205. Na- thaniel D. Clough, collector. Tax committed, $9120.78. Actual debt, $30,74.63. 1873.— Jeremiah Blake, Nathan C. Clough and Sam- uel Neal, selectmen. Services, $296. Abial H. Clough, clerk, $35. William W. Cate, school committee. Service, $40. Collector, Nathaniel D. Clough. Tax committed, $8629.53. Actual debt, $30,366.85. 1874. — Henry J. Osgood, Cyrus Bachelder and Nathaniel D. Clough, selectmen. Services, $281. Albert A. Adams, collector. Tax committed, $8411.- 84. Actual debt, $31,202.12. 1875. — Henry J. Osgood, Cyrus Bachelder and Nathaniel D. Clough, selectmen. Services, $271.80. Samuel Neal, collector. Tax committed, $9202.19. Actual debt, $30,175.77. 1876.^ — ^Moses E. Stevens, Abial H. Clough and James F. Nelson, selectmen. Services, $235.80. John Jones, collector. Tax committed, $9042.44. Debt, $29,039.36. 1877. — Moses E. Stevens, Abial H. Clough and James F. Nelson, selectmen. Services, $233. John Jones, collector. Tax committed, $8,545.67. Actual debt, .$27,736.65. 1878. — Abial H. Clough, Cyrus Bachelder and John L. Buswell, selectmen. Services, $246. John Jones, collector. Tax committed, $8584.21. Actual debt, $26,058.76. 1879. — Cyrus Bachelder, John L. Buswell and Rinaldo B, Foster, selectmen. Services, $221.75. John Jones, collector. Tax committed, $7463.59. Actual debt, $25,346.89. 1880.— John L. Buswell, Rinaldo B. Foster and Jeremiah A. Clough, selectmen. Services, $228. Charles D. Carr, collector. Amount committed, $6670.64. Actual debt, $25,748.62. 1881. — Rinaldo B. Foster, Frederick E. Copp and Jeremiah A. Clough, selectmen. Services, $225. Challis D. Carr, collector. Tax committed, $8911.49. Actual debt, $22,453.74. 1882.— Rinaldo B. Foster, Frederick E. Copp and Jeremiah A. Clough, selectmen. Services, $246. Newell W. Lovering, school committee. Services, $35. Frank E. Robinson, clerk. Services, $35. Challis D. Carr, collector. Tax committed, $9450.33. Actual debt, $18,485.57. 1883. — Rinaldo B. Foster, Jeremiah A. Clough and William W. Cate, selectmen. Services, $285. Nathaniel D. Clough, collector. Tax committed, $8077.55. 1884.— William W. Cate, John F. Ordway and Elbridge G.Sargent, selectmen. Services, $280. Alvah L. Morse, clerk ; Annie M. Osgood, school committee. Services, $55. Nathaniel D. Clougli, collector. 1885.— William W. Cate, Horace F. Fletcher and Elbridge G. Sargent, selectman ; Alvah L. Morse, town clerk; Henry J. Osgood, school committee; Nathaniel 1). Cluuirb, collector. The Relig-ious History of Loudon.— The same year in which the town was incorporated measures were taken for the building of a meeting-house. At a meeting of the parish held in November, 1773, it was " Foy the Rev. Mr. Day, 492 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. and a further division i;anie up in regard to tlie location of the meeting-house. Several meetings were held in order to change the location and build the house near the south part of the town, but all such propositions were voted iu the negative. Then a meeting was called " To see if the town will vote to Set off all the southwest corner of the town, and have the same annexed to Concord or Canterbury, as may be most convenient, commencing at the town line and running southeasterly to the mouth of Pine Island Brook, and then follow the river to Bow line." This was voted in the negative. In the year 1788 the Rev. Jedediah Tucker commenced preaching to the people of the parish. At a town-meeting held the IVtli day of January, it was " Voted to give the Rev. Mr. Tucker a call, and chose a committee, consisting of Joseph Tilton, Nathaniel Bachelder, Stephen Wells, Jeremiah Clough and Daniel Ordway, to agree with 5Ir. Tucker and report at the next meeting." At a meeting of the parish, held on the 1-ttli day ut February, " Toied to give the Rev. Mr. Tucker that piece of land bought of Mr. Blunt for a settlement in Loudon." Also, " Voted to give him the income of the parsonage during his ministry in Loudon, with the privilege of cutting his wood with prudent usage." Also " Voted to give him sixty pounds for the first year, sixty-five for the second, seventy for the third, and seventy-five for the fourth year of his ministry." Also, " Voted that he shall have three Sabbaths yearly to visit his friends." "Loudon, June 22'"i, 1789. I-, ttn- . do enter our dissent against Mr. surgeon for the parish, making no charge lor such service within its limits. *' We, the Subscribei-s, Inhabitants of Louiluii, lierel).v notify tlie Con- gational Society in said Loudon that we consider it both illegal and unconstitutional for any society whatever to lay a tax on any person or pel-sons by the authority of a majority of a Town or Society vote. And we, the undersigned, hereby give notice that we are determined to pivy no more ministerial taxes for the purpose of the support of any preaching or minister whatever in that way after this date. •' Loudon, March 14, 1803. (Signed) "Stephen Pickering, James Palmer, Isaac Sniitli, .\rcbelaus Mot)re, Jonathan Smith, Jr., Eliphalet Swain, Thomas Bachelder, John Carter, Elisha Sweatt. " A true copy. Attest. " Enoch Wooo, Toimi CVerS." Mr. Tucker, as minister of the gospel, united nearly all the people in town who were married, commenc- ing in 1795. The records of the town show that he married two hundred and thirty-two couples, with one or both of the parties living in Loudon. In the years 1812 and 1813 he also served as chair- man of the Board of Selectmen for the town. In looking at the record books of the town, one may gain an impression of the man, particularly in the I boldness of the signature of his name, which is imi- tated by uo other person. It seems that after his dismissal he gave his attention more to public busi- ] ness and to the practice of medicine. The reason for the vote of dismissal is unknown. It might have been at his own request or from other causes. Just before the vote of dismissal the following dis- sents are recorded : "Dani.I^! ■ , 1 i . i>, :, i M i,:ild, James Itawlin-^'J, I > I -- i I I, ' t,.^.-ph Drue, Robert Drue, Abial t;harabeilui, ^.ub.^Il Li t;-li, J^i .mi .. i I'ltrker, Jonathan Wiggins, Jona- than Clough, Jonathan Chaae, Moses Kawlings, John Clough, Samuel Mon-ill, Samuel French, Captain John Sanborn, John Drue, Jacob Tole, Samuel Hill, Reuben Ceilings, Stephen Cate." At a meeting in September, 1789, " Voted to choose a Committee of seven to join Mr. Tucker in ap- pointing a day for Ordination. And chose Nathan Bachelder, Esq., Moses Ordway, Thomas Bachelder, Abraham Bachelder, Joseph Moulton, Timothy French and Nathaniel Bachelder." This committee appointed the 21st day of October following, to be the day. Also, this committee chose the following gentlemen to compose the council : Rev. Mr. Adams, of Stoughton, Second Church ; Rev. Mr. Howard, of Stoughton, First Church ; Rev. Mr. Robins, of Milton; Rev. Mr. Tucker, of Loudon ; Rev. Mr. Thatcher, of Dedham ; Rev. Mr. Uphara, of Deerfield; Rev. Mr. Colby, of Pembroke; Rev. Mr. Evans, of Concord ; Rev. Mr. Smith, of Gilman- ton; Rev. Mr. French, of Andover; Rev. Mr. Bab- cock, of New Andover; and Rev. Mr. Merrill, of Plaistow. The selectmen paid the expenses of the ordination, and Mr. Tucker continued to preach for nearly thirty years. He also was the practicing physician and " This is to let you know hut I do 1U,I belie rates to Mr. Tucker; (Signed) "March 19, 1804.- • " I do enter my dissent agains paying taxes to not belong to his Society. (Signed) "SIarch9, 18IH." against paying Tucker. (Signed) ' " April 16, 1805." " I do hereby enter my disseu against paying Tucker. (Signed) "March 31, 1803." After the dismissal of Mr. Tucker, in 1810, by vote of the town, the Rev. Enoch Courser was ordained as minister, in 1816, and continued as such for a num- ber of years. The Rev. Samuel B. Dyer and the Rev. Enoch Courser both continued to preach to the churches of Loudon for nearly thirty years. They lived in the same neighborhood, and as the sectarian strife which had grown up in the parish continued to increase, unkind feelings existed between the two men. Both were strong and powerful men, of large and well-proportioned bodies, unyielding in disposi- tion, and the consequent result was that feelings of the most bitter animosity, as individuals, existed be- tween them, which extended to the churches over LOUDON. 493 which they were the pastors. The Rev. Mr. Dyer was a member of the Legishiture from the town of Loudon in the year 1818. While at Concord he boarded with one Mr. Davis, with fifteen others, four of wliom were ministers. On Friday noon a convention was held at the boarding-house, Mr. Dyer, chairman, and it was ■' Voted that we will not drink any ardent spirits till the session closes." The law which authorized the selectmen to tax the citizens for the support of the minister was very dis- tasteful to many of the tax-payers. The town became involved in lawsuits in consequence of it. The case of Isaac Smith was one of expense. The largest tax assessed against him in any year was $1.60, which he positively refused to pay in any manner. He was arrested and put in jail for one day and released. The town carried on the lawsuit for some years, until the expenses in the case amounted to two hundred and seventy-five dollars, after which the law was repealed. The hardness of feeling growing out of the work- ings of this law led several persons to organize a so- ciety, to be known as the first Free- Will Baptist Society in Loudon, which was done by John Sanborn, Jona- than Clough, Abner Clough and Nathaniel Martin, in the year 1807, and held meetings one-fourth part of the time in the old meeting-house, with the Rev. Sam- uel B.Dyer as minister. In May, 1823, one-half of the old meeting-house was given up to the Free- Will Baptist people. The Congregational Society made a renewed effort in "*26 to build a new house, to be located nearer the south part of the town, and the following year erected a new one at the village. This led to an unhappy division. Mr. Courser preached the dedicatory sermon, but declined further- services. In 1837 the condition of the society became discouraging ; he was dismissed and left the town after twenty years of labor. The rapid rise of the Free- Will Baptists was its first shock. A severer one was from its own division, attended by the personal diificulties of Mr. Courser with some of his church members. Both the churches for several years were supplied by several preachers for short periods of time. In the year 1839 a new church edifice was erected near the old one, at a cost of sixteen hundred dollars. The Rev. Cyrus W. Wallace was the first minister. The church and society failed in settling him, for want of pecu- niary means. Parker Pillsbury followed, and further divided the church upon the question of slavery. He was succeeded by the Rev. John Le Bosquet, followed by Rev. Ezekiel Dow, Jonathan Ayres, E. F. Abbott, Jarius Ordway, Rev. Mr. Caswell and finally the ven- erable Rev. Mr. Courser returned and preached for one year or more, which was the close of his life-work in the gospel ministry. The Second Church at the vil- lage has had but two ordained pastors,-the Rev. Henry White and the Rev. Thomiis N. Jones. Othersupplies, .>nch as Calvin White, Henry Wood and the Rev. Charles Willey, have preached t.. this iieople. In the year 1883 the Rev. C. Roper was the pastor of this people, and largely by his efforts the church was re- paired. The Methodists have had a church for sev- eral years in this place, and the Rev. Silas Green, during some years, was the preacher of both the Meth- odist and Congregational Churches. Since, the preach- ers have been of the Methodist order, and at this time, 1885, no preaching is sustained by either. About the year 1847 the Free- Will Baptists, by a vote of the town, obtained control of the old meeting- house for meeting purposes, by altering and making an upper story, which they have occupied as a place of worship, at a cost of one thousand dollars. The Rev. John Norris was called as the pastor of this people after the alteration. He was succeeded by William A. Sargent, who was ordained as a minister. During the stay of Mr. Sargent a meeting was held for several weeks under the labor of Elder Phinney, of Maine, in which the Rev. E. F. Abbott, of the Congregational Church, joined, which resulted in large accessions to either church. Elder Sargent was followed by the Rev. E. G. Knowles, Rev. Josiah P. Stinchfield, Rev. S. S. Brooks ; and the Rev. John George was ordained and remained three years. After his removal the church was thoroughly repaired, and alterations made upon the inside, a new pulpit and furniture purchased. At the same time Captain Solomon Caverly, a former citizen of the town, presented the society with a church-bell. The house was rededicated, and Carter E. Cate, a townsman and graduate from Dartmouth College, was engaged and ordained as a minister of the gospel by the Free-Will Baptist denomination, and remained for one year. He was followed by the Rev. Charles E. Hurd, who remained four years, and was succeeded by Rev. D. I. Quint, who is the present m niatei in the jeii 1883 ■«\RRI\&ES B-i REV lEIlinU n I 1 I rah Mo It B J I t a s 1 I J I a CI esley nd J d tl Ladd Sa el C oss a a d L C T I gal 8 Na h el r ce 94 — Sa el Jacobs d Al g C sa and \a Bo„e -b Jol n L 1 euch a d Sail Tlo TsBa lellerand Marti slo V Tohn B Iton and Bet Ua I lall anl Pollv G o HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. chelder, William Brown and Bachelder, Nathaniel Ingalls ly Sherburn, Isaiah Dow and and Betsy French, Enocli Gerrish and Ruth Clough, Josiah Drake and Nancy C. Wintlow, Jeremiah Emery and Lydia Morse, Joseph Baclielder and Sukey Tilton. isll.— David K.jlliiis and Lyilia Stevens, Timothy Miveck and Judith \\, l;., I !. .1, ,^ r,i;,, ihi -i.-.Min.il, 'liltuh. >r..|,l,..n Wells and Eliza 111— , , ' , I II l;iii^ li.iMil Sargent and Tolly rvey Blaisdell ; i.niHs III. Davis, Abraham Bach lunch and Knth Maxfield, Samuel Neal and Ilitty Smith and Sally Berry, .Inhn Carr and Sally Brown, Lydia Sanborn, Thomas Sargent an'l Polly French, Nancy Loiigee, Josiah James and Sarah Tilton, Sanmel ■y Morrill, Jonathan 0. Beau and Judith Thompson, I'l illy Emery, Valentino Hill and Polly Thompson, Na- I Hannah Kowoll. l;,. I Welder and Nancy EoUins, Byley Lyford and Lois M.rtts and Polly Beck, Lemuel Hill and Betsey Drew, uid Sally Bachelder, Mathias Haines and Polly Fur- irown and Peggy Beck, Chandler Glines and Betsey id Hannah Kelley, Jeremiah Clifford and IM ,■ 1,1 ^^ I- 1 I ii.ii. I I' I i;, i-\ III I I , .l.liii I niri y and Abigail Os- born, John Cumnuii- II I ^1 ' I _,l: ii.i l,..\ering and Betsy Bachelder, Tlieopbilu- \ ii h i li.hn Sargent Betsy Brown, Isaa. \i ;_,i, I ;ii r, Timothy Bro and Dorothy Bacheldei, J.^w .>u,,a. .u..i K.i^htl l;Laiiclt. 1813.— Philip Brown and Sally True, Nathaniel Sherburne and Jane Piper, Alexander Bragg and Sally Eaton, John Merrill and Hannah Os- l)(n n, Tlioiuai, Hackelt and Sarnli l.ovcring, Timothy Tilton and Susan- h.i'i 11 _ ., .; i:;. 1 ,i.I I'l .» II 11 iMMii .' I. S.Kollins, Joshua Dwinell and III! !: , , , ; r.itsy Barter, Daniel J.Smith I I ill I 111 Mary Ruord, John Longec etsy 'i den and Eleuor Will i' ' ■ | i ' ' '■ Blanchard and Esti-i I' ■ ' i ' i i i ^ ii ^' m Moor and Rachael r.n.ii, -.iiiiiii I I'.il.m- mil -.lil- K.iiiimi, Ii.imI Foster and Sally Dearburii, Iiavi.l HachcMir and Ililty l.aiii;, Saninel Currier and Sally Bias. 1S04,— .Tohn Clark and Polly Currier, Samuel French and Sukey Til- t n. f'h;,,!.- Ili-.'l; it\>! ^allv Sargent, Joshua Wallard and Polly Lang- III, ,1. ' 'i r il' ill 11 i ',\ Sanborn, Samuel Elliot and Eunice Sar- 1,1 , I !-,, My Osgood, Joshua ThnmpsonandFannie I;, I,, -I, iivilii,! ,,,,! il.i.'h. M, I .1.111.1.^ 'I- landSally iU:r and D^jrutliy (JarUnd, \Villiam Jucki thy llilliard and Morrill and Sally French. svnnahKonuoy, Nathaniel K Sleeper, Gideon Ladd and Polly Osgood, Samuel d Polly l-'rc.uih, .loshua Sargent 1. I I 1 II.I -,, ,:i,ih IMaxfleld, Phineas Healy and , ,,\ l;,,ii,;, \. 11, .111 i; :_1 1 il I miah Kenney, Osgood Ring and .^uily iliMWii, .l,.iiii .M.M.i. .uiii IUA^<_\ ll,,lnian, Peter French and Lydia The foregoing were all married by the Rev. ,Tcde- (liah Tucker, from 1790 to 1815, amounting to two hundred and thirty-two marriages. Schools. — The town voted to raise for schooling, in the year 1776, ten pounds, lawful money. From 177t) to 1779 the school money was used for war purposes. In 1779, " Voted to raise two hundred pounds for schooling." In 1781, " Voted to hire a school-master for six months, and voted to raise five thousand dol- lars for schooling." In 1782 no money was raised. In 1786 it was " Voted to raise forty pounds for schools." Also '■■ Voted to build four school-houses by a Parish rate to be paid in specie, and that said houses shall stand, one about halfway between the pound and Mr. Caleb Pillsbury's ; the second to stand at the mouth of Esq. Sias' mill-road ; the third to stand at the mouth of Bear Hill road ; the fourth to stand near Isaac Pills- bury's house." These divisions were known as classes. It was also " Voted that the four classes have the privilege of sending scholars from one class to another upon town money." For a number of years the town voted sixty pounds annually for schooling. In 1792 one of the school-houses was j burned, and the parish voted to build a new one, and for the selectmen to build it at vendue. In the year 1796 " Voted two hundred dollars for schooling." About 1780, Timothy Gleason came to this country from Scotland, he being of Irisli descent, and followed the occupation of school-teaching. 1 1 seems that he taught the four classes in town for a number of years. He was a most excellent penman, and was employed by the selectmen to make the record of tiixes and town proceedings, and for a century no person has equaled him in skill, clear- ness and beauty in this fine art. Mr. Philip Brown taught school for a number of years after Mr. Glea- son ; also Dr. Bnijaniiii Kelley, of (iilinanton, Henry 405 Jackson, John Bachelder .anil others. In 1809 the town " Voted to number the school districts. The easterly class to bo No. 1 ; the class near Moses Ord- way's to be No. 2 ; the new south district to be No. 3; the class near Samuel Piper's to be No. 4 ; theTiinathy French class to be No. 5 ; the class near John Moore's to be No. 6 ; Thomas Moore's to be No. 7 ; Elliot Carr's to be No. 8." Amount of money raised this year for schooling, five hundred and thirty-two dollars. In the year 1810 a school-house tax of $56.23 was raised in No. 1 for repairs ; also in No. 2, $52.41 was raised for the same purpose. The school money con- tinued to be more each year, until at the present time the selectmen raise and pay to the different school dis- tricts about fourteen hundred dollars. School-teachers formerly were males. It was the custom for young men to attend school until they were twenty-four and twenty-five years of age, and it was not uncommon in some of the largest districts for as many as ten or fifteen of this class of scholars to attend school, the teacher having no laws or regulations to aid but his own. The labors of all such were heavy, requiring men of strength and power to meet the emergencies required. Those who followed the business soon became tyrants to an extent in their school duties, and often made them irritable and vexatious in other duties. The school laws of our State are an- cient as they now exist. The school-district system is the same as nearly a hundred years ago. At dif- ferent times efforts have been made to revise and change them in some of their aspects, but nothing has been effected until the jiresent year. Intoxicating drinks. — The custom of drinking liquor was in practice for many years, and was common. The rec'ords state several instances where rum was fur- nished by the selectmen upon different occasions. At the raising of the meeting-house a barrel of rum was bought, and paid for by the selectmen. The selectmen also paid for the rum used when bridges were built. Con- stables advertised that at the sale of land for taxes each sale would be followed by a drink of flip or toddy. It was considered as one of the important things in settling the township, to set out an orchard of apple-trees, which soon produced fruit bountifully. The chief use of them was to make cider. Almost every farm had its cider-mill, and large quantities of it were made and placed in the cellars, to be drank. Not unfrequently fifty barrels, and sometimes more, were made in a single year. The custom of using liquor was so general that it was not regarded as among the bad habits indulged in. Ministers drank it, and the old decanter was placed upon the table whenever they visited their parishioners. Fast days, Thanksgiving days, the birth of children and the visits of relatives were some of the great occasions when it was used, and often to excess. It is said that the Rev. Mr. Tucker, by this habit, lost his usefulness as a min- ister, and that it was one of the causes of his leaving the mini.stry in town. In the year 1795 a law w.as enacted requiring any person that sold liquor to obtain a license from the selectmen of the town. In this year Jonathan C. Per- kins, Enoch and Abner Wood, Philip Brown, Nathan- iel Bachelder, Jr., and Nathaniel Rollins were licensed. In 1797, Samuel Piper, Daniel Lowell and Wm. Stev- ens were licensed. In 1800, J. Bachelder, Wm. Stevens, J. Dearborn, Moses Rollins, Philip Brown, David East- man, Nathaniel Hill, William Brown, Daniel Lowell, Benjamin Kelly and Stephen Perkins were licensed. In 1801, Joseph Dearborn, Jethro Bachelder, S.amuel Piper, Philip Brown, Samuel Osgood, Enoch Wood, Brown & Ladd and Daniel Lowell were licensed. In 1803, Philip Brown, Timothy Barnard, Samuel Osgood, David Eastman, Moses Chamberlin, Samuel Piper, John Ladd, Moses Flanders and Samuel Elliott were licensed. In 1805, Philip Brown, Samuel Osgood, David Eastman, Levi Dearborn, Daniel Lowell, Enoch Wood, Samuel Wales, Samuel Elliott and Gould Di- mond were licensed to sell at their dwelling-houses by the one-half pint and gill. Several of these men were licensed as inn-holders, ortaverners, for the pur- pose of putting up and providing food and all the accommodations for the large teams which were em- ployed in drawing goods and groceries from Ports- mouth and Newburyport to towns north as far as Laconia. Large teams of oxen, as well as horses, were used in the transportation, and the amount thus drawn was large. I As early as the year 1777 the parish took some action in relation to the use of liquor. At a parish- meeting, held to vote for five persons as members of the council, the following resolution was passed: *' Resolved, That no person be allowed a seat in the council or assembly who shall, by himself or any other iwrsoa for him, before said choice, treat with Liquor any Elector with the apparent view of gaining their vote, or afterwards on that account. Elected Mr. Samuel Chamberlin as Representative of said Parish for one year, and he is to vote for dele- gates to the Continental Congress." It is generally conceded that the use of alcoholic drink as a beverage has decreased since the organi- zation of the township, in 1773. Carriages and Customs. — The introduction of carriages with wheels was of a more recent date. At first journeys were made on horseback. A family of four could comfortably ride in this manner, the hus- band and father sitting in the saddle, with the wife upon a pillion behind, carrying a child in her arms, while the father took one before him in front of the saddle. The wife maintained her position by holding with one arm the body of her husband. Horseb.ack- riding was the custom in practice by all who owned a horse. Women in 1700 rode with skill and grace, and were more healthy and robust than at the present time. Horse-blocks were placed at public places for the purpose of mounting the horse. In front of the meeting-house one was made of a large log, hewed square, and elevated sufficiently so that one could mount with ease. At the W^hite School-House, which was used largely for meetings on the Saljbalh, there 406 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. was a large stone placed at the southeasterly corner of the house, which was known and used as a horse- block. The first vehicle used for riding was seen on the old Canterbury road, and consisted of two poles fastened to the saddle or girt of the horse, while the large ends dragged upon the ground, and were fast- ened together by a cross-piece, upon which a seat was fastened for those who rode. Sleighs were made and used in the winter, and were of wood principally, heavy and cumbrous to the horse, and affording "but little style to the rider. The flist chaise used in Loudon was bought in Newburyport, Mass., by Mr. Enoch Wood. It is re- lated, in regard to this chaise, that upon its first appearance on the Sabbath, as Mr. Wood and his family rode to the meeting-house, the people came out and gazed with astonishment as it was driven up to the door. Afterwards Mr. William Tilton and Mr. Stephen Wells each bought and used one, and in a few years they became quite common. Their cost was nearly two hundred dollars each. Carriages with four wheels soon afterwards came into use, they being made without springs, with the body setting directly upon the axle. The seat was movable, and was so arranged upon wooden sjirings that the force of the jolt of the rough ways and roads was somewhat modi- fied to the rider. A great improvement was made in the use of a leather thorough brace, as it was called, and a still greater, when the steel elliptic spring was invented and became general upon nearly all car- riages. Cart-wheels were made largely of wood, the rims or felloes being wide and heavy, and at first with no iron or tire. Later, strip or streaked tire was used. This was wide iron cut into strips and spiked upon the outside of the rim. It was claimed that tire thus used was more durable than when used whole. Other implements used in farming have greatly im- proved, while some have become obsolete ; new and better inventions have taken their place. Mr. Elkins Moore, of Loudon Ridge, was a plow-maker ; also Oliver W. Morrill and Mr. James Osgood. These men built wood plows, with the plow-share of iron. The mould- board was worked out from a tree with a winding or twisting grain in order to give the furrow taken and cut a right turn. Cast-iron plows have been in use for nearly fifty years, and have superseded the wood- plow entirely. Like every invention, the cast-iron plow had its opposers, who thought it would prove worthless from the great liability to break. Shovels have been changed from wood with an iron edge to cast-steel ; hoes from iron with a steel edge to all steel. Forks of all kinds have changed in the form and material from which they were formerly made. Mowing-machines take the place of the hand-scythe, and horse-rakes have taken tlie place of the old hand- rake. Buildings.— The old jn-oprietors, when settling in town, built, generally, very large, two-storied, double dwelling-houses; and, in most instances, upon the top of some eminence or high hill, and then made a way or road to the same, so that the old highways were mostly very hard and hilly. Many of these large houses were built at the close of the year 1790, and. up to 1800. It was a very popular, as well as a fashionable idea, to build a large house, and if the expense was too heavy, a two-story half-house, as they were called, was built first, and the other half added whenever able. There are now standing about thirty of these ancient and honorable landmarks. These large houses required a large amount of lum- ber to finish them, while the timber in the frames ia very large and heavy. Most of them had but one chimney, which was in the centre, resting upon a strong foundation of stone-work beneath, which was often ten feet square at the base. The old-fashioned barns were built long and narrow, with two floors, and were cold and inconvenient to both the farmer and his cattle. No cellars were ever built, and probably were never thought of. Mr. Joseph B. Sanborn has recently built, at a great expense, the most thorough and best constructed barn now in town, and it is a marked contrast to tliose of 1700. About the year 1820 the stove in the meeting- house was purchased, and was the first one ever used in the town. This stove remained in the town- house and was in use until the winter of 1884 — a period of over sixty years. There was no way of warming this large house for thirty years previous, upon any occasion or in any weather, save a small box or foot-stove, as it was called, which was about seven by eight inches, and was made of tin, and in- closed in a wood frame, with a bail or handle for carrying, and inside was placed a basin which was filled with hot coals from the fire. This utensil was used more especially to give warmth to the feet, and was used chiefly by the women. Cooking-stoves were introduced several years later. There was at first a strong feeling against the use of them, and it required much efibrt and persuasion to induce a per- son to buy one. The kind first in use was called the "Moore Cooking-Stove." After several years the prejudice existing against their use subsided, and they gradually came into use. All cooking had previously been done over the fire-place and in the large brick oven. A change took place in both the manner and kind of food used. Indian corn and rye, which had been chiefly used for bread, were used in less quantities, and wheat became more common. Potatoes were but seldom used, and but few were raised. The large families of children were fed largely upon the old-fashioned dish of bean porridge, which was both palatable and healthy. The olden-time utensils in use were the heavy iron pots and kettles and the long-handled frying-pan, in which pancakes and flap-jacks were fried. Much skill and labor was practiced in frying for a large family of children. These cakes were made of rve nu';.l which had been bolted or silted, and made LOUDON. 497 into a thin batter and poured into the pan until the bottom was well covered, when it was placed over the fire aud well shaken to prevent burning. When ready to turn, a smart shake and a toss did the busi- ness without taking the pan from the fire, and the skill consisted in tossing over the crane while being turned. Cloth and its Manufacture. — In connection with the subject of lood and the different methods of raising and preparing the same for use, may prop- erly be mentioned the mode of manufacturing cloth and some other of the most necessary articles which were used and especially needed. AVool and flax were the chief resources from which the people made all kinds of cloth. Wool was raised by the farmer, and it was carded and spun by the housewife, and wove in a hand-loom, colored aud made ready for use by the same person. Cotton was used but very little, the cost of goods manufactured from it being so great that but few purchased it when first introduced. A calico dress was a fashionable fit-out for any woman, and was prized nearly as high as silk. Articles of bedding, table linen and clothing were made from flax, every farmer sowing the seed and raising his required amount. The process of getting the linen from the raw material was one requiring much care and hard labor. After the process of rotting it, certain men used to make it their business in the winter sea- son to go from place to place and work the flax into tow and linen, ready to be spun. Most of the farmers had in their barn an apartment, or room, called the flax-room, and in it were placed the flax, break, swingle-block and flax-comb. The process was ex- tremely dusty and disagreeable to the person engaged in it. The article called tow was the coarser part of the material, and was spun upon the large wheel, while the linen was that part saved by combing thoroughly upon the flax-comb, and was spun upon the small wheel and made into thread, table-cloths and other articles which were necessary. It was not un- common for women to spend the afternoon in visit- ing each other, carrying their small wheel with them, and, while talking, spin a quantity of linen for some family use. These linen wheels are now but seldom seen ; if one is found, it is preserved as a curiosity and a relic of " ye olden time." Boots and shoes were made by hand also, and from stock which required a year at least to properly tan the same. It was called a good day's work for one to make a pair of shoes, and it took two days to make a good pair of boots. In almost every neighborhood some one made and mended boots and shoes, which was, of course, his trade. In the esisterly part of the town Newell Sanborn was the shoemaker; in the other jiarts were Samuel Haynes, William Rincs, Daniel Blaisdell, Deacon Tilton, with some ochers who were the shoemakers of the town. The Town Constable was an ofliccr of great im- portance. His duties consisted in collcLling the State, town and minister taxes, which were com- mitted to him for that purpose, and he also paid out all the money received. The selectmen's account upon the record-books was made through the consta- ble, he being credited with the bills paid and charged with all money received. In all the records of the town, only one person, while performing the duties of constable, was in any manner found to be dishonest. In the year 1795, Ensign Hanson Hoit was chosen to the oflice of constable, and an entry appears for that year, under the form of a certificate, signed by the selectmen, John Sanborn, Samuel Piper and John Clough, that the said Hanson Hoit refused to account for $375.54, which was in his pos- session as money belonging to the town. The town purchased, for one dollar, a cane, which was known as the "' Constable's Cane," which was car- ried by each successively, during their term of oflice, as the ensign of their authority, and the pointing of it to any disorderly person upon public occasions pro- duced quiet and order at once. The duties of tyth- ingman were somewhat similar to those of constable, so far as disorder was concerned. Their duties were upon the Sabbath-day, and they often removed from the house persons who disturbed the meeting by wdiispering or laughing ; also, they were required to arrest any one seen traveling, if he were a stranger, upon the Saljbath, and have him fined. Respect for Titles and Titled Men.— In all the records of the town, for a period of more than fifty years, it is a very noticeable fact that great respect was shown the business men of the town, as well as all who were connected with the militia, and the title was invariably used in addressing them, and also in writing their names upon the tax-list and all matters of town affiiirs. The following instances are exam- ples : Esquire Ephraim Blunt, Captain John Sanborn, Ensign Samuel Piper, Quartermaster Smith, Lieuten- ant Ladd, Colonel Jonathan Rollins, General Richard Brown, Major Bachelder, Esquire Archelaus Moore. This respect and honor given and practiced by these ancient worthies toward each other was intended as a mark of true worth to the individual thus addressed, as everything to them partook of, and was built upon that noble and great characteristic and principle ot their nature, — honesty of purpose. This feeling of respect was taught to their children, and when they arrived at manhood the parental restraint and advice often continued for a long time afterwards. The boys were taught to take ofl" their hats and make their bow to respected men whenever they chanced to meet in the street. Scholars were taught to rise in their seats and stand during the entrance of the committee, or minister, and to perform the same act of courtesy upon their departure. Burying-Grounds. — The first person who died in Loudon was a man who was a striinger, and being taken suddenly sick, died, and was buried in front of the old Dr. Tenney house. The building used HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. as the office of Dr. Teuney, when he resided in town, covers the grave. At that time no buryiug-ground was laid out. In the year 1773, Mr. Nathan Bachelder and Mr. Jethro Bachelder were chosen as a committee to lay out the buryiug- ground. Two and one-half acres were laid out at the southeast corner of the parsonage lot, and some years afterward it wiis inclosed with a stone wall, and upon the front side long hewed timber was laid upon the wall, and covered with boards, which were painted black. There was but one entrance to the ground, and that was through a door about sis feet wide, in front. This door was painted black, and was hung upon stone posts upon either side, with a stone cap- piece connecting them at the top. The first person buriedin tlieyardwasavery tallman.thegravebeiugat the right hand of the entrance and is now visible. The name of the man is not known. One acre was reserved in the original laying out for future use, which was inclosed recently. A few years after the laying out of the ground at the Centre, the town bought of Philip Brown a piece of land at the village, for the burial of any who might wish, in that part of the town. This land was con- veyed to the town for a public burying-ground by a deed from Philip Brown to the town of Loudon, which is recorded at the register of deeds' oflice at Concord. These are the only public grounds in the town, and are repaired at the expense of the same. These two grounds contain the remains of nearly all the first and oldest settlers of the parish, several of whom were noted townsmen. Mr. Stephen Moore has recently given attention to the convenience and care of the dead, by laying out a ground at the village and the building of a tomb. Mr. Moore has made a very de- sirable and pleasant location, which in after-years will be filled, probably, with those ofthe present generation. There is also, besides, the Wells burying-ground. At the northerly part of the town is a new one, in a pleasant location and tastefully laid, and it contains some costly and elegant monuments. There are at least twenty-three burial-grounds in the town, and a large part of them are in the west- erly portion. The public ground at the Centre was originally one of the most gloomy and dreaded places in town. The high stone wall on the front, and made still higher with large timber lain on the top, and painted black, with its high, gallows-like posts, and narrow, black door through which no car- riage ever entered for more than fifty years, certainly made it a terror to the children by day, as well as to men by night. The custom of beautifying these an- cient " cities of the dead " is most excellent and com- mendable. At the village there is also a new and very pleasantly laid-out ground, adjoining that of Stephen Moore, which contains many valuable and costly mon- uments of marble, among which are several of the Bachelder family, the descendants of Jethro Bachelder, one of the original settlers ofthe parish. The Laying of theLotsin loudon. — The lots in the town were laid in two divisions, called first and sec- ond division of hundred-acre lots. The first division includes that part of Loudon taken from Canterbury, and contains forty whole hundred-acre lots. The sec- ond division includes the north and easterly parts, and contains one hundred lots of one hundred acres each, besides several parts of lots. These lots were laid one hundred and sixty rods long and one hundred rods wide, and each contained one hundred acres of land. The settlers who first came into the town pitched up- on certain lots for their farms, and such lots were called pitched lots. There are thirty-two of this descrip- tion, and they were situated near the White School- house and upon Clough's Hill, and are those now owned by J. T. Sanborn, Benjamin Bachelder, C. H. Osgood, C. B. Green, G. Mason, J. M. Ladd, H. John- ston, Abner Clough, H. J. Osgood and others. Be- sides these, there were several granted lots (so called), which were given for some service rendered in the laying of lots or highways. In the southerly part of the town the lots were laid smaller, and contained but thirty-eight acres, and were called common lots. The laying ofthe lots were full measure, and most of them include one or more ranges, either upon the side or end, and if it were not for the pitched lots, would be parallel and regular in form. Highways. — In the year 1761 a committee was chosen from the town of Canterbury to lay out a road from the Canterbury meeting-house the nearest way to some sea-port town. This was the first road laid, and was called the old Canterbury road. In the year 1774, Jethro Bachelder and Jacob Towle, selectmen, laid the road from Moses Ordway's, over Bear Hill, to Chichester line. The same year the road from the meeting-house to Samuel Morrill's corner was laid ; also one leading from Captain Sias' mill to John Moore's corner. In 1778, Nathan Bachelder and Ephraim Blunt, selectmen, laid the road from Gilman- ton line to Quartermaster Jonathan Smith's. March 22, 1774, Jethro Bachelder and Jacob Towle, select- men, laid the road leading from the meeting-house southeasterly to the Raccoon road (so called). " DVRHAJI, July 2G, 1779. "This may sartify, hoom it may concern, that I have given a nwl )r of my huudred-ucro lot, Jonathan Woodsian, ./mjmt." "LODDON, June 24, 17'JO. "This clay received a ranse-way at the west end of Lot No. 3)0, the whole width of said Lot and no further, in full satisfaction for the road that leads from my house to Bachelder's mills. (Signed) "Libbe Bacueldek." " August 24, 179l>.— Samuel Piper and John Clough, Selectmen, this day laid out a road from Lieut. Abner Clough's corner, hyjohn Clougli's, to John Moore's. Whereas, the a'uove road runs through land of Jona* than Chase, John Clousli, :\rusis CaMrly, Dimond I'urnald, we, the selectmen, agree I»> l:i' 1:1 i i|iiisiition the following Ranges : Jouutluiu f.'haso to h:i. I . ■ Ins Lot, and no further; also, one-half of the Rani: 1 '- 1-7. Jolin Clough to have the otlior half of the niiiu. hi ■- I. I N >- 137. Moses Caverly to have Iho range across his Lot X... IJU, un.l 110 further. Dimond Furnald to LOUDON. have the mnge acr {Signed) In wit ' Jonathan Chase, "John Clough, "Moses Oaverly, ■ "DlMOND FURXALD. "Samuei. Piper, "John Clough, H' 17, 1704. — Tliis day we, the Selectmeu, laid out a road begiu- little northerly from the crotch of the road that leads from Bach- mills to Moses LoToi-ing's and Canterbury line. (Signed) "John San "Charles I ^ Selerlmen Seleitmei "T17(ei-ca», a number of persons have signified their desire to have a public Road laid out and established from Loudon to Canterbury meeting-house, which will not only convene the public in general, but will be much shorter than the other south road ; Now, for the encour- agement of the same, and that so good an undertaking may not be frus- ti-ated, but pursued. We, whose names are underwritten, do severally promise to yield up, surrender, and forever quit-claim three rods of land for said road in width. Said road to begin at the Crotch of the road west of Hachelder's mills, running through part of Lieut. Abraliam liachelder's land, Noah Sinclair's and Mr. Philbrick's, and nui1h of Mr. Durgiu's, (Signed) Bach ; (:W), ' Thomas Moore. " Enoch Wood, Toi '. Clerl!.- " March 9, 1790. — John Sanborn and Samuel Piper, selectmen, this d.iy laid out a road beginning at Loudon line a little easterly from Lea- vitt Clougii's dwelling-house ; thence running to Moses Lovering's house, laid three rods wide." "September 9, 1799.— Stephen Wells and David Eastman this day laid out a road three rods wide leading from Stephen and Nathaniel Max- ticld's to the road that leads from Henry Beck's to Samuel Hill's." The return of this road reads as follows : "We allow this road to be as much profit as it is damage to the owners of the land it goes through." "LooDON, July 28, 1779.— This day the Selectmen laid out a road tUi-ougli my hundred-acre lot, No. 109, and I, the subscriber, have given said road to the parish of Loudon, per me. (Signed) " Abraham Bachelder, Esq." " LorooN, July 28, 1779.- This day received fifty dollars for a road the Selectmen laid out through my land from Abi-aham Bacbelder's to the Voted road. I say received in full by me. (Signed) " Left. John Sanborn." "July 8, 1779. — Ephraim Blunt and Jonathan Clough, Selectmen, laid out the road from Canterbury line to Otis Hills." " November IG, 1784. — John Sanboi-n, Samuel Chamberlin and Joseph Tilton laid out the road from Jacob Osborn's to Gilmantou road." "June 17, 1790.— John Sanborn and John Moore laid the road from Canterbui-y line, by William Wheeler's, to the road leading from Lover- ing's mill to Libbe Bacbelder's house." "Louno.N, Marcli 21, 1800. — We, the present Selectmen of Loudon, agree with Lwivitt Clough, of Canterbury, to give the said Clough the range at the west end of the Lot No. 100, beginning at the lower end of the pond, and to extend northerly to the line between Louaon and Can- terbury, in exchange for the road that goes by said dough's house, and I, the said Leavitt Clough, do agree to take the above range as full com- pensation for said road. (Sigm- ^ SeUclmei '• David Eastman, "James Thompson, J "June 23, 180G. — Samuel French, Jr., David Eastman and Elkins Moore, Selectmen, laid out a road beginning two rods south from Mr. Philip Brown's Well, southerly to Mr. Dearborn's house ; thence north to the easterly abutment of the stone Bridge over the Soucook river. , tot road that leads to Con- The highway leading from Buswell's corner to Howarth Mills was laid as follows: One of the own- ers of the land through which ihis road was to be laid became offended at the proceedings of some neighbor who was interested, and, as a matter of re- venge, gave the selectmen one gallon of rum to lay it in the worst place they could find ; and they did ac- cordingly. The laying out of most of the highways in town is generally on record, giving the location, distance and width laid out. CHAPTER II. LOUDON -( CuHii, THE GENEALOGY AXD BIOGRAPHY OF MANY OF THE CITIZENS AND FAMILIES OF THE TOWN. The Bachelder Family. — Rev. Stephen B,\ch- ILOE,' the founder of the family in this country, was probably from the southern part of England, as he certainly preached at a village a few miles north of South Hampton, in the county of Hants, England. The town of Hampton, N. H., was so named at his request. Rev. Stephen lived in Holland a number of years, and sailed from Loudon to Boston, Mass., in 1632, and w^eut directly to Lynn, where he planted the first church. His daughter, Theodate, wife of Christopher Hussey, also lived at that place. He lived at Lynn until 1636, and went from there to N'ewbury, Mass., and from there to Hampton, in 1638, and then to Portsmouth, about 1647 ; lived there until 1650, and went back to England about 1655, and died at Hackney (now London), in 1660, in his one hundredth year. His third wife, Mary , whom he married in 1650, was a bad investment, and he could not live with her. She was a widow, whose real character he did not understand. This third wife, Mary, petitioned court for a divorce soon after, upon the ground that he had married a fourth wife, which there is no evidence of whatever, as he was ninety-four or ninety-five years of age when he went back. His son Nathaniel had three wives and seven- teen children ; was a man of prominence for many years; in fact, he held a leading position until his death, in 1710. The woman whom Mr. Bachilor was justified in leaving was soon convicted of immor- ality that brought a sentence of thirty lashes and marking her with the letter A. There were at least six Bachelders who settled in Loudon, and with families, and were descendants of the Rev. Stephen Bachilor, of England, — 1st, Josiah, born in January, 1767, who was son of Deacon David, of Hampton Falls ; Deacon David was son of Josiah, of Hampton Falls; Josiah was son of Nathaniel, Jr., of Hampton ; Nathaniel, Jr., was son of Nathaniel, Sr., of Hampton; and Nathaniel, Sr., was a grandson of the Rev. Stephen Bachilor. 1 The name Bachilor was changed to Bachelder in spelling it by all the descendants of the Itev. Stephen, who settled and have since lived in Loudon. 500 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Major Nathan Bachelder was born October 25, 173-1, and was son of Deacon Ebenezer, of East Kingston. Deacon Ebenezer was son of Deacon Nathaniel, Jr., of Hampton. Nathaniel, Jr., was son of Nathaniel, Sr., the grandson of Kev. Stephen Bachilor. Major Nathan was a brother to Rich- ard. Richard was born October 5, 1736. Nathaniel, brother to Major Nathan, was born February 21, 1740. Abraham and Jethro were sons of Jethro, Sr. ; Jethro was the son of Nathaniel, Jr., who was the son of Nathaniel, Sr., who was grandson of the Rev. Stephen Bachilor. Abraham and Jethro were cousins of Major Nathan, Richard and Nath- aniel. Major Nathan settled at Loudon Ridge, N. H., where are living some of the descendants of this line. After the Major came to Loudon he took the name of Esquire Nathan in all the business mat- ters of the town. The descendants of the Bachelders who reside in Loudon are noted for being good citi- zens, are public-spirited, firm in their principles and honest in their purposes and aims. Abraham Bachelder, Esq., and Jethro, his brother, came to Loudon (then Canterbury) near the year 1760, as Abraham Bachelder was chosen as constable in 1765 in the town of Canterbury. Abraham Bachelder, Esq., was a man of large busi- ness capacity ; was a surveyor of land and was engaged in laying out the town of Loudon in lots. Also, he served as one of the selectmen of the town, and laid out and made the return of a large number of the highways. Abraham Bachelder settled on land near the White School-house, he having, while traveling in the locality and looking for meadow-land with his son Abraham, Jr., found the swell of land bordering upon the pond, covered with a most beautifnl growth of birch, oak and white ash, and, at the earnest request of his son, concluded to settle at this place. They built a log house just north of the one upon the Ira Osgood farm, and the land in the southeasterly direc- tion towards the school-house, was the first cleared. Afterwards Abraham, Jr., built the northeasterly half of the old red Bachelder mansion, as it now stands. This lot of land was called a pitched lot, and con- tained one hundred acres. It was afterwards divided by the highway leading to Gilmanton, and that part lying westerly of said road passed into the ownership of another person. The irregularity of the line of the boundary of some of the adjoining lots is caused by the pitching of the owner. Several other lots were pitched upon in the same manner. During the first years of clearing the land many privations had to be endured. In the first year they were short of food for bread, and Mr. Bachelder was obliged to cut some of his rye before it was ripe, dry it as much as possible, and carry it upon his shoulder to Canterbury for grind- ing,a distance of several miles. The corn raised and used for bread was pounded in a wooden mortar into meal. This same mortar is still in existence, and consists of a maple log about two feet long, with the bark still on, standing upon one end, while in the other is a cavity, nnide by burning out the wood by fire, in which corn or salt was placed and pounded with a wooden pestle. The mortar may be seen by examin- ing the attic of the old mansion. Jethro Bachelder located at the village then known as Bachelder Mills. He was a large land-owner, the proprietors giving him four hundred acres as an inducement for him to build mills upon the privilege at that place. The land given embraced that tract now owned by Joseph P. Bachelder, and also the Cate farm. Mr. Bachelder built the first house at the vil- lage, and it is known as the Captain P. Robinson house. He was the ancestor of the race of Bachel- ders at the south part of the town, and Abraham was that of the line living at the Centre. The line of de- scent from Abraham was Abraham Bachelder, Jr., born in 1744. His wife, Anna Judkins, was born in 1750, married in 1772. Their children are Nathan Bachelder, born in 1773; Abraham and Josiah Bachelder (twins), born in 1775; Hannah Bachelder, born in 1776; Josiah Bachelder (2d), born in 1779; Philip Bachelder, born in 1781 ; James B.achelder, born in 1783 ; John Bachelder, born in 1785; Sally Bachelder ; Jonathan Bachelder, born in 1790 ; Judith Bachelder. Jonathan Bachelder married Lois Wells and had a family of twelve children, — Abraham, Mary Ann, Stephen W., True, William T., Nathan, Nancy G., Sarah S., Hannah E., H. John, John (2d) and Benjamin. Benjamin Bachelder married Mary E. Bachelder, of Meredith, N. H., and has a family of two children, named Martha E. and John. He resides upon the farm and occupies the original house in part that was built by Abraham Bachelder, Esq., his great-great- grandfather. He has held the office of postmaster at Loudon Centre, N. H., for a number of yeai-s. Cyrus Bachelder, who was the son of James, brother of Jonathan, lived in Loudon, and had two children, named James K. P. and Georgia, who mar- ried the Rev. Warren Applebee. Mr. Bachelder has been elected to the office of selectman, has held that of town treasurer and has represented the town in the Legislature. Jethro Bachelder was born in 1723, married Abigail Loveringand had a family of eight children, named William, Abram, Jethro, Daniel, Libby, Na- thaniel, Jacob and Aaron. Mr. Bachelder was at one time the largest tax-payer in the town, but from some reason lost and consumed his property, until he was in his old age provided for by his children, who built a small house upon the hill near Mr. Abram Bachelder's, where he died, and was buried in the old village burying-ground. Libby Bachelder and Esquire Nathaniel lived in Loudon and had large families, and were men of note in their day. Cai'TAIN Abraham married Betsv Bachelder. She LOUDON. was born in 1750, and they had a family of eleven children, named Smith, born 1785 ; Zephaniab, born 1786; Olive, born 1788 ; Nathaniel, born 1790; Gard- ner, born 1792; Betsy, born 1793; Asa, born 1795; Lois, born 1797; Enoch W., born 1798; Joseph, born 1800; and Clarisa, born 1802. Zephaniah Bachelder married Mary Eastman and had seven children, named Harmon E., Abraham G., Blary, Arvilla, Genette, Martha and Louisa. Abraham G. Bachelder married Rebecca Fi- field, and had five children, named Fred., Frank, Charles, Asa and Frank. Mr. Bachelder is a good representative of the family ; is a man of ability and judgment, and is often applied to for advice and as- sistance in public as well as private life. He has acquired a good property, and has been successful in the profession whicli he has chosen for a living. Deacon Harmon E. Bachelder married Clarisa Sanborn and has one daughter, who married Samuel M. True, and she has three children, named Nellie, Blanche and Mary. Mr. Bachelder resides uprn the homestead of his father, Colonel Zephaniah, and is a large farmer, and is deacon of the Congregational Church at Loudon village. Genette Bachelder, daughter of Zephaniah, married William T. Wheeler and has no children. Mr. Wheeler is engaged extensively in farming, and has been successful in his avocation. Gardner Bachelder married, first, Clarisa Brad- ley, and, second, Nancy Young, and had a family of sixteen children, named Nathaniel S., Emory B., Judith, Stephen, William, Abby, Henry F., William, Winthrop, Abram and other infant children. Henry P. Bachelder married Lydia S. Rogers, and has three children, named Marion, Emma and Hellen. Marion married Fred. Lawrence and has one son, named Henry B. Emma married Frank E. Robinson. Hellen died in 1883. Henry F. Bach- elder has been a trader in groceries and dry-goods for a large number of years and has acquired a good property. He has held the office of postmaster at Loudon for twenty-four years. His life has been marked in his dealings with others by integrity and uprightness, and he is a respected citizen of his town. His business is now carried on under the firm-name of Bachelder & Robinson, and they are extensively enga in addition to their trade, in lumber busi- ness, and at present are the largest business firm in the town. Abram Bachelder married Whitney, of Canterbury, and they have one child, named Ivy. Asa Bachelder, brother of Zephaniah, married, in 1795, Rachel True, and had a family of seven chil- dren, named Augustine, Abram, Roscoe G., Ancie and three others, who died in infancy. Ancie Bachelder married J(jseph Wiggin, and had two children, named Nattie and Gertrude. Mr. Wiggin married, first, Eliza Walker, daughter of Ruel Walker, a:ul had four cliildrcn, named Eddie, Willie, Gertrude and . Mr. Wiggin commenced the business of a tanner when a young man with Mr. Walker, and afterwards married his daughter. He soon became the owner and has since carried on an extensive business, and is a prominent and valuable citizen. Asa C. Bachelder, son of Abraham G., married Jennie Badger and has a family of five children, named Edwin, Emory, Kate, Genette and Lillian. Nathan Bachelder married Margaret Bean, April 8, 175G, and had a family of seven children, named Richard, born December 8, 1756; Phineas, born November 16, 1760; William, born March 19, 1762; Joseph, born January 2, 1764; Ebenezer, born October 2, 1769; Dolly, born February 13, 1772; Josiah, born January 24, 1776. Esquire Nathan settled at Loudon Ridge. William Bachelder, son of Richard and grand- son of Esquire Nathan, married Mary Sargent, of Canterbury, N. H., and had a family of six children, named Mary E., Jeremiah, Nettie P., William N., Sarah A. and Park B. Nathaniel Bachelder had the following chil- dren : Betty, born February 10, 1783; Sally and Fanny (twins), born November 23, 1784; True, born July 20, 1794. LiBBE Bachelder had the following children: Nabby, bom June 19, 1779 ; Peter, born August 2, 1781; Dolly, horn March 23,1784; Polly, born Sep- tember 28, 1786; Sukey, born March 8, 1790; Manly and Betsey (twins), born August 10, 1793. William Bachelder had the following children : James, born March 18, 1784; John, born July 25, 1786 ; William, Jr., born May 28, 1791 ; Hazen, born April 16, 1793. (See Biographical Department for Joseph Batchelder). Moses Lovering came from Exeter, N. H., and settled in Loudon in 1787. He married Nellie Taylor, of Exeter, and had a family of thirteen chil- dren, named Willabee, Nellie, Osgood, Taylor, Nancy, Moses, Jesse, Mary, Zebulon, John, Daniel, William and Sarah, all of whom lived till from forty-five to ninety years of age, and were married and raised families of children. He came with nine children on horseback, and drove one cow, upon which depended the sustenance of the family in a large degree. The country through which he had to travel, when near Loudon, was a wilderness, and the settlers in those towns below furnished him aid in getting through. He moved into a log house between the dwelling of S. B. Lovering and the highway near the saw-mill. Zebulon had a family of eleven children; nine ot them lived, and were named, Samuel B., True, Almira, Annis J., Sarah B., Louis."!, Laura L., Abigail and Alonzo B. Samuel B. Lovering married three times and had a family of ten children, namedNaucy A., James B., Harlan P., Abigail M., Clara A., Frank O., Clara A. (2d), Frank O. (2d) and Edward E. 502 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Tlie Lovering families settled the adjoining land, and owned at one time nearly five hundred acres. Samuel B. Lovering married, first, Mary S. Rogers; second, Lucy Grace; third, Lavina Hoyt. He owns and has run a saw-mill for fifty years, be- sides being a thrifty farmer. He has represented the town in the Legislature in the years 1866-67, and been a justice of the peace for forty years. Eliphalet Wood married Elizabeth Tilton in 1788. Their children were named Eliphalet, Betsey, William, Sophia, Harry, Mary, Jonathan and Julia. The Rev. Plarry Wood was a minister of the gospel and editor of the Congregational Journal at Concord, N. H. During the administration of President Pierce he received an appointment as minister to one of the eastern countries. Enoch Wood, brother of Eliphalet, was a trader at the old Wood place, near the Dr. Tenney corner. He was a fine penman, and was chosen to the office of selectman and clerk for several years. The records of the town, while kept by him, present a hand- writing that is very plain and distinct. Samuel Moore was born in Canterbury, and had two wives and a family of ten children, among whom was Thomas, who was born in Canterbury, and mar- ried Comfort Perkins, and had a family of nine chil- dren, named Polly, Samuel, Joanna, Alexander, Samuel, Sophronia, Comfort, Thomas and Myra. Thomas Moore was chosen constable for the town, and was chosen as one of the committee to form school districts. Stephen Moore was born in Loudon in 179!) and married Mary Q. Greeley, of Gilmanton, and had a family of eight children, named Joseph, Albert, Ann Maria, Andrew G., George L., infant son, Caroline A. and Mary R. Mr. Moore married for his second wife Mary Bean, of Deerfield, by whom he had no children. Mr. Moore has devoted the- last years of his life in fitting up a new cemetery, he having pro- vided a suitable spot and expended a large amount of labor and money in improving the same. Andrew G. Moore married Laura A. Bachelder, daughter of Colonel Zephaniah, and had a family of two children, named Charles L. and Herbert G. A. G. Moore resides upon the farm owned by his fiither, Stephen, and is the one cleared by Thomas Moore. Charles \i. IMoore married Ida Jameson, of Fisher- ville, N. 11., and has no children. Herbert G. died in 1884. Lieutenant Arner Clough came from Epping, N. H., and settled first in Canterbury. He married Sally, daughter of Leavitt Clough, of that town, and had a family of three sons, named Leavitt, Abner and Jeremiah. Lieutenant Abner soon afterward exchanged land with the Shakers, who then owned the laud upon Clough's Hill, where Mr. Clough's de- scendants now reside. The Shakers located first in Loudon, and held meetings upon this hill, they being few in nuiiiliers at lliat time. Leavitt Clough married Hannah Sargent, and had three children, named Leavitt, Jr., David S. and Sally. Abner Clough married Sarah Haselton, and had three children, named Luc)', Abial H. and Jeremiah A. Jeremiah Clough married Polly Hook and had one daughter, named Adaline. He married tlie second time and had no children. General Richard Brown was born in Gilman- ton in 1787, and was the youngest child of .lob Brown, of that town. Richard was a descendant of John Brown, who was born in Hampton in 1589, and is of the sixth generation. He married three tiiDis, and had a family of seven children, named Sarah A., John S. R., Jane S. R., Mehitable, Elvira W., Adeliza and Huldah M. General Brown was a distinguished military man in Loudon, in which he took much pride. He was a strong and respected citizen, and was esteemed for his great force of character and firmness of principle. Deacon John S. R. Brown was born in Loudon in the year 1819, and married Achsa A. Mills, and had a family of seven children, named Anna E., Clara J., Abby M. P., Richard H. P., Hamlin D., John P. M. and Mary A. Deacon Brown was the only son, and upon the decease of his father came in Ijossession of the homestead farm, where he has re- sided and given his attention largely to that branch of business. He is a man of a deep religious cast of mind, and at one time in his life was chosen as col- porteur for the American Bible Society. He was chosen as one of the deacons of the First Congrega- tional Church, which office he has filled acceptably and discharged the duties with fidelity. He is strongly identified with the common-school interests and is a citizen much respected, and is found upon the side of progress and reform. His Christian life and example is undoubted by his townsmen. Mrs. Brown is an educated and intelligent woman, and is the author of several poems, which have been read in public frequently and were well received and com- mended. The Osgood Family.— William Osgood, of thi- first generation, was born in England in 1609, ami came to this country in the year 1638. He sailed from Southampton, in the ship "Confidence," April 11th. Captain Chase Osgood came to Loudon from Ei)ping in 1794. He had a family of twenty children. He died in 1807 at the age of eighty-eight, and was interred in the burying-ground at the Centre. Ebenezer Osgood, Esq., came from Raymond in 1803, and had a family of eight children, named Enoch, James, Polly, Bradley, Ira, Lamila, Nancy and Ebenezer. Ira Osgood, Esq., was born in Raymond, N. H., in 1799, and came to Loudon when four years of age. He luairicd Sallv 15. Par.sons, and had a faiinlvol LOUDON. 503 seven children, named Henry J., Ebenezer P., Wil- liam P., Charles H., Annie M., Mary E. and JIartha E. Ira Osgood was fitted for college at the Gilmauton Academy, after which he commenced teaching school, and taught a large number of terms both in and out of town. He was chosen, and served for several years, as one of the selectmen of the town, and after- wards was chosen representative for two years. He was a man of great firmness in all his undertakings and prosecuted them to the end. He devoted several of the last years of his life in compiling the genealogy of the Osgood family, which consisted of the descend- ants of eight generations. He died in April, 1877. Henry J. O.sgood married Hannah E. H. Bach- elder, and had a family of three children, named Mabel, Herbert and Henrietta, and was born in 1825, and by whom the present history has been written. Ebesezer p. Osgood married Ann Randall, of Laconia, and has one child, named Charles H. William P. Osgood married Paulina R. Clifford, of Loudon, and has two children, named Jennie M. and George B. Chaeles H. Osgood married, first, Augusta A. Clough, of Loudon, and the second time, Ann Lam- prey, of Gilmanton, and has no children. Annie M. Osgood (unmarried) is a school teacher of considerable note and lives at the homestead. Maey E. Osgood married, first, Charles C. Clough, ol' Canterbury, and the second time. Rev. A. D. Smith, of Laconia. Maetha E. Osgood married Charles H. Bean, of Lawrence, Mass., who is a large and extensive dealer in lumber in that city. John Moore came to Loudon from Canterbury and bought several lots of land at the Ridge. He was one of the selectmen of the town for several years, and as- sisted in the laying out of the town into lots and also several of the highways. He had a family of eleven children, named Hannah, Jacob, Archelaus, Elkins, John, William, Abia, Betsey, Patty, Polly and Sally. Archelaus Mooee, Esq., sou of John, had a family of ten children, named Abigail, Archelaus, Jr., Lucinda, Abia, Climena, Hannah, Lydia, David, Ju- lia and Jefferson. The Hon. Joseph Moore, editor of the Manchester Union, is the son of David, and was born in Loudon. ' Archelaus Moore, Jr., married a daughter of Joseph Clifford, of Gilmanton, N. H. His son, Dan- iel L. Moore, resides upon the homestead of his father, and has been married twice, having two chil- dren living. Mr. Moore married, last, Mariana Sleeper, of Loudon, and has one child. He has a large interest in the new cemetery at Loudon Ridge, in which he has erected a family monument which is both costly and beautiful in appearance and design. Mr. Moore has added many improvements to his farm and buildings, and is a man of fine culture and taste. He devotes his time and attention largely to farming, and is very successful. He is a prominent and respected citizen, and possesses the characteristics which have made the Moore family somewhat noted throughout each generation, one of which is an apt- ness for action upon any sudden emergency, without any effort or apparent consideration. The Carr Family descended from Robert Caer, who lived in Salisbury, Mass., and had a family of fourteen children, named John, Sylvanus, Joseph, Benjamin, Nathan, Joanna, Abigail, Martha, Elliott, Susanna, Nancy, Betty and Mary. Elliott Carr married Hannah Dow, and had a family of seven children, named John, Nathan, Han- nah, Betty, Nancy, Rhoda and Sally. Nathan Caer married Elizabeth Chase in 1812, and was born in Salisbury, Mass., in 1781, and came to Loudon, in 1790, with his father, Elliott Carr, and settled upon the farm now owned by Challes D. Carr, and afterwards bought the adjoining farm of Henry T. Carr. This tract of land was part of the five-hun- dred-acre lot laid out and given to His E.xcellency Governor John Wentworth, and is called, in the return of the laying of lots, the Governor Wentworth farm . Nathan Carr had five children, named Challes D., Elizabeth, Nancy, Martha J. T. and Sarah M. Challes D. Caee was born in 1813, and married Hannah B. Prescott. He had a family of three chil- dren, named Georgiana F., Challes F. and Samuel JNL Challes D. Carr was born, and lives upon, the home- stead of the Carr family. He is a thorough and practical farmer, has been successful in acquiring property and is an honorable and respected citizen of the town. Captain John Caer was the brother of Nathan, and married Sally Brown in 1800, and had eleven children, named Edmund, Elliott, Jemima, Clarissa, John, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Henry T., Hannah and Mary. Henry T. Carr married .Jemima Osbnrn, and had a family of five children, named Ann Genette, .fohn. Mary, Jane and Sarah. This branch of the Carr fam- ily retain all the strong and substantial traits of their ancestor, and are very firm and sanguine in all their undertakings and principles. John Carr has been engaged at the New Hampshire Insane Asylum for several years, holding a position of trust and responsi- bility, and is hukl in high esteem by the institution. The Sanborn Family. — The ancestor of this family was Captain John Sanborn, who married Ruth Rand, 1774, and was born in 1747. His wife was born in 1751. Captain Sanborn's ancestry is unknown, and the foregoing is from the town record. He was among the distinguished citizens of the town, and took an active part in the organization of the same, and held several offices of importance at several times. He had a family of eight children, named Elisha, born No- vember 1, 1775; Lydia, born June 3, 1777; Betty, born March 24, 1779; Thomas, born June 8, 1781 ; Sarah, born July 17,1783; John, Jr., born August 29, 1785; 504 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. I Edmund, born July 21, 1788; and William, born June 5, 1791. Elisha Sanborn married Ladd, of Epping, N. H., and had a family of seven children, named James John, Nathaniel, Eliza, Sally, Mary and Ruth. Ol this family, James went to Iowa, John to Massachusetts, and Nathaniel settled in Loudon. He married Nancy Lougee, and had one child, named Charles E. John Sanboen married Judith Blake, and had a family of six children, named Stephen, Jane, Judith, Edmund, Almira and Joseph B. Stephen Sanborn wentSouth and died. JosephB. resides in Loudon, upon the homestead of his father, and is a citizen of influence in his native town, having held the important ofiices of the town. He is a thorough and practical farmer, has acquired a good property and succeeded well in his purposes and efforts. He married Sarah Ann Sanborn, the grand-daughter of Jesse and daughter of Jonathan Sanborn, and has two children, named Joseph E. and Jennie M. His son, Joseph E., married Lizzie Adams, of Pittsfield, N. H. Edmund Sanboen married Kuth Griffin, and bad a family of nine children, named William, Sally, Daniel L., Clarissa, James S., Jeremiah C,. Eliza J., John and True H. The sons of Edmund nearly all settled in Loudon. Daniel L. Sanborn married Ada Moore, and had a family of five children, named Jacob 0., Ruth J., Joseph T., Charles E. and Mary E. Of Captain Daniel Sanborn's family, Jacob O. is a graduate of Dartmouth College, and has become an eminent school-teacher ; Joseph T. married Fanny Peverly, of Canterbury, N.H., and resides upon his father's farm, having no children. He is an important and respected citizen of the town, having held important oflices in the same. William Sanborn married Susan Haines, and had two sons, named Richard P., who resides in Concord, and William H., a resident of Loudon. James S. Sanborn married Mary E. Yeaw, of Rhode Island, and has three children, named John B., Hattie B. and Byron. He has represented the town in the Legislature, and is a man of wealth. He resides upon the homestead, which was given him by his father. Jeremiah C. Sanboen married Betsy French, of Gilmanton, and has one daughter, named Ida B., who married James S. Tilton, son of Daniel Tilton, and has one daughter, named Maud. John Sanborn married — Thorndike, of Pitts- field, N. H., and resides at Laconia, N. H. True H. Sanborn married Adaline (Jreen, and has a family of five children. The Sanborn family have been among the most numerous of all the families of the town. They have been successful in the acquisition of property, and have principally settled in their native town ; are good citizens, and largely a religious and devoted people. Moses Morse, Sr., was btirn in ^Icthuen, Mass., in 1749, and married Abigail Lovejoy, of Andover, Mass., who was born in 175.5 and came to Lou- don in 1787. Mr. Morse bought this land of Ezra Blaisdel, which has always remained in the Morse name to the present time. They had a family of ten children, named Abigail, Jonathan, Persis, Moses, Lydia, Moses, (2.) Deborah, Persis, (2.) Levi and Isaac. Mr. Morse endured many of the hardships, in common with other settlers who came to Loudon. Moses Morse, Jr., was born April 13, 1788; mar- ried Sally Emery in 1815, and had three children, named Harris E., Alvah L. and Julianna P. Mr. Morse learned the trade of carpenter and wheel- wright, at which he worked in connection with farm- ing. He held several important offices in the town. Harris E. Morse married Sarah A. Eaton in 1842, and had five children, named Mary A., Sarah A., Harris F., Mary E. and Alvah L. Mr. Morse has filled positions of honor and trust — represented the town in the Legislature and served as sheriff for a number of years. Alvah L. Morse married Delia M. Pritchard, and has one child, named Myrtle M. He resides upon the Morse homestead, and is of the fourth generation. He has held positions of trust. Elisha Buswell was born November 10, 1757 ; married, January 15, 1799, Abigail Perkins, born March 10, 1762, and had a family of four children, named William, Moses, John and Nancy. Moses Buswell married Betsey Jones, and had three chil- dren, — John L. and two others who died in youth. John L. Buswell married Mary E., daughter of Captain Daniel L. Sanborn, and has a family of two children, named Frank J. and Abby J. Mr. Buswell has held important town offices and is a respected citizen in the town. He is a practical farmer and has secured a fine property, with a pleasant location. Isaac Dimond was born in 1767, and married Sally Shaw, and had a family of ten children, named Betsy, Isaac, Sally, Polly, John, Abigail, Andrew, Gould and Ruth. Gould Dimond married Sally, daughter of Juna- than Rollins, of Loudon, and had a family of tour children, named Isaac P., Lucy M., Mary E. and Jonathan M. Jonathan JI. Dimoxd married Maria Peaslee, and had three children, named Ardena M., Saddle B. and Inez P. LuoY M. Dimond married John B. Moore, of Gil- manton, N. H., and had a family of four children. Mary E. Dimond married Nathan C. Clough, and had a family of two children, named Minnie E. and Alice. Mr. Clough is located at the north part of the town, and has been a resident of the same for twenty or more years. He has held the office of se- lectman and has represented the town in the Legis- lature. He is a firm and reliable citizen, as well a.s a man of excellent judgment. Nathan Tilton, born February 2, 1755, married LOUDON. Susannah Gail, born March 8, 17(31, and had nine chil- dren, — Betty, born June 30, 1781 ; Timotliy, born | May 3, 1783 ; Susannah, born September 4, 1785 ; i Daniel, born November 14, 1787 ; Nathan, born July | 15, 1791 ; Stephen, born September 29, 1793 ; Newell, j born October 20, 1795; David, born July 1, 1798; i Joseph, born March 4, 1801. | Joseph Tilton, Sr., married, the second time, [ Coziah Bagley, October 20, 1783, and had three children, — Anna, born October 3, 1784 ; Dolly, born August 6, 1787; Timothy, born November 6, 1791. His first wife died April 20, 1783. She had two chil- dren — Joseph born April 19, 1781, and Martha, born March 6, 1783. William Tilton's Family.— Eliza Tilton, born July 24, 1788 ; William J., born May 9, 1790 ; Tim- othy, born July 22, 1792 ; Hannah, born August 9, 1794; Patty, born December 17, 179G ; Amos. William Tiltox, Jr., married Abigail Brown, and had a family of two children, named Louisa A. and Charles S. Louisa A. Tilton married Jeremiah Blake, Esq., son of Enoch Blake, of Pittsfield, N. H., and had a family of four children, named Mary, El- len, Warren and Alvah. Mr. Blake is a prominent man in the town, and has been extensively engaged in managing and executing the business of the town for many years, and his counsel and advice is often sought and followed. He has held several offices in the town and commands the respect and esteem of its citizens. Major Daniel Tiltox had a family of eight children, named Sally, Nathan, Harriett, Newell, Joseph, Mary A., John S. R. and Samuel. Deacon Daniel Tilton had a family of five chil- dren, named Nathan F., born April 20, 1797 ; Shuah, born May 28, 1779 ; Abigail, born August 19, 1801 ; Betsey, born May 13, 1804; Daniel, born July 26, 1805. Daniel Tilton, Jr., married Olive Sargent, and had a family of five children, named Charles S., Daniel, John, James S. and Olive E. James S. married Ida B. Sanborn, daughter of Jeremiah C. Sanborn, of Loudon. Philip Brown married Elizabeth Bachelder, Janu- ary 16, 1775, and had a family of nine children, — Thomas, born November 27, 1775 ; William, born January 7, 1778 ; David, born December 3, 1779 ; Joanna, born April 30, 1782 ; Levi, born No- vember 7, 1784 ; Philip, Jr., born April 8, 1787; Tim- othy, born October 17, 1789 ; Asa, born July 22, 1793 ; Eliphalet, born December 31, 1790. Philip Brown, Jr., married Abigail True, and had a family of two children, named True, and a daughter who married David Putnam, of Penacook, N. H. True Brown married Eliza C. Kelly, and had three children, named Charles K., Nellie S. and Mabel T. Charles K. resides upon the homestead of his grandfather, Philip Brown. THOMA.S Sargent, Sr., married Abigail Blaisdel in 1772, and had nine children, named Dolly, born October 28, 1772; Charles, born September 2, 1774; Thomas, born September 18, 1778 ; Josiah, born No- vember 7, 1780; Sarah, born February 11, 1782; Susannah, born February 12, 1785; Timothy, born November 27, 1786; David, born January 11, 1789; John, born December 5, 1791. Thomas Sargent, Jr., had a family of five chil- dren, — Hannah. Amos, Maria, Susan and John. Amos Sargent married Beck, and had a family of four children, named Elbridge G., David S., Albert B. and Mary A. Elbridge G. has acquired a good property, and has been chosen to the office of select- man of the town. Dr. Nathaniel T. Clark came to Loudon in 1828, married Clara L. Bond, and liad one child, named C. Blanche. He studied medicine at Brook- line, N. Y., and has had practice in New London, Bradford and Manchester, N. H. Dr. William Tenney came to Loudon in the year 1793, and married Abigail Eollins ; married, the second time, Peggy Flanders, and had four chil- dren, named Abigail, Richard P. J., William D. B. and Joseph J. M. Dr. William Tenney practiced medicine for a long time in town, and at his decease Richard P. J., having studied medicine, commenced his practice in his fathers place, and continued until the year 1846, when he located at the enterprising village of Pittsfield, N. H. He had a large practice and was extensively known as a physician. After his removal he was chosen as a member of the Gov- ernor's Council, and filled other places of honor and trust, and died at Pittsfield in 1879. He married Hannah A. Sanborn, and had one daughter, named Abby. J. J. M. Tenney, after having spent some years in travel, settled upon the Tenney homestead and devo- ted the last of his life to agriculture, and died in 1876. Moses Rowell, Sr., was the son of Christopher Rowell, of Amesbury, Mass., and was born June 11, 1764. He married Alice Currier, of Amesbury, and moved to Loudon in 1791, and located upon Bear Hill (so called), where he died November 4, 1846. He married, the second time, Nancy Leavitt, of Chi- chester, N. H., and had a family of ten children, named Captain John, Moses, Jr., Nancy, Micajah, Ruth, Asa T., Harris, Cyrus, Rufus and Sally L. Mr. Rowell was engaged for some length of time in teaming from Newburyport, Mass., to Salisbury, N. H. Moses Rowell, Jr., was born March 21, 1793, and married Sophia French, daughter of John Leavitt French, of Loudon, and had three children, named Perley W., John F. and Sarah Ann. Perley W. Rowell was born December 22, 1823, and married Caroline Clark, of Pittsfield, N. H., March 28, 1869, and have a family of two children, named Sarah W. and George W. Mr. Rowell lives upon the homestead of his father, and is a useful and highly-respected citizen of his native town. HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. John F. Rowell was born January 6, 1826, and [ is unmarried. He commenced liis education at the common school in Loudon, and afterwards attended at Weare, Lee and Pembroke, N. H., and graduated at Haverford College, Pennsylvania. He was eminently fitted for a teacher, which avocation he successfully followed for many years in his immediate locality. Afterwards he was called to the Friends' School in Providence, K. I., and remained for twenty years. In 1875 he retired from this school, and, wearied with the duties of a teacher's life, went to California, and is extensively engaged in agriculture, together with the manufacture and sale of lumber, of which he has purchased a large and valuable tract. He is an en- terprising and deserving man, and has, by his own efforts largely, acquired the position which he has so ably filled. The Rowell family are noted for intel- lect, ability and great firmness of principle, and are citizens who are interested and active in everything that advances and elevates the human race. Nathaniel Martin, Esq., came to Loudon and was first taxed in 1808. He was twice married and had a family of nine children, named Rue, Jane, Elizabeth and Hannah (twins), Mary, Abigail, Nancy, Sally and Theophilus B. Esquire Martin was en- gaged often in town business, and was an important and useful man of the day in which he lived. His name appears often upon the town records as having been chosen to discharge some public duty, which was carefully and satisfactorily performed. Theophilus B. Martin, Esq., married Sally L. Rowell, and had a family of four children, named Nathaniel (who died), Mary E., Abby and Nathaniel E. But few men have ever lived in town who have been so frequently chosen to positions of trust as Esquire Martin. He has represented the town in the Legislature, and been chosen as county treasurer, besides performing a large amount of probate and private business as a justice of the peace. He early engaged in the calling of a school-teacher, and con- tinued in it until the middle age of life with success. He was a member of the church, and was deeply in- terested in all matters pertaining to the welfare and best interest of the public. He moved with his fam- ily to Concord, N. H., where he died. Nathaniel E. Martin, his son, obtained his edu- cation at the Concord High School, and afterwards studied law with William E. Chase, Esq., after which he opened an office in Concord, and is now connected with the firm of Albin, Tappan & Martin. That success has attended his eflbrts which is always the reward of labor and diligence in every calling in life. The Gate Family in Loudon descended from Ste- phen Cate, who came from Deerfield, N. H., in 1784. He had seven children, named Shadrach, born August 10, 1779; Charles, born January 2, 1781; John, born March 29, 1783; Stephen and Jonathan (twins), born March 3, 1785 ; Sally, born April 1, 1787 ; Meshach, born July 0, 1789. Stephen Cate settled upon the farm now owned by William W. Cate, where he built a log house for himself and fiimily of two children, the eldest being two and one-half years and the young- est but eighteen months old. He rode from Deer- field, N. H., on horseback with his wife, each carrying one of the children in their arms as they rode upon the same horse. The following year Mrs. Cate, whose name was Anna, gave birth to the twins, Ste- jjhen and Jonathan, whose weight at birth was twenty-two pounds, who lived and grew to very large and strong men, looking so nearly alike as hardly to be distinguished from each other. Three of. these boys settled in Loudon,^ — Shadrach, .lohn and Stephen. Shadrach Cate had a family of eleven children, of whom eight lived, named, Hiram and Hannah (twins), Rebecca, Eliza, Sally, Judith, Shadrach and Moses. He married Rebecca Chamberlin, an intelli- gent and estimable woman. Of this family, Shadrach studied medicine and is a skillful practitioner as well as a gentleman of inllueuee and culture, in the city of Washington, D. C. John Cate settled upon the home farm ; married and had a family of four children ; the eldest died at birth. The others were named Nancy, Miles and Benjamin. At the birth of Nancy Cate, John, her father, planted an elm-tree, which has been growing seventy six years and measures seventeen feet in cir- cumference at the base. Benjamin Gate was born March 23, 1814, and married Eliza A. Wells, daughter of Stephen Wells, of Loudon, and has two sons, named William W. and Carter E. Cate. He was a man of large ability and when a young man was often given places of trust. His public life and influence were extensive, and he became one of the leading men of the town in which he resided. He was chosen to various town offices and represented the same in the Legislature. He was a man of genial turn and manner to every one, and his assistance and counsel were sought and obtained by his neighbors and friends in time of need. He was every man's friend. His life was noted for the integrity and up- rightness of character which he ever maintained. His religious principles were firm and deeply fixed, from which there spread an influence that shaped and guided the thoughts and acts of those with whom he associated. William W. Cate lives upon the homestead of his father, and he is of the fourth generation of the Cate family. His early life was largely devoted to the cause of education, and he engaged in school-teaching to quite an extent, his efforts being attended with good success. After the death of his father he en- gaged in agriculture, and sustains a high and influen- tial position as such among the citizens of his native town. He has been elected to, and discharged the duties 507 of, several offices in town with care and fidelity. His advice and assistance are largely sought in matters of probate, and he is a man of strong influence in private and public business. His religious principles are strongly fixed, and his life thus far well marked by exemplary conduct and sincerity of purpose. Carter E. Gate was born August 26, 1852. He fitted for college at Tilton, N. H., and entered the Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Conn., in 1872. After two years he went to Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, where he graduated in 1876. He afterwards attend- ed the Boston University, and in June, 1878, was or- dained as a minister of the gospel by the Free- Will Baptist denomination, at Loudon, N. H., where he engaged as pastor and remained one year. During his stay with this, his own church and native town, an unusual and deep-felt interest was manifest throughout the whole town in attending divine wor- ship upon the Sabbath, such as had not been expe- rienced for a generation. His preaching was marked with great simplicity and sincerity, which held the mind and attention of his audience from the begin- ning to the end of his discourse. He engaged at Lake Village, N. H., afterwards, and remained three years; then went to Lowell, Mass., and remained one year; then married Electa Dunavan, and moved to Lewiston, Me. Mr. Gate inherits from the Cate family the charac- teristics which are so noticeable in the biography of the family. He is pleasant and aflable in appearance, firm in his principles, deeply imbued with respect for Christianity and all its ennobling and elevating prin- ciples. His success in life has been most excellent, and a brilliant future seems to await him in the choice of the great calling that he has engaged in as a life- w,n-k. The Stevens Family, — Moses Stevens, Sr.'s, family of six children were named Joseph, Jonathan C, Elizabeth, Hannah, Eliza and Andrew. Andrew Stevens married Lucinda Sargent, and had a family of three children, named Moses E., John and Hannah. Moses E. Stevens married Nettie P. Bachelder, daughter of William Bachelder, and has a family of two children, named Wiflnie M. and William G. Mr. Stevens is the last representative of the large Stevens family in Loudon and possesses the strong characteristics which have made them so useful as citizens in the town. He is a man of ability and in- fluence, and has held positions of trust conferred upon him by the citizens of the town. The Ordway Family in Loudon descended from Abner and James Ordway, who came from Tower Hill, in England, to Newbury, Mass., about 1640. Abner settled in Watertown, Mass., and James in Dover, N. H. Abner married, August 15, 1656, Sarah, daughter of Stephen Brown, of Newbury, Mass., she being the widow of Edward Dennis, of Boston, Mass. No descendants of Abner are found. James uiarriel \\^-l."!l, II, I HI, W. Freii, 1,, J '.,, I I.." ',.,', J. ,,,,,■- \, l','M, ,,„,ll, II,',, J., ,,,,,, II. o,,hv,iy, N,i. thauiel Cuijp, Juliu T. Hachekler, Harii.suii 1!. lieny, Goi.irgo W. WliUl- ileu, Stephen \V. Newton, Samuel Small, George H. Abbott, John II. Willey, Roby M. True, Samuel Kunnels, George W. F. Goldsmith, Stephen M. Maxfield, Luther C. Copp, Charles E. C. Tucker, Joseph E. Clifford, Jr., Charles A. Locke, Benjamin F. Wells, Albert H. IlilluKrove, .loseph M. Hillsgrove, Joseph W. Dickennan, Erlon V. Dillingham, Charles U. Abbott, Amos K. Copp. Ransom D. Pettengill, Asahel G. Whidden, Luther C. Whidden, John Q. A. Sargent, John C. Whidden, Samuel C. Wliiddon, Charles C. Rogers, Henry I. Sargeut, Caleb Brown, Frederick S. Morse, Lyman A. Hamblet, Alfred W. Maxfield, Asahel Burnham, Abial B. Brown, George L. Bloore, Ira J. Hutchinson, Alfred Dearborn, James T. Minard, James H. Chase, Frank M. Gay, Daniel F. Moses, Charles F. Mason, Charles F. Smith, Horace B. Carr, Francis Henshaw, Reuben B. Haynes, Charles H. Leavitt, John A. Cutler, John Nixon, John U. Pingree, Seth W. Saltmarsh, Amos 0. Dickerman, John Hastings, George Strong, Joseph S. True, Jefferson Rogers, Wyman Pet- tengill, Joseph A. Sweatt, William Sanborn (second), Charles Nixon, Samuel E. Johnston, Frederick E. Copp, True C. Brown, Edward Smith, William H. H. Watson, Hiram F. Flanders, Stephen W. Bachelder, Zara V. Hilliard, John A. Smith, Oliver Hutchinson, George W. Smith, Georgo H. Johnston, Joseph C. Haynes, George E. Leavitt, Joseph W. Blaisdell, Frank Locke, Jeremiah H, Smith, Samuel A. Halt, Albert L. Badielder, William E. P. Willey, John 0. Connell, Alexander Morse, Arthur Burns, John A. Kimball, Harrison Griffin, Stephen Sweatt. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETC HES. DEACON STEPHEN WEEKS. Deacon Stephen Weeks was the son of Stephen :iiid Betsey (Weed) Weeks, of Gilmanton, N. H. and came to Loudon near 1843. He married, first, Mary A. Stevens, who died in a short time after her marriage. Mr. Weeks married, the second time, Elizabeth W. Haines, of Canterbury, who was an in- telligent and accomplished woman. The second marriage of. Deacon Weeks resulted in a fomily of six children, named Adaline, William H., Martha, .\bby, Mary J. and Dora V. Deacon Weeks, during his early life, taught several terms of school during the winter, while in other seasons of the year he bought and sold cattle. After- wards he bought a farm and gave his attention to farming as a pursuit. Having been successful in this calling, several years ago he purch.ased the farm upon which his family reside, refitted the buildings and l)repared it for his permanent home. During his residence of about forty years in the town he suc- ceeded in laying up property amounting to over twenty thousand dollars by diligence, labor and economy. He regarded the interest of the town as a citizen, and gave his influence always in that di- rection which he considered as right and just. He was liberal in his charity to others, whenever called upon for aid and assistance, often bestowing without invitation whenever and wherever his feelings prompted, and never was known to turn one away empty. His advice was safe and well matured whenever applied for. He was of a deep religious cast of mind, a member of the Free Baptist Church and for many years was one of its deacons. His interest in his church was large and sincere, for which he labored ardently and constantly, being one of the large and ready supporters of the gospel in all its wants. He was a constant attendant, with his family, upon public worship and the Sabbath-school. His last acts in life were of beneficence. He died in January, 1885, a worthy and esteemed citizen of the town, and will be cherished in the memory of many for the good which he has accomplished. KEV. JEREMIAH CLOUtiH. KeV. Jeremiah Clough was born in Loudon, N. H., February 3, 1792, and was the eldest of the five chil- dren of Jonathan and Betsey Clough. His grand- father, Jonathan Clough, Sr., moved from Salisbury, Mass., to Loudon about the year 1771, with five chil- dren, and located on that tract which h.ts been known ;vs "Clough's Hill,"— then a wilderness. He wa.s born in 1724, and married Elizabeth Thompson in 1756. His children were named Joseph, Nathan, Sarah, Jonathan, Jr., and Love. Mr. Jonathan Clough, Sr., was a man of large business capacity, and was chosen clerk of the parish for seventeen years and selectman for four years. He was a black- smith by trade, working both iron and steel. He married three times, but had no children that lived by either of the last two marriages. Jonathan Clough, Jr., married Betsy Clough. of Epping, N. H.. and had five children, named Jeremiah, Joseph and Benjamin (twins), Jonathan and Sally. Rev. Jeremiah Clough married Sabrina Clough, daughter of Leavitt Clough, of Canterbury, in 1813, by whom he had a family of eight children. Six of them died in infancy and before maturity. The two youngest were named Jeremiah L. and Charles C. Mr. Clough married, the second time, Deliverance Hodgdon, of Northfield, N. H., September 10, 1840. They had one daughter, named Christiana, who is the only living representative of the nine children born to the Rev. Mr. Clough. After his first mar- riage he moved to Canterbury, with his wife's father, and was, for several years, a large and successful farmer. He acquired a large property, and was an industrious and robust man. He was early taught to labor, and during hi.s whole life was industrious and economical in all his purposes. 510 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. la 1819 he professed religion, aud was licensed as a preacher of the gospel in 1835. He was ordained in 1838. and preached as an evangelist, for ten years, the doctrine of the Free-Will Baptist denomination. He was chosen pastor of his own church in Canter- bury in 1848, and continued in this relation until the year 1872, when he suffered a partial shock of par- alysis, and retired from the active labors of the ministry. During his labors with this church a large number were added to it, and it became one ol the strongest in the Quarterly Meeting. In the mean time a new and commodious church edifice wa^- erected, to which Mr. Clough was a large contributor. It was dedicated about the year 1853, Kev. Mr. Clough preaching the ordination sermon. He was a most devout man, and his life-work was full of suc- cess as a gospel minister. He was a man of great natural ability, and possessed fully the character- istics required in a man of so strong purposes. He- was widely known as an humble and Christian man, devoid of all ostentation and display. His Christian life was above reproach, while he had the most profound reverence for the house of God and all its ordinances, making his worship at all times spiritual and full of devotion. He was full of Christian charity, zeal and unending love for his church in Canterbury ; for Christian ministers, making large donations to destitute churches, aiding in building houses of worship ; the cause of education and missions ; and was always a true friend of the destitute and needy. His word was never doubted or his veracity ques- tioned. He was a man of large social qualities, pos- sessing true affability of manners, which made his home social, agreeable and always pleasant to his family, and full of hospitality to friends and strangers. The words of advice and counsel which fell from his venerable lips were wise, safe and full of consolation, especially in times of affliction and trouble. His services were largely sought in affliction by death of friends, to which his words were as " healing balm." He always refused remuneration for all religious ser- vice throughout his entire life. His family trials were severe in the loss of his children, but were borne with Christian fortitude. One of the greatest questions of his life was to de- cide whether to devote his life-work to the ministry or not. This he decided upon his knees in the pas- ture, beneath a tree, which still lives, and spreads its few branches over the monument of stones which he erected, as a seal of the vow of consecration which he made to his God more than fifty years since. His last act of baptism was performed at the age of eighty-two years. The Rev. Jeremiah Clough re- ceived the honors of his town by being chosen to office and representing it in the Legislature. About twenty-five years since he moved from Canterbury to his native town of Loudon, where lie ilioS!^ /^^C^yC-A^-u/A.^— (3yr iy'6 ^ jc^^-^' LOUDON. 511 extent, aud was never elected to any of the ordinary offices of the town. He was successful in the acqui- sition of property, and at his death possessed a large and valuable estate. A relic is retained in posses- sion of the family, which is the wig worn by Jethro, Sr., who was a bald-headed man. An interesting inci- dent is related at his birth, which is, tliat while going for the necessary assistance in the case, to a neighbor's, the person, in crossing a brook, caught by an elmtree for support, which uprooted and was transplanted af- terward near the residence, and which measured, in July, 1885, seventeen feet in circumference. In the year 1800 a bear was killed, which had two young cubs. The oil was taken from the old one. Some of it was sealed up in a small bottle, some of which was shown the writer in 1885, it being eighty- ' five years old. One of the cubs was killed with its mother ; the other was taken to the breast of a wo- man who had lost a new-born babe. Mr. Bachelder, upon the fiftieth anniversary of hi.s marriage, was presented, by his connection and friends, with a valuable gold-headed cane, which is kept in the family and highly prized. .SAMUEL B. LOVEKIXO. The first of the Lovering family of whom we have i: any authentic record was Moses Lovering, of Exeter, J N. H. He married Nelly Taylor, of Exeter, by whom I he had a family of thirteen children, — nine boys and • four girls, viz. : Willerby, Nelly, Osgood, Taylor, Nancy, Moses, Jesse, Mary, Zebulon, John, Daniel, William and Sarah. Of these, the first eleven were burn in Exeter, the latter two in Loudon. One re- markable fact in a family so large was that they all lived to be from forty to ninety years of age. They 1 were all married and had families ; two of them, Moses 1 and William, were twice married ; Mary was the first who died (about 1815), and William died in Spring- field (1865). In the year 1787, Moses Lovering, with his family, left Exeter to make his home in the then sparsely-set- I tied region now the populous and thrifty town of Loudon. Their household goods were brought in an :' ox-team, while the ladies rode on horseback about fifty miles along a forest pathway over the hills to their future home, a hundred-acre lot on the site of Mr. S. B. Lovering's present abode. There was a in-imitive affair dignified by the title of a mill on the place, in which, by diligence and patience, they could grind a bushel or so of corn. There were none of the comforts, or what would be considered at the present day the necessities, of civilized life, surrounding them in their frontier home ; but with the resolute will which characterized the grand old pioneers of our American civilization, they went earnestly and hope- fully to work and soon converted the forest-clad hills into smiling fields teeming with cereal productions, and gradually gathered around them property and eon- 33 veniences. They from timeto time added to theoriginal hundred acres till they possessed a landed estate of over five hundred acres. The boys were ingenious as well as industrious; all of them couldskillfuUy handle carpenter's tools, aud possessed the various requisite qualities and accomplishments for successful pio- neers. In course of time all the brotlicrs married and set- tled in Loudon, and as each one took to himself a companion, the other brothers would all join together and build for the newly-wedded couple a house to live in. In that early day there was no public-school sys- tem in vogue, there were no school-houses, and the only tutorship the children of the neighborhood could obtain was when occasionally an itinerant teacher would come into a community and teach for a few months at a private house, when those children who lived near enough and whose parents were able to pay for their tuition were privileged to attend. Moses Lovering, with a family of thirteen children to rear and support, and poor in purse, could not afford to send his children away to school and so they were comparatively uneducated. Some of the boys so far educated themselves as to be able to attend to their business affairs without outside aid in such matters as required record or correspondence, but they all felt severely the need of better education. They were very steadfast in their affection for each other, and each frequently visited the other at their respective homes ; and thus the long winter evenings were spent in so- cial converse around the hearth-stones of those huge old fire-places, where roared and crackled the blazing wood-fires of our grandsires' days. About 1816, William and Osgood moved to Stew- artstown, N. H., Taylor to Canada, Daniel and Wil- liam to Springfield, N. H. From there Daniel went to the West and died. The others died in Loudon and vicinity. The boys were all Democrats in politics. Zebulon Lovering, the father of Samuel B., was born in Exeter, N. H., July 15, 1777. He married, January 21, 1807, Abigail Buswell, who was born in Kingston, N. H. (1787). Upon the death of his father, Moses, Zebulon inherited the homestcr.d in Loudon and re- sided there till the close of his life. They had ten children, — Samuel B. (portrait in this volume) ; Al- mira-, born September 10, 1811, married Kinsley Ma- son ; Anis J., born February 12, 1814, married George W. Neal; Sarah B., born August 14, 1816, married James McAustin; Louisa, born February 17, 1819, married Aaron B.Young ; Laura L., born February 27, 1822, married Rev. Stephen Eastman ; Abigail, born August 11, 1824, married Osni P. Hamblet; and Alonzo B., born April 13, 1827, married Sarah Davis. Zebulon died December 21, 1830; Mrs. Lovering, August 21, 1861. Samuel B. Lovering, the eldest child of Zebulon, was born April 13, 1808. In his boyhood days the district schools were usually kept about three months 512 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. in the year. He began attendance at these when about eight years of age, and continued till he was eighteen. After this he took lessons of Master Tim- othy Gleason in writing and arithmetic. He was brought up to work on the farm and at the mill. The year he attained his majority his father died, and the care of his widowed mother and the smaller children devolved upon him. His father left the farm to him upon the decease of his mother. Soon after his father's death he rebuilt the old mill, converting it into a saw-mill, and it has been run as such ever since, sawing lumber, boards, shingles and laths, averaging about one hundred and fifty thousand per year. He has, from time to time, made additions to the real estate he inlierited from his father, and now owns about four hundred acres of land. He has been a successful and prosperous farmer. He united with the Methodist Ei)iscopal Church when he was about thirty years of age, and from that time to the present he has been a consistent member. He is fond of music and accomplished as a singer and instru- mental performer. He led the choir in his church for twenty years, and in old militia days he played the clarionet at the muster-grounds for fifteen years. He has served his town as selectman and representative to the Legislature. He has been justice of the peace for nearly forty years, and has been in Probate Court business since his first appointment, and has settled many estates and held other positions of trust. He married, December 18, 1834, Mary S. Rogers, of Northfield ; she was born April 22, 1811, and was a lineal descendant of John Rogers, the martyr. Their children were, — Nancy A., born January 31, 1836; married Josiah Young, and lives at Clarksville, N. H. James B., born March 7, 1838; married Jennie Hamilton, a school-teacher, of Brookline, N. Y. He was for several years manager of the Joseph Dixon Crucible Company, at Jersey City ; now lives at Webster, Fla. Harlen P., born June 12, 1843; married Eliza Wentworth, of Boston ; resides at Tampa, Fla. Abigail M., born May 14, 1845 ; married Augustus A. Arling, a farmer in Canterbury. He died, and she married George Simmons, of Boston, Mass. Clara A., born November 18, 1848 ; died November 5, 1855. Frank O., born June 1, 1856 ; died July 7, 1862. Mrs. Lovering died November 11, 1858. Mr. Lovering's second wife was Lucy Grace, of Hillsborough, N. H. They were married September 4, 1859. She was born February 10, 1826. Their children were, — Clara A., born July 19, 1860 ; married Herman W. JIudgett, M.D. ; now resides at Jloorc's Forks, N. Y. Frank O., born April 2, 1863. I-Mwin K., born April 7, 1865. Both the latter are at the old homestead, a.ssisting their father in the conduct of the mill and farm. Mrs. Lovering died March 17, 1878. Mr. Lovering married in Concord, N. H., Novem- ber 11, 1880, his present wife, Lavina Hoyt, of Fisherville (now Pennacook). She was born Feb- ruary 26, 1832. She is the daughter of Deacon Benjamin Hoyt, deacon of the First Baptist Church of Pennacook from its organization till his death, September 6, 1864. Mrs. Lovering has been a member of the same church since her nineteeth year. She for many years taught a class of girls in the Sabbath- school there, and all of them have subsequently united with the church. Deacon Benjamin Hoyt was noted for his moral integrity and strict piety. He was a successful farmer and a highly-respected citizen of his town. He was descended from John Hoyt, one of the original settlers of Salisbury, Mass. (For a more extended an- cestral history of the Hoyt — or Hoitt — family see biography of Thomas L. Hoitt, in this volume.) Mrs. Lovering's mother was Hannah Eastman, a descendant of Captain Ebenezer Eastman, who in early life followed the seas, and was one of the pio- neer settlers of ancient Pennacook (now Concord), N. H. Another of her ancestors was Captain Joseph Eastman, who figured in the French and Indian War. Mrs. Hoyt was a very pious woman, and when her husband, the deacon, was absent from home, attend- ing evening meetings, she would talk and pray with her children, and teach them the importance of God's word ; all of them have since become members of the church. DAVID J. FRENCH. David J. French was born in Loudon September 2, 1805. He was the great-grandson of Timothy French, who came from Salisbury, Mass., about the year 1773, and settled in the northeast part of Lou- don, and was among the first who settled in that local- ity. At that time there was no road leading from the old Dr. Tenney corner northwesterly to Loudon Ridge, save a sled-path used in the winter season. He cleared the land for his farm, which was a wilderness; built a house and drew the boards from Cram's mill, in Pitts- field, to board it, upon wheels as far as the Tenney corner, and then upon a sled in the month of July to his future residence. His father was Joshua French, whe lived upon the farm which has always been occu- pied in the French name. David J. French lived with his father until about twenty-six years of age, when he married and soon after purchased the farm where he now resides, and commenced for himself and family a farmer's life, about the year 1832, which avo- cation he has followed to the present time, and at the age of eighty years was found in his field with a scy tlu' in his hand, able to cut and put into his barn oiu- acre of grass a day. He is a man of robust form, and possesses a strong and iron constitution, for which the French family have ever been nottil. He has i^inA^Hy Q///? 013 been very successful iu acquiring property; commenc- ing with an indebtedness of five hundred dollars, lie is now the owner of several tracts of land, besides several thousand dollars in banks and upon loan, which he has earned by hard labor, and not by s]ieculation or intrigue. Mr. French received only a common-school education, but possesses large, native abilities, which, being well cultivated, have enabled him by persistent effort to hew his way successfully through life. As a politician he is a most thorough Republican, always attending the annual meetings of the town and manifesting a great interest iu every matter that pertains to the highest and best interest of his native town, and acting at all times in his polit- ical life as though conscious of his accountability to a power which is infinite and supreme. He is a man of strong religious feeling, and has for many years led a life of daily and family prayer. Be- ing retiring in his manner in public religious duties and profession, he has never connected himself with any church, but is a constant attendant upon worship at the house of God whenever practicable. Mrs. French died January 22, 1872. Since her death and that of his son Isaac, Mr. French has lived at the old home alone, patiently waiting the summons that shall call him to meet the loved ones who have gone before. Dr. Isaac S. French was the only child of David J. French, and died in the year 1878. He married Au- gusta French and had no family. Dr. French in- herited from his father characteristics that were strongly marked in boyhood, and being well culti- vated , enabled him to become an eminent and useful man, although young. He was well educated by his father at Gilmanton Academy, and studied medicine with the venerable Dr. Nahum Wight; he attended college at Pittsfield, Mass., and at the medical college at Hanover, N. H., from which he graduated as a physician. He commenced practice in Salisbury, Mass., and remained one year, and then returned to his native town and engaged actively in his profes- sion with success. His business relations were exten- sive, and he occupied positions of trust. He held the situation of assessor of the internal revenue for the Congressional district in which he resided, under the administration of President Lincoln, besides doing a large local business as a justice of the peace in his own town and surroundings. He acquired, by economy, frugality and labor, in a few years a hand- some property, and had well established himself among his townsmen in his calling and profession. He died in the prime of his life and in the midst of his usefulness, having large " honor in his own coun- try." STEPHEN MOOEE. Stephen Moore is the son of Thomas and Comfort (Perkins) Moore, and grandson of Captain Samuel Moore, who was twice married and had a family of ten children. He was a native of, and resided in Can- terbury, where his fatlier was town clerk. He held a commission as captain under King George HI. but when the Revolutionary struggle began he resigned his commission, and, casting his fortunes with tlie colonies, fought during the war on the American side. He died just before independence was established, and his son Thomas, then a lad of fifteen, was bound out to a farmer at old Hampton, but, becoming dis- satisfied with his new home, and fired with the martial spirit of the times, he ran away and enlisted in the army, serving about six months. Captain Samuel was by occupation a farmer and inn-keeper. He kept the hostelry known for many years as the McCrillis tavern, about a mile south of Canterbury Centre. Thomas Moore was brought up on the farm, to the time of his father's death. In 1785 he first began im- proving the tract of land, in what is now the town of Loudon, where he subsequently made his home. Jan- uary 11, 1787, he married Comfort Perkins, and, hav- ing previously built a small house on his Loudon land, the young couple at once went there and began house- keeping, and there the remainder of their lives were passed. The part of Loudon in which he located was then an unbroken forest ; he was the first settler in that part of the town. He was, by natural gifts, a bright, intelligent man, but had no educational advantages in his youth. When, in after-years, he had gathered a little property around him, and had a child large enough to receive instruction, he and a neighbor named Wheeler hired a private tutor to come to their homes, who, spending his time alternately between the two houses, taught both parents and children. Thomas Moore was always a fi-iend of education, and when the town began to appropriate money for school purposes, but had as yet no school building, he tendered the use of his dwelling, and the school was kept in summer-time in his barn, and in the winter months in his residence. He was one of the committee who first districted the town for school purposes, and he held various minor offices in the town. Their family consisted of nine children, seven of whom reached maturity, viz. : Polly, died unmarried. Samuel, married Charlotte Foster, of Canterbury, and had one child, now Mrs. Kate Eowe, of Rochester, N. Y. Joanna, died unmarried. Alexander, married IMary Page, of New Hampton ; had a family of several children, who grew up to ma- turity. Stephen, subject of sketch. Sophronia, married Jacob A. Potter, of Concord, and had a family of four children. Comfort, married William A. W. Neal, of Concord, and had one son. Thomas, died young. Myra, married Joseph N. AV^idleigh, of Loudon, and had four children. 514 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUiNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Of these nine children of Thomas and Comfort Moore, Stephen is the only one now (1885) surviving. Thomas Moore was an industrious and enterprising farmer, and did much toward improving the tract of land on which he had made his home. In religious belief he was a Congregationalist, and his wife was a Free- Will Baptist. Stephen Moore, like others of his time and locality, had very limited advantages in the way of schooling. Brought up on the farm, he worked hard in his boy- hood, but improved what little time he had for study as best he could, studying nights and at leisure times, and thus obtained a fair English education. Upon his father's decease the property was divided among seven children, but Stephen purchased the interest, from time to time, of the other heirs, until he finally became the possessor of the home farm and adjacent wild lands, and here, for more than half a century, he toiled and labored and reared a fakiily of children. Like his father, he was hardy, industrious and frugal, and he gradually improved the farm and buildings thereon, and gathered property around him, until he became in very comfortable circumstances, and was the proprietor of one of the best kept farms in his town. In April, 1809, the barn on the home farm of Thomas Moore was burned, together with four oxen, four cows, ten tons of hay and farming implements. Supposed to be the work of an incendiary. There was no insurance. The esteem in which Mr. Moore was held by his neighbors was evidenced by numerous small presents, such as lumber, labor, etc. ; also a cow given by the Shakers. Within six weeks after his barn was burned, he, with the help of his neighbors, had taken from the woods the lumber, and built the barn which at present stands there. He also built a shed and car- riage-house connected with the barn, and dug a well. lo 1822-23, Samuel, Alexander and Stephen Moore erected a saw-mill on a small stream running through the home farm, for the purpose of sawing their own lumber. A few years later the mill came into the possession of Stephen. Samuel and Stephen also bought and used the first shingle-mill which was brought into the town. It cost, with right to use the same, one hundred and forty dollars. They used it twenty years. In 1 840, Stephen Moore dug a well fifty rods from the buildings, laid pipes and brought the water to his house and barn. He also built a small barn, thirty by thirty-six feet, for sheep, on the northeast side of the large barn. In 1848 he built an ell to the dwell- ing-house, forty by twenty feet, consisting of kitchen, pantry and wood-shed. In 1850 he divided the large barn in the middle, moved one part back, put in an addition of twenty feet, niaking it seventy-six by forty-four feet. He also built a shed, thirty by sixteen feet, connected with the small barn. In 18.'>0-51 he raised six huiidrc.l and fiftv bushels of rve on outhuuls, where he had cut wood and timber, and cleared for pasture. In 1860 he sowed four bushels of wheat on two and a half acres of land, and harvested therefrom a crop of one hundred bushels. In September, 1866, Mr. Moore removed from the home farm to the village of Loudon Mills, and the homestead came into the possession of his son, A. Ci. Moore, who, in 1868, raised the barn and put in a cellar, seventy-six by twenty-four feet, with walls ol' split granite. In 1869 he built a carriage-house and stable, thirty-six by twenty-six feet. In 1874 he put new wheels and gearing in the saw-mill, and in 18.S ! he took up the lead pipes laid by his father, Stephen, and in their place laid cement-lined iron pipes to the house and barn. He has also continued in various ways to improve the farm, and has been very success- ful in conducting it. Stephen Moore married, January 31, 1827, Mary L., daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Wells) Greeley, of Gilmanton, N. H. They had eight children, — Joseph G., born December 12, 1827. Albert, born February 21, 1831; died in infancy. Anne Maria, born July 17, 1833; died September 20, 1881. Andrew G., born January 12, 1836; married Ltiiiia A., daughter of Ze])haniah and Mary Batclielder; luis one child living. George L., born March 8, 1838 ; enlisted in Union army and died in hospital, July 12, 1864. Infant son, unnamed, died in infancy. Mary E., born September 14, 1842 ; died October 10, 1876. Caroline A., born November 23, 1848; died January 1, 1852. Joseph G., married first Mary A. Arlin, and second Anne Nichols. He has five children, all sons, and resides in Dubuque, Iowa, where he is at present en- gaged in the wood and coal business. He has been, however, for about thirty years, a railroad engineer. Anne M., married John 0. Hobbs, of Deerfield. He removed to Newport, N. H., and was a merchant tailor there to the time of his death. His only child. Miss Kate Hobbs, graduates from the academy there in the class of 1886. Mrs. Moore died March 31, 1854. Mr. Moore mar- ried, as his second wife, Mrs, Mary Berry, widow of Alanson Berry, of Loudon, a daughter of Levi Bean, of Brentwood, N. H. Mr. Moore has given all of his children an academical education, at the various academies of Gilmanton, Pittsfield, Sanbornton and Loudon. Since Mr. Moore's residence at the village he has accomplished a work at once unique and interesting. He owned a tract of woodland lying adjacent to the church and bordering on the village, which he made overtures to the village to assist in converting into a cemetery ; not meeting with a satisfactory response, he conceived the idea of himself beautifying and adorning the grounds and preparing it for future use ^(zJ:^X^^. ^^^-. ;is a restiug-place for the dead. With characteristic energy, he at once set about carrying his plans into execution, and here, toiling day after day, to accom- plish his cherished purpose, the last twenty years of his life have been spent. Beginning this enterprise at an age when most men are ready to letirc fmm ac- tive life, it is astonishing to see what he has, unaided and alone, accomplished. The tract of land selected was, by natuie, well adapted to the use to which he has applied it. It is peculiar in its topographical conformation, there being a deep basin in the centre, with level-topped ridges surrounding it on three sides, with a slight de- pression or hollow leading ofl' on the third. It is a beautifully wooded tract, not dense, but nicely dis- tributed over almost the entire surface. This tract, consisting of about six acres, Mr. Moore has fenced in with split granite posts, set about eighteen inches apart, around three sides of the inclosure and a part of the fourth. -The posts stand about three feet and half above ground and about eighteen inches under the surface. This fence is to be completed by an iron rod traversing the top of the posts and fastened to each, the holes being already drilled for the purpose. In the valley, in the centre of the cemetery, Mr. Moore has leveled off the land and walled the edges of the basin with split granite. In the centre of this beautiful little plot is a miniature lake, with water clear as crystal, to which there is no visible inlet or outlet; and in the centre of this lake Mr. Moore has constructed a little island and planted it with tiowers. He has also constructed a beautiful drive around the park or basin, and built a receiving vault in the hill- side, near the entrance to the valley. He has cleared the underbrush from most of the tract, and contem- plates laying out drives around and through it. In doing this work, Mr. Moore has bnilt to himself a monument that will not only serve to keep imperish- able his own memory, but he has prepared a resting- place for the generations that will succeed him, credit- able to himself, ornamental to the town and of service to the community at large. Mr. Moore took an active part in building the Con- gregational Church in Loudon village and in supply- ing the same with a bell. He is a member of the C'ongregational Society. He has never been an office-seeker, but has preferred the quiet walk of the private citizen. In militia days, before the war, however, he took an interest in mili- tary matters and held the rank of captain. Through a long life he has been an earnest, honest, industrious, hard-working and successful man. Pos- sessed of a strong physique, he still bids fair to survive many years. He began life prior to the present cen- tury, being born June 29, 1799. He has outlived all of his immediate family, and most, if not all, of his schoolmates and boyhood companions. His hearing is defective, but with that exception, his senses are remarkably well preserved, and his general health exceptionally good. HISTORY OF NORTHFIELD. LUCIAN HIINT, A.M., CHAPTER I. Geography. —Xorthlk'ld, in Merrimack Coiiuty, was so named, it is said, because lying north of Can- terl)ury, from which it was set off' by the act of incor- poration in 1780. It contains about twenty-seven square miles, or seventeen thousand acres, and is bounded on the north by the Winnipisaukee' River, east by Gilman- ton and Canterbury, south by Canterbury and west by Franklin and the Merrimack River. Once North- field was bounded by the Merrimack along its whole western border, but its northwest corner, embracing; what is now Franklin Falls, sloped so lovingly towards Franklin, and Franklin looked so longingly towards the corner, that they became united in the year 1858 by act of Legislature. Northtield, like many other New Hampshire towns, has a diversitied aspect. It has hill and vale, upland and low plain, waving woods, smooth, rolling fields, rich intervale, and beyond question belongs to the Granite State, as that mineral abounds in all its varied forms — sands, pebbles, bowlders, ledges and the bare mountain peak. The general appearance of the town, however, is that of a trough-like valley running north and south, with a parallel ridge of hills on each side, — the west- ern called Oak Hill, and the northeastern Bay, which, extending southward, culminates in the mountain peak of Bean Hill. Of the three. Oak Hill is more smooth and regular, and presents a longer succession of excellent farms. iWe propose that this epelling be adopted. The common method misleads as regards the pronunciation. Were the g pronounced hard, giving tlio Indian guttural, as the original spellers intended, thus— " Win- iiiljis.so(;gv "— it might do; hut j followed bye is expected to be pro- iioiiiiceii s.)l't, which here would bo "sodgy," of course wron^. Spelled with a k does not exactly give the proper sound l>iit Mppn.vimatcs ; it is much better than the ordinary spelling. An'l ' i > \ ti, in, nily Hub- stituted for ^ in Indian names ; for instani-i. i ' \.nihi',fiet, though the latter gives more correctly the lnn.n _mi:,h,i >.,, Paw- tuckot, not Pawtugget. Our two brooks give lli.; inn; in.liuii gutlurals — Sondogardy and Skeuduggardy— not dodgeardy or dudgerdy. Winni- pisankoc, so spelled, lookti more like an Indian name, sounds more like an Indian name ; it is an Indian name. Also, lot there be a douhle e at the end ; otherwise a stranger would be sure to pronounce the last two syllables, san-k. 51G and Bay Hill, with equally good ftirms, though less in number, has more charming scenery — indeed, few places in New England can surpass it in that respect — and is nearer the privileges of the flourishing village of Tilton, while Bean Hill is by far the most con- spicuous, being, in fact, the highest elevation between this part of the Merrimack Valley and the Atlantic ; but the many goodly farms on its broad shoulders, though well rewarding the true farmer, are not, on the whole, considered so attractive as those of her sister hills, being too much lifted up and too near the primitive rock of the summit. Bay Hill derived its name from tlie fine view it affords of Sanbornton Bay, so called, which is, in reality, the lower part of the lake, with a slight inter- vening fall. We challenge New Hampshire, south of Red Hill, to produce a scene of quiet, rural beauty, with a touch of the grand, equal to the pros- pect from Bay Hill, looking north. Before you is spread the valley of the Winnipisau- kee, with its lake of that name ; and flowing from it, with its succession of bays and rapids, comes the river, dancing onward to bathe Northfield's northern boundary, and to blend with her sister, Pemigewasset, on its western border. The valley is oval, and look- ing over its largest diameter, you see it encircled by Gunstock, Belknap, Blue Mountain, Ossipee, Red Hill and others, keeping watch and ward, as it were, over the beautiful valley they inclose ; while over their heads, in the far distance, we espy Chocorua, Cardi- gan, Mount Washington and his brothers, while di- rectly west, on our left, like a pyramid, rises Kear- sarge, and nestled below, amid green foliage and sparkling waters, within a mile's distance, lies the bustling, romantic, growing village of Tilton, with its river, its fairy isle, its busy factories, pleasant residences, Roman arch, college buildings and Til- ton mansion, and surrounding these on all sides stretch away, mile upon mile, substantial upland farms. Oak Hill also has a fine view of Tilton on the one side and Franklinward down into the valley of the Merrimack on the other. Bean Hill owo>s its name, presumably, not to that esculent prized so highly as a dish indispensable to a NORTHFIELD. 517 New England Sunday dinner, but to a man of that name ; but how, when or where, we have been able to find no record. It throws forward a broad spur to the north and another to the east into Canterbury, and on these are its most valuable farms. Its summit is divided into three peaks, and corresponding to these are two narrow parallel valleys on the southern slope, shedding their waters into a pond just beyond the line in Canterbury. The view from the summit is far more widely extended than elsewhere in town, but loses much of the scenic beauty of the Bay Hill pros- pect, which latter is literally picturesque, — a picture set in a mountain frame. Besides these, two smaller elevations claim a moment's attention. One is the bold bluff opposite the Tilton bridge, on which the granite arch is erected, sometimes called Mount Griswold, from a legend I dimly remember to have heard many years since, to the effect that Fort Griswold once stood on its summit, as a defense against the Indians. How much truth there is in the tradition we cannot say, but we think now would be a good time to christen it with some permanent appella- tion. What say, Northfielders, shall it be Mount Gris- wold, or Monument Mount, or Arch Hill, or River Ridge, or Bridge Bluff, or Tiltonberg ? Mount Tugg, as the other elevation is called, stands not far from the highway, as you approach Bean Hill. There is some doubt about the origin of the name, but it might have come from the following incident, to which the writer was a witness, at just about the year when he was entering his teens : One glorious Fourth in that long-ago time, several boys from the Bridge took it into their heads to cele- brate the day by taking a quiet stroll through the woods and pastures. About the noontide hour they halted on the summit of the hill in question for real and to enjoy the prospect. At the foot of the hill was a fence, and beyond the fence a beautiful field of grain, with the owner's house close by. Now it happened, as mischief would have it, that a large bowlder was standing at that time near the edge of the summit, only waiting apparently for a little friendly help to make a gymnastic journey below. This was the glorious Fourth — a day gotten up to ' honor the Revolution ! Why not have a revolution of their own? Agreed; they would revolutionize that bowlder ! So with sticks and stakes and hands they ])ushed and pried and tugged, — especially the latter. They tugged above, and they tugged below, and they tugged till the sweat streamed from their faces, and finally giving a huge tug, and a tug altogether, it top- pled, and was soon making as satisfactory revohi- tions as they could desire. These young revolutionists had calculated that on reaching the fence it would stop, as a well-behaved bowlder ought, — but, alas, for youthful calculations ! for they were now to learn that revolutions of ninxsen, whether of men or stones, when once set well in motion, are to be guided or checked by no fence, whether fence of field, or the defence of society ; for, crashing through the obstacle, as though it were made of straw, it rushed revolving along till it had ploughed a road through the grain nearly to the farther side. At this juncture, as was proper, from the house appeared the owner. And then and there, we will venture to say, was delivered the most impassioned Fourth of July oration ever heard, within the bounds of Northfield. It was impromptu — without notes, without circumlocution, direct, to the point, in choicest Saxon, and the man evidently meant business, for the word gun occurred in it several times, and the name of a place hotter than where they were, — by the way, it was a very hot day, — and closed by expressing the wish that they were obliged to roll that stone up the hill again with the stimulus of the lash on their bare backs. On being kindly reminded by the boys that revolutions never went backwards, he responded emphatically that they would speedily be transferred to another locality by a shot-gun conveyance if they ever started an- other revolution on his grounds. The audience then dispersed. And whether the patriotism of those boys was the more firmly fixed in after-years by the eloquence then poured forth I know not ; but this I know, — that ever since that day the hill has been called Mount Tugg. The revolution is ended, the grain cut, the reaper gone; but the bowlder lies there still, — a stubborn witness to the truth of my words. Rivers. — The principal rivers, I believe, wholly within the limits of the town are two, of which one is the Skenduggardy, — remember, that is the correct name, for it was always so called by the older inhabi- tants and by the younger generation till an ill-in- formed Gazetteer gave it another title. Sondogardy belongs by right to the brook that flows from Sondo- gardy Pond, a mile or two away, which now goes by the name of Cross Brook. Call things by their right names. Gentlemen Gazetteermen, and let us, fellow- Northfielders, lead back with due honor the beauti- ful and original Indian titles to our two little rivers. The first-named is formed by the union of a branch flowing from Chestnut Pond with another from the heights of Bean Hill, and empties into the Winnipi- saukee. It was once something of a manufacturing stream, as it carried two saw-mills, and more anciently by flowage, and with the assistance of those primitive dam-builders, the beavers, manufactured the valuable Smith and Thurston meadows; but of late it has given up the sawing and flowage business, and seems to have enough to do to work its way to the Winni- pisaukee, to afford drink to a thirsty beast or bird now and then, and to give sustenance at long inter- vals to a lilliputian trout. Its sister-river flows into the Merrimack and was once noted for manufiictures. Indeed, the first man- ufacturing in town was done on the Cross, or, as we ought to call it.llic Sondno-anly r,n,„k. Here, and near the luteivalc and Oak Hill, w.rc made earth, n 518 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. and wooden-ware, lumber, jewelry, and especially the old-fashioned gold beads. They had there a grist- mill, a fulling-mill and carding-maehiuc, — the first in use, — a grocery, jeweler's siiop and tailor's shop. The father of Mr. William G. Hannaford had a shoe- shop, and some one had a blacksmith, or, as it was then called, a shoeing-shop. In fact, almost every branch of industry was carried on there in the very first decade of the town's history. The Winnipisaukee Kiver, which bathes North- field's northern border, is said to fall two hundred and thirty-two feet before meeting the Pemigewasset. At the contlueuce of the two, in Franklin, the united streams take the name of Merrimack, a river believed to give employment to a greater number of operatives than any other on the face of the globe. Authorities say the name of the latter river— an Indian word- signifies a sturgeon. Marvelous tales were told by the fallirrs .onoern- ing the fish in the Merrimack and its two head- branches. Not the degenerate specimens of dace, chubs, perch, minnows, with now and then a solitary pickerel, which we now get a peep of at long intervals, but shad and salmon — fat, luscious and huge— and moving up-stream, in such vast numbers in spring or spawning-time, as to blacken the river with their backs. And what was singular in their habits was, that though they migrated from the ocean, through the whole length of the Merrimack, in company, yet, on reaching the fork of the two rivers, in Franklin, they invariably separated — the shad passing up the Winnipisaukee to deposit their spawn in the lake, and the salmon up the J'emigew.asset. Thus the in- habitants of one valley feasted on salmon, those of the other on shad. Now the story runs, or did run, that each kind of fish gave its own peculiarly charac- teristic expression to its eaters, so that you could tell, as far as you could see a man, whether he were a shad eater or a salmon consumer, and that this line of demarkation between the Pemigewassetcrs and the Winnipisaukeeites has flowed in the blood of their descendants down to the present day, so that seldom liavc> Imilt a log hut on the Gerrish intervale, which was once Included within the limits of old Northfield, but now belongs to Franklin. However that may be, by common consent, Blanchard was the first settler within the present limits of the town. "He was a lineal descendant of the English family which very early emigrated to New England. Colonel Joseph Blanchard, so distinguished as an officer in the early French and Indian Wars of New England, and who, in 1754, marched at the headof his regiment of six hundred men up the Merrimack to the Salisbury fort, at what is now the orphan asylum, in Franklin, and thence through the unbroken wilderness to Crown Point and Canada, belonged to the same lineage. The annals of Charlestown and Boston show the Blanchard name in their earliest emigration. The name of .Joseph Blanchard appears in the death records of Boston for 1637." Benjamin Blanchard, in company with his father and mother, emigrated to Canterbury perhaps about the year 1736 or 17.37, from Hamstead, N.H., it is supposed, where he found his wife. Tuba Kcizer, represented as a most excellent wife and mother. Benjamin's father was killed by the Indians soon after their settlement in Canterbury, or twenty-two years before the son took up his march for Northfield, and in 1752 his mother, who was a lady of Scotch-Irish descent, by the name of Bridget, was captured by the Indians while out from the Canterbury fort at night driving up the cows, according to one account; another tradition has it that she escaped from the Indians by fleetness of foot, and, rousing the garrison, saved the fort from capture. Both accounts, however, agree that "she was a very corpulent woman, and in her attempt to escape capture by running she amused the Indians, who shook their sides with laughter, and cried out, ' poochuck, poochuck !' which is the Indian name for hog." She possessed great courage, tradition says, and in other respects was a very superior woman. For most of the above facts in regard to the Blanchard family we are indebted to Mr. M. B. Goodwin, of Franklin, and to the Merrimack Journal of date July 14, 1882. From what little I can gather, I should judge that liis mother died before he left Canterbury ; and then Ucnjamin, feeling, perhaps, that the only ties that bound him to the old fort were broken, his father having been killed twenty-two years before, and whether his worldly prospects looked too discourag- ing for him to remain where he was, the first comers having selected the best lands and places, or whether a certain restlessness incident to the times, or ambi- tion, or desire of change impelled him, whatever the motive, Benjamin now determined to strike out a new path, and found a new settlement for himself. He was forty-two years of age, in the prime of his manhood. His oldest boys must have grown to man's estate, especially Edward, who was destined in after- years to surpass his father in enterprise, capacity for business and worldly success ; and it is not unlikely, when he bade adieu to the old fort one fine summer's morn, to seek his fortune further north, leaving Tuba in charge of the home department, including the younger children, that he went forth accompanied by one at least, Edward, and probably by several, of his older boys. In 1760, says the account, he cut his way through an unbroken wilderness from an old fort in Canterbury, and settled on what is now known as Bay Hill. How interesting to read now, could we have a diary of that exploring tour. Of course, there were good luck and mishap, complaining and glee, tumbles, thirst, hot and wet days and much else intermingled. Perhaps to-day a bear is killed or a wolf shot; to-morrow, a catamount or a rattle- snake, with fearful suspicions of Indians lurking around. Very likely one of the boys carried the guns while the others " cut." And he wouldn't be a boy, at least of the modern style, if, towards evening, he didn't complain of his unwieldy burden, such as two or three guns would be sure to become in the after-part of the day. We wish it were in our power to follow step by step the course taken by our pioneers. We caimot. The track has been obliterated forever by nature and for- getfulness. We can only surmise that Blanchard would be likely to take a direct course north or nearly so, and in that case he probably came over the western spur of Bean Hill, perhaps by Mount Tiigg — moun- tain then unnamed — over the Eogers farm ; but more likely over what is now the Gardner S. Abbott farm, and the farm once owned by Mills Glidden, and later by Anthony C. Hunt; then skirting by the great Smith meadow, which meadow was then a pond — • thanks to the beavers — then over the Smith iarm it- self, till they finally reached what proved to be their destined point, which point was on the modern farm of Ephraim S. Wadleigh, just back of his orchard. Nor are we to sujjpose that this spot was instantly selected the moment they arrived. No doubt, many long and anxious deliberations were held over the subject; and there might have been much difference of opinions. It would not be strange if the boys pre- ferred to settle near the river, where they could fish and swim and paddle the canoe. It would be natural for them to explore Bay Hill in all directions before the final selection of that location. What influenced the decision it were hard to guess. Perhaps the slope riverward in those days was too wet or marshy ; farther up on the summit of the hill they might think too bleak, while lower down in the valley the trees would show a poorer soil — in part marshy. But their choice was a happy medium^ — neither too high, nor too low; and, doubtless owing to a favorable soil, the trees there were higher, larger and consequently farther aj)art, with less underbrush. HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. The choice once made, it only remains to provide a shelter for those left behind. In this the father and boys engage with zeal, till after a few days a small clearing is made and :i siilisianlinl sinic:tureof logs, the first honse in Noillili' M. Iki- .niseii among the tall trees on the after-si.\ Kd W a.lUigli liirm. A log house! — a dwelling not to be siiocrcd at or ridiculed by the present fortunate possessors of Northficld's smiling farms and beautiful homes. A log house was a convenient, substantial, roomy structure, firm, proof against Indian bullets, wolfs claws, the stormy wind or winter's cold. Its arrangement was the per- fection of simplicity ; its architecture wiis neither composite or complicated ; while, if the bark re- mained unremoved, as was undoubtedly the case with this pioneer hut, with moss inserted between the logs on sides and roof, a touch of the picturesque would be added, quite in harmony with the surrounding forest. Benjamin Bhuicbarii'sloghut is finished, destined to be famous through the ages, as long as Northfield's sons and daughters retain a spark of love for their hills and homesteads. And now, to crown the work, the boys must have a holiday — a bath and a day's fishing in the Winnipisaukee, — then ho! for a return to the old Canterbury fort, to see jnother and the little ones, and to briuL' lliem the glad tidings of a home found ami rmuKkil in tlie wilderness and waiting for them. Well, the holiday is over and the next day sees them returned in good season to their old home, ladeu literally with the fat of the land, and waters, too, — with fish and venison, of which, you may be sure, a grand feast Wiis made that night, to which friends were invited, where their adventures were described, the shad was dissected, the whiskey tested, the laugh burst forth and good cheer prevailed till the old fort rang. After a few days spent in settling his affairs and making what preparations his scanty means afforded, Blanchard took his permanent departure from the friendly fortress which had sheltered and protected him and his so long. Let us jncture to ourselves the procession. The time is early sunrise, for they must finish the journey that day, since it will not do to risk his all to wild beasts and perhaps Indians by exposure in the open forest through the night. Their friends, up to see them ofl", cheer as they pass through the gate; a parting dram circulates around, good wishes are shouted, guns give their parting reverberations, and the little company of eleven — parents and nine children — march quickly over the narrow, open space around the fort into the path they had cut a few- weeks before leading to Bay Hill. It was a narrow highway they had, admitting the passage of a single file only; for the little boys and girls of the present day must understand that they didn't take the cars at Canterbury depot and land at Tilton and thence to Bay Hill liy team, or on foot, as people are wont to do nowadays. No ; they probably all walked — young and old — the whole distance, and that, too, barefooted, the most, — if not all. At the head, with pack on back, axe in hand and musket on shoulder, would naturally march the father and next him one of the older boys, also with gun and otherwise freighted, then the mother and smaller children ; after them the horse — if they had a horse — loaded down to his utmost capacity ; then the family cow with calf following; while at some distance in the background, led by a raw hide cord, trotted and darted and scampered and retreated the clown of the company, the most amusing and at the same time the most vexations of the whole, — the well-to-do pig, which seemed to have an invincible repugnance to leaving its comfortable Canterbury quarters, and kept up an incessant soliloquy, doubtless about the restless- ness of mortals, who couldn't be satisfied to let well enough alone. Whether there was a cat or dog in the cavalcade, I can't say, but should think a cat a super- fluity, except for company ; for neither rat nor mouse had as yet tasted the good cheer of the Wadleigh fiirm, and so grimalkin's occupation would be gone till the happy coming days, when rats and mice could be had for the catching. Finally, Edward brought up the rear. At first they moved along in the highest spirits, though their way was in a sort of twilight, for this was the primeval forest through which they were journeying amid trees tall and gloomy, which only at rare intervals permitted a peep of the sun. Still, at the start they journeyed with laugh and joke and chiding of the animals, or perchance each other, and then bursting into singing and shouting till "the dim woods rang." This, however, gradually died away, but revived slightly at their noon-day rest. Their af- ternoon march was performed mostly in silence. They toiled slowly along, the day and the way seeming to be endless, till, crossing the Abbott and the Glidden and Smith farms, halting a few minutes at the Smith Meadow Pond to relieve the thiret of all— animal and human — the long train defiled at last into Blanchard's little clearing just as the sun was sinking behind Kearsarge. The animals were speedily tied to trees and fed on such scanty forage as leaves could supply ; boughs were cut and spread over the ground in the hut, and these, again, partially overspread with bear, deer and wolf-skins; a fire was built in the open air by means of a flint, powder and tinder ; a supper pre- pared and thankfully partaken of; all retired to their skin or leafy couches; the stars looked brightly down, and all were soon wrapped in slumber and silence, even the pig forgetting its sorrows and ceasing its complaints. Thus passed the first night of the first settlers in Northfield. The settlement was begun. For several years, so far as we can learn, Benjamin Blanchard and family were the only people in North- field. There was no settlement in New Hampshire NORTHFIELD. 521 north of him, for Tilton or Sanbornton wiis as yet without inhabitants. What were their feelings, ad- ventures, sufferings, pleasures, no record tells. Cut off by many miles of intervening forest from all neigh- borly society and sympathy, they must have felt lonely at times, especially in the gray, dripping days of the first autumn which followed, with its succeeding win- ter ; but if so, the effect would be brief, for the hut was full ; there was always work enough to do ; their mode of life gave to one and all perfect health in all probability ; they had appetites wonderful to see, so that there was an e.xquisite delight in the mere act of eating, far beyond what their descendants know, and, what Avas better, they had the means of gratifying their healthy cravings with luxuries of which those of this day are sadly deficient, — wild meat in all its varieties, bear, deer, rabbit, wild fowl, such as ducks, geese, partridges in the greatest profusion, shad, river- trout and eels from the river, and the ykenduggardy was swarming with the delicious brook-trout. Besides, the farm began ere long to show the capa- bilities of newly-improved land and a virgin soil, under the energetic hands of nonjamin and his stal- wart boys, aided, within dimrs, hy tlic in-oiieration of the tireless Tuba. It had cliaiiccd, ilir(iiif;h accident or shrewdness, that Blanohard liud pitihcd upon one of the best spots in town for the manufacture of a good farm, and every year saw his clearing grow wider, the forest recede, the fields grow greener, crops of pota- toes, such as only new soil can produce, corn and grass increased; his herd received fresh additions on each returning spring; his buildings improved, until, no doubt, he began to consider himself a well-to-do farmer. Hardships were unavoidable, of course. All pio- neer settlers had to undergo them. Many luxuries of modern days they must forego — some, perhaps, to which they had been accustomed at the old fort. Woodchucks, porcupines, squirrels and pole-cats rav- aged his garden, foxes and hawks stole his chickens, and bears and wolves sometimes destroyed a pig or a calf; an unpleasant accident might now and then occur from a falling tree or an erring axe; a drought, or wind, or hail, or lightning might be troublesome; and then it was such a long, weary way to mill; and what was very hard, there was no housewife neighbor for mistress Tuba to gossip with in regard to all these trials and afflictions. No tea to drink, no cider bar- rel to ta|) ; the cows would get lost in the woods, and the boys, perchance, take a holiday in the busiest time, and go a-fishing. Such, and many more trials of a like nature, very [irobably hovered over, and, at times, settled down upon the farm and fiiniily of Benjamin Blanehard as the seasons went by ; but stout hearts did Benjamin and Tuba bear, and bravely did they face every trial as it arose, till iu time they reaped their reward. A musical vein has existed in the Blanehard family, evidently from the first pioneer to the present time, as will be readily credited by those wlio heard old Northfield's woods echo the notes of the cornet and song poured forth on her Centennial Day by Miss Fannie C. Rice, one of the latest representatives of the original settler's descendants. And what com- panionship this talent of his must have afforded Benjamin at times in his isolated condition ! and oft, when assailing the giants of the forest, would he be likely to burst forth into singing, the rythm of his voice keeping time with the whick -whack of his axe, and ever and anon, an answering note would ring out from the matron of the cabin, and be echoed by the boys and girls in other directions, till, with the sing- ing of the birds, the whole woods seemed bursting into melody. Ah! think not there were no jovial times there ! And so the years came and went, until, encouraged by his success, the solitude of Blanehard began to be broken by the arrival of neighbors. The first to fol- low him was William Williams, whose daughter. Widow George Hancock, died at the residence of her son, William Hancock, in Canterbury, January 14, 1860, aged one hundred years, eleven months and four days. Let her be remembered as the oldest person that Northfield has as yet produced. Afterwards came Nathaniel and Reuben Whitcher, Captain Sam- uel and Jonathan Oilman and Linsey Perkins, and settled on the farm where Warren H. Smith, Esq., now resides. On the Perkins place, opposite Mr. Wad- leigh's, was a log hut used for school purposes, the cellar of which is still to be seen. A little further south, down by the Smith meadow, was a log hut in which lived a Mr. Colby. His wife was a weaver, and, for want of bars, was accustomed to warp her webs on the apple-trees. Compare the result of her manufactory with those now on the river turning out their thousands of yards at short intervals. Mr. William Oilman, a gentleman now of about eighty-five, the most of his life a resident of Bay Hill , and his brother Charles, now in Illinois, are sons of .Jonathan Oilman, who himself, or his father, was, 1 suppose, one of the original settlers. His great-grand- father on the mother's side came from Lee, bought five hundred acres of wild land on and around Bay Hill, on which he settled his sons — Reuben, Nathan- iel, William and Jonathan Whitcher, — many of whose descendants are now in town. The grandfather of Afr. Wesley Knowles bought his farm of Nathaniel Whitcher, jiaying for it, so the story goes, with a two- year-old heifer. Captain Samuel Oilman, Joseph Knowles aud Dr. Keyser were also among the first settlers on Bay Hill. Another of the pioneers of Northfield was Jonathan Wadleigh, who was a native of Kingston, N. H., served in the Revolutionary army, lived for a while at Bean Hill, settled on the south side of Bay Hill on what wiis afterward called the Ambrose Woodbury farm, and finally died in Gilmanton. He was the father of Judge Wadleigh, whose sou, F^phraim S., still lives on the first opened f:uiii iji town, and of 522 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Mrs. Captain S. Glines, who, after having lived half a century or more at the Centre, returned to her fath- er's homestead on Bay Hill, now in possession of her son, Smith W. Glines, and died at the age of eighty- two in the same room in which she was born. Some twenty years after the settlement of Bay Hill, perhaps. Lieutenant Charles Glidden moved to Bean Hill from Nottingham, built a log hut, left his wife and two children and went into the Revolutionary army. In his absence she tilled the soil, felled the trees and hauled her wood with the help of oxen. After his return he bought Nehemiah McDonald's farm near the old meeting-house. Mr. Glidden, his wife and some of the children were buried on said farm. His wife was a Mills, and her mother, Alice Cilley. John Cilley, Robert Evans, John Cofran (father of Colonel James Cofran), Gideon Sawyer and brother, Solomon French and brother, were early set- tlers of this region, and William Smith, the grand- father of Warren Smith, who was moved from Old Harajrton by Mr. Glidden. Perhaps his son Jere- miah came with him, as he left Old Hampton, where he was born, when a boy, and went to live in Can- terbury. In those early times there was no house between Glidden's and what is now called the Rand school- house — several miles. Ensign Sanborn, whose wife was a Harvey, lived not far from there. He probably served in the army for a while. Mrs. William Oilman, to whom I am indebted for many of the above facts, relates that woods, wolves and bears were plenty in those times, and carriages very scarce ; so that when Esquire Samuel Forrest's mother died, her corpse was carried on a bier, laid on poles between two horses, to the graveyard, by the brick meeting-house, some three or four miles dis- tant. She further says that " old General Dearborn drove the first double sleigh into Northfield on a visit to her grandfather." A short account of the Forrest family has been furnished me by Mr. John Sanborn, which I give in nearly his own words : " John Forrest came from Ireland when eighteen years of age, and settled finally in Canterbury. Of his four sons, Robert settled in the same town, and the others in North- field — ^John on the Leigh ton place, William in the Centre District and James on the farm now owned by James N. Forrest, his grandson. Two of his daughters married Gibsons, and the other one Mr. Clough, and all settled in Northfield. William Forrest settled in the Centre District, or rather com- menced clearing the timber, in 1774, just before the War of the Revolution broke out. He enlisted in the war, and served his country witli credit. He was the father of fourteen children, of whom thirteen lived to grow u|>, and all except one attended school near the old meeting-house." To this sketch Mr. .Tames N. Forrest adds : " My ginndfatlu'r, .lames, came here on the farm where I now live in 1784, and subdued the forest, erected buildings, built roads and left a worthy son to inherit his property and do honor to his name. My father, who was an only son, named me for his father, and I have named one of my sons (Samuel) for him. How long the names will rotate, only the destiny of the family will reveal." I understand that this family has furnished nioio teachers and held more official jjositious than any other in town. The late Samuel Forrest, Esq., was long a prominent citizen there, having been superin- tending school committee many years, as well as treasurer, representative (two years), town clerk (two years) and selectman (twelve years). He was a man of decided convictions, with the courage to maintain his convictions; an unflinching anti-slavery man at a time when it required a stout heart to confess it; and a man who possessed the confidence of his fellow- citizens in all the public and private relations of life. He married Agnes Randall, of North Conway, who was born August 22, 1800, and still survives, Esquire Forrest having died in 18(57, lacking sixteen days of being eighty-one years of age. His son, James N., has also served his native town as select- man for several years. John E. Forrest, the third of the three Northfield brothers, lived till the close of life on his well-culti- vated farm, raised a family of several chidren, — all or nearly all now deceased, — and died in extreme old age, the last of the three, leaving a respectable property and a worthy name. Charles G. Forrest, the son of William, was a farmer in Northfield, living on the farm in the west part, now in the possession of Major Otis C. Wyalt, for many years, where all his children were born ; re- moved to New London for a time, and finally settled in Tilton, where he resided till his death, in 1882, aged seventy-five years. He was an industrious farmer and conscientious in the discharge of all the duties of a citizen. He married Mrs. Sally T. Mead. His children are Almeda M. ; Honoria A., an artist ; Martha J., a painter and teacher; and George F. D. Oak Hill proper, I am informed, was for the most part originally in the possession of Obed Clough, who was succeeded by the French and Batchelor families, the latter being still represented there. I quote from Mr. Goodwin, who says: "Ensign Sanborn, Gideon Sawyer, the brothers Archelaus, Samuel and Abner Miles, John and Jeremiah Mc- Daniel, Nathaniel and William Whitcher, Captain Thomas Clough, George and Joseph Hancock and the four brothers by the name of Cross were in town very early." These, I suppose, mostly settled in the western part. "The Crosses had a sort of village down at their place on the intervale, opposite the Webster farm. They had a coopering establishment, a store and a tavern there, and it was, in fact, a busi- ness emporium for all that region." Steven Cross, the great-grandfather of (). L. Cross NORTHFIELD. 523 Esq., married Peggy Bowen, and settled uear Indian Bridge, and raised a family of thirteen children, who were all living when the youngest was forty years old. The oldest,Ahrahani, married Ruth Sawyer, daughter of old Deacon Sawyer, of Canterbury, who was a soldier in both the French and Revolutionary Wars, and who had two sons killed at the surrender of Burgoyne, where the father was also a soldier. Dea- con Sawyer owned the ferry two miles below the Cross ferry, and always attended to it himself to the last year of his life, he being within two months and three days of one hundred years at liis death. He was the father of twenty-two children, twenty of whom grew up. Abraham Cross settled near his father. Sawyer, and there Jeremiah was born in 1805; but the year before, the family had settled on the Winuipisaukee and built a saw-mill, ever after known as the Cross mill. Jeremiah married Sarah Lyford, of Pittsfield, settled near the Cross mill, and about thirty-five years ago built, on a beautiful elevation, overlooking the mill, a fine mansion, in which a few years since he died, leaving behind an enviable char- acter for honor, integrity and business enterprise. He was buried with Masonic honors. Among the early settlers were also the names of William Kenniston and a Mr. Danforth. The latter was a soldier of the Revolution, and having been wounded, always persisted in the statement that he carried the ball still imbedded in his shoulder. The statement was not credited, however, till, years after his death, upon the removal of his remains, it was found that the old soldier was right, for there, firmly fixed, so that a hammer was required for its extrica- tion, was found the bullet embedded in the solid bone. The three Miles brothers came into town in 1769 or 1770, and settled on one farm ; lived on it six or seven years, then sold it to Reuben Kimball, of Con- cord, in 1776. This farm has been kept in the Kim- ball name to the present time, Reuben giving it to his son Benjamin, who sold it to his brother David, whose descendants are still there. Reuben Kimball was a soldier of the Revolution, and in the battle of Bunker Hill was hit by musket-balls three times — once in the crown of his hat, once on the powder-horn which hung at his side (which horn is now in the possession of the present occu|)ant of the farm), and once in the leg, which wound never healed to the day of his death, June 12, 1S15. It has happened, a little queerly, perhaps, that the last possessor of that tiirm, that is, the present posses- sor, Mr. J. A. Kimball, has married a direct descend- ant of Abner Miles, the first possessor of said farm; and it must be a pleasant thought to all con(^erned that the descendants of the seller and the descendants of tlie purchaser both now share equally in its bless- ings. Another excellent farm in western Northfield, which is as well cultiv.ated a.s anv uiiland farm in town, or perhaps in the county, is the one owned and occupied by Mr. John S. Dearborn, which was deeded to his grandfather, Shuball Dearborn, in 1779, by his great- grandfather, who then lived on the Edmund Dear- born place, where he had settled in 1770, being then fifty-one years of age. The deed is still preserved in the old family chest. Shuball was married in home- spun, at twenty-six years of age, and commenced housekeeping without bed or crockery, and in a house containing only one pane of glass. He was obliged to haul his building material from Portsmouth with an ox-team. But frugality and industry overcame all obstacles in time, and Mr. Dearborn lived to see him- self in comfortable circumstances, with a good house to shelter him and well furnished for the times. He died at the age of fifty-eight. The farm ha.s been in the family name ever since, passing from Shuball to his son of the same name, and thence to his son, the pres- ent possessor, John S. Dearborn. Another branch of the same family was represented by Edmund Dearborn, born in 1789, who remained on the ancestral homestead of his grandfather, the original Shuball, raised a large and promising family, and died at his birth place in 1845. His three sons, Samuel G., Henry G. and Thomas H. B., were all physicians eminent in their profession. The latter died in Milford in 1879. The two elder reside at Niishua, blessed with a competency, the respect of their fellow-citizens and a lucrative professional practice. Among the various names which, at this stage of its settlement, were rapidly increasing the population of the new town, the Simonds family seems to stand forth as prominent and influential as any ; and luckily there exists a more complete and extended record of this family than of any other of the early settlers, not even excepting that of the first pioneer, perhaps, searched out and arranged by the late Hon. John W. Simonds, of Franklin, and, by the politeness of Mrs. Simonds, loaned to the writer; but instead of pub- lishing them complete he finds himself conqielled, by the brief space allotted him, to make selections, omit and condense. Joseph Simons was born in England in 168S, an only son and in comfortable circumstances. At the age of twenty-two, contrary to the wishes of his parents, he emigrated to America and located in Con- necticut. Here he married a Miss Knox, and in 1735 removed to Canterbury, settling on the " Intervale," about a mile and a half above Boscawen bridge. W'e have an account of only two children, William and John, though probably there were more. William moved to Thornton, and died there. The other son, John, of whom mention is often made in the earlier town records, was born in Feb- ruary, 1739. He was chosen surveyor in 1708, 1770 and 1773. In 1774 he wa.s taxed for town, colony, school and minister tax, one pound. Previous to the incorporation, in 1780, he had located himself in HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Northfield, about fifty rods south of where the old meeting-house afterwards stood. He was well-pro- portioned, stalwart, six feet in height and weighed two hundred pounds. He made hunting his busincs.s, attaching himself to the party under the leadership of the famous hunter, Captain Miles, for trapping beaver in Lower Cohos. These expeditions lasted three months in the spring and three in the fall. He purchased his one hundred acre lot with the proceeds of a three months' tour on the Kennebec River, Maine. He married Miss Dorothy Bachelder, of Canter- bury, who died in 1824, aged eighty. The first town- meeting after the incorporation was held at his house November 21, 1780, when he was chosen moderator; and for several years after the town-meetings were held there, he being repeatedly chosen " sarvair," pound- keeper, auditor of accounts and assessor until 1800. Once, on returning from a hunting expedition, he broke through the ice into the Winnipisaukee, and only escaped by being buoyed up by the pack of furs on his back. His death occurred September 11, 1825, Elder Crockett, of Sanbornton, preaching his funeral dis- course. His and his wife's remains lie in the grave- yard by the briek church, slate-stones marking the graves. John Simons was a quiet a ml peaceable man, of good habits, sound judgment, and left a fair pri>iierty, for the times. His children were James, Nathaniel, John, Sarah (Mrs. Forrest), Dorothy (Mrs. Foss), Abram, Tliomas, Comfort (Mrs. Abbott). James Simons, born in 17G3, the oldest of eight children, was tall, strong, six feet high, as were the most of the family. When fourteen he enlisted in the Revolutionary army, served a short time and was discharged. In 1782 he married Lydia Morrison, of Northfield, and instead of becoming a hunter, like his father, settled down into a hard-working farmer. In 1790 he removed to Andover, whence, after a few years, he transferred his home to the head of Web- ster Pond, where he worked hard, lived plain, carrying his corn to mill on his shoulders, get- ting in his hay on poles, and in time prospered. Moved thence to an intervale farm of one hundred and fifty acres, in 1800, and was honored with town oflices, more or less, for nearly twenty years thereafter. For fifty years he and his wife were mem- bers of Elder Crockett's Baptist Church, both walk- ing six miles to church, fording the river, and Mrs. Simons, on one occasion, carrying her babe in her arms ; had a family of eight children, of whom John Simonds Wiis one, the father of the Hon. John Wes- ley Simonds, of Franklin, lately deceased, president of the State University at Vermillion, Dakota, and formerly superintendent of schools for the S(ate of New Hampshire for several years. He died August 15, 1842, she surviving him tliii- teen years longer, till August 80, 1855. . Sarah Simons, born August 13, 1770, married John Forrest, of Northfield, and became the mother of a large family of children. She lived and died in lici- native town. Abram Simons was born in Northfiel1. a -11,1. !:. ,ci ..■,.iuittv logilth<; MoiiTiy and liruf C'auld for By thu Cult. "9. voted to Raise Six thonsand Duilars to Ropir high ways iu labour at forly dollars per day. " Saiil Meeting a.l.iinne farmer. The Foss family, in two divisions, appeared in town in its early days, and settled one on the main road and one on Oak Hill, owning a very large tract there, which for a long time was called Foss Hill. Jason is the only surviving male descendant ; has been selectman for several years, and has sistei-s living in Sanbornton. Dr. Keyser was one of the early settlers, but very little about him have I been able to learn ; but he had a son, Joseph Smith Keyser, of general intelli- gence, a close observer, a good citizen, industrious, frugal and acquired a good property, but the embodi- ment of eccentricity, a determined old bachelor, shunned womankind, and finally turned hermit, raised but little from his land, would sell nothing, and, as far as the writer knows, was induced to break through this custom in only one instance on any con- siderable scale. He had kept his barn full of hay for over thirty years, refusing all applications to buy, till, at a time of great scarcity, an offer of thirty dol- lars, or more, a ton broke down his obstinacy; and the swallows that haunted the ancient building saw with astonishment something never seen by them before — the old barn empty. He died alone, and the fact was not discovered for several days. The filth of his dwelling showed the want of woman's hand, and his gun was found filled to the top with silver dimes. A Miss Sally Thornton used to teach and preach in town, but when, nobody knows, so far as I have been able to learn. Ebenezer Morrison settled in Northfield in 1814. Had the following children : Thomas L. Morrison, now living in Northfield ; Robert G., organ manu- facturer iu Concord ; Amos H., a blacksmith in Con- cord; Obadiah H., book merchant, Washington, D. C, died 1876, aged fifty-two ; Liba C, a farmer on one of the original Hill farms in Northfield ; Ebenezer, paper merchant in AVashington, D. C. Probably no individual has exercised so strong and decided au influence on the policy and politics of Northfleld as the late Judge Asa Piper Cate. Judge Cate was the son of Simeon and Lydia Dur- gin Cate, born June 1, 1813, in Sanbornton (now Tilton), whence, in his early childhood, his parents removed to Northfield,' where he passed the remainder of his life. He was educated at the academies at Sanbornton Square, Sanbornton Bridge and Boscawen ; read law with Judge Nesmith, of Franklin ; was ad- mitted to the bar August, 1838, and opened an office at Sanbornton Bridge. He was colonel of a regiment of militia for several years ; was elected moderator at the annual elections from 1838 to 1874, with the ex- ception of two years ; represented the town of North- NORTHPIELD. Held in the Legislature five years, — 1839, '40, '04, '05, '06; was State Senator two years, 1844-45, the second year president of the Senate; was solicitor for Merrimacli: County from 1845 to 1851 ; judge of probate, 1871, '72, '73 and '74, when he resigned a few weeks previous to liis death. He was candidate for Governor, 1858, '59 and '00 ; railroad commissioner three years ; member and secretary of the board of trustees of the New Hampshire Conference Semi- iinry ten years, and an active member and senior warden of the Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church at Tilton. He was president of the Citizens' National Bank at Tilton ; a director of the B., C. and Montreal Railroad, and a liberal investor in its property. His loudness for agriculture was shown by his well-culti- vated fiirm, his choice fruit, his well-filled and well- ordered garden. A fine specimen of the country gentleman, genial, social, highly respected by his fellow-citizens, of all degrees and politics. He died December 12, 1874, aged sixty-one years, leaving a wiledoinirrly MissCl;,ra l',Mrt,,r) and tw., children, Cliira .Moull,,,, an, I Al.l.ir .lnsr|.|,iiir. Morrill S. :\l,,oie was Ih. HI in Canterbury in 1798; married Sally Hancock, of Northfield, and removed to his wife's native town, and settled on the main road, somewhere near the Alvah Hannaford place; afterwards lived on the Bean Hill road, where his five children were born. Both houses have since been burned. He died at his son's residence, in Sanborn- ton, in 1800. His son Morrill married Lavina A. Huse, a native of Campt'on, and daughter of Daniel M. Huse, a native of Sanbornton, who, after several removals, finally settled on a pleasant farm in West Northfield, where he died in: 1883. Here Mr. Morrill Moore now resides, seemingly enjoying himself as a substantial farmer ought. Dr. Enos Hoyt was a native of Sandwich, N. H., and came to town immediately after the death of Dr. Ale.xander T. Clark, which took place March 10, 1821. Dr. Hoyt resided in Northfield many years; had an extensive practice, and finally removed to Framing- ham, Mass., where he died. Daniel Sanborn settled on the Hall place in 1836. His bons were Josiah Sullivan, Braley, James, Daniel, Samuel C. and John, of whom Daniel clings to the old homestead. Joseph Clisby came to town in 1820 ; married, the next year, Sally Hill, of Bay Hill ; built a very pleas- ant cottage home, surrounded by trees; set up a blacksmith's shop ; hammered iron and shod horses for many years, till, compelled by rheumatism, he left the shop for the open-air work of farming. He had 'four daughters, — Mandana F., Maria D., Sarah C. and Clara A., — all, with their mother, deceased, ex- cept Mandana. Mr. Clisby states that there is not a person living in District No. 1 (that is the Centre) that was there when he came, the last one dying in 1881. John Copp arrived at Bay Hill, perhaps, about the year 1825, and settled next east of John Hill's farm. His own farm was not so extensive or valuable as his neighbor's, but it has one of the most charming out- looks in the State. He married Ruama Rollins and had two children, Evelina and John G. ; all now deceased. Mr. Copp was a good farmer, fond of sport and a great mimic, so much so that had he followed an actor's calling, his mimetic ability musthavegiven him a high reputation on the stage. Many probably still remember his " Raising of the Barn," and various comic imitauons of other people. His farm, since his death, has passed into the possession of Daniel E. Hill. Next beyond this is the farm where Henry Tebbett, Sr., lived to an advanced age, and whose son Henry studied medicine and died elsewhere after a few years' practice. Among the later arrivals was that of John Mooney, who transferred his residence from Loudon to the Cen- tre in 1834. Kind and social, and of a stirring nature, his person, perhaps, was the most familiarly known among his fellow-citizens ; careful and economical, he accumulated a handsome property, becoming, accord- ing to my impression, the wealthiest man in the town ; strictly temperate and regular in his habits, he enjoyed good health to nearly the close of an ex- treme old age, dying at Nashua, April 5, 1878, at the age of eighty-seven years and five months, leaving a large charitable and educational fund to the town, of which the schools and individuals are now reaping the benefits. Mrs. Mooney's maiden-name was Susan Chase. Her death occurred several years previous to that of her husband. Celestia S. was his only child, — a woman highly esteemed for her many virtues ; brilliant, scholarly, refined, of quick wit, a fine writer, with a mind stored with the rich results of extensive and varied reading. She married Hon. John H. Goodale, at present of Nashua, and died October 12, 1863, in. the thirty-third year of her age. Let us now return to Benjamin Blanchard, whom we have left so long — forty years or more — in his solitary cabin on the Wadleigh farm, but whom we have not forgotten, though our attention has been called away for a time by public transactions, and we have been kept so busy in introducing the new-comers to the notice of the reader. Mr. Blanchard has prospered, as his enterprise and perseverance deserved. His buildings are improved, his farm productive and he free from debt, all encumbrance having been re- moved from his land by his services in running out the boundaries of the town, and by the payment of seven hundred and fifty dollars in furs. He was a manof strong judgment, decided purpose and untiring industry, and, as wiis natural, had great influence in directing the destiny of the colony and town. But a change now took place in his aflairs. He was eighty, or thereabouts, and Old Age began to whisper HISTORY OP MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. that it was time to release himself from the burden of hard labor to which he had been subject during the most of his fourscore years. He transferred his farm to his eldest son, Edward, whom we recollect as probably bringing up the rear during the family march from the Canterbury fort to the wilds of Bay Hill, ^\'hat was the nature of the transaction we are unable to say, — whether he sold the farm to his son outright, or gave it up to him on condition of receiving a support during the remainder of his life ; probably the latter, as he lived with his son ever after. Besides this, he had settled his other chil- dren in good circumstances around him. Edward was destined to liave a more commanding influ- ence in town than his father ever had. He served and was captain through the Revolutionary War, was twenty-five years a selectman and was often chosen moderator of their town-meetings. " His wife was Isabella Wasson, a native of Scotland, and one of the early emigrants to Londonderry, N. H. They reared a large family of children, nine sons and one daughter, all of whom the parents contrived to settle well in life, the most of the sons on good farms in Northfield. One son, John, was an emi- nent school-teacher in Philadelphia, and over his remains in a cemetery in that city is a monument erected by his grateful pupils. Elizabeth, the only daughter of Captain Edward, became the wife of Thomas Chase, St., of Northfield," to whom his father-in-law gave a tract of land in a pleasant loca- tion, still well known as the Tom Cliase place. Captain Edward sold the paternal farm on Bay Hill to "Squire" Charles Glidden, Sr., for two thousand dollars, about the year 1805, and bought a large tract of land in West Northfield ; afterwards sub-divided into several homesteads, on one of which Edward built a substantial dwelling, planted apple-trees, many of which still bear bountifully, and, accompanied by his father, whose wife had previously died on Bay Hill, he settled forlifeon what was tobeknown in after- years, down to the present time, as the Uncle Daniel Blanchard farm. Here Benjamin, the aged fether, tlie patriarch, the pioneer, glided quietly along through the remainder of a peaceful and honored old age; freed from the necessity to labor, but still busy. His favorite occupation seemed to be the manufac- ture of white-oak ox-goads, which he used to whittle out deftly and neatly with his knife down to his last days, protecting his pantaloons by a casing of tanned woodchuck-skin, while at work. He was short and stout, wore his long, thick, white locks floating over his shoulders, imparting to him a truly venerable aspect. " Benjamin Blanchard died in the ' west-fore- room' of the 'Uncle Daniel' homestead, and it is interesting to add that Captain Edward and Uncle Daniel, great-grandfather, grandfather and father, all in successive generations, passed their last years and ended the final scene peacefully in the same home." Benjamin was l)uried with his wife on Bay Hill, it is supposed, under a large sweet apple tree in the old orchard, known as the " Cranny Tree." Years after, the old lady's gravestone was found among some stones hauled to repair the well, and it was said that at the building of the chimneys of tlu' Wadleigh house, in 1812, the stone erected at the grave of Benjamin Blanchard, and marked B. B., was found among the bricks in the ruins of the old cellar. Captain Edward, after reserving the "Uncle Dan iel" farm as his homestead, gave to his son Richard what is now the Abram Brown place, to his daughter Elizabeth the Tom Chase farm, a tract to Daniel, and had, besides, the tract now known as the (iile farm, and another, the Jason Foss place. The Uncle Daniel homestead, which at present comprises about two hundred acres, " located upon an eminence commanding picturesque beauty and grand- eur, views of diversified mountain and water scenery, far and near, a spot of unrivaled attractions for a summer home," is now in possession of Mr. Edward C. Rice, a retired and successful man of business, whose wife — formerly Miss lanthe Blanchard — is the daughter of Daniel, and the fourth in direct descent from the original pioneer, Benjamin. It must be a source of great satisfaction to be thus able to retire to cue's ancestral home, so beautifial, and which has been an heirloom in the family so long. Her eldest daughter, Laura, is a fine artist in oils and crayon portraits, and has published several works, and among them a gracefully-written little book, called "Sunshine and Shade." Another daughter is Mrs. Fannie Purdy, the opera-singer and cornetist, whose songs and music at the Northfield Centennial are so well remembered still. The youngest. Miss Inez, was married within the past year, at the ancestral mansion, to Mr. Artemas Tirrell Burleigh. No one of the name of Blanchard is left in Northfield. One sur- vivor, John, resides in California. The '' commission " of her grandfather. Captain Edward Blanchard, is still in the possession of Mrs. Rice, framed and well preserved. He was appointed "captain of the Fourteenth Company of the Four- teenth Regiment of Militia in the Colony of New Hampshire, by order of Congress, September 5, 1775. E. Thompson, Secretary ; Matthew Thornton, Presi- dent." "'Squire" Charles Glidden, Sr., who bought the Bay Hill Blanchard ftirm of Captain Edward some eighty years ago, was a leading man in his day, who died in 1811, at the age of sixty-seven. Mrs. Judge Wadleigh was a daughter of "'Squire" Glidden, and inherited the Blanchard place from her father, which, at that time, was much improved, and the house re- built and enlarged. Mrs. Jeremiah Smith, known to the people of Northfield so long, was also his daugh- ter. She died at the ripe age of ninety-one; and her husband, whose prosjjerons and useful life three ad- ditional years would have rounded out to a century, after a union witli her of seventy-three years, all of NORTHFIELD. 533 whict were passed on the old homestead, and having voted for every President from Washington to Lin- coln, at last sunk to rest like a patriarch of old, crowned with length of days, and, like a shock of corn, fully ripe. He left three children, viz., Mrs. Mills Glidden, for many years a resident of Ohio; Mrs. William Gilman, now of Lexington, Mass., hut for the most of her life an inhabitant of Northfield, a lady of culture, of vigorous intellect, a graduate of the Boston College of Medicine, whose influence has long been fearlessly exerted and felt for good on the moral questions of the time in her native town and elsewhere; and Warren H. Smith, Esq., now leading the life of a prosperous farmer, and who maintains the honor of the patrimonial estate with becoming dignity in the old family mansion, which has been renovated, modernized, improved and beautified. Ephraim S. Wadleigh, the son of Judge Peter Wadleigh, is still the fortunate possessor of the first opened farm in town, which his father bought of Captain Edward three-fourths of a century ago, and resides thereon, a prosperous farmer and exemplary citizen. The old mansion was burned a few years since, but was promptly rebuilt and improved. Captain Ebenezer Blanchard, the son of Captain Edward, did not appear to inherit that zest for agri- cultural pursuits that was a characteristic attribute of his father and grandfather, as he was engaged in other business during most of his days, beginning life with keeping tavern or a store on Bay Hill, or both, which he abandoned after the sale of the farm by his father, and removed to Sanbornton Bridge, and opened a store on the Northfield side ; and soon after buying the old brown two-story house which still stands opposite the southern end of the iron bridge, now more than a century old, he converted it into a family residence, and built a large store oppo- .site, in which he traded till about the year 1808, when he removed to Franklin, or what was then Sal- isbury, where he res-ided and traded during the re- mainder of his life, — a period of forty years, — pros- ]iered and died. Mrs. West, his oldest daughtei', (lied in Franklin some three or four years ago. Mrs. Kenrick, his youngest daughter, still survives in Franklin. A Mrs. Herrick is still living there, daughter of Richard, another son of Captain Ed- ward. Now, having tarried so long among the early fathers and gathered together the various items we could pick up here and there of their settlement, families, modes of life and manner of building and governing, with something of their official record, let us take a leisurely walk downwards, in company, through two or three scores of years, till we reach the middle of the century, and strive to catch a glimpse of the social life of our people during that intermediate period, and then, by easy transfers, work our way into the confines of the lu.st thirty years, and note the progress of Canterbury's humble offshoot, religiously, educationally, industrially, and close by a review of the great family gathering of Northfield's sons and daughters in 1880. The present year is a very appropriate one in which to take a backward look over our little commonwealth's pi}st history, as 1885 marks just a century and a quarter since Benjamin Blanchard lighted his first cabin-fire back of the old orchard on Ephraim S. Wadleigh's farm. And first I would say, that from twenty-five to seventy-five years after the incorporation the rural portion of the town appears to me to have been in its most prosperous state. Village life had not grown to such proportions then; the majority of farmers were in middle life, with iron frames, strong arms and stronger hearts, with stout boys ready to assist and plenty of them, with buxom girls in equal num- bers, to card, spin, weave, help mother generally, and even to rake hay, when occasion called, so that those freshly-opened farms stinted not their produc- tions,— filling the barns with hay to bursting, and the garners with grain. The school-houses, too, though not boasting architectural beauty or modern conveniences, nevertheless held what constitutes the prime element of good schools, — an abundance of scholars, filled, crammed to overflowing, as they sometimes were. In the second place, our fathers were less depend- ent upon the outside world for their sources of hap- piness and support than their descendants of the pres- ent day. No importations then of flour and corn from the great West, but bountiful supplies of wheat and maize were extracted from their own soil ; no need to send to Manchester or Lowell for their cloth- ing, for the whir of the wheel and the music of the shuttle were heard in every house, and the home-made blue frock of the farmer was the right royal badge of his profession. And then for social enjoyments they were not forced to tramp abroad to some other State or city to attend some formal convention or associa- tion ; but instead, they had their own town or neigh- borhood gatherings, whether for work or good cheer ; but in either case they calculated to have a " high old time," and they generally had it. Indeed, it was a general custom to make work or play a social affair — the more the merrier — when hilarity prevailed, and good cheer was in the ascendant. The men would '■ change works," the matrons would meet with their spinning wheels, and through the long summer after- noons would spin their thread and their gossip at an equally rapid rate. Then there werethehouseraisings, the shooting matches, wrestling matches, apple par- ings, quilting bees, sleigh ride parties and coasting par- ties. Spelling schools were an established institution then, when two rows of combatants stood unflinchingly andpelted one another with big or knotty words till the warriors upon the one side or the other were all slain. Then, merriest and most truly enjoyalde of all, were tlie young people's parties of a winter's night, when 534 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. "button," " Copeuhiigen," "bean porridge," "hot and cold " and other games made the long nights short, and the chat, and the march, and the song to grow fast and furious. The husking parties were not among the least of these festive occasions, when the farmer would have the whole of his corn harvest husked in one night, followed by a rich repast, in which the golden pumpkin pie held the place of honor. The trainings, the militia musters and many other frolicsome times might be mentioned, but space is wanting. It is true, strong waters were sometimes too prevalent on these occasions, but it must be re- membered, as some excuse, that the article then was genuine, not the modern adulterated liquors, — blue ruin with its villainous compounds had not yet raised its accursed head to consume with henbane and other poisons man's vitals. The aged Joseph Marden, of Lowell, writes, — "I attended a town-meoting in Nortlifield in 1818, Funny time I Rum on both sides of the door, — three cents a glass ! Men made some noise about 4 o'clock ! I and Daniel Herrick put those old benches in the Rand school-house. '* One time we had a snow-storm. Our District went down to the Meet- ing-House, and there met the Bean Hill team and the Main road team. All made up their minds to go up to the Bridge. So went to Capt. Gline's fence, got a pole, tied a red flag on top, hitched on 20 yoke of oxen, and to the Bridge we went ; took a little blackstrap, and the oxen hauled us back. Going down weall stood on the sled, but coming back," he slyly adds, "some had to sit down." Churches. — In this place it will be appropriate, perhaps, to introduce a brief account of the religious privileges of Northfield. The Old Meeting-Housb was originally free to all sects, but in later years was occupied exclusively by the Congregationalists, who abandoned it in 1841 since which it was used for many years only for town- meetings, and is now past its usefulness altogether. The following sketch of the Congregational Church of Northfield . i.hiiiher, 1839, through April, 1843. His labore were aim i'lii ml ^ i\ -uccessful. lu 1837, and during his ministi^, the 1>| 'I -i Ill meeting-house was bnilt and dedicated, the S."J.lv l.a,,,^ IVomdeht. . . . " .Mr. ('. CurEice commenced preaching hero May 1, 1843, through April, 1870, just twenty-seven years. "Rev. T. C. Pratt commenced his labors hero May 1, 1870, at them in June, 1S7S. " Itev. r. T. I'l-rkins ted on tlie opposite side of (lie river. Since then, with new and enlarged buildings, a numer- ous corps of tried and popular teachers, it has been carrying on the good work of education with ever-con- tinued success for over twenty years, each year send- ing forth its graduates, who have made their mark for good in every quarter of our land. It is under the control of the Methodist denomination, but has never exercised any restraint over the church preferences of its students. The principals within these latter years have been Rev. R. M. Manley, Rev. Henry Lummis, Rev. L. D. Barrows, D.D., Rev. G. J. Judkins, Rev. .1. li. Robinson and Rev. Silas E. Quimby. No one of it.s teachers can give the record of so long a term of ser- vice as Rev. Sylvester Dixon, professor of mathem.aties, who, for above twenty-five years, has been a meiubcr of the faculty. The seed sown in 1845 has borne good fruit. Whal may we not expect when the fifty thousand dollar building fund, now nearly complete, shall have lurii transformed to a collegiate structure superior to any in the State, with its educational fund available, with its charming location and increased patronage, — in short, with all the omens favorable? All things promise fair for extended usefulness under the new principal. Rev. D. C. Knowlcs. Union Picnic Association.— A custom prevails in the nei,;;hlKirho(]d of Northfield Depot which might be imilated with advantage in other rural portions of the State. In the summer of 1875, W. C. French and Willie Keniston initiated the formation of a society, which has been the source of great pleasure and jirofit to all concerned in the southern portion of the tow ii and places adjacent. This was theorigin of the I'liinn Picnic Association, which meets yearly at Hannafonl's Grove for the enjoyment of social intercourse, literary exercises, singing and a collation. The e.\perinieiit has met with abundant success, attracting crowds as often as the occasion comes round, and has beconie so interwoven in the pleasant diversions of their life that young and old look forward to these meetings as tin' great social event of the year. Manufactures. — We will here introduce a brief account of the manufacturing interests on the North- field side of the river. Beginning at the up|>er dam, we eome first to Warren Hill's brick-yard, bought of Deacon .\ii- drew Gilman, where he often made two humlnil thousand bricks a year, those for the first seminary building having been produced here. It was finally purchased by the railroad, and the business sto|)pi'il. The Tilton mill was owned and operated by .lere- miah Tilton, Esq., who for fifty years manufactiircil in it satinet for the Boston market. He was a native of Sanbornton Bridge; learned his trade at Franklin ; married Nancy Carter, of Sanbornton, in 1810. He bought the Chase carding and clothing-mill in 1S20, paying for stand and four acres of land and water privilege four liiindred dollars. He lived in the NOKTIIFIKI.D. 537 upper story, was burned out twice, and each time re- built and enlarged ; was associated for many years with his son, Jeremiah C, the two conducting a business of ten thousand dollars a year. He sold to James Bailey about 1860, two years before his sudden death in Boston. The property then passed into the hands of Messrs. Ballantyne and Fletcher, the former a son-in-law of Mr. Tilton, Sr., who has added a third story to main building, with various other extensions and out-buildings, and changed the name to Granite Mills, where a business amounting to one hundred thousand dollars annually is now being carried on, ladies' dress-goods being the chief articles manufactured. Deacon Jeremiah Hall moved to a place near Til- ton in 1829, and for many years carried on the tan- nery business near his house, which was burned, leaving the tannery, which for many years was used as an ice-house, just below the old Uhase tavern ; built a new steam-mill below the freight-depot, near where Buel's hosiery-mill now stands ; was associated with his son, Ebenezer, who eventually sold out to Ebenezer Morrison & Sons. This tannery was after- wards burnt and never rebuilt. A few rods west, towards the bridge, Joseph Wad- leigh, son of Esquire Wadleigh, of Bay Hill, carried on the tin business till his death. Almost adjoining was the building long known as the "Seven Nations," in one section of which a store was often kept by William Follansbee and others. A building was erected at the entrance of the bridge and occupied as a drug and book-store, with offices above. James H. Brown, of Andover, traded there. Burned about 1858. A long,.two-story building stood for many years opposite the entrance of the bridge, owned and occu- pied by Isaac Whittier, Esq., as a store. The upper story was used for a while by a Miss French, a famous instructor of those times, who taught a young ladies' school, at which attended the elite of San- bornton Bridge and Northfield, and into which, by especial favor, a class of boys and young men was admitted. The town clerk's olfice for many years was kept here. This store was burned and icbiiill by Thomas Chase and sold to Warren Hill, and occupied by Deacon Peabody until succeeded by J. 1". Taylor & Hill. This was also burned. At the west entrance to the bridge stood for many years the carding and fulling-mill established and owned by Benjamin Chase, who also owned the farm and built the buildings so long occupied by Hon. Asa P. Cate, and still held by his heirs. This was for many years the only establishment of the kind for fifteen or twenty miles. Farmers came from Loudon, Canterbury, etc., often on horseback, with their wool to be carded. This business declined after the factories were established, and after being carried on for several years by Moses Morrill, the manufac- ture of shoddy was begun there by James Earnshaw and continued till the building was burned. A new grist-mill took its place, which was also burned several years after. On this site — dam No. 2 — Hazen Copp, in 1872, built a large mill, one hundred feet long, and leased it to Richard Firth, who is now run- ning it with three sets of eanls, pKuhieing ladies' dress-goods. Annual prodiulioii, uUnut seventy-live thousand dollars. On dam No. 3 is the hosiery-mill erected by George S. Buol & Co., who in 1880 built a three-set null, and are now running a hosiery mill. Annual.production, about seventy-five thousand dollars. The saw-mill in which Joseph Dearborn manufac- tured lumber for many years, standing by the lower dam and old bridge, has been torn away. The Chase tavern, still standing at the entrance to the Bay Hill road, was kept for many years by Esquire Chase, who, with his son, owned the hill on which now stands the Tilton Memorial Arch, also the resi- dence of Joseph Hill. At Northfield Centre for many years there was a post-office. A store also was kept by Squire Glid- den. This was a jolly place, indeed, where, during the long winter evenings, his many customers gath- ered; for the barrel of New England in those days was ever on tap. It was here that the corpse of old Mr. Danforth was taken, after having been exhumed from his grave by lawless medical students, set up- right in a chair and an ox-goad put into his hand. Here practical jokes were perpetrated enough to fill volumes. Northfield Depot has also boasted of a store and post and telegraph facilities nearly all the time since the opening of the Montreal Railroad ; the former having been kept by A. & Charles Ayers, Amos Cogswell, Merrill Moore and at present by William Kenistou. The post-office was for several years dis- continued, but afterwards re-established through the efforts of S. A. Dow, who still holds the office. The part of Northfield now constituting Fiinnklin Falls village was also well supplied with shops, stores, a paper-mill and factory. The manufacture of palm-leal' hats was for many years an almost universal occupation of the women and children of the town, many families supporting themselves by this branch of industry and increasing greatly the business of the merchants. The leaf for some time was brought in the rough and split and otherwise prepared at the old store-room of Captain Glines opposite the old meeting-house. This in- dustry has been almost wholly superseded by the seaming sent out by the many hosiery-mills. General Remarks. — In old times it seems to have been an article of implicit belief that roads must be laid out at right angles with each other, never avoid- ing a hill however steep. An innovation was made on this custom in after-time, when the new road to Bay Hill was opened and which recently was ev;- 538 HISTORY OF MKRIUMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. tended by private enterprise to Bean Hill. Another road was opened from the lower partof Tilton village past the freight depot towards the Centre, thus oiien- ing up a large tract for settlement which is fast being occupied by fine residences, near which, on the one side, is the trotting park, and on the other, a little farther away, is the Memorial Arch. Witches were never abundant in Northfield, only two being mentioned as decidedly belonging to that profession, whose names we hardly dare mention, lest they avenge themselves by making the writer a visit in their old familiar guise of a large white cat, and pass an interdict on the appearance of the butter at his weekly churning. Old Mr. Danforth, to be sure, did appear to his boon companions after death, at the Glidden store, but that was hardly in the nature of witchcraft, and 1 can say this in good old Northfield'.s favor, that, notwithstanding all my researches on the subject, I have never been able to discover that a witch has ever been hung within her borders. There are now twelve persons in town over eighty years of age. The original Oak Hill School-house was entirely without windows, — no glass to be had. In old times the big boys had a custom, on the last day of school, of selling the school-ashes and invest- ing the proceeds in rum, and having a high time, and many a story might be told of the result. Many laughable things might also be said, had we space, about the catching of eels, the stealing of eels, and the catching of the stealers. Edward Blanchard was the first selectman of North- field and the first captain. Esquire Glidden was the first representative. Northfield's Overflow.— During the first sixty years of Northfield's existence its population steadily and rapidly increased, owing to the income of new settlers and the advent of new children, and the in- crease was more largely due to the second cause than to the first during the latter part of that period. Families were families in those days. In proof, let us introduce a few, — Joseph Gerrish had 13 children; Charles Kenistoii, 15; Isaac Glines, 13; William Davis, 10; William Forrest, 14; Steven Cros.s, 13 ; Benjamin Blaniliard, 9 ; Deacon Sawyer, 22. What family in town can now produce the smallest of these numbers? No wonder our schools dwindle, when a family of one is considered a curiosity, three a wonder, and half a dozen an unheard-of thing. And there has been a steady decrease in the popula- tion, except in the village, during the last half-cen- tury ; so much so, that we are tempted to believe that the strictly rural districts of our little commonwealth contain not more than half the people they once did. On every old road buildings have been removed or torn down, but in most cases burned and never re- built, traces of which are scattered all over town. Not to speak of the cellars of the old settlers, on Bay Hill, which are still to be seen, there are on the road leading from the Centre to Bean Hill — a mile and a half — nine cellar-holes, all the dwellings connected therewith having been burned and not rebuilt ; twelve cellar-holes ifi Oak Hill District, and no less than eighteen on the main road from Canterbury to Tilton, including Windfall road and others else- where. Every farm but three in No. 1 (that is, the Centre) hits passed from its owner of twenty years ago, and the same is true, to some extent, in other portions of the town, notably so on the road from the Hodgdon School-house to Northfield Depot. A greater loss than that of buildings, or of the territory which Franklin has taken, and one far more to be deplored, has been the constant drain for the last half-century of our young men, notably of our young farmers, to the cities, and especially to the far West. Some of the town's best life-blood has been lost in this way. Had all remained, and divided and subdivided her large farms into smaller ones, and employed on them the same energy they have dis- played elsewhere, what a garden Northfield might have been, and what full school-houses in this year of 1885 ! Her capabilities for sure and profitable farming are not yet exhausted. Her upland is among the best in New Hampshire, and we predict a time will come when a return tide will set in towards our beautiful hills, and their productive resources de- veloped in a tenfold degree. Yet to the professional man, or those following other vocations than farming, this place might not offer so desirable a field of action. Accordingly, some of Northfield's talented sons have sought pther fields of labor, and there achieved success and a name. Dr. Richard Malone emigrated to Illinois years ago and became a member of Congress, with a full measure of success in other respects, we presume. One of Northfield's worthy sons who sought a home in a neighboring State was Dr. Adino B. Hall, son of Deacon Jeremiah Hall, who, after having completed a medical course, and practiced for a time in Natick, Mass., studied a year in Paris, and finally settled in Boston, wherehe soon obtained a large and lucrative practice ; was a member of the School Board for many years, delivered an address on music on the occasion of a children's festival in Faneuil Hall, acquired a respectable competency, and died April 21, 1880, aged sixty, respected and regretted by all who knew him. and leaving behind a reputation for geniality, kintt fiuuily, IS.17 9!^ M--^^ .^-y^Jl NORTHFIELD. 543 quietly and continually doing good, and receiving the constant love and trust of many whose dearest friend he was. None but a physician can know the toil of such a life ; and perhaps no one else can know such a reward. Dr. Hall volunteered to go to McClellan's army be- fore Richmond, when surgeons were needed in the spring of 1862. He contracted malarial fever in those swamps, from which he was never entirely free. He served the Massachusetts Medical Society as councilor for twenty-five years, and the same length of time he was an active member of the school committee. Dr. Hall married, in 1864, Mary, eldest daughter of Rev. J. P. Cowles, of Ipswich. Friday, April 16, 1880, he attended three cases of labor, leaving the last one at 5.30 p.m. Heated and fasting since morning, the east wind gave him a fatal chill. He died of pneumonia tiie following Wednes- day, April 21st. His fatal illness made apparent the sense of what he was, and what was lost by his death. Dr. Hall, like his mother, was proverbial for his kindness to the poor ; it is still told of her that the saddest sight at her funeral was the group of poor women looking into her open grave. Each morn- ing of Dr. Hall's illness a crowd gathered on the side- walk, and refused to move on at the policeman's bid- ding till he had asked how the doctor was. Some waited patiently, like beggars, before the back win- dows, only to say, "My wife wants to know how the doctor is." "And after he had served his generation, by the will of God, he fell on sleep." JEREMIAH SMITH, ESQ.' Probably no name is more familiarly known among English-speaking people than that of Smith ; and poor indeed is that town, especially in the United States, that cannot number one or more among its inhabitants. It also has the flavor of antiquity about it, since it must have sprung into being while the Teutonic race was as yet undivided, perhaps before it left the heights of Armenia, as it is found in a direct or modified form in all the various subdivisions of tliat most energetic of the national families of the world. If Darwin's theory of the survival of the fittest be correct, it follows that the originators of the name Smith must have been not only the fittest, but the strongest among all who have been honored as founders of family appellations, as, so far as we know, the name is more common than any other among the whole Caucasian race. New Hampshire is no less favored than her sister- States with a generous sprinkling of the time- honored name, more or less abundant in nearly every town within her borders. I By Prof. Lucian Hu But among them all, no one is more deserving of mention by the town historian, or more worthy of remembrance in an especial degree hy the citizens of Northfield, as one of its model farmers, earlier set- tlers, its oldest inhabitant, an upright cititzen and one whose official record in town was second to none, than the subject of this sketch. Jeremiah Smith was the son of William and Dilly ((Jlough) Smith, and born in Old Hampton, N. H., March 10, 1770. His father originated in Canterbury, N. H., and mother in Kingston, N. H., so that the I family is of true New Hampshire stock several de- I grees back. He came to Canterbury when a boy, and lived with Colonel Jeremiah Clough till twenty-one years of age, when, having reached his majority, and consequently become his own master, he concluded to follow the example set by so many other Canterbury people, and seek his fortune further north, in what then seemed to be the land of promise to the Canter- buryites, — the sunny and bonny hills of Northfield., This was in 1792, two years before the great raising of the old meeting-house, in 1794, of which a full ac- count is given in the history of Northfield. Northfield then was in the full flowing tide of grow- ing prosperity, and no doubt held out great attractions to the young adventurer; but little did he imagine, I surmise, when his walk from Canterbury had brought bim to Bay Hill, that he had so soon found his life- haven, where he was to be anchored safely and hap- pily for seventy-seven long years additional to those with which his manhood began. And little did he guess, when he called at Squire Glidden's, and en- gaged to work for him at seven dollars a month, and saw the sprightly .Betsy of thirteen, that he had found his life companion, who for nearly three- quarters of a century was to share with him whatever, weal or woe, Northfield had to bestow. But so it was to be. She was born February 17, 1778, and after five years of taithfnl service on his part, when she was eighteen and he twenty-six, the father, Squire Glidden, and his daughter, Betsy, were so well satisfied with him and his work that the latter and he were united in marriage in the year 1797. They first established their home at Bean Hill, on the farm afterwards owned by Messrs. Mills Glidden, Anthony C. Hunt, Morrill Moore, and which at present is in the possession of Mr. Clark. It was a rugged farm of about sixty acres, with a hard wood and hard, compacted soil, with a plentiful sprinkling of rocks, a rather steep slope to the north, and in a region of powerful thunder-storms. Neighbors were few and far between, for this was in the earlier days, and the roads were rough and the passers-by few. But Mr. Smith and his young wife had two talismauic virtues, which, ever since man learned the art to accu mulate, have heen powerful agents to evoke wealth from the hardest soil, and amid the most forbidding circumstances, — industry and economy. 544 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. They worked early and late, reduced expenses, saved the pennies, enjoyed perfect health, and, as a consequence, rose slowly, it may be, but surely, in the scale of social, financial and political importance as the years went by. Would that the young of the present day — alas ! too many there are who need it — might profit by the very worthy example set before us by our hard-working and closely-saving ancestors ! His was one of the big barns of the town, — an aristocratic barn for the times, — and yet the writer has been told, that this barn used to be filled, year after year, to the very eaves with hay and grain ; and it is but fair to presume that a rich herd of stately oxen, cows, young cattle and sheep filled the spacious south-side yard, and were bountifully fed from its high-heaped con- tents. At Bean Hill all their children were born, except Warren H. and Mary Elizabeth. Here they lived about sixteen years, till the death of Esquire Glidden, when, the homestead falling to Mrs. Smith by inheritance, they transferred their residence from Bean to Bay Hill, built a new house, made additions to the already extended barn, and there, on the ancestral fields, passed their years of strength and decline, prolonged to a period vouch- safed to few, enjoying in full measure the blessings that flow from agricultural pursuits, the hopes and fruition of seed-time and harvest, pride in their grow- ing family, and the increasing respect and town- honors bestowed by their fellow-citizens. The farm, — formerly called the Robert Perkins farm, as he was its first settler and the first clearing on it was made by him, still in possession of the family, — with its abundant timber and wood and extensive meadow, is, I suppose, considered the most valuable within the present limits of the town, and in those early days must have poured forth overflowing harvests. Though Mr. Smith, through mistaken kindness or friendship, by becoming bondsman, lost all his prop- erty at two separate periods of his life, yet, by the force of a strong will and unflinching perseverance, assisted by conjugal energy, he rallied, regained the lost ground, and at the end of life left a handsome property to his children. The confidence of his fel- low-townsmen in his integrity and business capacity is shown by his election as selectman, year after year^ and representative, and to other offices. Mr. Smith, as we remember him, was rather strik- ing in his personal appearance, with a presence well calculated to arrest the attention of the most casual observer, — stalwart in form, with marked features, and an expression pleasant, yet showing a decided character. He was a man of excellent habits in every respect, and never knew the meaning of sickness, as he lived straight along, from childhood to old age, without the least interference from (Ih^ thousand ails and ills that hara.ss ninety-iiin.-liiin.lrr.lihs of the human race. He never was iiMiltiI id cull in the aid of an M.D., and, in short, enjoyed pcrffi/t health to the very last. Over and above the treasure of health, moreover, he was blessed with a cheerful disposition, which rendered him a favorite with rich and poor, and made him delight in hearing and telling merry stories ; and, with the rich fund of anecdote and story, gathered in a long and active life, and held fast in a retentive memory, he could not be otherwise than an entertaining talker. The writer remembers well, when Mr. Smith's age was among the nineties, that an old Revolutionary soldier-— we think his name was Dan- forth- — from a distant part of the town, used to make him an occasional visit, for the express purpose, it would seem, of reviving memories of the olden times, when both were in their prime. And they succeeded thoroughly. The past lived again. The Revolu- tionary War was a fruitful theme, and especially the battle of Bunker Hill, in which the old soldier had been a participant. At such times their warlike enthusiasm would be roused almost to a white heat. Once, when the question of the emancipation of the slaves was pending during our last war, Mr. Danforth, — if that was his name, — at one of these meetings, while the writer was at the house, asserted stoutly, that the negroes made as good soldiers as the whites ; said there were several at Bunker Hill, and their bullets dropped the red- coats as fast as anybody's. One stood near himself, and " his gun went bang ! as loud as the best." Mr. Smith's opportunities for acquiring an educa- tion were, of course, very limited ; yet he seems to have had a natural turn for mathematics, arithmetic especially, of which a convincing proof exists in the form of an old blank-book with sheepskin covers, still treasured in the family, into which his examples were copied, some of which are " exceedingly diffi- cult." He had decided views in regard to his duty as a citizen, and voted for every President from Washing- ton to Lincoln. No kinder man in his family ever lived, and, as an unfailing consequence, the respect paid to him per- sonally by his children during life, and to his memory since he passed away, has been of the tenderest and most devoted kind. The last day he lived, he said to his two daughters, who were present, — " My family I have governed by love; never struck but one blow, and that was an accident." The years moved on, and Mr. Smith became old and " well stricken in years," but for a long period Providence kindly withheld the stroke. Generations passed away, but still his gait was erect and his eye strong. The writer has his autograph attached to a legal instrument, firm and legible, written when he was approaching a hundred. Old acquaintances dropped, one by one, from sight, till, of all who began with him the journey of life, not one man or woman remained. And still his health was good. Much of this was due in Ids later years to the excellent care and untliigging attention of his daughter, Mrs. NORTHFIELD. 545 Nancy C. Gilman, who, with her husband, ministered to every want of her parents, watching every phase of health, — all to such good effect that Time's fingers seemed to lose their power as the years went by. And thus her father's life was lengthened out to within three years of a century before he was laid to rest, — the oldest man that Northfield has as yet pro- duced. Mrs. Smith, whose birth took place February 17, 1778, survived her husband nearly a year, dying at the age of ninety-one, January 1, 1868. She was a woman of strong mind, great independence, deter- mined will, one who ruled her household well, " mov- ing therein as queen," and whose orders were obeyed ; and to her energetic assistance and inherited prop- erty, no doubt, much of Mr. Smith's financial pros- perity was due. Their remains lie in the new ceme- tery in Tilton. Mr. Smith had nine children, of whom five arc still living or recently deceased. 1st. His olde.st daughter, Alice G., born March 19, 1804 ; married Mr. Charles M. Glidden, and re- sided many years in Southern Ohio, dying December 28, 1873. She had a daughter, Mary" Y., and a son, Steven S., now living. The former married George Crawford, of Portsmouth, Ohio, and has two sons and one daughter, — namely, George W., who, after gradu- ating at West Point, studied law and is now practic- ing in Minnesota ; John G., who, after studying in Germany, settled in Portsmouth, Ohio, and is now a leading physician there ; and Minnie Alice, who, after gr:iduating at the Boston Conservatory of Music, spent three years in study at Ann Arbor, and received a diploma of M.D. Mrs. Glidden's son, Steven S., married Susan Gannet, of fronton, Ohio, and has five children, — namely, Aingia A., a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston ; Jesse, a graduate of College Hill, Cincinnati, both married ; two sons now in a military school ; and Susan G., an infant. 2d. Mr. Smith's second daughter, Nancy C, mar- ried Mr. William Gilman, of Northfield, whose only daughter, Joan D., married Mr. H. A. Morse, a lead- ing shipper and commission merchant of Boston. They have three daughters, — two, Ruth and E. Ger- trude, brilliant scholars and accomplished musicians; and Abba C, recently returned from Europe, an ama- teur artist of much promise. Mrs. Gilman was born May 2, 1806. At an early age she engaged in teaching, for which she had a great liking and special aptitude, — teaching private schools in her own house, having charge of a select school in Ohio, with one season in the seminary, making in all some twenty years in the profession. She studied medicine at the Boston Female Medical College, and has been in its practice more or less for thirty years. But beyond her reputation as a teacher or physician, she is better known as a philanthropist, a pioneer in all the most prominent moral questions of the day. She has ever been a thorough-going tem- perance advocate, a whole-souled champion of the anti-slavery cause, has lectured on the social vices and virtues, and is a stanch supporter of woman's enfranchisement, aud through a long life the powers of her mind have been exerted and her influence felt for good, both in her native town and abroad. 3d. Joseph M. G. Smith, a retired iron-master, born December 28, 1807 ; has four children,— two sons and two daughters. The oldest, Joseph W., is con- nected with steamboating on the Ohio Eiver. Jacob H., second son, with his two cousins, raised and equipped a company of soldiers, and served during the Rebellion ; was once dangerously wounded by a ball, which struck his watch, and, glancing, entered his hip; and is now major, and stationed at some frontier fort on the borders of Mexico. Hia oldest daughter, Mary E., married a prominent lawyer, who is now a judge in Portsmouth, Ohio. Josephine, the youngest, married Orin Murfin, a young man of much promise, and holding a responsible position, who, while conducting the funeral of a brother-Mason, dropped dead in front of the altar. 4th. Warren H. Smith, the youngest son, a shrewd and energetic man of business, born April 6, 1817, in his earlier days was actively engaged in railroad- building, having been a prominent contractor on the Boston, Concord and Montreal Railroad, when in process of construction, and afterwards on Southern railways — we think in Kentucky. These andothersimi- lar stirring enterprises ended, he considered himself entitled to a more quiet life, and accordingly basset an excellent example to other Northfielders in settling down permanently on the paternal acres. While too many natives of the good old town have deserted it for the West or the city, he has chosen to make his father's home his own home and that of his children, and has increased its attractions in many ways. He has remodeled the ancestral house, built a new and capacious barn, beautified and improved the grounds, so that this historic farm, originally a part of the Blanchard lot, we believe, in pleasantness and value combined, has not its equal on Bay Hill certainly, and perhaps not in town ; and here Mr. Smith has wisely decided to pass the evening of his days, as a prosperous farmer and retired country gentleman ; and here may his age be prolonged till it shall reach or excel " the days of the years of his father." The maiden-name of his wife was Miss Elizabeth Glines, one of Northfield's noble women, an excellent scholar, successful teacher and a lady of rare executive ability, well known for her labors of love in her neigh- borhood and church. Mr. Smith has two sons, — Charles Glidden and Jeremiah Eastman. Charles manages the farm. Jeremiah has been in business at the White Mountains the past five years, employing some fifty horses ; is very popular in town, having been representative two years without any opposi- tion. 646 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. 5th. Alary Elizabeth, bom November 6, 1822; married Ephraim S. Wadleigh, the fortunate poti- sessor of the original farm of Benjamin Blanchard, the earliest pioneer, and first settler of Northfleld. She died two years since, leaving one son and four daughters, who are all interested and actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. Three of the daughters — Ad- die P., Annie E. and Charlotte B.— reside at home; Olive A. married Peter Gile, of Franklin Falls ; and Smith Ct. is married and living at Tilton. Such, in brief, is the imperfectly written sketch of Jeremiah Smith, Esq., and his descendants, whose lives, independent thought and energy have had a marked influence on the policy aud fortunes of the pleasant and prosperous township of the children's nativity and their father's adoption. May North- field in the future produce many such. WILLIAM F. KXOWLES, E.SQ.' Among the prominently worthy and enterprising sons of Northfleld is the subject of the following sketch. His grandfather, Joseph Knowles, was born June 15, 1758, and his grandmother, Sarah (Lock) Knowles, December 13, 1761. His death occurred February 16, 1815, when he was fifty-six years of age, and that of his wife August 30, 1841, in her eightieth year. They are deserving of remembrance by the citizens of Northfleld, not only for being the first of the name within its precincts, but as two among the earliest settlers of the good old town, having emi- grated thither from Wilmot, N. H., about the year 1775, and located themselves on the Bean Hill road, not far from the Colonel Cofran farm ; at which time his son William, the father of William F., was about six years old. Joseph was a carpenter as well as farmer, and worked at his trade more or less through life, as the wants of the community might require, to the great advantage of his neighbors, as a workman of that class must always be in great request in a growing town. And that he was a good workman is proved by the banisters of the Old Meeting-House, still in existence, which he turned in after-years, and as the History of Northfield says, " he turned them well." Indeed, a conscientious thoroughness has ever been the characteristic of him and his descend- ants. They " do their work well." His wife, Sarah Lock, before her marriage, lived in Chester, N. H., of which town her father was one of the earliest settlers. At first, there was much trouble from the Indians ; and in after years Mrs. Knowles used to relate with great glee to her grandchildren the story of her father's encounter with one of that race. Her father, it appears, was at work in his field, when he was suddenly confronted and !is.saulted by an Indian. Mr. ' By Professor Ltician Hunt. Lock, though unarmed except with a sickle, made a stout fight, wielding his reaping hook with such etti- ciency, that he soon reduced his opponent's face tu a dead level, that is, cut ofl" his nose, which so discon- certed poor Lo, that he retreated with great precipi- tation. When asked, in after-time, what became of his nose, he used to reply, " Old Lock cut it ott"." Grandfather Knowles, after residing several years on his Bean Hill farm, according to the more proba- ble account — though there is a little difference of opinion on this point — exchanged it for one on Bay Hill, where he remained till his death. Those were the days, as everybody knows, of lar^re families; iind Joseph Knowles formed no exception to the ancestral rule. His family consisted of ten children, namely : 1. William, whose birth took place April 6, 17t>l. Married, in 1805, Zilpha Thorn, who was born Janu- ary 1, 1782. His death occurred May 26, 1864, at the age of eighty-three ; and his wife's December 26, 1876, aged ninety-four. William was the father of five children, whose names are 1, Wesley, born October 6, 1806 ; married Jane W. Oilman, October 3, 1882, who was born October 6, 1805, and died September 20, 1857. For his second wife, he married, June 26, 1860, Sophronia Clement Johnson, born October 9, 1817. His four children were named, — (a) Charles W., born May 29, 1835; (b) George C, born November 24, 1838; died May 16, 1858; (c) Luciau E., born March 22, 1842 ; died September 2, 1864 ; (d) Laura J. C, born October 4, 1843, married to Marcus A. Hardy May 29, 1866, and died March 20, 1885. 2. Betsey C, born March 11, 1808; died May .S, 1882. 3. Cyrone, born January 21,1813; died .\ugust 11, 1815. 4. Joseph, born July 29, 1817 ; died September 17. 1852. 5. William F., born April 24, 1822 ; married Sarah Pratt Robinson January 1, 1850. Her birth-place was Boston, and date, November 4, 1827. They have three children, two daughters and one son, all born in Cambridge and all living. Their names are as fol- lows, — (a) Addie Viola, born January 14, 1854 ; (b) Carrie Way, born February 5, 1857 ; (c) William Fletcher Knowles, Jr., born February 19, 1861. Is a graduate of Harvard Medical College, and is soon to proceed to Germany to study. II. Joseph Knowles, Jr., born April 1, 1783, who, after marriage, settled in Piermont, N. H., had a large family, removed about forty-five years ago to Illinois, and flnally made his home in Iowa. III. and IV. Christian and Sarah, twins, born (Oc- tober 7, 1786. V. Sally, birth April 11, 1780; married Josiah Bachelder, of Andovcr, N. II., and lived and died ,/7f^/^.yt^^^.^^-^..^-^^^ NORTHFIELI). 546a there. Their sou, William A. Bacheklcr, now lives on the old i'arm, and his son, Naluuii, is writing a History of Andover, so report says. VI. Hannah, born February 9, 1792 ; married Mr. Haines, and lived for many years in Vershire, Vt., but after her husband's death removed to Exeter, N. H. VII. John, born October 10, 1794. Never mar- ried. Died May 29, 1853. VIII. Polly, born August 6, 1797. Married Josiah A. Woodbury, of Northfield, in which town she passed her life and died. Had three children, — Mary, Cyrene and William. IX. and X. A son and daughter, — January, 1800. Having thus given a brief analysis of the Knowles family, and traced back its genealogy so far as our data permitted, we will devote our remaining space to a hasty glance at the principal events in the life of that member of it whose portrait is given with this sketch. On the highest pinnacle of Bay Hill, looking almost perpendicularly down upon Chestnut Pond nestling at its eastern base, with the triple-peaked Gilmanton Mountains in the distance beyond, at a height per- haps of two or three hundred feet above the famous first settled farm of the pioneer, Benjamin Blanchard, on the west, with Kearsarge towering above it and for away ; with Bean Hill's broad shoulders confront- ing the view on the south, — while northward stands the giant sentinels of the White, Franconia and Sandwich Ranges, with the Winnipisaukee Valley in the foreground,— is situated the pleasant, productive and romantic ancestral homestead of Wesley Knowles, Esq., where his brother, William F. Knowles, son of William and Zilpha Knowles, first saw the light on the 24th of April, 1822, as we have already stated, the same year which gave to our country Ulysses S. Grant, with but a few days' difference between their ages. Like many other New Hampshire boys who have made their mark, William passed his boyhood at home, under the eye of a careful, industrious and much respected Christian father and mother, aiding in cultivating the well-tilled fields, laying the foun- dations by temperance, pure air and hard work, for that stock of good health and strength which were to serve him so well in after-life, and acquiring those habits of industry upon which his future success has so much depended. The winter district-school was his only source of education till he was sixteen, when he attended two terms at the Franklin, N. H., Academy, and the fol- lowing winter made his first essay in teaching in the Sanborn district, in Sanbornton, in the years 1839-40. The next winter he was a pupil in the New Lon- don, N. H., Literary Institution, and the ensuing fall of the Academy at Newbury, Vt., and the winter after, taught in Haverhill, N. H., always working on the farm during the summer. The Academical School of Professor Dyer H. San- born, a noted teacher of those times, was then in the flood-tide of its prosperity, at Sanbornton Bridge (now Tilton) and thither William wended his way iui the fall of 1842. The writer attended the school at the same time, and remembers him well as a hard worker, a close student and unexceptionable in his observance of the school regulations, while in scholarship he stood in the front rank, — his tastes and strength seeming to lie more particularly in mathematics. In the sul)- sequent winter he taught with general acceptance in his home-district of Bay Hill. He was now twenty-one, and knowing he must work his way through the world by his own unaided efforts, like many other young men of his native town, he determined to leave the paternal fields and seek his fortune elsewhere; and, accordingly, in May, proceeded to Boston. Here engaging in the grocery business till September, 1844, he then entered the wholesale dry-goods store of the wealthy firm of James M. Beebe & Co., where he remained fourteen years, — a length of time suflicient to prove most de- cidedly his faithfulness to his duties and consequent acceptability to his employers. On the termination of this engagement, he con- cluded to make still another change in his business, — the fourth, — having already tried farming, teaching and storekeeping. He engaged in the transportation business, which has been his employment down to the present time ; first, with the Commercial Steam- boat Company, and the Boston and Providence R. R. Company, between Boston and New York and the South. Subsequently, he accepted an offer to go to New York in the interest of the N. Y. C. R. R. Company, and afterwards was engaged by the Penn- sylvania R. R. Lines. After continuing in New York three years, he was, on the completion of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific R. R. to Council Bluffs, engaged to represent their road in Boston and New England. Continuing in this agency several years, until the Chicago and Northwestern, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific, and the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroads, had completed an arrangement for pooling their through business, which, by the way, was the first pooling arrangement made by any railroad, he was appointed Pool Agent for their New England busi- ness. At the present time he is the New England Agent of the California Fast Freight Line, which line is owned and operated by the Chicago, Northwestern, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific, the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, and the LTnion Pacific Rail- ways. His ofiice is at 211 Washington Street, Boston. Mr. "Knowles is a prominent member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, having been made a Master Mason in 1857, received the Royal Arch Mason's Degree, in 54Gb HISTORY OP MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. 1858, soon followed by the Cryptic Degrees of the order, and a little later was created a Knight Tem- plar and Knight of Malta ; is at present a permanent member of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Massachusetts, and, on the 21st day of November, 1862, received the Grade of Sov.". Gr.-. Ins.'. Gen.', of the Thirty-third and last Degree, and was admitted an honorary member of the Supreme Grand Council A. A. Scottish Rite for the northern Masonic jurisdiction of the United States, and is to- day among its oldest members residing in Massachu- setts. Owing to the nature and locality of his employ- ment, Mr. Knowles has found it convenient to make his home in or near the New England metropolis during the most of his adult years. Alter marriage he lived in Boston till 1852, when he changed his residence to Cambridge, where he remained twenty- four years, till 1876. That his executive ability was appreciated in some degree by his fellow-citizens at this time is shown by the fact that he was called to serve in the city government of Cambridge two years, having been elected to the Council for 1861 and unanimously re-elected for the following year. After a few months' stay in Medford, he finally re- moved to Somerville, where be now resides, still in the full vigor of life, blessed with health and a com- petency, possessed of a spacious and pleasant home, a charming family, with the retrospect of a life of earnest and honest striving rewarded and rounded out by the successful accomplishment of the mission assigned him. As we said of his grandfather, so we say of him, — " he has done his work Avell." May pros- perity still further attend, and a ripe old age await this characteristic son of Northfield, William F. Knowles. HISTORY OF HILL. BY F. R. WOODWARD. CHAPTER I. The towuslii]) of New Chester, as originally granted, embraced a large amountof territory, containing that which is now occupied by Hill, Bristol, Bridgewater, a portion of VVilmot and Danbury. Hill, at this date (1885), contains only a small part of the original grant (if New Chester, bearing this original title until Jan- nary 14, 1837, when, in honor of Governor Isaac Hill, it received its present name. The old Masonion pro- prietors granted this territory to eighty-seven propri- etors September 14, 1753 ; being mostly men from Chester, the new grant was called New Chester. The original proprietors were uot all actual settlers, but many afterwards transferred or sold their claims to actual settlers. As early as 1767 two settlements were made within the present limits of Hill, by Carr Huse, Ksq. and Captain Cutting Favour. The former came from Newbury, Mass., and settled on a fine intervale farm in the village, that has been held by the family name to this date (1885). The latter selected a good location on the Pemi- gewiisset River, about two miles north of the village, towards Bristol, at the present residence of Frank Foster. At first these men did not spend their winters among the snow-clad hills and frosty valleys of their new homes, surrounded by beasts of the forests and more deadly foes, their copper-colored enemy. In 1770 they made their residence here permanent. During the same year other settlements were made in that part of New Chester which is now embraced in other towns. Certain names must necessarily appear in this history of men who were then residents of these sur- rounding towns, as petitioners and officers. The town was incorporated November 20, 1778, in answer to a petition from the inhabitants, and named New Chester at their request. A manifest desire existed very early among the inhabitants of this large territory for a di- vision of the town, and petitions were presented to the General Court for that purpose in 1774, as is shown by the records, — " At a town-meeting held upon the 20th day of Januarj', 1774, upon the third article, voted tliat the Township of New Cliester shall be In- corporated into Two Townships or parrishes. "Upon the fourth article, Voted that what money was voted at the last meeting to be raised for preaching Shall be applied towards getting the Town of New Chester Incorpoi-ated into Two Townships, or par- rishes, as aforesaid, so much of it as is nessary for that Servis. " Voted, that Samuel Livermore, Stephen Holland and John Tolford, Esqf,, they or either of them are here by empowered to git the Town- ship of New Chester incorporated in to two Townships or parrishes aforesaid." PETITIONS TO BE INCORPOKATED INTO TWO TOWNS IN 1776. '^ To the Honorable Coioicil aud House of Jiepreseiitatice» of the Colony of New Sanipshire : " The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Township of New Chester. Wee, the Inhabitants of S<> N. Chester, Do Labour under many Grievances and disadvantages for want of an In Corporation, whereby wee might have officers Endowed with Powers and Authority as other Towns in this Colony Do Enjoy. We therefore Humbly Pray Your Honours to Grant us a Cliarter of In Corporation — Investing us with the Powers, Priviledges and Authorities as other Towns within this Colony have. It is the Desire of your Humble Petitioners that the S^ Township may Be In Corperated into two Distinct Towns, if your Honours Please, By Reason of the Township Being Vei-y Long, which will abundantly Best Acommodate the Inhabitants of yd Town Ship, it is desired that .S*" Towns may Be Divided at New Found River, So Called, Allowing the upper Town to In clnde the priviledges for mills upon S"* River within the Limits of S'l Town and your Humble Petitioners, as in Duty Bound, shall Ever Fray. " N. Chester, Decemh' 24th, 1776. "Jonathan Crawford, Josiah heath, Thomas Crawford, Jun', John Clark, Cutting favour, Jonathan Ingalls, Joseph Sanborn, Jacob wells, Robert Crawford , Nason Cass, John Mitchell, Gideon Sleeper, Reuben Wells, John Smith, Nathaniel Sanborn, John Bussell, Benj. McAUester, Rob* Forsith, Beniemin Emery, Carr Huse, David Emerson, Joshua Tol- ford, Tilton Bennet." This petition not being granted, nearly two years later the following was presented : " To the General Court of the Slate cf New Hampsliire : " The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Township of New Chester. Wee, the Inhabitants of S'l Township, Do Labour under Many Grievances and Disadvantages for Want of an Incorporation whereby wee might have officers indowed with Power, authority, and that wee might Lay out our highways So that wee Might make and Re- pair them So that travilera might Safely travel or pass through the Town Ship Safely, for wnnt of whiih wee- are Sensible ; Some of your Honours are S'mimI'I. T mi I1,IM^ (,,, i, liilliilfics which wee Labour under ; wee, th. I • ;i ' l! noins to Grant us a Char- ter of Incorpni.i:! i ii i . . i: , i.\m'i-s, Priviledges and au- thorities as otlMi r ■ I.- ^v ii'ii, ih-^i i! h> Irijoy, and your Humble Petitioners, as in Duty Itoun-l, Shall Kvir I'lay. "New Chester, October 15th, 1778. " It is Desir* that the Town May Be Incon)erated By the name of New Chester. "Carr Huse, Cutting favour, Chase fuller, Jonathan Crawford, thomas Lock, moses Worthen, Gideon Sleeper, John Russell, Jacob Wells, Til- ton Bennet, John Kmery, Beniamin Emons, Simeon Cross, Samuel wor- then, Abner fellows, Theophilus Sanborn, John Cleveland, Nathaniel Sanborn, Eben' Ingalls, Josiah heath, Jonathan Ingalls, Peter Sleeper, John Kidder." 547 548 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUiNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. In answer to the above petition, the town was in- j corporated by the Legislature November 20, 1778. I At the time of its incorporation the shape of the town, as they claimed, was indeed inconvenient for the transaction of business, as was evidently true, being shown by the following petition, that was sent { to the Legislature nine years after the town was in- ! corporated : ' "To the Honourable Senate and Honse of BepreeentativeB of said State, to be conveued at CUarleatown on the Second Wednesday of Septem- ber, A. D. 1787. "The Petition of the inhabitants of New Chester, in said State, Hnm- bly Shewptb, Wee, your Petitioners, Labouring under many Difficulties and disadvautjiges in our present Circumstances by Kenson of the Tow u Being Exceedingly Long and in one place but a very little more than one mile wide, which makes it very Difficult for the Major part of the people to attend Public Worship, when we have preaching in Town and like wise to Attend Town Meeting, as it is Commonly bad traveling when wee have our Annual Bleeting, the Town is more than Nineteen miles in Length. Wee, your Humble Petitioners, Earnestly Request that your Excellency and Honours would Divide the Town of New Chesti-r into two Towns, and that it may be Divided at Newfound River, So Called (vs.), Begining at the mouth of Newfound River, running up said river untill it comes to Newfound poud ; then running on the east- erly Shore of said pond untill it comes to the Town line between New- Chester and Plymouth, and your petitioners, as in Duty Bound, will ever Pray. " New Chester, August 23'', 1787. " Carr Huse, Reuben Wells, John Russell, Nathan Colby, Peter heath, Jonathan Ingalls, Jun., Elias Boardman, Jon* Ingalls, Nathaniel San- born, Eph» Webster, Cutting favour, Michael Mosher, Thomas Huse, John fellows, Jonathan Holt, Josiah Brown, David Emerson, Thomas Rowell, Joseph Johnson, Thomas Locke, Samuel wortlien, Benja Boardman, John Mitchel, Jacob Fellows, Joseph JIarshall, Joseph Em- ons, Moses Fellows, Simeon Cross, Daniel Heath. James heath, Jonathan heath, David powell, Alexander Craig, Jonathan Carlton, Ephraini Clark, John Mitchell, Jun', Ziba Townsend, Chase Fuller, Johu Ladd, Samuel Drew, David Craig, Robert Craige, Seth Spencer, Isaac Senter, Jonathan Craivford, Benjamin Emone, Wilham Powell, Josiah heath, John heath, James Craige." February 12, 1788, the north part of this town was incorporated into the town of Bridgewater, and Thomas Crawford was authorized to call the first town-meeting. By an act of the Legislature, approved June 24, 1819, that part of the town "which lies northerly of Smith's river," with a part of Bridgewater, was made into a new town (now Bristol). December 21, 1820, the town was enlarged by the annexation of a small portion of Alexandria. By an act of the Legislature, approved December 21, 1832, a small tract of land was taken from New Chester and annexed to Wilmot. On the 26th day of June, 1858, a certain tract of land was taken from Hill and joined to Danbury. The town was in Grafton County until July 1, 1868, at which time it was annexed to Merrimack County. LIST OK R.\TABLE POLLS, 1775. Carr Huse, Esq., Cutting Favour, David Emerson, Nathaniel Sanborn, Henry Wells, Jacob Wells, Tilton Benuet, Benjamin Straw, Nason Cass, Jeremiah Quimby, Joseph Sanborn, Reuben Wells, Johtt Smith, Na- thaniel Bartlet, Robert Forsaith, Joshua Tolford, Esq., Peter Sleeper, Gideon Sleeper, John Kidder, Samuel VVorthan, Moses Worthan, Ebene- zer Ingalls, Thomas Lock, Eben Fellows, Bcnianiin Emmons, Chase Fuller, Edmund Eastman, Gersham Fletcher, John Mitchel, Thomas Crawford, Thomas Crawford (2d), Peter Heath, John Clark, Jonathan Ingalls, Josiah Heath, Andrew Craige, Benjamin McCoUe&ter, Jonathan Crawford. RATABLE POLLS, 1783. "State of New Hampshiee. New Chester, Dec 12* 1783. "A return of the Number of Male Polls fi-om Twenty-one .years of .\ge & upwards paying for tbeniselves within the Town of New Chester. No CO. "CAnuHusE, )Sdect Jl/eii For "PtiEE Sleeper,/ N. c;««(m-." "Groton, ss., Alexandria, Dec. IS", 1783. "Then th« above-Named Carr Huse, Esq., and Peter Sleeper, Men New Chester, Made Oath to the Tnith of the above Return By them Sigued Before me. "Josiah Tolforw, JusL Peace.^' Number of ratable polU in 1885 1G7 Value of real estate $127,832 Amount in savings banks j50,733 Money at interest on notes 6164 Railroad bonds lOUO Early Proprietors. — The following is a schedule of the proprietors' names of New Chester, with the number of each proprietor's lots as they were drawn : DRAIGHT OF LOTS IN NEW CHESTER. First Second Third Fourth Peoprietors' Najies. Div'n, Div'n, Div'n, Div'n, No. No. No. No. Matthew Thornton, Esq . . . 22 71 90 51 Archabld Dnnlap 65 34 93 John Tolford, Esq 38 22 66 24 Matthew Thornton, Esq ... 40 7 42 8 Joseph Clark 35 '8 10 11 Ensign William Tolford ... 9 20 5 3 John Tolford, Esq 57 67 7 69 John McMui-phy, Esq' .... 74 CI 52 37 Johu Gordon 24 32 2 18 Matthew Thornton, Esq' ... 10 13 88 6 John Tolford, Esq' 48 45 4o 39 ' Robert McMurphy . . . 94 55 70 C5 Matthew Thornton, Esq'. . . 59 92 39 70 Ens" Henry Hall 20 G7 IC 31 Thomas Shirley 1 37 23 14 John Tolford, Jr 45 40 80 91 John Durham 91 84 92 57 Lieu' Robert Fletcher .... 31 41 27 19 Hugh Tolford 7 18 3 12 Eu6° James Quiuton 78 59 .53 42 Col' Josiah Willard 40 30 84 90 Matthew Thornton, Esq' . . . C 1 87 4 Stephen Fetrington 23 74 70 28 Robert Craigo 7C 56 79 22 Jeremiah Colburn 49 25 20 82 Johu Tolford, Esq' 3 10 2« 29 James Shirley, Jnu' 89 79 32 64 Matthew Livermore, Esq' . . 60 93 38 75 Matthew Thornton, Esq' . . . g^ j? I?, "g Mark U. J. Wintworth. ... 52 27 46 84 John Mills 66 39 50 80 Samuel Moores, Esq' 8 19 C7 13 Timothy Ingals 75 G4 .^4 39 James White 02 90 40 85 Cap' John Underbill 41 C9 83 34 Cap' Thomas Wells 90 83 33 CO Joshua Tolford 66 52 68 74 Nathanael Ingals 15 12 25 55 Samuel Searls 47 23 43 92 Cap' James Shirley 88 77 31 66 JohnKelsay 85 88 11 81 Jothani O'Diorn, Esq'. ... 83 33 69 49 Co" Theodore Atkinson. ... 30 40 63 21 Lieu' Thomas Craige 27 2 21 25 HILL. First Second Third Fourth River, Marked with T, S, W, T, R, S, I, L, T, and together with the Proprietors' Names. Div-n. Div-n. Div'n. DiVn. Date of the year, which Tree wee have made and Established as a Bound No. No. No. No. Between the Two afforesaid Townships, Togathcr with an Elm Standing Co" Joseph Blaiichard . . . . 42 3 85 35 Down the Bank, about half-way to the water, which is siwtled and Lieu' Ebeiiezer Deaibnn . . . 81 80 60 .59 Marked with B. T.; from thence woe have Run part of the lino Between James MtFareon . 32 14 29 48 Said Townships one mile to a gleat Red Oak Tree Standing in the line, Jereniiuh Colburn . 28 42 61 Marked with a great M, Cut out with an axe, and one notch cut in it ; Samuel Gault . 82 35 47 from thence said line is to run the same course as wee have run this, one Samuel Seai-la . 5 44 82 5 mile, which is South, Seventy three Degrees west, according to the JohnMau . 92 85 44 15 Charters, which Bounds is to be a final Settlemtnt of the lower Bound PeirceiMoore . 34 38 93 40 Between said Towu,sliip and line so far as it is run. Robert White . 53 29 47 88 " Buscawen, June loih, 1703. C«p> John Sloffatt .... . 80 86 59 61 "Richard Wason 1 Jeremiah Colburn . 69 62 13 76 " Richard Smith, Matthew Thornton, Esq- . . . 63 60 51 79 ■•Bexjami.vTii.ton, Commiltee Thomas Wallingsford, Esq . . 68 63 56 78 "Jeremiah Lane, 5Iatthe« Th.,rntuu, Esq' . . . 58 82 41 87 "Thomas Wells, ilfoi." George Jaffrey, Esq' .... . 16 6 89 54 "John Tolford, John Aikiu . 18 . 54 . 43 50 35 28 49 81 08 30 " William Tolford, William Parker, Esq'. . . . Joshua Peirce, Esq In answer to a petition from the selectmen, an act JohnKinge . 64 73 58 61 was passed by the Legislature, June 11, 1808, appoint- Jacob Sargent . 77 66 48 02 ing William Webster, Bradstreet Moody and Enoch Matthew Thornton, Esq' . . ■ 67 89 14 77 Colby "to determine the jurisdictional lines between Co" Masurve & others. . . . . 36 6 64 10 the Towns of New Chester, Alexandria and Daubury and report to the Legislature." James Wadwell Thomlenson & Mason. . . . . 44 36 4 6 24 75 ,■-.8 44 Orlando Colby . 51 26 74 This committee, after considerable annoyance, set- Henry Herring . 73 15 8 67 tled the question of the boundary between said towns. Samuel Searls ! . 37 21 65 Co'i Josiah WiUard . 19 51 36 43 "Alexandria, Oct. 28, 1808. William Graham . 14 11 24 17 Alexander McClure. ... . 70 58 72 60 lated the line between the Towns of Alexandria and New Chester, be- Solly & March . 21 70 26 30 ginning at a beach tree marked 4. stones around it (a little north of a John Wentworth, Esq'. . . . 65 54 72 beach tree which is marked W, P, S, W, S, which is the south westerly . 4 43 •>i corner of Alexandria ; then i-uning north about Fifty degrees East, to a Matthew Thornton, Esq . . . 39 19 (l large beach, marked and spoted. on the southerly bank of Smith's River. John Hazeltine . 12 47 78 1 "in the moiiil. ■; :-( i i- ll.iwing begun at a stake and stonis Co" Thomiis Parker 4 known by the 111, . :: II ,;. ij.jruer, then South, about 47}4 De- Archabald Dunlap . 33 31 15 46 grees West, to > , i Kl oak tree standing on the east bank Bichai-d Wibird, Esq'. . . . . 13 10 91 of said River, .„.ak. .1 M, w , >. ai„l .■>, D. Co" Josiah WiUard . 87 76 30 41 "W W S»RcENT \ /""■""' *f Xew ClKsUr. Richard Pearl . 84 91 34 . 79 65 9 "Wm. Patiee, I for the Selectmen ' ! of Alexandria." Archabald Dunlap . 17 49 86 53 Mark Karr . 11 4S 18 33 "A.VDOVER, Oct. 26, 1808. Samuel Emerson, Esq' . . . . 50 53 73 83 "Agreeable to a law of this state, we, the subscribers, have preambi- 'Portsmouth, September S* 1806. lated the line between the Town of Alexandria and New Chester, begin- "Copy Examined. ning at a hemlock tree on the west bank of Pemgewas.set River, said to JERE.MI u Lib EV, Prop" Clerk." bee the corner of said Town, marked with the letters S, G, M, C, W, S, & J, W, then Runing south about seventy three degrees west, to a White In the Masonian proprietors five hundred acre Maple tree, said to be the South west corner of New Chester, and then lots drawn December 24, 1 781, a , follows : north western of Andover, marked with the letters S, G, C, M and W, " Thomlenson & Mason. . . . No. 1 S, we have spotted, renewed, numbers and respoted from the hemlock to the maple, and each Town pays its own expences. Meserve & Co No. 2 SeUctMeti Theadore Atkinson No. 3 "W.W. Sargent, of Thomas Parker No. 4 " Samoel Graves, |- Neie aietUr John Moffatt No. 5 "Caleb Marston, and "N ew Chester, Oct . 31, 1806. J Andover." "Copy Examined. " Bridgewater, Oct. 29th, 1808. "Cahr Huse, Prof "CTerk." "this day we, the subscribers, have preambilated the line between Boundary Lines. — Considerable difficulty was ex- New Chester and Bridgwater, begining at the outlet of New-Found perienced by tlie early settlers in fixing the boundary pond, from there southly by the west bank of Now found River, so Called, to the west end of the Bridge across said River, near where Dr. lines of the township, and at se ■eral different times Samui Kelly formerly lived ; then by the south Branch of sJ River to a committees were appointed by the Legislature to spruce tree marked, near the place now contemplated on for the westerly settle the troubles. end of the new Bridge, now in building across said River ; from there by .said Bank to the back side of Co" Lewis' Coal shed ; from there by KEPORT OF COMMITTEE OX RUxN-NIXG LINES, 1703. said bank too feet to the East of the front or southerly part in the grist '■ We, the subscribers, being chosen by the Proprietor of the Town- or corn Mill, to the junction of said River with the Pemegewasset River. ships of New Briton and New Chester, so called, a commi te to settle "Robert Craioe, -i MSeUctMen the Boundaries between said Townships, we have as follows (vij.) : "Ebex Kelley. >• "^ we have begun at the Northerly lin e Steven ' Farm and have measured • J Bridg,caler. acrost the lower end of New Brit on by the River on a strait line four •' Moses Sleeper, 1 Si/lect Men of "John Wadlkigh, J Neu, OlmUr." miles to a Crotched white Birch ree standing upon the bank of the HISTORY OK MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. "Sew CnESTF-n, Oct. 20111, 18la. | "Wo, tho subscribers, agreeable to the laws of this State, have pre- I ambalated tbe line between the town of Now Chester and Danbury, be- ginning at the old beach Corner at the North west corner of New Chcs- | ter and the South west corner of Danbury, marked with different letters, then running North, about fifty degrees East, to dead Beech tree, the South East Corner of said Danbury, just by which is a large beach tree ! marked with the letters W, S, A, T, and dated Oct. 20th, 1815. We have spotted, renewed bounds and re-spoted, lettered and dated from the one corner to the other, and each town pays its own cost. . /or the , " W. W. Sargent, V SeUcl Mm of ) New Cltater. -. for the I " Amos T.4VL0E, .- Select Mm J Danbw-y. ".\ truu copy. J t est, " IIamei, Fav.m li, Tom, Clerk. "Oct. 30th, 1815." Hill is bounded north by Daubury, Alexandria and Bristol ; east by New Hampton and Sanbornton— Peraigewasset River flowing between; south by Frank- lin and Andover, and west by Andover, Wilmot and Danbury. Area, about fifteen thousand acres. Pop- j ulation, six hundred and sixty-.seven. | Distance from Concord by rail, twenty-five miles i north, reached by a branch of the Northern Railroad ] running from Franklin to Bristol. Rugged Mountain, situated partly in this town, is justly entitled to its name, as it is one of the most rugged elevations in Central New Hampshire. Many have supposed the town received its name from the very uneven nature of the country, but such is not the case. There are many fine, well cultivated farms in this town upon which have been reared large families of boys and girls, many of whom have gone forth to make their mark in the world. W. W. Sargent wa.«, during his day, one of the lead- ing men in town, held the offices of representative, selectman and town clerk at one time during the years 1807, '08, '09, '10, besides being justice of the peace and on nearly all the committees appointed to advance the interest of the town. He was chairman of the Board of Selectmen for six years and town clerk for many years. Carr Huse was another man of rare ability who was thought much of by his townsmen, and was continued in places of trust for a long time. He had a family of thirteen children. Among the number of Hill's sons who have ranked high in their sphere may be mentioned Oilman Kim- ball, son of Ebenezer and Polly Kimball, born De- cember 8, 1804. Mr. Kimball, being possessed of ample means, spared no pains in the care and education of his children. Oilman received private instruction and afterward entered Dartmouth College, from which he graduated in 1827. He studied medicine, and to per- fect himself in his profession he traveled extensively, and practiced abroad with some of the most noted physicians and surgeons. He has performed some very wonderful operations in surgery, among which are several successful cases of amputation at the hip- joint, which for centuries had been supposed to be an operation almost impossible to perform and save flu- life of the patient. At present he resides at Lowell, Mass., and is a shining light in his profession. Joseph Huse, grandson of the original settler, Carr Huse, and son of .John and Betsy Huse, born May 9, 1806, is another of Hill's sons of whom the townspeople should be proud. Reared a sturdy far- mer, he went forth to battle with the world well pre- pared to win in that conflict which requires, chiefly, pluck and integrity for its weapons. Amid the vicis- situdes of a great city — Boston — he has succeeded in building up a business, fortune and reputation, to which we refer with pride. We are indebted to him for much information in regard to early settle- ments of New Chester. Charles M. Winchester, publishing agent of the Christian Publishing House, Dayton, Ohio, is a man who has risen to eminence, and in his prosperity he is not ashamed to own that he is a " Hill man." Oilman Currier, who left his native place to make a business and home for himself, settled in Haverhill, Mass., and engaged in the shoe business with suc- cess ; but death claimed him for its victim in 1847, and his business passed into the hands of his brother, Samuel M. Currier, who has succeeded in establish- ing an enviable reputation by his honest and fair dealing, and at the same time has succeeded in amassing a liberal amount of this world's goods. He is one of those genial, kind-hearted men that it gives us pleasure to meet. This is a peculiar trait of the entire family. These brothers were children of Moses and Nancy Currier. Augustus B. Johnson, son of Samuel and Mary Johnson, is a man of energy and perseverance (in- herited from his father), and, by exercising these qual- ities, has risen to be one of the leading business men of the West (although he does not make his per- manent home in the West). He is engaged exten- sively in stock-raising in the State of Kansas, and is eastern manager of the Johnson Loan and Trust Com- pany, of Arkansas City. W. W. Currier, son of Jonathan and Nancy Cur- rier, is a successful business man, engaged in the manufacture of shoe stock in Haverhill, Mass. There are many others we would be glad to mention if space would allow. We will, however, give only a slight sketch of two of the old residents. Carr Huse was born in Newbury, ]\Iass., in 1740, and moved his family to New Chester in 1770. Pre- vious to this time he would go up to New Chester in the spring and spend his summers, and return in the fall to his native place. He was the first settler, with one exception, and in his new home experienced many hardships and privations, and his nearest neigh- bor north was two and a half miles, and south, Franklin Lower village, where he was obliged to go to get his grain ground, and this he had to do in winter with a haud-slcd and snow-shoes. The nearest meeting-house (and that made of logs) was tweuty-two miles, at Plymouth, where he went on horseback, having only a bridle-road with trees spotted to direct him. He took a deep interest iu the prosperity and welfare of the town. He occupied al- most every position in town requiring ability, respon- sibility and faithfulness in the discharge of his vari- ous duties. He was town clerk thirty-three years in succession, one of the selectmen many years, and filled many other offices, and among them, representative to the State Legislature for many years, which met dur- ing that time at Portsmouth and Exeter. He held a justice's commission for forty years, and, as there was no lawyer in town, he made a specialty of writing deeds, etc., which the law required. As there was no minister in town, hesolemnized marriages and performed not a few. but at a low price compared with the present time. In the organization of the Con- gregational Church he was the only male member, with one exception, and he was chosen deacon, and remained such for forty years. He had two wives. For the first he married Sarah Wells, in 1761, who was the mother of seven children ; and for the other, .Toanna Buswell, in 1775, who was the mother ol six children. He died in 1833, aged ninety-two years and nine months, having twelve children and forty-four grandchildren. Geo. W. Sumner was born at Deering, N. H., Feb- ruary 9, 1792 ; assisted his father in clearing and cultivating a large farm. At the age of nineteen (the time of his mother's death) he left home, studied iiiammar and geography six weeks with Rev. E. P. i'.nidford, served two years' apprenticeship in the clothier business at Weare and Hillsborough, and in March, 1816, moved to Hill and built a dam and shop, and commenced carding wool July 6, 1816. He carded eight thousand pounds that season. He continued iu the business of carding wool and dressing cloth during the summer months for about forty ye-irs. During this time he often taught school winters, and held every important office in and for the town of Hill, and for many years he was a justice of the peace; was an excellent writer of prose and \ erse, and a member of the Congregational Church. December 19, 1822, he married Hannah Abrams, of Sanbornton, who died August 30, 1847. In Septem- ber, 1848, he married A. S. Pratt; he died July 20, 1 >*76. His children by first wife, were Mary H., Mar- tha, Ellen S., Catharine M.j Jane W., George A. and Sarah G. All but the two last mentioned died before reaching twenty-five years of age. George A. Sumner is still living at Hill; born June 27, 1839; married Angle Montague, of Springfield, Mass., April 28, 1868. Their children are, Anna G., born April 3, 1869, and George Willis, born January o, 1875. Sarah G. Sumner, born June 7, 1844 ; married Ed- mund S. Vail, of Blooming Grove, N. Y., October 25, 1879. Now living in Detroit, Kan. Their chil- dren are Alice M., Raymond S. and Florence H. LL. 551 Manufactories. — The proprietors of New Chester seemed alive to the importance of having grist and saw-mill accommodations. When the township was laid out, two lots were set off to be used " for the encouragement of building Mills." The proprietors also voted mill privileges, and appointed men to see that mills were erected. "PHOPEIETORS' MEETINGS. "May the Gth, 1700.— roterf Miy" Emerson, Miij<" Tolford & Cap .lohn Underbill a committee to Treat witli any person or persons to Build a Saw-mill and GriBt-mill upouNew Found River. The above Commit- tee is impowered to give away the said privilege to any person that will undertake to Build said Mills, and no More till they have given their Re- ceipt to the Proprietoi-s. " Feb. 17th, 1707.— At a Proprietors' Meeting of New Chester, Voted two Dullai-s upon each Right for Building Mills in said Township. "May 10, 17G7. — Meeting opened according to adjournment. Whereas the purchasers of Land Contained in John Tafton Mason's Patent, Prov- ince of New Hampshire, by their agents, Joseph Blanchard, Esq., Im- powered the Grantees of the new Township of New Chester, in said Patent, to Dispose of two Certain Lota of Land to Build Mills fur llic Benefit of s"! Township; whereas, John Tolfurd, Esq., has this dayagreed to Build two Saw-mills & two grist-mills in said New Chester (viz), one grist-mill and one Saw-mill on the river known by the name of Newfound River, and have the one fit for grinding and the other fit for saw iiig by the first Day of November next ; and one grist-mill and one Saw -mill on the River known by the name of Siuitli's RiviT, wiiliin si:i years from this Date, and to keep all the said :\Iili- m i i I. r t .i.v.t thereafter, and to grind and saw for the inhabit. III! i - -fipulated in a Bond Signed, and bysiiid Tolford Drh> , l i -.i,,i i. l Ijut-rson & 3Ia- thew Thornton Esquarres & Blathew i-.a^mii]. >ut.iji;iii, .\gents for and Bl If ftheg t f i„ 1 \ 1 ter. Therefore, Vo/eil. that t: e L t f Lanl Ij -yn ng t N found Pond River, including tlie t 1 f 11 ndtheLtSt and f Us on Smith's River, both in IN fl t Ld tbtl Cnm ttee of the grantees aforesaid 11 1 11 IH I) sg en & granted to the Said John T If 1 1 1 i. f ad two Dollars to be paid from 11 t t IT I I 1 If to be paid by the first Day of M } t tl I I fl t two mills is finished, he per- \lso dt fthes nu 1 Emerson, MathewThornton- 1 th reby are authorised & Em- u th Cxpacityaforesaid, agoodwar- I the hove Said John Tolford." This mill was probably built in 1767, as per arrange- ment. " Chester, March 27th, 1709. ".\t a meeting of the Proprietoi-s of New Chester by atljournment, Voted that Maj" John Tolford Shall be obliged to Tend his grist-mill in New Chester for the Proprietors every firet Monday in each Month for the year, and no more other days in said year." It cannot be said that the town of Hill has ever been noted as a manufacturing town, except its repu- tation as having the largest establishment for the manufacture of glass-cutters in the world, and a fine latch-needle manufactory. The first manufacturing of importance was that of wool-rolls for spinning, and also cloth dressing, started in July, 1816, by Geo. W. Sumner, and continued for nearly forty years, Geo. A. Sumner afterwards occupied the same mill as grist-mill and carriage-shop for several years. About the year 1825 a Mr. Moseley engaged quite extensively in the tannery business near the Sumner mill. Thomas Heath afterwards ran the business until about the year 1855. During this time B. C. Batchelder manufactured carriages in a building on the opposite side of the stream, and his brother, Asa- hel Batchelder, made axe-handles and spoke-shaves 552 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. in the Sumner mill. Mr. Batchelder Wiis the first person to make the improved turned handles which have been so popular. James Glines carried on the hatters' business, and John W. Sargent manufactured shoes for several years previous to 1845. Afterwards the shoe busi- ness was carried on by John Tucker and Elcaner Everett, until large manufacturers obtained control of the shoe business and made their production on a small scale unprofitable. These establishments were all on a small scale compared with works of the same class in later times. David Shaw, S. H. Long and Albert Blake com- menced the manufiicture of friction matches about the year 1855, and did quite an extensive business for several years. August 23, 1862, M. F. Little pur- chased the match-factory, stock and tools, and con- tinued the business with good success until the tax on matches made it an undesirable business, when it was abandoned and the mill sold to be used as a saw- mill. In the year 1874, A. A. Williams and F. W. Eaton formed a coi)artnership for the manufacture of cabinet organs, and employed several men in the Sumner mill. They made some very fine instruments; but, owing to the sharp competition in the business caused by other large manufacturers making very cheap and some nearly worthless instruments, which they put upon the market at a very low price, this company were unable to sell their instruments at a remunerative price, and afterrunningthebusinessthreeyears, closeditout. We should not do justice to the business of the town if we failed to mention our sturdy blacksmith, Harrison Morrill, who, for more than a quarter of a century, did service at the anvil in our village, and was ever ready, with a smile and good word for all, to do the bidding of his patrons, until, from the infirmities of age, he felt compelled to give up the business to younger luinds in 1882. In the spring of 1872 several parties interested them- selves in the matter of inducing some manufacturers to locate in town. A town-meeting was called, and the town voted to exempt from taxation, for a term of years, any manufacturing business of iron, wood, steel or the fabrics that might be located in town. This action was taken to encourage F. R. Woodward, who was then doing business in Manchester, to move his business, the manufacturing of latch- needles, to Hill, which he did in July of that year, leasing the mill and power on Mill Brook of Mr. George W. Dearborn, for a term of years. Mr. Woodward was at this time experimenting with the idea of making a glass-cutting tool that would com- bine the qualities of cheapness, simplicity and dura- bility, and having attained quite satisfactory results, the following winter he disposed of the needle busi- ness to a firm consisting of his brother, S. Wood- ward, G. H. Adam?, H. Adams and V. C. Shaw, and engaged in the manufacture of his improved glass- cutting tools. The business increased so rapidly that in 1876 he erected a shop near the railroad, in the rear of his residence, and put in a steam-engine for power. This shop was destroyed by fire in August, 1879. In six weeks another building was erected and ready to be occupied ; this building, with steam for motive power, was .used until 1882, when both the building and power were found too small, and Mr. Woodward purchased the farm and water-power of G. A. Sumner, and the water-power owned by Mrs. C. W. Huse, on Mill Brook, and proceeded to erect a dam and buildings. The building near the railroad which was three stories high, was then moved and joined to the one already built, making a fine build- ing, sixty-six feet in length, exclusive of saw-mill and store-house, which are in a separate building. This is the largest manufactory of Rotary Steel Glass- Cutters in the world, employing about thirty opera- tives. The latch-needle works owned and operated by G. H. Adams & Co. occupies the same building leased by Mr. Woodward for this business, and now owned by the firm. They employ about fifteen operatives, and manufacture a large quantity of latch-needles for knitting-machines, of superior quality, which are sent to all parts of the United States. Churches, Ministers, etc. — Churches. — From the first settlement of the town there seems to have been a desire, on the part of the settlers and also the pro- prietors, to establish a place of worship, as we find by the votes taken at different times in regard to hiring a minister and building a house of worship. At a meeting of the proprietors of New Chester, held at the house of Samuel Emerson, Esq., in Ches- ter, on Tuesday, the 2d day of April, 1771, it was, — *'Voti!<1, half a Dollar on each grantee's Right to hire preaching in New Chester the present year. *'Fo(crf, John Tolforrt, Samuel Emerson, Jethro Sanhorn, Esq., & Cap'. John Underbill and Henry Hall be aComniitte to hire Such Min ister of the gospel as they shall think Fit to preach to the inhabitants of New Chester, and some of said Coniniitte is to Acoinpany any such preacher to New Chester without any pay for their Time." At a town-meeting, on Tuesday, the 10th day of March, 1807, it was,— " Voted, to Raise a tax of twenty cts. upou a pole and other Estate in equal proiMirtiou to all those who give their free Consent when the In- ventory is taken for a minister of the Congi-egationul or I'resbyterian At town-meeting, h^ld on April 1, 1773, it the "!'')(t('d that s"* money shall be Kqually Di- viil' ii ml III I . I I . ' u 1 KmiI hn;; two Moetiug-Ilouses, ouo in the low. I I I I I !' ' i; ; iii ilier in the upper part of the Town, ■■ 1', ' I, .1 In, l.ili il. I I K.ii.rl F..rtiitli, Carr Huse, Nasou Cass, ('nllin- l'.i\nur, llios. In :i i ill. lo -.■. tlmf the aforesaid Ten acres of Liui'l shall be ricatvd n|"ni ih, ,ii ^.n.i paisonage lots in the lower ■ i|. ' 1 ■ ■ ■ - I .I'll I -I. II ilii piii^sonage Lot III, I |.. I II I -ii N. I ■ . . . I I , . . .1 .,r vote, and See ii II i .- - I 1^ I ii'vi in, iiiiiv iii.iv I.,- , ,il-,, \Mir.! the aforesaid - 1 -..■ Unit tlie Me.ting-llonse bo built in said iwli I . I. I III, I iiiantly may be. ■I ' M I '' 1 1 s shall be r.iised on each payable Right in New I -ti I tMwai 1 I I I nil- (tie land on tho parsonage Lots in Now Chester, ■ 1 lliiilding liic Mueting-Ilouses agreeable to tho aforesaid Votes." At a town-meeting, second Tuesdfiy of March, 1824, ••y records can be found by whicli the exact dates ill the building of the first liouse of wor.shij) can be established ; but, according to the best authority, it was built or finished in the year 1800 or 1801. A iDwu-mceting for Danbury and New Chester was called at this meeting-house in 1802. It is situated luar the centre of the town, is a wooden structure hruvily timbered, painted white, has been kept in ill » id repair by the enterprising citizens at the "Cen- In," and presents a neat and attractive appearance. There is a Christian Church organization here, iiMT which Rev. E. H. Wright has been pastor for M'vcral years. This has always been known as the West Meeting- House. Early iu the nineteenth century a hall was fmislieil ill a barn owned by Major Ebenezer Kimball, at the \ illage, and in this meetings were held summers and winters, with(mt any means of heating, except the siducs carried there hot from the fire-place, until the |iiesent church was built. This hall was in existence until lS3il, when tiie partitions were taken out by its |)resent owner, David Fowler, and it reverted back til its former use, storage for hay and grain. The church at the village, or the East Meeting- llouse, was commenced in the year 1819, and finished in January, 1822. February 5th of this year the pews were sold, and soon after the house was dedicated as a Congregational Church. It was owned by individ- uals, each proprietor owning one or more iicws, and entitled to as many votes in the management of ita affairs as they owned pews. It has since been re- modeled, and at this writing is iis fine a house of worship as is often found in a country village. The Congregational Church was organized, Febru- ary 19, 181.'), by the iissistance of the Rev. William Rolfe, of Groton. The church consisted of but two members, Carr Huse and Israel Adams. This church was supplied with the public ministration of the gos- pel, but did not have a settled minister until January 6, 1831, when Rev. Isaac Knight was ordained pas- tor, and reuuiiued such seven years. In the year 1817, two years after its formation, this church numbered twenty-seven members, and for nearly half a century was a great power for good in the community. By death and removal the organ- ization became so reduced that it became inoperative and remained so for several years, until the spring of 1884, when it was revived by the assistance of Rev. S. F. Lougee, of New Hampton, who was engaged as pastor. Whole number admitted to the church from the time of its organization to 1884, one hundred and sixty-three; number of children baptized, one hun- dred and thirty-two. In the year 1870, Rev. E. H. Wright, learning from members of the Congregational Church that it was not expected this church would be revived, and de- siring a home for the converts who were gathered under his preaching, formed a Christian Church, over which he was the able and acceptable pastor most of the time (except when in Manchester, where he went to assist in building up a church) till 1884, when the Congregationalists claimed the right to the church for the purjiose of having a minister of that denomination preach, and the right was accmded to them by the committee chosen to provide a ])reacher. Schools. — The people of the town gave early atten- tion to the establishment of schools, and for this purpose lots were set oft" to be used " only for school purposes." We copy a vote of the proprietors' meet- ing of May 9, 1775, — In 1777 forty dollars was raised to be used for schooling. At the present day this seems a meagre sum, but it must be remembered that the wages of teachers at this time was very small compared with that paid to-day. In 1778 it was voted that Joshua Tollbrd should have the privilege of plowing the school lot by his giving an obligation not to " Damnify " the same. In 1786 a school-tax of £13 5s. 7d. 1/., and in 1788 a tax of £23 14«. lOd. were levied, showing that each year brought an increasing interest in the important subject of education. Thomas Huse (son of Carr Huse) and James Karr 554 HISTORY OF MKRRT:>rACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. kept school iu 1793. Mr. Huse's school was styled a boarding-school. The schoolmaster boarded around, and his board was paid by the town at the rate of three sliillings per week. In 1800, Retsy Sleeper received twelve dollars for three months' teaching, and the snm of seven dollars and thirty-foiir cents was paid for boarding " Said mistress." " Mnstcr Rowers," who was quite a noted teacher in those days, received si.xteen dollars for teaching two niontlis the same year. In 1802 the school-house in District No. 1 was either built new, or the old one built over, and si.xty- seven cents per day was paid for labor, four dollars per thousand for boards, and one dollar ami cisibty- three cents per thousand for nails. Among those who have taught in town and since become noted may be mentioned Henry F. Rolfe and the late Anson S. Marshall, of Concord ; L. P. Town- send, professor of theology in Boston University; Rev. William Sleeper, of Maine, and many others. Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Adams have taught school and acted as superintending school committee many years, and doubtless have the best qualifications for the latter office of any person in town. Mrs. Adams was the author of the history of schools in this town in the reports of 1876. For many years after the foundation of schools in town the people considered the qualifications for teaching to consist chiefly in the muscle and nerve of the teacher. A person with good common sense and able to read and write fairly, if endowed with courage and strength sufficient to cope with the powers of the " big boys," were considered good teachers ; and it was not an uncommon occurrence for boys of sixteen to eighteen years of age to receive severe floggings. With the appointment of superintending school com- mittees the qualifications of teachers became more exalted, and at this advanced age the rod is seldom resorted to, even in the rural districts, while our vil- lage school will compare favorably with some of the academies of our State in proficiency and deport- ment. Cemeteries.— The cemetery at the village was laid out in 1773, on land cleared by Carr Huse, on his in- tervale, about forty rods from his house. This comprises about one acre of land, laid out in such manner as to give the most possible room for burial purposes, regardless of the rules that are ob- served in the plans of modern cemeteries. There is one soldier of the Indian War, Carr Huse, and one of the Revolution buried here. The Fkhrin Cemethry, so-called, is situated about one mile west of the West Meeting- House, was opened to the public in 1845, and is superior, as re- gards location, to the village ground, as it is on high land, and, if properly cared for, would be a very fine cemetery for the country. It has several very neat monuments. The Bunker Hili. Cemetery, which was laid out in 1846, is the last and best of the public cemeteries. It is well laid out, is kept in good condition, is in a good location and hiis some very fine monuments and tablets erected. These arc all public cemeteries. Pi.KA.sANT Hii.L Cemetery.— In the winter of 1884, the writer, seeing the need of a more rcspccialilc place at the village for interment of the dead, oHenil to present to any number of individuals, who would form a cemetery a.ssociation and guarantee to properly fence and fit up and ever keep so fenced and properly cared for, a tract of land on the hill near his mill, which was considered by all interested to be the b<'st location for a cemetery in town. The ofl'er, however, was not accepted, as the e.\i)ense of so fitting it n]> would be so great that it was thought sufficient con Id not be realized from the sale of lots to pay the same. May 20th of this year May F., oldest daughter of the writer, died, and he at once had the ground laid out according to a plan which he had previously made, and she was laid away beneath the ground where she had so often walked and gathered wild flowers with her father and sister. This is pronounced by those who have visited it to be the most lovely cemetery, for a new one, they have ever seen. It is laid out with drive-ways between every row ot lots lengthwise, and walks between each double lot crosswise; the two main drive-ways are twenty-four feet wide, the others twelve feet, and the walks six feet. The soil is taken from the drive-ways, which are level and well graded ; the lots are nicely graded and sown to grass, and present a very neat and attractive appearance. The writer has fitted up the ground at his own ex- pense, and sells lots to any who are able to buy ; those not able to buy are given the right of free burial. A large lot is given in the best locality for the erec- tion of a soldiers' monument and the burial of sol- diers, and it is hoped in the near future a monument will be erected to the memory of the brave boys who so valiantly fought in defense of their country's honor. Civil History. — New Chester and Danbury were classed for the election of representatives from 1800 to 1806, after which time New Chester was declared eutitled to a representative of its own. No record of any town officers can be found previous to 1802. In 1800, New Chester and Danbury elected Edward Blodgett representative for the two towns. No record of any election in 1801 can be obtained. 1802.— Ciin- HuBe, town dork; Ebeiiczor Kimball, Edward DIoilgott, William W. Sargent, Btiloctinon ; Kbenozor Kimball, roiircsout^itivu fur New Chester and Banbury. 1803. — Carr Hime, town clerk ; Jonathan Dickerson, James Karr, John Brown, selectmen; Ebenozor Kimball, representative for New Chester and Panbury. 1804.— Carr Huso, town clerk ; James Karr, John Brown, William W. Sargent, srioi-tmon ; Ebenezcr Kimball, reprcspntative for Now Ohostei and Danbury. 1805.— Carr Huso, town clerk ; John Wadleigh, Willinm Whittier Sar- gent, Moses Sleeper, selectmen ; Ebebezer Kimball, representative for New Chester and Danbury. ISOO.— Can- Huso, town clerk ; James Karr, John Wailleigh, William W. Sargent, solectnion ; Miyor Ebenezer Kimball, representative for N«nv ('hester and Danbury. 1S07.— W. W. Sargeut, town clerk ; W. W. Sargent, James Karr, Muses Sleeper, selectmen ; W. W. Sargent, representative. 1808.— W. W. Sargent, town clerk ; W. W. Sargent, Moses Sleepon Oaptain John Wadleigh, selectmen ; W. W. Sargent, representative. 1809.— W. W. Sargent, town clerk : W. W. Sargent, John Wadleigh, Jonathan Dickerson, selectmen ; W. W. Sargent, representative. 1810.— W. W. Sargent, town clerk ; W. W. Sargent, Jonathan Dick- er-son, Moses W. Sleeper, selectmen; W. W. Sargent, representative. isn.— W. W. Sargent, town clerk ; W. W. Sargent, Jonathan Dicker- son, Sanuiel Sleeper, selectmen ; Jonathan Dickerson, -l-epresentative. 1.SI2.—W. W.Sargent, town clerk ; W. W.Sargent, Samuel Sleeper, IM.ises Wells, selectmen ; Jonathan Dickerson, representative. lsl:l.— \v. W. Sargent, town clerk ; W. W. Sargent, Samuel Sloei»r, .Jtiiiii Hiise, selectmen ; Sethus B. Forbes, representative. TN14.— w. w. Sargent, town clerk ; Caleb Sargent, Captain John Wad- leigh, .T.-Tiiithan Dickei-son, selectmen ; W. W. Sargent, representative. 181S.— Daniel Tavor, town clerk ; W. W. Sargent, Esq., John Husro Isiuic Dodge, selectmen ; W. W. Sargent, representative. 1816.— Daniel Tavor, town clerk; John Huse, David Boswoll, Bitfield .Sawyer, selectmen ; Sethus B. Forbes, representative. 1817.— Daniel Favor, town clerk ; W. W. Sargent, Caleb Aldrich, John Gale, selectmen ; W. W. Sargent, representative. 1818.— Daniel Favor, town clerk ; W. W. Sargent, Samuel Sleejior, Samuel Hoit, selectmen ; W. W. Sargent, representative. Ism.— Dniiidl Favor, town clerk ; W. W. Sargent, Robert Smith, Ji.TiMtliau Dickerson, selectmen ; W. W. Sargent, representative. is-ll.— Ilaiii.l Ivivur, town elerk : faptain ,Iohn Searl, John Huso, ;'22.-Iiai.i. I I i> I, i..«', 1. il, iM.hl l'...swell, ,lohn Searl, John iei^on, Boloctiiien : Daniel Favor, representative. Si. — Daniel Favor, town clerk ; David Boswell, Samuel Murray, ■^0 W. Sumner, selectmen ; L. K. Madison, representative. i'..'!.— S. B. Forbes, town clerk ; John Searl, George W.Sumner, iirl I'lelerhill, Helectmen ; John Searl, representative. ej'i.-s. IS. Forbes, town clerk : G. W. Sumner, Bciyami n Enunons, iiiel I ii'lerhill, selectmen ; Daniel Favor, representative. :2r,.— s, li. Forbes, town clerk ; Dr. Daniel Favor, George W. Sum Benjamin Enniinn.'*, selectmen; Samuel Murry, representative. ■27.-S. B. Forb..s, town clerk ; John Wells (2d), G. W. Snmnor, ri Seal I, srle, luieii ; Dr. Daniel Favor, representative. J- - l; I. 1 1 icwn dork ; John Wells (2d), Samuel Murray, I I.I I' tiiien ; Daniel Favor, representative. I \\ - I ' Imwu clerk ; Sewall Dickerson, John Dickerson, I'll! 1 1 II III Ml - Jlj, selectmen ; Samuel Murray, representative. i;ai.— .lului W. S«eutt, town clerk; John Wells (2d), John Sargent, janiin Kiiininiis, 'electmen ; John W. Swcatt, representative. i:il.— .1. W. Sweatt, Esq., town clerk: Beiyamin Emmons, John N fjii\ Jnlin SargoDt, selectmen ; J. W. Sweatt, Esq., representative. I'liii.'l Favor, town clerk; John Wells (2d), Benjamin Em- I- ii liii -^.iriceut, selectmen Wells (2. Sargent, Sargent, aiuiij lliiinions, selectmen ; San 11 - I'liTiiel Favor, town clerl; luuiii IjLiinons, selectmen ; Gi-n i:.. - lli.ratio H. Blake, town ks, Jes^e Livingston, selectmen ; Abratium t.'ates, representative, {tj. — 11. II. Blake, town clerk ; Jonathan Weeks, Jr., Jesse Living- Benjamin Emmons, selectmen ; Abraham Gates, representative. !7.— Horatio H. Blake, town clerk ; Ezckiel G. Bartlett, Thomas J. b, Sewall Dickerson, selectmen ; George M. Phelps, representative, lis.— William W. Proctor, town clerk ; Jonathan Weeks, Jr., Ben- n Emmons, Thomas J. Heath, selectmen ; George M. Phelps, rep- iam W. Proctor, Wadleigh, selt clei-k ; Sewall Dicke 1841.- William W. Proctor, town dork ; John Wadleigh, Jr„ David Burleigh, Jr., John Huse, selectmen ; Jonathan Weeks, Jr., represen- tative. 1842.— William W. Proctor, town clerk ; Franklin Mosoley, Ezekiol G. Bartlett, John Huse, selectmen ; Jonathan Weeks, Jr., representa- 184;).- William W. Proctor, town clerk ; E/.okiel G. Bartlett, Frank- lin Mosetey, John Huse, selectmen ; Darwin Forlies, representative. 1844.- William W. Proctor, town clerk ; Ezokiol G. Bartlett, Tboniiis J. Hoath, Samuel D. Johnson, selectmen ; Darwin Forbes, represenUi- 1,-1.., (2d), Is,u,e tive. 1846.— Darwin Forbes, town clerk; I. nil T. Parker, Sewall Dickerson, selecti,,. n I ' . 1847.— Darwin Forbes, town eh i k I Carr Huse, selectmen ; Isaac T. Park r i 1 1 in - 1 1 1 1 1 1 . 1848.— Franklin Moseley, town clerk ; I'el.r Ileraey, Hirr Huso, Amos Dickerson {2d), selectmen ; Isaac T. Parker, representative. 1849. — Franklin Mosoley, town clerk ; Carr Huso, Amos Dickerson, Sanmel M. Currier, selectmen ; Franklin Moseley, representative. I860.— Wells Forbes, town clerk ; Amoe Dickerson (2d), S. M. Currier, J. L. Mead, selectmen ; Franklin Moseley, representative. 1851.- Wells Forbes, town clerk ; S. M. Currier, J. L. Mead, Jonathan Dickerson (2d), selectmen ; Gilman Horsey, representative. 1852.— Franklin Moseley, town derk ; Albert Blake, M. J. Morrill, John Wadleigh, selectmen ; Gilman Hersey, representative. 1853.— Rufus Fellows, town clerk; Albert Blake, M. J. Morrill, John Flanders, selectmen ; Amos Dickei-son (2d), representative. 1854.— Rufus Follows, town clerk ; Carr Huse, Wells Forbes, Gilman Hersey, selectmen ; Amos Dickerson (2d), representative. 1855.— Rufus Fellows, town clerk ; Carr Huse, Bbenener W. Mason, Mn^.- ri\..i ,1. Inn II , David Fowler, representative. 1> ' l: ,, I , (Mwn clerk; Madison J. Momll, Ezekiel G. Bali III' 1. 1. II ill r.iriielder, selectmen; Carr Huse, representativo. l-^'iT l; ~ l.lii\v<, liiwn clerk; Carr Huse, John H. Emmons, Samuel Wells, .selectmen ; Harrison .\dams, representative. 1858.-Joseph P. Ladd, town clerk ; Carr Huse, Mosos Favor, Timothy Stevens, selectmen ; James H. Brown, representative. isr.'i ,1 !■ Iii.M t"-,.i, rli-rk : <'avr lln~e. Timothy Stevens, Charles Milton Mason, Wil 'I Hue, .Ti.riathau R. Rowell, 'i ' '■ iiesentative. I ' I I 1 1 use, Jonathan R. Rowell, ■ \\ ^1 ■ I", representative. , town clerk ; Jonathan R. Rowell, Orriii Le idectmon ; Geo. W. Sumner, represenlalive. , town clerk ; Carr Huse, Bbenezcr W. Blii- efieert ; Amos K. Davis, roprosentiitivo. I V 'I ' 'itk ; Carr Huse, Moses Favor, Amos I M I I iley, representativo. Ilk; Carr Ifusc, Moses Favor, A. D. .—Edwin W. Lane Mon-ill, selectniei .—Edwin \V. I.ane, .itile John Flanilere, Wil- 1873.— Charles F. Young, town c cott, Moses F. Little, sdectmen ; T 1874.— Frank W. Eaton, t..vvn el tie, George C. Mason, sdee t ' 187.5.— Frank W. Eaton, i son, George A. Sumner, sek i 1876.— Joseph W. Fav.ii, town Adams, Luther L. Miison, selectn IIISTOUV OF MKKUIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. B. Cowley, Frank B. i 18SU.— 5Io^t■^ I I llli' !■ "' inson, Joseph W, 1 .x-r, ~. I.i 1881.— Moses l\ I. nil,, l"-ii erson, Joseph \V, l'iu..r, .s. 1.a:| 1882.— Moses F. Little, town Favor, James E. Newton, sfilei 1883.— Moses F. Little, towl ton, Asa I). Presiuitt, sek-.-l im.: ISSl.— KniTik I'. I'ailiiT, lov I.Ullll ISR.'i. P. Pat clerk; Madison J. Morrill, Willard ;nien ; William C. Kelley, u. II ; Willard B. Cawley, representative. Ilk; .\8aD. I'reseott, Frank G. l>ick- iM II , llomce P. Katon, repre.'^entative. I lork ; Frank G. Diekeiwjn, Joseph W. Inicn ; Hoi-ace P. Eaton, representative, clerk ; Jnseph W. Favor, James K. New- ; Enuitns M. Ft»ss r»-prosentative. II lace of her sons. The following petition and votes will show the dis- position of the people : " New CnESTER, June y» 29tli, 177(1. " To Ute HonortHile Colony Committee : " We, the Suljscrihers, being A Maiority of the Select Men and Com- mittee of Safety for the Township of New Chester, being willing to Do- fend "urKelves and f.^llow-Cc.uutiyim'u to tlie iituKial nf c.ur Power, But Sdecl 1 " Wherein, Wo Imve rt all non-Con^ni^^i■ In <] ■ I Army, and shall . nli-^i i Tax ; and an w i i the number of sill h s..] I of their iKill Tux t,. tli have Ueturne'* their nan "Benjamin Emons, I For "CAKunusB, j New ClietUr." ■ived a vote of Congress which hath excused .1 - :iii.I Si.Idierswho served in the Continental I. 1,1 Mil year coming, from paying any jioll . Jul ii.ii. under oath, by the Select men, uf ^ ill till II HespectivQ Towns, and the amount Culimy Treasurer, in obediance thereunto we 1 and the amount of their poll Tax, " Nathaniel Bartlett 1! 4 .i "John Crawford 24 3 "Josei)h Davis 2 4 3 •' Totals fll 7 2 1 " ('.\KH Hi'SK, I Scleclmeii " U.ilii, KciKSlTll, ifor N. ChetUrr At a legal town-meeting holden at New Chester, July 13, 1812, agreeable to notice, it was " Voted, To pay each soldier who shall bo called for by law, from this town, as our quota of the one hundred thousand, ten dollars jior month, with what the Government |iays them." At a legal town-meeting in New Chester, ]\Iarch 14, 1839, it was " VolM. That ea.h Bul.li.T lake eaie .,f liiiii»eir," At a legal town-meeting holden at New Chest December 26, 1861, it was "Voted, That article second be left discix-tionary with tbeselectiii to pay soldiers* families, as directeil in a law approved July 4th, 1861 , At a legal town-meeting, duly notified and hold at Hill, in the county of (rrafton, on t August, 1862, the legal voters of said In vote and by ballot, " Voted, To iKiy all those who volunteer to enlist in volunteers, on or before the LOth day of August inst,, iiistered into '* I'oleil, To aiio[it the following resolution : " Ri'udved, That the selectmen be instructed to call another meeting to consider what bount.v. if any, shall be paid to volunteers under the At a legal town-meeting, duly notified and at Hill, Septemlicr li, I'^li-i, it was •' Itemlmd, Tli,it ih. , I. . im n I ni-triictcd to pay all who f unteor into the I mii I >i n ■ -. i m . lor nine months, agreeable of the President, Aiil;o~i lili, Imj, lor dmflcd men not exeee quota, the sum of one hutiiln-d dollars each. And the seloetim tber instructed to borrow money or give their notes to jmy the s;ii they are mustered into service. " Voted, To accept the following resolution : At a legal town-meeting, duly noliliiil :iii(l at Hill, December 20, 1862, it was " Voted, To iiccept the following resolution : " lUttolved, To pay one hundred dollars, in luldition to the dred dollars voted to be raised at a former meeting, l who may enlist from this town and who is a r.-siili'iit of t of enlistment ; and to pay a sum not is In- i" earh person who may enlist from an,voii, i sum to be paid when musteredinto till 1:1 -: ii " Tote volimteers, having the matter of advancing tho National and State bounty or not discretionary with them, and that the selectmen bo authorized to Isirrow the money on the credit of the town, to carry out tho purpose of this resolution, and that the selectmen be authorized to act as agents." The above resolution wius passed. 557 At a legal town -meeting-, liolden at Hill, on Tluirs- (lay, March 31, 1864, it was " Voted^ to pay a bounty, not to exceed 150 dollars, to any pel-sou wlui liHS i-**-onlisted, or may ro-cnlist, or to any peraon who may enlist to fill any . inula „r this tun n u..t aln-a.l.v flllnl, hL-real'l.T maiXii by the Proai- il.-ni I.I i.ii.hi. , I - ■■■ I., till ,in\ .|ii..i,i <,i tli< inv\ II iiniicr any new call ..I 111. !■' ■ . ■■ ■. I ..!,!■!.. I- Hi, 1. 1.. |.i. ii.Mi- I.. M.ii, h 1st, 1805, and III, II I ,M 1 ,1 ,iii, II .-.li,. 111,., Ill, III, III, II iiii.l borrow the I the selectl the nstrticted At a legal town-meeting, duly notified and holden at Hill, ou Wednesday, August 10, 1864, the follow- ing resolution was brought forward and acted upon : " Ilestilveil, That the town raise, and the selectmen he instructed to hire, on the credit of the town, the sum of .fifteen thonaind doUai-s for the jiurpose set forth in tlie second article in the warrant, and that said be instructed to pity over said sum of money to the agent for 1 town's qiuita, upon his demand, and take his receipt therefor ; I fill the i|Uota in the Ijest manner " Votedt That the above resolution be adopted, " Vi'ted, That Jonathan R. Eowell ho the agent." At a legal town-meeting holden at Hill on the second Tuesday of March, 1884, it was -■ I'oted, to niise twenty-five dollars for Decoration Day, to be paid to I - I'lomittee appointed by the members of the Grand Army Post." At a legal town-meeting held on the second Tues- day of March, 1885, it was " Voled, to raise twenty-five dolliiin for IMeiuorial Hay." Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion— The fol- lowing is a list of the volunteer soldiers from the town of Hill in the late Eebellion : FOURTH KEOIMENT. lii-i.rge "W. Davis, Company H, mustered in September IS, tsi;l ; died of disease at Morris Island April 0, 1864. Ki- tiiiril K. Davis, Company H, mustered in September 18, 18G1 ; dis- .iiiir',;..i| October IS, ISfiS, for disability. 11. IV Siiiilii.ni, Company H, mustered in September IS, 1801 ; died of .liscii-^i' .Sejitember 12, 186-2, at Fernandina, Fla. NVii.vland Ballon, Company II, mustered In September 18, 1861; wounded .Inly 13, 1804 ; promoted to second lieutenant Sixth United States Colored Troops February 28, 1805. Muses E. Southworth, Company H, mustered in September 18, 1861; MiMsl.ii.l iMit S.iil,iiiber20, 1864. W.-l ^ill III, 1 ,ii.i|.au.v 11, mustered in September 18, 1801 ; mustered .li.liii (', Sinitli, ri.iii|iany II, mustered in September 18, 1861; promoted to corporal ; wounded July 30, 1804 ; promoted to sergeant March 1, 1865 ; mustorod out September 26, 1865. Arthur L. Smith, Company H, mustered iu September 18, 1861 ; mus- tered out September 26, 1865. FIFTH REOIMENT. K, B, Cilley, Company E, mustered in October 19, ISOl ; died at Oettys- burg July 3d (no year). Daniel Bartlett, Company E, mustered in October 19, 1.S61 ; dieil at Camp California, near Alexandria, Va., January 23, 1862. SEVENTH REGIMENT. Parker Conner, Company E, mustered in Noveml«r 7, 1801 ; died of disease at St. Augustine, Fla., December 26, 1862. EIGHTH REGIMENT. Erasmus Clark, Company I, mustered in December 20, 1801 ; died of disease at Camp Parapet, La., July 6, 1862. Alvin II. Tyn-el, Company I, mustered in December 20, 1801 ; died of disease at Manchester, N. H., January 20, 1802. Twombly (no initial). Company D, muslere tered ont January 18, 1865. W. Colby, Company D, mustered in wounded April 8, 1864 ; died of 30, ISOl. December 20, Isr.l ; dieil "t li I 1^ I ill II llouge. La., March 1-2, 1863. G. W. r.iilis,s, r puny I), mustered iu Docenibor 20, Isr.I ; ilii-il nt diseiuio at Boston Harbor, Mass., Febniai-y 20, 1802. TWELFTH REGIMENT. Iliram Brown, Company C, mustered in September 5, 1862 ; promoted to corporal ; captured at Bermuda Hundred, Va., November 4, 1864 ; exchanged March 2, 1865 ; mustered out May 31, 1865. liiither II. Parker, Company D, mustered in September .5, 1862: promo- ted to sergeant (no month) 6, 1803 ; died of wounds at Gettysburg, Pa.,July 24, 1863. Frank Keniu, Coiiipaiiy |l, iTiiisteieil in Sejiteniber 5, 1802 ; corporal ; 1862; promoted tuniii^,i,.l ,M,u 1, KMrl ; wounded June 3, 1864; mustered out .lune 21, 1S05. Evans J. Davis, Company D, mustered in September 5, 1862 ; discharged by order at Falmouth, Va., April 15, 1863 ; died at Kegimental Hos- pital, Falmouth, Va., April 20, 1863. F, G, Fowler, Company D, mustered in September 5, 1802 ; wounded at Chancellorsville May 3, 1863 ; died of wounds at David's Island, N, Y., April 4, 1804. Patrick Hicke.v, Company D, mustered in September 5, 1S02 ; wounded at I liaiieellorsville May 3, 1863 ; died at Potomac Creek, Va. , May 30 Williiim «', K.IIi-y, I'Minpauy D, mustered in .September 5, 1862 ; promo- ii 1 I 1 1 III Inn. 1, 1865; mustered out June 21, 1865. .1, I'liiii 'I iiiii i'liiiy D, mustered in September .5, 1862; wounded ,11 ' ; I i; I .1 111.- 3, 1864; promoted to corporal November 1, l,M.l , ij.iul, ltd ...It June 21,180.9. D. UtisseJl Smith, Company D, mustered iu September 5, 1802 ; discharged by order at Falmouth, Va., February 12, 1803. George W. Twombly, Company D, nuisteied in f^eptembcr 5, 1802 ; wounded at Cbancelloreville i\lii,\ '. Isn", , li in rn.il i,, Vi t, i-.-m ■Eeaerve Corps September 2, 186: ■■ m i i i ii I i .John Twombly, Company D, mustei. Ill - I -j m iiini.-d at rlian.'.-lU.rsvill.- May 3, 181'.;; ; ili-. Ii.u ,. .1 il I'li- Ih i;i..v_ l; I ,11, I, III I .1 l^iili, fordisabiUt,v. .r.isn|ili \ II in D, mustered in September 5, 1802 ; wounded I.I ■ May 3, 1863; discharged ou account of wounds al I I, \",;n-l 12,1863. George M, Sargent, C.impany D, mustered in September .5,1802; pro- moted to corporal June 1, 1865 ; mustered out June 21, 1865. C. T. Smith, Company D, mustered in September 5, 1862 ; wounded at Chancellorsville May 3,1863 ; died of wounds at Potomac Creek, Va., June 0, 1803. A. J. Small, Company D, mustered in September 5, 1802 ; wounded at Gettysburg May 14, 1864 ; mustered out June 21, 1805. FIRST CAVALRY. Benjamin F. Marshall, Troop K, mustered in February 25, 1864 ; mus- tered out July 15, 1865. Eilward D. Phelps, Troop K, mustered iu October 24, 1861 ; promoted to (piartermaster-sergeant Octolier 28, 1861 ; discharged for disability January 28, 1863. The following is a list of substitutes and volunteers who were not residents of Hill, but enlisted under Hill's quota : FOURTH REGIMENT. Thomas Down, Company C, mustered in October 20, 1,S63 ; mustered out August 23, 1863, 558 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. nmstercd in October 21, 1863 ; unkn 1 January 25, 1804. Frank Wilson, Company Jolin Brown, Company C FIFTH BKGIMENT. Charles Gardner, Company 0, mustered in September 16, 1804 ; Bubsti- tnte for George I. Greeley ; eupposed to have deserted e>. route ti. regiinent. William McGregor, Company I, mustered in September21, 1804 ; substi- tute for David G. Mowe ; absent, sick, since October 6, 1804 ; no discharge furnished. „ , , , , James Kiley, Company IS, mustered in September 13, 1804; deserle,! April 17, 1805. Henry Snow, Company H, mustered in September 9, 1854 ; eul«t.f.t- for Gporge W. Dearborn ; promoted to corporal Apnl 18, 1805 ; mus- t.T.d aut.Iune2S, 1805. Willi ii. I ^ii,i|.sou, Company H, mustered in September 10, 1804; snbsti- l„l . In, Ci.lvi'n Campbell ; died in rebel prison, Korth Carolina, Feb- muary 18, 1804 ; transferred i Sharpshooters January 30, 1805 ; absent, I ; no discharge furnished, mnstercd in September 9, 1804 ; musteroci BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. FRA> The first America great-great-grandfatl SIXTH BEGIMBNT. OeovKc T,aiiiey, Company H, mustered in June '.l, 1804; ii..t ..ni.-iallj l„^, T ,1 " , ,y c, mustered in June IR, 1804; substitute foi '""., ,, , ,,',,,oi-al; transferred from Company C, FJeveuth S, „ iiHiii I iM Nnhinteers, June 1, 1806; mustered out July 17, JohJll^imbart, Company B, mustered in June 8, 1804; substitute for John G. Eastman ; deserted near Pegrnn House, Va., October \\ ,|, \ ' ',,,,, , , ,.,„y (;, mustered in .lune 11, 1804; wounded Sop- ",",',1 I ,1 |„.mioted to coiToral July 1, 1805; mustered out 12, I*'.; 1805. James Maniey, Company iu-i-ountc'd for. .r.isriili l>;niK, Company 1 [Niiiy K, mustered in I moteil to sergeant July 1; 12, 1864 ; wounded July ; mustered out July 17, . Smith, Company I stored in December 30, 1803 ; no) iterod in DccemborSO, 1803; no A, uuistcred in January 0, 1804 mustered in January 11, 1804: , 1804 ; mustered out July 17, 1805. SKVENTII BEGIMENT. ;iace. Company G, mustered in September 22,1801; ponil February 8, W«> ; mustered out July 30, 1805. NINTH RECIMKNT. m.KVUNTII UHIilMUNT. M. S. Maxwell, Company C, mustered in June 25, Warren Sawyer ; supposed to have desiuted en r William Murphy, Company B, mustered in July 2, May 2.5, 1805. Willian. l>atto.-8on, Company H, n.ustered in Jnly 30, 1804 ; substilul, for Jonathan B. Eowell ; supposed ) have deserted < FOVBTKKNTII BKGIMENT. ..pfui r 0, 1804 ; l t offlcially u\isterod II September 20, 1804 ; i September 20, 1804 ; i t offi- cially accounted for, .lames Jones, Company dally accounted for. FIKST BEGIMENT OF HEAVY AETILLEBY. David J. Moore, mustered in September 14, 1804; transferred from <:ompany H June 10, 1805 ; mustered out September 11, 180.5. The following men are not officially accounted for : „■...,.... ., 1 1!„„1,..„ Shirk. Charles Ames, Hutchinson Allen. K. woomvARi).' ancestor of Mr. Woodward, his r, came to this country from Ire- rand prior to 1750 and settled in Maine, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He had a son, Stephen, who served his country in the War of 1812. These were brave and patriotic men, proud of the dis- tinction of being descendants of Hannah Dustin, ot Indian fame. Stephen had a son, Jesse, who liad a son, Daniel P., the father of the subject of this sketch. He married Dorcas, d.aughter of Enoch Adams, and lived in Kalis- bury, N. H., and was a stone-mason. Frank R. was born in Salisbury February 9, 1845, and when three years of age his parents moved to Fishervillc (now Penacook), where they lived four years and then moved to Franklin, N. H., where they kept the old "Hotel Boarding-House" for several years. The boyhood of Frank R. was passed with his parents, and his early educational advantages were limited to the district school, which he attended win- ters, and assisted his father in his work in the sum- mer. His mother, a devot«d Christian woman, much desired that he should be educated for the ministry, but circumstances directed him otherwise. After a course of study at the old Franklin Academy he com- menced work in the mill, and with his wages assisted in the support of the family. This he continued to do until 1868, when he went to Manchester, N. H., where he was employed in H. For-saith's needle-fac- tory. Here he shortly became so efficient, and showed such an aptness to comprehend all the details of the work, that he was appointed superintendent, which position he filled with credit to himself and with profit to his employer. Under his management the business increased steadily, and in 1870 hebought out Mr. For- saith and moved the enterprise to Hill, N. H., and there did a thriving business. Mr. Woodward, being of an inventive turn of mind, and desiring to develop plans that he had in mind, sold out his needle-works and commenced the manufacture of novelties in hard- ware, notably a rotary steel glass-cutter, which he had brought to perfection. In this branch of manufac- ture Mr. Woodward has been very successful, and the business in it has so increased that his works arc the largest in the world, and there is not a.civilized nation on the globe where his name is not f^uniliar among the hardware trade and his goods are taken as the standard of excellence. From small beginnings this business has grown to a prominence that insures ample reward as a tribute to the peculiar skill and sagacity of its originator and proprietor. In religion Mr. Woodward is a Free Baptist. He 1 Uy (ieorge B. llilliard. (?^ ^. 9'i/^i^^.i^ 559 takes a lively interest in educational matters, and, wliile disinclined to hold office, has served on the r>(i;ud of Education of his town its superintending scliiH)! CDiiniiitlcc, and is active and earnest in the su|i|><)rt of nuasiircs intended to benefit the young. In politics Mr. Woodward is a Democrat, although prior to 1884 he was, in some respects, independent, voting for men and measures that he thought most worthy of siip]iort. That he has the confidence of his fcll,)w-t(iwiisiiR'n of ilitforciit political views from liis own is attested by the fact that he is the present representative of the town of Hill, N. H., in the Gen- eral Court, although the town, on political matters, is Republican by a decided majority. Mr. ^Voodward has been once married, and his children are Edwin CliRse, born February 11, 1867, died in infancy; May F., born February 17, 1871, died May 20, 1884; Flora A., born June 5, 1874 ; Lil- lia Gordon, born November 5, 1875, died in infancy; Eugene S., born September 20, 1878, dicil in in- fancy. May F., who died at the age of thirteen, was a beautiful child, and greatly beloved by all who knew her. She was laid to rest in Pleasant Hill Oeinctery, which was laid out by her father as a public cemetery after her death, and is dedicated to her memory. The other children, who were buried in the cemetery at Franklin, have been icnnivcii ajid resi l)csi(ic her in this lovely spot. Mr. Woodward is a nu'inlicr of t]n> Masonic frater- nity, also an Odd-Fellow, Knight of Pythias, Knight of Honor and a Good Templar. He is also postmaster at Hill, having been appointed in August, ISSf). Mr. Woodward is an enterprising citizen, a leader in town and village improvements, has the most beau- tiful residence in his town, and is respected and es- teemed by all with whom he is in any way associated as a liberal citizen, a true friend. HISTORY OP^ PEMBROKE. BY JOHN N. MCCLINTOCK, OlIAl'TKR I. I'EMHIIOKE lies in the southeastern part of the county, and is bounded as follows : The longitude of the spire of the Congregational meeting-house, which stands like a sentinel on the east side of the elevated main street, and commands a most extended prospect of hill and valley, has been computed as 71° 27' 34.6" west of Greenwich ; the latitude as -13° 8' 54.8" north of the equator. The base of the spire, where it joins the roof, is four hun- dred and forty-six feet above the ocean at mean high- water at Portsmouth. The United States Coast Sur- vey has given their authority for the above figures, and reasonable dependence may be jilaced upon them. Pembroke joins Concord, the capital of the State, on the northwest, the centre of the Suneook River form- ing the line. It is bounded on the west by Merri- mack River, which separates it from Bow, of ancient controversy, and which Hows calmly, witli unbroken surface, by the town, resting from its plunge at Gar- vin's Falls, and preparing for another fall at Hooksett. At this point the Merrimack has descended three hun- dred feet from itschief fountain. Lake Winnipiseogee, and has two hundred feet more to fell before its waters mingle with the ocean. On the south, the town is bounded by the south bank ofthe Suneook River, and joins Allenstowu. This stream takes its rise among the Belknap Mountains, affords many valnable water privileges in its course, flows through a charming valley, and, near its junction with the Merrimack, falls rapidly over one hundred feet, attbrding motive- power to one of the richest manufacturing corpora- tions in New England, and fostering the village of Suneook, partly in Pembroke and i)artly in Aliens- town. On the cast or northeast side the town joins lOpsoni, Chichester and Loud(m, maintaining, with Chichester, the old provincial township line of Bow. The town contains ten thousand two hundred and forty acres. FroTn tlie intervals along the three rivers, which nearly surround the town, the land rises grad- ually toward the centre, attaining a height of some four hundred feet above the Merrimack at the greatest elevation near the centre, and several hundred feet liigher on the Chichester line. The surfoce is generally niululating. Near the 560 mouth of the Suneook arc some of those peculiar hills, called dunes, rising seventy feet above the river terrace, which mark the retreating line of some an- cient glacier, or something of the kind. About one hundred feet above the Merrimack is exposed, for sev- eral miles on the side hill, a bed of clay, from twenty to thirty feet in thickness, the upper part hard, com- pact and gray, the lower part soft, plastic and blue, the whole covered by a few feet of sand. This whole bed is an unfailing source of wealth to its owners, and is largely worked for bricks, bringing more money into circulation for honest labor than a successful gold-mine. But the chief attraction of Pembroke is its soil. This first attracted the hardy pioneers in the early part of the last century. For a hundred and fifty years it has been cultivated, and still yields a rich return to the husbandman. Like the hill-sides of France, Italy and Syria, it bids fair to last a thousand years to come. All the fruits and grains of our tem- l)erate zone can be cultivated within the town, and cattle, horses and sheep thrive upon the rich pastur- age of the fields. The fathers of the town were thoughtful of coming generations, and noble old elms and oaks, with their grateful shade, delight the eye. There are to be found to-day, within the town, many lineal desccndents of the early proprietors, while every year there has been an exodus of sous and daughters, wandering from the home hive to the commercial aud manufacturing centres in search of fame and fortune — to the far-away prairies of the West, or the more distant mining-fields, for new homes, carrying with them an indelible memory of Pembroke and the loved scenes of youth. The first settlers, both tlie children of the Massachu- setts Pilgrims and the sons and daughters of the defenders of Londonderry, were ])ious, brave, indus- trious, law-abiding citizens, quick to respond to the call of duty, just to their neighbors and tenacious of their rights. Their successors have, in the several generations, inherited the virtues of their fathers. The good, brave, honest and industrious have always been welcome to their midst and have found congenial homes ; the idle and vicious have never been counted as part of their comnuinity. The incidents in the history of a i.conic of tliis PEMBROKE. 5(U class are not of a thrilling nature ; no fierce outbreaks, no family feuds and no crimes, except those committed by aliens, will mar the pages of its history. It is the record of a town started amidst difficulties, overcom- ing natural and artificial impediments, winning its way slowly to assured wealth, liberal means of educa- tion, broad fields, comfortable homes and a high rank among its neighbors for intelligence and public spirit. Lovewell's township, or Suncook, was a frontier town for many years after its settlement. That it suf- fered no more during the contest was owing to the fact that its young men were constantly on the scout toward the enemy. In 1729 the town began to be settled. And here let us glance at the different elements that combined to form the town of Pembroke, — there were the Puritans, from the old Bay Cglony; the Scotch-Irish Presby- terians, from the settlement of Londonderry; and, lastly, the New Hampshire settlers from the neighbor- hood of Exeter, Dover and Kingston, who came in later under Bow titles. Truly the town was not homogeneous. A French family was the first to locate in town, and several Welsh families settled there later. To fully understand the early history of Pembroke, it will be necessary to examine the records of the jirovince of New Hampshire and of the province of Massachusetts Bay. Originally settled at about the same period, 1620-23, the progress of the Bay Colony bad been more rapid than that of the settlements upon the Piscataqua. For a long period, 1(340-80, Massachusetts assumed jurisdiction over the territory ■ if New Hampshire. By her charter she claimed, •IS a northern boundary, a line three miles north of the Merrimack River, fi-om its outlet to its source; N'tw Hampshire claimed, as a southern bound, n line from a point three miles north of the mouth ut' the Merrimack, extending due west. The greater part of the present town of Pembroke was thus debatable ground, claimed by each party. The Indians, the rightful claimants, were ignored by both ]>arties until their claims were set aside by the fate of war. Their last and most cruel punishment in this region was administered by Captain John Lovewell, and the company under his command. May 8, 1725, in ar Fryeburg, Me., — a defeat from which the New 1 1 ampshire Indians never recovered, and which led ilirectly to the granting and settlement of the town lit Suncook (now Pembroke). In September, 1724, two men disappeared from Hunstable. A scouting-party was immediately raised I' search for them, but were surprised by the Indians. Nine of their number were killed and only two rscaped — one badly wounded. Another party fell into their ambush. One was killed, four were wounded and the rest escaped. The number of the attacking Indians was estimated at thirty. Aroused by these depredations, John Lovewell, .Icisiah Farwell and Jonathan Robbins petitioned the 36 provincial government of Massachusetts for authority to raise and equip a company of scouts to " kill and destroy " their enemy, the Indians. Receiving proper encouragement. Captain Lovewell, with a company of men zealous to revenge their injuries, carried the war into the country of the enemy, ranged up the Merrimack Valley and to the northward of Lake Win- nipiseogee, and succeeded in obtaining one captive and slaying one Indian. On their second expedition, the following January, they surprised and killed ten Indians in the neighborhood of Tamvvorth. The third expedition, of forty-six men, left Dunstable April 16, 1725. On the morning of the engagement at Pig- wacket only thirty-four men were in the command, the rest having been detached for various reasons, and the attacking party, under Paugus, was more than double that number. The fight commenced in the morning and lasted until after sunset, when the Indians withdrew, leaving the field to the scouts. The survivors of this daring band, after encountering great hardships, arrived at the settlements. Captain John Lovewell was among the first to fall on that unhappy day. The General Court of Massachusetts received, May 31, 1727, a petition from the survivors and the heirs of those killed, who were w'ith Captain John Love- well on his several expeditions against the Indians, for the grant of a township adjoining and south of Penacook, to repay them for their services in behalf of the colony. The petition was taken into consid- eration June 27, 1727, and the township of Suncook, or Lovewell's township, was granted. There is reason to believe that the first movement toward a settlement of Suncook was in the summer of 1728. It was the custom for the young men to start early in the spring for the newly-granted wild lands, build a rude log shanty for temporary shelter, and proceed at once to clear away the forest growth from their lots. The axe and firebrand were the means employed. Not unfrequently the crop of the first season nearly paid for the land. After the har- vest the toilers would return to a more settled com- munity in which to pass the winter. Tradition asserts that Francis Doyne and wife were the first white inhabitants who ever wintered in the township (1728-29), and they may be said to have been the first permanent settlers. Their log hut is said to have been located about in the middle of the field west of Pembroke Street, just north of the road lead- ing toward Garvin's Falls. After a severe snow- storm they were visited by a party from Penacook, who were anxious as to their safety, and were found in a roughly-built cabin, comfortable, contented and protected against the inclemency of the weather. Doyne was one of Captain Lovewell's soldiers. Dur- ing the same summer, 1728, the property was proba- bly visited both by many of the original grantees, their heirs and others wanting to purchase. The amount of work accomplished during this first year HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, iNEW HAMPSHIRE. toward effecting a permanent settlement is unknown, but in the following spring (1729) the ingress of set- tlers was rapid. Besides James Moor and Francis Doyne, there is reason to believe that the township was occupied in the summer of 1729 by James Mann, Samuel Gault, Thomas Cunningham and Noah Johnson. Contem- porary or a very little later came Benjamin Holt, Richard Eastman, David Lovejoy, Abner Gordon, Benjamin Chandler, David Chandler, Stephen Holt and Dudley Broadstreet. In a general sense, the settlers of the township dis- placed the Indians, but no particular tribe is known to have occupied the territory save as a hunting- ground and fishing rendezvous. The name of one Indian only has come down to us as having any con- nection with the place, and his record is very tradi- tional and vague. Plausawa, in whose honor the hill in North Pembroke is named, is said to have had hi.s wigwam in that locality. With his comrades, Sabatis and Christi, he was frequent visitor to this and neigh- boring sections until war was declared, when he cast his lot with the St. Francis tribe. The three art- charged with having led or instigated the attack upon Suncook and Epsom in after-years. During a cessa- tion of hostilities Plausawa and Sabatis were killed while on a friendly visit to Boscawen, in 1753. At a meeting of the grantees or proprietors of the township of Suncook, held at Chelmsford, December 10, 1729, Lieutenant David Melvin, Mr. Eleazer Davis and Lieutenant Jonathan Hubbard, unani- mously, and Dr. William Ayer and William Cum- mings, by a majority, were chosen a committee of five to order the afiairs of the new settlement, and to admit the thirteen men of Captain Lovewell's early command who would actually settle upon their rights. At an adjourned meeting the next day, December 11th, it was voted that the committee of five already chosen should view the lands in the township, and, with the assistance of an able surveyor, lay out sixty lots, " the least to contain forty acres if the land will con- veniently allow thereof; ... the lots to be qualified by adding a larger quantity of land where the land shall appear to be of less value than the best, so that the lots be all equal in value in the judgment of the committee." It was also ordered that the intervale land, which was of especial value to new settlers, being already cleared of forest, should be equitably divided ; that a plat of these lots should be made and distinctly numbered ; and that, at a convenient time after this survey had been accomplished, the pro- prietors should be notified to meet and draw lots. The committee were enjoined to lay out an additional lot, " as conveniently as may be," for the first settled minister, and a " convenient portion of land reserved for the ministry." A list of the first forty-seven grantees or proprietors of the township of Sunoook, together with the thir- teen who were admitted as equal sharers, taken December 11, 1729, is here given, together with the number drawn by each proprietor in the first division of lots subsequently made, — FIRST DIVISION OF LOTS. lots, val lots. Captain .John Lovewell(d.) I. . . . . 55 Lieutenant Josiah Farwell (d.)i. . . M Lieutenant Jonathan Bobbins (d.)'. . 31 Ensign John Harwood(d.)i. . . . . 35 Noah Johnson.i .....".... 46 Of Dunstable . . . Robert Usher (d.)i . 9 Samuel Wliiting' . 17 Jonathan Cummings . 27 William Cummings . 4 . 10 Edward Lingfleldi . 16 Nathaniel Woods, Jr . 60 Daniel Woods (d.)' . 40 John Jefts (d.)' . 48 Thomas Woods (d.)', . 24 Of Groton .... Joseph Gilson, Jr. ' . 62 John Chamberlain.' . 42 Isaac Lakinl . 43 Benjamin Parker . 21 Of Chelmsford . . { J^"""^^"' '^^'"6"' . M Moses Graves . 15 OfStowe Jacob Gates . 6T Of Lancaster . . . < Jonathan Houghton . 38 Joseph Wheelock . 36 John Pollard :i7 I. Jonathan Kittredge(d.)i^-r. . . . 29 Captain Seth Wynian" . 25 Thomas Richardson 1 30 Of Wol.uni Josiah Johnson i . . Ichabod Johnson (d.)i . .53 Timothy Richardson 1 . 22 Of Aiul,.vc.r . . . Mr. Jonathan Frje (d.)i . 12 Of Polian.rk . . . Francis Doyen . 11 EbenezerAyeri .=.' Of Ilavvrhill. . . Uf Weston .... Jacob Fullam (d.)> . 58 Of Londonileri-.v. . Ben.jamin Kidder . 26 JolmGoffe . 18 Of Marlliorough. . Solomon Keyes' . 2:i Of America. . . . Toby, Indian . 4.5 Uf Dnnstable. . . . Ebenezcr Halburt . 32 Lieutenant David Melvin 1 .... . 41 Elias Barron (d )' .... . 61 Of Concorrt . . . Josiah Davis (d.)i . 44 Josiah Jones" ' . .56 Jacob Farrar (d.)i . 2 The inroad of settlers in 1730 was probably rapid. The giants of the forest fell before the woodman's axe, and the log cabin was rendered homelike by the presence of women and children. The few scattering Indians remaining in the neighborhood were indifler- 1 the fight at Pigwacket, Fryeburg. (d.) deceased. PEMBROKE. 5G3 eat or friendly, aiul doubtless the settlers received occasional calls Irom them. The log houses built by the pioneers of the last century are unknown to-day iu this vicinity, but their type may still be seen in the logging camps of Grafton and Coos Counties, and in all new countries. In summer the life was not unpleasant, — the river teemed with shad, salmon, and trout ; the deer and the bear wandered in the neighboring forests; the virgin soil yielded wonderful harvests. Their fare was simple, but with prudence and foresight one could provide for the family during the long winter months with ordi- nary exertion. Fuel was at their very doors, to be had for the chopping, and pitch pine knots answered for candles and gas. Wolves, lean and hungry, might howl al)out their safely-barred windows, but could not enter their dwellings; nor could the cold afi'ect them, with logs hospitably piled in the open fire-place. The Bible and New England Primer might form their thoroughly read library, but tradition was a never-failing source of interest to them. " James Moore probably erected his house this year, said to have been the first framed building in the township, and the frame to-day forms a part of Samuel Emery Moore's house. Neighbors from Buck- street and Concord assisted at the raising, and a few Indians are said to have helped. Tradition asserts that one of the latter was worsted in a friendly con- test and trial of strength, usual from time immemorial on such occasions, and became very angry at his over- throw, threatening vengeance. His wrath was ap- jieased by a potation from a brown jug which had already come into use. Moore was very sagacious in his treatment of the Indians, and gained their friend- ship ; his place was avoided by them in after-years during hostilities, though fortified to repel an attack. In April, 1733, it was " Voted that a meeting-house, twenty-four feet wide and thirty feet long, be built as soon as may be, and set upon or near a lot of land, Xo. 3, the said house to be of good hewn logs, ten or eleven feet stud, the roof to be well covered with Inng shingles, well laid and nailed, and one door well made and hung, ye ends of ye house to be closed with UMod clapboards or boards, all to be done sufliciently workmanlike by the last day of June" ensuing. The contract for erecting this structure was awarded to Timothy Richardson for the sum of "fifty-five pounds, in good bills of credit," provided he found all the nails and gave bonds for the faithful performance of the work. This church, which was built in accordance with the above vote, stood at the northeast corner of the graveyard, on Main Street, near the residence of Hon. Aaron Whittemore, not far from the Meeting-House Brook, to which it gave the name. It answered the purpose for which it was built for more than a dozen years, when it was replaced by a more pretentious Iramed building occupying the same site. At a subsequent meeting, at the same place, Septem- ber 19th, a grant of fifty acres of land and a sum of money not to exceed sixty pounds, was voted to en- courage the person or persons who should build a good and suitable saw-mill and corn-mill in some conve- nient place in the township, acceptable to the pro- prietors' committee. In 1737 the first road to Rumford was laid out. It led diagonally across the lots very directly from the first meeting-house, at the northeast corner of the cemetery, over intervening land to the bridge; thence by the river-bank to the great bend in the Mer- rimack, where a ferry was early established, about a mile below the lower bridge in Concord, and nearly as far above the railroad bridge. At this period the township of Suncook included a part of the present towns of Pembroke, Hooksett, Allenstown and Bow, as may be seen by consulting the plan. Buck-street and North Pembroke were not included. The former was probably settled by the Cochran, McLucas, Sinckler, Martin, McGaffey, Fullerton and other families. The north and east parts of the town were then a wilderness, covered by the primeval forest. The Suncook settlers, for the most part, were on the home lots, which were on each side of what is now Pembroke Street. Their meadow lots, on the Suncook and Soucook Rivers, were reached by winding paths through the forest, and were valuable to the pioneers from the wild grass that grew upon them. The interval lots along the Jlerrimack are said to have been open at the first settlement, from inundation of the river, or kept so by the former occupants of the bmd, the Indians, as corn-fields. An old man once said that the pioneers settled on I liigh land, not on account of its fertility, but to avoid the trails of the savages, which were made by the river- bank; that the Indians would never turn from their march to do malicious injury, except when on the war-path ; and because from an elevation the clear- ings could be better protected by a stockade and garrison-house. Mention has been made of the dispute between the provinces of Massachusetts and New Hampshire as to their boundary line. To settle the conflicting claims, an appeal was made to the King, who appointed a board of commissioners, selected from the councilors of Nova Scotia, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey, with power to settle the question. This com- mission first met at Hampton, August 1, 1737. A few days later the Assembly of New Hampshire met in the same town, while in the neighboring town of Salisbury, across the line, the Assembly of Massa- chusetts was gathered. Jonathan Belcher was the Royal Governor of both provinces ; David Dunbar was Lieutenant-Governor of New Hampshire. This Assembly of the Great and General Courts was at- tended with much pomp and ceremony. Evidently the legislators were acting the part of lobbyists on a 564 HISTORY OF MEIUUMACK COUNTY, XEW IlA.Ml'Slll KH grand scale. The decision of the commissioners was not satisfactory to either party, and they had to again refer the subject to the King. In this appeal New Hampshire had the advantage of the most skillful advocates, who represented the " poor, little, loyal, distressed province of New Hampshire " as crowded and oppressed by the " vast, opulent, overgrown province of Massachusetts ; " and New Hampshire won the case. The question was settled by His Majesty, in council, March 5, 1740, aud the present southern boundary of New Hamp- shire was established. With many other townships granted by Massachusetts, Suncook was found to be without the jurisdiction of the province that had granted the charter, and within a province governed by different laws, and under a proprietary system where the wild land was owned by individuals and not by the State. This was the more bitter to the inhabitants of Suncook because of the Masonian claim. This hung over their heads and affected their ownership in the lauds which they had recovered from a wilderness by years of toil and exposure. They had become attached to the beautiful locality, and would not give it up, at least without a struggle. They stood in the places of those heroes who had dislodged the Indians from this region and rendered the whole habitable. Some of the num- ber were in their midst, and they clung to their lands and hoped for the best. This act of the Kiug led to a more serious contest, which lasted a score of years, to the detriment of all engaged. In Suncook and Rumford it was generally known as the Bow contro- versy. To certain of the settlers, whose families for over a century had shared the fortunes of Massachusetts and imbibed its prejudices, this change in jurisdiction must have been unwelcome. To the Presbyterians it was objectionable only so far as it affected their prop- erty rights. As individual preferences were not re- garded, all had to submit to the inevitable. In 1744 the long-expected war between France and England was declared, and the New England settle- ments were exposed to the merciless and treacherous attacks of the Indians along the whole frontier. These foes were armed and rewarded by the French author- ities in Canada. Four block -houses were erected in Suncook, — one where Mr. Moody K. Wilson lives, one on the farm of Mr. Edward Elliot (formerly occupied by Colonel James Head, and later by Deacon Hazel- tine), one where Mrs. Mary A. Vose lives (formerly occupied by Rev. Aaron Whittemore) and one where Mr. Samuel E. Moore lives, — as places of refuge in case of an attack. These block-houses, or forts, were constructed of green logs, two stories in height, the upjier story projecting, and affording port-holes through which the sides of the structure could be protected by those within. Moore's house was protected by a stockade. Aware of the danger which surrounded them, arms were carried on every occasion, even to the meeting-house, where they were stacked, ready for instant use, in case of a surprise. The New Hampshire A.ssembly was petitioned in June, by Moses Foster, in behalf of the inhabitants, for a garrison of soldiers to act as a protection. The whole province was in arms all through the year. The good people of Suncook became dissatisfied with their log meeting-house in 174(), and resolved to replace it with a frame structure better adapted to tlieir wants. The frame of timber was accordingly prepared, and the whole town turned out to the rais- ing. So important was the movement that citizens from the neighboring townships gave their presence and assistance to the work, and tradition affirms that among others were the Bradleys, from Concord, who, within a short time after, perished by the hands of the Indians. The building was interfered with by the Indian dis- turbances, but at length it was finished, and answered for a meeting-house and town-house for over half a century. It stood at the northeast corner of the cemetery, on Main Street, until about 1806, when it was moved to its present position. Its solid frame, having been converted into a barn, is now owned by Hon. Aaron Whittemore, a great-grandson of the first settled minister in town. In August the Indians made a successful attack upon a party of seven men in the neighboring settle- ment of Rumford, killed five and carried two captives to Canada. The inhabitants of Suncook were justly alarmed, and took extra precautions to escape a sur- prise. The firing of three guns in quick succession was the signal of alarm, when men, women and chil- dren would hasten to the garrison-houses as places of safety. A commissioned officer was stationed in each of these for command in its defense. Rev. Aaron Whittemore, who occupied one of the block-houses, was thus commissioned. The planting and harvesting were attended with peculiar danger, yet, as they were necessary exposures, these hardy pioneers ventured all rather than desert their new homes. Companions of the dreaded Captain John Lovewell or their descendants, they kept their foes at a respectful dis- tance by fear of their unerring rifles and attested bravery. The following petition is of interest: "To his Excelency Beniiing Weutwortb, Esq., Governor and Coui- luandcr-in.Chiof in and over His M;Oesty's Province of New Hamp- shire, and to the Hon'bl M^esty's Council and Honso of Repre- sentatives of said Province, in General Court assembled : " The humble petition of the inhabitants of Suncook, in Said ProT ince humbly showpth. "That on Moil. I, " • i- ■■ • ■ M , ■, ,.• ..,1 • .■ • 1, .inv after sun rise, tip i ' ' - n. and killed one o\ r. . ^ uird atahouse but «.>- ■ , , , . ,1 ;,., -,i i.,i, ihu Sun about two liuins lii-ti, tii.'> n.hhi-ii tu.. .ir lln.c hmiset* ami fnmi lui four men going to the pasture for their cows, within about half a mile from the meeting house, a considerable number of the enemy, we believe they intend to destroy ye place, and ever since we have been penned close in our garrisons and can do no work abroad, so that with- out speedy help we nmst all move off. "May it therefore please your excelency and lionors, in your great PEMBROKE. wisdom, to seuti us ducli such speedy Uulp ami pruteetiuii its in yuur great wisdom you shall think fit, aud your Petitioners, as in duly bouud, shall ever pray. "Dated at Suncook this 26 of May, 1747. "Moses Foster, Boiyamin Holt, Elias Whittemore, Richard Eastman, Caleb Lovejoy, Moses Tyler, Joseph Baker, David Abbott, John Noycs, Robert White, John Fife, John McNeil, Thomas Russ, David Lovejoy, John Man, John Knox, Samuel Gault, Patrick Gault, Andrew Gault, .\ndrew Ochersou, James Ocherson, Samuel Smith, James Moor, James Rogers, Joseph Brown, Francis Doyen, William Moor, James Man, Wil- liam Ivnox, John CoHrin, William Knox, Thomas Cunningham, James Tlio Iiuliaus who led the attack are supposed to have been Sabitas, Phiusawa and Christi, wlio were familiar with the localities. After this event the General Court of New Hamp- shire were pleased to order a garrison of eight good men to be stationed at Suncook through the summer and fiill for the protection of the settlement. I'he three assessors appointed by the proprietors liave left on record a document of considerable inter- I >i, as it gives the name and residence of each of the IMissessors or claimants of the several original rights .lanuary 30, 1748. Each right was assessed twenty- two pounds. The Original Grantees Possession Jcmumi/ 3», Um. m Chamberlain, Mr. Samuel Phillips, of Audover. vard Spooney, Mr. John Barnard, of A- dovej-. r. Jofts, fWilUamMclKiughlinand Ijames Man, of Suncook. i. Whitnev, Jonathan Abbot, of Andover. a/.er Davis, Stephen Holt, of Andover. 1.1. Wbeelock, Josiah Chandler, of Amlover. ^NathanHolt, of Andover, ,itl.an Kitteridge -J James Kitteridge, of Tewksbury, and (.William Kitteridge, f Captain WilUam Lovejoy and I Captain James Stevens, of Tewksbury. r.\e, ul Austin, Henry Lovejoy, of Tewksbury. ., Goffe, f Oliver Holt and I Braviter Gray, of Billerica. . f Stephen Merrill, of Andover, and the hei 1 Richard Hardy, of " " ' " "' '"' li.ll Il:.vis, .John McXiel, of Amoskeag. •ncv. 1 Ilulbert, James Burbeen, of Boston. iithan Ciimmings, " '.! '.! Ham Cummings, >. .< n Pollard, John Pollard, of Billerica. Benjamin Hassfl, Toby, Indian, Zachariah Parker, Thomas Richardson, Ebenezer Ayer, Muses Graves, Captain John Lovewell Jeremiah Hunt, Sanmel Whitney, f Samuel Hardy, of Bradfonl. ^Joseph Jackson, of Boxford. f Joseph MulUkin, t Robert MuUikin, Joshua Andros and others, of Boxfoi Elias Barron's heirs, of Concord. Jacob Farrar's heirs, " Joseph Wood's " " Deacon Noah Johnson, of DunstabI .Tosiah Santle, of Groton. Captain Peter Ayer, of Haverhill. Benjamin Gale, of Haverhill. Benjamin Chandler, of Haverhill. Thomas Richardson, of Maiden. Ebeuezer Ayer, of Methuen. Lieutenant Nathan Adams, of Nci Joseph Baker, of Suncook. Captain Moses Foster, of .Suncook. Nathaniel Wood, Thomoa Wood, Seth Wyman, Benjamin Parker, Joseph Farrar, Eleazer Melvin, Josiah Jones, Ebeuezer Wright, Samuel Moore, Ichabud Johnson, Fi-ancis Doyen, William Ayer, Benjamin Kidder, Solomon Keyes, Lieutenant Josiah Fa Jacob Gates, Timothy Richardson Edward Linkfield, Jacob Fullam, Samuel Gault, of Suncook. Thoma3 Russ, of Suncook. James Moore, of Suncook. (Thomas Cunningham, of Suncook, and i. lames Burbeen, of Boston. Moses Tyler, of Suncook. ( Robert White, of Suncook, and i James White, of Suncook. f Deacon Elias Whittemore, of Suncook, i I Thomas Richardson, of Maiden. Heirs of Timothy Knox, of Suncook. Benjamin Holt, of Suncook. Ephraim Blunt, of Suncook. f Thomas McConnell, of Suncook, aud I Benjamin Johnson, of Woburu. Francis Doyen, of Suncook. Richard Eastman, of Suncook. Andrew Otterson, of Suncook. William Knox, of Suncook. I, Captain John Chamberlain, of Souhegan E Jeremiah Swain, of Roding. (?) Timothy Richardson's heirs, of Woburn. It was voted in the General Court of New Hamp- shire, January 31, 1753, that " Whereas there are sun- dry persons inhabiting within the province of New Hampshire upon a tract of land" called Suncook, who were " within no township," they should be, with a part of Pennycook, in one district, and be com- pelled to pay their proportion of the province tax. Rev. Timothy Walker, as agent for Rumford and Suncook, crossed the ocean to lay the case of these two townships before the King in Council in 1754. It may be here stated that Mr. Walker was eminently successfiil in his mission, when it came to a final hearing, and the claims of the proprietors of Rumford and Suncook were supported against those of Bow. and, behind them, the officials of the provincial gov- ernment of New Hampshire. This decision was not reached, however, until 1762, too late to be of ad- vantage to the inhabitants of Suncook, who had en- tered into a compromise before that time with the proprietors of Bow. War with France was again declared in 1754, which involved a war with the Canadians and their Indian allies. In the previous war the people of New Hampshire had depended upon block-houses for a defense against their savage foes, were constantly surprised, and paid dearly for their want of care and watchfulness. They had been goaded to desperation, and resolved to carry the war into the country of the enemy, and inflict some of those cruelties to which they had been subjected. From the first it was a terribly oflensive war on the part of New En- glanders. They aimed at the conquest of Canada, and its reduction to a royal province. Robert Rogers and his trusted lieutenant, John Stark, with their fearless rangers, became a terror to the Canadians and a scourge to the Indians. The terms of settlement between the proprietors of the township of Suncook and the proprietors of the 56G HISTORV OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. township of Bow is known from tliu petition which was presented by a committee of the latter to the Gen- ei-al Court of New Hampshire, dated January 1, 1757. This petition, presented by Daniel Pierce, Esq., Thomas Wiggin and Daniel Marston. geutlemen7 William Pottle, blacksmith, and Benjamin Norris, yeoman, in behalf of the proprietors of Bow, repre- sented that many persons claimed a right to lands in the township by titles not derived from the proprie- tors of Bow, who had made considerable improve- ments, and with whom many expensive suits at law had been had. which imptdiii ilu- Miil.incnt of the towu.ship ; that many of the i huiiin^ :iii.l ^rt tiers, par- ticularly those who held their tilU- troni ihe proprietors of Suncook, were desirous of an accummodation and settlement of the disputes, and were willing to be- come not only inhabitants of Bow, but to hold their title from the proprietors of Bow ; that the proprie- tors of Bow were desirous of having the question set- tled without further expensive lawsuits by reason- able concessions on their part. Notwithstanding the amicable and peaceable disposition of the parties concerned, certain impediments existed to the solu- ticm of the question, which the General Court was called upon to remove, the most important of which were the conflicting plans of the two townships. The proprietors of Bow were willing that those who had made improvements should enjoy the fruit of their labor ; and, accordingly, they asked the court to annul and vacate the survey of the home-lots of Bow, so far as they interfered with the divisions of land already executed in the township of Suncook, and that a new survey of the undivided lands in the township should be ordered. This petition was favorably received, and, no one objecting at the hearing ordered, the petitioners were given liberty to introduce a bill in accordance. The inhabitants thus gave up the struggle, and be- came, for the time being, citizens of Bow, having ef- fected a compromise by which they retained their homes and cultivated fields, but sacrificed the un- divided lands of the old grant, curtailing their re- spective rights more than one-half. So the township of Suncook, or Lovewell's town- ship, ceased to have an existence save in the memory of gallant men and women who, for thirty years, had braved the hardships of frontier life to secure homes for themselves. John Noyes, in behalf of the inhabitants of Bow living on the east side of the Merrimack River, peti- tioned the General Court for parish privileges, and were granted the liberty of bringing in a bill April 25, 1758. Pembroke was incorporated a parish November 1, 1759, by the General Court of New Hampshire, the agents of the town of Bow not making any objection, but favoring the charter, claiming that it would be to the advantage of both. People are naturally curious as to the origin ol' the name of their ohIIvc tnuii. The ikimic i.f I'embroke was bestowed upcMi llie tuwiisluii liy tfovernor Ben- ning Wentworth, probably in honor of the Earl of Pembroke, an influential member of the Court of St. James at that period. The word is derived from the Welsh, peiibroch, signifying head of the foam. Tlu- old town of Pembroke is situate in Pembrokeshire, tlu' southwest county in Wales. The town is of great antiquity, and is on a peninsula extending into one ol' the bays of Milford Haven. A part of the walls which once surrounded the town still remain. The charter of Pembroke included that part of Bow east of the Merrimack River, between the Soucook and the Suncook Rivers, a place called Suncook and a place called Buck Street. Rev. Daniel Mitchell was ordained pastor over the Presbyterian Church December 3, 1760. The Presbyterian meeting-house, which stood on the west side of Main Street, opposite C. L. Dow's house, was probably erected this year. The Scotch-Irish, so-called in New England history, were of the purest Saxon lineage, with their blood unmixed, in the seventeenth century, with the half barbaric Scotch highbinders, or their more rude cous- ins, the Irish Celts. They were rigid Presbyterians, followers and admirers of Oliver Cromwell, enemies of Popery and the Established Church of England, brave, zealous lovers of learning and liberty, and withal, bigoted in their advanced notions. Cromwel 1 had peopled the wasted districts of northern Ireland with these, his most trusted and reliable troops, to pacify that land most effectually. They could present a brave front to an open attack, but they were not equal to withstanding the petty en- croachments of the Established Church insidiously undermining their beloved Kirk. The Pilgrims had found religious freedom in a new and undeveloped country, and thither the Scotch-Irish sent agents to spy out and report the condition of the land and its fitness for occupation. The Irish had not intimidated them ; they scorned the untutored Indian. Like a horde they flocked to the sea-board and poured into New England, Pennsylvania and the southern prov- inces, pushing the frontiers rapidly into the untrodden wilderness, and settling the fertile valleys and hill- sides far in advance of their predecessors. One stream striking Boston was diverted to Londonderry. In 1719 a Scotch-Irish colony located there to stay. Hundreds followed in their footsteps, tarried awhile with their friends so happily settled, and pressed on into the wilderness, over the hills to the Falls of Amoskeag, up the Merrimack, by Hooksett Falls, to the fertile valley of the Suncook, still farther to the blooming intervals of Pennycook and the wide mead- ows of the Contoocook. Early in the records of this township we find the Scotch-Irish holding "original rights," admitted as proprietors and freeholders, and even as early as 1737 claiming a majority. Being in a majority, they claimed a voice in the settlement of PEMBROKE. 567 a minister to preach the gospel, but were "counted out," and paid their rates toward the support of a minister not to their liking with evident disrelish. The Presbyterians were exempted from paying to- ward the support of the Congregational minister, and were incorporated a distinct parish by a special act of the General Assembly, passed December IG, 1763. It was enacted that all persons living in the par- ish of Pembroke, who belonged to the Presbj-terian con- gregation and assembly, or should join that society, should be included in the new parish, and Lieuten- ant Thomas McLucas was authorized to call the first meeting. The breach between Great Britain and the colonies was widened during 1766, although Parliament re- pealed the odious Stamp Act. Peace prevailed in Pembroke, for not a ripple of trouble has reached us from that remote year. The Congregationalists and Presbyterians had agreed to disagree, and pursued their respective ways with outward amity. There is a tradition that the families ostracized each other, for- bidding the young people to associate or mingle together, and absolutely prohibiting intermarriage with those of the other sect, under pain of disin- heritance. At this day the difference between the two denominations is so small that the common reader could hardly comprehend it were some one to fully explain. Rev. Aaron Whittemore died November 16, 1767. The first census of the town on record was taken this year, from which it appears that there were 49 unmarried men from sixteen to sixty, 85 married men from sixteen to sixty, 134 boys under sixteen, 16 men over sixty, 169 unmarried females, 97 married women, 5 widows, 2 slaves, — a total of 557 souls. In 1774, Dr. Richard Eastman and Captain An- drew Buntin were chosen a committee to run the lines of the new township granted by the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay to the "sufterers of Suncook.'' The following January, Captain Joseph Baker was directed to deposit the plan in the office of the Secretary of State, which he accordingly did. This t'lwnship was located in the State of Maine, called Sanibrook, and is now known as Lovell and New Sweden, on the banks of the Saco. At Pembroke the people were up with the times. A Mr. Dix persisted in selling tea in town ; but a company of "Sons of Liberty" from the adjacent towns, under the command of Andrew McClary, made him a visit, and taking the tea from the store, made a bonfire of it in the public street. Nearly a century had elapsed after the landing of the Pilgrims before the settlement of Pembroke ; a half-century more had passed, and the descendants of (he early pioneers, who had fled from persecution in the mother-country, had become accustomed to self- government in the vast wilderness of America, and more and more alienated from the dominion of the King. They had been joined by the discontented spirits from Great Britain, notably the Scotch-Irish, and were ready to resist any and all encroachments upon their rights, and were ripe for rebellion. A foolish King and a stubborn ministry at home hastened the catastrophe — a long and exhaustive war, which resulted gloriously for the United Colonies, and gave birth to a great nation. Before this date Pembroke had been a parish with- out a representative, — a part of a royal province without a representative in the home government, ruled by a royal Governor. From this time the town was a republic, soon, with other towns, to be united in a great and free State, which, in turn, was to become, a few years later, one of the United States of America. The first overt act of open rebellion had been com- mitted in December of 1774, in the attack upon and dismantling of Fort William and Mary, at the mouth of the Piscataqua, by the people of New Hampshire, and the citizens of Pembroke seemed alive to the importance of the crisis upon them. With the rest of New England, they sprang to arms to resist the invasion of their soil by British troops, and to drive them from their borders. The diff'erences of creeds were forgotten in planning and doing against the common enemy. The veterans of the French War flocked to the standard of the intrepid Stark, fought by his side at Bunker Hill, hemmed the British within the limits of Boston and helped to force them to evacuate the town. From that time onward, through the darkest days of the unequal struggle until the disbandment of the victorious army, Pembroke did her share in achieving our independence, and in caring for the dependent families of those who were absent in the field. In the city of Paris, September 3, 17S3, David Hart- ley, for the King of England, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay, for the United States, signed their names to a treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United States, making the thirteen States forever independent. This war, as it affected Pembroke, should be con- sidered as a whole. It was the struggle of a small body of free, poor, liberty-loving and unorganized patriots against the land and sea forces of the most powerfiil nation of modern times. That the contest was finally decided for the weaker party was owing to their perfect unan- imity of sentiment, their bravery, their endurance and the opportune assistance given by France, Eng- land's great rival. Eight years of warfare had disci- plined the raw troops, who, by their bravery and zeal, had hemmed the British within the limits of Boston, until, when disbanded by General Washington, they were war-scarred veterans of whom any commander might be proud and of whom any enemy might stand in dread. With the close of the war came the complete col- lapse of the Continental currency. It disappeared HISTOllY OF MEIUIIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. from commerce as worthless. But the rich land was left, with its abundant crops; freedom had been assured, and barter answered for currency. In 1792 there were licensed six tavern-keepers. Two years later occurs the first record of a post-rider through the town and a weekly line of stages. The charter for the first New Hampshire turnpike was granted in 1796. Mr. Slickney was the first postmaster, appointed in 1806, and from this date Pembroke became a post- town. The establishment of a post-oftice in Pembroke was, without doubt, very welcome to the inhabitants, and may be justly considered an important event in its history. In earlier times it was customary to intrust to some friend or acquaintance rtho might be traveling in the right direction a missive for an absent friend or rela- tive. Doubtless the post-rider, in his journeying through the town, accommodated those living on hi^ immediate route, and the blowing of his horn an- nounced his welcome approach. As a matter of course, few letters were written in those days, so that high rates of postage were not onerous. It was decided to erect a town-house in 1811, and Isaac Morrison, John Knox, Jr., Jacob Emery, Jr., Robert Martin, James Cochran, Jr., Asa Robinson and Timothy Barnard were chosen a committee to determine the "center of money and travel," and report at an adjourned meeting. Their report was accepted ; the site of the town-house was located near the pound. The sum of four hundred dollars was voted toward building it. The sum was afterward ■ increased to five hundred dollars, and the construction was entrusted to John Knox, Jr., Samuel Cochran, Jr., and Robert Martin. An effort was made to have the town accept the use of the north nieotiiig-house for public meetings, liul it failed. A meeting was called in the new town-house in October, when enough money and labor was voted to thoroughly repair the various bridges in town. Manufacturing of cotton into cloth, which has since become an industry of great importance in the village of Suncook, was first undertaken in 1812, by Major Caleb Stark, a Revolutionary soldier and a son of General John Stark. He purchased the establish- ment known as Osgood's Mills, which was being enlarged or rebuilt by a company, and introducetl machinery lately invented. In July, 1813, Christopher Osgood contracted to build a stone pound " in the corner of Mr. Lakeman's pasture, by the town-house," for one hundred and thirty-five dollars. The act of incorporation of Pembroke Academy was dated June 25, 1818. The building for the school was erected by subscriptions raised among the iuhab- itauts of Pembroke. The trustees of the corporation were Rev. Abraham Burnham, A.M., Hon. Boswcll Stevens, A.M., Daniel Knox, Esq., John H. Merrill. Timothy Barnard, Deacon Moses Haseltine, William Haseltine, Captain .laeob Elliot and Rev. Jonathan Curtis, A.M. John Farmer wrote of the town, in the year 1823,— " There are many water privileges, four paper-mills, the cotton-fac- tory of Major Stark aud several mills, together with a nourishing village. The main street extends nearly on a parallel with Merrimack River in a straight course about three miles, and is very pleasant. On this are situated the academy, one of the meeting-houses and the principal The visit of General Lafayette to Pembroke in 1825 shall be described in the words of his youthful companion, Colonel A. A. Parker, aide-de-camp of Governor David L. Morril, now living at a venerable old age and in the full possession of his iaculties, in Glastonbury, Conn. (1883),— " Our route lay through Suncook village, at the south end of Pem- broke. There Major Caleb Stark, son of Major-General John Srark, lived; and, as hehad a slight acquaintance with General Lafayette in the Revolutionary War, had written him a request that he would call at his house, as he very much wished to see him and introduce him to his family. We called, and, on introducing him to the general, he seized his hand and began an animated speech about Revolutionary time.-*, which did not seem soon to tenninate. His family were standing on the opposite side of the room, waiting to be introduced, but he seemed to have furgotten them. *'I \va^ ;n .|ii:iiiit' 'I \\ 111! il;.' III.IJ..1 , i.-ii ii^^t \^ ith his family, and could notiniii ii II I Ml'- spirited Miss Harriet Stark, ri. I fi. I ■ 1 ii , I. ;i I wnnl, seized General La- fayelt. - , , . I i i ' — ni.v^olf to you astliL. eldest .l.M I 1, ; . ■ M , ■: ■ .,].■■ - :■■ V,,lt, v,l,,,„ vnu :n r lalkill- RUA the gr.ii . . . : ,1 .. , ■ M , , ., ,■ .1. !r, m.mI.,, 11,. !,. i.. .■! IViiiuiij i and spirit of h< gnu ">i.iitii I MiiL.rday (Tuesday, June21st),oneof the loiii:' I m III : I I iipnii the long, main street of Pem- restiiij II >H ;, 1 - I r; ■ t.rii hills, and soon r.tn night -N I - I iiiLi, \rili_ , I hat was wide-awake .111 genei;il I till-;. II i ,\ !■ n ,i^ lie had received an.wv i route. > M 1 1 Ml -, It ' ■ iiM 1, ihr li >s the numbers the gre^n- i ' "AVr 111 I II 1 Ml. hiij. Ill .■andhadtraveledrapidly when lint liiiiiiiDil. butuiii > ill! _ 1(11. Ill well advertised by the well-known Walker, the stagcMii n. 1 .11 III- 1 iiir, (hat it was known to all people, far and near. Andsuit \\;i^, thai uc wire not only detained at villages, hotels ami cross-roads, but even at a single cottage. Our approach seemed to have been watched ; and, at the rejwrt of a musket or bugle-blast, people bh-brCin , ,ui.I ih. _.ir.rl Tini-t iir-,-!-- ].:Mt-r a moment, bike by the haiii] 111 I 1 I 1 , i' I ■■ ' irii.Liicy and age were alike prcsiMiii I 111 ; I! I I .1 : 11 I' III ill;; in easy-chairs before t|»;,ntii_ I \( . Mill-, I III . ,111 invalid old lady, 'cadav- erout^ ail I !■ il. . "i I i . i,- )i! hy two men, in her arm-chair, to the ear- ring.' ; -I i - ■ i H,. ■. II. tal"shand with both of hers, and with tear- "Ar 1 : .. I . ! :. Ill'- main street of IVmbroke, five miles fVom {^^ouiMi'i. ^ I' i I I ii Ml 1.1 \ 1,11 -. M.n.uiii-se of people gave the ilhige promptly retired and P After supper the general leaned back in ihair, aiul carried on a long and agreeable tion with his escort before retiring. ■e men that the gen- ied rest, the people fcor have been mor« easy i'ersa- PEMBROKE. The next day (June 22, 1825) a committee of the Legislature, then in session at Concord, consisting of Hon. Stephen P. Webster, of the Senate, and four members of the House, came down in a coacli-and-six to escort the general to Concord. Six white horses were attached to the barouche, in which were General Lafayette and Mr. Webster, and the procession, made uj) of a long line of carriages, proceeded on their way, being met on the Concord line by twenty inde- pendent companies of the New Hampshire militia, under the command of General Bradbury Bartlett. The town was shocked, on Sunday, June 23, 1833, by the rapidly-spread intelligence that Sally, wife of Chauncy Cochran, had been murdered by Abraham Prescott, a boy of eighteen, who had been living with the family. Prescott accompanied Mrs. Cochran into a field I liar the house to pick strawberries, and struck her the fatal blow, in a secluded spot, with no motive that uas ever known. From the testimony at the trial, it wus evident that he was of weak mind. F£e was lodged in jail at Hopkinton, and was al- lowed two trials, iu which he was ably defended by lion. Ichabod Bartlett, of Portsmouth, and Charles 11. Peaslee, Esq., of Concord, who firmly believed in Ills moral irresponsibility. At this period in the his- tory of the town the farmers were simply farmers and nothing more. They raised nearly all the supplies lor their own tables, and largely for their cloth- ing, which was manulactured from the raw materials in their homes. Wheat was much more generally ■iiown then than now, but not in sufficient quantities to furnish bread for the household. Flour was rarely Ixiught by the barrel, and barley, rye and Indian corn wure extensively used. In those earlier days flour I I read was, with large numbers of families, dignified with the name of "cake," and considered a luxury for use on extra occasions, when company was entertained. A story is told iu one of our old Rockingham County towns which illustrates this fact. A high-toned gen- t It man, known as the " 'Squire," called at a farm-house oiif day on some business, and when he had finished his errand and had remounted at the door, the good louse-wife, wishing to impress the '.squire with the 1 1 l: nity and thrift of her family, said to him : " Squire, A . lu't you stop and have some flour bread and butter? " thinking it now too late for him to accept her invita- tion. To her chagrin the doughty 'squire replied: Thank you, marm, I don't care if I do," and I'lomptly dismounted and entered the house. The I'oor woman could only explain that, to her surprise, I. found the flour bread all out, and oflered him the -t she had, some Indian bannock. When a boy, • •■ writer had often seen at the neighbors' a string oi these bannocks, eight or ten in number, set upon tins in front of the fire in the broad fire-place, there being room then left in the corner for him to sit and h)ok straight up the chimney into the blue heavens. There was very little market for farm produce in those days, except in the larger towns ; long journeys had to be made, mostly to such as were known as "sea- ports," as there were no interior towns of sufficient population to be centres of such trade. Every farmer kept a flock of sheep, and wool constituted a large por- tion of the clothing. It was carded, spun and woven at home, and made into garments for both sexes. The best clothes for men and boys were made of what was called "fulled cloth." This was made at home, of the finest material, and taken to the mills known as "full- ing-mills," where it was put through a process of thick- ening, dyeing and finishing. The women used to wear gowns of cloth which was called "pressed woolen." This w-as simply home-made flannel, taken to the mills above named, and pressed, so as to present a glossy surface. Every farmer had a small patch of flax. This was pulled and spread out in rows on the ground, " rotted," and then "broken" and "swingled," and was pre- pared for the combing, carding and the "little wheel," as the machine was called, on which the flax was spun^ to distinguish it from the larger machine for spinning wool. It was woven into cloth for table-covers, towel- ing, sheeting and shirting. The "tow," which was the coarse portion combed out on the "hatchel," was spun into a coarse yarn, of which a cloth was made for summer suits for men and boys. The tow shirt, so commonly worn, was, when new, an instrument of torture to the wearer, as it was full of prickling spines left from the woody part of the stalk. Pembroke Academy. — From the first, Xew En- gland has been noted for her regard for the intellec- tual welfare of her people. Not to be behind others, the people of New Hampshire early made provision for the mental and moral instruction of their chil- dren. In 1647 the first law establishing town schools was enacted. In 1693 an act was passed requiring the diflerent towns to raise money, by assessment on the inhabitants, for building and repairing school- houses and for providing a school-master. In 1711) every town of fifty house-holders or upwards was re- quired to provide a school-master to teach children to read and write, and every town of one hundred house-holders to have a grammar school, kept by " some discreet person of good conversation, well in- structed in the tongues." In 1805 the district sys- tem was established. In 1807 the assessment for school purposes was increased tjnd the law requiring grammar schools to teach Latin and Greek was re- pealed. From that time to the present, laws have with great frequency been passed regulating educa- tional matters. The act repealing the law requiring towns to have instructions given in Latin and Greek was probably owing to the fact that previous to this time nine academies had been incorporated. What- ever may have been the influence operative in the abolition of such instruction, it is evident that the class of work attempted by the grammar school was now left to the academies. It appears, then, 570 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. that very early was felt the need of a classical educa- tion, and so the same spirit which had originated the previous enactments led to the founding of institu- tions of a higher grade. In accordance with the law referred to above, there was formerly in this town a grammar school, the house Ijeing located on land between the dwelling-house of Mr. William Fife and the Ferry road, so called, there being but one house to accommodate the people of Suncook and Pem- broke Street. Thus early, then, was evinced in the history of this town a desire to give to the youth a higher education. It was about this time (1807) that there came to this town three men, who, no doubt, had the shaping of Pembroke Academy, — Dr. Abel Blanchard, Eev. Abraham Burnham and Bos- well Stevens, Esq. ; physician, clergyman and law- yer. Dr. Blanchard was born in Wilton, October 10, 1782. At the age of seventeen he was a clerk in a store in Concord, where he remained two or three years. He afterwards studied medicine in the same city. In October, 1805, he commenced practicing at Pittsfield. Here he showed an interest in education, as he conceived the idea of establishing an academy. He made certain proposals to the town, but they were rejected. In 1808 he removed to this town. Rev. Mr. Burnham was born in Dunbarton No- vember 18, 1775, graduated with honor at Dartmouth College in the class of 1804 and was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in this town in 1808. Boswell Stevens, Esq., was born in Pomfret, Conn., in 1782, graduated at Dartmouth College in the same class with Rev. Mr. Burnham and established him- self in the practice of law in this town in 1807. Fortunate indeed was it for Pembroke that three such men as these should become identified with its interests. Dr. Blanchard was not a man of vigorous con- stitution. His health began to fail him about the year 1817. It seems that during his last illness he had conversation with Mr. Burnham about the dis- position of his property, and that it was at Mr. Burnham's suggestion that in his will, which was dated January 15, 1818, Dr. Blanchard, after making bequests to his friends (he was an unmarried man), left the residue of his property to found a "Public School or Academy in Pembroke." This amounted to about two thousand five hundred dollars. Theschool was incorporated as Pembroke Academy June 25, 1818. The first board of trustees appointed by Dr. Blanchard consisted of Rev. Abraham Burnham, Boswell Stevens, Esq,, Daniel Knox, Esq., John H. Merrill, Timothy Barnard, Deacon Moses Haseltinc, William Haseltine, Capt. Jacob Elliot and Rev. Jon- athan Curtis. In his will Dr. Blanchard expressed the desire that the people of the town raise the funds and erect the school building. On the Fast Day subsequent to Dr. Hlanchard's decease Eev. Mr. Burnham preached a sermon on the text, " Behold, 1 have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it ;" and a subscription at that time was taken amounting to eight hundred dollars. The foundation was laid in October, 1818, and the building was dedicated on the 25th of May, 1810. Rev. Jonathan Curtis, of Epsom, preached the ser- mon. The school opened the following day under the instruction of Mr. Amos W. Burnham and Miss Frances Newell, with an attendance of forty-eight students. Thus, with much devotion, was institutoil a school which, with varied success, has never failed to open its door regularly to welcome those who have sought its instruction. Its stated object is " for the purpose of improving the rising generation in science, morality and religion;" also, "for the education of youth in the English, Latin and Greek languages, writing, arithmetic and other branches of literature commonly taught in the public .schools." The aim of the founder has been in the main the aim of the trustees and teachers. It will not be out of place to say that Dr. Burnham ever looked upon the school as his child, for which he cared until his death in 1852. He was president of the board of trustees from the establishment of the school. The following are the names of the principals, with time of service : 1819, Rev. Amos Buruhain, D.D. ;i 1819, Kev. Thomas Jameson ;> 1820, Hon. ,Iohn Vose;' 1831, Rev. E. D. Eldridge;! 1833. Joseph Dow, A.M.; 1837, T-ir,.- Kii,-ini. , \ 11 ;l l.<4n, nmrl..sf;, B.nnhmn, A.M. ;l 1844, .Inmi' .. '1 \ ^l , I'll 1' ; IM'i V illiMii.l Hills, A.M. ;1 1851, K.>. ^. r - 1 1 - J, .1..I111 w . i;.i\. \ M , i-:.;i. Rev. JohnD. E.ihi , , i. ■. II. iii> 1.. l-.li> 1 , i-.-.T. »,„, K Rowell, A.M. ; iv.>, 1: > -• • ■ - Ilu.v«.u,i; IMI, .liuil.-» H. Sluu- ley;l 1800, Cluirlr- '■ r.nmh. ,1. .\.M. ;> 1861, Kev. S. L. Blake, D.D. ; 1862, Jan,,- 11 Mill- 1 ., Isaac -Walker, A.M. ; 1868, L. R Levitt; 1869, L. V. Ill 1 : \^'" NViii. H. Hubbard;! 1871. Wm. M Sawin ; 1872, Martin W. Hoyt, A li. ; 1S73, Isaac Walker, A.M. It has a long list of gentlemen and lady assistants, who have shown themselve.s " worthy of the vocation wherewith they were called." There is a strong in- clination on the part of the writer to mention by name some of its alumni; but since there are so many, it would be invidious to give way to that incli- nation. From its halls have gone forth Governors, Lieuten- ant-Governors, United States and State Senators and Representatives, judges, physicians, clergymen, teach- ers, and, in fact, its alumni have graced all the walks of life. The building first erected in 1818-10 was enlarged in 1841, and in 1866 remodeled and fitted up with modern furniture, and from time to time ha been repaired, and at present writing (1885) is in good condition. The original fund at present amounts to two tb.m>aiir, (lire,' hundred dollars. In 1836, Hon. Boswell Sirvi n-^ li II a legacy of one thousand dollars. In iMi.i, Mr>. .Miny T. Wilkins, of Suncook, widow of the late .1. H. Wilkins, Esq., a former treasurer, made a donation of one thousand dollars. In 1866, Mr. John C. Knox, a former trustee, made the acad- PEMBROKE. ciiiy residuary legatee. There were received two thousand five huudred and ibrty-four dollars. In 1S74, Mrs. Betsey Whitehouse made a donation of one thousand dollars, and in 1877 left by will two thousand dollars. Samuel P. Laugmaid, Esq., of Somerville, Mass., a native of Chichester, left by will five thousand dollars. In 1885, Hon. Asa Fowler, of Concord, a native of this town, left by will one thousand dollars. The institution has lately had several thousand dollars bequeathed to it by Mr. Guy T. Little, a former student, residing at the time of his death at Bis- marck, D. T., but it has not yet come into possession of the bequest. The library is not large, yet of late the number of books has been steadily increasing. Ill 1879 a room was fitted up as an art gallery, in which already are several portraits of the alumni. The stuclciit?^ publish monthly, during term-time, a school j(iuni:il cillnl 'I'he Academian, devoted to the in- terests ol tlir school. The present condition of the school is encouraging and its future hopeful. The sixty-sixth annual catalogue (1884-85) gives an at- tendance of one hundred and eighty-three for the year. It has three courses of study ; viz., classical, academic and English, fitting students for college as well as for a business life. Since 1877 classes have regularly graduated. Previously, a few young ladies had secured diplomas. Its present board of trustees is as follows : Hon. William Haseltine, president ; Hon. Aaron Whittemore, secretary ; Solomon White- house, Esq., treasurer ; George P. Little, Esq., Henry T. Simpson, Esq., George O. Locke, Esq., executive rMiumittee; Martin H. Cochran, Esq., Trueworthy L. I'owler, Esq., William Thompson, Esq. The in- structors are Isaac Walker, A.M., principal; Mary Ella Kowe, preceptress. In connection with this sketch of the academy it would be well to say that from 1841 to 1863 there ixisted another school, known as the People's Lit- iiaiy Institute and Gymnasium. Isaac Kinsman, A.M., a former principal of Pembroke Academy, was its first principal. This was not intended to be a school )ireparatory to college, but one where the student might obtain a thorough education, preparing him for the general duties of life rather than for any par- ticular ))rofession. Mr. Kinsman died October 2C, 1>;43, aged thirty-one years. He was succeeded by Messrs. Wright, Jewell, Anderson, Sippitt and others. It has quite a noted alumni. In 1863 it was united with Pembroke Academy, being represented on the present board of trustees. The history of the town for the past half-century is still fresh in the memory of living witnesses. For many years there has been an exodus of families from the old farms to more promising sections in the Middle and Western States. In 1842 the Concord Railroad was opened, and soon boating on the river became a tradition of the past. A few years later the Concord and Portsmouth Rail- road was built through the town. At the breaking out of the Rebellion Pembroke responded to the call for jjatriotic volunteers, and many went to the war never to return. The village of Suncook received an impetus during the season of high prices, and in spite of severe losses by fire, it has become a village of much wealth and importance. Although situated at the extreme southern limit of the township, it already has a commanding influence. Here are located the mills of the Webster, Pembroke and China corporations. As will be noted from the preceding annals, there was originally but one church in town and one meetiug-house. In 1760 the Presbyterians were or- ganized into a parish. In 1790 the two parishes were united under Rev. Zaccheus Colby, and a few years later two meeting-houses were built, one on the site of the present Congregational Church, the other on the Third-range road, near the pound. The last was taken down about 1840 and rebuilt on the street as the Gymnasium, now the town-house. A Methodist society was gathered about 1805. Some twenty years later the denomination built a meeting- house on the hill, on the Third-range road, which at present is fast going to ruin. Of lateyears the tendency has been todesertthe farms in the outlying districts, and to congregate in neigh- borhoods. Most of the people of the town, outside of the village of Suncook, live on three sides of a square or rectangle formed by Pembroke Street, Buck Street and the Eighth-range road, although there are many families on the Third-range road and on the Borough road. In early times there was a considerable variety in the manufactured products of the town, including glassware, leather, musical instruments and woolen cloth. Now the three great mills are devoted to the manufacture of cotton cloth, while not a little capital is invested in saw-mills and grist-mills. CHAPTER IL PEM BROKE -(Confiniicrf). C'HDRCH HISTORY. In the grant of the township of Suncook was the fol- lowing provision : " And that the Petitioners and their associates, within the space aforesaid, settle a learned Orthodox Minister, and Build a Convenient House for the Public worship of God." October 13th, of the same year, a call was extended to Rev. Aaron Whittemore to settle in the ministry. Rev. Aaron Whittemore was ordained to the work of the ministry March 1, 1737-38, with appropriate ceremony. The church is believed to have been organized at that time with nine male members, beside the pastor, — Aaron Whittemore, pastor; Elias Whittemore, Noah Johnson, deacons ; Abner Gordon, HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. L'avid Lovejoy, Beiijiimiii Clisindler, David Chiuidler, Stephen Holt, Eichard Eastman, Dudley Broadstreet. There were in the settlement at the time certain dissenters, most of whom were probably Presbyteri- ans. They were Andrew McFarland, Timothy Knox, Patrick Garvin, James Moore, Nathan Manu, William | Dinsmore, Robert White, James Neil, James White, Thomas McConnell, James Mann, William Laflin, Hugh Young, Thomas Cunningham, Samuel Gault. Kov. Daniel Mitchell was ordained pastor over the Presbyterian Church December 3, 1760. The Presbyterian meeting-house, which stood on the west side ol' Main Street, opjjosite C. L. Dow'.s house, was probably erected this year. The Presbyterians were exempted from paying to- ward the support of the Congregational minister, and were incorporated a distinct parish by a special act of the General Assembly, passed. December 16, 1763. It was enacted that all persons living in the parish of Pembroke, who belong to the Presbyterian congre- gation and assembly, or should join that society, should be included in the new parish, and Lieutenant Thomas McLucas was authorized to call the first meeting. Rev. Mr. Whittemore was an able and learned divine, a graduate of Harvard College, and settled in the town as a young man. He lived but a few years after this controversy, dying in 1767. Rev. Jacob Emery was ordained August 3, 1768. Rev. Jacob Emery resigned his ministerial charge March 23, 1775, on account of failing health. Rev. Daniel Mitchell died the following December, at the age of sixty-nine. From the Presbyterian church records we learn that Andrew Robertson received from the parish five shillings for his expenses on a journey "to Derry for the ministers to Mr. Mitchell's funeral ; " Richard Bartlett, Esq., two pounds, ten shillings aud eight pence for rum and gloves for the funeral ; and Nathaniel Ambrose, seven shillings for the cotfin. Rev. Mr. Miltemore probably preached the funeral sermon, as Robert Moor received ten shillings and sixpence for entertaining him. For the next four years, or until 1780, there was no regularly ordained minister. Congregational or Presby- terian, settled in Pembroke. A parish-meeting of the Congregationalists, in which the Presbyterians were invited to participate, was called January 17, 1780. Mr. Aaron Whittemore was chosen moderator. It was voted to give Rev. Zaccheus Colby a call to settle in the work of the ministry in Pembroke, to give one hundred pounds of lawful money, as valued in 1774, for a settlement, aud to give a salary of seventy pounds and furnish twenty cords of wood yearly. Caleb Foster, Richard Bartlett, Joseph Emery, John Ayers and David Kimball were chosen a committee to treat with Mr. Colby. The meeting was adjourned to February 8th, when Rev. Mr. Colby's acceptance of the call was read. He was ordained March 22, 1780. Rev. Zaccheus Colby gave up his ministerial olfH r in Pembroke May 11, 1803. The churches also agreed, iu 1788, on occasional communion together, yet remained distinct bodies for nine years. After this, as it is added in the language of Mr. Colby, "on the first of June, 1797, the respec- tive churches, after months of consideration, did vote themselves into one church." This was called the consociated church. Two houses of worship were erected in 1804, the one on the hill, and the other on the street, where the present house now stands. In the location of these houses, as we have been informed, there was not a little difference of opinion and some strong feeling manifested. After the depature of Rev. Mr. Colby the town was destitute of a settled ministry for nearly five years. It appears from the records that the Presbyterian soci- ety continued to raise money by a small tax upon one hundred and thirty or more tax-payers ; that diftereiU men were employed lo ]>rcn(h mure or less of the year. A call was extended to ]\lr. Abraham Burnham to settle in the ministry in the place, proposing to him a .salary of five hundred dollars per annum, and two hundred dollars as a settlement. This proposal was accepted, and Mr. Burnham was ordained to the work of the ministry in this place March 2, 1808. In 1812 there was a marked and striking manifes- tation of Divine power, when the Holy Spirit came down in gentle but copious showers of grace. Revivals also occurred in 1814, '16, '19, '26, '31, '32, '33 and '35, each revival exceeding, in interest and power, its pre- decessor, till the number of the church had increased from fifty to two hundred and forty. Rev. Dr. Burnham continued his labors to Novem- ber, 1850. He died September 21, 1852. At the time Rev. Mr. Burnham was dismissed. Rev. John H. Merrill was installed pastor of the church, November 20, 1850. Mr. Merrill had been pastor of the church in Falmouth, Me. He came here, it is said, with high hopes of usefulness. His ministry, however, was short — less than three years ; but long enough for him and his family to become endeared to many of the people. Observation, we think, shows that a long ministry is quite often followed by an un- settled state of the pastoral relation. Jlr. Merrill was dismissed August 7, 1853. Rev. Robert Crossett succeeded Mr. Merrill. He commenced his labors in July, 1853, and was installed pastor of this church March 16, 1854. At this time a pleasing religious revival existed in the place. Mr. Crossett continued his labors until October 8, 1855, when, on account of a failure of health, he sought a release from his engagements here, for a warmer climate and a more competent salary. Rev. Lewis Goodrich, from Dedham, Me., came to this place May 24, 1856, and commenced his labors iu the ministrv. He was installed iiastor of the PEMBROKE. cluiivh iMiiy i;J, isr)7. A ivviviil of ruli^iou w;is lu fiiogress at the time of his installation, which con- liiuied more than a year. Many were interested, in both the academies and in the town. During the nine years of Mr. Goodrich's labors, as he states, over one hundred indulged the Christian's hope, and some lilU .il' ihiiii united with the Congregational Church. Hi. |,:i.t..i,,tr .ruled in 1865. Knlliiwiiig- i;.'v. Mr. Goodrich, Rev. Nathan F. Carter spcut one year in the work of the ministry. Rev. Benjamin Merrill commenced his labors here November 25, 18C6, — an earnest, Christian man of much skill and efficiency in his work. He labored directly for the conversion and salvation of souls, and was happy in enlisting a portion of the church to do the same. A revival of religion was experienced, and a quickening influence was felt by the church liming his ministry of three and a half years. Rev. Lyman White, from Phillipston, Mass., and liirinerly pastor of the church in Epping, in this Slate, commenced his labors as acting pastor of this rluirch in April, 1871, and continued until the fall of Rev. C. C. Sampson was settled in the ministry in October, 1879, was ordained May 18, 1881, and was dismissed in March, 1885, Tlie sdcicly now worship in a commodious meet- iiiLi-hdUse on I'enibroke Street. Methodist Episcopal Church.— The first Method- ist preaching iu Pembroke was by Rev. James Cofran, a local preacher from Readfield, Me. Some years before, Mr. Cofran left Pembroke to seek his fortune in the East, and being a wild and thoughtless young man, celebrated his departure at a tavern with his gay friends by drinking and danc- ing till a late hour at night. Going into Maine, he happened to hear Jesse Lee preach, and became convicted of sin and was converted to God. In 1804 he sent word to Colonel Cofran, of Buck Street, his brother, that he was coming to Pembroke and would preach to the people if he would cause a notice to be given. Colonel Cofran remarked to his family that he would have the meeting at his own house, and then, if his brother should prove to be one of the bawling Methodists that he had heard tell of, he could bawl as loud as he chose, and it would be nobody's business. The preacher came ; the house was filled ; he preached with power, and several were convicted and converted, among whom was Robert Martin. Mr. Cofran left, but Mr. Martin \v:is so much interested that he attended the next tjuarterly Meeting and requested George Pickering, presiding elder, to include Pembroke in a circuit. This was done, and David Batchelder was the first minister to preach regularly. Mr. Batchelder formed the first class, of which Robert Martin was leader. Their names were as follows : Robert Martin, Benjamin Fowler, Abigail Martin, Mehitable P'owler, John Kelley, Joshua Phelps, Rachel Kelley, Hannah Phelps, Lydia Abbott, Nancy Sargent, Mrs. Head, Elizabeth Frye. These events occurred iu 1804. In 1805 Pembroke was connected with the Northfield Circuit, and Caleb Dustin was the preacher. This year the first Quar- terly Meeting was held in town, at the old Presby- terian meeting-house, at which John Broadhead presided. Great interest was awakened, and the church grew in numbers. In 1806, James Young was the preacher.; in 1807 and 1808, Thomas Peck : in 1810, Abner Clark ; in 1811, Hezekiah Field ; in 1812, Jacob Sanborn; in 1813, Richard Emery; in 1814, Anson Summers; in 1815, James Jaques; in 1816, Noah Bigelow. Abner Clark formed a small class in Suncook in 1810, of which Nathaniel Nutting was the leader. This class did not long survive, and another was not formed until about 1840. The record from 1816 to 1825 is not easily accessible. At the latter date the Pembroke Society, numbering one hundred and forty-four members, was a part of a circuit, and the preachers were Moses Sanderson and William R. Stone; in 1826, James B. Norris and R. Newhall ; in 1830, James G. Small and Ezekiel W. Smith ; in 1832, when there were two hundred and twenty-one members, Orlando Hinds, R. H. Spaulding and Caleb Beede; in 1833, R. H. Spaulding and Orlando Hinds. The society was joined to the Concord Conference in 1836, and the preachers were William J. Kidder and D. Jones, the former continuing in 1837 ; in 1838, B. D. Brewster and J. C. Cromack ; in 1839, S. Norris ; in 1840, A. Folsom ; in 1841, L. Howard; in 1842, A. H. Worthing; in 1843 and 1844, James Pike ; in 1845 and 1846, Warren F. Evans ; in 1847, A. H. Fullerton; in 1848 and 1849, A. Folsom ; in 1850, when first mention is made of preaching iu Suncook, James Thurston, who was returned in 1851; in 1852, Elijah Mason; iu 1853 and 1854, William Hawes; in 1855 and 1856, O. H. Jasper; in 1857 and 1858, George S. Barnes; in 1859 and 1860, CM. Dinsmore; in 1861 and 1862, Nelson Green; in 1863, L. Howard; in 1864 and 1865, C. H. Chase ; in 1866 and 1867, N. Culver; in 1868, J. W. Guernsey ; in 1869, 1870 and 1871, A. C. Manson ; in 1872 and 1873, J. Noyes; in 1874, C. W. Miller; in 1875 and 1876, Henry Dorr; in 1877, 1878 and 1879, S. C. Keeler; in 1880 and 1881, George W. Roland; in 1882, 1883 and 1884, Otis Cole; in 1885, James Cairns. The first meeting-house built by the society, about 1828, still stands on the hill, but it has not been used for many years. The meeting-house in Suncook, built in 1849, was burned October 10, 1882, and was rebuilt the next year and the year following, and wa.s dedicated July 6, 1884. It cost about fifteen thousand dollars, and is located very centrally in Suncook. The Baptist Society, — It was organized April 21, 1869. At first its growth was fostered by Rev. Drs. David Gage, E. E. Cummingsaud Rev. J. M. Coburu. HISTORY OF MHKRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. In 1872, Rev. T. H. Goodwin was settled in the ministry. He was succeeded in 1877 by Rev. H. \V. Tate; in 1880 by Rev. X. 1). Ourtiss; in 1885 by Rev. H. A. Stetson. The meeting-house was liiiill in 1871 at a cost of three thousand dollars, and is located in Suncook village. CH.Vl'TKR III. PEMBROKE— (CoiKinu.rf). MILITARY HISTORY. The military history of Pembroke has been es- pecially honorable and creditable to the citizens of the town. The original grant was made to the brave men who served with Captain John Lovewell. In Captain Daniel Ladd's company, scouting in the neighborhood of Pembroke, in the summer of 1746, are the familiar Pembroke names, — William Knox, William Moore, Joli Moore, Jr., Joseph Mann, Samnel The muster-roll of the company in His Majesty's service, under command of Moses Foster, captain, has been preserved, dated November 1, 1752, — Moses Fostei, captain At this time, or a little later, there was a garrison on Buck Street, under command of Captain Thomas Lucas, the muster-roll of which has been preserved, — Thomas, Lucas, captain ; Joseph Gale, Thomas Lucas, Jr., sentinels ; Jonathan Ingalls, Thomas Thompson, John Fuller. In the expedition against Forts DuQuesne, Niagara and Crown Point, Noah Johnson was ensign in Rob- ert Rogers' company of rangers. In Captain John Goffe's company, in the same expedition, appear the names of Samuel Moore, Nathaniel Martin, Samuel Martin, John Moore, Joshua Martin, Benjamin East- man, Thomas McLaughlin. In other companies — Enoch Noyes, Stephen Hazeltine, Christopher Love- joy, Seth Richardson, Jonathan Fowler, Francis Doyen, John Fowler. In Captain John Moore's com- pany — James Moore, Robert Cochran, John Cunning- ham, James Otterson. In an exi)edition against Crown Point, in 1758, the company under command of Neliemiah Lovewell, son of Captain John Lovewell, contained the following, probably all from Pembroke : The Pembroke company, at the battle of Bunker Hill, was in Colonel John Stark's rogiuicnt, and wits under the command of Captain Daniel Moort tenant Ebenezer Frye and Second Lieutenai Moore. MUSTER ROLL. William Fowie, Moses McConnell, Tho Batclielder, Moses Merrill, Cl.riKt..].liir Emery, George Evans, Willi;iiii Via-' > ,1 som,Josiah Gordon, Timotli> i i i: I Jeremiah Homan, corpoml- / ,1,1 Moore, fif.r ; John Busw.ll. . I l. thanirl M ,,!),, I- , ,, M, , Cunniij^.i, .,,,, I, .; ' , ^ : . ,.i. . M..,,L-s Roherts, Kul.LTl SI, I , , ,,. y, .1..1, slu-il.nrn, Ja.-..li .~;inklcr, John Thing, Tl i I ,,\vle, Jr., JepHia Tyler, Samuel Wells, Nathan ll,,li. ^',, ,, 1 1 , . .lonathau Judkins, Samuel Kelley, Moses Kelsey,01i\ci l.vl.a .. s„i.h.l; i'lper, James Quimhy, Joseph Raw- lins, .lohn Rawlins, Jeremy liollius, Richard Robinson, John Wadleigh, .\udrew Wiggin, Abraham Brown, William Doe, James Robinson, John Wilson, privates. In December, General Sullivan appealed to the citi- zens of New Hampshire to recruit his forces on Win- ter Hill, and two companies were raised in Pembroke. Of one company Andrew Bunten was captain : Samuel McConnell, first lieutenant; Peter Robinson second lieutenant. Of the other company Samuel Conner was captain, Matthew Pettingill, first lieutenant ; Nathaniel Head, second lieutenant. In July and August, 1776, a New Hampshire reg- iment was raised for service in Canada and on the- northern frontier, and placed under command of Col- onel Joshua Wright. Second Lieutenant Stephen Bartlett was from Pem- broke, as were the following soldiers, all in Company Nine. Samuel Kimball, Niilliaiiicl Lakonian, Bnvid Frye, Benjamin Haggett, Willi^iiji K:, , ,1 - K',, \ J 1,1, ]Ci, ,\ N'alianiel Smith, Eliphak-t Conn, I, 'I , I ,1 \ , I ,,ster, Jr., James Heail, Jonall,.,: I ' I 1 ; V : ■ i<. Phedris McCutchin, .lohii I;, :,,, .11, 1, ,,',,,,,,' ^ J ,-,[,!, , ,, ),,,i, llptiraim Garvin, Samuel Kelly, Thunius Stirkiiiy, Jiremiab Abbot, Xatlianiel Martin, Benjamin Norris, John Cook, John Cochran, James Martin, John Jenaes, Captain Benjamin Frye became disaffected with the management of public affairs, complained of the court publicly and asserted that he should not go into the service until he was paid his dues. As it ap- pears from the town records that he had a wife, at least, dependent upon him, and, from the complaint of the zealous patriot who reported him, was without an estate and dependent upon his pay, at this distance of time his fault-finding seems not unreasonable, but justifiable. During his absence his wife was admitted to the privileges enjoyed by the families of non-com- missioned officers and privates by a special vote of the town. It evidently required wealth for a man to hold a commission during the Revolution, for the money received for pay from the Continental authorities had very little purchasing power compared to its face value. "A MUSTER-ROLL of Capt. Samuf.i, McConnei.i.'s Comp- in C'oP Slikney's Regiment lielongini; to Brigadier-General Starke's Brigade of the State of New Hampshire, Pemliroke, July IS, 1777. Raised lor the PEMBROKE. 575 Defeuce of AMERICAN Liberty, agaiust the Unconstitutional Acts of BKITAIN." Samuel McConnell, captain ; Robert Gilinore, first lieutenant ; John Orr, second lieutenant ; Thomaa Hoit, ensign ; Jeptha Tyler, first ser- geant ; Robert Bums, second sergeant; Ebenezer Ferren, third sergeant ; James Gay, fourth sergeant ; James Knox, fii-at corporal ; Robert Spear, second ! ' i.Ir., Nicholas Felch, Jonathan Cilley, Isaac Sar^fiLi, I - j^i I n ,^, l>auiel Hadlcy, Stephen Mors, Charles McCoy, Jeremiah Ahl.ot, P^phr.iim Garven, John Moor, John Robinson, Samuel Piper, James Alexander, Fry Uolt, Solomon Ames, George Evans, John Wallace, John Bell, William McLaughlin, James Walker, Isaac Hustonj Robert Matthews, Adam Smith, Samuel Remick, Samuel Carr, Samuel Hoit, Hcigamin Stevens (3d), Nathan Haws, Samuel Duntap, Malachi Pavis, Joim Astor, David McChier, John Rowel!, Reuben Wells, Samuel Katou, Caleb Page, Jr., Thomas Mills, Jr., William Holmes, Jr., John rhurcli, David Morrison, William Wheeler, Jr., Archibald McCurdy, David Farmer, Theuphijius Griffin, Zacliariub Holden, Enoch Harvey, John Nutt, .lacob McQuairoke's quota. Volunteers were willing and ready. Now that the powerful aid of France had been suc- cessfiilly sought and obtained, and the British were acting on the defensive, and peace seemed probable, the enthusiasm had in a measure subsided. Yet Pembroke again willingly did lier duty, and the men were furnished. The extreme poverty of the people was very dis- tressing after the war, and the Legislature was impor- tuned to issue a fiat money to an unlimited extent to relieve the wants of the most needy, and finally did emit fifty thousand dollars ; but this did not suit the most clamorous, and it was determined to coerce the authorities. Runners were acccordiug sent into the most disaftected towns, calling upon the people to arm, go to Exeter and demand an emission of paper money, and other enactments to suit their views. September 20th, about two hundred young and thoughtless insurgents entered the town of Exeter, some on foot, some mounted, armed with every variety of weapon, from a musket to a stall'. Of the military men in this insurrection are handed down the names of Major James Cochran, Captain James Cochran, and Lieutenant Asa Robinson, of Pembroke, and probably a large part of their following were from the young men of the town. The dispersion of the mob is a matter of history, — how General Cilley arrested with his own hands Major Cochran ; how the rash men were dragged from their homes and brought to trial at Exeter, plead guilty and were discharged with a reprimand. Major Cochran was cashiered, but was restored on account of former good conduct, — more fortunate than Captain Cochran and Lieutenant Robinson, whose sentences were not revoked, and they lost their military rank. Under the military organization of the State in 1812, Asa Robinson was brigadier-general of the Third Brigade ; Samuel Cofran, lieutenant-colonel Eleventh Regiment; David Xorris, major First Battalion ; A.sa Foster, major Second Battalion. In a company sent for the defense of Portsmouth, in July, were Moody Dustin, Edla Foster and Wil- liam Abbot, of Pembroke. The following Pembroke men were called into active service in the summer and fiill of 1814, under the command of Captain William Marshall : Samuel Ames, Samuel Evans, Joseph Emery, Edmund Holt and Richard Morse. September 26th the company under command of Captain Edward ■ Fuller was called out for sixty days ; the following were all or in part from Pem- broke : Kdward FiUler, captain ; Asa Head, lieutenant ; Samuel White- house, ensign ; Abel Read, AVilliam Knox, sergeants ; Aaron Martin, Reuben Osgood, corporals; Samuel S. Moulton, Stephen Hayes, John Conner, Jeremiah Edmunds, George Wlii/-lfr, .Sanni.i Kelley, John I>a\i8, Robert Moor, Jr., Isaac Kno.v. .1-1 m N: K ti ~. i l, IViUer, Stephen Chickering, William Fife; David lirM« I i: i i, Hillary Knox, John Morrison, Thoma.-^ Knox, Cliinl' I. ■ ,, i l.ilier, Thomas Slartin, Chase Prescott, George Freii. I,, l;,. ;,,wi w .:. ii, .luseph Knox, Nathaniel Lakoman, H illiaju lioaili, Dajilul Kimball, Samuel Robinson, privates. 576 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRH The company was stationed at Portsmouth on gar- rison duty. Lieutenant Head seems to have been on detached s ervice, for the pay-roll of his company, all Pembroke men, has been preserved. Asa Head, second lieutenant ; Samuel Whitehouse, ensign ; William Hhdi, John Palmer, Jr., William Knox, sergeants ; Aaron Martin, cor- poral ; Peter Tucker, Andrew Gault, musicians ; Prescott Kendall, .Sctli liaker, Levi Haker, John Conner, Stephen Chickering, Jeremiah Edmunds, <:o«rge French, Samuel Kelley, Joseph Knox, Nathaniel Lakeman, Itobert Moore, Jr., John Morrison, Isaac Knox, John Nickson, Charles Kowell, Suniuel Robinson, Isaac C. Swan, Joseph Seavey, John Phillips, Kdmuud Whitcher, John Sargent, Jr., privates; Tim Lyndstone, waiter PKMBKOKE'S ROLL OF HONOR DURING THE REBELLION. Samuel 0. Burnham, Edward Clark, M. Y. B. Davis, L. H. Dearborn, Henry C. Fife, George W. Nixon, Woodbury Brooks, Frank Daniels, Pierre Francois, Thomas Ganlnor, John J. Jackson, Edward Levy, John I). Wolfe, Wni. M. Edmunds, Duncan Kennedy, George Barney, George F. Smith, Jos. B. Ciiiiiii.r, Il.nry ijuiniby, Wm. Zanes, Harrison Zanes, Thomas Haslin. I i ,1: I; ~ .li, M. C. Richardson, .John Sweeney, Carl Weisman, ' lii: I I . .I', I i.uicis Henshaw, Daria Shillard, Daniel Lebolle, Chas. holiiiiiau, .>..l„niou P. Gale, Hazeu 0. Baker, H. F. Black, Simon Drew, T. H. Fife, W. A. Glidden, S. H. Haggett, F. P. Robinson, S. D. Robinson, W. F. Morse, Gain Burpee, Henry Johns, C. H. Kelley, R. H. Payne, J. M. -M.b.ilt, I). K. Eicliardscii, Ah in Holt, Aicx. Sliiindon, John ,Tli< French, Henry Brown, E. Seavey, 5 Tobin. Lewis Covert, John Sullivan, ba.H. T.«-\vi^. Wm. Shehau, James Cam- .1 I I'.i -1~, John Sweeney, G. W. men, P. 1-rancuis, John in, I 1 .-I, !•■- Ki.\on, John G.Giles, J. I' " : 1 I' llobt. Latimer, Joseph Unw , w -unlli, James Collins, G. C. Edmunds, Frank Gilt, John NV.illauu, .lolm t_,jbbons, C. A. Moore, Ed- ward Clark, J. J. Jaclvson, Edwin Chicitering, John Harrington, Geo. Harney, Wm. Lynch, Wm. Burson, Duncan Kennedy, Wm. Buchar, John Hart, G. H. Cilley, B. Dolau, R. Lihlance, James Boyer, John Clark, Chae. Mansfield. Of course, many ncner returmd (lora the war. Tliere is in Suncook a branch of the Grand Army of the Repul)lic, and a nourishing Ma.soiiic lodge. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. The chief industry of the flourishing village of Suncook is the manufacture of cotton cloth. The China, the Webster and the Pembroke Mills are tliree great establishments under one mangement, hdill on the hanksof the Suncook River and operated I Hy J. N. McClintocl principally by its power, where print cloths are made. About these mills, which give steady employment to over fifteen hundred operatives, has grown up a sub- stantial village, with fine public buildings, spacious stores, elegant private residences and long blocks of neat tenement-houses, inhabited by a liberal and pub- lic-spirited class of citizens, and governed by a wise and judicious policy which renders this community comfortable, attractive and law-abiding. The man to whose clear head and skillful hand is entrusted the management of this great corporation, of such vital importance to the village of Suncook, is a genial gen- tleman of forty-five, Colonel David L. Jewell, a brief outline of whose life it is my purpose to sketch. David Lyman Jewell, son of Bradbury and Lucinda (Chapman) Jewell, was born in Tamworth, N. H., January 26, 1837. In the midst of the grandest scenery of New England, under the shadows of the Ossipee Mountains, and in view of bold Chocorua. our friend was ushered to this earthly pilgrimage. Colonel Jewell is a descendant of Mark Jewell, who was born in the north of Devonshire, England, in the year 1724, and died in Sandwich, N. H., the l!)th of February, 1787. He descended from the sauK original stock as Bishop John Jewell, of Devonshiro. Mark Jewell came to this country in 1743, married and located in Durham, N. H., and was the father of three sons, Mark, Jr., Bradbury and John. Mark, Jr., was the first white man who settled in Tam- worth, in 1772, on what is now called "Stevenson's Hill," removing soon after to "Birch Interval," as known at the present time. He married Ruth Vittum, of Sandwich, in 1776 ; they were the parents of sixteen children. He was prominent in all town affairs, and sometimes preached, and was fa- miliarly called among his fellow-townsmen " Elder " or " Priest " Jewell. Bradbury, son of Elder Jewell, married Mary Chapman, in 1806, by whom he had two sons, — Brad- bury and David. Bradbury Jewell, a pupil of Samuel Hidden, was a teacher of considerable note, and his memory is tenderly cherished to-day by many of his pupils throughout the State. While engaged in teaching he pursued a course of medical studies and in 1839, having completed them, collected his worldly goods and removed to Newmarket, a place presenting a larger field for practice. There he commenced in earnest his chosen profession ; but being of a delicate constitution, the exposure incipient to a physician's life soon told upon his limited strength ; he sickened and died "ere the sun of his life had reached its me- ridian," leaving his widow, with two little children, in indigent circumstances, to combat with a cold and selfish world. A wealthy merchant of the place, hav- ing no children, wished to adopt young David, offer- ing to give him a college education and leave him heir to his worldly possessions ; but with a mother's love for her offsiMiiig, Mrs. .Icwcll refused the offer, and rcs(dvcd to rear and educate her children as well c^ ^r^.^^^. PEMBROKE. 577 as her limited means would allow. Being a of undaunted spirit, she opened a boarding-house for factory operatives, when factory girls were the intelli- gent daughters of New England farmers, who re- garded this new industry as a most favorable opportu- nity for an honorable employment. Having brothers in Massachusetts, and thinking to better sustain herself and children, Mrs. Jewell re- moved to Newton Upper Falls, Mass., following there the same occupation. In that village young Jewell first attended school, the teacher of which was a former pupil of his father. To render his mother more substantial assistance than he could afford her by doing irksome chores, he went to work in the fac- tory when but nine years of age, receiving for a day's work — from quarter of five in the morning until half- past seven in the evening — the very munificent sum of sixteen cents a day, or one dollar a week. He worked nine months and attended school three, every year, until he was nearly thirteen years of age, when the close confinement was found detrimental to his health, and he was taken from the mill and placed on a farm. The next three years he passed in healthful happy, out-door work. Returning home from the farm, strong, robust and vigorous, he re-entered the mill, where he was variously occupied, becoming fa- miliar with the operations of the numerous machines in each department, but more particularly those per- taining to the carding-room, where his step-father, Thomas Truesdell (his mother having married again), was an overseer, learning as he pursued his work, gradually and insensibly, things that to-day are of incalculable benefit for the business in which he is now engaged. He little thought, however, when moving his stool from place to place, in order to facili- tate his labor, he would some day be at the head of similar works, many times greater in magnitude than those in which he was then engaged. His inherited mechanical taste was developed by his life among machinery, and when he was seventeen years of age he gladly entered a machine-shop. Here his ready perception of form rendered his work at- tractive and his improvement rapid. Before com- pleting his apprenticeship he felt keenly the want of a better education, and determined to obtain it. His exchequer was very low, but having the confidence of iVirrids, he readily obtained a loan, and in the spring "i I S.55 entered the Wesleyan Academy, at Wilbra- luini, Mass. The principal, after a casual examina- tion, said, "Well, you don't know much, do you?" Being quick at repartee, young Jewell replied: "No, sir. If I did, I would not be here." This brief sip at the fountain of knowledge only increased his thirst for more, and in September of the same year»he en- tered the State Normal School, Bridgewater, Mass., under the regime of Marshall Con ant, a life-long friend and counselor. Mr. .Tewell from the first was a fiivorite among his class-mat&s, courteous, genial, pleasant in disposition, 37 somewhat careless withal, but physically vigorous and always the first at athletic sports when relieved ii-onj study. Mathematics, of which he was very fond, and natural philosophy, were his favorite branches of study, and free-hand drawing his delight, as slates, book-covers and albums attested. While in school he made rapid progress and graduated in the spring of 1857, having acquired, as his diploma reads, " a very creditable degree of knowledge of the several branches taught therein. Besides these attainments, Mr. Jewell possesses tact and skill for rapid sketch- ing and delineation, which give life to his black-board illustrations." To show the forethought possessed by him in a marked degree, before graduating he had secured a school to teach in New Jersey, and the day after the closing exercises were over he started for his new field of labor. He taught with great success in New Jersey and also in New York, some three years. One school, of which he was principal, numbered three hundred scholars, and employed five assistant teach- ers, all of whom were his seniors in years. Like his father, he gained an enviable reputation as a teacher, and his credentials speak of him in the highest terms a.s a competent, faithful and pleasing instructor and most excellent disciplinarian. One superintendent of schools remarks : " He was the best teacher who had been employed in the town for thirty years." While engaged in teaching Mr. Jewell pursued a course of study in engineering aud surveying, and finally determined to follow engineering as a profes- sion. He gave up school-teaching, left the " foreign shores of Jersey." and entered the oflice of R. Morris Copeland and C. W. Folsom, of Boston. His first work was the resurvey of Cambridgeport. He after- wards worked in Dorchester and on Narragansett Bay. He had just commenced this new occupation when " the shot heard round the world" was fired on Sum- ter, and the tocsin of war sounded the alarm. Surveying, like all other business, came to a stand- still; the compass was changed for a musket; dis- tances were measured by the steady tramp of the sol- diery, and the weary flagman became the lonely sentinel. About this time the owners of the Pem- broke Mill and property connected there in Pembroke and Allenstown, N. H., decided to increase their busi- ness by building a new mill twice the capacity of the one then owned by them. Knowing Mr. Jewell to be a good draughtsman, having employed him during the construction of the Pembroke Mill, they again en- gaged him. Consulting with their then resident agent, he prepared the required working plans and drawings for the Webster Mill. The work of the building was soon under way and rapidly pushed to completion. While thus engaged the agent at New- ton died, and the immediate care of the mills was given to Mr. Jewell, until (as the treasurer said) he could find a competent man for the position. Fin- ishing his work at Suncook, and having conducted 578 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. the affairs of the company at Newtou in a very satis- factory manner, the treasurer tendered him the agency of the mills. In accepting the position, his career as agent began, where, fifteen years before, he commenced the work that fitted him so thoroughly for the successful management of the same. The mills were in a bad condition, the machinery old and* run down, and the owners impatient and anxious. Nothing daunted, however, Mr. Jewell entered heartily into the business, making such changes that at the time he tendered his resignation he had doubled the production and greatly improved the quality of the goods manufactured. Looms built more than tifty years before, and improved by Mr. Jewell, are still running and producing nearly as many yards per day, and of as good quality, as those made at the present time. These mills were run throughout the war, paying for cotton as high as one dollar a pound, and selling the cloth for thirty-five cents a yard. Mr. Jewell was very anxious to enlist during the exciting times of war, but was prevailed upon by the owners to continue in charge of their works, and by the entreaties of his wife, who was hopelessly ill, to remain at her side. The treasurer and part owner of the mills at New- ton Upper Falls was also treasurer and large owner of the mills at Suucook. The Suncook Company, seeing a brighter future before them, agitated the project of enlarging their plant, and, in 1867, active operations were commenced upon the China Mill, which was, when completed, the largest works of the kind contained under one roof in the State. Mr. Jewell again fulfilled the oflice of engineer and draughtsman. The company's agent at Suncook, wish- ing to devote his time exclusively to the construction of the new mill, desired that Mr. Jewell should come from Newton several days each week to look after the manufacturing in the two mills then running. Thus for more than two years he acted as agent at Newton and as superintendent of the Webster and Pembroke Mills. In 1870, before the China Mill had fairly com- menced operations, the agent resigned his position. Mr. Jewell, having at Newton proved diligent, faith- ful and capable, was appointed in his stead. Resign- ing his position at Newton, ho moved with his family to Suncook, and assumed the management of the trium- virate corporation June 1,1870. He was obliged to go through nearly the same routine here as at New- ton. The machinery, however, was more modern, but had been neglected, and the power was inadequate to the demand. With indomitable perseverance he has remedied these defects, — by providing reservoirs, and more thoroughly utilizing the water-power, adding new and valuable improvements, putting in powerful steam-engines, so that now the mills are able to run during the most severe droughts, and the amount produced hsis been increased from twelve millions of yards in 1S74 to twenty-nine millions of yards in ISSf), with substantially tlu' same machinery, showing what tireless perseverance and devotion to duty can accomplish, when impelled by men actively schooled from boyhood in practical manufacturing. Mr. Jewell is a member of the New England Cot- ton Manufacturers' Association, and of the New IIam])shire Club. Mr. Jewell was lionored by being appointed aide-de-camp, with the rank of colonel, on Governor Head's staff, and speaks, with a merry twinkle in his eye, of turning out officiall;/ more times than any other member. He is a member of the Governor Head Staff A.ssociatiou ; an active member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, of Boston ; a member of the Amoskeag Veterans, of Manchester, of which he was elected, in 1885, com- mander, but declined on account of the press of duty ; a member of the New Hampshire Veteran Officers' Association ; and an honorary member of the Old Twelfth New Hampshire Regiment. He was elected captain of the Jewell Rifles, a military company named for him, but graciously declined, and was made an honorary member. The Masonic fraternity also claims him, being an active member of "Jewell" Lodge, Suncook, named in his honor, and of the Trinity Royal Arch Chapter, Horace Chase Council, R. and S. M., and Mount Horeb Commandery, Con- cord. He is a member of the Supreme Council, having taken all the Scottish Rites up to the thirty- third degree, and is an active member of the Massa- chusetts Consistory, S.\ P.'. R.'. S.-. .32=', Boston, and a member of Connecticut River Valley Masonic As- sociation. Colonel Jewell is a public-spirited citizen. To him Suncook is largely indebted for its material ad- vancement since his residence in that community. Three times has his presence of mind and mechani- cal skill been the means of saving the village from entire destruction by fii-e. To him is the place in- debted for its very effective water-works, to guard against fires in the future. In private life Colonel Jewell is genial, affiible and approachable. His home is embellished by his artistic tastes, and his private library is rich in works of standard merit and art. In happy combination with the great executive ability of the subject of our sketch is a fine literary taste and a decided artistic talent, the former shown by his architecture in exterior decoration and by his household embellishments. Colonel Jewell affiliates with the Congregational- ists, but the Sabbath with him is a day of rest. His first wife was Mary A. Grover, daughter of Ephraim G rover, of Newton, Mass., to whom he was married in August, 18G0. She died October 16, 1862. He was again married. May 31, 1865, to Ella Louise Sum- ner, daughter of Lewis Sumner, of Needham, Mass., and a near relative of the late Senator Charles Sum- ner. Mr. Jewell has kept out of politics, but is a good Republican, and should he be the standard- bearer of the party in any future contest, he would probal)ly lead its forces to victory. C-^^-^-^t:,^^^ ^^<^-^^^-^ PEMBROKE. EDMUND ERSKINE TRUESDELL.' The subject of the following sketch, as the name indicates, is of Scotch descent. Scottish surnames originated in divers ways, and their significance is ^is varied, — some being derived from locations, others from trades, offices, professions, peculiarities of ar- morial bearings and from many other sources. The uame "Truesdell" is said to have originated as fol- lows: During the troubles and vicissitudes of the early days of Scotland some of her people were more loyal than others to the government. In a particular hamlet or "daile" they were unusually faithful to the laws, so much so that they gained the envious ap- pellation of the "true daile" people. Usage h:is changed and time softened the pronunciation to Truesdell instead of " true daile." Edmund Erskine Truesdell, son of Thomas and I\Iary (Boydon) Truesdell, was born in Jewett City, Conn., March 3, 1845. He is a descendant of Ichabod Truesdell, who came from Scotland about 1700 and settled in South Woodstock, Conn. He had four sons, — Asa, Darius, Thomas and John. Asa was taken jirisoner while on a merchantman by the French during the reign of Napoleon the First. Darius, irreat-grandfather of Edmund E. Truesdell, partici- ]iated in the War of the Revolution, and was at Valley Forge during the terrible winter of 1777. He was wounded in the side, narrowly escaping death by the ball providentially striking a large, old- fasliioned pocket-book, which he carried in his vest-pocket, containing valuable jjapers. He died a few years after the war from the effects of the wound. Soon after Edmund's birth his mother died at Newton Upper Falls, Mass., where his father had removed and was connected with cotton manufacturing. Edmund attended the common schools from the age of five years until he was fifteen, after which, for a time, he worked in the cotton-mill, becoming familiar with the vari- ous operations of the many machines required in the manufacture of cotton cloth from the raw material. While attending school, to help eke out his scanty supply of ready money, he delivered daily papers, when delivering papers to subscribers was in its in- fancy. This proved very successful. Disposing of the same, he entered Comer's Commercial College, in Boston, to better prepare himself for the various duties of life. After taking a regular course there and graduating, he re-entered the cotton-mill as second overseer in the carding department, where he remained two years. The owners, seeing in him the qualities required for a successful man, promoted him from second overseer of carding to overseer of the cloth-room, at the same time adding the duties of shipping clerk and assistant superintendent. When the Webster Mill, at Suncook, N. H., was started, the owner of the Newton Mills, Newton Upper Falls, Mass., being treasurer of the Suncook 1 By Colonel D. L. Jewell. Mills, knowing Mr. Truesdell's capabilities, induced him to accept a like position — on a much larger scale — at the Webster and Pembroke Mills, in Sun- cook, N. H. Accepting the position, he entered upon the duties October 20, 1866. The changes he made to cheapen and facilitate the work proved his previous good training and that the treasurer was not mis- taken in the .selection. His record shows that his judgment was well founded. When the China Mill was started, in 1869, Mr. TruesdelTs duties were greatly increased ; but with a method reduced to its minimum he was enabled, without much extra exertion, to carry the work incident to the three corporations — pro- ducing twenty-nine million yards of cloth per year — with as little effort, apparently, as he did the two. In 1870 the former agent of the China, Webster and Pembroke Mills resigned his position, and the then acting superintendent was appointed to fill the vacancy. Mr. Truesdell being the most available man for a superintendent, he was again promoted from the cloth-room to superintendent and paymaster of the above named corporation — a position he has ably and successfully filled to the present time. Mr. Truesdell is an earnest and active Repub- lican, and has, for many years, been accorded the leadership of his party in the town. He was chosen town treasurer of Pembroke in 1878, 1879, 1880 and 1881. He was elected a member of the Legislature from Pembroke in 1879 and again in 1880, serving both terms with credit as member of the committee on manufacturing. The following, in the "Notes from the Capital," published during the session in the Manchester Daily Mirror, speaks thus of him : " From a poor boy, earning a living by selling papers at a profit of half a cent each, to the superintendent of three corporations, employing two thousand op- eratives, is a long journey, and the man who, at thirty-two years of age, has made it does not need a certificate to his ability ; but it is a pleasure to say that one of the best members of this house is the genial, broad-shouldered, big-hearted member from Pem- broke. He is a Republican every day and a very lively one election days. He does his own thinking, has the courage of his convictions and fights like a Trojan for any cause or man he believes in." Mr. Truesdell is the senior member of the firm or Truesdell & Blodgett, one of the finest-stocked and best-conducted clothing-stores in the town. Mr. Truesdell belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being an active member of "Jewell" Lodge, which he was instrumental in forming, and of which he is Past Master. Of his work in this respect the Sun- cook Journal had the following: "Especial credit is due to the chairman, E. E. Truesdell, who, without delay, secured the dispensation, conducted nearly all the correspondence and was largely the head and front of the whole work from its inception to its consummation." He is a member of the Trinity Royal Arch Chapter, Horace Chase Council, R. and 580 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. S. M., and Mount Iloreb Commandery, at Concord, N. H. He is a member of the Supreme Council, having taken all the Scottish Rites up to the 33d degree, and is an active member of the Massachusetts Consistory, S.'. P.". R/.S.".32d°, Boston. He is a mem- ber of the New England Cotton Manufacturers' As- sociation and a member of the New Hampshire Club. Mr. Truesdell is six feet one inch in height, weighs two hundred and seventy-eight pounds, and of good proportion and fine physique. His habits are simple, though a good dinner is not objectionable to him at any time. He hates spirituous liquors and tobacco in all their forms, as those who smoke in his presence know. His home is a neat, pretty place, filled with all that makes a home pleasant and attractive ; it is finely situated on Broadway, in the village of Sun- cook, and wa.s the first house built and occupied on this street. He married Mary Wilkins Austin, daughter of David Austin, June 11, 1872, who is connected with one of the oldest families of the town. By this union they have one child — a son. Mr. Truesdell is not a member of any church, but attends the Baptist with his family, where he is a liberal giver. He takes a warm interest in all that pertains to the moral welfare of the village in which he resides. GEORGE PEABODY LITTLE. George Peabody Little was the son of Elbridge Gerry and Sophronia Phelps Peabody Little. His father was born in Bradford, Mass., and his mother in Danvers, Mass. His mother was a sister of the late George Peabody, the distinguished London banker and philanthropist, from whom the son re- ceived his name and to whom he is indebted for his property. Mr. Little was born in Pembroke, Genesee County, N. Y., June 20, 1834. His early life was passed in that town and in Lewiston, N. Y., where he attended Lewiston Academy. He came with his mother to Pembroke, N. H., at about the age of thir- teen. He attended Pembroke Academy and the People's Gymnasium and Literary Institute. He taught one term of district school at the age of eigh- teen. When nineteen years old he went to Portland, Me., as clerk in a store. It was here that he cast his first vote, the same being for Neal Dow as mayor. The next ten years he spent in Palmyra, N. Y. He held the office of United States deputy collector, and assisted in the formation of the first Republican Club in Western New York. In 1868 he returned to Pem- broke, N. H., buying the farm and buildings formerly belonging to the late Hon. Boswell Stevens, where he had lived when a boy. The same year (1868) he erected his present substantial and elegant residence, and from time to time has enlarged the farm until now it comprises about one thousand acres, lying in Pembroke and adjoining towns. In 1871 he was elected a member of the board of trustees of Pem- broke Academy, and from about the first has been chairman of the executive committee, and the school has always found in him a firm friend and supporter. He has twice been elected representative to the Legislature. At present he is one of the selectmen aud also county treasurer, this being his second term of office. He is a Mason, being a member of the Mount Horeb Commandery of Concord, N. H., aud the De Witt Clinton Consistory of Nashua, N. H., to the thirty-second degree ; also a member of the Odd- Fellows' Encampment. Although belonging to these secret societies, he is loyal to the church (Congrega- tional) of which he is a member, always showing himself ready to bear his part in every good work. For many years he has been superintendent of the Sabbath-school. In 1854 he married Miss Elizabeth A. Knox, daughter of Daniel M. Knox, of Pembroke, N. H. Their children are George William, who died at the age of three and a half years, Clarence Belden, Mary Georgianna, Lizzie Ellen, Nettie Knox, Lucy Bowman and Clara Frances. Clarence is a resident of Bismarck, Dakota. He is judge of Probate for Burleigh County, a member of the Governor's staff and a director in the National Bank. Lizzie married Lester Thurber, of Nashua, N. H., and Nettie is a student at Smith College, Northampton, Mass. The others remain at home with their parents. GEORGE H. LARABEE, M.D.' The ancestors of Dr. Larabee were French and English. On the mother's side, four brothers, by the name of Sawyer, came from England, and settled in different parts of the United States. The Larabees originated from the Huguenots. One of the descend- ants, Horace Larabee, was a farmer and settled in the northern part of Vermont, and married Wealthy Howard. One of their sons was Stephen C. who was born December 10, 1813. He was a carriage-trimmer and harness-maker, and married Cynthia Sawyer, of Orford, N. H., and settled in Bradford, Vt. From this union were two boys, George H. and Edward E., whose parents died while they were very young — the mother June 12, 1844, and the father May 8, 1845. The younger of these children was, when an infant, adopted by the Emerson family, who gave him their name. He was educated at Tilton, N. H., and is now a lawyer in Marshall, 111. George H., the subject of this sketch, was born in Bradford, Vt., September 15, 1840, and on the death of his parents was adopted and reared by Elisa E. Sawyer, a sister of his mother, who took entire care of him in his childhood, and when he was four years old went to Edgartown, Mass., where, by teaching school, she earned support for herself and her little charge. For twelve years she thus taught, and it was under her tuition, and the High School of Edgartown and I By GranTillo P. Conn, M.] "^^^ca^^-z-d^ 01- SC PEMBROKE. 581 Dukes County Academy, that young Larabee was fitted for a teacher. At the age of thirteen he becairie a member of the Baptist Church at Edgartown, and was afterwards sujjerintendent of the Sabbath-school and clerk of the church for several years. At the early age of seventeen he commenced teaching in the public schools of the same town, for the support of himself and his foster-mother, who at this time be- came an invalid, and remained so until her death, in 1880. The occupation of teaching, Dr. Larabee suc- cessfully followed for six years. It was while teaching school in the town of his adoption that he chose for a calling the medical profession, and during these years of teaching availed himself of every oppor- tunity to study his chosen profession. He studied medicine with Drs. I. H. Lucas and Edwin Maybury, of Edgartown. The first course of medical lectures he attended at Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Me. The following year he attended Harvard Medical College, from which he graduated in March, 1864, and at a time when the government was calling upon her sons to defend her integrity and maintain her rights. The same week in which he graduated Dr. Larabee volunteered, and, upon examination, receiving a com- mission as assistant surgeon, was assigned to the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and immediately joined his regiment, and was in active service until near the close of the war, when he was honorably dis- charged for disability. He was with his regiment in their engagements at Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom and Petersburg, and was on detail duty at City Point General Hospital. In the fall of 1865, Dr. Larabee located in the manufacturing village of Suncook, N. H., for the practice of his profession, and being a thoroughly competent phy- sician and surgeon, devoted to his profession, he soon had an extensive and lucrative practice. Dr. Larabee became a member of the New Hamp- shire Medical Society in 1867, and has been a member of the Centre District Medical Society since its reorgani- zation in 1872 ; in both of which he has been honored with appointments on committees and as delegate to various medical organizations, which he has always filled with signal ability and with honor to himself and the Association. He is a self-made man ; in social life a genial gentleman, a friend of the poor and always ready and liberal in the support of every good work. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, an Odd-Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, and a member of Louis Bell Post, No. 3, Grand Army of the Republic, of Manchester. TRCEWORTHY LADD FOWLER. In the memoirs of the Fowler family the name is found to go back into the eleventh century, and was prominent in the political and literary history of England. The subject of this sketch is a direct de- scendant therefrnm, through Philip Fowler, one of the founders of New England, who came over in the ship "Mary and John," in May, 1()34. The line of ancestors is Philip, Joseph, Philip, Philip and Symonds to Benjamiue. Benjamine, the father of Trueworthy Ladd, was born in Newmarket, N. H., June 10, 1769; removed to Epsom, N. H., with his father in 1778, and, January 15, 1795, married Mehitable Ladd, born in Pembroke March 9, 1776, daughter of John and Jerusha (Lovejoy) Ladd. After his marriage he settled in Pembroke on the farm now occupied by the subject of this sketch, and died there July 24, 1832. His wife died in Pembroke September 9, 1853. This marriage was a singular coincidence. Each was the sixth generation in America of their respective fami- lies, and Philip, the ancestor of Benjamine Fowler, and Daniel, the ancestor of Mehitable Ladd (the line being Daniel, Nathaniel, John, Trueworthy and John), both came to this country in the " Mary and John," at the same time, from the same town. The descendants of these two neighbors, after pursuing different courses under the vicissitudes of a century and a half, were united in Benjamine and Mehitable. From this fusion of two hardy stocks sprang the subject of our sketch. He was the youngest of eleven children, eight of whom lived to mature age, and was born in Pembroke December 21, 1816, and, August 29, 1847, married Catharine L., daughter of Thomas and Abigail (Hutchins) Sargent, by whom he has four children living, — Henry Thomas, born November 30, 1849 ; Adin Gilbert and Charles Mar- tin (twins), born June 19, 1855 ; and Lillie Blanche, born February 29, 1860. His education was obtained at the district school, supplemented by attending, for a few terms, Pembroke Academy and the Gymnasium, a rival school, under the instruction of Professor Isaac Kinsman. While at these schools he supported him- self by his own labor, being, at the age of fifteen, thrown upon his own resources, with no provision for his education, by his father's death. He commenced to teach a district school at eigh- teen, and continued to teach during some portions of each year for eighteen years. During this time he managed the family homestead, which had come into his possession part by the will of his father and part by purchase. He now resides on the old homestead, which, by improvements and additions, has been made to rank among the largest and most productive farms in town. Although always ready to devote his time to the interests of his fellow-townsmen, he has never been an oflice-seeker, and the honors bestowed upon him liy the public must yield sweeter pleasure to his mind when he contemplates that they were won not by so- licitation, but came as a recognition of his usefulness. Always enjoying the confidence and esteem of his townsmen, he was called upon to serve them in nearly all the offices in the gift of the town. For years his was the familiar face and voice that presided over 582 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. their town-meetings for town, State and national elections. Besides holding the offices of collector, auditor and treasurer, he served as selectman eleven years, eight of which as chairman, and superintending school committee twelve year.i. He was elected to the Leg- islature in 18.58 and 1859, and in 1876 was chosen a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of that year. In 1878 he was elected county commissioner, and served as chairman during the term of two years, from June 1, 1879, to July 1, 1881. In 1870 he was appointed United States deputy marshal, and took the census of Allenstown, Bow, Hooksett and Pem- broke. For many years he has been a trustee of Pembroke Academy, the survivor of the two schools at which his education was completed. For many years he has done a large probate busi- ness in the capacity of administrator and guardian, his judgment and experience recommending him to all who knew him. Brought up a Democrat, yet convictions of right and duty have always controlled his political acts and affiliations. He voted the last time with that party in 1844. His repugnance to the institution of slavery and its extension brought him to the support of John P. Hale in 1845 for representative to Con- gress; and he has had the satisfaction of living to see Hale United States Senator, and the weakening and discordant element of slavery wiped out of our gov- ernment. From the Free-Soil party he followed the lead of Seward and Lincoln, and has since been a supporter of Republican measures and principles. Of liberal religious sentiments and opinions, though pledged to no creed and identified with no denomination, Mr. Fowler has always revered the Scriptures as the inspired word of God, and has en- deavored to guide his conduct by their precepts. Mr. Fowler is known throughout the county as a man of good executive ability, upright integrity, sound judgment, rare good sense and of large prac- tical experience in business affairs; and these he has always been ready to devote to the service of the public and of his townsmen when required. Now (1885) he has retired from public affairs, with the exception of acting as one of a committee of three to procure the writing and publishing of the history of hi.s native town, and can be found at his home in North Pembroke, which his thrift and economy has established and maintained, where his counsel is much sought by his townsmen and friends, and where, together with his amiable and estimable wife, he dispenses a liberal hospitality to all who have occasion to visit his home. The family name of Fowler received prominent mention in the annals of the literature and govern- ment of England as far back as 1191. Richanl Fowler, of Foxley, fought under Richard Ca?ur de Lion in the war of the Crusades, and was knighted by him on the field of battle for having repulsed a night attack by the Infidels on the Christian camp, with a body of bowmen made up entirely of his own ten- ants. From him descended Sir William in the fourth generation, and his son. Sir Richard, was knighted by Edward IV- and created chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster. In 1514, Catharine of Arragon was entertained by Edward Fowler, and at his castle received the joyful news of the defeat of the Scottish army at Flodden Field. John Fowler, in 1547, was a member of the household of Edward VI., and it was through his in- fluence that the royal assent was given to the mar- riage of Lord Seymour to the Princess (afterwards Queen) Elizabeth. William, who died 1614, was one of the poets to the court of James VI. Christopher was a prominent English clergyman; born in 1611; left the Established Church in 1641 to join the Pres- byterians. Edward was made bishop of Gloucester in 1691. John and Robert were among the great land- owners of Great Britain. Philip, one of the first set- tlers of New England, born about 1590, came to Amer- ica, with his family, in the " Mary and John," Robert Sayers, master. Arriving in May, 1634, and receiving a grant of land in Ipswich, Mass., the same year, settled there and resided until his death, June 24, 1697. The line of descent to the subject of this sketch is through Philip (1), Joseph (2), Philip (3), Philip (4), Symouds (5). Winthrop (6) was born in Epsom, N. H., April 19, 1788. In 1810, he married Abigail, daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Brown) Davis, who was born in Epsom April 19, 1790, and died October 27, 1859. He filled many public offices in his native town and was distinguished for the clear- ness and soundness of his judgment and for the strict integrity and uprightness of his conduct. He was a man whose practice through life was in exact conform- ity with his profession. He was oneof the selectmen of Epsom in 1824, '26, '28, '30, '38 ; auditor in 1843- 44. He died in Pembroke, N. H., September 22, 1861. The children of Winthrop and Abigail (Davis) Fowler were Hannah, born September 5, 1810, died April 7, 1821 ; Abigail, born July 4, 1812, died July 16, 1814 ; Abigail, born March 16, 1815, died Novem- ber 13, 1867 ; Betsey, born July 10, 1818, lives in Pem- broke, N. H.; Samuel, born May 8, 1821, lives in Ep- som, N. H.; Symonds, born March 20, 1823, died December 23, 1827 ; Winthrop, born June 28, 1825, died July 21, 1825; Winthrop, born January 20, 1827, lives in Pembroke, N. H.; Nancy, born December 17, 1S30, lives in Pembroke, N. H. d ZKjUikr), ^l^^Jj}. J^Oi^^^^ :^.;^^,^&^ /^^^^^/^^ iT^Tuyt^ PEMBROKE. 583 WINTHROP FOWLER, JR. Winthrop Fowler, Jr., son of Wiuthrop iuid Abigail (Davis) Fowler, was born in Epsom, N. H., January 20, 1827, and lived with Lis father on the farm until 1845, when they moved to his present situation in Pembroke. May 16, 1860, he married Ann L., daughter of Ephraim and Sarah (Dyer) Locke, of Epsom, N. H. From this union there were three boys, — Minot Locke, born February 5, 1863 ; George Winthrop, born November 1, 1864; and Edward Mar- tin, born September 27, 1868. Mr. Fowler always had a firm belief in thorough education, and, by his industry and economy, was able to provide means for his boys obtaining such, the foundation of which was laid in the old Pembroke Academy, justly celebrated in the history of this county. Although of the minor- ity party, and ftir fronj being an office-seeker or de- sirous of public distinction, Mr. Fowler has been prominent in the civil affiurs of the town of Pem- broke, having held the position of moderator in the town-meetings of the years 1869, '71, '72, '73, '74, '77, '7.Sand'84; member of the Board of Selectmen in LS72, '73 and '74; auditor, 1878-84. continuously, which po.sition he still holds. In politics Mr. Fowler has always been a firm Democrat, interested and earn- est for the advancement of the plans and purposes of his party. He was in early manhood commissioned a justice of the peace by the Governor, which position he continues to hold. He owns one of the finest farms in Pembroke; he has led a hard-working life, and one of decided success. He has in an unusual degree the confidence and respect of all as a valued citizen of sound judgment, having the best interests of his fellow-men at heart, and is decidedly one of the leading men of his town. ADDISON NEWTON OSGOOD. For three generations the Csgood family have been prominent in the manufacturing, business and social circles of Pembroke and Allenstown, finding a sphere for activity and a home in the village of Sun- cook. The family is of English descent, the ancestor having cast in his lot with the Puritans of the Mas- sachusetts Bay colony some time in the seventeenth century. One of the forefathers followed up the vulley of the Merrimack with the company who set- tled at Penacook and laid the foundations of the fair city which later was to become the capital of the State. Many of his descendants may be found to-day in Concord and adjoining townships, while one branch sought a home in North Conway and adjacent towns, in the State of Maine. Some time before the year 1800, Christopher Os- good and his wife, Annie (Abbott) Osgood, from Concord, settled in the village, and he soon became one of the leading men in Pembroke. One of their sons, Ira B. Osgood, married Alice Prescott, settled in town and maintained the reputa- tion for business activity established by the father. Addison N. Osgood, in the third generation, the son of Ira B. and Alice (Prescott) Osgood, was born in Allen.stown March 16, 1836. His education was acquired at the common schools of the village and at Pembroke Academy. In early manhood he left home, and for several years was era- ployed in Boston and vicinity. In 1860, Mr. O-sgood returned to his native village, formed a partnership with James Tennant, which continued until Mr. Tennant's death, in 1873, and settled down to the re- sponsibilities of a business career. For twenty-five years Mr. Osgood has enjoyed the confidence and re- spect of his fellow-townsmen, which has been mani- fested by their frequent calls upon him to "manage the affairs of the township" and represeut them at the General Court. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen in 1869, 1870 and 1871; representative in 1878 and 1879; a supervisor in 1879; chairman of the Board of Supervisors from 1880 until the spring of 1885, when he was elected chairman of the Board of Se- lectmen. Mr. Osgood is an advocate of the advantages of secret societies. He was a charter member of the D. L. Jewell Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at Suncook, and is a member of the Mount Horeb Com- mandery. Knights Templar. He is a member of the fraternity knowu as the Knights of Pythias and is prominent in Odd-Fellow circles. In creed, Mr. Osgood is a Methodist and is a mem- ber and regular attendant of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Suncook. He was married, December 17, 1865, to Mary Emma, daughter of William A. and Julia (Upham) Phelps, once of Haverhill, N. H., and later of Ames- bury, Mass., and Suncook, N. H. No children have blessed their home. Mr. Osgood is still in active business (wood and lumber), and is interested in every public enterprise cal- culated to beautify and improve the village of his choice. He is a builder and owner of comfortable homes for workingmen. He is the owner of a farm_ of some thirty acres and a desirable house on Glass Street, near his mill. Mr. Osgood enjoys to an eminent degree the respect of his fellow-citizens. He is considered upright and honorable in every relation of life, and by honest la- bor is accumulating a comfortable fortune to secure his old age from want. CAPTAIN WILLIAM FIFE. We are able to trace the ancestors of this family on the maternal side back to Joseph Holt, who was born in the north of England March 5, 1738. He married Elizabeth Widdrington, who was born in the north of England May 25, 1739. They were mar- 5H4 HI.STORY OF MElllllMACK COUXTV, NEW HAMPSHIRE. ried in 1760, iind emigrated to this country, stopping in one of the seaport towns for a few years, tlicn came to New Hampshire. On the paternal side we can trace the ancestors back to William File, who was born in the north of Scotland May 16, 1746; he married Phebe White, born in 1745. Mr. Fife emi- grated to this country in 176S, and they were married after coming here, in 1772, and settled in North Pem- broke, on a lot of land bought of James Bartlett, who lived on Pembroke Street at the time. They built a log house aud bought a tract of land adjoin- ing the one already purchased. They built a new frame house, and about the time it was finished while the carpenters were at supper, it was de- stroyed by fire. Mr. Fife, not being easily dis- couraged, built a two-story frame house upon the .same jilace, which is standing yet. The only children of Joseph and Elizal)eth Hoyt of whom we have any account were Nathan, born December 2 1762, and married Sarah Black, born February 1, 1762, and settled on a farm in North Pembroke. Abigail, the only member of their family mentioned in this sketch, was born February 1, 1777. Jeremiah Fife, son of William and Phebe, was born December 5, 1779, married Abigail Holt, November 20, 1803, and settled in the north part of Pembroke, where they lived ibr about fifty years. He was a carpenter and builder by trade, and he died February 22, 18.52. They had ten children, — Thursay, born March 15, 1805, married Benj.amiu Hagget ; Nathan H., born December 6, 1807, married Abbie Brooks, and died December 19, 1839 ; Sarah, born November, 1809, married Samuel Worth; Abigail, born March 18, 1811, married John Hagget, and died December 28, 1861; Jeremiah, born August 10, 1813, died Novem- ber 1, 1845 ; James, born May 16, 1816, died July 22, 1817; William, born April 20, 1821; Rhuhamah, born December 8, 1824, died May 21, 1854; Noah, born July 15, 1827, married Mary Wilson ; Elcy, born February 9, 18.30, married John Sixirlin. Cap- tain William Fife, the principal subject of this sketch, lived with his father upon the farm until he was nineteen years of age. He then began working at the carpenter business, which he has continued since. 'He is a successful contractor and builder ; during the last few years has been engaged in forming. He was made captain in the Eleventh Regiment New Hampshire State Militia in 1847. which office he held for two years. .. He built a house on Pembroke Street in 1840, using a part of the old James Bartlet tavern, which was built more than one hundred years ago. Captain Wil- liam Fife married Mary D., daughter of Andrew aud Sarah (Dudley) Gault, October 19, 1843. She was born February 25, 1820, and died August 14, 1875, and they had the following children : Helen A., born May 24, 1843, married Joseph J. Rand, who was born October 12, 1841 (they were married May 28. 1874, and settled in Rye, N. H.; they have one child. Mary A., born June 29, 1875) ; William W., born July 15, 1848, married Louisa H. Blake (she was born February 27, 1840, married March 4, 1871, settled in North Pembroke, and they had four children, — Henry W., born November 28, 1871 ; Frank D., born March 12, 1874; Horace E., born June 24, 1880; Sarah A., born April 29, 1882); Edwin H., born January 16, 1851, married Lizzie Alden, April 28, 1885, and settled in Springfield, Mass. ; Sarah F., born December 23, 1853 and died July 14, 1880. M'COXXEL JIOOr.E. Rev. Daniel .Mitchell, born in the north of Ireland in 1697, is the first person on the maternal side of this family of whom we have any knowledge. Upon ar- riving in this country, he was licensed to preach by the Boston Presbytery, and first entered the pulpit in Georgetown, Me. ; December 3, 1760, he w.as or- dained over the Presbyterian Church at Pembroke, N. H. ; was the first minister of that denomination in the place. He married Martha White, and to them were born two children, — Ruhamah and Martha. On the paternal side we are able to trace the line of ancestry back to Deacon Jitmes Moore, born in the north of Ireland. Before leaving his native country he married Agnes Coolbrath, and in 1713 or '14, upon their arrival in this country, they went directly to Concord, Mass., remaining one year; from there they went to Londonderry, N. H., but not liking the out- look, went to Pennacook, (now Concord), N. H. ; his next move was to Suncook (now Pembroke), where he bought a tract of laud, paying about four hundred dollars. They found upon their arrival but one white family in this town. Mr. Moore built the first frame house there, and during the French and Indian War it was used for a garrison. A part of the same house is now owned by Samuel E. Moore, one of the descendants. Deacon James died March 11, 1773. Robert, son of Deacon James, married Ruhamah, daughter of D.aniel and Martha (White) Mitchell, and they had ten children. Major Daniel Mitchell Moore, son of Robert and Ruhamah, and the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Pembroke April 25, 1777. He married Sally McConnel, April 9, 1809, and died December 29, 1848. They had four children, viz. : McConnel, Samuel E., Sally C. and Betsey T. McConnel, the subject of this sketch, was born in this town October 10, 1809, and spent his life upon the farm. He was educated at Pembroke Academy. December 20, 1837, he married Sarah J., daughter of John and Judith (Blake) Sanborn, of Loudon, N. H. Mr. Moore was a Whig in his earlier days, but voted the Democratic ticket later in life. He has never held any office, not having any aspira- tions in that direction. He was a member of the Congregational Church for nearly fifty years, and always a supporter of church and schools. He was a kind friend and neighbor. McConnel Moore died ^^y^^/::^^^^^^^ -< I '^<^>iynJl£' ylCxJiAji^ ''^■^v^W^'vi^'^S"^ PPMBllOKE. in this town December 12, 1878, leaving 1 ample means for support iu her old age. The Whittcraore family originated with Sir John, who was knighted on the battle-field for valorous conduct in the year 1230, and received a tract of land culled " Whytemere," or White Meadow, whence he received the title Lord John de Whytemere. Thomas Whittemore emigrated to this country in the year 1642, and settled in that part of Charlestown now known as Maiden. He died in 1660. His son John, who came over with his father, was born in Kitchen Parish, Hertfordshire, England, February 1, 1638; was baptized February 11th of the same year. He married, first, Mary Upham, of Weymouth, who died June 27, 1677 ; he married, second, Mary Miller, in October, 1G77. Children,— Thomas, born 1()64; Joseph, born 1666; Benjamin, born 1669; Na- thnniel, born 1673; Joel, born 1677; Mary, born 1678, died young; Pelatiab, born* 1680; Amos, born T6Sl ; Mary, born 1683 ; Daniel, born 1685 ; Rebecca, born 1687; Hannah, born 1689. Benjamin Whittemore, son of John and Mary (Upham) Whittemore, was born in Cambridge, Mass.J September 1, 1669 ; married Esther Brooks, August 17, 1692; settled in Concord, Mass., and died Septem- ber 8, 1734; his wife died September 16, 1742. Children of Benjamin and Esther (Brooks) Whitte- more, — Mary, born July 12, 1694; Benjamin, born April 9, 1696, died at the age of thirty-nine, was a representative from Concord six years ; Nathaniel, born November 23, 1698; Grace, born March 20, 1700 ; Esther, born May 3, 1707 ; Aaron, born Decem- ber 11, 1711. Eev. Aaron Whittemore, third son of Benjamin and Esther (Brooks) Whittemore, was born in Con- conl, Mass., December, 1711 ; graduated at Har- vard College in 1734; resided three years at Groton, Mass. ; was settled over the Congregational Church in Suncook, or Lovell's township (now Pembroke), as the first minister, March 1, 1737. During the French and Indian Wars his house, which stood just south I'f the cemetery on Pembroke Street, was a garrison- iiouse, and he held the commission of first lieutenant from the provincial authorities of New Hampshire, and was in command of the post. The house forms a part of the present residence of Mrs. Vose. He married, February 2, 1743, Abigail Coffin, of New- bury, Mass., whom he met while visiting her relatives in Rumford. He died November 16, 1767. His wife, born November 18, 1718, died May 11, 1803. Children,— John, born 1744, died January 20, 1746; .\aron, born April 9, 1746, married Sarah Gilman ; Judith, born November 6, 1748, died February 13, I'oo; Benjamin, born December 4, 1750, married Abigail Abbot ; Esther, born August 12, 1752, mar- ried, first, Jeremiah Hall, married, second, Rev. Jos- eph Woodman ; Sarah, born May 18, 1754, died June 15, 1759 ; Ruth, born April 12, 1756, married Deacon David Kimball ; Peter, born April 7, 1758, married, February 25, 17s:!, IClizabeth Baker, settled in Salis- bury, N. H. Aaron Whittemore, sou of Rev. Aaron Whittemore, born April 9, 1746 ; married, January 11, 1770, Sarah, daughter of Peter Gilman, of Exeter. She was born October 27, 1745, died October 14, 1823; he died May 1, 1817. Settled on his father's farm, served honorably through one campaign during the Revolu- tion, and was prominent in town afl'airs for many years. Children of Aaron and Sarah (Gilman) Whitte- more, — child, born October 21, 1770, died young; Judith, born November 5, 1771, married, November 14, 1793, James Baker, of Bow ; John, born October 14, 1772, died October 30, 1772 ; child, born October 23, 1773, died young; Aaron, born November 28, 1774, married Lydia Fisk, of Derry ; Richard, born January 16, 1776, married Nancy Brickett; Sarah, born September 16, 1777, married, November 15, 1796, Jesse Baker, settled in Shipton, P. Q. ; Abigail, born November 17, 1781, died unmarried May 29, 1861 ; Peter, born January 6, 1783, a physician, mar- ried, went West ; Polly, born April 16, 1785, died February 25, 1788. Hon. Aaron Whittemore, son of Aaron and Sarah (Gilman) Whittemore, grandson of Rev. Aaron Whittemore, was born November 28,1774; married, October 23, 1800, Lydia Fisk, of Derry, born Febru- ary 28, 1776, died March 9, 1862. He settled on the farm and built the house now occupied by his son, Hon. Aaron Whittemore. He was representative, Senator and judge. Died April 26, 1850, at the age of seventy-six. Children of Aaron and Lydia (Fisk) Whittemore, — Benjamin, born March 20, 1801, died in Philadelphia in 1833 ; Louisa, born September 21, 1802, married, September 23, 1847, Charles P. Hay- ward (residence, Pembroke, N. H.); Mary F., born August 13, 1804, married, May 15, 1820, Daniel Par- ker (residence, San Francisco, Cal.) ; Adaline, born September 28, 1806, died December 28, 1821 ; Aaron, born November 4, 1808, married Ariannah S. Barstow, of Exeter; Hiram, born March 31, 1811, married, first, November 26, 1828, Elizabeth J. Hoit, of Exe- ter, married, second, August 27, 1856, Alma M. Pug- alls; Lydia, born June 28, 1813, unmarried ; Sarah, born November 24, 1815, married Jacob Sawyer, died September 9, 1845; Dolly D,, born February 13, 1819, married David H. Burnham, died April 18, 1843. Hon. Aaron Whittemore, son of Hon. Aaron Whittemore, grandson of Aaron Whittemore, and great-grandson of Rev. Aaron Whittemore, was born November 4, 1808 ; married, December 13, 1840, Ari- annah S. Barstow (born in Exeter February 20, 1821) ; settled in Pembroke on his father's farm. He gained his education at the academy, principally under the- 586 HESTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIKE. instruction of Hon. Jolin Vose. He taught school successfully for several years in Pembroke and other towns. He has been elected at various times to the most important offices in the gift of the people of the town, and held the offices of moderator, selectman and town treasurer for several years in succession. He represented the town two years in the State Legislature, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1850, and also of 1876. He was ap- pointed postmaster at Pembroke in 1829, and held the office for about sixteen years. He was interested in the establishment of the People's Literary Insti- tute and Gymnasium of Pembroke, in 1840, and was chosen the first secretary of its board of directors, and afterwards served for several years as its president. He was elected one of the trustees of this academy in 1863, and at the same time their secretary, and has held said office to the present time. He was connected with the militia of the State for some years ; was appointed ensign of the Second Company of infantry in the Eleventh Regiment June 14, 1828; promoted lieutenant September 6, 1832; captain April 29, 1833 ; lieutenant-colonel of the Eleventh Regiment June, 27, 1839, and colonel of the same July 0, 1846. He was promoted brigadier- general of the Third Brigade June 4, 1851. He represented his native town in the Legislature in 1849 and 1850, and also was a member of the Con- stitutional Convention of 1850. He was appointed associate justice of the Court of Common Pleas for Merrimack County July 1, 1853. General Whittemore is a successful farmer upon the homestead of his father and grandfather. He was also, for a number of years, a member of the Merrimack County Agricultural Society, of which he served as president. Mr. AVhittemore is one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of the town, looked to by all classes as a wise, most prudent and confiding counselor. From the fore- going sketch it will be seen it has pleased his fellow- men to place the utmost confidence in him, and to confer upon him all the honors they could bestow, which is too apparent a token of their esteem to pass unnoticed. The influence and benefit of such a citizen is not easily estimated. Children of Aaron and Ariannah (Barstow) Whitte- more, — Sophia F., born August 1, 1842; married, June 2, 1861, Charles C. Shaw. Ariannah B., born April 23, 1844; married, April 5, 1870, John H. Sulli- van. Aaron, born May 22, 1846; died April 3, 1849. Aaron born January 18, 1849; married; lawyer in Pittsfield. AdalineG., born October 13, 1850 ; married, February 2, 1870, John G. Tallant; died October 11, 1875. JohnCambridge,born August 8, 1852; married; residence, Cambridge, Mass. Charles Barstow, born September 28, 1854; married; residence, Pembroke, N. H. Arthur Gilman, born July 26, 1856; lawyer; residence, Dover, N. H. Frederick B., born Septem- ber 12, 1857; residence, Kansas. Annie Brewster, born April 15, 1859. Elizabeth M. (Bessie), born February 21, 1861. Hon. Aaron Whittemore, Jr., who died in Pittsfield May 4, 1885, at the age of thirty-six years, was the oldest son of General Aaron Whittemore, of Pem- broke, and in many respects one of the representative men of his State, being a lawyer of extensive practice, a State Senator, judge advocate on the brigade stafl" with the rank of major, and continually laboring for the best interests of the town, of the surrounding communities of his own immediate neighborhood and all his fellow-men. As a lawyer and military officer, as well as a prom- inent member of the Democratic party, he was a man of marked influence, while in private life he was honored for his nobility of character and uprightness. Although he has fallen in the midst of his usefulness, in the full vigor of a still brighter future, yet he accomplished much, and his death is greatly lamented. 'ffk ^WTtk r /kMCe^y*^ "y HISTORY OF PITTSFIELD. CHAPTEK I. Geographical— The First Settlement— Esquire John Cram— The Pioneer Mills — The First Frame House — The First Town-Meeting — Names of Pioneers- Pittsfield Village in 1812. The town of Pittsfield lies in the eastern part of the county, and is bounded as follows : On the northeast by Belknap County; northwest by Loudon and Chichester, and on the south by Ep- som. One hundred and seventeen years ago (1768) a solitary traveler came wending his way through the wilderness, up the valley of the Suncook, to the spot where now stands the flourishing village of Pittsfield. This solitary traveler was Esquire John Criun, who came as a representative of the original proprietors of the town, most of whom resided in Hampton. They were anxious that the grant should be developed, and they were wise, as the sequel proved, in selecting John Cram as the pioneer. He examined the mill priv- ileges at the falls, and finally agreed with the pro- prietors to commence a settlement on the receipt of fifteen pounds and a deed of the mill privilege with the mill lot of one hundred acres. In the following year he came up and built a tem- porary dam across the Suncook, by felling a large tree on each side of the river, the butts resting on the stumps, and the tops meeting on the ledge in the mid- dle of the river, and by setting posts against the trunks of these trees, and throwing in brush, stones and gravel, a rude dam was constructed. He then built a log mill, and by means of this rude dam and rickety mill, timber and plank were sawed, with which buildings were erected and a substantial dam built, and in the following year he removed his family to the place, and to him is ascribed the honor of having made the first permanent settlement within the bounds of the present town of Pittsfield. The proprietors were indeed fortunate in selecting Esquire Cram to commence the settlement. He not only brought the land into market, but proved a most excellent citizen. He took an active interest in the new settlement, and for nearly forty years he was in public office, and did most of the town business and fairly earned the appellation of "father of the town." He was a native of Hampton. In addition to the mill privilege, he bought eleven hundred acres of land for ten cents per acre, which included most of the present village. He built the first frame house in the town in 1770. In all local enterpri.se.s he was a lead- ing spirit. He gave the land for the meeting-house and burying-ground. "Cram's Mill" was a common centre and resort for the early settlers to talk over the affiiirs of the country, the town, the laying out of roads and the building of bridges. The first town-meetings were held at his house, and here, also, the first settlers would gather on foQj, com- ing along blazed paths through the woods from their little clearings, dressed in their sheep's gray frocks and brown tow trousers, to elect officers and take such measures as would result in the promotion of the best interests of the town. Religious meetings were also held at his house, or in his corn barn. Here, also, the first religious society in the town was organized and a public school occasionally kept. At the breaking out of the War of the Revolution he was chosen captain, and every man in town was a member of his company. With a large family, and fifty years of age, it was not expected of him to go in- to the army, but during the long seven years' war he, with John McClary, of Epsom, rendered efficient ser- vice in furnishing men and means for the prosecution of the war. His large family of children all settled near him. During his forty years of service as town clerk, selectman, representative, etc., he made no charge for his services, only expenses. The early settlers were all from Hampton, and most of the names in each town are common to both, as Drake, Leavitt, Cram, Green, Norris, Dow, Jones, Marston, Gove, Greenleaf, Perkins, Tilton,, Lane, Jenness, Swett, Ring, Sargent, Shaw, Tucker, Fogg, Eaton, Hilliard, French, Philbrick, Towle, Brown, Blake, Knowlton, Smith, Davis, Sanborn, Clifibrd, Page, Gar- land, Mason, Hoag, Moulton, Chase, Brackett, True, Morrill, Prescott, etc. The rich soil, favorable location and heavy growth of timber induced rapid emigration. The early set- tlers were young men of pluck and strength, who came up to hew peaceful homes and fruitful farms from the wilderness, and provide a competence for their families by honest toil and rigid economy. They were lineal descendants of the colony of Puri- tans who settled at " Old Newbury." They were of the same stock that Cromwell chose for his Ironsides, "who feared God and kept their powder dry," and possessed the same leading traits of character. Pittsfield ViUage in 1812.— In 1812 the centre of HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. the town was not called the village, but "the city," which consisted of the meeting-house and four or five dwellings. Dr. Thomas Shannon lived in the " Lang liouse," opposite the meeting-house. Mr. T. Clark lived at the corner of the road east. W. Butters, Ksq., lived a few rods west of this ancient building. A store was kept by Esquire Butters in one part of his dwelling, and another store was kept by Jonathan Clark in the west end of the next house, — the tavern and residence of D. Fogg, subsequently known as the ~" Carroll house." Opposite was a small tenement. The next dwelling in a westerly direction was that of John Cram, with a large mill-yard between his house and the river, and the saw-mill and grist- mill near the bridge. Turning the corner and cross- ing the bridge on the Concord road, two small dwell- ings were passed, the first known as the Hilliard house, the other as the David Smith house. This was the last house till the top of the long hill was reached, and there was the house of old Mr. Prescott, and near by, that of his son, S. W. Prescott. On the Gilmanton road was a blacksmith-shop, and the high ledge overlooking the mill-dam, an old fulling-mill on its opposite corner, a carding-mill close by, and then Lyford's tannery filled up the space to the river. The old River School-house stood at the corner of the River road, with just room enough between it and the mill-pond for the road to Barnstead. By the hill-road lived Colonel Lyford, and at the corner be- yond, where the road branched, was the house of Moses Kenney. A few rods above was the Jenkins house, which in 1800 was used as store, tavern and dwelling-house. One of the earliest school-teachers was Joseph ■Odiorne. For twenty-eight years he was annually chosen town clerk. At the bottom of the page, in the year 1810, is the following memorandum : " Writ- ten with a metalic pen." His first record as clerk was in 1802. Hon. Moses Norris, Jr., was a prominent citizen of Pittsfield. His father, Moses Norris, was an early .settler here and served in the Revolutionary War. Moses, Jr., graduated at Dartmouth in 1828, the first graduate from Pittsfield. He pursued his studies with Isaac O. Barnes, of Barnstead, and commenced practice in that town. In 1834 he removed to Pitts- field and soon acquired a large practice, rising to an eminent position at the bar, ranking with the Bells, Atherton, Woodbury, Pierce, Perley, etc. He repre- sented the town in the Legislature in 1837, '38, '39 and '40, and the latter year was Speaker of the House. He was member of the State Council several years ; was elected member of Congress in 1843 and re- elected in 184.5. He was chosen United States Senator in 1848, and died while a member of that body in January, 1855. Eighty years ago the " Upi)er City "' was a place of more business than the jircsent village, or "Lower City " as it was then called. Near the " Upper City ' was a store kept by William Simpson, and latei one by Job Demerit. The village of Pittsfield is beautifully located on both sides of the river, and the hills, covered with innumerable farms, rise around it like a mighty amphitheatre, while in the background are seen lofty mountain peaks, the principal ones being the famous Kearsarge, the Belknap and Gunstock, and, taken all in all, no town in New Hampshire surpas-ses it in beauty, breadth and variety of its prospects. CHAPTER II. PITTSFIELD— ((7.,„(;„„«/)- The Cotton-Factory— The Suncook VaHey Eailroad— Its Inception- Road Completed — Celebration at Opening — Effect of the Railroad^ Shoe Manufacturing — Morgan, Dorr & Libby, Cotton-Factory.— The cotton -factory was erected in 1827, and after the first impetus had been ex- pended the place went on in a steady, old-fashioned sort of way for nearly forty years. During all this time four and six-horse teams went plodding away towards Concord in the morning and came wearily home at night, while the stage-coach rattled busily about at an early hour gathering up its load of passengers and freight. Pittsfield stood entirely by itself in those days. Then, as now, there was no place of equal importance within a radius of fifteen miles. It was without a rival, and has remained so ever since. Stages went out to Concord, Gilmanton, Alton, Dover and Northwood, and heavy team horses were a familiar feature of the village. It was during this period that Pittsfield Academy was founded, and grew up to be the foremost institution of learning in that section of the State, sending out pupils who have since made their mark in business, in medicine, in law, in the pulpit and in the school-room. It was in this time, too, that the various church edifices were erected, the Pittsfield Library was established and that the lyceura flourished in the hearty fiishion which men still delight to recall. Many substantial buildings were erected and some goodly estates were built up by industry and judicious trade. But the time came when Pittsfield people realized that they were standing still, if not positively retrograding, and the eifort to shake off the lethargy into which the village was falling led to the building of the Suncook Valley Railroad. Suncook Valley Railroad.— The building of this road opened anew era in the history of this town and the charming valley through which it passes. The first movement for connecting Pittsfield by rail with the outer world was begun about the year 1850. It was conceived by " Uncle John Berry," who, with others, procured a charter and a survey was made. The strug- gle for the road was a long and ardiKUis one. Ground I'TTT.SFIELD. was first broken April 26, 1S69, at PiltstielJ and tiuu- cook. The event was duly celebrated, and the build- ing of the road was rapidly pushed forward, and the hjst rail was laid November 27, 1869. The first train went over the road with passengers December 6th, leaving Pittsfield at 8.45 a.m. The road was formally opened with a great demonstration at Pittsfield, December 10th. F. B. Berry was marshal of the day. The wel- coming address was made by Hon. E. P. J. Tenney, Au eloquent address was made by Hon. Lewis W. Clark. Addresses were also made by S. N. Bell, Hon. Isaac W. Smith, " Uncle " John Berry, Benjamin Emerson, Hon. Daniel Clark, Colonel John B. Clarke, Joseph Kidder, Governor Nathaniel Head, P. K. Chandler, John C. French and others. Pittsfield contributed liberally to the building of the railroad, the town voting the full sum allowed by law and the citizens subscribing heavily for the stock. It was in operation before the close of 1869, and in the spring of 1870 a new order of things began. Situated as Pittsfield is, remote from the cities and larger vil- lages of the State, with thrifty farming towns on every side, it only needed railroad facilities to become the centre of a large and steadily-increasing trade. The eti'cct of the railroad in this respect was realized at once, but a few leading citizens were not content with this alone, and looked about for some business that niiLi-ht be induced to locate among them and bring Cii lital and industry to the place. Lynn parties of- fered to come and engage in the manufacture of shoes if sufficient encouragement could be secured. As the result, a building two hundred and ten feet long, thirty-five feet wide and three stories high, with a basement, was erected in 1870, furnished with abund- ant steam-power, and three firms, each taking a third of the factory and power, began the manufacture of shoes onquite an extensivescale. The .shop had capacity for three hundred and fifty or four hundred hands, and for several years a large business was carried on. This was Pittsfield's second period of growth, and the village changed as in a transformation scene. New streets were laid out, building was pushed rapidly forward, and the stores increased in number as well as in the amount of business done. Some fine business blocks were erected, the population increased, and a brilliant future was confidently predicted for the vil- lage. But five or six years later there began to be a feeling of uncertainty in the very air. The firms en- gaged in making shoes at the big shop had trouble with their help, grew dissatisfied, and one by one took their departure, leaving the men who had done the most for the general growth, and who had in- vested heavily in real estate, in the most critical posi- tion possible. It was a time of great depression and general discouragement. Tenements stood empty, some traders moved away and others were undecided what to do. It was a terrible experience for the bus- iness men of Pittsfield and is often spoken of by them as the most trying period of their lives. It was more imperatively necessary that something should be done than it was in 1869. Shoe Manufacturing.— In 1879, C. B. Lancaster, an extensive and successful shoe manufacturer and dealer, offered to establish a part of his business in Pittsfield and make no fewer than five thousand cases annually, if the citizens would build him such a shop as he desired and exempt him from taxation for a term of years. An arrangement was quickly ar- rived at and the work of building was begun at once under the personal supervision of Mr. Ira N. Blake, who has from the first had charge of the firm's busi- ness in Pittsfield. It was Mr. Blake's idea to locate the factory on the river in order that the water-power might be utilized a great part of the year, and to use steam only in case the water-power should fail. Ac- cordingly, the building, as well as another erected by the company itself two years later, was equipped for both steam and water-power and the establishment enjoys immunity from stops through lack of motive- power. Work was begun in the shop before the car- penters had fairly left the building, and has contin- ued with but slight interruptions ever since. Mr. Blake himself added greatly to the confidence of bus- iness men by purchasing the farm formerly owned by the late Jeremiah Clark, which stretches down the hillside from Main Street to the river, opening up a new street, putting up no fewer than seven new cot- tage houses for his workmen and erecting an elegant residence for himself at the corner of Main and Blake Streets. Nothing better calculated to revive the courage of the citizens could have occurred. It was evident that the new firm had come to stay, and its representative was a man who would take some interest in the village beyond the number of dollars he might be able to remit to the headquarters of the firm in Boston. Building was begun anew, business revived and Pittsfield entered upon a period of de- velopment and general prosperity. In the six years that the firm of C. B. Lancaster & (^o. has been established here it has distributed in Pittsfield between one hundred and twenty-five thousand and one hundred and fifty thousand dollars yearly and has done an annual business averaging more than half a million. It has given almost steady employment to from three hundred to five hundred hands, has cut up thirty thousand sides of leather yearly, and in its largest year did a business amounting to seven hundred and eighty thousand dollars. Morgan, Dorr & LiiutY. — When the original shoe firm left Pittsfield the old shop remained empty on the hands of the Pittsfield Shoe Factory Association, which offered the free use of the building, with ample steam-power, machinery, etc., to any concern that would come and do business in it. Accordingly, Morgan & Dorr, a firm doing business in Lynn, formed a new partnership with E. A. Libby, a gentleman of twenty years' practical experience in the business. 590 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. and who had been for a long time previous in their employ as foreman and superintendent, and began operations here under the firm-name of Morgan, Dorr & Libby. The business was practically a new venture, it being the purpose of the firm to manufacture a su- perior quality ot ladies' goods and build up a trade on the merits of the work accomplished. The new- firm began work here in September, 1881, and in three years' time had established a business of about two hundred thousand dollars annually, employing in flush times two hundred and fifty hands. In Septem- ber, 1884, the partnership expired by limitation, but the business is continued under the supervision of Mr. Libby, who was retained as superintendent. The Pittsfield Manufacturing Company manu- facture cotton goods. It is a large establishment. Geo. E. Kent, agent. CHAPTER III. 'ITTSFIELD— (( The Pittefleld Hank— Tlie Pittsfiuld Saviiigs-Bank— The Fanners' Sav- iugH-Bank — The Aqueduct Company— The Analecta — Corinthian Lodge, F. and A. M. The Pittsfield Bank was organized as a State bank March 18, 18'>1. The first board of directors were Benjamin Emersou, Jacob Perkins, John L. Thorndike, Jeremiah Clough, William Jenkins, Jr., John S. Osborne and S. M. D. Perkins. The officers have been as follows : Presidents, John L. Thorndike, James Drake and Charles H. Carpen- ter ; Cashiers, Charles H. Carpenter, John L. French, Josiah Carpenter and John A. Goss. Present board of directors, — Charles H. Carpenter, Hiram A. Tuttle, Thomas H. Thorndike, John A. Goss and Nathaniel M. Batchelder. It was organized as a national bank February 13, 1885. Capital, fifty thousand dollars. The Pittsfield Savings-Bank was incorporated in 18.'ir>, with the following incorporators: James A. Treat, John Berry, Benjamin Emerson, Reuben L. French, James Drake, Charles H. Carpenter, Syl- vester H. French, G. L. Remick, Lowell Brown, Jeremiah Clough, William G. French, Walter B. Drake and R. P. J. Tenney. The first officers were John Berry, president ; Lowell Brown, treasurer and .secretary. The first board of trustees were James A. Treat, William G. French, G. L. Remick, Charles H. Car- penter, Isaiah Berry, Sylvester H. French, Louis W. Clark, Reuben L. French, Peter J. Hook and Lowell Brown. The present officers arc R. L. French, president, and G. F. Berry, treasurer. Present trustees, — R. L. French, S. II. French, J. W. Johnston, Lowell Brown, B. F. Kaime, A. B. Taylor, John J. .Icnness, T. H. Thorndike, Jeremiah Clough, H. A. Tiittle, William G. French, P. J. H.M,k, B. G. Parsons, E. L. Carr and G. F. Berry. The present amount of deposits is $2.5i»,20i5; num- ber of depositors, twelve hundred and seventeen. The bank was first located in John Berry's store, and was afterwards removed to the second floor of Tuttle's Block, which was burned with the Congrega- tional Church, February 14, 1876. The safe was taken from the burning building uninjured, and Union Block was soon erected on the vacant spot, the bank taking one-third interest in it and occupying spacious and convenient (juarters on the first floor, where it still remains. The present treasurer, !Mr. George F. Berry, assumed the duties of his position in July, 1880, upon the resignation of his brother, William H., and has had charge of the business since that time. Of the sixty-seven savings-bank treasurers in New Hampshire, three were natives of Pittsfield, viz. : J. W. White, of Nashua; George F. Berry, of Pittsfield ; and William Yeaton, of Farmington. Two others — Josiah t'arpenter, of Manchester, and George A. Fernalil, of (Jonccjrd — have licen residentsof the town. The Farmers' Savings-Bank was organized Octo- ber 13, 1883, and commenced business December 1, 1883. The officers have been as follows: Ira N. Blake, president ; John A. Goss, treasurer ; Ira N. Blake, Peabody H. Adams, Nathaniel S. Drake, James Griffin, Edwin A. Libby, George N. Foss, Charles H. Carpenter, Thomas H. Thorndike, True H. Mansfield, John J. French, Charles M. Bailey, John A. Goss, Aaron Whittemore, Jr., trustees. Amount of deposits May, 1885, nineteen thousand dollars. The Aqueduct Company was organized .Tune 1, 1884, with the following officers : R. L. French, presi- dent ; S. J. Winslow, superintendent; R. L. French, Charles H. Carpenter, Hiram A. Tuttle, S. J. Winslow, Aaron Whittemore, Jr., ' board of directors ; John A. Goss, treasurer ; N. S. Drake, clerk. The officers have not been changed. The Analecta, published by O. H. A. Chamberlin in his elegantly appointed office in Opera Block, has a unique and interesting history. Mr. Chamber- lin began printing at his home in Dunbarton as an amateur in April, 1877, when seventeen years of age, and in December of the same year the first issue of the Siioio Flake — now the Analecta — appeared. It consisted of twelve pages, six by nine inches, and was to be published monthly, and was offered to the public at thirty cents a year. After three issues it was enlarged to a four-column quarto with patent inside, the outside being printed on a small job press, one page at a time. After October, 1879, the printing was all done at home, and for the first two years Mr. Chamberlain did all the work alone. Its circulation reached over eight hundred at this time. January 1, 1880, it was issued as a four- PITTSFIELD. 5'Jl column folio, semi-monthly, and in the May follow- ing the Pittsfield department was added, over four hundred subscribers being received from that and other adjoining towns in the first eight months after. January, 1881, the subscription price was increased to fifty cents, and in the winter of 1882-83 a Cot- trell cylinder press and other machinery, with a large amount of type, etc., was purchased, and January 1, 1883, the paper was published as a seven- column folio weekly at seventy-five cents a year. The success of the venture was complete and the circulation rapidly increased. In June following a Hopkinton department was added, and an increase of nearly two hundred was secured by that means. January 1, 1884, the paper was enlarged to an eight- column folio, the subscription price placed at one dollar a year, as at present, and the name was changed to the Analecta. In April, 1884, the subject of removal to Pittsfield began to be discussed, and al- though no special inducement was offered by the citizens, it was finally decided to take the step. September 18, 1884, the material was on the road from Dunbarton to Pittsfield, and the paper was issued from the new home with only one day's delay. Such, in brief, is the history of the growth of a news- paper from the smallest beginning to a nicely- printed, well-conducted sheet, creditable to the vil- lage and a source of honest pride to its projector. It has reached a circulation of two thousand copies, has a good advertising patronage and one of the best equipped country ofiices in the State. Power is sup- plied by a water-motor and the rooms are lighted with gas. The facilities for job work are excellent, and in its new home the Analecta should continue to be what it has already become, a successful and prosjierous newspaper in a broadened field. Corinthian Lodge F. and A. M., No. 82.'— On the 10th day of January, a.l. 5867 (a.d. 1867), the most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of New Hampshire, John H. Kowell, granted a dispensation to Brothers Henry H. Huse as Master, Daniel F. Smith as Senior Warden, W. Henry Berry as Junior Warden, together with their associates, Bros. R. P. J. Tenney,^^ J. C. French, E. B. Hazzen, C. P. San- derson^ C. W. Ranlet,- S. A. Trask, J. P. Stinchfield, Harrison Elliott,^ J. H. Hill, Nathaniel Blaisdell,- George E. Pendergast,' J. H. Jenkins, J. P. Roby, Benjamin Emerson,- J. J. M. Tenney,- to assemble and work as a regular lodge. Agreeably to the pro- visions of this dispensation, they met in the old lodge-room of the then defunct Suucook Lodge, I. 0. O. F., in the Thorndike building, on the evening of January 30, 5S67, with the above-named Masters and Wardens, and H. A. Tuttle as Treasurer, J. G. Ladd as Secretary, J. P. Roby as Senior Deacon, O. S. Roby as Junior Deacon, Sylvanus Smith as Senior Steward, C. W. Ranlet as Junior Steward, Sumner A. ' By Henry W. Osgood, P. M. 2 Member of Governor's Council. Trask as Tyler, Harrison Elliott as member. At the regular communication, June 11th of this year, the lodge voted to petition for a charter. On July 24th the " Lodge met in special communi- cation at 2.30 p. m., for constitution and installment of its officers. The following officers were duly in- stalled and the lodge constituted by the Most Wor- shipful Grand Master John H. Rowell, assisted by Right Worshipful District Grand Master Alexander M. Winn : Henry H. Huse, W. M. ; John G. Ladd, S. W.; Oliver S. Roby, J. W.; William Yeaton, Treas. ; N. M. Rollins,' Sec. ; J. P. Roby, S. D. ; N. G. Foote, J. D.;= Sylvanus Smith, S. S. ; (i. W. Roby, J. S. ; Sumner A. Trask, Tyler. Rev. Bro. L. Z. Ferris preached an installation sermon in the Congregationalist Church ; refresh- ments were served in the old Washington House hall. The lodge held their communications in the old hall until A. l. 5870, when the building was re- modeled. Plans were submitted to the brethren for a new and commodious lodge-room, for an annual rental of one hundred and fifty dollars. So rapidly was the work pushed forward that the lodge was enabled to hold its communications within its own walls with one exception. The record reads : " Met in regular communication in May, 5870, at the hou.-ie of Brother Smith and opened on the third degree, waiv- ing all ceremonies." At the regular coninuinication in June we find them in their new quarters, which they occupied until the 14th of February, 1876, when the building was destroyed by fire. The lodge lost its charter, jewels and furniture j the records and seal the secretary, fortunately, had at his home. Williard K. Cobb Post, G. A. R., tendered the lodge the use of their hall, which was accepted at a rental of three doUare a communication. Wednesday evening, March 8, 5876, we find a goodly number of the brethren present, ready and anxious to do with all their might for the good of the order. They voted to purchase a solid silver set of jewels and a set of working tools. They remained here until Thursday, November 29, 5881, when they removed to their new and beautiful lodge-rooms in Masonic Hall, built by the Masonic Hall Association over the old town hall. The rooms are furnished in the very best ; the lodge- room proper is carpeted ; the chairs, altar, pedestals and settees of solid black walnut ; an elegant Bible, presented by the ladies, rests upon the altar; the solid silver jewels hang pendant from a beautiful and costly set of regalias of blue silk velvet, em- broidered and bordered with heavy silver bullion fringe, made and presented to the lodge by their ladies. The lodge has funds at interest, the brethren are in harmony, and everything points to increasing prosperity and usefulness. 592 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. The lodge had nine Masters, all of whom are living. Brother H. H. Huse has been elected Speaker of the House of Representatives of New Hampshire. Of its charter members, eight have died, one was a member of Governor Gilmore's Council, and one is at present the popular and efficient secretary of the New Hamp- shire Fire Insurance Company. Of its members, seven have died, sixteen have been demitted ; the present number is seventy-seven. The following is a list of its Past Masters, the order and years in which they served: Brother H. H. Huse, 5867 ; Brother J. P. Eoby, 5868, '69, 71 ; Brother W. H. Berry ,i 6870 ; Brother C. H. Lane, 5872, '73, '74, '75; Brother L. A. Hodgdon, 5876; Brother E. J. Aiken,' 5877; Brother John Waldo, 5878; Brother H. W. Osgood, 5879, '80, '81, '84; Brother Josiah Gove, 5883, and at present its Master. Masonic Hall Association, Pittsfield.-— Feeling and knowing the want of a lodge-room in which the brethren could meet and feel at home, a few of the brethren of Corinthian Lodge formed themselves into the " Masonic Hall Association," agreeable to the laws of the State of New Hampsliire. It« capital stock was fifteen hundred dollars, divi- ded into shares of twenty dollars each, which was readily taken up by members of the lodge. The as- sociation leased the upper story of the old town hall and built thereon a French roof, and finished the ele- gant suite of rooms rented and occupied by Corinthian Lodge, No. 82, A. F. and A. M. At its first meeting it elected Amos H. Messer, president ; Henry W. Os- good, treasurer ; Clarence Johnson, clerk ; Josiah Gove, William B. Hart well, trustees; AmosH. Messer, William B. Hartwell, Clarence Johnson, Charles M. Bailey, H. W. Osgood, building committee. CHAPTER IV. PITTSFIELD— (Co«(.«>.erf). Incorporation of Town— First Town-Meeting — Doeunientiiry History — Representatives— Town Clerks. The township was taken from Chichester and in- corporated by its present name March 27, 1782. John Cram was authorized to call the first meeting of the inhabitants to choose town officers, etc. The meeting was held as follows : "State of Newhanipshire i KocliiDgham, Ss. ] Chichester, December 2G'i>;i7mat a Leagal meeting of the Inhabitance of the town of Cliiclicster met according to notifycation Bate of warrant Deem the 12atc. "3Ly that those People that Live on Either Side of the Dividing Lii,. Shall havo Liberty to Poal themselves and their Estates! in Either Side of the Dividing Line that thoy Shall think Lost am time within three months after that the Centers are t^- l.> 1'':- fixt in the South and north parts of the town asal.u\r i^lt. I 2Ly Put to vote to s hath agreed i : if the town will Except of what the Committ on and Signed in Dividing of the town and P; "3Ly Voted that the Second Division of Land beloo .Snncook Puvpi in S'lChichesterwith that Part of the third Division bil < ];l^ r and the Six Ranges in Said third Division above Sail ^n k River with the privileges and Preportion of Publick j..iii.i- i.-- longing to Said Divisions may be incorporated iutu a 1 uw ii jr Parrisb by themselves and invested with all town Priviliges as other towns in this State— *' 4Ly Voted that their may be three months Liberty alowed for any Per- son or Persons to Pool themselves and their Estates Either side of the Dividing Line that way they shall see best after the Cen- ters are Prefixed— "oLy Voted that John Cram Esqu' William Chase and Captn Jonathan Leavitt a Conmiitlee to Prefer a Petition to the General Court of Said State to confirm the above votes. " A true Coppy fi-om the minutes "per Dyer H.iok town Clerk." PETITION CONCERNING A DIVISION OF THE TOWN. " To the HonWe the Council and House of Representatives for the State of New Hampshire, in General Assembly convened at Exeter Janu- ary \ Dom. "1782 — "The Petition of tho Inhabitants freeholders, residing in the first & fourth Divisions in the Township of Chichester Humbly Sheweth— That a meeting of the Inhabitants of Chichester was called by the Select Men of said Town in consequence of a petition of the Inhabitants who reside in the Second and third Divisions in said Town for tho purpose of sev- ering or dividing the said Town into two distinct Parishes— That at said Meeting a Major vote was obtained in favour of said Petition — That for the conveniency of the Town, your Petitioners humbly conceived and do conceive that an equal division of the Town into two Parishes would be necessary if the same conld be properly effected — That those said Peti- tioners have obtained by the aforesaid vote more than an equal division without the voice of the Propriety of said Township who have never been consulted thereon, and have not as yet given up the reins of Government into the hands of said Town — " That if a petition should he preferred to your Honours in order to confinn the aforesaid Vote, that your Honours would take this our IVii- tiou under your wise consideration and direct Such Measures as shall W most conducive to the interest and welfare of said Town— And your Pe- titioners as in duty bound will ever Pray &c. "John Worth, Levi Stanyan, Jonathan Edmunds, Joseph morrill, Peter ITonk, Paul moiTill, Samuel Langniaid, Samuel .Tames, Edmund RaiKl T' I ill Tin, 1 iii^iiiaid, Smith Morrill, William moses, Ezckiel muirii: I 1 ' A\'illiam Seavey, Edmund Rand, Nathan Mar- diMi, Sill II 1 I I'lr Hook, Danill Sanborn, William Langniaid, Janir, ii:: - I |ia>rs, ri II II x ■ I- I l;\l\i, |il\ lHii\ iiF THE TOWN. "■!',. 11 II i: ii iiivi-sof thoStateof New 11,11, I,, V I, ,v ' I 1 a t Exeter JauT a^ 1782. " Jluiul!;.\ sip ■,, , 111 J luj ' laii, 1,; 1^ W illuiiii Chase and Jonathan Leavitt a Couimitty for and in bchiilf of the Freeholders and Inhabi- tants of tho Town of Chichester in the County of Rockingham in Said State- " That the Said Froelioldors and Inhabitants of Chichester havo at a Legal Town nlcetin;^ Voted that the Second Division of Lands in Said PITTSFIELD. 593 Township below Suncook river with That part i>t 1 1 1 . i ! 1 1 1 . 1 1 1 ; \ i i . 1 1 I >. low Said rivor and the Six ranges in Said Third 1 h \ . : i - 1 1 1 cook river with the Priviledges & Proportion of I'liiii I n i , : m to Said Divisions may be Incoi-porated into a town ;i r.uil. l..\ linjn selves, and Invested with all Town Priviledges aaotliur towiiB in tlii State, and that there niay bo allowed three months Liberty for any Per sou or P,-rson5 to Poll thomsolvos * thi-ir 'Rstiitcs tn Kitlii-r Siil.- nf th. Dividii,^ r,;n,. iiin „,n iii.x >i.,.ii<. i~-i,,r-.i n>. . ■,,,!> ,,it,m i, t..«, "T*"°J } T" «■» n™«'^"f R<-I..escntativosM„r.-l, 22.I: New Hanipr J 1782— " Uix)n hearing and consulering the foregoing Petition " Voted that ttie prayer thereof be granted with tho following altera- tions and ameudmeiita (viz) instead of Six ranges in the third Divi- Kion above Suncook River to allow only five ranges in said third Division and that no polling shall be allowed and that the Tract of Land which they Petitioned to have set off by the name, of Pittsfield be sett off as a Separate Town and called by that name and to have all Town priviledges distinct from Chichester except in the Choice of Representatives, and that the Petitioners have leave to bring in a Bill accordingly. " Sfnt up for Concurrence Tlie result of the controversy was the setting off the northern part of the town, and incorporating the same into the town of Pittsfield, by an act passed March 27, 1782. "State of New hanipshire. ''Rockingham Ss — "To the Honorable Counsel a hie Petition of us the Subscril.n s Shall be Cuppled together 10 towupRofSaid Chiches- ilu l..-i,,. ,,r the inluibi- and fifty Leagal vottei-s Should Ii;l\l' tin; a member to the general Court and whai Leagal voters it was agreed ui>on that two we your Humble Pettisonars Select men torand Pittsfield humbley P.-Ii. i li tance of Said t jwns that w.- mm- i erty of Choosing and Ren'liii. Petitioners as in Duty boun.i >h.ii 1,^. ■ " Wii ^^ ' ^, }■ In HouHc; of Representatives, ,Tan.v 2(1, 11 New Hamps" J i > i " Upon Reading & Considering the foregoing petition, " To/erf, That the pi-ayer thereof be grunted, A that Nurthwooi] lUf^ed to be ji.ined to Cirtsfield bo Class<» to Kpsom & AIlensti>\vn. ? same day read A Concurred. CHAPTER V. PITTSFIELD— ( CoiKt-nuerf). ECCLKSIASTICAL HISTORY. Congregational Church.'— On the 3d of June, 1782 (the same year in wliich the town of Pittsfield was inaugurated), the town voted to build a house of worship and locate the same where the present town hall now stands. At the next town-meeting, held January 6, 1783, it was voted that the meeting- house should be built "of the same bigness of Hamp- ton Falls meeting-house." The building was not completed before the spring of 1789, although the frame was raised in the summer of 1787. Where was the customary place, or places, for re- ligious gatherings, previous to this, does not appear ; but, in the month of September, 1787, the Congre- gational Society met at the corn-barn of Colonel John Cram. Colonel Cram's house was the old Mc- Crillis tavern-stand, and his corn-barn stood op- posite, on land now belonging to the late S. Tenney's estate. In 1788 the to\VTi voted to hire a Congregational minister for three months. In November of the year following, — the year which witnessed the inauguration of Geo. Washing- ton as the first President of the United States, — this church was duly organized with ten members. The council was convened November 17, 1789, at the house of Colonel John Cram, " in compliance," as the old record reads, " with the request of this peo- ple by letters-missive." The following Congregational Churches were repre- sented by their pastors and delegates : Pastors, — Deerfield, Kev. Timothy Upham ; Loudon, Rev. Jede- diah Tucker ; Hopkinton, Rev. Jacob Cram ; Epsom, Rev. Ebenezer Hazeltine; Gilmanton, Rev. Isaac Smith ; Pembroke, Rev. Zaccheus Colby ; Hardwick, Rev. Mr. Holt. The council at the same time ordained Mr. Chris- topher Paige, a graduate of Dartmouth College, as pastor of the church, the society having given him a call, with a settlement of sixty pounds and a salary of sixty-six pounds, annually, one-third to be paid in cash, one-third in good corn at three shillings per bushel and good rye at four shillings per bushel, and the remaining third in good beef at twenty shillings the hundred-weight. Originally the society received a tract of fifty acres of land, lying upon the south side of Catamount, not far from the old Major William Berry place. In 1779, at the suggestion of Colonel Cram, this land was exchauged for land belonging to him in the village near the old parsonage house. Jlr. Paige's ministry continued for a little over six years. Fourteen were received into the church, — 1 Compiled by Kev. George E. Hill. HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. making, willi the ten original members, a iiKmbershi|i of twenty-tour. After Mr. Paige'sdismission, in January, 1796, tliere appears to have been but little Congregational preach- ing till the year 1800. In the fall of that year Rev. Benjamin Sargent, a Calvinistic Baptist, came to sup- ply the pulpit for some one else. His preaching was so acceptable tliat he was invited to come again, and in December following he received a call to supply the pulpit for a year. Mr. Sargent, it would seem, was considerably exercised in mind over this unusual call from a Congregational Church to one professing close- communion sentiments, and the rasult wiis a renun- ciation on his part of those peculiar views held by his denomination, and he became an open-communionist. Mr. Sargent commenced his labors as pastor in the beginning of the year 1801. In the spring of this year tlicre was a revival of religion in town. This revival gave three additional members to the church. There were, however, twenty-one other converts. These were baptized by immersion, and on the 29th of October were gathered into an open-communion Baptist Church. Six months after this new Baptist Church was organized, April 29, 1802, it met, with the Congregational Church, at the meeting-house. The old record reads as follows: "1802, April 29th. At a church-meeting at the meeting-house, the two churches in Pittsfield, the Congregational Church and Calvinistic Baptist Church, mutually agreed and passed a vote to commune together at the table of the Lord, and each church to discipline their own church. Attest, Jonathan Perkins, Moderator." Mr. Sargent continued to supjily the two churches during the remainder of his ministry, and for sixteen years the two churches regularly sat around the Lord's table, Deacon Perkins, of the one church, and Deacon James, of the other, officiating as deacons ; thus realizing " how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity ! " Forty-four united with the churches during Mr. Sargent's min- istry, — sixteen with the Congregational Church and twenty-eight with the Baptist Church. On the after- noon of the Sabbath, March 15, 1818, he went into his pulpit, and while preaching was seized with a fit of jialsy, which soon deprived him of sjieech and reason. He died the following Thursday. On October 29, 1818, the Calvinistic Baptists with- drew from fellowship with this church and organized a closc-conununion church. There was at first no little trouble as to which society should occupy the nuctiug-house, — both churches at one time occupy- ing it alternately,— but this matter was afterwards adjusted, the Baptists yielding their claim. In October, 1818, Mr. Abel Manning commenced his labors as stated supply, and continued for some time into the following year. During his ministry fourteen were admitted to the church. Dill'erent persons supplied the puli)it after Mr. Manning, until the year 1827, during which time the church became so weak financially that it received aid from the Home Missionary Society, and even then preaching could be secured for but a lew months of each year. In October, 1827, a call was extended to Mr. Ezra Scoville, who was ordained and installed November 21, 1827. His ministry, owing to a lack of pecuniary support, was short, but successful, — twenty -three unit- ing with the church under his pastorate. He was dismissed September 14, 1829. For two years and a half there is a break in the records. At the end of this period Mr. Preserved Smith was ordained to per- form the work of an evangelist with this church, June 12, 1832. He remained less than two years, but his labors were greatly blessed, thirty-seven being received during his ministry, and all but four on ]>rofe9sion. In October, 1834, Rev. Jonathan Curtis, of Sharon, Mass., having accepted a call to the pastorate, was installed by council, Rev. Dr. Bouton, of Concord, preaching the installation sermon. Mr. Curtis' min- istry extended over a period of nearly eleven years. He W!is an able and devoted pastor. Under his ministrations one hundred and sixty-eight united with the church. There were several revivals of great power. The largest addition in one year was in 1838, when forty-four united,— all but one on con- fession of faith. On the 18th of December, 1838, Edward Berry, Colonel Nathaniel Bachelder, Samuel White, Thomas Berry, William Berry, Jr., Enoch French, John L. Thorndike, John Berry, Isaiah Berry and John Pot- ter associated themselves together for the purpose of purchasing land and erecting upon the same a new meeting-house. A contract was then made to build a house sixty feet long and forty-one feet wide for the sum of one thousand nine hundred and fifty dollars. The new building was completed in 1839. The old meeting-house, where worship had been .sustained for fifty years, was purchased by the town for a town- house. For about thirty-seven years the church con- tinued to worship in the new building, which received, in the mean time, enlargement and improvements. Rev. Mr. Curtis was dismissed July 1, 1845, and on the 19th of November of the same year Mr. Moses II. Wells was ordained pastor. During his eight years of faithful service forty were added to the church, — fourteen by profession and twenty-six by letter. On account of feeble health Mr. Wells re- signed his charge in December, 1853. December 12, 1854, Rev. J. A. Hood, of Salem, Mass., was installed pastor. His ministry extended over a period of seven and a half years, during which time seventy-seven were added to the church, — fifty- four on confession of faith. A revival in the latter part of 1856 brought thirty-five into the church at one time. To Mr. Hood we are indebted for the his- torical sketch in the " Church Manual " and other matters of historic interest which ap]vear in the records kept by him. PITTSFIELD. 595 In 18()1, Thomas Berry presented the society with a tMwer clock aud R. L. French with a bell. Mr. Hood's labors terminated in July, 1862. On til,. .-^Oth of November, 186.5, Mr. L. Z. Ferris, who h:nl previously supplied the pulpit, was ordained and installed pastor. His ministry covered a period of nearly five years, during which twenty-one united with the church. He was dismissed in February, ]>7ii. and on the 21st of December of the same year ' II. A. Hazen was installed pastor. During this the house of worship was repaired, and the next I the Ladies' Sewing Society took measures to biiiUl a vestry,— a praiseworthy undertaking, which drew about a thousand dollars from their treasury. Mr. Hazen 's pastorate of nearly two years termi- latnl in November, 1872. lor more than a year following the church had no iilar supply. In the middle ofthe year 1874, Rev. - -. X. Greeley, of Gilmanton, supislied the pulpit \\ Sabbaths, and his preaching gave such satis- i:u uiin that his services were continued for four and a half years. He neither assumed nor prosecuted the distinctive work of a pastor, residing as he did out of tnwn and giving his eiforts mainly to the special \\ ilk of preaching. This work he enjoyed, not caring ill li is later years to take upon himself the responsi- liilities and burdens of a parish. Ill the fall of the year 1875 the Young Men's ('luistiau Association commenced a good work in the xiliiii^e, followed by Mr. Fowler, the evangelist. A l> wrrful revival attended his labors and, as a result, tMiiy-two were added to the church. During Mr. Greeley's ministry forty-nine united with the church, all but seven by profession. The church, so richly blessed spiritually, soon met with a heavy loss. A great fire broke out on the iiiiilit of February 14, 1876, and on the morning of ii" next day the house wherein fathers and children 1 1 lee generations had worshiped, and about which red so many precious memories, was destroyed. 1 Here was deep sorrow over the loss, but there was :•'<•'• a resolute determination to make good the same; mil with courage and faith the people at once ad- ihessed themselves to the work of building a new h' luse of worship. A warrant was posted on the 28th ot February, out ofthe very ashes, as it were, calling the society together, March 13th, when it was piijn]]itly voted "to build on the old site," and a liuilding committee was appointed, consisting of -Messrs. W. H. Berry, R. L. French, W. C. Adams, J. \\". .Tohnston and John Waldo. Subsequently, May 4, 1S76, this committee were instructed "to build a new church and vestry." At this very meeting it was voted to raise one thousand dollars for preaching the ensuing year. That was a time of pluck and of consecration. Soon the diihrU of the ruins was cleared, the foundations were laid and the walls began to rise, the church in the mean time worshiping in the Grand Army Hall, kindly tendered them by the W. K. Coblj Post 29. How well the- committee executed their trust, let the building itself tell,— substantial and con- venient as it is in its arrangements, harmonious in its proportions, and with its commodious chapel and ladies' room, leaving scarcely anything to be desired, at a cost of a little over thirteen thousand dollars they erected one of the most comely church edifices in the State. The money was raised from the insurance on the old house, by the proceeds of the sale of pews and by generous subscriptions, two members of the church and society giving one thousand dollars each, namely, John L. Thorndike and John True. The beautiful and sweet-toned organ, as well as the car- pet and cushions, was procured through the efforts of the Ladies' Benevolent Society. The clock on the tower was the gift of John L. French, Esq., and the bell, recast from the metal of the old bell melted in the fire, was presented by the original donor, Hon. R. L. French. On the 13th of February, 1878, just two days less than one year from the destruction of the old meet- ing-house, the new building was dedicated free from debt to the worship of the Triune God. The sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Greeley and the dedicatory prayer was offered by Rev. S. L. Blake, of Con- cord. On the 2d of May, 1879, Rev. John W. Colwell be- came acting pastor of the church, and continued till January 30, 1881, during which period the spiritual life of the church was steadily and healthfully devel- oped, twenty having been received into the church, — ten on confession of faith and ten by letter. In the month of June, 1879, there was a great tem- perance awakening throughout the town, as a result of which nearly a thousand persons signed the pledge. The ninetieth anniversary of the church, which took place November 16, 1879, was an enjoyable and memorable occasion. A discourse was jircached in the morning by Rev. Mr. Colwell, followed by a union communion service in the afternoon and a union praise service in the evening. All of these meet- ings were largely attended. On the following Mon- day evening there was a social gathering ofthe church and congregation in the chapel, a bountiful enter- tainment being provided by the ladies.- (To Mr. Colwell's excellent anniversary sermon on that occa- sion we are indebted for the greater part of the mater- ials for this sketch.) On the 29th of June, 1881, Rev. Geo. E. Hill, the present pastor, was duly in.stalled by council ; the sermon preached by Rev. W. V. W. Davis, of Man- chester ; installing prayer by Rev. Jeremiah Blake ; charge to the pastor by Rev. Lyman White ; right hand of fellowship by Rev. C. E. Harrington ; and address to the people by Rev. S. S. N. Greeley. During Mr. Hill's ministry, up to the present time of writing, twenty jiersons have united with the church, — thirteen by profession and seven by letter. HISTORY OF MEIUIDIACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSIIIllE. The total membership of the church from its or- ganization to this date, July 1, 1885, is five hundred and twenty. The present membership is one hun- dred and fifty-one, — males, forty-eight ; females, one hundred and three. One hundred and eighty-one children have received Christian baptism. The names of the several deacons of the church are as follows : Jonathan Perkins, who was chosen in 1789 and served forty years ; Edward Berry and Eb- enezer Prescott, chosen in 1828 ; Dr. Jonathan C. Prescottin 1839; John L. Thorndike in 1844; Reu- ben L. French in 1855 ; William C. Adams in 1856; Edward J. Aiken in 1877 ; John W. Johnston in 1881 ; Stephen R. Watson and M. Harvey Nutter in 1885. Deacon Adams, the present senior deacon, has served in this capacity nearly thirty years. The Sabbath-school was organized about the year 1818. John L. Thorndike was its first superinten- dent and held the oflice for sixteen years. He was succeeded by Dr. Jeremiah Blake. Since then the successive superintendents have been as follows : Ne- hemiah Berry, Dr. Charles T. Berry, Rev. J. A. Hood, R. L. French, William P. Adams, J. W. Johnson, M. Harvey Nutter and John S. Rand. The number of scholars and teachers registered during the present year is two hundred. The Sun- day-school has proved a powerful auxiliary to the church, and many from its ranks have entered the fold of the Good Shepherd. The church has been liberal in its contributions to the support of home and foreign missions and the general Christian work at home and abroad. Dur- ing the ninety-six years of its history it has given over eighty thousand dollars for church-building pur- poses, for preaching and benevolent objects. The Ladies' Benevolent Society deserves honorable men- tion in this connection for its warm sympathy and self-sacrificing devotion to the church and for its ef- forts in helping the poor and needy. This church has ever been Congregational in its spirit and practice, managing its own affairs without dictation from any extraneous human authority and governed by the will of the majority of its mem- bers, who look to Christ alone as their head. Weekly devotional meetings have been sustained from the beginning almost without interruption, and though the spiritual life of the church has fluctuated at times, the fire on the altar has never been suffered to go out. May its future be even more bright than the past ! " Peace be within her walls and prosperity within her palaces." Free-Will Baptist Church.' — From the earliest records of this church now extant we learn that prior to February 3, 1791, " the people who called them- selves Frec-Will Baptists formally covenanted with God and one another to accept Christ as their own 1 By John T. Hill. Lord and Law-giver, and they were worshiping in two places as two bodies; but on the above date repre- sentatives of the two bodies met in council and agreed to write a new church covenant or .spiritual agree- ment, to which the following persons subscribed their names : Robert Dickey, Thomas Blake, Joseph Towle, David Knowlton, Joseph Mason, Mary Knowl- ton, Elizabeth Towle, and from this date and meet- ing the church dates its birth." Immediately preced- ing this date there was an extensive reformation in and around the town of Pittsfield, in which Benjamin Randall, Joseph Bovely, David Knowlton, Isaac Townsend and John Buzzell were the principal workers. On October 15, 1791, at an adjourned monthly meeting, the church voted to donate to Benjamin Randall one pound and four shillings in money or corn. The first record of administering the Lord's Sup- per was on the Lord's Day following December 10, 1791, Daniel Philbrick officiating. The first record of delegates to New Durham Quar- terly Meeting were David Knowlton, Daniel Phil- brick ; meeting held at Barnstead. June 3, 1792, David Knowlton, Thomas Blake, Na- thaniel Chase and Perkins Philbrick were chosen to attend as delegates the New Hampshire Yearly Meet- ing at New Durham. August 12, 1795, David Knowlton was ordained to preach the gospel by a council consisting of John Buzzell, Daniel Lord, Joseph Bovely and Benjamin Randall. Among the ministers who labored for this church in its early history we find the following names : David Knowlton, Samuel B. Dyer, Bickford, Ezekiel True, Silas Bean, Ebenezer Knowlton and John Knowles. May 7, 1831, David Marks being present at the regular monthly meeting, preached a sermon. On May 2, 1838, another church was organized and known as the Second Free-Will Baptist Church of Pittsfield, until A. d. 1840, October 18th, when, the First Church having lost its visibility, by a vote of the church, its title was changed and called the First Free-Will Baptist Church. It vfas organized in the hall of Stephen W. Libbey. The council consisted of Elders Enoch Place and Daniel P. Cilley, who adopted a constitution and church covenant, which was signed by the following-named persons, viz.: Stephen W. Libbey, Levi True, True Norris, Thomas Smith, Nehemiah Chase, Shurburne Greene, Newell Brown, Enoch Page, Joseph D. Emerson, Solomon Sanders, John D. Hillierd, Belinda A. Savory, Eliza Smith, Abigail Green, Dorothy Blake, Mary J. Chase, Mary T. Brown, Lucy Page, Judith Chase, Nancy Dennett, Rebecca B. Langly, Lois B. Langly, Me- hitable L. Dow and Hannah Morrill. All of the above-named persons have gone to their reward, ex- cept Elder Daniel P. Cilley and Dorothy Blake (now /(^^^ ^ Jt,(^u^ PITTSFIELD. 597 hav- Mrs. Andrew J. Young), Mrs. Hannah M< ing died in 1884. The whole number of members of this church from its organization in 1838 is five hundred and forty- three ; present membership, one huadred and si.xty- five ; well united and enjoying a healthy and strong growth ; at peace with all the other churches and pastors of the town and desiring the prosperity of all. This church became a member of the New Durliam Quarterly Meeting May 25, 1838. First pastor was Rev. D. P. Cilley, from March 2, 1839, to March, 1843. He was followed by Rev. J. E. Davis, May, 1843, to October, 1846; Rev. Ezekiel True, July, 1847, to May, 18.51 ; Rev. Silas Curtis, November 5, 18.52, to November, 1856 ; Rev. Hosea Ciuiuby, February, 1857, to September, 1860 ; Rev. J. B. Davis, October 4, 1862, to June 6, 1863 ; Rev. H. F. Snow, February, 1864, to —, ; Rev. B. F. Pritchard, August 7, 1866, to July, 1867 ; Rev. E. A. Stockman, May 2, 1868, to September 25, 1870 ; Rev. A. Deering, April 1, 1871, to , 1874 ; Rev. Hosea Quinby, January 9, 1875, to April, 1876 ; Rev. George S. Hill, July, 1876, to December, 1876 ; Rev. F. E. Davison, March 7, 1877, to January, 1878; Rev. J. C. Osgood, April 1, 1878, to April 1, 1882; Rev. A. J. Eastman, May 1, 1882, to May 1, 1885; Rev. E. P. Moulton, May 1, 1885, the present pastor. The meeting-house now occupied was completed in 1838 and dedicated December 12, 1838. Dedicatory sermon by Elder Daniel P. Cilley. The house was enlarged and remodeled in 1852 at an expense of twelve hundred dollars. Re-dedicated August 4, 1853. Sermon by Elder Silas Curtis. The Free- Will Baptist Sunday-School was organ- ized November 20, 1853, by Rev. Silas Curtis, John S. Osborne and others. Ezra C. Willard was the first superintendent of the school ; John S. Osborn the first clerk, holding the office twenty years and for many years a teacher in the school, deacon and church clerk ; John Smith was an active, earnest laborer in the Sunday-school, also deacon and church clerk. The last two brethren have gone to their long home, — Brother .Smith hav- ing died January 2, 1884; Brother Osborn. June 22, 1885. The whole number of superintendents to date, eleven ; the present incumbent, John T. Hill, having served nine years. Dudley B. S. Adams served as clerk seven years and is now at rest. L. D. Much- more is the present clerk. The average number of scholars during its exist- ence is eighty-two and a half; present number, one hundred and ninety. It has a library of four hun- dred volumes. Within its wheel is a "Band of Hope" (little missionary workers), w^ho are contributing twenty-five dollars toward supporting a school in India. An Episcopal Mission was established here some years since, but has been practically abandoned. There is also a Baptist Church and an Advent Church here, but we have been unable to secure any infor- mation concorniuij: thcni. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. HON. HIRAM A. ri' PTLK.' Hon. Hiram A. Tuttle w:is born in Barnstead Oc- tober 16, 1837, being the elder of a family of two sons. His father, George Tuttle, and his grandfather, Colonel John Tuttle, were also natives of the same town. His great-grandfather, John Tuttle, settled in Barnstead in 1776, coming there from that locality in Dover known as " Back River," where a part of the Tuttle family had resided since the settlement there of their emigrant ancestor, John Tuttle, who came from England before 1641. His mother, Judith Mason (Davis) Tuttle, is a de- scendant from Samuel Davis, a soldier of the Revo- lution, and one of the primeval settlers of Barnstead. Brave soldiers of the Davis family from four genera- tions have represented that town in the four great wars in which the country has been engaged. When Mr. Tuttle was nine years of age he moved with his father's family to the adjoining town of Pittsfield, where he attended the public schools and Pittsfiold Academy, while the latter was under the charge successively of I. F. Folsora, Lewis W. Clark and Professor Dyer H. Sanborn. After having been engaged in several vocations, iu all of which he showed industry and faithfulness, at the age of seventeen years he became connected with the clothing establishment of Lincoln & Shaw, of Concord, where he remained several years. The ability and zeal which he exhibited while there won for him the confidence and respect of his employers, who established him in the management of a branch store in Pittsfield, of which he soon became the pro- prietor. His business increased, gradually at first and then rapidly, till his establishment had gained an extensive patronage, and ranked among the largest clothing houses in the State. It is so favorably re- membered by former residents and patrons that orders are received for goods from distant States and Terri- tories. Mr. Tuttle has also been interested in real estate. He has built many dwelling-houses, includ- ing a fine residence for himself, and the best business buildings in the village. He w:is one of the prime movers in organizing the Pittsfield Aqueduct Com- pany, which furnishes an abundance of pure water to the village for domestic and fire purposes, and sub- scribed for a large part of its capital stock. In many ways he has promoted the growth, social and business HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. interests and general prosperity of his adopted town. He is a trustee of the Savings Bank, a director of the National Bank and a trustee of the academy in Pittsfield. When he had attaiiRil his majority, in 1859, he ex- pressed his intention of casting his first vote with the Republicans, although all his relatives belong to the Democratic party. The Democrats of Pittsfield had been victorious and powerful since the days of Jackson, under such distinguished leaders as Moses Norris, Jr., Charles H. Butters and Lewis W. Clark, all being able lawyers, impressive public speakers and having popular manners. Mr. Norris, a native of the town, represented it repeatedly in the Legis- lature, was Speaker of the House twice, a councilor, representative in Congress four years, and was elected to the United States Senate for six years while resid- ing here. The ability and courteous manners of Mr. Clark (now Judge Lewis W. Clark) made him no less popular than Mr. Norris with all classes, during the shorter time he was in business life in town. Seeing in young Tuttle qualities that might make him trou- blesome if opposed to them, but useful if in accord with their party, the Democrats used their most emi- nent persuasive powers to induce him to cleave to the party of all his kindred and vote with the hitherto victorious; but he obeyed his convictions, and re- mained true to the Republican party. In 1860 the Republicans, though so long hopelessly beaten, made a sharp contest. When the day of election came Mr. Clark was elected moderator, having been a most acceptable presiding officer for several years. The election of town clerk was made the test of the strength of the two parties. After a very exciting ballot, Mr. Tuttle was elected town clerk, and the Democrats were beaten for the first time in thirty- three years. Although Pittsfield has a Democratic majority under normal circumstances, Mr. Tuttle has received the support of a large majority of its votes at times when his name has l)ccii presnitnl for position". In 1873 and 1874 he was iv|ii ,-, maiiN .• to the Legisla- ture. In 1876 he recL-ivcil an :i|i|"iintnient, with the rank of colonel, on the stalf of Governor Cheney, and with ihe Governor and staff' visited the Centen- nial Exposition at Philadelphia. He was elected a member of the Executive Council from the Second District in 1878, and was re-elected in 1879, under the new Constitution, for the term of two years. Mr. Tuttle has been very successful in all that he has undertaken; but his thrift has never made him arrogant or indifferent. He has cheerfully shared with others the results of the good fortune that Provi- dence has granted him. He is an agreeable and companionable gentleman in all the honorable rela- tions of life. As a citi/en, neighbor and frieiul he is held in the highest ostiniatii)n. lie lias furnislied eiuplovment for nianv and has been kind to the poor, very respectful to the aged, charitable to the erring and a sympathizing helper of the embarrassed and unfortunate. Few men have more or firmer personal friends, whose friendship is founded on kindness and substantial favors received. He gives with remarkable generosity to all charitable objects presented to him, and is very hospitable in his pleasant home. Mr. Tuttle accepts the Christian religion and worships with the Congregational Church. While he contributes very liberally for the support of the denomination of his choice, he does not withhold a helping hand from the other religious sects in his. town. In his domestic relations he has been very for- tunate. He married, in 1859, Miss Mary C. French, the only child of John L. French, Esq., formerly cashier of the Pittsfield Bank. Their only child — Hattie French Tuttle— born January 17, 1861, was educated at Wellesley College. DR. RICHARD PERLEY JEWETT TEXXEV. Dr. R. p. J. Tenney was born in Loudon, N. H., August 18, 1810. His father. Dr. William Tenney, was a native of Rowley, Mass., and a descendant of Thomas Tenney, a member of one of the forty Puritan families who, with their pastor. Rev. Ezekiel Roger-s, came from Rowley, Yorkshire, England, in 1639, and settled that ancient town. After studying medicine with Dr. Amos Spoffbrd, of Rowley, he settled in Loudon, N. H., about 1790, where for more than thirty years he was a popular and prominent (iliy- sician. Dr. Tenney, the younger, was, at the age of four- teen years, deprived by the death of his father of that paternal counsel and guidance so necessary in that critical period of life when the foundation of moral and business habits is laid, and called to assist a widowed mother in the care of two brothers and a sister, all younger than himself. He discharged his increased filial and fraternal duties in a commendable manner. Although it had been the often-expressed design of his father that neither of his sons should encoun- ter the hardships incident to the life of a country lihysician, after a preparatory course at Gilmanton Academy, he studied medicine at Gilmanton under the direction of Dr. Asa Crosby, founder of that dis- tinguished medical family whose labors have re- flected so much of honor on society, college and State. He attended medical lectures at Harvard in 1829; at Dartmouth, 1830 and 1831, and took his medical degree from the latter college at the close of the lecture term of 1831, being then but twenty-one years of age. He soon after settled in Loudon, where, with earnest devotion to his profession, and aided by the prestige of his father, he rapidly acquired a good ])ractice. After sixteen years of his professional life being PITTSFIELD. 599 spent in the town of his nativity, he moved to the neighboring town of Pittsfield, and immediately en- tered upon a large business there, still retaining most of liis former patrons. With duties thus augmented, the remainder of his life was exceedingly busy and laborious. Dr. Tenney became a Fellow of the New Hamp- shire Medical Society in 1836, and was the oldest liv- ing member, except Dr. Ezra Carter, of Concord, who was admitted in 1826. He was called to various positions of honor in tlie society. With Dr. C. P. Oage, he represented it in the convention held in New York City in 1846, at which the American Medical Association was formed. He was elected president of the society in 1867. As a physician. Dr. Tenney was successful, whether his professional labor be judged by the amount per- formed, methods used or results obtained. He was in the habit of taking charge of patients in more than a dozen towns. We have the best authority for the statement that his average time of sleep did not exceed five hours in the twenty-four, and he was never idle. It would seem almost impossible for one to do more than he did during a large part of his business life. One of the earliest to discard that treatment known as heroic, which prevailed when he began to pre- scribe, he adopted milder means, which were cer- tainly very acceptable to his patients, and which soon became reasonable to his medical associates. He liad a very happy manner in dealing with his patients, and wonderful power to inspire confidence in them. " The way he entered my sick-room was medicine to me," said an intelligent lawyer, whose family physician he had been during his whole medi- cal career. Often called as consulting physician, he was faithful and assuring both to patients and i>hy- sicians — especially to young physicians. He never affected superior knowledge or experience ; never ob- truded his opinions ; never boasted and seldom men- tioned his fortunate cases, but frankly gave such clear and practical advice as made his counsel very desirable. Attending to all branches of the profes- sion, and answering calls at all times, he shirked no duty, however disagreeable, and seldom excused himself, but treated each case conscientiously, using his utmost ability. The rich and the poor, the thank- ful and the ungrateful, seemed to receive uniform con- sideration and kindness at his hands. While he preferred the practice of medicine, he never avoided surgical cases when duty or humanity called, but did many creditable things in tliis branch. He would generously share the difficult and legally dangerous surgical responsibilities of other physicians which he might well have avoided. In obstetric practice he was singularly fortunate. He stated, a few weeks prior to his death, that he had attended two thousand four hundred births. His records were carefully kept. For many years he held the position of pension surgeon and examined applicants from a large territory. As a citizen, Dr. Tenney was justly esteemed and beloved by all classes, for he was always ready to lend a helping hand to any movement that tended to relieve, reclaim or elevate his fellow-men. The prominent traits of his character were indus- try, courtesy and generosity. Though so busy, lie never was in such haste that he would not give at- tentive audience to all who approached him, and care- ful consideration to wants expressed. Those who knew him confidently counted before-hand on a liberal donation to any benevolent or worthy object presen- ted to him. None who came to him for assistance went away with empty hand. With his numerous debtors he dealt in the most indulgent manner. He acted as though he fully believed the Divine declara- tion, " It is more blessed to give than to receive." Although his time was so fully occupied with profes- sional engagements, yet he faithfully discharged the duties of every public trust which he assumed. He was connected with both the banks in Pittsfield, was president of the trustees of Pittsfield Academy, and also for many years president of the Suncook Branch of the New Hampshire Bible Society. During the eventful years of 1861, '62 and '63 he was a member of the Executive Council in the admin- istration of Governor Berry. Dr. Tenney was very happy in his domestic relations. He was married (1834) to Hannah A. Sanborn, of (iilmanton, N. H., a sister of Professor E. D. Sanborn, of Dartmouth College. She, with their only child, a widowed daughter, survives him. Soon after commencing the practice of medicine Dr. Tenney made a public profession of religion, and united with the Congregational Church, in which he was an active worker, and to the support of which he contributed liberally of his means for many years. During the last fifteen years of his life he was of the Episcopal communion, and was one of the chief mov- ers in erecting the chapel and establishing the parish of St. Stephen in Pittsfield, of which he was a gener- ous supporter and a warden at the time of his death. Dr. Tenney loved peace, and would make great personal sacrifice to avoid contention or controversy. Although extremely sensitive to unkindness, he seemed almost incapable of retaliation, or even resent- ment. He had an easy and becoming dignity, and wiis a thorough gentleman in all his words and acts, a position from which he could not be surprised. Though his thoughts were carefully expressed, he was not a great talker, but, what is much more rare, a patient and excellent listener. He dispensed a lib- eral hospitality, and delighted in entertaining his guests. He was so healthy and vigorous that he took no va- cation for one period of twenty years; and he was detained from business but very little by accident or illness until the last few weeks of his life. 600 HISTORY OF MERRDIACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE He died June 16, 1876, after a painful illness of some weeks' duration. He looked certain death in the face for weeks, with unimpaired reason, thouglit- ftilly and trustingly. While passing through this terrible ordeal he seemed to comprehend his situation as fully as it Ls given to mortals to ween, withoutshow- ing fear or mental agitation. His manner was calm and manly. "Waiting for Jesus," was his frequent reply to salutation and inquiry. After more than forty days of severest suf- fering his prostration had become so great that evidence of pain ceased, reason left its seat, and, he lay many hours in a quiet, unconscious state, and, without a struggle, passed calmly away. *' [lis sufferings ended with tbe day ; Yet lived he at its close, And breathed the long, long night away, In »tatue-like repose. *' But e'er the sun in all his state Illumed tbe eastern skies, He passed through glory's morning gate, And walked in Paradise." i BENJAMIX EMEESOX, ESQ. In the days long gone, when the courts held their terms in Gilmanton, there were lawyers toward whom the eyes of the children turned with wondering in- terest. They contended one against another with force and eloquence, and carried "green bags," in which our childhood imagined was deposited their ammunition. Later knowledge discovers they were "briefs," undoubtedly of precious worth; "skeletons" of their "sermons," or pleadings, and to be found of solid worth to their clients before their causes were ad- justed. Well we remember the giant form and tower- ing intellect of Jeremiah Mason, the profound lawyer ; the keen, logical Ichabod Bartlett; and the strong man, deeply read and of high standing in the profes- sion, Daniel Christie. Then there were the acute lawyers, Stephen Moody, Lyman B. Walker, Ben- jamin Emerson, and younger men who were seeking after the success and fame of their elder brethren. Benjamin Emerson was born in Alfred, Me., March 20, 1792. He was the son of Joseph and Lydia (Durrell) Emerson, who was daughter of Benjamin and Judith Durrell, and was born December 26, 1748. Benjamin was educated at the common schools of his native village, and then fitted for college at Berwick Academy, South Berwick, Me. He entered Dartmouth College and graduated from that institu- tion in the class of 1816. Many of the members of this class became eminent men in after-yeare, and of twenty-four who composed the graduating class that year, ten were still living when, in 1866, they held a 1 The above sketch of Dr. Tenney's life is abridged and adapted fiMui a memoir by Dr. John Wheeler, of Pittsficld. and contributed by him to the New Hampshire Medical Society at its annual ntoeting June 19, semi-centennial reunion, and among the number was Esq. Benjamin Emerson. He married, first, Mrs. Rebecca (Story) Porter, a daughter of Rev. Isaac and Rebecca Bradstreet Story, of Marblehead, Mass., and widow of Emerson Porter. They were married June 6, 184.5. He mar- ried his second wife January 31, 1847, MLss Frances Leighton, daughter of Cxeneral Samuel and Frances Leighton, of Eliot, Me., but at that time resident of Alfred, Me. Esq. Emerson lived through busy years to an advanced age, from an early life of bodily feeble- ness. Immediately after his graduation at Dart- mouth he went to Gilmanton and engaged in the practice of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1822 ; was repeatedly moderator of the town-meeting; was four sessions representative of the town ; was one of the select- men, and in a variety of positions was prominent and useful. A year or so after bis second marriage he removed to Pittsfield, where his subsequent life was spent. As a business man he was succes^•ful, and accu- mulated a handsome property, continuing his legal practice, more or less, nearly to the time of his death. He was selectman and held various town offices in Pittsfield; was a director of the Pittsfield Bank for many years. The Suncook Valley Railroad had in him a strong advocate, so also the Pittsfield Water- works — a late grand improvement in the town. Mr. Emerson was an able speaker, and his powerful words were ever ready in behalf of every cause or enterprise for the good of the people. Politically, he was an Old-Line Whig, and upon the organization of the Republican party he gave to that his earnest and hearty support. Mr. Emerson was a member of the Congregational Church at Gilmanton Iron- Works ; afterward of the church in Pittsfield. In the little meetings for social worship, and, at times, in crowded assemblies, his utterances for truth and righteousness were bold and impressive. Mr. Emerson was a studious, thoughtful man, possessed a remarkable memory, and, by a varied course of reading and study, kept himself always abreast of the times. It was by the unanticipated Sabbath supply of the church in Pittsfield for four years, and occasional tarrying among its pleasant families, that the writer of this sketch had renewal of knowledge of Esq. Emerson. He was frequently with him in his last brief sickness, and with him when his feet were stepping down into the cold river. There was no- ticeable the lawyer's critical, searching investigation of the " evidence," the characteristics and valid grounds of a genuine faith and hope, and of reading " a title clear " to a heavenlv inheritance. Mr. Emerson was long a Frtr fraternity. Hi^> field, January S- cient cemetery Meeting-House.' .1 V, 1 member of the Masonic :K-e at his home in Pitt.s- lis interment in the an- ,n, at the "old Smith A /// / //////// ( /// / V ; / // / PITTSFIELD. 601 Mrs. Emerson's brother, Dr. Usher P. Leigh ton, became a celebrated physician in Ohio, and " was one of the most noble and generous of men." The Leigh- tons of this country are descended from three brothers who came from England in 1650. Two of thcni settled on the Piscataqua and the other at Plymouth. From these all of the Leightons are descended. Sam- uel Leighton, the progenitor of this branch, was an officer in the Kevolutiouary army. His sou. General Samuel Leighton, of militia fame, was several tci-ms a member of the Legislature of Massachusetts. HISTORY OF SALISBURY BY JOHN J. DEARBORN", JI.D., TOWN HISTORIAN. CHAPTER I. The name Salisbury is derived from the Latin 3alus, which signifies safety, or health, and the Anglo-Saxon "bury," or "burgh," a corporate town, — hence, the town of health and safety. It was named directly from Salisbury, Mass., which was so called from Salisbury, England. It is situated in latitude 43° 23', on the west bank of the Merrimack and Pemigewasset Rivers, sixteen miles north of Concord and eighty miles from Boston. It was originally bounded north by Andover, east by the rivers, above named, south by Boscaweu and Warner, west by AVarner and what was Kearsarge Gore, and contains twenty-eight thousand six hun- dred acres. The town has produced more brains than any other municipality in New Hampshire, other things being equal. There are three, perhaps four, hamlets in the town, but the main dependence of her people has always been upon the native products of the soil. For many years her hardy and fearless settlers were the pioneers of civilization, repelled the assaults of savage beasts and more savage men, defended their rude dwellings "from violence and destruction," and bared their brows to the tomahawk and sealping-knife and their breasts to the Indian bullet. " Through the fire and blood of a seven years' Revolutionary war " her sons shrank from "no toil and no danger" that they might establish a free country. For several years after its settlement there rose no smoke from the habitation of any white man between Salisbury and the settlements on the rivers of Canada. Her women were slain by the tomahawk, and her men and maidens ambushed, seized, made to run the gauntlet and carried away into captivity ; while the inhabitants of other towns were obliged to abandon their recently- made homes, the stalwart inhabitants of Salisbury stood firm, built their cabins and defended them. When Philip Call, Nathaniel Maloon, Jacob Morrill, Ephraim Collins, Samuel Scribner, Robert Barber, John Bowen, Jonathan Greeley, John and Ebeuezer Webster, Andrew Bohonon and Edward Eastman and their associates built their rude dwell- ings in Salisbury (then Stevenstown) they formed the exposed picket-line in this State, and they maintained it till the peace of 1763, notwithstanding Nathaniel ' Maloon, his wife and three children were seized by the Indians and carried to Canada and sold into cap- tivity, and the wife of Philip Call was murdered, and Samuel Scribner and Robert Barber were also cap- tured and sold into captivity. In the cause of religion Salisbury was equal to any other town in the State, and in 1773, Rev. Jonathan Searle settled over the Congregational Church, which church has continued to this day. Long before Concord made a move Salisbury had established an academy, which was one of the noted institutions of learning in the State. When the Merrimack County Agricul- tural Society was formed, in 1824, Salisbury furnished more members than any other town, and their first gathering was at Salisbury. When we speak of great men, how illustrious does this noble old town appear! what a roll of honor does she furnish! The Websters, the Bartletts, the Pettengills, the Eastmans, the Haddocks, the Pingrees, the Smiths, the Gales, the Sawyers and the Greeleys. Thomas W. Thompson, Richard Fletcher, Parker Noyes, Israel W. Kelley, George W. Nesmith, Samuel I. Wells and Thomas Worcester became her citizens by adoption. There has been but one man who gained the title of" Defender of the Constitution," and he was born and reared in Salisbury. Hon. Ichabod Bartlett, Ezekiel Webster, Charles B. Haddock, Joel Eastman, Samuel C. Bartlett (the learned president of Dartmouth College), William H. Bartlett, Samuel E. Pingry (present Governor of Vermont), all were natives of the town, and for a list of other noted men the reader is referred to the col- legiate record. Natural Description.— The original growth of wood on land adjacent to the rivers was pitch, Norway and white pine, with occasional elms, maples and birches; on the uplands all the native hard woods were found. The soil is strong, deep and loomy, with a substratum of pan. Rivers. — The east part of the town is watered by the Pemigewasset and Merrimack. Blackwater passes through the western part of the town, from north to south, forming a large bay which abounds with a vari- ety of fish. A considerable portion of Kearsage Mountain is withiu the bounds of Salisbury. Hills. — Searle's (and called "Mount Pisgah"' by 603 Daniel Webster) is near the centre of the old towu. On its top was located the first church, and its top was the scene of the alarm-fires kindled as signals in the perilous days of the pioneers. The other hills are Loverin's, Calef, Bean, Bald, Smith's and Raccoon. Ponds and Brooks. — Tucker's Pond is the largest body of water within the limits of the town. Green- ough's and Wilder's Ponds complete the list. Bog or Ban ley, Chance Pond, Stirrup Iron, Punch and Wig- wag Brooks are the principal small streams. Minerals and Rocks. — The rocks are mostly Montalban and Simonite. A species of bog-ore, con- taining iron, also exists. The mineralogy of Kearsarge is Andalusite and tourmaline. Tripoli is. found in large quantities. Plumbago exists in several sections of the town. Silver exists in small quantities. There is also a huge boulder foreign to this section. Its dimensions are fifty-seven feet in length, twenty-six in height, and a circumference of one hundred and fifty feet. Bakerstown. — It was the policy of Massachusetts, during the pendency of the boundary question, to confer grants in tlie disputed territory on soldiers who had been engaged in the French and Indian Wars. The records of the Genera) Court of Massachusetts indicate that John Tyler, Joseph Pike and others presented a request " for two townships to be granted to the oflicers and soldiers of the companies under command of the late Captain John March, Captain Stephen Greenleaf and Captain Philip Nelson (de- ceased)." The General Court answered their petition by grant- ing them two tracts of land, one of which included the town of Salisbury, and it is not known where the other was located. The date of the grant was February 3, 1736. Rich- ard Hazen, as surveyor, laid out the township to con- tain six squares miles, which was divided between fifty-nine grantees or proprietors. It does not appear that the charter was accepted so far as Bakerstown was concerned. The grant was named Bakerstown in honor of Captain Thomas Baker, who, in 1720, killed the Sachem Waternumus by the rapid stream now called Baker's River, at Plymouth. Stevenstown. — As we have seen, the grantees of Ba- kerstown failed to comply with the terms of their grant. The boundary question had been settled and Massa- chusetts had no title to the territory, and the Mason- ian proprietors were the rightful possessors. In the month of December, 1748, these proprietors granted the same territory to other parties than the original grantees, as appears by the Proprietors' Records. — "Peotisce of New Hampshire. "At a ineetiDg of the Proprietore of Lands purchased of John Tufton Masou, Esq., in the Province of New Hampshire, held at the dwelling- house of Sarah Pi-iest, widow, in Portsmouth, in s'd Province, on Wednes- day the seventh day of December, 1748, by adjournment, *' Vote(J, That Ebenezer Stevens, Esq., & associates have a Township equal to six miles square, beginning on the north of Contoocook [Bosca- wen], in the most couveni ship called No. One [Warn i-itiiout interfering with the Town- tirantortt shall think proper. . . . "Gko. JtFFERV, Projirieb.i-!' Clerk." Following are the names of the grantees. A copy of this grant and the grant of Massachusetts, by the name of Bakerstown, and other matters pertaining to this subject will be found in J. J. Dearborn's " His- tory of Salisbury," now in pre.ss. The grant bears date of Wednesday, the 26tU day of October, 1749. ** Ebenezer Stevens, Ebenezer Page, Samuel Bean, Benjamin Stevens, Nathan Sweatt, Elisha Winslow, Moses Quimby, Joshua Woodman, John Hunton, Jedediah Philbrick, Thomas Newman, Samuel ColcortI, Jonathan Greeley, Jr., Joseph Eastman, Jr., John Fifield, Jr., Henry Morril, William Calfe, John Hunton, Jr., John Ladd, Jr., licnjuiuin Wadleigh, Nathaniel Ladd, Ebenezer Stevens, Jr., Elisha Sweat, Samuel Sanborn, John Darling, Jr., Samuel Webster, John Ciirrier, Samuel "Winslow, Jr., Humphrey Hook, Jacob Quimby, Jonathan Greeley, Tristram Sanborn, Jr, Ebenezer Long, Abraham Greene, Joseph Bean, Jr., Tristram Quimby, Benjamin Ladd, Jeremiah Philbnck, The Rev. of Haverhill ; Jabcz True aii.l David Greeley, both of Salisbury [Mass.] ; Benjamin Sanborn, of Kingston afores'd ; Philip Call being in on part of the land hereinafter mentioned : and Peter Derborn, of Chester." The grantees were in earnest to commence a settle- ment, and ou October 25, 1749, issued a call for their first meeting, at which time all the necessary officers were chosen. Meetings were held as occasion re- quired, and annually town officers were elected until the incorporation of the town. In 1752 it was voted to " plow twelve acres of land," and in the year follow- ing (1753) the proprietors voted to build four houses. This year the Indian depredatirns were such as to call on the State for a guard to protect the inhabitants. In the year 1759 land was granted to Captain John Webster for building a saw-mill. Major Ebenezer Stevens, for whom the town was named, was the first grantee and a prominent man in Kingston, where he died November 1, 1749. He was for several years a member of the Assembly, and four or five years Speaker of that body, from 1743 to 1747. It was through his influence that Ebenezer Webster, the father of Daniel, located here. In addition to the early settlers on page 602, we find Benjamin Sanborn, William Silloway, Henry Morrill, Tristram Quimby, Jacob Quimby, James Tappan, William Newton, John Jemson, John Bawley (Bur- leigh), David Hall, John Fifield, Jr., John Huntoon, Joseph Bean, Jr., Jabez True, Daniel Greeley and Tristram Sanborn. Incorporation of the Town.— Immediately alter the passage of the act of 1766 to enable the propri- etors of Steven.stown to raise money by a direct tax, to carry on the settlement of the town and defray the necessary expenses, a petition was presented by residents in the township to His Excellency the Gov- ernor for an act of incorporation. On the 1st day of March, 1768, Governor Went- worth, in the name of King George the Third, declared and ordained the township called Stevenstown to he HISTORY OF MKKllIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. a town corporate, vested and incorporated into a body politic by the name of Salisbury. The first town-meet- ing, held on tlie first Tuesday in April, chose oflicers and transacted all necessary business. The Association Test. — Tlie articles of which we trust all the readers are sufficiently acquainted with; therefore will not enter into detail. The signers are: ■*' Ebonezer J"l William Sutoii, li son, John Sanborn Greeley, David 1 Webster, Ephroin y, Job Ileatli, Samuel Scribner, ins, Benjamin Bean, John Jem- ■^luitb, Leonard Judkin9,Shubael I'listf^r, Juim I'itiold. Jeremiah l.-ii. III- ^. I ,!.:,. I, Mi-iij. Scrib- ner, John Scribner, John Challis, V.p\ n llohon.in, MoeesSelley, Joseph French, John Bow. n, I : ii. it Barber, Ebenezer Clifford, Abel Elkins, Dan. WarM i., ,i I. I 1 1 , l:. v, .hmathan Searle, Andrew Pettongill, Jonathan Fifield, Bcujaniin 11 untoon, Joseph Bartlott, Jacob Garland, William Searle, Edward Fifleld, Ezra Tucker, Hezekiah Foster, John Bean, Edward Scribner, Joseph Marston, Ben. jamin Greeley, John Webster, Jr., Annaniah Bobonon, Gideon Dow, Stephen Call, Benjiuiiin Sanborn, John Webster, Nathaniel Marston, Reuben Hoyt, Abraham Fifield, Cutting Stevens, John Gale, Ebenezcr Webster, William Calef, Edward Eastman, Jonathan Cram, John Row, William Eastman, Abel Tandy, Moses Garland, Eben Tucker, Nathaniel Maloon, Jr., Obediah Peters Fifield, Edword Scribner, Jr., Moses Sawyer, John Fellows, Daniel Huntoon, Andrew Bohonon, Jr., Nathan Colby, .Tacob Bobonon, Joseph Basford, Ismel Webster, JIatthew Pettengill, Joseph Fifield, Richard Purmont. " This may certify to the General Assembly or Committee of Safety of the Colony of New Hampshire, That we, the subscribere, have offered the within Declaration to the Inhabitants of the Town of Salisbury and they sign freely. "Sinclair Bean aud Joseph Bean excepted. " Ebenezer Webstf.1i, I Sch'CtniOt " JONATUAN FiFIKLI), i fur SalUbury.'^ Nathaniel Maloon, Jr., was the third selectman, and, with two exceptions, the test was signed by every male adult in the spring of 1776. It does not appear that the two who refused to sign were unfriendly to the cause of the colonies. They were trusted with town business, and aided in supply- ing the demands of the army. Sinclair Bean was a Quaker in his religious belief, and the other a justice of the peace under royal authority. In 1817, President Monroe made his tour through New England, arriving at Concord on the 18th of July, where he was received with the most genial hospitality, and every evidence of high personal re- gard was shown him. On Monday, the 21.st, he arrived at Salisbury South Road, stopping at the residence of Mr. Andrew Bowers, now the Congregational Church parsonage. His visit was unexpected, and no prep- arations had been made for his reception. Samuel Greeley, as chairman of the committee, waited upon President Monroe, tendering him the hospitality of the town in a neat and appropriate speech, to which the President responded, and many of the inhabitants were introduced to the chief magistrate of the Uniti-d States. Formation of State Government.— On the Uth of November, 1775, in accordance with a recommenda- tion of the Continental Congress, the Fourth Pro- vincial Congress of New Hami)shire adopted a plan of representation, upon which an election of delegates was held. In this plan Boscawen and Salisbury were entitled to one delegate. HenryGerrish, of Boscawen, represented the towns in this Assembly. At the first Constitutional Convention, which was held at Concord June 10, 1778, Salisbury was represented by Captain Ebenezer Webster and Captain Matthew Pettengill. At the second Constitutional Convention, held at Concord on the second Tuesday of June, 1781, Cap- tain Ebenezer Webster was the delegate. In June, 1783, the same convention met and agreed u])on another form for a Constitution, Jonathan Cram hav- ing been chosen a delegate. Federal Constitution.— The first session of the convention to consider the subject met at Exeter February 13, 1788. Salisbury sent as delegate Colonel Ebenezer Webster, who, at the first meeting of the convention, opposed the Constitution, under in- structions from his town. In the mean time Colonel Webster conferred with his constituents, asked the privilege of supporting the Constitution, and he was instructed to vote as he might think proper. When the convention reassembled, in June, 1788, Colonel Webster made the following sjjeech. It did great credit to the head and heart of the author. SPEECH OF COLONEL EBENEZER WEBSTER. *' JI/7-. Premdeut: I have b'stened to the argtuueuts for and against the Constitution. I am convinced such a government as that Constitution will establish, if adopted, — a government acting directly on the people of the States, — is necessary for the common defense and the general welfare. It is the only government which will enable us to pay off the national debt, the debt which we owe for the Revolution, and which we are bound in honor fully and fairly to discharge. Besides, I have fol- lowed the lead of Washington through seven years of war and I have never been misled. His name is subscribed to this Constitution. He will not mislead us now. I shall vote for its adoption." The first convention for the revision of the State Constitution was convened at Concord on the 7th of September, 1791. Salisbury sent as delegate Rev. Jonathan Searle. The second convention for the revision of the Constitution met at Concord on the 8th of October, 1850. Salisbury selected as delegate, Abraham H. Robinson, a practicing physician in the town and a graduate of Yale College. In 1876 the State Constitution was revised for the third time, which made the fifth Constitutional Convention. The delegate from Salisbury to this convention was Nathaniel Bean. Vote for State President, from 1784 to 1791, in- clusive. — In the lists below the successful candidate is indicated by an asterisk (*),— 1784. »Moshech Wcaro, 28. IVSo. Col. Josiah Bartlett, *John Langdon, 0. 1780. John Langdon, 29. Atkin 1788. *John Langdon, 33. John Sullivan, 15. Josiah Bartlett, 5. 1789. 'John Sullivan, 2.1. John Pickering, 15. Vote for Governor, from 1792 to 1885, inclusive. -Successful candidates indicated by an asterisk (*), — 1792. *Josiali Bartlett, 86. 1793. *Josiah Baitlett, 100. Timothy Walker, 1. 1794. *John T. Gilman, lOG. 795. »John T. Gilman, 80. 796. *John T. Gilman, 103. Abiel Foster, 1. 797. »John T. Gilman, 110. SALISBURY. 79S. *John T. Gilman, Si Oliver Peabody, 22. 1-03 «.Iohn T. Giluian, 157. Scattering, 9. Johu Langdon, 06. 1835 *William Badger, 138. 1^ i4 John T. Gilman, 135. Joseph Healey, 61. John Langdon, 79. 1830 *lBaac Hill, 135. 1S03 John T. Gilman, 1«. William Badger, .■>. *Johu Langdon, 127. Scattering, 4. 1806 *John Langdon, 122. 1837 *l5aac Hill, 156. John T. Gilman, 73. 1838 'Isaac Hill, 154. Scattering, 58. James Wilson, 99. IMJT *Jobu Langdon, 111. 1839 *John Page, 158. Timothy Fai-rar, 33. J,ames Wilson, 102. Scattering, IS. Scattering, 1. 18« *John Langdon, 66. 1S40 *Johu Page, 159. Thomas W. Thompson, 22. Enos Stevens, 77. 1809 ^Jeremiah Smith, 168. 1841. *John Pago, 160. John Langdon, 121. Enos Stevens, 94. 1810 Jeremiah Smith, 1.58. Scattering, 1. *John Langdon, 114. 1842. »Henry Hubbard, 192. 1811. *John Langdon, 166. Enos Stevens, 59. Jeremiah Smith, 154. Scattering, 4. 1812. John T. Gilman. 162. 1843. Anthony Colby, 39. *WiUiam Plumer, 145. *Henn- Hubbard, 113. Scattering, 2. Scattering, 9. 1813. William Plumer, 170. 1S14. •John H. Steele, 128. John T. Gilman, 173. Anthony Colby, 72. ISU. *Jolin T. Gilman, 207. Scattering, 14. William Plumer, 140. 184,1. *John H. Steele, 128. Scattering, 3. Anthony Colby, 09. lsi.->. *.rohu T. Gilman, 183. Scattering, 13. William Plumer, 14^",. 1840. Jared W. Williams, 141 Scattering, 1. *Anthony Colby, 79. 181G. James Sheafe, 176. Nathaniel S. Bcny, 20. ♦William Plumer 172. 1847. sjared W. Williams, 173 Scattering, 3. 1817. «\Villiam Plumer, 170. James Sheafe, 147. Scattering, 4. 181S. «Wmiam Plumer, 173. .leremiah Mason, 145. 1819. sSamuel Bell, 101. William Hale, 135. Scattering, 2. 1820. «Samuel Bell, 295. Scattering, 8. 1821. *Samuel Bell, 215. Jeremiah Mason, 3. 1822. *SamueI Bell, 209. Jeremiah Mason, 1. 1823. Samuel Dinsmore, 148. *Levi Woodbury, 135. Scattering, 2. 1824. *David L. Morrill, 135. Levi Woodbuiy, 38. Scattering, 75. 1825. »David L. Morrill, 273. Scattering, 4. 1826. Benjamin Pierce, 153. *Dav1d L. Morrill, 63. Scattering. 4. 1827. 'Benjamin Pierce, 212. Scattering, 16. 1828. Benjamin Pierce, 193. *John Bell, 167. Scattering, 1. 1829. «Benjamin Pierce, 159. Ichabod Bartlett, 81. Scattering, 1. 1832. *Samuel Dinsmore, 134. Ichabod Bartlett, CO. 18:!3. *.Samuel Dinsmore, 164. Author Livermore, 29. 1834. *WiIliam Badger, 230. 1849. *Sui Dinsni ,103. i Chs Nathaniel S. Berrj', 17. 1850. *Samuel Dinsmore, 105. Levi Chamberlin, 62. Nathaniel S. Berry, 17. 1851. *Samuel Dinsmore, 159. Thomas E. Sawyer, 54. John Atwood, 18. 1852. «Noah Martin, 163. Thomas E. Sawyer, 64. Scattering, in. 18,i3. «Xo«h Martin, 147. James Bell, 51. 1 H. Wl ;athi 1 B. Baker, Jared Perkins, 13. 18.^i5. Nathaniel B. Baker, *Ralph Jlctcair, 131. Scattering, 2. 1856. John S. Wells, 1.50. »Kalpli Metcalf, 126. Ichabod Goodwin, 4 •William Haile, 1.J5. •William Uaile, 12o. . Asa P. Ciite, 152. •Ichabod Goodwin, 118. . Asa P. Gate, 159. •Ichabod Goodwin, 127. . George Stark, 152. •Nathaniel S. Berry, 94. . George Stark, 138. •Nathaniel S. Ben-y, 95. Paul R. Wheeler, 13. , Ira A. Eastman, 147. ••loseph A. Gilmore, 52. Walter Harriman, 31. . Edw. W. Harrington, 152. •Joseph A. Gilmore, 108. , Edw. W. Harrington, 146. •Frederick Smyth, 108. . John G. Sinclair, 156. •Frederick Smyth, 102. John G. Sinclair, 139. •Walter Harriman, 99. John G. Sinclair, 153. •Walter Harriman, 94. John Bedel, 122. •Onslow Stearns, 87. Scattering, 1. John Bedel, 83. •Onslow Stearns, 82. Samuel Flint, 38. Lorenzo D. Barrows, 11. 1871. •James A. Weston, 127. James Pike, 94. Scattering, 7. 1872. James A. Weston, 115. •Ezekicl A. Straw, 115. Lemuel P. Cooper, 7. 1873. James A. Weston, 113. •Ezekiel A. Straw, 107. Scattering, 9. 1871. •James A. Weston, 12.3. Luther SIcCutchins, 75. Scattering, 1 . 1875. Hiram R. Roberts, 129. Pereon C. Cheney, 89. Scattering, 1. 1870. Daniel Marcy. 137. •Person 0. Cheney, 80. 1877. Daniel Marcy, 118. •Benjamin F. Prescott, 90. 1878. Frank McKean, 124. •Benjamin F. Prescott, 80. Scattering, 5. 1879-81. Frank McKean, 108. •Natt. Head, 75. Warren G. Brown, 16. 1880-81. Frank Jones, 128. •Charles H. Bell, 110. 1882-83. M. V. B. Edgerly, 113. •Samuel W. Hale, 103. 1884-86. sMoody Currier, 111. John M. Hill, 103. CHAPTER II. SALlSBVRY—iCctinued). ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. The Masonian proprietors exercised great discre- tion when, in giving grants of land, thej' provided that the ordinances of religion should be maintained. One of the essential duties of the grantees was to provide " a place of public worship " and maintain a learned and " orthodox minister." In the grant to Stevenstown, 1749, a right of land equal in amount to each of the other shares was assigned to the first minister, which he was not only at liberty to use while he continued to preach the gospel to the people, but on his settlement the share became his property. Another share was "set apart for the support of the gospel ministry for ever." Ten acres of land were to be laid out " in some convenient place, as the major part of said grantees shall deter- mine, for a meeting-house, a school-house, a muster- field, a burying-place and other public uses." This ten acres of laud was situated on the north .side of Searle's Hill, about midway of the town. The earliest record we have of a meeting-house is from an early map of the Merrimack Valley, which shows the location of a meeting-house in the vicinity of the old Salisbury fort. If this building ever existed, it must have been erected by the first grantees (Bakerstown). In the spring of 1768, the frame was erected, boarded, shingled and the lower floor h id. The 7th 606 HISTORY OF MKHKIMACK COUiNTY, XEW HAMPSHIKE. of April of that year two pews were sold, and ou the following 25th of May sixteen pews. Among these first purchasers was Hon. Josiah Bartlett, Governor of the State in 1790. The highest priced pew brought £6 3x. The meeting-house was used until the summer of 1790, when the town voted to sell it at auction, the sum realized to satisfy the de- mands of the pew-owners and the rest to be used for schooling. Some time between this date and the next ensuing April the ])resent Congregational Church was erected at South Road village. In 1835 changes were made in the church, which have been mainly acceptable to the present day. The Rev. John Elliot was the first minister invited to settle in the town, January 14, 1771, at a salary of forty pounds a year, increasing five pounds a year until it reached fifty pounds, and there remain for three years. Preparations were made to ordain Mr. Elliot the following Sej^tember, but before the time arrived he asked for a dismission, and on July 8, 1771, his request was granted. The Rev. Jonathan Searle, the first settled minister, preached in Salisbury in the summer of 1768. At a town-meeting held October 11, 1773, it was voted to accept Mr. Searle's letter " of acceptance," and Cap- tain Ebenezer Webster, John Collins and Captain Mat- thew Pettengill were chosen to call a council. It was " Voted, to give Mr. Searle fifty pounds, L. M., for two years, and then rise four pounds, L. M., a year till it comes to sixty pounds, and there stand during his labor in the work of the ministry in said town ; also twenty-five cords of wood at his house yearly." Twenty dollars were devoted to defray the ordina- tion expenses; the ordination occurring on the 17th of November, 1773, Rev. Mr. Jewett, of Rowley, Mass., preaching the sermon from 1 Corinthians, chap, iv., verse 1. After a pastorate of nearly twenty years. May 31, 1790, a church-meeting was called by the pastor to act on the question of his dismission. A settlement was made agreeable to all parties, and he was freed from his ministerial work August 15, 1790. Eleven persons signed the covenant on the forma- tion of the church, and thirty-three united with the church under his pastorate. Rev. Mr. Searle was born in Rowley, Mass., No- vember 16, 1746, and graduated at Harvard College in 1765 ; married Mrs. Margaret Tappan (nee) Sanborn, He died December 2, 1818. Rev. Thomas Worcester was employed three months on trial in the spring of 1791, and in the following September was invited to settle. One hun- dred and twenty pounds was voted him as a settle- ment and eighty pounds yearly. This was quite a salary at that time for a young man only twenty- three years of age. He was ordained November 9, 1791, by the same council which had dismissed Mr. Searle on the day previous. The congregation which attended ujjon his preaching was for many years very large. Tic was a faithful and laborious pastor; his pulpit addresses were attractive, earnest and direct. During his ministry there were several seasons of the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. An extensive revival occurred soon after his settlement, and over eighty were received into the church. In December, 1792, thirty young converts made public profession of their faith. His brother, Samuel Worcester, united with the church February 13, 1793. William Webster, uncle to Daniel, united with the church September 8, 1796. Daniel Webster united with the church September 13, 1807. Another revival oc- curred about 1815, when more than sixty persons made public profession of their faith. Under his pastorate 268 united with the church ; he administered the sacrament of baptism to 322 children, solemnized 307 marriages and attended 2& ecclesiastical councils. He was dismissed by a mutual council April 2:^, 1823, and continued to reside in Salisbury until his death, December 24, 1831, aged sixty-three years. In 1806 he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Dartmouth College. Rev. Mr. Worcester was a son of Noah and Lydia (Taylor) Worcester; born in HoUis November 22, 1768, and was one of five brothers, all distinguished as orators and writers for the religious press. March 11, 1792, he married Miss Deborah Lee. Rev. Abijah Cross settled over the church I)ecini- ber 23, 1823. At the time of his settlement there were one hundred and eleven resident members and tliirty-nine non-resident, making, at the time of Mr. Worcester's dismission, a total number of one hundred and fifty. Under Mr. Cross' pastorate there were added to the church seventeen members and nine dismissed. He administered the sacrament of bap- tism to fifteen. He was dismissed April 1, 1829. It was during his ministry that an effort was niaile by Rev. Benjamin Huntoon, a native of Salisbury, to organize a Unitarian Society in town ; but, not tind- ing a very large congregation, he continued in Xnwn but one year. Rev. Andrew Rankin was settled over the church July 11, 1830, and dismissed in October, 1832. Din- ing his pastorate seventeen were added to tne church by profession, eleven by letter and about twenty con- verted by his preaching. Rev. Benjamin F. Foster was settled Nov. 13, 1833, and dismissed July 23, 1846. Eighty members were ad- mitted to the church during his ministry in Salisbury. Rev. E. H. Caswell succeeded Mr. Foster, June 28, 1848, and was dismissed the following February. Four were admitted to the church under his pastorate. Rev. Erasmus D. Eldridge was settled January 12, 1849, and was dismissed November 1, 1854. During his ministry twenty -six were received into the church. Rev. Thomas Rhatray was installed May 7, 1*56, and dismissed April 15, 1857. Rev. Horatio Merrill was installed .March 17, 1858, and dismissed March 15, 1864. SALISBURY. 607 Rev. Usal W. Condit was installed March 14, 18(i4, and dismissed January 13, 1869. During his minis- try nineteen united with the church. Rev. Joseph B. Cook was installed January 13, 1869, and dismissed May 19, 1870. Rev. William C. Scofield came to Salisbury in the fall of 1875, continuing until 1877. Rev. George W. Bothwell spent five months, be- tween his junior and senior year (1879) in Yale Theological Seminary, at Salisbury, in which time five were added to the church. He is now supplying the Congregational Church in Portland, Mich. Rev. Samuel H. Barnum graduated from Yale College in 1875, and from Yale Theological Seminary in 1879, removing to Salisbury November 9, 1879, where he remained until May, 1882, when he received a call to go to Durham, where he was ordained and installed April 24, 1883, and still continues. Rev. Chas. E. Gordon removed to Salisbury in Nov., 1882, and supplied the pulpit in Salisbury and Webster, only a few miles apart, and Oct. 4, 1883, was installed pastor over both churches. The installation took place at the Webster Church. He resides at Salisbury. The Baptist Societies,^ — The earliest information we have of the Baptist faith in the town was on May 25, 1789, when a meeting was held at the school- house at the Centre Village, and the society organ- ized by the choice of Daniel Brottlebank moderator, and Jonathan Cram clerk. Lieutenant Joseph Sev- erance, Jonathan Cram and Lieutenant Moses Clough were chosen a committee to procure preaching. On the 23d of the following June seventy-six persons adopted and signed a covenant. For a time the society held meetings at private houses and in a school-house which they had bought of the town. The congregation rapidly increasing, on the 9th of October, 1790, it was "Voted to build a meeting-house." March 17, 1791, it was "Voted to build the meet- ing-house 52 feet long and 40 feet wide, and to be finished throughout as early as 1794. Chose Jona- than Fifield, Joseph Fifield, John Clement, Benjamin Pettengill and Abel Elkins a committee to erect the frame, and Benjamin Pettengill, Jr., Abraham Fifield, Samuel Bean, David Pettengill, Edward Fifield, Wil- liam Eastman, Benjamin Pettengill, Reuben True and Bailey Chase a committee to sell pews." The house was erected within the specified time, and stood just north of the present location, the main entrance be- ing on the east side. On each end was a porch, supporting small steeples similar to the one standing on the north end, but not so high. In each of these porches was an entrance. In the north tower was a bell. The interior was like most of the churches at that time, — box pews, a large pulpit on the west side of the house, a gallery opposite and on the two sides. An upper and lower set of windows furnished light. In 1839, Deacon William Parsons remodeled the church to its present general style. Elder Elias Smith, was the first settled minister, and preached the first sermon in the new church in the spring of 1791, taking his text from 1 Kings viii. 27. In November, 1792, he again visited Salisbury and baptized nine persons. January 7, 1793, he re- turned, and in February was invited to become the pastor of the church. Accepting the invitation, he permanently remained until 1796, when the enthusi- asm began to abate and new doctrines were accepted by some of the members. In the latter part of the year he left his Salisbury pulpit and preached at Woburn, Mass.; but in February, 1798, he returned, remaining until the following January, when, with his family, he returned to Woburn. As early as 1801 he opened a store in Salisbury, which did not prove of pecuniary benefit. In 1808 he began the publication of the Herald of Gospel Libert//, the first religious newspaper published in the United States. He died at Lyme, Conn., June 29, 1846, aged seventy- seven years. Rev. Otis Robinson, the second settled pastor, was invited to settle in the fall of 1809, and was ordained in the spring of 1810, and continued for sixteen years. In 1826, after a very gratifying revival of re- ligion, in which many were added to his church, Mr. Robinson was dismissed from his pastoral charge at his request and continued to reside in town until his death, March 1, 1835. Rev. Ebenezer E. Cummings, D.D., was ordained and installed September 17, 1828. Old church troubles existed among the members of the church. The pastor labored assiduously for the union and har- mony of his people, and knowing that no good could come of a church which was divided against itself, he refused to longer remain. He asked a dismission, which was granted January 5, 1831. The leading members of the two churches which then existed met in consultation, decided to forget the past and to go on together in a Christian life. A new church was formed January 19, 1831, and an invitation ex- tended to Mr. Cummings to become its pastor. In a letter, bearing date June 4, 1831, he consented to re- main, but was not installed. In the spring of 1832 he removed to Concord, where he was settled over the First Baptist Church, March 2, 1832, contintiing till January 11, 1854. Still resides at Concord. The records of the society have not been kept in a man- ner to afford reliable information ; consequently we shall give only the following: Rev. Jobn Learned, iustalled in September, 183S, remaining one year ; Rev. .Tolin Burden, rjinie in the fall of 1830 ; Rev. Stephen Coombs, occupied the pulpit from July, 1S.53, to .January, 1856 ; Rev. Fanniel H. Amsden, installed in 1851". ; Bev. .Joseph B. Damon ; Rev. Thomas B. Joy. 1863 ; Rev. Albert A. Ford, 1864-66 ; Rev. Joishua Clement, 1866-67 ; Rev. Joseph Storcr ; Eev. J. Q. Sinclair, one year; Elder Hiram Stevens; Elders Boswell and Elias Dane ; Elder Peter M. Hersey ; Rev. A. H. Martin, 180ii-75. Union Meeting-House is located at the south- west part of the town and west of Blackwater River. As early as 1791 the residents of the west part of UlSTOllY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. the town had their share of the minister iiind paid to them, which they used towards defraying the expenses of a minister. In 1832 they decided to erect a union house of worship, each denomination to occupy the pulpit one Sunday in succession through the year. February 26, 1834, a meeting was held to "take action in relation to the erection of a place of worship." A committee, consisting of John Couch, Paul True, David Hobbs, David Stevens, Benjamin Scribner, Israel B. Bean, William Couch, Daniel Wat- son and David Harvey, was appointed to confer upon the most judicious ways and means of building the house. They selected the present site. Forty-two persons pledged themselves twenty dollars each to- wards building and finishing the house. Joshua S. Bean, Caleb Smith, John S. Eaton and John Couch (3d) were the church committee. The house was com- pleted and dedicated at once. So far as known, each denomination has had the following permanent ministers : Christian, 10 ; Meth- odists, 11; Congregationalists, 2; Universalists, 2. East Village (or Franklin) Church.— For years there was no church in Pemigewasset, East Republican vil- lage or Salisbury ville, in that part of Salisbury now in- cluded in Franklin. To attend religious services the people were obliged to go to Searle's Hill, subsequently to South road, or to Sanbornton or Northfield. As the village increased in population and wealth, the neces- sity of permanent ministrations of the gospel was plainly seen. In Feb., 1820, it was decided to establish a Congregational Church, and erect a meeting-house. The lot on which the house now stands was selected. A subscription paper was circulated for the purpose of raising money to build the house. On this paper were the names of the most active citizens of that village, and over four hundred dollars were subscribed. The lot was given by Ebenezer Eastman, one of the most influential meu in the place. The organization was effected March 20, 1820. Parker Noyes, Esq., was chosen clerk; Captain Blancbard and Messrs. Hale, Ladd, Clark, Haddock, Sanborn and Samuel George were chosen a committee to construct the house. The work of completing the house after the erection of the frame was awarded to Benjamin Rowe for three hundred and sixty dollars. He did not fin- ish his contract, and Captain Blancbard, James Gar- laud and Richard Peabody were appointed to finish the house. On three sides of the interior of the church galleries were built, which contained thirty- two pews. The pews were sold July 4, 1820. The Rev. Thomas Worcester, then jtastor of the church at South Road, delivered a patriotic oration which was received with great enthusiasm. William Haddock sold by auction the choice of pews, as represented on a plan which he held in his hand. The sum received from the sale was $2202.25. The church was com- pleted by November 2.5, 1820, and dedicated Decem- ber 13th, Rev. Asa McFarland, of Concord, preaching the dedication sermon. The church was organized June 11, 1822, under the advice and direction of Rev. Samuel Wood and Rev. Mr. Price, of Boscaweu ; Rev. Thomas Worcester, of Salisbury ; and Rev. Abram Bodwell, of Sanbornton. A church covenant and confession of faith was adopted and signed by fourteen persons. Paul Noyes was the fii-st deacon. The church had no settled pastor betbre the organization of Franklin. Rev. William T. Savage, D.D., for a long time pastor, in his twenty-third aniversary sermon, deliv- ered in 1872, said, — *' In the department uf preaching, the church and society for sume six years from the beginning seems not to have had a regular pastor. In formal documents and loose papei^ allusion to the following nunistcrs as having occupied the pulpit for one or more Sabbaths are found : Rev. D. Dana, Rev. M. B. Murdock, Rev. Abel Wood, of Warner ; Robert Page, missionary ; Rev. David McRitcbie ; Stcader and Holt, missionaries ; and Rev. Moses Bradford, of Francistowu. In 1826, Rev. Abijah Cross, pastor ol' the church at South Road, preached fifteen Sabbaths, In 1827, Rev. George Freeman officiated eleven Sabbaths, and in 1828, Rev. Reu- biMi Farley sixteen Sabbaths." County Conference. — The Merrimack County Con- ference of Congregational Churches was an outgrowth of the Hopkinton Association, and was the result of a special meeting held at the dwelling-house of the Rev. Dr. Wood, of Boscaweu, April 4, 1827. Among the articles presented was the following : " This Con- ference shall be composed of pastors and delegates from the Congregational Churches within the bounds of the Hopkinton Association. It shall assume no control over the faith or the discipline of the church." The first meeting was held on the fourth Tuesday of June, 1828, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, in the Congregational Church at Salisbury, the Rev. Abijah Cross, then pastor. In 1S3S the Association again met at Salisbury, aud June 10, 1884, the Con- ference again assembled, Rev. C. E. Gordon, pastor, eleven churches being represented by their pastors and delegates, the ses.sion continuing two days. Educational. — At the first town-meeting it was voted "to raise some money for school purposes." In 1772 twelve dollars was voted to support a school; it was also voted " to raise half a day's work on the sin- gle head, to be done on the south end of the sixty- acre lot, which was laid out for the school." This lot was situated on Searle's Hill, on the centre range- way, opposite the ten-acre meeting-house lot. The school-house was built in the summer of 1772 and was the first in town. In 1778 the town w;is divided into four school dis- tricts. The school-houses were wooden-framed, boarded and shingled and furnished with windows and fire-places. One was located near Smith's Cor- ner. It was built by Beniah Bean for three hundred and ninety-eight dollars. The second at South Road, built by Deacon John Collins for six hundred and eighty dollars. Another was situated at the Centre Road, nearly opposite F. W. Fifield's present resi- dence, built by Edward Fifield for six hundred and seventy-eight dollars ; and the last was at North Road, Mr. Andrew Pettingell receiving four hundred and SALISBURY. (10!) ninety-four dollars for building it. Such buildings soon after could have been completed for loss than half the cost of these. But money was so much de- preciated that labor commanded eight dollars per day. The amount raised annually for schools at this time was about five hundred dollars, while three thou- sand dollars were appropriated for the improvement of roads. In March, 1784, it was " Voted to sell all the school lands and put the principal in the bank and use the interest for the support of schools in the town annu- ally." It was also voted at the same meeting "to sell the school-houses belonging to the s** town and the money be contributed to the use of the town." The sale of the school-houses brought, in the aggre- gate, $63.75 each, and the land was sold to Ephraim Colby for three pounds, fifteen shillings and three pence per acre. In 1786 the town raised two hundred and ten dollars, in lawful money, for the support of schools, and ordered each district to provide its own school- rooms. In 1791 a school-house was built at the Lower vil- lage (now the Orphans' Home District in Franklin). In this building Daniel Webster attended school and later in life taught. The second school-house, at the South road, was built by subscription in 1787. After the academy was removed from its original location to South road the school was transferred to one por- tion of it and has since continued. In 1819 the town was divided into eleven school districts and there were school-houses in nine of them. Changes were subsequently made, increasing the number to fourteen. No. 1, located at South road, was organized in 1820. No. 2, known as Centre Road District, was formed April 2, 1823. No. 3, called "Sawyer's," organized in 1820. No. 4, located at Scribner's Corner, at the west part of the town. No. 6, at the North road. No. 6, the Mills District ; school located there as early as 1806. In 1884 a new, commodious building was erected. No. 7, at " Smith's Corner," at the west part of the town. The first school-house was erected in 1782. The second wa.s twenty by twenty-five feet, erected in 1789. In 182.5 the district was reorganized and a new school-house erected. No. 8, located at " Thompson's Corner." The first school-house in town was on a site included within the limits of this district. No. 9, on Lovering's Hill. Established in 1826. No. 10, " Watson District," on the southern spur of Kearsarge Mountain. A school-house was built here as early as 1812. No. 11 is on Raccoon Hill, known as the " Shaw District." The school-house was built in 1847 and thoroughly repaired in 1876. No. 12, located at "Shaw's Corner." The second school-house was erected iu 1820 and the third in 1881. No. 13, situated at the Lower village (now tlic Or- phans' Home in Franklin). The present building is of brick. No. 14, at the East village in Franklin. Ebcnezer Eastman gave the land for " educational purposes " in 1816. The first school-house in that part of Salis- bury was built in 1805-6. Salisbury Academy.— At the close of the last century Salisbury was the residence of an unu.sually number of prudent, intellectual and scholarly men. They had pride in the good name of the town, and looked forward with cheerful anticipation to a higher position which it might hold in the State, and saw the advantages which would result from a permanent institution of learning, and, at length, united in the establishment of an academy. The petition was pre- sented to the Legislature for an act of incorporation at the winter session, in January, 1795, and the act of incorporation w^as granted December 22, 1795. The board of trustees, by authority of the Legisla- ture, had the charge of the institution. The academy was erected on the ridge of Garland's Hill, and was two stories high. Soon after its erection the Fourth New Hampshire turnpike was built, which prac- cally left the academy on an old road and away from the business portion of the town. It was proposed to move the building to South Road village and open it under new management, and for that purpose contri- butions were solicited, the removal taking place April 29, 1806. In January, 1806, the district school began on the lower floor, the upper room being reserved for academ- ical purposes. Extensive repairs have been made as needed, and in 1883 a projection was added to the south end of the upper story, new floor laid, the stair- way made more convenient and the room fitted up into a fine hall. The academy has had three char- ters. For a long period it gained and sustained a rep- utation for good scholarship and excellence in all its departments. Its standing was not inferior to the best institutions of its kind in the State. Follow- ing are the list of teachers, so far as known : Thomas Chase was the first instructor when it was located on Garland Hill. He was succeeded by James Tappan, Rev. Samuel Worcester, Rev. Noah Worces- ter, D.D., Ichabod Bartlett, 1804; Hon. Richard Fletcher, 1809; Samuel I. Wells, Esq., 1813-16; Na- thaniel H. Carter, A.M., 1811 ; Lamson Carter, 1815 ; Stephen Bean, Rev. Benjamin Huntoon, 1817-19 ; Rev. Daniel Fitts, D.D., 1819-22; Zachariah Batch- elder, 1822; W. Bailey, 1813; Henry Greenleaf, 1822; Caleb Stetson, 1825-26; Henry Fitts, William Clag- gett, 1826-27; Alfred Kittredge, 1828; Caleb B. Kitt- redge, 1829-32 ; Rev. B. F. Foster, 1838-39 ; Charles T. Berry, 1840; Elbridge G. Emery, 1842^3 ; David Dimond, 1843 ; Caleb P. Smith, William S. Spauld- ing, A.M., 1844-45 ; S. C. Noves, J. H. Upton, «10 IIISTOllY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Clark, Hon. William M. Pingree, Rev. E. S. Little, Dr. J. Q. A. French, Dr. Crockett, D. B. Penticost, Rev. !•:. D. Eklredge, John A. Kilburn, 1851 ; John W. .Simonils, John R. Eastman. Social Library. — Early in the year 1794 several of the citizens of Salisbury agreed to organize a volun- tary association for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a library. The first regular meeting was held March 27th. Colonel Ebenezer Webster was chosen chairman and Andrew Bovvers clerk. An act of incorporation was granted in 1798. Rules and regulations were adopted in March, 1799. In 1859 there were four hundred and ninety-six volumes in the library. It was this library that Daniel Webster referred to when he said that his early reading was gathered from a small circulating library. Literary Adelphi. — This society was organized June 25, 1813, when the academy was at the height of its prosperity. It was composed largely of mem- bers of the academy, who generally conducted its lit- erary exercises. The last meeting of the society was held in June, 1819. CHAPTER III. SALISBURY— (eu«(™»ci/). INDIAN HISTORY. As there has been so much written about the killing of Sabatis and Plausawa, by the Bowens, and the trouble which arose from it, we will not burden this volume with a repetition of it, but refer the inter- ested reader to the New Hampshire State Papers, or Dearborn's "History of Salisbury," pp. 225-239, in- clusive. For several years previous to 1754 Indian depre- dations had been committed in the vicinity. On the 11th of May, 1754, the Indians made their attack on Nathaniel Maloon and family, who had some time previously removed to Stevenstown (Salisbury). Maloon was captured in Contoocook (Boscawen). He was taken to his home, where they took, as prisoners, his wife, his children (Mary and Rachel, John and David; also Sarah, then an infant of thirteen months). The eldest son, Nathaniel P., was at work in a field a short distance from the house, planting corn. The father was ordered to call him, which he did; but the son saw the Indians, and, understanding by the signification of his father's voice that he wished him to escape, he dropped his hoe, fled to the woods, swam the Blackwater and readied t\u' fort at Contoocook. The Indians plundered the house aud then returned to St. Francis, Canada, with their captives. After Buttering great indignities they were shipped in a French vessel for France. The ship was captured by a British man-of-war. jMaloon and bis family were landed at Portland, and from that place they returned to their former home, having been gone nearly four years. Rachel was not redeemed until 17i;:i, and David not until 17()1. On the IGth of August, 1754, an attack was made on Philip Call's house, which stood near the Salis- bury fort. Mr. Call, his son Stephen and Timothy Cook were at work on the farm. The savages sud- denly appeared at the door of the dwelling-house, and as Mrs. Philip Call opened it she was struck down, killed and scalped. Stephen Call's wife, being within, concealed herself and infant, John, behind the chimney and was not discovered. Both Philip and Stephen escaped. Timothy Cook was pursued, and, in crossing the Merrimack River, was fired upon and killed. Samuel Scribner and Robert Barber liad located with- in half a mile of our northern boundary line, near Em- erystown { Andover), and were then our most northern settlers. They had got out the timber to build a house, and at the time of their capture were mowing in the meadow now owned by Elbridge Shaw. Scribner's back was to the Indians. Barber saw them coming and shouted out to Scribner, " Run, Scribner ; run, for God's sake ! Run ! the Indians are upon us ! " But he did not hear him, and he was grasped from behind by an Indian. Barber ran, but went directly into an ambush of the savages. An Indian, holding up a scalj) before Barber, asked him, in broken English, if he knew it. He said, " Yes ; Mrs. Call's." The In- dians took them along as prisoners, and, after a jour- ney of thirteen days, reached St. Francis, Canada-. Scribner was sold to a Frenchman at Chamblee. Barber was sold to a Frenchman about a mile from St. Francis, and on the 26th of September, 1775, made his escape. After Scribner's return he built the large two-story house at North road. Early in the winter of 1755, Governor Wentworth ordered Colonel Joseph Blanchard, of Dunstable, to raise a regiment of six hundred men, and to rendez- vous at the Salisbury fort. It is impossible to state when this fort was built, but it was between 1746 aud 1750. It was located about forty rods southerly of the cemetery on the Webster intervale, and sur- rounded by eight acres of cleared land which was early cultivated. It is quite evident that the regiment arrived in April, 1755, and Blanchard spent about six weeks in preparing boats for transporting his troops up the river. Before they left, the State author- ities ordered the enlistment of three hundred men to take their place. They were mustered into service about the 20th of September, 1755, and were dis- charged at the end of three months. In these regiments we find many of our early pio- neers who settled in the town, viz. : Benjamin San- born, Benjamin Baker, Samuel Judkins, John Bean, Robert Smith, Tristram Sanborn, Andrew Bohonon, Henry Ad. Elkins, John Webster, Thomas Welch, SALISHURV. 611 Jacob Hancock, Ndieniiah lleath, Ebenc/.ei- .lolin- son, Tristram Quimby, Samuel Lovering, Iddo Web- ster, Benjamin Huntoon, B. Cliftbrd, Edward East- man, John WadU'igli, Jeremiah Quimby and Jolin Fellows. In 1756, Colonel Meserve raised a regiment for the Crown Point expedition, among his men being found the following, who located in the town : Jonathan Fifield, John Ash, Samuel Scribner, J. Blaisdell and Daniel Stevens. In Meserve's regiment, raised in 1757, we find the following soldiers, who afterwards became residents in Salisbury : J. Merrow, Joseph Webster, Benjamin Pettengill, John Sanborn and Stephen Webster. In 1757, Major Thomas Tash enlisted a battalion ol two and three mouths' men. We append the follow- ing names found in this battalion : .lohn Cross, Samuel Scribuer, Robert Barber and JSIatthew Pet- tengill. In 1758, Colonel John Hart raised a regimentof six hundred men for the Crown Point expedition. Upon the roll appears the names of the following, who set- tled in Salisbury : Moses Garland, Moses Sanborn, Benjamin Shaw, Samuel Scribner, James Johnston,^ William Hoyt and Kathaniel Nelson. In Captain Trueworthy Ladd's company we find the names of Joseph Bean, Ebenezer Webster, Philii) Flanders, Onesipborus Page, Iddo Webster, .lohn Wadleigh and Moses Tucker. In Colonel John CTofi''s regiment we find Ebenezer Webster, orderly sergeant ; Tristram Quimby and Stephen AVebster, corporals ; privates, Rowell Colby, Robert Smith, Benjamin Webster, Elisha Quimby, Richard Tucker, D. Rowe, Moses Tucker, Benjamin Collins and Jonathan Roberts, all settled in Salisbury. CHAPTER IV. SALISBURY— (C'on<». The Revolution.— The people of .Salisbury caught the first echo of the shot at Lexington, and, although not in season to participate, they were at Bunker Hill. They went, too, uninvited to that banquet of death and fame which was celebrated on the 17th of June, 1775. When hostilities commenced at Lexington there were but five hundred inhabitants in Salisbury. There was one company of militia, consisting of about seventy-five men, organized and officered, be- tween the ages of sixteen and sixty years. This con)- pany was commanded by Captain Ebenezer Webster, who had first received his commission in 1774. Robert Smith was his lieutenant, Moses Garland, for a short time, and then Andrew Pettengill was the ensign. I'pon the alarm of the Lexington conflict, without any authority from the State, tliey repaired to Cam- bridge. They there met the Massachusetts Com- mittee of Safety, also John Stark, James Reed and Paul Dudley Sargent. These three men received colonels' commissions from the State of Massachusetts. Stark enlisted eight hundred men, or fourteen com- panies, while Reed and Sargent had enlisted four companies each. The regiments were Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Colonel Stark had command of the First, Enoch Poor of the Second and James Reed of the Third. The First and Third Regiments were engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill. Salisbury men enlisted into tliiee or min\- of the companies of Stark's regiment. Among the early enlistments are the names of Peter Severance, Jona- than Cram and Jacob Morrill; in Captain Henry Dearborn's company, Abraham Fifield, John Bean, Joseph Lovering, Samuel Lovering, Moses Welch, E. Raino, Daniel Stevens, Edward Evans, Moses Gar- land, Moses Fellows, .lohn Bowen, John Jemson, Ben- jamin Howard, Reuben Greeley and Samuel Scribner. Two of these men, .lohn Bowen and Moses Fellows, joined Captain Dearborn's company, and, in the autumn of 1775, made a part of Arnold's regiment, that marched through the wilderness of Maine to Quebec. Twelve of the above number enlisted for the term of six months and encountered the perils of the siege. Of the Salisbury men who participated in the aid to Connecticut, we have been unable to obtain their names. Certainly there was quite a number. Our next enlistment for 177(3 was for the relief of the northern army. In Captain Osgood's company we find the name of Captain John Webster, of Salis- bury, as his lieutenant, and Edward Sawyer, as private. Upon the evacuation of Boston by the British, part of their army soon after invaded New York. Another portion, commanded by Burgoyne, invaded Canada, by way of Quebec. The New Hampshire regiments which had been at the siege were ordered to New York, and thirteen Salisbury men were in Colonel Stark's regiment, viz. : John Bosford, James Bosford, John Bayley, Wolls nurbauk, Rowell Colby, Kenbun Hoyt, Jr., Jonathan Huntoon, Philip Huntoon, .Samuel Lovciin, Joseph toverin, Ebenezer .Scribner, Simon Sanborn and Israel Another regiment was raised for six months, to reinforce Washington at New York. Salisbury fur- nished ten men for .James Shepard's company of Canterbury, — John Bean, ensign ; Benjamin Huntoon, orderly sergeant; Privates, Cutting Stevens, Stephen Call, James Johnson, .Samuel Scribner, Philip Flanders, Jonathan Scribner, .louathau Foster, Robert Wise. After the disastrous battle of Long Island, Wash- ington again appealed to New Hampshire for aid. Salisbury had furnished her full quota. Captain Ebe- nezer Webster was appealed to furnish men. Ten HISTORY OF MKRUTMAOK COUNTY, NKW HAMPSIIIRR. men holding militia commissions, and some otliers, volunteered to serve as privates, and were mustered iiilii s(i\irc Scptmili. r ■_!((, 1776. They were Lieu- tenaiil UnlMit Siiiiili. Ilnsijrii Moses Garland, Orderly Sei-jii'iinl Ainliiw I'lilriii:!!], Ensign Andrew Boho- non, Etlwurd Eastman, Joseph Fifield, Edward Fi- field, Joshua Morse and Stephen Bohonon. Captain Webster resigned tlie office of selectman to take a private's place in this campaign. Joseph Bean and Nathaniel Huntoon enlisted in Captain Goft''s com- pany of the same regiment. Tliey participated in the battle of White Plains. In 1777 the town was obliged to otler bounties of seventy dollars each to meet its quota. John Ash, who had enlisted March 8, 1777, to serve during the war, was discharged December 31, 1781, and Ananiah Bohonon, Philip Flanders and John Bowen,who had enlisted March 13, 1781, were (lischurged the following December. The following men enlisted for three years in Col- onel Alexander Scammell's regiment: Moses Follows, oiilcrly sciKeant ; Ephraiui Heath, Keuben Grcclcy, iicubei) Hoit, Matthew Greelyi-, Philip Lufkiu, William Bayley, Buiiiel Felch, Benjamin Howard, Joshua Snow, us privates. These fourteen men were our quota of Continental soldiers for three years, and were mustered into service in March, 1777. The following is the list of soldiers from Salisbury who were in Captain Ebenezer Webster's company, which fought in the battle of Bennington, on the Kith of August, 1777 : Kdward Evans, one of the staff officers of Colonel Stickney'a regiment ; Captain, Ebenezer Webster ; Lieutenants, Bobert Smith, Andrew Boho- ering ; l-mlli ' '.m p. .ml. .l-.-hiM M..|~. , 1>, ii,<.|, ,l,.!,n >,nl,.ii,; Too]-, ,1. :,. . I r. . I ! ■ r. ■.,.,. !1 :,•, i \N | ,,,„ John C. Galo, Jacob True, ,Tohn .i> m i, I: ; i pi. Tucker, Moses Elkins, John Smith, Wiii :i \ , i , ,, i \\ i i, ,_ David I'ettengi 11, Abel Elkins, Jann-s ,l Ihlmh, .i.i, .,i, ,,.u1.uiJ, i.toit;i: Bayley, Moses Welch, Pauiel Brottlcbank, Matthew rettuni;iU, Ktlwiud Eastman,— rank and file from Salisbury, forty-one men. To this number add Ensign Andrew Pettengill, who served in the Concord and Boscawen company. We also had three other men in Colonel George Reed's regiment, viz. : Samuel Saunders, Jacob Morrill and Joseph Maloon, making, of the Continental and militiamen in actual service in the summer of 1777, forty-five militiamen and seventeen regular troop.s, a total of sixty-two men. Though the Salisbury men were largely exposed, and though Saunders was reported among the missing at IliiMiuiclton, Pettengill wounded at Stillwater, yet no death resulted except that of Andrew Pettengill. Early in 1778 disease began to thin the ranks of our veterans, and in March and April we lost four of our men in camp at Valley Forge, vi/. : Ephraim Heath, Reuben Greeley, Philip Lulkin :iiid William Bayley. In August, 1778, the expediti.ni 1,, Kliiule Island was organized and executed nnder the commaml 3 and 186-1, but are recorded as deserters. Having degraded themselves as soldiers, we shall not allow them to disgrace the town that emi)loyed them, by publishing their name*. In 1680 a militia company was organized in this State, consisting of one company of foot in each of the four towns of Portsmouth, Dover, Exeter and Hamp- ton, one company of artillery at the lort and one " troop of horse." After the Declaration of Independence a new militia system became necessary, and we will only follow its history so far as it relates to Salisbury, which was one of the towns that helped form the Twen- ty-first Regiment, the regimental officers being Lieu- tenant-Colonel Philip Greeley, commander ; Major Joseph Gerrish, First Battalion; Major Timothy Dar- ling, Second Battalion. The following list comprises colonels of the Twenty-first Regiment, so far as known, who resided in Salisbury : 17*17, Ebenezer Webster ; 1802, John C. Gale; 1813, Benjamin Swott ; l.sl!i-20, Jonathan Bean; 1821-23, John Greeley: 1821, Cyrus Chase; 1818, John C. Smith ; Is'il-fi:!, (instavus V. Welisl.-i-. Roads, Turnpikes, Bridges and Ferries.— The earliest highway in the town was one along the west bank of the Merrimack River, which was in- tended to open communication with the Coos country. The three rangeways of the town extended, in an east- erly and westerly direction, nearly the entire length of the town. Tlu' Smith Kiiiigeway extended from Shaw's Corner, tlii'oiigh tlie liK-ation of South Road village, and con- tinued westerly over Ivearsarge into Warner. It was surveyed in 1763 by William Calef. The Centre road, occupying the rangeway limits very fully, was surveyed by Mr. Calef in 1768. It commenced by the Webster Cemetery, at the river, extended overSearle's Hill, crossed the turnpike road a little southeast of Centre Road village and extended to the western boundary. The road corresponding, in part, with the North Rangeway was surveyed in 17G3 by Mr. Calef. Only a few sections of it were ever built. As early as 1774 a road commenced at the eastern bound of Dr. Joseph Bartlett's home-lot, east of South Road vil- lage, and continued northward to the Centre road, just west of the old meeting-house on Searle's Hill. North road was constructed in 1770, between Shaw's Corner and Benjamin lluntoon's. It was soon after extended to Andover line. Bog road was built as a substitute for the Dr. Bartlett road already referred to. Raccoon Hill road extends the whole length of Raccoon Hill, and was built in 1781. Mill's road extends westerly from the Centre Road village, continuing to Prince's Mill, where it then turns slightly and terminates at the foot of the hill west of Frank Whittemore'.s. A branch of this road turns south at Prince's Mill, con- tinues south past the Union Meeting-House and leads into Webster. Another branch of this road passes the Glines place and comes out at the South Range road east of Blackwater River bridge. A road begins west of Alpheus B. Huntoon's, and continues over Beach Hill into Andover. Bay's road extends from Shaw's mill, in West Salisbury, around the eastern shore of " the Bays " and intersects the Col- lege road. A cross-range road extends from D. C. Stevens' to Centre Range road at Harrison V. Heath's. New road to Franklin begins on the Bog road, one half-mile north of Thompson's school-house, turn- ing eastward to the North road, which it intersects south of the " Birth-place." It was laid out in 1869. Cross-Range road, the northern terminus of which is at Centre Road village, continues southerly and in- tersects Brattle Street, its northern extension leads to Raccoon hill. Mutton road extends south from South Road village to Corser Hill, in Webster. It was built in 1819. Water Street commences near the Academy and continues southerly to Boscawen. The new road to North Boscawen, where it connects with the River road, was built in 1849. The new road from Shaw's Corner to Franklin was built in 1823-24. The jictition for the College road was presented to the General Court in 1784, and an act was passed author- izing a committee to lay it out. It was not built just where the court ordered it. The route through Salis- bury was circular, and we will not follow its windings, as most of the road has become continuous with other roads. The Fourth New Hampshire turnpike charter was granted at the fall session of the General Court in 1 800. It extended from the northwest corner of the bridge just north of the mouth of the Contoocook River to the Connecticut River in Lebanon, and had a liranch to Hanover. There was a toll-house in nearly every town, the gate in Salisbury being kept by Dea- con Daniel Parker. Amos Petteugill, of Salisbury, carried this corporation, by his personal influence, through many a dark day. He invented a snow-plow that was often drawn through the deep snow by thirty yoke of oxen, cutting a path a rod wide. In 1840 an order was issued by the court declaring the southern portion of it free to public travel, Salis- bury paying the corporation six hundred dollars as its share of indemnity to the stockholders. The first important bridge in the town was built over the Blackwater River in 1776, and was probably on the line of the south rangeway where it crosses the stream. The second bridge was over the same stream, but on the centre rangeway. It cost thirty- nine dollars, and was built in 1777. The first bridge over the Pemigewasset River was built in 1802, thereby affording the means of commu- nicating with Sanbornton. Previous to this the stream was crossed either by ferries or by fording the stream with teams, the crossing being just north of the Re- liublican bridge. SALISBURY. An act of incorporation was obtained in 1800 for building abridge over the Pemigewasset River, which_, in later years, was called Kepublican bridge. Eben- ezer Webster was authorized to call the first meeting, and the bridge was built at the above date (1802). The bridge was carried away by the great February freshet of 1824, and the great winter freshet of 1839 again de- molished it. The following summer the present bridge was erected at a cost of seven thousand dollars. It Cdntinued a toll-bridge until 1845. In 1800 there were two ferries over the Merrimack, — the upper one known as Wise's, and farther down stream was Cross's. They furnished communication with this town, Korthfield and Canterbury. It is generally undei-stood that the first saw-mill in the town was the Webster, or proprietors' mill, located on Punch Brook. At a meeting of the propri- etors held March 22, 1759, a committee was chosen to lay out one hundred acres of land to Captain John Webster for building a saw-mill. The site was located and the mill completed by the 1st of October, 1761. The mill was erected on laud belonging to Elienezer Webster. One-half the use of the mill was voted to Captain John Webster for three years, he to saw the proprie- tors' lumber at the halves, keep the mill in good repair, and, at the expiration of three years, to leave the mill in good repair. Ebenezer Webster and Eliphalet Gale were each voted a quarter-share of the saw-mill on the same conditions as given Captain John Webster. November 3, 1704, it was voted to give Ebenezer Webster the use of the mill for three years ii-om date, he to saw the proi>rietors' lumber at the halves. Mr. Webster continued to conduct the mill until his removal to his interval farm, when Stephen Sawyer, conducted it in connection with the grist-mill, and, in addition, put in a clothing-mill. In 1764 eflbrts were made to build a grist-mill, and the year following two hundred acres of land were voted to the projectors (who were Benjamin Sanborn and Ebenezer Webster) to put in a mill. This mill was built in one end of the proprietors' saw'-mill, and for many years did all the grinding, not only for the settlers of this lot, but the surrounding towns, people bringing their corn from Perrystown (now Sutton) on their backs. It is said the mill-stones were drawn up from below on an ox-sled in the win- ter of 1765. Andrew Pettengill was the first blacksmith in the settlement, his shop standing just east of Thomas D. Little's residence. The first hotel in town was erected at the South Road as early as 1768, and was owned by Lieutenant Andrew Pettengill. The first one at the Centre Road was built by Abel Elkins, and is now occupied as a residence by Caleb E. Smith. The first hotel at the East village (now Franklin) was built by Ebenezer Eastman on the site of the present " Webster house." It is traditional that Major Stephen Bohonou had the first store in town, it being situated in one of the front rooms of his dwelling, which stood on the site now occupied by the Congregational parsonage. He sold out to Andrew Bowers. The first store at East village (now Franklin) was erected by Ebenezer Eastman previous to 1803. William Hoyt had the first store at the Lower vil- lage (now Orphans' Home, Franklin). The above were the first stores in the several parts of the town, but the principal store, and the one which continues to do the largest business, is the old Greenleaf store at South Road, owned by David G. Bean, and conducted by Andrew E. Quimby. In 1793 there were five merchants scattered throughout the town, who paid the following taxes on stock in trade : John C. Gale, £300 ; William Hoit, £130 ; Luke Wilder, £250; Andrew Bowers, £180; Xath- aniel Isoyes, £50. The following list contains the names and short notices of gentlemen who have jtracticed their jsro- fessiou in the town. Lawyers. — Hon. Thomas W. Thompson com- menced practice in Salisbury in 1790, continuing till 1810. Parker Noj'es, Esq., admitted to the bar in 1801, and, with the exception of two years, continued in practice until his death, in 1852. Hon. Moses Eastman, A.M. (see biography). Thomas H. Pettengill, Esq., practiced at the Cen- tre village from 1822 until his death. Hon. Richard Fletcher, A.M., LL.D., continued in practice from the time he was admitted to the bar till 1819. Samuel I. Wells, Esq., admitted to the bar in 1819, began practice in Salisbury, continuing until 1836. Hon. Geo. A\'. Nesmith, LL.D., read law with Parker Noyes, Esq. ; admitted to the bar in August, 1825, continuing in town till Franklin was formed, when he became a resident there. Physicians. — Dr. Joseph Bartlett, the first physi- cian in Salisbury, was born at Amesbury, Ma.ss., Janu- ary 14, 1751 ; read medicine with his uncle, Governor Josiah Bartlett ; removed to Salisbury about 1772, continuing until his death, September 20, 1800. Dr. Joseph Bartlett, born in Salisbury, 1775, read medicine with and succeeded his father in practice. He died 1814. Dr. Peter Bartlett, brother to Dr. Joseph, Jr., at- tended lectures at Dartmouth Medical School; re- ceived his degree in 1829; began practice in Salisbury as early as 1818; continued until 1836; removed to Peoria, 111. ; died 1868. Dr. Jonathan Kittredge, of Canterbury, began practice in Salisbury about 1810, continuing until his death, 1819. Dr. Job Wilson, of Gilmantf)n, located at Salis- bury previous to 1814, remaining till 1834, when he removed to Franklin. 616 HISTORY OF MKRUIMACK COUNTY, NE\Y HAMPSHIRK. Dr. Thomas W. Wilson, born in Salisbury, 180(5 ; attended lectures at Dartmouth, continuing in prac- tico at Salisbury until his death, in ISGl. Dr. .Most's Hill, of Warner, began practice in .Salis- bury in IS'W, remaining one year. Dr. Benjamin E. Woodman, of Salem, N. PL, re- moved to Salisbury in 183(), remaining one year. Dr. Jesse Merrill, F.M., M.S., of Peacham, Vt., began practice in that part of Salisbury luiw Frank- lin about 1819, remaining quite a period. Dr. John Proctor was in town and practicing his profession in 1820. Dr. John Baker, born in Salisbury, 1702; began practice previous to 1841, continuing until 1851. Dr. Calvin ISaclicldcr was here a .short lime about 1842. Dr. Abraham 11. Kobinson, born in Concord, grad- uated at Y'ale College; removed to Salisbury early in 1839; removed to Concord in 1859. Dr. Charles B. Willis, 1859-63. Dr. Charles H. Towle came to Salisbury in 1865, remaining until December, 1868; removed to Deer- field, and there continues. Dr. Warren W. Sleeper, of JCcw Hampton, 1853 till 1875; continues at Franklin Falls. Dr. Edward B. Buxton, born in Dunbarton,— 1875- '78. Dr. George P. Titcomb, of Boscawen, removed to Salisbury in 1868, where he still continues. Dr. John J. Dearborn, of Concord, removed to Salisbury in the spring of 1878, continuing till De- cember, 1884, when he removed to Tilton. Biographical Sketches.^The following sketches are of natives of the town, unless the place of birth is given difi'erent. (See also Physicians.) Joseph Bean, son of the grantee Joseph, born at Kingston; commissioned justice by the crown pre- vious to his removal here. He was the wealthiest and most important man in the early settlement, the first town treasurer, and held all the tovi'u offices at different periods. He died June 1, 1804; married Betsey Fifield. She died June 25, 1812. Nathaniel Bean, grandson of Joseph, born in Sal- isbury, March 5, 1796; always remained in town, taking a prominent interest in its affairs. He was the oldest (U4egate to the Constitutional Convention iu ISTi'i, ;uireacher of the Free-Will Baptist Church in Salis- liury, Meredith, Ohio, and several other pl.ices. He was an eloquent, powerful speaker. Died June 6, 1880. He married three times. Lieutenant Robert Smith removed to Salisbury pre- vious to 1768, and was one of the town's most prominent men, serving throughout the Revolutionary War and was one of her prominent churchmen. Married, 1768, Sarah Eaton. He died November 11, 1801. Robert Smith, M.D., grandson of the former, studied medicine at Dartmouth Medical College, re- ceiving his degree in 1847. Married, first, Susan, daughter of Joshua Fifield ; second, Hannah Mars- ton ; third, Abigail Pettengill. He practiced his jirofession at Amesbury, Mass., and Hampton, N. H. Died in Salisbury, April 13, 1873. Hon. Peter Swett, born March 27,1801; removed to Brockport, N. Y., in 1830, and tor six years was engaged in mercantile pursuits ; removed to Peoria, 111., and became extensively engaged in vintage busi- ness, where he died in 1868. He served in the State Senate, was postmaster, aud reappointed by Presi- dent Buchanan, and served as city treasurer; married Frances Trumbull. She died in 1872. John P. Townsend, living in New York City since 1850 ; vice-president of the Bowery Savings-Bank, the largest institution of the kind in the country having assets of over forty millions ; president of the Municipal Gas-Light Company, of Rochester ; vice- president of the Maritime Exchange ; director of the Long Island Railroad Company ; secretary and man- ager of the Hospital for the Ruptured and Crii)pled, and a trustee and manager in a number of other be- nevolent and charitable institutions. Married Eliza- beth A. Baldwin. Patrick Henry Townsend, born October 20, 1823; entered Phillips Exeter Academy. In the fall of 1848 he entered the junior class at Bowdoin College and graduated with honor in 1850 ; read law with Hon. Amos Tuck, Hon. E. B. Washburn and was ad- mitted to the bar. His was a very eventful and noted life. He died very suddenly at Washington in May, 1864. Dr. John True, A.B., son of Deacon Jacob True, born April 9, 1789 ; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1806; read medicine at Concord and at Dartmouth Medical School ; began practice at Haverhill, Mass.; thence removed to Tennessee, where he died in 1815. AValter Wells, son of Samuel I. Wells, Esq., born in 1830 ; graduated at Bowdoin College in 1852 with high honors; died at Portland, Me., April 21,1881; married Mary Sturdivant. He was a teacher and lecturer on educational topics, particularly of a scien- tific nature. In 1867 he took charge of the hydro- graphic survey of Maine. He wrote a work entitled, " Water-Power of Maine : an Elementary Physical Geography," an elaborate and exhaustive report on the relation of the tariff to the growth and manufac- ture of cotton in the United States. William Coombs Thompson, son of Hon. Thomas W. Thompson, born March 17, 1802; graduated at Dartmouth in 1820; read law and admitted to the bar in 1824, beginning practice at Concord ; removing to Plymouth in 1826. In 1852 he removed to Worces- ter, Mass., where he died April 27, 1877. Married, first, Martha H. Leavett ; second, Susan B. Nelson. Charles E. Thompson, a brother of the former, born June 19, 1807 ; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1828 ; read law one year ; traveled in South Amer- ica and the South Seas for three years ; returned to Mobile, Ala., where he was in trade ; completed his law studies with his brother at Plymouth and admitted to the bar in 1838; began practice at Haverhill, con- tinuing till 1854 ; resides at Cresskill, N. Y. ; mar- ried Mary, daughter of Hon. Miles Olcott. 622 IILSTORY OF MEKKIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIKK. Heury Lyraau Watson, M.D., read medicine with Hon. Leonard Eaton, M.D., at Warner; graduated from the Vermont Medical School in 1848 ; has prac- ticed at Stewartstowu, Guildhall, Vt., and for the last fourteen years at Littleton ; has been a member of the Legislature and postmaster ; also filled numerous positions of honor and trust, both public and private; married, first, Roxana Hughes ; married, second, Mary J. Hardy. Irving A. Watson, M.D., born September 6, 1849; read medicine and graduated from the Vermont Med- ical University in 1871; practiced at Northumberland ten years, representing that town in the Legislature. In 1881 he removed to Concord, where he was made permanent secretary of the State Board of Health, tilling the position with great satisfaction; married Lena A. Farr, of Littleton. Hon. Ebenezer Webster, also known- as Captain, Colonel and Judge; son of Ebenezer Webster; born at East Kingston, April 22, 1739(0. S.); married, first, Mehitable Smith; married, second, Abigail Eastman, a woman of clear and vigorous understanding, of more than ordinary common sense, and took great delight in debating any subject ; a woman of high spirit, proud of her children and ambitious of their future distinction. Young Webster, like many young men, was bound out to learn a trade, but his master prov- ing a tyrant in every sense of the word, young Web- ster ran away and went to live in the family of Colonel Ijbenezer Stevens, for whom the town was named (Stevenstown). Mr. Stevens dying soon after, Webster continued in the son's (Major Ebenezer Ste- vens') family. When Webster became of age (17(30) he located in the town and built him a log house ; marrying in 1761, he brought his wife to the new set- tlement, where they continued to reside, and eventu- ally became the owner of some two hundred and twenty-five acres of land. About 1785-86 he removed to the Lower village and built a two-story tavern, with a two-story ell ; here he remained till 1799, when he exchanged his tavern with William Haddock for the latter's dwelling on the opposite side of the street, where he died in 1806, and now known as part of the Orphans' Home at Lower Franklin. The first saw and grist-mill was located on Mr. Webster's land, just east of his log house. On the expiration of the proprietors' lease, Mr. Webster became the owner, and conducted them a number of years. He held his first public office in 1764. At the first meeting after the town's incorporation ho was chosen moderator, hold- ing the office forty-three times. In 1769 he was chosen selectman, and held the oflice nine years. In 1778-80 he was elected representative of tlie classified towns of Salisbury and Boscaweu, and from Salisbury in 1790-91, and Senator for the years 1785, '86, '87, '88, '89, '90, '91 ; judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas from 1791 until the time of his death, in 1806. He was one of the delegates to Exeter to the convention which met to form a permanent plan of government, and at the second convention voted Inr its adoption, prefacing his vote by a speech charac- teristic of the man. He was the town's first justice of the peace. In church matters he exercised great influence, and was a member in good standing. No citizen of the town did more valiant fighting or was in the service longer than Colonel Webster. As an officer, he was beloved by his soldier.«, and set the good example of being found in the front of his men, and in the thickest of the fight. He was born to com- mand, of cool, steady nerve, and possessing good judgment. Many pages might be written of the doings of this noble man. Hon. Ezekiel Webster, son of Colonel Ebenezer, born March 11, 1780. The first nineteen years of his life were spent upon the farm. When it was decided that he should enter Dartmouth, two terms were spent at the Salisbury Academy ; thence to Dr. Wood's, where in nine months he fitted for college, entering Dart- mouth' in 1801 and graduating in 1804. Read law with General Sullivan and Parker Noyes, entering the profession in September, 1807, at Boscawen, where he continued. He was finely proportioned, six feet tall, and of light complexion. As a lawyer he possessed few equals. A wise counselor and an able advocate. In debate he was dignified and courteous. His weapons were strong arguments clothed in simple yet elegant language. While arguing a case in court at Concord, he suddenly fell back and immediately expired, April 10,1829; married, first, Alice Bridge; married, second, Achsah Pollard, who still resides at Concord. Hon. Daniel Webster, born in Salisbury January y, 1782, brother of the former. So many volumes have been printed, orations and memoirs delivered on this great mau, that we do not feel competent to say any- thing farther. As a child Daniel was weak, and it was thought by his parents that he never would be able to perform manual labor; consequently, from the first his education was begun; his first public instructor was Master Robert Hoag; his second, James Tappan. When fourteen years of age he spent six montlis at Phillips Academy, Exeter; after his return he went to Dr. Wood's, at Boscawen ; here he fitted for Dart- mouth College, entering in 1788 and graduating in 1801, with high honors. After teaching at Fryeburg, Me., he returned to Salisbury in September, 1802, and began the study of law with Hon. Thomas W. Thompson, continuing till July 1804, when he went to Boston, completing his studies under Hon. Christopher Gore, and in the following March (1805) was admitted to the bar; he immediately returned to Boscawen, opened an office, continuing till September, 1807; turning his business over to his brother Ezekiel, he removed to Portsmouth, and was admitted to the Superior Court of New Hampshire. Continuing at Portsiiinulh until 1816-17, he removed to Boston, Mass., wlurc he icn- tinued. In 1822 he was elected to Congress frmu the Boston District, and re-elected in 1824. In 1827 sent to Congress, remaining till 1840, resigning the office L J^.,J-.ai^A. SALISBURY. to accept that of Secretary of State under General Harrison ; this office he filled with marked ability until 1843, when he resigned. In 1845 he was again chosen Senator. In 1850, on the death of President Taylor he resigned the Senatorship and became Sec- retary of State under President Fillmore, continuing until his death, in 1852. His public life may thus be summarized, — Representative in Congress eight years, a Senator in Congress nineteen years, a member of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, and five years in the President's Cabinet as Secretary of State. During most of this time his party was in the minority. In the spring of 1839 he visited England, Scotland and France. Dartmouth College conferred the degree of LL. D. He united with the Congre- gational Church at Salisbury September 13, 1806; married, first. May 2C, 1808, Grace Fletcher, died January 21, 1828; married, second, 1832, Caroline Bayard Le Roy. Captain John Webster, a cousin of Hon. Ebenezer Webster, born 1710 ; a very prominent man of the town, to which he removed very early ; he kept the fort at Boscawen, the principal owner of the first mill erected in Salisbury and procured the town's char- ter ; he was very closely connected with the town's affairs, a man universally respected and honored. He died April 29, 1788; married Susannah Snow (?), died 1801, aged ninety-one years. Humphrey Webster, born December 12, 1789 ; grad- uated at Middlebury College (?) ; served in the War of 1812 ; removed to Virginia, where he practiced law and died in 1820 (?) Humphrey Webster, born February 19, 1821 ; grad- uated at Dartmouth College, 1844 ; became a teacher at Springfield, Mass., then at Worcester, then in North Carolina. Previous to the war he took a plantation in that State and died there in 1866; married Eliza Hamilton, daughter of Lucius A. Emery. Rev. David R. Whittemore, born July 31, 1819 ; at- tended school at Dracut Academy. In 1842 he re- moved to Rhode Island, where he was ordained and became pijstor of the Free Baptist Church at North Providence. In 1846 he filled the same position for the South Free Baptist Church, at Newport. Resides at Providence. He is extensively known as a great Christian worker and has formed a number of churches. Brightness of intellect, correctness of judgment and positiveness of opinion are traits which make him a wise counselor and a bold leader ; married Eliza J. Gilbert. Rev. Joseph Whittemore, M.D., born in 1813, was ordained pastor of a Baptist Church in Rhode Island, but for twenty years he has practiced medicine at Osage, Iowa. Jeremiah W. Wilson, M.D., son of Dr. Job Wil- son, born January 11, 1816 ; read medicine and grad- uated at Castleton ( Vt.) Medical School ; locating in the village of Contoocook, at Hopkinton, where lie continues in a large and successful practice. Ephraim F. Wilson, M.D., born October 30, 1817 ; read medicine and graduated at Castleton (Vt.) Medi- cal School in 1845 ; opened an office at Sanborntori ; removed to East Concord in 1849 ; in 1854 removed to Rockville, Conn., where he enjoyed a large and lucrative practice ; married Rhoda Barnard. Thomas W. Wilson, M.D., born February 16, 1806 ; married Amanda M. Sawyer ; he died in 1861 ; he com- pleted his medical education at the Dartmouth Medi- cal School ; returned to Salisbury and had a large and extensive practice. He first joined the Baptist Church, later the Congregational Church, and was highly respected. Moses S. Wilson, M.D., read medicine with his father, Dr. Thomas W. ; attended medical lectures at Dartmouth, Castleton, Vt., and Harvard Medical Schools, where he graduated in 1849. Opening an office at Warner, he continued until the death of his father, in 1861, when he returned to Salisbury, re- maining until his appointment as assistant surgeon of the Seventh New Hampshire Regiment ; resigning in the summer of 1864, he removed to Galesburg, 111., where he died in 1873. Married Mary S. Harvey. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. THOMAS DEARBORN LITTLE. Thomas Dearborn Little was born in Salisbury, N. H., August 14, 1823. He is a son of Thomas Rowell Little, a native of Newburyport, Mass., and Nancy (Webster), daughter of John Webster, one of the early settlers of Salisbury. He married, first, November 27, 1851, Susan E., daughter of Robert Smith, M.D. She was born Oc- tober 2, 1828, in Amesbury, Mass., and died January 31, 1875. He married, second, Lucy L., daughter of Andrew Davis, of Rutland, Vt. She was born December 26, 1844. Mr. Little received his education principally at Salisbury Academy, and he subsequently taught school in winter for ten years. Having a liking for mathematical studies, he studied surveying with his uncle, Rev. Valentine Little, and assisted in the preliminary survey and G21 HISTORY OF MEKRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. location of the Northern New Hampshire Railroad, in 184o. He has continued the practice of surveying since that time, as his services have been required. Although he desired to enter college and get a more liberal education, he yielded to the wish of his parents and remained at the old homestead as a farmer and mechanic. He was appointed postmaster, under President Lin- coln, in 1861, and lield the office until he resigned, in 1869. In 1864 he spent some time in Virginia, in the service of the United States Christian Commission, having charge of Christian Commission headquarters of the Tenth Army Corps, being located on the Ber- muda Hundred, about two miles southeast of Dutch Beubcn Gilo (l II H) Daniel Messer 1 IS 8 Thomas Mosser .i 8 Jacob Mastin 14 G Stephen Nelson Ii !l Robert Heath "11 4 Samuel Bean I 2 4 Bond Little 1 2 4 Philip Nelson 1 4 ii SUTTON. 633 AsaNolson u 4 Sunniel Peaslee 10 Joseph Wudleigh 1 '^ Thomas Wudleigh 1 2 1 Isiiac Peasleo 10 10 Ilezekiah Parker s Benjamin Wadleigh 1 1 10 " Peculiar Use of the Word "Gift."— lu town meeting in 1S04, " Voted to pay Benjamin Fowler i Three Dollars, it being for i)roeuring a Gift to j preach the gospel." ''Gift "meant a gifted brother Taxing the Proprietors' Lands to assist in paying J for the Meeting-Houses.- — An attempt to compel the i owm-rs iif rescLveil rights of land to assist in this work was made by petition to the Legislature in 1795, to empower the town to assess a tax on the same for that purpose. This was probably the origin of " the Cent Tax," occasionally referred to in the town records of the early part of this century. The petition is inserted verbatim in this sketch, because it contains a good description of the " broken and mountainous" town of Sutton, and of the struggles of its early set- tlers, who can tell their own story better than any- one living, as we do now, nearly a century later, — *' To the BoiiorabU Senate and House of Representaiives at Concord^ con- vened Jamuinj 111, 1795 : *' Your petitioners humbly show, in behalf of the town of Sutton, that they labor under many great inconveniences by not having a Meeting- House in Sutton. We would beg leave to inform your Honors that the Proprietors of said town obligated themselves to build a Meeting-House in a certain time, which contract was never done in the least tittle. And, our town being seven miles and eighty rods in length, and but five miles in width, being mountainous and extremely broken, which causes the repair of our roads to be a great cost ; And, the centre of said town being so inconvenient, the land poor and broken for two miles each way— not fit for settlements— and no leading road by said center, so tbat a meeting- house there would be useless for a great part of the year. There are two main roads already laid out, leading through each end of the town, which serve the country and the inhabitants of the town better, to build two meeting-houses— one on each main road — which, we think, will bet- ter accommodate the inhabitants. Upon this consideration we have gone forward to build two small meeting-houses ; and we think when they are completed they will raise a higher value on all the lauds in said town. Therefore we beg leave to inform your honors that whereas there are some gentlemen that own large tracts of land in said town who never gave away any part of their lands for settling, who are non-residents, and the inhabitants have been making farms by their lands, and roads through their lands, raising the value of their interest by our industry, and have undergone great fatigues and distress in settling said town, being poor. Therefore, we pray your honors would take into your wise and prudent consideration our case, and empower said town to lay a ta.\ upon all the non-improved lands of three pence per acre, to bei laid out in building said Meeting-Houses, to be equally divided between them, or any Sum you, in your wisdom, shall think proper. And your hum- ble petitioners, &c. "Thom.isWadleioh, 1 „, , , ,. „ Selectmen tor "Moses Hills, I c .. ., „ . „ f Sutton.' "Asa Kelson. J Schools. — By charter, the proprietors of the town- ship of Perrystown were required to reserve one right (that is, one one hundred acre lot, and one one hun- dred and sixty acre lot) of land for the support of schools, but there was no stipulation made regarding the establishing of the same, and there is nothing on their book of record.s to show that they, as proprietors, ever made any effort to do so. Their burdens were 40 very great. Although their land had been granted to them on favorable terras, their outlay far exceeded their income, and many of the proprietors, weary of paying money where there was no prospect of return, sufiered their proprietary rights to be sold for taxes, and, therefore, it is not probable that they taxed them- selves to maintain public schools. The settlers, also, had many hardships to bear, many and heavy labors to perform, but having been, most of them, reared in the lower and longer-settled towns, where they had opportunity to acquire, at least, enough of education to know its value, they would not let their children grow up in ignorance. The first instruction the children received was, with- out doubt, from their parents; but, in a few years, after the settlements commenced, individual effort; and private subscription accomplished something iu the way of establishing schools. Very few school-houses were built before the close of the last century, schools being "kept" in apajt- ments in private houses, the scholars' seats being simply boards resting on blocks of wood, without backs or desks. The first school in the South District was kept in a chamber in the house of Esquire Thomas Wadleigh, the teacher being Master Garvin, perhaps from Lempster, and the school being composed of all grades and ages from little children to young men fitting for college. Matthew Harvey, afterwards Judge Harvey and Governor of the State, attended that winter, 1798, he being then about sixteen years of age. The next winter the South School-house was in existence, and Master Garvin taught there. Dil- worth's Spelling- Book was used, "The Young Ladies' Accidence " for grammar, and the "Third Part" for reading; the best readers read in Morse's Geography, and the teacher questioned them afterwards. One authority says, — " I know something regarding the books used at that period and some years later, having often seen them in the old homes where I have visited. There was Webster's SpelUng-Book, Alexander's Grammar, Pike's Arithmetic, Perry's Dictionary. For reading-books prior to the days of the English Keader were The American Preceptor, Moree's Geography, and The Third Part, though of what or whom it bore that proportion I do not know." The first school-master of whom we can glean any account, through either tradition or written record, was Robert Hogg, a Scotchman by birth. Whatever attracted him to Sutton is not known, but being here, and, finding in the untaught condition of the children of the settlers a favorable opening for the school-mas- ter, he turned his "wee bit of learning" to account for his and their profit. His stock of books consisted of a spelling-book, a Bible and an old catechism. Arithmetic he taught verbally, and demonstrated it by the use of the fingers, kernels of corn and a piece of chalk. But if the teacher had few books, the scholars had fewer; none, in fact, unless, as a special indulgence, they were allowed the use of the family Bible or rude psalm-book of the day in the exercises of the school. f)34 HISTORY OF MERIlIMAt'K COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. A stray leaf from an old volume, or even a piece of a torn newspaper, often did duty in place of the modern invention of school-books. He was a severe disciplin- arian, and the slightest infraction of the laws of the school was visited upon the offender with as severe a punishment as birch could inflict with safety, causing the offender to feel that knowledge is indeed bought with suffering, and almost forcing him to believe that the cautionary threat given to the dwellers in Eden, " In the day that thou eatest of the tree of knowledge thou shalt surely die" would be literally fulfilled in Ills individual experience. The following is an exact copy of one of Master Hogg's receipts : " March 21, 1792. " Then my son Robert Hogg received seventeen bushels of Rie from Simon Keznr, of Sutton, which was due to me for teaching schooling two mouths in Sutton. " Per me, Robert Hobo." The following is a school-mistress' receipt: " Methven, Feb. 1, 1791. " Received of Jacob Mastin and Hezeliiah Parker six bushels of Rye, it being in full for my l^eeping school for them and others last fall six weelts in Sutton. "LVDIA PiBKEn." In 1786, two years after incorporation, Sutton, in its corporate capacity, made its first appropriation, twelve pounds, for support of schools. Of this sum, each school, of course, received its proportionate .share ; but it is evident that private subscription was still needed to make the school terms long enough to be of much profit, and not unfrequently they were lengthened in this way. The " six weeks" and " two months " specified in the above receipts might have been additional to the time already paid for by the town appropriation. No district lines had been as yet established. The few school-houses that were built jtrevious to 1808, had been placed where they would accommodate the most families. The first permanent division of the town into school districts was made by a committee chosen by the town for that purpose in 1808, in obedence to the new school law passed by the Legislature that year. The law also provided for the establishment of a superintending school committee, which, with the more liberal appropriations by the town for support of schools, produced decided advance- ment in discipline and acquirements of the .scholars. The right of laud reserved by the proprietors for school purposes, according to a stipulation in their grant of the town, wiis sold under the direction of the town, and the proceeds of the sale constitute the orig- inal school fund. Some teachers who are remembered were Benja- min Colby, Esq., late of Springfield ; Deacon Benja- min Fowler, late of Orange ; Hon. Jonathan Harvey ; Colonel Philips. Harvey; Rev. Stephen Pillsbury, late of Derry ; Captain John Pillsbury, late of Sutton ; Judge Moses S. Harvey, late of Painesville, Ohio ; Hon. CMiarlcs Hudson, a late mcmbor of Congress from Miissachusctts. The fir.st female school-tcachei- in Siitlon was (Jlive Whitcorab, afterwards wife of George Walker. She taught school in Deacon Asa Nelson's barn about the year 1788. Deacon Benjamin Fowler taught school in a room in the house of Samuel Bean, an early settler. For many years after the settlement of the town teachers' wages were from six to eight dollars per month, besides their board, which was given in by the families, each one giving according to the number of scholars sent, and the teacher " boarding around " among them. Female teachers received from fifty cents to one dollar per week, which amount they sometimes added to by spinning between school-hours for the families where they boarded, often in this way earning another half-dollar a week. The catechism spoken of as being in use, both in schools and in families, wa-s the "Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Assembly of Divines," and was found in the " New England Primer." "The Young Ladies' Accidence" was a grammar prepared by the Rev. Caleb Bingham, a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1782. He established a school for young ladies in Boston in 1785, soon after which, see- ing the great need of such a book, he prepared and issued this one, which had an immense sale, passed through twenty editions, one hundred thousand copies being sold. He also was author of " The American Preceptor," "The Columbian Orator" and other school-books; one million two hundred and fifty thousand copies of his books were sold. Thomas Wadleigh Harvey, son of Moses S. Har- vey, who emigrated from Sutton to Painesville, Ohio, was for several years superintendent of schools for the State of Ohio. Lydia Wadleigh, daughter of Judge Benjamin Wadleigh, eminent as a teacher during many years of her life, has, for a long period, held the position of superintendent of the Female Normal College in New York City. General John Eaton, son of John Eaton, was for some time superintendent of education in Tennessee, and was subsequently appointed by General Grant superintendent of the National Board of Education, which jiost he still holds. Adelaide Lane Smiley, daughter of Dr. James R. Smiley and granddaughter of Dr. Robert Lane, has been for many years the honored lady principal at Colby Academy, in New London. William Taylor, a Baptist clergyman, and son of Captain James Taylor, of Sutton, was largely instru- mental in the establishment of the New Hampton Baptist Institution, and, at a later i>eriod, of a similar institution in Michigan. Singing-School.— Ca))tain Matthew Buell, of New- port, taught singing-schools in Sutton many years, about the close of the last century and afterwards. He used to teach three afternoons and three evenings in a week while the term continued — one day at Matthew 635 Harvey's tavern, one day at Enoch I'agc's tavern and one day at Caleb Kimball's tavern. His schools became one of the greatest social in- stitutions of the winter season, and were looked for- ward to with much interest, at a period when young people in Sutton were so numerous that soni. school districts which are now so reduced as to hv merged into others numbered one hundred scholars every winter. The recess between the afternoon and evening school afforded a fine opportunity for the young men to display their gallantry to the girls by treating them to a supper of such good things as the tavern afforded. " On one occasion," says our informant, " Captain Buell's Newport school, by special invita- tion, came down to visit the Sutton school ; had a supper together, and a line entertainment, every Military History — The Militia. — When the new State C'oustitution was adopted, in 1792, it con- tained inipcHtant provisions for regulating the mil- itia. At its next session the Legislature passed an act, December 27, 1792, for arranging it into companies, regiments, brigades, divisions, and these were to drill two days in a year. Each regiment was composed of two battalions, the regiment being commanded by a lieutenant-colonel and the battalions by ma.jors. The Twenty-first Regiment was thus constituted : First Battalion, — Boscawen, Salisbury, Andover, New Lon- don, Kearsarge Gore (Wilmot) ; Second Battalion, — Hopkinton, Warner, Sutton, Fishersfield, Bradford. As the population of the towns increased, a differ- ent arrangement, of course, became desirable. In 1797 the inhabitants of Sutton united with the in- liabitants of the towns of Warner, Bradford, Kear- .sai-ge Gore, Fishersfield and New London in a petition to the Legislature, showing that they all labored under many and great disadvantages by rea- sini of the Twenty-first Regiment being so extensive, and asking relief. The petition states that they are, — "By law obliged to meet a number of times every year, and once in battalion or regiment, which makes fatiguing journeys and hardships for soldiers, and great expense for ofQceis, to march to and from the cen- tre of said regiment or battalion, and much time is spent and lost by rea- son of the Parade being at such a distance. Therefore, your petitioners humbly pray your honors to take this their hard case into your wise consideration, and grant them relief by making a division of said regi- ment in the following manner : 1st. That the companies of the towns of Warner, Bradford and Keai-sarge Gore make the first battalion. 2d. That the companies of the towns of Sutton, Fisherfield and New London make the second battalion. So that the above said companies may con- stitute and make one regiment. Or relieve your petitiouere in some other way, as your houoi-s, in your great wisdom, shall think beat. And as in duty bound, etc." Here follow, in the Sutton petition, the names of eighty-four men, most of whom were probably of .suitable age to be enrolled (between sixteen and I forty years), according to the modification of the mil- itia law, made June 19, 1795. In their petition, how- ever, they style themselves simply "inhabitants of Sutton." Some of the petitioners may have been too old to be liable to do military duty, except in case of alarm ; but no one of them, of course, could have been less than sixteen years, — IlcMJniiiiii l>liill)rlck, Nathaniel Cheney, Henry Dearborn, .lohn Adams, -'|||'"I l\'i"iii'-k, Joseph Adams, William Lowell, Jonathan Colburn, I'lihl riinnc, Nathaniel Cheney, John I'hilbrlck, Moses Nelson, Hi "in:,, l'( ;i,|,...,.Iohn Kiug, Goorge King, Moses Davis, Joseph Clough, .■^anuiol i'(,a,sleo, Amos Pres.soy, Samuel Bean, Silas Russell, Joseph Bean, Isaac Wells, Ezekiel Flanders, John Emerson, Philip Nelson, Isaac Peas- lee, Jesse Peaslee, John Prcssoy, Simon Keitar, Jr., Willard Emerson, George Walker, Joshua Philbrick, Ezekiol Davis, DuiITey~Kendrick, David Davis, Caleb Kimball, Beujamin Williams, Philip Sargent, Joseph Greeley, John Peaslee, Joseph Chadwick, William Pressey, Ezra Little- hale, Peter Peasley, Reuben Gilo, Ephraim Hildreth, Abraham Peasley, Enoch Page, John Harvey, Jonathan Koby, Phineaa Stevens, Soth Rus- sell, Joseph Youring, Joseph Johnson, Benjamin Stevens, Asa Stevens, Peter Cheney, Joseph Stevens, Jonathan Eaton, Theophilus Oram, Eli- phalet Woodward, Bei^amin W^ells, Joseph Flanders, Stephen Wood- ward, Jonathan Harvey, Matthew Harvey, Jr., Joseph Woodward, David Flanders, Zachariah Cross, Oliver French, David Eaton, Daniel Messer, Joseph Pearson, Jacob Mastin, Hezekiah Parker, John Pearson, Samuel Ambrose, Jr., Theophilus Cram, Eliphalet Woodward, Stephen Wood- ward, Matthew Harvey, Jonathan Davis, Josiah Nichols, William Hutchins. Soon after this petition, and probably as a result of it, a division of the regiment was made, and then and afterwards Sutton constituted a part of the Thirtieth Regiment till the disbanding of the militia, in 1851. The " Grenadiers " were organized by Captain John Harvey, perhaps about 1810, and until his promotion commanded by him, when his first lieu- tenant, Daniel Woodward, took the command. Their uniform consisted of white pants, scarlet coats and tall, conical-shaped, black, shiny, leather caps. The uniform of the cavalry of the Thirtieth Regi- ment consisted of white pants, red coats with bell- buttons, a black leather cap ornamented with an eagle on a white shield, with chains and tassels, and a red and black plume. For many of the first thirty years of this century musters were held at Jonathan Harvey's, in his field opposite his house, — a level field of twenty acres in extent, a high table-land, with not another possess- ing its peculiar characteristics in our hilly town, per- haps not in any town embraced in the regiment, or even the brigade, of which Sutton constituted a part. At a later period some musters were held in the Wadleigh field, south of Kezar's Pond. Militia Officers. — As is well known, the rolls of the State militia are imperfect. The following list was furnished by Colonel Asa Page from his own recollection, he being at the time of his death — which occurred recently at Newbury — eighty-six years of age. His eyesight was entirely gone, but he retained his mental faculties to a wonderful degree. He possessed the highest integrity of character, and was universal- ly esteemed. Reference to the record of town-meet- ings shows him to have served as moderator for twenty- one difl^erent years; selectman, twelve years ; represen- tative, three sessions (1843, '44, '4r)) ; Senator, two sessions (1840^7). The first company organized in Sutton was about 636 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. the year 1800. Thomas Wadleigh chosen captain and I Joseph Wadleigh lieutenant. LrEUTENAXT-CoLOKELS FURNISHED BY SUTTON. Philip S. Harvey, commiiBioned about 1818. John Harvey, commissioned June 20, 1822 (date of John Harvey's commission aa ensign of the Seventh Company, in the Thirtieth Regi- ment, December 24, 1805). Asa Page, commiiaioned lieutenant-colonol September G, 1827. Nathaniel A. Davis, commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Nehemiah Emerson, commissioned major. y CAPTAINS. Thomas Wadleigh (1800), Daniel Page (1803), Enoch Page, James Minot, William Kcndrick, Joseph Pillsbury, John Pillsbur)', Daniel Woodward,AsaNel8on(lSl(i), Levi Fowler, Amos Pressoy, Nathan Chauip- lin (1820), Nathaniel Knowlton (1827), Samuel Dresser, Jr. (1827), Levi Gile, Jacob Harvey, Thomas Walker, Aaron Russell, John Prcssey, Thomas Wadleigh, Jr. NAMES OF REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS. (Mo«t of these served for other towns before they became residents of Sutton.) Samuel Ambrose, Benjamin Colby, Daniel Messer, Philip Nelson, Daniel Emery, Jacob Mastin, David Penslec, Nathaniel Cheney, Benja- min Critchett, Simeon Stevens, Philemon Hastings, Thomas Walker, George Walker, Francis Como, Silas Russell, Thomas Wadleigh, John Palmer, Joseph Chadwick, Anthony Clark, Jonathan Roby, Plummer Wheeler, Sen., Dudley Kendrick, James Harvey, Aquilla Wilkins, Jona- than Nelson, Solomon Austin, John Putney, Abraham Pcaslee (liret), David Peaslee (second), Cornelius Bean, Nathaniel Morgan, James Brocklebank, Jonathan Nelson. Of the foregoing, Silas Russell and Benjamin Critchett are known to have served for Perrystown (Sutton), as it is found on the record of the town that a committee was appointed at a town-meeting to look after their families during their absence in the service. NAJIES OF SOLDIERS IN WAR OF 1812. Moses Woodward, Caleb Kimball, Jr., John Kimball, Daniel Emery, James Morgan, James Buswell, Hazen Putney, Thomas Cheney, John Peaslee, Timothy Chellis, James Philbrook, Moses Davis, Samuel Roby, Thomas Davis, Gideon Wells, Joshua Flanders, Thomas Walker (second of the name), Levi Fowler, John McWilliams, Jacob Uarvoy (died in service), Daniel Woodward, Isaac Littlehale, Ephraim Fisk, Benaiah Woodward, James Wheeler (died in service), Plummer Wheeler, Jr., Samuel Wheeler, Amos Jones (died in service), John French, Daniel Muzzy, John Colby, Daniel Cheney, James Minot (officer), Benjamin Wells, John Philbrook, Jr., Frederick Wilkins. In 1812 Sutton ofiered a bounty of two dollars per month, and if called into actual service ten dollars per month, from the time of being called into service, additional to what they received of the State or gov- ernment, to be paid to the soldiers on demand after their return. The War of the Rebellion.— The following sta- tistics regarding the men and money furnished by Sutton during the last war were supplied by Moses Hazen, Esq., several years since, and are reliable. Sutton furnished for the last war in all one hun- dred and sixty-four men. This number includes the thirty-two men who enlisted without bounty. But as no men were credited by the government till they commenced paying bounties, the number credited to this town is reduced to one hundred and thirty-two Sutton paid Average per Recruiting Recruiting expe bounty . In 1868 the town debt was $37,029.80. In 1883 this war debt of nearly forty thousand dol- lars was all paid. CHAPTER III. SUTTON— (Con , 1 iinl-.n iMiiithcw Harvey, Sr., and nephew of Matthew Ilarviy, Jr., wlio was Governor, Representative to Congress, and a judgo of tlie United States District Court, and of Jonathan Harvey, who was also Kopresentativo to Congress. He received a common school education and went to Newport in 1831, where he served a full apprenticeship in the Argtit and Spectator office, under Beruamin B. French and Simon Brown. Then he came to Bos- ton, where ho worked several years as a journeyman printer. Returning to Newport in 1837, he became a compositor in the Argiu office. In 1840, in company with Mr. Carleton, he purchase ; : ■ « .sin the minority. He was a giMitl>-i]i:iii i 'in m.lwasthe author of many most i. hiii -inn hy request for special occasions. H' I. . i i , . : ■ i ■ I \| i-nn for many years, and had been twice r I, , '\ i \|, \h Vernon Lodge of Newport. Inprivat.lii M- 1 1 . 1 1 i a , . n >:, ! il,.- liighestpurity of character. As a citizen he was liberal iu hia views, popular, generous and public-spirited, and was a gentleman of the old school." This Matthew Harvey (3d) was the only brother of Mrs. Augusta Harvey Worthen, author of this sketch of Sutton. Hon. Jonathan Harvey w^as the oldest son of Deacon Matthew Harvey, being born at Sutton Feb- ruary 25, 1780. Immediately after becoming of age he took the lead in the political affairs of the town, being repeatedly chosen town clerk and selectman ; was a civil magistrate from 1810 till his death, August 23, 1859. A brief reference to his long career of pub- lic service will show how deeply he shared the con- fidence of his fellow-citizens. He made his first ap- pearance in the House of Representatives in 1810, and to this body he was annually re-elected till 1815; he then represented his district in the State Senate from that date till 1823, and was president of that body during the five last years of his connection with it. By reference to dates it will be seen that the two branches of the Legislature were, from 1819 to 1821, three years, presided over by the brothers Jonathan and Matthew Harvey, — Jonathan being President of the Senate at the time Matthew was Speaker of the House. In 1823 and 1824 Jonathan Harvey was a member of the Executive Council. In 1825 he was elected a member of Congress, as the successor of his brother, Hon. Matthew Harvey, then of Hopkinton. He was in Congress six years, at the expiration of which time he was again elected to the Legislature of this State, where he served two years, thus completing an unbroken term of twenty-three years of public service. He was again returned to the Legislature iu 18.38 and re-elected in 1839, when he finally retired to private life, after leaving a spotless record upon the journals of his State and nation and securing those enviable tokens of approbation which but few unprofessional men have either merited or received. He filled all the places of trust within the gift of his townsmen. He was never defeated at the polls in the election to any office for which he was a candidate. But little need be said of the virtues that adorned the private life and character of Jonathan Harvey, because the public needs no information upon those points. His social and genial nature made his ever- hospitable home the abode of cheerful hearts and the resort of numerous friends. These proniiiicnt cliaractcristics of the man shed a 5<¥r^^- (j/a^-^^ /i(C<^^^^^ SUTTON. ti43 bright halo of light around his declining years and illumined his path to the grave. But few men have been permitted to complete the entire circle of eighty years and die upon the soil of their ancestral homes ; yet such a life and such a death was reserved for the well-known subject of this notice. The above, extracted from one of the public prints issued a few days after his decease, is only one notice among many of similar date and character. This record of his public services is know-n to be correct, having been carefully gleaned from the rec- ords at Concord by the writer of the sketch above- copied. George A. Fielsbury was born in Suttou August 29, 1816. (For sketch of Mr. Pillsbury, see "History of Concord," in this volume.) BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. WADLEIGH. On the town records of Sutton, as well as on the proprietary records of Perrystown, the name of Wad- leigh occurs so frequently in connection with town affairs as to demand some special notice of the family. Several years prior to any settlement in Perrys- town Thomas Wadleigh, of Hampstead, became a proprietor by the purchase of a right, and consequent- ly used his efficient endeavors to promote its interest, and occasionally resided here with the earliest set- tlers. From the record, as well as from some known facts, it is to be inferred that he was possessed of much practical ability, good sense and judgment. He was also a man of immense bodily strength — double that of average men — which was in itself about as desirable capital as could be had to invest in an enterprise so full of hardship as the settlement of Perrystown. This Thomas Wadleigh had nine sons and three daughters. Several of the sons settled early in town, the father being at one time the possessor of a thousand acres of land in one tract. His deed to his son Benjamin, conveying to him a lot of land, Xo. 68, in the first division, in Perrystown, is yet preserved and bears date November 11, 1777. This lot, unimpaired and undivided, is now possessed by Milton B. Wadleigh, one of the fifth generation from him, counting himself one. This, with two exceptions (the Johnson estate, and Caleb Kimball estate, owned by his descendants, the Batons, of whom General John Eaton, so long United States commissioner of education, is one), is the only instance in Sutton of an entire lot remaining, un- changed and undivided, in the same famik-. This Benjamin, coming here as a settler, at the age of twenty-one, became one of the leading men of the town. Mr. Dresser, who, maii\ yiar;- ;it;i), iire|)artda brief sketch of some of the most prominent early settlers, says of him, — "He was firm and uncompro- 1 raising, a wise counselor to the town, church and I society. His wife, Hannah, a daughter of Ebenezer Kezar, at the age of nineteen, came with him to live I on Wadleigh Hill, and had there her home till the j end of her long and useful life. She died in 1836, ! aged eighty -six. He died in 1817, aged sixty-eight, his death being occasioned by an accidental slight in- jury to the knee, resulting in mortification." Much of the town business was transacted by the two noble brothers, Benjamin and Thomas Wadleigh. The latter, however, did not settle here till after the close of the Eevolutionary War, in which he had served six years and seven months; was at the battle of Bunker Hill, and fought side by side with his brother John. The main-spring of the gun that John carried broke at the first discharge, rendering the weapon useless; but telling Thomas he would load while the other fired, he did this so quickly that the piece became too hot for holding. But the two brothers with one gun were able to load and fire all the ammuni- tion of both before they left their position. Thomas AVadleigh was very highly esteemed in his day by the citizens of Sutton for capacity, integrity and patriotism ; was the first town clerk after incor- poration, and every year afterwards till 1806, a period of twenty -two years ; selectman and representative, as elsewhere stated in this sketch. Benjamin presided over town-meetings thirteen years in succession. Both brothers were civil magis- trates. The commission of Benjamin is dated Sep- tember 16, 1786. At this time it can hardly fail to seem to us that the distinction of being justice of the peace was worth something a century ago, when Benjamin Wadleigh, Sr., received his commission, signed by John Sullivan, "PreMdent," — i. e., Governor of New Hampshire ; while in the list of those justices who were contemporary with him we find such names as Samuel Livermore, Josiah Bartlett, Matthew Thornton, John Langdon, etc. Erastus Wadleigh was made a civil magistrate in 18-57, and so continued till his death, in 1881, he be- ing the third " Esq. Wadleigh " in regular line of descent from Benjamin Wadleigh, Sr., who received his commission — the first in town — in 1786 ; his son Benjamin, Jr. (the judge), in 1823. It will thus be seen that the time covered by their several commis- sions is but little short of a century, and includes al- most the entire corporate existence of the town. The Thomas J. Wadleigh whose name appears on the town record as selectman in 1857 and 1858, and as representative in 1865, who, in 1858, received his commission as justice of the peace, was son of Moses AVadleigh, brother to Thomas and Benjamin, Srs. Hon. Bainbridge Wadleigh, of Milford, X. H. 644 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. (since of Boston), six years United States Senator from New Hampshire, is grandson of Moses, being son of John 1). Wadleigh, of Bradford. JUDGE BENJAMIX WADLEIGH, JR. Benjamin Wadleigh, Jr., was born in Sutton in 1783. He was the youngest .son of Benjamin Wad- leigh, Sr., and succeeded to the homestead of his fa- ther, who died October 8, 1817. The mother of Judge Wadleigh survived her husband more than twenty year.s, and it was this period of her long wid- owhood which gave room and opportunity for the manifestation of that filial devotion, on his part, which was so noticeable in him continuously, and up to the last day of this venerated lady's life. She died in 183(), aged eighty-six. Judge Wadleigh married, early in life, Polly Mars- ton, daughter of Jacob, a native of Sutton, a woman whose kind and unselfish nature is still reverently remembered. As a wife and mother, she was ever ready to sur- render every thought of self to the welfare of her family. Shedied December 17, 1S57, aged seventy-six years. The product of this union was six sons and two daughters, and two children who died in infancy. Eliphalet was born November 21, 1804; died in Illinois about the year 1866. Luther, born July 11, 1806 ; married aud settled in East Corinth, Me., where he died in 1873. Dur- ing all his life there he occupied positions of trust and responsibility. The resolutions passed by the town at his death testify to the esteem in which he was held. These resolutions speak of him " as a municipal officer com- petent and faithful ; as a citizen, he was unpretend- ing, yet at all times ready, by fitting words and timely deeds, to help the needy ; a consistent lover of his country aud his home and those virtues so pleasing to the patriot and the parent ; an unobtrusive worker ; a doer of the word ; steadfast ; a keeper at home, med- dling never with that which did not concern him, but faithful in all life's duties." Erastus, whose biography is elsewhere given, was the third son. Milton, the fourth son, graduated from Norwich Uni- versity, Vermont, as civil engineer, in 1837. Subse- quently he went West and engaged in railroad engineer- ing ; located at Galena, Jo Daviess County, 111., then distinguished for its mines, and the most flourishing and promising place in the State. For many years he filled the ofiice of city engineer. At the present time he is surveyor of Jo Daviess County, an office to which he has, for many consecutive years, been elected, irrespective of political ascendancy. Hannah, the fifth child, born November 23, 1S14 ; married Nathaniel A. Davis; died November 8, 1853, lovingly remembered by her surviving family. Lydia F. was educated at New Hampton Institu- tion, where she remained as teacher three years. For the past thirty years she has been engaged in teach- ing in New York City, — first, as organizer and princi- pal of the Senior Public School, in Twelfth Street ; and, since 1870, as superintendent of the Normal College in that city. Benjamin, the seventh child, was engaged in mer- cantile business in Newport and elsewhere. Died in Newport, N. H., November 8, 1868. Gilbert, the youngest sou, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1847 ; studied law and settled in practice at Milford, N. H., where he now resides. During the Civil War he was paymaster in the army. Judge Wadleigh was born and spent his life, mar- ried and reared his family, on the same farm. He is remembered as being of fine personal appearance, gentlemanly in manner and possessed of a pleasant, genial nature, wliich was very attractive to young and old. He was an earnest promoter of education, and no sacrifice Vfas deemed too great to afford the educa- tional advantages of the times to his children. Through life he commanded the confidence, re- spect and friendly regard of his fellow-townsmen ; while, as a citizen and the leader of a party, no man's views had more weight thau his. His sound judgment and recognized integrity caused his opinions and advice to be much sought in controversies, not only between his own townsmen, but by those of neighboring towns, and for many years no inconsiderable part of his time was devoted to the settlement of such controversies in which he acted as arbitrator — sometimes with associ- ates, but frequently alone — by mutual consent of parties. Judge Wadleigh has now beeu dead more than twenty years, but within a few days one man, a law- yer, who used frequently to act with him in reference cases, has volunteered this testimony to his uprightness, — "I remember him well; I remember his unflinching honesty ;" and he added, " If I were his worst enemy, or if he were mine, I would trust him for honest deal- ing. He never gave opinions at random." Judge Wadleigh was active in the public service during most of his life. His name appears on the record as selectman in 1809, 1810, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1817, 1820 and 1822; as moderator in 1822, 1823 and 1824; as representative in 1823, 1824 and 1825 ; as town clerk in 1825, 1826, 1827, 1828 and 1829. He was justice of the peace from 1823 till his death. He was judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 1833 till his age (seventy years) disqualified him. Ho died June 24, 1864, aged eighty-one years. ERASTUS WADLEIGH, ESQ. Erastus Wadleigh, Esq., was the third son of the l^y-€tJtZid Mx cX 'Cu.^yJ^ SUTTON. 645 late Hon. Benjamia Wadleigh, and was born April 27,1808; died May 21, 1881. ,\ high-minded, honorable geiitlenuiii, scholarly, courteous and hospitable, he was one of those men whose presence gives character and dignity to the community in which they make their lite-long abid- ing-place. Possessed of superior intellectual powers, cultivated and strengthened by the habit of study and investi- gation, with much natural sagacity, quickened by thorough acquaintance with men and practical ex- perience in the managing of public affairs, his in- fluence was strongly felt. As a politician he was conservative enough for safety, yet not too timid to adopt new measures in place of the old when the new seemed founded in justice. In his young manhood, as teacher and as superin- tending school committee, he was the means of giv- ing to the cause of education in Sutton a decided impulse forward, being among the foremost of those who substituted emulation to excel in scholarship for the old fashion of seeking to govern by authority founded on the rod and ferule. No man who ever lived in Sutton has a clearer right to the favorable remembrance of his fellow- townsmen than Erastus Wadleigh, since no man ever did so much as he has done to rescue from oblivion the names and memories of others. He prepared many biographical sketches of deceased citizens, which found their way into the journals of the day, and copies of which are still preserved. In this work he spent many laborious days, but it was his favorite employment, and many of the latter years of his life were largely devoted to the early history of his na- tive town. No one so well as the writer of this sketch, who labored jointly with him on that work, can testify to the enthusiastic interest, the study, the faithful accuracy and patience which he brought to bear upon it. Both authors were descended from original settlers prominent and active in the earlier years of the town, — the one from Benjamin Wadleigh, Sr., and the other from Matthew Harvey, Sr., — and both hav- ing access to the papers and records of their respec- tive ancestors, much valuable matter was thus col- lected and recorded. Selections from this unpub- lished history have, to some extent, formed the basis of the present work. By his separate and individual efforts Mr. Wadleigh added greatly to that which is the chief merit of those historical collections, as in- deed it is of all historical works, — -their reliability. He left no means untried for obtaining correct infor- mation. By many letters of inquiry, by conversation with aged persons, and by carefully consulting burial- stones in ancient grave-yards he compelled both the living and the dead to add their testimony to the writ- ten record. No part of the town was left unvisited, and from every part he gathered something. In reponse to his close questioning, "North" Sutton "gave up" all it ever knew about it.self, and "South" Sutton " kept not back." He left nothing for guess-work ; accepted no statement unless supported by other and well-known facts. He was, perhaps, at first led into this pursuit by the strong love and interest he always felt for the scenes and localities amid which his infancy and boyhood, his young manhood and mature life had been spent. To him every hill and valley, every lake and stream had a history of its own, suggestive of the toils, the alternate successes and defeats of the men of the preceding generations; of their continuous conflict with the very roughest side of nature ; of the cold and hardships, sometimes even hunger, that they braved ; of the rocks that they blasted, the stone walls they built, the swamps they filled up and the hills they laid low to make passable roads; of the forests their determined arms converted into fields and farms. Occasionally, too, there bubbled up in his memory, like a living spring in the dense forest, some jest or joke, some anecdote of fun or frolic, that had its origin among those hardy pioneers, and which, having served its refreshing purpose of making an hour or a day of their toilsome life more endurable, had reached down to our time. Kezar's Pond was to him an object of especial love and admiration ; there was no sheet of water so beau- tiful, no sandy beach so white and smooth as that on its south and southeastern shore. For more than seventy years he had watched its face, playful or frowning, as it lay nestled at the foot of the noble eminence on which stood his ancestral home. Following with his eye the hills beyond, and in every direction, the desire grew upon him to repeople them all; not, like the novelist, with creatures of his own imagination, but with those to whom these localities had been the theatre on which they had acted their part in the drama of real life. The history of Sutton was commenced, but the work had not proceeded far before the discovery was made that it is one thing to put on record facts al- ready within reach, and quite another to find right answers to all questions of genealogy and descent to which those facts gave rise. (And here, perhaps, is as good a place as any other to state, for the benefit of all those who are ambitious of entering the field of antiquarian and genealogical research, that no one ever yet entered that field with any adequate conception of the amount of labor in- volved in the attempt to operate there. Why, then, does not the aspirant quickly abandon a work the proportionate results of which are so small ? Simply because he cannot. His interest in the work grows with his constantly-enlarging conception of its mag- nitude and its importance. He soon becomes thor- oughly identified with it, or rather the work has mastered him, and he has become subordinated to it. For genealogical research, apparently so dry, once entered upon, becomes the most fascinating of all HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. literary work, becomes magnetic even in its attrac- tiveness to its pursuer. Very unwillingly, and only under pressure of strong necessity, will the genealo- gist suspend, even temporarily, his worl^ while search- ing for "missing links" in some family chain. The clue he may chance to hold in his hand is so slight, so elusive, has been so difficult to attain, and yet is of such value if it leads to the result he is working for; with the conviction that, if he lets it slip, it is lost forever, and no future genealogist will be able to reach it, and yet will blunder for lack of it, — all this makes him cling to it with a miser-like tenacity till he finds the desired link and has got it fairly riveted in its proper place. Not only does the genealogist feel compelled to do his work, but he must do it aright. An assertion based, for lack of proof, upon supposition or even upon probability may prove to be a misstatement, which will fatally bewilder and mislead the future historian. For history is forever going on, and the record is by no means completed when the writer of our day lays aside his pen forever.) Jlr. Wadleigh,of course, realized that in succeeding years some otlier would take up the work where he dropped it, and would make this, his early work, the foundation on which to build his own. It was this sense of double responsibility to the past which, to his ear, clamored for remembrance, for recognition and historical justice, at his hands, as well as to the future, which was to sit in judgment upon his work, united with a natural honesty and conscientiousness which, if a man possess it, enters as closely into his literary work as into his business dealings, — it was all this which urged him to use the strictest accuracy of statement rather than fullness of detail. Through- out his entire work there is no possibility of miscon- struction through diffuseness or carelessness. When, with advancing age, the hand of disease was laid heavily upon him, it was with deepest re- gret that he yielded to the conviction that he was no longer able to continue his chosen work. And yet he could not fail to view with satisfaction that which was already accomplished. He had brought the thirty years succeeding the first settlement out of the region of fog and fable in which the antiquarian usually finds such years, when searching for material for the centennial address, long before the town had seen its hundredth birthday. In the following brief words lie explains his aims and object, and gives his moderate estimate of what he had accomplished. He says : " FeUom-CUismt of SuUon : 1 submit to you the following early his- torj- of the town and a sketch of the settlers prc\ious to 180(), and some of then- descendants, taken from the records of the original grantees, town records and information preserved by some of the settlers them- selves, together with personal knowledge of a large number of the persons referred to. It is believed by tlie writer, so far as his knowledge extends, to be materially con-ect, although deficient in other respects — not embracing all that is desirable. It is designed to be a record of mere fads, as far as it goes, without embellishment or exaggeration. If the writer has been able to make himself understood, lie will feci that he has done something towui-ds rescuing the memory of our forefathers from immediate oblivion, which is his principal design." The love of kindred, always so noticeable a charac- teristic of Mr. Wadleigh, became much more marked towards the last of his days. This peculiar feature, which not unfrequently manifests itself, is always gratifying, yet painful for relatives to observe, indi- cating, as it does, this return to our earliest affec- tions, this coming back to where we started from, that our life-circle is nearly completed. Whenever we shall detect this change in ourselves, it will not require the knowledge that our seventy allotted years are already past to tell us that the end of our life is near. With a modesty remarkable in a man of his ac- knowledged and recognized ability, Erastus Wadleigh never sought distinction or preferment. Here, in our quiet town, he was content to pass his whole life; here he gave his interest, and here he gained what so many sons and daughters of Sutton have sought elsewhere, and some have failed to find, — competence, influence, friendship, true regard. He was married three times. His first wife, who was the mother of his children, was Almira Challis, married Feb. 21, 1839, daughter of Timothy Challis ; born October 15, 1815, and died July 14, 1842. His only surviving child is Milton B. Wadleigh, who lives on and owns the old Wadleigh homestead, which re- mains unimpaired and undivided, though greatly en- larged, and is one of the finest farms in Sutton. His second wife was Mary W. Flanders, who died May 4, 18(i5. His third wife was Olive Holmes, widow of Dr. Dimond Davis. She died November 1, 1880. TRC.MAS PUTNEY. It is valuable to preserve for coming generations, in connection with the history of events, something of the personality of those who, at various times and in various ways, have been representative men, and have taken their part as actors in those occurrences which, when recorded, become to future readers the history of the past, and the history of Sutton would be incomplete without a record of the life of Truman Putney. Hazen Putney, the son of Joseph Putney, of Hop- kiuton, married Susan Page. He was a farmer and tanner, and also added harness-making to his other trades, and was a respected and industrious citizen. The children of this worthy couple were Mary N., wlio married Carlos G. Pressey, and had one child, George H.; Lydia E., married Walter W. Stone (chil- dren,— Edwin C. and Charles H.) ; Almira M., mar- ried Jacob S. Harvey (their children are Walter, Fred. P. and Albert) ; and Truman. Truman Putney, the youngest child of Hazen and Susan (Page) Putney, was born in Sutton, N. H., July 4, 1828. Like most of the sons of New England farmers, he attended the district schools of his native town, and also endeavored by his assistance to aid his father in his labors. His education was supplemented I Jlcl-^^'Jr. 647 by the advantages of a school at Washington, N. H., where he was for a short time. The young man made the most of his opportunities, and, before reaching his majority, he commenced business-life by serving as cleric for his brothers-in-law, C. G. Pressey & Jacob S. Harvey, who were merchants. After a few years Mr. Harvey sold out his share of the business to Mr. Putney and went to Texas, and later Mr. Putney pur- chased Mr. Pressey's interest and continued merchan- dising in his own name for some years. Mr. Putney married Lydia A. Woodward, of Sut- ton, daughter of Jonathan Woodward. They had two children, — Cora Belle, who died at the age of seven years, and Fred., who was born September 4, 1855. Mrs. Putney died March 2, 1875, and he married Frances E., daughter of P. S. H. Gile. She died February 8, 1879, and Mr. Putney married, February 28, 1880, Mrs. Lydia M. Nelson, daugliter of Emery Bailey. In April, 1878, Mr. Putney took his son, Fred., into partnership, under the iirm-name of Truman Put- ney & Son. About 1881, Mr. Putney's health becoming impaired from his long-continued devotion to business, and ob- taining no relief from medical aid, and believing that a change of climate might accomplish the desired result, accompanied by his wife, he went to Colorado Springs, where he rapidly grew worse, and died Sep- tember 30, 1882. His body was interred in Sutton. The funeral services were conducted in exact accord- ance with his previously made arrangements. Entering into trade early in life, Mr. Putney devel- oped a manhood well worthy the imitation of young men. For nearly thirty-five years he continued the same business in the same place. He had a' natural aptitude for commercial transactions, and by honesty, l)erseverance and industry he was prospered. By in- tegrity, years of fair dealing and a strict adherence to his word he built up a character of solidity, and never dared malice or envy whisper aught against his name or his broad Christian charity. In his business relations he was widely knowu, and his uniform courtesy and kindly manners won for him many friends, both in financial and social circles. He was a leading man in the town, and many, among all classes, sought his counsel and advice, and he was ever ready with his generous aid for any good object, and for a long period took an active part in every- thing tending to promote the growth and prosperity of the town. Politically, he affiliated with the Eepublican party, and represented Sutton in the New Hampshire Legis- lature. He was appointed postmaster in 1861, and held the office until his death. For many years he held the office of town treasurer, and other official positions within the gift of his fellow-citizens, and all these duties he discharged with his characteristic fidelity. Mr. Putney was not a member of any church, but his religion was exemplified in his life. His principles were Christian, and his sympathy, kindness and accord with the people of Clirist were shown by his liberal contributions for tlie support of the gospel. His temperament was cheerful and sunny, always seeing the silver lining of the dark cloud. By his death Sutton lost a valued citizen, and all who knew him cherish liis memory with reverent regard. >R. KOBERT I..\NE. Dr. Robert Lane was born at Newport, N. H., April 2, 1786. He studied medicine with Dr. Tru- man Abel at Claremont. He first settled in the prac- tice of his profession in New London, moving to Sutton about 1810. He married Mary Kelsey, of Newport, January, 1807. They had three children, — Elizabeth, who married Dr. James R. Smiley, of Grafton; Mary, who died when two years old; and Adelaide, who married George W. Ela, of Concord. June 10, 1812, his wife died, and Dr. Lane returned to New London for residence, but continued to occupy the same field of practice. During the first years of his practice he spent the winter months in attend- ing- medical lectures at Harvard and Dartmouth, and in 1814 received his degree of M.D. from the latter college. Close application to the study and practice of his profession, continued through several years, told up- on his health, and in 1817 he gave up practice for a season of rest. He went South, and, after visit- ing most of the Southern States, accepted an appoint- ment as surgeon in the expedition of General Jack- son against the Indians and Spaniards in Florida. After the capture of Pensacola he was stationed there for a short time and then was ordered to Mobile, Ala., and placed in charge of the military hospital at that post. In the summer of 1820 he resigned his position in the army and returned to Sutton to settle permanently. He bought a farm near the North village and the rest of his life was spent in the routine work of a country physician and in farm- ing. The breaking out of the War of the Rebellion re- awakened his military ardor, and it was with keen regret that he felt the infirmities of age bearing too heavily upon him to permit his acceptance of the responsible position in the service which was tend- ered him. Towards the close of the war he was ap- pointed by the Governor an examining surgeon in the preparation of the ^raft rolls, and, as it did not take him from the State, he was able to perform the duties of the office. He continued in active prac- tice until he was eighty years old. In the spring of 1872 he fell upon the floor, crushing the bones of one hip, from the effects of which accident he died May 3d, aged eighty-six years. For more than fifty consecutive years Dr. Lane was an influential citizen of Sutton. As a physician, 648 HISTORY OF MKRRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. he stood in the first rank among his contemporaries. He loved his profession and gave to it the best efforts of a clear and vigorous intellect. Beginning prac- tice with a better ])reparation than was common at that day, he was a life-long student, both of books and in the line of original investigation. He re- garded his profession as a field for unlimited research and study and held it to be the physician's first duty to be always learning. He was gifted by na- ture with the special qualifications of a good surgeon, and the circumstances of his army connection gave him unusual facilities for the study of surgery. Up- on his return to New Hampshire he gave special at- tention to that branch of his profession, and soon became widely known as one of the best surgeons of the State. His reputation as a physician was also far more than local ; and, in addition to his home practice, which embraced all the towns adjoining Sutton, he almost always had patients under his care in more distant towns. Professionally, he may be said to have belonged to the county rather than to the town of his residence. In the midst of his professional work, Dr. Lane found time for the watchful supervision of his farm. He was a devoted lover of New Hampshire soil, and stoutly maintained that it was the equal of any as a field for progressive and profitable agriculture. In this pur- suit, also, he was a close student of books and of nature, and in his efforts to harmonize book farming and prac- tical farming he was a generation in advance of his time. He was fond of experiments and held many pecu- liar theories ; but these were the result of a careful study of the soil and the crops with which he had to do, and for the most part experience proved them correct. At a time when New Hampshire farming was generally the practice of a blind routine, his work was based upon an intelligent study of the nat- ural laws which governed it. In politics. Dr. Lane was an Old-time Whig and in later years a Republican. Sutton was a stanch Democratic town, only three Whig votes being cast at its polls for several years. After awhile the num- ber of Whigs increased to thirteen, and so remained until the little band, known as " Dr. Lane and his twelve disciples," became politically famous in the region round about. In politics, as in all things, his opinions were sharply defined and tenaciously held, and he was always well informed upon current polit- ical ideas and events. He, however, had no wish for ofiicial position and little time or taste for political controversy ; but it was with pardonable pride that he at last saw his faith triumphant at home as well as in the country at large. In 186G the Democrats failed of a majority at the annual election, and Dr. Lane was chosen the first Republican representative from Sutton to the State Legislature. He was then eighty years old and the oldest member of that Leg- islature. The mental characteristics of Dr. Lane were strength and breadth of view united with accuracy and minuteness in the notice of details. Aside from his profession, he was self-educated, but his educa- tion was broad and thorough. He had marked lit- erary tastes and was especially devoted to the study of the English classics. When wearied with profes- sional work he habitually found rest in the reading of standard English literature. But he took nothing for granted. Everything he read must pass the or- deal of his independent judgment. His books — medical, agricultural and literary — were dotted along their margins with his comments and notes of approval or dissent. He possessed rare conversational gifts and a great store of anecdotes ; and, having a retentive and exact memory, his talk was an in- structive and interesting mingling of facts and quo- tations with his own argument. He was always em- ployed, finding his recreation in study or a change of work rather than in rest or sport. Thus the meas- ure of his long life was filled with useftil activity. The genealogy of the Lane family may be traced for several generations until lost in the traditions of the seventeenth cenmry. The ancestors of Dr. Lane were prominent among the early settlers of Con- necticut and New Hampshire. His father, Jesse Lane, was born at Lebanon, Conn., December 1, 1746, and removed to Newport, N. H., in June, 1766. February 22, 1770, he married Hester Wright, of Killingworth, Conn., who was born October 31, 1750. He was a leading citizen among the first settlers of Newport, serving as representative three years and selectman eight years. He died at the age of seventy-two years. His family consisted of eleven children, of whom Robert was the fifth son and eighth child. Jesse Lane was the second son of Robert Lane, who was born at Killingworth, Conn., in November, 1718. He married Mary Thatcher, of Lebanon, Conn., July 4, 1744, and moved to New- port, N. H., about 1770. He, too, was active in the early history of that town, holding various town oflices for many years. He was, perhaps, a son of the Robert Lane who lived in Stratford, Conn., from 1665 to 1685, and who is probably the same mentioned by Field as coming from Derbyshire, England, and making one of the first settlers of Killingworth, Conn. Tradition connects him with the loyalist Lane who aided Charles the Second. The Page family were of the pioneers of Rocking- ham County, and among the first settlers of the town of Atkinson, N. H., we find the name of Edmund Page. He was a man of note, and his descendants are among the brave and good men of their day and generation ; some served their country in the dark days of the Revolutionary War, and many have served their God, living worthy and honorable lives. July 17, 1772, there was recorded the birth of one Captain (^;^tny^^^ y^t-^x.-'^^ -e- ^-^'^'^iA — ' ^^ 649 Enoch Page, in Atkinson, and about the year 1795 he married Sarah Noyea, who was born March 12, 1774. Enoch was a carpenter by trade, and remark- ably skillCul in the use of tools, besides possessing an unusual amount of energy and enterprise, and soon after his marriage he moved to Sutton, of which place he continued to be a resident during his life. He carried on farming, was also an " inn-keeper," keep- ing the old tavern located at the corner of the road leading to Sutton's Mills. In those early days the inn-keeper was looked upon as one of the "solid men" of the town, and was elected to and served in many town offices. Whatever Mr. Page did, he did well ; his farm was productive, his other business prospered and from an humble beginning he gained a com- petency by his own unaided exertions. He died October 31, 1828. The children of Enoch and Sarah (Noyes) Page were Susanna, born April 21, 1797 (she marrried Hazen Putney, October 24, 1810, and had four chil- dren, — Mary, Lydia, Almira, Truman), and Enoch. Mrs. Page died August 8, 1855, aged eighty-one. Enoch Page was born in Sutton October 2, 1804, and died January 14, 1882, in the seventy-eighth year nf his age. He received his early education in Sut- t.)n, and afterwards attended Pembroke and Meriden Academies. Mr. Page married, December 2, 1846, Hannah C. Oulby, of Warner, N. H. They had six children,— 1. Daniel, died in infancy. 2. Josephine, born August 1, 1848, and married, De- cember 31, 1868, George Roby, the fourth in descent from Samuel Roby (1), Ichabod (2), Samuel, Jr. (3). The Roby family were among the early settlers of New Hampshire. George Roby was born in Sutton September 21, 1834, and at the commencement of the war he enlisted in the Eleventh New Hampshire Volunteers, Company D. Mr. and Mrs. Roby have one child, Eva B., born September 14, 1870. 3. Eugene, born May 16, 1851 ; died August 19, 1S51. 4. Martha C, born December 12, 1852, and married. May 9, 1882, George H. Littlehale, a native of Sutton, and son of Henry, and grandson of Isaac Littlehale, an old resident of Sutton. 5. Sarah, born February 24, 1856 ; died August 23, 1856. 6. Mary, born May 4, 1860 ; died July 29, 1860. Mr. Page was a farmer, and took pride in the im- provement and cultivation of his farm, and was interested in the affairs of the town to a large extent. He was postmaster for a great many years, the post- office being in the old tavern, the latter of which his father had remodeled into a private residence, and in this house, which is now occupied by his daughter, Mrs. George H. Littlehale, both Enoch Page, Sr., and Enoch Page, Jr., died. In politics Mr. Page was first a Democrat and afterwards a Republican, and was always found in accord with progress, and served his native town faithfully in all the various offices to which he was elected by his townsmen, by whom he was universally esteemed. He was a leader in town matters and was honored with many public trusts. He held a com- mission of justice of the peace, and was a captain in the militia; be was mwn clerk from 1831 to 1838, and for the years |s|;;, Is ii' :iii : -nih.n, reprcscntic- tivo in 1785; the same towns olccl.,1 / , ■ 1 risherslieW, in 1786; the three towns elected J;iri,. I i , ". ir nir, in 1787-Si) (this was tlte end of tlie class i-._-|i[i- ; i. :- i - li.reafter Warner elected and sent her "iMij. |L. , lirlore) ; .lames Flaudera, 173(I-!I4; A(]nilla DuM>, I, i , l;.iri:ett, 1799-1801 ; AquilU Davis, 1.S02-:,; James II,. I, h.ird Bartlett, 1808-11 j Ben- jamin Kvaus, 1812; Ki.ii.nl i'..,ii, ii, iM,,: Benjamin Evane, 1814; I'hilij) Klandcrs, 1815 ; Henry II. (.liase, I.sl(l-I7 ; Benjamin Evans, 1818 -1 9 ; Richard Bartlett, 1820 ; James Bean, 1821 ; Benjamin Evans, James Bean, 1822 ; Benjamin Evans. Henry B. Chase, 1823 ; Henry B. Chase, Abucr 11. liull.-v, 1S.J4: Tini.ifl.v FliiM.l..rs, Caleh Buswell, 1826; Bonja- " '"- I'.'... I' I-'. I ....... iiiu Kvans, Ahner B. Kelley, 1^-^ . ' I I . -s , ! , , ^ . .11.. V, 1820; Nathan S. Colhv, Z''l'"l I I'"'- i . /.I." I'..'i% r.. i.i.iinu K. Harriman,1831;Ben- Jainiii L. 11,11 1 1111. ui, iittiiiL-l Juiie,s, in...: ; Lnuiiel Jones, Nathan S. Coll.y, isaa ; Nathan S. Colby, limotliy Davis, 1834 ; Timothy Davis, Philip Colby, Jr., 1830 ; Philip Colby, Jr., Mitchell Gilmore, Jr., 1830 ; Mitchell GilMii.r,., .Ir., NHtliiiii Davi.s 1837; Nathan Davis, .\l)ner Woodman, l.*;- Mi., ^^ ", .n. Mi,. 1 Wutkins, 18.39; Abncr Watkins, Afa I'iii' II , I II ,1 Tliompson, 1841; Robert Thompson, ■I'.l.i, 1 I , 11 I' II I , il son, Robert Thompson, 1843 ; H. D. K.,1., ,!■ I., i ,, , II., . Ill Kiios Collins, Daniel Bean, Jr., 1845; nom- plictcl, 1S1I-. ; .liiines ,11. Harrinmn, Daniel Bean, Jr., 1847 ; J. M Harriman, Franklin Simonds, 1848 ; Franklin Simonds, Walter Harri- man, 1849; Walter Harriman, George A. Pillsbury, 1830; George A. Pillsbnry, Leonard Katon, 1851 ; Leonard Eaton, H. II. Harriman, 1852 ; H. D. Robertson, Ira Harvey, 1853 ; H. D. Robertson, Levi Collins, 1854 ; Levi Collins, Benjamin C. Davis, 1855; Benjamin C. Davis, Lewis Holmes, 1850 ; Lewis Holmes, Samuel W. Colby, 1867 ; Samuel W. Colby, Waltei- Harriman, 1858; Cnmmings Marshall, Ephraim M. Dunbar, 1859 ; C. Mareball, E. M. Dunbar, 1860 ; .\ugustine N. Harriman, Stephen C. Pattce, 18G1-02 ; John P. Colby, Hezekiah B. Harriman, 18G3-04 ; Elijah E. Gilmore, John Rogers. 1865-66 ; Samuel Davis, Moses J. Collins, 1807-68; Christopher G. McAlpine, Lemuel W.Collins, 1869-70 ; Charles Currier, Moses D. Wheeler, 1871-72 ; John E. Robert- son, John W. Clement, 1873-74; John H. Dowlin, NehemiahG. Ordway, 1876-76 ; N. G. Ordw,iy, Henry C. Davis, 1877 ; Henry C. Davis, 1878 ; .Augustus R. Putnam, 1880 ; Harlan S. Willis, 1882 ; none elected, ls.'i4. Of the value of money, land and labor during the early history of the town, a few facts gleaned from the town records and other sources will give one a good understanding. It should be premised that the "pounds" spoken of in the early records was in the "new tenor" currency, which was six shillings to a dollar. A pound, therefore, was equal to S3.33, and a shilling to sixteen and two-thirds cents. One stipula- tion made in regard to Rev. Mr. Kelley's salary in 1771 was to give him one hundred dollars in labor, at two shillings and six-pence (forty-one andtwo-thirds cents) per day, or, if dinners were found, then two shillings (thirty-three and one-third cents) per day. Work on the highways was reckoned at three shillings (fifty cents) per day in 1785. March 22, 1791, the town voted to reckon, work on the highways as follows: "From the first of June to the last of August, three shillings per dny ; IIISTOllY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. from the last of August to the last of Suptembcr, two shillings aud six- pence per day ; from the last of September to the first of November, two shillings per day ; from that to the first of April, one shilling and six- ponce (25 ctii.) per day ; aud from then to the firat of June, two shillings and six-penco per day," December 28, 1797, the town voted to allow men for work iu building bridges two shillings per day till April 1st and after that three shillings per day until the bridges were finished. February 8, 1798, it was voted to pay minute-men enlisted by the town enough to make up to them ten dollars per- month while they did duty, including what they were allowed by Con- gress. Several lots of land, varying from forty to eighty acres, were sold at public auction for non-payment of taxes in 1784, for whicli prices were paid varying from six-pence to one shilling per acre, with taxes and costs. At a similar sale, in 1797, different lots were sold at five cents, seventeen cents, thirty-one, forty-one, sixty and a dollar and fifty-four cents per acre. Twenty lots were sold in the same way in January and February, 1812, the average price per acre being twenty cents. In 1782 the furnishing of the twenty cords of wood, which were a part of Rev. William Kelley's salary, was struck off to the lowest bidder, as follows : Ten cords to Esq. Joseph Sawyer, at four shillings aud six-pence (seventy-five cents) per cord ; five to Francis Ferrin at four shillings and five-pence ; and five to the same at five shillings (or eighty-three and a half cents). When the first pound was built, in 1798, which, by popular vote, was to be thirty feet square and seven feet high, of green white-pine logs, with the bark taken off, with a white-oak door and a heavy lock, its building and providing all the materials wasstruck off to Tappan Evans for ten dollars aud a half, all of a quarter less for what it could be built for now. At the close of the last century a girl's wages were two shillings a week and board. The commonest quality of calico was four shillings a yard, so that a woman could no more than pay for a dress by three months of hard labor. In the year 1788 wheat was rated in Concord at seven shillings per bushel, Indian corn at four shillings, potatoes at one shilling, cheese at six-pence per pound and stall-fed beef at four-pence. The census statistics of Warner from the close of the Revolution to the census of 1880 will show the period of its greatest growth and likewise of its de- cline. The increase for the first decade was remark- able, and that of the second as much so, the popula- tion nearly doubling in each instance. The large in- crease between 1810 and 1820 must, in part, be at- tributed to the annexation of the Gore in 1818, the population of that territory being one hundred and twenty-five persons by the census of 1810. The pop- ulation of the town has been constantly decreasing since 1825, though at the present time there are more voters than at any previous period. Population in 1783 was 458; 1790,863; 1800, 1569; 1810, 1838; 1820, 2446; 1830, 2221; 1840, 2139; 1850, 2038; 1860, 1970; 1870, 1667; 1880,1537. Upon looking at the map of Warner one will see a narrow neck of land stretching northward, like a mason's apron, between Sutton and Salisbury, till it reaches the Wilmot and Andover lines. This terri- tory constitutes the famous Kearsarge Gore. It orig- inally stretched over the mountain northward to the present site of Wilmot Centre. Up to the year 1807 this Gore was a sort of a town by itself, the inhabit- ants holding their own town-meetings and electing officers like any corporate organization. When Wil- mot was incorporated, in June, 1807, the new town- ship took a third of its territory from the Gore. The description of its boundaries on this side reads as fol- lows in the charter of incorporation : "Also all the lands and inhabitants within said Kearsarge Gore, north of a straight line beginning at the southwest corner of Andover; thence running westerly to the highest part of said mountain; thence westerly to Sutton line." The territory on the south side of the mountain continued separate until 1818, when, by an act of the State Legislature, approved June 13th, the Gore, with tlie inhabitants thereof, was annexed to Warner. By this the fine mountain of Kearsarge, its glorious bold summit, overlooking the whole central and southern part of the State, became, to all intents and purposes, our mountain. The first post-ofiice was established in Warner in 1813, at the Lower village, then the chief business centre of the town. Henry B. Chase, who was ap- pointed postmaster at that time, held the office till 1817, when he was succeeded by Dr. Henry Lyman. Levi Bartlett was appointed to succeed Dr. Lyman iu 1825 and held the office until 1830, when it was dis- continued. An office meanwhile had been instituted at Waterloo, with Philip Colby, Jr., as postmaster. In 1830 this office and the one at the Lower village were consolidated and established at the Centre village, when Harrison D. Robertson was made postmaster. Mr. Robertson was succeeded as follows: George A. Pillsbury, 1844; William Carter, Jr., 1849; Gilman C. Sanborn, 1851; Abner B. Kelley, 1855; Hiram Buswell, 1861; E. H. Carroll, 1877; E. C. Cole, 1884; Lloyd H. Adams, 1885. In 1865 a post-office was re- established at Waterloo, which was discontinued aftL-r two years. Walter H. Bean and T. Leavitt Dowlin served successively as postmasters. In 1885 another office was established at the same place, with Roger Gage as postmaster. In 1871 an office was established at Roby's Corner and Moses H. Roby was appointed postmaster. In 1884 offices were established at Mel- vin's Mills, W. Tappan Melvin as postmaster, and at Bagley's Bridge, Fred. H. Savory as postmaster. In 1885 an office was also established at Davisville, with Moses Twitchell as postmaster, making six post- offices in town. Tlie Simonds Free High School was established iu 1871. It received its name from Hon. Franklin 657 Simonds, who left the bulk of his property for this purpose. Mr. Simonds died in 1809 :ind Mrs. Simonds the following year. At a legal meeting of the inhabitants at the town liall, March 18, 1871, the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote: "Resolueit, That the Town of Warner, in view of the bequests of Frank- lin Simonds, late of Warner, of twenty thousand dollars, and of .Abigail K. Simonds, late of Warner, of five thousand dollars, as a fund, the in- ruuie to be applied for the purpose of a high school, establish a high pchool, and that said town be and hereby is constituted a high school district, including the whole territory of said town." Tlie following summer a brick school building was erected on a pleasant site, and in December the school was opened. The building cost about ten thousand dollars. The succession of principals have been as follows: E. C. Cole, 1871; N. N. Atkinson, 1874; William Goldthwaite, 1876; E. H. Farnsworth, 1880 ; Charles A. Strout, 1881 ; H. S. Koberts, 1884. A home fair was inaugurated in Warner, in 1871, by several of the leading farmers During two years the exhibitions were at the town hall and in the street. In 1873, Hon. N. G. Ordway laid out twelve acres of land near the village for a fair-ground, erec- ted buildings and stalls and made a race-course. River Bow Park Association was incorporated by the Legislature in 1875. The association, which em- liraces a dozen or fourteen towns around Kearsarge ^Mountain, purchased the grounds and buildings in 1876 and have held several successful fairs at the place. In the summer-time the park is open and is used as a driving resort by the citizens. The Kearsarge Mountain Road Company was char- tered in 1866. For several years the company endeav- ored to secure the co-operation of the town in building a road to the summit of the mountain, but unsuccessfully. At the Presidential election in No- vember, 1872, a resolution was introduced by S. C. Pattee, authorizing and instructing the selectmen to subscribe for and hold, in the name of the town, twenty shares, of the value of one hundred dollars each, of the stock of the Kearsarge Road Com- pany, provided, however, that the foregoing resolu- tion shall not be binding on the town until said road is completed, or until responsible parties shall furnish a bond to the satisfaction of the selectmen, to build said road, without ftirther a.ssist- ance from the town. An amendment proposed by Major Samuel Davis, providing " that the town have two-fifths of the five directors, and that the first and second selectmen shall be ex-officio said directors," was adopted. The resolution, thus amended, passed. Subsequently N. G. Ordway and William E. Chand- ler furnished a bond in the sum of four thousand dol- lars to complete the mountain road, without expense to the town beyond the appropriation of two thou- sand dollars, and binding themselves to finish the road on or before the 1st day of June, 1874, to a point some eight rods below the summit of Mount Kearsarge, the selectmen for the town coming under ! obligation to pay over the two thousand dollars on 1 these conditions. Work was begun on the new road in the fall of 1873, and by June, 1874, the five miles were completed, j a wide roadway being made from Hurricane Gate to j the top of the mountain. July 4th of the same year the road was formally opened, a large crowd being present, and addresses being made by Hon. N. G. Ordway, Hon. W. E. Chandler, Hon. M. W. Tappan, Robert Thompson, Esq., and Hon. Walter Harriman. In 1876 there was a decisive change of political opinion in the town. Warner had always been a Democratic town, and in some years had been the banner town of the Democracy in New Hampshire. In 1838 the town gave a majority of 311 votes for Isaac Hill, which was the largest given him by any town in the State. From the beginning of the century the Democratic vote of the town had averaged 150 in excess of the opposite party, sometimes no opposition being recorded. But after the formation of the Republican party the Democratic majority was constantly reduced. In 1854, the vote for Gov- ernor was as follows : For N. B. Baker, Democratic, 257; Jared Perkins, 75; James Bell, 24. In 1874 the vote stood as follows : James A. Weston, Demo- cratic, 242; Luther McCutchins, 172. In 1875, Hiram R. Roberts, Democratic, had 238 votes; Person C. Cheney, 202. In 1876, Person C. Cheney had 253 votes ; Daniel Marcy, 222 ; giving the Republican candidate a majority of 31. For the first time in the history of the town the Board of Selectmen was Republican, and one of the representatives to the General Court was also a Republican. In 1878 the Democrats regained the Board of Selectmen, and at the gubernatorial election Frank McKean, Demo- crat, received 247 votes, while Natt Head received 272 votes. Since then the Democrats have carried all the town elections, though most of the biennial elections have gone Republican by a small majority. Warner being such a Democratic stronghold, it was perfectly natural that her leading citizens should play prominent parts in the politics of the county and the State. We wish to notice a few who in their day and generation " strutted upon the stage," acting a part at home and abroad that recalls the Scriptural statement, — " There were giants in those days." One of the most prominent men of the last century was Hon. James Flanders, who lived on Burnt Hill, between the Clough and Bartlett places, the buildings having long since been taken down. He was a native of Danville, N. H., and came to Warner about the close of the Revolutionary War. He was by occupation a farmer and cordwainer, but wa-s almost constantly in public life. He was repeatedly moderator of the town- meetings, was representative several years to the General Court, both of Warner alone and of the three classified towns— Warner, Sutton and Fishersfield (now Newbury). Beginning with 1794 and ending with 1803, he was Statc_Senator from his district every 658 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. year excepting 179il, when Colonel Henry Gerrish, of Boscawen, was elected, and during all this time was a leading man in the councils of the State. His large natural abilities, his sound judgment, his talent as a speaker, gave him an influence much greater than that exercised by men of larger culture and educa- tion. The man of the most commanding influence in town during the first of the present century was Hon. Henry B. Chase, who came to Warner from Cornish, N. H., in 1805, and practiced law at the Lower vil- lage. He represented Warner several years in the Legislature of the State, and in 1817 was the Speaker of the House. He was the first postmaster of the town, and in 1823 was elected the first register of Probate for Merrimack County, serving in that office until 1840. His reputation as a sound lawyer was second to none in the State. Mr. Chase died in 1854, aged seventy -seven years. Another of the " giants " of that period was Hon. Benjamin Evans, son of Tap- pan Evans, one of the early proprietors of the town. He was born in Newburyport, Mass., but was, during the greater part of his life, a citizen of Warner. He was a man of the Benjamin Pierce stamp, and, like him, vviis a power in his own town and in the State. He had great business capacity, and though his education was limited, his energy, penetration and sound judgment were untiring and unerring. The town elected him its representative several times ; in 18.'iO he was elected Senator in old District No. 8, and in 183G and 1837 he was in the Council of Governor Hill. In 1838 he was solicited to run as Democratic candidate for Governor of the State, but because of his advanced age he refused the honor, at a time when a nomination was practically an election. From 1838 to 1843 he held the office of sheriff of Merrimack County, resigning the same a few months before his death. Hon. Reuben Porter, the son-in- law of " Squire Evans," was a man of influence in his day ; served as selectman in both Warner and Sutton (he resided at the latter place a few years) ; was representative from Sutton, and was elected Sena- tor in District No. 8 in 1834 and 1835. Robert Thompson, Esq., has been a prominent man in the county for many years, and Major Samuel Davis is a marked man in his party in the State. The era of greatest prosperity in Warner was un- doubtedly from 1820 to 1850. The town had reached the acme of its populousness at the beginning of this period, and that enterprise and activity which make the pro.sperity of a municipality wasjust then begin- ning to operate in a large measure. There was more wealth then in the town, although that fact is not shown by the amount of valuation as recorded in the town-books. We must remember that one dollar in 1825 was certainly worth two at the present day. There were not so many horses in town in 1820 as now, but there was a greater number of o.xen, cows and sheep. Farms were more productive. Every farmer raised his own corn, flour and hay. Tlurc was a greater number of useful industries. Every brook turned one or more water-wheels, and there were sixteen mills and factories on AVarner River and its tributaries. More money was brought into the town than was carried out; the stores and taverns did a prosperous business, and everything was " rushing." That was the age of style and aristocracy. The village 'squire, physician, lawyer and minister lived in a more expensive way than their neighbors. Their houses were statelier, they wore richer clothes, had the foremost seats in public places and were recog- nized as beings of a superior order. These old patri- cians, like Dr. Lyman, Hon. Henry B. Chase, Major George and "Squire Evans," constituted a class by themselves. Their influence was great, and they practically ruled the town. They expended liberally of their means for the good of the town, and they set the tide a-flowing toward a better and more elegant way of living. The first piano in town was brought in by Mrs. Herman Foster in 1832. The first two stoves, of the James patent, were introduced and used by H. G. Harris, Esq., and Elliot C. Badger, in 1825. The first brass door-knocker was put on the residence of Rev. Jubilee Wellman, about the year 1830. A few of the "best families" used carpets as early as 1836. One of the causes which operated to develop Warner industries and stimulate activity was the building of several new roads. Highways may be considered as an excellent standard of civilization. In fact, there is no better physical sign or symbol by which to understand an age or people than the road. The savage has no roads. His trails through the for- est, where men on foot can move only in single file, are marked by the blazmg of trees. In half-civilized lands, where law is weak and society insecure, wheeled vehicles are seldom seen, and roads are ob- structed, rather than opened. The strength and enterprise of men are utilized in fortifying themselves against the invasion of danger. Huge castles are built on inaccessible rocks, walled cities cover the plain, and horses and mules ofl'er the only means of transportation and communication, by which, along rude bridle-paths, the traveler and the merchant are conveyed from one country to another. It is only civilized art that constructs a royal highway or a magnificent railroad, and by these means offers con- veyance for men and goods over rugged steeps and along frightful precipices by routes once deemed in- superable. Roads are the ducts of trade, and com- merce is one of the pillars of a civilized State. No nation can become great without intercourse with its surrounding States, and necessarily roads must be built. Something can be learned of the status of society, of the culture of a people, of the enlJL'htin- ment of a government, by visiting universitie^ and libraries, churches, palaces and the docks of trade ; but quite as much more by looking at the roads. For, 659 if there is any material or art enterprise in a nation, or any vitality to a government, it will alwaj's be in- dicated by the highway, — the type of civilized motion and prosperity. All creative action, whether in government, industry, thought or religion, constructs t roads. , Prior to 1820 \\'aruer had no highway leading directly west; consequently no great degree of travel I passed through the town. Reposing in the deep valley, shut in almost on all sides by high hills, War- ner seemed to be cut adrift from the rest of the world. It was distant from all the great lines of travel, and, in fact, the travel that might naturally have come to the town was diverted from it by those very lines. The turnpikes had been the exciting topic for several years, the craze in this State beginning in 1795 and culminating twenty years afterwards. Fifty-three turnpike companies were incorporated in this State, and the enterprise wrought a revolution in public travel, relatively, nearly as great as that brought about by the railroad system between 1840 and 1850. The second New Hampshire turnpike road, which was incorporated December 26, 1799, ran from Ciaremont through Unity, Lempster, Washington, Marlow, Hillsborough, Antrim, Deering, Francestown, Lynde- borough, New Boston, Mont Vernon and to Am- herst. It was fifty miles in length, and took, of course, all the travel that passed west and south of our town. The following year the fourth New Hamp- shire turnpike was incorporated and laid out. (The third New Hampshire turnpike road, running from Bellows Falls and Walpole, through Westmoreland, Surry, Keeue and .Taffrey, towards Boston, was incor- porated December 27, 1799.) This turnpike was at the north and east of Warner, and extended from Lebanon, through Enfield, Andover, Salisbury and Boscawen, to the Merrimack River, thus opening the means of communication between the two great river valleys. It will be seen that these two routes combined to turn the public travel directly from Warner. The condition of affairs aroused the attention of certain of the enterprising business men of the town, and they devised a way to remedy it. The only road leading any way west was the old Perrytown highway, laid out in the early period of the settlement, which went over Kimball's Hill (now Eaton Grange) to South Sutton and Sunapee and Ciaremont, and thence into Vermont. Just beyond Eaton Grange, at- what was called the old Potash, a road branched ofl' from the Perrytown highway which led to North Sutton, Springfield, Hanover and White River Junction. , Both of these roads were indirect and exceedingly hilly, and consequently not very inviting to the traveler. A committee of the leading citizens of Warner, Bradford and Fishersfield (now Newbury) met in consultation, and after a thorough examination of the ground, decided to layout and construct a road from the head of Sunapee Lake to Bradford, thus opening a convenient route from Windsor, Vt., through the Sugar and Warner River valleys to Concord. There was one obstacle in the way: the people of Fishersfield were so poor tliat they did not feel able to construct their part of the road. What was to be done? Warner necessarily would be bene- fited more than any other town by this new road. Our citizens saw this, and a number of them took hold of the afl'air of their own free .will, and without any vote of the town or any help from the municipality. Several of the most able and enterprising men, inclu- ding Benjamin Evans, Daniel Bean, Sr., and John E. Kelley, accordingly drove to Fishersfield, took their families and plenty of provisions, and boarding in an old school-house, labored there for weeks, giving their labor and "finding themselves." Before the autumn of 1821 the road was completed. The result was all that its designers could wish. It turned a portion of the travel which had formerly passed around Warner on either side along this new thoroughfare. It became a stage-route, connecting Western New Hampshire with Concord and Boston by the shortest and most easily accessible way. Travel poured in abundantly, and Warner became a grand centre and halting-place for the caravans of people and merchandise. During nearly a decade of years the travel was unchecked, and the individuals who had labored so hard and expended so liberally of time and money found themselves amply recompensed both in the increased prosperity of the town and in their own natural share of the general prosperity. In 1830 the adjacent town of Henniker on the south went to road-building, and constructed a good highway from Bradford to Weare, thus devising a nearer cut from the west to Nashua and Lowell on the south. This as effectually diverted the travel from Warner as water would be turned from a barrel b.\- knocking out its head. Warner people did not, how- ever, give up the battle, but went to work to tap the channel of travel from the west, higher up on the Connecticut. To do this, it was necessary to construct a new highway through Sutton, New London and Springfield, to intercept the stream of travel that naturally poured along the fourth New Hampshire turnpike. The road was laid out in 1831, a serpent's trail from Hanover, through Springfield, New London, Sutton, Waruer and Hopkinton, to Concord. The town of Hopkinton shortened the line by building the Bassett Mill road. Springfield and New London did their part, but Pike's Ledge in Sutton was so formid- able that the people of that town refused to take hold of the enterprise. Again the spirit and the enterprise of the citizens of Warner met and overcame the dilemma. These citizens met the authorities of the town of Sutton, and gave a bond holding them to the building of two hundred and nine rods of their psirt of the road, if the town would do the rest. So the work went on. The first ten rods were built by Henry B. Chase, the second ten rods by Harrison G. HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Harris. Benjamin Evans built forty rods, and his son-in-law, Nathan S. Colby, built forty rods. Robert Tliompson built five rods. Levi Barlett four rods. Zebulon Davis two rods. Daniel Eunels two rods, and Daniel and Stephen George constructed the road over the formidable Pike's Ledge. The road was fin- ished that fall, and Robert Thompson, Esq., of Warner, was the first person to drive over it in a carriage. A route was now established as the shortest and most feasible from the north and northwest to the growing cities of Massachusetts ; but Warner was not yet satisfied. To still further increase the tendency of travel in this direction, it was determined to put on a flying stage-coach line which would carry passen- gers from Hanover to Lowell in one day. Many said it could not be done ; others thought differently. Nathan Walker, an " old whip," subsequently the second landlord of the Warner and Kearsarge Hotel, made one trip, going through in the time specified, but concluded he did not care for the job. The next year the route was purchased by Major Daniel George, and his son Henry drove the stage for a number of years. Afterwards Moses E. Gould, of Bradford, took the reins, and continued the business until the open- ing of the Concord and Claremont Railroad in 1849. This stage-route was one of the best and most suc- cessful lines in the country. It became the main thoroughfare of travel from the Canadas to Boston, and the stream of business that poured along the road was enormous. Every town along the route was benefited by it. Stores sprung up and hotels were built, for where there is travel and motion there must be life. In Warner alone there were eight licensed taverns doing business at one time. Those were busy, pros- perous days. Public-Houses in Warner. — Washington Irving, in his ever-delightful " Sketch-Book," tells the story of his quest for the immortal Boar's Head Tavern, East Cheap, London, where Shakespeare made his " roystering crew" to gather, — Falstaff", Prince Hal, ISardolpli, Dame Quickly, Ancient Pistol and their memorable confreres in the drunken bout and social strife. The history of the first inn or hostelry in Warner would be nearly as interesting as the story of the Boar's Head told by this inimitable sketch-writer. The town had been settled four years when it was built. It was made of logs and combined the uses of a tavern and dwelling-house. Jacob Hoyt was the ]ilc:is:iiit HoiiilMcr of this early hostelry. In 1775 Laipllonl ll(i\i .ri'cted a frame house in place of the oiif of I.p^-,, nriil tliis, in turn, was displaced in the be- ginning of this century by a large two-story house, which had all the appointments of a country hotel. The successors of Mr. Hoyt, as taverners at this place, were Dr. John Currier, Richard Pattee and William Carter. The old stand was finally sold to Samuel Brooks, who took down the sign and made it a private residence. It was removed about 1862, and not even the cellar remains to show the spot where the first travelers through Warner were hospitably enter- tained. The first hotel was built at the Lower village ; the second stood at the Centre. It was built by Captain Asa Pattee, of Haverhill, Mass., who settled in War- ner directly after the close of the Revolution. It was the first frame house erected in that village. Captain Pattee sold the stand to Daniel Whitman, who kept open house here until after 1812. Captain Joseph Smith purchased it for a private residence, and it has been occupied since his day successively by Dr. Caleb Buswell and Dr. Leonard Eaton. While the Lower village was still the " Centre" of the town, another hotel was opened at the opposite end from the old Hoyt tavern. It stood a little below the John Tewka- bury place, on the opposite side of the highway, and was kept by John E. Kelley, a nephew of the first minister. A store occupied one end. The whole stand was burned January 16, 1828. At Waterloo stood the fourth house used as a tavern in town. The leading family at this flourish- ing borough were the Beans. They owned the mills there and carried on a large farm. Daniel Bean, a son of Nathaniel Bean, who was prominent as an early settler, built a commodious mansion about 18(U, which was kept open for a tavern near a score and a half of years. It is now occupied by a son of the founder, Dolphus S. Bean. In the fall of 1828, Major Daniel George, who had purchased the timber procured to rebuild the Kelly house, erected a building for a hotel at the lower end of the North Lower village. This was kept by Major George for a number of years, and subsequently by Ebenezer Watson. This hotel and two or three ad- joining buildings were destroyed by fire near the year 1846. Colonel Richard Straw, who lived in that sec- tion of the town called Schoodach, was for many years one of the most prominent citizens of Warner, one of the largest land-holders, selectman for several years, colonel in the State militia, prosperous yeoman and farmer, also kept a hotel, and was a " licensed taverner." His large mansion-house and inn still stands and is owned and occupied by John Jones. About 1833, General Aquilla Davis, who had been occupying the old family mansion at Davisville, erec- ted a stately brick residence on a fine site near his former home, where he spent the remainder of his days. His son, Nathaniel A. Davis, then converted the old family mansion into a hotel, which he kei)t open as long as the public travel required it. At present it is a private residence, the home of Mrs. N. A . Davis. At Dimond's Corner, Hiram Dimond, son of Israel, who was farmer, potter and store-keeper, also kept a public-house. It is still standing, a large, old- fashioned, red-painted structure, but the tavern sign has long since been taken in. The ninth tavern came into existence owing to changes of travel and the building of the road from Bradford to Henniker. On that road, one mile and a half from Bradford Pond, and iu the limits of Warner, Joel Howe, somewhere about 1831 or 1832, built a tavern, which he kept open until the opening of the raihoad, in 1849. Most of these hotels did a lucrative business until the introduction of railroads and the consequent change of travel in this section. The tenth hotel had a longer and more eventful history than any other in the town. It stood in the Centre village, at the corner of Main Street and the road that leads to North village and the south part of the town. The house was built by Nathan S. Col- by, a prominent citizen, in 1832. It was a large, two- story buHding, with an ell and pleasant piazzas and hall in the second story, which was often used by the public. It was a central stopping-place, and always very popular with the traveling public. The follow- ing is the list of gentlemen who have entertained the public at the Warner Kearsarge House since Mr. Col- by's regime: Nathan Walker, Messrs. Nevins & Bar- bour, Joseph Ferrin, Dudley Bailey, George & Charles Eowell, Thomas Tucker, Geo. D. Chadwick, P. B. Putney, Martin Bartlett, Fred. Smith, A. C. Carroll, E. P. Hutchinson and T. B. Underbill. In 1875, Hon. N. G. Ordway purchased the property and enlarged and remodeled it. Thursday morning, Jan- uary 29, 1885, the house and its contents were de- stroyed by fire. To-day the town is in the same con- dition that it was in 1765, in having no public-house. Plans are, however, maturing for the erection of a first-class hotel on the site of the one recently destroyed. Warner Village in 1825. — Future generations may like to know how our main village looked and who were the dwellers therein sixty years ago. In this year of grace 1885 there are one hundred and forty buildings in Warner main village, exclusive of barns ; iu 1825 there were just forty. Of those who were inhabitants at that time, only four are living to-day, namely, Abel Waldron, Mrs. Abner Woodman, Mrs. Harrison Robertson and Mrs. Ira Harvey. There were no public buildings then on the street, except the school-house ; no bank, no church, no post-office, no hotel, no depot, and only one store. The Lower village was still the principal place of business, and there all public interests centred. Beginning at the lower end of the street, where School District No. 13 commences, and where John Tewksbury now lives, resided Deacon David Heath, a prominent citizen and a deacon of the Congrega- tional Church, which edifice stood a few rods below, on the same side of the road. The house this side, afterwards occupied by "Parson Wellman," and now by Moses Johnson, was owned by Daniel Young, the son of a Revolutionary soldier. Mrs. French's house, at the corner, was the home of Widow Judith Hoj t and her two daughters, one of whom went as a mission- ary to Honolulu. After this there was no house west- erly for a quarter of a mile, until we arrive at what is now the McAlpine house. Here lived Thomas Haekett. Almost opposite, on the site of Hiram Pat- ten's house, stood a vine-covered cottage, the home of Abraham Currier. On the site of the John Savory stand was a low, un- painted dwelling, where a Mrs. Folsom lived. Abel Waldron's house, on the opposite side of the way, re- remains unchanged, the home sixty years ago of his father. Where Mrs. H. H. Harriman now re- sides lived Captain Safford Watson, who had a wheel- wright-shop near by, which was afterwards moved on to School Street, the residence of Zebulon Currier. Just beyond Captain Watson's, where the Kearsarge Hotel stood, lived Dudley Bailey. Ira Harvey's house was then the residence of Isaac Annis, "the village blacksmith," whose shop stood under the large elm-tree in front of where Louis Chase now lives. Going back, on the opposite side of the street, to the dwelling-house of Deacon J. W. Clement, we find Benjamin Evans living there sixty years ago. The large mansion that is now the residence of Oilman C. George was then occupied by Nathan S. Colby. Mr. Colby was a "store-keeper," and his "shop" was just above his dwelling-house, the same building now used by B. F. Heath. The Uptons lived where P. C. Wheeler resides, and Joseph True in the house Mrs. H. D. Robertson occupies. The Dr. Eaton homestead was then owned and occupied by Dr. Caleb Buswell, who was at that time surgeon of the Fortieth Eeo-i- ment of New Hampshire militia. Union Block occupies the site where stood a long, low cottage, a part of which was remodeled into the old post-office building, now the office of the Xear- sarge Independent. Here lived Isaiah Fl antlers and his daughter, who was familiarly known as "Aunt Anna." In the broad hall which ran through the centre of the house the songs of the " Osgoodites " might have been heard every Sunday morning, for " Uncle Isaiah " was a devoted disciple of that sect. Mr. Flanders' barn stood where Shepard Diniond now lives. The Harris mansion, now owned by the Misses Harris, has remained in the family all these long years. Harrison G. Harris was the owner sixty years ago, the lawyer of the place, and who had been select- man the preceding year. In the George Upton house, above, where Erastus Wilkins lived a number of years, there lived Deacon Barrett, who carried on a large scythe-snath manufactory. Where the Arthur Thompson house stands on the hill was a small, un- painted house belonging to Nathaniel Treadwell. The house now owned and occupied by Joseph Rogers then stood on the site of the Baptist parsonage and was the home of Josiah Colby. Moses Colby lived at the place now owned by Hiram Buswell, and Ezekiel Flanders lived where Jacob Rodney resides. Where Leonidas Harriman lives was the home of the Widow Pattee, and on the opposite side of the street, in W. C. Johnston's house, lived Paine Badger. James Bean, the father of Mrs. Ira Harvey and Mrs. George Rowell, lived at the Uriah Pearson place. In the A. P. Davis house, now oc- HISTORY OF MKlllUMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMI'SHIIIE. cupied l>y Rev. Smith >i'orton, lived Ezra Buswell, who had a tannery by the brook just beyond. Ezekiel Evans owned the house now occupied by S. T. Stanley, and Daniel Morrill lived somewhere near where hi.s grandson, Samuel, now resides. George Ajavory's house, the farthest on "the plain," was then owned by Jonathan Emerson. Over the river, at the Robbins place, lived David Colby, the road to his place running nearly where the present Fair-Ground road is. Where the saw- jnill now stands stood a grist-mill, the owner, Stephen Badger, residing in the little red house near by. The road running to it was across the land owned by W. €. Johnson and through Pine Grove Cemetery, ter- minating at the mill. The district school-house, a ■wooden building, stood where the brick structure now is, and between it and A. D. Farnum's place there was but one dwelling-house, occupied by Ben- jamin Waldron,' where P. M. Wheeler resides. Rich- ard Morrill, who lived at the Farnum place, owned a saw and irrist-raill on Willow Brook, somewhere near where the Clark Brothers have their mill. On Denny Hill, at the old Floyd place, lived Capt Denny, and where I'lank Bartlett lives resided Simeon Sargent. CHAPTER II F.CCLKSIASTIUAL IIISTOKY. Congregationalists. — For more than half a cen- tury the only active evangelical denomination in town was the Congregationalist (orthodox). The history of this church begins with the history of the town. One of the conditions of the grant, as we have no- ticed, was that the grantees should, " within the space of three years from the time of their being admitted, build and furnish a convenient meeting-house for the public worship of God and settle a learned or- thodox minister." Before the actual settlement of a minister the proprietors paid considerable sums for the maintenance of preaching in the town. The earliest ministers who are known to have preached in Warner are Timothy Walker and Nehemiah Ord- way, Jr. The proprietors' records contain mention of sums |iaid them for their services in preaching in 1767, 1769 and 1770. In 1771, Rev. Robie Morrill, of Epping, preached several Sabbaths and a little later a Mr. Farrington. Timothy Walker was the son of Rev. Timothy Walker, the first minister of Concord. Ha was a ■This Mr. Wnldron was tho first man in Warnor to use a wood- saw. Robort Thompson bmught tho first wood-saws to town and sent for Mr. Waldron to come and saw wood. Ho replied that " he knew nothing about saws ; " but on Squire Thompson agreeing to teach him was soon initiated into tho mysteries of wood- graduate of Harvard College, and being licensed to preach in 1759, preached in several places a num- ber of years, but was never settled. He was prominent afterwards in civil life: was councilor, chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and several times was the candidate of the Democratic party for Gov- ernor of New Hamj)shirc. Nehemiah Ordway, Jr., was the son of Nehemiah Ordway, of Amesbury, one of the proprietors ot Warner. He graduated at Harvard in 1764, and af- ter his preaching in Warner was settled a number of years over the church at Middleton, N. H. Of the other itinerants little is known. ' The Congregational Church was formally organized February 5, 1772, and Rev. William Kelley, the first settled minister, was ordained the same day. Mr. Kelley had been preaching in town since the first of 1771. He was born at Newbury, Mass., October 31 , 1744. He graduated at Harvard in 1767 ; studied di- vinity with Rev. Henry True, of Hampstead, and married Miss Lavinia Bayley, daughter of Rev. Ab- ner Bayley, of Salem, N. H. He belonged to the old style of ministers, had the manners of a Chesterfield and the theology of the moderate Calvinists. His prayers and sermons are said to have been not so wearisomely long as were most of that day. He was the pastor of his people no less than the minister of his church. The little church thus organized in the wilderness was weak in numbers and wealth. The covenant was signed and assented to by only eight of the cit- izens, although there was a larger number of women. Everybody, however, attended meeting, and each cit- izen of the town paid a proportionate part of the tax for support of preaching, for church and State were then one. The church building was a rude, barn-like structure, with rough board benches for seats, and the pulpit was perched like a bird's nesthighupon thewall. The first two deacons of the church were Parmenas Watson and Nehemiah Heath, who served the church in this oftice, the first for a period of fifty-eight years, the latter forty-eight years. Mr. Kelley was continued in his pastorate until March 11, 1801, when he was dismissed. He spent the remainder of his life in town, and was never set- tled over any other church. He was elected the moderator of the church, and the people continually gave proof of their afiection for their former pastor. Very often he occupied his old pulpit Sundays, and he went down to his grave honored and revered. After his dismissal the church was without a regular pastor for thirteen years. There had been dissension in the church. It was divided and weakened by the location of the meeting-house " under the ledge," and by other causes. The wounds were slowly healed by time. In June, 1814, Rev. John Woods, of Fitzwilliam. was settled over the church. He was a young man of great intellectual strength, but lacked the courtly WARNER. manners of his predecessor. His jireudiing, how- ever, stirred up the dry bones, and there was a won- derful revival. A new church building was erected, in 1819, by twenty-nine individuals of the society. It stood, first, a little west of the Lower village, but was removed to its present location at the Centre in 184.'). Mr. Woods was dismissed, at his own request. From 1823 to 1827 the church was without a pas- tor. Rev. Henry C. ^Vright preached about two years, and several others a few months. September, 1827, Rev. Jubilee Wellman was installed, remain- ing ten years, during which time the church was strong and prosperous. Mr. Wellman was followed by Rev. Amos Blanchard, who was settled over the church February, 1837. The Rev. Dr. Xathan Lord, president of Dartmouth College, preached the ser- mon, and Mr. Wellman gave the charge to the pas- tor. Mr. Blanchard remained over the church only two years, accepting the pastorate of the church at Mcriden, X. H., in 1839, where he remained more than twenty-five years. The next pastor, Rev. James W. Perkins, was installed March 4, 1840, and dis- missed in 1846. He was an earnest, laborious, effi- cient pastor. Rev. Robert W. Fuller was settled over the church from 1846 to 1850. He was a man of strong will and active habits. The church flour- ished during his stay. In 1853, Rev. Harrison O. Hiiwland, who had been preaching for the society more than a year, was settled over the church. Mr. Howlaud remained here until 1857, when Rev. Daniel Warren was installed pastor. In 1863 he was dis- missed, and for three years the pulpit was .supplied chiefly by Rev. Henry S. Huntington, of Norwich, Conn. In 1866, Mr. Huntington was settled over the church. He resigned, in the fall of 1872, to accept the pastorate of a church at Galesburg, 111. The one hundredth anniversary of its organization was cele- lirated by the church in June, 1872. Rev. Matthew M. Gates immediately followed Mr. Huntington as pastor of the church. He closed his connection, after four years of service, in 1876, since which time there has been no settled pastor. The following are the names of those who h.ave preached for the church during periods of more than one year : Rev. George A. Beckwith, Rev. George J. Pierce, Rev. George E. Foss, Rev. George W. Savory. Rev. Smith Norton, the present pastor, commenced his services with the church April 1, 1885. Baptists. — In 1793 the religious affairs of Warner were considerably agitated. A large body of citizens separated themselves from the orthodox church and established another religious society. The cause of the schism was a diversity of opinion regarding the baptism of infants, the separatists declaring them- selves Anti-Pedobaptists. The new church began a meeting-house, but never finished it, and no settled minister ever presided over the society. It gradually weakened, and in a few years was practically extinct. The present Baptist Church was organized, in 1833, by twenty-two citizens of the town, who built a church building, and dedicated it in September ot that year. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Ira Person, of Newport. The first settled pastor of this church was Rev. George VV. Cutting, a native of Shoreham, Vt., wlio remained from January, 1835, to September, 1848, when he accepted a call from the Baptist Church in Lyme. He was a popular citizen and an able preacher. Rev. John M. Chick, of Maine, began his ministry over this church in 1840, and continued his services until 1846, when Rev. J. S. Herrick succeeded him, who remained five years. The fourth pastor. Rev. Lorenzo Sherwin, who began his labors with this church in February, 1852, was obliged to resign his charge, the following year, on account of failing health. In April, 1853, Rev. N. J. Pinkham, of Dover, be- gan to preach, and retained his connection with the church until February, 1857. Rev. Henry Stetson succeeded him, and was the pastor from 1860 to 1864. From 1865 to 1870, Rev. Albert Heald was over this church, and from 1873 to 1881, Rev. William H. Walker. Mr. Walker resigned in May, 1881, and in the fall of that year Rev. N. M. Williams, of Lowell, was installed as pastor, which position he continues to hold. In 1883 the church had existed fifty years, and on the 13th of September its semi-centennial took place. At times during the last eighty years there has been an organization of Free- Will Baptists in town, though they never have had a church edifice nor a settled minister. For many years they used the old school-house of District No. 8 as a sanctuary, hav- ing regular preaching and observing the church ordinances in the building. Methodists. — This denomination at one time had quite an organization in Warner. The church built a meeting-house at the Lower village somewhere about 1835, and maintained public worship until 1870, since which time it has not been regularly occupied. Rev. William Abbott, Rev. Charles Knott and Rev. M. V. B. Knox were pastors of this church at various periods. Universalists. — In 1844 a Universalist Church organized in Warner, and a meeting-house was built. Regular preaching was sustained during twenty years or more. Walter Harriman, Rev. J. F. Weth- erell and Rev. Lemuel Willis occupied the pulpit the larger part of this time. The meeting-house was purchased by N. G. Ordway in 1865, moved from its old site and remodeled. The portion used as a church is now Union Hall. Osgoodites. — The religious sect known by this name first made themselves prominent about the year 1814. The founder was one Jacob Osgood, son of Philip Osgood, one of the early settlers of the town. He was an enthusiast, a powerful singer and of much skill in repartee. In the early part of this century 664 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. he took au active part with the Free- Will Baptists. Naturally ambitious and headstrong, he was disposed to be autocratic, and as some of his religious views were not strictly conservative, he was not approved by them as a leader. He then opposed them, claim- ing special power from the Almighty, and announc- ing that he was a prophet, and could heal the sick, and was a sort of vice-gerent. He was opposed to going to law, performing military duty and sup- porting preachers. For some time his followers in- creased about Mink Hill, the Gore, Sutton and vicinity. There were also about thirty families in Canterbury led by Josiah Haynes. During two or three years subsequent to 1830 the Osgoodites held great revival meetings, one of which was on Kear- sage Mountain. Their singing and peculiar service attracted many hearers. The hymns sung by them were usually of their own composition. Songs, prayers and exhortations were intermixed in their services without any regularity. Osgood's custom was to sit in his chair and preach, with two eyes shut and one hand on the side of his face. He was a very large man physically, weighing over three hundred pounds. He died in 1844, and Nehemiah Ordway and Charles H. Colby became the ruling elders. There are but few of the sect left. They were an honest, upright people in their dealings with others, and sometimes dishonorably treated by the officers of the law. The following is a list of the names of the natives of Warner who have gone out and taken a position in the ministry : Hosea Wheeler, son of Daniel Wheeler, graduated from Dartmouth in 1811, and be- came a minister in the Baptist denomination. Asa Putney, son of Asa Putney, Sr., graduated at Amherst inl81S,and became aCongregationalistminister. John Gould, son of John and grandson of Jonathan, one of the first settlers, was for a long time connected with the Methodist denomination. Daniel Sawyer, son of Ed- mund and grandson of Joseph, studied at Gilmanton Seminary, and was settled over several Congrega- tional societies. Reuben Kimball, son of Jeremiah and grandson of Reuben, the first settler, studied at Gilmanton, and entered the Congregational minis- try. Mrs. Lois S. Johnson, daughter of John and Judith Hoyt, educated herself for the work of a mis- sionary, and went with her husband to the Sandwich Islands about 1831. Richard Colby, son of Jonathan Colby, of the Congregational Church, went in 1830 as a missionary among the Western Indians. John Morrill pursued his studies at Amherst College and Audover Theological Seminary, and became a home missionary in the West. Joseph Sargent, son of Zcb- ulon, born in 181C, entered the ministry of the Universalist denomination, and during the war was the chaplain of a Vermont Regiment. Alvah Sar- gent, brother to Joseph, is a minister in the Free- will Baptist denomination. Samuel Morrill, son of Daniel and grandson of Zebulon, graduated at Dart- mouth College in 1835, and died while a member of Bangor Seminary. James Madison Putney, son of Amos and grandson of Asa, Sr., studied at Dart- mouth and entered the Episcopal ministry. Isaac D. Stewart, son of John Stewart and grandson of Deacon Isaac Dalton, entered the ministry of the Free- Will Baptist denomination in 1843. Marshall G. Kimball, son of John Kimball and grandson of Daniel Bean, Sr., studied -at Dartmouth and Cam- bridge Divinity School, and entered the ministry of the Unitarian denomination in 1855. Elliot C. Cogs- well, son of Dr. Joseph Cogswell and grandson of Elliot Colby, entered the Congregational ministry about 1822. John C. Ager, son of Uriah, born in 1835, is settled over the New Jerusalem Church at Brooklyn, N. Y. John George, son of Charles and grandson of Major Daniel, is in the ministry of the Free- Will Baptist denomination. Rev. George \V. Savory, son of Cyrus Savory and grandson of Ben- jamin E. Harriman, was ordained in the Cougrega- tionalist ministry, and is settled over the church at Stratham, N. H. CHAPTER III. Vf ARS^Ji— (Continued). MILITARY HISTORY. Warner did not participate in the old French and Indian Wars, for the township was not then set- tled. When the War of the Revolution commenced she was not behind her neighbors in patriotic ardor and enterprise. Upon the first alarm at Lexington and Concord ten of the citizens seized their arms and hurried to the scene of action. Among these wen- James Palmer, John Palmer, Richard Bartlett, Jona- than Roby, Francis Davis and Wells Davis. These men were never organized into any regiment and probably returned home. The State allowed the tow-n for their services as follows : " Lexington ten men, 1775, £22 10s," which was about $7.50 to each man. Five Warner men were in the battle of Bunker Hill, namely, — William Lowell, Amos Floyd, Fran- cis Davis, Wells Davis and Jonathan Roby. In the same year Richard Bartlett and Charles Barnard (the latter settled in Warner after the war) participated in a skirmish with the British near New Brunswick. ROLL OF DANIEL FLOYK'S f(nlp\\\, rTr "Daniel Floyd, captain ; Thomas Ri-'V'i i ;! ; n,,, i | lim- dyi-s, second lieutenant; Joseph Curriii, . I i \ < -. Abner Watkins, Cliriatopher Flandii ~. I > I i i • : : , David Annie, Ebenezer Eastman, Ezr;i II. I : : i- v ijn- cis Davis, Jr., James Palmer, laajic flia-1 i \\ : ' i im Gould, Joseph Foster, Jonathan FifieM, .1 I i ^ ■ .' ih, John Palmer, Moses Call, Moses Clement, n ui.m. 1 I ; ni,,i . i:, l:, :,,n.l Goodwin, Robert Gould, Stephen Edmunds, Samuel Tniriitinll, Th-iiias Annis, Wells Davis, Zebulon Davis, Theophilus Currier. '* Gone Into the Set'vice. " Jacob Waldvon. .lacob Tucker, Isaac Walker, David Gilmore, Dan- iel Young, Hubbard Carter, Mosos Clark, Paekey Pressy. 665 Ho:. '' Alarm-List Mm. Flandere, Daniel Aniiis, Jr., Francis Davis, A ver, .lonatllan Palmer, Jacob Uoyt, Nohomiah I, William Kelley, Bei^amin Currier, Samuel " ^iV,— I lmvi> s.iil von a return of mj- company according to your or- ders wee mustered, and Can not make out to Chuso any Serjants as yet ; m for fire-arms wee have not got half enough, and where to get them wee know not. Our men Saith they Cannot get guns for they are not in the Country and shall see you next week. " This from you to serve, "Daniei. F1.0VI). " To Major Chandler, in HopJcinton.'' Of these men, Hubbard Carter enlisted for the war and Isaac Walker, Paskey Pressey, Daniel Young and John Palmer as militiamen. Three Warner men — Aquilla Davis, Amos Floyd and Philip Rowell — en- listed for a term of three years. At the expiration of the service of these men, William Lowell, Isaac Low- lU, Stephen Colby and Ichabod Twilight, a mulatto, were enlisted to succeed them. During Burgoyne's campaign several of our citizens were in service at Bennington and Saratoga. Elliot Colby, Francis Da- vis, John Palmer, Ezekiel Goodwin, Samuel Trum- bull, Paskey Pressey, Robert Gould, Abner Watkiua and perhaps others took the field at that time. We copy the following from Hammond's " Town Papers : " soldiebs' deposition relative to back pat. " November ye 8, 1777.— Then Paskey Pressey, Ezekiel Goodwin, Samuel Trumbul, Francis Davis, all of Warner, in the State of New Hampshire, in ye county of Hillsborough, yeomen, personally appeared, and Being Duly Examined and Corshened made Solemn Oath that they Sarved as Soldiers in Capt. William Stillson Company, in Colo. Wyman's Eegiment, at Mount Independence in the year 177G, for five months, and Rec'd ower Pay until the month of November, and never Rec'd any Pay for said November, not by ower Selves nor orders, direct nor inderact, and that they never Rec'd any Travelling Money nor aney Sans ^ Money During Said Sarves Except ower Travelling Money from hom to said Mount Independence, which we rec'd, and tharefore Prays that Honora- ble house of Representatives or Committee of Safety of Said State would Said Mouth Pay and the Remaining Part of ower travelling money and SauB money. *' Examined and sworn before me, "Coram Jeremiah Page, Justice of P&tce.^' RETURN OF SOLDIER.S, 1780. " Warner, June the 30, 1780. " Agreeable to an act passed June the sixteenth, for raising Six hun- dred Good, able-bodied men out ' f this State for to fill up the battalion of this State in the Continental Army, in Compliance thereto, wee have raised said men, which two was on proportion, as followeth : Isaac Dalton, James Pressey." " This is the return of Capt. Daniel Floyd : " Colo. Stickney, — I am afraid Said men Cannot get ready .So Soon as is required of them by reason of having my orders so late." " Warner, July the 8, 1780. " Persuant to orders Dated July the first for to raise five men out of jiy Company, andaccorrting to orders, I have proceeded, have rjiised four men for to joyn the armey at Amherst by the 12 Day of this month , ae follows; John Palmer, Kathaniel Trumbull, Israel Rand, Simon Palmer. '* I have alSo Draughted EbenEzar Eastman for to go to Haverhill, in Coos, and ordered him to be at Concord by the tenth of this Instant to pass muster and then to proceed on to Coos, there to remain till further Daniel Floyd. • Colo. Thomas Stickney, in Conct 1 Money was furnished soldiers, sometimes, to purchase vegetables, which was called by them "sauce-money." I'ibeiu'ziir ICastman was not the only Warner man who was raised for the defense of Coos. When, in October, 1780, an eruption of British and Canadiiin Indians swept over the eastern part of Vermont, plun- dering and destroying the settlements. New Hampshire was alarmed for the safety of her own soil, and raised a volunteer force to proceed to the threatened locality. Warner furnished fifteen men for the expedition, the greater number being old men and boys under age. Jacob Iloyt, mine host of the first hotel, was one of these volunteers. The names of the others are not known, an there are no rolls of these men in existence. Their term of service was short, for the invading army took the alarm and made a hasty retreat. They were allowed by the State the sum of £12 17«., or $2.02 each. CERTIFICATE OF SIMON WARD'S SERVICE. " This may certify that Simon Ward has served the United States ii> Capt. Chase's Company, Second Now Hampshire Regiment, one year being the time he engaged for. And is hereby discharged the service. " West Point June 25, 1780. •' Calku RoniNsoN, Caft. Commanding 2(1 .V. //. Segt. " Whom it concerns, civil or viilUary." " Wabnek, Jan'y 23">, 1789. " We do hereby rehnquish all our right and title to any emolument that may be due to Simon Ward for doing a short turn of service in the late Ameriean army, for this town, of about nine or 12 months, in tho "Benjamin Sariient, l Sciectoien o/ " RiciiAEn Barti.ett, J Warner." Warner Soldiers in the War of 1812.— There were two hundred and sixty men enrolled in the town in 1812 as capable of doing military duty. Of these, between eighty and ninety did service at one time or another during this second war with the mother-country. The following is the muster : ROLL OF CAPTAIN JOSEPH SMITH'S COMPANY. Enlisted February I, 1813, for one year. Joseph Smith, captain ; Daniel George, flirst lieutenant ; James Bean, second lieutenant ; Richard Patter, ensign ; Stephen George, sergeant ; Philip Osgood, sergeant; David Straw, sergeant ; Daniel i'loyd, sergeant ; Benjamin Evans, c.irporal ; Daniel Bean, corporal ; John Barnard, pro- moted to corporal ; t:,' i: ] Till \ , lu-iTioted to corporal ; Samuel Roby, promoted to ci'i|> : -il\.r, musician; William Barnard Walker, musiihin. l> i i i l;,.bert Bailey, Timothy B.Chase, Timothy Chanel !■ ■ 'i i , i liarles Ci.lby, I'liimni! Danfortb, Zadoc Dow, John |i. i h. i.-Im: ir, M.pli.M (;. Katon, Moses C. Eaton. I :: I ' i i •' :, i l I'honusW. Stevens, Royal W. Stanley, Samuel G. Titcomb, Abraham Waldron, Piumer Wheeler, Samuel Wheeler, James Wheeler, Ebenezer Woodbury, Humphrey Bursiol, .John Smith, Ambrose 0. Sargent, .Tonathan Stevens, privates. In Captain Jonathan Bean's company of Salisbury Warner had fifteen men, as follows : Nicholas Evans, sergeant ; Joel B. Wheeler, corporal ; Isaiah S. Colby, Mariner Eastman, Joseph Goodwin, Seth Goodwin, John Goodwin, Na- thaniel Hunt, David H. Kelley, James G. Ring, James H. Stevens, Stephen Sargent, Thomas Thurber, Abner S. Colby, Jacob Harvey, pri- In Captain Silas Call's company of Boscawen there were six Warner soldiers, who enlisted October 2, 1814, for forty days. They were Reuben Clough, en- sign ; Christopher Sargent, musician ; Harden Seavey, 666 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. sergeant; John Hall, Simeon Bartlett and Jacob Colby, privates. There were four Warner men in Cap- tain Josiah Bellows' company of Walpole, who were enlisted September 26, 1814, for sixty days, namely: David Harvey, Samuel Page, Benjamin Spalding and Daniel Wheeler. Other Warner men served in various companies. The following are their names : \\inthrop D. .^ger, sergeant-major in the regular army ; Daniel Pilin- Jjury, corporal ; Obadiah Whittaker, corporal ; Dudley Trumbull, Na- thaniel Jones, Beiyamin C. Waldron, Joseph Burke, privates. In conformity to the suggestion of the Governor, the Legislature, December 22, 1812, passed an act establishing the pay of men detached, or to be de- t.tched, including the pay from the general govern- ment, at the following rates : Sergeant-major, $13 per mouth ; quarterma.ster-sergeant, $13 per month ; prin- cipal musician, $12 per month; sergeant, $12 per month ; corporal, $11 per month ; private, $10 per month ; and it was also provided that the towns that had paid, or should pay their detached soldiers extra pay to the amount paid by the general government, should be refunded by the State to the amount per month for each soldier, as specified above. The citizen of Warner most prominent in this war was General Aquilla Davis, son of Captain Francis, the first representative, and a large mill-owner and lumberman. In 1812 he raised the First Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers, enlisted for one year, and was chosen and commissioned its colonel. The law for raising volunteers having been re- pealed January 29, 1813, by Congress, the First New Hampshire Regiment of Volunteers was mostly trans- ferred to and formed the Forty-fifth Regiment of United States Infantry, and Colonel Davis was com- missioned its lieutenant-colonel. It is related of Colonel Davis that, while stationed on an island in Lake Champlaiu, he mounted a battery of huge guns, and kept the British at a respectful distance from the shore by his formidable battery. The chagrin of the British officers was not small when, too late to profit by the knowledge, they discovered that the Yankee in command had exercised his mechanical skill, and had improvised a battery of huge guns from pine logs, hewn, fashioned and painted in imitation of "the real article." General Davis retired after the war to his mills, and spent the rest of his life in his avocation. He died February 27, 1835, while on a journey to Sharon, Me., aged seventy-four years. He was prominent in the old State militia, was lieutenant- colonel commandant of the Thirtieth Regiment from 1799 to 1807, and brigadier-general of the Fourth Brigade, from 1807 to 1809. The first man to hold a military commission in Warner was Francis Davis, father of General Aquilla, who was commissioned a captain by His Excellency, John Wentvvorth, in 1778. The earliest military trainings iu town, were at the Parade, near the First Church. Here, in the last days before the Revolution, Captain Davis used to call together the Twenty- second Company of Foot, in the Ninth Regiment of militia. Here, for years and years, those liable to military duty were warned to appear " armed and equipped as the law directs." There were two train- ings, generally, each year, in May and in September. The militia laws of the State, passed in 1792 and remodeled in 1808, remained the laws of the State, without any very essential modification, nearly forty years; and perhaps our militia was never better organ- ized or in a more flourishing condition than for the twenty years succeeding the War of 1812-15. But innovation and change are natural laws. Forty years of peace made men forgetful of that truth embodied in our Bill of Rights, that a " well-regulated militia is the proper, natural and sure defense of a State." Our militia, by legislative enactment of July 5, 1851, became a mere skeleton, and that existing only upon paper. The days of the old-fashioned musters were The following is a partial list of general and field officers which Warner furnished the State militia from 1792 to 1851 : Brigadier-General, Aquilla Davis ; Colonels, Richard Straw, Simeon Bartlett, Isaac Dalton, Jr., James M. Harriman, John C. Ela ; Lieuten- ant-Colonels, Hirum Dimond, Timothy D. Robertson, William G. Flan- ders, John A. Hardy, Calvin A. Davis, Bartlett Hardy ; Majors, Daniel Runnels, Joseph B. Hoyt, William H. Ballard, Joseph Burke, Daniel George, Joseph S. Hoyt, Eliezar Emerson, Stephen K. Hoyt; Captains, Jacob Davis, Timothy Flanders, David Harriman, Nathaniel Flandere, Nicholas Evans, William Currier. Warner in the Civil War. — When the Rebellion broke out, in 1801, and New Hampshire raised a regi- ment to proceed to Washington, this town sent seven men who were mustered May 2, 18G1. This first regi- ment were three-months' men, and were discharged August 9th of the same year. Five of the Warner men enlisted again in other regiments. New Hamp- shire raised, from first to last, seventeen regiments of infimtry, two battalions of cavalry, a regiment of artillery and one of sharpshooters, embracing in all thirty-four thousand five hundred men. Warner had men in most of these organizations. The whole number furnished by the town was two hundred, of which one hundred and twenty-four were citizens and seventy- six were recruited abroad. Three Warner men were mustered in the Second Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers, of three-years' men ; one in the Fifth Regiment; two in the Seventh Regiment; forty-six in the Eleventh Regiment ; thirty-one iu the Sixteenth Regiment, nine months; eight in the Eighteenth Regiment, nine months; two in New Hampshire Bat- talion, First New England Cavalry ; six in the First Regiment New Hampshire Volunteer Cavalry ; throe in the First Regiment Heavy Artillery ; eleven men in the First Regiment United States Sharpshooters ; four others served in various organizations out of the State. Of the citizens who held prominent positions in the service during the War of the Rebellion, was, first, Walter Harriman, who was commissioned colonel of WARNER. GOT the Eleventh Regiment August 26, 1862. He fought with his regiment in the battle of the Wiklerness, and entered Petersburg in command of a brigade of nine regiments. March 13, 1865, he was appointed brigadier-geueral by brevet, for gallant conduct during the war. General Harriman subsequently went into civil life, became Secretary of State, 1865 j and 1866, and was elected Governor of the State in ' 1867 and 1868. Samuel Davis, who served as major of the Six- teenth New Hampshire Volunteers, was born in Bradford, but has been a citizen of Warner since ISoii. He was educated at the military academy at West Point, and in 1863 and 1854 he was in the North Pacific Railroad exploration and survey, under the late General I. I. Stevens as engineer, and for one thousand miles had charge of the meteorological department. He studied law in the office of Hon. Herman Foster, of Manchester, and is now engaged in the practice at Warner. David C. Harriman, a brother of General Walter, both sons of Benjamin E. Harriman, Esq., was com- missioned second lieutenant September 4, 1862 ; pro- moted to first lieutenant Febriiary 27, 1863 ; resigned July 1, 1863 ; appointed first lieutenant of the Eigh- teenth Regiment October 6, 1864; mustered out as captain June 10, 1865. Charles Davis, .Jr., enlisted as first sergeant September 2, 1862; promoted to second lieutenant, and then to first ; appointed cap- tain September 20, 1864. Philip C. Bean was com- missii mt-d steond lieutenant November 4, 1862. Manufacturing Interests. — The inhabitants of Warner are principally employed in farming, but manufacturing is an important and growing interest. The town is watered by Warner River, a pleasant and rapid stream, which takes its rise in Sunapee Mountains and in Todd Pond, Newbury. From Newbury it passes through Bradford and enters War- ner at the northwest corner; thence running in a northeasterly direction through the town, separating it in nearly two equal parts, and uniting with the ( 'ontoocook River in Hopkinton. In its passage through Warner it receives a considerable stream coming from Sutton. This river affords abundant water-power in its passage through the town, and during two or three miles of its course the water can be used over every thirty rods. At Melvin's Mills, at Waterloo, and at Davisville there are excellent privileges, which have been utilized more or less since the first settlement of the town. More than a hundred years ago there were saw and grist-mills at Waterloo (Great Falls), and atone time since the little borough could boast of a tannery, a clothing-mill, a trip-hammer and a paper-mill. The latter factory was in operation from 1816 to 1840, manufacturing all grades of paper from the finest note to the coarsest wrapping. At Melvin's there was also a saw and a grist-mill, a bedstead-factory, a chain-factory and a woolen cloth factory, all of which did considerable business. The grist and saw-mill are still in operation, the woolen-factory was destroyed by fire, the others have discontinued business. At Davisville there was an iron foundry, at which clock-weights, hand-irons and like articles were manufactured. Old iron was run up and used for these purposes instead of ore. The business was discontinued about the year 1830. There was also a woolen-factory at the same place, but the cloth-mill was washed away by the great freshet of 1826.' Notwithstanding the decay and suspension of sev- eral manufactures, it is believed that the manufac- turing which is done in town at present will equal, if not surpass, that of any previous period. The lead- ing manufacturing industry is probably at Davisville. Here the Davis Brothers are engaged in the manu- I facture of straw-board. The firm consists of Walter S. Davis and Henry 0. Davis, grandsons of General Aquilla Davis. They began business in 187J, and at present employ about forty bauds. They manufac- j ture some seven hundred tons of straw-board annually, amounting in value to seventy-five thousand dollars. The firm also own a grist-mill and a saw-mill, and this very year have commenced the manufacture of boxes. Five hundred thousand feet of pine timber is now lying in their yard for this purpose. At the Centre village the Merrimack Glove Com- t pany has established a very thriving business. The ' company procured, on favorable terms, the commo- 1 dious building near the freight and passenger depots of the Concord and Claremont Railroad, which had been erected by the defunct Boston Boot and Shoe I Company, and established its business in the early part of 1883. Late in the fall of the same year a large tannery was erected in connection with the fac- tory. During the year 1883 the factory was run eight months, turning out some twenty-five hundred dozens of different kinds and qualities of buckskin gloves, which were sold to the largest jobbing-houses from Maine to California, giving perfect satisfaction j and finding no superior in the market. The man- agers, having perfect confidence in the success of their enterprise, in 1884 increased the business more than one hundred per cent., and manufactured five thousand, employing some thirty-five hands. The amount paid for help during the year was fifteen thousand dollars. The company purchased, during the time, eighty-five thousand pounds of deer-skins ; and the entire product of the factory, five thousand dozen gloves and mittens, were sold to different par- ties throughout the country. A cash dividend of six per cent, was paid the stockholders January 1, 1885. The stockholders of the company are as fol- lows: A. C. Carroll, W. H. H. Cowles, George Savory, ' 1 This was the same freshet that destroyed the Willey family at the White Mountain Notch. All the bridges of Warner were carried off by I the flood, and the crops on the lowlands were entirely destroyed. Av- gust 2Sth is still remembered as the day of the " Great Freshet." HISTORY OF .MERRIMACK COUxNTY, NEW HAMISIIIRE. B. F. Heath, L. W. Chase, E. H. Carroll, Ira Har- vey, J. R. Cogswell, R. S. Rogers and A. G. Marsh. The directors are A. C. Carroll, VV. H. H. Cowles, George Savory, L. N. Chase and K. H. Carroll. The Warner Glove Company, located on Depot Street, are doing a large and increasing business. The company employ about fifteen operatives, and do an annual business of ten thousand dollars. The stockholders are A. P. Davis, P. C. Wheeler and H. M. Gitfin. Another enterprising firm is that of Bartlett Brothers, who manufacture coarse and fine excelsior at Melvin's Mills. This firm began busi- ness in 1871. They have six thousand dollars in- vested, and do a business amounting to seven thousand dollars annually. Number of employes, seven. At Roby's Corner O. P. & C. W. Redington are engaged in the manufacture of hubs. They have a large establishment, employing some ten or a dozen men, and do a business of fifteen thousand dollars annually. The Ivearsarge Fruit Evaporating Com- pany have erected two large buildings at the centre village, containing five evaporators of the capacity of five hundred bushels of apples per day. They em- ploy between fifty and sixty operatives during three months of the year, and sometimes evaporate forty thousand bushels of apples per year. Arthur Thomp- son is general manager. The total value of manu- factured goods annually produced in town is not far from four hundred thousand dollars. An article of this description would hardly be com- plete without some allusion to the more interesting features of Warner. The main street is situated in a valley, through which flows the Warner River with graceful, sinuous curves, while on either side the hills rise grand and green and beautiful, towering far above the spires of the churches. There is not, of a verity, a pleasanter or a more picturesque ham- let in the county of Merrimack. The streets are wide and beautifully shaded by maple and elm. Neatness and thrift characterize the whole surroundings. It is only eight miles to the summit of Kearsarge Moun- tain, which aftbrds some of the finest scenery in New Hampshire. Summer tourists have had their atten- tion attracted by the fine scenery of the adjacent country, and have visited the town in large numbers. The income from this class amounts to more than three thousand dollars. Warner is famous for its picturescjue nooks and rural drives. One of the most charming drives in Merrimack County is on the road i'rom Warner vil- lage to Bradford. The distance is about nine miles, following the river valley and crossing the stream several times. Three little hamlets are passed on the route, each dignified on the map as railroad-stations, namely: Waterloo, Roby's Corner and Melvin's Mills. The former contains some twenty or twenty-five houses, a saw-mill, depot, post-oflice and school- house. Ex-Governor N. G. Ordway, of Dakota, and ex-Secretary of State William E. Chandler have very fine summer-residences at this place. The name Waterloo was bestowed upon this little riu"al neigh- borhood in honor of that great battle whose issue decided Napoleon's career forever. When the result of that conflict was announced, most of the citizeii> were collected at a mill-raising. The victory of tla- Allies was pleasing to those few individuals, and one in the excitement of the moment, broke a bottle of rum (they drank liquor in those days), and chris- tened the mill and the village with it, — Waterloo. The name has "stuck." Two miles beyond Waterloo is Roby's Corner sta- tion, the residence of M. H. Roby and George C. Eastman. A beautiful scene lies here. A broad intervale stretches to the south; green sloping pas- tures are on the west, and the east and north are bounded by high hills, covered with sombre pines and gnarled oaks that have bid defiance to the storms of years. Betvfeen Roby's and Melvin's Mills tliere is a gorge of wonderful beauty and wild grandeur. The river, bound in by a narrow defile, dashes and foams and roars, so as to be heard many rods away. Several dwelling-houses and a busy factory nestle below in the valley, and the railroad, with its high grade and trestle-work over the river, carries the steaming iron horse high above the chimney-tops. It is a wild and picturesque scene. Melvin's Mills was so named after the Melvin brothers, who built a saw and grist-mill there as early as 1825. The Melvins were large, muscular men, and their feats of strength are still the wonder- tales of many a rural neighborhood. To the genera- tions that have passed away Melvin's Mills and the Calico school-house were landmarks of particular in- terest. Davisville, in the southeasterly part of the town, is a beautiful and busy little village. It has the finest water-power to be found on the Warner River, and from the time the first mills were built here until the present time, it has been taken advan- tage of in every possible way. Most of the manufac- turing interests of the place are controlled by various members of the Davis family, who have given their name to the little hamlet which has grown up around this valuable water-power. There is a small store at the place, a post-ofiice and some fine farms in the adjacent section. "North village," so called, is one of the pleasant little neighborhoods of Warner. The name has been in use during more than a hundred years. In the early days of the settlement there was quite a far- mers' village on the Gould road and over Waldron's Hill. Between Bartlett's Brook and "Kiah Coraor," a dozen deserted building-sites can be counted where families once resided. These, with the buildings that still stand, made a lively, bustling street, the first of the century. At the north of this line of dwellings extended another cluster of farm-houses, taking in the Elliots, at the J. O. Barnard place, and Isaac Dalton and his tannery, at the Levi O. Colby WARNER. 669 place. The people ol' the South road called this settlement of the North road the North village. It is not strictly a village or hamlet now, the houses being too scattered to allow such a dignified appel- lation, but within the radius of a mile are some twen- ty-live houses, jirincipally the homes of hard-work- ing and prosperous yeomen. The surface of the land is uneven and somewhat rocky, but the soil is strong and fertile and large crops are raised. A wild, dash- ing little stream, called Silver Brook, having its sources among the eastern slopes of the Minks, flows down through the valley and joins the Warner River near River Bow Park. Along the banks of this rivulet the highway leads, lined on either side by the farm- houses, the shops and the ample barns of the rural populace. Graceful willows and birches, with here and there a maple or an elm, throw their branches out on the breeze and make a grateful shade in the warm summer-time. A drive through this neighborhood on a still, hushed noon or at the sunset hour is per- fectly enchanting ; and if one drives round by "Kiah Corner," he will view a scene that is not easily sur- passed in New England. Another beautiful drive is through the Kimball District. A view from Kelley Hill, looking to the north and west, at the sunset hour, the whole Warner Valley, with the village in the foreground and Kearsarge Mountain standing as a si^ntinel in the background, is worth going miles to see. .Six ponds are within the limits of the township, namely : Tom, Bear, Pleasant, Bagley's, Simmonds and Day's. The largest of these is Tom Pond, or, rather, as it is now called " Lake Tom." This is a beautiful sheet of water half a mile long and a quar- ter of a mile wide. Its shores are attractive, its waters clear as crystal. During the last few years it has become quite a summer resort. A company has erected a commodious pavilion on its western shore, improved the adjacent grounds and built a fleet of boats for aquatic and piscatorial purposes. The pa- vilion and grounds were formally opened and dedi- cated on Julv 4, 18S4. CHAPTER IV. MEMORABLE EVENTS, N.VTIT.AL .4ND SOCIAL. The Old Meeting-House Fight.— The quarrel in which Warner was involved over the question of the location of the meeting-house, from 178.3 to 1790, was on • which was fought out to the bitter end with intense feeling, and has probably never been equaled by anvtliing which has occurred since in the history of the town. Prior to 1819, when the State Legislature passed the '-Toleration Act," bv which the building of churches and the support of preaching was divorced from the State and the meeting-houses and the min- isters were remanded to the support of those only of the citizens who were voluntarily disposed to give their aid, it was binding on every tax-payer to con- tribute his share, according to his means, to build meeting-houses and to pay the mini.ster'8 salary. Therefore, it followed that every voter had a personal and direct interest in churches and ministers. In our review of the evangelical history of the town we had something to say about the first church. This structure, which was built at the South Lower village, was small and rude, and was in use only four years. In 1770 it was superseded by another of lar- ger proportions and superior architectural design, erected on the same site. This, too, in process of time, became too small for the needs of the citizens, and the question of a new one was agitated. Mean- while the population had been increasing on the north side of the river, and they, for reasons of the greater convenience to themselves, wished a meeting- house built on their side of the river. The tr>\vn could support but one church, and as the peojile on the east side, for similar reasons, wished the new build- ing to be erected on the old site, a sharp controversy grew out of the matter. Innumerable town-meet- ings were held, and votes for and against a new house and against changing the location were passed in al- ternate confusion for several years. Finally, at a town-meeting held in May, 1788, the town voted both to build and not to build, and, in hopes of a final adjustment of the vexed question, voted, according to the record, "to petition the General Court for a committee to appoint a place where to set a meeting-house in this town." In June of that summer Benjamin Sargent and Richard Bartlett, two of the selectmen, appeared before a committee of the Legislature with a formal petition, and the court accordingly appointed a trustworthy committee to decide on the location of the meeting-house. This committee was composed of Col. Ebenezer Webster, of Salisbury; Robert Wallace, of Henniker; and Jo- seph Wadleigh, of Sutton ; and their report was as follows : "The committee, Laving attended to the business referred to, and after viewing the greater part of the town, with tlie situation of the inhab- itants thereof, agree to report as tlieir opinion tliat tlie spot of ground where the old meeting-house now stands is tlie niosl suitable place to set the new meeting-house on. " Warner, Sept. 12. 1788." This did not, however, end the fight, for at a meet- ing in October and at another in November the town repudiated the decision of the committee and voted not to build on that site. At last, April 25, 1789, it was voted to build between Ensign Joseph Currier's and Mr. Isaac Chase's, on the north side of the road, under the ledge, at the northwest end of what is now the Lower village. A building committee was appointed at the same time, consisting of Joseph Sawyer, Tappan Evans, Richard Straw, Jacob Wal- HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. (Iron, Benjamin Sargent, Reuben Kiniljall and Wil- liam Morrill. In the face of a protest of forty-six of the promi- nent men of the town, headed by Aquilla Davis, the committee proceeded about their work, and before the end of the summer erected a church, which was called "The Hou.se under the Ledge." But this did not soothe the spirit of discord, and the evil results of this division lasted for some time, as is shown by the vote, which was passed at the November town election not to meet in the new house, and that preaching should not occur there. There was even an effort on the part of some to get a vote to move the house over to the south side of the river. Oppo- sition, however, gradually died away, and in August, 1790, it was " Voted That Mr. Kelley should preach in the new meeting-house for the future, and the inhab- itants meet there for public worship." In March of the next year a vote was passed to take down the old meeting-house and appropriate the stuff towards fencing the burying-ground. A Day of Terror.— The 19th of January, 1810, was, in the central part of New Hampshire at least, a day of terror, one never to be forgotten in the an- nals of the " hill towns " of this beautiful State. The afternoon of the ISth was unusually warm and mild ; the thermometer indicated forty-three degrees, or eleven degrees above freezing. Before light the next morning a winter hurricane was sweeping over the mountains, hills, plains and valleys, snapping off good-sized pine-trees, in its extended path, as if they were but fragile reeds. Great oaks were twisted by the force of the wind like withes in the hands of a giant. Barns were swept to ruin, and sheds of lighter construction were carried away by the storm of wind like chaff. This horrible blizzard continued during nearly a whole day. Nearly all the while the air was filled with fine, hail-like particles of snow, caught up by the gale, so that it was impossible to see more than a few rods away. To add to the gloom of the occa- sion and its deathly danger, the mercury of the ther- mometer sank, in the sixteen hours following the previous day's thaw, to twenty-five degrees below zero. The mercury runs as low every winter as it did that day, but mortal man has never known a severer day in this New England. Thousands of fowl were blown away and never seen by their owners again ; rabbits, partridges and crows were frozen in the thickest woods ; young cattle were frozen solid as they huddled together in the half-open barn-yard sheds, some of which withstood the force of the wind ; many cattle perished where they were tied in their stalls. The heavens roared like the sea in a cyclone. Branches of trees, hay from demolished barns, loos- ened clapboards and shingles from such houses as had great oaken frames and immense chimneys to hold the structures in place, rose in the air and mingled together in terrifying confusion. The loss of live stock and buildings in Merrimack County aggregated scores of thousands of dollars. The " cold Friday " was known and is remembered throughout the New England States. A Year without a Summer.— The year 1816 is known among the few old men who remember it as " the year without a summer." In every month there was a severe frost, and the greater part of the crops were substantially destroyed. There are old farmers living in Warner who remember it well. It was often referred to as " eighteen hundred and starve to death." January was mild, as was also February, with the exception of a few days. The greater part of March was cold and boisterous. April opened warm, but grew colder as it advanced, ending witli snow and ice and winter cold. In May ice formid half an inch thick, buds and flowers were killed and corn frozen. Frost, ice and snow were common in June. On inauguration day, in June, there was snow to the depth of four inches on a level in Warner ; in Maine the snow was ten inches deep. Almost every green thing was killed, and the fruit was nearly all destroyed. July was accompanied with frost and ice. On the 5th ice was formed of the thickness of win- dow-glass in New York and all the New England States. In August ice formed half an inch thick. A cold northern wind prevailed nearly all summer. Corn was so damaged that a great deal was cut and dried for fodder. Very little ripened in New Hamp- shire, and even in the Middle States the crop was small. Farmers were obliged to pay four dollars, and even five dollars, a bushel for corn of 1815 harvest for seed for the next spring's planting. The first two weeks of September were mild ; the rest of the month was cold, with frost, and ice formed a quarter of an inch thick. October was more than usually cold, with frost and ice. November was cold and blustering, with snow enough for good sleighing. December was quite mild and comfortable. The Tornado of 1821.— Warner has not often been visited by great and noteworthy disasters, either natural or otherwise. The great whirlwind or tor- nado of 1821 was the most terrible of the kind that ever visited this section. Many of the older inhabit- ants of the town still remember the catastrophe, and the path of the tempest is visible in several places after the passage of more than sixty years. The month of September, 1821, according to the testimony of those who were living at the time, was eminently a season of uncommon storms and tem- pests. But the most of them, severe as they were, produced little injury in comparison with the whirl- wind of the 9th of the same month. The tornado is said to have commenced near Lake Champlain, gath- ering in violence as it went along. It passed over Lake Sunapee and through a portion of New Lon- don and Sutton, and entered that part of Warner called the Gore not far from the base of Kearsarge Mountain. The tempest carried away the barn of WARNER. 671 VVilliaua Harwood, injured the houses of M. F. Good- win, J. Ferrin and Abner Watkins, completely de- stroying Ferrin's barn and unroofing Watkins'. Next in the path of the wind stood tlie dwelling of Daniel Savory. Apprehending a storm, Samuel Sa- vory, aged seventy-two, the father of the proprietor, who was himself absent, went up stairs to fasten a window that was open. The women went to assist liim, but all were too late. The tornado seized the house in its giant grip, lifted it and whirled it around, burying six of the family in its ruins. The body of the aged Samuel Savory was found six rods away, his brains dashed out against a stone. Elizabeth, his wife, was badly injured by the falling timbers. Mary, tlie wife of Daniel Savory, was severely bruised, and an infant that she had in her arms was killed. The others escaped with slight wounds. The house of Robert Savory was also demolished. The family, consisting of eight persons, were all wounded, but not seriously. John Palmer, who lived half a mile away, saw the cloud coming, in shape, as he represented it, like an inverted funnel, the air filled with leaves, limbs of trees and pieces of timber. Before lie could enter to give an alarm, the house came down over his head. Mrs. Palmer was considerably hurt, but the rest of the family were not sensibly injured. Between Savory's and Palmer's the wind tore up everything in its course. Whole acres of corn and grain were swept off clean, trees were uprooted, stones half-buried in the earth were overturned ; one stone weighing six hundred pounds was moved several feet. From this place the tornado passed two and a half miles, sweeping away the buildings of Peter Flan- ders, killing a Miss Anna Richardson and injuring the infant child of Mrs. Flanders so severely that for several days her life was despaired of. Mr. and Mrs. Flanders testified that no sound of wind was heard, although some might have observed the cloud, until the crash of the building took place, and then all was over in an instant. The buildings of Deacon Joseph True, in the cor- ner of Salisbury, were next swept away. The whole family was buried in the ruins. Mr. True was saved by a huge timber, which fell endways into the ground, within two feet of the place where he stood, and the other timbers falling upon that one pro- tected him from injury. By almost superhuman exertions he dug Mrs. True and four children out from beneath the bricks, where they were actually buried more than a foot. The oven had just been heated, and the bricks were so hot that in removing them from his children the deacon burned his fin- gers to the bone. Mrs. True was badly hurt. The youngest child, an infant, seven weeks old, was found at the distance of one hundred feet under the bottom of a sleigh, the top of which could not be found. After this the tornado passed into Warner again, tearing down a barn and passing over a pond. the waters of which were drawn up in its centre, ami finally terminated its ravages in this quarter in the woods bordering on what is now Webster. Lafayette's Visit.— In 1825 the Marquis of Jvafay- ette made his famous journey through the United States. In the course of fourteen months he trav- ersed the whole country, visiting every State in the Union and all the leading cities, and was received everywhere with sincere tokens of reverence and affec- tion. June 22, 1820, he was at Concord, where a grand reception was given him. Among the mili- tary companies of the State that were in attendance at that time was the Warner Light Infantry, under the command of Captain William Currier. Monday, the 27th of June, the Marquis proceeded westward to Vermont, going through Warner. When he rcacheil the Warner line an escort of our citizens met him, and Dr. Moses Long made an address of welcome. The party then marched in a formal procession to Captain Kelley's tavern, where the old veteran alighted from his carriage and was conducted to the church near at hand. It was now noon, and, in front of the church, on the level green, stood a long table spread with choice refreshments. The general partook lightly of these, being waited upon by several of the beautiful young ladies of the village. One, who remembered how he looked at this time, says that his appearance surprised every one. He presented a fine, portly fig- ure, nearly six feet high, and his weight of years was lightly worn, his only apparent infirmity being a slight lameness resulting from his old wound at Brandywine. After the collation was served, and Lafayette had shaken hands with every man, woman and child, the distinguished visitor remounted his carriage and con- tinued his way through Warner, the old and young thronging the door-yards to catch a glimpse of the great man's face. As he passed out of sight the old brass cannon was fired repeatedly, awaking the echoes of the hills around him. And so the "Nation's guest" passed from Warner. Citizens of Note. — Warner has raised her share of noted characters. Near the northeastern border of the town still stands the birth-place and early home of ex-Governor Ezekiel Straw. At the opposite ex- tremity of the town are the ruins of the old home- stead where ex-Governor Walter Harriman was bom and brought up. Half-way between these extrem- ities, and under the very shadows of the Minks, was the early home of ex-Governor N. G. Ordway. Hon. John Pillsbury, ex-Governor of Minnesota, spent a part of his boyhood here, and his brother, Hon. George A. Pillsbury, mayor of Minneapolis, was once a trader in the store now occupied by B. F. Heath More extended notices will be found of these men in an- other portion of this volume. A short distance from the road leading from War- ner to Honniker is an old ruined cellar, all that now remains of what was once the habitation of Prince HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Hastings. Prince was a negro, who, for many years, lived in the Warner woods, enjoying a local reputa- tion not below that of many better men. Yet Prince wa.s no ninny. He was a great jokist, and could sing songs and play on the bones. Many stories are re- lated of him, but none, perhaps, better than the one told of his being discovered in the mill stealing meal, when he explained, "It is not I ; it's Tony Clark." Tony, or Anthony Clark, was auother negro, who was quite a character fifty or sixty years ago. He was a fiddler and dancing-master, and probably did more to- wards instructing the young folks in the arts and graces of politeness than any other man of his day or generation. He was born a slave, served in the Rev- olutionary army, was a waiter for several years to General Washington, and finally was manumitted and came to Warner to live. Prince Hastings was born free, and, consequently, always regarded Tony with contempt. So, when caught in the flagrant dereliction before alluded to, it was natural that he should charge the deed to his rival, though the man- ner in which he did it did not materially serve to ex- culpate himself Prince died in 1846 at or about, the age of seventy-five. Tony Clark also lived to a great age, dying in 1854, aged one hundred and four years. In honor of his Revolutionary service, they gave him a military funeral, which was a splendid affair. In 1876 (centennial year) a little excitement arose over the matter of changing the town's name from Warner to Georgetown. A petition, backed by the names and influence of a number of the prominent citizens, was presented to the General Court for this purpose. But a counter petition, containing the names of three-quartere of the citizens of the town, several of whom had signed the first, was also 'presented, and, after a protracted discussion by the representatives of both parties, the committee decided not to change the name; so Warner it is to-day, bearing the noble cog- nomen of the patrician councilor whose very name recalls all that wealth and ease and almost baronial greatness that is associated with the great crown o8i- cers of colonial times. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. c;exer.\I; wat.ter HARiii>r.\s.' The name of no New Hampshire man of the pres ent generation is more broadly known than that of Walter Harriman. His distinguished services to the State, both in the Legislature and in the executive chair, his honorable service as an ofiicer of the Union army, the important trusts he held at the hands of one and another of our national administrations, and I From a sketch by Rev. S. C. Boano, witb s not least, his brilliant gifts as an orator, which made him always welcome to the lyceum platform, and caused him to be widely and eagerly sought for in every important election campaign for many years, combined to make him one of the most conspicuous men in our commonwealth. The Harriman family is of English origin. Rev. Ezekiel Rogers, a man of eminence in the church, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1590. He graduated at the University of Cambridge in 1610. Becoming a dissenter from the Church of England, after twenty-five years of faithful service, his ministerial functions were suspended. He says of himself, — " For refusing to read that accursed book that allowed sports on God's holy Sabbath, I was sus- pended, and by it and other sad signs driven, with many of my hearers, into New England." This stanch Puritan arrived on- these shores in 1638. In his devoted flock there was an orphan lad, sixteen years of age, named Leonard Harriman, and from this youthful adventurer the subject of this sketch descended, being of the seventh generation. Rogers selected for his colony an unoccupied tract of country between Salem and Newburyport, Mass., to which he gave the name of Rowley, that being the name of the parish in Yorkshire to which he had long ministered. The oldest son of Leonard Harriman was massa- cred, with ninety of his comrades,—" the flower of Essex County," — in King Philip's War, September 18, 1675, at Bloody Brook. The great-grandfather of Walter Harriman saw eight years of hard service in the French and Revolutionary Wars. His grand- father settled in the wilds of Warner, N. H., at the foot of the Mink Hills, but lost his life by an acci- dent at the early age of twenty-eight. His father, the late Benjamin E. Harriman, was a man of character and influence through an honorable life. He reared a large family at the ancestral home in Warner, where the subject of this sketch, being a third son, was born, April 8, 1817. Muscle and intellect and the heroic virtues can have no better nursery than the rugged farm-life of New England, and the Warner homestead was a challenge and stimulus to the qualities that were needed in the future man of affairs. This child of tl\e third generation that had occupied the same home and tilled the same soil grew up with a stalwart physical organization and a fine loyalty to his native town, a deep interest in its rude history and tradi- tions, and a sympathy with the common people, which, in turn, made him a favorite with all. To him there was no spot to be compared with his birth- place, and there were no people so interestiuL' and endeared as his old neighbors in the rugged hill-town. A few years before his death he wrote a "History of Warner," which is regarded as " one of the most syste- matic, comprehensive and generally interesting works of the kind yet given to the public in the State." WARNER. 673 His "schooling" was obtained at tlie Harriraan dis- trict school and at the academy in the adjoining town of Hopkinton. When hardly more than a boy, he made a success- ful trial of the excellent self-discipline of school- teaching, and at different times taught in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and New Jersey. While in the latter State, at the age of twenty-two, he became deeply interested in the principles of Liberal Christianity (the form of religious faith to which he always held), and occasionally wrote ser- mons, which were well received from the pulpit, and some of which found their way into print. It was certain, from his early youth, that nature designed him for a public speaker, the rare oratorical gifts which afterwards distinguished him having shown themselves gradually and prophetically in the district school-house and the village academy. This tenta- tive experience iu preaching, undertaken of his own motion and without conferring with flesh and blood, resulted in his settlement, in 1841, over the Univer- salist Church in Harvard, Mass., where he remained in active service four years. Returning now to Warner, and soon leaving the pulpit altogether, he became the senior partner in trade with John S. Pillsburj% late Governor of Minnesota, probably the only instance in our history where two young busi- ness partners in a retired country town have after- wards become the chief executives of different States. In 1849, Mr. Harrimau was elected by his towns- men to the New Hampshire House of Representa- tives, where he almost immediately became promi- nent as a leader in debate on the Democratic side. Of his record as a party man little needs to be said, except that from first to last, and whatever his affilia- tions, he displayed great independence in espousing measures and principles which commended them- selves to his judgment and conscience, even when it jmt him in a minority with his political associates. In his first legislative term, on the (juestion of com- muting the death sentence of a woman who was sen- tenced to be hung for murder, he not only advocated such commutation, but was a leader in the movement for the abolition of capital punishment altogether, to which purpose he always stood committed. In the Legislature of 1850 he was the leading advocate of the Homestead Exemption Law. at which time a reso- lution was adopted submitting the question to the people. The voters of the State gave their approval at the next March election, and in the following June the act was consummated. No Legislature has dared to repeal it, and the foresight and courage of its authors and earliest advocates have been so approved by thirty years of experience that it is doubtful if a single citizen can be found to-day who would desire to undo their work. It was no accident or trifling smartness that could give a man prominence in those two Legislatures of a third of a century ago. Among the men of marked ability, now deceased, who held seats in those years were Horton D. Walker, Samuel H. Ayer, Lemuel N. Pattee, Edmund Parker, Samuel Lee, John Pres- ton, William Haile, Richard Jenness, William P. Weeks, Thomas E. Sawyer, W. PI. Y. Hackett, Na- thaniel B. Baker, Charles F. Gove, Thomas M. Ed- wards, Josiah Quincy and scores of others, now living, of equal merit. In this galaxy of brilliant minds it is no exaggeration to say that, young as he was, Mr. Harriman was an honored peer in legislative duty and debate. Besides the two years named he repre- rented Warner again in the House in 1858, when he was his party's candidate for Speaker. He also rep- resented District No. 8 in the State Senate in 1859 and 1860. In 1853 and 1854 he held the responsible position of State treasurer. Appointed, in 1856, by the President of the United States, on a board of commissioners, with ex-Congre.ssmon James H. Relf, of Missouri, and Colonel William Spencer, of Ohio, to classify and appraise Indian lands in Kansas, he spent a year of official service in that inviting terri- tory, then turbulent with ruffianism. Border raids, burnings and murder were daily occurrences; but the duties of this office were faithfully attended to, and no breath of complaint was ever heard against the delicate work of the board. During the reign of that un-American political heresy popularly called Know-Nothingism, in 1854, 1855 and 1856, Mr. Harriman was its firm and un- yielding enemy. In a discussion of this question with Hon. Cyrus Barton, at Loudon Centre, Mr. Harriman had closed his first speech, and Mr. Barton has just begun a reply, when he dropped dead upon the platform, a tragedy which lingered sadly in the memory of his friendly antagonist of that day. The outbreak of the Civil War began an era in the life of every public man in the nation. It projected issues which made party allegiance a secondary afl^air. It sent many earnest and honest men across the party line, while some of our best citizens simply took their stand for the time being outside all political folds, independent and ready for whatever calls the ex- igencies of the country might give forth. In that fateful spring of 1861, Mr. Harriman became the editor and one of the proprietors of the Weekly Union at Manchester, wliich heartily espoused the war policy of Mr. Lincoln's administration for the preser- vation of the republic, and thus found himself the leader and spokesman of what were known as tlie " War Democrats." He was placed in nomination as a candidate for Governor of the State at a large mass convention of this class of voters, held at Manchester in February, 1863, and the movement resulted in defeating a choice by the people and throwing the election into the Legislature. No man uttered braver or more eloquent words for the Union cause than Mr. Harriman, and his tongue and pen were an important element in the rousing of the citizens of New Hampshire to the graver duties 674 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. ofthehour. In August, 1862, he was made colonel of the Eleventh New Hampshire Regiment of Volun- teers. He led his regiment to the field, and was at its head most of the time until the close of the war, except the four months, from May to September, 1864, when he was an inmate of Confederate prisons. With some other captured Union officers, he was for seven weeks of this time imprisoned in that part of Charles- ton, S. C, which was most exposed to the fire of the Union guns from Morris Island ; but, providentially, though that part of the doomed city was destroyed, no harm came to him from the guns of his fellow-loyal- ists. The first set battle in which the Eleventh Regiment bore a part was that of Fredericksburg, in December, 1862, when, with unflinching courage. Colonel Har- riman and his men faced the dreadful carnage of that long day before Marye's Heights, less than three months after their arrival in the field. The loss of the regiment in this engagement was terrific. Passing over much (for want of space) that is thrill- ing aad praiseworthy, we find the Eleventh, under their colonel, at the front in the battle of the Wilder- ness, May 6, 1864, where they made a daring and stubborn onset on the Confederate entrenchments, carrying before them two successive lines of the enemy's works. But among the five thousand Union men that were captured in that bloody engagement, the commander of the Eleventh New Hampshire was included. Colonel Harriman and the survivors of his charge were present at the final grapple of the war, before Petersburg, and on the 3d day of April, 1865, he led a brigade of nine regiments (a force three times as great as the whole American Army at Bun- ker Hill) into that fated city on the heels of Lee's fleeing command. The war was now virtually ended; the surrender of Lee at Appomattox followed six days afterward, and the Eleventh Regiment, of proud and honorable record, was mustered out of service the following June. Their commander was appointed brigadier-general United States Volunteers, by brevet, " for gallant conduct during the war," to date from March 13, 1865. On his arrival home, at the close of the war. Gen- eral Harriman was elected to the office of Secretary of State by the Legislature then in session, and he at once entered upon the duties of the office, which he held two years, and until his promotion to the gubernatorial chair. In the large Republican Con- vention, consisting of six hundred and seventy-five delegates, and held at Concord in 1867, he was nomi- nated on the first ballot as candidate for Governor of the State. One of the most salient and memorable inci- dents connected with this period was the joint canvass, made by amicable arrangement between General Har- riman and the Hon. John G. Sinclair, the Democratic candidate. Such canvasses are not uncommon in the West and South ; but in New England, and with men of such forensic ability as the distinguished nominees posessed, it was an event fraught with great popular interest, and which drew forth, possibly, the most earnest and eloquent discussions of questions to which a New England people has ever listened. Many flattering notices were given of these discussions ; there were thirteen in all. Commenting on one of the number, a leading newspaper said of General Harriman : " Soaring above all petty personal allu- sions, he held the audience as if spell-bound, and made all his hearers, for the time being, lovers "f the whole country — of the Union, of liberty and inde- pendence throughout the world. He spoke not as a politician, but as a patriot, a statesman, a philan- thropist, and his noble sentiments had such power of conviction that it was impossible to ward oft' the results by argument." His election followed by a decisive majority. The campaign of 1868 occurred at a time when a strong reaction was setting against the Republican party throughout the country. Fresh candidates lor the Presidency were about to be nominated ; the ini- peachment of Andrew Johnson was in progress ; military rule had been established in the South ; utter financial ruin was hotly foretold ; and the dominant party was suffering crushing reverses in many of the States. To add to the discouragements of this party in New Hampshire, when the municipal election came on, in December, Portsmouth and Manchester rolled up adverse majorities, and the tide was tending strongly in one direction. Encouraged by such promising signs the Democratic party held its State Convention at the early day of the 14th of November. Their old and tried war-horse, John G. Sinclair, was again put upon the track, and his election was, by that party, deemed a foregone conclusion. A long and fierce contest ensued. Governor Harriman met his fellow-citizens face to face in every section of the State. He addressed immense meetings, holding one every secular day for six weeks, and failing to meet no appointment on account of weariness, storms or any other cause. He was triumphantly re-elected, obtaining a larger vote than any candidate for office had ever before received in New Hampshire. Of Governor Harriman's administration of the af- fairs of the State, in its principal features, with the exacting duties and the keen prudence required of the chief executive in those days of large indebted- ness, unbalanced accounts and new legislation to meet the new and unprecedented demands, his con- stituents seem to have been hearty and unanimous in their approval. Their feelings may be summed up and expressed in the words of the Boston Journal when it said : "The administration of Governor Har- riman will take rank among the best that New Hamp- shire has ever had." General Harriman was appointed naval officer of the port of Boston by President Grant in April, 186it, which office he accepted after the expiration of his 1 gubernatorial term, in June following. He was re- /j^^^^^ l^l^-^:e,y^^l^ WARNER. 675 appointed in 1873 for a term of four years. Tlie affairs of this office were conducted iu sucli a manner as to preclude any word of criticism. General Harrimau engaged in political canvasses repeatedly in most of the Northern States, and in 1872 he participated extensively in the State campaign in North Carolina. In this later canvass the key-note of the national campaign was pitched, and the result of the desperate contest there in August made the re- election of General Grant in November a certainty. Thousands have warmly testified to the rare ora- torical powers of the subject of this sketch, the Meri- den (Connecticut) Recorder being one of the number. That paper says of him : " As a platform speaker we never heard his equal. His delivery is fine, his logic clear as a crystal, his manner easy and natural and his physical force tremendous. With a voice clear and distinct as a trumpet, of immense compass, vol- ume and power, his influence over an audience is complete. He affects nothing, but proceeds at once to the work in hand, and from the very outset carries his hearers with him, rising at times with the in- spiration of his theme to the loftiest flights of elo- quence." In 1881, General Harrimau was chosen to the Leg- islature from Concord, and in the Hall of Represent- atives, where he had stood over thirty years before, he took a fearless and independent position on the great questions that were agitated at that session. In 1882 he made an extended tour through Europe and portions of Asia and Africa, visiting London, Paris, Rome, Athens, Alexandria, Cairo, Jerusalem and many other places of note, going to the heart of the great pyramid and bathing in the Dead Sea and the waters of Jordan. On his return he wrote a book of his travels, which was his last work, entitled " In the Orient." The book is characteristic of the author, who saw much in a short time, and taking one rapidly through that interesting country, on foot and horse- back, where brave armies fought and where patri- archs, prophets and Apostles went. The book was published by Lee & Shepard, of Boston, and two editions have been sold. General Harriman was twice married : first, in 1841, to Miss Apphia K. Hoyt, daughter of Captain Ste- phen Hoyt, of Warner, who died two years afterwards ; and again, in 1844, to Miss Almira R. Andrews, of Warner, who survives him. By the latter marriage he had three children,— Georgia, the only daughter, is the wife of Joseph R. Leeson, an importer, of Bos- ton ; Walter C, the oldest son, a lawyer in Boston ; the younger sou, Benjamin E., having prepared him- self for the medical profession at some of the best schools in the land, took his degree at Dartmouth College in 1877 and began practice in Manchester, N. H. ; but his health soon failing, after patient and determined efibrts for its recovery, and after attempt- ing, in Troy, N. H., to follow his profession, where, in a short space of time, he acquired a large practice and aroused the strongest feelings of friendship and sym- pathy of the people, he returned to his father's home in Concord, where he died of consumption and a heart difficulty May 23, 1880, lamented not only by his own family, but by a large circle of devoted and enthusi- astic friends. His wife, so early bereaved, was Miss Jessie B., only daughter of the late Colonel Isaac W. Farmer, of Manchester. A biographical paper, read before the New Hamp- shire Medical Society by Dr. A. H. Crosby, a i)hy- sician of wide reputation, and printed, portrays the character of Dr. Harriman in generous outline and fine and tender tinting. He was a young man of a keen mind and of high integrity, large capacities for friendship and superior equipment for his life-work. There are two grandsons and one granddaughter of General Harriman's surviving children to represent the family. In the month of July, 1883, General Harriman wa.s prostrated, although apparently in his usual health, with cerebral embolism, resulting in aphasia, and al- though he made a wonderful and unexpected recov- ery therefrom, it was evident that his days on earth were hastening to a clo.se. Early in the spring of 1884 he became confined to his home. Calmly he awaited the great transition, as the shadows gathered about him, with the oft-expressed wish that it might come suddenly and that his days of weariness might not be prolonged. Like passing into a deep .sleep, he died on the morning of July 25th. His remains repose in Tine Grove Cemetery, beneath a tall granite shaft, among his kindred, where the waters of the river ripple be- low and in full view of the hills that overshadow the place of his birth. BEXJAMIX EVANS. Benjamin Evans, son of Tappan Evans, was born at Newburyport in 1772, but was brought to Warner with the family before 1780. His mother was calkd the " handsomest woman in Newburyport," and the son was aman of striking personal appearance. The writer has been unable to gather many facts in rela- tion to the early life of this noted man. His educa- tion was limited, but, having commanding natural abilities, he wielded a large influence in Warner and in the State for many years. He married a Miss Wadleigh (an aunt of the late Judge Wadleigh, of Sutton) and commenced life at Roby's Corner. There he had a farm and saw-mill, Ihe mill being a few rods below the present river bridge. In 1803 he went into mercantile business at South Sutton and at once became a prominent and influential man in the town. Though he only remained at Sutton four years, he served several times as moderator at town-meetings and several times as selectman. In 1807 he returned to Warner and made his home from that time through life at the village. 676 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. He was the leading business man in town for a long period of time ; besides carrying on his country store, he dealt largely in cattle. He lived some twenty-five or thirty years in what is now known as the Bates house, and the remainder of his life at the Porter house. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He knew every man in town and couUl readily call each man by name. He served as moderator of town-meetings, as selectman and as representative to the General Court a great many years. He was elected Senator in old District No. 8 in 1S30, and was in the Governor's Council in 1836 and 1S37. He was appointed sherifFof Merrimack County in 1838 and held this, his last office, till 1843, the year before his decease. His children were Abigail, married Reuben Porter ; Susan, died in infancy; Susan (2d) married Dr. Eaton; Lucinda, married Nathan S.Colby; Sophronia, married Stephen C. Badger; Sarah, married H. D. Robertson; Hannah M., married Abner Woodman (he was a farmer and did considerable justice business in settling estates in the town of Warner) ; Benja- min, the last child, died at the age of six years. Mrs. Hannah M. Woodman' is the only surviving child of the late Benjamin Evans, and furnishes this illustra- tion as a tribute to her father's memory. LEVI BARTLETT. Levi Bartlett, oldest son of Joseph Bartlett, was born in Warner, N. H., April 29, 1793, and is, there- fore, at this date, ninety-two years of age. His grandfather, Simeon Bartlett, of Amesbury, Mass. (a brother of Governor Josiah Bartlett, of Kingston, N. H., who was first after General Han- cock to vote for and to sign the " Declaration of In- dependence"), was one of the original proprietors of the town of Warner, and he gave to his three sons, Joseph, Richard and Simeon, valuable tracts of land in the then newly-settled township. The Bartlett family are from Stopham, Sussex County, England. John and Richard, progenitors of most of the name in this country, came over in 1634 and 1635, and settled at Newbury. They trace back their family for over eight hundred years of unbroken pedigree. Sir Walter B. Barttelot, a lineal descendant of .\dam Barttelot, who came over with William, the Conqueror, now inherits the old family estate, con- sisting of some seven or eight thousand acres. Sir Walter is member of Parliament, a Conserva- tive and a stanch supporter of the Queen. The subject of the present sketch, Levi Bartlett, of Warner, was early employed in his father's store, at the Lower village. A country store was then, even ' Since the above was written Mre. Woodman has passed away. She did May 26, 1885. more than now, the centre of all masculine gather- ings for the interchange of news and political and re- ligious ideas. The incidents of the Revolutionary War were still fresh in the minds of the old habitues of the place, and the lad, always eager for informa- tion, listened with breathless interest to tales of daring and heroic deeds, and gazed with flashing eye as some old veteran of the war "shouldered his crutch and showed how fields were won." Added to the history of his country they orally delivered were the contents of the town library, kept at his father's store, and su])- plied, among other works, with copies of most of the popular histories then extant,— Hume, Gibbon, Gold- smith, etc., — and while the rest of the family were gathered of an evening in the " east room " for social and neighborly converse, the young man, stretched on the old-fashioned kitchen settle, read, by the light of a tallow, candle, or possibly by a blazing pine-knot, his- tory, Shakespeare, translations of Virgil and Homer, or whatever else of poetry or romance those early times afforded. His extreme predilection for agriculture was fostered, if not induced, by the " Georgics," read at that susceptible age. Opportunities for education were very limited in those days, and the common dis- trict school did not set ordinary pupils very far on the road to knowledge. Private instruction, through a couple of winters, by Hon. Henry B. Chase, then a rising young lawyer of the town, and a " finishing term " at Amesbury Academy were all the additional scholastic advantages enjoyed by Mr. Bartlett. This rather meagre training was, however, largely supple- mented in his case by constant, varied and extensive reading, and by a critical study, in later years, of geology, chemistry and other works connected with what was then dubbed, rather sneeringly, by the pop- ular voice as " scientific farming." He was sent early to Newburyport to the book-store of Thomas & Whip- ple, and later to the store of his uncle, James Thorn- dike, of Salem, Mass., with the expectation that he would engage in mercantile pursuits. But he had little taste for " trade " and the embargo and non- intercourse with foreign nations, owing to the un- friendly and exasperating conduct of England, which worked so disastrously upon the fortunes of those once opulent merchants in the " City by the Sea," completed the disgust of young Bartlett for that oc- cupation. The trade of tanner and currier appeared to him the only safe and lucrative business, and his father arranged to set him up accordingly. He pursued this avocation for several years, but the passion for agriculture, which had all this time found vent in the cultivation of fruits and flowers, grew too powerful to be resisted, and he left what was fast be- coming a lucrative employment for the pursuit of farming, which he has since followed. He began at once towrite for agricultural papers, experimented largely in diflerent ways of managing crops, adopted most of the new theories of scientific men in relation to the constitution of the soil and its ^ ^v ), ^4>«^ /3/vT^T^:^r WARNER. 677 adaptation to certain growtlis, etc. His opinions and writings were favorabl)- received, and he, as pioneer in a new field, since pretty thoroughly investigated, was considered " authority " on most points relating to improved agriculture. In 1834, Mr. Bartlett was invited to become a regu- liir contributor to the Neic England Farmer, and from tliat date till after he had passed his eightieth year he wrote regularly for various agricultural periodicals. He was special correspondent and associate editor of the Boston Journal of Agriculture during its brief life. He wrote constantly for the Country Gentleman, oc- casionally for the Farmer's Monthly Visitor, The Statesman and Blanchester Mirror and many other papers. He was for a time associate editor of the Bos- ton Cultivator. His writings have been published in various States of the Union, and not unfrequently copied into English papers. When an Advisory Board of Agriculture met at the Patent Office, Washington, D. C, in 1859, Mr. Bartlett was selected by a committee of that board to represent New Hampshire, and he was present during its session of eight days. A year later, when a series of important lectures on scientific agriculture was to be given at Yale College, Hon. Henry B. French, then of Exeter, late Assistant Secretary of the Treasury at Washington, and Mr. Bartlett were invited from this State to be present. After he had passed his eightieth birthday he began and completed a "Genealogy of the Bartlett Family," which has been largely called for all over the country. The work cost a vast amount of labor and research, and proved a very trying labor for the aged com- piler. In politics Mr. Bartlett has been an "old-time Whig," and in a town which was for many years the very "keystone of the Democratic arch" in New Hampshire, was seldom troubled with offers of office, but held the office of postmaster for five years imme- diately preceding General Jackson's term at the White House. It is curious to note the difference in that " institu- tion " between those years and the present time. Mr. Bartlett declares that more papers and letters are re- ceived in a single day now at our office than he dis- tributed in the course of a whole year. Mr. Bartlett married, June 1, 1815, Hannah Kelly, only daughter of Rev. William Kelly, the first minister of Warner. They had two children, who lived to mature age, — William K., who married Harriet X., daughter of Nathan AValker; Laviuia K.,the daugh- ter, married Dr. Dana D. Davis, who died soon alter of yellow fever in Baton Rouge, La., where he was in the practice of his profession. Their only child, Wil- liam D. Davis, married Louise Harding, of Virginia, and is a clerk in the Custom-House, New York City. [.V difference of opinion seems to exist concerning the derivation of the name of this town. Hon. Walter Harriman claimed that it was named in honor of Seth Warner, of Bennington, Vt., while others claim that it derived its name from Hon. Daniel Warner, of New Hampshire. Isaac W. Hammond, however, author of " Town Papers," and an indefatigable searcher in matters relating to the early history of New Hampshire, says he " finds himself of the opinion that Governor Wentworth named the town for his intimate friend. Colonel Jonathan Warner, of Portsmouth, who married a cousin of the Governor, and was, at the time of the incorporation of Warner, a member of the Governor's Council." — Publishers.] HISTORY OF WEBSTER. BY MISS E. M. BUXTON. CHAPTER I. Ilitrodvlct.iry—Dnscription—IiKlustiies— Early Settleniciits— I urorponi- Introductory. — The historical instinct, if we may use the ('X]iression, is not strong in Americans. We iuvvc been too intensel}' busy with the present to spend much time in gathering up the story of the past. But we are beginning to realize the great value of our heritage of history. States.counties, towns and families are searching among records and traditions, trying to weave the scattered and broken threads into something like continuous narrative. The sketch here presented in behalf of the town of Webster is exceedingly fragmentary, having been prepared un- der great disadvantages. This word of apology is due, not to the writer, but to the citizens of Webster. Much of the material used has been drawn from the "History of Boscaweu," by Eev. Ebenezer Price, published in 1823, and from the "History of Bos- cawen and Webster," by Charles Carleton Coffin, published in 1878. The writer would acknowledge also assistance furnished by Messrs.' W. W. Burbank and Sherman Little. Another esteemed citizen of Webster should also be named here, whose record henceforth is on high— Mr. Ephraim Little. He was familiar with the history of his native town, and was o-reatly interested in gathering materials for this work, but died before he had put them in shape to be used. Webster looks back with a just pride upon her past. Those early settlers who gave character to the town were men of sturdy natures, courageous, persevering, clear in their perceptions of right and of duty, posi- tive in their opinions, abounding more in solid sense than in refinement. These qualities have appeared in a marked degree in all the subsequent history of the town. The institutions of the gospel and of edu- cation were among the fir.st cares of those who came to the wilderness, and these have exercised their own softening and refining influence on the generations who have succeeded. The results of this influence have been felt, not only within the limits of Webster, but wherever the migratory spirit has led her sons and daughters. These are filling honorable positions nil the Pacific slope, in the great Northwest and in the Mississippi Valley. Such men as Jacob Little, in 078 Ohio, and Henry Little, in Indiana, have laid a strong molding hand on thousands of the inhabitants of those and other States, and have helped to make the interior of our country what it is to-day. In common with many of the country towns of New England, Webster has decreased in population within the last forty years, and the present inhabit- ants speak with a shade of sadness of the large families and the crowded school-houses of a half- century ago. But the fountain does not complain because it cannot keep all its waters at home. It sends them forth in streams which carry life and verdure hither and thither until at last the clouds bring them back again. So to the country hill- sides of New England come back the blessings and prayers of those who have gone forth to other homes. Description. — More than a century and a half have passed away since John Coffin and eighty other citizens of Newbury petitioned the General Court of Massachusetts Bay for " a grant of land situated on the west side of the Merrimack, adjoining Penacook plantation." The grant, which was obtained tlie fol- lowing year, lays down the boundaries of the pro- posed township as follows : "A plot of township of land granted at [by] the Conrt to John Coffin .ind others, lying on Merrimack river, above Penacook, surveyed by Richard Hazen and two chain men on oath, being bounded as follows, viz.: beginning at the middle of Contoocook river, when it empties into the Merrimack, where it joins the Penacook Plantation; thence running west, 16° South, adjoiningTenacook line, four miles, to a white pine tree, marked for Penacook corner bound ; thence, further on, the same line three miles and eight poles to a Norway pine marked for the corner bounds: thence turned at right-angles and running North 15° west seven miles and eight poles, to a crotched, white birch lettered and standing on the southeast side of a hill, which is the North west corner ; thence turned at right-angles and run east 15 deg. north, near seven .miles and a half, to a white oak and two white pines marked, by Merrimack river, and by said river ae it runs to Contoocook Kiver." This was known by the Indian name of Contoo- cook, until the formal incorporation of the town, in 1760, when it took the name of Boscawen, in honor of Admiral Boscawen, who distinguished himself in the British navy during the French and Indian War and at its close. The present article has to do only with the western part of this tract, which, in 1860, became a separate town, bearing the name of Web- ster. The account of the division of the old town will be given more at length hereafter. Webster is an agricultural town, possessing a var- G79 ietv of soil ailapteil to t'armiug and grazing, witli a good ijroportion of forest growth. Oak aud maple, pine and hemlock are abundant. The Bhukwater River runs through from north to south, afl'ording several good water privileges. The surface is diver- sified with hill and dale, abounding in bits of the most picturesque scenery. The chief eminences in the town are Little Hill mid ( '....K's Hill in the north part, Corser Hill in tin i:i-.t. I'mid Hill in the west, aud Rattlesnake Hill souihwoi nl' the centre. Long Pond is a beautiful sheet of water, nearly two miles long and from one-half to three-fourths of a mile wide, towards the west part of the town, at the foot of Pond Hill ; while, on the east. Great Pond lies on the boundary between Webster and Boscawen. From various points in the town commanding views may be obtained of landscapes presenting an endless variety of feature. One of these " mounts of vision '" is on Little Hill. Looking toward the southwest in a summer morning, one sees Long Pond nestling among ' the surrounding hills, reflecting in its glassy surface ^ every line of their contour with wonderful clearness, j The farm-houses of White Plain can be seen here and ] there, almost hidden among the trees, until the nar- I row valley broadens out into a vista of sunny slopes, blending at lasc with the sky. The highest land in Webster is the hill west of the house of Captain William D. George, which probably has an elevation of between nine hundred and one thousand feet. Mount Washington is plainly visible from that point in a clear atmosphere. The elevation of Corser Hill Meeting-House is seven hundred and eighty-six feet. Mount Kearsarge, with its graceful outline, is seen to fine advantage from Corser Hill, while from the height of land south of the house of Mrs. John Sanborn a rare view may be enjoyed in a clear day eastward, westward and northward, includ- ing some of the White Mountain peaks. From Sanborn Hill, in the west part of the town, the eye sweeps over an extensive landscape, by no means inferior in its varied beauty to those already mentioned. A small village clusters about the Congregational Church on Corser Hill, and a mile southwest of that is the larger village of Sweatt's Mills, containing the ^Methodist Church, post-oifice and the Blackwater Jlills, which are at present closed. There are two stores in town, one kept by George Little on Corser Hill, and the other by Arthur C. Call at Sweatt's Mills. The location of the town is a healthy one and peo- ple grow old here. At the opening of the present year (1885) there were fifteen individuals in town over eighty years of age and two of these were upwards of ninety, — Mr. Jacob Waldron, ninety-four, and Mrs. Amos Corser, ninety-two. Both have died since the beginning of the year. The population of the town, according to the cen- sus of 1880, is six hundred and forty-seven. Industries. — Lumbering has always been predomi- nant among the industrial interests of Webster. The first saw-mill was built by Henry Oerrish in 1779, on the Blackwater, a little above the mill now owned by W. W. & I. A. Burbank. That at the outlet of Long Pond was built about 1800 by Jeremiah Gerrish, and somewhat later the mill on the Blackwater, a little north of Dingit Corner, and the Danforth and Jack- man Mills farther down the river. Pillsbury's mill was built about 1809. The mill on Knight's Meadow Brook was built by Henry Little about 1825. The first clapboard-mill was below the Pillsbury mill and w;is built by Colonel John Farmer. The second wjis built in 1834 and is still in use, being owned at present by W. W. & I. A. Burbank. The first grist- mill was the Norris Mill, at Sweatt's Mills. There was also one run of stones in Pillsbury's mill. In the early part of the century there were two fulling-mills in town, one at Sweatt's Mills and the other at Burbank's Mills. Both were ruu at one time by Paul Pearson. At Sweatt's Mills, when the river was low, the fulling-mill and grist-mill were rufi alternately, one by day, the other by night. Coopering was carried on by Captain Boyden, Jabez Abbott and Benjamin Sweatt. At Sweatt's Mills a building, put up originally for a carding-mill, was used for a long time as a match-mill. The manufacture of hats was carried on by Mr. Columbus George, on White Plain. Cut nails were made by Jeremiah Gerrish, on the place now owned by Charles D. Glitten. They were cut out of hoop-iron with large shears, driven by horse-power. At the present time the manufacture of shingles, broom-handles, chair-stock, etc., is carried on by James Snyder, on the mill-site on Blackwater River, near the residence of Samuel Little. Box-making is a special branch of business at Burbank's Mills, to- gether with general lumber business and making of chair-stock. In 1881 between five and six thousand dollars were paid out by F. L. Burbank & Son for labor, including teaming. Early Settlements. — In 1745, Thomas Cook built a log cabin in the northeast part of what is now Web- ster, near "Mutton Road," and not far from the swell of land which bears his name. This was probably the first house built in the town. Upon the breaking out of Indian hostilities in the following year, he deemed it prudent to leave his cabin, but was killed at Clay Hill in May, 1746. During the |)eace which followed the first outbreak of Indian warfare, Edward Emery built a house at the foot of Corser Hill, on the south side of Long Street, on land now owned by Miss Nancy Couch. He moved his family thence to the fort, upon the second Indian attack, and the house was rifled by the savages. It is not known that he ever occupied it afterward. In 1756 he, with Ezekiel Flanders, was killed by the Indians at Newfound Lake, whither they had gone to hunt beavers. Permanent settlements began about 1763. 680 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Benjamin Day was probably the first settler. He built a house on land now owned by Mr. John Dodge. About the same time Jonathan Cass built a house by Long Pond, near the house lately owned by Mr. David Sweatt, the foundations of which may still be seen. These two were the only houses west of the Blackwater when, in 1774, Enoch Little built his house on Little Hill. The first framed house in Web- ster was built by Mr. David Oorser, on Corser Hill, and is now occupied by Mr. Tilton. Not far from 1795, Mr. Stephen Putney bought and cleared the ftirm in the south part of the town, on which his son, Mr. Charles E. Putney, now lives. A little later, William Clough settled on Sanborn Hill, west of Pond Hill, and, shortly after, Mr. Tristram Sanborn built a house near where his son, Jesse Sanborn, lives at present. In Bashan, Moses Gerrish and William Danforth settled, per- haps a little earlier. From 1775 to 1800, settle- ments rapidly increased. "In the year 1777 there were probably not more than ten legal voters west of Beaver Dam. In thirteen years the number had in- creased to seventy-one." From this time until 1860 — the date of the incorporation of W^ebster — its civil history is hardly separable from that of Boscawen. Mr. Coffin, in his excellent "History of Boscawen and Webster," gives a variety of facts in regard to the " west end of the town," some of which will be given nearly in a chronological order. Up to 1791 there was no meeting-house in the ter- ritory now called Webster, the only place of worship in Boscawen being at the northwest corner of the cemetery west of \Voodbury's Plain. This was a long way oft' for the residents west of Blackwater, and the question of a new meeting-house was agitated in 1784, but without result. In 1 791 they presented the fol- lowing petition to the General Court: " To the Honorable Seuate and House of Representatives of the State of Xew Hampshire in General Court Assembled : "The subscribers, Inhabitants of the westerly half of the town of Bos- cawen, in said state, Humbly beg leave to show that the easterly half of eaid Town was (irst settled, & that the meeting-House built to accommo- date that part of the town only, giving the westerly part, which was then thinly inhabited, encouragement for a parish, when their numbers were sufficient, but aa it is not agreeable to the laws of the state, your petitioners are exposed to great inconvenience and hardship in attending public worship, town meetings & especially in the winter season, it being more than five miles from the Meeting-House to the Centre of the west- erly half of said Town & that from the combination of Ponds Hills & Swamps 4c., which lie between the easterly * westerly half, will ever render it inconvenient to remain in our District & in our present situa- tion we have no redress without the aid of this court. "Your petitioners, therefore, pray that the westerly half of said Town may be set off from the easterly half, and incorporated into a separate Town by the name of Bristol, with the same privileges ob other Towns in this state or otherways relieved, as j'our Honors, iu your wisdom, shall see meet, * your petitioners, as in Duty bound, shall ever pray. " Boscawen, June 1, 1791." This was signed by seventy-one names, — that is, by all the legal voters west of Beaver Dam. This alarmed the citizens of the eiust section, who did not wish the town divided, and, at a special town-meeting, a com- mittee of non-residents was chosen to select a site for a new meeting-house. One of this committee was Judge Ebenezer Webster, of Salisbury, father of Hon. Daniel Webster. It was voted that the frame be raised and the pews sold during the year. This building i.s now the town-house of Webster. In 1793 the first store was opened in Webster by Samuel Gookin, in a house that stood on the site now occupied by the residence of George Little, Esq., on Corser Hill. " In 1812, Colonel John Farmer, Abraham Burbank, JIoso i;.ii i-li, William Danforth, Moses Tj'ler, of Hopkinton, Little Burbaiil., .11 .- Little and other citizens, formed an association known as tlx' I'm-Liu Mining Co. It was thought that lead and silver would be fouiMi ^n 1it.lication b<- made to Israel Diamond, of Goffstown, for the discovery of the mine, if Holmes should fail.' ' Voted, that application be made to Doctor Withs [Withem], of Plymouth, if Holmes and Diamond should fail.' " These gentlemen — Holmes, Diamond and Withem — were supposed to- be able to locate a mine by the use of witch-hazel rods, which, when carried in the hand, would point to the precious metal. " Which of these located the mine is not known, but operations began near William Danforth's house. A hole thirty or forty feet deep was dug, but no silver or lead was found, and the mine was soon aban- In February, 1824, and August, 1826, great freshets occurred, the latter having been known ever since as " the great August freshet." More than twelve inches of rain fell in six hours. " Every bridge across the Blackwater was swept away with the exception of that at Sweatt's Mills. The water ran through the ravines west of the village at Sweatt's Mills and also took the short cut from the bend near the residence of Mr. Orlando Fittz to the mills near Samuel Little's. The roads were very much washed. The damage in other towns was equally great. At the White Moun- tains occurred the slide by which the Willey family lost their lives." A post-office was established at Sweatt's Mills in 1830 and the mail was carried once a week to Hopkin- ton. Most of the citizens, however, received their mail from Concord, and, in 1841, a petition was en- tered for a new post-route to Boscawen, with a mail service twice a week, which was granted. In 1851 a tri-weekly mail was obtained, and since 1881 the mail has been delivered daily. The Granite Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organized in 1841. S. B. Little was president, and Rev. Ebenezer Price secretary. This association gave place, in 1877, to the Merrimack County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, with the following directors: Francis B. Sawyer, president ; Friend L. Burbank, WEBSTER. Joseph L. Coiuli, Cyrus Fittz, Ej)hraiin Little sec- retary aud trea-siirer. Incorporation. — In 1791, as has already been seen, tlie people of West Boscawen petitioned for a division of the town, that they might secure a meeting-house for themselves. This was, however, prevented by the citizens of the east part of the town, who agreed to the building of the desired place of worship. In course of time other causes conspired to bring about a permanent separation between the two sections. The Northern and Concord and Claremont Railroads had changed the currents of trade to Concord, Warner and Contoocook instead of Boscawen Plain, as formerly. The lack of a central town-house furnished another reason for discontent. Town-meetings had been held at the east and west ends of the town alternately; but, in 1840, the meeting-house on the Plain being re- modeled, the meeting was at West Boscawen two years in succession, and this raised the question of division again. Some of the voters at the west end com- })lained of unfair dealing in the application of public funds, being aggrieved by the purchase of a fire-engine for Fisherville (now Penacook), which, they afHrmed, had been voted upon after the majority had gone home. On tlie other hand, taxable property at the east end was rapidly increasing, and the citizens of that section retorted that they had heavy taxes of their own to pay without being obliged to keep so many Blackwater bridges in repair. Political jeal- ousies naturally arose between the two parts of the town, and at length, in 1860, the centennial year of the town of Bo.scawen, a petition was presented to the Legislature, signed almost entirely by the citizens of the east part of the town (but one name having been obtained from the other part), praying that the town might be divided, the east section retaining the name and records. This roused strong and indignant feel- ings among the people of West Boscawen. In spite of all causes of discontent, they were proud of the p;xst history of the noble old town, and were unwilling to be thus thrust out from their inheritance in its name and fame. They opposed the division stoutly; but stronger influences were brought to bear upon the legislative body by the other side, and on .luly 4, 1860, the Governor approved the act of imcorporation, the first section of which, defining the boundaries of the new town, is as follows : " That aU that part of the town of Boscawen lying westward of the fol lowing described line, to wit : beginning at the centre of Bearer-Dam Brook, 30 called, on the northerly bonndary line of said town, and run- ning thence southerly along the centre of said brook to Couch Pond, so called ; thence in a straight line across said pond to the brook connecting the same with Great Pond, so called ; thence along the centre of said last- mentioned brook to said Great Pond ; thence in a straight line across said Great Pond and the brook running therefrom, at the southerly end thereof ; thence along the centre of said brook until it strikes the south- erly side of the highway, near Burbank's Mills, so called, leading from Ephraim Plumer's to Dodge's Mills, so called ; thence easterly, along the southerly side of said highivay to a point in a line with the westerly side line of the fifth range of the forty-five acre lots in the fourth division, as originally laid out ; thence southerly to and along said westerly line of said tifth range, and in continuation of the i 43 erly bonndary line ofsa Webster." Great dissatisfaction wiis felt in regard to the name. It was claimed that it had been given in honor of Daniel Webster ; but the jjeople of the town believed it to have been given out of "malice prepense" as a last- ing sarcasm upon the relations of certain men jiromi- nent in both towns. Moreover, they claimed that, even if given in good faith and in honor of the great statesman, it was the east end, where he had engaged in the practice of law from March, 1805, until Septem- ber, 1807, which should have the name, rather than the west, with which he had no connection whatever. They petitioned the Legislature for the name West Boscawen, but were refused. This, however, was re- tained as the post-office address until a later period, and the name of Webster was rarely used, save in legal matters. Probably the true explanation of the origin of the name is to be found in the following extract from a letter written by Judge Smith, of Manchester, in reply to inquiries addressed to him by Sherman Lit- tle, Esq. : " The bill to divide the town w.is reported favorably by some conunit- tee, probably by the committee on division of towns. The bill, at reported, gave the new town the name of West Boscawen. 1 knew no- thing about the merits of the bill, or of the feeling that had arisen be- tween the people of the east and west parts of the old town. When the bill was reported and read, it occurred to me that it would be in better taste, as well as more convenient, to give the new town a distinctive name, rather than a name not differing from that of the old town, except by the geographical prefix. Accordingly, I cast my eye over a township map of New England in search of an appropriate name. Almost the first name that caught my attention was "Webster. It immediately oc- curred to me that it would be peculiarly appropriate to name one of the towns W^ebster, for th.at distinguished son of Xew Hampshire, Daniel Webster. ... I at once suggested the matter to the counsel who represented the old and new towns, and they both assented that I migh» make the motion to amend the bill in the particular mentioned, or made "\Vhenthe bill next came up in the House, I moved to amend by striking out the words West Boscawen, wherever they occurred, and in- serting the word Webster, and stated briefly my reasons for so doing. . . . My recollection is that no one said a word against the change of name, and the motion was adopted without dissension or opposition." The first town meeting was held August 11th, S. B. Little, Esc]., being elected moderator, and D. E. Bur- bank town clerk. It was expected that the new town would return a Democratic majority, but, in its first town-meeting and ever since, Republican principles have prevailed. In 1866, fifteen ballotings for representative resulted in no choice, and the town was unrepresented for that year. Before the first year of the incorporate existence ot Webster had passed, the cloud of Civil War, which had been slowly gathering over the land, burst in all its fury. There was a diversity of feeling among the inhabitants of the town, some believing the war to be unnecessary, a few sympathizing openly with the South, while the larger part were ready, with heart, hand and purse, to sustain the administration in its eftbrts to put down rebellion. 682 HISTORY OF MEKIUMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. January 15, 1862, it was voted to support the fami- lies of those who had enlisted, and the selectmen were authorized to raise money for that purpose. August 7th, " Voted, that the town pay one hundred dollars to each recruit who is an inhabitant of this town, who will enlist before the IStli of the present month, for the term of three years, not to exceed the quota required of this town, to be paid when mus- tered into the service." " Voted, that the selectmen be authorized to hire a sum not exceeding three thousand dollars, to meet the expense of paying the above bounty to volunteers." September 3d, " Voted, that the town pay to volun- teers for nine months in the army of the United States one hundred dollars each, upon their being mustered into the service of the United States, and the selectmen are empowered to hire money suffi- cient to pay the same. January 7, 1863, " Voted, that the selectmen procure men to fill the town's quota on the best terms they can, and pay from any money belonging to the town not otherwise appropriated." September 7th, " Besolved, that the town of Web- ster pay to its drafted men, and all those that may be drafted, or their substitutes, the sum of three hun- dred dollars, in accordance with an act of Legislature passed June session, 1863, and approved July 10, 1863." March 8, 1864, " Voted, that a bounty of three hun- dred dollars be paid to its veteran volunteers, who have or may re-enlist to the credit of the town, and authorize the selectmen to raise the sum." August 16, 1877, the ninety-ninth anniversary of the battle of Bennington was celebrated in the Con- gregational meeting-house with appropriate exer- cises. Sherman Little, Esq., was president of the day. A historical oration was delivered by C. C. Coffin, Esq., of Boston. This was followed by ad- dresses by Rev. Edward Buxton, Rev. Arthur Little, of Fond du Lac, Wis., and others, with music by a select quartette and au original song by Major Alfred Little. November 7th, the State having voted a convention for the revision of the Constitution, Rev. Edward Buxton was chosen delegate from Webster. August 16, 1883, the town of Boscawen celebrated the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its settle- ment, and proposed to Webster, as having been for- merly a part of its territory, to unite in the celebra- tion and preparations therefor. The town in its official capacity did not respond to the invitation ; but the sum of $50.50 was contributed by individuals towards the expenses of the occasion, and Webster ladies, with their usual liberality and housewifely skill, furnished generous baskets of provisions for the tables. CHAPTER II. W E BSTE R— ( Continued). Militiiry History— Ecileeiastical llietory— Educational IlisK.ry. Military History.— The history of the Revolution has been written over and over again. Some writers have wearied themselves and their readers with their careful detail of the causes that led to the glorious struggle. Others have lavished their powers of de- scription upon the brilliant battle-scenes of the war, while others still have devoted their pens to the character and achievements of their favorite heroes. But a large part of that history can never be written by human pen. The struggles between love and patriotism, the hand-to-hand fights with poverty, the heroism that nerved the hearts of wives and mothers to bid God-speed to their husbands and sons, and then turn back without flinching into their lonely homes to do as best they could the work that belonged to stronger hands— these can be found only in the records kept above. Webster has her full share in this unwritten history, though there may be little which can be put upon paper. Her adult citizens in 1776 were not more than thirty in number, but these all signed the Articles of Association, by which they did "solemnly engage and promise that we will, to the utmost in our Power, at the Risque of our Lives and Fortunes, with Arms, oppose the Hostile Pro- ceedings of the British Fleets aud Armies against the United Colonies." " This was the people's Declara- tion of Independence, agreed to before the signing of that document by the Continental Congress on July 4th. They put their names boldly to the paper, there- by declaring themselves rebels." Such men were not slow to answer their country's call to active service. They were found at Bunker Hill and on the field of Bennington, undaunted by perils, not shrinking from hardship, always proving themselves sturdy patriots. The military spirit seems to have been active in Webster even after the emergencies of war had passed by. Two companies of the volunteer militia of Boscawen, the Light Infantry and the Rifle Com- pany, were formed almost entirely of men residing in the westerly part of the town. Both these com- panies were well organized, well officered and well drilled. The breaking out of the Rebellion, in 1861, roused the citizens of the newly-formed town to a higher appreciation than ever of the "Union one and indi- visible." The following is the list of soldiers from Webster as given in Mr. Coffin's history and drawn from the papers in the town-clerk's office and from the reports of the adjutant-general, neither of them giving in full the company and regiment : Calviu M. Burbank, enlisted in Company B, Second Regiment. Lieutenant David E. Burbank, enlisted -in Company E, Sixteenth Kegi- Ezckiel W. Burbank, enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Kegimi Carter F. Blanchard, enlisted in Company E, Tenth Regiment. WEBSTER. (.ieorge Call, fulistod in Foui-toeuth Regiment. Hamilton P. Cwrser, onlisted in Fourteenth Regiment. David S. Corfler, onlisted in Fourteenth Regiment. George C. Chase, enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Rigimcnt. Calvin P. Conch. John B. Chase, enlisted in Cumiwiny K, Sixteenth Regiment. George W. Fisk. George S. Fellows, enlisted in Eighth Regiment. Daniel F. Flandere, enlisted in Company E, Sixteentli R.-Kinient. James L. Gerrish, enlisted in Company E, Sixti-eJiIh Kegimunt. Charles N. Heath, enlisted in Company B, .Second Regiment. Edward F. Jaffere, enlisted in Company U, Fourteenth Regiment. Hiram A. Jack, enlisted in Company H, Sixteenth Regiment. Willard W. Jones, enlisted in Company H, Sixteenth Regiment. Jesse M. Jackman, enlisted in Company il, sixteenth Regiment. Daniel P. Kilburu, enlisted in ('.>iii|.,iii> ■ . Sii.rpsliooters. Andrew J. Kelley, enlisttd ir) ( ,ii|.,,i,. i , ~l, u |.~liootera. Lucien M. liilburn, enlisti-a in ' -ini .n> ' , -iMi.-nth Regiment. W. H. Libhe, enlisted in Coiiii«uiy II, liiurl. . nth Regiment. Frank Libbe, enlisted in Heavy Artillery. George W. Ladd, enlisted in Company H, Fourteenlii Regiment. Joseph M. Ladd. Warren F. Lock. Charles Little, Surgeon, Navy. Captain David A. Macurdy, enlisted in lV.m]Biny H, Fourteenth Regi- Matthew Macurdy, enlisted in Company H, Fourteenth Reginu-nt. Tristram S. Page, enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Regiment. Gardiner Roby. George S. Roby, enlisted in Fourteenth Regiment. Sumner J. Sweatt. Blaisdell Sweatt, enlisted in Company H, Konrth Regiment. Lieutenant Frederic P. Stone, enlisted in Cavalry. Jefferson Searles, enlisted in Seventh Regiment. Joseph 0. Sanborn, enlisted in Fourth Regiment. Joseph E. Sanders, enlisted in Company E, Sharpshooters, Lieutenant Walter H, Sargent, enlisted in Company H, Fourteenth Regiment. Isaac P. Sargent, enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Regiment. Jolin Sargent, enlisted in Heavy ,\rtillery. Warren A. Story, enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Regiment. Hiram Thompson, enlisted in Fourteenth Regiment. Lnther C. Titcomb, enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Regiment. Joseph Tliurber, enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Regiment. John Whittier. David J. Whittier, enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Regiment. These did their duty nobly. Som'e fell on the field of battle, others were slain by the malarious atmos- phere of the South, and some of those wlio came home bore honorable scars. The Webster enrollment is given as follows : Citizens Uable to do military duty April ,'i, l.SO,i Ki Total quota under all calls 3i> .Soldiers in service ^'l Surplus 10 Ecclesiastical History. — The " old meeting-house" Stands on Long Street, not far from the Blackwater, keeping guard over the "old graveyard," where two whole generations lie buried. The house was built in 1791, but the burial-ground was not laid out until 1813. This was the first meeting-house built in Web- ster, and was occupied as a place of worship by the Congregational denomination until the erection of the meeting-house on Corser Hill, in 1823. In 1804 the " Westerly Religious Society " was formed, com- posed of seventy members, including the citizens west of Beaver Dam, together with some from Water Street, in Boscawen. The society was incorporated in 1810. The " Second Congregational Church in Bos- cawen" was organized September 26, 1804, and at the same time Rev. Ebenezer Price was installed as its pastor. He continued in the sacred office until 1837, when he was dismissed by mutual consent, and Rev. Edward Bu.xton was installed as pastor December 13, 1837. With the exception of a few months in 1875- 76, when the church was served by Rev. William Schofield, he wiis in active service until 1882, when Rev. Charles E. Gordon began his labors as stilted supply. In October, 1883, he was installed as pastor, " Father Buxton " being at the same time dismissed. For a period of seventy-nine years this church had had but two pastors, a record which is seldom sur- passed. Deacons have been elected as follows: Benjamin Sweatt, Eliphalet Kilburn, 1805; Enoch Little, 1811 ; James Kilburn, 1825; George T. Pillsbury, 1831; Jeremiah Gerrish, 1836 ; Enoch Little, Eldad Austin, 1843 ; Henry Gerrish, Henry Pearson, 1874. Since the formation of the church, four hundred and thirty- four members have been added to its fellowship, — one hundred and seventy-five males and two hundred and fifty-nine females; sixty-five of these were received by letter; four hundred and ninety-nine children and one hundred and six adults have been baptized. The name of the church was changed, December 20, 1868, from "The Second Congregational Church in Boscawen" to "The First Congregational Church in Webster." The forty-fifth anniversary of Father Buxton's settlement over the church was celebrated December 13, 1882. Invitations were sent, as far as possible, to all who had ever been members of the church. The day proved unpropitious, one of the heaviest snow- storms of the year filling the .sky ; but the meeting- house was filled with a happy throng of friends, old and new. There were beautiful decorations of ever- green, while on the pulpit and platform bouquets and flowering plants were tastefully arranged. The ven- erable pastor gave a retrospective address, recalling briefly and vividly the circumstances of his installa- tion and the men who took part in it, all of whom had now finished their earthly labors. C. C. Coffin, Esq., of Boston, a former member of the church, then gave a historical address, throwing the strong light of his graphic style over the manners and customs of the olden time. Rev. .1. H. Hoflman, of Hcnniker, N. H., spoke in behalf of the pastors of neighboring churches. A purse of three hundred dollars was presented to Father Buxton by Deacon H. H. Ger- rish, in behalf of his friends. After a generous sup- per, served in the gallery, which has been fitted up as a "sociable-room," the evening was spent in listening to letters from absent friends and in social converse, interspersed with music. Poems written by Mrs. James B. (ioodhue and by Mr. Luther B. Little were read. Another, written by Miss Getchell, of Xew- buryport, wa.s received too late for reading, an advantage to the children A -nit -,ii shews a very wise appropriiilioii mI j,i ■ well provided with which promises much eir Parents, & at once education of children In this report of summer schools, arithmetic does not appear in the list of text-books. " Mental arith- metic was not introduced until about 1830. Its in- troduction produced great excitement. Many of the l)arents opposed it on the ground that it would con- fuse the minds of the children and produce insanity." Reports of two of the winter schools will be sub- joined, and then we will pass on to a later period, — "Jan. 15, No. 3.— Visited School Corsor 11111,-51 children: 20 girls, 41 boys. Benjamin Gookin, Master. 1st Class. 15 in Geog. 2d C. Gin Webster 3 P. 3d 0. 12 in Preceptor. Cth (' 11 in Spelling, ;i in 4 syhiblcs 1 in 2 sylables %1. v,-l " 20 writers, 10 in arithn clic A lii liranimar. .ScllO ol A governeil. " Keb. Uth. No. G.-Visited School I.ittio Hill range.! in a new and comn.odious School-house, Smith. -.V2 inder cl th 1 class. 3 in 2 sylables. 3 " 4 in Poetical lessons. Spell. B. well. 4 " 10 in Preceptor. 6 " 4 in English Reader, well. I) " 27 in Geog. ; some too fast, others slow. 17 parsed grammar. ■Xi Spelt in Dict'y— Girls better than boys. 4 in Arithmetic. 2G in writing. "This School promises fair." For many years Rev. Edward Buxton was a mem- ber of the superintending committee of the town and labored indefatigably for the improvement of the schools. He did much to secure a uniformity of text- books throughout the town. Under the direction of Mr. Price, select schools had been kept on Corser Hill, taught by students from Dartmouth College. Mr. Buxton revived this practice, and for a long series of years a flourishing school was held every autumn. These schools did not a little toward raising the standard of attainments among the scholars of Webster, putting within reach of many, advantages which otherwise they could not have enjoyed. In many, if not all, of the districts of the town, some weeks of private school are often added to the term of public instruction. Some of the districts show their appreciation of a good teacher by securing the same one for several terms in succession. In 1867 the town voted to raise one hundred and fifty dollars, in addition to the amount required by law, for educational purposes. A word is due in this connection to the musical culture of Webster. Deacon Enoch Little taught the fii-st singing-school not far from the beginning of this century, in the house now owned by Henry L. Dodge. He said of himself, "I knew but little about music, but I guess I knew more at that time than any other man in town." He was leader of the choir, which numbered about sixty persons. His son Enoch was afterwards a successful teacher and leader. Twenty-five or thirty years ago Webster numbered among its musicians many of rare excellence and sweetness of voice. Notable among these were Mrs. F. B. Sawyer, Mrs. George Little, Mrs. Moses Trus- sell, E. W. Burbank, all of whom have joined the choir above. Others who have taken deep interest in music, or have been 'teachers of singing-schools, are J. P. Farmer, now of Glyndon, Minn. ; D. E. Bur- bank, now of Norwich, Vt. ; C. C. Coffin, Esq., of Boston; J. L. Gerrish, H. F. Pearson, J. B. Chase and Mrs. H. H. Gerrish. CHAPTER III. WEBSTER— {C in ! I , I'n I 1 ivflation, Prof. Farmer vs uf iiiitiiif ;i Iiiviiie mind. Each new dis- 8 thoughts, and with him religion and science doubt the existeiK sees in all the woi covery to him is o go hand in-hand.' Hezekiah Fellows was born in Salisbury, De- cember 22, 1782, but settled in Webster and engaged in trade on Corser Hill with his brother Moses. For many years he was a prominent citizen of the town, and a man of too much individuality to be unnoticed or easily forgotten. From 1816 until 1855, he was town clerk, losing his office when the Know-Nothing or Native American party rose to its brief eminence. He was in the Legislature in 1820, '24, '25. He was a man of remarkable independence of character, which manifested itself in dress and manner, as well as in opinion. His integrity was unimpeachable. Everybody trusted him. In trade he was strictly honest and impartial. He always ad- hered to the old currency, marking his prices in shil- lings and pence. His face would sometimes relax into the semblance of an amused smile at the puzzled look of some customer better versed in the new arithmetic than the old. Under an apparent gruffhess was hidden a kindly heart and a love for children. Perhaps his most marked characteristic w-as his shrewd, strong common- .sense. In 1817 he presented the Congregational Church HISTORY OF MKUUIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. and Society with a large Bible, which was used in their pulpit for many years. He was a constant attendant at church, occupying the jievv nearest tlio pul|)it on the right hand. " Prior to 1835 it waa the custom of town clerics to make public an- nouncement of tliosc intending marriage, which waa done by Esquire Fel- lows, after the benediction, at the close of the afternoon service. The congregation waited to hear the 'crj-ing,' as it waa termed, and possibly allowed the publishing of the bans to usurp the place of the sermon in their minds, as they smiled and nodded one to another.'' He died October 10, 1861, honored and respected by all. Major Alfred Little was born in Webster, June 3, 1823, and was the son of Henry and Susan Little. He became crippled in early life through severe ill- ness, and was obliged ever afterwards to use crutches. He was noted from childhood for his musical talent and for his correct ear, which had much to do with shaping his career in after life. In 1840 he began to work in the raelodeon and seraphine shop of Charles Austin, in Concord, N. H. He soon became tuner of these instruments, and succeeded to a great degree in overcoming the slowness of speech and reedy quality of tone, which had been serious defects in them. He invented and manufactured for his own use an or- chestral melodeon, an instrument of considerable power, and yet of remarkable sweetness, unsurpassed for its versatility of musical effects, its inimitable tremolo and its power of dynamical expression. He attained wonderful skill in the manipulation of this instrument, and, as a player of the round-keyed melodeon, was without a peer in the world. He began giving concerts in 1846, the first one being in Fisherville (now Penacook). His musical entertainments were full of variety, for he possessed a rare gift of improvising and an extensive acquaint- ance with popular music, old and new, and a voice of great sweetness and pathos. He excelled as a ballad- singer, and knew how to unlock the fountain of tears as well as to touch the springs of laughter. "Kver ready to respond with voice and instrument to tlie calls of charity and patriotism, cheering the patient on his bed of suffering or teaching a Sabbath-school song to children, he made friends everywhere ; and many a wayfarer was aided by his helping hand or cheered by his tuoyant sympathy. " He was appointed life-major of the Twenty-first New Hampshire Regiment by ColonelJoseph L. Pillsbury, receiving the honorary com- mission at the hands of Governor N. B. Baker." Although music was his special delight. Major Lit- tle was a man of varied tastes and culture, a poet as well as a musician. He died suddenly in West Concord, Deceml)er 27, 1880. Few carry with them " beneath the low green tent" more blessings of the poor or more heartfelt liive of friends than did Alfred Little. Arthtr Little, D.D., was the son of Simeon B. and Harriet (Boyd) Little, and was born in Webster May 24, 1837. His boyhood was spent on his father's farm where he acquired that invaluableand yet indefi- nable development of mind and body which the boys of well-ordered New England homes gain from nature and domestic surroundings. He prepared for college at the Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H., and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1860. He studied theology at Andover and Princeton. Before the completion of his studies, he received theappoint- mentof chaplain of the First Vermont Heavy Artil- lery, and was ordained for this office at Webster, March 16, 1863. He was mustered out of seryice July 7, 1865. In October of the same year, he was settled over the Presbyterian Church in Bedford, N. H., where he remained three years. He then received a call to Fonddu Lac, Wis., where he was settled over the First Congregational Church in November, 1868. In 1878 he was called to the pastorate of the New England Church in Chicago, where he still remains. He was elected moderator of the National Congregational Council, in Concord, N. H., in 1883, and performed the duties of that office with great acceptance. Dr. Little is a man of genial temperament and pos- sesses rare tact in winning the esteem of all classea. He is a good speaker, having somethingof the strength and depth of voice which many will remember as hav- ing belonged to his father. His sermons are charac- terized by earnestness and practicality. His style is clear and vigorous. He married, August 1.5, 1863, Miss Laura E. Frost, of Thetford, Vt., who died in January, 1883. Deacon Enoch Little (2d) was the son of Deacon Enoch Little and the grandson of Enoch Little, one of the early settlers of Webster. He was educated at Pem- broke Academy and taught school in Boscawen and other towns. He gave much attention to music and was a member of the Martin Luther Musical Society, of the Central Musical Society, and of the Bos- ton Academy of Music. He did much to cultivate a taste for sacred music in his native town, having been, for a long time, leader of the choir in the Congregational Church, as well as a successful teacher of singing-schools. He took great interest, also, in the advancement of agriculture and of sheep- husbandry. He was a man of vigorous mind, of strong convic- tions, a diligent student of the Bible, a constant at- tendant upon church services, and for thirty years an officer of the church. From early life he was an ac- tive member of the Sabbath-school, both as teacher and pupil. He was ever ready to give to objects of benevolence and was a strong pillar in the church. He died in the full hope of Christian immortality, honored and respected by all, October 13, 187.5. Ei'HRAiM Little was the son of Richard and Pris- cilla (Plumer) Little, and was born in Webster, April 14, 1820. He was married, December 22, 1847, to Jane G. Farmer, sister of Professor M. G. Farmer. He purchased the farm on Pleasant Street, now owned by Plumer Kilburn, and built a house on it, where he resided until the feebleness of his wife's health made a change of residence desirable, when he sold his farm. Mrs. Little died June 27, 1867. He WEBSTER. afterwanls purchased the farm f'onnerly owned l>y Nathan Pearson, near the Blackwater, where he lived until his death, April 23, 1885. Mr. Little was a man ol' tjuiet tastes, but intelligent and thoroughly informed on all subjects of current in- terest. He was for some years a member of the super- I intending committeee of schools. He also held the position of secretary and treasurer of the Merrimack j County Mutual Fire Insurance Company from its organization until his death. Rarely have we met with one who realized more fully, in his life and character, David's description of a citizen of Zion, in Psalm xv. His unselfish kind- ness and ready sympathy won for him the sincere love and respect of all who knew him. Henry Little, D.D., son of Jesse and Martha (Gerrish) Little, was born in Webster, March 23, ISOO. At the age of fifteen he united with the Con- gregational Church, and from that time was an ac- tive Christian. When he was nineteen, he taught school in Boscawen, where fourteen of his scholars be- I came Christians. He visited from house to house, and helped twelve men to begin family worship. He fitted for college with Rev. Dr. Wood of Bos- cawen, at Salisbury Academy and at Hanover. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1826, and from Andover Theological Seminary in 1829, and w^as at I once ordained as an evangelist in Park Street Church, Boston, with fifteen other home and foreign mission- aries. While a senior at Andover, Dr. Porter gave him the credit of bringing twenty from the two i classes below him in college to the seminary. This fact led to his being chosen agent for the American Education Society, a position which he filled for two years in New England and the West. In June, 1831, he accepted a call from the Presby- terian Church in Oxford, Ohio, where, in less than two years, two hundred and ninety-seven were added to its membership. In 1833 he was appointed secre- tary and agent of the American Home Missionary Society, having the whole country west of the Alle- ghanies for his field, in which his labors were crowned with success. He was pastor of a church for two years in Madison, Ind., during which time sixty were added to the church. His main life-work was that of home missions ; but he was an earnest Sabbath- school worker, and was active in promoting the cause of general education. He is said to have been the originator of the first graded school in Indiana. j An article in the Independent of May 9, 1867, by Rev. Dr. Tuttle, of Wabash College, sets forth the labors of Dr. Little : j " From Mariettji to EvausviUe, from Cleveland to La I'orte, this man ' has gone, planting churches, building up waste places, encouraging home missionaries, searching out the scattered sheep, holding protracted ^ meetings, everywhere welcomed, honored and loved. Thirty-aix years has he been at this work, until he has publicly addressed more audiences, visited more churches, worked directly in more revivals in Ohio and In- | diana, talked to more people, seen more changes in communities and per- sons than any other man that can be named. ' l.od 8 instrument— those who have been encouraged by him, those who have caught the beat impulses of life from him, and now, in this year, 1807, this blessed man has preached fourteen times in eight days, in one pulpit, preaching the gospel in such a cheerful light that his hcarore ex- claim, — ' Would to God we could love it as he does I ' " He died February 25, 1883. He married, Septem- ber 19, 1831, Miss Susan Morton Smith, of Hatfield, Mass. Of his eight children, four are sons, all of whom are in the gospel ministry. jAfOB Little, D.D., son of Jesse and Martha (Ger- rish) I.,ittle, was born in Webster, May 1, 1795. At the age of eleven years he became a Christian and united with the Congregational Church. He fitted for college with Samuel Wood, D.D., and at Meriden Academy, graduated at Dartmouth in 1822, and at Andover in 1825. He was ordained as an evangelist at Goffstown, N. H., and first preached six months at Hoosick, N. Y. In 1826 he went to Ohio and spent a year in home missionary work in Belpre and neigh- boring towns. In 1827 he was settled over the Congregational Church in Granville, Ohio, where he remained until 1864. An unhappy quarrel had divided the church, but, with consummate tact, Mr. Little brought the dif- ferent factions together, and became pastor of the re- united organization. He was an indefatigable worker, exceedingly systematic, not at all bound by conven- tional rules or methods, but eminently successful in attaining results. His parish was six miles square, but he regularly visited every family belonging to his congregation, oi'ganizing Conference and prayer-meet- ings, as well as Bible classes in every district, which were conducted with astonishing efiiciency. He had, also, the rare faculty of setting everybody at work. He soon became known as "the plain preacher," the man who dared to speak boldly in condemnation of vice. His New Year's sermons were always reviews of the year, and proved him to have a genius for sta- tistics, as will be shown by an extract from the one for 1849 : " This township has 411 families and 1376 adults. It has 37 drinking families, 119 drinking adults, 21 drunkards, and during the past year has consumed 4153 gallons of intoxicating liquors. The families having no altar are 219 ; reading no religious papers, 223 ; children between six and twenty-one attending no Sabbath-school, 179 ; adults who visit* work or journey on the Sabbath, 183 ; neglect public worehip, 113 ; can- not read, 22 ; use profane language, 189 ; use tobacco, 3G4 ; play cards 83 ; attend balls, 40 ; supposed to be impenitent, 777. The sending of 150 persons to Botany Bay_would blot from our history most of the above During Dr. Little's pastorate at Granville there were added to his church one thousand and forty-one members, of whom six hundred and sixty-four were received upon profession of their faith. In these years he preached about five thou.sand sermons, and more than one thousand persons are supposed to have been led to a religious life through his ministry. Besides his pastoral labors, he wa.s a frequent and a valuable contributor to the religious press. The HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. academy for young men and the seminary for young women in Granville both owed their existence and much of their prosperity to his efforts, and of the lat- ter he was a trustee. At different times he was a trustee of Western Reserve, Central and Marietta Colleges. In 1864 he resigned his pastorate at Granville and removed to Warsaw, Ind., where he lived until 1874, preaching occasionally. Thence he removed to the home of his son, Rev. Charles Little, in Wabash, Ind., where he died December 17, 1876, aged eighty- one years. He married, first, Lucy Gerrish, of Canterbury, N. H., June 1, 1826, wlio ,li,-,l ( »,tober 5, 1834; sec- ond, Ann Dorothy Tlioi,i|is,.n, .Ahiuli 23, 1886. His three sons are all in tlu' ynsiiel ministry. SiJiEOX Bartlett Little was born in Webster December 16, 1797, and was the son of Benjamin Little, Esq. His education was acquired at the com- mon school. In early life he was a news-carrier, sup- plying the people of Hopkinton, Boscawen, Salis- bury and Andover with the Concord Gazette. Be- sides carrying papers, he executed errands. By this means he acquired his first money. Mr. Little was a born leader, and wjis recognized as such by his fellow-citizens without any effort of his own. He was selectman ten years, two years a member of the legislature and a delegate to the con- vention for the revision of the Constitution. Be- tween the years 1839-1858, inclusive, with but two exceptions, he was elected moderator at the annual town-meeting. He was endowed with a judicial mind, and held through the active years of life a magis- trate's commission. He was administrator of between thirty and forty estates and was concerned in the set- tlement of nearly as many more. He received near- ly twenty appointments as guardian for minors or insane persons, and held a large amount of funds in trust. His business as a conveyancer of deeds was very large, — nearly one thousand. Men who wished to make their last wills and testaments called upon him for counsel, and he wrote a large number. He was for about fifteen years president or director of the Granite Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and, for fifteen years or more, director and secretary of the same. In speaking of the part he had taken in public life, he once said, — " I have been elected more times to some responsible office in town by ballot, from 1828 to 1860, than there are years, and I can say what many cannot, — that I never, directly or indirectly, solicited a nomination or vote." He was one of the leading men of the church and religious society. He waa a frequent contributor to the press, writing on a great variety of subjects and always in a clear, vigorous, incisive style. Mentally and physi- cally, he was sturdy and honest. He was naturally conservative, a Puritan of the eighteenth century and opposed to all innovation ; but those, even,who opposed him politically, ever acknowledged his integrity, the honesty of. his intentions and his sterling worth. He died December 29, 1874. His first marriage was September 16, 1824, to Miss Harriet Boyd, of An trim, N. H., who died October 3, 1850. His second marriage was to Miss Phebe Kilburn, of Webster, October 20. 1851, who survives him. Rev. Ebesezer Price, first pastor of the Congre- gational Church in Webster, was born in Newbury - port, Mass., September 14, 1771. He began his preparation for college at the age of seventeen in Moore's Charity School in Hanover, entered Dart- mouth College in 1789, and graduated in 1793. He studied theology with Rev. Elisha Thayer, D.D., of Kingston. He was first settled in Belfast, Me., in 1796, where he remained for six years. He was married in 1799 to Lucy Farrar, of Hanover, N. H. It will be remembered that the first meeting-house in Webster was built in 1791. At that time there was no organization, either of church or society. The town owned the frame of the meeting-house, and individuals owned the pews. In this state of aflkirs Mr. Price was invited by the citizens of the town to labor among them, and his preaching was followed by manifest increase of religious interest. The Westerly Religious Society was organized in January, 1804, and a church of eight members was formed in September following, when Mr. Price was installed pastor. The whole number added to the church during hi.s pastorate of thirty-three years was two hundred and sixty-two. Thegreatest number added in any one year was sixty in 1838. The great- est number on the church rolls at any one period was one hundred and ninety-eight. After his dismissal. May 10, 1837, he continued to reside in town, and be- came superintendent of the Sabbath-school, which position he held for eleven years. Upon the formation of the Granite Mutual Fire Insurance Company he was elected secretary. In 1859 he went to Boston to live with his eldest son, Ebenezer Sewall Price. He died in Boston, Febru- ary 19, 1864, aged ninety-two years. Father Price was a perfect gentleman and noteil for his dignified courtesy. He was fond of riding on horseback, and sat upon his old black horse with a stately grace not often seen at this day. He took a lively interest in all benevolent or phil- anthropic movements. He was a faithful minister, an exemplary Christian, respected even by the irre- ligious, and greatly beloved by those who could appre- ciate godliness of life and character. He was twice chosen to represent the town in the Legislature. In 1830 he collected materials for a chronological history of the town, which was pub- lished by private subscription in 1823. "His sermons preaclied at the funeral of Deacon Beiyamin Swealt and upon the (leiith of Kev. Dr. Wood, were published by request. He woe the author of the letter to Hon. Daniel Webster, which elicited his reply to his New Hampshire neighbors. "His relations to the church and society, and especially to hie succes- sor in the ministry. Rev. Edward Buxton, were always fraternal and WEBSTER. 693 syiiipatbizing with them H 1 iiigashearlil •into all tl, ill his public; jrayers, tli.,- , ;ii • lie infants w re all renic iLc C.I. to neglect no class, to fill the full frequently m Ae his prayers anil from fifty lo evenly niiu itCS " In this re spcct lie (li.l 1]..| ,l,ui I II the ministi-j- at that period brevity was the oxcepti.iTi, v. . ; At the beginning of the century ji'-uplv expected ;i - : . i ' i . a l-;ist two hours. During tile short days of winter tih- \' li li\ i tuilirst from meeting some- times saw the sun disappear ludiind tli.- W'.mier hills before they reached home. Nor were they restless under a sermon that occupied an hour in the delivery. They expected a long sermon, and would have found fault with the brevity of the sermons of the present day. " His last years were marked by serene peace and composure. He was an attendant at Mount Vernon Church, in Boston, and listened with de- light to the preaching of Rev. Dr. Kirk, who looked upon him as a father in the ministry. His influence never can be measured, for under ills preaching such men as Enoch Corser, Jacob and Henry Little were led to enter the ministry, and through their instrumentality thousands have been brought to a religious life." On being asked by his sou liow he felt in regard to death, he answered, "Oh I that was all fixed years and years ago. I committed myself into the hands of my Maker : He has taken care of me hitherto, and I have no feare for the future." He was buried in Webster, almost under the shadow of the old meeting-house where he began his labors, and among the graves of his old people. There are many other citizens of Webster, in the past and in the present, who deserve record here. Every shade of character, every variety of talent has been developed on the hillsides of this quiet country town. Poetry, romance and tragedy, written and un- written, have been lived in these valleys. Neither is the history of Webster without its comic side. It has had its full share of odd characters, whose names and sayings have come down to us by tradition. James Corser was one of these men, — an eccentric genius, fond of puzzling answers. His neighbors on either side bore the names of Knight and Day. Mr. Corser was asked where he lived, and answered, •• In Twilight." Being asked still further where Twilight was, he replied, " Between Knight and Day." Oljadiah Elkins was a man whose natural oddities may have been intensified by disappointed love in his youth. It is not strange, then, that his stream of domestic bliss did not always flow smoothly. But_ unlike most aggrieved or aggrieving husbands, he usually left his better-half in peaceable possession of the fireside, and sought another spot whereon to build his cabin and and set up his individual house- hold gods. By the time this was accomplished the quarrel would be over, and he would take his wife to the new house and begin over again. At last, having built, so tradition runs, twenty-eight bouses, he grew tired of moving, and resolved to build a house for his sole possession. This was not an im- possible thing, for he was a man of slender propor- tions, while his wife was a woman of majestic stature. So he built a house of but one room, with one door. so narrow that only himself could enter, and here he could retire to dwell in peace until the storm of feminine wrath should blow over, or his own fit of sulks should clear away. Once he made his way to Pillsbury's mill-pond, resolved to commit suicide; but after holding his head under water for a while, he waded back to .shore to take up the burden of life again, complain- ing that he " couldn't hold his breath long enough to drown." One night, when the moon was at its full, a pa.sser- by found Mr. Elkins busy with a burning-glass, try- ing, as he said, " to light a fire by moonlight," adding that he " had often done it with sunlight, and did not know but he could with the moon." James Fellows was another man of i)ronounccd in- dividuality, whose words and actions ran in diametri- cally opposite directions, and who must always be interpreted by the law of contrariety. Xo man ever was a kinder neighbor than he ; neither was there ever a man who could be more surly and gruff. At one time a neighbor was in want of hay. He went to beg Mr. Fellows to sell him some, knowing that he had an abundance in his barn, but met with a flat refusal. He urged the matter, but Mr. Fellows de- manded gruffly, " what he was hanging about there for ■? " and ordered him ofl^ The would-be purchaser obeyed, and turned reluctantly homeward ; but before he had reached the road, Mr. Fellows called out imperiously, " What are you going away for? (.ome back! I've got hay enough I Why, I'll give you five hundred ! " David Heath was a living illustration of the gro- tesque in speech, look and manner. He earned the sobriquet of Jester by his fondness for jokes. In those days hoop-poles were au article of commerce, and Mr. Heath was more solicitous about securing his desired complement of hoop-poles than regardful of bounda- ries between his own and his neighbors' wood-lots. At last Captain Little Burbank, tired of a commerce so unprofitable to himself, said to Mr. Heath," If you will agree never to cut any more poles on my land I'll give you a pig." "All right," was the answer, " I'll [irom- ise." In due time Captain Abraham Burbank, hear- ing of his brother's success, resolved to make a bar- gain for himself with the Jester, and oftered him a sheep if he would resign all claims to hoop-timber on his land thenceforth and forever. "Ah-h-h ! " he re- plied, shaking his gray head, " t'won't do to sell all out. Captain Burbank." Moses Jackman was drafted for military service dur- ing the war of 1812, but when he presented himself for examination he was, to all appearance, blind. Various expedients were resorted to by the examin- ing surgeons to ascertain whether his blindness was real, but his eyes showed no symptoms of seeing. He was retained for further trial. While the matter was pending he astonished those about him by exclaim- ing, as a mouse ai>pearcd upon the scene, " Oh ! see HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. that mouse." " What ! do you see him?" asked some- one. " No," was the quick reply ; " but I smell him." At last a plank was laid over the edge of a boat, and he was placed upon it and ordered to walk over it. He obeyed and walked oti" the end into the water. Whereupon he wiis adjudged stone-blind and sent home. A guide went with him, but after they had gone a few miles Mr. Jackman said he " thought he could find the way now," and nothing more w;is ever heard of his blindness. TOWN OFFICERS FROM 1800 TO 18S5. I860.— Simeon B. Little, moderator ; David E. Burbauk, clerk; Na- than Pearson, Jeremiah S. Webber, Albert Runnels, selectmen. 1861. — Simeon B. Little, moderator; David K. Burbank, clerk; .Jere- miah S. Webber, Albert Runnels, George Little, selectmen ; Albert Run- nels, representative. 1862. — Simeon B. Little, moderator ; David E. Burbank, clerk ; George Little, William D. Call, David A. Ma^urdy, selectmen.i 1863.— Simeon B. Little, moderator ; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; George Little, William D. Call, John 0. Pearson, selectmen ; Jeremiah S. Webber, representative. 1864.- Simeon B. Little, moderator ; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; William D. Call, John C. Pearson, Hiram G. Stone, selectmen ; George Little, representative. 1865.— Simeon B. Little, moderator ; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; John 0. Pearson, Hiram G. Stone, Henry H. Gerrish, selectmen ; George Little representative. 1866.— Simeon B. Little, moderator; Atherton Sweatt, clerk; Hiram G. Stone, Henry U. Gerrish, Sherman Little, selectmen ; no representa- tive. 1867.— Joseph L. Couch, moderator ; .-Vtlierton Sweatt; clerk ; John Colby, John Sanborn, D. C. Hubbard, selectmen ; William D. Call, rep- 1868. — David A. Macurdy, moderator ; .\therton Sweatt, clerk ; Sher- man Little, William W. Austin, Atherton Sweatt, selectmen ; William D. Call, reiir>'senlative. 1869.— lin) I \ M ' i:i 1>, lii.iderator ; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; Sher- man Litti w I \\ .-iiii. Atherton Sweatt, selectmen ; David A Macui.li , ; I : . , 1870.— I'l li \ M I Ml l_\ , niu^ (^^H^-£^^^ HISTORY OF AVILMOT BY W. W. FI-ANDEESl. CHAPTER I. At the commencement of the present century the territory which now constitutes the town of Wilmot belonged to and was a part of New London, Kearsarge and New Chester. New London bordered on Spring- field, Daubury, New Chester, Kearsarge, Sutton, Fishersfleld and Wendell. The most thickly-settled parts of New London at that time were in the extreme southerly part of said town, on Colby Hill, Burpee Hill, Morgan Hill and Leper Hill. There town-meetings were held and town affairs were managed. In the northerly part, near Daubury line, in the vicinity of what is now known as the Hobbs neigh- borhood, was the most considerable settlement of that part of the town — a region, also, of hills and elevated laud. There were settlements on Prescott Hill, and along down the slopes toward the swamps, valleys and water-courses. Between these settlements in the north and in the south there was an extensive forest-land situated in the valley of the outlet of Pleasant Pond, and its water-shed on either side, tenanted by a few in log cabins and humble residences, scattered and isolated in small openings, many of them spending much of their time in fishing and hunting. The most direct and shortest way of communicating between these settlements at the north and south ends was over foot-paths, private cart-ways and other private ways, meandering from settlement to settlement, a distance of about twelve miles. But to reach one of these settlements from the other by a continuous open public highway, the travel must have been north through Springfield to Colby Hill, or south through Andover, Kearsarge and Sutton to Colby Hill and a distance of about twenty miles. The two ends had no occasion to meet except for town purposes, and to vote for State and county officers. In politics, Federalism prevailed at the south, and ever controlled the town by a large and reliable majority, while Republicanism was the pre- vailing and almost unanimous political sentiment at the north. Were it not for voting the State and county ticket, and for electors, a general meeting of the citizens would never have occurred, or of any considerable portion of those in the north with those in the south, except casually and by accident. Between these sections there was no business con- nection to call them together. Agriculture was then the vocation of all. Whatever was done by way of manufacturing lumber was for local use in building residences and stables ; none for transportation or for- eign market. The mercantile business consisted wholly in exchanging farm products for groceries and other necessaries. This was accomplished by the farmer himself, who, in early winter, transported with their own teams, generally horses, but .sometimes oxen, "below," as it was generally termed, their pro- ducts, and brought back in exchange a yearly stock of goods for family use and a little cash. From a common knowledge of the varying energy and en- terprise of individuals in all communities, it is easy to perceive how readily the business of teaming and of a country merchant spring into a regular and con- stant business. Whatever progress may have been made in produc- ing the teamster and merchant at this time, one thing is certain : the surplus products of the north went down through Andover to Salisbury, from whence came their groceries in return, while those of the south went down through Warner to Hopkinton, and onward. Thus the business relations of our section extended down the east side of Kearsarge Mountain, and that of the other down the east side, making the two sec- tions isolated and independent, in respect to each other, so far as the business of gaining a livelihood was concerned. The history of civilized communities shows that a community of business interests, though varied and branching out in different kinds and channels, when co-operating, so as to build up and encourage each other by creating and extending a market for the various products, enhancing the value and increasing the demand for each kind of labor, thus promoting the wealth of the community, lias an element of power to maintain and perpetuate itself, through local attach- ment and aspiration for gain it would foster and gratify. Yet, from the same source it appears, indistinct and emphatic lines, that, while an important and nec- 695 HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. essary ligaiiiciit in Imlding and perpetuating com- munities in i)roai)eiity and union, it is of itself and | iilone, the weakest of tlie necessary bonds for that great «nd. . The sentiment of reverence for a Supreme Being and of worship for such Being, is as universal in man as his selfishness, and stronger than all other senti- ment. Honest, sincere devotions of a religious faith and worship, common to them all, are bound to- gether by ties that can be severed only by death. To maintain and enjoy the inestimable privilege of com- munion and worship, they will sacrifice comfort, con- venience and property ; will break the fires of perse- cution and wade through seas of blood to the fagot, the stake and to martyrdom. This strength of conviction and purpose applied to the great leading doctrines of the Bible, in which all religious denominations agree, has brought inestima- ble blessings to man. Whenever the differences which distinguish religious denominations enter and become an element of this conviction and purpose, exerting equal power and influence over the believer's conduct, it brings mischief only. Unfortunately, there was not a common religious sentiment and wor- ship at the north and the south ; unfortunately their dift'erences became the leading and foremost thought in the presence of each other; unfortu- nately, there was apparently greater zeal manifested and greater sacrifices made to promulgate a partisan and sectarian religion than in promulgating those great and all-important truths in which all agreed. It is conceived that this zeal and effort was not so much on account of the importance given to the point of ditterence between the sects as from a sense of wrong done to each from a misconception and statement of their views and reasoning. The prevailing religion and only organized church at the south was that of the Calvinistic Bai)tists, •who were close communionists and believed in the doctrine of election and fore-ordination. In the north there were Free- Will Baptists, with some Congregationalists. The burden of their ser- mons, exhortations and sacred songs was the free moral agency of man ; his power, privilege and duty to flee from the wrath to come and escape eternal misery, denouncing bitterly the doctrine of election and fore-ordination as wholly irreconcilable with that of the free moral agency of man. They charged the Calvinistic Baptists with preaching and pro- claiming from the pulpit infant damnation, and that the spirits of eternal misery were suffering by the predetermined will of Jehovah. And thus the very excellent, moral, religious, patriotic and enterprising people of the south were regarded by the equally worthy people of the north as Federalists favoring an aristocratic and monarchical form of government; as religious exclusionists, who claimed to believe in the saved, to be such by election. Such were some of the diverse and inharmonious relations in the year ISOO. Kearsarge Gore at this time embraced a large tract of land lying on the north and south sides of Kear- sarge Mountain. It was an unincorporated place, paid a public tax and had town privileges. Its pop- ulation was one hundred and seventy-nine. In poli- tics and religion they agreed. Their town-meetings were held on the north and south sides of said moun- tain alternately. Nothing existed among them in the way of con- tention, except it might be in the selection of local officers and matter of highways. Whichever side of the mountain election was held, they were sure to carry the day. This was accounted for by the incon- venience in getting over the mountain. At this time the construction of a road leading from Concord to Vermont, at the White River Junc- tion, leading through what is now the town of Wil- mot, and then the northern part of New London and Kearsarge, became an important, if not the leading, enterprise with the people of New Hampshire along the line of the proposed route. The settlements in New Hampshire and Vermont had become numerous and extensive enough to re- quire more direct and feasible roads to accommodate the increasing demands of an increasing interest in Northern New Hampshire and Vermont. The old rough and hilly roads winding high up mountain- sides and over hill-tops, in diverse ways, to accommo- date hill settlements, could no longer serve the long travel and freight seeking the sea-board for the nec- essaries and luxuries desired for home comfort. Tramways had been made to accommodate through travel and freight, but only so far as they would accommodate the local settlements, which were uni- versally upon the hills and elevated lands, as such were more easily reduced to cultivation, all such local improvements still left the ways for any and all travel unnecessarily steep, tedious and dangerous. At that time local means were too limited to open up and put in safe condition roads on the most feasi- ble route for through travel by taxation. The business enterprise of traffic and travel sought accommodation and relief through its own resources, and in 1800 applied to the New Hampshire Legislature for an act of incorporation, authorizing certain persons to build the Fourth New Hampshire turnpike road, on the most feasible route, leading from Concord, N. H., to Connecticut River, at White River Junction, in Lebanon, N. H., which enterprise resulted in making the Fourth New Hampshire turnpike and putting it in running order, in the year 1806. This enterprise opened a new channel of business, new and better ways of communication, new business relations and better outlook to those living and located along this Fourth New Hampshire turnpike. This change in- duced the inhabitants [in North New London and Kearsarge to apply to the Legislature for an act to incorporate the northerly part of New London and that part of Kearsarge Gore north of Kearsarge 697 Mountain into a town by the name of Wilniot. This act was obtained in 1807. This act authorized Sam- uel Messer, Jr., and Benjamin Cass to call a meeting of the inhabitants for the purpose of choosing all necessary town officers. Agreeably to said act, Samuel Messer warned a town-meeting for the inhabitants to meet at the dwelling of James Philbrick on the .second Tuesday in March, 1808. ■ At this meeting they elected Samuel Messer, Jr., moderator ; William Johnson, town clerk ; Insley tireeley, Eliphalet Gay and Jabez Morill, selectmen. I II the vote for State and county officers at this meet- ing, it appears that John Langdon had twenty-nine votes for Governor and John T. Gilmau two votes ; Benjamin Pearce thirty votes for councilor ; James Flanders twenty-two for Senator, Benjamin Phil- brick had one vote for Senator, John Moody one vote, Samuel Prescott one vote ; for register, Isaac Brooks, twenty-two ; for treasurer, Joseph Town, twen- 44 ty-one. There were votes taken also for dtlier minor officers. At said town-meeting they voted to raise two hun- dred dollars for schooling and voted the town be divided into three school districts— North, Centre and South Districts ; also voted to raise twenty dollars for defraying town charges. In the year 1808 there were forty-six resident tax-payers; twenty-four of these resided in that part known as Kearsarge Gore, and twenty-two in the part formerly New London. The Kearsarge Gore and the northerly part of New London constituted the town of Wilmot till the year 1832, at which time, by an^act of the Legislature, a certain tract of land then a part of New Chester, on the northerly side of Ragged Mountain (so called), and separated from the main part of New Chester by Ragged Mountain, was severed from New^ Chester and annexed to Wilmot, and at the present writing (1885) constitutes the town of Wilmot. HISTORY OF BELKJSTAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. CHAPTER I. ORGANIZATION OF COUNTY— BENCH AND BAR. BY JOHN N. MCCLINTOCK A. M. Belknap County, named in honor of Kev. Dr. Jeremiah Belknap, the earliest historian and annalist of New Hampshire, occupies the geographical centre of the State, and, with the adjoining county of Mer- rimack, is entirely surrounded by other counties. It does not come in contact with any territory outside of New Hampshire. Its surface is considerably above the level of the ocean, five hundred feet at the shore- line of Lake Winnipiseogee, and is diversified by mountain, hill and valley, rivers and lakes. Gilman- ton Mountain is the highest elevation. Its area of about one hundred and fifty-five thousand acres of improved land is very fertile, and the soil produces good crops of wheat, corn, potatoes, hay and other products of a temperate climate. Politically, it came into existence December 20, 1840 ; before that it had formed a part of Strafford County. It is divided into ten townships, one of which was incorporated during the reign of George I., two in the reign of George III. and seven since the organization of the State government. It began to be settled at the close of the French and Indian War. Laconia is the shire-town. Its chief sources of wealth now are the manufac- turing industries mostly located along the Winni- piseogee River, which, in its course through the county, falls about two hundred and fifty feet. The scenery is very pleasing and annually attracts a large number of visitors during the summer. The Bench and Bar. — The legal fraternity of the towns comprised within the limits of Belknap County have always held a high social position in the com- munity, and would compare favorably with the same class in any other county in the Slate. They have been called upon to occupy the highest offices within the gift of the people, and have honored the confi- dence reposed in them. At no time in the history of the State have they stood higher in the esteem of the people than at present. The record of the early lawyers in many case.'* is lost — a name only being handed down by tradition. In 1794 Eben Smith was practicing law in Meredith. In 1814 John Mooney and Jonathan C. Everett were in practice there. In 1820 John Thompson was in practice at Centre Harbor. In 1832 W. G. Webster was at New Hampton. S. W. Rollins, of Meredith village, has been county solicitor, and later judge of Probate for many years. William Harper, the first lawyer of Sanbornton, came from Deerfield before 1785, was a member of the convention which framed the State Constitution, was representative from 1791 to 1800, was frequently mod- erator at town-meetings, and was a land-owner. He died December 31, 1809. John A. Harper, son of William and Mary (Lane) Harper, of Sanbornton, was born in Deerfield Novem- ber 2, 1779, was the first postmaster of Sanbornton, was colonel in the militia, member of the Eleventh Congress (1811), settled at Jlcredith Bridge and died June 18, 1816. Daniel C. Atkinson, son of Simeon and Phebe (Clark) Atkinson, was born in Boscawen September 8, 1784-85, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1806, studied law with Parker Noyes and Daniel Webster, settled at Sanbornton Bridge in 1810. He was Sena- tor, councilor and judge of Probate (1824) and mod- erator of town meetings. He married, first, Mahala Tilton; second, Mehetable Tilton (sisters). He died April 5, 1842. 701 702 HISTOKY OF BELKxNAP COUxNTY, XEW UAMPSHIRE. Matthew Perkins, born in Sanbornton June 17, 1788, married Jane Little, was a lawyer of decided talent, and an orator. Settled at Sanbornton Square, and died August 17, 1826. Chaki.ks J. Stuart, born in Peterborough Septem- ber 20, 1788, of Scotch-Irish parentage; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1809, and commenced practice at Sanbornton Square. He was a famous singer and of large size. He married Eliza Austin and finally moved to Lancaster, where he died May 17, 1836. Charles Oilman studied law with Matthew Per- kins, and succeeded to hia practice at Sanbornton, where he remained from 1826 to 1833. He is said to have died in Baltimore in 1878. Benjamin Boardman, born in South Reading, Mass., February 16, 1798; studied law with Samuel Fletcher, of Concord ; was admitted to the bar in 1825 ; married Anne Stickney, of Concord; practiced law in Sanbornton from 1833 to 1836, when he removed to Meredith Bridge ; in 1847 he moved to Lawrence, Mass., where he remained until 1867 ; he died in Concord April 3, 1871 ; his house in Laconia was the pleasant home of the judges during the sessions of the court; he was the last lawyer settled at San- bornton Square. Asa p. Cate, born in Northfield June 1, 1813; read law with Judge Nesmith ; married Clara Proc- tor, and commenced to practice about 1843. Although his residence was in Northfield, his office was on the Sanbornton side of the river ; he was several times representative, president of the State Bank, candidate for Governor, president of a national bank, and judge of Probate of Merrimack County ; he died December 12, 1874. Benjamin A. Rogers, a native of Northfield ; practiced law at Sanbornton Bridge from about 1840 to 1858 ; he married, first, Viola E. Rundlet ; second, Adeliza S. Rundlet (sisters) ; he afterwards studied for the Episcopal ministry and is settled in Texas. Charles C. Rogers, born in Bloomfield, Vt., August 19, 1834; read law with Benjamin A. Rogers and succeeded to his practice in Tilton in 1858 ; he married Sophia T. Curry, and is still in practice. Francis R. Chase, born in Gihnanton April 5, 1818 ; studied law with Judge Dana, of Fryeburg, Me. ; married Huldah P. Fessenden ; settled in Conway; was representative in 1852; Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1855; settled in Northfield in 1866, and practiced in Tilton; repre- sented the town in 1871-72; was a prominent Episco- palian and died March 12, 1876. James O. Lyford, born June 28, 1853, in Boston ; moved to Canterbury in 1866 ; read law in Concord ; opened a law-office in Tilton in 1880; he holds a clerkship in the War Department, at Washing- ton. SfEi'iiEN Moody, born in West Newbury, Mass., January 21, 1767; graduated at Harvard College in I7;»0; wa-s admitted to the bar in 1793, and settled the same year in Lower Gihnanton ; he was the first lawyer of Belknap County ; he married Frances Cof- fin ; was repeatedly moderator of town-meetings, and died April 21, 1842. John Ham, born in Dover December 30, 1774; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1797 ; was admitted to the bar in 1800, and a year later settled in Lower Gilmanton ; he was frequently chosen selectman and representative ; he married Wealthy C. Brigbam, and died March 7, 1837. Benjamin Emerson, born in Alfred, Me., March 20, 1792 ; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1816 ; married Rebecca S. Porter and settled in Gilmanton, where he was admitted to the bar in 1822; he was repeatedly moderator and representative. Nathaniel Cogswell, born January 19, 1773; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1794; commenced to practice in Gilmanton in 1805 ; he was afterwards a general in the Mexican army and died August, 1813. Nathan Crosby, born F'ebruary 12, 1798 ; gradu- ated at Dartmouth College in 1820 ; read law with Stephen Moody; was admitted to the bar in 1824, practiced a short time in Gilmanton. and finally set- tled in Lowell, where he died in 1884. .Tames Bell, son of (iovcrnor Samuel Bell ; gradu- ated at Bowdoin College in 1822; was admitted to the bar in 1825; married Judith Upham, and opened an office at Gilmanton iron-Works; he afterwards re- moved to Exeter. GEOiKiE Minor, a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1828; was admitted to practice in 1831 ; he opened an office at Gilmanton Iron- Works, but soon removed to Concord. Arthuh Livermore, a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1829 ; was admitted to practice in 1833 ; opened an office in Oilmanton and afterwards moved to Bath. Ira a. Eastman. (See Merrimack County Bench and Bar History). Edward St. Loe Livermore practiced law for a short time at Gilmanton. William Butterfield graduated at Dartmouth College in 1836; admitted to the bar in 1840; mar- ried Rosamond Robinson and practiced a few years at Gilmanton Centre ; he afterwards moved to Concord and for many years was editor of the Patriot. (Jeorge G. Fogg, a native of Meredith; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1839 ; was admitted to the bar in 1842, and settled at Gilmanton Iron- Works; he was afterwards an editor, minister to Switzerland and United States Senator. General Joseph Badger, for many years judge of Probate of Straflbrd County, was born in Haver- hill, Mass., January 11, 1722; married Hannah Pear- son and moved to Gilmanton in 1763. He was a prominent citizen; a member of the Provincial Con- gress and the first Constitutional Convention. He was several times a member of the Governor's Coun- cil. He died April 4, 1803. BENCH AND BAR. 703 TiioiMAS l'0(;sWKi,i,, from 1784 to 1810 chief jus- tice of the Court of Uommon Pleas, was born iu Haverhill, Mass., August 14, 1746; married Ruth, daughter of General Badger; served in the army during the whole Revolutionary War; won the rank of colonel ; settled in Gilmanton on return of peace. He died September 3, 1810. TuojiAS CogsweIjL, son of William and Judith (^ Badger) Cogswell, a nephew of Thomas Cogswell, was born, December 7, 1798, in Atkinson; lived in Gilmanton. He was a judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Belknap County from 1 841 to 1855 ; was justice of the peace for over forty years and a coun- cilor in 1856 ; married Mary Noyes and died August 8, 1868. His son, Thomas Cogswell, is a prominent lawyer of Gilmanton. William Badgek, a grandson of General .Joseph Badger, was born in Gilmanton January 13,1779; married Martha Smith ; was representative, Senator, president of the Senate, Governor of New Hampshire two years. From 1816 to 1821 he was associate jus- tice of the Court of Common Pleas. Lyman B. Walker was an attorney at Gilford for many years. For five years he was Attorney-Gen- eral of the State. He was a brilliant man, and a man of much influence. He frequently encountered Frank- lin Pierce in the court-room. Stephen C. Lyfoed, at Laconia for many years, was a lawyer of large practice ; esteemed to be a good lawyer and stood well in the profession. He went South late in life and died there. WakrexLovell, from A^ermont. settled atWent- worth, in 1830. He soon after came to Meredith, where he built up an extensive practive and accumu- lated a large property. He was appointed judge of Probate and moved to Laconia, where he died shortly before 1876. e convened at Amherst iu said State on the first Wednesday in June next. " The petition of us, the subscribers, Freeholdei-s and Inhabitants of a place called New Durham Gore, in the County of Strafford and State aforesiiid. " Humbly Sheweth— That your petitionei^ have a long time labored under many inconveniencies, for want of an incorporation, in their not having legal power to lay out and make roads for the accommodation of the Inhabitants and public, to build a meeting-house for public worship, settle a minister of the Gospel, raise money for the maintenance of schools, and to transact and do many other things relative to town af- fairs, which the Inhabitants of incorporated towns in this State, by law, exercise and do, notwithstanding which ditflculties they have always cheerfully contributed their full proportion towards the support of Government, and been firmly attached to the Laws of the State. Your Petitioners therefore pray that the above-nientioued Tract of Land, now called New Durham Gore, and bounded as follows — to wit — Beginning at the southwesterly corner of New Durham, and running north by the side line thereof, about nine miles and three-(iuarters, to the north- westerly corner of said New Durham, then running North forty-eight degrees East, by said New Durham line about two miles and throe- quarters to the southerly corner of Wolfborough, then running north- west to winuipeseoke pond, then running by the shore of said pond, as that runs a westerly course as far as Gilmantown line, then southerly upon said Gilmantown line as far as the line of the town of Barnstead, then running southeast or as said Barnstead line runs to the Boands first mentioned,— may be erected and incorporated into a township by the name of Roxbry, and that the inhabitants thereof may be erected into a Body politic and corporate, to have continuance and succession forever, and invested with all the powers and enfranchised with all the rights privileges and immunities which other towns in this State hold and en- joy, to hold to said inhabitants and their successors forever. And that Mr. Eleazer Davis may be authorized to call a meeting of said inhabi- r and customary town ofiiciMs, giving such notice and under huch regulations as your honors may deem and that the officers then chosen may be invested with all the powers of such ulTicfis ill other tn« iis in this State. And that every other im-.niiit' whirh ^li;iil i> , iilK liri.linsaid Gore for that purpose ni:n !..■ .■,, the s I I , I M , I. h forever, or otherwise point out m. 11,1 "lodf (1 ; ;[ I I. \ 1.1 ; iiLuiners iu the premises, aayourhuiiui- 111 >niii wise euii=;.lLi.ai..ii ^ii.ul ilujiU best, and your petitioners as in dul,v U-iiinl will ever pray— " New Durham Gore, March the 31«, Anno Domini 1794. "Lera' B. Mason, Mi(aJ;ili Tliirisi.n. .rames M'-DufTee, Kb.ne/.r W.i.t- worth, Jun., Jot^rpl, t;. ' ; ;-, Tli.-, ,- "I'.jj d- -, , ,T..i, ^ a[. fiur". ■-. 1 [lii.iiTu Chamberlain, Jr, .1 l: 1 ,11-1 1,,, \ ,1. n Allai-d, David Gil. I. m ... ■ - , 1 , , 1 ■,,,-, Jr., Stephen Fall, .1 , ■ ■. ^l : ■ M . \i , .. , i, . \ , , .,;,,!- den, Thoe. Boiin.'ii ~ 1 ■ 1 ■ . 1 ■ . ■ 1: ■ , ■ |-., ■ . 1 ' , 1 1 ,u' M«--Duftee, Jr., iJ-i'^ ■ : I n. . v. , v !■, 1 . ■ , |.,, , ,1. Ephraim Chainl.-, i : ■ 1 ■, 1 : ■ ■ 1 ■ , i, . , ■ . 1:, , , ■ .,„.. KUt DreM StorkiiM I . Ml, Jr., Richard ilandoi-s, Juhli r '^ .., i: I :, .■. -i . ; ,.: I. .1. :,...l...:, ! ■ i - htuU, ThomaS Edgeflv. Jr., JiUiK.^ Uvl.1i>;,, J...,» i.h 1 i.-inilK ihij,,!,,.-,,:^;.!, i;u/,zell, Andrew Fiip'-rly, Anthony Ilawlings, Ichubud liawliugs, Jonathan Laighton (iSd), Itl.;Mi,,,r Buzel [?], James Rogers, paul Leathers, Paul Chamberlin, E|'li" i:.! .1 ' , Tristi-am Hurd, Stephen Drew, James Woster, Tlieoder Ricliail-, .l. i. miah Woodman, Reuben Smith." The following is the 1794: )etiti Joseph Picrrt at .\mhei'st in said State. The Petition of Joseph Pierce, of New Dur- ham Gore in said County " Humbly Shews— That a petition, signed by sundry of the Inhabit- ants of s;ud New Durham Gore, has been presented to tlie General Court, praying that the Tract of Land called New Durham Gore in said County might be incorporated, and have such Privileges as other town- of said State enjoy. That it is not convenient said Tract should be in- corporated as the form of the same is such that the Inhabituiifc^ ncMi can, without much difficulty, meet together for public worship, Li tin- doing the necessary town business, or for any other p ubh'o t/r m ^ [,i 1 n 1 - poses, as said Tmct is not six miles wide in the widest part. :in>i il it Part is separated and (liviii.tl fur several iiiiliK together by a laiL'- Ann of Uinii-i.iM .I,.. |...ii.[ . .ill. .1 nirMN ii.i ■■tin_ Imv. t hat said tnict is nearly sixteen ii;:i ^ i :! :■ i ii'i i-irr!y to the most north- west.iiv I ' : M II : '; I i^i>vsing from one to the other i^ ,l:, ' .'I II, 1, I .1 \._\ 111. till- 1 \. tit I 11 ..r large and almost im- passixble Jluuntaius, luw, we( grounds and swamps that the most south- easterly part of said Gore is an acute angle, and your petitioner's farm is 80 situated as to make said Angle, and is removed further from the Centre of said Gore than any other farm in the same is or can be. That your Petitioner's said farm, which contains about fifteen hundred Acres, is about seven miles from said Centre, and the roads leading to the same go over very high bills and arc in general very rough, and ever will be very uneven. That your Petitioner has left tlie employments he for- merly pursued, and iias for several years last past cnguged himseU in cultivating waste Lands, making public roads and advancing the general good of said Slate. That your Petitioner never had any thought that «ijil Tract of Land would be incor[)o rated, more especially as said In. 705 lllSTUrtY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW llAMl'SlllUE. babituDts hnvo heretofore, at a public meeting held for that purpose, voted that they would not petition the LeRisIaliiro for such Incorpora- tion. That such incorporation, if had, would evidently lessen the value ofyourPetitiouer'a Interest in said Gore, and would place him in a sit- uation much worse than he now is. Therefore your Petitioner asks of your honours that if the I-egislature should pass an Act incorporating said New Durham Gore, that the said farm of your Petitioner may not be included in said Incorporation, or that his said farm may bo made into a separate cori>oration, or that your honours would take such other order therenn, as you in your great wisdom shall think lit. " New Durham Goi-e, Blay 27"", ITH. The followiug memorial is relative to incorporating the town, 1794: "To the houomblo the Senate and House of Kopresentatives of the State of Now Hampshire, to bo convened at Amherst in and for said State uu the flrst Wednesday in June next. '* The petition of the Subscribers, freeholders and luhabitants of a certain tract or parcel of land called New Durham Gore, Humbly Shewoth That whereas wo understand sundry Inhabitants of said Gore are about petitioning the General Court of said State for an incorpora* tiou, which, if K""a'>tcd without the liberty heroin after exprest, will gn-atly distress the undersigned petilionci-s as well as the Inhabitants of the other remote nm] ;iti(-mi;it,c(l pints of said Gore, by reason of its being so extonwiv .i. i. n ih mi iirming into sharp peaks and narrow corners, whicti l;i| ' <: i ^ !>•' behind almost imi>as8able Moun- tains— and you I J" iMi IP 1 li\ n,_ ,ii tin; southerly peak of said tract, and so far distant Iium iln- iiiUii.it-a ■ iMiler as to render it utterly incon- venient for thorn to be cunuecled or embodied with the aforesaid appli- cants and would greatly lessen their property. But they are of opioiou that A town or parish might bo formed and erected out of tho middle of sjiid tract of land by cutting off the several cornere of it agreeably to a plan thereof herewith exhibited. " Your petitioners therefore pray, that in case said incorporation should take place, your hoDors would reserve liberty for your potitionei-s and such others as now do or may hereafter live in the aforesaid extreme parts or corners of said tract of land, at any time when either of them may think it convenient to bo set of with their estate and be annexed to ministry, schools and for the laying out, making and rejiairing bigb ways. That your petitioners conceive an incorporation would remedy many evils besides those above enumerated ; be & means of disscminatiuf. knowledge and contentment among the inhabitants, conduce to a speed^ settlement of unimproved lands, and Anally add a respectable town t> the State of Now Hampshire. " Your petitioners therefore pray your honors that they maybe rank-i; among the happy citizens of this State by being admitted to an inrori- ration, and as in duty bound will ever pray. *' Jacob Ch.vmbeblin, 1 " James SIcDuKFE^ j. Stlectmeit. " Daniel M^DuFKEF., J "Jonatlmii Lui^titwii, Ji., Jonathan Leighton (3^), James Itogert. Kbenezer Weutworth, Benj. Beunet, Thomas Edgerley, Juur., Georj:i Walker, Paul Chamberlin, David McDuffee, Jacob Cbamberhn, Jr., Lem B. Mason, John Kawlings, John PJiiiikt. Tlioinas Jewett, Silas Robert--, Thomas Lanchlen, Oliver W-.r-.y, l i [,. r W.-ntworth, Jr., Jofici>l. Roberts, Esqf., Thomas K.l- i i ^ r^, \V"m M«Dufifee, An thony Rawling, Charles Ri;:i ' i i rlin, Hezekiah Davii-. Jonathan Leighton, Davi', .liim.-s ItMbcrts, Eph"' Chamborlii.. Junr., Jon* MoDuffoe, Ichabod Rawlings." The foregoing petition was before the House ot Kepresentatives June 13th, and a vote passed grant- ing the petition ; the Senate concurred, and an act ()t incorporation received the approval of the Go vomer June 16, 1796. The following is the petition of Jacob Chaniln rlin relative to the election of representatives in 177S ; " To the Honorable the House of R i. li would be incori>orated in its pn'sent form, but u.,iil . ,. : .iii.r towns, which might have been obtained without uniM iiir\ .1 .i.i..riMii had it been seasonably requested, but wo are sorry ro sav ihut \\v have every reason to believe our Brethren are too much biased to consult the Benefit of their Noighboura as well as themselves ; but we are convinced that a hare suggestion of our situation to your honors, to whom wo look up for protection as to our Fathers, will be sufhcient. "New Durham Goro, May tho 27">, A.D. 1794. "Timothy Davis, Nicholas Glidden, Gideon Davis, Zehulon Glidden, Zebulon Davis, Thomas Norton, John Penny, Mdscs Meder." The following is a of incorporation, 17()( the! in said State. That your petitioners are, by means of their prt.'sent situation, subjected to many disagreeable inconveniences, being unin- corporated, and, of course, deprived of those privileges and immuiiitius enjoyed by the neighboring towns. That the land on which your poti- tiouei-s are settled, and that which remains as yet in a state of nature, is good and capable of rapid improvement, was settlement further en- couragi'd by an incorpor.ition. "That wo are already more numerous than many places, within our knowledge, which have been admitted to the ei^joyment of town privi- leges, and that a speedy augmentation of numbere can only be retarded by the want of an incorporation. That we are deprived of the speediest uud most eligible method of niiwing money for the support of the Gospel uureasouuble that a ^uw Durham seluctatau t^iiould Determine whether we in the gore should be represented or not I cannot think why wo were not notified, unlfss it Wil^ for this Rea*wm— that as they know Wolf- boroii^-ii I. \ 1 ,!t[ h 1 ill (-; , iiii-^ they might cbuse whomo they plea,s(ii. ,11. I I li;LYf no one in their town fit they must |iii. I 1] ,1 I Miirs Distant, who, we think, verj* littlf a. .jUi'Mii'-i :viiii 111 ' H iiiiii.itir.s of the gore, what over he may be with Wolfbnrungb, and we Desire to submit it to your honours whether such a person, chosen in such an illegal manner— and, as I have been informed, only by 5 or G men— is a suitable person to Represent three towns. If we have no man among us fit for a Kepresentativo we had much rather confide in tho wisdom and justice of your honours to Represent us than that any i)ei'8on, chosen in an illegal manner, should presume to Do it. We, upon the whole, think wc are slighted and very ill treated in this mater, and hope tbaf your honours, in your great goodness, will see we have Justice Done us. I am, in behalf of the gore, your most humble Servant, 'Jacob Cha , December the ID^ following is Tho following is the petition of Wn^ inhabitants L-oncerniiig the same matter : "State of Nkw Hami-shiuk. •' To the Hon'''<» the House of Representatives of the State of New Uamp- "The Humble Petition of uv t in tho County of StraflTord, in -. "That we have been inf.^nu had Sent a precept to the Sd. . : ^ Notify the Inhabitants of Woltli Now Durham, for the Choice of i -'. Tnhabitantsof the Gore, - thr Late General Co«rt» ii[hani, Directing thorn to (be Gore to Meet at Said > attend this present ALTON. Golitjml Court ; uni ,, i.l, . iliat we may have the privilodgoof Voting at anyliiiiir,- .M,,ii,i- i,,, iiuj Choice of Rfpreseutatives, wliich we think we liave a jtii,! Highl lo Claim; And that the lnhabitaut8 of Wolfborough have never attended Such Meet- ings, on account of the (Jreat DiKtttuce they are from New Durham Moot- ii.g-House. •That they have intinial-,! I" ,1^ H, n ,.,.,, l,, -,,, , . i. ,, ,, ,,i;it Such Meetings, if the Pla.- ,11 ,,.i. i .. ■ .;i ii i , m for the three towns, and Tli:ii I ,. ni ,i,,i! k ., ., \i i,,,j^ Bay, W'ould be the most sMiLil.l, , .11 nl,i.l, ll,,, , ii,,_, ,,.,., ,;,i , i,,..lly attend. And your IV-tition, Imty lluuiid. " JOSKPII RonEKTS -v "Charles Kogkrs, ysclcctmeii. "Timothy Davis, J "ly it wa.s dropped. The following is the petition relalivc t ; , said Gore, to all Necessary Highways, in whiLJi s- 1, , humbly conceive to be the Prayer of the first Pclii, [, aforesaid act was made, otherwise your present r, h , taken Benefit in shewing Cause why the Prayer u( 11.. . to have been granted. Wherefore your Petitioners hui Hon"' Court to take under Consideration their present C inability to fulfil the Requisitions of said Act, & to oriler only in said Gore bo taxed towards said Roads, and your V over pray. " October 121'', 1780. "Joseph Roberts, "EI.EAZEE Davis, The following is relative to ])roeuriug ni urmy : "Gore, acUoining Now Durham, March ■iH"', 17B1. " At the anual mealing, held in said Town by the inhabitants, by law Qualified to vote in town alTairs. " Voted that the said mealing stand acyourued to monday, auUi Day of Api, to BOO if the Hon* Court will consider ous in our Proportion of Ta.ve8 for the present year ; we, the s-i inhabitants, think wo are agroved, therefore beg your Honours would consider ous, being but few iu Num- ber, & Likewis Poor, I .1 I : . I : I I. ii, ,; II . < lioice of the Town Offi- ■iiiLKAZKK UAViH. This petition resulted in the passage of the follow- ing resolution, legalizing annual meeting: "State of New Hampshikk. " In the House of Representatives, Octo. 29, 1784. " Whereat the Selectmen of the Gore (so called), in the County of Stnvf- ford, have petitioned the General Court, setting forth that the inhabit- ants of siiid Gore, in March last, held a meeting Jl chose all utiicers as usual to assess & colUct their Taxes, but as their power of holding meet- ings ceased with the late proportion act, their proceedings were void; whcrefure they prayed that the choice of officers & other proceedings at said Aiiiiuul IMcetinj: might be established. " Thtrtfon- lit'soh-ed, That the meeting held in said Gore, in March last, be ustuMisheil, and the officers chosen to assess & collect their Taxes are hereby fully authorized & empowered to transact the necessary busi- ness of their respective offices as fully as if said Proportion Act had con- tinued in force through the current year. "And the officers chosen at said meeting are hereby empowered to call a meeting for the purposes aforesaid, sometime in March next ; And the officers for the respective years to call meetings annually to choose such necessary officers until a new proportion of the State Taxes shall be made. Sent up for Concurrence. "Geo. Atkinson, Speaker. ** In Senate, October 3n, 17S4, read & Concurred, "M. Weaue, Prtnidaitr At the first town-meeting after the town was incor- porated it was voted to build an " Orthodox Con- gregational Meeting-Hou^e.'* The frame of this church was raised in the fall of 1797, but it was never entirely finished. Meetings Avere held in it, however, more or less, until about 1840, when it was sold for a town-house. In 1798 the town voted to raise one hundred and sixty-six dollars for the support of the gospel minis- try, and about this time the Rev, Mr. Whipple was employed to preach, and remained here two years. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. MAJOR GEOllUE I>. SAVAOH. Major George D. Savage was born in New Durham, N. H., March 7, 1818. His father, Captain Benja- min Savage, was one of the sturdy pioneer yeo- manry of the State, and his mother was descended from a like ancestry. Major Savage was tlie oldest of ten cliililn'M. ciglit of whom lived to adult life. His boyhood and youth and part of his early man- hood were spent on his father's farm. After he had attained sufficient age, the winter months were spent in teaching school. He early evinced great ardor for military life, and as a boy and young man, took much interest in the militia trainings and musters of half a century ago. As soon as old enough he enlisted in the State militia and gradually rose to the rank of major, and served in that capacity a number of years. The title thus obtained clung to him through life, and he was known far and near till the time of his death as Major Savage, notwithstanding the fact that he was promoted to a higher rank during the War of the Rebellion. In 1849 he moved to Alton, N. H., and engaged successfully in shoemaking, merchandising and ho- tel-keeping, being proprietor of the Cocheco House about twenty-five years, where he achieved the rep- utation of being one of the most genial and popular Bonifaces iu the State. He was active, generous- hearted and public-spirited, and was held in the highest esteem by those who knew him best. The projection and building of the Cocheco Railroad was largely due to his enterprise and influence. In pol- itics he was a prominent, active Republican, saga- cious in council, bold in utterance and uncompro- mising in his political principles. When war sounded its dread alarums, and the call came for more troops to defend the nation's flag, the old military ardor was once more aroused, and with the cry of "Come, boys!" Major Savage oftered his services in his country's cause. Says one writer, "The history of the raising of the Twelfth New Hampshire Regiment is too well known to be re- peated. The fabled Cadmus sowed dragon's teeth and raised a crop of men, but we are ignorant of the time it took to mature that crop. Colonel Whip- ple, Colonel Stevens and Major Savage sowed the seeds of patriotism and loyalty, and in four days a tlwusand men, as loyal as ever stood, was the result." Mythology was eclipsed by reality. The major of militia was commissioned major of volunteers. They were enlisted Sejitember 17, 1862, and went at once to the front. His regiment went into action in the battle of Fredericksburg, and at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863, as Major Savage was repeating orders from the colonel, he was shot through the jaw by a sharp-shooter, which shot nearly cost him his life. After partially recovering from the wound he re- turned to the regiment and remained until honor- ably discharged. May 28, 1864. He was promoted to a lieutenant-colonelcy February 5, 1864. At the same time he was wounded at Chancellorsville, his brother Henry, captain of Company A, in the same regiment, was killed. The military career of Major Savage was perhaps not distinguished by superior generalship or his knowledge of correct military mana>uvres or tactics, but niaiiy a sick and weary soldier w^as cheered by bis kind words and hearty ■^. (t). ^7^^-^ "/rrxi df^. W^J lHS)o^J^.fne of our number just stepped Ijefore, Into the unseen, shutting the door, into the realms of unending day. Into the mansion over the way. Leaving a record for us to read, Teaching us lessons worthy of heed. Diligent in business, honest and true. Giving to each his merited due. Sincere in purpose, noble of mind. Simple in msnnel^, neighborly, kind. Seeking no honors, wishing no fame, Character unquestioned, unsullied name, Ijoyal to countrj', sturdy for right, liatlling forJMStire with all his might. Best of all places he loved his lujme. Loathing the false and shunning parade. Such is the record our frieiul has made. Take him up gently, bear him away. Lay him down softly in the clay. Under the green grass, under the skies ; Cover with flowers the spot where he lice. Leaving bim there sleeping under the sod. Angels t
Captain John Drew, Thomas Brown, ^^ : I ' [I. t'aptain Joseph Kaime, Samuel Easfinaii. r : h, I Nnh r. i-, ll.iirrl Tebbetts, Samuel JcnnesB, Ralph Hall, .losuph lluckius, .(..liu Welch, Richard Sinclair, Nathan Nutter, Eli Hani, John Pitman. Perry Hixon, W. Ayre-s, John Aiken, Avery, William Hill, Thomas Ayres, James Mardon, .lohn Emerson, Samuel Pitman. War of 1812. — The following men from Banistcad were in the War of 1812 : Captain John I'eavev, J. Davis, F. Chesley (died), D. Bunker. P. C. 711 HISTOKY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Hoit, Joseph Foyc, John liaiid, \V. lUind, John Kitinie, C. Peavey, Silaa Hunker, T. Bunker, James Davis, G. T. Barker, Jolin I'lace, W. Ruud and T. Conner. Nicholas Kenison and Alfred T. Muiisey served in the Mexican War. Kenison was killed in battle. War of the Rebellion.— Barnstead responded proniptly to the call ol' her imperiled country, both in men and money. 'Die Ibllowinfr is a list of sol- diers from the town : William B. .\iken, Kronk Sleeper, G. H. Bridges, Dudley, Wil. liam Briniage, E. G. Hodgden (killed). Captain and Major H. H. Huse Lieutenant J. 11. Greenwood (killed). Lieutenant S. J. Smart (died), D, D. Hanscom, L. \V. Jackson (mortally w.iiiiiili-.l,. Itiiliis rh.ik, .1. K- Bunker, Smith Davis,!. IM, lln-. .1 - ih!' im,.,. i i,,,i- i i Moores, B. B. Mnnsey (dipili, .1 I i. -:, - ■ - , ^ H. Williams, Albert Davis, W r. mIi. )■ > I , , i m ., , : (died). Colonel Thomas E. Ti.iil.rr, I; I i i , -/, , i j , ,f, lnni xi, l.Jm McNeal, W. P. Huntress (killed;, .1. W. Hill (nioilally wounded), Assis- tant .Surgeon A. C. Newell, Thomas Moore, J. L. Garland (killed), C. Chesley, G. W. Pitman, J. L. Piper, O. W. Aiken (died), J. N. Bunker, (killed), T. J. Pierce (mortally wounded), J. Pendcrgast (died), A. D. Hall, S. W. Young, W. T. Knight (killed), Moses Bickford, J. M Tiusker, Lieutenant David Sackett, H. H. Emerson, M. Jenkins, J. H. Edgerly H. M. Parshley, A. L. Bickford, George Jones, Solomon Clark, J. C. Russell, W. H. Berry (mortally wounded), G. T. Munsey (mortjilly wounded). Noble Sackett, C. H. Pickering, C. H. P. Young, W. V. Shaw, Lieutenant H. Edgerly, Horace Munsey (died), L. Place, W. A. Fiyc, OeorKc- W Wake, J. K. Eniersou, G. II. Ki,i,rs,.u, II. II. Y..ii,ik, J. M..Iun.-, J t 11,,. . I-,, J, ,1,1 , [„,i , I, I, II,,-,. ,,i„,|,, rl,;,,|.,s W. A, I,,:, ,, 1 , I i. > ,1 1 r,,. , l; .,'),,,, , \ - l;., .„||, Timolii* l: , I, , \\ \ , ■ . , I , I I , M ,. , II D. Nutt.r h, 1. H 1. ~1, ,, I, ,..,,!. -, I II , I,,, I,, ,, w |;i. ,],,., KH H.Foss, A.O. A.liuns, W. F. lluiistomlj, ('. Kaim.-, Hurace Ciogli, J. c. Kaime, N. Sackett, N. Blaisdell, J. C. Ham, J. S. Hayes (mortally wounded), Charles Hill (navy) ; Surgeons, John Wheeler, T. H. Wheel- er and L. M. .Sanders. The first meeting-house in Barustead was erected about the year 1760, and the first preacher was Rev. .Joseph Adams. The " Parade Meeting-House" was built about the year 1788, and was the first frame church in town. It was not completed until 1799. The Second Congregational Church building was erected in 1803. It was demolished in 1848. The North Meeting-House was erected in 1820, and re- paired in 1853. The Centre Church was erected in 1830. There are at present five churches in town. Representatives, — The following is a list of repre- sentatives from 1797 to 1885 : John McNeall, 180I-C2. George W. Emerson, 1802-03. John Dorr, 1863-M. H. N. Colebath, 1804. D. r. Davis, 18C.>-86. Charles H. Dorr, I8C0-CO. Mark Walker, 1807-C8. J. M. Tasker, 1807-08. William I'rocktor, ISG'.i. J. W. Evans, lsc,;i. (Soel«-ti,minlxTO), Town Clerks.— The clerks from 1775 to 188 Benjamin Nutter, 1775-81. John F. Holmes, 1871-72. D. E. Tuttle, 1871-72. Joshua VV. Ayres, 1873-74. Joshua W. Pickering, 187:i-74. Joseph P. Blaisdell, 1875-70. Martin V. B. Nutter, 1875-76. George W. Emerson (2d), 1877-78. Samuel A. Hodgdon, 1877-78. Cllarles E. Walker, 1880. Jacob W. Kvans, 1882. George H. Hawley, 1SS4, following i.s a list of town H. N. Colebath, ISiaj. C. W. Blanchard, 1801. Charles E. Walker, 1862-C4. L. C. Scrutton, 1805. John H. Hill, 1800. J. E. Pendergast, 18G7-G8. George Emersob, 1809-73. Albert V. Shackfoi-d, 1874 ti ent time. Cliarles Ilodgdoi 1797-99, 1804- - I Stepl Wni. Walker, Jr, 18I9,'22,'2 John Peavey, 1823-20, '28. Charles Hodgdon, 1823, MS. John Kaime, 182.5-26. John Kent, 1828. Isaac O. Barnes, 1829-30. Samuel Webster, 1829-30. George Nutter, 1831-32. W. H. Newall, 1831-32. T. P. Hodgdon, 18:13-34. .Samuel Kaime, l«i3-34. 8. G. Berry, 183.''>-,36. W. .S. Hill, 18.'V.-,)0. Timothy Dow, 1837-:>8. It. Garland, 1837-38. Joseph A. Walker, 1839-40. J their ynulhrul ears. This was especially true of those who hud passed the meridian and were nearing the sunset of life. By a sort of common consent, residents and emi- grants seemed ready for a reunion of the children of old Barnstead. The question has been asked, Where did the idea of this reunion originate? This may be a fitting place for answering that question. During the winter of 1877-78 a few of the sons and daughters of Barn- stead, residing in Concord, N. H., prominent among whom were Colonel E. S. Nutter, J. L. Pickering, Esq., George W. Drew, Esq., Mrs. James R. Hill and Laura Garland Carr determined to hold a reunion of the sons and daughters of Barnstead living in Concord, with invited guests from the mother-town and other places in New Hampshire where Barnstead sons had located. Such a reunion was held on the evening of Feb- ruary 28, 1878, at the Phenix Hotel, in Concord. There were present from Barnstead a delegation of sixty citizens, led by the Barnstead Brass Band. Colonel E. S. Nutter presided and made the recep- tion address. Laura Garland Carr read an original poem. Short addresses were made by J. G. Sinclair, Lewis W. Clark, J. Horace Kent, J. P. Newell and Charles S. George. This, with a supper such as that famous hotel can provide, made the occasion a most enjoyable one. The resident sous of Barnstead returned home feeling that some day the wanderers from the old town should be invited home to the old domain, and here, amid the scenes of childhood, hold a grand family reunion. The subject was talked of from time to time, but, from various causes, no decided action was taken until, at the annual town-meeting in March, 1882, it was voted to hold a reunion the coming autumn. Subsequently the following officers were chosen : Presi. John Pender^. -I i ■ i « i r, •. ,i.i. .John L. Nutter, >■■'! -', , I !■ ' i l; .-Mf. -.,..,'•. I , . II I . ,1,1.13; t'orre- land; Executive CiiMnittee, Jt.l.n WalJo, Tlioniu,ou ; .\ssistant Marshals, Frank 0. George, Henrj-0. Iliiii' I. , TJ,., i:,,,.l: Superintendent of Halls, Tents and Grounds, III ' >' i: n; Committee to pre- pare Sentiments, Horace N.I - '• gc; Committee to arrange Programme, Dr. Geor,^ ^ w I ■ 1 1 , 1 1 . l are N. Colbath, Frank S. Jenkins, Thomas L. Hoitt ; Cuniiuittee on JIusic, Charles E. Walker, Thomas L. Hoitt ; Commissary, Frank S. Jenkins ; quarteruuister, John Waldo ; Toast-Master, Rev. John George. Thus organized, the work of preparation began. Meetings of committees and sub-committees followed in rapid succession, until a week before the day of reunion, when officers, committees and citizens, uniting, made it their special business. The arrangements as finally made were as follows : The reunion to be held on Wednesday, August 30, 1882, at ten o'ch)ck a.m. The president to make the welcoming address. Rev. A. H. Quint, D.D., to deliver an oration. Laura Garland Carr to read a poem. Dinner, free to all, in the tent. Speeches, sentiments, and responses at the stand. Music through the day by the Barnstead Brass Band, — the oldest band in the United States, organ- ized February 22, 1837. A tent, seventy-eight by one hundred and sixty feet, was placed on the grounds of Seth Shackford, Esq., adjoining the town hall and Congregational Church, and both these buildings were opened to the public. The speaker's stand was placed between the hall and church ; fronting it vvas the band-stand. Under the direction of the superintendent, Dr. Emerson, the tent was beautifully decorated with flags, bunting, etc., and tables were arranged in the tent to seat one thousand and fifty persons at one sitting. Such were the measures adopted to welcome home those whose hearts had been throbbing at the thoughts of the reunion. In every part of the town little plans had been laid to bring families and friends together. It was to be the gathering of a great family. The number in attendance was estimated to be five thousand, over half that number having partaken of the dinner. The best order prevailed. It was a meeting of well-dressed, orderly and respectable men and women, whom any town might be proud to own as her children. Owing to the prevailing heat and dust, some things were omitted in the reception, and others might have been changed for the better. Yet, on the whole, we can say, what every visitor did say, " Well done, old Barnstead !" The following is a list of toasts proposed : "1. 'Old Barnstead— A good town to go from, abetter one to return to.' Responded to by Hon, H. A. Tuttle. "2. 'A kind remembrance to the sons and daughters of old Barnsteatl providentially detained from our Reunion.' Response by Colonel E. S. Nutter, Concord, N. H. " 3. ' Old Barnstead— Her fair fame a sure passport for her sons wherever they go, her principles a guarantee of success.' Responded to by Colonel M. B. V. Edgerly, of Manchester, N. H. "4. 'The adopted sons of Barnstead— They have honored her name, andshe rejoices in their success.' Hon. C. M. Murphy, of Dover, N. H., responded. "5, ' The emigrant sons and daughters of Barnstead- Wherever may be their abiding-place, or whatever their duties, let them never forget that they cannot be delinquent without being degenerate.' Hon. John P. Newell, of Manchester, N. H., eloquently responded. " C. 'The town of Barnstead— She loves her hills and beautiful valleys, but feeling the sentiment and borrowing the language of the Ronuin HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. inotlii^r, sho points to lier chiidreu and exclaims, " These are my jewels.'' ' Jiev, Frank H. Lyfort responded. " 7. ' The aimual crop produced in Barostead— judges, clergymen, phy- sicians, merchante, mechanics and farmers— may the crop increase until she has enough for home consumption and a large surplus for exporta- tion.' Ilesponso by John D. Nutter, Esq., of Montreal, Canada. " 8. ' The friends and scenes of our childhood.' Colonel J. Horace Kent had been invited to respond to this sentiment, and had written hie acceptance ; but at the last moment was detained by imperative business, and was unalile to be present at the Reunion, much to his regret, as well as to the regret of his many early friends. Colonel Kent, however, sent an addresa, delivered at the Itarnstead Keunion in Concord, N. H., Feb- niaiy 28, 1S79, in response to a similar sentiment. **9. ' The soldier sons of Barnstead— The fathers in the Bevolution, the sons in 1812, the grandsons in the Rebellion- the love of liberty con- strained them.' Responded to by letters from ColonelJas. S. Hoitt, of Laconia, N. H., a native of Barnstead and a veteran of 1812 ; from Col- onel Thos. E. Barker, of Boston, Mass., a native of Barnstead and col- onel of the Twelfth Regiment in the Rebellion ; from Hon. Henry H, Huse, of Manchester, a former resident of Barnstead, who served in the Eighth Regiment as captain and major. "10. ' The birth-place of our fathers— Portsmouth and Newingtou— names as familiar as household words to every child of Barnstead — may peace and prosperity be in their borders.' "11. 'The host of men whose lives have been made better and happier by choosing for wives, daughter's of old Barnstead.' ReBjionded to by Howard A. Dodge, Esq., of Concord, N. H. '*12. 'The social history and reminiscences of old Barnstead.' Hon. John G. Sinclair eloquently and wittily responded to this sentiment. "13. 'The resident sons and daughters of Barnstead— May they pre- serve unsullied its ancient reputation, keep sacred the memory of the fathers, and be always ready to welcome its wandering children to the old domain.' John B. Garland, Esq., of Barnstead, was invited to respond to this sentiment, but on account of ill-health and the infirmities of age was obliged to forego that pleasure, but answered by letter." BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. HON. JOHN «. SI.VCI.AIK. Perhaijs the grandest feature of American ciWliza- tion and the highest tribute to American institutions, is the opportunity and facility offered her sons to rise from the lowest to the highest rank, whether wealth, power, fame, or all these united, be the ambition of the aspirant. There is probably no country on the globe where the results are so entirely in the hands of the individual, and so wholly commensurate with the ability, energy and merit displayed in the prose- cution of the end desired. And it is to-day America's proudest boa.st that her sons have proved worthy the unusual advantages offered them. Of the various sections of our land, New England has, perhaps, been most prolific in the production of what are popularly known as " self-made men ; " men whose childhood and youth were passed amid scenes of privation and poverty, and who, without the advantages that wealth alone can secure, have risen by dint of their own industry and ability, and the innate heroism of their natures, to the highest posi- tions of honor, power and achievement. Hon. .John G. Sinclair is a fair representative of that type of New Englander who, throughout the length and breadth of our land, may be found ever in the vanguard of progress — leaders in the struggle for success in whatever special field they may have chosen. Starting in life under more than usual dis- advantages and discouragements, he has achieved an honorable success, of which he and his posterity may be justly proud. He was born at Barnstead Parade, in the town of Barnstead, N. H., March 25, 1826. He is the only child of Charles G. and Martha G. (Norris) Sinclair of that town. His ancestors were of a martial spirit, and for three generations did military duty in their country's serv- ice. One of the pioneers of the town of Gilmanton, N. H., was Richard Sinclair, and it is claimed that he erected the first frame house in the town. He was a soldier in the French and Indian wars, and also in the War of the Revolution. In the latter war, he attained the rank of captain, though in the locality where he lived he was generally known as Colonel Sinclair. He married Polly Cilley, a sister of Colonel Joseph Cilley, and a descendant of one of the oldest and proudest families of New Hampshire. Their eldest son, Richard Sinclair, Jr., was one of the ear- liest settlers of the town of Barnstead. Like his father, he was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, and was an ensign in his father's company. His wife was Betsey Hodgdon, and Charles G. Sinclair (father of Hon. John G.) was their only son, who, at the age of seventeen, enlisted as a soldier in the war of 1812, and for a time was clerk for General Ripley. At the sortie on Fort Erie he received a gunshot wound near the right lung, which disabled him for life. He died July, 1834, leaving his wife and only child (then a lad but eight years of age,) in destitute circumstances. Mrs. Sinclair was a woman of true Spartan heroism and courage. She set bravely to work with her nee- dle to support herself and son. With true motherly pride and a confidence in her boy's ability, which has since been eminently justified, she determined to do all in her power to give him an education, and so kept him at school at Pittsfield Academy till he was thir- teen years of age. He then entered the employ of Webster & Peavey, merchants at Landaff, N. H. The firm consisted of Hon. Samuel Webster of North Barnstead, and Samuel P. Peavey, a former resident of Barnstead, who had married a sister of Mrs. Sin- clair. He remained at Landaff" six years, and during the time attended five terms at Newbury Seminary in Vermont, where he fitted for college under the tui- tion of Bishop Baker and Rev. Clark T. Hiumaii. Ambitious as he was to enter college and acquire a liberal education, yet a fear le.st he might die and his mother be left destitute induced him to forego his desires in that regard and bend his energies to busi- ness pursuits. His first venture was a restaurant at the corner of Hanover and Elm Streets, Manchester, N. H. This not proving consonant with his tastes was soon abandoned, and he established an auction l,c^ ^J. tA^i^i Cl^-'i^ 15AKNSTEAD. 715 juid commission business at Lawrence, Mass. He was fairly successful in this, and having acquired limited means, he returned to his native State and established a country store, and also engaged in the manufacture of starch in Bethlehem, N. H. Here he soon won the esteem and confidence of the com- munity, as was evidenced by the fact that in 1852, 'o'.i. '54, '55, and in 1862, and '63, and again in 1876, '77 and '78 he rejn-esented Bethlehem in the State legislature, and served as its member in the last Con- stitutional Convention. In 1873, he represented Lit- tleton in the legislature, being then a resident of that town. He was appointed Bank Commissioner by Governor Baker, and served until the American party came into jwwer. In 1858 and '59 he was elected Senator from the Twelfth Senatorial district, composed of Grafton and Coos Counties. He was the demo- cratic candidate for Speaker of the House, and demo- cratic candidate for Governor in 1866, '67 and '68. In 1868, he was chairman of the New Hampshire dele- gation to the National Convention, and in 1876 was democratic candidate for United States Senator, against Edward H. Rollins, republican. During all of his connection with the political afiairs of New Hampshire he was considered one of the safe.st, shrewdest and most efficient party leaders. The estimation in which he was held as a public speaker and debater, finds illustration in the fact that the convention which nominated him for Governor in 1867, instructed him to invite General Walter Harriman, the republican candidate (New Hamp- shire's most eloquent champion of the republican party), to a public discussion of the issues involved in the campaign, the result of which was thirteen joint discussions at principal points in the State, (the first of the kind ever held in New England, though quite common West and South, for many years). Although so frequently elected to offices of trust and responsibility, Mr. Sinclair has never been an office- seeker, and w^hen he left his native State in 1879, he made a public avowal that he would never again be a candidate for a political office, a resolution to which he has rigidly adhered. In 1879, Mr. Sinclair removed to Orlando, Orange County, Florida, where he has established a large and lucrative real estate business, and is also engaged in the cultivation of oranges and other semi-tropical fruits. Though he has chosen his abode in the land of flowers, yet he cherishes an abiding love for the snow- clad, rock-ribbed hills of the land of his birth, and is keenly alive to all that affects her prosperity, perpe- tuity or interests. His recent speech before the New Hampshire Club in Boston fully sustains his reputa- tion as a most gifted jwst-prandial orator. He is vig- orous in mind and body, giving promise of many future years of usefulness. Mr. Sinclair has been twice married ; first in 1847, to Tamar M., daughter of Colonel Daniel Clark of Landaft". By this marriage, there were three chil- dren — Charles A., EmmaS. and Martha A. His first wife dying, he married in 1872, Mary E. Blandiu, daughter of John Pierce, Esq., of Littleton, N. H. THOMA.S L. HOITT. Graceful versatility is generally a marked trait in the character of the New England man. When promising prospects invite he will promptly change his home and business for another location and un- tried occupation. While he readily conforms and adapts himself to changed circumstances and customs in a new situation, he still holds in sweet remem- brance the home and scenes of his youth, for no land affords homes with dearer childhood associations than New England. Thomas Lewis Hoitt was born in Barnstead, near the Parade-Ground, April 1, 1827, being the seventh in a family of five sons and seven daughters, children of Benjamin Hoitt, a respectable farmer, who was born in Hampstead, N. H., in 1790. His grand- father, Thomas Hoitt, born in Chester about 1750, was a gentleman of fine education for his time, espe- cially in mathematics, and in his younger days was engaged in teaching and land-surveying. The late Rev. En OS George, of Barnstead, was one of his pupils. His name appears on the roll as ensign in the com- pany of Captain Samuel McConnel at the battle of Bennington. He subsequently joined the United States navy, and rose to the rank of lieutenant, and was serving in that capacity on a vessel of war at the time of his death, of yellow-fever, in Surinam, in 1796. He was honored by burial in the garden of the Governor of that colony. Mr. Hoitt traces the lineage of his family to John Hoyt, who came from England and was living in 1639 at Salisbury, Mass., of which town he was one of the original settlers. His name appears on all the earlier records of the town, and he is almost the only indi- vidual who received all his earlier grants of land at the first division. With thirty other families, he moved west of Powow River in 1645, and formed the West Parish, which, in 1668, became Araesbury. Frequent mention is made of him on records of that town as selectman, constable, juryman, moderator and committee to settle a minister. The mother of Mr. Hoitt was Mehitable (Babson) Hoitt, daughter of Isaac Babson, of Dunbarton, a graduate of Harvard College, in the class of 1779, and Nelly (Stark) Babson, daughter of Major-General John Stark, of the Continental army, and of illustri- ous memory. This family of Babsons de.scended from James Babson, who, with his mother, Isabel, a widow, came from England to Salem, Mass., where they were resid- ing in 1644. Isabel moved to Gloucester and died in 1661, aged eighty-four. James settled at Little Good Harbor and died December 21, 1683. 716 HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Mr. Hoitt remained at home attending tlie public and select schools and assisting in fiirm-work till 1842, when, at fifteen years of age, he entered the employ of Mr. Baily Parker, a careful and successful merchant of Pembroke, N. H., and for several years received the advantages of that excellent preparatory school for business-life, — the training of clerk in a country store. After leaving the service of Mr. Parker he was employed in a woolen-factory by the husband of his eldest sister, J. B. Merrill, Esq., and also became associated with him in the ownership of a general store in his native place. In 1855 he located at Salmon Falls, where for several years he did a brisk and large business in the dry -goods trade, from which ill health compelled him to retire. At the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, in 1861, moved by the patriotic, martial and heroic example of his an- cestors, he promptly supported the war measures of President Lincoln, and by voice and example en- couraged enlistments for the Union army, although he was not in sympathy with the new administration, having been a decided and active Democrat. He joined the " Fighting Fifth " Regiment New Hamp- shire Volunteers, and followed its fortunes till the close of McClellan's Peninsula campaign, when he was discharged. He is pensioned for injury received during the famous retreat. After leaving the army he engaged in trade for a while at North Berwick, Me. He next took charge of business, which required him to travel much of the time, and traversed a large part of the United States, taking ample time and pains to examine and inform himself as to objects and places of interest. It has been the fortune of Mr. Hoitt to happen to be present on many remarkable occasions, and to witness many striking and peculiar transactions. For instance, while traveling between Washington and the army on business, he arrived at the scene just in time to be a witness of the destruc- tion of the frigates, "Cumberland" and "Congress," by the rebel iron-clad " Merrimac," and the terrible con- test of the latter vessel with the " Monitor." Mr. Hoitt was the first postal agent between Boston and Portland,. Me., and when others were appointed he was made chief. For several years he owned and managed a shoe manufactory in Lynn, Mass. After passings through many changes, reverses and successes, in 1880 he did, what he had long desired to do, returned to his native town, and, with two widowed sisters, established a pleasant home at the Parade, on the bank of the Suncook River, where he enjoys the- scenes and associations of his boyhood and the so- ciety of his neighbors. The old Congregational Church, near his home, the place of his early reli- gious teachings, and where he now is a constant attendant on public worship, has been an object of peculiar regard with him. Once it was saved from destruction by his efforts. Extensive improvements, of it have been mo.stly paid for by himself and sisters. His wife was Miss Martha Seavey, of Saco, Me. They have a daughter, Henrietta Babson Hoitt, born No- vember 26, 1876, and lead a very pleasant domestic life. Imitating the example of his uncle. Colonel James S. Hoitt, of Laconia, soon after attaining his majority, Mr. Hoitt became an enthusiastic member of the Masonic fraternity, and rose rapidly to the degree of Knight Templar. He is a skillful vocal and instrumental musician, and has freely used his talent for the entertainment of his friends and for the pro- motion of benevolent objects. He may frequently be seen enjoying a part with Barnstead Brass Band, which is almost fifty years old, and of which he be- came a member nearly forty years ago. Mr. Hoitt has seen much of the world, mingled with all classes of society and remains a kind-hearted, generous and friendly man. HISTORY OF BELMONT. BY ALLAN J. HACKETT. CHAPTER I. Previous to 1859 the section comprisiug the pres- ent town of Belmont was a part of Gilmanton. In 1761 the proprietors of Gilmanton laid oiT a tract, six miles square, on the Barnstead line. This sec- tion was thereafter known as the Lower Parish. The rest of the town was divided into two parts, — Gunstock Parish on the northeast, and Upper Gilmanton, or, as it was called later, the Upper Parish, on the southwest. In June, 1812, Gunstock Parish was severed from Gil- manton and incorporated as a town under the name of Gilford. Previous to this time the term Upper Parish appears to have been applied to the whole section of the town lying north of the Lower Parish ; subse- quently, it was employed to describe what is now the town of Belmont. It will be so used in this article. Previous to the division, in 1859, the political and general history of the section comprising the present town of Belmont was so closely identified with that of the rest of the town of Gilmanton that it is ob- \iously impossible, at this late day, to separate the one from the other. The Upper Parish does not ap- pear to have been a very important part of the town. The Lower Parish (now Gilmanton) was settled at an earlier date, and, in addition to this advantage, the founding of the academy, in 1794, formed a nucleus around which, or, at least, in whose near vicinage, was gathered by far the greater proportion of the wealth, culture, enterprise and social distinction of the town. In those old days, before the advent of the manufacturing genius induced settlement on the banks of the streams, the pioneers of civilization courted the hill-tops and piously shunned the valleys. As Mr, Howells' Lady of the Aroostook " wanted to know," so, evidently, these early settlers " wanted to see," They made their homes, for the most part, on the high, sightly ridges, and this habit doubtless ex- plains the otherwise inexplicable fact that nearly all the old highways of the town fully merit the name, being constructed over the loftiest hills, in utter dis- regard of all questions of economy, with sublime con- tempt for the consideration of mere distance, and to the annoyance and serious detriment of modern travel. The settlement of the Upper Parish progressed but slowly. The site of the present village of Belmont remained an unbroken forest for many years after the " Corner," as theAcademy village is still called, had become a thriving and somewhat noted settlement. The first store was opened in 1820, In 1834 an association of public-spirited citizens, foremost among whom was Governor Badger, built a brick factory for the manufacture of cotton cloth. This building is still standing, and is used by the Gilmanton Mills Company, to which reference will be made further on. Previous to the building of the factory, the villiige, if it may be dignified by that name, had been known as "Fellows' Mills,"— the ambitious plural being pos- sibly justified by the fact that the one building was used both as a grist-mill and as a saw-mill. This building, long ago destroyed, is said to have been located on the right bank of the river, below the bridge, and not far from the dam of the present Gil- manton Mills, After the building of the Badger fac- tory, the village grew quite rapidly, and was called " Factory Village," as a compliment to the new industry. This name is still frequently heard. About the time that the factory was built. Governor Badger also built a saw-mill and a grist-mill, at the upper dam, a few rods above the bridge. The saw-mill was situated on the right bank of the stream ; the grist- mill on the left bank, and nearly opposite. In the spring of 1852 there was a great freshet. The dam at the reservoir, five miles up the stream, was broken through, and the flood wrought sad havoc in the little village. Several buildings were swept away, and among them the grist-mill. The other mill escaped. In 1876, it was purchased by the Gilmanton Mills Company, enlarged and altered, and used in the manufiicture of cases. It was burned in May, 1885. The freshet entailed a severe pecuniary loss upon Governor Badger, and that gentleman dying a few months later, the village experienced no considerable growth, either in size or in general prosperity, for several years. But the devout settlers did not await the slow development of worldly prosperity before erecting houses of worship. Perhaps, no other feature of the earlv historv of New England is so striking 717 718 HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUxNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. and impressive as the religious zeal of its people. Notwithstanding the bigotrj-, fanaticism and harsh- ness which so largely characterized the religion of the Puritans, one cannot but admire their devotion, — a devotion so intense, so imperious and so despotic, even, that it subordinated to itself all other emotions and passions, and not only became the controlling influence in their own lives, but was also transmitted, almost as a part of their being, to their descendants. In this respect, the history of one is the history of all, the history of each community, the history of every other community. Worship was as truly a necessity as food or raiment. In none was the religious spirit stronger than among the settlers of the old township of Gilmanton, whose grant was signed by the hand of a Wentworth. They brought, unimpaired, to the wilds of this frontier town that same brave and per- fect faith which, a century before, had guided the Pilgrim fathers to the frozen fastnesses of the Massa- chusetts coast. In the charter of the town, grants of land were reserved for a parsonage and for " the first settled minister." For several years there was no meeting-house, the religious services being held in private houses and in barns. The first church in the Upper Parish was erected at the Province road (so called) in 1792. The members of this church adopted the tenets of the Free- Will Baptist denomination in 1816. In 1835, it was incorporated by the name of the " Third Free-Will Baptist Meeting-House Society in Upper Gilmanton." Soon after, the society low- ered its meeting-house to one story, removed the gal- lery-pews, and made other alterations. So far as the writer can learn, this Ijuilding, still in use and in a good state of preservation, is the one that was erected in 1792. If so, it is the second oldest building of the kind in this section of the State. There are no church records to be found previous to 18.35; but it would appear, from Lancaster's " History of Gilman- ton" (1845), that "Elder John Knowles," one of the founders of the church, was its pastor from 1816 until his death, in 1837. At this time the church was re- organized. Following is the list of pastors from 1837 .to the present time: Samuel P. Fernald, 1837-38; John G. Tuttle, 1838; Hugh Beede, 184.5-18; Lem- uel Mason, 1848-50; E. G. Knowles, 1850-52; H. F. Dickey, 1852-55; AV. A. Sargent, 1855-57; Uriah Chase, 1857-61; H. F. Dickey, 1861-65; J. B. Leigh- ton, 1865-68; O. F. Russell, 1869-70; John Davis, 1871; G. B. Blaisdell, 1872-75; C. M. Emery, 1876- 79; S. J. Gould, 1880-83, and J. C. Waldron, the present pastor, who came to the church in April, 1883. The present membership is forty-four. In 1810, a church, composed of persons who had previously constituted the " Third Monthly Meet- ing," was established at what is now Belmont village. Lancaster's " History of Gilmanton " states that the meeting-house was built in 1811, but private informa- tion puts the date of its erection at 1815. In 1835 the society was incorporated by the name of the First Free Baptist Society in Gilmanton L'pper Parish. Rev. Peter Clark was the first pastor, and officiated for more than thirty years. He was a man of very considerable ability, intense convictions and com- manding personal appearance. He was one of the most widely-known clergymen in this part of the State, and probably performed more marriage cere- monies than any other man in the history of the town. He was succeeded by Rev. David Moody, about 1841, but continued to preach occasionally af- ter that time. Mr. Moody, who is still living at an advanced age in Sutton, N. H., finally severed his connection with the church in 1851. Oth«fr pastors have been, L. S. Wells, J. M. Bedell, 1854-55 ; H. S. Sleeper, 1856-61 ; W. H. Yeoman, 1861-64 ; Almon Shepard, 1864^65 ; M. Cole, 1865-68; HoseaQuinby, 1869 ; A. K. Moulton, W. G. Willis and J. Walker, 1870; M. Henderson, 1871; J. L. Sinclair, 1872-76; M. A. Quimby, 1876-81 ; and T. G. Wilder, the pres- ent pastor, whose connection with the church began in 1881. The present edifice was built in 1852. The membership in 1884 was one hundred and six. A Christian Baptist Church was established at the village in 1839. It was incorporated in 1841. A meeting-house was built in 1840, and was burned in 1867. The present building was erected in 1868. The following have been the pastors : Richard Davis^ 1839-42; Josiah Knight, 1842-43; John Burden, 1843 ; John Gillingham, 1844-47; Samuel Xutt, 1851;. Moses Policy, 1852-56 ; George Osborn, 1858 ; Abiah Kidder, 1860-72 ; E. S. Moulton, 1879-81. There is at present no pastor, and the membership is small. These three are the only churches that have ever been organized in the town. The most distinguished citizen in the history of the town was Hon. William Badger,- who was born in 1779. He was the son of Hon. Joseph Badger and the grandson of General Joseph Badger. Both these gentlemen were distinguished soldiers in the Revolu- tion. Joseph Badger (2d) removed from the Lower ta the Upper Parish in 1784 and settled upon the farm which has ever since been owned by the Badger family. His son, William Badger, received his education ia the common schools and at Gilmanton Academy. He was an active Democrat, and early became prominent in political life. He was representative in 1810, '11, '12; State Senator in 1814, '15, '16, and president of the Senate in the year last-named ; justice of the Court of Common Pleas from 1816 to 1820; sheriff of Straf- ford County from 1820 to 1830; Governor of the State in 1834-35; and Presidential elector in 1836 and 1844. He was also for a long time president of the board of trustees of Gilmanton Academy, and filled other places of trust. As has already been stated, he was^ chiefly instrumental in building the cotton-factory and other mills at the village, and he may be said to have been the founder of the manufacturing industry in Belmont. He was a gentleman of great business BELMONT. 719 sagacity and enterprise, an honest man and a public- spirited citizen. He died in September, 1852. Governor Badger's first wife was tlie daughter of Rev. Isaac Smitli, the first settled pa.stor of Gilman- ton. She died in 1810, leaving a son and a daughter, both of whom died a few years later. In 1814, Mr. Badger married Hannah Pearson Cogswell, daughter of Dr. William Cogswell, of At- kinson. She was a woman of great ability, highly accomplished, and distinguished for her benevo- lence and public spirit. She came of a family that is very prominent in the history of New England. Among her numerous relatives now living and eminent in political circles, may be mentioned her nephews, John B. Clarke, of the Manchester Mirror, Colonel Thomas Cogswell, of Gilmanton, and General J. B. D. Cogswell, of Massachusetts, and her cousin, " Long John " Wentworth, of Illinois. She died in February, 1869. Her two sons are living, — Colonel Joseph Badger, who lives at the old homestead, and Captain William Badger, U. S. A., at present stationed at Salt Lake City. Houses, like faces, are either passed heedlessly by, or impress upon the mind a sense of their indivi- duality. Of the latter kind is the old Badger man- sion. It needs but a glance at its generous propor- tions, its wide grounds, its grand old shade-trees to enable one to realize that it has a history. It is situated on a high hill, at a right angle in the road from Belmont to Gilmanton, midway between the two villages. The present building is a large two- story wooden house, fronting the southwest, and was erected by Governor Badger, in 1825. The Badgers have lived on this farm for more than a hundred years. In Governor Badger's time it wa-s the most noted and valuable country-estate in this part of Xew Hampshire ; but the farm has since been somewhat reduced in size. The house contains many objects of historic inter- est, but the limits of this article admit only of the briefest reference to a few of them. In the west parlor are the oil portraits of Governor and Mrs. Badger, painted in the early days of their married life. It would be difficult to find a more comely pair. The portrait of the Governor represents a handsome gentleman, with a large, florid, open face, and a sug- gestion of portliness that gives promise of the three hundred pounds to which he attained later in life. That of Mrs. Badger is one of unusual beauty, and is said, by those who remember her in her youth, to be a faithful likeness. On a table near by, lies the sam- pler which her young hands wrought eighty-five years ago. Across the wide hall is the family sitting-room. The walls are hung with paper in rich brown and wood tints, representing a variety of Eastern pic- tures, comprising street scenes, landscapes and sea- views. This paper cost one hundred dollars in Portsmouth sixtv vears ago. It is in an excellent state of preservation, and its like is j)rol)ably not to be found anywhere in the country. Suspended from the wall are the Governor's sword and horse-pistols. The sword was taken from a British soldier near Crown Point, in 1777, by General Joseph Badger, the Governor's father. It has an ornamental silver hilt, and its faded scabbard attests its age. Adjoining this room is the china closet, in which are to be seen the old family china, that was brought from Portsmouth in saddle-bags, and which is e-xcelleutly well pre- served, and the silver tea-service. The latter is mas- sive, and of a beautiful unique pattern. It would tempt the collector of antiques to break one of the commandments, and it is by no means certain that the sin would not be forgiven him. Ascending to the chambers, the visitor finds in one of them the canopy bedstead and (luaint, high-backed chairs, which Mrs. Badger brought from her girlhood's home in Atkinson three-quarters of a century ago. The view from these upper windows is wide and beautiful, ending, as do all westerly views in this part of the town, in the majestic outlines of " lone Kearsarge." Among tlie objects of interest in the great roomy attic, may be mentioned several tall, stiff military caps, relics of the old "training" days, and a venerable poke-bonnet, that is a prodigy of size and a marvel of ugliness. It is at least two feet deep. The carping critic, who is wont to declaim against the foibles of the feminine mind of to-day, should peer into the unfathomable depths of this ancient monstrosity, and "ever after hold his peace." Descending by another stairway, the visitor enters the dining-room. The dining-hall of an old mansion is frequently the room richest in historic associations. Here, in this room, the largest in the house, have been entertained a President, a member of the Cabi- net, Senators, members of Congress, Governors and State functionaries almost without number. Such a royal banquet-hall would be incomplete without its great clock, and there it stands, a grand old time- piece, aged but not defaced by the more than a hun- dred years, whose flight it has faithfully recorded, the while its solemn moon-face looked down upon the revelers, and its deep voice, like that of the now silent poet's never silent horologe, kept on repeat- A few rods south of the Badger mansion, is the early home of the late Hon. W. H. Y. Hackett, a distinguished lawyer, banker and legislator of Ports- mouth. Mr. Hackett w^as born at the Academy vil- lage, September 24, 1800, but his parents removed to this part of the town nine years later. He received his early education in the common schools, and at the academy, walking daily to and from the latter institution. He began the study of law in the office of Matthew Perkins, Esq., of Sanbornton, and re- mained there a year and a half. In 1822 he went to HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Portsmouth and continued his studies in the office of Hon. Ichabod Bartlett. He wa.s admitted to the bar in 1826, and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession in Portsmouth. In the same year he married Olive, daughter of Joseph W. Pickering of that city. Mr. Hackett was assistant clerk of the Senate in 1824-25; clerk of the Senate in 1828; representative in 1850, '51, '52, '57, '60, '67, '68, '69; Senator in 1861-62, and president of the Senate the latter year; Presidential elector in 1864; member of the Consti- tutional Convention in 1876. He was jjresident of tlie First National Bank of Portsmouth (which was the first national bank organized in the country) ; president of the Piscataqua Savings- Bank, and trustee of the Portsmouth Savings-Bank. He also held many other positions of honor and trust in the city which was his home for more than fifty years. Originally a Whig, he naturally joined the Repub- lican party, and for years he was one of its acknowl- edged leaders. He ranked among the ablest lawyers and most successfiil financiers of the State, and was a man of strict integrity. He always retained an active and aflfectionate in- terest in his native town. Indeed, so warmly was he attached to "old Gilmanton," that when the bill to change the name of Upper Gilmanton to Belmont was introduced in the Legislature, in 1869, he voted against it. Mr. Hackett died August 9, 1878, and was buried in the South Cemetery, at Portsmouth. His brother, Charles A. Hackett, occupies the old homestead. A short distance to the east of the house, is the high- est hill in this section of the town. The view is beautiful and extensive, and, a few years ago, a signal was placed here for use in the triangulation of the State. Belmont owes its existence as a separate town to a combination of political convenience and partisan advantage. The political convenience subserved by the separation of the town from Gilmanton, is ex- plained by the fact that the elections were held at the Academy village, and the voters in the upper part of the town were forced to travel a tediously long dis- tance, amounting, in many cases, to eight or nine miles. How serious an affliction this really was, needs not to be explained to the country voter, who has had a personal experience of the difficulties of going to the " March meeting," over roads either blocked by snow-drifts or, rendered equally impassable by the spring " thaw." The partisan advantage secured by the division of the town, consisted in the gain of two Republican representatives in the Legislature. Under the old apportionment, Gilmanton was entitled to three repre- sentatives. For a long time political honors were about equally divided. Victory perched with ap- proximate impartiality upon the banner of either party. But about the time of the formation of the Republican party, the Democrats had gained a per- manent control of town affairs. They were in an overwhelming majority in the northern section of the town, while the Republicans outnumbered them in the southern part. A careful analysis of the vote showed that a division of the town on the old parish line, would give the lower section two representatives and the upper section one. The subject was con- sidered for some time, and, in 1859, it took the definite form of a petition to the Legislature for a division on this basis. The bill was introduced into the House by A. H. Cragin, of Lebanon, afterwards United States Senator from New Hampshire. The representatives from Gilmanton were Abraham S. Gale, Joshua B. Pulcifer and Enoch Brown, all of them Democrats, and all opposed to the division. The bill was warmly contested, almost wholly on partisan grounds. It was put upon its passage June 24th. The minority filibustered persistently. Motions to post- pone, to adjourn and to lay on the table, were suc- cessively made, the roll-call being demanded upon each motion. But the bill passed by a vote of one hundred and seventy-four to one hundred. An equally vigorous, but equally futile opposition was met in the Senate, and the bill was approved June 28th. Following is the first section of the act, de- fining the limits of the town : "All that part of the town of Gilmanton contained within the follow- ing described limits, to wit; Beginning at the northeasterly corner of said town, where its easterly line is met and intersected by the south- erly lino of the town of Gilford ; thence running in a northwesterly di- rection, following the division line between said towns of Gilford and Gilmanton, until said division line is met by the parish line, so called, as the same is laid out and described upon the original plan of lots in said town of Gilmanton ; thence running southwesterly, following said parish line, until said pai-ish line meets and intersects the westerly line of said town of Gilmanton, as the same now is ; thence southerly on said westerly boundary line of said town of Gilmanton to its southwesterly coi-ner; thence easterly on the southerly line of said town of Gihiiautoii to its southeasterly corner ; thence northerly on the easterly line of sjud Gilmanton, us said line now runs, until it arrives at the point begun iit, be and the same hereby is severed from said town of Gilmanton, and made a new body politic and corporate under the name of Gilmanton ; and that all the territory remaining, which, together with the part severed, constituted the town of Gilmanton, as the same was before the parage of this act, shall be called by the name of Upper Gilmanton." The act further provided that all demands, dues and funds should be divided between the two towns in the proportion of $6.50 to Gilmanton and $3.50 to Upper Gilmanton. It is suggestive of the change in the relative wealth of the towns, that in the apportion- ment of public taxes in 1883, Gilmanton was assess- ed only one cent per thousand dollars more than Belmont. The first meeting for the choice of town officers in Upper Gilmanton, was called by John E. Page and Isaiah Piper, August 6, 1859. In the following October the line between the two towns was drawn. But there was soon developed a considerable dis- satisfaction with the name of the town. Its length was found to be quite formidable by those who had to write it often, and as there were three post-offices in the town of (Tilmanton, there was much confusion in the delivery of the mails. Therefore, iu 1809, ten years from the division, the citizens of Upper Gil- manton petitioned the Legislature to liave the name of the town changed to Belmont. There was no con- siderable opposition to the proposed change, the bill passed, and the rechristening of the town was cele- brated by a picnic held in Sawyer's Grove, July 5th, the day when the act went into effect. An amusing incident in connection with this change of name, is to be found in the town records. It appears that a meeting was called on the second Tuesday of November, 1869, "to see if the town would vote to notify Hon. August Bel- mont, of New York, that the town had been named Belmont, as a marli: of honor to him, and invite him to make a donation to the town as a token that he appreciates this action of the town." It further appears from the records that " the prayer of the petitioners was granted." But this language applies only to the action of the meeting. The prayer for a donation has never been granted. Tlie great banker has shown himself surprisingly indifferent to the high honor thus conferred upon him, not having acknowledged the compliment even by the inexpensive formality of a courteous letter. Perhaps he did not fully realize how great the distinction really was. Perhaps it occurred to him that the name, not having begun with him, was not likely to die with him. Possibly he suspected that the idea that the town was named for him, was only an afterthought of the tax-payers. Possibly, he had received similar letters before. But whatever the reason, the hard fact remains that he has never sent his expectant namesake so much as a godfather's blessing, but continues to enjoy and profit by the honor so trustingly conferred upon him, without ren- dering therefor any equivalent whatsoever ! It should be added, for the good name of the town, that only fifty-eight voters were present at the meet- ing in question, to share the responsibility for this mendicants' appeal. The Belmont of to-day is a thriving farming and manufacturing town. By " Fogg's Statistical Gazet- teer " (1874), it ranks twenty-first among the towns of the State in the value of its agricultural products. The assessors' valuation for 1884 was as follows: Polls, $31,100; real-estate, $324,874; stock in banks and other corporations, $21,060 ; stock in public funds, $1,000; money on hand, at interest, or on deposit, $16,452; stock in trade, $8,042 ; mills, factories and machinery, $21,600 ; carriages, S918 ; live-stock, $39,- 463 ; total, $464,509. The population in 1880 was 122(> ; it has probably increased somewhat since that date. Belmont is bounded on the north by Laconia and Gilford ; east, by Gilford and Gilmanton ; south, by Gilmanton and Canterbury ; west, by Northfield and by the Winnipesaukee River and its line of lakes, which separate the town from Tilton and San- bornton. The surface of the town is broken, hills abounding evt-rynlierc c.\ctpl in the siuilhwestern part, where the land is low and level. The scenery of Belmont is exceptional, even in a section so justly celebrated for its beautiful views. Only the unfortunate lack of railroad facilities can explain the fact that the town is so little frequented by tourists. The western and northern parts of the town do not suffer from this lack, and so boast of sev- eral houses for the accommodation of summer guests, the largest and best-known being the " Bay View," near the Laconia line. The views from "Ladd Hill," "Gale Hill" and "Prescott Hill," all within two miles of Laconia, cannot easily be surpassed. No element of a perfect landscape is wanting. In the fore- ground lies the embryo city of Laconia and Lake Village, flanked on the one hand by the fair lesser lakes of the Winnipesaukee, and on the other by a rugged hill country that finds its fitting climax in the bold outlines of the Belknap Mountains; while to the northward, a beautiful diversity of hill, field and forest, stretches away to meet the great blue mountains, the advance guard of the White Hills, whose higher peaks can be faintly discerned in the far distance. Other exceptionally fine prospects are gained from the summit of "Bean Hill," two miles from Belmont village, and from the hill in "James- town," near the village of East Tilton. There are many pleasant drives, the most attractive being the "Province road," the road from Belmont village to Laconia, that to Gilmanton Academy, and the shadowy, leafy " Hollow Route," — always pronounced "holler out" in the local vernacular. Indeed, beau- tiful views abound on every hand, and it is the judg- ment of experienced tourists that the scenery of Bel- mont is surpassed by that of few towns in the State. The air is dry and bracing. In point of healthfiil- ness, the town will compare favorably with any in the State. Instances of great longevity are common. Mrs. Eunice Swain Sweatt, who died in 1881, at tlie age of one hundred and five, was, just prior to her death, the oldest person in the State. The most notable natural curiosity in town, is " Por- cupine Ledge," one and one-half miles southeast of the village. The name carries its own explanation. Porcupines are seldom seen at this time, butquillsare frequently found. The " Ledge " is really a remark- able place, and well repays the slight trouble which a visit to it involves. Situated in the mountain or lake region, or in any other place largely frequented by tourists, it would longagohave become fixmous. Itcon- sists of a mass of great rocks, roughly tumbled upon each other, and is about one hundred and fifty feet in height. Either the ascent or descent is considerably laborious, but entirely devoid of danger. The summit of the cliff is formed by the great, overhanging " Table Rock," which is not unlike in appearance to its Niag- ara namesake, and whose shape suggests the probabil- ity that the other rocks were torn from its side by some natural convulsion. Directly below is "Pulpit 722 HISTOKY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Kock," the largest of the number. It is about seven- ty-five feet high on its lower side, and almost per- fectly perpendicular. The main rock is surmounted by a smaller one, whose fancied resemblance to a pul- pit doubtless explains the name. Other points of interest are the " Kitchen," the "Arch," " Devil's Den" and the " Bottomless Pit," — the last two having no known diabolical associations that would seem to justify their unfortunate names. Local tradition has it that many years ago a gang of counterfeiters here made their rendezvous. The place has long been a favorite resort for those who have known of its charms. It enjoys high favor among the students of Gilmanton Academy, who come hither en tnagse at least once each year. Indeed, the " Ledge " appears always to have had a subtle but strong attraction for all love-sick youths and maidens, whether fresh from academic halls, or escaping for an hour from the din of factory life. The well-worn path down its steep side is a veritable " Lovers' Lane." The great rocks, could they speak, might repeat many an amorous tale whispered within their inviting shade. For a hundred years Cupid has shared with tlie fretful por- cupine the possession of the miniature caverns, and worked far sadder havoc with his rankling arrows than his bristling cohabitant with his more visible darts. The scarred trunks of the old trees bear the illegible outlines of many a pair of initials carved in close and suggestive propinquity. Let us trust that the early love, thus rudely expressed, has more succes- I'ully withstood the ravages of time. The (inly village in Belmont, the " Factory Village" of a half-century ago, aud the " Fellows' Mills " of a still more remote period, is situated five and one-half miles east of Tilton, six miles south of Laconia and eighteen miles north of Concord, and occupies both banks of the Belmont River, or Great Brook, as it was formerly called. The village has a population of be- tween five hundred and six hundred, or nearly one- half the entire population of the town. Most of the houses are new and freshly-painted, and the general appearance of the village is singularly thrifty and at- tractive. The principal business block is the building erected by Geo. W. Riley in 1874, and now owned by Haven Grant. This building is forty by sixty feet; the lower part is used for the post office, a store and tenements, the second story for tenements, and in the third is the principal hall of the town. The First Free-Will Baptist and Christian Churches, referred to elsewhere, are handsome buildings. In connection with the former is a beautiful cemetery, the largest in town. Among the more attractive res- idences may be mentioned those of M. Sargent, Jr., J. P. Cilley and T. E. Clough. The business directory is as follows: Postmaster, C. 0. Judkins; groceries and dry goods, D. S. Hoyt & Co. and Bean & Smith ; watches and jewelry, F. K. Johnson ; meats and pro- visions, A. T. Bean ; papers and periodicals, G. W. Hunt; millinery, Mrs. R. G. Hoyt; confectionery and cigars, C. O. Judkins ; drugs, E. C. Bean ; hotels. Brown's Hotel (A. W. Brown), Belmont House (Ira Mooney); Gilmanton Mills, hosiery, M. Sargent, Jr., agent, D. W. Gale, clerk ; lawyer, E. P. Thompson ; physician, S. A. Merrill ; justices, W. C. Wells, C. A. Hackett, A. P. B. Currier, I. Piper, J. W. Wells, E. P. Thompson, D. W. Judkins, I. Mooney, A. J. Hac- kett, E. C. Bean, C. E. Moody, J. B. Matthews, M. H. Philbrick, F. K. Johnson ; livery stable, C. H. .-Vikens ; lumber, J. L. Allen, J. M. Folsom, N. D. Garmon; blacksmiths, Abbott & West; builders, Cyrus Xorris, Edgar Willard, Andrew Phillips, Dayton Hunkius; barbers, G. Woodward, H. J. Fuller. Belmont has no railroad, but excellent mail and passenger facilities are afforded by the Tilton and Gilmanton line of stages, Davis & Son, proprietors. The first stage leaves the post-office at 8 a. m., aud connects at Tilton with the 9.30 train for Boston over the White Mountains Division of the Boston and Low- ell Railroad ; returning, leaves Tilton on the arrival of the noon train from Boston, and reaches Belmont at 1.30 P.M. The second stage leaves Belmont at 1 P.M., connects with the 2.30 train for Boston, leaves upon the arrival of the up train, about 4 and arrives at Belmont at 5.30. A charter for a railroad between Tilton and Bel- mont was granted by the Legislature of 1883, but work upon it has not yet been begun. A branch line of the Winnipesaukee Bell Tele- phone Company runs through the town to Gilman- ton Corner and Gilmanton Iron-Works, the central office in Belmont being at the post-office. It will doubtless surprise not a few of the readers of this article to learn that here, in this little inland village, far removed from any railroad, and but little known to the general public, is located the largest manufactory of hosiery in New Hampshire. Such^ nevertheless, is the case. The Gilmanton Mills, of Belmont, turn out a larger annual product than any other hosiery-mill in the State. These mills are situ- ated on the west side of the principal street of the vil- lage, just south of the road to Tilton. They occupy the site of the old Badger mill, and this building, erected in 1834, is still standing and forms one of the grou]). After Governor Badger's death, in 1852, the mill property was successively owned by several parties, and the business conducted with indiflerent success. Previous to 1865, the mill was used in the manufac- ture of cotton sheeting. At that time, M. Sargent, Esq., of Lake village, bought it, put in new machin- ery, and began to manufacture hosiery. In 1870, Hon. Amos Lawrence, of Boston, became the owner, and from this date the mill entered upon a new era of prosperity. In 1875, a joint-stock corporation was formed, with a capital stock of one hundred thou- sand dollars, Mr. Lawrence being elected president, and M. Sargent, Jr., clerk of the corporation. Mr. Sargent has been the local agent for twenty years, and ranks among the most successful and efficient mill managers in New England. As has been al- ready intimated, at the time of Mr. Lawrence's pur- chase there was but one building, the old Badger mill. This is a brick building, eighty feet by forty, and three stories high. Since 1870 several buildings have been added. These are a brick factory, one hun- dred and thirty-five feet by sixty ; dye-house, one hundred and ten feet by thirty ; three large store- houses, a machine-shop and the office. There is also a library connected with the corporation for the use of the operatives. The water is carried to the mills in a canal one thousand feet long, ten feet wide and five feet deep, and is conducted on to a giant turbine- wheel, through an iron penstock one hundred feet long, with a head of thirty-three feet, furnishing one hundred horse-power. There is also a steam-engine uf fifty horse-power, for use as an auxiliary, there being about two months in each year when the water supply is insufficient. The average number of operatives at the Gilman- ton Mills, is two hundred, most of whom are of Ameri- can birth. The annual product is two hundred thousand dozen; annual consumption, six hundred bales of cotton, and one hundred thousand pounds of wool. There are also used twelve hundred cords of wood, and one hundred and fifty thousand feet of lumber, each year. The power is supplied by the Belmont Eiver, a small stream rising in Gilmanton, and tributary to the Winnipesaukee. The supply of water is carefully husbanded in three reservoirs, situ- ated three-quarters of a mile, three miles and five miles from the mills, and called, respectively, the Badger, Sargent and Sawyer reservoirs. The Saw- yer reservoir was constructed by Governor Badger, and contains fifty acres ; the Badger reservoir was built by the immediate successors of Governor Bad- ger in the ownership of the mill, about 1854, and contains twelve acres ; the Sargent dam was built by the present company in 1871, at a cost of three thou- sand dollars, and the flowage is seventeen acres. A freight team is kept constantly on the road be- tween the mills and East Tilton. There are eight very good tenement-houses owned by the corpora- tion. It hardly needs to be added that the Gilmanton Mills constitute the leading industry of the town, nor can it be estimated how great a proportion of Belmont's prosperity is due to the presence and existence of this thriving corporation. Its owners and managers are courteous and public-spirited gentlemen, and their relations both with their employes and with the peo- ple of the town in general, have always been most cordial and friendly. Farrarville is a small collection of houses, situated on the river, one and a half miles northeast of the village. Formerly, there was a mill here for the man- ufacture of cotton batting. The site is at present occupied by K. D. Garmon's lumber mill. Following is a complete list of the officers of the town from the division, in IS.'iO, to, and including, the present year : John w. ISJO, , rcjiri-MMitalivu ; John I.. Keil«.r, Lju lows, Jeduthan Fiurar, Bek'ctmon ; X. D. Gunnon, clerk ; Wells, troiisnrer ; S. Lowell French, school committee. 1860.— Morrison Rowe, rcpreeentiitivo ; Lyman B. Fellows, Perley Fiir- rar, Stephen L. Taylor, selectmen ; N. D. Carmon, clerk ; John W. Wells, treiisiiror ; S. Lowell French, school committee. 1861.— Jlorrison Rowe, representative; Stephen L. Taylor, Perley Far- rnr, John W. Wells, selectmen ; N. D. Garmon, clerk ; John W. Wells, trcusunr ; Diiniel M. Page, school committee. 1862.— Joseph Badger, representative ; John W. Welle, James S. Wey- mouth, Isaac Bennett, selectmen ; N. D. Garmon, clerk ; John W. Welb, treasurer ; Daniel M. Page, school committee. 1863.- Joseph Badger, representative ; John W. Wells, Isaac Bennett, John M. Roberts, selectmen ; N. D. Garmon, clerk ; John W. Wells, treasurer; Joseph Plumer, school committee. 18C4.— Joseph M. Folsom, representative ; Isaac Bennett, John M. Roberts, James C. Cilley, solcotmen ; N. D. Garmon, clerk ; John W. Wells, treasurer ; Joseph Plumer, school committee. 1865.— Joseph M. Folsom, representative ; Isaac Bennett, James C. r'il- ley, John M. Roberts, selectmen ; N. D. Garmon, clerk ; John W. Welle, treasurer ; Fdgar A. Rowe, school committee. 1866. — No representative ; Joseph Y. Weymouth, James S. Weymonth, Henry W. Oilman, selectmen ; N. D. Garmon, clerk ; John W. Wells, treasurer ; William A. Bucklin, school committee. 1867.— Napoleon B. Gale, representative ; Joseph Y. Weymouth, ,Iamc» S. Weymouth, Henry W. Gilman, selectmen ; N. D. Garmon, clerk ; John W. Wells, treasurer; Williurn .\. Bucklin, school committee. 1808. — Napoleon B. Gale, i. ii . ntii i . ■ I un. s s. Weymouth, Henry W. Gilman, Joseph Y. Wevm N I). Garmon, clerk ; John W. Wells, treasurer ; I ii . a I. , -liuol committee. 1869.— Benjamin B. Lamin'i^ iji -. iim - ; .lames S. Weymouth, Daniel T. French, James G. i at.-, bc-lertiiieii ; William M. Leonard, clerk ; John W. Wells, treasurer ; Charles W. Knowles, school committee. 1870. — George W, Rundlett, representative ; Daniel T. French, Nicho- lasD. Garmon, James G. ('ate. selectmen ; William M. Leonard, clerk ; Daniel E. Batchelder, treasurer ; Elbridge G. Ladd, school committee. 1871.— Moses Sargent, representative ; Nicholas D. Garmon, Daniel T. French, James G. Cate, selectmen; William M. Leonard, clerk; Johiv W. Wells, treasurer ; Elbridge G. Ladd, school committee. 1872, — Charles B. Gile, representative ; Nicholas D. Garmon, Edgar A. Rowe, Dudley W. Judkins, selectmen ; Ira Mooney, clei-k ; John W. Wells, treasurer ; Herman C. Weymouth, school committee. 1873. — Joseph Sanborn, representative ; Edgar A. Rowe, Dudley W. Judkins, Charles E. Moody, selectmen ; Charles E. Clough, clerk ; John. W. Wells, treasurer; George B. Blaisdell, school committee. 1874.— Langdou Ladd, representative ; Edgar A. Bowe, Dudley W. Judkins, Charles E. Moody, selectmen ; Charles E. Clough, clerk ; Joha W\ Wells, treasurer ; George B. Blaisdell, school committee. 1875.— Nathan Chase, representative ; diaries E. Moody, Charles H. Rowe, Jewett E. Maxfleld, selectmen ; Charles E. Clough, clerk ; Timo- thy E. Clough, treasurer ; Charles E. Clough, school committee. 1876.— Jesse S. Towle, representative ; Jewett E. Maxfleld, Charles H. Rowe, Nicholas D. Garmon, selectmen ; Charles E. Clough, clerk ; Tim- othy E. Clough, treasurer ; Solon F. Hill, school committee. 1877.— Arthur W. Brown, representative ; diaries H. Rowe, Xicliola» D. Garmon, Jewett B. Maxfleld, selectmen ; Charles E. Clough, clerk ; Timothy E. Clough, treasurer ; Solon F. Hill, school committee. 1878.— William A. Bucklin, Joseph Plumer (November),' representa- tives ; Calvin J. Sanborn, Dudley W. Judkins, James G. Cate, stlect- mcn ; Charles K. Clough, clerk ; Isaiah Piper, treasurer; Allan J. Hack- ett, school committe ; Charies A. Hackett, Charles W. Knowles, Solon F. Hill, supervisore. 1879.— Calvin J. Sanborn, Dudley W. Judkins, James G. Cate, select- men ; Walter C. Wells, clerk ; Isaiah Piper, treasurer ; .Mian J. Hack- ett, school committee. 1880.— Elbridge G. Folsom, representative ; Dudley W. Judkins, Jameo G. Cate, Calvin J. Sanborn, selectmen ; Walter C. Welle, clerk ; Isaiah Pi- I The first election under the biennial system was holdeu i verabcr, 1878, necessitating the choice of two repreeentativi year. Also, the law providing for the choice of supervisora we L-ffect that year. 724 HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. imund S. Moulton, school committee ; Charles A. Hackett, John C. Pearsons, John S. Young, supervisors. 1881. — Isaiah Pijwr, Horace C. Woodward, James G. Gate, selectmen ; Edwin C. Bean, clerk ; William U. Shepard, treajsurer ; Selden J. Gould, •school committee. 1882.— Allan J. Hackett, representative ; Isaiah Piper, Horace C. Wood- ward, .\lpiieus h. Bean, selectmen ; Edwin C. Bean, clerk ; William U. Shepard, treasurer ; Selden J. Gould, school committee ; Charles A. Hackett, John .S. Young, A. P. B. Currier, supervisors. 1883.— Isaiah Piper, Horace 0. Woodward, Alpheus L. Bean, select- men ; Frank K. Johnson, clerk ; William H. Shepard, treasurer ; Wal- ter H. Philbrick, school committee. 1884.— .\llan J. Hackett, representative; Isaiah Piper, Pike Davis, Samuel N. Jewett, selectmen ; Frank K. Johnson, clerk ; Kdwin P Thomiison, treasurer ; Walter H. Philbrick, school committee ; Charles A. Hackett, John S. Young, A. P. B. Currier, supervisors. 1885.— Pike Davis, Samuel N. Jewett, William H. Shepard, selectmen ; Frank K. Johnson, clerk ; Daniel W. Gale, treasurer ; John M. Sargent, school committee. But few of the present citizens of Belmont have held important offices outside of the town, or can be said to have become especially prominent in public life. Joseph M. FoLsom was appointed bank com- missioner by Governor Weston in 1871, and again in 1874. John W. Wells was county commissioner from 1871 to 1874. Charles A. Hackett has several times been the Republican candidate for Councilor and Senator ; but, living in a Democratic district, has failed of an election. Moses Sargent, Jr., was the Republican candidate for Senator in 1880 ; but for the same reason was defeated. Napoleon B. Gale, president of the Belknap Savings-Bank, of Laconia, and representative from Laconia the present year, is a native, and, until lately, a resident of Belmont. His brother, Hazen Gale, who died in 1882, was a man of marked eccentricities. It is related of him that he somehow acquired a strong aversion to La- conia, and declared that he would never visit that town again. Although living within a few minutes' walk of the town line, he faithfully kept his promise until his death, more than thirty years later, e.xcept on one occasion, when his presence was required as a witness at court, and the sherift' would not respect his -scruples. Captain William Badger, to whom brief reference has already been made, was born in 1826, graduated from Dartmouth College in 1848, and for several years was engaged in manufacturing. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he joined the Fourth New Hampshire Regiment, served as captain of Company D, and was honorably discharged in June, 1864. In February, 1865, after the death of Colonel Bell, he was appointed colonel of the Fourth Regiment. At the close of the war he joined the regular army, and still remains in the service, with the rank of captain. He is an accomplished soldier and a gentleman of ability and culture. He is engaged upon a history of the towns of Gilmanton and Belmont, which promises to be one of the most valuable and complete works of the kind in the State. Such, in brief, are some of the more salient fea- tures of the pa.st and present life of the town of Belmont. No attempt has been made to give a de- tailed biographical history. The narrow limits of this article have precluded such an attempt, and, even with a broader opportunity, the task would be neither easy nor grateful. The story of the simple daily life of a small country town is of little interest to the great, bustling outer world. Its local celebrities, its personal achievements, its struggles, its hopes, its disappointments, the thousand nameless factors in its existence, — these must therefore be found in home traditions and fireside legends, not in the ])rii)ted page. The local Warwicks, that have played upon this lesser stage the self-same dramas of political strategy and intrigue, which, cast in larger parts, have shaken nations ; the village Hampdens, who were wont, on a summer eve, to discuss the great questions of the day, with a fire, vigor and rugged eloquence that might well be transferred to a wider forum ; the mute, inglorious Miltons, who have thought the poems they could not put in words, as they followed the l)low in its rocky course through the autumn fields ; the hoary Nestors, that, on winter nights, stirred the young blood to quicker throbs, as they told of thrilling deeds in the olden time, — who shall write the history of these ? And there is that other and still more sacred history, common to every town, but all the more pathetic because so common : those never-to-be-forgotten summer days, when nameless heroes, soon, alas ! to sleep in nameless graves, rushed, heedless of the whitening fields, to fill the "quota" of the town ; and those weary months that followed, when the lonely and heart-sick wives and mothers, sisters and daughters, waited and ever waited, longing for the tidings they might better never hear, — who may write such history as this, or who would write it if he might? Loyal, honest, faithful, earnest people, patiently filling up the measure of their uneventful lives, nei- ther squandering nor wanting, sparing in the midst of plenty, but having abundance in their rigid econ- omy, bound together in that unspeakably close fra- ternity which characterizes every rural community, rejoicing in each other's joys and grieving in each other's griefs, mutually helpful and sympathetic, alike ready to attend the marriage-feast or to go forth under the cold winter stars to perform for the dead those last offices which here are never left to stranger hands, — their history, like that of the people of every other New England country town, lives in the hearts of those who know their worth. HISTORY OF CENTRE HARBOR. CHAPTER I. The town of Centre Harbor lies in tlie northern part of the county, and is hounded as follows : On the North west and North, by Grafton County; Northeast, by Carroll County; South, by Meredith and New Hampton. This town was incorporated December 17, 1797, having been set oft' from New Hampton. For several years previous to the incorporation of the town the locality of the present village was known as "Centre-harbour." Moultonborough harbor being east and Meredith harbor west, made this the centre harbor, and from this source the town de- rived its name. The village of Centre Harbor is located on Lake I Wiuuipiseogee, and commands a charming view of the lake and neighboring hills. It is somewhat cel- ebrated as a watering-place. There are two churches in this town — Congregational and Free Baptist. The first petition for the incorporation of this town was made in June, 1788, and signed by Benning Moulton and fifty others. This petition, however, was not granted, and, in 1797, a second petition was presented to the General Court, which was granted, and the town incorporated, as mentioned above, De- cember 7, 1797. The signers of this petition were, — Ezekiel Morse, C. Sturtevant, John Pain, John Hawkins, Chase Robinson, Jesse Sturtevant, John Sturtevant, Hosea Sturtevant, Amos Pain, Jr., Stephen Hawkins, John Knowles, A. B. Glines, NehemiahLee, Benning Moulton, Daniel Page, Moses Morse, Hugh Kelsea, Joseph Kenney, Daniel Norris, Robert Kelsea, James Tebbets, Caleb Towle, Perez Sturtevant, James Little, W. Robinson, W. Pain, William Berry, Jona- than Robinson, Joshua Pain, Jeremiah Towle, Pelham Sturtevant, Joseph Moulton, J. M. Pain, Abel Morse, Moses Kelsea, Smith Cram, Joshua Norris, Benjamin Sturtevant, John Pain, Jr., Isaac Morse, James Towle, Wadleigh Cram, Jos. Senter, E. Chamberlain, C. Hawkin.s, Stephen Kenney, Amos Pain. The First Town-Meeting was held March 12, 1798, and the following othcers were elected: Win- throp Robinson, Captain Jesse Sturtevant and Hugh Kelsea, selectmen ; Winthrop Robinson, clerk. The following is a list of clerks, selectmen and representatives to 1886: 1799.— Hugh Kelsea, James M. Greenleaf, Pelham Sturtevant, selectmen ; Hugh Kelsea, clerk. 1800. — Hugh Kelsea, Pelham Sturtevant, Daniel Norris, selectmen ; Hugh Kelsea, clerk. 1801. — Moses Morse, Charles Little, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk. 1802.— Hugh Kelsea, Benning Moulton, Daniel Norris, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk. 1803. — Benning Moulton, David Norris, John Clement, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk. 1804. — Benning Moulton, Hugh Kelsea, Daniel Norris, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk. 1805. — David Norris, Charles Little, Moses Jlorse, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk. 1806.— David Norris, Charles Little, Moses ilorse, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk. 1807.— David Norris, Charles Little, Moses Morse^ selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk. 1808. — Hugh Kelsea, Charles Little, Joshua Norris, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk. 1809.— Hugh Kelsea, Jonathan S. Moulton, Joshua Norris, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk. 1810. — Hugh Kelsea, Jonathan S. Moulton, Jona- than M. Pain, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk. 1811.- J. S. Moulton, Jonathan M. Pain, Hugh Kelsea, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk. 1812.— Hugh Kelsea, J. S. Moulton, Richard C. Wiggin, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk. 1813.- — J. S. Moulton, John Kuowdes, James Hunt- ress, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk. 1814.— J. S. Moulton, Jonathan M. Pain, William Clark, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk. 1815.— J. S. Moulton, Jonathan M. Pain, William Clark, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk. 1816.— J. S. Moulton, Jonathan M. Pain, William Clark, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk. 1817.— J. S. Moulton, Jonathan M. Pain, Willian» Clark, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk. 1818.— J. S. Moulton, Daniel Norris, William Clark, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk. 1819.— J. S. Moulton, Daniel Norris, John H. MouU ton, selectmen; J. S. Moulton, clerk. 725 726 HISTORY OF I5KLK.VAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. 1820.— J. f>. Moulton, William Clark, Daniel Norris, seleetineu ; J. S. Moulton, clerk. 1821.— Hugh Kelsea, William Clark, John Coe, selectmen ; John Coe, clerk. 1822.— Hugh Kelsea, William Clark, John Coe, -selectmen ; John Coe, clerk. 1823.— Hugh Kelsea, John Coe, William Clark, selectmen ; John Coe, clerk ; Hugh Kelsea chosen first representative. 1824.— Hugh Kelsea, John Coe, William Clark, selectmen ; John Coe, clerk ; Hugh Kelsea, repre- sentative. 182-5. — John Coe, Hugh Kelsea, John H. Moulton, -selectmen ; John Coe, clerk ; Jonathan S. Moulton, representative. 1826. — John Coe, Daniel Xorris, John H. Moulton, selectmen ; John Coe, clerk ; John Coe, representa- tive. 1827.— John H. Moulton, Timothy Perkins, Gil- 7nan Fox, selectmen ; Gilman Fox. clerk ; J. S. Moul- ton, representative. 1828. — John H. Moulton, Gilman Fox, Timothy Perkins, selectmen ; Gilman Fox, clerk ; J. S. Moul- ton, representative. 1829. — Gilman Fox, Josiah C. Sturtevant, William dark, selectmen ; Simon Drake, clerk ; J. S. Moul- ton, representative. 1830.— John H. Moulton, Simon Drake, William •Clark, selectmen ; Simon Drake, clerk ; Josiah C. Sturtevant, representative. 1831.— Gilman Fox, Timothy Perkins, J. C. Stur- vant, selectmen ; Simon Drake, clerk ; J. C. Sturte- vant, representative. 1832.— John H. Moulton, J. C. Sturtevant, Timothy Perkins, selectmen ; Simon Drake, clerk ; Simon Drake, representative. 1833.— John H. Moulton, J. C. Sturtevant, Timothy Perkins, selectmen; Gilman Fox, clerk; Simon Drake, representative. 1834.— Gilman Fox, James M. Pain, Timothy Per- kins, selectmen; Gilman Fox, clerk; (iilman Fox, representative. 1835.— James M. Pain, Simon Drake, David Blake, selectmen ; Gilman Fox, clerk ; Gilman Fox, repre- sentative. 1836.— T. Perkins, John H. Kelsea, Ebenezer L. Sturtevant, selectmen ; Gilman Fox, clerk ; Gilman Fox, representative. 1837.— T. Perkins, .lohn H. Kelsea, Ebenezer L. ■Sturtevant, selectmen ; Simon Drake, clerk ; Timothy Perkins, representative. 1838.— John H. Kelsea, T. Perkins, E. L. Sturte- vant, selectmen ; Simon Drake, clerk ; Timothy Per- kins, representative. 1839.— Timothy Perkins, E. L. Sturtevant, Jolin W. Clark, selectmen ; James M. Pain, clerk ; Tim- othy Perkins, representative. 1840. — Levi Bean, Enoch True, Jas. M. Pain, select- men ; Jas. M. Pain, clerk ; Jacob Libby, representative. I 1841.— Timothy Perkins, E. L. Sturtevant, Benjamin Perkins, selectmen ; Isaac Knowles, clerk; Jame.s M. I Pain, representative. 1842. — Timothy Perkins, Benjamin Perkins, J. C. 1 Sturtevant, selectmen ; Isaac Knowles, clerk ; James M. Pain, representative. 1843.— Timothy Perkins, John Smith, Daniel S. Follett, selectmen; John Canney, clerk; Timothy Perkins, representative. 1844.— James M. Pain, John Smith, D. W. Follett, selectmen; James Jackson, clerk; Timothy Perkins, representative. 1845.— Timothy Perkins, J. M. Pain, Ira Davis, selectmen; John Canney, clerk; David Blake, repre- sentative. 1846.— T. Perkins, J. M. Pain, Ira Davis, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; David Blake, representative. 1847.— James M. Pain, T. Perkins, William P. Sturtevant, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; John H. Moulton, representative. 1848.— James Jackson, T. Perkins, Wm. P. Sturte- vant, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; John H. Moul- ton, representative. 1849. — James M. Pain, Thomas Webber, Jonathan P. Norris, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; James M. Pain, representative. 1850. — James M. Pain, Thomas Webber, Jonathan P. Norris, selectmen; James Jackson, clerk; John B. Dow, representative. 1851.— J. M. Pain, Harrison C. Smith, J. H. Moul- ton, selectmen ; James Jackson, clerk ; John B. Dow, representative. 1852.— T. Perkins, J. H. Moulton, Harrison C. Smith, selectmen; John Canney, clerk; John H. Moulton, representative. 1853.-J. M. Pain, J. C. Sturtevant, Samuel S. Plaisted, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; James H. Clark, representative. 1854.— J. M. Pain, Samuel S. Plaisted, J. C. Stur- tevant, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; James H. Clark, representative. 1855.— J. M. Pain, Rufus Say ward, J. C. Sturtevant, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; James M. Pain, representatative. 1856.— J. M. Pain, Rufus Sayward, J. C. Sturte- vant, selectmen; John Canney, clerk ; John H. Moul- ton, representative. 1857.— James M. Pain, Noah Smith, Wm. P. Stur- tevant, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; Rufus Say- ward, representative. 1858.— J. M. Pain, Noah Smith, W. P. Sturte- vant, selectmen; John Canney, clerk; Rufus Say- ward, representative. 1859.— J. M. Pain, Samuel S. Plaisted, James H. Clark, selectmen ; J. Canney, clerk ; William P. Stur- tevant, representative. I860.— J. M. Pain, S. S. Plaisted, James H. Clark, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; Wm. P. Sturtevant, representative. zy/t&^^-^^-^^v CENTKE HARBOR. 727 1801. — J. M. Pain, Noah Smith, Amos S. Davis, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; there is no record of any representatives being elected in 1861, although there was an article in the warrant to elect one. 1862.— J. M. Pain, N. Smith, A. S. Davis, select- men ; J. Canney, clerk ; S. S. Plaisted, representative. 1863. — John H. Moulton, Jonathan P. Norris, Oeorge Fogg, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; Jacob D. Reynolds, representative. 1804. — John H. Moulton, Jonathan P. Xorris, Oeorge Fogg, selectmen ; Charles H. Cauuey, clerk ; Jacob D. Reynolds, representative. 1805.— J. H. Moulton, J. M. Pain, Jesse Eaton, selectmen; Charles H. Canney, clerk; J. C. Sturte- vant, representative. 1800.— J. H. Moulton, J. M. Pain, Jesse Eaton, selectmen ; C. H. Canney, clerk ; J. C. Sturtevant, rei)reseutative. 1807.— J. H. Moultuu, J. M. Pain, Otis F. Haw- kins, selectmen ; C. H. Canney, clerk ; Levi W. Wat- son, representative. 1808. — Arthur L. True, William J. Perkins, James Bartlett, selectmen ; William C. Clifton, clerk ; Har- rison C. Smith, representative. 1809.— Arthvir L. True, James Bartlett, Curtis S. Coe, selectmen ; William C. Clifton, clerk ; Harrison C. Smith, representative. 1870. — Curtis S. Coe, George M. Pain, Jacob L. Merrill, selectmen ; W. C. Clifton, clerk ; John R. Buzzell, representative. 1871. — Curtis S. Coe, George -M. Pain, Jacob L. ^lerrill, selectmen ; William C. Clifton, clerk ; John E. Buzzell, representative. 1872. — Ira Davis, Jonathan P. Norris, Hiram S. McCrillis, selectmen ; W. C. Clifton, clerk; Abner C. True, representative. 1873.— Jonathan P. Norris, H. S. McCrillis, Smith F. Emery, selectmen ; W. C. Clifton, clerk ; A. C. True, representative. 1874. — Smith F. Emery, Arthur L. True, Alonzo W. Canney, selectmen ; William C. Clifton, clerk ; Almon Benson, representative. 1875. — J. M. Pain, Daniel B.Smith, Simeon Batch- elder, selectmen ; Charles H. Canney, clerk ; Almon Benson, representative. 1876. — J. M. Pain, Benjamin F. Wentworth, Amos D. Webster, selectmen ; David W. Cram, clerk ; Charles H. Canney, representative. 1877.— J. M. Pain, B. F. Wentworth, A. D. Web- ster, selectmen ; David W. Cram, clerk ; C. H. Canney, representative. 1878.— Charles H. Canney, J. C. Sturtevant, Perkins F. Mclntire, selectmen ; W. C. Clifton, clerk ; Ran- dall S. Kenerson, representative. 1879.— Charles H. Canney, J. C. Sturtevant, Perkins F. Mclntire, selectmen ; W. C. Clifton, clerk. 1880.— C. H. Canney, James H. Clark, Frederick T. Hawkins, selectmen; W. C. Clifton, clerk; George Fogg, representative. 1881. — C. H. Canney, Frederick T. Hawkins, James H. Clark, selectmen ; W. C. Clifton, clerk. 1882.— J. C. Sturtevant, Charles C. Cook, Lester Plaisted, selectmen ; W. C. Clifton, clerk. 1883.— J. C. Sturtevant, Charles 0. Cook, Lester Plaisted, selectmen; W. C. Clifton, clerk; (ieorge Fogg, representative. 1884.— J. C. Sturtevant, Alonzo Perkins, Meltlicno C. Clark, selectmen ; George H. Piper, clerk. 1885.— J. C. Sturtevant, Alonzo Perkins, Meltheno C. Clark, selectmen ; George H. Piper, clerk ; George L. Mason, representative. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. COL. ,IOHN HALE MOVLTOX. History is the rhume of the lives and events which are to-day among the things ot the present, to-mor- row those of the past, and in history mention should be made of those whose personal qualities, business enterprise and moral worth have contributed in some way to the wealth, knowledge and welfare of the community in which they lived, and to this number belongs Colonel John Hale Moulton, who was born at Centre Harbor, N. H., June 24, 1795, and died at his residence, Moulton House, June 3, 1885, aged ninety years. Colonel John Hale Moulton was of the sixth gen- eration in descent from the emigrant John and grand- son of General Jonathan and son of Penning and Sally (Leavitt) Moulton. (See biography of Hon. John C. Moulton.) After a common-school educa- tion, he entered his brother's store in his native town and continued with him until 1812, when he was employed as a clerk in Hampton for three years. Returning to Centre Harbor, he resumed his old po- sition in his brother's employ, and also had the op- portunity of adding to his education by receiving instruction from that able teacher, " Master " Dudley Leavitt, and of that period of school-time he ever retained pleasant memories. Three years after, 1818, he established himself in trade and continued mer- chandising for ten years. Naturally energetic and enterprising, he sought other channels of business, and, in 1828, purchased a mill privilege in an adjoin- ing town, erected a saw, grist and shingle-mill, and also owned and conducted a freight! ng-boat on Lake Winnipesaukee, with which he conveyed his lumber to market. In 1836, Colonel Moulton again estab- lished himself in Centre Harbor as a merchant, and, in 1848, he purchased the hotel which has for so many years borne his name. Assuming the duties of its landlord, for many years he was known to the community and elsewhere as an active and popular host, possessing the courteousness and affability of 728 HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. the inn-keeper of the old school. As an evidence of his active and enterprising spirit, when he was over seventy years old, he rebuilt the hotel in a style com- mensurate with the increasing demands of summer travel. He continued in business, managing his store and farm in connection with other labors, until 1880, when he retired from active life. In 1832, Colonel Moulton married Susan Sargent, daughter of Rev. Huntington Porter, of Eye, N. H. Mrs. Moulton is a descendant of two old colonial families of consequence, Huntington and Porter, and is a lady of winning personal presence and amiable character. Her father. Rev. Mr. Porter, was an able and noted minister of the gospel, and one whose counsel was often called upon in important affairs Colonel and Mrs. Moulton had three children — Frank- lin Hale {died aged two years), Oliver Porter (died, in infancy) and Susan Huntington, who married Smith F. Emery. They have two children — Caroline Porter Emery and Alice Huntington Emery. The family reside at the Moulton House, which Mr. Emery has conducted for some years. Before he attained his majority, in 1815, Colonel Moulton enlisted in the New Hampshire Light In- fantry. He was much interested in the service, and, with his directness and ambition to excel, attracted the attention of his superior officers, and he was pro- moted, successively, as captain, major and, in 1832, received his commission as colonel, and was con- sidered an able officer. In politics he was an uncompromising Democrat, and always manifested a lively interest in party affairs, and he performed the duties of the many public offices to which he was called with credit to himself and honor to his constituents. He repre- sented Centre Harbor in the General Court in 1847 and 1848, and again from 1852 to 1856, and was county commissioner from 1858 to 1861. In 1819, when comparatively a young man, he was chosen selectman, and was ofteu re-elected, until 1862, when he was made chairman of the board and retained the position until 1868. He was moderator for years, and repeatedly served as town treasurer, and for over half a century, from 1824 to 1881, he held a commis- sion as justice of the peace. He also held the office of deputy-sheriff of Strafford County for five years. In early life Colonel Moulton was a believer in Universalism, but, later, changed his views and sub- scribed to the "Articles of Faith" adopted by the Congregationalists, although he never became a com- municant with the church in Centre Harbor. A prayer written by him was found among some of his papers in his store in 1864, which breathes the true spirit of Christianity. Colonel Moulton possessed a strong and vigorous mind, a very retentive memory and great firmness of character. His intellect remained clear and his facul- ties almost unimpaired, so that he took an active interest in public affairs until witliin a few davs of his death. He was fond of reminiscences, and his. vivid portraitures of the manners of other days gave enjoyment and profit to many. He had a kind greet- ing and pleasant word for every one, and in the deeper and holier relations of the home circle he exempli- fied the highest elements of a Christian nature, and he left an impress by his strong character on hi:* n.i- tive town that shall not speedily be effaced. .lOHX coi;. The Coe family came to this country from Suffolk- shire, England, where they had resided for many generations. The earliest notice of them which can now be found is in Fox's "Book of Martyrs," which states that "Roger Coo," of Milford, Sufiblkshire, was burned by Queen Mary, September, 1855, at Texford, in that shire. Little is known of the family till the removal of Robert Coe to this country. In the authentic family record he belongs to the first gener- ation. In the records of the custom-house, preserved in the State Papers Office, Westminster Hall, Lon- don, the name is written "Cooe." The oldest origi- nal signature found in America is in the town rec- ords of Jamaica, L. I., and was written February 14, 1663, " Robart Coe." Robert Coe was born in Suf- folkshire, England, in 1596. With his wife, Anna, and their three sons, he sailed from Ipswich, Suffolk- shire, April 10, 1634. They reached Boston the fol- lowing June, only six years from the date of the first settlement in the Massachusetts colony. Robert Coe settled in Watertown, near Boston, and in 1635 he moved to Wethersfield, Conn. On the 30th of Octo- ber, 1640, Mr. Andrew Ward and Mr. Robert Coe, with about twenty other planters, commenced a set- tlement in Stamford, Conn. In 1644, Robert Coe and several others formed the first settlement at Hampstead, L. I. In 1652 he made a settlement at Middlebury, (now Newton), L. I. In 1656 he, with others, commenced a settlement in Jamaica, L. I. He continued to be one of the most active and prom- inent men in public affairs till about 1672, at which time he was seventy-six years old. The time of his death is not known. John Coe, of the seventh generation from the above-named Robert Coe, was the son of Rev. Cur- tis Coe and Annie Thompson, and was born at Dur- ham, N. H., January 15, 1797. His father moved to Newmarket, N. H., with his family when John was about nine or ten years old. A few years thereafter John engaged as clerk in a store kept by his brother Ebenezer, at Northwood, N. H. After faithful ser- vice for several years, gaining the confidence of all who knew him, he became acquainted with a gentle- man who owned an unoccupied store at Centre Har- bor, N. H. Mr. Coe visited the place, then very thinly settled, leased the store and, returning, bought at Portsmouth, N. H., a stock of general merchandise, onlering it shipped to Dover, thence to Alton Bay aycTU^oc ^< Cs-J^ , CENTRE HARBOR. (29 by teams, thence to Centre Harbor by boat propelled by oars and sails. On his arrival at Centre Harbor, soon after, he found his goods at his store. He at once began to take an interest in public affairs of the town, holding in succession nearly all the offices of trust. Being town clerk at the time of his marriage, he was, according to the law at that time, obliged to rise in church and declare his own intentions of mar- riage. He married Lavinia T. Senter, eldest daugh- ter of Samuel M. Senter, one of the first settlers in the town which afterward took his name. After about eight years of active, successful busi- ness as a country merchant, he removed to Durham, N. H., where he engaged extensively in ship-build- ing. During his stay at Centre Harbor he became convinced of the need of a temperance reform, and banished from his table and places of business all in- toxicants. Upon entering his new business of ship- building at Durham, he found that it was a long es- tablished custom for the men employed in the ship- yards to have liquor dealt out to them at regular hours of each day. True to his convictions, he de- termined to break up that custom in his yard, and gave notice that no more "grog" would be furnished or allowed on the premises. His men all refused to work without it, knowing that he had a large amount of work that must be finished at a given time or he would lose heavily. Not heeding the advice of his friends, he stood firm on the side of temperance, go- ing in the night to Dover and engaging a new crew of men, who came to his yard at sunrise the next morning. His work went on and no more intoxica- ting liquor was ever allowed on his premises. About 1832 he moved to Dover, there residing till 1835, when he came back to Centre Harbor, where he still owned much real estate, and bought the "Senter House" of its first proprietor, Samuel M. Senter, and began a very successful career as a hotel proprietor, and, with his estimable wife, enjoyed a reputation as landlord and landlady second to none in the State. As the business increased, he made ad- ditions to the hotel until, instead of forty feet front- age, he had a house with one hundred and twenty feet front, and comparatively large additions in the rear. In 1846, leaving his son Curtis S. in charge of the " Senter House," he removed to Boston and leased the Marlboro Hotel, on Washington Street, which be kept four years. Returning to Centre Harbor, he sold the "Senter House" to his son, C. S. Coe, and repaired and modernized the house he built when he first came to Centre Harbor, thinking to retire from active business ; but, being largely interested in real estate at Jamaica Plain and Xewton, for several years he spent most of his time in Boston, returning to his family and country home to spend the Sabbath, which he always, during his whole busy life, regarded as a day of worship. In early manhood he made a public profession of religion and united with the Congregational Church at Centre flarbor, bearing his full share of the expenses of the churih and so- ciety and then making up all deficiencies in the finances at the close of each year. During most of his life he was much interested in agriculture, owning and tilling several large farms. It has been aptly said : " He .is a public benefactor who makes two blades of gra.ss to grow where but one grew before ; " so will the main street of Centre Harbor village, bordered on either side by its fine elms and maples, render praise to Mr. Coe, who planted them. In 1860 Mr. Coe visited the South on business, spending several weeks in and around Natchez, Miss., and was much pleased with the hospitality of thi^ Southern people. Returning home, he was taken ill and died, April 2, 1861. The children of John and Lavinia S. Coe were, Curtis S., Anuie L. (Mrs. Charles P. Towle), John L., Ellen L. (Mrs. Dr. S. J. Quinby), Rufus L., and Daniel W. RANDALL S. KENESON. Randall Seavey Keneson, .son of John and Polly (Jackson) Keneson, was born in that part of Eaton now Madison, N. H., December 14, 1811. John Keneson was a man of great versatility of talent, of much mechanical ability, and, with his trade of watch and clock making, carried on a boot and shoe manu- factory in Eaton, his native place. He married, February 8, 1804, Polly, daughter of Phillip and Mary (Place) Jackson. They had nine children, — iwo sons and seven daughters. Mr. Keneson was a Whig in his political views, and, although the town was largely Democratic, he often received more than the vote of his party when nominated for office. He was a man worthy of the confidence and esteem which he re- ceived in a large degree from his fellow-townsmen. He was town clerk for twenty-five years, and also held a commission as justice of the peace for along period, and served in various minor offices. He was a Frco- Will Baptist in religion, and an active and uniform member of that church. He was of medium size, social, made many friends, and always took an intel- ligent interest in the welfare and growth of his native town. He was born May 18, 1784, and died March 24, 1838. Randall, from his earliest childhood, had a great aptitude for mechanics, " had rather frame a slate at home than use it at school," and, not altogether willingly, received the instruction which was given him for several years at the public schools, and learned the jeweler's trade and custom boot and slioe making, remaining with his father until he was twenty years of age. His mechanical skill soon made him more than ordinarily proficient in these avocations, so he went to Haverhill and worked at custom shoe- making with good success forone season. His health failing, he was obliged to give up labor for a year. After the recovery of his health he went to Dedham, Mass., where he was employed in a broadcloth-factory HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. for four yeara. He was diligent and industrious, de- voted the time not required iu his duties at the fac- tory in repairing cloulcs, watches, etc., and in this way, as his habits were good and his manner of living prudent and economical, he was enabled to save enough money for a capital for future business opera- tions. He then returned to Eaton, and went to work on his father's farm, and also, in connection with his agricultural labors, fitted up a small shop and estab- lished himself as a jeweler. Mr. Keneson married, first, January 9, 1838, Al- mira, daughter of Moses Morse, of Centre Harbor. She died August 9, 1842. They had two children, — Elvira (Mrs. George B. Blake) and Newell, who died when an infant. He married, second, Miranda S., daughter of Isaiah and Deborah (Mason) Forest, of Eaton where she was born, April 8, 1816. They had one child, Adelaide H. (Mrs. Lewis R. Veasey). Mr. Kenesou continued in business in Eaton until August, 1852, when he removed to Centre Harbor, and has since been a resident of that town. Here he devoted himself exclusively to his jewelry trade, and carried it on until 1880, when he retired from com- mercial transactions, having, by his frugality and honest endeavors, acquired a competency. His me- chanical ingenuity has always been of good service to him; for instance, when needing any work done, he could do it himself and in the best manner. His uni- form kindness and pleasant manners have won for him many friends. His faithfulness iu the perform- ance of his work has secured for him the respect and esteem of all. Democratic in politics, he represent- ed Centre Harbor in the legislative term of 1878-79, and has also served in town offices. A plain and unassuming man, he has not sought official position, and such offices as have been conferred upon him have been given without his solicitation, he having never asked a man for his vote. Mr. Keneson is a member of the Congregational Church, and is always in accord with everything tending to improve and elevate the community in which he resides, while his conservative nature pre- vents him from going precipitately into the advocacy or support of any measures which are not grounded in reason and practicality. Kind in his domestic rela- tions, a valued friend and a prized and estimable citizen, he worthily stands high in the esteem of his townsmen. HISTORY OF GILFORD. BY REV. J. P. WATSOX. CHAPTER I. The historical matter connected with, and the occurrences that have taken place in, the territory included at diflerent periods within the limits of the town of Gilford largely mingle with those of other towns associated and near, and of other civil organi- zations remote and seemingly dissociated. The continuous and complete course of the annals of the town will cover some of the early records of Gilmantou, from which it was detached, and preface largely the history of the recent town of Laconia, increased by detached portions herefrom, and also I supplement that of Meredith, which has contributed | to the domain of both. The boundary line of Gil- ford has been so frequently changed for enlargement and diminution that it shares with other towns much of their enterprise and honor and history. Its loca- tion on or near an important river and other waters gives it special importance, not only as the centre of i various industrial enterprises and professional prac- | tice, but as related to older divisions, involving ques- j tions of rightful possession and jurisdiction. By the charter from King James, in 1606, Virginia extended from the thirty-fourth to the forty-fourth parallel of north latitude, aud hence included the greater part of New Hampshire territory, and com- prehended that part in which Gilford is situated. By a subdivision of this grant into North and South Vir- ginia, the former was limited by the fortieth and forty-eighth degrees of north latitude, and hence included all of New Hampshire territory, and Gilford was in North Virginia. This division of the territory granted by the royal patent, which at iirst was assigned to certain dignitaries of Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth, England, was .subsequently committed to forty men of distinction and means, who constituted the Council of Plymouth, whose official business was the " Plant- ing, Ruling and Governing of New England in Amer- ica." This council was constituted November 3, 1620, and they made grants of minor sections to other particular parties and organizations in subsequent 1 This article is an abridgment ot a more extended work, " A Histori- cal Sketch of the Town of Gilford, N. H.," iu preparation, and soon to be published by the writer. Though the Duke of Lenox was the first-named of the Council, and though there were also several others higher in the !i.st,yetSir Ferdinando Gorges, Governor of Plymouth, in Devonshire County, England, after 1604, appears to have been the most active and the leading man of the Council, and was elected their first president. Also Captain John Mason, of London, and, after the peace of 1604, Governor of Newfound- land, as well as of Portsmouth, Hampshire County, England, was elected to fill a vacancy in the mem- bership, and made secretary of the Council. He made the first purcha.se from the Council March 9, 1621. It was a tract of land thence known as Mariana, and impossible of boundary. It was to ex- tend from the Naumkeag to the Merrimack River, and from their mouths to their head-waters, and to be inclosed by a straight line from the source of the one to that of the other river, which line would cut the whole grant asunder, and at the same time both include and exclude certain territories or portions. August 10, 1622, Mason and Gorges jointly made a purchase of land, supposed to be directly and contig- uously on the north of Mariana, or Mason's first purchase, and extending from the Merrimack to the Sagadehock, and back to the " Great Lakes and the River of Canada " (i. e., Winnipesaukee, Champlain and the St. Lawrence). This was termed Laconia ; and this was the first conveyance of the territory of Gilford. The Company of Laconia, consisting of Mason, Gorges and others, was formed, and endeavored to effect settlements on the tract purchased, which they did at Dover in 1623. That part of Laconia bordering on Lake Winnipesau- kee was not reached aud settled at this time, though considered as the most desirable and valuable on account of its supposed mineral deposits. Seven years later, John Wheelwright and others took a deed from four Indian sagamores of land bounded by the " Merrimack and Piscataqua, extending back to the falls of Nuichawannock, in the Piscataqua, and to the Pawtucket falls, in the Merrimack, and thence 20 miles N. W. into the woods; and thence N. E. to the first-mentioned point, Nuichawannock Falls." This deed evidently did not comprehend Gilford ter- ritory ; but on November 7, the same year, 1629, Mason took a new grant of territory, less iu extent, 731 732 HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. but more definitely bounded,— viz. : " From the mouth of the Piscataqua to 60 miles in the course of the river ; and from the mouth of the Merrimack to its farthest head-waters ; and so forward up into tlie land westward until 60 miles were finished, and thence to cross overland to the end of the 60 miles accounted from the Piscataqua River, including the Islands within 15 leagues of the shore." This evi- dently included the territory of Gilford ; though it was not certain whether the line connecting the points designated on the rivers should be a straight line or a curve line, maintaining at all parts a dis- tance of sixty miles from the sea. The lands included between the arc and chord thus drawn were in dis- pute, and were in part in Gilford, and claimed in Mason's right. The line subsequently was determined as a straight line, running from the point on the pres- ent State boundary sixty miles from the mouth of the Piscataqua (which was several miles north of its source, and in the town of Eaton), crossing the lake and Long Island, passing over Mount Major, of the Gunstock range, and terminating in the town of Rindge, on the Massachusetts boundary. Hence, the eastern part of Gilford was afterwards assigned to Mason's heirs, and called Masonian shares, when the remainder was bought of said heirs. In 1632, the lake and its shores were visited by ex- plorers from Portsmouth, but no settlements were made or marks left. Mason died in 1638, and willed his claims and property to various heirs. The dis- puted jurisdiction of Massachusetts over land in- cluded in the after-grant to the proprietors of Gil- manton, being found in part in Gilford, was appar- ently decided in 1652, when commissioners appointed by the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Com- pany were sent to establish the bounds agreeable to their construction of their charter. They claimed that the charter carried a strip of land on the left bank (north and east side) of the river, three miles in width, and extending to its source, at which point a line laid ofi"due east and due west should mark the northern limit of their chartered lands. The exten- sion of this line eastward, as well as westward, was the claim of the Massachusetts Bay Company, but was rejected by the claimants to the territory on the north side of the river, and was finally decided in their favor. But, agreeably to that interpretation of their charter, the said court appointed, on the 27th of May, 1652, a commission to settle the north line of their domain, and Captains Simon Willard and Edward Johnson were put in charge of this business. They procured the services, as survej'ors, of Jona- than Ince, a student at Cambridge, and John Sher- man, sergeant of Watertown, and these, following the guide of certain Indians, employed to direct the route, ascended the river to Aquadocton, the outlet of the lake, which was declared to be the head of the river (now the Weirs), and there they took astronomical observations, and determined the latitude thereof to 43° 40' 12". This point was indicated by inscrip- tions on a large boulder in the middle of the outlet. This inscription, made by drills, consisting of the date, the initials of Governor Endicott, and those of the surveying party, etc., may be seen at the pres- ent time, though the action of the elements for two hundred and thirty-three years has rendered them somewhat illegible. This bound was unknown, or unidentified, for many years and till 1846. From this point three more miles were to be included, north of the river, so three minutes more were to be allowed, making the utmost limit to be at 43° 43' 12" north latitude, and said to be " out into the Lake." As the course from the mouth of the river was westerly, and the charter said three miles north of the rh-er, — i.e., on its left bank, — and the course at the last was nearly due north, it was, and is, a question where the limit should fall. If it be determined by a perpendicular line three miles in length, maintained throughout the entire course, then it would be three miles nearly due east of the Weirs, and oft' Smith's Intervale, or a little east of Governor's Island. If due north is taken, which seems to be implied by the addition of three min- utes for the three miles, then the boundary line will pass through a point either three miles due north of this inscribed stone, — i.e., near or on Meredith Neck, — or three miles north of the point three miles east of the stone, — i.e., in the broad expanse northeast of Governor's Island and towards Bear Island. These observations were made August 1, 1652, and report was made to General Court, October 19th. Jonas Clarke and Samuel Andrews, shipmasters, were sent to mark the same latitude on the Atlantic shore, and determined it to fall on the northern part of Upper Clapboard Island, in Casco Bay, near Portland. An east and west line drawn through these two points of the parallel 43° ^Z' 12" was to constitute the border line of the province of Massachusetts Bay ; but this demarkation did not abide time and contendings, as it was based on a forced construction of the patent letter. Gilford territory, which was cut by it from near the Province road and Cotton's Hill and over Liberty Hill and down Gunstock Valley to the Intervale, was not permanently dismembered, and assigned to the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Bay Company. At Aquadocton there was originally about three feet fall, which has been overcome by flowage in consequence of the dam at Lake village, formerly Folsom'sMill. While these lands, bordering on the upper Merri- mack and on the South Lake shore, from Aquadocton southward and eastward, had evidently qualities valuable, and calculated to induce occupation and cultivation, and Aquadocton itself was one of the best fishing-grounds, yet, in opposition to all prospects, but for suflicient causes, this part of the common do- main remained unused and undeveloped for more than a full century after 1652. These places were known, to be sure, but scarcely more than as a thorough- fare of the aboriginal wanderings, and assemblings. GILFORD. r33 and migrations, and a^i feeding-places. The settlers of Piscataqua made early reconnoissance of these regions, and as early as 1632 visited, in their course, the lake and the White Mountains, and penetrated even to Champlain. They evidently marked the place a desired resting-place and there built a block- house as early as 1722, " at the Lake," as it is sup- posed, farther east than the bounds of Gilford, prob- ably in some part of Alton, or at Merry Meeting Bay, of after fame. From the four quarters of the land there seemed to meet here, as in a centre, the great trails or pathways of the Indians, living in all directions. And Aqua- docton was, even before, a place of no mean repute, or an unheard-of retreat of the savage wilds. From the south came up the Penacooks, the Nash- uas and various remoter tribes from Naumkeag and remoter parts of the Massachusetts Bay territory. From the west and northwest the Iriquois and St. Francis and others, through the valley of the Con- necticut, Baker's River and the Pemigewasset. From the north, over the lake, and from the valley of the Ossipee, the Saco and Androscoggin, come the Pekwau- ketts, the Ossipees and others. From the east came up the Cochecos and various tribes of Maine. Here wa.s their general rendezvous, and here councils of war were held, tribal feasts enjoyed, questions settled and disputed, and here issues, now unknown, were made and destinies determined. The summits of the Gunstock range were the outlooks over all this region, and from them to the Ossipee, Chocorua, and the greater, more distant northern peaks and lesser southern hills, were heralded the decisions of the con- tending and the couneiling savages. The Indian wars that marked that century had much of their scenes laid in this locality. The exceeding great haz- ard in effecting progressive occupation and settlement kept the few actual settlers closely compacted in five or seven towns that constituted the province of New Hampshire, viz.: Dover, Portsmouth, Exeter, New Castle, Hampton, Oyster Bay and Great Island. The changefulne-ss of the mother-country at this time also had its effects, both directly and indirectly^ on the expansion of the colony. The uncertainty of the sovereign personnel, and the spirit of the admin- istration at home, and the changing figures of ap- pointed magistrates and Governors here, made every- thing unsubstantial and problematic, and destroyed the vital germ of enterprise. The commonwealth lasted scarcely a decade from the execution of Charles I., and Charles II. for a quarter of a century from 1660, held the throne, but, in regard to these colonies, only to appoint six or seven successive Governors in the provinces of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The short reign of James used three more Governors, tlo.sing with the tyrannical and hated Edward Andros. William III., in a reign of a little more than one dec- ade, constituted and removed five more; and the distressful King William's War vexed the whole country and distracted and paralyzed the energies of the feeble band that had set down on the coast and the Piscataqua, but had their eye and hope on Aqua- docton. Queen Anne's dozen years' reign and the succession of George I. brought not much better times; so that when Samuel Shute assumed the Governorship of the two provinces jointly, in 1716, there was scarcely any sign of Aquadocton's being redeemed from its wilderness state, or the condition of the older settlements being much improved. Indians period- ically assembled on the shores of the lake, and men from Massachusetts visited the Weirs for a winter's stock offish, but the glebe was yet unbroken, and the forests pathless, save by the trail of the red man. By the appointment of John Wentworth as Lieu- tenant-Governor of New Hampshire, to act under and with, and, in certain contingencies, instead of. Gov- ernor Shute, of Massachusetts Bay province, on June 15, 1716, the interests of New Hampshire, and espe- cially of the undeveloped places about the lake were revived, more carefully looked after and attended to. The decadence of the spirit of expansion and enter- prise that followed the putting of New Hampshire un- der Massachusetts' protection and control, in 1689, and during the troublous times of William and Mary 's reign, seemed to have reached its lowest point about the time of the accession of Queen Anne, in 1702, or of her death and the commencement of the reign of George I., in 1714. Those who had suffered loss and endured hardships in the earlier wars, from the time of King Philip's, in 1674, and especially in that of King William, in 1G88-90, now begin to claim .some indemnification or reward. This is sought in grants of unoccupied lands. The paralyzing effect of the massacre at Dover, and the ruin of Salmon Falls, and the absence of that master-spirit of Major Waldron, now dead, determined that the tide of progress would not set up the Cocheco Valley to the shores of the lake and Aquadocton, though this would have been the most natural course of expansion. Nor did the contingencies of the disputed limitations and juris- diction of the Massachusetts Bay Company favor the extension of settlements up the Merrimack, the second most natural path of progress in occupation and im- provement. Hence, the third and most unlikely move- ment was made from Exeter into the wilderness by the route of no river valley, but along the highlands. Hence, in 1727, these claimants, numbering nearly two hundred, a charter is granted to them of all the land left, from the corner of Chichester, northwest of Barnstead, and northeast of the north line of Canter- bury (then including Loudon and Northfield), and extending to the lake and river, and abutting on both Barnstead and the unincorporated land eastward, after- wards known as the New Durham Gore, since Alton. The occupation of this land was now considered feasible, since the Province Council and Assembly had caused a fort or block-house to be built and garrisoned on the shore of the lake. This was ordered in 1722, 734 HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. and was to be fifty feet square, constructed with tim- bers eight inches square, ha\nng two wings, or flanlc- ers, and capable of giving accommodation to a garrison of one hundred and fifty men, and was to be provi- sioned duly. It was to be located near the bank of the lake, where there is an opening into the lake, and on the southeiist side; which language, in its first statement, would seem to indicate Aquadocton, but, in its other vv^ords, appears to refer to Alton Bay, and probably the eastern side. The purpose of building and arming this block-house was declared to be to "annoy and cheek tlie Indians of this region," and so secure quiet to the settlers. Hence the grantees and actual settlers of Gilmanton had thus a defense in their rear, as far as it concerned some of the most un- friendly tribes in this region ; and, therefore, the fear of molestation was measurably removed. The pro- prietors were not all from Exeter, but some of Ports- mouth ; many of the settlers first sat down tem- porarily in the southern part of the grant, and after- wards re-located in the northern section, or Gilford- The territory was divided into two hundred and fifteen shares, and severally apportioned to one hundred and ninety-two shareholders, besides the Masonian heirs ; and the public and governmental reservations were five shares. The proprietors were not, to a great extent, actual settlers, yet their names very largely correspond to those known in the history of the plantation. Ninety different names appear in the original list of proprie- tors, among which that of Gilman leads with twenty- four, viz.: Andrew, Caleb, Daniel, Edward (1st and Jr.), Jeremiah, John (Sr., Jr., 3d and Captain), Jona- than, Joseph, Nathaniel (Sr. and Jr.), Nehemiah, Nicholas (Sr., Jr. and 3d), Peter, Robert, Samuel (1st and 3d), Thomas and Trueworthy. Hence the name Gilmanton was most natural. The charter bears date of May 20, 1727, and in the thirteenth year of the sovereign, George I., and had three conditions, viz. : 1st, the settlement of seventy families within three years each in a separate house, and each having cleared three acres fit for tillage, and having paid all assess- ments. 2d, a meeting-house shall be built within four years. 3d, three shares shall be appropriated for public use, viz. : One for the ministerial support, one for minister's residence and one for support of schools ; providing, however, that no Indian war prevent the settlement, and in such event, granting three years from the close of such war. The consideration of this deed or title was the quit-rent of one pound of flax annually forever, if demanded, and due the second Tuesday of March. Also all pine-trees, twenty-four inches in diameter, were reserved, under the act of Parliament, for the construction of ships in the royal navy, which trees had been nuirkcd and registered by a surveyor, ap- pointed first in the time of William, and agreeably to the provincial statute of 1708, by the approval of (iueen Anne. The line of boundary, sis defined by the charter, was a straight northwest course, or, more accurately, north, 47° west, and from the southwest corner of Barnstead till the Merrimack waters were reached, about twelve and three-eighths miles, which terminal point was on the shore of the bay, a little south of the outlet of Great Brook and one and a half miles southwest of Burley's bridge, at East Tilton. The other line ran six miles on the Barnstead line, or, more accurately, six miles and one hundred and twenty-two rods, passing one mile, ninety-five rods beyond Barnstead northeast corner, as now estab- lished. This course was east, 43° north (said to be northeast), and thence the line was to run northwest (north, 47° west) two miles (two miles, sixty-five rods), and thence north (north, 1° west) seven miles to the lake, — i.e., seven miles, forty-eight rods. Thence the shore of the lake and the river, or series of bays, was to be the terminal margin, not including the islands off shore in the whole course. This tract contained about eighty-five thousand acres of land, about one- third of which constitutes the original town of Gil- ford as set off. At the expiration of the three years, in 1730, the settlement of the seventy families had not been ef- fected, and the proprietors petitioned for extension of time. It is not alleged that the condition of out- breaking Indian wars formed the basis of this neglect and needed prolongation of time ; but the country was far from being tranquil during this period. The charter, still unpaid for, was held by the clerk of the Council ; yet they made provision for its redemption, and for laying out the plant and making it accessible by a chosen and cut or cleared-out pathway or road ; but this work was delayed another year. The principal names connected with the survey and much of the early doings of the proprietors were those of Edward Gilman, who seems to be the ac- cepted surveyor, and Jethro Parsons and Oliver Smith. These, with five other men as assistants, l>e- gan the bounding of the town June 14, 1731, and simply ran the easterly line, as defined by the words of the charter. This took twelve daj'S, as the line was about sixteen miles long, and lay over the moun- tains. Beginning at a beech-tree, they ran six miles to a birch, then two miles to another beech, and finally reached a hemlock at the pond. With these four trees, only one in Gilford, the domain is located. One hundred and fifty years might not have wrought the decay of the beech and the hemlock (perhaps the birch should have gone) ; but tradition identifies them not, nor are seen the initials inscribed on them. The next year a plan of the town and the laying out of lots were ordered, and these lots were to equal or exceed the number of proprietors. Five ranges of home lots were laid out in tiers, resting on the south- west base line, containing about forty acres each, and extending to the base of the mountains and nearly to the extent of the present town of Gilmanton. Tliese GILFORD. (35 1 were drawn by the proprietors for actual settling or for disposition to whomsoever they could induce to take up the land and improve it for themselves. October 18, 1732, these lots wore drawn and each one began to take measures to have the conditions of the charter carried out. In 1733 it was decided to lay out a second division of lots, and to build block-houses at the extreme southeast part, and also at the extreme northwest, or Aquadocton, which is said to be " fishing-grounds," and also to examine the soil there, and see if it be good and fit for a settlement. An opinion had already obtained that this part of the grant was more valuable and more desirable for a settlement than the lots already laid out. This l)ropositi()n was not immediately carried out, but was renewed the three following years with variations in the committee to accomplish it. In 1736 the committee performed their assigned work, and in eleven days from the 14tli of June, cleared a pathway from Epsom to Gilmanton and built two block-houses, one at the southeast corner (if the first division of lots, and the other at the Weirs. These were the first houses built on the grant. As they were simultaneously constructed, the one in the present Gilmanton and the other in Gil- ford, the two towns may be said to be of equal age. The former was eighteen feet square and the latter fourteen feet; and these, with the other and larger one at the eastern part of the lake, constituted a tri- angulation of the region for fortification and protec- tion, and for aggression. The laud on the lake-shore and river border was pronounced to be of good quality and suitable for settlement ; and, therefore, its laying out was recommended and urged by the committee and demanded by others. The lay and quality of the land inclined the judgment of the committee, that these lots should face the river, or west; and as a detached section, should be erected in ranges extending from Aquadocton towards the Can- terbury line, and not connecting with or reaching the first division. A boom was now made for the settlement of the north part of the town, and two important privileges were offered, viz. : First, the choice of the lots to be laid out in the second division should not be in the arbitrary manner of drawing them by lot, but the proprietors, or settlers, could choose their shares together and at either end of the division, and so avoid being too scattered and exposed. Second, a bonus of forty shillings from each proprietor was offered to the first twenty or more settlers, who would within five years commence settlement, and would clear and break up two acres of land. This was an extension of time, two years, and a reduc- tion of the quota of land to be cleared by one acre, as compared with the proposals made for settling in the first division ; and, besides, the premium was not inconsiderable, as two pounds from each of one hun- dred and ninety-two proprietors meant a little fortune in those days, to a mere settler, or husbandman. It would seem that these inducements should have been sufficient. But they did not secure acceptance ; and the next year resort had to be made to the General Court to extend the time of settlement, and for authority to collect taxes of the proprietors. Already nearly two hundred pounds had been expended in surveying, building block-houses and cutting path- ways, and several proprietors were in default of pay- ment, and their shares had to be sold to satisfy the assessments made. In 1738 a committee, increased to the number of twelve, was constituted to lay out these lots, which they did in June, by the assistance of twenty other hired men, in ten days from the 20th of the month. The first four days were employed in clearing a way from White Hall, or the first block-house, to the Merrimack River, presumably at Aquadocton. The lay or route of this pathway was sketched, but with some indefiniteness ; and hence different opinions as to its exact location may be entertained. As the first cleared pathway, or road, in the town, its position is of importance. The surveyors' returns say that it lay " from White Hall to Loon Pond, one mile and a half; thence to Block-House Pond, a mile and a half; thence to Third Camp Meadow, four miles ; thence N. W. by N., to Skeiler's Meadow, three miles ; and on the same course, five miles, to the Pond." With the want of expressed direction in the first three courses, or stages of advance, we are to make special use of the definiteness of direction and distances mentioned in the last two stages. Reversing the course of northwest by north, and laying off five miles, the meadow land in the valley of the Miles River will be reached, near the estate of the late DavidBrown,Esq.,orthatnear John Foster's and Jona- than Morrill's, above the flowage. Then, laying off three miles in the same direction (nearly), the pond at the summit or the head-waters of the Suncook will be reached (or, from Foster's and Morrill's meadow, the margin of Young's Pond). Loon Pond is easily identified, and there remains only Block-House Pond for identification. A radius of four miles from Third Camp Meadow, considered as at the head-waters of the Suncook, would very nearly reach the Reservoir Pond, or the small pond a little to the east of it, and at the head of Mill Brook ; or, measured from Young's, would reach Pickerel Pond. Either of these three ponds may have been referred to as Block-House Pond. The only other plausible identification of points and direction of the route is, that Pickerel Pond, near Parsonage Hill, represents Block House Pond ; and the vicinity of Young's Pond, the Third Camp Meadow; and the upper Gunstock Valley, south of Gilford village, to Esquire Weeks' estate, that of Skeiler's Meadow ; and that thence the way crossed Meeting-House Hill to the Weirs ; and this, though answering well as to distances, does not agree as to 736 HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. the directions mentioned in the returns. As the first division of lots had already been laid out, it would be natural to follow them as far as they extended, and 80 avail themselves of the advantage of the surveyor's marks and partial clearing of pathways; and this would be in the direction of Young's Pond, and the pond at the summit, or head-waters, from which point Aquadocton, or its immediate vicinity, could be sighted, and its bearing taken ; and hence at this stage first mention is made of direction ; and the course thence is made as direct as possible. With this way cleared, the communication between the first and second divisions was made easy ; and these thirty-two men now divide themselves and their work into four parts. Two parties lay out the lots in five ranges, — In all, numbering one hundred and seventy-seven lots. For encouragement to settle on these, not only might the settlers have the choice of their lots together, but they should receive forty shillings annu- ally from each proprietor, — a generous offer indeed. The third house was built by one section of this I)arty "for their shelter," but its site was not described, iior does tradition locate it. Another section of the party spent six days in " looking out a convenient place for a way to Canter- bury." This second way in the territory was distinct from the one from Epsom, via White Hall, and ran parallel with the ranges, along the margin of the river at first, and then south through the upper part of the town, or Upper Parish. AVhen it seemed so assured that the town would be speedily settled, and the union of New Hampshire and Massachusetts under one civil administration had kept somewhat in abeyance the conflicting claims to lands on the margin of the river, so that without hes- itation, question or protest, the second division of lots was laid out and offered to settlers, being nevertheless all comprehended in that part of the domain claimed by Massachusetts, and the settlement of the boundary in 1741 had given advantage and impulse to the pro- jects and interests of the proprietors, there seemed un- accountably a stay in proceedings, as neither the town, or parts of the town, realized progress. Then the unsettled state of affairs in Europe cul- minated in the declaration of war between England and France, and brought on the dark night of conflict in the American colonies, paralyzing all schemes. So that from 1738 to 1748 all things remained stationary, or were retrograding. Two cleared ways and three houses were all of Gilford and Gilmanton. On the cessation of hostilities, in 1749, there were attempts made to revive the interests of the scheme, and, as pre- paratory to it, a committee, with twenty men, by order of the proprietors, spent eleven long summer days in renewing the metes and bounds and repairing the houses and adding one new house at Third Camp Meadow (the claim to which is not determined either in favor of (iilfbrd or (iilmanton, as its site is not set- tled) and renewing the way cut ten years before, which by disuse, had become almost untraceable and useless. But the time of peace was too short to admit of much progress, and a second war deferred for another decade all advancement ; and this, despite new and generous offers held out to pioneers. To at most forty settlers, who, within one year, should build houses and bring under cultivation three acres of land yearly, there was proffered a premium of fifty acres of land additional from the undivided land, and this to be doubled at the end of six years, as an additional bonus. The only immediate eft'ect of this proposed bounty was some felling of trees in 1750 by parties from Pena- cook, on land chosen and intended for a homestead, but which was soon quit by reason of the renewal of hostile demonstrations. Indeed, so low did the enter- prise run, that twenty-one shares were to be sold to pay arrearages of unpaid taxes. The sale of Mason's claim to twelve men of Portsmouth further complica- ted and embarrassed matters pertaining to the settle- ment of the town. To overcome this effectual obstacle, the uncertainty of valid title, a way must be devised. A compromise was made whereby these purchasers, called the heirs of Mason, quit-claimed the remainder of the territory for eighteen shares in equality with the original pro- prietors; the.se shares to be reserved in guaranty to them and exempted from taxation till occupied. With this ob- stacle removed, a new bonus is offered of one hundred pounds old tenor, in eightquarterly instalments, and two forty-acre lots of land, to the first twenty settlers, and, when there should be ten families, to support a minis- ter and also to build a saw-mill. It would seem that such liberal conditions should have secured a rush for the prize. But dangers and war are more powerful than all gain. The contract with the Masonian heirs involved or required the survey and laying out of their eighteen shares and the making of a plan of the town, which was done in 1752 by one Nathan Sanborn, under the direction of a committee whose chairman was Oliver Smith. This was the third division, or third laying out of lots, and was made, as the contract specified, from the extreme eastern side of the grant. They werelaidoffin two ranges running from the lake-shore on the north, and extending to the margin of Young's and Lougee's Ponds, and quite to the north-eastern limits of the first division of forty-acre lots. These lots were to be equal in quantity and quality to the shares of the original proprietors, and they varied in size from two hundred to four hundred acres. Thus, having the two vexed questions settled, — viz., that of title and that of jurisdiction,— the way seemed prepared to easily carry out the plans for improvement of the grant. But there remained still one, and an abiding, hindrance, — that of exposure to Indian cru- elties and attacks. The block-houses and fort did not prove sufficient for defense. The borders of the lake were no ordinary or insignificant locality. The drama 737 ol' Indian conHicts and struggles was conspicuously- laid on this battle-ground and rendezvous. And another and extremely severe conflict was at hand ; or rather the former one, supposed to have ended in 1748, broke out anew in 1754, and ended not till the most stubborn of these foes (the St. Francis tribe) was broken, in the year 1759, and peace was se- cured. Indeed, the fear and reluctance of men to throw themselves too far fromabase, into theunoccupied and exposed places, was not relieved till the various colo- nies began to combine and make common cause. The action of the congress of commissioners and their declaration in 1754, and the consequent successful conduct of affairs in the five following years, did much to assure men who would undertake enterprises in the new parts. But the second French War employed and exhausted all the reserve forces of the country, and no one turned his thoughts toward the development of his interests in unsettled lands till after 1760. Although, to any sagacious eye the northern part of Gilmanton had the most promising future, and, witli its mighty motive-power in the three water-falls at the Weirs and Lower Weirs (Lake village) and Wiune- squam (Laconia), was destined to outstrip the other sections, yet the settlement came up, and that slowly, from Epsom, through the cleared way, to the southeast part of the grant. Here the appearance of a settle- ment was effected in the last days of 1761. But, in order to effect this, increasingly generous offers had to be made. The fourth laying out of lands was made of that lying contiguous to the first division of forty-acre lots, and was disposed into six ranges, and two ranges of gores, these equal in number on each side of the first division ; and these, of one hundred acres each, (though varying somewhat), were offered in pairs to go with each home lot to the first forty settlers. A grist-mill and a saw-mill were also promised to be erected by the proprietors for the settlers as soon as there were ten families. A great inconvenience and impediment to progress at this time was tlie want of proper roads. The one '■ cut " and twice afterwards " cleared," from Epsom to the Weirs, twenty-six miles in extent, and also others, were not much more than mere foot-paths or trails, capable, however, of use to riders on horseback, which mode of travel and transportation was then most common (even the iron-work of the first saw-mill and grist-mill being brought into town in this manner). A road for wheels was first partially made to the border- line of the town in 1750, but was impassable for ox- teams in 1762. The town had to make their road through the unsettled portions of the town next to it, in order to find access or approaches to its own do- main. Water communication in places bordering on the lake and river in a measure supplied this defect, and travel in this wav was there common. The first im- provement fif land was not in the northern or second division. The two families that came in 1761, the eight that were added in 1762, and even the total of forty-five found there in 1767, comprising two hundred and fifty individuals, all took their choice of lots in the lower part of the grant, though some of them sub- sequently moved into the upper section, or Upper Par- ish. It was not till 1777 and 1778 that families made jiermanent location in the northern part. Contrary to reasonable expectation, and strange to say, one hun- dred and fifty-five years elapsed between the settle- ment of Dover and that of Gilford, though only less than forty miles lay between their boundaries, and a natural roadw^ay extended directly from one to the other, via the lake-shore, and, moreover, though pe- culiar advantages offered inducements to expansion in this very direction. So, also, upwards of sixteen years has marked the progress of only ton miles in occupation northward from White Hall. The laying out of the first parish, in 1761, in the southeast corner of the town, six miles by six and a half, almost identical, in position and extent, to the present town of Gilmanton, and the providing for preaching there, and the building of a saw-mill and grist-mill, respectively, in this and the following year, all by the proprietors for the benefit of the settlers, seemed to act unfavorably to the wider di-spersion of the inhabitants, and to the development of the upper and better lands, and the using of its natural re- sources. This effected concentration of privileges and interests there, formed the germ of a distinct munici- pality, and gave rise to a counter and competing cen- tralization, which resulted, after fifty years of munici- pal unity, in the dismemberment and separate civil existence of Gilford, and, in the end, of Belmont. The special adaptation of the upper part of the territory to agricultural purposes, and of its great motive- power in the immense volume of water furnished by the lake to manufacturing, as contrasted with the in- significant streams on which the first proprietors' mills were placed, only to be shifted or to go to de- cay, evidently pointed to future separation and growth. Men of keen foresight plainly saw this to be inevitable and wisely acted upon the evidence; and, first of all, after Samuel Jewett, two men, Cap- tain S. F. Gilman and James Ames, in 1778, chose their lots here and pitched. The way to this step was prepared, in a large meas- ure, by the building of the Province road, eight years before. To facilitate the settling of new towns to be granted, and those already granted, but not im- proved (for many waited long for inhabitants), the General Court laid this road in 1770, to extend from Portsmouth to Canada ; and its lay was diagonally across Gilmanton, from the I'lrst Division and settled portion to the narrows in the river as it enters Win- nesquam, just below the FalKs, in Gilford, at later times called Jleredith Bridge. The General Court imposed on the towns the HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. building ol'tlie road through their domain. The in- habitants of Gilmanton were opposed to the extension of the road into the upper part of their territory, and officially refused to construct it. It cut the lots diagonally and much to their damage, while the lay- ing out of the town provided for a regular system of roads and made the lots rectangular. The e.xpense was considered excessive and burdensome, while they were struggling to provide for other things, as schools and churches and the necessary roads to reach their in- dividual lands and residences. It was also unfavor- able to concentration and prosperity in the neighbor- hood already formed, to induce the forming of distant and rival neighborhoods ; so that the project was not viewed with favor. But the General Court ordered the road to be built by contractors, and the cost, three hundred and thirty-one pounds, was assessed on the town. Thus a passable highway was opened, in 1770, into Gilford, and, very wisely, to the part where the power was. This assured a settlement there and growth. About the same time Samuel Jewett settled above the Falls, at the terminus of the Province road. It is claimed this was in 1777. The first two to locate afterwards were farmers, and, with good judgment, made their choice in the vicin- ity of the Intervale, the one at the southeast and the other at the southwest angle of that rich tract of al- luvial land. James Ames settled near the house built and occu- pied by Ebenezer Smith, Esq., and Captain S. F. Gil- man at the bead of the spur of the valley or meadow land, near the heads of Black Brook and the Meadow Brook. About this time Levi Lovit made a temporary resi- dence near the outlet of the Lily Pond, and opposite the house afterwards and lately occupied by Increa.se W. Davis. Abraham Folsom began improvements at the Lower Weirs, and though his residence was in that part which, till recently, belonged to Meredith, and, later, Laconia, yet his enterprise was for the interests of Gilford, and his mill (grist-mill) was the one ne- cessary accommodation of the first settlers. Daniel Stevens located on the Gilford side of the river, and his house, still standing, was for many years the only house at that place on the Gilford side. Soon after these came Malachi Davis, Samuel Blaisdcll and Lowell Sanborn, the first two of whom settled near the residence of Captain Gilman, and the last of whom at the extreme end of the range, on the lake-shore. ■ Esquire Benjamin Weeks, who came into the lower part of the town in 1768, led a party into the upper section and located at the western base of Mount Ma- jor, in 1787, where there afterwards dwelt a large community of that name. He was a leading man and large land-holder, and successful in business. The population of the town increased rapidly after the first few years. There are no returns extant that show the number of actual residents within the limits of that portion of Gilmanton which was set oft' to constitute the town of Gilford at the time of such de- tachment living there. But by the census of 1810 we find that the whole town then contained 4338 inhabitants ; and by the census returns of 1820 it had then 3752 re- maining in the old town, and Gilford had 1816 ; so that it is probable that about 1500 inhabitants were set off to form the new town. The little band of 250 in 1767, of 775 in 1775, or of four at the beginning of 1762, had a remarkable growth. And the increase in the second division was not less rapid than that of the first, or of the whole, which numbered only 775 in 1775, two years before the first families entered the upper part and actually made a beginning of settle- ment there. The census of 1790 gives a population of 2613, and that of 1800 makes it 3762. As above stated, in 1810 it was 4338, and probably in 1812 the aggregate was not less than 5000. Thelist of tax-payers of Gilford in 1813, the first one made after the incorporation, contained 294 names, including a few non-residents. The assess- ment of that year was for $1207.08, comprising State tax, $182.68; county tax, $67.35; and school tax, $492.08; and town tax, S465.73. They spent nearly as much for schools as for al 1 other town expenses, and maintained ten schools about six months each. Captain James Follet was the first collector, and had been several years before for the Fourth Col- lector's District of Gilmanton, or the Second Division. The first Board of Selectmen were John Smith, Thomas Saltmarsh and John Gilman. In 180(3 there were in the Fourth Collector's District, nearly con- terminous with the future new town, 166 assessed persons ; and the amount assessed was $643.60, out of $2803.92, assessed on the whole town, showing that the district had not then attaine4 to the fourth part of the taxable value of the whole. In 1808 this sec- tion had 192 tax-payers, including a few non-residents, and was levied upon for $616.62 in the total of $2574.42, or about one-fourth part. The list of as- sessed had increased in 1810 to the number of 206. The inventories of these years show that but few acres of land had been improved by each settler, they having been extensively engaged in constructing their build- ings, and were now distracted by the opening of an- other war with England. Born or inaugurated in the warlike season, the public afFaira were conducted somewhat in a spirit of contention. Notonly political, but even ecclesiastical affsiirs witnessed many a battle, long drawn out and most bitter. A child of strife, nursed in conflicts, she grew valiant in war. With room for free exercise of her arms over the adjacent waters on the north and the west, she was prepared to meet any assailant from either quarter; and, trusting, in her munition of rocks, she attended to domestic GILFORD. 739 improvements without fear or distraction ; and the re- sult has been not otherwise than laudable, as the fol- lowing exhibit will jjlainly establish: The Personnel of the Early Settlers.— As an ar- ticle of the prescribed extent for siieli a work as this does not admit of a booR, or even full chapter, of gen- ealogies, it will be sufficient to append a few words on the persons and characters of those early citizens who constituted the body politic in its first years of separate and corporate existence. And for this pur- pose will we use the list of tax-payers in the first year of assessment. Thirty-five years had doubtless wit- nessed some falling out as well as the gathering in of a body of inhabitants, so that our notices may be wanting in some names of parties who had come and gone already, and some who had not yet been placed on the list of tax-payers, though really resident. Daniel Avery appears to be among the number as early as 1790, and he commenced trade here at that time, at the bridge, the terminus of the Province road. He afterwards enlarged his business and built a fac- tory and ran it many years, and he was one of the heaviest tax-payers at the first year of the town's sep- arate and independent management, and even before that date. His family remained there for many years, but are not represented in the place now by that name. James and David Ames are among the earliest on the ground. James settled at the foot of the hill in the road, now discontinued, near Esquire Ebenezer Smith's, and David located where Richard Dame lived, now owned and occupied by William W. Watson. They appear to have made a good beginning, but long since the families have been reduced and scarcely represented among us. The family is not, however, extinct, but have mostly removed elsewhere. Jeremiah Bartlet came early to Gilford and took up land, about 1790, at the west base of Gunstock Moun-. tain, and was a successful farmer and an upright, re- spected man. He lived to an honorable and ripe old age on the lot he first occupied, and in his later years was afflicted with deafness and a troublesome wen on the neck, which increased in size as his years ad- vanced. His exemplary piety was characteristic. He had two sons and several daughters. One married John Jewett. His sons were dealers in stock and for a time drovers. The line of descent is not traced by numerous posterity, but the homestead is still occu- pied by lineal descendants, some of another name. Samuel Bartlett was a citizen also at the same time. Rev. Robert Barllett moved into town in later times, with a large family, occupying the Osgood place, on Liberty Hill, and supplying the Universalist pulpit for a time, and dying only a few years ago at his daughter's, in Lake village, at an advanced age. He was a man of good ability and of activity in his early life, and had some good positions before coming to Gilford. The name of Bean, so common in Gilmanton, was also well represented here in the persons of Elijah, James, Solomon and John, and later by Henry, Joel, Chase and True. The first of these settled in the southern part of the town and the others in the northern. Their families arc still represented, though not by great numbers of the same name, but by changed names. The family of Bennett was among the first of the assessed, and the names of John, John, Jr., John (4) and Winthrop appear on the first year. They settled in Chattleborough and near Liberty Hill. Some of the name in after-years, as Harrison, was of honorable mention in public affairs and educational depart- ment.s. The family is still represented by a few. The Blaisdell family was a prominent one from the very first years. Samuel Blaisdell settled north of and near to Captain Oilman, at the Lily Pond. He worked at blacksmith work, and several of his sons afterwards carried on the same business. His sons were William, John, Daniel, Enoch, Aaron, Philip and Samuel, all men of intellectual and executive abili- ties. He exercised his talents as a lay preacher, holding meetings at his own house before a regular service was established or meeting-house built. Per- haps there was some lack of agreement of his doc- trinal sentiments and those current or entertained by many in the vicinity. William, the oldest son, was later representative of and preacher to the Order of Christians, or, as they are sometimes called, Christian Baptists. He had good talents and education and was promoted in civil offices. Others of the family exercised limitedly their gifts in lay preaching. Mrs. Samuel Blaisdell was efficient as nurse and doctress to her sex before the regular physician was settled or could be easily called. The family were largely nat- ural and apt mechanics. Samuel, of another branch of the family, was the framing carpenter of those and later days. The family is now numerously rcpre^ sented. Eliphlet and Jacob were also early settlers Eliphlet (2), deacon a long time of the Baptist Church at Lake village, and some of that branch, were, by affiliation. Baptists and efficient members. Other branches of the family were Free- Will Baptists and prominent, and slill others were of other and more liberal belief and practice. Dr. Zadock Bowman was practicing phj'sician at the beginning of the century, and located at Meredith Bridge. David Bowman was the successor in the estate, which was and has been one of prominence. Mrs. Daniel Tilton now represents the family. John Boyd is sole representative of that name in the tax- list of 1806, and was possessed of an estate near Ben- jamin Jewell's. Enoch Boyd represented tlie name in later years, and occupied the homestead. Abel and Ephraim Brown, with Ephraim, Jr., are the representatives of that name, the former living at the lakeside, at what was afterwards the Almsliouse farm, and the others in Miles Valley. They were men of means, except Ephraim, Jr. ; and Xehemiah and Daniel were the children in possession succes- 740 HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY; NEW HAMPSHIRE. sively. Captain Daniel and Nehemiah were of hon- orable standing in town affairs. The name Buzzell (or Buswell) is early mentioned, and the names of Isaac, Ebenezer, Ichabod, Ichabod, Jr.. Stephen, George and James are enrolled. The family settled in the east part of the town, on both sides of the mountain. The family of manufacturing men at Laconia bearing that name came later to town, and first operated the fulling and carding-mill on Gunstock River, and also did business in the woolen line at Lalce village, and since have pros- ecuted an extensive and successful enterprise at La- conia, first in the old Parker warp-mill and later in Morrison's carding and fulling-mill and the Belknap Mill and later enlargements. They have shown business tact and skill. The names of Boynton, Bur- bank, Bradbury, Badger, Burleigh, Blake, Beede, Burns and Bickford are found in the list ; but some are non-resident, and of others but little is known. Tradition locates Bickford at Richard Dame's or Joseph P. Smith's. Captain Charles Beede came later and did blacksmithing at Gilford village and later at Laconia, and enlisted in the Union army at an advanced age. The name of Robert Carr is associated with the Quaker faith, and he is known as Elder Carr. He early settled on an excellent glade of land at the mouth of the Miles Brook, and was one of the frugal and fore- handed farmers, living in a stately and neatly-kept house — a semi-inn — of honorable repute. The team- ing of products to Portsmouth and freighting back of groceries was a considerable branch of business in those days, and way-places for halting and accom- modation were in demand. The sons of Robert Carr (John and Richard) located one at the homestead and the others at Alton. The family still remains in tpwn. The Clough family, represented by David, Aaron, JMoses and Caleb, were here early, one at the east base of the mountains and the other at the Hoyt's neighborhood ; and these families have gone. John C. Clough lived at Laconia and kept store on the Meredith side. The family remains in the place, but the business is closed. The Clark name is more common, and applies to more than one lineage. Samuel Clark settled a little north of Folsom's Mills, and the family is of honor- al)le mention, and from it came the Hon. Joseph Clark, of Manchester, Esq. Samuel Clark, of Lake village and others. William Clark settled farther north, on the Plains. Jacob and Mayhew were of Meredith Bridge, the former a shoemaker and musi- cian. Others of the Same name dwelt at .Tewctt's Ci)rner and Laconia. Ezekiel Collins settled hei'e about 1X07, in the neighborhood of Chattleborough Pond, and the family, in later generations, preserved its compact condition in its own neighborhood, and in large numbers. Seven sons settled near, and daughters settled here and elsewhere. The mill in their plant has long been operated by some one of the name for sawing and threshing. They were an industrious and quiet peo- ple and mainly successful. John Cotton settled near the- hill bearing this name, in the south part of the town Snd a little otf the Prov- ince road, and the family still has its representatives there. Simon Cotton was of the same line. The Chase family is represented as early as 1806, and by the individual names of Mark, Green, James, Jr., and Widow Nancy. Their location is uncertain. Later, Albert and Hazeltine Chase came from Loudon and were connected with the business and firm of Jewett, Chase & Thing, store-keepers at Gilford vil- lage ; Albert, also, as clerk in the store of Charles Stark there, or Stark & Goodhue. Samuel Connor is among the inhabitants as early as 1810, and Joseph Connor lived near Captain Oilman's and Lieutenant Rand's. The house has gone and the family name is not preserved at present. They were connected with the McCoys. The name of Cram is associated with inhabitants at Meredith Bridge. Jonathan and Widow Cram are the only names that appear in the lists. Taxes were assessed on property of Dr. Call and James Crocket, residing in Meredith. A little later the Chesley family settled in the east part of the town, near Alton ; but the family is no longer known among the people of that section. The Coles came later from Conway to Lake village and engaged in the furnace and foundry business. There were sev- eral of the second generation, and they at one time comprised a large portion of the active business men of Lake village. Benjamin Cole, Esq., has been prominent in public affairs for many years. The iron and hardware trade and works were largely in their hands, and it was successfully conducted and associ- ated with general trade. The Crosbys have been of honorable mention. Josiah and Dixi have practiced medicine here with skill and ability. The former was also connected with the Avery Factory awhile. They were first from Sandwich and later lived at Gilman- ton Corner. The father, Asa Crosby, had an exten- sive practice in all the region. Sanborn Crosby was long an inhabitant near Meredith Bridge,^another family. Richard Dame settled near the Intervale and was a laborious and successful farmer; wore his uncut hair in a queue after the manner of the Quakers, and raised a large family, which have almost lost the name and representation in the place ; yet, by mar- riage, the line is preserved under other names. Ben- jamin Dame pursued the blacksmith business and lived in different places in town. The family is largely gone, but few remain. The Davis family was prominent in early years. Malachi Davis settled, in 1790, near the Lily Pond and held a good estate. He was a father in matters of religion and politics. His house was for many years the place of holding the Democratic caucus, as well as the social religious meetings. His life was prolonged by means of a 741 difficult surgical operation. His family was not large in the line of sons, but several daughters of good ability became well connected in married life, and still some are alive iu advanced age. Several families of the name, and related, settled in his immediate neighborhood and also on the east side of the moun- tains. A family of the name resided at Meredith Bridge, and one at Lake village, known as Neighbor John. Nathaniel, called also Island Davis, occupied Governor's Island. He was a stalwart and command- ing personage, and exercised his gifts as a leader in matters of free church order in preaching and public discussion. He raised a family of four sons and about the same number of daughters, who became well connected. The sons and himself were leaders iu political and other public affairs. One, John, was a prominent teacher and afterwards agent of the fac- tory company at Lake village. They have gone from the island, but are represented elsewhere. The family largely embraced Miller's doctrine, though at first following one Osgood, of anti-church government sentiments. William Miller, in person, held a camp- meeting on the island in 1840. Abraham Dearborn lived awhile near the head of the gully and elsewhere. Jeremiah Dow, Josiah Dow, Samuel Dicey, William Drew and Joseph Drew are among the voters of 1813. They were connected with Meredith Bridge, except Drew, who was in the central part of the town. These are now largely gone from the place as families. The name of Eager was formerly known, but is now not current. Lieutenant Winthrop Eager is mentioned in 1813. Asa Eager and John Eager were citizens at Meredith Bridge (.\sa Eager was sheriff and otherwise a public man ; he kept hotel in early years) and known as connected with the county affairs and the court. Eager's tav- ern was situated nearly opposite the court-house. The name is not at present met here. The Eaton family settled in the eastern part of the town. The same name is associated with the settle- ment at the Weirs, as occupying on the Meredith side. We have, in 1806 and 1813, Joseph, Joshua, Benjamin and Elias. Later, Elisha, Jonathan and Sherburn are on the records. Daniel, Esq., was re- cently a successful teacher. John and Martin have been in trade here and in Salem, Mass. The Elkins family was formerly quite large. Dan- iel, Richard, Jonathan, James, John and Ezekiel are among those early here, and for the most part lived near the Suncook Mountains (west of them), and one family on the Lake road. John Evans, Esq., was a leading man, living on the east part of the Lake-Shore road. Samuel and George were members of the family, and the former a teacher. The name is not now found in the town. The Edgerly name at Meredith Bridge, as Nathan- iel, the register of deeds, is of later date. The Edwards family was here early, and Nathaniel, in the second generation, was a long while a propri- etor and conductor of the shoe business at Meredith Bridge. The Foster family first located in the centre of the Intervale, occupied the D. Y. Smith place, and also, later, on Miles River, near the Morrill neighborhood. Thomas was first here before 1806, and Thomas, Jr., John and Daniel continued thefamily to recent years; but now the name is but little known. Samuel Foss was early living near Mount Minor. Ezekiel Flanders occupied land on the east side of Mount Prospect, and belongs to the large family of that name in Alton. The line is still continued here. James Follet came to Gilford about 1792, and wrought at blacksmith work. He was brother-in-law to Rev. Richard Martin, and settled near him on Meeting-House Hill. He was efficient in public af- fairs, being repeatedly the collector of taxe.s, consta- ble and captain in the militia. He carried on the tanning business, and engaged to some extent in trade, which his sons also took up and conducted at different places. He raised a large family of sons and daughters ; the sons are all enterprising, efficient men, and the daughters have all married well. They have been scattered and reduced in numbers in later years, and the original house, so intimately associated wilh the early town-meetings and the Sabbath meetings, and the first store, Pearley's, has been burnt. Sam- uel Follet is once found on the tax-list, and that in 1810. The Folsom name appears very early and in fre- quency. Jonathan Folsom signed the Test Paper (political), in 1776, as an inhabitant of Gilmanton ; probably located not within the limits of the present Gilford, as it is conceded that there were no families then settled on its territory. He is, however, a tax- payer in 1813. Abraham Folsom is said to have set- tled in town in 1781, and to have built his mill at that date, for the town gavethe five acres for a mill privilege and built the bridge at his mills, or the Weirs (Lower Weirs), the year before,— i. e. 1780, — and the bridge was located above the mills in 1782. He subsequently built his house on the Meredith side and was a citizen of that town, and the estate and property was included therein till that section was set ofl' to Gilford re- cently. Two lots in the eighth range were sold to build the bridge, and the five acres given to him. The other families of this name were those of Nathaniel, Benjamin, John, Dudley and others, who have held high places in public affairs and several have been distinguished. The Gilmans are both conspicuous and numerous. They came early and later. Foremost is Captain John F., who settled near the Lily Pond in the same year that Abraham FoLsom came, in 1781. He was a prin- cipal citizen and land-holder, and by his captaincy was always a marked character. His family was by adoption, including James McCoy and Oilman Thing. Ezekiel Oilman came the same year and settled near Benjamin Jewett's place. Lieutenant John Oilman 742 HISTORY OF BELKxNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. settled on the south of Captain John F.; and Dudley still further to the southwest, coming in 1789 ; and Andrew possessed a large estate at the foot of the mountains, west side, and near by Samuel and Joshua. Levi and iSamuel settled near Gunstock or Meeting- House Hill. Robinson Oilman located at Meredith Bridge, and Antipas on Liberty Hill. These all have held lineal connections with the great Oilman fra- ternity, and they are also, by one branch or other, connected by intermarriages with most of the fami- lies of the town at large. Most of them had large families. Abel (elder) and Manoah Glidden settled near Alton line and the mountains. The latter came in 1796. They were leading men in that section, and their descendants are still in possession of the estates. Abel (2d) is also a minister. The father was a man of native talent. Levi, John and Jethro Ooss settled on the north part of Gunstock Hill, and from that place the large families of sons and daughters settled in difierent parts of the town and elsewhere. The homesteads have passed out of the name, but not all of them from the lineal heirs. Elijah Gove settled on the west side of Gunstock Hill, and his son Daniel was a successor to the estate, and a mechanic and constructor of various farming implements. The estate is in the same name. David Gould settled land to the southeast of Gil- ford village and had one son and one daughter. They all lived to a good old age and the family became extinct. They were engaged in cooperage and were in comfortable circumstances. Jonathan Grant was early an inhabitant, and several families of the name, as Paul's, Daniel's and Levi's, have been citizens. They have been located in the south and in the north extremes of the eastern part of the town, and their families are but little represented now. The names Godfrey, Greene, Gilbert and Gilford were known at Meredith Bridge. Jacob Hacket and John Hacket settled in Chattle- borough and their families have become extinct, or nearly so, and the remnant has removed. David Hale settled on the Oaks road and was a prominent citizen and of good property, but died about the time the town was incorporated. The name has disappeared. The Hibbard and Plummer fami- lies succeeded to the estate, and they, in turn, have become extinct in that neighborhood. Nathan Hatch settled in the lower Gunstock Valley and carried on the cooper's business, and had a family, who are still in Gilford, though not occupying the homestead or pursuing the trade. The Hoyt family was one of prominence and large numbers and rank. Simeon, Daniel and Enoch Hoyt settled in Chattleborough and held large estates and excellent lands. They had large families, who settled in ditl'erent parts of the town and many emigrated to other places. Simeon Hoyt built, with Ebenezer Smith, Esq., the Gunstock Mills in 1789, six years after his settling in Gilford. Ebenezer Hoyt went to Hampstead, and Samuel, James and James, Jr., were citizens in 1806. James Hoyt (3d) is also in the list of 1S13 and 1808. One of this name lived near Lieutenant J. Oilman's, and one settled near the Upper Weirs and had two sons, who were well educated and held posi- tions of importance in educational affairs, and a daughter, who was married to Captain Winborn San- born, so long in command of steamers on the lake and lately deceased. Colonel Peaslee Hoyt settled at the base of Mount Major ; Nathaniel on Liberty Hill ; Simeon, Jr., Enoch, Jr., and Thomas near Chattleborough Pond. These families were in good social standing and were active citizens. The name of Hunt is also of prominence. Abel Hunt came in 1783 and settled near the Intervale. He raised a large family and carried on the carpen- ter's and cabinet-maker's business. He had the only turning-lathe in the place, and made chairs and other furniture. He was employed to do the inside work and construct the pews in the first church. Enoch Hunt settled, in 1794, near Captain I. F. Oilman's and was a prominent citizen, and his sons — William, Samuel, Joseph, Ebenezer S., John S. and Enoch — were persons of standing and figured largely in public afl'airs. Benjamin Hunt also settled in this vicinity ; his successors carried on mechanical enter- prises and have settled elsewhere. The names of Horn, Hadley, Hill and Hutchinson also are found among the early inhabitants ; the two last named lived at the foot of Gunstock Mountain, and the name has ceased to exist there. Aaron Jackson settled near Jacob Jewett's and was related to Richard Martyn by marriage. His son Stanford built near him and committed suicide in his building. The name has disappeared. Major Jabez James came into town in 1784 and settled near Cotton's Hill, on the north incline, on some excellent land. He was one of the largest tax- payers in the first years. His estate still remains in the name and the family holds its rank. He was a Revolutionary soldier and had sons, John and Jona- than, who settled near. Jonathan and John James settled near each other in the same neighborhood and their families are still represented in the place, though some have removed to other places. The families were not large, but of good standing and worthy in example. The Jewett families, already alluded to, are of honorable mention and have been important as con- nected with the business aftairs and pursuits of the people. Samuel Jewett is said to have settled in 1777 (though another statement makes him to have been first mentioned in the records in 1789) and lived a half-mile from the Bridge, or Falls, and above them. He sold land for a mill privilege in 1780. GILFOKD. 743 IViijainiii :iiul Jacob settled, successively, to the north of him, and their estates extended in a line two miles t) the northeast. Their families have continued distinct and prominent till the present time. In 1806, Benjamin, Jr., is found in the list. He suc- ceeded, about 1816, Jonas Sleeper in trade and other business at Gilford village and did the chief business there for many years. As postmaster, justice, town treasurer and in other positions of trust and responsi- bility he proved a valuable citizen and efficient official. His brothers were John and Moses. Other families of the name were John, Smith, Woodman, Samuel, Jr., and Kev. Daniel, all active men. Joseph Jones was a citizen in 1813, but does not appear in earlier lists. Abel, Samuel and Daniel Kimbal and George Koniston were assessed, but the time and place of I their settlement is not certain. Later, Mr. Kimbal lived north of Samuel F. Gilmau. Elder John Knowles settled on the south part of Liberty Hill and became the minister of a church organized in that part of the town. He also preached at Gilford village and other places. He was a farmer at the same time and a man of high standing. His sons, John D. and Elbridge, became ministers also. The former preached at various places and embraced Second Adveutism. The latter was settled at the Province Road Church, a Free-Will Baptist. Wil- liam, another son, lived at different places, and was a while the miller at the Hoyt (then Morrill's) Mill. Another son became a Shaker at Canterbury. The family and name is but limitedly known at the ])resent time. Colonel Samuel Ladd came to Meredith Bridge and bought of Stephen Gale his mill and mill privilege. This mill was built about 1775 on the Meredith side and was carried away by a freshet in 1779. In 1780, Colonel Ladd rebuilt the mill on the Gilford side, and also built a dwelling-house, which was the first one at that place, and has ever since been known as the Mill-House. The dam built here proved insufficient to withstand the pressure of so great a volume of water. It was carried away three times (in three successive years) after Colonel Ladd built it and once before. The mill was burnt in 1788 and rebuilt and enlarged, with machinery for sawing added to that for grinding. With heroic courage, he established the milling business at this place. Dudley Ladd con- tinued the enterprise, and Jonathan appears taxed in 1813. John Lamprey settled near the Alton line and built a saw-mill on a small stream near his house. His was the only family of that name in Gilford at that time, but at a later date a family of the name located at Meredith Bridge. He was a man of great strength and endurance. His sons were John, Rich- ard, Samuel and Reuben, who settled in different places. The family is but limitedly represented at the present time here. Winthrop, Moses and N'owell La:igley appear in the lists, and their location was in the northwest jiart of the town, and the name is not now common. The Leavitt family is reckoned as among the early comers into town. Stephen is said to have come in 1785, and Jonathan in 1793. The particular families that have located in town, besides Jonathan's and Stephen's, were those of Reuben, Jonathan, Jr., Lieutenant Samuel and Miles, all on the Lake- Shore road; and Benjamin, Stephen, Jr., and Jacob, all on the Intervale ; Miles Jr., in the Miles River Valley ; Nehemiah, Samuel, Jr., and Jonathan (the Little) and Levi, elsewhere in town. The family grant was a large one, and the descendants are widely dispersed and variously connected. Fred- erick Lewis is in the list, but his location is uncertain. Joseph and Benjamin Libby settled on the Oaks road, and later, Elias occupied the place. The family was of good repute, and is still there. Levi Lovit w:is one of the earliest settlers, first lo- cating near Black Brook, then near Governor's Is- land, after a short residence in Meredith ; his trade was that of basket-making, and the sous followed the same business. Ephraim Mallard settled early at Meredith Bridge, and carried on the cabinet and furniture business ; and he was for many years moder- ator at town-meetings, and was a man of distinction, and trustworthy. Was representative, and held sev- eral other offices in the gift of the people. The only other family of the name was that of Henry, a brother, who lived at the centre and eastern part of the town, in different houses. James McCoy was brought to town by Captain S. F. Oilman, by whom he was brought up, and near whom he lived. He had the care of the burying-ground in that part of the town, and was thought to have magic power, or art, to cure the toothache. His family and name have not been known in town for some years. Elder Richard Martin came to Gilford in the year 1796. Four years previous, in 1792, two meeting- houses were begun in what was then called, as a whole, the Upper Parish, viz. : the Province Road and the Gunstock meeting-houses. The one was intended as a Second Parish Congregational Church ; and, as the Baptist interests and cause was pushed in the Lower Parish, to a separation the Upper Parish Church (being built by common taxation, or town aid) was to be for the free use of Baptists also, and even of any other dissenting i)arties or bodies. The Baptists were conceded the use of the church a portion of tlie time, and to the occupancy of the church for that part of the time Elder Martin was invited by the Baptist party, as he had been ordained the year previous, at Lee, as a Baptist preacher. He settled on the lot next to the church. It is not stated that this lot was the one regularly reserved as a parsonage lot. It partly abutted on the lot set apart, in 1780, for the minis- terial support, viz.: No. 10, in the thirteenth range, and the one on which the village is mostly situated. 744 HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. A forty-acre lot, on the south end of the second divi- sion of such lots, was, in 1771, assigned, apparently, for each of the two Upper Parish ministerial supports, and another one hundred acre lot in Tioga, No. 13 of the seventh range, so that the two North Parish enter- prises seemed to have their provisions made for sup- port. Perhaps the Baptists did not claim exclusive right to this ; hence Mr. Martin did not settle on it. He built his house conveniently near to the church as it were, forty rods. When measures were taken to install him by the Baptists he dissented from the Ualvinistic feature of their articles of faith, being an Immersionist, but not a Calvinist. He therefore became a preacher of that party, which also rejected the Calvinistic sentiments and which was organized into an Anti-Calvinistic Baptist Church, agreeing substantially with the preachings of Benjamin Randal and John Buzzell and which had already been termed the Free-Will Baptists. He exercised his ministry with and for this class of people, in this and adjoining places, for a little more than twenty-five years, until his death, in 1824. He was a man endeared and faithful. He cultivated his farm, and, with his sons, carried on some business in the line of tanning, as did his brother-in-law, James Follet, who was settled by his side. His family in- cluded two sons — Richard, Jr., and John L. — and a daughter, who married George Saunders. These were persons of marked power. Richard was efficient as a ready lay preacher, and John L. as a propagator of doctrines difl'ering from those held by the father, and more coincident with the Universalist faith. He was prominent in public civil affairs while he re- mained a citizen of Gilford, from which he emigrated after the death of his father, and was of honorable standing elsewhere. Richard, Jr., lived at Lake village, or near there, for many years, and left a daughter. Aaron Martin, of another lineage, was a manu- facturer of paper at Meredith Bridge, in the days of its beginning. His paper-mill, located on the Gilford side, was burnt, and ceased operations many years ago, and the manufactory has not been rebuilt or the work resumed by other adventurers. The Martin name has not been on the lists in later years. Lieutenant Samuel B. Mason and Ephraim Mason are in the lists. Mason located near the lake, east from Governor's Island. The family, once of some standing, has not remained to the present. Caleb Marsten came to town in 1793, and settled east of the Intervale, on the Mountain road. He was a man of leading ability, a leader in meetings, and improved his gifts as lay preacher, and was deacon of the first church. He had but one son. Captain Caleb 0., who was a prominent citizen, and several daugh- ters, who became well connected; and, though the name has disappeared, the lineal descendants are from The Mills, the man)', and preserve the qualities of the parent stock. Some of the best elements of society are traceable to this source. James Merrill settled on the Intervale, ani this family was Major J. Q. Merrill descended, family had but few members. Another brother settled south of Folsom's and was a farmer. John Meloon was an early settler and millei Morrill grist-mill. A son, Waldo, emigrated to Bear Island, and the name is no longer known here. John Mooney came from New Durham, and settled near Alton, on the Mountain road. He was a man of standing and property. ' He had a large family ; his sons were Benjamin, Burnham, Joseph, Stephen (who was a preacher among Adventists) and Charles. The estate is still held in the name, and many of the descendants live in the vicinity. The Morrill families are prominent among the in- habitants. These are not from the same stock, and are located in different parts. Barnard Morrill came early from Brentwood ; worked with Jeremiah Thing and learned the tan- ning business. Mr. Thing's residence and business was on Liberty Hill. Afterwards Mr. Morrill located at Hoyt & Smith's mill, on the ministry lot, and carried on the tanning and shoe business. Subsequently he purchased the mill and the grist-mill and the ministry lot, and carried on the large part of the business of the place. He was esquire and captain and a leading man in his times. He had but one son. General J. J. Morrill, who continued his business, enlarged it and, in company with other men at different times (in the tanning department only), prosecuted it for many years by steam-power. The lumbering interests have all the time engaged their special attention. The property held by them has been large, and located in different parts of the town and elsewhere. Farming, and on an improved plan, has been successfully and continuously conducted, and profitably. Jonathan Morrill settled in the upper part of the Miles River Valley, at the natural pond included in the Foster's Pond flowage. The descendants, a large family of sons, settled in the immediate vicinity, called the Morrill Neighborhood. They have gained wealth by industry and economy, and still hold their numbers and standing. James Morrill settled near the mountains ; Zebedee, near the Jewetts; Samuel and John D., at the foot of Mount Major, and afterwards elsewhere. Amos Morrill carried on the wool- carding business at Hoyt's Mills at one time, which business was transferred to the fulling-mill below, on the same stream, and carried on by other parties. Benjamin and Henry and Uriah Morrison were citizens at early times, the latter being minister of the Baptist Church when it worshiped in the Gun- GILFORD. 745 stock meeting-house, or in the school-house and other places in the vicinity, as that was their custom for many years before the church was built at Lake village. He came from Somersworth to supply the Baptists in the Upper Parish, then organized into the Second Church, and placed under his care in 18] 1. He lived near the Locklin, in the house afterwards occupied by Dr. Josiah Sawyer. He died in 1817, after a pastorate of about six years, and his wife died soon after this, in 1819, and the family did not remain in town afterwards. The other Morrison families were not long con- tinued in town, save that of James and Alirani. Benjamin is said to be of Deerfield. The Morrison family located on Liberty Hill, of whom Mrs. Barnard INIorrill, Esq., was descended (viz., Jonathan Morrison, who was a Revolutionary soldier), emigrated elsewhere, and was succeeded by John Stevens. (He lived awhile, after leaving Gilford, in Tuftonborough, N. H.) James Morrison succeeded to his father's estate at Meredith Bridge, and was a teacher at times, and afterwards carried on the wool-carding business at Meredith Bridge, in the old Parker warp-mill, and added fulling and dressing of cloth to his business, and was succeeded in the business by the Buzzells, — father and sons. He left no family, and was a man of good ability and decided character. Abram Morrison, his brother, has long been a busi- ness man at the same place. He kept the Eager Hotel from 1846 to 1857, the Willard from 1857 to 1868, and since then a livery-stable, and succeeds to the homestead and brother's residence. Captain John Moody was assessed but not definitely located. The Moody family and name was known to the Lower Parish, and not, save as land-holder, here. Jacob Morse settled on the border of Alton, near two sons, — Abner and David, — whose families still remain. They were industrious farmers. Dr. George W. Munsey, in boyhood, lived with Samuel Blaisdell. In youth he studied at Dummer's Academy, in Newbury, Mass., aud wiis a teacher ; when a young man, married Hannah Barton, of Epsom, and afterwards practiced medicine in Moul- tonborough. Centre Harbor and Gilford, living in several places in this town, as at David Hale's, on the Oaks road, near the Alton line, on the Pond road, and at two places in the Centre village. He was a practitioner of no ordinary ability and skill ; but, having a large family to support and an uuremuner- ative practice, peculiar to those days, was often in straitened circumstances. He had good powers of oratory, and after the Washingtonian movement, led by John Hawkins, he lectured on temperance as a reformed man. He lived past his four-score, and his wife to her one hundredth year. Of his sons. Barton is a physician of the eclectic practice and the homce- opathic principle. His skill as a practitioner and handiness as an artisan are beyond doubt. He early 47 worked at the jeweler's business, and in that showed rare inventive ability. His travel has been extensive, both in this and in other countries, and his attain- ments are commensurate. The other sons were George W., Benjamin, William, Amos Prescot and David Hall. Of these, George W., first, and afterward Amos Prescot and David Hall worked at the trade of shoe-making; and William and Benjamin, who emigrated to Cape Ann, were in trade and business there. Of the six daughters, four remain living, and are active in their spheres. One of these is the wife of Rev. Josiah Oilman, of Lynn, Mass. Josiah and Robert .Moulton are early tax-payers, but tradition fixes not their habitat ; and John C, of Meredith Bridge, was of prominence as postmaster, trader and later as a manufacturer. He began busi- ness at Lake village, where he was burnt out. His social anerated as follows: Folsom's mill, at the Lake vil- lage site. This was first and chiefly used for corn- grinding. In due time a rye crop was raised and was ground in the same set of stones, producing an un- bolted meal. Finally, wheat was a product and re- wonderfully accommodated farmers' wives and saved them innumerable poundings of the mortar and pestle, whose music, however, was the delightful matinee of hill and dale, announcing to many a hungry toiler the sure progress of kitchen-work, and, like gong or bell or trumpet, was the first prelude of an unannounced but ready breakfast. The disuse of the mill at Morrill's left the field open for enterprise. Moreover, the Leavitt mill, on Miles River, had been carried away, and the eastern part of the town was left dependent on some other mill. It was opportune to build. At this time Jonathan Whitcher built a mill on the Upper Gunstock for grinding and bolting, to which he added also a threshing-machine, a turning- lathe and other machinery for making wheels, car- riages and furniture. This mill continued only a few years, and, after repeated damages to its long, weak and expensive dam, and to the mill itself, by freshet, by reason of a want of patronage and its unprofitable- ness, it ceased to be maintained and was consequently abandoned. Jeremiah Hunt was in business at this mill for himself, in the wheel and furniture interests, and in company in other departments, and was miller at a time. Then the whole of grinding and flouring was centred at Lake village and Laconia, except a little corn-grinding at Copp's mill at a time later. With less cereal products produced, and more imported and used, this is an adaptation both wise and in the line of natural drift. Yet it involves more labor and furnishing, and makes the result less lucrative. The old-time going to mill, with grist on the shoulder or on horseback, has given place to more extended trips in vehicles, light and heavy. The preparation of the grain for the milling state has been variously done. At one time the flail and coursing breezes were all the mediation used. Then the mechanical fanning- mill wiis resorted to to conquer a calm. Then the 760 HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. separating-mill, or tliresher, was used and operated by horse-power and by water-power. Two styles of the portable horse-power machines were invented and used. One was constructed with a sweep and gearing and rope-tension, operated by horses in draught. The other with a treadle incline and belting, and operated by horse-weight on the treadle. One of the former was owned and operated by a Mr. Bachelder, going from farm to farm. Sam- uel Blaisdell & Sons owned and operated one of the latter pattern ; and still others were brought into parts from adjacent towns. But the inconvenience of so frequent relocation and transportation, and the entertainment of the workmen and horses, was such that the stationary mill, to be operated by water- power, promised better success and speedy introduc- tion; and proved so. Hence, the almost simulta- neous construction of two such mills about the year 1835 or 1840,— the first at the Whittier mill and the other at the carding, fulling and shingle-mill, owned by Christopher Oilman, then by Meshech Sanborn, Benjamin Oilman and Hermon Hunter. The same provision for the threshing season was made at the Collins mill and at Meredith Bridge and Lake village, and, later, at Colby's. The first years these mills were in use the patronage was extensive. Farmers drew their two, five, or ten tons of grain from one to eight miles to have it threshed and returned, each one going at an ap- pointed time. These mills have but little patronage now, and some of them have ceased to be used at all. So little grain is raised that it is not a great task to separate it by hand-flail, or not very unprofitable to feed the oat crop unthreshed. And rye is rarely threshed in this machine, because of the damage to the straw. Mills for wool-carding and cloth-dressing, were put in, one at Laconia, operated by James Morrison and afterwards by John Buzzell, who, though they lived in Gilford, did their work on the Meredith side. This was discontinued some years ago, on the decline of home-made cloth and yarn, and to give place to their enterprise of cloth-making. The carding was first done by machinery at the village on the Hoyt's and Smith's mill privilege. Sub- sequently a mill was built a mile below, at the junc- tion of an eastern branch of the river, and machinery for fulling and dressing and pressing cloth was put in and operated by skilled workmen, and the carding machinery was transferred from Hoyt's mill to this. Fulled cloth for men's wear and the pressed cloth, a kind of flannel, for women's wear, wa-s the general dependence. This mill and work was continued till the fa.shionableness of satinet came about, and then both the Buzzell's mill at Laconia and the private loom of the farmer's house produced that pattern of fabric. The warp (cotton) for the domestic article was made for many years by Mr. Parker and his children, at the end of the bridge opposite Ladd's grist-mill. Stephen Chapman was a fuller at Gunstock Fulling- Mill, and others conducted the business for a term, and the business ceased nearly a half-century ago. Later the wool-carding ceased, and neither is now in use. The Ticking Company was located on the Gilford side, at Meredith Bridge. It was very early in opera- tion, making bed-ticking ; while the brick mill made sheetings. The Ticking, Company of which \Y. Melcher, Thomas Bobb, Mr. Green and three others were members, was a well-managed and successful firm. It realized less changefulness than the other com- panies. Some changes occurred, however, in after- years, both in the personnel of the company and in its business. The new company built more exten- sively, and changed the machinery from cotton- working to that of wool-working, and from that of cloth-making to that of knitting-works, and are pro- ducing hosiery goods in all the mills belonging to the company. The daily products of these mills are immense, and go to commission agents in Boston, and thus are put upon the general trade, and are of a high standard. The first cotton-mill at Lake village was one of the earliest built, and in near succession to the Avery mill at Meredith Bridge. Later the woolen mill (so called) was built, but not immediately put into operation or furnished with machinery. These were both built on the then Meredith side of the river. The change of the ownership of the property at this place was unfavorable to the development of the interests in manufactures here. The Pingree owner- ship and management promised better times, but soon left no better condition, and the Locks and Canal Company, while, by a higher dam, it created greater head, left the use of the motive power undeveloped, and rather restricted and retarded expansion at this place. In quite recent years a mill has been built and put into operation on the east side of the river, and is producing hosiery goods. Hosiery was also made at one time in the carding-mill at Gunstock Valley, by Augustus Copp and others ; but it did not continue many years. The foundry industry was early and latterly an important one. The smelting furnace was never completed. It was begun at Folsom's or Bachelder's Mills, and was designed on a grand scale. A huge conical chamber was half-built of stone, and remained in statu quo, unfinished, for a time, and was then finally removed. Mismanagement and a fatal casualty at the moun- tain, the distance of transporting the ore and the expensivcncss of getting it out, the cost of preparing and running the furnace, so as to compete with other iron-mining companies in the northern part of the State, together with the limitation of capital, proved too great obstacles to the success of the iron-mining project; and hence it was soon utterly abandoned. GILFORD. 761 But a blast furnace was put into operation for usiiij;- pig in castings. This industry proved feasible, and, being well managed, was profitable. As the use of stoves came to be so extensive, their production was an important industry; also hardware, in the line of culinary utensils and farming implements, were in increasing demand. The discontinuance, gradually, <>( i\\v old wooden and iron-clad plow, and the intnidinlion of the cast- iron one, made ready market for a great quantity of foundry products, and gave employment to a large number of moulders and foundry-workers and much capital. This industry, conducted chiefly by the Cole family, has been an extensive and leading one at Lake village, and a substantial benefit to both the village and the town in general. The trade in, as well as the production of, this class of merchandise has been mainly at Lake village and in the hands of these men. Hence the place was called, for a long period, the Furnace village. The iron-work done in the repair shops of the rail- road located here has also increased the business of casting and added much to the bulk of foundry pro- duction, and the shops have given employment to a large force of workmen and given impulse and growth to the place. This village, in population and business, has in- crea.sed rapidly of late years, and is now the rival of Laconia, and by water approaches is even better con- nected. These two largest centres of business and population were begun at nearly the same time, but the lower one had decidedly the advantage for many years, particularly in having the court, the academy, the greater trade, the greater extent of manufactures, better connections in the old modes of travel by the stage lines, the bank, the taverns, the law-offices, the resident physicians, the churches and the central po- sition in relation to the other towns already then set- tled. All these things contributed much to the pros- perity and importance of the Lower village, and were almost entirely wanting in the Upper village. From the working of cast-iron to that of wrought- iron the transition is natural and easy. The initial department of this work was that of the common blacksmith. The places and parties of this industry have been alluded to in the notices of the personnel of the first settlers and need now no minute tracing. The services of the blacksmith were a primary neces- sity and demand, as not only for horse-shoeing and ox-shoeing and the ironing of vehicles and making of farming tools, but even the nails used by the carpen- ter were made of wrought-iron and produced at the common smith's forge in the early days of the settle- ment. Some of the first artisans in this line were Antipas Oilman, in the south part of the town, and his two sons, — Winthrop and Josiah, — the latter of whom worked also afterwards at the village and subsequently became preacher to the Universalist Society there and 48 finally settled in Lynn, Mas.s., following his profession there; and Henry Wadleigh, in Chattleborough ; and Samuel Blaisdell, at his place in the northwest part of the town ; succeeded by some four of his sons, particularly Philip O., who worked at the same place; and John, who wrought at the village and elsewhere and finally on Gunstock Hill ; and Daniel, at the Lake- side road (the Captain Locke place) and afterwards at the Plains, his present residence; also James Fol- lett, on Gunstock Hill ; and at the village also Wil- liam and Ebenezer Stevens, successively; and Josiah Gilman, already mentioned; and William H. Wad- leigh, who wrought in several shojjs and for many years; and in later times Charles Beede, Benjamin Dame, Gilman Leavitt, Dudley Leavitt, with Charles Beede, Jacob Blaisdell, Charles Swain, a Mr. Cross and others temporarily. There have been six shops at the village, and the work done there has been of considerable variety as well as magnitude. John Blaisdell made hoes and edge-tools. His shop stood near the present site of the church and town hall. Beede (alone and with D. Leavitt) made axes and pitchforks and chains, and he built, on the new road, the present Wadleigh shop. Gilman Leavitt and Wadleigh, and, to some extent, others, ironed wagons, carriages and sleighs, and were tire-setters, and all did shoeing. Smith-work was done at Lake village by Kabie and Hiram Gilman, and later, for carriages, by Rublee, who puts up the wood-work also. The same business, on a large scale, was done at Meredith Bridge by Thomas Babb, on the Gilford side. The most of the smith-work there was done on the Meredith side by Daniel Tucker and others. The machinist business was carried on in connection with the factory and afterwards in separate build- ings. Badger Taylor and Alva Tucker were early workmen at this trade. Later, a large building has been devoted to the business, located on the site of the old Ladd's mill. The tanning and shoe-making and peg-making in- dustries have been important. The old-style tan- yard and the bark-mill was quite common in different parts of the town. Benjamin Weeks, Esq., built one in 1792, and he did some business in the line and in connection with his son Matthias. Jeremiah Thing, nearly as early, pursued the business on Liberty Hill. Captain James Follett and al.so Richard Mar- tin had yards on Gunstock Hill. The latter was run by John L. Martin afterwards and bought by Joseph & S. S. Gilman. These all have ceased to be oper- ated. Bernard Morrill carried on an extensive business at the village, which was enlarged and continued by I. I. Morrill and by I. I. & J. D. Morrill and by I. I. Morrill and Samuel Wright. About forty years ago the old yard was abandoned and a new mill was built, with steam works and w^ater-power, for grinding bark. This has been in operation till within a short time 762 HISTOKY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. for tanning, but the currying ceased some years ago. Another yard was many years in use at the village, run by Matthias Sewall and also Morrill Thing, but ceased to be used thirty years since. Matthias Sewall had a yard and business at the Plains before and after doing business at the village. James Crocket did a large tanning business at Meredith Bridge, near the Eager tavern and court-house. This was aban- doned nearly fifty years ago. The main business in this line was done on the Meredith side by Worcester Boynton, on the site of the Buzzell mill and at Morrison's livery stable. A small amount of business was done in this line at other points in town. The craft of the shoemaker was a special one from the first. William Clark was the itinerant shoemaker, going from house to house to do the yearly shoe and boot-making for the families in turn. Joseph Potter, Sr., was a permanently-located shoemaker at his homestead. Samuel Gilman (1st), a deformed or crippled man, practiced cobblery on Gunstock Hill. His son Jere- miah and grandson Daniel continued the business at the village (at B. Morrill's) and on Gunstock Hill, and the last-mentioned at three different locations in the village, and, finally, at the homestead, near the original place, on the hill. Paul Stevens pursued the trade first in the south part of the town and after- wards near the village. Israel Potter and, lately, his grandson, T. O. Potter, worked at the business at the old homestead and near by. Leavit Sleeper very early was shoemaker at Gil- ford village. George W. Munsey early learned the business at Meredith Bridge, with one Mugget, and for many years pursued the business at the vil- lage. David Hale Munsey and Amos Prescot Mun- sey also carried on the business, in connection with George W., and the former also separately, and the work has not entirely ceased at the shop of David Hale Munsey. He has worked, or located his shop, at some four difterent points in the village. Thos. Perkins Ayer carried on the business at three difter- ent places in the village, and finally at the Plains. Daniel Gilman and T. P. Ayer worked also at har- ness-making. George Crosby, at Gunstock Hill, worked also at harness-making and shoemaking. An- drew Whittier pursued the trade in the east part of the village for many years ; and Joseph Potter, son of Joseph Jr., was his apprentice. John Avery was apprentice of Daniel Gilman, and Jonathan Leavitt of Thos. P. Ayer. Warren Thompson worked at the business at the village, and at Laconia afterwards. Nathaniel Edwards and Jacob Clark were shoe- makers at Meredith Bridge, and Daniel Dinsmore carried on the harness-making business, first on the Gilford side and afterwards on the Laconia side. Si- mon Rowe also for a time worked at the business at Gilford village, on sole-work. There has been no shoe manufactory on a large scale in Gilford, but the workmen at tjie business have been numerous. Some of these have also been dealers in leather, especially George W. and D. H. Munsey, Thos. P. Ayer and Dan- iel Gilman. The sole-leather trade was considerable. In later years ready-made shoes, for sale in shoe- stores, supply the greater part of the demand, so that, with a greater population and larger volume of bus- iness in the shoe line, the cu.stom-workers are less. It was the almost universal custom for each man to buy a stock of leather and have it made into shoes and boots for the family on measure. The first set- tlers rarely had boots, but used the shoe and buskin, and some thought it a sinful extravagance to wear boots, especially of calf-skin. The manufacture of shoe-pegs was begun on the north side of the river, on the canal, by Mr. S. K. Baldwin, and was brought to a pause by the great fire, which, originating in the peg-factory, destroyed the greater part of the business section of the place. This industry was resumed on the Gilford side in the place of the grist-mill, at Ladd's mill. It was car- ried on for a terra of years, turning out about fifty bushels of pegs daily, many of which were exported to Europe after supplying the home market. Af- ter the destruction of these works the enterprise was .started anew, with increased capacity, in build- ings erected a short distance up-stream, and operated by power at the dam, communicated by continued shafting. The drying process is attended by consid- erable danger of conflagration. The timber used, principally white-birch and white-maple, was at last brought by railroad from the upper part of the State and Vermont. The business was attended with suc- cess by Mr. Baldwin & Sous. The manufacture of hats and caps was undertaken by different parties at sundry times and divers places. A hat manufactory was started very early at Avery's, and Mr. Hibbard, on the Oaka road, was a hatter, and J. G. Weeks, at the village, conducted the bus- iness. G. W. & John G. Weeks, at the village, made also a stock of caps, of cloth and partly of fur. The industry of millinery was very limited in the days of home-made apparel. Miss Nancy and Fanny Stevens conducted a limited business in that line at the village, and some volume of business of the same was done at Meredith Bridge and Lake village. Like- wise, dress-making was but limitedly conducted as an industry of itself, the average woman consider- ing herself a master of the art, if the construction of their apparel in the simple style of former days could be said to involve anything of artifice at all. Yet to the higher class there were some ministering adepts to meet the imagined exigency ; and these were represented slightly among other craftsmen, and their services were generously rewarded. The tailor and tailoress w^ere much more in de- mand, though the major part of men's apparel was made up by the clever maid of the house, or her training and instructive mother and sister. The craft was, however, represented from the beginning. 763 The primitive tailor was also an itinerant, and, with bodkin and goose and press-board, migrated through tlie neighborhood to uniform the hid and sire; the '■ hailed of all men" was the tailor. A clever dame by the name of Hannah Parsons, from Gilmanton, used to make her yearly tour a-tailoring, to the in- finite delight of the ragged urchin and tattered swain. Joseph Sanborn, Sr., was also of this craft, and lived near Meeting-House Hill. Misses Ann and Sarah Munsey carried on this business some years at Gil- ford village; and later, Simon Goss and one McFar- land ; and in the east part of the town Joseph Rob- erts practiced the vocation. Mrs. Bartlet, on the Plains, and Messrs. Bugbee and Odlin, at the Furnace village, conducted the business. At Meredith Bridge the main business was done at first on the Meredith side by Francis Kussell, and afterwards by Charles Eussell and others. In later times, Nathaniel Stevens carried on the business in different shops. The artisans on wood-work have not been few in Gil- ford, nor inapt. Chief of these has been the carpenter, including ship carpenter and framer. The average set- tler was a clever worker on wood, and he consequently rudely constructed many things himself, as out-build- ings and many things needed in husbandry, and left for the carpenter the more difficult mechanisms, or the superintendence of non-journeymen workers. In the class of skilled journeymen workers were the following, — viz.: The Sanborns (Lowell, Richard, Lowell, Jr., Richard, Jr , Osgood, Benjamin, Lowell (Deacon) so-called) and others. They all, or nearly all, were practicing farming, or some other collateral vocation also at intervals. Then the Blaisdells (Samuel, the framer, Eliphlet and Hugh) and others. Then Joseph Thing, Sr. and Jr. ; also John and Abel and Abel, Jr., Hunt. The Hunts were finishers in panel-work, banisters and ornamenta- tions. In later years there were David Watson, Gardner Cook, Thomas M. Smith, F. Follet.P. Lovit, Jeremiah Hunt, A. Woodward and many others. Jonathan Watson and Thomas Ayers were broad- axemen, and had worked at ship-carpentry. Sam- uel Leavit and a Mr. Bachelder were handy as mill- wrights. Thomas Plummer, Joshua Gilman, Enoch Osgood, Jonathan Whittier, Daniel Gove, Benjamin Rowe, Simeon Hoyt, Jr., John Abel, Jr., and Jere- miah Hunt and a few others were wheelwrights, as well as handy at carpentry. Door, sash and blinds were formerly made by the common carpenter, but now at factories. The trade of carpentry has been an important one, as the work to be done has always been of considerable magnitude, the most of the buildings having been made of wood, and not a few of large dimensions and improved pat- terns. Cabinet and ftirniture-making, as an industry, has been carried on at different places, as at Meredith Bridge by Ephraira Mallard, and on the Meredith side by the Somes Brothers ; at Gilford village in the Whittermill, by Jeremiah Hunt; at Abel Hunt's by himself and son, and by a few others at other places. Coffins and caskets were formerly made by common carpenters. Artisans on stone work have been of some note and carried on a limited business, both here and in some other places. Esquire Benjamin Wadleigh and Prescot Goss are still in active life as stone-cutters. Formerly there was quite a general inclination on the part of the young men of this town to enter ujjon the stone-cutting business. John & Freeman S. Gil- man were engaged in the business extensively here and especially in Massachusetts. John M. Rowe in Frankfort, Me., where he quarried for Boston mar- ket great quantities of building-stone. William Levi, Dudley and Benjamin Folsom were also engaged in the business, and Joseph, son of Joseph Potter, Jr. Simeon Hoyt, Jr., also pursued the building of stone- work, and various other parties engaged in the coarser grades of stone-work and building, as stone- masons. There were here only a few formations of stone which were good for quarrying. The mountain deposits were of coarse and not compact substance, and the boulder masses were not usu.ally fissile ; yet some good monumental works have been made of them. Workers of marble have been Jno. Merrill and Merrill, Hull & Co. This establishment has been a successful one, and has been lately located on the Meredith side, at Laconia, and employs several workmen. The ordinary work of brick-masons has been limited, as but few brick buildings have been built in town. William and Henry Plummer, and Paul and Smith Stevens and some others did the masonry of former years, and in later times the work is dependent on artisans in the craft from other places. The industry of brick -making was prosecuted in town a few years, particularly by Benjamin Rowe, on the Pine Hill stream, and this yard supplied the domestic market. But the notable Dol brick-yard, at the Weirs, on the Meredith side, was such in capacity, and by reason of the peculiar character of its clay, and in the quantity and quality of its products, that competition was impossible; hence, the few clay de- posits in the town were not extensively used in brick- making. The industry of pottery was carried on for many years, conducted by one Mr. Goodhue, at Gilford village. The clay was obtained from the Weirs, and was made into kiln-burnt brown earthen-ware. For milk-pans and crocks of various sizes and forms it was an excellent article, and was in general use till, in later years, the use of tin in the manufacture of wares for dairy uses, and stone for making jars and other vessels, superseded them, and caused this in- dustry to be discontinued, and much to the satisfaction of the using public, as the earthenware was very fragile, as well as ponderous, and its glazing poisonous. 764 HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. The manufacture of artificial limbs has been an industry pursued. The Palmer limb was invented at Meredith Bridge, and manufactured by him there (the iron-work by Charles Clement), at the corner of Main and Church Streets; but, subsequently. Wood- man Jewett pursued the enterprise in Gilford, and then Samuel Jewett and others engaged in it, and finally the works were mostly removed to other places, as New York and Philadelphia. Paper boxes have been manufactured by E. Bea- man and another firm at Laconia. The demand for them has been great, and the industry employs many hands and considerable capital. The old-fashioned band-box, of a wooden veneer, has been superseded by the modern paste-board box of various forms and sizes, in which light manufactured goods are packed and sent to the market or the commission agent. The trade of basket-making was pursued by Levi Lovit and Ichabod Buzzell at the east and west parts of the town respectively ; also the sons of these, re- spectively, at the same places ; and that of the former at Laconia in later years. Ezekiel Collins also pur- sued the business near Laconia, and Abel Hunt & Son at his place. These last also reseated the ashen chairs, and manufactured other articles. The indu.stry of palm-leaf braiding was extensively pursued at one time. The work was done in the families, and con- ducted by the traders ; those at Gilford village, Laco- nia and Lake village; particularly G. W. Weeks, Mesheck Sanborn, Horace Bugbee and a few others. The enterprise and business of general trade has been important, and was early entered into, and is continued in increased amount and compass. Ben- jamin Weeks, Esq. began trade at his residence in the last century. His sons, Daniel and Elisha, were conducting the business there in the two first years of this century, the former succeeding the latter. The latter also did business later in Boston, which business was crippled in the time of the War of 1812, and he returned to Gilford and did more or less trad- ing here in an informal way afterwards. His sons, John G. and George W., were long in trade at the village, and the latter, later, at Lake village. A store was stocked at Gunstock meeting-house by Stephen Pearly, of Meredith Bridge, and was run a few years by a clerk, and the same was closed and the building removed to the village. After this, Joseph Sanborn was in trade there for several years, and was suc- ceeded by Jonas Sleeper, and he, in turn, by Ben- jamin Jewett, Jr., Esq. About this time Levi R. Weeks began trade there, but soon removed from town, as did also Elisha. Charles Stark entered into trade at the Goodhue pottery, and in a few years was succeeded by Ben- jamin Weeks, Jr., and later by George W., and then by Weeks & FoUet. These stores were well patron- ized and successfully conducted. About the year 1840, the business being large, rivalry began, and a new firm was formed by Ben- jamin Jewett, formerly in the busine.ss, and Albert Chase, who had been clerk at the Stark store and also at Jewett's, and Jeremiah Thing. The firm of Jewett, Chase & Thing continued but a few years, be- came embarrassed, and was dissolved. The firm of Weeks & Follet was afterwards dissolved, and G. W. & Benjamin F. Weeks went into trade in the Jewett, Chase & Thing .store. Richard Glidden was afterwards associated with G. W., and B. F. went out of trade. In later years George W. went into trade with his sons at Lake village. Levi B. Thomps(m returned from Brunswick, Me., and set up trade in a new store, and George W. & John Munsey traded at the Jewett store, and afterwards in the Thompson store. Mesheck Sanborn, a long-term postmaster, traded in a third store, and was succeeded by John Sleeper. Trade began to decrease under the facilities of transit to Meredith bridge, after the building of the Gully road, and the three stores were succeeded by two, and at length by one, and, in reduced volume of business, Martin Eaton continued the business for awhile, and at present the Jones store supplies the demands. At Lake village the store on the west side was the only store at first ; afterwards, Cole's store at the fur- nace, and the Bugbee store, at the bridge, were added ; afterwards, G. W. Weeks and various other dealers opened places of trade, and the business is now of large capacity, and holds an enlarged place in the supply of the outlying districts, and in the patronage on the part of those who more and more make their marketing here. The bakery business has been carried on at Lake village by Charles Elkins. The trade at Meredith bridge in early years was predominantly given to the Meredith side, and to this day the bulk of trade is there. The French store, however, has done a fair share of business since its opening, which was at an early date, and has not frequently changed ownership. Henry French conducted it for many years, and was principal member of later partnerships. Avery's store was the first opened, in 1790, at the end of the bridge. Various other business concerns were located in two small buildings on each side of the roadway, at the abutment of the bridge. The one on the up- river side of the roadway was built by L. B. Walker, Esq., and extended beyond the natural shore-line into the river, and its supposed obstruction to the water-flow created a sensation on the part of those interested in the water-power above, and demands were made for its withdrawal, on penalty of its being overturned into the river. Richard Gove conducted, for nearly a half-century, the jewelry business in this and other buildings. The post-oflice, established in 1824, was once kept in the building on the down-river side of the way by Mr. A. C. Wright, who conducted the paper, the Winni- pueogee Gazette, and did business as shoe-dealer, and GILFORD. afterwards in Lowell, Mass., whence he came, and whither he returned. The large block on the corner has been occupied by various parties for offices, resi- dences and trading-places, and on its site, since its destruction, have been located various structures, among which is a market, a shoe-shop and drug-store. Swain's store has been recently added, and one oppo- site the hosiery was in occupancy by I. Tilton for some years. Hotel-keeping, a branch of trade, has been of some importance and has been conducted by a i'ew enter- prising men as landlords. The Lawrence tavern, on Gilford side, was rival of the Kobinson's tavern, on the other side. It was kept by Ebenezer Lawrence, and afterwards by John Til- ton, and then became the Willard Hotel, and was considered " beautiful for situation," and a favorite resort to the best class of the traveling public and for boarders. It was afterwards kept by Young, Morrison & Everet. The Eager tavern was nearer the court- house, but " the court " usually made his abode at the Willard, and the litigant more generally at tlie Eager and Robinson's. The Eager has often changed land- lords and name. It has been kept by Asa Eager, Frank Chapman, Charles Beede, Hiram Verrill, Mr. Tuck, A. Morrison, John Blaisdell and others, at diflerent times, and known as the Belknap House and by other names, and been enlarged and rebuilt. The building of another house at Winnesquam, "The Bay View," and now still another, " Vue De L'Van," has been in response to summer travel and required boarding, which has greatly increased; and other houses for boarding, such as the Maplewood, etc., have been opened. • At Lake village, Sargent's tavern was opened some thirty years ago, and before that there was no public- house and not much travel to require one. The travel by stage was mainly through Meredith. As to travel, its mode, direction and extent, great changes have occurred. The stage-lin&s were from Conway and the upper parts of the State to Concord and Boston. Daily trips were made each way. One day took pas- sengers from the upper towns to Concord, and the next day to Lowell and Boston. These stages were usually filled. Daniel Greene drove a mail line from Meredith Bridge, through Gilmanton, to Pittsfield, and a bi-weekly stage ran to Alton Bay. This last route underwent some alterations, — at one time pass- i ing through Gilford village, and, at another, via In- tervale to Lake village, and was finally discontinued and a special route made to the village ; and West Alton was connected with Alton Bay. Robert Carr kept a semi-hotel, or entertained teamsters and travelers, as a halting-place between Emerson's, at West Alton, and Meredith Bridge, j Captain James Follet furnished meals and enter- tained at town-meetings and on other public occasions i at the Meetiug-House Hill. These, with many other | places recently, furnishing board in the summer sea- ' son, constituted the hotel provisions in llie town and vicinity. About 1845 travel by rail began. The Boston, Concord and Montreal Railroad was first opened to Meredith Bridge, and afterwards to Plymouth, and finally to Wells River. The repair-shops were located at J^ake village, and a wharf and landing at the Weirs. Before this, in 1832, the first steamboat, the " Bel- knap," was built at Lake village, and got up into the lake by being buoyed up, to pass the shallows at the Weirs. She was a heavy, clumsy boat, and ran only a few years till she ran aground near Long Island, and was finally broken up and disposed of. Captain Winborn Sanborn was the commander of her, and he was, in after-years, also of the " Lady of the Lake." Since that time the " Lady of the Lake," the " White Mountain," the " Long Island," the " Winnipesau- kee," the " Minneola," the " James Bell" and many other smaller steamers have been put upon routes on the lake, and communicate with the Weirs and Lake village. Much transportation has been made also by the horse-power toll-boats, and in gondolas (so-called popularly), and by rafts and smaller boats. The corporations located in the town, or doing business therein, have been the Iron-Mining and Foun- dry Company, the Ticking-Mill Company, the steam- boat companies, the Academy Corporation, the Horse Railroad Company (formed in 1883, and running street cars from Laconia and Lake village), the Savings- Bank, National Bank and some smaller concerns that do bu.siuess on joint capital and have common interests. In educational work and fiicilities, the town has a commendable record in the past, and standing at present. When the town was incorporated there had been formed ten districts in which schools had been main- tained, and the money raised that year for the sup- port of these schools was four hundred and ninety- two dollars. These districts have since been increased till they numbered fourteen. The added districts were the Lake village (the village having grown up since that time), the Zebedee Morrill District, the Daniel Brown District and the Captain Marsten Dis- trict. These schools were maintained by the school- money, divided according to the valuation of the district, as bounded. Hence, they varied in duration, and often were of short duration. Usually, a sum- mer and a winter term was held, of eight or twelve weeks each. Select schools were occasiotially held at Gilford village and at Lake village in more recent years, and, in 1820, an academy was established at Jlcredith Bridge, which wiis sustained some forty years, and then consolidated with the High School or graded schools of that village. This was a rival school of the Gilmanton Academy, which was established there in 1794. The academy had not, alas ! the prestige of that of 766 HISTOKY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Gilmanton, a generous grant of land from the State and the appropriation of its school-lot from the town. But it had the moral support of the better class of the community, and a liberal patronage. It was well instructed and managed under Precep- tor Joshua M. Pitman, from Meredith, and Dyer H. Sanborn, from Gilmanton, and John C. Clark, Mr. Emerson and others, whose preceptorships were the good fortune of the corporation and the praise of the patrons and students. There had been a short interim in the principalship when Benjamin Stanton, from Lebanon, Me., and a graduate of Bowdoin College, as- sumed the duties of principal, and Clara Stanton those of assistant and preceptress, which was in 1849, and continued till 1853. The school was sustained a few years afterwards and was taught by several teachers, among whom were Woodbury L. Melcher, A.M., Mr. Richer, Professor Hammond, Professor Burleigh and, after consolida- tion, by J. G. Jewett and others, and was at length consolidated with the graded public schools, and its record becomes merged in that of the town schools. At different times select schools were held for a single term at Gilford village. Such were taught by Albert G. Weeks and Nathan Weeks, William H. Farrar, C. C. Watson, D. S. Frost, Dr. Dearborn and others. The old-time teachers were severe disciplinarians, and the scholars of that day stalwart and rude. The fe- male teachers of the summer school were somewhat noted for their matronly kindness and care and ad- vanced age. Two by the name of Mary Sanborn fol- lowed the vocation till in far advanced years. Among the male teachers who exclusively taught the winter schools were William H. Farrar, Albert G. Weeks, Ira G. Folsom, Rev. Mr. Damon, Daniel K. Smith, Rev. D. C. Frost and others, who were men of ability and extended education, and some were collegians. Of another class, athletic and disciplina- rians, were Jeremiah Thing, James Morrison, John Davis, J. J. Morrill, Daniel Eaton, George Hoyt, Samuel Evans, Jonathan Weeks, Harrison Bennet, William B. Weeks, Benjamin Sanborn, David Y. Smith, Aaron Blaisdell, Daniel Blaisdell, John M. Rowe, Nathan Weeks, William Morrill, Harrison San- born, Rufus Morrill, S.S. Ayer, William Hunt, George Sanders, George Sleeper, Nehemiah Sleeper, Simon Rowe, Shepherd Rowe, Rev. J.L.Sinclair, M. B.Smith and many others. Nehemiah Sleeper was school com- mittee for the town at its commencement, and Es- quire Benjamin Weeks was a leading man in educa- tional interests even before the incorporation of the town. A few sons of Gilford have graduated at col- lege, — William, son of Esquire Benjamin Weeks, Albert G. Weeks, Ira Folsom, J. P. Watson, Wood- bury L. Melcher, C. C. Watson, John B. Morrill, A. J. Thompson, Jonas Sleeper, Daniel Dinsraore, Joseph B. Clark and a few others. The town early contained circulating libraries, which dill much for the instruction and general intel- ligence of the community ; these were well read, but have not been maintained. A public library is pro- vided by Laconia for that part of Gilford now de- tached. There have been two newspapers published in town, — one more recently at Lake village and one formerly at Meredith Bridge, — but papers published in Boston and New York have larger circulation. The Qazette ( Winnipemiikei^, at Meredith Bridge, was edited and published sometimes in Gilford and sometimes in Meredith, and under changed names. Among its editors and managers have been Charles Lane, J. C. Moulton, A. C. Wright, Mr. Baldwin (of unhappy and premature death), and several other.'*. Mr. Drake was some years foreman printer. The La- conia Democrat maybe considered the successor of the Gazette, and has been well conducted, but belongs to Laconia properly. The Lake Village Times is under the management of the Hon. Mr. Haynes, member of Congress, and is a .successful issue and patronized by readers of the town of the Republican party and sympathies. Gilford has not been distinguished for authors and authorship, unless we except the work done in the line of text-books by Dyer H. Sanborn, and the ordinary editorials in the regular issues ot newspapers. In professional ranks and services there have been adepts and honorable success. The medical practi- tioners have been many, and by no means in dis- honor. They have been generally trustworthy and etH- cient, and,insome instances, distinguished. In the first years after thesettlement of this part of the Gilmanton territory the demand for medical and surgical services was met by the abundant supply of doctors resident in Old Gilmanton. Many of them had a wide prac- tice, even spanning Gilford, and extending across the lake into towns adjacent to the northern shore. Such men were Dr. William Smith, in 1768 and to 1830 ; Jonathan Hill, 1778 and onward into the present cen- tury; Obadiah Parish, 1790-94; Abraham Silver, 1790-1801; Simon Foster, 1793-1824 ; Daniel Jacobs, 1796-1815; Benjamin Kelley, 1801-39; Asa Crosby, 1816-32; Thomas H. Merrill, 1814-22; William Pres- cott, 1815-33 ; Dixie Crosby, 1824-38, and at Gilford, 1835-38; Otis French, 1828 and onward; Jacob Wil- liams, 1816-28 ; Nathan C. Tebbetts, 1825 and on- ward ; John C. Page, who practiced at Gilford village in 1826 and Gilmanton, 1832-36, and was afterward a minister ; Nahum Wight, 1832 and onward many years; Joseph Gould, 1820 and onward; Edward G. Morrill, 1834 and afterward ; and some others for a short time. Those who have located and practiced in this town, more exclusively, were Zadock Bowman, at Mere- dith Bridge, in early times; J. C. Prescot; Dixie Crosby, about 1835, and who became distinguished as surgeon and professor in Dartmouth Medical College; Josiah Crosby, succeeding Dixie ; Andrew McFarlaud, 1838 and onward ; J. L. Peaslev, who soon retired GILFORD. 767 from practice ; Dr. Garland, about 1845-60 ; Dr. Ayer, 1850 and onward ; Dr. Francis Sleeper, native- born, and practicing till about 1860 ; Warren Sleeper and Warren I^each, homa-opathists, or of the Botanic School ; Dr. Knowles, a few years, about 1845 ; Dr. Prescot, succeeding Knowles ; Dr. Wilson, about 1875, and again at present ; Dr. Weeks, homtpopathist ; Dr. Foster, to the present time ; Dr. B. Munsey, eclectic to the present time at Gilford village and alsoLaconia; Dr. Josiah Sawyer, at the village for many years prior to 1845; Dr. George W. Munsey, at the village for some forty years prior to 1856 ; Dr. Charles Tebbets, at the village and later at Laconia; Dr. Dearbon, at the village a short time ; Dr. Devan, at the village and Lake village ; Dr. Moore and Dr. Goss, homcBopathists at I^ake village ; Dr. Frank Russell and Dr. I. S. French, native-born, and gradu- ating as residents ; Drs. Frank Stevens and Hosea Smith and others studied medicine with Drs. Garland and Ayer, and practiced elsewhere. There was also in early times a class who practiced limitedly without professional education, as Mrs. Samuel Blaisdell and Mrs. Frohock, and others ; also, Nathaniel Davis, Sr., D. Y. Smith and I. S. Oilman, by patent prep- aration. Mrs. A. F. Wiley is sole representative of female practice, under a regular diploma, and after a full course of medical education. Her location was first at Gilford village, and afterwards at Laconia. The spotted fever epidemic was in 1816, and Dr. Asa Crosby discovered an effectual remedy for it ; other fevers, notably the typhoid, has been at times epidemic, but this array and force of medical ability has proved a defiance to their ravages, and protected life effectually. A special instance of surgical operation was the case of Malachi Davis, who was opened and had gravel extracted, and lived many years afterwards. The surgery of Dr. Ayer was skillful, as was also that of the Crosbys. The legal profession, though not represented by so numerous a host as was the medical, was nevertheless not without distinguished men. The shiretown of Strafford County, and later of Belknap, would natur- ally collect into its domain much legal talent and furnish much practice. The first court-house and courts were at East Gil- manton, where there is now no village. In 1799 the courts began to be held at the Academy village, and the legal men were collected and resident there. Later still, the courts and court-house were located in what was thereafter Gilford. The several lawyers of Gilmanton and from other places came here to trans- act business in the court, and at length the legal talent was massed at this point. Timothy Call was here as early as, or before, 1801, and ten years later Lyman B. Walker, and Stephen C. Lyford in 1815, and Benjamin Boardman ten years later. Gilmanton was thirty-two years without a lawyer, when, in 1793, Stephen Moody, pioneer of the profession in this part of the county, appeared in that cajiacity among the inhabitants of the Lower Parish. The more important matters in question had been managed by lawyers of E.xeter and other places of older settlement, and Joseph Badger, as magistrate, with the justices in their official administration before him, disposed of the matters of minor moment. In the immediately subse- quent years the law business of the early settlers of Gilford was done by the lawyers of Gilmanton pro- per, where there were practicing, besides Stephen Moody, John Ham, after 1801 ; Nathaniel Cogswell» after 1805; Benjamin Emerson, after 1822; Nathan Crosby, after 1824; James Bell, about 1825 (who afterwards pursued his profession in Gilford); George Minot, in 1831 ; Arthur Livermore, in 1833; Ira A. Eastman, in 1834; E. St. L. Livermore, in 1835; AVilliam Butterfield, in 1841 ; George G. Fogg, in 1844; and others later. The courts of Strafford County being held at two places, Dover and Gilford, the share of litigation in the county was less for the term sitting at Gilford than that for the term sitting at Dover; yet some very important cases were tried at Gilford, and "court time," especially "great day," — i.e. the day for criminal cases, viz. : the first Thursday — was a season of great concourse and a gala- day for venders and jockeys and horse-racing, and all manner of excitement and e.xcesses, personal and social. The effect of the time was both to partially clear and to replenish the docket, and both to empty and to fill the pockets, as depended. Many lawyers of Dover and Portsmouth, of Exeter and Concord and other places, were accustomed to practice at the Strafford, (later, the Belknap) bar ; and many a powerful plea and weighty charge and able opinion or decisive verdict was made and heard and given and rendered in the court-house at this place. The mighty men, Pearce and Hale, Atherton and Bellows, Butters and Bell, argued causes masterly here. Later and not much lesser advocates before this bar were Whipple and Stevens, Hibbard and Lov- ell, Hutchinson and Melcher, Vaughan and Clark (both Joseph B. and Samuel), Jewel and Jewett, and others who follow in the train of Walker and Board- man, and Lyford and Hazeltine. The common justices of the town, who did much of the minor law business of the town, were headed by Esq. Benjamin Weeks, who, as mediator between man and man, heard and advised in those intermin- able questions of disputed rights of possession, aris- ing from the imperfectly-defined boundaries to plants in the wilderness; as also in matters of dues, not considered consistent with ability or determina- tion ; and in matters of demeanor, private and pub- lic ; and this, no narrow sphere for the good esquire. Among those thus honorably constituted and act- ing were the following: Benjamin Jewett, Jr., Ber- nard Morrill, E. S. Hunt, Mesheck Sanborn, Josiah Sawyer and Daniel Weeks, for the centre of the town; Joseph P.Smith, Daniel Brown and Daniel HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Eaton, for the east part of the town ; John Evans, Samuel Leavitt, Ebenezer and John Smith, for the north ; Charles Hibbard, Joseph Libbey, Aaron C. Blaisdell, G. Thing, George Saunders, Samuel G. Sanborn and Aaron Robinson, for the northwest; Benjamin Sanborn, Joseph Sleeper, Benjamin Cole, John Blaisdell, V. Barron, for the west part of the town ; and Morrill Thing, J. James, Ephraim Mal- lard , Ebenezer Lawrence, Woodbury Melcher, and many othere, in the south part of the town and Mere- dith Bridge. The Probate Court ,was held at Gilford, and after the division of the county Warren Lovell was many years the judge and Esquire Vaughn the clerk. The successors will be learned from reference to another chapter, treating of the courts, the bench and the bar. The Sherifts of the county have been Asa Eager, Philbrick, Bartlett Hill and others, as will also be seen from the section appropriated to the bench and the bar. The deputies have been these, some be- fore promotion, and as not promoted, Dudley, Smith and others, as will also be seen from reference to the same article. There have been important causes tried at this bar of the Court of Common Pleas,— e. g., the case of Hain v». the town of Alton, to re- cover damages by reason of imperfect or obstructed highways; twice tried without agreement and verdict by the jury, and transferred. The cases of land-hold- ers vs. the Locks and Canal Company, to recover dam- ages for unnatural flowages. The company, by Hon. James Bell, Esq., their agent, assisted by Hon. Charles G, Atherton and others, defended themselves vs. many land-holders and mill-owners on the Winnesquam and other bays, who brought suits for damages to lands and mill privileges. The company lost their case, and appealed, and afterwards compromised. The company, to secure greater capacity of reservoir in the lake and bays, instituted a critical survey of the lake and its surroundings by a skilled civil engineer, Daniel K. Smith, assisted by others, and caused an accurate computation to be made of the whole basin's increase in capacity, by a definite in- crease of height by flowage (above the natural level); also the amount capable of being drawn by reducing the natural level to a definite extent. The result of the litigation in cases on the Winnesquam, and the unexpected amount of damages that would result from raising the surface of the lake, led to the de- cision to attempt only a slight increase of flowage, and an extra draught by means of a canal, cut in the bed of the river at Aquadocton, which decision was carried into effect, and whatever damages were occa- sioned, either by draught or flowage, were paid, by agreement with the parties sustaining them. The surveying of Smith & Crocker, of Laconia, was notable and of fine specimen. The desire of the company to add height to the dam at the foot of AVinnescnuiui, and at Lake Village and Jleredith Bridge, and thereby to increase the reservoir capacity of the lakes and bays, was accomplished in a meas- ure, but by purchase, and not by court decisions. The litigation of citizens with one another, or the town with individuals, or either with corporations, has not been to a great extent, and the courts have been generally good arbiters of justice. Pauper cases and disputed possession, and building of roads and bridges, have constituted the greater part of legal actions and contentions. Cases of prosecutions for liquor-selling without license were at one time quite numerous. Criminal cases have been few, and the courts and the legal profession, in such cases, have honorably dealt with the arraigned, according to the law and the testimony. The Ecclesiastical History of Gilford is of im- portance and interesting. It will embrace the rela- tion and development of several denominations ; the annals of the several particular churches organized in the town ; and the biographical sketches of the ministers raised up and laboring here, with notices of the leading men in these churches and of special issues taken and decided. The aims and the pro- visions of the proprietors of Gilmanton and, more primarily, of the colonial authorities, were religious rather than ecclesias tical. They did not foresee or anticipate a heterogeneous moral community, and yet the primal stock and idea was narrow and ex- clusive, and, to their surprise, was found to be thus developing itself. Their religious sentiments mani- fested a dogmatic nature and tendency. At the first a man was placed in service by comparatively disin- terested authorities, the district proprietors, who labored more for the moral improvement of the people than for the special ecclesiastical outlook, or even the spiritual culture. He, the Rev. William Parsons, was a man of moral rectitude and devotion, and of great catholicity of sentiment and fellowship. He was sent by the pro- prietors to fulfill their stipulated engagement as a re- ligious instructor for the first ten years of the settle- ment. This he fulfilled with punctilious exactness and faithfulness. But the germs of two faiths and typical life were in this nascent body politic ; and when the throes were past it was found that twins were brought forth, and they, like the typical pair, had been taking each other by the heel in ante-natal strife. The people, when they came to exercise their choice in regard to a settled minister, found a portion of them united on Rev. Isaac Smith. Without dis- respect or averting any regard for Mr. Parsons, who was then nearly sixty years of age and in many ways still useful, the people attempted to provide for the future spiritual guide to the rapidly-expanding settlement. In 1773, when this point in religious affairs had been reached, the thoughts of many pros- pectors had been directed to the outlook of the place at the terminus of the Province road, which had now 769 been built three years, and the inevitable enlarge- ment in that quarter expected was taken into ac- count when they were devising ways and means for having a settled ministry. Yet, evidently, some fore- saw two i>arishes in their laying out and defining the First Parish, but doubtless did not forecast two faiths. In deciding the question of the location of the tirst church, as well as in the selection of the minister, there was developed a decided opposition ; and this opposition was found to be not altogether as to the question of convenience and accommodation, but involved matters of belief and special interest. Hence, in 1774, about the time Stephen Gale was ! locating and building his mills at Meredith Bridge, ! the people were building their churches in the Lower Parish. The Baptist element proved to be strong and persistent. They felt able to rival the Congrega- tionalists, and succeeded in raising their church building the same day, that the other party did theirs. Their church was existing, as the first in the State, on November 1(5, 1773. The Congregationalists' interests and affairs were managed townwise. Hence, no action churchwise antedates the Baptist records. ' Mr. Smith preached preliminary to a stated engage- ' went in the fall of 1773 and regularly after May 18, j 1774, and was inducted into the pastorate November j 50th of the same year, at which date the history of I the church, as an organization, may be considered to begin, prior doings being not organic action. i The Baptist Church, though already organized, 1 with moderator, clerk and deacon, was without a regular minister installed. Ministers of that order from other places supplied them occasionally and [ administered baptism. Deacon Thomas Edgerly and Samuel Weeks, as clerk, officiated in public service in the interval and a few years later, in 1777, Samuel Weeks and Edward Locke were licensed to preach in the church, and go forth on all the field as preachers of the gospel and hold meetings anywhere. These [ going forth accordingly, and Mr. Smith as well, visited places beyond the First Parish lines, in what i was beginning to be called the Upper Parish, includ- ing what was afterwards called the Gunstock Parish, and also what was in later years denominated the Upper Parish of Gilmanton, the former being now Gilford and the latter Belmont. The sowing of this ' seed of dissent and independency yielded its first harvest in 1779 and 1780, when it was seen to be a game at which more than one could play. Edward Locke, the licensed preacher, had become tinctured with Arminian sentiments, and dissented from the articles of faith adopted by that church three years j previous. Samuel Weeks was then ordained, but soon took the same course and left the church and town, leaving thus the church unsupplied. Four years later Dudley Young was appointed to officiate in public services ; and soon after this Elder Powers was called, who was constituted pastor of the church bv ordination and installation, which took ■ place on the 14th of June, 1776. The town took ac- tion, in which the words " Upper Parish " are used, as early as 1777. In 1780 the two ministerial lots were designated as No. 13 in the seventh range and No. 10 in the thirteenth range. These were situated outside of the First Parish, the latter in Gunstock Par- ish, and which was afterwards known as the minis- terial lot appropriated to the benefit of that parish in particular; and the former in the Tioga Parish, or Upper Parish, Gilmanton, and hence, presumably, designated for the special benefitof that parish. Thus there was at this early date a recognition of the pros- pect of three parishes. There were issues made on the taxation of all citizens to support the Congrega- tional, or the town's, meeting-house service, and the decision was that they should be exempt who should file a certificate from the wardens of the Baptist Church that they had paid to the sup])ort of preach- ing at their church. But in regard to the inhabitants of the Upper Parish, it was voted by the town in 1787, that they be taxed to either the Congregational or the Baptist support, and that the money so levied be appropriated to supply preaching in that part of the town, and given to the two regular ministers, Powers and Smith, who should render service there, each according to the amount so raised and desig- nated. The place of holding their services was left to the judgment and choice of the adherents, or their preachers, respectively, as there were no churches yet built in the Upper Parish, or parishes more properly. The same action was taken in 1788 also, and thus it appears that Mr. Smith and Mr. Powers were the first authorized preachers in this part of the town, or in Gilford. The people now began to provide for the building of another church to accommodate that part of the town. The same rivalry and contention on the question of location, or of division, took place here as had been encountered in the Lower Parish, and the result was the same, viz.: two houses built the same year, 1792. One was located on the Province road, two or three miles south of Meredith Bridge, and the other on Gunstock Hill, now in Gilford ; and these were some four or five miles apart. These became centres of two distinct parishes, Gunstock and Upper Gilmanton. The Congregationalist interests more largely centred in this lower, or now middle house, and the Baptist influence predominated in the upper, or Gunstock house, and in that vicinity ; though that house, being built by the people in common partici- pation, was open to each society, or to preachers of any denomination who might be invited by any con- siderable party of citizens, and to these each for a time in proportion to the number of citizens inclin- ing and allying themselves to each such order or preacher. In 1792, before the completion of these houses, the town voted to tax the Congregationalist Society in the Upper Parish the same as in the Lower Parish, and that the society (implying that one had been already 770 IJI8T0RY OP BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. formed) in the Upjier Parish may lay out their money as they see fit. In 1794, after the houses were built, the town granted leave to Mr. Smith to preach in the Upper Parish, if an agreement could be made between him and the people there. They evidently were sup- porting a separate interest, and yet not united nor strong enough to support entirely a separate minister, and much less one for each of the two or more parties. It is understood that Mr. Smith's preaching in the Upper Parish was mainly at the Province road house, and that on that service the Congregationalists resi- dent in the Gunstock region generally attended. The Baptists, who had established themselves in Meredith in 1782, controlled affairs largely in the north part of the town, and had the principal occu- pancy of the Gunstock meeting-house for several years. The defection of Weeks and Locke had checked their fervor, and put the Baptist cause into a serious disadvantage. Nor were they alone in the de- parture. John Shepard, Esq., afterward most |)opular and prominent in public civil ati'airs, who had been a member of that church almost from its beginning, was in sympathy with Locke and in connection with him, and Elder Tozer Lord, of Barrington, laid the foundation of an extensive and organized secession from the Baptist order and denomination, and the founding of the order of Free-Will Baptists, which was an anti-Calvinistic movement and successful in many parts. He professed afterwards to have re- ceived these views by a special Divine Tinfolding or revelation before they were known to Locke and Lord, and that he communicated the same to them, and with them founded the order. These three men, voluntarily shutting themselves up in the untenanted house of Esquire Piper, on Clough's Hill, over the Gilmanton border, in Loudon, fasted and prayed for a week, as they said, and then wrote out their articles of faith, mutually ordained themselves, Locke and Lord as preaching elders and Shepard as ruling elder, and went forth as a new church. The genius of the new order was zealous propagan- dism, and the immediate action was to go, the 1st of April, 1780, to New Durham, and ordain one Ben- jamin Randall, who became the apostle and reputed originator of the new faith. This doctrinal faith thenceforward was advocated in various places ; and when the Baptists sought a man to occupy the Gun- stock field, and had united on Richard Martin, of Lee, who had been ordained in 1795 and came to labor here the following year, they found that he held like views. The project to form a Second Baptist Church at the Gunstock meeting-house, by a council called October 12, 1797, was therefore abandoned, and the next year a Kree-Will Baptist Church was organized there, and Richard Martin became its pastor and continued such a little n)ore than a quarter of a century, and until his death, by apoplexy, October 17, 1824. The Baptist cause was thus checked, or super- seded, and but little effort was made to sustain meetings regularly in Gunstock Parish until 1811. At this time the Second Baptist Church was formed by a territorial division of the First Chui'ch, and Elder Uriah Morrison was placed in care of it, and it was convened part of the time at the church and the greatest part of the time at other places, till 1817, when Mr. Morrison died. He was succeeded by Elder Strong, who preached at the school-house and at various other places. Soon after this the Baptists built a house of wor- ship at Lake village and concentrated their interests, and held their meetings there. A large and flourish- ing church has been gathered there under the labors of Elders A. M. Swain, L. Chase, H. D. Hodge, Mr. Huntley, J. M. Coburn, A. Brown, W. A. Horn, King Solomon Hall (who has been twice in the pastorate and once State commissioner of education) and several others, as J. B. Damon, J. M. Chick and A. R. Wilson. Kelley Rowe improved his gift as lay preacher with this church and elsewhere. Deacon Eliphlet Blaisdell has been a life-long, active and de- voted member. The church building has been rebuilt and enlarged and rededicated in 1871, and is an elegant and spacious edifice. For a few years after the death of Richard Martin his church continued to occupy the Gunstock meet- ing-house the major part of the time and was minis- tered to by various ministers from abroad, one of whom was John Rollins. The other denominations claimed its use their share of the time, and there was no little contention for its occupancy and com- plaint for too fre(iuent occupancy by others. The Baptists, too, complained of exclusion. The Univer- salists demanded it a part of the time ; William Blaisdell occupied it part of the time in the interest of the Christians, or Christian Baptists, whose tenets and faith he indorsed and advocated at that time. The Congregationalists claimed its use a fourth part of the time. Under the force of these existing circumstances and conditions, and these discordant and jealous sentiments, the several parties success- ively relinquished their claims, and, for peace and prosperity's sake, located themselves in different quarters; and so the old church was abandoned. And for several years it served only for a jilace to hold the town-meetings, till the building of the new town hall, about 1840. It was finally sold to Captain Benjamin Weeks; and others, and taken down. It was a stately edifice, two stories in height, steepleless, with two iiorches for entries to the end-doors and for stairways to the gal- leries ; a broad door in front, leading to the broail aisle ; galleries on three sides, the east, west and south; asounding-bo.ird suspended over the high and narrow pulpit, and the singers' seats opposite, in the left ; s(]uare (and a lew oblong) pews, above and be- low, built in panel-work, with rail and banisters: and GILFORD. 771 double rows of small and thick!y-sot windows, thus making a grand appearance, and commanding admi- ration in the beholder, and wonder and pride to the ! townsman. Its timbers were massive and Iranie Btrong, and should have endured ages, and yet it stood scarcely fifty years. It sat on the very summit of a hill, about six hundred feet above the lake-level, ij and commanding one of the finest prospects and j scenery of New England, and itself a conspicuous landmark and object of veneration and beauty in all ' this region; but its glory was despoiled by discord : and strife, alienation and division ; its beauty had ■ departed. Soon after the close of Elder Martin's : pastorate, or bishopric (for he was not confined to labor in this church, but superintended, or oversaw, 1 churches or enterprises in Gilmanton Upper and Lower Parishes, and Sanbornton and elsewhere), the ; church was reconstructed, and they built a house at the village. This had a large congregation in attend- ance, coming from all parts of the town. The church has been ministered to by Elders John L. Sin- clair, Abel Glidden, John D. Knowles, John Knowles, Elbridge Knowles, .Tohn Pinkham, Ezekiel True, Maxy Burlingame, L). C. Frost, Seth Perkins, G. Sanborn, G. A. P.ark, I. C. Kimball, .7. W. Rich, F. E. Wiley, Mr. Emery, Mr. Hyatt and some others. It was reorganized about 1855. The Second Free- Will Baptist Church was organ- ized November 6, 1816, in the southern part of the town and northern part of Gilmanton. It was not to be considered as distinctively a church of the Upper Parish of Gilmanton, though it used the Province road meeting-house most of the time. The church at Fellows' Mills, under Peter Clark, was the regular church of this order in Upper Gilmanton, and this church, whose members mostly lived in Gilford, was considered, as appropriately classed, a church of Gilford, and it was under the care of Elder John Knowles, Sr., while sometimes supplied and superin- tended by Elder Martin. It had about fifty members, and continued till the death of Elder Knowles, in 1837. After that time the major part of the members joined the First Church, at Gilford village, and a new church was organized at the Province road house, and became distinctively a church of Upper Gilman- ton, and is not, in a proper sense, the successor of the Second Church, though some of its members are res- idents of Gilford, and a large part of the Second Church was incorporated into it. Elbridge Knowles, Bon of John, Sr., was its piistor, and it has had a con- tinued line of succes.sion since then. A Third Free-Will Baptist Church was gathered at Lake village in 1838. Meetings were at first held some four years, in a room in the upper story of the woolen-mill, by I. L. Sinclair and others. Subse- quently a chapel was built on the main street, north of the Baptist Church, in 1842, and Elder Waldron (T. N. H.), Nahum Brooks, John Pettingalc, William Johnson and Uriah Ch.ase supplied the congregation. At length a commodious house was built on the Commons Hill, in 1852, and has been occupied siKce. I. L. Sinclair and Elders H. S. Kimbal, Smith Fair- field, Kinsman R. Davis, Ezekiel True, I. N. Knowles, S. D. Church, Hosea Quimby, C. B. Peckham and others have supplied it ; also, M. C. Henderson, I. W. Scribner, C. E. Gate, E. W. Ricker, E. W. Porter and a few others more temporarily. A Fourth Free-Will Baptist Church was gathered at Meredith Bridge, which worshijjed awhile in the court-house, and afterwards built a commodious house, which has been rebuilt, then burnt and rebuilt again. The church has prospered, and the congrega- tion has been one of the largest of the place. It has had for its supply Revs. Nahum Brooks, I. D.Stewart, Ebenezer Fisk, A. D. Smith, Elders F. Lyford, F. Locke, Lewis Malvern, Granville Waterman, F. George and others. Its sanctuary is elegant and spacious. The Universalists built a church at Gilford village at the time of abandoning the old Gunstock house, and held services in it a few years, with intervals of discontinuance. Josiah Gilman and Robert Bartlett supplied the society some years, and lived on Liberty Hill, the latter on the Osgood estate and the former at his father's, Antipas Gilman, and, later, at the vil- lage. William I'luisdi 11 |iii;u-hed for the Christians. Other preachers u. iii|.i. i| the [lulpit at times, and, in later years, the >(ininl Miiliddist Church have used the building and held service regularly. The Universalist society that was gathered at Mer- edith Bridge built a house and held services there many years, but subsequently sold the house to the Methodist society, who now occupy it. The Univer- salist society was supplied by Elders Atchinson, Prince and others. The society was not large, but was prosperous for a number of years, and then was given up, and has now no open existence. The people of Unitarian sentiments, not being numerous and wealthy enough to maintain a separate church and services, and being well pleased with the Rev. Dr. Young and bis preaching, united in the congregation worshiping in the North Church, and only in later years have had a church and supply. Their church was located on the Laconia side, but some of the principal adherents lived in Gilford. The Congregationalists, who at first held services in the Gunstock and Province road meeting-houses, having but limited privileges in those houses, by rea- son of the claimed rights of other .sects, began to cen- tre their interests at Meredith Bridge, and built a church in the south part of the village, which was about midway between the Gunstock and Province road meeting-houses. Here a church was organized in 1824, the year in which Elder Martin died, and the current began to run in favor of relinquishing claims to, and occupancy of, the old church. They enjoyed the services of Mr. Jotham Sewell Norwood for five years, and in 1832 settled Rev. J. K. Young. 772 HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Soon after the beginning of his pastorate the church, together with the dwelling-house of Esquire L. B. Walker, was burnt. It stood south of the Lawrence tavern (since the Tilton and the Willard). The so- ciety decided to rebuild on the Meredith side, and thenceforward the church is no longer called a church of Gilford, though a large part of its communicants and attendants have belonged to this town ; and they are the only representatives of the orthodox faith in the town, and are citizens of good standing and of financial ability. Some of that religious be- lief mingled in the Free-Will Baptist congregations at Gilford village and Lake village, as a matter of convenience, there being no Congregational Church near in either direction. This church has had pro.s- perity, and enjoyed distinction among other churches, under the long pastorate and able services of Dr. Young and his successors, the Eev.s. Stone, Bacon, Fullerton and Thurston ; and it supplies an impor- tant place in the religious interests and moral power of Gilford society. The two Methodist Churches, already alluded to, one located at Gilford village, and the other at La- conia village, are of recent origin, and yet hold some prominence in the religious elements and forces of society. They are neither of them strong, but jealous of their interests and zealous in their work. Their growth has not been rapid, nor yet quite limited. The succession of appointments, by Conference, has been, to the Gilford Church, — Rev. A. R. Lunt, Knott, James Morrison, Hardy, Berry and Tisdale; and in the Laconia Church, the ap- iwintmenta have been well-chosen and good. The Catholic portion of the community have had church privileges at Laconia, where a church was built about 1850. It was afterwards burned by light- ning, and rebuilt. It is a large and well-built edi- fice, and has a numerous constituency and attendants from both Gilford and Laconia. The Adventists have had a chapel at Lake village, and for several years maintained regular services there. Likewise, the same people held services at Oovernor's Island, or vicinity. Nathaniel Davis preached that doctrine, and arranged for its procla- mation by Miller himself and other leading advo- cates, at the island and vicinity, in camp-meetings and other assemblies. The faith was held by many in the east part of the town, and preached by Stephen Mooney, Abel Glidden (2d) and others. Their chapel is in Alton. Rev. J. Knowles, Jr., also embraced and advocated the doctrine. Nathaniel Davis, in earlier times, embraced and propagated a peculiar faith of one Osgood, who re- jected and discountenanced all forms of church gov- ernment, or covenant, and holding a free religion. There have been a few inhabitants holding the tenets of the Friends, Elder Robert Carr being per- haps the best known among them. There was no regular meeting of their adlierants maintained in town, and the nearest Quaker meeting-houses were that near Gilmanton Academy and that near Wolf- borough Bridge. These were not so distant as to be inaccessible at the times of their Yearly and Quarterly meetings. Their numbers have decreased and their Meetings are not regularly held at Gilmanton. A few from Gilford have adopted the Shaker faith and joined the Canterbury Family, or colony of them, particularly a Knowles family, in the south part of the town, and related to the family of Elder John Knowles. The community at Canterbury was in good favor in these parts prior to the years 1840 or 1845, and were adjudged to be sincere and upright, honorably industrious and enviably ingenious, pros- perous and pure. Attendance on their public Sab- bath service, for recreation and curiosity, was one while quite common by young people of this and other towns. Their public services were discon- tinued and the attendance ceased. To complete the list of special religionists, which, as will be seen by a careful observer, has already reached no inconsiderable breadth, there must be added the Deist and Atheist, which were not unrep- resented among our sober and thoughtful popula- tion. Dr. Josiah Sawyer secured, from some source, ordination for the propagation of sentiments which he professed to hold, and which he represented and endeavored to inculcate or proclaim. These seemed to be deistical or, later, atheistical, seemingly in- cluded a certain type of annihilationism, or, at least, the non-immortality, and perhaps, more correctly, the non-existence of the soul and a future state. He was not without some following, and that on the part of per- sons in good intellectual and social standing, who, when elected to positions of public trust and responsibility, and consequently were required to take oath, declined to do so in the usual form on grounds of disbelief in either the Divine interposition or of the actual Divine existence. These remarks perhaps sufficiently cover the vari- ous phases of religious life and sentiment, unless we include witchcraft and necromany. It was once widely believed that a Mrs. Roggers and a Mrs. Clark were representatives of the world of mystery, or witch- dom. Jugglery, not of the modern spiritualistic type, was indeed exercised by some, though not claiming for it any religious nature or relation. Many mar- velous facts and peculiar features of ecclesiastical history might be added, which have diversified the fields of church as well as state, without exhausting the reservoirs of memory or the store-house of the common annals and tradition, but these may sutfice. A word, however, may be due in regard to Sabbath- schools. In the time of Mr. Nathaniel Goodhue's re- sidence a school was opened at the Mill-House and then at the Potter's shop about the year 1820. The Baptists, and notably Miss Sally Sleeper, afterward missionary to Siam. were enthusiastic in the new type of Christian work. During the ioUowing half-cen- ^. £,-z-x-^ //^J-^^-z^^ L-f GILFORD. 773 li tury this nu-ans of religious instrucliuii ;uid moral culture has been made a prominent feature of church lalior in all of the evangelical churches of the town. Military History.— The matter and the facta em- [ braced in the military history of the town are worthy 1 of mention, and no less important and interesting than those of other departments. The Revolutionary War began, but was not ended, before there were any settlers occupying seats on the soil of the present i town of Gilford, and hence we may not expect to find men from this place in the Revolutionary army. [i Yet there were men there who afterwards were some i of our own citizens, as, for example, Thomas Fro- hock, one of the men in the battle of Bunker Hill (one of the three-months' men, serving from April 2;kl to August 1, 1775). He knew no fatigue, and would 1 accept no relief while the redoubt on Breed's Hill was being constructed in the night of preparation before that eventful day, June 17, 1775. He was one of one hundred and fifty-one men in Gilmanton be- tween the ages of sixteen and fifty, according to the military census taken in that year, twelve of whom went to the ft-ont at the first call of the American cause. He also re-enlisted in 1776 and served three months and eight days under Washington at New York, and was one of the thirty-six men enlisted in that year ; and the family name was originally Spar- Hawk, or Sparrow-Hawk, but to escape British ap- prehension and execution for deserting the British cause before this, the changed name Frohock was taken and has been ever since retained. Before the close of the war Gilmanton had furnished one hun- dred and twenty-five enlisted men, among whom are other names of Gilford inhabitants, as Major Jabez James, John Cotton, Benjamin Libbie, Lieutenant Samuel Ladd, David Clough, Abel Hunt, Enoch Hunt, Mr. Page, Ichabod Buzzell, Jacob Jewett, Jeremiah Bartlett and others. A part of the militia was called into service in 1781 and ten men went. The afterwards-organized militia called for two com- panies of infantry from Gilford proper; also a rifle company and light infantry company and some artil- lerymen and cavalrymen. As the territory was first settled in the time of the Revolutionary War, so it was set off and incorporated into a township in the time of the War of 1812. Born and reborn amid the throes of civil strife, she would be expected to inherit a somewhat belligerent nature and develop into a championship. Into this war she, as the youngest municipality, sent her honorable quota. Nor were her sons wanting in courage when the conflict grew severe. There were three drafts made for the army and many watchers went to the Canada line to staijd as sentinels and watchers on our borders. The men were Joseph York, Stephen Langley (who had settled near the Benjamin Libbey place, by Long Bay), Frank Bowman, who lived near the Weirs and who died in the army. He was an Indian doctor and said to be a Prussian. He was one while located at the Stone-Dam Island, then previously at or near tlie Weirs; Daniel Foster, Joseph Libbey going to the line; Ira Seabury to go to Portsmouth; and from Cap- tain Bradford's company,— Lieutenant Henry Mal- lard, who was a carpenter; and Mark Chase, who went as a substitute. Captain Mason led his company to the line. Lieutenant Samuel Leavitt was officer in Mason's company. The men of 1812 were mainly sent to Portsmouth. The spirit of resistance ran high, and yet there were opposers. The matter of pension was not hotly handled in those days. Lieutenant Philbrick Rand was prominent in military affairs. So was also Lieutenant John Gilman. The distress was considerable, but not extreme, on account of the war. The organization of the militia and its annual muster were continued till about 1855, when the old organization was abolished and muster was no longer required, and so this gala season was lost sight of, to a great relief. Under the old regime, the Tenth Regiment wa.s raised in the original towns of Gilmanton and Barn- stead, or, later, of Gilford, Gilmanton and Barnstead. The muster-field, in earlier years, was at Lower Gil- manton ; but in later years it was by circuit, lield, in turn, at Gilford and Barnstead also. The law required a company parade and drill in the month of May annually, and for preparation for the regimental parade a company drill was practiced, at the option of the officers and company, in Septem- ber, a short time previous to the annual muster, and besides these three regular parades there were also occasionally other special drills. The oflicers in the regiment, the commissioned ones, also had a regi- mental drill before the muster, at which arrangements for muster-day were made between the regimental and the subordinate company oflicers and orders given accordingly. The men of Gilford who held regimental and higher official rank were Peasley Hoit, Ebenezer Stevens, Benjamin F. Weeks and George W. Weeks, success- ively, colonels ; and John M. Potter, J. Q. Merrill and Daniel K. Smith, majors ; Nathan Weeks, regi- mental stafl-officer ; J. J. Morrill, general ; Major Robie, drum-major; J. M. Potter, adjutant. The independent companies. Riflemen and Light Infantry, received their arms and equipments from the State, and they were usually uniformed. The Rifle Company was of later organization and enlisted from the north part of the town. The Light Infantry company was enlisted mainly from Meredith Bridge. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Hon. Benja UOX. B. J. COLE. .Tames Cole, son of Isaac and Han- 774 HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. nah (Atwood) Cole, was born in Franconia, N. H., September 28, 1814. James Cole, the first of the name in America, came to the Plymouth Colony in 1633, and was granted lands on Leyden Street, Plymouth, in 1G37. His de- scendants scattered to various parts of New England, and we find the name a prominent one in Rowley, Mass. The family is an old and honored one, and, in the early part of the eighteenth century, the great- grandfather of Benjamin James Cole was a man of solid worth and property in Rowley. Among his numerous children was Solomon, born in 1742. The family was strongly patriotic, and Solomon and his brothers performed twenty-seven years' service in the colonial army of the Revolution. Solomon was en- gaged throughout the war, participated in the battle of Bunker Hill and in numerous other engagements, and was wounded at Chippewa Plains. The house in which he was born is still standing in Rowley, and occupied by one of the name, Caleb Cole. Solomon married a Barker, and had eight sons, — Timothy, John, Isaac, Benjamin, Solomon, Kimball, Samuel and Asa, — and was one of the stalwart men to whose patriotic principles, firmness of pur- pose and religious character so much of our modern prosperity is due. He was of medium size, pleasant and social manners and a tailor by trade. He lived in Row- ley and Methuen until 1796. From that time until his death, in 1835, at the age of ninety-three, he resided with his sons, Isaac and Rev. Samuel, in Landaff and Lisbon, N. H. (Samuel was a minister of the gospel for forty years, and his son. Rev. Moores Cole, has been in the Christian ministry forty-eight years.) Isaac Cole was born in Rowley, Mass. ; became first a cooper, then a carpenter ; married Hannah At- wood when he was about twenty-three, and settled in Chester, N. H. (Mrs. Cole was a woman of deep re- ligious principle, who carried her belief into daily life. She was a native of Atkinson, N. H., and a cousin of Harriet Atwood, who married Rev. Mr. Newell, and was one of the first female missionaries who went to India from the United States.) Mr. Cole lived in Chester for a few years, when, purchas- ing new lands in LanJaf}', he removed thither and gave his name to " Cole's Hill." His nature did not incline to agriculture, and, about 1813, he went to Franconia to assume the superintendence of the wood-working department of the New Hampshire Iron Manufiicturing Company, located there, and continued in this position eight years. In 1821 he changed his residence to Salisbury (now Franklin village), where he constructed one of the first foun- dries built in New Hampshire. This he conducted six years, when, in 1827, the very great advantage af- forded at " Batchelder's Mills" (now Lake village), in Gilford, induced his removal to that place. Here he established the small foundry which was the germ of the large works of the present Cole Manufacturing Company, and was car-ried on by him nine years. He was an active man, of mechanical aptitude, of great industry and a worthy member of the Free Baptist Church for many years. He died aged eighty-five. Benjamin James Cole was seven years old when his father removed to Salisbury, and had the advan- tages of education afforded by the public schools of that town and Noyes Academy until he was thirteen, afterwards attending Sanbornton Academy. When about nineteen he was, for nearly a year and a half, unable to attend either to study or business, by rea- son of ill health. In December, 1836, in connection with his older brothers, Isaac and John A., he pur- chased the foundry of his father at Lake village, and succeeded to his business, taking the firm-title of " Cole & Co." This firm continued operations, and, in 1846, it became " Cole, Davis & Co." This co- partnership had an existence of ten years, when, in 1857, Mr. Cole became sole proprietor, and conducted it until 1873 under the name of " B. J. Cole & Co." The various demands for his manufacture had steadily de- veloped, from the small iron foundry established by his father, a diversified and rapidly-increasing business, necessitating the erection of new and addi- tional buildings, the introduction of machinery and a large increase of the capital invested. In 1873 the plant was taken by a stock company, incorporated as the " Cole Manufacturing Company," with a capital of sixty thousand dollars, of which all the stock was owned by Mr. Cole and family, except about eight per cent. This company has carried on extensive operations. Their annual product has ranged as high as one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, with one hundred and sixty employes, and during the present depressed times the product is about sixty thousand dollars, with sixty operatives. They con- struct machinery for the manufacture of various kinds of products, such as hosiery, woolen goods, lumber, paper-pulp and paper. During and after the Civil War they have made one hundred thousand dollars' worth of looms in one year. They also make a spe- cialty of manufacturing water-wheels. In their forge and foundry they manufacture car-axles, agricultural implements and stoves. The company has just com- pleted eight sets of machinery for manufacturing " excelsior," which will be placed in the first mill erected for that purpose iu California. The man- agement of this corporation has been under the per- sonal supervision of Mr. Cole. He was the treasurer and superintendent of the company until 1883, when Colonel Henry B. Quimby was elected to the super- intendency on Mr. Cole's resignation. This estab- lishment has done all the castings for the B., C. and M. Railroad since the road was built, the business of this one production amounting from ten thousand dollars to thirty thousand dollars per annum. The power for this large manufiictory is given mostly by water, of which they have two hundred horse- power. They have been necessitated to use steam but a few months in thirty years' time. ^^^^.x^-^ GILFORD. 776 In 1848, Mr. Cole was an incorporator of the Win- nipesaukee Steamboat Company, and waa elected its first president, which office he still retains, and, in isf.i, with the late Captain William Walker, built III. -it<:inier " Lady of the Lake" for this company. ill' li:is built several mills and bridges on contract; was one of the incorporators of Lake Village Savings- Bank, and for ten years its president ; also, one of the incorporators of the Laconia National Bank, of which he was a director ten years ; and an incorporator and the present president of the Wardwell Needle Com- pany, of Lake village. In connection with his manu- facturing Mr. Cole carried on merchandising for over 1 thirty years, and for half a century he has been inti- i niately connected with the growth and prosperity of ' Lake village, and one of the vital factors of its flour- I ishing condition. I He married, June 17, 1838, Mehitable A., daughter I of Nathan and Peace (Cliflbrd) Batchelder, of Lake I village. She is a descendant, on the one side, from I the celebrated colonial minister, Rev. Stephen Bach- ilor;on the other, from the honorable old English family of Clifford. Their children are Ellen A. and Octavia M., who married Colonel Henry B. Quimby, and has two children, Harry Cole and Candace E. Mr. Cole was a Democrat until the breaking out of the Eebellion, in 1861 ; since then he has been a Re- publican. He represented Gilford in the State Legisla- ture of 1849 and 1850. In 18(52, 1863 and 1864 he was a candidate of the Republican party for State Senator in the Sixth Senatorial District ; but as he represented a minority party, he was not elected. He was nom- inated and elected a member of the Governor's Coun- cil for the Second Councilor District, and served as such in the years 1866 and 1867. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1868. He was a delegate to the National Republican Convention which renominated Lincoln at Baltimore, in 1864. He is a member of the Free- Will Baptist Church and a trustee of New Hampton Institution. Mr. Cole is a man of influence in hia town and church, and throughout a large business acquain- tance. He has a kind, social and affectionate na- ture, and cherishes home and friends. He has a winning personal magnetism, which makes for him many friends. To these he is loyal, and he enjoys, to an unusual degree, the marked confidence of the better portion of society and leading business men. He is generous in the highest degree in contributing to religious and charitable objects, and no case of deserv- ing need or suffering ever appealed unsuccessfully to him. He is not only a prominent and leading busi- ness man, an active temperance worker, but, higher yet, a consistent Christian, whose active zeal has done much for the church and society of his locality. CAPTAIN WINBORN A. SANUORN. In the " History of Belknap County " it is fitting that there should be a record of Captain Sanborn, who was so widely and pleasantly known, and so intimately identified with steamboat navigation on Lake Winnipesaukee, and to whose energy and en- terprise the development of that beautiful summer resort. Weirs, is largely due. WiNDORN Adams Sanborn, whose life commenced December 13, 1810, in Gilford, N. H., was the eldest of the four sons of Samuel Oilman and Sally (Mason) Sanborn. The Sanborn family is of English origin, the name being derived from the ])arish bearing the name Sanborn. The emigrant, John (son of John, who married, in England, the daughter of Rev. Stephen Bachilor), came to America in 1632, and to Hampton, N. H., in 1640. He was a man of note, with the title of lieutenant. One of his de- scendants in the seventh generation wiis Samuel Gil- man Sanborn, a man of marked ability, who was born March 20, 1787, on the Sanborn homestead, in Gilford, which was the first land cleared in the Weirs district, and the home of his ancestors from the first settlement. When a mere lad, his ardent desire was for an education, and, in response to his earnest request, he was permitted to attend the acad- emy at Sanbornton Square for a few terms. The sacrifices his parents made in order to pay his ex- penses were amply rewarded by his progress. He was, for many years, a successful teacher. He was a man of intelligence in public affairs, served his town many years as selectman and representative, held a commission as justice of the peace for a long period, and was universally known as '"Squire" Sanborn. After a useful, honored and respected life, he died at the age of eighty-two, upon the farm where he and his wife had lived for nearly sixty years. Sally (Mason) Sanborn, his wife, was the daughter of Cap- tain Lemuel B. and Molly (Chamberlain) Mason, of Durham, N. H. Captain Mason was among the early settlers of Gilford. He was a Revolutionary soldier, having joined the Continental army at Portsmouth when only sixteen years of age, and remained in con- stant service till the close of the war. He also en- listed and took part in the War of 1812. AVhen the division of Gilmanton took place, according to the family tradition, corroborated by the testimony of the old inhabitants, he was invited to name the new town, which he called Guilford, from the battle of Guilford Court-House, S. C, in which he was an active participant. Winborn Adams Sanborn (8) received his name in remembrance of the gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Win- born Adams, who bravely fought and lost his life during the Revolution, at Stillwater. His early life was passed upon the farm aiding his father in his labors. His opportunities for learning were extremely limited, and his only chance for an education, beyond a few weeks at the district school each year, was one term at "Master" Leavitt's select school at Mere- dith, and two terms at Gilford Academy. Books and newspapers were scarce; but the few that fell into HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. his hands were eagerly perused, and their contents carefully stored in his memory. By improving his leisure moments he became a man of rare intelli- gence. To the last of his days he never allowed a newspaper to be carelessly destroyed. When only seventeen, he began teaching, and for several win- ters taught in Gilford and adjoining towns. His life was uneventful, and his active and energetic nature was not content with quietude, and, at the age of twenty, he left home to carve out his future alone and unaided. With his love of adventure, he went to Massachusetts and engaged as a common sailor for a twelve months' voyage on an East India trading- vessel, bound from Salem to Bombay, India. To a country boy, who had never been beyond the capital of his own State, a sea-faring life was particularly attractive ; but, to gratify his parents, he relinquished his plan of following the sea as a vocation, after this voyage. His neatly-written log-book is still pre- served. In 1833 he became the first commander of the " Belknap," the first steamboat on Lake Winnipe- saukee. At the end of two seasons he gave up his position, and, with his love of adventure still una- bated, started west. He first stopped at Wheeling, Va., where he at once .secured a situation as assistant teacher in Wheeling Academy; then, allured by the letters of a friend, he journeyed to St. Louis. He readily found employment, but was soon compelled to return home on account of ill health. The entire journey — going and returning — from New Hamp- shire to St. Louis was by stage over the Allegheny Mountains. (Postage between the two places was twenty-five cents a letter.) On arriving in New Hampshire, he resumed the command of the "Belknap." After a few seasons, he left this position to establish himself as a " country trader" at Alton Bay. In this undertaking, he was financially unsuccessful; but, with unfaltering cour- age, he tried again, — this time as book-keeper for "Isaac & Seth Adams," iron founders, of South Bos- ton, Mass. Here, by a faithful discharge of his duties, he won the confidence of his employers, and the strong friendship thus formed continued to the end of their lives. All his leisure moments were now given to the study of machinery, and, in a short time, he became an engineer of one of the harbor steamers. He soon procured a better situation as engineer of the steamer "Decatur," running between Boston and Newburyport, and retained this position till he was oftered and accepted a more lucrative one as engineer of the steamer "Ohio," on the same route. While here, a long and distressing illness began, and he once more returned to his home in Gilford, where, for two years, he was unable to attend to any business. In the winter and spring of 1851 he superintended the construction of the "Dover" at Alton Bay, and, on its completion, became its captain, and continued in that office for sevcr.il summers, his winters being mainly passed upon his farm, in Gilford. In the full of 1852 his friends and old employers, Isaac & Seth Adams, needed a man of trust, and secured him to superintend the erection of machinery in Cienfuegos, Cuba, where he passed several months. In 1863, he became a large stockholder in, and the captain of, the "Lady of the Lake." In the fall of 1869, Cap- tain Sanborn, with his brother, went on a pleasure trip to Florida, and, while there, found a good open- ing for the lumber business; and the next spring, 1870, he formed a partnership with Charles L. Hoyt, a fellow-townsman, purchased a saw-mill and com- menced the manufacture of lumber in Fernandina. When he relinquished navigation, in 1869, he fully expected to exclusively devote himself to his Florida interests; but his natural liking for a seaman's life and the power of habit were too strong for this, and, in 1878, he again became captain of the "Lady," which position he occupied until the time of his death. As captain, he came in contact with people from all parts of the United States, and his courtesy, combined with his extended knowledge gained by travel, reading and discriminating powers of observa- tion, .speedily won their friendship. During this time, however, he continued the southern business, which had now become extensive, embracing the manufacture and wholesaling of lumber, merchan- dising, etc. In 1880, in addition to his many other cares, he conceived the idea of building a hotel at Weirs. With him to think was to act, and in six weeks from the time the sills were laid, " Hotel Weirs" was ready for occupancy. Of all his enter- prises, this interested and pleased him the most. In 1835, Captain Sanborn married Laviuia Feaslee Hoyt, a very fine-looking and intelligent woman, only daughter of James Hoyt, Jr., and his wife, Ruth (Ayer) Gordon. Mrs. Sanborn was born in Gilford, and died on the home farm, April 20, 1877. Of their two children, the son died in infancy; the daughter, Ellen E., married Captain John S. Wadleigh, the present commander of the " Lady." While in the full possession of all his faculties, after a brief illness. Captain Sanborn met death as bravely as he had life, at Fernandina, Fla., February 21, 1882. His remains were brought to Gilford, and deposited, with Masonic rites, in the family burial- place, March 3, 1882. In politics, Captain Sanborn was one of the " Old Guard " Abolitionists. He represented his native town two years in the Legislature. He was, for many years, an active member of Mount Horeb Commandery of Knights Templar, F. and A. M. He was decided in his views, yet charitable to all ; in religion a "Liberal;" sincere in his friendships; gen- erous to the needy, yet unostentatious in his manner of giving. He was courageous, self-reliant, strong in his convictions, and his keen observation and well- balanced mind enabled him to decide promptly and justly in matters of importance. He possessed the '^"-^^^ ^^, ^ J^ ^,,1^ GILFORD. 777 soundest common sense and that practical view of ' matters that made him competent to guide liis own ' aflairs with discretion and give lielpful advice and ' counsel to others. The humane side of his being was j quickly and energetically responsive. All the ties of , nature and of friendship rooted deeply in his soul, and whoever won his confidence found in him a rare I and valued friend. KEY. K. S. H.4.LL.' Rightly to estimate achievement in any depart- ment, account must be taken alike of the impelling and repelling forces, the aids and hindrances, the en- couragements and rebuffs, which have combined to make it what it is. Heredity, social position, wealthy poverty, dictate most careers. Social aptitude, wise training and family influence send countless numbers of men triumphantly to their goal ; while the want of these often makes every step wearisome and suc- cess well-nigh impossible. The thoughts of one man move to the music of rhyme and rhythm, and he cannot but choose to be a poet. Those of another clothe themselves in the sonorous language, the felicitous expressions of an orator; the imagination of a third is an exhaustless foun- tain, overflowing in pen-pictures which delight the world. We admire the result ; yet we remember that the genius of each was given, not won. An illustrious name, an attractive physique, a graceful address, smooth the way for merit, commend it to notice, make it conspicuous to the common eye, and this we perceive. It is the battle which is fought without adventitious aid, but against the odds of hostile circumstances, which excites our deepest sympathy and our most hearty praise. These ideas apply with striking force to Rev. King Solomon Hall, of Lake village, X. H. He was born in Groton, N. H., October 22, 1819, the offspring of Josiah and Sarah White Hall. His father died when he was three years old, leaving a family of six children in circumstances of indigence, mainly dependent for support on their widowed mother. At the age of seven he went to reside in a farmer's family, where he remained about seven years. The facilities of- fered him in childhood for acquiring an education were extremely limited. Frcm the age of six to fourteen he attended the district school about six weeks each year in winter, none being held in sum- mer. These were kept in private houses, no school- house having been built until after he left the dis- trict. The seats and desks were of the rudest pat- tern, the former being made of slabs, with legs fitted into the oval sides. In very cold weather it was necessary for comfort to draw the seats around the open fire. The childhood of Mr. Hall was overcast with many shadows. While kindly cared for, as the ' By S. H. Qu , Lancaster, 5IaS3. world goes, his sources of pleasure were meagre ; no mother's companionship cheered him in his daily tasks, and his father's voice was silent in the grave. The elasticities of youth were checked and left a deep impression on his future character. The stern battle of life was begun. At the age of fifteen he found employment in a factory in Lowell, where he re- mained about four years. In the spring of 18.39 he attended a select school, taught by Miss Spaulding, at Rumney, where, at the age of nineteen, he com- menced the study of English grammar. The writer, a member of the same school, well remembers how keenly he felt the loss of early training, and how deeply he deplored the fact that he was so far behind many so mucli younger than himself. But a new revelation inspired him with fresh zeal. He clearly saw the necessity of educational acquisition. A new life opened before him, which was filled with promise, though many discouragements darkened his daily life. He had no advantages of early study ; conse- quently his abilities for acquisition were not rapid. But he was thoroughly in earnest, and he here de- veloped the careful and patient investigation which were marked characteristics of his after-career. In the autumn of the same year he entered the Academi- cal Department of the New Hampton Institution and graduated from the theological department of the same school in 1845. The writer, a room-mate for two years, clearly recalls his heroic struggles during this critical period of his life. He was entirely de- pendent on his own earnings for support. Not the gift of a dollar did he ever receive from a relative after he was seven years of age. But some friends in Rumney and New Hampton, touched by his manly efforts to secure an education, rendered him some as- sistance, which, although small in amount, was most gratefully received. He taught school during the winters, together with evening schools in singing, writing and geography ; and during the latter part of his connection with the institution, besides occasion- ally preaching elsewhere, he regularly supplied, for several terms, the pulpit of the Baptist Church in Danbury, frequently walking fifteen miles to reach an appointment. During one term, while other students were en- gaged in recreation, he cultivated the soil, giving the proceeds for a copy of " The Religious Encyclopa-dia." But these struggles with adverse elements were not without reward. He never grew discouraged, and these fierce contests were daily developing into a sturdy manhood. With self-reliance came firmness and moral strength. He was sedate — perhaps a na- tive feature of his character, enhanced by the sur- roundings of his boyhood and his earliest recollec- tions, mingled with poverty and the laborious toil of his mother's needle. Still, he was always cheerful, and had a host of friends. The frivolities and merry-makings, in which too many of the young men engaged, had no allurements 778 HISTOKY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. for him. His aims in life were too serious, his efforts too arduous, his time too precious to give to any hours spent in such amusements, the glitter of even a passing pleiisure. In the first term of his academic course he had be- come deeply interested in a religious life, and, in Novemljer, 1839, he was baptized and received iuto the Baptist Church in Kumney, and by the same licensed to preach in September, 1840. During this period of his life he had the aid of high religious convictions, and in his greatest straits found comfort and strength from the Father, who, out of this severe discipline, was to raise an efficient helper in his earthly vineyard. The same patient study was continued. No subject was left until thoroughly understood ; and what had been somewhat slowly acquired was not forgotten. He graduated with credit to himself and with the confidence and well-wishes of the entire faculty. His after-life belongs to the Baptist denomination of the State. He was ordained a pastor of the Baptist Church in Hopkinton, N. H., April 22, 1846, having supjilied them regularly from the September previous. On the 30th of July, 1847, at Warner, he was mar- ried to Ann Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Caleb and Eliza Follansbee Buswell. He was dismissed Septem- ber 30, 1851 ; settled with the church at Lake village October 1, 1851 ; dismissed February, 1859 ; with the Merrimack Street Church, Manchester, March 30, 1859; dismissed October 1, 1862; with the church at Methuen, Mass., October 1, 1862 ; dismissed April 30, 1867; with the church at Lake village May 1, 1867 ; dismissed August 1, 1880; with the church at Eumney April 17, 1881 ; dismissed October 1, 1883. It is safe to say that, during this long period of thirty-seven years of active pastoral work, the minis- try of Mr. Hall was remarkably successful. He was thoroughly devoted to his calling, and his whole heart was enlisted in the salvation of mankind. He was warmly welcomed to the several churches at his settlements, and when the stern decree of duty called him away there were very many grieving friends. The amount of good that he accomplished will never be known until the veil is lifted from the future. He will have many stars in the crown of his re- joicing. As an illustration applicable to all his parishes, 1 quote from the history of the First Bap- tist Church in Methuen, published in the Minutes of the Association for 1880 ; after speaking of especial trials, it says : "The coining of Mr. Hall at this time was very opportune, and gave encouragement to the church to renew tlieir diligence and reconsecrate themselves to tlie work of God. He was especially adapted to the field, and by his genial manner, dignified beai-ing and sympathetic heart won not ^nly the hearts of bis church and congregation, but the respect of the community. His labors ai-e frequently referred to now among the older nionibei's of his church, and his kindness is cheritibed with tender recollection liy those wlm shared it in times uf trials and sorrow. His labors were blessed to the strengtbenin tinuanceof harmony and spiritual activity, was a quickening of the church and many were added, who became use- ful and otiicient helpers. . . . Having labored earnestly and successfully for about five years, Mr. Hall resigned his pastoral care March 27, ]8r>7. The church, being anxious to have him continue his labors, urgently re- quested hint to reconsider his determination and remain with them. Still adhering to his purpose, the church very reluctantly accepted his resignation." But the labors of Mr. Hall were not by any means confined to those pertaining strictly to his profession. His reputation extended far beyond his pastorates, and he became a power in the denomination through- out the State. His advice was widely sought. He was deeply interested in educational institutions, and his keen insight and patient endeavor fully equipped him to be of great service in this direction. All charitable organizations of merit found in him an active helper. His has been truly a busy life. Among his published works are some twenty or more reports as school committee of various dates for the towns of Hopkinton, Meredith and Laconia, N. H., and Methuen, Mass. ; reports as school commissioner for Belknap County for 1854, 1855, 1858 and 1859 ; re- port of the New Hampshire Board of Education to the Legislature, 1855 ; seventh and eighth annual reports of the board of trustees of the New Hamp- shire State Normal School ; seventeen reports as sec- retary of the New Hampshire Baptist Convention ; discourse delivered at the funeral of Mrs. Martha R. Herrick, wife of Rev. J. S. Herrick, Rumney, N. H. ; the first half-century of the First Baptist Church in Methuen, Mass., 1865. The honorary degree of A.M. was conferred on him by Dartmouth College in 1860 ; that of D.D. by Central University, Iowa, in 1882. Mr. Hall was a member of the New Hamp- shire Board of Education for Belknap County for four years ; secretary of the board in 1855, and chair- man in 1858. He was for several years a trustee of New Hampton Academical and Theological Institu- tion, previous to its removal to Vermont ; and for twenty years held the same position in regard to the New London Literary and Scientific Institution (now Colby Academy). He was also a trustee of the New Hampshire State Normal School for seven years, from 1872, and for two years secretary of the board. He was secretary and treasurer of the New Hampshire Baptist Pastoral Association from 1851 to 1861 inclu- sive. He was a trustee of the New Hampshire Bap- tist Convention from 1849 to 1862 and from 1867 to 1878, and secretary of the same from 1856 to 1862 and from 1867 to 1878 — in all seventeen years. In all these various trusts, strict fidelity to duty, an un- swerving integrity and an unvarying courtesy were the marked characteristics of his office. The great measure of success which has attended his career, Mr. Hall cheerfully claims is largely due to his wife, who, by her ability and liberal culture, combined with strict economy, industry and tact, has proved a helpmate in so many ways for nearly forty ~t^u^ fe ^<^^-^^^<^ ilLFOKD. r79 Mr. Hall does not possess the qualities that make what the world would call a brilliant man. Conclu- sions do not come to him as intuitions or startling revelations. His grasp of mind, always t'oiiiiircluMisivc, is too massive to move by electricity. Results are rather worked out by careful investiga- tion. Conscientious in every fibre of his being, he desires clearly to see the right. Cousequently ho has always been a safe counselor, and his judgments have seldom failed. As a pastor, he has been prudent and vfatchful, pure and dignified in his daily life, always casting oil upon troubled waters. His heart has always been open to the anguish of suffering or the wail of sorrow. In his religious views, it seems unnecessary to say tliat he has always been a Baptist to the core. To him the doctrines of the Bible are clear and explicit and a living truth. But he is exceedingly catholic and tolerant of the views of others, as it would be a part of his nature to be. Firm and uncompromising in what he believes to be the teachings of the Scriptures, and in his j)reaching never withholding them, he would not willingly injure the feelings of a single human being. Mr. Hall is not a controversialist for the sake of argument. There is nothing pugnacious in his na- ture. He loves those things that tend to peace. Still, when principle is involved, he is firm and even aggressive. An indomitable perseverance is one of his marked characteristics. Without this quality, he never would have achieved success. Indeed, his better aspirations would have been utterly crushed in early life ; and by this alone he has borne the most serious responsibilities and carried through the greatest enterprises of his life. Mr. Hall has, from his earliest boyhood, been a stanch temperance advocate, having never drunk a glass of intoxicating liquor as a beverage, nor used a particle of tobacco in any form. Besides lecturing on temperance, he has always sought to persuade young men to abistain from the use of these stimu- lants, and he has joyful reason to believe that, through his earnest eilbrts, many children and youth have been saved from the terrible evils of intemper- ance. Since his return to Lake village, Mr. Hall has found recreation and pleasure in fruit-culture, par- ticularly that of grapes and pears, of which he has had on his grounds about fifty varieties of each. Premiums for the best show of these fruits have been repeatedly awarded him by the Grafton and Belknap Counties Agricultural Fairs. Long-continued illness alone compelled him to relinquish the active work of the ministry; with returning health, many pulpits woul* be gladly ojiened to him. But it is not probable that he will enter upon another pastorate. He and his worthy wife are living quietly in their pleasant home at Lake village, where so many hope that the evening of their days may be sjjanned with the bow of promise. He is still frequently called to the bridal and the funeral. His interest is in no manner relaxed in the success of Christian effort ; and as the shadows begin to gather, a long life devoted to the welfare of his kind grows luminous with a brightness which merges into the glories of the hereafter. This hastily- prepared sketch is the tender testimonial of an old schoolmate and a life-long friend. To those, so few of whom are living, who know the privations of his childhood and youth and the heroic struggle of his early manhood, out of which came ultimate success, it will not seem like words of adulation, but a calm and dispassionate rehearsal of some of the events and characteristics of a valuable life. Martin Alonzo Haynes comes from old Puritan stock, being a descendant, in the eighth generation, from Samuel Haynes, who came over from England, in 1635, in the ship "Angel Gabriel ;" was wrecked at Pemaquid (now Bristol) Me., in the great hurricane of 15th of August, same year; finally settled at Ports- mouth, N. H., in the parish of Greenland, in 1650; was one of the nine founders and a deacon of the First Congregational Church of Portsmouth; was a selectman from 1653 to 1663, and ;held many other ofHces of trust. The subject of this sketch was born at Springfield, N. H., July 30, 1842, and four years later his parents removed to Manchester, N. H. His father, Elbridge G., wiis for thirty years a prom- inent figure in the city's history, noted for his un- swerving convictions, his old-fashioned integrity and sound judgment and his interest in public affairs. He was anxious that his children should enjoy better advantages than had been his in youth, and the outbreak of the Civil War found Martin, his oldest child, with a good High-School education and the printer's trade acquired. But President Lincoln's first call for troops found the boy of eighteen ready, and he enrolled his name and was mustered into the "Abbott Guard," the first company to enter the camp of the First Regiment at Concord. Before leaving the State the company was transferred to the Second Regiment and ro-enlisted for three years. Shortly after the regiment's arrival at Washington he was appointed clerk to the regimental commissary; but when the first advance was made into Virginia, learning the arrangements contemplated his remain- ing back in camp, he threw up his derkshij) in dis- gust, demanded his musket and took his place in the ranks of his company. It is his boast that he served as a private soldier for three years, that he participated in every engagement of the regiment from Bull Run to Cold Harbor, that HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. he never answered to " surgeon's call " and was never a day ofi" duty. He was three times slightly wounded, — at First Bull Run, in the neck by a splinter from a fence-rail, while defending, late in the day, the sunken road, immediately in front of the Henry house; at Glen- dale, receiving a severe contusion in the groin from a spent ball ; at Second Bull Run, in the famous bay- onet charge of Grover's Brigade, when the Second Regiment pierced two rebel lines of battle, he re- ceived a savage blow in the face and bled profusely, but carried out of the mel6e the wounded Lieutenant Rogers, who died in his arms. In this affair the regiment lost 132 out of 332 men. At Gettysburg, where the regiment rendered the " Peach Orchard " famous and suffered the terrible loss of 193 out of 354 engaged, the three men nearest him in line were all wounded by fragments from one shell, but he escaped unmarked. Upon his return from the war he resumed news- paper work at Manchester for a while, serving upon the editorial staff of the Daily Mirror and Daily Union, until he left to take the position of clerk and paymaster of the Rockingham Mills, at Portsmouth, N. H. He remained there until the suspension of the mills — about a year. In January, 1868, in company with Benjamin F. Stanton, he founded the Lake Village Times newspa- per, and has retained control of the paper ever since, with the exception of the first three years, as sole proprietor. He represented the town of Gilford in the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1872 and 1873, in the first year serving as chairman of the committee on fisheries, in the latter as chairman of the military committee. He was an aide-de-camp on the staff of Governor Prescott, with the rank of colo- nel. In 1876 he was appointed clerk of the Circuit Court and the Superior Court of Judicature for Belk- nap County, retaining the position until 1883, when he resigned to take a seat in the National Congress. In 1881 and 1882 he served as president of the New Hampshire Veteran Association, which he turned over to his successor not only free from debt, but with several thousand dollars' worth of buildings for the accommodation of its annual reunions at Weirs. He was also Commander of the Grand Army of the Re- public, Department of New Hampshire, during the same years. Upon the approach of the fall elections of 1882 his old comrades-in-arms brought his name forward lor the Republican nomination to Congress from the First New Hampshire District, and after a canvass which is memorable in the history of New Hampshire poli- tics he was nominated in the convention, at Dover, and elected in November by an unprecedented plu- rality of nearly thirty-eight hundred. In 1884 he was renominated by acclamation in the convention held at Wolfeborough, and received nearly twenty-tive hundred plurality at the polls, his opponent being Rev. L. F. McKinney, of Manchester, one of the ablest and most popular men of his party in the State. In both elections he ran very far ahead of his ticket, re- ceiving hundreds of Democratic votes. He was married, in 1863, to Miss Cornelia T. Lane, of Manchester, and two daughters survive to bless their pleasant home, which is delightfully situated in Lake village, surrounded with fruit and forest-trees and looking down ujion the waters of Lake Winui- pesaukee. He has delivered many addresses and poems at sol- diers' reunions and gatherings; but his caief literary work was a "History of the Second Regiment," copies of which are now eagerly sought for by collectors. He is decidedly a man of the people, makes friends and keeps them, and delights in the sports of gun and rod. JOHN S. CR.\XE. Among the vigorous, active and successful men of Belknap County must be mentioned John Summer- field Crane, of Lake village. He was born in Spring- field, Mass., February 3, 1834, and was son of Luther and Rebecca (Manter) Crane. The Crane family has been a representative one in various spheres, in New England from the days of its first settlement. Jasper Crayne was one of the founders of the New Haven colony, signed its " fundamental agreement" June 4, 1639, and became one of its leading and influential members. Another branch of the same family settled in Berkley, Mass., at its first settlement, and the descendants of this pioneer have ever held positions of responsibility, and been represented in every generation in medicine, law and theology. Henry Crane settled in Dorches- ter early. His descendants are numerous. One of them, John, was a pioneer of Taunton, and he is the progenitor of the numerous families of that name in Norton and Canton. Luther Crane was a native of the latter town, but, owing to the incompleteness of the records, we find it impossible to give the exact line from Henry. John S. Crane not only descends from good paternal stock, but his mother, a native of Plymouth, Mass., was a lineal descendant of the famous Gover- nor and writer of " Plymouth Colony," William Bradford. From such a stock we should expect good offspring, and when we see the odds against which Mr. Crane has been compelled to battle, and the signal success that has attended his career from the humble condition of his boyhood up to the station he now occupies of a leading and wealthy manufacturer, we must concede to him his full share of the ability of his strony progenitors, and acknowledge him as one who, in the highest sense of the term, is a "self- made" man. Luther Crane was a hatter, of an ingenious and ^^^^^1.^^- GILFORD. 781 mechanical nature, and was employed by the Hamil- ton Cotton Manufacturing Company as a spinner in the first cotton-mill in Lowell. He then removed to Ohio, and when John was nine years old came to Salmon Falls, N. H., where he became a resident. John was a liid of quick conception, and made good progress during his attendance at the district school and South Berwick Academy. His skill in drawing ■was so great that a gentleman voluntarily offered to educate him as an artist ; but, with the impulsiveness of youth, he did not avail himself of this offer, and at fifteen years of age shipped as a boy before the mast on a clipper ship bound for India. The voyage lasted twenty-two months, and the vessel circumnavi- gated the globe. On the return from the Sandwich Islands Mr. Crane was the ship-carpenter. The hard actualities of a sailor's life dispelled his romantic dreams, and, during the long hours in which there was nothing to do but think, he decided to "make a man of himself" by honest industry and patient ap- plication. So, returning to Salmon Falls, he entered a shop to learn the trade of machinist, which was his choice from his aptitude for mechanics. Remaining here one year, he went to Lawrence for six months' labor, then to the Lowell Machine-Shop, in Lowell, conducted by Lucius Cutter. By this time he had attained proficiency in his calling, and, after six months' service here, was engaged l)y Lucius Waite to fit up and take charge of a sewing-machine manu- factory for one year. This business was then discon- tinued, and Mr. Crane, after working a short time in Manchester, concluded to visit the West, and see if he could find a suitable place to establish himself with the small capital acquired by his industry and careful savings. Not finding a situation to his mind, he re- turned to Lowell and became the superintendent of a pattern and model-shop for one year. In 1855 he removed to Franklin, N. H., to complete and place in running order some knitting-machines for a Lowell house. This kept him busy for only a short period, and, in the spring of 1856, he began the connection with the manufacturing interests of Lake village, which has been of such value to him, and which links him with every step in the rise of an important industry in this place. He was employed by B. J. Cole to build knitting-machines for Thomas Apple- ton, the manufacturer. This was the introduction of this branch of manufacturing to this vicinity, and began a new and successful era in its progress. He worked for Mr. Cole six months, and then made a contract with Mr. Appleton to build knitting-ma- chines at his mill, and, about the same time (fall of 1857), became his superintendent. These positions he occupied until the spring of 1862. Designing and perfecting, in connection with John Pepper, what ■was called the " Pepper Knitting-Machine," he then took the contract to build the machines, and, with William Pepper, formed the firm of Crane & Pepper. They began work with fifteen operatives, in a building owned by B. J. Cole, and constructed from fifteen to twenty machines per month. They were burned out about 1863, and John Pepper built a new shop for the firm on the site of the old Small mill. About this time Mr. Crane, Benjamin F. Peaslee, of Lake village, and Thoma.s Joyce, of Boston, formed the Winnipesaukee Hosiery Company, purchased the machinery of the Pulsifer mill, and, in 1864, began the manufacturing of hosiery, employing thirty hands, with Mr. Peaslee in charge and Mr. Crane as superintendent. In December, 1864, Mr. Crane purchased the interests of his partner, and after running the works till March, 1865, sold the whole to R. M. Bailey. The manufacture of knit- ting-machines continued until about 1869, when Mr. Crane sold out this business and became connected with Walter Aikin, of Franklin, in the proprietorship of the " Gilmore Revolving Diamond Stone-Dressing Machine," for dressing mill-stones. Mr. Crane spent most of his time in Franklin, and for two years was engaged in introducing this invention to the public. Returning to Lake village, he purchased, for two thousand dollars, the interest of Charles H. Young in the firm of Young & Peaslee, engaged in manu- facturing circular knitting-machines under Young's patent, and, in the spring of 1872, the firm of Crane & Peaslee began its existence with six men, and for two years made one hundred and fifty hosiery-ma- chines a year. In 1873, Mr. Crane designed and perfected a ma- chine for making shirts and underwear on the same principle, which he secured by patents, and in Sep- tember, 1874, moved his manufactory to its present location. The new machines became an important addition to this business, as they were rapidly called for. In January, 1875, the firm employed ten men, with a monthly pay-roll of four hundred dollars, and, in spite of the depressed times, they continued to do a most prosperous business. In November, 1878, Mr. Peaslee sold his half-interest to Mr. Crane for four thousand dollars. B. F. Drake purchased one-third interest, and the firm became J. S. Crane & Co., and they carried on the business until July, 1884, employing as high as sixteen men, and, from a pro- duction of five thousand dollars, in 1868, the business steadily increased until it amounted to fifty thousand dollars annually. Purchasing Mr. Drake's interest at the above date, Mr. Crane has since continued manufacturing under the same name, with his son as partner. They now employ from twenty to twenty- five men, and have a yearly business of seventy-five thousand dollars. Their specialties are circular knitting-machines, for hosiery, underwear, Jersey cloth and stockinet. About 1883, Mr. Crane became jointly interested with R. F. M. Chase in a patent knit fabric,— the "stockinet," — which bids fair to become one of the leading features of this class of goods in the country, and to assume enormous business proportions. To 782 HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. this Mr. Crane has given his whole attention, has in- vented and improved inventions, patented improve- ments, and also constructed machines for making Jersey cloth and stockinet. The machines of his manufacture are in use in all parts of the United States, but to the greatest extent in New England. He has taken orders for this class of machinery as high as fifty thousand dollars' worth at one time. Mr. Crane married, in 1856, Clara J. Smith, of Nashua, a lady well fitted to appreciate and promote the artistic ideas of Mr. Crane and be an eflicient associate of his life. Their only child is Mazellah L. In politics, Mr. Crane is a pronounced Republican. He represented Laconia in the State Legislature of 1875, and Gilford in that of 1878. He was one of the incorporators and is now a director of Lake Village Savings-Bank, and belongs to the various Masonic bodies to the commandery. Mr. Crane can attribute his success to persistent and indefatigable industry, to the close and concen- trated action of mind and body and his quick and intelligent appreciation of meu and things. His natural tastes are in harmony with artistic and cultured surroundings, and his business has enabled him to gratify- his desires. He has designed and erected the handsomest residence in the town, a view of which appears on another page, and his home abounds in all the comforts that money will buy. He is a lover and owner of fine horses, intelligent dogs and a fine steam yacht, and is passionately fond of aquatic and field sports. He is a good citizen, a social companion, a strong friend, and, with his positive and energetic nature, may be truthfully called a good type of the rushing, active, impetuous and successful Americans of the nineteenth century. MO.SES SARGEXT. But little more than a quarter of a century had passed after the long and exhausting Revolutionary war, when manufiictures were few and in their infan- cy, and our people were chiefly agriculturists and day laborers, compelled to exercise the utmost economy, and but a limited number were able to give their children the advantages of a liberal education, when Moses Sargent, son of Moses and Nancy (Morrill) Sargent, first saw the light of day, in the old town of Amesbury, Mass., December 16, 1803. His father was a ship-carpenter, wholly dependent on his daily labor, and when Moses was but a few years old Mr. Sargent met with an accident, which seriously crip- pled him for life, and incapacitated him from longer attending upon his vocation; so, at the age of nine years, the young lad was obliged to go out into the world of work and struggle for a living, not only for himself, but for his parents, without any of the ad- ventitious aids of education or inherited rank, and with only his brave heart and willing hands. He commenced work in a factorv in .Vincsbiuv, which was the first broadcloth-factory erected in the United States. Being a good, honest, industrious, hard-working lad, he soon attracted the attention of his employers, and the agent of the factory gave him one term's schooling, when he was about thirteen, and he also wrote off the multiplication table for him to learn while at his work. But to the eagerly desirous and willing searcher for knowledge the way is made, ojjeued or found in some manner, sooner or later, and at a school, which was kept on Sunday, by a Quaker gentleman and philanthropist, for the pur- pose of giving the factory operatives an opportunity to obtain some education, Moses learned the ruili- ments of mathematics, and took a peep into that realm of knowledge which he had so longed to enter. His diligence and rapid progress, and his wish for an education, so impressed his teacher, that when he was about sixteen he offered to pay the expenses of Moses' tuition at some good school, but as he was almost the sole dependence of his parents he was forced to de- cline this kind offer. He remained for eight years in the broadcloth-fac- tory, when Amos Lawrence and his brother, with others, under the firm-title of '' A. & A. Lawrence & Co.," started a flannel-factory, where Moses engaged work and was employed for twelve years. About 1830 this firm purchased a broadcloth-factory a short distance up the river, for the purpose of using it for making satinets, and Mr. Sargent, who had grown up almost to manhood in the factories, and had made capable and good use of his time, and become a skilled and experienced workman, was given the super- intendence of the putting in of the machinery and getting the manufactory in running order. He held this position for about three years, when he went to Byfield, leased a water privilege, and with one set of cards he started the manufacture of yarn in a small way on his own account. He continued in business here for two years, when his health failed and he was advised by his physician to leave the proximity of the salt water, and in December 1835, he came to Batchelder's Mills, N. H. (now Lake village), and leased a yarn-mill of the Lake Company, and fitted it up to make woolen yarn for domestic knitting purposes. Mr. Sargent was the pioneer manufacturer of this yarn in New Hampshire. He commenced with one set of twenty-four-inch cards and ten operatives, and for twenty-nine years he was engaged in this industry. The business steadily augmented, and the one set of cards was increased to five, and for the last two years Mr. Sargent himself manufactured the yarn into stockings ; among his contracts, filling two for the United States government, amounting to one hundred and fifty thousand pairs. Shortly after the close of the Civil War Mr. Sargent disposed of his business interests to the Belknap Company, of Laconia, and for about a year was not in active business. He then went to Upper Gihnanton, bought a cotton-mill, fitting it up for YU>^> y- ^-'^/.A c ? (83 making cotton stockings, ami carried on tliis manu- facture for six years, employing two hundred opera- tives. His factory was then pureliased by " A. Lawrence & Co.," who after a few years formed a stock company ; fifty shares of the stock were given to Mr. Sargent, in consideration of friendship, long acquaintance and the pleasant business relations which had always existed between them. During his residence in Upper Gilmanton he took an interest in the affairs of the town, and it was through his influence that the name was changed to Belmont. Politically, he was a Whig, and is now a Republican, and represented Belmont in the State Legislature in 1872, and its prosperity and growth is due, in a large measure, to Mr. Sargent's enterprise. He relinquished business after the sale of his interests in Belmont, and returned to Lake village, which has since been his home. Mr. Sargent married, first, October 27, 1824, Judith, daughter of Stephen and Esther (Reynolds) Hoyt. Their children were Mary (married H. O. Heywood, has two surviving children, and resides in Lake vil- lage.); Stephen H., who now lives in Salem, Mass.; Moses, who is agent of the Gilmanton Mills, Belmont; John, deceased; David, deceased; and Frank S., now an overseer under Moses. Mr.s. Judith Sargent died July 26, 1849; and Mr. Sargent married, second, Mrs. Mary Huntington (born Seavey), in February, 1850. She died December 2, 1854, and he then married, Sarah, daughter of Gilman and Sally Thyng. Mr. Sargent has been a resident of Lake village for many years, but his devotion to business has pre- vented him from being especially active in its public affairs or taking official position ; yet he has always contributed generously to every worthy object, public or private. He was one of the incorporators of the Lake Village Savings-Bank, and director and vice- president from its establishment until the present time. For forty years he has been a member of the Baptist Church, and conscientiously acted according to the truths and doctrines of the same. For forty years, also, he had been a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and has taken an active part and taken all the degrees. His attention has been drawn somewhat in the direction of military organi- zations and at one time he was a lieutenant in the militia. Mr. Sargent for more than three-score years has been a producer, and not a mere consumer, earning his own bread, and assisting his parents while yet a mere lad, and before attaining his majority he had provided a comfortable home for them. The patient industry that characterized his early years, when his daily bread and that of others was earned by the toil of his hands and the sweat of his brow ; the perse- vering energy which he manifested when, starting from an humble beginning, he entered upon the special line of manufacturing through which he gained suc- cess,— all these arc worthy of record ; for, " men may come and men may go, but the work they do lives after them, and the industries they plant or aid in advancing go on after they are gathered to their fathers." Mr. Sargent, mindful of early struggles, has assisted many young men to start in life, both with his coun- sel and means. Social, kind -hearted and cheerful, he is a pleasant friend; of sterling integrity and an enterprising man he has made a deep impress upon the industrial development of this section, and now, in his eighty-second year, honored an